Pregnancy Congratulations!!!

Another baby related post!! Which seems quite fitting as today is our all day ante-natal class!!!

I found out last week that a crafty friend of mine Julie recently announced she is pregnant!! Yep, there must be something in the water!! Her baby is due in December!! I couldn't resist sending her a card i actually made sometime ago (and featured on this blog back in November last year) - a fab punch-art design, which i know as a fellow crafter she will appriciate!! It uses lots and lots of Stampin' Up! punches. It is not an original design - it's from a fab tutorial from Bonnie Mountford's blog. Although i did change the colours and the layout slightly. So heres the card:

The card base and 'DSP' used is 'Tangerine Tango'. We used some 'Soft Suede' to compliment it and layer the pregnant woman. The woman has been made from some 'Tempting Turquoise', 'Basic Black', 'Pink Pirouette', 'Daffodil Delight' and 'Chocolate Chip'. Her bag was made from 'Melon Mambo' 'DSP'. I used the following punches:

• '1-3/8" Circle'
• 'Large Oval'
• 'Modern Label Punch'
• 'Wide Oval'
• 'Small Heart'
• 'Ornament'
• 'Owl Punch'
• '1/2" Punch'
• 'Itty Bitty Punch'
• 'Boho Blossom'
• Round Tab Punch'

Her face details have been drawn on with a 'Basic Black' 'Stampin' Write Marker' and her rosey cheeks have been created some 'Rose Red' ink and 'Blender Pen'.

The sentiment is from the retired 'Occassional Quotes' stampset - as that's what i had to hand - but there's plenty of sentiments you could use in the current catty! I finished it off with a bit of 'Pumpkin Pie' 'Grosgrain Ribbon'.

This card took forever because of all the componants!!! But i hope you will agree it's a fabby card!

I wish Julie a healthy pregnancy!! Congratulations once again!!

Jades Sweet Treat Card!!

Hey all! I have had a fabulously crafty day with five other ladies sharing projects and ideas, as well as having a good chat and lots of scrummy food!!!

I can't wait to share with you the projects we made (some of them you may have to wait for as they feature lots of yummy projects from the new summer catty that is out from the 1st of May!!

Anyway... today i have a great card to share with you designed by Jade featuring Stampin' Up! brilliant 'Sweet Treat cups' and the 'Something Sweet' stampset:

Onto a 'Tempting Turquoise' cardbase we layered some 'Cheerful Treat DSP' (available at a reduced price as a hostess product!) On a piece of 'Whisper White' we stamped the bubblegum machine image from the 'Something Sweet' stampset, then punched out a hole using the '1-3/4" Circle Punch' and then using the 'Stamp-a-ma-jig' carefully stamped the lid of the bubblegum machine (all in 'Tempting Turquoise' ink) We then carefully punched another '1-3/4" Circle' onto a piece of 'Tempting Turquoise' card and then sandwiched a 'Sweet Treat' cup inbetween the white and blue card.

Before gluing this down we cut (by hand) a small circle onto the actual cardbase (approx 1/2" in size) and then we randomly stamped the jellybean image (from the 'Something Sweet' set) onto another small piece of 'Whisper White' (using 'Melon Mambo' ink) attached a 'Tempting Turquoise' 'Round Tab'.

The idea is now to glue down the bubblegum machine image - ensuring you allow the jellybean tab to easily slide out. Final stage is to fill the 'Sweet Treat Cup' with sweeties of your choice through the 1/2" circle hole in the back. Allowing the recipient to have easy access to the sugary sweetness! Clever huh?!

Finally we stamped the sentiment (also from the 'Something Sweet' stampset) and punched it out using the 'Decorative Label Punch'.

I just love this card and hope you do too! If you want to have this stampset and sweet treat cups for yourself then why not make an order today - email it over to me at amyjtidd@gmail.com (don't forget until the end of the month you will recieve a FREE pack of DSP with every order of £45 and i will also provide you with FREE P&P!)

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

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!!

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

More Punchart - a card for a pregnant lady!

Hiya to all my CraftyThINKers. Hope you are all ok, i'm sure you're relieved it is Friday! I'm still not well, so today i have another card that we made on our recent craft retreat to the Isle of Wight.

This card is a punchart card - that uses lots and lots of Stampin' Up! punches. This is not an original design - we printed off a fab tutorial from Bonnie Mountford's blog. Although we did change the colours and the layout slightly. So heres the card:

The card base and 'DSP' used is 'Tangerine Tango'. We used some 'Soft Suede' to compliment it and layer the pregnant woman. The woman has been made from some 'Tempting Turquoise', 'Basic Black', 'Pink Pirouette', 'Daffodil Delight' and 'Chocolate Chip'. Her bag was made from 'Melon Mambo' 'DSP'. I used the following punches:

• '1-3/8" Circle'
• 'Large Oval'
• 'Modern Label Punch'
• 'Wide Oval'
• 'Small Heart'
• 'Ornament'
• 'Owl Punch'
• '1/2" Punch'
• 'Itty Bitty Punch'
• 'Boho Blossom'
• Round Tab Punch'

Her face details have been drawn on with a 'Basic Black' 'Stampin' Write Marker' and her rosey cheeks have been created some 'Rose Red' ink and 'Blender Pen'.

The sentiment is from the retired 'Occassional Quotes' stampset - as that's what i had to hand - but there's plenty of sentiments you could use in the current catty! I finished it off with a bit of 'Pumpkin Pie' 'Grosgrain Ribbon'.

This card took forever because of all the componants!!! But i hope you will agree it's a fabby card! Ruth also had a go at making this card so here's our cards together:

Why not treat yourself to a few punches and have a go at some punchart?! Not all designs are as complicated as this one. Check back at some of my previous posts to see other punchart creations (see yesterdays post where i made a punchart christmas tree)

 If you would like to make an order i'm offering free P&P (usually £4.95) on orders over £50 until the 7th November. Email over your order today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Giraffe Punch-Art Card!

Today i have a card to share with you that i have made with all my Stampin' Up! punches!! I just love punch-art! There are obvious uses for the punches, but it is always very nice to come up with a new way to use them! Sometimes if you stare at the punches for long enough you see another use for them in this instance i saw the possibility of using the 'Round Tab Punch' to create a giraffe!! Here it is:

I made the head from the 'Round Tab Punch' from some 'Daffodil Delight' card, i also punched another 'Round Tab' from some 'Early Espresso' card, cut to a third. I made his nostrils using my 'Crop-a-dile' and also made his eyes using the same method. His ears have been made from a '5 Petal Flower' and i trimmed another 'Early Espresso' one to make the inners of his ears. His neck has been made from a strip of 'Daffodil Delight' card, and his body from a square of 'Daffodil  Delight' rounded off on one corner using a 'Corner Rounder'. I made his spots from 'Early Espresso' card punched out using the '1/2" Circle Punch'. The branch was punched from some 'Garden Green' cardstock using the 'Two-step Bird Punch'. I arranged all the components onto some 'Certainly Celery' card, mounted it onto 'Soft Suede' card and then placed it all onto an 'Early Espresso' cardbase!

Why not get your punches out and have a play! You can pretty much make anything you want from them if you have the imagination!!! Why not take a look at the Stampin' Up! punch range (pages 116 - 119 of the catalogue!)

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!

Top Note Dog GiftCard Holder

Another 'Top Note Die' project for you all today! I've been thinking about christmas quite a lot recently and we often give people giftcards but i think they can be quite impersonal gifts, so wanted to start thinking of some imaginative ways of giving these to people. Playing aroung with the 'Top Note Die' i came up with idea:

To create this dog you need to run some 'Soft Suede' cardstock through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Top Note Die'. You need two 'Top Notes' to make this project. His eyes were made from two '1-3/8" Circles' punched from 'Very Vanilla' card, two '1/2" Circles' of 'Soft Suede' and then two smaller circles made from 'Basic Black' card, using the 'Owl Punch'. His muzzle was made using the 'Round Tab Punch' from some 'Very Vanilla' card. his nose was made from some 'Basic Black' card using the 'Heart to Heart' Punch, his tongue was created from some 'Blushing Bride' card using the 'Heart Punch'. His ears were created from a 'Top Note' chopped in half and then glued in place!!

Now, you're wondering how this can hold a gift card, well here you go:

Simply run one more piece of 'Soft Suede' card through the 'big Shot' to create another 'Top Note', chop it in half and then run some 'Red Sticky Tape' along three sides of it to create a pocket.

This giftcard holder can fit sniggly into a 6"x6" envelope and definately personalises a simple gift card!! Hope you like the idea! You could of course create this dog in different colours, or  create a different character althogether with a little bit of imagination! Why not treat yourself to the 'Top Note Die', email over your order today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Crafty Boots Challenge: Autumn/ Halloween

Hi everyone, it's that time again - the launch of a new Crafty Boots Challenge and this fortnight it is 'Autumn/ Halloween', so get you creative thinking caps on, come up with a design and enter!!

I have loved creating halloween products and sharing them with you all over the last week or so and so i offered them to Crafty Boots Challenge as my DT contribution this week.

In case you have been neglecting my Crafty ThINKer blog here's the collection of halloween offerings that i have been making:

All of these projects have been featured on my blog over the last week. To get details on how to create each of these, please click on the links below:

• Pumpkin Card
• Frankenstein Card
• Mummy Card
• Owl Trick or Treat
• Count Dracula Card
• Bat Trick or Treat Pillow Box

All of these projects use Stampin' Up! products: cardstock, Big Shot Dies, Punches, Stampsets and other products. If you would like to order any of these please check out the Stampin' Up! catalogue on the righthand side of my blog and then email me over your order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Don't forget to get your Craft Boots Challenge entry in! Look forward to seeing them all!

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!

Another Spooky Make!

Hi all, today i have another spooky halloween card to share with and yes, it uses my beloved 'Top Note Die', today i have a Frankenstein card for you:

I made this spooky guys head from 'Old Olive' cardstock ran through the 'Big Shot' uses the 'Top Note Die. His neck is also made from some 'Old Olive card. I 'Sponge Daubed' around the 'Top Note' with some 'Old Olive' ink. His hair had been made from a 'Concord Crush' 'Top Note' which i have shaped using my 'Paper Snips'. His eyes have been made from two punched '1-3/8" Circles' from 'Whisper White' and then to make his eyelids i chopped in half one 'Old Olive' '1-3/8 Circle'. His pupils have been made from '1/2" Circles' in 'Basic Black'. His nose have been made from a 'Round Tab Punch' (which has also been 'Sponge Daubed'. I've drawn on some scars with a 'Basic Black' 'Stampin' Write Marker'. The bolts on his neck have been created from some 'Basic Grey' card that i have snipped into shape by hand. I drew the detail from a 'Basic Grey' 'Stampin' Write Marker'. I glued all the components together and then raised his head using some 'dimensionals'. All of this has been placed onto a 'Pumpkin Pie' cardbase (again 'Sponge Daubed' with some 'Old Olive' ink.)

I'm entering this make into the 'Cupcake Craft Challenge' which this week is 'halloween'. Hope everyone at cupcake likes it!!

A Pumpkin Card made from 'Pumpkin Pie' card!!

Can you believe that we are now in October and we really don't have very long until the 31st and Halloween! So for the rest of this week i have a range of Halloween projects to share with you! It's not too late to get crafting and make some of these in time! (and if you need any of the products i used to make them - just email me your order, i'm processing orders all the time: amyjtidd@gmail.com )

Today i have a card to share with you using my 'Big Shot' and the wonderfully versatile 'Top Note Die', to be honest a lot of the projects i have to share with you this week use this die!! So here is the card:

This card is so simple to make - it literally took 5 minutes! No stampin, just a quick 'Big Shot' and punches project! A 'Pumpkin Pie' c ardbase, next a rectangle of 'Crumb Cake' which i aged with a 'Sponge Dauber' and some 'Crumb Cake' ink. The  pumkin was made by clevery running 'Pumpkin Pie' cardstock through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Top Note Die'. The stalk of the pumpkin was made by punching out a 'Round Tab' and folding it in half. The leaves have been created using the 'Two-Step Bird Punch' (it's the wing part of the punch) You may have noticed i crimped one to give it some extra texture!!

Hope you like this card - don't forget to check back daily for more halloween themed crafty projects!!! Don't forget to email me your order if you fancy purchasing the fabby 'Top Note Die'. Trust me you'll wonder how you managed without it!!

Punch-Art Fish using the Round Tab Punch (with tutorial!)

Oh yes! Another punch-art creation! (I blame Ruth for this obsession!!!) Today i want to share with you a very clever way of making fish from the fab Stampin' Up!'Round Tab Punch'.

Step 1:
Basically punch some 'Round Tabs' from your chosen cardstock and cut them like this:

Step 2:
Arrange the piece like this to create cute fish! Clever hey?!

Step 3:
Arrange them on your card however you like! Here's my card:

I created four fish from 'Pumpkin Pie' cardstock using this technique and arranged them on a 'Marina Mist' cardbase. I raised the body of the fish using some 'Dimensionals'. I created their eyes by punching out some very small circles using my trusty 'Crop-A-Dile'. The fishes bubbles have been created using the 'Bubblegum ball' from the 'Sweetheart' stampset. I stamped them randmonly on the cardbase using 'Marina Mist' ink.

The sentiment is also from the 'Sweetheart' stampset, inked onto a scrap on 'Marina Mist' and then punched out using '1-3/8" Circle Punch'. I stamped the little fish (also from the 'Sweetheart' stampset) in 'Pumpkin Pie' onto a tiny scrap of 'Whisper White' cut out with my Paper Snips'. I raised this circle, again using 'Dimensionals'.

There you go, yet another way to make use of your 'Round Tab Punch'. Want to get your hands on one? Why not make an order! Check out all the lovely products in the new catalogue (link on the righthand side of my blog) and email over an order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Retiring DSP

Hi guys, just a quick post today to remind you that the 'DSP' from the current catalogue will be retiring in a few days - so if you want to order any you need to get your order in NOW!! Today i have a quick idea to share with you, something you could make from some strips of 'DSP', some lovely bookmarks and the great thing is that they literally take minutes to make:

All you do cut strips of 'DSP' (in this case 'Greenhouse Gala DSP') and then punch out of some coordinating cardstock (in this case 'Early Espresso') using the 'Round Tab Punch'. and glue it to one end of the 'DSP' strip. Punch a hole through the card tab using a 'Crop-a-Dile' and finally thread some 'Satin Ribbon (or any ribbon that you have) through the hole. (in this vase i used 'Early Espresso' 'Satin Ribbon')

And there you go some lovely 'DSP' bookmarks - i'm planning on making lots of these to give as gifts at my New Catalogue Craft Open House - on the 22nd October. If you live local to me and fancy coming along to this FREE event drop me an email: amyjtidd@gmail.com

And don't forget - get those last minute retiring order in ASAP - time is running out!!!

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!!