Cookies!

Blimey, can't believe it's nearly two weeks since I last posted. Time flies!

Anyway, I just wanted to show you what I've been doing today. These are gingerbread cookies that I've made for my workshop tomorrow using Stampin' Up!'s new cookie press stamps.

Now, I'm no baker, but I had it on good authority that Tesco's gingerbread dough was really nice. So, being very lazy, I decided to give it a go.

It took me literally minutes to do them, so even the busiest person around Christmas could do it. I put the oven on and got the dough out of the fridge to come to room temperature and be more pliable to work with. By the time the oven had heated up, I'd written my notes up for my workshop tomorrow and the dough was ready.

I just got out two trays, tipped the dough out onto one of the trays and broke it up into equal amounts. I then rolled each piece into a ball (I made them approx 1.5" balls and got 15 balls). Pressed with the cookie stamps (I used golden caster sugar to stop them sticking) and baked. It honestly took me about 15 minutes, if that long. That's the type of baking I like! 
TFL! Joanne x


I'm really pleased with the say they turned out and they are absolutely scrummy. The cookie presses don't just have to be used on dough - they can be used on fondant too to make iced cookies. May have a go at that next! Just call me Martha Stewart!

A Stamp Set is for Life.....

Hello Everybody and welcome to my lastest favourite stamp set!  This set is called Watercolour Winter and is available in the new Autumn/Winter Catalogue.

As you can see it has some beautiful images that can be used as a 2-step stamping system - whereby you stamp the main image then stamp the line drawn image over the top to add definition.  You can also use the line drawn images on their own and colour them in. 

But it doesn't stop there. Being from Yorkshire, I like value for money, and I like a stamp set that will earn it's keep! With that in mind, I thought I'd have a play and see what else I could do with this set beyond Christmas. Here's what I've done so far.

 This first card I made is using the pine branch from the set.  With that image in mind, I wanted to try to create something more masculine looking which could be used for a birthday card or something generic that could be used for any occasion.  I got the idea from this beautiful card made by Tami White.

The background is made with Early Espresso Core'dinations cardstock and the Woodgrain embossing folder. This was then sanded to reveal more of the woodgrain.  The pine branch was stamped onto cream Confetti cardstock in Lucky Limeade and Early Espresso. The sentiment is from the Curly Cute stamp set.  The leaves are made in Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Lucky Limeade, folded and put through the Woodgrain embossing folder to get the texture. The whole thing is mounted on a Lucky Limeade card base and finished off with one of the new Brushed Bronze Designer Buttons and twine.

The next card is made using the main body of the pointsettia flower.  My Mum had a beautiful clematis plant in her garden which is a similar shape this flower stamp.  The technique I used for this card is the baby wipe technique. I inked baby wipes with Daffodil Delight, Wisteria Wonder and Elegant Eggplant inks, then stamped on a piece of Whisper White cardstock. I stamped three separately and cut them out. The sentiment is from the Hopeful Thoughts set and this was mounted onto the Labels Collection Framelits. The whole thing was mounted onto another Lucky Limeade card base (my latest favourite colour, as you can see!) and finished with a Whisper White Organza Ribbon bow and a couple of rhinestones.

Hope you like them and always remember - think outside the box with your stamp sets!

TFL! Joanne x

Sparkle Star Card

Here's another quick card I've made using my favourite stamp set of the moment - Perfectly Preserved. This time the vellum cardstock jar has been filled with stars made out of Champagne glimmer paper. This is super stuff as it's marvellously sparkly but doesn't shed any glitter.

The papers used are Howlstooth & Scaringbone, which are this year's Halloween collection, but they are very generic and suitable for any occasion.

The sentiment is from the Delightful Dozen stamp set and punched out with the Curly Label Punch.

Hope you like it!

TFL! Joanne x

Windmill Card

Here's a quick card that I made using the new Perfectly Preserved stamp set and Framelits Dies to match.  The jar was stamped onto cardstock vellum and the matching die was used to punch a hole through a mat of Island Indigo and the vellum placed behind.  I cut a slit at the top of the jar to put a "stick" of Early Espresso through and then added a windmill using The co-ordinating Orchard Harvest Designer Series Paper. I finished off with a quick sentiment from the Pocket Sillhouettes stamp set.   Apart from the Pocket Sillhouette stamp set, everything else is now available for sale in the new Autumn/Winter catalogue. See the side bar at right to have a look!

TFL! Joanne x

Matchbook Album Class

Hello Everybody!

This is a quick post to announce that my next class is now booking. The class will take place on Saturday 29 September at Beauchief Baptist Church from 10.30am onwards.  We will be making a matchbook style album as shown above.  I have called my album "One Lucky Girl" after an idea from Shimelle Laine in which she documents all the things she is thankful for in her life. That's what I'm going to do with my album.  

I have used Stampin' Up! Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper because it lends itself to any occasion.  The album could be used for a holiday, Christmas, wedding, or just a year album to document everything you've done in 2012 or are going to do in 2013.

The whole album measures approximately 8 1/2" x 6 1/2" and is based on a design by Kathy Orta. Inside there are four 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" pockets which can be used to display photographs or journalling.

Inside each of the four pockets is a 6" x 6" insert which, again, can be used for extra photos, mementoes or journalling.

The whole thing closes like a matchbook and creates a beautiful unusual album.

If you'd like to come along to the class, the price is £15. For this you will get your full kit with extras left over to make other projects of your own. If you'd like to book a place, please visit my website HERE for more details.

TFL! Joanne x

Autumn/Winter Catalogue Samples for sale!

I came across this display idea whilst mooching about the internet. It comes from the US demo Debbie McNeill.

I have used trading card display pages for each of the new patterned papers.  They are acid free, UV protected and perfect for putting in a ring binder for portability.

The other great thing about them is that, being clear, you can see both sides of the patterned paper at the same time, and customers can also take the papers out of the sleeves to feel the quality of the papers.

This method works especially well with the flocked acetate sheet in the Candlelight Christmas collection that we have this year.

If you like the idea of this but can't stretch to buying the whole lot of papers, I am happy to do it for you. A whole set, like that pictured above, will be made and sent to you for the cost of £7.00, which includes post and packing.

Have a look at the side bar to the right of my blog. There's a little Buy Now Paypal button for you to click  if you'd like a set and once purchased they will wing their way to your doorstep!

Any problems or queries just let me know.

TFL! Joanne x

Retiring List is here!

Yes, people, it's that time of year again! The retired list is out!

This year we have lots on the retired list to make way for lots of fabulous new products coming in the new Main Catalogue which will go live on 1st October.

Everything on the lists is available on a first come, first served basis and when it's gone, it's gone - so don't delay if you'd like to order!

Here are the all important lists you need:

Stamps List

Accessories List 

If you'd like to place an order just get in touch with me.

TFL! Joanne x