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Monday, 31 August 2026

Autumn Serenade....

Happy Monday...

As we begin a new week, it's time for another Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week, we challenge you to GET IN SHAPE and create anything but a square or rectangular project.

With this in mind, I went to my favourite shape, a circle and used products from Sizzix and Tim Holtz to make a card to celebrate the start of Autumn/Fall. I also used a product that I bought a while ago but haven't used until today, the Sizzix Stamp and Spin Accessory Tool, which is so much fun and I can highly recommend if you love pattern building.

So, let's get started, it's time to get into shape....

CARD BLANK

To begin with I created my card blank, and cut two circles of black card, 16.5cm in diameter. I used a WR Makers Circle Cutter that I bought a while back and is still available to buy from stockists, but you can also cut these circles freehand by drawing around a circular object.

I scored a line across the top section of one piece of card, approx 5cm from the top, folded along the scoreline and then, applied adhesive to the area above the scoreline before attaching this piece to the second circle to form my card blank.

LAYERS

To form the base for my final layer, I cut further circles of card. I began with the largest, a circle of Kraft card which I machine stitched to add a border around the edge.

I then cut a 14.5cm circle of black card, followed by a layer of cream card, inked with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. Each layer is reduced in size by 0.5cm to form a border.

Once I had my card base, it was time to create the wreath design and central focal point...

BACKGROUND

For the background, I used the Sizzix Stamp and Spin Accessory Tool to create my circular wreath.

As I mentioned at the beginning if you circles and you love pattern building, then this tool is a must but, and please be aware of this, you do need to use this product in conjunction with the Sizzix Stamp and Stencil Tool ~ it will not work without.

I began by using a piece of Distress Watercolour card which I placed inside the Stamp and Stencil Tool. For the background, I used stamps from the Stampers Anonymous Leaf Print 2 and Floral Outlines Stamp sets, both by Tim Holtz. I positioned one of the smaller leaf print stamps onto the Stamp and Spin Tool, and inked this with Antique Linen Distress Ink. The finished card panel, is approx 14cm, so be aware to keep the stamping within this diameter.

Stamp the first image onto the watercolour card, and then re-ink the stamp and spin the tool, repeating the stamped image to form the circle.

The reason I stamped the image with a pale ink, is because it is giving you the basic shape for the wreath and acts as a guide for when I add the second layer of leaves.

After selecting some of the stamps from the Floral Elements stamp set and using one stamp at a time, I positioned the chosen stamps onto the stamp and spin tool but this time, I stamped the images using various autumnal colours of Distress Inks, inking up the stamps and then spritzing with a light mist of water and stamping the image onto the card, spinning the tool to create the wreath.

Once I was happy with background, I used the largest of the SSS Basic Shape Circles Die Set to die cut the card shape and machine stitched a border around the edge.

You now have the background and place this to one side to create the next layer.

Using the standalone Stamp and Stencil Tool and the same leaf image from the Leaf Print 2 stamp set, stamp 8 leaves onto Distress Watercolour Card.

To create the watercolour effect, I used the following Mini Distress Inks:

Peeled Paint, Crackling Campfire, Seedless Preserves, Rusty Hinge, Wild Honey

I applied the inks to the stamps and then misted the ink with water, before stamping them onto the card.

I then used the SSS Leaf Print 2 Co-ordinating Die set to die cut each image.

After lightly inking the edges of each leaf with Old Paper Distress Ink, I added foam pads to the back and attached them onto my background, using the paler stamped outline, that I did at the beginning as a guide as to where to place them.

CENTRAL LAYERS

For the central layers, I used a combination of Basic Circle Shapes and Stitched Circles to cut and build up my card layers, which I attached with foam pads to the centre of the wreath. The card layers comprise of gold metallic Kraft card, a layer of green Kraft card and watercolour card, inked with Antique Linen Distress Ink.

I then added my Funky Insect, the beetle, which I attached to the centre of the circles, placing it over the top of some frayed Mummy Cloth and a small off cut of a Mica Tile from my own stash.

For the tutorial of how I used Distress Embossing Glaze and the colours that are needed to create this funky insect, just click HERE.

For the finishing touches, I used a remnant rub, no.761, taken from the Specimen Remnant Rub set and added this to the leaf in the centre, at the bottom of the circle....

....and finally, I attached some Hardware Heads around the outside edge of the layered circles, which I altered with Crackling Campfire, Black Soot and Antiqued Bronze Distress Paints, to create more of a rusty finish to the metal.

So that's my project complete and I hope you love the tips and techniques I've used to create it.

As always, if you make anything, or if you've been inspired by anything that you've seen here on my blog ~ then please, let me know by tagging me on social media or leaving a comment here and I will be right over to take a look!

Don't forget that every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $25 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until next Monday at 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today...

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

SSS/Tim Holtz Stamps and Dies Bundles: Leaf Prints 2

Stampers Anonymous: Floral Elements

Sizzix: Big Shot, Stamp and Spin Accessory Tool, Stamp and Stencil Tool, Funky Insects

Distress Ink: Walnut Stain, Peeled Paint, Crackling Campfire, Seedless Preserves, Rusty Hinge, Wild Honey

Distress Paints: Crackling Campfire, Black Soot and Antiqued Bronze

Distress Embossing Glaze

Tim Holtz idea-ology: Specimen Remnant Rubs, Screw Heads, Mummy cloth

SSS: Basic Shapes Circle Dies, Stitched Circles

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Foam Pads

Surfaces: Watercolour Card, Mixed Media Heavystock Card, Metallic Kraft Classics, Tim Holtz Cool Kraft Stash, Black Card

Glass Media Mat

Heat Gun

Mica Tile

Monday, 3 August 2026

Sweet Little Sixteen...

Hello friends and welcome to the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. This week, we challenge you to create a project to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY because we're celebrating Simon Says Stamp's 16th Birthday and the DT are showcasing the products of PaperArtsy.

For my make, I created a card that uses PaperArtsy Infusions to make a background for a very special delivery from Theodore the Bear.

So, let's get started, it's time to say Happy Birthday and make a card!

To begin with I created a card measuring 13.5 x 19cm tent fold card blank using white card.

CARD LAYERS

This card has multiple layers to frame the focal point, and to begin with I cut a panel of Watercolour Distress Card, 11.5 x 17cm and a second piece measuring 8.7 x 13cm. I lightly misted the card with water and then sprinkled the PaperArtsy Infusions over the card, focusing on the centre of each piece and leaving white space at the top and bottom.

I misted more water to start blending the powder ~ Infusions are water soluble particles with a dye colour pigment and all you need to do is use the smallest amount, less is more!

Between each layer, I tend to heat dry and once the first layer was dry, I then spritzed droplets of water across the card, and added some more of the Infusions ~ The Sage and Sleight Blue. If you feel there's too much colour, just dab some away with a towel but I just kept going until I achieved the desired effect.

After heat drying the cardstock, I added some random stamping to the larger panel, using the Seth Apter/Paperartsy cling stamp, sam 033 inked with Black Soot Archival Ink and then machine stitched a border around each panel.

Put the smaller panel to one side whilst we add the first layers to the card blank.

Matt the larger panel onto a piece of storm cloud cardstock and then mount onto the centre of the card blank.

After adding some stamping to the smaller panel, the "Special Delivery' stamped in Fired Brick Archival Ink, across the bottom of the panel and the 'Received" stamp mark in Black Soot Archival in the top left hand corner...

...both stamps are from the Stampers Anonymous Correspondence stamp set, I matted the panel onto silver metallic Kraft card. I then use the AALL & Create Quirky Post Dies to cut another piece of the Cloud Blue cardstock, and then mounted the inky blue layered panel onto the die cut before attaching the layers to my covered card blank using foam pads.

I added small piece of Cello Sticker Tape to the small panel and the larger panel.

THEODORE

Now for Theodore who is delivering a birthday card inside an envelope, ready for the special day!!

I used the new released Mini Theodore from Tim Holtz and Sizzix and cut the pieces from inked Mixed Media Heavystock Card.

I used various shades of brown tones of Distress Spray Stain which I spritzed onto the card, misted with water to blend the colours and then once dry, I ran them through my die cutting machine.

I assembled Theodore to make the character and then added some white pen work to add highlights and on the bridge of his nose, I added a pair of glasses. The glasses are from the Mini Accessories Colorize die set.

I then placed Theodore onto the right hand side of my card using foam pads to add dimension.

THEODORE'S ACCESSORIES

The balloons are die cut using the Mini Accessories Colorize Die Set, and I cut them from inked Mixed Media Heavystock card that I had in my stash. I chose pink and yellow for this fun make, with gold metallic strings. I attached the balloons with foam pads.

I added a little bow tie to Theodore, again cut using dies from the Mini Accessories Die Set and card in my scrap box.

Finally, I added the oversized envelope and I cut a scrap of some of Tim's patterned paper, using the Tim Holtz/Sizzix Love Notes Sidekick Dies and Texture Fade Set.

After folding the die cut along the scorelines to create the envelope, I attached the flaps with glue and then placed a small piece of Cello Sticker Tape. Finally I added a Remnant Rub, "hello friend" to the envelope. I believe this is from a retired set of Remnant Rubs, so if you don't have it in your stash, then you can always handwrite the message.

I attached the envelope to Theodore's paw.

Finally, I added the quote that sits at the bottom of the card. This is a sticker from the Small Talk Snarky Sticker Book, and I thought it was perfect for this card. After all, Theodore is ready to party and it would be rude to not have cake.....

For the finishing touch, I added two Screw Heads to either Side of the Small Talk Sticker.

So that's my card complete and I hope you love the piece I've made because it was so much fun to create....

Don't forget that every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until next Monday at 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today...see you soon!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

PaperArtsy Infusions: In The Navy, The Sage, Sleight Blue

AALL & Create Quirky Post Dies

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Correspondence

Sizzix: Big Shot, Theodore Mini Colorize, Mini Accessories Colorize, Love Notes Sidekick Dies and Texture Fade Set

Distress Ink: Walnut Stain

Distress Watercolour Pencils

Distress Spray Stains: various shades of brown

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Screw Heads, Cello Stickers, Small Talk Snarky Sticker Book

Surfaces: Mixed Media Heavystock Card, Classic Metallic Kraft Stash, Distress Watercolour Card, Lawn Fawn Storm Cloud Card

Mediums and Adhesive: SSS Foam Squares, SSS Tape Runner, Black Soot Archival, Fired Brick Archival

Glass Media Mat

Paper Trimmer

Heat Gun

Monday, 6 July 2026

School Days...

Hello everyone and Happy Monday!

Can you believe how fast time is flying!?!? It's going so quickly and it's already that time of the week when we welcome a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. This week's theme is all about BACK TO SCHOOL and the DT are also showcasing the products of 49 & Market.

For my make, I created a card, and a matching gift box that was made using Tim Holtz dies from Sizzix and some beautiful products from 49 & Market. If you haven't checked out this company, then do it now and if you love all things vintage, then you definitely have to look for the Faded Memory Lane collection ~ it's a huge wow from me!

The set that I've made today can be used as a thank you card and gift for a teacher but the reason that I made this was because of a more personal memory. At the start of every school year, my Mom would always write me a note, just a little note of encouragement to tell me how proud she was of me and she would pop these notes in my school bag, or hand it to me on the first day of the new term.

I still have all those notes in a box ~ precious memories of a very special Mom!

So today, I thought I would make a set that can be used for the very same purpose because every kid needs encouragement and support from their parents and those few words will stay with them for life!

So, let's get started, it's time to create!

CARD

I made a 15 x 11.5cm card blank from brown cardstock and matted a layer of 14 x 10.5cm Kraft card, onto ivory card, leaving a narrow border around each layer to create the base.

I then used the largest of the AALL & Create Quirky Post Dies to die cut a piece of Mixed Media Heavystock Card. Once cut, I inked the edges of the card with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, and then smooshed Old Paper Distress Ink onto my craft mat, misted the ink with water and dipped the card into the inky droplets. Once happy with the colour, I heat dried the card and inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

This die set comes with a die that creates a matt that will fit perfectly inside the postage frame and I used this to cut a piece of the 49 & Market Faded Memory Lane paper. About 6 weeks ago, and knowing I had this challenge in my schedule, I bought the 6" x 8" paper pad from SSS but unfortunately this pad doesn't seem to be available any more, but they do have the 12" pack ~ so, this could be used but please bear in mind the images will be larger and your card measurements might need to be slightly adapted.

Anyway, back to my make and after cutting one of the papers from the smaller pack with the die, I inked the edges and then added some zig zag machine stitching around the edges. I matted the die cut panel onto a piece of grey cardstock before mounting the layers onto the postage stamp die cut and then using foam pads to attach the layers to my card blank.

Finally, I flicked some white acrylic paint across the surface of the card and allowed this to dry.

Now to create the ephemera layers which are all from 49 & Market. I began with a postage stamp layer from the Faded Memory Lane Ephemera Pack and then placed the clock from the Chipboard pack over the top. I then adhered these layers onto my card front using foam pads.

I added the 'special' ephemera strip down the side of the postage stamp, complete with a Cello Sticker Tape piece...

...and also the number 5 in the top left hand corner, complete with an idea-ology Tiny Clip.

TIME TO STAMPING

We're now ready for the hero of this card, the stamped image of those three little birdies.

This stamp is from the Stampers Anonymous Tiny Things Stamp set by Tim Holtz. I stamped the image onto watercolour card using Black Soot Archival Ink and coloured it with Distress Watercolour Pencils. Once dry, I used the co-ordinating die set to cut the image before inking the edges with Antique Linen Distress Ink.

I layered the birdies onto the centre of the chipboard clock using foam pads and adding a piece of Mummy Cloth that I dyed with Frayed Burlap Distress Spray Stain, and just placing this underneath to ground the stamped image and add some texture.

I then stamped the "Don't Forget To Fly" sentiment from the Tiny Text stamp set and once again, used the co-ordinating die set to cut a perfect banner that I placed onto my card with foam pads and adding it just underneath the birdies.

So that's my card made....now for the gift box!

PILLOW BOX

For the box, I cut a panel of the Faded Memory Lane paper. The quality of this paper is so good and it is a perfect weight for the construction of the box.

You need two separate die cuts to make this box and after folding along the scoreline, I adhered the pieces together to form the box. I then inked the edges before hand cutting a separate panel of paper from the pack which I attached to the front of my box. I also added machine stitching to this panel and added a Faded Memory Lane Ephemera piece in the top right hand corner, and a Mini Pin.

So that box will be sealed tightly, I used Crinkle Ribbon wrapped around it lengthways.

I cut a strip of the ribbon and then misted it with water before adding my colour, using Victorian Velvet and Antique Linen Distress Spray Stains. Scrunch the ribbon into a tight ball and allow to dry before wrapping it around the box and finishing it with a messy bow at the top.

For the topper on the box, I began by cutting a strip of paper from the pad, approx 1" in width and I wrapped this strip around the box to get the correct measurement and folds. You need the strip to be approx 1cm longer in length so that you will be able to attach the end to form the belly band.

Once I had the belly band in place and it slides nicely into position on the front of the box, I cut my topper.

For this I used the Sizzix Interchangeable Seal by Tim Holtz to cut a piece of metallic Kraft card stash but if you don't own this, any circular die will be fine for the job.

I then used the SSS Stitched Circle die to cut a piece of the Faded Memory Lane paper, which I matted in the centre of the seal before I attached the topper onto my belly band.

To complete the topper, I used the little bee from the Tiny Things Stamp Set. As with the birdies, I stamped this onto watercolour card and coloured it with Distress Watercolour Pencils before die cutting it with the co-ordinating stamp set.

Together with the stamped and die cut sentiment 'choose to shine', I attached my bee to the topper.