Just a quick card I made recently, with no particular story behind it.  I just wanted to use Baja Breeze and Soft Suede because I'd seen a pretty card using those colours,

It was looking a little "unfinished" until my friend suggested I use a little of her Seam Binding Ribbon - and it turned out that was exactly what the card needed.  This stuff is really soft and drapes beautifully - and as you can see, makes a very neat knot!

 

Images © 1990-2012 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:

Stamp/s: Creative Elements, Pendant Park
Ink: Soft Suede
 Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
 Other: Top Note Bigz Die, Stripes Embossing Folder, Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Word Window Punch

Circus, Anyone?

Here's something I made a while back. I was holding off posting a picture because I wanted to try my hand at making a little "steam engine" to pull these cute little carriages - but it's been several months and I'm no closer to working out how I would go about that :-) So if you have any ideas and/or patterns, feel free to let me know!

You can't tell from the picture that these are actually three little boxes, just big enough for a little lolly bag or something similar. The outside of each carriage is half a Top Note die shape, run through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder for texture.

Here's close ups of each of the animals ... a little fiddly but so worth it (click for a larger picture):


Supplies used:
Stamp(s): Fox & Friends
Ink: More Mustard, Early Espresso
Cardstock: Old Olive, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black
Other: 2"x1-2/3" Oval Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Top Note Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Concord Flowers

I loved this card the minute I saw it. I can't decide if it's the colour scheme (how well does River Rock go with Melon Mambo and Elegant Eggplant?) or the layout. In an attempt to find out, I made my own version - and yes, I know, it's pretty much a straight copy. I was low on mojo the other night when I did this, and couldn't find my own creativity :-(

Anyway, aside from using Concord Crush instead of Elegant Eggplant (just a personal preference), changing out the stamp on the panel and using my embossing folder to dress up the Melon Mambo layer, it's pretty much the same card.

I might have to try this colour combo for other projects - it's certainly eye catching!

And here's a close up of the little butterfly - spritzed with a shimmer mist made from Frost White Shimmer Paint ... so cute.

Supplies used:
Stamp(s): Inspired by Nature
Ink: Concord Crush
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, River Rock, Concord Crush
Other: Finial Press Embossing Folder, Top Note Sizzix Die, Beautiful Wings Embosslit

Sale-A-Bration Owl Punch

How adorable is this stamp? Designed to match the Two Step Owl Punch, it's quick way to create a focal point for a card.

This stamp is part of the set Punch Bunch, only available during **Sale-A-Bration** (from now until March 31, 2011), and is only available when you spend $100 or more (in one transaction) on catalogue merchandise from Stampin' Up!.

So far, the samples I've seen using this stamp were all in the gorgeous Bright series of colours from Stampin' Up!, so I decided to try something a little different use my personal favourite colour, Cherry Cobbler. Combined with Early Espresso and Very Vanilla, it's a very elegant combination.

Don't forget that there are three other stamp sets you can get for FREE during Sale-A-Bration, if this one doesn't float your boat - check the brochure **here**, then contact me to place your order.

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Punch BunchInk: Cherry Cobbler
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Early EspressoOther: Top Note Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Two Step Owl Punch

Christmas Gift Card holders, #3

The third and final of the Christmas gift card holders I made for my nieces and nephew. You can see the first and second here and here.

This time I got a little more creative than I had expected - what was supposed to be a simple slide-out design ended up taking a little longer than I thought. My first few attempts were cast aside as I toyed with different ideas.

In the end, I think I did well. The front and back are cut from the Top Note die, with the front being put back through using the Square Lattice embossing folder (available now in the Summer Mini Catalogue). Again, I spritzed it with shimmer spray, although it turned out to be a little more heavy-handed than I wanted.

Rather than just stick the two die cut pieces together, with a sliding card inside, I decided that they needed to have a little room between the two layers, so I stuck narrow pieces of cardstock at the top, bottom and left hand side to create a gap for the insert. Unfortunately I didn't take a photo of this step, but you can take my word for it that it made the operation of the card holder that little bit easier.

The insert is simply a piece of Daffodil Delight cardstock with a slit cut in the left hand side to accommodate the gift card, with the Round Tab punch attached to the side.

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Season of Joy
Ink: Old Olive
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Other: Frost White Shimmer Paint, Top Note Die, Round Tab Punch, Square Lattice Embossing Folder

Christmas Gift Card holders, #2

Here's the second of three gift cards I made just before Christmas (literally just before Christmas ... I think they were put together on December 24th). You can see the first here.

This time I based the holder on one found here, with amendments as suggested at this site.

If you've memorised the contents of your 2010-11 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue (as I have, of course), you will see that I have used *gasp* a retired punch. Next time I will probably use my old faithful standby, self-adhesive magnet sheets, as I found that pulling this open a few times creased the cardstock a little, and I was worried about tearing the whole thing.

Can you see the shimmer spray? Yes, I know, I'm using this a lot, but it's so pretty!

I also added the extra dimension by putting the front (only) of the holder through the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots embossing die (a personal favourite of mine).

And here's the inside ... I added the little die cut butterfly because I somehow managed to get a tiny smudge on the pocket.

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Short & Sweet
Ink: Marina Mist
Cardstock: Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Other: Frost White Shimmer Paint, Curly Label Punch, 1-3/8" x 5/8" Oval Punch, 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval Punch, Top Note Die, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Jumbo Eyelets, Cropadile, Daffodil Delight 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon

Christmas Gift Card holders, #1

Each year, I give my brother's kids gift cards for Christmas ... as they get older it's hard to know what they particularly want, so I figure they're better off choosing their own gifts at their own pace. So every year I have to think up a new way of presenting the cards. Luckily there are a ton of ideas out there on the net to be inspired by!

You can see past years' gift card holders here and here.

Here's the first of the three holders I made last week. This one is based entirely on this one I made earlier this year. Because it was for my nephew, I had to restrain myself and not cover it with flower stamps and "pretty" things - lucky the owl fits nicely into this category! In retrospect, I should have put a little Christmas hat on him; sadly I didn't think of that until much later.

Here's a closeup of the owl (click to get a better look). You can also see that I spritzed the background with my Champagne Mist shimmer spray (lovin' this stuff!) (click here for a little more detail about the product, about halfway through the post). You can also see a little of the texture of the cardstock - this is the textured type, available as part of the 12x12 packs of single colour cardstock.

And here's the inside ... you can use Velcro to hold the gift card holder closed, but I prefer self adhesive magnets (you can buy this stuff by the sheet from craft stores).

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Teeny Tiny SentimentsInk: Early Espresso
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie Textured, Early Espresso, So Saffron, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie
Other: Top Note Die, Two Step Owl Punch, Two Step Bird Punch, 2" x 1-3/8" Oval Punch, Word Window Punch

Christmas is coming ...

... and for a wonder, I'm organised (well, so far).

I have just this week finished the Christmas cards I make annually to send out to the customers of the company I work for - I like to think they appreciate the effort, and of course I am paid for my work and supplies!

This is the card that the lucky customers are getting this year.

I am loving this colour scheme - pick any purple, green and blue, and it just seems to work well together. Here I have used Baja Breeze, Concord Crush and Old Olive - not your traditional Christmas colours, but I like to mix things up a bit *g*.

And I found out something about the Little Leaves Sizzlit. Turns out that using it 120 times in a row makes it stick a little but it still cuts just fine!

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Delightful Decorations
Ink: Concord Crush
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Concord Crush, Whisper White, Old Olive
Other: Top Note Die, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Ornament Punch

Next time I'll show you the card that my lucky friends and family are getting this year. So if you're expecting a card from me, don't look :-)

Birthday Butterflies

More birthday cards, this time for my sister-in-law. I'm still loving the colour combination here and had a few butterflies left over from that cutting session, so I turned the whole thing around and made this.

Happy birthday, Sophie!

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Perfect Punches
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo
Other: Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Top Note Die

Inspired...

I had some birthday cards to make the other night (hopefully they have reached their destinations by now!) and needed some inspiration to get me started. Of course, Splitcoast Stampers obliged, and this card in particular caught my eye. Something about the layout appealed to me, so I sat down to make my own interpretation.

I really like how this came out (hope Lisa likes it also). And I finally got a chance to use my new Crumb Cake inkpad - love it!

Oh, and the blue butterfly - aside from being cute and lifting out the centre of the card, it has an actual purpose in hiding a small smudge :-)

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Upsy Daisy
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Cardstock: Pacific Point, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
Other: Top Note Die, Circle Cutter, Elegant Lines embossing Folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslit

Birthday Owl

I finally got around to using the little owl I made the other day, turning him into a cute birthday greeting. I used the Two Step Bird Punch for the branch, otherwise he would have been floating in mid air. Of course, this means the branch is floating ... now I'm overthinking things LOL. If it was truly realistic, the owl's heart would be on the inside, for a start.

This is a card the guests at a recent workshop made, with personal variations of course.

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Perfect Punches
Ink: Early EspressoCardstock: Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Peach Parfait, Poppy ParadeOther: Two Step Owl Punch, Two Step Bird Punch, Top Note Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Top Note Box

I stumbled across this project recently, and finally got a chance to try it out the other night ... wow, it was so easy, and very effective as well.

I also finally got around to trying out the scallop punch flower properly (as opposed to the practice ones I have made). There are lots of tutorials for these flowers all over the net so I won't even attempt to write one - I used the version where you punch the scallops out, scrunch them well to soften the cardstock fibres and peel the cardstock in half to expose the soft, suede-like insides. I really love how it came out, and it seems to suit the vintage-y look of the box just right.

Here you can see a closeup of the detail on the top of the box - I tore a hole in a piece of scrap paper and used that as a reverse mask to stamp En Francais through (the same technique was used here).

Next time, I might run the top part of the box through an embossing folder in the Big Shot, for the texture (looooove texture *g*).

And here's the box open. I didn't put the little dividers in this one - perhaps next time.

Images © 1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Vintage Vogue, En Francais
Ink: Soft Suede, Sahara Sand
Cardstock: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Other: Scallop Circle Punch, Top Note Die

Old Tricks, New Cards

In my quest to stock up my sample board, I have been looking at old, retiring samples with a view to remaking them with current product.

This time I'm sharing the new, improved version of this card. With Apricot Appeal leaving us forever *sob*, the sample isn't much use anymore except perhaps as inspiration.

And this is what I came up with. Kind of the same, but different.

If you look carefully you might see the stamping on the Very Vanilla Layer. I used Versamark to stamp En Francais, then sponged Soft Suede ink over the top - the Versamarked areas "resist" the dye Soft Suede ink and the result is super-subtle and gives a hint of texture to the finished product.

Images © 1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Cottage Garden, EN Francais
Ink: Soft Suede, Real Red, Versamark
Cardstock: Soft Suede, Kraft, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Basic Black
Other: Top Note Die, Extra-Large Two Step Bird Punch

Always...

You know, I still love this set, after all this time. It just got kind of "lost" under other stamp sets and hasn't been out for a little while.

But in my quest to recreate samples or think up new ones, I dug it out to give it some love.

This is a (kind of) copy of a card I made last year - which I'm not going to show you, it never quite came out how I had pictured it. The card shown here worked out MUCH better, and was fun to make as well!

Images © 1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Always
Ink: Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron
Cardstock: Whisper White, Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron
Other: 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Top Note Die

Heading off to Sydney!

This time tomorrow I will be in sunny (?) Sydney, ready to attend the annual Stampin' Up! Convention, where I will meet lots of other demonstrators, learn some new tips & tricks, and generally hang out with friends. This is the one time of the year I go away without the family, and while I love them to bits, it's nice to take a break.

As is customary, I have been working on swaps to exchange with other demonstrators - a good way of gathering samples and ideas which you might not have thought of. I don't make many, because I have a short attention span *g*, so I like to think of these as "limited editions" LOL.

The photo above is a little dark, so here's a closeup of the little bird's wing, which I've popped up on a dimensional. Isn't this bird punch completely gorgeous?

Wish me luck in Sydney, and with any luck I'll come back with some great new ideas to share with you!

Stamps: Simply Said, En Francais
Ink: Sahara Sand, Real Red
Cardstock: Kraft, Basic Black, Whisper WhiteOther: Two Step Bird Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Top Note Die

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

Big Shot Sampler

Yesterday I worked at the Stampin' Up! stand at the Melbourne Stitches & Craft show (and a big hi to Pam, Joan, Leanne, Gail and Denise who were there with me). I spent a little time demonstrating for the passers by, and chose to use my Top Note die with the Big Shot.

Following many discussions with people about the Big Shot and what sorts of things you can put through it, I was inspired last night to scrounge through my miscellaneous craft supplies to see just what you can put through the Big Shot using the Sizzix Bigz Dies (like the Top Note die).

And here you have it. My sampler ring, also known as "Things I Put Through MyBig Shot".

From left to right, the materials I used are:

A. Light weight chipboard
B. Corrugated card
C. Metal shim (yep, this won't last very long *g*)
D. Shelf liner (the grippy stuff)
E. Felt
F. Cellophane
G. Acetate
H. Fabric
I. Fun foam
J. Plastic - the sort that quilting templates are often made of
K. Shrink plastic (which is a little hard to see because all I could find was clear - and then I shrunk it *g*).

A quick disclaimer - these materials were cut using the Top Note Bigz Die. The Originals, Bigz and Bigz XL dies are strong enough to cope with thicker materials and layers. If you are using the smaller, more delicate Sizzlits dies, you will only be able to cut thinner material like cardstock, and only in single layers.

I'm back working at the craft show tomorrow, and will be taking my little sampler ring with me for that inevitable question ... "Just what can you cut with a Big Shot?".

Top Note Gift Card Holder

I just love my Big Shot die cutting machine, and this Top Note die specially. Sure, it makes a nice layer on a card, but when you look at it in a different light, the possibilities are practically endless!

Do a Google Image search for Top Note Die and see what I'm talking about.

The other day I came across this tutorial for a nifty little gift card holder using this die. I have made similar holders in the past, but none came out quite as classy as this one *g*. Every time I look at it I feel so darned proud of myself LOL.

I put the front of the holder back through the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, cut out a spray of leaves with my little Little Leaves Sizzlit die, and stamped up a storm with Cottage Garden - all available in the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue (contact me for a copy).

The colour is totally off here ... I have adjusted it somewhat with my photo editting software, but you really can't see the gorgeous Rich Razzleberry properly (I recommend calling me to book a workshop so you can see it in person *g*).

Here's a picture of the inside of the folder - I took the instructions a step further and used the Word Window punch (carefully positioned half on the fold) inside to create a nicely shaped notch for the gift card to sit in. Of course, the punch is only a few centimetres long, so I had to punch, then slide along and punch again to create a slot the right width.

The holder is held together with pieces cut from a little self-adhesive magnet sheet - I find these are easier on cardstock that velcro, which can stick a little too agressively and cause the card to bend and crease as you try to open it.


Images © 1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Cottage Garden
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette, Old Olive, Whisper White
Other: Large Oval Punch, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Top Note Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Word Window Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch

Sneak Peek - New Stuff (part 2)!

More new stuff for you to admire *g*.

Last time I showed you a card made with the Top Note die and a new set called Vintage Vogue.

Today, it's the die again and this awesome punch (which includes the bird, wing and branch, all in one). And a new colour combination (Old Olive, Apricot Appeal and Chocolate Chip - who would have thought they would look so good together?).

If you would like to see more of the Autumn / Winter Mini Catalogue, email me and I will mail you out a copy.

There is a lot of new stuff in the Mini Catalogue, in fact it's a little larger than usual to fit it all in! And a lot of new innovations as well which I can't wait to share with you!

Images © 1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Cottage Garden
Ink: Apricot Appeal, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Cardstock: Old Olive, Apricot Appeal, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Other: Top Note Die, Extra-Large Two Step Bird Punch

Sneak Peek - New Stuff (part 1)!

My next few posts will be dedicated to providing you all with a little taste of what is coming up in the Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue next month.

Because Stampin' Up! have decided to change the "catalogue year" to September-August (rather than April-March as it has been since they started out in Australia in 2006), they have decided to bring out a kind of "super-mini" catalogue to get us through the next few months.

And as a demonstrator I am lucky enough to be allowed to pre-order some of the goodies contained therein!

So what do we have coming up? Can't say too much, but perhaps this card will give you a clue ...

See that gorgeous vanilla layer? Wanna know how that was done?

Email me for a copy of the new Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue and find out!

(or I could just tell you it's an exclusive die made for Stampin' Up! by the lovely people at Sizzix) (but email me for a copy of the Mini Catalogue anyway *g*).

And did you see the colours I used? I have to say, I didn't realise just how good Very Vanilla, Old Olive and Perfect Plum looked together until now. They really suit the vintage look of the stamps, too.

Images © 1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Vintage Vogue
Ink: Perfect Plum, Old Olive
Cardstock: Perfect Plum, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Other: Top Note Die