So excited to bring you the new 2017-18 Annual Catalogue!

Here it is ... the one you have been waiting for... the BRAND NEW 2017-18 Annual Catalogue.

Click on the picture above to turn those pages... and/or if you are in the UK - and haven't already got a demonstrator - just contact me by clicking here to request a hard copy catalogue in the post....

So the catalogue is Live... but ordering opens 8am UK time Thursday 1st June.... so you can just click & go here! if it is Thursday and past 8am.... remember to enter your host code 3Y6U2BH6

And here are the new In Colours!! I think they are the best collection ever! Love them all... But more on those another day... or rather days!

And as it is Launch Day... I have some Craft Spa Special Launch Offers for you... running until 21st June only... something to suit everyone I think... Note that offers can't be combined!

Click here for the full details...but here is the summary of the SIX offers...
 
OFFER 1 - Free Ink pad for any order over £45 (Spend £90 and get two etc)

OFFER 2 - A Craft Spa Class for Free with Order  (Class in the Mail & In Person) FREE half-day for £55; full-day for £80 or all-day event for £125 (June orders for June & July classes only)

OFFER 3 - New Basics Products Kit for £38 collected (£42 posted) and get free extra products. New Basics are A4 Thick Very Vanilla card , 12x12 Very Vanilla card , Very Vanilla notecards & envelopes, Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals and Pattern Party Masks, Paste & Palette Knives & get Glossy A4 Cardstock & Multipurpose Adhesive sheets for free

OFFER 4- Half Pack 2017-19 In Colour Kit for just £95 collected (£99 posted) OR 

OFFER 5 - Monthly 2017-19 In Colour Club for £26 per month for 5 months (£30 posted) 

And last but not least... think about this one... 

OFFER 6! - A full pack of all the In Colour products would cost £138 including shipping – but you could sign up with Stampin’ Up! to get it all (less an ink refill) for just £99 & no P&P… Just saying... Click here to contact me for further information (or the list of item numbers!) or here to sign up... 

Otherwise I would happily supply you the Full Pack instead for £125 collected (£130 posted) which includes the markers for free and a small gift!

Click here to order online straightaway (remember to enter this month's host code 3Y6U2BH6 if your order is under £150) or email me your order by clicking here.   I will be ordering next on 22nd June - maybe earlier if lots of you local ones place orders quickly... 

And there is a special offer from Stampin Up! for the month of June too... get an extra £30 product (Stampin/Host Rewards) for free for an order of over £300. 

Get together with your friends and combine your orders... I could even join you if you are local - or you could come here! Could be fun to get to make something together... and that part I can supply for you! Or actually... I could even send a Class in the Mail kit if you are further away.... just contact me for more information...

So for a £300 order you get to choose another £66 product for free... and you can spend this on anything... but don't miss the wonderful & exclusive host products on pages 220-223... Two of my favourite stamp sets are in there... I think these are seriously the best collection yet!

And sorry to have to finish with this ...but please note the following items that are initially unavailable... anticipated week commencing 12th June... yes look... at least 6 new punches!!

Item	Page	Description
143712	208	Lemon Builder Punch
145359	90	Lemon Zest Wood Bundle
145360	90	Lemon Zest Clear Bundle
143717	206	Starburst Punch
143720	207	2-1/4" (5.7 cm) Circle Punch
143721	206	Decorative Ribbon Border Punch
143754	207	Circle Tab Punch
145364	43	Tabs for Everything Bundle

High Tide - the light you shine...

The last of my High Tide class creations... again the stormy seas care of Clear Block Stamping (more on that here if you missed it)

But before I start... don't forget that today is the LAST day that you can order items that are not carrying over to the new 2017-18 Catalogue... and many of them are reduced to help you make that purchase! Pop over to the Retiring section in the Online Shop here... ordering closes 10.30pm tonight...

So back to the card... just different wording and lighthouse position from the one previously shared... and a very shiny Smoky Slate light popping over the edges of the stamped panel either side  - shine care of Wink of Stella which works a treat...

So... only 1 more sleep!! Are you ready for the new 2017-18 Annual Catalogue!! Ordering goes live at 8 am UK time 1st June....

Contact me by clicking here if you would like your own hard copy version... more were posted today as I had to get further supplies from Stampin' Up! #niceproblemtohave...

High Tide Centre Box Card

Quick post from me today... as there really aren't enough hours in the day!

So I went back to the original inspiration for my U Fold card... which was the Centre Box Card with the box removed! And I put the box back in!! 

Well there is a boat to sail so it had to be done...

And sorry no step by step tutorial but it is just my U Fold card with the 15.5 x 3 cm high base/front panel and an extra 12.5 x 3cm Soft Sky panel scored at 1 cm from each end to form the box... Oh and an inches version (by Liza) using US cardstock is linked in the Centre Box Card post linked above...

And then we have this one... created by Jill... long story involving the cutting of a 2nd piece of Serene Scenery 6x6 paper for the background... but then (1) not realising that I had cut the bottom "sandy bit" off first for the base section.... and then (2) stamping on the paper when upside down... 

But hey ... immediate stormy skies.... so perfect for the greeting! Reckon I prefer it this way! Thanks Jill... I love the fact that there is never a mistake in crafting!!!

And I have to laugh on 2 counts of my own....

(1) spot the deliberate error in my side paper sticking! Oops...

(2) spot the blob on the word "YOUR" in the big greeting... stamped 2 card samples before I spotted this... and couldn't see anything major on the stamp itself but a quick wash under the tap sorted it out... no blob for my ladies... as Jill's card proves... 

And here are the 2 together... which one do you prefer?

High Tide - in Stormy Seas....

I love this card!! It may be simple... but ... in the flesh... it has an atmosphere all of its own! And that wasn't quite as originally intended....

So I wanted to demonstrate Clear Block Stamping in my class... so I used the big fat rectangular block (ie Block E)... scribbled Soft Sky, Island Indigo and Crumb Cake with my markers onto the block... gave it a spritz and stamped onto my Whisper White stamping panel...

The ink whirled around as it does... and the sea became very choppy! Perfect for this wording in the set! Couldn't have planned it better if I tried...

A quick add of Second Stamped Crushed Curry lights... ie ink up, stamp on scrap paper and then onto the stamping panel... Sahara Sand "outcrop" and a lighthouse* I had prepared earlier... and the card was done...

*The lighthouse is Island Indigo over Basic Grey...  with more Crushed Curry to fill in the windows... and then fussy cut

Now bear with me for the next few days... as I will probably publish more than one post each day... 

I know that most of you visit here for my crafty shares... and I have a few projects left with retiring products to show that need to be shared now - or never! 

But it is also time to get ready for the new 2017-18 Annual Catalogue reveal.. only 2 more sleeps until it goes live now! Live this Thursday, 1st June with ordering commencing at 8am UK time... Such exciting times ahead.... 

So I will aim to do both types of posts each day... just scroll down until you find the type you want...

In the meantime.... drum roll please... here is the Front Cover for you.... lots of lovely new bright colours for us here... just click on the picture to email me your request for your own copy in the post....

The Cream Kitchen...

Quick share of Denise's Aga for today... and yes you guessed it she has a cream Aga with newly painted mushroom (aka Tip Top Taupe) walls and her accessories are green and mushroom... as her walls were green up to recently... 

And she has already bought her frame to put it in!!! No folding it flat and putting it an envelope for Denise! Proud kitchen maker....

Click HERE to go and order the tutorial (s)... 

And the other thing I am up to date with... is posting out the NEW 2017-18 Annual Catalogue to those of you that have ordered over £50 through me during the last 12 months. Want a catalogue... have ordered but know that doesn't apply... then click here to email me and request one to get your own "hard" copy on its way....

High Tide... and an Epic Day!

Quickly sharing another Double Z Joy Fold Card that fully opens! Tutorial shared here yesterday...

But not a lot to say about the card today... apart from I used the lovely High Tide stamp set... and the fabulous Serene Scenery papers ( and a bit of brayering, sponging and stamping through a circular aperture.... ) as I want to share something personal for a BIG change!

Epic day today.... last "normal" school run!! Obviously there is all the stress of the A level exams to come throughout June... and the huge priority around getting son in and back for those exams at different hours... as we live in the country so the bus service just doesn't work!

But after 11 years of doing an hour plus round trip at the beginning and end of the day  - for 6 days a week - as a school run... I have felt an enormous sense of relief coming over me for the last week... so feeling quite euphoric today!

So I just had to share!! End of an era!!! Who knows what the next phase will deliver.... I will probably start worrying about that tomorrow!!

So to celebrate ... think I might have a New Catalogue Special coming on this weekend! 

Fancy Fold Friday Tutorial for Double Z Joy Fold Card

You asked... and here it is!  The recipe and directions for the fully opening Large Square Double Z Joy Fold Card that I quickly shared earlier in the week here... And this is a SIMPLE one...

The card pictured today is exactly the same card... but the papers are flipped ie showing the reverse side... which meant everyone could choose their preferred colour way in classes... always like doing that when I can! Most people did this version...

And I know that some of you will laugh with me as you see how logical (aka obvious) - and simple - it is... still do not understand why my brain could not compute this when it tried to last year!!!

And this is a "tryer" girls (and boys) ... Too simple a Fancy Fold not to... I have made a few!!!

So it is the same card size whether you use A4 or US 8 1/2" x 11"... ending up as a 5 1/2" Square or 14cm Square card... so you are free to cut your panels & score in inches from A4 if you prefer ...  So cm measurements and directions are highlighted in yellow... 

Metric Recipe
A4 Thick Whisper White 28 x 14cm
A4 Thick Whisper White 23.5 x 9.5cm
A4 (Front) Soft Sky 9cm Square; (Insides) 6.5 x 9cm [x2]
Paper Gingham (Front) 8.5cm Square; (Insides) 6 x 8.5cm [x2]
Paper Flowery (Back)  13.5cm Square
Paper Olive Dots (Front) 6.5 x 13.5cm

Inches Recipe
A4 Thick Whisper White 11" x 5 1/2"
A4 Thick Whisper White 9 1/4" x 3 3/4"
A4 Soft Sky (Front) 3 1/2" Square ; (Insides) 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" [x2]
Paper Gingham (Front) 3 1/4" Square ; (Insides) 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" [x2]
Paper Flowery (Back) 5 1/4" Square
Paper Olive Dots (Front) 2 1/2" x 5 1/4"

Directions

1. Place large panel LANDSCAPE (long side along top) on trimmer
2. Score at 2 3/4" & 5 1/2" (7 & 14cm)
3. Z Bone Fold. Valley for halfway/centre fold... Peak for quarter-way/front fold
   
4. Place small panel LANDSCAPE on trimmer
5. Score at (wait for it!!!!) 2 3/4" & 5 1/2" (7 & 14cm)
6. Z Bone Fold. Peak for "halfway-ish" fold (ie front fold)... Valley for "quarter-ish"fold ie back fold
   
7. Adhere larger papers on card front & back
8. Adhere back section of top/smaller Z Fold onto square Back of main/larger card AND AN IMPORTANT TIP! Think about what needs to go where!!! Otherwise you will just stick your whole card together!! Suggest a dry run with no glue the first time... it should all become obvious!
   
   SO.... make sure the left/inside valley fold of the smaller Z section panel is behind your main/larger card front left peak fold
   
   ie slip the smaller Z in behind the larger left fold as you stick it down/square it all off on the front...
9. Adhere square front part of smaller Z Fold onto main/larger card front (think about where NOT to put your glue!?)
10. Decorate as desired

Stampin Up! Products Used
Papers - Succulent Garden (retires 31st May - but discounted!)
Stamps - Stylised Birthday; Big on Birthdays
Card  - Thick Whisper White, Soft Sky

How long is a piece of string? And a Crafty Storage idea...

Dunno... but we had some fun making "string in a tin" from some (hoarded) empty coffee tins...

All thanks to Andrea... who came up with an idea for a "nice string in a tin" project when I asked what they would like to make for their menfolk other than cards... a titter went round the room... I pulled a face... and we all thought nothing more of it...

But later that day... a grin appeared on my face... as I realised what all those coffee tins I had been collecting for years could be used for!!! All it took was a spare piece of 12x12 (the now sold-out Urban Underground in this case, a bit of washi (again Urban Underground) and a piercing tool  to make the hole (s) in the lid(still got my long reach Crop A Dile - so easy for us on the day) ....

And there were no "titters" when presented at class!!! They all made them... proudly shared them... or even gave as presents (and weeks till Fathers Day yet!!!)... and now I have been asked to save more coffee tins!! Luckily Heidi - I have just found a new collection in a new place... so your wish is my command!!!

And for us crafters... punch/pierce multiple holes and pop 3 (maybe 4?) Bakers Twine on a reel in there... another crafty storage solution solved... so I for one will be making a few as an easier - and much prettier- way to store my Bakers Twines... with a new set of papers of course! So watch this space....

And as a final point... there are so many "string" expressions in our world... I chose "World on a String" as my excuse to use the retiring Places You'll Go set for one last time (oh now sold out!) as well as Urban District (retiring but still available in both clear mount and wood)... Along with the carrying over Labeler Alphabet for the wording....

Oh and thank you to Lavazza, Kenco and Nescafe for the tins!

Cheers DAD!

Another twist on the Dad U Fold Card shared here (tutorial linked there too!)

Proved very popular in classes....

And just another picture of it folded flat in a standard C6 envelope.... perfect fit...

Cheers Dad!

More Nailed It Tools... Planer & Bradawl

Just very quick share today...

A couple more tools to add to your Tool Benches.....

Handle of hammer on hand trimmed saw for the planer... plus a trimmed "hitting" end of the hammer for the small knob....

And a screwdriver with a trimmed "hitting" end of the hammer for a bradawl  ... though I really should have trimmed and sharpened my point to make it even more realistic!!

Trimmed parts direct inked on a black inkpad to finish off the lines...

Such as shame these Nailed It stamps are retiring come 31st May... I reckon there are a few more tools in there.... but moving on!

Mixed Drinks In the Bar... Cheers! Bench Fold Card #4

A simpler dressing of the Tool Bench card that I shared here

Click HERE to go and order the tutorial (s)... !

Back to today's card.... suitable for the man in your life that is "drinki-dextrous" and likes a pint (or two) of beer and is rather partial to Champagne (or Prosecco) too... or for a couple of friends that you just like a drink with!

This was a quick make with a re-made Tool Bench card for the Tutorial photos.... I am sure you will see an alternative (prettier and more dressed) version at some point....

Things to spot....

(1) Reversed pint of beer to the left...

I just grabbed a larger-than-the-glass photopolymer stamp... and placed it upside down in front of me (so looking at the flat back of the stamp)...

I inked up the glass stamp using Memento Black (Archival Black didn't work interestingly! and don't use Staz On...) and stamped on the reverse of the larger upside-down stamp and then quickly stamped the "flat back stamp" onto my white card...Eureka!

I did however then have to re-stamp my right hand beer glass in Basic Grey... as there was too much difference compared to the originally stamped Memento Black version....

(2) The previous workbench top has become a table.... just sticking my panels in a different order... front sides then top in this case...

(3) Bubbles coming out of the Champagne flutes... again care of the Playful Backgrounds stamp set that I didn't know what to do with originally... I have to thank the very talented Shannon Lane in Canada for this clever idea... pop over to see her gorgeous card using this concept and the Mixed Drinks set...

(4) Champagne is stamped with Gold Wink of Stella (sadly not available in Europe anymore!).... I brushed the Gold WOS onto the stamp and stamped....

(5) The Gold WOS was also used over the beer to make it all shimmer... and then the Clear Wink of Stella over the glass areas of the 4 glasses...

So Cheers! And remember that the step by step Tutorial(s) are now available here for these Bench Fold Cards... with the full lowdown on how to make the Kitchen Range (AGA), BBQ and Tool Bench designs...

Stampin Up! Products Used

Stamps - Mixed Drinks, Hardwood, Big on Birthdays, Playful Backgrounds

Papers - Urban Underground (not available)

Card - Crumb Cake, Thin Whisper White

Inks - Memento Black, Delightful Dijon 

Other - Gold Wink of Stella (not available), Clear Wink of Stella

Succulent Garden re-designed Double Z Joy Fold Card

Just popping on with a quick share today... but one I will come back to soon with all the details for you... seems like a good Fancy Fold Friday tutorial post to start off next weekend!

Edited To Add:- Bench Fold Card tutorials for the Kitchen Range, BBQ & Tool Bench will start to be emailed out tonight when I get back home... so please allow 36 hours before worrying that you haven't got it... 

Remember this one...

And this one

And this one with the Tutorial...

Well I finally tweaked it... so now it opens fully... and in parallel!!

Can't believe I couldn't suss it before... and boy did I try!!!

So glad I now have... 

Back with the full lowdown soon...