Stampin' Up! Stampers by the Dozen - 08/18

Hello. I am delighted to be hopping again with a lovely group of SU Demo's known as Stampers by the Dozen.  If you have joined me from Judy or if you are starting with me, welcome - I hope you find lots of inspiration as you hop along with us.

This month our theme is 'bloggers choice' - so anything goes!

WOW - this was a tough one!  So many choices - I'm a Libran and decisions can be difficult for me (or so I have been told)!  I have been using the Abstract Expression bundle all week for my Coffee & Cards sessions so whilst it was still on my desk I had a bit of a play.

I was asked last week by a lovely lady called Gina who helped me swap bank accounts if I could make her a wedding card  for one of her colleagues.  

I was asked to use a blush pink and navy theme so these are the colours I used; the Blushing Bride being quite apt!

Blushing Bride

Night of Navy

Whisper White

I also used some stunning Designer Series Paper (DSP) from the Petal Promenade Suite.

I created some basic layering with card and DSP and then got to work decorating the panel.

This large triangle corner die is already a firm favourite with me.  

I cut two from Whisper White card and adhered one in each corner to soften the DSP a little.

I cut two butterflies, one from the DSP and one from vellum.

I used a Mini Glue Dot to adhere the vellum to the DSP and then hid the glue dot with a row of jewels.

The wings of each butterfly have been curled and shaped to add dimension.

After a lot of angst I used the leaves from Painted Harvest to provide an accent for the stitched circle.

Do you, like me, often find that the finishing touches are the hardest?  I even asked friends on my Craftyducky facebook page for help!

I used a lovely sentiment from Dandelion Wishes and this is what I ended up with ...

I used a strip of DSP to decorate the inside of the card too.

Here is the completed card and envelope.

Thanks for hopping along with us again, next up is Tricia who I am sure has something wonderful to share with you.  Don't forget to leave a comment below (we like that). 

If you get lost along the way you can find a list of all participants in the hop below along with details of the products I used for this project.

Happy crafting.

Susan xx

Blog Hop Participants

Karie Beglau 

Judi Anderson 

Susan Simpson You are here! 

Tricia Butts 

Courtenay Heuston 

Tashana Lundy

Carly Middleton

Sharleen Luciano 

Anastasia Radloff

Deb Naylor

Dena Albee 

Laura Kate Mackie 

Thank you so much for looking at my Blog today, if you don't have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and you live in the UK, I would love to be yours!  If you don't have a copy of the 2018 - 2019 Annual Catalogue and you would like one, please let me know and I will send one to you straight away.  The Autumn / Winter Catalogues will be available very soon - if you would like a copy let me know!

If you need to order any supplies, simply use my “shop with me” button or click on the catalogue links on the right. Alternatively, contact me and I would be happy to place an order for you.

Would you like to receive a FREE gift from me? All orders placed directly with me or online receive a handmade card from me as a thank you but did you know that all orders over £20 (excluding postage) will receive a gift from me too?  If you use the current Hostess Code I will pop something in with your order or post directly to you, (please remember to allow me to access your contact details otherwise I won't be able to contact you). 

For every £45 order you place during August you will receive a Bonus Days voucher for £4.50 to spend in my online store during September and, you can earn as many as you like!

If you are in the UK, please click on the images below to go straight to my online store or for further information.

Stampin' Up! Abstract Impressions - stepped up

Hello, here are the details for the second project this week using Abstract Expressions.  I have really enjoyed using this bundle this week - so many possibilities, so little time!

The initial inspiration for this project came from a post I saw on Pinterest by a SU Demo from New Zealand  called Vanessa Baker (you can see it here).  It reminded me of a project I did way back in 2015, also with a butterfly ... pretty similar don't you think?

My crafty ladies have made lots of variation of this particualr project - the Garden Impressions DSP is choc full of gorgeous vibrant colours.

Several of us (me included) found it hard to choose; fortunately for me I make several of each project every week!

We used the Big Shot Embossing Mats to create our background - they enable you to emboss with your dies and not just cut with them.  You can use them with Framelits, Thinlits and Edglits die - just think of the possibilities ...

I'll admit they don't look very exciting but the results certainly are - look at this fabulous background ...

The vellum overlay on the butterfly softens the colours slightly but it looks so pretty.  The Tinted Faceted Button provides a little touch of glamour.

SNEAKY PEAK ALERT
I used a brand new punch that will be available when the Autumn / Winter Catalogue launches on the 5th September!! Its called the Sprig Punch and belongs with other items in the Joyous Noel Suite.

We used the Triple Banner Punch and some lovely Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon to add some dimension.

The large corner die in this bundle is quite simply stunning and, it is huge!  It is big enough to make a good impression on the front of a card.

For a change, I decided to die cut the corner and adhere to the card front - love white on white.

Here are the two cards side by side - the choice of DSP used for the butterfly makes each card look different.

Here is the completed card and envelope.  The envelope has been embossed too.

Thanks to everyone who joined me this week, next week we will be using a favourite stamp set of mine called Painted Harvest.

I am back again at the weekend hopping with Stampers by the Dozen - our theme this month is bloggers choice!

Hope you have a crafty weekend.

Susan xx


Thank you so much for looking at my Blog today, if you don't have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and you live in the UK, I would love to be yours!  If you don't have a copy of the 2018 - 2019 Annual Catalogue and you would like one, please let me know and I will send one to you straight away.  The Autumn / Winter Catalogues will be available very soon - if you would like a copy let me know!

If you need to order any supplies, simply use my “shop with me” button or click on the catalogue links on the right. Alternatively, contact me and I would be happy to place an order for you.

Would you like to receive a FREE gift from me? All orders placed directly with me or online receive a handmade card from me as a thank you but did you know that all orders over £20 (excluding postage) will receive a gift from me too?  If you use the current Hostess Code I will pop something in with your order or post directly to you, (please remember to allow me to access your contact details otherwise I won't be able to contact you). 

For every £45 order you place during August you will receive a Bonus Days voucher for £4.50 to spend in my online store during September and, you can earn as many as you like!

If you are in the UK, please click on the images below to go straight to my online store or for further information.

Stampin' Up! Abstract Impressions - quick & simple

Hello, here are the details for our first project this week using Abstract Expressions.

This is a really quick and simple card and could be made in lots of different colours.  The clever two step stamps in this set enable you to create lovely images in no time at all.  The first stem and flower image have both been 'stamped off' and the second images have been stamped at full strength.

The Shaded Spruce scallopped square behind the white panel adds a pop of colour and dimension.

The inside of the card has been decorated too.

Here is the completed card and envelope.

I have two more C & C sessions this week, if you would like to join me, you can find the details here.  

Details of the products I used for this project can be found below.  

Hope you can join me for a crafty coffee soon.

Susan xx

Thank you so much for looking at my Blog today, if you don't have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and you live in the UK, I would love to be yours!  If you don't have a copy of the 2018 - 2019 Annual Catalogue and you would like one, please let me know and I will send one to you straight away.  The Autumn / Winter Catalogues will be available very soon - if you would like a copy let me know!

If you need to order any supplies, simply use my “shop with me” button or click on the catalogue links on the right. Alternatively, contact me and I would be happy to place an order for you.

Would you like to receive a FREE gift from me? All orders placed directly with me or online receive a handmade card from me as a thank you but did you know that all orders over £20 (excluding postage) will receive a gift from me too?  If you use the current Hostess Code I will pop something in with your order or post directly to you, (please remember to allow me to access your contact details otherwise I won't be able to contact you). 

For every £45 order you place during August you will receive a Bonus Days voucher for £4.50 to spend in my online store during September and, you can earn as many as you like!

If you are in the UK, please click on the images below to go straight to my online store or for further information.

Stampin' Up! Abstract Impresions for Coffee & Cards

Hello, this week for Coffee & Cards we will be using a bundle called Abstract Expressions.

This was one of the first bundles that I ordered from the Annual Catalogue.  I actually made the first project way back in May.  It was inadvertantly put in a box before I moved and I have only just found it!

This week we will be using another new ink colour - Shaded Spruce.  It has proved very popular as a choice for a free ink pad earned when you have attended a ertain mumber of Coffee & Cards sessions.

You will be able to choose which of these delightful floral flowery papers to use for the second project.

You can see more details of this lovely bundle in the short clip from Stampin' Up! below.

This week we will be stamping, die cutting and embossing.  

Here are the projects we will be making.

If you would like to join me, you can find me at the following locations next week.  Please note - places are limited on Monday so let me know if you would like to join me asap.

Monday - single project (shown on the left) or both!

Venue:   Peate Close, Godmanchester

Time:     10:00 - 12:00 pm

Cost:      £3.00 - includes all materials and tuition to make 1 project or

              £6.00 - includes all materials and tuition to make 2 projects.

Tuesday - both projects
Venue:  Bests Cafe, 7 Kings Hedges, St Ives (PE27 3XS)

Time:    2:00 - 4:00 pm

Cost:     £6.00 - includes all materials and tuition to make 2 projects.  

Thursday - both projects

Venue:    Bests Cafe, 7 Kings Hedges, St Ives (PE27 3XS)

Time:     2:00 - 4:00 pm
Cost:      £6.00 - includes all materials and tuition to make 2 projects.

I will be posting more details of these projects and the products I used to create them later this week.

Hope you can join me for a crafty coffee soon!

Susan xx

Thank you so much for looking at my Blog today, if you don't have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and you live in the UK, I would love to be yours!  If you don't have a copy of the 2018 - 2019 Annual Catalogue and you would like one, please let me know and I will send one to you straight away.  The Autumn / Winter Catalogues will be available very soon - if you would like a copy let me know!

If you need to order any supplies, simply use my “shop with me” button or click on the catalogue links on the right. Alternatively, contact me and I would be happy to place an order for you.

Would you like to receive a FREE gift from me? All orders placed directly with me or online receive a handmade card from me as a thank you but did you know that all orders over £20 (excluding postage) will receive a gift from me too?  If you use the current Hostess Code I will pop something in with your order or post directly to you, (please remember to allow me to access your contact details otherwise I won't be able to contact you). 

For every £45 order you place during August you will receive a Bonus Days voucher for £4.50 to spend in my online store during September and, you can earn as many as you like!

Stampin' Up! Stamp 'N Hop Masculine Challenge

Hello and welcome to another Stamp N Hop blog hop!  We are a group of Demonstrators from around the World who love to share all things Stampin' Up!

If you have hopped over from Terry or are starting the hop here with me, welcome and thank you for hopping along with us - I hope you find lots of inspiration.

This month we were asked to make something masculine - I don't know about you but I do sometimes struggle to find ideas for male themed items!

The project I am sharing today is a special one; every week I visit a local care home in St Ives and craft with the lovely residents.  Sometimes we make cards and sometimes we make other things.  Two weeks ago one of my favourite ladies, Pat asked if we could make a card for her son in law with boats on ... happy to oblige this is what we made.

We used a new bundle called Lilypad Lake and a very simple colour scheme.

Blueberry Bushel

Daffodil Delight

Real Red

Whisper White

We started with a panel of Whisper White Thick cardstock.  The ladies I craft with are elderly; the oldest is 98 years young and several of them are unable to hold a stamp block.  The Stamparatus is perfect for this group of crafter's - I love to see them smile when they produce a perfectly stamped every time. We used a nice large greeting from a stamp set called Perennial Birthday.

The other thing and, perhaps the most favourite thing these lovely ladies like to do is use the Big Shot - one of them even hums a tune as she turns the handle!  So we used one of the dies in this bundle to cut some waves.

We then placed a panel of Blueberry Bushel card behind the waves.

The panel was adhered to the card base with some 3d foam tape.  Most of the ladies are very good at peeling the backing off Dimensionals etc.

I only have an hour for these craft sessions and like to keep things simple so I pre stamped, cut and coloured the boats with Stampin' Blends.  The ladies got to choose which colour boats they liked best and spent some time arranging them just so.

The boats were adhered to the card with Dimensionals.

Another things these ladies love is punching - this small circle punch was easily managed by all most of them to punch out a sun.  Those who can't manage like to 'catch' the punched shape instead!

Here is the completed card - nothing fancy, no decorated insert or envelope just clean and simple.

I am delighted to report that everyone loved this card and, Pats' son in law said it was the nicest card he had ever received!

I hope you enjoyed my project, I love to read what you think of my projects; please do leave a comment below to let me know.   Thursday is definitely my favourite day of the week - I have learnt so much from this group of lovely ladies!

Next up is Cheryl - I can't wait to see her project!   If you get lost along the way a list of participants in this hop can be found below.

Thanks for hopping with us again, come back soon so you don't miss anything!

Susan xx

Stamp 'N Hop Participants

Kaylee van Es (NL) 
Karen Pearmain (UK) 
Jenn Charles (US) 
Laura Mackie 
Eva Pottsova- Crafting with Angels (UK) 
Mo Rootes (UK) 
Amy Grendel (Canada) not participating
Anastasia Radloff (USA) 
Tracy Marie Lewis (USA) 
Sue McDonald (UK) 
Terry Montgomery 
Susan Simpson - Craftyduckydoodah (UK)  you are HERE!
Cheryl Taylor - Stampin ‘n’ Crafting withCheryldiana (UK)
Vicky Wright - Australia 
Joyce Whitman 
Linda Handford 
Andre Gordon 

Thank you so much for looking at my Blog today, if you don't have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and you live in the UK, I would love to be yours!  If you don't have a copy of the 2018 - 2019 Annual Catalogue and you would like one, please let me know and I will send one to you straight away.  The Autumn / Winter Catalogues will be available very soon - if you would like a copy let me know!

If you need to order any supplies, simply use my “shop with me” button or click on the catalogue links on the right. Alternatively, contact me and I would be happy to place an order for you.

Would you like to receive a FREE gift from me? All orders placed directly with me or online receive a handmade card from me as a thank you but did you know that all orders over £20 (excluding postage) will receive a gift from me too?  If you use the current Hostess Code I will pop something in with your order or post directly to you, (please remember to allow me to access your contact details otherwise I won't be able to contact you). 

For every £45 order you place during August you will receive a Bonus Days voucher for £4.50 to spend in my online store during September and, you can earn as many as you like!

If you are in the UK, please click on the images below to go straight to my online store or for further information.

Stampin' Up! Blended Seasons - stepped up

Hello, here are the details for the second Coffee & Cards project this week using Blended Seasons.

The flowers in this set are stunning and they look fantastic in any colour combo.  We used Gray Granite ink to stamp the flowers and the sentiments.  This is the first time I have used this new shade of gray - it looks so much softer and less harsh than black ink.

My crafty ladies were able to choose their favouerite colour(s) - the most popular being Lovely Lipstick.  There is no need to use fancy colour shading techniques with these images unless you want to that is!

The only shading I did on the flowers was to add a line in the darker Stampin' Blend along the lines on each petal.

The sentiments in this set are right up my street - I love mixed fonts and I wish my handwriting looked this good!

Here is the completed card and envelope.  The inside of the card and the envelope have been stamped with just the flower images.

Here are a few of the different cards made this week - this design works any way up/round!

The yellow and purple version was such a lovely combo.

Thanks to everyone who joined me this week - it has been lovely seeing all the different colour combinations that everyone has come up with.  

Louise even managed to add some Wink of Stella on her cards - no surprise really, she is known as the Queen of Wink!

I am back tomorrow hopping with Stamp 'N Hop where the theme is masculine, come back soon so you don't miss anything.

Happy crafting!

Susan xx
Thank you so much for looking at my Blog today, if you don't have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and you live in the UK, I would love to be yours!  If you don't have a copy of the 2018 - 2019 Annual Catalogue and you would like one, please let me know and I will send one to you straight away.  The Autumn / Winter Catalogues will be available very soon - if you would like a copy let me know!

If you need to order any supplies, simply use my “shop with me” button or click on the catalogue links on the right. Alternatively, contact me and I would be happy to place an order for you.

Would you like to receive a FREE gift from me? All orders placed directly with me or online receive a handmade card from me as a thank you but did you know that all orders over £20 (excluding postage) will receive a gift from me too?  If you use the current Hostess Code I will pop something in with your order or post directly to you, (please remember to allow me to access your contact details otherwise I won't be able to contact you). 

For every £45 order you place during August you will receive a Bonus Days voucher for £4.50 to spend in my online store during September and, you can earn as many as you like!

If you are in the UK, please click on the images below to go straight to my online store or for further information.