Pinkies Autumn/Winter Blog Hop

Thank you for joining us on another Pinkies Blog Hop! We're showcasing lots of gorgeous projects using products from the new Stampin' Up!® Seasonal Autumn Winter Catalogue. Simply use the buttons at the end of each post to keep hopping!

Welcome to those who have joined me from Sarah's blog - wasn't her project gorgeous? I just love how she has used the new products from Stampin' Up!'s new seasonal catalogue which runs until the end of the year.

One of the first products I feel immediately in love with was the gorgeous and versatile Candy Cane Lane Designer Series Paper. I particularly love the sheet with the gingerbread houses and could not resist using this as the basis for my project – a 3D shadow box card.

After cutting out the gingerbread house image, I have used crumb cake cardstock as the background to the shadow box – having first embossed it with the Falling Softly embossing folder and using the chalk marker on the embossed image, so it looks like snow falling. I finished off the edges of the card using images cut from other sheets of the DSP.

Of course as it was a 3D card, I needed to make an envelope to fit, so used some more of the Candy Cane Lane DSP and the envelope punch board to make the perfect envelope

If you want to know how to make a shadow box card, you will find lots of tutorials on YouTube.

Don't forget to stop by Catherine's blog as I know she has a fab project to share with you. Click on the next button below to take a look

To make these projects you will need:

Cardstock/Paper: Thick Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Candy Cane Lane DSP ♦ Stamps: Star of Light ♦ Ink: Real Red ♦ Tools/Accessories: Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Envelope Punch Board, Falling Softly Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Wink of Stella pen (clear), Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Chalk marker

You can order from my online shop 24/7 or if you prefer contact me directly. Why not contact me and I’ll send you a free copy of the seasonal catalogue.

A la prochaine! Amitiés!

Nicole

Fast Friday - Week 23

This week's project is a case (but with my own spin on it!) of one of my favourite card ideas in the current Autumn/Winter seasonal 2014 catalogue. As soon as I saw the card featured on page 8 of the catalogue I knew that I just HAD to get the products to make it!

My version has a modern and (I hope) stylish spin with the black card base and gold embossing, complete with rhinestone accents.

Like last week's project, this card would be perfect for batch production - so necessary when making multiple Christmas cards! Of course as this is a dark card base, don't forget you will need to line the card inside with some white paper.

To make this project you will need:

Cardstock/Paper: Basic Black ♦ Stamps: Cheerful Christmas ♦ Ink: Versamark ♦ Tools/Accessories: Big Shot, Filigree Frame Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Heat gun, Gold Embossing Powder, Basic rhinestones

You can order from my online shop 24/7 or if you prefer contact me directly.

Don't forget I will be at Stamperama on Saturday 25 October - and you will be able to see this simple but stunning card in real life! Hope to meet old friends and make new ones!

Finally why not head over to the clearance rack in my online store as lots new items have been added - lots of retired products from last year's seasonal. When they're gone, they're gone ... so don't miss out!

A la prochaine! Amitiés!

Nicole

Fast Friday - Week 22

Bonjour! I held a class last week to celebrate the new Autumn/Winter Seasonal 2014 catalogue and we made 5 projects - 2 3D items and 3 cards. Here's one of the cards we made.

This was quick and easy to do - just what is needed when making multiple cards to send out at Christmas! And it was super easy using the Endless Wishes photopolymer set. I started off stamping the greeting (love, love, love the mixture of fonts) and then stamped the snowflakes round it. The longest part of the project was probably spent on cleaning the stamps when changing ink colours!

To make this project you will need:

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White ♦ Stamps: Endless Wishes ♦ Ink: Blackberry Bliss, Elegant Eggplant, Lost Lagoon, Island Indigo, Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate ♦ Tools/Accessories: Basic rhinestones

You can order from my online shop 24/7 or if you prefer contact me directly.

It did seem a bit odd though making Christmas cards whilst we have an Indian summer! If you would like to see this set in action, why not come along to Stamperama's show at The Rufus Centre in Flitwick on Saturday 25 October where I will be having a stand. Stamperama is always a great show and this one is extra special as it will be in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

A la prochaine! Amitiés!

Nicole

Pinkies Stampin' Up! Blog Hop - Autumn/Winter Seasonal Catalogue 2014

Thank you for joining us on another Pinkies Blog Hop! We're showcasing lots of gorgeous projects using products from the new Stampin' Up!® Autumn/Winter Seasonal Catalogue. Simply use the buttons at the end of each post to keep hopping!

Welcome to those who have joined me from Kim P's blog - wasn't her project gorgeous? I just love how she has used the products from the new catalogue!

My project is my first Christmas card of 2014 - which feels a bit surreal as when I was making this card earlier this week it was a hot and sunny day. One of the first sets I was drawn to in the new seasonal catalogue was the Wondrous Wreath photopolymer set with the matching framelits (as a result there's a bundle with 15% off - don't you just love a bargain?!). I wanted to make my wreath very Christmassy (but modern) so decided my main colours would be just silver and gold.

As Wondrous Wreath is a photopolymer set it makes two-step stamping a breeze by perfectly lining up the coordinating images. I started off my wreath by stamping the main image in Smoky Slate ink. The next layer (which is just a few of the leaves highlighted from the first image) was stamped in versamark and then heat embossed in silver. The final layer is the berries and once again these were stamped in versamark, but this time I heat embossed in gold. The wreath then was cut out with the matching framelits. It could have been really tricky lining this up, but was made super easy with the guides on both the stamps and the framelits. You can see the guides on the framelits in the image below.

I used the "Noel" word die from the framelit set for my greeting, but I wanted to add more depth to this (to match the wreath), so I did several die cuts and layered one on top of the other (the bottom 4 were in Whisper White and the top in gold foil). Btw (by the way) there is also another word die in the framelits set - "Joy" - but of course being a Francophile I just had to go with "Noël" (mais oui bien sûr)!

So what are you waiting for? Do you want to get your hands on some fabulous new product? Well you can order from my online shop 24/7 or if you prefer contact me directly. And if you are local to me why not hold a party and get your friends to come along for some crafting fun!

Have a great weekend but don't forget to stop by Kim H's blog as I know she has a fab project to share with you. Click on the next button below to take a look....

To make this project you will need:

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Naturals Ivory, Gold Foil, Brushed Silver ♦ Stamps: Wondrous Wreath ♦ Ink: Smoky Slate, Versamark ♦ Tools/Accessories: Heat Gun, Silver Embossing Powder, Gold Embossing Powder, Big Shot, Wondrous Wreath Framelits Dies, Rhinestones, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Envelope Punch Board

Have a fantastic weekend!  A la prochaine! Amitiés!

Nicole

Pinkies Stampin' Up! Autumn/Winter Seasonal Catalogue Blog Hop

Thank you for joining us on another Pinkies Blog Hop! We're showcasing lots of gorgeous projects using products from the new Stampin' Up!® Autumn/Winter Seasonal Catalogue. Simply use the buttons at the end of each post to keep hopping!

Welcome to those of you who have joined me from Tracy's blog - wasn't her project gorgeous?

My project is focusing on two stamp sets from the seasonal catalogue – Wishing You and Very Merry Tags.

You will see I have created a Christmas card in non-traditional colours and I have gone for a narrow card (which will still fit into a C6 envelope) using Pool Party as my cardstock base. Pool Party was one of the former in-colours that is now one of the Subtles following the colour refresh earlier in the year. So glad it came back as it is one of my favourite colours!

Recipe
Cardstock/Paper: Pool Party, Whisper White
Stamps: Wishing You, Meadow (hostess), Very Merry Tags
Ink: Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Bermuda Bay
Tools/Accessories: Mosaic Punch, Pearls, Island Indigo Baker’s Twine, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Reindeer (not included!)

The Very Merry Tags stamp set coordinates with 7 of Stampin’ Up’s fabulous punches – but I have obviously only shown one stamp image from the set here - the remaining stamps coordinate with different punches.  Although you get the best finish (plus it’s quicker!) if you have the punches, it’s not essential as long as you are prepared to cut by hand!

This card would be good to make in bulk, so if you would like to get started early on your Christmas cards why not contact me to book a party and I will show you how easy it is to make this simple but stunning card! Or why not click on my "shop now" button at the top of my blog to order your supplies straight away?

Have a great weekend huddled up and keeping warm now that the UK’s summery weather appears to be over.  So why not make sure you stop by Michelle Last's blog as I know she has a fab project to share with you. Click on the next button below to take a look....

A la prochaine! Amitiés!

Nicole

Washi Tape Christmas Card

As many of you will know one of the latest trends in paper crafting is washi tape. Stampin' Up! first introduced washi tape in their Annual Catalogue that came out in July, but have brought out more in their latest catalogue - the Autumn/Winter seasonal.

I have cased a card that I have seen in various places over the internet, but which I primarily saw on Chic' n Scratch - Angie Kennedy Juda's blog. I have done my own version turning it into a Christmas card

Recipe
Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler textured 12x12 cardstock
Stamps: Very Merry Tags
Ink: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler
Tools/Accessories: Season of Style Washi Tape, Artisan Label Punch, Big Shot, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I have used one of the images from the versatile Very Merry Tags stamp set which comes from the new Autumn/Winter Seasonal Catalogue.  The image I have used coordinates with the Artisan Label punch, but there are also a further 6 (yes 6!) images that coordinate with other lovely Stampin' Up! punches.

After I had stuck the washi tape to the Whisper White mat (and before I matted it onto the textured Cherry Cobbler cardstock - another new product from the seasonal), I embossed it with the Modern Mosaic embossing folder.  To get a neat effect with the stamped image I used my marker pens to colour the words on the stamp in different colours.

What do you think? If you would like to see another project using one of the stamps from Very Merry Tags please come back on Saturday when you will see something completely different!

A la prochaine! Amitiés!

Nicole

Start getting ready for Christmas early ....

... by ordering from the new 2013-14 Autumn/Winter catalogue from Stampin' Up which has launched today!

There are some gorgeous new DSP (Designer Series Paper) as well as ribbon, embellishments and of course stamp sets!  There are also several kits, which will appeal to both the new crafter as well as those of us short of time!

You can look at a copy on-line straight away by clicking here.  Alternatively contact me and I will pop a copy in the post for you.

There are also some items that have carried over from the 2012 catalogue - click here for further details.

Finally there is a new release in the "Best of" - this time it is "Best of Christmas".

I just can't wait to get my own copy of this set and have a play!

A la prochaine! Amitiés!

Nicole

Contemporary Christmas

On Sunday I was at the Pinkies' quarterly training in Bicester. We had a fab day making a gorgeous project.... thank you Michelle Last & Nicky Dexter.

As usual for such an event I made some swaps using some of the gorgeous products from the new annual Stampin' Up! catalogue. I decided to do a Christmas card with a contemporary theme both in terms of colours and style.

Recipe
Cardstock: Whisper White notecards 
Stamps: Chock Full of Cheer 
Ink: Island Indigo, Pool Party & Pretty in Pink markers; Versamark
Tools/Accessories: Heat gun, Silver embossing powder, Stampin’ Dimensionals, ½” punch

What do you think? I was quite pleased when I had finished these in reasonably good time on Saturday evening (instead of the usual small hours of Sunday morning...) but then disaster struck at the last moment as I managed to knock a glass over and the last dregs went over some of my swaps.  I quickly managed to move most of them out of the way but some were damaged and I had to redo them, so as usual I was still last minute dot com - typical!

If you would like to order any of the products I have used to create this project please contact me and I will be happy to help.

Do come back on Saturday, when I will have more projects to share with you, featuring more new products from the new catalogue.

A la prochaine! Amitiés!

Nicole

Pinkie's Blog Hop - Autumn Winter 2012 Seasonal Catalogue

Welcome to our first ever Pinkies’ Blog Hop.  We’ll be showcasing lots of gorgeous projects using products from the new Stampin’ Up!® Autumn Winter Seasonal Catalogue.

Our blog hop buttons will help guide you on your way.  We love comments, so please do tell us what you think!

My projects have focused on the gorgeous new Watercolour Winter stamp set which can be found on page 14 of the the Autumn Winter Seasonal Catalogue.

The basic layout for each of my 3 cards is the same - but you will see how different each card is due to the techniques and colours involved!  There is something for everyone - both new and more experienced crafters.

My first card has used the bleached colouring technique.  Firstly, I stamped the image several times using Versamark on Real Red cardstock.  I then heated embossed the images with white embossing powder.  Then carefully using a old paint brush I dabbed thin household bleach inside the embossed images to lighten the cardstock.  I then used marker pens to colour in the leaves and berries. The final touch was to add Crystal Effects to add dimension - hopefully you can see this from the close-up photo on the right.

Recipe
Cardstock/Paper: SU Real Red
Stamps: SU Watercolour Winter, SU Delightful Dozen
Ink: SU Cherry Cobbler marker pen, SU Garden Green marker pen, Versamark, Black Stazon
Tools/Accessories: Heat Gun, SU White Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, SU Crystal Effects, thin bleach

Crystal Effects has also been used on the second card, but more dimension has been given to the layout with the use of an embossing folder as well as strategic use of Stampin' Dimensionals!

The Watercolour Winter stamp set is ideal for 2-step stamping, however on this occasion I used a blender pen to add colour onto the holly leaves.  More dimension is added by the use of Crystal Effects - this time on just the berries.


Recipe
Cardstock/Paper: SU Garden Green SU Whisper White, SU Brushed Silver
Stamps: SU Watercolour Winter, SU Delightful Dozen
Ink: SU Garden Green, SU Real Red marker, Black Stazon, SU Blender Pen
Tools/Accessories: SU Blender Pen, SU Crystal Effects, Big Shot, SU Framelits Labels Collection, SU Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, SU Dimensionals

The last card is much more simple and is ideal for producing in bulk - perfect for Christmas cards!

Once more a blender pen has been used to add colour to the holly leaves.  The berries have been coloured in directly with a Real Red marker.  And once more I have used Crystal Effects - don't you just love it?!  I introduced Crystal Effects to a customer at a recent class and she is now totally addicted - I think she will be applying Crystal Effects to everything (even non craft items)!!!

Recipe
Cardstock/Paper: SU Notecards
Stamps: SU Watercolour Winter, SU Delightful Dozen
Ink: Black Stazon, SU Garden Green, SU Real Red maker
Tools/Accessories: SU Blender Pen, SU Crystal Effects


If you would like to order any of the products I have used to create these projects please contact me and I will be happy to help. Also as a special offer until the end of September, if you place an order of £45 or more I will send you a copy of the New Annual Catalogue for FREE (this offer is from me - not Stampin' Up!).

I hope these cards have inspired you to make a start on your Christmas cards - after all it is only 14 weeks away now (and that time will quickly fly by)! I will admit I also need to practice what I preach - I am very good at making cards for others, but tend to leave my own cards until the latest posting dates - I am very much "last minute dot com"!

Please use the buttons below to visit more fabulous projects created by my fellow Pinkies - enjoy!

A la prochaine! Amitiés!

Nicole

Convention Swaps

I went to my first SU Convention last month which was held in Eurodisney, Paris.  I had a fabulous time, if somewhat tiring! Congratulations to my SU "Mummy" - Michelle Last - who for the 2nd year running was awarded No 1 UK Demo!  Félicitations Michelle!

Firstly I thought you might like to see my swap:

Recipe
Card/Paper: SU Bashful Blue, SU Whisper White, SU Brushed Silver
Stamps: SU Contempo Christmas, SU Tags ‘til Christmas, SU Serene Snowflakes
Ink: SU Night of Navy, SU Bashful Blue, SU Real Red, SU Basic Black
Tools/Accessories: 1 3/8” circle punch, Word window punch, SU Dazzling Diamonds, Stampin Dimensionals

I think my snowman in his snow globe is rather cute - even after the 100 that I ended up making!  Merci beaucoup to my fellow Pink Lady - Jenny - who loaned me the Serene Snowflakes stamp set.

Hopefully you can see the Dazzling Diamonds which I used as snow better in this close up:

I will come back soon and show you the roomie gifts I made as well as the Pink Ladies swap.

A la prochaine! Amitiés!

Nicole

3D Christmas Tree

This card was one of my make & takes at my new catalogue launch party held last month.  And I also showed it to some fellow demos at our monthly training this week with my upline Michelle (I am part of the Pink Ladies/Lads group - please contact me if you want to join my team).  The design is my take on several cards I have seen on various blogs.

Card Recipe
Paper/Card: SU Old Olive, SU Cherry Cobbler, SU Very Vanilla 
Stamps: SU Pennant Parade
Ink: SU Old Olive, SU Cherry Cobbler, SU Soft Suede
Tools/Accessories: SU Petite Pennants Builder Punch, SU Jewellery Tag Punch, SU Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Paper Piercer, SU Rhinestones, SU Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding Ribbon, SU Linen Thread

To make this card:

1. Score a piece of Very Vanilla (21cm x 10.5cm) at 10.5cm to make a 10.5cm square card.
2. Using the Big Shot emboss a piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock (8.5cm x 8.5cm) with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing folder.  Tie a piece of Pear Pizzazz seam binding ribbon approx 2/3rds of the way down.  Mat centrally onto the Very Vanilla card base.
3. Stamp the Christmas tree pot towards the bottom of a piece of Very Vanilla card (5.5cm x 7.5 cm).  Mat onto some Old Olive cardstock (6cm x 8cm).  And mat onto the Cherry Cobbler embossing cardstock, ensuring the ribbon knot is at the side.
4. Stamp the Christmas tree image from Pennant Parade 3 times onto a strip of Old Olive cardstock with Old Olive ink and punch out using the scallop pennant from the Petite Pennants Builder punch.  Score down the middle of each scalloped pennant and stick together to create a 3D tree.  Stick the tree onto the Very Vanilla cardstock in line with the Christmas tree pot stamped earlier.  Place a large Rhinestone at the top of the tree.
5. Stamp the greeting “merry” with Cherry Cobbler ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  Punch out using the Jewellery Tag punch.  Make a hole in the tag with the paper piercer and tie onto the ribbon with linen thread.

Et voilà!  By the way: one of the great things about this card is that the Christmas tree folds flat for posting!

Just getting back into the lingo, as I am currently busy making my swaps for the SU European Convention which is being held at Eurodisney, Paris, next week.  This will be first time at Convention so I am both excited and nervous!

Amitiés.  A la prochaine!

Nicole

Happy Christmas!

Ok so it's a little early to wish you a Happy Christmas, but seeing as I have been MIA from blog land for a while, I can't guarantee whether I'll be able to manage another post before the 25th.

I have been busy making cards for a craft fair as well as for my annual Christmas Open House.  This is where I invite friends, neighbours and colleagues into my home one afternoon with the lure of free mulled wine and mince pies and then I won't let them leave unless they buy at least one card they have the opportunity to purchase some handmade cards and papercraft gifts if they wish, with proceeds going to my favourite charity The Eve Appeal.  For the first time I held it on a Sunday afternoon and I think I had the best turn out ever!

I thought I would showcase one of my favourite cards and because I have used a few PTI products this means it should qualify as an entry for the latest A Passion for Papertrey Challenge.

First I took some PTI Aqua Mist cardstock which I cut and then folded to make a standard sized card.  I then stamped the snow globe image and using a craft knife cut out the inside (this was the trickiest part for me as I'm not a fan of craft knives!). 

I then stamped the polar bear image onto PTI Stamper's Select White cardstock and coloured in his scarf and used a Copic Ciao to make the image pop.  Next I punched the image out with a large circle punch and adhered this to the inside of the card making sure it lined up with the snow globe aperture.

Using white opaque Stazon I stamped the snowflake image onto PTI Clearly Creative cardstock.  When the image was dry I cut it out and stuck it to the inside of the front of the card to fill in the snow globe aperture.  Finally I used some Stickles glue to accent the snowflakes on the acetate and on the greeting (by the way I forgot to mention that I stamped this after stamped the snow globe).

Recipe
Cardstock/Paper: PTI Aqua Mist, PTI Stamper's Select White cardstock, PTI Clearly Creative cardstock
Stamps: Memory Box Fred P Bear (C1409), Memory Box Plain Snowglobe (D1407), Memory Box Snowflake Ball (D933), Printworks Let It Snow! (B2788)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stazon Opaque Cotton White
Tools/Accessories: Tombow 847, Copic Ciao B60, Atyou Spica Clear glitter pen, Stickles Stardust, SU 1¾" circle punch

What do you think?  I must say I think the polar bear is super cute - Memory Box have even given him a name: Fred!

A la prochaine! Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année!

Nicole x

Cased Christmas Card

Just a quick post to show the card I have made for the latest A Passion for Papertrey Challenge which is to CASE one of the fabulous PTI Design Team ladies!

It was quite a hard choice as they all come up with some fab inspirational designs.  However, in the end I based my card on this recent card by Maile Belles which I simply adored!  I decided to put a Christmas spin on my version of it!

Recipe
Cardstock/Paper: PTI Enchanted Evening, PTI Spring Rain
Stamps: PTI Fillable Frames No 4, PTI Peace Be Still
Ink: PTI Enchanted Evening, Encore Silver
Tools/Accessories: PTI Fillable Frames No 4 Die, PTI Enchanted Evening Grosgrain Ribbon, Blue & silver ribbon from stash, clear gemstones from stash

A la prochaine! Amitiés!

Nicole

Papertrey September Blog Hop Challenge

This is the first time I have participated in PTI's blog hop challenge.  The task set by Nichole was:

"One of the most fun things about this hobby is the people you meet, whether in person or online, and the things you learn from them.  Now is your chance to show off any skills you might have learned from a fellow stamper, and perhaps even give them a little shout out to thank them for the inspiration they have provided.  Create a project using one of your favorite learned skills and perhaps after a little blog hopping, we will ALL learn some new tips and tricks and continue to pass on the love of this hobby!"

Well I found this quite hard!  The reason I say it was hard is that there are loads of people I can think of that I have learned from - so to pick one is really difficult and unfair on all the others!  It also made me think about how I found out about PTI.  This finished card was totally not what I planned to make at the start of the process, but as so often happens it evolved as I was making it.  It does, however, reflect various elements/tips/techniques that I have picked up along the way!

Recipe
Stamps: PTI Background Basics: Retro, Hero Arts Bird Branch Alphabet
Cardstock/Paper: PTI Smokey Shadow, SU Whisper White
Ink: Versafine Black, Versamark
Tools/Accessories: PTI Harvest Gold satin ribbon, White filigree embossing powder, Clear embossing powder, Tattered Angels Glimmer Chips Frosty Memories, Self-adhesive gems from stash, black 3D foam pads (shock horror not SU Stampin Dimensionals - only cos they don't do them in black!)

As this is a square card I thought I would also enter it into A Passion for Papertrey's challenge: Hip to be Square. Additionally, it also meets the requirements of Embellish Magazine's latest colour and stamped background challenge. So this is a first for me - a card that fits 3 challenges!

And who are all those people that have inspired this card? 

• Dawn Bibby, QVC UK: It's her fault (LOL!) that I got into paper crafting at all!
• Susie Candlin's workshops at Coleman's Craft Warehouse: Don't use black embossing powder but stamp in black ink & use clear embossing powder (you avoid getting nasty unwanted black specks on your card)
• Michelle Last: Getting a blog; Taking part in challenges
• Kristina Werner: Colour Combos & Challenges; How to secure ribbon to a card by making a slit on the spine of the card; How to get good clear images from clear acrylic stamps by using Versamark before adding the ink you wish to stamp with
• Dawn McVey: Colour Combos; How to tie bows/knots in ribbon; How to create stamped backgrounds with PTI stamps
• Nichole Heady: PTI products & design elements in general

Merci beaucoup to you all!

A la prochaine!  Amitiés.

Nicole