Golden Thank You!

Charlie takes his first trumpet exam tomorrow. He will be accompanied on the piano by one of the sixth form boys at one of the local secondary schools and to say thank you to Josh for coming into school to help Charlie, I've made him a card using the Musical Medley stamp set (retired US), stripes embossing folder and framelits.

It's a bit of happy accident really. I wanted to emboss the stripes made by the folder in gold, but just didn't ink the folder enough and so it didn't do what I intended, but I quite liked the look it achieved so ran with it.

The sentiment is from Thank You Kindly.

My card also fits in with this week's Less is More Challenge which has a colour theme of GOLD.  Check out their blog for lots of inspiration from many talented crafters including  Mandi and Chrissie who run the challenges there.

Linda, Victoria and I are on Stand E34 at the Summer Crafting Show this Saturday and Sunday, at Doncaster Racecourse,  so come and say hello if you are there.  We have demonstrations and a great raffle each day.  Also a great show special including free shipping* and free gift while stocks last.

Hope to see you soon.

Zx

Supplies

Stampin' Up! Stamps - Mixed Medley, Thank You Kindly

Stampin' Up! card - very vanilla and whisper white

Tools and inks - versamark, big shot, framelits labels, stripes embossing folder, gold embossing powder all available from Stampin' Up!

Challenges

Less is More - GOLD

*with qualifying order of £45

More from Stampin' Up! Manhattan Flowers

zoe tant stampin' up! demonstrator

I told myself I wasn't going to buy this beautiful embossing folder as I thought I'd seen lots of cards made using it and it wouldn't appeal to anyone, but I then saw examples of it used at Stampin' Up! training events and by other demonstrators in real life and decided that I couldn't really live without it.  It was good decision to need it as I've really enjoyed using it, not least in this example where I've used it on shimmery white cardstock and really it needs very little else as it is just so striking, elegant and beautiful.  I have however matted it onto designer series paper from the brights stack (real red) only 39p per double sided sheet, and basic black cardstock.  I cut the flower down slightly and then used the offcuts for my sentiment which is from Thank You Kindly.  I've also used a stamp from Strength and Hope to enhance the real red backdrop and you can see it more clearly on the image below which is the inside of the card.  Rhinestones, real red satin ribbon and crochet thread from my stash have just added the final touches for one of the many thank yous I need to send for all the gorgeous birthday presents I received at the weekend.  

Of course I had money for my birthday too and so can indulge my 'NEEDS' further.  The only difficulty is choosing what to have next! You probably have this problem with Stampin' Up! products too! Make a wishlist and dream and soon it will be yours.  Of course you could have it sooner if you think about being a demonstrator and then you get it much cheaper, with early access to new products and training to show you how best to use it! You  can tailor it all to suit your lifestyle and your needs.  Contact me to find out how I can help you to get the most out of being a demonstrator.  Let the fun begin......................

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Back soon

Hugs Zx

3 Squares Challenge at Less is More, but only one at Creative Craft World

 stampin up demonstrator zoe tant uk

The Challenge at Less is More this week is to make a card with three squares and the challenge at Creative Craft World is 'Use a square' so I've got squares to share.  I've used a technique that I found on US blog recently and played about with it.  I have another colour way to show you soon, but it doesn't have 3 squares unless you count the card base itself so for now here is my entry.  I've used early espresso and very vanilla cardstock along with early espresso ink, craft whisper white and versamark.  My sentiment is a combo of Thank You Kindly and Heard from the Heart.  I've added a cute bow of early espresso taffeta and I'm done.  I played about with it and couldn't decide whether to run with early espresso or stamp my outline for the flowers in black Stazon.  I've settled with the espresso and have finally opened my Fast & Fabulous level 2 hostess set.  I wasn't that fussed, but as with all Stampin' Up! sets once you get playing they are all fabulous and so much fun to use.  Today I've received my sneak peak of the mini and you are going to be so excited.  I can't tell you anymore right now, but make sure you call me for your copy!!!! They'll be available in late March.  You can take a closer look at one of the flowers below.

Thanks again to the Chrissie and Mandi for a super challenge and I'm off now to do the chores that I should have been doing while DH has taken the children out for the afternoon.

Have a great evening.

Hugs Zx

Artistic Etchings meets emboss resist

independent stampin up demonstrator zoe tant

Warm wishes to you all and here is a change from the Christmas Theme which I shared with one of my techniques clubs yesterday.  We looked at emboss resist but stamped images prior to embossing the Medallion stamp over the top in clear emboss powder and then brayered colour over the whole image to mostly blot out the background and just leave it showing through the embossed image.  We also looked at using the Fancy Flower punch which I tempted them with prior to its reinstatement hopefully soon.  We punched two flowers and scrunched them with a brushover with the aqua painter to help soften the fibres.  To make the centre of the flower punch a circle, here a 3/4" and cover it with sticky strip.  Then starting from the outside slowly wind the ribbon round the circle moving inwards and pushing it firmly onto the sticky strip.  You may need to use a mini glue dot to tuck and stick the end down in the centre. 

The new Broadsheet Alphabet set is great for highlighting individual letters like the 'T' in thanks and the remainder of the Thanks is from Thank You Kindly stamp set.  I used the spiral punch on a piece of scrap textured cherry cobbler to make it easy to thread the ribbon through it like stitching.  The remainder of the stamps are all from the fabulous Artistic Etchings set which I won at convention in prize patrol.  This would also make a great Valentine's card with an alternative sentiment of loved one's initial. 

Off to get ready for the tennis club Christmas meal so back soon.  Keep safe and warm.

Hugs Zx

Two-Step Bird Punch

Wow at last I think summer is really here. Today it's 23C here and the sun is smiling down on us all. I hope it's good with you and that we can all enjoy a great weekend.
Today I want to share this thank you card with you. I have made several for my techniques club ladies this month. I've used the new two-step bird punch from the mini catalogue, punching it twice firstly from designer series paper and then from coordinating cardstock. A simple stamp of thanks from the Thank You Kindly set and there you have it. Of course I can't go without mentioning the use of the new rich razzleberry colour which I adore. It's a wow and I know many of you love it too!

I'd also like to remind you about the craft days that Emma and I are running on Sat 19 and Sun 20 June. They will be lots of fun and a chance to unwind and dedicate a day or two to crafting. I'll just share with you two comments we received after our last highly successful day.

Sue said

'Had a fab day, good food, good company and great projects. Thanx c u in June'

Corinna said

'A really fab day, lovely company, beautiful projects and very good quality products, many thanks.'

Emma and I would love to have you join us so please contact us for more information.

Have a great day.
Hugs Zx