Creating some sparkle with the Birthday Sparkle kit

  Hello & welcome to my blog,

My name is Alison & I live in beautiful Melbourne, Australia. For those of you who have previously visited my blog & are now returning, thank you. For those of you who are here for the first time, welcome!

 Here's a little bit about me. I love creating cards & gifts for my loved ones & this blog will show you how to create something special for those you love. I blog twice a week, once on a Sunday where I mainly showcase a stamp set or dies, embossing folders, projects & sometimes special DSP and Wednesday evenings when I highlight a technique, fun folds or tools & tips. I would love to hear from you if you have any questions or suggestions & my email address for that is craftedbyalison@gmail.com.

This week I am sharing some beautiful creations I made using one of Stampin' Up®'s kits. Each week in my Sunday blog I spotlight one of the kits from their range but this week I show you the completed kit. I hope you enjoy this stunning kit.

Here are the completed items, aren't they fun & sparkly?

Here are some pics of the kit instructions & supplies included in the kit...

Unlike some of the furniture flatpack companies, these instructions are easy & clear, no words are used so that the kits can easily be sold & used in countries across the world without any language issues. The instructions use step by step pictures so it's easy to follow along. All of the supplies are included in the kit including diecut sentiments, ink, stamps, stamp block, embellishments & adhesives. I followed the instructions but tweaked them a little with my own twine & using Early Espresso & Pecan Pie ink on one of each version as well as the black ink. I must admit that I used my own black ink pad, block & adhesives as I like to pop the ones provided in the kit aside to gift to others.

Here are the balloon birthday cards... 

... the birthday cake cards...

...the gift candle gift tags...

...and finally, the cute cupcake tags...

Here are all of the completed items with the stunning gold edged envelopes that are also included in the kit...

It's such a lovely kit, great for gifting to friends to help them feel more confident with papercrafting but also ideal to use yourself.

That's it for the cards, now for the latest news from Stampin' Up®.

Stampin' Up® has a number of ways to purchase their lovely products. You can look through their physical catalogue or browse through the Annual catalogue online  but there are also some products that are only available exclusively online that don't appear in any catalogues. These products are called the Online Exclusives & are only online. Check out the online exclusives in my online store. Stampin' Up® adds more product items to the online shop so don't forget to keep checking the store to see what's new. There are some lovely new products now available including kits, embellishments, stamps, dies & embossing folders. Something for everyone! If you would like a copy of the catalogue please send me a message at craftedbyalison@gmail.com or on my Facebook page, craftedbyalison. 

NEWS & REMINDERS: 

1. Stampin' Up®'s Mini Catalogue & Annual Catalogue runs until the end of April & there are lots of lovely things that will be retiring soon! I am able to access the digital copy of the new catalogue & it's very different to any other catalogue that I've seen from Stampin' Up®! They have changed the front cover from featuring cards or supplies to a casual stamping picture as well as a radical change to the layout of the contents. There are still lots of beautiful pics of the products & ideas aplenty, it's just set out differently. I think you'll love it. If you would like a copy of the new catalogue which launches on May 1st, then send me a message at craftedbyalison on Facebook or email me at craftedbyalison@gmail.com & I'll send you one. 
2. Don't forget the Online Exclusive products with new products added and available now Check out my online shop here. 
3. Stampin' Up® have a great range of Kits including crafting, card making & gift giving. Click here to check them all out in my online shop. As Stampin' Up® have so many beautiful kits available I will be featuring a different kit in each blog so that you can see the range. 

This week I have a fun birthday kit called Light The Candles. 

This is an all inclusive kit which means it has everything you need to create 8 super cute, fun cards. Kits by Stampin’ Up®! are perfect for new crafters, busy crafters, or crafters who want quick and easy projects. All-inclusive project kits have everything you need in one box! Give as a gift or try them yourself. 

If you think you need this kit in your craft room, then here is a link to my shop. While you're there, don't forget to check out the Last Chance lists which are all of the items that are retiring but also includes things that are currently in bundles or suites and have a saving included that will be split up into individual items in the upcoming catalogue.

A lot of demonstrators use the special Host Code for their customers but I'm trying it this year as a new idea to see if this is what you, my customers would like to use. If you shop with me then don't forget to use this month's host code ZN9NWFMS. This will allow me to pass on any hostess benefits to customers when the sales reach the required qualifying amount.

Lastly, there have been lots of new items added to the clearance rack plus there is a so make sure you check them out using the link above to my online store.

If you would like to purchase any of my creations that I feature in my blogs they can be found in my FaceBook shop at craftedbyalison or you can order something unique. 

If you would like me to send you a copy of the current Annual catalogue or the new one when it's released then please message me via my FaceBook page, Crafted by Alison or send me an email at craftedbyalison@gmail.com.

My next blog is on Wednesday & I will share Monochromatic card making. Monochromatics can be stunning & it allows you to create in a totally different way than when you use more than one colour. It also highlights how amazing Stampin' Up's co-ordination of material colours is. In Sunday's blog I'll be sharing the Birthday Sparkle kit with you. It was lots of fun to create & I can't wait to show you all the sparkle. I hope you can join me for both of them.

Well, that's it for another week. I hope you enjoyed this post & come back for more next week. Til next time, take care & keep creating! XX Alison.

Shop with me

Stamps, Dies & punches

• no additional items used this week

Cardstock, DSP & paper goods

• no additional items used this week
  
  

Inks & Markers

• Early Espresso Classic Stampin' pad
  
• Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' pad
  

Embellishments

• no additional items used this week

Adhesives

• Multipurpose liquid glue
• Dimensionals
  
• Mini Dimensionals
  
• Mini Glue Dots

Tools

• Paper Trimmer
• Take Your Pick tool
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine
• Embossing Heat tool