SPARKLY UPSY DAISY FOR SUNNY CHALLENGES #018/11

I've enjoyed having a play with an old favourite stamp set, Upsy Daisy, for this week's challenge at Sunny Challenges & Creations.  The brief is to use Stampin' Up!'s "Upsy Daisy" stamp set on a project based on this sketch:

My colour choices were influenced by the paper I stamped my daisies on.  I just love the colours in Stampin' Up!'s Tickets & Tags Simply Scrappin' Kit.  Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Poppy Parade and Baja Breeze complement one another beautifully.

I first stamped Upsy Daisy in Poppy Parade ink on the grungy grid paper.  Using Versamark ink, I stamped the image right over the top again, and used Stampin' Up!'s new Iridescent Ice embossing powder (being released 1st December) to give the flowers some sparkle.  It is quite subtle; I'm not sure it shows at all in the photo!  A Subtles Glimmer Brad added a bit more bling, to finish off the card.

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Parlor Prints, Oval All

Card: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Basic Gray

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

Other: Tickets & Tags Simply Scrappin' Kit, Subtles Glimmer Brad, Poppy Parade Stitched-Poly ribbon, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, sponge daubers, mini glue dots, stampin' dimensionals, Iridescent Ice embossing powder (*new* - 1st December), Stamp-a-ma-jig

JUST ADD INK #44 .... second attempt

I am really loving Stampin' Up!'s River Rock colour at the moment; it has grown on me since I first saw it a couple of years ago, and didn't warm to it.  I have made another card for this week's colour challenge at Just Add Ink, using these great colours (with Very Vanilla added into the mix):

I coloured directly onto my Upsy Daisy stamp with markers, in all three colours, then lightly spritzed the stamp with water before stamping onto a Very Vanilla piece of card - that had been cut out using the Top Note die, and stamped (second impression) with En Francais.  I love the understated look of the flowers stamped in these colours.

...and here's a close-up of the little details surrounding the sentiment:

Stamps: Very Vintage jumbo Stampin' Around wheel, En Francais, Upsy Daisy, Silhouette Sentiments

Card: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, River Rock (smooth and textured)

Ink: River Rock stampin' pad and marker, Chocolate Chip stampin' pad and marker, Wild Wasabi marker

Other: Top Note die, 3/4" circle punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Beautiful Wings embosslits, sponge dauber, stampin' dimensionals, Victoria crochet trim (*NEW), paper snips, Tombow multi glue

"TECHNIQUE" BLOG HOP

Today I am taking part, with 4 fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators, in a "Technique" blog hop (just a "mini blog hop this time!).  Each of us is showcasing a different technique to use in your stamping and/or scrapbooking, so hopefully you'll get some new ideas!

You may have come from the gorgeous Nikki Sadler's blog, but if not, don't worry!  You can start here, and do a 'loop' by clicking on the link at the end of each participant's post, until you've covered all 5 stops.

The technique I have chosen to focus on today is PAPER PIECING.  This technique is ideal for using with line image (rather than solid) stamps.  It's an alternative to colouring in an image, and is a cute way to highlight a portion of a stamped image, to co-ordinate with patterned papers used on your project.

It's very easy to do.  Simply stamp your desired image onto cardstock, and stamp it again on patterned paper.  (Alternatively, you could stamp it onto other coloured card - either plain, or that you've stamped with a design.)  Cut the paper image out, and stick it over the top of the base image; voila - instant colouring!


For my first card, I have stamped several of one of the "Fifth Avenue Floral" flowers on a Whisper White panel.  I've chosen to highlight just one of the flowers in red (I do love red, and polka dots - did you know?!), using "Play Date" Designer Series Paper.  This is a very simple design, but the paper piecing makes the flower really "pop", don't you agree?

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Bella Toile, Upsy Daisy

Card: Whisper White, Real Red, Crumb Cake, Basic Black

DSP: Play Date Designer Series Paper

Ink: Crumb Cake stampin' pad, Jet Black Staz-On inkpad, Real Red and Basic Black markers

Other: Sponge dauber, Basic Black brads (from Neutrals assortment), Stamp-a-ma-jig, Mat Pack & paper-piercing tool (for placement of brads)

Next up is a Christmas card, using Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper.  I stamped the Christmas tree (from the ever-versatile "Fun & Fast Notes" set) on Very Vanilla card.  I stamped it again on the Old Olive spotty paper, and cut around just the foliage before adhering it to my card.  I coloured the trunk, pot and star with markers.

Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes, Contempo Christmas, En Francais

Card: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler

DSP: Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper

Ink: Cherry Cobbler stampin' pad and marker, Jet Black Staz-On inkpad, Chocolate Chip marker, Daffodil Delight marker

Other: Wide Oval punch, Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, mini glue dot

Lastly, I'd like to share with you a birthday card I made with a young boy in mind.  Again I've used "Play Date" Designer Series Paper - this time, the striped "boyish" paper.  I love that each pack of Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Paper contains such a variety of designs, that complement one another so well.  The nose of the rocket is paper-pieced with Real Red cardstock on which I had stamped a star.  Pretty cute little rocket, don't you think?

Stamps: Seeing Stars, Pun Fun, Party Hearty

Card: Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise (textured), Real Red, Crumb Cake

DSP: Play Date Designer Series Paper

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Tempting Turquoise, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron and Real Red stampin' pads

Other: Top Note die, sponge daubers, Buttons #5 Sizzlits die, Scallop Circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, 5/16" silver brad, Crystal Effects

Next stop on today's blog hop is the blog of the super-creative Amy Buchanan.  This girl blows me away with her ideas!

Here's a list of all of us taking part today:

Judy May

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

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

Christine Blain
http://www.christineblain.blogspot.com/

Amy Buchanan
http://www.fashioninggreatimpressions.com/

Tina Gillespie
http://scissorspapercard.blogspot.com/


Have fun checking out everyone's creations, and please leave us comments so we know you've been to 'visit'!

JUST ADD INK #26

This week the team at Just Add Ink is encouraging us to use EMBOSSING on our projects.  Heat embossing is a really simple technique that can make a card look professionally finished ... it was the first "WOW" moment I had with stamping some 14 years ago.  Back then, I gold-embossed anything and everything, but my tastes have taken a more subtle turn over the years!  I've chosen to clear-emboss on my card for this week's challenge.

I started off with a colour scheme that was inspired by this gorgeous card - I would never have thought to pair Sahara Sand with Regal Rose, but don't you think they look made for each other?  I was also inspired to use some of my vast collection of silver decorative brads from Stampin' Up!  So, using my much-loved "Flower Fancy" stamps, I clear-embossed, onto Sahara Sand card, the small outline flower to create a background (just on the lower 2/3 of the card).  I also clear-embossed the flower onto Whisper White card, and overstamped the sentiment in Staz-On ink (there's a close-up, that's possibly photographed way-too-close-up, below!).

I won't ramble on too much about the methods I used, but I do want to add that I was pleased to find that three of my circle punches were the perfect size to make backing circles for the three different-sized brads.  I roughed up the edges with my fingernail.





and the sentiment panel:







In hindsight, it would have been better to stamp the sentiment first, and emboss the flowers over the top.  Oh well - you live and learn! :)



Stamps: Flower Fancy, Upsy Daisy (sentiment)

Card: Sahara Sand, Regal Rose, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Sahara Sand stampin' pad, Jet Black Staz-on inkpad

Other: Clear embossing powder, Circle Punches: 1/2", 3/4", 1", Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, silver brads from Hodgepodge Hardware and Flower Brad assortment, Mat Pack and paper piercing tool, dimensionals, sponge dauber

  

BELLA BLEU TOP NOTE CARD

Being the English language pedant that I am, I was tempted to call this post Bella Bleu Beautiful Butterfly, just for the alliteration, but I spared you all.

With all the nervous energy I built up before going to Convention, I got more cards made than I normally would; see how often I can post on my blog when I really put my mind to it??!!

The other night, while hubby was watching one of his favourite travel and cooking/ travelling chef / cooking traveller shows on Foxtel, I had a play in my craft room.  I still had out my Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper that had been feeling unloved, so I used a small panel on this card.  I cut a Top Note in the DSP, then trimmed it down and adhered it to the front of a Kraft Top Note.  I had a leftover sparkly butterfly on my desk, from when I'd experimented with Heat and Stick Powder, and Crystal Effects, so I used that too.  It feels great to actually USE some of the bits and pieces that I have amassed on my desk!

(Now, if only hubby USED some of the knowledge he gains from the tv shows, and did some cooking ....)



Here's my pretty blue and kraft creation:





Stamps: All A Flutter, Vintage Vogue, Upsy Daisy

Card: Very Vanilla, Kraft

Ink: Sahara Sand, Brocade Blue and Night of Navy stampin' pads, Versamark inkpad

Other: Bella Bleu DSP, Top Note Die, Brocade Blue 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Kraft taffeta ribbon, Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, sponge dauber, Heat & Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds (glitter), Mat Pack and paper piercing tool



I really love this card, and think I'll make a few more, when I get back from Convention.  Mind you, my mind may by then be filled with all sorts of new ideas, and I'll completely forget what I planned to do .... will fill you in, in a few days, friends!  Thanks for stopping by!

SOME FLOWERS FOR YOU

I'm back!!  After a rather long break from blogging (during which I had a wonderful holiday in New York with my boys), I'm happy to be back, and raring to go for another year of fun with Stampin' Up!  I have been busy in my craft room, preparing some cards for Sale-A-Bration (I'll tell you more about that shortly) ..... in the meantime, though, I have a couple of 'flowery' cards to share.

I was inspired by this sweet card, to make a simple and pretty card using Pink Pirouette and Sage Shadow - two colours I wouldn't have normally thought to combine.  I took most of my supplies to last week's stamping night with friends, thinking I'd use Claire's Pocket Silhouettes stamps to totally CASE Cheri's design.  Well, Claire doesn't have the stamp set I planned to use (that'll teach me to be my usual under-prepared self at our monthly stamp group), so I changed it up a bit, using Upsy Daisy.  Here's what I came up with:



Stamps: Upsy Daisy

Card: Pink Pirouette, Sage Shadow, Whisper White

Ink: Pink Pirouette and Sage Shadow stampin' pads, Pretty in Pink and Sage Shadow markers

Other: Pink Pirouette 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon, 2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds



The next card I have to show you is somewhat, er, less subtle.  I have a pack of Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper (very bright colours) that has been sitting unloved for a while, so I challenged myself to incorporate it in a card.  I am a huge red fan, so I chose the bold hibiscus patterned paper for the main panel.  The butterfly has been made using Butterfly Prints stamp set, and the new Butterfly Punch - both from the Summer Mini catalogue that is current only until March 31st.  Here's my BRIGHT creation:


Stamps: Butterfly Prints (Summer Mini), Best Yet (hostess set)

Card: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Summer Sun

DSP: Pink Flamingo

Ink: Tempting Turquoise

Other: Scallop Edge Punch, Curly Label Punch, Sponge Dauber, Butterfly Punch (Summer Mini), 3/4" Polka Dot grosgrain ribbon (Summer Mini), Tempting Turquoise 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, yellow rhinestone brad, dimensionals



Two very different cards, but I have enjoyed having some 'creating' time.  I think I was a bit 'burnt out' after making Christmas cards, and while we were away I didn't even miss stamping (sad, but true).  It feels good to be home, and back into the swing of things, so I look forward to bringing you more cards in the coming days.

Now, I mentioned Sale-A-Bration early in my post.  This is an annual event on the Stampin' Up! calendar, and is fantastic for customers, hostesses, and demonstrators alike - we're excited!  It's a promotion that runs from 25th January through to 31st March in Australia, and works in three ways:

1. As a customer, for every $100 worth of product you order, you can choose a free stamp set from the Sale-A-Bration catalogue.  There are four gorgeous sets to choose from; they cannot be bought.
2. As a hostess, if your workshop sales are $600 or more, you get to choose a free stamp set from the Sale-A-Bration catalogue, in addition to the usual great hostess benefits (of a free hostess stamp set, and free product to the value of $70 or more!).
3. Anyone who signs up as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator during the Sale-A-Bration period, gets a FREE stamp set of their choice (up to the value of $79.95) from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue.

How great are these rewards?!  You can view the Sale-A-Bration stamp sets here: http://www3.stampinup.com/au/documents/SAB_10_AU-NZ.pdf

If you would like your own copy of the gorgeous Sale-A-Bration catalogue, or would like to order any Stampin' Up! products, please don't hesitate to contact me by email.

I'll leave you with a few photos from our trip to New York - LOVED it!

 The whole family in Brooklyn, with Manhattan in the background.


Central Park (INCREDIBLE!) from the top of the Rockefeller Center.  Amazing views over Manhattan.



 Snow in Central Park; beautiful.

KIWI KISS & BASIC BLACK UPSY DAISY

I was rather taken with the colour combination of Kiwi Kiss (this year's 'in colour' green from Stampin' Up!) and black when I first dabbled with it the other night.  However, now that I have over-used it, I need to give it a rest!  I have a couple of cards to share with you before I move on to a new obsession.  Please excuse the appearance of them having been taken at night; it was pretty foggy and overcast outside when I took the photo this morning! 



Here are the details for the card on the left, with the base of kraft card:

Stamps: Upsy Daisy

Card: Kraft, Basic Black, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Versamark

Other: Kiwi Kiss striped grosgrain ribbon, Kraft taffeta ribbon, linen thread, button (from Button Bouquet selection), nestabilities (rectangle, scalloped rectangle), black embossing powder, white embossing powder.

The smaller card on the right is cut down to an irregular size, mainly because I decided I didn't want to add anything more once I'd cut out the main panel with my Labels 1 nestabilities - love that shape.  I just wanted to leave the card in its simplicity, with no further embellishments.  Details for this one are:

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Short & Sweet

Card: Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Jet Black Staz-On, Versamark

Other: Labels 1 nestabilities, word window punch, sponge dauber, black embossing powder

I got some new stamps delivered last night, and can't wait to have a play, so will be back with some new creations in the next few days. 

Christine :)

NO POINTS FOR GUESSING ONE OF MY FAVOURITE EMBELLISHMENTS ......

I did some late-night crafting last night, having been inspired by my friend Claire's use of the Upsy Daisy stamp set this past week, and my new blogging friend Renee's use of Stampin' Pastels on kraft card.  I have a couple of cards to share, to show you how one stamp set can yield vastly different results.

You MAY be able to tell, by looking at this first card, that I am rather partial to using brads on my cards.  For any uninitiated readers, 'brads' are split pins - they're just much prettier!  My monthly stamp group friends just roll their eyes, I'm sure, when I suggest the addition of Build-A-Brads to just about every card that looks like it might need a little extra 'something'.  I have actually been giving my Build-A-Brads a rest in recent weeks, and on the following two cards I have given black brads (from Stampin' Up!'s Vintage brad selection) a bit of a workout!

My first card uses the colours Regal Rose, Rose Red and Old Olive.  I had a scalloped oval piece of kraft card in my little stash of 'pieces of card cut out just waiting to be stamped on' (I seem to have accumulated a lot of these, thanks to the marvellous invention called Nestabilities).  On this, I stamped in Whisper White craft ink (slow-dryimg pigment ink) the main image from the Upsy Daisy stamp set - LOVE this little set.  I applied Old Olive stampin' pastels (chalks in Stampin' Up! colours - brilliant!) to the stems, then, using sponge daubers, 'pounced' Regal Rose and Rose Red stampin' pastels onto the flower heads.  The white ink base gives the colour real vibrancy - a really pretty result, don't you think?  The main Old Olive panel has been stamped with Stampin' Up!'s 'Weathered' background stamp, in Versamark ink so it is subtle.  Don't you love how the Felt Fusion flowers in Rose Red and Old Olive match the card and ribbon?  I do!!  Can't help but gush about all the co-ordinating elements in Stampin' Up!'s range; it's one of the things I love the most about SU!  I know I'm not alone in this, but I still get very excited by all the matchy-matchy things I can buy (and order for you, if you live in Australia!).



Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Best Yet, Weathered

Card: Kraft, Regal Rose, Old Olive, Rose Red

Ink: Whisper White craft stampin' pad, Staz-On Jet Black, Versamark

Other: Stampin' Pastels (Old Olive, Regal Rose, Rose Red), sponge daubers, scalloped oval nestabilities, Flower Fusion, black brads, eyelet border punch, Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, edge distresser, stampin' dimensionals



I have seen a few cards lately using the colour scheme of Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black and Whisper White, and just love the crispness of that combination.  I started off my card by stamping the Upsy Daisy flowers in Versamark (a clear, sticky ink - this is great stuff, as it's very versatile) on Whisper White card.  I then applied, and melted, black embossing powder, to give a raised, shiny finish.  Next I inked up the flower stamp with Kiwi Kiss ink, and stamped the flowers a couple of times over the top of the embossed image.  How cool does this look??  Please excuse my excitement if this is 'old hat' to you, but it's the first time I have even thought to do it, and I'm rapt with the result.  I sponged heavily around the edges of the white panel, using Kiwi Kiss ink and a sponge dauber, then mounted the panel on a piece of Basic Black card.  The "hi' greeting comes from a stamp set called Say it With Scallops - I stamped it in Versamark on Kiwi Kiss card, then white-embossed it, and cut it out with the magnificent co-ordinating scallop square punch.  LOVE how Stampin' Up! has a great range of punches to co-ordinate with stamp sets; it makes it very easy to give your cards a 'finished' look.  The patterned paper is from the Kiwi Kiss Patterns Designer Series paper pack; isn't it beautiful?  A bit of ribbon and a few brads (had to cut back because I used too many on the first card, ha ha) finish off the card.



Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Say it With Scallops

Card: Whisper White, Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss

DSP: Kiwi Kiss

Ink: Kiwi Kiss stampin' pad, Versamark

Other: Black embossing powder, white embossing powder, Kiwi Kiss striped grosgrain ribbon, black brads, sponge dauber, stampin' dimensionals, scallop square punch

I hope you enjoy looking at my cards as much as I enjoy making them!  I hope to make a few more with the Upsy Daisy images that I have stamped out; I was interrupted all evening last night by Ethan, who had a lot of trouble getting to sleep, so my creative flow was very stop/start.  Hopefully my tired boy will sleep soundly tonight, and Mum can play!

Thanks for coming to visit my special place.  Christine :)

CIRCLE CIRCUS

Hi folks

This great stamp set was given to demonstrators who attended this year's Stampin' Up! convention in Canberra earlier this month.  Those of us 'left behind' (sniff) could only look on as the lucky ones stamped their hearts out with their new sets!  There have been lots of great ideas, for using Circle Circus, floating around blogland; it is a super-versatile set that I have added to my rather extensive wish list.  Today I was at my friend Claire's house, and she graciously offered to part with her stamps for a few days, so I could have a play.  Yippee! So tonight I have been in my craft room, and have come up with a couple of cards, that I'd like to share with you.  I stamped out the focal image four times (twice each in So Saffron and Riding Hood Red), so once I'd composed my first card, I was able to make a second one in 'reverse' colours.  As my cyber-friend Sue says, why make just one card when you have all the supplies out?!  I tend to spread my supplies EVERYWHERE, make one card, then spend ages putting away all the scraps.  I like my cards to be individual, but it is great to mix the colours up a bit and create something a little different from the same papers and embellishments.  Anyway, enough of my rambling .... I just LOVE the way this first card turned out; I think the colours look really regal, don't you?



Stamps: Circle Circus, Upsy Daisy (sentiment)

Card: Whisper White

DSP: Sweet Slumber, So Saffron Prints

Ink: So Saffron, Riding Hood Red stampin' pads

Other: Riding Hood Red 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon, yellow rhinestone brad, mini glue dots, foam dots, sponge dauber, circle punches - 3/4", 1", 1 3/8", scallop circle



I had stamped the sentiment and main image in the reverse colour combination, so changed things up a bit, and 'went to town' with my white gel pen (I'm rather partial to dots). This is what I came up with:



Stamps: Circle Circus, Upsy Daisy

Card: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red

DSP: Sweet Slumber, So Saffron Prints, Bella Rose

Ink: So Saffron, Riding Hood Red stampin' pads

Other: Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon, Riding Hood Red button (from Button Bouquet selection), white gel pen, sponge daubers, mini glue dots, foam dots, yellow brads (from my stash), circle punches - 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1 1/4", 1 3/8", scallop circle punch (boy, I went to town with the punches too, didn't I?!)

I plan to play some more with this set while I have it in my hot little hands, so you might see some more circle-y (sounds much nicer than 'circular', don't you think?  I know, Kerry, it's not grammatically correct - my Mum was a teacher too, but I like to make up my own rules now that I'm grown up!) creations.  Make sure you check out Claire's cool cards while you're waiting! 

Thanks for visiting :)

FLOWERS AND STARS

Even after an absence of several days, that's about the most exciting post title I can come up with??!!!  I haven't had much crafting time this week; apparently I have been neglecting the family.  Soooo, after a self-imposed exile of a few days from my craft room, I snuck back in there and enjoyed a little 'me' time.  It took me a little while to decide what I felt like making.

I drew inspiration for my first card from the Stampin' Up Idea Book & Catalogue.  I love the colours in the Haiku Designer Series Paper, and my eye was drawn to some cards on page 76 of the catalogue.  The base of my card is So Saffron (LOVE this yellow), and I've used a panel of So Saffron Designer Series Paper.  The beautiful flowers, both small and large, are from the Eastern Blooms stamp set.  This is a really versatile set, that gives stunningly different results depending on colours used. I used my Boho Blossoms punch to make the tiny flowers from a piece of Old Olive paper, from the Haiku pack.  How cute are they?!  A bit of ribbon, piercing, and some pearl brads finish off the card.  I am really happy with the end result, considering I started off with a blank brain!



Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Upsy Daisy (sentiment)

Card: So Saffron, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla

DSP: So Saffron Prints, Haiku

Ink: Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, So Saffron

Other: Boho Blossoms punch, pearl brads (from Pretties Kit), Apricot Appeal 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, edge distresser, paper piercer, dimensionals, stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge dauber



This next card I thought would be good for a (female) friend of my teenage son, but when I excitedly showed Jack, he said "Ah, no Mum", and slowly shook his head!  Anyway, I like it!!!  I love the simplicity of it, and the co-ordination of the ink, paper and ribbon.  I used my Classic Stars jumbo wheel, and Baja Breeze stampin' pad, to make the background panel.  My friend Kerry made a card at one of our recent stamping nights, using the stars in this colour, and I just loved it, so I must credit her with the inspiration!  (The link to Kerry's blog is in my side bar.)  The raised star is just one I cut out from the 'patterned paper' I had created, with the edges sponged to give it some definition.  I mounted it on a piece of Urban Garden DSP, cut to form a border.  Here it is, folks - hope you like it as much as I do, or at least more than Jack does, LOL.



Stamps: Classic Stars jumbo wheel, On Your Birthday

Card: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze

DSP: Urban Garden

Ink: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze

Other: Silver brads (from SU's Vintage assortment), Baja Breeze 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon, Basic Gray taffeta ribbon, baja breeze button (from Button Bouquet), dimensionals, mini glue dots.



Thanks for stopping by, friends.  I'll be back when I have had some more 'play' time in my craft room (this "working full-time" thing is just not right!!).

BOYS, BOYS, BOYS......

Sorry, ladies, but the photos in this post are probably not what you were imagining, from today's title!  I have a couple of birthday cards for men to show you.  Ha ha.  PLUS ......drumroll, please......I have a scrapbook page to post!!!  This is noteworthy, because I am a cardmaker, and have only dabbled verrrrry briefly with scrapbooking.

Work has been more than a little challenging this past week, and I have not even set foot in my craft room - other than to open the door, switch the light on to check that all is okay and is still there waiting for me, turn off the light and leave.  I have done this a few times.  Sad, isn't it?!  My little family and I have been away at our cabin for a couple of nights, to reconnect, and recharge our batteries.  We really needed that; it was lovely.  Now we are back home, and I have mountains of washing to contend with.  While the machine is churning away, I have managed to have a little play, and decided that it's high time I shared my male-oriented creations.

First up, here is a simple birthday card that I think would be particularly suitable for a man (no flowers or pink in sight).  I have used ribbon, but as a simple accent to complement the card's colour scheme.  A couple of jumbo pewter eyelets help to give the card a masculine feel.



Stamps: Seeing Spots, Upsy Daisy (sentiment)

Ink: Versamark, Old Olive, Jet Black Stazon, Whisper White craft ink

Card: Whisper White, Basic Black, Old Olive

Other: Crop-A-Dile, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, White Embossing Powder, Certainly Celery 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Old Olive and Basic Black 1/4" grosgrain ribbon



My next card is one I have sent to my brother for his birthday.  I think it's safe to assume that he won't be looking at my blog.  I have used my much-loved Trendy Trees set, and my new favourite jumbo eyelets on this one.  All the other details follow th photo:



Stamps: Trendy Trees, On Your Birthday

DSP: Good Morning Sunshine

Card: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango

Other: Crop-A-Dile, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, wide oval punch, edge distresser, sponge daubers, brads (non-SU)



Okay, so now I am going to be brave and share my scrapbook page.  I have had a photo of Jack (who is now in his second year at high school) that I have wanted to scrap, but hadn't got around to. It was taken on the night of his graduation from primary school - a very emotional time for me!  He felt very grown up, but I was grieving the loss of his truly innocent days, and the changes that were about to take place with his friendships.  (His closest friends were to go on to different high schools to the one Jack would be attending.) Everything on this page is Stampin' Up!, except for the lined paper I stole from my other son's school book. (It's okay, he had to remove a page, so I just used some of the unwanted paper - just wanted to add this disclaimer in case any teachers are reading!)  I set myself the challenge of using no designer papers - just cardstock, stamps and punches (and, boy, did I use a few of these!), with a couple of other embellishments.  Here is my handsome boy ....



Stamps: Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel, Best Yet, Season of Joy (just the letter "j")

Ink: Basic Black stampin' pad and marker, Real Red stampin' pad and marker

Card: Basic Black textured 12x12, Whisper White (textured and smooth), Not Quite Navy, Kraft, Real Red

Other: Round Tab Punch, Curly Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Spiral Punch, Crop-A-Dile, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, black brads (from Vintage brad assortment), SNAIL adhesive



It's good to be able to post on my blog again, after what feels like a looooooong absence.  I am hoping to fit in some more 'play' time this coming week, as I have new stamps (YIPPEE!!) - will be back to share when I've made something.  Hope you all have a great week.  

Christine :)

Stampin' Pastels & Upsy Daisy (galore)...

Hi all!  About time I posted some more photos of cards, methinks.

I have been busy playing with my Upsy Daisy stamp set, and Stampin' Pastels.  This is fun!  The next four cards started off as panels of Upsy Daisy stamped in Versamark (clear, sticky ink), and coloured using Stampin' Pastels and sponge daubers.    Love the effect this gives - it's like magic as you see the colour emerge.  I added Dimensional Magic (only because I haven't yet got SU's Crystal Effects!) to the flowers for a glossy finish.



In this first card, I used Kraft (my favourite) card, and some of the specialty Sweet Slumber paper.  The pastels I used were Pretty in Pink and Bravo Burgundy.  The sentiment is raised on dimensionals, and I used some shiny buttons from my (somewhat excessive) stash.



Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Cute & Curly (from the Curly Label punch bundle)

Card: Kraft, Bravo Burgundy

DSP: Sweet Slumber

Ink: Versamark, Bravo Burgundy marker, Ranger Tattered Rose distress ink

Other: Curly label punch, Stampin' Pastels, Kraft taffeta ribbon, Bravo Burgundy 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, sponge daubers, dimensionals, buttons (non-SU), Dimensional Magic



My next card shows what a different effect you can get by just switching the card colour.  Again I stamped the Upsy Daisy flowers in Versamark, and coloured them with Pretty in Pink and Bravo Burgundy Stampin' Pastels, but this time I used white card - really pretty, don't you think?  LOVE kraft and pink together, and the white contributes to the soft feel of the card.  Those cute little white flat-backed pearls are from my Stampin' Up Pretties Kit, which contains a great selection of pearls, beads, flowers and yummy embellishments. 



Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Boho Backgrounds

Card: Pretty in Pink, Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink

Other: Stampin' Pastels, Sponge Daubers, Wide Oval Punch, Kraft taffeta ribbon, flat-backed pearls (Pretties Kit), mini glue dots, edge distresser, Dimensional Magic



My next card uses Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss, with a bit of white.  Whoever coined the adage "blue and green must never be seen" clearly didn't anticipate how beautiful Stampin' Up's "in colours" would be!  Everything on this card is pretty self-explanatory.  For a finishing touch, I secured a custom-made brad to the Kiwi Kiss ribbon.  I am a HUGE brad (split pin) fan, and have a vast collection to choose from, but I am super-excited about the Build-A-Brad kit from Stampin' Up; I can create my OWN brads, using just a 1/2" circle punch, pretty paper or a stamped image, and a little SNAIL adhesive.  Too easy, and so much fun!  Here it is:



Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Best Yet (hostess set)

Card: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy

DSP: Urban Garden, Bella Rose, Good Morning Sunshine (brad)

Ink: Versamark, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss

Other: Circle punches (1 1/4", 1 3/8", scallop circle), Stampin' Pastels, Build-A-Brad, Kiwi Kiss 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, sponge daubers, Dimensional Magic



To finish off today's post, I have a card that, with its retro feel, takes me back to the 1970s!  This colour scheme - for all the people who grew up in New Zealand and Australia especially, can't you just see the bathrooms and plastic stools (that's a special shout-out to my sister!)???!!

On this card, I have used my Scallop Square Punch (love that little thing), and the co-ordinating Say it With Scallops stamp set. I stamped the scalloped image twice, and punched out part of one of the images to create my brads - cute, don't you think?!

  **Ooh, the unforgiving nature of un-edited photos; I just noticed some visibe double-sided tape near my bow.  Oh well - proves it's handmade!! (I'll go fix that right now - just don't want to upload another photo, so pretend it isn't there, okay?!)**



Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Say it With Scallops

Card: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie

Ink: Versamark, Pumpkin Pie

Other: Stampin' Pastels, Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Build-A-Brad, Scallop square punch, corner rounder punch, Dimensional Magic



I have had a lovely, "stampy", weekend.  My husband and sons went away for a couple of nights, and although I did actually (gasp) miss them, I loved the opportunity to spend time 'playing' with a very dear friend, and my sister (who is also my very dear friend!).

I was disappointed to miss out on attending Stampin' Up's convention in Canberra this weekend, but already am looking forward to May 2010 - I'll be at convention for sure!  I am extremely proud of my Stampin' Up "upline", Claire Daly - number 3 Demonstrator for all of Australia & New Zealand.  Well done, Claire - you rock!!!

Tomorrow I have more stamping lined up, and this coming week is my monthly stamp group with a lovely group of friends - could life get much better???!!  I hope you all have had a happy, relaxing weekend too.  Thanks for visiting!