Calendar Class - Now Booking!

Hello Everybody!

Just a quick post to tell everyone about my latest class. This one will take place on Saturday 20th October at Beauchief Baptist Church from 10.30am onwards.  We will be making a calendar as you can see above - but not any old calendar!

The kit we will be using is the Merry Moments Simply Scrappin' Kit.  Do not be fooled by the title - this class is for much more than just Christmas!

In this class we will be making 12 different 6" x 6" scrapbook layouts, which could also be used as card fronts if you so wish. I will also be providing a full calendar for the entirety of next year with plenty of space to write on your various engagements.  If you'd like to come along, please get in touch or book your place via my website HERE.

In a few days I should have written up the instructions. If you can't come along to the class the instructions will be available for a small fee, so watch this space!

TFL! Joanne x

One Kit, Two Albums!

Hello Everybody!

Just a quick post to show you what I've been doing over the past couple of days.  My first love is scrapbooking and so I bought this new kit called Snowflake Season from our Autumn/Winter mini catalogue to give it a try.  It consists of two Crumb Cake coloured cardstock sheets, two patterned die cut papers, ribbon, bakers twine, snowflakes, two clothespins and a sheet of die cuts.  

It makes a lovely kit, but I thought I'd have a go at making it into more than just a double page layout by turning it into albums which could be given as Christmas gifts. Here's how I got on:

I made two albums, one a 6" x 6" album and one a concertina album measuring 6" x 3 3/4". Here's a quick look inside both of them:

This is the inside of the 6" x 6" album.  This one is great as it's quite flat and would be easy to mail.

This is a quick photo of the inside of the concertina album.

Both albums were made using just the contents of the kit. The only things I added was images from the Snowflake Soiree stamp set, some pearls and inks in Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler and Soft Suede.

For a closer look and more explanation, please see my video below.

TFL! Joanne x

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

Another Reason to Smile card

Hello Everybody!
I'm really loving using the Reason to Smile set that we've got on offer at the minute. Anyone can have one - you can get it free if you spend £60 or more on other product, or you can buy it as a wood mount set for £18.95, or a clear mount set for £14.95. Here's my latest offering:

As the set is a Two Step Stamping set, you get lovely "shadow" images along with the line drawn images. I used this shadow stamp to create a faux watercoloured type image on this card.  The card base and seam binding are both Pool Party and the papers are the lovely Mocha Morning Speciality DSP. The swirl is from the Sizzix Swirls and Scribbles die and the sentiment is from the Clearly for You stamp set.

As ever, I had to finish off with some rhinestones and twine - they're two of my favourite products, along with the pearls.  Love a bit of bling!

Don't forget, you can buy this set, but it will only be available until 31st August. So if you'd like one get your orders in before the end of the month!

TFL! Joanne x

Girly Friday

As some of you will know, as well as being a mild mannered SU! demo, I'm also a qualified nail technician.  I've been using Gelish, a wonderful UV gel polish for a few months now and love it. Here I want to log some of my colour combinations which can be done by layering the polish.

Today we have a combination of 2 layers of Good Gossip, one layer of Ambience and two layers of Vegas Nights. A lovely colour combo and very bright and summery.

This has got me thinking though - the Vegas Nights is reminding me of Dazzling Diamonds. May have to do some glittery makes very soon! It's never too early for Christmas cards, and I will be demonstrating a lovely technique at our crop next weekend and everyone will get to make some, so watch this space!

TFL! Joanne x

New Promotion!

Hello Everyone!

We could all do with a reason to smile now and then, and for this month only Stampin' Up! are offering an exclusive stamp set absolutely free if you spend £60 on product.

As you can see, this is a 2-Step Stampin' set that is so versatile - I've fallen in love with it.  As you can see below, I've already made one card with it, and I'll be making many more over the course of August.

This card is made using the Reason to Smile set with the gebera flower head stamped onto the Rich Razzleberry card base.  The whole line drawn flower was then stamped onto the First Edition Speciality Paper and coloured in with Aqua Painters and ink pad. The sentiment is from Petite Pairs. I then finished it off with a Lucky Limeade mat, some striped grosgrain, a few rhinestones and a squoosh of Basic Grey ink from my Colour Spritzer Tool for that distressed look.

If you'd like to take advantage of this offer please just get in touch.

TFL! Joanne x

No Sew Cushion

Okay, so I can sew, but only if I have to.  I hate having to get the machine out, find the extension cable, thread the whole machine up etc.  I will try anything to get out of sewing.

So you can imagine how happy I was when I came across a tutorial for a no sew cushion, so I thought I'd try it out with SU! fabric. 

Now, the tutorial I saw was made using fleece, but so long as you use pinking shears, this method works with the SU! fabric just fine. 

The fabric I used for my main cushion is the Beau Chateau (#122336). For my method photos below I used Candy Cane Christmas fabric (#121715).

For a good sized chair cushion, like the Beau Chateau one, I used two pieces of fabric, 18" x 18".  The SU! fabric is 18" wide, so I used two different pieces.  This is good as it means you have a reversible cushion - a different pattern on each side. :O)

Once you've cut your cushion squares, cut out a piece at each corner measuring 3" x 3".

Do this on all four corners, so you end up with a cross like shape (as above).

On each side, cut up to the right angled edge to make several even strips. For my cushion I cut at every 1/2". 

It's then just a case of tying your strips together. I used a reef knot method (right over left, then left over right). Do this on three sides.  Put your 15cm cushion insert in and then finish off knotting up the fourth side and you're done!

This is my chair cushion turned over to the other side.  It was really quick to do - I did mine in about 2 hours yesterday afternoon.

Hope you like the tutorial! TFL! Joanne x

It's Here!

My very own Folksy Shop!

Hello Everybody!

Just a quick post today to let you know that I've finally got myself together and opened my own little Folksy shop, selling a few goodies that I've been making.

At the moment, there's just a few bits of jewellery featuring the bird's nests that I enjoy making, but I'll also be adding various goodies that I've made using Stampin' Up! stuff as this is my first love, as you know!

Please note that I'm more than happy to take on commissions, so if you can't see exactly what you like, just get in touch and I'll play around and make you any of the pieces to your specifications.

TFL! Joanne x

Bird's Nest Earrings

Hi Everybody!

Today I thought I'd show you some earrings I made for my lovely downline Sara for her birthday a few weeks ago. 

I wore a pair similar to these when we went to training in Leeds and she commented on how much she liked them and so I made some for her!  One of my first hobbies was jewellery making and I love to keep my hand in, and these are my latest obsession!

To go with the earrings I made a matching card using the Nature Walk stamp set and Bird Builder punch for the leaves. The flowers were made with the Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack.

The actual box I put the earrings in is an origami folded one (I really must get around to doing a video of how to make those).  The "nest" on top is just thin strips of Early Espresso cardstock scrunched up and glued on top, and the little "eggs" are made from matching Pool Party DSP wound around a cocktail stick.

Lots of people have commented on how nice these earrings are. I'm hoping to get a small Etsy shop up and running soon where you should be able to buy them. So watch this space!

Cardstock: Pool Party, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery.
Stamps: Nature Walk, Teeny Tiny Wishes, En Francais
Embossing folder: Square Lattice
Ribbon: Very Vanilla seam binding
Ink: Basic Black, Soft Suede, Pool Party
Punches: Bird Builder, Itty Bitty Punch Set, Large Oval, Scallop Oval
Framelits: Labels Collection
Embellies: Pearls

TFL! Joanne x

Quick and Easy Treat Card

Hello Everyone!

Well, it's that time of year when you may want to give your kids' teachers a gift for putting up with them all year! If they're anything like my boy, they have quite a few teachers and several teaching assistants too. So I've devised this small little treat box with attached card.

They're quick and easy to make and hold two Lindt Lindor chocs (I prefer these to Ferrero Rocher), so they're quite cheap to make too and make a sweet little gesture. Here's how you do it.

First, take a piece of cardstock measuring 10.5cm x 29cm.  It's basically half a sheet of A4 with a smidgeon taken off the end, as shown above.

On the short side, score at 2cm and 8.5cm (check the picture, because I seem to confuse people with my descriptions of short and long sides and where to score!)

On the long side, score at 1cm, 4cm, 7cm, 10cm, 13cm and 21cm.  On the diagram above, I've marked with dotted lines where you need to cut and shaded the areas that need to come off completely.

Basically, you should end up with your cardstock looking like this.

On the first rectangle of the actual box body, mark the centre (as shown above). This makes it easier for the next part.

Take your Modern Label Punch, turn it over and centre the mark in the middle. Then punch out. The mark is just my way of making sure I get my punched shape in the middle.  If you haven't got the Modern Label Punch, you could always use the Word Window Punch, that fits too.

Place Sticky Strip on the narrow 1cm strip right at the end.

Fold it up to the edge of the 13cm score line and stick down.

Fold in the left and right flaps at the edge of the box. Place Sticky Strip on the top edge of the bottom flap and fold the top one down over it, sealing the box.

Add your treats and then seal the other end of the box in the same way. Fold down your card flap and you're done! All that needs to be done is to decorate your box in any way you want.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. TFL! Joanne x