A grungy birthday…

Stampin' Up! UK male birthday card

I had to make a very special birthday card last week, for my wonderful Pops (Grandad) who turns 94 (I think) today! I really struggle to make cards for him, something masculine, not cheesy, classic, but unique. So this year I thought I’d go a bit grungy.

Stampin' Up! UK World Map grunge birthday card

I’ve tried something different with my photo set up again today, I’m not sure – but the photo had to be taken in a bit of a hurry before I posted it on its 270 mile journey on Friday – Yes, I know I should be more organised, but when it comes to making cards for Family, its often a bit last minute!

Anyway, back to the card. I used Shimmery White card stock on this one (not that you can tell in the photo!) I love this card stock, it has fine glitter sort of embedded into it for a soft, shimmery look – and its great for inky techniques or watercolour too! I need to add another pack onto my next order actually, I’m running out! Man, I’m waffly today! I love Lost Lagoon for men’s cards, and so stamped the World Map in Lost Lagoon onto Shimmery White card stock, before running it through my Big Shot with the Decorative Dots embossing folder.

Stampin' Up! UK male birthday card

I got all inky at this point, adding Mint Macaron, Lost Lagoon and Tip Top Taupe onto the card with Stampin’ Sponges. I’m not sure the Mint really added much, but it is there I promise!

The sentiment is taken from Guy Greetings, and is stamped in Tip Top Taupe onto another piece of Shimmery White card stock, then punched with the Extra Large Oval Punch. I sponged the edges with Lost Lagoon before attaching to the card over some loops of Linen thread.

What about you, do you struggle with men’s cards too? What’s your tactic?



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Hannah McCurley

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge #4

Stampin' Up! Uk Sketch Challenge Hello Card Cherry on Top

Stampin' Up! Sketch Challenge

Thank you for joining us for another Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge! We’re so excited to be sharing this hop with you.  The products used are all available in the current Annual, or seasonal, Stampin’ Up!® Catalogues*.  Simply use the buttons at the bottom of the post to keep hopping!

Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge Sketch 4

I love this sketch from Ania. I was sat looking at it one night, trying to work out how I was going to tackle it, when my lovely James turned to me and said “Have you not already made that one?” I was a bit confused, but he pointed out a gift I’ve been saving for one of my team members (I was supposed to have put this in the mail before this blog hope, but I’m waiting for some goodies that are going with it!)

Stampin' Up! UK Team Member gifts

So I made a card to coordinate with the gift bag and note pad I had already made!

Stampin' Up! Uk Sketch Challenge Hello Card Cherry on Top

The Designer Series Paper is from the Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper stack. I’ve actually only used one piece, as the circles show the print on the reverse of the chevron! The yellow strip is a piece of the coordinate Washi Tape too. I love Washi, and use it all the time in my planner, but it doesn’t find its way onto cards very often. I thought it made a great addition though, and provides the horizontal element suggested in the sketch.

The Hello is taken from Crazy About You, and is punched with the 1 1/4″ circle punch, and mounted on a 1 3/8″ circle of Bermuda Bay card stock

Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge Stampin' Up! Card

The note pad element of my Team gift is a jotter sized notepad, I have made a video tutorial previously showing how I do this. I love making covered note books, and will often give them as customer and team gifts.

Click the Next Blog button to hop on over to the Wonderful Amy’s blog…

Simply Sketched Next

Simply Sketched Previous



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Hannah McCurley

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

Way to go!

Stampin' Up! Way to go Congratulations card

I am trying really hard at the moment to send more cards. I love receiving handmade cards from other people, and would NEVER go and buy a birthday card, but I often forget to send ‘just because’ type cards. I love sending this type of ‘pick me up’ to friends, and have often send cards like this in the past, but some how have fallen out of the habit.

So when my wonderful up-line earned the 2017 Stampin’ Up! incentive trip a few weeks ago, I knew a card was in order
Stampin' Up! Way to go Congratulations card

I will admit to being a little sort of time recently, and Sam is well aware of my busy work/business/home schedule, so a quick and simple card was the order of the day.

The card features the ‘I Think You’re Great’ stamp set from the Annual catalogue, along with Gorgeous Grunge. I’m also trying to branch out with colour, so this card uses a new-to-me colour combination – Cherry Cobbler, Blushing Bride and Mint Macaron.

Saying the quick and simple was my aim, I still managed to add some fussy cutting to pop the sentiment off the front of the card.

I did get an email from Sam this week to say that this card, along with another card I made for her lovely mum and dad, arrived safely in Wales 🙂



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Hannah McCurley

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

Festival of Watercolour

Stampin' Up! UK Festival of Trees Watercolour

I’m a little bit in love with this card! I was sat brainstorming card designs last week and this card called out to me, check the video to see exactly how this card came together!

Stampin' Up! Uk Video Tutorial festival of trees

I’m still loving getting inky, and messy with my ink, water and stamps! and this card is no exception, using one of my favourite stamp sets of all time, with Stampin’ Write markers and my water spritzer

I realised when I went to do the voice over for this card that I had forgotten about the solid image stamp in this set. I had actually selected the stamp with spaces to add your baubles, which of course just filled in with ink and water once I had used my water spritzer! I did add some baubles to the trees though, using the dotty stamp with Versamark ink and Irredescent Ice embossing powder.

Stampin' Up! UK Festival of Trees Watercolour

The photos of course do not do this gorgeous embossing powder justice, I’m blaming the horrible storm and rain we were having when I was attempting to take these photos!



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Please support StampinByHannah, and join my Code Club, by using the Hostess code featured in the top right hand of my blog. For orders of over £150 please do not use this code, as you are entitled to your own Hostess benefits!

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Hannah McCurley

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

Sprinkles of Life Card Collection

Stampin' Up! UK Sprinkles of Life Cards

I have been sitting on these cards for a while, so long that when I went to blog about them last week I released that I had completely forgotten to photograph them!

Stampin' Up! UK Sprinkles of Life Card collection

Every now and again I love to make different sizes of shapes of card. Usually I stick to A6 cards (half an A4 folded in half) but these are 4 x 4″ squares.

I wanted to show off this wonderful stamp set, when I first got my hands on this one I knew I wanted to make a series of cards reflecting the seasons – so here they are, four cards for four seasons!

Stampin' Up! UK Sprinkles of Life Cards

The cards also use the latest In-Colours; Mint Macaron, Delightful Dijon, Cucumber Crush and Watermelon Wonder. Along with various Designer Series Papers.

The Winter card in the top left hand corner is Mint Macaron, and features a piece of the Pretty Petals Designer Series Paper stack. The great thing about this stamp set is the coordinating Tree Builder Punch, which helps you create great trees, clouds, rain drops, apples and flowers!

The Autumn card, in Delightful Dijon, features a piece of the Bohiemain Designer Series Paper, while the Spring and summer card both use the Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper stack.



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Please support StampinByHannah, and join my Code Club, by using the Hostess code featured in the top right hand of my blog. For orders of over £150 please do not use this code, as you are entitled to your own Hostess benefits!

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Hannah McCurley

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

There’s Snow Place Like Home….

Stampin' Up! UK Snow friends Penguin Watercolour

It’s no secret that I love watercolour techniques, and I’ve been at it again on this card. Actually the first time I made this card I managed to get the paper too wet, by adding far too many layers of watercolour and had to start again!

Stampin' Up! UK Snow friends Penguin Watercolour

Mr. Penguin was stamped in Archival Basic Black Ink onto Watercolour Paper. The new Archival inks are great for watercolour as they don’t react with water, meaning that the ink stays where you put it and doesn’t bleed. His feet and beak are coloured using a Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Write Marker.

I have mentioned before about how much I love Stampin’ Up!® for coordination; and this set is no exception as it comes bundled with matching framelits, making cutting out Mr. Penguin’s ear muffs, ice cream and bow tie a breeze!

My favourite bits of this card is the background. After I had Mr. Penguin stamped (but before he got dressed!) I masked him off with a piece of Post-it tape to protect him and created this watercolour background using Soft Sky ink. I put several layers of watercolour here, to create a textured effect. The floor is Tip Top Taupe. For extra texture I added some Wisteria Wonder splatters using the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set.



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Hannah McCurley

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

Watercolour Thank you

Stampin' Up! UK Watercolour Thank You mens card

This past few weeks have been completely crackers, between new jobs, On Stage Live, family stuff and keeping up with the blog, life has been pretty insane! But never too busy to say a great big Thank You to some of the most important people; you! (and some people that helped me along the way)

Stampin' Up! UK Watercolour Thank You mens card

I sent this card out last week following my amazing experience in Brussels. The wonderful Sam Hammond Donald threw us a wonderful evening off chat, food and wine on the Friday evening. We were joined by Sam’s lovely parents, and I send them this card to just say thanks for a lovely evening.

I LOVE spending time with other demonstrators, discussing crafty makes, business bits and just generally having a great time. The girls I met (some of them for the first time) in Brussels are true friends, that I am so excited to see again in Telford in April at the next Stampin’ Up!® On Stage event. You can join me at that event, just as about joining my group of Stampin’ Friends

The card uses two stamp sets; Gorgeous Grunge and Watercolour Thank You, and three colours of ink; Night of Navy, Mint Macaron and Pool Party.


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To purchase any of the items featured in my projects please use the links above. To join my team of Stampin’ Friends select ‘Join My Team’ or send me a message!

Please support StampinByHannah, and join my Code Club, by using the Hostess code featured in the top right hand of my blog. For orders of over £150 please do not use this code, as you are entitled to your own Hostess benefits!

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Hannah McCurley

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

Endless Birthday Wishes

Stampin' Up! UK Endless Birthday Wishes Cake Card

It was my mum’s birthday last week, I almost always buy my mum the same thing for her birthday. With it being close (-ish) to Christmas she doesn’t want much, but she always needs slippers by this point in the year – usually because she’s spent the summer mowing the lawn in her last pair! Mum also always wants the same pair, so about a week before the big day I pop off down to Marks and Spencers for the same slippers she had last year, usually in a different colour, but always the same style. This year, I called in to my Auntie’s in London on my way home for Brussels, and picked up Mum’s birthday present from her too – the matching Pyjamas!

Mum’s birthday card however, is always a tricky one for me. My mum appreciates the effort of a handmade card, but more than once has described my cards as dull. So now, I go all out to grab out my brightest coloured card stock, and fun stamps

Stampin' Up! UK Endless Birthday Wishes Cake Card

I will admit to pulling this stamp set off the shelf, and searching Pinterest before actually making anything. I love this colour combination; Pink Pirouette (although I think I grabbed my Blushing Bride pen by mistake when colouring the cake), Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay. It so bright and fun!

The stripes are a piece of Silver Designer Series Paper from the Neutrals paper stack, cut to 14.2 x 10 cm. With a matt of Whisper White (12.2 x 8 cm), stamped with the dotty stamp in the 3 colours. I’m trying really hard at the moment to use my stash of ribbon, and this card features a piece of Melon Mambo 1 cm Stitched Satin ribbon with knot tied in it. I attach ribbon to the back of card stock using Fast Fuse, and then add more Fast Fuse over the top to help stick the card stock down.

Stampin' Up! UK Endless Birthday Wishes Birthday card

My favourite part of the card is that lovely banner piece, Bermuda Bay and Whisper White. The cake is stamped in Basic Black and coloured using the Stampin’ Write markers.


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I will be closing this order on the 30th November 2015



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To purchase any of the items featured in my projects please use the links above. To join my team of Stampin’ Friends select ‘Join My Team’ or send me a message!

Please support StampinByHannah, and join my Code Club, by using the Hostess code featured in the top right hand of my blog. For orders of over £150 please do not use this code, as you are entitled to your own Hostess benefits!

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Hannah McCurley

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

Let it Snow!

Stampin' Up! UK Snowman card

I’m a little bit late with this weeks news – the Christmas retiring list has gone live! There are so many awesome stamps we are about to say Goodbye to, go and check out what is left!

I’m really hoping that there are some of these cute snowmen left for you, I love these and will be so sad to say see ya!

Stampin' Up! UK Snowman card

These are stamped in our new Archival Basic Black on Whisper White and die cut with the coordinating Framelits. This is one of the things I LOVE about Stampin’ Up!® – coordination – there is so many products that are either matching colours, or have a matching die or punch, or have coordinating fonts and images. Stampin’ Up!® make creativity easy, saving you time by ensuring that your projects are totally awesome!


Don’t forget to shop using the Code Club Code to receive some great FREE product!

EYHG9VNC

I will be closing this order on the 30th November 2015



Shop Now button-001Join my team button-001

To purchase any of the items featured in my projects please use the links above. To join my team of Stampin’ Friends select ‘Join My Team’ or send me a message!

Please support StampinByHannah, and join my Code Club, by using the Hostess code featured in the top right hand of my blog. For orders of over £150 please do not use this code, as you are entitled to your own Hostess benefits!

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Hannah McCurley

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

 

Crazy in Love

Stampin' Up! UK Valentines card

It’s never too early to start thinking about the next holiday, and although I’m in full Christmas mode now, I’ve started to plan things for Valentines (I wish I was always this organised, I’m sure I’ll still be panicking about a card 2 days before Valentines!)

Stampin' Up! UK Love You Crazy About You card

This simple 4 x 4″ card (4 x 8″ scored at 4″) is in Thick Whisper White. I’m loving the Gold Foil at the moment and a hint of gold just sets this card off. The sentiment is from Crazy About You, stamped in Melon Mambo and cut out into individual words, layered onto a heart of Pink Pirouette.

Stampin' Up! UK Valentines card

One of my most frequently used design tricks is the Magic of Threes – 3 of something, usually in a sort of triangle on the card. Here I have created a trio of trios – 3 little peals in a triangle, repeated 3 times

So cute!

Have you started thinking about events after Christmas yet?


 Don’t forget to shop using the Code Club Code to receive some great FREE product!

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I will be closing this order on the 30th November 2015



Shop Now button-001Join my team button-001

To purchase any of the items featured in my projects please use the links above. To join my team of Stampin’ Friends select ‘Join My Team’ or send me a message!

Please support StampinByHannah, and join my Code Club, by using the Hostess code featured in the top right hand of my blog. For orders of over £150 please do not use this code, as you are entitled to your own Hostess benefits!

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Hannah McCurley

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator