Christmas Craft Creations Challenge April Reminder - Non-Traditional Colours

Hi crafters,

The Reminder Team are sharing more inspiration over at the Christmas Craft Creations Challenge Blog for our April theme of Non-Traditional Colours.

I chose some Concord and 9th inks for my non-traditional colours.  I went with a combination of Nectar, Stardust, Sea Glass and Midnight.  I love the results and could see this colour palette being lovely for baby cards too.  All three cards feature panels from the Create-in Quads Layering Stencils - Deck the Halls from Taylored Expressions.  I still have another panel of stars waiting to be made into a card.  

Card 1

Once I had a ink blended the Create-in-Quads stencils, I used the co-ordinating dies to cut out the ornaments.  I chose three that would create a focal point for my card.  I pulled out the Simon Hurley Create Halftone Holiday stamp set and used the pine branch image to create a frame around the card in C9 Midnight ink.  I stamped the strings from the same stamp set using Catherine Pooler's pigment ink in Silver.  I stamped the sentiment in silver and then heat embossed in clear to avoid smudging.   I finished off the card with PFS Clear Drops in Ice.  

Card 2

This was a super quick make.  Once I had finished stenciling, I die cut a panel of Night of Navy cardstock from Stampin' Up! using the Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Rectangles dies.  I cut the long edges off and adhered behind my stenciled panel.  I added a greeting from the Spellbinders Mini Christmas Greetings Stamp Set in Midnight ink.  

Card 3

I added this stenciled panel to a Night of Navy card base and then die cut the sentiment using the Pretty Pink Posh Merry die in matching cardstock.  I love the simplicity of this design and you could easily mass-produce these for the holiday season.  

I had so much fun making these three cards and challenging myself with a non-traditional colour palette.  I hope you can join us for our non-traditional colours theme.  You have until Tuesday 7 May 2024 at 6pm BST to submit your entry.

Happy Christmas crafting,

Rachel 

Christmas Craft Creations Challenge Reminder - Designer Paper

Hi crafters,

The Reminder Team are sharing more inspiration over at the Christmas Craft Creations Challenge Blog for our March theme of Designer Paper.

I made three cards using one sheet of the Honey Bee Stamps Holiday Traditions 6" x 6" Designer Paper.  It stood out for it's bold design and mix of traditional and modern colours.  

I made three card bases using heavyweight white cardstock in American A2 size of 4.25" x 5.5".  I cut the 6" x 6" piece of designer paper at 4" and then cut that piece on the diagonal to get two backgrounds.  This left me with a strip that I could use on the third card.  

Card 1

I masked the edges of my card with Gina K Masking Magic Strips and stamped the Picket Fence Studio Hark, the Angels Sing Background Stamp in Concord & 9th Avocado ink.  I added the designer paper section below and then finished off with a strip of gold metallic cardstock on the diagonal edge.  I created the poinsettia using the Altenew Poinsettia 3D Die Set in Real Red cardstock from Stampin' Up! with a gold metallic centre die cut.  I stamped my sentiment using the Spellbinders Mini Christmas Greetings Stamp Set in the Avocado ink to match my background stamping.  

Card 2

The second card uses the leftover strip of designer paper.  I created a panel of white cardstock and splattered Light Gold from the Gansai Tambi Starry Colours palette.  I set this off to the side to dry while I stamped my focal image.  I used the Concord & 9th Ornament Stamp & Stitch Bundle, stamping in Lumberjack Plaid Distress Ink and C9 Avocado ink.  I added foam tape to the back of the die cut ornament and attached a length of Spellbinders Black Cord before securing this to the back of the splattered panel which already had the designer paper adhered.  I finished with a bow at the top of the ornament also in the black cord from Spellbinders.  

Card 3

Using up the second half of the original piece of designer piece I made a third card.  I adhered the designer paper to the top of the card base.  I created three poinsettia blooms using the Honey Bee Stamps Winter Bouquets Honey Cuts in Real Red cardstock with metallic gold centres.  I adhered these to the diagonal cut of the designer paper, adding some greenery in Avocado cardstock between the blooms.  I finished off this card using a sentiment from the 

Gina K Designs Peace Love Joy Mini Stamp Set in Lumberjack Plaid Distress Ink.

I had so much fun making these three cards and I'll definitely be pulling out my designer paper again soon.  I hope you can join us for our Designer Paper theme.  You have until Tuesday 9 April 2024 at 6pm BST to submit your entry.

Happy Christmas crafting,

Rachel 

Christmas Craft Creations Challenge Reminder - Stencils or Embossing Folders

Hi crafters,

The Christmas Craft Creations Reminder Team is back with more beautiful inspiration for our February challenge.  The theme this month is Stencils or Embossing Folders.

I had a tough time choosing which products to use for this challenge - I love stencils and embossing folders.  I ended up using a stencil set from Lawn Fawn called Poinsettia Background Stencils.  I'll be honest and confess that I can't remember for the life of me what inks I used to colour this stencil set!  I think it was Simon Says Stamp inks but I really can't remember.  However the golden paste layer was Gold Rush Lunar Paste by Simon Hurley Create.  I love the Lunar Pastes for their immense shine and versatility.  I didn't want to cut my background down so I made a 6" square card and wrapped it up with some red metallic twine from Hobbycraft.  I finished by stamping a MFT sentiment from the Gnome for the Holidays stamp set onto a Tim Holtz tag die cut.  This die set is super old so I'm not sure if Tim even makes it anymore.  It was the perfect size for my "present".  I ink blended inside the edges of the tag to make it stand out from the background.  

I hope you can join us for our Stencils or Embossing Folders theme.  You have until 12 March 2024 at 6pm GMT to submit your entry.

Happy Christmas crafting,

Rachel 

Christmas Craft Creations January Challenge Reminder - Glitter and Sparkle

Hi Crafters,

The Christmas Craft Creations Reminder Team is back with more fabulous inspiration for our January challenge.  This month's theme is Glitter and Sparkle.  

I started with a white American A2 cardbase.  I used the Hero Arts Poinsettia Bold Prints Stamp with Versamark clear sticky ink on black cardstock.  I poured on Hero Arts Gold Glitter Embossing Powder and heat set.  I actually have a whole background piece left from making this card so I'll have to use that up soon.  I created a sentiment using the Concord & 9th Festive Phrases stamp and co-ordinating die set on white and black cardstock with gold embossing powder.  I popped up the sentiment for added dimension.  

I hope you can join us for our Glitter and Sparkle theme.  You have until 13 February 2024 at 6pm GMT to submit your entry.

Happy Christmas crafting,

Rachel 

Christmas Craft Creations December 2023 Challenge - Christmas Decorations

Hi crafters,

I'm back to share more inspiration for the latest challenge over at Christmas Craft Creations.

This month our theme is Christmas Decorations.  We would love to see how you decorate your cards for Christmas.    

I started by hot foiling the Retro Ornaments from Simon Hurley Create in gold foil using my Spellbinders Glimmer machine.  I put the panel into the Pine Branches 3D Texture Fades Embossing Folder from Tim Holtz.  I used a blending brush to add a small amount of Pine Needles Distress Ink over the pine branches.  I finished off with a Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Strip.  

If you are planning to get a start on next year's Christmas crafting, join us for our Christmas Decorations theme.  You have until 9 January 2024 at 6pm GMT to submit your entry.

Happy Christmas crafting,

Rachel 

Christmas Craft Creations December 2023 Challenge - Christmas Decorations

Hi crafters,

I'm joining in with the Launch team again at Christmas Craft Creations.  We are sharing inspiration for our new theme.  

This month our theme is Christmas Decorations.  We would love to see how you decorate your cards for Christmas.    

I started with a kraft card base and then used the Waffle Flower Bokeh Stencil and white pigment ink.  I cut the shiny gold bauble with the Hero Arts Bulb Ornament Infinity Dies and embossed using the Spellbinders Scenic Poinsettias 3D embossing folder.  I sanded back some of the design to reveal the white core of the metallic cardstock.  I cut a red bow using the Holly Berries Stamp & Cut XL set and then hot foiled my sentiment with Yana's A Merry Little Christmas Sentiments from Spellbinders.  

If you're making a few last minute Christmas cards, join us for our Christmas Decorations theme.  You have until 9 January 2024 at 6pm GMT to submit your entry.

Happy Christmas crafting,

Rachel 

Christmas Craft Creations November 2023 Challenge - Add a Hat

Hi crafters,

I'm back to share more inspiration for the latest challenge over at Christmas Craft Creations.

This month our theme is Add a Hat.  We would love to see your take on this theme.  

I was feeling the frosty vibes for my card!  I started by stamping the Simon Hurley/Ranger Stippled background stamp in Morning ink from Simon Says Stamp.  It's pretty faint in the photos but more impactful in real life.  I used the Spellbinders Let It Snowman A2 Cardfront die set which is great for a quick card as all the elements for card are included in one die set.  The original die features a leaf arch but I cut them off and added snowflakes instead.  I cut the snowman out from Spellbinders Pop-Up Die Cutting Glitter Foam Sheets in white.  I created the snowman's hat from glossy black cardstock and silver foil cardstock.  I finished off with a silver foil sentiment die cut.  

We are loving your creations for our Add a Hat challenge so far and keep them coming in!  You have until 12 December 2023 at 6pm GMT to submit your entry.

Happy Christmas crafting,

Rachel 

Christmas Craft Creations - November Challenge Launch - Add a Hat

Hi crafters,

I'm joining in with the launch team for the new challenge over at Christmas Craft Creations.  The month we are adding a hat!

I went with a snowman for my card and I have a spoiler for my reminder post - it's another snowman but in a completely different style!   

I die cut the green cardstock panel with the Pretty Pink Posh Eyelet Rectangles Dies and masked off the edges before using their Winter Words stencil in green ink for a tone on tone background.  I found a scrap of an old background made using the Pretty Pink Posh Layered Christmas Lights stencil.  Each coloured bulb has a layer of Glossy Accents for added shine.  Finally I created my snowman using the Peeking Snowman die set from Hero Arts.  I couldn't resist this cutie!  I cut the base from white and then added coloured cardstock for the scarf, gloves and nose.  I used a black glossy cardstock for the snowman's hat and finished off with black gems for his eyes.  

The countdown to Christmas is fairly ticking on, so make sure to join us for our add a hat theme this month.  You have until 12 December 2023 at 6 p.m. GMT to submit your entry.

Happy Christmas crafting,

Rachel 

Christmas Craft Creations October 2023 Challenge - Monochromatic

Hi crafters,

I'm back with the Reminder Team to share more inspiration for the latest challenge over at Christmas Craft Creations.

This month our theme is Monochromatic.  We would love to see your tone on tone Christmas creations.  Thanks to everyone who has already entered.

I chose a silver colour scheme for my monochromatic card.  I started with a medium grey cardstock for my card base.  I added a panel of light grey patterned paper that I had embossed with the Spellbinders Flurry of Snowflakes 3D Embossing Folder.  I used my finger to apply a border of Foundry Wax in Sterling to the outside edge of the panel before heat-setting.  My focal image is from Honey Bee Stamps' Elegant Floral Frames stamp and die bundle, which I heat embossed in clear on silver metallic cardstock.  I used the Honey Bee Stamps' Bitty Buzzwords:  Holiday stamp set for the greeting in silver embossing powder.  I finished off with a large silver sparkly bow and silver pearl embellishments.  

I hope you're building up your collection of Christmas cards and join us for our Monochromatic theme.  You have until Tuesday 7 November at 6pm GMT to submit your entry.

Happy Christmas crafting,

Rachel 

Christmas Craft Creations September 2023 Challenge - Metallics

Hi crafters,

I hope you've had a chance to check out the latest Christmas Craft Creations challenge over on our blog.  

This month we are making projects featuring Metallics and it's time for the Reminder Team to bring you their inspiration.  

I started by cutting a panel of textured matte gold metallic cardstock with the Hero Arts Holly Confetti Die and backing it with green metallic cardstock.  I created three pieces of holly and three berries using metallic cardstock in green and red with an old punch.  To create the sentiment I used the Flourished Merry Christmas Die Set from Simon Says Stamp. I cut the shadow from white cardstock and the sentiment from gold metallic cardstock and popped up using foam tape.  I added Nuvo Glitter Drops in Ruby Slippers to the berries on the background to finish off this card.  

I love anything shiny so this challenge was right up my street.  I hope you'll join us too and you have until Tuesday 10 October at 6 p.m. GMT.  

Happy Christmas crafting,

Rachel

Christmas Craft Creations August 2023 Challenge - Clean and Simple

Hi crafters,

I have super exciting news!  I'm now part of the Christmas Craft Creations Design Team. Christmas Craft Creations (CCC) is a monthly challenge blog for Christmas projects.  There are two inspiration posts a month from the Launch Team and the Reminder Team, which I've joined.  

August's CCC challenge is all about Clean and Simple (CAS) cards.  I chose to use mainly Spellbinders products because they had just shown up in the mail.  I created a standard American A2 card base at 4.25" x 5.5" on white cardstock.  I embossed a slightly smaller panel of white cardstock using the Spellbinders Adorning the Tree 3D embossing folder.  I pulled out my Glimmer machine and used gold foil with the A Merry Little Christmas Sentiments hot foil plate set by Yana Smakula for Spellbinders.  I popped the sentiment up using foam tape.  I used various small foliage dies from two Spellbinders die sets - Joy and Christmas Blooms.  I cut the foliage from white cardstock and inked using paper pouncers and Concord & 9th inks.  I finished off the small poinsettia with tiny dot die cuts from gold foil cardstock.  

We would be delighted to have you join us for our Clean and Simple challenge this month which ends on Tuesday 12 September at 6pm GMT.  A great way to get a head start on your Christmas crafting or add to your finished cards.  

Happy Christmas crafting,

Rachel

Gnomie Thanks Card!

Hi crafters,

I have a die cut gnome card today and I'm so in love!  It also fits perfectly for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Die Cuts.  

I started by embossing a piece of white cardstock using a wood grain embossing folder from Stampin' Up!.  I ink blended over the white cardstock with Fog ink from SSS. I added a die cut frame of patterned paper on top using my favourite Frames dies from SSS.  I've had this patterned paper in my stash for such a long time and it was finally time to use it on a project!  Next, I cut three of the Delicate Leafy Branch dies from SSS in white cardstock.  I used the Pocket Gnome die from SSS and combined Copic colouring with patterned paper.  To finish off the card, I used a sentiment from Pinkfresh Studio stamped in Memento Tuxedo black ink.  

I would like to enter this card into the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Die Cuts.  

Happy crafting,

Rachel

Floral Butterfly Thanks Card

Hi crafters,

I have a thank you card today for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge of Anything Goes.  I used mostly SSS products to create my card.  

My card base is a standard American A2 at 5.5" by 4.25".  I used the A2 Marquee dies to cut from white cardstock.  I masked off the die cut circle edges and then ink blended through the Layered Flowers Stencils. I used Pawsitively Saturated ink in Bubblegum, Sweets, Peachy, Sprout and Fairway.  I used the A2 Marquee dies to cut from vellum and layered this on top of my stenciled panel.  I pulled out the Etched Butterfly Die and cut this from white cardstock.  I ink blended over the body of the butterfly with Bubblegum ink.  The sentiment is die cut using the Bold Thanks die and ink blended over the die cuts using Bubblegum and Peachy inks.  I added sparkle to the sentiment and the body of the butterfly with a Wink of Stella clear glitter pen.  I finished off by adding a few gems from Little Things by Lucy.  

I would like to enter this card into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes.

Happy crafting,

Rachel 

Flat Shaker Card - Happy Birthday

Hi crafters,

I have a flat shaker card for you today for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge which has a Happy Birthday theme this week.  This is only the second flat shaker card I've made and I've learned all the things not to do now!  

I started by cutting down some stamp packaging to create the pocket for the shaker elements.  I turned on my Spellbinders Glimmer Machine and hot foiled the frame in purple from the Spellbinders Geometric Floral Hot Foil Plates straight onto the plastic packaging.  For the inside of the card I used a piece of white cardstock and mopped up some leftover Cosmic Shimmer Pixie Powders from another project.  I embossed the panel using the Altenew Cupped Blossoms 3D Embossing Folder.  I adhered the plastic packaging around the embossed panel on three sides and then added sequins from Simon Says Stamp and Trimits in co-ordinating colours.  

I cut the sentiment using the Big Happy Birthday Wafer Dies from Simon Says Stamp in white cardstock and turquoise matte foil cardstock.  To finish the card I embellished using die cut butterflies in pearlescent vellum from the Butterfly Shimmer Wafer Dies by Simon Says Stamp.  

I would like to enter this card into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge:  Happy Birthday.

Happy crafting,

Rachel x

Happy Birthday Hummingbirds

Hi crafters,

I'm back to share a card for the Simon Says Stamp Monday and Wednesday challenges.  The SSS Monday Challenge for the week beginning 7 March is Add Some Green.  The theme for the SSS Wednesday Challenge posted on 2 March is Add a Die Cut.  My card incorporates both challenges.  

I created a card base using Hamilco heavy weight cardstock.  I hot foiled the Happy Birthday sentiment in purple using my Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System and the Spellbinders Stylish Script Happy Birthday hot foil plate.  I cut two of the Leafy Frame die from SSS in white cardstock and adhered to my foiled panel using liquid glue.  The hummingbirds are made using the Eclectic Garden die set from Concord & 9th, with Stampin' Up! cardstock in Granny Apple Green, Gorgeous Grape and Pool Party.  I coloured the eyes using a black marker and then added a layer of black glaze pen on top.  To finish I adhered jewels from Little Things by Lucy in Lime and Shimmering Pool with liquid glue.  My finished card measures 4.25" by 5.5".  

Happy crafting,

Rachel x

A New Beginning!

Hi crafters,

In case you've been wondering what I've been up to lately, I'm here to fill you in on a couple of changes.  I resigned from Stampin' Up! at the end of September 2021 and I'm no longer a Demonstrator.  There were a couple of reasons behind my decision.  Firstly, I really wanted to use and showcase products from multiple companies and this isn't allowed when you sign the Demonstrator Agreement.  Secondly, there were several SU! products that were reappearing catalogue after catalogue and I think I just needed a change.  I still love Stampin' Up! products and will continue to use them in my crafting.  However, I kept seeing and lusting after products from a range of other companies such as Simon Says Stamp, Hero Arts, Pinkfresh Studio, Honey Bee Stamps, Ranger and more so I made the decision to resign.  Now the crafty world is my oyster!  

So in honour of branching out, here are a few cards I've made with products from various companies, all named above.  

Happy crafting, 

Rachel x

Stampin' Dreams Blog Hop - Step It Up

Hi crafters,

I'm taking part in the Stampin' Dreams blog hop with the Crafty Collaborations team.  We are a group of international Stampin' Up! Demonstrators from all over the world.  Our theme is Step It Up and I can't wait to see what everyone has created.  There is a full list of of the blog hop participants in this post.  

I have two Christmas cards today using the Bright Bauble Bundle.  The first card is stamps, paper and ink but the second is stepped up using Specialty DSP, die cutting, ink blending and heat embossing.  

I started both cards by making a card base from Thick Basic White cardstock.  I placed the first card base into my Stamparatus and lined up the big bauble stamp from the Bright Bauble stamp set before inking in Polished Pink ink.  I also stamped the bow in the same colour.  I drew the string with a Polished Pink Stampin' Write Marker.  I added clusters of stars around the main image with Misty Moonlight ink.  I stamped the sentiment in Polished Pink and trimmed this out before adding with Stampin' Dimensionals to my card base.  I finished off by placing three 2021-2023 In Color Jewels onto the centre of the bauble.  

The second card has the same stamped background in Misty Moonlight but this time I added a strip of the Whimsy & Wonder Specialty Designer Series Paper behind the bauble.  To create the bauble I stamped in Versamark ink and then added silver embossing powder, before heat setting with the my heat tool.  I used the co-ordinating dies to cut out the bauble and ink blended onto the white cardstock with Polished Pink ink using a Blending Brush.  I used Stampin' Dimensionals to pop the bauble up.  I added a silver bow to the top of the bauble with some of the Simply Elegant Trim.  I stamped and heat embossed the sentiment also in silver and then mounted this onto some Misty Moonlight cardstock.  

I hope you are enjoying the Step It Up blog hop.  To keep hopping simply click below to the next person on the hop.  We love to hear what you think of our creations, so don't forget to leave a comment.  

Happy crafting, Rachel x

Product List

Bright Baubles Bundle [156384]	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653]	Stamparatus [148187]	Whimsy & Wonder 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [156329]	Basic White A4 Thick Cardstock [159230]
Basic White A4 Cardstock [159228]	Misty Moonlight A4 Cardstock [153086]	Polished Pink Classic Stampin' Pad [155712]	Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad [153118]	Versamark Pad [102283]
Metallics Embossing Powders [155555]	Heat Tool - Uk Plug [129054]	Blending Brushes [153611]	2021–2023 In Color Jewels [155571]	Simply Elegant Trim [155766]
Multipurpose Liquid Glue [154974]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]