STAMPIN' UP! CHRISTMAS-THEMED BLOG HOP

Today I'm taking part, with 8 friends who are also Stampin' Up! demonstrators in Australia, in a blog hop.  We have lots of ideas to share with you, for using Stampin' Up! products to make your Christmas projects.

You may have come from the very talented Alisha Watson's blog.  If not, you can start here, and follow the link at the end of my blog post, to go on to the next 'stop'.  Please visit all 9 of us if you can, and leave us some comment love, so we know you've stopped by!

I have two cards to share with you.  The first card evolved from a flower that my friend Nikki kindly showed me how to make.  I didn't attend Stampin' Up! Regionals training this month, but by all accounts it was a "wow" event, not least of all because of Miriam Spiess's flowers!  My first attempt is not all that great, but you get the idea!

...... and a close-up of the crimped, die cut and punched panels on the spine of the card:

Stamps: Merry & Type

Card: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black

DSP: First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Cherry Cobbler and Basic Black stampin' pads

Other: Tasteful Trim XL Bigz die, Decorative Label punch, Scallop Trim border punch, Crimper,          2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch, Antique Brad, sponge daubers, paper snips

My second card uses a sheet of Designer Series Paper, from the "Letters to Santa" pack, that I hadn't yet cut into.  I really like the colours on this card.  I used the rock 'n' roll technique with the ornament stamp, with varying 'intensity' of rolling, to achieve two different looks.  The ornaments were inked up first in Marina Mist ink, then rolled on my Early Espresso stampin' pad.  Hubby thinks this card is too "blingy", whereas I think one rhinestone brad and four self-adhesive rhinestones is quite understated! LOL.

.... and a close-up of the ornaments and 'bling'.  (I was more concerned about two bows being "over the top"!)

Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Contempo Christmas

Card: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Riding Hood Red and Marina Mist

DSP: Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper

Ink: Marina Mist and Early Espresso stampin' pads

Other: Ornament punch, Cherry Cobbler seam binding, Basic Rhinestones, Ice Circle Rhinestone brad, Scallop Edge border punch, stampin' dimensionals, White baker's twine (*new - out 1st December), mini glue dots

I really enjoyed making these cards, and hope I've inspired you to try something new.

Now it's time to visit Ros Davidson's blog. 

 

Here's a list of all the participants in today's hop. 

Tina Gillespie

http://scissorspapercard.blogspot.com/

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

Sue Madex
http://www.madexcreations.com

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

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

Kathryn Mangelsdorf
http://klm55.blogspot.com

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

Christine Blain
www.christineblain.blogspot.com


Ros Davidson
www.rosdavidson.typepad.com

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great weekend!

STAMPIN' UP! TICKETS & TAGS SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' KIT

As a cardmaker, I usually skim past the section of the Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue that contains supplies intended for scrapbookers.  Well, I have to bring your attention to a GORGEOUS Simply Scrappin' kit that I bought, and just love.  Might just have to buy some of the others now!  Check out pages 132 and 133 of the new catalogue; you're in for a treat.  Stampin' Up!'s Simply Scrappin' kits contain exclusive Designer Series Papers that are not in the 'main' offerings, along with textured cardstock to co-ordinate, and 6 sheets of gorgeous self-adhesive die-cuts. 

I have had a play with the "Tickets & Tags" kit.   Firstly I made a Christmas card, because I was stoked to realise that the colours in the kit perfectly match those on a stamped image I had sitting on my desk.  The other night I tried the Stained Glass technique, by stamping ornaments from Merry & Type on some vellum, using Versamark ink.  I white-embossed the image, and used markers in three colours (Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade and Basic Gray) to colour on the reverse side.  LOVED the result, but wasn't sure what to do with that panel.  Well, whaddya know - the Simply Scrappin' kit came to my rescue.  Enough words; here's a photo:

Stamps: Merry & Type, For My Family

Card: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Baja Breeze

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Baja Breeze marker, Poppy Parade stampin' pad and marker, Basic Gray marker

Other: Vellum, Tickets & Tags Simply Scrappin' Kit, Silver Mini Brads, White embossing powder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Whisper White satin ribbon, mini glue dots

I just love the glorious patterned paper and cardstock stickers that have Poppy Parade in them.  I used mostly die-cuts, and just a stamped sentiment, to create this next card:

Stamps: For My Family, Oval All

Card: Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Confetti White

Ink: Poppy Parade stampin' pad, Basic Gray stampin' pad and marker, Baja Breeze stampin' pad and marker, Crumb Cake stampin' pad

Other: Tickets & Tags Simply Scrappin' Kit, Lots of Tags sizzlits die, Itty Bitty Shapes punch, Subtles Glimmer brad, Basic pearl, sponge daubers, Crumb Cake seam binding, Pinking Hearts border punch, mini glue dots

I've made one more card with this kit, but you'll have to come back tomorrow to see it (don't want to overload you now!).  You might like it if you're looking for inspiration for a card for a guy.