Stamps Ahead

Here are 2 Christmas cards that my papercraft class made this week. The first card uses "Wishing You" (110245) from the Spring Mini-Catalogue and the card is displayed in the catalogue, for inspiration, I have used alternate colours. If you would like to order this stamp set from me, remember that the catalogue end date is 30th November. Email me for this and any other stamps or products available from Stampin'Up! Images: © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up! ® Artwork: Margaret L Crawford The second card uses "Merry Minis" (108870)," Sweet Shapes" (108927) and "Handle with Care" (108829). This card is a good example of using a non Christmas stamp i.e. the solid stamp from Sweet Shapes, to create a seasonal card. Stampin' Up! stamp sets are just so versatile. Images: © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up! ® Artwork: Margaret L Crawford

I spent time on a friends property in Missouri, USA during my holidays. I love this photograph, that I have taken, of a creek on their farm. The autumn leaves, rocks, reeds and the reflection of the sky and trees are all magical. Enjoy.

I'm back, here is one photograph that will instantly let you know, at least one city I have recently visited. I will commence scrapbooking shortly and share more photos with you. Margaret

I am taking a short "blogging" holiday, I will be back soon. Stay tuned for more of my creations in upcoming weeks. Margaret

Here is a card I have made for a lucky couple travelling shortly. The card uses stamp sets - Office Accoutrement; World Tour and Be Happy. Images: © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up! ® Artwork: Margaret L Crawford

This page was inspired by a layout in Creating Keepsakes August, 2007 magazine. It is a great layout that you can use several photographs on. I have used Stampin' Up! ® Simply Scrappin' Tickets and Tokens kit. Images: © 1990-2007 Stampin'Up Artwork: Margaret L Crawford

I have decided to get all my China photographs onto scrapbook pages this week. My journalling says: Climbing the Great Wall I passed rows and rows of locks of various sizes with mainly red ribbons attached. Couples announce their love for each other as they hang their lock and then they throw away the key, in the hopes that their love will last for as long as the Great Wall. Stamp Sets used were Artifacts and Everyday Flexible Phrases. The sun caught the page just as I was photographing it and if you look closely towards the top left you will see a friendly ant, making itself at home on Sahara Sand paper. Images: © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up! Artwork: Margaret L Crawford

Last night I got creative and completed a couple of sketch challenges over at Elite Stampers. The first was a card and the second a scrapbook page layout: Images: © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up! ® Artwork: Margaret L Crawford Stamp Set: All about U & Bodacious Jumbo Wheel Images: © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up! ® Artwork: Margaret L Crawford Stamp Sets: Symbols of Solicitude, Pure & Simple Alphabet Lower This is a 12 x 12 scrapbook layout, I like how the spot paper gives the appearance of shining lights along the Bund in Shanghai.

Here is a card I made for no particular reason. I used watercolour pencils for image and played around with black/red and grey for the card. Elegant. The stamp set is Artfully Asian (108738). Have a great weekend. Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up! ® Artwork Margaret L Crawford

This card uses the set, All about U (You) 108721. It has the large U and sentiments Celebrate; just be; Good for; Bless; Happy for; Miss; Love; are the best and also a cute little heart and small flower. Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2007 ® Artwork Margaret L Crawford

This is a card I created for a challenge that required a monochromatic colour scheme. This colour scheme uses shades of the same colour or a single color plus a neutral. I have used Paisley background (108887), Office Accoutrement (110243) for the flower, and A is for Adorable (108714) a hostess set, but I used the stamp P is for Play, as that is what I was doing - playing with colour. Images: Stampin' Up! ® 1990-2007 © Artwork Margaret L Crawford

This card is among those I will be donating for fund raising efforts. I hope you enjoy. The stamp sets are Hung up on the Holidays (108842) and Wonderful Words (108963). Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up! ® Artword Margaret L Crawford

I have been making cards for fund raising for a group that I gave a demonstration to on Saturday. This is one of the cards that I made, this time I have used some of my non-Stampin' Up! ® stash of background papers and ribbons. I know this would hardly have made a dent - but it is a start. The Stamp set is Wishing You (110245) set and I used the verse stamp inside the card. This set in the mini-catalogue is only $39.95 and you get 6 very versatile stamps that can be used not only for Christmas cards. That makes it only $6.66 per stamp. Enjoy Images © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up! ® Artwork Margaret L Crawford

Images © Stampin' Up! ® 1990-2007. Artwork Margaret L Crawford Here is a card I have made using Petal Prints (108890) stamp sets. This is one of the stamp sets that you can get for free if you are a hostess at $600 in sales party. I have also used Beyond the Basics (108750) for background on tags and Wonderful Words (108963) for the greeting.

Here is a card I have made this week. It is an example of a card that can be made without flowers. I love the crimped strip and how it appears to match the texture of the gingham ribbon. I have used Lexicon of Love (108855) and Jumbo Wheel Speckled (107465) Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2007 ® Artwork Margaret L Crawford

I have been busy baking and making for Christmas in July tomorrow. I have baked a boiled pineapple fruit cake, it sure makes the kitchen smell divine. Instead of bon-bons for each guest this is what I have made for them. They are called "sour cream" containers, and I must thank Jayne for showing how to make them. Inside I have placed a couple of "fun" novelties from $2 shop and a chocolate. How cute and they match the serviette rings I made earlier. I have used Leaf Prints (104279) standard wheel and Wishing You (110245) stamp set from mini catalogue. Have a great weekend. Images: 1990-2007 © Stampin' Up! ® Artwork: Margaret L Crawford

Tomorrow I am teaching a papercrafting class at a local community centre - here are the cards that they will be making. Images: © Stampin'Up! ® 1990-2007 Artwork: Margaret L Crawford

Just right for your Christmas in July. For a fun addition to the table I have made serviette rings. I have used stamp set "Wishing You" from Stampin' Up! ® mini catalogue just released. Have a good weekend. Images: © Stampin'Up! ® 1990-2007 Layout: Margaret L Crawford

Stampin' Up! ® release their new Spring Mini Catalogue on 1st August. There are some great stamp sets and accessories available. If you email me, with your details, I will send you a copy. You can then order by email or by getting together with your friends. Here is a card I made using one of the sets - Polka Dots & Paisley and the new Jumbo Wheel Petals. Images © 1990 - 2007 Stampin' Up! ® Artwork Margaret L Crawford.

This photograph shows detail of an old wall in Zhouzhuang Water Town, about 2 hours out of Shanghai, China. It is strangely evocative and I love the layers of old paper - advertising or propaganda? The stamp set is Ancient Asia (108736) and I have used a paper distressing tool to further suggest layers on this layout. Images: 1990-2007 © Stampin' Up! ® Artwork & Photography: Margaret L Crawford