CTC #2 : STAMPIN' UP! WORLD MAP

There's a fabulous new challenge site, called CASE-ing the Catty, which I have been itching to play along with since its inception last week.  I wasn't organised enough to join in the first round, but this week's challenge suits me really well.

The challenge is to draw inspiration from the Stampin' Up! catalogue - this week, it's from the Memory Keeping section of the catalogue, from pages 24-41.  I was immediately drawn to a project (below) on page 38 of our Aus/NZ catalogue - a great colour combo of Night of Navy, Soft Sky and Crumb Cake.  The use of the World Map stamp, and Tiny Triangles embossing folder, also appealed to me.

I've made a card for my intrepid niece, who's about to head off to Spain to study for 7 months.  She will be away for her 21st birthday, and for Christmas, which is a bit sad for us - but hopefully she'll be making some awesome memories on her overseas adventure!  Here's what I've made for Em:

Stamps: World Map, World of Dreams, Be the Star

Card: Night of Navy, Soft Sky, Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory

Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento inkpad, Soft Sky and Crumb Cake stampin' pads

Other: On Film Framelits, Hearts border punch, Itty Bitty accents punch, 2" Circle punch, Regals candy dot and Candy Dot brad base, Natural Cotton Ribbon, Tiny Triangles embossing folder, sponge dauber

 

 

 



JAI #224 : CHRISTMAS IN JULY

It's a mere 5 months until Christmas, folks!  This week at Just Add Ink, we're celebrating "Christmas in July", with this gorgeous inspiration pic chosen by Kim:

 

 

It's the last challenge of the month so this week is our "Guest Designer"challenge. So, if you are interested, all you need do is play along with the challenge this week!

 (The details: For the last challenge of each month, we will be offering the "TOP PICK" for that week, the opportunity to join us as a "Guest Designer" for the last challenge the following month....If this sounds like something you would like to do, get creating and come join us at Just Add Ink.)

 

 

For the focal point of my card, I silver-embossed the gorgeous poinsettia, from Joyful Christmas, on vellum.  Using a sponge dauber, I added Strawberry Slush ink to the back of the stamped design, and let it dry.  (Okay, I hurried along the process with my heat gun - patience may be a virtue, but it's not one of my strong points when I have a design in mind!)  I repeated the process with a second flower, and cut out the top leaves/petals, then curled them a little with my bone folder and attached them to the complete poinsettia, with a glimmer brad. 

 

My card base is Shimmery White cardstock, and the sentiment is embossed with a mixture of silver Stampin' Emboss powder and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  How lush is the new silver satin ribbon?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stamps: Joyful Christmas, Sassy Salutations

Card: Shimmery White, Brushed Silver, Vellum cardstock

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Strawberry Slush stampin' pad, Silver Stampin' Dazzle marker

Other: Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder, Dazzling Diamonds, Silver satin ribbon, Silver 1/8" ribbon, Strawberry Slush thick baker's twine, Fancy Fan embossing folder, sponge dauber, glue dots, Basics glimmer brad (retired)

 

 

Make sure you check out the rest of the Design Team's samples - simply stunning.  We hope to inspire you to start your Christmas cards, if you haven't already.  We would love to see what you make!

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLOOM WITH HOPE SYMPATHY CARD

I am in LOVE with Stampin' Up!'s new In Color, Blackberry Bliss.  Another of my favourite products in our new catalogue is the Bloom With Hope stamp set, that can be chosen for free if you order $300 or more of product (I'm telling you, that's not hard, with this gorgeous new catalogue!!!).

I've combined the two, using my Blendabilities and a stunning sheet of Designer Series Paper from the Park Lane pack, to make a simple but elegant sympathy card:

Stamps: Bloom With Hope

Card: Blackberry Bliss, Whisper White

DSP: Park Lane Designer Series Paper

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black inkpad, Blackberry Bliss and Old Olive stampin' pads, Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive Blendabilities

Other: Party Pennants Bigz die, Whisper White satin ribbon, Blackberry Bliss stitched satin ribbon, Basic Pearls, paper snips, glue dots

 

 

 



JAI #223 : SKETCH CHALLENGE

This week at Just Add Ink, Tina has come up with a sketch challenge for us.

 I'm ALWAYS challenged by anything circular in design, so this was a good one to stretch me out of my comfort zone!

With a nephew's birthday coming up, and a desire to use my yummy new Typeset Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up!, I took this opportunity to make a masculine birthday card.  Although it doesn't show very clearly in the photo, I did cut my DSP into sections (it's adhered to Very Vanilla card).

Stamps: Amazing Birthday, Perfect Pennants, Starburst Sayings

Card: Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Very Vanilla

DSP: Typeset Designer Series Paper

Ink: Bermuda Bay stampin' pad and marker, Basic Black marker, Memento Tuxedo Black inkpad

Other: Circles Collection framelits, Starburst framelits, Brights candy dot, Candy Dots brad bases, Banners framelits, Silver baker's twine, Paper-piercing tool and Stampin' pierce mat, paper snips

 

 

Make sure you check out the rest of the Design Team's creations.  We'd love for you to play along with us this week.

 

 

 



STAMPIN' UP!'S FLOWER PATCH IN PINK AND GOLD

As I was preparing for the fabulous Stampin' Up! party I had this weekend just gone, I went in search (on Pinterest) of ideas for the new Flower Patch photopolymer stamps, and their matching Flower Fair dies.    Having received my new stamps and dies only a couple of days before the party, I was keen to make up some samples to show the party attendees, but needed some inspiration.

Well, I found this gorgeous card made by Sara Levin.  I just LOVE it, and have recreated it with a few of my own touches.  Here's how mine turned out:

Stamps: Flower Patch, Gifts of Kindness

Card: Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold

Ink: Blushing Bride stampin' pad, Versamark inkpad

Other: Gold stampin' emboss powder, Flower Fair framelits, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Large Polka Dot embossing folder, Gold Baker's Twine, Basic Pearls, Antique brad

 

 



JAI #222 : AN INTERESTING COLOUR CHALLENGE!

This week at Just Add Ink, Mae has come up with a colour combo that really sets the mind thinking!  Here are the colours that we challenge you to use together on a card or other papercraft project:

It took me a while to settle on a good balance of colour, but I am really thrilled with the final result. 

I stamped Pleasant Poppies in Soft Suede ink, and decided to leave the stems uncoloured, to make the flowers the feature.  Using my Blushing Bride and Bermuda Bay markers, I coloured the poppies.  A bit of two-way glue pen was applied to the pink flowers and buds, so Dazzling Diamonds glitter could be added.  Pink and sparkle were necessary for this birthday girl's card!

.... and the simply stamped inside of the card:

Stamps: Pleasant Poppies, A Dozen Thoughts, Four You

Card: Soft Suede, Whisper White, Blushing Bride

Ink: Soft Suede stampin' pad, Blushing Bride stampin' pad and marker, Bermuda Bay marker

Other: Blender pen, Two-Way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Blushing Bride chevron ribbon, 1 3/8" Circle punch, 1 1/2" Circle punch (not SU!), 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch, Basic Rhinestones, glue dots

 

 

We'd love to see your creations using this colour combo, so please join in the fun over at Just Add Ink!  There are some amazing Design Team samples to inspire you. :)

 

 

 



JAI #221 : JUST ADD A SHAKER CARD

In all the years I've been card-making (about 17, now), I have never made a shaker card.  So, this week's Just Add Ink challenge, set by Paula, really pushed me out of my comfort zone!

After watching a couple of You Tube videos, I plucked up the courage to give it a go, and here's what I came up with:

It's a bit hard to see in this photo, but I sprinkled some glitter in with the little punched-out stars, to soften the look a little.  (You can see that better in the top pic.)

Stamps: Something for Baby, Itty Bitty Banners, Dictionary

Card: Pistachio Pudding, Hello Honey, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White

DSP: Lullaby Designer Series Paper

Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Hello Honey, Coastal Cabana, Crumb Cake and Whisper White stampin' pads

Other: Baby's First framelits, Window Sheet, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Basic Rhinestones (coloured with Coastal Cabana Blendabilities), Itty Bitty Accents punch, Bitty Banners framelits, Hello Honey stitched satin ribbon, sponge daubers, foam tape (not SU!), Dazzling Diamonds glitter

 

 

 

Make sure you check out the fabulous creations of the rest of the Design Team.  We hope you'll play along with us at Just Add Ink this week; we LOVE seeing what you make!