Monday Mini Madness...in the Pinks...

Some more of my lovely mini 3D Swaps from fellow demonstrators at Telford UK On Stage event for you today... so I bring you the Pinks range...

We have Karen Varley's All My Love Nail File holder

Esther Howard's Oh So Eclectic Triangular Treat Holder...  I salute Esther and all those that can tie that many beautiful bows!!!

Angie Ralph's Happy Tails Tissue Holder...  for all you dog allergy sufferers out there!

And last... but by no means least... Rebecca Willmore's Swirly Bird Tealight Candle Holder... on which the ribbon closure particularly pleases me!!  Both tails just pushed through a loop...so no bow!

Love that so many of these (and my other swaps) use stamp sets that I don't possess... so by swapping I have samples to show my class customers... and you guys too! One of my major reasons for swapping at these events...

Remember to contact me if you would like any further information ... as I can often find the source and so point you in the right direction... or do a quick measure & work out if not! Though I will admit that my feet aren't touching the ground at the moment... So it will be next weekend before I can realistically do much...

And check out these Green & Yellow 3D swaps if you missed them last Friday... as I got my scheduling wrong... Oops! So about 2/3rds of you did miss them!! Sorry!!!

e-Moji Egg Carton

The last of the mini egg cartons! But a mini-series that we could have collectively have played along for hours with!!

So here is my trio of e-Moji mini egg cartons to wish you a very Happy Easter Sunday...

First up... LOL eMoji... also known as Laughing With Tears e-Moji,  Laughing eMoji, Laughing Crying eMoji, Happy Tears eMoji, Laughing Tears eMoji

Next up... Heart Eyes eMoji to send to your loved ones!

And last but not least Smiling eMoji...

Too much fun! And treat holders that have gone down REALLY well this Easter... even with the Teens...  laughs all round...!

And a few how to tips...

For Heart Eyes eMoji... 

Die cut or punch 2 Real Red hearts (mine were from the retired Hearts Framelits collection as I don't have the Sweet & Sassy ones...)

Then punch a Duet Banner shape in Basic Black... and trim by hand as shown below!

For LOL eMoji... sorry about the wrong way round photo...but I am sure you will get the idea!

For the eyes... Punch a 1/2" circle through the side of some Basic Black cardstock... then punch around it to form curves... times 4... then trim off 2 for the eyebrows...

The teardrops are care of the Swirly Bird stamp (though I could have used the small/double petals in the Festive Flower Builder punch - reduced in the Retiring List while supplies last )

And the mouth was half a Basic Black die-cut Layering Oval with another Duet Banner punch hand-trimmed banner in Whisper White... 

And finally for Smiling eMoji...

For the mouth... Half a die cut Basic Black die cut Layering Circle with another Duet Banner punch hand-trimmed banner in Whisper White

And for the eyes... 1/2" punched circle on the edge of the cardstock with the smallest Layering Oval die cut around it... finished off with a small trim at the edges...

Swirly Bird Round Up

Just a quick round up picture of my Swirly Bird & 2016-18 In Colour On Stage Telford, UK Display Stamper projects for you today. Bear in mind that I didn't (sniff!) have the co-ordinating dies at the time!

Want to see more details of these projects... Put Swirly Bird into the "Search This Blog" box at the right of my blog page to see a list of all the Swirly Bird projects/blog posts (with links) when they were shared individually...

Swirly Bird Kites CAS Card - and a Round up picture of the Trio...

And the round up picture of our lovely little Trio made at Monthly training..

And some close ups of the last Kite Trio cards using Swirly Bird...

And now an admittance... 

Now... did you miss me!!? I have just spent the last fortnight in sunny Greece... 

But... scheduling 18 days of posts in one go over 2 weeks ago... was a new experience!!! I don't think I could have made anything after that concentration!!! I was almost seeing stars!!!

And I apologise for anything that went wrong along the way... but hey a holiday wouldn't be a holiday with much more limited wifi than we are used to... so I wasn't checking... 

But back now... and lots of Christmas goodies coming my way!!! Yay... Christmas is always my favourite creative time/excuse of the year!!!

Shine On Swirly Bird for Father's Day

Been working on a few Shine On paper projects... and had some bits left over... so a quick extra large card quickly came together...

The sea part was the fiddly part.... as the waves are there if you cut "kind of diagonally" along the wobbly line!

Boat from Swirly Bird (coming soon!), greeting from carrying over Guy Greetings, silver foil mat, Bermuda Bay card blank and retiring Shine On paper for everything else!

Baby Boy Card in Dapper Denim

 

Apologies for such a quick post today...but I went out to vote yesterday evening... and ended up at a neighbour's house with 30-40 others... completely and utterly unplanned... but a really lovely evening!! Thank goodness for living in a village....

But before I start...  I have a new feature coming tomorrow... one with lots of inspiration for you.... so don't forget to check back this time tomorrow!!!

So back to the new 2016-18 In Color Dapper Denim... showcasing first through 4th stamping without re-inking...great colour for this technique!

The great sailing boat image (and the round blobs) from the new and coming Swirly Bird stamp set (now can't wait for my co-ordinating dies to turn up!) Finished off with the Layered Letters alphabet for the greeting...

Spot the colouring in of the designer series paper - Soft Sky and Sahara Sand markers direct onto the paper... as being honest I was getting fed up of the old monochrome thing for my On Stage Display samples at this stage!! But this is something I will repeat... as little thing... big difference!!!! Makes that paper stack go so much further....

And a few random sequins.... yes I made a blodge!!! So it did have to be done.... 

Work of Art Tractor in Emerald Envy

Following on from the Work of Art Train posted here... here is the tractor I created for the Stampers Showcase display boards at On Stage... 

As soon as I saw the Emerald Envy colour a John Deere tractor popped into my head... so again it just had to be done!

Most of the image is created using Work of Art... with the addition of the wheels using the new and coming Swirly Bird stamp set

And a final thing to point out... I used the You've Got This background stamp to add the texture to the card blank... just Emerald Envy primary and secondary stamping (without re-inking in between)... loving that effect...

Delicious Flirty Flamingo Bakers Box...

Lovely simple Bakers Box for you today... quick little project that packs a punch... showcasing the new 2016-18 In Color Flirty Flamingo and Swirly Bird stamp set....

I used the new and coming Swirly Bird little flowers and leaves images to finish off the white embossed Home Made frontage ... 

It had struck me that the delish image from the Home Made set (that co-ordinates with the Bakers Box dies) would match up with the striped papers in the designer series paper stack... it is not a 100% line up but it does quite a good job (the photo angles don't show it off at its best - it is better in the flesh! Trust me)... and makes the decoration really simple... I will certainly be making more of these...

So the front is a stamped and embossed image and the other 3 sides are decorated using papers....

Work of Art 4-6-0 Train in Dapper Denim

Another project that caused a bit of an immediate reaction on the Stampers Showcase boards at Telford... totally marmite project... you will love it or loathe it! But I had so much fun making it!!! It really did have to be made....

I used the Work of Art stamps - along with the new and coming Swirly Bird stamps for the large Smoky Slate wheels and the small Basic Grey over-stamped wheels/wheel centres. Then a Balloon Celebration image as the Basic Grey spokes on the large wheels. Finished off with Balloon Builder wheel connectors and smoke...

But I have to add... if I were to re-make I would make my funnel taller... you would pity the poor driver in this train cab.... cough!

And a funny story... this was the only project I showed my husband... as he is into trains... so it had to be done... I expected a simple "Yes it looks like a train Amanda!" but no... I got an excited "That's a 4-6-0 ... followed by 10 minutes of him showing me pictures of lots of trains in books and magazines... bless!

So I got educated.... and now so will you... as there are 4 wheels at the front (two either side) - 6 in the "middle" (3 either side) and none (0) at the back! Hence a 4-6-0. So now you know....

Emerald Envy Gift Card Holder Explosion Box Tutorial

Told you I would be back soon with this project... and seeing as it is Friday here is a Tutorial for you. And here is the link to the It's My Party version posted nearly 2 weeks ago...

But before all that detail.... this is another project made for the Stampers Showcase at On Stage in Telford, UK showcasing the new 2016-18 In Color Emerald Envy and the Swirly Bird stamp set....

I also used the greetings in the Balloon Builders stamp set and the 1" circle punch... and oops the matching scallop circle punch too... which is unfortunately retiring come 1st June... bit of a misunderstanding between SU! and myself over being able to use that one.... as we were supposed to only use items that would carryover to the new 2016-17 catalogue... oops!

And spot the kite which is in the new and coming Swirly Bird stamp set... and a funny story about it for you... The kite is made by stamping 2 triangular stamps... one solid... and 1 striped... and voila... 

But I didn't see it... so I kept looking at these triangles wondering what they were for... thought that maybe they went together... tried them both out... rubbish! Very weird shape... Tried again in a different orientation... and then laughed at myself as I looked at an easily made and great kite!! 

Metric Recipe for Base 
Card Emerald Envy 21cm Square
Card Whisper White 6.5cm Square (x4)
Card Pool Party 6.5cm Square (x3)
Paper 6cm Square - Polka Dots (x4); Script (x2);
Card Pool Party 9.2 x 6cm
DSP Stripe 5.9cm (x1)

Metric Recipe for Tag/Sides
Sides - Card White 6.4cm Square (x2); Paper Polka Dots 5.5cm Square (x2)
Tags - Card Pool Party 6 x 6.5cm (x2); Paper Flowers 5.5 x 6cm (x2)

Metric Instructions for Base
1. Score large (21cm Square) card panel at 7 & 14cm
2. Turn 90 degrees and score at 7 & 14cm
3. Cut diagonally across each corner from each outer tip to corresponding corner of square in the middle...
4. Bone Fold

5. Fold side/diagonal flaps in & completely adhere on 2 opposing sides

 For other 2 sides...
6. Place thin "Sticky Strip" along outer edge, remove protective layer, fold 1 flap over and adhere
7. Fold and glue other flap... but take care where you put your glue!! You only want it to stick on the first flap and not onto the box side... or you won't be able to pop your tag in the pocket!!!

8. Cut 2 white mats in half diagonally
9. Cut 2 smaller (5.5cm) polka dot papers in half diagonally
10. Adhere your 4 card/paper triangles together and adhere to Tag/Pocket Sides
11. Adhere your 2 tags together... trapping a short piece of ribbon between the card and paper
12. Insert tags into pockets

13. Score PORTRAIT 9.2 x 6cm Pool Party panel at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5cm
14. Concertina fold Valley, Mountain, Valley, Mountain, Valley

15. Adhere 2nd and 3rd sections from each side together

16. Adhere doubled middle sections together at the sides using thin "Sticky Strip"
17. Adhere the whole thing diagonally across the card mat and trim overhang at each corner

18. Cut paper in half diagonally
19. Adhere to card mat... which will in turn cover the gift card holder "gubbins"
20. Adhere to the centre/bottom section

Gosh that was so so much easier to talk and show in a class than it was to write it!!!

Metric Recipe for Lid
Card Emerald Envy 11.4cm Square
Card Whisper White 6.9cm Square
Paper Stripe 6.4cm Square
Card Pool Party 1.5cm x 7.3cm
Ruched Ribbon Emerald Envy x 60cm (24")

Metric Instructions For Lid
1. Score at 2 cm on all 4 sides
2. Bone Fold
3. Dart on 2 score lines... on 2 opposing sides... and stick together using tabs...
Note  - as a general rule when making box lids I advise you to stick your lid together whilst it is in place on the box! This isn't essential with this project though as there is enough "wiggle room" to stick it as tight as possible (though I may come to regret those words!!! But it has been tested quite a few times.... and no-ones didn't fit!)

And for my US followers... the imperial (inches) version for the main part is as follows.... as 21cm is 8 1/4" ...so...

Please note that this project has been made from A4 card/Metric measurements... There was a lot of fine-tuning in the decoration down to a millimetre ( about 1/24" of an inch!) so I am unable to just quickly convert to an inches version and produce an accurate recipe and tutorial without a total re-make... which is just not on the cards I am afraid... so I have to admit defeat with all the recipe/detail...! Hence a few ?s...

So I suggest that you make the main box and lid and then mat/layer as you see fit ( I allow the old 1/4" variation) ... and if anyone wants to feedback and give me real measurements... then I would be eternally grateful... and I can update this as necessary! Sorry...

Imperial Recipe for Base 
Card Emerald Envy 8 1/4" Square
Card Whisper White 2 1/2" Square (x4)
Card Pool Party 2 1/2" Square (x3)
Paper 2 1/4" Square - Polka Dots (x4); Script (x2);
Card Pool Party 3 5/8" x 2 1/4" (any smaller than 3 5/8" and the gift card will not fit in! So allow overhang as necessary!)
DSP Stripe 2 3/16"? (x1)

Imperial Recipe for Tag/Sides
Sides - Card White 2 7/16"? Square (x2); Paper Polka Dots 2 3/16"? Square (x2)
Tags - Card Pool Party 2 3/8"? x 2 1/2"? (x2); Paper Flowers 2 1/8"? x 2 1/4"? (x2)

Imperial Instructions for Base
1. Score large (8 1/4" Square) card panel at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2"
2. Turn 90 degrees and score at 2 3/4" & 5 1/2"
3. Cut diagonally across each corner from each outer tip to corresponding corner of square in the middle...
4. Bone Fold

5. Fold side/diagonal flaps in & completely adhere on 2 opposing sides

 For other 2 sides...
6. Place thin "Sticky Strip" along outer edge, remove protective layer, fold 1 flap over and adhere
7. Fold and glue other flap... but take care where you put your glue!! You only want it to stick on the first flap and not onto the box side... or you won't be able to pop your tag in the pocket!!!

8. Cut 2 white mats in half diagonally
9. Cut 2 smaller (2 3/16"?) polka dot papers in half diagonally
10. Adhere your 4 card/paper triangles together and adhere to Tag/Pocket Sides
11. Adhere your 2 tags together... trapping a short piece of ribbon between the card and paper
12. Insert tags into pockets

13. Score PORTRAIT 3 5/8"? x 2 1/4" Pool Party panel at 3/8", 3/4", 1 1/8", 1 1/2" & 1 7/8"
14. Concertina fold Valley, Mountain, Valley, Mountain, Valley

15. Adhere 2nd and 3rd sections from each side together

16. Adhere doubled middle sections together at the sides using thin "Sticky Strip"
17. Adhere the whole thing diagonally across the card mat and trim overhang at each corner

18. Cut paper in half diagonally
19. Adhere to card mat... which will in turn cover the gift card holder "gubbins"
20. Adhere to the centre/bottom section

Gosh that was so so much easier to talk and show in a class than it was to write it!!!

Imperial Recipe for Lid
Card Emerald Envy 4 1/2"? Square
Card Whisper White 2 3/4"? Square
Paper Stripe 2 1/2"? Square
Card Pool Party 5/8"? x 2 7/8"?
Ruched Ribbon Emerald Envy x 24"

Imperial Instructions For Lid
1. Score at 3/4" on all 4 sides
2. Bone Fold
3. Dart on 2 score lines... on 2 opposing sides... and stick together using tabs...
Note  - as a general rule when making box lids I advise you to stick your lid together whilst it is in place on the box! This isn't essential with this project though as there is enough "wiggle room" to stick it as tight as possible (though I may come to regret those words!!! But it has been tested quite a few times.... and no-ones didn't fit!)

Happy Birthday Blob-style!

Now which new colour shall I choose today... it does feel strange having so many projects made and ready to share! Not my usual way of working at all...

So Flirty Flamingo again me thinks...

This was a card I have had floating around in my head since Christmas and a perfect design to show first, second and third stampings from the Flirty Flamingo ink pad with no re-inking in between...

The blobs are from Swirly Bird ... not the one from the Layered Letters alphabet I used... as you might think so upon first glance... these blobs are more circular and so great for the job...

Oh and the HAPPY is from Number of Years...

New 2016-18 In Color FLIRTY FLAMINGO Double Display Card

Here is another of the cards I made for the On Stage New In Colors Stampers Showcase at Telford...

An Extra Large Square Double Display card which is a new variant of the Large Square version here...

This one was made to showcase the new 2016-18 In Color designers series papers in Flirty Flamingo..

As well as the swirly flowers in the Swirly Bird stamp set... which is coming your way soon.... an interesting set with lots of potential... I think I was sitting there with about 20 flower versions... and that is without having seen the co-ordinating dies!! Which I do think make a great match....

The leaves are from Grateful Bunch - and in the new and coming Emerald Envy...

Now I have to laugh... and this will really surprise some of you! But... I really like Flirty Flamingo! There is just something about it that I can't quite explain...  

And an explanation about the use of so much colour (as I know you are used to my rather more white cards on here!!) We had to mainly use the new In Color we were working with... so it had to be ... although between you and me I found that SO hard!! And yes I did even fail with a few of the cards!!!

Stampers Showcase - Dapper Denim and The Sea!

Cute little box card project using the new 2016-18 In Color Dapper Denim Designer Series papers and my trusty Gift Bag Punch Board... this one definitely proved popular on the Stampers Showcase at Telford...

This is a re-make of a previously very popular project... Go here for the tutorial posted earlier for a variant using the Sprinkles of Life stamp set... I definitely like this new one more!!

I used a few stamps sets on this card!! As is my way... 

You will no doubt recognise ... Sprinkles of Life with its co-ordinating Tree punch for the clouds & greeting... and Guy Greetings for the anchor and relevant greeting (die cut using Project Life Cards & Labels dies)

But you will not recognise my little yacht! Ok more sailing dingy... This is in the brand new Swirly Bird stamp set coming to you soon... more on this set another day!

The waves were cut using the scalloped border die in the Cutie Pie die set (you know the cake one!) 

And the base box card is made using Marina Mist to add to the maritime theme! Or rather as I had run out of Dapper Denim card by the time I made this one.... as Caroline said... only 4 sheets to work with!!!