Stampin Alley

Telescoping Christmas Card

2011-12-23T13:44:00.000+11:00

I am finally on holidays from work - yeah. I am not going away, so I am so looking forward to spending some quality time in my craft room. I did notice my blogging this year has been a bit lacking so my sincere apologies to those who follow my blog - one of my new year's resolutions will be to a bit more regular in posting in 2012.

To my card - I have been wanting to try out these Telescoping cards for a while now and since I was missing a Christmas Card, decided to give it a go this morning.

I used a number of different dies to create this card plus the Circle Scissors to create some of the circles. I decided the bottom scallop circle was a bit boring, so use the Crop-A-Dile to add some decoration, I then added some two-way glue pen on the edge so that I could add some dazzling diamonds.

When you pull the ribbon at the top it opens up to show the 3 different panels. You just have to remember that the middle panel needs to be upside down when you layer them on top of each to put the brads in.

I think these types of cards will definately be on my list of "to do" items in classes in 2012.

I thought I would give you an idea of what my desk looked like after getting (the majority) of my Christmas crafts and goodies completed. The small little patch at the front of the desk is where I worked!!!

I spent about 3 hours cleaning up my desk on the first day of holiday - I always find I can be more productive when everything is back in its place.

More Miriamthiums

2011-12-06T07:11:00.000+11:00

I did get on a bit of a roll with these gorgeous flowers by Miriam Spiess (see here). I pulled out a favourite gift bag design and the pillow box to showcase these flowers.

Apologies the photo is a bit 'glarey', I used the gorgeous flocked paper from the Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper and Basic Black Satin Ribbon.

The flower is made from Cherry Cobbler and I have sponged the edges in Cherry Cobbler too. The Antique Brads work perfectly with these flowers.

I made the flower for the pillow box using the standard scallop punch and a flower from the Boho Blossoms punch.

A Vintagey Treat Holder

2011-11-30T07:30:00.000+11:00

I am inspired by Kimberley Van Diepen (a US Stampin' Up! demonstrator), and some time ago I made this little treat holder which was inspired by her style.

It uses the Two Tags Die - I cut 2 of the tags which fold, and joined the flaps together to make a triangle.

The DSP is now retired but the ribbon (in Cherry Cobbler) and the embellishments are all available - Vintage Trinkets and Antique Brads.

I cut the ribbon in half and frayed is a little to give it a more rustic look.

Super Quick Birthday Cards

2011-11-27T09:09:00.001+11:00

I was inspired to make this set by the talented Dawn Griffith (see her post here). These were so quick and simple to make and are great for that quick little card to add to a birthday pressie.

The cards are 3" x 3" and I used the Designer Frames Embossing Folder to create the embossed oval. The ovals are punched using the Extra Large Oval Punch from Mocha Morning DSP (as everyone probably knows by now - one of my favorite DSP's). The Happy Birthday is stamped and punched using the Word Window Punch, and I added a teeny flower from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack and a Pearl Basic Jewel. As you can see I also decorated the flaps of my Mini Square envelopes to match.

I also made a little bag to store them all in. This was another quick and simple project, designed to co-ordinate with the cards. I used the Fancy Favor Die to create the bag, matched the front and created a handle for it.

Stampin Up Regional Swap - 3D

2011-11-21T22:28:00.004+11:00

This is my other swap for the Stampin' Up! Regional event in Melbourne. I made the mini milk cartons that are in the same style as the Tiny Tags I made some time ago (see post here). They were quick and simple to make and of course they are the perfect size to hold a chocolate santa.

I think I have got carried away with this style as I have now made - mini post-it notes, chocolate slider, boxes, milk cartons, and I'm sure that this style will work just as well with the new Candy Wrapper die that will be available from the 1st December - must put that on my list to make. At some stage I will take a photo of all the different items I have made in this style (its just as well they are all small otherwise they may not fit in a photo!!).

Regional WOW

2011-11-17T07:13:00.005+11:00

As I mentioned I attended the Regional Stampin' Up! event last weekend and I have to say the WOW demonstrations were all fantastic. There were a number of projects that I just had to go home and make and this flower was one of them. It was created by the very talented Miriam Spiess (check out her blog here). She is hoping to put a tutorial on her blog soon so keep an eye on it.

Here is a close up of the flower.

I made the flower using Elegant Eggplant cardstock which was sponged with Night of Navy. The box is made using 5 of the Petite Pockets, and I used the base as a template for the top.

The paper is from my favorite DSP - Morning Mocha and the brad is from the Antique Brads.

I got on a roll making these flowers in all different sizes and colours and now have made quite a few which are sitting on my desk waiting to be used on something - this weekend!

Melbourne Regional Swap

2011-11-14T18:08:00.004+11:00

On Saturday we had the Melbourne Regional event for Stampin' Up! It was so much fun catching up with friends, learning some awesome new things, making some cute projects and 'swapping'.

I made a card swap and a 3D swap this year, this was my card swap. Unfortunately I forgot to take photos of my swaps before Saturday, but managed to keep this one. I will need to recreate my 3D swap.

I used Concord Crush cardstock, ran it through the Stripe embossing folder, and used my brayer with Concord Crush ink to make the stripes pop. I added a top note die in Melon Mambo with some Cheerful Treat DSP, which I ran through the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder.

I little bit of Concord Crush ribbon, some butterflys and a scallop oval sentiment using the Friendly Phrases stamp set - voila.

Christmas Treats

2011-10-31T08:12:00.004+11:00

I am a fan of treats at Christmas. This is another class coming up, it is a set of Christmas Treats that are perfect for kids (or adults too). Many of these I have done each year (they are oldies but goodies - excuse the pun).

There is Snowman Soup, Reindeer Poop, Rudolph's Red Nose Repair Kit, a Reindeer Stick and a Gift Card Holder. Now you are probably thinking that Rudolph had a red nose - yes he does, but I didn't have any jaffas on hand, but don't worry I will have some for class.

The Snowman Soup has a hot chocolate sachet, marshmallows, candy cane and chocolate santa - to create a super special hot chocolate - not exactly a summer weather drink, but special enough to have anytime.

The gift card holder is made with a piece of cardstock cut at 4 1/8" by 11" (you can get two out of piece of cardstock). This is scored at 3", 5 1/2", and 8" and folded in a "W". I then used the word window punch and a circle punch for the gift card opening (but don't forget to close the other end).

Add some ribbon and some DSP and decorations to the outside and inside and you have a perfect gift card holder.

A Christmas in Gold

2011-10-24T20:05:00.007+11:00

I have been busy preparing projects for the final couple of Christmas Classes (as well as swaps for Regionals!). I love gold at Christmas (it looks a little bit decadent) and this set was so easy to make with the Morning Mocha Speciality DSP.

The cards are 4" square and I used a base of Early Espresso, a Very Vanilla mat and the Mocha Morning Specialty DSP.

The images are from Welcome Christmas Stamp Set and little 'Merry Christmas' from the Petite Pairs Stamp Set. They were stamped in Versamark and then heat embossed with Gold Embossing Powder.

I also made a pizza box to store the cards in. The top of the box has the same mat and Mocha Morning DSP. I created a belly band out of Very Vanilla and added the image to the top section.

Framed In Colours

2011-10-19T13:00:00.000+11:00

Well I finally got round to taking some photos of my In Colour version of the Frame from the previous post. I really love the bright colours, this will definately have to be a class next year(too busy with Christmas classes at the moment).

I originally had the background as plain white, but it just was lacking something so I added some of the First Edition Designer Series Paper.

The flowers are made with the Fun Flowers die, the 5 Petal Punch and the 1/2" Circle Punch.

I used the Patterned Designer Series Paper Packs from the In Colours 2010/11 and In Colours 2011/12 collections.

For those that were wondering which dot was missing - it was River Rock (can't believe I hadn't got round to getting some of the cardstock - I have now remedied that situation).

Framed Neutrals

2011-10-13T20:19:00.005+11:00

I have been inspired by the gorgeous colour flower display in the new Idea Book and Catalogue 2011/12 (page 2) and have been trying to work out how I can create something similar.

On the weekend I picked up some cheap white frames and came up with an idea. I used the Mocha Morning DSP for the background and used the Neutrals Colour group for my flowers.

Apologies for the reflection.

I used the Neutrals Collection Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack and the gorgeous new Fun Flowers Bigz L Die. I just used a 1/2" circle punch of cardstock for the centre of the flower. Btw - do you know which Neutrals colour I didn't have any cardstock of?

I've got another one to show you - as soon as I can take a photo in daylight!

Clean and Simple Christmas with Punches

2011-10-09T20:58:00.002+11:00

I have a stamp a stack coming up and wanted some simple and quick christmas cards, so I turned to our punches.

The ornament punch has been around over a year now and is fantastic. The Pennant Punch was launched in our New Idea Book & Catalogue and makes a great christmas tree. Finally, the new Stocking Building Punch makes the cutest little stockings.

All of the cards were made with the Letter from Santa DSP. I also embossed the top, heel and toe of the stocking with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.

Note - I have heard from a few people that they were having trouble leaving comments on my blog, I have tried to change the settings, so hopefully its working now.

I Love Tiny

2011-09-29T20:19:00.009+10:00

I love Tiny - and tiny tags with the Mocha Morning DSP really hit the spot.

A lot of houses have a colour theme for their Christmas decorations - mine are gold, bronze, pearl and a touch of lime green, and whilst I have come to really like the Letters to Santa DSP, I love the metallic gold look of the Mocha Morning DSP.

This set of 4 tiny cards and 4 tags where made with Early Espresso and Very Vanilla cardstock, Mocha Morning DSP, Tags til Christmas Stamp Set, Seam Binding and the new Stocking Punch (look out for more details of this great new punch in October).

The tags are all made from Early Espresso cardstock cut at 4 x 3" and scored at 2". A Very Vanilla mat and the Mocha Morning DSP.

I used the Decorative Label Punch, the Stocking Punch and the Ornament Punch. The cute little bows are made with the new Seam Binding.

Simply Soft Set in new In Colours

2011-09-24T17:00:00.000+10:00

I loved the Simply Soft Hostess set when I saw it in the new catalogue and the great thing about the new Hostess Benefits, is that you get to choose what you want to put your free dollars towards. You can choose one or more of the great Hostess sets (which are such great value) or anything else from the catalogue.

I used a Crumb Cake base card and stamped the outline image and sponged the edged in Whisper White Craft Ink.

For the image I stamped the outline in Staz On onto Whisper White cardstock, and then stamped the petals in Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral and Pool Party. The stems are just coloured in with an Old Olive marker.

I added some of the new In Colour ruffled ribbon.

The images were mounted onto Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral or Pool Party and added to the card base with dimensionals.

The box is made in a similar style to the cards and use some magnetic tape to close it.

A Morning Mocha CASE

2011-09-22T20:56:00.003+10:00

I came across this gorgeous card by Tessa Wise using the Flirtatious DSP (see here) and loved the simplicity of it.

I decided to create a similar one using the Morning Mocha DSP. I have also used some Soft Suede and Crumb Cake Patterned DSP to complement it. The tiny scallop border is made with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch.

To create the 'flower', I punched squares from the DSP and rounded the corners on opposite sides. The top layer is popped up on dimensionals and the edges curled with my bone folder. I added a black button with the Linen Thread for the centre.

2011-09-18T20:56:00.002+10:00

I have been starting to get my Christmas Card Classes ready, and now that we have the new catalogue, I have lots of new goodies to play with.

I have seen these cards in a number of places, but I originally got the idea from Angie from Chic n Scratch (see here), and knew that I wanted to use the idea for some Christmas cards.

This set uses the new Letters from Santa DSP and the new Tags Til Christmas Stamp Set. I have used a 3 7/8" x 7 3/4" card (scored at 3 7/8") in Whisper White on top of the Early Espresso Scallop Square. The DSP is cut at 3 3/4" x 3 3/4".

I added some Old Olive Satin Ribbon or the wonderful new Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding (love this stuff).

A New Baby Gift

2011-09-14T18:02:00.005+10:00

I needed a quick card and packaging for a friend who had just had a baby girl. I was inspired by Michelle Last (see her blog post here) I have had the Every Little Bit Stamp Set for a while, so it was good to finally get it out for a bit of a play.

I used a Crumb Cake base card and embossed it with the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder. Then simply added the image mounted onto a scallop square punched from Pretty in Pink with a Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon Bow and a Neutrals button. I also added the same image on the inside of the card and mounted some Whisper White onto some Pretty in Pink cardstock.

The package was wrapped in some kraft wrapping paper and I used some of the retired Nursery Suite Specialty DSP and a Pretty in Pink bow and matching Every Little Bit image from the card.

A new toy - Lace Ribbon Border

2011-09-07T18:00:00.000+10:00

Recently I went away for a Stamp Camp with some lovely and talented fellow stampers - for us stampers this is heaven.

We all make a Shoe Box Swap for others to create - essentially cut everything for everyone to make one and put everything you need in a shoe box - voila. This one was mine.

I stuck some DSP (this was the retired Newsprint DSP) onto a Black Mat and ran it through the Square Lattice Embossing Folder for some texture. This was added to the front of a Very Vanilla base card.

I used the new Lace Ribbon Border punch to make the cool lace strip and topped it off with a Fancy Flower punched from Melon Mambo, a 5-Petal Flower punched from some more of the DSP and a 1/2" circle in black.

Simple

A Fathers Day Gift

2011-09-05T20:00:00.005+10:00

My Dad is now 84 and unfortunately age has been starting to catch up with him. We are not sure if it is Alzheimers or Dementia but either way it's hard to see your dad change in the way this type of illness does. But one thing is for sure my dad is very easy to buy for at Father's Day, there are three things I get for him each year - Razors, Darrell Lea Licorice and Chocolate Ginger and he loves it.

Sunday was Father's Day in Australia so I collected my usual goodies but as I always do I left the packaging to the last minute - I love that putting together a co-ordinating package is so easy with Stampin' Up!

For the bag I grabbed a plain Kraft bag, added a strip of Always Artichoke which had an Early Espresso mat and stamped the leaf from the Lovely as a Tree Stamp Set in Versamark - simple.

I used the gorgeous tree from the same stamp set and coloured it with inks and a blender pen for the card, which was a similar design as the bag. The sentiment was simply the Modern Label punch in Early Espresso and the Word punch in Very Vanilla with the sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Sentiments Stamp Set, topped off with some Metallic Brads.

I bought some Newmans Chocolate Ginger by weight so I used a Medium Cello Bag to put them in, 'topped' off with a Top Note Die stamped again with the leaf in Versamark.

I added the same sentiment as the card but I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp it in 3 layers to fit the 1 1/4" circle punch which I had stamped with the same leaf stamp. I then layered it onto an Always Artichoke 1 3/8" circle and a scallop circle punched from Early Espresso. I made 2 of these and used the other one on the bag.

Familiarity is good for someone like my Dad so these gifts fit the bill perfectly and he couldn't wait to dig into his chocolates.

New Catalogue Day

2011-09-01T07:00:00.001+10:00

Well today is the day that the new 2011/2012 Idea Book & Catalogue by Stampin' Up! is available to customers - YEAH. I love this time of year and getting to pour over a new catalogue. There are some exiting new products available including stamps, dies and papers.

This is a gift set I made for one of my BFF's. She was turning the big "4 0". I had bought her a special Pandora charm so of course needed a gift bag to put it in. I used the new Beau Chateau DSP (which is beautiful) to make this gift bag and card set.

The bag was made with a kraft paper lunch bag (not SU) with a back (with flap) and front from Soft Suede Cardstock - you just need to cut to fit your bag size with a 1/8" overlap. I used a Very Vanilla mat and then used this beautiful Marina Mist DSP from the Beau Chateau DSP pack.

The flower on the front is made from a new die called Fun Flowers (this is going to be a favorite of mine) and the Five Petal Flower punch. I added a Very Vanilla button to the middle of the flower and attached it to the front flap by tying it on with Linen Thread.

The card is made in a similar fashion to the bag. I have added a border on the inside and outside using the new Lace Ribbon Border punch.

To create the 40 in the frame, I used another new product Designer Frames Embossing Folders in Very Vanilla cardstock and then adding more of the DSP to the centre.

All of the edges are lightly sponged in Soft Suede.

A Convention Case

2011-08-23T07:10:00.002+10:00

Following on from my last post, these items are a case from the demonstration by Vanessa Webb (her website is here) at convention. Thanks Vanessa for the great ideas.

I was visiting one of my lovely stamping buddies (hi Margaret), who now has the most amazing craft room (I would like to move into it). Well she also happens to be a quilter and I got talking about wanting to use fabric on my cards, so she pulled out a drawer and said take a piece home - yeah, she is so sweet and generous.

The card has a base of Naturals Ivory with an embossed Cherry Cobbler mat. For the butterflies, I glued the fabric onto some Cherry Cobbler cardstock (I just used the anywhere glue stick). Then cut the butterflies using the Stampin' Up! Beautiful Butterflies Die. Using a bone folder I curled slightly the wings of the butterfly, unfortunately you can't see it to well in the photo but it gives the card a bit of 'height'. A few Pearl Basic Jewels finishes them off.

Now for the envelope I started the same way by glueing the fabric to the Cherry Cobbler cardstock, then die cut the Scallop Envelope. Then I ran the envelope through the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, and it gives this gorgeous embossed effect to the fabric.

The little card uses Naturals Ivory which I sponged the edges in Soft Suede and added some of the new Seam Binding ribbon to finish off.

A Fabric Flower

2011-08-19T07:00:00.000+10:00

At Convention this year we had a great demonstration by Vanessa Webb about using fabric on cards, so when I got home I just had to try it out, unfortunately I didn't have much fabric at home so had to make do with what I had.

This card uses a brand new die called Fun Flowers that will be available from 1st September in the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue 2011/2012.

I wanted to make the flower sit up a bit so I glued the fabric to some copy paper then ran it through the die. I used 2 sets of the flowers and secured it to the card with a vintage brad. The card was also spritzed with Early Espresso.

I used Always Artichoke for the base card with a Cajun Craze mat and Naturals Ivory. The card is not quite the normal C6 size as I wanted it to fit the size of the Framed Tulips embossing folder (I embossed the cardstock first then worked out the rest of the sizes).

I had to add a couple of layers to the inside - this is actually serving a purpose (and not just to look pretty). You see with the flower it makes the front of the card very heavy and without the layers on the inside it would just fall over!!!

A Pennant Christmas

2011-08-14T20:27:00.000+10:00

Just a quick post with a sneak peek of a set coming out in the new Idea Book & Catalogue (to be released on 1st Sept).

This card uses the Pennant Parade Stamp Set and the Petite Pennants Builder Punch - yeah I love it when a punch fits a stamp set. The punch can punch the triangle below and a slightly larger scallop triangle - perfect for layering.

Simply Faith in Nature Sneak Peek

2011-08-10T20:12:00.003+10:00

As a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator we get a sneak peek at the new catalogue coming out in September and can order a couple of sets (yeah).

This is a new Hostess Set called Faith in Nature. It is a gorgeous set of 3 different designs.

I used my blender pens and inks to colour the image.

I wanted to keep the card simple so the image was the focal point of the card so I just added the image to some Crumb Cake cardstock.

A Little Gift Tag

2011-07-25T07:26:00.004+10:00

I know it was been a while. In Australia it is winter and that means the season for colds and flu, I was hoping I was going to avoid it this year, but unfortunately not. Have been down with a cold for the last week and hoping that it is finally going way.

This is a little tag I created a while ago. I stamped the image using Versamark and then used the Stampin' Up! Pastels and a sponge dauber to add the colour to the image on the front.

I then sponged the outside of the cardstock with Whisper White Craft Ink and added some ribbon.

A Sweet Treat Rattle

2011-07-25T07:20:00.001+10:00

This is another card I made for my Sweet Treat Class coming up soon. I have made of few of these in different colours as they are perfect for a card for a new arrival.

The balls in the rattle are from the cake section of my local supermarket - the perfect place to find things to put in the sweet treat cups. By the way the sentiment does say 'sweet little baby', the 's' is hiding behind the ribbon.

The base card is Chocolate Chip with a Whisper White Mat and Baja Breeze Designer Series Patterned Paper. I finished with some Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon for the bow.

A Take on a Regional Make & Take

2011-07-18T07:37:00.010+10:00

Stampin' Up! hold Regionals each year, these are held in most capital cities for demonstrators to get together and learn some new things - lots of fun.

At the Regional last year we made the bag below (back right). It uses the Every Moment Stamp Set, the Fancy Favor Die, and was coloured using blender pens. I decided to use this for class I held last week, but of course I had to add a few more items that carried the design through.

The bag is made using two Fancy Favor Bags cut from the Fancy Favor Die from Stampin' Up! Make the base bag up as normal. For the top bag cut off the bottom pieces and turn upside down and slide over the base bag - Voila.

The image is stamped in Staz On and coloured using Baja Breeze, Old Olive and Soft Suede Ink and blender pens.

I also made up a little 2.5" square box using the same design. The edge on the lid is done simply by using a strip from the top of cardstock cut using the Fancy Favor die and attached around the edge of the lid.

Finally I had the ladies make 2 small notecards. These cards use a panel from the Fancy Favor Die.

All items were spritzed with Soft Suede.

A Sweat Treat Balloon

2011-07-13T07:25:00.001+10:00

I have been wanting to do a class using the Sweet Treat Cups from Stampin' Up! for some time and I finally got around to coming up with the cards we will be making.

I was really pleased at how this first card turned out it uses the A Little Treat Stamp Set and the Sweet and Sour Speciality Designer Series Paper (apologies it was a dull day when I took this photo, the colours are much brighter IRL).

There are lots of things that you can put into the Sweet Treat Cups, including lollies, stationery items, buttons, or do what I did and visit the cake section of your local supermarket, there you can find lots of types of sprinkles and things to put on top of cakes that make perfect additions to the Sweet Treat Cup. I'll be back with another Treat Cup creation in a couple of days.

A Vintage Picture

2011-07-11T07:50:00.002+10:00

I was experimenting the other day with using the clear blocks as a stamp to create a background. I had also just received the Clearly for You stamp set so put the two together and I came up with this little set.

This is a technique I learnt recently at a fun team day where we get to share some great ideas through a 'shoebox swap'.

I stamped the clear block in Sahara Sand ink then 'stamped off' before stamping onto some Very Vanilla cardstock. It creates a great background for this little stamp from the Clearly for You stamp set. The stamp was coloured using markers and stamped on top of the background.

After distressing the edge of the cardstock it was the perfect size to go on the front of an Always Artichoke mini milk carton. I teamed this with some lace, a mini peg (non SU), a mini safety pin and a tiny tag.

The card uses the same products, but I used a larger piece of Very Vanilla to make the image more of a focal point.

Black Magic Technique

2011-07-05T18:30:00.000+10:00

This is a card I created for a Technique Class I held the other week. It uses the Black Magic Technique.

To create this effect you simply stamp in Whisper White ink onto Basic Black Cardstock (tip: make sure the white ink is dry before proceeding - a heat gun can speed up the process). Then using the Stampin' Up! Watercolour Pencils I coloured in the image. Using multiple colours gives more depth to the image.

End of Financial Year finally came

2011-07-03T18:15:00.005+10:00

You may remember in a previous post I mentioned that work was crazy and I had so many deadlines for the end of Financial Year (or end of June). Well the end of FY, and my deadlines finally came - thank goodness, as my waistline was not going to handle the stress too much longer. As a result I finally had my annual leave day on the 1st July (the one I was supposed to have a couple of weeks ago but had to work) - YEAH. I had so much fun, I spent all day Friday playing, and boy was it fun.

I have wanted to try the Faux Mother of Pearl technique for a while now and finally had the chance.

To create the effect I stamped the hydrangea image from the Because I Care Hostess Stamp Set in Black Staz On and coloured the image with Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Wild Wasabi and Always Artichoke. Then using a sponge I applied some Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint in a 'bouncing' motion, followed by Frost White Shimmer Paint.

I layered my image on Not Quite Navy Cardstock and then on a base of Crumb Cake that I had covered in hydrangeas in Crumb Cake Ink.

I also did another version using Perfect Plum and Elegant Eggplant and layered on Elegant Eggplant cardstock.

It is a bit hard to photograph the effect (it looks better IRL), but with this photo I managed to capture some reflection of light on the image.

Baby Shower Gift

2011-06-17T19:00:00.001+10:00

One of my lovely class ladies is expecting (very soon) and had a baby shower and this is my little gift for the little one. She is picking this up tonight at class so I can now show you.

I chose yellow and green for my colours as she doesn't know what she is having. The card uses a Crumb Cake base, a Whisper White mat, So Saffron and Nursery Suite DSP and some Pear Pizazz ribbon, all from Stampin' Up!. The pram is from Stampin' Up!'s Baby Bundle Stamp Set (this is a great stamp set to colour). Inside the card I added some of the little images in the corners.

In the box is a little rabbit, a classic pooh onesie, and some baby massage oil.

The box was made from a 12 x 12 sheet of Crumb Cake - scored at 3" on all sides. I then added some So Saffron Patterned Designer Series Paper and some Nursery Suite Specialty DSP and finished it off with some Pear Pizazz ribbon.

When Kathryn receives this, it will be wrapped in cellophane (I didn't want to squash bunny with a lid).

I want to play

2011-06-15T18:00:00.000+10:00

Do you wish sometimes that you don't have to do anything else but 'play' - unfortunately that doesn't happen, for me Work is always getting in the way - LOL. For some reason everything at work has a deadline of the end of financial year (what's the deal, I'm not an accountant!) and it is approaching faster than I would like, aahhhh.

Anyway on the long weekend I decided to make a set out of a card that I created some time ago (see here).

The colours are Marina Mist and Baja Breeze, Old Olive and Certainly Celery, Rich Razzleberry and Rose Red, and Daffodil Delight and So Saffron.

These were so quick and simple to make.

Finally Back Creating

2011-06-13T19:27:00.007+10:00

I know it has been a long time. It actually feels like ages since I have been able to play in my craft room but finally this weekend I was able to - yeah for long weekends.

For this set I pulled out a stamp set I hadn't used yet - Growing Green. As the creative juices were a little slow to get started I went with something simple.

I started with a base card of Whisper White cardstock and used Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi, and Rose Red cardstock. I clear embossed the image onto the coloured cardstock. On the Wild Wasabi and Rose Red cardstock I also used the masking technique. I then went around the outside of the image with the Versamark pen to add some more definition.

I used a strip of Crumb Cake and Whisper White to add the sentiment using the Curly Cute Stamp Set. I used my bone folder to add some curl and only adhered one end to the card.

I have a couple more things to share so will be back soon.

Birthday Gift

2011-05-20T18:00:00.000+10:00

Isn't it annoying when you forget to take a photo of a creation, well I did just that last week in all the excitement of the SU Convention. This was a birthday gift for a lovely friend (who kindly took a photo for me).

The card and journal above were made using the Sepia Technique that you can see in a previous post here. This time I used the gorgeous hydrangea from the Because I Care Hostess Stamp Set. I stamped it in Chocolate Chip onto Crumb Cake cardstock and layered it on Very Vanilla, Early Espresso and some Sahara Sand Patterned DSP. I love the vintage brads and these finished it off perfectly with a touch of lace ribbon.

The front of the journal was made just the same way.

Convention 'Roomie' Gifts

2011-05-18T09:00:00.002+10:00

There was 4 of us who stayed together at Crown Casino for the Melbourne SU Convention (boy it was a lot of fun). I wanted to have a little something for my roomies so I created these little boxes full of gooodies. I case'd these from Monica Gale (a talented UK SU Demonstrator) you can check out her creations here.

Here is a close up of the Elegant Soiree one, the others were made from the Sweet & Sour Speciality DSP.

The flower on the side is from a die that a friend of mine had (so I used the opportunity to cut some flowers - I hope we get this in Australia soon).

I included some handmade goodies in the box - a little journal, a little box and a mini post it note holder.

The other goodies included - a giant freddo, lip balm, fizzy fruits, pen and ear plugs (just in case anyone snored).

Attending the SU Convention is not just fun for sharing with team members, but also for getting to meet some of the other lovely SU Demonstrators that have fantastic blogs that I love to follow. This year these included the lovely and talented Christine Blain, Petronela Hardy, and Paula Dobson. I have admired these ladies from afar for quite a while, I just wish I could spend more time following their blogs.

Convention Bag Tags

2011-05-16T09:00:00.002+10:00

We all get a Convention Bag at the Stampin' Up! Convention, but with over 450 of the same bag you need to put something on yours to differentiate it from all the others. This year I made a couple of tags for those who I was staying with during convention. They are simple but after experience from last year to much attached will sometimes just fall off!

These all use the plastic convention tag holders (or whatever you call them!). I used the beautiful image from Friends 24-7 stamp set (stamped off once or twice to give a soft effect), then I die cut the initials and used the butterflies embosslit to cut some butterflies in matching patterned DSP. Of course it just didn't look right without a little bling so I added three tiny pearls to each of the letters.

The colours are Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist and Rich Razzleberry.

Convention Swap 2

2011-05-14T09:00:00.002+10:00

I did 2 different Convention Swaps, mostly because it adds some variety when you are making a lot (32 of Swap 1 and 44 of Swap 2). For my second swap I did a traditional card front.

I love the Square Lattice Embossing Folder it gives cardstock and paper such fantastic texture and is so versatile. I also find I quite often have lots of scrap Designer Series Paper left over from projects, so I put the two together and came up with these.

You will see there is actually more than one design, I used 6 different sets of DSP and punched a 1 1/4" square from each of the 12 different designs in each pack. Because the papers in each pack co-ordinate together so well, they came together so easily.

Greenhouse Gala DSP

Elegant Soiree DSP

Play Date DSP

Botanical Gazette DSP

Sweet & Sour Specialty DSP

Sweet Stitches DSP

Apologies for the photo quality (late at night, and last minute photos before going to convention).

Convention Swap 1

2011-05-12T09:00:00.002+10:00

I know it has been such a long time, this is why - SU Convention 2011.

Well it is that time of year - time for the Stampin' Up! Convention. This year it is being held in Melbourne (yes - cold, wet, Melbourne). The Convention is so much fun, we get to check out some new products, catch up with lots of old friends, and connect with new friends.

As part of Convention we make 'swaps' to share with fellow demonstrators. This first swap is not actually a card but a matchbook style post it note holder.

I used the Nature Walk Stamp Set from the new Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue and the Framed Tulip Embossing Folder.

By positioning the cardstock in the middle of the embossing folder, I was able to get just the edge embossed. I used the Naturals Ivory cardstock, and spritzed it with Soft Suede.

Apologies for the quality of the photo it was a 'dark' day and I needed to take the photos before I left for convention.

Pinwheel Technique

2011-04-27T07:33:00.005+10:00

This is another creation we made at my last Technique Class (apologies for the photo quality, it came out a little washed out). This is the Pinwheel Technique (well that is what I'm calling it), it is very simple but looks very effective, if you want to learn how check out this video by Dawn Griffiths.

I created this card using the Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper (love this paper) with Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla and Soft Suede. I used the Basic Pearl Jewels for the centre of the Pinwheel, and the Happy Birthday from the Teeny Tiny Sentiments for the sentiment - this is a great stamping staple as it covers every possible occasion.

My apologies for not having much to show recently - I have been busy getting ready for the Stampin' Up! Convention. As a demonstrator we make swaps to share with other demonstrators. I have come up with two different designs and so far have done approx 60 swaps (I'm hoping to get to about 80 swaps), but unfortunately can't show you for another couple of weeks.

Sepia Technique

2011-04-16T18:00:00.000+10:00

For my Technique class last night we made a card using the Sepia Technique. This is a simple technique replicating old sepia pictures.

The flower is from the Friends 24-7 stamp set. Firstly I stamped it in chocolate chip onto Crumb Cake cardstock, then using my blender pen I picked up some Craft White Ink and added white to the flowers and leaves. I added some Chocolate Chip with the blender pen to the stems and sponged the edges. I layered this onto a Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip mat and then onto a Crumb Cake base card and added some lace ribbon.

Welcome Addison

2011-04-14T18:00:00.000+10:00

I had the honour and privilege to witness the birth of my best friend's 4th child last week, and thankfully it was a little easier than most labours, nevertheless I am in awe of her. Little Addison Elizabeth was born only 20 minutes after the doctor had 'requested' so as not to interrupt his appointment schedule too much - how's that for timing.

I created this card the day after she was born, but unfortunately I ended up taking in the presents only the next day when I visited them (at the Hyatt Hotel) but forgot the card, but they will have received this by now so I can show it. It is made with the Baby Bundle stamp set and watercoloured with inks and blender pens. I love pink and chocolate brown.

How About a Little Cupcake

2011-04-12T18:00:00.000+10:00

New in the Autumn Winter Mini Catalogue is a fantastic Create a Cupcake stamp set and Build a Cupcake punch (love it when we don't have to cut out all the individual pieces). I stamped the base of the cupcake in Soft Suede and then punched it out using the punch. The tops are simply punched from Designer Series Patterned Paper.

I added some matching cardstock with linen thread and a button and of course on the inside I had to add another cupcake.

Team Day - Shoebox Swap

2011-04-10T19:31:00.003+10:00

We had a fantastic team day today - wonderful company, great food, and fantastic shoebox swaps. I love these days they are great for sharing lots of new ideas, although sometimes I wonder how we manage to get through all the shoebox swaps with all the chatter that goes on!!

A shoebox swap (for those that don't know) is when you put all the prepared materials, stamps, inks, etc in a shoebox, and you work through each of the shoeboxes to complete the cards. All the cards were absolutely fantastic - they are a very talented bunch of ladies.

My cards used the new Stampin' Up! Strength & Hope stamp set from the new Autumn Winter Mini Catalogue. It is a special set as $2 from every set sold goes to Breast Cancer research.

A Cute Birthday Card

2011-04-03T08:01:00.001+10:00

This is a card I made for my upcoming Owl Punch class. I wanted to show that you could use the punch for my than just Owls. You will find these guys everywhere if you search on the web, and they are so easy to make.

To make the little penguins you just need to cut off the Owl's ears - so easy. I wanted to make this a bit fun on the inside so decided to add a little penguin that pops up when you open the card, when you close the card he lies flat.

He He - Cute

(BTW - Apologies that I didn't come up with a good title, sometimes you just get stuck!)

Oh Sew Suite

2011-03-30T07:30:00.000+11:00

This is a little card and box set I made using the new Sew Suite stamp set and Sweet Stitches Designer Series Paper (sneak peeks from the new Autumn Winter Mini Catalogue due for release on 1st April).

The card uses my favorite combo - Crumb Cake card base with a Whisper White mat underneath some of the DSP. I stamped the mannequin on some DSP and cut it out. The cotton reel and pin cushion have been watercoloured and I found some retired buttons which coordinated perfectly. I needed a simple sentiment so added the 'just for you' from the Teeny Tiny Sentiments stamp set. I also stamped a cotton reel on the inside.

The little box is a basic Pizza Box design, which I made to co-ordinate with the card.

A Last Minute Card

2011-03-27T18:05:00.000+11:00

This card was done at the end of my time in my craft room, it was one of those ones that came together so quickly and I was happy with the way it turned out.

This card uses Rich Razzleberry (one of my favorite colours) and Sahara Sand Designer Series Pattern Paper, I used the new Decorative Label Punch (sneak peak, due to be released 1st April) and layered it with some Rich Razzleberry Labels to give a mat look.

I used the small flowers from the Awash with Flowers Stamp Set (I am loving this set). I stamped the outline stamp in Old Olive and the inset colour in Rich Razzleberry (I stamped off the colour so it wasn't to strong).

I used a new set called Strength & Hope (available from 1st April) to stamp the words across the Label in Crumb Cake (again stamped off). This set is a very special set as Stampin' Up! will donate $2 from every set sold to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Some Rich Razzleberry Satin Ribbon and a Rich Razzleberry Button finishes the card off.

A Sweet & Sour Morning Cup

2011-03-25T18:00:00.000+11:00

A great set for watercolouring is the Morning Cup Stamp Set, the cups and saucers are oh so cute. For this card I have used a scallop square using the Scallop Squares Duo (a sneak peak from the new Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue to be released on 1st April).

I love the Sweet & Sour Specialty DSP, it is so bright and fun and some of the pages even have clear embossing over them. I used Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie and Early Espresso for the watercolouring, to blend with the colours of the paper and some Pumpkin Pie Taffeta Ribbon to finish it off.

See the little teacup on the inside?

Quick & Simple Sale-A-Bration Cards

2011-03-24T18:00:00.002+11:00

These 3 x 3 inch cards are so quick and simple, they use two of the Sale-A-Bration stamp sets - Sweet Summer and So Happy For You.

The cards are in Naturals Ivory, and the circles are all 1 inch. I stamped the flower in versamark on Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise and Melon Mambo and embossed them in White Embossing powder.

To stamp the sentiment I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to position it across the circles.

Butterfly Bookmarks

2011-03-22T18:00:00.001+11:00

I was inspired by Dawn Griffiths Fun Flowers Bookmark (see here), to make a bookmark, but I really wanted to use the Beautiful Butterflies Die.

I created two, one in Marina Mist and one in Rich Razzleberry.

I cut two butterflies from some Watercolour paper, then stamped them with the flower from the Elements of Style Stamp Set. I really like to watercolour and this set is perfect for it. I used my Aqua Painter to Watercolour them, the colours I used were Baja Breeze, Marina Mist and Not Quite Navy and Rich Razzleberry and Bravo Burgundy. I also cut two larger butterflies from some Designer Series Pattern Paper in Marina Mist and Rich Razzleberry.

The Marina Mist bookmark has an antique brad in the middle, while the Rich Razzleberry bookmark has a flower brad. I could have added a bit more to them, but I decided to keep them as they were.

Mojo Lost, Mojo Found

2011-03-20T18:25:00.006+11:00

Well first I lost my mojo, then over our long weekend last weekend, I caught a bad cold and have only just started to come good. But there are two good things about having this cold, one - I have a good excuse to stay indoors and play and two - I think I found my mojo. WOW I have so much to show you, so stay tuned over the next couple of weeks.

I really like how this first project came out, I wasn't too sure about the colours originally but once I had matted it on some Whisper White and a Crumb Cake card base it started to pop. I think I have a confession - I use that combination a lot on my cards, but I really like Crumb Cake as a card base and using a mat of Whisper White means that you can put any colour with it and it looks good, try it out sometime.

I started by punching out 6 flowers using the Fancy Flower Punch in Baja Breeze and sponged the edges in Craft White Ink. I then placed them on some Marina Mist, and added some Marina Mist Satin Ribbon. For the sentiment I stamped in Early Espresso the 'Just for You' from the Afterthoughts Stamp Set (Hostess Set), rounded the top corners and sponged it in Craft White Ink. It was looking a little plain so I added some small flowers in Baja Breeze also sponged in Craft White. On the inside I added a single Baja Breeze Flower.

Awash with Flowers

2011-02-27T20:15:00.010+11:00

Hi there, I think my mojo has been missing for a while as every time I went to sit down in my craft room nothing was coming together.

Well I finally got around to playing with the Awash with Flowers stamp set and at first the mojo was struggling, then finally something came together. Now these are fairly simple cards (but sometimes simple is best when things aren't quite working).

Did you know - the Awash with Flowers clear mount set actually comes in two DVD cases (cause there are so many pieces). But all these pieces means that you can use the two step stamping method to add just the right amount of colour (and you don't need a stamp-a-ma-jig with this set - its not meant to fit together perfectly).

For the cards I used Crumb Cake base, Old Olive and Whisper White mats and Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride and Peach Parfait textured mats with the square lattice embossing folder (love this one). Add some Old Olive ribbon and done.

On the inside I used the Old Olive and Whisper White mats and added the corresponding flower on the inside left corner and the Well Scripted 'Happy Birthday'.

On another note - I ran in a 5km 'fun' run today. Now I am by no means a runner, and the longest I have run before today was a 4km run (and that took me a month to recover!!). Unfortunately it was very wet this morning but thankfully not really cold, so by the time I finished I was saturated, but finished, I did and I only had to stop once at the halfway mark (for water).

I have a bit of a dodgy hip at the moment so walking will probably be interesting for the next few days. Oh the pain and the glory! lol

Presto Patterns

2011-02-03T18:51:00.001+11:00

I bought the Presto Patterns Designer Series Specialty Paper from the new mini catalogue and have been dying to use it, but was a bit stumped on what to do with it. I wanted to create a set for a class, so I wanted a simple yet effective style that would highlight the great designs in the paper - and this is what I came up with.

I used sponging to bring out the designs in the paper and layered them onto Whisper White cardstock and a Crumb Cake base card. The flower is from the Friends Never Fade Stamp Set, the markers were perfect to colour in the stems and flowers.

I used some satin ribbon to thread through the label and used the happy birthday from the Well Scripted Stamp Set (from the current mini), again using the markers to colour the 'happy' and the 'birthday'.

Play Date Set

2011-01-31T21:28:00.005+11:00

I'm back with another set that we will be doing in an upcoming class. This set uses the cute Play Date Designer Series Paper. I also created a Magazine Holder for store all the cards, now I haven't put a link here for the holder as there are so many on the internet (so please just search for Card Magazine holder and be inspired). I ended up creating my own as I wanted it to be a particular size (which I couldn't find).

The cards were inspired by some gorgeous ones created by Jayne Mercer (see here). I used the For You Flower single stamp and the Fancy Flower Punch, in bright colours to match the DSP. I have added the happy birthday from the Well Scripted Stamp Set available in the current mini catalogue.

My elbows are getting a little better - although I'm still losing the feeling in my fingers/hands when I'm asleep, hopefully a little bit longer and they will be back to 'normal' and I can get back to more card making.

A Vintage Set

2011-01-14T14:56:00.006+11:00

I know it has been a LONG time.

I have had a bit of a break from blogging, but it doesn't mean I haven't been busy. Although I must say, at work we take OH&S pretty seriously, but I realised this Christmas break that I hadn't taken the time to ergonomically assess my craft desk, and after spending many a day on my holidays creating I ended up with severe elbow problems - I was sitting far too low. I have now taken the keyboard shelf from underneath my desk so I can sit higher and bought a new chair. I actually had to get a drafting chair as its the only type that I can get to go up high enough so that I am sitting properly, it also has a ring that you can put your feet on, which for someone of my limited height is extremely useful. The elbows are still a little sore but I think the new desk arrangement is starting to help.

Now unfortunately a lot of my creations I have been working on are for classes so I can't show you just yet. This set will be one of my February classes - it includes a treat bag, card and treat wallet.

I love the 'vintagey' look of this project, to achieve this I sponged all the edges in Soft Suede prior to putting them through the Square Lattice Embossing Folder (available in the current mini catalogue from Stampin' Up!).

I have made a number of these treat bags - they use a small kraft gussetted lolly bag and are so easy to make. I cut off the top portion of the bag and used this to create the treat wallet.

For the card I layered some of the beautiful lace ribbon to some Satin black ribbon and 'scrunched it' (it's a technical term - lol) along some sticky strip.

A Merry Christmas Matchbox

2010-12-18T18:00:00.001+11:00

Another idea for a Christmas Table treat is a little Christmas Matchbox.

I used the Square Lattice Embossing Folder to give some texture to the Matchbox cover. The label comes from the Lots of Tags die with my favorite 'Merry Christmas' stamp (from the Contempo Christmas stamp set) and a little button.

The Hershey chocolates were covered in Jolly Holiday DSP. I went to Costco to get the Hershey Chocolates, the problem is that Costco is a bulk store, so they only sell them in 1.5 kg bag - I do still have a few left!!!

A Sparkly & Bright Make & Take

2010-12-17T18:00:00.001+11:00

What do you do when you have 1 hour to come up with a make and take (nothing like leaving things to the last minute) - CASE a talented lady. I really liked these cards created by Marelle Taylor, so I changed it up a little by adding a Whisper White cardstock with a Scallop Trim Border. I also made a little Sunny Boy treat holder and voila, I had 2 quick and simple make and take projects all prepared and 1 hour, and I just made it before the girls all arrived - PHEW.

I had lots of different paper prepared, with a Cherry Cobbler or Old Olive card base, so the girls could choose what combination they liked.

I only recently bought the Sparkly & Bright Stamp Set and was so glad that I did.

The Sunny Boy containers are a great idea for Christmas table favours. They are great to put some little chocolate balls in for a sweet treat.

My Retro Christmas Tree Card

2010-12-16T18:39:00.000+11:00

I think I was just in a bit of a funky, retro mood when I created this card. I had seen punched newspaper print used on some other cards to create a background and thought why not make a Christmas Tree.

I used Naturals Ivory Cardstock, the Newsprint DSP and the Ornament Punch - how simple is that. I sponged all the edges of the card and the ornaments in Soft Suede, then added a sparkly 'star' (which is from the Boho Blossom Punch) and Noel from the Many Merry Message Stamp Set.

On the inside I added another ornament and the Merry Christmas from the Contempo Christmas (love that stamp).

I took a whole stack of cards into work and this was the most popular one - go figure, I liked it too, but thought it may have been a bit to funky/retro for others.

A little bit of Joy

2010-12-15T07:29:00.001+11:00

Isn't it annoying when photos really don't do something justice - the red background on this card actually sparkles like there is no tomorrow, but unfortunately you just can't see it in the photo : (

This card came together pretty quickly. I had done a lot of cutting out images recently and just couldn't bring myself to cut out the JOY from the Welcome Christmas stamp set, but I wanted to show it off a bit more. Now none of the label dies or punches I had would fit the image, so I created my own. Can you guess what I used?

This photo will probably help you out, need another hint it - you need three of them to create it.

I used the Square Lattice Embossing Folder on the Real Red background and then sprayed it with my Champagne Mist (Champagne Shimmer Paint and Isocol) - I really did spray it!

A Vintage Star

2010-12-12T18:35:00.001+11:00

I was so inspired by the very talented Paula when she posted her gorgeous Star Box (see her stunning creation here), I just had to create one myself. The template is from Lauren Meader and is so perfect for Christmas.

I added the Christmas stamp from the Perfect Punches Stamp Set and some striped grosgrain ribbon.

I decided to vintage mine up a bit more and sponged all the edges and the top in Soft Suede. But I may have got a bit carried away as I not only did the box, but also did the punch and would you believe the ribbon too.

Quick & Simple Christmas Cards

2010-12-10T18:02:00.000+11:00

You always need some quick and simple Christmas on hand for those times you need an extra card. Here are two cards I created that are so easy to put together. White and red is such a great combination for Christmas.

The first card uses the fantastic ornament punch and some paper from the Christmas Cocoa DSP (this was available in the Dressing Up Christmas special which finished 30th Nov). On the inside I added half an ornament along with the Merry Christmas from the Christmas Greetings stamp set.

The second card uses the wreath from the Welcome Christmas Stamp Set, which I stamped in Old Olive and coloured in the berries with Real Red.

Some Christmas Goodies

2010-12-08T07:15:00.000+11:00

I needed some goodie bags to house some treats for some special girls who came over the other night, so used the treat bag I created a couple of posts ago (see here). These are great to hold some special goodies.

I used Early Espresso cardstock, the Jolly Holiday DSP and the Sparkly & Bright Stamp Set.

Inside the Treat Bags I added a sheet of christmassy owls (sorry the photo looks fuzzy, but it is just the reflection from the cellophane bag). These owls are on dimensionals which are then stuck using double sided to the background cardstock, they can then be removed and stuck onto any project they like.

I also added a little bag of chocolates (a treat bag has to have some choccie treats), the mini post it note holder and a little container of Stampin' Up! goodies (brads, buttons, etc).

Christmas Post It Notes

2010-12-05T19:05:00.006+11:00

These were some quick and simple little Christmas Post It note holders I created. I didn't get this idea from just one place, there are lots of these on the internet so if you want some more ideas just do a search and I'm sure you will come up with lots.

When working out your measurements you want to add 1/8" to the length and width of the post it notes that you are using, plus some for the depth. I split my mini post it note into four pieces (a whole one is a bit fat). On the front I used the Christmas 'Joy' Stamp from the Stampin' Up! Perfect Punches Stamp Set and the Holly Jolly Rub Ons (which go perfectly with the Jolly Holiday DSP).

The Crop A Dile is perfect for punching a hole through the whole lot with such ease, for the ring thingy (I just can't remember what they are called at the moment). I added a sparkly brad I had picked up somewhere on my travels and Voila - a cute little post it note.

Welcome Christmas Treat Bag

2010-12-05T18:56:00.003+11:00

This is a fabulous treat bag that we made at Regionals this year. It is such a simple yet effective idea. How do you get that fantastic look - why it's just 2 Fancy Favor Boxes. He he he.

I have made quite a few of these now, and this one uses the Welcome Christmas stamp set.

I have quite a few friends who have 'bowitis' they like bows, but are reluctant to tie bows because they don't think they turn out very well, so to get around this problem I tell them to simply pull the top off that way they don't have to stress about undoing the bow and having to tie it up again.

A Treat Bag and Wallet

2010-11-23T21:15:00.001+11:00

A good friend brought me a gift from the US, the Greeting Card Kids stamp set from Stampin' Up! It is such a cute set, I love it. I was then inspired by this creation by Angie Kennedy Juda and really wanted to case it.

Instead of a box I chose a bag, which was also one of Angie's creations (see instructions here, she does fantastic video tutorials). The paper I used is Elegant Soiree by Stampin' Up (I love this paper) and the covers for the bag is Crumb Cake (the 'old' Kraft), which I have sponged around the edges. I coloured the image directly with markers and added some dazzling diamonds on her coat (but it is a bit hard to see in the photo). The bag closes with a velcro dot.

My second project is a little treat wallet which was also a creation by Angie (see here). I used the same colour layout as the Treat Bag. Inside the wallet I used the top of the brown paper bag, so you could put a chocolate, gift card or money inside. Kinda cute for Christmas.

Melbourne Regionals - Swap 2

2010-11-17T19:00:00.000+11:00

Here is my second swap that I created for the Stampin' Up Melbourne Regionals (this one seemed to be the most popular). Well this is not actually the swap, this is the card I used for the swap (I just left out the button on the swaps).

Now there is a story behind this design. I had started by embossing the Cherry Cobbler cardstock with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, then I used my brayer to add some Cherry Cobbler ink to one side to give a two tone effect. To fit nicely on a card I had to trim the embossed cardstock, but in my haste I tore the corner, well I was so disappointed as I really liked the effect and I didn't want to throw it out, so after staring at it for a few days I decided to try some Designer Series Paper from the Patterns Stack to the corner and loved how it looked. I think it looks like wallpaper that has been torn to reveal some more wallpaper underneath.

I used the Welcome Christmas and the Tiny Tags stamp sets and the Jewelry Tag Punch for the little Merry tag.

Melbourne Regionals - Swap 1

2010-11-15T19:00:00.002+11:00

Well this past weekend was the Stampin' Up Melbourne Regionals. It was a fantastic day, catching up with fellow team members, meeting lots of other demonstrators, and learning so many fantastic new tricks.

I made two different cards for my swaps, this is the first one. I used the Morning Cup stamp set and the Take a Sip Wheel. The colours I used were Pear Pizazz, Blushing Bride, Early Espresso and Kraft and the card was sponged with Soft Suede. I watercoloured the image with my Aqua Painter (these are brilliant and so easy to use).

Here they all are bagged and ready to be swapped, hopefully those that received them liked them.

I will be back with the other one on my next post.

The Wallpaper Effect

2010-11-13T19:00:00.000+11:00

I love the Wallpaper effect, and I wanted to try out inking up my Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, I used my brayer to ink up one side of the embossing folder with Crumb Cake, put your paper in and run it through the Big Shot (love my Big Shot) and voila, a beautiful two tone wallpaper effect. I had this piece done and sitting on my desk for so long just waiting to be used. When I finally got my Welcome Christmas stamp set, I thought it would go perfectly together.

I added a cheats bow to the card by using a strip of ribbon and a separate bow made by tying linen thread and a button around some ribbon. I just added the image stamped in Crumb Cake onto Very Vanilla cardstock and sponged the edges.

On the inside I added a panel with the same image in the corner, sponged edges and a Christmas sentiment.

A bit of Joy

2010-11-11T19:00:00.000+11:00

I loved the simplicity of Andrea Walford's creation (see here) and just had to CASE it.

I decided to do a standard C6 size card and used some retired Soft Suede grosgrain ribbon instead. I think the diamantes on the snowflakes just makes it pop.

I used some Soft Suede cardstock and white cardstock for the inside too.

Love the Flock

2010-11-09T19:00:00.000+11:00

One of the things I loved about the Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper was the "flock".

This was a super easy and quick little set to put together, using the gorgeous Christmas Cocoa flocked paper. The card is a 3" x 3" card in Whisper White with a 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" piece of flock paper, satin bow and sentiment strip.

The gift bag uses the Fancy Favor Die by Stampin' Up!, a satin bow and sentiment strip.

Oh so simple!!!

Just Add Ink - #42

2010-11-07T17:58:00.008+11:00

Since I am finally under some sort of control with house chores, and classes etc, I decided to give this week's Just Add Ink Challenge a go. I just got a cute new set that is coming out in the new Mini Catalogue (to be released 1st December) and thought I would use it for this challenge, and give you a sneak peak.

This week's challenge was a sketch challenge, and it made it so easy to put my card together.

I love these flowers, they are so easy using the scallop circle punch, I have used the Elegant Soiree DSP (love that paper) for the flower and added a Vintage Brad. The base card uses Early Espresso (although it looks darker in the photo than it is IRL), and I added some Early Espresso Satin Ribbon.

On the inside I added my Happy Birthday and a little birdie in the corner.

Welcome Christmas

2010-11-05T21:56:00.004+11:00

I loved the Welcome Christmas stamp set when it came out in the new Stampin' Up! catalogue and at the moment it is even better with the current special where you can get it and the Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper for $69.90 (wood block style) or $59.90 (clear block style) and get a free spool of ribbon. I was inspired by the fantastic Kimberley Van Diepen (see here creation in her post here).

This was actually a very simple card. I used Crumb Cake as the base card with Early Espresso and the Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper. Add some Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon and stamp in Early Espresso and White Craft ink.

To do the centre image I created a mask for the tag (from the Lots of Tags Sizzlet set by Stampin' Up) so that I could stamp the image without getting it around the edge of the tag, then sponged the edges with Early Espresso.

On the inside I added the greeting and some more snowflakes using the small snowflake from the Snow Swirled stamp set.

Yeah, its the weekend so enjoy.

Holiday Line Up Set

2010-11-02T10:50:00.001+11:00

The Holiday Lineup stamp set by Stampin' Up! is sooo cute. These guys always make me smile and are perfect for not just Christmas Cards but also some Christmas gifts. This will be a class coming up later in November and consists of 3 cards and 3 treat pouches.

The cards have been CASE'd from my dear friend Debbie (who held a class on these guys last year). I have used some retired Ski Slope DSP and Holiday Treasures DSP and retired In Colour ribbon from 2009/10.

I loved making these treats last year - Snowman Soup, Reindeer Poop and Rudolph's Red Nose Repair Kit. Now there are lots of these around on blogs and you can find lots of poems to go along with them if you do a search. I have put the Snowman Soup poem on the back of the Top Note.

The Snowman Soup pack consists of Hot Chocolate mix, Candy Cane, Marshmallows, and a Chocolate (Santa) - all the things you could possibly need to make a yummy Hot Chocolate.

Dasher Set - Christmas Class

2010-10-31T19:00:00.003+11:00

I love how Stampin' Up! have started putting out some single stamps and the Dasher stamp is fantastic. Team it with the Christmas Greetings stamp set, some cardstock, Jolly Holiday DSP and Taffeta ribbon and it is a great way of being able to do some quick, simple and inexpensive Christmas Cards. My class this Friday is a set of 6 Dasher Christmas Cards and a box to store them in.

A Red & White Christmas

2010-10-30T08:42:00.005+11:00

The other day I was playing with some of the new Stampin' Up! Christmas Cocoa Designer Series Paper which you can only get when you purchase the Welcome Christmas Bundle available only until 30th November and was inspired to get out my Real Red cardstock. I have been using Cherry Cobbler quite a bit as it goes beautifully with the Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper.

This card is where I started, I loved the effect of the 'furry' (or flocked) damask paper and it worked perfectly when simply punched out using the Ornament Punch. I layered white with Real Red to give a framed effect and stamped the Noel stamp from the Many Merry Messages stamp set.

I loved the clean look of the card so decided to make a few more using different ornaments.

I ended up making a set of 4 cards, the cards are 4 1/8" square, I used some of the Delightful Decorations ornament stamps (one of them is embossed in white embossing powder). I also decided to mix up the bows, I've used white taffeta, red taffeta, white grosgrain, and some white string.

Have a good weekend.

I'm Back with a new Craft Room

2010-10-27T08:58:00.009+11:00

I know, I have been missing for sometime now, so I better let you know what I have been up to (besides the tooth saga, which btw only finished last week with the proper insert being fitted - it does look pretty good, and so it should for that price!).

Well I decided a couple of months ago that I was going to move my craft room to my other 'spare' room (it is a bit larger and we always seem to need more space for crafting - lol!). I am currently on 2 weeks annual leave from work (this is the second week), so I spent the first week moving rooms - wow talk about the amount of stuff you uncover when you move!!!

I love these cabinets and I moved them all by myself - thank goodness there wasn't a candid camera around because they are taller than the doorways and the double ones are pretty heavy, I managed to trap myself into corners more than a few times. They store all my cardstock, DSP, business stuff, stamps, and much more. You will see I have my stamps on one of the shelves (2nd from left) and my Christmas stamps are in the far right shelf, makes it so much easier to find what I need. I got these units from Ikea, but it was some years ago so not sure if they are still available.

This is my Big Shot and Circle Scissors station - I am loving this spot. The magazine holder stores all my plates (large and small), and the Dies are stored underneath in the baskets. The table was also from Ikea, the legs are adjustable which is great to get it at just the perfect height (especially when you are a little shorter than most).

See that little step - that is so that I can get to things on the top shelf (or sometimes the middle shelf!). And my little shredder sits on the other side.

This is the view to the opposite corner of the room (from the Big Shot Station). My desk actually goes with the cabinets and is nice and deep. The table that runs under the window is one that I "whipped up" just for that spot. Well actually I went to Bunnings and bought the top (laminated chipboard), but they didn't sell metal adjustable legs, so I drove another 20 mins to Ikea to get some legs, then realised the screws that came with the legs were too big for the table top, so back to Bunnings I went for my screws.

My TV now sits on the additional table which gives me so much more room on my desk. I have some drawers on my desk which house miscellaneous bits and pieces - stapler, paper clips, glues, ribbon offcuts, etc. I also found these ribbon holders online which houses my taffeta and satin ribbon. Also on my desk - my markers, Stampin' Scrub, and some containers with precut Top Notes, embossed cards and folded card bases. Oh in the two desk drawers are my old style punches.

On my new table is my laptop, my sponge storage, my tool caddy, my Stack & Store and Colour Caddy. Underneath are more storage cabinets where I keep all my Neutrals cardstock, various tools, ribbons, etc.

To the right (and to the left of the Big Shot Station) is the wardrobe which I have also set up shelving with more stuff!!!) - sorry no photos.

Well I hope you liked the tour of my new craft room, sorry it was so long. I love playing in this room now and spent all day yesterday creating. I will start posting my creations tomorrow - must go now I am off to catch up with a fellow stamper (love these type of holidays).

A Very Expensive Tooth & A Piece of Cake

2010-10-05T20:30:00.000+11:00

Well I have had a very eventful weekend, but let me show you my project first (because there will be quite a bit of waffle to come).

This gorgeous cake box was created by Kay Sha and she has a fantastic tutorial available to purchase on her blog (see here). I decided to create a card to match and used the same flower design and the scallop to match the cake. I am going to make lots more of these to make a full size cake, but for now 1 slice is enough!!!

Now for my eventful weekend - well Sunday afternoon I broke a tooth on some ice-cream (yes you read correctly!!). Now I am a real woose when it comes to the dentist, I have a bad jaw and keeping my mouth open for longer than 60 seconds results in extreme pain, but unfortunately with a quarter of my tooth missing I had to do something. I managed to get into a new dentist this morning and thankfully after explaining my jaw issue, he suggested a jaw wedge so that I could rest my jaw and he could still work on the tooth. YEAH it worked (why didn't the other dentists suggest this), but then came the outcome of my broken tooth, the damage was too big to simply using a filling to build it back up - I needed a porcelain insert to try to save the tooth at > $1,000 - ouch. So I left the dentist rather pleased that it was not as painful as previous times but quite a bit out of pocket!!!

More Mini Milk Cartons

2010-09-30T18:39:00.000+10:00

These are some more mini milk cartons for my upcoming class. I used the Elegant Soiree DSP and Greenhouse Gala DSP. The little flowers were the same as the ones on the Elegant Soiree Tube Boxes, using the Boho Blossoms punch.

Mini Milk Cartons for Christmas

2010-09-28T18:25:00.000+10:00

I love the Mini Milk Cartons, they are oh so cute. I have been preparing for a Mini Milk Carton class which will include 6 mini milk cartons, for gift giving and Christmas.

For the Christmas ones I made a little set of Christmas Mini Milk Cartons and a little holder for them to sit in. The flower was made simply with 3 scallop circles from Designer Series Paper.

The new Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper is perfect for Christmas and I love the new Cherry Cobbler teamed with Very Vanilla and Old Olive (very traditional for Christmas).

The little Merry Christmas is from the Delightful Decorations set.

Watercolour Class

2010-09-26T21:15:00.003+10:00

The wonderful girls who attend my classes requested a watercolour class, so I decided to refresh some cards that I had previously made (see here). I made the cards a bit larger at 4 1/8" square, used some of the new Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, and added a co-ordinating SU button and 'VOILA'.

Stampin' Up! don't have 4 1/2" square envelopes (although they do now stock 5 1/2" and 3 1/8" square envelopes), so I decided to make my own. I had seen a video by Angie Kennedy Juda (see here) where she had converted a normal size envelope into a 4 1/2" square. I used some Rich Razzleberry Designer Series Paper from the Brights Patterns Stack to create the flap.

I have been on a roll this weekend creating so stay tuned for more.

Elegant Soiree Tube Boxes

2010-09-22T22:03:00.003+10:00

I was checking out some blogs recently of some very crafty people and found that the talented Petronela had made these gorgeous tube boxes (see here). She always inspires me and so I decided to give them a go. If you want to see how to make these tube boxes check out the fantastic tutorial by Andrea (see here).

I made them out of the new Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper, I am loving this paper it's stunning. But I had a bit of trouble with the original flowers so came up with my own using my Boho Blossoms punch. They are a bit cute.

Do an Owl and a Milk Carton go together?

2010-09-17T18:00:00.001+10:00

Of course they do when they are both from Stampin Up - he he he.

This wee little project uses the Two Step Owl Punch and the Milk Carton Die - I LOVE THEM. The little milk carton is oh so cute, and the die cuts and scores it all for you - how awesome is that.

I used the Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper (another one of my must haves from the new catalogue).

Can you see the "TO OPEN" on the carton, that comes in the Got Treats stamp set which is designed to match perfectly with the milk cartons. The clip is a Stamin' Up Library Clip, I am waiting for an order with my Mini Library Clips to arrive, they are going to fit perfectly.

I am preparing a milk carton class and I think this little guy is going to have to be included.

Whoot Whoot

2010-09-16T08:03:00.004+10:00

I am not really sure if that is the sound that Owls make, but I am in love with the cutest little owl.

I needed to put together (very quickly) a gift for someone at work who is having a baby, and decided to use the Two Step Owl punch to decorate - perfect. I made a simple box from 2 sheets of retired Specialty Designer Series Paper, and added the little owl in the corner. He is sitting on a branch from his cousin, the Two Step Bird Punch.

For the card I simply punched a 1 3/8" circle from the front panel of the card so that I could place the little owl on the inside. The Congratulations sentiment is from the new A Word for You stamp set.

I am been very busy over the last few weeks playing with all my new goodies from the New 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalogue and preparing for some new classes coming up.

If you are interested in attending any of my classes, and live in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, email me.

A Little Set of Notebooks

2010-08-30T07:21:00.004+10:00

These are some more of those little notebooks, but this time I used the new Greenhouse Gala DSP (which will be available from Wednesday 1st September). I covered each notebook with DSP and added a belly band and the new Friends Never Fade stamp set.

The belly bands could even be mixed and matched depending on your colour preferences. I think they turned out rather sweet.

Apologies for the photo quality - its a problem getting good light in the middle of winter! I have had enough of the cold and dark, I say bring on Spring !!!

I have been busy getting ready for Christmas Card Classes, preparing for my New Catalogue Launch Party and getting some Birthday Cards done, but I can't wait till Wednesday 1st September (its a bit like Christmas but 4 months early!).

Back soon.

A Contempo Christmas

2010-08-22T18:42:00.000+10:00

I have been getting some Christmas Card classes ready so that my customers can get ready for Christmas early (don't we all need to do that!). This is a new stamp set that will be available from 1st September, I have teamed it with the current DSP Holiday Treasures.

The stamp set has great sentiment stamps that makes it a perfect set for Christmas.

This set comprises 4 cards, 2 using the Christmas Ornament and 2 using the Christmas Tree. On the inside of the cards I have layered the cardstock (the same as the front of the card) and added the sentiment and an ornament or tree in the corner.

The tags follow the same colours and style of the cards, but are perfect to add to a present when you don't really need a card.

A Wee Little Newsprint Notebook

2010-08-20T19:34:00.000+10:00

I found some cute little notebooks in a bookstore, and just new they would be so cute covered with DSP. They are only 6.5cm x 10.5cm but would be perfect to keep in your handbag for those times when you need to take a note of something.

This one I covered in the new Newsprint DSP, but of course it needed something else. I thought if I was going to keep it in my bag I needed something to keep it closed so that it wouldn't get wrecked, so came up with a belly band.

I used the new Artistic Etchings stamp set for the Belly Band on Very Vanilla Cardstock and punched using the Curly Label punch. I added another Curly Label in black using the Magnetic Movers & Shapers Die from Stampin Up which is the perfect size to layer.

Vintage Notebook

2010-08-18T19:27:00.001+10:00

As soon as I saw this paper, I knew I wanted to use it for a notebook, so I created my own. This is the new DSP Newsprint and new stamp set called Artistic Etchings (available from 1st September). The front and back cover is just Basic Black cardstock, and I stamped the Newsprint paper with the elements from the stamp set in Basic Black and Riding Hood Red ink. I gave the front panel with the Eiffel Tower the suede effect which gave it more of a worn look. The letters were cut using the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Sizzlets and the Big Shot (my favorite tool).

I also decided to make a matching pencil, by covering it in the same DSP. Unfortunately I had forgotten to stamp the element in Riding Hood Red, so I used the Color Spritzer Tool to add some red colour to it.

Back with more soon.

Apple Blossoms

2010-08-16T19:43:00.000+10:00

This little set was inspired by this one by Heather Summers. I used the new Apple Blossom stamp set (which is a Level 2 Hostess set, available from 1st September), my favorite Kraft cardstock with White Craft Ink and Versamark. I also got to use up some old buttons. The little apple is in Riding Hood Red.

I also created a little box to store them (this is a little different to Heather's).

I can't wait till 1st September.

Newsprint Card

2010-08-14T19:44:00.001+10:00

This is a little 3 x 3 inch card using the new DSP called Newsprint.

The flower is made using the Scallop Circle Punch and the new Fancy Flower Punch. I decided to try the Suede effect (effectively pulling apart the cardstock). The centre brad uses the Build a Brads and the Newsprint DSP.

On the inside I added a strip of Newsprint DSP behind a torn piece of Very Vanilla, and added another suede flower, this time using the Trio Flower punch (retiring).

Back with more soon.

A Shoe Box Swap with Something New

2010-08-12T19:28:00.002+10:00

We had a team day recently and we all participated in a Shoe Box Swap, and this was my card. I used some of the new things that will be coming in the 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalogue (YEAH - it's so exciting).

I used the new embossing folder called Vintage Wallpaper, new DSP called Greenhouse Gala and the new stamp set called Friends Never Fade.

Not long now.

Some Christmas Tags

2010-08-10T22:19:00.000+10:00

I had a couple of spare notecards left over from my stint at the wallpaper effect, so I decided to mix is up with something new. New you may say - yes a sneak peek at something that is coming in the new 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalogue from Stampin' Up!.

This set uses a new set called Perfect Punches and I love it as all the stamps fit 'perfectly' with the Stampin' Up! punches. I wanted to position the scallop sentiment so that it just pokes out above the card. The ribbon is the Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon, which is on the Last Chance List as it will no longer be available after 31st August.

I thought these little tags would be perfect to go with those Christmas presents that you just need to know who gets them.

A Birthday Card

2010-08-08T18:03:00.000+10:00

This is a Birthday Card I made for the very talented (and great team leader) Yvonne.

As you probably know by now - I have a thing for the wallpaper effect and white craft ink at the moment. This time I teamed it with Close to Cocoa (retiring colour - I will miss this one) and Pink Pirouette (In Colour that is staying).

The background is made with the stamp from Friends 24-7 set, and I used the En Francais background stamp for the smaller panel. Some white taffeta ribbon and a SU button finished off the panel. The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Sentiments set.

Love Little

2010-08-06T19:43:00.000+10:00

I love anything little, travel size toiletries, little boxes, little cards - as they say good things come in small packages (when you are only 5ft 1in I heard this saying a lot growing up).

The scallop envelope die is such a cute die and when you put two together it makes the cutest little box that can house 2 x 3 inch notecards - I learnt this from my friend Kylie, she made one for a shoebox swap for our team.

I used 2 scallop envelopes from kraft cardstock, then using one of the images from the Tiny Tags stamp set I created a wallpaper effect in White craft ink. Added some DSP in Baja Breeze and stuck down the front of one of the envelopes. Punch a handle in the other envelope flap and some Whisper White taffeta ribbon tied in a bow at the front and voila instant teeny little box.

As I said these boxes fit notecards 2 x 3 inches perfectly (cut cardstock 4 x 3 inches and score at 2 inches). I used the same design as the box on the notecards.

How cute.

Cupcakes for morning tea

2010-08-04T22:24:00.000+10:00

I caught up with a couple of lovely and talented friends (Chris and Debbie) who had celebrated their birthdays recently. We went to the "Where a Girl Goes" store/cafe for cupcakes and coffee. It has beautiful stationery, homemade chocolates, cupcakes and gorgeous teas.

I made them both a gift set that consisted of a fancy favor bag with hand cream and soap and a collapsible box with some lindt chocolates.

On the outside of both I used the En Francais background stamp, sponged the edges and added a watercoloured butterfly using the All a Flutter single stamp set (very similar to the cards in my previous post - see here). You can't see it, but I added crystal effects to the edges of the butterfly.

I'm Back Again

2010-08-03T21:29:00.007+10:00

I know it has been such a long time. I think I lost my mojo for a little while, I'm not too sure if it is back yet, but I do have some things to show you this week.

First up - it was my dad's 83rd birthday in July, and I couldn't bring myself to buy an "off the shelf" card and packaging, so came up with my own. (It's the curse of a card maker - you can never go back to pre-made - lol.)

The circle circus stamp set is so versatile, just mix up the colours and it can suit anyone. I used Sahara Sand, Close to Cocoa (retiring colour), Soft Suede and Chocolate Chip.

I added some more circles to the inside of the card, and decorated a plain kraft bag with the same pattern to match the card and voila a masculine card and packaging.

The sentiment is a sneak peek of a new set coming soon in the new 2010/2011 Idea Catalogue to be released on 1st September.

Will be back with more soon.

White Daisies

2010-06-28T20:52:00.004+10:00

For this card I used my previous post as inspiration (see here), and used the same flower and polka dot background stamps, but this time in White craft ink on Chocolate Chip.

I used Kraft as the base card with Whisper White and Chocolate Chip. Please excuse my uneven stamping of the flowers (with White craft ink you need to make sure you have an even coverage on the stamp before stamping!).

I added some dots on the flowers using the large punch on the Crop-A-Dile in Kiwi Kiss cardstock and some Kiwi Kiss ribbon. The sentiment from on the front is from Wow Flowers set.

On the inside I reversed the panels from the front and added the sentiment in Kiwi Kiss (and of course a flower in the corner).

I'm glad Monday is over - now I can't wait till the weekend!!!!

Birthday Card for a Boy

2010-06-26T10:41:00.004+10:00

One of my best friends kids had birthdays so I needed a birthday card for a 6 year old boy. You know that stage where they are not really into cute anymore. The Lots of Bots stamp set is perfect for this age group.

I used the simple 'spotlight' technique (I think that is what it is called), by stamping 3 robots in black, then colouring another one with markers and a blender pen, punching out using a circle punch and adding it to the card with dimensionals.

On the inside a added a Tempting Turquoise border to some Whisper White cardstock and stamped the image again with the cute sentiment "Happy Birthday Human".

I also did a pillow box which will house a freddo frog (kids and chocolate).

'Wallpaper' card

2010-06-23T18:15:00.001+10:00

I love the stamp from the Friends 24/7 set that is perfect for backgrounds (and I always think it looks a bit like very elegant wallpaper). I wanted to create a wallpaper effect and I had just received my Craft White stamp pad (where have I been!) so 1 + 1 equals - a card!

I used Close to Cocoa (retiring - how sad), Kraft and Whisper White. It was so simple.

A birthday card

2010-06-21T19:08:00.008+10:00

Like I said I think I found some mojo last week and on the weekend we had a team get together - it was so much fun, and we did some awesome shoebox swaps (I really am in a talented team).

This is a card that I had in the back of my mind for a while and I was pleased at how it came together.

I am really liking the sponged look at the moment and confetti white is my new favorite cardstock. I have teamed it with Riding Hood Red and Chocolate Chip.

I have used the Polka Dot background stamp (another favorite), the heart is from I (heart) Hearts, the flower from Petal Pizzazz and the sentiment from Upsy Daisy - wow didn't realise how many stamp sets I had used, oh well sharing the love!!!

I'll be back with more soon.

Vintage Vogue in Blue

2010-06-19T18:30:00.000+10:00

I have to admit Blue (Not Quite Navy in fact) is not colour that jumps out at me to team with the Vintage Vogue stamp set, but for some reason I went with it.

I used the Very Vintage jumbo wheel for stamp the background in Not Quite Navy on Baja Breeze base card. I added some of the flowers stamped and individually cut out on the front and inside of the card (so wish they had a punch for these).

Will be back with more. I caught up for coffee (and chocolates) with the talented Debbie on the weekend and maybe some of her mojo has rubbed off.