STAMPIN' UP! STIPPLED BLOSSOMS - CLASS CARDS PART 1

This month I've run a couple of classes focussing on the beautiful Stippled Blossoms stamp set.  This two-step stamp set provides a real "wow" result, when you stamp the overlay image over the solid base image.

I am sharing with you today the first two cards we made in class.

The first card was inspired by the work of a German SU! demonstrator, Nadine - here is her card.  I love the tiny flags created with the Bitty Banners framelits.  My chosen colour scheme for this card is River Rock and Bravo Burgundy - two of the colours that will retire from Stampin' Up!'s range at the beginning of July.

 

 

Stamps: Stippled Blossoms, Bring on the Cake

Card: Very Vanilla River Rock, Bravo Burgundy

Ink: River Rock and Bravo Burgundy stampin' pads

Other: Bitty Banners Framelits, Scallop Edge border punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge dauber

 

 

 

 

 

The next card we made was using the colour combo of Summer Starfruit and Basic Gray.  This card has a much less 'formal' look about it, and uses the smaller flower from the set.

 

 

 

 

Stamps: Stippled Blossoms, Perfect Punches

Card: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper

DSP: Summer Starfruit Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink: Summer Starfruit and Basic Gray stampin' pads, Versamark inkpad

Other: Pewter embossing powder, XL Oval punch, Bitty Butterfly and Elegant Butterfly punches, Borders Scoring Plate and Simply Scored tool, Neutrals brad, sponge daubers, Stamp-a-ma-jig, stampin' dimensionals

 

 

Tomorrow I'll post the other two cards we made in the Stippled Blossoms classes.  I hope I inspire you to get out this gorgeous stamp set (and buy it, if you don't own it already!), and have a play.

 

 

 



JAI #163 : JUST ADD ..... A FUN BACKGROUND

The challenge at Just Add Ink this week, courtesy of Nikki,  is to add a fun background to a card/scrapbook page that you make.

I love to create my own backgrounds by repeatedly stamping images on cardstock, then putting the whole panel through an embossing folder, to add texture.  I love greens, and leaves ... and I think that shows on this card!  I've kept the card simple, to showcase the main stamped panel.  After embossing the piece of card, I sponged River Rock ink over some of the raised design.

Stamps: French Foliage, Summer Solstice, Confetti, Perfect Punches

Card: Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Very Vanilla

Ink: Garden Green, Lucky Limeade, River Rock, Wild Wasabi stampin' pads

Other: Wild Wasabi 1/4" stitched grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Oval punch, sponge dauber, Vine Street embossing folder, glue dots

 

 

 

The rest of the Just Add Ink design team have come up with some fabulous fun backgrounds, so make sure you check them out.  We hope you'll play along with our challenge!

 

 

 



STAMPIN' UP!'S "MORE AMORE" HEART BIRTHDAY CARD

I am in love with so many of the new products in Stampin' Up!'s Seasonal Catalogue.  If you haven't checked it out yet (where have you been??!!), you can view this beautiful catalogue online by clicking on the link in my blog sidebar ------------------>.

One of the sheets of paper in the More Amore Designer Series Paper pack is a 12"x12" page of laser-cut hearts.  I have cut one of the hearts out to feature on the card I'm sharing with you today.  The colours on my card (and in the papers) are Pool Party, Very Vanilla and Primrose Petals - teamed with my go-to colour, Crumb Cake.

Check out the cute little embossed edge, courtesy of one of the two Needlepoint Border Textured Impressions embossing folders - so sweet!  The lace is from the Artisan Embellishments Kit, that contains a variety of pretty things that I am determined to not hoard.

The Pool Party panel has been embossed with the Chevron embossing folder, then lightly sanded, to bring out the contrasting core of the fabulous Core'dinations cardstock.  It's a subtle, but nice, detail, don't you think?

I must give credit to Joanne Leddy for sharing her tutorial, on how to make FABULOUS paper flowers .... they are great fun, and easy, to make.

 

 

As a finishing touch, since a 'girly' card can't go wrong with a bit of sparkle, I spritzed the entire card with Champagne Mist shimmer spray.  Here's a closer look:

 

 

 

 

Stamps: En Francais, Perfect Punches

Card: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Pool Party Core'dinations

DSP: More Amore Specialty Designer Series Paper

Ink: Crumb Cake stampin' pad and marker, Primrose Petals marker

Other: In Color Dahlia, Chevron embossing folder, sanding block, XL Oval punch, Needlepoint Border embossing folder, Owl Builder punch (tiny heart), sponge dauber, Artisan Embellishment Kit, Fancy Flower punch, 5-Petal Flower punch (retired), Boho Blossoms punch, Champagne Mist shimmer paint (mixed with Isocol), stampin' dimensionals, Multipurpose Liquid Glue

 

 

 

 



STAMPIN' UP!'S SCENTSATIONAL SEASON

This month heralds the arrival of TWO new Stampin' Up! catalogues, so is a super-exciting time for those of us addicted to these wonderful products!  In addition to the new Annual Catalogue (chock full of new products, and many at lower prices than last year!), we have a beautiful new Holiday Catalogue to drool over.  Stampin' Up! have outdone themselves with the variety and selection of new products ..... I want them all!  You can view both catalogues online, by clicking on the icons in my blog side bar.

I've been having a play with the cute stamp set called Scentsational Season, and co-ordinating Holiday Collection Framelits dies.  (These products are available until the end of January.) LOVING all the new Framelits that Stampin' Up! have introduced, to make cutting out images super-easy.

I have seen many great ideas around blogland, for using this bundle of products, and have incorporated a few on my card.  How delicious is the background paper I've used?  It's from the great new Festival of Prints paper stack - decidedly festive, but not limited to Christmas.  I can see it being one of my go-to paper packs this coming year.

Stamps: Scentsational Season, Perfect Punches

Card: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Gumball Green

DSP: Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper stack

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Gumball Green, Early Espresso and Crumb Cake stampin' pads

Other: Cherry Cobbler and Wild Wasabi embossing powders, Holiday Collection Framelits dies, Adorning Accents Edgelits die and embossing folder, 1 1/4" Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Scallop Oval punch, Square Lattice embossing folder, Gumball Green stitched satin ribbon, Cherry Cobbler seam binding, mini glue dots,  sponge dauber, craft knife

 

 



JAI #81 : MORNING CUP GIFT CARD SET

This week's colour challenge at Just Add Ink had me stumped for a bit, until I made the decision to finally ink up the Morning Cup stamp set I have had for a while, and hadn't used.  I had a lot of fun 'watercolouring' (using a blender pen, and inkpads) with these colours:

I decided to also show some love to my neglected Scallop Envelope die; so cute, but seldom used in my household.  I cut out two envelopes, from Bashful Blue card, and trimmed the bottom flap on each.  I then joined the two envelopes to make a tiny box, and cut off the scalloped flap from the front. 

This sweet little box is the perfect size to hold 6 gift or note cards, 7.5cm x 7 cm in size.  Here's a top view (with the cards arranged in a pretty pattern of colour - Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue and Peach Parfait) ....

Sorry about the less-than-fabulous lighting in these photos.  It was TOO sunny on our front deck (I am happy to report that Spring is on its way!), so I set up around the side of the house, in the shade.  I had to very hurriedly photograph the little cards, as gusts of wind seemed to pick up every time I tried to stand them up.  They look pretty cute in real life, if I may say so!

Stamps: Morning Cup, Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Tiny Tags, Bring on the Cake

Card: Bashful Blue smooth & textured, Cajun Craze, Peach Parfait, Very Vanilla, Watercolour paper

DSP: Cajun Craze and Bashful Blue Patterns Designer Series Papers

Ink: Jet Black Staz-On inkpad, Bashful Blue stampin' pad and marker, Peach Parfait stampin' pad and marker, Cajun Craze stampin' pad, Versamark inkpad

Other: Word Window punch, Medium Jewelry Tag punch, Decorative Label punch, Large Oval punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Circles #2 die, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Basic Pearls, sponge daubers, stampin' sponges, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Two-Step Owl Punch, Frost White shimmer paint (mixed with Isocol to make shimmer spray), blender pens, Neutrals brad

JAC-INKS CHALLENGE #13 - MONOTONE

The current challenge from the Jac-inks team is to make a papercraft project in monotone.  I further challenged myself to use yellow (not one of my most-used colours, and only a few shades available in Stampin' Up!'s range).

Do you have your sunglasses at the ready?  I thought of Hawaii when I made this!

Stamps: Greenhouse Garden, Perfect Punches, Daisy Dash jumbo wheel

Card: Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Ink: So Saffron stampin' pad and marker, More Mustard stampin' pad, Daffodil Delight stampin' pad

Other: Color Spritzer tool, Curly Label punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Daffodil Delight brad, sponge daubers, Daffodil Delight pompom trim, stampin' dimensionals

INKSPIRATIONS CHALLENGE #56

I think this might be a personal record - three blog posts in one day!  I'm enjoying an 'at home' day today, just pottering around, trying to catch up with washing and, oh, some stamping and blogging :)

I'd planned to take part in Makeesha's Inkspirations Challenge this week, but thought I'd missed the deadline.  I normally work only on Thursdays, so when I checked out the challenge last night (after returning from a day at work), I thought I had left it too late.  Oh dear; seems the old brain's not working quite as well as it might!  Thankfully, it's only Wednesday today, so I had time to make something using this colour combination:

Here's the card I came up with:

Stamps: Growing Green, Perfect Punches, En Francais

Card: Baja Breeze, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Baja Breeze and Cherry Cobbler stampin' pads, Cherry Cobbler marker

Other: Modern Label punch, Basic Black satin ribbon, Flower Fusion Too felt flowers (retired), Basic Black brads, Scallop Trim border punch, blender pen, sponge daubers, stampin' dimensionals, mini glue dot

INKSPIRATIONS COLOUR CHALLENGE #50

I'm back, with blog post number 3 for the day!  This week Makeesha's challenge is to use the following colours on a papercraft project:

Because I'll be working tomorrow (boo hoo), I grabbed the opportunity today to make a simple friendship card that fits this challenge.  My personal challenge was to leave all the edges of the card "un-sponged"; it wasn't easy!  I've inked up my new "Love Defined" stamp set again; I'm loving it!  The background is stamped in Versamark ink, and I've used markers to ink up the little Rich Razzleberry flowers (from Itty Bitty Bits - another gorgeous new set).  The marker colour is a little softer than the bold ink from my juicy inkpad; I wanted a softer look to complement the ribbon colour.  Stampin' Up!'s taffeta ribbons are all slightly lighter in colour than the other styles of ribbon.  The tiny little flowers have been punched out using one of the new Itty Bitty Shapes punches - too cute!

I've taken this photo in fading light outside, so it's a bit out of focus, but hopefully you can still see all the details.

Stamps: Love Defined, Perfect Punches, Itty Bitty Bits

Card: Tempting Turquoise (smooth and textured), Whisper White

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Pear Pizzazz stampin' pad and marker, Tempting Turquoise marker, Rich Razzleberry marker

Other: Top Note die, Curly Label punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Rich Razzleberry taffeta ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, 2-way glue pen and Dazzling Diamonds, stampin' dimensionals, mini glue dots

A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING!!

We were privileged to be invited to the wedding, yesterday, of our friends, Rachel and Aaron.  It's been a LONG time since I attended a wedding, and both of our boys were so excited about getting dressed up in suits.  Jack and Ethan were the only children invited to the wedding, and they made me as proud as always!

I am pleased to say that I introduced Rachel to Stampin' Up! last year, hee hee.  I knew she was using Blushing Bride cardstock, the Bella Toile stamp, and Basic Black ribbon to create the wedding bonboniere (using Stampin' Up!'s pillow box die, no less!), so I made our card to tie in with the theme.

Firstly, here's a photo of the bonboniere on our table:

And here is the wedding card I made:

Stamps: Bella Toile, Perfect Punches

Card: Shimmery White, Basic Black, Blushing Bride

Ink: Blushing Bride and Basic Black stampin' pads

Other: Basic Black satin ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Basic Rhinestones, Pinking Heart border punch (*NEW - out 1st December!), mini glue dots, Tombow multi glue

Here's the happy couple signing the marriage register (aren't they beautiful?!):

A rare photo of me, with my two handsome sons:

... and a gorgeous photo of all three of my "boys" (that's Andrew, my hubby, between Ethan and Jack):

Here's one more shot of the happy couple, Rachel and Aaron, at their wedding reception:

It was a very rainy day, but nevertheless a happy, relaxed and highly enjoyable one.  Rachel and Aaron are such a loving couple; they have a  very bright married future ahead of them.

INKSPIRATIONS COLOUR CHALLENGE #46 .... again!

I had some lovely time to myself, in my craft room, last night (while all three of my boys had a Mike Tyson DVD blaring).  I had already made one card for this week's Inkspirations Challenge #46, but loved the colour combo, and wanted to challenge myself to come up with a completely different card.  The first card I made was very soft, which didn't really reflect how I saw these colours initially:

So, for my second card, I added accents of Poppy Parade - such a bright, happy, orangey-red.  I have not shown much love to the Birds and Blooms sizzlits die I bought a while back, so the starting point for this card was to incorporate some of the cute Scallop Circles (I like to call them flowers) from the set of dies.  I started off by cutting out both sizes of Scallop Circles, in So Saffron, and adhering them to the top portion of my So Saffron card base.  This card is all about the texture!

Stamps: Perfect Punches

Card: So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze

Ink: Baja Breeze stampin' pad and marker, Poppy Parade marker, So Saffron stampin' pad and marker

Other: Birds and Blooms sizzlits die, Beautiful Wings embosslits, sponge dauber, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Curly Label punch, 1" Circle punch, Basic Pearls, Poppy Parade poly-stitched ribbon, mini glue dot

"EXTREME ELEMENTS" - yes, more!

On the weekend I had friends over for a stamping session, so we could all escape the AFL Grand Final (apologies to football lovers, LOL).  It was a great afternoon, and Judy even stretched WAY out of her pink, girly, floral comfort zone to make a great card using Extreme Elements - click on Judy's name to check it out!

I wasn't very productive while the girls were here, but afterwards I had a play with Extreme Elements, as I wanted to try out a girl's card using these stamps.  I still wanted it to be a bit edgy and grungy, so I turned to my new Color Coach (a 'swatch' collection of all Stampin' Up!'s colours) for inspiration.  The Color Coach is a fantastic tool; it contains heaps of suggested colour combinations that you might never think to use.  Like this one - Melon Mambo, Elegant Eggplant, and Old Olive.  Take a look, and tell me what you think! 

Stamps: Extreme Elements, A to Z, Perfect Punches

Card: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Melon Mambo

Ink: Melon Mambo stampin' pad and marker, Elegant Eggplant stampin' pad and marker, Old Olive and Crumb Cake stampin' pads

Other: Wide Oval punch, stampin' dimensionals, sponge daubers, edge distressing tool, Basic Rhinestones, Colour Spritzer tool

Ethan (10) 'went to town' with my Extreme Elements stamps, and sheets of Whisper White card, to make up a number of 'one sheet wonders' that he says he'll make into cards.  (It's more likely that, like his mother, he'll stash them away to use one day, and won't get around to doing anything with them!)  He wanted me to share with you the two cards he made on the weekend.  I especially like the Cherry Cobbler one.

Right, I really must go and make some cards with stamp sets other than Extreme Elements!

SEPTEMBER BLOG HOP - NEW CATALOGUE PRODUCTS

Hi everyone!  I know some of you will think today is an exciting day, because (apparently) the AFL Grand Final is being played.  However, something even MORE exciting is happening!!!  A group of us, all Stampin' Up! demonstrators, have a blog hop happening today - and we're showcasing products from the brand new Idea Book & Catalogue.  Now, isn't that more interesting than some footy game?!

There are 10 of us taking part in the blog hop today.  Each person taking part will have a link, at the end of her blog post, to take you on to the next person's blog.  I'll also list everyone at the bottom of this post, so if you lose your way, you can check back here to see who else you need to pay a visit to.  I'll bet there will be some fantastic ideas that you'll pick up along the way.  So, make yourself a cuppa, settle in, and have fun! 

I have chosen to make a little series of cards using the new Two Step Extra-Large Owl Punch (I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of this little fellow around blogland, but I just couldn't resist - this is one of the items I was most looking forward to getting in the new catalogue), and the beautiful new Woodland Walk Designer Series Papers.  These papers, as my friend Judy said, are "very green" - that's why I like them!  Love the earthy tones, and the variety of patterns.

In this first card, I've used a few new stamps as well.  See if you can spot them (by the way, I'm in LOVE ... you'll see a lot more of these too!).

Stamps: A to Z, Confetti, Perfect Punches, Occasional Greetings

Card: Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi (textured and smooth), Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Ink: Chocolate Chip stampin' pad and marker, Wild Wasabi stampin' pad, Sahara Sand stampin' pad

DSP: Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper

Other: Two Step XL Owl Punch, mat pack and paper piercer, Round Tab XL Punch, stampin' sponge, Stamp-a-ma-jig

My second card has very little stamping on it - just the dotty Garden Green panel (new, cute, background stamp!!), and the sentiment.  Look how beautifully the Word Window Punch mats onto the new, gorgeous, Modern Label Punch - LOVE that!

Stamps: Dot, Dot, Dot and Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Garden Green stampin' pad, Chocolate Chip stampin' pad and marker, Sahara Sand stampin' pad

DSP: Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper

Other: Two Step XL Owl Punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Scallop Edge border punch, sponge daubers, Linen Thread, stampin' dimensionals

Lastly, I have a simple card that shows off a couple of my favourite patterns from the Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper pack. 

Stamps: Hello Again

Card: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, Crumb Cake

DSP: Woodland Walk Desgner Series Paper

Ink: Chocolate Chip stampin' pad and marker

Other: Two Step XL Owl Punch, Early Espresso taffeta ribbon, 1 3/4 x 7/8" Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval XL Punch, stampin' dimensionals, mini glue dots, sponge dauber

Well, that's it from me, folks.  The next stop on the blog hop is the blog of  Tina Gillespie, who I am sure will have something gorgeous to show you!

Here is a complete list of all participants in the blog hop.  Thanks for visiting, and leaving us some comment love!  May you have a happy, relaxing Saturday, and if you're a footy fan, I hope you're happy with the result (me, I'd rather be stamping!).


Ros Davidson
http://rosdavidson.typepad.com/ros_davidson_live_life_an/2010/09/blog-hop-time.html

Nikki Sadler
http://www.inkyart.com.au/inkyart/2010/09/new-catalogue-blog-hop.html

Christine Blain
(that's me!)

Tina Gillespie
http://scissorspapercard.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-catalogue-blog-hop.html

Amy Buchanan
http://fashioninggreatimpressions.com/?p=748

Erica Boxall
http://www.ericaboxall.com/2010/09/new-catty-bog-hop.html

Kathryn Mangelsdorf
http://klm55.blogspot.com/2010/09/blog-hop-featuring-new-idea-book-and.html

Kristine Thompson
http://www.inkspotcreations.com/ink-spot-creations/2010/09/new-catalogue-blog-hop.html

Alisha Watson
http://ratherbstampin.typepad.com/rather-b-stampin/2010/09/new-catalogue-blog-hop.html

Judy May
http://judymay.typepad.com/just_judy_designs/2010/09/new-catalogue-blog-hop.html

EXTREME ELEMENTS for Ethan

Today my 'baby' is having a milestone birthday - he's 10!!  I'm trying not to be all soppy, and lament the loss of all the past cuteness, but I must say I am struggling a bit with my littlest growing up.

I'm having great fun with my new "Extreme Elements" stamp set, and right from when he saw this creation, Ethan requested that I use the stamps on his birthday card.  (Darn it, there goes my idea of a cutesy owl card.)  I think every time I use this stamp set, I like it more and more.  Here's what I came up with, using some of the fantastic fresh, new, colours from Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Extreme Elements, Perfect Punches, Sanded

Card: Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Whisper White, Cajun Craze

Ink: Early Espresso, Marina Mist and Cajun Craze stampin' pads, Soft Suede marker

Other: Star Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Early Espresso button (from Neutrals assortment), Colour Spritzer tool, sponge daubers, mini glue dots, paper snips

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY, Ethan!  Love you, buddy xx

"EXTREME ELEMENTS" Earthy series ... part 1

I have no doubt that my new "Extreme Elements" stamp set will get a very solid workout.  I can envisage making a lot of masculine cards with it, and probably mostly in 'earthy' tones.  Hence the title ... stay tuned for further instalments!

Here's a little something I whipped up this morning before meeting some friends for coffee.  The Soft Suede background panel has been stamped with the new "Wonderfully Worn" background stamp, which I can also see becoming a staple item for male cards (particularly now that my old faithful "Weathered" stamp has been retired, and has gone to another home).

Stamps: Extreme Elements, Perfect Punches, Wonderfully Worn

Card: Naturals Ivory, Soft Suede, River Rock, Not Quite Navy

Ink: Soft Suede stampin' pad and marker, Not Quite Navy stampin' pad, River Rock marker

Other: Colour Spritzer tool, mat pack and paper piercer, Neutrals button assortment, Buttons #5 Sizzlits die, Linen Thread, sponge daubers, Wide Oval Punch, paper snips

Back later, with more!

JUST PEACHY THANKS

I'm working my way through the new colours of ink and cardstock that arrived on my doorstep a couple of days ago.  It's so exciting to have new colours in the Stampin' Up! range; change is a good thing!

The dominant colour I've used on the card I have to share with you today is Peach Parfait, one of the five "in colours" that will form part of Stampin' Up's colour offerings for two years.  I have been using rather a lot of orange and green in my cards lately, but this orange is a softer colour than you've seen on my recent cards. 

After stamping the Bella Toile background (isn't it a gorgeous stamp?!), I used an Aquapainter to subtly draw some of the ink colour in from the outlines.  The cluster of flowers was created by stamping the flower images from Punch Potpourri (a new hostess stamp set - ask me how you can get this for FREE!), then punching them out using the Boho Blossoms punch.  A bit of sponging, some ribbon, and a punched-out sentiment, complete the card.  Simple, but (I hope you agree) pretty.

Stamps: Bella Toile, Perfect Punches, Punch Potpourri

Card: Very Vanilla, Basic Gray, Peach Parfait

Ink: Peach Parfait and Basic Gray stampin' pads

Other: Boho Blossoms punch, aquapainter, stampin' sponges, Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, Scallop Oval Punch, Basic Pearls, stampin' dimensionals, mini glue dot

"EXTREME ELEMENTS" in extreme colours

And now, for something completely different!

One of the stamp sets I was most excited to see in the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue, is "Extreme Elements".  I LOVE making cards for boys and men ... I could see myself using this stamp set to make subtle, grungy backgrounds in earthy colours.  Well, the card I've made today is not one of those!

As I mentioned in my earlier post today, I am particularly taken with the new "In Colour" Patterns Designer Series Paper.  I decided I wanted to work with Concord Crush, a new purple, so I started off choosing some patterned paper in that colour.  The pattern made me think of a teenage boy / young man, and perhaps a graduation card.  Here's the "unsubtle" result of combining Extreme Elements with Concord Crush paper, and Poppy Parade (another of the "in colours", in the range for two years) ink:

I'm pleased to say that it gets the tick of approval from both of my boys (and even a "Whoa - that's AWESOME!" from my 9 year old).

Here's a close-up of one of my new favourite punch shapes - cut using the Modern Label Extra Large punch (just because I think it looks cool):

Stamps: Extreme Elements, Perfect Punches

Card: Basic Gray, Poppy Parade, Whisper White

DSP: Concord Crush Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink: Basic Gray, Poppy Parade and Concord Crush stampin' pads

Other: Modern Label XL Punch, Basic Gray button (from Neutrals assortment), mini glue dot, stampin' dimensionals, paper snips

I am REALLY happy with the way this card turned out, and am looking forward to stamping "Extreme Elements" in lots of different colour combinations.

I do have another card to share with you, but I will save it for tomorrow! 

IT'S A HAPPY FRIDAY, INDEED

Today I've cleared my schedule, and kept the entire day free to play with NEW STAMPS, papers and other goodies!!  When I arrived home from work yesterday, there were a few brown boxes just crying out to be opened.  Yippee - all the new Stampin' Up! products I ordered last week are now in my hot little hands.

It has taken me the best part of this morning to make just one card, because I've felt rather overwhelmed by the amount of choice I have.  I didn't know which products to play with first!

Before I show you the card I've come up with, I have a card to share with you, that I made the other day (before I had my new coloured cardstock and inks).  It's using "Friends Never Fade", one of the gorgeous new stamp sets, that I was able to pre-order before the official release of the new Stampin' Up! catalogue.

Stamps: Friends Never Fade, Tiny Tags, Oval All

Card: Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Confetti White,Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery

DSP: Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper

Ink: Certainly Celery stampin' pad and marker, Pumpkin Pie stampin' pad and marker, Sahara Sand stampin' pad

Other: 1/2" circle punch, Pewter Build-a-Brad, Fleurette II, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, 1 3/4 x 7/8" Oval punch large, Scallop Oval punch XL, sponger daubers, mini glue dots

Even though it doesn't show in the photo, I 'dirtied' the crocheted flower a little, with Sahara Sand ink, so it would blend in with the 'rustic' colouring of the card.  I really love the look of coloured ink on Crumb Cake card - must use that more often!

Now, onto this morning's creation.  I am in LOVE with the "in colour" Patterns pack of Designer Series Paper, so that was my starting point.  I chose to use Blushing Bride, a really sweet new pink, that will be in Stampin' Up!'s range for the next two years.  On my card, I've used HEAPS of new stuff.  There are two new colours of card and ink, some new paper, two new stamp sets, a new border punch, a tiny, adorable, Sizzlits embosslits die, and .... drum roll please ..... a new, self adhesive (hallelujah!) pearl!  Anyway, enough of my words - here's a picture!

Stamps: Funky Four, Perfect Punches

Card: Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, Whisper White

DSP: Blushing Bride Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Blushing Bride stampin' pad and marker, Pear Pizzazz marker

Other: Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Basic Pearl, 1" circle punch, Curly Label Punch, white embossing powder, Beautiful Wings Embosslits die, Scallop Edge border punch, Scallop Trim border punch, mat pack and paper piercer, sponge dauber, mini glue dots, Tombow mono multi glue

I'm loving the new border punch, and think it is so cute that the tiny flower from "Funky Four" co-ordinates with the pattern on this paper.  I am looking forward to having some new ribbons to go with all my new papers and inks ... it is very hard to exercise patience at the moment!

Right, back to my craft room, to see what else I can come up with.  I hope your Friday is as happy as mine is!