April Card Making Class - Gate Fold

Next week's April card making class will focus on a gate fold style of card.

We'll be playing with the Oh So Succulent suite of products from the current Occasions catalogue.

Here's a sample

The Designer Series Paper has some lovely colours:  Calypso Coral, Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe, Sweet Sugarplum, Old Olive and Whisper White.

The patterns are lovely, with some small detailed and repetitive, like stripes and plaid, while others are soft and floral, echoing the designs of the succulents in the stamp set and framelits (bundle and save $).

If you'd like to join the class on Friday 28 April at 10:30am, please email me.  Space is limited so don't delay!

Click here if you'd like to order Stampin' Up! products.

Thanks for stopping by.
Happy crafting.
Karen

Mixed Bunch for Mojo Monday

Hi there!  Yes it's Mojo Monday again (actually, it was yesterday), maybe that's why I'm not feeling my mojo today...aha!

So, what did I do....

It's a bit plain, me thinks.  But I do like the colours, the flowers and the ribbon detail.  It's also a bit grainy which may be the light so my apologies for the quality of the pic, but as it's now almost dark, it's too late to take another!

Supplies used:
Stamp Set - Mixed Bunch & Label Love
Cardstock - Whisper White, Midnight Muse, Rich Razzleberry
Ink:  Midnight Muse, Soft Sky, Rich Razzleberry
Big Shot & Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder
Artisan Label Punch
Rhinestone jewels
Organza Ribbon
Polka Dot Ribbon (R)

Hope you are having a super day, and that if you're in Sydney you are safely away from the fires and avoiding the wind!
Cheers
Karen

Emboss Everything

Stamp University was a great success on Saturday.  Thanks to all the lovely ladies who participated.  It was a lot of fun and I particularly enjoyed seeing everyone complete their folders, as they now have a great paper craft resource to turn to whenever creating a special project.

Here's a cute, but simple, card I made as a sample of embossing with the Big Shot.

The base is Crumb Cake, with a layer of Early Espresso embossed with the Tulips Embossing folder.  Very Vanilla was embossed in the Vintage Wallpaper folder and cut into rectangles.  Yes, I've deliberately measured the pieces so they are identical!

Finally, the Fashionable Hearts Embosslit in Cherry Cobbler makes the feature, all topped off with some of our lovely Pearl Jewels.

If you'd like to order these products, visit my online store here.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Apothecary Art Artistry Card #4

Last one in this series!
And oh so simple.   I think I'll label this Clean & Simple actually!

So, a white layer on a white base - always classy.......the layer has had the edges distressed with the cutter kit.   I know some of you are a bit funny about that technique ;0 but it does highlight the tone on tone and makes a nice frame for the stamped images.

This is my favourite stamp in the Apothecary set.  You can pop up the centre like I've done here, and it looks fabulous when it's a different colour to the outside as well.

Our new butterfly punches are perfect layered together and would also be nice with a little pearl or rhinestone in the centre of the body......oops forgot to add them before I took the photo!

Stamp Set
Apothecary Art Item #127506 wood or #125527 clear
Cardstock
Whisper White #106549
Baja Breeze #116207
PearPizzazz - retired
Ink
Baja Breeze Classic #126960
Riding Hood Red Classic #126968
Pear Pizzazz - retired
Designer Series Paper
Twitterpated #125406
Accessories
Labels Collection Framelits #125598 with  Big Shot #113439
1" circle punch #119868
Elegant Butterfly punch #127526
Bitty Butterfly punch - Autumn Seasonal Catalogue #129406

So there you have it!  Four gorgeous and very different cards all using the same basic supplies.

Go get yourself some crafting done!
Cheers
Karen

Apothecary Art Artisty Card #3

Still going with this stamp set and framelits.....don't you love that?  You can get so much use out of one bunch of supplies.  Fabulous!

This card looks so different to the previous two, primarily because the colours are so soft.  It's still the same designer series paper though, but this one is in Pear Pizzazz, one of my favourite greens, and retired.....but, a sneaky peeky reveal here....shhhh don't tell anyone......but it's making a comeback!   Shhhhhhhhhh.........

I chose to stamp this image in Pear Pizzazz because there's a lot of leaves and I didn't want to lose their fine lines by colouring them in.   I used a marker to colour the roses.

The little panel of Blushing Bride cardstock with the embossing adds an elegant touch and some extra interest.   Highlighting the sentiment panel with the pearls really makes it pop.  And there's that gorgeous bow again. 


Stamp Set
Apothecary Art (Item #127506 wood or #125527 clear)
Cardstock
Blushing Bride - retired
Whisper White #106549
Early Espresso #121686
Ink
Blushing Bride - marker retired, watch this space!
Pear Pizzazz Classic Ink - retired, but watch this space!
Early Espresso Classic Ink #126974
Designer Series Paper
Twitterpated #125406
Accessories
Labels Collection Framelits #125598 & Elegant Lines Embossing Folder #119277 with  Big Shot #113439
Whisper White Stitched Ribbon - retired
Pearl Basic Jewels #119247

Hope you are enjoying the weekend.
Cheers
Karen

 

Apothecary Art Artistry

Apothecary Art is a set of 6 stamps that coordinates with the Framelits, Labels Collection.

If you haven't used stamps with framelits yet, you're in for a treat.  Stamp first, then line up the framelit and cut out the image with the Big Shot. 

Tip:  Because framelits are narrow and move easily, once you've lined them up over your stamped image hold them in place with a Post-It note.   They are thin enough to not affect the cutting sandwich of the Big Shot and the glue is repositionable so it won't damage your project.

Here's a card I made using these products.

The flowers were coloured with markers.  I popped up the sentiment using Dimensionals.  And how gorgeous is that bow?  Thats the beauty of our 1cm wide Taffeta Ribbon, it ties so nicely!


Stamp Set
Apothecary Art (Item #127506 wood or #125527 clear)
Cardstock
Early Espresso #121686 & Whisper White #106549
Did you know these also come in an assorted pack? 20 sheets of A4, 2 each of 10 colours for only $11.95 Item #121699.
Ink
Red Riding Hood – marker available in Regals set only #119701
Old Olive – marker #100079
Early Espresso Classic Ink #126974
Designer Series Paper
Twitterpated #125406
Accessories
Labels Collection Framelits #125598 with  Big Shot #113439
1cm Taffeta Ribbon in Riding Hood Red 122988
Pearl Basic Jewels #119247

To see more cards using these supplies, pop back throughout the week.
Cheers
Karen

 

Mojo Monday 288

This is my card for this week's Mojo Monday sketch.

I love this colour combo with Artistic Etchings. It lends itself to vintage style and is quite soft and lovely.

After embossing the Very Vanilla cardstock in the Big Shot, I've used a sponge to rub over the embossing with crumb cake ink on it.  It just highlights the raised image nicely.

The sentiment is from a set that's only available to demonstrators - I think we were given it as a freebie at Convention last year - and as there was a graphic on the stamp I chose to ink only the word using a marker.  This is a great way to get partial images from larger stamps.  Simply use a marker on the bits you want, then breathe on the stamp to moisten the ink before stamping onto cardstock.

The medallion was stamped in Early Espresso.  But notice how it's so much lighter than the Eifel Tower?  That's because I stamped it on scrap first then stamped again onto Very Vanilla without reinking.  You can usually get 3, possibly 4 stamps out of one inking giving you 4 tones of the same colour, and a great way to add depth and interest to your projects.

When cutting multiple "flag" or "banner" ends in DSP, put all the pieces on top of eachother and cut at the same time.  That way they'll look uniform when you go to line them up.

Stamp Set
Artistic Etchings (Item #121478 wood or #120573 clear)
Workshop Words Too (demonstrators only)
Cardstock
Crumb Cake, Early Espresso & Very Vanilla. You can buy these individually but did you know they also come in an assorted pack?  20 sheets of A4, 2 each of 10 colours for only $11.95 Item #121699.
Ink
Crumb Cake #126975
Early Espresso #126974
Designer Series Paper
First Edition #121878
Accessories
2 3/8 Scallop Circle Punch #119854
1 3/8" Circle Punch #119860
1 1/4" Circle Punch #119861
Corner Rounder Punch #119871
Big Shot #113439 with Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder #120175

I'm taking a short break from PaperLady to tour Tassie so while I've set up a few projects to post, they may be interspersed with some of my travels.   I'll try to find things with a crafty bent that I think you'd like to see.

Happy Friday!
Karen

Island Indigo Gift Set

We made a card in class last month that I wanted to use in a gift set.   It uses the Pleasant Poppies stamp in Island Indigo.

Here's what I added to make it a set:

The white paper bag with string handles was stamped randomly by inking up one of the poppies from the Pleasant Poppies stamp (C-129499) with a marker.  I've used Island Indigo and Calypso Coral.  I added a few butterflies along the bottom from the Papillon Potpourri set (C-123759).  The DSP was a piece from the Festival of Prints in the Holiday catty (2012).  It's the perfect size to make a pocket that holds the card. 

I made the flower using the Fun Flowers die and the Big Shot.  The DSP is from Summer Smooches & the brad is from last years designer printed pack.

This cute little bag/box is a CASE from the current catty.  Inside are tea lights for the gift (see below).  It uses the Fancy Favor die and more DSP from Summer Smooches.   I've attached a paper clip as a closer and the heart was punched with Calypso Coral.  The "ribbon" is made from white cardstock stamped with Happy Birthday out of the Curly Cute set.  You make loops of different sizes and attach them all together, wrapping another small piece to make the centre of the "bow".

Here's the whole ensemble.......

.....complete with bird cage gift and Calypso Coral coloured tea light.  So cute! 

Wishing you a great start to the week!
Cheers
Karen

Mojo Monday 278

There's a lot of layers in this weeks sketch so I decided to let the paper do the talking.

Supplies used:
Stamp Set: Fabulous Phrases
Cardstock: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip & So Saffron
DSP: International Bazaar
Big Shot, Edgelits Finishing Touches
1 1/4" circle, 1 3/8" circle & 1 3/4" scallop circle punches
I made the banner by cutting a strip of DSP 3/4" wide, then used the 1 1/4" square to snip out the end.
Adornments Dahlia's & white organza ribbon.

Thanks for looking!  Hope your week is off to a good start.
Cheers
Karen

Note Card Holder

I have it on good authority that note cards & stationery are on trend items in the craft world this year.  Yay!  Don't you love receiving a little note, just because?  Very few of us - me included - actually hand write notes these days, but it is such a personal and special touch that I think we should bring it back! 

Anyway, who doesn't need a few little note cards stashed away for a quick thank you, a coffee invite, or just to make someone smile who needs a cheery hello?  It's like sending a hug through the mail.

This would make a lovely gift.  And it's a great way to re purpose the boxes that the Stampin' Spots come in.  It fits our note cards and envelopes perfectly.   I put 5 inside but you could probably fit a few more.

I used a paper piecing technique with the Top Note die and the Big Shot for the top of the box.  You can do this a couple of ways, but basically I cut a piece of scrap cardstock slightly bigger than the Top Note.  Cover that in adhesive like our Multi Purpose Adhesive sheets.  Peel off the backing and stick your precut squares of DSP on top.  Make sure you get the edges lined up so there are no gaps.  The easiest way to do this is to punch out your DSP with a square punch.  Once it's all stuck, run it through the Big Shot with your die and you have a quilted accent piece.

The trick to making a set like this is to choose a pack of coordinating paper and stick with the colours.  That also makes the task quicker, and if you choose something with a good variety of patterns, you can showcase that allowing you to minimise decorations and embellishments.

Each notecard uses a different pattern of the same DSP.  They all have the same embellishments, just stamped in different colours and the placement varies slightly.

Supplies:
Stamps: Apothecary Art, Collage Curios,
Cardstock: Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes (item 107311 page 160), Marina Mist
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, Marina Mist, Tangerine Tango
DSP: Paisley Petals
Big Shot, Framelits Labels Collection, Top Note Die & Honeycomb embossing folder
1" circle punch, Itty Bitty Punch pack - the flower, Modern Label Punch
Marina Mist Satin Ribbon (R) and Antique Brad
Spritzer bottle with ink & rubbing alcohol solution - I used Marina Mist.
White gel pen.
Re positionable adhesive.
Stamp-a-majig,  stamp positioner.

Thanks for popping by!
Cheers
Karen

Mixing it up

I think this started out as a Valentine's card but since I'm always needing thank you's, I decided on a quick change of greeting at the last minute!

I've added a little bit of stitching on a couple of the ribbons.   This is something I love to do, but I don't sew well and have only recently had access to a machine that's permanently set up (my daughter got one for her birthday), which makes it sew easy when it's on the desk and ready!

Supplies
Stamps - You Are Loved - stamped on the book paper; the greeting is from Fresh Cuts (R), I just love it's old worldy look.
Cardstock - Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, the page of an old book and the heart was cut out of a brown lunch bag left over from another project.
Ink:  Soft Suede & Razzberry Ripple
Punches - Designer Label, 1 1/4" scallop circle & large oval.
Big Shot & the Hearts a Flutter framelits
Dahlia & Antique Brad
Very Vanilla & Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Crochet Trim & Raspberry Ripple Double Stitched Ribbon.
Sewing machine and thread

Have a super weekend.  Hopefully it won't be as scorchingly hot as it was today!
Cheers
Karen

Whats on the desk?

As I was cleaning my desk, rare but true, I decided to leave the scrap bits and bobs and use them to make a project.  This can be a great way to spark your creativity especially if you've got leftovers.   Like many of you I'm sure, I have a little drawer that I stash leftover punch pieces and other stuff, but sometimes I use that drawer as an excuse to hide it all away and not feel guilty because I "threw" it away.

Anyway, here's the first project I made:

It's CAS, a style I'm growing more and more fond of.   It doesn't mean boring or lacking in technique, just uncomplicated and "not busy".  Well, that's my take on it anyway.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Set: Yummy (R)
Cardstock:  Whisper White & Coodinations Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Cherry Cobbler & Platinum Shimmer Paint
Hearts Embossing Folder & Elegant Lines, Labels Framelits
Tools:  Big Shot, Sanding Block
Accessories:  Chipboard Heart & Rhinestone jewel.

Have a lovely day!
Karen

Just a Quickie!

I'm referring to a card project, in case you wondered!

Some of our new embossing folders are larger making them suitable for a whole Aussie-sized card front  (148mm x 105mm).   This card uses the new Chevron folder.   I like it because I can see possibilities for male cards, and a lot of us do struggle to make cards for our men!

I've used the smallest number of supplies on this card;
The greeting is from the Word Play Stamp Set, stamped in Early Espresso ink;
Whisper White card stock and a scrap of Marina Mist
Marina Mist Satin Ribbon
Chevron Embosssing folder for the Big Shot.
1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Square Punches.

Hope your Thursday is terrific!
Cheers
Karen

A Ribbon by any Other Name

Summer Smooches Designer Paper was used to make this box, the Fancy Favour Die for the Big Shot.   It's a cute box with that wavy detail along the top don't you think?  

The "ribbon" was made by cutting a strip of Whisper White cardstock and stamping the greeting along the length.  I then cut it into 3 pieces, the length depends on the item your decorating, so I measured the width of the box and cut one piece about 2cm wider.   The remaining piece I cut in two so that one piece was about 3 cm longer than the other.  The smallest length makes the base of the ribbon and I cut the "flag" ends with a square punch (any size will do).   For the other two pieces, turn them over and place a bit of snail adhesive in the centre (on the back).  Fold each end in to the middle so they are stuck to the snail.   Layer the longer piece onto the base piece, the shorter piece on top of that, then wrap another piece of Whisper White (that you've stamped the greeting onto) around the middle and glue it at the back.  I find glue dots are the best way to attach it to the box.

 

By using this technique to make ribbon, you can have any colour and any width of ribbon you like.  So not excuse to not decorate with "ribbon"!

 

Karen

Gifty Things

These are a couple more of the projects I displayed at my catalogue launch to showcase the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper.

The Journal makes a lovely gift for someone who likes to keep a little note book handy.  Yes, a few of my friends still like paper & a pen!

The flower detail was done using the Big Shot and the Fun Flowers Die.   I love the way each of the flowers are so different but they layer perfectly.  The medallion comes from the Pennant Die.

The bird on the bookmark was made by stamping the image from Betsy's Blossoms.

Candles are favourites of mine to give as gifts.  The larger one was stamped first using the tissue paper technique.   More about this later.     The small one was very simple and just uses a wrap made of DSP and decorated with a frame from the Big Shot, some flowers hand cut and a bit of ribbon.  Of course you have to remove the wrap before burning, but the stamped image is fine and won't set fire to the living room!  Always a bonus.   But don't look too closely, I put the paper on upside down..giggle!

Thanks for looking!
Karen

SUO Challenge #50

Thought I'd do a little challenge today from the SU Only blog.   The brief was buttons & brads.   And because it's SU only, the rules are that you can only use Stampin' Up! products.  Well, naturally, that's easy for me!

Here it is:

The paper I've used here will retire at the end of August, as all our DSP does when we get a new catalogue in September.    It's called Berry Blossoms.   I quite like the colour combination of Lucky Limeade & Calypso Coral with the ever favourite Early Espresso & Whisper White to crisp everything up.

My buttons are SU, although they're all from a pack that was retired some time back.    I've used the Blossom Punch to do the flower, with the Scallop Circle & 5-Petal Flower Punches in the middle.  The Stripes embossing folder was used in the Big Shot.   I crushed the cardstock accidentally - my Big Shot needs that particular folder on "no tabs" rather than "tab 1", and I almost always forget, but I guess it means I got a bit of extra texture for free!

Happy Thursday!
Karen

The Bees Knees

Here's a card I made for Lana's teacher.  It's her birthday on the weekend and I took a cake in to the class yesterday along with the card that all the kids had signed.

Supplies used:  Stamp set - Happy Everything
Cardstock:  Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie & Marina Mist
DSP: Greenhouse Gala
Ink: Basic Black
Petite Pennants Builder Punch
Big Shot with Elegant Lines embossing folder & the banner from the Petal Cone die. The letters are from Timeless Type Junior Alphabet
Ruffled Ribbon is Pear Pizzaz.
The bee brads are from my stash, as is the orange twine I used on the banner.

Have a nice weekend!
Karen

A little bit Vintage

This card was inspired by Shelli.  She always wears lovely outfits and I like the way she combines texture and layers so I thought I'd give it a go in my cards.

This idea came from Shelli's outfit on page 2 of  the August 2011 issue of Stampin' Success.  If you are a demonstrator, you can find an e-copy on Splitcoaststampers.   I can't copy the picture, so if you're not a demo, my apologies, you'll just have to trust me!  Anyway, the colours reminded me of Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla & Marina Mist.

I've used a sponge to put colour onto the embossed vintage wallpaper pattern.  It gives a denim-like look to mirror Shelli's jeans.   The lace was for her jacket & t-shirt which were a mix of vanilla & cream colours.  I spritzed the crumb cake designer label and scrunched it.  This is a technique that makes scrunching easier because it softens the paper, but be warned, you can tear it easily and it won't stick to your project until dry.   I usually try to do these elements first so they're dry by the time I'm ready to use them.   You can work with a heat gun if you're in a hurry.  It's hard to tell but I did ruffle the lace from the brad to the back of the sentiment.   To keep it in place I used a couple of dabs of Crystal Effects.

Supplies used:
Stamp Set:  Warmest Regards
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Confetti White
Ink: Marina Mist &  Night of Navy
Big Shot with Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder
Taffeta Ribbon in Crumb Cake, Victoria Crochet Trim
Vintage Brads
Designer Label & Modern Label Punches
The flourish is from my stash but I cut it out with Crumb Cake.  
Crystal Effects

Happy mid week.
Karen

Gelato

Here's a card I made for my daughter's friend who will be in Rome for her birthday this year - lucky girl!

The idea came from Jackie Topa.  She's an absolute whizz at cardmaking but particularly brilliant at creating almost anything using punches.   I wish I could see punch shapes in every day items still, with a bit of practice I'm sure I'll get better.

The cone is made with the Petal Cone die & then embossed using the square lattice folder.  I punched out the icecreams with the 2 1/2" circle first, then punched each one with the 2 3/8" scallop circle.  The first "scoop" of icecream is actually from the Petal Cone die.   I stuck it behind the cone and then layered the "flavours" on top.   A red button with some florist's wire for a stem makes a yummy cherry on top.

Hope you have a gelato flavoured day.
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