Elaine's Creative Musings

Dressed to Impress - double zig zag panel card

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 03:00:00 +0000

Happy Sunday!

For some time now, a light has been shone on mental health issues, sometimes you're not even aware that someone is suffering until it's too late. Even more poignant now during the lockdown as a further extension of staying at home has been announced, it's more important than ever that we try to keep upbeat.

The "Dressed to Impress" stamp set delivers a powerful message, but then again, I suppose as with anything, it is how one chooses to interpret it. More on that later.

Here's the card - which looks like any other card, but......

...when it opens, it reveals this fancy fold. I used this same fold for my easter cards, and they were very well received.

Why did I find the sentiments in this stamp set so empowering? I chose to interpret the sentiments my way...

"Life is short, buy the shoes" - treat yourself, you're worth it!

"Be as bold as your lipstick" - stand up and be counted - don't let the bullies win!

"Kindness is always in style" - kindness is priceless, it's free, and if someone is having a difficult day, a kind word, or just being there to listen certainly uplifts the spirits.

In today's climate, nothing rings more true than the kindness and devotion of those who work in the NHS. Let's not forget the unsung heroes like the dustmen, postmen and truckers, doing their jobs and risking their own lives. It is all so humbling.

Fashion houses have now been called upon to sew scrubs for hospital staff as they're running short. Volunteers giving their time freely, people at home busy sewing scrubs/masks amongst other altruistic endeavours.

My niece works in the front line, as does her husband. She can go through 7 changes of scrubs in a day to avoid cross contamination in ICU. My sister-in-law with her sewing skills was asked to sew scrubs because of the shortage - it's heartwarming to know everyone is pulling together.

Have you heard of Captain Tom who has become a bit of a "Celebrity" having raised £20 million thus far for the NHS? His original plan was to walk 100 laps in his garden before his 100th birthday and was aiming for a modest £1,000! I'm sure he's done more than a 100 laps by now but he said he'd carry on walking as long as the money kept rolling in! Bravo Captain Tom!

Do you have a story to tell? How has COVID affected you? Remember, a problem aired is a problem shared! Or you could be just spreading joy, instead of germs - now there's a hashtag in the making!

Below is a photo of the back of the card which was also decorated so that it provided somewhere to address the recipient and pen a few lines yourself.

I have books galore on card making and fun folds - and this is a template I have used time and again - it's not as difficult as it looks and I used the same template for an easter card which you can find HERE.

Here are the supplies I used.

Dressed To Impress Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [151666]	Special Celebrations Cling-Mount Stamp Set [151396]	Best Dressed 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [151319]
Bundle Of Love Specialty Designer Series Paper [144143]	Lovely Lipstick A4 Cardstock [146993]	Card Stock A4 Blushing Bride [131287]
Very Vanilla A4 Card Stock [106550]	Lovely Lipstick Classic Stampin' Pad [147140]	Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad [147100]
Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147272]	Mint Macaron Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [147021]	Lovely Lipstick Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147281]
Iridescent Sequin Assortment [144212]

Ornate Style Suite - Double Easel Card

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 23:00:00 +0000

This is the Ornate Style Suite which I made into a double easel card to show off the papers, both sets of bundles and embellishments.

I love the easel within an easel concept, but on the smaller easel, I had to add the Flower Faceted Gems to weight it down as it kept popping up and wouldn't sit properly.

This is the view from the front.......

From the side .........

You can see the Ornate Floral 3D embossing layer better here.....

...and I included cute miniature spaces hidden underneath the mini easel for you to write on! Here's the video tutorial -

CUTTING GUIDE
Imperial

Large Easel main

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
1	Large Easel base - Mint Macaron card stock	11” x 4-1/8”, long side on top, score at 2 ¾”, 5 ½”
1	Large Easel front	4-1/8” x 5 ½”
1	Ornate Garden Specialty DSP	4-1/8” x 5 ½”
1	Scrap of Terracotta Tile	Die cut Medium frame
1	Whisper White	2-1/8” x 3 ½”
1	Whisper White scrap for stamping	Extra flower

Large Easel Inside

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
1	Terracotta Tile mat layer	3-7/8” x 5 ¼”
1	Mint Macaron embossed layer	3 ¾” x 5-1/8”

Small Easel

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
1	Mint Macaron Base	2 ¼” x 5 ½” , long side on top score at 1-3/8”, 2 ¾”
1	Small Easel front	2 ¼” x 2 ¾”
1	Small Easel Ornate Garden SDSP	2 ¼” x 2 ¾”
1	Terracotta Tile small easel label	2 ¾” x 1-1/8”
1	WW scraps	for label layer and daisy

Inside Small easel top

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
2	Terracotta Tile	1 ¼” x 2”
2	Whisper White	1-1/8” x 1-7/8”

Inside bottom easel

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
1	Terracotta tile	2” x 2 ½”
1	Whisper White	1-7/8” x 2-3/8”
1	Mint Macaron stopper	5/8” x 1-7/8”
1	Ornate Garden Specialty DSP stopper	½” x 1-3/4”

Metric

Large Easel

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
1	Large Easel base - Mint Macaron card stock	28 cm x 10.5 cm, long side on top, score at 7 cm, 14 cm
1	Large Easel front	10.5 cm x 14 cm
1	Ornate Garden Specialty DSP	10.5 cm x 14 cm
1	Scrap of Terracotta Tile	Die cut Medium frame
1	Whisper White	5.4 cm x 8.9 cm
1	Whisper White scrap for stamping	Extra flower

Large Easel Inside

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
1	Terracotta Tile mat layer	9.8 cm x 13.3 cm
1	Mint Macaron embossed layer	9.5 cm x 13 cm

Small Easel

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
1	Mint Macaron Base	5.7 cm x 14 cm, long side on top Score at 3.5 cm, 7 cm
1	Small Easel front	5.7 cm x 7 cm
1	Small Easel Ornate Garden SDSP	5.7 cm x 7 cm
1	Terracotta Tile small easel label	7 cm x 2.9 cm
1	WW scraps	For label layer and daisy

Inside Small easel top

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
2	Terracotta Tile	3.2 cm x 5 cm
2	Whisper White	2.9 cm x 4.8 cm

Inside Small easel bottom

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
1	Terracotta tile	5 cm x 6.4 cm
1	Whisper White	4.8 cm x 6 cm
1	Mint Macaron stopper	1.6 cm x 4.8 cm
1	Ornate Garden Specialty DSP stopper	1.3 cm x 4.4 cm

Here are the supplies I used:

Ornate Style Bundle [154119]	Ornate Thanks Bundle (English) [154115]	Mint Macaron A4 Cardstock [138344]
Terracotta Tile A4 Cardstock [150890]	Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	Terracotta Tile Classic Stampin’ Pad [150086]
Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad [147106]	Mint Macaron Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147283]	Blender Pens [102845]
Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper [152488]	Ornate Floral 3D Embossing Folder [152725]	Ornate Garden Ribbon Combo Pack [152479]
Gilded Gems [152478]	Flower Faceted Gems [149479]

Forever Blossoms - Ombre Card

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 23:00:00 +0000

There's more than one way to create an ombre look. In the past I used inks, but today we're going to create it with different shades of cardstock.

I used four shades of blue, starting from the bottom - light to dark, we have Pool Party, Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay and Pacific Point.

The strips were then adhered to a Whisper White layer and then die cut with the largest of the Stitched Rectangle Dies. I stamped the large floral image from Forever Blossoms and white embossed it, then die cut labels from Stitched So Sweetly dies in various colours as an accent on the card.

It's easier to explain the process by watching the video - no waffle, I just get straight to the making!

Here are the supplies I used:

Forever Blossoms Bundle (English) [153781]	So Sentimental Bundle (English) [153828]	Stitched Rectangle Dies [148551]
Pacific Point A4 Card Stock [116202]	Card Stock A4 Bermuda Bay [131286]	Card Stock A4 Coastal Cabana [131302]
Pool Party A4 Card Stock [124391]	Blueberry Bushel A4 Cardstock [146991]	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock [140490]
Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad [147096]	Versamark Pad [102283]
Bermuda Bay 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Mini Striped Ribbon [146939]	Embossing Buddy [103083]	Heat Tool - Uk Plug [129054]
White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]	Glitter Enamel Dots [146934]

Happy Easter!

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 23:00:00 +0000

This Easter will be like no other as globally practically every continent is on "lockdown" trying to stem the tide of the Coronavirus. It hit Italy pretty hard, and the death toll from this new strain had overtaken China's fatalities.

At time of writing, far reaching measures such as the closing of schools, cafes, restaurants had taken effect. although "take-a-ways" were permitted, but definitely even on Mothering Sunday (22 March in the UK), people were discouraged from socialising in groups, or visiting friends/family, all manner of events had been cancelled, so I suspect, the same scenario would apply to Easter and we'll have to face time each other instead!

So Happy Easter everyone!!! Did I say I love blues? The more traditional colour would most probably be yellows, but I fancied a change. I used Seaside Spray as my card base, and also cut a 2-1/2" strip and embossed it with the Ornate Flower 3D embossing folder.

To add a bit of interest, I die cut a border with the Ornate Borders dies - part of the Ornate Style Bundle, and adhered it to the back of the card front layer which was then adhered to the Pretty Peacock mat layer.

I chose the fancy circular die from the Painted Labels dies because you can tuck the crocus images through the swirly apertures.

The crocus image was stamped four times, and coloured with Seaside Spray Stampin' Bends combos, Daffodil Delight Dark, Old Olive Dark and afterwards fussy cut and arranged on the right half of the swirly Whisper White piece.

For embellishments, I used the 2019-2021 faceted In Colour gems, and also the Pretty Peacock scalloped linen ribbon.

A Whisper White card insert was adhered to the inside of the card and I partially stamped the crocus image in the bottom right corner and coloured it in as well.

Here are the supplies I used. Click on any picture below and it will take you directly to my online store. If you're spending £25 or more, during the month of April, please use April's Host code. You will receive a "thank you" card and little gift from me in the following month.

Easter Promise Cling Stamp Set (English) [151544]	Painted Labels Dies [151605]	Ornate Borders Dies [152724]
Ornate Floral 3D Embossing Folder [152725]	Gray Granite Classic Stampin' Pad [147118]	Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [150083]
Seaside Spray Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [149569]	Daffodil Delight Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144585]	Old Olive Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144573]
Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	Pretty Peacock A4 Cardstock [150886]	Seaside Spray A4 Cardstock [150889]
Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Embossing Buddy [103083]
White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]	Heat Tool - Uk Plug [129054]	2019-2021 In Color Faceted Dots [149607]

Happy stamping! We live in hope that by the time this publishes, we can see light at the end of the tunnel during this COVID-19 "lockdown" period. Stay safe!

Fable Friend, Easter Gift Packaging

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 23:00:00 +0000

Hello, can you believe it's already Good Friday? It seems to have come round so fast!

I have some cute Easter treats in these gorgeous printed cello bags which measure 3" x 9" (7.6 cm x 22.9 cm)

They are so quick and easy to do! You can make them big or small, depending on the size of your label. As the rabbit was rather tall, it got the "big" treatment! I used the Label me lovely and label me fancy punches on the smaller bag in Petal Pink. There are a trio of ducks on the one stamp, but I masked the largest duck, and only stamped with 2 of the smaller ones and as you can see, it was a pretty tight fit even with two.

Fable Friends Cling Stamp Set [148670]	Balmy Blue A4 Cardstock [147007]	Petal Pink A4 Cardstock [147009]
Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	3" X 9" (7.6 X 22. 9 Cm) Printed Gusseted Cellophane Bags [151312]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]
Subtles Stampin' Write Markers [147156]	Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144601]	Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [148544]
Whisper White 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon [146912]	Best Dressed Tassels [151320]	Delightful Tag Topper Punch [149518]
Label Me Lovely Punch [151296]	Label Me Fancy Punch [151297]

Timeless Tulips with Ornate Borders

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 23:00:00 +0000

Tulip time! Does that mean it's Spring and Easter too? Hope you're all feeling OK and settling into the new "norm". It will pass, but in the meantime I hope this post will brighten your day.

Just a little something to add some sunshine to your day with something "old" and something "new".

Timeless Tulips from the Mini, and a brand new early release from the 2020-21 Annual catalogue due to launch in June which is now available to customers!

I used the Ornate Border Dies on my gatefold and chose Daffodil Delight with Soft Sea Foam mat layers. Loved how it turned out. The measurements of the card base is in fractions of 16ths which is unusual but there is a reason for this odd number to allow tolerance for the border dies in order to get a nice closure that butted up to each other when the panels were closed.

Timeless Tulips Bundle (English) [153793]	Stitched So Sweetly Dies [151690]	Ornate Borders Dies [152724]
Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	Daffodil Delight A4 Card Stock [121680]	Soft Sea Foam A4 Cardstock [147012]
Gray Granite Classic Stampin' Pad [147118]	Soft Sea Foam Classic Stampin' Pad [147102]	Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144603]
Daffodil Delight 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Ruched Ribbon [151311]	Gilded Gems [152478]	Stamparatus [148187]

Do the Impossible

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 23:00:00 +0000

Hello everyone! Our relatively new "norm" with the closure of practically everything and having to stay home makes Sunday seem just like any other day of the week. I hope you're all staying safe and only venturing out when necessity dictates.

Personally I've been incarcerated at home ever since the announcement was made on 16 March, and hubby cancelled all his classes at the gym the following day so he would not risk bringing it home to me - I'm in the vulnerable category as I suffer from asthma amongst other health issues.

I know quite a few people who are exercise enthusiasts and pretty health conscious, so I bought this stamp set "Do the Impossible" to make cards for them. However, since the outbreak of COVID-19, group activities, mass gatherings etc are a "no, no", I had to be more inventive about how I used this set, in case it got retired before it ever saw ink!

To stay safe, the "social distancing" mantra has been drummed into us. I've simply re-iterated that same message here. I die cut several words from the Well Written Dies which contained all the letters I needed to spell "social distancing" in Sahara Sand - I adhered a multi-purpose adhesive sheet (retired) on the back so it would make adhering the individual letters a lot less laborious which also meant I didn't have to use wet glue and inevitably get sticky fingers!

How did I do? Hubby's reaction - "excellent" he exclaimed when I showed it to him, so I have the approval from at least the sum total of one!

Much love to you all - follow the rules and you'll be alright "Jack"! I hope you all stay safe and remain healthy and happy and to keep your sanity ...more crafting!

Do The Impossible Cling Stamp Set [151660]	Well Written Dies [148534]	Sahara Sand A4 Card Stock [121695]
Real Red A4 Card Stock [106578]	Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]
Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad [147117]	Real Red Combo Pack Stampin' Blends [147935]	Smoky Slate Light Stampin' Blends Marker [145054]
Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144603]	Ivory Stampin' Blends Marker [144606]

Easter Promise, Wildy Happy double zig zag panel card

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 23:00:00 +0000

It just had to be done! I'd already made an Easter card project for today, but what with the surprise that Stampin' Up! sprung on us by releasing the Ornate Garden Suite products a monthly early, I had to make another in the Ornate Garden Specialty DSP of course and impatiently had to wait for it to be delivered before I could proceed!

If you persevere and press play to see how this seemingly complicated card came together. I've included a cutting guide to make it easier for you so you can separate the sections and work on them methodically. I love cards that look challenging, but when it actually comes down to the making, it's not really difficult at all! Just a little patience with all the pieces to cut and glue, but I think you'll find it's really worth it!

Here's the front, which looks like something quite ordinary until you open it to reveal..........

...a double zig zag panel inside. The bunnies from Wildly Happy were just perfect for the Easter theme!

I solved the problem for somewhere to pen a few lines to the address in the back.

CUTTING GUIDE

Imperial measurements

MAIN PIECES

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
1	Card Base – Mint Macaron card stock	10” x 6”, long side on top, score at 5”
1	*Ornate Garden Specialty DSP (A) for large internal panel [Mint Macaron with gold foiling]	12” x 6”, long side on top, score at 2”, 4”, 6”, 8”, 10”.
1	Ornate Garden Specialty DSP (B) for small internal panel [Whisper White with gold foiling)	8” x 4”, long side on top, score at 2”, 4” 6”

*Instructions

1. 1. Position (A) in trimmer, short side on top – align right edge at 1 ½” and cut vertically from 2” down to 10”. Rotate DSP 180^o and repeat cut so it mirrors your previous cut between the first and last scored lines.

2. 2. Rotate DSP (A) with long side on top align DSP at 2. In cutting groove cut from 1 ½” down to 4-½” (between the horizontal cut lines. Rotate DSP 180^oand repeat. Remove this centre section to create and aperture leaving a 2” border all round.

3. 3. Long side on top, align left edge of DSP at 3” create ½” incisions top from 1” to 1 ½”, and from 4 ½” to 5” so that (B) can be inserted so that it will concertina in the opposite direction to the main card base.

4. Align left edge of DSP to 5” and repeat step 3.

5. Align left edge of DSP to 7” and repeat step 3.

6. Align left edge of DSP to 9” and repeat step 3.

CARD FRONT

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
1	Layer 1 – So Saffron	5 ¾” x 4 ¾”
1	Layer 2 – Mint Macaron	5-5/8” x 4-5/8”
1	Layer 3 – So Saffron	4-1/8” x 2 ¾”
1	Layer 4 – Whisper White for stamping	4” x 2-5/8”

INSIDE CARD

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
4	Layer 1 – Mint Macaron	2-7/8” x 1-7/8”
4	Layer 2 – Whisper White for stamping	2 ¾” x 1 ¾”

BACK OF CARD

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
1	Layer 1 – So Saffron	4 ½” x 3 ½”
1	Layer 2 – Whisper White for stamping	4-3/8” x 3-3/8”

Metric measurements

MAIN PIECES

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
1	Card Base – Mint Macaron card stock	25.4 cm x 15.2 cm, long side on top, score at 12.7 cm
1	*Ornate Garden Specialty DSP (A) for large internal panel [Mint Macaron with gold foiling]	30.5 cm x 15.2 cm , long side on top, score at 5 cm, 10.2 cm, 15.2 cm, 20.3 cm, 25.4 cm
1	Ornate Garden Specialty DSP (B) for small internal panel [Whisper White with gold foiling]	20.3 cm x 10.2 cm, long side on top, score at 5 cm, 10.2 cm, 15.2 cm

*Instructions

1. 1. Position (A) in trimmer, short side on top – align right edge at 3.8 cm and cut vertically from 5 cm down to 25.4 cm. Rotate DSP 180^o and repeat cut so it mirrors your previous cut between the first and last scored lines.

2. 2. Rotate DSP (A) with long side on top align DSP at 5 cm. In cutting groove cut from 3.8 cm down to 11.4 cm (between the horizontal cut lines. Rotate DSP 180^oand repeat. Remove this centre section to create and aperture leaving a 5 cm border all round.

3. 3. Long side on top, align left edge of DSP at 7.6 cm create 1.3 cm incisions top from 2.5 cm to 3.8 cm, and from 11.4 cm to 12.7 cm so that (B) can be inserted so that it will concertina in the opposite direction to the main card base.

4. Align left edge of DSP to 12.7 cm and repeat step 3.

5. Align left edge of DSP to 17.8 cm and repeat step 3.

6. Align left edge of DSP to 22.9 cm and repeat step 3.

CARD FRONT

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
1	Layer 1 – So Saffron	14.6 cm x 12.1 cm
1	Layer 2 – Mint Macaron	14.3 cm x 11.7 cm
1	Layer 3 – So Saffron	10.5 cm x 7 cm
1	Layer 4 – Whisper White for stamping	10.2 cm x 6.7 cm

INSIDE CARD

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
4	Layer 1 – Mint Macaron	7.3 cm x 4.8 cm
4	Layer 2 – Whisper White for stamping	7 cm x 4.4 cm

BACK OF CARD

QTY	DESCRIPTION	MEASUREMENT
1	Layer 1 – So Saffron	11.4 cm x 8.9 cm
1	Layer 2 – Whisper White for stamping	11.1 cm x 8.6 cm

Here's what I used.

Easter Promise Cling Stamp Set (English) [151544]	Wildly Happy Cling Stamp Set [149408]	Mint Macaron A4 Cardstock [138344]
Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	So Saffron A4 Card Stock [108611]	Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper [152488]
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad [147106]	Mint Macaron Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147283]
So Saffron Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [149557]	Pumpkin Pie Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144577]	Pool Party Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144595]
Ornate Floral 3D Embossing Folder [152725]	Gilded Gems [152478]	Paper Trimmer [152392]

Ornate Garden Suite Launches today!

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 23:30:00 +0000

Today Stampin' Up! has moved to its new home. Some of you have been testing it as the "beta"site and it is switching over to our permanent home as of today, so if you haven't tried it out before it may look a little different from the old one you're used to. We hope you'll find it easy to navigate and more importantly.....

welcome to a new initiative for Customers!!!!

Stampin' Up! are releasing a suite from the new 2020-2021 New Annual Catalogue almost 2 months early before it launches! It's called the Ornate Garden Suite. I posted a sneak peek of all the items in the suite on Sunday just past!

There are two bundles in the Suite: The Ornate Style Cling Bundle which has floral images and its coordinating dies are frames with intricate detailing and the Ornate Thanks photopolymer Bundle which has upper case greetings followed by several phrases in a cursive font which will interact with them.

You can see how pretty the border dies are in our project today. So without further ado, press play and see for yourself. In the video, I also show some other samples I made to give you more ideas.

Oops -I said a month in the video - correction, not just one month, it's almost 2 months before the Annual Catalogue goes live!!!

Ornate Garden Suite Collection (English) [154153]	Ornate Style Bundle [154119]	Ornate Thanks Bundle (English) [154115]
Ornate Floral 3D Embossing Folder [152725]	Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper [152488]	Ornate Garden Ribbon Combo Pack [152479]
Gilded Gems [152478]	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock [140490]	Terracotta Tile A4 Cardstock [150890]
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Subtles Stampin' Write Markers [147156]	Regals Stampin' Write Markers [147155]
In Color 2018–2020 Stampin' Write Markers [147159]

Sale-a-bration 2020 ends tonight!

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 23:00:00 +0000

Today is the last day of Sale-a-bration and the last opportunity to earn a Free Sale-a-bration item from 2020's cache of Freebies.

Just one last project to share - a double diamond gatefold with the gorgeous Lily Impressions DSP, the Lovely Lily Pad reversible photopolymer stamp set and Lily Pad Dies.

To make the card, here are the details.

Paper cutting guide

Imperial measurements

Lily Impressions DSP - 12" x 5 ¾" long side on top score at 2", 4" 8" and 10". On the short side, make a mark at 2" at the top and bottom.
Pretty Peacock mat layer - 5 ½" x 3 ¾"
Whisper White standard - 5 ¼" x 3 ½"
Scraps of Grapefruit Grove
Scraps of Whisper White
Scraps of Pretty Peacock

Metric measurments

Lily Impressions DSP - 30.5 cm x 14.6 cm, long side on top score at 5 cm, 10.2 cm, 20.3 cm and 25.4 cm. On the short side, make a mark at 5 cm top and bottom.
Pretty Peacock mat layer - 14 cm x 9.5 cm
Whisper White standard - 13.3 cm x 8.9 cm
Scraps of Grapefruit Grove
Scraps of Whisper White
Scraps of Pretty Peacock

Assembly instructions

Here's a diagram to make it easier to understand. The height of the card is 5-3/4". I must confess that with my limited knowledge of drawing in "Word" I couldn't add the width measurement to the side of the diagram so this is the best I can do. Hope that helps!

--------- Score on dashed lines

______ Cut on solid blue lines

Align 2nd score line in the cutting groove of paper trimmer with the 2" (5 cm) mark and cut, repeat for opposite side as pictured above. Then align bottom of 1st score line and cut corner off to create a triangular piece on panel 1. Repeat for opposite side to mirror the triangle on panel 4. When the card is closed, it will resemble a diamond shape.
Stamp the lily pad in Pretty Peacock ink on Pretty Peacock card stock, die cut stamped image with Lily Pad dies plus an extra lily pad blank.
Stamp largest lotus flower outline in Melon Mambo on Whisper White scrap. Clean and reverse stamp and then stamp solid image over previously stamped Melon Mambo image (it won't align exactly) with Grapefruit Grove ink. Die cut stamped image, and die cut a second lotus flower in Grapefruit Grove card stock.
Die cut Grapefruit Grove strip with the fancy Lily Pad border die.
Adhere Pretty Peacock layer to centre panel.
Adhere Grapefruit Grove die cut border to Whisper White layer at the top and adhere to Pretty Peacock layer.
Adhere right half of Pretty Peacock lily pad to right hand panel as shown.
Adhere stamped lotus flower on top of Pretty Peacock lily pad.
Adhere remaining Pretty Peacock die cut lily pad to back of right hand panel aligning it with the previously adhered Pretty Peacock piece.
Adhere die cut Grapefruit Grove lotus flower to back of stamped lotus flower piece.
Close card and position and adhere the Noble Peacock rhinestones on the left hand panel to finish card.

The Lily Impressions DSP and Lovely Lily Pad photopolymer stamp set are Level 1 choices - to qualify for each at £45 per item.

The Lily Pad dies is a Level 2 item and to qualify for that you need a £90 purchase.

Lily Impressions Designer Series Paper [152284]	Lovely Lily Pad Photopolymer Stamp Set [152288]	Lily Pad Dies [152315]
Pretty Peacock A4 Cardstock [150886]	Grapefruit Grove A4 Cardstock [146995]	Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]
Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad [147051]	Grapefruit Grove Classic Stampin' Pad [147142]	Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [150083]
Noble Peacock Rhinestones [149494]

It's been a real Bonanza "crop". I wonder what next year will bring?

I hope you've enjoyed this year's choices, and the projects I've made with them. Thanks for visiting.

Ornate Garden - Sneak Peek

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Happy Sunday - a sneak peek!

Surprise! Surprise! Stampin' Up! announced that beginning 1 April, Customers will be able to purchase the Ornate Garden Suite items!!! It is a brand new product from the upcoming Annual Catalogue.

At time of writing, I have yet to receive the Demonstrator's pre-order of this suite so am using Stampin' Up!'s creations for you to have a sneak peek.

In this sample, Stampin' Up! used the gorgeous Ornate Layer dies which coordinates with the Ornate Style Stamp set which has 6 cling stamp images. The stamp set and dies can also be purchased as a bundle. Included in the suite is the Ornate Ribbon combo pack - 1 each of 2 colours : Old Olive and Terracotta tile with 5 yards (4.6 m) in each spool.

Both samples use the Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper (SDSP) which has gold foil on some sheets which you can colour. This sample is from the Ornate Thanks Bundle - using the Ornate Border dies. There is also a new In Color in the Ornate Garden SDSP, but it wasn't specified in the description, so I guess SU wants to keep it under wraps for the moment! winks!

If you look closely at the flyer picture at the top, you'll probably espy the gilded gems in the Suite too.

It's certainly peaked my curiosity and I can't wait to get my hands on them to have a play. However, like you, I shall have to be patient and wait for the goodies to arrive!

Pop back on the 1st of April - I should have a video tutorial ready for you by then!

Well Dressed #2 - Stitched Rectangles

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Just 5 days left before the end of 2020's Sale-a-bration event!

I took my inspiration from Stampin' Up!'s card in the 2nd Release Sale-a-bration brochure and added a few tweaks of my own.

Some hints and tips in my free video tutorial to create this in the twinkling of an eye! I love the Merry Merlot and Gray Granite combo - it's understated, with a touch of class, don't you think?

Here's the list of supplies I used.

Well Dressed Cling Stamp Set [152300]	Positive Thoughts Cling Stamp Set [151490]	Itty Bitty Greetings Clear-Mount Stamp Set [146667]
Stitched Rectangle Dies [148551]	Merry Merlot A4 Cardstock [147005]	Gray Granite A4 Cardstock [147008]
Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	Gray Granite Classic Stampin' Pad [147118]	Merry Merlot Classic Stampin' Pad [147112]
Versamark Pad [102283]	Embossing Buddy [103083]	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]
Heat Tool - Uk Plug [129054]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]	Cherry Cobbler Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144575]
Absolutely Argyle 3D Embossing Folder [151590]	Stamparatus [148187]

Sale-a-bration Third Release!!!! - not much time left to earn them!

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The Coronavirus has been dominating the news and if anyone needed cheerng up, then as crafters, we ALL do!!!!

Imagine my surprise when Stampin' Up! added MORE choices to the mix in a Sale-A-Bration Third Release!

The Shimmer Detailed Laser cut Specialty Designer Series Paper (SDSP) was in my box and hadn't even been opened yet and I forget how long ago that was! This is one of your choices with a qualifying purchase.

I set myself a challenge and made all these cards with just one sheet - there are two patterns as pictured below and you can use the shimmery layer, which is the side I used for all the samples above, or you can flip it over to the reverse to use the Whisper White side. These papers make card making so easy - as the laser cuts are pretty enough on their own without too much stamping.

As the 2018-2020 In colours will be retiring soon, I used the whole colour range to make my cards. The Lovely Lipstick cards are 3"x 3" and I simply white embossed the words directly onto the card stock. I punched out the butterflies with the Butterfly Duet punch, also one of the Sale-a-bration 3rd release choices. The sentiments are from the Beautiful Moments stamp set.

The Blueberry Bushel card "Sending Healing Hugs" used the Stitched So Sweetly dies and Blueberry Bushel 1/8" grosgrain ribbon. The Blueberry Bushel floral one used the "Label me Bold" cling set to simply stamp "happy birthday" in Blueberry Bushel ink.

Bottom left was in Pineapple punch and the bees were fussy cut from the "honey bee" paper, I think that's out of stock and won't be replenished, unfortunately. I also used the Ornate Border dies with this one.

Call me Clover is such a vibrant green. For this card I used the Free as a Bird stamp set, stamped and coloured the flowers with Call Me Clover stampin blends combo, Pineapple punch combo and Call me Clover ink.

Lastly, the large oval aperture lent itselt to being stamped on and I used Beautiful Moments Cling in Grapefruit Grove colours.

CLICK ON ONLINE STORE HERE

Thanks for visiting. Hope you're all safe and are staying home.

Power of Hope - Screen card

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

When I saw the My Meadow photopolymer stamp set, I immediately envisaged a Japanese garden because of the little bridge and it also worked with the Colorful Seasons stamp set and Seasonal Layers Thinlits Dies from a couple of years back. Put it all together with the 2nd Level Sale-a-bration Power of Hope bundle - fodder for a "screen" card!!!

Ta-da! Here it is - with some paper piecing for the kimono on the Geisha.....

....with a couple of blank panels on the back to pen a few lines to the addressee. I created a belly band too, so that once the bow has been tied, it can stay tied and to open or close the card, all you have to do is slip the belly band off!

Press play to watch some tips and tricks on how to create this screen card and I hope you have fun making one.

Cutting guide

Imperial Measurements

Qty	Description	Measurements
1	Pool Party (Subtles 12” x 12” card stock pack)	12” x 6”
6	Basic Gray	2 ¾” x 4-7/8”
2	Whisper White	2 ¾” x 4-7/8”
1	Whisper White, Long side on top, partially cut about 1” down at 2-5/8”, 5 ¼”, 7-7/8” to delineate each panel	10 ½” x 4 ¾”
1	Belly Band	1” x A4 length

Metric Measurements

Qty	Description	Measurements
1	Pool Party (Subtles 30.5 x 30.5 cm card stock pack)	0.5cm x 15.2 cm
6	Basic Gray	7 cm x 12.4 cm
2	Whisper White	7 cm x 12.4 cm
1	Whisper White, Long side on top, partially cut about 2.5 cm down at 6.7 cm, 13.3 cm, 20 cm	26.7 cm x 12.1 cm
1	Belly Band	2.5 cm x A4 length

Power Of Hope Bundle [152318]	Colorful Seasons Photopolymer Stamp Set [143726]	Seasonal Layers Dies [143751]
My Meadow Photopolymer Stamp Set [151650]	Subtles 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Cardstock Pack [147004]	Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]
Basic Gray A4 Card Stock [121689]	Parisian Blossoms Specialty Designer Series Paper [151192]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]
Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Pad [147104]	Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [147107]	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad [147115]
Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147272]	Pool Party Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144605]	Ivory Stampin' Blends Marker [144606]
Basic Black Light Stampin' Blends [147940]	Label Me Lovely Punch [151296]	Petal Pink 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Metallic-Edge Ribbon [151194]
Best Dressed Tassels [151320]

Happy Mother's Day in the UK

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Happy Mothering Sunday!

I nearly missed today and had to do a quick re-shuffle of all my scheduled posts. How did that happen? Note to self - I'll need to consult the calendar more often! With an empty nest, I've completely lost track of high days and holidays (read school vacations) let alone the days set aside for Mums & Dads and everything else!

England ...........a nation of mostly tea drinkers so I dug out this forgotten gem, which, if memory serves me correctly, was in the 2019 Spring/Summer catalogue as it was called then. The set of dies was a Sale-a-bration item at Level 2 which coordinates with it. How time flies! I wanted to give it an airing before it's put on the retiring list!!!

With busy lives, I don't think we tell our Mums or (Moms) how much they mean to us - if the verse is too small to read from the photo - here it is:

"Our love is one

that covers years,

through life's joys

and sometimes tears.

A bond that stands

the test of time,

mother and daughter

hearts intertwined"

Isn't it lovely? To all mothers whether they're here or Angels in heaven, this is for you.

Here are the supplies I used.

Tea Together Cling Stamp Set [148779]	Tea Time Dies [149697]	Tufted 3D Embossing Folder [151785]
Seaside Spray A4 Cardstock [150889]	Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]
Seaside Spray Classic Stampin’ Pad [150085]	Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144045]	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144597]
Seaside Spray 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Scalloped Linen Ribbon [149707]	Frosted & Clear Epoxy Droplets [147801]	Woven Threads Sequin Assortment [149498]
Pearlized Doilies [146936]

I hope your sons and/or daughters are appreciating you lots today!!! We may be marking the day a little differently from the norm. With technology bring on the fun and enjoy some precious family time via facetime or virtual chat rooms. What a strange world we live in now. Let's hope we can get back to normal sooner rather than later!

Have fun!

Mountain Air Bundle - Diorama Card

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

I've been itching to get my hands on the Mountain Air Bundle to have a play and it just screamed "scenery", "landscapes" etc so what better way to show it off than by making a diorama card?

A card like this, takes a little longer than 10 minutes, so it's something to tackle on a rainy day, but the results are so worth it. If, like me, you are also self isolating because of COVID-19, it's a nice little project to do if you have time on your hands.

Here's a view from the side..............

and of course, we can't forget the back - where there's somewhere to write your message and for the addressee.

How did I make it? It's not complicated, but there is rather a lot of cutting and card stock required! I've included a comprehensive cutting guide to make it easier to follow listed below. If you're inspired by this project, and would like to have a go, I suggest you die cut all your pieces and follow along - there's always the pause button and I've made the mistakes so you don't have to!!! lol!

Imperial Measurements

Qty	Description	Measurements
2	● Soft Sea Foam 1 – Die cut aperture with 2^nd largest Stitched nested rectangle die for *Frame 1* ●Soft Sea Foam 2 – for Back of Diorama card	5-3/4” x 4-3/8”
1	Pear Pizzazz – Die cut aperture with 3^rd largest rectangle Stitched nested rectangle die for *Frame 2*
1	Garden Green – Die cut aperture with 3rd largest rectangle Stitched nested rectangle die for *Frame 3*
1	Whisper White standard card stock for brayering sky
1	Whisper White standard card stock for stamping Soft Sea Foam small Mountain range	5-3/4” x 1-1/2”
1	Whisper White standard card stock for stamping Pear Pizzazz small Mountain range	5-3/4” x 2”
1	Whisper White standard card stock for stamping Garden Green large Mountain range	5-3/4” x 2-1/2”
1	Whisper White standard for stamping and adhering to Soft Sea Foam 2 for Back of Diorama card	5-3/4” x 4-1/8”
4	Soft Sea Foam hinges – *Short side on top, score at 3/8”, ¾”, 1-1/8”*	1-1/2” x 4-3/8”

Metric Measurements

Qty	Description	Measurements
2	● Soft Sea Foam 1 – Die cut aperture with 2^nd largest Stitched nested rectangle die for *Frame 1* ●Soft Sea Foam 2 – for Back of Diorama card	14.6 cm x 10.8 cm
1	Pear Pizzazz – Die cut aperture with 3^rd largest rectangle Stitched nested rectangle die for *Frame 2*
1	Garden Green – Die cut aperture with 3rd largest rectangle Stitched nested rectangle die for *Frame 3*
1	Whisper White standard card stock for brayering sky
1	Whisper White standard card stock for stamping Soft Sea Foam small Mountain range	14.6 cm x 3.8 cm
1	Whisper White standard card stock for stamping Pear Pizzazz small Mountain range	14.6 cm x 5 cm
1	Whisper White standard card stock for stamping Garden Green large Mountain range	14.6 cm x 6.4 cm
1	Whisper White standard for stamping and adhering to Soft Sea Foam 2 for Back of Diorama card	14 cm x 10.5 cm
4	Soft Sea Foam hinges – *Short side on top, score at 1 cm, 1.9 cm, 2.9 cm*	3.8 cm x 11.1 cm

Mountain Air Bundle [153820]	Mountain Air Photopolymer Stamp Set [151610]	Majestic Mountain Dies [151608]
Stitched Rectangle Dies [148551]	Morning Star Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [151699]	Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]
Soft Sea Foam A4 Cardstock [147012]	Card Stock A4 Pear Pizzazz [131290]	Garden Green A4 Card Stock [108605]
Soft Sea Foam Classic Stampin' Pad [147102]	Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Pad [147104]	Sponge Brayers [141714]
Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [147107]	Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [147097]	Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [150083]
Noble Peacock Rhinestones [149494]

Tags in Bloom - gift packaging

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This is the last of the 2nd release choices which can be earned FREE subject to a qualifying purchase excluding shipping and handling at £90, a Level 2 choice. The stamp set is called Tags in Bloom and they coordinate with "Label me Fancy punch" and the "Label Me Lovely" punches.

Stampin' Up! still stock the Kraft Pillow Boxes, so it easy to dress it up for a little gift inside. Just some simple stamping with some brayering and punching out and voila......... instant gift wrap!

I also used my Stamparatus to anchor the stamp with a template, and brayered the label light to dark in Pool Party, Coastal Cabana and Pretty Peacock to create an ombre effect.

The Floral images were coloured in with Pretty Peacock Stampin Blends combo, Calypso Coral and Mango Melody combos.

The Label me Fancy punch has 3 functions - a 3 mm hole punch (⅛"), a punched label image which measures 1-15/16" x 1-1/8" (4.9 cm x 2.9 cm), and a slot 1/16" x ⅝" (0.2 cm x 1.6 cm). If you follow me, I publish a Top Tip Tuesday video on my Stamp With Elaine Facebook page and showed how to make a template for the Label me Lovely punch which coordinates with this stamp set.

The Stamparatus certainly makes light work of stamping both ends of the label so press play and see how I made this.

Here are the supplies I used:-

Tags In Bloom Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [152292]	Kraft Pillow Boxes [147018]	Label Me Fancy Punch [151297]
Label Me Lovely Punch [151296]	Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	Pretty Peacock 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Scalloped Linen Ribbon [149751]
Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [147107]	Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [147097]	Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [150083]
2019-2021 In Color Faceted Dots [149607]	Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144045]	Mango Melody Combo Pack Stampin' Blends [147945]
Daffodil Delight Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144585]

A Sneak Peek to cheer you up

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 07:00:00 +0000

I felt I needed to acknowledge the current state of affairs with COVID-19. Since the outbreak of the Corona virus in China and its escalation into a pandemic, Italy is in lockdown - my friend who lives in Italy posted pictures of a deserted Venice - I have never seen St Mark's Square, the most popular tourist spot which normally heaves with throngs of people so devoid of human life.

Now, in UK we're taking drastic measures too, to self isolate, particularly anyone over the age of 70, no mass gatherings, pubs, cafes, theatres. Meetings, social events have been cancelled. Everything is grinding to a halt in order to slow down the virus from peaking and hopefully put less stress on our health service so that those who do become ill with the virus, will have the beds available to treat them.

Amongst all this doom and gloom I thought it might be nice to give you a sneak peek of a soon to be available item from the 2020-21 Annual Catalogue. Stampin' Up! has never done that before, so here's the teaser!

The floral "bouquet" is just one stamp! I gold embossed it and then sponged it to add colour with Terracotta Tile. I stamped and gold embossed a second image and then fussy cut some of the flowers and adhered it with dimensionals for added depth. Remember the sprig punch? It carried over from one of the autumn/winter catalogues and I punched out some sprigs in gold foil to adhere underneath the flowers and added some ribbon, which also comes with this suite. Not sure if you can see it, but I also used the embossing mats to emboss with one of the dies. Squint - you might see it! (smiles)

I partially stamped the corner and gold embossed and sponged colour on this too. The stamp set has loads of phrases in a cursive font which you can cherry pick to suit the occasion! More details of this suite in a later post! As I said.... it's a teaser so no point in telling all just yet! lol!

Stay safe, wherever you may be. Hubby and I are taking our temperatures daily to make sure we're OK and not developing symptoms!

The buzz word in this viral crisis is social distancing, but thank goodness for the world wide web, and internet! We can still socialise and check on each other with skype or face time.

So Very Vellum #4 & #5 - Music From my Heart/Friend Like You

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Happy Sunday!

This is the last one in the Purple Posy colour of the So Very Vellum specialty card stock sheet, and the last in the series of So Very Vellum cards.

Are you musical? Can you hold a tune? Do you play an instrument? If so, this stamp set is tailor made for you!

I was blessed with parents who provided me with a private education and all the little extras, piano lessons, ballet lessons, Alliance Française language school whilst living abroad and the one thing that's never left me is my love of music and I did it as a subject for "A" levels.

My main instrument was the piano - and it had always been a dream of mine to have a baby grand. However, the homes we've lived in or owned never had the space to house one, and I had to content myself with an upright. Sadly, I haven't tickled the ivories since our move to our present home for more than 20 years and it is very much out of tune and desperately needs a service.

Sighs, so I'll just have to make do with a pretty picture of one! This So Very Vellum layout used up the scraps in the corners to make a "V" shape, with enough space to do a bit of stamping. Have you noticed the mistake?

Well, if you can't see it, I 'm not gonna tell you!

So Very Vellum Specialty Designer Series Paper [152313]	Music From The Heart Photopolymer Stamp Set [151674]	Very Vanilla A4 Thick Cardstock [144238]
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Purple Posy Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [149566]	Stitched Shapes Dies [152323]
2019-2021 In Color Faceted Dots [149607]

I thought perhaps it would be good to show the other colours off too so this is the very last project to share using all the other colours in the pack - Pool Party and Soft Sea Foam.

For my card base, I used Soft Sea Foam and cut up strips of vellum in all three colours and adhered it directly to the card front to create a horizontal patchwork of the papers. I added a section of a silhouette in Soft Sea Foam die cut with the Friendly Silhouette dies, a teeny bit of stamping, added some sequins and voila, instant card!

Aren't those dragonflies just the sweetest? I stamped those in Soft Sea Foam and die cut them and added a greeting on the bottom right and that was all the stamping that was required! For a finishing touch plus added "bling" I used the Basic Adhesive Backed sequins.

Waste not, want not, I used the remaining strip of the silhouette die cut for the inside of the card!

Friend Like You Bundle [151084]	Friend Like You Photopolymer Stamp Set [149237]	Friendly Silhouettes Dies [149546]
Soft Sea Foam A4 Cardstock [147012]	Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	So Very Vellum Specialty Designer Series Paper [152313]
Soft Sea Foam Classic Stampin' Pad [147102]	Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad [147089]	Basic Adhesive-Backed Sequins [146933]

Thanks for popping by - have a great weekend!

So Very Vellum #2 & #3 - Positive Thoughts/Beautiful Moments

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Hello everyone!

I don't normally post on a Saturday, but I just had to share all the other cards made with the rest of that single sheet of 12"x 12" (30.5 x 30.5 cm) So Very Vellum specialty designer series paper which is one of the second release new Sale-a-bration choices launched on 3 March. Consequently, I'm squeezing 2 cards back to back today and tomorrow to make room for Mother's Day next Sunday - I almost forgot!

It shows you how papers can be used with different layouts and stamp sets to create a completely different look

#2 . The card above was made with the Positive Thoughts stamp set and the Coordination Product release dies called Nature's Thoughts dies which were released in February.

The links to the supply list for this card is listed below.

So Very Vellum Specialty Designer Series Paper [152313]	Positive Thoughts Cling Stamp Set [151490]	Nature's Thoughts Dies [153586]
Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock [140490]	Purple Posy A4 Cardstock [150887]	Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad [147103]
Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad [147099]	Glitter Enamel Dots [146934]

#3. For the layout below, I used Very Vanilla Thick card stock and it gave the Purple Posy vellum a more muted look.

I just added the Beautiful Moments stamp set to create this.

Beautiful Moments Cling Stamp Set [151677]	Positive Thoughts Cling Stamp Set [151490]	Nature's Thoughts Dies [153586]
So Very Vellum Specialty Designer Series Paper [152313]	Very Vanilla A4 Thick Cardstock [144238]	Purple Posy A4 Cardstock [150887]
Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad [147103]	Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad [147099]	Noble Peacock Rhinestones [149494]

Pop back tomorrow for my regular Sunday blogpost to see the rest.

Well Dressed – Clubhouse bundle

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

I was blown away by this new addition to the 2nd release Sale-a-bration choice! We had "Dressed to Impress" in the Mini for the fairer sex, so I'm thrilled Stampin' Up! has balanced the scales and provided one for the gents!

For a bit of variety, I made this style card as the shielded crest from the Clubhouse bundle lent itself to it. If you press play on the video, I've also included a peek at another sample showing the "Well Dressed" stamp set to its best advantage.

This card concentrated more on the Clubhouse bundle, with only the fountain pen and small background stamp from the "Well Dressed" stamp set.

This is the front....

and I decorated the inside panel too.

Well Dressed Cling Stamp Set [152300]	Free As A Bird Bundle [151123]	Free As A Bird Cling Stamp Set [149468]
Stitched Nested Labels Dies [149638]	Balmy Blue A4 Cardstock [147007]	Blueberry Bushel A4 Cardstock [146991]
Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	Blueberry Bushel Classic Stampin' Pad [147138]	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105]
Scripty 3D Embossing Folder [149634]	Designer Elements [149586]

Flowering Foils – Free as a bird Bundle

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Flowering Foils - one of the new 2nd Release choices for Sale-a-bration. It's free subject to a qualifying purchase at Level 1 of £45.00. You have to see it in person to appreciate how gorgeous they are.

There are 4 single sided designs, 3 each of 12" x 12" (30.5 x 30.5 cm) sheets in copper and silver foil which can be used as it is, or you can colour them with Stampin' Blends as I have done in this sample, or by brayering or sponging.

I've used two of the designs, the square copper foiled one as it is, and I die cut the floral one with the largest stitched nested labels dies which was coloured with a Soft Sea Foam stampin' blend marker. Press play to see how I made this and a couple of other samples I made using the sponging and brayering technique.

Free As A Bird Bundle [151123]	Free As A Bird Cling Stamp Set [149468]	Stitched Nested Labels Dies [149638]
Soft Sea Foam A4 Cardstock [147012]	Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]
Soft Suede Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147273]	Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147274]	Bermuda Bay Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144579]
Daffodil Delight Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144585]	Soft Sea Dark Foam Stampin' Blends Marker [148058]	Designer Elements [149586]

Dressed to Impress

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Hello there!

I designed this for team training way back in January, and it's been sitting in the queue waiting to be published. However with Sale-a-bration in full swing, it kept on getting pushed back every week to make way for new releases through February and now it's March! I thought it might be a good time to take a break from Sale-a-bration this Sunday and show case the Dressed to Impress stuff.

Do you struggle to find something suitable for little girls growing into teenage divas? From little innocents who are tomboys most of their lives, puberty sets in and interest in make-up and meeting up with their friends down the mall window shopping and doing all things girly suddenly takes priority.

I am delighted that the Best Dressed Suite has entered into my stamping world! Everything in this suite is so fresh, from the Designer Series Papers, the colours they've used and all the different type of bags you can create using the dies.

This has hidden magnets on the tab and underneath the DSP on the front of the bag. The metal ring on the tassel attaches itself to the magnet, but I added a glue dot for extra security and used a bow to hide the metal ring. Do you approve?

This is the front

This is the back

I also designed the cutest beach tote - but I'll leave that for another post.

Here's the supply list.

Dressed To Impress Bundle (English) [153832]	Best Dressed Tassels [151320]	Best Dressed 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [151319]
Purple Posy A4 Cardstock [150887]	Gold Foil Sheets [132622]	Purple Posy 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Scalloped Linen Ribbon [149706]

Thanks for visiting - happy Sunday!

Rise & Shine - Cup of Cheers dies

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Whoop whoop! What a fabulous Freebie the Rise & Shine photopolymer stamp set is! There are 15 stamps in the set, and because 5 of the stamps are reversible, you're actually getting 20 images from it! It can be yours with a Level 2 qualifying order (£90 excluding shipping/handling) and not only that, if you already own the Cup of Cheers dies, the dies will coordinate with it too! That's a win, win in my book!

I have a novel way of securing the bow through the handle of the cup - so press play to see it and also the other samples at the end of the video.

Rise & Shine Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [152303]	Cup Of Cheer Dies [151150]	So Sentimental Bundle (English) [153828]
So Sentimental Cling Stamp Set (English) [151691]	Stitched So Sweetly Dies [151690]	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock [140490]
Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	Best Dressed 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [151319]	Petal Pink 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Organdy Striped Ribbon [149441]
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]

So Very Vellum Specialty DSP #1 - New 2nd Release Sale-a-bration item!

noreply@blogger.com (Elaine Harding) — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0000

I was so excited about this new 2nd Release "So Very Vellum Specialty DSP" that it was the first 2nd release Sale-a-bration product I laid my hands on.

A long time ago, I used to do Parchment Craft - intricate embossing on parchment to make all sorts of patterns, so for the very first time, this is a variation of that all done for you. A series of embossed dots on vellum creating a distinctive pattern.

Taking my inspiration from the samples Stampin' Up! created, I used the same stamp bundle Bloom and Grow to create this card.

From that single sheet of 12" x 12" vellum, even though it was cut on the diagonal and seemed wasteful, I managed to create another 6 cards with more to spare. You can see the other cards I made if you watch the video tutorial below.

So Very Vellum Specialty Designer Series Paper [152313]	Bloom & Grow Bundle [151069]	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock [140490]
Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad [147103]
Noble Peacock Rhinestones [149494]	Highland Heather Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147276]	Purple Posy Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [149566]
Old Olive Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144597]	Daffodil Delight Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144585]	Pool Party Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144595]