Try Stampin on Tueday #106

By | February 20, 2013

Hi there

My original thought for this weeks sketch was for a birthday card but once I’d sorted out my colours and accessories I changed my mind 🙂  This is a real mix of old and new products (and even one retired because it just worked).

Here’s the sketch

and here’s my take

This is the first time I’ve used the Designer Builder Brads – they are so cool.  You can create your own brad by either using paper (as I have) or a stamped image.  Here’s a closer look.
I hand cut one of the Pool Party flowers from the Floral District paper and stuck it to the brad then added the epoxy bubble.  My flower was bigger than the bubble but I think it adds to it.  Before adding the brad to my card I cut a 1″ circle out of Island Indigo card stock so that is would stand out more against the Core’dinations Pool Party card stock.
I didn’t have any current So Saffron ribbon but managed to fine a piece of retired ribbon.  It was wider than I’d wanted so I just layered it under the card stock to show the width I wanted then adhered a bow on top with Glue Dots.
Supplies:
Stamp – Lacy and Lovely
Card Stock – Island Indigo, So Saffron, Naturals White, Pool Party Core’dinations
Ink – Island Indigo
DSP – Floral District
Other – Designer Builder Brads, 1″ Circle Punch, So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Tasteful Trim Die

Don’t forget to check out Try Stampin on Tuesday and join in the fun.

Team Swaps – Seasonal Catalogue

By | February 18, 2013

Hi there

On Saturday our team had it’s regular training session.  These are always so much fun – lots of catching up, laughing, eating and business help 🙂  Most sessions we do swaps and this time our swaps used products from the new Seasonal Catalogue.  Swaps are a great way of getting different ideas for using the new products.  There were 18 of us swapping so now I have 18 new ideas using products from the Seasonal Catalogue.  Here is the card I made.

This time I decided to go with a 3″ x 3″ card with a twist.  I had seen this style over on Mary Fish’s blog and thought it would be cool to recreate using the Sunshine and Sprinkles DSP.  It is kind of like a gate fold with the top piece fitting under the embellishment to keep shut.  Here is a photo of it opened which also shows off the cute whale paper.
The front picture is cut from another sheet of paper in the same pack using the 1 3/8″ circle punch.  I did two colour combinations using Pacific Point ink with the whale holding either a yellow or green umbrella or Melon Mambo ink with the whale holding pink umbrellas.
Supplies:
Stamp – Ciao Baby
Card Stock – Whisper White
Ink – Pacific Point (or Melon Mambo)
DSP – Sunshine and Sprinkles
Other – 1 1/4″ and 1 3/8″ Circle Punch, 7/8″ Scallop Circle Punch, Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, Dimesionals

ColourQ #176

By | February 17, 2013

Hi there

I hope your weekend is going well.  I’ve managed to sneak in some crafting time today and make some cards.  The first card is for this week’s ColourQ challenge – it’s been a while since I participated in one of their challenges.  This colour combo is one I probably wouldn’t have chosen myself but that’s often what a colour challenge is all about – stepping outside our comfort zone.  I must admit I’m rather pleased with the final card.

Today’s colours are Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade and White.  I needed a birthday card for a special birthday and went with the cool design of Triple Time Stamping.  This set is a great one to use for this technique.  After stamping the images I felt it needed the sentiment stamped straight onto the smallest layer so to make sure it went on straight! I used my Stamp-A-Jig.  And here is the inside:

Supplies:
Stamp – Lacy & Lovely, Made for You, On Your Birthday (retired)
Card Stock – Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
Ink – Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade
Other – Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Dimensionals, Stamp-A-Jig

I’ll be back on Wednesday with the other card I made (for this week’s Try Stampin on Tuesday).

Catch you back soon

Get Well card

By | February 15, 2013

Hi there

The other week at Crafters Anonymous Julia taught us this really cool card to give somebody when they are sick.  The first card is the one I made on the night using products from the new Seasonal Catalogue and some of the FREE Sale-A-Bration products.  Isn’t it cute?

 The front just looks like an ordinary card front BUT when they open it – inside is a ’tissue box’.  I thought it was so cool that I taught it at my recent workshop.  This one uses three new items from the Seasonal Catalogue – Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Ovals Framelts and the Print Poetry DSP Stack (I am LOVING this paper).  I manually cut the hexagons out of the paper and card stock.  First of all I ran the paper/card stock through the Big Shot a couple of times – it almost cuts right through the paper and then I cut the hexagon so that it fits inside the hexagon on the main sheet.

The word stamps are from Word Play and  Thoughts and Prayers.  My ladies really enjoyed this project – I can see this being recreated a few times this coming winter!  Thanks Julia for sharing this project with us.

Well the weekend is almost upon us – I hope you have a great weekend.

Happy Anniversary Mum and Dad

By | February 14, 2013

Hi there

Today my parents are celebrating their 54th wedding anniversary.  Back when they got married Valentine’s Day wasn’t so commercial but I don’t think Dad will ever forget his wedding date with all the advertising that goes with 14th February.

Here is the card I made for him to give Mum.  The card is called a Penny Spinner card.  The spinning Heart using the Hearts Collection Framelits and a Shaker Frame filled with Glass Glitter.  It’s actually part of the project I created for Stampin Fun and Friends.  At the time of making the project I knew I would give it to Dad to give to Mum so tailered it with her in mind.

At the moment Mum & Dad are in Sydney seeing Dad’s sister who was diagnosed with cancer last year and this year they have found she has a brain tumour.  I took them out to the airport at 6:45am and while having my shower (this is where I get my best ideas!) realised that Mum wouldn’t have had time to make Dad a card as they had just got back from holiday.  I was trying to think what I had on my desk that I could use to make a quick card.  I found I had some hearts cut out of glimmer paper so attached them with bakers twine to the front, quickly stamped ‘Happy Anniversary’ and the front was done.  For the inside I used the heart embossing folder and ran that through on my insert and attached it all together – nothing flash but a card made in under 5 minutes!  Isn’t it great to be able to create something so quickly and give away to fill a need.  I am not an early morning person so was rather pleased with my creation – I didn’t have time to take a photo but was rather pleased with my early morning creation.  Mum really appreciated it.

Supplies:
Card
Stamp – You are Loved, Love Blossoms Wheel,Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card Stock – Real Red, Whisper White, Red Glimmer Paper
Ink – Real Red
Other – Word Window and Modern Label Punch,  Hearts Collection Framelits, Shaker Frame, Champagne Glass Glitter, Acetate, Dimensionals

Box
Other – Petite Pockets Die, Hearts Collection Framelits, White Satin Ribobn, 1/8″ Real Red Taffeta Ribbon,  Acetate

Catch you back tomorrow with some more creations

Try Stampin on Tuesday #105

By | February 12, 2013

Hi there

Well I’m not sure where the week has gone – I haven’t had a chance to blog since last week’s card and I have heaps of creations to share with you.  I will try and catch up this coming week.

Today’s card incorporates two challenges – the sketch is from Try Stampin on Tuesday and I used the Crafters Anonymous February challenge of using acetate.  I’ve used acetate to create 3D projects but never made a card with it.

Here’s the front:

 and then from the inside:

After adhering my shapes to the front I then cut an extra set of shapes to stick in reverse from the inside so that you couldn’t see the adhesive from the front shapes.  I did the same process for the back of the card.  On the inside I used some DSP and then plain card stock from the back.  This also gives the card some extra strength.  I was really pleased with my first attempt and will give this style another go soon.
Supplies:
Stamp – Clockworks, Made for You
Card Stock – Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
DSP – Neutrals Paper Stack
Ink – Night of Navy
Other – 3/4″ Circle Punch, 2 1/2″ Circle Punch, Chevron Embossing Folder, Acetate, Dimensionals

Catch you back soon with some more creations.

Try Stampin on Tuesday #104

By | February 6, 2013

Hi there

Well today Try Stampin on Tuesday turns two! and to celebrate each entry in this weeks challenge will go into a draw for a prize.  So help us celebrate and be in to win.

I have just purchased the Print Poetry DSP Stack from the new Seasonal Catalogue – this is such good value.  For NZ$14.50 your get 48 sheets of 11.4cm x 16.5cm paper in 12 double sided designs.  I’ve already used a number of sheets and today’s card has one of them.

I’ve gone for a Clean and Simple look with this card using this years In Colours of Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals and Summer Starfruit.  The sentiment is also from the Seasonal Catalogue.  The cute Petite Curly Punch is one of the FREE gifts during SAB and matches perfectly with this stamp.
If you’d like to earn FREE products just place an order with me of NZ$120 or more between now and 22 March and you can choose from the 19 different products on offer.  Send me an email to place your order.
Supplies:
Stamp – Ciao Baby
Card Stock – Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit
DSP – Print Poetry DSP Stack
Ink – Raspberry Ripple
Other – Primrose Petals Satin Ribbon, Curly Label Punch, Petite Curly Label Punch, 1″ Square Punch, Corner Punch

Well its Waitangi Day here in New Zealand – our National Day.  We may go for a picnic in the park and enjoy the lovely sunny weather.

Catch you back soon.

Stampin Fun and Friends – sketch challenge

By | February 5, 2013
Hi there
As promised here is my creation for the sketch challenge from Stampin Fun and Friends.  This is the layout we were given:

and here’s what I made

 I needed to make two sympathy cards for work so used this layout for one of them.  My ‘go to’ stamp for a masculine sympathy card is Lovely as a Tree – you can’t go wrong with this one.  One of my favourite techniques for this set is to heat emboss it then add crayon or dauber with ink.  This time I used Old Olive crayon applying it with a blender pen.  It gives a subtle colour to the image.  It’s a bit hard to see in the photo but I’ve used the retired core d’inations as the background that has been run through the Big Shot with the Woodgrain embossing folder – I love the textured effect it gives.  I stamped the sentiment on the inside of the card which had the insert as a layer of Old Olive then Whisper White.

My second sympathy card – another masculine one – uses my second ‘go to’ stamp set of Thoughts and Prayers.  Again I’ve heat embossed it and applied crayon.  I cased this one from Lori Mueller – thanks for sharing your creation.  I love how she trimmed the Framelit so did the same with mine.  For the inside of the card I layered Old Olive and Whisper White and stamped the sentiment.  This gives the base some extra strength as I find Whisper White on it’s own a bit thin.

Supplies:
Card One
Stamp – Lovely as a Tree, Thoughts and Prayers
Card Stock – Whisper White, Early Espresso Core d’ations (retired), Old Olive
DSP – International Bazaar
Other – Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Window Collection Framelits, Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Old Olive Crayon, Blender Pen, Scallop Edge Border Punch,Old Olive Button, Lucky Limeade Bakers Twine

Card Two
Stamp – Thoughts and Prayers
Card Stock – Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink – Crumb Cake
DSP – International Bazaar
Other – Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Neutral Button, Lucky Limeade Bakers Twine, Apothecary Accents Framelit, Old Olive Crayon, Blender Pen, Sponge

Thanks for looking and have a great day.

Create with Connie and Mary – CCMC237

By | February 4, 2013

Hi there

While checking Justine Krieger’s blog I liked his card for this weeks sketch from Create with Connie and Mary so thought I’d give it a go too.

The next session for Stampin Fun and Friends has started and the first project was one from Nancy Seed.  She had created a Double Wiper Card so I’ve combined the Wiper card and the sketch all in one.

And here is my creation:

I’ve left the two ‘pop ups’ blank so that I can write my greeting once I decide who’s going to receive this card.  I love the bright colours of this new paper – Sunshine and Sprinkles – available in the new Seasonal Catalgoue.

Supplies:
Stamp – Ciao Baby
Card Stock – Pacific Point, Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
DSP – Sunshine and Sprinkles
Ink – Melon Mambo
Other – Curly Label Punch, Petite Curly Label Punch, Lucky Limeade Ribbon
  
Check back tomorrow for my sketch challenge card from Stampin Fun and Friends.  If you’d like to join in the fun click here to register – we’ve only just started and there are still 19 projects to come.

Another Wedding Anniversary card

By | February 3, 2013

Hi there

Well today my bridesmaid and her husband are celebrating their 7th wedding anniversary – hope you guys have a wonderful day.

I wanted to create a fun card and I think I’ve achieved it.

 and here is the inside – don’t you just love her bow?

Supplies:
Stamp – Memorable Moments
Card Stock – Crumb Cake, Early Espresso Core’dinations, Soft Suede,Very Vanilla, Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Regal Rose
DSP – Regal Rose Brights Collection
Ink – Regal Rose
Other – Woodgrain Embossing Folder, 1 3/8″ Circle Punch, Owl Builder Punch, Bird Builder Punch, Rhinestone, Dimensionals

It’s been another hot weekend here in Auckland.  They have said we’ll get some rain this evening which I hope we do as the grass is dying and everything is looking brown.

I hope you all have a good week – catch you back tomorrow for more crafting creations.

Try Stampin on Tuesday #103

By | January 30, 2013

Hi there

When you have a regular thing happening each week I’m sure it makes the week go by faster!  Which means it’s time for another sketch.  I am really enjoying being part of the DT for Try Stampin on Tuesday.  I hope you are enjoying our take on the sketches and that it inspires you to have a go.  Each week when we get given the sketch I think ‘now which stamp set shall I use’ – I’m trying to be good and use ones that haven’t seen ink for a while and some that have seen ink at all!  Today’s stamp is one that hadn’t seen ink – how bad is that.  It’s part of Lacy and Lovely, I’ve used the other stamps in the set but not this one.

I embossed the stamp then inked it in Wisteria Wonder (a colour I haven’t used for ages) and added clear embossing powder to give a nice glossy look.  The 2 1/2″ circle fits perfectly inside the Window Frame Framelit.  It’s hard to see in the photo but I paper pierced around the inside of the Window Frame.  I haven’t decided what sentiment to add to this – any suggestions?
Supplies:
Stamp – Lacy and Lovely
Card Stock – Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Ink – Wisteria Wonder
Other – Clear Embossing Powder, VersaMark, 2 1/2″ Circle Punch, Window Frames Collection Framelits, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Wisteria Wonder Bakers Twine, Festive Paper Piercing Pack

I look forward to seeing your creations with this sketch.

Tissue Box

By | January 29, 2013

Hi there

I hope those of you in the wider Auckland area had a great long weekend.  We had a very relaxing weekend catching up with Phil’s aunt and uncle who are over from the States, dinner with my brother and his wife and I even got some crafting in but you’ll have to wait a few days to see all my creations.

Today’s post is a tissue box cover I made for another friend at work.  I let her pick the paper but didn’t tell her what I was going to create with it.  I love the brightness of Floral District paper and teamed it with one of my all time favourite colours Rich Razzleberry.

and here’s the top.  Normally when I make these I just trace the oval then hand cut it out but this time I was able to use the new Oval Framelits (available from 1 February) – it worked a treat and was so much quicker.

I love being able to make things for people ‘just because’.  There doesn’t always have to be a reason for making a gift.
Supplies:
Card Stock – Rich Razzleberry, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight
DSP – Floral District
Other – Daffodil Delight Grosgrain Ribbon, Blossom Party Die, Ovals Collection

Check back tomorrow for this weeks Try Stampin on Tuesday card.

New Seasonal Catalogue Sneak Peek

By | January 25, 2013

Hi there

What a beautiful day it’s been here in Auckland – a great way to start our Auckland Anniversary long weekend.  I’ve had the day off  and this morning got all my chores done before attending a funeral of a very dear family friend.  He was full of enthusiasm, always had a big smile on his face and had a positive attitude even when his health was failing him.  This afternoon I’ve completed my tutorial for the upcoming event over at Stampin Fun and Friends which starts next Friday – 1st February.  This session is all about sweets and how to present them – my sweet includes chocolate 🙂 If you’d like to join us click here to sign up.

Well on with my card.  Last week I received a brown box at work which had some new goodies for me to play with.  One of the ladies at work saw some of the items and challenged me to create her a card with the new products – so here is what I made her.

I am in love with the new embossing folder – Honeycomb – isn’t it cool.  To create the hexagons I placed some of the new DSP in the embossing folder and ran it backwards and forwards through the Big Shot a couple of times.  It doesn’t cut the paper but leaves a good imprint so that you can then just cut them out.  The butterflies are from the SAB set Bloomin Marvelous and punched out with a new butterfly punch.  I have a thing for embossing folders and punches!

Supplies:
Stamp – Bloomin Marvelous
Card Stock – Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
Ink – Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Pacific Point
DSP – Sunshine and Sprinkles
Other – Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Rhinestones

Well not many more sleeps until the new Seasonal mini goes live.  It’s a great time to hold a workshop/party with all this new product to purchase AND for ever $120 you spend you get FREE product from the SAB catalogue.  So if you would like to have a party contact me now to make a booking.

If you live in the wider Auckland region – Happy Anniversary Weekend.

Try Stampin on Tuesday #102

By | January 23, 2013

Hi there

Sorry for the delay in posting this week’s card.  CherylAnn has been having internet issues and the post wasn’t up this morning.

I’ve had a lovely dinner out with my 18 year old nephew.  We went to Torchon French Creperie in the Elliot Stables.  I had the Smoked Salmon, Sour Cream, Chives and Avocado crepe.  All savoury crepes are made with Buckwheat – great for those that need Gluten Free meals.  It was very yummy but now I have a fat tummy!!

Well enough about food – on with this weeks sketch challenge.

I love this set and it’s great for kids of all ages.  The wheels are embossed straight onto the circle using black embossing powder – this gives them a 3D look.  I then embossed the truck body using Tangerine Tango on a scrap of card stock, cut it out and adhered it to the circle.  The presents are stamped directly onto the card stock.  I didn’t want the background just plain so dry embossed it with the Chevron folder to match the paper.

Supplies:
Stamp – I Dig You
Card Stock – Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla
DSP – Howlstooth and Scaringbone
Markers – Pacific Point, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise
Punches – 2 1/2″ Circle, 1 1/4″ Square, Word Window and Modern Label
Other – Black and Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder, Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Chevron Embossing Folder

SAB Team Swaps

By | January 23, 2013

Hi there

This month our wider team decided to do a swap using SAB products.  One of the perks of being a demo is that we get to purchase products before they go on sale 🙂

Here is the swap I did.  As I had to make 18 I decided to make two different colour combinations.  The first with Island Indigo and the second with Rich Razzleberry.

By the time I had stuck down my 162 squares I was over glue sticks!  Other than that I did enjoy making this card.

Supplies:
Stamp – Madison Avenue, Pretty Petites
Card Stock – Rich Razzleberry, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Whisper White
DSP – Sycamore Street
Ink – Rich Razzleberry, Island Indigo
Other – Tangerine Tango and Island Indigo Ribbon, Tangerine Tango and Rich Razzleberry Buttons, Petite Curly Label, Vine Street Embossing Folder, Island Indigo Bakers Twine, Glue Dots, 1″ Square Punch