Newsflash!

Just a really quick post to let you know that from 1st July (Yes that IS tomorrow!) - Stampin' Up! are adding new items to their clearance rack. That's lots of goodies at up to 60% discount to be had! AND - for a limited period (July 1st - August 4th) they are adding a discount of up to 30% on selected items in the Weekly Deals! They change every Wednesday - so keep an eye out to see what bargains you can grab! Don't forget - you can order through my online shop - just remember to choose me as your demonstrator and to allow contact when you purchase - so I can send you a little thank you! I promise not to bombard you with unwanted emails! Happy Shopping!

And Finally ...

So here is the last in this style of card. It suits a more formal gent! I created the pin stripe look by drawing the stripes onto some basic grey card stock. The tie was created using some satin ribbon (retired) and I used DSP (retired) to make the shirt. It is very easy to substitute alternative paper and ribbon to create your own suited gent!

Once you get started on these cards it can be hard to stop! Why not try an embossed card to create a "wooly pully" - or a bow tie and waistcoat/cardigan for a grandad? There are lots of ideas for creating a tuxedo available - which is one of the reasons I kept to the slightly more quirky! Not only do they make great Father's Day cards - but they are also good for Birthdays too. If you would like more detail on any of these cards - then please email me and I will send you the instructions that I used to create them. Happy crafting xx

More Male Cards

So having made the T Shirts - I wondered about other clothing related cards I could make. I love the By The Tide stamp set and it occurred to me you could make a Hawaiian style shirt using them! This one always makes me think of my brother - I really must send it to him one day!

So for this one I stamped and sponged the card using calypso coral, pool party and island indigo. I used some small button brads that Stampin up used to make - but you could easily change them to the new brads. I reckon this one is good for a BBQ too! Have fun - One more to come tomorrow! Diane x

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Father's Day

I guess it's coming to that time of year when we start to think about making male themed cards. Father's day is always slightly strange for me - I lost my dad some time ago so I find myself designing and making cards which I can't send. In a way it is a little weird - but it also gives me time to pause and remember a very special person. I hope you like these ideas - they are a little bit different and quirky - a bit like my dad!.

These "T" Shirts give a more youthful twist on your card. I used Pool Party and Real Red card stock which I then distressed. A couple of circular punches created the neck and a pen the faux stitching. I chose the "feel goods" stamp set to create a logo - but you can easily personalise the card to suit your purpose. I'll show you some more of these ideas in the next few days. Diane x

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Just couldn't resist!

Ok - so I haven't actually made these myself - but I couldn't resist showing you what I meant by ice-creams and cupcakes! For the first time Stampin Up are allowing us to use some of their pictures - so this is taken from the catalogue.

I think by now you are getting the picture! I really can't believe just how many stamps are in this set and the variety of cards you can make with it.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Not bad for £19.00 with £2 going to a great cause! Hope you all have a lovely weekend. I'm off to the Throckmorton Airshow on Saturday - so no card making that day - but I guess an opportunity for future project life and scrapbooks! Happy Crafting xx OOPs! Forgot to remind you to check out the weekly deals - there are some very tempting offers available only until Tuesday 9th June. They change every Wednesday! You can see them by clicking on the button on the left side of the blog!

The final sprinkles - for now!

Ok so I have just a few more cards to show you today. I really fell in love with the "Every cloud has a silver lining - you just have to look up to see it" saying - so I got a bit cloud happy! I discovered that I love the effect of the colours on the black - but also just how effective it could be on white. I tried glossy accents on some and basic rhinestones on others - I hope you like the ideas - they were inspired by a range of cards that I have seen online - unfortunately I didn't keep a note of any names - so if you recognise any please let me know so I can credit you. I love the simplicity of the first - the bright sparkle of the second - but I think my favourite is the last! I just love those little flowers! Anyway - I do have more ideas for using the set as ice-creams, cupcakes and baskets of goodies - but I've not had time to finish those yet. I am working quite a bit this week and next - but hopefully I will still be able to show you something new in the next few days.

More Sprinkles of Life

I promised some more samples with this cute set - so here goes!

This card was inspired by my good friend Fiona Whitten. This time I used the "tree top" to stamp a background before stamping and punching 4 more to layer over the tree. I loved the idea of being able to make a smaller tree into a much bigger version. The little flowers are so easy to line up and because it is a single flower it is easy to mix and match the colours of the flowers (although I didn't on this occasion!) Before i added the layers, I used two oval framelits to cut a channel around the tree and then layered smoky slate paper underneath. I really like this look and it could be used to create an unusual spinner card with the apple spinning round!

This is another version using just the single tree - but still very effective! Just in case you are wondering I used the Work of Art stamp set to create the "hill" and the polka dor embossing folder to create texture - it just doesn't show very well in the picture. Keep crafting!

Sprinkles of Life

So where did that week go? I think I was having too much crafty fun with my friend who was staying for a few days. Still we did get to play with a new stamp set! Sprinkles of Life is very easy to miss as it is tucked away inside the back cover of the catalogue. It's a super cute, very versatile stamp set that can cover so many occasions - and better yet it has a matching punch that will cut the cloud/icing/ice-cream and tree - not to mention all the other accessories! This first card is one of my favourites - very simple!

Truthfully I haven't quite finished this card yet - I need to mount it on a card base! However, I think you can see the idea! I embossed the background with the large polka dot embossing folder in smoky slate. Then I stamped the cloud in soft sky and punched it out using the new Tree Builder punch. I punched out a rainbow of raindrops with the punch and lots of scraps and added some silver 1/8th ribbon for a little sparkle. The saying was stamped in smoky slate and die cut using the project life cards and labels framelits. For a final touch I added some crystal effects on the raindrops to make them shimmer! For more ideas using this stamp set check back tomorrow!

Wow - what an offer!

Just had to give you all a quick heads up! From 2nd to 30th June you can get 2 stamp sets FREE when you join Stampin' Up!. SO for £99 you can choose £130 of products from the catalogue PLUS 2 extra stamp sets of any value! With the new catalogue launching tomorrow there will never be a better time to make inroads into your wish list! There are no catches or hidden nasties! You do not have to sell or buy a single item once you have joined - you can simply enjoy your bargains! However, if you want to take this opportunity to supplement your income or crafty habbit then you will be supported and encouraged by myself and an amazing team of stars! Interested? Drop me an email or text and I will call you and have a chat - no pressure, no hassle - just a chance to ask questions! And to wet your appetite...