Sweet Treats | Be Inspired Design Team Blog Hop

Hi. It's time for another Be Inspired Design Team Blog Hop and this month is all about sweet treats. 

While it's only October I'm already thinking about Christmas baking. Each year I like to have my gifts purchased and wrapped by the end of November and then December is all about the the sweet treats like cookies, caramels, cupcakes, fruit cake and gingerbread. However, there's nothing that makes me think of Christmas more than plum pudding.

I can see myself using this cute lil' pudding from the Sweets & Treats stamp set over and over again. The open line image means it's perfect for colouring and even though there is no coordinating die, it really isn't too tricky to fussy cut. When creating this project I wanted to create something that I could recreate in bulk so I've kept the design relatively simple. However, when it came to adding the patterned paper strips to both sides of the centre panel I wasn't happy with the options in my stash of DSP and instead opted to create my own by using the spots mask from the Basic Pattern Decorative Masks and a blending brush to create a Real Red spot pattern. 

Next up in the hop is Janneke Dijkstra de Jong. I'm sure she has something stunning to share with us

 Be Inspired Design Team Blog Roll

 

Tanya Rees (You are here)

Janneke Dijkstra de Jong

Carolynn Sander

Brian King

Emma Goddard

Jennifer Picard

CASE the Mini Catalogue | Let's Get Hopping #45

Hello everyone and welcome to another Let's Get Hopping blog hop. It's hard to believe that it's already been a month since our last hop. This month the team are CASEing the July - December Mini Catalogue and with so many a-maz-ing projects in this catalogue I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone has created for this hop. For those of you who are not familiar with the term CASEing (or CASE which stands for Copy And Selectively Edit) and it means to take inspiration from a project, be that the layout, colour combo, or the way a technique is used, to create your own project. Often when I'm feeling creatively blocked I will pull out an old Stampin' Up! catalogue and pick a sample project to CASE to get the creative juices flowing. 

Given that a large portion of the products in this Mini are Christmas themed I felt compelled to create a Christmas card but I chose to use the Tidings of Christmas suite of products from the Annual Catalogue as I've been hanging out to have a play with them. Below is the card I chose to CASE from page 13 of the Mini and as it was the layout of the card that really appealed to me, it became the basis for my card. 

Instead of snowflakes I've used the stars from the Christmas Trimmings Dies and the I've opted for a richer colour combo inspired from the Tidings of Christmas DSP that I've used in place of Pearlescent Speciality Paper panels. I've also added an embossed panel of Soft Succulent to add a little more texture.

Next up in the hop is Megan Teare from New Zealand, I'm certain that she has something fabulous to share with us. 

 

Gift Box Tags | Let's Get Hopping

Welcome everyone to another Let's Get Hopping Blog Hop. The festive season is fast approaching and it's got myself and the rest of the Let's Get Hopping team thinking about gifts. I really enjoy using my Stampin' Up! supplies to create gifts and gift packaging, it's my way of adding a little some special to a gift. If you have been following me for a while you may recall I also enjoy baking and baked treats are my go-to gift for my children's' amazing school teachers each year. This year the kids thought cupcakes would be the perfect treat so today I'm sharing the embellished cupcake boxes that are ready to be filled with some delicious cupcakes at the end of the school year.

The patterned papers from the Trimming the Town DSP are the perfect base for a belly band and I used the Wreath Builder dies to create this Granny Apple Green wreath. With the addition of a couple of ornaments and a sentiment from the Tag Buffet and a little gold thread the belly band is complete. 

Next up in the hop is my friend Alicia Yap, who has just announced that she is going to be part of the Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team for 2021. When you hop over to her blog be sure to leave her a little congratulations in the comments.

 

Tag Buffet | TGIF Challenge #289

 

It's Friday and time for another Colour Challenge with the TGIF crew.

This combo of Garden Green, Merry Merlot and Crushed Curry reminds me of Christmas, more specifically my favourite ornaments that used to hang on my grandparents christmas tree, so of course I chose the Tag Buffet stamp set for this project.

 Make sure you head to the TGIF Challenge blog to see what the rest of the team have created and why not play along as well. We'd love to see what you create with this combo. 

Festive Flowers | #TGIFC 281 Sketch Challenge

Ooops!! I have a confession to make. I thought I was so organised with my TGIF challenge project this week and then realised last night that I forgot my blog post. So here it is, just a couple of days late. This week the TGIF challenge is a sketch challenge and I love this sketch.

The rectangle detail in this sketch immediately inspired me to use panels of DSP as the focal point and I have been looking for a way to use this gorgeous poinsettia pattern from the Flowers For Every Season DSP pack. To add some extra detail I've die cut the panels with the Stitched Rectangle Dies.

As you can see I've played with the sketch a little and flipped it, and then added a simple sentiment panel and a little metallic edge ribbon. By keeping this card simple it is a great design to recreate in bulk for Christmas. 

Thanks for joining me today. To check out what the rest of the gang at TGIF Challenges have done with this sketch and to join in with the challenge pop over to the blog here.

- Tan xx 

Gingham Christmas | #TGIFC 277 Sketch Challenge

 

Whoop whoop!!! It's Friday again and I'm back playing along with another TGIF Challenge. This weeks challenge is a sketch challenge.

And here is my take on the sketch

When creating this card I used the scallop dies from the Budding Blooms Dies to create two scalloped slits and then die cut the word "Happy" in the centre with the Playful Alphabet Dies. Initially wanted to insert a Magenta Madness water coloured panel beneath the "Happy", but try as I might I just could make the concept work and instead I substituted the water colour panel with a piece of gingham patterned DSP from the Heartwarming Hugs Designer Series Paper pack. I then added a bauble and holly sprig from the Tag Buffet Stamp Set and the word "Christmas" from Peace & Joy. I think my favourite parts of this card, though, is the pops of Magenta Madness, don't they look great with the Mossy Meadow and Whisper White?

Thank you for joining me again today. If you haven't already, make sure you pop over to the TGIF Challenge blog to see what the rest of the team have come up with for this challenge.

- Tan xx 

Playing Favourites | Stamping Sunday

 

It's Stamping Sunday time again, welcome back. This month the team are sharing projects created with their favourite product from the Stampin' Up! 2020 August - December Mini Catalogue. I have to say picking a favourite from this catalogue is not an easy task, there are so many fabulous goodies to choose from, however it is hard to go past the Peace & Joy bundle.

With a combination of big bold words, little block sentiments and a selection of leaves and berries, the Peace & Joy stamp set is great for creating some simple card but add the Joy Dies and the fun you can have with this bundle goes to a whole new level. To demonstrate the versatility of the bundle I have created three cards, each one a stepped up version of the last.

Using just stamps, ink and paper this first card is perfect for the Beginner Stamper. The colour combo was been inspired by the new Heartwarming Hugs Designer Series Paper, which includes this gorgeous stripe pattern that I've used in the background of each of my cards.

Stepping up this next card to the Casual Stamper level, I've added some texture and dimension with fussy cut holly leaves and berries, some frayed red linen trim and clear heat embossing on the words 'Peace' and 'Joy'.

Finally I have taken this last card to the Avid Crafter level with die cut words from the Joy Dies, a second panel of coordinating DSP and some Gold Glimmer Enamel dots, coloured with blends as berries.

Thanks for joining me today. To see more Mini Catalogue inspiration be sure to check out what the rest of the team have created

- Tan xx

Christmas In July | Let's Get Hopping #33

Hello everyone and welcome to another Let's Get Hopping blog hop. This month's theme is Christmas in July and with the new Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue about to be made available to customers on 4th August I though this was a perfect opportunity to share a sneak peek of a few new items I have picked up in the demonstrator pre-order

 

 

If you are someone who loves to use rich greens and reds for your Christmas projects you are going to love the 'Tis The Season Designer Series Paper stack that I have taken the background DSP from. Honestly I could have used almost any of the patterns from this particular DSP stack to complete this card. The images and sentiment for this card have come from the new Wishes & Wonder stamp set and I've also used the coordinating North Pole Wonder Dies to die cut the sleigh, the seal and the tag. 

Since I had a bit of time up my sleeve when I was creating this project I decided to add a few extra little touches of detail. Here in this close up you can see I've stamped a mistletoe image in second generation Sahara Sand on the tag so it's just peeking out from behind of the North Pole seal and I've also added a light splatter of gold heat embossing to the background. To achieve the gold heat embossing splatter I first used a Stampin' Write Marker in Sahara Sand to add I light splatter of ink to the DSP and I then quickly added some Gold Stampin' Emboss powder to the ink splatters and heat set it with my Heat Tool.

Well I hope you enjoyed my first Christmas themed project for this year. Next up in the hop is my friend Alicia Yap from New Zealand. I'm looking forward to seeing what festive themed project she has created for us. 

If, like me, you are excited to see more of what's in the new Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue then you may be interested in joining myself and the lovely Mikaela Titheridge in our Mini Catalogue online launch party on Saturday 8th August. 

Mikaela and I are sharing a half day event including four exclusive Facebook Live Classes, complete with PDF Tutorials and two make & take videos

Since this event is virtual, we are offering to not only our customers but Stampin' Up! enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you’re an active Demonstrator already and/or live in other markets that Stampin’ Up! sell to, we would love to have you join us with our Online Access Only option. You won’t receive a copy of the Catalogue or Make & Take packets but you can still join in the fun with access to all of the Live Presentations and tutorials throughout the course of the day.

Follow the link below to register for the Online Access Only option. We'd love for you to join us.

https://eventsandmore.thecraftyoinkpen.co.uk/product/online-mini-catalogue-launch-party-aug-2020/

Thanks for joining me today. Happy Stamping

- Tan xx

Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team Blog Hop - Tags, Tags, Tags & Tiny Keepsakes

Welcome to the final Stampin' Up! Artisan Blog hop for 2018!  Wow!!  What an amazing year it has been. I feel so blessed to have had this wonderful experience and I'm a deeply thankful for the beautiful friendships that I've gained in this group of incredibly talented artists.

Today I am featuring the Tags, Tags, Tags bundle and what could be more appropriate than creating some tags, tags and more tags.

Making tags is one of my favourite Christmas crafting activities and creating these was no exception. For these tags I started with the tag base. The striped and buffalo check stamps from the the Tiny Keepsakes bundle are awesome for creating background on tags.

   
My aim for creating these tags was to create a set with three different tag designs, one for each of the three Christmas themed images in the Tags, Tags, Tags stamp set. Creating cohesive sets of cards or tags can often be tricky but I've found if you stick to the same "recipe" for each design it's hard to go wrong. In this case each of the tags feature the same colour combo of Real Red, Granny Apple Green, Pool Party and Whisper White. They all have a similar layout of a focal point tag with a layer of either ribbon or another tag adhered to the tag base and each design features a little embellishment (rhinestones, pearl or fussy cut birds).

  

 Since these particular tags were for someone else I decided to package them in a gift box. Don't they look pretty all tied up with a bow?

Since this is my last Artisan posted I wanted to say a HUGE thank you for all you love and support over the last year, it really has meant so much to me. I've absolutely loved sharing my time on the Artisan Design Team with you all. Don't fret though, I'm not going anywhere and I hope you will still follow me on my crafting journey.

However with every ending there is a new beginning so now I'd love to take a moment to introduce the new Artisan team for 2020! I'm so happy for all these amazing designers and I know they're going to have a wonderful year together.

2020 Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team

Caroline van der Straaten

Emma Goddard

Helene den Breejen

Jan Clothier

Lauren Alarid

Leah Fedynak

Manuela Geiswinkler

Marine Wiplier

Martha Groger

Martin Stone

Narelle Farrugia

NinaWaldschmidt

Rochelle Blok

Stesha Bloodhart

Tammy Wilson

Zsuzsanna Balazs

Next up in the hop in my beautiful friend, Angela Meiritz-Reid from Christchurch New Zealand. You are going to adore the cute little projects she has created.

Thanks joining me

- Tan xx

Feeling Festive | Be Inspired Blog Hop

Hello everyone and welcome back to another Be Inspired Blog Hop. This month we are all "Feeling Festive" and are sharing projects inspired that theme.  

At the moment I am about half way through creating Christmas cards to give my family and friends so my craft room definitely has a festive feeling to it and today I'm sharing one of the cards that I reproduced several times in a recent crafting session.

When it comes to Christmas cards I usually like to create cards that have several layers and elements but are not too complex to be reproduced multiple times. For this card I started with the Toile Tidings DSP, added an embossed panel of cardstock, a die cut branch from the Toile Christmas stamp set and a heat embossed fussy cut sentiment from the Tidings All Around stamp set. To add some bling and texture I finished the card off with some linen thread, sliver glimmer paper and a little ribbon.

One of the things I love about Stampin' Up Christmas products is often you'll find the sentiments in the stamp sets are words from Christmas carols and when I'm using them I'll often catch myself humming or singing carols whilst I craft. In this case I couldn't help but start singing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" while making this card, and what better way to get you feeling festive that singing carols and crafting? 

I should note that I particularly enjoy fussy cutting but if it's not your cup of tea the sentiment would be just as stunning on a die cut or punch out or a simple banner. 

That's all from me today, as I still have many more cards to make but if you are keen for some more "Feeling Festive" inspiration be sure to click the next button and check out what Janneke Dijkstra de Jong has created for us. 

Be Inspired Design Team Blog Roll

Tanya Rees (You are here)

Janneke Dijkstra de Jong

Jackie Aitken

Cathy Caines

Manuela Geiswinkler

Carolynn Sander

Emma Goddard

Stesha Bloodhart

Angela Meiritz-Reid

Slider Card | Let's Get Hopping #26

Welcome back to the last Let's Get Hopping for 2019. This month we are all sharing Fun Fold or Interactive cards and I have created a Slider card to share with you today.

This fun slider card is the same size as a standard card so will easily fit inside an envelope. However, unlike a standard card it does not open for a greeting to be written on the inside. Instead, when you gently pull on the ribbon at the top of the card, a panel will slide out with space for you to write a greeting. 

The fun part of this card is when you pull the tab out, the wreath portion of the card also slides up revealing a sentiment and the cute little Jingle Bells add a fun jiggling noise as the card slides open. 

Thanks for joining me today. Next up in the hop is my beautiful amazingly talented friend Nina McMillan. I cannot wait to see what she has created.

- Tan

Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team Blog Hop - Toile Tidings

Hello everyone and welcome to another Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team Blog Hop. Well there's no denying that Christmas is fast approaching and this month we are showering you in red and green with the Toile Tidings Suite from the 2019 Holiday Catalogue.

The traditional vintage feel of this suite is very different to what I'm normally drawn to for Christmas craft but once I got my hands on the products in the suite it didn't take me long to be flooded with inspiration. For these particular projects I really wanted to find a way to showcase the beautiful Toile Tidings Designer Series Paper, however I changed the monochrome feel of the paper by colouring a sheet of the leaves and berries patterned paper with Stampin' Blends. Isn't it amazing how you can achieve a completely different look simply by adding a little colouring.

For this card I used my custom DSP as a background for a couple of die cut wreaths in Granny Apple Green and Garden Green and a contrasting black banner with a white embossed sentiment. The addition of some Gold Glimmer paper, Gold foil "swishes", Real Red Ruched Ribbon and some rhinestone "berries" take the card up a notch to something extra special.

Once I had finished my card and saw how well my custom DSP went with gold the next obvious step was to decorate a Gold Mini Pizza box to be used a gift packaging. Since I wanted to use the beautifully wide Real Red Ruched Ribbon to tie a bow around the box I needed to keep the other elements to a minimum so I simply added a couple of gold glimmer leaves, the white embossed sentiment on a Stitched Shape circle and a fun gold Jingle Bell tied on with some Linen Thread

For me gift tags are an essential part of Christmas preparations so of course I had to create a few coordinating gift tags to use with the Toile Tiding Gift Wrap. What do you think? Doesn't this gift look just too pretty to unwrap? 

Next up in the hop is my beautiful Kiwi friend Angela Meiritz-Reid, who has some gorgeous gift packaging to share with you all. 

Thank you for stopping by. 

- Tan xx

Supplies used

Stamps: Toile Christmas
Card: Garden Green, Granny Apple Green, Basic Black, Very Vanilla Gold Glimmer Paper, Gold Foil Paper, Vellum, Toile Tidings DSP, Toile Tidings Gift Wrap

Ink: Versamark,
Accessories & Tools: All-Around Wreath Dies, Christmas Cardinal Dies, Stitched Shapes Dies, White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Light Granny Apple Green Blend, Dark Real Red Blend, Dark Crumb Cake Blend, Holiday Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Real Red Ruched Ribbon, Jingle Bells, Gold Mini Pizza Boxes, Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, Gold Glitter Enamel Dots, Gold ¼” Glimmer Ribbon, Linen Thread