Butterflies, a colour and and stencil challenge to say thank you!

hello all
well with a bit of time on my hands because the weather - and a thank you card needed in a hurry...  I set to with my Elegant Butterfly Punch, as butterfiles are what's called for for challenge no. 342 over at  'Crazy 4 Challenges' this week.

I punched some butterflies from my card topper, added some background stamping to the bottom layer, courtesy of the Swirly bird stamp set still out on my desk since yesterday - to fill those resulting negative spaces - my take on the current challenge no. 282 over at 'Less is More' where they want us to use a Stencil.

...and combining all those with the lovely colour combination of  Watermelon Wonder,  Blushing Bride and Pool Party as suggested for this week's colour challenge,  CCMC412, over at  'Create with Connie and Mary',   This was the result !  - but abject apologies for the photography it has been so dark here today so just hope they show up!

I think the colours co-ordinate beautifully and that real pop of Watermelon Wonder I think just brings it to life. So, I couldn't go wrong.. well,  at least once I had re-inked both the lighter colours I was on a roll as they say! 

If you look quite closely you can just make out the gorgeous shimmer on this lovely weight cardstock - and other than the Stazon stamped sentiment,  the little antennae for each of the butterflies,  and a bit of toning sponging round the edges, I didn't think it needed anything esle - well maybe my beloved  Rhinestones or three, but for once I left these in their packet!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used

Just click on the items below to easily access them in my on line store

Shimmery White A4 Cardstock	Elegant Butterfly Punch	Swirly Bird Photopolymer Stamp Set	Watermelon Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad	Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad
Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad	Papillon Potpourri Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Thankful Thoughts Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Jet Black Stazon Pad	Stamping Sponges

Or if you wish me to place an order for you, or have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch.

and  seeing as it's 'that time of year again' when London SW19 once again takes centre stage hopefully we will have  cause to be cheering on a certain Mr A.M a bit longer than our recent performance in the 'Euros'!

Til next time.
happy stampin'
Jan x

Hostess sneaky peaks at the ready

Hello all -

Well,  despite my thinking I would not have time to do any postings today - Am sure the old adage of 'when you set your mind to things - it's amazing what you can do', probably strikes a chord with us all.

Today I have been playing with some of the lovely hostess stamp sets and a new one, both available in the new annual catalogue. As Stampin' Up! demonstrators, we get a chance to order certain items before things go live but with the launch date  set for June 2nd  -  not too much longer to wait now.!

I  opted to use the new In-colours for my colour choices  - and think I used all of them as couldn't decide which one to choose. I think Mint Macaroon is probably my go to colour now, as we bid farewell to Pistachio Pudding!

I mixed elements from Hostess sets: 'Floral Wings',  and 'A Whole lot of Lovely' as well as 'Build a Birthday', and the curvy font from the existing 'Butterfly Basics' which has also made it to the new catalogue - am so so pleased to say!

'Floral Wings' feature stamps you can easily combine as two and three step stamping or as individual elements as you need, such as the decoration on the butterfly  or as in the lovely border.   

But to be going on with - a sneaky peek of the front cover - 

'Share the Fun' - I think says it  all, don't you ?

and don't forget -  June 2nd is the launch day for the new catalogue,, all 189 beautiful pages of inspiration and great ideas of it, available to order on line with me from very early that morning should you so wish!

With certain items making it to the new catalogue as well, you will also be able to order them and any items remaining from the retired items list and the Spring Summer catalogue on that day too at their existing prices,  before the new pricing and Stampin' Up! reward programme then takes effect on the 3rd June.

 Just click here  to visit my shop  ...  or use the 'Shop Now button on the right menu bar.

but if you have any questions am happy to help and you can email me or contact me on 01438 820829 if you prefer.

til next time - when I will be doing a quick 'virtual' tour of some of my own highlights from the new catalogue.

very best wishes

Jan x

and who just doesn't love a butterfly!

hi all
well it was the turn of my Butterfly Basics stamp set from the new Spring/Summer catalogue to make an appearance this time - and coupled with the matching Butterfly Thinlits Dies (available as a very welcome bundled offer) and Petite Butterfly punch - I certainly had the makings of a card!

and with a first time appearance - just perfect for the current challenge over at CASology where,  courtesy of the absolutely lovely lady that is Darnell, and her own challenge NBUS  challenge no. # 3, (NBUS (never-been-used-schtuff!) - is the order of the day for both.

though am sure am not alone in applying that to a lot of 'schtuff' I already have!!!

I stamped a Whisper White topper in Soft Suede, tried my hand at a bit of blending/ painting with my Stampin' Up  ink pads  ('puddling' a bit of ink in each of the lids) and using  a blender pen for the actual 'painting'.

I punched/die-cut a couple of butterflies and before I knew it,  added the large sentiment from the same set and my card had come together!

Unusually for me I made a tall portrait format card this time - as think this suited the overall styling a lot better given the quite large stamp I opted to use from the set.!

I chose Calypso Coral as my base colour as this teams perfectly with the designs in  the lovely 'Best Year Ever' Designer series paper, that I used as the matt for my card.
Just one of the  items you can order for free with a qualifying spend of £49 during Sale-a-Bration.

A few Stampin' Up! basic pearls to finish off, and I was done.

I was pleased with the overall effect... but if I have one criticism - I think I should have either opted for a darker stamped image for colouring or better still,  improved on the photography!
What do you think?

But  talking about colouring - I really must investigate the lovely 'Blendabilities' range by Stampin' Up! - available in all sorts of colour families - and even more special in that these sets feature in the current Sale-a-Bration catalogue. Choose any one of the packs as listed, with a qualifying sale of £49. - Brilliant!

Stampin' Up! Supplies for this card:

Just click on the items to easily access them in my on line store  (There's a  printable version of the supply list at the bottom left of the scrolling items) 

Pay just  £4:95 whatever the size of your order, to have them shipped straight to your address. 

Am happy to answer any questions you may have. If you would like to find out more,  or would like me to place an order for you, you can email me or contact me on 01438 820829 if you would rather.

Well we finally achieved our goal and got caught up  with last film in 'The Hobbit' trilogy.
Bit of clever marketing in my book, the way I see it..

It did leave you exactly at the start of the Fellowship of the Ring - as far as I can recall - uhm makes me think perhaps I need the box set to start my viewing all over again. 

til next time

Happy stampin'!

Jan x