Big announcement *Squeal*
Hi and welcome to my brand new blog/website!
It’s still a work in progress, because I am rubbish at technology schmecknology. We are not friends and have a longstanding unresolved vendetta between us. I wish I was kidding but no… however that is not what I came here to talk about.
I’m still in delighted shock about what I’m going to share… (insert a very high-pitched squeal here!!) OK, OK… here it comes: I have joined Altenew’s Design Team! Yes!! THE Altenew! Ermagherd, I’m so excited about this I can barely hold it together! You can read the announcement blog post on the Altenew blog!
From May I will be sharing two blog posts and videos each month on the Altnew blog and YouTube channel, and my own too. I will link to all of these so you can subscribe and follow if you want. For my first month of April, they are breaking me in gently and I only have to do one post, plus the new release hops and things but holy cannoli! This has been so hard to not spill the beans on, and now finally the cat is out of the bag!
I have a little video on my YouTube channel, which you can watch HERE, where I was trying my best to be professional and make the announcement, but it went so-so, despite trying many, many times. It was so entertaining to watch back I decided to share the footage anyway, even though it’s totally bananas! I hope it will make you smile and laugh alongside me.
I thought I’d also share a few little cards I have made over the years.
I love the glow on this one, and then the subtle ‘you are loved’ diecut from it. The stamped image is Leaf Canopy, and I coloured it in with Artist Alcohol Markers Set E and then heat embossing clear embossing powder on top.
Altenew was the first company I came across that did the layering stamps, for that lovely and realistic look. It didn’t take long before I was hooked! This is one of the Build-A-Flower sets, it’s called Coral Charm. It is only available in a bundle with inks now, but it is a stunning set. I used the Warm & Cozy Inks to add the colours. Some are heat embossed too, for a slightly different look.
Both of the stamp sets I used for this MASSIVE card are unfortunately discontinued, but that won’t stop me from using them again and again. The inks I have used are the Cherry Blossoms Ovals mostly, and a few from Rose Petal and Red Cosmos. For the leaves I used Tropical Forest inks.
I was lucky enough to be a guest designer for two releases of the Artist Markers, and I will for sure build up my stash of them to complement my card making. This card is also using the Leaf Canopy stamp set and the Artist Alcohol Marker Set E, plus copper embossing powder.
For this one I stamped up the Pattern Play Circle stamp and then added pops of colour to the panel with many, many Artist Alcohol Markers.
These are just a few of the many, many, MANY projects I have made with Altenew products over the years. I have been collecting (not hoarding!) since the beginning. I think it was in 2014, the first year they were in business, that I discovered them actually! There is a big 10 year anniversary celebration coming up which you are not going to want to miss!
That is it from me for today, thank you so much for stopping by and cheering me on! It really does mean so much to me. Don’t forget to sign up for email updates here, I will work out how to only send out important stuff and not spam you like crazy.
With love and light, creativity and sparkle,
Erica
Sales page, affiliate links and discount codes
Please note that I have added a separate SALE PAGE and separate AFFILIATE PAGE, and will remove this page by the end of January.
This is where you can find some great sales, deals and any discount codes I have to share. Scroll to the bottom to see the current deals available.
Again, I need to make sure that you know that all of the links on this page, and most of the website, will be affiliate links. Sharing affiliate links, which you will hopefully use when you treat yourself to a little something-something, is one way that I earn a small living.
The way it works is that I generate a personalised link to a company, product, bundle or deal, and when you click on that link to browse or shop it tells the company it’s linked to that it’s from me. If you shop and complete an order, they will pay me a % of the total order (minus shipping and taxes typically) as a thank you for directing you to them. This system doesn’t ever cost you anything extra, EVER, but is a great way for you to support me if you find inspiration with me and you are shopping anyway. Thank you so much in advance for thinking of this when you place an order, it really does mean the world to me and every little helps.
You can take 15% off your order with the code ERICAC15 at checkout.
This link goes to the UK shop
This link goes to the US shop
CURRENT DEALS
I will do my best to keep this as updated as possible, but sometimes mistakes will be made, I’m only human after all.
Over at Scrapbook.com there are always a bunch of good deals to take advantage of. Pick and choose from the ones that suit you best, or fit with your order.
In the clearance section at Scrapbook.com there are all sorts of deals and steals, so if you have something on your wishlist, keep an eye on this page for sure.
Altenew is another company which often have good deals on a range of products. If you do have your eye on something but haven’t taken the leap yet, it’s definitely worth checking their deals regularly.
In their Last Chance Section you can find a little bit of everything, and with prices discounted up to 45% it’s a super deal!! But hurry, once they are sold out, there is alway a possibility they will not be restocked.
In the Weekly Sales section you can find everything from individual ink pads, to washi tape, to stamp sets, hot foil plates and more. This is a great place to shop when you need a little craft stuff fix, at a discount.
If you like big blooms and you can not lie, this is a great offer! Just click on the banner to go to the product page.
Catherine Pooler has a Last Chance section where you can find some super deals, but these are first come first serve as many of the products will be discontinued once they sell out so if you see something you want, grab it pronto!
Pinkfresh Studio have fun offers regularly too, and it’s best to shop early as a lot of their fab products sell out quickly!
Stock up on your favorites with an additional 25% off on over 90 clearance items already marked down by 50% to 70%. Save big on scrapbooking products, stamps, dies, stencils, and hot foil plates!
There's no code needed, prices are as marked. No price adjustments on previous orders. Valid until Jan 16, 11:59pm CST.
There is also a WEEKLY PROMO page where certain products are reduce for that week alone, it’s definitely worth earmarking that page and check it every week if you have a big wishlist.
It all began with an idea
I’m sure many of you who come here are crafty, creative and artistic in one way or another. If you are not, I’d love to hear what brought you here but hi, and welcome! New friends are always welcome.
This is a brand spanking new website, and I’m still learning the ropes on how to navigate this whole world, but I’m excited to see where it goes. I’m not going to lie, this has been a work in progress for a long while, but rather than focusing on how long it’s taken me to actually get going, I’m going to celebrate the fact I finally pushed that ‘publish’ button.
I do have some exciting new things lined up for 2024, including teaching a couple of weekend crafting retreats in the UK! The first one will take place in May, and if you are interested in hearing more about it or getting your ticket, CLICK HERE.
I will also be teaching some classes in the US in April, in Orlando, FL and also Chantilly, VA, at some expos hosted by Stamp & Scrapbook Expo. Click that link to check dates, locations and more info. I will update here once I have all the information on how to book tickets to my classes. I hope to see you there!
As my studio is an ever-evoling space, I will be offering some mystery destash boxes of gently used/brand new/very well loved items, so if you want to treat yourself or enable someone else to get into crafting and embrace their creativity, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.
Well, that’s about it for the time being. I will keep working on this website to give you the best user experience, so if you have any thoughts, insights on what works and doesn’t work, please feel free to email me at erica@ericaabdesigns.com and let me know.
With love and light, sparkle and creativity
Erica