Just Add Vintage...

Hi Everyone,

This is my entry for this week's Just Add Ink Challenge #14 to "Just Add Vintage".

I wasn't really sure what to do for a vintage project, so after a little blog stalking, I came across this link from the Just Add Ink Team to make an "Impossible Box".

So here's my attempt at vintage and the impossible box...

And a close-up of the flower on the card...

Materials Used:

Stamp set: Organic Grace (Hostess Reward) & Teeny Tiny Sentiments (Autumn Mini)

Card: Very Vanilla & Rich Razzleberry

Scallop Border Punch

Vintage Brad

Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon

And on a side note, if you are lucky enough to live in Perth, I'm holding a mother's day class next Friday 7th May and there are still places available. Please email me privately for more information.


Otherwise, until next time.....


Thanks for looking,

My second entry for Makeesha's Colour Challenge #21

This post is just a quick one to show my second entry for Makeesha's Colour Challenge #21

I've made this card for my mother and father in law for helping to look after my kids whilst I was away with my hubby:

Again, the images have been coloured by my Stampin' Write Markers and Aqua Painter (can you tell it's my fav tool at the moment).

The Red Gingham Ribbon has been threaded through holes punched by my Double Rectangle Punch and adhered on the back with some sticky strip.

The stamps are from A Flower for all Seasons, Sweet Little Sentiments (hostess reward) & Boho Backgrounds.

I have one for my mum too! But seeing as she reads my blog, it won't be posted yet (Hi Mum if you are reading this! {waves} )

Thanks for looking,

Time for Makeesha's Challenge!

Hi Everyone,

Well, I've been busy over the last week... believe it or not, I have spent most of the week in Cairns (kid-free might I add). It was fabulously relaxing and very enjoyable not having to cook or clean anything!

Now, you may not have noticed my absence as I was actually organised enough to schedule blog posts throughout the week. And let me tell you, I was extremely relieved to see they had worked! I had no access to a computer until Saturday when I arrived back at home. However, they did all work, much to my relief and so I've been able to continue relaxing and make some more cards over this long wkend.

These cards are all based on Makeesha's Colour Challenge to use the following colours:

Ok this first one is my entry to the Colour Challenge #21. I've used "Tote-ally Tess" from the Autumn Mini Catalogue and coloured her with my Stampin' Write Markers and Aqua Painter.

Well, I stamped Tess onto my whisper white card, and then I ended up paper piercing (well I used I scapel so I think I can call it paper piercing) all the way around and then again around the bag.... Mmm very time consuming but I think it was worth the effort!

The Old Olive card went through the Crimper and the Real Red ribbon has been stapled ala Keesh's inspiration creation (couldn't help but case the ribbon idea - I thought it looked so effective and knew it would suit this card rather than a bow!)

I did add a little extra colour for Tess's hair (Creamy Caramel and Close to Cocoa markers) and a little Blush Blossom for her skin and mouth.

And this one I can only provide a sneak peek as it's on its way to a special someone who reads my blog :)

The full card and more details will come later this week!

Thanks for looking,

Another Secret Sister Card...

Hi Everyone,

This card is from my ESAD Secret Sister... I didn't make it, though I think I'll be casing it!!

I love the use of the Designer Series Paper as the background of the card instead of a stamped image. And I rooolly troolly love the sentiment framed by the Hodgepodge Hardware!!

Thanks Secret Sister - Can't wait to find out who you are in May!!!

Thanks for looking,

Manhattan Flower

Hi All,

A couple of weeks ago, I was able to catch up with Andrea, a good friend and fellow demonstrator, and she showed me how to use her Big Shot.

I made this card with the Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder - I think I'll have to get my own Manhattan Flower when I get my Big Shot!!

Materials Used:
Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder
Best Yet Stamp Set (Hostess gift)
Card: Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum & Whisper White
Rich Razzleberry Polka dot ribbon (flipped upside down)
Rich Razzleberry and Pale Plum Ink

Thanks for looking,

Fifth Ave Floral Newlyweds

Hi Everyone,

Do you remember my ESAD blog hop project where I swirled the ink pad over some gloss cardstock to make a swirly background? If not, click here to go have a look... Otherwise scroll down and you'll see my next project using a similar technique.

Well for this card, I've inked my flower with Not Quite Navy ink and swirled it on gloss card stock. Then sponged around with some Basic Grey ink (and I'm glad I hesitated and choose grey instead of black, I think that would have been too heavy). I've added a little Not Quite Navy sponging.

The sentiment has been stamped on white gloss card, punched out with my word window punch and layered onto some black card. And the brads are the smallest size of the Rhinestone brads.

Materials Used:
Card: Not Quite Navy, Basic Black, White Gloss
Ink: Not Quite Navy & Basic Black
Word Window Punch
Rhinestone Brads
Ribbon is from my stash


Thanks for looking,

A Ribbon Flower

Hi Everyone,


During Sale-a-bration, I made this card but never showed it to you....


This was my first attempt at a Ribbon Flower and they are soooo easy but effective on your card or even a scrapbook page... mmm that gives me an idea...


Anyway, this is my card:

Thanks for looking,

I've done it again...

Hi Everyone,

I've done it again.... That is, I've done a scrapbook page again!! Yay for me!! And that's 2 less loose photos floating around my tv unit within a couple of days! I might even fill an album before Christmas if I keep this up and declutter my tv unit! Lol!! 

And do you notice anything different? I've taken this photo outside! I sooo often photograph my projects late at night under my halogen or fluoro desk lamps, but I am always inspired by those who take their photos outside. The colours turn out fabulously!



Materials Used:
Fifth Avenue Floral & Big Deal Alphabet Stamp Sets
Urban Garden Designer Series Paper
Whisper White & Riding Hood Red Card
Not Quite Navy & Riding Hood Red Inkpads
Navy Grosgrain Ribbon
Dimensionals


Thanks for looking,

Wow!! A Colour Renovation is coming!

Hi Everyone,


As this title suggests WOW! Stampin' Up! has announced some massive news - a Colour Renovation!


So that means "Goodbye" to some colours and "Hello!" to some new colours and some returning In Colours and we also get to keep some of the current In Colours we have now.


What the renovation is going to do is bring the freshest and latest colours into the Stampin' Up! palette. There's been 2 years of research into this change - and it's happening across the world.


Some colours (ie Kraft will simply have a name change to: Crumb Cake (doesn't that sound yummy - my tummy is rumbling just thinking about it).


Broken down, there will be a total of 40 colours plus the In-Colours each Idea Book and Catalogue. Each year will see five new In Colours introduced that will remain for two years. This means that the 2010-2011 In Colors will be introduced this year, but will not be retired until the 2012-2013 colours are introduced. This year there will be only be five In Colors, but after that, there will be ten (the previous year's plus the new).


So without further delay, here are the lists:

I think its exciting and sad at the same time!


Thanks for looking,

Just Add Ink Challenge #13

Hi All,

The JAI team set this colour challenge this week:

Here's my entry for the Just Add Ink Challenge #13

 

I've created the mottled ribbon by colouring with my Aqua Painter on some white grosgrain ribbon with ink from the Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss and Barely Banana Inkpads.


Materials Used:
Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Sentiments & Asian Artistry (both from the Autumn Mini)
Card & Inkpads: Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White
Black Stazon Ink
White Grosgrain Ribbon
Aqua Painter
Dimensionals
Tab Punch


Thanks for looking,

Wow - I've scrapbooked!

Hi Everyone,

Ok, now that you have got back onto your chair after the shock of reading that I've done a scrapbook page, you can actually see the result:

I don't do much scrapbooking as I have always thought it too overwhelming and time consuming... But like lots of things, it's only what you make it! So I saw the challenge on the Stamp a Memory site, and I thought I would try it as my 2nd child is nearly 2yo and I've not done anything for their albums!!

The Challenge is to:

Create a baby orientated page in non traditional baby colours,

(so not heaps of pastel pink or blue)

I might add some journalling at a later stage, but I'm happy with this layout I made with no guide or layouts to case and the big plus was it didn't take me very long!

Materials Used:

Simply Scrappin' Kit Petal Party - Textured Old Olive Card, So Saffron Card, assorted Flower & Leaves Stickers, Designer Paper

Pumpkin Pie Card

Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon

Scalloped Edge Punch

Bright Delight Rub-on's "Delight" Sentiment

Thanks for looking,

An Inkspirations and a Just Add Ink Challenge

Well, I'm back with another Just Add Ink Challenge #12 but this time I've combined with with Makeesha's Inspiration Colour Challenge #20

The photo is a little rustic looking (I took it at night as I was too impatient to wait until this morning). Two kids under 3 don't exactly make good photography assistants, they tend to get in the photo or pinch my card and run off with it. However, I do believe the shadows add to the effect of my card.

So without any more blabbering, here's my card:

I've coloured the entire image with my Aqua Painter and I'm really happy with my detailing/shading.


Materials Used:
Card: Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla
Designer Series Paper - Close to Cocoa
Stamp Set: My Favorite Teddy (retired), "Sweet Things" sentiment from Teeny Tiny Sentiments (Autumn Mini Catty)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Black Staz-on, Going Grey, Basic Grey, Barely Banana, Sahara Sand
Aqua Painter
Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon (from my stash)



Thanks for looking,

Another JAI #12 Sketch Challenge Creation

Hi Everyone,

I'm back with another card using the Just Add Ink Challenge #12

Again, I've turned the sketch around to suit a tall card and this was given to a friend today for her b'day, talk about hot off my desk!

For the background, I've brayered Pink Pirouette  then Melon Mambo onto some white glossy card BEFORE stamping my Eastern Bloom image. The image is then simply inked with Black Stazon and stamped (one trick is to really ink up the stamp and then hold it onto your card stock for a bit longer than normal). If I wasn't trying to keep really quiet last night whilst my girls were in bed, then I would have used black embossing powder for the image instead. Ah well, there's always next time!

Materials Used:
Stamp Set: Eastern Blooms & One of a Kind
Colours: Basic Black, Black Stazon Ink, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Silver Metallic Ink
Black Check Gingham Ribbon


Thanks for looking,

Product Information - Clear Mount Stamps

Starting with the 2010 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue, Stampin' Up! now offers repositionable, clear-mount rubber stamps--in addition to our award-winning wood-mount rubber stamps! These new clear-mount stamps are designed to maintain the unbeatable image quality you love about traditional Stampin' Up! stamps, while at the same time offering the flexibility, ease of use, and storability inherent in repositionable rubber stamps. Talk to me today to learn more about this clear new option! 




Clear-Mount Rubber Stamp Features

•Nine different sizes of clear blocks available individually or as a discounted bundle.

•Blocks have ergonomic grooves on all four sides for easy grip and traditional wood-mount feel.

•Stamps and blocks are durable and easy to clean with your Stampin' Scrub and Stampin' Mist.

•Optional image labels on stamp backs let you decide if you want to see the image through the block or not.

•Tight die-cutting for easy image positioning.

•Large clear blocks can be used to create collages or spell words with alphabet sets.

•Stamps store easily in standard, DVD-type cases with artwork on front and spine, making organization easy.
 
 
Thanks for looking,

Clear-Mount Rubber Stamp Features



•Nine different sizes of clear blocks available individually or as a discounted bundle.

•Blocks have ergonomic grooves on all four sides for easy grip and traditional wood-mount feel.

•Stamps and blocks are durable and easy to clean with your Stampin' Scrub and Stampin' Mist.

•Optional image labels on stamp backs let you decide if you want to see the image through the block or not.

•Tight die-cutting for easy image positioning.

•Large clear blocks can be used to create collages or spell words with alphabet sets.

•Stamps store easily in standard, DVD-type cases with artwork on front and spine, making organization easy.

Just Add Ink Challenge #12

Hi Everyone,

Tonight I've had some much needed R&R time at my craft desk playing with my rarely used (now loving!!) Aqua Painter and my Chalk Pastels and Inkpads.

I've used this week's sketch challenge from Just Add Ink to create:
  

By the way, this is the sketch:

Materials Used:
Stamp Set: Artfully Asian (Autumn Mini Hostess Set)
Colours: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Black Stazon
Ribbon: Navy Grosgrain



Thanks for looking,

Product Information - New Punch Style

Starting with the new Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue and continuing with all new punch designs going forward, Stampin' Up! has adopted a new body style for our punches!




A few features of the new punch style:


•Low-profile, rectangular punch body allows for easier stacking and storing

•Punches lock shut for easier storage and transport

•Dual labels on top and end allow for easy identification and selection when stored

•Available in three sizes: small, medium, and extra-large

•New punches allow for larger punched images and more intricate designs while providing greater ease of use

◦Extra -large punch images also allow for two-step designs like the Extra-Large Two-Step Bird punch in the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue

•Corner punches allow you to punch a corner design along the inside edges of a page, not just corners

•larger, whole-hand handle design provides better leverage for easier use

•Available in an exclusive Stampin' Up! color




Talk to me for more information or to place your order.


 
Thanks for looking,

Product Information - The Sizziz Big Shot

There's a new big shot in town--the Sizzix Big Shot for Stampin' Up! The Big Shot is a sturdy manual die cutting machine used to die cut materials for use on crafts, home décor projects, and even clothing--it's a big deal! You'll love what the Big Shot machine--a six-time winner of Creating Keepsakes Reader's Choice Award for best die cutting equipment and dies--can do for you.


Design your own custom pillow appliqués using the Scallop Circle Bigz die or make custom fabric flowers to embellish a quilt. From sewing to quilting to home décor, the Big Shot is the perfect tool for many types of crafting. The wide appeal to various types of crafters will help you expand your business in new circles. The Big Shot makes incorporating paper crafting into these customers' hobby an easy progression. Use our Stampin' Up! exclusive dies to create die cuts and stencils with our artwork and designs for all your craft needs.



The following materials work well when creating die cuts with the Big Shot machine and Bigz and Originals dies. Please note the maximum thickness of several materials. As a rule of thumb, you can cut a material with your Big Shot machine and Bigz or Originals dies if you can cut it using your Craft & Paper Scissors.

 •Thick corkboard


•Thick chipboard (59 mil)


•Colored magnet


•Ruffle board


•Paper wood


•Balsa wood (3/32")


•Bass wood (1/16")


•Metal mesh


•Aluminum (.016)


•Tin (.008)


•Adhesive and non-adhesive mat board


•Drawer liner


•Shelf liner


•Vinyl


•Static cling vinyl


•Shrink film


•Fine sandpaper


•Clear acetate (20 mil)


•Vellum


•Card stock


•Patterned paper


•Flocked paper


•Contact paper


•Textured paper


•Metallic paper


•Linen paper


•Suede paper


•Embossed metallic paper


•Basketball embossed paper


•Faux alligator textured paper


•Self-adhesive glitter paper


•Fabric


•Canvas


•Iron-on fabric


•Soft plush fabric


•Burlap


•Velvet


•Corduroy


•Lace


•Heavyweight denim


•Terry cloth


•Funky fur


•Thin leather


•Quilt batting


•Warm & natural batting


•Fusible fleece


•Self-adhesive craft metal


•Self-adhesive cork


•Self-adhesive foam


•Self-adhesive magnet


•Self-adhesive felt


•Adhesive and non-adhesive rubber


•Pop-up sponge


•Poly foam


•100% pure beeswax (cut with parchment paper on top & bottom of beeswax.)






All information has been sourced from the Stampin' Up! Demonstrators Website, April 2010. I have not yet tested all these materials but am definately looking forward too!


 Thanks for looking,

My First Easel Card

Hi Everyone,

I've finally tackled an easel card, and I was very pleasantly surprised how easy they are to make!

And here's a close up of the sentiment

Nice hey! Well I hope you like it!

Materials Used:

Stamp Sets: Best Yet (Hostess Set), Artfully Asian (Autumn Mini Hostess Set)

Card Stock: Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Bella Rose

Other: 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Scallop circle punch, Butterfly punch (Still avail from the Summer mini catty), Dazzling Diamonds, Glue Pen

Thanks for looking,