Christmas Card Club - Christmas Lights

 When you are late to the party the last thing you need is to have coloured your red door only to drop the inside of your pen onto your project to get a beautiful splatter effect, but just not wanted on this occasion.................!!!!!!  It is fair to say that expletives that my Mother would chastise me for even now did exit my mouth.  I'm sorry Mum.  However once again in crafting there is a remedy to every problem, in this case not the proverbial butterfly, but a die that cuts out the door.

Our theme was chosen by Margaret who is our chief organiser. She has made a fabulous card which really says Christmas lights, do go and visit here.

Already it is Christmas card club again and we're sharing cards with Christmas lights of any kind. At first I was thinking I may have to opt for the 'anything goes' alternative option, but then thought what better lights are those that welcome folk to your home in the festive season, not only the lamps outside but the warm glow through the windows and any glass in your front door.  I've made it a festive door by adding a beautiful holly garland and door wreath.  It's a simple card with a clear message. All images were stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and then I've coloured them all in with my Stampin' Blends.  Also all images are from the Stampin' Up! set At Home with You which compliments my thoughts of warm lights at home and a warm welcome.  The stamp set has coordinating dies called At Home framelits. This super set of products retire at on 3 June so if either the stamp set or dies appeal now is the time to buy.  

The stamp set is rather like a puppy - not just for Christmas and can be used all year.  The dies fit the images including one that cuts the door out as I mentioned before, but also  one that cuts it so you can open the door and reveal images behind.  You can see an example  on this stampingscene post. 

I'm running late so I'm off to visit the other CCC ladies and see what light cards they've shared.  

Thanks for checking in and Happy Bank Holiday or Memorial Day weekend.  

Hugs Zoe 

SHOP NOW

Thinking Outside the Box Hop - It's been a while

For the Thinking Outside the Box blog hop today we are sharing different versions of a folded box in that I mean a box with a fold over top.  I've made a simple box of Smarties look much more than just a simple box of Smarties.

To make this box you'll need two pieces of card stock, I used thick whisper white.  The first piece makes an open box for the Smarties to stand in and the second creates the fold over lid/flap.

Part 1 the box   - cut a piece of card 3 1/4" x 9" .  On the  long side score at 1 1/4", 4 1/4", 5 1/2" and 81/2".  On the short side score @ 1 1/4"

Part two the lid - cute a piece of card 3" x 8 1/4". On the long side score @ 4" and 5 1/4"

If you wish to stamp on either of these pieces now is the time to do it. I used the soon to be launched Sailing Home Stampin' Up! set using Sahara Sand ink and the anchor stamp.  I stamped all over the outside of both pieces of card.

Make an open ended box with the first piece as shown.  You'll see I couldn't decide on colours so this box is Sahara Sand card with Night of Navy stamping.

The flap is then added to the back of the box sticking the longer end of the flap leaving it to go up the back of the sweet/candy container once they are put in the box and then the flap folds over the top at the score lines.

Before putting the sweets into the box I used some coordinating Come Sail Away designer series paper to disguise the sweet container.  I also stamped the anchor on both pieces before sticking to the sweet container.

Once you have your gift inside the box you can bring over the flap and secure it with bakers twine or ribbon.  I've also used the topper that I created to stop the flap from flipping out, but be sure not to stick it over the twine so that the twine can be slid up the box to open easily without damaging the packaging.

For the topper I used a diecut from the Smooth Sailing Dies in Night of Navy card stock, added a stamped compass to which I had added a copper foil needle from the same dies and a copper brad.  I also stamped and heat embossed in copper the simple thanks message.  These would make nice thank you treats for teachers, co-workers or neighbours.  You could adjust the measurements to suit whatever treats you buy.

The new catalogue will be going live on 4 June so if you don't have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like to browse a paper copy of the catalogue please do email me at zoetant@live.co.uk to arrange for a copy to be sent to you.  In the meantime don't forget to visit the Stampin' Up! Shop to check out the retiring items before they are gone.

Now it's time to visit the other talented demonstrators around the globe and see what lovely box designs they have to share with you.  Next stop is Annette in The Netherlands.

Blog List

1. Shannean Moncrieff
2. Tanja Kolar
3. Zoë Tant - You're here
4. Annette Elias
5. Dena Rekow
6. Beate Wacker
7. Aude Barbara
8. Barb Stewart
9. Fiona Carson

I went BIG for a floating frame card

The Floating Frame technique is very popular right now not least with Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  I wanted to try and the perfect opportunity presented itself this past weekend when hubby and I went to support Olivia with one of her RAG (raising and giving) events took place at her university. Olivia and her team liaised with the local RSPCA (Royal Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals) to organise a dog show and so we took our puppy, Little Miss Naughty, along to join in and support.  We were very excited when she won the award for The dog the judge most wanted to take home! No before you ask Olivia wasn't the judge.  

At the event a lovely lady called Gina took some fantastic pictures of the dogs taking part. She specialises in pet photography.  We couldn't resist this shot and I decided to have my first attempt at one of these frames but decided to go BIG!   

To start I stamped in black Staz On ink all the lovely flowers from the Stampin' Up! Tea Together stamp set featured in the Spring catalogue.  I coloured them simply with marker pens using Daffodil Delight, Flirty Flamingo and Granny Apple Green and then die cut them out. The dies will hopefully be available again possibly in the new Stampin' Up! annual catalogue in June, but there is no reason why you couldn't use another floral set or indeed sit and fussy cut these out.  

 I'm offering a class to make a frame for folk local to me so watch my next newsletter for the details. 

To make the frame I of course had to cut out an aperture for my photograph and that left me a piece to create a lovely card which initially looked like this.  

I've since finished it by adding a sentiment and some rhinestones for the inevitable bling regular readers will know I love.  The 'happy birthday' is from the fabulous Well Said Stampin' Up! bundle and is simply stamped  and heat embossed in white on black card stock.  Downside is white cards are not always easy to photograph, but I think it is clear enough to see the effect you create with this technique.

QUICK TIP
Don't wear man made fleeces or fibres when doing this technique as the static can be challenging!!! That's all I'll say.


Thanks for popping by and do come back soon for more inspiration.

Hugs Zoe x

Shaker Card Tutorials from the Totally Techniques Demonstrator Blog Hop Team

Our Totally Techniques Team are sharing shaker cards this month. The choice was  from Lynsay in Canada.  I've made mine in readiness for my lovely little neice's birthday. She's a girlie girl and loves pink and purple.

I was inspired by my lovely friend SJ who created a shaker card and used vellum to cover the 'hole' for the shaker part.  You can see here card here.  I've used vellum to give a frosted glass look for my shaker bottle from the Bottles and Bubbles Stampin' Up! framelit dies and coordinating Stampin' Up! stamp set Bubble Over.

I started by stamping the large bottle onto a piece of whisper white card. Then die cutting the bottle out to create the aperture for my shaker. I stamped the bottles to the left and right of this one and all the other stamping on this layer, before adding any vellum to give the whole project depth and make it look like the bottles are behind.

I then stuck a piece of vellum on the reverse using tear and tape to cover the aperture. I've added the striped paper just so that you can see the vellum more easily. To add the straw, which I die cut from the Saleabration Botanical Butterfly Designer Series papers, I made a very small slit in the top of the vellum to slide the straw through and have it in the bottle.

 I then flipped it over again and  added foam adhesive strips around the rectangle of vellum.   I added some sequin assortment prior to removing the backing strips on the foam. Removing the backing I added a piece of whisper white card to seal in the sequins.  I added extra foam strip to add this layer to a matting layer of Lemon Lime Twist card.

To finish my design I added other bottles which I had stamped and die cut to the design along with the die cut 'birthday' from the Well Said Stampin' Up! bundle in the spring catalogue and also some rhinestones. You'll see I also stamped and die cut bottle labels including one in sparkle glimmer paper which I coloured with a Lemon Lime Twist Stampin' Write Marker.  I also used the two different sized bottle top dies to add silver foil caps to all the bottles.  To make it easy to stick these on I added double sided adhesive sheet to the back of the foil card prior to die cutting.  Quick Tip keep offcuts of foil that already have double sided adhesive sheet for mini die cuts like this, it saves breaking into a larger piece of foil.   A handful of rhinestones amongst the bubbles add to the 'pop'.

I'm really pleased how this turned out and I know that my neice will love this purple and pink pop bottle card. 

Now we have a new way of you visiting our team of International Demonstrators for this hop to click through the pictures below. You should be able to click on the next picture from the next blog, but you can also return here and go to each in turn. Enjoy our Shaker cards and tutorials.  

Thanks for stopping by and remember there are only a few days left for Saleabration.  To receive bonus products with qualifying purchases visit my online stampin shop. You can also be a discount shopper and a part of my team. Go to  Join Stampin' Up! for more information.

Hugs all Zoe x

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Oh I love this stamp set - Painted Seasons

I can't stop playing with this stunning stamp set bundle.  I just love the 3D effect of the DisINKtive stamps and the fabulous creations you can make throughout the seasons with Painted Seasons.  As you've probably read here before it is a stamp set that comes free with a pack of designer papers when you place an order of £90 this month.  You can also, perhaps as part of your £90 order, purchase a set of coordinating dies to go along with the stamps. 

In my card today I used the soon to retire Berry Burst, Tranquil Tide and Lemon Lime Twist inks from Stampin' Up! 2017 - 2019 in colours. I will really miss these gorgeous colours and if you want to carry on using yours or haven't ventured into this bunch of in colours you will need to act soon. They will sell out as the end of the annual catalogue approaches.  The ribbon is Berry Burst with a silver edge which just makes the flowers pop more.  I wrapped it around my designed layer before sticking to the base card and then instead of a bow to secure it I added a small amount of snail behind the designed layer before then tying white bakers twine around the two ends of the ribbon.  It's a less bulky way of adding ribbon, but a little more fiddly.  Quick tip tie the bakers twine in a double knot before adding the bow loops. 

I mentioned the free pack of papers and have used the subtle side of one piece to fill the aperture I created by using the Stitched Rectangle dies.  It creates a super background for my floral spray.  I've also used the Well Said Stampin' Up! set to create the sentiment which is heat embossed in white powder onto black card.  I hand cut these out and added with mini stampin' dimensionals. 

Another quick tip is to get a softer shade of the darker green leaves be sure to stamp off on scrap paper or whisper white for diecutting later for another project. I felt that the full power of the Tranquil Tide for this card would have been a little overpowering. 

Regular readers know I like a bit of bling so there's the ribbon and some gold metallic pearls too.

Happy Friday All and have a fantabulous weekend.

Zoe x

ps Love all these products consider the Stampin' Up! starter kit and you can currently get £170 minimum for your join fee of £99.  For more details please email me or visit the join link above.
zoetant@live.co.uk