"STYLE BEAUTIFUL" BUTTERFLY CARD

Today is my friend Lee's birthday; I was really pleased with the card I made her, but I realised well after daylight had gone yesterday that I hadn't photographed it.  So, please forgive the dull indoor photography!

I have just got Stampin' Up!'s Style Beautiful stamp set ..... have had my eye on it for ages, and I just love it.  I've inked it up for the first time on this card, to create a 'flourishy' base for the butterflies.

As the card base is such a dark colour, I've used one of my favourite techniques on the inside of the card, to make it easy to hand write a message.  Stampin' Up!'s Top Note die is perfect for this - take a look:

Stamps: Style Beautiful, All A Flutter, Create A Cupcake

Card: Concord Crush, Crumb Cake, Confetti White

Ink: Crumb Cake and Concord Crush stampin' pads

Other: Blender pen, Top Note die, Word Window punch, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, Antique Brad, Concord Crush stitched-poly ribbon, stamping sponge, Framed Tulips embossing folder, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder

Happy birthday, Lee!  Hope you like your card as much as I liked making it :)

COLOR ROUNDUP #31

When I saw the colour combo Holly at Rubber Redneck came up with this week, I was determined to do something other than a boy card, which sprang to mind straight away.  Don't  you think these colours are perfect for a card for a male?  I do - but (foolishly) wanted to challenge myself further!

So, I decided I wanted to incorporate butterflies on my card.  I really made this one hard on myself, I think!  I toiled for ages to come up with something that my stubborn mind was happy with (since I wouldn't let myself make that male card that the colours were screaming out for).  We have just returned from a couple of days away, and I made a card .... of course by the time I'd made it, the light outside was fading, so here is the poor photograph of the end result!

Stamps: All A Flutter, Because I Care

Card: Crumb Cake

DSP: Pumpkin Pie, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake and Bashful Blue Patterns Designer Series Papers

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Night of Navy and Crumb Cake stampin' pads

Other: Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Night of Navy 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge dauber, mini glue dot, stampin' dimensionals

Here is the first card I made, that I decided was a reject, but that I don't mind so much ... I just think the whole orange thing is not working on it.

Stamps: En Francais, Medallion, Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Butterfly Prints

Card: Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie

DSP: Sweet & Sour Designer Series Paper

Ink: Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie and Night of Navy stampin' pads, Versamark inkpad

Other: Clear embossing powder, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Basic Rhinestones, paper snips, stampin' dimensionals, sponge dauber

TWO CHALLENGES : JUST ADD INK #62, AND CR84FN #22

I'd been a bit scared off by this week's challenge at Just Add Ink, to "Just Add a Box or a Bag", as I am just not a 3D papercraft kind of girl!  Cards, I can do, but anything "off the page" is way outside my comfort zone. Here I was, thinking I had to come up with something spectacular, when I remembered that I have Stampin' Up!'s gorgeous Fancy Favor die!!  Woohoo - instant box/bag, ready to be embellished! 

The colour challenge at CR84FN this week is gorgeous; right down my alley.  Here's the inspiration piece:

So, with trusty die at hand, and yummy colours to work with, all the while keeping in mind that Mother's Day is not far away, this is what I came up with:

.... and the 'rear view' (I embellished the bag with a flower made using the brilliant Joanne Leddy's tutorial):

Stamps: Very Vintage Stampin' Around wheel, All A Flutter, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Crumb Cake, Wild Wasabi textured

DSP: Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper, Crumb Cake Patterns Designer Series Paper, Wild Wasabi Patterns DSP

Ink: Crumb Cake stampin' pad, Chocolate Chip stampin' pad, Wild Wasabi stampin' pad

Other: Word Window punch, Scallop Edge punch, sponge daubers, Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon (retired), Crop-a-dile, stampin' dimensionals, paper snips

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, CHRISTCHURCH

I am a little disorganised, but have every intention this week of bundling up a whole lot of cards to send off to Victim Support in Christchurch, New Zealand.  Please see this post at Just Add Ink to find out how you, too, can help, if you are a papercrafter. 

I am a New Zealander, and an Australian, and can hardly put into words how deeply affected I feel by last week's destructive earthquake in Christchurch.  As I am sure so many of you can relate to, I feel utterly helpless, but WANT to do something, anything, to show that I am thinking of all those living through the nightmare of the earthquake's aftermath. 

I made this card using a recent colour combination from an Inkspirations Challenge.  This is one of what I hope will be many cards that I'll be sending off to Christchurch.

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, All A Flutter, En Francais

Card:  Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Early Espresso, Marina Mist

Ink: Tangerine Tango stampin' pad and marker, Early Espresso stampin' pad and marker, Jet Black Staz-on inkpad

Other: Tangerine Tango striped grosgrain ribbon (retired), Early Espresso 1/8" taffeta ribbon, Wide Oval punch, Beautiful Wings embosslits die, Stamp-a-ma-jig

JUST ADD INK #48

After having "stamper's block" for a few weeks (Christmas card overload, I'm sure you understand!) I got so much pleasure out of sitting down to make a birthday card for a friend last night.  What bliss it was to pause amidst all the pre-Christmas and pre-holiday "busy-ness", to have a play!

The challenge at Just Add Ink this week is to use the following sketch as a starting point for a papercraft project:

I was pretty excited to see those gorgeous big scallops, because I've just bought a Jumbo Scallop Die; perfect for creating an edge like in the sketch.  I flipped the sketch, and came up with this bright number:

Stamps: Very Vintage jumbo wheel, Flight of the Butterfly, Butterfly Prints, Sincere Salutations

Card: Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Basic Black

DSP: Daffodil Delight Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink: Daffodil Delight stampin' pad, Basic Black stampin' pad and marker

Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Butterfly Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Lots of Tags sizzlits, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Square Lattice embossing folder, Vintage Brads, Mat pack and paper piercing tool, sponge dauber, MFT Jumbo Scallop die

Well, friends, this will be my last  blog post for 2010.  Time for me to sign off and be with my boys; we are off on a big adventure the day after Christmas, and I will not be blogging again until mid-January.  Stay safe over the festive season, and Merry Christmas to you all!

Christine xx

INKSPIRATIONS COLOUR CHALLENGE #30

I got a burst of late-night inspiration, to make a little card for Makeesha's Inkspirations challenge tonight.  I think I've panicked because, after 6 days off, I actually have to go to work tomorrow.  Amazing how getting off the computer for half an hour can be quite productive!


The 'challenge' (and I use that term loosely) was to use these yummy colours together:





I wanted my card to be smaller than a full-sized card, so I used one of my trusty Pendant Notes (*love*).  I simply cut a panel of Rich Razzleberry card to cover the die-cut design on the inside of the card, and covered the front of the card with my creation, which looks like this (photographed in less-than-ideal conditions at 11.00pm):




Stamps: Very Vintage jumbo wheel, All A Flutter, Short & Sweet

Card: Kraft Pendant Note, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry

Ink: Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive stampin' pads, Sahara Sand stampin' pad & marker

Other: Watercolour paper, Aquapainter, Old Olive brads, Word Window Punch, Whisper White taffeta ribbon, sponge daubers, edge distressing tool, paper snips

 

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
 

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!

"ALL A FLUTTER" TOP NOTE CARD

Before going off to Stampin' Up! Convention in Sydney, I made this card so I'd be able to share something new in my absence.  I think most of my regular blog visitors will probably be in Sydney too, but hopefully one or two of you are enjoying the posts I scheduled for the days I'm away! 

I really enjoyed making this card, using several products from the gorgeous Autumn-Winter Mini catalogue.  My Big Shot got a good work-out, cutting a couple of Top Note dies, and a label, and embossing the 'dotty' panel.  Great fun!  I've also used a few punches - the XL Two-Step Bird Punch provided the little branches, the Medium Jewelry Tag punch created the 3 tiny tags attached with a brad, and the Wide Oval punch (from the main Idea Book & Catalogue) was the perfect 'landing pad' for my butterfly.  The Wide Oval fits perfectly inside the Sizzlits label, doesn't it?  Love that look.





Stamps: All A Flutter, En Francais, Tiny Tags

Card: Kraft, Melon Mambo, Soft Suede, Whisper White

Ink: Melon Mambo and Soft Suede stampin' pads, Versamark inkpad

Other: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Wide Oval Punch, Lots of Tags Sizzlits die, Top Note die, Medium Jewelry Tag punch, XL Two-Step Bird Punch, Soft Suede Polka Dot grosgrain ribbon, sponge dauber, Vintage brad, dimensionals



I look forward to sharing with you soon some photos of my Stampin' Up! Convention experience ... just have to upload, and sort through my piccies.  I hope that you've had some excitement in your life this week too!

BELLA BLEU TOP NOTE CARD

Being the English language pedant that I am, I was tempted to call this post Bella Bleu Beautiful Butterfly, just for the alliteration, but I spared you all.

With all the nervous energy I built up before going to Convention, I got more cards made than I normally would; see how often I can post on my blog when I really put my mind to it??!!

The other night, while hubby was watching one of his favourite travel and cooking/ travelling chef / cooking traveller shows on Foxtel, I had a play in my craft room.  I still had out my Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper that had been feeling unloved, so I used a small panel on this card.  I cut a Top Note in the DSP, then trimmed it down and adhered it to the front of a Kraft Top Note.  I had a leftover sparkly butterfly on my desk, from when I'd experimented with Heat and Stick Powder, and Crystal Effects, so I used that too.  It feels great to actually USE some of the bits and pieces that I have amassed on my desk!

(Now, if only hubby USED some of the knowledge he gains from the tv shows, and did some cooking ....)



Here's my pretty blue and kraft creation:





Stamps: All A Flutter, Vintage Vogue, Upsy Daisy

Card: Very Vanilla, Kraft

Ink: Sahara Sand, Brocade Blue and Night of Navy stampin' pads, Versamark inkpad

Other: Bella Bleu DSP, Top Note Die, Brocade Blue 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Kraft taffeta ribbon, Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, sponge dauber, Heat & Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds (glitter), Mat Pack and paper piercing tool



I really love this card, and think I'll make a few more, when I get back from Convention.  Mind you, my mind may by then be filled with all sorts of new ideas, and I'll completely forget what I planned to do .... will fill you in, in a few days, friends!  Thanks for stopping by!

MANHATTAN FLOWER CARD in Vanilla and Blue

I've been having a play with the Manhattan Flower embossing folder in my Big Shot, and wanted to make another card like this one.  Such a simple style of card, but really pretty, don't you think?  I can say that humbly, because it wasn't my idea!

I dug out my Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper for this one.  LOVE this paper, but I don't use it very often; you know how you keep some things in a special spot because they're too pretty to use?  Well, it was time for this paper to get some love.  I have been trying to use more blue in my cards lately, because it's not one of my "go to" colours, but I always love how it looks in papercraft.

Firstly, I'll show you my card (and all the 'ingredients'), then I'll tell you some of the techniques I used.  Please be impressed that I photographed this during the daytime, so it's nice and clear, ha ha!




Stamps: All A Flutter, Sweet Little Sentiments, Fifth Avenue Floral

Card: Very Vanilla, Brocade Blue, Kraft

Ink: Brocade Blue and Night of Navy stampin' pads, Very Vanilla craft stampin' pad, Versamark inkpad

Other: Bella Bleu DSP, Sizzlits Buttons #5 die, Sizzlits Lots of Tags die, Manhattan Flower embossing folder, sponge daubers, Heat & Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds (glitter), Night of Navy 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, dimensionals, mini glue dot, Stamp-a-ma-jig


I think this is the first time I have ever used my Night of Navy ink and ribbon, and I love it!  (Who knew?!)  To make the tag, I first stamped the rose from Fifth Avenue Floral on the pre-cut kraft tag; once in Very Vanilla ink, and again in Brocade Blue ink (both times stamped off first, just to give a faint impression).  I over-stamped the sentiment, using my trusty Stamp-a-ma-jig, in Night of Navy ink, and sponged the edges of the tag with Brocade Blue ink.

The butterfly was stamped in Night of Navy ink on a piece of kraft-coloured Bella Bleu DSP.  I then used the Stamp-a-ma-jig, to stamp the butterfly again, over the top, in Versamark ink.  Heat & Stick powder was sprinkled over the top, heated until sticky, and Dazzling Diamonds applied.  A quick burst of heat with my heat gun 'set' the glitter, so it stays put.  It's a day of 'firsts' today, as this was also the first time I've used Heat & Stick powder to apply Dazzling Diamonds - it's so easy!  Much neater than using liquid glue, too.  My pretty butterfly is raised up on dimensionals, to show it off a bit more!

The little button was cut out using the Buttons #5 Sizzlits die, using Very Vanilla card.  I sponged it Brocade Blue (only because I changed my mind - should've just used Brocade Blue cardstock, shouldn't I?!), then sponged the edges in Night of Navy ink.  A thin strip of kraft card was threaded through the button holes to finish off.

I really like this card, probably because it has flowers, a butterfly, ribbon and a button - some of my favourite things!  I hope it brings a smile to your face too.

JUST ADD INK #16

Time for another great challenge from the Just Add Ink team.  This week it's a call-out to make a papercraft project incorporating the following colours:





I'm pretty sure it's okay to throw a 'neutral' into the mix.  No prizes for guessing that I chose to use Kraft!

I love, love, love, the single "All A Flutter" stamp that is in Stampin' Up!'s new Autumn-Winter Mini catalogue, so was determined to use it in my challenge entry.  I clear-embossed the butterfly onto Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, and Ruby Red card, by first inking the stamp in Versamark ink, then loading it with my chosen colour and stamping on the same coloured card.  A sprinkle of clear embossing powder stuck to each image, thanks to the Versamark (sticky, clear) ink. 

I've just re-read what I typed ... does that make sense to you??  I hope so!  Just ask if you need clarification (I was described by my teacher, when I was 7, as "verbose", and have proudly carried that tag all my life, LOL).




Stamps: All A Flutter, Inspired By Nature, Asian Artistry

Card: Kraft, Ruby Red, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink and Ruby Red stampin' pads, Pretty in Pink marker

Other: Soft Suede Polka Dot grosgrain ribbon (reversed), Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (coloured with marker), Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, mat pack and paper piercer, sponge dauber, Button Latte, dimensionals, mini glue dot, Stamp-a-ma-jig