Statement of the Heart

To love what we do and share what we love, as we help others enjoy
creativity and worthwhile accomplishments . . . in this we make a difference!

Friday 1 February 2013



Hi and welcome to the Stampin Stars Spring/Summer Blog Hop.  You may have come here from the very creative Esthers if not don't worry, if you want to join the Blog Hop there is a list at the bottom of this post.

As Stampin Up! demonstrators we get the chance to play with new products a month or so before they come to the public domain and that is Today. Yes, from today 1st February you can order from the new Spring/Summer 2013 Catalogue. There is a link on the side bar which will take you to the catalogue. If you would like a catalogue of your own to browse with a coffee please feel free to drop me an email and I will pop one in the post.

so, what do I have in store for you today....

I would like to start with a gorgeous stamp set which caught my eye when I first looked through the catalogue. Everyone needs a fun set and this is it.

The fun thing about this stamp set Oh Whale is, it has a co-ordinating die to go with it aptly named Happy Whale. I have also used a new Embossing Folder for the clouds, called Cloudy Day. The DSP at the bottom of the card is called Sunshine and Sprinkles and it has the most wonderful colours and patterns. I sponged Marina Mist ink onto white card stock that has been embossed with clouds. This brings the dots where the clouds have been embossed a bit darker, emphasizing the shapes. I used Marina Mist c/s in the Big Shott when I cut out the whale flukes, anchors and fish.

For my next creation I used a stamp set called Collage Curios and some Soda Pop Tops. This is where the Americans should translate better and call them bottle tops!


I stamped and cut out with the 1" circle punch then attached to the tops with a glue dot and then I squashed the lot in the Big Shott. You need to use a couple of old plates for this as after a couple of times they mess them up a bit.  The inside paper part is then covered with Crystal effects to give it dimension.
Wait til dry and then attach a magnet circle to the rear and pop on your fridge!

I was having a play with the new Artisan Embellishment Kit which includes some lace, seam binding, buttons, flowers, ticket stubs, a  heart and round doily and some resin bits. I am not really a vintagey (?) person but this is what I came up with...


and no stamping at all.!! The lovely paper is More Amore DSP which includes a die cut sheet of hearts of which I cut one out and the beautiful background paper. The vanilla c/s is embossed with Stampin Up's embossing folders available in the main Idea Book and Catalogue. The butterflies are a new punch called Bitty Butterfly.

Lastly today I want to share with you a quirky birthday card that my daughter wanted me to make for her friend Emma, whose birthday is today. Happy Birthday Emma.

The pinwheels are new. They are a Sizzlits Die which alleviates all the cutting making putting these pinwheels together a cinch. However they are tricky, but there is a knack to it!
The arrows are from a lovely new stamp set called Oh Hello and the DSP and saying is from Sale-a-Bration freebies!

I hope you have enjoyed my offerings from the new catalogue. Please check back over the next few days as I will be adding new projects and products regularly.

I may also give some hints about those pinwheels.

Now you need to pop over to the lovely Pips blog to oogle her creations.                  

The list of everyone taking part is listed below. If you get lost along the way come back here and find the trail again.

Fiona Whitten 
Louise Sims  
Lesley Gillett  
Esther Boulter  
Nicky Johncock          ***you are here***

21 comments:

  1. gorgeous creations ... can't decide on my favourite! ;-)

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  2. Oohhh, so many fab things to choose but the whale has I think got to be my favourite. Love it. Fiona x

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  3. Lovely projects, the swimming whales are so cute!
    Esther x

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    1. I love the whales, I have a few more ideas in my head. Watch this space!!

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  4. So many projects!! Where did you find the time?! Lovely!

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    1. Thanks for looking. I did an ILWS blog hop last year and I think I was the only person who only showed one card, so this time I thought I'd do more.

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  5. Love these Nicky - I wonder if my cuttlebug could cope with squishing the soda pop caps?!?! Love the whale too - so cute, you've been very busy!

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    1. Cuttlebug prob could cope. I think I do need to use Stazon next time though. Going to have to redo some owl hairpins I did as the image is too fuzzy! I do love anything to do with the sea.

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  6. Nicky, they are really beautiful. You have been really busy. My favourite is the whale which I initially wasn't keen on but now I'm sold on it. Well done. Gill and Cary

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    1. I loved the whale as soon as I saw him, it was top of my list! Thanks for looking and commenting x

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  7. Wow Nicky! You have been busy!!! I've been secretly yearning for Mr.Whale and the cloud embossing folder. Seems like it's an absolute MUST now.x

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  8. Wow! You have certainly been busy and they are all so lovely. I didnt think I would like the soda pop tops but they look so effective. Thanks for sharing x

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    1. I do think the soda pops need to be squashed. Otherwise they could be a bit sharp. Thanks for looking x

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  9. lovely projects Nicky, and brilliant instructions. Can't wait to try out the sponging effect etc . TFS xxx

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    1. Thanks Lesley, sponging on embossed images does create a different look. Thanks for stopping by.

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  10. A wonderful array of creations Nicky, love them all..

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    1. Thanks Kim, appreciate everyones comments, its been fun!

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