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!

A 'Mixed Bunch' card for Tori!

Hey all! Hope you're all having a lovely Summer! Today i have another card i made and gave out during the busy month of July but didn't have time to share with you... a birthday card for Tori, whose birthday it was on the 23rd.

I create an easel cardbase from some 'Night of Navy' card. I glued a piece of 'Melon Mambo' 'DSP' onto the cardbase. The flower was created by stamping the flower image from the 'Mixed Bunch' stampset onto 'Whisper White' card using 'Melon Mambo' ink. I punched it out using the coordinating 'Blossom Punch' and then layered it onto a 'Night of Navy' blossom, the leaves were also made using the punch from some 'Lucky Limeade' card, i glued these all into place and popped a 'Basic Rhinestone' in the centre to add a bit of bling!

I stamped the sentiment (from 'Petite Pairs') using 'Melon Mambo' and 'Night of Navy' 'Stampin' Write Markers' and punched it out using the 'Curly label Punch' mounting it onto a 'Melon Mambo' 'Curly Label Punch' cut in half. I secured this in place using 'Dimensionals' to create a device to prop up the easel card! Finally i stamped the circle image from the 'Mixed Bunch' set using 'Melon Mambo' ink and punched them out using the '3/4" Circle Punch', gluing them in place and finishing them off with a little more bling!!

I really hope Tori had a brilliant birthday and enjoyed the card! She has recently got the crafting bug so hopefully this will give her some inspiration to get crafty!!

A Choc-a-holics Card!!

Hey all! Those who know me well will know how much i LOVE chocolate! Well my good friend Hannah knows that more than most. Sadly she couldn't attend my baby shower as she was busy escorting her Girl Guides to Cranleigh carnival - she did however buy me this fantastic gift:

A scrummy, yummy Cadbury chocolate box!! I'm quickly working my way through it!! What a fantastic gift! So to thank her i made this chocolate themed thankyou card:

I started off with a 'Concord Crush' cardbase and then layered some 'Whisper White' card, with the 'Thanks' sentiment from the 'Tagtastic' stampset inked onto the corner of it.

The chocolate bar has been made from some 'Concord Crush' card which i embossed using the 'Big Shot' and the 'Stripes Embossing Folder'. I embellished the wrapper with some 'Bakers Twine' which i tied in a bow!! and some 'Basic Rhinestones'. The chocolate was created from some 'Chocolate Chip' cardstock, i layered some squares of 'Chocolate Chip' card inked on the edges with some 'Chocolate Chip' ink. I tore the chocolate bar to create a nibbled effect!

Thankyou Hannah for a fab gift! I loved it!!

Good Luck Cate!

Last week my friend (and upline) Cate officially left teaching to concentrate on other things. So i made her this card to wish her good luck in her future endeavours!

A nice bright card, featuring a range of colours from the 'Stampin' Up! Bright Collection'. I started off with a 'Melon Mambo' cardbase. On 'Whisper White' card i stamped the letters (from the 'Broadsheet Alphabet' set using 'Melon Mambo', 'Tempting Turquoise', 'Daffodil Delight' and 'Rich Razzleberry' ink. I punched these out using the '1-3/8" Circle Punch' and then layered these onto 'Regal Rose','Tempting Turquoise', 'Daffodil Delight' and 'Rich Razzleberry' '1-3/8" Circles' to create the good luck sentiment. I finally finished off this card with a little bit of bling! Adding some 'Basic Rhinestones' to the card!!

I wish Cate the best of luck with her plans!! Don't forget if you would like to make an order feel free to email me: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Happy Birthday Marg!

Today is my step-mums birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARG!! I made her a card in her favourite colour, which translates in Stampin' Up! language: 'Wisteria Wonder'.

I have Jade to thank for this design as i made it at her 'Card For All Occassions' card class. On a 'Wisteria Wonder' base we 'Clear Embossed' the 'Medallion' image twice to create a beautifully elegant background. (Notice i placed a large 'Basic Rhinestone' in the centre of one of the medallions.
We then ran some beautiful 'Whisper White' 'Organza Ribbon' around the card tying it in a knot at the front.

Next we ran some 'Whisper White' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Top Note', then ran it through again using the 'Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder' to add some texture. We added some 'Basic Rhinestones' to the centre of the flowers, and stamped the sentiment from the 'Petite Pairs' set using 'Wisteria Wonder' ink. Finally we cut aroud the perforated edge of the 'Whisper White' 'Top Note' and then mounted it onto another 'Top Note' cut from  silver mirror card (non-stampin' up) and glued this over the ribbon to secure it into place!

I hope Marg likes this card and has a brilliant day!!

Nautical Fathers Day Card!!

So it's Fathers Day this weekend coming - so have you brought/ made your cards yet? If not heres a little inspiration for you! I CASE'd this card from a Catherine Poolers blog i have recently come across! it's fab for ideas! The card i have to show you today features 'The Open Sea' stampset from the 'Summer Mini Catalogue'. I have slightly altered Catherines design - here it is:

On a 'Crumbcake' cardbase i stamped the large image from the stampset in two corners to create a background  (using 'Crumbcake' ink) and then right at the bottom of the card i stamped the 'happy fathers day' sentiment from the 'Teeny Tiny Wishes' set in 'Night Of Navy' ink. Next on a strip of 'Crumbcake' i stamped the anchor image from the set using 'Night Of Navy' and 'Cherry Cobbler' ink and placed three 'Basic Rhinestones' to add a little bling! I snipped this strip of card at the bottom and then mounted it onto a larger strip of 'Cherry Cobbler' card.

I just love 'The Open Sea' stampset - it is completely perfect to make cards for men:

The great thing about this card is with a quick change of sentiment this card could be used for another occassion - a perfect masculine card!

If you'd like to make an order email me today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Silver Embossed Wedding RSVP Card!

Hey all, seems like 2012 is a life-changing year for many - with lots of babies due and lots of people tying the knot!! Our friends Jen and Andy got married on Friday in Sicily!! Lucky them!! I've already seen a few pics and they looked stunning on their day! They're off on honeymoon for three weeks now, but have arranged a second wedding reception on their return. So today i have the RSVP card i sent to them to confirm our attendance (assuming baby Tiddlywink doesn't make an early arrival!!)

This card was super quick to make and would be a perfect make for wedding invites!! (I have to be honest this card was made at Jades and i was being incredibly lazy - Jade was sitting next to the 'Heat Embossing Tool' and so she actually pretty much made this card on my orders!! So thanks Jade!!) Onto a piece of 'Rich Razzleberry' cardstock 'we' stamped the 'Medallion' stamp using 'Versamark' and then embossed it with 'Silver Embossing Powder' and then fixed it using the 'Heat Embossing Tool', placing a 'Basic Rhinestone' in the centre! The RSVP sentiment is from the wonderful 'Wedding Sweet' set, which has also been heat embossed! This was mounted onto a 'Basic Grey' cardbase!!

Are you planning on making or designing your own wedding invites? Why not email me and i can offer you some hints and advice!! amyjtidd@gmail.com

A Rainbow Coloured Birthday Card!

Hey all, Happy Easter! Hope you are enjoying the weekend! I certainly am! Had such a fab day yesterday went out for a personal shopping experience and got a new dress, shoes, bag!! hehe! Such a treat! I also spent the afternoon/ evening yesterday with my family and had a yummy curry!! Good times :)

Today we're spending some time with hubbys family and i'm sure we'll be eating lots of chocolate!! yummy!!

I have a card to share with you today that my upline Cate gave me last month for my birthday and features  yummhy products from the Spring Mini Catalogue - remember these products are only available until the end of the month - so get your order in soon!!

Cate used the 'Borderlines' stampset (Page 13 of the mini catalogue) and several Stampin' Up! inks to create the background onto a piece of 'Whisper White', which she mounted onto a 'Crumb Cake' cardbase.

She stamped the sentiment (from the 'Sincere Salutation' set) onto a piece of 'Whisper White' which she punched out with the 'Large Scallop Circle Punch' (Page 22 of the mini catty) She drew on some extra detail with a 'Stampin' Write Marker' and then added some bling with some 'Basic Rhinestones'. She placed this on the multicoloured background using some 'Dimensionals' to create a 3D effect!

Thanks Cate for such a beautifully bright card! And don't forget - if you wanna get your crafty mits on any of these products you need to get an order in before April! Hurry, Hurry! Email your order over to me: amyjtidd@gmail.com (Don't forget orders over £45 will recieve a FREE pack of DSP and just for the rest of the Easter hols i will offer FREE P&P (usually £4.95) on all orders over £30.

For my Birthday Twin!

Woo hoo!! IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!! So looking forward to going out for a meal tonight with some of my bestest friends!!

Today i have a card to share with you that i have made for a good friend of mine, who also shares the same birthday as me - all the best people are born on the 12th March!! So happy birthday Cate!!

I started with a 'Very Vanilla' cardbase. I wrapped a piece of 'Baja Breeze' 'Seaming Ribbon' around a  piece of 'DSP' from the 'Beau Chateau Collection' and glued it onto the card base. Next i ran a piece of 'Very Vanilla' through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Manhatten Rose Embossing Folder'. I handsnipped the design and cut out the roses, layering them onto the DSP. I was originally going to put a sentiment on the front, but couldn't work out where to pop it so ended up popping it in the inside. Instead i placed three blingy 'Basic Rhinestones' on the front!

I'm not sure if i will have time to deliver this to Cate tomorrow so i may have to give her this on Wednesday at work. I hope you have a brilliant day!! 

Cate's 'Outlined Occasions' Card

Hey all, hope you're having a good week. Today i have a card to share with you that Cate designed and shared with us at Jades crafty gathering last Saturday. It featured the wonderful 'Sale-a-bration' stampset 'Outlined Occasions':

On a strip of 'Wisteria Wonder' we randomly stamped the small flower from the 'Fruit & Flowers' stampset in 'Wisteria Wonder' ink to create a background. On the centre of this piece of card we stamped the 'thanks' sentiment from the 'Outlined Occasions' set in 'Versamark' and then 'White Embossed' it.  We coloured in the sentiment using a 'Perfect Plum' 'Stampin' Write Marker'. We punched three small flowers from the 'Itty Bitty Punch Pack' and glued them randomly in place, finishing them off with some 'Basic Rhinestones' to add a little bling!

We glued this onto a piece of 'Whisper White' and then each side we pierced some holes using the 'Paper Piercing Tool' and the 'Mat Pack' to make sure the lines are all nice and straight!! Finally we glued this onto a 'Wisteria Wonder' cardbase!!

I just love this card and the design! Thanks Cate! It's a great way of showcasing the fab 'Sale-a-bration' set that is available at the moment!! Don't forget you can earn this stampset for FREE, just by making a qualifying order of £45 or more. But don't forget the sale-a-bration promotion is only on until the end of the month so you'll have to get your order in soon. Email it over today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

A note of thanks from Jade!

A couple of weeks i helped Jade out at her craft coffee morning - i say helped i didn't really at all - i 'supervised' the make and take table but all of her guests knew what they were doing so i got to make a lovely card myself (see my Valentines Day post to view the card we made!)

To say thankyou for my assistance Jade gave me this beautiful card made with the 'Just Believe' stampset:

The cardbase for this make is 'Crumb Cake', on which she has layered some 'Tempting Turquoise DSP' on which she has rounded the corners usig the 'Corner Rounder'. She stamped the image and sentiment using in 'Early Espresso' ink onto some 'Whisper White' card, adding some 'Basic Rhinestones' to add a little bling! She finished off the card with a little (non-Stampin' Up! ribbon)

Jade, for some reason seems to think that i dislike the 'Just Believe' stampset - but she couldn't be more wrong. She has made so many beautiful projects with it that i'm completely in love with it! It's a completely versatile set and the sentiments within it means you can make a card for almost any occassion with it. This stampset can be found on page 61 of the catty!!

Don't forget if you want to make an order just drop me an email: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Celebrate 'Outlined Occasions' stampset!!

Woo hoo! Today is worth celebrating - it's my first day of half-term!! I'm hoping to have lots of time for crafting and can't wait to share with you all of my creations!

Today i have another card to share with you using the fab 'Outlined Occasions' stampset:

This is a 'Lucky Limeade' cardbase, which i have stamped the 'Dots, Dots, Dots' onto it to create a background. Next i ran some 'Basic Black' card through the 'Big Shot' , cleverly using the 'Bigz scallop Square Die' i created this central shape. On which i stamped the 'celebrate' sentiment from the 'Outlined Occasions' set using 'Versamark' and then 'Heat Embossed' it using 'Silver Embossing Powder' and then coloured it in using a 'White Uniball Signo Gel Pen'.

The two stars were made from 'Daffodil Delight' card, very cleverly using the '5-Petal Flower Punch', which i straightened each of the flower petals to transform it into a star shape!! Clever huh?! (Alternatively if you have a retired Stampin' Up! 'Star Punch' you could use that instead.) These were glued into place and then finally i added a bit of bling to the card with a couple of 'Basic Rhinestones'.

Check back tomorrow for a Valentine card created using the 'Outlined Occasion' stampset... if you haven't made a card for your loved one yet i think it should give you some inspiration!!

Mini Catalogue and Sale-A-Bration Coffee Morning: 28th January

Hi all!! What a lovely day i have had!! This morning i hosted my crafty coffee morning in celebration of the new spring catalogue and the sale-a-bration promotion! It was completely hectic but totally enjoyable!! I'd like to thanks the following lovely ladies for attending:

Jade, Suzanne, Audrey, Lucy, Jamie, Kirsty, Katie, Cate, Charmaine, Susan, Claire, Ruth, Poppy and Laura
As well as some lovely people who sadly couldn't be there but made orders:

Jane, Stephanie-Emma and Hannah.

It was a lovely morning involving tea, coffee, chocolates and of course CRAFTING!! Most of the ladies are experienced crafters and so adapted the fairly simple make and take project and made it their own!!

So here is the original card - designed by the wonderfully talented Jade (as i have been super busy with being lazy and pregnant!!) Don't know what i would do without Jade she has been AMAZING!! Thankyou! :

The card is a 'Whisper White' cardbase, with a strip of 'DSP' running down the middle - handsnipped to create a snakes tongue style flag. The cupcake componants were stamped using the 'Create a Cupcake' stampset using 'Rose Red' and 'Wild Wasabi' (for the cherry) 'So Saffron' (for the icing) and 'Pool Party' for the cupcake case) These were then punched out using the 'Cupcake Punch' and stuck down using 'Dimensionals' to create a 3D effect. The sentiment is also from the 'Create a Cupcake' stampset, inked in 'Pool Party' and then punched out using the 'Word Window Punch'. Finally Jade placed three' Basic Rhinestones' down the righthand bottom corner!! Such a fab card - and with a change of sentiment would suit plenty of alternative occassions!!

And here are a few pics taken from today's event:

First up Kirsty and her take on the project - a lovely valentines card:

For this design she used a 'Whisper White' base, ran a strip of 'Melon Mambo' 'DSP' across the card. The valentine sentiment is from the 'Teeny Tiny Wishes' stampset and punched out using the 'Word Window Punch' with a couple of 'Basic Pearls' each side. Above she created a cupcake using the 'Create a Cupcake' stampset and the 'Cupcake Punch' and i love the way she has used the 'Two Way Glue Pen' and applied lots of 'Dazzling Diamond Glitter' to her design!!!

Next up is Ruthie!!:

Ruth kept the design suite close to the original adding of course a little extra bling!! She changed the sentiment at the bottom of her card to alternative one from the 'Create a Cupcake' stampset and then using 'Stampin' Write Markers' she stamped a candle either side of the sentiment - and most impressively she did this WITHOUT  a 'Stamp-a-ma-jig'!!!

And heres a couple of pics of the lovely ladies getting a crafty and making the make and take project:

And the crafting also spilled to other parts of the living room with 'Big Shot' demos:

Finally i have to share with you Suzanne and Lucy's creations - both relatively new to crafting you wouldn't know it:

On the left is Lucy's creation - i just love the extra sprinkle detail she has added with the stamp from the set and the glitter she has applied to the cupcake icing and around the edge of the 'Word Window'!! and that cherry in the corner of the card is so cute!! And to the right is Suz's card - similar to the original but totally glitterflied!! Love, love, love!!

Thankyou once again to everyone who attended, crafted and made orders!! Hopefully your new products will be with you ASAP so you can get creating!! I know several of you are keen to get your crafty mits on your FREE sale-a-bration sets!!

If you couldn't make it today it is not too late to make an order to recieve a free sale-a-bration goody of your own! Email your order today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

A perfect Christmas Gift: Another Post-it Gift!

Hi all! Hope you're having a fab weekend so far! After a very long and stressful week at work i have been totally relaxing today! Lots and lots of crafting! I have completed a card commission order of 25 cards (which i will post on here once i have delivered to the client!) and also been working on batches of Christmas cards and one or two gifts! Can't wait to share them all with you!!

Today i have another post-it note gift to share with you. (Look at yesterdays post for details on how to make these)

This post-it gift has been created by Jade using some lovely 'Melon Mambo' card, which has been randomly stamped with the cute little crown image from the 'Clearly For You' stamp set, using 'Rich Razzleberry' ink. Jade stamped another little crown onto a small square of 'Whisper White', as well as the 'friend' and 'things' sentiment selectively inked from the 'Just Believe' set. This was mounted on some 'Melon Mambo' 'DSP', then layered onto a larger 'Whisper White' (again randomly stamped with crowns!) and then just finally mounted onto a 'Melon Mambo' 'DSP' square! Jade blinged it up with some (non-stampin' up) diamantes - but you can of course use some 'Basic Rhinestones'.

Here's the open product:

So why not get your crafting kit out and make a few of these for stocking fillers or gifts for friends?! You can of course change colours/ designs depending on the recipient!!

If you like the look of the stamp sets featured - why not buy yourself an early christmas pressie! Email me over your order today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Just Believe Notelet Gift Box

Last week i shared with you a lovely gift idea - a box with a set of handmade cards featuring the 'Just Believe' stampset. Today i have a similar project - a cute little box with a set of notelets:

Here's a close up of the beautiful box. Created with 'Early Espresso', 'Marina Mist' and 'Whisper White' cardstock:

The image and sentiment are both from the 'Just Believe' stampset, and have been inked in 'Marina Mist' and 'Chocolate Chip', a couple of 'Basic Rhinestones' have been placed in the centre to add a bit of bling!!

Heres a pic of the box open:

This box is known as a pizza box, there are plenty of templates online if you would like to create one of these. 

And now for the cute little notelets:

An 'Early Espresso' cardbase, the image has been stamped several times with 'Early Espresso' ink. Some 'Whisper White' 'Satin Ribbon' has been wrapped around. The Friends sentiment has been stamped onto some 'Whisper White' card using 'Early Espresso' and 'Marina Mist' 'Stampin' Write Markers' and then hand-snipped. Finally a teeny tiny 'Basic Rhinestone' has been placed in the centre of the flower.

This second notelet is a 'Crumb Cake' cardbase. The image has been stamped using 'Early Espresso' ink, with some 'Basic Rhinestones' to bling it up! The sentiment was stamped onto some 'Marina Mist' card, punched out using the '1-3/4" Circle Punch', scrunched up a bit and placed on a strip of 'Whisper White' card, edged with the 'Eyelet Border Punch'.

This final notelet has been made from 'Marina Mist', the image (using 'Marina Mist' ink) has been stamped onto 'Whisper White' card, the thankyou sentiment was then inked over it using 'Early Espresso' ink (layering up is easy using a 'Stamp-a-ma-jig') This was layered onto some 'DSP'. The cute little flower was punched out using the 'Boho Blossom Punch', and placed a 'Basic Rhinestone' in the centre.

I think you'll agree this little notelet box gift is another fab project showcasing the 'Just Believe' stampset. A Stampin' Up! colleague of mine Jade came up with this super little project - isn't she clever!!!

If you would like to purchase any of the materials used in this project - or any other Stampin' Up! products drop me an email: amyjtidd@gmail.com It's not too late to get your orders in for Christmas!!

Just Believe Cards With Giftbox

Hi guys! It's Friday! So relieved and really looking forward to the weekend! I have lots of crafting in store!

Today i have a fab handmade gift idea to share with you - a lovely box full of handmade giftcards, using the lovely 'Just Believe' stampset:

Such a beautiful and versatile stampset i think you'll agree, and you can use it in some many ways - this project really showcases its versatility well:

The box is made from 'Crumb Cake' cardstock, and uses the '1/2" circle' Punch to create an opening device. (There's lots of templates online) The lid uses 'Rich Razzleberry DSP', 'Old Olive DSP' and 'Basic Rhinestones' to bling it up! The 'Some Things Have To Be Believed' sentiment was inked using 'Old Olive' and 'Rich Razzleberry' 'Stampin' Write Markers', and features a little loop of 'Whisper White' 'Satin Ribbon'. Here's a close up of the box:

And here's the cards that go inside:

This 1st card has a 'Crumb Cake' base, features some 'Old Olive DSP' and the image is stamped onto 'Whisper White' card using 'Rich Razzleberry' ink, and finally finished off with some 'Rich Razzleberry' 'Satin Ribbon'.

This 2nd card is a 'Whisper White' card base'. The image has been stamped using 'Old Olive' and 'Rich Razzleberry' 'Stampin' Write Markers' and has been stamped twice. The sentiment has been inked using 'Rich Razzleberry' and punched out using '1-3/4" Circle Punch'.

This 3rd card features a 'Crumb Cake' cardbase, the image has been stamped three times using 'Crumb Cake' ink. The 'thankyou' sentiment has been inked using 'Old Olive' and 'Rich Razzleberry' 'Stampin' Write Markers' and then handsnipped out and layered onto a square of 'Old Olive DSP'.

This final card is a 'Whisper White' cardbase. A strip of 'Rich Razzleberry DSP' and some torn 'Old Olive' card has been glued down the lefthand side of the card and some 'Whisper White' 'Satin Ribbon' has been tied around it. The 'just for you' sentiment has been stamped on the card base using 'Old Olive' and 'Rich Razzleberry' 'Stampin' Write Markers'. (Lined up using the trusty 'Stamp-a-ma-jig'.

What a fab colour combo this is! Jade (a fellow demonstrator) came up with wonderful project - don't you think it would be a lovely gift to send to someone over christmas. People are always having to buy cards, so why not make some for them - a perfect gift, especially for someone who finds it difficult to get out to the shops and buy cards for themselves!

It's not too late to get an order in to buy some crafty materials to make some gifts like these. The catalogue is on the righthand side of this blog. Make your list and email your order over: amyjtidd@gmail.com

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!!)

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!)

Girly Pillow Box!

Today i have a lovely 'Pillow Box' to share with you. I made it to pop my friend good friend Lucy's birthday present in!

It has been made out of 'Regal Rose' cardstock, ran through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Pillow Box Die'. Before constructing it i randomly stamped (in 'Melon Mambo' ink) lots of girly images (flowers, perfume bottles, handbags and princess crowns) all from the 'Every Little Bit' stampset and then coloured some of the little hearts in using my 'Melon Mambo' 'Stampin' Write Marker' and embellished with some 'Basic Rhinestones' for a little bit of bling!

The 'Pillow Box Die' is a must have for the Christmas season! It's perfect for popping in small gifts and you can customise each one depending upon the recipient - and the best thing of all is that they work out so cheap to make!! Make an order and get your Die in time for Christmas!!!