JAI #128: INSPIRATIONAL PHOTO

This week at Just Add Ink, Jodene has come up with a gorgeous inspiration pic to set our creative juices flowing!

The elements that stood out to me, when I first saw this photo, were the pink and orange flowers - Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink and Pumpkin Pie, in "Stampin' Up! speak"!  So, I have a rather  PINK creation to show you today. 

I have used one of the die-cut doily paper sheets from Stampin' Up!'s Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper, and adhered it to a panel of Pretty in Pink doily paper from the same selection.  A few punched-out flowers, bright buttons and little leaves finish off my card.

Stamps: Curly Cute

Card: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade

DSP: Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper

Ink: Lucky Limeade, Pretty in Pink stampin' pads

Other: Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch, Melon Mambo dotted scallop ribbon, Brights buttons, White baker's twine, Sweetest Stem embosslits, Scallop Edge border punch, sponge dauber, mini glue dots, Tombow liquid glue, 3/4" Circle punch, Anywhere glue stick

We'd love to have you play along with us.  You might take inspiration from the flowers, or the colours, or any element in the photo.  Check out the rest of the Design Team's gorgeous creations, for even more inspiration!

JAI #103 : STAMPIN' UP! SCALLOPED HEART OF HEART EMBOSSLITS

Even though I've joined the Just Add Ink Design Team, I don't 'officially' start until next week's challenge.  So, this week I am playing along for fun, as I love to do (and will probably continue to do when it's my "off" week with the Design Team).

This week, Mae's challenge is to "Just Add Red and White", keeping in mind that Valentine's Day is upon us.  I don't subscribe much to the lovey-dovey Valentine stuff, but do like to make cards for friends who mean a lot to me (to give year round).  As I lay in bed last night, I envisaged exactly what I wanted to make, so it came together very quickly this afternoon.

I'd bought Stampin' Up!'s Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslits die, but hadn't yet used it.  It was PERFECT for the card I had in mind.

I had a hard time photographing my card, because we have really high winds in Melbourne this afternoon.  It's hot, humid, and there are reports of lots of little scrub fires around the suburbs.  Thankfully, no fires around here, but the wind is extreme.  I ducked outside, quickly snapped a photo of my card (in not-great light), and came back in to the airconditioned comfort of the house!

My card is simple, but I love it.  I think it beautifully showcases all the 'bits and pieces' that Stampin' Up! has in one colour (in this case, Real Red).

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts

Card: Whisper White, Real Red smooth & textured

Ink: Real Red stampin' pad

Other: Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslits, Stripes embossing folder, Full Heart punch, Itty Bitty shapes punches, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Real Red corduroy button (retired), Brights button, Basic Rhinestones, Itty Bitty Buttons, Heart to Heart punch, Brights glimmer brad, White bakers twine, mini glue dots, Tombow liquid glue

STAMPIN' UP! DOMESTIC GODDESS DSP

I really LOVE the cute, quirky, Domestic Goddess Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up!  Not least of all because it makes me feel slightly virtuous to own something with that title (seriously, I should employ a cleaning lady, because I am far from a goddess in that department!).

I encourage you to check out the 'flip-side' of all the papers in Stampin' Up!'s range, because the variety is fabulous, and patterns are often quite unexpected.  Even though this paper pack is quite whimsical, and "kitcheny", I came up with a card for a friend, that has a bit more of an elegant feel, I think.  I just love the yellow and grey (sorry, Daffodil Delight and Basic Gray) combination.  The colours are a bit 'off' in my photo, but you get the general idea :)

Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes

Card: Very Vanilla, Basic Gray

DSP: Domestic Goddess Designer Series Paper

Ink: Basic Gray and Daffodil Delight stampin' pads

Other: Silver Glimmer Paper, Basic Gray satin ribbon, Basics Glimmer Brad, Fancy Flower punch, 5-Petal Flower punch, Boho Blossoms punch, 2 1/2 " Circle punch, Perfect Pennants Bigz die, Itty Bitty Shapes punch, Basic Pearls, Fun Flowers Bigz die, sponge dauber, sticky strip, Tombow multi liquid glue

SANTA OWL BOXES FOR SOME LITTLIES

Due to my current rather "bah humbug" attitude towards Christmas, I am crafting strictly on a need-to-have-something-now basis!!  It actually seems quite a productive (if stressful) way to do things; I definitely operate best under pressure. 

Ethan, who is in Grade 5, is a buddy for two 'preppies' - little boys in their first year of primary school.  When he asked me, with a day's notice, to make something for his two buddies, I knew exactly what I wanted to make - Santa owls, using Stampin' Up!'s Owl Builder punch.  I really did have a hoot (sorry) making these!

I personalised each box with the initial of the recipient.  Here is a back and front view, of the boxes that had been filled with chocolates:

Stamps: Stylish Star, Ho Ho Ho stamp (not SU!)

Card: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Basic Black, Crumb Cake

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Basic Black stampin' pad

Other: Silver Glimmer Paper, Fancy Favor Bigz XL die, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet sizzlits dies,   1 3/8" Circle punch, 1 3/4" Circle punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Owl Builder punch, Bird Builder punch (for the hat), Square black brad (not SU!), Tombow liquid glue, paper snips.

Cute, don't you think?  I have a suspicion that the boys will make a bee-line for the contents, and probably squish the boxes in their sticky little hands, but that's okay!  I got a lot of pleasure out of making these, and Ethan loved them, so I'm a happy Mama.

JAI #96: JUST ADD TANIA GOULD

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is to CASE one of Tania Gould's gorgeous creations.  Tania is on the JAI Design Team, and has a beautiful style.  I scrolled back through Tania's blog and chose this card, as the use of the Top Notes really appealed to me - not something I'd think to do:

The starting point for my card was a Certainly Celery flower that I'd made, and not yet used.  After consulting my trusty Stampin' Up! Color Coach, I decided to pair Certainly Celery with Marina Mist, using some white on my card as Tania did.  It's only now that I've photographed the card, that I see I stamped the sentiment a bit crooked - oh well, it adds to the handmade charm, don't you think?!

Here's my version of Tania's card:

Stamps: En Francais, Always Elegant, Happiest Birthday Wishes

Card: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Certainly Celery

Ink: Certainly Celery stampin' pad, Whisper White craft stampin' pad

Other: Top Note die, sponge daubers, Marina Mist Scallop Dots ribbon, Certainly Celery taffeta ribbon, Subtles glimmer brad, Fancy Flower punch, 5-Petal Flower punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Eyelet border punch, sticky strip, mini glue dots

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!

JUST ADD INK #93

This week at Just Add Ink, Kim has presented this gorgeous colour challenge:

I've taken this opportunity to ink up my Triple Treat Flower stamp, from Stampin' Up!  It is a gorgeous stamp, with endless possibilities .... but I think I got so caught up in envisaging those possibilities that I became overwhelmed, and just hadn't used it!  It is a beautiful, crisp image, and I'm really pleased with the simple design of the card I came up with.

Stamps: Triple Treat Flower, Perfectly Penned, Vintage Vogue

Card: Certainly Celery textured, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Pool Party

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Certainly Celery, Pool Party, Melon Mambo and Basic Black stampin' pads

Other: Fancy Flower punch, 5-Petal Flower punch, Decorative Label punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Lace Ribbon border punch, paper snips, sponge dauber, Designer Printed brad (Pool Party)

My Paper Snips came in very handy on this card.  To create the leaves, I first stamped the Triple Treat Flower (on Whisper White card) in Certainly Celery ink, and punched it out using the 5-Petal Flower punch.  I snipped the petals to make individual leaves, and sponged them fairly heavily with Certainly Celery ink.  The little "half flowers" behind the sentiment were snipped from a Lace Ribbon border punched in Pool Party card.  I have also cut across the top and bottom of the Decorative Label, to create a slightly different shaped label for my sentiment.

I am having a lovely quiet day at home with my youngest boy (the eldest, and hubby, are off at cricket ... their favourite thing to do, but I happily give it a miss!).  We're just enjoying one another's company, and looking forward to meeting friends (and the other half of our family!) for dinner tonight.  I hope you're having a nice Sunday too :)

JUST ADD INK #90

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is to create a card, or other papercraft project, based on this sketch:

I have HEAPS of birthday cards to make this month, and am behind on a few.  This sketch was a great starting point for a card for a special young person in our lives.

I knew I wanted to make the birthday girl a card in earthy colours, and using my trusty Owl Builder Punch.  In place of an oval panel, I've fussy-cut a frame from Stampin' Up!'s Beau Chateau paper, masked off the outer edges and stamped a Woodgrain background in the centre.  Colour was added with my Riding Hood Red and Soft Suede markers, before sponging around the edges in Soft Suede ink.  Both the owl's body, and the left-hand panel on the card, have been stamped using my Elegance Stampin' Around wheel.  Having felt like my creative juices had almost dried up lately, I'm really pleased with the way this card turned out.

Stamps: Elegance Stampin' Around Wheel, Woodgrain

Card: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy and Very Vanilla

DSP: Beau Chateau Designer Series Paper

Ink: Crumb Cake stampin' pad, Soft Suede stampin' pad and marker, Riding Hood Red stampin' pad and marker

Other: Owl Builder Punch, paper snips, sponge daubers, Timeless Type Alphabet sizzlits die, XL Oval Punch, Square Lattice embossing folder, Bird Builder Punch, Tombow liquid glue, stampin' dimensionals

STAMPIN' UP!'S CALYPSO CORAL MEETS BASIC GRAY

I am loving playing with the five new "In Colors" (available for 2 years) in Stampin' Up!'s range.  The co-ordinating ruffled ribbon, and Designer Printed brads, are just too cute.

I have paired Calypso Coral with Basic Gray (toned down by Very Vanilla) in the card I have to show you today.  I just love the sweet little flower that was a breeze to make with the new Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch - and doesn't the cute polka dot brad finish it perfectly?

Stamps: Oval All, Confetti

Card: Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, Calypso Coral

DSP: First Edition Designer Series Paper

Ink: Basic Gray stampin' pad and marker, Calypso Coral marker, Sahara Sand stampin' pad

Other: Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch, In Color Designer Printed Brad, Calypso Coral ruffled ribbon, Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder, sponge dauber, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, XL Oval punch, Designer Frames embossing folder, Basic Pearls, mini glue dots

JAI #85 : JUST ADD ..... BABY

This week over at Just Add Ink, my sweet friend Patrice has set a "baby" challenge.

I was "tickled pink" (pardon the pun) with the very cute little birthday card I received from my friend Chris.  She inspired me to use my Scallop Envelope die, that doesn't often see the light of day.  I am loving all the possibilities that this style of card opens up.  The Scallop Envelope is the perfect size to adorn the front of a 10cm x 10cm card.  Here's what I came up with .... and I had a ball making it!

.... and a close-up of the subtly stamped background:

Stamps: Baby Bundle, A to Z, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink smooth & textured, Confetti White, Wisteria Wonder

DSP: Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper

Ink: Crumb Cake and Wisteria Wonder stampin' pads, Pretty in Pink stampin' pad and marker

Other: Scallop Envelope die, Heart to Heart punch, Word Window punch, paper snips, sponge daubers, blender pen, stampin' dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Neutrals brad

STAMPIN' UP!'S PRECIOUS BUTTERFLIES

In my opinion, a girl cannot have too many butterfly stamps.  For this reason, I just had to have Stampin' Up!'s new "Precious Butterflies" stamp set (it's a 'hostess' set that you can earn with a $300 order, or workshop)!

Here's the first card I made with this set, using the new coloured embossing powders in Melon Mambo and Wild Wasabi.  The frame for my sentiment is from another fabulous hostess set, Tagtastic.

Stamps: Precious Butterflies, Tagtastic, Texture jumbo wheel

Card: Crumb Cake, Whisper White

DSP: Wild Wasabi Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink: Crumb Cake, Wild Wasabi and Basic Black stampin' pads, Versamark inkpad

Other: Melon Mambo and Wild Wasabi embossing powders, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Top Note die, Curly Label punch, 3/4" circle punch, sponge daubers, Basic Rhinestone

I then went for a completely different look, to incorporate a doily from the Flirtatious Designer Series Paper pack.  I chose Melon Mambo and Pumpkin Pie as my feature colours.  It's hard to see in the photo, but just above the black panel, I've stamped the circle of butterflies in Versamark ink (perhaps I should've used Melon Mambo.  Ah well, I think the card's plenty bright enough as it is!).

Stamps: Precious Butterflies, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Basic Black

DSP: Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Basic Black stampin' pad, Melon Mambo stampin' pad and marker, Pumpkin Pie stampin' pad

Other: Beautiful Wings embosslits die, Ribbon Lace border punch, Basic Rhinestones, 1 3/4" circle punch, Circles #2 die, 3/4" circle punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge dauber

I really like the first card.  The second, not so much.  Still, I'm having fun playing with my new goodies, and I will have plenty more to share with you in coming days and weeks!

JUST ADD INK #84 ..... WHITE WITH ONE

This week's challenge over at Just Add Ink is not actually coffee-related!  Mae has set this week's challenge, to use white, plus one other colour.  This really was a challenge for me, because I don't tend to incorporate a lot of 'white space' (literally or otherwise) on my cards.

I decided to use one of Stampin' Up!'s note cards ... a smaller, less intimidating, canvas to work with!   I'm pretty happy with the end result, that is clean, with a pop of colour thanks to Concord Crush, and that showcases the gorgeous new Lace Ribbon Border punch from Stampin' Up!

Thanks, as always, must go to the supremely talented, lovely, Joanne Leddy, for teaching me how to make the flowers I love to incorporate on my cards!

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Whisper White, Note Card from SU!, Concord Crush

DSP: Concord Crush Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink: Concord Crush stampin' pad

Other: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Word Window punch, Beautiful Wings embosslits die, Fancy Flower punch, 5-Petal Flower punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Neutrals brad, Lace Ribbon Border punch

STAMPIN' UP!'S BEAU CHATEAU BEAUTIES

In our brand new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue (it's in my sidebar - just click on the image to check it out!), there is a gorgeous collection of co-ordinating products called the Beau Chateau suite.  Think French Provincial, vintage, nostalgic.  I have made a couple of cards using some of the Beau Chateau Designer Series Paper.

This first card has a lot of texture.  I adhered the panel of DSP to some Soft Suede cardstock, then ran the two layers through my Big Shot (die-cutting and embossing machine) inside the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.  I love the resulting rich, brocade look to it.  The scalloped circle is punched from another of the pieces of paper in this collection - beautiful, don't you think?

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla

DSP: Beau Chateau Designer Series Paper

Ink: Soft Suede and Pink Pirouette stampin' pads

Other: Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch, Designer Frames embossing folder, Victoria crochet trim, Basic Pearls, sponge daubers, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, mini glue dots, paper snips

My second card uses as its focal point the second embossing folder in the new Designer Frames set.  LOVE these little folders; they're fast becoming a favourite new toy.  The floral paper, punched out with the XL Oval punch, fits perfectly inside the oval frame - love that!

..... and a close-up of my favourite part of this card:

Stamps: Tiny Tags, Vintage Vogue

Card: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette

DSP: Beau Chateau Designer Series Papers

Ink: Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake and Marina Mist stampin' pads

Other: Jewelry Tag punch, Designer Frames embossing folder, Big Shot, XL Oval punch, Pretty in Pink brad, Crumb Cake seam binding, sponge dauber, paper snips (to cut out the oval, and distress the cardstock)

21st BIRTHDAY CARD

Jack (my eldest) has gone to a friend's 21st birthday party tonight, looking rather sharp!  The dress code for the evening is "cocktail black with a touch of red".  I've used this theme for the birthday girl's card, coming up with a simple but elegant creation thanks to Stampin' Up!'s fabulous products!!  I have used no stamps or inks at all on this card, it was very quick to make, and I love the end result.

Card: Basic Black, Whisper White smooth & textured, Cherry Cobbler

Other: Timeless Type Junior Alphabet sizzlits die, Big Shot, Fancy Flower punch, 5 Petal Flower punch, Boho Blossoms punch, metallic brad, Basic Rhinestone, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Cherry Cobbler seam binding, Sticky Strip, Tombow Multi liquid glue

JUST ADD INK #83 - A SKETCH, AND HAPPY NEWS

I am thrilled to say that I'm a Guest Designer for Just Add Ink for the month of September.   I've been a flag-waving fan and follower of this wonderful challenge site since its inception, and try to take part in the challenges every week.  Some of my loveliest 'stampy' friends are already on the Design Team, and it is a real honour to join them for the next 5 weeks.  Thanks, girls, for inviting me to join in the fun in a slightly more 'official' capacity!

This week Bron has come up with the following sketch:

I have a bit of a tendency to take sketches VERY literally (rather than using them as a starting point), and this week is no exception!  I've made a card that I think has a distinctly 'folksy' sort of country/naive feel (does that make sense?!).

Stamps: Just Believe, Sweet Stitches stampin' around wheel

Card: Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze

DSP: Baja Breeze Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink: Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, and Baja Breeze stampin' pads, Crumb Cake stampin' pad and marker

Other: Boho Blossoms punch, Circles #2 die, 1 3/4" circle punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Crimper, Sweet Buttons embosslits, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Square Lattice embossing folder, sponge daubers, Mat Pack and Paper Piercing tool, Kraft corduroy buttons (retired)

JUST ADD INK #77

I am feeling much happier now that I'm getting back into my normal routines, post-holiday.  I've made a card for this week's sketch challenge at Just Add Ink.   Woohoo!  I've really missed playing along at JAI.   Here's the sketch to use as a starting point:

Being the rather 'literal' girl I am, I was inspired by the flower in the bottom corner.  On my card, I've replaced one of the squares with a dramatic, shimmery, flower.  Here's what I came up with:

Stamps: Very Vintage jumbo Stampin' Around wheel, Because I Care, Always Elegant, Love & Care (sentiment)

Card: Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Melon Mambo and Basic Black stampin' pads, Basic Black marker

Other: Two-Step Owl punch (tiny heart), Basic Rhinestone, Basic Black satin ribbon, 1 1/4" square punch, 1 3/8" square punch, Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die, sponge dauber, 1 3/4" x 7/8" Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Fancy Flower punch, 5-Petal Flower punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Champagne Mist shimmer paint (mixed with rubbing alcohol to make a shimmer spray), Metallic brad, mini glue dots, Sticky Strip

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

INKSPIRATIONS COLOUR CHALLENGE #72

Well, Makeesha from Inkspirations had me a bit stumped with THIS colour combo:

It was the Not Quite Navy in the mix that threw me, but I was determined to give it a try anyway.  I haven't used my Friends Never Fade stamp set for AGES, so that was my starting point.  I coloured directly onto the stamp with Peach Parfait and Pear Pizzazz markers, and repeated the image along the strip of Whisper White card, which was adhered to my card base.  My super-duper new Crimper has seen a bit more action, and of course my card wouldn't be complete without butterflies! 

Stamps: Friends Never Fade, Sincere Salutations

Card: Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy

DSP: Peach Parfait Patterns Designer Series Paper (hostess pack)

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Pear Pizzazz stampin' pad and marker, Peach Parfait stampin' pad and marker

Other: Birds & Blooms sizzlits die, Neutrals brad, Pear Pizzazz ribbon, Eyelet Border punch, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Decorative Label punch, sponge daubers, stampin' dimensionals, mini glue dots, Crimper

COLOR Q CHALLENGE #86

Phew - I've just scraped in with this week's Colour Q Challenge, which ends in a few short hours:

Tonight I decided to show some love to my had-to-have, but sadly neglected, gorgeous Owl Punch.  This little guy has been sitting on a rail, without being used, for some time.  Here is what I came up with, using these colours:

Stamps: Hello, You; Friendly Words jumbo Stampin' Around wheel

Card: Early Espresso, Whisper White, Real Red textured, So Saffron textured, Daffodil Delight

DSP: Play Date Designer Series Paper

Ink: White Staz-On Opaque inkpad, So Saffron stampin' pad, Early Espresso stampin' pad and marker

Other: Two-Step XL Owl punch, Mat Pack and Paper Piercing tool, Early Espresso 1/8" taffeta ribbon, sponge daubers, Scallop Edge border punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Real Red corduroy buttons (not available in Aus.), stampin' dimensionals, mini glue dots