Jewel tone new year cards

 Do you ever just stumbled upon an idea that is a bot of a light bulb moment  💡 ? Well today's inspiration is the result of one such moment! Sadly I can't find the original inspiration to give credit but who ever you are thank you . 

The light bulb moment was the beautiful rich tones of the card that the creator used. As  Stampin' Up! Has a wonderful array of colours to choose from it was easy to find coloured cardstock to use. 

First up let's me share the beautiful Ruby version made using a shade of red called Real Red.

And the sapphire version using blueberry bushel....

The next version could be either a peacock sapphire or a Chrysocolla using pretty peacock cardstock....

And finally the amethyst version using gorgeous grape cardstock...

The effect is created by applying black ink around the edges of the panel that has images heat embossed with gold embossing powder . To continue the same gold tones with the metalic strip apply versamark to a piece of white cardstock.  Then add the same gold embossing powder and heat as usual. 

So which jewel is you favourite? 

A whimsical Christmas tree treat box

 Today I'm sharing pictures of the treat box I made for my Facebook live on Monday.

The one from the live is made using fresh freesia cardstock. And embellished with Regal foiled adhesive backed dots.

The white version is embellished with fun Rwd and white Peppermints.

 These cute boxes are easy to make and takes little time. They start as a piece of cardstock measuring 21cm x 9cm.  Scored at 10.5cm. Next you mark the center of each end in the middle, 4.5cm, then score out from the center mark to the left and right hand side of the 10.5cm score line top and bottom.

Sounds confusing?  Well why not watch my live to see how it works!

The circle punch I used is a ¾" one. Top tip punch from 2 sheets of cardstock at once! Also punching the circles is a good think to do whilst watching a movie or the TV..  just remember to pop a tray or basket on your lap to catch them 😉 

Reindeer fun gift box

Need a little treat box for that little something?  Well here's a fun idea for you! Using a pre made gift box and decorated using die cuts it's not only fun but easy too 😀 and who can resist the super cute reindeer from the Reindeer Fun bundle of stamps and dies?

The base of the project is one of the Book treat boxes that come in a pack 10, which is just as well as you'll want to make more than one of these for sure 😉. And the come pre scored and with adhesive strips in place 😀. 

The pattern paper used is from the Take a Bow paper pack. Filled with fun colourful patterns all in red and greens. The piece used for the front of the box measures 7cm x 9.5cm (2¾" x 3¾"). The rectangular mats are from a die set called Nested Essentials. Adhere the paper to the front cover of the box, making sure that the adhesive strips to attatch the box component is the right way. Then adhere the rectangular layers together and add then to the box front using 3d foam. Only add 3d foam to the top and bottom and the side opposite where the closure tab goes. Don't remove the tape from the closure tab as it will slip behind the focal rectangles and remains closed on its own.

Next decorate the inside of the front cover of the box. 

Below is a diagram of how the red cover for the inner box is made. It starts with a piece of cardstock measuring  14.1cm x 12.3cm (5½" x 4⅞") scored on all sides at 2.5cm. (1")

Next create tabs by cutting up the score lines on opposite sides and creating notches as shown below. Then take the largest rectangular die from the Nested Essentials die set and cut an appature in the middle as shown. 

Use a piece of acetate to cover the appature adhering it to the inside of the lid. Next take a small circle punch and create to finger notches one on each side of the lid buy punching our semicircle. Add a simple sentiment across the front of the lid to finish it off.

 

This cute box is both fun to make and fun to recieve 😃.

Yuletide Village home decor

 A quick 3d home decor projects for today's inspiration.  Made using the amazing Yuletide Village stamps.  Boy are these guys versatile! 

Take a piece of basic white cardstock measuring 28cm x 14.85cm . Then score along at 1cm, 10cm, 19cm. Now stamp your village along the length of the cardstock making sure to position them so they don't fall on the score lines.  Next colour them in.

Once they're all coloured in fussy cut along the length connecting the mat ground level.

Next take a piece of vellum measuring 14.85cm x 28cm. Score at 1cm, 10cm and 19cm. Then take an embossing folder and dry embossing the vellum.  You may have to do the embossing in sections,  if you're using a directional folder make sure you position it well.

Adhere the tab on the cardstock to the last panel to create a triangular shaped. Then adhere the vellum in the same shape and slip it inside the cardstock. 

Now stamp, colour and fussy cut some extra houses and trees. Position these according to your taste, then using 3d foam adhere them along the bottom of the project.

Now add your chosen lights. You could use a battery operated flickering tealight or some micro led lights like I have.

All in all a fun and easy project that could be a great ine to share with children for the festive season. 

Yuletide Village winter wishes card

 A fun colourful card to give to my neighbours today using the Yuletide Village stamps. My neighbours don't celebrate Christmas but I still like to give them a card and they give us one too!

The card is inspired by an old BBC children's programme called Balamory.  The show is set in a fictional village in Scotland and all the characters houses are bright bold colours. The cute houses in the Yuletide village set just remind me of the characters homes 🤣

The winter wishes sentiment is just perfect for this card but wouldn't it make a fun birthday card for someone who celebrates their birthday in the winter?

The simple shapes make creating masks easy. The masking off of the stamped images allows you to add colour to the Sky behind and between the houses. 

Yuletide Village home decor

 Reduce Reuse Recyle.. words of wisdom for sure especially in today's throw away culture.  Why am I talking about it today? Well today's inspiration started life as an old frame I found whilst going through some boxes! I have to admit to being one of those people who think .. don't get rid of it yet it might come in handy! Do you do that? Then start going through the "junk" box and think why did I keep that! 🤔 Well today I'm sharing a project using the gorgeous Yuletide Village stamp set.

The Yuletide village stamps are a wonderful image only photopolymer stamps set that is definitely more than just a Christmas set. You can use it for so many occasions and some fun 3d / home decor projects too!

The projects starts by cleaning the tired old frame and finding some pretty pattern paper and some white speckled vellum.  Adhere the paper then the vellum to the back panel of the frame. 

Then cut 3 strips of cardstock the width of the recess of the frame. Make each strip taller than the other so that you have a small, medium and larger strip. Now stamp your chosen houses and the church on to the strips. Colour them in then fussy cut them out making sure to leave the edges curved to resemble Snowy hills.

Use 3d foam to adhere each layer to the other. Checking that they fit inside the frame and are positioned appealingly. 

Once you're happy with the layout the fun starts with the addition of s string of battery operated micro lights! Carefully position the lights behind the buildings and hide the wire behind the layers. The wire is very fine and should slip between the backing frame and allow the battery pack to sit behind the frame.

Now my photo's really don't do this cute project justice.  It lights up beautifully 😍. 

So if you're someone with a box of " that'll come in handy one day" type of person maybe it's time to have a look see what you've got in there 😉 

The last Christmas card of the year Reindeer Fun

 Wow it's got here so so fast! It seems like only yesterday we started... making Christmas cards for 2024 that is 🤣 When do you make your cards for the festive season? I start in September and finish in November ( even thought this post is a little in to December it was made in November 😉) I know some of you are super organised and make them all year long. Are you one of those? Or are you like me and start late summer/ early autumn? Or are you really last minute dot com and don't start till December? What ever way you like to make your festive creations here's another fun card to inspire you. Using the adorable Reindeer Fun stamps and dies, as well as the gorgeous Reindeer Days pattern paper this card is sure to bring a smile to anyone's face 😀 

Don't you just love this super cute die cut reindeer? And the die cut wreaths make the perfect "O" for Ho, Ho, Ho! 

The shiny bows and berries are made using a technique that is so easy. All you need is some clear packing tape. Place the tape over a piece of cardstock and rub it down with a bone folder so that there are no air bubbles. Then die cut as usual simple! And the effect is a lovely shiny finish that the photo doesn't really do justice to. 

Decorating the inside of the card give you even more opportunity to share your creativity ✨️ 

Well that's all my Christmas cards done but fear not my Christmas stash isn't going to be packed away just yet! I've got some 3d ideas and tag ideas that I just have to make and share with you here before it's time to put it all away 😉

Festive Tags quick cards

 How's your Christmas card making going? All done and ready to deliver? Nearly there just a few to get made? Or Wait..What..Christmas cards 😱 ? Whatever stage your at today's inspiration will show how easily and quickly you can get some beautiful stylish cards made. 

Made using the Festive Tag kit from Stampin' Up! And the oh so elegant Brushed gold cards and envelopes . These 2 products are all you'll need to create 15, yes 15! Quick and beautiful stylish cards.  

The Festive Tag kit is what I call a self contained kit. It contains all you need to create 15 tags , 3 each of 5 designs.  The kit includes all the die cut sentiments , tags, images, embellishments, twine and adhesives all you'll need is a pair of scissors! 

The brushed gold cards and envelopes are sooo stylish and luxurious.  Ready scored and ready for you to create with. They come in  a pack of 20 cards and 20 envelopes. Both the back and front sides of the cards are foiled. And the envelopes are foiled too 😀.

All you'll have to add to create the cards is some extra adhesives. I'd recommend some liquid adhesive / tape and some 3d foam. 

The tags have gold foiling on them too so the card bases and the tags work so well together. 

The simple layout and simplicity of creation make these elegant cards super quick to do. I think it took about 10 minutes! to make 5 so you could make 15 in half an hour! 

So if you're not finished or even started those Christmas cards this might be the way for you 😃

If you're in the UK and don't have a Stampin' Up! I'd love to be yours.  You can visit my online shop by clicking Here

One of a Kind one sheet wonder part 3

 Today I'm sharing the final part of my One of a Kind one sheet wonder mini series.  Today's cards use the 2 remaining panels cut from the A5 sheet created on day one. You can find that post Here. The simplicity of the design of these cards is enhanced by the basic white card bases and mats.

The first card uses the larger of the 2 remaining  panels. Measuring 10cm x 6cm this panel is accompanied with die cut circle and detailed snowflake die cut from a scrap of basic white cardstock.  Place the circle die then the outline snowflake die and the detail snowflake die together. Space them equally so that you can use all 3 die cut pieces over the 2 cards. The snowflake dies are from the one of a kind stamp and die bundle.

These pieces are then adhered to a white panel on the front of a white card base. Stamp the chosen sentiment directly below the pattern panel using smoky slate grey ink. A single large iridescent gems is popped into the center of the detail snowflake. 

The final card uses the 14.4cm x 3cm panel of pattern paper. Adhere the panel to a mat of basic white cardstock measuring 10cm x 14.4cm.  Then stamp your chosen sentiment,  using the grey ink again, along the long side . Adhere the outline snowflake die cut to the band and add 3 iridescent gems to the center. Adhere the whole panel to the card base using 3d foam. This is a landscape card.

I hope you've enjoyed this mini series and will give the A5 one sheet wonder cutting guide a go. 

Here is the cutting guide and a link back to Part 2. 

One of a kind one sheet wonder part 2

 👋 hello and welcome. I do hope you're all safe and well. Here in my small part of the world we've been experiencing some extreme weather from storm Bert. I live next to a wonderful forest but the high winds we've been experiencing make it sound really noisy! But the craft goes on so today is part 2 of my One of a kind one sheet wonder mini series . 

For today's cards you'll need the panel measuring 10cm x 8.5cm the One of a Kind dies and a circle die. Place the circle die toward the top of the panel central one both long sides. Next place the outline snowflake die and the detailed snowflake die inside each other and the circle die. Once die cut separate the pieces and use them to make the 2 cards below.

The first sample uses the circle diecut and the detailed snowflake die cut.  Adhere to a simple white mat on a white card base.  Stamp the sentiment directly on to the white mat below the circle die cut. A simple iridescent gems in the center of the snowflake die cut is all that's needed for this simple card.

For the second card there are a few layers but still keeping the colour palette predominantly white.

Take the 10cm x 8.5cm panel and the outline snowflake die cut and adhered them to a 10.5cm x 9cm mat of white cardstock.  Now adhere a white mat measuring 14.4cm x 10cm  on to a white A6 card base . 

Next, using 3d foam , adhere the snowflake panel to the card base. A sentiment on a narrow strip of white card goes across the front and a few iridescent gems are added to the center of the snowflake. 

What do you think of this twofer? ( that's 2 cards from 1 lot of die cutting 😉)

Below is the cutting guide for the one sheet wonder  and here is the link to part 1 of the mini series Click here

One of a kind one sheet wonder

 Hello 👋 I know it's been a while but I'm still here 😀 Today I'm sharing the first of a 3 part inspiration using an A5 one sheet wonder and the amazing One of a Kind stamps and dies. 

Everything starts with a piece of A5 cardstock.  You could of course make this with a piece of pattern paper measuring 14.85cm x 21cm ( A5) but a custom made piece is more unique don't you agree 😉. 

Take the cardstock and using 3 colours of ink and a blending tool create a softly blended panel. I have used pale blue, soft lilac and a subtle pink as these give a gentle look.

Next use the cutting guide below to cut your panel up.

For today's card you're going to use the 14.85cm x 8cm panel and the detailed snowflake die from the one of a kind bundle. With careful placement die cut 7 of the detailed snowflake dies from the panel.

Next adhere them in a flurry across a 10cm x 14.4cm panel of white cardstock.  There a several ways to apply adhesive to delicate die cuts one of the simplest is to take wet glue and place it onto a wipe clean surface the dab a piece of sponge in it. The use the sponge to apply the adhesive to the back of the die cut. Another way is to use double-sided adhesive sheets. Add the sheet to the back of your cardstock before die cutting.  Then carefully remove the release sheet and add the die cut to your project. 

A swoosh of iridescent ribbon behind the sentiment and some iridescent gems sprinkled around help to give the card a very whimsical feel don't you agree?

Please pop back over the following days to see how the rest of the one sheet wonder is used. 

One of a kind

 Today I'm taking part in a Stampin' Up! UK event in Reading , Berkshire.  I'm honoured to be one of the demo's presenting 😱 I have to admit to being a bit nervous but excited at the same time! Here is the card I'm sharing with my fellow demo's.  Wish me luck 🫣

Here's the card I'll be sharing.  It's using the beautiful One of a Kind stamps. Don't you just love how versatile snowflakes  are? Their unique nature lends itself to non traditional colours so well!

Inside is a hidden pocket for either cash or a gift card/ voucher.  A simple addition that makes a somewhat boring gift that little bit more special.

Well that's all for now as I'm off to the event . Wish me luck 😉

One of a kind

 Where do you get your inspiration from ? Is question I'm often asked and one of the main answers is you! After hosting an amazing all day class yesterday I was inspired by the creativity of the wonderful group of crafters I spent the day with. Inspiration can be found in many places but for me crafting with others and for others is often the best way. What about you? Where do you find inspiration? 

The colour of today's card was inspired by one of the cards created in the class yesterday by a wonderful crafter called Lindsey Wallace. She created an amazing blended background for one of her projects . This led to me using the fab One of a Kind stamps to make an embedded resist technique background.  This fun stamp set is so pretty. 

The technique is easy start by heat embossing you chosen images randomly over your cardstock using clear embossing powder.  Once heat set blend your inks over the panel. Top tip keep a clean soft cloth or tissue to hand and every so often gently buff the ink off the embossed areas. This allows the images to pop through the inked area nicely. 

The take a little water and splattered it over the panel placing a piece of kitchen roll over it immediately to soak up the water droplets and excess ink. Then take a wink of stella and splatter over the panel for extra glimmer. 

The sentiments in the One of a Kind stamps are so cute. A simple swoosh of iridescent stripped trim and a few clear adhesive sequins finish the card nicely .

I hope you enjoy today's card and maybe found a little inspiration from it 😉