Crafty Boots Challenge: Young at Heart!

Yep, it's that time again - time for another Crafty Boots Challenge! This fortnight the challenge is 'Young at Heart' (this could be anything child related or even reminiscent of children, bright colours etc.) So here's my Design Team offering:

I have used a really fun stampset from Stampin' Up! called 'Something Sweet'. I started off with a 'Real Red' cardbase and layered some 'Daffodil Delight' 'DSP'. Next i got a piece of 'Pacific Point' cardstock and punched a '1-3/4" Circle' out of it. I also got a strip of 'Real Red' card and edged it using the 'Eyelet Border Punch' and glued them together.
I stamped the gumball machine and its lid (onto some 'Whisper White' card) using 'Tempting Turquoise' and 'Basic Grey' (using 'Stampin' Write Markers'). I carefully cut this image out and glued this on the 'Pacific Point Card either side of the punched hole. I then stamped out lots of gumballs in a selection of colours and punched them out using a '1/2" Circle Punch' and arranged them until i was happy with their position and glued them down. I then placed a 'Treat Cup' through the '1-3/8" Circle' before gluing down the 'Pacific Point Card!

Finally i stamped out the sentiment in 'Real Red' ink and punched it out using the 'Modern Label Punch'. I punched out two small holes using my 'Crop-a-dile' and then threaded some 'Real Red' 'Taffeta Ribbon', tucking it behind the 'DSP'.

A lovely bright birthday card, reminiscent of my childhood - i loved my gumball machine when i was a kid! I hope you like my creation! This stampset is fab and is so versatile - you can create so many wonderful cards with it! There are so many pieces to the set - take a look:

I'm always processing Stampin' Up! orders, so if you fancy placing an order drop me an email with your order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

I hope you find a moment to enter the challenge - i can't wait to see your creations!!

Giraffe Punch-Art Card!

Today i have a card to share with you that i have made with all my Stampin' Up! punches!! I just love punch-art! There are obvious uses for the punches, but it is always very nice to come up with a new way to use them! Sometimes if you stare at the punches for long enough you see another use for them in this instance i saw the possibility of using the 'Round Tab Punch' to create a giraffe!! Here it is:

I made the head from the 'Round Tab Punch' from some 'Daffodil Delight' card, i also punched another 'Round Tab' from some 'Early Espresso' card, cut to a third. I made his nostrils using my 'Crop-a-dile' and also made his eyes using the same method. His ears have been made from a '5 Petal Flower' and i trimmed another 'Early Espresso' one to make the inners of his ears. His neck has been made from a strip of 'Daffodil Delight' card, and his body from a square of 'Daffodil  Delight' rounded off on one corner using a 'Corner Rounder'. I made his spots from 'Early Espresso' card punched out using the '1/2" Circle Punch'. The branch was punched from some 'Garden Green' cardstock using the 'Two-step Bird Punch'. I arranged all the components onto some 'Certainly Celery' card, mounted it onto 'Soft Suede' card and then placed it all onto an 'Early Espresso' cardbase!

Why not get your punches out and have a play! You can pretty much make anything you want from them if you have the imagination!!! Why not take a look at the Stampin' Up! punch range (pages 116 - 119 of the catalogue!)

Girly Pillow Box!

Today i have a lovely 'Pillow Box' to share with you. I made it to pop my friend good friend Lucy's birthday present in!

It has been made out of 'Regal Rose' cardstock, ran through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Pillow Box Die'. Before constructing it i randomly stamped (in 'Melon Mambo' ink) lots of girly images (flowers, perfume bottles, handbags and princess crowns) all from the 'Every Little Bit' stampset and then coloured some of the little hearts in using my 'Melon Mambo' 'Stampin' Write Marker' and embellished with some 'Basic Rhinestones' for a little bit of bling!

The 'Pillow Box Die' is a must have for the Christmas season! It's perfect for popping in small gifts and you can customise each one depending upon the recipient - and the best thing of all is that they work out so cheap to make!! Make an order and get your Die in time for Christmas!!!

Lucy's Birthday!

It was my friend Lucy's birthday on Wednesday and we are out today to celebrate! We're off to Thorpe Parks Fright Night, which should be fun! I just hope the rain holds off!! So today i have the card i made for her to share with you. It uses the beautiful 'Vintage Vogue' stampset:

I started off with a piece of 'Whisper White' card and randomly stamped the leaves (in 'Old Olive' ink) and the large flower (in 'Tempting Turqouise') all over it. Next on a seperate pice of 'Whisper White' i stamped some small flowers using 'Island Indigo' ink, carefully cut them out and then placed them over the large flowers using some 'Dimensionals' to raise them and finally placed a blingy 'Basic Rhinestone' in the centre of each. I ran a teeny riny scrap of 'Rose Red' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Beautiful Wings Embosslit die' to create the cute little butterfly and placed two teeny tiny 'Basic Pearls' to create its body!

I placed this decorated piece of 'Whisper White' onto a piece of 'Pool Party' card that has been edged with the 'Eyelet Border Punch'. I finally wrapped a piece of 'Rose Red' 'Seaming Ribbon' around it and tied it in a bow. I placed all of this onto an 'Old Olive' cardbase, which has the 'Birthday Wishes' sentiment (from a retired stampset) stamped in the corner, using 'Old Olive ink.

I hope she likes this card! Tomorrow i have a cute little 'Pillow Box' that i made to pop her present in! Why not visit back tomorrow and take a peek!!!

Isle of Wight Craft Retreat!

Hi everyone! I'm back!! I've been on the Isle of Wight with my friends Ruth and Hannah! We did all the touristy things and also had a wonderfully crafty time! It rained a fair bit, but we brought all of our craft stash with us so it really didn't matter:

And we made lots and lots of lovely crafty projects that i'll be able to share with you over the next few weeks, but here's a sneak preview:

I had such a lovely time and would like to thank Ruth, as well as her dad and step-mum (Malcom and Claire) for letting me stay at their lovely place!!

Don't forget to visit back tomorrow to see some of our lovely creations!!!

(Also just to let you know that i have now placed Saturdays Open House order - so fingers crossed it will be here nice and quickly and i will have your orders to you so you can all get creating!!!)

Reindeer Gift Tag!

So i have been thinking about Christmas a lot recently - and i have also been playing around with the new Stampin' Up! goodies and came up with this idea for gift tags - i can't wait to make a batch of them!

I ran some 'Soft Suede' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Pennants Die' to create the 'body', then on a piece of 'Crumb Cake' card, stanped the 'a gift for you' stamp (from the 'Beautiful Season' stampset' using 'Soft Suede' ink and then punched it out using the '1-3/8" Punch' His head was created using the 'Petite Pennants Builder' punch, i punched the scalloped triangle out of 'Soft Suede' I stamped the inner triangle using 'Pennant Parade' Stampset and then punched it out. His ears have been created from the wing of the 'Two Step Bird Punch' (from 'Crumb Cake' - i used a 'Soft Suede' 'Stampin Write Marker' to draw on the detail) and his antlers from 'Soft Suede' card (also using the 'Two Step Bird Punch' - they're the branches) His nose has been punched from 'Real Red' cardstock using the '1/2" Circle Punch' - i placed a teeny tiny 'Basic Pearl' on it to give a shine effect! Here's a close up of his head:

Finally i glued it all together - using a 'Dimensional' to raise his head and threaded through some 'Real Red' 'Satin Ribbon' ... honestly it sounds more complicated than it is!

If you're off - i hope you're enjoying halfterm - i'm back from the Isle of Wight today and will be making a Stampin' Up! order tonight - so if you want to order anything for your christmas cards it's not too late, email me over an order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

'All in a Flutter' notepad!

A quick post to share with you today! A lovely little transformation of a 19p Wilkinson notepad using the lovely 'All in a Flutter' stampset:

I simply cut a piece of 'Crumb Cake' card to cover up the front of the notepad and randomly stamped the 'All in a Flutter' image over it using 'Early Espresso' ink. I stamped about butterfly on a seperate piece of 'Crumb Cake' and used a selection of 'Stampin' Write Markers' to colour it in. I then mounted it on a piece of 'Pumpkin Pie' and 'Early Espresso' card. I finally cut a strip of Early Espresso, trimmed it using the 'Eyelet Border Punch' and then folded it over the top of the notepad. Finally i cut a very thin strip of 'Pumpkin Pie' card and hand-drew some faux stitching on it using a 'Pumpkin Pie' 'Stampin' Write Marker'.

A very cheap project that would be a perfect stocking filler or christmas gift for a work colleague! Hope you like the idea!!!

When i grow up i want to be a ballerina!!

Hi everyone, i hope you're having a great halfterm!? I'm actually in the Isle of Wight at the moment with my friend Ruth. I have scheduled this post, so hope it works!

Today i have a card that uses the 'Round Tab Punch' in a very clever way:

I used the 'Round Tab Punch' to create the top part of the ballerinas outfit, punching it out of 'Blushing Bride' cardstock and embellished it using 'Basic Pearls'. To create the tutu part of the outfit i cut a strip of vellum (not Stampin' Up!) and used the 'Eyelet Border Punch' to create a detailed edge and then folded it using a concertina fold, gluding it into plaved using some 'Red Sticky Tape'. I glued this onto some 'Very Vanilla' cardstock and mounted it onto a 'Blushing Bride' cardbase!

I love using punches in unconventional ways! I hope this idea has inspired you to get your punches out and have a play!

Half-term Craft Retreat!

Yes it's half-term and me and my friend Ruth are off to the Isle of Wight for a few days to stay at her Dad's place and yes we will be taking our craft kits along!! So i will have lots and lots of crafty projects to share with you when i return on Wednesday. But don't worry ... i have scheduled some crafty projects for you Crafty ThINKers to enjoy in my absence!!

So today a crafty 'Pillow Box' project to share with you:

To make this gift box i ran some 'Real Red' card through the 'big Shot' using the 'Pillow Box Die' and constructed it using some 'Red Sticky Strip', i wrapped some 'Old Olive' 'DSP' around the 'Pillow Box' and then wrapped some 'Early Espresso' 'Satin Ribbon' in a bow! I used the 'A Special Treat' tag punch from the  wonderful new hostess stampset 'Tagtastic', stamped it using some 'Early Espresso' ink onto some 'Old Olive' card. I punched it out using the 'Extra Large Tag Punch'. I punched a hole in the top using my 'Crop-a-Dile' - i threaded through some 'Linen thread' and tied it around the 'Satin Ribbon'.

And there you go ... a lovely christmas gift box! Want to buy the 'Pillow Box Die'? Then email me over an order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Craft Open House - 22nd October!

Open House Craft Workshop!

Today was my craft open house! An opportunity to share all the lovely new products from the new catalogue with friends, neighbours and family!

Lots of people popped by to create a lovely christmas card!

Here's my version:

A 'Whisper White' cardbase. The stampset i used for this card is 'Beautiful Season', i stamped the bird onto some 'Whisper White' using 'Early Espresso' ink. I coloured the berries in using a 'Cherry Cobbler' 'Stampin' Write Marker' and then coloured the rest of the image in using 'Blender Pens' and 'Old Olive', 'Real Red' and 'Soft Suede' ink. I placed a couple of 'Basic Pearls in the corner and then used a 'Sponge Dauber' and some 'Early Espresso' ink around the edges and then mounted it onto some 'Cherry Cobbler' card. Next i stamped the sentiment onto some 'Whisper White' and punched it out using the 'Decorative Label Punch'. Finally i used the beautiful 'Lace Ribbon Border' to create the 'Cherry Cobbler' strip! (The stampset has a fab inner verse for the centre of christmas cards too!)

What was lovely is that everyone put their own take on it to illustrate this here's Lucy's card:

A slightly different layout here! She did a fab job using the 'Sponge Dauber' around all the edges and ran some 'Real Red' 'Taffetta Ribbon' through the 'Lace Ribbon Border'! But what impressed me most was how she used the 'Lace Ribbon Border' inside her card:

She used it as a templace to create this design, using a 'Cherry Cobler' 'Stampin' Write Marker' - i just love this idea!!

Not only did we make christmas cards but we also had lots of tea, coffee, cakes, chocolate and sweets!

There was a free prize draw that i invited all 15 attendees to enter. The prize a handmade 'Milk Carton' filled with a selection of 'Brights Designer Buttons' and some Stampin' Up! ribbon. The lucky winner was:

Jane Willis  

I also organised a crafty raffle -with all proceeds going to the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham. The lucky winners were:

Pat Voller

Lucy Allan

Ruth Jones

Jamie Voller

Hannah Roberts

Congratulations ladies! I will deliver your prizes with your order!!

I hope everyone had a lovely time. It's not too late to make an order. If you do i will send you the materials to create 'make and take' project, just so you don't feel left out! One or two attendees needed a day or two to consider their purchases so there is still time to get involved. I will be making the workshop order on Wednesday when i return home from the Isle of Wight - email me your order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Thanks to everyone who helped to make today a success!!!

Christmas Joy!

Ok, i'm super busy at the moment prepping for my craft open house tomorrow - it is not too late to get yourself involved. Email me now if you want to come along: amyjtidd@gmail.com

We will be making a Christmas project using some of the new Stampin' Up! products, so to whet your appetite i thought i'd share with you a Christmas card project:

This card was inspired by another member of the 'Blue Angels Team': Fiona from a recent swap she gave me at some training! It uses the beautiful 'Welcome Christmas' stampset. I coloured in the wreath stamp using 'Old Olive' and 'Real Red' 'Stampin' Write Markers' and stamped it onto some 'Whisper Whiote' cardstock. I then stamped the 'joy' stamp over it, using the 'Stamp-a-ma-jig to ensure perfection! I used some 'Crystal Effects' to make the berries POP and tied some 'Real Red' 'Taffeta Ribbon' into a bow and glued it into place using some 'Red Sticky Strip'. I mounted this onto some 'Old Olive' card and then glued it all onto a 'Real Red' cardbase!

Want to have a go at making a lovely Christmas project like this?! I promise you that ANYONE can make lovely cards with just a little bit of tuition, so why not pop along to my crafty workshop tomorrow 11am - 3pm. If you can't make it, why not book your own. They're free of charge to hold and you and your guests will make a free project and you could earn free craft products at the same time!! Get involved and email me for details: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Top Note Dog GiftCard Holder

Another 'Top Note Die' project for you all today! I've been thinking about christmas quite a lot recently and we often give people giftcards but i think they can be quite impersonal gifts, so wanted to start thinking of some imaginative ways of giving these to people. Playing aroung with the 'Top Note Die' i came up with idea:

To create this dog you need to run some 'Soft Suede' cardstock through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Top Note Die'. You need two 'Top Notes' to make this project. His eyes were made from two '1-3/8" Circles' punched from 'Very Vanilla' card, two '1/2" Circles' of 'Soft Suede' and then two smaller circles made from 'Basic Black' card, using the 'Owl Punch'. His muzzle was made using the 'Round Tab Punch' from some 'Very Vanilla' card. his nose was made from some 'Basic Black' card using the 'Heart to Heart' Punch, his tongue was created from some 'Blushing Bride' card using the 'Heart Punch'. His ears were created from a 'Top Note' chopped in half and then glued in place!!

Now, you're wondering how this can hold a gift card, well here you go:

Simply run one more piece of 'Soft Suede' card through the 'big Shot' to create another 'Top Note', chop it in half and then run some 'Red Sticky Tape' along three sides of it to create a pocket.

This giftcard holder can fit sniggly into a 6"x6" envelope and definately personalises a simple gift card!! Hope you like the idea! You could of course create this dog in different colours, or  create a different character althogether with a little bit of imagination! Why not treat yourself to the 'Top Note Die', email over your order today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Using 'Contempo Christmas' to make a non-Christmas card!

Hi all, hope you're all having a good week! Last thursday i visited a crafty friend of mine Jade. She was holding a Stampin' Up! workshop to celebrate the launch of the new catty and she had come up with a completely inspirational idea to share for her make and take project!

She used the fantastic value 'Contempo Christmas' stampset:

But in a completely unconventional way! She made a birthday card with it - showing the complete versatility of the Stampin' Up! stampsets. So here is the fab card that we made:

The card base is 'Whisper White', we then layered a piece of the new 'In Colour: 'Pool Party' on top. Notice that there are notches in the corners of this card piece, that has cleverly been created using the 'Boho Blossoms Punch'. On the piece of 'Pool Party' card we stamped the 'happy birthday dear you!' sentiment (using 'Island Indigo' ink) that is from a new hostess stamp set 'Happiest Birthday Wishes'.

Next we cut pieces of 'Island Indigo' and 'Whisper White' card - again using the 'Boho Blossoms Punch' to create small notches in the corners. Next on a scrap piece of 'Whisper White' we stamped out three baubles (from the 'Contempo Christmas' set, using 'Island Indigo' ink. We cut all three out by hand (you could use the 'Ornament Punch' to make this quicker), folded them in half and then glued them altogether to create a 3D effect. This created the hot air balloon! To create the basket we used a 'Chocolate Chip' 'Stampin' Write Marker' to colour in just the Christmas tree base!! Such a clever idea! We cut this out and used a 'Dimensional' to raise this. Finally using the 'Stampin' Write Marker' we drew the adjoining ropes!

This is such a clever idea! I just love it when you find an alternative use for products! I always think it is such a shame to buy lovely Christmas stamp sets and then only use them for a couple of months a year! So why not have a look through your christmas stampsets and see if you can find any alternative uses for them!

Want to come along to a Stampin' Up! workshop? I'm holding one at my house this weekend. You're welcome to come along. Email me for details: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Tagtastic Just For You Card!

Today i have a card to share with you that i made for my Father-in-laws partner Elle. It was her birthday recently and i wanted to make a special card for her.

I began with a 'Pretty in Pink' cardbase and then stamped all over it using the circular stamp from the 'Artistic Etchings' stampset (using 'Melon Mambo' ink). The 'just for you' sentiment is from the brilliant 'Tagtastic' stampset - which is one of the new hostess stampsets from the new catalogue! I stamped this (using 'Melon Mambo') onto 'Whisper White' cardstock and then punched it out using the 'Decorative Label Punch'. I then punched out another 'Decorative Label, snipped it in half and layered the 'Whisper White' label ontop of it.

The large 'Whisper White' shape was created using my 'Big Shot' and the 'Top Note Die', by rotating the card around the die several times you can create different shapes! Next i ran some 'Melon Mambo' card through the 'Bigshot' using the 'Perfect Pennant Die'. Finally i stamped the 'All in a Flutter' butterfly onto some 'Whisper White' card using 'Melon Mambo' ink, i snipped this out, placed some 'Basic Pearls' down the centre and then used Stampin' Up! dimensionals to raise it!

I hope Elle liked this card and the gift we brought for her! I really enjoyed making it and playing with lots of the new Stampin' Up! goodies!

Want to have a little look at these products in the flesh and have a play?! Why not pop along to my FREE Craft Open House this Saturday. Everyone is welcome. Email me for details: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Crafty Boots Challenge: Autumn/ Halloween

Hi everyone, it's that time again - the launch of a new Crafty Boots Challenge and this fortnight it is 'Autumn/ Halloween', so get you creative thinking caps on, come up with a design and enter!!

I have loved creating halloween products and sharing them with you all over the last week or so and so i offered them to Crafty Boots Challenge as my DT contribution this week.

In case you have been neglecting my Crafty ThINKer blog here's the collection of halloween offerings that i have been making:

All of these projects have been featured on my blog over the last week. To get details on how to create each of these, please click on the links below:

• Pumpkin Card
• Frankenstein Card
• Mummy Card
• Owl Trick or Treat
• Count Dracula Card
• Bat Trick or Treat Pillow Box

All of these projects use Stampin' Up! products: cardstock, Big Shot Dies, Punches, Stampsets and other products. If you would like to order any of these please check out the Stampin' Up! catalogue on the righthand side of my blog and then email me over your order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Don't forget to get your Craft Boots Challenge entry in! Look forward to seeing them all!

Halloween Treat Box - something special for the Trick or Treaters!

One final project to share with you following the halloween theme! A lovely 'Pillow Box' to pop a few sweets in to give out to any trick or treaters that may visit you this spooky halloween and it really was quick to make - so you could whip up a bulk load of these in no time at all!!

I ran some 'Night of Navy' cardstock through the 'big Shot' using the fab 'Pillow Box Die' and used a little bit of 'Red Sticky Strip' to stick it together!! I punched a 'Scallop circle' from some 'Pear Pizzazz' card, a 'Pumpkin Pie' '1-3/8" Circle' and a '1-1/4" Circle' from some 'Very Vanilla' Card.

Using a 'Sponge Dauber' i rubbed some 'Old Olive' ink around the edges of the 'Very Vanilla' circle and then stamped out the little bat from the 'Every Little Bit' stampset, using some 'Basic Black' ink and coloured him in using my 'Basic Gray' 'Stampin' Write Marker'. I layered up all of the components and glued them in place using my 'Tombow Glue' and constructed the 'Pillow Box'. Final stage was filling it up with some yummy sweets!!

I've really enjoyed creating all these halloween projects - i hope i have inspired you to have a go too! Don't forget tomorrow is the launch of the 4th Crafty Boots Challenge! Thanks to all the Crafty ThINKers who have already got involved. If not, why not? Why not enter the next challenge?! I look forward to seeing your entries!!

Count Dracula!

Another halloween special for you today! Again it uses the 'Top Note Die'. Using a similar technique to when i created the mummy and the frankenstein card! So today i have a Count Dracula card to share with you:

His face has been made from the new 'In Colour' 'Wisteria Wonder', which i created by running the card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Top Note Die'. ('Sponge Daubed' with some 'Soft Suede' ink) His hair has been formed from a 'Basic Black' 'Top Note' which i chopped to just less than half, and then i punched two semi circles out of it using the '1-3/4" Circle Punch'. His eyes have been created from two 'Whisper White' '1-3/8" Circles', which i 'Sponge Daubed' with a little bit of 'Real Red' ink, his pupils have been made from two 'Basic Black' '1/2" Circles', and his eyelids from one '1-3/8" Circle chopped in half, 'Sponge Daubed' with 'Soft Suede' ink and then raised with some 'Dimensionals'. His nose has been created from from the 'Round Tab Punch', again 'Sponge Daubed' with 'Soft Suede' ink. His mouth has been hand drawn with a 'Basic Black' 'Stampin' Write Marker', using the edge of a 'Top Note' as a template. I hand-snipped his fangs from some 'Whisper White' card, and rubbed a little bit of 'Real Red' on the edges to create some blood!!

His body has been made from the other part of the 'Basic Black' 'Top note'. I used some 'Whisper White' card to create his shirt and then some 'Real Red' 'Satin Ribbon' to create his tie. I arranged all of this onto a 'Concord Crush' cardbase!!

Hope you like the halloween makes - i have one more to share with you tomorrow - an idea of a treat you can give to your trick or treaters!

Trick or Treat?!

I'm having a bit of a halloween fest on CraftyThINKer this week! I've started this about the 31st and all those cute kids dressed up in spooky costumes. This year i have decided to make my own trick or treat gifts! I just love owls and again this project uses the 'Top Note Die':

I ran some 'Soft Suede' cardstock through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Top Note Die' to create a topper for the 'Cello Bags'. I folded the 'Top Note' in half, punched out two 'Whisper White' '1-3/8" Circles' for the eyes. I used 2 'Basic Black' '1/2" Circles' to create his pupils, and a 'Soft Suede' '1-3/8" Circle' cut in half to create his eyelids and i raised these using 'Dimensionals'. The owls beak is made from 'Pumpkin Pie' card which i have punched using the '5 Petal Flower Punch'. I used one single petal from the punched flower to create his beak! I filled up a 'Cellophane Bag' with yummy sweets and then stuck it all in place using some 'Red Sticky Strip'.

There you go, a very simple AND cheap trick or treat gift!!!

I just love the 'Top Note Die' as it is so versatile!! It's not too late to get an order in. I'm putting through an order on the 22nd October and i can offer you free P&P! Get your order in today!!!

Topnote Mummy!!

Boo! Yep it's me and i'm back with another halloween project!! Today a spooky mummy - yes, made with the trusty 'Top Note Die'!

This mummy began life as lots of 'Very Vanilla' strips, some cut neatly and others ripped. I used a 'Sponge Dauber' to distress the edges of each strip, and then glued them all onto a piece of 'Basic Black', arranging them to leave a little gap for the mummys mouth! I then ran it through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Top Note Die'. His nose was made with the 'Round Tab Punch', chopped in half, and his nostrils was created using the '1/2" Circle Punch', which i also 'Sponge Daubed' around the edges. His eyes were created the same way as yesterdays Frankenstein card. Two 'Whisper White' '1-3/8" Circles, his eyelids are made form one Very Vanilla' '1-3/8" Circle' chopped in half, his pupils from two 'Basic Black' '1/2" Circles'. I stamped out the 'boo' using the 'Just Perfect Alphabet' stampset and then i punched out each individual letter using the '1/2" Circle Punch' and stuck those in place using 'dimensionals' onto an 'Early Espresso' cardbase!!

Isn't he scary! Why not treat yourself to this wonderful 'Top Note Die'? You can make so much use of it - there are tonnes of designs you can make with it - you'll wonder how you survived without it?! Check out the catalogue on the righthand side of my blog, jot up your wish list and email me over your order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

(I'm entering this into the 'Cupcake Craft Challenge')

Another Spooky Make!

Hi all, today i have another spooky halloween card to share with and yes, it uses my beloved 'Top Note Die', today i have a Frankenstein card for you:

I made this spooky guys head from 'Old Olive' cardstock ran through the 'Big Shot' uses the 'Top Note Die. His neck is also made from some 'Old Olive card. I 'Sponge Daubed' around the 'Top Note' with some 'Old Olive' ink. His hair had been made from a 'Concord Crush' 'Top Note' which i have shaped using my 'Paper Snips'. His eyes have been made from two punched '1-3/8" Circles' from 'Whisper White' and then to make his eyelids i chopped in half one 'Old Olive' '1-3/8 Circle'. His pupils have been made from '1/2" Circles' in 'Basic Black'. His nose have been made from a 'Round Tab Punch' (which has also been 'Sponge Daubed'. I've drawn on some scars with a 'Basic Black' 'Stampin' Write Marker'. The bolts on his neck have been created from some 'Basic Grey' card that i have snipped into shape by hand. I drew the detail from a 'Basic Grey' 'Stampin' Write Marker'. I glued all the components together and then raised his head using some 'dimensionals'. All of this has been placed onto a 'Pumpkin Pie' cardbase (again 'Sponge Daubed' with some 'Old Olive' ink.)

I'm entering this make into the 'Cupcake Craft Challenge' which this week is 'halloween'. Hope everyone at cupcake likes it!!

A Pumpkin Card made from 'Pumpkin Pie' card!!

Can you believe that we are now in October and we really don't have very long until the 31st and Halloween! So for the rest of this week i have a range of Halloween projects to share with you! It's not too late to get crafting and make some of these in time! (and if you need any of the products i used to make them - just email me your order, i'm processing orders all the time: amyjtidd@gmail.com )

Today i have a card to share with you using my 'Big Shot' and the wonderfully versatile 'Top Note Die', to be honest a lot of the projects i have to share with you this week use this die!! So here is the card:

This card is so simple to make - it literally took 5 minutes! No stampin, just a quick 'Big Shot' and punches project! A 'Pumpkin Pie' c ardbase, next a rectangle of 'Crumb Cake' which i aged with a 'Sponge Dauber' and some 'Crumb Cake' ink. The  pumkin was made by clevery running 'Pumpkin Pie' cardstock through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Top Note Die'. The stalk of the pumpkin was made by punching out a 'Round Tab' and folding it in half. The leaves have been created using the 'Two-Step Bird Punch' (it's the wing part of the punch) You may have noticed i crimped one to give it some extra texture!!

Hope you like this card - don't forget to check back daily for more halloween themed crafty projects!!! Don't forget to email me your order if you fancy purchasing the fabby 'Top Note Die'. Trust me you'll wonder how you managed without it!!

Christmas Wreath using the Perfect Pennant Die!

Hi all,

As promised, another card today using the wonderful 'Perfect Pennant Die':

Today i want to share with you a way to create a fab christmas wreath card:

To create this card i ran some 'Pear Pizzazz' through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Pennants Die', i punched a '1-3/8" Circle' from the centre. Then created some small circles from the 'Real Red' using my 'Crop-a-Dile' to create the berrys. I tied a small bow out of 'Real Red' 'Taffeta Ribbon', i layered this on some 'Whisper White card', stamped the 'Merry' sentiment (from 'Pennant Parade' stampset) in the righthand bottom corner using 'Real Red' ink. I layered this on spme 'Pear Pizzazz' card and then layered it all on a 'Real Red' base!

Love this card so much! i have to get my bum in gear and start making up my batch of christmas cards, not long at all to go now!

Want to buy this wonderful Die? Then why not make an order. Email me: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Another 'Tagtastic Card'

Happy Sunday! I have another card to share with you today using the lovely new Stampin' Up! hostess set - 'Tagtastic'. You can get your hands on this fab new hostess set by hosting a Stampin' Up! of your own or making a qualifying order! This stampset is fab and i have already made lots of cards using it - i can't wait to share them all with you! Here is what the stampset looks like:

Isn't it a great set! The card i have to share with you today is using the 'Thanks' stamp from the set, and is quite similar to the congrats card that i shared with you yesterday:

A 'Soft Suede' cardbase, with a piece of 'Very Vanilla' layered on it. This 'Very Vanilla' card was ran through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. On that i layered some 'Baja Breeze' with i have ran through the 'Big Shot' using the wonderful 'Perfect Pennant Die', layered ontop of that a 'Soft Suede' 'Scallop Circle. I finally stamped the thanks sentiment in 'Soft Suede; ink onto 'Baja Breeze' cardstock, punched it out using the -1-3/8" Circle Punch', embellished it with some 'Basic Pearls' and raised in ontop of the 'Scallop Circle' using some 'Dimensionals'. I completed this card by wrapping some 'Baja Breeze' 'Seaming Ribbon'.

I just love the 'Perfect Pennant Die', check back tomorrow for another card made using this wonderfully versatile 'Big Shot' Die!

Happy 2nd Wedding Day Rob and Iwona!

Hiya, i hope this post works - i have scheduled this as we are actually in Poland for a long weekend! Today we will be going to a wedding! Rob and Iwona are having their big fat polish wedding this weekend and we feel very priviledged to be part of it all! So i thought today i would share with you the card i made for them - and yes it uses new Stampin' Up! products:

This card was actually quite quick to make! I stamped the congrats sentiment (fromt he fab new hostess set - 'Tagtastic' ink 'Early Espresso' ink. I embellished the sentiment using the teeny tiny 'Basic Pearls'. I punched it out using the '1-3/8" Circle Punch'. Next i ran some 'Baja Breeze' through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Pennant Die' and glued the 'congrats' sentiment to it. Next i ran a piece of 'Very Vanilla' through the 'Big shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder', wrapped a strip of 'Early Espresso' 'Satin Ribbon' around it. , layered this on some 'Baja Breeze' and then glued all of this onto a 'Early Espresso' cardbase.

I hope Rob and Iwona love their card and have a very happy wedding day!! Have a great weekend!

My Stampin' Up! Promotion!

Hi all! It's Friday! I'm so excited today we're off to poland for the weekend for our friends Rob and Iwonas wedding! Yep, lots of vodka drinking in store for us!! I'm away til Monday, but don't worry i'll schedule a couple of posts so you still get your craftying fix!!

Anyway, today i have a card to share with you that my Stampin' Up! 'grandmother' Natalie gave me to celebrate my promotion in the Stampin' Up! company. I could never have done this without you guys, my loyal customers!!

This cardbase is 'Crumb Cake', she then glued some 'Very Vanilla' to it, and then kayered on top another layer of 'Crumb Cake'. She the 'Colour Spritzer Tool' and a 'Pumpkin Pie' 'Stampin' Write Marker' to create some background texture and randomly placed some 'Basic Rhinestones'. She then layered a strip of 'Pumpkin Pie' 'DSP' on to it and some retired ribbon. Finally she stamped the 'just for you' sentiment from the 'Just Believe' Stampset. (She managed to print this sentiment in different colours by using her 'Stampin' Write Markers'. She stamped the sentiment on some 'Very Vanilla' cardstock and punched it out using the 'Decorative Label Punch', she raised this using some 'Dimensionals.'

I really appriciated Natalies card, it was so sweet of her sending it! Wanna be part of the Stampin' Up! family? Why not sign up as a demonstrator - there is a great deal on this month if you join up. Why not email me for details: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Another New Catty Delight: Beautiful Season

Hi everyone, sorry for such a delayed post tonight - got home for work and had a stonking headache, so had to have a little nap before writing up the post today.

Hope you have had a good Thursday, today i have another card to share with you that uses lots of lovely products from the new Stampin' Up! catalogue! This card was designed by another member of the 'Blue Angel Team' and i made it at her recent catalogue kick off party! It features the beautiful new christmas stampset: Beautiful Season:

 Here is the card:

The cardbase here is 'Always Artichoke', we ran through some 'Cherry Cobbler' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' and ran some 'Twill Tape' along the middle.

Next we stamped the beautiful bird and holly image from the 'Beautiful Season' stampset onto some 'Very Vanilla', ran it through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Top Note Die'. We coloured the image in using 'Soft Suede', 'Always Artichoke' and 'Cherry Cobbler' ink and 'Blender Pens'. We also added some 'Dazzling Diamond Glitter' to give it an extra christmassy feel!!

We aged around the 'Top Note' using some 'Soft Suede' ink and a 'Sponge Dauber' and attached it to the cardbase using some 'Dimensionals'. Finally we stamped the christmas sentiment - also from the 'Beautiful Season' set (using 'Cherry Cobbler' ink and then punched it out using the 'Scallop Oval Punch', again raised with 'Dimensionals' to give it a raised effect.

I think you'll agree, a beautiful card! Would you like to make a lovely christmas card using the new Stampin' Up! products. Why not come to my catalogue launch party on the 22nd October. Email me to confirm your place: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Punch-Art Fish using the Round Tab Punch (with tutorial!)

Oh yes! Another punch-art creation! (I blame Ruth for this obsession!!!) Today i want to share with you a very clever way of making fish from the fab Stampin' Up!'Round Tab Punch'.

Step 1:
Basically punch some 'Round Tabs' from your chosen cardstock and cut them like this:

Step 2:
Arrange the piece like this to create cute fish! Clever hey?!

Step 3:
Arrange them on your card however you like! Here's my card:

I created four fish from 'Pumpkin Pie' cardstock using this technique and arranged them on a 'Marina Mist' cardbase. I raised the body of the fish using some 'Dimensionals'. I created their eyes by punching out some very small circles using my trusty 'Crop-A-Dile'. The fishes bubbles have been created using the 'Bubblegum ball' from the 'Sweetheart' stampset. I stamped them randmonly on the cardbase using 'Marina Mist' ink.

The sentiment is also from the 'Sweetheart' stampset, inked onto a scrap on 'Marina Mist' and then punched out using '1-3/8" Circle Punch'. I stamped the little fish (also from the 'Sweetheart' stampset) in 'Pumpkin Pie' onto a tiny scrap of 'Whisper White' cut out with my Paper Snips'. I raised this circle, again using 'Dimensionals'.

There you go, yet another way to make use of your 'Round Tab Punch'. Want to get your hands on one? Why not make an order! Check out all the lovely products in the new catalogue (link on the righthand side of my blog) and email over an order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

New Stampset: Delicate Doilies!

Today i want to share with a brand new stampset from the new catty - which i absolutely LOVE! I think it is definately going to be one of my new favourites! It can be found on page 69 of the new catalogue and is called 'Delicate Doilies' and they look like this:

Lovely big doilies that could be used in so many ways! At the weekend i went to Cates house (my uplines). She and Diane (another member of the Blue Angels Team' hosted their new catty launch party and Cate designed a card using this fab stampset and i couldn't resist making one! Here it is:

A 'Melon Mambo' cardbase, which has been stamped all over with one of the smaller doilie stamps (also in 'Melon Mambo ink', Then we layered a rectangle of the new 'Flirtatious DSP' onto some 'Whisper White' card. Then we ran some 'Melon Mambo' card through the 'Big Shot' using the new and absolutely fab 'Perfect Pennants Die' to create the cut out doilie shape. One another piece of 'Whisper White' we stamped another 'Doilie' from the set using the new ink colour 'Wisteria Wonder' and punched this out using the '1-3/4" Circle Punch' and raised this using 'Dimensionals'. Finally placing a 'Melon Mabo' 'Designer Button' threaded with 'Linen Thread'.

The 'Congratulations' sentiment is from the 'Wedding Sweet' stampset, inked in 'Melon Mambo, punched out using the 'Word Window Punch', layered (with 'dimensionals') onto a 'Pretty in Pink' 'Modern Label' Finally finished off with two 'Basic Rhinestones' for a little bit of bling!

I think you'll agree Stampin' Up! has done a great job with its new products, this stampset is beautifully versatile! As is the 'Perfect Pennants Die', check them out!!!

If you'd like to make an order drop me an email: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Crafty Boots Challenge: Zoo!

Yep! It's that time again - the launch of another Crafty Boots Challenge! This fortnight their is a Zoo theme to challenge your creativity!! Here is my design team entry to inspire you, using Stampin' Up! products of course!!!

I totally love 'Punch-Art' creations and created this lovely lion using my collection of Stampin' Up! punches, cardstock and my paper snips, and a sentiment from the (sadly retired) 'Fun and Fast Notes'.

The lion has been created from some 'Peach Parfait' and 'Chocolate Chip' cardstock. The lions head was created from a '1-3/8" Circle', his muzzle was created from two '1/2" Circles' (which i speckled with dots created with my 'Chocolate Chip' 'Stampin' Write Marker'), his nose is created from a small heart punched from the 'Owl Punch', his ears from the '5 Petal Flower Punch', his mane from the 'Scallop Circle Punch', his body from a '1-3/4" Circle', his tail was snipped from a '1-1/4" Circle' and the end of his tail was created from a small flower from the 'Boho Blossom Punch'.

The grass was created from a strip of 'Old Olive' and a strip of 'Pear Pizzazz' which i have snipped over and over again using my paper snips. The tree trunk was created from some 'Early Espresso' card which i snipped into shape by hand, and i punched out the branches from green cardstock, using the 'Two-Step Bird Punch' .

I stamped the sentiment (from 'Fun and Fast Notes' onto some 'Whisper White' cardstock, punched it out using the 'Decorative Label Punch' and cut it in half!

I layered it all up onto a 'Bashful Blue' cardbase!!! So please with this card and it reminds me of my Tanzania trip back in July!! I'm definately planning on creating some more African inspired punch-art cards, so watch this space!!

If you like the products featured on this blog then why not make an order, i accept all UK orders, and often have exclusive special deals for all my customers! A Stampin' Up! catalogue can be found on the right-hand side of this blog. If you have any questions, or would like to place an order then just email me: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Look forward to seeing everyones Zoo themed Crafty Boot Challenge entries!! Good Luck!

Welcome 2011-12 In Colours!!

Today i would like to introduce to you the new Stampin' Up! 'In Colours'. Stampin' Up! have their core colour collections and then every year they introduce five colours that will remain in the catalogue for two years. So here are the five 2011-12 'In colours' and i'm sure you will agree they are stunning!!

For the next two years you can buy Cardstock, Inkpads, 'Stampin' Write Markers', 'DSP', 'Ribbons' and 'Brads' in the 2011-12 'In colors'. You can find all these products on Page 90 of the new catalogue!!

So i thought i'd share with you a card i have made using these lovely new colours:

I started with a 'Lucky Limeade' cardbase. I then ran 'Calypso Coral', 'Island Indigo', 'Pool Party' and 'Wisteria Wonder' cardstock through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Top Note Die'. I then punched four '5 Petal Flowers' and four '1/2" Circles' out of the same card and arranged them on the 'Top Note'. A clean and simple card showcasing these beautiful colours!!!

New Catalogue!!

I'm so excited!!! Today is the launch of the new Stampin' Up! Idea book and Catalogue and i can't wait to share it with you! So here it is (click on the catalogue to see inside!!):

There's so many amazing new products in here: new stampsets, punches, ribbons, Big Shot dies and lots more!! Get yourself a pen and paper and start jotting down your new wish list!! Why not leave a comment on this post telling me what your fav product is in this new catty!!

To add to the excitement, Stampin' Up! is also running a fab new promotion for those of you who are keen to become a SU demo,(click on the image below for details!):



Drop me an email if you think this is something that you would like to do, being a Stampin' Up! demo is so much fun, you get to meet lots of new crafty people, share your crafty passion with others and get a great discount on Stampin' Up! products! My email address is: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Keep checking back at this blog, because i will be sharing with you tomorrow a project featuring the new 2011-12 'In colours'!!