Magnetic Calendar

Today's project has been created by my good friend and fellow demo Jade! It's a magnetic calendar which showcases a new stampset from the catty called 'Memorable Moments'

Jade started off with a piece of 'Old Olive' card. She then ran a piece of 'Crumb Cake' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Framelits' and then running through again using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' to add some texture!

On this age printed the 2012 using 'Real Red' ink and the 'Memorable Moment' stampset and cut it out again using the 'Framelits'.

Finally Jade mounted a calendar onto some 'Real Red' card and to complete the project she glued a magnet to the back so it could be attached to a fridge!! These would make brilliant little Christmas gifts or maybe in different colours a brilliant party invite or save the date!

Don't forget if you'd like to order any of these products email me your order today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Another Apothecary Art Card!

Hey all, hope you all survived work today! Been a bit stressful?! Then why not get your crafty kit out?

Today i have another card created using the 'Apothecary Art' card to share with you - you'll notice the colours are very similar to the card shared yesterday as i made it at the same time and was quite taken with the 'Calypso Coral' and 'Old Olive' colour combo!!

A crafty friend of mine Fiona taught me how to make cards of this layout. The cardbase has been create from a piece of 'Calypso Coral' with several pieces of 'Calypso Coral' and 'Old Olive' strips of card that have run through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'.

The shapes in the middle of the card have been created using the 'Framelits Dies: Labels Collection' from the new Summer Mini Catalogue, created from 'Calypso Coral' and 'Old Olive' card:

I just love this range of Dies and they're so easy to use!! Notice that i rotated the smaller pieces and also ran them through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'.

Finally i stamped the image for the centre of the card from the 'Apothecary Art' stampset (using 'Calypso Coral' ink and cut it out with the smallest die in the collection!

I'm completely in love with this stampset and die - if you are too and would like to make an order - drop me an e-mail today!!: amyjtidd@gmail.com

(I will be using these Dies as part of the make and take project at my Crafty Open House this Saturday - so if you live near Aldershot and would like to come along and craft for FREE drop me an email for details!!)

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'.

Just For You Nan...

Sometimes it is important for someone to know that you're there for them and there is no better way than making them a handmade card to let them know you're there for them no matter what... and that's exactly why i made my Nan this card:

I created an 'Elegant Eggplant' cardbase (folded at the top) and embossed the bottom half of the card using the 'Big Shot' and the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. I ran a piece of 'Lucky Limeade' 'Ruffled Ribbon' along the middle of the card. On a piece of 'Very Vanilla' card i stamped the flower image from the 'Charming' stampset using 'Lucky Limeade' and 'Elegant Eggplant' 'Stampin' Write Markers'. I stamped the 'just for you' sentiment from the 'Teeny Tiny wishes' stampset, using 'Elegant Eggplant' ink. I mounted this onto 'Elegant Eggplant' card and then onto a piece of 'Lucky Limeade' card. before sticking it to the cardbase using 'Dimensionals' to create a 3D effect.

There's nothing quite like a handmade card to show someone you care. So why not get your craft stash out and make someone you love a card! And if you like any of the products you see featured on this card then ehy not email over an order: amyjtidd@gmail.com (Don't forget if you make an order of £45 or more before 31st March you're entitled to a free Sale-a-bration' stampset or pack of papers - and i'll throw in FREE P&P - usually £4.95 - free P&P is an exclusive CraftyThINKer customer deal!!)

Very Cherry Bookmark!

Yesterday i shared with you a bookmark that i created using the 'Fruit and Flowers' stampset from the 'Spring Mini Catalogue' and today i have another one to share with you using probably my most favourite stamp from the set - the lovely cherry stamp!

I stamped the cherry stamp using 'Real Red' and 'Old Olive' 'Stampin' Write Markers' onto some 'Whisper White' card and punched it out using the '1-1/4" Circle Punch'. I layered this onto a '1-3/8" Circle' punched from 'Old Olive' and then layered this onto a 'Real Red' 'Scallop Circle'. I then cut a strip of 'Old Olive' and ran it through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' and layered that onto a slightly wider piece of 'Real Red' card and then i pieced it all together!!

And here's a pic of the bookmark in action:

I have only played with the fruit part of the stampset so far so i will have to get creating with the flowers!!

Hope you have had a brilliant weekend - keep your eyes posted on the CraftyThINKer blog this week as there will be lots of exciting news!!!

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

Another New Catty Delight: Beautiful Season

Hi everyone, sorry for such a delayed post tonight - got home for work and had a stonking headache, so had to have a little nap before writing up the post today.

Hope you have had a good Thursday, today i have another card to share with you that uses lots of lovely products from the new Stampin' Up! catalogue! This card was designed by another member of the 'Blue Angel Team' and i made it at her recent catalogue kick off party! It features the beautiful new christmas stampset: Beautiful Season:

 Here is the card:

The cardbase here is 'Always Artichoke', we ran through some 'Cherry Cobbler' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' and ran some 'Twill Tape' along the middle.

Next we stamped the beautiful bird and holly image from the 'Beautiful Season' stampset onto some 'Very Vanilla', ran it through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Top Note Die'. We coloured the image in using 'Soft Suede', 'Always Artichoke' and 'Cherry Cobbler' ink and 'Blender Pens'. We also added some 'Dazzling Diamond Glitter' to give it an extra christmassy feel!!

We aged around the 'Top Note' using some 'Soft Suede' ink and a 'Sponge Dauber' and attached it to the cardbase using some 'Dimensionals'. Finally we stamped the christmas sentiment - also from the 'Beautiful Season' set (using 'Cherry Cobbler' ink and then punched it out using the 'Scallop Oval Punch', again raised with 'Dimensionals' to give it a raised effect.

I think you'll agree, a beautiful card! Would you like to make a lovely christmas card using the new Stampin' Up! products. Why not come to my catalogue launch party on the 22nd October. Email me to confirm your place: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Be charitable: Last Chance to buy the Strength and Hope Stampset!!

All year Stampin' Up! has been selling the beautifully elegant 'Strength and Hope' stampset:

For every stampset sold Stampin' Up! will give £2 to 'The Breast Cancer Research Foundation'!! This stampset will sadly be retiring at the end of September (I'm sure Stampin' Up! will support another well deserving chairty for 2011-12 - watch this space for details.)

So why not put in an order for this beautiful stampset before its too late and you could make lovely projects like this 'Pillow Box':

The 'Pillow Box' has been created from some 'Bashful Blue' cardstock, which has been run through my 'Big Shot' using the 'Pillow Box Die'. Next i cut out a strip of 'Baja Breeze' cardstock, which i ran through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' and then wrapped it around the 'Pillow Box' securing it in place with some 'Red Sticky Tape'. I punched out a 'Scallop Circle' from some 'Bashful Blue' and a '1-3/8" Circle' From 'Baja Breeze' and then stamped (in 'Bashful Blue') the butterfly from the 'Strength and Hope' set on 'Very Vanilla' card, carefully cut it out and layered it onto the punched shapes, raising it with a Stampin' Up! dimensional. Finally i placed a couple of 'Basic Rhinestones' on the centre of the butterfly!

Keep checking this blog - i have at least one more project this month that uses this stampset - i'm sure you will agree this stampset is a must have!!!

Home is where the heart is!!

Hi all, hope you are having a great weekend! Today i have no plans other than to craft ... BLISS! As you may be aware i have recently been appointed a member of the Crafty Boots Challenge DT, and i'm now working hard on my projects!! I can't wait to share them with you and i hope you all join in!!

Now today, as promised i have the Welcome Home card that i made for my sister Jamie (She has recently been on a month long holiday to Australia - and i missed her lots!) My sister is a bit of a home-bird and so i knew this card was perfect to welcome her home!:

Now i can't take credit for this beautiful card, i case'd it from a blog called 'In the Palms', check this blog out - it even has a tutorial on how to create it!! (I did slightly alter the dimensions) The cardbase used is 'Early Espresso', the roof and base of the card is 'Whisper White', which has been ran through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. I have used my '1-3/8" circle Punch' to create the 'Soft Suede' circle and the bid has been created out of 'Sweet and Sour DSP' using my 'Two-Step Bird Punch'. The branch has been made out of a little scrap of 'Pear Pizzazz' also using my 'two-Step Bird Punch' and the flower was created out of a scrap of 'Melon Mambo' and the 'Boho Blossom Punch' - i have placed a 'Basic Pearl' in the centre! The heart at the top of the chimney has also been created from a scrap of 'Melon mambo' and the 'Heart to Heart Punch'.

Hope you like the card!! Have a great weekend!!

Wedding Invitations!!

Hi guys, here's another set of wedding stationary that i have made recently - just to give some ideas to anyone who is looking to make their own, or would like me to make some for them:

This stationary has been created using 'Whisper White' and 'Pear Pizzazz' cardstock, the 'Pear Pizzazz' card has been run through the 'Big Shot' with a 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. The stationary has been embellished with some 'Baja Breeze' 'Seaming Ribbon' (and some faux pearl ribbon buckles, brought off of Ebay)

Invitation and RSVP Card:

Placecard:

 

Favour Box:

(Made using the 'Big Shot' and the 'Pillow Box Die')

Obviously these designs could be in literally ANY combo - and if you can't stretch to a 'Big Shot' you could always use some 'DSP' instead. So have you been inspired???

Get in touch if you need a hand designing your own wedding invites: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Welcome Baby!

As i mentioned in a previous post, several friends and family members are expecting babies this summer. So i have a made this card in preperation for this:

I ran a piece of 'Bashful Blue' through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' to create the card base. The giraffe (from the 'Fox and Friends' stampset) and the 'Welcome Baby' sentiment (from the 'Something to Celebrate' stampset) are inked in 'Bashful Blue' on 'Whisper White' card. The giraffe was mounted onto some 'So Saffron' card stock. The card has been embellished with some 'Grosgrain Ribbon' and a 'Basic Pearl' on the sentiment.

I know that we are expecting at least one boy this summer, so this card will be perfect for that occassion!!

Continuing with Vintage Theme:

Another vintage project - maybe a card to accompany to Vintage Sour Cream Container i posted yesterday?

This card was really quick make. Starting life as a simple piece of 'Crumb Cake', i ran it through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. I then used a 'Sponge Dauber' and some 'Always Artichoke' ink to add an aged feel to the card. I then cut a piece of 'Always Artichoke', and stamped the foliage stamp from the 'Vintage Vogue' stampset along the edge using my 'Always Artichoke' inkpad. You may also notice that i again ran my 'Sponge Dauber along the edge. Next i layered a small piece of 'Cajun Craze', and finally a piece of 'Very Vanilla'. Again i used a 'Sponge Dauber' (this time with some 'Cajun Craze' ink) to distress the edges. I stamped on a seperate scrap of card a small flower from the 'Vintage Vogue' set, cut it out and raised it with a 'dimensional' onto the 'Very Vanilla' card. Finishing the whole thing off with a 'Basic Rhinestone'.

(I did CASE this card, but stupidly didn't make a note of the original designer, so i'm sorry i can't give credit - if you know who this design originally belonged to please post me a comment and i will edit this post on my return.)

Handbags and gladrags!!

Hi all, i hope you're all having a lovely weekend!! Today i have a handbag style card to share with all you lovely crafty people. Here it is:

A really quick card to make - starting with a 'Crumb Cake' card base, which i have layered with some 'Elegant Soiree' 'DSP'. I then cut a seperate strip of 'Crumb cake' and cut off two corners to create the handbag flap. I then ran some 'Very Vanilla' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' and then cut that slightly smaller than the crumb cake strip. I used my 'Crop-adile' to punch two small holes at the top of the card and ran some 'Baja Breeze' 'Seaming Ribbon' to create the bag handle. I placed a 'Designer Button' with some 'Linen Thread' to create the bag clasp, and placed some 'Paper Flowers' in the right corner of the bag design, layered on some 'Baja Breeze' 'Satin Ribbon', with another 'Designer Button' with 'Linen thread' placed in the centre.

I'm entering this card into the Glitter Geeks challenge: Handbags and Gladrags. This is the third week of challenges offered by the Glitter Geeks - check them out and get involved!!

I'm also entering this card into the Daring Cardmakers challenge, which this week is 'Something Old, Something New...' Here's how the elements of my card fit the challenge:

• Something Old: The 'Paper Flowers' - they're retired Stampin' Up! stock, so i have had them quite a while.
• Something New: The 'DSP' i have used in this project - 'Elegant Soiree' is brand new (and isn't it lovely!!)
• Something Borrowed: The 'Baja Breeze' 'Satin Ribbon' is the remainder of a borrowed length.
• Something Blue: Quite obvious - the 'DSP', the 'Designer Buttons' amd the 'Seaming Ribbon'.

Right, i've managed to complete all my jobs for today and so i'm off to do some crafting in the garden!! Have a lovely Sunday!

Blushing Bride

Here's my very last minute entry to the Daring Card Makers Challenge this week. The challenge this week is to create a 'rocker card' I have never made one before and didn't know where to start. But i started thinking up an idea last night and knew i had to give it a go before going into work this morning. Here's my card!

I have used 'Very Vanilla' cardtsock - folded at the top - then udes a plate to create the bottom of the dress, i then used my 'Heart Punch' to cut out the bodice and ran them bothe through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vinatge Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. The roses are created from some scraps of 'Pink Pirouette', 'Blushing Bride' and 'Very Vanilla' cardstock. I punched out some 'Scallop Circles' and then a '1-1/4" Circle' from the middle. Then cut a slit through the scalloped ring and rolled it around to create the roses. (Hint: use sticky red tape to hold them all together!) The sentiment is from the 'Occassional Quotes' stampset and i have placed this on some 'Blushing Bride' card, punched out with the 'Decorative Label Punch'. I have embellished the card with some 'Basic Pearls' around the sentiment and on the bodice of the dress!

I'd love to know your thoughts on this card!! I literally entered it into the DCM challenge with 7 minutes to spare - talk about close to the edge!!

Hope you have a good day! Not long now til the weekend!!

Belated Anniversary Wishes: Poppet and Dan!

One for my bestest friends Laura (Poppet) and her hubby Dan got married on the 19th June 2010, so yesterday was their first wedding anniversary! Because of the Father's Day clash i have had to post their card today. Here's the card that i made for them:

The cardbase is 'Pink Pirouette', which was folded like a usual card and then i folded the front over a second time to create a slightly quirky card style. I ran the front panel of the card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' to add a bit of texture to this card. I next ran a piece of 'Whisper White' card through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Top Note Die'. Using the beautiful 'Bella Toile' background stamp i stamped the whole of the 'Top Note' with 'Crumb Cake' ink. Using 'Pretty in Pink' ink i stamped two butterflies (created by the A La Carte stamp 'All in a Flutter') The 'Happy Anniverary' sentiment is from the 'Something to Celebrate' stampset and has been inked with 'Early Espresso'.

I have placed a second 'Whisper White' 'Top Note' inside the card to create an insert.

I hope Laura and Dan had a wonderful first anniversary and celebrated in style! I can't believe how grown up we all are now... less than one month until mine and my hubby's first anniversary - unbelievable!

Happy Father's Day!!

It's Father's Day! So Happy Father's Day to all you dad's out there!! I hope you have a great day!! Here's another father's day card that i made.

I'm entering this into the 2nd glitter geeks challenge:

This card began life as a piece of 'Very Vanilla' card. Next i ran a piece of 'Baja Breeze' card through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' and placed that at the bottom of the card. Next i cut a strip of 'Soft Suede' card and used the 'Eyelet Border Punch' to create a decorative edging. I made an oragami shirt from some 'DSP' from the 'Elegant Soiree' collection. (There's a tutorial of how to make these shirts at Martha Stewarts blog) I used some scraps of 'Baja Breeze' to make the tie. The sentiment is from the 'Something to Celebrate' stampset and is stamped in 'Basic Gray' ink.

This card is for my Dad. I can actually picture him wearing this shirt! It's definately him!! I hope he likes it!!

Hope you all have lovely plans for father's day! Have a lovely Sunday everyone! xxx

Craft Challenge Addiction!

Morning all, I think i have become a little too addicted to challenge blogs!! I'm loving the way they are pushing my creativity - i hate making projects that are all too samey!

I have stumbled across yet another challenge blog: Cas-ual Fridays and loved their style!! They gave you this tic tac toe board and you had to choose a row of three elements and make a card!! What fun!

I decided to go diagonally across the board (Buttons, Dies or Punch, Emboss) and this is what i can up with:

A 'Pumpkin Pie' cardbase, reverse embossed with the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder' (using my 'Big Shot', a strip of 'Greenhouse Gala' DSP down the centre. The flower has been created using the 'Fun Flowers Die' and 'Brights DSP' with a 'Designer Button' placed in the centre. Finally a piece of 'Grosgrain Ribbon' finishes off the design.

Happy Birthday Rob!

It's our friend Rob's birthday today and to celebrate i made him this card:

This is based on a card a design from Andrea Walford. I've been dying to CASE this card for ages, so here it is!! The cardbase used is 'Tempting Turquoise' and has been run through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. The other cardstock used in this design 'Daffodil Delight' and 'Whisper White'. The 'Happy Birthday' sentiment is from the 'Cheers and Wishes' stampset and has been inked in 'Daffodil Delight'. The design was created with four 1.5" squares of 'Tempting Turquoise' 'DSP', using the 'Corner Rounder' i curved two corners of each squares and then arranged into place.

A very versatile card, which could be created in any colour combo and with any sentiment! It's always handy to have a couple of designs like this one up your sleeve just in case you need to make a card in a hurry or if you're lacking crafty inspiration!

DCM Challenge: Father Christmas

Hi everyone. Woo hoo! It's Friday! This week has been a toughy! I haven't been feeling 100% and i've had to drag myself through a week of training at work. So relieved it is now the weekend and planning on having a reasonably quiet one! I have a couple of card commissions to work on (which i will of course share with you all on here) and i'm also trying to get ahead with friend and family birthday and anniversary cards for July and August as i will be away over that time. So a lovely crafty weekend in store for me, along with meeting up with some friends!

Now... the card i have to share with you today is my entry into the Daring Cardmakers Challenge which was to create a card with a 'Father Christmas' theme. There is a prize up for grabs as well this week donated by Crafty Emma's Store. I have to admit it felt quite premature making seasonal cards in June, but as soon as i dug out my christmas crafty papers and stampsets i loved it!! Now i was suprised to realise that i don't actually own a Father Christmas stamp! I have literally hundreds of stamps but not one Father Christmas! (I will of course be rectifying that very soon with a cheeky SU purchase!) So for this card i had to be a little creative (inspired by Sue R's blog) Here's the result:

The cardbase is 'Real Red' which i have run through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. The DSP used is from the 'Jolly Holiday' collection (although a christmas collection most papers can be used for non-christmas projects!) Santa's coat and belt have been made from 'Real Red', 'Whisper White' and 'Basic Black' all created using the 'Big Shot' and the 'Top Note Die'. I have used some 'brads' to create Father Christmas's buttons. The buckle on his belt has been created with some (non SU) silver cardstock punched out with the 'Decorative Label Punch', turned 90 degrees and then punched again to create the square shape. The sentiment is from the 'Season of Joy' stampset, inked in 'Real Red' and again, i have used the 'Decorative Label Punch' to punch it out.

Oh dear, as i have been making, photographing and blogging about this card i realise that i have been humming christmas songs! It's only June! Mind you it really creeps up on you. Have you started thinking about your christmas cards this year? Stampin' Up! do a great range of 'Seasonal Celebration' stamps and papers. Why not check them out - you can find them on pages 21 - 28 of the 2010 'Idea Book and catalogue'. If you would like to make an order please email me at: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Please check back tomorrow for another crafty creation! Thanks for visiting!! xxx

Sailaway, Sailaway, Sailaway...

Hi guys! How are you all? I hope you have had a good Monday! I've just got back from Windsor Races and i won! I bet on a horse called 'Style and Panache' and it came in! Woo hoo!

Anyway, i'm back to work this week, so not as much time for crafting although i'm working on a card for the latest Cupcake Challenge which i will share with you soon.

Yesterday i shared a card that uses the 'Sailaway' stamp, today i have another card using the stamp to share with you:

This card was a quick make. A simple 'Whisper White' card base. Next a piece of 'Early Espresso' ran through the 'Big Shot' with the 'Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder'. Next a piece of 'Whisper White' ran through the 'Big shot' with the 'Top Note Die'. I then turned the 'Top Note' 90 degrees and ran it through the 'Big shot' again  to create a squarer shape. I simple stamped the 'Sailaway' stamp using 'Early Espresso' ink.

The 'Happy Birthday' sentiment is from the level two hostess gift 'Cheers and Wishes' stampset, inked in 'Early Espresso' onto  a strip of Whisper White' and using my 'Paper Snips' i have create a flag shape. A brad embellishes the card.

Another simple masculine card!! I'd love to know what you think of my card! If you like any of the products that i have used then why not make an order? Email me: amyjtidd@gmail.com