'Turn Up The Heat' class update

Last week's Papercraft Session saw us dig out the heat gun again for some heat embossing. I've always used heat embossing mainly for bold images, such as those in the 'Just Believe' stamp set, so I wanted to try a more subtle look for a change.

The first card we made was based on a design a featured in my last post, but instead of using the Big Shot and dry embossing the background, I used the large stamp from the Style Beautiful set. I applied the stamp to Certainly Celery cardstock using Versamark ink, then heat embossed using clear embossing powder. Because the design of this stamp is a dotted line, each little dot was picked out beautifully by the fineness of the powder. That's what I love about Stampin' Up! embossing powders, they're really fine and so you don't lose detail like you do with some other powders.

I then stamped the flower outline from the Hostess set Simply Soft. I inked the stamp up first with Versamark, to get the stickiness I needed, then Basic Black for colour. Don't try this the other way around or you'll end up with a messy Versamark pad!  After heat embossing that image with clear powder, I stamped the second part of this 2-step stamp, the flowers, using River Rock ink. I didn't want it to line up precisely for this design, so I stamped by eye, but if you did want perfect alignment I'd recommend using a Stamp-a-ma-jig. I coloured the leaves using a Certainly Celery marker.

After matting the image with Chocolate Chip CS and applying it to the Celery layer, I applied Sticky Strip across the bottom and added some Grosgrain ribbon in a pleated effect. I tucked the ends to the back of that layer and adhered it to another Choc Chip mat and finally to my textured River Rock card base.

The second card we made featured the striking tree image from the new Forever Young stamp set. The 'Life is Beautiful' sentiment (from the Style Beautiful set) was stamped in Versamark onto Choc Chip card and then heat embossed using the new Wild Wasabi embossing powder. Having used this colour and Melon Mambo, I can't wait to try the other new colours! Once again, the gorgeous Lace Ribbon Border punch is used to add interest to the left hand side - so simple!

Time to play!

Apologies in advance for a lengthy post. I suggest a cup of Chai Latte and at least 3 biscuits for this one...

Last week I was able to find some time to have a proper play with some of the fab new products I bought from the 2011-2012 Ideas Book & Catalogue (click on the link on the left to view it).

I am REALLY loving the new In Colours, especially Calypso Coral and Island Indigo. I used the latter, together with Lucky Limeade to make this cute card featuring the new stamp set, Everybunny. The bunny is coloured using a Pool Party marker.


I also used Island Indigo for this birthday card which uses the new a la carte stamp, Elebration.

The base card is Certainly Celery and I've layered up with Island Indigo and Chocolate Chip cardstock. That beautiful border is created with the new Lace Ribbon Border punch, which is definitely a new entry on my fave products list (up there with the Stampin' Scrub LOL!).The sentiment is from the 'Heard from the heart' stamp set.

Next up is a card that I'm very proud of because it was my first attempt at watercolouring.


I wanted a real impact so I chose Melon Mambo for the base card and the Lace Ribbon Border punch accent. I stamped the Lily image from the US set Fifth Avenue Floral in Versamark onto Whisper White cardstock and applied Melon Mambo embossing powder. Once I'd heated it with my heat gun I set to work watercolouring with my Stampin' Write markers and an Aquapen. I then cut out the flower and mounted it onto Basic Black cardstock. The sentiment is from the retired set Basic Phrases. For the finishing touch I threaded some black 1/8" Taffeta ribbon through the punched section.

Back to the new In Colours and a spotlight on Calypso Coral. I love this colour and wanted a design that would really show it off. I decided to use Basic Black to contrast and used my Square Lattice Embossing Folder to create texture on the background layer.The image is from the new Hostess set, Simply Soft; a 2-step stamp set that has such delicate, almost oriental images. Once again, the black 1/8" Taffeta ribbon provides an excellent finishing touch.

Last but not least is the anniversary card I made for my Husband for our 6th Wedding Anniversary. I was inspired by Caroline Skinner's gorgeous card and wanted to make a version with Lovebirds on it instead. Calypso Coral came to the rescue as the perfect shade for their heads, together with Lucky Limeade for the bodies and Garden Green for the wings. The heart frame is made from branches cut from Real Red card using the 2-step Bird Punch. The whole thing is layered on Calypso Coral and Crumb Cake cardstock.

Phew! Well that's it for this post (finished your tea yet?) but I'll be back soon with an update on our 'Turn Up the Heat' class and a sneak peek at next week's 'Terrifying Treats' papercraft session.

Goodbye Farewell class update

As we had a lovely shiny new catalogue launch on the 1st October, it meant that we had to say Goodbye and Farewell to some of the stamp sets and products from the previous catalogue.

To make the most of some of the stamps we were saying goodbye to I held a class using some of my favourite products that were retiring.

The cute deer is from the Forest Friends set and the sentiment is from the retired Hostess set Afterthoughts. The lighter pink background is created using the Bella Toile background stamp stamped in Perfect Plum onto Pretty in Pink cardstock.We all used the 'kissing' technique to create a 3D flower with the Bella Toile pattern on it. This was attached using a rhinestone brad.

Although some of these items are now retired there are plenty more gorgeous items that have been introduced in the new catalogue. If you would like to have a browse, just click on the button in the left hand column to view the new catalogue online. Alternatively, you can request a hard copy from me here for just £4 including p&p.

A huge thank you to my lovely Hostess, Bee, who helped me out by holding the class at her house because the Village Hall was double booked. We all had a great time and I would love to see you at the next class!

Big changes and a new catalogue!

I am so genuinely excited about the changes that have been made at Stampin' Up! this month that I can't type fast enough!!

First and foremost is the shiny new catalogue, released yesterday. A whole 133 pages of ideas and inspiration plus some of the most gorgeous new stamp sets ever! Normally I'd rave about all the ideas it will give you for your cards and papercrafting, but this catalogue has something new and even more amazing than that...

Fabric!!!!

We now have a range of printed 100% cotton fabrics that coordinate perfectly with the new Designer Series Papers and stamp sets, as well as the range of SU! inks and cardstock.

As if that wasn't enough, we also have 5 gorgeous new 'In Colors' added to the range! These 5 colours will stay in the range right through to 2013, which I'm really happy about as I love them. They join the 5 existing 'In Colors' which will retire at the end of September next year.

The new colours are Calypso Coral, Island Indigo (my fave!), Lucky Limeade, Pool Party and Wisteria Wonder. These new colours are available as inkpads and ink refills (acid free, dye based), dual tipped markers (acid free, xylene free, water based dye ink), heavyweight smooth or textured cardstock (218gsm, acid free, lignin free), Patterned Designer Series Paper, 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon and Designer Printed Brads. How's THAT for coordination?!

If you love those 'In Colors' then you'll be delighted to hear that you can receive the 'In Color Kit' (rrp £27.95) containing all 5 Classic Stampin' Pads and 20 sheets of A4 cardstock (4 each of all 5 colours) for free when you join Stampin' Up! as a Demonstrator this month! This offer is limited to October so if you'd like more information on joining my team of 'Stampin' Sessionistas' just e-mail me.

Which reminds me...Stampin' Up! have also improved the Starter Kit that every new Demo gets, so that there's now £250 worth of products for just £119. No catch, no obligation to hold workshops or classes, and no obligation to buy any further products. Of course, if you do want to buy more (and you will once you see that catalogue!!) you'll receive an instant income of 20% on your net sales, with an additional 10% on your first order (30% instant income on your first order of £150+ placed in the first 45 days as a Demonstrator). I haven't even mentioned the 'Stampin' Start' programme, which allows you to earn free stamp sets, a £40 product bonus and even £119 cash bonus - that's your Starter Kit cost back in your pocket! It really is the best possible time to become a Demo so just get in touch if you need more information.

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better....there's a new rewards system for Workshop Hostesses which allows a Hostess of a qualifying workshop (£150+ workshop sales total) to get 'Hostess Pounds' to spend on anything in the catalogue! Workshops with total sales of £300+ also qualify the Hostess to choose one (or more, dependent on sales total) item at 50% OFF! What more excuse do you need to get your friends round for a fun night of crafting?