Greenhouse Garden set and Waterfall card tutorials by email

Today's creation uses another of the two- step stamp sets currently on offer with 20% off the regular price. The Greenhouse Garden set is reduced from £22.95 to £18.36 (offer valid 1-31 August 2010). Please email me if you'd like to order it.

The card layout and the gift bag design are identical to those we used at the recent Summer Stamptacular event.

I've been asked by a few people who couldn't attend the Summer Stamptacular, whether the tutorials are available for purchase by email and so I've put the tutorial for this set and the waterfall card together as a mini tutorial bundle, available for purchase using the "Greenhouse Garden Mini Bundle" Buy Now button on the right hand side menu. Click here to see the cards.

If you'd like to make this version using the purchased instructions then you'll need to make the following substitutions:

Regal Rose cardstock/ink = Chocolate Chip cardstock/ink

Regal Rose ink (for stamping down back of card) = Tempting Turquoise ink

Pretty in Pink cardstock/ink = Bashful Blue cardstock/ink

Tea Party DSP = Sweet Pea DSP Stack (available while stocks last but no later than 30 September 2010)

Whisper White Satin Ribbon = Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon

Dazzling Diamonds = mix of Turquoise (Fine Cosmo glitter set) and Dazzling Diamonds

For each flower I inked the base flower with Bashful Blue and then used a sponge dauber to add Tempting Turquoise around the edges of the petals (this gives a softer look than the rock 'n' roll technique which is another option). This was stamped onto Whisper White card and then the detail stamped with Chocolate Chip ink.

Extra flowers were added to the opposite corner of the bag and a large flower stamped and an eyelet and elastic cord added as a gift tag. The handle tabs weren't stamped but Jumbo Brads were added instead.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sara xx

A spectacular Stamptacular

Finally catching up again. I took Bess to her socialisation class this morning, then went visiting my parents and then DH and I have been to the cinema to see Inception (fantastic film, lots of layers to it, if you enjoyed Memento (same Director) then I think you'll enjoy this one too though there's more action and special effects in it). The film was my little treat after all the preparation for yesterday's big event.

My amazing downline Jan and I held our full day Summer Stamptacular and it really was a fantastic day with such a lovely bunch of ladies.

We set everything out in advance for them with little nameplates and bottled water with choccie in the hanger. Then when they came in we gave them each a goodie bag that included the Tree for All Seasons stamp set and a decorated notebook.

Our first project was a boxed set of all occasion cards, with one for each season:

The boxed set

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

After lunch they worked on Jan's project of a scrapbook in a box. I don't have pix of the finished project so I'll steal them from Jan's blog just as soon as she's posted them. Here are the ladies though, don't let the big smiles fool you - we worked them all very hard.

Our final project for the day was a matching card and gift bag

The bag's big enough to take a set of A6 cards and envelopes.

There was also a bonus waterfall card project that I'd prepared just in case we ran out of things to do, lol. We didn't get time to make it, but they all took the instructions and materials home to finish as homework ;-)

Jan and I so enjoyed the day that we're already talking about organising another, though I think we'll catch our breath first, lol. I'll post details when we decide on a date.

Sara xx

Last day for guaranteed bookings for our Summer Stamptacular

Yes, just a quick reminder that today is the last day for guaranteed bookings for our Summer Stamptacular event. This is a full day's crafting with all materials provided, together with full demonstrations and printed instructions to take away with you. On top of that there will be refreshments, a light lunch, free prize draws and a few surprises along the way - all of that for just £30 (£27 each when you bring a friend). It takes place next Saturday 24th July at Tankersley Welfare Hall (just a short way from J36, off the M1).

Not booked your place yet? Then pop over here and use the book now buttons to pay securely through Paypal or email me for additional payment options.

Here's a sneak peek at one of the projects we'll be doing (and if you're not a girlie pink person, don't worry, we do have a couple of alternate colourways).

Off now to finish cutting card and making up packs ready.

Hopefully now my internet's back up (I really shouldn't tempt fate by saying that should I?) I'll be able to get back to my regular crafting and blogging tomorrow.

Sara xx

Some projects from last nights workshop

Last night's workshop was great fun as usual, though it was a bit hairy getting home afterwards. It had started snowing a little before the end and there was a light covering when we came out. The closer I got to home, the thicker the snow and there's a steep road to go down on the last mile. I'm not sure who was most worried, me or the car in front that was going even slower than I would have preferred to do. Anyhow, I got home safe and the workshop was well worth it, I just love getting together with other crafters.

If you've stopped by for a look ladies then - Hi, nice to see you here! *waves* Please leave me a comment so that I know you were here.

Here are a couple of the projects we covered.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Greenhouse Garden, Occasional Greetings

Cardstock: Regal Rose (plain and textured), Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip

Punches: Eyelet Border, 1-1/4" Circle, 1-3/8" Circle

Wide Grosgrain Ribbon: Regal Rose

Other: Pretties Kit

I used the stamp-a-ma-jig to line the flower detail up within the solid flower stamps. A piece of ribbon is wrapped around the chocolate border and then a shorter piece of ribbon tied around the first. The textured card and the halfback pearls (which I nearly forgot to add, lol) give the card a luxury feel.

This little Easter basket was the make and take that everyone had a go at. I had wondered if it was too early in the year to share it but I was assured that it was ideal timing.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Vintage Labels, Forest Friends, Occasional Greetings

Cardstock: So Saffron, Almost Amethyst, Whisper White

DSP: Tea Party

Ink: Perfect Plum

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1-1/4" Circle

Vintage labels was used to decorate the scallop background. The Easter bunny is on one side of the basket and on the other, is the sentiment Easter Wishes from the Occasional Greetings set.

The snow's melted here now, thank goodness.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Sara xx

A thank you card for the Stamp With Us challenge

Our challenge this week over at Stamp With Us is on the theme of:

Thank You

I've used the glorious Greenhouse Garden set for my card. This stamp set is currently helping the people of Haiti. Stampin' Up! are donating £1 from every set sold from now until 28 February to the Red Cross International Response Fund. So you can treat yourself and help out at the same time and you'd be half way to earning a free Sale-a-bration stamp set into the bargain. Email me to place your order.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Greenhouse Garden, Seeing Spots

Cardstock: Barely Banana, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa

Punches: Eyelet Edge, 1-3/8" Circle, 1-1/4" Circle, 3/4" Circle

Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon: Very Vanilla

Other: Pretties Kit

The medium flower is stamped in Summer Sun and then the Stamp-a-ma-jig used to position the detail stamp over the top using Chocolate Chip. The same combination is then used for the dinky flower. All flowers are cut out and mounted on punched circles using dimensionals. Half-back pearls from the pretties kit are used for the flower centres. The Cocoa background is stamped using just the detail stamp with Cocoa ink on Cocoa card. As the card already has quite a lot of height from the raised flowers and pearls, I've stuck the circles flat to the border.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Sara xx