A busy stamping weekend

By | September 2, 2012
0 Comment

Hi there

I’ve had a yuck week this week (hence no blog posts) – my sore throat & head cold got worse so I went back to the doctor on Friday afternoon.  She gave me some more antibiotics (Sudomyl) and they have sent everything packing 🙂  So now I am feeling like myself again.  I was getting a bit worried as we fly out to the States on the 11th of September and I didn’t want to be taking the head cold with me.

I’ve had a busy weekend – launch of two new catalogues, turning one as a demonstrator, a workshop and then a launch party.  I have thoroughly enjoyed myself.  Here are the cards we made.

First up is the card we made at the workshop which uses the emboss resist technique.  I think I have fallen in love with the new In Colours satin ribbon – it’s so soft and great for tying bows (see last card).

This card uses a number of new products from the main catalogue – two of the new In Colours – Midnight Muse and Gumball Green (ink, ribbon and card stock) plus a new framelit – Apothecary Accents Framelits.  The framelit has cut out the Whisper White card then we traced around the outside of the Framelit and manually cut it to create the mat.  The ladies did really well with their re-creations of this.
Then today at my launch party we made two cards – the first one uses the In Colours and showcases the card stock and ink plus the Gumball Green ribbon.  In the past I haven’t used black card stock as a base but am loving the effect it gives.
The last card we made uses the Be of Good Cheer DSP and the Gumball Green Ribbon.
I took this photo before the party but at the party we then embossed both layers of the Top Note with the Square Lattice Folder.  I wanted to show the ladies the difference that embossing gives to a project (I will try and take a photo in the daytime).
Well that was my weekend – a great time was had by all.
Catch you back soon.

Congratulations Rob & Jacque

By | August 26, 2012
3 Comments

Hi there

Over at NZSU this last week I set another challenge – showcase a retiring product.  I almost forgot to post my own creation!  I will be sad to see this stamp set retire at the end of the month so I just had to use it again to create an engagement card for Jacque (my upline) and Rob.  They make a wonderful couple and we are all so happy for them.

I was hunting through my DSP and found just the right size leftover from Sweet Shop range that went perfectly with the ‘love’ theme.  One of my favourite word sets is A Word for You and I’m glad it will still be around for another year.  It’s such a versatile set.
Supplies:
Stamps – Loads of Love, A Word for You
Card Stock – Pool Party, Watercolour Paper
DSP – Sweet Shop (retired)
Ink – Stazon, Pacific Point, Real Red
Crayons – Brights, Neutrals
Other – Pool Party Ribbon, 1 1/4″ and 1 3/8″ Circle Punch, Dimensionals
Well not many more sleeps until the new catalogues are here but my biggest excitement is that it is now only 16 sleeps till we go on our big holiday to the States – I can’t wait 🙂
Catch you back soon

Stampin Fun and Friends

By | August 20, 2012
1 Comment

Hi there

Here is my first project for this session of Stampin Fun and Friends – a fancy fold card and a card gift set.  The theme is Celebrate Summer as it’s summertime in the northern hemisphere.  I’ve used the Brights range of colours for my project – hope this will cheer up the southern hemisphere crafters.

Inside the gift box is a set of four cards with matching envelopes

Each card has a different colouring in method.  I had fun creating these.  Which one is your favourite?

It’s not too late to join in the fun so click here for more details.

Have a great day.

We have a winner …

By | August 12, 2012
3 Comments

Hi there

Congratulations to Bron Heslop who has won my FREE pass to Stampin Fun and Friends.  The stamp set that Bron will be sad to see go come 1 September is  Pocket Silhouettes.  I too have enjoyed using this set – here is an example I made with it.

Thanks to all those that left a comment on my blog.

Will catch you soon

Well Worn and FREE pass to give away

By | August 11, 2012
1 Comment

Hi there

As promised here are some cards & gifts I’ve made this week using the retiring DSP Well Worn.  I no longer have any of this DSP 🙁 but it now means I’ll have some space for the new papers come 1 September.

I need 6 masculine cards over the next couple of weeks so here’s what I created (some designs are ones I’ve made previously).  The first one gives you a sneak peak at a new Framelit – you’ll love the set.

I also created some quick gift bags and filled them with chocolates and coffee sachets – what a great combination!

I have a FREE pass to give away for the next round of Stampin Fun and Friends (see my post here for more details).  So don’t forget to leave a comment stating which stamp set you’ll be most sad to see go come 31 August and you could win the FREE pass.  I’ll be doing the draw on Sunday night.

Until then keep warm and dry.

Season of Joy and FREE pass to give away

By | August 10, 2012
7 Comments

Hi there

Well it’s shaping up to being an indoors weekend as we are in for MORE wet weather.  The positive thing is that I won’t feel so guilty crafting as I won’t be able to get out and tackle the weeds!

Today’s post uses the soon to be retired set Season of Joy.  This was the first Christmas set I bought 4 years ago when I got introduced to Stampin Up!  Even though I’ve loved using it I think it’s time for something new.

I love the texture you get from the polka dots embossing folder – great when you have a big white space.
While we’re on the Christmas theme I found another project I made last year but hadn’t blogged!  This one uses the Stitched Stocking set and punch plus the Two Tags Die and Perfect Punches set.
The Two Tags die is great for making these quick gifts that hold chocolate inside 🙂  I made them for all the staff at work and they went down a treat.
I’ll be back tomorrow with some projects using the Well Worn DSP that retires at the end of the month.
Before I sign off today I have a FREE pass to give away for the upcoming session over at Stampin Fun and Friends called Celebrate Summer which starts on Wednesday.  To win the FREE pass leave me a comment stating which stamp set you are most sad to see go.  The winner will be announced on Sunday night.
Until then keep warm and dry.

Loads of Love retiring

By | August 9, 2012
0 Comment

Hi there

I will be sad to see this set retire come 31 August – it’s such a versatile set and I have used it heaps.  Here are two cards I made ages ago but have never got round to blogging them (I think one may have been created a while ago going by the DSP I’ve used!)

The first is a spinner card:

and the second is a triple fold card:
I’ll be back later with some more creations featuring soon to be retired product.

Have a great day.

Upsy Daisy

By | August 3, 2012
1 Comment

Hi there

Here’s a card I made a while ago but never got round to posting it.  Now that the Upsy Daisy set is retiring I thought I’d better blog it.

This is such a versatile stamp and lends itself to so many techniques and styles.  As this was a sympathy card I wanted it clean and simple so I’ve used white embossing powder for the image and sentiment.  For a bit of texture I went with the polka dots embossing folder.  I will be sad to see this set go but can assure you there are plenty of amazing sets coming 1 September.
Supplies:
Stamp – Upsy Daisy, Thoughts and Prayers
Card Stock – Marina Mist, Whisper White
Other – Polka Dots Embossing Folder, White Embossing Powder, Marina Mist Grosgrain Ribbon
Have a great weekend and go the Kiwis in all the sporting fixtures this coming weekend 🙂

Going, Going, Gone …

By | August 2, 2012
0 Comment

Hi

And you thought that was me – not quite.  I leave to go on my big holiday to the US in 5 1/2 weeks and yes I’m counting down 🙂

It’s that time of the year again when product from the 2011/12 Idea Book and Catalogue is about to retire to make way for new product.  You can find the retiring lists under the Promotions tab on my website here.

Some of the products that are retiring like the ink pads, mat pack, heat gun will reappear in the new catalogue with new features.  If you have any questions or concerns about retiring products please contact me.  The new ink pads will improve our stamped images and the mat pack will come with additional templates.

I’m really excited about the new catalogue and can’t wait till 1st September.  If you’d like to order a catalogue please contact me so I can pre-order one for you.

Have a fantastic day.

Masculine Well Worn

By | July 29, 2012
0 Comment

Hi there

As I type this the wind is howling outside – a good day to be indoors crafting!

A couple of the guys at work have birthdays (today & tomorrow) so I thought I’d make them a card and small gift to mark their ‘special’ day.  I’ve used Well Worn DSP for both projects and cased the cards from our demo site Stampin Connection.

I really like the clean and simple look of this card and how an embossing folder can transform a piece of plain card stock.  The base of the bag is made using the scallop square die and is filled with Jaffas.

The recipient of the second gift is heading to Canada for a holiday to see family so the bag is filled with Kiwi icons in the chocolate department – Pineapple Lumps and Jaffas.  I’ve also included a packet of travel tissues. I showed this bag in an earlier post here but needed to make it more masculine so just used the wide ribbon as a strap rather than handles.

Supplies:
Stamp – Bring on the Cake, Word Play
Card Stock – Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
DSP – Well Worn
Ink – Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy
Other – Scallop Square Die, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Regal Brads, Regal Buttons, 3/4″ Circle Punch, Linen Thread, Cajun Craze 1 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon

Well I’m going to do some more creating this afternoon so I can have some more posts to show you during the week.  Don’t forget that the Autumn/Winter mini finishes on Tuesday so if you’d like to order anything from it let me know by Monday night.

Keep warm and I’ll catch you later.

Welcome Baby

By | July 27, 2012
0 Comment

Hi there

Hope your week is going well – it’s hard to believe we’re nearly at the end of July which means it’s not long to wait till the new catalogue is released!  I can’t wait.  The retired list will be out on Wednesday 1st August so keep an eye out for that.

Today’s post is a card I made for one of the guys at work whose just become a dad again for the third time.  We have a few more babies arriving in the next couple of months so this set is going to get a good inking.

I’m still trying to use up DSP that will be retiring at the end of this month so went for some from the Sweet Shop pack.  I checked out my ever useful Colour Coach for a third colour and came up with So Saffron.  I am really enjoying the Framelits dies – they are so versatile.

Supplies:
Stamp – Baby Prints
Card Stock – Pacific Point, Whisper White
Ink – Pool Party, Island Indigo
Other – Sweet Shop DSP, Framelits, So Saffron Ribbon (retired)

It’s a beautiful day here in Auckland – I hope it lasts for the weekend.
Have a great rest of the day.

NZSU DSP Challenge

By | July 21, 2012
2 Comments

Hi there

Another week has flown by and my countdown to my holiday is getting closer – only 7 weeks to go 🙂

This week over at the NZSU blog I set a challenge to create a card or project using DSP.  I am trying to use all my current DSP up to make room for the new papers due 1st September so have used DSP for my card and gift.

I’ve made this bag a few times after seeing it on Karen Rogers blog.  It’s a good size – I’ve filled it with hand creams & body lotions.  This card style was one of the first cards I made when I started with Stampin Up 4 years ago.  It’s a quick and easy card to make.  My pinwheel is a 1 1/4″ square using the Postage punch.
Supplies:
Card Stock – Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
DSP – Sweet Shop DSP
Other – Top Note Die, Framelits, Postage Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, In Colours Brad, Toothpick
Hope the rest of your weekend goes well.

Crafters Anonymous

By | July 14, 2012
0 Comment

Hi there

Where did that week go?  This year is flying by and in just over 8 weeks Phil and I will be flying ourselves – to the US for 4 1/2 weeks holiday.  We are going to LA, Phoenix, Grand Canyon/Sedona, Greenville, Nth Carolina to see family and then on to Boston for 2 weeks to stay with Phil’s aunt & uncle – can’t wait.  We then fly back to San Fran for 3 days before flying home.  Today we went in search of new suitcases as the ones we have I got for my 21st (which was only yesterday – yeah right!).

I have been busy creating over the last week but can’t show you anything yet as it’s for the next session of Stampin Fun and Friends which starts 20 August.  For those of you that haven’t heard of Stampin Fun and Friends it’s an online group where a number of designers have put together projects .  This round we have 20 projects for you over 20 days.  If you’d like to find out more details click here.

At last Monday’s class of CA we had a great project – creating a mini ‘favourites’ chocolate box.

This DSP from the Sweet Shop pack was perfect for my creation.  I can see this project being made again for Christmas gifts.
Well I’d better sign off as my chef has just called that dinner is ready – don’t you love that.
See you soon.

Well Worn

By | July 5, 2012
0 Comment

Hi there

The fog is slowly lifting here in Auckland and the sun is trying to get out.

Here is a card & gift I made last month but never got round to posting it here.  I’m loving the Well Worn DSP for masculine cards – I have a few more to make in the next month or so.

I used a square punch to cut the end of my banner – nice and easy.

These tea bag holders are a quick and easy gift to make and chocolates fit nicely in the middle.
Supplies:
Stamp – Bring on the Cake
Card Stock – Crumb Cake & Cajun Craze
DSP – Well Worn
Other – Cajun Craze Marker, Square Punch (can’t remember what size I used), Cajun Craze Regal Brads, Not Quite Navy Taffeta Ribbon
For those of you with kids on school holidays I hope they’re going well – I’m loving that there’s less traffic on the roads!
Thanks for looking

Well Worn Masculine Card

By | July 2, 2012
1 Comment

Hi there

As promised here is the card I made for my brother.

I cased this layout from a US demo (Maureen Albert) but changed it to masculine colours.  The Well Worn DSP works well.  I made my squares 1 1/4″ . Again I have made a matching envelope to go with the card.

Supplies:
Stamp – Word Play
Card Stock – Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla
Ink – Cajun Craze
DSP – Well Worn
Other – Not Quite Navy Taffeta Ribbon, Simply Scored and Diagonal Plate
Introducing…the Simply Scored Diagonal Plate!  
The new Simply Scored Diagonal Plate is now available for purchase – $25.95.  Email me if you’d like to place an order – once you have one you’ll wonder how you managed without it.

Easily and quickly create distinctive envelopes, boxes and more using the Simply Scored Diagonal Plate, created by and exclusively for Stampin’ Up!

Features:
  • Sits on top of the Simply Scored base*
  • Held securely in place by rubber pads on the back of the plate
  • Has etched grooves every 1/8″ (3.2 mm)
  • Can score any size card stock up to 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm)
  • Includes instructions for creating common envelope sizes
Item Description Price
125586 Simply Scored Diagonal Plate $25.95
Here’s a great video from Donna at Stampin’ Up!’s Home Office showing some of the great uses for the Diagonal Plate.  If you’d like to place an order for one please email me.
*Simply Scored Scoring Tool sold separately

Have a great day.