Simple and Stunning

This card is directly inspired by a swap I received at our Stampin' Up! Convention in Canberra last year. The original was created by Nikki Stalker, and has been sitting at the back of my mind as something I would like to create for all this time.

This is my version, using some updated colours. I love the combination of Rich Razzleberry and Baja Breeze, with a little Daffodil Delight thrown in.

Looking at it now, I see that I could have used Pear Pizzazz instead of Daffodil Delight and kept with the purple/blue/green theme from the other day *g*.

Fun Colour Combination

Did you know that purple, blue and green could look so good together? Well, they do when you use these particular shades, anyway.

Here I have combined two new In Colors, Concord Crush and Pear Pizzazz with an old faithful, Bashful Blue. It's kind of hard to see the Concord Crush properly - it is a dark blue-purple colour, very rich, and one I hope to use a lot over the next two years.

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Cottage Garden, Trendy Trees
Ink: Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz, Bashful Blue
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz
Other: Crimper, 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval Punch (formerly known as Large Oval), Word Window Punch

My new favourite colour *happy sigh*

No photograph can do justice to the beauty of this colour. Cherry Cobbler, one of the new core colours, is a deep, rich, velvety red - almost a burgundy - and just blows me away every time I see it. The picture here just doesn't show its true beauty *sigh*.

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Medallion, Trendy Trees
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Cardstock: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler
Other: Very Vanilla 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval Punch (formerly known as Large Oval), Scallop Oval Punch

Simple Card

Here's something a made a while back, but never quite got around to photographing for the blog. It was super quick and easy to make, I have to say.

The flowers are just punched out of Pretty in Pink and Melon Mambo cardstock and layerd onto the branches of the little stamp from Pocket Silhouettes. I have also used the same stamp a couple of times at the bottom left of the base card and the pink layer to add some interest there.

Images © 1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Pocket Silhouettes
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Soft Suede
Cardstock: Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla
Other: Pretty in Pink 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Boho Blossoms Punch, Metallic Brads

CASEing a CASE...

A couple of years ago, I borrowed a card style from a Stampin' Up! mini catalogue ... the other night I revisited the layout with updated colours to see what would happen.

I like it *g*.

The colours here were inspired by a Designer Series Paper set from the upcoming 2010-11 Catalogue (contact me to reserve your copy *g*) - the combination of Very Vanilla, Basic Black and Riding Hood Red is very rich and yet very simple.

Images © 1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Always
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red
Other: Very Vanilla 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

New Catalogue Sneak Preview

I got a package today ... a very big package *g*. So do you want to see what was inside?

Really?

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A little more ...

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Okay, so I'm not actually allowed to show you what was inside the three smaller boxes that were inside the really big box :-(

Sorry to get your hopes up LOL

However, I am allowed to distribute these new catalogues. They're only $10 each, or FREE if you host a workshop *g*.

Two of these boxes are actually destined for Paperific, being held next weekend (August 27-29) - you can always buy one from us at the Stampin' Up! stand there, or contact me to purchase a copy early.

And because I'm sorry I can't show you the catalogue, here is something made with a BRAND NEW stamp set!!!

The stamp shown here is from a new Level 2 Hostess Set called "Cute By The Inch" ... it is a set of 9 little square stamps which are actually slightly smaller than 1", designed to fit in a NEW Petal Card XL Double Punch (which unfortunately wasn't part of the pre-order, so I have to wait to get my hands on it *sniff*).

I took inspiration for this quick and simple card from this card - love the colour combination and clean lines.

Images © 1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Cute by the Inch (Level 2 Hostess Set)
Ink: Basic Black
Cardstock: Kraft (soon to be renamed Crumb Cake), Basic Black, Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise
Other: 1-1/4" Square Punch, Scallop Square Punch

Keeping it Simple

As a demonstrator, I need to make sure that I have samples using current products to show people what they can achieve with Stampin' Up!

However, with the announcement a few months back that many of the "core colours" were being retired in a major colour reconfiguration, combined with the recent Last Chance List of retiring stamps, I have found that a lot (and I mean a LOT) of my samples will no longer showcase products that the customer can buy.

It was a sad day when I went through my samples folder and display board. This is the result (note that the cards on the table didn't all come from the board shown, but also from my big book). And I keep finding samples I had stashed away and forgotten to add to my book.

But the cloud has a silver lining. I have the perfect excuse to stamp up a heap of new cards, and while it will take a while to replace all the old samples, I've made a start.

Here's a card I whipped up the other night - very quick, very simple. I've just stamped the three flower stamp from Eastern Blooms three times in different colours - Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie and So Saffron. There is a style of stamping called "Clean And Simple", and I believe this card fits nicely into that category.

I took inspiration from this card over at SplitcoastStampers.

Images © 1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Eastern Blooms
Ink: Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red
Other: Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

Pink Trees

Trendy Trees is such a cute little stamp set. It comprises two trunks, four "leaves" and a couple of phrases, all for only $31.95.

And while the temptation is strong to stamp the trunks in brown and the leaves in green (or shades of orange for autumn cards), sometimes you just have to be a little different.

I'm pretty happy with the way this card came out - it is of the style I have seen called "Clean And Simple" (or CAS for short), which really sums up my own personal style of stamping.

If you look really closely (the picture is a little dark), you might be able to see that I have used another of the tree tops - a dotty sort of spiral - to decorate the Chocolate Chip layer.

During the month of July, selected Two-Step Stampin' sets are 20% off, and while Trendy Trees isn't included (hey, it's already at a bargain price!), Wonderful Favourites shown here is. Normally priced at $39.95, you can buy this 23 piece stamp set during July for only $31.96.

Read more about this great promotion on my Stampin' Up! website.


Images © 1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Trendy Trees, Wonderful Favourites
Ink: Pretty In Pink, Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Pretty In Pink, Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Other: Scallop Edge Punch

Another Kraft Card

I know it's not a "real" colour (although that will change come September and the new catalogue, when the new colour family of "Neutrals" will be created), but I'm loving Kraft at the moment.

Combined with the new colours Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry to spice it up, you have to admit it makes a great background.

How do you like this - so simple, yet totally effective. I wish I could remember where I saw the original which inspired this (if I find the link I promise to post it).

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21/6/10: Edited to add: Found the original! It's here - now you can see why I had to make this card *g*.

Images © 1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Pocket Silhouettes
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Sahara Sand
Cardstock: Kraft, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla
Other: Scallop Edge Punch

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

Another Medallion Card

Just to show you that a card doesn't have to be super-involved to be effective, here is something I whipped up the other night in about five minutes.

The Medallion is stamped with Ruby Red ink on Ruby Red cardstock to create a tone-on-tone effect.  What I like about this stamp is that it doesn't have to be centred on the cardstock panel to look good - in fact, it looks best if it's off-centre and partly off the card altogether.

The strip of Summer Sun cardstock was just an offcut from trimming the larger layer - I felt it kind of tied the greeting to the rest of the card.  That and I don't have any ribbon that colour (and didn't feel like colouring some white with a marker, which I would have done if I wasn't trying to make a "quick" card.

Images © 1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Medallion Background, Short & Sweet
Ink: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip
Other: Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch

Easy Easel

At last, I got around to trying one of these Easel Cards out the other night ... and it was "easel"y one of the "easel"iest cards I've made in a long time.

Sorry. Got a bit carried away there, but I'm over it now *g*.

Anyway, this is the card which inspired me to finally make an easel card ... I love how she has used the little flowers from the Trio Flower punch to hold the card up - so clever - so I snaffled the idea for my card.

I put each little flower onto the the foam pad out of the Mat Pack and pressed down in the centre with the end of a pen - this was to shape the flowers a little so they would sit up around the edges and catch the front of the card when it is open.

My version is very much on the "simple" side - I was a bit short on time and space when I made it, so had to stick to the basics, but it was a very easy card to make with a high degree of "wow" in the presentation - my favourite kind of project!

Images © 1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Inspired by Nature
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Cardstock: Kraft, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
Other: Trio Flower Punch, Vintage Brads, Mat Pack

The Blues

Every so often, I remember just how much I like the stamp set Upsy Daisy. The fact that it's a silhouette means that you can use it in many different ways, including with a detailed background as shown here.

Because the flowers were stamped in a dark ink, I didn't need to do any masking to incorporate the lighter background, just stamped straight over the top and voila! Instant card.

Honestly, this couldn't have taken more than 10 minutes to make - perfect for a last-minute card *g* (and if you're like me, if it wasn't for the last minute, nothing would ever get done!).

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Upsy Daisy, Tres Chic, Best Yet (Hostess Set)
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Other: Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Scallop Edge Punch

On My Mind

Upsy Daisy is still one of my favourite stamp sets. I love the simplicity of the silhouetted outlines, which lends itself to a variety of different looks.

This card just sort of evolved, as I was trying to achieve a completely different look. I like the combination of red, gray and black.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:

Sgtamp/s: Upsy Daisy
Ink: Real Red, Basic Gray
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White
Other: Scallop Edge Punch

Bright & Cheerful

Another card made at a recent Girls' Nite, this time a very cheerful and simple card using the little set Tart & Tangy. As well as the orange, apple and cherry images shown here, there is also a strawberry.

This is a rough-&-ready CASE from a card I saw a while back on Splitcoast Stampers, made using the limited supplies I had on hand at the time. I would have preferred to use red ribbon across the front but had to make do with a strip of red card.

My daughter has suggested that next time I make this as a "spinner card" ... stay tuned! That's a great idea!

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:

Stamp set/s: Tart & Tangy
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Real Red
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Real Red
Other: 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch

One Sheet variation

My last two posts showed a One Sheet Wonder project which yields 10 cards from 9 sheets of cardstock (plus scraps). Here I have created a much simpler version using a quarter sheet of stamped cardstock per card, and a sheet of A5 cardstock scored and then ripped across the front as the card base. It's quick and simple and quite effective as well.

You don't need any special tools for this style of card, so long as you have a trimmer and perhaps some punches to add a message.





Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:

Stamp set/s: Fifth Avenue Floral, Oval All
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum, Whisper White
Other: Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

Everything goes with Chocolate Chip ...

... just ask Gail.

I'm starting to think she might just have it right, too. I was playing with my Eyelet Border Punch last night, and just grabbed a random piece of cardstock to use it on - Bashful Blue, as it turned out. Then I decided to use the scrap to decorate a card, but what other colour(s) to use? As far as Gail is concerned, all colours go with Chocolate Chip (and Close to Cocoa in this instance).

I'm still liking the stamp set Upsy Daisy - so simple yet so effective ...

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:

Stamp set/s: Upsy Daisy
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue
Other: Eyelet Border Punch

Little things ...

This is a stamp set I haven't bought yet, and I'm not completely sure why! It is certainly my "style" if I could be said to have one. I think I simply forgot to add it to my initial order from this catalogue. Anyway, I borrowed it from Gail the other night to see it in action so to speak, and was pretty happy with the results.

By the way, the set consists of six stamps, four of which are small plant silhouettes, and two small phrases.

Firstly this, which is actually a CASE from something Liz was making ... I stole, uh, borrowed her idea, and dressed it up a little with the Eyelet Border Punch.

The stamps in this set are quite small, but this can be very effective in some cases as shown here. I tossed up whether to add something to the top half of the card but decided I liked it as it is.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:

Stamp set/s: Pocket Silhouettes
Ink: Regal Rose, Rose Red
Cardstock: Regal Rose, Whisper White, Rose Red
Other: Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, Eyelet Border Punch

The second card came out quite well, I thought. This time I stamped a couple of the silhouette stamps a number of times to create a bit of a garden. Again, the top part of the card has been intentionally left blank, as I kind of like the unbalanced look.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:

Stamp set/s: Pocket Silhouettes
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Old Olive
Cardstock: Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla
Other: Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, Scallop Edge Punch

Something simple

I haven't played around with my stamps for a little while now - lots of other stuff going on, not least of which was Paperific (and if you missed that, don't forget the Craft & Quilt fair is being held in July at Jeff's Shed ... uh, I mean the Melbourne Exhibition Centre - yes, I'll be there).

So it was nice to find a few moments to sit down and create this card. I hadn't yet used the Kraft cardstock I got a few weeks ago, and thought it would be pretty dressed up with Pacific Point (such a gorgeous blue! At first I thought it was just too blue, and if you happen to drop a stamp wrong side down in the ink pad it gets everywhere, but now I'm quite liking it).

And it did only take a few minutes to put together once I got all the basic ingredients out.

The detail's not so great so you might not be able to see the words stamped along the bottom of the Kraft cardstock - these are from the Friendly Words wheel, and inked in Baja Breeze.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:

Stamp set/s: Inspired by Nature, Friendly Words wheel
Ink: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze
Cardstock: Kraft, Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, Very Vanilla
Other: Wide Oval Punch, Jumbo Stampin' Around Handle, Stampin' Dimensionals

A rose for mum

Mothers' Day always manages to sneak up too quickly, which is why I still have this card here instead of it being with my mother in country Victoria ... sorry Mum! It'll be in the mail tomorrow, I promise.

On the plus side, it means I am remembering to photograph and share it, so everyone wins.

Here I have used a white crayon to highlight parts of the rose (stamped in Stazon Black on Glossy White cardstock), then sponged coloured inks over the top. The crayon "resists" the dye inks and shows through, and because I've used very soft coloured inks the effect is very subtle indeed.

I love this rose stamp! And the wide grosgrain ribbon really finishes this card, I think.

Can you see the text image stamped in Whisper White craft ink on the Apricot Appeal layer? The card looked very flat so I added that for a little depth. The Whisper White ink catches the light beautifully on pale cardstock.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:

Stamp set/s: Fifth Avenue Floral, En Francais, Trendy Trees
Ink: Black Stazon, Apricot Appeal, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Basic Black, Whisper White Craft
Cardstock: Regal Rose, Apricot Appeal, Pink Pirouette, Glossy White
Other: Large Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, Stampin' Sponges, 5/8" Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

And while I had Fifth Avenue Floral and the Whisper White craft ink out, I whipped this one up - inspired by this card on Splitcoast I saw a while back. This one was a piece of cake, just stamped in white on black cardstock, then embossed in white (white on white seems to give the finished result that little bit of extra brightness).

This was super-quick, and eventually I will decide what to use the card for and add a phrase to the top right corner where it looks a little bare.

Images © 1990-2009 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:

Stamp set/s: Ffth Avenue Floral
Ink: Whisper White Craft
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White
Other: White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool