Stampin up convention 2011

Hey Guys

Have a few pics of the swaps I did for Paris convention.  Had a fantastic time and loved being with so many like minded people!  Also managed to bump into some demos who live quite close to me which was fantastic.

I did a selection of swaps for convention.  The first 3 use images from Easy Events, a really versatile stamp set.  Each one has used blender pens and ink pads to colour and the Galaxy Glitter to add the glitter embellishments.  Love how these turned out.

This swap is using the new Designer Series Paper Beau Chateau and the new Hostess Set Happiest Birthday Wishes.

Will hopefully post some convention swap pictures tomorrow.

See ya
Stacex

Hostess Promotion!

It's a good time to be a Stampin' Up! hostess!  When you host a party between 1 November and 15 December 2011 with product sales of more than £300 (catalogue price before shipping & handling), you'll receive both the Paisley Petals Stamps Set and co-ordinating Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper forFREE.

That's in addtion to the hostess benefits of £50 of Hostess Pounds to spend on exclusive, specially-priced hostess products - or any catalogue item AND 1 items at 50% off the catalogue price (excluding hostess products).

I've got some ladies who are hosting parties shortly who are very excited about this special offer, why not join them and book your Stampin' Up! party with me today.  Slots are filling fast!

Go to my Book a Workshop page for further details about hosting a Stampin' Up! party.

New Youtube videos

Hi Guys

Firstly sorry I have been a little remiss on updating my blog recently although there is a good excuse.  I have been uploading video tutorials to youtube so in a way still blogging, as long as you know where to look.

Have been trying to give you the links in this blog but doesn't seem to be working :( but bear with me.  Hope you get a chance to view the tutorials and any feedback is always welcome.

See you soon
Stacex

Contempo Christmas

Hi Guys

I've been combining my glitter crush with all of my other Christmas stamp sets to see how I get on and I love how this one turned out.  The stamp set is Contempo Christmas and the sentiment is from Season Of Joy.  The colours used are Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla.  The glitter used is Red but it seems to work well with the Cherry Cobbler which is great.

The bauble is made using Heat and Stick powder with the glitter and then using the Ornament punch.

Hope you like it.
Stacex

Glittericious!

Hi Guys

Well, I am still on my glitter phase and completely loving it!  Not sure how I got by without it before and certainly I will be using it in most if not all of my Christmas cards.  I have a lot of cards to do and so I tend to look for a design which is understated but still very pretty.  This is one I came up with and this will probably form the bulk of my cards.

This is the holly from Easy Events and I've used a glue pen and the Red Fine Galaxy Glitter.  It may be a bit plain for some but I really like it.

Easy Events costs £23.95 in clear mount (123225) or £29.95 in wood mount (116958), an absolute bargain for a set of 8 stamps that cover all occasions!
Fine Galaxy glitter  (114286) costs £14.50 for 5 individual tubs 7.1g each

Hope you like it.
Stacex

Baroque Christmas

Hi Guys

Baroque Motifs is a gorgeous classic set and to be honest I never get tired of using that beautiful swirl.  This Christmas card is no exception!  This is one I cased from a blog out there, sorry I forgot who you are but the card was lovely.  I've changed the hanging baubles but thats all.

The colour combo here is Wild Wasabi and Very vanilla with Cherry Cobbler for the baubles.  The ribbon in Real Red Satin.

Hope you like it.
Stacex

Back to Christmas!

Hi Guys

Am back on the Christmas train and have had a wonderful time looking around lots and lots of blogs and youtube videos.  This card was inspired by one I saw which wasn't Christmas but used the technique of the 4 scalloped squares, I love it.  I have used Jolly Holiday papers (now retired) and Cherry Cobbler card stock.

Its always good to get ideas I think so although this paper is retired I'm sure this will spark a few ideas for people.

Hope you like it.
Stacex

Get Well Soon

Hi Guys

I apologise for my lack of blogging this week,  I've been in Glasgow for a long weekend which was just lovely.  It was my nephew Logans Christening and I also got to take Beth out of school overnight which was fantastic.  I've popped on a little photo to show you Bethany and Logan together, so cute!  She flies home on Thursday for half term, can't wait!

On to crafting ;o) I made this card for my husbands Auntie who isn't very well at the moment to cheer her up a little bit.  It is one I saw on Crafting Claires Blogspot and I've just changed the colours.  It uses the set Bliss and is a very lovely design.

The colours used here are Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise and Early Espresso which is always a fab combo.  Some little diamante to finish off too.

Hope you like it.
Stacex

Glitter Glitter Glitter

Hi Guys

Well today I have been going mad with glitter.  I've been using the Heat & Stick powder and Dazzling Diamonds to create gorgeous glitter backgrounds for my Christmas cards.  Have done a few colours but its completely addictive!!!

The first on is an Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler combo

 

This one is Bashful Blue and Night of Navy

This one is a Cherry Cobbler with Night of Navy

Cherry Cobbler and Night of Navy again but the other way around.

The stamp is called Something for Christmas and its a great all rounder for large batches of cards.

Hope you liked it.
Stacex

Card Holder Box

Hi Guys

Today I have a 3D item for you, a box to hold your cards and we all know we need these!  This one is very easy to do and uses one sheet of 12x12 card stock for the main box which you can then decorate with designer series paper.

I love it and I've popped three cards inside so you can see how spacious it is!  Will do a youtube tutorial on this which you can check out if you type in stetsonstacey.

Here is a close up of my little flower which is just the petal punch.  

Here you can have a peek inside.

To make this I used

Cardstock - Regal Rose

Paper - Springtime Vintage

Tools - Flower Punch, Boho Blossoms

Hope you like it

Stacex

Santa's Little Owl

Hi Guys

This is a real cutie, I've made the little owl a little Santa!  I do love Santa cards at Christmas and having the Owl punch makes this a breeze!  Unfortunately my camera has made the background appear purple when in actual fact it is Night Of Navy, not sure what happened there!

To make this card I used
Cardstock - Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink - White Craft, Real Red
Stamps - Teeny Tiny Wishes
Tools - Owl Punch, Tab Punch, Word Window Punch, Modern label punch
Embellishments - Chocolate Chip ribbon

Hope you like it
Stacex

Seasons Greetings

Hi Guys

Have been on the Christmas cards to see if I hit on a design I'm happy to make lots of to get my Crimbo cards done.  So here you go, loving this one!

To make this card I used
Cardstock - Whisper White, Real Red, Chocolate Chip
Ink - Real Read, Chocolate Chip
Tools - 3/4 Circle punch, 1" Circle punch, Eyelet Border Punch
Stamps - Season Of Joy, Bliss

Hope you like it.
See you soon
Stacex

Jolly Holiday DSP

Hi Guys

Another Christmas card for you with the now discontinued Jolly Holiday DSP which I must admit I really love.  Very simple card to do but lovely.

To make this card I used
Cardstock - Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip
Paper - Jolly Holiday DSP
Ink - Chocolate Chip
Embellishments - Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon
Tools - Eyelet Border Punch
Stamps - Season of Joy

Hope you like it.
Stacex

Happy Birthday Niece!

Hi Guys

This card is for my niece Nancy who will be 7 years old on Monday.  She is a little cutie and very much a girlie girl so I went for Pretty In Pink for her main colour and thought she might like it personalised too!

I've used the Heat & Stick powder with Dazzling Diamonds and then my Big Shot to cut out the letters.  I really like how it turned out and hope she will too.

Nappy Fold Pouch

Hi Guys

Here is another little nappy fold pouch using the Cheerful Treats DSP which I am loving.  I have also used the oval stamp from Happiest Birthday Wishes, a new Hostess set.  This stamp co-ordinates with the extra-large oval punch too so you can make this in no time at all!

To make this card is used

Cardstock - Whisper White
Paper - Cheerful Treats
Ink - Old Olive, Bashful Blue and Pretty In Pink Markers
Tools - Extra Large Oval Punch

Cheerful Treats Card

Hi Guys

The card I have today uses Cheerful Treats one of the new DSP sets in the October catalogue and it is lovely.  I was slightly stressed when I opened it as I realised I was supposed to order a different set to do a paper share with some other Pink Ladies, oops!  However after another rushed order was placed I am calm again and decided to have a play with the paper I had.

To make this card I used

Cardstock - Pink Pirouette, Concord Crush, Bashful Blue, Melon Mambo

Ink - Concord Crush

Stamps - Teeny Tiny Wishes

Tools - Big Shot, Square Lattice Folder, Punches - Eyelet Border, Extra Large Flower, Flower, 3/4" circle, Corner

Paper - Cheerful Treats 

Am quite happy with this as its not colours I would normally use, its good to step out of the box!

Bye for now

Stacex

Pulling Pastels Technique

Hi Guys

It has suddenly occurred to me that not only am I using a lot of Lovely As A Tree at the moment but I'm using a lot of Basic Black card stock too.  How funny.  The card I have today uses a technique called Pulling Pastels and it basically involves using your pastel chalks on your black card and then inking up a stamp with Versamark.  When applied to the card stock the versa mark lifts the chalk right off and you get a lovely striking image.  Very clever!

Such a lovely effect, like a misty evening.

To make this card is used
Cardstock - Basic Black, Whisper white, Bashful Blue
Ink - Versamark
Stamps - Lovely As A Tree
Tools - Stampin Pastels

I have done a youtube tutorial on this card which you will find under stetsonstacey.

Bye for now
Stacex

Black Magic & Video tutorial

Hi Guys

I have been doing some youtube tutorials which is a lot of fun and I must admit to spending a little bit more time than I should trawling around card making videos myself!  Todays card is showing the technique Black Magic.  The basic idea is to stamp onto Basic Black card stock using white craft ink and then use watercolour pencils to colour in your image.  The coloured image then just seems to pop off the page, its lovely.  I think the first time I saw this was at Michelle Lasts Quarterly training and I think it was Sandie Brain who showcased it for us that day.  Thanks for that Sandi!

To make this I used
Cardstock - Whisper White, Basic Black, Certainly Celery
Ink - White Craft
Tools - Watercolour pencils
Stamps - Because Of You, Lovely As A Tree

I may try a few of these for Christmas as I really like them.

See you soon
Stacex

Hi Guys

Hey there

I'm back!  Have been thoroughly enjoying the lovely weather and feel as though I've managed to get a lot done in preparation for the winter, now I'm not quite as organised as that statement makes me sound heehee but I have been clearing out the garage and making definite inroads!  Still lots to do but it really does feel great to have a clear out.

I have the website details for Lorraine whose gorgeous cards are below, the reflection, the cupcakes and the bleach effect.  If you want to look at her fabulous website the address is http://stampdelicious.wordpress.com

The card I'm going to show you is another super example of bleaching effect, but it isn't mine - Gill made it for my son's (her Godson) birthday and it is sooo cute!  Its definitely a keeper, so here you go.

I'm pretty sure the colours used were Sahara Sand, So Saffron & Soft Suede with lots of lovely sponging in what looks to be Soft Suede, Gilby correct me if I'm wrong ;o)  Isn't it lovely?

See you soon
Stacex

Pirates!

Hi Guys

Today its all about Pirates!  I did pirate thank you cards for my son's birthday which are very simple as I needed to do 35 of them.  Conal loved them!  I've used the corner edger and Early Espresso for the pirate ship then Crumb Cake for the words.  Think it works quite nicely and it was very quick too.

I did another thank you card, for Conal's Godmother which took a bit longer but we wanted it to be a bit more special.  My best friend Gill is his Godmother and had to hold off on this post until I'd sent the card, haha.  I think she'll have it by now so...

The card was done on Craft card but not sure why it looks so yellow in the picture!

Happy Monday
Stacex

Step cards

Hi Guys

I've been doing these cute little step cards that I first saw on Dawns Stampin Thoughts, they are so easy to do once you get the technique down.  I've actually done a video tutorial of these if you want a peek go to youtube and type in Tutorial Season of Joy.

The colours used are Pear Pizzaz and Poppy Parade In Colour DSP.  and the stamp is from Season of Joy.

Hope you liked it.
Stacex

Following on from last night

Hello

I'm back and I bet you all thought I'd forget, haha, nope.  Here are the last two cards I did at Lorraine's technique class

The background here was created running acetate through the big shot then rubbing the raised parts with a nail file, its a lovely effect.  The trees are of course from Season Of Joy, a huge fav of mine.  Luckily I did this class with my best buddy Gill who very nicely pointed out that I cut all the bottoms off my trees, oops! Had to root around my scrap paper to find them and quickly cut and glue them on, thanks Gilby ;o)

This next card is a stunner, everyone I have shown it to, loves it.  This is using a brayer which I have to admit is not my favourite thing but it turned out beautifully and I think I'll be doing brayering at my next class, can you believe it!

Isn't that a beautiful scene?  Lovely as a tree is a wonderful set and defiantely a staple.  We used acetate and Stayz on black ink with glossy card.  Stamping first the 'real' trees, then stamping again onto the acetate, turning it over, and rubbing it so that some of the ink comes off but not as much as with the stamped image above it, giving the illusion of a reflection.  I adore this card.

Alrighty people thanks for stopping by.
Stacex

Hellooooo techniques!

Hi Guys

Sorry been a bit rubbishy on the old blog this week what with all the kids getting back into a routine (obviously I just bounced right back ;o)) after the summer haven't had a minute.

I also have to let you know that last week I was asked to go along as an extra on a movie, woohoo! Was very excited but ended up hanging around for hours waiting to go on for my wee nano second, only to be rained off and not getting on at all!  I did however meet a lovely bunch of ladies (some of which were actual actresses and one was an extra in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy!)  Was lovely getting all the gossip from all the films/programs they've worked on.

And now to crafting, I have 3 absolutely gorgeous cards for you.  The reason I can rave about them is that they aren't my design ;o)  I did these (and one other which I gave away) at a technique class/day, run by Lorraine.  Cant remember her blog details but will get them for you as her things are just lovely.  I had a fantastic day and learned a lot with some fun girlies, does life get any better?

The first one is a bleaching technique and the colours Lorraine chose were ideal I thought adding a dated sepia feel.  The image was embossed in black then the image was highlighted with bleach using a brush.

 Here she is a little closer, isn't she the cutest thing?  I think the colours used were Sahara Sand, Soft Suede and More Mustard.

The next card we did was a spotlight technique and this one was simply yummy!

Sorry the picture looks a little bit shaky, not sure what happened there.  Could be the fact that its 3.40am - my sons 6th birthday party is tomorrow and I couldn't sleep wondering if I've remembered everything!  Pretty sure I have everything on my list now but I guess it would be a bonus if mum was awake for the party ;o)  Okay off to bed I go, and I definitely saved the best for last with Lorraine's cards.

Thanks for stopping by
Stacex

Simply Less Is More Challenge & others

Hi Guys

Okay here is my challenge card, LIM ladies have given a One Layer - Seeing Double challenge.  This actually works perfectly for me as I was making a card today for my daughter Beth who started boarding school in Perth on Wednesday.  I am missing her so much so thought I would pop a little card off and try not to spoil it with tears!!  She is 14 but I am gutted and the house seems very quiet with only 2 children :(

I've used Fast & Fabulous which is actually retiring at the end of September.  I love this set and will be reluctant to stop using it ;o)

Sorry the picture seems to be a little bit fuzzy, not sure why, I tried several times and sincerely hope my camera isn't about to call it a day!

I've used Night of Navy and Tempting Turquoise for the flowers and the sentiment says Thinking of You from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Off to write it now.
Have a great weekend
Stacex

Morning!

Hi Guys

These Christmas cards are a slightly different feel to the others as there is more white space which is nice sometimes.  These are very simple and I'm not sure where I saw them first to give credit :(  The only thing is cutting out the little baubles can be a bit footery but definately worth it.

Cup of Tea Anyone?

Hey Guys

I have been thinking about convention swaps and also little gifts to say thank you, and one of the things I like is the idea of is the teabag holder.  This is my take on it, pretty simple but cute I thought and you really do get some lovely teabags individually wrapped that I'm sure would match the colours you decide to use.

The colours are Night of Navy and Always Artichoke although the pictures aren't fantastic.  The bottom of the holder is scored and folded to create a little ridge for the teabag to sit it but I would use a little snail to adhere the teabag to the inside incase it fell out.

Hope you like it.
Stacex

More Christmassy ones

Hey Guys

I have yet more Christmas cards for you but what better time to do them?  I have a horrible suspicion that Christmas will creep up on me and so am trying to be prepared ;o)  Still using Season of Joy but it is just lovely!

I'm still trying to decide on the cards I'll do for Christmas.  If you haven't decided crafty ladies, get thinking ;o)

See you soon
Stacex