Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Catherine Carroll

New Annual Catalogue

It's finally here - our new 2013-14 Annual Catalogue!

There are so many inspiring projects to CASE, and I love the way they have used fonts and colours throughout the catalogue. To get your very own copy, just email me!

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have looked at the back page and seen... MDS! Yes, My Digital Studio is going to be available in the UK. We don't have a launch date, but demonstrators have been able to download it to have a go. It is so easy to use and I am really looking forward to sharing ideas and techniques with you.

Stampin' Up! are really spoiling us this month. Not only do we have a new Best of set, "Best of Butterflies", but they've also taken 25% off some gorgeous greetings sets.

On offer are Sassy Salutations, Sweet Essentials and Petite Pairs at an amazing 25% discount. But be quick - this offer is only valid during July.

 

 

 

 

Hello, Hello Single Stamps!

I never thought we would get these stamps and have been very jealous of the US demonstrators... but there are now some special single stamps available for purchase! I think my favourite of the lot is Hello, Hello, but I am sure I will find reasons to buy and use the whole collection. You can download the single stamps information here.

The challenge over at "Less is More" this week is a colour challenge, and we have to take inspiration from the colour of our front door. Now, I would never use less is more to describe my style, and seeing as I don't particularly like the colour my door is painted this was really a challenge for me! It's painted dark blue, and Night of Navy seemed to be the closest colour. The inside is definitely Very Vanilla, so that gave me my colour combination. Here's what I came up with:

What do you think? The paper piercing around the window frame cut-out is not very clear, but my poor photography skills are to blame for that. I think I have still got a lot to learn about that, and about clean and simple stamping! I really had to hold back from reaching for my ribbon...

Stamp Sets:	Hello, Hello (132675)
Cardstock:	Night of Navy, Very Vanilla
Ink:	Night of Navy
Tools:	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Window Frames Collection Framelits, Paper-Piercing Tool
Finishing Touch:	Pearl Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

 

 

 

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!