Wednesday 28 February 2018

Party Pandas meets Balloon Bouquet


Thought I’d take a brief break from Waterfront to show you this cute Make & Take using Party Pandas, Petal Pair Embossing Folders and the Balloon Bouquet punch.

If you haven't seen the Petal Pair Embossing Folders, do seek them out as they are very well hidden on Page 23 of the Spring/Summer catalogue. It's really versatile because it co-ordinates with the Petal Passion Suite, but also is reminiscent of bamboo so goes beautifully with Party Pandas.


Monday 26 February 2018

Mix It Up Monday: Waterfront (yes, again!)


Yep, it’s Waterfront again! Sorry! Not really sorry, as it’s a fabulous stamp set and I wanted to show you one of our projects from last Friday’s Hygge Night. 

Inspired by Lydia Fiedler’s Waterfront projects using Brusho, I wanted to see if I could make something similar using just inks (as I haven’t caved in and bought the Brushos yet).



Last Monday’s Mix It Up Monday project used an all-purple combination from my In Color charts. This week it’s almost an all-green combo. It’s fun to play with these “close harmony” combinations, I think. 

To get the effect, we inked our stamps with at least two colours each, then spritzed them with water before stamping onto dry watercolour paper. It really is as simple as that. It’s messy but a lot of fun. 

Come back later in the week to see the framed images we made using the same stamp set. 



Saturday 24 February 2018

Caturday: Cats in Stampin’ Up!® boxes


Want a FREE gift? Place a big enough Stampin’ Up! order and you get a CAT BED at no extra cost! 
Warm, reusable, protects against draughts and fits most cats. Neutral colour suits most home décor schemes. For best results, place by the fire or warm radiator. 9 out of 10 cats would recommend*. 
*Survey not scientific. I just asked around. 
Terms & conditions apply. Cat not included in offer. Also suitable for small dogs and children. To avoid conflict, we do not recommend combining species in same box, nor do we recommend placing more than one cat in the box at any one time. Box size subject to availability. No returns if cat dissatisfied with box. Not recommended as a litter tray (thanks for carrying out the test, Cobweb).

Come on cat lovers, can we get #catsinstampinupboxes trending?

Friday 23 February 2018

Eclectic Expressions


This is a brand new stamp set called Eclectic Expressions, which isn’t easy to say out loud, let alone type! It’s part of the new Sale-a-Bration collection and is one of those stamp sets that people will overlook... until they start seeing samples on Pinterest and wondering how they were made.

It has a vague weather theme if you look closely...

... we have a clouds, rain, snow, the moon (or sun) and some more images which are open to interpretation.

It is what I call “a stamper ’s stamp set” - for those who like to play around and create new looks. I remember the scepticism that greeted Gorgeous Grunge in the early days... and it went on to become one of our most popular and versatile stamp sets. So if you’re placing a £45 order this month or next, you may want to consider Eclectic Expressions as your freebie.

Wednesday 21 February 2018

Lots of Lavender... but no lavender


Continuing the purple theme, these are some cute thank you cards I made for last month’s club ladies. Do you recognise the stamp sets?

I’ve used Lots of Lavender (but where's the lavender - this is clearly a rose!) and some words from Painted Harvest, which is still available for the two people who don’t already have it.

I stamped a big batch of these cards using the Stamparatus, which I am privileged to own already as I was part of a consultation team to develop the product. For those who have pre-ordered, you should be hearing from Stampin’ Up!® soon. For those who didn’t manage to pre-order, you don’t have too long to wait... the Stamparatus will be officially launched in the new Annual Catalogue in June.

If you want sneak peeks and chances to order early, you can’t do wrong by signing up as a demonstrator. It’s as low-key or high-octane as you wish it to be. You can build a business and earn an income... or not. It’s up to you!

And now is, of course, the BEST time to join, as it’s Sale-a-Bration! TWO extra stamp sets in your kit are not to be sniffed at. Please ask me for more details or click the image below to get started...




Monday 19 February 2018

Mix It Up Monday: Beautiful Peacock


I’m tapping into the purple trend for today’s Mix It Up Monday project, with an all-purple combination from my In Color charts


This is another birthday present for another of my lovely Hostess Club ladies. She loves bright colours and also is growing in her crafting confidence so I hope she’ll find some inspiration in the contents. 

I’ve used Beautiful Peacock, a lovely and versatile Sale-a-Bration stamp set. Do you have it yet?

Saturday 17 February 2018

Caturday: Walk cat


Saw this gorgeous tortoiseshell an white snuggled up in the hedge bottom while I was out on a walk recently. It was a freezing cold day so I don’t know why she hadn’t gone home. Anyway, the minute she spotted me, she ran off... hopefully to somewhere a bit warmer.

Friday 16 February 2018

Waterfront - simple scenes for all occasions


I thought I’d end a week of Waterfront projects with lots of simple cards made using this fabulous stamp set. As you can see, it’s suitable for all occasions, including get well cards, sympathy, birthdays, masculine cards... 

We’ll be using this fabulous set at my upcoming Hygge Night – please book here and join me for a relaxing evening. 


By the way, that's the last time I make a sympathy card “just in case”... sadly, I needed it within two days.



Wednesday 14 February 2018

Waterfront - faux watercoloured scene



My Facebook followers will already have seen this, I hope (head here for more fun and frolics). It’s my attempt to create a faux watercolour scene using the Waterfront stamp set and inspired by this Youtube video from Aussie demo Linda Dalke. 

I’m hoping to get this to a stage where it can be one of the projects at my next Hygge Night - booking is now open and places are going fast!

As you can see, it didn’t go right first time...



Monday 12 February 2018

Mix It Up Monday: Waterfront (new favourite stamp set!)


I had very little enthusiasm for this colour combination from my In Color charts
but when I finally knuckled down to make this Mix It Up Monday project, I fell in love with it. 



I love the purple mountains and the blue-green trees. I think it's the greeting from the Lots of Happy Card Kit that makes it though... it reminds me of one of those vintage railway posters that I love so much. Hmmm... perhaps I could attempt to recreate one?



Saturday 10 February 2018

Caturday: Our visitor


This beautiful black cat has been visiting us frequently, but not regularly, lately. He first appeared just over a week ago, dashing in through the back door as if he lives here. And he nearly got away with it too, as we already have a black cat, Mr Winky.

Since then he’s been back a few times - he chirrups beautifully at the back door, then comes in for snuggles. He' s absolutely adorable, very friendly and affectionate. He's also been seen at the local pub, which is about a mile away. He’s entire, which doesn’t help. So we’re currently trying to find out if he’s a stray or just a Six Dinner Sid.

Friday 9 February 2018

Lots of Lavender meets Calypso Coral


Ok, who knows about plants? What looks a bit like lavender but has Calypso Coral flowers? Maybe foxgloves? Stocks? Just wanted to show that they don't always have to be pinky blue.

Don’t forget this stamp set is free with a £45 order until 31st March. But there’s an even better offer available... just sign up as a demonstrator and for just £99 you get:

1. Craft supplies of your choice up to £130 in value
2. Two extra stamp sets of any value as it's Sale-a-Bration
3. No obligation to run a business, or actually, do anything else at all - you still get to keep the kit.

Please get in touch if you’d like more details!




Wednesday 7 February 2018

Waterfront beach scene


Dreary February is brightened up with a cheery beach scene create with the gorgeous Waterfront stamp set. The greeting comes from the Lots of Happy Card Kit and the Pinewood Planks embossing folder is reminiscent of a beach hut. Love it... yes, even the colours!

Monday 5 February 2018

Petal Passion Designer Series Paper


Minimal stamping here... just some colouring of that oh-so-versatile Petal Passion Designer Series Paper and a vellum banner embossed with Dynamic Hexagons. Love those self-adhesive sequins, too!

(Sorry, no Mix It Up Monday today, I have the lurgy and didn’t feel up to stamping at the weekend)

Friday 2 February 2018

Tutti Frutti notecards


These little Tutti Frutti notecards are so simple - just a square of Tutti Frutti Designer Series Paper and some punched fruits on top. I made this set with some crafty friends at a get-together the other week; we each took a project along to share. It’s really just an enabling event because I came home and ordered this DSP!

The small print

This is my personal blog and my sole responsibility as an Independent Stampin' Up!® demonstrator. All images are © Stampin' Up!® All content including photographs, projects and text are © Helen Read, unless otherwise stated. Please feel free to copy my ideas for your personal use and inspiration - if you are a SU demonstrator you may use these ideas for your events but please give credit where it is due. Please do not use my ideas for monetary gain, competitions or publication. The images on this blog - including blog buttons - should not be copied and used elsewhere on the internet or on CDs.