Team Swaps

By | April 22, 2012
2 Comments

Hi there

Yesterday we had team training at Jacque’s and also did swaps.  Swaps are a great way to get ideas – this time we had to use product from the new Autumn-Winter mini.  For my swap I made a Post It note holder:


the inside

I ended up using 7 things from the new mini – Simply Scored, Twitterpated DSP, Adorning Accents Edgelits Die & Embossing Folder,Mixed Bunch stamp set, Blossom Punch and Cherry Embossing Powder.
The base is 4″ x 7″ scored at 3 1/4″ and 3 3/4″.  I started off with a 3 1/2″ x 2 7/8″ piece of DSP then cut it using the Edgelits die – the smaller piece for the front and the bigger piece for the inside.  I then adhered each piece of DSP to a 3″ x 3 5/8″ piece of card stock.  Using the matching embossing folder place it just above (front) or below (inside) the edge of the DSP (Note to self – make sure the raised part of the folder is on the bottom) then run it through the Big Shot.  Attach the ribbon to the base BEFORE adding the inside pieces 🙂
I stamped the image in Riding Hood Red then using my VersaMark pen coloured in the centre of the flower before adding scented embossing powder.  The scent lasts for ages.  I stamped an image at the beginning of March and it still smells.  To give my flower more depth I adhered it with a dimensional.
We also made altered rubbish bins using baby forumla tins.  You could use all sorts of tins to recreate this project.  Here is my finished bin:
Thanks to Barbara Bicknell for giving these tins to Jacque.
Well have a great week.
Paula

Crafters Annonymous

By | April 19, 2012
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Hi there

Hasn’t the weather been amazing – beautiful crisp sunny days and they say it should be this way until the end of April 🙂

This week over at Crafters Annonymous Kristine McNickle taught an amazing gift card.  I wasn’t able to attend but as a member I still have access to the tutorials.  If you’d like to join Crafters Annonymous or know more about them drop me an email.

This design was perfect as I needed to make an engagement card & gift holder for this Saturday and now I have a project that is an all in one – got to love that.

Card Front:

Card Inside:
And now with the voucher:
I had fun making this card and I’m sure I’ll be making more – thanks Kristine for a great tutorial.
Supplies:
Card Stock – Pool Party, Very Vanilla
DSP – Everyday Enchantment (retired)
Ink – Cajun Craze
Punches – Word Window, Modern Label, Small Heart
Dies – Scallop Envelope, Edgelits Adorning Accents
Other – Pearls
Have a great rest of your week.
Paula

Kangaroo Punch Art

By | April 17, 2012
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Hi there

Well I still haven’t started my swaps yet but last night I made this cute punch art card.

One of the guys in our Sydney office has just got his Australian Permanent Residency so I thought I’d make him a card.  I had helped him get ALL the paperwork together so it was a relief to know it’s been approved.
I got the idea from Dawn Olchefske.  It was a fun card to make and I’m sure the recipient will like it.  He’s coming over tomorrow.
Supplies:
Card Stock – Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green
Punches – Word Window, Wide Oval, Large Oval, 1″ Circle, 5-Petal Flower, Trio Flowers, Heart to Heart
Catch you back soon.
Paula

Try Stampin on Tuesday #61

By | April 16, 2012
3 Comments

Hi there

Well it’s been a few weeks since I felt like doing any challenges and this weeks challenge over at Try Stampin on Tuesday is a good one to come back to.  My good friend Tracey Old and her family visited us on Easter Monday and she showed me her card for this challenge.  I felt inspired so have created my own take plus cased her one (after ordering Well Worn DSP that afternoon!).

Here is my card:

and here is my case of Tracey’s.  Thanks Tracey for your inspiration.

I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to get this DSP – I love it.
Supplies – Card 1:
Stamp – Button Buddies
Card Stock – Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink – Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso
DSP – Everyday Enchantment
Other – Calypso Coral Organdy Ribbon, Everyday Enchantment Printed Designer Brads, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, Pearls, Dazzling Diamonds
Supplies – Card 2:
Stamp – French Foliage, On Your Birthday
Card Stock – Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla
Ink – Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso
DSP – Well Worn
Other – Not Quite Navy Taffeta Ribbon, Hemp Twine, Cajun Craze Button
Well I now need to make a start on my swaps for team training on Saturday.
Catch you soon
Paula

Happy Birthday Dominic

By | April 15, 2012
3 Comments

Hi there

I’ve had a great day today – I’ve made two cards!  which is a big thing considering I haven’t felt like crafting for weeks.  I may even do some more this evening.

Friends of our have three children.  Each child receives a bath towel with a cross-stitched panel on it.  The first got his when he was born, the second got his on his first birthday so last weekend I thought I’d better get my act together as Dominic turns one today.  Here is the towel with the finished panel:

I’m really pleased with how this turned out as it’s the first time I’ve used this pattern.  I changed the colours to more ‘boy’ ones.
I’ve carried the colour theme over to the card which is one I’ve cased from Callena.  When I saw this on her blog I knew I had to recreate it.  Thanks Callena for sharing this.
Supplies:
Stamp – I Dig You
Card Stock – Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Pacific Point, Garden Green, Daffodil Delight, Real Red
Ink – Pacific Point, Garden Green, Real Red
Other – Postage Punch, 3/4″ Circle Punch, Timeless Type Alphabet Die, Dimensionals
I’ll be back soon with the other card I made.
Have a great week.
Paula

Work Birthday Gifts

By | April 12, 2012
1 Comment

Hi there

Wow – I hadn’t realised it was so long since I’d blogged.  I am still feeling tired and don’t seem to have much energy – I wish these iron tablets would kick in.  I did however manage to do some creating over the weekend.

I make all the birthday gifts for staff at work and we have a busy month coming up with 14 of us having birthdays in May.  I thought I’d get a head start on the gifts so made over a dozen in the weekend.  I’ve used a variety of dies to create these projects (I own 19 dies so plenty to choose from!)

You would have thought that after making 100 bunnies using the Candy Wrapper Die I wouldn’t want to see it for awhile but I had fun making extended candy wrappers using acetate sheets.  These hold 5 Ferrero Rochers.  All boxes are filled with either chocolates or lollies.  The staff get to pick which box they want when it’s their birthday.  I have also made 4″ cards using the ‘I Dig You’ stamp set.  They go down a treat with everyone.
Thanks for looking.
Paula

JAI #111

By | April 1, 2012
10 Comments

Hi there

Last night I finally finished my 100 Easter bunnies for work!  I didn’t realise how much work (& time) was involved in putting these together when I saw them on a blog awhile ago.  But I’m sure my work colleagues will enjoy receiving them and that’s what matters.

This is perfect for the challenge over at JAI of ‘just add Easter’.

Here’s a close up of them: 

I saw these when I was ‘googling’ ideas for the Candy Wrapper die.  Check out Tammie’s blog here for instructions.  Thanks Tammie for a great idea.  I was able to use up a lot of my scraps in creating the punch art 🙂  Each box is filled with Easter eggs.
Supplies:
Card Stock – Pretty In Pink, Whisper White, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango
Die – Candy Wrapper Die
Punches – Large Oval, Two Step Bird, Small Oval, 1/2″ Circle, Small Heart
Other – Silver Brads
Now I just have to hide them on everyone’s desk!
Paula

Happy Birthday Deb

By | March 29, 2012
1 Comment

Hi there

Yesterday was my good friend Deb’s birthday.  It was a special birthday as you will see from the cards below.  The first card is the one I gave her and the second is the card I made for her husband to give her.  Deb is also a card maker and her husband Dave knows he can not give her a bought card 🙂  It’s quite funny the tricks we have to get up to so that she doesn’t see the handover!

I cased this card from Julie Davison.  Thanks Julie for sharing the instructions.  It’s such a cool card – the ribbon slides off to allow the flap to open.

 Here is the card Dave gave her:

  Both cards went down a treat.  I am loving Pool Party at the moment – it seems to go with everything.
Supplies:
Stamp – On Your Birthday
Card Stock – Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Calypso Coral
Other – Spice Cake DSP, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/4″ Circle Punch, Timeless Type Alphabet Die
Card Stock – Island Indigo, Very Vanilla, Rich Razzleberry
DSP – Spice Cake DSP, Rich Razzleberry and Baja Breeze Patterned Paper Stack
Other – Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon, 1 3/4″ Scallop Circle Punch, Rich Razzleberry Brad, Timeless Type Alphabet Dies

I have been feeling tired for the last week or so and have found out that I am low in iron.  So now I’m on iron tablets which should help get the energy levels back up.  I have struggled of late to find the motivation to make cards – often sitting at my desk but no inspiration coming.  Hopefully that will change soon.

Have a good day.
Paula

JAI # 110 and sneak peak

By | March 28, 2012
4 Comments

Hi there

This weeks card uses an embossing folder from the new Autumn-Winter mini that will be released on Sunday.  There are so many great new products you won’t want to miss getting a copy.  If you would like one please send me an email.

I will also enter this in for the NZSU challenge I set of using some form of embossing on a project.  Here I have dry embossed with the new heart embossing folder and heat embossed the three hearts and the greeting.
I have changed the orientation of the sketch to accommodate my new embossing folder and the stamp set.  Last week I unfortunately missed the cutoff for JAI so am making sure I’m on time this week!
Supplies:
Stamp – Loads of Love, A Word for You
Card Stock – Basic Black, Real Red, Confetti White
Other – Adorning Accents Embossing Folder, Brights Watercolour Crayons, Blender Pen, Black Embossing Powder
Have a great week.
Paula

Freshly Made Sketches #27

By | March 26, 2012
4 Comments

Hi there

I needed a baby boy card for one of the ladies at work who has just had a baby.  I’ve been struggling trying to think what design to do and found this sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches which is perfect.  I don’t have any baby stamp sets (this will change come 1 April) so thought I’d use the rattle from the Button Buddies set.

I’m really pleased with how this turned out.  Thanks for sharing yet another great sketch with us.
Supplies:
Stamp – Button Buddies, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card Stock – Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Whisper White
DSP – Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, So Saffron Patterns Paper Stack
Ink – Bashful Blue, Marina Mist
Have a great week.
Paula

JAI #109

By | March 22, 2012
6 Comments

Hi there

This week’s challenge over at Just Add Ink was to ‘Just Add Beaches’.  I don’t have any beach themed stamps so pulled out my trusty set Crab & Company.  Now I know this set has been retired for awhile but I will never part with it.  I think it’s great for all ages and has lots of possibilities.  I needed two masculine cards so thought I’d create my cards with this challenge in mind:

For my layout I’ve used the current challenge over at Stamping411.  I don’t like making cards the same so used different stamps from the set but still the same layout.  I’ve added Crystal Effects to various parts:

 here the eyes, pompom on the hat, flame of the candle and the coloured in shells.

and on this one just the eyes and the shells.
Supplies:
Stamp – Crab and Co, Sandy Shells wheel
Card Stock – Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink – Night of Navy, Creamy Caramel (retired)
Other – Watercolour Crayons, Crystal Effects
Hope the rest of your week goes well.
Paula

Try Stampin on Tuesday #57

By | March 20, 2012
1 Comment

Hi there

This week’s card is for my Mum – it’s her birthday today .  Happy Birthday Mum, I hope you have had a great day.

This photo doesn’t really do the card justice, it’s better in real life.  There is no stamping on the outside of the card – just various papers from the lovely Spice Cake DSP.  I’ve added some pearls for a bit of bling.
Mum is also into card making so we’ve got her some goodies to play with.  It’s a good thing Mum & Dad only live a few minutes up the road as I’m sure I’ll be borrowing some of them! 
Supplies:
Card Stock – Soft Suede, Pear Pizzaz, Very Vanilla
DSP – Spice Cake
Other – Pearls, Dimensionals
Paula

Freshly Made Sketches #26

By | March 19, 2012
4 Comments

Hi there

When I saw this weeks sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches I thought I’d try something different with it.  Instead of it being a flat card front I’ve made it that the right hand piece opens  out (once you take the band off).

I cut a slot in the DSP then slotted the Whisper White card stock in to create a flap.  I moved the strip from the top of the layout to the bottom so that it wouldn’t cover my flower.  The base is just a card front and I can write my message on the inside of the flap – how cool is that!  This paper is so pretty and I didn’t want to cut into it but managed to position it so you still see a decent amount of the image.
Supplies:
Stamp – Fifth Avenue Floral, Perfect Punches
Card Stock – Pacific Point, Whisper White
DSP – Beyond the Garden
Ink – Pacific Point
Other – Subtles Watercolour Crayons, Wild Wasabi Embossing Powder, Wide Oval Punch, Dauber
Keep dry and warm.  Catch you back later.
Paula

My swap card

By | March 17, 2012
1 Comment

Hi there

I hope you’ve all had a good day.  This morning we were able to get out into the garden and attack the weeds and pull out the last of the summer vege plants.  Now to start thinking of the winter crops.

Here is the card I made as my swap for last weeks stamp camp.

This card is made using the Movers and Shapers die along with the scallop oval die from the Punch Windows.  To make this card you first cut out the base with just the base die then re-thread it through the Big Shot with the scallop die attached.  I will try and make a tutorial on how I made it.  There is a nifty trick so that only half of the scallop gets cut.  The dies  from the Punch windows all have matching punches so you can recreate this layout a number of ways.  My colour combo comes straight from the colour coach – Melon Manbo, Old Olive & Elegant Eggplant.
Supplies:
Stamp – Vintage Vogue, On Your Birthday
Card Stock – Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Whisper White
DSP – Cheerful Treat (Hostess)
Ink – Old Olive, Melon Mambo
Other – Movers & Shapers Die, Holiday Windows, Scallop Circle Punch, Large Oval, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Whisper White 5/8: Satin Ribbon, Glue Dot
Paula

SU Only Challenge

By | March 15, 2012
4 Comments

Hi there

Over at SU Only Challenges this week they’ve gone green – any shade will do.  I’ve gone with Pear Pizzaz and it’s Dynamic Duo – Garden Green.  The challenge was to make a card with green as the focal point.

Last weekend at Demo Stamp Camp Bev Poultney taught us how to make these cool flowers using scallop circles.  I just had to trial it and I think it works really well with this stamp.  I’ve used the Pear Pizzaz sheets from the Spice Cake DSP.  To ink up the stamp I’ve gone with my trusty markers.  Thanks Bev for teaching this (along with a great masculine card).
Supplies:
Stamp – Inspired by Nature
Card Stock – Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Markers – Garden Green, Rich Razzleberry, Early Espresso
DSP – Spice Cake
Other – Scallop Circle Punch, Early Espresso Brad
I’ll be back tomorrow to show you the swap I made for camp.  Well I’m off out for a coffee with friends – enjoy the rest of your day.
Paula