Happy Hen Do!!

Hi everyone, I have scheduled this post to publish once Iwona's hen party is well on it's way, so there is no way she would get a sneak peak of my gifts to her. So here they are:

Firstly here is the card that i made for her:

The cardbase is 'Whisper White'. It uses a strip of 'Brights DSP' ('Melon Mambo') The 'L' sign is made of 'Melon Mambo' and 'Whisper White' cardstock, i lined the 'L' with some 'Basic Rhinestones' and found a pretty pink feather to make it very girly!!

Secondly i made Iwona a photo album! I plan to take lots of photos tonight and print them off for her to put in her album! Here it is:

Again, i used 'Melon Mambo' cardstock from the 'Brights' collection. On a piece of 'Whisper White' cardstock i printed (in 'Pretty in Pink') the round stamp and the crown stamp from the 'Artistic Etchings' set, then using 'Melon Mambo' ink i stamped 'Iwonas hen do' using the 'Just Perfect Alphabet' set. I also stamped the crown several times in 'Melon Mambo' and embellished them with some 'Basic Rhinestones'. I used some retired Stampin' Up! ribbon to bound the album together. (This album is often referred to as a 'brag book', there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube, so why not have a go at making one yourself! They make a lovely gift!!)

Happy Wedding Day Wills and Kate!!

Hello everyone!! Woo hoo! Another day off all thanks to the royal wedding and i've had such a lovely day crafting with my friends Ruthie and Cate!! (We, of course, watched the royal wedding first! Didn't Kate look beautiful!!) Here's a pic of us making my house very very messy!!

 I have decided to devote this weekend to the theme of weddings! So please keep returning to view my daily posts. So in celebration of the royal wedding here is todays creation:

 

I have entered this card into the 'Daring Cardmakers' Royal challenge!! I have CASE'd this beautiful card from Jaynes blog, isn't it just so lovely!! I have changed the cardstock from the original design, it's 'Marina Mist' from the 'Subtles' collection and the very versatile 'Crumb Cake' and i have used the 'Springtime Vinatge DSP' to create the Union Jack. Thankyou Jayne for the inspiration!!

Check back tomorrow for my next wedding related post - well it's actually hen party related, as i'm off to my friend Iwona's hen do tomorrow night! Can't wait!!

Scrap Challenge!

Hello everyone! It is officially the weekend!! Woo hoo! I love long weekends!! I've only been back to work for three days but i sure do feel like i deserve these next four days off!! Work has been hectic. We've been crazy busy with mocks!!

Before i share with you today's crafty project i just want to say THANKYOU and HELLO to ALL my new followers!!! It's been a long while since i welcomed new followers, so hello to Suzy T, Amanda O, Marie, Sophie, Jayne, Emma, Stephanie Emma, Crafty Helen and Busy Lizzie!! I hope you all enjoy my blog. I always welcome your comments!

Also just to let you all know that i have joined the Twitter revolution. So if you're on Twitter please add me!! My alias is @CraftyThINKer.

Anyway back to the crafting: My scrap box is ever increasing, i just cannot throw away any card scrap - even if it is the teeniest little piece!! So the other day i set myself a challenge to only use scraps to make a quick card ... here's the result:

My inspiration for this card came from Sarah Makins Blog. The cardbase is 'Red Riding Hood' from the 'Regals' collection. I have used strips of 'Love Letters' DSP, some edged with the 'Eyelet Border' Punch and mounted these on 'Whisper White' card and wrapped a piece of 'Real Red' 'Satin Ribbon' around before adhering it to the cardbase. I then used a stamp from the 'Four Frames' set, inked in black. the sentiment is from the 'Because I Care' set (which is a level 1 hostess set) I used my 'Stamp-a-ma-jig' to line the 'thank you' up nice and neatly. I used the coordinating 'Decorative Label Punch' to punch out the shape and used 'dimensionals' to raise the frame and make it 3D. Easy Peasy!!

I'm making the most of the weekend! Of course i will be crafting! In fact my good friend Ruth is coming round for a crafty day tomorrow! Can't wait!!

My Very First Step Card!!

Hi all, as many of you may know i'm an avid follower of my upline's blog Blue Angel Crafts. Cate regularly posts her projects and they are always inspiring! Recently Cate posted a stepped card. This is a style of card i have never attempted before but i decided to give it a go!! I took Cate's advice and found a tutorial (on SCS) as it certainly wasn't simple!! Here's my attempt:

The cardbase is 'Pretty in Pink' from the 'subtles' collection. The cupcake and the sentiment are from the 'Crazy For Cupcakes' stampset. I used by 'Blender Pens' to colour in the cupcake and used a '2-way Glue Pen' to apply some 'Dazzling Diamond' glitter! The ribbon featured in this project is the beautiful 'Rose Red' 'Binding Ribbon' from the Mini Catalogue. The final step uses 'Whisper White' cardstock and the large background stamp from 'Baroque Motifs' stampset. The Butterfly has been created using my 'Big Shot and the 'Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die'. I have finished off the butterfly using a string of 'Basic
Pearls'. I'd love to know what you think!

I made this card to give to a very good friend of mine, Ruth. It's her birthday today, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUTHIE!!! Hope you have a lovely day!! xxx

Back to Work Rush!

First day back to work after the Easter hols and what a busy day it has been! There is no way that i'm going to have a chance to get my craft gear out tonight and have a play as i have far too much marking to do! Not long now until A Level exams, so full steam ahead with mock marking!! Fortunately for you i was very crafty in the holidays and predicted that this would be the case. So today i'm sharing with you a card that i made a couple of weeks ago (during my crafty day with Sal!)

This card is completely CASE'd from Julie Davidson's blog, using the wonderful 'Just Believe' stamp set. The colours used are 'Soft Suede', 'Pear Pizzazz' and 'Garden Green'. The Ribbon used it this project is the wonderfully versatile 'Whisper White' 'Organza Ribbon'. You could, of course use any sentiment, as this card is very versatile and would suit either a male or female recipient. When making cards without purpose i nearly always make thank you cards as there's always a need for them!!

Making The Most Of The Bank Holiday!!

I can't believe it, the Easter hols are almost over, just this bank holiday left to enjoy and then back to work, but only for three days and then another long weekend!! So not really that bad!!

I have been playing some more with the Springtime Vintage DSP after being inspired by Cate's crafty designs. I went to Squire's (a local garden centre to me) and brought several small boxes. So with this project i simply wrapped up this cute little box with a sheet of DSP.

I've used a stamp from the 'Four Frames' stampset, inked in 'Early Espresso', and then used 'Blender Pens' and 'Pear Pizzazz' and 'Rose Red' ink to colour in the roses. The 'for you' sentiment is from the 'Clearly for You' set from the mini catalogue, for exact precision i have used my faithful 'Stamp-a-ma-jig'! I used my new 'Decorative Label punch' which coordinates perfectly with the 'Four Frames' set!! This box was finished off with some lovely 'Rose Red Binding Ribbon'!!

Hope you all have a lovely bank holiday!! If you have no plans then why not get your craft kit out and have a play!!

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter everyone: today i will mostly be eating chocolate!! I'm a complete and utter chocoholic and so don't really need an excuse (although it's nice to have one!!) Me and my hubby brought each other Easter Eggs from 'Hotel Chocolat' (we love this chocolate shop SO MUCH, we brought our wedding favours from there last year!!!) I'm very excited about these Easter Eggs as they're called 'Tiddly Pots'!! hehe! Simple things eh?!

I also have another little easter gift to share with you, a little easter 'pillow box' that i made for my hubby, that i placed a few little mini eggs in (i ate most of the bag!!)

I have used the 'Pillow Box' Die to create the box, and then before constructing it run it through the 'Big Shot' again using the 'Perfect Polka Dot Embossing folder', using the inverted dots. I used the 'A Good Egg' stampset to create the chick and the sheet. Stamping in 'Early Espresso' and then using 'Blender Pens' to colour him in. Then punched him out using the 'Scallop Circle' Punch and then bordering him on a 'So Saffron' Scalloped Circle. The 'Happy Easter' sentiment is also from the 'A good Egg' set, inked in 'Early Espresso'.

Hope you all have a lovely Easter Sunday - maybe i'll see some of you at chocoholics anonymous in the near future!!

Mini Catalogue Launch Party: 23rd April!!

Hi all, I have had a brilliant day! Today was my mini catalogue launch party and it was a real success. Many thanks to everyone who everyone who attended. I hope you had fun!!

So, today i want to share with you some pics from todays event! If you couldn't attend today, don't worry you haven't missed out. Contact me and we can organise a craft workshop just like this one in your own home - FREE OF CHARGE!

So here are the pics:

The calm before the storm:

The weather was so lovely today i was able to have two 'make and take' tables on the go! Which was just aswell with 14 attendee's in total!!

Here is my sample table, featuring lots of projects made with products from the Stampin' Up! mini catalogue:

The 'make and take' projects:
We made two projects today. The first is a card using the 'Plane and Simple' stampset - which is great for making mens cards and gifts. The Card is using 'Very Vanilla' cardstock and 'DSP' from the 'Brights DSP Pack' (which is great value for money)

The second project is a lovely Easter 'Pillow Box', which gave me an opportunity to demo the 'Big Shot', which was warmly recieved!! This box uses 'Bashful Blue' cardstock, a little piece of 'So Saffron' and an even smaller piece of 'Whisper White'. Two punches were used: '1-3/4 Circle Punch' and the 'Scallop Circle' Punch. The stampsets used were 'Forest Friends' and the Level 2 'Something to Celebrate':

Finally my crafty customers:

Thankyou to everyone who came today! I hope you had as much fun as i did! I'd love to have some feedback, so please leave a comment (and if you haven't done so already add yourself as a follower to this blog!)

Just a reminder that i will be putting the order through tomorrow at 7pm, so any final orders need to be emailed to me by the: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Check back in tomorrow for a lovely easter project! Have a lovely Easter weekend! xx

More Mini Catalogue Delights...

Hello!! I'm so excited about my Mini Catalogue launch party tomorrow!! Today i'm just putting together all the make and take projects. (It's not too late to join the crafty fun, drop me a quick email to RSVP and i'll make sure that i have a project here waiting for you!!)

To whet your appetite, i have decided to share a couple of projects made with mini catalogue products. The first card  is using the 'Plane and Simple' set. We will be using this set tomorrow to make a card!! The 'Plane and Simple' card is great for constructing cards and gifts for men.

This card was very quick to make, a simple 'Whisper White' card base. With a strip of 'Baja Breeze' and 'Crumb Cake'. I ran a piece of 'Night of Navy' cardstock through my 'Big Shot' using the 'Top Note' Die and then stamped the plane and the happy birthday sentiment from the 'Plane and simple' set using 'Whisper White' ink. Quite literally a 5 miniute make!!!

The second card i have to share with you was also a quick make and showcases most of the Stampin' Up! 'in colours' and the exclusive to Stampin' Up! 'Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die'.

The 'Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die' is brilliant as it not only cuts out the butterflys but embosses them too! It's a great way to use up all your scraps!!! I made several butterflys using scraps of 'in colour' cardstock, i then mounted these butterflys on some 'Whisper White' card.  I used a strip of 'Blushing Bride' cardstock edging it with the 'Eyelet Border' Punch. I embellished this card with some 'Pear Pizzazz' Ribbon, and some 'Basic Pearls'.

I hope you like these cards and that you're looking forward to the craft party tomorrow. If you have any questions or would like to see any of these techniques then tomorrow is your opportunity!! and if you can't make it but would still like to make a Stampin' Up! purchase, both the catalogues are available electronically on the righthand side of this blog. I will be processing the order Sunday evening. So please email me any orders by 7pm: amyjtidd@gmail.com

See you tomorrow! Amyxxx

I'm a brayer convert!!

Hi all, Today i plan to share with you another card using the 'Fun Flowers' Die. This card i'm very proud of because i went completely out of my comfort zone to create it. It is a complete original on my part and some experimentation with my 'Big Shot' and 'Embossing Folders' and my newest toy - my 'brayer'.

I was introduced the 'brayer' techniques at Cate's latest Craft Retreat day. I hadn't really seen the benefit of using one but now i'm well and truely converted!!  So anyway here's the card i made:

The main cardstock used for this card is 'Peach Parfait' (from the 'in colours' range) and 'So Saffron'. The background has been created by brayering 'Daffodil Delight' and 'Pumpkin Pie' ink on the inside of my 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' and then placing a piece of 'Whisper White' cardstock in between and running it through my 'Big Shot', lovely effect isn't it!! I think me and my brayer are going to be good friends!! The flower has been created using the 'Fun Flowers Die' and has a 'So Saffron' 'Designer button in it's centre, the stem was stamped in 'Pear Pizzazz' ink onto a scrap of 'Pear Pizzazz' cardstock, using a stamp from the 'Sweetheart' stampset. The 'thank you' sentiment is from the 'Just Believe' stampset.

I'm just loving using all the new products from the mini catalogue and can't wait to share them with you at my craft open house this weekend. It's not too late to RSVP! I'd love to see you there! We will be making two projects using lots of new products. This event is completely FREE! Please e-mail me for further details: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Crafty Day with Sal!

Hi everyone, I can't believe how quickly the Easter holidays are going! I have been having such a lovely time off. Last Thursday i spent the whole day over my friend Sally's house. We have both recently purchased 'Big Shots' and so decided to have a dedicated day making projects with them! I have finally got round to uploading the pictures of all the crafty creations we made, so over the next few days i plan to share some of these with you!

Sally brought the 'Fun Flowers' Bigz L Die, which is a Stampin' Up! exclusive product. It is so much fun to play with. So i thought today that i would share with you a card that i pretty much CASE'd from the 'Mini Catalogue' (page 6) The cardbase used is the beautiful 'Baja Breeze'. Next i tore a piece of the 'Greenhouse Gala DSP'. The flowers were created out of 'Blushing Bride' cardstock (one of the Stampin' Up! 'in colours') using the 'Fun Flowers' Die and the 'Big Shot', to add a little more detail i used the large stamp from the 'Baroque Motifs' and some 'Blushing Bride' ink. Placing a 'Certainly Celery' button (from the Subtles 'Designer Buttons') in the centre. I finished this card off with a little strip of 'So Saffron' card, and stamped a sentiment from the Level 2 hostess set 'Something to celebrate' in 'Chocolate Chip ink, on a scrap of 'Whisper White' card.

I love this card, and it really didn't take long to create. The 'Big Shot' is brilliant as it really speeds up a project!! Only problem is i got quite carried away with the layout and it isn't going to fit in a conventional envelope so i'm going to have to custom make one!!

Let The Vodka Training Commence!!

Our friends Rob and Iwona are getting married soon, in fact they're getting married TWICE!! Very greedy! Their English wedding is next month and then they will be having a big Polish wedding in October!! I have begged the principal at my work and he has agreed that i can take a long weekend off to attend!! I'm so excited!! Flights are all booked, so now i need to start training - i must improve my vodka capacity by then!!

Here's a little 'outer' that i made to send back the RSVP. I couldn't help but put my crafty touch on it!!

The cardstock used for this project is 'Very Vanilla' and 'Real Red'. I couldn't resist using my 'Big Shot' and new 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. I have punched out two hearts using the 'Heart Punch' and using scraps of card created the English and Polish flags, and finally embellished it with a little bit of 'Real Red' 'Taffeta Ribbon'.

We have quite a few weddings this year and next: great excuses to get creative!! Not long now until Iwona's hen do!!

Just a quick update from yesterday, we had a lovely time up in London to celebrate my little sisters birthday!! In the evening my hubby took me to see Chicago and it was amazing!! Having a brilliant Easter hols so far and really enjoying the sunshine today!!

Happy Birthday Jana!

Today is my little sister Jana's birthday!! She is 9 today!! We're off to London for a day out to help her celebrate (and then, as we are already in London we have decided to go to the theatre tonight to see Chicago!), so before we get going i thought i'd share with you the card that i made for her:

This card is known as an 'easel card', i got the tutorial to constuct it from SCS. The stampsets used for this project are 'Four Frames' (to make the bunting) 'Just Perfect Alphabet' (to personalise the card with Jana's name) 'Plane and Simple' (for the 'happy birthday') sentiment, 'Sweetheart' (for the little birdy!!) and although you can't really see it on the photo i used the large stamp from the 'Baroque Motifs' stampset as a background. The 'stopper' for this card was created using a piece of 'Rose Red' cardstock edged with the 'Eyelet Border' Punch, embellished with a piece of 'Whisper White' 'Satin Ribbon' and a little pink butterfly created using my 'Big Shot' and the 'Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die'. I could resit using a couple of 'Basic Pearls' to add a bit of bling!!

I'm here for you...

Recently my manager informed me that his Father had passed away. I just wanted him to know that i'm there for him if he needs me, so i posted him this card:

Both the stampsets used are hostess sets: so if you like them YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HOST A WORKSHOP!! (or make a big order!!!) The flowers are from the two -step stampset 'Fast and Fabulous' and the words are from 'Occasional Quotes'. I have used 'Bashful Blue' and 'Early Espresso' ink and the cardstock used is 'Bashful Blue' and 'Whisper White'. I finished off the card with some 'Early Espresso' 'Satin Ribbon'.

It's never easy to make a card like this, but i hope it reassures him that people are thinking of him and wish him well. xxx

If You Were Born In The Eighties...

If you were born in the eighties, then i'm sure that you will totally get my latest crafty creation! It's our good friend Andy's 30th birthday today and so i wanted to create him something special. So here it is:

The card is of course PacMan inspired!! My hubby suggested the card theme and i accepted the challenge! The cardbase is 'Basic Black' and the blue used to create the 30 is 'Pacific Point'. PacMan was punched out of 'Daffodil Delight' using the '1-1/4" Circle' Punch. The ghosts have been created out of 'Real Red', 'Baja Breeze', 'More Mustard' and 'Pink Pirouette' cardstock. They started life as a 'Scalloped Circle' and then i freehand cut them into ghosty shapes. Their eyes and the dots have been punched out of 'Whisper White' cardstock using my 'Crop-A-Dile'.

I'm really quite pleased with how well this card has come out, and it is a complete original on my part! which is a rarity as i usually can't help but CASE cards!!

We're off into town later to help Andy (and our friend Dave - whose birthday it was last weekend) to celebrate!! Happy Birthday Andy, i hope you have a great day!

Hawaiian Tropic!!

Hi all! I can't believe it is Friday already! Time really does fly when you're having fun! I have had a jampacked week meeting up with friends and family! Yesterday i spent a whole day with my friend Sally creating lots of crafty delights, which i can't wait to share with you!!

Today i want to share with you a card i made for our friend Becky's 30th birthday. She is having a Hawaiian themed birthday party tomorrow but sadly we are unable to make it as we are already out celebrating two other friends 30th birthdays. (April is another busy birthday month!!)

So with the Hawaiian theme in mind, here is the card that i created:

I can't take much credit for the actual design of this card, i googled Stampin' Up Hawaiian cards images, and came across 'snowman lover' blog. On her blog was several tutorials on how to make the cute little Hawaiian shirts!!

The cardstock used is 'Old Olive' and 'Pumpkin Pie', all the DSP i used is sadly retired and from last years 'Petal Party' scrapbooking set, but you could use any DSP, maybe 'Greenhouse Gala' DSP would fit fell with the Hawaiian theme?? I finished off the shirt with some 'basic pearls' as buttons!

The sentiment is from the (new mini catalogue) level 2 hostess set 'something to Celebrate', as far as sentiment sets go this has to be the best Stampin' Up has to offer, with a sentiment for everything. But to get your mits on this set you have to host a workshop, why not email me to organise one: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Check back in tomorrow, as i have another 30th birthday card to share, and anyone who is a fan of the 80's is going to love this one!!

Happy Birthday Suz!

Today i want to share with you a card that i made for my bestest friends birthday!! We went out for a curry yesterday and it was de-lish!! Suzanne (and her hubby Andy) have lots of pet rats and so i thought i would have a go at making a 'ratty' card!

The cardstock used is 'Melon Mambo' and Whisper White'. The silver paper used to create the rat is from my scrap box (and not SU) and the pink is 'Pretty in Pink'. I created the rat using a range of Stampin' Up punches. The head is made from the 'Large Heart Punch', the body from '1-3/4" Circle Punch' and his paws and ears were made from the 1/2" Circle Punch. The tail was made from the branch of the 'Two Step Bird' Punch.

I'm not sure what stampset the 'Happy Birthday' sentiment is from, possibly a retired set. I have finished off this card with some (retired) 'Melon Mambo' polka dot ribbon.

Card Experimentation!

Here's a card that i made the other day during a crafty session with my friends Cate and Sal!

It's a variation of the card we demo'd at the 'Make It Show' in February. The cardstock is 'Tangerine Tango' and the DSP is 'Sweet and Sour Speciality', the stampsets used are 'Clearly For You' (from the Mini Catalogue) and 'Sincere Salutations'. We used both the 'Oval Large' and 'Scallop Oval' Punch, as well as some 'Pumpkin Pie' 'Satin Ribbon'.

A quirky card, and certainly something different from my usual cards. We all decided that it wasn't the kind of card that you couldn't really pop in the post as its not really clear how the card should be stood, so its definately a card that needs to be hand delivered!! We also couldn't decided where the message would go.... hmmmm. Any ideas?

Baby Blossoms!

Hi all, hope you are all well! I've had a lovely start to my easter hols! Yesterday i went to London to visit Fiona a good friend of mine who i use to work with. We had a great time trawling Camden market, looking in all the vintage shops and managed to pick up a couple of bargains! Today i went out for a wander around the shops and out for some lunch with my sister. Good times!!
Today i want to share with you a card i made with my friend Sally last week at our weekly craft club at work. We were lacking inspiration and so browsed online and found a great blog called 'roseyscraper' and we case'd a card from there featuring the beautiful 'Baby Blossoms' stampset from the mini catalogue (If you love Cath Kidson you will LOVE this stampset!)

The card features the beautiful 'Springtime Vintage DSP, from the mini catalogue. I have used the 'Scallop Edge Border' Punch. The flower has been stamped from the 'Baby Blossoms' stampset. You have to stamp the images in stages, so a 'stamp-a-ma-jig' is a vital piece of kit!! The flower uses 'Pear Pizzazz', 'Rose Red' and 'Pretty in Pink', stamped on 'Very Vanilla' cardstock and punched with the 'Large Tag' Punch, I have mounted this on 'Pear Pizzazz' 'Extra Large Tag' punch. The card has been finished off with some 'Rose Red Seaming Ribbon' from the mini, and a little piece of 'linen thread'.

A perfect card for spring i think!! I'm planning to spend the day with Sal on Thursday so hoping to make lots of lovely things to share with you! (I recieved a massive Stampin' Up! order today with lots of goodies, so have plenty of new things to play with!!) So check back soon!!

Another Inspiring Project (or two) from Cate!

Hi guys, back again with another project from Cate's (my good friend and upline) Mini Catalogue launch party!

The second project we made was a 'Chocolate Wrapper' project, which would be brilliant for table gifts, party bags or wedding favours!! Here it is:

This project showcases the beautiful 'Springtime Vintage' DSP (check back here tomorrow for a card using DSP from this pack!!) We wrapped a chocolate up in this beautiful paper, crimped the ends using the 'crimper', i wrapped a little piece of 'Crumb Cake Binding Ribbon' around. The frame is inked in 'Early Espresso' and is from the 'Four Frames' stampset. The sentiment is from the 'Just Believe' set. There just so sweet! Excuse the pun!!

Finally i want to quickly share with you a little gift box Cate gave to all her party guests, all the boxes had sweets in them, and one lucky person found a button in hers and won the 'Itty Bitty Bits' stampset!! Lucky Veronica!!

This is using the 'Big Shot' and the wonderful 'Pillow Box' Die. The box is made out of  'Baja Breeze' cardstock, Cate then wrapped a piece of 'Springtime Vintage DSP' around the box and then finished it off with some 'Crumb Cake Binding Ribbon'. Isn't it lovely!!



Cate's Launch Party!!

Hi everyone!! I thought i'd post early today and then i plan to go out and enjoy the lovely sunshine!!!

Yesterday i went to Cate's mini catalogue launch which really got me excited about my own launch party!! I hope everyone can make it - it's on the 23rd April 11am - 2pm. We made two lovely projects,  So today i'm going to share with you one of the lovely projects that we made:

The first project we made was a card. The card base is 'Pear Pizzazz': one of the lovely 'in colours' that Stampin' Up! offer! I have inked the small butterfly (From the clearly for you stampset) in the same colour ink (with a 'Basic Rhinestone'). Next we used the 'Big Shot' to cut a 'Top Note' from 'Whisper White' card, and spritzed it with 'Pear Pizzazz' ink using the 'Spritzer' tool. We stamped directly onto the 'Top Note' a small butterfly in 'Pear Pizzazz' and the heron stamp (also from Clearly for You) and the Happy Birthday sentiment (from 'Sincere Salutations') in 'Basic Grey' (Which i have never used as a colour before, but now definately converted!!) Finally on a seperate piece of white cardstock we stamped the background stamp in 'Pear Pizzazz' and the Birds in 'Basic Grey' (again both stamps from the 'Clearly for You' set. Punched with out with a '1-3/8 circle punch' and mounted that on a 'Pear Pizzazz' 'Scallop Circle' punch.with a 'dimensional'. I couldn't resist decorating the envelope with the butterfly stamp, and a stamp from the 'Four Frames' set.

If you haven't done so already check out the 'Mini Catalogue' (available for digital viewing on the righthand side of this blog) The 'Clearly for You' set is one of many beautiful and versatile sets that have been introduced to the Stampin' Up! products. This stampset is especially good value for money as it has 12 stamps in it!! (You can find it on pages 22-23) I will be taking orders at my launch party on the 23rd April, so why not add it to your wish list!!

Before i go today i want to say a big hello to my latest follower Tina!
Check back soon to see the other project we made at Cate's party! Have a lovely Sunday! xxx

A Card Created at Snails Pace!

Hello everyone! Hope you are well! I'm finally on Easter Holidays and i'm hoping to to spend a good proportion of time crafting!! And i'm planning on making a good start to this by attending my upline Cate's mini catalogue launch today! She always comes up with such great ideas and is such a crafty inspiration! (I will post some pics of the cards we create very soon!!)

I have been very busy recently planning my own 'make and takes' for my own mini catalogue launch on the 23rd April (Please confirm if you can make it!) As well as doing this i have also been working on a custom-made card request from a colleague at work. I was asked to create a card with a snail on it for a 60th birthday! The gentleman who's birthday it was, is a Biology teacher who is a world expert on snails!! So quite a challange, anyway this is what i have come up with:

Unfortunately Stampin' Up! didn't have a suitable stamp to use, so i found a black and white image online and printed it on 'Very Vanilla' cardstock. I then used a range of brownish inks from the 'neutral' collection and a blender pen to add colour and tone to the image. This was then mounted on a piece of 'Crumb Cake' cardstock, which i has run through the 'Big Shot' using 'Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder'. The cardbase is 'Early Espresso', with a strip of 'Very Vanilla' edged with the 'Eyelet Border' Punch, decorated with some lovely 'Early Espresso' 'Satin Ribbon'. (Inside i glued a 'Top Note' cut out of 'Crumb Cake' card, stamped with the sentiment 'Happy Birthday' from the 'Plane and Simple' stampset.)

This card was a real challange for me and it did take quite a while to design but i have to say i'm very, very happy with the result and have recieved lots of positive feedback, but i'd love to know what you think!

If you would like me to design and create a customised card for you please get in touch. I love a challange! My e-mail is amyjtidd@gmail.com

Have a great weekend! Amyxxx

Happy Engagement Fi and Anthony!!

Another day, and another good piece of news!! There is so much at the moment to celebrate! My good friend Fiona and her partner Anthony got engaged at the weekend and I'm just so happy for them!! I used to work with Fiona but she sadly moved away last year and i miss her lots! But we still stay in touch and we're planning on catching up in London over the Easter holidays!! Anyway, i couldn't resist making and sending a card. Here it is:

The card is using Stampin' Up! shimmer card. I have used the 'Big Shot' and a the Stampin' Up!  exclusive 'Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder'. I have used a '2-way glue pen' to apply 'Dazzling Diamond glitter'. The sentiment is from the Level 3 hostess set 'Occasional Quotes' stamped with 'Early Espresso' ink. The card has been finished off with some 'Early Espresso' 'Satin Ribbon'.

I love the 'Manhattan Flower Embossing 'Folder' and it's such value for money at just £6.95. (Just to let you know that if you have a Cuttlebug you can still use these embossing folders!) To demonstrate to you the versatility of these embossing folders here is another card using this product:

This card has the same colour theme as the one above. The sentiment is also from the 'Occasional Quotes' stampset. Maybe i'll keep this on to give on Fi and Anthony's big day!!! I'm looking forward to meeting up and chatting wedding plans!!!

It's the last day of term today and then EASTER HOLIDAYS!!

Happy Birthday Grandad!

Today is my Grandad Roy's birthday! So today i would like to show you the card i made him! I always find it tough to make cards for men, but recently i have been picking up lots of great ideas!! I have seen several shirt and tie cards before and thought i'd give it a go - i couldn't believe how quick and easy this card was to make!! (There are tonnes of variations of this style online, and several tutorials, so why not give it a try?!)

The card base is 'Bashful Blue', i have used a square of 'Brights DSP' to create the tie with origami folds. The line drawn down the centre was with my 'Night of Navy' 'Stampin' Write Marker'. The 'Happy Birthday' sentiment is from the 'Plane and Simple' stampset (a new mini catalogue wonder!!) also inked in 'Night of Navy) Check back here soon for more cards made using the 'Plane and Simple' stampset!

One for the Men!

OK, it's official i think  i love ALL the Mini Catalogue products! One stamp that i've really enjoyed stamping with is the 'motorcycle' stamp!! I always find it difficult to make cards for men, but this single stamp makes creating a card very easy!! You can use it quite simply - stamping it and then colouring it in, but i decided to do something a bit different with it, and try to make it look like a moving image by stamping it several times:

The cardstock used for this card was 'Crumb Cake', the motorcycle was stamped using 'Early Espresso' ink on 'Whisper White' card, mounted on 'Early Espresso'. I have used a 'sponge dauber' to create a dust effect. I have also wrapped some 'linen thread' around to finish it off. The sentiment is also inked in 'Early Espresso' and is from the level 3 hostess set 'Occasional Quotes' - this is a stampset you can earn from hosting a craft workshop in your home. If this is something you think you would like to do then drop me an email with your details and i will give you a call to arrange one: amyjtidd@gmail.com

There are also some brand new hostess sets for you to earn in the Mini Catalogue, so now is a good time to consider hosting a party - you will also earn money to spend in the catalogue (the amount will vary depending on how much your friends spend) See the 'Parties' tab above for further details!!

Check back soon! Amyxx

Baroque Motifs

Hi all! I was on facebook earlier and noticed on the Stampin' Up! page that someone was looking for inspiration to create wedding stationary using the 'Baroque Motifs' stampset and 'Tempting Turquoise' ink. Someone of course directed them to Splitcoast Stampers, which is always good when having a creative block but i thought i'd have a go at making something myself, here's the result:

The small flowers have a shiny texture as i have stamped in versamark and then turquoise ink and then used clear embossing powder and my heatgun. The white flowers are created with versamark and clear embossing powder. I have raised these using 'Dimensionals' and then used 'Basic Pearls' for the centre of the flowers. The sentiment is from the Level 3 hostess set 'Occasional Quotes', which is becoming one of my most invaluable pieces of kit! It never lets me down!! Hope you like! I'll be back soon with another mini catalogue creation - and details of my mini catalogue launch party!!!!

Just for you!

Happy Monday everyone! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Before i show you my latest crafty creation, i want to say a big hello to my latest follower Kirsty!

The card i want to share with you today is a card that i gave to my Nan yesterday for Mother's Day. The card base is 'Old Olive', i have used my 'Crimper' to add a bit more texture to the base.

This card features the (exclusive to Stampin' Up!) 'Top Note' Bigz Die in Rose Red, i have then used another 'Top Note' piece in 'Whisper White' and have trimmed around the perforated edge to make a slightly smaller version. I have used my 'Stampin' Write Markers' to colour in the stamp from the 'Just Believe' Stampset. The 'Just for You' is also from the 'Just Believe' set. I have used some 'Old Olive' ink to edge the 'Top Note' with a 'Sponge Dauber' and used some 'Basic Pearls'. I have finished this card by winding some 'linen thread' around the card! I hope you like! I have lots more crafty creations using products from the mini catalogue so please pop back soon!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Hello everyone! and a special hello to any mummy's out there, who are celebrating Mother's Day! I hope you are being spoilt!! I'm just on my way out for lunch with my Mum!! Just before i do i want to show you the card that i made for her! I also made a similar one for my step-mum - i just used a different colour combo!

You may be thinking that you have seen this card before - you are right! This is the card that i used for my demonstration with the Cranleigh Girl Guides a couple of weeks ago! Feel free to re-visit that post to see all the creative variations of this card that they made!! If there are any girl guides following this blog (or mum's) i hope you loved the card's that were created!!!

Here's the lovely flowers that me and my sister brought for my mum! I hope she likes them!

Anyway, I hope everyone has  a lovely Mother's Day/ Sunday! Check back tomorrow for some more Mini Catalogue creations! xxx

Clearly for You!!

At last, it's the weekend!! I finally have some time to have a proper play with some of the new products in the mini catalogue! Have you had a chance to flick through it yet? There are some brilliant stampsets, especially if you like the vintage style or if you're looking to make cards for men! Today i want to share a card inspired from the new catalogue, but of course i have slightly adapted it:

I have used 'Baja Breeze' cardstock for the base, the background has been created with the rectangle stamp from the 'Clearly for You' stampset. The birds and the 'for you'  are also both from the 'Clearly for You' stampset, and have been inked in 'Baja Breeze' and 'Rose Red'. The card has been finished off with a very thin trim of 'Rose Red' card and some 'Old Olive' edged with the 'Eyelet Punch' and i have pierced two rows of holes, using my 'piercing tool' and 'mat pack'. Finally three 'Designer Buttons' finish off this card! I'm really happy with this card and think it could be used for many purposes!!

Before i go i want to thank everyone who has been visiting my blog - i have had a lot of traffic recently and from all over the world! So hello if you are viewing this from: America, Canada, Iran, Russia, Belarus, India, China, Germany, Croatia and of course the United Kingdom!!! and a special hello to my latest follower Sally! I hope you all enjoy my craftiness! I'll be back tomorrow to share with you my Mother Day card!! Have a good Saturday! xxx

The Mini Catalogue is Here ... and there's a new BIG SHOT in town!!

I'm so excited! Finally the Mini Catalogue is here and it includes lots and lots of AMAZING NEW PRODUCTS for us all to fall in love with!!

Probably the biggest and most exciting item in the catalogue is the 'Sizzix Big Shot' for Stampin' Up! The 'Big Shot' is a sturdy manual die cutting machine used to die cut materials for use on crafts on all your craft projects. You'll love what the 'Big Shot' machine can do for you!

The great thing about the 'Stampin Up!' 'Big Shot' is:
• You can use the 'Big Shot' to create projects quickly and easily. You can cut out intricate designs, plus  create multiple cut outs at the same time. (Great for example if you need to make lots of wedding favours!)
• The Stampin’ Up! 'Big Shot' line features exclusive designs that can’t be found anywhere else!

So today i want to share with you probably my most favourite 'Bigz Die' the pillow box:

The use of this die is endless!! But the most obvious use for this 'Die' is for wedding favours!! You can cut out five of these at a time! So all of a sudden a time consuming task becomes a very speedy process! The 'Big Shot' machine cuts out the shape, scores the box and creates perforated lines all in an instant! They are so quick to construct! Heres a close up of each of these boxes with a brief description of each:

This first pillow box uses 'Basic Black' cardstock. I have used the 'Bella Toile' background stamp and white embossing powder to create the design. This pillow box has been finished with some 'Whisper White Organza Ribbon'

This second pillow box uses 'Bashful Blue' cardstock. The flower has been constructed by gluing alternating 'Scallop punches' of 'Bashful Blue and 'Early Espresso' card, with a 'Basic Rhinestone' placed in the middle. This box has been finished with a small snip of 'Early Espresso' 'Satin Ribbon. I have also edged the box with a 'Sponge Dauber' and 'Early Espresso' ink!

This final pillow box is using 'Rose Red' card stock. The butterfly has been stamped on 'Whisper White' cardstock using the stamps from the 'Flight of the Butterfly' stampset, using 'Pink Pirouette' and 'Rose Red'. The butterfly has been embellished with some 'Basic Pearls' and i have used a '2-way glue pen' and some 'Dazzling Diamond' glitter to bling it up! The box has been finished off using some 'Whisper White' Satin Ribbon!

I hope that these projects have got you as excited about the mini catalogue as i am! All the products in there are beautiful - I WANT THEM ALL! I will be sharing with you lots of projects using some of these products over the coming weeks! So please keep visiting my blog!! Have a good weekend! xxx