To make this card, I used the Hardwood stamp set for the wood effect background stamped in Staz On Black Ink onto Kraft cardstock. I also used the Kinda Eclectic stamp set for the leaves, also stamped in Staz On Black Ink. I added a layer of Typeset Specialty Designer Series Paper before mounting it onto Basic Black cardstock. To finish it off, I added a die cut butterfly in black from the Butterflies Thinlits Dies.

The stamp set I've used today is just gorgeous. Its one of the hostess sets that you can earn from qualifying orders from Stampin' Up! annual catalogue.

I absolutely adore this colour combination, I first saw it used in a project on a fellow demonstrators blog - my friend and fellow Pinkie Sarah Berry. Click here for a peek at her fablous project using the same stamp set and the same colours. 

Naturally when I came to use this set for the first time I couldn't think of any other colour combination to use except for this one - I've used Pool Party, Melon Mambo & Old Olive. It has a Cath Kidston look about it, don't you think?

I used the large butterfly die from the Bold Butterfly Framelits Dies to cut out the butterly. I used my magnetic plate with my big shot to make sure the framelit didn't move. These framelits also coordinate with the Watercolour Wings stamp set, which is amazing. I think the framelits are well worth investing in as you can use them with several coordinating sets for lots of different looks.

Just before I go...... I know its completely impossible to tell from my picture, but I wanted to tell you all about what I've used to add something a little different to my project. Its called an Action Wobble Spring. I've used this spring to attach the butterfly to the card. It not only gives the butterfly a 3D effect, it also allows the butterfly shape to move slightly with a fun wobble motion. We used one of these for the first time at the quarterly training event in July so  I've been waiting for an opportunity to use one of these in my projects. Check out this short video to see what they are all about. 

   

With only 122 days until Christmas, its very likely that most crafters will have started to plan their Christmas cards by now. 

I know its only August and its still summer but there's nothing wrong with getting out the Christmas stamps and papers. Just don't tell those scrooges out there, you know who they are.

On 1st September the new Stampin Up! Autumn/Winter Catalogue launches. You will find lots of seasonal inspiration and new products in there including the stamp set I have used for this card called Jolly Christmas and the new Designer Series 6x6  Paper Stack called Merry Moments.

You can purchase the products I've used to make this card when the new catalogue launches on 1st September. In the meantime, click here to subscribe to my blog to keep viewing sneek peaks of new products from the Autumn/Winter catalogue and also to be one of the first to be able to download it.

Today's card features the new Whisper White Thick Cardstock. The Stampin' Up! standard Whisper White Cardstock is 216gsm. The Whisper White Thick Cardstock is much heavier at 270gsm. This makes it much stronger to hold embellishments and also allows you to keep the design simple with no layers, like I have shown in today's project.

I've created the background using the Watercolour Wash background stamp and Pool Party ink. I love the fact that you don't need to be an artist to have authentic looking brush strokes in your project.

I die cut a butterfly from Basic Gray Cardstock using the smallest die in the Butterflies Thinlits Dies set. I then die cut a butterfly from Vellum using the smallest butterfly in the Bold Butterfly Framelit Dies and layered this onto the butterfly in Basic Gray. I might try this using the Silver Foil Paper or Silver Glimmer Paper next time to give the card more sparkle.

I then adhered sequins, rhinestones and subtles candy dots to the background using the new Fine Tip Glue Pen which will be available in the Autumn/Winter catalogue that’s being released on 1st September.

On a 1cm strip of Whisper White I stamped the sentiment You're a true friend using the Endless Thanks stamp set. I then used the tripple banner punch to punch out the banner end. This stamp set is so versatile, there are so many combinations you make, take a look at the stamps included in the picture below.

I hope you have enjoyed this project today. Have a great weekend!

Hi everyone! Sorry its been a bit quiet recently, I've been working on my new website layout and its finally gone live. I hope you like it?

I've still got some work to do so watch this space over the next few weeks as my gallery page and new menu layout go live.

I've had lots of time in my craft room over the last few weeks as well, playing with new products from the new Annual Catalogue and the upcoming Autumn/Winter Catalogue. I'll be posting regularly again so get ready for some Halloween & Christmas themed projects alongside another Series showcasing the simply stunning Timeless Elegance Designer Series Paper.

So here we go, here are two thank you cards I've made using paper from the new 6" x 6" Pretty Petals Designer Series Paper Stack.

This card has a Chocolate Chip base and a layer of Mint Macaron DSP, which I've aged using Sahara Sand ink round the edges. I've used the One Big Meaning stamp set to stamp the sentiment in