Daisy Delight

Hello there,

Yes, I know, it's been a while again! But I'm back today with a little project for you. This one was made for one of my crafty friends and as she is a Stampin' Up demonstrator, I always try and use some of my SU goodies that I buy from her.

Here's what I made using the new 'Daisy Delight' stamp set ...

I began with a 5.5" square of white stamping card and stamped the large daisy and small flower head all over using Versamark ink, then added white embossing powder and heat embossed to create a resist background. 

Next I added Distress Oxide ink in Spiced Marmalade and Worn Lipstick using a felt applicator (I just wanted a nice smooth finish for this one). I must admit I never thought I would love anything as much as my Distress Inks, but the Oxides are coming up a pretty firm second favourite!!

I also stamped and embossed a couple of the daisies onto white stamping card and punched them out using the corresponding Daisy Punch. I decided to cut them in half to make my focal point daisies and added a sparkly centre to each.

I added a couple of scraps of design paper cut into pennants, a piece of polkadot ribbon and used some pink twine to make the flower stems.

The sentiment is also Stampin' Up and was cut out using a pretty 'Stitched Oval' die.

The whole piece is mounted on a kraft card layer and added to a 6" x 6" white scalloped card blank. Needless to say, my friend loved it.

I am off down to our new store early tomorrow morning, which opened its doors in Evesham on Monday, to help out over what should be a very busy weekend for them. If you are local to the area, why not pop in and say hello - we have Leann Chivers demonstrating on Saturday (19th) and Sheena Douglass on Sunday (20th). 

Crafty hugz, Jan xx

Just for Fun!

Good afternoon,

I feel like a bad blogger at the moment, it's been over three weeks again since I last posted, so please forgive me.

It's been over six months since I started my new job, but I am still getting used to the new regime - I'm out out of the house and working more now than I have done in the last thirty years - how does that work?! Lol.

Having said that I am absolutely loving all aspects of it - working in the store, demonstrating and teaching classes. I was promoted to Supervisor a few weeks ago, so my job role has changed a little (with more responsibility), but then I have always loved a challenge!

It's been one of my days off today and I have actually had a chance to 'play' in my craft room, instead of what I now class as 'work'. So, after spending what seems like an age watching crafting videos on You Tube this morning, I found this gorgeous little project which several people have done tutorials for and decided to have a go myself. So here's what I have been playing with today ...

I have used mainly 'Stampin' Up' products for this one (with a little Crafter's Companion thrown in for good measure).

I made the shadow box from a piece of 12" x 12" Sahara Sand cardstock, which has a little bit of text stamped on it using some Pumice Stone distress ink. The background design paper is from the 'Falling in Love' suite, and I cut lots of embellishments from a piece of the left over design paper using some of the dies from the 'Botanical Builder' set. . I also die-cut the beautiful 'Bloomin' Heart' from cream linen cardstock to fit in the centre of the little box.  

I had to sneak in a pretty die-cut butterfly, which is from the 'Shabby Chic' Signature collection by Sara Davies (I think this might appear on many of my projects from now on - I love it!). The stamped banner is also from the same collection.

I am planning to make more of these for an up and coming craft fayre that I want to attend, so watch this space.

Enjoy the rest of your evening,
Hugz Jan xx

Circles of Happiness

Happy Saturday,

I hope everyone has the chance to enjoy a great bank holiday weekend. I have lots of catching up to do after being out all week completing my training, but am hoping to spend some time in my garden with a few crafty bits and a nice cool drink!

We have a brand new challenge over at Fantasy Stampers today and it fits perfectly with the lovely weather. So for the next two weeks we would love so see projects that fit the theme

'SUNSHINE COLOURS'

Here's what I made for a little inspiration ...

There is definitely a circle theme going on there! I used some pretty design paper from my stash, along with pieces of gorgeous bright yellow and orange cardstock for my layers.

I die cut three circles out of the yellow layer, letting the dies go off the edge of the card, then trapped the design paper between the two layers of card so it showed through the circles. 

I used my Stampin' Up 'Flower Shop' set to stamp the two flowers for my focal point, using Ripe Persimmon and Scattered Straw distress inks. I also stamped lots of smaller flowers in the same two inks using my Stampin' Up 'Petite Petals' and then punched them out with the co-ordinating punch (so quick and easy!)

I love the sentiment on this one (just from a set I have had forever) and it fits in really well with the training I did yesterday about having a choice about how you feel and taking charge of how your day will be. So, I challenge you today - go on, 'Make your own Happiness'.

Hugz, Jan xx

Smile and be Happy

Good morning,

I'm back today with a new DT project for the next challenge over at Cardz 4 Galz, and this week it was my turn to choose the theme. So here goes with

'PINK AND BROWN'

This is one of my favourite colour combos - here's what I made for a little inspiration ...

The design paper is from my stash and is layered with brown cardstock. I used my Stampin' Up punch to make the little owl and added a piece of pink and brown ribbon to match. The stamped sentiment is from a freebie set which I got on a magazine a few months ago.

Why not pop over to the challenge and check out some more fab inspiration from the Galz team.

Hugz, Jan xx

G for Girlie

Good morning,

Well, I made it to the end of the half term, albeit with some devastating news yesterday, but I will tell you about it when I get my head around it! It sure has put a dark cloud over my week's break (which I was so looking forward to).

It's time for the next letter over at the Alphabet Challenge and this time Tammy has chosen

'G for GIRLIE'

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration, using my new 'Bloomin' Heart' Die from Stampin' Up ...

Design paper is from my stash, the heart is die-cut from cream cardstock and I included some pink polka dot ribbon, a stamped butterfly and a stamped sentiment (also Stampin' Up). The added little pink flowers are also part of the die set, and I cut them from some of the leftover design paper scraps to co-ordinate with the card. 

I hope you can join us with your own 'girlie' themed projects.

Hugz, Jan xx

Q for Quick & Simple

Hi folks,

I'm sat here feeling very sorry for myself today as I had to give in and take some time off work with my back this week. I went to see the GP yesterday and he has changed my pain meds and is sending me to the hospital to get some up to date x-rays.

On a crafty note, it's time for the next letter at the Alphabet Challenge and this week we are up to the letter 'Q' and Pat chose the theme of

'QUICK & SIMPLE'

This was a good one for me this week, as I can't sit for very long - so here's what I made for my DT inspiration using a new set of Stampin' Up stamps ...

It was definitely 'quick' and is definitely 'simple' - it took about 15 minutes to make! Lol.

Three simple layers of cardstock, the top two have a circle aperture cut out using a Spellbinders die. Then I stamped one of the 'Flower Shop' flowers and cut it out with the corresponding punch. I added a little Crushed Olive distress ink to colour it and then made my own 'dazzler' for the centre using some pva glue and black glitter. A little stamped greeting and some embellies to finish.

I hope you will come and play along with us at the Alphabet Challenge.

Hugz, Jan xx

Girl Power at Fantasy Stampers

Good morning,

I'm not liking the rain - where did all the sunshine go?

I would love you to come and join us over at my challenge blog 'FANTASY STAMPERS' where we have a brand new theme today.  For the next two weeks we would love to see your projects interpreting the theme

'GIRL POWER'

Here's what I decided on for my DT inspiration ...

I decided to take some of my more masculine stamps and turn them girlie. I have used Stampin' Up 'Clockworks' and 'Gorgeous Grunge', which I mostly use for my male themed cards and given them a touch of  'girl power'!

The little panels are stamped using the 'Clockworks' stamp set in Victorian Velvet, Peacock Feathers and Gathered Twigs distress inks. I then punched out the squares and mounted them on blue die-cut cardstock. 

The background is stamped using the 'Gorgeous Grunge' set with the same distress inks. Then I added the pocket watch which is decoupaged. I also added some stamped 'Petite Petal' flowers and some die-cut butterflies to add to the girlie factor.

The 'Happy Birthday' sentiment is also from the Stampin' Up 'Sassy Salutations' set. Needless to say this was made for a friend of mine that is a 'Stampin' Up demonstrator! Lol.

Hugz, Jan xx