Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Catherine Carroll

Quick Card Using Flower Shop

The card I have to share with you today was made at our most recent quarterly team training, which was the weekend before my trip to the USA.

Some crafting is always planned for the day, but I have to admit that I usually spend the time gossiping and rarely make the project planned! Michelle wanted to try something different this time, so she challenged us to come up with a card using limited supplies within 45 minutes... All I can say is that the time limit was both very motivating and rather scary!

It's a very simple card, but was completed rather quickly so still left me with time to chat. Some of the other cards completed in the same time were amazing, and as I have photos I am sure to CASE them in upcoming weeks.

Stamp Sets:	Flower Shop, Six-Sided Sampler (sentiment)
Cardstock:	Naturals Ivory, Afternoon Picnic DSP
Ink:	Basic Gray, Coastal Cabana
Tools:	Pansy Punch
Finishing Touch:	Pearl Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

 

 

 

Chocolate Box Swaps

I didn't just take general swaps. I was too slow to get in to an organised swap, but there was a meet-up with some of the top American demos arranged for the international demonstrators attending. I have to say a big thank you to Becky Roberts for all the organising. I wanted to take something special for some of the demos that would be there, as they have given me so much inspiration over the last few years (and have been amazingly generous in blogging and sharing it all!). This is what I came up with:

It's very simple, and perhaps too simple for such inspiring demonstrators! There are a couple of mini bars of Green and Blacks inside - I wanted to share some of my favourite chocolate with them. This is the first time I have used the Naturals Ivory cardstock, and I can't believe I have overlooked it so far. The box flap was cut using the Deco Lables framelits, and the ribbon and butterfly keep the box loosely closed. I didn't want this to end up like my never-opened swaps, so made the closure really simple.

I hope they liked it, but more importantly I hope they enjoyed the chocolate!

Stamp Sets:	Papillon Potpourri
Cardstock:	Basic Gray, Naturals Ivory
Ink:	Whisper White Craft Ink
Tools:	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Deco Labels Framelits Elegant Butterfly Punch
Finishing Touch:	Basic Gray ¼" Stitched Grosgrain, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

 

 

 

Convention Swaps

I've just got back from the most amazing holiday. Not only have I finally been to New York, but I was also able to go to the Stampin' Up! convention in Salt Lake City! As it was the 25th anniversary convention and we were planning on being in the USA anyway, it seemed a shame not to make it part of our trip. I was able to share the wonderful experience with my upline, Michelle Last (incentive trip winner, so this was all her fault really), Lynne Fahey and Nicky Whittall. They are all really amazing friends that I would never have met if it wasn't for Stampin' Up!

So, how about I share the swaps I made? I'm very much a last minute person - I had all the pieces stamped and cut for me to assemble on the plane. I thought that would be the perfect distraction (I hate flying far too much for someone who loves to visit new places...), but then my carry-on was stashed right at the back of a locker way at the back of the plane! Luckily I really struggled with the changing time zone, so my insommnia meant I could finish them at the hotel.

My first swap used Blushing Bride and Basic Gray. With hindsight, maybe there were a few too many elements on this one! 

I also made the same design with Soft Sky and Smoky Slate (I said this was my new favourite colour combo, didn't I?):

I really hoped everyone I swapped these with liked them. The swaps I received in return are amazing!

Check back tomorrow to see my other swap design. For such a special event I couldn't just go with one design now, could I? 

Stamp Sets:	Happy Day, Label Love
Cardstock:	Basic Gray, Blushing Bride, Smoky Slate, Soft Sky, Whisper White
Ink:	Basic Gray, Smoky Slate
Tools:	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Chevron Embossing Folder Artisan Label, Bitty Butterfly, Hexagon punches
Finishing Touch:	Stampin' Dimensionals

 

 

 

 

Origami Box Tutorial

Here is the template for the box I shared for the Blog Hop - I was hoping to post a video, but technical challenges have got the better of me. Watch this space as I do hope to add one soon. I've called it an origami box, mainly as it always takes me a couple of tries to close it properly!

Download the template for the origami box here

Start with an A4 piece of cardstock, and cut at 7¼" along the short edge (so you keep the whole length of the A4 piece). Score as shown in the template. Once you've done the horizontal score lines, you'll have a tiny piece to trim off one of the flaps to make sure that they are the same size. It's easier to trim it off once you've scored rather than trim the A4 at the start.

To decorate the box, cut a base piece of cardstock 3" square, and layer and decorate as you wish. Then once you've got the box closed, attach this to the outside of the box. Only put adhesive on the outer-most layer of the closed box otherwise you'll stop it opening. Repeat this with a panel for the other outer side of the box. 

Cut holes in the top of the flaps to thread ribbon through. I try to cut through both of the flaps at the same time with the box closed so that they match up perfectly.

I hope that is easy enough to understand for now! 

 

 

 

 

Annual Catalogue Pinkies Blog Hop

We're so glad you could join us on our Blog Hop. We'll be showcasing lots of gorgeous projects using products from the new Stampin' Up!® Annual Catalogue. Simply use the buttons at the end of each post to keep hopping. We love comments, so please do tell us what you think!

I hope you've seen Suzette's project on your way to me. It's so nice to be able to 'step up' everyday objects with beautiful stamps. 

I was completely overwhelmed the first time I flicked through our lovely new Annual Catalogue - I could not work out what to order first! As soon as I thought I had it sorted, I saw yet another project on another demonstrator's blog and... well, let's just say that I'm very pleased that I get 20% discount.

I was so glad to see that Stampin' Up! were right on trend with the hexagons, so the Six-Sided Sampler bundle quickly made it's way to the top of my (very long) wish list. Bundles are a really good way to save a little bit of extra money - 15% to be precise. Being able to get coordinating products with an extra discount is always a treat. I decided to make a crafty bundle of my own:

 

 

My colour scheme is Smoky Slate and Soft Sky, which are two gorgeous new colours in our main colour families. I think I have found a new favourite combination! I am also really pleased that they have refreshed the patterns in the Designer Series Paper stacks. I love the chevrons, but am glad there is still a polka dot option as well. 

I used the hexagon punch to create the flagged ends of the DSP strips AND the chevrons on the card - not my idea sadly, and I can't seem to find the right blog again to give credit to the clever person who came up with this. It really does show you that one punch can be very versatile indeed.

 

 

The gift box is one my lovely upline, Michelle Last, did as a make and take at a team training ages and ages ago. I'd forgotten it, but luckily I never seem to be able to throw anything away (crafters' curse perhaps?) and I found a crumpled template that I was able to salvage. It's just the right size for 4 of the little 3"x3" gift cards (which fit the white square envelopes in the catalogue). Check back tomorrow and I'll have a tutorial for you!

Stamp Sets:	Six-Sided Sampler
Cardstock:	Smoky Slate, Soft Sky, Whisper White
Ink:	Smoky Slate, Soft Sky
Tools:	Hexagon Punch
Finishing Touch:	Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Do keep on hopping - next stop is Nicky!