JAI #200: STAMPIN' UP! SECRET GARDEN

Take a look at this gorgeous inspiration pic that Nikki has provided for our challenge at Just Add Ink this week:

... and here's my sunshiney yellow "thank you" card inspired by the photo:

Stamps: Secret Garden, A Fitting Occasion

Card: Wild Wasabi, Whisper White

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Pear Pizzazz, Always Artichoke and Crumb Cake stampin' pads

Other: Secret Garden framelits, Daffodil Delight seam binding, Stripes embossing folder, Brights candy dots, sponge dauber, 1" Circle punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Flower Pot die (not SU!)

 

 

The rest of the Just Add Ink Design Team have come up with some amazing creations based on the inspiration pic - please visit the JAI site, and take a look!  We'd love to have you play along with us.

 

 



STAMPIN' UP! HAPPY WATERCOLOR IN PURPLES AND GOLD

Yesterday I shared with you a card I'd made using the new Happy Watercolor stamp set, in purples and gold.  I loved the colour combination so much that while I still had the supplies out, I made a second card.  (Really, I should do this all the time, but seldom think to.)

I stamped the orchids onto Very Vanilla card, using Elegant Eggplant ink and, before the ink had dried, with a blender pen pulled out some of the colour onto the petals .

Stamps: Happy Watercolor, Gifts of Kindness

Card: Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Brushed Gold, Very Vanilla

Ink: Elegant Eggplant and Wisteria Wonder stampin' pads

Other: Scallop Edge border punch, Decorative Dots embossing folder, Watercolor Wonder washi tape, Wisteria Wonder chevron ribbon, Word Window punch and Modern Label punch, Gold baker's twine, Gold Sequin trim, Basic Pearls, paper snips, glue dots, Sticky Strip

 

 



ART WITH HEART TEAM BLOG HOP: STAMPIN' UP! SALE-A-BRATION AND SEASONAL CATALOGUE

Today I’m excited to bring you a blog hop with some of the awesome ladies in the Art With Heart Stampin’ Up! Team.

Today is the first day of the brand new Occasions Stampin’ Up! Seasonal Catalogue in Australia and also the very first day of our biggest promotion of the year, Sale-a-bration! If you place an order with me during Sale-a-bration, you can choose a free, exclusive,  item with every $90 you spend in one transaction. There are lots of fabulous free items to choose from (ask me for a brochure and an Occasions Catalogue) and the promotion goes right through until March 31st.

Better still, become part of our awesome fun, friendly and supportive Art With Heart team. We have a really large team Australia-wide that has been around since Stampin’ Up! came to Australia. We have a very active team forum and also have in-person stamp days, challenges, card swaps, product shares and more. When you join during Sale-a-bration, you get to choose whatever you like from our catalogues, but pay just $169 for $255 worth of product (that’s a 33% discount!). It’s quick and easy to join online too. Ask me how!

Now let’s get into showing you what you can make with the great new products in the Occasions and Sale-a-bration catalogues. You have come to my blog from the blog of Claire Daly, who heads up the Art With Heart team.

I have two cards to share with you today.  The first one stars some of the Sale-a-bration "freebies" that you can earn between now and March 31st.  I've indicated, in my card ingredients list, which are the free items, by putting (SAB) after their names.

Stamps: Petal Parade (SAB), Simply Sketched

Card: Baked Brown Sugar, Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple, Crumb Cake

Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Raspberry Ripple and Crumb Cake stampin' pads

Other: Deco Labels framelits, Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack (SAB), Decorative Dots embossing folder (SAB), Raspberry Ripple stitched satin ribbon, Baked Brown Sugar stretch ruffle trim, Whisper White stitched grosgrain, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Basic Rhinestones, glue dots, sticky strip, sponge daubers

 

 

 

I've chosen the rather 'regal' colour combination of purple and gold for my next card, featuring new products from the Seasonal Catalogue.

 

 

 

Stamps: Happy Watercolor

Card: Elegant Eggplant, Brushed Gold, Very Vanilla, Wisteria Wonder

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder and Crumb Cake stampin' pads

Other: Gold stampin' emboss powder, Blender pen, Watercolor Wonder washi tape, Gold Sequin trim, Gold baker's twine, Regals candy dot, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Very Vanilla seam binding, Finishing Touches edgelits, Modern Label punch, Basic Pearls, glue dots, sponge dauber, stampin' dimensionals

 

 

Let’s keep this blog hop hopping.  Next up we have Judy May.

Thanks for visiting today. Don’t forget to email me at stampwithchristine@gmail.com, to get a copy of the Occasions Seasonal Catalogue or Sale-a-bration brochure, or to enquire about joining the Art With Heart team.



Here's a complete list of all participants in today's blog hop:

Claire Daly
Christine Blain (you are here!)
Judy May
Nikki Sadler
Alison Douglas
Kathryn Mangelsdorf
Kate Morgan
Ros Davidson
Carolyn Sharkey
Rachel Woollard

STAMPIN' UP! LANGUAGE OF LOVE FOR C4C220

The current challenge at Crazy4Challenges is to use the following colours on a Valentine's Day card:

We don't "do" Valentine's, but I do like to tell people in my life how I feel about them, so I came up with a card using the soon-to-be-released (tomorrow, in fact!) stamp set called Language of Love.  The larger pennants and flags, and the heart border at the bottom of the card, are created with these stamps.  Although it's almost impossible to see in the photo, the Very Vanilla panel on the front of the card is stamped with Stampin' Up!'s Dictionary stamp, using Blushing Bride ink (stamped off first).

 

Stamps: Language of Love, Banner Blast, Chalk Talk, Dictionary

Card: Chocolate Chip, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Blushing Bride, Coastal Cabana and Crumb Cake stampin' pads, Blsuhing Bride marker

Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig, XL Oval punch, Deco Labels framelits, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Petite Pennants Builder punch, Basic Pearls, sponge dauber, Banner punch, Baker's Twine from Sweet Sorbet Accessories Pack (Sale-a-Bration item), glue dots, paper snips

 

 



STAMPIN' UP! JOYFUL CHRISTMAS FOR MM #92

I apologise to everyone who normally receives a Christmas card from me.  Our family suffered the heartbreaking loss of a young man we love very much, late last November, and Christmas just didn't "happen" for us in 2013.

A month in to the new year, I have been inspired by the fabulous Merry Monday challenge to start making Christmas cards in preparation for the end of this year.  I've inked up, for the first time, the Joyful Christmas stamp set that I received as a Christmas gift from my dear friend.

Here's the brief over at Merry Monday:

.... and here's the card I have made using this gorgeous colour combo:

Stamps: Joyful Christmas

Card: Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

DSP: Season of Style Designer Series Paper

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Chocolate Chip stampin' pad, Cherry Cobbler marker and Crumb Cake marker

Other: Cherry Cobbler stampin' emboss powder, Crumb Cake seam binding, 2 1/2" Circle punch, Regals candy dots, Frosted Finishes embellishment, sponge dauber, glue dots, stampin' dimensionals

 

 

 



JAI #199: BABY CARD USING STAMPIN' UP! ZOO BABIES

This week at Just Add Ink, Tina has provided a sketch for us to use as a starting point for a card or other papercraft project.

I just couldn't get past a literal 'take' on this sketch!!  I've used three overlapping circular elements, but have moved the sentiment up, and placed ribbon below, rather than across, the circles.  Here's what I came up with, using some sweet new stripey paper, and a delightful dotty embossing folder, that will be available during Sale-a-Bration (from 28th January to 31st March - they're FREE with qualifying purchases!):

I would like to point out that the colour of the candy dots is a bit "out" in this photo; I used subtle (Calypso Coral) candy dots, even though they have photographed really red.

 

Stamps: Zoo Babies

Card: Pool Party, Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe

DSP: Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper (free during Sale-a-Bration)

Ink: Sahara Sand stampin' pad, Pool Party stampin' pad and marker, Crisp Cantaloupe marker

Other: Decorative Dots embossing folder (free during Sale-a-Bration), Subtles and Neutrals candy dots, Pool Party seam binding, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Circles framelits, Vintage faceted buttons, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge dauber, glue dots

 

 

Make sure you check out the rest of the Design Team samples - they are GORGEOUS.  We'd love you to make a card, or scrapbook page, or other papercraft project, inspired by this sketch, and share it on the Just Add Ink site.

 

 



JAI #198: JUST ADD STAMPIN' UP! THINLITS OR ENVELOPE PUNCH BOARD

This week we at Just Add Ink are featuring some fabulous Stampin' Up! products - Thinlits Card Dies, and the Envelope Punch Board.  We are presenting our projects in a fun blog hop ... there are 14 of us taking part, and we hope you'll visit all our blogs to see what we've made.

You may have come to my blog from the super-creative Chantell Randall's blog.  If not, don't worry - you'll get to see Chantell's project as you make your way around the blog hop.  There's a list of all blog hop participants at the end of my post.

The tool I chose to use is the Circle Card Thinlits Dies - a set of 10 dies, comprising of a large die that cuts a 'flip card', and 9 smaller dies that are great for decorating cards and other projects.  Here's a closer look at what you get in the set (for $55.95):

I like to make my 'flip cards' with an extra fold-in panel on which to write a message, so I start off with a piece of card cut to 5 1/4" x 8 1/4" (that way you can get two cards from an A4 sheet of cardstock).  By slipping the card underneath the circle, from the right-hand side of the die (and leaving card hanging over the top of the die), you end up with a perfectly-cut card, with a scored panel that folds in.  Hopefully that's not too convoluted an explanation!  If you're like me, you are a visual learner, and that explanation did little to help you form a picture in your mind!  Here's a photo I took with a scrap piece of card, to show how you start off, before rolling the die through your Big Shot:

My starting point for today's project was the super-cute Five-Way Flower stamp, that co-ordinates beautifully with all of Stampin' Up!'s scallop circle punches.  Because I wanted to alternate the flower layers in Real Red and Tempting Turquoise, I ended up with two flowers - so I made two cards.


Here's the first card, front-view:

..... and what it looks like when opened up:

Stamps: Five-Way Flower, Betsy's Blossoms, Lots of Thanks

Card: Real Red, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise

DSP: Real Red and Tempting Turquoise Patterns Designer Series Papers

Ink: Real Red and Tempting Turquoise stampin' pads

Other: Circle Card Thinlits dies, 2 1/2" Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, 7/8", 1 1/4", 1 3/4", 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punches, Neutrals buttons, Real Red stitched grosgrain ribbon, Brights Glimmer brad, Delicate Doilies sizzlits, glue dots, Multipurpose Liquid Glue

 

 

 

My second card uses the same colourways, but in reverse:

 

 

 

 

.... and what it looks like on the inside:

 

 

 

Stamps: Five-Way Flower, Sketched Birthday, Blue Ribbon

Card: Real Red, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise

DSP: Real Red and Tempting Turquoise Patterns Designer Series Papers

Ink: Real Red and Tempting Turquoise stampin' pads

Other: Circle Card Thinlits dies, 2 1/2" Circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch, Bitty Banners framelits, 7/8", 1 1/4", 1 3/4", 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punches, Brights Candy Dots, Real Red stitched grosgrain ribbon, Brights Glimmer brad, Gingham Garden washi tape, glue dots, Multipurpose Liquid Glue

 

 

Next on the blog hop today is Delys Cram ... if you click on the icon below, you'll get to see her gorgeous creations.

 

 

 

 

 

In case you get lost along the way, on today's blog hop, here's a list of all the participants.  We hope you are inspired to share with us, on the Just Add Ink blog, your creation using one of the fabulous tools we've featured today!

 

 

 

 

Chantell Randall
Christine Blain (that's me!)
Delys Cram
Jodene Tripp
Kim Badelt
Louise Sharp
Mae Collins
Narelle Farrugia
Nikki Spencer
Patrice Easton
Paula Dobson
Susan Wong
Tina Gillespie
Trish Rayfield

 

 

 



STAMPIN' UP! BANNER BLAST MASCULINE CARD

Yesterday was my husband's birthday,  and the card I made him features one of the upcoming Sale-a-Bration stamp sets, called Banner Blast.  This set contains, amongst other stamps, a variety of very sweet little flag stamps. It will be available from 28th January, along with a co-ordinating punch.  These items are free with qualifying orders (one freebie per $90.00 spent on catalogue product) - how cool is that?!

 

Stamps: World Map, Background Builders, Label Love, Banner Blast (SAB), Simply Stars

Card: Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory

DSP: Night of Navy Patterns Designer Series Paper (retired)

Ink: Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso and Night of Navy stampin' pads

Other: Apothecary Accents framelits, Artisan Label punch, Banner punch (SAB), Linen Thread, sponge daubers

 

 

 



FUSION #1 CHALLENGE : TANGERINE TANGO BUTTERFLIES

The new, revamped, Fusion Card Challenge site is up and running, and here's the first challenge for the year:

The pattern on the cream/black cushions caught my eye, as some of the paper in Stampin' Up!'s Modern Medley Designer Series Paper pack is a great match.  I've used Tangerine Tango accents, with a couple of touches of Soft Sky, to bring out the pale blue from the inspiration pic.

Here's the card, which will be for my Mum's birthday (somewhat belated, as we were away for her birthday on New Year's Eve, and now my parents are away for a few days).  Hopefully she likes it; it's the first card I have made in ages, and just loved getting back in my craft room.

Stamps: Papillon Potpourri, Express Yourself

Card: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Watercolor Paper

DSP: Venetian Romance and Modern Medley Designer Series Papers

Ink: Tangerine Tango stampin' pad, Jet Black Staz-On inkpad

Other: Bitty Butterfly and Elegant Butterfly punches, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Square framelits, Bitty Banners framelits, Soft Sky seam binding, Subtles Candy Dots, sponge dauber

 

 

 



JUST ADD INK: 2013 - A YEAR IN REVIEW

Although we at Just Add Ink are on a "challenge break" until 17th January, we're still around, and thought we'd share some projects with you today.

The Design Team members have all gone back through our own Just Add Ink creations for the past year, and chosen our personal favourites.

This wasn't an easy task; I have a few favourites, for different reasons.  However, I was rather delighted with this sweet card I made for Easter 2013:

Here's the link to the original blog post:  http://www.christineblain.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/jai-159-just-add-bunny.html


You can see the other team members' favourites over at Just Add Ink today.

We'd love you to link up your favourite project for 2013; even though we won't be voting on entries, it's fun to share creations, so please play along.