Sunday 30 December 2018

Stampin Up Sale-a-bration 2019 Botanical Butterfly & Butterfly Gala

Saleabration is almost here 3rd January 2019 and butterflies are in full force I the Spring/Summer catalogue.

Having just returned from a week in Scotland for Christmas with my adored 96 year old Uncle I am catching up with some of the YouTube videos I  posted over the holiday period.

Butterflies! Now I don't know about you but I love butterflies and Butterfly Gala is a new stamp set and punch bundle which is just stunning.  There is some dsp which can be selected for free from the Saleabration catalogue for a qualifying order of £45 and it compliments the stamp set and punch perfectly.. Some of the images on the dsp fit the punch exactly too.

How stunning is this paper?So I teamed up the dsp with the butterflies in the stamp set and used the same colours to coordinate.

Here is a step by step video tutorial to show you how to make this beautiful card.

Don't forget to use my shop on the 3rd January to order your stamp set and coordinating punch bundle saving 10% and then look at choosing something from the Saleabration brochure if your order is £45 or over.  Remember for each £45 you get to choose a free item so for £90 you get 2 free items or 1 of the higher value items.

Not got a catalogue yet then just drop me a line and I will send one out for you.





Sunday 16 December 2018

Sale-A-Bration 2019 Stampin Up By The Bay

Sale-A-Bration starts Jan 03rd 2019 and it is a time where you can for a qualifying spend of £45 choose a FREE product from the Sale-a-bration brochure.

As a demonstrator we get to pre-order so I am able to show you some of these amazing products.

Now I love artistic stamps and By The Bay is just such a set.  I am not an artist and cannot draw, but have always wanted to.  This stamp set allow me to watercolour and create a beautiful image, thus fulfilling my dream of being an artist.

With an Aquapainterand a few ink pads you can create a beautiful watercolour effect.

Here is a step by step video tutorial to show you exactly how I achieved this subtle water colouring.




I am sending all my customers a copy of the Spring/Summer catalogue and Sale-A-Bration brochure ready for 3rd Jan 2019.  If you would like a copy then just let me know and I will happily post them out to you free of charge. Just drop me an email allmark.j@sky.com


Thursday 13 December 2018

Stampin Up Sneak Peek Happy Tails stamp & punch bundle

How exciting, my pre-order arrived today with lots of goodies from the up and coming Spring/Summer catalogue 2019 which launches on Jan 3rd 2019.

If you would like  catalogue just drop me an email and I will be sending them out over the next few days. allmark.j@sky.com

So as you all know I love dogs and have a sweet little spaniel cross who is my world.   I have always had dogs, most of whom have been rescue, so when Stampin Up brought out Happy Tails (Jan03 2019) I just had to put it in my pre-order and I am not disappointed.

A stamp set and coordinating punch to create a variety of different dogs.  So with 101 dalmations in mind this is my first creation.

Quick and simple to make, the dalmation is stamped as the dog outline and the spots stamp was added. A cute little collar was added in Fresh Fig and then the whole image was easily punched out with the coordinating punch.  Little paw prints and a sentiment and this card was finished.

Want to see it in more detail then watch the step by step video tutorial.  This is going to be on every dog lovers wish list and I can't wait to create some different dog breeds using this great set.



Over the next couple of weeks I will be showing you more stamp sets, dsp and punches from the Spring/Summer catalogue and Sale-a-bration so if you haven't already don't forget to subscribe to my blog and YouTube so you don't miss anything.  I am so excited to show you some of the brand new sets.

Tuesday 11 December 2018

How to create ink layered backrounds using Stampin Up Enjoy Life

How to create ink layered backgrounds using Stampin Up Enjoy Life for a lovely Thank You card.

Building up layers can give lots of interest and dimension to card without giving any height.  By using a variety of inks, masks and stamps you can create this fun card, ideal for thank you's after the Christmas holidays.

Products used

Here is a step by step video tutorial to show you how to create this background and complete the card.




Saturday 8 December 2018

Stampin Up calendar idea with magnetic closure ideal purse, wallet or handbag

So with Christmas just 2 weeks away I hope like me that you have made and sent your Christmas cards for 2018. Now its time for decorating the home and tree, wrapping presents and looking forward to spending time with family and friends.

Today's project is a 2019 calendar with a magnetic closure ideal to put in your purse, wallet of handbag and would make a great little stocking filler or New Year gift.

This is a quick and easy project and is great for using up those last scraps of dsp, before the new papers come out in January. I used the Share Wat You Love Speciality Designer Series Paper which is a double pack or pearlized double sided paper.



Measurements for this project -
Cardstock 5" x 3 1/2" scored at  1/2"
Dsp cut at  1/4" smaller 2 1/4" x 3 1/4"
Closure strip - 4" x 1 1/4" scored in half at 2"

Here is a step by step video tutorial to show you exactly how to make these calendars.


For Geraldine who has just asked me about the little bear. This from the lovely stamp set A Little Wild with coordinating framelits LittleLoves


Thursday 6 December 2018

Stampin Up Easy embossing with framelits & dies & the silicone craft sheet

Did you know that you can emboss with your framelits and dies? Well by using the Silicone Craft Sheet  which is only £5.50 you can turn your Big Shot from a cutting machine for dies  into an embossing machine for dies.

For this easy Christmas card I used the Stitched Shapes Framelits and the largest oval and the tree was from the In The Woods Framelits. By using the Silicone Craft Sheet the dies will not cut and instead will emboss.  Sponge over the image to reveal a lovely one layer image, perfect for those posted holiday cards, where you need to reduce postage costs.

To explain more easily for you here is a step by step video tutorial.

If you subscribe to my YouTube channel and click the bell, you will be notified of all up and coming videos so you don't miss anything. I have over 135 current videos with lots of ideas and tips for creative ideas in your crafting.

Thank you all for your recent lovely comments both here and on YouTube. It gives me great encouragement knowing that you are enjoying my projects and look forward to continuing this journey with you all for the remainder of 2018 and into the new year 2019.


Tuesday 4 December 2018

Stampin Up One layer Christmas card using Stampin Up Waterfront stamp set.

One layer cards are great for every type of crafter, but especially for the beginner crafter who is just starting out and wants a real wow card.  This card  uses just one stamp set Waterfront which has 16 stamps to create lovely scenery and is only £16 so is a good affordable starter stamp set.  Add a couple of ink pads, for this card I used Night of Navy and Cherry Cobbler are you are good to go.

This project can be stamped directly on our notecards 20 cards and envelopes for just £6.  Add one of our acrylic blocks and you have everything to create 20 beautiful cards.

So lets get started, this is a simple Christmas card with lovely snowy ridges, very easy to create.

To help you create this card I have made a step by step video tutorial, subscribe to my YouTube channel where I have 135 video tutorials showing a wide selection of ideas and techniques for all crafting abilities.



Sunday 2 December 2018

Happy Birthday to me - Sharing the love of the lovely handmade cards I received.

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me. Yes today is my birthday and I won't tell you how old I am but rest assured you can put several 21 today's into the number lol.

I was truly blessed with some wonderful cards to me and I wanted to share some of them with you.



The cards were from Barbara, Petra, Fiona and Lauren who are talented crafters from the UK and Petra is all the way from Texas.

I have put together a short video so you can see these lovely cards in more detail.




As I have been shown so much love for my birthday and I would like to share some too, so here are the links for two of these ladies who like myself have an online presence So please pop along and show them some love.

Lauren Huntley - Crafty Hippy


So I am off to celebrate my birthday as I have my family coming over for a birthday tea.
Whatever you are doing this Sunday, have a wonderful time. Smile often and share some love whenever you can.



Saturday 1 December 2018

Stampin Up Quick and easy Christmas Tags with Labels to Love.

If like me there is always a last minute rush at Christmas to get all the presents wrapped and ready, then this quick and easy Christmas tag making tutorial with Stampin Up Labels to Love and the Everyday Label Punch, just might be the solution.


Two ink pads in Tranquil Tide and Merry Merlot or Garden Green and Cherry Cobbler, some Whisper White cardstock and your good to go.
Everyday Label punch and Labels to Love stamp set will enable you to make as many Christmas tags as you need, quickly and easily.

Here is a step by step video tutorial to show you exactly how easy it is to make a whole set of Christmas tags in minutes.