New Christmas Penny Black Designs

Yeah, I know "Christmas already!" I hear you scream. It'll loom up on us quick again this year. Penny Black have released some 'preview' designs before their big launch of a complete Christmas range later this month. The preview range consists of 4 wood mounted stamps and 2 clear sets.

I've whipped up a couple of samples from one of the clear sets - Have a Holly Jolly (code: 30-039)

This cat and mouse design is so comical and I'm sure a few of us can relate to cats climbing up our Christmas trees and causing havoc.

All colouring has been achieved by using marvy le plume pens and watercolouring with them to give shading and colour intensity. The baubles and star have been ehanced with prism glitter to give them the all important Christmas bling.

The cheeky little mouse in the corner of the card, underneath the tree, has been coloured in to co-ordinate with the Bazzill cardstock:


All the pen colours and materials used for this card and the 2 following cards, can be found on the Sir Stampalot gallery.

Again, coloured with marvy pens, here's another design from the same clear set. I've used the greeting from the set, along the bottom of the card and just used some very small Bazzill brads to add some embellishment - still all very clean and simple. Of course, no Christmas card would be complete without the glitter, so Mr Snowman has some on his hat trimmings (I think I over-did the rosy cheeks!!):

I love this little mouse, he's so sweet. I've used a brad to attach some felt snowflakes from Hero Arts to the card.

I've again used the greeting from the set but this time, I stamped out words at a time (cleaning in between) so that I could create a more square greeting for my card rather than a long line - I also missed out the 'holly' word to show you that you can be quite versatile with any phrase and play around with them to create the look that you want. Just don't forget to clean the stamp well after each impression.

I then tried to be clever and used the inverted corner punch on all 4 corners of the mouse focal point so that it followed the curve of the snowflake embellishment.

However, the inverted corner round was the wrong angle of curve and so I made a feature with some little black peeloff circle frames and dots instead. This was a pure accident as well, as I was using tweezers to pick our only the tiny black peeloff dot from inside the black circle frame but picked up both and the dot shifted to one side. I felt it looked quirky, liked the look of it and just went for it. Then repeated for all 4 corners.


There are another 2 designs in the set that I haven't used - yet!!


If you want a sneaky peek at some of the wood mounted designs from this new Penny Black Christmas preview, then click over to Brenda's blog - Floral Fantasies. Brenda's an inspiration to us all and has some wonderful artwork along with very meaningful/thoughtful daily doses of write up.

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Looking for a new challenge? Then go over and check out Dotty Divas. A brand new challenge blog based on ideas from adverts you see. Unfortunately the closing date for their design team has recently closed but there's heaps of potential for taking part and winning some stash. who can resist!! We are proudly sponsoring this challenge blog and I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone's creations.

Happy Crafting!
- Janice

Chris' Creations

Some of you may recall a post back along where I introduced Chris, who demo'ed for us at the Harrogate show earlier this year (and did a fantastic job). Well, Chris is a regular tutor here at Sir Stampalot and contributes some amazing artwork for shop and show samples.

Here's a superb example of what Chris designs:

This card incorporates one of the latest designs from Hero Arts (Be Yourself).

The inkpad colours used are Jumbo Java and Red Brick by Versamagic:

Even the inside is well laid out and each section could be used as a card front in itself:

The lovely glittery red patterned paper is by My Mind's Eye, stamped greeting is by Whipper Snapper.

And intricate cutting of this foliage stamp design (keep the curved shape of the leaves by adhering with silicone glue):

And the message reflects Chris totally - 'one of a kind'.



Here's another card sample where Chris has used the same Hero Arts stamp set:

The greeting is such a unique saying that can be used in all situations. You can find it humourous and chuckle, it could bring you a smile and perk you up when feeling low. These tiny buttons are from Lasting Impressions:

Don't be fooled into thinking Chris has painstakingly sewn each button onto the card (sorry to spill the beans Chris!), but she's just threaded a little cotton through the holes (or co-ordinating thin strip of paper if you fancy) and then adhered the button onto the card with glossy accents. Neat eh?

Patterned paper is from KaiserKraft's Peek-a-Boo range, distressed with a soft brown inkpad, and I love the way that Chris has the little owl popping out of the 3D frame and the 'funky foliage' is entwined in and around the frame:

And again, Chris has created a lovely co-ordinating insert:

The greeting is by Penny Black and the frame is cut from the Cricut Machine using one of the designs from the Storybook cartridge. Notice that the frame is actually visible when the card is closed - see the first photo of this sample, as Chris has cut the card front so as not to be as wide and hence give a taste of the inside design.


Chris' Blog is called Always About Colour and was just launched last week. Go and have a butcher's.



Watch out for classes and demo's featuring Chris in the next set of Sir Stampalot events - release date for next event schedule is 1st July.


And if you ever get a chance to try any of Chris' Eton mess, ginger lemon cheesecake or messy caramel crunch, believe me, you really wouldn't want to miss out! She's a total all round star.

I'll be posting some more of Chris' creations shortly, showing off some of the 'inchies' designs from Inkadinkadoo.

More installments from Louise's Demo Day

Here's one of the Tilda designs from the extremely popular Chasing Butterflies collection. Tilda with Ladybug takes centre stage here with the same embossing folder design as Louise used in the last post, again using an inkpad to emphasize one saying from the backing design.

A small flower brad has been used as in the middle of the greeting motif - "it's your day" by Hero Arts.

Louise has decorated a Woodware Chippie heart shape with co-ordinating patterned paper, distressed the edges, adhered a button and stamped a Magenta swirly stamp design on it. Whew, she doesn't do things by half does she??

And your final Tilda card creation from Louise for now, is this brilliant patchwork card using co-ordinating patterned paper (from Daisy Bucket), another Woodware Chippie shape, this time a lovely flower from the same set as the heart.

There is just so much going on in Louise's artwork but it never seems 'OTT'. Check out the shrink plastic owl on the sign post to the real twig from Louise's back garden for the sign post itself.

And then there's glossy accents used to highlight the flower petals in the flower pot, stitching, inking, distressing - she's just an amazing lady with talent bursting at the seams.

Thanks Louise, we LOVE your work. It's incredible.

And watch out for more of Louise's creations from the demo day using Hero Arts stamp sets .....

.... coming soon, to a blog near you!

Demo Day with Crafty Lou

I can't believe it was a week ago and it's taken me this long to tell you all the fun we had at the demo day last Saturday. The fabulous Louise Molesworth (Crafty Lou) was demonstrating her unique style of inking and stamping techniques. She really is a wonder to watch. For those who couldn't make it into Sir Stampalot to see her demo's first hand, I just had to share with you some of the artwork she created (Just realised the photos have come out an awful colour this time, sorry guys, best check my camera setting for the next post).

Firstly, good ole Tilda with Bird, I've mentioned before, this is the first Tilda stamp I remember Louise buying so it has a special place in my heart :)

Cream shrink plastic was used for the Tilda Tag message:

A small punched out circle created an aperture for the Birthday Wishes stamped greeting from Hero Arts. Nicely finished off with a heart brad in the centre of the motif.

Here's the inside of the card, with pattern paper by Daisy Bucket and the Nestabilities Labels Two die set.

Here's another card, this one uses the Tilda Hen (usually makes an appearance on Louises card in shrink plastic mode) but on this occasion sitting proudly on the Tilda fence - TV adverts of the kellog's symbol comes to mind!!

Don't be afraid to shrink Tilda's - look at this little cutie (Spring Tilda) perched on top of a greetings motif. The circular greeting used here is from one of the most popular Woodware Clear Magic sets, currently. Funnily enough, it's called Circular Greetings and consists of 6 different circular sayings, some flowers and accents that can all mix and match together. Fantastic results when used with the EK nesting circle punches - both plain and scalloped.

The turquoise background scalloped circle has been embossed with the Happy Birthday cuttlebug embossing folder, gently wipe an inkpad over the raised embossed words to make them really pop out. Louise has then included the Tilda Present stamped image and attached some matching swirly organza ribbon to finish the card off.

That's just a taster to get your juices flowing, i'll post more of these gorgeous Tilda cards in the next day or two. I promise i won't leave it so long next time!


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Charity Update: The charity box of cards instore for Brenda's MS Cause, is growing all the time. Thanks everyone who's been able to spare a card or two. Brenda is collecting cards for a fund raising event on 28th June in aid of MS Research. You can send cards into myself (Sir Stampalot), Brenda or Stamp Addicts.

A big thanks to two lovely ladies, Mrs McMullan from the Netherlands who sent in this brilliant set of cards for the charity event:

And Louise from Spalding who popped instore and donated these superb cards (check out Louise's awesome blog):

Thanks guys.

Here Come the Girls

Last Saturday's class here at Sir Stampalot was lots of fun. Anne Hunt was teaching a class called "Here come the Girls", using the Hanna range of stamps and Crafter's Companion CD's for the backing papers.

There was a quick and easy card, using Hanna playing in the rain:

Then a couple of more complex cards:

Interesting effects using accordion fold paper to create a canopy for a shop window with Hanna out shopping. And also using a brayer to create a mirror image for glamorous "dress up" Hanna.

Then, the really involved masterpiece:

Front cover:

First double page:

Second double page:

Using various techniques including good old fantasy fiber for the sensational dress, and self adhesive gems for the cute ear-rings and necklace:

Doesn't she look a stunner?

Although glamour Hanna is now sold out due to interest from the class, she will be back in stock again hopefully within the fortnight.

Thanks for a great class Anne.

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Well done to all those submitting cards for Brenda's MS cause, as mentioned in my last post. There's still plenty of time to send in cards to myself (Sir Stampalot), Brenda or Stamp Addicts, the fund raising event is being held on 28th June.

I just had to share with you all, the generosity of one of our lovely followers. This beautiful pile of cards was delivered by the postie the other day. Thanks Thelma from (Stoke-on-Trent).

Mel's Lion

If you loved the Hello Kitty cards in my last posting, then here are another couple of real corkers, by Mel again.

Mel Ware has created these card samples for Sir Stampalot. This fierce character is the Lion from the sizzix family. I love the way Mel's given him boggley eyes and used colourful wool to create his mane and tail. The addition of the little crown on his head, gives this guy a little cute side and there's also some embossing in the background using the 'bird call' cuttlebug embossing folder.

Now you just won't believe this, but this chilled out polar bear is actually the same lion die as in the previous card sample. But without the woolly mane, and instead adding a scarf, hat and the icicles (naked silicone glue with a hint of glitter), you get a completely different look.
More embossed background using the sizzix texturz, great dotty corner punch and another die cut - North Pole.

Mel is really, REALLY creative, this is just some of her work. We've got lots of samples to keep your juices flowing. You would not believe the ideas Mel comes up with - her head must be spinning with creativity 24/7.

Lucky for us all, Mel's recently started up her own blog, you can keep an eye on all her fabulous creations at Apple Cake Art.

Thanks Mel, we at Sir Stampalot really appreciate all the hard work that goes into your samples you make for us, we are truly grateful, and very proud of your artwork, as we are with all the very talented ladies who are part of our design team.

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Fancy a challenge?

If you like a good challenge, today is the launch of the Allsorts challenge and what a better way to start than with Sweets!!! We are very excited to be their first sponsor and i just wish i could enter to see if i had a chance to win the fab goodies we've donated :)
Go and see what it's all about over at Allsorts. The Allsorts design team have come up with some smashin' ideas to give you some pointers on where to start, go on, have a go!!

Hello Kitty

We've finally received the Hello Kitty dies by Sizzix. Seems to have taken forever to get here.
Mel Ware is a fantastic local designer and has come up with these gorgeous Hello Kitty cards using these new dies.

Thanks Mel.

To see the complete collection of Hello Kitty dies available (so far), click here.

Additional Hello Kitty design dies will be available over the next few months.
We'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, watch out for more of Mel's stunning creations soon to be featured on our blog.

Presenting....

Some of you may recall a couple of card samples sent in by a lovely lady Val Donohue early last month. Well, she's come up top trumps again. Here's a fab card sample using Guitar Edwin from Magnolia.
I love the introduction, by way of the card front:

and with the admission tickets on it too:

Then, the big drum roll.........

And here he is:

Isn't it fab?
Thanks for sharing your creative ideas with us Val.

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If you are creating cards for England and have more cards than you could possibly know what to do with, then have a look at Brenda's Blog - she's initiating a card collection to raise funds for MS research, which is a cause very close to her heart. There'll be a collection box at Sir Stampalot if you are popping instore at any time, otherwise you can contact Brenda directly. Well done Brenda, we wish you all the best in your fund raising.