Choose Happiness

Today's card is made with the Choose Happiness stamp set. This set is really versatile and has lots of elements that work well together (obviously) and also works brilliantly with stamps from other sets too of course.
Here I have paired up the leaves and the sentiment with butterflies from the papillion pot pourri set.

I stamped the leaves with mossy meadow ink (one of the new in-colours) and used the blender pen to pull the colour to shade the leaves.  The butterflies I stamped onto vellum with memento black ink and coloured them with "blendies". I used the pumpkin pie and the rich razzleberry sets to get the detailed shading and I popped the butterflies on with glue dots.

The base of the card was made with the new 12x12 kraft cardstock - I can't tell you how happy I am we finally have this in the catalogue. Kraft card is just so useful for all manner of projects and will definitely be a staple in my craft room.  There were a few other kraft items new in this catalogue, expect to see them appear here soon .

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

You Light up my Life

 I am still working my through the box of goodies I took delivery of the other day and so far just about everything becomes a new favourite as soon as I start using it...

So today's new favourite is the Today & Everyday stamp set...which is perfect for using with the new blendabilities ( blendabilities are already firmly established in most favoured products and  shall henceforth be known as blendies )  It is also a  great set for colouring with the regular marvellous markers and for watercolour techniques and embossing too. The set has three images and sentiments but it was this one that really caught my eye today...watch for the others coming soon!


                                                                          For the card above I  first embossed the base card. I stamped the image onto whisper white and coloured it with blendies, then die cut it using labels framelits. I also cut a frame form a piece of blackberry bliss card (using  the  labels framelits in next size up and next size down from the image size) With the paper piercing template and tool I pierced two lines around the edge of the cut frame and mounted it onto the image panel using  dimensionals.


The second card is on a  kraft base with  a strip of ink edged DSP The image was coloured with blendies as before, the  panel was plain cut and paper pierced around the edges and double matted onto coordinating card stock.

So one versatile stamp and two simple but very different card designs for today.

I will be back soon with more of my (many) favourite things

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

Sunshine

I needed a quick card to pop in with a package I was sending off. I really wanted to use the sentiment from the new Ray of Sunshine stamp set but because I was in a hurry I didn't feel I had time to build the sunshine images that are in that set...so I grabbed Kinda Eclectic and used the fabulous rays and leaves from that set along with the sunshine set I already had in mind.

One of the things I have always loved about Stampin' Up! products is the colour coordination across the range of products...but it is not just the colours that are so versatile, the stamp sets are too and so many work really well in combination with other completely unrelated sets.

I have had workmen in the house from dawn to dusk all week so I am really tired, but hope to get some stamping time later and will aim to make some sparkly new samples to share in the coming days

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

A Little Kindness

I spent a happy evening yesterday sitting in front of the telly watching football and mounting my new stamp sets.  It was the World Cup game Holland vs Costa Rica - which only really got going in the last 15 minutes and then through extra  time and penalty shoot out it was real nail biting stuff...and when I put a sticker on wonky I decided to stop.

Finished the task of adding all the stickers today during the last set of the men's final at Wimbledon... which was not as exciting as the footy.

So anyway that was quite enough sport for one weekend and this evening I decided it was time to get inky and stamp...

But  with so many lovely new stamp sets, where to start? I decided the only way was to close my eyes, put my hand in the box and pull out a set and work with that... so Kinda Eclectic it is...

This is a fabulous new set and for my first sample I decided NOT to use the most blindingly obvious stamp in the set. Instead I went for the leaves, the larger of the two butterflies and the sentiment...and I have to say those leaves are my absolute favourites ever. They are just beautiful and will work perfectly with any of the floral stamp sets I own.  I have of course stamped the other elements in the set and these will feature in another project very soon...but for now its a quick and simple Kindness card from me.

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

Good things come to she who waits...

Finally the wait is over and the lovely UPS driver came with my goodies ...and if you are one of the people who placed an order with me this week then your goodies are in here too -  and they will be on their way to you without delay.

So far all I have done is opened the boxes to check the contents - well okay I did admire things as I took them out of the box, I mean who could resist? Even my non crafting husband  sidled up and took a peek in the box to see what was inside!

I was especially extra happy with one or two things I discovered as I went through everything in the boxes... and as I explore properly I will be back to share my thoughts...and hopefully some samples will follow shortly...because it seems rather rude not to stamp and share.

But for now I am off to explore further.

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

Busy waiting...

Today I am waiting for UPS to deliver my parcel and there are only many hours I can sit staring out of the window hoping to see a brown truck,  so  I decided to keep myself busy with one of my favourite new products from the new catalogue... The Blendabilities alcohol markers.

I was lucky enough to win a set of the Pumpkin Pie markers at the UK regional event in May and I have had plenty of time to play with them -mainly  using the Blended Bloom stamp (also in the new catalogue and also part of my prize)...  Blendabilities come in sets of three pens - a light , medium and dark shade of the set colour and you simply use them to create the blended effect you need.

Now there is this whole alcohol marker debate about whether you should start with the lightest shade and work in darker shades or start with the darker shades and work lighter...and the truth is it really doesn't matter. There is no right or wrong way...You just have to find the way that works best for you.

So previously I was concentrating on finding out which method worked best for me...  and then I started to wonder  what would happen if I used pens from two completely different sets? Would I be able to blend them or would the result be like a horrid muddy puddle (gasp!)

Happy to report that there was no muddy puddle...I used the flower shop and papillion pot pourri stamp sets to test this out and I used the coastal cabana and the rich razzleberry marker sets combined on both the flowers and the butterflies. Once they were all coloured, I punched them out and used them to make this project using the same colours of card and adding the banner framelits with the  sentiment from Perfect pennants and stamp set.


                                                                                                                                                                                       So the key points about the new Blendabilities

• They come in sets of three shades of selected Stampin' Up! colours  (plus a skin tones set too)
• They are double ended with a pen at one end and a brush at the other
• They are square so they won't roll all over the place
• There is also a colour lifter pen to help push colour around
• They are to really easy to use
• The caps are deliberately tight to stop the alcohol pens from drying out - always push them back on until you hear the click. 

I am sure once you try these you will love them. ..I know I do.

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

Its here....

 Stampin' Up! fans the new catalogue is HERE and it is filled with lots of fabulous new products and project ideas.

I love the new cover design and there is a new layout inside too...all designed to make things easier for you to find exactly what you need ...whether that is inspiration and ideas or lots of new products.

In the next few days I will be sharing some of my favourite things from the new catalogue and some new projects too, but  am sure you just want to put your feet up ad dive into the pages and  start building your wishlist.

You can download the new catalogue using the link above, but if you would like a hard copy sent to you in the post  please get in touch.

As always if you have any questions about any of the new catalogue products, any upcoming promotions, if you're thinking of joining as a  demonstrator or if you have a general query please drop me a line  and I will do my best to help.

Enjoy your first visit with the new catalogue,

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

Happy Birthday Fishes...

I have been having a fun weekend making cards using products form the new upcoming catalogue...and so here is another sneaky peek.

We have a little boy in our family with a birthday coming up and I thought this fun shaker card would make him smile.

It was made using the Sea Street stamp set which is one of the many fabulous new offerings in the upcoming catalogue

It's not long too long to wait  until the new catalogue launch and if you would like a copy of the new catalogue please do let me know

Until next time,

Cxx

Father's Day

Last year I made my Dad a Father's Day card using the retiring clockworks set - one of my go to sets for men's cards, a real favourite that will be missing from the upcoming catalogue.. That particular card was a riot of colour and  featured rather a large amount of washi tape...

This year  I have opted for a more subdued monotone  scheme with a black base card and pierced ink-edged white feature panel stamped  with a train image (another  sneaky peek of a set from the new catalogue)
Again his card has washi tape but this time as an accent framing the gorgeous stamped panel.

I chose to use the largest  the basic metal buttons (which are carrying over  into the main catalogue)  along with epic day washi tape. The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.  Because I had to send the card in the mail I popped the stamped panel and the sentiment on with dimensionals to counterbalance the button which was tied with paper twine. I hope this will help it survive the journey through the postal system which does not take too kindly to bulky or uneven  mail.

Anyhow that is the cad my ad will open on Sunday morning.... what did you make for yours?

Until next time, take care
Cxx

Project Life is here!

It's here... Project Life has arrived at Stampin' Up! 

Firstly and more importantly for you, this means you can now buy fabulous exclusive project life products from Stampin' Up!...

and secondly by it's here...  I mean quite literally it is here...

as in my first lot of project life goodies have just been delivered and they are here...in my house right now!

I am really excited to have something a little bit different to work with and Project Life seems to offer a lot of scope.

So I couldn't wait to get my hands on my goodies.




The delivery was made just a few minutes ago and so this is pretty much as close to a  a real time share as I can get without having a video.


Once I opened the outer packaging I was immediately impressed because the  storage box to hold the project life cards is fantastic quality, has little sections and will be provide a permanent home and storage solution for my Project Life cards ...which are amazing.



I plan to try out the goodies later but for now I opened my parcel and tipped out my new goodies to show you.  If I can tear myself away from my new goodies -  and there were lots of other fab new products in my box that I will need to play with later too - then I shall be back, hopefully with more to share...but for now I wanted to give you a quick sneaky peek of my latest delivery which included my new Project Life goodies and to let you know that they are available for you to buy right now.

As always if you have any questions please get in touch

Until later, bye for now

Cxx

Sneaky peeking

As demonstrators we are able to pre-order some products from the up coming catalogue and I have just taken delivery of the first batch of new goodies (second lot are due for delivery next week) as well as copies of the new annual catalogue (that will be released on 1st July...)

Now it is of course very easy to get caught up in all the excitement of a new catalogue , but of course the current catalogue is still live and still has lots of fabulous goodies inside...

But naturally I could not resist opening my new goodies and thought I would share this sneaky peek simple project made completely using products that will be available  in the new catalogue.

I am a huge fan of the in-colours and I've never met a set of  in-colours I didn't like ...and this years selection is no exception. They are really great colours, coordinate beautifully with each other and also with the colours within the main Stampin' Up! colour families. As always I have a favourite shade...but that will soon change as I work with them all more often... Can you tell what my favourite shade is? I wonder what yours will be?

Until next time
Take care

Cxx

Going, going...and then its gone...

Stampin'Up! is saying goodbye to hundreds of retiring products from the 2013-14 catalogue. These retiring products will be only be available to purchase until 30 June 2014 and only while stocks last. There are some great bargains on the list - look out for the products with prices in red as these are the discounted items. Please check your wishlist to make sure none of your favourites are on the list - I would hate for you to miss out.

Of course the retiring list is not all bad news because it also means the new catalogue launch is getting closer. As demonstrators we get to see the catalogue in advance and are able to pre-order select key products. If you would like to join the Stampin' Up! team in time to join in the new catalogue excitement Stampin' Up! have a special promotion that you may like.

 As well as the usual starter kit  containing £130 worth of products plus the business kit for just for £99, for a limited time only  Stampin' Up! are offering the chance to join for the low price just £50 which gets you £55 of products plus your business kit and you can chose pre-order items in your starter kit. If you know this is for you then simply click on the Join for £50 image to be taken to the sign up page. If you would like to know more about this or any other promotion, product or service please get in touch.

As always if you have any questions or if I can help in any way please do let me know

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

Weekend Bliss

I had decided (on Thursday evening after I spent ages looking for something in my craftroom - which is in serious danger of becoming the room of doom)that from now on Friday will be allocated Tidy Friday and is to be followed by use 'em or lose 'em scraps Saturday ( and maybe Sunday too before the recycling collection comes on Monday) but the best laid plans and all that...because as I started the much needed and seriously overdue tidy of the craftroom, I came across my bag from the Telford event last weekend...and spotted the make & take project I had brought home with me.

We often get make & take projects at Stampin' Up! events but I usually prefer to use the time for networking (aka chatting)  and anyway it is easier to bring home a project kit on the train than a completed project - especially if it is a 3D project...so I tell myself I will do it when I get home...

But do I ? Nope! I still have at least half a dozen make & take projects still in the wrappers (shock horror oh the shame...)... so this time I vowed publicly that I would complete this latest make & take... a cute little bag to hold some note cards and of course the cards to go inside.

Of course it would have been prudent to double check I own all the necessary tools and materials to complete the task at home...and of course typically I did not... so I have had to adapt the project to suit the stuff I do have...but despite the switcheroos I am pleased with how it turned out....and of course pleased as punch that I actually completed the project...albeit a full week after the event.

If you look really closely you may spot a sneak peek of a new catty product ssh! don't tell


Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

Days later...

Its now a few days since  the Telford event  and strangely it feels like it was yesterday and at the same time it seems like it was ages ago...

Batteries are now recharged, at least those in my camera are, and I was able to retrieve the photos and take some of the swaps I received...and I thought I would start with those...

I got quite a few tag and bookmark swaps and these are pictured left... the top right pink with the flower is also a bookmark - the clever page saver kind that pops over the corner of the page.
In addition to these there are also three mini cards in the picture

 The second picture shows the cute 3D birdhouse and the mini briefcase - this had a sherbet sweet inside...we used to call them space ships when we were kids and they are still just as yummy as I remember! A great selection of card designs and the kraft bag project on the far right with the tangerine tag is actually a teabag holder and has mint tea inside which was a lovely surprise.

In the background you will notice a canvas bag with the Stampin'Up! logo on it... These were given to us at the registration desk and were used to carry home our freebie give-aways ...and my prize patrol goodies...

The products inside the bag are all brand new product lines that will be in the new catalogue when it comes out at the end of June...so for now they are a secret...but watch out for sneaky peeks coming very soon...

Before I go let's not forget that today  is Wednesday and that means weekly deals day... If you haven't done so already, please pop along and check them out in case there is a deal on something on your wishlist


Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

What fun...

I had a fabulous time at the Stampin'Up!  UK regional event at Telford. Over three hundred demonstrators gathered together to hear the latest news from Stampin'Up!, see some sneak peeks at products from the upcoming catalogue (not too long to wait now...) and  to share creative ideas.

As well as the chance to catch up with old friends and the opportunity to see up close some of the exciting new things coming our way, one of the highlights is always prize patrol...and I was one of the very lucky winners of some yet to be released totally fabulous  products.... watch out for sneaky peeks very soon

I am home now, exhausted but inspired. I took lots of notes and hundreds of photos... I got lots of fab swap projects and  I will take pics of them as soon as my camera is charged so for now I can only show the full images of the swaps I made...

Once me and my camera are properly recharged and working on full power again  I will be back...

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

What do you a call...

What do you call a gathering of demonstrators from up and down the UK?  I am sure there should be an official name for it...but anyhow this weekend there will indeed be a gathering of demonstrators for the UK regional event in Telford and always it is guaranteed to be energetic, noisy and above all fun!

As always swapping is a big part of any demonstrator event and with over 300 people due to attend the possibilities are endless. I did not get as many swaps prepared as I usually do, but I do have some because it just wouldn't feel the same without a little swapping... the projects are always amazing and inspirational and I always come home with loads of new ideas...

As I am leaving today I can't post pics of my swaps but I will share teeny tiny peeks and I can say I used Life in the Forest stamp set as the focus for my swaps this time.  When I get back I will  show my swaps in full along with some of the swapped projects I got in return.


Until next time, take care

Christa   xx
                                                                                                                                

Smile...

                                                                                                                                                                                 
It's the weekend...it's mid May and the weather is truly atrocious - it just hasn't stopped raining and it was so cold earlier we actually had to put the heating on!

Its miserable out there and so I thought today I would simply share a smile.


Happy Weekend one and all


Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

Show & Tell Card Candy Part 2

Card Candy  part two

So carrying on from my previous card candy post,these are the rest of the card candy swaps I received back from other participants and these are all made using stamps set I do not currently own... Interesting that of the ten sets chosen by swap participants, I already own exactly half. 

The first one on the left was made by Emily using the Perfect Couple stamp set. Like me Emily opted to focus on the current in-colours in her card candy  - they are really pretty - and she has used no less than eight punches to make her candy selection.

The next set  (on the right) was made by Charlie- Louise  and she chose the very cute Zoo Babies stamp set from the main annual catalogue. 

Charlie opted for gender neutral colours rather than  pink or blue and she used a variety of punches in the making of her  very pretty candy . 

Another baby related set was the focus for Laura's card candy  (pictured left) and Laura chose the equally cute Baby, We've Grown stamp set from the Spring and summer catalogue. Laura chose to work in pink and  blue for the gender specific stamps as well as the yellow with neutral shades.

Moving away from babies, a set with a rather cute name is Peachy Keen and this was the set chosen by Sarah for her candy. (pictured right)  This set also coordinates with the On Film framelits dies . A mix of words, shapes and elements this is a great set for candy.

  

Pictured on the left,  the last of the swaps is the candy made by  Elaine who chose to work with the By The Tide stamp set. I have seen lots of fabulous cards, including many scene builder style, made with this set but  I had never before  seen any card candy or card elements using By The Tide ...and it works so well . Elaine's candy includes a border, a panel, a tag and some  decorative elements.

And that ends the show & tell for the entire card candy swap (parts one and two)  I hope that you will have found some inspiration from the fabulous work featured  here and that you will have enjoyed the chance to see the work, design ideas and styles of several demonstrators all  located in one spot.

If you have been inspired to make card candy of your own I would love to see it and would be happy for you to share with a link back to your own projects.

As always, if you have any questions, want to know how to get hold of any of the products used in any of the candy examples or  if I can help in anyway you know what to do... please just get in touch

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

Show & Tell - Card Candy

CARD CANDY!

I recently took part in an organised card candy swap  over at ILWS and organised by the lovely Jo. If you are not familiar with the concept let me quickly explain... There were ten demonstrators involved and we each chose a stamp set and  used that stamp set  to make ten packs of card candy. Once we had made and packaged our candy we all sent it to Jo who sorted it and sent us back one each of the ten completed sets (so we  each got one of our own sets back too)

I chose to use Perfect Pennants stamp set and matching framelits for my card candy and I used mainly the current in-colours. I used a number of techniques to make my candy including embossing, water colouring, faux stitching, paper piercing and of course the all important stamping...and I used card stock, stamps, ink, sponges, chalk marker, framelits, punches, foil paper, washi tape, glimmer paper, ribbon, candy dots and rhinestones - but the beauty of card candy is that while it may utilise lots of different products, it allows you to make use of all the offcuts and smaller pieces you may have left over from other projects... and at the end of the day you get some pretty cool card candy pieces that are totally unique.  Once you get started making card candy I don't think you will ever want to buy a pack in a shop again...

I think card candy also help us to see stamp sets in a new light. Sometimes - and we all do this - I have looked at a stamp set and thought well that's nice but how would I use it?  I consider my stamps and investment of sorts and so I like to know that I will be able to make the most of each set I invest in...card candy provides yet another creative option.

So without further ado I will share  some of the card candy that I received in the swap. Some of the stamp sets used are sets that I own and I  will start with these. All of the sets came packaged in cello bags with pretty toppers but since I want to focus on the candy itself I have zoomed in a bit.

This first one (on the left) was made by Jo  and she chose the Life in the Forest stamp set. This is a great one for colouring and scene building and I love all of Jo's fabulous candy designs. The little bunny was an extra added to the outside of the packaging which was a lovely touch. This set came out in the Spring and summer catalogue and is quickly becoming a favourite of mine. I fully expect I will be using it a lot in the near future.



The set (to the right) was made by Sandra and she opted for Bright Blossoms stamp set. I have owned this one for quite some time and must admit I don't use it as often as I should. ..but seeing what Sandra has done  and how she has made the most of this set using it with a variety of punches and dies has given me some fresh ideas.





The next set (on the left) was made by Alison using Everything Eleanor.  I have already really got a lot of use out of this set and yet I had never ever considered using it to make candy and Alison has really made me think differently about an old favourite. She has combined a lot of techniques and products including pressed clay flowers.

The last of the sets I own was the Just Sayin' stamp set and coordinating word bubble framelits chosen by  Julie. This is another new set from the spring and summer catalogue and this is a fine example of how what is a basically a sentiment set can be up-scaled into something a little more. The super cute punch art owl was a fabulous extra touch to this  set of candy.


So that is part one of the card candy swap show & tell.  I loved that the card candy I received gave me some new ideas on how I could use those sets that are already in my collection ...and of course it generally prompts creative thinking about how to use other sets in similar ways too.

I will come back to the rest of the card candy swaps - the sets I do not personally own -  in another post but for now if you have any questions, would like to know more or need some general information please do get in touch.

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx

Show & Tell - new photopolymer stamps

With so many great products and a wealth of fabulous projects out there I decided it is time to use this blog for a spot of regular show & tell ..and it starts right here with new product!

Click on image to go to offer

Stampin' Up!  has just announced that in the new 2014-15 catalogue we will have our usual wood mount and clear mount stamps but that we will also be getting photopolymer sets too. These have been available in the USA for some time now, and I was lucky enough to try them last year so am really pleased they have finally made it across the pond.

  

 I must admit (like many stampers) I was never that impressed with the results I got with the clear photopolymer stamps in the past, but Stampin’ Up! have found a high quality material that gives the quality images we have grown to expect from Stampin’ Up! products and once I tried them myself I was suitably impressed.

There will be a selection of brand new photopolymer stamps in the new catalogue in July but if you can’t wait for the new catalogue to try these for yourself, Stampin’ Up! has an offer for you…From now until 31 May when you place an order for £60 or more (not including P&P) you can choose one of these four Photopolymer Stamps for FREE.  This will be your only chance to get these sets as they will not be in the upcoming catalogues and supplies are limited!

I have just taken delivery of a set of the new photo-polymer stamps – I got Show & Tell set # 2 which in case you hadn't already guessed, I used to stamp the Show & Tell button at the top of the page....it seemed just perfectly suited for the job!

So…what are they like?

Well the first thing you notice is that they arrive in a cello bag  and are held on an acetate carrier sheet. 

When you peel them from the backing sheet they feel quite sturdy (for want of a better word) They are easy to position where you want them on the block and they stick really well to the acrylic blocks. Of course as you’d expect they are transparent so you can see exactly where you are stamping. 

This is particularly useful with alphabets and borders…and of course the slightly pliable nature of the photopolymer means that you can do even more with the element and border stamps…like make an arrow arch slightly or a make a border curvy rather than straight...which is what I did very quickly here with one of the arrows from the Show & Tell set #2.

As always if you would like to know more about the featured new photopolymer sets, about any Stampin'Up! offers, promotions and products in general or would like to know more about becoming a demonstrator yourself please drop me a line and  I will do my best to  help and to  answer any questions you may have.

Until next time, take care

Christa   xx