STAMPIN' UP!'S SUMMER SOLSTICE SYMPATHY CARD

One of my several unused stamp sets, is Summer Solstice.  It is a beautiful set, that of course I HAD to have ... and it has been sitting on my shelf unloved for a few months.

Last night I had a dream that involved black embossing on Crumb Cake (I know I'm not alone in dreaming about cards!).  I had a clear picture in my mind of a simple card that I wanted to make - paring it back to the basics, to let the stamps do the talking.  I haven't used any Designer Series Papers, or anything beyond simple embellishments on this one, and I'm really happy with the way it came together so easily.

Stamps: Summer Solstice

Card: Crumb Cake, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Whisper White craft stampin' pad

Other: Black embossing powder, White embossing powder, corner rounder punch, Whisper White satin ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, sponge dauber, mini glue dots

SC 0029/12: EXTREME ELEMENTS/GRUNGE ROCK - BLUE VERSION

This week's challenge at Sunny Challenges & Creations, is to use this colour combo on a papercraft project:

I had to make a birthday card for a special young man, and, rather than re-invent the wheel, thought I'd CASE myself - since I was rather pleased with this card I made in recent days.

Here's the version I've come up with, to fit in with the colour challenge:

Stamps: Extreme Elements, Grunge Rock

Card: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla

Ink: Night of Navy and Bashful Blue stampin' pads, Basic Gray stampin' pad and marker

Other: Blue Denim ribbon, Silver mini brads, Mat Pack and paper piercing tool, edge distressing tool, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, Color Spritzer tool, sponge daubers, Timeless Type Alphabet sizzlits die, Square Lattice embossing folder

STAMPIN' UP! EXTREME ELEMENTS & GRUNGE ROCK FOR A 5OTH

Stampin' Up!'s Extreme Elements stamp set has long been a favourite of mine, for male cards especially.  I've combined stamps from that set, with Grunge Rock (a new-to-me stamp set, that I am loving) - how great does the sentiment look?  This card is for my brother-in-law, who recently celebrated his half-century.

My trusty Color Coach suggested I combine Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake and (would you believe it?) Bashful Blue.  I must say I rather like how these colours work together.

Stamps: Extreme Elements, Grunge Rock, Texture jumbo Stampin' Around wheel

Card: Always Artichoke and Bashful Blue textured card, Crumb Cake

Ink: Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue and Always Artichoke stampin' pads

Other: Timeless Type alphabet dies, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, edge distressing tool, sponge daubers, Linen Thread, Artichoke denim ribbon

STAMPIN' UP! SALE-A-BRATION BLOG HOP

I have actually posted twice in two days (I know - I must be getting back into the groove finally!).  If you're here to see my Just Add Ink post for this week, please scroll down!  Thank you :)


Today I'm taking part in a little blog hop with friends - there are only 7 of us participating this time around.  Some fellow Australian Stampin' Up! demonstrators and I would like to share with you our creations made with Sale-A-Bration products.  These are products that can be earned for FREE, with every order of $100 worth of product (until 31st March).  The freebies on offer this year are the best we've ever had, and hopefully today you'll get lots of inspiration for using them on your own projects.

You may have come to my little corner of the world from Nikki Sadler's blog.  If not, just start from here, and follow the links around all seven blogs.

My first card showcases the stamps from Elementary Elegance along with some of the yummy paper from the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper pack.  I've chosen the colour scheme of Peach Parfait, Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake, from the paper.

Stamps: Elementary Elegance

Card: Peach Parfait, Very Vanilla, Vellum cardstock

DSP: Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper

Ink: Peach Parfait stampin' pad and marker, Crumb Cake stampin' pad, Basic Black stampin' pad

Other: Curly Label punch, Itty Bitty shapes punch, Everyday Enchantment brads, Basic Pearls, Color Spritzer tool, stampin' dimensionals, paper snips, Very Vanilla velvet ribbon, Scallop Edge border punch, sponge daubers, mini glue dots

Whilst I adore the vintagey stamp sets offered this year,  I thought I'd step outside that comfort zone a bit and show a simple way of using Outlined Occasions - also one of the free sets.  I think the sentiments from this set look great just stamped as outlines, but you can also colour in the words for a different look.  I've paired the stamped sentiment with Big Top Birthday papers, for a crisp, fun card.

Stamps: Outlined Occasions

Card: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Real Red

DSP: Big Top Birthday Designer Series Paper

Ink: Real Red and Tempting Turquoise stampin' pads

Other: Scallop Edge border punch, Tempting Turquoise 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Brights brads, 1/2" Circle punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge dauber, mini glue dots

The next stop on today's blog hop is the blog of Tina Gillespie.  Please check out what everyone has made; we all have different styles, and I'm sure you will get some great ideas today.

Here's a complete list of everyone participating in today's blog hop.  Don't forget to leave a little comment love for everyone, so we know you've been!

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

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

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

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

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

Kathryn Ruddick http://www.katlodesigns.com

Sue Madex http://www.madexcreations.com

JAI #106: STAMPIN' UP! SPICE CAKE AND FUN FLOWERS

This week at Just Add Ink, we have a sketch challenge, with a great sketch 'cooked up' by Bron before she stepped down from the design team. 

I wanted to have a play with the beautiful Spice Cake Designer Series Paper, that is in Stampin' Up!'s Summer Mini catalogue.  These papers give me heart palpitations, they're that beautiful!   I have let the papers do most of the talking on my card, and have used accents in complementary colours.  Some sponging, faux stitching, and a shabby little seam binding bow add the finishing touches.

Stamps: Language of Friendship, Fresh Vintage

Card: Naturals Ivory, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz and Pool Party

DSP: Spice Cake Designer Series Paper

Ink: Soft Suede stampin' pad and marker, Early Espresso, More Mustard and Pool Party stampin' pads

Other: Fun Flowers Bigz die, Modern Label punch,  Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch, 1/2" circle punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch,  sponge daubers, Pear Pizzazz seam binding, Regals brads, Mat Pack and paper piercing tool, edge distressing tool, mini glue dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Make sure you check out the rest of the Design Team's creations this week; you are sure to be inspired.  We'd love you to play along, by linking your creation over at the Just Add Ink site!

JUST ADD INK #105

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink, brought to us by Kim, is to use these gorgeous colours together:

I have a personal challenge that I've laid down for myself - to USE some of my stamp sets that don't see a lot of ink.  I needed to make a card for my mother-in-law's upcoming birthday, and chose to use the beautiful My Friend stamp set.  I'm playing along at JAI 'just for fun' this week; I need to reclaim some of the mojo that seems to have deserted me since Christmas.

It's a little hard to see in my shady (in more than one sense of the word!) photo, but I stamped the card base with the circular snowburst image; I also stamped the same pattern on the right-hand side of the main panel, before spritzing with markers over the top.  The floral stamp was inked up with markers, and I used a blender pen to pick up more colour from inkpads, to add a bit of depth to the colours of the flowers.

Stamps: My Friend, For My Family

Card: Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder, So Saffron, Pool Party

Ink: Certainly Celery stampin' pad and marker, Wisteria Wonder stampin' pad and marker, So Saffron stampin' pad and marker, Jet Black Staz-On inkpad

Other: Lace Ribbon border punch, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Basic Rhinestones, Color Spritzer tool, blender pen, sponge daubers, Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon, edge distressing tool, mini glue dots

STAMPIN' UP!'S "MY FRIEND" IN RAZZLEBERRY

I've had a little play time in my craft room today,  stamping up a storm after being inspired by this gorgeous card made by the fabulous Kirsty Brown.

Although I LOVE Stampin' Up!'s Spice Cake Designer Series Papers, I decided to go with a different colour scheme.  It has been a while since I've used Rich Razzleberry, so that was my starting point.  Yesterday I dyed a crocheted flower, from Stampin' Up!'s Fleurettes II, using Rich Razzleberry ink diluted a little in water.  Love how rich the end result was.  It was a bit insipid the first time, but I upped the amount of ink, and left it soaking while I enjoyed lunch with a girlfriend for Valentine's Day :)

Tiny butterflies from the Beautiful Wings embosslits die, are perfect to fill any 'unwanted' space (and I had a bit of it, since I opted for a smaller sentiment than on Kirsty's card).  Here's what I came up with:

Stamps: Spiced Paisley, My Friend

Card: Rich Razzleberry, Naturals Ivory, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze

DSP: Tickets & Tags Simply Scrappin' kit

Ink: Crumb Cake stampin' pad, Baja Breeze stampin' pad and marker, Rich Razzleberry stampin' pad and marker, Soft Suede stampin' pad and marker

Other: Stampin' sponge, sponge dauber, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Fleurettes II, Fancy Flower punch, Corner rounder punch, Chantilly crochet trim, 5/16" Jumbo brad (Very Vanilla), sticky strip, mini glue dots, Multipurpose liquid glue

SALE-A-BRATION SAMPLES: FRESH VINTAGE & EVERYDAY ENCHANTMENT

Aren't you just loving the gorgeous options Stampin' Up! has provided this year, for Sale-a-Bration freebies??  In case you're not "au fait" with what Sale-a-Bration is, it's one of THE most exciting events on the Stampin' Up! calendar, and runs from late January until the end of March.  For every $100 spent, you can earn a stamp set, or other pretty items, for FREE!!

I was sooooo happy to find out yesterday, on Dawn Olchefske's blog, that the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch is the PERFECT tool to use with the flowery medallion stamp in the Fresh Vintage stamp set!!  I had a little play last night with some scraps of Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, to make a couple of tiny 'thank you' cards.

On these cards you'll see the paper, and brads, that are freebies this year in the Sale-a-Bration period.  Absolutely beautiful.  I am in love with the brads that match the patterns on the paper (look closely).

Stamps: Fresh Vintage (SAB), Short & Sweet

Card: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede

DSP: Everyday Enchantment (SAB)

Ink: Pool Party, Crumb Cake and Soft Suede stampin' pads

Other: Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch, Word Window punch, sponge dauber, Everyday Enchantment brads (SAB), Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Stampin' Dimensionals 

Stamps: Fresh Vintage (SAB), Tiny Tags

Card: Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade, Soft Suede

DSP: Everyday Enchantment (SAB)

Ink: Poppy Parade, Crumb Cake and Soft Suede stampin' pads

Other: Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch, Medium Jewelry Tag punch, sponge dauber, Everyday Enchantment brads (SAB), Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

...... and here are the two little cards together.  Cute, don't you think?!

JAI # 104 : BACK TO SCHOOL

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is to make a papercraft project with a "back to school" theme.  Here in Australia (and in New Zealand), the summer holidays are over, and a new school year has just begun.  Speaking of new beginnings, this is my very first submission as part of the Design Team at Just Add Ink!

My eldest son is commencing his VCE this year.  It's the last two years of his secondary schooling, and both Years 11 and 12 count towards the final assessment that determines entry to university/tertiary studies.  I wanted to encourage Jack to do the best he can do (I always tell him that, but I reckon he thinks I'm nagging!), so came up with this card for him, as he enters this important stage of his schooling.

I created the large star, on which the sentiment is mounted, by punching out five 'pennants' with my Petite Pennants Builder punch.  I sponged the edges of each pennant, and adhered them to the reverse side of the Riding Hood Red circle.

Stamps: Extreme Elements; For My Family; Up, Up & Away

Card: Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake, Whisper White

DSP: Well Worn

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

Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Blue Denim ribbon, Linen Thread, Subtles Glimmer brad, 1 3/4" circle punch, Circles #2 die, Petite Pennants Builder punch, sponge daubers, MFT Die-Namics star die

Be sure to check out the other Design Team members' samples .... there are some fabulous ideas, to inspire you with your own papercraft projects.  Have fun!

JAI #103 : STAMPIN' UP! SCALLOPED HEART OF HEART EMBOSSLITS

Even though I've joined the Just Add Ink Design Team, I don't 'officially' start until next week's challenge.  So, this week I am playing along for fun, as I love to do (and will probably continue to do when it's my "off" week with the Design Team).

This week, Mae's challenge is to "Just Add Red and White", keeping in mind that Valentine's Day is upon us.  I don't subscribe much to the lovey-dovey Valentine stuff, but do like to make cards for friends who mean a lot to me (to give year round).  As I lay in bed last night, I envisaged exactly what I wanted to make, so it came together very quickly this afternoon.

I'd bought Stampin' Up!'s Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslits die, but hadn't yet used it.  It was PERFECT for the card I had in mind.

I had a hard time photographing my card, because we have really high winds in Melbourne this afternoon.  It's hot, humid, and there are reports of lots of little scrub fires around the suburbs.  Thankfully, no fires around here, but the wind is extreme.  I ducked outside, quickly snapped a photo of my card (in not-great light), and came back in to the airconditioned comfort of the house!

My card is simple, but I love it.  I think it beautifully showcases all the 'bits and pieces' that Stampin' Up! has in one colour (in this case, Real Red).

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts

Card: Whisper White, Real Red smooth & textured

Ink: Real Red stampin' pad

Other: Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslits, Stripes embossing folder, Full Heart punch, Itty Bitty shapes punches, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Real Red corduroy button (retired), Brights button, Basic Rhinestones, Itty Bitty Buttons, Heart to Heart punch, Brights glimmer brad, White bakers twine, mini glue dots, Tombow liquid glue

SOME VERY HAPPY NEWS!

I am thrilled to share with you, that I have been chosen to join the amazing Design Team at Just Add Ink, my favourite challenge site!!

I've been a huge fan of Just Add Ink since the site's inception, and regular followers of my blog will already know that I take part in the challenges just about every week.  The friendships I've developed with the other members of the Design Team have added so much to my life already, so I am beyond excited to now be an 'official' member of the team! 

Hopefully soon I'll have some creations to share with you (the boys are back to school, and life can almost return to 'normal' after the looooooooong summer holidays!).  In the meantime, here's the official announcement on the JAI site!

Thanks to the Design Team, for the honour of joining you all, and for making me so welcome!