Showcasing Another Retiring Stampset: Contempo Christmas

Don't forget September is Stampin' Up! retirement month. There is a list of items that once sold out will not be returning. One of these stampsets is the seasonal 'Contempo Christmas':

Now you may think this set has limited uses around the Christmas period, but my friend Jade (aka Jaded Crafter) showed me a fab way to utilise this stampset to make a hot air balloon card:

On a 'Tempting Turquoise' cardbase we layered a piece of 'Melon Mambo' card embossed using the 'Big Shot' using the 'Stripes Embossing Folder'.

On a piece of 'Whisper White' card we stamped the bauble image using 'Tempting Turquoise' ink. We then on a scrap piece of 'Whisper White' stamped the christmas tree pot and cut it out and raised it using a 'Dimensional' to raise it up. We drew the balloon strings on using a 'Stampin' Write Marker'. We layered this onto a piece of 'Tempting Turquoise' card. Finally we stamped the sentiment onto a piece of 'Whisper White' and punched it out using the 'Word Window Punch'.

If you want this stampset you need to get an order in ASAP. Order today by emailing me: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Christmas Cards From My Crafty Friends!!! Part 1!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.... i'd actually scheduled this for last night, but for some reason the post didn't materialise?! So you'll get two posts today to compensate!!

I'm so lucky to have so many crafty friends and some them have put some time aside to craft some beautiful christmas cards to send to me!! I love recieving Christmas cards - and they're one of my most favourite christmas decorations! They instantly makes a room look beautifully christmassy!!

So i thought over the next couple of blog posts i'd share these with you!!! So here you go:

Card from Sally:

Sally is a fellow Stampin' up! demo and very good friend of mine and she sent me this beautiful card. I just love Sal's style!! She has started with a 'Cherry Cobbler' cardbase, she has made a beautiful bow from some Stampin' Up! 'Crochet Trim Ribbon' along the bottom. The N,O,E,L have been stamped using the 'Broadsheet Alphabet' stampset using 'Cherry Cobbler' ink onto 'Whisper White' card. She punched them out using the '1-3/8" Circle Punch' and then layered them onto some 'Scallop Circles' punched out of 'Holly Berry Bouquet DSP'. I just love this design! Thankyou so much Sally!!

Card from Ruth:

Ruthie is a really good friend of mine (and Stampin' Up! customer) and she made me this beautiful card! She used a 'Whisper White' cardbase. She stamped the bauble from the 'Contempo Christmas' in 'Cherry Cobbler' ink, she punched it out using the 'Ornament Punch'. She layered it on a piece of 'Very Vanilla' and then on a piece of 'Tempting Turquoise' card. She stamped the christmas sentiment (also from the 'Contempo Christmas' set in 'Tempting Turquoise' ink. She finished off the card by punching a strip of 'Tempting Turquoise' using the 'Ribbon Lace Punch'.

I think you'll agree that these cards are amazing!! It's lovely to have such talented crafty friends that give me inspiration!!

Keep a look out for my other post of today, where i will share with you even more the handcrafted cards i have recieved!!

Sponge Dauber Robin Card!

It's Friday everyone!! woo hoo! and it is starting to feel like christmas! Tonight is my work christmas party!

Today i have another crimbo design for you that has been created using the 'Two Step Bird Punch' to create a 'Sponge Dauber' robin!!

I punched the bird out using the punch from some 'Whisper White' card. I used a 'Sponge Dauber' to colour the robin in with some 'Soft Suede' and 'Real Red' ink. I used a 'Dimensional' to raise the wing and used a 'Basic Black' 'Stampin' Write Marker' to draw on his eye. I also punched two branches out from some 'old Olive ink.

Next i got a rectange of 'Whisper White' card. I stamped the 'Merry Christmas' sentiment from the 'Contempo Christmas' stampset, in 'Real Red' ink on the bottom right corner. I ran this through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Square Lattice Embossing Folder', mounted it onto some 'Real Red' card, glued the robin and branches onto this and then placed it all onto an 'Old Olive' cardbase.

I hope you're getting all organised for christmas! I have lots of shopping still to get, as well as wrapping up lots of gifts!! I'm really starting to look forward to it! How are you getting on with all your preperations?!

Have a fab weekend! Amyxxx

Elegant Dasher!!!

Hi all, hope you're all having a good week. I've had a super busy one - with 2 parents evenings - i'm so tired and most definately on the countdown to the Christmas hols!

Today i have another christmas card design to share with you created using the lovely 'Dasher' stamp:

A 'Very Vanilla' cardbase stamped with the 'Merry Christmas' sentiment (in 'Real Red' ink) from the 'Contempo Christmas' stampset, with a strip of the lovely, glittery 'Holly Berry Bouquet DSP' across the middle. On a seperate piece of 'Very Vanilla' i stamped the 'Dasher' stamp in 'Real Red'. I mounted this onto 'Real Red' card and then glued that over the strip of 'DSP'.

Another super quick design to make. It's not too late to get crafting and make some crimbo cards!! I'd love to see what you come up with!!

More Quick and Easy Christmas Cards!

Hi all, hope you're having a good week. It's been pretty manic for me - two parents evenings - thank god i'm counting down to christmas!! I'm shattered!!

Today i have some more nice and quick christmas cards that have been made using 'Real Red', 'Old Olive' and 'Whisper White' card, 'Real Red' and 'Old Olive' ink and the fabby 'Contempo Christmas' set - although you could use any christmas stampset to create the same effect. These cards are the same design as yesterdays blog offering, but instead of using the bauble image it uses the beautifully elegant christmas tree image instead:

I created the card in reverted colours too:



These cards are so quick and easy that i literally made a large batch in less than an hour - so it's not too late to create your own handmade cards! I just need to find time now to write them all out and pop some in the post!! I'd love to see your handmade crimbo cards, especially if you have used Stampin' Up! materials - why not email over a pic of your designs!! amyjtidd@gmail.com

Quick and Simple Christmas Cards!

Ok, so we are well and truely in December now - if you haven't made your cards you really don't have time left... so here is a nice and quick card design for you - that you could customise to any christmas image stamp you already have:

This card is very easily created using the 'Contempo Christmas' stammpset. You stamp one bauble in 'Real Red' onto a 'Whisper White' rectangle' and then randomly stamp 'Old Olive' baubles around it. Stamp the sentiment (also from the 'Contempo Christmas' stampset) in the corner. This was then mounted onto a 'Real Red' cardbase.

Here is a copy of the card with the colours reversed:

These cards are so quick and easy to create - so don't worry it's not too late to get stamping and make some christmas cards of your own! Check back tomorrow for another quick christmas card design!



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

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

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

Another Autumn Days Christmas Reef Card

Yesterday i shared with you a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a fab christmas reef using the 'Autumn Days' stampset.

Today i have a variation of that card to share with you, using the same technique:

I made the reef exactly the same way as yesterday, but stamped it onto a slightly larger piece of 'Whisper White' card and stamped the 'Merry Christmas' sentiment (from the 'Contempo Christmas' set) in the corner of the piece of card, using 'Cherry Cobbler' ink. I used some 'cherry Cobbler' ink and a 'Sponge Dauber' to distress the edges, mounted this onto a piece of 'Cherry Cobbler' card and then mounted it all onto a 'Whisper White' cardbase (which has been 'Sponge Daubered' again!)

I love this card and plan to make a batch of them to send out as Christmas cards!

Have you considered your christmas cards yet? Why not check out my christmas material recommendations at the top of my blog. I'm offering free P&P on all orders placed over £50 before the end of the day on the 7th November. so why not get your order in... email me today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Heart Punch-art Christmas Tree!

Hi all. Still not feeling well, not up to crafting and relying on my backstock of creations that i made whilst in the Isle of Wight last week.

Today i have a christmas tree card made using the 'Large Heart Punch' in a very clever way:

This card was made very easily by punching out 10 'Large Hearts' from some 'Old Olive' card and arranging them to create the tree. The trunk of the tree was made by punching the 'Modern Label' from some 'Early Espresso' card. All of this was glued to a 'Whisper White' cardbase. The Baubles on the tree have been made from some 'Real Red' card, punched using the 'Owl Punch' (The eye part of the punch) and the bow has been created from a small snippet of 'Real Red' 'Tafetta Ribbon', stuck in place with some super red 'Sticky Strip'. Finally the sentiment has been stamped in the bottom righthand corner. It comes from the 'Contempo Christmas' set and has been stamped using 'Real Red' ink.

These cards are so quick to make, you could easily create a batch!! The wonderful thing about this design is the versatility of the 'Heart Punch' - you can use it all year round - valentine, wedding, anniversary and birthday cards! Why not treat yourself? Email me over your order today - i'm offering free P&P on orders over £50 (usually £4.95): amyjtidd@gmail.com

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

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

She used the fantastic value 'Contempo Christmas' stampset:

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

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

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

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

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

Another Christmas Delight!

Hi guys, i have been so busy the last few days (you know how it is when you get back from holiday - mountains and mountains of washing etc) i still haven't had much time to get some new creations made   :-( So i'm dipping into my reserve bank of past projects and i'm afraid i have another christmassy themed project to share with you today... normal service will resume soon - i promise!!

This card using 'Real Red' cardstock and ink and uses my most favourite seasonal stampset - 'Contempo Christmas', i have stamped out the bauble three times onto 'Whisper White' cardstock, punched them out using the 'Ornament Punch' and then folded each in half and glued them, using my 'Snail Adhesive' to create a 3D effect!! The bauble string has been drawn on using a 'Stampin' Write Marker'. (The sentiment is from a now retired set, but Stampin' Up! have so many christmas sentiment sets - you're spoilt for choice!) This card has been finished off with a strip of 'Whisper White' cardtock, edged with the 'Eyelet Border Punch' and a piece of 'Real Red' 'Grosgrain Ribbon'.

And here's another little tip for you - you can create three cards this size from one piece of A4! Total value for money!!

Have you started thinking about christmas cards yet - if not why not? Not long to go now - and they take a while to make - so why not make a Stampin' Up! order today! Email me: amyjtidd@gmail.com

By the way - keep checking back i have a VERY VERY exciting announcement to share with you very very soon!!!

Serene Snowflakes...

No, i'm not crazy it's not snowing...well i hope it isn't! and no it isn't christmas... yet, but isn't this year whizzing by! This week i'm sharing with you all my 2010 christmas projects to give you some inspiration for this coming year.

Today a card using the beautiful 'Serene Snowflakes' stampset:

Start with a piece of 'Baja Breeze' (i love this colour!) and use the cluster snowflake stamp and 'Baja Breeze' ink to create a background! Then rip one long edge. Next rip a piece of 'Whisper White' card and layer both onto an 'Early Espresso' cardbase. The sentiment is from 'Contempo Christmas' and has been stamped using 'Early Espresso' ink (to ensure it's not stamped wonky - don't forget to use the trusty 'Stamp-a-ma-jig'.

Next stamp the bigger snowflake using 'Baja Breeze' ink onto some 'Whisper White' and punch it out using the '1-1/4" Circle Punch', pierce a hole through the centre and place a 'Rhinestone Brad' through. Layer this on a '1-3/8" Circle' punched from 'Baja Breeze and layer on an 'Early Espresso' 'Scallop circle'. Hey presto a lovely contemporary christmas card. Don't you love the colour combo!

Another Day... Another christmas Project!

So yesterday i shared with you a tutorial to create a christmas gift bow, what else do you need to wrap the perfect christmas present - yep, you guest it a lovely christmas tag:

This tag started life as a simple brown parcel tag. I stamped the background with the cluster of snowflakes from the 'Serene Snowflake' stampset, using some 'Crumb Cake' ink. I used the 'Early Espresso' ink to stamp the 'Merry Christmas' sentiment (from the 'Contempo Christmas' set)

Next i stamped two baubles from the 'Contempo Christmas' stampset in 'Old Olive' and 'Real Red' and punched them out with the 'Ornament Punch' Finally i rippled some 'Real Red' 'Satin Ribbon' along the bottom to finish off the project!