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

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Share What You Love - Love what you do

Stampin' Up! 2018 Incentive Trip to Alaska Blog Hop

Share What You Love Stampin' Up! Stamp Set is so pretty

Welcome to this monthly blog hop where we are sharing inspiration for the early release Stampin' Up! Share What You Love Suite.  It's a suite of products that are just gorgeous and so feminine.  You'll want to use them on lots of projects.

My cards today feature the Love What You Do stamp set and the new in colour Grapefruit Grove and the returning colour Mint Macaron.  Although this stamp set includes a stamp that could act as a water  colour wash image I've used an aqua painter on shimmery white card to create my own wash picking up ink from inside the lid of the ink pad.  Our new ink pads are not so easy to 'squeeze' to get onto the lid inside, but I've found that if place the closed pad face down on a firm surface and firmly push it to the table it works better than just squeezing in your hands.

I've also used the little floral shower stamp to add some tone on tone background stamping.  I've added gold thread wrapped around the stamped layer along with lace and some random mini gold sequins.  I very narrow matt layer of Grapefruit Grove sets the art work off, on the very vanilla card base which is approx 4.5inches square.

I used a staple to ensure the lace stayed in place as it's not easy to glue without making a mess or having sticky coming through but I wanted to cover the staples on each card so having fussy cut my gold embossed flowers I stuck them on with Stampin' dimensionals and added some baker's twine.  This started life as white but using a coffee stick I pulled the thread across the ink pad allowing the pressure of the stick on it to push the white twine into the ink and colour it.  You need to make sure you let it dry then before tying bows.

Using the same techniques I created the cards below, but brought in some Mint Macaron card for a slightly different look.  I also added sequin trim to these.

All these products are available this month as bundles put together by Stampin' Up! and each bundle has a bonus free gift included.  You can learn a little more about the products in the Stampin' Up! video below. 

Click this image to visit my Stampin' Up! Online Shop  

Enjoy the hop and thanks for stopping by here with me Stampin' Up! UK Independent Demonstrator Zoe Tant.

Hugs  Zoe x

Christmas Card Club - Star of Wonder

Another fortnight so it must be time for another Christmas Card Club challenge and this time it is my challenge. I aimed for something a bit different but then wish I hadn't as I've really struggled with Star of Wonder. What was I thinking!!!!! Martin suggested a pick of George Clooney as an alternative although I think secretly he was meaning himself as he is in jest referred to as George Clueknee on occasion.

However I've persevered and have come up with this card using the fab 'star' from the Kinda Eclectic stamp set. The stars, stipples and sentiments are from Holly Jolly Greetings and Crazy About You sets.

I started the card by embossing the big star with clear embossing powder and then used a sponge to add layers of ink onto a piece of Stampin Up  whisper white card.  I started with the palest colour soft sky and then moved through the shades of pool party, marina mist, dapper denim and ending with night of navy.  I also used the night of navy marker to gently put colour on the very edge of the card.  Using my embossing buddy I finally added some stars and stipples in versa mark and then embossed with silver.  The design is then matted onto night of navy card and then on a pool party base.

What do you think of the ruched new ribbon in dapper denim and the cute enamel stars?

Having realised I was struggling I added  a let out for the challenge of anything goes so you might see some different themes from the ladies, but they are so organised they probably had theirs done weeks ago and maybe more stars. Do take a look around as we all have very different styles and I'm sure you'll find some inspiration.

Have a great Sunday, and don't forget if you are in Hampshire come and see us at the Sincerely Yours craft show at the Mountbatten centre 10am to 3.30pm.

Zx

Christmas Card Club with Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue Sneak Peeks

Stampin' Up! UK Annual Catalogue Sneak Peek with Christmas

I've been missing Christmas Card Club as I took a leave of absence while my kitchen was being renovated, but today we are moving back into the kitchen as it's almost finished  and also it's my challenge so I thought it was about time I got organised and got back into the swing of our fortnightly challenge.

We set our challenge at the beginning of the year, but like a sign I have on my wall at home says "if it wasn't for the last minute nothing would get done around here" hence I've just put this card together and in my honest opinion, (you can of course disagree!!!) I've incorporated a couple of the new incoming in colours from the 2015-2016 Annual Stampin' Up! catalogue and they are Cucumber Crush and Watermelon Wonder.  I wasn't keen on the green when I first received it in my sneaky peek order, but it is going up in the popularity stakes.  

Another sneaky piece of info from the new catalogue is that Christmas stamps are back in all year YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even more YAY I have a couple already so I can share this fun card with you which has the fun Festival of Trees stamp set and its matching punch.  They will appear in the new catalogue as a bundle once more saving you 15% when you buy them as a double act.  

 One final sneak peek that I'm sharing is the cotton paper which is almost like a coated tissue paper with body, yes body and I've used it as the tissue in my gift bag, but because it has more body (a little like red wine) it will hold its shape.  

Regular readers, you know who you are, know that I love a bit of bling and my gold glitter paper adds that touch of Christmas sparkle on my Christmas Card Club challenge Gift card.  

Wishing you all a good weekend and a happy browse around the other ladies blogs in our friendly club.  You can find them in my right hand side bar sharing lots of Christmas card inspiration and styles.  

Zx