SC 006/11 : STAMPIN' AROUND WHEELS

This week at Sunny Challenges & Creations, the challenge is to use Stampin' Up! wheels on a project that is based around this sketch:

When I checked out my collection of Stampin' Around wheels, I was surprised to find how few I have left, after the retirement of so many with the introduction of our new catalogue.

I settled on using the gorgeous Very Vintage jumbo Stampin' Around wheel, inked in Chocolate Chip on Very Vanilla card.  Using a blender pen and Calypso Coral inkpad, I coloured the flower and butterfly.  Deciding it looked a bit stark, I then sponged Crumb Cake ink all over the main panel.  I added flecks of Chocolate Chip and Calypso Coral ink, using my Color Spritzer tool, and finished it by sponging the edges in Chocolate Chip ink.

I've had to move around a couple of elements on the sketch; due to the placement of the butterfly image, I couldn't place my sentiment in that spot.

Here's the finished product:

Stamps: Very Vintage jumbo wheel, Just Believe

Card: Very Vanilla, Calypso Coral

Ink: Chocolate Chip stampin' pad and marker, Calypso Coral stampin' pad and marker, Crumb Cake stampin' pad

Other: Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots ribbon, Eyelet Border punch, Lots of Tags sizzlits die, sponge daubers, Basic Pearls, blender pen, Color Spritzer tool, mini glue dots, paper snips (to distress the cardstock edge)

STAMPIN' UP!'S AUTUMN-WINTER MINI CATALOGUE

Sadly, there's only a week to go until the Autumn-Winter mini catalogue from Stampin' Up! is no longer current.  I am hopeful that a number of the beautiful  products from the mini will carry over into our new Idea Book & Catalogue coming out in September, but at this stage there are no guarantees.

This past week I taught a couple of classes, using products from the Autumn-Winter mini.  I thought, that since my blog posts are a bit few and far between these days, I'd share with you a few of the cards we made.

First up is a little card made using Stampin' Up!'s fabulous notecards (only $9.50 for 20 notecards and envelopes - very sweet, and great value).  The butterfly from Strength & Hope is the focal point:

Stamps: Strength & Hope, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Pretty in Pink textured, Whisper White notecard

DSP: Pretty in Pink Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink: Early Espresso and Pretty in Pink stampin' pads

Other: Pretty in Pink 1/8" taffeta ribbon, Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, 1 3/4" circle punch, 2 3/8" Scallop circle punch, Circles #2 die, Word Window punch, Basic Pearls, sponge daubers, mini glue dots, stampin' dimensionals

When I first saw the Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper in the mini catalogue, it didn't appeal to me at all.  However, one look at it in real life, and it won me over - it is really beautiful.  The next card I have to share is a card in autumnal colours, inspired entirely by this card that my friend Sue made.  I hadn't used my Build-A-Brads for a while, and they were a bit of a hit.

Stamps: French Foliage, Sincere Salutations

Card: More Mustard, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze

DSP: Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper

Ink: More Mustard and Early Espresso stampin' pads

Other: Wide Oval punch, Decorative Label punch, Early Espresso 1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon, Build-A-Brad, 1/2" circle punch, sponge daubers, mini glue dots, 1 3/8" square punch

Lastly, I have a card to show you using some of the very sweet stamps from the Clearly For You stamp set.    Rich Razzleberry is such a gorgeous colour; I must use it more.

Stamps: Clearly For You, En Francais, Very Vintage jumbo stampin' around wheel

Card: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Rich Razzleberry

Ink: Crumb Cake stampin' pad, Rich Razzleberry stampin' pad and marker, Jet Black Staz-on inkpad

Other: Scallop Edge border punch, 1 3/8" x 5/8" Oval punch, 1 3/4" x 7/8" Oval punch, 2 x 1 3/8" Oval punch, Lots of Tags sizzlits die, Basic Black 3/8" taffeta ribbon, sponge dauber, Stampin' dimensionals, mini glue dots

STAMPIN' UP!'S "FRENCH FOLIAGE" IN PINK

I would like to share with you a card that is on its way to a friend, who lives too far away, who is in the fight of her life at the moment.  I wanted the card to be a bit soft and girly, but with an earthy feel as well; I like the symbolism of nature, and renewal, and hope.

I've used Stampin' Up!'s French Foliage stamp set (one of my absolute favourites from the current Autumn Winter mini catalogue), but with non-autumnal colours.  I really love how it turned out.  I had to photograph the card inside, because the weather is SO bleak in Melbourne.  It doesn't show clearly, but I used my crimper to add a bit of texture to the sentiment oval. (I've also straightened up that second pearl!)

Stamps: French Foliage, Because I Care (hostess set)

Card: Blushing Bride, Sahara Sand, Confetti White

DSP: Blushing Bride Patterns Designer Series Paper (hostess pack)

Ink: Blushing Bride and Sahara Sand stampin' pads

Other: Basic Pearls, Wide Oval punch, Lots of Tags sizzlits die, Eyelet border punch, sponge daubers, Crimper, paper snips

CURTAIN CALL COLOUR CHALLENGE: {ACT 58}

Look at this fabulous colour combination provided by Stacey this week:

The possibilities, with these colours, almost give me heart palpitations!!  LOVE them.

Here is my first attempt with the colour combo.  I was dying to use my new "Take A Sip" Stampin' Around Wheel; it pairs perfectly with the tiny cup from the new "Itty Bitty Bits" stamp set released in Australia today.

Stamps: Take A Sip wheel, Sincere Salutations, Confetti, Itty Bitty Bits

Card: Crumb Cake, Concord Crush, Whisper White

DSP: Whisper White Patterns Designer Series Paper (from the Neutrals stack)

Ink: Crumb Cake stampin' pad and marker, Basic Gray stampin' pad, Basic Black stampin' pad, Concord Crush stampin' pad and marker, white gel pen

Other: Wide Oval punch, Lots of Tags sizzlits, sponge dauber, Whisper White 1/8" taffeta ribbon, Concord Crush poly-stitched ribbon, Itty Bitty circle punch, mini glue dots, Tombow multi glue, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

I'll be sharing with you shortly another card that I have made using this colour combination, so please check back in later!

QUILTED TOP NOTES IN RETIRING DESIGNER SERIES PAPERS

Well, folks, the title of this post is a pretty good indicator of what I have to show you today!

When our current Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalogue finishes at the end of this month, ALL of the packs of Designer Series Papers will retire, to make way for new designs and colours.  Now is the time to put in an order for any of the papers you've had your eye on .... once they retire, they won't be coming back.  Great news, though - several of these papers are on special!!  I'll tell  you a bit more as I go along.

A GREAT way of using up any scraps of Designer Series Paper (which, from hereon in, shall be referred to as "DSP") is to make a Quilted Top Note.  I'm sure you've seen these all over the 'blogosphere', but I hope you'll still enjoy what I have to show you.  When I found out how simple it was to make these, I had a bit of a 'field day' with my Big Shot, Top Note Die, and different packs of DSP.  I love the different looks achieved by switching around the colours. 


Firstly, I'll show you a card I made using "Bella Bleu" DSP, which is simply divine.  I think I might've gone a bit overboard with the blue on this card!

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Best Yet

Card: Brocade Blue, Kraft, Very Vanilla

DSP: Bella Bleu

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Brocade Blue stampin' pad, Sahara Sand stampin' pad & marker

Other: Top Note die, 1 1/4" square punch, XL Two-Step Bird Punch, sponge daubers, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Scallop Circle punch, Brocade Blue 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, white gel pen

The next card I have to show you is a Christmas card, similar to one I've shared before, and to those that all of my class participants have made in the past month.  This card uses "Holiday Treasures" DSP, which is the Christmas paper in the current catalogue.  I love it, especially for this technique - the patterns and colours co-ordinate beautifully, don't you think?  "Holiday Treasures" DSP is on sale this month, for only $12.71 per pack!  Each pack contains 12 sheets of double-sided 12"x12" patterned paper.  That equates to only $1.06 per sheet, which is super-cheap for DSP.

Stamps: Snow Swirled

Card: Old Olive, Whisper White

DSP: Holiday Treasures

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive and Riding Hood Red stampin' pads, Versamark inkpad

Other: Top Note die, 1 1/4" square punch, Wide Oval punch, sponge daubers, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon, black fine line marker

One of my favourite paper packs from the current catalogue is "Haiku" DSP.  It, too, is on special, until the end of August (or, until sold out) at only $12.71 per pack!  Here is a simple card I made, using the Quilted Top Note technique:

Stamps: Tiny Tags, Seeing Spots

Card: Tangerine Tango, Whisper White

DSP: Haiku

Ink: So Saffron, Old Olive and Tangerine Tango stampin' pads, Versamark inkpad, Jet Black Staz-On inkpad

Other: Top Note die, 1 1/4" square punch, Medium Jewelry Tag Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, sponge dauber, Whisper White taffeta ribbon, Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, black fine line marker

My next card uses "Raspberry Tart" DSP, also on sale this month (while stocks last), for $12.71 per pack.  Sorry about the glare off the silver hardware - I couldn't photograph it well, but it reads "Friends Forever".  This card has NO stamping on it at all!!

Card: Rose Red, Whisper White

DSP: Raspberry Tart

Ink: Cameo Coral stampin' pad

Other: Top Note die, 1 1/4" square punch, 1" Rose Red double-stitched ribbon, Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon, Fleurettes II and Hooray Designer Hardware (both NLA), Crop-a-dile, sticky strip, sponge dauber, white gel pen

Finally, I have a very bright and happy card made using "Pink Flamingo" DSP.  This gorgeous, colourful, paper is on sale this month for a mere $8.48 - that's a 50% saving on the regular price!

Stamps: Polka Dot, Short & Sweet

Card: Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White

DSP: Pink Flamingo

Ink: Cameo Coral stampin' pad, Versamark inkpad, Jet Black Staz-On inkpad

Other: Top Note die, 1 1/4" square punch, Lots of Tags sizzlits die, Word Window Punch, Whisper White taffeta ribbon, Tempting Turquoise 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, sponge daubers, rhinestones from Clear Rhinestone brads, black fine line marker, mini glue dots

I hope this variety of cards inspires you to try out the technique for yourself.  Email me if you need any help, or further details.  I can take orders for any of the retiring products up until 31st August, but make sure you get in soon if you don't want to miss out!

"CHRISTMAS IN JULY"

Welcome to the first post on my new, improved, blog!

I'm holding a few "Christmas in July" classes at my place in Mount Evelyn this month -  a couple focussing on cards, and stamping on candles, and the other two with a focus on making gift tags and boxes.

If you live in Melbourne's outer east, and would like to kick-start your Christmas projects, why not join in on the fun?  The class fee is $20.00, which includes all materials and refreshments for a 3-hour class.  Can you think of any better way to spend a few hours than crafting with like-minded friends??!!  I'd love to have you join us, so here are the details of the two remaining classes in which I have a few spots available:


Wednesday 28th July
Cards & Candles
10.00am - 1.00pm


Saturday 31st July
Gift Tags & Boxes
1.00pm - 4.00pm

Email me if you'd like to take one or more of the spots available.  I'd love to see you!

Here is one of the cards we'll be making in the Wednesday class:

BABY BOY CARDS

I have been asked by a friend to make two cards for newborn little Eli.  I've really enjoyed making them; I don't have cause to make many baby cards these days.



Here's my first (and favourite) card, that hubby, the wonder-judge, has deemed 'imbalanced' - hmm, that seems to be his favourite criticism of my cards!





Stamps: Nursery Letters jumbo wheel, Starring You, Short & Sweet

Card: Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Bashful Blue stampin' pad, Barely Banana stampin' pad

Other: Scallop Edge punch, Star punch and Large Star punch, Word Window punch, Lots of Tags sizzlits die (cut using Big Shot), sponge daubers, silver 5/16" brads, mat pack and paper piercing tool, dimensionals





I'm also pretty pleased with my other card (especially because it's personalised with an "E", and anything with an initial or monogram - are they one and the same?? - is right up my alley).  Because I made it tonight, I had to photograph it inside .... still, it's come up okay:





Stamps: Pun Fun, Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Defining Alphabet

Card: Whisper White, Barely Banana

DSP: Sweet Slumber Specialty Designer Series Paper

Ink: Jet Black Staz-on inkpad, Versamark inkpad, Baja Breeze stampin' pad, Barely Banana stampin' pad

Other: Valet Ribbon Originals, sponge daubers, 1" circle punch, 2mm circle punch, Word Window punch, Scallop Edge punch, Baja Breeze corduroy buttons (retired), paper piercing tool, edge distressing tool, dimensionals



Having said that I don't have much cause for baby cards these days, happily I have also to make a little girl baby one!  Congratulations to my friend Renee, and her husband Andrew (although I'm not sure that anyone calls him by his given name!), on the safe arrival of darling little Addison.  Too exciting!!

JUST ADD INK #18 - Asian Artistry

Phew - that was close!  In my post-Convention haze, I realised it was Wednesday, but had momentarily forgotten that midnight tonight is the cut-off for challenge entries over at Just Add Ink!  Just went in to my craft room, and whipped up a card using the last of my watercoloured images from last month's stamp group - you know, the Asian Artistry series that has been getting a real work-out on my blog?!

Hubby has deemed my card "bland", so I have a feeling some of you, dear blog readers, will like it!  Historically, any cards Andrew doesn't like have proven to be quite the opposite in 'female eyes'.  Here it is, in its full photographed-at-night time glory:







... and here's a close-up of the tag, to show I stamped off the rose image a couple of times, then stamped it on a Very Vanilla tag.  The little flowers were punched from Mellow Moss card that had been stamped in En Francais.  Of course I sponged around all the edges!





Hmm, now that I see the close-up, I can see a brad prong sticking out (bugs me, but I'm not re-doing it!).  If I hadn't have mentioned it, would you have noticed??



Here's a list of products used to make this card:



Stamps: Asian Artistry, En Francais, Trendy Trees (sentiment)

Card: Kraft, Rose Red, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla, Watercolour Paper

Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Rose Red stampin' pad and marker, Mellow Moss stampin' pad and marker, Regal Rose marker

Other: Aquapainter, sponge daubers, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Lots of Tags sizzlits die, Mellow Moss taffeta ribbon, Trio Flower Punch, Rose Red brads, mini glue dots, dimensionals

 

"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!

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.

MANHATTAN FLOWER Get Well Card

As promised, I'm back with the second card I made in my Get Well "series" (does two cards constitute a series??!).

My friend Leanne makes the most beautiful cards, but doesn't have a blog to showcase them.  So, I can unashamedly copy what she does, and post them on my blog, and pass them off as my own!  No, not really ... but I was very inspired by a card Leanne showed me recently.  She'd used a cut-out panel of embossed Manhattan Flowers on Whisper White, overlaid on some Kiwi Kiss Designer Series Paper.

I took that idea and ran with it, and this is what I came up with:




Stamps: Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Fifth Avenue Floral (stamped on the tag)

Card: Kiwi Kiss, Basic Gray, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Whisper White craft stampin' pad

Other: Bella Rose DSP, White embossing powder, Manhattan Flower embossing folder, Basic Gray taffeta ribbon, Dress Up Ribbon Originals, Sizzlits Lots of Tags die, mini glue dot, sponge dauber



Thanks to Leanne for the inspiration; I love your work, my friend!  I'm rather pleased with how this card turned out; you might see a whole lot more using this cut-out floral panel!

ART WITH HEART TEAM BLOG HOP - "WOMEN IN OUR LIVES"

It's time, once again, for the blog hop that is held by members of my Stampin' Up! team on the last day of every month.  With Mother's Day celebrated (in Australia and New Zealand, at least) on the second Sunday of May, we thought we'd give you plenty of ideas to mark the occasion.  Equally, if not for Mother's Day, we hope to inspire you with creations that can be given as a gift to any special woman in your life - be it for a birthday, thank you, get well, or just a 'thinking of you' occasion.

Before I show you the cards I've made, I'll explain a little about the blog hop itself.  The Art with Heart team is made up of over 90 Stampin' Up! demonstrators, Australia-wide, led by Claire Daly (based in Melbourne).  We have a fabulous group of women who openly share their talents and lives with one another; our online team forum is a great source of support, business advice, and friendship, and is a highlight for me of being part of this great team.  If you are interested in joining our Stampin' Up! 'family', please email me.

Fourteen of us are taking part in today's blog hop; please follow the links and visit the blog of each participant.  If you leave a comment on each one, then email Nikki Sadler by 6.00am on 3rd of May (to let her know you've commented on every blog), you'll go into the draw to win some wonderful blog candy.  Please note, that Stampin' Up! demonstrators don't qualify for the 'prize', but we'd still love to receive comments from you :)

You may have come from Gayatri Murali's blog, but if not, don't worry - you can start the blog hop at any point along the way.  I've provided below a list of the 13 other participants, so you can ensure you stop by to check out everyone's creations.  We have some very talented stampers and scrapbookers in our team, and I'm sure you'll love seeing the variety of projects on offer today.


Now, to my cards.  For this month's blog hop, I wanted to focus on the beautiful Textured Impressions embossing folders that are now offered by Stampin' Up!  My first card uses the Manhattan Flower folder.  I hope you like the effect I achieved, by embossing a kraft panel, and cutting around the flowers before overlaying the 'debossed side' on a Rich Razzleberry card that had been embossed with the same folder.  (That was a bit 'wordy', wasn't it?  Just take a look and you'll see what I mean!)




Stamps: Vintage Vogue, On Your Birthday, Fifth Avenue Floral

Card: Rich Razzleberry, Kraft, Very Vanilla

Ink: Sahara Sand and Rich Razzleberry stampin pads

Other: Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions embossing folder, Lots of Tags sizzlits die, 5/8" Jumbo Brad (Very Vanilla), Kraft and Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, linen thread, sponge dauber, Clear Rhinestone brads (rhinestones 'popped out')



Using the same colour combination (just because I love it), I have made a Mother's Day card, featuring a panel embossed using the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  Here it is:




Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Kraft, Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Rich Razzleberry and Sahara Sand stampin' pads

Other: Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot grosgrain ribbon, Word Window Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Lots of Tags sizzlits die, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions embossing folder, sponge daubers, Build-a-Brads, 1/2" Circle Punch, Corner Rounder Punch


Thanks for visiting my blog today!  The next stop on your 'tour' is Di Dunk's blog - she's sure to have something lovely to show you, so please visit and leave her some comment love.


Here is a comprehensive list of the rest of today's blog hop participants:


Ros Davidson: http://rosdavidson.typepad.com/ros_davidson_live_life_an/2010/04/women-in-our-lives-blog-hop.html

Nikki Sadler: http://www.inkyart.com.au/inkyart/2010/04/art-with-heart-team-blog-hop-women-in-our-lives.html

Tanja Westwood: http://www.tanjawestwood.typepad.com/

Kristine Thompson: http://www.inkspotcreations.com/ink-spot-creations/2010/04/art-with-heart-team-may-blog-hop.html


Name: Sue Madex: http://www.madexcreations.com

Gayatri Murali: http://scrapawayg3.blogspot.com/2010/04/art-with-heart-team-april-blog-hop.html


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

Judy May: http://www.judymay.typepad.com/

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

Kathryn Mangelsdorf: http://klm55.blogspot.com/

Alisha Watson: http://www.ratherbstampin.typepad.com/

Nicole Rouillon: www.simplymade.typepad.com

Kathryn Lowe: http://www.katlodesigns.com/


Have fun visiting all of the blogs, and don't forget to leave a comment on each one before emailing Nikki to enter the draw for blog candy.





 

JUST ADD INK #13

I decided last night that it is waaaaay past time that I played along with a challenge at Just Add Ink.  This week it is a colour challenge, using the following colour combo:





I thought these colours would be perfect to use with my rather neglected Inspired By Nature stamp set.  The Barely Banana daisies turned out really pale, which I loved.  I decided there was too much 'white space' on my main panel of Very Vanilla card (the neutral I chose to use), so got out my Colour Spritzer tool and splattered Chocolate Chip all over the place.  I don't mind the result, although next time I'd probably go a little less heavy-handed!  I like to tell myself that handmade cards aren't meant to be 'perfect'; they have to have their little flaws. That's why it's also okay to have my sentiment not centred in the word window panel (I was planning to add a button, then changed my mind, after I'd stuck everything down), LOL. 

Here's my card, followed by the list of products used:



Stamps: Sanded, Inspired by Nature, Teeny Tiny sentiments

Card: Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana, Kiwi Kiss, Very Vanilla

Ink: Kiwi Kiss stampin' pad, Barely Banana stampin' pad and marker, Chocolate Chip marker

Other: Word Window punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, sponge daubers, 5/16" Chocolate Chip brads, Sizzlits Lots of Tags (Label 1), Colour Spritzer tool, Walk in the Park designer series paper (retired)
  

LITTLE BLACK BIRD ..... Two-step Bird Punch

I am boy-less tonight, and have a million projects I really should be working on, but as soon as I saw this gorgeous card on Becky Oehler's blog I just HAD to make my own version!!

One of the new products just released by Stampin' Up! in Australia, and one that you're sure to see LOTS of in the blog-o-sphere, is the XL Two-Step Bird Punch.  It is simply adorable, and very versatile, as the three components - the bird's body, the wing, and the branch - all punch out separately.

Here is my simple little card - a little wonky, but, hey, that proves it's handmade, don't you think?!







That fabulous tag, on which I've stamped the greeting, was cut out by using the new Lots of Tags Sizzlits dies, in the Big Shot.  There are four tag/label designs - love them!!



Here are the products used to make this card:

Stamps: Cheep Talk (tiny flower), Polka Dot background

Card: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Basic Black

Ink: Whisper White craft stampin' pad, Basic Black marker, White Signo gel pen

Other: Buttons from the Bouquet and Sherbet selections, XL Two-Step Bird Punch, Yellow rhinestone brad (from Fire Circles selection), mini glue dots, Lots of Tags Sizzlit die, kitchen string