Category: General Note Cards

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Introducing New Ink Pads from Stampin’ Up!

Introducing the new ink pads from Stampin’ Up!

So June has gone and July totally vanished . Help! So why, oh why, am I only just now introducing you to the new ink pads and talking about our colour renew.  This years annual catalogue in June arrived introducing us to a fantastical range of new colours and a brand new designed case for the ink pads.   We’ll….. err… I’ve no excuse..should have told you sooner but…… just been very busy using them and playing with the new colours. Lucky me. How selfish. So it’s more than time to share the love.

Yes, I really am in love with them not only some fabulous fresh modern colours but tiny upgraded details to the cases and pads make these better and easier to use. Stampin’ Up! true to form, has kept the colour matching system which makes them stand out from the crowd. Therefore both the old and new ink pads match colour for colour and the new papers , card ribbons and embellishments all still match to perfection. No need to panic and replace everything, just add the new colours to your colour range. You will also spot these new colours starting to appear in the blender pens, watercolour pencils and dye markers. Keep an eye out as new seasonal catalogues come in as they will also include colour co-ordinating items for this new range. GREAT xx

Ink pad review.

So what’s the difference?

The new pads when closed are a little smaller than the older versions. For those of you with existing storage units or Stampin’ UP! old style turntable stacks like I do then they will still fit. Look closely below and you will see four spots in the corners of the case. They are indented and have corresponding dimples on the base so they stack easily. Lovely and stable when left on a table or lined up on a shelf. No more wobbly stacks! This is a huge plus compared with the old, rather elegant, not so manageable cases. Look the new colours even blend beautifully with the old. Here is Old Olive and the new Granny Apple Green fab together. Whoever thought apples and olives would be good together!! Perfect choice together for leaves and trees and much more.

The new pads open like a make up powder compact . A simple open and close action. Hoorah!  no longer do I have to teach my class how to cope. Hopefully less popping the lids off too. You still fold the lid back storing it behind to form a great firm stamping base keeping lids tidy and out of the way while working but still attached and easy to pop back on.

Open they look similar with not much difference in the main pad size leaving a good generous inking surface. Clever Stampin’ Up! have added a coloured stick on bar for the inside case as well as the worded outer case one. It’s now a doddle to tell what colour you have in front of you. No more “oops” moments. I urge you to go to my shop ( red trolley top right )to take a look and fill up your colour range with these wonderful new modern fresh colours.

 

Don’t panic it will still match.

If you already have Stampin’ Up! ink pads. Sadly when introducing new colours of course a few old favourites had to go but true to form Stampin’ Up! have kept a great number of the base colours. Of course they have matched them perfectly with the new pads so carry on using the pads you have they will still perfectly co-ordinate with any new ribbons, card, embellishment etc..

My advice is to stock up on the lovely new colours first using them along side your old ones. When you have a full house of all the colours then consider updating them all to make the most of the upgraded features. They will stack well, look better on your racks and storage units but the new ones also contain a foam retardant/bubble suppressant to give you a better more even coverage. Less of that soapy, foamy, bubbly effect. Fabulous.  Well worth an upgrade in my opinion. Watch out for another blog later this week introducing more colours.

Here’s the lovely new Granny Apple Green which co-ordinates beautifully with my current favourite Old Olive. I can see me combining these two often especially for my floral, leafy projects.

 

Introducing a couple of tasters.

So here goes introducing the new Granny Apple Green and my old favourite Old Olive two similar cards with very different feel to them due to the warm vanilla softness of one and the brilliant white freshness of the other.

First a  soft version uses two strips of papers from  Tea Room Speciality Designer Paper Series. These are slightly thinner than usual papers and fab for origami too.  It’s inked using Old Olive and then marker pen work for the flower heads using Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry and the brilliant new Balmy Blue. A soft subtle look on Very Vanilla Cardstock.

Second try a fresher version with a Whisper White base card  and using two of the wonderful papers from the 6″x 6″ pad . To keep it fresh and bright I am use Pumkin Pie daisys and Real Red tulips with a hint of the Balmy Blue for the little buds.

For both cards I raided my stash for a couple of useful appropriate sentiments and that’s it. Simple but lovely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s torn it !

That’s torn it!

Yes they are all torn, but don’t panic, I intended to tear them. I designed these really simple easy to make cards for my classes in June and early July. It’s unusually hot here in the Worcestershire so I decided to create cards which don’t require too much thought. Perfect for a hot sticky day.

The cards have a torn edge allowing space for a sentiment or simply some space to show off the lovely quality card stock below. You can’t see from the photo but we left the torn edge loose securing the top edge only using tear tape. This adds a touch of dimension without creating problems for postage.

Most people in class had time to made 6 cards each in the 2 hours. They took little time to make so we were also able to enjoy our cuppas and chat while checking out the new catalogue items. What a luxury on a hot sultry evening.

 

 

               

I know that many beginners new to crafting find it a bit of a challenge to know what to do with the itty bitty,  blotchy, splodgy and  splatter stamps. We don’t even know which silly word to choose to describe them.

Many sets include a few of these wonderful odd arty bits. Sometimes they are obviously part of the design as in the Sheltering Tree stamp. The dotty stamp is definitely designed for adding as leaves or blossom and the smear paint is intended as the ground below the tree. Some sets, however, appear less obvious. Advanced crafters will rub their hands and look for these valuable extras. We  know how fabulous these images can be for backgrounds and more. Next time you order why not look for a set with some of these blobby, bitty, splatty… odd stamps and have a try yourself at creating simple but effective backgrounds.

OK so I have a confession.  For the eagle eyed amongst you yes these lovely card bases are now no longer available in the new catalogue. The base cards are all made using retired colours. Stampin’ Up! have a stunning new colour refresh and from June onwards sadly we had to say goodbye to some lovely cardstock in order to make way for fab new colours. As a Northern girl I can’t bear waste so here I was using up the old before cracking open the wonderful new colours. Watch out for new colours coming flooding in on my next blogs. I’m sure some of you will also be using up old stock and looking forward to new vibrant more modern colours.

The new colours are stunning. Why not pop into my red shopping basket to take a look yourself.  If you really love them and can’t wait to buy them do check out the latest deal. It’s an amazing value deal for £99 you get to choose £130 worth of goods. Plus a whole pack of 10 ink pads for FREE. Plus much more ….. See the DEAL tab at the top of my blog only available in JULY so don’t miss out. Wow it’s a cracker!

 

 

 

 

Eastern Palace – 4 of 4

Eastern Palace – Let’s be friends forever.

The last in my Eastern Palace offering. I made this card especially for my good friend Lisa Cornwall who is a talented crafter. Why not look her up at Crunchie Crafts. She and I live a long way apart so don’t see each other often but we have spent a few good giggly times together since meeting at a Stampin’ Up! event in Amsterdam. So here you are Lisa two tassels and a message of friendship.

 

Eastern Palace introduces Golden Vinyl stickers.

I have loved the vinyl stickers and this card is a perfect sampler of how wonderfully well they mix and match with the foiled design papers. The patterned papers form the left hand design. I have cut the edge to give a textural effect. The medallion around the Tranquil Tide stamped text message is a sticker. Once again I have used the natural ribbon with it’s fab gold centre. It’s so perfect with this Eastern Palace Suite.

I don’t often use Very Vanilla Card but this has been the best base for all my Eastern Palace set and I hope over the last few days I have tempted you to give it a try. Click on any of the photos to go straight into my shop to see the whole suite. Go on you too could be shaking a tassels or two or sticking a glossy shape in place. You won’t find a card like this in the shops.

Eastern Palace – Card 3 of 4

Eastern Palace -Hello again!

The third card in my Eastern Palace Suite set this week. It’s another hello card. I think this has a very smart feel and would be great to use as an invitation to dinner or something similar.

Rule of thirds using Eastern Palace Paper divide.

Lot’s of artists use the rule of thirds and here it is used very simply with the card split horizontally into 2/3 top designer paper and 1/3 left plain Crumb Cake coloured base card. Then the centre of the medallion is sited 2/3 from the left and 1/3 from the right v

This lovely little feature flower is the central element in this card. It is created using the vinyl stickers available with this amazing set. How great is it to die cut your cardstock and then simply peel off a sticker and add such a glossy stylish embellishment over to give you all the detail. Finish with a small circle cut from gold glimmer card. Note how I’ve used a tiny strip of a second designer striped paper and an even thinner strip of Gold glimmer to add a neat designer edge. Click on any photo to take you off to shop for these wonderful items.

Bird Banter

Bird Banter – In Telford

Todays  fun card and tag uses the jolly Bird Banter stamp set from Stampin’ Up! It just makes me feel bright and silly. I know you could use soft colours and subtle styling but why would you when you can have such colourful fun.

I’m very excited today as I’m in Telford for the superb Stampin’ Up! weekend. Once you become a team member you get invited to a number of exclusive events and this is one of them. My team member Lexy is coming with me to this event which makes it even more special.

How wonderful it will be to give away my cards and tags. I have made 100 in total , 50 yellow tags and 50 red cards. I will give them away to fellow attendees in return for one of their own handmade items. It’s called “swapping” and is such fun. After “swapping” instead of taking home my 2 designs the tag and card  I will actually return home with 100 totally different cards, tags, boxes or other items which I have swapped for one of my pretty Polly’s. It’s a fab way to make new friends and gain inspiration. I hope in turn my lovely bright birds will inspire those I give them away to.

 

 

 

Bird Banter – What’s happening at this weekend event?

So what else goes on this weekend? Well, I start with a “Crafternoon” tea party with fellow Pinkie team members on Friday. What could be better than a cream tea while crafting with mates from all over the UK? Marvellous.

What could be better? Well maybe Saturday …….. it will be a day of crafting with friends from all over Europe. We will get our hands on the brand new Stampin’ Up! catalogue and have an exclusive chance to order and buy the latest products before they hit the public market in June.   Eeeeekkkkkk… the fun of being a Demo and team member….. too exciting for words. I can’t wait to find out what will be the new in-colours and what stamp sets will be introduced to enable us to use the new Stamparatus tool. WOW !

So enough Banter from this little bird. I will save my voice as I know the weekend will be filled with chatter,  banter and much giggling. Take a closer look at my lovely Parrot. Isn’t he cute. By the way the nest is simply a small scrap of burlap ribbon bent in place and stuck behind a circular cut window. The brick wall is textured using embossing paste and a mask. See you soon when I am back from this fab event.

   

Colourful Seasons – Autumn

Colourful Seasons – Autumn a season of Mellow Fruitfulness.

Just my very favourite of the colourful seasons here in the UK. It’s a time for harvest. Baskets in hand we go off searching the hedgerows for dark rich fruits and search for nuts hoping to get them before the squirrels beat us to it.  We spend a lot of our time gathering in the crops grown in our organic veggie patch,  freezing, drying and bottling ready for use later in the year. It’s great to use the blackberries, hips and haws to making jams, cordials, coulis and jellies. There is nothing nicer for me than arranging flowers in vases. I adore Autumn when I have stunning coloured foliage from the shrubs in the garden. The leaves on the trees where we live turn a hundred shades of red, burnt orange and brown. The berries glisten and glow from amongst this stunning foliage. Marvellous!

Look at the warm rich colours in the Stampin’ Up! Regals selection and you have Autumn ready made.

   

For my Autumnal card I focus on just a couple of the wonderful regal colours. Of course the warm and wonderful Cajun Craze and then a small amount of Crushed Curry and Cherry Cobbler too.

 

 

Cut two card pieces the same size as shown above, one in Cajan Craze and one piece of Shimmer Card. Shimmer card has a lovely sparkly finish which has that dewy Autumn feel. It is robust in taking wet watercolour effects. It allows you to work quite wet so all the inks blur together without buckling the paper/card.

Decide where you want your coloured stripe and mask off the sides of the shimmer card using a couple of post it notes. This ensures you getting ink only in the area you wish. Use the sticky edge of the post it pressed well down to give a clean side to the area where you will create a striped watercolour coloured background effect. Using Cajan Craze, Crushed Curry and Cherry Cobble inks and a water brush swish across quickly so it remains wet between colours allowing them to run together. This mixing of the colours creates the background. Leave this to dry.

Once dry take off the post it notes and stamp some leaves and the thinking of you text. Begin with the text first then the main skeleton leaf the others being smaller are then easy to fill the spaces.

Wrap some Linen thread around the Cajun card.  Tuck the two cards together stick down at angles leaving room for a couple of fun embellishments.

So what embellishments to use ? Well I have no hesitation. I chose these wonderful clear faceted gems which remind me so much of blackberries. My Dark Cherry Cobbler Blends pen is just perfect to colour them to better suit the card. Then a final brush over the leaves and Cajun card using a Wink of Stellar pen for that super Autumnal shimmery feel.

 

 

 

Use these items to create this card:

 

 

Colourful Seasons – Spring

Colourful Seasons – Spring is here.

I love the fact that in England we have wonderful colourful seasons all very different from each other and now spring is here I am sharing the Stampin’ Up! Colourful Seasons Stamp set and the Colour Theory Papers.

Here’s the first of my seasonal cards. A simple card using the Subtles colour range with a splash of Berry Burst. My inspiration comes from the beautiful orchid which you can see in the background. It was given to me as a present sometime ago and is flowering for the third year in a row. Lucky me! I love flowers in the house and orchids are my favourites. I’m  often inspired by the colours of nature and Spring to me is full of delicate new opening buds in pale greens and beautiful pale blue watery sky’s. No wonder I reached for Soft Sky Ink to start this card.

Take a rectangle of Whisper White card smaller than the base card you wish to use.

Use a dauber ink it using Soft Sky Ink. Rub in a circular motion to form a soft blurred central oval.

Next stamp the branch in place using Crumb Cake Ink adding the Berry Burst flowers and the Marina Mist ” Just Breathe ” text.

Take a Whisper White note card and choose a strip of the designer paper from the Colour Theory pad. I choose two lovely crisp clean vertical lines.

Stick the paper and your blossom picture on the notecard at right angles to each other using Tombow wet glue or tear tape.

Finished with the tiniest size Pearl from the Basic Pearl embellishment pack. These would look very nice as they are but for a gentle finishing touch I coloured mine using a Pink Pirouette Blends pen before sticking them in place.

 

Use these items to create this card: