Easter Table Candle Wreath Centrepiece...

 

So this year I had a request for an Easter table centrepiece project instead of the usual small treat packages we make...

And here is the result... a spring themed decorated wreath for a candle ... perfect in the middle of my table... I love the finished result... though TBH... a lot of sighs and swearing were heard along the way... with a lot of searching for old retired items that I know would do certain jobs!

So I knew I wanted to make the "daffodils" from Kusudama flowers  - which I used previously for a home decor project back in 2018... and I think they worked great... using various ( and any!) yellow past colour collection papers I could find (cut down to 3"squares) Finished off with retired Classy Designer buttons...

I was going to make paper cherry blossom flowers too... but then I remembered the gorgeous flowers in the long retired Indescribable Gift stamp set... and it seemed rude not to use them! Even though it took me a LONG time to find my stamps!! Coloured with Light Bubble Bath Stampin Blends and using the Color Lifter to spread it out for uber-paleness! See here for how I added dimension to the flowers...

I also have had the speckled white eggs for years... they were great as they have a little hole in the bottom that just popped onto the greenery with no further adhesive required. Likewise with the pale coloured foam eggs (cheap foam ones care of Home Bargains, B&M or Poundland or somewhere) also just popped on...

I also added a little nest bought from Yorkshire Trading this year... - plus 3 speckled eggs - but which I seemed to forget to photo...

Then some current products got some action!! 

Painted Lavender single lavender sprays inked up in Highland Heather "thumped" with a Gorgeous Grape marker pen 

And a couple of Paper Butterfly Accents butterflies to finish things off (with lots of Basics Jewel Rhinestones bling!)

Fun Fold Friday - Classic Letters Double W Fold Card...

Another version of this Regency Park card... to showcase the new Online Exclusives Classic Letters  stamp set...

And for those of you that don't have this fabulous alpha-numeric set yet... a few features to highlight....

• Letter size about 1" (2.5cm)  H
• Spot the leaf details (I didn't on first view...but love this featuure to dress up my letters!)
• two A,L and P which really helps when setting up some words!

Though I will admit that I wouldn't use such a dark green for the leaves in the future ... but I had to use the green (Shaded Spruce) to match the papers! Should have stamped off... But at least you can see the leaves feature clearly!

Click HERE for the card fold tutorial...

Free Shipping tomorrow Wed 19th April...

 

Lovely opportunity to stock up on those Retiring Sale items after all... no postage to pay with qualifying orders...

• Free shipping in the UK applies during the 24-hour period between Tues.18 April 2023 11p.m. and Wed 19 April 2023, 11p.m. 
• Click HERE to go straight to my Online Store...
• Please be aware, that the distribution centre is currently behind their typical shipping timeframes...so expect deliveries to be nearer 14 days at present... Stampin Up are working on returning to regular service levels as quickly as possible ...
• And don't forget to add my Host Code WBH3NCMV for that extra gift from me!
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Happy Easter Bunny Treat Holder

A few tasty morsels for friends and family... using the beautiful Regency Park papers , Easter Bunny stamps and (the very cute) Loose Daisy Embellishments to display the bunny amongst flowers... and eggs! 

Hope you (and I) are enjoying some tasty morsels today!

By the Way ... Regency Park papers currently discounted in the Last Chance Sale...

Colourful News!

 

The news is out! We have a Colour Refresh this year! Every 5 years or so Stampin Up carry out a complete review of the whole colour collection and change the offering to stay relevant, set trends and fill in any gaps... 

So it's time to say goodbye to 11 core colours plus 4 departing 2021-2023 In Colors. These colours will finish with the launch of the new 2023-2024 Annual Catalogue (live from 2nd May 2023). So ink pads, re-inkers, cardstock, markers etc of these colours will now only be available while stocks last (which usually isn't long)

Stampin’ Up!  Retiring Core Colours 2023 are Blushing Bride, Rich Razzleberry, Merry Merlot, Mango Melody, So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, Bermuda Bay, Mint Macaron, Pacific Point, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand. 

Can’t tell you how much I will miss Sahara Sand, Mint Macaron, Bermuda Bay and Rich Razzleberry! 

Plus the Retiring 2012-2023 In Colors. This year Fresh Freesia (bottom right) will carry over as part of the Colour Refresh. But sadly Evening Evergreen, Soft Succulent, Polished Pink and Pale Papaya will all go.

And so now the new and returning Colour Reveal... 11 new and returning Core colours... 4 new plus 7 returning...

And then of course we also have the 5 NEW 2023-2025 In Colors...  

5 brand new colours to keep things even more bang up to date... Love the "moodiness" of these... somewhat more subtle and laid back than last year's In Colors! I'm so loving these!

Giving us this wonderful Whole Colour Collection going forward... 

And you can CLICK HERE for a more detailed video of the retiring and new & returning colours and the full Colour Collection....

Fun Fold Friday - Regency Park Mr & Mrs Double W Fold...

Another Extra Small Double W Fold card for you... featuring the lovely Regency Park papers again... 

Using the retired Large Letters dies...as I wanted the Mr & Mrs to be the main feature of this card... along with the Framed Florets (front) greeting and the retired Love & Happiness stamp set for the internal greeting

Click HERE for the card tutorial shared earlier...

And a quick update re blogging frequency going forward... Still not able to get back to daily blogging! The new PC and set up is making most things 100x faster than before... but I have a few issues to resolve before I can truly get up to speed! So getting there... but will still be a while! In the meantime I am trying to get back to posting 2-3 time a week... couple of projects  - usually including a tutorial - and a featured suite - or bundle... 

Tuesday Tutorial - Extra Small Square Double W Fold Card #4

Carrying on with my Double W Fold Card series... with the fourth size variant so far... standing in at a mini 7.4cm (c3") square when folded... 

This is the easiest version so far... and one that makes best use of a piece of A4 card... giving you two cards from one piece of A4...

Click here for another version/decoration using the Perfectly Pencilled papers shared last week... with  more straightforward punched greeting circles...

Craft Spa Recipe - Extra Small Square Double W Fold Card (actually 7.4cm Square)

Main Card- Night of Navy A4L x 7.4cm (aka 29.8 x 7.4cm)

Inside Base sections - (Dots) paper 14.4 x 2.5cm (x2)

Inside Top- (Floral) paper 14 x 5cm (x2) [or 28 x 5cm if you are using 12" papers!)

Front Balmy Blue mat 5.5cm Square

Front paper panels - Floral 5 x 2cm... Dots 5 x 3.5cm

Ribbon Crinkled White x 9cm

Papers Regency Park (which are gorgeous IMHO!)

Stamps - Alphabest &  Enjoy The Rhythm

Circle Punches -1" (retired) and EK Success 1 1/8" & Dotty 1" 

This fits nicely into a 8.4cm envelope... as these cards are quite bulky when closed into the finished square card ... so need a bit of extra room in an envelope... and a a Large Letter stamp...

Craft Spa Instructions -  - Extra Small Double W Fold Card ( aka 7.4cm Square)

1. Score LANDSCAPE Night of Navy panel at 7.4, 14.8 and 22.2cm 
2. Concertina Fold (Valley, Mountain, Valley)
   
   
3. Cut the two Top (Floral) LANDSCAPE paper panels in half to 7cm wide
4. Adhere to top insides
   
   
5. Fold the Base section (Dots) papers in half as a mountain fold (with dots on the outside)
6. Fold each side up in half again (to form a valley either side AKA a W shape)
   
   For the 2 left hand sections of the card...
7. Hold concertina base sections with 2 open edges and folded centre facing to the right
8. Apply glue to back/bottom face  
9. Stick concertina section down onto right of right hand section (lining up with the Top paper panels at the sides and the sme gap along the bottom edge of the card)
10. With concertina panel still folded up... apply glue to top face
11. Close left section of card onto the glued face
    
    
12. Repeat with other concertina panel for 2 right sections of card...sticking the concertina base section (with 2 open edges and folded centre facing to the left) to the left side of the 2 left sections this time... and folding the right section of the card onto the top...
    
    
13. Ink up, stamp, cut and punch as necessary
    I used the Alphabest stamps ... along with the 1" (retired SU!) and EK Success 1 1/8" & Dotty 1" Circle Punches to punch the greeting and the Balmy Blue and Night of Navy mats...
    And the BIRTHDAY greeting is from Enjoy The Rhythm
    
    I would have added some Petal Park flowers... but time was of the essence for my class so I kept things as simple as they can be...
    
    
14. Decorate card
    Again I kept the front as simple as I could for this one
    
    
    
    
    

Fun Fold Friday - Extra Small Square Double W Fold card

They say that the best things come in small packages... and this extra small square version of my Double W Fold card doesn't disappoint! Standing in closed at just 7.4cm square (c3").... but stretching out to say what you need to say when opened... So still sure to impress!

Featuring Perfectly Pencilled papers, Alphabest stamps ( yes they work really well on their own too!), Stampin Blends colouring and a few small circles.... 

Back with the recipe and instructions next week.... they're getting even easier!

Round Up - Online Exclusives...

I've put together a flyer format to round up the newly released Online Exclusives products for us in the UK... but click here if you prefer the Online Store format...

Just click on the images below to load up the 2 pages of the document...

A Round up of all things new!

Firstly, new Spring Mini Catalogue and Sale A Bration now live…  Click on the images below to download your own flickable copies...

The new Spring mini catalogue … live January to April only… Packed with new products you'll love for your spring crafting.

The Sale A Bration 2023 promotion… during January & February only…

And/or click HERE to go to the Online Store...

And when ordering... don't forget to add the current Host Code YS3A4FGA for orders under £150 for an extra gift from me ...

Sale A Bration… You know the one…

(1) SHOP: Free products for each and every £45 purchased

(2) JOIN - 3 options for you…

·   Option 1: Your choice of £170* of Stampin’ Up! products for only £99.

·   Option 2: The exclusive Boho Blue Mini Machine (£55.00 value) + your choice of £170* of Stampin’ Up! products for £125.

·   Option 3: The original white Mini Machine (£55.00 value) + your choice of £170* of Stampin’ Up! products for £125.

*That’s £40 more product than the standard Starter Kit offer!

Know what you want in your kit? Then just click HERE to join us!

(3) HOST – Free exclusive stamp set for orders over £275...  the truly gorgeous Scenic Garden... can't wait to get my hands on this one... 

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Secondly, the NEW Saying Thanks Kit

Express gratitude with the new all-inclusive Saying Thanks card kit.  The kit includes everything you need to make nine bright, colourful cards in no time!  For the bargain price of just £13…

Click HERE for the Unboxing Video.

This kit includes:

·         Enough supplies to create 9 cards with co-ordinating envelopes —3 each of 3 designs

·         Printed and foil die-cut words, pre-cut pieces, and enough adhesive to complete projects.

·         White bakerʼs twine and irridescent diamond sequins.

·         Final card size 5-1/2"x4-1/4" (14 x 10.8 cm)

·         Coordinating colours: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green, Poppy Parade, Tahitian Tide.

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Thirdly, Craft Spa classes… not running face to face classes during January and February but please contact me to register interest in the following… as these are subject to demand…

(a) Face to Face sessions from March onwards… (currently planning classes for Easter projects and onwards)

(b) Class in the Mail Kits

(c) Co-ordinated Product Kits (eg Card, Paper, Ribbon, Embellishments and relevant Bundles as options)

Currently working with On The Farm, Watercolor World, In The Country , Dainty Flowers, Alphabet A La Mode and Enjoy the Rhythm (not particularly together!!) And Greatest Journey/Enjoy The Journey and Scenic Garden as soon as I get them!

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Fourthly… I will be placing an order Monday 9th January for those of you that would like me to order on your behalf and then collect from here…
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Fifthly… Click HERE for video presentations on the new papers, products and promotions… amongst other things…

 

And/or be sure to keep coming back and checking  out my blog over the next few weeks for more details on many of the new products in a more “piece by piece” style!

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And finally…

Happy New Year… and may 2023 be full of crafting… and just generally marvellous! 
Amanda at The Craft Spa
EM: thecraftspa@gmail.com

NEW Saying Thanks Kit...

Express gratitude to those who make your day, every day with this new all-inclusive card kit! Eveything you need in the box... for the fantastic price of just £13...

The Saying Thanks kit includes everything you need to make nine bright, colourful cards in no time! Say thank you, recognise friends, and share your gratitude with a bright watercolour wash that won’t go unnoticed! 

We encourage you to take opportunities to recognise family and friends for what they do and who they are. We’re so excited about this new addition to our Kits Collection that helps you do just that! Saying Thanks available starting on 5 January.

Click HERE for an Unboxing Video...

This kit includes:

•  Enough supplies to create 9 cards—3 each of 3 designs—and 9 coordinating envelopes.
•  Printed and foil die-cut words, pre-cut pieces, and enough adhesive to complete projects.
•  White bakerʼs twine and iridescent diamond sequins.
•  Finished card size: 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" (14 x 10.8 cm).
•  Coordinating colours: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green, Poppy Parade, Tahitian Tide.

Free shipping day today…

Free shipping for orders over £60 until 10.50 pm tonight…. 

Scroll down to see the previous post for more details on this promotion, a Starter Kit promotion (with £24 more for free… so £154 product for £99 cost ) during October and new kits just released… 

And remember to add the current Host Code for an extra free gift from me… 

Simple for Saturday - Making a Difference

Though I have dubbed this my Elvis card.... it's that flash of a gold jacket that does it!

Using the exclusive Host set, Begin With A Dream that you can earn for free with qualifying orders ( or by joining a Craft Spa club!). Click HERE for more details and another sample...

Image stamped in Memento Black... coloured using Stampin' Blends... mainly Basic Black...

And then a touch of Gilded Leafing flakes added... either using a Versamark pen (not SU!) and Heat & Stick Powder... or just a bit of Tombow Mono Multi Purpose Liquid Glue... just wait for the Tombow glue to dry and go tacky...

Greeting stamped in both black and red and then fussy cut into little strips...

And stamped panel ink-edged by placing each edge direct onto the ink pad...

Simple Saturday - Clean & Simple Grassy Grove

Love love love this... actually I am in product heaven...  introducing Grassy Grove...

Simple die cut in white... and then in black... slight stagger when gluing together for a shadow which gives it all a real pop!

A layer of (sadly no longer available) Ever Eden papers behind... plus a couple of die cut deer...

And you have a simply & beautifully formed card...

Greeting care of Nature's Harvest... as the wording just... seemed to fit the bill!