Less is More Challenge

Well I'm still flying high after the regional training. I've been trying out all the techniques we learned and playing with my new stamp set...gutted I can't show it to you yet!

I thought I would get back into the challenges this week. so this card is for the Less is More challenge. This week it's a single layer card using a coloured card blank.

I love purple and pink, so I chose Perfect Plum for my base and Melon Mambo embossing powder as embossing gives better colour on coloured card.

I used Just Believe and Curly Cute stamp sets and scored the card using my Simply Scored to give it more dimension.

I had it in my head I could sponge a shadow to add depth... I'm in two minds whether it worked - what do you think? Do leave a comment and let me know... I cut an aperture in scrap card using my Ovals Framelits, positioned it on my card blank using a couple of sticky notes. I sponged with Perfect Plum - then stamped the image with Versamark. Before adding embossing powder I removed the scrap card so I wouldn't get embossing powder trapped in the cut out.

Why not join in yourself? Just click here to visit the Simply Less is More Blog.

Pxxx

Gasp!

Oh where to begin?!?!?!

Yesterday was the Stampin' Up! Regional training in Telford. Approximately 300 demonstrators were there, including 50 Pinkies.

We saw so many sneak peeks and heard lots of exciting news... and I'm going to torment you because we have to keep 'Mum'.

There were Prize Patrols where randomly selected demo's got a FREE new stamp set from the new catalogue, five people got FREE entry to Convention in November. We saw loads of tips and different techniques, we all got a FREE Stamp Set.

There was a lovely lunch, tea, coffee and biscuits.

We spent a short time in the afternoon making a couple of items to take away too!

It was a fantastic day and we all left feeling so inspired... and there is still our own Pinkie training to look forward to in addition to the Stampin' Up! events.

Here is a picture of the swap I did - in return for 100 of these I got 100 back from the other demo's.

I used Secret Garden stamp set, Ovals Collection Framelits and the Beautiful Birthday stamp. Just look at the lovely selection I got in return! Just too many to show each individually!

The lovely Chris from Demo Support was there and I got a big hug - it was so lovely to meet him and the other SU 'staff' - Everyone is so cheerful, bubbly, helpful and nice!

Why not join the Stampin' Up! Family? Join my team and become one of the Pinkies!! There is no better time to do it - There are so many new and exciting things to look forward to... including the new catalogue in July and Convention in November. Click on the link above and remember that until the 30th of May you can choose £155 worth of goods for your starter kit and just pay £99!

It doesn't matter where you are in the UK, or if you just want to take advantage of the discount on the starter kit... call or e-mail me your phone number and I'll explain all!

Love (a very excited) Paula xxx

Well earned day off!

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter. I am getting the weekends washing done today and doing the chores I usually get done over the weekend.

I took Blaze my Border Collie to an Agility Show this weekend. It was run by the lovely Bretford Agility Club, held at Solihull Riding Club. Due to the awful weather this year the show was held in the covered arenas so it wasn't as cold as it could have been though it was a lot colder there than down here in Buckinghamshire.

Due to the fact there were still several inches of lying snow the hardy amongst us who were still daft enough to camp were set up in the car park. To indicate how cold it was the dogs water froze INSIDE my camper! Needless to say it was nice to get home yesterday and have a hot bath!

Today I'm sharing a card I made using a Window Sheet. I stamped the Secret Garden image using Staz On and then mounted it between the white card base and red border cut using my Ovals Collection Framelits. I then added two flowers stamped on Real Red.

I have left it blank so I can add a sentiment... not sure what I'm going to use the card for yet so I'll hold off until the occasion presents itself.

I'm off to do a little trawl of the challenge blogs now to see if I can find some more inspiration to share.

Have a fabulous short (whoohoo) week and hopefully I'll be back tomorrow!

Pxxx

Forgiveness...

You have to forgive me for having not posted since Sunday. It is really difficult to find the time to create and post every day. But I did some serious crafting last night. It was very therapeutic after a really rotten day at work. One of those days where you just wonder what is the point, why do I bother!

Never mind, I am just in time for the Dynamic Duos challenge this week. I saw a slightly similar card on Pinterest and decided to create a version of my own for this challenge. You'll notice from some posts later in the week that black is definitely the new black for me!

The card shape and mat were cut using my Ovals Collection Framelits.

I have used the Flowering Flourishes stamp set heat embossed in Whisper White and sponged with So Saffron. I added the sentiment from Bring on the Cake in Basic Black, the Vellum Card flower was stamped using Secret Garden, cut with the corresponding framelit, heat embossed with Basic Black  sponged in So Saffron and mounted with a dimensional.

I hope you like it - here were the colours and it is Dynamic Duos #44 - visit the blog here.

Thanks for joining me today! Back tomorrow for the CAS Colours and Sketches Challenge.

Pxxx

Paper Players Challenge #132

My challenge entry today is a colour challenge from the Paper Players.

My card uses Summer Starfruit as a base with a white mat. I have punched the bottom of the mat with my Scallop Border Punch. I then added a layer of Print Poetry DSP in Midnight Muse, with the same Scallop Border, then added a wide strip of white, scalloped again and embossed with the Fancy Fan embossing folder.

I used my new Ovals Framelit dies to cut Primrose Petals then a sheet of white card patterned using the shaving foam technique and Summer Starfruit and Primrose Petals re-inkers. It's dead simple. Just squirt shaving foam on a plate, add a few drops of re-inker, swirl slightly with a spoon handle, press on the cardstock, remove, wipe clean and you are left with this fantastic swirly effect! I then stamped the image from Just Believe.

The sentiment is embossed in white and a few pearls have been added for a bit of 'Bling'.

I hope you like it! Don't forget you can buy everything you need to make these cards from me.

Come back tomorrow and see what else I have to share!

Paula xxx