Introducing Photopolymer Stamps...

So here's the announcement from HQ!

We're excited to announce the release of our new Stampin' Up! photopolymer stamp sets! Photopolymer stamp sets are transparent stamps that can be placed on Stampin' Up!'s regular acrylic blocks, and the transparent nature of these sets makes it easier to line up what you are stamping without the need of a guide.

From 1 May until 31 May, earn a free set for every order of 75 € /£60 worth of other products.

Available sets:

Show & Tell 1 Photopolymer Stamp Set (item 133450)	Show & Tell 2 Photopolymer Stamp Set (item 133481)	Eye-catching Ikat Photopolymer Stamp Set (item 134624)	Sans & Stripes Photopolymer Stamp Set (item 136796)

Basket Tutorial...

I recently took part in the ILWS Spring and Summer 2014 blog hop and I posted this basket.

I have had a few requests for the tutorial I wrote for this for a recent class so I am attempting to attach the tutorial here for your use, enjoy!

Regards,

Jo
x

ILWS Spring & Summer 2014 Blog Hop

Good morning folks, thank you for joining us for the ILWS Spring and Summer 2014 Blog Hop.  This is the first blog hop that I have ever taken part in for the simple reason that I was frightened I would do something wrong and mess up the whole chain of events so I have taken the bull by the horns and fingers crossed!!

You are joining me from the lovely Laura who has organised this 'hop', thank you Laura.  Laura has become a good friend since I moved to Norfolk and I want to thank her for making me so welcome.

The theme of the hop is Spring and Summer 2014 so I have chosen the Happy Watercolor set.  I loved this set the first time I saw it not least because my mum loves poppies and my dad loves orchids so it immediately caught my eye and the fact that it looked a nice set for those 'quick cards' when I have left things to the last minute (who me?!!)

This is what I made...

This was the first card, clean and simple.

I used the colour combo from the Watercolor Wonder DSP as inspiration, with a little bit of gold.

Another quick and simple card with a touch of gold and using the fabulous scallop tag punch, such a useful punch!

And finally, a little more involved is this little basket and of course I had to use the gorgeous Petite Petals stamp and punch for decoration.

That's enough from me so I shall now pass you on to the lovely Sarah and in case you get lost along the way, below is a list of the participants together with links to their blogs.

Thanks for joining us today.

Jo

x

1) Laura Mackie - www.laura-creativeideas.blogspot.co.uk

2) Jo Blackman - www.jo-joscraftyblog.blogspot.co.uk
3) Sarah Keerie - www.esellek.com
4) Janneke de Jong - http://jannekedejong70.blogspot.nl/
5) Sue - http://www.stampysue.blogspot.co.uk/
6) Lorraine - http://www.thestampingrove.co.uk
7) Christa - http://serendipity-stamping.blogspot.co.uk/

Simply Seeing Stars

Checking my diary for April, I realised that I have lots of birthdays and/or events so I have got some making to do over the next few weeks, shame!  I have two birthdays and the first stamp set that caught my eye was Simply Stars.  As the name suggests, it is 'Simply Stars' but such a versatile and useful set especially if you need a quick card and can be used for male and female cards.  Here is what I made.

 

I wanted to use the lovely multi-coloured polka dot paper which is in the new Kaleidoscope papers and there are two colours I love in this set, Bermuda Bay and Strawberry Slush so I chose these colours to make my base card and mounts.  I of course had to add a little Gorgeous Grunge and the little star comes from Pennant Parade.

 

I loved this colour combo so much I reversed it for the next card.

 



And here they are together.

 

I know I promised you a little gift box with a template this week but if the truth be known I am struggling to upload the template and not wishing to be beaten, I shall attempt this again next week!!

 

Also next week I shall share with you the card I have made for my Great Nephew's 1st birthday, I cannot believe that has come around already, where did that year go and so much has changed.  I also received excellent news this week that I am to become a Great Auntie again this time my nephew and his lovely girlfriend Jodie are expecting their first baby, how exciting.

 

Hope you have a great weekend.

 

Jo

x

Cute Little Triangular Box...

I have a cute little triangular box for you today, I found the tutorial on Stampin T's website and fell in love with it.  She had put hers together using washi tape but as I didn't have any suitable to hand, I decided to use designer series paper instead, arguably it makes it very fiddly but since when have I made my life easy and I wanted to use the new Kaleidoscope papers from the Spring/Summer catalogue along with Petite Petals.

Here is the finished item when all put together.

Here is a close up of the front.

Then the box comes apart.

 

And then finally 'surprise'.

 

Four cute little triangular boxes ready for filling.

Hope you like it, I will be back in the week with another little bag with a template for you.

Jo

x

Crafty Norfolk Ladies Craft Night

I may have only been in Norfolk for a short time but I have met some lovely Crafty Norfolk Ladies since moving here.  There are three ladies in particular that I meet up with on a monthly basis to have a craft evening, two people design cards, one does scrapbooking and one a 3d object.  We then make up the projects over coffee and a chat.

Here are this month's projects.

The lovely Sandra created this card...

 

I love punch art and this is perfect for the men in our lives that we always struggle to make cards for.

 

This one is from the lovely Laura...

 

 

Laura has used two on my favourite stamp sets from the new Spring/Summer catalogue, Hardwood and Petite Petals and I loved the colour combination of Strawberry Slush, Blushing Bride, Sahara Sand and Pistachio Pudding, really spring like.

 

This is the scrapbook from the lovely Tracy, we had to scrap the man in our life and select ten things we love about them, as you can imagine this was a very easy task!! (LOL!)

 

 

I would not normally have chosen these sort of colours to scrapbook a man but I think it brings out the feminine side in Mr B, what do you think?  Love you darling (yes he does read my blog!)

 

And finally, I was in charge of the 3d item this time and I decided on a little Easter project also using a bit of punch art, hope you like it.  When I get a moment I will write up a little tutorial for you.

 

 

Well that is it for today, we really are on countdown to class now, can't wait.

 

Jo

x

Spring Summer Seasonal Catalogue....

I really could not wait to get my hands on the new goodies from the Spring/Summer Seasonal Catalogue.  I love just about all of it!

So, I decided to have a play with a few of them.  I made this little box which holds eight little note cards, two each of four designs.  I used the Eastern Elegance paper to cover my box and as colour inspiration for the cards.  I used the new Rose Bud die to decorate the front along with the Little Leaves die for the leaves.  The colours are Crushed Curry, Coastal Cabana and Smoky Slate.

So here are the cards.

This one is made using the Happy Watercolor stamps.

This one uses the Peaceful Petals stamps.

This is with Petite Petals.

And this one Vivid Vases.

And finally, here they are all together.

I hope you like them.

Can't wait to see you all soon x