JULY OFFER!! Everyday Enchantment Offer!!

This post will stay at the top of this blog throughout July - please scroll down for the daily CraftyThINKer post!

Woo hoo! I have fab news! Stampin Up! have a brilliant offer on throughout the whole of JULY! Spend £45 on Stampin' Up! products and get an 'Everyday Enchantment Brads and Ribbon' bundle, which consists of:

Now the name 'Everyday Enchantment' may sound familiar to you - and there is a reason for this... you may remember Jan - March this year SU did a 'Sale-a-Bration' offer - one of the fab free gifts was the beautiful 'Everyday Enchantment DSP':

Well for this month ONLY it is BACK!! and available for purchase at £9.95 whilst stocks last.

Email me ASAP if you would like to take advantage of this offer and make an order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Anniversary Wishes For Ruth and Teif!

Tomorrow is my good friend and her hubbys anniversary - here is the card i made for them:

The paris theme is simply for romantic purposes!! On a 'Soft Suede' cardbase i layered some 'Pink Pirouette' card and some 'Beau Chateau DSP'.

On a piece of 'Very Vanilla' card i stamped the circle image (using 'Crumb Cake' ink) and the Eiffel Tower image (using 'Soft Suede' ink)both frome the 'Artistic Etchings' set and then ran it through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Textured Impression Embossing Set: Designer Frames'. I layered this onto some pink card and then glued it onto the cardbase.

I finished off the card by stamping the sentiment (from 'Teeny Tiny Wishes') and punching it out using the 'Word Window' Punch, raising it with 'Dimensionals' to create a 3D effect. Finally finishing the card off with some 'Basic Pearls' to add some bling!

I hope Ruth and Teif have a fabulous anniversary tomorrow! Can't believe how quickly the last two years have gone!!

A simple Shirt and Tie Card!

A nice, quick and simple card for you today - yesterday i posted a card for the girls, so today one for the boys: a shirt and tie card:

This card i soooooooooooooo easy to make! Start off with a cardbase (i have used 'Bashful Blue') Then find a strip of card and fold it to create the collar and glue it into place!! I have added some 'Silver Brads' to the collar! You could leave it plain or add buttons?!

Find some coordinating 'DSP' snip it into shape to make the tie - i used 'Pacific Point' 'DSP' (Notice i raised the knot of the tie using 'Dimensionals'.

Finally i stamped the 'happy birthday' sentiment (from 'Teeny Tiny Wishes') using 'Pacific Point' ink in the corner of the card!

So simple! A perfect quick make for the men in your life!

A dress made from the Scallop Die!

A girly card to share with you today! A dress card made using the 'Large Scallop Circle Die':

I started off with a square 'Whisper White' cardbase. On which i layered a piece of  'Concord Crush' card and a smaller strip edged using the 'Scallop Trim Border Punch'.

The prom-style dress was created using the 'Large Scallop Circle Die' using the 'Big Shot, from some 'Melon Mambo DSP', which i cleverly cut into a dress shape. Before gluing it down i wrapped a piece of 'Whisper White' 'Organza Ribbon'.

Finally i stamped the sentiment from the 'Petite Pairs' stampset onto some 'Whisper White' card using 'Melon Mambo' ink and punched it out using '1-3/8" Circle Punch' which i layered onto a 'Melon Mambo DSP' 'Scallop Circle' using 'Dimensionals' to create a 3D effect!

If you'd like to order any Stampin' Up! goodies drop me an email today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Celebrate the Olympics!

Well today is the day! The start of the Olympics!! My friend Ruth is having an olympic themed party so i thought i'd make her a card:

This card was very simple to make! I started with a 'Soft Suede' cardbase. I layered a piece of 'Crumb Cake' ontop, which i stamped the celebrate sentiment (from a retired set) in the corner using 'Soft Suede' ink.

The olympic logo was simply created by making rings from 'Tempting Turquoise', 'Daffodil Delight', 'Real Red', 'Basic Black' and 'Garden Green' cardstock punched from '1-3/4" Circle' and '1-3/8" Circle Punches'.

Hope Ruth and Teif have a fab Olympic party and wish Team GB lots of success!!!

A New Home Card Made Using A Baby Stampset!

A while back my friend Jade gave me the fab 'Little Additions' stampset as a baby shower gift! I have LOVED using it to make baby related cards....

...but decided to have a play at using the set for some non-baby related cards and came up with this 'New Home' design:

On a 'Saraha Sand' cardbase i layered some beautiful 'Everyday Enchantment DSP' (which you can buy only for this month - checkout the top of my blog for details) to create wallpaper and carper. I stamped the armchair, cabinet and lampshade all from the 'Little Additions' stampset using 'Pear Pizzazz', 'Chocolate Chip' and 'Pool Party' ink onto 'Very Vanilla' card and then cut them out and glued them into place. I then stamped the frames image using 'Chocolate Chip' and 'Poppy Parade' 'Stampin' Write Markers' and glued them into place and then cut a small piece of mirror card (not Stampin' up!) to craete the oval mirror!!

i finished off the card by running some 'Pear Pizzazz' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Timeless Type Alphabet Dies' to create the 'New Home' sentiment and glued it into place!!

I hope i've inspired you to take a good look at your stampsets and try to use them in alternative ways!!! If you'd like to order these papers or the fab stampset email over your order today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

A Natures Nest Tortoise Card!

In my preperations for Baby Tiddlywinks i have made lots of cards to send out for the months of July, August and September. It is quite likely that at some point over the next few months with little sleep and a little bundle to look after we may accidently forget to send a card to someone so pre-empting this i have made a card especially for that occassion:

I began with a 'More Mustard' cardbase. I then cut a piece of 'Soft Suede' ink which i stamped over with the 'Woodgrain stamp' using 'Chocolate Chip' ink. On a piece of 'Whisper White' i stamped the tortoise image using 'Chocolate Chip' and coloured it in using 'Always Artichoke' and 'More Mustard' 'Stampin' Write Markers' and some ink and 'Blender Pens'. I also  stamped the sentiment from the 'Happiest Birthday wishes' set on some 'Whisper White' card. I layered both of these onto 'More Mustard' and 'Always Artichoke' card.

I actually love the layout and the colour combo of this card. I don't often use the 'Regals' collection but will have to make more of an effort to do so in future!!

Don't forget if you would like to order any stampin up goodies feel free to email your order over to me: amyjtidd@gmail.com (check out the July promo at the top of my blog!!)

A card for a Globe Trotter!

A while ago i attended a 'Big Shot' card class hosted by a fellow demo and good friend of mine Jade and here is one of the cards that we made:

I just love the colour combo Jade selected for this card: 'Elegant Eggplant', 'Old Olive' and 'Whisper White'. On an 'Elegant Eggplant' cardbase we layered an 'Old olive' 'Top Note' create using the 'Big Shot'. We then ran a piece of 'Whisper White' through the 'Big Shot' and trimmed around the perforated edge to create a smaller top note which we layered onto the 'Old Olive' one. We stamped the globe image from 'The Open Sea' onto it and then sentiment from 'Petite Pairs' using 'Elegant Eggplant' ink.

Crafty Boots Challenge: Babies!!

This months Crafty Boots Challenge is very relavant to me: Babies!! With Baby Tiddlywink due imminently i thought i'd share with you the baby announcement cards that i have made ready in advance:

These cards were super quick to make (which was just as well as i had to make quite a lot!!) and you will notice that i slightly altered the designs to make creating such large quantities more bearable!!

I started with 'Bashful Blue' cardbases (i managed to make 3 cards from every piece of A4 card) and embossed them using the 'Big Shot' and the 'Stripes Embossing Folder' to create texture and then placed three 'Basic Pearls' in the bottom corner of each card to add some bling!!

I then stamped the super cute baby feet from the 'Baby Prints' stampset onto some 'Whisper White' card using 'Bashful Blue' ink and then stamped the 'it's a boy'  over the feet (also from the 'Baby Prints' stampset) using 'Pacific Point' ink and then ran it through the 'Big Shot' using a die from the 'Labels Collection Framelits Dies', using 'Dimensionals' to attach the image to the cardbase. Here's a close-up:

I finished these cards off by stamping the announcement image from the 'Little Additions' stampset using 'Pacific Point' ink:

I loved making these cards and can't wait to send them out to all our friends and family to announce the arrival of Baby Tiddlywink. If you're expecting your own little arrival why not consider making your own announcement cards - check out the catalogues for suitable materials and feel free to email me for advice and orders: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Hospital Thankyou Card!

You may have guessed that i have been super organised and have scheduled all these posts in advance - the reason?! Because my baby is due anytime and i didn't want my CraftyThINKer followers to feel abandonned!! I will interject a blogpost at some point to announce the arrival of Baby Tiddlywink i promise!!

I have been super organised and have even made a thankyou card for the midwifes that will be assisting me and it's already packed in my hospital bag!! Check me out!!

I started with a 'Pool Party' cardbase which i folded at the top and embossed using the 'Big Shot' and the 'Perfect Polkadot Embossing Folder' (notice i inverted the dots' to create a dimpled effect') and added some 'Basic Pearls' along the edge of the card to add some bling!!

I then ran some 'Calypso Coral' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Mahatten Rose Embossing Folder' and cut the roses out by hand and layered this onto the cardbase!

Finally I ran some 'Pool Party' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Timeless Type Alphabet Dies' to create the 'thankyou' and glued them into place!

A 'Boho Blossom' Wedding Card!

Today is our friends Jen and Andy's wedding reception - they got married in Sicily a month or so ago and tonight it their UK wedding reception. Here is the card i made for them:

I started off by punching out lots and lots of little flowers from 'Very Vanilla' and 'Blushing Bride' cardstock and 'Beau Chateau DSP' using the 'Boho Blossom Punch'. I very patiently glued them into a heart shape onto a square of 'Crumbcake' card. I then mounted this onto a square of 'Very Vanilla' before gluing it onto a 'Blushing Bride' cardbase. I wrapped a knotted piece of 'Very Vanilla' 'Seam Binding Ribbon' around the spine of the card. Finally i stamped the 'for the newlyweds' sentiment from the 'Teeny Tiny Wishes' stampset using 'Crumbcake' ink onto some 'Blushing Bride' card, which i punched out using the 'Word Window Punch'. I secured this onto the cardbase using 'Dimensionals' to give it a 3D effect!

I hope Jen and Andy have an amazing evening!!

Baby Shower RSVP!

If you're a regular CraftyThinker follower you will probably have gathered that there has been quite a baby boom within my friendship group and many of the recent craft projects i have shared have been baby themed - i'm afraid i have another baby themed card for you today!! i have recently been invited to a baby shower, which will be held in September and made this card to RSVP:

I began with a 'So Saffron' cardbase. I wrapped a piece of beautiful 'White Organza Ribbon' around a piece of 'DSP' from the 'Domestic Goddess' collection and layered it onto the cardbase. I stamped the cot image from the 'Little Additions' stampset using 'Crumb Cake ink and then punched a little heart out of 'So Saffron' card using the 'Owl Punch'. I layered this onto some 'Certainly Celery' card and then onto the base. I stamped the RSVP sentiment from 'Wedding Sweet' set and punched it out using the 'Word Window Punch'. I embellished the card with some coordinating 'Designer Buttons' along the edge of the card!

Babies, Babies everywhere!! I love the fact i'm getting lots of use out of my 'Little Additions' set which my good friend Jade treated me to for my own baby shower

I've been playing with it quite a lot recently and it has so many uses - other than baby cards - i can't wait to share some of these with you - so keep your eyes peeled on this blog!!

Don't forget if you'd like to make an order email me: amyjtidd@gmail.com and don't forget to check on the July promotion where you can earn free ribbons and brads with your orders!! (See the top of my blog for details!!)

A Choc-a-holics Card!!

Hey all! Those who know me well will know how much i LOVE chocolate! Well my good friend Hannah knows that more than most. Sadly she couldn't attend my baby shower as she was busy escorting her Girl Guides to Cranleigh carnival - she did however buy me this fantastic gift:

A scrummy, yummy Cadbury chocolate box!! I'm quickly working my way through it!! What a fantastic gift! So to thank her i made this chocolate themed thankyou card:

I started off with a 'Concord Crush' cardbase and then layered some 'Whisper White' card, with the 'Thanks' sentiment from the 'Tagtastic' stampset inked onto the corner of it.

The chocolate bar has been made from some 'Concord Crush' card which i embossed using the 'Big Shot' and the 'Stripes Embossing Folder'. I embellished the wrapper with some 'Bakers Twine' which i tied in a bow!! and some 'Basic Rhinestones'. The chocolate was created from some 'Chocolate Chip' cardstock, i layered some squares of 'Chocolate Chip' card inked on the edges with some 'Chocolate Chip' ink. I tore the chocolate bar to create a nibbled effect!

Thankyou Hannah for a fab gift! I loved it!!

Baby Shower Candle!!

I can't believe i haven't posted this sooner. As you may well know a couple of weeks ago i had my baby shower and my friend Cate made me this lovely candle as a gift using the fabby 'Babys Prints' stampset from the 'Summer Mini Catalogue':

Cate used a plain church candle and stamped the super cute baby foot prints and the sentiment from the 'Baby Print' set onto white tissue paper. The tissue paper was then attached to the candle using heat from her 'Embossing Heat Gun'!! How clever!!

To finish she gift wrapped it in cellophane and added some bows (created from 'White Organza Ribbon' and 'Baja Breeze' 'Seam Binding Ribbon'. She made a label from  parchement paper and 'Baja Breeze' card, Cate embossed  the baby foot print and the sentiment using 'White Embossing Powder'.

Such a beautiful gift!! Thankyou so much Cate! It is currently sitting pride of place in Baby Tiddlywinks nursery as the colours perfectly coordinate with the decor!!

I can't wait to have a go at stamping onto candles - beware everyone - guess what you'll all be getting for christmas!!!

Happy Anniversary Badger!

Today is mine and hubby's 2nd Wedding Anniversary! So today i have the card i made for him to share with you...

We call each other 'Badger' i think it originated from the fact that he used to say i 'badgered' (nagged) him a lot - anyway 10 years on it has stuck and over time shorted to calling one another Mr and Mrs B! Random i know!!

Anyway i thought i would incorporate this onto a card... i googled for some time badger punch art but couldn't find anything suitable and unfortunately Stampin' Up! have yet to produce a badger stamp!! Anyway my friend Jade came to my rescue rumaging though her craft stash she found this stamp. I stamped it using 'Basic Black' ink and then coloured it in using 'Basic Black' ink and a 'Blender Pen' and then 'Wild Wasabi', Daffodil Delight' and 'Melon Mambo' 'Stampin' Write Markers' to colur the flower.

Finally i stamped the 'to my' sentiment from the 'For My Family' stampset, using 'Basic Black' ink and then cut out the Mr B using the 'Big Shot' and the 'Timeless Types Alphabet Dies' from 'Melon Mambo' ink.

I hope hubby likes his card!! I just love him so much!! Happy Anniversary Mr B! xxxxxxxxxx

Good Luck Cate!

Last week my friend (and upline) Cate officially left teaching to concentrate on other things. So i made her this card to wish her good luck in her future endeavours!

A nice bright card, featuring a range of colours from the 'Stampin' Up! Bright Collection'. I started off with a 'Melon Mambo' cardbase. On 'Whisper White' card i stamped the letters (from the 'Broadsheet Alphabet' set using 'Melon Mambo', 'Tempting Turquoise', 'Daffodil Delight' and 'Rich Razzleberry' ink. I punched these out using the '1-3/8" Circle Punch' and then layered these onto 'Regal Rose','Tempting Turquoise', 'Daffodil Delight' and 'Rich Razzleberry' '1-3/8" Circles' to create the good luck sentiment. I finally finished off this card with a little bit of bling! Adding some 'Basic Rhinestones' to the card!!

I wish Cate the best of luck with her plans!! Don't forget if you would like to make an order feel free to email me: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Happy Birthday Marg!

Today is my step-mums birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARG!! I made her a card in her favourite colour, which translates in Stampin' Up! language: 'Wisteria Wonder'.

I have Jade to thank for this design as i made it at her 'Card For All Occassions' card class. On a 'Wisteria Wonder' base we 'Clear Embossed' the 'Medallion' image twice to create a beautifully elegant background. (Notice i placed a large 'Basic Rhinestone' in the centre of one of the medallions.
We then ran some beautiful 'Whisper White' 'Organza Ribbon' around the card tying it in a knot at the front.

Next we ran some 'Whisper White' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Top Note', then ran it through again using the 'Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder' to add some texture. We added some 'Basic Rhinestones' to the centre of the flowers, and stamped the sentiment from the 'Petite Pairs' set using 'Wisteria Wonder' ink. Finally we cut aroud the perforated edge of the 'Whisper White' 'Top Note' and then mounted it onto another 'Top Note' cut from  silver mirror card (non-stampin' up) and glued this over the ribbon to secure it into place!

I hope Marg likes this card and has a brilliant day!!

Wedding Wishes For Martin and Tasha!

It's July - so of course another wedding! Today is my second cousin Martins wedding so here is the card i made for them to recognise their day:

I embossed a  'Shimmery White' cardbase using the 'Big Shot' and the 'Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder' placing some 'Basic Pearls' in the centre of the flowers. I ran some 'Rose Red' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Textured Impression Embossing Designer Frames'. On a piece of 'Whisper White' i stamped the lovebird image from 'Easy Events' in 'Soft Suede' ink and coloured it in using a selection of 'Stampin' Write Markers'. I 'Sponge Daubed' around the edges of the card before setting it inside the frame. Finally the sentiment is also from 'Easy Events' inked it 'Rose Red', stamped onto some 'Whisper White' card and punched using the 'Word Window' punch. I layered this onto a rectangle of 'Rose Red' card raising it up using 'Dimensionals' to create a 3D effect.

If you're new to crafting or looking for a new all rounder stampset why not consider 'Easy Events' it is a fantastic set which has an image and sentiment for all occassions:

If you'd like to make an order feel free to email me: amyjtidd@gmail.com - Don't forget there is an offer on throughout July - order £45 of products and get two reels of ribbon and some brads for FREE! Check the top of my blog for details of this promo!!!

I hope Martin and Tasha have a wonderful wedding day!!

Happy Birthday Jack!

Today is my little neighbour Jack's 5th Birthday! Jack is my friend and the best cat-sitter in the world!! He's such a cool little man and i just had to make him a special birthday card!

I layered some 'Pacific Point' 'DSP' onto a 'Real Red' cardbase. On a piece of 'Whisper White' card i stamped the balloon image (from the 'Crazy For Cupcakes' set) twice using 'Basic Black' ink and coloured them in using 'Real Red' ink and a 'Blender Pen'.

Next i used the 'Big Shot' and the 'Timeless Type Alphabet Dies' to create the 'Jack' (from 'Real Red' card) and 'is' (from 'Pacific Point' card) and then the 5 (again from 'Real Red' card) which i layered onto a '-13/4" Circle' punched from 'Pacific Point' 'DSP' and then onto a 'Real Red' 'Scallop Circle'.

I hope Jack has a fab birthday and loves his card!!

It's been awhile but i have decided to enter this into the Cupcake Craft Challenge which is currently 'Number Cruncher', basically the expectation is that you incorporate something numeric into your work so i hope i have fulfilled that criteria! Hello Cupcake Craft Challenge DT team - it's been a while but i'm back!! xxxx

It's a Girl!!

Another baby related card i'm afraid!! On the 3rd July my cousin Kirsty gave birth to a little girl - Ellie June! So here is the card that i made for her:

On a 'Blushing Bride' base i embossed the hearts using my 'Big Shot' and the 'Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Adorning Accents' to create texture on the background.

On some 'Whisper White card' i stamped the super cute baby feet from the 'Baby Prints' stampset and then printed the sentiment over it in 'Rose Red' ink. I used the 'Big Shot' and the 'Labels Framelits' to cut it out and then layered it on a larger 'Rose Red' label using some 'Dimensionals' to create a 3D effect!!

Welcome to the world Ellie June!! Not long to wait for your little cousin to arrive and keep you company!! I officially leave work tomorrow for maternity leave so the final countdown is on!!

Camberley WI Demo!!

Stupid baby brain!!! It wasn't until the beginning of this week that i realised that i made a stupid mistake a double booked myself for tonight. I should have been assisting Jade (a fellow Stampin up!) tonight as she is visiting the very large Camberley WI group - unfortunately it had completely excaped my mind that it is also my work open evening tonight so now i'm unable to go along and Jade will have to demo solo! I'm sure she'll do a fab job!! We designed the card that Jade will be demoing to the ladies at the weekend. The plan is that Jade will show the ladies how to make the card and to show off some Stampin' Up! products and then assist the ladies to make the coordinating bookmark!

To create the card:

On a 'Soft Suede' cardbase we layered some 'Old Olive' card and some 'DSP' from the 'Cheerful Treat' hostess collection. We then glued in place some strips of 'Soft Suede' and 'Old Olive' card across the card and then stamped the sentiment from the 'Petite Pairs' stampset onto some 'Very Vanilla' card and then punched it out using the 'Curly Label' punch.

To create the coordinating bookmark:

On a strip of 'Soft Suede' card we stamped the 'Woodgrain' pattern using 'Chocolate Chip' ink. We punched a 'Scallop Circle' from some 'Old Olive' card and then stamped the wise old owl from 'Fox and Friends' stampset using 'Chocolate Chip' ink and then punched it out using '1-3/8" Circle Punch'.

We tucked the bookmark into the card to finalise the design!! I hope the ladies enjoy crafting with Jade this evening!

I Heart You Hubby!

Hey all! I cannot quite believe that it is 10 whole years since me and hubby had our first date!! Time flies when you're in love!! I couldn't let today pass without some recognition (although it is our official wedding anniversary a week today) So i made hubby this card:

On a 'Cherry Cobbler' cardbase i layered some 'Basic Grey' squares of card. On which i layered some smaller squares made from 'Very Vanilla' card, which i ran through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Square Lattice Embossing Folder' to add some texture.

I then ran some 'Cherry Cobbler' card though the 'Big Shot' using the 'Timeless Type Alphabet Die' (the hearts also come from the die set!) and glued them onto the squares. I ran the smallest heart though the 'Big shot' using the 'Perfect Polkadot Embossing Folder' to create more texture and raised it using a 'Dimensional'.

I finally added a sentiment to the card, by stamping 'Happy Anniversary' from 'Teeny Tiny Wishes' set using 'Cherry Cobbler' ink onto 'Very Vanilla' card and punched it out using the fab 'Word Window Punch', raising it using some 'Dimensionals'.

I LOVE this card almost as much as i LOVE my hubby!! If you like the look of any of the products i have used and would like to order them then feel free to drop me an email!! amyjtidd@gmail.com

Crafty Boots Challenge: BINGO!

Hey all! Another Crafty Boots Challenge! This one is quite exciting!!

It has been set by Denise and the idea is to use the 'elements' that are in a line: either vertical (ie Green, Pearls and Yellow) horizontal (ie Yellow, Dots and Lace) or diagonal (ie Ribbons, Stripes and Yellow) For a bit of extra fun you can also choose to use the 4 corners or go for the 'full house' which would mean using all the 'elements' on the project. I wasn't that brave and decided to go for 'Green', 'Pearls' and 'Yellow' and here's my creation:

This card has been created on an 'Old Olive' square cardbase. On a smaller square of 'Certainly Celery cardstock i stamped the rose image and the beautiful sentiment 'Happiness held is the seed, happiness shared is the flower' (from the 'Happiness shared' stampset) both inked in 'Old Olive'. I glued this to the centre of the cardbase and then created a border using the fabby 'Ribbon Lace Border Punch', which i punched from bright 'Daffodil Delight' card. I snipped these and glued them into a square formation (I have to thank my friend Jade for showing me this technique!!) and then glued it around the rose image to frame it. Finally i placed some 'Basic Pearls' (half-back pearls which already have adhesive - just peel them off and stick!) in the corners of the 'Ribbon Lace' frame!

I loved this challenge and the great thing is everyones creations will be so different!! I wonder if anyone will be courageous enough to attempt a full house! Can't wait to see all your entries!!

Baby Shower Thanks!!

Last week was my baby shower! I had the most wonderful day and still overwhemed by the amount of effort and love that my friends and family showed to make it so special! I had a lot of people to thank and made these cards to express our gratitude:

I used 'Bashful Blue' card to create the cardbases (3 from each piece of A4!!) On which i directly embossed the 'Designer Frame' from the 'Textured Impression Embossing Set' using my 'Big Shot'. On a piece of 'Whisper White' cut to size i stamped the baby using 'Basic Black' ink and the 'All in the Family' stampset and coloured it in using 'Bashful Blue' and 'Pink Pirouette' 'Stampin' Write Markers' and then glued this into the frame. Finally i stamped the thankyou  sentiment from 'Teeny Tiny Wishes' using 'Bashful Blue' ink and punched it out using the 'Word Window Punch' sticking it into place using some 'Dimensionals' to give it a 3D effect.

Here's a close up:

These cards with a change of sentiment would be perfect to give someone at a baby shower, pregnancy and baby annnouncements, new baby cards, christening cards etc... and of course you could change the colour combo depending on the sex of baba! If you'd like to order some materials to make cards similar to these email me today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

I really hope all the ladies who attended my baby shower know how fabulous they are and how grateful i am for all the beautiful gifts both myself and bump recieved!! Love you all!

For Now You're A Scan Of My Unmade Plans! (2nd Smash* Book Page)!

Hey all! Back today with my 2nd Smash* book page which i'm using as a baby journal to document key moments for baby Tiddlywink! This page records our 30 week 3D scan:

I continued the 'Ed Sheeran' 'Small Bump' theme onto this page printing lyrics from the song onto 'Whisper White' card and glued these into place and the top and the bottom of the page. I printed out two of the 3D scan images and then framed these by using the 'Big Shot' and the 'Labels Collection Framelits Die' to cut a hole from some 'Whisper White' cardstock. I journalled around these images using my Smash* pen. Next i cut a strip of 'Basic Black' card and glued it in the centre, then used the 'Big Shot' and the 'Timeless Type Alphabet Dies' to create the word 'scan' (from 'Pear Pizzazz', 'Real Red', 'So Saffron' and 'Pumpkin Pie' card)

Finally i made some embellishments from 'Pear Pizzazz', 'Real Red', 'So Saffron' and 'Pumpkin Pie' card punched out using the '1/2" Circle Punch' and some coordinating 'Brads'.
I'm really enjoying creating my baby journal - i hope baby Tiddlywink will enjoy reading it in years to come, and i'm loving using my Stampin' Up! stash in a different way to my usual cardmaking!!! So, just to re-cap here's my first double layout:

Happy Anniversary Mum and John!

Today is my Mum and Step-Dads wedding anniversary - so today i have the card i have made them to share with you:

I started off with a piece of 'Cherry Cobbler' card which i embossed along both edges using the 'Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Adorning Accents' (the heart shaped border folder) I wrapped some 'Whisper White' 'Organza Ribbon' around the 'Cherry Cobbler' card and tied a knot before gluing it to a 'Whisper White' cardbase.

Next i ran some 'Whisper White' cardbase through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Labels Framelits Die'. I then punched some hearts out from 'Cherry Cobbler' card and 'Holly Berry Bouquet DSP' using the 'Heart Punch' and glued them in place. Finally i stamped the 'Happy Anniversary' sentiment using 'Cherry Cobbler' ink onto some 'Whisper White' card and punched it out using the 'Word Window Punch'.

Wishing my parents a very lovely wedding anniversary!! xxxxxx

Bracknell Craft Show Make and Take!

Hey all, i forgot to mention last weekend i went to a fab craft show at Bracknell Lesuire Centre!! Stampin' Up! had a stall and the demo's as always offered all attendees a wonderful make and take project! Whilst visiting i couldn't resist making it myself! So here it is:

I features the wonderful 'The Open Sea' stampset from the 'Summer Mini Catalogue'. First we stamped the compass image in 'Night of Navy' ink onto a 'Night of Navy' cardbase.

On  a piece of 'Old Olive' card we stamped the anchor image, using 'Old Olive ink' and then shaped the edges using the '1/2" Circle Punch' before gluing it onto the base. Next on  a piece of 'Very Vanilla' card we stamped the background in 'Crumb Cake' ink and then stamped the ship and compass image using 'Night of Navy' ink, again edging the corners using the '1/2" Circle Punch'. Finally we stamped the sentiment from the 'Teeny Tiny Wishes' set on 'Very Vanilla' and punched it out using the 'Modern Label Punch' and layered it onto a 'Night of Navy' 'Modern Label which has been snipped in half!!

I think you'll agree this is a fab design and brilliant colour combo! Well done ladies! And this stampset is a must to create cards for men! So why not treat yourself today and add this to your craft stash! Email me your order: amyjtidd@gmail.com (Don't forget to check out the July offer at the top of my blog! You can earn free ribbon and brads with all orders of £45!!)

My First Smash* Book Page!!

Hey all! I'm so excited to share this with you... as you know i'm usually a card maker who dabbles once in a while with other mediums - but mostly i make cards...

Well, with Baby Tiddlywinks due date less than a month away - i was keen to start a baby journal to mark all the key moments in his little life. So when my friend Stephanie Emma (AKA craftyboots) suggested a Smash* Book i thought why not!

There is a specifically themed baby journal - so that seemed to be the most obvious choice:

Smash* Journals come with lovely backing pages and a pen with a glue stick on the end!!

Now as you know i totally utterly adore Stampin' Up! so intend to completely utalise my Stampin' Up! stash in this journal!!

I was a bit nervous getting started  (as i'm not a natural scrapbooker) but here is my first page....

A simple page... I printed off the lyrics from Ed Sheerans 'small bump' onto 'Whisper White' cardstock (fab card for printing!) and cut it out... I printed a pic of me (24 weeks pregnant) and hubby and glued it onto the centre of the page. I then used my 'Big Shot' to cut out the letters to create' small bump' using the 'Timeless Type Alphabet Dies' from  'Melon Mambo' card and glued them into place. Finally i wrote 'bump at 24 weeks' using my 'uni ball signo pen' (page 113 of catty)

I'm hoping i can keep this going to keep a record of my little mans life and hope i have showcased how you can use cardmaking products in a different way!! I will update regularly with different smash* pages.

If you think you would like to start a smash book - why not check out Stephanie-Emma at Crafty Boots Smash* selection, and don't forget you can order all your Stampin' Up goodies from me at any time: amyjtidd@gmail.com (Don't forget to check out the July offer at the top of this blog!!)

Happy Birthday Aunty Jim!

Yesterday was my sisters birthday! See yesterdays blogpost to see the card that i made for her... however i couldn't resist making a card for her from bump... My sisters name is Jamie - but we often shorten it to Jim - so she WILL be known as Auntie Jim!!! Hehe!

So here is the card from baby Tiddlywink:

On a 'Old Olive' base i layered some 'Pacific Point' 'DSP' to create the background. Then on a piece of 'Whisper White' i stamped my sister and baby Tiddlywink - using the 'All in the Family' stampset and the trusty 'Stamp-a-ma-jig' to ensure all the components are lined up well! I coloured them in using a selction of 'Stampin' Write Markers'.

Next on a piece of 'Whisper White' i stamped the 'to my' and 'aunt' words from the 'For My Family' set using 'Pacific Point' ink. I punched it out using the 'Decorative Label Punch' and then mounted it on a 'Pacific Point' 'DSP' 'Decorative Label'.

Finally i used the 'Big Shot' and the 'Timeless Type Alphabet Dies' to create the 'Jim' from 'Old Olive' card!

I know Jamie can't wait to be and Auntie and hope she loved this card from her little nephew-to-be!!

Happy birthday Sis! (An Apothecary Art Card!)

Today is my sisters birthday and i wanted to make a really special card:

I found this design whilst browsing crafty blogs and instantly had to CASE it, i love the vintage style of this card and it showcases the 'Apothecary Art' stampset and coordinating 'Labels Collection Framelits Collection'. Firstly i stamped a piece of 'Very Vanilla' cardstock with the 'En Francais' stampset (using 'Soft Suede' ink) and then ran it through the 'Big Shot' using a 'Label Framelit' and glued this onto the 'Crumbcake' cardbase.

Next up i glued a strip of 'Blushing Bride' card (which i snipped on both ends) I layered a 'Crumbcake' 'Label' ontop and then stamped the reef image from the 'Apothecary Art' stampset, onto 'Very Vanilla' card using 'Soft Suede' ink - i cut this out using the 'Framelits Die' and then coloured it in using 'Regal Rose' and 'Certainly Celery' 'Stampin' Write Markers'. Finally i stamped the banner part of the reef image again onto 'Blushing Bride' card stock and then stamped the 'Happiest Birthday' sentiment inside it before cutting it out, punching some 'Antique Brads' either side and glued this in place. Finally i embellished the card with some 'Basic Pearls' to add some bling to the card!

I hope my sister has a a lovely birthday!! xxxxxxx

An Open Sea Ships Wheel Card!

Hey everyone - can you believe it is July! I can now officially say - 'my baby is due this month'!! yay!! Another step closer!!

Anyway - today's card (unrelated to the topic of babies - you may be please to hear - i appreciate my blog has had a baby theme recently!):

This card was designed by my friend Jade and we made it at her recent card class. (Check out her blog for details of upcoming classes!!)

In my opinion this card really showcases the brilliant 'Open Sea' stampset - which is just perfect to create cards for men or of a nautical theme:

We stamped the 'Baja Breeze' cardbase with the largest stamp in the set to create a background (using 'Pacific Point' ink) We then stamped the ship image (again using 'Pacific Point' ink) onto some 'Whisper White' card and cut this out (using the lid of a Stampin' Up! button pot as a template)

To create the 'Ship Wheel' We stamped the fab 'Woodgrain' background stamp onto a piece of 'Crumbcake' card (using 'Early Espresso' ink) We used the inside of a 'Red Sticky Tape' reel as a template to cut out the circle and then punched out some shapes using the  'Word Window Punch' to create the handles... sorry if i'm not using the technical nautical language!!! The shipswheel was attached to the cardbase using 'Dimensionals'!

Finally the sentiment comes from the 'Teeny Tiny Wishes' - i obviously used this card for Father Day but you could substitute this sentiment for any in the set, we punched this out using the 'Word Window Punch', using dimensionals to raise the sentiment and give it a 3D effect!!