Goodbye Cupcakes :(

The 'Crazy for Cupcakes' stampset retires this month, but you won't have to go without cupcakes for long because the 'Create a Cupcake' stampset and coordinating punch that featured in the Spring mini catalogue earlier this year will be back in the new main catalogue which is released on 1st October!! woo hoo!

So today i have a card to share with that we made at Jades card class a week or so back. For this card we used some remains of DSP (papers) to create the icing, by stamping the image onto the paper and then cutting it out and fixing it onto a stamped image.  I'd like to that Jade for this idea because i hadn't thought about doing this - fab idea Jade!  We colored the cupcake using a 'Blender Pen' and inks and cut them out using the 'Big Shot' using the 'Framelits Die':



Sadly the Eyelet Border punch that we used on this card was on the retiring list aswell but it has already sold out, but don't worry there are plenty of other border punches in the new catalogue.

The colours on this card are 'So Saffron' and ' Rich Razzleberry', with some retiring 'Rich Razzleberry' 'Grosgrain Ribbon' and some blingy 'Basic Rhinestones' to finish the card off.

 

Thanks Jade for hosting such a fab card class. Crafting is a real treat for me at the mo, with very little spare time. I had a great time at the class. Why not check out Jades blog for class dates and join us for some crafty fun!

Crafty Boots Challenge: ONE!

It's that time again - another Crafty Boots Challenge and i have to admit when i saw the theme i was a little confused!! The theme this fortnight is ONE... and it is as open ended as it sounds! The reason for this theme is because Crafty Boots Challenge is now ONE year old!!!

With my very busy schedule of being a new mummy i haven't been very adventurous and have interpretted the theme as 'ONE' brand of crafting products AND YES UNSUPRISINGLY THAT BRAND IS OF COURSE STAMPIN' UP!!

I started with a 'Blushing Bride' cardbase which i ran through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Manhatten Rose Embossing Folder'. I placed a strip of 'Whisper White' cardstock along the top of the card which i edged using the 'Eyelet Border Punch', before gluing it down i tied a piece of 'Baja Breeze' 'Seaming Ribbon' around and tied a bow!

The sentiment is from the hostess stampset 'Tagtastic' inked in 'Baja Breeze' and then punched out using the 'Decorative Label Punch. I placed a couple of tiny 'Basic Pearls' on it (although the photo doesn't pick these up well - sorry) and then layered it on a 'Baja Breeze' 'Decorative Label' which has been snipped in half to elongate it.

If you would like to order any Stampin' Up! products and you don't have a demonstrator you can order through me regardless of your location as all orders are delivered by UPS! The catalogues are available to view of the righthand side of my blog. There is a BRAND NEW winter mini catalogue available and also Stampin' Up! retirement list with some amazing sale prices!! If you like what you see email an order over to me today!! My email address is amyjtidd@gmail.com

I look forward to seeing your interpretation of the theme!

Only 1 Days Left - August Promo: Reason To Smile!!

Hey everyone. I'm sorry that i haven't been blogging as regularly as usual. Being a mummy is very busy work! But we're getting into bit of a routine now, so hopefully i will have a little more free time to craft and blog!!

I wanted to remind you all that there are only 2 days left of the Stampin' Up! August promotion: 'Reason to Smile'

The Reason to Smile stamp set that is available during August is a definate must have. Retailing at just £14.95 for the clear set (£18.95 for the wood set) it's a bargain because there are 7 different stamps (3 images and 4 backgrounds)
And the best news is that if your order is £60 you can get your hands on this stamp set for FREE. Check out further details here.

Unfortunately i haven't had any time to play with this fab stampset myself yet but Jade (a fellow demonstrator) has shared this card with me to share with you all:

Jade coupled 'Poppy Parade' with 'Lucky Limeade' to create this get well wishes card. The stamps in the set are in 2 parts, the background stamp and the outline stamp, for this card she used the outline stamp and then coloured the images in with 'Stampin' Write Markers' using a 'Blender Pen'.

She then used the smaller flower background stamp to create a background pattern on the 'Lucky Limeade' card base before adding a border strip (punched with the 'Eyelet Border Punch') and then the image panel which was matted onto 'Poppy Parade' card stock.

I just love this card - fab layout and colour combo! If you'd like to make an order and get this stampset for free you only have 2 days left. Email over your order NOW: amyjtidd@gmail.com

 

Finally i thought i'd share with you my reason to smile at the mo!! A little pic of my gorgeous son Xander:

 

 

Awwwwww ... i love him so much!! :)

Waterfall Album!

Last month my crafty friend Jade attended a craft class held by another fellow demonstrator and learnt how to make beautiful waterfall albums! Unfortunately due to being heavily pregnant i was unable to attend however Jade kindly shared this technique with me at a recent crafty sesh at her house and i made one for my friends Jen and Andy for a wedding gift!!

Here's the front of my completed 'Waterfall Album':

The colours are 'Pool Party', 'Island Indigo' 'Crumb Cake' and 'Whisper White'. You can just see in the photo there is a panel of 'Pool Party' which has been run through the 'Big Shot' using and then the 'Stripes Embossing Folder. I have also used some 'Crumb Cake' 'DSP'.

To create the image on the front i (well ... if i'm honest, Jade) printed the 'Congratulations Jen & Andy, 21st july 2012 on the computer and then stamped the image from the 'Apothecary Art' stampset in 'Island Indigo' ink - i had to carefully line this up using my trusty 'Stamp-a-ma-jig'. I cut this image out using the 'Big Shot' and the 'Labels Collection Framelits Die' and then mounted it onto a larger 'Island Indigo' label! Here's a close up:

Here is the inside of the album:

I kept the pages inside treasonably simple with the view that Jen and Andy could add some photos from their wedding reception and some captions in themselves. I simply embellished the album with 'Crumb Cake' DSP', 'Island Indigo' card which has been punched using the 'Eyelet Border Punch' and the beautiful butterfly from the 'Clearly For you' stampset inked in 'Island Indigo'.

The other pages fold out like a 'waterfall' when you pull the tab (which was created from a 'Decorative Label Punch')

The mechanism to create this card is very technical and difficult to explain - i suggest you google waterfall cards/ albums and you'll find a range of tutorials to guide you though it! I was lucky enough to have Jade's guidance!

I have to admit this project was completely time consuming but i'm thrilled with the final product - although i think it is fair to say  special people will receive one of these made by me as they are hardwork to complete!!!!

Birthday Wishes For Harry!

Tomorrow is Harrys birthday! Harry is our friend Rory and Poppys little boy and i can't quite believe that he will be 2 tomorrow!!

Harry (and his brother Jack) are very good friends with our two cats Dewey and Crazy!! and so i knew i had to create a card that incorporated a cat in it somewhere, so i used the  wonderfully versatile 'Every Little Bit' stampset to create this card:

On a 'Tempting Turquoise' cardbase i stamped the birthday wishes sentiment from the 'Happiest Birthday Wishes' set onto the righthand bottom corner. Next i layered a piece of 'Whispr White' cardstock edged using the 'Eyelet Border Punch', onto which i glued a strip of 'Pacific Point DSP'.

Onto some 'Whisper White' card i stamped the dog, teddy bear and cat (all from the 'Every Little Bit' set) using 'Basic Black' ink and then coloured them in with a range of my 'Stampin' Write Markers'. I punched these images out using the '1-1/4" Circle Punch', then layered them onto some '1-3/8" Circles' punched from the same 'Pacific Point DSP', finally layering them onto the three 'Tempting Turquoise' 'Scallop Circles'.

I hope Harry has a fab birthday tomorrow and gets spoilt rotten!!!

I Heart 'Perfect Postage'!!

A little while ago i saw a card on my upline Cates blog and straight away i loved it and knew that i would have to incorporate the idea on a creation of my own:

I made these cards from some 'Melon Mambo' card. I randomly stamped the heart image from the 'Perfect Postage' stampset over the cardbase. Next i layered a piece of 'Concord Crush' card edged on both sides using the 'Eyelet Border Punch'. On a seperate piece of 'Melon Mambo' card i punched out a heart using the 'Heart Punch'. Behind which i layered some pink strips of card punched out using the 'Ribbon Lace Border Punch'. To finish off the card i drew on some faux stitching using a 'Concord Crush' 'Stampin' Write Marker'.

I loved this card so much i couldn't resist making a whole bunch of them to give out as thankyou cards:

I just love this design - i will most definately be making lots more of these!!! Now don't forget the 'Perfect Postage' stampset is only available until the end of the month - as all the items from the 'Spring Mini Catalogue' will be retiring to make way for the new 'Summer Mini Catalogue'. Why not take a browse through the Spring mini and place an order before it's too late. Email over your order today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Get Well Soon!!

What with the freezing cold weather there's a lot of people with coughs and sniffles and so recently i have made a few 'get well soon' cards. Here's one that i made using the 'Charming' stampset from the 'Spring Mini Catalogue' - it's becoming a bit of a favourite of mine:

Onto a 'Wisteria Wonder' cardbase i layered a piece of 'Whisper White' card which has been run through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. Onto a pieced of 'Wisteria Wonder' card i stamped the get well sentiment (from the 'Teeny Tiny Wishes' stampset) inked in 'Wisteria Wonder' - i punched it out using the 'Word Window Punch' and placed a couple of teeny tiny 'Basic Pearls' either side of the sentiment.

On a piece of 'Whisper White' card i stamped the flower image from the 'Charming' stampset using 'Calypso Coral' and 'Lucky Limeade' 'Stampin' Write Markers', mounted this onto some 'Calypso Coral' card and then onto a larger piece of 'Wisteria Wonder' card which i edged with the 'Eyelet Border Punch'.

Aldershot Womans Institute Workshop - tonight!

Hi all! I've just got back from Aldershot Womans Institute Group where i was demonstrating Stampin' Up! products and then we made two make and takes!
The projects that i demonstrated were variations of 'Sale-a-bration' cards that i have shared with you recently using the 'Fresh Vintage' stampset, the 'Elementary Elegance' stampset and the beautiful 'Everyday Enchantment DSP'.

Here's the first card we made using the 'Big Shot', 'Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder' and the 'Textured Impression Embossing Set':

The cardbase used on this card is 'Crumb Cake', the embossed background has been made from 'Pool Party' card and the sentiment has been stamped in 'Early Espresso' ink onto 'Very Vanilla' card.

Here's the second card:

The cardbase has been made from 'Pear Pizzazz' card. On a piece of 'Crumb Cake' we stamped the floral stamp from the 'Fresh Vintage' stampset using 'Crumb Cake' ink. The borders have been punched using 'Calypso Coral' punched using the 'Eyelet Border Punch'. The butterflies have been punched using the 'Butterfly Punch' from 'Everyday Enchantment DSP', with some 'Linen Thread' tied around each one, and a 'Basic Pearl' placed in the centre. Finally the sentiment (from the 'Teeny Tiny Wishes' set) has been inked onto a piece of 'Pear Pizzazz' card and punched out using the 'Word Window Punch', with a couple of teeny tiny 'Basic Pearls' placed either side.

I had a brilliant evening and loved that the ladies made the design their own! I really wish i took my camera to take some pics of their wonderful creations!!

Some of the ladies left me a couple of lovely comments:

'Many thanks for a great evening with Stampin' Up!'

'I don't do crafty things but i did make two cards with Stampin' Up!'

I had such an enjoyable evening and the time just flew by! If you live local to the Aldershot area why not pop along and attend a meeting. The group meets on the second Wednesday of every month at St. Joseph's Church Hall Queens Road Aldershot.

If you belong to a social group that would like a demonstration that email me to arrange a date: amyjtidd@gmail.com

And please don't forget that i'm making Stampin' Up! sale-a-bration orders regularly. There are online version catalogues on the righthand side of the blog. E-mail over your order today.

One final thing - don't forget to check back on this blog tomorrow as i will be introducing another Stampin' Up! Sale-a-bration set: Outlined Occasions'!! I love this stampset and sure that you will too!!

Jades Punch-Art Pig Card!

Hi all,

Hope you are all having a fab weekend. I've had a lovely day with my sister shopping and out for a spot of lunch, as well as visiting some of my family!! No time for crafting today - although i plan to do lots tomorrow!!

Today i have a brilliant card to share with you that was created by my crafty friend Jade:

This punchart pig card is absolutely amazing, i'm sure you'll agree!! Jade cleverly created the pig from 'Pretty in Pink' card (and some 'Whisper White' for his eyes!) using the 'Owl Punch' and the 'Round Tab Punch'. The details have been drawn on using 'Stampin' Write Markers'. The pig has been layered on a 'Calypso Coral' 'Scallop Circle Punch' and a 'Wisteria Wonder' '1-3/8" Circle' that has been ran through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder'. All of this has been layered onto some 'DSP' which has been edged using the 'Eyelet Border Punch'. The hearts were also created using the versatile 'Owl Punch'. All of this was placed onto a 'Pretty in Pink' cardbase. The sentiment is from the 'Happiest Birthday Wishes' stampset!!

Such an amazing card and it just showcases how versatile the Stampin' Up! punches are! There are lots of punches to take your pick from in both the main and mini catalogue. Why not take a browse now!!

I'm hosting a crafty coffee morning on the 28th January so if you would like to come along and have a try of some of the punches you will be more than welcome!! Email me for details now: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Happy New Year!

Hi everyone! I hope you celebrated the end of 2011 well! Can you believe it is 2012! Wishing you all a very happy new year! I have a feeling that this year is going to be a good one!!

Today i have a lovely birthday card to share with you, where i have used up some of the remains of 'Holly Berry Bouquet DSP' i still have lying around - it's such a versatile 'DSP' and not just for Christmas!!

This card is a 'Very Vanilla' card base. I have layered some 'Holly Berry Bouquet DSP' over half of the card base. I punched a strip of 'Cherry cobbler' card using the 'Eyelet Border Punch'. On a seperate piece of 'very Vanilla Card' i stamped two butterflies using the 'All in A Flutter' 'A la Carte' stamp, using 'Cherry Cobbler' ink. I stamped the birthday sentiment (from a retired stampset' in the corner).  layered this onto some 'Cherry Cobbler' card and then glued this onto the cardbase.

Why not dig out your Christmas stash and see if there are any alternative ways of using your Christmas crafty goodies!!

Don't forget if you was lucky enough to get some crimbo money from friends and family why not save it to spend on the upcoming sale-a-bration promotion - details to follow on this blog very, very soon!!

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!!

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!!)

Crafty Boots Challenge: Fantasy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The front of the envelope scrapbook:

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

Here's a close up of their initials:

The spine of the book:

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

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

Envelope 1.

Envelope 2.

Envelope 3.

Envelope 4.

Envelope 5.

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

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

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

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!!

'All in a Flutter' notepad!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Birthday Iwona!

Yesterday was my friend Iwona's birthday! I hope she had a lovely day! We went out last night for a few drinks!! I couldn't resist making her a birthday card. She has such a bright and cheery character, so i couldn't resist making her a bright and cheery card:

I have used the stunningly bright 'Daffodil Delight' cardstock for this cardbase. I then cut a strip of 'Daffodil Delight' for the centre of the card and then used the 'Eyelet Border Punch' on both sides of this strip of card and glued this into place. I then cut a thinner strip of 'Play Date DSP' and glued that in the centre if the 'Daffodil Delight' strip.

I punched out three flowers using the 'Fancy Flower Punch': one from 'Pacific Point' cardstock, one from 'Daffodil Delight' 'DSP' and one from 'Real Red' 'DSP', both from the 'Brights DSP Stack'.  I layered all three of these and secured them in placed with 'Red Sticky Tape'. I placed a 'Daffodil Delight' 'Designer Button' (with some 'Linen Thread' tied in a bow) onto the centre of the flowers, secured again with some 'Red Sticky Tape'.

The 'Happy Birthday' sentiment comes from the 'Something to Celebrate' stampset and was inked in 'Pacific Point'.

I hope Iwona liked her card and had an amazing birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Today is my friend Hannahs birthday! I have completely turned her to the darkside of crafting and i know that she will totally appriciate a handmade card! So here is the card i made her:

I've seen lots of cards of this style before but i haven't actually made one until now! The card base i used was 'Crumb Cake', it bgan life as a neat rectangle and then using my 'Paper Cutter' i trimmed it on a diagonal, and then scored it twice and then folded it one way and then the other, to create a concertina effect. I used some of the beautiful 'Springtime Vintage DSP and cut them to the right size to create the panels. Before gluing down the first panel i wrapped some of the lovely 'Rose Red' 'Seaming Ribbon' around it and then created a pretty big bow!

Here's the card in its unfolded form:

I cut a rectangle of 'Rose Red' cardstock and used my 'Eyelet Border' on one edge. I then mounted a secound rectangle of 'Very Vanilla' on top, with a 'Happy Birthday' sentiment (inked in 'Rose Red') from the 'Something to Celebrate' stampset.

Such a pretty card, this 'DSP' is so beautiful and it is such a shame that it is retiring at the end of the month. Make sure you get an order in before it's too late: amyjtidd@gmail.com

I hope Hannah likes her card and has a very happy birthday!!

Crafty Boots Challenge: Things With Wings

Hello everyone!! Today the 2nd Crafty Boots Challenge was launched - this fortnights theme is 'Things with Wings', so make sure you get involved. We was completely overwhelmed by the amount of crafters that got involved in the first challenge - so thankyou to everyone who offered their support!

The design team have done a fantastic job with all their projects, i love working with such a talented team! Here is my offering to the challenge, a cute little folding book - made completely of Stampin' Up! products of course!! I used 'Blushing Bride' and 'Whisper White' cardstock, 'Blushing Bride' 'DSP' (A current level 1 hostess prize), the retiring 'Strength and Hope' stampset and my trusty punches: '1-3/8" Circle', '1-1/4" Circle' and the 'Eyelet Border Punch' and the centre of the butterfly is all blinged up with some 'Basic Rhinestones'. So here it is:

Folding Book (all closed up):

Unfolded:

And in its completely open form:

All thats left to do is pop a couple of lovely photos and maybe a message and you have a lovely homemade gift for a friend of loved one!!

If you absolutely love the butterfly (from the 'Strength and Hope' stampset) you need to get a wiggle on and make a Stampin' Up! order because it is retiring at the end of September. Check out the Stampin' Up! sale and retirement list at the top of my blog - i'm offering an exclusive offer for all CraftyThINKer customers - an additional Stampin' Up! stampset with all orders over £45 during the month of September!! How can you resist?! Just email your order over to amyjtidd@gmail.com (Electronic versions of the catalogues are available on the right-hand side of my blog!)

Happy Crafting - Can't wait to see all you 'Things with Wings' creations!!