Jar of Love

Morning all, hope you've got a nice week planned ?

I'm attending the Stampin' Up ! OnStage Local l event this weekend and am really looking forward to it. We will get to see and play with some new products and I am looking forward to spending time with some of my team and my SU friends from further afield.

Stampin' Up ! events are always great fun and if you would like more information about joining my team and coming along next time , please get in touch.

Today's card is another with the colour scheme Pool Party, Powder Pink, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso, this time using the Jar of Love stamp set.

  

Pretty isn't it ?

Now, I must get on , I've got a lot of things to do ready for the weekend, not long now and really looking forward to it.

Julie x

Jems November Blog Hop

Morning all and welcome to the Jems Monthly Blog Hop !

This month the theme is colouring and although Stampin' Up ! have a whole range of colouring options I knew straight away I wanted to use my newStampin! Blends.

These are fantastic alcohol based markers and are available to purchase now, both singularly , in a duo of the light and dark shade - or if you really want to treat yourself , as the whole set ! I will be offering a Christmas gift list service again, so that could be a good one to ask Santa for !

So let me show you some of my colouring......

Starting with Bella and Friends

This little dog is such a cutie and all the images in this stamp set are brilliant for practising your colouring as they are not too daunting.

Here are a few more in progress but yet to be made into anything....

You will notice on the top one I have also added a few highlights with the very useful colour lifter.

I had some lovely comments when I made my first flower project which was using the Rich Razzleberry ( light and dark ) and the dark Pink Pirouette pens

So I also tested out a few other colours but again yet to be made into anything. Night of Navy with Pool Party.........

And Calypso Coral with a few white it's left this time.........

And look I didn't even colour over the lines lol - but I do have some new glasses on order !

Next in the Hop is the lovely Sarah so enjoy !

Julie x

Hometown Greetings

Hi all

Just a quick card to share with you today using the acetate boxes that are in the main catalogue, based on a card I saw made by my lovely team mate Sharon Glynn.

When we made it at class my ladies all confessed that they hadn't noticed these boxes in the catalogue ! 

I thought a version of this would be nice for a table setting with a nice chocolate inside the box or a birthday version with maybe earrings inside ?

Thanks for the inspiration Sharon !

Julie x

An amazing find

Morning all, did you enjoy the extra hour in bed this morning ?

I think I could do with more than one extra hour in each day though, it's that time of year where I have so much I  need to make - and other things I'd like to make too ! Yesterday I spent all day in my craft room and started by making some simple Christmas cards to send to support a good cause....

But the highlight of my day was in the afternoon when I came across this little tiny stamp !

It's from the Number of Years set to make 40th etc and had been missing since January !!! These little photopolymer stamps are easily mislaid and as I didn't know I'd lost it until the next time I came to use the set I had absolutely no idea where it was. I had searched my desk , the floor etc but as they can stick on to things it could have ended up anywhere and I lost all hope of ever finding it again .

But it turned up .....on the edge of the carpet behind the radiator, an area I'm sure I'd checked before so who knows if it had been there all the time or it fell off something else to settle there recently ?

Either way I was so excited !

Simple things please simple minds

Julie x

Peace this Christmas

Morning all ! This is a scheduled post again so hopefully it has worked this time.

Today's card uses the same colour combination but this time for Christmas using the Peace this Christmas stamp set. I actually got this stamp set last year but it carried over and I have used it lots. The little baubles are from Carols of Christmas

I just love that snowflake, but then I love all snowflakes !

How are you doing with your Christmas cards ? I've got a little collection now but still plenty more to go and I'm determined not to be last minute this year. We'll see .......

Julie x

Daisy Delight

Oops, very late today as the gremlins appear to have struck again ! As I have had classes all day I had scheduled a post for you for this morning - but I've no idea why it didn't appear !

Anyway, the card I wanted to show you is CASED from one I saw by the very talented Monica Gale....

Same colours as last time

Love the Daisy punch with the petals slightly curled, thank you Monica for the inspiration !

And just a reminder that the wood papers are amongst those on the buy 3 get one free offer - but it is only until the end of this month.

Julie x

Painted Harvest Hedgehog

Hi all, 

Today's card is one I've  seen several times on the Internet and I'm not sure who had the original idea , but it is a fantastic one and too cute not to give it a go !

What do you think ? Isn't he sweet ? And once again it shows how versatile the Painted Harvest stamp set is - not just for sunflowers !

The colours are Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla and Calypso Coral.

Hope you have a good weekend -   I must start making something with all the bits I've been colouring lol !

Julie x

Stampin' Blends

As promised I'm back today to show you the first project I made when I got my new Stampin' Blends pens.

I am definitely not an expert at colouring and this was my first try at using the pens but I was very pleased with how easy they were to use - and now I could quite happily sit and colour all day long !

I just love the fact that they are proper SU colours and you don't need 10 different pens of the same colour to get shading.

I have had these pens for a couple of weeks now but they will be available for sale from 1st November - a must have for your crafty stash !

Julie x

Introducing Stampin' Blends

Hi all,

Sorry I'm a bit out of routine again with my blogging this week, but I have been playing with some new toys !

One of the perks of being a demonstrator is that we are able to pre order new products before they are launched - and that alone is worth being a demonstrator for lol !

So last week I received my new Stampin' Blends, a range of new alcohol markers - in proper Stampin' Up !  colours !!!

And I can now announce that they will be available to purchase from 1st November

They can be bought as a whole set ( lovely present from Santa😉) or individually - but don't blame me if you get addicted lol !

Pop back tomorrow and I'll show you my first attempt at colouring.

Julie x

Christmas class

Morning all and happy weekend ! Looks like we are going to be treated to some unseasonal weather so I hope you are able to enjoy it.

Yesterday I held my All Day Christmas Class and it was a lovely day - we even had the Christmas CDs on lol ! During the morning most people chose to make one of these home decor pieces....

Just love these little houses ! We then had a break for lunch at a local tearoom and then it was back for more crafting. Most people made a selection of cards during the afternoon and hopefully they went home with plenty of ideas to use their stamps and dies

I think everyone enjoyed it as I've been asked if I can sneak in another full day event before Christmas!

After a quick clear up of the craftermath I dropped my bags off at home and then dashed to pick my eldest up from the station as she is home for the weekend from Uni. We then went out for a meal together last night so you can see why I had no time to blog yesterday !

Enjoy the weekend, 

Julie x

Hometown Greetings

Happy Wednesday to you ! It's a bit strange for me as I have no classes today as we have changed days this week but it has in fact worked out very well as I'm expecting an exciting delivery of new toys later .....all will be revealed another day !

I absolutely love today's card but can take no credit for it , it is completely CASED from Amanda at The Craft Spa ........

Gorgeous isn't it ? It was quite amusing when I asked Amanda for permission to CASE, she said yes ( as I knew she would, she is always so generous sharing her makes ) and then I confessed that I was actually asking for 'retrospective planning permission ' as the houses had already been 'built' lol ! But only because I knew Amanda was unavailable at the time I wanted to make them -   normally I would ask first !

She has a fantastic tutorial on how to make this card so pop over to her blog www.thecraftspa.blogspot.co.uk and get building  !

Off to watch out for Mr UPS !

Julie x

Painted Harvest birthday

Morning all, did you enjoy the Blog Hop on Saturday ? Some great makes as usual.

Just a reminder that the offers to celebrate World Card Making Day finish tomorrow so let me know if you want anything

Today's card is one I sent to my SU sister , the lovely Kate. Hope you enjoyed your special day Kate !

I've used Painted Harvest but in blues this time, this stamp set looks good in all sorts of colours

I bought some new storage for my craft room at the weekend and so now I need to de clutter (again!) and be ruthless this time. Do you keep things 'just in case ' and then never use them lol ?

Suppose I'd better make a start

Julie x

Trick or Treat ?

Morning all and welcome to the Jems October Blog Hop !

The theme this time is Trick or Treat and I must confess I'm not really into Halloween but I like a challenge and it was the perfect opportunity to ink some new stamps....

This is my little card using the Spooky Cat bundle ......

And the cute Lemon Lime Twist little stars are from the Detailed Santa dies - not just for Christmas lol !

And then I decided to decorate one of the new pizza boxes to match...

And I added a false layer as a trick inside .....

But because I'm nice really, I did add a treat of some chocolates underneath .....

Hope you like my take on Trick or Treat and continue on to the talented  Uma who is a Halloween expert !

Julie x

Training swaps

Happy Friday to you !

I'm back with a swap I made for a recent training event - I love a bit of sponging !

Really enjoyed using the new embossing folder and the punch is so useful too, I've used it loads already.....

I think it would look lovely as a Christmas bauble in this shape with a few additions ,  what do you think ? Another one for my to do list !

Pop back tomorrow as I will be taking part in the Jems Blog Hop and I'm sure there will be plenty to inspire you 

Julie x

Card Front Builder dies

Morning all, sorry I'm a bit behind with blogging this week .....so much to do , so little time ! But I do promise to be back both tomorrow and Saturday !

Today's card uses the gorgeous little house dies again but also the really useful frame from the Card Front Builder dies and this can be used for other occasions too......

This is an A5 size card and the sky is sponged with Soft Sky ( of course lol)  with a moon masked with the 1 inch circle punch. And I love the crinkled Seam binding ribbon - because it is supposed to be creased I'm happy to leave it , where as normally any creases in my ribbons I iron out with hair straighteners, OCD I know lol !

Back tomorrow with another card in this combination

Julie x

October offers

October already ! And yesterday Hubby picked up a brochure from the supermarket advertising all the Christmas food to order !!

Time is flying by but Stampin Up has launched some great offers for October, the first of which is to celebrate World Cardmaking Day and is only available from now until 10th October, some bargains as items are reduced by 15% !

 Some nice ones aren't there ?

Julie x

Snowflakes

Morning all, proper Autumn now isn't it ? And I've even bought some more Christmas presents and got my wrapping paper this week too !! Like to be organised ....well, that's the plan.

Back with the last of the monochrome cards today .....and its snowflakes . I just love snowflakes and a girl can never have too many lol !

The new embossing folder is just lovely, simple but so elegant.

Back with a different colour combination tomorrow 

Julie x

Painted Harvest

Morning all,  hope you had a good weekend ?

I went shopping with my youngest but also managed to fit in some time in the craft room in between ironing etc. And for the last couple of weeks I've been to a sewing class and I need to get my homework done, a job for later !

Today's card continues in the monochromatic theme but includes the gorgeous Painted Harvest stamp set. This set ( with the matching leaf punch ) has been so popular and looks amazing in all sorts of colour combinations.....

And those little black rhinestones are new too - not just for Halloween ! 

Pop back on Wednesday for another card in this colur scheme

Julie x

Cat Punch

Friday again and thank Crunchie ! I've had a very busy week this week and am hoping to spend some time in my craft room this afternoon finishing some partly completed projects. So many things I want to make but not enough hours in the day ....

Today's card uses the new Cat Punch. Now, I'm not a cat person and don't really like Halloween.. so I did wonder if I really needed this ......and as always the answer is yes lol !

So, what do you think ? Do you need it too lol ?

Have a good weekend

Julie x

Card Front Builder Dies

Oops, I'm late again, had two lovely classes today but I'll show you those designs another day.

The card I have got to show you is made with the Card Front Builder dies and is very elegant in just black and white.....

Before I joined Stampin Up I used to make a lot of monochromatic cards but now I just have too many beautiful colours and combinations to choose from !

These dies are fab though and this design could be repeated in a wide range of colours.

I'm off now....I've had a parcel delivered today and this time the goodies are for me !

Julie x

Let it snow .....

Happy Monday all !

Had a lovely day yesterday at Jems Team Training up in Leeds. Fab projects and lovely company, thank you Julie Kettlewell and the Jems !

Today's card is very similar to one I've made before but this one has a Christmas theme .....

I just love  snowflakes ! A girl can never have too many lol.

And now I'd better get going, I have a Card and a Cuppa class to go to, back soon

Julie x

Carols of Christmas

Morning all,

Friday again , and back to the pink colour combination. Today I've used the Carols of Christmas stamp set again - the large sentiments make a big impact ....

I do quite like making Christmas cards in non traditional colours and my classes will now all include at least one Christmas card each week - whatever the colour combination ! Quite a challenge sometimes but I'm always up for a challenge !

Enjoy your weekend

Julie x

Oh so Eclectic

Morning all !

I'm back to the blues just for today but I wasn't able to show you this card last week as it was for my good friend Amanda of The Craft Spa fame. Her birthday was yesterday and I know it has been received so I hope you had a lovely day Amanda !

Amanda loves her blues so it was easy to choose colours for her - although I am converting her to an occasional bit of pink lol ! I used the Oh so Eclectic stamps and dies but also the new leaf punch - I've used this loads already.....

I actually made Amanda's card while I was making my class designs , well in advance for me - I'm usually last minute. com. The class version continued with the combination of Sahara Sand and a touch of copper but I knew Amanda would prefer more white.......

Which one do you prefer ?

Julie x

Celebration time

Hello all, 

Thinking of everyone in the path of Hurricane Irma at the moment and hoping you manage to keep safe. I can't believe it's only a few weeks ago I was in Florida and the 'normal ' storms there are dramatic enough.

Today's colour combination is back to 'pretty' Powder Pink, Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant and a touch of Champagne foil.

I have used the Celebration Time stamps and dies and this is a fab bundle and works just as well in masculine colours too !

A quick and easy card to put together thanks to the dies !

Julie x

Best Birds

EDITED - this was scheduled to post on Wednesday but for some reason didn't. I noticed and re did on Thursday but it looks like you still didn't get to see - the mysteries of Blogger lol ! Let's hope third time lucky !!

Oops, yesterday's scheduled post didn't work for some reason - probably operator error so sorry about that !

As promised another card in the same colour combination, this time using best birds

Sorry, no time for chat today - new stamps in the house lol ! But really I should be preparing for a class, so a very quick inky play is needed !

Julie x

Hearts come Home

Morning all, hopefully this has posted at the planned time today !

Today, I have a Christmas card to share with you. Have you started your shopping yet ? I have, I do like to be early. It started when I was first pregnant, knowing my baby was due middle of January I decided to get my Christmas shopping done early and she arrived early the day after Boxing Day. My second daughter was due at the end of November but was late and arrived mid December, so with 2 birthdays and Christmas in a fortnight, I have lots of presents to buy and need to be organised !

I don't like them to miss out because they have Christmas birthdays so I try to get things as I see them but usually put them somewhere safe and forget where I've hidden things !

Today's card uses some of my favourite products from the new catalogue ....

Love those new Edgelits, expect to see them feature plenty of times across the next few months.

Have a good weekend

Julie x

Delightful Daisy

Hello there and I hope you all enjoyed the Jems Blog Hop on Saturday ! There were some gorgeous projects under the Autumn Colours theme.

Today's colour combination is one I'm more comfortable with - Night of Navy, Soft Sky, Tranquil Tide , Sahara Sand and a little touch of copper .

I have used the Delightful Daisy stamp set but some of the smaller stamps rather than the main Daisy image, and the flower centre makes a very quick background.

I've nearly used up all my copper trim too - must remember to order some more !

Back with another card using these colours on Wednesday

Julie x

Jems September Blog Hop

Morning all and welcome to the Jems Blog Hop !

This month the theme is Autumn Colours and I must confess the yellows and oranges together wouldn't be one of my go to colour combinations but I've given it a go !

My first card uses the old favourite Lovely as a Tree...such a classic and I love it with a bit of sponging- and the addition of the cute deer from Carols of Christmas. And thinking of Christmas I'm going to recreate this one in Night of Navy and Soft Sky.

Atmospheric isn't it ? Can't wait to do the Christmas version.
My next card also uses a stamp from one of the new sets in the Autumn/Winter catalogue but it's not obvious.....

Did you spot it ?
And another card with an old favourite Foxy Friends...

And one more simple card to finish with......

And I got a bit carried away and decorated the inside too...

And the back...

In the end I quite enjoyed the colours which were Daffodil Delight, Early |Espresso, Calypso Coral and my least used colour of all time Cajun Craze

Hope you've enjoyed my take on Autumn Colours. Now pop over to the super talented Amanda at The Craft Spa

Happy Hopping !

Julie x