Clean & Simple with Mosaic Madness

This set looks like it's going to be extremely popular.  There are many samples appearing online and as I was fortunate to receive it as a freebie, I have been experimenting.

Here's a very simple design to start with:

The colours are Whisper White, Basic Black & Cherry Cobbler.  Once again Stampin' Up'!s product co-ordination comes into play as the stamp set Mosaic Madness (#130249 in clear or #130246 in wood) teams with the Modern Mosaic embossing folder (#129984), and the Mosaic punch (#131267).

As an added bonus you can bundle the stamp set & punch and save money! And it's available in Wood (#132734) and clear mount (#132733).

I'm a big fan of cute little embellishments and the Dahlias are so so so cute!  This little one is in Primrose Petals - an In colour - and comes in a pack that includes Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple & Summer Starfruit (#127556).

The Celebrate stamp is out of Sketched Birthday(#130426 in clear or #130423 in wood).  And it co-ordinates with the Bitty Banners Framelits dies (#129267).

Watch out for more of this lovely stamp set/folder/punch combo!
Cheers
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

Mojo Monday 286

Another week has flown by and brings Mojo Monday around again.

My card for this weeks sketch is very literal, but I'm happy with it and it was very quick to make.

I started by choosing the DSP - Floral District.  From there it was a no-brainer; choose the coordinating stamp set - Betsy's Blossoms.

The DSP determined the colours and voila, card in a flash!

Happy Tuesday!
Karen

Clean & Simple Pretty Petites

This is a versatile stamp set, and because it's got a co-ordinating punch, both of which you can get for FREE during our Sale-a-Bration promotion (be quick, it ends on 22 March), you can make some clean and simple cards in a flash.

I used the colour coach for the colour combo in this card.  Way out of my comfort zone, but I think it'd be great for a young person's birthday, male or female.

The Chevron embossing folder was used on the Tempting Turquoise layer and the rest is self explanatory.  All the layers were in my scrap box.  Love that!  I think the whole card took around 5 minutes.  Not bad eh?

Happy Tuesday
Cheers
Karen

Many Thanks

I needed a few thank you cards to make a gift pack for a friend, and I came across a lovely clean design by Heather Tiley, so I had to have a go.

The thing I like about these cards is how fresh they are.  The colours in the dsp are Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade & a muted Daffodil Delight.

Using the embossing folder (Tulips) like this is also a nice way to get a frame top and bottom, don't you think?


I decided to stamp inside each card (I don't normally do this, but always like it when I see others do it!), and add a little strip of the dsp as well.   I actually did this on a separate layer of whisper white, mainly because the card felt flimsy and likely to fall over.  Probably because the ww cs is not quite as thick as our coloured cs.

I love to read your comments, so feel free to say something!

Have a great weekend!
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

Simply Scored CAS

I would put this card in my clean & simple category.  It's very straightforward and uses a minimum of supplies.  Plus it was quick to make.

Yes, it's another sneak peek using products from the upcoming catalogue (get your copy at my launch party on 1 Sept).  Contact me today if you'd like to come along, I only have a couple of spaces left, so be quick!

The colours used are Tangerine Tango for the base & bird.  I love the depth of this particular orange.  The leaf is stamped in Old Olive while the flower and sentiment are done in Tempting Turquoise.   Not colours I'd normally put together, however I did want to try a different combination, so I grabbed my Color Coach & voila, this is what I found.  Don't they look nice and fresh together?!

Happy Friday.
Karen

P.S.  Darling Stamp & Scrap is on tomorrow and there's still a couple of spots if you'd like to come!

The Right Combination

Sometimes, you just have to reach for a colour you don't normally work with (or like), because it's good for your creativity.   Yes, you may end up with a project that you're still not overly fond of, because that colour doesn't sit well, or, you could find yourself thoroughly loving the look, and hopefully trying that colour out a bit more in the future.

This is the case for me with River Rock.  Not quite sure what it is about the colour, it's a little yellowy and "dirty" looking perhaps?   Anyway, after making this card, I've decided that paired with black and white, it's rather elegant.

I guess this card also satisfies a clean and simple theme, and it uses minimal supplies and has no extra embellishments so it was really quick to make.  I think I'll whip up a batch to use to thank my customers for their orders.
If you'd like to see more of this technique I'll be demonstrating it on Saturday at Darling Stamp & Scrap Club.  Visit the DSNS page here.

Happy Thursday!
Karen

Happy Birthday Deb!

It's my friend Debbie's birthday today.   This card is my first attempt at a lollipop made from baker's twine.   The inspiration came from one of my lovely customers, Lou.  Thanks Lou for a super design.

And I hope you have a lovely day Deb - as sweet a day as you are!

Supplies used:
Stamp Set - Something Sweet (the greeting & jelly bean), Time Well Spent (lolly stick, R)
Cardstock - Riding Hood Red textured, Whisper White
Ink:  Riding Hood Red
Bakers Twine, Whisper White stitched ribbon (sneak peek from the new catalogue due out in Sept)
Modern Label & 2 1/2" circle punches
Sizzix adhesive sheets

Happy Thursday!
Karen

Getting into the groove....

Ok, so it's only been one day, but I'm feeling a tad proud about the whole "using the scraps up" thing.  Yes, I've done it again, with the exception of the card base - but that must mean that I've run out of large white scraps, right?!

I got the idea for the dress on SCS.   And there, in front of me in the scrap-shape drawer was a die cut perfect for a skirt.  Yep, it's from the Perfect Pennants die and I love Not Quite Navy so now all I have to find is a scrap of DSP in.......yes! Blueberry Crisp!   What a find.  The rest is, well, scraps!

The top is made using the Designer Label punch & it has that little cut out bit in the centre perfect for a waist line. 

I used the 1/2" circle punch for the neckline and attached some blue seed beeds with Crystal Effects. 

Supplies Used:
Stamp Set:  Short & Sweet
Cardstock: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Wild Wasabi textured
Ink:  Wild Wasabi
DSP: Blueberry Crisp (R)
Tulip Embossing Folder, Perfect Pennants Die & Big Shot
Designer Label Punch, Small Oval (Retired), Large Oval punch
Silver cord & seed beeds - non SU

Oh I could play all day!
Cheers
Karen

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