SALLY'S CARD-MAKING PARTY

I have just farewelled four lovely girls who came over for a play in my craft room - what a nice way to start the school holidays, don't you think?!  Sally (Andrew's niece) turned 14 last week, and asked if she could bring a few friends over to make cards, before a whole group of friends descended on her house for the 'traditional' birthday party.  Of course I jumped at the chance to have some girls come over and make cards - a welcome change to having a houseful of males, 2/3 of whom don't appreciate the whole "stamping" thing!


Here are the 3 things that we made in the fairly short amount of time we had available - all the girls did really well to finish on-time!  This is always a bit of a challenge .... my usual classes often stretch up to an hour past the scheduled finish :)




Bit of a 'bird theme' happening, which wasn't entirely intentional - I just love owls, and my bird punch.  I'm pretty sure Sal and her friends were happy with the cards and the cute little pillow box.

(If you want to know any of the 'ingredients', please feel free to email me, and I'll be happy to share.)


Here are the girls displaying their own finished projects:





Much to my dismay, I have to work a couple of days this week; hopefully I'll still get plenty of stamping time in, and will be able to share some more cards soon.


Please do come back and visit my blog this weekend, as on Saturday 3rd July it is time for my team's monthly blog hop.  I have a few fun things to show you, and am sure the other 11 demonstrators taking part will also inspire you .... the blog hop has a theme of "Christmas in July", to help get you started on your Christmas projects.  Mark it on your calendars, and come back to visit on the weekend if you can!
 

BABY WIPES .... not just for babies!

Even though I'm way past the days of needing baby wipes for, well, the obvious, I always have some on hand in my craft room.  I must admit that I've been guilty of cleaning my stamps with them (not recommended .. the rubber turns white after a while), but now that I have my fab-o Stampin' Scrub, those days are over.  I still use them to wipe up stray glitter, and to attempt to clean my inky fingers, among other things!

I'd heard of the 'Baby Wipe technique' in stamping, but really didn't know what it was, until I came across Beate Johns' great video.  Check it out - it's great fun.  Now that I actually own some re-inkers, I was able to give this technique a try.

Here are my first two humble attempts at using this technique, that I'll be sure to play around with some more.

First up is a card that uses one of many panels I'd embossed with Stampin' Up!'s Manhattan Flowers embossing folder.  I went a little crazy when I first got it, and now have dozens of embossed panels that need to be made into cards - I'm sure plenty of you can relate to this affliction!  It's an inherent danger of having a new die-cutting and/or embossing machine -  anything that doesn't move, gets put through it!

The colours of my cards were determined by the re-inker colours used.  Firstly, I used Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, and So Saffron.





Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly, Organic Outlines (sentiment)

Card: So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark inkpad, So Saffron stampin' pad, Ruby Red marker, Re-inkers: Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron

Other: Manhattan Flowers embossing folder, Butterfly Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Ruby Red brads, Wide Oval Punch, Haiku Designer Series Paper, dimensionals



For my second card, I used re-inkers in Rich Razzleberry, Regal Rose and Pink Pirouette.  Not so keen on the finished card (I think it's a bit 'heavy' looking) .... plus, hubby likes it, so that in itself concerns me!  I'll show you anyway, since I spent a bit of time putting it together!




Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Best Yet

Card: Rich Razzleberry, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

Ink: Rich Razzleberry stampin' pad, Versamark inkpad, Re-inkers: Rich Razzleberry, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette

Other: XL Two-step Bird Punch (leaves), Rich Razzleberry grosgrain ribbon, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, dimensionals

MY SECOND COLOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY

Today's proving to be a productive one, in my craft room ... AND I'm managing to work my way through the washing pile, and cook tea.

I have made a simple card for this week's Inkspirations Colour Challenge #28, using these colours:







I think the colours are great for a male card.  Here's what I came up with:





Stamps: Starring You

Card: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Elegant Eggplant and Pumpkin Pie stampin' pads

Other: 1 3/4" circle punch, Spiral Punch, Small Star punch, sponge daubers, dimensionals



I love how easy it is to make a card using one stamp set (don't often do that, so it was refreshing!), and a few punches.  This card took all of about 15 minutes to make, and I like it a lot!





 

JUST ADD INK #22

This week's challenge over at Just Add Ink is to use the following scrumptious colour combination in a papercraft project:







The only challenge, as far as I was concerned, was narrowing it down to one card - I **LOVE** these colours!!

After starting off on a completely different tack, this is the card I ended up with:





Stamps: Owl Together Now, Weathered, Picture This

Card: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss

Ink: Rich Razzleberry stampin' pad, Tempting Turquoise stampin' pad and marker, Kiwi Kiss stampin' pad

Other: Top Note die (cut in Big Shot), Fleurettes II (retired), Trio Flower Punch, Tempting Turquoise brads, Kiwi Kiss corduroy brad (retired), blender pens, paper snips, mini glue dots



It's a drizzly, grey day in Melbourne today so I hope you can see the photo clearly.  I think this card is pretty cute, even if I did have to explain to Ethan (9) what the sentiment means - he just didn't "get" it.  (Apart from that, he liked the card!)


 

BABY BOY CARDS

I have been asked by a friend to make two cards for newborn little Eli.  I've really enjoyed making them; I don't have cause to make many baby cards these days.



Here's my first (and favourite) card, that hubby, the wonder-judge, has deemed 'imbalanced' - hmm, that seems to be his favourite criticism of my cards!





Stamps: Nursery Letters jumbo wheel, Starring You, Short & Sweet

Card: Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Bashful Blue stampin' pad, Barely Banana stampin' pad

Other: Scallop Edge punch, Star punch and Large Star punch, Word Window punch, Lots of Tags sizzlits die (cut using Big Shot), sponge daubers, silver 5/16" brads, mat pack and paper piercing tool, dimensionals





I'm also pretty pleased with my other card (especially because it's personalised with an "E", and anything with an initial or monogram - are they one and the same?? - is right up my alley).  Because I made it tonight, I had to photograph it inside .... still, it's come up okay:





Stamps: Pun Fun, Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Defining Alphabet

Card: Whisper White, Barely Banana

DSP: Sweet Slumber Specialty Designer Series Paper

Ink: Jet Black Staz-on inkpad, Versamark inkpad, Baja Breeze stampin' pad, Barely Banana stampin' pad

Other: Valet Ribbon Originals, sponge daubers, 1" circle punch, 2mm circle punch, Word Window punch, Scallop Edge punch, Baja Breeze corduroy buttons (retired), paper piercing tool, edge distressing tool, dimensionals



Having said that I don't have much cause for baby cards these days, happily I have also to make a little girl baby one!  Congratulations to my friend Renee, and her husband Andrew (although I'm not sure that anyone calls him by his given name!), on the safe arrival of darling little Addison.  Too exciting!!

A FEW THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY TODAY

Hi friends

Back from a long weekend away, with my darling boys .... and I was longing to get into my craft room, to make some pretty, girly things!!



First up, though, check out my cool new watch:



Download Dg-sandpiper-chrono



I tried all sorts of angles to take a real-life photo of it, but I am way too challenged in that area.  Couldn't even insert the image I found online, so the link will have to do!  I am such a "red" girl, that this watch jumped out at me when I saw it.  I was in the market for a new watch (my good old faithful one is over 20 years old, still going strong, but looking a little worse for wear), and when I saw this, I had to have it!  It's a Dolce & Gabbana, which I would not normally even consider buying (would rather have heaps of stamps, LOL), but it was waaaaay cheap.  God Bless the internet, and online shopping!!



Now, for the pretty things I've made in my craft room today.  I have devoted this blog to showcasing Stampin' Up! products, but I'm just going to digress a bit for today.  I've hoarded so many papers, stamps and embellishments over the last 14 years of stamping, that I decided to use a few unloved products.  Recently I made a number of paper flowers, using my Scallop Circle punch, and some sheets of text/music papers.  This is a seriously addictive thing to do, people - I had to MAKE myself stop.  Otherwise, my whole craft room would be overtaken by these gorgeous little things.  Anyway, I've made a few cards using the flowers that were sitting in a pile on my desk.

Here are a couple of simple, bolder-coloured ones:







and a few pretty, girly, ones:








Such fun, and I can't believe I churned out five cards in just over an hour.  One card a day is a great achievement for me, normally.

Right, better get back to the mountains of washing that we have brought home from our mini-holiday .... even being able to be at home to do that, makes me happy.  I am becoming such a home-body as I get older!! 

INKSPIRATIONS COLOUR CHALLENGE #26

I have been a regular stalker of Makeesha Byl's blog for a looong time now, and love the regular challenges she throws down.  Finally, I have decided to enter one myself - I do love a challenge with my cardmaking.

How could I NOT enter, when this week's challenge is to use the following colours on a project??



These colours make me swoon!!  I have so many ideas for incorporating them in my cards, but for my first entry I've made a birthday card for my Dad.  I am uncharacteristically organised, as my father's birthday is still two weeks away .... feels good to have it done already.





Stamps: Sanded, Polka Dot, Occasionally, On Your Birthday

Card: Kraft, Basic Gray, Whisper White

Ink: Sahara Sand stampin' pad and marker, Basic Gray stampin' pad, Real Red stampin' pad

Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Curly Label Punch, sponge dauber, 5/16" white brads (from Neutrals assortment), paper piercing tool, linen thread
  

"QUILTED" TOP NOTE DIE

Two posts in one day - and both for the Just Add Ink challenge this week!  I love the challenge to "add stitching" to cards, so I hope you'll humour me and look at my second entry.

I've been having a lot of fun playing around with "faux-quilted" Top Notes; of course, for someone who is proficient in neither sewing nor quilting, I had to incorporate some "faux stitching".

This week I have to send a card to a beautiful, sunshine-y, girl for her 9th birthday.  I dug out my Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper, went to work with my square punch, some Snail adhesive, and a Top Note die, and this is what I came up with:




Stamps: Polka Dot, Wow Flowers

Card: Cameo Coral, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Cameo Coral stampin' pad and marker, Tempting Turquoise marker, Summer Sun marker, black fineline pen (not SU!)

Other: Top Note die (cut using the Big Shot), Whisper White taffeta ribbon, Pink Flamingo DSP, 1 1/4" square punch, sponge dauber, dimensionals, Crystal Effects, circle punches - 1", 1/4", 1 3/8", Scallop Circle



HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!  Love from Aunty Chris xx

JUST ADD INK CHALLENGE #20

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is to add stitching to a papercraft project.  Much to my mother's dismay (actually, I think she resigned herself to the fact many years ago, but, still, I'm a disappointment!), I have NO clue how to use a sewing machine.  I love the idea of sewing on my cards, and every now and then think I'll invest in a Janome Sew Mini or something similar, but I always decide to spend the money on more stamps instead.  In the meantime, I use 'faux stitching' on my cards, by piercing holes at regular intervals, and using a pen to create 'stitches'.  Not quite the same, I know, but it's quick and easy.

I must apologise, in advance of showing you my card, for the actual faux stitching on this one.  I decided to use my white gel pen on black card, and, of all days, the pen decided to not co-operate - the ink was a bit runny and milky, so I didn't get quite the effect I was after.  Still, if you can see past that, and appreciate the other pretty elements on my card, that'd be great!




Stamps: Inspired by Nature, All A Flutter, Picture This

Card: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Whisper white, Glossy White

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Jet Black Staz-On inkpad, Pink Pirouette stampin' pad, Regal Rose marker, white gel pen, Re-inkers: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose

Other: Black embossing powder, mat pack and paper piercing tool, Large Oval punch, sponge dauber, brayer
 

"ART WITH HEART" TEAM BLOG HOP - CELEBRATIONS

Hi everyone

It's time again for the blog hop that my team has on the first Saturday of every month.  As my post title suggests, the theme for the blog hop is "Celebrations".  Being such a broad theme, I'm sure you'll get all sorts of inspiration from the girls; I, for one, am looking forward to checking out everyone's creations!

The "Art With Heart" team of Stampin' Up! demonstrators comprises over 90 women, spread across Australia, and is led by Claire Daly (based in Melbourne).  We have a very active online team forum, that is a great source of inspiration, support, and friendship.  If you'd like to join us, there is no better time - Stampin' Up! in Australia has a fantastic special offer on the Starter Kit, until the end of July.  Whether you'd like to join up as a hobby demonstrator (to get discounts every day on every product), or are interested in starting up a low-risk, rewarding home-based business, you can't beat being able to sign up for only $259!  (The retail value of the Starter Kit is $580.)  The fabulous Starter Kit contains lots of stamps, ink pads, cardstock, and business supplies - plenty to 'get you started', and there's lots of continuing support available.  If this sounds like something that suits you 'to a T', please email me; I'd love to have you join our friendly team. 

As with each of our blog hops, we offer blog candy - a little prize for one person who visits all of the participating blogs, leaves a comment, then emails Nikki Sadler to confirm that all blog posts have been commented on.  The offer for the blog candy is valid only for 72 hours from the launch of our blog hop; so, to be in to win, make sure you email Nikki by 6.00am AEST Tuesday 8th June.  Blog candy cannot be won by Stampin' Up! demonstrators, but we would dearly love for you all to visit our blogs and leave comments anyway! 

Today there are 11 of us taking part in the blog hop.  You may have come from Tina Gillespie's blog; however, if you are starting here, that's fine.  When you've finished looking at my blog hop post, just click on the link below to go on to Judy May's blog.  You can start at any of the blogs along the way; you'll do a 'circuit', and cover all 11, as long as you follow the links on each blog.


When I had to make a decision about the project I wanted to share with you, what stood out for me was the celebration, four years ago, of my grandmother's 90th birthday.  What a momentous occasion!  I was so glad I was able to travel to New Zealand with my father, sister and brother, to be part of the special celebration.  My sole surviving grandparent at the time, Granny Lou (my Dad's mother) shared her special day with four other generations - I have a treasured photo of five generations of females!  Granny Lou's brother and sister, also having lived long lives, were there as well. Amazing!  Granny Lou died in August 2008, so it meant a lot to me that I'd spent time with her on her milestone birthday.

I have scrapped a few photos taken on the day of the party.  There was a pink and white theme on the day, so I went with those colours.





Here is a close-up of the Top Note I used to mat the focal photo:




Can you see how I have clear-embossed, on the white cardstock, the rose from the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set?  I love the subtlety of clear embossing on white (note to self: use that more often!).  I also stamped the same rose randomly over the Pink Pirouette textured card, first in Versamark, and again (slightly offset) in Pink Pirouette ink.


Here's a close-up of the journalling (also featuring the rose - can you see it?):




Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Life Definitions

Card: Whisper White textured & smooth, Glossy White, Pink Pirouette textured & smooth, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black textured

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Jet Black Staz-On inkpad, Pink Pirouette Stampin' Pad, Pretty in Pink Marker

Other: Trio Flower Punch, So Saffron brads, Clear Embossing Powder, Top Note Die, Timeless Type Alphabet die, sponge dauber, Bella Rose DSP, mini glue dots



I really enjoyed creating this page, and will definitely enjoy looking at these photos more often, now that they are not stashed away.  I hope you've enjoyed this little family snippet of mine, and will now go on to see the absolutely gorgeous (I've had a sneak peek, so I can testify to that!) project made by Judy May. 


Here is a list of the other 10 participants in today's blog, in case you 'lose your way'!


Ros Davidson
http://www.rosdavidson.typepad.com/

Tina Gillespie
http://scissorspapercard.blogspot.com/

Judy May
http://www.judymay.typepad.com

Sue Madex
http://www.madexcreations.com/

Nikki Sadler
http://www.inkyart.com.au/

Alisha Watson
http://www.ratherbstampin.typepad.com/

Di Dunk
http://www.stampartbydi.typepad.com/

Kathryn Mangelsdorf
http://klm55.blogspot.com/

Tanja Westwood
http://tanjawestwood.typepad.com/

Kathryn Lowe
http://www.katlodesigns.com/

Don't forget, if you leave a comment for each of us, then email Nikki to let her know you've done so (before Tuesday 6.00am), you'll go into the draw for some Stampin' Up! blog candy!

Thanks for visiting, and have fun!

MY AUTUMN GARDEN, and a couple of reminders ...

Don't you just LOVE Autumn?  Okay, well, we're officially into winter now in Australia, but I am still clutching to the notion that it's Autumn, because I adore all the leaf colours, and the cool (but not too cold) weather.

There are two things in my garden that make me happy at the moment.

The first is my rather sadly neglected rhododendron bush, that, despite its woodiness and curled leaves, never fails to produce beautiful blooms like this:




I should've photographed it 2 days ago, but still wanted to share with you the sublime COLOUR of those flowers.


This little guy, and his friends, are another welcome addition to the garden at this time of year:




You just can't beat the beauty of nature, can you?


Okay, now onto a couple of stamping-related things.


Yesterday I held the first of my two classes for the month, focussing on using markers with your stamps.  I thought I'd share with you one of the four cards we made.  There are still a couple of spots available in my class (same theme) on Saturday 19th June, if you'd like to join in on the fun.  I'm in Mt Evelyn - just email me if you'd like to secure your place.






Finally, a reminder to check back in here on Saturday (5th June) - time for another blog hop!  The "Art With Heart" team of Stampin' Up! demonstrators has a blog hop on the first Saturday of every month.  I hope you'll visit my blog, and those of my team-mates, to get some inspiration for your own projects.  It's a whole heap of fun!

STAMPIN' UP! "DEALS OF THE WEEK" #1

All through June, Stampin' Up! is offering select products, from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue, at discounted prices.  Each week, new specials will be announced, and each one is current for only one week.

I am really excited about this week's special deal - great savings on four of our popular punches.

 

Here are this week's deals:

Item no.   Page    Description  Regular Price  SALE PRICE

112081 152  SCALLOP SQUARE PUNCH   $30.95    $20.12

109183  153  TRIO FLOWER PUNCH $30.95    $20.12

110711  153     BOHO BLOSSOMS PUNCH   $30.95 $20.12

114889  n/a*  SCALLOP OVAL PUNCH   $30.95    $20.12

*From carryover flyer

 

No matter how I try, I can't get this table to format properly, so please forgive the "all over the place" look of it!  Regular price of each of the punches is $30.95, and each is on sale for only $20.12 - a bargain!

 

For those of you (like me) who comprehend things better by looking at pictures, LOL, here's what the punches look like:

 

 

 

If you'd like to take advantage of this fabulous saving, please email me, and I will be happy to take your order.  Please note, there is a postage and handling fee of $5.95, or 5% of order value, whichever is the greatest.   This special offer expires 8th June, and is valid in Australia only. 

I'll keep you posted of new weekly offers as they are announced.

 

 

 

JUST ADD INK CHALLENGE #19

There are many things on my stamping "to do" list this week ... one that I'm able to now cross off is my entry for Just Add Ink #19.  Take a look at this scrumptious colour combo, to be included in a papercraft project:







I LOVE the rich colours, and had pretty much decided to make a card with a lot of clean, white space, and just accents of these colours.  What I came up with was something entirely different!  I changed my mind when I discovered that I have Elegant Eggplant TEXTURED cardstock ... one of the great things about being a hoarder is that I am often surprised to find that I own so many (ha ha) beautiful things! 

I broke out my Friends 24-7 stamp set, because it has not been used for quite a while.  I created a background on the textured card, by repeatedly stamping the damask image in Versamark ink (and swiping the inkpad around the card edges).  After stamping the same image on Whisper White card, using Elegant Eggplant ink, I punched out a portion using the Full Heart punch.  (Of course I had to add a bit of sponging around the edges of the heart.)  The floral image in the Build-A-Brad is punched also from the damask pattern; I didn't add the epoxy sticker to finish off the brad, as I wanted it to have the same "wallpapery" look as the card.

Here's what it all looked like in the end (as you can see, not much white space after all!):





Stamps: Friends 24-7, Short & Sweet

Card: Elegant Eggplant textured, Melon Mambo, Whisper White and Taken With Teal

Ink: Elegant Eggplant stampin' pad, Versamark inkpad

Other: White embossing powder, Word Window Punch, Full Heart Punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Build-A-Brad, 1/2" circle punch, dimensionals