Flower Shop

Yesterday we talked about the different ways of using a flower punch, so today I thought I’d put my flower punching skills to good use and make a card!

Stampin Up! Flower shop

This card uses the Flower Shop stamp set from Stampin Up! along with the coordinating Pansy Punch. This combination requires some careful planning as the stamp and punch only line up one way. My suggestion, and the general consensus, is to punch a piece of scrap cardstock, turn the piece over and mark which end is the top and which is the bottom. Then you can lay this over your stamp, the stamp is the correct way round when the punch image fits over it perfectly, then mark which point of your stamp matches the bottom of the punch and make sure to always orientate it on your block this way round.

This time I stamped in Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight and Real Red, and used basic black to stamp the sentiment. Unfortunately, this stamp is from a now retiring hostess set, Simply Sketched, but any sentiment would work just as well. The flowers were then punched out using the Pansy Punch, before being layered onto the card, some flat and some on dimentionals. You could add more to this card, some jewels or pearls in the centre of the flowers, or heat embossing the sentiment, but sometimes something simple is just as good

Dont forget to check out the shop for other retiring items

Hannah Wilks

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

If you like the project, or any of the products used, would like a catalogue, or to join my team, please contact me, or click on the ‘Shop NOW’ button at the top of the page. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Google+, About.me, and Tumblr (Links in the sidebar)

Thank you for stopping by www.www.stampinbyhannah.co.uk today

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10 ways to use a flower punch

There are so many ways to use a simple flower punch (for more than just making flowers too)

1. Use the punch with the coordinating stamp set, the Stampin Up! Pansy Punch and Flower Shop Stamp set for example (beware with this combination though, they only fit one way!) creating a range of beautiful flat flowers in a wide variety of colours (providing you have the inks of course)1. Stamped and Punched Flower

2. cutting into the punched flower and curling the petals to create a dimensional flower, great for the fronts of cards and as decoration on boxes

3. punching out a series of flowers, either with the same punch or different ones, and stacking and crumpling them to create a 3D flower creation

3. 3D flower

4. Cut the all petals off, giving you heart shapes

4. Hearts

5. Cutting one petal out – butterflies anyone!

5. Butterflies

6. Stamped as in point 1. but then cut in half to look like bows great for flat projects

6. Presents

7. as clouds

8. Use those 3D flowers from 3. to create a table centrepiece   http://www.pinterest.com/pin/42150946482093490/ 

9. Vellum! who doesnt love a heat embossed vellum flower everyone once in a while

9. Vellum!

10. As closures on a box ……. tutorial coming soon

10. Flower Box

11. (Hold on, I though this was 10 ways….) 11. create a door wreath with those spare flower punches http://www.pinterest.com/pin/56224695317667973/ 

 

Hannah Wilks

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

If you like the project, or any of the products used, would like a catalogue, or to join my team, please contact me, or click on the ‘Shop NOW’ button at the top of the page. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Google+, About.me, and Tumblr (Links in the sidebar)

Thank you for stopping by www.www.stampinbyhannah.co.uk today

x

Card Making Basics – Tools

So I thought while we wait for my Stampin’ Up! starter kit to arrive and my online shop to go live I would start a series of posts around Card making basics, and where is the best place to start? tools? well it is now!

  1. paper trimmer – the Stampin Up! paper trimmer is my personal favourite because of its large cutting and measuring area and the fact that it can be changed from a basic trimmer into a rotatory cutter
  2. bone folder – I always though, a bone folder was a bone folder, I was wrong! there is just something about the Stampin Up! bone folder, either size or weight that makes a massive difference with burnishing score lines
  3. Simply Scored – I LOVE  THIS Tool! hands down my favourite tool from any craft company! I have yet to come across a project where I don’t use it; cards, boxes, bags, envelopes,
  4. stamps – don’t think I need to say much more about stamps really, love them, cant get enough!
  5. Punches – see stamps!
  6. Paper piercer – use it for everything, in particular getting the backing off that pesky sticky strip!
  7. Tweezers – use a basic pair (designed for eyebrows I do believe) to remove backing from tape, sticky strip, place jewels and pearls, hold items while embossing, I use my tweezers all the time
  8. Grid paper – very useful for lining up papers, measuring, ensuring stamps are straight etc. and stopping your desk from getting messy!
  9. Big shot! – so useful, admittedly can be done without, but fantastic for die-cutting and embossing. I would suggest that an embossing machine (the texture boutique is awesome) adds a special extra something to your cards and projects. Along the same vein, dies and embossing folders, I would suggest dies that match stamps, and simple embossing patterns such as dots and strips
  10. Stampin Scrub – hands down the best way to clean those intricate and detailed stamps. I will openly admit, for years I have used the cheapest baby wipes I could possibly find, but no longer. My stamps are finally clean!

 

While I’m here, don’t forget to check out my site at StampinUp.net :  http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinbyhannah

 

 

Hannah Wilks

Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator

If you like the project, or any of the products used, would like a catalogue, or to join my team, please contact me, or click on the ‘Shop NOW’ button at the top of the page. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Google+, About.me, and Tumblr (Links in the sidebar)

Thank you for stopping by www.www.stampinbyhannah.co.uk today

x

On my Desk

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These cards, created with the Me to You collection from Mothers day this year. Some of the papers in the 6×6 pad are very mothers day centric, however, there are also a nice selection of general use papers in lilac and teal, with hints of yellow and pink, perfect for feminine birthday cards.

New Beginnings!

Hello there!

I am now a registered Stampin Up! demonstrator in the UK! I am super excited to get started, watch this space for more information, projects, ideas, videos and offers in the very near future!

Yay!

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Storage Sundays

   Hello again folks! its that time of the week again, Storage solutions time!SAM_0319

This week I thought I’d let you know how I store my Washi tape.

SOCKER Plant pot IKEA The plant pot is galvanised to protect against corrosion.I picked up a few of these plant pots from IKEA, they are super cute, and great for storing stuff in (and putting plants in I suppose!), and they only cost 95p

I use this is a couple of places in my craft room, although I bought them specifically for Washi tape, they are also really useful for tools and pens too!

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Back again soon

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Thank you

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I love sending little thank you messages to people, and a simple thank you card is quick to put together.

I’ve used my Spellbinders dies here, Floral Ribbon threader and curved matting basics A, along with a Papermania Capsule collection in liquorice, sadly I believe this has been since discontinued. I am currently working my way through some of my crafty stash, using up older products before an exciting order of new shiny things arrives next week (hint hint).SAM_0338

The flowers on this card is super simple to put together too, a couple of 1 inch circles punched from white card stock, layered with some patterned paper flowers die cut using the same Spellbinders die set, crumpled and finished with a bit of bling.

I’ve also tried some paper piecing on this card. I dont use this technique very often, generally because Its a big of a faff if you (like me) dont have a guide or piecing ruler. I line up my normal ruler and piece and half centimetre intervals, the problem with this is that sometimes I go off at a bit of an odd angle, but hey its only card!

Buttons!

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I have recently discovered the joys of buttons! This was made all the easier by Hobbycraft, and their packs of 100g of buttons for £1! I’m trying not to spend a the moment, saving for some larger purchases (I’m very excited about what it soon to arrive), but such a stash of buttons for a pound I could not say no! There is a decent selection of colours and chose both within the packs, and of the packs themselves, I grabbed brights and basic black and white. All the buttons in the packs are different but of good quality (although I’m not sure they’d stand up to being worn on clothing). I had to quickly put this card together some of my favourites, and a simple birthday greeting, I stick my buttons on with Glossy Accents from Ranger (also available and hobbycraft)

Wedding Wednesday

SAM_0333With my wedding coming up in 2015, I am in full wedding stationary production; Save the dates, Invitations, Orders of Service, Place cards, Menus, Seating Plans, Favour boxes, and anything else I can possibly think of to make out of paper and card.

My Stationary is simple, double stamped punched heart, attached to a card with a peg (and a foam square and liquid glue) with a simple stamped title, and a printed insert.

SAM_0331The key to successful homemade wedding stationary is just that, keeping it simple. Depending on the number of guests you could have hundreds of each item to produce, and although in theory it is cheaper to make your own costs can quickly spiral when adding sparkly bits, ribbons, and fancy card stock.

The design also needs to be easy to mass produce, its a great activity to involve your bridesmaids in, but are they as crafty as you? No? then make sure its something they cant get wrong, or you could find yourself making everything again and the time leading up to the wedding is stressful enough without having to make hundreds of wedding favours.

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On My Desk

We recently got a cat, Freda, rescued from the local RSPCA centre.

I have been scrapbooking for a couple of years, both 12×12 pages and divided pages protector styles. I enjoy both, but 12×12 is what I do mostly, I reserve divided scrapbooking for specific events or trips where I want to get a lot of memory and photos scrapped quickly, and even then I supplement that with 12×12 pages. SAM_0282

So I wanted to document the new addition to our little family.  I have recently discovered the themed project life cards from Becky Higgins, and bought the girl pack (by local Hobbycraft didn’t have the cat one), and so decided the use 3×4 cards on my layout in a grid pattern. The other elements on the page come from a variety of sources, including printable journaling cards from various places, items from previous Studio Calico kits, sequins, stamps, washi tape, and letter stickers.

For my first 12×12 page in a while I’m quite pleased with it, the photo doesn’t really do it justice (that might be something to do with the rubbish lighting!)

Back soon with more from the craft desk

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