Betsy's Blossoms Twist Fold Card

One more using Betsy's Blossoms stamp set and Betsy's Blooms wheel. Same colours as yesterday and a similar design but showcased on this great new fold.  It's called the Twist Fold and I first saw it on Sandi MacIver's blog. Sandi also shares a video tutorial for the fold - thank you Sandi.

I've since seen it on many other blogs and had to have a go myself.  I will be including a twist fold card as a project in November's class for sure. We'll use a different stamp set though, I must give Betsy's Blossoms a rest for a little while.

Keeping with Betsy's Blossoms

This isn't a new design, it's the same as this one I made for Mojo Monday 259 a few weeks ago but in different colours - Perfect Plum, and new in colours Midnight Muse and Summer Starfruit - which I really like. It's one of the projects we made in class earlier this month using the masking technique.  Love these colours together...

Betsy's Blossoms in new colours

Happy Sunday crafters. I thought it was about time I showcased the five new 2012-2014 in colours (better late than never). They launched in the UK on 1st September in the new seasonal autumn/winter catalogue.  I made these 4 1/8" square thank you cards this morning.  Why 4 1/8"?  Well A4 card is 8 1/4" across.  So you get two from one A4 sheet with a bit left over for layering toppers, etc.

I used the new Betsy's Blossoms stamp set for all the cards, starting with the top row from the left: Summer Starfruit and Gumball Green; and bottom row from the left: Primrose Petals, Midnight Muse and Raspberry Ripple. I best get back to preparing for class this week. Thanks for visiting...

 

 

Perfect Postage at ColourQ

This week's colours at ColourQ appealed to me because I love pink. The colours are Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Basic Gray and Basic Black. This is quite a simple card quickly put together because I was able to use some of the 'scraps' in my stash, which actually needed very little trimming - so it all came together with very little effort. We all have a stash of 'scraps' and isn't it great when you're able to use some of it up?

ColourQ challenge #157

Supplies used
Cardstock and Paper: Basic Black, Pink Pirouette, Melon Membo, Whisper White and Designer Paper Stack in Basic Gray and Pink Pirouette
Inks:   Basic Black
Stamps: Perfect Postage and Teeny Tiny Wishes
Punches:  Fancy Flower, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, Scallop Edge Border and Itty Bity Shapes
Accessories: Pearl Jewel and 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Basic Gray (no longer available in this colour)

Avairy and Tea Shoppe Happy Birthday

Here's my attempt at using the colours in this week's Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge (PPA144) -More Mustard, Cajun Craze and Early Expresso.  Not exactly an 'autumn feel' card I know, but I happened to have these stamp sets to hand and wanted to use them so this is the result. Hope you like it. 

Supplies used
Cardstock and Paper: Whisper White, Early Expresso, More Mustard and Cajun Craze
Inks:   Early Expresso, More Mustard and Cajun Craze
Stamps: Tea Shoppe, Aviary and Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools:  Owl Builder punch (for the little heart)
Accessories: Rhinestone Jewel

New 2012-2013 annual catalogue

The new 2012-2013 annual catalogue is here!  If you don't already have your copy, you can view it online via the link on the right or on my Catalogues page. 

If you'd like your very own copy, please contact me at jenz.crafts@yahoo.com, or tel: 07962 230538.  The cost is £5.30 (£3 for the catalogue and £2.30 Royal Mail first class post).  Alternatively, host a Stampin' Up! party with me and I will let you have a copy for free.

Plus a great new promotion from Stampin' Up!...

 Contact me now to find out more about this fantastic offer.

Perfectly Preserved Anniversary

I'm really enjoying having a go at these challenges.  I found Pals Paper Arts challenge #143 plus I was itching to use my brand new stamp set, Perfectly Preserved.  It's new in the autumn/winter catalogue and there is a set of dies (Cannery Set) that coordinate with the stamps.  It's my son and daughter-in-law's wedding anniversary this week so this card is especially for them.  I hope you like it...

You can just see the custom made envelope under the card (below).  I often score extra lines around each side to give interest to the envelope. Sometimes I stamp a coordinating image on the front of the envelope too, or on the flap, or both.  Thanks for visiting.

Supplies used
Cardstock and Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Early Expresso (Neutrals Collection Paper Stacks)
Inks:  Pumpkin Pie, Early Expresso, Real Red, Gumball Green
Stamps: Perfectly Preserved, Tiny Tags, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools:  1 3/4" Circle Punch, Jewelry Tag Punch, Small Heart Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Folder, Big Shot
Accessories: Designer Button (Pumpkin Pie), Linen Thread

Bright Blossoms

I'm enjoying taking part in Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge again.  This week's challenge is round or square and I have gone for a 5" square.  That Baja Breeze layer is faux silk, done on glossy card.  The effect is probably lost in the photograph but it's pretty cool in real life.

Supplies used
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Bravo Burgandy, River Rock and Baja Breeze
Inks: Bravo Burgandy, River Rock and Baja Breeze
Stamps:  Bright Blossoms
Accessories: Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon, Stripes Embossing Folder
Tools: 1/2" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Border Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch

Ornament Keepsakes

A quick post today. Here's another project from this month's class, staying with the Ornaments Keepsake bundle.  This ornament fits nicely in the oval shape from the Designer Frames Folders set and, of course, we finished off the inside to coordinate with the front of the card.  Thanks for visiting.

Supplies used
Inks:  Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler
Cardstock: Old Olive and Very Vanilla
Stamps and Dies:  Ornament Keepsakes, Snowflake Party builder wheel, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Accessories: Designer Frames Folders, Cherry Cobbler Tulle Ribbon, Gold Brad, 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

Lacy Brocade

Another project using new products from the autumn/winter catalogue.  We made this lovely box at class last week.  Isn't that Lacy Brocade embossing folder scrumptious?  For this technique, ink the inside of the embossing folder with a brayer (the side that has the Stampin' Up! logo on the outside).  Carefully place your card on top of the inked area, fold to sandwich the card and pass through your BigShot.  You'll love the beautiful effect so easily achieved.

Four of the stamps and dies in the Ornament Keepsakes Bundle, featured in Saturday's post, make fabulous tags and that's just what I did.  Hope you like them.

 

Sneak peek

Two things I wanted to do, enter a Mojo Monday challenge and have a play with one of the new stamp sets coming up in the new annual Stampin' Up! catalogue which launches on 1st October 2012.  As a demonstrator we are able to pre-order selected products.  Of course, we can't show you any product before it it released, but we are allowed to display completed projects created with those products.

I just couldn't resist using this stamp set for the Mojo Monday 259 challenge, just a few hours left to enter.

Two new in-colours used too, Raspberry Ripple and Summer Starfruit, and here's the inside...

Ornament Keepsakes

I can't believe how long it's been since my last post!!! I have been really busy, honest. I'll try not to leave it so long between posts again, ever.

Here's one project I've been busy working on.  I hope you like my version of the Christmas ornament featured on the front cover of the autumn/winter catalogue.  I used Cherry Cobbler and Soft Suede inks.  The extra-soft scalloped tulle ribbon, on page 4 of the catalogue, comes in Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake and Early Expresso. 

The brand new Ornament Keepsakes stamp set and matching Holiday Ornaments Framelits Dies are on page 3 of the autumn/winter catalogue. The stamp set and dies can be bought separately or bundled.  For the first time ever Stampin' Up! are bundling coordinating products together for a discount - so you save 15% when you buy them together. 

Retired List Promotion

Going, going... gone
With only a month to go before the launch of Stampin' Up!'s 2012-2013 Annual cataogue, it's time to say goodbye to retiring stamp sets and accessories to make way for the new. You only have this month to order retiring products and they are only available while supplies last.

Some products are being reconfigured, hence you will see all of our Stampin’ Pads in the retired list. The colour ranges and style remain the same but the felt is being replaced with a new firm foam.  Also, the new version of Stampin' Scrub is bigger.

In addition, 12" x 12" textured cardstock will be discontinued and 12" x 12" smooth cardstock will only be available in select individual colours and colour collections.  Once they're gone, they're gone. If you love our textured card then order now.

Retiring Products Lists

• Retiring stamps 
• Retiring accessories

Autumn/Winter Catalogue

ITS HERE!!!
The Autumn/Winter catalogue is live from today.

If you don't have your copy yet, you can view all the scrumptious new products online here. 

Creative Elements

I forgot about this one. Another easy peasy background achieved by inking a clear mount block then 'stamp' directly on to the card. I wanted to post on the blog because I really enjoyed working on the delicate colouring in, quite effective I think.

Up, Up and Away

I've never made a telescopic card before, well not until last week and this is the design I came up with. Quite pleased with it, even if I do say so myself.  I decided to make it one of the projects at class a few days ago and was really glad everyone loved it.  A fun card to make. 

Stamp sets: Up, Up and Away and the old favourite, and very versitile, Lovely as a Tree
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy and Whisper White
Inks:  Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy, Old Olive and Cajun Craze
Framelits Dies: Labels Collection

Bordering on Romance again

A quick post today.  I'm sure you've all seen this design on other blogs. This was one of the projects we made last month.  It's such a lovey image to colour in and I love these framelits dies.  Pretty in Pink and Marina Mist used here.  And of course the Beautiful Wings embosslits die and Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder finishs off the card ;)

 

Build a Blossom

As my Blossom Petals Builder punch was still handy, I fished out my Build a Blossom stamp set and Rich Razzleberry and Pretty in Pink inks to create this design - it was one of the projects we made last week.  I used one or two other bits as well of course, like white vellum which was embossed using Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, a designer button with white bakers twine bow and the whole thing lightly sprayed with champagne mist shimmer paint.  We also used the Square Lattice embossing folder to emboss the large petals.  Also in Daffodil Yellow ;)

It can be tricky attaching vellum to your card as the glue will show, however, if you're very careful you can put glue just on the embossed areas then it won't be visible on the front.  You can just about see where the glue spread a little beyond the embossed dot - left edge of the Rich Razzelberry card.  I might stick a small butterfly there to hide it. 

Faux silk blossom

This card was born when I had a play with the faux silk technique in different colours.  The Blossom Petals Builder punch happened to be within reach so there you are.  The green background (Certainly Celery I think) is the same technique as yesterday's post except I drew a squiggly line around this one to create a frame. I used the gorgeous Shimmery White as the base card.  You can see the shimmer even though my photo taking skills leave a lot to be desired. I'd like to blame the camera but I think it's probably me. Anyways, you get the idea.  Oh yes, the bee is from Nature Walk stamp set - cute.

 

Sail Away

Another one for the guys.  My ladies made this one in class last week.  The background is achieved very simply by inking a clear mount block then 'stamp' directly on to the card.  I used Baja Breeze here on Whisper White card which is layered on Black card.  The boat was inked in Basic Black and stamped on the Baja Breeze background.  I stamped a second image, this time on designer paper (First Edition Speciality used here), then I cut out just the sails and glued it over the sails of the main image - otherwise known as paper piecing.  The birds is a stamp from Up, Up & Away stamp set which is in the current summer mini catalogue.

 I always finish off the inside of my cards, and this one is no exception ;)

Motorbikes for the guys

I had forgotten about these cards which I made last year!!  The Square Lattice embossing folder is perfect for a background and the partially embossed corners add interest to the topper.

The motorbike is heat embossed in black embossing powder then coloured in Tangerine Tango to match the cardstock. I added Crystal Effects to the mirrors, 'metalwork' and coloured in areas of the motorbike.  

This motorbike was done in the same way as above except it's in Pacific Point. The Whisper White background however was done with the crimper. Cut your background card to size, fold the four corners to the middle then pass through the crimper.  Open out the folded corners and there you have it - very effective.

Elegant Bird

A quick post today.  At last I had a chance to use this gorgeous new Elegant Bird die and I couldn't resist combining it with the beautiful Bordering on Romance stamp Set, in the same colours as before.  I used the Perfect Polka Dots folder to emboss the body of the bird and finished off with a crystal for her eye.

French Foilage Resist

I demonstrated this resist technique some months ago but only got round to making a card with it a few weeks ago.  I taught the technique again at a recent class but we used different colours and when I can find the card I made I'll add a picture of it here.

Glossy card works best for this. I used cotton wool, or you can use a piece of sponge or what ever works best for you, to colour the whole area of the card in different colours. I used reinkers in Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink and So Saffron here.  Next, gently rub your embossing buddy over the card to help prevent embossing powder from sticking where you don't want it.  Ink your stamps with Versamark ink and stamp randomly, overlapping is okay.  Apply clear embossing powder and heat with your heat tool just until the embossing powder turns shiny and raised. Next, ink your brayer well with Night of Navy and brayer over the whole thing. Let it dry a little then with a soft cloth rub off the excess ink. The embossed areas will resist the ink. You may need to apply a second coat with the brayer for best effect.

Aviary birthday wishes

Another technique project from last month. We used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to achieve perfect placement of the stamped images. The colours used are Whisper White, More Mustard, Perfect Plum and Basic Black. I love this stamp set so watch out for more projects using this set coming soon. 

Framing Bordering on Romance

The second project we made last month features the Labels Collection framelits dies and Bordering on Romance stamp set. A fabulous stamp set, especially if you love colouring in - which we did using blender pens and ink refills in Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red and Old Olive. The image was stamped using black Stazon - a waterproof ink pad.

A Pretty in Pink layered butterfly, finished with a small pearl, accents the framed image nicely.  The butterfly was cut using Beautiful Wings embosslits dies. 

As you can see I used one of the stamps from the set to decorate the flap of the envelope.  We all made an envelope for the card - nice and easy using the Simply Scored Diagonal Plate.  

Adorning Accents

This is one of the cards my ladies made last month. We had a play with the new Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies and Textured Impressions Embossing folders for one of the projects.

That gorgeous flocked paper in black and crumb cake is from the Mocha Morning Specialty designer paper pack.  Perfectly coordinated with the striped crumb cake designer paper from the Neutrals Collection paper stack.  Black satin ribbon and an antique brad from the Antique Brads collection finished off the card nicely.

But it doesn't quite finish there, you can just see in the background I also used the die on the flap of the envelope I made for this card.

The paper in this version is from the Beau Chateau designer series paper pack.  The card is finished off with Seam Binding Ribbon in Very Vanilla and a Designer Printed Brad in Pool Party.

Another July special offer!

Get a FREE exclusive Ribbon and Brad Pack with every £45* purchase in July! 

Plus, back from Sale-A-Bration by popular demand, for this special offer only and only while supplies last, the coordinating Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper is available for purchase at £9.95.

See my Special Offers page for more information.