STAMPIN' UP! CHRISTMAS CARDS IN CHERRY COBBLER AND VERY VANILLA

Yesterday I had a pre-Christmas afternoon tea with some of my dear friends, who spoil me every year with the most exquisite handmade gifts. 

I thought I'd share with you the Christmas cards I gave the girls.  I went with a theme of Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla (as you may well already have determined, by the title of this post).

Stamps: Stitched Stockings, Season of Joy

Card: Cherry Cobbler, Brushed Gold, Very Vanilla

DSP: Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper (retired)

Ink: Cherry Cobbler stampin' pad, Versamark inkpad

Other: Cherry Cobbler embossing powder, Stocking Tag punch, Large Oval and Scallop Oval punches, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch,  Designer Frames embossing folder, Champagne Stampin' Glass Glitter, 2-way glue pen, gold flat-back pearls (not SU!)

Stamps: Merry & Type, Four Frames, Snow Swirled, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory

Ink: Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake stampin' pads, Crumb Cake marker

Other: Color Spritzer tool, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Decorative Label punch, Basic Pearls, sponge dauber, Lace Ribbon border punch, Very Vanilla velvet ribbon

Stamps: Welcome Christmas, Season of Joy

Card: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler

Ink: Cherry Cobbler stampin' pad and marker, Soft Suede stampin' pad, Crumb Cake stampin' pad

Other: Basic Pearls, Cherry Cobbler seam binding, Crimper, mini glue dots 

I hope you're managing to feel the Christmas spirit, despite it being a horrendously stressful time of year!  I'm feeling quite relieved to have finally posted my Christmas cards, and wrapped all the gifts.  Now to start packing for our fabulous holiday that we'll be embarking on, right after Christmas!

STAMPIN' UP! DOMESTIC GODDESS DSP

I really LOVE the cute, quirky, Domestic Goddess Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up!  Not least of all because it makes me feel slightly virtuous to own something with that title (seriously, I should employ a cleaning lady, because I am far from a goddess in that department!).

I encourage you to check out the 'flip-side' of all the papers in Stampin' Up!'s range, because the variety is fabulous, and patterns are often quite unexpected.  Even though this paper pack is quite whimsical, and "kitcheny", I came up with a card for a friend, that has a bit more of an elegant feel, I think.  I just love the yellow and grey (sorry, Daffodil Delight and Basic Gray) combination.  The colours are a bit 'off' in my photo, but you get the general idea :)

Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes

Card: Very Vanilla, Basic Gray

DSP: Domestic Goddess Designer Series Paper

Ink: Basic Gray and Daffodil Delight stampin' pads

Other: Silver Glimmer Paper, Basic Gray satin ribbon, Basics Glimmer Brad, Fancy Flower punch, 5-Petal Flower punch, Boho Blossoms punch, 2 1/2 " Circle punch, Perfect Pennants Bigz die, Itty Bitty Shapes punch, Basic Pearls, Fun Flowers Bigz die, sponge dauber, sticky strip, Tombow multi liquid glue

SANTA OWL BOXES FOR SOME LITTLIES

Due to my current rather "bah humbug" attitude towards Christmas, I am crafting strictly on a need-to-have-something-now basis!!  It actually seems quite a productive (if stressful) way to do things; I definitely operate best under pressure. 

Ethan, who is in Grade 5, is a buddy for two 'preppies' - little boys in their first year of primary school.  When he asked me, with a day's notice, to make something for his two buddies, I knew exactly what I wanted to make - Santa owls, using Stampin' Up!'s Owl Builder punch.  I really did have a hoot (sorry) making these!

I personalised each box with the initial of the recipient.  Here is a back and front view, of the boxes that had been filled with chocolates:

Stamps: Stylish Star, Ho Ho Ho stamp (not SU!)

Card: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Basic Black, Crumb Cake

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Basic Black stampin' pad

Other: Silver Glimmer Paper, Fancy Favor Bigz XL die, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet sizzlits dies,   1 3/8" Circle punch, 1 3/4" Circle punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Owl Builder punch, Bird Builder punch (for the hat), Square black brad (not SU!), Tombow liquid glue, paper snips.

Cute, don't you think?  I have a suspicion that the boys will make a bee-line for the contents, and probably squish the boxes in their sticky little hands, but that's okay!  I got a lot of pleasure out of making these, and Ethan loved them, so I'm a happy Mama.

JAI #97 : STAMPIN' UP! SWEET FLORAL

Take a look at this gorgeous inspiration photo over at Just Add Ink this week:

I have used Stampin' Up!'s Sweet Floral stamp, with markers.  I coloured directly onto the rubber with Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo and Poppy Parade markers, then spritzed the stamp with water before stamping it onto Whisper White card.  A wash of Pool Party ink softens the background. 

I was thrilled to have this perfect opportunity to play with my new silver flatback pearls - can you tell that I like them, much?!

Stamps: Sweet Floral, Build A Cupcake

Card: Pool Party, Whisper White, Melon Mambo

Ink: Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo and Poppy Parade markers, Pool Party stampin' pad
Other: Silver glimmer paper, Beautiful Wings embosslits die, Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon, Scallop Edge and Lace Ribbon border punches, Word Window punch, aquapainter, water spritzer, mini glue dots, silver pearls (not SU!), Tombow liquid glue

PENNANT PARADE BRIGHT AND CHEERY CARD

Tomorrow is my lovely sister-in-law's birthday.  (I'm actually blessed to have three lovely sisters-in-law; I am one lucky girl - love them all dearly.)

Despite living only a very short distance from the birthday girl, I am guilty of not always getting her birthday cards to her in time.  This year, however, I was very organised, and delivered it a day early - woohoo! 

Stamps: Pennant Parade, Happiest Birthday Wishes, Up, Up & Away

Card: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Daffodil Delight

DSP:  Big Top Birthday Designer Series Paper

Ink: Jet Black Staz-On inkpad, Real Red stampin' pad

Other: Brights button, White baker's twine, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Petite Pennants Builder punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, paper snips, mini glue dots, stampin' dimensionals, Tombow multipurpose liquid glue, , Scallop Square Nestabilities

JAI #96: JUST ADD TANIA GOULD

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is to CASE one of Tania Gould's gorgeous creations.  Tania is on the JAI Design Team, and has a beautiful style.  I scrolled back through Tania's blog and chose this card, as the use of the Top Notes really appealed to me - not something I'd think to do:

The starting point for my card was a Certainly Celery flower that I'd made, and not yet used.  After consulting my trusty Stampin' Up! Color Coach, I decided to pair Certainly Celery with Marina Mist, using some white on my card as Tania did.  It's only now that I've photographed the card, that I see I stamped the sentiment a bit crooked - oh well, it adds to the handmade charm, don't you think?!

Here's my version of Tania's card:

Stamps: En Francais, Always Elegant, Happiest Birthday Wishes

Card: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Certainly Celery

Ink: Certainly Celery stampin' pad, Whisper White craft stampin' pad

Other: Top Note die, sponge daubers, Marina Mist Scallop Dots ribbon, Certainly Celery taffeta ribbon, Subtles glimmer brad, Fancy Flower punch, 5-Petal Flower punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Eyelet border punch, sticky strip, mini glue dots

SPARKLY UPSY DAISY FOR SUNNY CHALLENGES #018/11

I've enjoyed having a play with an old favourite stamp set, Upsy Daisy, for this week's challenge at Sunny Challenges & Creations.  The brief is to use Stampin' Up!'s "Upsy Daisy" stamp set on a project based on this sketch:

My colour choices were influenced by the paper I stamped my daisies on.  I just love the colours in Stampin' Up!'s Tickets & Tags Simply Scrappin' Kit.  Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Poppy Parade and Baja Breeze complement one another beautifully.

I first stamped Upsy Daisy in Poppy Parade ink on the grungy grid paper.  Using Versamark ink, I stamped the image right over the top again, and used Stampin' Up!'s new Iridescent Ice embossing powder (being released 1st December) to give the flowers some sparkle.  It is quite subtle; I'm not sure it shows at all in the photo!  A Subtles Glimmer Brad added a bit more bling, to finish off the card.

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Parlor Prints, Oval All

Card: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Basic Gray

Ink: Crumb Cake stampin' pad, Basic Gray stampin' pad and marker, Poppy Parade stampin' pad and marker, Baja Breeze stampin' pad and marker, Versamark inkpad

Other: Tickets & Tags Simply Scrappin' Kit, Subtles Glimmer Brad, Poppy Parade Stitched-Poly ribbon, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, sponge daubers, mini glue dots, stampin' dimensionals, Iridescent Ice embossing powder (*new* - 1st December), Stamp-a-ma-jig

STAMPIN' UP! SPICED PAISLEY CHRISTMAS - JAI #95 & INKSPIRATIONS #97

I couldn't sleep last night - every time I closed my eyes, I had dozens of ideas swimming around in my head, just crying out to be made into cards!   So, after tossing and turning for about an hour, I got up and retreated to my craft room to try to settle my brain.

I made a card for this week's Just Add Ink challenge, to come up with a Christmas project using no Christmas stamps or Christmas papers.  Thankfully, a Christmas greeting is allowed!  The layout of my card was inspired by the sketch at Inkspirations:

Using my new Spiced Paisley stamp set (being released 1st December), and watercolour crayons, I create the stamped oval panel (I was going for a rustic look, and was pleased with the outcome).  Another stamp from this set provides the subtle background on the Crumb Cake panel, and the sentiment flag:

Stamps: Spiced Paisley (*new* - 1st December), Contempo Christmas

Card: Naturals Ivory, Riding Hood Red textured, Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy

DSP: Not Quite Navy Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink: Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red and Not Quite Navy stampin' pads

Other: Regals and Neutrals Watercolour crayons, Cherry Cobbler seam binding, Very Vanilla Velvet ribbon (*new* - 1st December), Brights button, Linen Thread, sponge daubers, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Eyelet border punch, Paper Piercing tool and Mat Pack, mini glue dots, Sticky Strip, Nestabilities, stampin' dimensionals

STAMPIN' UP! CHRISTMAS-THEMED BLOG HOP

Today I'm taking part, with 8 friends who are also Stampin' Up! demonstrators in Australia, in a blog hop.  We have lots of ideas to share with you, for using Stampin' Up! products to make your Christmas projects.

You may have come from the very talented Alisha Watson's blog.  If not, you can start here, and follow the link at the end of my blog post, to go on to the next 'stop'.  Please visit all 9 of us if you can, and leave us some comment love, so we know you've stopped by!

I have two cards to share with you.  The first card evolved from a flower that my friend Nikki kindly showed me how to make.  I didn't attend Stampin' Up! Regionals training this month, but by all accounts it was a "wow" event, not least of all because of Miriam Spiess's flowers!  My first attempt is not all that great, but you get the idea!

...... and a close-up of the crimped, die cut and punched panels on the spine of the card:

Stamps: Merry & Type

Card: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black

DSP: First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Cherry Cobbler and Basic Black stampin' pads

Other: Tasteful Trim XL Bigz die, Decorative Label punch, Scallop Trim border punch, Crimper,          2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch, Antique Brad, sponge daubers, paper snips

My second card uses a sheet of Designer Series Paper, from the "Letters to Santa" pack, that I hadn't yet cut into.  I really like the colours on this card.  I used the rock 'n' roll technique with the ornament stamp, with varying 'intensity' of rolling, to achieve two different looks.  The ornaments were inked up first in Marina Mist ink, then rolled on my Early Espresso stampin' pad.  Hubby thinks this card is too "blingy", whereas I think one rhinestone brad and four self-adhesive rhinestones is quite understated! LOL.

.... and a close-up of the ornaments and 'bling'.  (I was more concerned about two bows being "over the top"!)

Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Contempo Christmas

Card: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Riding Hood Red and Marina Mist

DSP: Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper

Ink: Marina Mist and Early Espresso stampin' pads

Other: Ornament punch, Cherry Cobbler seam binding, Basic Rhinestones, Ice Circle Rhinestone brad, Scallop Edge border punch, stampin' dimensionals, White baker's twine (*new - out 1st December), mini glue dots

I really enjoyed making these cards, and hope I've inspired you to try something new.

Now it's time to visit Ros Davidson's blog. 

 

Here's a list of all the participants in today's hop. 

Tina Gillespie

http://scissorspapercard.blogspot.com/

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

Sue Madex
http://www.madexcreations.com

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

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

Kathryn Mangelsdorf
http://klm55.blogspot.com

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

Christine Blain
www.christineblain.blogspot.com


Ros Davidson
www.rosdavidson.typepad.com

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great weekend!

STAMPIN' UP!'S "THE OPEN SEA" FOR PAPER PLAYERS #73

Jaydee has set this week's challenge over at The Paper Players, to make a clean and simple card using this colour combination:

I don't use Night of Navy very often, so this was a little outside my comfort zone, but I had a lot of fun with this challenge! 

I have inked up my new "The Open Sea" stamp set, that is being released in Australia and New Zealand on 1st December.  I know I will get a LOT of use out of this fabulous stamp set. 

 I silver-embossed the anchor on Brushed Silver cardstock, before cutting it out.  The background DSP (that started off with a polka dot pattern) has been run through my Square Lattice embossing folder.  The exposure of the paper's white core is perfect for this colour challenge; that was a happy discovery!

Stamps: The Open Sea (out 1st December), For My Family

Card: Night of Navy, Brushed Silver, Whisper White

DSP: Night of Navy Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink: Night of Navy stampin' pad, Versamark inkpad

Other: Silver embossing powder, White baker's twine (*new* - out 1st December), silver mini brads, silver jumbo brad, Word Window punch, Square Lattice embossing folder, rectangle & scalloped rectangle Nestabilities, sponge dauber

STAMPIN' UP!'S "BEST OF EVERYTHING" FOR INKSPIRATIONS #96 & JAI #94

I really love Stampin' Up!'s sweet stamp set called "Best of Everything", but must admit to having used it only once or twice so far.  I decided to ink it up for a couple of challenges this week.  My colours were decided by this week's Inkspirations Colour Challenge:

and I based my card design (rather loosely) around the sketch that Bron has come up with for Just Add Ink's challenge this week:

I coloured in the little bird using my markers, direct to rubber; the Bashful Blue has come up rather pale on the Very Vanilla card, but hopefully you can still see it okay!

Stamps: Best of Everything, Confetti, Easy Events

Card: Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Very Vanilla

Ink: Crumb Cake stampin' pad, Bashful Blue stampin' pad and marker, Real Red stampin' pad and marker, Peach Parfait marker

Other: Scallop Circle Bigz die, Circle Nestabilities, Stripes embossing folder, Petals-A-Plenty embossing folder, Eyelet Border punch, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Owl Builder punch, sponge daubers, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine and Red Glimmer paper (being released 1st December), Tombow liquid glue

STAMPIN' UP! FUN FLOWERS ON A PARLOR PRINTS BACKGROUND

I had a little play with my Stampin' Up! Fun Flowers die the other day, cutting some flowers out of Bravo Burgundy cardstock.  I embossed all the pieces with my Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, lightly sponged the edges with Basic Black ink, and spritzed them with Platinum shimmer spray (shimmer paint mixed with alcohol) before scrunching them a little.  A basics Glimmer Brad secured all the pieces together.  Because the flower ended up looking rather 'showy' I decided to use it as the main attraction on the birthday card I had planned for a friend.  I created a background by clear-embossing Parlor Prints on Bravo Burgundy card.

After that rather wordy introduction, here's the card:

Stamps: Parlor Prints, Perfectly Penned

Card: Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Basic Black stampin' pad

Other: Clear embossing powder, basics Glimmer Brad, Basic Black 1/2" Scallop Dots ribbon, mini glue dots, Platinum shimmer paint (mixed with Isocol), Vintage wallpaper embossing folder, Fun Flowers Bigz die

TRIPLE TREAT FLOWER CHRISTMAS - SC016/11 & PP#72

I have a card to show you today, that I made for this week's Sunny Challenges Christmas-themed sketch challenge :

combined with Paper Players Challenge #72 , to use this gorgeous colour combination:

This is the first time I've used these colours together to make a Christmas card, and I absolutely LOVE the combination; I'll be using it again, for sure.

I have shown some more love to my Triple Treat Flower stamp, that punches out so beautifully using Stampin' Up!'s 5-Petal Flower punch.  The flower centres are punched out and adhered to Build-a-Brads (without the epoxy tops).

Stamps: Starburst jumbo Stampin' Around wheel, Triple Treat Flower, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Riding Hood Red (textured and smooth), Always Artichoke, River Rock (textured and smooth)

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red and River Rock stampin' pads

Other: 5-Petal Flower punch, Petals-A-Plenty embossing folder, 1/2" circle punch, Build-a-Brads (retired), Always Artichoke seam binding, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, sponge dauber, mini glue dots

STAMPIN' UP!'S BROADSHEET ALPHABET FOR A VERY SPECIAL YOUNG MAN!

Today my eldest boy, Jack, turns 16.  He is such a beautiful young man, and I look forward to seeing what his exciting future holds.  So many opportunities await ..... oh, to be young again!  (I don't really wish for that, but it is great watching our kids grow and develop, isn't it?)

Jack lives and breathes cricket.  He is so passionate about it, and is striving to play at a high level (hoping to one day wear "the baggy green" for the Australian cricket team).  I was determined to not make a cricket-themed birthday card, as I thought after three years in a row the idea might grow a bit tired!  I did, however, manage to sneak a little cricket ball onto the tag, for a pop of colour against all the neutrals.  That, in turn, inspired me to highlight one of the "16s" in Cherry Cobbler (my original idea of all Crumb Cake numbers made for a bit of a bland background).

Here's the card that the birthday boy is receiving, along with a super-duper set of headphones that are apparently a "must have" item.

Stamps: Broadsheet Alphabet, Happiest Birthday Wishes, Just Cricket (retired)

Card: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler

Ink: Basic Black stampin' pad, Soft Suede stampin' pad and marker, Cherry Cobbler marker, Crumb Cake stampin' pad, Early Espresso stampin' pad and marker

Other: Timeless Type Junior Alphabet sizzlits die, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, Large Tag punch, sponge dauber, Silver Mini Brad, Tombow liquid glue, black adhesive dots (not SU!)

JUST ADD INK #93

This week at Just Add Ink, Kim has presented this gorgeous colour challenge:

I've taken this opportunity to ink up my Triple Treat Flower stamp, from Stampin' Up!  It is a gorgeous stamp, with endless possibilities .... but I think I got so caught up in envisaging those possibilities that I became overwhelmed, and just hadn't used it!  It is a beautiful, crisp image, and I'm really pleased with the simple design of the card I came up with.

Stamps: Triple Treat Flower, Perfectly Penned, Vintage Vogue

Card: Certainly Celery textured, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Pool Party

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Certainly Celery, Pool Party, Melon Mambo and Basic Black stampin' pads

Other: Fancy Flower punch, 5-Petal Flower punch, Decorative Label punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Lace Ribbon border punch, paper snips, sponge dauber, Designer Printed brad (Pool Party)

My Paper Snips came in very handy on this card.  To create the leaves, I first stamped the Triple Treat Flower (on Whisper White card) in Certainly Celery ink, and punched it out using the 5-Petal Flower punch.  I snipped the petals to make individual leaves, and sponged them fairly heavily with Certainly Celery ink.  The little "half flowers" behind the sentiment were snipped from a Lace Ribbon border punched in Pool Party card.  I have also cut across the top and bottom of the Decorative Label, to create a slightly different shaped label for my sentiment.

I am having a lovely quiet day at home with my youngest boy (the eldest, and hubby, are off at cricket ... their favourite thing to do, but I happily give it a miss!).  We're just enjoying one another's company, and looking forward to meeting friends (and the other half of our family!) for dinner tonight.  I hope you're having a nice Sunday too :)

STAMPIN' UP!'S BROADSHEET ALPHABET

Ever since I was a kid, I have LOVED anything personalised (especially stationery).  I'm not sure that everyone feels the same way, but I impose my obsession on poor unsuspecting card recipients every now and then!

A special young friend recently celebrated her 16th birthday, and I took the opportunity to christen my new Broadsheet Alphabet stamp set, by personalising her card.  I'm loving all the polka-dot action on this card, and I hope the birthday girl is too!

Stamps: Broadsheet Alphabet, Bring On The Cake

Card: Island Indigo, Whisper White

DSP: Lucky Limeade Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink: Basic Black, Island Indigo, Melon Mambo and Lucky Limeade stampin' pads

Other: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Petite Pennants builder punch, Melon Mambo Scallop Dots ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Mini glue dots

Happy birthday, Katie.  Love you, and we are so proud of the person you are. xx

JUST ADD INK #92 : PRECIOUS BUTTERFLIES TAG

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is to "just add a tag or bookmark".

A little while ago I shared on my blog a card made using Stampin' Up!'s beautiful Precious Butterflies stamp set.  A dear friend of mine has a birthday coming up soon, and I will be giving her that card.  To accompany it, I've made a tag, and adhered magnetic strips to the back.  I'm hoping it'll find its way to her fridge, so she always knows I'm thinking of her.  (Not that she needs to look at her fridge to know that!)

Here is the tag I made, using Stampin' Up!'s cute Two Tags die:

Stamps: Precious Butterflies

Card: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Basic Black

DSP: Wild Wasabi Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink: Crumb Cake stampin' pad, Melon Mambo marker, Jet Black Staz-On inkpad, Versamark inkpad

Other: Wild Wasabi and Melon Mambo embossing powder, Basic Black 1/8" taffeta ribbon, Melon Mambo 1/2" Scallop Dots ribbon, Linen Thread, Decorative Label punch, Beautiful Wings embosslits die, Two Tags die, Scallop Edge border punch, 1/2" Circle punch, Crop-a-dile, sponge dauber, paper snips, mini glue dot, magnetic tape (not SU!)

..... and here are the tag and card together (don't you just love co-ordinating little 'ensembles'?!):

We are experiencing some crazy weather in Melbourne at the moment.  It's warm and humid today, as we await giant storms that are forecast for later in the day.  I thought I'd share with you a picture of our little dog, Cricket (guess who named her?!), who retreats under the table and looks dead whenever it's hot.  As soon as she realised I had my camera at the ready (to photograph her languishing), she propped herself up, but refused to look at me.  She's a funny dog.

STAMPIN' UP! BLOG HOP, CHINESE WHISPERS STYLE

A while back, the gorgeous Sarah Klass talked on her blog about how a few people in a row all CASEd a card, and how different all the cards looked. She called it Chinese Whispers, like the kids' game.  My friend, and fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator, Tina Gillespie, suggested a group of us give this a try, and we had a lot of fun with it.   Here's how it worked:

Tina started by making a card.  She emailed a photo of that card to the next person on the list. That person made a card that was inspired by Tina's, and then emailed a photo of their card only to the third person on the list.  On it went, until everyone had made a card.  Bear in mind that at no stage did we see the original card; only the one immediately before us on 'the list'.  It was fascinating to see how, by the time we'd worked our way to the last person in the group, the creations evolved.

Today we'd like to share that process with you.  It would be a good idea to start at Tina's blog, so you can see the progression.

The person whose card I was inspired by, was Di Dunk.  You might like to take a look at her card first, to see where my ideas came from.  If not, you can just check out my card, and follow the links around until you've visited all the people who took part.  The first cab off the rank was Tina Gillespie, and the  person who wrapped up the list of participants was Alisha Watson.


Here is my card:

Stamps: Just Believe, Four Frames, Parlor Prints

Card: Island Indigo, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Island Indigo, Basic Black and Lucky Limeade stampin' pads

Other: Beautiful Wings embosslits die, Square Lattice embossing folder, Decorative Label punch, Island Indigo ruffled ribbon, Island Indigo designer brad, Scallop Trim border punch, stampin' dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig, mini glue dots

I then emailed a photo of my card to Teena Pillar, who unfortunately doesn't have a blog.  Here is the card Teena made: 

Teena then emailed a photo of her card to Ros Davidson.  Click on the link to Ros's blog, to see how she was inspired by Teena's card.

We had a lot of fun taking part in this Chinese Whispers 'challenge', and hope you enjoy seeing the results!

Here is a complete list of participants:

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

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

Christine Henderson -  http://www.livinglovingcreating.blogspot.com/

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

Genna Gifford -  http://www.genna.stampinup.net/

Elaine Hannam

Amanda Hill

Di Dunk - http://stampartbydi.typepad.com/my-blog/

Christine Blain - http://christineblain.blogspot.com/

Teena Pillar

Ros Davidson - www.rosdavidson.typepad.com

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

Kathryn Ruddick - http://www.katlodesigns.com/

Di Gill - http://www.artwithgillycat.typepad.com/

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

JUST ADD INK #90

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is to create a card, or other papercraft project, based on this sketch:

I have HEAPS of birthday cards to make this month, and am behind on a few.  This sketch was a great starting point for a card for a special young person in our lives.

I knew I wanted to make the birthday girl a card in earthy colours, and using my trusty Owl Builder Punch.  In place of an oval panel, I've fussy-cut a frame from Stampin' Up!'s Beau Chateau paper, masked off the outer edges and stamped a Woodgrain background in the centre.  Colour was added with my Riding Hood Red and Soft Suede markers, before sponging around the edges in Soft Suede ink.  Both the owl's body, and the left-hand panel on the card, have been stamped using my Elegance Stampin' Around wheel.  Having felt like my creative juices had almost dried up lately, I'm really pleased with the way this card turned out.

Stamps: Elegance Stampin' Around Wheel, Woodgrain

Card: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy and Very Vanilla

DSP: Beau Chateau Designer Series Paper

Ink: Crumb Cake stampin' pad, Soft Suede stampin' pad and marker, Riding Hood Red stampin' pad and marker

Other: Owl Builder Punch, paper snips, sponge daubers, Timeless Type Alphabet sizzlits die, XL Oval Punch, Square Lattice embossing folder, Bird Builder Punch, Tombow liquid glue, stampin' dimensionals

JUST ADD INK #89

This week at Just Add Ink, the girls have challenged us to use this photo as inspiration:

Now that I look closely at the photo, I can see that the backdrop is water.  However, what I first thought of when I saw this, was the Serengeti!  I pictured hot air balloons over African plains at sunset.

I came across some papers in my extensive stash of unloved non-Stampin' Up! products on the weekend, so decided to put a few pieces to use on my card for this week's challenge.

My eldest boy is about to learn to drive, and in anticipation of him successfully obtaining his Learner's Permit, I made a card (which I'm pretty sure is safe from his sight, 'cos checking Mum's blog is not on his radar).  I love the new For My Family stamp set, with numerous combinations of sentiments and fonts; I can see it fast becoming a go-to set for me.  I've inked up my new Up, Up & Away stamps for the first time.  What a fun set to play with!  Here's what I made:

Stamps: Up, Up & Away; For My Family

Card: Basic Black, Peach Parfait

DSP: Kaisercraft Rewind papers

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Basic Black, So Saffron and Peach Parfait stampin' pads

Other: Black embossing powder, Tangerine Tango embossing powder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge daubers, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch

JUST ADD INK #88: JUST ADD A DIE CUT

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is to use a die cut on our papercraft creation.  My personal challenge was to try to narrow down my choice, as I have a rather extensive collection of dies to use in my Big Shot!

I drew inspiration from a card I made a couple of weeks back, and created a couple of cute little items using my Two Tags die from Stampin' Up!  A special friend has just celebrated her birthday, and I wanted to make something for her, to co-ordinate with the card.

First I made a little gift pouch, to hold a few metres of the new colours of satin ribbon.  I first put the ribbon into one of Stampin' Up!'s small cellophane bags, and used a little Sticky Strip to secure the bag to the base of the pouch.  I think the end result is adorable (I hope the birthday girl does, too).  This pouch was created by cutting two of the larger tags from the Two Tags die, and sticking the bases together.  I then decorated it to co-ordinate with the card.


Here's the front view:

.... the back view:

.... and what it looks like from the side:

Stamps: Creative Elements, Tagtastic

Card: Wisteria Wonder, Basic Black

DSP: First Edition Designer Series Paper

Ink: Crumb Cake and Wisteria Wonder stampin' pads

Other: Finial Press embossing folder, Two Tags Bigz Die, 1/2" circle punch, Crop-a-dile, sponge daubers, XL Oval punch, Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon, Chantilly crochet trim, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Antique Brad

Next I made a little bookmark, using the other tag shape on the Two Tags die.  As you can see, I decorated this one in a similar fashion:

Stamps: Creative Elements

Card: Wisteria Wonder, Basic Black, Crumb Cake

DSP: First Edition Designer Series Paper

Ink: Crumb Cake and Wisteria Wonder stampin' pads

Other: 1/2" circle punch, Crop-a-Dile, sponge daubers, Timeless Type Alphabet sizzlits die, Basic Pearls, Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon, Chantilly crochet trim

To end this photo-heavy post, here's a round-up of "the birthday collection":

STAMPIN' UP!'S CALYPSO CORAL MEETS BASIC GRAY

I am loving playing with the five new "In Colors" (available for 2 years) in Stampin' Up!'s range.  The co-ordinating ruffled ribbon, and Designer Printed brads, are just too cute.

I have paired Calypso Coral with Basic Gray (toned down by Very Vanilla) in the card I have to show you today.  I just love the sweet little flower that was a breeze to make with the new Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch - and doesn't the cute polka dot brad finish it perfectly?

Stamps: Oval All, Confetti

Card: Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, Calypso Coral

DSP: First Edition Designer Series Paper

Ink: Basic Gray stampin' pad and marker, Calypso Coral marker, Sahara Sand stampin' pad

Other: Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch, In Color Designer Printed Brad, Calypso Coral ruffled ribbon, Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder, sponge dauber, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, XL Oval punch, Designer Frames embossing folder, Basic Pearls, mini glue dots

STAMPIN' UP! "TICKETS & TAGS" SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' KIT - PART 2

I'm back, as promised, with another card made using paper from my new Tickets & Tags Simply Scrappin' Kit.  The grungy grid paper in this pack pairs perfectly with Well Worn Designer Series Paper, and is great for "guy" cards.

Check out the new Denim Ribbon that I've used on this card, along with the cute focal image that is from the super-versatile new Easy Events stamp set.  I paper-pieced the snail's shell, after stamping Extreme Elements on the grid paper.  Cute, don't you think?!

Stamps: Easy Events, Extreme Elements, Texture jumbo wheel

Card: Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Confetti White

DSP: Well Worn

Ink: Basic Gray, Not Quite Navy and Crumb Cake stampin' pads

Other: Tickets & Tags Simply Scrappin' Kit, Regals Watercolour Crayons and aquapainter, Denim Ribbon, Linen Thread, Jumbo Brads 5/16" Neutrals, Scallop Squares Duo Bigz die, sponge daubers, paper snips, Word Window punch, Mat Pack and Paper Piercing tool, mini glue dot

STAMPIN' UP! TICKETS & TAGS SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' KIT

As a cardmaker, I usually skim past the section of the Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue that contains supplies intended for scrapbookers.  Well, I have to bring your attention to a GORGEOUS Simply Scrappin' kit that I bought, and just love.  Might just have to buy some of the others now!  Check out pages 132 and 133 of the new catalogue; you're in for a treat.  Stampin' Up!'s Simply Scrappin' kits contain exclusive Designer Series Papers that are not in the 'main' offerings, along with textured cardstock to co-ordinate, and 6 sheets of gorgeous self-adhesive die-cuts. 

I have had a play with the "Tickets & Tags" kit.   Firstly I made a Christmas card, because I was stoked to realise that the colours in the kit perfectly match those on a stamped image I had sitting on my desk.  The other night I tried the Stained Glass technique, by stamping ornaments from Merry & Type on some vellum, using Versamark ink.  I white-embossed the image, and used markers in three colours (Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade and Basic Gray) to colour on the reverse side.  LOVED the result, but wasn't sure what to do with that panel.  Well, whaddya know - the Simply Scrappin' kit came to my rescue.  Enough words; here's a photo:

Stamps: Merry & Type, For My Family

Card: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Baja Breeze

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Baja Breeze marker, Poppy Parade stampin' pad and marker, Basic Gray marker

Other: Vellum, Tickets & Tags Simply Scrappin' Kit, Silver Mini Brads, White embossing powder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Whisper White satin ribbon, mini glue dots

I just love the glorious patterned paper and cardstock stickers that have Poppy Parade in them.  I used mostly die-cuts, and just a stamped sentiment, to create this next card:

Stamps: For My Family, Oval All

Card: Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Confetti White

Ink: Poppy Parade stampin' pad, Basic Gray stampin' pad and marker, Baja Breeze stampin' pad and marker, Crumb Cake stampin' pad

Other: Tickets & Tags Simply Scrappin' Kit, Lots of Tags sizzlits die, Itty Bitty Shapes punch, Subtles Glimmer brad, Basic pearl, sponge daubers, Crumb Cake seam binding, Pinking Hearts border punch, mini glue dots

I've made one more card with this kit, but you'll have to come back tomorrow to see it (don't want to overload you now!).  You might like it if you're looking for inspiration for a card for a guy.