Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Catherine Carroll

The Retiring Lists are here!

With the changes to our catalogues this year, the time for the retiring lists has come round far too quickly. If, like me, there are things on your wish list that are listed as retiring you don't have long left to get hold of them!

These products are only available until 1st July or while stocks last, so don't delay and email me your order today. You'll still earn hostess benefits if your order hits £150 so why not get some friends together?

Download the retiring stamps list here

Download the retiring accessories list here

Demonstrators have also been able to order products from the new Idea Book Catalogue from today, so expect to see some sneak peeks soon. The countdown to the new catalogue has begun...!

 

 

 

 

Paper Pleating with Tea for Two

I can't believe it's Tuesday again already. I honestly don't know where the days go.

The Simply Scored scoring board makes paper pleating easy. So much so, that I am sure to share more variations on this technique in the future! I wanted to make a sweet mini card for a friend, and the sentiment from Friendly Phrases was perfect. 

I'm not a fan of Calypso Coral, but maybe I'm starting to change my mind. I'll really know if I've been converted if I catch myself making it the main colour on a card though, and that's probably a way off yet.

The paper pleats in this panel of Tea for Two DSP are created by carefully scoring paper at set intervals. I say carefully as many a strip of DSP ended up in the scraps pile while I was perfecting this technique and this card! As a general guideline, you reduce the width of your paper just under half. This example is 3" wide, and my original DSP strip was 7" to give me a bit extra. Start by scoring at ¼", then you score at intervals of ¼", ½", ¼", ¾" and repeat that pattern all along the paper. Once you get to the end, you need to have another ¼" of paper left to help stick it down. I recommend using Tombow as it gives a bit of flexibility, but as mine ran out this morning (how can I not have a spare, I hear you cry!), I can say that Sticky Strip works very well but is a bit trickier to handle.

The Lucky Limeade piece was cut with the Adorning Accents edgelits, and embossed with the matching folder to create a bit more interest and texture. The top of the pleating isn't particularly messy, but I think it benefits from being 'finished off'. It reminds me of the way you put a waist band over the pleats in a skirt!

Even though I missed the exciting Stampin' Up! regional training last weekend, I have been reliably informed of the amazing things we have to look forward to over the next few weeks. All I can say is watch this space...

 

 

 

 

Spotlighting with Pleasant Poppies

It's Tuesday again and I've got another technqiue to share... spotlighting. You can add a splash of colour without going all out and colouring your whole image. Here's the effect tested out with Pleasant Poppies:

I chose to go with pink poppies for a subtle effect, but layering with Basic Black rather than Basic Gray and colouring with a luscious red such as Cherry Cobbler would create a much more striking effect. This is such a clean and simple card compared to my usual offerings. I find it quite difficult to hold back from using embellishments!

 

 

 

 

Congratulations with Hearts a Flutter

I was so excited to hear that a couple of my best friends have finally got engaged. I say finally as they were together before my now husband and I even went on our first date, and we have been married for two and a half years! Special congratulations were definitely in order, so I reached for the lovely Hearts a Flutter stamp set and matching framelits...

The combination of Basic Gray and Pool Party is fast becoming a favourite of mine. In fact, the combination of shades of grey with any colour may become a bit of a theme. Let's just say I can't wait until I can start using the new Stampin' Up! colour Smoky Slate when we finally get my hands on it. Primrose Petals was also a perfect accent colour for the heart image. After all, what is an engagement card without a heart? I really hope they liked it.

 

 

 

 

Twist Fold Congratulations

I had been invited to the wedding of a work colleague this summer, but unfortunately we're going to be on holiday. I hadn't sent an engagement card, so thought that my reply was a good opportunity to congratulate them more formally! The twist fold card is particularly useful in that the pockets created by the folding mean that you can slot extras into the card. I think I might be making a lot of these at Christmas for the many gift cards I end up sending.

The sentiments in the Curly Cute set are my favourite at the moment, as they really make the sentiment the focus of the design. I can't believe that this is the first time I have used the Natural Composition Specialty DSP - I can't even use the excuse of not wanting to cut up 12"x12" sheets as I got some already cut down to 6"x6" as part of a paper share! Let's just say that what I have left will be used very quickly...