Beginner, Casual or Avid?

Did you know that as Stampin'Up! demos we are encouraged to demonstrate projects that appeal to - and are achievable by - not just seasoned stampers, but beginner crafters too? I love watching people stamp for the first time, and the smile that accompanies that sense of achievement when they have made something they are proud of.

All these cards below area made to the same basic design - three strips of DSP, a matted picture panel, and a stamped greeting. This basic design is lovely - clean lines, and very achievable. But by adding just a few more elements to it, we have a mid-level and then a fancier card, just by adding in an extra technique or embellishment. Working through the different levels like this made me realise how easy it actually is to step up a basic card, so everyone can make something with a real wow factor.

Swishy Swirly

I love all things Stampin'Up!, but I do like to use other techniques as well. These cards were all made using some card I marbled back in the summer: I got around to adhering them to cards as a mat layer, but didn't get any further than that!

Like the watercolour cards from my recent post, I think these work best with the design kept simple, because the marbling itself is a nice feature. I think it works better on some of these than others, but I keep changing my mind about which works best, so maybe I can draw the conclusion that they're all at least OK!

Ring o' Rainbow

How pretty is this wreath arrangement? This is made using the foliage spray from Soft Spring, and once I'd tried it a few times I got the hang of lining it up to make a circle, and I'm so pleased I took the time to get it right. I love the autumnal colours, but I have to say that the rainbow wreath edges it for me - no surprise there, then 😂

 

Keeping It Simple

I'm trying to clear the decks a bit in terms of some of the hoarded materials I have stashed away, so I started working through a pack of watercolour notecards. I've kept these simple, because I love the watercolour effect, and I really don't think they need much more than a motif and a greeting to look really pretty. I'm looking forward to doing a few more of these!

Getting Organised

I've been making drawers. I've been playing with the thick backing card that comes with the DSP packs a lot recently, mostly making albums and other small gifts, so I thought I'd have a go at drawers. We've recently had a new TV, and needed some small storage bits to go underneath it, because the gap is slightly smaller than the gap under the old TV.

 

Typical Badger, though: I didn't like them there, so moved them over to the dresser, where they have become a much better storage solution than the ancient desktop organiser we had there already.

And I've made some more, individual boxes to go under the TV. The only downside is that I've used all my Crumb Cake card... ah well, that's easily remedied, as I need to put in my pre-order for the Spring/Summer catalogue anyway - what an excuse, eh?

Christmas Post (It)

Coming up to Christmas it can help to have some ideas for stocking stuffers and Secret Santas, and this is one such idea. This little book is made from scratch and holds enough post it notes to keep even the most scheduled of people happy for at least a couple of months! I've personalised this one with an initial, but you could add any kind of decoration, and there is room inside to add a plain piece of card with a special message on it as well.

Punching for the Stars

This is another make from Julie Wade's retreat - this 3D star is made from punched baubles, and it's so pretty! I plan to make a lot more of these to decorate gifts this Christmas, and I might also make one for the top of the Christmas Tree, because a certain small Cub has been bemoaning the fact that we don't have a "proper" star at present. It might be fun to suprise him with one when we put the tree up 💚🦡⭐🎄💚