Yes, more glitter...

Another project from Monday’s glitter class – this time using Sticky Cuts. These are 12x12 sheets of die-cut images made from the same stuff as Sticky Strip. So they’re REALLY sticky and you can apply embossing powder (yes, you can heat them), glitter, fun flock or tiny beads.

We stamped the flower from Hello Again. We didn’t bother masking as the flower head was completely covered by the Sticky Cuts flower. Then we peeled away the large part – the petals – leaving behind the circle in the centre. Next we applied glitter and heated gently to set. Once this was done we peeled the backing (fronting?) from the centre circle and applied glitter in a different colour and heated again.

The Certainly Celery panel is stamped repeatedly with flowers from the Simply Said stamp set. We positioned the brads using the mat pack, although some of us had them closer together, some had them farther apart and one person (that would be me) completely forgot about the brads until it was too late and everything was stuck down!

Stamps: Hello Again, Simply Said
Cardstock: Perfect Plum, So Saffron, Whisper White, Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery
Ink: Certainly Celery
Accessories: ½” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon – So Saffron, Sticky Cuts, Fine Cosmo Glitter, Silver Brads

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

Read More » Another project from Monday’s glitter class – this time using Sticky Cuts. These are 12x12 sheets of die-cut images made from the same stuff as Sticky Strip. So they’re REALLY sticky and you can apply embossing powder (yes, you can heat them), glitter, fun flock or tiny beads.

We stamped the flower from Hello Again. We didn’t bother masking as the flower head was completely covered by the Sticky Cuts flower. Then we peeled away the large part – the petals – leaving behind the circle in the centre. Next we applied glitter and heated gently to set. Once this was done we peeled the backing (fronting?) from the centre circle and applied glitter in a different colour and heated again.

The Certainly Celery panel is stamped repeatedly with flowers from the Simply Said stamp set. We positioned the brads using the mat pack, although some of us had them closer together, some had them farther apart and one person (that would be me) completely forgot about the brads until it was too late and everything was stuck down!

Stamps: Hello Again, Simply Said
Cardstock: Perfect Plum, So Saffron, Whisper White, Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery
Ink: Certainly Celery
Accessories: ½” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon – So Saffron, Sticky Cuts, Fine Cosmo Glitter, Silver Brads

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

Dazzling trees

This was voted the favourite project at my glitter class on Monday – not surprisingly as it uses that ever-popular stamp set, Lovely as a Tree.

Not sure if you can see the glitter on it but we used Dazzling Diamonds to highlight parts of the image such as the snow on the ground and a few of the branches. Subtle, but dazzling! We did this by “drawing” on the image with the Two-Way Glue Pen then spooning glitter over the top, tapping off the excess back into the pot (I use those plastic Chinese takeaway pots to store the glitter).

And I finally cracked open the Hodgepodge Hardware. It’s really beautiful and falls into the “too pretty to use” category. Must stop hoarding nice things as it’s completely pointless.

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Fresh Cuts
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Whisper White
Paper: Patterns - Bashful Blue
Ink: Brocade Blue
Accessories: Stampin’ Glitter – Dazzling Diamonds, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Hodgepodge Hardware® - Stylised Silver, 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon - Brocade Blue

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

Read More » This was voted the favourite project at my glitter class on Monday – not surprisingly as it uses that ever-popular stamp set, Lovely as a Tree.

Not sure if you can see the glitter on it but we used Dazzling Diamonds to highlight parts of the image such as the snow on the ground and a few of the branches. Subtle, but dazzling! We did this by “drawing” on the image with the Two-Way Glue Pen then spooning glitter over the top, tapping off the excess back into the pot (I use those plastic Chinese takeaway pots to store the glitter).

And I finally cracked open the Hodgepodge Hardware. It’s really beautiful and falls into the “too pretty to use” category. Must stop hoarding nice things as it’s completely pointless.

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Fresh Cuts
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Whisper White
Paper: Patterns - Bashful Blue
Ink: Brocade Blue
Accessories: Stampin’ Glitter – Dazzling Diamonds, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Hodgepodge Hardware® - Stylised Silver, 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon - Brocade Blue

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

A glittery hi

Fine Cosmo glitter... £12.95. Heat & Stick Powder... £3.25. Cat’s bottom covered in glitter... priceless.

Yes it was my glitter class on Monday night and I’ve only just managed to get rid of all (ok, most) of the glitter from the floor. Despite the tribulations of being in my house for the class, I think everyone had a good time.

This is one of the cards we made; another which uses Neutral cardstock – but you simply can’t beat Kraft. Do you know we now sell it in a single colour pack of 12x12? Very handy for scrapbooking but equally useful if you’re a huge fan of Kraft!

To create this glitter effect, take some chipboard and press into your Versamark pad. Sprinkle with Heat & Stick Powder (I keep mine in a plastic pot so can dip the chipboard in and out easily) then heat until the powder has melted. Sprinkle (or dip) with glitter – in this case it’s Fine Cosmo Celery for the letters and Fine Cosmo Turquoise for the heart. Then heat again to set.

The stamping is done with Versamark, too – it really is a useful pad to have around.

Stamps: Hello Again
Cardstock: Kraft, Taken with Teal, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon - Certainly Celery, Fine Cosmo Glitter (Celery and Turquoise), Heat & Stick Powder, Heat Tool, Scallop Edge punch

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

Read More » Fine Cosmo glitter... £12.95. Heat & Stick Powder... £3.25. Cat’s bottom covered in glitter... priceless.

Yes it was my glitter class on Monday night and I’ve only just managed to get rid of all (ok, most) of the glitter from the floor. Despite the tribulations of being in my house for the class, I think everyone had a good time.

This is one of the cards we made; another which uses Neutral cardstock – but you simply can’t beat Kraft. Do you know we now sell it in a single colour pack of 12x12? Very handy for scrapbooking but equally useful if you’re a huge fan of Kraft!

To create this glitter effect, take some chipboard and press into your Versamark pad. Sprinkle with Heat & Stick Powder (I keep mine in a plastic pot so can dip the chipboard in and out easily) then heat until the powder has melted. Sprinkle (or dip) with glitter – in this case it’s Fine Cosmo Celery for the letters and Fine Cosmo Turquoise for the heart. Then heat again to set.

The stamping is done with Versamark, too – it really is a useful pad to have around.

Stamps: Hello Again
Cardstock: Kraft, Taken with Teal, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon - Certainly Celery, Fine Cosmo Glitter (Celery and Turquoise), Heat & Stick Powder, Heat Tool, Scallop Edge punch

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

Can't see the Funky Forest for the Trendy Trees?

Finally had chance to use my new Funky Forest wheel, which co-ordinates with the fabulous Trendy Trees stamp set. I had some strips of Whisper White cardstock which were about the right width so I had a practice then decided I may as well use them to make some cards. Here are two of them – I made the one with the horizontal ribbon first then decided it would look better going vertically so made another which opened at the side. The birthday card is going to a very fabulous stamper in America so no pressure there then! Hope she likes it.

Stamps: Trendy Trees, Funky Forest wheel, Basic Phrases
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Certainly Celery ink pad and ink cartridge, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig®, Stampin’ Dimensionals, ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon - Chocolate Chip

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

Read More » Finally had chance to use my new Funky Forest wheel, which co-ordinates with the fabulous Trendy Trees stamp set. I had some strips of Whisper White cardstock which were about the right width so I had a practice then decided I may as well use them to make some cards. Here are two of them – I made the one with the horizontal ribbon first then decided it would look better going vertically so made another which opened at the side. The birthday card is going to a very fabulous stamper in America so no pressure there then! Hope she likes it.

Stamps: Trendy Trees, Funky Forest wheel, Basic Phrases
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Certainly Celery ink pad and ink cartridge, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig®, Stampin’ Dimensionals, ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon - Chocolate Chip

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

Saffron Silhouettes

I don’t think I’ve used this colour combination before but I quite like it so you may see it again. For this card I stamped the Very Vanilla panel with Pocket Silhouettes, stamping again and again without reinking the stamp so that it created different shades. Did the same on the circle and that’s about it.

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Trendy Trees
Cardstock: So Saffron, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron
Accessories: 1 3/8” circle punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Paper piercing tool, linen thread

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

Read More » I don’t think I’ve used this colour combination before but I quite like it so you may see it again. For this card I stamped the Very Vanilla panel with Pocket Silhouettes, stamping again and again without reinking the stamp so that it created different shades. Did the same on the circle and that’s about it.

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Trendy Trees
Cardstock: So Saffron, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron
Accessories: 1 3/8” circle punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Paper piercing tool, linen thread

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

Three trees

I love this stamp set and I love this design which I saw on a photo of one of the swaps that somebody received at the Stampin’ Up! Convention. So all credit to the designer but unfortunately I don’t know who that was!

I copied it from memory so it may be different – the colours certainly are as I used what I had out on the table at the time which was, surprise surprise, Old Olive and Chocolate Chip.

The card base is Sahara Sand which I’m loving at the moment – it comes in the Neutrals pack along with Kraft, Basic Gray and Basic Black. All really useful but often overlooked (especially by me).

I made this card for a friend who has done really really well to get her dream job – there were loads of applicants but she did it and well deserves it after all her hard work.

Stamps: Trendy Trees, Basic Phrases
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Accessories: 1 ¼” circle punch, 1 3/8” circle punch, Striped Grosgrain Ribbon – Old Olive, Stamp-a-ma-jig®, Stampin’ Dimensionals

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

Read More » I love this stamp set and I love this design which I saw on a photo of one of the swaps that somebody received at the Stampin’ Up! Convention. So all credit to the designer but unfortunately I don’t know who that was!

I copied it from memory so it may be different – the colours certainly are as I used what I had out on the table at the time which was, surprise surprise, Old Olive and Chocolate Chip.

The card base is Sahara Sand which I’m loving at the moment – it comes in the Neutrals pack along with Kraft, Basic Gray and Basic Black. All really useful but often overlooked (especially by me).

I made this card for a friend who has done really really well to get her dream job – there were loads of applicants but she did it and well deserves it after all her hard work.

Stamps: Trendy Trees, Basic Phrases
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Accessories: 1 ¼” circle punch, 1 3/8” circle punch, Striped Grosgrain Ribbon – Old Olive, Stamp-a-ma-jig®, Stampin’ Dimensionals

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

A glitter class sneak peek

A sneak preview for those who are attending my Glitterati Class on Monday... I initially rejected this card because I thought it was too dull-looking for a Christmas card but I kept coming back to it. I think that, not being a glittery sort of person, I am drawn to the subtlety of the neutrals to offset the bling.

But is the black too gloomy? I was thinking of switching to Night of Navy but have cut up the black now – I decided I like how striking it is next to the Sahara Sand.

To create this glitter effect, stamp the snowflake in Versamark then cover with Heat & Stick Powder. Tap off the excess and then heat with your heat tool. A hairdryer will not do, sorry – it will just blow the powder away and not be hot enough. When the powder has melted, cover with glitter and tap off the excess. Heat again lightly to set.

Reliable sources tell me that the Embossing Buddy will prevent any stray glitter from sticking to your paper but mine is due to arrive today so I’ll have to let you know my views when I’ve tried it.

The ribbon is something I’ve seen everywhere but never tried. It didn’t sit as flat as I’d have liked but some of the samples I’ve seen involve stitching and that’s never going to happen in this house. So I put a strip of Sticky Strip along the card and stuck the ribbon to that, pleating it as I went along.

Stamps: Snowburst, Basic Phrases
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Basic Black, Brocade Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Versamark
Accessories: Heat & Stick Powder, Fine Cosmo glitter (Light Blue), Heat Tool, Stamp-a-ma-jig, 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon – Brocade Blue, Stampin’ Dimensionals

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

Read More » A sneak preview for those who are attending my Glitterati Class on Monday... I initially rejected this card because I thought it was too dull-looking for a Christmas card but I kept coming back to it. I think that, not being a glittery sort of person, I am drawn to the subtlety of the neutrals to offset the bling.

But is the black too gloomy? I was thinking of switching to Night of Navy but have cut up the black now – I decided I like how striking it is next to the Sahara Sand.

To create this glitter effect, stamp the snowflake in Versamark then cover with Heat & Stick Powder. Tap off the excess and then heat with your heat tool. A hairdryer will not do, sorry – it will just blow the powder away and not be hot enough. When the powder has melted, cover with glitter and tap off the excess. Heat again lightly to set.

Reliable sources tell me that the Embossing Buddy will prevent any stray glitter from sticking to your paper but mine is due to arrive today so I’ll have to let you know my views when I’ve tried it.

The ribbon is something I’ve seen everywhere but never tried. It didn’t sit as flat as I’d have liked but some of the samples I’ve seen involve stitching and that’s never going to happen in this house. So I put a strip of Sticky Strip along the card and stuck the ribbon to that, pleating it as I went along.

Stamps: Snowburst, Basic Phrases
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Basic Black, Brocade Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Versamark
Accessories: Heat & Stick Powder, Fine Cosmo glitter (Light Blue), Heat Tool, Stamp-a-ma-jig, 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon – Brocade Blue, Stampin’ Dimensionals

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

Christmas four

This was a contender for my glitter class but it didn't get through to the finals because I already have a Christmas card and I want to show that glitter isn’t just for Christmas.

First job was to decide which circle punch to use. I settled on the 1 3/8” because it fits the reindeer and the stocking perfectly; Santa has to have his legs cut off but that’s ok and it’s a bit of a squeeze with the tree but manageable.

There’s Dazzling Diamonds glitter on Santa’s hat, the stocking “bells” and the start on top of the tree. Rudolph’s nose is Fine Cosmo Rose Pink. It’s a small enough area to look red but if you want a proper bright red, go for the Fine Cosmo Galaxy selection. The glitter is applied with the two-way glue pen – just “draw” where you want it to go and then sprinkle.

Looking at this now I wish I’d pierced the red layer so that I could have a narrower band of Chocolate Chip around it but it’s too late now. You live and learn.

Stamps: Sparkly & Bright
Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, textured Chocolate Chip
Ink: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White
Accessories: 1 3/8” circle punch, Mat pack and paper piercing tool, Two-Way Glue Pen, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stampin’ Glitter – Dazzling Diamonds and Fine Cosmo, Striped Grosgrain Ribbon – Old Olive

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

Read More » This was a contender for my glitter class but it didn't get through to the finals because I already have a Christmas card and I want to show that glitter isn’t just for Christmas.

First job was to decide which circle punch to use. I settled on the 1 3/8” because it fits the reindeer and the stocking perfectly; Santa has to have his legs cut off but that’s ok and it’s a bit of a squeeze with the tree but manageable.

There’s Dazzling Diamonds glitter on Santa’s hat, the stocking “bells” and the start on top of the tree. Rudolph’s nose is Fine Cosmo Rose Pink. It’s a small enough area to look red but if you want a proper bright red, go for the Fine Cosmo Galaxy selection. The glitter is applied with the two-way glue pen – just “draw” where you want it to go and then sprinkle.

Looking at this now I wish I’d pierced the red layer so that I could have a narrower band of Chocolate Chip around it but it’s too late now. You live and learn.

Stamps: Sparkly & Bright
Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, textured Chocolate Chip
Ink: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White
Accessories: 1 3/8” circle punch, Mat pack and paper piercing tool, Two-Way Glue Pen, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stampin’ Glitter – Dazzling Diamonds and Fine Cosmo, Striped Grosgrain Ribbon – Old Olive

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

Christmas cottage

How cute is this? (Am I allowed to say that?) A little chipboard house covered in Merry Moments papers which are just perfect for your Christmas cards, gifts and post-Christmas scrapbooking.

Cardstock: Very Vanilla
Paper: Merry Moments
Accessories: Stampin’ Write marker - Chocolate Chip, Filigree Brads
Other – chipboard house from stash

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

Read More » How cute is this? (Am I allowed to say that?) A little chipboard house covered in Merry Moments papers which are just perfect for your Christmas cards, gifts and post-Christmas scrapbooking.

Cardstock: Very Vanilla
Paper: Merry Moments
Accessories: Stampin’ Write marker - Chocolate Chip, Filigree Brads
Other – chipboard house from stash

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

Circle Christmas

You don’t need Christmas stamps to make Christmas cards – here’s one made with Circle Circus and some festive paper.

You will need your Stamp-a-ma-jig® for this one and this was my second attempt to get it right. Lucky our Whisper White cardstock has two sides, eh?

The pot is made from another Circle Circus stamp cut to shape; it would have perhaps been better in red, I don’t know.

Stamps: Circle Circus
Cardstock: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White
Paper: Merry Moments
Ink: Garden Green, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - Chocolate Chip, Stamp-a-ma-jig®, Scallop Edge Punch, Earth Elements and Neutrals buttons, linen thread

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

Read More » You don’t need Christmas stamps to make Christmas cards – here’s one made with Circle Circus and some festive paper.

You will need your Stamp-a-ma-jig® for this one and this was my second attempt to get it right. Lucky our Whisper White cardstock has two sides, eh?

The pot is made from another Circle Circus stamp cut to shape; it would have perhaps been better in red, I don’t know.

Stamps: Circle Circus
Cardstock: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White
Paper: Merry Moments
Ink: Garden Green, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - Chocolate Chip, Stamp-a-ma-jig®, Scallop Edge Punch, Earth Elements and Neutrals buttons, linen thread

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

And the winner is... Earth Elements!

My colour family poll shows that the majority of blog visitors love Earth Elements! Hmmm... no surprise really because it’s my favourite, too!

So I have yet another Earth Elements card to show you... this is one of those end-of-craft-session card where you just throw a few leftover bits together and it turns out ok. I love these autumnal shades – but you knew that, didn’t you?

Stamps: Circle Circus, Basic Phrases
Cardstock: Really Rust, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Kraft
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Accessories: 1 ¼” circle punch, 1 3/8” circle punch, Scallop Circle Punch, linen thread, 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon - Chocolate Chip

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

Read More » My colour family poll shows that the majority of blog visitors love Earth Elements! Hmmm... no surprise really because it’s my favourite, too!

So I have yet another Earth Elements card to show you... this is one of those end-of-craft-session card where you just throw a few leftover bits together and it turns out ok. I love these autumnal shades – but you knew that, didn’t you?

Stamps: Circle Circus, Basic Phrases
Cardstock: Really Rust, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Kraft
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Accessories: 1 ¼” circle punch, 1 3/8” circle punch, Scallop Circle Punch, linen thread, 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon - Chocolate Chip

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

A little hi

Found this at the bottom of my samples box – it’s the second Make and Take from my Catalogue Launch. It’s a simple card but it had to be as there were about 30 people there! The stamp is that shape and fits the Scallop Square Punch perfectly. I stamped it twice – once in Taken with Teal and once in Night of Navy, then punched the “hi” out of the navy image using the ½” circle punch. It’s popped up using a Stampin’ Dimensional.

Stamps: Say It With Scallops
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Taken with Teal, Night of Navy
Accessories: Love Notes, ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon – Night of Navy, Silver Brads, ½” 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.

Read More » Found this at the bottom of my samples box – it’s the second Make and Take from my Catalogue Launch. It’s a simple card but it had to be as there were about 30 people there! The stamp is that shape and fits the Scallop Square Punch perfectly. I stamped it twice – once in Taken with Teal and once in Night of Navy, then punched the “hi” out of the navy image using the ½” circle punch. It’s popped up using a Stampin’ Dimensional.

Stamps: Say It With Scallops
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Taken with Teal, Night of Navy
Accessories: Love Notes, ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon – Night of Navy, Silver Brads, ½” 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.

Autumn moon

I cracked open the new ribbons at last! This was my Mum’s birthday card – realised too late that she doesn’t like cards which open this way as they fall off her (sloping) shelf.

I can’t get enough of the brayer at the moment, although admittedly it’s not a quick process. For this card I punched a circle of scrap paper with my new 1 ¾” circle punch and applied temporary adhesive (the Two-Way Glue Pen is temporary if you allow it to dry clear before sticking) to the back. Stuck it onto a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and then began to brayer. I can’t remember now but I think I used Summer Sun, More Mustard and Pumpkin Pie ink.

Once the ink had dried I stamped the pheasant, which I inked using markers. Finally I added some foliage from the Autumn Days set and from Pocket Silhouettes.

Love that new ribbon!

Stamps: Autumn Days, Pocket Silhouettes
Cardstock: Kraft, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Whisper White (craft)
Accessories: 1 ¾” circle punch, Two-Way Glue Pen, Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - Chocolate Chip, ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon - Chocolate Chip, brayer

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

Read More » I cracked open the new ribbons at last! This was my Mum’s birthday card – realised too late that she doesn’t like cards which open this way as they fall off her (sloping) shelf.

I can’t get enough of the brayer at the moment, although admittedly it’s not a quick process. For this card I punched a circle of scrap paper with my new 1 ¾” circle punch and applied temporary adhesive (the Two-Way Glue Pen is temporary if you allow it to dry clear before sticking) to the back. Stuck it onto a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and then began to brayer. I can’t remember now but I think I used Summer Sun, More Mustard and Pumpkin Pie ink.

Once the ink had dried I stamped the pheasant, which I inked using markers. Finally I added some foliage from the Autumn Days set and from Pocket Silhouettes.

Love that new ribbon!

Stamps: Autumn Days, Pocket Silhouettes
Cardstock: Kraft, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Whisper White (craft)
Accessories: 1 ¾” circle punch, Two-Way Glue Pen, Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - Chocolate Chip, ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon - Chocolate Chip, brayer

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

Buy a gift, receive a gift... and free giftwrap, too!

What do YOU want for Christmas?

Slippers? Socks? Bath salts? Or would you prefer something fabulous from Stampin’ Up!?

To me, that one is a no-brainer. But how will you persuade your other halves and families to step away from the novelty bubble bath?

Simply follow these three steps to Christmas present heaven...

Step 1: Make your wish list. Go on, go wild! Include a variety of price ranges to suit every family member’s pocket.

Step 2: Sellotape it to the fridge, stick it to your spouse’s forehead or email it to everyone you know. Or even do all three!

Step 3: Tell your own Secret Santa that all they have to do is email me or call me and I will do the rest. I’ll place the order and even gift-wrap the goodies for them if they want me to!

And don’t forget that the Christmas Extravaganza is running until 29^th December, so you can do your Christmas shopping and get a free tag punch, too! See here for details.

Read More »

What do YOU want for Christmas?

Slippers? Socks? Bath salts? Or would you prefer something fabulous from Stampin’ Up!?

To me, that one is a no-brainer. But how will you persuade your other halves and families to step away from the novelty bubble bath?

Simply follow these three steps to Christmas present heaven...

Step 1: Make your wish list. Go on, go wild! Include a variety of price ranges to suit every family member’s pocket.

Step 2: Sellotape it to the fridge, stick it to your spouse’s forehead or email it to everyone you know. Or even do all three!

Step 3: Tell your own Secret Santa that all they have to do is email me or call me and I will do the rest. I’ll place the order and even gift-wrap the goodies for them if they want me to!

And don’t forget that the Christmas Extravaganza is running until 29^th December, so you can do your Christmas shopping and get a free tag punch, too! See here for details.

A sweet challenge

I only managed to complete two challenges on In Love With Stamping over the weekend – it was a busy weekend with firework displays, sleepovers and Remembrance Sunday parades.

But this was my second effort – the challenge was to produce a container for sweets or chocolates. I’m better at emptying them than creating them but made this using origami to make the base. Lots of people have asked me for the pattern but I couldn’t find it online. However, I did find this one – which I think would be better as it’s less fussy and the box should slide in and out more easily.

Then I just cut a strip of cardstock and scored it so that it would wrap around the origami box. To punch the aperture in the centre, I made a paper template of the top of the wrap-around piece and folded it into quarters. Then I overlaid it onto the red cardstock and punched, using the score lines to help me find the centre. NB: If your box is more than 3” wide, you won’t be able to punch in the centre because your punch won’t reach.

I attached a piece of acetate on the inside of the wrap-around so that the sweets wouldn’t fall out. Stampin’ Up!® does some Window Sheets which would be perfect for this, although I admit I don’t have any... yet.

The divider inside the box was really simple and is just resting inside, not attached in any way. I did discover that it sits better if you have diagonal strips; just measure the diagonal and cut two strips of cardstock to this length. At the centrepoint of each piece, cut halfway along the width – then you can join slot them together without any adhesives.

As usual, when creating my own boxes (ie not from an existing template), I realised too late that I should have stamped before scoring and sticking. Doh! So this is fairly plain – I just doodled around the aperture and decorated with some punched flowers and a tasty strawberry.

Inside there are not enough jelly beans. The reason for this is that back in April, I visited the chocolate shop in Ambleside, where they have a Jelly Belly Jelly Bean pick ‘n’ mix and bought some strawberry, orange, apple and cherry jelly beans so that I could make something fabulous using all four stamps from Tart & Tangy. It has, of course, not happened yet!

Stamps: Tart & Tangy
Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Paper: Merry Moments
Accessories: Real Red and Old Olive markers, Stampin’ Write journaller, Boho Blossoms punch, 1 ¾” circle punch, 1 ¼” circle punch, 1 3/8” circle punch, Bold Brights brads, 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon – Real Red, stapler, acetate

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

Read More » I only managed to complete two challenges on In Love With Stamping over the weekend – it was a busy weekend with firework displays, sleepovers and Remembrance Sunday parades.

But this was my second effort – the challenge was to produce a container for sweets or chocolates. I’m better at emptying them than creating them but made this using origami to make the base. Lots of people have asked me for the pattern but I couldn’t find it online. However, I did find this one – which I think would be better as it’s less fussy and the box should slide in and out more easily.

Then I just cut a strip of cardstock and scored it so that it would wrap around the origami box. To punch the aperture in the centre, I made a paper template of the top of the wrap-around piece and folded it into quarters. Then I overlaid it onto the red cardstock and punched, using the score lines to help me find the centre. NB: If your box is more than 3” wide, you won’t be able to punch in the centre because your punch won’t reach.

I attached a piece of acetate on the inside of the wrap-around so that the sweets wouldn’t fall out. Stampin’ Up!® does some Window Sheets which would be perfect for this, although I admit I don’t have any... yet.

The divider inside the box was really simple and is just resting inside, not attached in any way. I did discover that it sits better if you have diagonal strips; just measure the diagonal and cut two strips of cardstock to this length. At the centrepoint of each piece, cut halfway along the width – then you can join slot them together without any adhesives.

As usual, when creating my own boxes (ie not from an existing template), I realised too late that I should have stamped before scoring and sticking. Doh! So this is fairly plain – I just doodled around the aperture and decorated with some punched flowers and a tasty strawberry.

Inside there are not enough jelly beans. The reason for this is that back in April, I visited the chocolate shop in Ambleside, where they have a Jelly Belly Jelly Bean pick ‘n’ mix and bought some strawberry, orange, apple and cherry jelly beans so that I could make something fabulous using all four stamps from Tart & Tangy. It has, of course, not happened yet!

Stamps: Tart & Tangy
Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Paper: Merry Moments
Accessories: Real Red and Old Olive markers, Stampin’ Write journaller, Boho Blossoms punch, 1 ¾” circle punch, 1 ¼” circle punch, 1 3/8” circle punch, Bold Brights brads, 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon – Real Red, stapler, acetate

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

A modern winter card

Over on In Love With Stamping there are challenges all day today. This is to make those demonstrators who aren’t at the Stampin’ Up!® convention feel better about being left behind but anyone can take part – you just have to join the site so that you can upload your projects into the gallery.

I only managed one of yesterday’s challenges, which was to make a modern winter card. This is a bit different – and was inspired by a screen printing I saw at an art exhibition in Ambleside last week. I loved the artwork’s verdancy (yes it is a word, I just checked!) so thought I’d have a go at something using the brighter greens.

First I brayered all over the card using Gable Green and Green Galore, then made a paper mask in the rough shape of a hill and brayered again with Tempting Turquoise. How bright and scary is that?

I wanted snowflakes in the sky but couldn’t find my Sparkly & Bright set (found it now!) so went a bit random with these sprigs from Autumn Days. I thought they looked a bit Northern Lights-ish but Alison reckons they look like the wind, so I’m happy with that.

I didn’t want to use the new Whisper White craft ink for this because you can’t stamp too well on the top so I used bleach. The thing with bleach is that you never really know how it’s going to turn out and, because its power fades with time, you get different results as time progresses. So if you want bright white, work fast! And if you want a surprise, work slowly. I have a bleach tutorial here if you want more info.

Finally, I stamped the trees – bare ones on the right and an evergreen on the left. The “thanks” was masked with a scrap of paper and then stamped in Whisper White craft ink.

And I'm delighted to say that my card was chosen as the project of the day and I won a prize! Enter your project today and you could win, too!

Stamps: Trendy Trees, Autumn Days
Cardstock: Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Glorious Green, textured Whisper White
Ink: Gable Green, Green Galore, Taken with Teal, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White craft
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig®, brayer, bleach

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

Read More » Over on In Love With Stamping there are challenges all day today. This is to make those demonstrators who aren’t at the Stampin’ Up!® convention feel better about being left behind but anyone can take part – you just have to join the site so that you can upload your projects into the gallery.

I only managed one of yesterday’s challenges, which was to make a modern winter card. This is a bit different – and was inspired by a screen printing I saw at an art exhibition in Ambleside last week. I loved the artwork’s verdancy (yes it is a word, I just checked!) so thought I’d have a go at something using the brighter greens.

First I brayered all over the card using Gable Green and Green Galore, then made a paper mask in the rough shape of a hill and brayered again with Tempting Turquoise. How bright and scary is that?

I wanted snowflakes in the sky but couldn’t find my Sparkly & Bright set (found it now!) so went a bit random with these sprigs from Autumn Days. I thought they looked a bit Northern Lights-ish but Alison reckons they look like the wind, so I’m happy with that.

I didn’t want to use the new Whisper White craft ink for this because you can’t stamp too well on the top so I used bleach. The thing with bleach is that you never really know how it’s going to turn out and, because its power fades with time, you get different results as time progresses. So if you want bright white, work fast! And if you want a surprise, work slowly. I have a bleach tutorial here if you want more info.

Finally, I stamped the trees – bare ones on the right and an evergreen on the left. The “thanks” was masked with a scrap of paper and then stamped in Whisper White craft ink.

And I'm delighted to say that my card was chosen as the project of the day and I won a prize! Enter your project today and you could win, too!

Stamps: Trendy Trees, Autumn Days
Cardstock: Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Glorious Green, textured Whisper White
Ink: Gable Green, Green Galore, Taken with Teal, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White craft
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig®, brayer, bleach

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

Autumn moves into winter

Autumn Days is also perfect for Winter Days – ie, Christmas. The lovely pinecone image was inked here with markers (Chocolate Chip and Always Artichoke) and stamped on a piece of Very Vanilla. Then I stamped Merry Christmas in Ruby Red and sponged around the edges of the cardstock with chalks. The rest is made from scraps – hence the rather excessive use of the Scallop Edge Punch!

Stamps: Autumn Days, Season of Joy
Cardstock: Ruby Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: Ruby Red
Accessories: Chocolate Chip and Always Artichoke markers, Scallop Edge Punch, Stampin’ Pastels, sponge daubers

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

Read More » Autumn Days is also perfect for Winter Days – ie, Christmas. The lovely pinecone image was inked here with markers (Chocolate Chip and Always Artichoke) and stamped on a piece of Very Vanilla. Then I stamped Merry Christmas in Ruby Red and sponged around the edges of the cardstock with chalks. The rest is made from scraps – hence the rather excessive use of the Scallop Edge Punch!

Stamps: Autumn Days, Season of Joy
Cardstock: Ruby Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: Ruby Red
Accessories: Chocolate Chip and Always Artichoke markers, Scallop Edge Punch, Stampin’ Pastels, sponge daubers

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

A Christmas double

Two for the price of one today. Very similar cards but an insight into the process of creating cards for Stampin’ Up!® parties. Of course, I don’t NEED to create my own cards as there are stacks of ideas on the SU demonstrator website ... but I always end up designing my own. More fun for me that way!

This first one, with the reindeer, is the reject, although you’ll notice that it was the beginnings of the idea for the Make and Take I showed you yesterday.

I was trying to incorporate piercing around a circle but the holes ended up just a bit too close to the edge for my liking so that technique will have to wait for another day... another project.

The second card – with the Santa Claus – is the one I settled on for one of my demonstrations for my pre-Christmas parties. It uses the new 1 ¾” circle punch. I was a bit unsure how to use this at first as it doesn’t fit inside the Scallop Circle Punch – nor does the Scallop Circle Punch fit inside it (they’re exactly the same size, in case you were wondering). So I played around and came up with this idea.

Using the Scallop Oval Punch, I punched out three scalloped ovals and cut them in half, then spaced them out evenly around the back of the white circle. With five scallops showing, as shown here, you need a small space between each piece – not quite a millimetre. I haven’t tried it with more or fewer scallops showing yet – you have a go and let me know!

Hmmm... just looking at this card now I am thinking wouldn’t it be better with the greeting stamped in Whisper White using our new Craft pad? Yes it would – will do that for the next party!

Stamps: Sparkly & Bright, Sparkling wheel
Cardstock: Real Red, Garden Green, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: 1 ¾” circle punch, 1 3/8” circle punch, Scallop Oval Punch, ½” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon – Real Red, Two-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Jumbo handle, unkinked jumbo cartridge, Whisper White craft ink refill, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool

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

Read More » Two for the price of one today. Very similar cards but an insight into the process of creating cards for Stampin’ Up!® parties. Of course, I don’t NEED to create my own cards as there are stacks of ideas on the SU demonstrator website ... but I always end up designing my own. More fun for me that way!

This first one, with the reindeer, is the reject, although you’ll notice that it was the beginnings of the idea for the Make and Take I showed you yesterday.

I was trying to incorporate piercing around a circle but the holes ended up just a bit too close to the edge for my liking so that technique will have to wait for another day... another project.

The second card – with the Santa Claus – is the one I settled on for one of my demonstrations for my pre-Christmas parties. It uses the new 1 ¾” circle punch. I was a bit unsure how to use this at first as it doesn’t fit inside the Scallop Circle Punch – nor does the Scallop Circle Punch fit inside it (they’re exactly the same size, in case you were wondering). So I played around and came up with this idea.

Using the Scallop Oval Punch, I punched out three scalloped ovals and cut them in half, then spaced them out evenly around the back of the white circle. With five scallops showing, as shown here, you need a small space between each piece – not quite a millimetre. I haven’t tried it with more or fewer scallops showing yet – you have a go and let me know!

Hmmm... just looking at this card now I am thinking wouldn’t it be better with the greeting stamped in Whisper White using our new Craft pad? Yes it would – will do that for the next party!

Stamps: Sparkly & Bright, Sparkling wheel
Cardstock: Real Red, Garden Green, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: 1 ¾” circle punch, 1 3/8” circle punch, Scallop Oval Punch, ½” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon – Real Red, Two-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Jumbo handle, unkinked jumbo cartridge, Whisper White craft ink refill, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool

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

Dashing through the snowflakes

This is the Make & Take for all my pre-Christmas workshops, so if you fancy making one, you only have to book a party! You’ll get a free catalogue, a small hostess gift from me, plus all the hostess benefits if the party reaches sales of £150.

The hostess for this party earned a Level 3 hostess stamp set PLUS £60 of free merchandise of her choice. Yes, I’ll say that again... SIXTY POUNDS of free merchandise of her choice! To say she was delighted would be an understatement.

The Rudolph comes from the fun and funky Sparkly & Bright stamp set – he’s stamped in Chocolate Chip and his nose is coloured in with a red marker. The Garden Green panel is stamped in Garden Green using the snowflake stamp that comes with the set.

The white snowflakes are made with the Sparkling wheel. I bought an unkinked cartridge and a Whisper White Craft ink refill so that I could make my snowflakes in white – and I love the way they look!

Check out the fabulous new ribbon, too – this ½” striped ribbon is now available in Real Red, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive – three of my very favourite colours!

Stamps: Sparkly & Bright, Sparkling wheel
Cardstock: Real Red, Garden Green, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Garden Green
Accessories: Stampin’ Write marker – Real Red, ½” striped Grosgrain Ribbon – Real Red, Jumbo Handle, Uninked cartridge, Whisper White Craft ink refill

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

Read More » This is the Make & Take for all my pre-Christmas workshops, so if you fancy making one, you only have to book a party! You’ll get a free catalogue, a small hostess gift from me, plus all the hostess benefits if the party reaches sales of £150.

The hostess for this party earned a Level 3 hostess stamp set PLUS £60 of free merchandise of her choice. Yes, I’ll say that again... SIXTY POUNDS of free merchandise of her choice! To say she was delighted would be an understatement.

The Rudolph comes from the fun and funky Sparkly & Bright stamp set – he’s stamped in Chocolate Chip and his nose is coloured in with a red marker. The Garden Green panel is stamped in Garden Green using the snowflake stamp that comes with the set.

The white snowflakes are made with the Sparkling wheel. I bought an unkinked cartridge and a Whisper White Craft ink refill so that I could make my snowflakes in white – and I love the way they look!

Check out the fabulous new ribbon, too – this ½” striped ribbon is now available in Real Red, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive – three of my very favourite colours!

Stamps: Sparkly & Bright, Sparkling wheel
Cardstock: Real Red, Garden Green, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Garden Green
Accessories: Stampin’ Write marker – Real Red, ½” striped Grosgrain Ribbon – Real Red, Jumbo Handle, Uninked cartridge, Whisper White Craft ink refill

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

Little Red Rooster

I felt very lucky to have a play with the Rustic Rooster set. It’s a Level 2 hostess set and I had the chance to buy it during September (demonstrators can pre-order from the new catalogue) but decided not to. Then, at my Catalogue Launch, I offered the hostess set from the orders placed on the day as a prize. Janet won and, as a farmer, she naturally chose Rustic Rooster.

I was green with envy! So I was delighted when I presented Janet with her prize at my Contain Yourself 2 class and she mounted it there and then and let me have a play.

I made this with the supplies for the Trendy Trees card we were making – I turned the white layer on its end and stamped the cockerel on it. Can’t claim it as my idea as Janet had already made one just like it!

Stamps: Rustic Rooster, Trendy Trees
Cardstock: So Saffron, Rose Red, Whisper White
Paper: Perfect Plum Patterns
Ink: Rose Red, So Saffron

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

Read More » I felt very lucky to have a play with the Rustic Rooster set. It’s a Level 2 hostess set and I had the chance to buy it during September (demonstrators can pre-order from the new catalogue) but decided not to. Then, at my Catalogue Launch, I offered the hostess set from the orders placed on the day as a prize. Janet won and, as a farmer, she naturally chose Rustic Rooster.

I was green with envy! So I was delighted when I presented Janet with her prize at my Contain Yourself 2 class and she mounted it there and then and let me have a play.

I made this with the supplies for the Trendy Trees card we were making – I turned the white layer on its end and stamped the cockerel on it. Can’t claim it as my idea as Janet had already made one just like it!

Stamps: Rustic Rooster, Trendy Trees
Cardstock: So Saffron, Rose Red, Whisper White
Paper: Perfect Plum Patterns
Ink: Rose Red, So Saffron

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

I added a poll!

It's just for fun but look left for my very first poll! So... what IS your favourite SU colour family? I'd love to know - I'm sure you can guess mine...

Read More » It's just for fun but look left for my very first poll! So... what IS your favourite SU colour family? I'd love to know - I'm sure you can guess mine...

Earn a free punch worth £12.50!

Today is the first day of a fabulous new special offer from Stampin’ Up!®

To help you make your Christmas cards, create gifts for friends and find the perfect presents for crafters, Stampin’ Up! has put together a Christmas Gift-Giving Guide.

Best of all, when you spend £45 on products featured in the guide, you’ll receive a FREE Tag Punch or Small Tag Punch worth £12.50! And there’s no limit to the number of free punches you can earn – you’ll get one for every £45 you spend on items from the Gift-Giving Guide. That’s the important bit – only items in the Gift-Giving Guide will qualify you for a free punch.

This offer runs from 1st November to 29th December, 2009 and the following items will count towards your £45 and earn you a free punch. Notice that the colours favour that classic colour combination: Old Olive and Real Red! Everyone will be using this colour combo this Christmas!

And this means that even if you don’t want any of the larger items such as stamp sets and scrapbooking kits at this time, you could stock up on useful consumables such as cardstock and ribbon in order to earn the free punch.

Have a look at the list:

Stamp sets
Spotlight on Christmas - £18.95 (p22)
Fresh Cuts - £18.95 (p53)
Circle Circus - £23.95 (p55)
Starring You - £11.95 (p77)
Wow Flowers - £10.95 (p77)

Simply Scrappin’® kits and Card Elements
Rock Star Simply Sent Card Elements - £12.50 (p77)
Flower Power Simply Sent Card Elements - £12.50 (p77)
Sunny Day - £15.50 (p78)
Christmas Jingle - £15.50 (p79)
Petal Party - £15.50 (p79)
Love Stories - £15.50 (p79)

Cardstock
Whisper White A4 card stock - £5.50 (p71)
Real Red A4 card stock - £4.50 (p72)
Old Olive A4 card stock - £4.50 (p72)
Bold Brights A4 card stock - £6.75 (p72)
Fresh-Cut Notes - £6.95 (p80)

Ribbon
Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon - £6.25 (p87)
Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon - £6.25 (p87)

Miscellaneous
Medium flat cellophane bags - £3.25 (p80)
On Board 12.7 x 12.7 cm (5”) Art Journal - £5.50 (p82)

Tools
Bold Brights Stampin’ Write markers - £24.95 (p72)
Spiral punch - £8.50 (p88)
Cutter Kit - £13.25 (p90)

Accessories
Latte Designer buttons - £6.50 (p83)
Playground Designer buttons - £6.50 (p83)

Please let me know what you’d like to order by sending me an email or giving me a call.

Read More » Today is the first day of a fabulous new special offer from Stampin’ Up!®

To help you make your Christmas cards, create gifts for friends and find the perfect presents for crafters, Stampin’ Up! has put together a Christmas Gift-Giving Guide.

Best of all, when you spend £45 on products featured in the guide, you’ll receive a FREE Tag Punch or Small Tag Punch worth £12.50! And there’s no limit to the number of free punches you can earn – you’ll get one for every £45 you spend on items from the Gift-Giving Guide. That’s the important bit – only items in the Gift-Giving Guide will qualify you for a free punch.

This offer runs from 1st November to 29th December, 2009 and the following items will count towards your £45 and earn you a free punch. Notice that the colours favour that classic colour combination: Old Olive and Real Red! Everyone will be using this colour combo this Christmas!

And this means that even if you don’t want any of the larger items such as stamp sets and scrapbooking kits at this time, you could stock up on useful consumables such as cardstock and ribbon in order to earn the free punch.

Have a look at the list:

Stamp sets
Spotlight on Christmas - £18.95 (p22)
Fresh Cuts - £18.95 (p53)
Circle Circus - £23.95 (p55)
Starring You - £11.95 (p77)
Wow Flowers - £10.95 (p77)

Simply Scrappin’® kits and Card Elements
Rock Star Simply Sent Card Elements - £12.50 (p77)
Flower Power Simply Sent Card Elements - £12.50 (p77)
Sunny Day - £15.50 (p78)
Christmas Jingle - £15.50 (p79)
Petal Party - £15.50 (p79)
Love Stories - £15.50 (p79)

Cardstock
Whisper White A4 card stock - £5.50 (p71)
Real Red A4 card stock - £4.50 (p72)
Old Olive A4 card stock - £4.50 (p72)
Bold Brights A4 card stock - £6.75 (p72)
Fresh-Cut Notes - £6.95 (p80)

Ribbon
Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon - £6.25 (p87)
Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon - £6.25 (p87)

Miscellaneous
Medium flat cellophane bags - £3.25 (p80)
On Board 12.7 x 12.7 cm (5”) Art Journal - £5.50 (p82)

Tools
Bold Brights Stampin’ Write markers - £24.95 (p72)
Spiral punch - £8.50 (p88)
Cutter Kit - £13.25 (p90)

Accessories
Latte Designer buttons - £6.50 (p83)
Playground Designer buttons - £6.50 (p83)

Please let me know what you’d like to order by sending me an email or giving me a call.