INKSPIRATIONS COLOUR CHALLENGE #26

I have been a regular stalker of Makeesha Byl's blog for a looong time now, and love the regular challenges she throws down.  Finally, I have decided to enter one myself - I do love a challenge with my cardmaking.

How could I NOT enter, when this week's challenge is to use the following colours on a project??



These colours make me swoon!!  I have so many ideas for incorporating them in my cards, but for my first entry I've made a birthday card for my Dad.  I am uncharacteristically organised, as my father's birthday is still two weeks away .... feels good to have it done already.





Stamps: Sanded, Polka Dot, Occasionally, On Your Birthday

Card: Kraft, Basic Gray, Whisper White

Ink: Sahara Sand stampin' pad and marker, Basic Gray stampin' pad, Real Red stampin' pad

Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Curly Label Punch, sponge dauber, 5/16" white brads (from Neutrals assortment), paper piercing tool, linen thread
  

"QUILTED" TOP NOTE DIE

Two posts in one day - and both for the Just Add Ink challenge this week!  I love the challenge to "add stitching" to cards, so I hope you'll humour me and look at my second entry.

I've been having a lot of fun playing around with "faux-quilted" Top Notes; of course, for someone who is proficient in neither sewing nor quilting, I had to incorporate some "faux stitching".

This week I have to send a card to a beautiful, sunshine-y, girl for her 9th birthday.  I dug out my Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper, went to work with my square punch, some Snail adhesive, and a Top Note die, and this is what I came up with:




Stamps: Polka Dot, Wow Flowers

Card: Cameo Coral, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Cameo Coral stampin' pad and marker, Tempting Turquoise marker, Summer Sun marker, black fineline pen (not SU!)

Other: Top Note die (cut using the Big Shot), Whisper White taffeta ribbon, Pink Flamingo DSP, 1 1/4" square punch, sponge dauber, dimensionals, Crystal Effects, circle punches - 1", 1/4", 1 3/8", Scallop Circle



HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!  Love from Aunty Chris xx

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!

FOX & FRIENDS ..... altogether TOO cute!

The cheeky monkey card I showed you, in my post about my catalogue launch event, was made using the adorable Fox & Friends stamp set.  Personally, I think it should be called Owl & Friends, because I have a little favourite bird in this set, but we'll continue to refer to it as Fox & Friends, to avoid confusion!

This stamp set is available in both woodmount option, or clear mount - which I chose.  A set of 7 gorgeous stamps, for only $23.95 - can't beat that!  Here's a picture of the index from the storage case, so you can see all the little creatures in the set:







Cute, huh?  They're the perfect size to fit in a number of Stampin' Up!'s punches.  I have opted for the square punches, again, and a similar layout to my monkey card.  This is a card I made for a special young friend, whose birthday was a few days ago:





Now can you see why I love the owl??!  I love how beautiful the details stamp out.  Plus it's just plain cute!

See that bright paper in the background?   That's one of the bright, happy sheets from the also-new Sunny Day Simply Scrappin' Kit.

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

Stamps: Polka Dot, Fox & Friends, Wow Flowers, Flight of the Butterfly

Card: Kiwi Kiss, Melon Mambo, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Kiwi Kiss and Melon Mambo stampin' pads

Other: Melon Mambo grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, 1 1/4" square punch, 1 3/8" square punch, sponge daubers, dimensionals, clear rhinestone brad


Thanks for coming to visit my little corner of the world.

Christine :)

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
  

"ART WITH HEART" BLOG HOP - AUTUMN/WINTER MINI CATALOGUE!!

Welcome to the "Art With Heart" team blog hop, showcasing new products in the Stampin' Up! Autumn/Winter Mini catalogue (going 'live' tomorrow!).

The "Art With Heart" team, of some 90 Stampin' Up! demonstrators spread across five states of Australia, is lead by Claire Daly.  It is a team that has provided me with some fantastic friendships - I'm proud to be a part of it!  We have an online forum that is a great source of advice and support from like-minded (mad!) stampers and scrapbookers.  If you'd like to sign up as a demonstrator, and be part of our Stampin' Up! 'family', please email me at c.blain@yarravalleysnackfoods.com.

Our team blog hop occurs on the last day of every month.  A number of us take part each month, so you're sure to find lots of inspiration along your way, visiting the blogs of team members involved.

You may have just come from the blog of the gorgeous, bubbly, Kristine Thompson.  If not, don't worry - you can join at any spot on the 'tour'.  There are 14 of us involved in today's blog hop.  Make sure you leave a comment on every one of the blogs along the way, then email Nikki Sadler at nikki@inkyart.com.au.  Let Nikki know you've commented on each blog, and you'll go into the draw to win some "blog candy".  There is a deadline of 6.00am (AEST) 3rd April, to email Nikki.  We'd love as much "comment love" as we can get :), but please note that the blog candy will be awarded only to an entrant who is not a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

Okay, onto my cards using my FAVOURITE new stamp!  I have chosen to use the Medallion stamp, which I'd been hoping-against-hope would be brought out in Australia with this new catalogue.  And whaddya know - we got it!! 

First up is a card using my often-used, and much-loved, colour combo of kraft and red, with a bit of brown:




Stamps: En Francais, Medallion, Occasional Greetings

Card: Kraft, Chocolate Chip

DSP: Bella Rose

Ink: Sahara Sand and Chocolate Chip stampin' pads, Versamark inkpad

Other: Clear embossing powder, Eyelet Border Punch, Curly Label Punch, sponge dauber, Flower Trio Punch, linen thread, paper piercing tool and mat pack, Playground designer button, mini glue dots, Dress Up ribbon originals

(Even though the colour looks a bit 'orange', I've used Riding Hood Red.  Blame the photographer.)


While I had my big, beautiful, Medallion stamp out I decided to make a second card, using the same layout, but a completely different colour combination.  I am in LOVE with Melon Mambo, one of the three new colours introduced with this catalogue.  It's bold and bright (not quite as muted as this photo shows).   What do you think of this one????




Stamps: En Francais, Medallion, Occasional Greetings, Polka Dot

Card: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink: Melon Mambo stampin' pad, Jet Black Staz-On inkpad, Versamark inkpad

Other: Clear embossing powder, Eyelet Border Punch, Curly Label Punch, sponge dauber, black Basic Jumbo Grommet,1/2" circle punch, Build-A-Brad, Valet Ribbon original


You're sure to see many more cards from me, using this stamp.  I'll try to show you some other things as well in the coming days and weeks :)

Thanks for visiting today - I really appreciate it.  Now it's time to go on to Kathryn Mangelsdorf's blog, to see her beautiful creation.  Enjoy the rest of the tour!

Just in case my blog is your starting point for today's blog hop, here's a list of my 13 team-mates who are also involved in this fun 'event'.  (Make sure you leave comments!)



Ros Davidson

Tina Gillespie

Kathryn Lowe

Sue Madex

Gayatri Murali

Di Dunk

Kristine Thompson

Kathryn Mangelsdorf

Tanja Westwood

Judy May

Kim Meiklejohn

Nikki Sadler

Claire Daly




 

PINK, SPOTTY, FLOWERY "THINKING OF YOU" .....

Does the post title give you a good idea of what today's card might look like??  (Sorry, bit unimaginative with my titles!)

Today I discovered that Lisa Johnson has started to throw down challenges on her website, which I often go to for a drool over her beautiful work.  Clearly I haven't visited her blog for a while, because already Lisa has posted two challenges.  Never mind - I'll start at number 2.  The current challenge is to use light moss, a button, and polka dots.  This is what I came up with:





Stamps: One of a Kind, Sincere Salutations, Polka Dot background

Card: Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette, Mellow Moss

Ink: Pink Pirouette and Mellow Moss stampin' pads

Other: Pink Pirouette 1 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, Boho Blossoms punch, mini glue dots, Button Bouquet, Stamp-a-ma-jig, circle nestabilities



Pretty, don't you think?  Hubby actually likes this one, which concerns me - normally that's a bad omen! LOL.  The wide pink ribbon I have used on this card is available in Australia only until the end of March, when the current Stampin' Up! mini catalogue runs out.  Make sure you place an order with me, or your demonstrator if you already have one, if you don't want to miss out on this beautiful ribbon!  I love it, and hope you like what I've done with it. :)


 

"JUST ADD INK" CHALLENGE #9

I have some new Stampin' Up! goodies to play with, so I turned to the Just Add Ink Challenge for this week, for a bit of inspiration.  The girls at JAI have come up with a sketch this week; a great starting point for those of us who are a bit cloudy-headed, and don't know what to make!  Here is my interpretation of the sketch - I wanted the card to look a bit like a present.  I ALMOST managed to make a whole card without adding Kraft, but it just needed that little 'something', LOL.





Stamps: Polka Dot background, On Your Birthday

Card: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Kraft

DSP: *NEW* pretty paper, available from 1st April :)

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Chocolate Chip and Ruby Red stampin' pads

Other: Sponge daubers, *NEW* button die (available 1st April), Scallop Edge punch, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Valet Ribbon Originals, mini glue dots
 

SCALLOP NOTES II, POLKA DOTS, AND A BIT OF PUN FUN

Yes, folks, I'm back, for the second time in one evening!  After signing off earlier, with a promise of making cards in the coming days, I checked the 'family planner' on our bench and realised that the next few days are pretty full-on for our family.  So, I've taken advantage of a bit of time this evening with only one son home (he being the son who is not particularly interested in talking to his mother).  I went into my craft room and had a little play with some products that are about to be 'retired' from our range of Stampin' Up! goodies.  With less than two weeks left of the current Summer Mini catalogue, I decided I should focus on showcasing some of the products.

Back in this post I showed a few of the pretty things that are available only until the end of March.  I love the little Scallop Notes II, which are the sweetest 'love note', or gift card, size.  They are on page 7 of the Summer Mini catalogue, and at $23.95 for 30 cards and envelopes, are great value.  The Scallop Notes come in a selection of Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze and Chocolate Chip (10 cards of each colour); all of the envelopes are Very Vanilla.

I have a few photos to show you of the results of my play session this evening.

First up is a 'group shot' of the three colours of cards, so you can visualise them, if you're not familiar with Stampin' Up!'s colours.





Now I'll show them to you, one by one, so I can include a list of all the products used to make each card.

Behind this first card is a blank, standard-sized card, so you can see how little and cute the Scallop Notes are!  I'm a very 'visual' person, so find it much easier to see something than have it described to me.



Stamps: Pun Fun

Card: Pink Pirouette Scallop Note II, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Basic Gray

DSP: Bella Rose

Ink: Basic Gray and Pink Pirouette stampin' pads, Pretty in Pink marker

Other: 1 3/4" circle punch, Word Window punch, sponge dauber,Trio Flower punch, white gel pen, dimensionals



On this next card, I've used an adorable little stamp set and punch that will be available to purchase from next month.  They're TINY (and that's all I'm saying for now)!





Stamps: Pun Fun, Polka Dot background, plus new, exciting little stamp set...

Card: Baja Breeze Scallop Note II, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Pink Pirouette

Ink: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette stampin' pads, Pretty in Pink marker

DSP: Pink Pirouette Patterns Designer Series Paper

Other: Sponge dauber, Flower Fusion Too, Pretty in Pink brad, glue dots, exciting little punch... :)



The little house stamped on this last card is from one of this year's Sale-a-Bration stamp sets, called Good Neighbors.  The stamps can be earned for FREE if you spend $100 on Stampin' Up! products before the end of March.  A stamp-a-ma-jig comes in very handy if you're using this stamp set!  See the cute little envelope underneath the card?





Stamps: Good Neighbors, Short & Sweet

Card: Chocolate Chip Scallop Note II, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip cardstock

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss stampin' pads

DSP: Kiwi Kiss Patterns Designer Series Paper

Other: Sponge daubers, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Word Window Punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Scallop Circle Punch, dimensionals, Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbon



I hope you've enjoyed my little Scallop Notes II 'showcase'.  Let me know which one is your favourite!

Christine :)

HAPPY MOMENTS ... AND A COLOUR CHALLENGE

All week I've been meaning to participate in the colour challenge over at Just Add Ink, and have just realised that the deadline for entries is midnight tonight!!  My boys are at cricket, so I've thrown some food in the oven, and created a card with "Happy Moments" - one of the gorgeous Stampin' Up! stamp sets on offer for FREE during Sale-A-Bration (which runs to the end of March).

The 'challenge' is to use Kraft, Rose Red, More Mustard and Sage Shadow together.  I have to say, this was more of a pleasure than a challenge, because this colour combo looks GREAT!  I use kraft at every opportunity, although I must admit More Mustard is not a go-to colour for me.  The challenge rules allow for the inclusion of a neutral with these colours ... since I'm on a bit of a white-embossing-on-kraft kick, I've included some white.  Here is the card I've come up with:



Stamps: Happy Moments, Polka dot

Card: Kraft, Sage Shadow, More Mustard, Rose Red

Ink: Whisper White craft stampin' pad, Versamark inkpad, Sage Shadow, Rose Red and More Mustard markers

Other: White embossing powder, sponge dauber, Rose Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon, Word Window punch, Scallop Edge punch, 3/4" circle punch, Playground designer button, mini glue dot, mat pack and paper piercing tool


 

SALE-A-BRATION samples ... "the red series"

I have a couple more cards, made with Sale-A-Bration stamps (you know, those ones you can earn for free ... only 3 more days until they become available!), to share with you.

One of my 'go-to' colours is red, and I love Stampin' Up!'s Riding Hood Red (one of this year's "in colours", available until September 2010).  I've used it in both of the cards I have to show you.

In this first card, I've used a Sale-A-Bration stamp set called Good Neighbors (yes, even though it's been released in Australia, the American spelling remains, much to the dismay of the more pedantic amongst us!).  It is my favourite of the four sets on offer, and contains 10 gorgeous little stamps - mix and match houses and rooves, with a couple of other cute complementary images.  The house stamps fit perfectly inside Stampin' Up!'s square punches - have to love that!


Stamps: Good Neighbors (Sale-A-Bration), Thoughts & Prayers, Occasionally

Card: Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Riding Hood Red & Basic Black stampin' pads, Pretty in Pink & Basic Black markers

DSP: Bella Rose

Other: Valet Ribbon Originals, 3/4" circle punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" square punches, dimensionals



My next card combines my love of red with my love of kraft, mixed in with Chocolate Chip and white - what a combination!  I've coloured in, with my Stampin' Up! markers, the cake image from the Happy Moments Sale-A-Bration set, that is white-embossed on kraft card.  See, I told you there'd be more of that going on!


Stamps: Happy Moments (Sale-A-Bration), Party Hearty, Polka Dot background stamp

Card: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Riding Hood Red

Ink: Whisper White Craft stampin' pad, Versamark ink pad, Chocolate Chip stampin' pad and marker, Riding Hood Red stampin' pad, Ruby Red and Close to Cocoa markers

Other: White embossing powder, sponge dauber, Scallop Circle punch, 1" circle punch, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon, Chocolate Chip 1" double-stitched grosgrain

Just try to look past the wonky image, and admire my ribbon treatment, if you will - I was pretty pleased with myself on this one!

That wraps up today's "sneak peaks' of Sale-A-Bration stamps.  We're in for a long weekend in Australia, with Australia Day officially being celebrated Tuesday 26th January - some of us are lucky enough to incorporate Monday into the 'weekend'.  Woohoo - four days to relax!  I'll be going away with my family (and a boisterous 14-yr-old 'add on') to our cabin for the break, which will be lovely.  I will miss my craft room, but will soak up the fresh air, walks, and ample reading time.  I'll schedule one last 'sneak peak' post for the weekend, because when I get back, Sale-A-Bration will have officially started!!