Monochrome Colour for Moving Along with the Times Challenge Blog

Stampin' Up! 2018 - 2019 catalogue will soon retire so don't miss out on those goodies you've had your eye on.  However I'm sharing a little sneak peek today as my design team card for Team A's challenge set by Penny over at Moving Along with the Times. She's challenged us and you to share cards that are monochrome  - colour ie all in shades of one colour.  I've got mainly green and only used white for my sentiment and a touch of bakers twine.  You can join us for the challenge over at MAWTT. 

I've used a new stamp set called Daisy Lane which coordinates with the ever popular Daisy Delight stamp set and matching punch.  This new set will have a matching punch and clearly more images as there isn't a Daisy in sight on my card today. Instead I've used this fab fern leaf stamp and a small dotty stamp from Stampin' Up! set Painted Harvest to fill in the gaps between the leaves.  I've used shades of green with specific colours being Garden Green and Soft Sea Foam.  To create a darker tone as my matting layer I swiped my Versamark pad across the edges of the Garden Green layer and added clear embossing powder which I melted with my heat tool, to give a little more detail.

I've also used a new set of layering dies simply called Stitched Nested Labels to cut a hexagon from the top layer to reveal the darker green below.  I also used my Stamparatus to make sure I stamped the 'smile' in the right place.  The stamp positioning tool makes it easy to position the card stock, lay on the stamp in the place you want it face down, then pick it up with the Stamparatus plate so that the top layer of card can be removed and the Garden Green piece remain in place for stamping.  You'll notice I also used my Versamark pad to stamp some subtle design around the sentiment to carry on the design in the aperture.   The rest of the design was stamped and white heat embossed before being punched out with the Classic Label punch.  I've added a handful of the Soft Sea Foam Basic Adhesive Backed sequins to give that bit of bling you know I love.

The card is for my daughter who has just started working in London this week.  It's been a big adventure and I'm so proud of her.  She's there for 6 months before she returns to her Uni for more lectures before starting another internship next year.

Do come and join us at MAWTT and look at the other design team cards for inspiration.  Also if you don't have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and are in the UK, The Netherlands, Germany, France or Austria and would like to see more of our new products please mail me your details for a copy of the catalogue.

Happy day

Zoe x

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Christmas Card Club - Anything Goes

#simplestamping 

It's been a while since I've been organised enough to create a card and share it with my lovely Christmas Card Club friends.  The challenge for my return was festive food, but I couldn't find anything from my stash so as I'm having so much fun with Stampin' Up! Painted Seasons I thought I'd share this card under the Anything Goes get out of jail free option.  It has been a popular design with lots of folk using different colour ways and sometimes the flowers in the set, but I decided it was just perfect for a Christmas card too.   I adore the pine cone because of the detail that you get with this set due to the distINKtive manufacture of it giving you light and shade.  I've added a simple sentiment, sequins and gold metallic pearls just to give a little depth, but it would be easy to create a batch of these cards in no time at all. 

My colours are Tranquil Tide, Lemon Lime Twist, Cherry Cobbler and Soft Suede. Remember that the two greens will retire from the Stampin' Up! colour palette at the end of May, so be sure to get them while you still can and consider a bottle of re inker too to add to their longevity. 

You can see the other lovely CCC ladies cards via the link to them at the top of my blog.

Happy Monday and have a great week.

Hugs Zoe xx

Love Stampin' Up! products then join my Discount Shoppers Gang and benefit from discounts offers and early access to lots of goodies. 

£170 of product and this bag for just £125 until 31 March 2019

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Have you seen this?

This new Stampin' Up! Saleabration stamp set is just gorgeous. I so love the textured look that you adchieve as the stamps are DistINKtive and so you get all this beautiful light and shade which makes the flowers and other images look as though you could just pick them off the page. 

For my simple card I used my Stamparatus, stamp positioning tool, to add first the smoky slate ink and then using markers I added different colours to the centre of the flower. It took a little bit of patience to stamp each flower individually, but I wanted to define the flower centres using other colours.  I used Mossy Meadow in the very centre and then lined it with black and Soft Suede.  I did each layer at a time cleaning in between most layers.  Using the Stamparatus allows you to go back if you missed a bit or needed darker. bolder colour.  The Lemon Lime Twist ombre ribbon and die cut leaves in the same colour just add a bit of POP and then I've matted my stamped design onto a piece of Soft Suede card stock that just added some warmth, but not too much pop as if I'd added it in lime.  The die cut leaves and sentiment oval are from the Spring Catalogue's Wonderful Floral Framelit dies and the sentiment is from the Perennial Birthday stamp set.  

These stamps look amazing in any colour and even more special they are FREE, yes free with a qualifying order.  Pop by my Stampin' Up! online shop to see them and the stunning papers they come with which you can see used on my stampingscene post. 

images © stampin' up!

Painted Seasons images © stampin' up! 

There is more exciting news you'll be able to purchase a set of dies to go with the Painted Seasons stamp set in March. 

Remember that if you love all of these lovely products and have a wishlist that is over £99 then you can join my team and choose one of the following options until the end of March 2019.

Please do contact me for more information at zoetant@live.co.uk 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Zoe x

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Valentine Love with Little Elephants

It's easy to get carried away with lots of stamps, ink, punches and dies when you craft, but sometimes it's nice to go back to basics and just use stamps, ink and paper and perhaps a simple punch and tool to make life easy.  Everyone connected to Stampin' Up! is sharing #simplestamping projects to bring back everyone's mojo and also to inspire beginners who might be looking for a new craft.  Additionally sometimes the Less is More approach can have just as much impact in a project. 

Today I'm sharing a card I made at the weekend for this very purpose.  It's my #simplestamping Valentine card.  I've used the really cute Stampin' Up! set Little Elephant which is perfect for so many occasions including friendship cards, Valentines', birthdays and as you'll see below Belated Birthday cards too!

I've also used the coordinating elephant builder punch which allows you to add depth by punching the ears out separately.  The cute spray of hearts is from the same set with the sentiment from the Accented Blooms set which also has a matching punch. 

©stampin ' up! Little Elephant Bundle

©stampin' up! Accented Blooms

As I mentioned above you can use this little elephant in different ways.  I'm behind the curve on many things at the moment as the recovery from my Achilles operation is good, but slow and a little more painful than I expected so very tiring.  Birthdays are one thing I'm late with so this card using the Little Elephant set, punch and the Make a Difference alphabet set from Stampin' Up! have helped with belated birthday wishes. 

I used markers to colour the balloons on the stamp in granny apple green, daffodil delight and real red.  A balmy blue elephant teams with the Gingham Gala designer papers from the Stampin' Up! Spring Catalogue.

That reminds me if you haven't got your copy yet please do contact me with your address details and I'll pop one in the post. 

Cute Stampin' Up! Little Elephant for belated birthday wishes

As the leg improves I'm hoping to get back to blogging more often.  Thanks for popping by and I hope to see you soon.

Hugs Zoe x

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Remember that there are free gifts with purchase available from Stampin' Up! until the end of March 2019 so please do visit my online stampin' up! shop.

#onstage2018 Team Swaps

When you are a presenter at Stampin' Up! #Onstage2018 events you are very lucky as you receive early access to products that no one else has seen or will have their hands on for a little while after onstage.  This means that it is extra special to share a design with your team. I made this as my team swap for the recent onstage using the Needle Point Nook suite and in particular the Needle and Thread stamp set and coordinating Needlepoint Elements dies.

I love the new dies that offer a stitched design for your projects and it really adds to the overall effect.  The sentiments are simple and suite specific occasions like thanks and get well wishes plus more.

This set also allows you to introduce lots of colour to your design similar to the designer series papers that accompany the stamps and it called Needlepoint Nook just like the suite.

I've used some Share What You Love pearls also.  The colours used include Berry Burst, Old Olive, Highland Heather, Crushed Curry, Poppy Parade and Flirty Flamingo.

For the sentiment I stamped in Memento Black and here's a top tip.  Those strips that you cut off your whisper white to make matting layers, don't throw them away save them for simple sentiments like this. I've just scissor cut the ends.

The base card is one of Stampin' Up! 's whisper white notecards and envelopes so just the right size for thank yous and also you can stamp the envelope too for a little more detail. Brighten the Postman's day hey!

For more NEEDLEPOINT NOOK inspiration from my onstage presentation you can see this Needlepoint Nook post.

Thanks for stopping by.

Zoe x

Happy Birthday Gorgeous

I created this card at the request of a fellow brass band member who wanted a special card for her bestie as they are both 50 this year.  She had seen a card I made for Olivia and wanted something similar.

This is a shaker card so I cut a circle aperture in my top layer and added a piece of window sheet large enough to cover the reverse of the aperture. I adhered the glimmer paper 50, which I die cut with the now sadly retired large numbers, to the centre of the aperture, but actually on the base card.  I then made a circle of adhesive strip on the base card making sure the edges met and that the strips were out of view of the aperture.  I used my embossing buddy to rub inside the adhesive strip circle to try to prevent static that would make the micro beads I used for the shaker,  stick to the window sheet.

I then added stampin dimensionals to the reverse of the aperture layer and removed the baking and that of the adhesive strip circle to then attached my top layer to the base.

Of course what is important is that you decorate the top layer before adhering it to the base card! I did I assure you, although you'd be forgiven for thinking I may not have as I can be ditzy tee hee.
To decorate I used the lovely Stampin' Up! stamp set Happy Birthday Gorgeous.  I stamped some images onto the top layer and others onto additional pieces of whisper white card or retired sweet sugar plum card and fussy cut them out.  I added touches of petal pink and mint macaron along with fresh fig ribbon and pearls.  The sentiment is punched out with the classic label punch.

I'm pleased to report that the card was well received by the friend who ordered it and the recipient.

If you're celebrating a big birthday this year I hope you have some wonderful celebrations and wish you a happy year.

Thanks for stopping by and see you again soon.

Zoe x

Christmas Card Club Challenge - Animals at Christmas

Hand stamped Christmas Card by UK Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Zoe Tant with We Must Celebrate

I'm a little late for our fortnightly Christmas card club challenge set by Kate up in Scotland, but a) I didn't have it made yesterday to post and b) it just felt not quite right being Easter Sunday. So I've enjoyed tinkering today and have made this card for the theme Animals at Christmas.  Mine are cute, fluffy and not what you'd usually expect for Christmas, but I think this fun combo of stamp sets from Stampin' Up! and animals has worked out quite well.  If you like cute and humorous Christmas cards you may also like one I made last year with Stampin' Up! This Little Piggy.

Ready for Christmas provides the tree, gifts, ornament, main sentiment and cute little dog.  The other critters are from the Stampin' Up! spring catalogue set We Must Celebrate which I adore as it is so sweet and full of great sentiments like 'We're behind you all the way" and 'We think you're the best' which are great for teachers and children to give to teachers.  I used the tree lights from a set called Confetti Celebration stamped them in black ink and add white gel pen to make it simple white lights.

As the critters are adding baubles to the tree I just added some gold metallic enamel stars to help them along the way and the tree was first stamped with old olive ink and then just partially with garden green to give some shading although my photo doesn't show it ever so well.  The parcels coloured up nicely with my stampin' blends alcohol markers and I gave them some depth by raising some with stampin dimensionals.  To break up the old olive matting layer I embossed it first with the Scattered Sequins Dynamic Textured Impressions folder.  My card base is 5.75" square and so I was able to make it from a sheet of thick whisper white card.

I hope you've managed to have a relaxing Bank Holiday weekend and that the weather has dampened your spirits as much as your garden.  We've played games and chilled and it's been great to have Olivia home from Uni.

I'm now spending the week doing a little more of the above and some final preparations for going to the Stampin' Up! Onstage event in Telford next weekend.  I've made my swaps ie cards to trade with others for ideas and now just have my team presents to wrap.  Hope you have a good week.

Zoe xx

Eclectic Means Easy

As you know Stampin' Up! has a big, HUGE, promotion every January through to March offering free gifts with purchases and the gifts are always amazing stamp sets, papers or embellishments. Most are never available to buy, but they are all very desirable and one of this year's fab gifts is Eclectic Expressions which to look at as a stamp set image doesn't possibly grab you, but the crafting and stamping possibilities are endless and really simple when you are stuck for a quick card.

All you need are basic supplies stamps, paper and ink and if you have them you can then embellish with ribbon and/or rhinestones, dots or whatever you have in your stash.  Although I haven't used it here white ribbon is a great staple to have as you can always use your Stampin' Blends alcohol markers to colour it to match your project.

In my card today I've used inks in pear pizzazz, bermuda bay and island indigo.  I've added night of navy ribbon and old olive and dapper denim enamel spots.  I used my new Stamparatus which is the best stamp positioning tool to hit the market (coming very soon for ordering)  to stamp my thank yous perfectly on my white card and then I've added the circles which are made in such a way as to appear watercolored. The stamps are textured and therefore give some subtle definition and texture to your stamping.  The stamped piece is then matted onto pear pizzazz and island indigo card.

You could make it even simpler by just tying the ribbon around the stamp white card, but I chose to add a strip of tear and tape (double sided sticky tape) to the card making sure to overlap it top and bottom to tuck the ribbon ends away.  You can then just remove the backing from the sticky and work down pinching the ribbon as you go and pushing it onto the sticky strip.  I've added a bow separately with a glue dot.  If you don't like bows have you tried the 'bunny ears' technique?  Just make two similar size loops in your ribbon and then tie them in a single knot.  It might need a little tweaking but it's by far the quickest and easiest way to tie a bow.

Remember that this stamp set is free with a purchase of £45 from my Stampin' Shop through until 31 March 2018.

Have fun with this abstract set that has all the basic sentiments you need too!

Hugs Zoe x

Amazing Friend - Happy Birthday

Amazing You + Lovely Inside and Out + Cake Soiree = Stampin' Up!

Earlier this week I shared a couple of cards that I made using the fabulous Cake Soiree stamp set from the Stampin Up spring catalogue.  I also shared a video tutorial of how I created the 'smoosh' effect on the flowers of the cards.  I had several flowers left over and like many of you I'm sure I didn't want them to go to waste so I created this card which was for a dear friend of mine on her birthday.

To begin with I flicked ink from a calypso coral and berry burst marker pens by simply putting the end of the pen nib just into the lid and flicking it out of the lid over the card stock.  You can see it creates a very gentle and subtle spatter effect.  I stamped 'friend' from Stampin Up set Lovely Words in fresh fig ink and also 'for a great' onto a spare piece of whisper white which was then punched out with the classic label punch. This is adhered with stampin dimensionals also.   I added the remaining flowers from my earlier project using glue dots and stampin dimensionals.  My amazing die cut is also one I had spare from a stampin up party I held and was die cut with the double sided adhesive sheets as described in my you tube video here.

You can just see my addition of a little fresh fig card stock at the bottom of my design which was created using the ticket tear border punch.  This is a particularly good punch for mens cards.  The design layer of the card had a bow of white baker's twine added around it prior to being stuck on with stampin dimensionals.   The card is a DL size the base is cut at 21cm x 21cm and scored at 10.5cm and fits in a DL envelope.

As crafters we tend to keep every little scrap and off cut, but sometimes it's actually a good thing to use them and find a use for them rather than overloading your craft room.

Thanks for checking in and I hope you like my short and sweet video with some helpful smooshing, heat embossing and delicate die cut tips.

Hugs
Zoe x

Christmas Card Club

Angels or Fairies is Margaret 's choice for our club challenge today and I have to say I don't have many of either in my Stampin' Up! stash, but I dug out this little cheeky angel from many years ago and created a very quick and easy card for you today.

I've gold heat embossed the angel onto white card and added a sentiment from Oh What Fun in the annual Stampin' Up catalogue in archival basic grey ink.  The image is then mounted onto basic grey card and gold foil card with stampin dimensionals between the grey and gold foil card.  I used my new Stamparatus to position the mistletoe garland from Merry Mistletoe into a central position below my angel image and stamped in basic grey ink.  As you know by now I 'need' a bit of bling and today it's in the form of a tiny rhinestone just on the centre of the bow.

The base card is smokey slate and I've I used an old corner rounder to soften the card corners at the base.  You could make similar cards to this in no time at all.

Don't forget to visit all the Christmas Card Club ladies, as they each have some fabulous designs that are all very different and offer fabulous inspiration.

Thanks for visiting me today have a great Sunday and all the best for the week ahead.

Hugs Zoe x

Christmas Card Club - The Nativity

Stampin' Up! Night in Bethlehem Stamp Set

It's been while since I've participated in the Christmas Card Challenge as life has been busy with the build up to Thailand and this week exam results for Olivia. I'm delighted to share though that she got her first choice place to study Business and will be leaving the nest very soon.  We are so proud of her.

Our challenge today is set by Christine and she wanted us to remember the true meaning of Christmas which has fallen perfectly with my recent order of the new stamp set Night in Bethlehem and the Bethlehem edgelits . These will both be available to purchase in my Stampin Up online shop from 1 September.  Aren't they fabulous and will be useful for years to come.  I've teamed them up with some new papers called Merry Music Specialty and you can just see that the sheet I've used has a carol printed on it with the line "Born a king on Bethlehem's plain...."  I've used sponges and ink to add colour to a soft sky bendy card similar to one in shape to one I made years ago for Shelli's old creative challenges which I won.  You can just see too that I used the brick wall mask behind the first layer of buildings to add a little more interest.  I've also heat embossed in clear some stars onto the carol sheet prior to sponging on colour.  Mary and Joseph are stamped and die cut black on white.

Do take a look around the other ladies blogs for lots more 'Reason for the Season' inspiration.

Happy Sunday.

Hugs Zx

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Moving Along with the Times - Graduation

Stampin' Up! Crafting Forever

My design team entry for the Moving Along with the Times Graduation Challenge is a bit of a throwback really as I've used a stamp that Stampin' Up! sold in 2015 which simply said 'Class of 2015' with a mortar board hat. I used it for some table favours that my daughter took to her prom. This year she graduates from school completely and if all goes well she's off to university in September. I will miss her lots, but don't tell her I said that...... 

So for my challenge card I've mixed the old mentioned above with the new Stampin' Up! set Crafting Forever and one that is staying at least for another year You've Got This, well at least the back ground stamp from it.  Mingling Berry Burst and Lemon Lime Twist with black has made a card with that 'WOW' factor.  The numbers are die cut with the Large Number dies in black card stock and to give the shine I've covered each one with fine tip glue and let it dry. It works similar to the old crystal effects.  As you know I'm always adding a bit of bling and so some metallic enamel stars are perfect for my star pupil.

Come and join us for our challenge at MAWTT, all styles and products welcome.  At the very least visit to see lots of inspiration from the rest of the design team. 

More soon 

Zx

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Happy Christmas

 

Stampin Up Blooms and Wishes Stamp set Christmas card 

Just to say Happy Christmas to all my followers wherever you are.  Thank you for all your support during 2016.  

May peace and happiness be yours now and in the coming year.

For those who aren't celebrating the festive season here is something for you too to say thank you for your support also during 2016.

stampin up uk blooms and wishes greetings card

Best wishes to all.  

Zx

Christmas Card Club - Cute Foxy Friends

Lovely Sylvie is our hostess at Christmas Card Club this fortnight and she set us the challenge of a cute Christmas card.  I couldn't resist a little punch art for this one and my new Foxy Friends stamps and punch worked their magic and we have this cute trio all dressed ready for Christmas celebrations.

All three are created with the fox builder punch except the rabbits ears which started life as part of the bow builder punch and a little bit of freehand fussy cutting.  My festive accompaniments are from Snow Place and sentiment from Oh What Fun.  I'm also liking the new Classic Label punch which arrived with my UPS man this week.

A bold statement background works well I think with these cute characters and it is just a piece of designer series paper from the Pop of Pink pack.  No pink here today though!

Also to add a little bit of different coloured fur to the European Badger featured I have used white craft ink and stamped with the large paint brush mark from Painter's Palette.

Please do visit the other ladies in our club who all have a cute card to share and different inspiration for you.

Happy Sunday.  Zx

Fathers Day Cards with Stampin Up Swirly Bird

My poor Dad has had a bit of a 'swirly' year so far so a yacht on the waves seems appropriate for this year's Father's Day.  I turned it into a spinner card too using the Sliding Star framelits in the new Stampin' Up! annual catalogue.

 Poor Dad has had a lot to deal with and he had some complications too when he had his surgery, so I wanted to remind him how much we all love him and are wishing him well on his journey through this challenge.

Combined with the Swirly Bird stamps and Sliding Star Framelits are Swirly Scribbles Framelits, Friendly Wishes stamp set, Crazy About You stamp set, Celebrate Today stamp set and designer series paper Blooms and Bliss.  

The paper was left over from my Stampin Up Floral Frames card and it is too lovely to leave bits unloved and used.  It's island indigo and mint macaron pattern here are perfect for the shades of the sea and pretty too for girly cards like the Floral Frames one I made.  Other colours used are real red, daffodil delight, night of navy and calypso coral.  

Like most girls I love my Dad and I wish him and Dads around the world a peaceful and Happy Father's Day this Sunday.  

Zx

Music Theme at MAWTT

It's time for another challenge at MAWTT and our theme is Music.  I've used a digi image from the retired Stampin' Up! MDS package and then enhanced it with stamps from the new awesome stamp set Touches of Texture along with a little Gorgeous Grunge. These sets are so good to use to add pattern, texture and interest regardless of colour or type of card you make.

The rock genius is made up from Painter's Palette and Crazy About You stamp sets and I've added a few stars in emerald envy from the new in colour enamel shapes.

You can see all the new products in my online shop HERE

Back soon

Zx

Wedding cards with Bravo Stampin' Up! Set

Last week I took part in the Stampin' Up! Mediterranean Cruise Achievers Blog Hop. Wow trying said that after a glass of wine or two....! The theme was wedding dreams and you can see my entries in my Wedding Dreams post, but I also made this card at the same time. Wedding season is here and so I thought I'd share this one also.

It's very simple using a collection of heart stamps from different Stampin' Up! sets including A Nice Cuppa, Tin of Cards and Beautiful Ride. Additionally I used the mini heart punch from the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack.

I've added the faintest touch of silver thread and a handful of rhinestones along with whisper white punched hearts raised on stampin' dimensionals for a little depth.  I used the paper piercing mat from long ago, but the current  Updated Essentials set on p168 of the annual catalogue would be even better to add some detail to the border of my top layer.  You can't really see it, but the black layer is a piece of embossed card from the Colour Me Irresistable Designer Series Paper.

The sentiment in black archival ink says it all and is part of the Bravo stamp set which is full of congratulations and well done stamps.

Weddings are such happy times and let's face it the world needs happy right now.

Zx

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