Little Boxes

So last weekend we had our Everything Eleanor stamp camp which went really well and the cards were SO pretty, even though there was a lot of fussy cutting (wink).  Next class will uses punches I promise!!

So I made all my guests little boxes with a few yummy chocolates inside.  Somewhere in the world of blog-land I had seen these boxes and wanted to make them myself.  Only a slight problem .... the blog was in German, so the instructions were tricky to decipher and all I could do to make sense of it was to watch the accompanying video tutorial on YouTube!  I managed to make sense of it all and made my own little boxes!  I forgot to take photos (until I got to the stamp class) so only have a few shots (and not the best quality).  Sadly I didn't take any photos of the pink and yellow ones (insert sad face here - they are my favourites!!).  SO here goes:


I used a 15cm square of DSP (this print is from last year's Sale-a-Bration) and with my Envelope punch tool, scored and punched at 5cm and 10cm all the way around.


I made a few little snips and added some strong sticky tape to make the box.  The box corners all came to the top which I hole punched and used some white thread to tie closed with a cute bow.


I made little tags using the circle punch and a little flower in Pretty in Pink CS for interest.


You can't go wrong with pretty presentation of chocolates!  Pity there wasn't any left for myself.  I must learn to make an extra!!


Until I find the link for this tutorial, please contact me if you would like a template.  It really is simple to make and I can draw one up with a day's notice!!  If you can find the link, do let me know!

Here's what I used:
Papers: Subtles Patterned Paper Stack, SAB DSP (from 2013), Whisper White, Crushed Curry & Pretty in Pink CS
Stamps: Six-Sided Sampler
Inks: Basic Black
Accessories: Envelope Punch Board, Circle, Hole punch & Itty Bitty punches, white cotton thread and pearls. 

The Pink Version

So, yesterday I shared my yellow (well Crushed Curry really) version of a card I made inspired by Pinterest and one of my favourite blogs.  So this time I decided to mix up the colours a bit, with one of my OTHER favourite colours (of which I have a few......)!!

So introducing the pink version made with ......  Pink Pirouette!


This time only a few changes.  I've used the feature scallop border a little bit differently and coordinated with Pink Pirouette DSP.


I've used Gorgeous Grunge AND Regarding Dahlias for the background stamping.  That works too!


I've finished off this time with little sequins, the doily of course, the white Bakers Twine and a little Petite Petal flower distressed so that the edges have separated, and a little pearl on top.  Cute!

Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge, Petite Petals & Regarding Dahlias
Ink: Smokey Slate, Pink Pirouette & Basic Black
Papers: Smokey Slate & Pink Pirouette CS, Subtles Patterned (Pink Pirouette) DSP
Accessories: Doily, white Bakers Twine, pearl & sequins, Scallop Border punch & piercing tool

Now to decide which one I like more!!

Hello You, Case

Hello You!  It's a funny little endearment I think.  Why you would say You instead of a name, I'm not so sure.  Better to say hello than not I think!!

So today's share is a case inspired by one of my favourite blogs, Inking Idaho.  The gorgeous card used such bright colours, it was just begging me to have a try myself!  So I did and this is how I went:


I love yellows, and if you've had a peek inside my wardrobe, you'll see how much I love this bright and sunny colour.  So out came my Crushed Curry ink pad and off I went!  I stamped a little flower with Crushed Curry onto coordinating cardstock.  Just so happened to also coordinate perfectly with the DSP!


I've added lots of background interest with various stamps from the Gorgeous Grunge set.  It was really good to pull out that set for a feminine card!


I've distressed the edges of the doily, added some gold twine and a few gems too.  Perfect!

Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge, Petite Petals & Regarding Dahlias
Ink: Smokey Slate, Crushed Curry & Basic Black
Papers: Smokey Slate & Crushed Curry CS, Eastern Elegance DSP
Accessories: Doily, Gold Bakers Twine, gems, Scallop Border punch & piercing tool

So tomorrow I'll be back to share my next version of this card!!

Bokeh Technique

I love the Bokeh technique for photography.  I have an app on my phone that does it artificially but I haven't yet mastered the true technique for photography.  One day!

So when I saw the Technique form Splitcoast Stampers for Bokeh, well I just had to try.  I wish and wish I had the blue Gelato's they used in the tutorial, which I don't have, so I just used what was in my beginner stash of Gelato's!


I used my Gelatos (the four colours I have), my stamps and my Aqua Painter brush for this card.  I started by following the technique and stampin the background flower using Gelatos.  I then stamped the flower onto scrap and used the Gelato's and waterbrush to colour in.  The effect of that was OK, not as great as I hoped.


The fun part was using the pencil eraser to make the background.  I then scattered a few sequins to bring out the colours.  I can only imagine how pretty just blues would be!!


I added a few red rhinestones to the centres of the flower.  The photo's really highlighted the gems, which aren't so bright in real life. Weird!

So here's what I used:
Stamps: Flower Shop, Secret Garden & Express Yourself
Inks: Black Staz On
Papers: Whisper White CS
Accessories: Aqua Painter, Sequins, gems, Gelato's, Pansy Punch & Dimensionals

You can find the tutorial to do the Technique and the beautiful blues used in their example by clicking here.

Avid Inker Swaps 2

So the other day or was it the other week??? I digress, but I did share a couple of card swaps I received at my last Avid Inkers meet up.  They were so cute to not to share.  So it is with much pleasure I share the last two swaps today.


This first card designed by Deb features the So Very Grateful stamp set, as well as some gold sequins and other products from the Occasions catalogue.

  

This card designed by Frances features lovely bright colours using the Really Good Greetings stamp set and the Hexagon Hive Thinlits Die.  So clever!

I have one more swap to share but Beck's creation deserves an entry of its own!  Enjoy xx

Water wash

Making sympathy cards is difficult, more so when you knew the person quite well.  But never really any easier when you don't know the person passing, but you have a friend hurting.  So this week I needed both sorts of cards and when the kids and husband were sleeping, I used some quiet time at my desk to do some creating.

I was inspired by watercolouring after spending an afternoon with my friend last week.  I tried and tried to get a good watercolour effect by using my markers directly onto an acrylic block, spritz with water and then stamping onto watercolour paper, but..... I just couldn't get the effect I was after.

In the end, I pulled out my watercolour pencils, coloured directly onto the watercolour paper and used my Aqua painter brush to apply the water.  The colours were muted but pretty.  This is what I ended up with (after several attempts!):


It was a rainy and windy day at home, so I took the photos indoors.  The colours aren't a 100% true to the card but the best I could get.  But you can see the muted colours of blues, pinks, yellows with a touch of orange through.  Just to replicate the colours of the setting sun.


I stamped the reeds/plant image using the Asian Artistry stamp set directly onto the paper with Soft Suede ink and stamping a sentiment as well.

I've tied some white twine around the entire card, just for simplicity and effect.  Rather pretty it turned out to be.


I made a couple of these cards, and hope I don't need to use the stash cards any time soon xx

Shaggy Dudes

So another kid's card today.  This card is for my son's friend and totally inspired by a creation I found on Pinterest.

Unbelievably this card uses the Simple Stems stamp set.  Can you believe it?  A boys card from a floral stamp set?  Who knew!  So time to show and tell!

Introducing the Shaggy Dudes!


The Simple Stems stamp set is from the latest and new Occasions (Mini) Catalogue and is a gorgeous stamp set.  I've used the silhouette stamp to create these little shaggy dudes.  So cute.  I stamped them in Smokey Slate, Crushed Curry and Bermuda Bay inks onto a 9.5cm square of Whisper White.  I added them to my embossed Basic Black background using silver brads.  (Gosh, it's been a while since I've used brads...).


And of course you just have to add googly eyes for these little dudes.  I set them close together, a little apart or just one bigger googly eye.  Cute!
 

I've used my Itty Bitty Banners stamp set for my birthday sentiment, with a background of Soft Suede and popped up with dimensionals.  I couldn't decide where to put the number 7, after all it was a young boy's birthday card.  In the end, I left it as is.

To make this card, I used the following:

Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners & Simple Stems
Inks: Basic Black, Smokey Slate, Crushed Curry & Bermuda Bay
Papers: Basic Black, Whisper White & Soft Suede CS
Accessories: Googly Eyes & silver brads
Big Shot: Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder.

And you can find the original creation here.

Everything Eleanor stamp class

Last call for my Everything Eleanor Class!

Everything Eleanor Stamp Class


Join us for an afternoon of fun and creativity at Nellie Hall in Melba, where you will make six beautiful cards using the Everything Eleanor and Petite Pairs stamp sets!



Date: Sunday 23 March 2014

Time: 1pm to 4pm

Location: Nellie Melba Hall, Chinner Crescent, Melba 

Cost: $30* (class only)

All supplies are included except for adhesives
*Price includes a light afternoon tea

To reserve your seat call or email me to arrange payment by 17 March 2014

Cutie Pie

Don't you just love colour?  I love all the pretty pastel shades that are part of Stampin' Up!s newest In Colour collection.  In fact, I'm trying to introduce the colour combination within my house of crisp white with the prettiest shades of blue/green/mint.  Think Tiffany blue or the blue of my favourite dress shop - Blue Illusion.  So its with so much pleasure to play with the In Colour collection!

This week I made a card featuring the new colours of Pool Party, Pistachio Pudding and Strawberry Slush.  These colours look gorgeous with white.  So pretty!  And so does this card!


Isn't this little butterfly cute?  In fact, I've renamed her Cutie Pie!  I found her over at Miss Kate Cuttables, a website specialising in SVG designs.


In addition to the colours mentioned above, I also used Pretty in Pink for the top body layer and Soft Suede for the eyes.

I put my Cutie Pie on a background of Whisper White that I had embossed with the Cloudy Day Embossing Folder.  I love the little cloud imprints for the back ground.


This card was for a little girl, so I added a little sentiment and a heart that I had left over from my Embellishment making day.  All in all, a pretty little card for a pretty little girl.  Well I think so anyway!

And as a little bit of trivia, I googled the definition of Cutie Pie:

cutie pie

noun Informal.
1.
darling; sweetheart; sweetie (often used as a term of endearment). 
 
 
And I think it is rather fitting!

So here's what I used:
Stamps: Express Yourself
Inks: Basic Black
Papers: Whisper White, Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding, Coastal Cabana, Pretty in Pink, Soft Suede & Raspberry Ripple (heart)
Accessories: Big Shot & Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, small heart punch.




Embellishments!

So the other week, well back in February really, I participated in an Embellishment swap with a group I found on Facebook.  I can't remember if there were rules to the swap, only that you had to make 10 embellishments for swaps (which also includes one for yourself!).

So inspired by Pinterest and also taking into consideration I had to make ten embellishments that could pack into an envelope easily, I made little red heart postage embellies.  Cute really.  And they looked super cute when I put them on a card too :)

 So I used Raspberry Ripple as my feature colour (because that's a kind of red!) and worked it from there.  I cut a square from Raspberry Ripple DSP using the polka dots as the feature side.  Mainly because I love them!  Punched a white heart out of a one inch Raspberry Ripple square.  I then matted onto a Whisper White piece punched with the postage stamp punch.  Cute.

I added a little tiny bow (so tiny, so tricky!!) and a little gem.  Super cute!  This was the embellishment then complete and ready for swapping.


As I made a little embellie for myself, I used a Whisper White card matt, stamped my sentiment and then used Raspberry Ripple as the cardbase.  Perfectly coordinated and so pretty.  Very little stamping too making it super easy :)

I don't have the Pin link to share, but you'll know it when you see it!

Enjoy :)

Avid Inker Swaps

It's been a few days since posts (although I have been sharing pin-spiration over at my Stamp with Me Facebook page) as my family struggles with the kind presents my son brought home from school camp!  Things like a nasty cold and bed bugs of all things.  Bed bugs.  Makes my skin crawl.  So now I'm trying to get over the cold and thankfully we dealt with the issue of bed bugs quickly!  So it's with pleasure I share some of my card swaps I received at the latest Avid Inkers meet up.  Such beautiful swaps.  I've put them on Whisper White CS bases to help with photography.  Two of the beautiful swaps are shared here today:


This beautiful design by Vicki is just gorgeous and uses the Happy Watercolour stamp set.  Stunning!


I love the colours of Bussy's design using the Love You to the Moon set, so pretty too!

I'll be back with a few more of the lovely swaps I have received.  They're too pretty not to share!!

Skater card

So after a week of working afternoon shift and then the weekend, well the weekend kind of snuck up on me very very quickly.  As much as I love having the mornings home, I end up doing chores and catching up on things like grocery shopping and washing..... All my best intentions for crafting seem to go lower and lower on that to do list!!  So Friday arrived, it was 6pm and I still needed to make a birthday card for the following morning!!

So as dinner was cooking, I sat down and saw what supplies did I have ready to go.  It was kind of like a use up the scraps day.  I found a SVG cut of a boy on a skateboard and circle punches.  So I figure a skateboarder image needs a boy kind of stamp.  Gorgeous Grunge was perfect.  I chose some greens: Green Galore & Pear Pizzazz and some blues: Marina Mist and Pacific Point and set to work.


I was aiming for background stamping, but the splotches look kind of cool.  Its like the skater rose up from the splotches!  I also criss-crossed the lines over the card and scatter some dots around.


I stamped on a Whisper White matt and stamped a birthday sentiment.  This was then layered onto Marina Mist cardstock.  nice.

I used a scrap circle punched out of black and added a die cut number six and adhered to the edge trimming as necessary.  A bit of Tombow glue to stick down my skater and the card was done.  My boys thought the card was really cool - all that I was trying for.  Maybe a bit old for a 6 year old perhaps, but definitely a boy's sort of card.  Job done, card made.  Just in time for dinner.  Happy days!

Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge & Express Yourself
Inks: Basic Black, Pacific Point, Marina Mist, Green Galore & Pear Pizzazz
Papers: Marina Mist, Whisper White & Basic Black CS
Accessories: Cricut, Circle Punch, numbers die and Tombow glue.


Best of Autumn

Best of 25 years stamp collections

As part of Stampin' Up!s 25-year anniversary celebration, we're bringing back some of our favourite stamp images from the last quarter century and combining them into five sets, which will be released one set per month, until April 2014. Even better, along with some great classic images, each "Best of" set will also include a never-before-seen image!

March - Best of Autumn

February - Best of Greetings

January - Best of Brides & Babies

To see the complete best of collection - click here

Some things to remember:
  • All Best of stamp sets will include 3-5 images, including a never-before seen image, and will be priced at $25.95.
  • All of the Best of sets will be available until April 2014.
  • All Best of stamp sets are available in Clear-Mount only.
  • The stamp images may be sized differently from the original stamp sets.

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