Christmas Countdown #3 - It's Crackers here!

It's been crackers here in the house!  These pictures are of my first crackers so easily made with the Envelope Punch Board. They are a size just perfect for a table favour or for a gift wrapping for a little something.  Mine are Christmas themed and I just love them in the blue and green hues of the All is calm (guess what is going to be on my table this festive dinnertime!).

I used some of the Lost lagoon ribbon to tie the ends on the Blue version and on the green version there is the Organza Whisper White ribbon. You can just see a little All Is Calm Snowflake Embellishment there which looks fantastic tied in with the ribbon for a special touch, I have even seen an example of these being made into earrings they are so pretty.

The crackers are six-sided and I got my make details from a fellow Inspirin' Inkin' team member, Elaine Harding. You can also make four-sided crackers, but I think these are much more special.

The measurement for these little ones are as follows:

1. Start with your DSP or cardstock measuring 6" x 5 7/8"
2. On the 5 7/8" side, score at 1/2"  (if using DSP then use the largest end of the score stylus so as not to tear the paper)
3. Then score every 7/8" (I found the easiest way to do this was move the 1/2" initial score to the next whole number " (i.e. 1") mark and then score at 7/8" from this whole number (i.e. 1 7/8"). I would then move the last score to the next whole number " mark (i.e. 2") and score again 7/8" from this i.e. (2 7/8").
4. Once you have repeated this you should have an initial 1/2" score and then six more scores 7/8" apart, giving you your six sides for the cracker.
5. Spin your paper so that the 6" side is now along the top
6. Score at 1", 1 1/2", 2", and then 4", 4 1/2" and 5"
7. Take the first fold line on the 5 7/8" side and fold the paper on the fold
8. With the envelope punch board line the paper up and punch at 1 1/2"
9. Unfold and then fold on the second fold line
10. With the envelope punch board, punch at 1 1/2"
11. Keep unfolding and then folding on each fold line and punching until all fold lines have been punched
12. Turn the paper round 180 degrees to line up the other end of the cracker 
13. Repeat steps 7-11 to punch the other end of the cracker
14. Stick you cracker together along the 1/2" tab using Sticky Strip (so it can hold your contents Ok).
15. Fold the two ends of the cracker alternating the folds so that the cracker end forms
16. Tie your ribbon round one end of the cracker
17. Put in your contents for your cracker
18. Tie the other end with your ribbon again and add your embellishments

The crackers I have made have some decorated tealight candles in them which I found fitted perfectly in the diameter of this sized cracker. We all have surplus tealight candles I am sure, especially after a trip to that well known Swedish store! One of the other ones I have made has a chocolate Easter Egg in it, so proves that there are other times of years the crackers can be gifted.  I think even a lip balm, some chocolate mint rounds, chocolate balls, or come to think of it, any other small chocolates would be just fine with me! 

I have used the Label Love Stamp set for a label background by masking out the text in one of the stamps and then have used the Holiday Homes set again for my Christmas saying and snowflakes.  I have punched my co-ordinating Pear Pizazz cardstock with the Artisan Label Punch to layer the label up.  The saying is also punched from the white card with the Word Window Punch.

Another variation I made was with the Under the Tree Speciality Paper.  Just a word of warning with this paper though as it is very good quality and thicker than DSP. When you fold the paper over to punch it in the Envelope Punch Board there are two layers to punch through and it is pretty tough to punch.  It may well be this could be too much for the punch board in thickness and could break it, so if you do want to try this paper, be warned.

The second cracker on the bottom in this paper has a label from the Tag a Bag Accessories Kit.  A simple saying stamped on it and it was an instant label.  

I have gifts for my own festive table crackers which are a little bit special so need a larger cracker so I am off to make those now. I have snaps I have purchased and will of course be adding a traditional paper hat and joke too.

There are kits on offer in the usual stores to make your own crackers, but I think these are far prettier. I hope you agree think you would like to have a try yourself.

Suzanne

x

Products I used for the All Is Calm Crackers:

Envelope Punch Board	All Is Calm Specialty Designer Series Paper	All Is Calm Snowflake Embellishment	Whisper White 5/8 Inch Organza Ribbon	Lost Lagoon 3/8" Silky Taffeta Ribbon
Simply Scored	Label Love	Artisan Label Punch	Card Stock A4 Pear Pizzazz	Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad
Holiday Home Photopolymer Stamp Set	Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents

Alternative products I used for the Under the Tree Crackers:

Under The Tree Specialty Designer Series Paper	Cherry Cobbler 3/4" Chevron Ribbon	Whisper White 1/4" Cotton Ribbon	Under The Tree Tag A Bag Accessory Kit	Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack
Linen Thread

To place an order, book a workshop in your home or come to a class, just drop me an email at craftyinkbuds@sky.com. Remember you can now order online at anytime too.

Weekly Deals Reminder

Just a little reminder from me that the Weekly Deals are continuing as Stampin' Up! have decided to carry them on through August.  For those of you that have not been checking by the website to see what gorgeous discounted products are being offered, this week's deals are all here for you to see:

Look what is hiding in there!  It is the Artisan Label Punch which is the one I have used in my previous posts including the folded card I showed in an earlier post this week.  It is beautiful layered and it co-ordinates with the Label Love stamp set which I also used.

If you would like to grab one of these items whilst you can then just get in touch or take a visit to my online shop to browse some more.

Suzanne
x

Something To Say Folded Card

With everything that leaves the catalogue that you fear you will never be able to replace, along comes another must-have product or stamp set that fits into the space left behind. Today's post is of a card I made with my lovely group of regular ladies who just loved the new in colours for this one, Blackberry Bliss and Hello Honey.

This was a simple folded card with an overlap closure that I secured with a decorated belly band. I used a single sheet of A4 cardstock and cut at 14 cm along the short edge for the full length. I then scored and folded at 9cm , 18cm and 27cm using the whole long length of the card.  I folded the card and rounded all the corners to soften the shape.  I used the corner punch on the back of the Envelope Punch Board for my corners.

Now the stamps for this card are the 'Something to Say' set from the new annual catalogue. This is a set I ordered initially to fill a gap in the general celebration and occasions selection after the recent retirements. It has birthday greetings, friendship, kind words, and celebrations, what more could you need? It also comes with it's own sweet trio of a star, a heart and a mini flower. Now if you know me, you know I love anything small, petite and cute (probably something to do with my own 'compact' size)! Even better, there is a matching punch set for the little trio too!!  

The layers of the card inside were then the lovely Natural Ivory cardstock (108630) which can be found on page 193 of the main catalogue. Sometimes you get so used to the white or cream layers you forget that we have a variety of speciality card an paper too which can be used. I love the speckled neutral shades of this paper as a change to the brilliance of the Whisper white or the smooth creamy Very Vanilla cardstock I usually use.  

Inside my card as there were three spaces for inserts I used three sayings from the set,  'Big Ways, Small Ways', 'Love You Always' and 'Happy Birthday'. For each insert I then used one of the three of the trio, the flower, the hearts and then the star. I stamped each randomly in Blackberry Bliss and then again as a shadow effect to the original stamp placements with the second colour, Hello Honey.

For the Belly Band it was the co-ordinating designer paper band which was then decorated with a collection of punched pieces. I used the Decorative Label layer at the back in Hello Honey, then the 1 3/4" Scallop Circle in Blackberry Bliss to surround the sentiment from the 'Label of Love' stamp set. I stamped the sentiment twice and just used snips to cut the centre out of the Hello Honey version. The petite flower on the belly band are a perfect partner with some of the smallest pearls.

There's so many other ideas for the 'Something to Say' set and I have plenty more to show you.  I am still crafting through the holidays where I can in between some kiddy crafting with my little one to keep him amused, not to mention playing with my new Seasonal pre-order items which have arrived! 

Suzanne

x

Products used:

Something to Say 134177

Label Love 130619

Itty Bitty Punch Pack 133787

In Colour 2014-2016 A4 Card Stock 133687

Naturals Ivory A4 Cardstock 108630

Designer Series Paper In Colours 2014-2016 133705

Decorative Label Punch 120907

Scallop Circle Punch 119854

To place an order, book a workshop in your home or come to a class, just drop me an email at craftyinkbuds@sky.com. Remember you can now order online at anytime too.

Springtime Sunshine, Petals and Butterflies

A bit later than promised as I just had to tell you about the Weekly Deals being offered by Stampin' Up! throughout April first, but here is the card layout that I was playing with previously.  Now the sunshine is with us it is the perfect time to be out enjoying the sunshine.  Pack a picnic, take a rug and find your spot to sit and enjoy nature in all it's glory!

This card is one I made with a group of lovely ladies this week and they loved the colour combinations of the Elegant Eggplant, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, and Pear Pizzaz. 

The designer papers used for the card were the Afternoon Picnic from the main catalogue.  These papers have a selection of patterns to play with; five-sided hex's, chevrons and circles.  All of these shapes are featured with the other co-ordinated products, punches and Big Shot framlits.

I started our card with a base of cardstock measuring 13.5cm x 27cm to make a finished card 13.5cm square.  The card base is then easily made by creating a diagonal fold on the top of the card and it is the decorative label mounted on the dimensional foam pads which then holds the card in position when opened.  The fold line was started from the top left down to the bottom right for the diagonal.  Once we had figured out the fold the right way, the ladies were off to a great start!

For our card, I layered up the designer paper with Petite Petals and Papillion Potpourri punched images for a beautiful celebration of spring.  See also the Label Love sentiment and Artisan Label also on there for the greeting.

I loved the colours, patterns and the Springtime theme of this one, I hope you do too.

Suzanne

x

Products I used:

Punches/Dies -

130920 Artisan Label

120907 Decorative Label

133322 Petite Petals

*** Bundle Offer *** Buy the Petite Petals Stamps and punch for a saving of 15% 134821 Petite Petals Bundle

127526 Elegant Butterfly

129406 Bitty Butterfly

Stamps -

132058 Papillon Potpourri

Petite Petals 

Paper/Card - 

131390 Afternoon Picnic Designer Paper 

108614 Elegant Eggplant

106550 Very Vanilla

Colours -

Elegant Eggplant

Coastal Cabana

Daffodil Delight

Pear Pizzaz

NB: The Afernoon Picnic colours vary slightly from the selection I have used.

To place an order, book a workshop in your home or come to a class, just drop me an email at craftyinkbuds@sky.com. Remember you can now order online at anytime too.

Sweet Sorbet Birthday Wishes Envelope Blast

Today's project is a CASE (Copy and Share) from Pinterest.  The original idea was by Julie's Japes who had used a lovely bright colour scheme and the Petal Parade stamps.  I love and wanted to use the envelope card front idea for my own birthday card for a friend, so I got to work on my version.  Of course, this was an excuse too to make a cute little envelope with my Envelope Punch Board!  

Once my cute little envelope was made in my colour choice (Pool Party), I just had to use some of the gorgeous Sweet Sorbet designer papers for a quick layering in the background of this card. Remember these papers are one of the FREE products during the Sale-A-Bration period which ends on 31st March (Monday).

Every birthday needs a little celebration banner so there is also the Banner Blast banner on this card. My little banners were so quick to stamp with this matching stamp set and punch.  The stamps and punch are other FREE products on the Sale-a-Bration offer. Each one can be earnt with a £45 spend.

Did I mention Sale-a-Bration is almost over?   Maybe just once or twice. There are just a few more days to show you what great items these products are and the fabulous projects you can make with them too!

Items used for my card are:

Envelope Punch Board
A great tool to make your own envelopes of custom sizes.  No more boring plain envelopes.  Make your own from designer papers, vellum or our SU window sheets.  Custom sized card, no problem, just make your own envelope from your material of choice.

Label Love Stamp Set
I used a marker pen to ink just the 'Happy Birthday To You' from this stamp set.  It was the perfect size to spring out of the top of my envelope.

Ruffle Stretch Ribbon - Coastal Cabana
Basic Pearls

Don't forget to add your FREE products of the Sweet Sorbert designer papers 133521, Banner Blast Stamps 133554 or Banner Punch 133519 when your order qualifies for your free items. Each SAB product is FREE with every spend of £45.

My project idea puts together some of the FREE products and the Envelope Punch board, but if you are still not sure where to start with all the products the Sale-A-Bration offer has also been about making it easier for new (and existing customers) to choose products which work together to make great projects. Stampin' Up! have put together a selection of bundles during the offer period which help you choose items you may need to get started.  You can browse the bundles here. Each bundle has co-ordinating products and adhesive and/or accessories to help you create a project and even better, with each one you can earn a one choice of the SAB products!

I hope you are enjoying Sale-a-brating as much as I am!

Suzanne
x

To place an order, book a workshop in your home or come to a class, just drop me an email at craftyinkbuds@sky.com. Remember you can now order online at anytime too.

Wishing You Birthday Parcels

A new year, new good intentions, time to have a tidy up and change around in your craft room? I am sure, like me, you probably have had a shuffle round already and promised yourself you are going to keep it tidy at all times this year!  Well it might be tempting to pack away your seasonal stamps to the back of the cupboard or bottom of the pile and think that they are to hibernate for the next 11 months, but wait, there may be some to use all year with a little re-designing and colours!

This is exactly true of the Wishing You stamp set from the Seasonal Catalogue 2013.  If you remember the lovely stack of presents stamp in the set, well here it is in it's new guise as a colourful stack of birthday gifts.

I have used the Brights collection of markers to colour the parcels individually and then have stacked them within a Framelits Label.  I needed a birthday saying to match so with the markers again I have coloured just the saying "Happy Birthday to you!" from the Label Love stamp set.  

Now, what party would be complete without a birthday banner?  I have used the Pennant Parade and matching builder puncher to make mine.  The pennants were a little large for the card so I snipped them to a custom size for a perfect party show.

I had challenged a new team member to use this stamp set for a birthday card project.  It was her first stamp set purchase with her starter kit before Christmas, but could not resist having a try at a card myself.  I cannot wait to see what she designed when we meet next and share our creations.  I am loving the bright colours on my card and the frame round the present stack!  

Have you found any alternative uses for your seasonal stamps?

Items I used were:

Wishing You 

Pennant Parade (128697)

Petite Pennants Builder Punch (122361)

Label Love (130619)

Framelits Label Collection (125598)

Suzanne 

    x

To place an order, book a workshop in your home or come to a class, just drop me an email at craftyinkbuds@sky.com. Remember you can now order online at anytime too.

Sharing What You Love

This is the sentiment from Stampin' Up! themselves, but this week certainly felt true to this for me.  Firstly I wanted to thank those of you that came to my recent Open House event.  Without the support of customers I would not be able to enjoy SU products and so I made some 'Thank You' cards to show my appreciation.  I left a note inside attached with a post-it note so that the cards could be re-used by the recipient.

The cards were made with the Mosaic Madness stamp set and in the In Colours 2013-2015 selection of colours.  The 'Thank You' is from the Four You stamp set.  I really like the sizing of this and the style of the writing in this set, I wish my handwriting was as artistic as this!  I had a few cards to make, but a little stamping and punching whilst I watched some TV and I had a efficient little production going.  The Mosaic emboss folder gives a great background grid and I then just layered my mosaic tiles in a pattern as I wanted them with a mix of the colours.

Another card for you, this time with Christmas in mind.  Yep, it really is time to start planning those Christmas festivities.  Every year, if you are like me, you say you will start it early so as not to have the big rush on, well now is THAT time to start.

This card was a demo card to show a number of methods and techniques so has quite a bit going on.  There are of course the Mosaic Madness layered in there.  They are mounted on foam pads to raise them off the Label Love stamped images behind them.  I wanted to show that although the Label Love has sayings on the stamps, when layered in this manner they can be used for other occasions too.  The labels are punched with the co-ordinating Artisan Label punch and I then punched the coloured card and cut it in half to create the borders round the labels. 

To create the wavy emboss lines I used the Simply Borders plate for the Simply Scored board.  What an effective background and I think it ties in well with the label styling too.

The flowers were meant to be a little poinsettia-looking by using the Boho Blossoms punch and using just the smallest and medium sized flower shapes (2 of the medium size and then a small one on top) with a pearl to finish. The little 'Very Merry' label to top the middle of the card is from the Very Merry Tags stamp set and punched with the small scallop circle punch (7/8" 2.2cm).

Two cards that hopefully show you how to use your existing, or possible purchases, from the main catalogue as well as the Autumn/Winter seasonal sets to make cards for all occasions, including the festive season.

To place an order, book a workshop in your home or come to a class, just drop me an email at craftyinkbuds@sky.com. Remember you can now order online at anytime here and check out the clearance rack whilst stocks last.

Summer Sunshine Siesta

It is Summer still right?  Well the weather outside as I sit here looking out of the window doesn't seem to think so.  I think the sunshine may be taking a little siesta, let's hope it wakes up to give us one last burst! I thought a little Summer Silhouettes were needed for today to help brighten up everyone's day.  Today's cards are some of the lovely samples I took with me to the recent Sandown show and are all based around the Summer Silhouettes stamp set (trickiest one to spell, I just cannot get it right. I am thankful for spell check today).

As a Pinterest user it is so hard sometimes not to pick up on other's ideas and CASE them for your own cards.  I do believe though that it is a great way to start the creative juices flowing for your own unique designs when you can start looking at what other people have done.  This first card, is exactly what started off my Summer Silhouette stamping session.  It is based on a card design by another demonstrator, Julia Carmichael of PaperIntoLove.

I love the inclusion of the border design as this was something I had not incorporated into my designs when using the set.  The colours of Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe and Coastal Cabana were perfect for the "feel better soon" theme of the card.  The actual sentiment I used from the Express Yourself hostess set. A simple layering of the flowers in the set and the additional Beautiful Wings butterfly make this clean card, quick, easy and elegant.

Next was some Pistachio Pudding.  I don't know if I have said this before on my blog, but this catalogue I bought the In Colours 2013-2015 designer paper stack and I am really liking the new designs and the colours.  I have used the papers lots already on my cards and as you get four sheets in every colour there is no need to be thinking you need to use it as sparingly.

Here I have used the paper as a background to a simple single layered card showing the designs in the In Colour collection again.  This was another get well wishes card.  I have used the Stamp-a-ma-jig tool here to create "get well" and "feel better soon" stamps.  The Stamp-a-ma-jig tool is just great for lining up when playing with lettering, numerics and sentiments in this way.  If the words are not quite right for what you want to say, why not make up your own saying true to your own words?

Last is the Strawberry Slush - a lovely vibrant colour without being too pink or too red.  See now the lovely ruffled ribbon just popping out across the bottom border which dress this card up.  The label for this one is from the Label Love set.  This stanp set has instant sayings and labelling for projects when used with the Artisan Label punch, a really great little decorative saying set.

Now if you love the Express Yourself set here, remember it is a Hostess set.  You can order it if you host your own workshop and you get a great set at a value price (subject to sales).  You don't have to have to invite loads of people, why not just host a coffee morning?

If butterflies are what you are looking for, remember also that the Butterflies Bundle offer running currently finishes at the end of the month.  That's only two more weeks to grab yourself the fabulous 15% discount!

To place an order you can now order via the online store (see top right of this page) or of course still email or contact me direct. You can also book a workshop in your home or come to a class I have arranged. Just drop me an email at craftyinkbuds@sky.com.

Making Waves By The Sea

We have been on lots of days out this summer holiday in lieu of flying off somewhere sunny and thankfully the weather here has been worth it.  There are lots of lovely photos of our adventures....I really should get scrap booking to record the fabulous times as I am sure my little one is going to grow up so much faster from here on in. One of our trips was to the lovely West Wittering for a day by the sea.  LO loved it!  He just wanted to wander up and down the sea edge dipping his feet in the wet sand for ages.  Gone are the days where I get sit back on a sun lounger with a good book!

It's a coastal theme too for my post today.  I hope today finds you in sunshine as it is here!  I just love the sea and the By The Tide stamp set from the annual catalogue, which you have seen here on my blog before, is one of my favourite sets.  Well, there are just so many gorgeous new shades of blue to play with in the new catalogue we need some seaside theme to use them all.

The first card is based on the Coastal Cabana colour with Baked Brown Sugar, both from the In Colours 2013-2015 collection.  The lovely embossed Honeycomb background on this card is achieved with the Big Shot emboss folder. I have simply created a multiple tag front with one of the tags from the new Chalk Talk die set.  A must set for Christmas and present tags all year through!  I stamped the images across the tags whilst they were line up together and then just set them off line from each other to give the card a more relaxed look.

Baked Brown Sugar was the colour for my next card - it just conjours up an image of yummy cooking smells doesn't it?  This card is made with stamped images and also the same colour spritzed onto Very Vanilla.  I am pleased with the way the spritzing came out - much better than my first attempts at using this tool!  A tip is to try it out on scrap paper first to get comfortable with your spray distance and make sure you are not going to get any wayward spray on anything else around your work area! I stamped inside this card too for a great finishing touch.

A little more seaside with the last card.  I saved the sparkle to last.  This card uses the same colour collection - In Colours 2013-2015 and has the Coastal Cabana as the background card again.  I stamped the images on the Whisper White Square sheet before cutting it into quarters and setting out on glimmer paper frames.  The label is from the Label Love set and punched with the Artisan Label punch.  See the lovely little strips of the designer stack papers in the matching colours popping out of the label.

For more details of all these products and more visit the www.stampinup.com site and look at the catalogues. To place an order, book a party or come to a workshop email me at craftyinkbuds@sky.com

Mad For Mosaic

A new post for you today.  Now you may well remember the Sneak Peek I gave you of the Mosaic Madness set, well it is back again today in the In Colours 2013-2014.

The punched mosaic is a lovely little shape and so versatile.  It can be tiled, layered or just stand out on it's own.  Take a closer look at the background to this card, it is the Mosaic emboss folder, it makes a great template to start with and matches perfectly. 

I have used a mixture of punched Small Hearts and Floral Fusion flowers cut with the Big Shot Sizzlit to layer onto the Mosaics. I have finished off the card with some extras - a Vintage Faceted Button - these are my absolute favourite buttons! - pearls and linen thread.

The 'Hello' is from the Four You set in the new annual catalogue.  The set has four fabulous phrases,  'Hello', 'Thank You', 'Birthday Wishes' and 'Thinking of You'.  I love the different fonts of these four stamps too.   At £9.95 for the clear set (£12.95 for the Wood-mount) they are a great starter set or even just a staple for your stamp collection.  I think they will be appearing a lot on my cards!

Now for a lovely mosaic layout in Pistachio Pudding and Crisp Cantaloupe.  I have a simple background of whisper white for this one and have just used the designs from the Mosaic Madness stamps and a 'Happy Birthday' from the hostess set Express Yourself.

The Butterflies are from the Embosslits Beautiful Wings, but the butterfly punches in the catalogue will work just as well for this layout.  This card, for me, works so well as it is a nice crisp clean and simple card and it is the rhinestones which then just add that extra pizzazz.

Remember, to get the Hostess sets from the catalogue, host a party and if the sales reach just a minimum of £150 you are then entitled to hostess pounds you can spend on hostess products only available to hostesses (or other product in the catalogue if you wish).  This set has 12 sentiments in a lovely handwriting style. 

If you choose to spend on Hostess products you get more for your money, purchased with hostess pounds the Express Yourself set of stamps is only £14!!  You don't fancy a party?  Updating your crafting collection?  If you spend the £150 yourself, you can still get the same benefits!

 

This last card, my favourite, I have to admit is based on a card I had seen by another demonstrator, Terri Antoniw.  I switched a few things around and used the Mosaic emboss folder for the background, but this card is a fantastic layout.  It uses the Mosaic Madness and Label Love stamps and the new Mosaic and Artisan Label punches.  

 

I am loving the co-ordinating stamps and punches this cattie and how quickly and easily I can put cards together with them. I hope you love these too.  Come back soon as I have lots more to show you in the coming days! 

Don't forget also to check out my Events and Classes pages for classes using these products.  If you are a customer already, look out for the August Newsletter in your email inbox for my event on Saturday 31st August too!

To place an order, book your own party or come to a workshop email me at craftyinkbuds@sky.com