Friday, August 30, 2013

JAI #180: STAMPIN' UP!'S REGARDING DAHLIAS

This week at Just Add Ink, Nikki has set the challenge to "Just Add ...  Colouring" to your papercraft project.  We'd love to see what you create, colouring images with markers, crayons, pencils, ink .. whatever medium you choose.

I recently bought the gorgeous Regarding Dahlias stamp set, and decided the lovely bloom would be perfect for this challenge.  I inked the dahlia in Versamark, and used white embossing powder, on Crumb Cake card.  My rather neglected Prismacolor Pencils came off the shelf, and I had a lovely time colouring the dahlia with the pencils and mineral spirits (to blend).  I then fussy-cut the flower, to sit atop a background of subtly stamped dahlias.



Stamps: Regarding Dahlias, Four You
Card: Crumb Cake, Whisper White
DSP: Perfect Plum Patterns Designer Series Paper
Ink: Whisper White craft stampin' pad, Versamark inkpad, Perfect Plum stampin' pad
Other: Whisper White organza ribbon, Perfect Plum taffeta ribbon (retired), basic rhinestone, White stampin' emboss powder, paper snips, sponge dauber, flag die (not SU!), glue dots
 
 
Make sure you visit Just Add Ink to see what the rest of the Design Team have created.  We hope you'll join in the fun, and link up your own card/paper creation on our site.
 
 


Tuesday, August 27, 2013

STAMPIN' UP! CHRISTMAS COLLECTIBLES FOR STS #2

I do love a good challenge site, and am thrilled that, thanks to the wonderful Lesley Croghan, there's a "new kid on the block", namely Seize the Sketch.  I have had a really difficult couple of weeks, and didn't get to play along with the inaugural challenge, but am pleased that I've been able to get creative for the second challenge.

Here's the sketch:


 
 
I've made a Christmas card for my stash, using new goodies from the Holiday Catalogue that goes live in Australia and New Zealand in two days' time - woohoo!
 
 
 
 
Stamps: Christmas Collectibles
Card: Brushed Silver, Island Indigo, Whisper White
DSP: Winter Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper
Ink: Versamark inkpad, Bermuda Bay stampin' pad
Other: Silver stampin' emboss powder, Small Oval punch, Basic Rhinestones, Expressions Thinlits die, Christmas Ornament punch, Silver 1/8" ribbon, glue dots, Stylish Stripes embossing folder
 
 


Monday, August 26, 2013

STAMPIN' UP!'S FLOWER SHOP, WITH A LITTLE GLIMMER

I recently posted a card to someone who is faced with a lot of challenges, and thought I'd share it with you.  I am hoping this sparkly card will cheer her up a little (the glimmer is rather prominent in 'good' light):




Stamps: Flower Shop, Chalk Talk, Gorgeous Grunge
Card: Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Coastal Cabana, Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, Baked Brown Sugar and Crumb Cake stampin' pads
Other: Pansy punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle punches, 7/8" and 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punches, Coastal Cabana and Baked Brown Sugar stretch ruffle trim, Large Scallop edgelits, Delicate Designs embossing folder, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Stampin' Pierce mat, Paper-Piercing tool, sponge dauber, sticky strip
 
 


Friday, August 23, 2013

JAI #179 : STAMPIN' UP!'S SWEATER WEATHER FATHER'S DAY CARD

It's Friday, which means Just Add Ink challenge time.  Here's the sketch Mae has set as this week's challenge:



 
I broke open my new packet of Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper (available in the Holiday Catalogue, 29th August).  The papers dictated my colour scheme, and I decided to use this opportunity to make a Father's Day card.
 
 


Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge, Delightful Dozen
Card: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla, Vellum cardstock
DSP: Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper (out 29th August)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky and Crushed Curry stampin' pads
Other: Clear stampin' emboss powder, Basics Glimmer brads, Essentials Hardware clip, sponge dauber, hexagon punch (to make flag tail)
 
 
We hope you'll make a card using the sketch, and link up to our challenge at Just Add Ink!  There's plenty of inspiration from the rest of the Design Team over on the Just Add Ink blog.
 
 
 


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

A LITTLE STAMPIN' UP! CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR MERRY MONDAY #71

I really do wish I'd been more organized, and joined in the fun of Lesley's Merry Monday Challenges sooner!  What a great idea, to make one Christmas card a week during the year - really takes the pressure off at the "pointy end" of the year.  Oh well, I think I can claim that I'm "on a roll", as I have joined in this week's Merry Monday Challenge, after playing along last week.

Here's Lesley's sketch:




... and my card, featuring the stack of presents from "Wishing You", one of the gorgeous new sets available in Australia and New Zealand at the end of August:



Stamps: Wishing You (available 29th August), Sweet Essentials. Owl Occasions (not current)
Card: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations
DSP: Season of Style Designer Series Paper (out 29th August)
Ink: Cherry Cobbler stampin' pad and marker, Crumb Cake stampin' pad, Old Olive marker, Baked Brown Sugar marker
Other: Ovals framelits, 3/4" Circle punch, Small Oval punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, sanding block, sponge dauber, stampin' dimensionals, 1 1/4" burlap ribbon (available 29th August)
 
 
 


Sunday, August 18, 2013

SC 086/13: STAMPIN' UP! POLKA-DOT PIECES THANK YOU CARD

I was delighted to be asked to be a Guest Designer at Sunny Challenges & Creations for their challenge going live today:


If you're a regular follower of my blog, you probably know that I seldom deviate from a rectangular card - sometimes I switch from a top-fold to a side-fold, but the occasional square card is about as adventurous as I get! 

I enjoyed this challenge, as I've just got my hot little hands on Stampin' Up!'s Deco Labels Collection framelits - and they are GORGEOUS.  My card base was made with the largest of the four dies, and it makes a rather tiny card - oh-so-sweet.  This card is only 10 cm x 9 cm in size.






Stamps: Polka-Dot Pieces, Summer Silhouettes, Itty Bitty Banners
Card: Smoky Slate, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
DSP: Smoky Slate Patterns DSP
Ink: Smoky Slate and Basic Gray stampin' pads, Daffodil Delight stampin' pad and marker
Other: Deco Labels Collection framelits, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Bird Builder punch, Bitty Banners framelits, sponge daubers, Multipurpose liquid glue
 
 
Make sure you take a look at the Design Team's samples, for inspiration.  We'd love to see your 'shaped' creations.
 
 


Friday, August 16, 2013

JAI #178 : STAMPIN' UP!'S EVERGREEN AND WINTER FROST






Kim threw me for a loop by choosing this week's challenge at Just Add Ink ..... Just Add Snowflakes.  I had nothing in my (rather extensive) stash that fit the bill, so, *sigh*, had to place a Stampin' Up! order - gee, the lengths I go to, to meet my Design Team commitments!

I ordered the "snowflake-y" new Winter Frost Designer Series Paper, and some delightful embellishments (called Frosted Finishes), that will be available to purchase from 29th August.  As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I get to buy goodies before they're officially released, which is a bit exciting.  Check out the die-cut "Merry" - that's courtesy of another gorgeous new product coming out in the Holiday Catalogue.  LOVE it!





Stamps: Evergreen
Card: Pool Party, Smoky Slate, Whisper White
Ink: Pool Party and Smoky Slate stampin' pads
DSP: Winter Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper (available 29th August)
Other: Labels Collection framelits, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack, Paper-Piercing tool and Stampin' Pierce Mat,  Pool Party seam binding, sponge dauber, Expressions thinlits dies (available 29th August), two-way glue pen, glue dots


Be sure to check out the rest of the Just Add Ink Design Team's samples.  We hope you join in this week's challenge to add snowflakes to your papercraft project!


Wednesday, August 14, 2013

STAMPIN' UP!'S WONDERFUL WREATH FOR MM #70

I was inspired by this week's Merry Monday Challenge, to use some new Stampin' Up! goodies that I have bought ... these are all from the upcoming Holiday Catalogue, that will be released in Australia and New Zealand on 29th August.

Here's the sketch:



... and here's the card I made using the gorgeous Wonderful Wreath stamp.  I am REALLY happy with this card!




Stamps: Wonderful Wreath, Wishing You (both available 29th August)
Card: Baked Brown Sugar, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
DSP: Season of Style Designer Series Paper (avail. 29th August)
Ink: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake stampin' pads, Cherry Cobbler marker
Other: Circles framelits, sponge dauber, Linen Thread, Stamp-a-ma-jig
 
 
 


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

SC 085/13 & DD # 65 : STAMPIN' UP!'S BEAUTIFULLY BAROQUE

As I'm uncharacteristically organized for my class tomorrow (usually there's last-minute prep happening!), I have been able to have some play time in my craft room tonight.

I've made a card that fits the bill at two of my favourite challenge sites - this sketch, at Sunny Challenges & Creations ...




.... and this heavenly colour combo at Dynamic Duos:






I think these soft colours would be beautiful for an engagement or wedding card, so that's what I set out to make.  Here's the end result:


 
Stamps: Beautifully Baroque
Card: Pistachio Pudding, Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride
DSP: Pistachio Pudding Patterns Designer Series Paper
Ink: Pistachio Pudding and Blushing Bride stampin' pads
Other: Deco Labels Collection framelits, Expressions thinlits (available 29th August), Basic Pearls, Blushing Bride Chevron Ribbon, Fancy Fan embossing folder, stampin' dimensionals, two-way glue pen
 
 
 

STAMPIN' UP!'S "TAG IT" FOR A TEENAGER

This week I had to make a card for a young friend turning 13, so I turned to my trusty Color Coach and came across the fabulous suggestion of Smoky Slate, Pear Pizzazz and Pool Party.  LOVE these colours together.

Here's the card I made (went a little crazy with the Candy Dots, but I do so love those things!):




Stamps: Tag It
Card: Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Pool Party Core'dinations, Pear Pizzazz
Ink: Smoky Slate stampin' pad and marker, Pear Pizzazz and Pool Party markers
Other: Letterpress embossing folder, Stylish Stripes embossing folder (avail. 29th August), Chalk Talk framelits, Smoky Slate chevron ribbon, Subtles and Neutrals Candy Dots, sponge dauber, sanding block
 
 


Sunday, August 11, 2013

STAMPIN' UP!'S GORGEOUS GRUNGE & SASSY SALUTATIONS

This past week, our wonderful family doctor went "above and beyond" and really helped us out, so I wanted to send him a card in appreciation.  I always make a point of telling him how much he's appreciated, but a handmade card never goes astray, does it?  I do think being a GP could be a rather thankless job, much of the time.

My go-to stamp set for masculine cards is (for the moment, at least!) Gorgeous Grunge.  I love the font of the sentiments in Sassy Salutations, and think these two stamp sets are a great mix.

My Stampin' Up! Color Coach suggested I team Tangerine Tango with Bermuda Bay and Smoky Slate.

Here's the result:




Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge, Sassy Salutations
Card: Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango
Ink: Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate and Tangerine Tango stampin' pads
Other: Squares framelits, Essentials Paper-piercing pack, Smoky Slate chevron ribbon, Bermuda Bay 1/8" taffeta ribbon, Brights and Neutrals candy dots, sponge dauber
 
 
 


Friday, August 9, 2013

JAI #177: STAMPIN' UP!'S HAPPY DAY MEETS DELICATE DOILIES

It's challenge time again at Just Add Ink, and this week brings a gorgeous colour combo that Mae selected from Stampin' Up!'s Color Coach:




I created a background panel for my card by stamping Delicate Doilies images, in all three colours, on Whisper White card.  I LOVE how these colours work together!  The flourish, and a sentiment, from Happy Day were stamped with a little doily from Delicate Doilies, and die cut using a heart framelit and my Big Shot.  Some new ribbon - chevron and seam binding - and scattered rhinestones, and my card was finished.  I think this would make a really nice contemporary engagement or wedding card, or a birthday card ... what do you think?







Stamps: Delicate Doilies, Happy Day
Card: Soft Sky, Smoky Slate, Whisper White
Ink: Soft Sky, Smoky Slate and Calypso Coral stampin' pads
Other: Hearts Framelits, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge dauber, Smoky Slate chevron ribbon, Soft Sky seam binding, Basic Rhinestones, glue dots
 
 
 
This colour challenge has produced some gorgeous creations from the rest of the Just Add Ink Design Team - be sure to check them out!  We hope you will play along with the challenge, too.
 
 


Tuesday, August 6, 2013

STAMPIN' UP!'S VENETIAN ROMANCE "FOUR YOU" BIRTHDAY CARD

I had so much fun making the card I showed you yesterday, that I used a similar layout for my sister's birthday card.  It's Lynda's birthday today, and for this one day of every year, we are twins (work that one out!).  Happy birthday, sis'!



Stamps: Four You, Papillon Potpourri
Card: Crisp Cantaloupe, Baked Brown Sugar, Very Vanilla
DSP: Venetian Romance Designer Series Paper
Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe and Baked Brown Sugar stampin' pads
Other: Basic Pearls, Crisp Cantaloupe ruffle trim, Fancy Fan embossing folder, Beautifully Baroque embossing folder, Bitty Butterfly punch, glue dots
 
 


Monday, August 5, 2013

STAMPIN' UP! EASTERN ELEGANCE "FOUR YOU" BIRTHDAY CARD

I'd like to share with you a birthday card I made for a friend, using some gorgeous new Stampin' Up! products. 

Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper steals the show on this card; I added a sentiment from one of my new favourite sentiment sets (Four You), a couple of other little details, and the card was done.




Stamps: Four You, Papillon Potpourri
Card: Smoky Slate, Crushed Curry, Whisper White
DSP: Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper
Ink: Smoky Slate and Crushed Curry stampin' pads
Other: Scallop Trim border punch, Bitty Butterfly punch, Basic Rhinestones, Whisper White organza ribbon, glue dots
 
 
If you love what you see, I can order any of these Stampin' Up! products for you!  Just drop me an email, or visit my online store.
 
 
Thanks for visiting my blog!
 


Friday, August 2, 2013

JAI #176: STAMPIN' UP!'S SIX SIDED SAMPLER MEETS GORGEOUS GRUNGE

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is to make a masculine project.  The theme is "Just Add ... Blokes", but "blokes" isn't a word I use .... for any international visitors, "bloke" is a slang word for a "guy".  We are happy for you to make a card for a male of any age, so let's see your creations for a boy or a man.

I had a special teen birthday card to make, so broke open some of my new Stampin' Up! toys.  Lots of new "bits" on this card, and I'm thrilled with the way it turned out.





Stamps: Six-Sided Sampler, Gorgeous Grunge, Sassy Salutations
Card: Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Smoky Slate
DSP: Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper
Ink: Versamark inkpad, Jet Black Staz-On inkpad, Smoky Slate and Bermuda Bay stampin' pads
Other: Hexagon punch, Black stampin' emboss powder, Pewter stampin' emboss powder, Neutrals Candy Dots, sponge dauber
 
 
Make sure you check out the rest of the Just Add Ink Design Team samples for this challenge - they are GREAT!