Out with the old and in with the New

** This is a "sticky post", so please scroll down for the latest post **

Well, it's that time of year again, the coming to an end of the current Stampin' Up catalogue :-(

* to see the latest list of retiring stamp sets, please click RETIRING STAMP SETS

* to see the latest list of retiring accessories, please click RETIRING ACCESSORIES

PLEASE NOTE : Lots of items are on special offer, with up to 40% of some things and some items have already sold out, so don't wait, if you see something you want on the list, then get in contact ASAP, I would hate for you to miss out

but, with the coming to an end of one catalogue, we have the excitement of the new catalogue coming out on 1st October  :-)

and don't forget, Stampin' Up have just launched the lovely new Autumn/Winter catalogue.  This is the first time we have had one of these in blighty and it's fab!  Just click on the picture on the top of the right hand panel to have a peek, it's full of stuff you really will NEED.

Oh, and as a special offer from me, ALL ORDERS OVER £50.00 GET FREE P&P

Any questions, drop me a line at techiebell@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks xx

SATURDAY INSPIRATION ~ Pinterest

Hi there,

Very late posting today but I did want to quickly share with you a card based on some cards I've seen on Pinterest.  I've seen a few cards like this so I can't give any one person the credit, but I think it's a great design, so whoever came up with it first is a little star.

Basically the card is coloured card stock stripes with a sentiment intersecting them, this could be done either by stamping directly to the base layer, as I have done, or by adding a sentiment on an additional layer and laying over the top.

The sentiment I used is from the "Happiest Birthday Wishes" stamp set, which is a Hostess only item.  This set is only available until the end of tomorrow, so if you want to get hold of it, please contact me ASAP.

I love this card style and it's so great to get some inspiration on men's cards as it's they can be hard to make, I also love the way that this card uses up the thinnest strips so you can used your scraps.

Enjoy! ... xx

Just the ticket

Hello,

My share today is a 'Ticket' card.  ticket shapes are really popular in paper crafting at the moment, you see them popping up on scrapbook pages and cards everywhere so I thought to have a go at making a ticket shaped card.

This card is made from a little of something old and a little of something new as I used the "Tea Time" simply scrappin' kit to make this card which is on the retirement list and the sentiment is from the "Itty Bitty Banners" stamp set that will be available from 1st October.  This stamp set also has a coordinating Big shot die set, so you get perfectly cut out little banners everytime.

To create the perforated 'ticket' edge I used the postage stamp punch, which is also in the new catalogue.

I did some faux stitching round the edges on this one.  I used the mat pack and paper piercing tool to create the holes and then went round with a "Pool Party" marker pen to add the 'stitches'.

Oh, and if you like the look of tickets on your projects, then you'll love the new "Ticket Duo Builder" punch that is in the new catalogue, just a few more days to go and you can have a look for yourself.  I will have the new catalogue available to check out on my blog around 8am on the 1st.

Hope you like the card... xx

SATURDAY INSPIRATION ~ Less Is More Challenge Week 86

I'm starting a new theme for my postings on Saturdays called "Saturday Inspiration".  It's where I explain what or who inspired me on the project I'm sharing with you on that day.

My inspiration this week was the challenge over at "Less is More"
Their challenge is called "Take 3 Challenges"  whereby you choose 3 of their past challenges to make a card.

For my card I choose:
 ~ Week 12 - Off Centre
 ~ Week 16 - Butterflies
 ~ Week 22 - Shades of Blue

My card base is made from "Marina Mist" card stock and measures just under 5-1/2" .  My "Whisper White layer is 5-5/16th square.
I used 5 x 3/4" strips of DSP from ""Beau Chateau"; "Nursery Nest"; "Big Top Birthday" and from the "Tea Time" simply scrapin' kit, all of which are retiring at the end of the month.  I also used, (once again!), the "Butterfly Prints" stamp set and coordinating "Butterfly" punch, both of which are also retiring at the end of the month.  The edges of the butterflies are covered with glitter and the sparkly beautifully.

The sentiment, which is defiantly 'off centre'  is from the "Apothecary Art" stamp set, which will be in the new catalogue which launches on 1st October, there is also a new sentiment stamp set called "Loving Thoughts" which coordinates with it perfectly.

If you ever are in need of inspiration, I would heartily recommend visiting a challenge site such as Less Is More, you don't have to stick to that weeks challenge or even enter the challenge, just be inspired and enjoy.

Have a wonderful Saturday xx

3-layer card

Blimey I'm late in posting today so I'll just quickly show you my project.

It's one of those 3 layer cards that seem to be everywhere at the moment, I guess people like them as they  look so good but are so easy to make.

I had to put a little sparkle on there, so I used one of the "Concord Crush" glimmer brads, which are retiring at the end of the month.  (Don't forget to check using the link above on the status of all the retiring products)

I can't do it today, but next week I'll work on a little tutorial for you to show you how this style of card is done.

take care .. xx

Manly 'Thank You'

Hello there,

I'm a bit late getting going today so I'm going to be brief, so such to do at the moment that I'm finding it hard to find much time to attend to my blog :-(

Anyway, my share with you today is a card I made for my Uncle Alan to thank him for letting me and my cousin Gillian go through his old photo's a nick a few to scan in.

I made it pretty plain and simple and stuck to blue shades to be on the safe side.  I also used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the sentiment as this stamp from the "Curly Cute" stamp set is all on one line.

I enjoyed making this style of card so I thought I would have a go at making a more feminine version

As you can hopefully see from this shot, I also used the "Love Blossoms" wheel, which can be found in the new catalogue that comes out on 1st October.

A quick and simple card that's just a bit different in shape to make it interesting, perfect when you need to whip up a card in a hurry.

Happy Birthday Sue

Yesterday was my cousin Sue's birthday, I don't know which one, (I never ask), but obviously I had to make a card.

I wanted to use the "Butterfly Prints" stamp set and coordinating punch as both are on the retirement list and I love this stamp set, it was one of the first I ever bought from Stampin' Up.

I chose "Wisteria Wonder" and "Perfect Plum" as my colour palette as her favourite colour is lilac.  I actually started by running the wheel from my stash across the card stock layer and embossed the unstamped corners using my "Simply Scored Scoring Tool"  and then left the piece on my craft desk for a couple of days whilst I worked out what I wanted to do before being inspired to use the gorgeous label stamp from the "Everything Eleanor" stamp set to act as a 'resting post' for the butterfly.

I also decorated the inside, but I "stamped off" the colour on the wheel before running it across the "Whisper White" card stock to give it a more subtle effect.

I used lots and lots of glitter around the edge of the butterfly and added basic rhinestones to make it all sparkly and girlie, after all, you've got to have a bit of sparkle on your birthday!

Now that should have been it but I enjoyed making it so much that I found myself making 5 more in different colours!  Do you never do that?

Oh well, at least I've got a small stash of pretty cards all good to go.

Until next time .... xx

Retiring 2010-11 In Colour collection

All of the "2010-11 In Color" products will be retiring at the end of the month so I thought I would make a little card collection to showcase these lovely colours.

The colours that are retiring are "Peach Parfait", "Poppy Parade", (my personal favourite), "Pear Pizzazz", "Concord Crush" and "Blushing Bride"  This means that all card stock, ink pads, marker pens, glimmer brads, Designer paper stacks and Stitched-Poly ribbon in those colours will be retiring on 30th September, with some of these items already selling out, so if you do what to get hold of any products in these colours, please get in contact with me ASAP

I used the Note Cards to make these cards as I think it's a lovely size to make a little collection in as it is the perfect size to make a useful little gift for someone.

The stamp I used on these is from the "You are Loved" set which is included in the new 2012-13 catalogue which will be out on 1st October.

Retiring Designer Series Paper

Hello there,

Just wanted to quickly share with you a couple of cards I've made in the last few days that uses some of the great retiring DSP from the 2011/12 Stampin' Up catalogue. Also, all DSP is currently reduced in price by  25 or 40% ~ yay!

This first card uses the Christmas themed "Holly Berry" Speciality DSP, which is currently 40% off, so making it just £6.90 per pack.

My 2nd share today is a Halloween themed card using the "Frightful Sight" DSP, which is also currently 40% off, making it just £5.97 per pack

I used the Oval punches to make the pumpkins and drew on the Jack-o-lantern faces, for some reason I really like drawing these faces on myself!

You only have until the end of this month to get these great paper collections as the new catalogue is launched on the 1st October.

If you would like more information on what products are retiring at the end of this month or how to book a demonstration or have any questions regarding any Stampin' Up product, please do not hesitate to get in contact.

cheerio xx