Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous Ann to host this week and she has a fun colour challenge for us to work with:

I originally made the card that I shared yesterday with today's challenge in mind, but decided that the designer paper added too much in the way of additional colours, so I made another card and decided to create something really clean and simple that would allow Ann's colour choices to shine - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

A simple cluster of diecut lavender and foliage in each of the challenge colours, with an additional stem in Gorgeous Grape for my extra colour. I used a neat technique that I'd seen another demonstrator, Michelle Last, use on a card, where she cut a couple of lines either either side of a stamped sentiment (mine is from the retired set 'Perennial Postage') and the posy of flowers is tucked in between the slits:

A trio of Fresh Freesia enamel dots complete my card. I used the sentiment on today's card as I thought it would be perfect for Mother's Day (a shoutout to all my overseas friends celebrating today), or in fact to celebrate Mums on any day. We've already celebrated Mother's Day here in the UK this year, but this card is perfect to send to my Mum at any time, to remind her low much she is appreciated. I'm playing along with a few additional challenges too: I'm linking my card up over at CAS on Friday and at Addicted To CAS where the theme is 'flower(s)' and over at SUO Challenges where the team are celebrating Mums.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

Enjoy your day; we will be making the most of the sunshine and enjoying our second BBQ of the year before the rain returns later in the week. I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

PAINTED LAVENDER DIES (30.00)

FRESH FREESIA A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

HIGHLAND HEATHER A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

HIGHLAND HEATHER CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)

LOST LAGOON A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)

Today I've a quick post as I'm off to watch the Eurovision song contest! I'm sharing a card using this week's layout over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge:

Those balloons reminded me of a posy of Painted Lavender stems, so that's what I created as the focal point on my card - take a look:

I added some strips of Perennial Lavender designer series paper (I'm so pleased this has carried over and is still available) and some Lost Lagoon linen ribbon to my card, box pleating one of my strips for added interest. I tied my posy with a linen thread bow and added a tiny tag for my sentiment:

A trio of purple sparkly gems complete my card. 

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your evening - I'm off to see if the UK can manage a winning entry this year! I'll be back tomorrow with my card for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

PERENNIAL LAVENDER 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.75)	PAINTED LAVENDER DIES (30.00)	CRUMB CAKE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	FRESH FREESIA A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	HIGHLAND HEATHER A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	GORGEOUS GRAPE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)
LOST LAGOON A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)	PURPLE FINE SHIMMER GEMS (7.50)	LINEN THREAD (4.75)	GORGEOUS GRAPE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)

Today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where Jan has a recipe challenge for us:

I don't know why, but I really struggled with our challenge this week. I think it's new catalogue syndrome - you know, when you have a ton of retired product and not much new but you want to make the new stuff work? In the end, I decided to go with a still-current-but-not-new favourite and chose to make a happy and sunny hello card that very much reflects the lovely warm weather we are having here in the UK this week - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Busy Bees - I decided to choose yellow as my 'other colour' in addition to black and white, and using the current Sketch Saturday layout, I positioned a pair of busy bees amongst some honeycomb elements. I stamped the details using the 'Bee My Valentine' stamp set in black onto both white and yellow cardstock, then punched out using my Bee Builder Punch and I also used another of the stamps in this set to add some stamped honeycomb to my white card base too. So that ticked off black, white and one other colour - check.

Hello, Hello - I decided to use a large 'hello' for my focal sentiment, so embossed and diecut it from the Thoughtful Moments hybrid embossing folder and die set. I inked the edge of the word in yellow before embossing and created an ombre effect by colouring with my Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends. This is a great way to get a little variation in colour without actually using a different colour, just making the use of both shades in the Blends pair:

My sentiment ticked off my last two recipe elements: embossing folder and diecut - check.

Finishing Touches - I added a couple of hexagons that I embossed with the (retired) Hive 3D Embossing Folder, showing both the embossed and debossed sides for added texture and interest and a sprinkling of diecut flowers and hexagon-shaped enamel shapes from my stash to complete my card. 

I really love the finished result and I already know who I'm going to send it to - hope she likes it too!

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Here's a summary of our challenge rules:

• Create any card, scrapbooking page, 3D project or packaging project that fits the challenge.
• Please include the challenge graphic and link back to the challenge in your blog post. Turn off word verification so we can leave you lots of lovely comments. Make sure you link the post not the whole blog to the Linky. Use #AYSIXXX when uploading to a public gallery.
• If you’re unsure about ‘the rules’, check the details under the Challenge Guidelines tab on the As You See It Challenge homepage.

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

BEE MY VALENTINE PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (20.00)	BEE BUILDER PUNCH (23.00)	THOUGHTFUL MOMENTS HYBRID EMBOSSING FOLDER (ENGLISH) (36.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)	TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (7.50)	DAFFODIL DELIGHT A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)
DAFFODIL DELIGHT CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	DAFFODIL DELIGHT STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (10.25)

Today I'm having a lovely day sat in my office with the sunshine streaming through the window and working on some projects to share with you. Whilst I was working on some design commitments, I decided to make a quick card to squeak in an entry over at Sunday Stamps, where their current sketch is too good to pass up:

I've been working my way through a pack of Thoughtful Journey designer series paper as I design projects for my upcoming Thoughtful Wishes Tutorial with my lovely friend Jan Clothier and whilst I haven't shared any of them with you yet, this layout was just asking to showcase one of the beautiful designs in this fabulous paper pack - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

I created both of the layers from my card from one sheet of paper, showcasing the warm Cajun Craze shaded grasses and using the right-hand side of the sheet with the lighter colours for the layer behind for a hint of contrast. I diecut my banner pieces in Old Olive using one of the Nested Essentials Dies and added a simple thanks sentiment from 'Thoughtful Wishes':

A simple green linen twine bow and sprinkle of copper sequins was all that I needed to complete my card. The thoughtful Journey papers really do contain such beautiful scenes, it's a shame to cover them up too much. I will have lots more cards to share featuring these papers in the coming weeks, so be sure to stay tuned.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy the rest of your day; it does feel strange to be making a card in autumnal colours given that I think summer has finally arrived here in the UK, so much so that I enjoyed lunch in the garden today. Dare I say if this keeps up, we might even be able to BBQ at the weekend - fingers crossed! I'll be back tomorrow with another project for our new challenge over at As You See It. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

THOUGHTFUL JOURNEY 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.75)	THOUGHTFUL WISHES CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (24.00)	NESTED ESSENTIALS DIES (32.00)	STYLISH SHAPES DIES (28.00)	CAJUN CRAZE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	CAJUN CRAZE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)
OLD OLIVE A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	OLD OLIVE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (10.25)	LINEN THREAD (4.75)	NEUTRALS ADHESIVE-BACKED SEQUINS (7.00)

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. Patricia is hosting this month and our first challenge is a colour challenge: 

I used the layout over at AAA Cards to make a birthday card using some of my new catalogue goodies - take a look: 

Here's the low-down on today's card:

I decided to use Pebbled Path as my card base for a change and added some Pebbled Path ink with a blending brush to the the area where I was going to build my wreath to add depth. In addition to a wide variety of labels and frames, there are lots of great little foliage dies in the Unbounded Love bundle and I thought they would make a neat clean and simple wreath. I combined three different pieces and then added in some flowers with pearl centres from the Lovely & Sweet Dies set too:

 A silver twine bow and a fussy cut sentiment complete my card. I really like the finished result, especially with the darker card base.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

As a reminder, for our colour challenges, you must use all of the stated challenge colours. You may also use neutral colours; however, the challenge colours should be the most noticeable ones featured on your card. We use Stampin' Up! color names for reference, but you are welcome to use any other companies' products as long as you match the challenge colours as closely as possible.

Enjoy your day; I'm having new carpets fitted today so my day will be a busy one. I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

UNBOUNDED LOVE BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (52.00)	LOVELY & SWEET DIES (30.00)	PEBBLED PATH A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	PEBBLED PATH CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (8.50)	LOST LAGOON A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	POOL PARTY A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)
BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (13.00)	IRIDESCENT PEARL BASIC JEWELS (7.00)

I've been decorating today so a super quick card to share that I made yesterday. I was continuing to challenge myself with diagonal layouts and made a super quick card for the challenge over at Time Out Challenges using up a bunch of retired Playful Pets designer paper that was perfect for their inspiration photo this week:

Here's my card:

I used the retired 'Biggest Wish' stamp set for my diagonal greeting and paired my puppy paper with some Pecan Pie gingham.

That's all from me - back with a card made using lots of new things tomorrow!

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the fabulous LeAnne's turn to host this week and she has a fun challenge for us to work with:

Animal antics - what fun! I decided to embrace the diagonal of Kim's layout over at Freshly Made Sketches this week - I usually shy away from diagonals, but since I hadn't had the opportunity to play along for a couple of weeks and the Design Team had produced such beautiful cards as always, I thought it was time to remedy that - and also played along with the 'music' theme over at Global Design Project #GDP443 this week. I have two things I need to say upfront: today's card does feature a whole bunch of recently retired product (I'm still trying to use up some favourites!) and secondly, I apologise now if today's card leaves you with an earworm you can't stop singing! Time to share my card - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Celebrate Good Times Come On - Yes - who else is now singing along to that classic 80s hit by Kool and the Gang?! Kim envisaged a large sentiment along her diagonal, so I decided to feature the 'celebrate' diecut from the Wanted to Say Dies. I paired it with the words 'good times' stamped from the retired set 'Let The Good Times Roll' to complete my greeting and of course I needed a singer for my song; enter in the singing tortoise from the retired Zoo Crew designer paper - the perfect pop star!

A Star Is Born - I used three different starry elements on my card to create a cohesive design: a panel embossed with the retired Lucky Stars Embossing Folder, a piece of star-patterned designer paper from the retired Bright & Beautiful paper pack and finally some Lemon Lolly stars diecut using another of the dies in the Wanted To Say Dies set. I think it's fair to say that my singing tortoise, just like the intended recipient of my card, has 'star' quality:

Take Two - I originally wanted to use a piece of circle patterned paper for my card, but only had a few scraps left. Once I'd made my starry version, I decided I would go back and make another one using my originally chosen paper. I had to alter the angle of the diagonal slightly in order to make it work. Instead of the embossed panel, I stamped some circles using the retired 'Circle Sayings' stamp set in coordinating colours. Here's my second card:

I thought I would prefer this card, but actually ended up liking my starry version better - go figure! Which one do you prefer? Do leave me a comment below - I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

Enjoy your day; it was a beautiful day yesterday, which is just as well since the youngest of the James Juniors had his first cricket match of the season with his new club. He received his cap, did some great bowling and fielding and came home happy as the team won their game too. I'm hoping for another warm day today, but we do have a Bank Holiday long weekend here in the UK this weekend, so that usually means rain! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

WANTED TO SAY DIES (37.00)	AZURE AFTERNOON A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	BLUEBERRY BUSHEL A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)	LEMON LIME TWIST STAMPIN’ BLENDS COMBO PACK (10.25)	LEMON LOLLY A4 CARDSTOCK (10.75)
LEMON LOLLY STAMPIN’ BLENDS COMBO PACK (10.25)

Hello! I finally managed to get some time in my craft room today so managed to whip up a few projects to share with you this coming week. Today I'm sharing a quick card I made using the layout over at Try A Sketch on Tuesday that was perfect for a monochromatic card featuring one of the new in-colours, Petunia Pop:

Here's my card  - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

I used one of my Around The Bend Dies to cut a curved piece of in-colour designer paper, and paired it with a stamped flower from the 'Hooray For Surprises' stamp set, along with some white foliage and a sentiment from the same set. I finished my card with a trio of sparkly glimmer dots:

This card came together really easily and it was fun to play with another of the new in-colours. Do you have a favourite yet? I need to have a bit more of a play before I decide which one gets my top vote, but in the meantime I'd love to hear your thoughts so do leave me a comment below.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (10.50)	AROUND THE BEND DIES (31.00)	HOORAY FOR SURPRISES PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (19.00)	HOORAY FOR SURPRISES DIES (30.00)	2024–2026 IN COLOR™ 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.75)	PETUNIA POP CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD (8.50)
2024–2026 IN COLOR™ SHIMMER GEMS (8.00)

The wait is over - it's May 1st and the new 2024-25 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue is here! You will find a permanent link to the new catalogue on the right hand side of my blog but for today you need look no further than the picture below which will take you straight to the new catalogue: 

The new catalogue is fantastic, with so many great new products to choose from. I've sent paper copies to everyone who has shopped with me in the last 6 months; a digital copy of the new catalogue can be accessed via the image above and it will be permanently linked via my blog on the right hand side if you don’t have a paper copy and wish to browse. If you have your paper copy and just want to go straight to the shop to place your order, click here - ordering systems have now fully transitioned from the old stock items to the new so you are good to go! Also, remember to add the current hostess code for May VDKNV7BH if your order is less than £150 and ensure your preferences are set to 'contactable' to receive a thank you in the post from me.

There is also a great joining promotion that goes live today to coincide with the launch of the new catalogue:

It’s always exciting to be able to invite people to join our community of crafters and creators. And right now it’s even more exciting because when you sign up between 1 and 31 May to become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, in addition to £130 worth of products of your choice for only £99 + free business supplies + free shipping + all the fun being a part of Stampin’ Up!, you will also receive the following 2024–2025 In Color products in your Starter Kit for FREE:

That's an additional £78.25 of FREE product - such a great deal and the perfect way to add these fresh new colours to your supplies - and all for just £99. I would love to chat with you about the benefits of joining my team and being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator; as always, you can always find the link to join my team on the right hand side of my blog page; alternatively it's right here if you fancy jumping right in!

That's a lot of information for one post; if I were you I would put the kettle on, put your feet up and get comfy and settle down with your new catalogue for a browse and start creating that all-important wish list!

Back later with news of two new kits that have also launched today; until then, happy shopping!

It's the last day in April so it's public service announcements galore today!

Counting down now - only 1 day to go until the new 2024-25 Annual Stampin' Up! catalogue launches!

I have sent out copies to everyone on my catalogue mailing list who has purchased from me in the last 6 months - if you're not on this list but would like to receive one, then do give me a call on 07773 421446 or drop me an email and I will pop one in the post to you today.

This also means the following: 

Today is the last day that you can order from the 2023-24 Stampin' Up! catalogue - this includes any of the 'Bundle and Save 10%' bundles. Even though some of the products they contain are being carried over to the new annual catalogue, they will not be available as a discounted bundle. 

Today is also the last day that you can order from the 2024 January-April Mini Stampin' Up! Catalogue - a number of the products are being carried over to the new annual catalogue, however we will be saying goodbye to many items and again they will not be available as a discounted bundle. There are still a number of stamp sets and accessories available at a discount on the Retiring List here - today is your last chance to grab a bargain!  

There are still lots of bargains to be had following last week's Clearance Rack Refresh, so if you are placing an order online you should definitely check this out too.

If you are placing an order online, remember to use this month's online hostess code VDKNV7BH to receive a little thank you from me. 

That's all from me - back tomorrow with the new annual catalogue and news of a fabulous joining offer for the month of May, so do be sure to come back then to hear all about it! Until then, happy last-chance shopping!