Stampin' Up! ® Demonstrator independent supplier paper craft scrapbooking tutorials lincolnshire

Try this sketch challenge with the Gears and Textures Bundle

2026-04-17T13:03:00.001+01:00

Hi I joined a sketch challenge group on Instragram and this our the sketch we decided to create with our stash for April.

I used the Gears and Textures bundle and went for a more girly colour scheme than I've used before with this bundle. The papers are part of an amazing pack called Mixed Up Patterns offering subtle designs in various colours. I followed the sketch using the green, yellow and pink colours and I'm really happy with how this turned out. I used the stamp set for some background imaging and then cut different gears/cogs for overlay. To add my usual bling I used gold embellishments from the Kintsugi Suite. I've found these so useful for subtle bling.

You can see what the others did by visiting my instagram account and they are all tagged in my post with the sketch showing.

I'll pop this in the post at some point to say hi to someone and brighten their day.

Have a great weekend crafty friends.

Hugs Zoe x

LAST DAY FOR DOUBLE STAMPIN' REWARDS

Shop Supplies Used

Gears and Textures Bundle

Mixed Up Patterns 12 x 12 papers

Flower Accents gold

Ink pads

SHOP WITH ME

Make the most of your craft stash

2026-04-14T14:14:00.002+01:00

Here's a simple idea to make use of every piece of your lovely craft papers. With any left over offcuts, cut strips of different widths and patterns that coordinate. Also cut a matt layer of any card as it wont show once used to sit on your base card with or without a border. Before sticking this matt layer onto your card start in the middle and stick the strips of patterned paper onto it. Butt each strip up to the one before and don't worry about the inevitable overlaps at the edges. Once you have covered the matt layer trim off the excess. Some of these pieces can be used on another matt layer for the next card.

You can then consider using an embossing folder to add more detail to this striped piece. Once you have done this either stick it onto your card base or use dimensionals to raise it a little for more depth.

The finishing touch is to add an image and sentiment. This can be anything or you could just add a bold sentiment. I die cut a plant pot and saucer and added some foliage and flowers using other offcuts from the same pack of patterned papers. You can also use something like irridescent pearls to the flower centres and if you run out half way through use a white gel pen to add similar flat dots.

Don't you just love the little Ladybird!

Here is another version of this technique which is great for using up papers.

Do have a go and share you pictures on social media.

Have a great day

Zoe x

SHOP SUPPLIES

Mixed Up Patterns DSP

Beaufiful Gallery DSP

Help Me Grow bundle

Ladybug Garden epoxy shapes

SHOP with Me

How to use layering stencils for simple stamping

2026-03-27T21:00:00.001+00:00

Welcome to the March Totally Techniques blog hop. We are sharing ideas for using layering stencils which could be homemade using die cuts or using bundles like this Layers of Beauty version that I have created. There are 5 stencils. Start with #1 and work your way through all 5.

After stamping your image gently attach it to a piece of copier paper or grid paper with some low tack tape. Position stencil #1 over the image in the correct place lining it up with the image outlines. You can then mark the position of the stencil starting at the top left with the notch in the stencil. I've added pen marks for the corners of the stencil.

Use blending brushes or sponge daubers to add colour to the revealed sections of the image.

Once completed carefully remove stencil #1 and work through each stencil lining it up with the notch and corner marks. Use the colours that suit your design.

Once completed you can die cut the image or you can use the whole sheet on which it is stamped, however make sure you remove any tape carefully at a 45degree angle to reduce the risk of tearing the card.

As you can see I die cut my image and added some extra die cuts using other dies from the set. Again I added colour using a blending brush and added these extra leaves to my main image. I use a little glue on the front of each stem to then adhere them to the back of the image.

I also added a sneak peek sentiment from a new stamp set coming in May in the new Summer catalogue. It's called A Family Celebration and has mainly the script font and a number of the words in capitals. A great size and fresh looking. I stamped in black ink and cut each word to add to my background of Wood Grain Wonder DSP.

I added Wink of Stella to some of the petals for some shimmer along with a ladybird and clear epoxy dots to the Daisy flower centres. I love a little #simplestamping and colouring in for an easy, effective and relaxing craft session.

Enjoy the hop and gather the tips to create your own versions.

Thanks for popping by.

Happy stamping Zoe x

PAPER PUMPKIN SUBSCRIPTION KITS

COMING 1 APRIL 2026

Supplies

Large Blending Brushes

small blending brushes

Ladybug Garden Epoxy Shapes

Layers of Beauty Bundle

Please contact me.

How to do the double embossing technique

2026-02-27T21:10:00.001+00:00

Welcome to February's Totally Techniques blog hop. This month we are sharing tips for the Double Embossing technique.

I decided to use one of my newest stamp bundles that will be available in my Stampin' Up! shop from 3 March. It's called Match Day and is perfect for all card makers and scrapbookers with football fans or football players in their family or friendship groups. You can create in colours to suit their favourite team and have lots of fun. I have already created several cards in sky blue for family who are hoping to see Coventry City promote back to the Championship league for the first time in quite some years. My dear Dad will jump for joy in heaven if it happens, he was a big City fan. Keeping our fingers crossed.

For this card you'll need the Match Play bundle along with Cajun Craze and Old Olive card, an embossing folder similar to Exposed Brick, some Versamark ink and clear embossing powder and a heat tool.

You can see how to create this fun technique in my video below.

Enjoy our hop and if you are based in the UK remember you can buy the necessary products in my shop via the links below or browse my Stampin' Up! ® Shop

Thanks for checking in

Zoe x

Supplies

Old Olive Cardstock

Cajun Craze cardstock

Versamark Ink pad

Embossing powder

Clean and simple cardmaking technique

2026-01-30T21:00:00.002+00:00

Hello lovely visitors. Welcome to my share for the Totally Techniques blog hop for January 2026. This month we are sharing CAS cards, clean and simple or as my US friend calls it Clean and Sharp. I've used a couple of very simple techniques within that theme of ink blending and splattering. You can make similar with more colours or indeed stick with the gorgeous Secret Sea ( my new Old Olive go with any colour ) and a single colour combo.

I like the striking outline images of the Natural Botanicals stamp set and it has lent itself really well to this card.

If you haven't come across our January Product of the Month (POTM) then do take a look at how you can get your hands on it for just £5. It has a super pair of fonts and sentiments for many, many occasions.

Enjoy our hop.

Sending sunshine

Zoe x

Supplies

In color dsp

Natural Botanicals stamp set

Fabulous Sayings

Cardstock

In Color Flat Pearls

How to use Emboss Paste for the Totally Techniques blog hop.

2025-12-26T21:00:00.001+00:00

Hi everyone I hope you have had a super Christmas if you celebrate it and are ready to see in the new year! 2025 has certainly been very eventful in so many ways and I'm hoping that 2026 will bring more joy that its predecessor.

Our last Totally Techniques hop theme was rather rashly chosen by me quite some months ago when I had current stecils/masks to use with the paste. When I came to create my card I was somewhat at a loss. I did consider creating my own stencils, but then struck upon the idea of adding ink to colour the paste and using it as a backdrop for a focal image.

So with a new bundle which you'll see arrive in early January I settled upon using the Fragrant Layers bundle and the colours of Soft Sea Foam, Lemon Lolly and Fresh Freesia. Subtle colours, but vibrant and fresh inviting Spring to come as soon as it can as a change from the damp foggy mornings we've had recently.

You'll see in the video how I went about creating my card and how to add the ink to the paste. It's only as messy as you want it to be for those who are clean ink free finger folk, but it verges on the mixed media for those who want to be a little more adventurous. Enjoy and do subscribe if you find it appeals.

Thanks for popping by and I wish you all good wishes for the remainder of the year and of course the very best for the new year ahead.

Keep stamping

Zoe x

Shop Supplies

embossing paste

palette knives craft

Fresh Freesia Re inker

Lemon Lolly Refill

Soft Sea Foam Refill

How to make a shaker card

2025-11-28T21:00:00.002+00:00

Welcome to November's Totally Techniques Blog Hop. Shaker cards always play tricks on my brain and somehow it doesn't tell me the right order, but here I have it right and have I hope created a simple version of a shaker card for you to try. I've used the Friendly Foliage stamp and die bundle from Stampin' Up! which will be available to purchase in January. It's one of the new online exclusive products and is way more user friendly than you might at first think.

For my card I've used the colours Pool Party, Garden Green and Granny Apple Green inks and Pool Party and white card. The lovely soft chevron ribbon is also a new product coming very soon. Often shaker cards contain sequins or mini beads, but I decided to use the tiny bee trinkets for my shaker. You'll see in the tutorial how I added them and kept them in the shake zone with foam adhesive strips and window sheet.

Shaker Card Tutorial

You'll see I did some tone on tone stamping too, to extend the design across the card. This works best usually with stronger colours, but here it worked well too as have the Traditional Sparkling Sequins to add a sparkly lift to the design. Sending cards to friends and family still bring smiles and love to the recipients and when they are handmade they send a strong message of 'I'm thinking of you'

Enjoy our hop via the links below and do follow my youtube channel if you enjoy my tutorial.

Thanks for visiting

Happy stamping Zoe x

Supplies Used

Tiny Bee Trinkets

Window Sheet

small blending brushes

Traditional Sparkling Sequins

Premium Pool Party cardstock

Available January 2026

Set back stamping technique for card making - Try this for your DIY Christmas Cards

2025-09-26T20:45:00.067+01:00

Welcome to our papercraft technique blog hop for September 2025. Our theme this month was set by the lovely Fanny Minnie in Austria and it is Set Back Stamping. You create depth to give the view of your image being set back on your handmade card.

I have used the popular Traditions of Christmas Suite of products from Stampin' Up! but instead of using the traditional colours of Christmas I've used pinks and greens and you could if you wished use a happy birthday sentiment instead of the ones I've used from the Traditional Labels stamp set. The floral image is from Christmas Greenery and its coordinating dies.

It's fun to create this texture to a card and really makes your image pop and can be done with any stamp and die bundle that you have. I enjoyed colouring the images with my alcohol markers (Stampin' Blends) and as you'll hear in my video tutorial you don't need to be an expert colourer to create super colourful images.

Colouring is such a great activity for clearing your mind as you focus on the colouring and the stresses of your day will more than likely disappear and so it can be very relaxing. If you like my tutorial do subscribe to my channel as there are more tutorials on the way.

Enjoy watching and then return for our tour of blogs showcasing different ideas for this fun technique. You can find all the products I used in the list at the bottom of this post.

Thanks for joining me today.

Keep stamping

Zoe x

Love Stampin' Up! Products and discounts

Join us in October with this amazing deal

contact me for information

Shopping List

Christmas Greenery Bundle

Traditional Labels stamp set

foam adhesive sheets

iridescent faceted gems

How to create custom stencils for cardmaking

2025-08-29T20:55:00.003+01:00

Hi crafting friends thanks for stopping by today as you click around the Totally Techniques International Stampin' Up! Demonstrator blog hop. We are sharing ways to create your own custom stencils or masks as my US friends call them for using on your card making or even your scrapbooking and memory keeping projects.

I have used an upcoming suite of products called the Tradtions of Christmas with two bundles, Christmas Greenery and Traditonal Labels along with Traditional Sparkling Sequins. There is also a sparkly ribbon and stunning pack of specialty DSP that you will love. You will see in time that this bundle isn't just for Christmas projects and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I have during our preorder period. The suite and many more Winter Mini products will be available from 3 September.

My card today is simple, but modern even though the colours and images are very traditional. It's easy to create and as you'll find in the video does what it says on the title!

Please do subscribe to my youtube channel for more inspiration and ideas over the coming months.

A little variation if you want to add a more vintage, traditional sentiment look.

Above is an alternative way to create a similar card with different margins on the layers and a different sentiment and dies from the Traditional Labels Bundle available from 3 September 2025.

Enjoy our hop and browsing my shop. If you don't have a catalogue please email me for a digital copy or paper copy.

Happy stamping

Zoe x

Supply List

Stampin Write Markers

Available from 3 September

Blending Brushes

Long Time No See fun handmade cards for all the family

2025-07-28T16:30:00.001+01:00

Are you a dog or a cat person? Or maybe you adore both. It's fair to say I'm an animal fan, but my first choice would be a dog, and hence why I love this stamp set which has a small, but eclectic group of animals. I think the Dachshund is uber cute and the llama or alpacha whichever you want it to be is just fun. If you missed my post using the dog visiting the Eiffel Tower you can see it on my earlier Stampingscene post.

I've enjoyed using them so much and I think you will too! Today I'm sharing this fun 'sausage dog' ,'as we called them when I was a child, dog card or is it a bee!

Tips to Create

stamp the dog on masking paper and cut out
stamp dog on matt layer and cover with mask
stamp flowers, grass , wings and antennae
stamp the dog onto an offcut of card and colour with alcohol markers. Fussy cut out. Adhere with glue dots
colour flowers
use wink of stella with ink from smoky slate pad or a watercolour pencil to create sparkly subtle wings
use a blending brush over diecut clouds to add soft sky.
pop stamped sentiment of choice in the sky and add tiny bee trinkets with multipurpose adhesive.
add matt layer if desired to coordinate with flowers

Check back soon to meet more friends of Pierre and Bea.

Thanks for visiting and if you can't live without any of the products used please do visit my online stampin' shop. Opt in to the rewards when you create an account to earn product credit for future orders when you spend £20 or more.

Happy stamping

Zoe x

Supply List

Long Time No See stamp set

#166189

#164714

#141897

#162547

#153611 large

#160518 small

masking paper

#155480

Watercolour Stamping Tutorial for paper crafting

2025-07-25T21:00:00.001+01:00

Hi friends how's your week been? Here I've been busy enjoying time out with friends, walking dogs and enjoying son being home for a few days. I've also been busy creating and really enjoyed tinkering with ink and water to create this month's Totally Technique card. Annette my lovely dutch friend set the task for us to share watercolour stamping and it is fun.

I really like the differing looks that just using these mediums can create and add in embossing folders and dies and there's lots you can do.

The measurements are as follows

Fluid 100 watercolour paper whole sheet

Lost Lagoon card base 29.8 x 10.5 cm scored at 14.85 cm

Lost Lagoon matt layer embossed 9.7cm x 14cm

Lost Lagoon die cut rectangle start with 10.5cm x 14.8cm

All the extra details are included in the video. If you enjoy watching please do subscribe to my channel and share with friends.

You can use ribbon, rhinestones and die cut card to embellish or add some tiny bee trinkets and hand torn stamped two-tone cardstock. Which do you prefer?

Enjoy your weekend

Hugs Zoe x

Ends tonight

Supplies used

Natural Botanicals stamp set

#164831

Painted Stripes background stamp

Lost Lagoon cardstock

Ink/water spritzer

Tiny Bee Trinkets

Pierre the sausage dog!

2025-07-22T16:07:00.001+01:00

Have you met Pierre? How cute is this little dog. He's a new stamp that I just can't put down. I have had so much fun creating this card and adding in some images from very old stamps that I told my husband were all gone!!!

You can make some images pop in the background by embossing them with clear powder onto darker colour shades then add your main image or focal point over the top.

The dog is super cute and easily coloured with alcohol markers or Stampin' Write markers. Fussy cut him out to place him wherever you want him. I have some more examples coming soon.

You might also want to note that we have a 3 day free shipping window. You'll earn 10% Stampin' Rewards also of your product total which can be used on your next order or saved. Please note that the free shipping applies between 23 and 25 July 2025 once £60 of paid for product is in your shopping basket.

Thanks for stopping by and come back soon for more Long Time No See stamp set adventures.

Happy stamping

Zoe x

Supplies

Long Time No See stamp set

Spotlight on Nature dies

Alcohol markers Stampin' Blends

SHOP with ZOE

Ink Patterns with Sunshine Vibes

2025-07-14T10:56:00.003+01:00

Happy Monday are you still enjoying sunshine? Here we managed a little gardening before getting too hot yesterday and were pleased to hear some rain as we tumbled into bed last night. It's just what the garden needed.

My card today sends you a happy hello. I wanted to show you that you can use those small stamps in your sets. They sometimes seem a little random, but think outside the box a little and you can create a fun design. I chose to stamp the line image 4 times on each piece of card, rotating the image as I went along.

Build up the squares to create overall a larger image or background to be home to the leaf images from the same Sunshine Vibes stamp set . These are fussy cut and easy to cut out. Remember to move your card and not your scissors when you fussy cut to get a more even border.

The sentiment in part is from Sunshine Vibes, but the friend is from a retired set that just fitted perfectly under the semi circle which also fitted beautifully into the die cut circle from Spotlight on Nature dies.

Add some embellishments, but position your leaves to cover some spots so you don't run out and give the impression of adding to the whole design.

By the way the squares are all mounted onto Stampin' Dimensionals to give a little more depth and the colours are Secret Sea and Daffodil Delight with white.

Have a great week.

Hugs Zoe x

Supply List

Sunshine Vibes bundle

Secret Sea cardstock

Secret Sea Ink Pad

Daffodil Delight Ink Pad

Muted Palette Dots

Ways to create single layer cards - Madras Plaid Technique

2025-06-27T21:00:00.002+01:00

Hey everyone it's Totally Techniques time again. Diane chose our theme of single layer cards. This I think is more difficult than it sounds unless of course you are a CAS - clean and simple fan and even then not being able to add layers can be a challenge, but hopefully you will find lots of inspiration from our hop this month.

I have chosen to share the Madras Plaid technique along with a super cute Dachshund dog that you'll be able to find in the online exclusive section of my shop next month.

The Layered Thoughts sentiment stamp set works for everyone on your handmade card list and just add your own images to suit. I used Layers of Beauty for the flowers.

You might have inky fingers with this technique so why not make several pieces in different colours to keep safe for when you need them. I used Seaside Wishes now only £7.60 for the rocks.

Thanks for joining me today and enjoy the hop with lots of ideas.

Keep stamping

Zoe x

Supply List

Seaside Wishes - Last Chance to buy

Layered Thoughts

LONG TIME NO SEE - featuring the Daschund available 1 July 2025

2025-2027 In Color flat pearls

Ink pads

Ideas for using embossing folders with two-tone cardstock

2025-06-03T16:40:00.003+01:00

Hi Crafty Friends

Have you tried this?

You need some two-tone cardstock to achieve the two shades. Not come across two-tone cardstock let me explain. It is lighter weight card that is white in the middle then printed in two shades of one colour, one on each side. You can get it in lots of the standard Stampin' Up! colours or in mixed colour packs. Above I used Old Olive and you can clearly see the two tones. The mixed colour packs can be found in our scrapbooking section because this card comes in 12" x 12" sheets. These particular packs coordinate with Designer Series Paper and Sticker packs which can be used for scrapbooking, but are perfect for the card maker in you also.

Now because it is white in the middle when you tear it the white will show through from the middle. Also if you emboss it and then gently sand it with fine sandpaper or a nail file you can see the white come through. You can leave this white to show off the embossed design like I have above or you can also used markers or colouring pencils to add more colour depending upon your embossing folder or if you wish to add more colour.

This two-tone card is also great for matting layers to add thinner, but different colour matts and it also looks great when die cut with dies like the Textured Notes dies because again although the white isn't strong it does add to the detailing through the die cuts.

I used three of the dies to get different edges to my rectangles and the one for the sentiment is perfect for sentiments. Adding a few gold pearls and a touch of twisted gold thread just add that bit of luxury and sophistication. Regular readers will know I love a bit of bling too!

The embossing folder used was a standard slim folder from the twinset Glass and Gardens embossing folders, but you can use the 3D folders also and you might find that depending upon the folder used the white may break through as you emboss to give more texture also. You can play about and experiment. Remember to always put the folder through your die cutting machine fold first to avoid cracking it with too much pressure.

Have fun experimenting.

Hugs Zoe x

Supply List & Shopping Links

Celebrate Together two-tone cardstock

Turtle-y Sweet two-tone cardstock

Textured Notes Dies

Glass and Gardens Embossing Folders

How to do block stamping with acrylic stamping blocks

2025-05-30T21:00:00.001+01:00

Happy Friday all, even though it is almost over for many. You probably wouldn't think of using the blocks you pop your stamps onto as stamps themselves, but you'll learn below that they too can be used to create fun, inked colour to your card making and possibly scrapbook pages.

You can learn different ways to use your acrylic blocks by touring our blog hop where several international demonstrators are sharing their take on this quick and easy technique.

You will love the individuality of each custom made piece using this technique and by varying colours, spritzing and just stamping style you can make lots of original backgrounds and projects.

I find this a very quick technique, apart from possibly a little drying time and whether you use a little, a lot or no water. You will also want to revisit my previous post about creating water colour washes using markers and blocks and perhaps you'll combine these two techniques. It is certainly a bunch of products that allow you to experiment and adapt to suit your own needs without needing to be a rocket scientist!

Have fun with it and enjoy my short video to show you how.

The best thing about this is you can use any colours you want to and can create male, female, kids cards using all sorts of stamp images to suit the occasion. What will you choose?

My supply list is at the bottom of the post if you need anything to get you going and you can visit the rest of the ideas by clicking on the icons below to visit all my lovely friends and their ideas on this tutorial theme.

Thanks for checking in and do subscribe to my youtube channel for more cardmaking tutorials.

Keep stamping

Zoe x

Supply List

acrylic blocks

Happy Hibiscus Hybrid Embossing Folder

Stylish Shapes dies

Eyelet 3D embossing folder

Ink pads

Summer Splash

Greetings for All - Mix and Match Ephemera sentiment pack

SHOP ALL PRODUCTS

When you shop and spend £20 or more on product you can earn 10% of your product total in rewards to be used on a future purchase.

Be sure to opt into Stampin' Up! Rewards when you sign up.

Please contact me for more details if required.

Collage Stamping

2025-04-25T21:00:00.001+01:00

Hi friends join our Totally Techniques blog hop for lots of ideas about collage stamping. We have a fabulous selection of different ways to incorporate this technique into your paper crafting.

Today though I don't have a video as I managed to somehow delete it after filming my make so I'll explain a few ideas for you.

Start by creating a watercolour wash background and let it dry thoroughly. You can then stamp onto it using your chosen stamps. Mine are from the Cheers and Sips set along with the splatter stamps from Elements of Text. Both sets are online exclusives with the Cheers and Sips launching on 6 May. You can create different effects by stamping with full ink or stamping some off first on scratch paper and then using second generation ink. Once stamped I created my own stencil using the lemon and olive dies from the Cheers and Sips dies to create it using a piece of acetate that comes in with your stamp set. It's thinner than window sheet and so not a problem for dies to cut. Using the stencil you can add embossing paste to enhance your project with texture.

I also used blending brushes to add colour to white card to create the glass, umbrella and strawberry. Be sure if you then emboss your image that you allow the ink to dry before stamping and use an embossing buddy to avoid excess powder on your image that is difficult to remove.

You can also use glue dots once all your elements are completely dry to add gold leafing dots. Stamp a simple sentiment in Secret Sea ink onto white card for an effective but easy option and a matt layer dry embossed using your favourite embossing folder. Mine is Forever Plaid .

Thanks for stopping by. See you again soon and check out my youtube channel to learn more techniques. I will do another video for this technique soon.

Keep stamping

Zoe x

Supplies Used

Elements of Text

embossing - texture paste

mini glue dots

blending brushes

Let's make a Split Front Trifold card

2025-03-28T21:00:00.001+00:00

Hey crafty friends I'm excited to share this month's card for the Totally Techniques blog hop. It was fun to make although as you'll see in the video it doesn't always go to plan, but a butterfly can save the day.

This month the team are sharing split front trifold card ideas. This idea was chosen by Sandra Black our German team mate and I've enjoyed the challenge dispite my hiccups.

Here is my video to show you how to cut the base card and place the pieces of DSP etc. You'll note from the picture above I added a little more stamping than the video shows and some brushed gold butterfly embellishments to 'enhance' or should I say disguise my inky fingers mishaps.

Here you can see one of the closing flaps of the card for ideas of how to decorate your fancy fold card. Simple stamping with a limited colour palette is quick and easy to do.

The top layer of your fancy fold could look like this or you could adjust the size of the pieces of card you use.

When you open both flaps you can decorate the centre space and leave room for hand written messages or stamp a sentiment and more flowers for your recipient. For mine I used a new stamp set called Layered Thoughts that will be available to Stampin' Up! fans from 6 May 2025.

As you can see from the alternative example below you can adjust the measurements of your decoration to change the look of your card.

Thanks for popping by today. Do give this funfold card a try.

Happy stamping

Zoe x

Supplies Used

Labeled with love stamp set

paper trimmer

paper snips

ink pads

How to create stamping kissing technique for card making

2025-02-28T21:05:00.001+00:00

Hey crafty friends

You ever had a go at the 'kissing technique' for papercrafting. It basically means you ink a solid stamp and then kiss it with a clean image stamp to remove ink from the solid shape stamp and then when you stamp on card it reveals the shape with an image inside it. You can spot the fish and snorkling crab in my blue circles. It's fun and you can experiment with different colours to see which works best for you. Also if you have a very inky ink pad you might like to try stamping off first before kissing your image onto the inked stamp to reduce the intensity of colour applied.

Have fun on our monthly Totally Techniques Blog hop via the links below.

Thanks for popping by

Hugs Zoe x

Supply List

Kiss of Texture stamp Set

Submarine Life stamp set

Submarine Life Builder Punch

How to create a fringing effect on your handmade cards

2025-01-31T21:00:00.005+00:00

Hello crafty friends! A few days ago chatting with a friend I suggested that January had been a long month and she replied that it was about time I realised it was 756 days long!!! Ha Ha but it has seemed very long and slow this year.

I'm glad to celebrate the end with this pretty card created using the Wildflower Birthday Suite which is gorgeous. Full of gold touches making it luxurious, but also full of fresh colours and the implication of brighter days to come with Spring not too far away now.

The card features the Fringing Technique which you can create with paper and scissors and could use as a feature on a handmade card like this one or indeed as an embellishment for a scrapbook page. I used a pair of fringe scissors which makes it even easier, but not essential for you to create the same effect. Add some lovely printed die cut flowers or balloon from the suite and you have a stunning birthday card.

I added some extra embellishment using some Party Dots part of the suite, a pink baker's twine bow and a die cut sentiment that says what you need for a dear friend.

I've recently joined a video tutorial group and in February you can receive the digital tutorial bundle featuring 12 more video tutorials using this fabulous suite of products either free with an order of £45 or more or you can purchase it from me by contacting me via my subscriber button above.

Here is the video tutorial. Please do subscribe to my Youtube channel for more tutorials.

Here you can see a close up of the example I created in the video above to compare the fringe differencies. You can use just ordinary scissors to set your own fringing size.

Enjoy clicking on the links below to see more Fringing Technique ideas for your cardmaking and scrapbooking.

Thanks for visiting.

Zoe x

1. Diane Evans - Canada

2. Sandra Black - Germany

3. Fanny Minne - Austria

4. Zoe Tant - UK you are here

5. Annette Elias - Netherlands

6. Dena Rekow - USA

7. Mette Nordling - Australia

Birthday Celebration Dies

Wildflower Birthday DSP

party dots

Greetings for All diecuts

soft sea foam cardstock

How to create a watercolour wash for papercraft

2024-12-27T21:00:00.001+00:00

Hello there and welcome to the final Totally Techniques Blog Hop for 2024. Our blog hop is here for you to visit several blogs sharing a similar technique to give you lots of tips and ideas for your card making. This technique will also serve you well as a memory keeper journalling events in your life or scrapbooking. You don't need many supplies for my version just waterbased markers, card, a stamp block and a water spritzer. You can find the items and colours I used detailed in the video and below on my supply list.

I love how simply you can start with this technique and how you can adapt it with layers or embellishiments and stamping to suit your personal design. It's quick to create although sometimes you may want to allow time for your watercolour wash to dry before using it. You can use a heat tool to speed up this process also if you can't wait.

If you love the Stampin' Write Markers you might want to look at a speical offer coming on 7 January 2025 where you can take up option one to earn 2 free sets of 10 marker pens. Please contact me for more details using the subscribe button above for more information.

Here is a short video tutorial of how to do the simple technique I have used on the background on the circle on this card.

I hope the festive season if you celebrate has been happy and full of fun and I wish everyone who reads this a happy, healthy and successful 2025. See you again soon.

Thanks for visiting

Hugs Zoe x

Supply List

Kiss of Texture Stamp Set 164759 available from 7 January 2025

Sweetly Scripted

Stampin' Write Markers

Different colour packs available

ink pads

Stylish Shape Dies

Purple Fine Shimmer Gems

Ink/Water Spritzer bottles

How to make Front Flip cards with Totally Techniques

2024-11-29T21:00:00.013+00:00

Hi there and welcome to November's Totally Techniques Blog Hop. If you want to add a little movement to your card you'll love our technique this month. We are sharing Front Flip cards with you which can be simple or more detailed to suit your own style.

I've gone for a pretty simple version because when I started to create it my brain didn't want to go in the right direction. Have you had days like that?

I've used a fun set called Submarine Life and you'll possibly notice a new cheeky character inside the card who you will find in the new year in our Saleabration (SAB) brochure. SAB if you are new to Stampin' Up! shopping is a fabulous promotion that runs from 7 January next year until the end of February and you can get bonus freebies with your orders. Check back for more information coming.

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of card 14.8cm x 21cm

2. With the card in landscape position measure and draw in a feint pencil line 5.25cm from the left edge from top to bottom of the card.

3. Cut a circle that will form the outer edge of your image piece and score it across the midde. Position the circle so that the fold lines up top and bottom on the feint pencil line. The circle should be in the centre section of the card.

4. Use some washi or low tack tape to position the same die used for the circle ontop of your cut circle on the card. You now need to partial die cut half the circle by only passing the card partially through your die cutting maching.

5. Now use an eraser to remove the pencil line and then score above and below. Use the scratch circle to make sure your scoring is where the pencil line was. Also score the card on the long side for the width of the card at 10.5cm.

6. Fold the score lines above and below the circle to fold the outer edge back towards the centre fold of the card.

7. You can now decorate your card. Choose some patterned paper (DSP) and also cut two circles in white that are smaller than your original circle die for stamping. Also cut 3 coordinating circles with the original larger circle die to act as matt layers. One will help to cover an miscut that you may have achieved, like me (oops!) on the front and inside of your flap section and the other goes behind my seagull image.

8. Stamp and colour white circles before sticking onto your card.

9. I used Stampin' Write Markers to colour around my stamped images and add highlights. Again in SAB you may want to join our team and benefit from the SAB offer of some bonus Stampin' Write Markers when you join along with £130 of stamping goodies for just £99 and free shipping. For more details please subscribe to my newsletter above to get all the information.

Do visit the other members of the Totally Techniques group for other ideas and videos and if you prefer inches you'll find them on some of the other's shares.

Thanks for stopping by.

Keep stamping!

Zoe x

Supply List

Subtles Stampin' Write Markers

Stylish Shape Dies

Submarine Life stamp set

Subtles 6 x 6" DSP

COMING SOON

From 3 December 2024

SHOP

Blackout Embossing Technique for card making

2024-10-25T21:10:00.001+01:00

Hello crafty friends and welcome to my take on the Blackout Embossing Technique that the Totally Techniques Team are sharing with you this month.

You don't need many supplies and can create pretty backgrounds, layers or diecuts once you've used this process. Gather together a 3D embossing folder, colouring tools and an inkpad that is a darker colour than all the colours you use to colour your embossed images; a great place to start is with a black ink pad as it will work with all colours.

The colours used include Mossy Meadow, Fresh Freesia, Peach Pie, Granny Apple Green. The embossing folder is from the Happy Hibiscus Hybrid Embossing Folder which will be available to you in my shop from 1 November 2024. There is also a stamp set and the bundle will be available also.

I also used twisted gold thread and Blooming Pearls to enhance the die cut flowers.

Drop by all the blogs on our Totally Techniques hop to get more ideas for your crafting with the Blackout Embossing Technique.

Take care and happy stamping

Zoe x

SHOP PRODUCTS

How to do Ghost Stamping for card-making

2024-09-27T21:00:00.015+01:00

It's been a very wet week here and I'm now glad that for a short while there is no wind or rain and the sun is shining. I believe it is due to last a couple of days and so let's enjoy it. However you've found the right place for some crafting inspiration if you are stuck indoors with wet windy weather. Our Totally Techniques team are sharing one form of Ghost Stamping.

It's something I had never done before and I enjoyed getting inky to create some fun simple cards with a different texture. I also used a selection of background stamps that I love to use but often forget to pull off my shelf.

All you really need is a pigment white ink pad, white card, a background or line image stamp and then a solid image or background stamp. You'll also want some different colour inkpads which can be all different colours or the same colour in different shades. You don't need much else other than a base card and any embellishments or sentiments you may wish to add. This is really simple with subtle results, but enhancing results and I think you will enjoy having a go.

For the above card you'll want colours similar to Garden Green, Lemon Lime twist, Azure Afternoon, Misty Moonlight and white pigment ink.

You can find out how to create the ghost stamping effect in the video below.

From background stamps to add the colour you can also move to using smaller stamps like these from the Iconic Imagery Stampin' Up! bundle. Use all the different elements to create a seasonal background of your own and then just add sentiments to share your festive message.

For this you'll need colours similar to Poppy Parade, Garden Green, Lemon Lime Twist, Lemon Lolly, white pigment ink and black card.

Give this technique a try because you'll definitely enjoy trying it out with different colours and stamps. Also take a look at my global Stampin' Up! friends on our blog hop by clicking on the icons below to look at their makes with this technique.

Thanks for popping by and did I mention that next month we'll have a Kit sale. 30% off all kits in the Kits Collection. Look under Online exclusives to find them.

See you soon.

Zoe x

Supplies Used

Iconic Imagery

Leaf Collection

Sketched Plaid

Un-inked stampin pad with craft white pigment ink with refill

Deckle Edge Rectangle Dies

telescoping technique for cardmaking

2024-08-30T21:00:00.001+01:00

Welcome all to my blog today and the Totally Techniques blog hop. Tour via the links below to see different versions of the Telescoping Technique for card makers. You could also consider this technique for adding embellishment to scrapbook pages that suit your theme.

Today I've used the Winterly Tree Tops bundle which will be available from 4 September in our Winter Mini catalogue. It has a fab set of papers that coordinates and some lovely bakers twine in various colours. The set is perfect for Christmas or for any 'twitchers' ie birdwatchers that you know. It will also work well for those always challenging masculine cards.

This week I've been trying to use my phone to create the video with the help of my son. Where would be without our children in todays technology whizz. I'm getting to grips with it slowly and I hope it works for you to watch. If you like it to encourage me to keep trying do subscribe to my youtube channel.

I added my telescoped image to a base card of 5.25 inches square and a few stripes of red card along with the designer paper which is called Iconic Celebrations. It covers autumn into winter and seasonal events and gives lots of scope for Christmas cards and Diwali and celebrations of light and joy. This suite of products can be found in the exclusively online section of my shop.

In the video I created the card below which uses the Stitched Shape dies circles as opposed to the squares from the same pack as you see above and some more easy to use products from the winter range of mix and match ephemera packs. These will make Christmas card makes some of the easiest you will ever encouter.

To add some texture to the sentiment and my telescoped image I've added a layer of card cut just a little smaller than my base card and used the de-bossed side having dry embossed it with the birch wood 3D embossing folder which is 6" x8.5" so a great size for embossing larger pieces of card.

The weather is back to being variable here in my world and so Christmas making seems to feel right. I'll be sharing more over the coming weeks so see you again soon.

Happy weekend all.

Hugs Zoe

Supply List

Available Now

Card stock

Iconic celebrations suite

Blooming pearls

Stylish Shapes Dies

Alcohol markers Stampin' Blends