Happy Anniversary Suz and Andy!

What a busy couple of days!! Yesterday was my birthday - last night we went out for a scrummy meal and this morning we had our 20 week scan. Baby Tiddlywink was very very lazy to start off with but soon woke up!!

Today is also special at is our good friend Andy and Suz's Anniversary! So here is the card i made for them:

The card is a 'Baja Breeze' base, with a piece of 'Basic Black' layered ontop. On that i glued a piece of 'Marina Mist' which i ran through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Polkadot Embossing Folder' to create some texture. The moon was created from a piece of 'Whisper White' punched out using the '1-3/4" Circle Punch'. I then punched two owls from 'Basic Black' card and some branches using the 'Two-Step Bird Punch'. The 'just for you' sentiment is from the 'Tagtastic' stampset, inked in 'Basic Black', i coloured the small flowers from 'Marina Mist' 'Stampin' Write Markers' and then a few teeny tiny 'Basic Pearls' in the centre of them! I punched this out using the 'Decorative Label Punch' and bordered with a 'Basic Black' 'Decorative Label'.

I hope Andy and Suz have had a fab day!

For all you pet lovers! A Patterned Pets Card!

Hey all, hope you're having a good weekend! Today i have a card to share with you that i have made using the brilliant 'Patterned Pets' stampset from the main catalogue:

So here's the card:

To create this card i stamped the terrier stamp onto some 'Whisper White' card using 'Crumb Cake' ink. I then layered this under a piece of 'Nursery Nest DSP' with a '1-3/4" Circle' punched out of it and layered it all onto a 'Crumb Cake' cardbase. The 'thankyou' sentiment is from the 'Easy Event' stampset inked in 'Crumb Cake' and mounted onto a piece of 'Crumb Cake' card.

A nice, simple card for any dog lover!! I've borrowed this set from my friend Hannah and will be making a few more cards before giving it back - so keep checking my blog!!

Welcome To The World Baby Esme!

Lots of baby news at the moment!! My lovely friends Natalie and Chris have recently welcomed their beautiful daughter Esme into the world!! They already have two adorable little boys and this little girl just perfectly completes their family!! She was absolutely convinced that she was having a boy and so i just had to make a PINK card to welcome the new arrival!!!

This baby grow card has been made from some 'Whisper White' card, folded along the top and then i used the '1-3/8" Circle Punch' and the '1-3/4" Circle Punch' to create the head and legs holes!! (There are several tutorials online to follow how to make this cardbase.) I punched out some 'Scallop Circles' from some 'Regal rose' dotty 'DSP' and then punched a hole in the centre to create the scalloped edge around the head and legs! I stamped the rubber duck image (using 'Basic Black' ink) from the wonderfully versatile stampset: 'Easy Events', i coloured it in using 'Bashful Blue', 'So Saffron', 'Pumpkin Pie' and 'Regal Rose' 'Stampin' Write Markers'. I punched the image out using the '1-3/8" Circle Punch'. I stamped the umbrella out again onto another piece of 'Whisper White', coloured it in, cut it out and then raised it using a 'dimensional' to create a 3D effect! I layered this onto a 'Scallop Circle' punched from some more 'Regal Rose' 'DSP' and glued onto the centre of the babygrow! Finally i placed three 'Basic Pearls' along the bottom to create poppers. And there you go one lovely baby card! Welcome to the world baby Esme - can't wait to have a cuddle!!

Hot Air Balloon Birthday Card!

Hi all, today i have a birthday card to share with you that i made for my Grandad-in-laws birthday, which was a couple of days ago. February is a completely busy birthday month for hubby's side of the family so i have had a very crfaty few weeks!!

This card shows another fab way of using the 'Create-a-Cupcake' stampset and 'Cupcake Punch' to create this fab hot air balloon:

The cardbase is 'Marina Mist' on which a square of 'Bashful Blue' card was placed on the base. The 'happy birthday' sentiment is from the 'Teeny Tiny Wishes' which has been inked in 'Marina Mist'. The clouds have been created using the icing part of the 'Cupcake Punch' from 'Whisper White' card, which i ran through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Square Lattice Embossing Folder' to give them a bit of texture.

On a piece of 'Whisper White' card i stamped (in 'Chocolate Chip' ink) the cupcake base (from the 'Create a Cupcake' stampset) and punched out using the 'Cupcake Punch', i glued this into place to create the balloons basket!

 Next i punched four '1-3/4" Circles' from 'Big Top Birthday DSP' folded each of them in half and then glued them all toegther to create the 3D hot air balloon. Here's a close up:

Finally using a ruler and a 'Real Red' 'Stampin' Write Marker' i drew on by hand some ropes and bows to connect the balloon and basket!

I just love finding fresh ways of using my punches and the 'Cupcake Punch' is proving to be so versatile!!! Why not get your punches out and have a go at creating something less conventional with your punches!! Punchart is so fun - give it a go today! And if you don't have many punches why not take a look at pages 116 - 119 of the Stampin' Up Catalogue and pages 20 and 22 of the Spring Mini catalogue to update your collection!!

Don't forget at the moment with all Stampin' Up! orders over £45 you also get a free sale-a-bration stampset or paper!! Email me over your order today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Feeling Fruity?!

Hey everyone, hope you're all having a great weekend?! I've had a really girly day involving takeaway, chick flicks and chocolate!! Oh and a tiny bit of crafting! Not quite as much as i would like but i've still got tomorrow set aside!!

Today i had a bit of a play with one of my new stampsets from the Spring Mini Catalogue: 'Fruit and Flowers' and created two bookmarks, one of which i will share with you today and i will save the other one for a future blogpost:

To create this bookmark i ran some 'Real Red' cardstock through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Pennant Die'. I then punched out a '1-3/4" Circle' from some 'Old Olive Cardstock. Then on a piece of 'Whisper White' card i stamped the cute apple stamp from the 'Fruit and Flowers' stampset using 'Real Red' and 'Old Olive' 'Stampin' Write Markers'. I then punched this out using the '1-1/4" Circle Punch'. Finally i threaded some 'Old Olive' 'Satin Ribbon'.

And this is how i'm using it with to bookmark my 'Spring Mini Catalogue':

So have you looked through your Mini Catalogue yet?! Written your wishlist?! Email me your order now: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Not seen the Mini Catalogue yet?! Either take a peek of it online - there's a link to it on the righthand side of this blog. If you would like your own copy of it then email me your postal address and i will pop one straight in the post for you!

Crafty Boots Challenge: New Beginnings!

Hey all. Can you believe it's that time again - another Crafty Boots Challenge - the first one of 2012. Quite suitably the challenge theme is New Beginnings - quite an open ended theme - so here are some ideas: maybe you could do a New Year themed creation - but don't be restricted you could interpret the theme to incoroprate new baby, weddings, even birthdays for a new age/year themes.

So here is my DT offering for this challenge. I have made a card for a dear crafty friend of mine Katie who recently gave birth to twins! They came a bit early and will be hospital for a while but they are doing great and i'm so happy for her. I know she will make a fantastic mummy! So here is the card (if she sees this blogpost she will get a sneak preview as i only popped it in the post today!!):

I used 'Wisteria Wonder' as the card base. The images have been placed on a piece of 'Whisper White' which i wrapped a piece of 'Wisteria Wonder' 'Ruffled Ribbon' before gluing it down. the Congrats sentiment is from the 'Ain't Love Grand' stampset and i have used my 'Stampin' Write Markers' to stamp it so i could stamp each letter a different colour. The prams have been created from '1-3/4" Circles' Punched from 'Bashful Blue' and 'Blushing Bride' card and coordinating 'DSP'. The wheels have been made from '1/2" Circles' punched from 'Wisteria Wonder' card. Before gluing the prams down i punched some small holes using my 'Crop-a-Dile' and pushed through some brads (not Stampin' Up!) Finally i punched out two small '1/2" Circles' from 'Very Vanilla' to create the babies heads and drew on some details using a 'Basic Grey' 'Stampin' Write Marker'.

I hope Katie likes this card - she actually inspired it with one of her swaps she created some time back!! Congratulations once again Katie! Hope you get the little ones back home soon!!

I look forward to seeing all your Crafty Boots challenge creations! Good Luck!

A Very Bright Cupcake Card!

Hey guys, how are you all doing. Not been feeling too well today - i was hoping to make some new cards with my new mini catalogue stampsets today but just not felt up to it... so i'm afraid theres another cupcake for you today - but i promise i have something different for you tomorrow.

Today a card using the 'Cupcake Punch' and a very bright colour combo:

I've used a 'Melon Mambo' cardbase and layered some 'Tangerine Tango' 'DSP' ontop. Next i ran some 'Old Olive' 'DSP' through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Pennant Die' to create the doilie shape. I nested ontop a '1-3/4" Circle' punched from 'Tangerine Tango' card and then finally punched out the cupcake using the fabby new punch from some 'Melon Mambo' and 'Whisper White' card.

Sorry to bombard you with cupcake cards - i am obsessed with this punch - something different tomorrow - i promise. Have a good sunday evening and don't forget if you want to make an order from the mini or main catalogue just email it over: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Spring Mini Catalogue: 4th Jan - 30th April!

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!

So very exciting the new Stampin' Up! Mini Spring Catalogue launched today!!! Woo hoo! There are some fabulous new products - including new punches, stampsets, ribbon, paper and even jewellry making supplies!!! To view these new exciting products please click the image below or alternatively there is a link on the righthand side of this blog! :

For those of you who have requested a real paper copy i have popped them all in envelopes and addressed them and will pop them in the post for you to enjoy!!

All you have to do is scribble down your wish list and then simply make an order! (Little bit of advice - you may want to wait until the 24th January to get an extra free stampset or paper collection with qualifying orders over £45)

If you simply cannot wait until then i am willing to offer FREE P&P for all new and regular customers on orders over £50. (Usual cost of P&P is £4.95) THIS IS A CRAFTYTHINKER CUSTOMER EXCLUSIVE OFFER)

I recieved a scrummy package of new goodies in the post the other day and can't wait to start creating and sharing with you all the new bits Stampin' Up! has to offer.

For those of you who are regular visitors to my blog - i have been hinting about one new product that i am especially in love with - THE CUPCAKE PUNCH! It is awesome and a complete bargain at £15.50!

Here is another card that i have made with it:

This card is a 'Real Red' cardbase. I punched out three '1-3/4" Circles' from 'Daffodil Delight' card. Then punched out the cupcakes using the new punch from 'Real Red DSP', 'Whisper White' card for the icing and 'Real Red' card for the cherries. The sentiment is from the 'Happiest Birthday Wishes' stampset, inked in 'Real Red' onto some 'Daffodil Delight' and then handsnipped to create the flagged effect. I'm not joking this card literally took me 5 minutes to make! It's official... I'm in love with the cupcake punch!

Email over your postal address if you would like me to send you a copy of the mini catalogue and saleabration deal: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Christmas Up-Date and Crafty Boots Challenge: Celebrations!

Hi guys! Did you have a fab Christmas?! I certainly did! Probably one of the best ones ever! It was completely relaxing! We hosted a Christmas party for our friends on the 23rd December - a really fun fancy dress party!! Here's a pic of me and my hubby! I dressed up as one of Santas elfs and my hubby originally planned to be the Grinch, but ended up being the hulk at Christmas!!:

On Christmas day i was very excited to see that Santa had been and i recieved lots of lovely presents, including lots and lots of sweets and chocolate!!:



We spent lots of time with family and Santa even stopped by to give us some more gifts!!

All in all , a perfect Christmas!!! Hope you guys had a fab one too!!

Now, back to the crafting: with all the fun of Christmas i had a very brief crafting break - but now i'm back! And back with the last Crafty Boots Challenge of 2011. So make sure you get involved! The last theme of this year is 'Celebrations'. Here's my DT entry:

This card has been made using new 'In Colours' - 'Wisteria Wonder' and 'Calypso coral', as well as a little bit of 'Whisper White' cardstock' and some 'Daffodil Delight DSP'. The sentiment is from the 'Happiest Birthday Wishes' stampset. I have used my 'Big Shot' and the 'Perfect Pennants Die', as well as the '1-3/4" Circle Punch' to create this card. As well as a brand new punch that will be released very early in the New Year!!

As i have used Strippy 'DSP' on this design i thought i'd enter it into the 'Daring CardMakers Challenge' - it's been a while since i entered any cards into any challenges and it is most definately a new years resolution of mine to get more involved!

Thats right! 2012 sees the launch of a new catalogue and the annual Stampin' Up! Sale-a-bration promotion that occurs every year!! There will be some fab incentives for joining up as a demonstrator during this time too, so if you're interested in joining the team drop me an email: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Also if you live in the UK and don't currently have a Stampin' Up! seller and would like me to post a copy of the new mini catologue and sale-a-bration leaflet email me your address and i'll pop them in the post! Email: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Christmas Card Tote Christmas Gift!

Hi all, i hope you have had the most fantastic weekend!!!! I have had a brilliant one! Yesterday i went Crimbo shopping with my sister and had a yummy lunch. Then in the evening we went out for a meal with our friends Tim and Lucy. Then today i had a super crafty day, with a visit from Jade in the morning, followed by an afternoon of crafting with Lucy! I have got so much done today, including packing up lots of handmade cards to go into the handmade card totes that i have made for our grandparents. So today here is the card tote that i made for Dave's grandparents who live in Spain. (It has featured on my blog before, to see details of the materials used click here.)

Here is the tote with all the cards that i made to put inside!!!

And here they are all packaged up ready to be sent!!

I really hope Dave's grandparents love their gift! They often find it hard to buy English cards so i'm sure they'll appriciate their gift!!

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!!

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

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

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

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!!

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!

If you go down to the woods today...

Here's my entry to this weeks Cupcake Craft Challenge. The theme this week is 'If you go down to the woods today...' and basically you have to create a card featuring a teddybear!

My friend Ruth is completely into punch-art (cards created using paper punches) and she has got me hooked aswell! I saw a version of this cute teddybear on Julies website (i had to vary it a little bit because i didn't have a couple of the punches she used) but i'm still very pleased with the final result!

This cute little bear has been made from 'Soft Suede' cardstock. His body has been made from the '1-3/4" Circle Punch', his head from the '1-3/8" punch, his arms from the 'Heart Punch' with i have cut in half and then rounded off the round edge of the heart with the 'Corner Rounder' to make them thinner. His feet are made from a '1/2" Circle Punch' and i have used the '1/4" Circle punch to create his ears and his paws (from Pretty in Pink cardstock). His inner ears have been made using the 'Owl Punch' (the little circles that usually create the owls eyes) I also used the small heart from the 'Owl Punch' to create the bears nose. Before constructing the bear i used a 'Sponge Dauber' with some 'Soft Suede' ink to give some texture.

I placed the bear on some 'DSP' from the (soon retiring) 'Nursery Suite' collection and mounted it onto a 'Pretty in Pink' cardbase.

I popped a 'Welcome Baby' sentiment (from the 'Something to Celebrate' stampset) inside the card. Cute hey?! I'm a bit addicted to punch-art now - so keep checking back on this blog to see more!!!

My Card Tote!

Hi all, i have been working on this craft project for a couple of days on and off, and really very excited to share it with you. I have made a card tote (using an amazing tutorial brought from Lynda - an Australian SU demo).

OK, I'm not going to lie - this project was pretty fiddly and took me several hours to create, but now i know how it's all done i'm pretty confident that i could make it much quicker the second time around!! I made the tote using completely Stampin' Up! materials. The great thing about using SU materials is that they all coordinate!! The 'DSP' used is from the sadly retiring 'Love Letters DSP collection', i used quartered '1-3/4" Circles' cut from 'Early Espresso' card to decorate the corners, coordinating 'Satin Ribbon' for the handles and the 'Just Perfect Alphabet' stampset to stamp 'cards' on the front!

Here's a side view of the card tote:

The tote is tied up with 'Grosgrain Ribbon' and here is the tote opened wide:

You'll notice that i have made monthly dividers so i can get organised and store birthday, valentine, anniversary and any other cards in their correct place! (I have used 'Red Riding Hood' cardstock to coordinate with the 'Love Letters DSP' to create the accordian sides and the dividers.

Along with Lynda's tutorial she also supplied me with monthly calender templates! So i printed them off on 'Very Vanilla' cardstock and mounted them onto the 'Red Riding Hood' dividers. I punched some tabs out of 'Red Riding Hood' card, using the 'Round Tab Punch' and used the 'Just Perfect Alphabet' stampset to stamp the months on the tabs (in 'Early Espresso' ink.)

I slightly altered Lyndas tutorial - but overall i couldn't have made this without her detailed tutorial notes! I'm planning on making a few more of these to give away as christmas gifts, i just love the way these have turned out!

I'm planning on running a craft class on how to make these lovely totes, so watch this space ... details to follow!!

Katie's Punch Art Pram!

Hi everyone! I hope you have had a great weekend. I usually like my weekends to be peaceful and restful - but that was not the case this weekend! Last night i participated (along with about another 650 women) a midnight 10 mile walk to raise money for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. I have a lot to thank the hospice for - they excellently cared for my grandad during his final year of suffering with cancer and still regularly check on my nan, offering her care and support. We managed to complete the walk in less than 4 hours - but very achy today - but it's all for a good cause! (I took some pics and will upload and share them with you tomorrow - hopefully!) Thankyou to everyone who sponsored me! It's not too late to offer some money to this fantastic cause - my Just Giving site is still active: http://www.justgiving.com/Bill-Voller )

Today i have a punch-art card to share with you - designed and created by my crafty friend Katie!

Katie used the '1-3/4"  Circle Punch' to create a pram out of 'So Saffron' cardstock and 'DSP', '1/2" Circle Punch' to create the pram wheels - out of 'Crumb Cake' with some brads in the centre and the '3/4" Circle Punch' to create a little baby (the detail has been added with a 'Stampin' Write Marker'!)Katie mounted this cute little pram onto a square of 'Whisper White' cardstock and stamped the little 'boo!' sentiment (from the 'Tiny Tags' stampset in the corner. She finally mounted this onto a 'Crumb Cake' cardbase!

Isn't it such a cute card! Perfect for baby shower invitations, baby arrival announcements, a pregnancy congratulations or safe arrival card!! and of course you can always change the colours and the sentiment to suit! Another clever and original way of using those circle punches!!

Hope you have a lovely Sunday night!! Teaching starts tomorrow so i will be trying to relax as much as possible tonight before the madness begins!!

Cate's Owl Swap!

Hi guys, What a busy few days! not only back at work but also the Stampin' Up! Sale has kept me on my toes!! Have you made your order yet?? If not... why not?! I'm offering an exclusive offer for Crafty ThINKer customers - an additional stampset free of charge - see the top post for extra details - this is on a first come, first serve basis - once they're gone, they're gone!! So email me your order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

So today, as promised i have a fab swap that my upline Cate made and gave to me at our Stampin' Up! meal on Tuesday. It's an owl made out of a 'Pillow Box':

This one is made with 'Pumpkin Pie' cardstock. She ran the card though the 'Big Shot' using the 'pillow Box Die' She created the 'feather' using a  '3/4" Circle Punch'which she glued to his stomach, the feet and beaks were created by punching 'Pumpkin Pie card' using the 'heart to Heart Punch' and she has used the 'Oval Punch' to create the wings and  finally '1-1/4" Circles' punched in 'Whisper White' plus '3/4" Circles' punched in 'Basic Black' for his eyes!! She has added a couple of 'Basic Rhinestones' to give his eyes a bit of extra sparkle! Isn't he cute!! Yet another use for the wonderful 'Pillow Box Die'! Love it!

Check back tomorrow for some more beautiful projects made by other members of the 'Blue Angel' Stampin' Up! team!