"EXTREME ELEMENTS" Earthy series ... part 1

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

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

Stamps: Extreme Elements, Perfect Punches, Wonderfully Worn

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

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

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

Back later, with more!

JUST PEACHY THANKS

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

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

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

Stamps: Bella Toile, Perfect Punches, Punch Potpourri

Card: Very Vanilla, Basic Gray, Peach Parfait

Ink: Peach Parfait and Basic Gray stampin' pads

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

"EXTREME ELEMENTS" in extreme colours

And now, for something completely different!

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

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

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

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

Stamps: Extreme Elements, Perfect Punches

Card: Basic Gray, Poppy Parade, Whisper White

DSP: Concord Crush Patterns Designer Series Paper

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

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

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

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

IT'S A HAPPY FRIDAY, INDEED

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

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

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

Stamps: Friends Never Fade, Tiny Tags, Oval All

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

DSP: Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper

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

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

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

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

Stamps: Funky Four, Perfect Punches

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

DSP: Blushing Bride Patterns Designer Series Paper

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

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

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

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

BIRTHDAY "PARTY THIS WAY"

Today I held the first of my classes for September .... hands down, one of my favourite ways to spend a few hours!  I am not-so-patiently awaiting delivery of all my new Stampin' Up! goodies.  However, we were able to make four cards today, using new products that I was able to order before the release of the new catalogue (one of the many perks of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator!).

I thought I'd share with you the card we made using a great new stamp set called "Party This Way".  We actually have SUNSHINE today in Melbourne (hence the glary photo!).  Take a look at these cute balloons:

Stamps: Party This Way

Card: Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango stampin' pads, Basic Black stampin' write marker

Other: Top Note die, stampin' dimensionals, Tangerine Tango striped grosgrain ribbon (retired), Word Window punch

Simple, but cute, don't you think?  I was determined to make at least one card without flowers, because I tend to favour stamps and papers with a natural, organic, lean.  I love the patterns on the candle and the balloon in this stamp set; I'm sure I'll get a LOT of use out of it.

"JUST ADD INK" CHALLENGE #33

The girls over at Just Add Ink have posted a sketch challenge this week.  I LOVE taking part in the challenges, but I must say I have a really hard time with sketch challenges; I'm so much more of a "colour challenge" girl!  Here's the sketch, to base a papercraft challenge on:

.... and, here's my (rather loose) interpretation, of the sketch.  Couldn't resist using more of the gorgeous new Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Papers.  I can see I'm going to have to order me another pack of these papers very soon!

Stamps: Great Friend, Friends Never Fade

Card: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Rose Red

Ink: Basic Black, Certainly Celery and Rose Red stampin' pads

Other: Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, White jumbo brad 5/16", Certainly Celery 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, sponge dauber, Mat Pack and Paper Piercing Tool, white gel pen, paper snips

We've had a lovely family day so far (and still a few hours to go ...), to celebrate Father's Day.  This morning, after letting Andrew (and the teenager who doesn't 'do' mornings) have a bit of a sleep-in, we visited the fabulous Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne.  LOVE the deli and fresh food section .... what a great place to visit.  We've paid a visit to Andrew's Dad (mine's in Western Australia, as he usually is at this time of year, enjoying the warm weather on Father's Day), and are now home in time to be sheltered from the miserable weather that's just come over!  I hope that all the Dads in your lives are enjoying their special day, too.

WELCOME BACK "GREAT FRIEND"!

I am thrilled that an "old favourite" stamp set of mine, from last year's Spring Mini Catalogue, has made its way into Stampin' Up!'s brand new Idea Book & Catalogue.  "Great Friend" is a beautiful set of 5 stamps, for only $31.95.  I've missed being able to use the gorgeous butterfly from this set. I also love the frame (that frames this card's sentiment) - it's a very easy shape to cut around.

While I'm impatiently awaiting delivery of my new colours of card and ink (that might be a couple of weeks away still), I thought I'd use some colours I love from the core range.  Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, and Very Vanilla go beautifully together; I've popped them onto a Crumb Cake card base.  I need to get out of the habit of telling everyone I use a lot of Kraft card, and embrace the name change!!  Don't you just love the Very Vanilla and Basic Black "Newsprint" Designer Series Paper I've used on this card?

Stamps: Great Friend, Wonderful Favourites

Card: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black textured

Ink: Soft Suede and Rich Razzleberry stampin' pads, Versamark inkpad

Other: Newsprint DSP, clear embossing powder, Pewter Build-a-Brad, 1/2" circle punch, Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, sponge daubers, Sticky Strip, paper snips

I have worked out my class schedule for September.  If you live in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs, and would like to use lots of new catalogue products to make some cards, please check out the "Classes" tab at the top of this page!  I'd love to have you join in on a few hours of stamping, talking, and eating with new friends!


Christine :)