Stamp With Us Sketch Challenge

It was a tough one this week, and not one I'm completely happy with but hey ho, a challenge is a challenge. So I thought I'd make an acetate card but the stuff I found in my bottom draw is rather thick and very difficult to score and fold. The thickness actually makes it very springy even though it stands as solid as a rock but I persevered. They're not that easy to photograph either...lol Anyway, here's the sketch.... and my attempt...I'm having a run on using Fresh Cuts this week. Such a pretty set and one that looks fabulous with the Fresh Cuts Notes too. I did make a thank you card for my best bud Karen using both of them but as usual I didn't get a minute to take a photo. Typical of me! I'll just have to make some more won't I? Recipe: Stamps - Fresh Cuts Inks & C/s - Regal Rose/Choc Chip/Pretty in Pink DSP - Sweet Always (Last Chance List) Accessories - Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon/Scallop Border Punch/Scallop Oval and Large Oval Punches Other - Acetate I'm away for the week so posts will be a bit thin on the ground but I will have a post scheduled for Friday. And you know what day Friday is right?? Yes it's 1st October, the first day of the New Idea Book & Catalogue...yaaay! Have a good week and if you get chance, pop over to SWU and see what the other DT have produced. Better still have a go yourself! Tfl and see you in a week. Jo :)

A Flying Visit

I had a lovely Birthday on Sunday and thank you all for the birthday wishes - it made my day along with some really beautiful handmade cards from friends and fellow bloggers. I haven't got round to taking a pic just yet but fingers crossed it happens tomorrow. I know it's a flying visit - my bed is calling - so very quickly here's a card for you. I can never have enough 'thank you' cards at the ready and this one is for my MIL & FIL. I've been harping on about getting a bike for two years now and this year I told my family for my birthday that's all I wanted, so I've been given money to go and chose which one I like. It all started on a short break at Centre Parks......anyway, I digress. lol This is the thank you card from me to them.... Recipe: Stamps - Fresh Cuts Inks & C/S - Pretty in Pink/Barely Banana/Whisper White/Basic Grey Accessories - Basic Grey Taffeta Ribbon/Scallop Oval and Large Oval Punches/Scallop Border/ Dazzling Diamonds Right, off to bed for me. Catch you again soon and tfl. Jo :)

SWU 'Recipe' Challenge

This weeks challenge for Stamp With Us is for a recipe - no patterned papers, 2 stamps and 2 ribbons. It took me awhile and a good flick through the new catty for some inspiration but I got there in the end. I like my DSP so it was very difficult with only 2 stamps to come up with something. Here it is though...Not such a good photo, it was taken very late at night, so I might take another if I get chance. I've scheduled this post as I've a busy weekend coming up...or rather had a busy weekend - today is my Birthday! I'm 22 according to Jake - bless him, if only. Lots of places to go and family get togethers so I probably won't be able to post again till Monday. Hope you've had a good one and tfl, Jo :)

With Sympathy

My MIL and hubs have a funeral to go to today so I wanted to make a card for my MIL's best friend who's husband past away peacefully last week. I've never made a 'with sympathy' card before and I don't have the correct sentiment so I went with 'thinking of you' instead, because I will be. (I can't make it as I have to pick Jake up from school.) I've kept it very simple and used my brush markers to ink up the stamp with lovely soft muted colours of bashful blue and almost amethyst and a touch of certainly celery and barely banana for the butterfly. It will be a sad day but at least he will now be pain free. RIP Les.

More Christmas

I've seen loads of these Tri-shutter cards on peoples blogs and I have to admit that they didn't really grab me at first. Well at the crop on Saturday, Julie had been making some beautiful cards with this technique. She showed me how it was done and I can't believe how easy they are! I've made 3 since Saturday. One I made on Sunday night for a belated Wedding Anniversary for Karen, I didn't have chance to take a pic because I wanted in the post asap. Another I can't show you just yet, but here's the one I made last night...

There isn't much stamping going on in this card mainly because I used the 'I Wish' Simply Scrappin kit which has die cut stickers already to use in it. (It's another item on the last chance list that's been reduced by 25%).

For instructions on how to make the Tri-Shutter card, the link is here. There's even a video at the end of the tutorial.

Right, off to work we go.

Hope to see you again tomorrow.

Tfl,

Jo :)

A Quickie

And it is a quickie for you today which is one I made for the More the Merrier challenge awhile back. A very simple design and also speedy to make.

I am creating at the mo but having to hang fire till the 1st October to show you, so don't think I've disappeared again..he hee. I'm out tonight to see the girls at the local crop but I will make something then to show you tomorrow.

Have a great day and tfl,

Jo :)

Tree Trimmings

I know we're only just out of the summer months and nobody wants to really start thinking of Christmas just yet, but this cute little set from the new catty will want you making your Christmas cards right now. So here is 'Tree Trimmings'I've teamed it with the Ski Slope papers from the Mini Catalogue and the greeting is from Seasonal Wishes, which is on the Last Chance List at half price. Now unfortunately I've only found out today that the Ski Slope papers are sold out. It's such a shame as I love 'em - there absolutley gorgeous, but anyway - as you can see from the above, the stamp set is very, very cute. I could go on and on making cards with it and I'm going to this evening. Now I bought some plain A5 tins a fair few months ago which i haven't done anything with until now. I've decorated the outside...

....and the inside. Don't they make a cute gift?

Tree Trimmings will be priced at £10.95 and available from 1st October.

Right off to make some more.

Tfl,

Jo :)

New Catty Sneak #1

The lighting wasn't as good as I thought today so after spending almost half an hour trying to get some decent shots, I gave up. However I did manage to get one photo that isn't too bad so to tease you a little more, here's a very tiny peek of things to come....

...will try again tomorrow for the rest of the project.

tfl,

Jo :)

Stamp With Us Colour Challenge

I love colour challenges and this week at Stamp With Us they have the best colour combo yet - in my opinion anyway. ;) My sort of colours these, nice bright and cheery. And here's what I created... ....a flower pot card. Here's the inside bit...

...and how it fits into the card.... ...and the flappy bit at the back so it can stand up.This is a total CASE from one I saw Jenny make using Petal Pizzazz and sadly another set that will be no longer as it's in the Mini Catalogue which comes to an end on 30th September.

Anyway, there's some great creations from the SWU DT this week so please pop over have a little look.

Recipe:-Stamps - Petal Pizzazz / Sincere Salutations / Polka Dot Background Inks & c/s - Close to Cocoa/Tempting Turquoise/Only Orange/Gable Green/Pixie Pink/Choc Chip Accessories - Scallop Border Punch/White Grosgrain Ribbon/Bold Brights Brads/Dimensionals

I had a brilliant time yesterday crafting, chatting and eating all day, and I mean all day - I didn't get home till 11.30pm! Thank you Karen (my bff) you are the best - love ya loads! x

With a full days crafting under my belt I've now finished my first sneak peak from the new catty, so I'll be taking pictures later and hope to have it up on the blog tomorrow.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and tfl!

Jo :)

The weekend is almost here..

Oh I can't wait!!! It's going to be a purely self indulgent day tomorrow. I'm off to my local crop and then I'm going to my best friend Karen's in the evening for some crafting along with Rachel...yaaay! I haven't seen them for ages so there will be lots of catching up to do. Ok, so a quickie card to show you... ..another from Wild About You that's reduced to £15.71 on the Last Chance List. Loving this colour combo at the mo - Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red, Bashful Blue, Old Olive & Pumpkin Pie. The other set I've used on this is Seeing Spots which isn't on the Last Chance List but a firm favourite with me, and the sentiment is from A Bit of Birthday Cheer. Hope to have a Sneak Peak of one of the sets from the new catty over the weekend for you. I 've made a few cards but I want to make a complete set so I'm not showing you till it's done. What a tease I am eh!?! lol Have a good weekend! Jo :)

Neat Ribbon Storage

Over my many years of crafting I've accumulated a ton of ribbon. It's all been chucked in a large bag and whenever I came to look for a certain piece or colour I could never find what I was looking for, plus it was all mangled together.

A couple of months back my fellow Demo Helen sent me a few links to blogs on ribbon storage and I came across a lady that had come up with a really easy, cheap and organised way of storing them. Unfortunately I can't give credit where credits due as I've now lost the link but I'm very thankful whoever it was. Anyway, here's my newly organised ribbon...

This is an A4 clear plastic box with lid that I've had hanging round for ages. They're quite easy to get hold of but to be honest any size box will do.

All you need for this is some fairly rigid card and rubber bands. I used the 12x12 card that comes in the back of the SU! DSP papers, and cut it into 24, 2" x 2.5" pieces.

Wrap you ribbon round the card and secure with the rubber band.....

...plonk in the box and Voila! I also made some dividers using another piece of card basically cut to the depth and length of the box to keep each line of ribbons seperated.

This box holds 160 different ribbons and I still have room for more.

Much better than a tatty old bag shoved in the corner and now I can see quite clearly what I have without having to go through a tangled mess to find it.

I've now got to find something for all my SU! ribbons. As they come on spools and in much larger quantities I'm going to have to find something a bit more substantial for them.

Right, off to create....

Tfl and see ya soon,

Jo :)

Filling In

Not long to wait now till the the reveal of the New SU! catalogue on 1st October. I shouldn't be wishing my life away really but as the summer comes to an end it's nice to have something to look forward to. I know....I should get a life. LOL! I'm in the planning stage at the moment of an Open House in October and busy making lots of samples, so as a fill in until I get my pre-order sets, here's a card I made for Jake to give to his dad for his birthday back in July. The monster stamps are Penny Blacks which I also made his party invitations with. I didn't take a pic of those but wished I had - they were pretty cool. The alphas are SU! Schoolbook Serif with A Bit of Birthday Cheer and I've coloured the images with copics (I'm still practising). The carstock colours are Green Gable and Only Orange. Right, things to do and people to see. Sorry for the quick post, hope to be back tomorrow with a neat idea for ribbon storage. The sun should be shining here later so fingers crossed I can get a pic taken for you. See you then and tfl, Jo :)

Stamp With Us Theme Challenge

Well I'm really getting back into the swing of things at last and managed my DT entry for this weeks Stamp With Us Theme Challenge - the theme being 'Good Luck'. I didn't have any particular 'good luck' occasion in mind when making this so I just went with the flow. I tried to make it a little different by adding a pocket for a tag to fit inside and it worked quite well. Recipe: Stamps - In the Stars/Sincere Salutations Inks & Cardstock - Ballet Blue/Real Red/ Bashful Blue/Whisper White/Basic Black Punches - Large Star/Tab/ 1/4" & 1/2" circle Accessories - Vintage Brads/Black Ginham Ribbon I'm a little early for my post this week (most unlike me) so I haven't seen what the rest of the DT have created yet. Have a go at the challenge yourself and leave a link on the SWU blog - we love to see what you've all made. tfl, Jo :)

Passion for Papertrey CAS Challenge #12

I've been meaning to show this for a week now. Trying to get back into crafting after the looooong summer break I really did find it difficult to get going. You know how it is, sitting in your craft room surrounded by lovely stash and not an inclining of what to make. So I did a bit of blog hopping, as you do, surfing through Google Reader which is set up to all my fav blogs with a couple of hundred posts I hadn't got round to reading (tut, tut) and I went straight for Passion for Papertrey. A challenge had just been posted which was a CAS card - Clean and Simple if you didn't know and I won't deny that I didn't till very recently. Anyway I got out my grand total of 3 PTI sets and had a go and this is what I came up with.

PTI Stamps: Wishing You

Well I have to say it was the start of my inspiration and I haven't stopped creating since. Can't show too much yet as it's in preparation for the Stampin' Up! new catalogue that comes out on 1st October, plus I'm trying to get ahead with my swaps for the trip to Convention in Germany. However I will be posting sneak peeks of sets from the new catty very soon (when my pre-order arrives) so keep 'em peeled!

Have a good weekend everyone and tfl! Jo :)

LAST CHANCE LIST and some REAL bargains to be had!

Well the summer holidays have almost come to an end and I hope you've all had a fabulous time - I know I have and I must apologise again for my lack of posts. I'm all refreshed and raring to go and what better time than now because there's some exciting news on the SU! front!

The new Idea Book & Catalogue will be available on the 1st October and to make room for lots of new exciting Stamp sets & Accessories, we have to bid a fond farewell to some from the current catty. Now while it can be very sad to see old favourites disappear, the good news is that there are some great bargains to be had - there are reductions of 25% and 50% on select items!!! Bargains or what!! The items on the last chance list will only be available until 30th September or until sold out, whichever is sooner. This is an extremely rare offer and I'm sure many of these sets will sell out very quickly - so be quick! You can view the 'Last Chance List' HERE and for a limited time until this Friday, 4th September I will have my own special offers. Anyone who places a single order of £35 + p&p, with myself, will receive a roll of 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (13.7m) in the colour of their choice absolutely FREE!! Or an order of £70 + p&p to receive a roll of 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon. Or if you want to go really mad and place an order for £150 + p&p, not only will you qualify for the Level 1 hostess set AND the £15 in extra merchandise, I will add the SPIRAL PUNCH to your order for FREE!

(these offers are only available through myself) If you would like to place an order and take advantage of any of my special offers, please email me at jodumbleton@aol.co.uk quoting 'LAST CHANCE LIST'. Enjoy shopping and grab those bargains before they're sold out! I know what I'm after... Take care, Jo :)

Wild About You

'Wild About You' is one of the sets on the Last Chance List and I'm definately very sad to see it go (now priced at £15.71). It's a sweet collection of adorable cute animals that make gorgeous kids/baby cards. I haven't used mine as much as I should of so I thought I'd dust it off and challenge myself to make a few cards before it disappears for good. My mojo seems to have returned with a vengeance and I didn't want to waste the moment, so I russled this card up late last night at about 12 o'clock. I'm paying for it today with a headache I can't get rid of - typical eh?! Never mind - it was worth it.

And here's an arty farty angled shot, as Jules calls them, showing the lions head 3D'd. ;) Recipe:

Stamps - Wild About You

Cardstock & Inks - Close to Cocoa/So Saffron/Ruby Red/Old Olive/Pumpkin Pie/Creamy Caramel.

Punches - 1/4", 1/2", 1", 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" circles

Items on the Last Chance List are selling fast, there's already some items sold out so be quick. My offers (details on the above post) are valid until tomorrow evening but even if you don't want to spend loads, you can still place any amount order with me and I'll pop in a little something extra in the post to you. (Valid till 30th Sept.)

Right, I hope to settle down shortly with a nice milky coffee and create. After all I need to make the most of my inspiration while it's around. Pesky nuisance when it disappears without leaving so much as a note...

Tfl,

Jo :)