Are we nearly there yet?

Oh yes we are! I am so excited that the days are getting longer and it will be light in the evenings again!

Please excuse me if I ramble on a bit but I made a spaghetti bolognese this evening and there was a bottle of red wine in the cupboard... and, well, it would have been rude not to!

I wanted to share the cards we made in our March classes. The last class of the month is tomorrow. But I do have spaces available in April and have four spaces available for the class in The Swan Hotel, Thame on the 13th of April at 7pm... so book now to save your space!

These were the cards we made this month...

This one used Gorgeous Grunge and Flower Shop with the Pansy Punch

In addition we used Petite Petals with the co-ordinating punch on this one.

The background on this one is Something Lacy and the sentiment from Petite Pairs

The sponging on these flowers is so effective! And the leaves were made using the Bird Builder punch

I'm off to make some thank you cards now for this months orders... Have a great week!

Paula xxx

Making super little Boxes - Video Tutorial

Hello, Exciting news for you tomorrow evening! So you HAVE to come back and find out the exciting news.

I'm writing a quick post from my sick bed as I wanted to share this video tutorial with you.

I like to make unique projects to demonstrate and I haven't seen these anywhere else so I hope they fall into that category!

I use the Stampin' Up! Trimmer and Envelope Punch Board... I have decorated using Petite Pairs (Sentiment), Chalk Talk and matching framelits and some of the Stretch Ruffled Ribbon with a couple of punches.

I hope you enjoy - Please feel free to CASE and Share - though a credit or link back to my blog would be much appreciated!

Here is a close up of that cute tag!

All White

I love to see white cards, but I also like to add a little splash of colour.

Today's cards were inspired by one I saw on Pinterest (don't go there - I can spend hours just browsing!), the use of the dies to cut a window for the sentiment. The first is a Birthday card and I did a number of different colours afterwards - yet it is so unusual for me to make the same card twice!

The flowers are from the Flower Shop stamp set, punched out with the corresponding punch - buy them together and save 15% and the sentiment is from Simply Sketched. The Die is from Apothecary Accents.

I just added a few pearls and just loved this card on sight!

Then for all you lovely people who are already well on the way to being organised for Christmas, here is a seasonal version.

For this one I used the Northern Flurry embossing folder, the Christmas Ornament punch, some silver glimmer card cut into a snowflake using the Festive Flurry dies. The ribbon is 1/8" Taffeta in Real Red and the sentiment is from Petite Pairs.

I hope you have had a sparkly day and do visit my shop and check out all the fantastic products!

Paula xxx

Less is More Challenge

I hope you have recovered from yesterdays excitement! My diary is ready and waiting for you to book your parties.

I sometimes suffer with insomnia and despite all the exercise yesterday I only slept for about 40 minutes last night! I walked another 6 miles today so hopefully come bedtime I'll sleep... If anyone has any tips I would really appreciate them. My general 'sleep hygiene' is good - No TV in the bedroom, chilling before bed, even tried staying up until I was ready to drop and that didn't work...

Anyway - I promised you another challenge entry and this is for Less Is More's sketch challenge.

I like to think outside the box a bit - so rather than put a stamp in a shape.... I decided the stamp design would completely replace the circle - mainly because I have this gorgeous stamp - Love and Joy and want to use it all the time!

What I did was to stamp the image in Versamark, then pour on Heat and Stick powder, shook off the excess and heated it, I then poured on the new gold Stampin' Glitter, shook off the excess and Voila - re-heated and set.

The little sentiment is from Petite Pairs and cut using the Bitty Banner Framelits.

Hope you like it - have a good evening and I'll be back soon!

Pxx

Simply Sunshine

This week is Risborough Festival - the weather is glorious and I've just been for a little walk round the town. There's so much going on - I must admit I was extremely naughty and headed for the hog roast!

I'm torn now between sitting in the garden or crafting... Decisions Decisions - it is so hot our chap that cuts the grass isn't coming today... lawn looks like a jungle - but there's plenty for the rabbit and guinea pig to eat!

Todays little card is a variation on Fridays man card - it is almost the equivalent for a lady. I was unsure about the colour combo - but now I see it all together I love it.

The base card is Always Artichoke, the Top Note is Pistachio Pudding and embossed again with the Square Lattice embossing folder. The tag, punched using the new Artisan Label punch, is whisper white with the sentiment from Petite Pairs stamped in Calypso Coral.

The leaves and flowers are stamped using the Secret Garden stamp set and cut out with the corresponding framelits. I just love Calypso Coral with the greens.

Hope you'll come back and join me tomorrow!

Pxxx

Sneak Peek Week - Day 5!

Today I want to demonstrate that although there are lots of corresponding dies and embossing folders - you really don't 'need' them... well I 'need' everything, but that's a different story!

This card uses Calypso Coral and So Saffron, which are both from the Subtles Colour Collection. I have used the new Mosaic Punch and Mosaic Madness stamp set. In addition I used the Itty Bitty Shapes punch, sentiment from Petite Pairs and a couple of Pearls.

Just as gorgeous without the embossing isn't it? I just love the crispness of the images - these new 'not so new' ink pads are just fabulous. Something else I am gradually replacing!

The Colour Refresh has really opened my eyes to some combinations I hadn't thought of before. Just gorgeous! I'm thinking Wisteria Wonder would go beautifully with that So Saffron... maybe the next card!

Hopefully I'll have another for you tomorrow. You'll just have to wait and see! So pop back and check things out!

Paula xxx

Something Simple Sunday

Oh My - do you know how hard it is trying to think of titles for your blog posts - especially as I'm writing this on Monday 3rd of June!

As I have no internet access whilst I'm away - I have no idea whether you are enjoying the promised good week of weather and no idea if Stampin' Up! have released any new gems of info - so please pop back Tuesday or Wednesday for an 'up to date' update.

I hope you've all been taking advantage of my holiday to go through the retired list and decide what you want to order... don't forget you can e-mail your order! Just include contact details in case I need to clarify anything.

Today's card - is exactly what it says on the tin (title) - Something simple... and if you don't have the embossing folder you could use a background stamp or patterned papers.

I used the Lacy Brocade embossing folder. Sentiment from Petite Pairs and added some Crumb Cake Seam Binding - as I said - something really simple for a relaxing Sunday - and not too taxing on the brain!

Speak soon!

Paula xxx

CAS Colours & Sketches Thursday

Hope you have had a chance to visit the on-line shop! The link is in yesterday's post or on my side bar.

Today is my CAS Colours and Sketches card.

The Very Vanilla mat was embossed with the Delicate Designs embossing folder, I then scored and punched scallops on Pink Pirouette card stock, stamping the image using a stamp from Flowering Flourishes in Perfect Plum.

The sentiment is from Petite Pairs and also stamped in Perfect Plum.

I added a few pearls and just love the simplicity of this card. I can't wait to give it to someone!

Here is this weeks sketch. Why not join in yourself at CAS Colours and Sketches

Keep checking back for new posts and I'll be back soon!

Paula xxx

Sunny Day!

What a spectacularly fabulous weekend! Lovely weather, I even have the customary 'pub tan' from helping on the ring at Vyne Agility Show today at Newbury Showground.

We didn't get a single clear round... in fact my handling was atrocious and we got eliminated on all three runs.  At the end of the day though I took the best dog home and he got thoroughly praised after each run, he thinks he went clear! Nothing is more upsetting to see than a handler leaving the ring in a strop because they didn't go clear and either moaning at the dog or ignoring it. As owners it is our responsibility to train our dogs to the appropriate standard and if we fail, give an early or late command, or even enter a dog for competition that isn't ready it is our fault - NOT the dog.

My last run of the day was in a class being judged by a lovely judge, by the time I had messed up the first half of the course we were laughing and joking about it... I don't care how foolish I looked in front of the other handlers - I was having fun with my dog. THAT is what it's about!

Anyhow - with all the fabby weather and my vain attempts to do more exercise and lose a few pounds... I have had very little time for crafting. Though I have a few cards 'on hand' and I will try to do better!

This is a stunning and simple card made using the Secret Garden Stamp set, a sentiment from Petite Pairs and 3 pearls just to add some dimension.

A great card to use as a Make and Take or for a Stamp a Stack.

Hope you like it!

Back soon! You may have noticed my Blog is no longer on the lovely Michelle Last's blog - this is because the Pinkies have grown so much as a team Michelle can only put links on for her direct downline. So please bookmark this blog so you remember to come back and visit!

Pxxxx

CAS Colours and Sketches Challenge #16

Yup - today is another challenge from the Colours and Sketches team - why not come over and join us this week!

My card this week is a simple card, but I have used what I refer to as card quilting... why? Coz it looks like that's what someone has done.

All you need to do is adhere your shape - in this case the stripes - to cardstock with your Tombo Adhesive and run it through the Big Shot in the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.

I then stamped the car from the Need for Speed Stamp set and fussy cut it out (Oh - by the way, if you haven't heard the term before it's a nice way of saying I fiddled about with some sharp little scissors to cut something out!) and stuck it with a dimensional. I still needed to find that final element so I punched out a sentiment from Petite Pairs with my Extra Large Tag Punch. Sponged the edges and tied it with a little Bakers Twine.

Here is the original Sketch - why not join in this week! We would love you to share your creativity!

Back again tomorrow!

Pxx

In Stitches - #135

You may be wondering at the title of today's post... well it is the challenge title for the Paper Players this week.

I was completely stumped for a couple of hours until I remembered the Tea for Two DSP in the Spring Summer Mini!

So I used some to create the body of my card and simply added a bow made from Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon, a Large Tag, tied with a little Island Indigo Bakers Twine and stamped in Island Indigo with a sentiment from Petite Pairs. I used a Sponge Dauber and Island Indigo to define the Tag and in line with the theme of the challenge I used my Basic Grey Stampin' Write Marker to add some more faux stitching.

You can enter the challenge here

Double Challenge Entry

You know how it is... you're snuggled up under the duvet when a burst of creative ideas explode in your head. You can't shake them, but all you want to do is sleep. An hour later you can't resist any further and you 'have' to get up and put the idea down on paper. Or in my case on card!

I had two challenges I wanted to enter and had this explosion of inspiration at 11:15pm, when I should have been asleep for an hour!

The two challenges were (click on the images to visit the challenge pages):

My take on the combined challenges is this. So I managed to incorporate the Cloud option too!

I used the Hearts a Flutter Framelits to make the clouds and used Basic Black to define the edges, and the edges of the circle. The sentiment is from Petite Pairs and the ship is from The Open Sea. I thought the Bakers Twine added a nautical touch too and the little silver button from the Spring/Summer Mini keeps it nice and masculine.

Inside the card I stuck a Top Note roughly stamped with the globe from The Open Sea.

I hope you like it. I was really pleased with my nightime activities and returned to bed around midnight and went out like a light!

I am just relieved I am posting in time to meet the Dynamic Duos deadline of 12 noon PST!

Paula xxx

Double Challenge Entry

I hope you enjoyed the Pinkies Blog Hops this weekend. We had great fun and I was so impressed with everyones projects.

I have been enjoying challenges so much I am being brave and combining two challenges today!

I have really focused on all the new Spring/Summer products so today I have incorporated a couple of old favourites!

The stamped flower is from the Love and Sympathy set, the sentiment from Petite Pairs.

The DSP is the Natural Composition Speciality Designer Series Paper, cut with the Adorning Accent Edgelit, embossed with the corresponding Adorning Accent embossing folder.

The patterned paper is Comfort Cafe, the ribbon and buttons are Sale-a-bration items. You can get these free with a £45 order! The little pearl is from my stash. It just matched so perfectly!

A little tip for threading your buttons... thread a needle with normal thread, go in and out of the same hole in your button leaving a loop. Thread the end of your ribbon through the loop, pull the cotton taut and pull the loop through and the ribbon will come too!

I hope you like this one - do let me know. I love to get comments!

The first challenge is Dynamic Duos Colour challenge you can visit their blog here - Dynamic Duos

The second is the Mojo Monday Challenge 280 you can visit them here - Mojo Monday

 



Come back and visit soon!

Paula xxx

Pinkies Blog Hop - Part One!

 

 

We’re so glad you could join us on Part 1 of the Pinkies Spring/Summer Blog Hop. We are showcasing lots of gorgeous projects using products from the new Stampin’ Up!® Spring/Summer Catalogue. We have so much inspiration to share with you we will be offering two Blog Hops - Part 2 will be tomorrow (Sunday 10th February). Simply use the buttons at the end of each post to keep on hopping. Do come back tomorrow to see what Part 2 has in store. We love comments, so please tell us what you think!

 

If you have arrived from Nicole's Blog, I hope you enjoyed her focus on the Just Married stamp set. These Blog Hops are such a source of inspiration!

 

I have focused on some cards using the Secret Garden Bundle. It incorporates the Stamp Set and Framelits, buying as a bundle also saves you 15% on the price of the items bought seperately. There are 3 cards for you to try at home.

My first card also uses the Top Note Die, Organza Ribbon and large Pearls. The colour scheme is Rose Red and Pretty in Pink. I coloured the flowers using a Blender Pen and ink from my pads - to do this you press on the pad when it is closed and it deposits some ink on the lid for you to pick up with the tip of the blender pen. Simples!

The sentiment is from the Bring on The Cake set.

My second card is yet again pink, but this time I have used the In-Colour Primrose Petals Ink Pad. I have cut out an aperture in the card using a Window Frames Framelit and used a slightly smaller one for inside the card. One of the fantastic things about the new style ink pads is the coverage, it means you can stamp again without re-inking and get shades of the same colour - which is how I have ended up with so many different coloured flowers.

The sentiment is from the Just Believe set.

On a similar theme I created an aperture in my final card using one of the Labels Collection Framelits, the colours are Wild Wasabi and So Saffron. The Secret Garden set means you really have plenty of scope to jazz up the cards as much as you like!

The sentiment is from the Petite Pairs Set. And that gorgeous stripy Designer Series Paper is from the co-ordinating Subtles pad of 12x12 papers. Don't despair - If you don't have a Big Shot - you can still snip out these little beauties by hand!

I hope you have enjoyed my projects as much as I enjoyed making them. If you would like to know more about Stampin' Up! Would like to hold a party, or place an order, go to the links at the top of the page and get in touch.

Do take the time to carry on round the Blog Hop and leave messages when you find something you like. We all love to hear what you think of our projects and whether you have been inspired by something you have seen.

The next stop is Diana's Blog, why don't you go and take a peek at what she has been up to?

Thanks for stopping by!

Part 2 of the Pinkies Blog Hop starts HERE so why not have a look around that too! There are loads more stunning projects to see. Have fun! xxx

Pals Paper Arts Challenge - PPA152

Today we had some good news - Hubby has an emergency appointment tomorrow with a specialist to look at his back. Hopefully he'll get fixed as I'm not sure how much longer either of us can cope with his pain levels... for different reasons!

Todays Pals Challenge is a colour challenge. A card using the following 3 colours.

 

I have made my card using Real Red as the card base, I then added a piece of Pool Party Core-Dinations card stock, this is fabby stuff as the inner layer is lighter so you can use the Stampin' Up! Sanding System to gently remove the top layer and reveal the lighter colour below. I did that at each end where I had embossed the layer with the Adorning Accents heart folder.

Next I added a wide band of Real Red with a layer of DSP from the Print Poetry set in the new catalogue, it just happened to be Real Red and Primrose Petals!

On the band I stuck a scallop oval in Real Red and a sentiment from Petite Pairs stamped in Real Red on Pool Party and cut out with the Oval Punch.

Finally I used my Versamark to stamp one of the Papillon Potpourri butterflies on Primrose Petals card stock and embossed it with the lovely new Pool Party Embossing Powder. These were punched out with the corresponding Elegant Butterfly punch and added to the card.

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed todays offerings and if you would like to order any of the products, join my team or just find out a little more about Stampin' Up! Visit my contact page and get in touch! And pop back on Saturday for our Blog Hop!

 

Paula xxx

 



Stampin' Up! - Mojo Monday 279

Well I finally got my Mojo Monday Challenge entry completed last night. Poor hubby is crippled with back pain so I am having to stay home and help him today. It does mean I have 5 minutes to update my blog.

Quite a few Stampin' Up! demo's have been using a lot of Pool Party the last week or so and it helped me decide on a colour scheme for my entry.

Here is the Sketch we needed to follow:

 

And here is my entry:

 

 

 

I started by matting Comfort Cafe DSP on Pool Party card stock. I then cut a square of Whisper White and sponged the edges with Pool Party ink. I embossed the strip of Pool Party card stock with the Chevron embossing folder and added a piece of Whisper White, cut with the Large Scallop Edgelit and embossed with the corresponding Delicate Design embossing folder. I sponged the raised elements with Pool Party too! It just adds a little definition.

 



 

 

 

The scallop oval was sponged on the edges with Island Indigo and the sentiment was from Petite Pairs, stamped in Island Indigo ink. The pretty little rose is from the new Spring Summer Catalogue - Flower Trim. I sponged the rose with Pool Party just to give it a little accent of colour and used a mini silver brad to attach 2 Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon 'leaves'. 

 

I hope you like it and will join myself and some more of the Pinkies for our Blog Hop on Saturday!

 

I am hoping to enter a couple more challenges this week so please pop back!

 

Paula xxx