Pinkies Training Swaps Using Stampin' Up! Wetlands Stamp Set

Wow! What an great day I had yesterday! I was in Bicester for the Pinkies Quarterly Training.  I love Stampin' Up! training - what could be better than spending a whole day with like-minded people? We had a great mix of business training, inspiration, crafting, laughing (lots!) and there was also cake! (If any of my 100% Bootcamp friends are reading this then don't worry - I didn't have cake!)

One thing which also always happens at 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 Wetlands Stamp Set :- 

The background was so easy to do but looks really effective. I used the "direct-to-paper" technique with the Soft Sky, Crumb Cake and Smoky Slate Ink Pads and simply swiped the edges of them on a piece of Naturals White Card Stock to make a "seascape".  The image of the waders was stamped using Basic Black Ink. The sentiment is also in the stamp set - again stamped in Basic Black and punched using the Large Oval Punch.

A notch was punched using a punch from Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack and a piece of Linen thread wrapped round the card and knotted. The sentiment was popped up on dimensionals and the card front matted onto a piece of Basic Grey and a Basic Black card base. 


Wetlands really is a versatile set - it contains 6 stamps - 3 sentiments and 3 images:-

Wetlands Stamp Set by Stampin' Up!

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

Stamp Sets: Wetlands

Inks: Soft Sky, Crumb Cake, Smoky Slate, Basic Black

Cardstock: Naturals White, Basic Grey, Basic Black

Punches: Large Oval, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack

Other: 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. 

If you like the sound of swapping at Stampin' Up! events why not consider joining my team of Dexterous Designers?  If you join Stampin’ Up! with me, not only will you benefit from one-to-one support in a close-knit team, you’ll also get the added bonus of being a member of the Pinkies team - one of the biggest in Europe. You would get the the best of both worlds!  Find out more information.

New Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue Hop with the Pinkies

We're so glad you could join us on our Pinkies Blog Hop. We'll be showcasing lots of gorgeous projects using products from the new Stampin' Up!® Annual Catalogue. Simply use the buttons at the end of each post to keep on hopping. We love comments, so please do tell us what you think!

Hopefully you have arrived from Catherine's blog. I love what she has done with the the Six Sided Sampler Stamp Set (don't say that too quickly!) and what clever ideas using the new Hexagon punch!

So let's get "hopping"!   I have made a really quick set of 3" x 3" notelets - who says crafting has to be complicated? 

I chose to use 2 stamps sets - Tape It and A Round Array - both so versatile.  I also wanted to showcase the gorgeous new In-Color 2013-15 Collection.  

The images from Tape It were stamped onto Whisper White card using the In-colors. Honestly this set is fabulous - instant "Washi Tape" style designs in whatever colour you need!  The sentiments are from A Round Array - I used the In-Color Stampin' Write Markers to colour the stamps and they were punched out using the 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch - which obviously fits perfectly! The Whisper White Banner was cut using the Itty Bitty Banners Framelits and the NEW Magnetic Platform (have you got yours yet - you DO need one!) 

Notelets need to be in a box - right? I used the Simply Scored Scoring Tool and made a quick freehand folder using the Baked Brown Sugar cardstock.  The patterned paper was stamped using one of the images from A Round Array and the In-Color Ink Pads. This was matted onto a piece of Coastal Cabana cardstock and added to the box.

The "belly band" was super easy to make - have you seen the new Ruffle STRETCH Trim available in the 2013-15 In-Colors? It is gorgeous and perfect for this type of job. I made a loop of the Strawberry Slush Trim and hid the ends between a pile of scallop punches. The stretch makes it so easy to slip on and off the folder - no need for bows!

 Well I hope you like this project? It is the perfect gift if you are looking for a quick something to make.

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

Stamp Sets: Tape it, A Round Array

Inks: Baked Brown Sugar, Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Coastal Cabana

Cardstock: Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar, Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Coastal Cabana

Punches: 1 3/4" , 1 1/4" & 7/8" Scallop Circle Punches

Big Shot: Bitty Banners Framelits

Other: Strawberry Slush Ruffle Stretch Trim

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 this project worked out. I would love to hear what you think so please leave me a comment!

The next stop is Nina who has used the Flower Shop Stamp Set and the coordinating Pansy Punch to make a gorgeous project.

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

Instant Washi Tape with Tape It from Stampin' Up!

How exciting - my order of lovely products from the New Stampin' Up Catalogue arrived yesterday and obviously I had to have a play!  I needed a quick card so "cased" one from the Catalogue (p126). I love the samples and inspiration in the catalogue - it is not just a list of products.

Tape It is a fantastic selection of "washi tape" style designs so you can make really quick cards in any colour combination.  I used the colours from the new Etcetera Designer Series Paper as my inspiration.

The images were stamped on a piece of Very Vanilla card, the sentiment is from another new set - Four You, and the splodges from the fantastic Gorgeous Grunge - you will be seeing lots of that!  The card base is Baked Brown Sugar card - one of the new In Colors which will be with us for the next 2 years.

The images in Tape It are shown below - aren't they great!

Tape It Stamp Set by Stampin' Up!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:-

Stamp Sets: Tape It. Gorgeous Grunge, Four You

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Baked Brown Sugar

Ink: Old Olive, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Baked Brown Sugar

The New Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue 2013 - 2014 is here.

Good grief - where has June gone?  Well I hope you managed to get everything you wanted to from the retired lists - I know lots of my customers did!

And for today's news - the NEW ANNUAL STAMPIN' UP! CATALOGUE 2013 - 2014 is here!  I LOVE it - it is packed with so many fabulous new products - just as you would expect from Stampin' Up!!  

I have had my copy for a month (one of the perks of being a Demonstrator!) so here are some of my favourite things:

• Stamps which coordinate with new punches, framelits and embossing folders AND you get a discount when you buy them as a bundle!
• The new colours - they are GORGEOUS! 
• New Designer Series Papers
• A magnetic platform for your Big Shot to hold your framelits in place - no more sticky notes!
• Stacks of new embellishments - buttons, ribbons, candy dots, washi tape, clips .....
• And of course - as this is Stampin' Up! there are lots of fabulous new Stamp Sets!

So, how do you get your own copy of the fabulous new Annual Catalogue?  If you host a party then you’ll be given a copy when you confirm your booking.  If you've ordered more than £50 worth of products from me in the last three months then I’ll also pop a copy in the post to you with my compliments. 

If you’re not in either of these groups but you’d still like your own copy of the new Annual Catalogue (and let's face it you NEED it!), then all you need to do is email me and let me know. For just £4.95 I’ll post one out to you, along with a £5 voucher towards your first order worth £30 or more (excluding shipping). 

If you can't wait for the postman to arrive then the link in the sidebar will take you directly to an online copy - make yourself a cup of tea - you may be some time!

Stampin' Up! - The Best of Flowers & Single Stamps

More loveliness today from Stampin' Up! with the launch of two new items - the "Best of" collection and Single Stamps.

Introducing the "Best of" collection. As part of their 25-year anniversary celebrations, Stampin' Up! are bringing back some of their favourite stamp images from the last quarter century and combining them into fives sets. These will be released one set per month until October 2013 (although all Best of Sets will be available until 31 March 2014).

Each set will also include a NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN image! The sets are priced at £13.95 / 17.95€ and are only available in clear mount so you will need the clear blocks.

This month's set is Best of Flowers - 5 great floral images. The flyer below has more information and I will be back with some projects to show you how lovely this set is.

And the second new range being launched today - 

Stampin' Up! have been experimenting in their North American Market with Single Stamps - and it has been so successful that we are also getting them in Europe - yay!  From today until 31 August 2013 (while supplies last) you can order 5 single-image stamps.

The stamps are only available as clear mount (you will need Block E to use them) and are packed in cello bags rather than the Clear-Mount Stamp Cases (you can order the cases if you need them).

The Images and prices are shown below (shown at 75% of actual size on the flyer). How adorable is Spec-tacular - specs are bang on trend now! 

If you would like to order either of these products please drop me an email or call me on 07530 368466 and I wil be pleased to help you. Products are delivered directly to your door within 3-5 working days.

Stampin' Up! Retired Lists are here!

The Retired Lists for the 2012/2013 Catalogue are here!  Don't forget these items are only available WHILE STOCKS LAST , or until 1 July 2013, and some items have already sold out!

 

You can see the RETIRED STAMP LIST HERE  

And the RETIRED ACCESSORIES LIST HERE  (paper / ink / ribbon / embellishments / Punches / Big Shot Dies) 

I will be placing regular orders this month so if you NEED any of these products before they disappear forever please drop me an email or call me on 07530 368466.

Anyone placing an order before 30 June of £35 or more (before P&P) will receive a copy of the NEW 2013 - 2014 Annual Catalogue for FREE (rrp £5). This will be sent out separately at the end of June and is an offer from me - not Stampin' Up!

Treat Box with T Lights and Stampin' Up! Washi Tape

Today's project is a cute box containing decorated T Lights - a perfect thank you gift. I first saw this idea demonstrated by Amanda Fowler at a Pinkies team training event a couple of years ago - thank you Amanda!

With the introduction of the Simply Scored Scoring Tool this box is now super speedy to make.  I have done a quick tutorial to show how easy it is.  

The box base was made from a piece of Calypso Coral card cut to 7 1/2" x 4 3/4": ( I am so glad this colour is staying with us as part of the Colour Refresh!)

 Score on each side at 3/4" and 1 1/2":

 Fold and cut along the score lines as shown:

Assemble the box using Tombow Multipurpose Glue or Sticky Strip (I prefer the glue as it gives you a bit of "slide")

 The sleeve is a piece of Baja Breeze (retiring so get it while you can!) card cut to 6" x 4 1/2"

Stamp the card - here an image from the Bordering on Romance stamp set was stamped all over using Baja Breeze ink.

Score at 7/8", 2 3/4", 3 5/8" and 5 1/2" as shown:

Using a Framelit from Apothecary Accents Framelits and the Big Shot cut an aperture in the sleeve. Stick a piece of Window Sheet behind the aperture to prevent the contents falling out of the box! 

Fold along the score marks and stick the sleeve together.

A tag was stamped using the sentiment from Kindness Matters and cut out using the Hearts a Flutter Framelits. Punch out a flower using the Itty Bitty Punch Pack finish with a Pearl Basic Jewel.  

Have you noticed the T Lights have had a make-over? I used the fabulous NEW Epic Day This and That Designer Washi Tape to decorate them. A genius idea suggested by the super talented Sam Donald.  And of course because this is Stampin' Up! the Calypso Coral colour matches perfectly!  

The box was then tied up with a piece of the gorgeous Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon. And there you go - all ready to go!

Hope you find this useful - I would love to hear from you if you make this so don't forget to leave me a comment.

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

Stamp Sets: Bordering on Romance, Kindness Matters

Inks: Baja Breeze

Cardstock: Calypso Coral, Baja Breeze, Naturals Ivroy

Punches: Itty Bitty

Big Shot: Apothecary Accents Framelits, Hearts a Flutter Framelits

Other: Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Linen Thread, Pearl Basic Jewels, This and That Washi Tape, Window Sheet, Simply Scored Scoring Tool

Don't forget that the discontinued colours (card, ink and accessories) are only available while stocks last so don't leave it too late if you NEED to stock up on your favourites!

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.