It's a Garden Party type of day ...

I have fallen in love with this stamp set.  Not unusual you might say, but I seriously never saw this stamp set in the main catalogue at all.  I spotted something on Pinterest, did a bit of investigating, and found this stamp set.

Garden Party is one of those stamp sets that you will use over and over for any occasion.  It's great for backgrounds and main images.  It's a set that can be used for 'hellos', 'thinking of you', birthdays etc. etc... and will easily be used with hundreds of sentiment sets.

Can you tell I love it ? and at only £13.95 for the unmounted version, it's a bargain !

I've made a set of six cards using this stamp set, and three of them are below.

Instructions

1. Cut very vanilla into the usual A6 card.  I used the large dots embossing folder straight onto the cardstock using my big shot.
2. Punch out a 2" circle, and cover the bottom section (leaving a small gap) with washi tape.
3. Stamp two of the smaller flowers in Bermuda Bay and the larger flower in Bermuda bay.  Cut out.
4. Stamp the leaves using Mossy Meadow inkpad and cut out.  The '3' leaf image is the smaller flower, but I just cut out the leaves.  
5. Adhere the leaves to the flowers, as above
6. Stamp the 'thanks' sentiment from Another Thank You stamp set onto very vanilla cardstock, and cut out.  Add 'tails' to the left hand side, leaving enough room on the right hand side to add the flowers and leaves.
7. Adhere the flowers and leaves to the sentiment, and then adhere this to the washi circle.  Add dimensionals to the circle and stick down onto the card.  Voila !

Instructions

1. Make an A6 card base from very vanilla cardstock.
2. For this second card, I used the 'flower' embellishment from the current Artisan Embellishment kit as a stencil (spring catalogue).  
3. I used a dauber to sponge Coastal Cabana ink through the 'stencil'  then heat set it to ensure it was dry. (place stencil in the middle of the card and hold in place with masking tape)
4. Stamp out the small flower in Bermuda Bay and Mossy Meadow.  Cut out the small Bermuda Bay flower, and then cut out the leaves from the Mossy Meadow stamped image.  Adhere the leaves to the flower.
5. Stamp the 'thanks' sentiment from Another Thank You onto very vanilla and cut out the strip.  I added a small rhinestone to the tip of the 's' at the end of the word thanks.  Adhere the flower to the left hand side of the sentiment, and then using dimensionals, add this to the front of the card. You're done - how easy ?!?!

Instructions

1. Make an A6 card base from very vanilla cardstock.
2. Emboss the front of the card using the big dots embossing folder
3. Punch out a 2" x 4" strip of very vanilla cardstock using the scallop tag punch
4. Add washi tape to the 'top' of the tag (but it will actually be the bottom of the tag when added to the front of the card)
5. Using the small 'bunch' of flowers, stamp the image three times down the tag using Coastal Cabana and Bermuda Bay inkpad.
6. Using Mossy Meadow inkpad, stamp the flowers randomly over the flowers.
7. Stamp the large flower image once in Bermuda Bay, cut out and adhere onto the tag.
8. Add dimensionals to the back of the tag and attach to card.  You can add glitter or spray to add a touch of sparkle to the card, if wished.

So there you go ... three quick and very easy cards, all from one £13.95 stamp set ! Bargain !!!  I have another three cards in this series, that I will post during the week - so pop back for more ideas.

Don't forget - only three more weeks until the end of Sale-a-Bration, so if you 'need' the limited edition Sale-a-Bration goodies, then get your orders in quickly !

Don't forget - the extra FOUR Sale-a-Bration products ...

Don't forget - if you place a £45 order, you will receive FREE postage AND a FREE Sale-a-Bration item !

To place your orders, you can shop direct HERE at my 24/7 online shop OR you can email me on carole.bryson@gmail.com

See ya soon !

Much Love – Cal x

I'm back, Freebie, Tutorial and Important News!

Hi everybody !   I am extremely sorry for the lack of correspondence during the past 4-5 weeks.  My computer was severely hacked (I actually had a keylogger attack) which also hacked my Bank Account, Paypal, and lots of other online accounts that I was registered with.   My bank will be sorted tomorrow (hopefully) and my Paypal was sorted immediately - so thanks to Paypal and Halifax Bank - they have both been legends.

I still need to deal with lots of other Apps and forums etc., but I can deal with those over time.

The lead up to finding out that I had been hacked was a nightmare story, and involved a leak and a flood at home, a cancelled insurance policy, and random texts from my Bank ... there are a few other things that have happened, and that are still being dealt with, but I am more positive, that they are all behind me now.

However, I am very well aware, that I have not given the level of Service to my customers that you deserve, and I can only apologise from the bottom of my heart.  I have tried to keep things updated, but as most of my life is on my computer, I have been a bit stranded !

FREEBIE - In a small attempt to make up for my lack of correspondence, I am going to have a giveaway.  Every single person who places an order of £45 or above, will not only receive a free Sale-a-Bration product and FREE postage (an offer from me, not Stampin Up), but their names will be placed in a hat, and I will have a draw at the end of March for the winner .... the more people who order, the bigger the prize will be !

IMPORTANT NEWS - 1
Extra Sale-a-Bration Products !

Below are FOUR NEW products that you can earn during Sale-a-Bration.   To qualify, you must place a £45 order, and you get to select one of the products below - how lush ?!?!?!  I love them all !

http://www2.stampinup.com/gb/documents/Flyer_SAB2_demo_Feb1715_UK.pdf

http://www2.stampinup.com/gb/documents/Flyer_SAB2_demo_Feb1715_UK.pdf

Unfortunately, I do not have any samples of these products yet, as Demonstrators were only told about them last week.

You can order direct from my online shop HERE, or you can email me on carole.bryson@gmail.com or call/text me on 07747 465186

IMPORTANT NEWS - 2
Blendabilities

Unfortunately, on Friday evening, Stampin Up! released an update stating that they had turned off all the links for Blendabilities due to a 'quality control' issue.  To date, nobody has any idea why, so I'm afraid I can't answer any questions for now.  As soon as I am aware of any changes or information, you will be the first to know.

In other news ... I've been playing, yay !  I've been getting down and dirty with different watercolour techniques, and I have been having a ball !  I will be showing off some of my samples over the next few days, so please pop back to see them.

Tutorial - This is how I made the following card:-

1. Carefully using masking tape, tape down some watercolour paper onto a mat or distressing sheet.
2. Spritz water all over the watercolour paper until it is saturated.
3. Drop small amounts of re-inkers onto the water, and watch the colour blend into each other.  You might need to add more drops and/or re-spritz with water to get the colours to blend into each other.
4. Using a heat gun, thoroughly dry the watercolour paper.
TIP:  If your watercolour paper is warped (which it should be), then run the watercolour paper through your Big Shot.   Place your watercolour paper between two pieces of scrap paper and using your main Big Shot plate and two thinner plates, run it through once.  This will straighten out your watercolour paper.
5. To achieve the 'bokeh' effect, you can either use white acrylic paint or white stazon. I took a strip of acetate, and punched out three different sizes of circles.  I used 1 3/8", 1" and 3/4" ... I then used the acetate as a stencil, and daubered the paint through the circles.  I used a light hand on the largest circle, and then intensified the colour with the middle circle and smaller circle.
6. Using a heat gun, completely dry your work.
7. Using the large Thank You from Another Thank You stamp set (main catalogue, item no. 136835) and Memento black inkpad, stamp the Thank You across the watercolouring.
8. Add sequins to your project to add a little bit of sparkle!
9. Trim down your watercolour paper and add a strip of co-ordinating cardstock that has been punched with the scallop border punch.
10. Adhere this mat to your cardbase.  Voila !

I hope you enjoyed this quick tutorial, and that you will have a go yourselves !

Once again, I am extremely sorry for my lack of posts, and I do hope you will pop back again soon.

If you have any questions or queries, then please contact me on carole.bryson@gmail.com or if you would like to place an order, then you can either contact me on the above details, or visit my online shop 24/7 HERE

Much Love – Cal x

I need to share something …

 

Do you fancy a bit of everything now and again ?  I do - particularly when it comes to Stampin’ Up! products … well truthfully, I don’t want a ‘bit of everything’ .. I want a little bit more ! ha ha ha !

If you fancy a bit of something or a bit of everything, then look no further … Join one of my share groups HERE and your ‘wants’ will be answered !

In most groups, I need four people to join the share, so I won’t need any payments until each group is filled – then I will start another.

Each ‘share’ is discounted, so you will be onto a winner – plus it is currently Sale-a-Bration, so if you commit to spending £45 or more, you will also ‘earn’ a free gift from the Sale-a-Bration brochure!

Why not have a look at my Pinterest board to gather ideas together – you can find my board HERE

If you have any questions, or wish to commit to a share, then please contact me at carole.bryson@gmail.com or call/text me on 07747 465186

Cal xxx

It’s a Bonkers Bundle No 1!

One of my most favourite stamp sets from the Spring/Summer catalogue has got to be Moon Lake.  These stamps can be used on their own, or as a colouring-in stamp, or they can be used with different watercolour effects.  I’m sure, there are lots of other ways that I haven’t even thought about!

The following samples are from Vicky Hayes, who is the Artisan Team representative from the UK, and her work is amazing.  She really shows you how you can get great use from the Moon Lake stamp set.  Here are a couple of her samples.

I have put together a bundle for you, so that you can replicate these cards, but also offer great value for money.  The bundle includes a great discount, a free Sale-a-Bration product, AND free postage – it can’t get any better !

Bonkers Bundle No 1 -  £45

Includes everything listed below PLUS free P&P

(click on image for larger picture)

To place your order for this bundle, you can either :-

• Order from my online shop HERE (I will message you to reimburse your P&P costs)
• Email me – carole.bryson@gmail.com
• Call/text me on 07747 465186

I hope you like the first of the Sale-a-Bration bundles, so pop back regularly to see more of these amazing deals !

Cal xxx

Product of the Week !

This paper is so much more than meets the eye! The glossy designs look great alone or they will “resist” ink, making them really fun for techniques. Try it with spritzers, brayers, sponges and more. You’ll find that this paper can be used with any style, from bold and bright to elegant and subtle. Try a technique class with your friends where everyone can play with this paper and fall in love with it like I have!  I seriously can’t get enough of this paper!

With unlimited crafty possibilities, this paper is simply a must-have for everyone’s paper stash. You can earn this product for FREE !  Simply place a qualifying £45 order, and you will receive one free Sale-a-Bration product of your choice AND free postage !

Here are some interesting samples from around the ‘net’

 

Firstly, Sandi MacIver has brayered the ink colour onto the cardstock, and then made it into a stunning box.  In the second photograph, My Stamp Lady has slightly coloured a section of the cardstock, then stamped over it, and then added the die-cut butterfly (from the Butterfly thinlets die in the Spring/Summer catalogue).

 

In the third sample, Aly from Alystamps has brayered the stars background, and then added her embellishments and sentiment – what a fab idea !   In the fourth sample above, Lisa Brown has daubered the ink onto the background using an ombre effect (light to dark), then added her sentiment and focal stamp layer.  I love this stamp set (Cheerful Critters – only £13.95 for 8 stamps which includes 5 sentiments)

 

So whether you want to leave this paper plain white, ink it directly with your ink pad, brayer it, dauber it, or colour it in, I’m sure you will agree, that this designer paper is without doubt, well worth playing with.

This is my favourite sample using this paper, and its by Sylvia from sylviasstampinpassion.  I just love the effect !

So, why not put together a card bundle with some inkpads or markers to the value of £45 (cardstock £6.25, white cardstock £7.50, inkpads £4.95, markers *see main catalogue*) and earn this amazing designer paper for FREE !

To place your order, please either :-

•    Email me at carole.bryson@gmail.com
•    Order direct from my online shop HERE (I will email you  to reimburse postage)
•    Message me on Facebook (Carole Bryson Wood)
•    Call/text me on 07747 465186

Mad Monday !

Mad Monday Offer

When you place an order valued at £45 before the 31st July, I will send you a card kit to make a set of these gorgeous cards using the Lotus Blossom Sale-a-Bration stamp set.  You will also be entitled to ONE FREE Sale-a-Bration item, so why not order the Lotus Blossom stamp set ? AND as an extra bonus, you will receive FREE postage!

You can see a whole Pinterest board full of samples using the Lotus Blossom stamp set HERE

Seriously, I must be going mad !  This is a limited offer, so you have to be 'in it to win it'.

Demonstrator Deal !

Have you ever considered becoming a Demonstrator ?  Or would you like to get your hands on our incredibly valued Starter Kit ?  Or even, earn 20% off your Stampin' Up! orders ?   If so, then there's a Sale-a-Bration new demonstrator offer on during the whole of SAB - see the details HERE

Finally ..... If you would like to place an order, then you can either :-

* Shop via my 24/7 online shop HERE
* Email me on carole.bryon@gmail.com
* Text or call me on 07747 465186
* Message me via Facebook (Carole Bryson Wood)

Happy Shopping !  Cal xxx

It's a crafty bargain ! Actually, a lot of crafty bargains !

Have you seen this weeks "Weekly Deals" yet ?  This weeks offers are some of my most favourite, as I can really combine everything that is on offer. Win-win!  

There's gorgeous Valentine papers, that can be used all year round, not just for Valentine's Day!  Twine and washi tape - helloooooo who doesn't use twine or washi tape ?  If not, why not !  There's also the fantastic Chalk Talk framelits, which are one of my most used framelit sets.  I use this set for scrapbooking, cardmaking and I cut a few at a time, so that I always have one on hand for those last minute gifts that we forget - like my Anniversary this weekend ! Eeek !  That's me off shopping today ... well, I'll add a box of jelly babies to my shopping list ! ha ha ha !  Anyway, you can view all the WEEKLY DEALS HERE !

Don't forget - there's also the Clearance Rack HERE as well - many items have up to an 80% discount ! 

As if that isn't enough - It's also Sale-a-Bration, so why not make the most of your purchases, or ask a friend to order with you, and if your order totals £45 you will receive a FREE Sale-a-Bration item AND FREE postage (this offer is from me, not Stampin Up)  (if you order via my online shop, then I will reimburse your postage costs)

We all love a bargain ... so go shopping for yours today !

To place your order, you can either shop direct from my Online Shop HERE or, you can email me on carole.bryson@gmail.com

Happy Shopping !   Cal xxx