Unbounded Love Hope Clean and Simple PP694

by Joanne James16. June 2024 08:00

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

    

Yay - clean and simple week! I decided to go with encouragement, as opposed to sympathy, for my card today - take a look:

 

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

The 'Unbounded Love' stamp set has a great selection of sentiments and that's where I found the ideal sentiment for my encouragement card:

I covered the whole of my card front with a piece of the Thoughtful Journey designer series paper; whilst this does leave me with less 'white space' than I would usually feature on a clean and simple card, it made light work of my card design. I added my sentiment label decorated with a tab of (retired) Misty moonlight ribbon, and a few tinsel dots to complete my card. I added an offcut of paper inside my card and another sentiment from 'Unbounded Love', along with a trio of hearts from 'Bee Mine':

 

Super simple and with minimal layers and embellishments - and an encouraging sentiment that is sure to inspire. The Unbounded Love bundle is one of the bundles that is available with an additional 10% off during the month of June, so if you purchase it this month it represents even better value. I'm also playing along over at Festive Friday with today's card; I used purple, blue, clean and simple and ribbon from their inspo list. 

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:

Here's a quick recap of our challenge rules:
 
1.  Create a new paper project
2.  Upload your creation to your blog with a link back to us and provide a direct link to the post featuring your challenge submission.
3.  Please link your card to no more than four challenges, TOTAL.
4.  Have FUN!

Enjoy your day; I'll be back on Tuesday with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Country Flowers In Yellow and Blue PP693

by Joanne James9. June 2024 08:00

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's my turn to host this week and I have a pretty colour challenge for us to work with:

    

When I chose these colours, I didn't have anything in particular in mind - I just love the combination of blue and yellow. That said, when it came down to it I had no idea how to use them - go figure! After playing around with a few ideas, I finally settled on some slightly unconventionally coloured florals using the Country Flowers bundle. I loved Amy's sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches this week so I used that for my layout and set to work. This is what I came up with:

 

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

Eyelet Embossing - I decided to use a Lemon Lolly card base and embossed the whole of the card front using the new Eyelet 3D embossing folder. I love the design of this folder and I love the texture and detail it adds to a project.

Countryside Inn - I used a small panel of Countryside Inn designer series paper in Night of Navy for one of the rectangle elements of the sketch. Did you realise that the Countryside Inn paper is still available? It's one of a few that carried over from last year's annual catalogue. The pattern is subtle and doesn't look out of place with the embossed background detail.

Country Flowers - The focal point for today's card is my bucket of flowers from the 'Country Flowers' stamp set. I used the three challenge colours for my unconventional floral bouquet, along with some additional diecut white leaves and flowers, and used Smoky Slate as my fourth colour for my metal bucket that they are standing in - check out the detail below:

I finished my card with a sentiment from the same set, wrapped with a little Boho Blue thread pulled from a ribbon to anchor it.

The Country Flowers bundle is one of those that is discounted by a further 10% until the end of June - that's in addition to the usual 10% bundle discount, so a whopping 20% off. There's never been a better time to add a bundle to your shopping basket!

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:

Here's a quick recap of our challenge rules:
 
1.  Create a new paper project
2.  Upload your creation to your blog with a link back to us and provide a direct link to the post featuring your challenge submission.
3.  Please link your card to no more than four challenges, TOTAL.
4.  Have FUN!

Enjoy your day; I'll be back later this week with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Frames And Flowers Quickest Ever Thank You Card For AYSI325

by Joanne James7. June 2024 12:00

Today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where it's time for our speed stamping challenge - and I chose the theme:

 

Thank you cards! I use thank you cards more than any other kind of card and it's good to have some speedy designs on hand. I was actually a little short on crafty time this week so speed stamping week couldn't have come at a better time! I knew exactly where I was headed for my quick card - take a look at what I came up with and then I'll fill you in on the details:

 

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

Ready, Set ... - As we always say with a speed challenge, preparation is key. Think about your design and gather your supplies before the timer starts - this will make for a quicker execution. Mount your stamps, open your ink pads and you will be ready to start with the stopwatch. Here are all my supplies, in addition to my Tombo glue and trimmer, which is just out of view:

 

For a really quick card think about shortcuts - my shortcut on today's card is the Frames & Flowers designer series paper. The precut die-cut designs in the pack are a huge timesaver - a ready made decoration. I chose a sheet of patterned paper for my background, then one of the co-ordinating large foliage diecuts that had space for a printed sentiment.

Go! - Now to the timed action! I took my card base and added a pieces of designer series paper to the front of it. I then stamped the word 'thanks' in Pretty Peacock across the centre of the diecut (I used the retired 'Biggest Wish' stamp set but I've included a shop link below to a current one that would make a great alternative) the added this to the centre of my card base, using dimensionals:

 

I finished with a selection of co-ordinating gems to finish my card.

Result - That's all there is to it - a great #simplestamping card where the designer paper definitely takes the strain! How long did it take to make this card? 

Just 2 minutes and 42 seconds - at that speed, you could even make multiples in the space of 10 minutes! The Frames & Flowers papers really are fabulous and great for all kinds of speedy cards; at £9.50 for a pack, they're super reasonable 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.
  • In a speed stamping challenge, please time yourself and say in your post how long your card took to complete. 
We look forward to seeing your creations in the AYSI gallery.

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

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Shop link to the Frames & Flowers 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper £9.50: click here

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Two New Kits and Bundle Bargains For June

by Joanne James5. June 2024 10:00

 

Everyone loves a good deal, which is why Stampin' Up! is offering an additional 10% off all stamp and die bundles! Between 5 and 30 June, take advantage of the sale and add some new bundles to your collection. Plus, save 10% on the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine and the Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine. These machines make the perfect crafting partner for stamp and die bundles. With this offer, you and can save time and money!

In addition, today sees two new kits added to the online collection:

First up - the Expressions of Kindness card kit: 

Share heartfelt cards with the Expressions of Kindness Kit. Featuring nostalgic-looking floral designs in beautiful colour tones, this kit is perfect for all-occasion cards for friends and loved ones. Pair the desired sentiment and images from the kit to quickly create timeless cards. Wish happy birthday, send a friendly note, or more, and let the people in your life know you care! Also available in French and German.


Kit includes:
* Expressions of Kindness Photopolymer Stamp Set
* Blackberry Bliss Stampin’ Spot
* Pre-designed projects
* Step-by-step instructions
* Pre-cut pieces (No prep work! Get right to crafting)
* Make 8 cards, 4 each of 2 designs
* 8 printed card bases
* 8 printed envelopes
* Folded card: 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" (14 x 10.8 cm)
* Printed die-cut images and gold foil labels
* Adhesive-backed gold sparkle gems
* Enough adhesive to complete projects
 
This kit costs £22 - how pretty are these finished cards?

EXPRESSIONS OF KINDNESS KIT (ENGLISH)

 The second kit is The Scenic Route Travel Journal Kit:

Make a handmade travel journal with the Scenic Route Travel Journal Kit. This kit is great for memory keeping. Use it to document a special moment or trip spent with loved ones and friends! You can arrange the included fold-out pages the way you desire, as well as the sentiments and images, and create the words of your choice using the adhesive-backed alphabet sheets. The sticker sentiments are available in English, French, German, and Dutch.

Kit includes:
* Step-by-step instructions and guided layouts
* Pre-cut pieces (No prep work! Get right to crafting)
* Make 1 travel journal
* 2 fold-out pages with pockets
* 2 tri-fold pages
* Size of the travel journal: 5-3/4" x 9-1/4" x 7/8" (14.6 x 23.5 x 2.2 cm)
* Printed adhesive-backed die-cut alphabets, sentiments, and images
* Paper die-cut journalling pieces
* Enough adhesive to complete projects

Product colours: Calypso Coral, Early Espresso, Lost Lagoon, Petal Pink, Wild Wheat
 
This travel kit costs £21 and would be a great way to capture memories of a specific vacation or special trip.
 
Both kits can be found in the online store - links are below.
 
Back on Friday with another project; until then, happy shopping!
 
 
Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

CAS Balloon Trio Birthday Card

by Joanne James5. June 2024 08:00

Today I'm sharing a clean and simple card that I made for the following challenges:

      

The sketch over at AAACards was perfect for a trio of balloons, the code word at Addicted to CAS this week and I had to use the trio of colours over at Color Dare since they are celebrating their 12 year anniversary - what an achievement! Here's the clean and simple card I made for the occasion:

 

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

I used an acetate sheet to create a stencil using my retired Balloon Bouquet Punch, then using my blending brushes added three balloons in the challenge colours, overlapping them to form a cluster. I used a retired stamp set to add some balloon strings in Encore silver ink, then finished my card with 'celebrate' sentiment cut from silver foil using my Wanted To Say Dies, and layered on vellum:

 

I originally made a version of this card where I added some stencilled confetti in silver, but thought it looked too 'busy', so I made a second one that is very clean - I much prefer it! This is a great standby birthday card design that could be made in any colour combo and would suit pretty much any participant - I might have to make a few more!

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:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Country Flowers CAS Frame Card CCS 538

by Joanne James4. June 2024 13:00

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

    

Shannon's fresh colour palette are perfect for summer and I decided to use them for some pretty florals. I grabbed the new layout over at Sketch Saturday and a few new products and set to work. This is what I came up with:

 

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

I used a sentiment from the new 'Country Wishes' stamp set and added it to a label from the Unbounded Love Dies, adding a second one in Daffodil Delight for a hint of shadow. I stamped a floral bouquet from Country Wishes and coloured it in the challenge colours with my Stampin' Blends and popped it up on some dimensionals:

A twist of (retired) Daffodil Delight ribbon, tied with white baker's twine completes my clean and simple 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. 

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

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Thanks For The Laughs Friendship Card PP692

by Joanne James2. June 2024 08:00

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of our intrepid traveller, the lovely Jaydee, to host this week and she has a fun theme challenge for us to work with:

    

I knew when I saw Jaydee's theme for this week it would be the perfect opportunity for me to ink up a set that is long retired, but that I have never broken the seal on - oops! It's called 'Thanks for The Laughs' and has some of the funniest sentiments for cards that are perfect to share with special friends - take a look at one of my favourites:

 

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

We all have those kinds of friends, right?! I added my sentiment to a Nested Label diecut, and created a fun background using lots of leftover strips of retired designer series paper, mostly from the Delightfully Eclectic pack plus a couple of others. I decorated my label with a trio of flowers diecut using the Thoughtful Wishes Dies (I thought these were similar to the flowers on the Misty Moonlight DSP strips):

The sentiment continues inside the card and I also added another couple of diecut flowers to decorate:

This card was so fun to make! My background was inspired by the sketch over at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and it was a great way to use up leftover strips of patterned paper. I simply chose about half a dozen patterns, that worked together (similar colours and patterns) and started laying the onto a piece of Basic White cardstock. Once the whole front was covered, I simply trimmed away any excess - easy. I still had a few strips left over once I'd made my card, so I decided to use the to decorate my envelope flap in a similar style for a co-ordinated finish. Whilst I've used a retired stamp set and papers on my card, you could easily use the same design with current product

This card will be headed to one of my long-time friends and partners-in-crime to let her know how much I appreciate her - there's nothing like true friends!

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:

Here's a quick recap of our challenge rules:
 
1.  Create a new paper project
2.  Upload your creation to your blog with a link back to us and provide a direct link to the post featuring your challenge submission.
3.  Please link your card to no more than four challenges, TOTAL.
4.  Have FUN!

Enjoy your day; I'm hoping to fit in a little crafting today - it was so cold watching Ben play cricket yesterday I feel like I've gone into hibernation mode - and it's June!! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Eyelet Dry Embossed Thank You Card

by Joanne James1. June 2024 19:55

I managed to grab a little crafty time this morning, so took the opportunity to play with a new embossing folder (perfect for the 'E is for Embossing' challenge over at The Alphabet Challenge blog) and paired it with Rochelle's beautiful warm and sunny colours over at Just Add Ink:

   

I bought this folder because I thought it would be nice paired with other elements in the Country Woods Suite, but wanted to try it out first by making it the feature of my card  - take a look:

 

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

I took a piece of thick white cardstock and using my blending brushes, added the three lightest colours to the front of my card so that each blended into the next. I then sprayed the reverse of my cardstock before putting it in my embossing folder and running it through my diecutting machine. I lightly rubbed the front of my dry embossed cardstock with white kraft ink to highlight the embossed detail, then glue it to my cardbase and trimmed to size. I added a sentiment from the Wanted To Say Dies in Gorgeous Grape, layered on vellum, and added a trio of glossy enamel dots in the same colour to complete my card - you can really see the embossed detail on the close up below:

 

I love the detail and pattern of this embossing folder - I think it's going to prove very versatile.

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 spent the afternoon watching the youngest of the James Juniors play cricket and was so cold that after a few hours I needed to retreat to the warmth of the car - I feel like I should have dressed in my winter hockey spectator layers! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

A New Thoughtful Wishes Step By Step Class

by Joanne James31. May 2024 08:00

How can it be Friday already?! It's been half term for the youngest of the James Juniors this week so there hasn't been much time for crafting! I'm hoping to get a little time in my craft room tomorrow but until then I do have another card for you featuring the Thoughtful Wishes bundle and Thoughtful Journey papers, along with details of the latest Step By Step Class created with my friend and former Stampin' Up! Artisan Designer Jan Clothier, aka Thinking Stamping.

First up, my card! The Thoughtful Journey papers are so beautiful - even a small amount can go a long way:

 

When paired with the Thoughtful Wishes bundle, especially those fabulous diecuts, along with some dry embossing and the texture and sparkle of tone-on-tone glimmer, there's so much to love! That's why Jan and I chose this bundle and papers for our step by step class:

Our new step by step class features the Thoughtful Wishes bundle and Thoughtful Journey designer series paper. Simply purchase the Thoughtful Wishes bundle and a pack of Thoughtful Journey designer series paper from us and we’ll email you the step by step instructions to make four beautiful projects featuring them. If you already have the suite or bundle, simply purchase something else of equivalent value and we’ll email the class instructions to you.

You can shop with me if you live in the UK and Europe

You can shop with Jan if you live in New Zealand.

If you would like to receive the details for this step by step class, you can place your online order with me by clicking on the direct product links for the bundle and papers needed below; remember to add the current hostess code 3NR3FB9W to your order. 

Back soon with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Frames & Flowers Simple Frame Card

by Joanne James28. May 2024 17:11

Another dreary day of rain here in the UK, but fear not - I have a card perfect to brighten someone's day that took just minutes to make!

 

I saw the inspiration photo over at TGIF Challenges this week and as I still had my Frames & Flowers papers out, I grabbed them to make a quick card - take a look:

 

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

It wasn't the colours of the challenge photo that inspired me, rather the floral framed border, the friendship sentiment and the single butterfly accent. I used one of the frames from the designer paper pack, adding a couple of panels at each side and stamped my sentiment from 'Something Fancy' in the open aperture:

 

A single brushed brass butterfly completes my card - so simple!

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:

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Promotions


Get an additional 10% off die bundles, and mini and full size die cutting machines, between 5-30 June - get yours here!

Shop Online

Access my online shop 24 x 7, 365 days of the year:

Current June hostess code:

3NR3FB9W

Shop Online

2024-25 Annual Catalogue

BROWSE THE CATALOGUE

Click on the image to download your copy of the 2024-25 annual catalogue. For a full list of current SU! supplies, go to my online store. If you would like any help or advice, please drop me a line at joanne@thecraftyowl.co.uk or give me a call on 07773 421446 - I'd be happy to help.

Join My Team

t's always a great time to join Stampin’ Up! New team members can get £130 worth of products for only £99 + free business supplies + free shipping + all the fun being a part of Stampin’ Up! Stampin' Up! has something for everyone: join my growing team and benefit from my support to enjoy Stampin' Up! however you choose.

If you're interested, call me for a chat to understand how I can help you realise your goals. Alternatively, if you have already decided to sign up and you just can't wait, please click here for the link to the online form where you can sign up and order your starter kit right away! 

Latest Kits!

Stampin Cut and Emboss

The Expressions of Kindness kit makes 8 cards and costs £22; along with the fabulous Scenic Route Travel Journal Kit at £21 both are available from June 5th - get yours here!

New Online Exclusives

There are new products available exclusively in the online store from 5 March - check them out here.

About Me

Hi I'm Joanne and live in Northampton and when I'm not looking after my husband and two beautiful children, am an avid crafter with a passion for all things Stampin' Up!

I must confess that I have never been a big rubber stamper - until I discovered Stampin' Up! that is. I love the fact that I can get such great results with co-ordinating stamps, inks, papers and punches - the possibilities are endless! Join me on my stamping journey as I share the things I love and be inspired to create amazing things yourself!

Follow Me

Monthly Newsletter

Box Builder

Click the button above to use Box Buster to create your custom box design using the Envelope Punch Board!

Kits Collection Now Available!

Stampin Cut and Emboss

The new Kits Collection from Stampin' Up! is now available!

Click here to see the current kits available and order yours online today.

I Design For

 

 

 

Stampin' Up Stuff

This is my personal blog and is not endorsed by Stampin’ Up! I hope you find it a plentiful source of ideas and personal inspiration but please don't copy my designs for contest submission or use for classes, publication or sale without express permission.