Stampin With Sue

Sunny Monday Hello

2011-04-18T09:56:00.000+10:00

This is a lovely cheery card for Monday morning using the Hello Blossoms stamp set from the new mini catalogue. I used my Stampin Up markers to colours each of the flowers and the stems and then embellished with the Pompom trim.

Stamp: Hello Blossoms

Card: Daffodil Delight, Whisper White and Tempting Turquoise

Accessories: Markers, Embossing folder and trim

Inkspirations Challenge

2011-04-13T10:14:00.009+10:00

This week at Inkspirations the challenge is a sketch:

I liked this sketch and I made two different cards one male and one female card (during April I have heaps of birthday cards to make). I also entered into the Bugaboo Challenge for this challenge your card should have 4 or more layers.

The first card is a lovely card using the Just Believe stamp set which I just love:

A quick peek at the inside

Stamp: Just Believe
Ink: Soft Suede and Pretty in Pink
Card: Pretty in Pink Very Vanilla and Soft Suede, Subtles DSP
Accessories: Embossing Folder, butterfly embosslit, ribbon and punches

The second card uses the Sail Away stamp set from the new Mini, combining Old Olive and Black together:

Stamp: Sail Away
Ink: Versamark
Card: Old Olive, Basic Black and Very Vanilla

Accessories: Embossing Powder, ribbons and Punch

Motorcycle

2011-04-11T12:18:00.000+10:00

I had a bit of a play around with the new Motorcyle stamp from the Autumn Winter catalogue. Its good to have a few male cards on hand when needed. This first card has a few layers as the Not Quite Navy looks great with the Metallic Silver card. The square lattice embossing folder that has been carried over from the previous mini adds a lovely touch for a mens card (most of our embossing folders have flowers so this is a great embossing folder to use with a male card)

Stam: Motor Cycle
Card: Not Quite Navy, Brushed Silver and Whisper White
Accessories: Markers and Blender Pen.

The second card is quite simple (and not so many layers). I stamped the background with the Sanded stamp then stamped the Motorcycle stamp. No colouring so it is a very quick and easy card.

Stamps: Motorcycle, Sanded

Card: Basic Black and Whisper White

DSP: Neutrals pack

Just Add Ink 63

2011-04-09T00:04:00.000+10:00

This weeks Just Add Ink Challenge is to take inspiration from the colour or theme of this photo:

So I decided to go with the colour approach and this is my card:

I think I got all the colours in my card. It is certainly a very bright mixture of colours to play with.

Stamps: Bring on the Cake
Card: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Ink: Stazon
Accessories: Markers, button, twine,ribbon and Pompom trim

Mini Launch

2011-04-08T13:26:00.001+10:00

Thankyou to all the lovely ladies that came to my launch for the new Mini Catalogue. First who were the lucky people that won the prizes:

Main Prize (over $100 of Stampin Up goodies)

Marie-Louise Francken

Level One Stamp Sets

Ann I

Cecile

Jenny

Sharron

$30 to spend

Claire

Leanne

Jenny

Rosa

There were lots and make and takes. The first one we used the Create a Cupcake stampset and the matching punch for a quick and easy birthday card

The second card uses the beautiful French Foliage stampset and some lovely autumn colours - Cajun Craze, Old Olive and Bravo Burgundy. This was a popular stamp set with the ladies.

The third make and take was a lovely simple card using the Thanks for Caring stampset with Bravo Burgandy and Crumb Cake for the butterfly, a great card for lots of different occasions.

Nature Walk

2011-04-07T02:44:00.000+10:00

Another fabulous stamp set in the New Mini Catalogue is the Nature Walk set which I have used for this card:

I used the word stamp from the French Foliage set for the background instead of using DSP for a change. The card is all in brown (Early Espresso) and cream (Very Vanilla) except for a touch of pink in the blossom (Blushing Bride marker). I am loving all the satin ribbon and lots of my cards have these big bows (I can hear the ladies in my class groaning, they are over bows in class as nearly every card has ribbon of some description as SU ribbon is such a lovely addition to a card)
Card: Early Espresso and Very Vanilla
Stamps: French Foliage and Nature Walk
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Ribbon and marker

Strength and Hope

2011-04-05T00:02:00.001+10:00

For Pals Paper Arts 87 this week the challenge is to use Punches. I have used the Strength and Hope stamp set from the New Mini Catalogue (Stampin Up donate $2 for every set purchased.) and combined it with several punches.

For the background I stamped directly onto the card for the top part of the card and used DSP from the subtles range. The butterfly was stamped on vellum and cut out and the H for Hope was embossed with white embossing powder as well.

Card: Shimmery White, Pink Pirouette and Whisper White

Stamp: Strength and Hope

Accessories: Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon Large scallop punch and circle punches

Inkspirations Challenge

2011-04-04T02:18:00.004+10:00

This is the Challenge over at Inspirations this week:

Lovely colours for an autumn card. As I had no Poppy Parade I substituted Cherry Cobler and came up with this card:

Lots of colours in the sponging (more mustard and cajun surprise) and the leaves have lots of lovely tones in there as well (more mustard, cajun craze, old olive) The background has been stamped with a second stamping using early espresso.
Stamps: French Foliage Bring on the Cake (sentiment)
Card: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobler and Very Vanilla
Ink: Early Espresso, More Mustard, Cajun Surprise and Old Olive
Accessories: Ribbon

Just Add Ink 62

2011-04-02T11:42:00.000+11:00

This weeks challenge over at Just Add Ink is to make a box or a bag so I have made a little tea caddy and used my favourite Stampin Up DSP Love Letter.

For the top I had to borrow a set "Morning Cup" (thanks Moira) as I didn't have one stamp that had a teapot or cup to pop on the top of my tea caddy. I got the pattern for this from Lauren Meader she has lots of fabulous patterns. This would make a lovely gift for someone with their special tea inside

Card: Cherry Cobbler Very Vanilla and Black
DSP: Love Letter
Ink: Stazon
Accessories: Punches and markers

Paper Players Challenge 40

2011-03-31T22:46:00.001+11:00

This is the sketch for this weeks Paper Players Challenge:

This is the card I came up with for the Challenge:

I have used the beautiful new DSP Autumn Spice for this card and teamed it up with More Mustard and Early Espresso. I have been dusting off some colours that haven't been used for ages as we are now officially in autumn and the nights are getting a bit cooler and we are leaving summer behind. Below is a peek at the inside.

Stamp: Thoughts and Prayers

Card: More Mustard, Early Espresso and Very Vanilla

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: Autumn Spice DSP

Accessories: Punch

Embossed Leaves

2011-03-31T11:07:00.000+11:00

This technique of cutting out a shape and running it through the lattice embossing folder is very popular at the moment, I have done some leaves from the French Foliage stampe set and it looks very effective on the card. I am right into the beautiful autumn colours: Cajun Craze and OId Olive they are a beautiful combination. The background on the card is stamped with Cajun Craze ink onto the card.

This is a close up of the leaf embossed into the card you can see the sharp edge it gives around the leaves

Card: Cajun Craze, Old Olive and Very Vanilla
Ink: Cajun Craze and Old Olive
Accessories: Lattice Embossing Folder

Inkspirations Challenge

2011-03-30T14:35:00.001+11:00

This is a sneek preview of the new Mini Catalogue with lots of lovely autumny stamps and rich colours. Inkspirations Challenge No 63 is to use this sketch:

This is my card for the challenge

Stamps: French Foliage and Bring on the Cake
Ink: Cajun Craze, Old Olive Elegant Eggpland and More Mustard
Card: Very Vanilla and Cajun Craze
DSP: Autumn Spice
Accessories: Old Olive Ribbon

Brayering

2011-03-24T10:49:00.000+11:00

I thought I would have another go at Brayering using the Pendant Park set that hasn't seen the light of day for quite some time. For the colours I used Peach Parfait and then Melon Mambo for the darker colourand the grass area I used Old Olive. To Emboss the tree we were shown a technique at Regionals - mix Craft white and for this card Chocolate Chip and then use a sponge dauber to put it onto the stamp. This is done as the white slows down the drying process and gives you time to add clear embossing powder and emboss the tree.

The colours are very bright very much like a vivid sunset. Below is the inside of the card

Stamps: Pendant Park, So Happy For You
Card: Whisper White Poppy Parade and Old Olive
Ink: Whisper White and Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder

Inkspirations

2011-03-22T06:46:00.002+11:00

I decided to do a few challenges to try and get my Mojo back this weeks challenge at Inkspirations is to use these colours

This is the card I came up with:

Daffodil Yellow is not a colour I would normally reach for but I was happy with this card using two of the sets from Saleabration. The DSP was from the brights pack and it was all topped off with some lovely Daffodil Yellow ribbon.

Stamps: So Happy For You and Sweet Summer

Card: Daffodil Yellow, Early Espresso and Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive and Regal Rose

Accessories: Punch and Ribbon

Pals Paper Arts Challenge

2011-03-21T06:30:00.004+11:00

This weeks challenge at Pals Paper Arts is:

As I already had the Elements of Style set out for the Just Add Ink Challenge I thought I would use it for this challenge as well:

There was a fair bit of cutting out around all the little leaves and flowers it was a bit tricky but I was happy with how it turned out..The silver and black look great together and the flowers are actually darker in real life as I used regal rose ( one day I will have to get some Photography lessons. I used the frame from the Notably Ornate set and cut it out to make a picture frame for the flowers (I know more cutting out) I embossed it with a mixture of silver and black just for something different - but I don't know if I really like how it looks.
Stamps: Elements of Style and Notably Ornate
Card: Metallic Silver, Very Vanilla and Basic Black
DSP: Neutrals Pack
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Punch and ribbon

Mojo Lost

2011-03-20T12:06:00.000+11:00

I have sat down several times this week to make a card but nothing happened my mojo has flown out the window. I thought maybe if I tried the Just Add Ink Challenge it might get me going:

I love this combination of colours and this is what I came up with:

Card: Old Olive, Whisper White, Rich Razzlebery and Crumb Cake
Ink: Versamark and white embossing powder
DSP: Old Olive
Accessories: Punch and ribbon

Sweet Summer

2011-03-12T18:59:00.000+11:00

I thought I better get cracking using the beautiful SaleABration before it finishes and the stamp sets are gone. This card uses the Sweet Summer set. I have used a combination of Melon Mambo, Old Olive and Whisper White card and some lovely Old Olice Satin Ribbon.. The leaveshand berries have been coloured in with the markers and blender pens. The Melon Mambo has been embossed with the Square Lattice from the Summer Mini Catalogue.

SaleABration

2011-03-10T03:42:00.000+11:00

There is still time to get your SaleABration stamp sets simply by spending $100 you are eligible to get a free stamp set. This card uses the lovely Sweet Summer Set.

I have simply embossed some Whisper White with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder and then cut out the centres of each pattern with the square punch. For the stamped square I have used the flower from Sweet Summer Set and stamped it with Stazon and then using the Blender pen and Rose Red Marker I have coloured in the petals. I have gone around the edges with the Rose Red and a sponge.

Card: Whisper White, Rose Red
Ink: Stazon
Accessories: Punch, Rose Red Marker and Belender Pen

Card Classes This Week

2011-03-08T03:37:00.000+11:00

Card Classes will be starting back this week we are going to do a One Sheet Wonder:

Also we will be making a lovely little purse to go with it if you want to give some of your cards away as a gift.

If you are interested in doing a class on Thursday 10th March at 1.00pm or 7.00pm. My contact details are on the tab at the top of the page..

Pals Paper Arts Challenge

2011-03-06T12:46:00.000+11:00

This weeks Challenge PPA83 at Pals Paper Arts :

What beautiful colours to play with this week. My card is:

I dont plan cards I usually start with a stamp set I want to use and go from there. One of my favourites is the SaleABration Bliss set.
I embossed on cream with white embossing powder and then sponged crumb cake in the middle and baja breeze around the outside and then spritzed it with the spritzer and a crumb cake marker. This was matted on baja breeze and then onto some crumb DSP from the Neutrals Patterns Stack. Beneath that I stamped the same stamp as the middle with baja breeze ink onto baja breeze card. The next layer is from the DSP subtles Pattern Stack, and then some lovely lace to add a bow. This was then placed on a layer of Soft Suede and then baja breeze card again (phew how many layers is that).
The front is embellished with some flowers stamped in soft suede and cut out and the butterfly stamped twice in baja breeze and cut out. The flowers have little pearls and the butterflies have some rhinestones. So as usual lots and lots of layers

Quick and Easy

2011-03-04T07:43:00.004+11:00

Normally I have a lot of trouble doing the quick and easy cards I just can't help myself I always seem to end up with many layers on my cards. This card is so quick to do and looks effective as well. I simple ran a piece of Whisper White through the Big Shot with the Vinatage Wallpaper embossing folder then using the 1 1/4" square punch I cut three out using the centre of the pattern. I matted that on a piece of Poppy Parade cut out with the 1 3/8" punch. The stamp set is from Sale A Bration - So Happy For You. I scored a line around the Whisper White and matted that on Some Poppy Parade.

Mojo Monday 180

2011-03-02T11:42:00.000+11:00

This is the sketch for this weeks Mojo Monday and I chose to do the square one this week. I had lots of fun playing around with the punches to make my little rose and embossinge birdcages from the lovely Aviary set.

The inside is one of the bird cages I embossed that didnt work out so well so I cut around it and popped it inside. So it wasnt wasted and adds that little bit extra inside

Here is a close up of the rose, by the time I spritzed all the layers with water, scrunched them all up and then spray with the lovely champagne shimmer paint it just looks gorgeous in real life in the Cherry Cobler and all shimmery.

The lace I just used some red tape and pleated it onto the tape to give a bit more interest

Stamps: Aviary and Well Scripted
Paper: Black, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobler and Love Letter DSP
Ink: Versamark and black embossing powder
Accessories: Punches, ribbon, shimmer paint and brad

A Bit More Brayering

2011-02-28T15:14:00.001+11:00

I was happy with my brayered card last week so I thought I would have another go, change the colours and add some diffferent elements to the card.. I dont make blue cards very often but I have a friends birthday coming up and she is a definite blue person. So I am being very organised and have the card made early.

Card: Pacific Point Basic Black and Very Vanilla

DSP: Blueberry Crisp

Stamp Set: Upsy Daisy and Punch Bunch

Ink: Versamark Marina Mist and Crumb Cake

Accessories: Punches, ribbon and black embossing powder

Love the Cherry Cobler card

2011-02-26T05:27:00.000+11:00

It seems every second card or 3D item I seem to be reaching for the Cherry Cobbler. It is such a versatile colour it can be used not only for Christmas but for just about every other occasion.

I have just embosed this stamp from Artistic Etchings with Black embossing powder, put one of the fabulous vintage brads in the middle backed with a basic black circle to make it stand out a bit more. Then I have punched the cherry cobbler card stock with the scallop punch and used the piercing tool to put a little hole in each scallop.. I have used a scrap piece of Love Letter DSP behind the black satin ribbon and also the Jolly Holiday DSP.

Mojo Monday and Pals Paper Art

2011-02-24T05:03:00.006+11:00

This card is for both the Mojo Monday for week 179 and Pals Paper Art No 82

For this weeks card I used my brayer to create the blue sky and the green at the bottom of the picture. I embossed the image onto the card to give it that little bit extra shine. The DSP is from the Soft Subtles book of papers. There are so many wonderful designs in the book it was hard to decide which ones to use. To do the circle with the scallop trim border I cut a long piece of basic black punched the scallop and then cut about every 1cm along the strip so it would bend into the circle shape ( a little bit tricky but it gives a nice finish) For the actual circles I used the SU Circle Cutter

A quick peek at the inside I have added a similar border to the front and embossed a few of the daisies in the corner.

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Well Scripted
Card: Wild Wasabi, Basic Black and Very Vanilla Soft Subtles DSP Collection
Ink: Wild Wasabi , Marina Mist and Versamark
Accessories: Punches ribbon and gel pen, Circle Cutter

Paper Players

2011-02-23T05:14:00.005+11:00

This is the challenge over at Paper Players for this week

This is my version of the challenge

I have embossed the background with alfoil using the Elegant Bouquet Folder (it doesn't show up all that well in the photo unfortunately). All the flowers have been embossed with black embossing powder so they are more striking with the glossy black on the silver metallic card.

Stamps: Eastern Blooms and Punch Bunch
Card: Silver Metallic. Old Olive, Basic Black
Accessories: Old Olive ribbon, Versamark, Embossing Powder and Punches, Elegant Bouquet embossing folder

Love These Boxes

2011-02-22T08:14:00.002+11:00

I have made these boxes in several different colours but this one is my favourite. I got the pattern from Butternut Sage designs and it looks so lovely in the Love Letter DSP from Stampin Up teamed with Cherry Cobler, Very Vanilla and Basic Black Card Stock

In each of the layers I made up different little gifts according to who was receiving it for this one I have used an empty SU container and put some bits and pieces of jewellery inside.

For this layer I actually scaled the box down and made a smaller box to go inside and put some lip gloss and a little perfume container

This layer was a card made in the hexagon shape which I made for each of the boxes.

Another Card with the Bliss Set

2011-02-20T08:41:00.002+11:00

I love all the stamps in this set they all complement each other really well:

I have stamped this card to give a wallpaper type effect and then sponged and spritzed the card with Crumb Cake. It is great the way Stamping Up has everything co-ordinating it was very easy to match the cardstock and the ribbon with the Concorde Crush ink. I then stamped the butterfly cut it out and embellished it with the beautiful pearls from SU.

A Gift

2011-02-19T11:32:00.002+11:00

Sue Madex my upline came around with a lovely present the beautiful Saleabration set BLISS so I thought I would make some cards using it. I have used the emboss resist technique. The image has been sponged and spritzed with Crumb Cake and mounted on Soft Suede Card Stock

A close up of the butterflies and the spritzing in the background the butterfly was stamped with Marina Mist then cut out and embellished with SU beautiful pearls.

The flowers were stamped in soft suede and roughly cut as I liked the contrast with the cream against the soft suede. They were then embellished with SU rhinestones

Missing In Action

2011-02-18T20:31:00.000+11:00

Well it has been a long time since I have been on my blog, after spending a month in hospital from the start of January to the 30th January I think I have turned the corner and I would like to thank everyone for all their support and good wishes. I have received some lovely cards and flowers I have included some of the lovely cards here:

These beautiful flowers and card are from my lovely upline Sue Madex

A big thankyou to Sharron, Cecile, Cheryl and Moira for these beautiful cards

Splitcoast Challenge CC302

2010-12-22T19:15:00.001+11:00

I love the combination of Red, Black and Whisper White so this challenge to use these colours was perfect at Splitcoast Stampers. The card changed several times whilst I was making it because I kept getting marks on the Whisper White so in the end I just decided to cut all the flowers out (lots of twists and turns around all those petals). Then I decided to put it in a frame so some of the flower is in the frame and some out of it and I quite liked how that turned out. After that I put Crystal Effects on each of the flowers (boy was that a bit fiddly as I had already glued the flowers into place). So everything I could do back the front with this card I did which meant half the afternoon was gone before I even knew it.

Here is a close up of one of the flowers

Card: Real Red, black and whisper white
stamp: Every Moment
Ink: Versamark and real red
Accessories: Embossing powder, markers, blender pens and aqua painter

The Home Stretch with my Christmas Cards

2010-12-19T04:46:00.004+11:00

I have nearly finished my Christmas cards but I only made a couple of these cards for a few friends as they were very time consuming and very glittery. I was very happy with how they turned out as they are so, so glittery. For the ornament I used the Scallop Trim Border punch and punched out rows and rows. I then applied Versamark all over them and then heat and stick powder and set it with the heat gun. Half the rows I covered in SU superfine red glitter and half in silver and then reset with the heat gun. I glued all the rows onto cardstock and then ran them through the Big Shot using the Movers and Shapers Holiday Windows.

Here is a close up of the Christmas Decoration with all its glitter

Wish For Peace

2010-12-18T04:39:00.002+11:00

I did this technique in class a long time ago and thought I would give it a go on my Christmas card. I stamped on the back of some acetate with Stazon then covered the image with Crystal Effects and then added lots and lots of Dazzling Diamonds, so it is very glittery and shiny in real life. I then backed this with a piece of vanilla cardstock that had been run through the big shot with the Elegant Bouquet folder. The main card is Cherry Cobler

Here is a close up of the dove you can see the dazzling diamonds a little more clearly.

Z Fold Card - Splitcoast Stampers

2010-12-16T20:57:00.001+11:00

This week at Splitcoast they have a Z Fold Tutorial there are completre instructions and a video to complete a Z Fold card and an invitation to upload your card to the gallery. Each week they have a different tutorial covering a large range of ideas for cards, it is a fabulous resource for any stamper. This is my Z Fold card after following the tutorial. It is a very similar concept to one of the Christmas Stamp A Stacks we did in class this year. I used the Cupcake die for my main feature and some chunky glitter to highlight the top of the cupcake

This is the inside, so you can see whether you are looking at it from the front or from the inside you see the cupcake as it is doublesided.

Stamps; Itty Bitty Bits, On Your Birthday

Card: Pacific Point

DSP: Blueberry Crisp

Ink: Pacific Point

Another Loved Defined

2010-12-16T10:25:00.000+11:00

This is another stamp in the Love Defined set, I have combined Whisper White, Real Red and the lovely hearts paper from the Play Date DSP set.

A close up of the centre panel, I used the paper piercer to put holes around the scallops and a little bit of bling on each side.

Love Defined

2010-12-14T06:07:00.001+11:00

This was another card I made for my launch using the Love defined stampset and the marker to stamp technique, for the tree I used Old Olive, Peach Parfait and Choc Chip Markers. Here is a close up of the middle tree:

On one of the branches I have added one of the ever so cute tiny brads from the vintage trinkets and hung a vintage tag from the tree. The 4 You was stamped from the Tiny Tags Set.

Stamps: Love Defined, Teeny Tiny Tags, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Very Vanilla

Markers:: Old Olive, Peach Parfait and Choc Chip

Accessories: Markers, Mini Vintage Tags, Vintage Trinkets

Bitty Buttons

2010-12-12T15:42:00.000+11:00

Poppy Parade and Whisper White look so nice together and this card is very simple it just uses lots of punches. The two square punches make creating a small border so easy. Then the boho blossom, heart to heart and the 1/2" circle punch create the next layer. I stamped the images from itty bitty bits and punched them out with the itty bitty punches and then topped them with the new itty bitty buttons. Such a quick and easy card. The sentiment is from the just believe set.

Wish Big

2010-12-10T09:25:00.001+11:00

The big rush is on now to make all those Christmas cards that haven't been made to send out.

In this card I have used lots of different SU goodies. I have stamped Merry from the Tiny Tags on one of the new Mini Vintage Tags and hung it from one of the Antique Brads. The background has the new Textured Impressions used on the bottom half of the card and sponged with Early Espresso. For the ornament I used the greeting from the set Word Play and punched it out with the ornament punch and then matted it with the ornament from the Movers and Shapers Holiday Window set. The Branch uses the Elements of Style Set and the postage mark is from the Winter Post set.

Card: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso and Real Red
Ink: Reak Red and Early Espresso
Stamps: Word Play, Tiny Tags, Elements of Style and Winter Post
Accessories: Mini Vintage Tags, Antique Brads, Ribbon

Mojo Monday 168

2010-12-08T05:41:00.014+11:00

This weeks Mojo Monday Sketch is:

This is my card from this weeks design:

I have used both silver and white embossing powder on both the main image and on the greeting and combined this with Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White card. The effect is quite striking in reality but the photography doesn't quite convey that. Just look at that bow - after about 10 efforts I was happy with the finished look. For the main image I embossed the tree again in silver and white and cut it out and then I added it on with dimensionals, I did the same with the little bauble in the greeting and added some little pearls to it:

Sentimental Journey Card

2010-12-07T01:49:00.000+11:00

The new Travel Journal DSP and Sentimental Journey Stampset from the new Mini are great not only for travel cards but for men's cards as well. The DSP makes it so easy to coordinate a fabulous masculine card. This is one I made for my mini launch:

This card could so easily be adapted for a man's card by replacing the Travel stamp and the plane with different stamps.

Stamps: Sentimental Journey
Card: Night of Navy and Crumb Cake
DSP: Travel Journal
Ink: Night Of Navy

Presto Wedding

2010-12-05T10:18:00.000+11:00

I just love the new Presto paper and so do other people it seems. I made this card for my launch and the very next day my daughter's friend desperately needed a wedding card so now its gone. My daughter said to me just take a photo Mum and then you can whip up another one (yep five minutes is all it takes!!!).

The beautiful silvery shimmery look doesn't photograph very well, I used the new Silver Foil Smooch and the shimmer paint on it as well so it was lovely and shiny. My photography is not the best normally but when you only have 2 minutes before it walks out the door it is even worse. Even the beautiful SU rhinestones aren't very shiny in this picture.

The inside has the other side of the Presto sheet but that didnt get photographed.

STAMPS: Fun and Fast Notes
CARD: Presto, Metallic Silver, Black and Whisper White
INK: Versamark and Silver embossing powder
ACCESSORIES: Smooch spritz, Shimmer Paint, Rhinestones and Ribbon

Last Christmas Card Class

2010-12-04T13:26:00.001+11:00

This is the final Christmas card class I had for the year and this is one of the cards we made:

It was actually nice to do a card that wasn't red or green for Christmas and Marina Mist and Silver are a lovely combination together. This card was part of the Stamp A Stack, we have done 4 Christmas Stamp A Stacks now so everyone has lots of Christmas cards to send out.

Next week's class is making glitter christmas balls and little boxes with choccies in them:

So if you are interested in coming along to the class on Thursday 9th December at 1pm or 7pm just give me a call on: 0423 792 655

December Mini Launch

2010-12-03T09:24:00.000+11:00

Wow what a busy week it has been. Started off with the first of Decembers Stamp A Stack on Tuesday (I know technically it was 30th November) which everyone enjoyed even though it was a pretty late night.

Then on Wednesday I had my first launch, thankyou to the lovely ladies that attended. There were lots of cards to make and new stamps and products to see. (Then on Thursday two more Stamp a Stack Classes.)
There were some little bags for the ladies to take home with some samples of new products and a little present for everyone.

The lucky prize winners were:

MAIN PRIZE

Kerri M

LEVEL 1 SETS

Jenny

Cheryl

Helen

Marie-Louise

Sharron

$30 TO SPEND

Ann

Leanne

Cheryl

Lisa

Jenny

Here are some of the ladies doing the make and takes:

Here are the make and takes the ladies did:

In this first one we used the beautiful Love Defined Stamp Set and used the marker to stamp technique. We combined Old Olive, Poppy Parade and Chocolate Chip. The image is stamped on the Confetti Cream Card. For a little bit of interest we paper pierced the scalloping

The second card used one of my favourite sets Aviary and combined Riding Hood Red and Soft Suede together, for the background we brayered the fabulous new Presto Specialty DSPwiththe Riding Hood Red ink. This new paper is so versatile as you can sponge, brayer or spritz with the new smooch spritz for a fantastic co-ordinated look for your card. We also used the new Well Scripted set for the Happy Birthday greeting

This third card is so quick and each we used the Just Believe set and stamped it onto Crumb Cake card and then ran it throught the Big Shot with the new Square Lattice embossing folder. For a little embellishment we added a piece of Chantilly Crochet Trim on a Piece of Early Espresso Card stock added a greeting and the card was done.

Just Add Ink 45

2010-12-01T13:42:00.000+11:00

I had heaps of flowers I watercoloured for another challenge (lots of cutting out in this one) left over so I thought I would make up a card for this weeks Challenge at Just Add Ink:

It is similar to the one I made the other day and it uses

Stamps: Perfect Punches and Growing Green

Ink: Stazon, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, Blushing Bride and Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Watercolour Paper, Ribbon (Pink Pirouette - retired) and Punches

Another Box Gift

2010-11-30T05:11:00.000+11:00

This is another box I made for the first Christmas get together of the festive season. This is the actual box which I decorated with flowers from the Flower Folds Die from the Bigx XL Dies. These dies make decorating so quick and easy.

These are the cards that were in the box, I just chose a different colour for each one

This is a close up of the flower with a circle punched out in the centre with a button and linen thread to decorate.

Christmas Card Class

2010-11-28T17:44:00.000+11:00

This is one of the Christmas Cards we are doing this week. There are still vacancies on Tuesday night if you are interested contact me to reserve a spot.

Mojo Monday

2010-11-27T19:14:00.003+11:00

This is the sketch for Mojo Monday 166:

This is my interpretation of it using the Lovely Growing Green Set from Stampin Up. Lots of cutting out in this one. The Ferns fronds and the flowers have all been cut out and layered on the card. The

A couple of close up pictures of the watercolouring and pearls

Stamps: Growing Green, Oval All
Card: Blushing Bride and Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla
DSP: Certainly Celery from the Subtles Pattern Stack
Accessories: Embossing Folder, Ribbon and Pearls

Gift Card Holder Tutorial

2010-11-27T07:47:00.003+11:00

I have had several emails for a tutorial on the little gift card holder I made last week, so here are a few quick steps to make this easy gift card.

1. Cut Real Red base: 4” x 8” (scored at 4”) Fold in half and tape sides together

2. Cut Celebrations DSP 3 ¾” x 3 ¾ “ and 1 ¼ x 4”.
3. Attach larger piece of DSP to front
4. Cut Real Red Top: 3” x 4 ¼” (scored along 3” side at 1 ½ “)
5. Attach one of smaller DSP to the front outside of the top
6. Attach this to the gift card at the back.

7. For the decoration on the punch a real red circle 1 ¼” then punch 5 real red and 5 pacific point ½”small circles and attach around the circle. Decorate with button and linen thread

8. For the fake bow - Cut an oval from real red using the 1 3/8” punch then using the 1 ¾” punch line this up evenly around the oval cutout so you just get the small oval ring and punch it out. Repeat this till you have 3 Real Red and 3 Pacific Point.

9. Attach at the back of the gift card. Then cover the back with the other small piece of DSP

For the insert to hold the gift card cut a piece of pacific point 6” x 2 ½”, score at 1 ¾” and fold up to form
Tape the edges and decorate.
To keep the gift holder closed I used a half a Velcro circle.

The Christmas Parties Have Started

2010-11-25T07:46:00.000+11:00

I had my first Christmas party with the group who first introduced me to cards a couple of years ago. We haven't been catching up as much of late though. Here is one of boxes of cards I made to give as a gift. This is the front of the box which fitted perfectly to the new Scallop Square for the big Shot coming out on December 1st. I used Wild Wasabi and the Pendant Park set to decorate the front. (sshh - Dont look too closely at the row of Rhinestones they definitely dont look too straight)

For the actual cards I used the beautiful Fresh Cut cards and stamped the same Pendant Park image behind the flower of the card.

Here is a close up of the card I decorated the front with the little flower from the Boho Blossom punch and of course used Stampin Ups lovely Rhinestones (you have to have some bling on the cards)

JAI 44 Female Version

2010-11-23T12:51:00.001+11:00

This is my female version of the Just Add Ink challenge this week. This uses the new Embossing folder available December 1. In this picture you cant see the layer of Wild Wasabi underneath the Confetti Layer, but you can see it in the third photo

This is a close up of the lovely texture the new embossing folder Square Lattice gives.

The Just for You looks a bit dotty but that is the cardstock I have used Confetti for this and the background .

Stamps: Just Believe

Card: Confetti Cream Choc Chip, Wild Wasabi and River Rock

Accesories: Choc Chip Ribbon (retired) distressing tool and punches

Just Add Ink 44

2010-11-22T09:15:00.001+11:00

This weeks challenge at Just Add Ink Challenge 44 is a little bit tough - it is to combine the following colours:

So I thought this would lend itself to making another male card with my new set Extreme Elements stamp set. I have stamped the images in Chocolate Chip and Wild Wasabi, and sponged the edges in River Rock and Choc Chip. The edges have been distressed with my distressing tool and some linen thread used to add to the Jungle effect. The top of the card is Wild Wasabi run through the big shot with the new Square Lattice Embossing Folder which will be out on December ! in the new Mini Catalogue.

For the tag I have stamped with Choc Chip on River Rock and distressed and sponged the edges and added some 5/16" brads.

Stamps:                           Extreme Elements and Party Hearty
Card:                               River Rock, Choc Chip, Wild Wasabi
                                        and Very Vanilla
Ink:                                  River Rock, Choc Chip, Wild Wasabi
Accessories                     Distressing Tool, Linen Thread and Brads

Boys Cards - Too Hard Basket

2010-11-19T17:01:00.000+11:00

I have such trouble with boys and mens cards I have been known to give in and go and buy a commercial one (ssh don't say that out loud) because I dont like the mens cards I have made. This one uses the Extreme Elements set and the new roller that is coming out on December 1.

This is the insides with just a small panel of the stamped area matted on black.

Stamps : Extreme Elements, Birthday Wheel

Card: Pacific Point, Very Vanilla and Black

Ink: Black Pacific Point and Basic Grey

Quick and Easy Gift holder

2010-11-17T09:34:00.000+11:00

These lovely little gift holders are so quick and easy I have seen them popping up on lots of blogs, so I don't know who the original creator was. I have used the fabulous Celebrations paper to brighten it up. For the little feature button on the front, I cut a 1- 3/8" circle punch and then arranged little circles of real red and pacific point cut from the 1/2" circle punch on top. I then attached a designer button threaded with linen thread.

Card: Real Red and Pacific Point
DSP: Celebrations
Accessories: Punches, button and linen thread

Just Add Ink 43 Christmas Challenge

2010-11-15T08:43:00.000+11:00

The Just Add Ink Challenge this week is to Just Add Christmas. I have made a few Christmas cards using the Medallian Stamp and non traditional Christmas colours. This one is very similar to the second card that I have posted earlier but has a different centre.

Card: Metallic Gold, Very Vanilla and Black

Stamp: Welcome Christmas

Acessories: Versamark, black and Gold Embossing Powder

My Baby is 21 today

2010-11-14T12:26:00.001+11:00

My daughter doesn't like anything flowery so that cut out 90 percent of the stamps I could use, doesn't like anything mushy there goes another 5percent and definitely does not like pink. So the card ended up being metallic silver and I used the junior alphabet and the simple numbers alpabet and cut them out in black. Everything was covered in Crystal effects, the No 2 had to be done 3 times because the first one the cat jumped on the table and that was the end of that one. The second one I was looking for something 4 hours after I had remade it and knocked a piece of paper onto it and that was the end of the second one, boy does that stuff take a long time to dry.

Ever since she was at kinder she has complained about her name - Jacqueline, she has continually said there is no-one (not ONE) she emphasises that has 10 letters in their name in her class. The kinder teachers used to put Jack on her paintings until she could write her own name (I wasn't too happy about that abbreviation). So needless to say I didn't put her name on the card - I dont think they make envelopes that long. Her name does get shortened sometimes by her sisters they call her Jac (at least they don't put the k on the end) but her mum and dad don't tend to abbreviate her name. So I thought to retain my sanity I wouldn't try to fit Jacqueline on the card and Crystal effect it as well.

Anyway I hope my baby has a wonderful 21st.

Melbourne Regionals - Butterflies

2010-11-13T06:17:00.000+11:00

I made lots of lovely bright swaps for the regionals and everything has lots and lots of butterflies.

There are two different sorts the first ones I made with the Beautiful Butterflies die and the Beautiful Wings embosslit, with a mixture of bright colours Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise and Daffodil Delight. I made a little box and attached the wings to the front and back and punched the flower from the Boho Blossom punch for the middle of the butterfly wings and added a rhinestone in the middle. In each little box there are some choccys.

The second type I used the Petal Card extra large punch to create the little box for the choccys and stamped the level two Cute by the inch for the front and decorated with the flower from the Boho Blossom punch and some brads and butterflies from the Beautiful Wings embosslit

Another Welcome Christmas Card

2010-11-12T07:57:00.000+11:00

There are so many ways to use this stamp it really is very versatile, this time I have kept the colours very simple Whisper White and Real Red.

I stamped the image with Real Red Ink on Whisper White and then punched it out. Then using my Movers and Shapers from the Holiday window set I cut out another Ornament which is slightly large to matt it in Real Red. I have used the 1/8" Real Red Taffeta ribbon to hang the ornament. The background has been embossed with the Polka Dot embossing folder and the Merry Christmas has been embossed with white embossing powder.

Card: Real Red and Whisper White

Accessories: Ribbon, Movers and Shapers, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Versamark and Embossing Powder

Quick Post Today

2010-11-11T09:23:00.000+11:00

I did a workshop the other night and one of the ladies asked me for a gift certifcate. This is what I came up with for the certificate. The DSP is retired but the lady likes blue and I didn't have any other DSP. The flowers were made with the Blossom Party die

This is the inside with the certificate to give to her friend for a present. A layer of Baja Breeze and a couple of punches, what a quick easy present.

Card: Baja Breeze and retired DSP

Accessories: Big shot die and SU punches and SU pearls

Welcome Christmas Bundle

2010-11-10T07:48:00.000+11:00

I have made heaps of cards with the Welcome Christmas Stamp from one of the Christmas Bundles on special until the end of November. This card I used the Riding Hood Red striped ribbon which you get for FREE when you buy one of the bundles and I added one of the beautiful brads from the Antique Brads new in the catalogue this year. Add some of the very versatile Love Letter DSP and here you have another lovely Christmas card to add to my little pile to send out for Christmas.

Card: Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso and Very Vanilla
DSP: Love Leter
Accessories Punch, Antique Brad, Riding Hood Red Ribbon and Circle Scissors

Hostess Gift

2010-11-08T09:12:00.001+11:00

This is the hostess gift and card I have made for my workshop using Becky Robert's template. I just love the colours and the way it turned out. (Even hubby thought this one was pretty cute.)

I used the beautiful Vintage brads to create the clip on the bag and filled the bag with some lovely SU goodies, for the hostess. I made a matching card by using the outline but making the top closed and the bottom opening for the card

Card: Riding Hood Red and Very Vanilla

DSP: Love Letter

Accessories: Vintage Brads

Someone has a grudge against Stampin Up and Stamp A Stack

2010-11-05T08:02:00.014+11:00

After I had finished making my box and cards the other day look what I found on the floor. I think my puppy Winston is trying to tell me I am not spending enough time with him. He is not chewing anything else up only my Stampin Up things. I think this lid might be beyond saving. I am dreading what else I might find under the couch or chairs, better not do any more cleaning, ignorance will be bliss until I can't find something I need.

Apart from that I thought I would give you a quick peek at what we did at Stamp A Stack this week. There is still one more Stamp A Stack in December if you are interested contact me.

The first card we used the roller to roll on the ribbon to match the inside of the card which was a popular technique.

The second card used the Petals A Plenty embossing folder to produce this lovely Christmas Tree.

Just Add Ink 41 Birthday Challenge and Paper Players Anything Goes

2010-11-03T07:28:00.000+11:00

A Special 50th Birthday

I wasn't going to do the birthday challenge at Just Add Ink this week but as it is one of my sister's 50th Birthday on the 7th of November I needed to make something special for her - and this is what I made. It is also anything goes at Paper Players this week, so I put my little box on there as well. My sister is a bit of a flower person hence all the flowers on the box. I just love the little butterfly embosslits so they are going on lots of things at the moment as well. I love Blossom Party die for the flowers (the big flower is a Daisy 2 die from SU USA a friend went over their last year to visit her son and brought it back for me)

The little box has her favourite french perfume in it and the little pillow box has a little swarovski crystal in it. we have a few other surprises for her but they don't fit in my little box.

This is the matching card I am just loving Stampin Ups pearls and rhinestones as I am a bit of a bling person. I had to use a pearl from their retired Pretties kit on the front flower of the box as they don't have them any more (sigh!!)

Oops I think I got a bit carried away inside not heaps of room to write on - oh well I will have to give her extra hugs instead.

Butterflies and pearls just love them.

Paper: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla and Elegant Soiree DSP

Accessories: Lots of bling, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Little leaves embosslit, Blossom Party, Pillow Box and Daisy 2 dies

Pals Paper Arts Challenge

2010-11-01T05:21:00.001+11:00

I thought I would try this challenge this week at Pals Paper Arts:

I have gone a bit brighter this week and also used a Stamp Set that I haven't used before - Kimono Kids.
To get the scallop effect at the top I used an the verandah idea from Debbie Airey in last weeks Just Add Ink Challenge. I also embossed the images in black before colouring them in to give greater definition and makes the water colouring a little easier.

This is a side on view to see the verandah effect, I cut out each of the lanterns and hung them from the verandah.

Card: Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise and Very Vanilla
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Versamark, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Ribbon, Buttons and Punches

My New Stamp

2010-10-30T08:00:00.000+11:00

I bought one of the Christmas Bundles as I didn't have the Welcome christmas Set and of course I had to have another Christmas stamp set. I do like this set and wanted to do something a bit different with it so I dusted off my Medallion Stamp and combined the two. I embossed the Medallion Stamp with Black Embossing powder on Very Vanilla and then cut out the middle and embossed in gold the scene from the Welcome Christmas Set. I then cut a Very Vanilla circle to accentuate the middle as it didn't stand out enough. The Very Vanilla is layered on Black and the actual card is SU Metallic Gold.

I was really happy with the way it turned out but I was not very happy with the way I photographed it.. The lovely black and gold embossing doesn't show up all that well and the Very Vanilla looks white.
Around each of the points I added some SU tiny pearls which look very sweet.

This is the inside which was just half of the Medallion embossed in Black and layered on Black cardstock

BBFF - Best Blog Friends Forever Award

2010-10-29T11:55:00.001+11:00

I have received two of these in the last week I would like to thank the lovely ladies who gave them to me Tania (Scissors Paper Card) and Patrice (Spring Blossom Musings) I love looking at your blogs you are both very talented ladies. I think you are meant to pass this on to people that inspire you:

There are some great ladies in the Think Ink Team whose blogs I like to look at and who have left lovely comments on my blog :
Bec: http://becsstampinground.blogspot.com/
Sue M: http://www.madexcreations.com/madex_creations/
Ange: http://stampinange.blogspot.com/
Kylie: http://www.stampinkylie.com/
Sharon: http://stampwithsharono.blogspot.com/
Deb: http://debzhouse.blogspot.com/

Another gift Card

2010-10-29T07:10:00.001+11:00

This was one I forgot to include in with the series of Gift Card Holders.

This is the inside that I rolled the Sparkly and Shine roller on one side and then on the bottom of the card I embossed it in gold and cut out a few of the ornaments. Sorry about the shadow but I couldn't get the card to stay open.

For the ornaments on the front I used the versamark pen so that the star in the middle was not covered with heat and stick and dazzling diamonds

Stamps: Four The Holidays, Delightful Decorations, Elements of Style, Sarkle and Shine

Card: Cherry Cobbler , Old Olive and very Vanilla

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Versamark

Accessories: Punches, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat and Stick and Dazzling Diamonds

October Classes

2010-10-28T10:28:00.000+11:00

Just a quick look at one of the classes we have been doing this month. We did a little box that holds some chocolates in a top note and a little open up journal book, which we decorated. We had fun with lots of punches, embossing and glitter.

This is a peek at the inside (sorry the photo is not great)

So if you are interested in classes in November the times and contact dates are on the tab at the top of the page.

Look What Happens When Someone Isn't Taken For His Walk

2010-10-26T01:44:00.002+11:00

Aren't I just such a good boy!!!! Ah No!! I don't think up on the table with all my cards is where he should be.

Look what I found under the table - this one WAS the band around the gift card.

This WAS the lid to my stampin mist I have been looking for everywhere .

There is the top and one of the cards we made for out little box in class this week, the other bit of red is what is left of the bottom of the box. Thank goodness the class was last week and not this week.

Now Winston is a very active 10 month old pup that my two eldest daughters bought for me when they shifted out of home this year (don't worry that I already have a golden retriever and two cats, not too mention the four girls we got in march as well - Boss, Vanilla, Runt and Speckles they are the four chooks. I think they are part of my husband's mid life crisis (I think he thinks he is farmer Jo with his four chooks and three big vegie patches, he did want a duck as well but I said no to that one - but we do get lots of lovely eggs from the girls)

So never a dull moment in our house!! I will make sure Winston has his walk every day because up to now we haven't had too much destruction from the dog but 2 days without a walk and someone got a little bored I think.

Just Add Ink 40

2010-10-25T01:08:00.007+11:00

This is the Just Add Ink challenge for this week make a card using these colours:

Now I must say I had a great deal of trouble with this card as they are not colours that I would normally put together (I suppose that's the idea), so I thought I would use a technique I have not used for a while - using markers on embossed vellum. This is the card I came up with:

Embossing on vellum and then colouring the velum gives a nice soft finish to a card and I thought that would go well with the soft colours of the challenge.

Card: Sahara Sand, Blushing Bride , Pear Pizzazz and Bashful Blue
Ink: Sahara Sand
Stamp: Teeny Tiny Sentiments and Fifth Avenue Floral
Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Punch and Ribbon

Dress Up Christmas

2010-10-24T04:26:00.002+11:00

I just love the new Christmas Cocoa Paper....... This time I teamed the paper up with the lovely Real Red Polka Dot Ribbon and used Heat and Stick and Dazzling Diamonds on Dasher, it really gives that
WOW factor to your cards. We did a Dasher with the Dazzling diamonds in our class this month everyone just loves the effect the Dazzling Diamonds has on their cards.
Paper: Christmas Cocoa Specialty DSP, Real Red,
Stamp: Dasher, Short and Sweet
Accessories: Ribbon and punch

Card Patterns Sketch 86

2010-10-23T04:59:00.001+11:00

This is the latest sketch at Card Patterns:

This is the card that I have come up with for this Sketch:

A lady at my class the other day said to me you really like this little Dasher as you include it in so many cards. I find it such a versatile little stamp and I just love gold embossing it makes him stand right out. The new Christmas Cocoa DSP that has just come available to us this week is fabuous and so easy to use with any design.

Paper: Soft Suede, Whispering White and Christmas Cocoa DSP
Stamp: Dasher
Accessories: Ribbon, Gold Embossing Powder and Circle Cutter

Dress Up Christmas

2010-10-22T05:03:00.002+11:00

Here is my first card from the Christmas Gift Giving Bundles, the Christmas Cocoa Designer Series Paper is fabulous: I have used four different sheets in this card. The Christmas decoration is punched using the Ornament Punch from one of the sheets that has a velvety finish to the paper it really is lovely.
I have used the Elegant Bouquet Embossing folder on the centre panel to add a bit more interest to the card, and also some of the lovely new pearls that SU has introduced.

Paper: Christmas Cocoa Specialty DSP, Real Red, Whisper White

Stamp: Occasional Quotes

Accessories: Ribbon Embossing Folder and punch

The second card using this yummy paper I tried something different, because I wanted to get the whole design in from the DSP I used the circle punch and then in Whisper White punched about a 1/3 of the ornament punch and then used the scallop punch to give that lovely scallopy finish. Then I couldn't help myself I just had to add some bling so lots of little pearls were then added.

Paper: Christmas Cocoa Specialty DSP, Real Red, Whisper White

Stamp: Four the Holidays
Accessories: Ribbon, Punches and Pearls

Just Love Those Dots

2010-10-21T05:55:00.003+11:00

I think Love Letter must be my favourite DSP paper in the new Catalogue. all those dots big and little I just love them.

The Cherry Cobbler looks so lovely with the cream and black

Inside I have just made a flatter version of the flower and used the new scallop border punch on the corners for a bit more interest

Paper: Black, Very Vanilla Cherry Cobbler and Love Letter DSP

Stamps: Occasional Greetings

Accessories: Scallop Border Punch and Little Leaves Die

Tutorial for Gift Bag

2010-10-20T07:53:00.003+11:00

Tutorial to make bag to attach to front of card

1. To make base of bag cut a piece of black cardstock 11cm x 3 cm

Score 1 cm in around each edge. (I have shown the score line with the white dotted lines as it doesn’t show up on black). A little bit fiddly as you are really making a tiny bag

2. Cut to the score line on each edge as shown in the picture trim each of the corners.

3. Attach red sticky strip to the four little corner tabs and make into a box.

4. Cut 2 pieces of Newsprint DSP 7.5 x 16 cm mark in 1cm along the bottom and draw a diagonal line to the top corner on each side (as shown by the red line) cut this section off.

5. Attach red tape to three sides of the back of one piece and along the bottom on the other piece.

6. Remove the tape from the piece that only has one piece of tape and attach to the base of the box, this is the back of the bag

7. Remove the tape from the other sheet and attach to the front and sides.

8. Cut a 2 pieces of black card stock 2cm x 30 cm use the scallop punch to create the scallop border for the top and bottom of the bag. I trimmed a bit off the top scallop strip to make that a bit thinner than the bottom one. Apply adhesive and attach to bag starting from the front. It doesn’t have to go all the way around but I did anyway as this gets stuck to your card and isn’t seen.

9. Flatten bag a little add brads to the front and some ribbon for handles as per the picture at the start. Attach this to your card. Have fun with your creations…

Christmas Special

2010-10-18T23:19:00.001+11:00

Create beautiful packaging to fit any Christmas gift with exclusive products from Stampin' Up! From 16 October-30 November, there are two ways to get FREE ribbon:

•Get an exclusive package of ribbon for FREE when you purchase a Christmas gift-giving bundle!

•Get an exclusive package of ribbon for FREE when you host a $550 workshop!

Purchase one of our Christmas bundles as a customer between now and November 30th, and choose one of 4 beautiful ribbons. Or host a workshop with sales of $550 or more and receive a bonus gift of one free roll of ribbon. What a great offer from stampin up to dress up all our Christmas cards and presents this year. So ring or email me today to book in your workshop or place your order for the Christmas bundles and receive your FREE CHRISTMAS RIBBON.

DESCRIPTION	WOOD MOUNT ITEM/SALE PRICE	CLEAR MOUNT ITEM/SALE PRICE
Gifted Bundle Gifted Set and Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper	124041 $66.90	124042 $56.90
Welcome Christmas Bundle Welcome Christmas Set and Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper	124045 $69.90	124046 $59.90
Season of Joy Bundle Season of Joy Set and So Swirly Stampin Around Wheel	124043 $67.90	----
Delightful Decorations Bundle Delightful Decorations Set and Ornament Punch	124044 $72.90	----

Just Add Ink 39 and Creative Sketches Week 2

2010-10-18T07:12:00.002+11:00

I have combined these two challenges together Just Add Ink No 39 and Creative Sketches Week 2 colour challenge.

The Just Add Ink Challenge this week is to raise awareness for Anxiety and Depression Month. The idea is then to send it to someone who needs their spirits lifted, I will be sending mine to my sister who had breast cancer and had her breast removed two years ago. She has spent all week at different doctors as there is a great fear that her cancer is trying to return, so now they are talking of the removing her ovaries and her other breast as it was a very aggressive cancer that she had. She is a single mum with a 6 year old and a 16 year old so she is very worried at present. (My card is just thanking her for being a wonderful mother to her girls and a wonderful sister to me).

The other challenge is to create a card with Marina Mist, Soft Suede and Always Artichoke.
Here is my card for this week:

Here is a peek at the inside.

Card: Marina Mist, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla and Always Artichoke
Ink: Crumb Cake and Marina Mist
Accessories: Embossing folder Elegant Bouquet, Butterfly embosslit. Pearls and Marina Mist ribbon

Gift Card Tutorial

2010-10-17T00:15:00.001+11:00

Here is the gift card tutorial for the gift card holder - the measurements are for this gift card. They can be altered to whatever size your card is and made into a handbag and left open with ribbon as the handles or closed with brads as in this example. (You just need to add the three score lines 1 cm apart on three sides of the pouch onto the finished size of your pouch)
Instructions

Cut DSP for pocket 17cm x 10cm.

Score along the 17cm side at 1cm, 2cm, 3cm, 14cm, 15cm and 16 cm.

Score along the 10 cm side at 7cm, 8cm and 9cm

Fold the sides as in the picture below to form valley and mountains

Unfold and fold the bottom in the same way as for the sides

The next step is to cut on the 3cm and 14cm score lines up to the 7cm score line as shown by the black lines in the pictures below. Cut out the 2 bottom square and in 3cm from both sides at the 7cm line

Place tape on the tabs as shown in the picture.

Fold the tabs in and remove tape and stick together as shown in the picture

Press the middle fold in on both sides and on the bottom

Tape the side fold down and tape at the bottom.

For the Pouch Flap

Measure a piece of real red cardstock 11cm x 6cm, on the 6cm side score at 3cm round the courners. Cut a piece of pacific point cardstock 10.5cm x 2.5cm, place a brad in the middle of this and then attach to the front. Attach the flap to the front of your card, then tape the pocket you have made ontothe card, placing a smaller brad in the middle to attach your twine to, this keeps the flap closed. Note there is no back to the pocket as the card forms the back

Hope you have fun making these gift holder bags and thanks for visiting my blog

Mojo Monday 160

2010-10-16T06:19:00.007+11:00

I haven't done a Mojo Monday for ages. This is this weeks sketch.

This is my version of the sketch.

You cant quite see but the flower has been embossed with Black Embossing Powder and it really makes the flowers pop out. The buttons are done with the button die and have crystal effects on them
Stamps: Inspired By Nature, En Francais and Pendant Park (the background under the flower)

Paper: Black Vanilla and Sahara Sand
Ink: Sahara Sand and Versamark
Acessories: Embossing Powder, Punch and ribbon

Gift Card Holder No 7 for the Man in your Life

2010-10-15T07:09:00.004+11:00

I thought I had better do one for the man in our lives although I must admit I do struggle a bit (a lot) with male cards. This one is done with Soft Suede one of the lovely new colours this year and the Elegant Soiree DSP and of course one of the big big brads.

Inside you can put tickets, gift card, book voucher or even money but that is not a good idea in our house because as soon as Dad has money in his wallet (or mum for that matter) the kids seem to know and desperately need money for something. There are multiple pockets so you could suggest to the kids multiple presents for Dad (he's worth it isnt he?).

This is a side on view from the front, so you can see it is quite big. Oops I have spent so much time on front I have been a bit lazy inside and not done anything, probably need to add a little something inside.

Gift Card Holder No 6

2010-10-14T07:00:00.000+11:00

This gift card holder is for a boy and you could put money, gift card or even a little toy as the pouch is quite big. I have used the Celebrations DSP and Brights DSP and Pacific Point, Real Red and Bashful Blue Card cardstock. I have also used the Jumbo and the 5/16 size brads and some hemp twine.

Here is the side view as you can see it is quite big, big enought to fit a little toy in there as well.

Gift Card Holder No 5

2010-10-13T08:50:00.002+11:00

Here is another funky gift card and bag idea for Mum this time. If you are looking to give Mum some Concert tickets, tickets to the tennis or even a gift card why not dress the card up a little bit. This lovely bag is done with the Newsprint DSP and Loveletter DSP Combined with black and Cherry Cobbler Cardstock. This time I added the Jumbo brads and the lovely lovely black satin ribbon

Here is a side view to see that you could pop tickets, perfume soaps all sorts of things into this card.

Back soon with a male boys and male for dad gift card idea

Gift Card Holder 4 (a little bit funky)

2010-10-12T10:38:00.000+11:00

Want to give a teenager (or any girl would love this) a gift card, tickets to a concert or even some money, this cute little bag is just the thing. Made with the Melon Mambo card and DSP from the level one In Colour Pack. The front of the card is a little bag that you can pop anything into (even a little perfume or lip gloss). There is a little tag that has a pocket in it to pop the gift card or money into.

This little tag fits neatly into the pocket so you can add any little goodies you want.

You can see there is plenty of room in the little bag.

A close up of the gift tag an optional extra to pop into the bag.

I finally got to use my Tote-ally Tess stamp, love the Melon Mambo colour. I also used the 5/16 brads and some melon mambo ribbon. Come back over the next few days I have done one for mum and dad also.

Just Add Ink 38

2010-10-10T07:52:00.015+11:00

This weeks challenge at Just Add Ink is in support of raising awareness of Breast Cancer.

Nearly everyone knows someone who has been touched by this awful disease myself included. My sister is one of the lucky ones she survived breast cancer thanks to trial drugs and several types of chemo and radiation. It was a terrible time for all the family and two years down the track we are very thankful to still have her with us.

There are many wonderful people out there helping Breast Cancer sufferers that need to be thanked and we still have a long way to go with research programs but every extra bit of support and help that is given is very much appreciated. The Cancer Council's website is www.pinkribbonday.com.au, it has lots of ideas on how you can help the cause,

This weeks challenge is based around all things feminine, beautiful and proud!

JUST ADD BLING ... and PINK!

This is my card for the challenge:

The idea for the roses came from Tania Gould's blog although Tania's are much more professional looking than mine it was great to have a go. Thanks for the tutorial Tania.

Card: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette Old Olive

Paper: Soft Subtles DSP

Ink: Regal Rose

Accessories: Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Big Shot Top Note, Rhinestones

Gift Card No 3

2010-10-08T04:46:00.002+11:00

The third gift folder in the series is a lovely little wallet style that will hold a gift card or some money tucked inside. For the first one I have used the lovely Melon Mambo card and the Printed Petal and Sweetheart stamp sets and of course lots of bling (I love SU new rhinestones).

The inside view of the gift card which you could leave blank if you wanted to write something, but I just love all the lovely floweres dotted everywhere.

Here are some others made in the same style (sorry about the photo you can't see all the lovely shiny glitter very well). This second one uses the Sparkly and Bright stamp set and the Jolly Holiday Christmas DSP.

Just a simple male gift card using Elegant Soiree DSP with the button from the Designer Buttons set added on the front .

Gift Card Holder No 2

2010-10-06T09:41:00.000+11:00

I must have a thing for dots at the moment I love this Love Letter DSP with its big dots and little dots. Combine it with SU wide striped ribbon to give a lovely finish. The little Christmas tree from the Sparkly and Bright set has been covered with Chrystal Effects and cut out and popped on with a couple of dimensionals.

On the inside there are two pockets, one side is to write on and the other side is to put money, gift card or a voucher in.

This is a picture of each of the sides that slip into the pockets

Stamps: Sparkly and Bright

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Vanilla and Old Olive

Acessories: Punches, Crystal Effects and Ribbon

Gift Holder No 1

2010-10-04T11:29:00.000+11:00

I have had a few requests for gift and money holders, so I thought I would run a series on different ways to make gift holders, a couple of these will be done in classes next month. The first one is a pop up gift card holder using the beautiful Love Letter paper

This first picture is the gift holder closed with a belly band around the outside, and decorated with the beautiful embosslit butterflies.

This is the pop up card open with a little scallop envelope to put a gift card or money inside. This folds down flat when closed.

This is a side view of the pop up card.

This is a close up of the Embosslit butterflies with some shimmer paint and pearls to decorate it.

Stamps: French Filigree

Card: Riding Hood Red, Black, Vanilla, Love Letter DSP

Ink: Black, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Embosslit, Pearls

JAI Challenge 137

2010-10-02T08:24:00.000+10:00

This is the Just Add Ink Challenge for this week - to use all these colours in a card. They are certainly different to the colours I would normally use. So I thought seeing it took me so long to master the spinner card I would give it another try using these colours and also because the little owl is so cute.

The card I have used is old olive and pumpkin pie and the woodgrain has been stamped with Always Artichoke. His little vest is stripes of the olive and orange glitter from SU (boy was that a bit tricky with such a tiny little vest, not too mention very messy lots of glitter everywhere) but it does give a very lovely finish. I used the rose red to punch his little heart.

Look What Happens To Those That Can't Wait

2010-10-01T11:50:00.000+10:00

I was like a kid in a toy shop yesterday. I have been seeing so many wonderful little owls popping up everywhere and I had to wait till yesterday to get my owl punch and could I wait - no by 11pm I had made 12 of those fiddly little suckers. That was okay until I got the idea I would make a spinner card, then it was all downhill from there. This is the finished product this morning, I had given up at 2am and gone to bed.

Here is attempt one, two, three and four on the floor as I kept mucking up either the ribbon (that is another sad story) the stamping of the woodgrain (6 efforts for that one) or the placing of the spinner (you know that red tape is not very forgiving if you put it in the wrong place 1,2 3...or more times) by this time the darns were coming out a little bit stronger.

I didn't take a picture of the fiasco with the ribbon, SU don't have a Riding Hood Red satin ribbon so at 1.30am I thought no worries I will dye it. So I hop onto Youtube for some help (there are 5 million ways to change the colour from markers,to spray and even using reinkers) so of course I have gone for the messiest way possible and soaked it and my fingers (who would think of putting rubber gloves on at 1.30 in the morning) with the reinker.

It didn't look to bad but I had started in the family room, moved to the study and now I was in the kitchen and boy had I made a mess in every room. If the kids had made the same mess they wouldn't be very popular, but nobody dared say a thing this morning when all the mess was everywhere.

Anyway after War and Peace I did finally get a card made and I do have another 10 little owls and I do have a messy house to clean up and I DO know everything not to do when making a spinner card (lol)

Distressing Kit

2010-09-30T09:43:00.000+10:00

This is my first go at using the Distressing kit the tea stain ink and mahogony ink are great and give a lovely finish to the card.

I had a go at lots of different things in this card, I used the aquapainter to colour some of the flowers. I stamped the image a second time and put some crystal effects on them and then cut them out and stuck them onto the card for a bit of a 3D effect. I popped on a couple of brads and some vanilla ribbon as well. (Haven't left any space to put a greeting oh well it will have to go without)

Stamp: Elements of Style
Card: Soft Suede, Vanilla and Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Crystal Effects, Brads Distressing Kit and Vanilla Ribbon

Just Add Ink 36

2010-09-28T14:57:00.001+10:00

This is the Just Add Ink Challenge for this week:

I needed a very special baby boy card and I love the Baby Bundle Stamp set (and I am so glad Stampin Up has brought back the lovely satin ribbons) so this is what I came up with:

I have used the new Marina Mist and combined it with Bashful Blue and Whisper White. The plaster has come off my wrist finally (it seemed like it was on forever) so I can tie bows again, so lots of cards have been getting ribbons and bows on them.

Playful Pieces

2010-09-27T16:45:00.000+10:00

This was one of those cards where everything I did went wrong. The image didn't stamp clearly, the colours weren't quite right, the masking didn't work properly. You name it and it went wrong.

Then finally on the inside I have put both Whisper White and Very Vanilla but it is going to stay that way now. I do like the combination of Pear Pizzazz, Melon Mambo and Concorde Crush and a bit of bling thrown in for good measure.

Card: Melon Mambo, Concorde Crush, Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla and Whisper White (oops)

Ink: Melon Mambo, Concorde Crush, Pear Pizzazz

Stamps: Playful Pieces, Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Tiny Tags and Very Vintage Wheel

Accessories: Rhinestones and Punches

Ribbon: 1/8" Taffeta

Last Card from Classes

2010-09-25T10:33:00.000+10:00

This was the last card we did in classes this week. I have seen a lot of cards on blogs where the folder has been brayered with ink and then run through the big shot. We did it the other way and ran it through the big shot and then brayered directly onto the card.

It was very effective with the Vintage Wallpaper and the Petals A Plenty embossing folders.

The back of the folder gives a very different look to the front but both are very effective. This card we brayered Regal Rose directly onto the card.

These two cards using the Petals a Plenty were done with Pear Pizzazz andmatched with Pear Pizzaa and Peach Parfait card along with the matching ribbons. The greetings were stamped from the Perfect Punches set.

Just love the Big Shot

2010-09-23T08:00:00.005+10:00

The Scallop Envelope is such a great die you canmake so many things with it.

This little gift I made to go with my hostess gift and just popped a selection of brads and buttons inside.

I used the Fancy Flower punch combined with the Scallop Circle Punch and the Boho Blossom Punch to make the flower and popped a flower brad in the middle.

The background was stamped in Regal Rose on the Regal Rose card with the flower from the Friends Never Fade set another set that has been getting lots of use.

10 Minute Card

2010-09-21T08:27:00.008+10:00

I'm sure my children think I can just whip up a card in five minutes without any trouble at all. On the weekend my daughter wanted a birthday card with purple (her friends favourite colour) and not too flowery. Oh and she was leaving in 15 minutes did I have anything suitable.

So this card is from the level 1 Hostess set - Birthday Bakery. I used my versamark pen and inked a couple of the cakes from the long stamp and then embossed with white embossing powder.

I just punched them out with the 1 1/4 " square punch and them punched a few of the in colours with the 1 3/8" square punch to place behind them. I used Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade and Pear Pizzazz (cute names aren't they). Then I layered it on some Poppy Parade ribbon, Wild Wasabi card and them Poppy Parade card.

The Happy Birthday is from the teeny Tiny Sentiments which I punched out with the window punch and then the new Modern Label punch. SU punches make it so quick and easy to make a card in a hurry.

Favourite Stamp

2010-09-19T10:33:00.000+10:00

I think Dasher would have to be my favourite stamp in the new catalogue. It is the first one I pick up when I am going to do a Christmas card.

The new satin ribbons are just gorgeous, and just add that bit extra to the card. I also stamped an extra dasher and put crystal effects on it and cut it out to give a bit more of a 3D effect to the reindeer and of course a bit more bling with the lovely new rhinestones.

Stamps: Dasher, Pendant Park

Ink: Razzleberry

Card: Crumb Cake, Razzlebeery

Accessories: Ribbon, Crystal effects, rhinestones

Thankyou cards for September

2010-09-17T11:55:00.000+10:00

This is my thankyou card for September for my lovely ladies. It uses the level 2 Cute by the Inch stamp set.

After stamping it in Melon mambo I punched it out with the 1 3/4" square punch and then punched a square of Melon Mambo with the 1 3/8" punch to place behind it. The edge was punched with the new scallop Trim border punch and then backed with a piece of Melon Mambo.

Mojo Monday

2010-09-15T09:36:00.000+10:00

I haven't done a Mojo Monday for ages so I thought I would give it a go this week. I love the new Christmas DSP Jolly Holiday it is very versatile and it is not limited to just Christmas cards. The Cherry Cobbler, Vanilla and Black combination go together very well I think.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny sentiments, Artistic Etchings

Card: Cherry Cobbler, Black and Very Vanilla

DSP: jolly Holiday

Ink: Black
Accessories: Punch and Ribbon

Here is the Mojo Monday sketch:

Thumbs Down from hubby

2010-09-14T11:22:00.000+10:00

I bought a roll of each of the lovely polka dot ribbon from one of the mini catalogues and had never used any of it so I thought I would make some non traditonal coloured Christmas cards. Here are two of them using Razzleberry and Soft Suede. My hubby took one look at them and said "I don't like them I don't like the colours." so that dashed that idea for using up the ribbons.

They are actually very quick to make. I used the so swirly wheel and ran it across the card twice, stamped the lovely new Christmas tree from Contempo Christmas and added some of the tiny pearls (love a bit of bling) and stamped the Merry Christmas from Teeny Tiny Sentiments and punched them out with the word window punch and the lovely new label punch so very easy.

I will have to think up something in a more traditional christmas colour to please hubby.

Happy Birthday

2010-09-11T09:06:00.001+10:00

It was my friend Jenny's birthday yesterday and fortunately my box of new stamps and inks arrived from Stampin Up.

I used the new Pear Pizzazz and teamed it with Melon Mambo. I thought I would try to make a card with not too many layers. There are only six layers on the front and three on the inside which isn't too bad for me.

I just love the new border punch it gives a wonderful finish to the edges. The flower brads and a little bit of bling finish of the card. On the inside of the card I couldn't resist another big flower they are very cute.

Stamps: Printed Petals, teeny Tiny Sentiments, Sweetheart
Card: Melon Mambo, Pear Pizazz and Whisper White
Ink: Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Brads Border Punch Rhinestones

First Class Back

2010-09-10T10:21:00.000+10:00

Well it was a very busy day yesterday with my first classes and everyone was very happy to be back stamping again. Stamp A Stack is a favourite coming up to Christmas and we tried out lots of the new things from the new Catalogue.

The first card we made with the new Delighful Decorations stampset and the matching punch combined with the beautiful finial press embossing folder. (and of course some of the new bling from the new catalogue)

The second card (sorry about the photo we had to take it on an angle so you can see the wonderful new shimmer paint from the catalogue, and the Wild Wasabi and Razzleberry are a bit washed out). the new Dasher stamp is so cute and I think it will feature in quite a few of my Christmas cards this year. both cards use the words from the new stamp set Four the Holidays