Party this Way from Stampin' Up!

Just wanted to share a birthday card with you using Stampin' Up! Party This Ways stamp set and its co-ordinating Petite Pennants Builder Punch.  It was quick and easy to make and great for using up scraps of your versatile designer series paper stacks for the bunting across the top.  Colours include daffodil delight, tangerine tango and pacific point and you only need one ink pad!   Don't you think the mini brads look spot on!

Come back tomorrow as I have some wonderful surprises for you.
Happy stampin'
|Zx

Simple Stampin' Up! Background Parlour Prints

Stampin' Up! Parlour Prints and Charming Stamp Sets

Isn't it amazing what a background stamp like Stampin Up's Parlour Prints can do to raise the image you have stamped on a card.  Here in chocolate chip on river rock cardstock it stands out, but promotes the image stamped using the Charming stamp set from the Spring Mini.  Remember this is only around now for a couple of weeks.  I made an oval mask in paper using my extra large oval punch stamped the background script image from the Charming set in river rock and then the flower image in chocolate chip over the top still using the mask.  Then I used my oval textured impressions designer frame embossing folder to create the frame around my image.  Spotted chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon adds a chic knot with the scallop border trim punch finishing the bottom edge.  Fix onto a matting layer and onto that beautiful background and you have a simple but elegant card.  Pearls or rhinestones could add luxury or pizzazz depending upon your mood. 

Don't forget the background stamps found on pages 77 and 78 of the main Idea Book and Catalogue which compliment many a project without you realising how easy they are to use.  There are two schools of thought on whether you should take ink to stamp or stamp to ink, but my recommendation in the case of a background stamp is most definitely ink to stamp and then cardstock to stamp with a piece of scrap paper to smooth your cardstock onto the inked surface whilst keeping it free from slipping and smudging and of course keeps your fingers free from ink!!!

Take a look and order some this month to receive some Free designer paper from the list available on my post on 2 April. 

More soon.
Zx

Stampin' Up! 's most wonderful time of the year!

Please scroll down for new posts as this will remain at the top of my blog for some time!

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FREE GIFTS

So it's here again, yes the most wonderful time of the year......... No not Christmas that's the other time and it's not always the most wonderful for everyone, but Sale-a-bration is wonderful for everyone because everyone can be a winner.  There are 3 ways to benefit from this annual promotion.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO SEE THE FREE GIFTS

During this wonderful time of the year you can do exactly what the sign says..... spend £45 and earn a free gift.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO FIND OUT ABOUT PARTY FUN!

Alternatively host a party and encourage all your friends to come and join the wonderful time of the year.  Not only do they get the free gifts for their purchases, but you can earn bonuses above and beyond those normally received by hostesses.  It's also a fun time spent with friends and of course me!

The final option of 3 is for the me the best one!

CLICK ABOVE TO EARN MONEY DOING YOUR HOBBY AND MORE FREE GIFTS

You can join the Stampin' Up! family and benefit from discounted products, first view and use of new products, friendship, fun and did I mention that you too get more than usual for joining my team during February or March 2012 during the Sale-a-bration most wonderful time of the year.

For more details of any of the above please do contact me.  I'm happy to chat about each wonderful option and help you choose whether

• You want a taste of it all
•  You want more than a taste or
• You most definitely want it all.............

Only you can decide and that's a tough decision, but I'm here to help you make the best choice for you.  You can email me martin.tant@homecall.co.uk or call 01507 525885.

Let me know if you'd like a complimentary Spring Mini catalogue or Sale-a-bration brochure.

Stampin' Tots!

LOOK who came to techniques club today!!!

This is my youngest Demonstrator in Waiting and you can see that she's already got a favourite colour in Stampin' Up! 's Peach Parfait.

I have to admit though it's difficult maintaining your class goers concentration with such a cute distraction!

And of course like all good crafters little India May found the whole experience so relaxing she was ready for a nap when Gran packed up to take her home.

Cupcake creations care of Stampin' Up!

Thought that having taken the children for milkshake and cake in one of our local lovely cafes it was appropriate to share with you a 'cupcake'.  Yes Stampin' Up! can offer you cupcakes in the form of a super stamp set (create a cupcake 121915 wood 121982 clear mount) along with a coordinating cupcake builder punch (121807 £15.50). 

The stamp set offers the usual versatility of Stampin' Up! sets and the punch too gives you lots of options and if you're not a stamper you can create cupcakes and more with all our lovely papers and punch to hearts content. 

Seems a bit naughty to offer the children cakes when they said they'd give up chocolate for Lent only on Tuesday!!! Ha don't you just to tease as a parent.  Simple pleasures.............

Back soon

Zx

Supplies

cardstock - whisper white, early espresso, pretty in pink, subtles paper stack

ink - early espresso, pretty in pink, versamark

punch - cupcake builder

accessories - heat 'n' stick powder, dazzling diamonds glitter, subtles brads, early espresso taffeta ribbon, designer frames embossing folder

Stampin' Valentine to you!

 Happy Valentine's Day everyone. I hope you receive a note in the post, a card from your loved one or a bouquet or at the very least a little kiss from someone you love. 
Here is the card I made for my husband.  I wanted it to be full of love, but also masculine and seeing as he made the right kind of noises I guess it hit the mark!
Do you know anything of the history of Valentine's Day, for example do you know that it was first established by Pope Gelasius 1 in 496 AD in honour of one or more martyrs named Valentinus.  It was removed from the General Roman Calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul V1.  Numerous countries celebrate this day although everyone still goes to work on this special day.  If you want to know more look here in Wikipedia.  In the meantime have yourself a special day and enjoy the love that comes your way.


Happy Stampin'
Zx

Supplies
Stamps - en francais background, I {heart} hearts,  outlined occasions SAB
Inks - versamark, cherry cobbler, river rock, early espresso, soft suede
Card - early espresso, cherry cobbler textured, naturals ivory, well worn dsp
accessories - heart to heart punch, mini heart punch, neutrals buttons, linen thread, neutrals brads, antique brads, twill tape, clear embossing powder

Petal Cone Die exclusively from Stampin' Up!

Valentine's day is fast approaching so I have a project to share with you made with Stampin' Up! 's petal cone die in the big shot.  It uses the gorgeous glimmer paper from our Spring Mini  ( click spring mini to view the catalogue) and also the stamp set You Are Loved.

To create the scalloped border around the heart I used a straight strip of cardstock (basic black) and the scallop border punch along one side.  Then cut from the opposite side small slits towards the point between each scallop making sure not to cut too far. This then allows you to shape the piece of card around a curved border.  I've added some pearls to the heart design and using a versamarker was able to mark and heat emboss the bird with clear embossing powder to give some texture. 

The top is tied closed with some of our basic black striped grosgrain ribbon which I cut in half along its length and then sealed the cut edge with a heat gun.  I didn't want to use the full width of the ribbon and now have a spare piece for another project.

Hope your day of love is filled with just that..........

Zx

Challenges

Simon Says - Love is in the Air

Clean and Simple Challenge 175

I find that entering challenges gives me a starting point for a project.  Then I have the ability to choose stamps, colours and images depending upon the challenge of course, but generally with a sketch it's up to you.  This card is following a sketch at Clean and Simple.   It's challenge 175  It's given me a great opportunity to use some free stamp sets that I've earned through my spending either from Sale-a-bration or hostess sets.

I'm continuing to love the 2011-2013 In colours as well and her you can see Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Indigo Island and Wisteria Wonder.  They are just yummy!  My crimper makes another appearance as I'm on a roll using that and it works well with the stripes in the designer series paper.

I had already made the card below and when I saw the challenge I thought I'd use the same colours, but obviously with some variation to the tools and layout to suit the challenge.  However I like both so I'm sharing them with you!

Why don't you visit the challenge and see some fab cards and then have a go yourself! Pop back to tell me and I can visit you.

Supplies

cardstock - wisteria wonder, lucky limeade dsp, indigo island, pool party

stamps - Fresh Vintage (sale-a-bration gift), Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess gift)

tools - postage stamp punch, mat pack and paper piercer, 11/4 inch circle punch, crimper, markers

accessories - ruffled ribbon, in colour designer brads, tombow, stampin' dimensionals

Sale-a-bration - Elementary Elegance

There's a new piece of kit in the Stampin' Up! USA that I really hope comes over here.  You can create fancy 'bottoms' to your cards and projects and I really like the effects I've seen.  So much so that I decided I'd have a go with the tools I already have and so with the top note die and a circle punch I created the bottom of this card.  It allows you to link your dsp to the inside of the card.  It's not difficult and and just adds a little something different.  Why don't you try doing something different with the Stampin' Up! UK tools you have available!

More soon Zx

Supplies

cardstock - melon mambo, whisper white and indigo island DSP

stamps - elementary elegance, SAB set

tools - big shot, top note die, curly label punch, itty bitty shapes punch pack, circle punch

accessories - rhinestones, sticky strip, stampin' dimensionals, marker pen

Stampin' Up! Sale-a-bration sets for Simply Stunning

There's a plaque on my sign wall in our family room that says 'If it wasn't for the last minute, nothing would get done around here!' and this card is no exception.  I've been playing about with stamps and  paper today preparing for a class and I came up with this card and have decided to put it into Shelli's 'simply stunning' challenge (the challenge ends today!).  It is simple and the colour of calypso coral, one of Stampin' Up! 's 2012-2013 in colours is really the simply stunning part apart from the fact that it is now dark here and getting a good photo is not my strong point, but you can certainly start to feel the warm glow of this colour which is just perfect for the cold weather here at the moment.
I've got around to using my new designer frames embossing folders (yes even demonstrators have new kit lying around just being admired for some time before they actually use it!) and aren't they just dandy.  I love this idea of having an instant frame and I like the hand torn edge that you can create around it.  Hand torn always makes me think of my Dad who told my Mum he liked her card, but did she realise it was ripped!!!!!
The crumb cake seam binding is just terrific for this sort of project and its softness makes it easy for anyone to tie a bow without it looking awful, even you Paul!!! I've used a combo of SAB sets, because after all you must realise by now that they are more than worth the £45 spend to get them for FREE.  The flower is from fresh vintage and the sentiment from elementary elegance.  The crimper and a sponge dauber have provided the back drop to my picture and as ever my favourite accessory pearls. 
Come back soon.
Zx

Supplies
Stamp Sets Elementary Elegance, Fresh Vintage
Cardstock - calypso coral, crumb cake and very vanilla
Inks - poppy parade
markers - poppy parade, lucky limeade
accessories - designer frames embossing folder, crimper, large oval punch, pearls, seam binding, sponge daubers

Love with Stampin' Up! heart punches

Why is it when you make a card that you're really pleased with you just can't seem to get the right light for the photograph.......  Typically it's a grey day here and I've tried several times to show the texture in this card.  It's for the sketch challenge at Less is More. I've used my crimper to follow the sketch, but I know it's not easy to see.  Hopefully I'll be able to swap in another pic when the light improves. 

 Here's a close up of the heart.  I've used Stampin' Up! small heart punch. It's such a cute little punch and my team mate Laura has fallen in love with it.  She borrowed mine recently when she started as a demo and loved using it so much said " I just had to have it and ordered my own" It's a diddy little punch that you can pop in your pencil case and add some 'love' to any project.  In whisper white and brushed gold cardstock it looks really effective.  A rhinestone adds some bling and a a stamped jewellery tag gives identity to the recipient of the sentiment. 

You can stamp on the brushed gold and silver card and here I've used basic black to send my message of congratulations from retired Cheers and Wishes.

Hope it's a brighter Monday with you. 

Hugs Zx

Supplies

Stamp Sets - Tiny tags, Cheers and Wishes

Punches - Small heart, Modern label, large heart

Cardstock - whisper white, brushed gold

Ink - stampin' up! basic black

Accessories - crimper, basic rhinestones, snail adhesive, stampin dimensionals



Merry Christmas

I just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2012 and to thank you all for your support over the past year.  I'm lucky to have such a lovely group of ladies in my team and also so many wonderful customers.  I look forward to sharing, creating and inspiring you all next year and to also learning much from all of you.

Have fun this Christmas.

Hugs Zx

Stampin' Up! Frightful Sights!

It's getting near to that time of year when children are getting excited about going out Trick or Treating and so at scrapbook club this month our theme was Halloween.  My mojo left me completely, but I have now managed to finish a page.  It's a picture from a few years ago when the children were much smaller and very much more excited by the idea of visiting our neighbours. 

This year in the new Idea Book and Catalogue we have some fabulous Halloween designer series paper called Frightful Sights.  It's particularly good because many of the patterns are specifically for Halloween, but several can also be used for other events with no cats, spiders, pumpkins or ghosts.  The colours too are perfect for the ever elusive male cards.  Colours include basic black, cajun craze and old olive.

My pumpkin evolved from that timeless classic circle maker 'the side plate' direct from my kitchen.  When you don't have the perfect template cutter you can adapt and use whatever you have to hand.  I've used sponge daubers and the spritzer tool to add texture and the pumpkin stalk has been crimped and sponged and the tendrils are very thin slithers of cardstock that I've spiralled around a pencil. 

My new Simple Alphabet dies for my Big Shot were a bargain HALF PRICE making them affordable due to my 50%hostess benefit when I submitted a qualifying order and they were also perfect to use for the wording on this page.  I covered them with fine galaxy black glitter and recut the 'o's' to make spooky eyes.

A little pumpkin stamping using a retired stamp from our first catalogue and I'm done.  I've found scrapbooking a challenge, but what I really love about it is reliving the memories that the photo makes you recall.  Halloween has always been a fun past time for my children and therefore it's fun as a parent.

Enjoy your memories!

Zx

The Retired List is now available

IT's that time of year when we say goodbye to some of our favourite stamp sets and it maybe that you have your eye on a favourite and it is now on this list.  To make sure that it becomes a favourite that you own rather than admire from a far you need to order it by the end of September.  Some items on the Retired List have reductions of up to 40% and so this is also the time to grab yourself a bargain and we all like one of those!!!!!! You can view the list here  and then you can place a customer order at any time and have it shipped to your door at £4.95 or you can have free shipping if you collect it from me.  I will placing an order on Sunday and then again on Wednesday 7 September.  Of course orders where you pay the shipping can be submitted at any time.

Last year many items sold out very quickly so please don't browse for too long or you may be disappointed. 

More very soon.
Zx

Stampin' Up! Level 3 Hostess Set - Playful Pieces

At last amongst the madness of daily life during the school hols I have found a few minutes to have a go at the Less is More challenge which is a colour challenge asking you to make a clean and simple card using the colours from your national flag. I've gone for the Union flag with it's vibrant red white and blue and I've made it a Chrimbo card for friends in the USA who say 'Happy holidays' and also of course have a red white and blue flag.

My shades of each colour are obviously whisper white, real red and night of navy.  I've added a single rhinestone as a ray of light from my tree which comes from some of the lovely stamps in the Playful Pieces level 3 hostess set. 

Onwards now ready for a tribe of teeny, meany boys coming to play tomorrow and stay for a camp out! Wish me luck as I think I'll need it!

Enjoy your evening.
Hugs Zx

technorati : stampin up, demonstrator uk, zoe tant, how to, playful pieces, papercraft supplies, rubber stamps, craft supplies, cardmaking, supplies

Scrapbook Club with Circle Circus

Scrapbook Club started last night and everyone enjoyed it and also produced two lovely 12"x12" layouts which unfortunately I didn't photograph, but then they are very personal and everyone may not have wanted theirs on display.  You will just have to look at mine and accept that theirs were all very different but very well designed. 

If you missed it and were hoping to join us you can start the club at any stage.  At your first session you will receive the album of your choice and the materials for that nights double page spread or mini album.  You can then join in each month and add pages to your album.  If you can't make the date or time then contact me and we can try to arrange something to suit us both.

Thanks to everyone who came along.  I'm glad that you enjoyed the evening and am grateful for your texts and emails confirming it.  See you next time.

Hugs Zx

I'm so loving the time I'm having at the moment experimenting with different mediums and techniques and this time I've used another 'pop'/' soda' can to cute a flower shape and then emboss it both using the Stampin' Up! Big Shot. 

The Love Letter dsp is quite striking itself and so it a great team mate for my tin can flower!  The leaves are also made using my BS and the little leaves sizzlit.  A bit of pizzazz with some rhinestones and a little piece of hodge podge silver hardware to frame my sentiment.  Another favourite of mine and many others is the En Francais background stamp. It's just so darn useful and so effective as a backdrop to many a project.

Today I've been preping for my visit to the WI tomorrow evening where I have a class of 30 ladies all making a gift bag. We are going to have fun and Olivia has bravely volunteered to come along and help me.  Any excuse to stay up longer than her little bro'. 

I've also prepped my scrapbook club project for my inaugural scrapbook session on Tuesday.  We'll be making two 12"x 12" layouts with the theme of family.  If you'd like to join the club you can at any stage. At your first session you pay for a designer series print album and receive materials for the two layouts.  It's just £22.50 and then each subsequent session is £10 and also includes all the materials for two layouts with spare to take home and carry on the theme.    The club will run on the second Tuesday of every month and you need to book by the Tuesday prior to each session.  There are limited spaces so please book early.  I'll be back with a pic of the layout soon.

Enjoy the remainder of the weekend and make this a great week.
Hugs Zx

Stampin' Up! supplies
cardstock - naturals ivory, love letter dsp, garden green cs, riding hood red cs
ink - crumb cake, riding hood red
Accessories - Stampin' Up! Big Shot, vintage wall paper embossing folder, rhinestones, Stampin' Up! neutrals buttons, little leaves sizzlit, scallop trim border punch, fun flowers Bigz L Die, five petal flower punch
Stamps - En Francais Background Stamp, Occasional Greetings
Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Happy Birthday Wendy!

Yesterday was my good friend Wendy's birthday and I made her this card which is a variation of the one I made here.  This time I've used the fancy flower punch to make some lovely flowers. I scrunched and spritzed them with a little water to distress the card and make it malleable and for the centres I used sticky strip on punched circles to fold the ribbon around from the outside inwards.  I also used the fork/two finger method for my striped grosgrain ribbon bow.  I'll do a tutorial at some point if you aren't sure!  To seal the ribbon ends I whizzed them through a candle flame.  Be careful if you do this though!

The spiral punch is understated in our catalogue, but once you've seen it used there are no end of ways to showcase it and here it makes a fab frame to my Love Letter DSP.

If you haven't checked lately my new class list is available to view via the 'craft classes' link at the top of my blog. Come and spend a couple of hours forgetting your worries with a bunch of folk doing the same and therefore it's always fun!

This also fits in with the creative craft challenges, challenge of pretty blossoms.

Take care now and make this a great week.

Hugs Zx