Stampin' Up! Baby Prints for a New Pinkie Baby

So exciting! One of my friends in the Pinkies Stampin' Up! UK Team had her gorgeous daughter last week so obviously I needed to make a card for them.

I decided not to go for the usual pink - I love Coastal Cabana, one of the 2013-15 In-Colors, so used that as my feature colour. The image from Baby Prints was stamped onto Very Vanilla card using Basic Grey ink and run through the Big Shot using a die from the Circles Collection Framelits. A Coastal Cabana mat was cut using the Deco Labels Framelits and paper-pierced using a template from the Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack.  A second piece of Very Vanilla was embossed using the Honeycomb Embossing Folder, matted onto Coastal Cabana and a Basic Grey card base. A strip of Designer Series Paper from the Afternoon Picnic pack was added to the bottom. 

The sentiment was also stamped in Basic Grey ink on Very Vanilla card and the tails punched using the Hexagon Punch. The sweet little baby-grows are from the Baby Tees Jumbo Wheel which I stamped in Basic Grey ink, coloured using Coastal Cabana ink and a Blender Pen and cut out. The Paper Snips are perfect for cutting out little shapes like these - they are so sharp (ask me how I know!).

To finish the card flowers were punched from Coastal Cabana card using the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack and topped with Pearl Basic Jewels.

I love the hand and foot prints in the Baby Prints Stamp Set - they are so cute!  

Baby Prints Stamp Set by Stampin' Up!

I was really pleased with how this card turned out and hopefully the new parents will like it as well.

I have decided I am going to try and enter some online challenges - I find these provide great inspiration for crafting but I am usually far too late to actually enter them - but not this time! The lovely ladies over at the SUO Challenge Blog challenged people make a paper-craft project for a baby so this fits the bill perfectly (I hope!)

Here is a list of the Stampin' Up! supplies used to make today's card. Don't forget you can now order online if you prefer - if you click on the items you will be directed to my online store where you can pop them into your shopping basket:

Stamp Sets: Baby Prints / Baby Tees Jumbo Wheel

Inks: Basic Grey / Coastal Cabana

Cardstock: Very Vanilla / Coastal Cabana / Basic Grey

Big Shot: Circles Collections Framelits / Deco Labels Framelits / Honeycomb Embossing Folder  

DSP: Afternoon Picnic

Punches: Hexagon / Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack

Other: Pearl Basic Jewels 

Tools: Blender Pens / Essentials Paper Piercing Pack  / Paper Piercing Tool

I am of course still more than happy for you to contact me directly to order any of these products if you would prefer, please either email me or give me a call on07530 368466.

Stampin' Up! UK Clearance Rack now LIVE!!

Ooooh - do you love a bargain?

Starting today there is now a CLEARANCE RACK section on my Online Store: 

This means you can get your hands on previously retired stock from Stampin' Up! Catalogues at a DISCOUNT - how fab is that? I have grabbed a couple of complete bargains!

So what is the catch? Well once they're gone - they're gone! The CLEARANCE RACK is not a promotion - it doesn't have an end date but products are only available while stocks last - so don't miss out!

New items will be added on a regular basic so make sure you keep checking - you don't want to miss anything!

The easiest way for you to get your hands on these products is via my online store - click "SHOP" in the top right hand corner as shown above - that takes you to my online store:

The ‘Clearance Rack’ is on the left as shown. Don't forget to double check that it is my name displayed so you know you are shopping with me!

Go on! What are you waiting for? 

Please note that returns or exchanges are not available on Clearance rack items (unless faulty) but as they are such a bargain I am sure you won't want to send them back anyway!

A Thank You with Stampin' Up! Lovely as a Tree

So have you downloaded MDS yet? I wasn't sure I would like digital crafting but I LOVE it - so versatile and I am loving the potential for hybrid crafting!

Anyway on to today's card.  Dex and I had a weekend up in Yorkshire and I needed a Thank You card for our hosts. The Lovely as a Tree Stamp Set was one I got in my Starter Kit back in 2010 but I haven't used it for a while.

The image was first stamped on a Post-It note, torn at "ground level" and then the landscape and moon were sponged onto Naturals Ivory card using these as a mask (the inks I used were Soft Sky, Island Indigo & Always Artichoke). I have done a quick tutorial showing this which I will post later this week. The image from Lovely as a Tree was then stamped over the sponged background using Early Espresso ink and the Stamp-a-ma-jig to make sure it was in the right place. This piece was matted onto Early Espresso card.  

A piece of Soft Suede Core'dinations Cardstock was run through the Big Shot using the Woodgrain Embossing Folder and distressed using the Stampin' Sanding System. This piece was matted on Naturals Ivory card and an Early Espresso card base.  A sentiment from Morning Madness (an exclusive hostess set) was stamped and matted using the same inks and card and the tails punched using the Hexagon Punch. A button from the Naturals Designer Buttons and a Linen Thread bow finished off the card.

Lovely as a Tree by Stampin' Up!

I was really pleased with how it turned out - Lovely as a Tree is such a versatile set - I shall be using it to make some Christmas cards as well.

Here is a list of the Stampin' Up! supplies used to make today's card. Don't forget you can now order online if you prefer - if you click on the items you will be directed to my online store where you can pop them into your shopping basket:

Stamp Sets: Lovely as a Tree / Morning Madness, 

Inks: Early Espresso / Soft Sky / Pacific Point / Always Artichoke

Cardstock: Early Espresso Core'dinations / Early Espresso / Soft Suede / Naturals Ivory

Big Shot: Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder  

Punches: 1 1/4" Circle / Hexagon

Other: Linen Thread / Naturals Designer Buttons  

Tools: Stampin' Sanding System / Stamp-a-ma-jig / Stamping Sponges

I am of course still more than happy for you to contact me directly to order any of these products if you would prefer, please either email me or give me a call on07530 368466.

Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio

Yay - I am really pleased to be able to let you know that Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio (MDS) is now available to download. MDS is a fabulous software programme for designing digital scrapbook pages, cards, calenders, gift tags, postcards, invitations - in fact anything you care to design!  

The MDS software is £13.95 and is available to purchase from my online store! It works with both MAC and Windows.  As it is downloaded so there is no postage to pay and you don't have to wait for a CD to arrive! It contains everything you see HERE. 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE MDS

Not sure if digital crafting is for you? Then why not try before you buy with a FREE 30 day trial - this version contains less products, but there is still loads to play with - see exactly what HERE.

Download your FREE 30 day trial.

My Digital Studio files can be used with other software programmes and electronic die-cutting systems so you can print and cut out shapes to whatever size you need. If you don't need the software then you can just buy the digital downloads.

There is also a fabulous website with loads of information - forums, FAQ, a blog, videos and more:  http://www.mydigitalstudio.net/home

This is a really quick tag I made to go on a birthday present. I have never used any digital software before and have had great fun playing with it - this took 5 minutes!

And it doesn't end there, there are LOADS of additional affordable downloads available through my store to add to your MDS collection.  If there is a must have stamp you need you can purchase it online and download it straight to your computer.  New downloads are released every week so make sure you pop back AND there are freebies as well!

Stampin' Up! Online Ordering Now Available!

We all know that Stampin' Up! like to make it easy for us to create fabulous projects. The launch of on-line ordering will make that even easier!  You can now order products at any time of the day without having to contact me first! So if you have an urge to order that "must have" stamp set at 2am in the morning - you can!

All you need to do is follow this link (or click on the image in the side bar), click on SHOP in the top right hand corner, create an account with me, Nicky Dexter and start ordering. Your goodies will then be delivered direct to your door within 3-5 working days - fabulous!

Of course if you would rather not order online I am still here to help and more than happy to take your order via email or call me on 07530 368466.

Stampin' Up! Creative Tour Swap

Wow - what a fantastic night I had last night! I attended the Stampin' Up! Creative Tour in Ipswich with 50 lovely demonstrators. We had inspiration, crafting, laughter and freebies - what more could you want?

A huge part of Stampin' Up! Events is "swapping". This is where you make a batch of identical card fronts or 3-d items to exchange with fellow demonstrators so you end up with lots of ideas showcasing different stamps, styles and techniques. These were the swaps I made using the Santa's List Stamp Set :- 

I wasn't sure about this set when I saw it in the Stampin' Up! Autumn Winter Catalogue - but having seen some great samples I bought it and I am so glad I did! He is such a cheerful Father Christmas!

The image was stamped in Basic Grey ink onto Naturals White card and cut out using the using the Big Shot & Circles Collection Framelits.  The layers were also cut using framelits - a second circle in Smoky Slate, and a Basic Grey piece using Apothecary Accents.  A second piece of Naturals White was run through the Big Shot using the Pretty Print Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. I love this folder - is it just me or does anyone else wonder what it says?.

The card base is Basic Black with a Melon Mambo mat - I love the pop of colour.  The sentiment is stamped in Basic Grey and accented with a Melon Mambo punch from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack - a Rhinestone Basic Jewel finishes it off - after all Christmas cards need a bit of sparkle! The "tail" was punched using the Hexagon Punch.

The edges were all sponged with Smoky Slate ink to give an aged look and the finishing touch was some paper piercing using the template from the Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack - you can see the piecing better in the photo below.  The layers were popped up using Dimensionals to finish the card.

Hope you like it?  I received some fabulous swaps in return which I will share with you in the next few days. 

Here is a list of the Stampin' Up! supplies used to make today's card:

Stamp Sets: Santa's List

Inks: Basic Grey, Smoky Slate

Cardstock: Basic Black, Basic Grey, Smoky Slate, Melon Mambo, Naturals White

Big Shot: Circles Collection Framelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Pretty Print Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Punches: Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Hexagon

Other: Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack

If you would like to order any of these products please either email me or give me a call on07530 368466 and I will be happy to help. 

New Stampin' Up! Christmas Single Stamp Selection!

Oooh - look what is available to order from today! A fabulous NEW selection of Christmas-themed single stamps - I am loving the star and the crib scene and and ....... 

There are eight different stamps to choose from, six of which coordinate with Framelits dies or punches. I love the way Stampin' Up! makes crafting so easy.

The stamps are available in Clear-Mount only and come packaged in cello bags. If you’d like a case for your stamp, you can buy the Clear-Mount Stamp Cases that come in packs of four (item 119105). You will also need a Clear-Mount Block. The recommended block sizes can be found on the flyer.

These Christmas-themed stamps are only available until 31 January, 2014, so get them while you can. I will be ordering mine today so I can share some ideas with you!

If you would like to order any of these stamps please either email me or give me a call on07530 368466 and I will be happy to help. 

Pinkies Autumn Winter 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!

Hopefully you have arrived from Suzette's blog. I love the card she has made with the Snow Day Stamp Set.

So let's get "hopping"!  I am using the Halloween Happiness Stamp - a single stamp which retails at £8.95 and the Pumpkin Pie Goodie Gear Simply Created Kit - 

The Halloween Happiness stamp was coloured using Stampin' Write Markers in Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Summer Starfruit & Cajun Craze and stamped onto Very Vanilla Cardstock. The image was cut out using the Ovals Collection Framelits and the Magnetic Platform (which I am DELIGHTED to say is available to order again!). A Pumpkin Pie mat was cut using a larger oval framelit and run through the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder. The image was stamped again in Cajun craze ink and one of the pumpkins cut out and popped up on dimensionals to give a bit of depth.

The Witches' Brew Designer Series Paper is perfect for Halloween cards (obviously!) and I wanted to use a variety of the patterns on this card to show how fabulous it is.  Two pieces were matted onto Summer Starfruit cardstock to give some contrast a third piece was added to a Basic Black card base.

A piece of Natural Trim and a Linen Thread bow finish off the card.

I absolutely love the Simply Created Kits in the Autumn Winter Catalogue (p32) - they make it so quick and easy to put together small gifts - crafting doesn't have to be complicated! 

The kit contains enough elements to make 10 goodie bags: die-cut Kraft tags, Whisper White banners, Pumpkin Pie stickers, Twine and the Cellophane bags.

I stamped the banner using a sentiment from Teeny Tiny Sentiments and decorated the tag using the stickers. The bag was filled with halloween-coloured jelly beans (and no - I didn't eat the other colours!!) and tied with the twine. 

How easy would these be to do for Halloween parties?

Here is a list of the Stampin' Up! products used to make today's project:

Stamp Sets: Halloween Happiness, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Inks: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Summer Starfruit, Cajun Craze

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Summer Starfruit, Very Vanilla, Basic Black

DSP: Witches' Brew

Big Shot: Ovals Collection Framelits, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Other: Pumpkin Pie Goodie Gear Simply Created Kit, Natural Trim, Linen Thread

If you would like to order any of these products please either email me or give me a call on 07530 368466 and I will be happy to help. 

I am really pleased with how these turned out and anyone attending my workshops in October will be getting a Halloween Treat bag so make sure you get your invite!  I would love to hear what you think so please leave me a comment!

The next stop is Traci who has used the Festive Flurry stamp set and dies - I LOVE her cards!

I hope you enjoy the rest of the hop and have a crafty weekend!

A Perfectly Penned Birthday Card!

Another birthday card for you today showing off the gorgeous Stampin' Up! Soho Subway Designer Series Paper.

The swirls from the Everything Eleanor Stamp Set were stamped in Crumb Cake ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock and the edges of the card sponged. This piece was matted onto Crisp Cantaloupe card and an Early Espresso card base.  The label was a bit of a "happy accident" - I had stamped it in Crisp Cantaloupe ink but it didn't look right so I stamped it again using Crumb Cake ink - but forgot to clean my stamp first!! I quite like the effect.  The sentiment from Perfectly Penned Stamp Set was lined up using the Stamp-a-ma-jig - perfect placement every time! The label was cut out using the super sharp Paper Snips.  

A banner was cut from a piece of Soho Subway Designer Series Paper and edged with card punched using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, this was layered on top of a Tea Lace Paper Doilie which had been sponged with Crumb Cake and Crisp Cantaloupe inks.  The label was popped over a piece of Victoria Crochet Trim. A Very Vintage Designer Button knotted with Linen Thread and Pearl Basic Jewels finish the card.

I love the Everything Eleanor Stamp Set; swirls, flowers, labels and a cute bird - what more could you want?

Everything Eleanor Stamp Set by Stampin' Up!

Here is a list of the Stampin' Up! supplies used to make today's card:

Stamp Sets: Everything Eleanor, Perfectly Penned

Inks: Crumb Cake, Crisp Cantaloupe, Early Espresso

Cardstock: Early Espresso, Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla

DSP: Soho Subway

Punches: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border

Other: Victoria Crochet Trim, Very Vintage Designer Button, Linen Thread, Pearl Basic Jewels

If you would like to order any of these products please either email me or give me a call on 07530 368466 and I will be happy to help.