I Miss You

Hi all, hope you are all well, i'm super busy at the moment, so much going on but not long til Christmas!!!

Yesterday was a busy day for me, i taught in the morning and then went to the official opening of Alexandra House - a care home for the elderly - named after my late mother in law. I was completely amazing by the quality of the build and the services on offer for the residence who are living there. It was a very proud day for my husband family - and we got to meet a royal - The Duchess of Gloucester - she was such a lovely lady and spent quite some time speaking to us all!!

The card, therefore that i am sharing with you today is somewhat fitting. It features an image and sentiment from the 'Ain't Love Grand' stampset - I Miss You.

I have CASE'd this card directly from the Stampin Up! Catalogue (Page 12) It features a 'Marina Mist' cardbase, a rectangle of 'Whisper White' card (with two corners rounded off using the 'Corner Rounder'), next a thinner strip of 'Pumpkin Pie' 'DSP', snipped at the end, next an even thinner strip of 'So Saffron', card. Finally on a small scrap of 'Whisper White' i stamped the plane and sentiment stamp using 'Basic Black' ink and coloured it in using some 'Certainly Celery' ink and a 'Blender Pen'. I finished the card off with a 'Certainly Celery' 'Designer Button'!

There you go, a nice quick card! Now if you want to get your crafty mits on the 'Ain't Love Grand' stampset you need to either book a workshop in the new year or alternatively order £150 of goodies and you will get it for free! Email me for details: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Just Believe Notelet Gift Box

Last week i shared with you a lovely gift idea - a box with a set of handmade cards featuring the 'Just Believe' stampset. Today i have a similar project - a cute little box with a set of notelets:

Here's a close up of the beautiful box. Created with 'Early Espresso', 'Marina Mist' and 'Whisper White' cardstock:

The image and sentiment are both from the 'Just Believe' stampset, and have been inked in 'Marina Mist' and 'Chocolate Chip', a couple of 'Basic Rhinestones' have been placed in the centre to add a bit of bling!!

Heres a pic of the box open:

This box is known as a pizza box, there are plenty of templates online if you would like to create one of these. 

And now for the cute little notelets:

An 'Early Espresso' cardbase, the image has been stamped several times with 'Early Espresso' ink. Some 'Whisper White' 'Satin Ribbon' has been wrapped around. The Friends sentiment has been stamped onto some 'Whisper White' card using 'Early Espresso' and 'Marina Mist' 'Stampin' Write Markers' and then hand-snipped. Finally a teeny tiny 'Basic Rhinestone' has been placed in the centre of the flower.

This second notelet is a 'Crumb Cake' cardbase. The image has been stamped using 'Early Espresso' ink, with some 'Basic Rhinestones' to bling it up! The sentiment was stamped onto some 'Marina Mist' card, punched out using the '1-3/4" Circle Punch', scrunched up a bit and placed on a strip of 'Whisper White' card, edged with the 'Eyelet Border Punch'.

This final notelet has been made from 'Marina Mist', the image (using 'Marina Mist' ink) has been stamped onto 'Whisper White' card, the thankyou sentiment was then inked over it using 'Early Espresso' ink (layering up is easy using a 'Stamp-a-ma-jig') This was layered onto some 'DSP'. The cute little flower was punched out using the 'Boho Blossom Punch', and placed a 'Basic Rhinestone' in the centre.

I think you'll agree this little notelet box gift is another fab project showcasing the 'Just Believe' stampset. A Stampin' Up! colleague of mine Jade came up with this super little project - isn't she clever!!!

If you would like to purchase any of the materials used in this project - or any other Stampin' Up! products drop me an email: amyjtidd@gmail.com It's not too late to get your orders in for Christmas!!

Crafty Boot Blog Hop!!

Hello to all my followers and new crafty peeps who are visiting today as part of the Crafty Boots Blog Hop!! I'm very excited to be part of this - especially as it is my very first blog hop!!

The theme at Crafty Boots Challenges this fortnight is ‘Anything Goes’.  You can join in the challenge as normal but there are 12 extra chances for you to win a prize by joining the first ever Crafty Boots blog hop!

If you are joining in the hop you should have got here from guest designer Claire’s blog.  If you haven’t blog hopped before it is really simple, just start at the Crafty Boots Challenge blog and hop through the design team blogs in the order set out on that page.  Each of the design team members has a word or two for you to collect which will reveal a message at the end.  Once you have collected that message email it to bloghop@craftyboots.co.uk to be entered into the draw to win the prize of three digis of your choice from Hope Jacare Doodles.  You must also become a follower of all the design team’s blogs (and Claire’s) to be eligible to win the prizes.

So before you hop off to another Crafty Boots Design Team Member, have a little peek at my offering (which is nothing like my usual style - as i'm usually 100% Stampin' Up!) and i have made an exception for this beautiful digi!!

I coloured in the image with a range of my 'Stampin' Write Markers' and a 'Blender Pen', mounted it onto some 'Melon Mambo' cardstock, then layered it onto 'Cheerful Treat DSP' and then onto a 'Melon Mambo' Cardbase. I wrapped some beautiful 'Pear Pizzazz' 'Seaming Ribbon' around and tied into a bow. Finally i created some flowers from some 'melon Mambo' and 'Regal Rose' card, ran through the 'Big Shot' using a die from the 'Timeless Alphabet Die', with a lovely brad through the middle!

I'm a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please spend some time browsing my blog and if you like the look of any products why not take a look at the catalogue on the righthand side of this blog and email over an order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Don’t forget that myself and each of the design team members has a prize of candy up for grabs, this will include a sample pack of the fantastic new Crafty Boots Deluxe card along with a few other goodies.  Be sure to leave a comment on each of our blogs and follow us to be in with a chance of winning our candy!

My word for the secret message is:

OUT

Your next stop is Dionne’s blog.

The deadline for both the Anything Goes challenge, and the blog hop (and candy) is Sunday 11^th December at 12 Noon (UK time).

Christmas Countdown: An advent Calender Project!

Hi all, i hope you are all having a fab weekend! Mine's been very crafty! Kim, a friend of mine texted me yesterday with a picture of a fantastic advent calender she had designed and made. As soon as saw it i knew i just HAD to make one for myself, so before the ladies arrived yesterday afternoon for some Christmas crafting i got to work, and here is the final result:

Started with a piece of 12x12 thick card, i pasted a piece of the 'Holly Berry Bouquet DSP' to create the backing. The 24 pockets were created from 8x8cm squares of 'Cherry Cobbler' and 'Pear Pizzazz' card clever folded and fixed in place using 'Red Sticky Tape'. I typed the numbers using my laptop - and printed them out onto a sheet of 'Whisper White' - i tried to match the font colour as best as i could to 'Cherry Cobbler' and then punched them out using the 1/2" Circle Punch':

I stuck each of the pockets to the background board using 'Red Sticky' tape! I finished off the project by gluing two '1/2" Circles' punched from 'Cherry Cobbler' card to the top of the advent calender, punched a hole through each one using my 'Crop-a-dile' (and i'm just waiting for my stampin' Up! order to arrive and then i will thread some scrummy 'Cherry cobbler' ribbon through the top!

That just leaves the most important bit - the chocoloate!!  I finished it off with a little santa in each pocker (available from Morrisons - 16 for 99p!)

So have you got your advent calender yet? Why not make one like this you can use again and again!!! You can put any sort of choc you like into it!! Thanks Kim for the idea!!

Just before i go, as i mentioned earlier in my post, yesterday i had some lovely ladies around for some Christmas crafting!

We had a great time and everyone went away with a batch of Christmas cards!! Thankyou to everyone who attended. If you couldn't make it, it's not too late to get crafty this Christmas! Why not have a flick through the catalogue on the righthand side of this blog and email over an order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

I will be hosting more classes and open houses in the new year - so keep an eye on the blog!!!

Christmas Craft Classes!!

This post will remain at the top until 26th November - please scroll down for daily craft posts!

Christmas Stamp-a-stack!

Fancy making some handmade Christmas cards for your friends and family?

This card class is perfect for you – make 10 cards for £10 (and if we get time a few gift tags too!)

Learn some new techniques and play with some of the Stampin’ Up! Christmas range!!

Saturday  26^th November: 10am – 12.30pm

Wrap up Christmas!

Want to ‘craft-up’ your Christmas gifts?! This is the class for you! I will show you how to make gift boxes, bows and a couple of handmade gifts!!

 Saturday  26^th November: 1pm – 3.30pm

Cost: £10

All classes held at my home: Aldershot - GU12
Places are limited – if you would like to reserve a place or would like more details email me: amyjtidd@gmail.com

All class attendees are entitled to a 10% discount on any orders made on the day!!

Can't make a class? Why not get five of your friends together and i will come to your house and run your own personal craft class!!

Dear Santa For Christmas I would like....

If you don't want a scare then don't click here. Oh, OK .... i dare you ... take a look here!!!

Aaaaaaggggggggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Did you look?! Can you believe it's that near! Now's the time to start thinking about Christmas - what are you buying people this year - or more importantly - WHAT ARE THEY BUYING YOU?!

Ok every year i recieve gifts from people and although i know they have tried, they are simply not what i want! So if you are desperate to recieve gifts that you are actually gonna use this may peak your interest!

Why not set up a Christmas Wishlist with me!!! All you need to do is:

1. Go through the Stampin' Up! catalogue (on the right hand side of this blog) and write a nice long list of all the lovely things you would like this Christmas.
2. Email the list over to amyjtidd@gmail.com
3. On reciept of your wishlist i will give you my contact phone number.
4. You share my contact details with friends and family and let them know you have a wishlist with me. (I can even send you some of my business cards so you can pass them out!)

Then all they have to do is:

1. Contact me, let me know their budget and i will select the gift and send it to them to give to you this christmas! SIMPLE!! (P&P will be £4.95 on orders under £30 and FREE for order over £30)

Don't leave it too late - Ensure all orders are placed by Monday 10th December to ensure plenty of time for delivery!
Now i have done all the admin stuff, i have a lovely christmas card to share with you:

This lovely card was given to me at a recent Stampin' Up! training event and made using the 'Season of Joy' stampset. On a rectangle of 'Whisper White' card the 'Merry Christmas' sentiment was stamped in the righthand corner using 'Old Olive' ink, as were the two swirl images. The smaller flowers were stamped using 'Real Red' and the three larger flowers were stamped onto some smaller pieces of 'Whisper White' card and then hand-snipped out and arranged to slightly overlap one another. all of this was glued onto a 'Real Red' cardbase! Such a beautifully simple card! (It's not too late to get your crafting kit out and knock out some christmas cards!!)

Have fun writing out your Christmas wishlist!! If you have any questions about any of the products drop me an email: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Just Believe Cards With Giftbox

Hi guys! It's Friday! So relieved and really looking forward to the weekend! I have lots of crafting in store!

Today i have a fab handmade gift idea to share with you - a lovely box full of handmade giftcards, using the lovely 'Just Believe' stampset:

Such a beautiful and versatile stampset i think you'll agree, and you can use it in some many ways - this project really showcases its versatility well:

The box is made from 'Crumb Cake' cardstock, and uses the '1/2" circle' Punch to create an opening device. (There's lots of templates online) The lid uses 'Rich Razzleberry DSP', 'Old Olive DSP' and 'Basic Rhinestones' to bling it up! The 'Some Things Have To Be Believed' sentiment was inked using 'Old Olive' and 'Rich Razzleberry' 'Stampin' Write Markers', and features a little loop of 'Whisper White' 'Satin Ribbon'. Here's a close up of the box:

And here's the cards that go inside:

This 1st card has a 'Crumb Cake' base, features some 'Old Olive DSP' and the image is stamped onto 'Whisper White' card using 'Rich Razzleberry' ink, and finally finished off with some 'Rich Razzleberry' 'Satin Ribbon'.

This 2nd card is a 'Whisper White' card base'. The image has been stamped using 'Old Olive' and 'Rich Razzleberry' 'Stampin' Write Markers' and has been stamped twice. The sentiment has been inked using 'Rich Razzleberry' and punched out using '1-3/4" Circle Punch'.

This 3rd card features a 'Crumb Cake' cardbase, the image has been stamped three times using 'Crumb Cake' ink. The 'thankyou' sentiment has been inked using 'Old Olive' and 'Rich Razzleberry' 'Stampin' Write Markers' and then handsnipped out and layered onto a square of 'Old Olive DSP'.

This final card is a 'Whisper White' cardbase. A strip of 'Rich Razzleberry DSP' and some torn 'Old Olive' card has been glued down the lefthand side of the card and some 'Whisper White' 'Satin Ribbon' has been tied around it. The 'just for you' sentiment has been stamped on the card base using 'Old Olive' and 'Rich Razzleberry' 'Stampin' Write Markers'. (Lined up using the trusty 'Stamp-a-ma-jig'.

What a fab colour combo this is! Jade (a fellow demonstrator) came up with wonderful project - don't you think it would be a lovely gift to send to someone over christmas. People are always having to buy cards, so why not make some for them - a perfect gift, especially for someone who finds it difficult to get out to the shops and buy cards for themselves!

It's not too late to get an order in to buy some crafty materials to make some gifts like these. The catalogue is on the righthand side of this blog. Make your list and email your order over: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Lovely As A Tree!

OK, a non-Christmas card for you today!! Shock, horror!!! Today i have a lovely card made by a fellow demonstrator Diane - and this card has a beautiful autumnal theme! It features the beautiful 'Lovely as a Tree' stampset, which is such a stunning and versatile set - and is most definately on my wishlist!

The card base Diane used is 'Cajun Craze' from the 'Regals' collection (i often overlook these colours and must make more of an effort to use them!), she stamped the cardbase with with the oak leaf image from the Lovely as a Tree set in 'Soft Suede' and 'Cajun Craze' ink. The main image has been inked with 'Soft Suede' ink onto 'Very Vanilla' card and them mounted on matching card stock. Isn't it a beautiful image!

 

Diane used the sentiment is from the 'Clearly for You' stampset and has been inked to match the image and then punched with the 'Jewelry Tag Punch', as has the leaf image (also from the 'Lovely as a Tree' stampset), and both tags have been tied with 'Linen Thread'. I think you'll agree it is a completely beautiful card!!

 

This is the great thing about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, there is a fab team around you and you really feel like you are part of a community. It is lovely to be friends with so many talented crafty people!! I'm always getting inspiration from the team! Fancy joining us? Email me your contact details and i will give you a call for a friendly, no pressure chat! You can earn money sharing what you love with others, what can be better than that?! Get in touch: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Are you making your own Christmas cards?

So yesterday i shared with you the fab Christmas stampset 'Contempo Christmas'. It's a perfect stampset to create your own cards.

Today i have two variations of the same card using this fab set, designed by a Stampin' Up! colleague of mine Jade:

Both of these cards use 'Old Olive', 'Real Red' and 'Whisper White' cardstock, 'Real Red' and 'Old Olive' ink, the 'Contempo Christmas' stampset, some 'Basic Pearls' and 'Basic Rhinestones' and some Stampin' Up! 'Dimensionals' to create a 3D effect!

These cards just go to show you don't need tonnes of crafting materials to create beautiful cards. Why not treat yourself to a basic crafting kit and make a few cards yourself! Email me for some advice: amyjtidd@gmail.com or alternatively book yourself on to my Christmas Card and Gift Workshops this weekend! See the top of my blog for more details!

Contempo Christmas!!

OK, following on from my Christmas rant yesterday i feel a little bit hypercritical posting tonnes of Christmas cards today!! But as a crafter you know there are some things you can't leave til December and one of them is making your batches of Christmas cards!

You don't need many materials to make your own handmade cards: Some card stock, a couple of ink pads and a good Christmas stamp set... and if you don't have a Christmas stamp set that fits the job i would like to suggest to you that the 'Contempo Christmas' stamp set will most definitely fit the bill!!!

This stamp set is completely fab! Consisting of two images (the Christmas tree and the bauble - which coordinates with the 'Ornament Punch') a 'Merry Christmas' sentiment and the 'Christmas is love, with all the trimmings' stamp which works fab as a sentiment on the front or alternatively to pop in the inside of your cards!!

So today i have a few examples of cards made using this set. All of which have been designed by the lovely Jade:

These cards were made with just a few simple materials - some 'Whisper White', 'Real Red' and 'Old Olive' cardstock', some 'Real Red' and 'old Olive' ink and a 'Stampin' Write Marker', the 'Contempo Christmas' stampset, the 'Ornament Punch' and 'Eyelet Border Punch', 'Basic Rhinestones' and 'Basic Pearls'.

Has this inspired you to have a go and make your own Crimbo cards?? Why not make an order now. The catalogue can be found on the right-hand side of this blog. Email over your order to: amyjtidd@gmail.com

(I have two more cards using the 'Contempo Christmas' stampset to share with you tomorrow - so don't forget to come back and visit!!)

Is it too early to put up the Christmas tree?

Ok, it's the 21st of November ... and i'm amazed by the number of Christmas trees i have seen! Not just in the usual places - shops, town centres etc but actually in peoples homes!!! I have a strict December policy - no Christmas tree, decorations, movies or anything else Christmas related in my house (apart from my christmas cards of course!) until at least the 1st of December! Am i being a Scrooge?!

Anyway with a Christmas tree theme in mind here is a related card:

On a piece of 'Whisper White' i stamped the fir tree branches (from the 'Autumn Days' stampset) to the top left-hand corner. (I used an 'Old Olive' and 'Early Espresso' 'Stampin' Write Marker' to create the two-colour effect.) and stamped it several times. I then stamped the sentiment (from the 'Contempo Christmas' set) in 'Cherry Cobbler' on the bottom right-hand corner. On a seperate piece of 'Whisper White' i stamped the bauble (also from the 'Contempo Christmas' stampset) in 'Cherry Cobbler', punched it out using the 'Ornament Punch'. I raised it using some 'Dimensionals' and ran a small piece of 'Real Red' 'Tafetta Ribbon' from the bauble to a hole (created using the 'Crop-a-dile'. I mounted this onto a piece of 'Old Olive' card and then mounted all of this onto a 'Cherry Cobbler' cardbase!!

Hope you like! It's not too late to make some Christmas cards of your own. Email me for more advice, details of christmas craft classes or to make an order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Jolly Santa Punch-art!!

Hi all, hope you're having a great weekend. It's been a pretty chilled one for me and it has been kinda nice. Today i have a fabby Santa punchart card to share with you!

This jolly Santa was made from a '1-3/8" Circle' of 'Blushing Bride' cardstock for his face and a 'Whisper White' 'Scallop Circle' for his beard! This hat was made from some 'Real Red' cardstock trimmed to size (as was the 'Whisper White' trim) The little pompom on his hat and his nose was made using the 'Owl Punch' (what would be the owls eyes!) I drew on his eyes with a 'Basic Black' 'Stampin' Write Marker' and made his rosy cheeks from some 'Regal Rose' ink and 'Blender Pen'. I layered Santa onto a piece of 'Old Olive' and then a piece of 'Holly Berry Bouquet DSP'

The cardbase used is 'Real Red'. I ran a piece of 'Old Olive' through the 'Ribbon Lace Punch' and then layered that onto the cardbase and then popped Santa ontop! Finally i stamped the Merry Christmas sentiment from the 'Contempo Christmas' set onto some'Old Olive' card using 'Whisper White' ink and then punched it out using the 'Decorative Label Punch' and then layered it on another 'Decorative Label' punched from some more 'DSP'.

There you go a lovely jolly Santa! This is such a fun card and so easy to make batches of! It is also the perfect card to make this children as there is very little stamping involved!!

It's not too late to get an order in. Drop me an email to make an order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Clearly for You!!

Hi everyone, i hope you are having a fab weekend. Sorry for such a late post - today has been a fairly busy day - hubby has been home and we have been out visiting family.

Today i have a lovely card made by a fellow Stampin' Demo Jade, using the fab 'Clearly For You' stampset:

Jade stampsed the birds image (in 'Basic Gray') and the 'for you' sentiment (in 'Tempting Turquoise')onto a piece of 'Whisper White' card. She then layered it onto a piece of 'Tempting Turquoise' 'DSP' which had been edged with the 'Scallop Trim Punch' and layered all of this onto a 'Basic Black' cardbase! Finished with a 'Basic Black' 'Designer Button'.

A clean and simple card! Don't you just love the colour combo! If you want to get you crafty mits onto this lovely vintagey stampset or anything else in the catty drop me an email: amyjtidd@gmail.com (I'm offering Free P&P for distant customers and 10% off for my more local ones! Get your orders in in time for Christmas!

Glittery Nosed Rudolph!

Good evening followers! How are you all?! Today i have a cute little reindeer card to share with you!

This cute little card is a perfect design to make in a batch and send out to friends and family this christmas!! The cardbase is 'Real Red' and i have layered some lovely Christmas 'DSP'. The reindeer has been made from 'Early Espresso' card using the '1-1/4" Circle Punch', 'Oval Punch' and the '5 Petal Flower Punch'. His hair and antlers were made from some 'Crumb Cake' card using the 'Boho Blossom Punch' and the 'Word Window Punch'. His eyes were created from some 'Whisper White' and 'Basic Black' card using the 'Owl Punch'. His nose has also been made using the 'Owl Punch' from some 'Real Red' card. Just to finish off the card i added a lovely 'Real Red' 'Glitter Brad'. Isn't he so cute and super quick to make in batches! I'm putting through orders all the time so it's not too late to get some christmas class supplies - email your order over now: amyjtidd@gmail.com. (Just to make it a little bit sweeter i'm offering 10% off local orders and Free P&P on orders from my more distant customers!!)

Happiest Birthday Wishes!

One of my most favourite stampsets at the moment is a new hostess stampset in the Stampin' Up Catalogue called 'Happiest Birthday Wishes':

You can get this stampset FREE with a qualifying workshop and it is such a fab set to own! So here is a card made with it:

This cardbase is 'Lucky Limeade' (One of the fab new 'In Colours'. Next i layered up a piece of beautiful 'Cheerful Treat DSP' (Also a hostess goodie you can earn for FREE!) Ontop of that i layered up a strip of 'Melon Mambo' card than i ran through the 'Lace Ribbon Border Punch'. I then ran some 'Lucky Limeade' and 'Melon Mambo' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Pennants Die' and layered them ontop of one another. Ontop of that i layered a 'Lucky Limeade' 'Scallop Circle' and finally i stamped the beautiful vintagey looking birthday scallop shape using 'Melon Mambo' ink and again punched this out using the 'Scallop Circle Punch'.

I just love this card! It's so bright and cheerful and just showcases some of the new hostess goodies perfectly!! Want to get your hands on these great products?? Then why not host a Stampin' Up! workshop. A workshop is free to host and it is a great opportunity to get a group of people together to have some fun! Email me for details: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus Punch-art!

Hi guys, another punch-art special for you today! I'm really getting into punch-art crafts - it is so fun to get all my punches out and have a play. The great thing is if you're not feeling overly creative there are some AMAZING punch-art tutorials online and most of these are posted by lovely generous crafters who post these free of charge!

As soon as i saw this tutorial online on a website called Punch Art Addiction - i just knew i had to have a go. So over half-term when i was away with my friend Ruth we dedicated an afternoon to making this Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus card:

The cardbase is 'Very Vanilla' (6"x6") with some 'Early Espresso' and 'Crumb Cake' layered ontop. The Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus are made out the following colour card: 'Night of Navy', 'Not Quite Navy' 'Baja Breeze', 'River Rock', Chocolate Chip' and 'Pirouette Pink' and have been created using the following punches: 'Ornament Punch', 'Wide Oval Punch, 'Large Oval Punch', 'Full Heart Punch' , 'Round Tab Punch', 'Butterfly Punch', 'Word Window Punch', '1/2" Circle Punch' 

'1/4" Circle Punch', 'Scallop Circle Punch', 'Owl Punch' and 'Boho Blossom Punch'. I drew the facial features on with a 'Basic Black' 'Stampin' Write Marker' and some 'Dimensionals' to raise their noses. Finally i wrapped a little bit of 'Chocolate Chip' 'Grosgrain Ribbon' to create Josephs belt! I decided not to put a sentiment on the front, opting instead to put the lovely 'Merry Christmas' sentiment from 'Contempo Christmas' in the centre of the card.

Here are both mine and Ruths creations together:

If you would like to have a go at this card pop over to  'Punch Art Addiction' to access the full tutorial! And if you want to purchase any punches to get creating your very own punchart why not put through an order with me! Have a look at pages 116 - 119 of the catalogue on the right to view the full range. Write out your wish list and email it over to me: amyjtidd@gmail.com Happy creating!!

Snowman Punch-art!!

So today i have a really fun card to share with you designed by my talented friend Ruth! A punch-art snowman and was made when we was in the Isle of Wight after half-term:

The snowman was created from two 'Whisper White' circles created using the '1-3/4" Circle Punch' and the '1-3/8" Circle Punch', his buttons and eyes were created from some 'Basic Black' card punched using the 'Crop-a-dile' tool. His nose was hand-snipped from a little piece of 'Pumpkin Pie' cardstock and his mouth drawn on with a 'Basic Black' 'Stampin' Write Marker'. His hat was made from a piece of 'Basic Black' punched out using the 'Round Tab Punch' which was cut in half and finally his arms was created using the 'Two-Step Bird Punch' (The branch bit with the leaves snipped off!) There you go thats how you make Frosty!

We layered Frosty onto a piece of 'Pacific Point' cardstock and then layered it onto some (retired) 'DSP' and glued that onto a 'Whisper White' cardbase. The 'Merry Christmas' sentiment is from the fab Christmas set 'Contempo Christmas' (we used the 'Stamp-a-ma-jig' to ensure it was lined up perfectly!)

Finally we ran a strip of 'Pacific Point' card through the 'Lace Ribbon Border Punch' and threaded some thin 'Whisper White' ribbon through it!

Don't you just love this card! Ruth was so clever to come up with this original punch-art design - and i'm sure she wouldn't mind you CASEing it as long as you give her some credit!!

Want to get make some handmade cards of your own for Christmas... why not come along to my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack class!! This will be held on Saturday 26th November - keep checking back for more details, or email me if you're interested in coming along: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Crafty Boots Challenge: Fantasy

It's that time again, another Crafty Boots Challenge and this fortnights challenge is: Fantasy... This could be anything like Castles/fairies/unicorns/father christmas... you get the idea!! So here is my DT offering:

I really didn't know where to start with this challenge and this is what i finally came up with ... a fairy princess castle!!

It started life as a 'Marina Mist' cardbase. I hand-snipped some 'Whisper White' card into cloud shaped and added some detail on with a 'Bashful Blue' 'Stampin' Write Marker'. I then hand-snipped some 'Cheerful Treat DSP' to create the grass.

The castle was created from three wide strips of 'Blushing Bride' cardstock. I drew some brick detail on using a ruler and a 'Stampin' Write Marker'. To create the pointy roof i ran some 'Brights DSP' through the 'Big Shot' using my 'Perfect Pennants Die' and used some 'Melon Mambo' card stock edged with the 'Eyelet Punch' to create the frill! The windows was created from some 'Melon Mambo' card, which i hand-snipped to shape (notice that i ran a strip of 'Basic Pearls' along the bottom of them - you can't have a princess castle without bling!) and i punched the door out using my 'Large Tag Punch' (which a 'Basic Rhinestone' on it to create the handle - more bling!!)

Finally i stamped the 'just for you' sentiment (from the 'Tagtastic' stampset) in 'Melon Mambo' ink onto some 'Whisper White' card, punched it out using the 'Decorative Label Punch' and bordered it on a 'Melon Mambo' 'Decorative Label' which i cut in half to elongate! I love this effect!!

So get your craft on and get involved with the Craft Boots Challenge! I can't wait to see your entries!!

(And if any of you fancy making a Stampin' Up! order just email me: amyjtidd@gmail.com - i offer free P&P - usually £4.95 - with all orders over £50!)

Christmas Tags!!!

Hi guys, i hope you have had an amazing week! We have been so increadibly busy! We've been furniture shopping, London for a night out to celebrate our friend Jens birthday and today we went out for a yummy breakfast with friends, brought a sofa and visited my Nan! Busy, busy, busy!! Which means i haven't had much time at all for crafting - but there's still tonight!!! Hubby's working tonight and i have the house to myself so i will definately be getting the craft kit out!

Any due to the lack of crafting this weekend, today i have a lovely christmas tag made by another Stampin' Up! demonstrator Julie. (Every month our Stampin' Up! team get together and swap recent projects with one another!) So here it is:

These are soooooo simple to make, but look fab don't they! Julie punched a tag out of some 'Holly Berry Bouquet DSP' with the 'Large Tag Punch' and then layered this onto a 'Real Red' 'Extra Large Tag'. She then glued this onto a larger piece of 'Pear Pizzazz' which she snipped to turn it into an even larger tag. She stamped the cute little 'Merry' sentiment (from the wonderfully versatile 'Pennant Parade Stampset) in 'Pear Pizzazz' ink at the bottom. Finally she punched a hole with her 'Crop-a-dile' (a tool definately worth popping on your Christmas wish list!) and threaded through some 'Real Red' 'Taffeta Ribbon'.

Gift tags can cost so much at Christmas, and you often can't find tags to coordinate with your gift wrap - so here's the solution - use the 12x12" DSP sheets to wrap and create stunning tags to coordinate! In no time you'll have Christmas all wrapped up!

It's not too late to get in that order. Email me over your wish list today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Happy Birthday Jen!

Hiya! It's the weekend - and i'm so relieved! It has been a hard slog this week and this weekend is extra special because my hubby has the weekend off - which is quite rare! We have lots planned, including going to our friend Jen's birthday party this evening in Putney.

Last week i went to our monthly training at my upline Cates house. We always do our business talk and then have a crafty play with some of the newest Stampin' Up! products. I made this card with Jen in mind and plan to give to her this evening:

We started with a 'Melon Mambo' cardbase and i randomly stamped a stamp from the 'Delicate Doilies' in some 'Melon Mambo' ink. Next i layered some 'Flirtatious DSP' onto some 'Whisper White. Next we ran some 'Melon Mambo' cardstock through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Pennant Die'. We stamped about stamp from the 'Delicate Doilies' stampset, using 'Wisteria Wonder' ink and punched it out using the '1-3/4" Circle Punch'. We layered it all up and placed a 'Designer Button' in the centre, blinged up with a 'Basic Rhinestone'.

The sentiment is from 'Teeny Tiny Wishes', stamped onto some 'Whisper White', punched out using the 'Word Window Punch' and then layered onto a 'Pretty in Pink' 'Modern Label'. I added a few extra 'Basic Rhinestones' to finish off the card.

The great thing about creating homemade cards is that you can create cards that a perfect for the recipients - that totally reflects their personality - this card is bright, fun and blingy so i really hope that Jen likes it!

PhD Congrats

For a while now my friend Hannah has been doing a lot of ground work on her Phd, during halfterm she had to go for a meeting with her professors, it went really well and she had it confirmed that she has been upgraded to PhD status!! Which means with a lots of hardwork one day in the future she will be Dr Hannah Roberts! She is very clever - probably the most clever person i know and i wanted to make her a card to celebrate her academic success so far! So here it is:

I started off by stamping the congrats sentiment (in 'Melon Mambo') from the 'Tagtastic' stampset onto some 'Whisper White' and punched it out using the '1-3/4" Circle Punch' and embellished it with some teeny tiny 'Basic Pearls'. I then ran some 'Rich Razzleberry', 'Melon Mambo' and 'Pacific Point' cardstock through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Pennant Die' and layered them all up. Next i glued a trip of 'Pacific Point' card onto a wider strip of 'Rich Razzleberry' card and ran it through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. I glued into onto a 'Melon Mambo' cardbase and then layered the congrats sentiment ontop. Finally i ran some pieces of 'Pacific Point' through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Timeless Type Alphabet dies' to create the PhD in the bottom left corner.

This card is a little late as i have been off work and haven't seen her since she told me the news via facebook. I hope she likes her card!!

If you like the materials i have used in this card and would like to purchase any of them then don't hesitate to make an order. Email it over to me at: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Another 'Polar Party' card!

Yesterday i shared with you a card made with the oh so cute 'Polar Party' stampset! I just couldn't resist sharing with you another christmas card made with this set:

I began with an 'Old Olive' cardbase and stamped the cute little reef from the set all over it (in 'Old Olive' ink) to create a background. Next on a piece of 'Whisper White' i stamped the christmas tree imade in 'Basic Black' and then coloured it in using my 'Stampin' Write Markers' ('Old Olive', 'Real Red', 'Early Espresso' and 'Bashful Blue'.) and stamped the Merry Christmas sentiment from the 'Contempo Christmas' set (in 'Real Red' ink) I mounted this on some 'Old Olive' 'DSP' and then mounted this onto some 'Real Red' cardstock before gluing it onto the cardbase. Finally i wrapped some 'Real Red' 'Taffeta ribbon' around the spine of the card.

This card was super quick to make and so cute and festive!! Why not treat yourself to this lovely stampset - there are so many possibilities!

Get an order in now. Email it over to: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Polar Party!!

Have you had an opportunity to check out the fab new christmas sets Stampin' Up! released in October? You know what, it is still not too late to put in an order and treat yourself to some seasonal goodies to make christmas cards, tags and gifts!

Today i want to share with you a fun new set called 'Polar Party':

I think you'll all agree that the polar bear and those cute dancing penguins are the stars of this set - i couldn't resist making a card from them!! So here it is:

I stamped the lovely polar bear and the lovely sentiment onto some 'Whisper White' using 'Basic Black' ink and then coloured him in using my 'Cherry Cobbler', 'Old Olive' and 'Bashful Blue' 'stampin' Write Markers'. I placed a 'Basic Pearl' on his hat and then mounted it onto some 'Cherry Cobbler' card. Next i tore another piece of 'Whisper White' to create a snowly playground for the penguins! I them stamped the two penguins onto a scrap of 'Whisper White' coloured them in using my pens, placed some 'Basic Pearls' on their hats, very carefully cut them out and then arranged and glued everything down onto the 'Soft Suede' cardbase!

There you go, one lovely oh so very cute christmas card! As i said before, it's not too late to get a crimbo order in. Email it over to me: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Happy Engagement Dan and Jade!!! (Envelope Scrapbook - Journey to marriage journal)

Hi all. A while back you may remember me telling you how happy i was for my cousin Dan , who met the girl of his dreams and popped the question. They had their engagement party this weekend, sadly we couldn't go, but i wanted them to know that i was thinking of them and wanted to make them something special. I already made them an engagement card - so decided to make them an envelope scrapbook to journal their journey from first love, proposal, engagement party, wedding and then the future!

I used a fab tutorial from the website: http://www.making-mini-scrapbooks.com/ and heres my creation:

To create this envelope scrapbook i used 'Very Vanilla', 'Bashful Blue' and 'Early Espresso' cardstock, as well as the lovely 'Bashful Blue' 'DSP' from the 'Cheerful Treat DSP' (a fab new hostess product) I also used five cream envelopes.

The front of the envelope scrapbook:

Notice that i used the beautiful 'Monogram Sweet Alphabet' stampset to add their intials to the product (which i lined up using my trusty 'Stamp-a-ma-jig') . I embellished their initials with some teeny tiny 'Basic Pearls'. I also used the pearls to decorate the 'Lace Ribbon Border' punch. I also added some 'Very Vanilla' and 'Early Espresso' hearts created using the 'Large Heart' punch.

Here's a close up of their initials:

The spine of the book:

Notice how i used some lovely 'Satin Ribbon' to tie the book up.

Now, using the tutorial i created a card zig-zag spine and glued five enevelope into it. the idea is that each envelope had a suitable love quote on it and an instruction for the happy couple, with a decorated card inside to write on or mount a photo:

Envelope 1.

Envelope 2.

Envelope 3.

Envelope 4.

Envelope 5.

I decorated each envelope with strips of 'Very Vanilla', 'Bashful Blue' and 'Early Espresso card. and pieces of 'DSP', as well as a 'Scalloped Circle', '1-3/8" Circle' and a snippet of the 'Lace Ribbon Border' with a blingy 'Basic Pearl.

Each envelope had a decorated card that Jade and Dan could complete their tasks on:

The happy couple will not be getting wed for a while yet although they will have lots of wedding planning to do!!  This gift will give them the opportunity to journal the exciting journey they are on. I wish them both the very best of luck!!!