STAMPIN' UP!'S COTTAGE GARDEN - BLOG HOP

Today I'm taking part in a little blog hop (there are only 6 of us participating), just for fun.  Some fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators and I are showcasing cards or other papercraft projects, based on this sketch from Becky Fleck at Page Maps:

You may have come to my blog after seeing the beautiful work of Nikki Sadler.  If not, no problem - just follow the link at the bottom of my blog post, to visit Di Dunk (the next stop on the 'tour'), and follow the links at the bottom of each person's blog post until you've visited all 5 of us.


My card evolved from my decision to use the Pink Pirouette and white piece of Designer Series Paper in Stampin' Up!'s Beau Chateau pack.  My trusty Color Coach suggested I team Pink Pirouette with Sahara Sand and Always Artichoke, so I gave it a try, and I LOVE the result!  I've used Always Artichoke sparingly (on the sentiment, and the brad flower centres), but I think it is a less harsh contrast to the soft pink, than black would be.  I've included on this card a sneak peek of some gorgeous ribbon that's coming out in the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue next month.  I'm seriously in love with this stuff :)

Here's my card based on the sketch:

Stamps: Cottage Garden, Sincere Salutations

Card: Sahara Sand, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

DSP: Beau Chatea Designer Series Paper

Ink: Sahara Sand, Pink Pirouette and Always Artichoke stampin' pads

Other: XL Oval punch, Lots of Tags sizzlits die, paper flowers, Basic Rhinestones, Finial Press embossing folder, sponge daubers, Top Note die,, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Always Artichoke brads (retired), Blushing Bride pleated satin ribbon (*new 1st April)

Now it's on to Di Dunk's blog, to see what she has created with this sketch.  Di makes really lovely cards, so make sure you visit - and we'd all love for you to leave comments, so we know you've been!

Here's a complete list of everyone participating in this little blog hop today:

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

Sue Madex
http://www.madexcreations.com

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

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

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

Amanda Hill
http://amandasscrapandcraft.blogspot.com.au/

JAI #82 : JUST ADD SOMETHING FROM YOUR STASH!

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is to use something from your stash of papercrafting supplies, that has sat unloved for some time.

I've managed to incorporate several "why did I even buy those?" items on my card.  In all honesty, I do know why I bought them ..... I have a compulsion to buy just about everything in the Stampin' Up! catalogue.  I have bought, but neglected:

• Cottage Garden stamp set
• Heard From the Heart stamp set
• Sunny Garden Designer Series Paper
• Paper Daisies
• Daffodil Delight taffeta ribbon

...... and, here they are, all sitting harmoniously together on a card:

Stamps: Cottage Garden, Heard From the Heart

Card: Poppy Parade, Whisper White

DSP: Sunny Garden Designer Series Paper

Ink: Poppy Parade stampin' pad

Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Daffodil Delight taffeta ribbon, Brights brads, mini glue dots

COLOR LAB COLOUR CHALLENGE #39

Things have been a bit quiet around here lately, haven't they?!  I've had a pretty full-on week, working full-time and attempting to juggle all the usual after-school commitments of the kids; the usual stuff we do to keep our families going.  I just don't like not being around for the boys after school - I miss them.  Thankfully, today was my last day of work for a few days, so I relaxed tonight by making a card.  It's been almost a week since I stamped, and I've missed my creative outlet!!

I am scraping in for this week's ColorLab Challenge #39, to use the following colours together:

I have just purchased Stampin' Up!'s Cottage Garden stamp set (on special this week, for only $19.77 for 7 wood mounted stamps, or a mere $14.97 for clear mount).  My mission tonight was to use it on the card for this challenge.

Here is what I made .... night time, indoor, amateurish photography and all!

Stamps: Cottage Garden, Silhouette Sentiments

Card: Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Old Olive

DSP: Sweet & Sour Specialty Designer Series Paper

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive stampin' pads

Other: 1 3/4" circle punch, 2 3/8" Scallop circle punch, Circles #2 Bigz die, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Brights brads, Word Window punch, Pumpkin Pie satin ribbon, Top Note die, Mat Pack & paper piercing tool, mini glue dots, corner rounder punch

It's now only one week until Stampin' Up! Convention for us Aussies and Kiwis.  I can hardly wait!!  I will try to have more cards to share with you before then, but things are getting a little hectic in the lead-up to Convention, so I won't make any promises.  I'll be back to share more as soon as I can :)