STAMPIN' UP! TROPICAL CHIC 21st BIRTHDAY CARD

I have been very quiet on my blog in recent months, as family matters have proven to be emotionally exhausting for me, for a prolonged period.  Crafting is normally the therapy that helps me through tough times, but lately I've found my motivation for card-making has been lacking.  My dear old Dad died a month ago, after battling Parkinson's Disease, and Lewy Body Dementia.  Whilst the end to his suffering was a relief for those of us who loved him, this "new normal" is proving a bit more difficult than I thought it would be, to adjust to.

I have just returned from a holiday in New Zealand, following Stampin' Up!'s three day event in Auckland.  Lots of pre-ordered new catalogue goodies were waiting for me on my return, so I am hoping to get back into creating very soon.  The new Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue, that goes live early June, is full of beautiful new "must haves"!

Today I'd like to share with you a card I made for a young friend who recently celebrated her 21st birthday.  Check out the party invitation:

No prizes for guessing which bundle of Stampin' Up! products I used, to make the card!  I was really thrilled with how it turned out.

I have listed below all the current Stampin' Up! products used to make this card.   The "21" was die cut using the retired Large Numbers dies (one of the few retired products I have held on to, as they're perfect for these "special occasion" cards).  Tomorrow I will have another card to show you, using these number dies, along with some lovely current products.

Product List

Tropical Chic Clear-Mount Bundle [148399] $76.50	Happy Birthday Gorgeous Photopolymer Stamp Set [143662] $37.00	Stamparatus [148187] $85.00	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock [140490] $13.50	Melon Mambo A4 Card Stock [119980] $14.75
Basic Black A4 Card Stock [121688] $14.75	Old Olive A4 Card Stock [106576] $14.75	Shaded Spruce A4 Cardstock [147006] $14.75	Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack [144177] $19.25	Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad [147052] $13.00
Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad [147051] $13.00	Mango Melody Classic Stampin' Pad [147093] $13.00	Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad [147086] $13.00	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090] $13.00	Shaded Spruce Classic Stampin' Pad [147088] $13.00
Sponge Daubers [133773] $9.00	Big Shot [143263] $159.00	Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [141706] $58.00	Iridescent Sequin Assortment [144212] $8.75	Liquid Multipurpose Glue [110755] $7.00
Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [144108] $6.00

STAMPIN' UP! TROPICAL CHIC BIRTHDAY CARD IN PURPLE

I have had a bit of play time in my craft room this weekend, along with doing some shopping, and attending a (somewhat hilarious) tea cosy exhibition.  All up, it has been a good weekend!

I've mixed things up a bit with Tropical Chic, and made our gorgeous purples the stars of the show on today's card.

After die-cutting the leafy window in my main Gorgeous Grape panel, I embossed the cardstock with the new Subtle Dynamic Textured Impressions embossing folder.  The delicate vines that I've adhered around three sides of the window are cut using the Botanical Tags dies.  I have found a relatively mess-free way of gluing delicate diecuts, is to squirt some Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue onto a silicone craft mat.  Using a sponge, pick up a small amount of glue, and dab it onto the reverse side of the die cut.  It makes a bit of a mess of the silicone mat, but not your card ... so, a happy outcome!

Listed below are the Stampin' Up! products used to make this card.  If you would like to buy them for yourself, and you live in Australia, you can go direct to my online store by clicking on one of the thumbnail images below.  I would love for you to shop with me, if you don't already have your own Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

I hope you've had an enjoyable weekend, too, and have lots to look forward to in the coming week.

Product List

Tropical Chic Clear-Mount Bundle [148399] $76.50	Happy Birthday Gorgeous Photopolymer Stamp Set [143662] $37.00	Clear Block B [117147] $10.00	Clear Block C [118486] $12.00	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock [140490] $13.50
Highland Heather A4 Cardstock [147010] $14.75	Gorgeous Grape A4 Cardstock [147011] $14.75	Granny Apple Green A4 Cardstock [147014] $14.75	Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549] $17.00	Brights 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [146964] $19.25
Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad [147099] $13.00	Big Shot [143263] $159.00	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $50.00	Botanical Tags Thinlits Dies [146824] $47.00	Subtle Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [143706] $17.00
Glitter Enamel Dots [146934] $12.25	Gorgeous Grape 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Mini Striped Ribbon [146940] $14.00	Glue Dots [103683] $8.00	Silicone Craft Sheet [127853] $10.00	Liquid Multipurpose Glue [110755] $7.00
Stamping Sponges [141337] $6.00

STAMPIN' UP! TROPICAL ESCAPE WITH DELICATE LACE EDGELITS

I haven't yet tired of playing with the Tropical Chic bundle of products!  Here's my latest creation, with a few extra pretty details, listed below the photo:

• I used sponge daubers on the stamped flowers.  The top flower was inked in Blushing Bride ink, stamped off onto scrap paper, Blushing Bride ink daubed onto the flower centre, then stamped onto Whisper White card.  The other two flowers were also inked up in Blushing Bride, stamped off, then Blushing Bride ink sponged around the edges (rather than in the centre).  Sweet little Share What You Love Artisan Pearls finish off the flowers.
• I have used the gorgeous new Silver & Petal Pink bakers twine.
• Check out the beautiful Blushing Bride piece of card die-cut with with our new Delicate Lace edgelits.  I think the pattern really complements the tropical leaf shapes.
• For the sentiment strip, I first inked the long rectangle stamp, from Thoughtful Banners, in Blushing Bride ink, stamped it off onto scrap paper, and stamped on Whisper White card.  I then stamped the sentiment and tiny arrows in full strength Blushing Bride ink, and flagged the end of the sentiment strip with my Paper Snips.  The sentiment mounted on a strip of  green striped Tropical Escape DSP stands out a bit more, than if I'd stuck it directly onto the Blushing Bride paper.

I hope you're feeling inspired to play with this suite of products.   The pretty colours and elements really make me happy.

Listed below are all the products I used to make this card.  If you would like to buy them for yourself, and you live in Australia, you can get to my online store by clicking on any of the thumbnail images below.  I would love for you to shop with me, if you don't already have your own Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

Product List

Tropical Chic Clear-Mount Bundle [148399] $76.50	Thoughtful Banners Photopolymer Stamp Set [141614] $37.00	Clear Block A [118487] $7.00	Clear Block B [117147] $10.00	Clear Block H [118490] $14.00
Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock [140490] $13.50	Card Stock A4 Blushing Bride [131287] $14.75	Granny Apple Green A4 Cardstock [147014] $14.75	Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549] $17.00	Tropical Escape 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [146916] $19.25
Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad [147100] $13.00	Big Shot [143263] $159.00	Delicate Lace Edgelits Dies [147053] $50.00	Silver & Petal Pink Baker's Twine [146288] $7.00	Share What You Love Artisan Pearls [146927] $10.50
Paper Snips Scissors [103579] $17.00	Sponge Daubers [133773] $9.00	Glue Dots [103683] $8.00	Liquid Multipurpose Glue [110755] $7.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $6.00