Wednesday 31 August 2011

Less Than One Day To Go!

That's right, tomorrow we can order from the new catalogue.....woohoo!   But today, I had a play with some things I got on my preorder (demonstrator privelages, yeh!).



I really like the Lace Border Punch and wanted to use it to edge this card....but guess what?   When I punched it on the edge of the Wisteria Wonder base it fell off!   Yep, it's a border punch that comes clean off leaving a straight line on whatever you've punched it from....funny when you do it the first time!  So the resulting strip of Lucky Limeade was a necessity, and fortunately I like it.

Supplies used:
Stamp Set: Creative Elements and Well Scripted
Cardstock:  Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade & Whisper White
Ink:  Wisteria Wonder & Island Indigo
Ribbon:  White Taffeta
Lace Border Punch
Basic Jewels Rhinestones

Hope you like it too!
Karen

Tuesday 30 August 2011

Petite Pocket

Here's a really simple project I made using the Petite Pocket Bigz Die and the Big Shot:




The cool colour is one of our new In Colors (available 1st Sept) and it's called Pool Party.  I've stamped in Lucky Limeade (another new In Color) using Word Play and Delicate Doilies.  The closure is made using the little circley holey thingys that are part of the Die and I've added antique brads with some linen thread.

These little pockets are sized to hold gift card.

Here's one that's a tad more busy. 




The inspiration for this came from Bettty Traciaks blog.  She has amazing ideas for all sorts of lovely things.

Finally, the pocket we made as our Make n Take at the launch on Sunday:



I did this one in Island Indigo using the Button Buddies set and Whisper White Taffeta ribbon.   Cute don't you think?   You make the closure by punching two holes next to eachother in the centre of the flower and threading each end of the ribbon from back to front.   Wrap your ribbon band lengthwise around the pocket and pull the ends so the flower sits flat, then tie a knot or bow and trim the ends. 

Tell the recipient that they don't need to untie the bow to open the pocket, they can just slide the band off sideways.

The insert is a small card with Happy Birthday stamped on it and  I've used a bit of linen thread throught the circley holey thingy so you have something to grab onto when you pull it out of the pocket.

Happy Tuesday.
Karen

Monday 29 August 2011

Catalogue Launch

What a lovely afternoon we had at the catalogue launch yesterday.  Games, fun, good friends, fantastic food and lots of prizes.  We even managed to squeeze in a make n take....giggle.    Oh and the catalogue!  Possibly my favourite one ever and I'm pretty sure it was well received by everyone else (smile).

Thought I'd share this pic of my C.A.S.E of the front cover.    I popped a small packet of seeds into each seed sleeve and gave one to all the attendees.   I should have lots of friends I can borrow herbs from by summer!



Those beautiful real flowers were given to me at the launch by my friend Gudula - isn't that funny that she chose the colour to match the projects by accident?  Well done Gudula.

I'd also like to say a big thank you to everyone who brought a plate to share.  We were treated to some amazing treats both sweet and savoury and the call went up for a PaperLady cookbook so we may have a new project to start work on!

Happy Monday
Karen

Thursday 25 August 2011

Sneak Peek

Well the new caty launch is fast approaching and I'm so excited!!  I've been playing with products from my preorder and I can't wait to share them, but in the spirit of surprises, I don't want to give too much away, so here's a little sneaky peaky!

This card uses some new DSP, a new punch and yes...the new co-ordinating fabric.   I've actually used a lot of fabric in my launch projects and it's so thrilling because I don't sew but I love the textures that using material can add to a design.

Like the dots?    That was an accident!!  I used the flat rubber stamp from the Distressing Essentials and a combination of dabbing and swiping to get the ink over the embossed polka dots.  I love the way the little circles appeared as if by magic!

Hope you're signed up for my launch on the 28th, but if not see the side bar at the top of my blog........ooohhhhh there's a lot to look forward to!

Karen

Friday 19 August 2011

Sketch Challenge WT335

I had a chance to do another challenge this week.  This time the brief called for heat - either images representing heat or using heat in the creation of the project i.e. heat embossing.

When I had a clean out the other day I discovered a box of unused card kits leftover from numerous classes and workshops over the years.   I decided this was a good opportunity to try to use them up for challenges.  So, they are now in view on the desk which should force me to use them, right?!

The first unused kit contained a piece of Whisper White cut to A5, a piece of Bordering Blue & another white piece that were suitable as layers, and a small scrap of Tempting Turquoise.  Here's what I did for this Ways to Use it challenge:



Supplies used:
Stamp set: Pendant Park & Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink; Craft Whisper White (sorry, leftover from my US demo days!) & Basic Black Classic & Marina Mist (for sponging)
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Marina Mist & Bordering Blue (R)
Ribbon:  Navy 5/8" grosgrain
Clear embossing powder, heat tool & sponge

Thanks for looking!
Have a great weekend
Karen

Wednesday 17 August 2011

More Retiring Soon

Can you believe it?  There's more yummy things retiring.   As sad as it makes me to see things I love go forever, I do like the opportunity to try new products so it's kind of bitter sweet to say farewell to these:


Actually this one is devastating - I LOVE the Large Star punch & I LOVE EVEN MORE the Jumbo Eyelets.  The Spiral Punch is already gone.........:-(( and the greeting is from that versative set Occasional Greetings.     Goodbye!  BTW this is a techniqe called embedded embossing.  I did a class on this last week but if you'd like to learn how I'll run another in the future......


Ah, now if it's not enough to loose the Large Star Punch, how do you feel about saying goodbye to our Classic Stars Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel?  Ha!


Now the For You Flower has been a go-to stamp for me this year.  And it's one of my favourites in the A la Carte range.  Oh well, out it goes!  The heart stamped on the background comes from Simply Said.  Well, who would've thought that set would get the chop?!


These stamped images are also from Simply Said.   Isn't it cute?   Well get it quick or get over it!



Thanks for looking.  
Cheers
Karen

Tuesday 16 August 2011

Dress for Success PPA106

Here's a card I made tonight for a Pals Paper Arts challenge where the brief was to use one piece of DSP, one punch and one sentiment.    I think my card would also satisfy a CAS (clean and simple) criteria!


The DSP is from the patterns pack in Basic Black.  I've used the sentiment from Perfect Punches and the punch is the Wide Oval.   The ribbon is from last Christmas so it's retired, but I loved the spots with the stripes.  I like it because it's a great manly card....no not the footy team!  I know nothing about football. 

Anyway, I'm off to tidy up my craft space....again.....before I call it a night.

See ya!
Karen

Mojo Monday 204

A Mojo at last!

Thought I'd use retiring products for this one.  Hope you like it.



Supplies used:
Stamp Set: Petal Pizzazz & Warmest Regards
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Basic Grey & Basic Black
Paper: DSP Love Letter
Ink: Red Riding Hood, Basic Grey & Basic Black
Punches: Photo Corner, Scallop Oval
Ribbon:  Riding Hood Red Taffeta
Basic Jewels Rhinestones

Go make something!
Karen

Saturday 13 August 2011

Retiring Soon!

Hurry Hurry Hurry!   Don't miss out.   These gorgeous (if I do say so myself) card samples are all made using retiring products.  Do you see something you just can't live without?  THEN CALL ME TO ORDER IT TODAY!


Retiring Products on this card; Bugs & Kisses Stamp Set & Sweet & Sour Specialty Designer Series Paper.


Retiring products on this card: Fresh Cuts Stamp Set & Love Letter Designer Series Paper, Designer Label Punch, Photo Corners Punch.


Retiring Products on this card: Friends 24-7 stamp set, Designer Label Punch.


Retiring Products on this card: Friends 24-7.  


Retiring Products on these 2 cards:  Great Friend stamp set, Lap of Luxury Designer Series Paper (on left), Sunny Garden Designer Series Paper (on right), Spiral Punch (already sold out).


Hope you have a super weekend.
Karen

Friday 12 August 2011

The Value of Swaps

I'm part of a big team of Stampin' Up! demonstrators and most of them are on the Central Coast.  We have a team forum and it's a great place to trade ideas and share techniques and stuff.

From time to time we do a card swap and this month I hosted it.  The brief was to use retiring products so we would each have a stash of ideas to share with our customers.   This is also a great way for me to learn new techniques and provides inspiration for using my own materials in different ways.  

Normally we'd aim to get as many involved as possible and anyone in the group can take part but this swap was particularly time sensitive so we got a group of 4 willing attendees (me included).  Here's the results:



Starting top left and going clockwise:

Debra's card:   Uses Fresh Cuts stamp set in Marina Mist classic ink.  She's also used the Occasional Greetings set for the Happy Birthday.  Don't you love that perfect  bow? 

Nerida's card: Stamp sets here are Friends 24-7 & Sense of Time.    Nerida has combined these two really well using different ink colours - Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso & River Rock (I think).  She's added a touch of class by heat embossing the flourish (from Friends 24-7) in gold.   The Designer Label punch in Crumb Cake cardstock is also retiring.

Linda's card: Razzle Dazzle stamp set & Occasional Greetings are stamped in Pacific Point.  The DSP is Blueberry Crisp and the Designer Label punch is used in Pacific Point cardstock.

My card: I chose Great Friend for my stamp set and the DSP is Sunny Garden.  I've used the Designer Label & Photo Corners punch. The Striped grosgrain ribbon in Certainly Celery will also retire.

So there you have it.  A nice little grouping of swaps using retiring products.   Isn't it amazing that we all chose different stamp sets?   Now I have a couple of new ideas that I want to incorporate into my own cardmaking and lovely keepsakes of stamps & tools that I will really miss.

Happy Friday!
Karen


Thursday 11 August 2011

New Catalogue IB&C Sneak Peek

This is a very exciting month with the arrival (to demonstrators) of our brand new, sparkly, shiny & oh-so-lovely 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue.

You may know that the items in the catty don't actually go on sale until 1 September.  However, if you are one of my cherished customers, you can attend a launch party on Sunday 28 August, 2pm at my house.  Call or email me if you want to be one of the lucky ones!

Meanwhile, I have been perusing...(translate: reading the print off the page)....my copy of the catty, and the cover is so completely gorgeous that I thought I'd try to CASE a couple of the projects.   Bear in mind that at the time of making I hadn't received all my pre-ordered sneak peek stuff, but, given my 5 years experience with this wonderful company, I've had a shot at a really good forge!


Image copyright 1990-2011 Stampin' Up!

One of the colours on the card & in the flowers should be a new In Color.   I've substituted Cajun Craze, and I really like it.   Also, the paper that looks like DSP is actually made by stamping part of a stamp repeatedly onto Confetti White Cardstock to get the desired effect.  I've substituted twill tape and crumb cake taffeta ribbon for the new one's I don't yet have and my torn paper with the espresso dots on was done using a marker.

Now, the SU rules are very clear about us not being allowed to post a picture of the catalogue but we can show pictures of projects so I'm hoping that I've not crossed any boundaries.  I'll check with them tomorrow so if my post is gone after talking to demo support you'll just have to come to the launch to see the real thing!  

Don't forget that there's still some retiring products available, but they're running out fast so please don't delay if you still have some things on your wish list.

I will pop in tomorrow with some pics of cards I've made using retiring products.......it's so sad it makes me weep....giggle!

Happy end of the week
Karen

Monday 1 August 2011

Say Goodbye

It's that time of year again, when we say goodbye to some of our wonderful products to make way for the new IB&C.

This means that if you have something on your wish list that's about to retire, you should order it now! 

The retiring product list will be updated daily and once sold out, there will be no stock renewal so there's no point me posting a list here.

Instead, click on this link to be taken to the customer home page and once there choose the Say Goodbye graphic.

Be sure to let me know asap if there's something you just have to have.

Cheers
Karen