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!!!!

Happy Birthday Aunty Jim!

Yesterday was my sisters birthday! See yesterdays blogpost to see the card that i made for her... however i couldn't resist making a card for her from bump... My sisters name is Jamie - but we often shorten it to Jim - so she WILL be known as Auntie Jim!!! Hehe!

So here is the card from baby Tiddlywink:

On a 'Old Olive' base i layered some 'Pacific Point' 'DSP' to create the background. Then on a piece of 'Whisper White' i stamped my sister and baby Tiddlywink - using the 'All in the Family' stampset and the trusty 'Stamp-a-ma-jig' to ensure all the components are lined up well! I coloured them in using a selction of 'Stampin' Write Markers'.

Next on a piece of 'Whisper White' i stamped the 'to my' and 'aunt' words from the 'For My Family' set using 'Pacific Point' ink. I punched it out using the 'Decorative Label Punch' and then mounted it on a 'Pacific Point' 'DSP' 'Decorative Label'.

Finally i used the 'Big Shot' and the 'Timeless Type Alphabet Dies' to create the 'Jim' from 'Old Olive' card!

I know Jamie can't wait to be and Auntie and hope she loved this card from her little nephew-to-be!!

Wedding Invites!!

You may recall on several of my blogposts that i have mentioned that i have been helping out Jade's friend Tori create her wedding invitations. Well tonight we had yet another impromptu crafty get together to work on operation wedding invites... i think we have almost finished now and Tori has given me permission to share her beautiful designs with you all. So here they are:

 

As you can see Tori has gone with an autuminal theme. She used some 'Peach Parfait' card which has been embossed with the 'Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder'and then we've placed some 'Basic Rhinestones' in the centre of the flowers. You will see that the V&A has been inked in the co-ordinating inks ('Pear Pizzazz' and 'Peach Parfait') using the 'Monogram Sweet Alphabet' stampset onto 'Whisper White' cardstock, which has been punched out using the 'Decorative Label Punch' and then bordered on some 'Pear Pizzazz' card (also cut out using the 'Decorative Label' punch. All of this had been mounted on a 'Crumbcake' cardbase. Finally two holes have been punched at the bottom of the card using the trusty 'Crop-a-dile' and then some 'Pear Pizzazz' 'Seam Binding Ribbon' has been used to tie the cards up ready to be sent!! We have now as a group create over 70 of these cards!! Which sounds like a lot, but with an productive production line hasn't taken too long!!

 

 

 

Don't you just love the design!! Making your own wedding invites may sound daunting but with a little advice and some patience anyone can make them - and at leat you know you're going to get exactly what you want! (And it works out much cheaper too!!)

 

If you'd like some advice on creating your own wedding invites then drop me an email: amyjtidd@gmail.com

'Packed For Birthday' Card!

Hey all, a very late post for me - i have recently turned nocturnal. I'm almost 28 weeks pregnant now and finding it increasingly difficult to sleep.

I've just got back from my crafty pal Jade's house, we had a lovely eating, scoffing pizza and eton mess, making a few new cards from the new mini catty and we helped Jade's friends Tori and Macca make 60 wedding invites - so all in all a very productive craftfest!!

Tonight i had a chance to play with the brilliant 'A la Carte; stamp 'Packed For Birthday'. If you don't own that many crafty bits and are looking for one versatile birthday stamp to get you started this may be the stamp for you...

It's one stamp that can be used as a whole or you can use all the different componants! And for just £8.95 i think it is complete value for money!!

So tonight i have a card that uses this stamp as a whole:

On an 'Elegant Eggplant' base i layered a piece of 'Old Oliver' which i ran through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder'. Next i stamped the sentiment - from the 'Happiest Birthday Wishes' (using 'Elegant Eggplant' ink onto some 'Whisper White' card and punched it out using the 'Decorative Label Punch' and then layered a strip of 'Elengant Eggplant card.

On a piece of 'Whisper White' i stamped the 'Packed For Birthday' stamp in 'Basic Black' ink, coloured it in using a range of 'Stampin' Write Markers' and mounted it onto a piece of 'Old Olive Card. Before gluing it onto the 'Elegant Eggplant' card i punched out two 'Old Olive' 'Decorative Labels', punching a whole in each using the 'Crop-a-dile' and then placing a 'Rich Razzleberry' 'Brad'  and placed them underneath.

If you would like to purchase this stampset (or any other products from the main or summer mini catalogue - see electronic versions on the righthand side of this blog) then email over your order straight away: amyjtidd@gmail.com

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!)

A Regal Colour Pallette Card.

Today i have a card that i have made that is not my usual kinda card. To be honest i usually stick to the Stampin' Up! 'Brights', 'Subtles' and 'In Colour' collections. But i recently did a recce of my cardstock and realised i had a lot of 'Regal' card that i have barely touched. So i decided to go out of my comfort zone and create a card with this range of colours:

This card was inspired by a card made by Catherine Pooler and love the way the 'Decorative Label Punch' is used to create a border! It started life as a 'Bravo Burgundy' cardbase. The 'DSP' used in this project is from the 'Paisley Petals' collection and i have used some 'More Mustard' card punched out using 'Decorative Label Punch' to create the border along the side of the card.

On a strip of 'Very Vanilla' cardstock i stamped the congrats sentiment from the 'Tagtastic' stampset (available as a hostess set) using 'Bravo Burgundy' and 'Baja Breeze' 'Stampin' Write Markers'. I mounted this onto a slightly wider 'More Mustard' card and finally finished off the card by threading some 'Linen Thread' though a 'Marina Mist' 'Designer Button'.

I love this card and it was such a quick make! I will definately be using this layout in the future and i love finding a new way to use my 'Decorative Label Punch'!

If you like any of the products used within this project then why not make an order. Email one over today: amyjtidd@gmail.com and don't forget you will recieve a FREE pack of 'DSP' (RRP £9.95) with all orders of £45 or over! And for the month of April i will also offer FREE P&P (usually £4.95) direct to your door with all orders over £45! This is an exclusive offer to MY customers!!

Good Bye Sale-A-Bration :(

Hi everyone, just to let you all know today is the LAST day you can make a sale-a-bration order. So you must get your order in ASAP if you want to earn an exclusive stampset or pack of paper for FREE.

Today i have one final card to share with you using the products:

Onto a 'Pear Pizzazz' cardbase, i layered a piece of 'Whisper White'. Onto this i layered a piece of the beautiful 'Everyday Enchantment DSP' and then a smaller piece of ' Calypso Coral' card that has been ran through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Square Lattice Embossing Folder'. I then ran a piece of 'Calypso Coral' 'Ruffled Ribbon' along the centre.

Next onto a piece of 'Whisper White' card i stamped the thanks sentiment from the fab 'Sale-a-bration' stampset 'Outlined Occassions' set (using 'Pear Pizzazz' ink), i mounted this onto a piece of 'Calypso Coral' card and then a piece of 'Pear Pizzazz' card that has been embossed using the 'Big Shot' and the 'Square Lattice Embossing Folder'. Before securing this into place using  some 'Dimensionals' to create a 3D effect, i stamped the 'so very much' sentiment (also from the 'Outlined Occassions' set) onto some 'Pear Pizazz' card, which i punched out using the 'Decorative Label Punch' and glued this into place!

I gave this card to a fab friend and colleague Hannah who has been wonderfully supportive over the last couple of weeks. I hope she has a very restful Easter holiday!!

If you're desperate to make a sale-a-bration order and you're a regular customer best of calling/ texting me to ensure i get your message. New customers email me (with your contact details) and hopefully i will get it in time and process your order before this evening: amyjtidd@gmail.com

But don't you worry - tomorrow i have a very exciting April promotion to share with you!! Check back tomorrow!!

A Sale-a-bration Easel Card!

Hey all, busy day today - first one back to work after my illness. I'll let you know how i get on!

Today i have an easel card to share with you featuring three of the five SALE-A-BRATION products that are going at the end of the week - boo hoo!!

The cardbase is 'Crumb Card'. I layered two pieces of the 'Everyday Enchantment DSP'. The 'Thanks' sentiment comes from the 'Outlined Occassions' SAB stampset, inked in 'Pear Pizzazz' onto 'Pear Pizzazz' Card and then punched out with the 'Decorative Label Punch', it's raised using 'Dimensionals' to make a prop for the card. I stamped the flower image from the 'Fresh vintage' SAB stampset - inked using several 'Stampin' Write Markers' ('Pool Party', 'Pear Pizzazz', 'Poppy Parade' and 'Peach Parfait') onto 'Very Vanilla' card and mounted onto some 'Pear Pizzazz'.

Check out the SALE-A-BRATION stampsets and papers in the leaflet on the righthand side of this blog. It's not too late to own one, two or three of them yourself - all you have to do is make a qualifying order of £45 to get them for FREE! Email me today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Happy Anniversary Suz and Andy!

What a busy couple of days!! Yesterday was my birthday - last night we went out for a scrummy meal and this morning we had our 20 week scan. Baby Tiddlywink was very very lazy to start off with but soon woke up!!

Today is also special at is our good friend Andy and Suz's Anniversary! So here is the card i made for them:

The card is a 'Baja Breeze' base, with a piece of 'Basic Black' layered ontop. On that i glued a piece of 'Marina Mist' which i ran through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Polkadot Embossing Folder' to create some texture. The moon was created from a piece of 'Whisper White' punched out using the '1-3/4" Circle Punch'. I then punched two owls from 'Basic Black' card and some branches using the 'Two-Step Bird Punch'. The 'just for you' sentiment is from the 'Tagtastic' stampset, inked in 'Basic Black', i coloured the small flowers from 'Marina Mist' 'Stampin' Write Markers' and then a few teeny tiny 'Basic Pearls' in the centre of them! I punched this out using the 'Decorative Label Punch' and bordered with a 'Basic Black' 'Decorative Label'.

I hope Andy and Suz have had a fab day!

Pip's 'Ornate Flower' card!

Today i have a card to share with you that was designed by another fellow demonstrator Pip (AKA Queen Pip!) We made this at Jades crafty day last Saturday:

Although not visable in this photo the cardbase has been created from some 'Confetti White' cardstock (see page 95 of the main catalogue). We ran a piece of 'Pumpkin Pie' 'DSP along the bottom with a strip of 'Lucky Limeade' 'Ruffled Ribbon'. The 'get well soon' sentiment is from the 'Sincere Salutations' stampset, inked using 'Lucky Limeade' and 'Pumpkin Pie' Stampin' Write Markers' onto some 'Whisper White' card, punched out using the 'Decorative Label Punch' and then bordered with a 'Lucky Limeade' 'Decorative Label Punch'.

On the card base we stamped four of the images from the 'Ornate Flowers' set in 'Pumpkin Pie' ink to create a background. On a seperate piece of 'Whisper White' we stamped the framed flower image from the 'Ornate Flowers' set in 'Lucky Limeade' ink. We bordered this onto a piece of 'Lucky Limeade' card and glued this to the card using 'Dimensionals' to create a 3D effect!!

I love the colour combo Pip has used in this design! Don't you?!

Make-It-Show: Farnborough Review!!

Hey all!! I hope you all had a good weekend - i had the most amazing weekend all in all! Hubby was away on a stag do and i had a jam packed few days and yes...it did include a lot of CRAFTING!!

Yesterday i went to the Make-it Show in Farnborough, with my sister and had sooooooooooooo much fun!! I really restrained myself and didn't but too much. I did however have a go at lots of new types of crafts which i want to share with you today in my blogpost!

Those of you who visited the show will know that Stampin' Up! had a stall and there was a fabby make and take project that was designed by the ladies. I just couldn't resist giving it a go myself:

I just love the colour combo used within this project: the cardbase is the beautiful 'Rich Razzleberry' on which we stamped a flower from the 'Ornate Flowers' set over (also in 'Rich Razzleberry') to create the background!

On a piece of 'Very Vanilla' piece of card we stamped the flower again, inking it using the 'Old Olive' and 'Rich Razzleberry' 'Stampin' Write Markers'. We tied a note in a piece of 'Very Vanilla' 'Satin Ribbon' and fixed that in place! We layered this onto a piece of 'Marina Mist' card edged each side with the 'Scallop Trip Border Punch'. Finally we stamped the sentiment from the 'Sincere Salutations' set, using 'Old Olive' ink. We punched this out using the 'Decorative Label' punch and then layered it on a 'Marina Mist' 'Decorative Label' cut in half! I just love this card design and think the ladies really showcased the products fantastically!! They were working so hard on the stall when i visited i hope they're having a restful day today to recover!!

Now... not only did we papercraft but we also got to have a go at a few other types of crafts whilst there! For those who follow the blog regularly you will know that i'm pretty much a pure papercraft girl, but i'm really proud with my other creations!!

Firstly we had a go at Decoupage and i created this butterfly:

I haven't quite finished this off, i intend to place something pink and sparkly down the centre and loop some pink ribbon to hang it up! Not bad for a first attempt!!

But i think i saved the best for last! We attended an Acrylic Folk Painting class and this is the final result:

My sister also made one, here is her creation:

I brought a third one from the lovely lady who demo'd and intend to hang tall three in my baby's nursery!! I'm so happy with the final result and still cannot believe that i have created something so beautiful!!

Before i go i just have to thank Jane Willis once again for her generous gift of the Make-It Show tickets!! I definately used them well and had a brilliant day!!

Angry Bird Pig Card!!

Hey all, hope you're having a good week! I'm on halfterm at the moment and having a pretty relaxing week. I'm off this afternoon for lunch with hubby, my sister and my nan. But before i go i want to share with you another Angry Birds inspired card that i made for my hubby's other twin brother, James. (It was their birthday yesterday.)

This card features an Angry Bird pig:

This card started life as a 'Soft Suede' cardbase. On a piece of 'Whisper White' i sponged 'Bashful Blue' ink all over using a 'Sponge Dauber' and the icing part of the 'Cupcake Punch' as a template to create the cloud effect. Along the bottom of the piece of white i glued in place a strip of 'Garden Green' card, handsnipped to create a grass effect.

The pig himself was created from 'Pear Pizzazz' card (and some tiny snippets of 'Whisper White' and 'Basic Black') and a range of punches: '1-3/8" Circle Punch', '1/2" Circle Punch', 'Owl Punch' and the 'Crop-a-Dile' (to create his nostrils and eyes). I drew on by hand his eyebrows and his pupils with a 'Basic Black' 'Stampin' Write Marker'.

The wooden structure was created from some 1cm strips of 'Soft Suede' card glued into place.

The sentiment is from the fab 'Sale-a-bration' stampset 'Elementary Elegance', stamped using 'Soft Suede' ink onto some 'Whisper White' card and then punched out using the 'Decorative Label' punch. I bordered the sentiment using 'Pear Pizzazz' card and the 'Decorative Label' punch.

The twins seemed very impressed with their Angry bird inspired birthday cards! Why not get your punches out and have a go at some punchart! You'll be amazed what you can create from a few punches used in a creative way!!

Don't have any punches to play with? Then why not browse through the Stampin' Up! catalogue and treat yourself!! Don't forget if you make an order before the end of March and it is £45 or more you will also be entitled to a FREE stampset or pack of papers. (I will also give you FREE P&P - RRP £4.95 - this is a CraftythINKer customer exclusive!) Email your order over today: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Yummy Scrummy Cupcakes!!

For some reason Blogger didn't post this last night as scheduled ... so just had to prompt it now ... Sorry regular CraftyThINKer followers!! You'll get two for one tonight!

Hey all!

Today i have ANOTHER cupcake card for you - i have to be honest i think i'm addicted to the 'Cupcake Punch'!! So here you go:

So, today a 'Tempting Turquoise' cardbase with a strip of 'Tempting Turquoise' 'DSP' across the middle. The sentiment is from the 'Happiest Birthday Wishes' stampset, inked in 'Tempting Turquoise' onto 'Whisper White' card and then mounted onto some 'Daffodil Delight' punched with the 'Decorative Label Punch' and then positioned in the bottom righthand corner of the card. Next i ran some 'Daffodil Delight' card through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Perfect Pennant Die', layered up a 'Tempting Turquoise' '1-3/4" circle' ontop. The cupcake was created using the yummy scrummy 'Cupcake Punch' created from some 'Daffodil Delight DSP', 'Tempting Turquoise' card and some 'Whisper White' card for the icing on which i have added some sprinkle detail on using some 'Stampin' Write Markers'.

Hope you like this card and the cupcakes as much as me!! Check out the mini catalogue today. If you would like to make an order email it over to me: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Happy Birthday Butterfly Card!

Oh, it's so near to the end of the Christmas term! Just one more day to go! I've had a lovely day today, some teaching during the day and then out for a scrummy meal with a group of students who volunteer in a local primary school reading mentor scheme that i help run!

However it is a bit Christmas overload at the mo so it is nice to share a non-Christmas card with you today. this is one of the cards that i made to pop in the card tote that i sent off to Spain for my hubby's grandparents for Christmas:

This card is a 'Very Vanilla' cardbase. I ran some 'Rich Razzleberry' 'DSP' through the 'Big Shot' using the 'Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die' to create the butterfly. I glued this onto a square of 'Old Olive' card and then mounted that onto a 'Rich Razzleberry one and then glued this onto the cardbase. On a seperate scrap of 'Very Vanilla' card i stamped the sentiment (from the 'Happiest Birthday Wishes' stampset) using 'Rich Razzleberry' ink. I punched this out using a 'Decorative Label Punch' and then mounted this onto some 'Old Olive' decorative labels to create a bordered effect. I punched two holes into it using the 'Crop-a-dile' and threaded some 'Rich Razzleberry' 'Grosgrain Ribbon' through and stuck it in place using some super red 'Sticky Tape'. I added a couple of 'Basic Pearls' onto the butterfly for a little bit of bling!!

Hope you like! Have a lovely evening - stay in the warm - it's pretty chilly out there - it may even snow!!!

Jolly Santa Punch-art!!

Hi all, hope you're having a great weekend. It's been a pretty chilled one for me and it has been kinda nice. Today i have a fabby Santa punchart card to share with you!

This jolly Santa was made from a '1-3/8" Circle' of 'Blushing Bride' cardstock for his face and a 'Whisper White' 'Scallop Circle' for his beard! This hat was made from some 'Real Red' cardstock trimmed to size (as was the 'Whisper White' trim) The little pompom on his hat and his nose was made using the 'Owl Punch' (what would be the owls eyes!) I drew on his eyes with a 'Basic Black' 'Stampin' Write Marker' and made his rosy cheeks from some 'Regal Rose' ink and 'Blender Pen'. I layered Santa onto a piece of 'Old Olive' and then a piece of 'Holly Berry Bouquet DSP'

The cardbase used is 'Real Red'. I ran a piece of 'Old Olive' through the 'Ribbon Lace Punch' and then layered that onto the cardbase and then popped Santa ontop! Finally i stamped the Merry Christmas sentiment from the 'Contempo Christmas' set onto some'Old Olive' card using 'Whisper White' ink and then punched it out using the 'Decorative Label Punch' and then layered it on another 'Decorative Label' punched from some more 'DSP'.

There you go a lovely jolly Santa! This is such a fun card and so easy to make batches of! It is also the perfect card to make this children as there is very little stamping involved!!

It's not too late to get an order in. Drop me an email to make an order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

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!)

Motorcycle Birthday Card - Sorry it's late!

Whilst i was in the Isle of Wight over half term it was my father in laws birthday. Now, i assumed that hubby would take this on board and deliver a card and present - but oh no! Apparently thats my department, so yesterday we went out for a meal to celebrate his belated birthday - and i made him this card to celebrate:

To create this card i cut a piece of 'Well Worn DSP' (a new set of papers - page 99 of the catty) and layered it onto a 'Soft Suede 'cardbase. Next i stamped the motorcycle image using the fab A la Carte 'Motorcycle' stamp - using 'Early Espresso' ink onto some 'Very Vanilla' cardstock - very carefully snipped around it - and coloured it in using my 'Stampin' Write Markers' in the fab new 'in colour' 'Lucky Limeade' and the trusty ' Basic Grey' and then glued it to the 'DSP'.

Finally i stamped the birthday sentiment (perfect for belated birthday cards). It comes from one of the fab new hostess stampsets called 'Happiest Birthday Wishes' - this is a brilliant new stampset that you can get earn for FREE if you host a workshop for you and your friends. (If you think you'd like to do that then email me your number for a no pressure chat: amyjtidd@gmail.com) I punched this sentiment out using the 'Decorative Label' punch. I punched out a second 'Decorative Label' from 'Soft Suede' and mounted the sentiment on it and raised it using 'Dimensionals'.

Do you find it hard to create cards for men? Then why not check out the stampsets in the Stampin' Up! catty - there's lots of cards perfect for making masculine cards!!

To my lovely customers...

Hi everyone, hope you are all well. I'm really not feeling well at the mo. Went to the docs on Monday and i have a throat and ear infection and on antibiotics. I really haven't felt like doing ANYTHING and fortunately have a backstock of projects photographed from our craft retreat to the Isle of Wight to keep the blog going until i'm back up and creatively functioning.

You may remember that on the 22nd October i held a very successful crafty open day at my home, we got lots of orders and raised just over £50 for the Phyllis Tuckwell hospice!! The delivery arrived yesterday and i have made some thankyou cards to thanks my lovely customers:

This card has used the lovely new 'in colours'. The cardbase is 'Pool Party' and i stamped the sentiment (from the 'Sweetheart' stampset) in 'Island Indigo'. Next i cut a strip of 'Whisper White' and stamped the small heart (from the 'Every Little Bit' stampset) three times using 'Calypso Coral', 'Lucky Limeade' and 'Wisteria Wonder'. I then mounted this onto a slightly wider strip of 'Island Indigo'. Before gluing this to the cardbase i punched out a 'Decorative Label' from some 'Calypso Coral' cut it in half, gluing them to the cardbase and then placing the strip of hearts over top.

Nine lovely ladies made orders at my workshop so i had to make lots of these but fortunately they were actually very quick to make!!

These cards were nice and quick to make and i hope my lovely customers like them!! Thankyou to everyone who supports my Stampin' Up business. If you would like to make an order please email me: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Also get in touch if you would like to hold a workshop and either earn money for yourself to spend in the catty or fundraise some money for your favourite charity!!!

I have dates available through November and December - Stampin' Up! goodies are perfect christmas gifts so why not arrange a christmas shopping evening where each attendee can even make a handmade christmas gift for a loved one FOR FREE!! (and there is a special hostess offer for November and December!!!) Email for details: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Craft Open House - 22nd October!

Open House Craft Workshop!

Today was my craft open house! An opportunity to share all the lovely new products from the new catalogue with friends, neighbours and family!

Lots of people popped by to create a lovely christmas card!

Here's my version:

A 'Whisper White' cardbase. The stampset i used for this card is 'Beautiful Season', i stamped the bird onto some 'Whisper White' using 'Early Espresso' ink. I coloured the berries in using a 'Cherry Cobbler' 'Stampin' Write Marker' and then coloured the rest of the image in using 'Blender Pens' and 'Old Olive', 'Real Red' and 'Soft Suede' ink. I placed a couple of 'Basic Pearls in the corner and then used a 'Sponge Dauber' and some 'Early Espresso' ink around the edges and then mounted it onto some 'Cherry Cobbler' card. Next i stamped the sentiment onto some 'Whisper White' and punched it out using the 'Decorative Label Punch'. Finally i used the beautiful 'Lace Ribbon Border' to create the 'Cherry Cobbler' strip! (The stampset has a fab inner verse for the centre of christmas cards too!)

What was lovely is that everyone put their own take on it to illustrate this here's Lucy's card:

A slightly different layout here! She did a fab job using the 'Sponge Dauber' around all the edges and ran some 'Real Red' 'Taffetta Ribbon' through the 'Lace Ribbon Border'! But what impressed me most was how she used the 'Lace Ribbon Border' inside her card:

She used it as a templace to create this design, using a 'Cherry Cobler' 'Stampin' Write Marker' - i just love this idea!!

Not only did we make christmas cards but we also had lots of tea, coffee, cakes, chocolate and sweets!

There was a free prize draw that i invited all 15 attendees to enter. The prize a handmade 'Milk Carton' filled with a selection of 'Brights Designer Buttons' and some Stampin' Up! ribbon. The lucky winner was:

Jane Willis  

I also organised a crafty raffle -with all proceeds going to the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham. The lucky winners were:

Pat Voller

Lucy Allan

Ruth Jones

Jamie Voller

Hannah Roberts

Congratulations ladies! I will deliver your prizes with your order!!

I hope everyone had a lovely time. It's not too late to make an order. If you do i will send you the materials to create 'make and take' project, just so you don't feel left out! One or two attendees needed a day or two to consider their purchases so there is still time to get involved. I will be making the workshop order on Wednesday when i return home from the Isle of Wight - email me your order: amyjtidd@gmail.com

Thanks to everyone who helped to make today a success!!!

Tagtastic Just For You Card!

Today i have a card to share with you that i made for my Father-in-laws partner Elle. It was her birthday recently and i wanted to make a special card for her.

I began with a 'Pretty in Pink' cardbase and then stamped all over it using the circular stamp from the 'Artistic Etchings' stampset (using 'Melon Mambo' ink). The 'just for you' sentiment is from the brilliant 'Tagtastic' stampset - which is one of the new hostess stampsets from the new catalogue! I stamped this (using 'Melon Mambo') onto 'Whisper White' cardstock and then punched it out using the 'Decorative Label Punch'. I then punched out another 'Decorative Label, snipped it in half and layered the 'Whisper White' label ontop of it.

The large 'Whisper White' shape was created using my 'Big Shot' and the 'Top Note Die', by rotating the card around the die several times you can create different shapes! Next i ran some 'Melon Mambo' card through the 'Bigshot' using the 'Perfect Pennant Die'. Finally i stamped the 'All in a Flutter' butterfly onto some 'Whisper White' card using 'Melon Mambo' ink, i snipped this out, placed some 'Basic Pearls' down the centre and then used Stampin' Up! dimensionals to raise it!

I hope Elle liked this card and the gift we brought for her! I really enjoyed making it and playing with lots of the new Stampin' Up! goodies!

Want to have a little look at these products in the flesh and have a play?! Why not pop along to my FREE Craft Open House this Saturday. Everyone is welcome. Email me for details: amyjtidd@gmail.com