Christmas Card Club - Poinsettias

Happy Sunday and welcome to our Christmas Card Club Challenge.  Rita is our lovely challenger today and she has chosen Poinsettias for our theme.  I just love to have one or two in the house at Christmastime.  The colours are amazing and for me they are a feature of the winter season.  

For my handmade card today I've used a stamp set called Poinsettia Petals.  I stamped the petals in Poppy Parade ink and then used a blending brush to add more ink.  You just need to take care that you start off with a light application of ink so that you can build up the depth of colour slowly.  

I'm pleased I chose red for my Poinsettias as following Emma Radacanu's amazing tennis match last night where she wore red kit it is clearly the colour for the weekend.  A young lady with a bright future don't you think!

I began my card by stamping the floral spray from Words of Cheer in black ink onto a white layer.  I stamped it twice onto a piece of card 9.7cm x 14cm.  I then added the stamped and die cut flower along with vellum 'berry' die cuts which I added random spots of gilded leafing.  I added the same leafing to the centre of the top layer of the Poinsettia.  I used Tombow wet glue which i carefully added with a cocktail stick to add just a small 'smudge' of glue to each dot before adding the leafing.  I left it to dry before gently removing excess gilding to reveal the gold dots. 

I love the open weave in colour ribbons so added a bow of Evening Evergreen which I tucked under the Poinsettia with glue dots.  Using the Words of Cheer set I created a sentiment heat embossed in white on black card.  The whole layer is then matted onto a layer of Soft Succulent card and a base card of Evening Evergreen. 

Having used a darker colour for the card base I like to add a lighter inside piece of card. Here I've added white and continued the stamping with the Words of Cheer.  By just stamping part of the image it leaves plenty of space to write your goodwill message.

The dry weather continues here in Lincolnshire and so a bit of gardening is on the diary, along with a family Sunday roast as we have a birthday in the house this month so are celebrating.  Hoping you have relaxing plans too.  

Thanks for popping by and enjoy your Sunday. 

Keep safe and keep stamping 

Zoe x

Words of Cheer stamp set

Poinsettia dies

Poinsettia Petals stamp set

Evening Evergreen Open 

Weave ribbon

 

Stampin' Up! Have a Robin - Stampin' for Christmas Blog hop

 

Stampin' Up! have been asked for many years to have a Robin stamp by UK demonstrators and not least me.  At last this year they have a fabulous stamp set called Happy Holly-days and it features this fab fellow.  I couldn't resist it and have used it very simply for this month's Stampin' for Christmas blog hop.  

Welcome to everyone visiting me today and particularly if this is your first visit to my blog.  I hope it's not the last and that you find lots of inspiration for festive cards on this international hop. 

For my card I created a mask for the holly by stamping it onto copier paper and cutting it out just on the inside of the outline of the image.  I then used this to mask some of the holly as I stamped it across the card to give the impression of layers of holly. Below you can see the overlap stamping with the mask in place to protect the original stamped image. 

Here the mask has been removed and you can see the double image looking like one holly sprig is behind the other. 

The Robin was originally stamped on the card and then again on another piece of card. It was easier to have the image in place to add the holly and then with the second image fussy cut it out and add onto the stamped Robin.  

I kept the card really simple by stamping in Black Memento ink and just adding Real Red using alcohol marker Stampin' Blends to make the iconic red breast and berries 'pop'. 

I layered the design piece onto a piece of DSP from the new winter catalogue pack called Peaceful Place.  This is a black, grey and silver design pack of papers that you can add any colour to for dramatic effect or just touches like this to frame your focal point.  

Also I'm sure like me you don't like waste anything and so an off cut of ribbon folded and tucked underneath the edge of layers just adds a simple finishing flourish.  

A simple, but eye-catching card for mantlepieces this Christmas. 

Carry on with the hop to see more Christmas card inspiration by clicking on the NEXT button. 

Thanks for popping by and come back soon. Now you're off to see the Crafty Medic. 

Keep safe and keep stamping

Zoe x

Be part of something special and enjoy all your Stampin' Up! favourites earlier, cheaper and discover a new fun community.  JOIN MY STAMPIN' UP! TEAM.

Peaceful Place DSP

Happy Holly-days stamp set

Alcohol Markers 

Summer Fun - Cocktail anyone?

 Our new challenge at MAWTT - Moving Along With The Times - is Summer Fun or Summer Colours.  This is such a fun and easy challenge I hope you'll join in the fun. 

I used the Stampin' Up! Nothing's Better Than stamp set and spotlighted this tasty looking cocktail to create a Happy Holiday card.   I shaped some Pansy Petals DSP using the Basic Border dies and layered it onto a piece of Granny Apple Green card.  I've embossed a white circle and matted that onto a Magenta Madness die cut scalloped circle and added an untied bow of gold thread.  I've also embossed a design in white to add to the idea of summer foliage although it is actually a Christmas stamp from new set Words of Cheer.  I love to get more than just Christmas use from my seasonal stamp sets.  

I've played about with words from the sentiments in the same set to create a wish for a great holiday with some bling.  

I coloured what I think looks a little like a Tequila Sunrise cocktail with Stampin' Blends and have sat dreaming of a sunny holiday ever since. 

I hope to see your card over on the MAWTT challenge blog at some point this month.  You can visit the blog here.

Keep safe and keep stamping  and best wishes for a fabulous holiday if you are escaping.  

Hugs Zoe xx

Nothing's Better Than stamp set

Love you more than dies

Basic Border Dies

SHOP ALL STAMPIN' UP! PRODUCTS 

Cool it down - MAWTT Challenge

Our summer is hanging on in there! Let's not focus on the rain and thunder, but on the steps closer to freedom and a chance to enjoy summer.  I love lollies do you? 

I've used the Stampin' Up! Sweet Ice cream stamp set for this simple card for the fun challenge of 'Cool it Down' over at Moving Along With The Times.  Yes that is the wide open theme and you can join our DT and share your makes here. 

I stamped the sticks and lollies separately and used a water brush to drag the colour to where I wanted it and in the outside two complete the lolly shape as the stamps make it look nibbled as in the centre one.  I used Mango Melody, Granny Apple Green and Calypso Coral for my very tasty looking ice lollies and added a simple sentiment from the set which is heat embossed in gold onto vellum.  I also added some clear epoxy essentials to give more detail to the stamped drips.  

I"ve matted the water colour paper used for the lollies onto a piece of Granny Apple Green card and then onto a piece of check DSP from the fabulous bundle, Pattern Party, that you can earn for free from our annual catalogue.  The bumper paper pack has 48 sheets, 4 each of 12 double-sided designs. One side of each sheet is a black/white design and then the other sides are bursting with colour and fun designs.   You can place a qualifying order or host a stampin party with qualifying sales to earn this pack free. 

Over on the Moving Along With The Times blog you can see some fabulous designs from my fellow design team members and also add a link to your make for the whole of July.  I look forward to seeing your makes. 

In the meantime you can also get 15% discount on selected Designer Series Paper packs this month also. Just visit my Stampin' Up! shop to see them all. 

Keep safe all and keep stamping. 

Zoe x

DSP Sale 

Sweet Ice Cream stamp set

Water Painters

Ink Pads

Using Stencils and Masks to create a frame with Stampin Up Flowers of Friendship stamps

I recently shared some stamping at a socially distanced and number counted Stampin' Up! party for one of my customers. It was such fun and the ladies all loved the idea of being OUT OUT!

It was a lovely day so we sat in the host's garden and then were socially distanced while I shared some fun but simple techniques with the ladies.  

For this particular design I used the new Plenty of Patterns decorative masks and in particular this geometric pattern.  I stamped the pretty flowers from Flowers of Friendship Stampin Up stamp set and then coloured the image with Stampin' Blends aka alcohol markers.  I then placed the mask over the artwork and used a blending brush to add Pale Papaya ink and create a type of frame around the image.  It really makes the image stand out and adds to the wow factor of the card.  You can then add a sentiment, gems and bow and a matt layer or coordinating designer series paper (DSP) to finish the card. It needs few colours so is great for someone with limited supplies as well as more experienced crafters.  

Here is the same design this time using Fresh Freesia ink.  

 On this second example I also used some Wink of Stella to add sparkle to the petals.  It is possibly a little over sparkled as the pen chose to 'blob' just as i started but it smooth out ok. 

These colours are all part of the new In Colour selection and can be bought individually or as a bundle.  I also have a product share you can join for 5 months which will provide you with an ink pad, some ribbon, DSP, card, gems and Stampin' Write markers for £16.50 per month if you contact me for more details. 

The gems are really pretty as they are a little iridescent and really shine.  

Hope you have fun with this simple stencilling technique. 

Keep safe and keep stamping 

Zoe x

Flowers of Friendship

Plenty of Patterns

Decorative masks

Blending Brushes

2021 - 2023 In Color Ink Pads

FREE DIGITAL DOWNLOAD - UNITED THROUGH CREATIVITY

LOOK HERE

Stampin' Up! Quiet Meadow

I have fallen completely in love with the new Quiet Meadow bundle in the Stampin' Up! annual catalogue.  It consists of a fab pack of dies that cut wild flower silhouettes and more and a stamp set to complement the same theme with sentiments, splatters and flowers.  Perfect for CAS cards as well as those of you who love a mixed media approach. 

For my card I simply cut a vellum stencil and used a blending brush to add the background floral and then added some dies cuts, pen splatters and a little bee busy about his business.  The bee is from Garden Wishes and the little tag holding it all together comes in the bundle.  

I've used the new in colour card Evening Evergreen with Grey Granite and white.  I'm a big fan of copper so my sentiment tag is heat embossed with copper powder and I used a little retired copper metallic thread to carefully attach the tag, but a quick tip would be to add a couple of mini glue dots to the back of the tag to just keep it safely in place. 

I love the clear epoxy dots which now come as raindrops which would work just as well. 

Happy spring all and thankfully I managed to photograph this on a bright cheerful day amongst the blossom of my pear tree espalier. 

Happy weekend and see you again soon for Christmas Card Club on Sunday.  I got mixed up last time so I have a couple to share.  

Keep safe and keep stamping

Hugs 

Zoe x

Quiet Meadow Bundle 

Garden Wishes stamp set

Vellum cardstock

Linen Thread

Blending Brushes

 

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Please contact me for more details.

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#simplestamping for Christmas Card Club

Happy Sunday friends and Happy Mother's Day.  Welcome to our next Christmas Card Club Challenge. Today it is my turn to choose the theme and you'll see it is Christmas flowers and foliage.  I've used a version of lovely Ruth Trice's stamping to create a collage of images.  I often tell my customers if we use this technique that it is a bit like Delia Smith's when she used to explain some of her recipes; as you start you'll think it looks like scrambled eggs, but keep going and it turns out perfect in the end.  Of course you might not agree, but I like the effect and am pleased with the slightly less traditional colour palette.  

I've used the Poinsettia Petals stamp set to create the spray of flowers and foliage.  I started with the Poinsettia in Petal Pink and over stamped with Soft Sea Foam and used a blender pen to spread the ink and also a blending brush to smooth on a little more ink.  I've also added a die cut centre to add a little more depth and definition and to make the flower 'pop' as the foliage is vibrant and strong in colour.  

Stamp sets used in addition to Poinsettia Petals are Forever Fern and for the sentiment Snow Wonder.  My colour palette also includes Mossy Meadow, Shaded Spruce, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry and Pear Pizzazz.  

With such a busy image I simply matted the design onto Petal Pink card stock as well as a layer of white which I added a Gilded Leafing edge to by adding tear and tape before carefully adding the gilding.  I love a bit of WOW with bling or gold etc and have had lots of fun with this new embellishment in our spring catalogue.  It is easy to use if a little flighty, but can add that WOW without it being WOW WOW!!! 

Enjoy visiting our Christmas Card Club ladies who will have lots more inspiration for you in some varied stunning form.  

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy this special day whether you are a mum, celebrating your mum or remembering a special mum.

Hugs, keep safe and keep stamping

Zoe x

 

Gilded Leafing Embellishment

Poinsettia Petals

Forever Fern Bundle

 

Starburst card making technique - Flower and Field DSP

Welcome and Happy Christmas to everyone visiting our last Totally Techniques Blog Hop.  This month we are sharing cards using the Starburst Technique as chosen by Kelly Acheson our USA demo representative.  It's a new technique to me and I've enjoyed tinkering with this technique that is much simpler than it looks.  

I'm excited to share my card as I've used some new designer series papers (DSP) called Flower and Field that will be a free gift in our annual Saleabration Event starting on the 5th January which is also the launch of our new Spring mini catalogue.  Inspired by my good friend Audra Monk who used the paper to create a card with the medium daisy punch I've followed her lead and used the same materials, but as a starburst.  

For my version I started with 4 strips of DSP that were each cut at 10 x 4 cm and cut diagonally as shown below. 

Starting in the middle of a piece of card stock 10 cm x 14.3cm I spaced the papers flipping them alternately to cover the white card with thin gaps between ensuring all edges and corners were covered. 

This is how it will look once they are all stuck onto the card. 

I cut off the excess paper around the edges and also then cut the remaining piece to 9.5cm x 13.8cm before adding to a black matt layer. You need to make sure glue is dry before using a trimmer to cut off the excess or use a pair of scissors. 

The final addition is a piece of white card and a punched daisy to which I added some Pool Party ink with a blending brush and used the small daisy stamp from the Daisy Lane stamp set to add a flower centre in So Saffron. 

I also added a simply stamped sentiment from the Daisy Lane set which I die cut with one of the Stitched Rectangle Dies. 

If you like the papers you can join our team and benefit from early sight of new products and earn papers like this and more for free. If you'd like some more information and want to SMILE with the Tantalizing Stampers please do email me at zoetant@live.co.uk or you can click to JOIN STAMPIN' UP!

The countdown is on to Christmas and so I hope you'll visit again, but Happy Christmas in the meantime and all good wishes for a safe new year.  

Hugs and keep stamping 

Zoe x

Daisy Lane Stamp Set

Medium Daisy Punch 

Paper Trimmer

Flower and Field Designer Series Paper

Free from January 5th with £45 purchase

Stitched rectangle dies

You can see lots more inspiration from the Totally Techniques International Design Team by clicking on the links below.  

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