Stampin' Creative Blog Hop - Anything Goes!

Hello and welcome to the Stampin' Creative Blog Hop.  I'm so excited to be invited to guest this month as I always find great inspiration from these talented ladies.  You are currently visiting Diane Marlow aka the Crafty Duck and to continue on your journey through the blogs, please see the list below.

So welcome to Worcester where just a couple of weeks ago the city launched its worcester stands tall trail - consisting of multiple painted giraffe.  They are dotted around the city and will be auctioned to raise money for a local hospice later this year.  There is a huge variety of styles and lots of imaginative interpretations.  They are well worth a visit if you are in the area.  This is one of my favourites - perhaps because I have a quirky sense of humour myself!

So it seems appropriate to highlight Animal Outings - one of my favourite sets as it can be used for a huge variety of occasions and it has a humourous feel too!

The giraffes are looking a little illuminated because they are double sided images and the light is shining through the aperture.  To achieve the double sided look I used the stamparatus combined with a silicone mat to create the mirror image of the giraffes - and in doing this they automatically become double sided - bonus!  I die cut the giraffes and the aperture with the layering circles dies and then stamped and die cut two of the swirly frames to sit front and back of the aperture.  Attach your giraffes and a few leaves, use dimensionals to pop up the swirly frame on the front and you are done.

Is it just me that finds this slightly reminiscent of a Les Dawson Sketch?  (People of a certain age will get the reference!)

This is a much simpler card, again using the swirly frames.  I love how they can very quickly change the look and focus of the card without adding lots of extra layers - great for the postage too!  I used post-it notes to cover the frame whilst I stamped the giraffe  and leaves - so no difficult cutting of masks!  Finally I stamped, coloured (with blends) and die cut my rhino and popped him up on dimensionals to complete the card.  The greeting comes from Perennial Birthday - a great basic set to have in your stash.  I think this card works well for every age and is especially good for the guys!

 So thank you for popping by but for more inspiration please continue through the blog hop.

Just one more!

Varied Vases aren't only for mini cards!  Here I have used one of the frames from the swirly frame stamp set (another must have) to create a clean and simple card with a modern look.  I used the stamparatus to help me line up the frames and post it notes to mask off the frame edges whilst I stamped the vases and stems.

 Another option is to use some of the stamps to create a "shelf" for the vases to sit on - just remember to leave enough space above for the vase and flowers!  Or perhaps you could use these stamps to create a fancy border or box outline?  Photopolymer really does make it so much easier to combine these elements.

Anyway - I hope I have given you enough ideas to get you started.  If you are thinking of taking up the joining offer - you can have all these items - stamp set and punch, incolour ink pads and card stock - plus a few extra inkpads, cardstock or embellishments within your £130 and have everything you need to create a whole range of cards.  Just drop me a line if you have any questions.

Happy Stamping!

Diane xx

A simple Gift

There are often occasions when I wish to express my thanks but it would be odd to make it into a big gesture - do you find that?  It can be hard to know what to give without it seeming to be over the top.  So I have taken to giving people a little gift of hand made cards - a gesture that I find is really appreciated and doesn't make the recipient feel awkward.

I decided to make a simple box to hold my mini cards so they would be ready for the next time that I need a simple thank you.  I was a little short of time so decided to use one of the mini pizza boxes.  They are a great item to keep in stock as you can gift not only mini cards, but they are food safe - so perhaps a home made cake or some chocolates could be gifted instead!

I used some of the incolour dsp to cover the sides and top of the box and mounted another mini card on the top - simple!

Happy Stamping!

Diane xx

Varied Vases

I've been playing with this set for a little while and I think it is fabulous!  It was designed by Mary Fish - a million dollar sales achiever - and it offers an enormous range of combinations and simple, quick and effective cards.  Add on the Vases Builder Punch and there is even more options.  Best of all it has a bundle price option - so great value too!

I decided to showcase the new incolours - I wasn't too sure about them at first - thought they might be a little too bright - but they have really grown on me.  They work brilliantly with this stamp set too!

I started off making some mini cards - cut your base card to 6" x 3", score and fold at 3".  Cut a colourd mat 2 3/4" x 2 3/4"  and a stamping mat 1 1/2" x 2 1/2".  Then just play - the combinations just keep on coming!

I used second generation stampin (stamping off) for the insides of the flowers so there was a contrast with the outline of the stamp and they were so easy to line up!  A post it note came in handy to make sure the stems didn't poke out of the vase bottom!

 As you can see they work for all occasions!

Pop back again to see how you can turn these cards into a little gift!  And don't forget to email me if you have any questions or you can place your order by clicking on the shop now link.

Happy Stamping  

Diane xx

Crafting Live Malvern

Hello!

So it's been a very busy few days at the show!  Thank you for popping by in such numbers to say hello - I trust that you found lots of inspiration and ideas as you looked at our samples and chatted to us about our products and techniques.

Please don't forget to email me if you are interested in my classes or the retreat in June.  Over the next few days I will start to showcase some of the cards and other items that you saw at the show - giving you hints and tips on how you can recreate them for yourselves!

Summer

Is it just me that dreams of summer days?  I don't like it too hot but I do like sunshine and warmth!  So I am hoping for a beautiful summer to follow our extended winter.  Today I would just like it to be dry as I set up at the Three Counties showground for the Crafting Live show.  Join me if you are in the area for some crafty shopping and, great offers and lots of inspiration!

Tired but excited!

So this past week has been a bit of a blur as I prepare for my first vendor show in a while.  I'm working with Niki Ridge to run a Stampin' Up! show at the 3 Counties Showground in Malvern.  This is what the stand looked like earlier today!

 Pop back to find out how it looked by the start of the show!

Spring!

SO I continued my journey into Spring - and I do hope that as I publish this photo we can truely say spring has arrived!

This time I added some of the beautiful colour theory designer series paper as a background.

Winter!

Since spring started on 1st March it has felt decidedly like winter - snow - in depth and on multiple days!  At least our puppy enjoyed the experience!

So I don't feel too out of step sharing my take on the winter card!  I followed the same idea as Autumn and loved the way this card turned out.

Spring is only round the corner!

Lets talk about the weather!

 Late last year I came across a fabulous card designed by an american demo called Billie Moan.  She used a combination of  inks to colour her watercolour cardstock and then framed part of it and used the seasonal layers dies to decorate the card.  I fell instantly in love with the card as the colours are very "me".  I have a silk painting in similar colours -also with a leaf decoration - so i knew I just had to have a go.

This was my take on Billie's card.

It also set me on a journey - if this represents Autumn - what could I do for the other seasons?  Join me in the next few days to see how the seasons developed....

More Pandas!

I couldn't stop at just one card - so here are more Pandas partying!  I particulary love this card and it's so simple to make.

• Cut you card base in a tent style fold.
• Layer a piece of designer series paper on the front!  I chose to use a piece from the fabulously versatile petal passion papers.  Cut it 14.9cm x 10.5cm
• Cut a piece of whisper white cardstock - 9cm x 14.9cm
• Use a sponge brayer to add a stripe of colour of your choice across the card front - I used Pool Party here.
• Add some confetti stamps on the stripe and happy birthday stamp underneath in archival black ink. 
• Wrap a piece of bakets twine around this card piece and use dimensionals to mount it on top of the card base.
• Finally stamp your panda in archival black ink on a separate piece of card.  Use a Stampin Write marker to colour the hat and fussy cut your panda.  
• Attach your Panda to the card with dimensionals.

Party Pandas

One of the most popular sale-abration sets has been the Party Pandas - they are such cute little guys and they make quick and easy cards.  These cards were designed by Louise Sims and made by me at her training day.  You will have to take action quickly though if you want to get your hands on them!

More Epic Inspiration

I had the pleasure of attending a friends training day earlier in the year and one of her teamies had made some fabulous samples with Epic Celebrations - so I thought I would show you  some more ideas.   Photos don't really do the cards justice - but you get the idea!

An Epic choice!

Ever struggle with cards for the teenagers/men in your life?  Well this fabulous Sale-a-bration set could be just what you need!

Swaps

Clean and Simple

This is the first card that I ever made as a swap - i had limited supplis so had to keep it very simpe - still one of my favourite cards!

Final Month of sale-a-bration

There's just a few weeks left to take advantage of the fabulous sale-a-bration offers from Stampin' Up!  Not sure what they are?  Well for every £45 you spend during March you get to choose a limited edition item for free!  There are LOTS to choose from - so why not have a browse through the catalogue - reduce your wishlist - and get an extra item for free!

I'm going to post some videos of the products in the next few days to help inspire you.

Have fun

Diane x