Saturday 31 March 2018

Stampin Up Beautiful Day. How to make a three dimensional flower

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting. My Name is Jane Allmark and I'm a UK Independent Stampin Up Demonstrator.

BEAUTIFUL DAY. stamp set is a lovely versatile set with a flower and butterfly and some great sentiments.  Todays project is a three dimensional flower using 4 stamped images and some dimensionals.



Products used
Please look at subscribing to my YouTube channel as I post regular projects and tutorials using current Stampin Up products.  I am always learning and this video is the first using an editing software, so we have music and a voice over and I was able to speed up the video so it was under 10 minutes.  Very proud of myself in learning a new skill and although not perfect as I learn more so it will develop.  I would love you all to share with my journey so have a go at making this lovely flower and enjoy colouring it with out Aqua Painters, or our Blends, or our Stampin Write Markers or Water Colour Pencils.  There are so many different options you can chose just have fun and have a go.



Saturday 17 March 2018

Stampin Up Zany Zentangle card using Beautiful Day and Stampin Blends

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting. My name is Jane Allmark and I'm a UK Stampin Up Demonstrator.

Today has been a horrible cold snowy day here in the UK so I took myself off to my craftroom and with the BEAUTIFUL DAY stamp set and the Stampin Blends alcohol markers in CHERRY COBBLER DARKBERMUDA BAY DARK, and Pool Party and Pink Pirouette in the light I created this fun Zentangle card.


So what is Zentange? Well Wikipedia describes it as
The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Almost anyone can use it to create beautiful images. It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well being.

Now I am by no means an expert, in fact I would class myself as a beginner, but it is great fun and very relaxing.  I love the way the butterfly turned out with the background and by using the Bermuda Bay and Cherry Cobbler it gives  quite a trendy and different card.

The The STAMPIN WRITE BLACK MARKER. is perfect for drawing out the patterns as it has a lovely fine tip (a brush tip on the other end too) and being a water based marker it means that when you colour with the Stampin Blends it doesn't bleed (alchohol and water don't mix)

So why don't you give it a go? Lots of Zentangle tutorials online and then just have fun.  How about trying the flower image in the Beautiful Day stamp set?

Whatever you are doing today. have fun and stay safe and warm. Spring is on its way, I hope, and warmer sunnier days are ahead.





Friday 16 March 2018

Stampin Up Stamparatus Sunshine & Wishes Sunny Day Birthday Card

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting. My name is Jane Allmark and I'm a UK Independent Stampin Up Demonstrator.

SUNSHINE & RAINBOWS. stamp set is the perfect stamp set for this card.  With all the snow and bad weather and more predicted for this weekend I long for Spring and sunshine and the combination of Lemon/Lime Twist or Crushed Curry and Peekaboo Peach in these two cards make me think of those sunny times to come.

STAMPARATUS.
A must-have tool for all stampers, the Stamparatus helps you perfectly align stamp images, stamp multiples of the same project quickly and precisely, and get complete ink coverage.

It was created by stampers for stampers, so it has all the features you want:

* Compatible with red rubber and photopolymer stamps
* 2 magnets to hold the paper in place
* Rulers on 2 sides for quick measuring
* 2 open sides so you can use larger paper
* Multiple hinges for more placement options
* 2 reversible plates for 4 sides to work with
* 1 foam mat for use with photopolymer
* 1 base with grid
* Magnet storage areas
*Coming soon to the 2018-2019 annual catalog on 1 June 2018

Here is a video showing you how to create this lovely sunny card using the Stampartus and a DIY square template (sometimes called wreath template) for perfect positioning.


I have made a series of 4 videos so far using the Stamparatus with some great ideas and cards to make.  Subscribe to my YouTube channel to see them all.



I post regular videos and blogs so it is worth subscribing so you don't miss anything and all my tutorials are completely free and hopefully will give you all lots of inspiration and ideas.

All products used are Stampin Up so check our my shop to buy today. HERE.



Tuesday 13 March 2018

Stampin Up Stamparatus using an octagonal template

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting. My name is Jane Allmark and I'm a UK Independent Stamping Up demonstrator.

The STAMPARATUS. is available for general release on the 1st June 2018 and for the few of us that have managed to get one early it is a revolutionary stamping and positioning tool.

A must-have tool for all stampers, the Stamparatus helps you perfectly align stamp images, stamp multiples of the same project quickly and precisely, and get complete ink coverage.

It was created by stampers for stampers, so it has all the features you want:

* Compatible with red rubber and photopolymer stamps
* 2 magnets to hold the paper in place
* Rulers on 2 sides for quick measuring
* 2 open sides so you can use larger paper
* Multiple hinges for more placement options
* 2 reversible plates for 4 sides to work with
* 1 foam mat for use with photopolymer
* 1 base with grid
* Magnet storage areas

Over the coming months I will be showcasing this amazing tool and sharing with you some videos teaching you as must as I have and will be learning.

Todays video is all about using a template (a DIY template which I made) to stamp eight times in an octagonal.




Please look at subscribing to this blog and my YouTube channel so you don't miss any of the tips and techniques to help you use your Stamparatus.





Monday 12 March 2018

Stampin Up Stamparatus with DIY square template to create Magical Day card.

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting. My name is Jane Allmark and I'm  a UK Independent Stampin Up Demonstrator.

A couple of days ago I posted a blog have a look at it HERE. featuring the MAGICAL DAY. stamp set and it was very well received.  I had lots of requests for a video, so here it is






Hope you enjoy.

I will be making a series of videos using the STAMPARATUS. which is available for general release on the 1st June 2018.  So please subscribe to my blog and YouTube channel so you don't miss anything.

Thanks for all your custom. Each one of you is very special to me and gives me the passion to continue what I do.



Sunday 11 March 2018

Stampin Up Stamparatus Hinge Stamping

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting. My name is Jane Allmark and I'm a UK Independent Stampin Up Demonstrator.

On the 1st June 2018 the STAMPARATUS. becomes available to buy to the general public.  This tool will change the way you stamp and over the coming months I will be sharing with you as many techniques and tips that I have learned with this amazing positioning tool.

Here is a video showing you how to hinge step stamp







Using Fresh Fig (Rich Razzleberry in the video) Sweet Sugarplum, Crushed Curry, Marina Mist and Old Olive ink pads to create a rainbow effect.

The MAGICAL DAY. stamp set was used for the wording You are one of a Kind and the Unicorn.

Don't forget that until end March 2018 for every £45 spent you can claim a FREE product from the SALE-A-BRATION. brochures.

All products used can be bought through my SHOP. Click HERE.






Saturday 10 March 2018

Stampin Up Stamparatus Template stamping

Hello and welcome to Amethstarcrafting. My name is Jane Allmark and I'm a UK Independent Stampin Up Demonstrator.

Template Stamping using the Stamparatus

How do you step it up with the Stamparatus.

This lovely card I have used the Sunshine and Rainbows bundle.

To create precision wording on each side of a square piece of cardstock using the Stamparatus you will need to create some templates.  I used some acrylic sheet and the Stampin Blends to create my templates.

Our grid paper is perfect for aligning templates to get good measurements.  Now before you all think wow maths and figure work this looks complicated, this is my easy DIY way to create easy templates.

For a square template to create a card like the one above.
  • Take a piece of copy paper 5" x 5" and fold in half and then half again.
  • Line this up on the centre cross of your grid paper and draw round with a pencil
  • Rotate your paper until it diagonally crosses your first drawn square and draw round again.
  • Place your acetate over your grid paper and copy these two squares onto your acetate.
  • This now gives you a template to create aligned stamps on all four sides of a square piece of cardstock measuring 5" x 5"
  • Add further squares to your acetate by decreasing your squares by 1" or 2" increments.

I've just finished an octagonal template using a saucer to create the circle and folding in eight to give me the measurements.  Again our grid paper was perfect.

Now if this all seems a bit confusing I will be making some videos showing exactly how I created these easy templates.

Templates are not a unique or original idea as there are a lot of different ways to create these and if you are mathematically minded then I'm sure you will make a better job than me.  For everyone like me that wants something relatively quick and simple to work out then have a go at this.  Subscribe to my blog so you don't miss the videos when I make and upload them over the next few weeks.









Friday 9 March 2018

Stampin Up Magical Day with the Stamparatus

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting.  My name is Jane Allmark and I'm a UK Independent Stampin Up Demonstrator.

How to use the Stamparatus to create circular stamping with the Magical Day Stamp set from Stampin Up.

MAGICAL DAY. stamp set has the perfect wording to create a circular image using the STAMPARATUS.

What is the Stamparatus?  Well it is the most innovative new positioning tool from Stampin Up which is available for general release on the 1st June 2018

So you might ask why is there such  buzz about this new positioning tool? Well it is has been designed with the help of stampers to create a tool like no other on the market.

Check out the details for yourself HERE.


A must-have tool for all stampers, the Stamparatus helps you perfectly align stamp images, stamp multiples of the same project quickly and precisely, and get complete ink coverage.

It was created by stampers for stampers, so it has all the features you want:

* Compatible with red rubber and photopolymer stamps
* 2 magnets to hold the paper in place
* Rulers on 2 sides for quick measuring
* 2 open sides so you can use larger paper
* Multiple hinges for more placement options
* 2 reversible plates for 4 sides to work with
* 1 foam mat for use with photopolymer
* 1 base with grid
* Magnet storage areas
*Coming soon to the 2018-2019 annual catalog on 1 June 2018
I was one of the lucky few to get the Stamparatus eary so I can show you all the amazing things that it can do before 1st June.

This card used Sweet Sugar plum and Marina Mist ink pads and the Magical Day stamp set (see details above)
By making an acrylic template I was able to stamp the words and stars perfectly aligned quickly and easily.

I will be making some videos over the coming weeks to show you all just how easy this tool is to use and as many of the tips and techniques I have discovered along the way. So check back regularly and subscribe to my blog so you don't miss anything.



Sunday 4 March 2018

Stampin Up Sale-A-Bration Lots of Lavender with Layered Leaves Dynamic Textured Embossing Folder.

Hello and welcome to Amthystarcrafting. My Name is Jane Allmark and I'm aUK Independent Stampin Up Demonstrator.

LOTS OF LAVENDER

Lots of Lavender is a FREE stamp set for a £45 spend.  I coloured this one using the BlendsRICH RAZZLEBERRY DUO. a light and a dark pen which allows for easy blending and shading.

The background is the lovely LAYERED LEAVES DYNAMIC TEXTURED EMBOSSING FOLDER.  If you have used embossing folders before then this folder will blow your mind with the details achieved.  There are two distinct layers of embossing.

Tip to use Dynamic Textured Embossing Folders.

  • Spritz the cardstock on both sides lightly before putting into the folder.
  • This will allow the cardstock to soften allowing the full gorgeous details to come through.
  • Try dry and spritzed and see for yourself.  The difference is amazing.


Saturday 3 March 2018

Stampin Up Best Birds with Blends & Inks

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting. My name is Jane Allmark and I'm a UK Independent Stampin Up Demonstrator.

BEST BIRDS.

How to create this Best Birds background card

  • STAMPIN BLENDS. are alcohol markers which are lovely for colouring images like the Best Birds.
  • To get the wide variety of colours for the birds Stampin Blends being alcohol markers do not mix with water colour inks, so if you lay down the colour with the blends and then use our ink pads which are water based you can get some lovely tones without any muddy colours.
  • I used Wisteria Wonder over our Pink Blends to achieve the two right facing birds.
  • After each bird was coloured I sponged with our daubers the whole background in tonal colours to give a muted tone to the whole piece.
  • Divide in three using our trimmer and mount and you have a lovely image that matches up perfectly.
  • A simple sentiment finished the card.
Order now and for every £45 spend choose one of these FREE Sale-a-Bration items HERE



Friday 2 March 2018

Sale-A-Bration Springtime Foils

Hello and welcome to Amethystarcrafting. My name is Jane Allmark and I'm a UK Independent Stampin Up Demonstrator.

SPRINGTIME FOILS. is a FREE pack of gorgeous foiled designer series speciality paper, that you can get with any order of £45.


Techniques used to make vintage card using Sale-A-Bration Springtime Foils

  • Background uses Soft Suede ink smeared directly from the ink pad directly onto the dsp and then buffed with a piece of kitchen roll.  Build up the layers until desired colour shade is achieved.
  • Foiled flower - using a sponge dauber and crushed curry and peekaboo peach ink pads, sponge the flowers.  Use Wild Wasabi and Garden Green for the leaves.  With the paper snips fussy cut the flower and leaf from the dsp.
  • To really make this card pop and give extra texture I have used Copper Metallic Thread. and the Metallic Sequins Assortment.  The hessian ribbon is from my retired stash.
The sentiment is from another FREE stamp set Heartfelt Blooms and I used my new STAMPARATUS (coming in the Annual Catalogue in June 2018) which allowed me to get a really crisp Soft Suede image.


So have  go with the Springtime Foils and create a card with a vintage feel.  All products are available through the SHOP HERE. button here or at the top of the page or by any highlighted link.

Thank you to all my customers for their orders and if you are looking for a UK demonstrator I would be delighted to earn your business.