Look what the DHL man brought me!

This is a very exciting time of year for me, not only have I got stamps retiring and therefore lots of home workshops to run for customers wanting to make sure they get the stamps that they love before they are gone Stampin' Up! Demonstrators also have sneak peaks and the opportunity to buy some stamps from the new catalogue!

I ordered 2 stamp sets and these are going to be used at my hostess event at the end of the month. I will have a hostess event every year to say thank you to my wonderful hostesses, we make projects, look at the new catalogues, have prize draws, eat cake and have lots of fun, creativity and laughter.

It's not too late to get an invitation just contact me to book a home workshop during September and I'll add you to my guest list.

Enjoy looking at the stamps, you will see from the final picture these new ones are diecut, so you just pop them right out and stick them onto your wooden blocks. The new catalogue will have a mixture of diecut and traditional Stampin' Up! stamp sets which we will still need to cut out.

The new catalogue launches on the 1st October, please email me if you would like to pre-order one or to book a home workshop.

Amanda 

Happy Anniversary to me......

It's my wedding anniversary today, 19 years.........Here is a card I made for my husband Brian, very simple but I know he will love it.

Rose Red and Chocolate Chip cardstock and ink

En Francais background stamp 

Simply Said for the heart

Wonderful Words for the Love sentiment

I stamped the solid heart with Rose Red ink onto Rose Red cardstock and then I used the Flower heart stamp over the top in Versamark and then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.

Happy Anniversary

It's my lovely In-Laws Wedding Anniversary this week and here is their card. 

I've used one of the retiring stamp sets Mixed Bouquet which is a really versatile set available whilst stocks last at £26.95.  

Please email me to order            ajpapercraft@btinternet.com

So to the details of the card

Rose Red, Chocolate Chip and So Saffron card and inks

Old Olive ink

Very Vanilla Card

Mixed Bouquet Stamp set

Occasional Greetings Stamp set - for the sentiment

I made a basic card blank with the Chocolate chip and 3 matted layers each one 1/4" smaller than the layer below.  That leaves a lovely border edge.

The top layer is Very Vanilla and I randomly stamped the shadow image of the Rose and then overstamped with the detailed image.  In the gaps I stamped the leaves in Old Olive.

I then stamped more roses onto scraps of Very Vanilla Card and cut them out.  The outlines give you good cutting lines  and I cut smaller and smaller sections in order to layer up 2 of the roses.  You can see the layers better on this picture.

I use Dimensionals to raise each layer up.  ( quick tip -  there is a border around the dimensional sheets use that by snipping bits off to get small pieces of foam tape)

I then used my 2 way glue pen and Dazzling Diamonds to add a little bit of bling to the card.

Going Going Gone.............

This is just a quick note to tell you that Stampin' Up! has announced it's 2008 retirement list of stamp sets and accessories and they are available for you to buy during September or whilst stocks last at a discounted price. The Hostess sets are retiring too so if there is a particular one you really really want you need to book a workshop with me during September.

We are getting a fantastic new catalogue on the 1st October 2008 and therefore some stamp sets and accessories have to retire to make room for all the lovely new things we are bringing to you.

Attached here you will find a copy of the retiring list of stamps and accessories many of the stamp sets have £2 off. Some of my favourites are retiring, Natures Wonders, Mixed Bouquet, Roses in Winter, Unfrogettable and Bold Butterfly, so don't delay place your order as once they are gone, they are gone!

You can view an on-line version of the catalogue here

A retirement gift from me..................all orders placed with me via email that include retired items during September will be delivered direct to your door for only £2.

Happy Birthday Vicky

It's my lovely sister in law's birthday and here is her card.

The base is Pumpkin Pie, stamped in Pumpkin pie with the tiny flower from Simply Said set.  I matted a Close to Cocoa layer and then a Summer Sun layer which was also stamped in Summer Sun with the tiny flower stamp and the Happy Birthday is from the Occasional Greetings set, stamped in Pumpkin Pie. The original card and the layers have all had their corners rounded.

The flower is made from the fab On Board Blossoms and Basics chip board set, I pressed out 5 petals and using sponge daubers I inked them, first with Summer Sun all over and then around the edges with Pumpkin Pie, I also touched the very centre tips with a little bit of Close to Cocoa.

Using a strong wet glue I attached them to the card front and then traced tiny tines along each petal and covered that with Dazzling Diamonds for a bit of bling.  Finally the centre of the flower is a large flat backed pearl and three small flat backed pearls from the pretties kit.

I am stamping honest........

But I can't share !  Sorry.

I've been working on some commissions for magazine articles so they have to stay under wraps, I've been putting the final touches to my classes for the autumn and my hostess event at the end of September, none of which I can share with you, yet !

I can however share this little bit of a card...............it's for a very special lady but it's not her birthday until the 31st so I won't spoil the surprise but pop back and you will see it on Sunday.

I promise to have some more cards for you very soon.

Amanda's Inspiring Inkin' class list

This autumn I am running a series of papercraft workshops, in a local hall in Fareham, Hampshire.  If you would like to book a class, or to be included on my mailing list please email me your details               

 ajpapercraft@btinternet.com

I look forward to seeing you

Amanda x 

Mum and Me

Come on out with your kids for a morning of paper crafting and stamping fun! This is a creative event where you will have a lot of fun and make some beautiful projects to take home. Everyone will make a card handbag or a box with 4 cards and envelopes to fit inside, also a bookmark and a door hanger. All the materials needed will be provided and a drink and a snack (except glue, please bring a glue stick or roller).

10 – 1pm Saturday 13/09/08 (Booking closes 5/09/08)

Class cost £17.50 for mum and me, an additional ‘me’ (a maximum of 2 children per adult) are £7.50

This class is not suitable for children under 5.


Christmas cards made easy

Get a head start on your Christmas cards this year with this fantastic card making class. We will be making 14 cards, 3 each of 4 designs and 2 special cards to wow and amaze those special people in your life. The class fee includes a stamp set (value £20.95) and all the materials you need ( except glue). The class is all day, hot and cold drinks will be provided, please bring a packed lunch.

10 – 4pm £35 Saturday 11/10/08 (Booking closes 30/09/08)

9.15 – 3pm £35 Friday 17/10/08 (Booking closes 05/10/08)

Emergency Card Class

Make 12 cards and 2 boxes, perfect for a variety of occasions, to keep on standby or great for a gift! We will use stamps, stickers and diecut shapes to make beautiful cards. . All the materials needed will be provided (except glue).

10am – 1pm £15 Monday 3/11/08 (Booking closes 24/10/08)

Minibook

Have you wanted to start to scrapbook your photographs but not sure where to start? This is an ideal class for you. We will make a 6”x6” minibook and learn about choosing photographs, layouts, products and ways you can preserve your memories. All the materials needed will be provided (except glue).

10am – 12.30pm £15 Tuesday 18/11/08 (Booking closes 7/11/08)

5% discount on all Stampin’ Up! orders placed at any class.

Flutterby

It has been a while since I posted a tutorial so here you are, we made this card in my workshop at Newbury.

This uses the Stampin' Pastels and Versamark ink. Now the Stampin' Pastels are artist grade chalks and they come in a palette of our 48 colours along with neutrals as well. You can do lots of wonderful things with them but for this card we will use the Poppin' Pastels Technique.

Now you will see I have said you need to pounce your Pastels onto the versamark ink, think of a cat pouncing on a mouse!........ Do not rub or scrub with them until the colour is pounced into the ink you will just smear the ink and pastels everywhere and it will look messy!

This card fold is an 'M' fold with a smaller section at the front, one of my favourites of the moment.

Have fun!




Bold Butterfly

Taken with Teal card stock 29cm x 15.5cm scored at 9.5cm (mountain), 19cm(valley) and 24cm (Mountain) this give you an M shape.
Basic Black mats of 15cm x 9cm and 15cm x 4.5cm
Whisper White mats of 14.5cm x 8.5cm and 14.5cm x 4cm
Scraps of Taken with Teal, Basic Black and Whisper White for punched flower
Black gingham ribbon
Taken with Teal ink
Scallop punch
1” punch
1 ¼” Punch

1. Stamp the shadow stamp of the small butterfly randomly over the larger piece of Whisper White card with versamark ink and using sponge daubers and Taken with Teal pastels pounce the colour into the card, blow away excess pastels. Over stamp the matching butterfly outline image with Taken with Teal ink.
2. On the smaller piece of Whisper White card repeat using the shadow flower stamp and the flower outline stamp.
3. Mat the Whisper White stamped cards onto the corresponding Basic Black card and attach to the Taken with Teal card.
4. Wrap a piece of black gingham ribbon around the butterfly stamped mat and tie into a knot or bow. Stamp a sentiment onto a piece of Whisper White card and punch out with a 1" punch, Punch a 1 1/4" Basic Black circle and a scallop from Taken with Teal and mat to make a flower, stick this over the top of the ribbon to secure it in place.
5. Stamp the outline of the butterfly onto a scrap piece of Taken with Teal in White Stazon or Taken with Teal ink and glitter using 2 way glue pen and Dazzling Diamonds, cut around the outline and using dimensionals mount onto the front of the card.

Happy Anniversary

A quick card for you, sometimes simple is the best!

Pixie Pink card and ink,Whisper White mat and ribbon and Happy Hearts stamp set.

3 offers for August

The are 3 special offers for August, a Stampin' Up! offer on Designer papers and  my special offers on orders made before 21st August and new demonstrators who sign up with my team by the end of August.

Check out the posts below or email me for more details         ajpapercraft@btinternet.com

How many candles?

Another simple card, the glitter on the candles take a few minutes but it is definately worth it!

I have stamped using Green Galore, Pink Passion, Summer Sun and Tempting Turquoise, the stamp set is Big Bold Birthday.

Z Fold Happy Birthday

One of my very favourite folds and a card using only the Big Bold Birthday set, you can see I have put images on all 3 visible sides.

Remember I have some special offers this month see earlier posts for details.

Sunny Birthday

In honour of the beautiful weather we've been having this a simple birthday card using Summer Sun card and ink and the Big Bold Birthday set, there are 3 more cards to follow in the coming days so please do pop back.

The flowers are made by stamping repeatedly from one inking and that gives you a total effect.  The smarties on the top of the cupcake and made using versamark ink and some clear embossing powder.

My Sizzling Summer offer

As a special offer for the summer, any orders placed with me by post or email between 1st – 20th August will have 10% discount and if your order is over £45 it will be postage free, orders less than £45 will be charged £2 for postage. I will place the orders on the 21st August, so your order will be with you by the end of the month.

Please email me ajpapercraft@btinternet.com for ways to pay.

Pick a pack of Pretty papers

The Stampin' Up! August offer is......................, if you buy three packs of Designer Series Paper, you'll get a fourth one FREE! Each pack retails at £8.50 and includes 12 double-sided sheets (two each of six designs).  You will find the papers on pages 72 & 73 of the catalogue.

It is sold as a bundle item No 114425 and there is no limit to the number of bundles you have!