Circle Circus for Less is More Challenge

I can't believe a week has already passed and I seem to still have an ironing mountain, I'm still running the children everywhere and I'm still chasing my tail.  Anyone else feel this way?

However it's been a good week with Charlie gaining his badge 2 at gymnastics, he only has one more to achieve to have the full set and he also picked up 4 badges at Beavers and also news that he can move up to Cubs in September. So we have one happy gymnastical Beaver.  Olivia has also had a good week with a trip to London to ride the London Eye and see Billy Elliott.  She was so excited, but I can't say we felt the same excitement getting up at 5am to make sure she was at school by 6am!  Thursday was a long day.

I've also had a good week as Stampin' Up! have announced some very promising changes to the business that will make life as a demonstrator even more rewarding with the promise of lots of fun and interesting rewards.  If you'd like to know more and join in with the fun then contact me for a no obligation chat about being a demonstrator running it to your entire satisfaction at your own pace.

Now the other reason I know a week has passed apart from my tiredness level is there's a new challenge at Less is More.  It is no less fun than any other that the ladies have set and this week it has a theme which offers so much choice - CIRCLES.  I've used clear embossed circles from the Circle Circus and Medallion Background stamp sets to showcase some gorgeous buttons from the brights collection along with the odd one or two from the Oh Sew Suite big designer buttons in the mini and some circles from the simple understated bitty buttons.  For inside the card I have stamped Circle Circus circles (good excuse for alliteration or what!) in rich razzleberry ink to match the base card.  I love the simple but dramatic effects that the process of clear heat embossing achieves.

If it's not wet with you as it is across most of the UK then enjoy the sunshine and if you're getting rained on too then enjoy the perfect excuse for wallowing in your craft space!

Have a good one!

Hugs Zx

I'm liking this leggy theme!!

When I first came across this weeks challenge at Less is More I was not sure where to start.  However as times gone on I've really got into the swing of it and have also tried out a technique which I read about in our demonstrator newsletter that we receive from Stampin' Up!.  Now you might think that stencilling isn't new and you'd be right of course, but it was suggested that we use the curly label punch to create a stencil which I've done below and used the dimensions suggested in the newsletter.  I also decided to experiment with my new decorative label punch and came up with the stencil I've used in the card above for my second entry into Less is More one layer challenge themed with legs!  Of course the Eiffel Tower (from Artistic Etchings as well as Paris, France) has legs and fits in perfectly with my stencilled background which I achieved with a brayer and sponge daubers.  I stamped the tower in black initially and added some colour to the bushes at the bottom then used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the tower again on top of itself inorder to emboss it in clear, thus safeguarding my greenery and making sure the image itself remained crisp.  I've used some basic black striped grosgrain ribbon which narrowed by cutting the width I wanted and sealed the raw edge with a lit candle.  You need to move it quickly through the flame to avoid overmelt!!!!! That's then fixed with a couple of staples and the sentiment is from Occasional Greetings.

Now for the East Coast Stampers Get Together, (a fun meet and greet session for all demos in Lincolnshire and surrounding counties) I made the Christmas card below to show how easy this homemade stencil technique is and it became my swap for the afternoon with this being an upgraded version to show what else could be done with the basic card on crumb cake. I can't believe I've even mentioned the 'C' word or made a card but I guess I need to do better than I did last year so it's a start.

Have a fun day.
Hugs Zx

Shades of blue

Happy Sunday and welcome to my entry for the Less is More challenge of Shades of Blue.  You can use any shades of blue and some white.  I've included baja breeze, bashful blue, marina mist, night of navy and pacific point.  The I {heart} hearts stamp set has been stamped and the small heart punch has then been used to take just a small section from each larger stamped heart.  Can you spot the one different heart though that isn't from I {heart} hearts?

My matting layers are made up using a whisper white card base, baja breeze designer series paper from the subtles paperstack and finally a piece of whisper white textured using the square lattice embossing folder.  The ribbon is night of navy satin.

Now I've mentioned using the Big Shot and if you'd like to win a Stampin' Up! Big Shot then visit this post to find out more!  Alternatively visit this post to find out how you can win a stamp set and help St Luke's Hospice Sheffield.

Finally a big thank you to everyone visiting my blog and the lovely comments you leave on my challenge entries. It really gives a warm glow and is very much appreciated.

Until next time
Hugs Zx

Monograms and Special Birthdays

 Tonight DH and I are going to a party to celebrate the 18th and 21st of our friends sons. The boys have their birthday on the same date in August, but with all their friends celebrating this year also and trying to fit all the parties in, it was decided to go for a mid summer celebration.  Now it's one of those dilemmas what do you give to brothers sharing the same birthday on their 18th & 21st!!!!!!!!!!! I spoke to their Mum who said that like many of us they hope to go to the Olympics and so money would be appreciated.  However it's nice to give it in a slightly more interesting way.  So I've made my own version of this gift card holder that US demos were given on their recent incentive trip.  I've adapted it to UK measurements and instead of a gift card I've added the cheque. 

I started making this around 7am this morning and have found quite by chance that it also fits in with the challenge set by Chrissie and Mandi at Less is More.  They've asked for Monograms this week and that's fitted in really well with my gift card as I'm making two obviously, I want them to be personal and so have monogramed them, well this one so far as the other is yet to be made!

The party tonight is in a marquee so wish us luck with all the rain!  Hope you have a fun filled weekend.

Hugs Zx

ps Please don't forget to follow and join in the St Luke's Charity Card Challenge. It's a really worthwhile cause.

Supplies

Cardstock  -  bashful blue, pacific point, whisper white

Ink -  real red

Dies - top note exclusive to Stampin' Up!

Punches  - 13/4"circle, word window

Stamps  - Party this way, Varsity Alphabet

Accessories - Celebrate dsp and quick accents, real red satin ribbon

Wow I've been showcased!!!!

Well I'm chuffed to have been showcased for my card last week in the Less is more challenge of Pick a Square with this card.  Thanks Chrissie & Mandi for choosing my card. I'm honoured when there are always so many fabulous entries on your challenge. Keep up the good work and challenge us.

Second Attempt

You may recall that a few days ago I entered this week's Less is More challenge and said that I started my card, struggled, revisited the challenge to check on the detail, discovered I hadn't read it correctly and so started again.  Well I don't like to waste cardstock so I played around with my original design and finished up with this which is very definitely shades of green but I confess when I enter it over at Less is More I think that Chrissie and Mandi will not find enough 'white' space, but it conforms in other ways of monochrome, so sorry Ladies if it doesn't work completely with you, but I just wanted to remind folk not to throw away disasters as you can always find a solution. 
Have a great day!
Hugs Zx
Supplies
Cardstock  pear pizzazz, always artichoke
Stampin around wheel - very vintage
Stamp sets  - Strength and Hope, Just Believe
Big Shot
Embossing folder elegant bouquet
Ribbon - pear pizzazz seam binding
Accessories - pearls, scallop trim border punch

Stampin' Up! Vintage Wallpaper

 Well today is Less is More Day and I've spent ages fiddling, but couldn't get anything I was happy with until I revisted their challenge and read it properly and discovered that I could use white as well as a single colour in varying shades.  You can't believe the mess I've made trying to make a totally green card! Finally I came up with this and it's showcased our lovely vintage wallpaper embossing folder.  I embossed some pear pizzazz dsp from the in colour stack and then sponged with dauber to highlight the embossed pattern in always artichoke.  I've used the reverse of the dsp to stamp in different green shades one of the flowers from Ornate Flowers stamp set and used the decorative label punch to frame it.

For the scallop trim border to fit just perfectly around your centre strip you need to cut your background cardstock 1/2 inch wider than the decorative strip.  This gives you a lace effect along the edges and some structure and strength if you use dsp for the decorative centre.

Ruffled pear pizzazz seam binding and a triple bow just add a bit of luxury along with those elegantly useful pearls.  The sentiment is from Just Believe a gorgeous stamp set that I defy you not to love.  You can place a customer order for any of these products with your local demonstrator or me at any time. You don't have to wait for a party! Do email me if you need any help with that. martin.tant@homecall.co.uk

I also promised some pics from our day at the Sincerely Yours Show last Sunday.  It was such a successful day and great to see so many Stampin' Up! fans.  This is the team from left to righ Emma, Me, Mandy and Bridgette.  You can visit their blogs via my sidebar.

It's a lovely sunny day here at the moment so I'm off to enjoy it with a family bbq while it lasts. Have fun all.

Hugs Zx

One of my favourites - Pocket Silhouettes

 

stampin' Up! demonstrator Zoe Tant 

 

It's been a busy week as some of my team and I have been preparing for The Sincerely Yours Craft Show at The Lincolnshire Show Ground tomorrow.  We have a stand and look forward to welcoming all to our display, demonstrations and make and take table.  It's on from 10am to 4pm with plenty of parking and inexpensive entrance what more could you want on a Bank Holiday weekend!

I have now just about got everything ready and so have taken some time out to christen my river rock inkpad, can't believe it was still in the cello wrapper, to make a card for this weeks challenge at Less is More.  The lovely ladies have set an interesting challenge in that you need to divide your card into squares and choose one to decorate. If you fancy ago click on the link and check the exact details and lots of  fab entries.  I've gone for the centre, but have added a twist by decorating the centre square inside my card and have just added an embossed frame on the outside.  I've stamped with my favourite set Pocket Silhouettes in early espresso, river rock (what a fab neutral!) and soft suede.  I used my paper trimmer to cut the aperture in the card and the frame.  The light is awful today so I've taken a few shots in the hope that you get the picture!

Time for a cuppa now and to pack my bags for the show where if you visit our stand you can find out about how you could win your very own BIG SHOT!  Can't make it then you can always email or telephone an order to me.

I look forward to seeing you.

Happy crafting

Zx

Congratulations with Stampin ' Up ! Curly Cute

 zoe tant independent stampin up demonstrator

 Hi everyone, how's you today?  I'm fine and enjoying chilling after a fabulous holiday which I will share with you very soon when I have put some srapbook pages together.  Today it's taken me a while to get in the mood for crafting as I've not done any for a while and so I'm slow off the mark with this weeks Less is More challenge.  Chrissie and Mandi are challenging you to make a clean and simple card with the theme of either 'thank you' or 'congratulations'.  For the moment I've managed 'congratulations' what with so much love in the air at the mo I've taken on a wedding/anniversary theme with my congrats. 

I've finally been brave enough to open my lovely pack of Springtime Vintage Designer Series Papers and use a small scallop trimmed piece to set off my theme.  For the hearts I first used sponge daubers to add colour (pear pizzazz and baja breeze) to some very vanilla cardstock.  I then used the spritzer tool with the same colour marker pen to add a little bit of texture.  The baja breeze seam binding ribbon is just perfect for twisting and then gathering by fraying the ends slightly before pulling on a single thread in the middle to gather it.  I've tucked the ends away after tying my knot.  Basic pearls highlight my Curly Cute sentiment.  For my pear pizzazz matting layer I also used the cutting tool kit to distress the edges.  I've also finally had the sense to invest in some textured cardstock and my very vanilla base is exactly that.  You can click on either picture for a larger view.  I hope to get around to try the thank you out later in the week.

Back soon with some holiday pics and stories.

Ciao Bella

Zx

Thank you Team

zoe tant stampin up demonstrator uk

Good morning everyone, and welcome once again to my entry for the Less is more challenge which this week is for a single layered card with the theme of 'sentiment' .  I've decided to dedicate my card to my lovely team who have all achieved so much with their Stampin' Up! businesses whether they are a hobby demo or are working it as a business.  They are all wonderfully talented ladies and I'm honoured to know them and have them in my team. 

I'd also like to thank Mandi & Chrissie over at Less is More for setting up such a great challenge blog that encourages lots of folk to leave comments on entries not only leaving a warm glow for the maker of the project, but also thanking them for taking the trouble to share their creativity with everyone else.  Thanks girls!!!

Thanks, thank you, a note of thanks and even 'ta' for a baby are all so easy to say and yet it's often not said enough.  We have so much to be thankful for and often forget to count our blessings.  As you read this think of what you have rather than what you don't and make sure you give an extra 'thanks' to someone today!

My card is on whisper white, with real red and pacific point ink and markers.  I used our new decorative label punch from the Stampin' Up ! UK Summer Mini 2011 to make a mask to highlight the english translation of this versatile word amongst all the other languages using the So Many Thanks individual stamp from our main idea book and catalogue.  The stamp a ma jig helped me to position all the images.

Have a great day and remember 'thank you'.

Thanks for visiting me today!!

Hugs Zx