Unicorn Card

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting.

Today's card is not an original idea as I found it on pintrest made by several other demonstrators so I don't know where the original idea came from.

Unicorns.  I just love these mythical creatures and this card is simple to make and yet makes a beautiful unicorn image.

Lots of scraps is the key to this card.  I used some glimmer paper, any sparkly paper would do to make a strip down the side of the card and the unicorn horn.  I just cut a triangle horn shape freehand.  The ears were punched from a leaf punch, again any shape would do or you could again do this freehand.

I put metallic sequins on the centre of all the flowers for added sparkle, and added some glitter glue.

The cheeks are sponged using powder pink ink and the eyes are drawn freehand and then sparkled up with some glitter glue.  I added some offcuts of ribbon down the side of the card.  A little tip use a staple to hold the ribbon together and then cover with a flower.

My favourite is this last card as the unicorn horn is slimmer and more pointed, but I prefer the ears on the first one as they are a little further apart.

So for all the unicorn lovers out there this is a super cute card to make and it uses up some of those little scraps that we all have lying about.

The Joy of Sets Challenge #jos005 The Letter J

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting.  Well its another challenge and this is number 5.  It is great fun being part of the Design Team and thinking up new ideas for this challenge.

The Letter J and I have used Jar of Love for the little fireflies a current set teamed with the Just Sayin and coordinating framelits which is a retired set.

The little fireflies I put a rhinestone on each tail to give the light but you could easily use the little led lights to give them a real glow.

This would make a fab card for a man or teenager which is why I used dapper denim cardstock and inkpads.

If you haven't already joined in then please do with this challenge as the winner not only gets a badge to put on their blog but also gets to be a guest designer next month and the great thing is you can use any Stampin Up stamp set current or retired as long as it has the challenge letter in the title.

Have fun and see you next fortnight.

Stampin Up In The City

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting.

Today is Bank Holiday weekend and the sun is shining and it has been and still is a glorious sunny day.  The trees are still green and so is the grass after the rain that we had in the past few weeks. With that in

mind I made this lovely card using In the City.  This lovely 60 image stamp set is just so versatile and not just for city cards there are some lovely trees.

Emerald Envy and Lemon/Lime Twist are great ink pads and the row of trees remind me of Farnham Park where I walk my dog daily. There is a row of tree called the Avenue and I have ridden with my children and grandchildren along there on bicycles.

Nature is so beautiful especially on a sunny day.

The set I used is an hostess set which you can purchase at a special price if your order  comes to over £150 so a great way to club together with a few friends and place an order to get this set.

With only a few days before the new Autum/Winter catalogue is launched on September 1st here is a sneak peak video of some of the goodies.

 If you haven't already please subscribe to my blog and YouTube channel as I regularly post on both and all my tutorials are completely free of charge.

Have fun and happy crafting.

In The City Hostess stamp set

Stampin Up Memories and More

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting.

Memories and More are some fantastic kits for scrapbooking for are also great for making cards.  The kits are only £9.00 and you can make at least 32 different cards using this kit and some of the Stampin Up stamps and embellishments in your stash.

This first card I took one of the larger cards for the background, a smaller one cut into a circle with the Stitched Shapes framelits dies stamped with coordinating ink with the sentiment from Beautiful You, a bow from the Jar of Love framelits and a few sequins from the metallics sequins.  Quick and simple yet looks beautiful.

This second card uses a sheet for the background a smaller sheet cut in a circle with the sentiment from the set cut and mounted with two leaves die cut from the Colourful Seasons.  Again a quick and simple card with no stamping yet a beautiful card.

This card took two of the smaller cards from the set mounted at an angle with some washi tape for the background card and  few hearts cut in coordinating colours.  Again no stamping on this card so quick and simple yet a really effective look.

Memories and More Petal Garden

This is such a fantastic kit and for just £9 it really is to good to miss out so grab yourself one now via my shop button or click the highlighted link above.

Breast Cancer Card

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting.

Part of being a crafter and making cards is that you get to meet lots of lovely people and get asked to make cards for all sorts of reasons especially if someone can't find or buy a card that says what they want.

Well my dog groomer is one of those people.  In the past 6 months she has had a breast removed which was cancerous and then made the brave decision to have the other healthy breast removed ensuring that the cancer could not return.  In between this period she ran a duathalon to raise funds for a support group for breast cancer survivors.

I donated several cards for this cause and then the other day I received this letter from her.

"Hiya my love, I would like to give my surgeon a thank you card but can't find anything crazy enough for me and thought of you. Could you make me one? Needs to be funny and covered  in boobs or pancakes.  The crazier the better you know me he needs to be howling with laughter"

She gave me the words she wanted on the card and so with the Labeller Alphabet stamp set that side was sorted.  I played around with a few ideas and wanted a comical cartoon style pair of breasts on the front and then inside the removed breasts bouncing off the card. I used a retired set with smiley faces as I wanted the comical side to shine through.

When I showed her the card she laughed out loud and said it was perfect.

Breast cancer is a devasting horrible disease so for her to have this wonderful strength of character and personality I was proud to be able to help.

Three circles cut in powder pink card stock and sponged in the same coloured ink.  The bra was a circle cut in half and edged in trim.

Labeller Alphabet for the words. The bouncing boobs was from a retired smiley stamp which I stamped in powder pink.

For all my UK subscribers I am sure you will understand the humour and for my other subscribers from around the world boob and tit are light hearted terms for breasts.

I wanted to share this project with everyone as I was exceptionally proud and humbled at being asked to make something that was so personal between a patient and their surgeon.

I am happy to make cards and projects for any occasion so please get in touch if you are struggling to find the card you want.

Stampin Up Musical Season

I cannot tell you how excited I am about showing you this fantastic new stamp set an coordinating framelits Musical Season.  The set is one of the products in the Autumn/Winter catalogue which launches 1st September.  If you'd like a copy of the catalogue then just get in touch and I will post one out immediately.

Now something you can get your hands on now, while stocks last is some gorgeous reduced products in the Clearance rack. Go to my shop button and you will find the Clearance rack there with lots of goodies some up to 70% off. So grab yourself a bargain.

The lovely French horn is die cut is gold and the piece of mistletoe is coloured and die cut.  The gorgeous sentiment is from this new set too.

The background dsp from the Clearance rack is Warmth and Cheer Designer Series Paper

This is such a bargain at £3.60 for 48 double sided sheet of 6"x6" so get over to the Clearance rack and order some great Christmas bargains which will coordinate with all the lovely new products arriving 1st September. 

Here's a video sneak peak of the some of the lovely goodies in the Autumn/Winter catalogue which launches on the 1st September. Want a copy then just get in touch and I will post one out to you immediately.

Stampin Up In The City

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting.  Todays card is using the In The City stamp set andI have created a lovely New Home Card.

I have stamped out just two of the 60 images in this set in black and Sweet Sugarplum, coordinated it with a square from the Stitched Shaped Framelits Dies added a bow in Fresh Fig which coordinates beautifully.

If you notice the background it is made using a sneak peek of the fantastic Year of Cheer washi tape. 5 reels of gorgeous metallic which are just perfect to add a metallic touch to any project.

1st September the new catalogue launches just get in touch and I will send you onw out so you are ready to add some of these goodies to your stash on1st September.

Here is a video with just some of the goodies to wet your appetite.

Stampin Up In The City

Stampin Up In the City Hostess stamp set

This is probably one of the funnest and most felixible stamp sets and it contains a whopping 60 stamps.  A lot of these stamps are two step which means that you stamp the outline image and then use the second stamp to fill in the image. 

Now to get hold of this fab stamp set you have to spend £150 or more and then you can get this set.  You can club together with friends and place one order however you want to do it spend £150 and the hostess set is yours  to purchase.

So I have created a selection of cards using some of the images from this set.  Very simply stamped and then coordinated with some cardstock in the same colour as one of the images it make for a lovely modern clean and simple look and I love how the two step stamps allow you to colour the image easily without having to painstakingly colour each one.

In The City Stamp Set

Check back tomorrow for a lovely card using this set for a New Home card.

Thanks for dropping by as allows if you wish to purchase and of the products you've seen just click on the shop button above or the highlighted link.

The Joy of Sets Challenge Blog #jos004 The Letter B

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting. It's that time again and there is another challenge blog for you all to take part in.  As part of the Design Team I get to design a card every two weeks for the Challenge Blog and this fortnight it is the letter B.

For this card I used the stamp set Best of Birds
I embossed the birds with silver embossing powder which gave the birds a lovely shimmery look.
The little hearts are from the Jar of Love framelits which cuts 8 hearts at a time which is perfect for those little embellishments and who doesn't love some hearts on a card.

As many of you know who follow me here and over on my YouTube channel backgrounds are my favourite thing so if you'd like to see a fun background using Best of Birds then pop over and have a look

If you haven't already please look at subscribing to my blog and YouTube channel as I post regular fun techniques and ideas using Stampin Up latest products.

Thanks for dropping by and don't forget to enter the Joy of Sets Challenge blog because if you are lucky enough to win you will be a Guest Designer for the next challenge.

Stampin Up Musical Season

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting. The New Autumn/Winter catalogue launch is only a few weeks away and the 1st September is fast approaching.  If you haven't received your copy yet then just drop me a line and I will post one out to you immediately.

Musical Seasons is one of the fantastic bundles being a stamp set and coordinating framelits and it is not just for Christmas.

This is a simple birthday card in Flirty Flamingo. The pattern down the side is stamped using one of the images from Musical Season and the lovely silver line is the Year of Cheer washi tape. Metallics are so in this year that I want to use them on everything.

The mandolin was stamped in smoky slate and then die cut.  I then die  cut a second in Flirty Flamingo and cut it in half and stuck it to the first image to give a tiny border around the mandolin.

Quick, simple and a lovely birthday card for a music loving person.

Here is a video of some of the gorgeous products from the Autumn/Winter catalogue. Enjoy and please subscribe to my channel to see more techniques and ideas using Stampin Up products.

Thanks for dropping by and catch you all soon.

Stampin Up Sneak Peek Musical Season from the Holiday Catalogue

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting. The launch of the new Autumn/Winter holiday catalogue is only a few weeks away 1st September 2017 and if you would like a catalogue send to you ready for the launch then just drop me a line and I will post one out to you. If you live in the GU9 Farnham area in the UK then I am happy to hand deliver one.  If you are one of my customers or have purchased from me in the last 6 months a copy is already reserved and you will get it before the 1st September.

As a demonstrator we get the opportunity of buying product one month early so I am able to show you a sneak peek of some of the amazing goodies in the lovely catalogue.

Musical Season

This stamp set comes in a bundle saving 10% with coordinating framelits and is a must for everyone musical.

This is a lovely card I made using just one of the framelits a detailed French horn (I think that is the name when you watch the video below I think I called it a trumpet or trombone lol. Brass instruments not my forte)

The background is a piece of the lovely 12 x 12" speciality designer series paper which is in champagne and is so shimmery and delicious. Again a must for adding a real touch of luxury.

The little hearts were taken from the Jar of Love framelits and I use this heart die a lot of add a little bit of love to a project.

This video will give you a better idea of the Musical Season and Year of Cheer as I show you both in more detail and you can see just how shimmery and opulent the Year of Cheer speciality dsp really is

If you haven't already please subscribe to my blog and YouTube channel so you don't miss any of the techniques and projects using the latest Stampin Up products.

Exciting times so come and join me..

Sneak peek Stampin Up Holiday Autumn/Winter catalogue Video

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting. Today I have uploaded a video showcasing some of the goodies in the new Autumn/Winter catalogue which launches on the 1st September. If you would like to get your hands on a copy drop me a line and I will post one out for you ready for the 1st September.

Please feel free to subscribe to my blog & YouTube channel as I regularly post techniques & project ideas with Stampin Up latest products.

Stampin Up Sneak Peak Musical Season

The Autumn/Winter catalogue is coming on the 1st September. Want to get your hands on one? It is jam packed full of gorgeous products. Drop me a line and I will send one out to you ready for the 1st.

Musical Season bundle is one of these lovely sets. A stamp set and coordinating framelits and for all the music lovers out there it is going to be a must.

I've copper embossed the mandolin and the harp to coordinate with the lovely background and yes the background is made from off cuts of the new Year of Cheer speciality designer series paper teamed with the metallics washi tape.

Sign up to my blog so you don't miss anything as I will be showcasing more sneak peaks of the new products from the Autumn/winter catalogue over the coming days.

Sneak Peak Musical Season Bundle

How exciting is it when your pre order of the Autumn/Winter catalogue arrives. One of the many benefits of being a Stampin Up demonstrator is that you get to order one month before the catalogue launch on the 1st September 2017.

If you would like a catalogue or are interested in becoming an Independent Stampin Up Demonstrator then just let me know and I'd be happy to help.

So Musical Season bundle is one of the lovely new products which you can buy on the 1st September and it is gorgeous.

Peace, Joy, Love, three little drummer boys and a background of gorgeous shimmery gold designer series paper. A little finishing touch of Vintage Crochet Ribbon.

Join me over the coming week for more project ideas using this and other goodies from the Autumn/Winter catalogue.

If you haven't already subscribed to my blog please do so you don't miss anything.

Stampin Up At Home With You

Stampin Up At Home With You

The At Home With You stamp set is so versatile so today I thought I would show you a fun flower card using the sunflower and pumpkin stamp.

I fussy cut out the image to remove the pumpkins and coloured them so they were summer flowers or gerberas.  Mounted on Stitched Shapes framelits circles and a background using the Party Pattern Decorative Masks.  The Thank You come from the Daisy Delights stamp set.

This is a quick and simple card but show how each one of our stamp sets and be used in so many different ways.

At Home With You Stamp Set

With Christmas just around the corner for us card makers this time of year is starting to get busy in preparation for all the cards we have to make.  This stamp set is just perfect as it covers Christmas but as Ive shown above can be used for so much more.

All products are available through my shop button above.

How to Create a Fun Abstract Art Background with Acrylic Blocks.

How To Create a Fun Abstract Art Background with Acrylic Blocks.

I really love making backgrounds and one of the simplest and quickest backgrounds is using our acrylic blocks.

Tranquil Tide, Dapper Denim and Night of Navy ink pads created this background.

The video tutorial shows you a step by step guide to achieve this simple background.

Tip for the day

Have you noticed the little hearts that I used for embellishments? They can be found in The Jar of Love framelits and are great to use up little scraps of cardstock and will die cut 8 in one go.  I keep a little jar of these to use on projects as who doesn't love a few heart enbellishmets.

All products are available through the shop button above.  Please subscribe to my blog and YouTube channel as I regularly post tutorials and fun ideas for projects using Stampin Up latest prducts.

Stampin Up Metallics Embossing

Stampin Up Metallics Embossing

Hello and welcome to Amethystar Crafting.  Do you love metallic? Gold, silver and copper embossing powder combined together makes for a beautiful card.

For this card I wanted a lot of textures so I firstly stamped using, Musical Notes, Dragonfly Dreams and Timeless Textures.

I cut three circles using the Stitched Shapes framelits and then sponged with a dauber in Fresh Fig, Berry Burst and Peekaboo Peach which I'd also used for the stamped images.

I then took the Versamark reinker and a small paintbrush and randomly painted some marks and blobs which I embossed in the Copper embossing powder.  Then I took the circles and pressed them lightly in the Versamark pad and embossed in silver and gold.

By using some little heart embellishments die cut from the Jar of Love framelits and a flower from the Flower Shop stamp set the whole card came together.

I love making textured cards and by using a variety of stamp sets and dies you can create a really beautiful card.

All products are available through my shop button above.

Thank you for dropping by and please subscribe to my blog and YouTube channel (Jane Allmark) as I regularly post tutorials and card ideas using the latest products and techniques.

Stampin Up This Little Piggy, Moon Baby and Pattern Party Decorative Masks

Stampin Up This Little Piggy, Moon Baby and Pattern Party Decorative Masks Video Tutorial

The Pattern Party Decorative masks are such great fun to use as a background for so many projects. This project I have used them with sponge daubers, three colour Dapper Denim, Berry Burst and Crushed Curry and the cloud mask.

The video tutorial give you a step by step guide to creating the whole project.

If you have not already subscribed to my blog or YouTube channel then please do as I post regular tutorials using the latest Stampin Up products and all my tutorials are free.

This Little Piggy stamp set

Moon Baby stamp set

 

Stampin Up Colourful Seasons

Stampin Up Colourful Seasons

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting. Colourful Seasons is my one go to stamp set as it has something for everyone.  It is the stamp set that I recommend for all my beginners as there is so much to choose from.

This card is using the snowflakes from the set and the coordinating die set to make a lovely simple Christmas card.

If you don't have the Big Shot to create the cut out snowflakes you can always repeat the stamp pattern in a coordinating colour perhaps pool party.  I used smokey slate for the snowflakes some silver foil paper.

I have used this stamp set in my beginners video as the set I would choose for its versatility. If you are just starting out then this is a good guide to help choose your first tool box.

All products are available through my shop button above.  If you haven't already subscribed to my blog or YouTube channel then please do as I post regular tutorials and videos using the latest products and techniques.

Colourful Seasons stamp set

The Essential Guide for Beginner Crafters. What to choose and how to Buy

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting.

I am often asked by beginner crafters and those who have just received their catalogue, want everything, but just don't know where to start.  It can be very daunting when you begin so I have made this video which will hopefully walk you through some of the basic and essential tools you will need when you start crafting.

For those of you that already have some crafty stash I hope you will see some products that you may not already have and why, in my opinion, they are so good.

The shop button is available for you to buy any of the products in this video and if there are any questions then please let me know and I will try to help.

If you have not already please look at subscribing to my blog and YouTube channel as I regularly post tutorials and fun ideas all which are free and designed for you to have a go with.

Thank you for dropping by and look forward to seeing you again.

The Joy of Sets Challenge #jos003 The Letter 'C'

I am really excited to be part of the Design Team on this great blog challenge.  Every two weeks a letter of the alphabet is given and then it is up to you to design a card using any Stampin Up stamp set whether it be current or retired.

For this challenge I chose to use two retired stamp sets Clockworks and Curly Cute.

The background technique is achieved by embossing in gold, silver and copper with the cog images and then just using the versamark to randomly ink up different areas and heat emboss in silver.

I used the sponge daubers to sponge a background before heat embossing in several tones of blue.

The clocks were fussy cut and painted using our watercolour pencils and then clear heat emboss to give the clock faces a glass cover effect.

These techniques can be used on any project you choose and Stampin Up have hundreds of lovely stamp sets to chose from, just pop over to my shop to buy (the shop button is at the top left of the page)

Please look at joining in on this challenge as if you win you can be a Guest Designer for the next challenge and get to put a winners badge on your blog.

Good luck and have fun joining in and seeing all of the lovely entries.

Products Used

Versamark

Copper Embossing Powder

Gold Embossing Powder

Silver Embossing Powder

Clear Embossing Powder