Thursday 28 February 2008

Thinking of you trees


Here is another card which was so much better in my head, although I do like some elements of it.

It’s another of the Lovely as a Tree images I coloured using Popping Pastels (click here for technique). I really like the way it goes with the patterned paper from the Brocade Background set.

But somehow I think the proportions are not quite right. The card is sized to fit in a standard DL (office) envelope – a nice shape but I seem to have an area of nothingness on the left. All ideas welcomed!

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree (p45), Sincere Salutations (p61)
Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Paper: Designer Series Paper – Brocade Background (p72)
Ink: Versamark®, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Stampin’ Pastels (p82), Brads – Rich Regals (p85), ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon - Always Artichoke

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Wednesday 27 February 2008

Using ribbon - part 3: The Knot

The infamous knot. It's much simpler than a bow (and, in my opinion, cleaner-looking) but the knot causes problems for so many people. It really is as easy as "left over, right under; right over, left under" but there are a couple of things to remember.

For your first "left over, right under" tie the ribbon tightly, without bending your cardstock. It's the second part that's the crucial part.

For the second part ("right over, left under"), work slowly. It's tempting to get that ribbon tied and under control as quickly as you can but hold back! Take it really slowly, and adjust the ribbon as you go, so the top part is nice and flat. If you need an extra finger to hold it still while you practise, rope someone in to help. Soon you'll be an old hand at this and find your own middle finger appearing as if by magic!

You can see the whole of this project by clicking here. There are other examples here and here

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Tuesday 26 February 2008

It’s a date!

I have dates for your diary! They’re all in the events section on the right but here is a run-down in a little more detail.

The Mother and Daughter Event has been extended by half an hour; it’s now 2pm-4.30pm on Sunday, 30th March. You’ll each make four fun projects on a party theme. One will be a really funky invitation, there will be a couple of cards and a gift item. All equipment and materials will be provided, and it costs £5.50 per person. Click here for more details.

I have just booked a hall for two more events:

The first is for a One-Sheet Wonder class, where we’ll stamp a sheet of A4 cardstock and then magically produce 10 cards. It’s on Saturday, 17th May, 9.30am-noon. This one is at a new venue, but in the same area. The price is likely to be more than usual as we will be making 10 projects instead of the usual four. I’ll let you know when I’ve worked it out!

And don’t miss my Christmas in July event! Get a head start on your Christmas cards and projects and have some distinctly unseasonal fun! Saturday, 12th July, 2pm-4.30pm. £5.50 per person.

For full details of these events, and to reserve your place, please email me. Thank you!

Monday 25 February 2008

Little Doodles

Some more simple cards made with Doodle That and the Soft Subtles™ colour family. I coloured the images with Stampin’ Up! markers but you could use any colouring tools. They are all 9cm square, which is one of my favourite card sizes - small and cute but not too small to post and you can get three out of a sheet of A4 cardstock.

Stamps: Doodle That (p55)
Cardstock: Pale Plum, Mellow Moss, Blush Blossom, Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Stampin’ Write™ markers

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Sunday 24 February 2008

Doodle That

Doodle That is another set that is great for new stampers; it’s a bargain, too, at just £11.95 for four stamps. So, armed with some Whisper White cardstock, a pack of Soft Subtles assorted cardstock and a black ink pad, I set out on another limited supply challenge.

I really like how this turned out - I love the swirly doodle stamp and could see me adding this to lots of cards… if only the stamp set didn’t belong to Alison.

The image is coloured with markers but, again, you could use whatever you have to hand, such as coloured pencils, paints or the kids’ felt tips! The benefits of the Stampin’ Up! markers, of course, is that they come in the Stampin’ Up! colours for perfect co-ordination.

Stamps: Doodle That (p55)
Cardstock: Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Stampin’ Write markers (p71)

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Saturday 23 February 2008

Birthday balloons

I want to show people who have never stamped before that you don’t need a huge amount of equipment to get started. All you need is stamps, ink and paper – and you can get kitted out with Stampin’ Up! for less than £30.

This stamp set, Birthday Best, is perfect for new stampers as it covers lots of different occasions and includes a greeting.

To make this, and dozens of other cards, all you need is the stamps, some black ink, Whisper White cardstock and a pack of assorted Bold Brights cardstock.

I stamped a row of balloons and coloured them with Stampin’ Write markers – although you can colour with whatever you already have. I couldn’t resist highlighting the balloons with a white gel pen but, if you don’t have one, you could just leave a gap in the colouring.

I masked the greeting stamp with some scrap paper so that I inked just the part that reads “happy birthday”. This way you can get lots of mileage out of the one stamp which reads “happy birthday today – happy times all year”.

Stamps: Birthday Best (p34)
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Stampin’ Write Markers (p70), uni-ball®
Signo white gel pen (p82)

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Friday 22 February 2008

Tasty cakes


As soon as I got my Stamp-a-ma-jig® I knew I had to make a row of fairy cakes. They look so delicious with their coloured cakes and different shades of icing – I wish I could make them look like this instead of the lumpy messes I produce.

I don’t know if you can see it but there’s glitter on the flames. Glitter only in moderation is my motto!

The Stamp-a-ma-jig® is a marvellous tool. I already have a stamp positioner which is in the shape of large T but I've never really got on with it. When I saw the Stamp-a-ma-jig® demoed at the Birmingham Open Night I had to have it! It comes with a clear imaging sheet which you position in the corner of the tool (I can't keep typing its proper name!) and then stamp on. Remove the sheet and use it to position exactly where you want your image on your project. Place the tool around the imaging sheet, then remove the sheet and position your stamp into the corner of the tool. It's hard to explain but I can demo it if you  book a workshop. 

Stamps: Birthday Best (34)
Cardstock: Barely Banana, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, Lavender Lace, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Stampin’ Write Markers (p71), Stampin’ Glitter (p82)

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Thursday 21 February 2008

Disappointing pine tree card


Um… I kept this card simple so that the detail of the tree could stand out. No, not true; I was just in a hurry. And I really don’t think I’ve done the image justice.

The image is stamped in Versamark® and coloured using the Popping Pastels technique with chalks (click here for details). I used Garden Green for the branches and Close to Cocoa for the trunk. I then sponged some Night of Navy around the sky and Garden Green around the ground.

I could have made much more effort when I put the card together though. I don’t think the complexity of the main image goes well with the simplicity of the card design. I feel it would look better with a background image and some direct to paper and distressing… maybe some Hodgepodge Hardware® and a greeting, too. 

I think I'll take it apart and start again - keep checking back for the new (and hopefully improved) version.

Stamps: Lovely As a Tree (p45)
Cardstock: Creamy Caramel, Garden Green, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Versamark®
Accessories: Stampin’ Pastels (p82), ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon – Night of Navy (p86)

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Tuesday 19 February 2008

Baby boy

Somewhere on the other side of the world a lovely lady has produced a gorgeous baby boy called Jacob. I’m a bit late sending the card but I should manage to get it there before he starts school!

This is a busy card with lots of different elements – the three circles are stamped from a Circle of Friendship stamp and, in case you can’t read them, read “Hip Hip Hooray”. Three cheers, see?

Stamps: Year After Year (p36), Circle of Friendship (p62)
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Paper: Designer Series Paper – Cutie Pie (p73)
Ink: Bashful Blue
Accessories: 1” circle punch, ½” circle punch, crafters’ tool kit (p85)

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Monday 18 February 2008

Stepped up tree

With some of the pieces leftover from our cardmaking evening, I made this. It’s similar to the original (which you can see here) but I changed the stamp, plus a few other details and stepped it up a little with some more patterned paper.

I sent this card to a lady (hope she likes it!) but think it would be equally suitable for a man.

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree (p45)
Cardstock: Old Olive, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Paper: Brocade Background Designer Series Paper (p72)
Ink: Old Olive
Accessories: ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon – More Mustard (p86)

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Sunday 17 February 2008

Mother and Daughter event

Don't miss our next big event - a Mother and Daughter Craft Event!

Spend some quality time with your daughter at this fun event, where you will each make four projects on a party theme – cards and gift items – using rubber stamping techniques and top quality products from Stampin’ Up!

There will be a prize draw, demonstrations, displays and light refreshments.

Children must be aged 7 or over and accompanied by a paying adult. Grown-up daughters are welcome too as the projects are suitable for adults, although please be aware that they will be on a party theme.

All materials and equipment will be provided. 

When it it?
Sunday, 30th March, 2pm-4pm. Places must be booked and paid for in advance by 22nd March. 

Where is it?
Same place as last time - please email me for details.

How much is it?
£5.50 per person (non-refundable).

How do I book?

Saturday 16 February 2008

How Stampin' Up! works

I have a busy weekend ahead so thought I'd use this opportunity remind you all of how Stampin' Up! works. There are three ways you can enjoy Stampin' Up! products:

As a customer
Customers can buy Stampin' Up! products in three ways:

1. At a workshop: This is the best place to buy your Stampin' Up! products, as you'll see the products in action and have lots of stamping fun.

2. Catalogue party: If you can't make it to a workshop, or don't have a demonstrator in your area, don't despair. Get in touch with me for a catalogue (I'm doing a special deal on catalogues at the moment) and hold a catalogue party with your stamping friends. Place your orders together and, if they reach £150 or more combined, the hostess will still get the freebies! It doesn't matter where you are in the UK, the supplies will be delivered to your home.

3. Mail order: If you need supplies in between workshops, don't forget you can place an order at any time by email. You can pay by cheque and I'll order when it's cleared, or Paypal (a small fee may apply) and the goodies will be delivered directly to your home.

As a hostess
Hostesses get the best treats from Stampin' Up! Open your home for a Stampin' Up! workshop and I'll show you two projects and everybody will complete a fun make and take. They don't even have to be crafters - you never know, they might catch the stamping bug on the night! All you, as the hostess, have to do is provide some light refreshments (very light - we don't want food on the cardstock!) and I'll do the rest. In return, if your party reaches £150 or more, you get the pick of some wonderful stamp sets just for hostesses plus free products of your choice. It's a great deal - and great fun!

As a demonstrator
If you enjoy sharing your love of stamping with others, then becoming a demonstrator could be for you. It really is the perfect job - you can fit it around your lifestyle and work as much or as little as you like. Even better than that, rubber stamps become tax deductible and playing with stamps and paper can be called "work"! It costs £155 to sign up and you get a great boxful of stamps, accessories and business supplies, worth £265! It's an even bigger bargain if you sign up before the end of February, as you'll save a further £16! You don't need to live near me to be in my downline, so please email me today if you think being a demonstrator is for you.

For any of these options, please email me!

Friday 15 February 2008

Popping pastels and sponge fingers


I have new toys and I’m absolutely loving them! I would never have believed something so simple could be so fabulous.

They are… sponge daubers. I saw them demoed at the Stampin’ Up! Open Night in Birmingham and couldn’t resist. They are little round sponges on top of black plastic cylinders which fit on your finger… which led Jean, one of our guests at our cardmaking evening, to rename them “sponge fingers”. Love it!

I realise now why I’ve never managed to get good results with this popping pastels technique – sponge daubers make it so easy.

The technique appears to work like magic. You stamp your image in VersaMark® - it’s barely visible until you apply Stampin’ Pastels (chalks) with the sponge dauber. The image appears in all its bright and chalky glory. It leaves a soft shadow around the image which is a lovely effect. You can also use the daubers with chalk to sponge soft colours on to your cardstock, softening the edges or creating a night sky, for example.

On these cards I sponged Old Olive chalk onto the tree leaves and Close to Cocoa onto the trunk. The Stampin’ Pastels are excellent, especially if you want access to all the Stampin’ Up! colours quickly as you get all 48 Stampin’ Up! colours, plus white, black and grey.

For these cards I also used the Direct to Paper technique and some distressing for a “shabby chic” effect, plus some background stamping. If you want to see these techniques in the flesh, why not request them when you book a workshop? Alternatively, sign up for my class (see top right).

Stamps: Lovely As a Tree (p45), En Francais (p58)
Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink: VersaMark®, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Twill Tape (p87), ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon - Always Artichoke (p86), Hodgepodge Hardware® - Pewter (84)

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Wednesday 13 February 2008

Using ribbon - part 2


Yes, at long last, a return to my occasional look at ribbon uses. This time, the "flag". This is a really easy and effective way to use up small pieces of ribbon. All you do is fold a ribbon scrap in half and attach it to your card. You can attach the ribbon in loads of different ways. On the card above I attached it behind the layer so it just pokes out. This card uses the wet on wet watercolouring technique - for details, click here. I really thought I'd already posted this card but can't find it so maybe not. If I have, I apologise.

On the pink sample, I've used a household staple - see the whole card here.

Notice how trimming the ribbon can have different effects - the diagonal is cut in the opposite direction on the green sample (click here for full image), where I've used the flag behind a scallop circle to create a rosette effect. You could also trim the ends straight if your ribbon scrap is really short!

One flag is good... but try two, three, four, or have them going all down the side of your card or scrapbook page. Go on - use those scraps!

Recipe for main card
Stamps: Summer by the Sea (p48)
Cardstock: So Saffron, Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Versamark (p82), Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, So Saffron, Basic Black
Accessories: Brads - Rich Regals (p85), Taffeta Ribbon - Chocolate Chip (p86), Stampin' Emboss Powder - clear (p82)

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.



Tuesday 12 February 2008

A handbag!?

That was my Lady Bracknell impression, by the way. It doesn’t work so well in writing.

This is the last of the cards we made at our event in the village hall. I absolutely love this design because it’s so effective, despite being really easy to reproduce. I should really point out that this card was made by Alison and not me! Oops, don't think she'll mind though.

To make the card, take an ordinary card blank (I use A5, folded in half), then measure along the folded edge about an inch (2.5cm) from either end. Then cut diagonally from this point down to the open edge. It’s as simple as that.

You can attach the ribbon however you like – we cut slits in the fold and poked the ribbon through, tying knots on the inside of the card.

This card uses colours from the Soft Subtles family, with the addition of black. I love to use black on my cards – it’s not at all gloomy; on the contrary, I find it makes things really stand out.

Stamps: Seeing Spots (p52), Cheer & Wishes (p63)
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, VersaMark®
Accessories: Gingham ribbon – Black (p86), Scallop Circle Punch (p80), 1 ¼” circle punch (p80)

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Monday 11 February 2008

Summery brights

This is one of my favourite card designs because it’s simple and quick to produce. You could step it up with more layers, background stamping, patterned papers but, as this was for our cardmaking evening at the village hall, it had to be simple due to time restraints.

It uses colours from the Bold Brights family which I always think are nice and summery.

“Wonderful” comes from the Welcoming Words stamp set, which features six word stamps in this same style. You can’t buy this set but it’s really easy to earn it for free by holding a workshop in your home.

Stamps: Doodle That (p55), Welcoming Words (p6)
Cardstock: Gable Green, Brilliant Blue, Pink Passion, Whisper White
Ink: Brilliant Blue
Accessories: ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon – Whisper White (p86), 1 3/8” circle punch (p80), 1 ¼” circle punch (p80)

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Sunday 10 February 2008

Simply rich


Another of the cards we made at our event on Friday. This one uses the Simply Said stamp set and the Rich Regals colour family - this is my favourite colour family at the moment, although it changes all the time!

To make this card shape, cut your A4 cardstock lengthways, then round the corners with the Corner Rounder.

Stamps: Simply Said (p39)
Cardstock: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Ink: Rose Red
Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch (p80), 1 3/8” Circle Punch (p80), Corner Rounder (p80), ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon – Elegant Eggplant

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Saturday 9 February 2008

Last night...

...was great fun (well I thought so at least!).  Alison and I hired the local village hall and held a cardmaking event, where our guests each made four cards. Even though I didn't make any cards myself, I had a great time - and I hope everyone else did too. Thank you to everyone who attended - and a big thank you to Sue and Betty for helping out so much! 

This was one of the cards we made. When designing our four cards for our stamping evening, by a happy accident Alison and I had used a different colour family for each one. This autumnal card uses colours from the Earth Elements family.

You could also step it up by colouring the image but we were short of time so just stamped it in Chocolate Chip. This is one of those stamp sets that works well either way. 

The patterned paper is double-sided so some of our guests chose to use the other side, which has an argyle pattern.

Eagle-eyed readers may recognise this card as a reworking of this one. The earlier version is "spring" but we changed our minds as we wanted to make at least one of the cards suitable for a man because we all know how difficult it is to make cards for men! I'll post all of the cards we made in the next few days.

Stamps: A Tree for All Seasons (p44), Sincere Salutations: (p61)
Cardstock: Old Olive, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Prints Designer Series Papers - Close to Cocoa (p73)
Accessories: ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon – More Mustard (p86)

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Friday 8 February 2008

Chocolate!

These are some cute little giveaways for the cardmaking evening tonight. I am very grateful to my friend Sue for making these for me. Each one contains an Elizabeth Shaw After Dinner Mint, sandwiched between two scallops of cardstock.

News just in: Despite Sue's renowned sweet tooth, she didn't eat a single one!

Stamps: Be Happy (p38)
Cardstock: Summer Sun, Whisper White
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch (p80)

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Thursday 7 February 2008

In the pink again


Where does all this pink keep coming from? I used to hate pink! But it goes so well with Simply Said and I still have Alison’s stamp set, so why not?

I had lots of fun with punches for this card – LOVE that Scallop Circle Punch! I stamped two different Circle of Friendship stamps, then punched “Just for you” out the centre of one of them and layered it on top of the “Thinking of you” stamp. This way you can mix and match the sayings to suit the occasion.

The card design is inspired by the sample on p39 of the UK Stampin’ Up! Idea Book & Catalogue 2007-2008. That’s what the catalogue is for – it’s packed with samples which you can adapt to fit your supplies.

Stamps:
Simply Said (p39), Circle of Friendship (p62)
Cardstock: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Whisper White
Ink: Regal Rose, Rose Red
Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, 1¼” circle punch, 1” circle punch, ½” circle punch (all p80)

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Wednesday 6 February 2008

At last ... the nifty glitter trick


I mentioned that, at the Birmingham Open Night, Shelli Gardner had a really nifty glitter trick. Well here it is at last.

See those blingy brads? Look expensive, don’t they? How wrong could you be?! Take a mini glue dot and mould it around an ordinary silver brad, then simply dip it into your glitter pot: glittery brads!

I’m not a big fan of glitter but even I love this trick – especially as it doesn’t leave you covered in glitter for days.

The stamp set is Alison’s Simply Said. I’m enjoying using this while I can because, pretty soon, she’s going to realise I still have it and demand that I return it.

Stamps: Simply Said (p39), Sincere Salutations (p61)
Cardstock: Regal Rose, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Regal Rose, Rose Red
Accessories: Gingham ribbon – black (p86), Brads – silver (p85), Stampin’ Glitter – Dazzling Diamonds (p82), Mini Glue Dots (p81).

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Monday 4 February 2008

Oops, forgot this one!

I forgot to include this box in my post yesterday... which is lucky really as I don't have the camera today and can't take the pic of the card I really wanted to show you. 

But back to the box - it's another of those quick little 5-10-15-20 boxes, with the sides pinched so that the top will close. 

Again, flash photography has destroyed the background stamping... this time it was the delicate little flowers from Simply Said. I coloured the image with a Real Red marker - the fine tip really came into its own for the tiny flowers. 

Stamps: Simply Said (p39)
Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black
Accessories: Gingham ribbon - red (p86), Gingham ribbon - black (p86), household staple.  

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Sunday 3 February 2008

Not quite what it seems

This is why you should take your pictures in daylight. I'm really annoyed with myself about this because I didn't leave enough time to get a photo during the day. 

I made this as a prize for my workshop - a Valentine's card and 5-10-15-20 box (click here for instructions) filled with red heart chocolates (Sainsbury's; I think they were 79p for about 10-12). The card is embellished with one of the chocolates, too. 

What you can't see is that I stamped the background of both the card and the box with large red hearts and small red flowers. Honest, I did! 

Stamps: Simply Said (p39)
Cardstock: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black
Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch (p80), 1 3/8” circle punch (p80), gingham ribbon – black (p86), gingham ribbon – red (p86), Stampin’ Write marker – Real Red, brads – silver, red tissue paper shredded in paper shredder, chocolates from Sainsbury's. 

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Saturday 2 February 2008

Thinking outside the box

The second demonstration at my workshop was a cool little box like this (decorated slightly differently). I’ve adapted it to metric so that it works with our cardstock and renamed it the 5-10-15-20 box.

Here’s how you make it:

1. Take a sheet of A5 cardstock (half a sheet of A4). Score down the length at 5cm.
2. Turn it the other way and score along the width at 5cm, 10cm, 15cm and 20cm.
3. There will be a small, narrow rectangle (the shaded area in the diagram); cut this away.
4. Cut along the short score lines – these are shown as solid lines in the diagram below.
5. Fold along all the score lines in the same direction. Apply adhesive to the narrow flap and join the box together.
6. You now have a box with four square flaps. Stand the box up with these flaps splayed outwards. Apply adhesive to three of them. Only three!
7. Turn the box upside down and assemble.

Flower box
Stamps: Birthday Best (p34)
Cardstock: Barely Banana, Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Paper: Prints Designer Series Papers - Certainly Celery (p73)
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Stampin’ Pastels (chalks) (p82), brads – Rich Regals (p85), tissue paper shredded in paper shredder

I gave this box a cardstock handle but have also made them with ribbon handles, or pushed in the sides and closed, as in the cake example below. You could also cut the box down to make it shorter, to suit whatever you want to put inside. I think it's perfect for a small Easter egg.

Cake box
Stamps: Birthday Best (p34)
Cardstock: Almost Amethyst, Lavender Lace, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Stampin’ Pastels (chalks) (p82), Gingham ribbon – Black (p86), ¼” circle punch

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

Friday 1 February 2008

Roses in winter

Well I think my workshop went okay. Everybody seemed to love the Two-Step Stampin’® technique and the Wonderful Words set proved extremely popular.

This card was the first demo of the workshop – stamping off and Two-Step Stampin’® (click here for both techniques) with this beautiful Roses in Winter set.

Stamps: Roses in Winter (p47), Wonderful Words (p60)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Rose Red, Always Artichoke
Ink: Rose Red, Always Artichoke
Accessories: ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon – Always Artichoke


And here is the card, pictured with the same design of card made with colours from the Soft Subtles and Earth Elements families. The Soft Subtles card uses Perfect Plum and Mellow Moss on Whisper White; the Earth Elements card uses Ruby Red and Old Olive on Very Vanilla. I can't decide which one I like best! 

If you want to see projects and techniques like this, please get in touch to book a workshop.

All products by Stampin' Up! Please email me to order a catalogue, or click the link on the right to view it online.

The small print

This is my personal blog and my sole responsibility as an Independent Stampin' Up!® demonstrator. All images are © Stampin' Up!® All content including photographs, projects and text are © Helen Read, unless otherwise stated. Please feel free to copy my ideas for your personal use and inspiration - if you are a SU demonstrator you may use these ideas for your events but please give credit where it is due. Please do not use my ideas for monetary gain, competitions or publication. The images on this blog - including blog buttons - should not be copied and used elsewhere on the internet or on CDs.