Happy Birthday

By | October 12, 2013
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Hi there

Well we’ve had a mix of weather today – sun, rain and wind. I had to drive over the Auckland Harbour Bridge today and boy was it windy.

A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine had a birthday and here’s the card and gift I made for her.

I am loving making these little boxes – they look really cool and are a great size for holding Whittakers Chocolate mini slabs.  I think I need to buy shares with the amount of chocolate I buy!  The flower on the belly band is made from 4 Scallop Circles.  I used the same DSP as the box and card front – the way you fold the cut outs you get to see a mix of the pattern.

 Supplies:
Stamp – Oh, Hello, Sketched Birthday
Card Stock – Lucky Limeade, Pretty in Pink (both retired), Calypso Coral, Whisper White
Ink – Island Indigo, Calypso Coral
DSP – Tea for Two (retired)
Other – 5/8″ Flower Trim (retired), Paper Doilies, Pretty in Pink Brad (retired), Daubers, Ovals Collection Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits

Summer Silhouettes CASE

By | October 8, 2013
1 Comment

Hi there

Last weekend we had a lovely time in Whitianga staying with my cousin and his wife.  It’s certainly nice to get away for the weekend – and even better when it’s a three day weekend 🙂

I taught this card at a recent workshop.  My hostess had bought the stamp set a month earlier so I thought I’d use it to help inspire her (and me) with this set.  I fell in love with this set when it came out but haven’t used it as much as I’d like – we are too spoilt for choice with all the sets Stampin’ Up! offer.

This is a straight CASE from Monica Gale’s post other than I changed her Baja Breeze to Pool Party.  This is a great two step stamp set and leaves plenty of room for creativity with the flowers.

To create the ‘wave’ on the Crumb Cake I used the new Small Scallop Rotary Cutting Blade – love this new tool.

Supplies:
Stamp – Summer Silhouette, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card Stock – Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
DSP – Polka Dot Parade
Ink – Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Pool Party
Other – Small Scallop Rotary Cutting Blade, Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Ticket Duo Punch

If you would like to hold a workshop / party for friends drop me a line or give me a call.

October Stampin’ Up! Promotions

By | October 3, 2013
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Hi there

There are a number of promotions happening this month so I thought I’d do them in one hit.

First up is this months ‘Best of’ stamp sets.  This month it’s a birthday theme.

The next promotion is ‘Party more and get more’.  As part of the 25 year celebration Stampin’ Up! are giving you an extra $25 to spend on hostess gifts when your workshop order is $450 or more.  That means if your total workshop order is $450 you get the normal $70 + an additional $25 which equals $95 of FREE product!  So if you’d like to hold a workshop / party during October give me a call or email me.

The last promotion is a special offer only available for two weeks from 7th – 21st October.

 Have you thought about joining Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator?  Well now’s the time whether it’s as a hobby demo, part time or full time.

For your $25 you will receive the following:

  • You get to choose $26.95 worth of Stampin’ Up! product (it must be more than $25 but not more than $26.95
  • Business pack which includes:
    • A box of annual catalogues
    • A package of the current seasonal catalogues
    • Getting Started DVD
    • Starter Kit Business Brick
    • Customer postcards
I would love to have you join me in this wonderful company.  If you’re interested in joining during this special offer time please contact me and I can discuss things further with you.
Have a great evening and rest of your week.

Birthday Balloons

By | October 1, 2013
1 Comment

Hi there

It’s nice having that extra hour of daylight at the end of the day – but getting up in the dark again is taking a bit of getting used to.

After making the balloons for my nephews card I thought I’d make another ‘balloon’ card.  I’ve CASED this one from a very talented demo Patty Bennett.  This one has lots of new products I wanted to try.  I’ve used the ‘negative’ from the new Chevron Punch which is available from the current Holiday Catalogue.

Supplies:
Stamp – Label Something
Card Stock – Naturals White, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point
DSP – Birthday Basics
Other – Chevron Punch, Small Oval Punch, Owl Builder Punch, Artisan Label Punch, White Bakers  Twine, White Stampin’ Chalk Marker, Dimensionals

Have a great evening.

Starburst Thanks

By | September 30, 2013
2 Comments

Hi there

Last weekend we relocated our office to a new building.  We had been sub-leasing from another company and I wanted to say thank you to a couple of ladies from the firm for their help and support since I started my new job.  I found that I still had two designs of a retired DSP so made this cute box which uses a sheet of 12 x 12 DSP.  With the other sheet I made a card using the Starburst technique that is rather popular at present and a matching envelope.  I’ve filled the box with Whittakers Mini Chocolate Slabs – I think they’ll enjoy this.

Supplies:
Stamp – Four You
Card Stock – Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla
Ink – Cajun Craze
DSP – Comfort Cafe (retired)
Other – Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, Early Espresso Grosgrain (retired), Scallop Circle Punch, Cajun Craze Brads (retired), Simply Scored Tool and Diagonal Plate

Happy Birthday Matty J

By | September 29, 2013
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Hi there

Today is my nephews 19th birthday – hope you have a great day Matt.  He is currently doing a 6 month OE in the UK and we managed to have a quick Skype chat with him today.  He is really enjoying his time away and at the moment is working voluntarily on an organic farm in Cornwall.  He heads back to Cambridge tomorrow where waiting for him is this card (and a parcel of chocolate!).  We have also contributed towards a ticket for him to go to a musical – not sure which one he is going to see.

I wanted a fun card and when I saw this on Dawn Olchefske’s blog I knew I had to make it.  She also has a video on how to make the inside.

I don’t know about you but I’m loving Bermuda Bay.  So keep an eye out for some more projects still to come using it.  I used the new Small Scallop Rotary Cutting Blade for the trim on the front – I love this new tool 🙂

Supplies:
Stamp – Tag It
Card Stock – Bermuda Bay, Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Whisper White
Markers – Bermuda Bay, Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit
Other – Small Oval Punch, Owl Builder Punch, Chalk Talk Framelits, White Bakers Twine, Small Scallop Rotary Cutting Blade, Dimensionals

Have a great week

Boutique Blossom

By | September 27, 2013
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Hi there

Wow it’s the end of another week and almost the end of September.

Here’s another card we made at our team training day in June.

There’s quite a bit happening in this card – and I love it.  We used a number of new products:  Soho Subway DSP, Chalk Talk Framelits, Very Vintage Designer Buttons, Mosaic Madness stamp set and the single stamp – Boutique Blossom.  I love the faux stitching down the join of the two papers (I must remember to use this technique on other cards).

The flower was heat embossed then we used daubers to get the colour in the centre of the flower.  I must admit embossing is one of my favourite techniques.

We’ll I’m off to have a cuppa tea and enjoy the rest of my evening.  Hope you enjoy yours.

Washi Tape

By | September 26, 2013
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Hi there

Back again – three times in one week and the week isn’t over yet!

This is one of the cards we made at team training back in June!  It uses the lovely Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape and the cute stamp set ‘For the Birds’.  Washi Tape is great fun to use on cards.  If it doesn’t stick down in the right place first time it’s easy to pull up and replace.

On the inside I stamped another image from this set – the post box with the bird on top – except I forgot to take a photo of it!  It was a fun card to make.

Supplies:
Stamp – For the Birds
Card Stock – Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Other – Blender Pens, Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape, Simply Pressed Clay Buttons

I’ll be back tomorrow with another card we made at team training.

Gorgeous Grunge and Label Love x 2

By | September 25, 2013
2 Comments

Hi there

Back again with another two cards using Gorgeous Grunge and Label Love :).  I’m really enjoying the Label Love stamp set and matching Artisan Punch (another bundle with 15% off when stamp set and punch bought together).  This is a great set to use for sentiments – six in the set and one blank one.  For the first card I’ve created a matching colour frame in card stock so that it doesn’t get ‘lost’ on the card front.  If you’d like to know how I did this drop me an email or hold a workshop/party and I’ll come and show you how.

These two cards are the same layout just different colours – which is your favourite?

Crisp Cantaloupe, Coastal Cabana, Old Olive, Summer Starfruit or Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay and Crushed Curry

Missing in Action

By | September 24, 2013
2 Comments

Hi there

I can’t believe it’s over three weeks since I last did a blog post!

I have been rather busy organising an office move (which happened last weekend) for the new company I work for.  We are now in the new office and everything was up and running Monday morning (let out HUGE sigh of relief).  So now I can get back into my crafting.  I have heaps of creations to share so I’d better get cracking and do some posts.

Here are two cards using the Six-Sided Sampler set and matching Hexagon Punch – don’t forget you can save 15% when you buy the stamp set and punch as a bundle – got to love that.

This first card uses the stamp set and matching punch along with the Honeycomb Embossing Folder.  This was a quick and simple card.  I stamped the images on scrap pieces of card stock then punched them out and adhered them to the card front and added some bling.  I’ve gone with Crushed Curry and Melon Mambo as my colours.

This second card uses the Hexagon Punch and DSP.  How effective is this DSP on Basic Black!  I decided it was time to cut into my Epic Day This and That paper.  I’ve chosen Calypso Coral for my accent colour.

My sentiment (on both cards) is from one of my favourite sets from the current catalogue – Sketched Birthday.  It goes with the Bitty Banner framelits and is so easy to use with the magnetic platform.  I’ve made a backing for the ends by cutting another banner from card stock, cutting it in half and adhering it to the back.

Now I promise it won’t be three weeks till the next post!
Catch you back here soon for some more creations.

Christmas Single Stamps

By | September 17, 2013
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Hi there

Stampin’ Up! have just announced a new promotion of single Christmas stamps.

SINGLE STAMPS — NEW HOLIDAY COLLECTION!
A new, holiday-themed collection of single stamps is now available! The holidays will be here before you know it, and these holiday-themed single stamps may be just what the budget-conscious stamper needs. There are eight different stamps to choose from, six of which coordinate with Framelits dies or punches.

  • You can find the stamp item numbers on the flyers.
  • These won’t be sent in our typical cases or packaging; they’ll be packaged in cello bags. If you’d like a case for your stamp, you can buy our Clear-Mount Stamp Cases that come in packs of four (item 119105).
  • This offer is available for clear-mount stamps only.
  • The stamps won’t come with a Clear-Mount Block, and you’ll need to buy a block separately if you don’t already have one. The recommended block sizes can be found on the flyer.
  • There’s no limit on how many pieces you can buy.
  • These holiday-themed stamps are only available through 31 January, 2014, so get them while you can!

If you’re interested in purchasing any of these please contact me by email or phone.

Sympathy Cards

By | September 1, 2013
2 Comments

Hi there

Well it’s been a very sad weekend for me.  My cousin died very unexpectedly yesterday and we will have to wait until at least Wednesday for an autopsy report.  I still can’t believe it.  She was the most giving person and always helped others.  She was 15 years older than me but always had time for us and made us feel special.  I have wonderful memories of her – one being a visit to Auckland in her little mini with a double base as her passenger – you could hardly see her in the car!

This afternoon I sat down and made 5 sympathy cards to send to the family – not the easiest of cards – and even harder I’ve found when they’re for close family.

I spoke to my aunt and uncle earlier – they are in such a state of shock.  So hard to see your children go before you.

Love to all the Burson family.

New boss’s birthday

By | August 27, 2013
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Hi there

Yesterday was my new boss’s birthday so thought I’d give him a card and a little gift of chocolate (of course).

I am loving making these little boxes using a sheet of 12 x 12 DSP.  They are so quick to make up and hold 6 Whittakers mini slabs.  It’s hard to make a masculine card at the best of times but I was pleased with how this turned out.  This is what I love about card making – I would never have gone out and bought a card but don’t think twice about making one.
Supplies:
Stamp – Label Love
Card Stock – Early Espresso Core’dinations, Lucky Limeade (retired), Whisper White
DSP – International Bazaar (retired)
Other – Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Artisan Label Punch, Itty Bitty Banner Framelits, Neutral Buttons (retired), Linen Thread, Dimensionals, Glue Dots
Have a great rest of your week and keep warm.

Happy Birthday Hanna

By | August 24, 2013
1 Comment
Hi there
Here’s another birthday card I didn’t get round to posting at the correct time – this one is for my beautiful niece who turned 17 at the end of June!

Now can you work out what we gave her?  We joined forces with my parents and bought Hanna some art supplies.  She still has another 18 months left at high school but is thinking she may do architecture at University.  My dad was an architect so it must run in the blood (although it’s skipped a generation – I can’t draw to save myself).
I can’t remember whose blog it was that I saw this card on but thank you for the inspiration 🙂
Supplies:
Stamp – Word Play (retired), Perfectly Penned, Woodgrain
Card Stock – Regal Rose (retired), Naturals White, Tangerine Tango, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake, Basic Black
Other – Builder Bird Punch, Small Heart, Word Window Punch, Ovals Collection Framelits, Square Lattice Embossing Folder

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