Birthday catch ups

By | August 23, 2013
2 Comments

Hi there

Well I’m a little bit (well actually quite a bit) behind in my blogging at the moment.  This card was given back in May for our neighbours son who turned 3.

Can you guess what we gave him as a present?  Jake’s a bit little for the Lego set we got so his Dad kindly volunteered to help him until he is old enough to play with it on his own – yeah right Greg!  It’s a great father/son time we hear and even Mum has had some fun playing with it too.  I’ve made a few ‘Lego’ cards for kids and are great if you don’t have many ‘kids’ stamp sets.
Supplies
Stamp – Bring on the Cake
Card Stock – Pacific Point, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
DSP – Summer Smooches (retired)
Ink – Pacific Point
Other – 1/2″ Circle Punch

Secret Garden

By | August 21, 2013
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Hi

As promised here is the card we made at team training earlier this month.

To achieve this look we stamped the image first with White Craft ink then sponged over the top.  We created a ‘mask’ out of scrap card stock using the matching framelit set, placed it back over the stamped image and then sponged – what a cool effect.
Supplies:
Stamp – Secret Garden, Petite Pairs
Card Stock – Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Crumb Cake
Ink – White Craft, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding
Other – Secret Garden Framelits, Bitty Banner Framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder, White Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Venetian Romance DSP, Simply Pressed Clay and Molds, Linen Thread

Happy Birthday Allison

By | August 19, 2013
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Hi there

Today is my sister-in-laws birthday and here is the card and gift that I made for her.

First of all the card – the layout is cased from a card we made at team training earlier this month (I will try and blog it later this week).

I wanted to use my new set Flower Shop doing the same technique Jacque taught us but it didn’t work out as well so modified it to the above.  I’m LOVING the new Simply Pressed Clay – I think you’ll be seeing a few flowers and buttons 🙂
For the gift we combined with my parents to give Allison money to buy a ticket to see the musical ‘Wicked’.  I couldn’t just give her the money in an envelope so made this cool voucher holder using the Pop N Cuts die  I’d seen on Tanya Bell’s. blog.  One layer of DSP isn’t strong enough so I cut out two, stuck them together and here is the voucher.  No gift is complete without chocolate so I set to making a cute box another great find from Tanya’s blog.  She has a great video tutorial for both of these
  

Supplies:
Card
Stamp:  Flower Shop, Gorgeous Grunge
Card Stock:  Calypso Coral, Pacific Point, Pool Party, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Pacific Point, Pool Party
Other:  Adorning Accents Edgelits, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Simply Pressed Clay, Pool Party Marker, Linen Thread, Dimensionals

Gift Voucher:
Stamp:  Flower Shop
Card Stock:  Pacific Point, Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink:  Pool Party
DSP: Sycamore Street (Retired)
Other: Pop N Cuts Die, Oval Framelits, Organza Ribbon, Rhinestone

Chocolate Box:
Stamp:  Label Love
Card Stock – Pool Party, Pacific Point, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Pacific Point
DSP:  Sycamore Street (Retired)
Other: Artisan Punch

Have a great week

Try Stampin on Tuesday #130

By | August 7, 2013
5 Comments

Hi there

I thought I’d use this week’s sketch for a masculine card and pulled out two great sets – Clockworks and Gorgeous Grunge.  My colour combo comes from last years Halloween paper – Howlstooth and Scaringbone.   I’m still trying to use up my retired paper stock before I get any more but I’d better hurry as we have a great special on this month.

Supplies:
Stamps – Clockworks, Gorgeous Grunge, Sketched Birthday
Card Stock – Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Ink – Tangerine Tango, Black Stazon
DSP – Howlstooth and Scraingbone (retired)
Other – Circles Collection Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Basic Black Brad (retired), Basic Black Glimmer Brad, Stripes Embossing Folder, Dimensionals


I’ve been busy preparing for our teams Extravaganza event this Saturday – we have 73 guests coming along to make 5 wonderful projects.  I can’t show you our project yet – you’ll have to check back later in the weekend to see what we make.

Until then have a great week

August’s ‘Best of’ stamp sets

By | August 6, 2013
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Hi

Who better to pick a “Best of” stamp set than the person who helped start Stampin’ Up! 25 years ago? Shelli Gardner, our CEO and Co-founder picked her favourite stamp images from the past 25 years and helped combine them into a single set just for you!


This set along with Best of Flowers and Best of Butterlies are available until 30 April 2014.

Don’t forget that this is the last month to order any of the single stamps

Please contact me if you wish to order any of the above.


Buy 3 and get 1 FREE offer

By | August 5, 2013
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BUY 3 GET 1 FREE OFFER

Offer Dates: 1-31 August, 2013

Offer Details: Buy three packs of select Designer Series Paper and get one for free!

The Fine Print:
  • These items don’t qualify for the offer:
    • Designer Series Paper Stacks
    • Specialty Designer Series Paper
    • Designer Series Paper from the holiday catalogue
    • Designer Series Paper ordered through hostess benefits
  • No limits. Order six? You’ll get two for free. Nine? You’ll get three for free.
  • Check out our Designer Series Papers in the annual catalogue pages 151, 153, and 154.
Contact me to place your order

Try Stampin on Tuesday #129

By | July 31, 2013
2 Comments

Hi there

Here we are again with another great sketch for Try Stampin on Tuesday

I had the three butterflies sitting on my desk so decided to make them my base for this weeks card.  They’re stamped using Strawberry Slush so I checked out my Colour Coach for some help and came up with one of my all time favourite colours Rich Razzleberry.  I then teamed it with Early Espresso for the base.

I haven’t added a sentiment as I’m not sure what I’ll use this card for.

Supplies:
Stamp – Flowering Flourishes, Papillon Potpourri
Card Stock – Early Espresso, Strawberry Slush, Very Vanilla
Ink – Rich Razzleberry, Strawberry Slush
Other – Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Bitty Butterfly, VersaMark, Clear Embossing Powder, Rich Razzleberry Brads (retired)

Hope you have a great week

Try Stampin on Tuesday #128

By | July 25, 2013
3 Comments

Hi there

Sorry I’ve been missing in action – it’s been all go in my little world.  My Mother-in-law has had some health issues of late and then yesterday I started a new job.  I had hoped to do a post last night but by the time I got home and had had dinner I was so tired I headed off for any early night!

Paula has given us another great sketch over at Try Stampin on Tuesday – pop on over and give this sketch a go.  It’s funny when you see a layout and think “I know what I’ll do for that” and then the final card is nothing like what you first thought.  Well that’s this card!  I’m really pleased though with how this turned out – I love the colour combo of Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede and Old Olive.

Supplies:
Stamps – En Francais, Sketched Birthday, Papillon Potpourri
Card Stock – Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla, Old Olive
Ink – Sahara Sand, Rich Razzleberry
Other – Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, Little Leaves Sizzlits Die, Bitty Banners Framelits, Circles Collection Framelits, 2 1/2″ Circle Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Rhinestones, Rich Razzleberry Brads (retired), Dimensionals, Sponge

I didn’t realise how many components were used to make this card until I started listing the above!

Well I think I’ll start heading off to bed – with this new job I have to get up a lot earlier than before and I’m not a morning person.

Catch you back here soon

Try Stampin in Tuesday – # 126

By | July 10, 2013
2 Comments

Hi there

Wow – three posts in three days 🙂

This weeks sketch lends nicely for my new set Sketched Birthday – see I told you there would be more cards with this set.

I’m not sure what it is with images that can be coloured in – must take us back to our childhood – but I love them.  This ‘cake’ is a chocolate one with yummy strawberry icing.  I’ve also taken to having black as a mat – it really makes the images and sentiment stand out.
Supplies:
Stamp – Sketched Birthday
Card Stock – Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink – Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush, Crushed Curry
Other – Bitty Banners Framelits, 2 1/2″ Circle Punch, Rhinestones, Dimensionals

Don’t forget to check out the other cards the designers have made here and why not give this sketch a go yourself – we’d love to have you join us.

Blooming with Kindness – team training demo

By | July 9, 2013
1 Comment

Hi there

Part of our team training day involves demonstrations showing us how to use new products, different techniques and ideas for workshops.  This was the first time I have done a demonstration to a big group (there were 42 of us) and it was a bit nerve racking to start with but I belong to such a wonderful team they make you feel relaxed and encourage you along the way.

This is the card I showed:

It combines a technique (heat embossing on vellum card stock) in a card that can be easily taught at a workshop.  I embossed the image with Midnight Muse ink and clear embossing powder then turned the vellum over and coloured in the flower from behind using Pool Party ink.  I’ve also used dry embossing for the bottom part of the card.  This is such a fun technique and I have some more cards to show you with this technique.
Supplies:
Stamp – Blooming with Kindness, Perfectly Penned
Card Stock – Midnight Muse, Whisper White, Vellum Card Stock
Ink – Midnight Muse, Pool Pary
Other – Clear Embossing Powder, Midnight Muse Satin Ribbon, Large Scallop Edgelit, Delicate Designs Folder, Decorative Label Punch  

Here are some other cards using this same technique:

For this one I stamped the image straight onto the Whisper White card stock and coloured in the ‘gaps’ of the flower.

While this one uses vellum paper (retired) that I found in my drawer.  I then decided to cut out the image with the Window Collections Framelit and sponge around the edge so that it stood out against the white background.

Something new – Team Training Swap

By | July 8, 2013
0 Comment

Hi there

A couple of weeks ago we had our all day team training event – it’s a great time to catch up with my fellow demos, have fun playing with new products, get some all round training and partake in swaps.

Well I finally got round to photographing my swap in the weekend!

I wanted to showcase the new In Colours – Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding and Coastal Cabana.  I already have a favourite – Coastal Cabana.  Can you pick the other new colour I used?

I’ve also used a new stamp set – Sketched Birthday.  This is a great one for colouring in.  When I made these I didn’t have the new magnetic platform but I’m sure it would have helped when I had to cut out 24 of the sentiment making sure they were all cut properly!  This is going to be such a versatile set as it coordinates with a number of framelits and has some good images.  Keep an eye out for more creations coming this way.

Supplies:
Stamp – Sketched Birthday
Card Stock – Basic Black, Whisper White, Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding and Coastal Cabana
Ink – Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Black StazOn
Other – Bitty Banners Framelits, 2 1/2″ Circle Punch, Blender Pens, Dimensionals

Check back tomorrow to see the card I demonstrated at team training.

Try Stampin on Tuesday #125

By | July 3, 2013
3 Comments

Hi there

For this week’s sketch I’ve used one of the new stamp set and punch bundles available from the new Annual Catalogue. I really love this set and have seen some amazing creations with it.  Can’t wait to recreate/create some of my own.  This particular stamp and punch come as a ‘bundle’ which is great as you save 15% on the total price.  Check out the other bundles on offer in the catalogue.  There is also a coordinating Embossing Folder that you can purchase separately.

Now on to the card:

Along with the new stamp and punch I have used the new colour of Crushed Curry.  Being a fan of ‘yellow’ I

just had to use it 🙂  It’s brighter and richer than Daffodil Delight.  My colour combo is straight from the updated Colour Coach.  I would highly recommend purchasing one of these.  Mine sits on my craft desk all the time.

Supplies:
Stamp – Mosaic Madness, Made for You (retired)
Card Stock – Island Indigo, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink – Crushed Curry, Island Indigo, Real Red
Other – Daffodil Delight Grosgrain Ribbon, Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Mosaic Punch, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Tasteful Trim Die, Dimensionals

Well I’m off to work – hope you have a great day.

2013 – 2014 Annual Catalogue out today

By | July 2, 2013
0 Comment

Hi there

The day we have all been waiting for – the release of the new 2013-2014 Annual Stampin’ Up! Catalogue 🙂

Click here to view a copy of it.  But before you do you may want to make yourself a cuppa and find a comfy chair.  Send me an email to get your own hard copy at just $5.00 ($7.00 incl postage).

Stampin’ Up! are also offering a great promotion for July – “Grab Your Greetings” .  This promotion runs from 2nd July to 31st July and gives you 25% off the below greetings sets.



Sale Price Retail Price Description Item
$37.46 $49.95 Sassy Salutations Wood-Mount Stamp Set 132070
$30.71 $40.95 Sassy Salutations Clear-Mount Stamp Set 126707
$31.46 $41.95 Sweet Essentials Wood-Mount Stamp Set 132085
$25.46 $33.95 Sweet Essentials Clear-Mount Stamp Set 126457
$45.71 $60.95 Petite Pairs Wood-Mount Stamp Set 128706
$36.71 $48.95 Petite Pairs Clear-Mount Stamp Set 122497

I’ll be back soon with some cards using some of the new sets.

Try Stampin on Tuesday #124

By | June 26, 2013
3 Comments

Hi there

Where has the last week gone!  It’s hard to believe that we are now almost half way through the year but the good thing is that Summer is coming lol.  Winter is my least favourite season and we have had a good dose of winter here in NZ this last week – the worst storm in decades swept across the whole country.

On a brighter note is my card for this weeks challenge over at Try Stampin on Tuesday.  I’ve used a set that hasn’t seen ink for awhile but is also going to be retiring in less than a week!  I’ll be sad to see this set go as I have enjoyed using it and the versatility it gives with different colouring methods.

Supplies:
Stamp – Bordering on Romance, Best Dad Ever
Card Stock – Regal Rose, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
Ink – Regal Rose, Rose Red, Old Olive, StazOn
Other – Adorning Accents Edgelits, Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Subtles Brads, Dimensionals

I’ll be back soon with the card I made for our team swap.

Try Stampin on Tuesday #123

By | June 19, 2013
2 Comments

Hi there

I hope you week is going well.

We have another great sketch this week.

I decided to use a stamp set that hasn’t seen ink for awhile.  Do you have a few of ‘those’ sets?  I know I do.

I heat embossed the image then used my blender pens to ‘colour’ in.  Very relaxing.  It’s great having a ribbon ‘left over’ box – you never know what you’ll find in there that just finishes off a project.
Supplies:
Stamp – Apothecary Art, Best Dad Ever
Card Stock – Rose Red, Wild Wasabi, Watercolour Paper
Ink – Rose Red, Wild Wasabi
Other – Wild Wasabi Embossing Powder, Blender Pens, Dauber, Labels Collection Framelits, Basic Pearls, Large Pearls, Dimesionals, So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

Have a great rest of your week and if you’re in New Zealand – keep dry and warm 🙂