First onto a piece of Whisper White card I have stamped the circles in Versamark and clear embossed them.  Normally when you are embossing you stop when the image is glossy and raised, with this technique you continue to heat the embossing powder until it flattens out again.Don’t hold the heat gun too close or you will end up with burnt patches on your card.  You will know when it is heated enough because you will be able to see the images on the reverse of the card.

Then spritz the card with water it needs to form in puddles, use a sponge dauber and a variety of ink pads I have used Chocolate Chip, Rose Red and Taken with Teal.  Dab the sponge daubers over the wet card and the colour will bleed through, once you have an effect you are happy with leave to dry.

I’m back from my holiday in Malta now having had an amazing time, it will take me a day or 2 to catch up with my emails, thank you for being patient!

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

I love this little set and right now it’s only £10.36 as it’s part of Stampin’ Up!s special August offer.  I’ve teamed up Old Olive, Ruby Red and Close to Cocoa.

See the post below for more details of the special offer from Stampin’ Up! during August.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

Inside their bags ( which they made)  is a bookmark, decorated pen, Smarties card, notepad and a pop up chocolate bar.

It was a lovely day, thank you for inviting me Izzy!

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

I do Scrapbook, I teach Scrapbooking classes, hold scrapbooking workshops, run and visit crops and yet I have singularly failed to share a page with you. I am going to rectify this today and through next week and show you a variety of pages and some more cards and 3D projects too!

So here goes, when I run a Stampin’ Up! home workshop for a group of scrappers we usually make a 6″ x 6″ page and this week I visited Anna and her friends and we made a chocolate lime page Yum!

I always take a 12″ x 12″ page to show them how they can step it up and this is the larger version.

Tomorrow I have some goodies and cards to show you from my team that I recieved yesterday at our Inspiring Inkin’ Stampin’ Up! team meeting.  We had lots of fun and I gave away so many prizes and awards the team is going from strength to strength, I am so lucky.  If you’d like to find out more about becoming a demonstrator in my team please do email me.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

It’s a spinner card using the wonderful flight of the butterfly stamp set and the co-ordinating butterfly punch.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

This one is all in purple, Lavender Lace and Elegant Eggplant. But it also looks fab in Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate chip too.

I’ve almost finished the Spinner card tutorial so do pop back tomorrow to see it.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

The wind has really been gusting today and making the roof rattle, so much so I had to find my big voice to be heard over the top of it!

Thank you very much to all those lovely people who stopped by to say hello! Crafters are such wonderful people. Shows are a great opportunity to meet new people and learn new things. Each day I demonstrate different projects because many people come to the show for all 3 days and it think it’s important that they get to see something new each day.

One of the cards I was demonstrating today was a spinner card like the one below, it’s very straightforward once you know how !

I will do a tutorial for it next week, when I’m back from the show.

I have used the Birdcage stamp from the FREE Sale-a-bration stamp set along with the scallop circle punch and some designer series paper.

Remember you have 2 days left to get your free stamps with Sale-a-bration, I know I’m away from home but I can still place orders and if you place a qualifying order for Sale-a-bration (£45 or more) I will pay your postage !

I hope you have a wonderful weekend

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

Jane then demonstrated a great technique using the Heart to Heart punch, it made a lovely card.  Jane kindly packed up kits for everyone to make this card.

You can visit Elaine’s blog here and Jane’s blog here.

Here are some pictures of the day.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

This is the card on it’s way to her, I can safely put it here as she is way too busy to visit my website at the moment!

The little bags are part of the present, some Choccies and English Rose bath melts for Liz, Bailey has got to wait for his pressie till I see him!  But rest assured it has stamping on it and I will post it here soon.

I think it’s important to make sure that new Mum’s have a little something to congratulate them, after all they did all the hard work!!

Below is a close up of one of the tags and the inside of the card, stamped immediately after the front of the card so I got a soft look from the ink.

Stamps : En Francais, Medallion, Whimsical Words, All in the Family
Inks: Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, Night of Navy
Cardstock: Whisper White, Ballet Blue, Night of Navy
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, 1 1/4″ circle punch, 1 3/8″ circle Punch, Scallop Circle punch, Scallop Oval punch, Oval Punch, Blender pens, Double stitched ribbon, Paper Piercer, Silver cord, Cello bags

Finally a quick request, I have a workshop booking for Teresa Jones and I cannot get through on the telephone, it is really important that i speak with her, I have written to her as I don’t have an email address, so Teresa, or if you know Teresa please call or email me.  Thank you x

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

So Challenge No 18 is the chalkboard technique, you use Whisper White Craft ink and pounce Stampin’ Pastels into the stamped images, I always use our sponge daubers.  On the card above I have used the Medallion background stamp with Yoyo Yellow, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie and Rose Red pastels to give the sunset effect.  The scalloped image is part of the new Sale-a-bration set Vintage Labels with a little Pretty ink Pink ribbon to finish.

My second card is using the same sale-a-bration set, this time partnered with my old favourite combination, Sage Shadow and Chocolate chip!  I have punched out a variety of circles and hoops from the Speciality Designer Series paper To the Nines and layered them one on top of the other.

There seems to be a bit of a thaw today, but the clouds look full of snow so we shall see what the rest of the day brings……..meantime I’m going to make some more samples with my Sale-a-bration sets so do pop back tomorrow.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

Here is their card, I can safely show this it as it did arrive on time, Phew!  This is a 6″ square card using Real Red textured cardstock.  Some clever trickery enabled me to get a scallop edge around this 1 3/4″ circle, demonstrated to us by the wonderful Shelli Gardener CEO of Stampin’ Up! at the Convention in Germany I will share all with a tutorial early next week.

This is the inside, to get the faded look with the En Francais stamp, I repeatedly stamped it onto my grid paper until it was very pale and then onto the card insert, ready for me to write over the top.

Stamps :Mr and Mrs, En Francais, Love you much
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Real Red
Cardstock: Real Red, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Heart to Heart Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1″ circle punch

Exciting news, tomorrow I am taking part in a blog hop……..come back to see what it is all about !

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

Jane designed this first card, well something very similar……….you see I was busy chatting ( not like me at all !  ) and stuck my ribbon on too central then the mat layers didn’t fit so I adapted the design……..I’m really pleased with it and the technique, I will be demoing this technique at my workshops during July.

Stamps : Wow Flowers
Inks: Green Galore
Cardstock: Green Galore, Whisper White
Accessories: 1/2″ circle punch, White grosgrain ribbon, Stampin’ Pastels, Sponge Daubers, Paper Piercer, Scallop circle punch

This is a bookmark designed by Vannessa, it showcases the wonderful Season of Joy, a Christmas stamp set that’s not just for Christmas!!!  I love the Summer Sun, Cameo Coral combination, just right for a summer holiday read.

Stamps : Season of Joy, One of a Kind
Inks: Cameo Coral, Summer Sun, Old Olive
Cardstock: Cameo Coral, Summer Sun, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Round Tab Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Brads, Paper piercer

This card was Amy’s make and take with a difference, she gave us all a bag of bits, cardstock, designer paper, confetti white card.  Black Stazon ink, watercolour crayons and the choice of 2 stamp sets, Scene in a Garden or the one I chose Soft Summer.  The ribbon embellishment uses a loop of Linen thread to attach the button, simple and stylish.  Love it!

Stamps : Soft Summer
Inks: Black Stazon
Cardstock and Papers: Confetti White, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Summer Picnic DSP
Accessories: Button, Linen Thread, Bashful Blue Double Stitched Ribbon, Watercolour wonder crayons

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

Here is my version, I have used Spiced Cider designer papers, the colours of the card are Really Rust and Old Olive.  The beer mugs I have coloured in with Blender pens and Really Rust ink which gives lovely shading.  To make the card I have used a piece of card 5 3/4″ x 10 1/2″ scored at 3 1/2″ and 7″  you then cut in a diagonal line to give this lovely shaped card, the best bit is you get 2 out of an A4 sheet!

And here is a little bit of magic, in order to make the beer foam, well foamy……..I used the tombow glue and sprinkled it with White embossing powder, you then heat it gently until the embossing powder melts ( the whole thing will bubble up.) You then allow it to cool and you get this lovely effect.  Do be careful though  because the top is dry but depending on how much glue you use under the top crust can be sticky so leave it to dry overnight.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

He is a real inventor and engineer so I’ve made him a card he can take it apart to see how it works!

This is a fold flat box card made from Textured Close to Cocoa card with a chipboard ‘6′ coloured and heat embossed with a little glitter.  Wrapped around the card is taffeta ribbon in Bashful Blue and a Whisper white scallop punch is hanging from silver cord.  On the scallop circle I have used the arch stamps from Crazy for Cupcakes stamped in Close to Cocoa and Bashful Blue and I’ve used the matching marker pens to write Joshua.  The springs are made from 26 gauge wire wrapped around a pencil and the toppers are stamped and cut out images from In the Stars again stamped in both Close to Cocoa and Bashful Blue.

Happy Birthday Josh xxxx

Happy Stampin’

Aunty Amanda 

Sam is a Stampin’ Up! grandaughter and an Inspiring Inkee.  

Look at the lovely card she sent to me with get well wishes!

Sam has used the Washington Apple designer series papers, the oval, scalloped oval and scalloped circle punches, to create the petals of the flower. The flower is mounted onto some Bashful Blue  card stock which had been background stamped with Versamark and the Polka Dot background stamp. The centre of the flower was stamped with Versamark and one of the Polka Dot Punch stamps that were free in a recent promotion.

She even sent it to me in a wonderful stamped envelope, I love to see stamped envelopes and am on a mission for no more naked envelopes!!!

Thank you Sam

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

She has taken some of the Summer Picnic paper and made a lovely little tree folding Scallop circles and a piece of Chocolate Chip card to make the trunk.  Michele has sponged the grass with Old Olive and also the sentiment, which she has matted onto a Scallop Oval in Old Olive.  The little bunny is from Forest Friends stamp set in the mini catalogue and the cutting out is amazing!!  It is popped up on some dimensional foam pads.

It’s fab Michele, thank you.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

And then as always my lovely team of Inspiring Inkees to the rescue!

On Tuesday Michele came to visit with a card and some goodies for my hospital visit including marshmallows which have now been eaten……..Oops………. yesterday I recieved a card from Jane and today one from Deborah, do you know they all say very similar things, look after yourself and don’t do too much!  They know me sooooo well!

So I’m going to post their cards over the coming days, and one from me on Sunday, I shall be back posting later next week so please don’t desert me!

This is such a simple but stylish card, Jane has used a Whisper White card blank and matted a piece of Sweet Always paper on the top 2/3rds wrapped some Regal Rose 5/8″ grosgrain ribbon around with a fab knot and topped off  a sentiment from Best Yet, hostess level 1 set onto a circle of Regal Rose and a scallop of Pumpkin Pie which she has pierced around the edges.

Wonerful I love it, and thank you so much for thinking of me.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

I made this gable bag from Naturals Ivory card stock, it’s a lovely creamy colour with brown flecks.  It has been stamped all over with 3 different flowers from the Seeing Spots and Simply Said stamp sets using Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, and Chocolate Chip ink. The bunny is from the new Forest Friends set matted into a scallop of Chocolate Chip with paper piercing around the edge, finished with Chocolate Chip ribbon.

8 1/4″ x 11″ piece of Card stock

1. Score 11” side of card stock at 1/2″, 3 1/2″, 5 3/4″, and 8 3/4″.
2. Score the 8 1/4” side at 3″ and 6 1/2″.
3. Stamp the card stock.
4. Cut each score line up to the intersecting score line to create flaps top and bottom.
5. On one edge of the card stock, you’ll have 1/2” flaps. 

Cut off the two 1/2″ flaps on the ends, leaving the centre flap.
6. Place double sided tape on the 1/2″ flap. 

Be sure to place the adhesive on the front (stamped) side. Leave the liner on the adhesive.
7. On the 2 largest panels centre punch over panel and push the card stock all the way into the Oval punch to create handles for the box.
8. Place double sided tape on the 2 large flaps and stick down to the inside of the box for added strength.
9. Use the corner rounder on the corners of the handles.
10. Peel the liner from the 1/2″ flap on the side of the box (mid section). 

Fold the box into shape so that the ends meet the adhesive.
11. 

Fold in the two smaller bottom flaps and then adhere one of the longer flaps to the smaller flaps. 

Fold the remaining flap into place and stick down.

12. Decorate the front of the box.
13. Use the Crop-a-Dile to punch holes for the ribbon closure.

This is the pop up Chocolate bar.

I have taken a small Chocolate bar and wrapped Sweet Always designer paper around it. The bar then has a piece of taffeta ribbon tied around it with a tag, the sentiment is from Crazy for Cupcakes.  The choclate bar is then wrapped with a piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock, sealed at one edge, leaving the top open.  I haven detailed sizes because it depends on how big your chocolate bar is…………

I make a template from a piece of computer paper and then cut my ‘proper” card stock to fit, you need about 1″ more than  the length of the chocolate bar and an extra 1″ to flap around the back.  The pouch is finished with a piece of Pretty in Pink card stock and some more Sweet Always paper.

Pop back tomorrow for my Sunday share, a new bunny……..

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

The first is from Amy, this is a tent card, the base card is a 4″ square which she has stamped and embossed with silver.  The top part of the card is a 3″ square  with the bottom 1″ stuck to the 4″ card.  The Close to Cocoa frame has been made using the Scallop edge punch on a 2 5/8″ square piece of card.

This second card is from Elaine, she has made a gatefold card 8″x 5 3/4″ and scored at 2″ and 6″ the front panels are En Francais stamped and silver embossed onto vellum cardstock, absolutely stunning in real life.  The front fastening is very clever, it’s a ribbon slider from the Hodgepodge hardware set and both pieces of ribbon are threaded through one from each side to secure.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda