Faux Patchwork

I have been seeing these so called "quilt" or "patchwork" cards on US blogs for such a long time, and have always admired how smart they look - and finally I got around to making my own.

They are a piece of cake to make ... well, as long as you own a Big Shot and the Top Note die (yes, I do love this thing, why do you ask?)

I punched 1-1/4" squares out of the double-sided Designer Series Paper from the Petal Party Simply Scrappin' Kit, glued them down them in a pleasing pattern on a piece of Whisper White cardstock, then ran the lot through the Big Shot.

I have seen variations on this theme, where small "cross stitches" were drawn on the "seams" between each square of patterned paper, but decided to go simple this time around.

And simple it was. Also quick (well, once the glue dried *g*).

By the way, have you seen the Simply Scrappin' Kits? They're like a coordinated scrapbook in a packet - eight sheets of plain textured 12x12 cardstock (2 sheets each of 4 colours), six sheets of 12x12 double sided Designer Series Paper (3 sheets each of 2 designs) and six sheets of self adhesive die cuts, all in Stampin' Up! colours and patterns, which also coordinate with stamp sets from the Stampin' Up! catalogue.

Images © 1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Seeing Spots
Ink: Old Olive, Pixie Pink
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Other: Petal Party Simply Scrappin' Kit, Top Note die, Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Square Punch

Thank You card

Last night I went to a friend's house to stamp. There is a group of us who have been having these get togethers every month or so for some years now, and it is a great way to have a girls' night, catch up, have a few laughs and occasionally get something creative done.

Usually I have no idea what I want to make, and take just about everything I can fit into my travelling workshop (and given that I have just upgraded to a new improved model, that is a heck of a lot, trust me). Last night I had half an idea and still took too much. But I got some stuff made!

First card is not my idea at all - I used a design from the Stampin' Up! website, and made only two changes - I used a different stamp set and used an eyelet rather than a brad. It came out exactly like it was supposed to.

Can you see the row of embossed dots above the circle punch? These are done with the Crop-A-Dile! Yep, not only does it punch holes and set eyelets like a dream, you can do these nifty little raised dots with it as well! I like the look, plan to use it a lot more *g*.

(Note that I scanned this so it's a little dodgy - given that it has a little dimension due to the ribbon, I would have preferred to photograph it but didn't think of it till now when it's far too dark to do. Hopefully I will remember to fix this tomorrow).

Images © 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used: Seeing Spots and Happiness stamp sets, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White and Old Olive cardstock, Pretty in Pink and Old Olive inks, Pretty in Pink and Old Olive Stampin' Write markers, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 3/4" Punch Real Red ribbon, Crop-a-dile, Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

The other card I made was totally inspired by a card in the Ideas Book & Catalogue (page 105). I don't own this set (Priceless) but my friend/upline (Gail) let me use hers, as she knows how much I love it. Here it is with my "go to" colour combination of So Saffron, Purely Pomegranate and Mellow Moss. The butterfly was inked with So Saffron, then I carefully rolled the edges of its wings in the Purely Pomegranate.

Again, I would have preferred to photograph this rather than scan it, as then you would see how the butterfly's wings aren't stuck down and sit a little away from the base card.

Images © 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used: Priceless stamp set, So Saffron, Purely Pomegranate and Mellow Moss cardstock, So Saffron, Purely Pomegranate, Mellow Moss and Basic Black inks, Basic Black Stampin' Write marker, Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Photo Corners Punch

Circle of Friendship

One of the Stampin' Up! promotions for the month of June involves a "bundle" made up of the Circle of Friendship stamp set, the 1-1/4" circle punch and the Love Notes cards and envelopes set.








I have spent the last couple of days having a play with this bundle, and once I started all I could see was circles! In the end I had to make myself stop *g*.

Here's a few things I came up with ...

Firstly my "Turquoise Trio" ... I have combined a few other punches into the mix and come up with these. They're very simple but quite effective.

Images © 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used: Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White cardstock, Tempting Turquoise ink, CIrcle of Friendship stamp set, Scallop, 1-1/4" Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, 1./2 Circle" and Double Rectangle punches, Tempting Turquoise ribbon, Love Notes cards.


This one was a lot of fun to make ... I love how the Jumbo Eyelets are exactly the right size to fit in the middle of the stamps. I trimmed most of the front off a Love Note card, and replaced it with a square of the Plum cardstock, then used the Round Tab punch to create a window in the front of the card (it's easy to do ... punch the Round Tab once, then rotate the card 90 degrees, line it up and punch again for a nice big circle window).

I also pierced the "petals" of the scallop for a little more visual interest.

Images © 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum and Whisper White cardstock, Perfect Plum ink, CIrcle of Friendship stamp set, Round Tab, Scallop, 1-1/4" Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, 1" Circle and Double Rectangle punches,Cropadile, Jumbo Eyelets, Love Notes card

The next card was a bit of fun to make, using another "circly" stamp set , Seeing Spots. I love this pink and brown combination. I wanted to try and make a regular sized card rather than use the Love Notes for this one.

Images © 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used: Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa and Whisper White cardstock, Pretty in Pink and Close to Cocoa ink, CIrcle of Friendship, Seeing Spots and Canvas stamp sets, Scallop, 1-1/4" Circle, 1-3/8" Circle and 1" Circle punches, Cropadile.


This little set of cards is, of course, my favourite. Yup, Purely Pomegranate yet again. I took the "trio" idea and jumped it up a little with some other sets. The photo really doesn't do the cards justice, they are just so cute in real life.

Images © 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used: Purely Pomegranate, So Saffron and Whisper White cardstock, Purely Pomegranate ink, CIrcle of Friendship, Boho Backgrounds, Carte Postale and Baroque Motifs stamp sets, Scallop, 1-1/4" Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, 1" Circle and 1/2" Circle punches, Cropadile, Jumbo Eyelets, Love Notes cards.

Lastly, this one, a variation on the bib card from the other day. Because the Love Notes cards come pre-scored, I couldn't use them for this project, but it was easy enough to cut up a piece of Whisper White to 6"x3". I also used a piece of the designer paper from May's Pallete O Prints promotion.

Images © 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used: So Saffron and Whisper White cardstock, So Saffron designer paper, Real Red ink, CIrcle of Friendship and Much Appreciated stamp sets, 1-1/4" Circle and 1-3/8" Circle punches.






If you are inspired by these and absolutely have to have this stamp set bundle, contact me today for more details!