Traditional Christmas

Real traditional colours on this Christmas card, a base card of Glorious Green with a Real Red mat and then a Whisper White mat.  The swirl from Season of Joy stamped in Real Red, the square sentiment stamp again from Season of Joy stamped in Glorious Green and then a small section of it stamped in Real Red onto scrap Whisper White card and the snowflake cut out. The layers are joined together using Real Red brads and a little Gingham bow finishes the card off.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Blue Christmas

This is one of a set of Christmas cards we made at my all day workshops in October.  A Whisper White card base with a Brilliant Blue mat that has the swirl from Season of Joy stamped all over in Brilliant Blue ink.  Over the top is a layer of vellum stamped using versamark ink and white embossing powder with the poinsettia, tree and sentiment again all from Season of Joy.  Finished off with a piece of Night of Navy grosgrain ribbon.

Very simple but really quite quick!

So how are you doing with your Christmas cards?  Dare I admit I still haven't started..............But I have achieved lots of other things on my to do list this weekend, and there is always tomorrow!

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Happy Birthday Alex

It's my littlest nephew's birthday today and he is 1 !

Here is his card, difficult to take a picture for some reason......it's a standard size card blank but I cut 1 1/2" off the front to show the balloon which I placed on the inside of the card.

The base is textured card Taken with Teal and both stamped images are stamped in Black Stazon onto Whisper White card and then I used my aqua painter and the ink pads to water colour the images and then cut them out.

The frosting on the cupcake is made by stamping the image again colouring as before and cutting out.  I then covered the whole image with versamark ink, then heat and stick powder ( heated it gently.....) and then added dazzling diamonds with a little bit of heat to fix it.  I used stampin' dimensionals to raise up the frosting and then stamped the sentiment at the bottom with Black Stazon.

The balloon was the same only this time I used 2 layers of clear embossing powder and then sprinkled a little dazzling diamonds on top whilst the embossing powder was still soft.

More tomorrow

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Morning

This is the first of several posts this weekend I've been trying to catch up...........and start my Christmas shopping and make my Christmas cards.........needless to say I have been getting distracted with my stamps!!!!  But there is always tomorrow.....

This is a card for the lovely Jane, she was my very first downline and she joined a year ago today!  Since then the team has grown to 21 and I have received a recognition award from Stampin' Up! for being in the top 3 in recruiting so thank you to all my lovely ladies for sharing this journey with me.

So to the card, this is using the Fantastic Rainbow Sherbert paper I have cut into strips and then punched a 5 petal flower from Apricot Appeal and from the paper, sponged the edges with Apricot Appeal and then attached with a Fire Crystal brad.  The sentiment is from One of a Kind and is stamped in Tempting Turquoise on the same card stock.

Drop by later for more cards!

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Wow this is my 100th post........

And a very quick one!

Last Thursday was my lovely daughter's birthday and since she is a little star I made her a starry card, with of course a star for each of her birthdays!

The base is Perfect Plum Textured card 8" x 8" scored at 4" to make a long thin card. I then stamped and punched and cut out a variety of stars from In the Stars stamp set using Orchid Opulence, Lovely Lilac and Pale Plum card. Some of the stars I have heat embossed clear and silver, others I have used Heat and Stick and Dazzling Diamonds. As always with my cards simple, quick and easy.

I have 2 very important cards to make this week, one for my gorgeous nephew Alex who is 1 on Saturday and a wedding card for the lovely Paula. Pop back later in the week to see them.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Have you made your Christmas cards yet?

Hands up who has made their Christmas cards yet............Okay well done, hands down...........Now hands up who hasn't made your Christmas cards yet,......Mmmmmm I suspected so, lots more hands up!  

Including mine...........GULP............I know it's hard to believe but I haven't made a single  Christmas card yet........

The problem with teaching card making and paper crafting Classes is that Christmas starts in July and by November I'm Christmas'd out!  

So I'm on a mission to save you and me so we can get our cards finished before the last posting date.

Here are two really quick cards using wheels and punches, at the most they will take you 5 minutes each and that is tying the ribbon!

I have used Whisper White card blanks and for the 3 ornaments punched a 1" a 1 1/4" and a 1 3/8" circles from a scrap piece of card the same size as my card blank.  I then wheeled randomly over the card blank in Lovely Lilac ink and then sponged a little ink inside the circles to give a tonal effect using a dauber.  I used an Elegant Eggplant marker to draw the string and bows and tied a ribbon knot of Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon to finish.

For the single ornament I punched the round tab punch twice to make a circle ( you just turn it around, play and see or if you ask I'll post some pictures.......) that will give you an almost 2" circle then I used the words from the Season of Joy stamp set and again sponged with toning ink ( Tempting Turquoise) this time I finished it off with a Tempting Turquoise bow and String.

So see how many quick Christmas cards you can make and I'll post another idea on Monday.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Simple Thank you's

I always send thank you cards to my hostesses and to my new team members (for joining my team Inpiring Inkin' ) and to lots of people just to show that I appreciate what they have done or said.

I therefore need lots of them..........and as always they need to be quick, so off to my new favourite stamp set Pocket Silhouettes.

A Chocolate Chip card blank, 3 different stamps in Chocolate Chip ink onto Bashful Blue card stock and punched out with the square Scallop punch, finished off with a little blue gingham ribbon.  

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Another Anniversary

Not mine this time, my Mum and Dad, they have been married 42 years and a wonderful couple they are!

Here is their card, I've used a So Saffron Carousel note ( unfortunately there is an error in the catalogue you get 12 notes not 30). Which I have attached to a Chocolate Chip 6" square card blank, pierced in a circle and then what would you know I've used A Rose is a Rose to stamp in Summer Sun and So Saffron to get the lovely roses.  The 'Love' stamp is from Wonderful Words.  Of course a little Dazzling Diamonds to sparkle.

I promise I'll use some different stamp sets over the weekend!

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

And the winner is..........

Mrsspook

My actual number of everyone who has been to a home workshop or a class and wanted to place an order or be put on my mailing list is 748 so well done and please email me  ajpapercraft@btinternet.com to give me your address so I can send you your goodies.

Thank you so much to everyone who has entered, I have actually met more than 2,000 people in this past year but many of them have been at shows where the leads have been shared with other demonstrators.

Another number for you is 1834 which is the number of people at my classes and home workshops this year, but many of them are regulars who have been to lots of classes or workshops.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered.

Happy Stampin' 

Amanda

Happy Anniversary to me......

Today is my 1 year anniversary with Stampin' Up!  I am having a great time manning the Stampin' Up! stall at the NEC today what a great way to spend my anniversary!

I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by and how rewarding this past year has been.  I have made some wonderful friends, shared crafting with hundreds of customers, been inspired by those same crafters, I learn something at every workshop.  I have had an absolute blast, so much fun and laughter!  My team has grown to 20 an amazing group of ladies who are my inspiration.

To celebrate I have some goodies to give away, a Birthday Best Stamp set which is really cute and perfect for quick and easy birthday cards, Some textured cardstock cut at A4 size for either mats or card bases, some Designer series paper also cut at A4 and a selection of ribbons and brads, along with a Chocolate Chip ink, well what celebration doesn't have chocolate?

So what do you have to do to win this lovely prize?  

Leave me a message and guess how many customers I have met in this last year..............

I have added up everyone who has been to a home workshop or a class and wanted to place an order or be put on my mailing list.  The closest person wins, in the event of a tie the person who posted first will win!

Closing time and date Tuesday 18th November 2008 at 12 noon UK time.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Quick Christmas card

A quick Christmas card for you using the Perfect Presents set, it is an "M' Fold card 4" x 12" scored at 1 1/2", 3" and 7 1/2". The Christmas tree is heat embossed using white embossing powder.

I'm off to the NEC in Birmingham on Friday for the Hobbycraft show, Stampin' Up! has got a stall at the show and will be running make and take sessions and demonstrations every day, there will be the opportunity to talk to demonstrators too.

So do pop along to the stand, if you want to say hello to me I'll be there all day on Saturday.

Fabulous Frog

This is a card made for the lovely Helen, it was her birthday last month.  She loves this frog and although it is a retired stamp set there are still some available, the stamp set is called Unfrogettable.

I can take your orders for any Stampin' Up! products via email, telephone or even post.............you don't have to wait until your next workshop to order.

This style of card will be part of my pop up cards class in the spring, my class list will be on it's way at the end of December, if you would like to receive a copy please email me your contact details.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

I Wish Tins.......

My favourite Simply Scrappin' kit is I wish and I think that is because I love Christmas so much, it's a opportunity to see all the family all at once and we have a great time.

I decorated these little tins for part of the display at the NEC but I'm sure several of them will find their way under the christmas tree!

I have used mini size chocolates and wrapped them in the Double sided paper popped them into the tin, cut a piece of double sided paper to fit the lid and embellished with the adhesive die-cuts, really quick and easy.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

November Special Offer

Our Special Offer this month from 10th to the 30th November is

20% off Rub-Ons and  textured cardstock when you spend £20 on any Stampin' Up! products.

• 113659 p77 Hidden Garden Blossoms rub ons £6.00
  
• 113660 p77 Cherished Memories rub ons £6.00
  
• 113634 p68 Bold Brights 12 x 12 textured card £7.40
  
• 113635 p68 Earth elements 12 x 12 textured card £7.40
  
• 113636 p69 Rich regals 12 x 12 textured card £7.40
  
• 113637 p69 Soft subtles 12 x 12 textured card £7.40
  
• 113638 p67 Neutrals 12 x 12 textured card £7.40
  

Below is a covered notebook, using the fantastic Pumpkin Pie Textured card stock, now is a great time to stock up whilst we have a special offer.  I have stamped images from the One of a Kind stamp set and embellished it with a bit of Old Olive ribbon.

This is a candle I have decorated using rub -ons, it works really well, just be gentle when rubbing, a very quick and simple idea, great for the gift giving season!

Please remember we have a hostess offer running through both November and December as well!

Happy Stampin' 

Amanda

Season of Thanks

The Co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up! is a lovely lady called Shelli,  Shelli  has an amazing sense of fun which matched with her enthusiasm and creativity is a wonderful combination!  Shelli has recently started a blog which I check regularly for ideas and inspiration   www.soshelli.com and runs monthly creative challenges, I couldn't resist this months challenges, things we are thankful for.........

Below is a picture in a picture, it is my daughter and me taken last Christmas by my brother a very  talented photographer.  In my blog  you will find lots of comments about my family, I am a very lucky lady, my family supports and cherishes me and I am very thankful for each and every one of them.

Now to the photoframe, it is a glass frame bought at a local DIY store and decorated with Stampin' Up!  Rub-ons I have used both the Hidden Garden Blossoms and the Cherished Memories sets.  They are so easy to apply and from 10th - 30th November they are on special offer too with the textured card stock, I'll post more about that later.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

ps If you would like to check out some more fantastic photographs my brother has taken this is his website      www.riclatham.com