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.

More Sweet Shop DSP Treats

By | July 1, 2012
1 Comment

Hi there

It was my niece’s birthday on Friday – hard to believe she is now 16!

I’m really loving the Sweet Shop DSP – here is what I’ve made for Hanna.

I haven’t made a Tri Fold card like this for ages – it’s a great way to showcase the paper.  I’ve used the Build A Cupcake punch to go with the theme of the paper and the stamp is from one of my favourite word sets – A Word for You.  I’ve even made a matching envelope using the new Diagonal Score Plate.  This plate is now available for purchase so contact me if you’d like to order one.  I also used the Diagonal Plate for the score lines on the card – so much easier.
I always like to give a little chocolate gift with the main present 🙂  Here I’ve made my own ‘brown’ paper bag using the DSP and filled it with Toblerone.
At last week’s Extravaganza Rachael & Irene taught us how to make the aperture in the bag so it was good to trial it for myself – very effective don’t you think?
Supplies:
Stamp – A Word for You
Card Stock – Calypso Coral, Whisper White
DSP – Sweet Shop
Other – Framelits, Build A Cupcake Punch, Calypso Coral Ribbon, Diagonal Score Plate
Well we’re off to a family lunch to celebrate Hanna’s birthday and my brother’s birthday which was earlier in the month.  I’ll be back later with the card I made for him.
Have a great rest of the day and keep warm.

Sweet Shop Treat

By | June 28, 2012
1 Comment

Hi there

Just a quick post while I’m having a late lunch.

Yesterday was my friend Narelle’s birthday and here is the card and matching gift I gave her.

I stamped my image first with VersaMark then used my inkspots (great for this sort of image) for the colour.  I used clear embossing powder on the stalks and leaf and scented embossing powder on the cherries – the smell lasts for a long time.  The sentiment goes perfectly with the DSP and image.

This cute bag is made with the largest die from the Framelits.
Supplies:
Stamps – Button Buddies, A Word for You
Card Stock – Real Red, Whisper White
DSP – Sweet Shop
Ink – Real Red, Old Olive
Other – Clear, White and Scented Embossing Powder, Framelits, Fun Flowers Die, Petals A Plenty Embossing Folder, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Retired Ribbon and Brad

It’s a cold day here in Auckland so keep warm.

Thanks for looking

Apothecary Art

By | June 26, 2012
0 Comment

Hi there

When I first saw this stamp set I wasn’t that fussed with it.  BUT as usual the more you see it being used the more you want it!  So I bought it & Phil gave it to me for my birthday last month.

I used an aqua painter for the first time on this card and I’m really pleased how it turned out.

Supplies:
Stamp – Apothecary Art
Card Stock – Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Watercolour Paper
Other – Black Stazon, Watercolour Crayons, Aqua Painter, Framelits, Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder

For this one I used the blender pen as the image is smaller and it gave me more control.  I added small pearls to the centre of the flowers for a bit of depth.
Supplies:
Stamp – Apothecary Art, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card Stock – Confetti White, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point
Other – Black Stazon, Watercolour Crayons, Blender Pen, Framelits, Lace Ribbon Border, Pearls, Dimensionals
Both these cards are about to be sent – I hope the recipients enjoy them as much as I enjoyed creating them.
Catch you back soon.

Masculine Card

By | June 25, 2012
0 Comment

Hi there

I’m sure the weekends are getting shorter – I don’t seem to be able to get everything done that I wanted to!  We had a great day on Saturday at our Creative Inkers Extravaganza.  There were about 60 ladies each creating 5 amazing projects – will try and put some photos up later.

It was my BIL’s birthday earlier this month and this is the card I made for him.  I cased this card from Megan Daves and just changed the DSP.  I was able to use up some of my scraps with this layout which is always good.  I’ve used a selection of circle punches but you could use all sorts of shapes.

Supplies:
Stamp – Perfect Punches
Card Stock – Pear Pizzaz, Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
DSP – Just Add Cake
Other – Various circle punches, Wide Oval Punch

Reason to Smile

By | June 20, 2012
0 Comment

Hi there

I found another card I’d made using the set ‘Reason to Smile’.  Stampin Up are giving this set away for free if you place an order over $150.00 before the end of June.  So if you’d like to get this set contact me with your order before 30th June.

For this card I’ve used a technique called double embossing.  This is where you use two different  embossing folders to create this cool effect.  I cased this technique from Dawn’s blog.

Hope you’ve kept warm & dry today – winter has really arrived here in Auckland.
Catch you back soon

Mixed Bunch

By | June 20, 2012
0 Comment

Hi

I really like it when a stamp set has a matching punch and this is such a great set – Mixed Bunch & Blossom Punch.

Here are a couple of cards I’ve done using the stamp set and the punch.
This first one is a case from the very talented Marelle Taylor.  I haven’t put a sentiment on it yet as I’m not sure what I’ll use it for.  It’s a bit hard to see in the photo but I’ve added Dazzling Diamonds to the flowers.

 Supplies:
Ink – Perfect Plum
Other – Dazzling Diamonds, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, 3/4″ Circle Punch
This next one showcases the new Edgelis Die and matching Textured Impressions Embossing Folder from the Autumn/Winter mini.

 Supplies:
DSP – Everyday Enchantment (retired)
Card Stock – Soft Suede

I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of recreations of this card – I had to give it a go as well.

Supplies:
Card Stock – Rich Razzelberry
DSP – Beyond the Garden (retired)
Other – 3/4′ Circle Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Rhinestones

Fox & Friends catalogue case

By | June 19, 2012
0 Comment

Hi there

I’ve been a bit remiss of late with my blogging – I have such a backlog of projects to share so I’d better make a start.

This card is a case from the current catalogue (pg 58) I did for our neighbours son’s 2nd birthday.

This is such a great set for kids cards.  I’ve pop dotted the images for a bit of depth on the card front but gone with a flat look for the inside.  I even remembered to take a photo of the inside :).
Supplies:
Stamps – Fox & Friends, A Word for You
Card Stock – Baja Breeze
DSP – Just Add Cake
Ink – Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze
Other – Daffodil Delight 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals
I’ll try and get back again tomorrow with another project.
Have a great week.