Mojo Monday 216

Another great sketch from Mojo Monday - again, it appeals to me because of it's simplicity.  Which seems to be the reason why I get overly (and uncharacteristically) busy with my card!  Go figure.

All I knew when I saw this sketch was that it was going to feature my new favourite DSP that's coming in the mini which will launch on 1st December.  So yes, you are getting a sneaky peaky!

The paisley stamp was done by inking the stamp with markers in a random way.  Tip: start with the lightest coloured marker and work up to the darkest so you don't mess up your lighter colours.  Use the brush tip and don't worry too much about where you ink as long as you get the variety in the colour and ensure the whole stamp is inked.

Supplies used:
Spiced Paisley (coming soon) & Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Cardstock:   Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz
Paper:  Spice Cake DSP (coming soon)
Ink: Soft Suede, More Mustard, Pool Party
Designer Buttons Spice Cake in Soft Suede (coming soon), Elegant Lines Embossing Folder & the Big Shot, Hemp & Vanilla crochet thread, Basic Pearls.

Hope you are staying dry in this awful weather!
Karen

Early Product Release

You gotta love this!   You can buy the gorgeous Stitched Stocking Set & co-ordinating punch BEFORE the Summer Mini Catalogue comes out on 1st December.
That's right, order it now and get your Chrissy projects off to a great start.

Stitched Stocking Stamp set of 7

#125798 Wood Mount $53.95

#123784 Clear Mount $42.95

Stocking Tag Builder Punch

#124095 $33.95

Cheers
Karen

What's the Goss?

Feel the Frenzy, that's what!  In addition to the Summer Mini Catalogue on Dec 1st (cue small whoop of joy), you will be able to enjoy select Stampin' Up! merchandise with up to 50% discounts.   Oooooh, just in time for Christmas.   Get your partner, hubby, significant other, even your neighbour to purchase a Gift Certificate from me so you'll have something under the tree that you REALLY want this Christmas.  Then, call me on Dec 27 with your order.  Sounds fantastic to me!

Merry Merry!

Enjoy the week! 
Cheers
Karen

There's a Buzz in the Air

The Summer Mini is due out on December 1st.....I can hardly wait to show you.  Here's a little lookie at a couple of projects I made with one of the stamp sets:

Quite pretty I think!   And oh so simple.  A quick one layer card with the sentiment stamped twice in 2 colours then punched out and raised on dimensionals.   A little silver clip from the Clips Asst pack adds a nice detail and the ribbon, well, I just love the ruffles!  There's a smidgen of yellow behind the decorative label.....it's bleach.  It was intentional, I assure you.  I'm planning a class on that technique coming soon.

This heart is from the same set as the stamped image above.  I did a bit of spotlighting to highlight the bird and butterfly.  Not sure if you can see the little pearls in the centre of some of the flowers, they are so delicate.  Organza ribbon, a crocheted flower & an Antique Brad.....need I say more?  The colours are Poppy Parade (red), Baja Breeze (blue) and So Saffron.  Not a colour combo I would choose but the Color Coach told me to do it, so I figured I'd better try! 

Right, I'm off to the beach for breakfast, hope you have a nice day planned....see ya!
Karen

Versatile Stockings

Playing around with the Stitched Stocking set & punch has been a lot of fun.   And I'm sure you're all dying to be able to buy it come Dec 1st.    Here's a sneak peek at some of the cute things you can use it for:

Now I can use this stamp set & punch all year round....woohoo!  I stamped the stockings in Pretty in Pink on Whisper White then cut about a third off the top.   Trimming the little scallop tops was easy then I stuck then back onto the stocking base with snail.  The Striped embossing folder looks great with Flirtatious DSP layered on top.    Hello Baby came from Teeny Tiny Sentiments and the rhinestones......shhhhhh....are covering up a mistake!

Rudolph is made by using the stocking upside down.   The antlers came from the Bird Builder punch and the nose is from the Owl builder.  His ears are the heel of stocking punch.

Timeless Portrait DSP gives this a non-traditional look for Christmas.  The stockings make great "L's" and I've used the Timeless Type alphabet Sizzlits for the other letters.  This is a slightly different shaped Joy fold card with the width of the fold out piece rather long, but necessary because of the length of the word.  Tip - make it bit deeper so that the card can stand up when open....oops!   Triple layer Doily Punch used for the closer and the Cherry Cobbler stamping on the background piece is from Season of Joy.

 Now, go play with your punches!!

Karen

It's a Scrapbook Page!

It's been a long time since I did a page.  Please don't read back through my scrapbook posts because you'll find I've done nothing I promised!  Oh, the best laid plans....giggle!

Last night I went to a scrapbook class that my downline Irene was hosting.   This is what I made:

Isn't it gorgeous?  I copied (almost exactly) the sample because no matter how hard I try, I just can't do my own thing in a class.   I get all flustered and then end up with a project I don't like, so this way, I come home with a perfect project, one I love and that I can then develop in the relative peace of my craft room.

Supplies used:
Ornament Punch - well duh, right?!    Some were stamped first using Contempo Christmas, others are dry embossed using the Polka Dots embossing folder and the Big Shot.
A few were Spritzed to give them some sparkle. 

The pictures were taken during a Christmas holiday in Mammoth, CA a couple of years ago.  Such lovely memories.   But the $64 million question.....will I do more pages....you'll have to check back to see!
Have a great weekend.
Karen

Circle Circus Swaps

Thought I'd share the swaps I received at our PaperLicious team meeting last night.   This was our first team swap and the brief was to use Circle Circus.

Wendy

Irene

Tracy

Julie

Julie put a scratchie inside.  And I won $2!!

Joey

Me

Aren't they gorgeous?    I will add Michelle's when I get it, but we missed her last night as she was sick.  Get better soon!
Happy Tuesday.
Karen

First Thank You 2011

What a lovely surprise email I received tonight - our first thank you for this year's Christmas Cards for our armed forces.   It touches my heart when I read this and I'm thrilled that Major Toohey would take the time to send it.   I will scan the email to post on the CCFAAF page, but this is a copy and paste so it doesn't look quite as official.

**********************************************************
Dear Karen,
On behalf of the Australian Officer's working for the UN in Israel,
Syria, Lebanon and Egypt (Operation Paladin), I would like to thank
you for the lovely Christmas Cards you sent us to use for our families
back home.
Be assured that we truly appreciate the fact that Aussies are thinking
of us over the festive season and ensuring our welfare is being looked
after.
Thankyou and have a safe and happy Christmas period back home. We will
miss it for sure over here.
David

D.J.TOOHEY
Major
********************************************************

Happy Monday
Karen

Christmas Joy Fold

I just earned a performance bonus with SU......love getting free stuff, don't you?!  One of the products I chose was the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet for the Big Shot.  It's the perfect size for cards.  So I thought I'd give it a try with the Joy fold card.

I seem to be very focused on traditional Christmas colours this year.   Not sure why.  Anyway I'm running low on patterned paper so I made my own. 

Supplies used:
Stamps:  Snow Swirled & the standard wheel Sweet Swirls
Cardstock: Real Red & Whisper White
Paper:  DSP Neutrals stack - Whisper White
Ink: Lucky Limeade & Real Red
Triple Layer Doily punch
Rhinestones & some of last years polka dot ribbon that I turned over so you just see the stitching.

It's too hot, so I'm moving my office to the pool!
Cheers
Karen

Oh Joy!

Just tried my first Joy fold card.  And I think I like it!  There's quite a lot of processes but that may be because I made it a bit busy.  It's simple enough to do, and I think you could play around with the dimensions to suit your needs.

Do you see the little blue scallop trim behind the Happy Birthday greeting? I made that by punching out some cardstock using the new Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch. Then I cut the punched piece in half lengthways to stick it behind the Modern Label.

You can see how I've attached the little closer-holder thingy here.  I've used dimensionals but put two on top of each other so it's easier to close the card.

I love the way all the patterned paper is so different, yet it works so well.  That's the beauty of Stampin' Up! co-ordinating products.  Takes all the guess work out!   And this particular pack of DSP has 11 colours in it making it perfect for all sorts of projects and colour palletes.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Warmest Regards & Tiny Tags, Creative Elements
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy & Whisper White
Paper:  DSP Paisley Petals
Ink: Bravo Burgundy & Not Quite Navy
Modern Label, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border & Jewellery Tag, Bird Builder, 1 1/4" circle & 1 3/8" circle punches
Linen Thread

Stay cool in this HOT November weather.   I'm melting in my craft room!
Cheers
Karen

Card Delivery Day is Here!

Well, it's Monday 7th November and I'm off to the barracks to deliver all the lovely Christmas cards that are so beautifully handmade & donated by many wonderful cardmakers from around Australia.    I will add some pics to this post when I get back later on.

I did open the door this morning to the postie with another box of 100 so I'm thrilled that they made it to me on time.    If you have sent cards and your name is not on the list perhaps they haven't made it to me yet.    Watch this space, I'll see what I can do.

Those are just some of our cards packaged into the yellow envelopes ready for the off.   That little lot is going to Afghanistan.

When I arrived at the barracks there were some extra cards sent there to be included with our stash so that took the total to 2,601! How fantastic is that?    So there you have it.....another year of CCFTT is complete.  Take a bow everyone.    You've all done very well!

Happy Monday
Karen

Glebe Markets

Susie, Gloria & I did our first market stall at Glebe last month.   It was a great day, we met lots of lovely people and sold some of our stock......to make room for more!

Here's our little stall.  We had lots of lovely things and will be doing it again on 12th November so if you want some Christmas cards or packaging ideas that are unique and beautifully hand made why not pop by and see us?

Cheers
Karen

Inkspirations Challenge #92

This colour challenge from Inspirations was Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Sahara Sand & Very Vanilla.

I made the banner for the greeting using the large oval punch - cute eh?  I'll pop back in a day or two with a tutorial.    The centre of the flower is made using our new seam binding.  I'm loving that ribbon!  It's so soft and easy to work with.    It's a fairly easy technique where you tie a knot in the end of your ribbon then keep wrapping around the knot until you get a closed rose look.  It's secured with glue dots - about 5.  I wish SU still had the big ones!

Supplies used:
Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Cardstock:  Not Quite Navy & Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla
DSP: Timeless Portrait & Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Lace Border Punch
Big Shot, Stripes Embossing Folder & Fun Flowers die
Rhinestones & Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding

Don't forget that some of our Big Shot dies are on special right now - check it out here.

Cheers
Karen

My Morning Walk

It was a glorious morning the other day and I happened to have my phone so I took these pictures.

Sorry it's not craft related, but maybe the colours will inspire you to go make something.

Cheers

Karen

Remember, Remember the 5th of November.......

.....gunpowder, treason, and........Stampin' Up! SPECIALS!    Ok, so if you're not English, you may not get that was the first line of a poem about Guy Fawkes who was in a lot of trouble for plotting to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London.......what does that have to do with a special offer, you ask?  Well, it's a sale to "Die" for.......

Check out these dies and their prices!  And, if you haven't got a Big Shot yet why not take advantage of the bundle discount?

GE DescriPTION RETAIL PRICE 10% OFF
Call or email me today to take advantage of this great offer, and see how the Big Shot & it's wonderful dies & embossing folders will have you creating beautiful Christmas cards and gift packaging to impress your friends and family in a flash.

Cheers
Karen

Finally...

I finally sat down to make a pile of Christmas cards for our armed forces!   I have made others throughout the year, but because it was such a busy time on our special cardmaking day I didn't get to make a big bundle in one go.

I decided to keep it really simple and use some of my stash - something I've been trying to do with other projects as well.  And I'm quite pleased with the results.  Here's some of them:

They look so pretty all grouped together on the table.

The retired DSP on this one was Riding Hood Red.  I loved that pattern.  Isn't the organza ribbon gorgeous?

More retired DSP & stickers from a long gone pack of Accents & Elements.   The buttons were gifted to me by a friend and I think it looks really cute on top of the wreath from Contempo Christmas

I can't remember what this paper was called........thinking......maybe Holiday Harmony?   Or it could have been a Simply Scrappin' kit......Wish Big perhaps?

Another DSP from the same pack as the one above.  I'm thinking it was Wish Big.

How cute is that little bird & the snowflake?   I always overlook those Sizzlits and now they're retired :-((

As much as I like doing cards that have a bit more to them, it's quite satisfying to make really simple ones that you can do quickly.   And it lets the paper speak for itself - which is so easy when it's Stampin' Up! because it's totally gorgeous - retired or not.

Hope you enjoyed the Melbourne Cup today!
Karen

Yum....Cake!

As promised, here's Lana's cake.

She loves wearing Vans and wanted a cake in her favourite pair.......a picture later, and the clever Michelle from Scrumdiddlyumptious cakes made this.

It was so yummy.  The cake itself is choc mud and even the floorboards are edible - I loved that because you can never have too much icing.

Check out Michelle's many designs here.

Hope you have a flutter on the Melbourne Cup today and win a prize!
Cheers
Karen