Caramel & Cream

Nothing says Christmas colours more than the traditional red, green and gold. The lovely dsp 'All Is Bright' has some beautiful papers in it but i really love this particular one which looks just like a photograph. I didn't want to take away from the paper itself too much so kept it simple using a piece of dsp to cover my base card. The sentiment from the 'Making Christmas Bright' stamp set is stamped in both 'Call Me Clover' and Real red' with the circle and stars around it in 'Crushed Curry' 'Layering Circle framelits' cut out the sentiment and then a larger scalloped circle in 'Gold glimmer paper' to make a mount. Lastly the 'Sprig Punch' adds some texture to the card popping in the sprigs behind the sentiment.  Very simple and quick to make. If you would like to order any Stampin Up products please visit my online shop HERE   Rachael x

On Sunday i showed you how to make this simple card below that just uses a stamp set and inks. Today as promised i am showing you the same design but 'stepped up', so instead of just the stamp and inks i have added in a punch and framelits too. I used the 'layering circle' framelits dies to create a mount for the sentiment in gorgeous 'Joyous Noel' copper glimmer paper.  The 'Sprig Punch' cut out in more copper glimmer paper and also 'Shaded Spruce' cardstock are just slotted in behind the circle with the sentiment on. I chose Noel as the sentiment for this card and 'Blackberry Bliss' cardstock for the base card just for variation. I absolutely love this card, the glimmer paper just makes it that extra special i think.  If you would like to order any Stampin Up products please shop with me HERE   Rachael x

As demonstrators we like to show you how you can use all the different products Stampin Up has to offer. We also know that not everyone has the pennies to buy everything at once so i wanted to show you how you can create a beautiful card with just a stamp set and inks. No need for framelits, big shot or punches. 'Peaceful Noel' is a really gorgeous stamp set.  I chose 3 inks for this card - 'Sahara Sand', 'Tranquil Tide' and 'Merry Merlot' A piece of 'Whisper White' card cut to 4.5 x 4.5 inches i then stamped into the centre a 'Sahara Sand' area onto which i then stamped the sentiment in 'Tranquil Tide' Next taking various foliage stamps from the set i roughly stamped them into a circle around the sentiment centre swapping between 'Tranquil Tide' and 'Merry Merlot' inks. Stamping off onto scrap paper sometimes before adding to the 'Whisper White' to give lighter shades of the sa...

These are quick and easy to make but super cute. I have used the retired 'Candy Cane Lane' dsp but you could make these with any papers you like. Choose 2 'Layering circle framelits' one plain and one scalloped and just one size apart. Cut the scalloped circle in plain card and the smaller plain circle in the paper of your choice. Next i took the 'Cookie Cutter Christmas' and stamped the gingerbread man in 'Soft Suede' ink. The matching punch makes these quick to cut out so you can get a real production line of these going if making multiples. Stamp, stamp stamp, punch, punch, punch!! Lastly layer all together and pop a length of bakers twine through the top to attach to your gifts.  You could also use them to decorate your tree if you wished.    If you would like to order any Stampin Up products please visit my online shop HERE   Rachael x

I was very excited earlier this week when my Stampin Up order arrived with lots of lovely brand NEW products from the Autumn / Winter brochure. I didn't have too much time to play but grabbed the 'Making Christmas Bright' stamp set and matching 'Christmas Bulb Builder' punch.  I used 'Real Red' cardstock for the base card and then some 'Whisper white' cut down to give a small red border around the edges. I wanted the bulbs to stand out so chose 4 bold inks 'Real Red', 'Crushed Curry', 'Call Me Clover' and 'Blueberry Bushel'.  I stamped the bulbs onto some scrap paper then used the punch so that i could then mount them onto the card with dimensionals to make them stand out even move.  A little sparkle is added with the 'Gold Glimmer Paper' for the base of the bulbs and behind the sentiment. Pretty happy with how it turned out and it wouldn't take too long to make lots of these either...

When i lived in Southern Ireland they really used to go to town with Halloween decorations. In the U.K we don't seem to be as big into it but i still like to make a few cards and we always carve pumpkins with our children...even thought the eldest is now 18! If you have been following my blog for a while you may know how much i used to love 'Gorgeous Grunge' for background stamping. In the stamp set 'Swirly Bird' there is also a splodge type stamp which does a great job of replacing some from the 'Gorgeous Grunge' set. Taking a piece of 'Pumpkin Pie' cardstock measuring 3x9 inches i scored it at 3 and 6 inches. The 'Whisper White' cardstock is cut just slightly smaller to give a border around the edges.  'Using 'Pumkin Pie' and 'Basic Black' ink i splodged randomly over the 'Whisper White' Black cardstock was then run through the big shot with the 'large letter' framelits to make the word...

So this card is totally different to something i would normally create and if i'm totally honest i'm not a 100% sure on how this turned out, but i wanted to still show you as it's a good way of showing how framelit dies can be used to create different looks.  Halloween was the thought in my mind but it would also work for an alien themed birthday card or party too i think. I have used the stamp set 'Swirly Bird' and matching 'Swirly Scribbles' framelits.  I stamped the eyes first in 'Garden Green' then layered over with a die cut piece in 'Cherry Cobbler' card. The mouth and hair are both 'Basic Black' and as i have a 14 yr old son a bit of gore was added using 'Cherry Cobbler' ink and the splatter / splodge stamp from the 'Swirly Bird' stamp set to make it look like blood.  I think with a bit of tweaking this idea could make a fun card.  What do you think? If you would like to order any Stam...

Last Sunday i showed you a card i made using an old favourite stamp set of mine. Today's project is a similar design but this time using 'Wondrous Wreath'. To make the wreath i used 'Garden Green' ink for the largest wreath part followed by 'Old Olive' for the part with only a few leaves and lastly 'Cherry Cobbler' for the red berry part. It looks complicated when you see 2 and 3 part stamps but it really isn't and the little tab at the top of each of these stamps helps line them up. Plus the fact they are photopolymer so you can see where you are placing them. The 'Whisper White' card is stamped on directly for the ribbon top holding the wreath and the sentiment. Layer onto the cardstock like the cards last Sunday and then the wreath added using dimensionals to give it some lift.  Lastly the little die cut ribbon is added to finish the project. I know this set is no longer available but i like to showcase projects ...

I've made a card very similar to this in the past but i've chosen to make the octopus slightly different this time. I put a couple of drops of 'Soft Sky' ink onto a clear stamping block and then added some water from my aqua painter and gave it a little smoosh together. I then pressed the block onto some 'Whisper White' paper which transferred the water colour / wash effect from the block to the paper. This when dry was simply run through the big shot with the 'Under the sea' framelit on top. It's hard to pick up on camera but it does give a more textured look.  For the rest of the card i took a piece of the 'Tranquil Textures' dsp to cover the base.  'Sahara Sand' and 'Garden Green' inks are used to stamp the seabed, seaweed and netting. Lastly the octopus is adhered with dimensionals and i used a couple of black gems for eyes to make it a fun card for a child. It looks like the octopus is waving.  If you...

I'm full of cold and have a sore throat and spent most of the afternoon yesterday in bed. After a slow start this morning i decided to cheer myself up by wrapping up snug and heading to my craftroom to make some Christmas cards.  I haven't got any of the new Christmas products yet so i reached for an old favourite stamp set  'Wonderland' I picked 3 ink colours 'Garden Green', 'Crushed Curry' and 'Cherry Cobbler' I firstly stamped the tree in 'Garden Green' onto some 'Whisper White' cardstock leaving enough space underneath to stamp the wording in 'Cherry Cobbler'.  The stars are scattered above the tree stamped in 'Crushed Curry' Next taking a piece of 'Cherry Cobbler' cardstock slightly wider than the 'Whisper White' i mounted them together before mounting them onto my base card in 'Garden Green' I really love this stamp set and even thought i will purchase ...

How cute is the 'little elephant' stamp set and matching punch? I've used it here to create a welcome baby card. The 'Tufted Dynamic' embossing folder is run through the big shot with a piece of 'Pink Pirouette' card sandwiched inside. You can only see a hint of it on this card in the background but it really is a lovely folder, giving a deep impression.  Choosing a mix of inks i stamped the 'Pear Pizzaz' along the bottom, and the 2 elephants, one in 'So Saffron' and the other 'Wisteria Wonder' before punching them out. I mounted them on dimensionals so they stood away from the card.  The little hearts and sentiment are the finishing touch.  Quick and easy for beginners too!   If you would like to order any Stampin Up products please pop to my online shop HERE   Rachael x

The days are becoming cooler and the nights darker as Autumn is upon us. I actually really like Autumn, I love the leaves changing colour but i also love getting cosy at night with the log burner roaring too.  'Rooted in Nature' is a lovely set, one of my go to stamp sets used to be 'Lovely as a tree' but this set is a great alternative. What's more it also comes with matching dies so no more fussy cutting required, yay! For this card i've taken a piece of the beautiful 'Nature's poem' dsp and used it to cover my card base.  A strip of different dsp is mounted onto some 'Tranquil Tide' cardstock and placed towards the bottom of the card.  Using 'Soft Suede' and 'Tranquil Tide' inks i have stamped some trees, leaves and the tree stump. To get lighter tones of the same colours i simply stamped off onto some scrap paper before stamping onto my 'Whisper White' card. The 'Nature's Roots' fra...

Stampin Up have launched a BRAND NEW catalogue today for Autumn / Winter, perfect timing for those of you with children heading back to school this week. You can find the online version by clicking the tabs top left on my home blog page.  So grab a cuppa, make yourself comfy and go browse all the fabulous new products available. This catalogue runs until 2nd January 2018 only.  If you'd like to place an order through my online shop you can do so HERE   Rachael x