Big Bold Birthday is retiring! Just £16.17 now...

This is one of my all time favourite stamp sets from Stampin' Up! I'm very sad to see it retire from the catalogue - but that does mean you can now get it at 40% discount - just
£16.17! This is only available while the stocks last though so if you really want this, contact me to order it today as it will probably sell out quite fast!

See my post click here for full details on the Stampin' Up! retirement list and how to order. It's such a versatile stamp set too. At least that does mean there is plenty of space in the new catalogue coming at the end of the month for new products - I have seen the new catalogue as demonstrators, we get the privilige of seeing it a month before customers, and oh my goodness - there are some lovely new stamp sets, gorgeous papers in there and a range of new ribbons coming too! My favourite.

If you would like to order a copy of the catalogue to be posted to you, I can post them out as soon as they arrive with me - see my link to the right of this blog to order yours today. I will share it online on October 1st - that is the day you can begin placing your orders.

Jenny x

The "Retirement List" is here!

It's an important time of the year in the Stampin' Up! calendar as the "retirement list" is finally here! Which also means - there will be a brand new Stampin' Up! catalogue very soon! So there is lots to share with you...


So... the "Retirement List" is here!

What is this, you might ask? Let me explain!

Every year Stampin' Up! release a new catalogue full of ideas and projects, and of course scrummy new craft goodies to buy. This means.... that some of the products in the current catalogue are retired when the new catalogue is released - but once they are gone, they are gone forever! On September 1st the retirement list is released - and it really is first come first served...

The Retirement List - click here

If there is anything in the current SU catalogue that is your absolute favourite and you don't want to run out, or on your must-have list but you haven't bought it yet, now would be the time to do it! Stock up on your favourites before it's too late.

And better still - some of the products are discounted up to 40%!

Click on the link to see the details. I'm sad to see some of my favourite sets go - but it does mean some of these are discounted by up to 40% and some accessories too! Don't forget most of the items in the Mini Catalogue will no longer be available after 30th September too.

We all love a bargain so if there's anything on the list that you want, contact me ASAP to place your order as some of the items sell out very fast, especially the discounted items. Once these items have gone, you will not be able to get them ever again so grab them while you can - whether it's your favourite stamp set, patterned paper or ribbon! I will place your orders as soon as your payment has cleared with me. Here is the current catalogue online which the list refers to:

Online Stampin' Up Catalogue and Idea Book 2010 - 2011

Final chance to book onto my Christmas Craft Class - Sat 17th September

Bookings close this Saturday! I have a few places left so click the link to the right to book your place if you haven't already - i'll be ordering in the kits for this fun day very soon. See further details here

I also have a new facebook page! Yes I have joined with the new media crew and created a page - this is so easy to update that I can post whenever I am out and about and see something creative or I've just sat down to make something - come on over and 'like' my page to get the regular updates -

My Jenny's Creations facebook page

And finally... The new Catalogue and Idea Book!

As demonstrators and customers alike, we are usually bursting at the seams waiting to see what the new Catalogue and Idea Book holds! The great news is that this year, we are allowed to send them out before October 1st! You can have a few weeks to drool over all the new items and decide what you want on your wish list (don't forget Christmas will be coming so make a list for your loved ones!) and then ready from October 1st, we can place your orders for you!
(This cover is just an example)

Do you want to be one of the first people in the UK to get your hands on a copy? With a RRP of £5.95, I am offering these to you, posted to you First Class Recorded Mail, for just £4.95! Just click on the Paypal link to the right and as soon as they arrive with me, I'll get them straight out to you. As you will already know, these are more than just a catalogue, it is now my favourite replacement for a craft magazine as there are so many wonderful projects in them each year, I've kept all of my old copies!

I am happy to accept Bank Transfers and Cheques too, so if you don't want to use Paypal, it doesn't mean you have to miss out!

If there is alot in the catalogue that you would like, and would prefer to spread the cost of your items over several months but still get the benefit of the hostess freebies then get in contact with me about my Stampers Six club - all it needs is six members, committed to spending £25 each per month for six months, and you will get the free hostess benefits! At the start of the six months you also get a catalogue for free!

I think that's enough for today... let me know what you want to order!

New baby boy card and Retirement List is coming!

Here's a new baby boy card that I made recently for our friends who have just extended their family! I've used the soft subtles patterned paper from the paper stack for the spotted background paper. The main stamp is from the Sale-a-bration set which has now retired, and so is the sentiment.

Talking of retired items - coming soon is this year's retirement list from Stampin' Up! For those of you who don't know what this is, let me explain.

Every year Stampin' Up! release a new catalogue full of ideas and projects, and of course scrummy new craft goodies to buy. This means.... that some of the products in the current catalogue are retired when the new catalogue is released - and they really will be gone forever! On September 1st the retirement list is released - and it really is first come first served! If there is anything in the current SU catalogue that is on your must have list but you haven't bought it, now would be the time to do it.

Also - some of the products are discounted! And we all love a bargain. So when the list comes out, I will email it around to you and also post it here. If there's anything on the list that you want, contact me ASAP to place your order as some of the items sell out very fast, especially the discounted items. Once these items have gone, you will not be able to get them ever again so grab them while you can - whether it's your favourite stamp set, patterned paper or ribbon!

I'll be back soon with that retired list...

Birthday cupcakes

I saw a version of this card about a year ago on Monica's blog here and I instantly loved it and bookmarked it for a future occasion. I had no idea it would take me a year to make it!

I changed the colour scheme here to use Certainly Celery, Pretty In Pink and Bashful blue cardstocks and inks. I stamped the birthday cupcake first and cut those elements out so that I could see how much room I needed, and then I stamped the 'girl' from the alphabet stamps onto white card, leaving enough space for the cake to go in place of the 'i' with the candle.

I used the border punch along the bottom, the gold cord around the Bashful Blue cardstock and some other decorative edge scissors for variation on the blue card. I just love how simple the Stampin' Up! stamps are and how clear they stamp onto white card - it's a lovely design so thanks to Monica for sharing it in the first place!

Father's Day card

So - a tad late in posting this inspiration but - a Father's Day card that needed to be quick - as always!

But all of the cards I make can easily be made for any other theme, occasion or with another colour scheme and I have a feeling I'll be doing similar very soon! I've used the new Square Lattice embossing folder in the Big Shot machine to 'crinkle' the background blue Stampin Up card - I love this one for male cards, and the spotty embossing die for female cards. I've then used some of the natural twine around it - again this is a must have for your cards for men!

The sticker was an old one that I had from a long time ago. There's so many wonderful products in the mini catalogue that I haven't managed to use properly yet - it's criminal! I challenge you to make this card for another occasion and then send me a link - just substitute the sticker for another or a stamped image.

Isn't this pretty?

Isn't this pretty? I don't think I've shared this card yet - it's a very pretty card that I received as a 'swap' at my stampin' up training. It's a lovely stamp set from the catalogue coloured in with the Stampin Up markers!

Want to earn yourself a FREE stamp set?

You can win yourself a FREE stamp set every week throughout May (I'm clearly behind on announcing this but I've only just realised this offer is on - sorry!) - simply answer a question here on the Stampin' Up! website and you can be in with a chance of winning.


Happy birthday to my friend Lauren today! It is her 30th birthday so I made this lovely card of soft colours using the Party This Way stamp set. The colour scheme here is Tempting Turquoise, Pretty In Pink and Elegant Eggplant colour scheme. I love stamping these candles at different angles to hide anything out of line! I am also in love with these satin ribbons. Full stop. I want them in every colour!

Flowers and butterflies

Here's a very pretty card which I made for my sister for her birthday recently. I'm afraid to say it was made using a Sale-a-bration stamp set - Sweet Summer - which does mean this one is no longer available to purchase, but that's just another reason why you should get these free stamp sets next time the offer is on - I use this one alot!

I've stamped the stems and flower heads separately - the stems using Chocolate Chip ink (my most used colour I think!) and Pretty In Pink for the heads. I always like to colour in some of the flowers too but you can't really see that in this photo. Along the bottom of the card I've attached a couple of leftover strips of card in Pretty In Pink and Old Olive (this is a great idea on male cards when you don't want to use ribbon, or in classes where you need to keep your costs down). I've attached a tiny little butterfly too which was cut and embossed using the new Embosslits with the Big Shot machine. A couple of buttons for good measure you understand!

Quick make - teenager card

What do you do when you need a quick card? ask your sister to make one! So here I made a card for my niece who was moving into her teenage years. She likes bold colours so we went for Rich Razzleberry card teamed with Pumpkin Pie orange card and Old Olive green satin ribbon. I love these satin ribbons!

I used the eyelet border trim punch along some Whisper White cardstock as the holes show up perfectly when contrasted against a darker background. I then stamped using the fabulous Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamps - have you tried these? I love simple, smooth round fonts and I've seen these used perfectly on so many designs, they really are a worthwhile investment as once you have the set, you can customise practically any card.

Did you enjoy the Royal Wedding? I've seen lots of royal crafts too, I didn't make any myself (what would I do with them afterwards?) but there's lots of great ideas out there!

Ahoy

This pirate set has been very popular in the main Stampin' Up! catalogue this year. It's on p41 as there are some other really good examples using it in there. (See the link to the right of this blog to view the catalogue online). My projects are often quite feminine, I think most crafters are as they seem easier to make, but that's why it's great when you get a masculine project in the 'swaps' that we do at team training. It shows examples of other's that have a totally different style to me. It's perfect for boy's birthday cards and also if you wanted to make themed papercrafts for a child's birthday party. Lots of Early Expresso grunging and some Riding Hood Red for the sentiments. There are three good pirate images in that set with a couple of senitments so it's good value and I've seen so many good examples made with it. I'm hoping to get making some more craft items myself very soon - I'm waiting for a good few hours I have to spare to get stuck in!

Plane and Simple

This great card for male cards uses the new 'Plane and Simple' plane stamp from the new mini catalogue (p14). It has been layered onto a textured piece of cardstock which was created using the 'Square Lattice' textured impression die in the Big Shot. The embossing dies can also create spotted backgrounds and floral designs - check them out on p10.

View the mini catalogue here

I love this new linen thread in the main catalogue (p96), its a nice alternative to ribbon and much more masculine, and the chunky button is a nice addition too. This card was made by a fellow member of my SU team and it's great to swap projects as it shows styles outside of our comfort zones too. The blue background also has the 'spiral punch' down the edge which gives the effect of being ripped from a notebook - I just love this punch!!!

Don't forget - my 10% discount on all orders from the mini and main catalogues ends midnight Thursday! Simply email me (address in the right hand bar) with your order to take advantage of this great offer.

Pretty thank you card

There are lots of lovely new project ideas using mini catalogue products - did you follow the new blog hop on my previous post? Take a look if you missed it!

This was a lovely card made by one of my fellow Stampin' Up! team mates - I love the colour combination - it is Pretty In Pink and Baja Breeze for the background.

The seam binding ribbon (p17) was ruffled simply by pulling a single thread from one end gently. The patterned paper is the lovely new Designer Series Springtime Vintage paper and the pink border was made with the Scallop Border Punch again on p104 of the main catalogue. You could make lots of these cards very quickly - want to try that challenge?

Need a quick Mother's Day card idea?

With Mother's Day fast approaching - why not try some of these quick fix Mother's Day card ideas? If you prefer something personal, you can die-cut or used pre-cut letter shapes to tell your mum how much you care. Ink the edges of the letters, add this to some pattererned paper with some ribbon and a die-cut flower and you are ready to go.

Double-sided paper is always a winner when it's a quick card that you need! Simply fold the corner over and fix into place with a brad, and centre onto a square card blank. Add some ribbon, a sentiment of your choice and a die-cut flower and this card will only take you minutes!

Punch out some butterfly shapes (or any alternative shapes you have) and align nine in a square shape on the centre of your card. Attach an adhesive pearl to the centre of each one and there you have it! A quick fix Mother's Day card. I hope these card ideas have been useful for you - don't forget you can adapt them to suit any theme. Keep your eye out for many more die-cutting projects coming your way with the launch of the mini catalogue this coming Friday!

Class Fun

Here are some photos (courtesy of Pat - thanks!) of the craft class on Saturday. I was that busy that I didn't stop to take any! We had quite a few people who had not attended before, and some new to crafting too, so it was really good fun to share the hobby with others! The great news it that they all enjoyed it too!

The centre we hire is lovely so it makes it a comfortable and fun afternoon.

Lots of stamping, laughter and new tips and tricks learned, although I don't get to make anything it's always good fun for me and I'm so pleased when everyone leaves with something they are proud of!

Here are Pat's completed items - I love this colour scheme - it's So Saffron, Pretty in Pink and Certainly celery. Here is a complete list of what we used - and I have to thank Monica Gale for lending me the dimensions for the treat box too - thank you!

Cardstock - Pretty in Pink, So Saffron (yellow), Certainly Celery (green), Whisper White (p82-85)

Stampin’ Write Marker pens – Pretty in Pink, So Saffron (yellow), Certainly Celery (green) – some of you used ‘Melon Mambo’ which was the lovely bright pink (p82-85)

Ink pads – Chocolate Chip (p85)

Stamp sets – Schoolbook Serif Alphabet (p77), Just Believe (p57)

Border Punch –Eyelet Border (p105)

Ribbon – Taffeta 1cm (p96)

A yellow button

Candle

Cardstock - Certainly Celery (p82-85)

Patterned Paper – Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack Subtles (p82)

Ribbon – Pretty in Pink satin (p83)

Treat Holder

Cardstock - Pretty in Pink, So Saffron (yellow), Chocolate Chip, Whisper White (p82-85)

Border Punch –Eyelet Border (p105) or Scallop Edge Border (p105)

Linen Thread (p96)

Ribbon – Pretty in Pink satin (p83)

Stamps – Free hostess set ‘Afterthoughts’ when you host a party or put in orders of over £150 in any other way

Stampin’ Write Marker pens – Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip

On another note, here is a lovely card made by my team leader for me - I love this colour, especially the way the fabulous friend stamp has been embossed in white, it leaves a lovely raised edge and texture. And I always love the spotty papers too!

Swaps

I didn't really know what swaps for were some time but I eventually learned - they are when a group of crafty people get together, they make one project in multiples (so if it's a group of 15, each person makes 15 of their own item) then at the craft gathering everyone 'swaps' one of each with everyone else. The result? Everyone leaves with 15 different samples for inspiration!

Today I've been at my team training for Stampin' Up! so thought I'd share what my swaps were - my favourite colours of pink and brown of course! I've used the free hostess stamp that you can earn by holding a party or putting in orders over £150, with different coloured cards and a border punch which I love! The stamp I coloured in using my marker pens so that I could colour one part of the stamp in pink and the other in brown.

Striking black 'Circle Circus' card

Pastel Chalks Technique

Black cards are very striking! But for some reason, they tend to be something people steer cleer of so I'd urge you to have a go today if you've never tried it - share with me what you make! This card was made at one of my Stampin' Up! training events with my team leader, Natalie O'Shea and it got us all trying the chalk pastels which was fun.

It's good to be challenged to use new products by taking classes with other crafters and so much fun not to be leading them for a change! So with this card we stamped four circles from the lovely 'Circle Circus' stamp set from Stampin' Up!. You get ten different patterned circles in this stamp set!

To stamp the circles onto black card we used the Versamark Stamp Pad which is effectively a sticky, clear ink pad. We then used 'Stampin Pastels' - which is a case of different coloured chalks and applicators. We rubbed the applicator into the chalk, then carefully ran it over the sticky images using different colours on different areas of the stamp. It gives a lovely finish. You can spray it with a finishing agent if you want to protect your finished image (or some cheap hairspray like we did in art classes back in school!).

The black card was mounted onto red and then blue card, some Old Olive green ribbon along the bottom with some 'brights' coloured buttons. Try it for yourself!

New tote bag

I've needed some good 'portable' storage for all my craft tools for a while now - at the moment I have a great spinning tool holder on my craft desk, but it's too heavy to carry around and since I've started up my craft classes again, I've been in desperate need of something to hold everything that I can just grab and go!

So when I went along to the Stampin' Up! convention at the end of last year, they had this lovely tote bag based on a set of their patterned papers - who could resist?! They sold out very fast though - and this event is solely open to SU demonstrators so you can imagine the frenzy to get hold of one! We could order one at the event and it followed some time later - and now I have it filled with my wonderful goodies. It's already been useful to taking place to place so it was definitely worth the investment. What do you keep your craft items in? I'm always keen to know anything about storage so send me your links and I can share them here!

Don't forget the March Frenzy offer from Stampin' Up! where you can get up to 30% off of SU products - limited time only! Contact me with anything that takes your fancy to order - details can be found here

Cajun Craze heart card

This is a lovely little card using the "I {heart} hearts" stamp set, which that Monica Gale (another Stampin' Up! Demonstrator) sent me a while back. Isn't it cute? It's the heart stamped onto white card using 'Cajun Craze' colour cardstock for the card blank, and Chocolate Chip satin ribbon folded into a bow shape and secured.

If you notice, it also uses the 'Tiny Tags' stamp set and punch for the tiny sentiment - this tag set is brilliant and you get lots of little sentiments that can all be stamped and punched in mini tags - so cute for an extra touch to cards. This is secured with a mini brad. Got the urge to make one now? Thought so!

Don't forget the March Frenzy offer from Stampin' Up! where you can get up to 30% off of SU products - limited time only! Contact me with anything that takes your fancy to order - details can be found here

Watercolour technique

If you want to try the watercolour technique - take a look at this card. It is much simpler to make than it looks! We made this sample at the Stampin' Up Convention and as someone who didn't particularly like the watercolour technique (I've always found it fiddly and usually a bit of a mess when I am confused with which inks to use etc) I have to say it's converted me now!

This card uses the 'Just Believe' stamp set from the catalogue - you get a massive 8 stamps in this set and it's really pretty. And this is used with the Stampin' Up inks which work well with this technique.

To create this card you ink up the stamps (either in one full colour or colour different parts like I have here using my ink marker pens in Old Olive green and another blue) and then simply 'spritz' the inked stamp with a water bottle. Not too much or the ink will run too much, but enough to make a difference, and then stamp onto some 'watercolour card'. The ink blends into the special card a little and gives a watercolour painted effect.

The sentiment was then stamped on and the entire white card was spritzed with the new colour spritzer tool - this is such a brilliant gadget for adding splodges of colour to enhance the background of something. (If you look closely you will see the splattered blue effect behind the flowers). I've torn the edges of the white and blue card for some texture too and added that all to the card blank with a strip of ribbon and the button.

This is such a versatile set and I've barely touched it yet to maximise it's potential. If you don't have a Stampin' Up! catalogue but love inspiration I'd strongly recommend taking a look at one online or getting hold of a real copy which is so much better - it's full of so many free project ideas for each stamp set and they can be adapted to use with other materials too quite easily, I love mine and I turn to it more than magazines now.

It's lovely to add some detail to the envelope with one simple stamp too!

Don't forget my next stamping craft class is Saturday 26th March - you can book using the paypal button to the right. It's perfect for Mother's Day as we are making a large card, a treat box and decorating a candle - but can be adapted for any theme, I'll show you how. Bookings close Monday 14th so don't miss your chance!

Pumpkin Pie card idea

So tomorrow (Monday) is your very last day to order your free stamp sets from the Sale-a-bration offer - have you got yours yet? Last chance to see the details of the offer here!

I have **loved** this offer and have been lucky enough to get three of the four stamp sets free, and my sister has the fourth so I have access to them all. This is a card that I recently demo'd at a Stampin' Up party my sister hosted - it's using Pumpkin Pie which is such a fun colour. I stamped the Sweet Summer stamps in Old Olive green and Chocolate Chip brown, and then coloured the flower with Pumpkin Pie and So Saffron marker pens, great for giving the stamps different colours inside. I've also used a strip of patterned paper from the free hostess gift section of the catalogue - 6x6 is great size patterned papers for cardmaking. Just a quick button in the centre of the flower really makes it pop. The greeting is taken from one of the other free sets - 'So Happy For You' set of greetings.

That's all for today - be back soon!