CIRCLE CIRCUS

Hi folks

This great stamp set was given to demonstrators who attended this year's Stampin' Up! convention in Canberra earlier this month.  Those of us 'left behind' (sniff) could only look on as the lucky ones stamped their hearts out with their new sets!  There have been lots of great ideas, for using Circle Circus, floating around blogland; it is a super-versatile set that I have added to my rather extensive wish list.  Today I was at my friend Claire's house, and she graciously offered to part with her stamps for a few days, so I could have a play.  Yippee! So tonight I have been in my craft room, and have come up with a couple of cards, that I'd like to share with you.  I stamped out the focal image four times (twice each in So Saffron and Riding Hood Red), so once I'd composed my first card, I was able to make a second one in 'reverse' colours.  As my cyber-friend Sue says, why make just one card when you have all the supplies out?!  I tend to spread my supplies EVERYWHERE, make one card, then spend ages putting away all the scraps.  I like my cards to be individual, but it is great to mix the colours up a bit and create something a little different from the same papers and embellishments.  Anyway, enough of my rambling .... I just LOVE the way this first card turned out; I think the colours look really regal, don't you?



Stamps: Circle Circus, Upsy Daisy (sentiment)

Card: Whisper White

DSP: Sweet Slumber, So Saffron Prints

Ink: So Saffron, Riding Hood Red stampin' pads

Other: Riding Hood Red 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon, yellow rhinestone brad, mini glue dots, foam dots, sponge dauber, circle punches - 3/4", 1", 1 3/8", scallop circle



I had stamped the sentiment and main image in the reverse colour combination, so changed things up a bit, and 'went to town' with my white gel pen (I'm rather partial to dots). This is what I came up with:



Stamps: Circle Circus, Upsy Daisy

Card: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red

DSP: Sweet Slumber, So Saffron Prints, Bella Rose

Ink: So Saffron, Riding Hood Red stampin' pads

Other: Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon, Riding Hood Red button (from Button Bouquet selection), white gel pen, sponge daubers, mini glue dots, foam dots, yellow brads (from my stash), circle punches - 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1 1/4", 1 3/8", scallop circle punch (boy, I went to town with the punches too, didn't I?!)

I plan to play some more with this set while I have it in my hot little hands, so you might see some more circle-y (sounds much nicer than 'circular', don't you think?  I know, Kerry, it's not grammatically correct - my Mum was a teacher too, but I like to make up my own rules now that I'm grown up!) creations.  Make sure you check out Claire's cool cards while you're waiting! 

Thanks for visiting :)

FLOWERS AND STARS

Even after an absence of several days, that's about the most exciting post title I can come up with??!!!  I haven't had much crafting time this week; apparently I have been neglecting the family.  Soooo, after a self-imposed exile of a few days from my craft room, I snuck back in there and enjoyed a little 'me' time.  It took me a little while to decide what I felt like making.

I drew inspiration for my first card from the Stampin' Up Idea Book & Catalogue.  I love the colours in the Haiku Designer Series Paper, and my eye was drawn to some cards on page 76 of the catalogue.  The base of my card is So Saffron (LOVE this yellow), and I've used a panel of So Saffron Designer Series Paper.  The beautiful flowers, both small and large, are from the Eastern Blooms stamp set.  This is a really versatile set, that gives stunningly different results depending on colours used. I used my Boho Blossoms punch to make the tiny flowers from a piece of Old Olive paper, from the Haiku pack.  How cute are they?!  A bit of ribbon, piercing, and some pearl brads finish off the card.  I am really happy with the end result, considering I started off with a blank brain!



Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Upsy Daisy (sentiment)

Card: So Saffron, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla

DSP: So Saffron Prints, Haiku

Ink: Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, So Saffron

Other: Boho Blossoms punch, pearl brads (from Pretties Kit), Apricot Appeal 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, edge distresser, paper piercer, dimensionals, stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge dauber



This next card I thought would be good for a (female) friend of my teenage son, but when I excitedly showed Jack, he said "Ah, no Mum", and slowly shook his head!  Anyway, I like it!!!  I love the simplicity of it, and the co-ordination of the ink, paper and ribbon.  I used my Classic Stars jumbo wheel, and Baja Breeze stampin' pad, to make the background panel.  My friend Kerry made a card at one of our recent stamping nights, using the stars in this colour, and I just loved it, so I must credit her with the inspiration!  (The link to Kerry's blog is in my side bar.)  The raised star is just one I cut out from the 'patterned paper' I had created, with the edges sponged to give it some definition.  I mounted it on a piece of Urban Garden DSP, cut to form a border.  Here it is, folks - hope you like it as much as I do, or at least more than Jack does, LOL.



Stamps: Classic Stars jumbo wheel, On Your Birthday

Card: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze

DSP: Urban Garden

Ink: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze

Other: Silver brads (from SU's Vintage assortment), Baja Breeze 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon, Basic Gray taffeta ribbon, baja breeze button (from Button Bouquet), dimensionals, mini glue dots.



Thanks for stopping by, friends.  I'll be back when I have had some more 'play' time in my craft room (this "working full-time" thing is just not right!!).

EARTHY, CUTESY AND GLARY (the latter being a classic example of the imperfection of handmade cards)..

I have three cards to share today, as you may have deduced from the rather rambling title of my post.

 My first card was inspired by a card on page 17 of the Idea Book & Catalogue.  I've gone for a more 'earthy' look, with subtle colours, mainly because I just love using kraft card.  The stamp set I've used is a hostess set, which is one that cannot be bought; you can earn it for free by placing an order, or holding a party - contact me if you'd like to know more (conditions do apply)!

Everything on this card is pretty self-explanatory.  Yet again I have used the fantabulous Build-A-Brad, this time to highlight the centre of a flower.  I've pierced around the scallop circle for a little added interest, because the subtle colours on this card are a bit subdued (bordering on insipid???) and I thought it needed 'something'!



Stamps: Organic Grace, Friends 24-7

Card: Kraft, Perfect Plum, Mellow Moss

Ink: Mellow Moss, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum

Other: Build-A-Brad, circle punches (1/2", 1 1/4", 1 3/8", scallop circle), kraft and mellow moss taffeta ribbon, sponge daubers, edge distresser, mini glue dots



Okay, now onto something completely different.  This is the "cutesy" card alluded to in the title, and my personal favourite of the cards I'm showing you today.  I have used the Owl Together Now stamp set, which contains 14 stamps (all for $52.95, which is great value - I have paid over $30 for one stamp in the past, before I discovered Stampin' Up!).  In this set, there are several cute owls, and co-ordinating accessories to allow you to create lots of different images.  I have used Good Morning Sunshine designer series papers, and a bit of embossing and ribbon to finish it off.  Hope it brings a smile to your face!



Stamps: Owl Together Now

Card: Whisper White, Summer Sun, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point

DSP: Good Morning Sunshine

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White craft

Other: White embossing powder, deckled rectangle nestabilities, Pacific Point striped 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals, mini glue dots



Now for the 'glary', and not-so-terrific card of mine!  I have been stamping for YEARS, and like to think that I can make nicely finished cards most of the time, but thought I'd share this one that proves all card-makers have 'off' days!  This card was one of the (only 2) cards I made at our 5-hour stamping/chatting/laughing session at Claire's the other night.  No matter what I tried with this one, everything went on 'wonky' (for those in the northern hemisphere, this means crooked!).  I love the new Haiku designer series papers, and was determined to make a card with them on Friday.  Whilst I'm not real happy with this, I'll show you anyway!  I've let the papers do most of the talking; the only stamping is the sentiment, and the flowers stamped on the Tangerine Tango card.  The vertical strip of DSP is crooked, the Build-A-Brads are not lined up straight, and even the sentiment on the tab is crooked (despite me using the stamp-a-ma-jig, obviously all the while talking and not concentrating on the task at hand)!!



Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Basic Phrases

Card: Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, So Saffron, Old Olive

DSP: Haiku

Ink: Versamark, Old Olive

Other: Build-A-Brad, 1/2" circle punch, Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Round Tab punch, sponge dauber

One "male" card, and one decidedly pink one!

The other day I posted a photo of the card I'd made for my brother, Mark.  Today I have another Trendy Trees card to show you; I made this for my other brother, Dean, whose birthday is in a few days.  Yay me - actually getting a card made and posted BEFORE the event!  So, my brothers' birthdays are only a week apart; but, hey, my sister's and my birthdays are only a DAY apart!  Mum and Dad must have wanted to cut down on birthday party costs by combining for our entire childhood; precision planning on their part, don't you think?

I am really pleased with this card.  Started off not knowing what I was going to make, but once I'd chosen the colour scheme (Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss and Not Quite Navy) it all came together quite smoothly.  The Urban Garden paper, and the fantastic Trendy Trees and jumbo eyelets, made it easy - love all those elements (just in case you hadn't noticed!).  Loving these colours; they are great for guys' cards, don't you think?



Stamps: Trendy Trees, Occasional Greetings, Linen background (retired)

Card: Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White

DSP: Urban Garden

Ink: Basic Gray, Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss, White craft

Other: Crop-A-Dile, pewter jumbo eyelets, Kiwi Kiss 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon, stamp-a-ma-jig, edge distresser, sponge dauber, dimensionals



The photo on that card is a bit dark (I always leave it until night-time to remember to photograph my cards, but hey you can see it alright).  Nothing dark about this next one - a little over-the-top pink number. 

I got the Fast Flowers wheel with my starter kit, and wasn't sure how I wanted to use it, but realised it is designed to co-ordinate with Fun & Fast Notes (a great collection of cute images and sentiments).  I used the wheel to create the little pink panel on which the bird is mounted -  see how the cute little flowers complement the flower in the bird's mouth?  Sweet.  I paper-pieced the bird, by first stamping her (has to be a girl, with that colouring!) in Basic Gray on Whisper White card, then stamping again in Basic Gray on Bella Rose paper.  I stuck the cut-out paper version onto the card; love this easy technique that saves colouring in! I have used the same Designer Series Paper in the background.  Anyway, enough talking - here's the card:



Stamps: Fast Flowers wheel, Fun & Fast Notes, Pocket Silhouettes (sentiment), Cute & Curly, Weathered background

Card: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Pink Pirouette

DSP: Bella Rose

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Basic Gray, White craft, Certainly Celery

Other: Pink Pirouette 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon, curly label punch, rectangle nestabilities, mini glue dots, flat-back pearls (from Pretties Kit), dimensionals, aquapainter



That's it for today, folks - hope you like them!  I had a lot of fun making them (especially the 'boy' one, I have to say, because sometimes male cards can be a bit tricky, can't they?  I get a bit tired of the fishing and tool themes.)  I am feeling a bit under the weather, with a cold (thanks darling son for sharing those germs around), but plan to have a couple of early nights so that I am in fine form for a big stamping night with my lovely friends on Friday night - can't wait!

'Til next time - thanks for visiting, and I love reading your comments, my lovely friends :)

FLIGHT OF THE BUTTERFLY

Last week, as I was eagerly awaiting delivery of my new Flight of the Butterfly stamp set, I found a card on Splitcoaststampers (an online stampers' community) that took my breath away.  I had been imagining only soft, 'girly', colours when I envisaged using this set, but saw a black & kraft card made by Renee Van Stralen. 

I have used Renee's layout, but changed the colours around.  Even though it was the dark colours that initially drew me to her card, I ended up using Bella Bleu papers, and yummy vanilla and kraft colours.  Brocade Blue is a surprise favourite of mine at the moment; I am not normally a big user of blue, but I am really happy with the way this card has turned out.  Thanks for the inspiration, Renee!



Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly, Pocket Silhouettes, Best Yet

Card: Kraft, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla

DSP: Bella Bleu

Ink: Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy and Brocade Blue stampin' pads

Other: Kraft and Vanilla taffeta ribbon, mini glue dots, Build-A-Brad, stamp-a-ma-jig, dimensionals.



I hope to fit in much more creative time this week (some of the load has been lifted from me at work), so will be back with more cards soon!

BOYS, BOYS, BOYS......

Sorry, ladies, but the photos in this post are probably not what you were imagining, from today's title!  I have a couple of birthday cards for men to show you.  Ha ha.  PLUS ......drumroll, please......I have a scrapbook page to post!!!  This is noteworthy, because I am a cardmaker, and have only dabbled verrrrry briefly with scrapbooking.

Work has been more than a little challenging this past week, and I have not even set foot in my craft room - other than to open the door, switch the light on to check that all is okay and is still there waiting for me, turn off the light and leave.  I have done this a few times.  Sad, isn't it?!  My little family and I have been away at our cabin for a couple of nights, to reconnect, and recharge our batteries.  We really needed that; it was lovely.  Now we are back home, and I have mountains of washing to contend with.  While the machine is churning away, I have managed to have a little play, and decided that it's high time I shared my male-oriented creations.

First up, here is a simple birthday card that I think would be particularly suitable for a man (no flowers or pink in sight).  I have used ribbon, but as a simple accent to complement the card's colour scheme.  A couple of jumbo pewter eyelets help to give the card a masculine feel.



Stamps: Seeing Spots, Upsy Daisy (sentiment)

Ink: Versamark, Old Olive, Jet Black Stazon, Whisper White craft ink

Card: Whisper White, Basic Black, Old Olive

Other: Crop-A-Dile, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, White Embossing Powder, Certainly Celery 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Old Olive and Basic Black 1/4" grosgrain ribbon



My next card is one I have sent to my brother for his birthday.  I think it's safe to assume that he won't be looking at my blog.  I have used my much-loved Trendy Trees set, and my new favourite jumbo eyelets on this one.  All the other details follow th photo:



Stamps: Trendy Trees, On Your Birthday

DSP: Good Morning Sunshine

Card: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango

Other: Crop-A-Dile, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, wide oval punch, edge distresser, sponge daubers, brads (non-SU)



Okay, so now I am going to be brave and share my scrapbook page.  I have had a photo of Jack (who is now in his second year at high school) that I have wanted to scrap, but hadn't got around to. It was taken on the night of his graduation from primary school - a very emotional time for me!  He felt very grown up, but I was grieving the loss of his truly innocent days, and the changes that were about to take place with his friendships.  (His closest friends were to go on to different high schools to the one Jack would be attending.) Everything on this page is Stampin' Up!, except for the lined paper I stole from my other son's school book. (It's okay, he had to remove a page, so I just used some of the unwanted paper - just wanted to add this disclaimer in case any teachers are reading!)  I set myself the challenge of using no designer papers - just cardstock, stamps and punches (and, boy, did I use a few of these!), with a couple of other embellishments.  Here is my handsome boy ....



Stamps: Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel, Best Yet, Season of Joy (just the letter "j")

Ink: Basic Black stampin' pad and marker, Real Red stampin' pad and marker

Card: Basic Black textured 12x12, Whisper White (textured and smooth), Not Quite Navy, Kraft, Real Red

Other: Round Tab Punch, Curly Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Spiral Punch, Crop-A-Dile, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, black brads (from Vintage brad assortment), SNAIL adhesive



It's good to be able to post on my blog again, after what feels like a looooooong absence.  I am hoping to fit in some more 'play' time this coming week, as I have new stamps (YIPPEE!!) - will be back to share when I've made something.  Hope you all have a great week.  

Christine :)

Love Notes

After a few days' absence, I'm back with a couple of cards - little cuties.  Stampin' Up! has tiny cards called Love Notes, which measure 7.5cm (3") square.  Each pack contains cards and adorable matching envelopes in Whisper White and Very Vanilla (10 each).  I have had a play with them tonight, and here's what I came up with:



I really enjoyed making some mini creations for a change; these cards are very sweet.  They would make beautiful gift cards, or hand-delivered gifts - I don't think Australia Post could be trusted to safely deliver such little mail items.  I have photographed each of the cards individually, so you can see the details a little clearer.

I wanted to keep this first card fairly simple, and love the crisp Basic Gray stamped image (looks more 'blurry' than 'crisp' in the photo, but I assure you it's better in real life!).  I paper-pieced the bird, from the Friends 24-7 set, by stamping it in Basic Gray ink on Baja Breeze paper from the Urban Garden pack. I cut the bird out and popped it up on dimensionals, over the image I'd stamped on Whisper White card.  This paper is so pretty; I am in LOVE with the colour. (Well, it's fair to say that I love most of Stampin' Up!'s colours, really!  This year's "in colours" are pretty special, though.) My little card is finished off with a couple of silver brads from Stampin' Up!'s Vintage Brad selection (great assortment of silver, black, pewter and antique brass brads).



Stamps: Friends 24-7, Short & Sweet

Card: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze

DSP: Urban Garden

Ink: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze

Other: Word Window Punch, silver brads, dimensionals, sponge dauber



Next up is my Very Vanilla card, with Bella Bleu and Kraft accents.  I make no secret of my obsession with kraft-coloured card - the matching taffeta ribbon is beautiful, and now I have a Sahara Sand stampin' pad, I am in heaven!  The ink colour goes so well with kraft card.  I'm one very happy girl!  I used Pocket Silhouettes stamps only on this card; the main image (and pattern on the butterfly), and the sentiment are from the same set.  It's a beautiful little stamp set, which I can see myself using a lot. The size of the image is perfect for a card this size.



Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes

Card: Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, kraft

DSP: Bella Bleu

Ink: Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy

Other: Scallop Edge Punch, Build-A-Brad, 1/2" circle punch, kraft taffeta ribbon, sponge dauber, mini glue dots, butterfly punch (non-SU)



I would insert some witty banter here, but I am very tired (was out until the wee hours of this morning at stamp group, laughing and creating with my lovely friends at Claire's house!).  Claire has very graciously (LOL) shown me how to link to her blog in my sidebar!  Just waiting for the favour to be returned now, number 3 demonstrator! 

Thanks for visiting, and to my lovely friends (new and old) who visit my blog and leave comments, I love you!  It really brightens my day!

CONTACT ME

If you would like to order, or enquire about, Stampin' Up! products, please email me on c.blain@yarravalleysnackfoods.com

Stampin' Pastels & Upsy Daisy (galore)...

Hi all!  About time I posted some more photos of cards, methinks.

I have been busy playing with my Upsy Daisy stamp set, and Stampin' Pastels.  This is fun!  The next four cards started off as panels of Upsy Daisy stamped in Versamark (clear, sticky ink), and coloured using Stampin' Pastels and sponge daubers.    Love the effect this gives - it's like magic as you see the colour emerge.  I added Dimensional Magic (only because I haven't yet got SU's Crystal Effects!) to the flowers for a glossy finish.



In this first card, I used Kraft (my favourite) card, and some of the specialty Sweet Slumber paper.  The pastels I used were Pretty in Pink and Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is raised on dimensionals, and I used some shiny buttons from my (somewhat excessive) stash.



Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Cute & Curly (from the Curly Label punch bundle)

Card: Kraft, Bravo Burgundy

DSP: Sweet Slumber

Ink: Versamark, Bravo Burgundy marker, Ranger Tattered Rose distress ink

Other: Curly label punch, Stampin' Pastels, Kraft taffeta ribbon, Bravo Burgundy 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, sponge daubers, dimensionals, buttons (non-SU), Dimensional Magic



My next card shows what a different effect you can get by just switching the card colour.  Again I stamped the Upsy Daisy flowers in Versamark, and coloured them with Pretty in Pink and Bravo Burgundy Stampin' Pastels, but this time I used white card - really pretty, don't you think?  LOVE kraft and pink together, and the white contributes to the soft feel of the card.  Those cute little white flat-backed pearls are from my Stampin' Up Pretties Kit, which contains a great selection of pearls, beads, flowers and yummy embellishments. 



Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Boho Backgrounds

Card: Pretty in Pink, Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink

Other: Stampin' Pastels, Sponge Daubers, Wide Oval Punch, Kraft taffeta ribbon, flat-backed pearls (Pretties Kit), mini glue dots, edge distresser, Dimensional Magic



My next card uses Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss, with a bit of white.  Whoever coined the adage "blue and green must never be seen" clearly didn't anticipate how beautiful Stampin' Up's "in colours" would be!  Everything on this card is pretty self-explanatory.  For a finishing touch, I secured a custom-made brad to the Kiwi Kiss ribbon.  I am a HUGE brad (split pin) fan, and have a vast collection to choose from, but I am super-excited about the Build-A-Brad kit from Stampin' Up; I can create my OWN brads, using just a 1/2" circle punch, pretty paper or a stamped image, and a little SNAIL adhesive.  Too easy, and so much fun!  Here it is:



Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Best Yet (hostess set)

Card: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy

DSP: Urban Garden, Bella Rose, Good Morning Sunshine (brad)

Ink: Versamark, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss

Other: Circle punches (1 1/4", 1 3/8", scallop circle), Stampin' Pastels, Build-A-Brad, Kiwi Kiss 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, sponge daubers, Dimensional Magic



To finish off today's post, I have a card that, with its retro feel, takes me back to the 1970s!  This colour scheme - for all the people who grew up in New Zealand and Australia especially, can't you just see the bathrooms and plastic stools (that's a special shout-out to my sister!)???!!

On this card, I have used my Scallop Square Punch (love that little thing), and the co-ordinating Say it With Scallops stamp set. I stamped the scalloped image twice, and punched out part of one of the images to create my brads - cute, don't you think?!

  **Ooh, the unforgiving nature of un-edited photos; I just noticed some visibe double-sided tape near my bow.  Oh well - proves it's handmade!! (I'll go fix that right now - just don't want to upload another photo, so pretend it isn't there, okay?!)**



Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Say it With Scallops

Card: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie

Ink: Versamark, Pumpkin Pie

Other: Stampin' Pastels, Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Build-A-Brad, Scallop square punch, corner rounder punch, Dimensional Magic



I have had a lovely, "stampy", weekend.  My husband and sons went away for a couple of nights, and although I did actually (gasp) miss them, I loved the opportunity to spend time 'playing' with a very dear friend, and my sister (who is also my very dear friend!).

I was disappointed to miss out on attending Stampin' Up's convention in Canberra this weekend, but already am looking forward to May 2010 - I'll be at convention for sure!  I am extremely proud of my Stampin' Up "upline", Claire Daly - number 3 Demonstrator for all of Australia & New Zealand.  Well done, Claire - you rock!!!

Tomorrow I have more stamping lined up, and this coming week is my monthly stamp group with a lovely group of friends - could life get much better???!!  I hope you all have had a happy, relaxing weekend too.  Thanks for visiting!