Presto Patterns

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!