Christmas in July - Canberra Event

You are invited to a day of papercrafting with a Christmas-in-July theme organised by my Stampin' Up! Friends and me!

When:           Sunday 4 July, between 10am - 4pm

Where:          Chisholm Community Hall, 15-19 Hally Street, Chisholm

Cost:            $10

Your $10 fee is to cover the cost of hiring the Hall.  You are free to bring your own projects to work on.  Take the opportunity to get a head start on your Christmas cards and other Christmas projects.  We are also asking that you bring a plate of something Christmas-sy to share for lunch.  Please RSVP by 5pm on Friday 2 July.

We will also have some kits available for purchase to make the Christmas Chocolate Explosion Box and coordinating Christmas Card for $5.  If you are interested in a kit to create this project, please let me know by Friday night.

For any further information please contact me on 0417 165345 or email: carolyn@stampwithme.com.au

Some Birthday Cards

Lucky Me (!!) celebrated another birthday over the weekend.  While having a new baby is the focus of our household, my two boys loved having another birthday to celebrate.

We started with lemon & sugar pancakes (yummy), birthday presents (wrapped in a plastic bag - thanks boys) and handmade card/picture from Luke.  Lots of cuddles and kisses too from Matthew and Luke.

We all headed to the local club for lunch, which gives my WH and I a chance to sit down and enjoy a meal, while our boys are amused by the Kids Club when not eating!

Later that afternoon, we were visited by our lovely friends who also came bearing gifts.  And I love what they gave me: flowers, chocolate Tim Tams and a bottle of pink Champagne.  What more could a girl ask for.  My WH's dad & wife also came bearing gifts. Sticky bun and a beautiful bunch of tulips (they know the Dutch part of me).  So yep, truly spoiled for my birthday!!

I also wanted to show a couple of birthday cards I received in the mail.  God bless the postman!!

from my local craft shop ladies:

from Kate:

Told you I was a lucky girl!!

With Sympathy

It's truly a heavy heart while I write this post.  One of my dearest friends unexpectedly lost her father this week.  I wanted to make her a card and let her know that I'm thinking of her.  Making sympathy cards are truly difficult, however I was inspired by a card I saw the other day at the StamperCamper's Corner and decided to use this as my base for the card.

This is my version:

Like the original card, I cut the card base down to a 4 1/2" square and then embossed it in the Big Shot with the Polka Dots embossing folder.  I have then cut squares measuring 4.6cm from Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie & Real Red cardstock (CS) before stamping and embossing them.  I have also rounded two corners on each square.

Here's what I used:


Stamps: Cottage Garden & Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Papers: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie & Red Riding Hood
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie & Red Riding Hood Classic Inks & Whisper White Craft Ink
Other: Big Shot & Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Corner Rounder punch & Paper snips

SU Product Alert - Close to Cocoa

The Stampin' Up! inventory of Close to Cocoa A4 card stock (item 108600) is running low. Stampin' Up! expect to run out of this item within the next few days, so if you are interested in purchasing this colour, plan to place an order soon, before it is gone.

 

  Close to Cocoa card stock is also included in the Earth Elements A4 assorted pack (item 106556), the Earth Elements 12" x 12" assorted pack (item 106527), and the textured Earth Elements assorted pack (item 108697). All of these assortments are also only available while supplies last.

More Baby Cards

As promised, I have a couple more baby cards to show!  These (like the ones shown yesterday) are just gorgeous and creative too!  Another thank you for the lovely cards!

                                                                       from Cheryl

                                                                         
                                                                          from Kate

Gives me some great ideas and inspiration for a baby boy card I now have to make.  Yep, seems to be baby season!

Introducing Jessica & Baby Cards

To say thank you seems so inadequate sometimes.  We have been so blessed by our friends and family, with gifts, cards, well wishes, emails, messages, phone calls since the arrival of little Jessica.  And even before that, I was given two baby showers and lots of gifts in the lead up to her birth.  As you can imagine, I'm making a lot of thank you cards.  So thank you everyone!!

So without further ado, I would love to introduce you to Jessica Maree.  She's our beautiful little girl and here she is:

I also wanted to show you some of the lovely cards that we have received.  I have so many creative friends and family members, that I think all these cards deserve a show off!  Here's just a few of them:

                                        from Annette                                   from Michelle

 

                                                                          from Trudy

I'll be back tomorrow with some more baby cards.  I'm sure they'll give you lots of inspiration and pleasure too!

Deal of the Week - Number 4

Throughout the month of June, Stampin’ Up! is bringing you a new deal every week! With the Deals of the Week, you’ll get up to 50 percent off a selection of products from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue!

Be sure to check my web site each Wednesday in June to see what new deals are up for grabs that week, then contact me to place your order!

This week's deal starting today (Wednesday 23 June 2010), Stampin' Up! have discounted prices on selected embellishments.  Available at this special price until Tuesday 29 June 2010.

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
109113	149	Square Ice Rhinestone Brads	$19.95	$11.97
109111	149	Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads	$19.95	$11.97
109112	149	Square Fire Rhinestone Brads	$19.95	$11.97
111848	150	Bashful Blue 1” double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	$19.95	$10.97
109050	151	Certainly Celery 5/8” grosgrain ribbon	$14.95	$8.97

Stampin' Up! Rhinestone Brads, were $19.95 now $11.97:

Stampin' Up! Selected Ribbons:

Contact me now on phone 0417 165 345 or email: carolyn@stampwithme.com.au before this special offer runs out!

Baby Time Out

Well - it's the big day.  Off to hospital to have Baby number 3.  I will be off line for about five days but will be back with photos of a new baby to show!!

Baby Image located here

So have a lovely week and we'll all soon see what the stork delivers!!

A builder's card

It's clean up and catch up mode at my house today.  I've cleaned my craft table, drawers and cupboards (heaven forbid ... now I won't be able to find anything!!), caught up on my paperwork, made up the bed for the new baby and am now about to pack my hospital bag (nothing like leaving it to the last minute!!).

With the arrival of my dad and his wife later this afternoon, I thought it was now safe to show the card I made for my dad, who also celebrated his birthday last week.  As my dad is a builder (albeit now semi-retired), I saw this perfect card over at the blog of Lynn Pratt.  She had made a card called 'Father's Day wrenches' with the assistance of scissors and punches.  I thought it was perfect and decided to make it too.  Click here to see the original card.

It's funny but I only read her instructions about making the wrenches and not the rest, but it wasn't until I just linked this post to hers, that I realised I had even used the same technique for the aluminium foil layer.  Guess I'm just not that original :0)!!

Anyways, I better show you what I mean:

And a side view without the reflection in the aluminium foil layer!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Papers: Basic Black, Basic Grey & Whisper White CS
Ink: Basic Grey
Other: Big Shot, Diamond Plate Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug) & silver brads 
Punches: Circle (various sizes), Oval (various sizes) and Small Tag

As you can see, I didn't make any bolts on my card.  I just couldn't get them to look right.  Anyway, maybe this will give you an idea for masculine cards ... it certainly has my mind ticking!!

The pink One Sheet Wonders!

Goodness Me, I first blogged on 4 June about creating two colour scheme One Sheet Wonders (OSW) and now another week has gone by!  To remind you, here's the OSW I created using the colours of Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, River Rock and Basic Grey.

Although I admitted the other day, I preferred the Baja Breeze colour combo (click here to see), this pink one has grown on me!!  It's actually quite pretty now that I look at it again and almost a shame to cut it up!!  But cut it up, I did and made a start on my long list of Thank you cards.  Having received so many baby shower gifts lately, I have so many thank you's to send!!

So while Matthew was in bed yesterday for his afternoon nap, I sat down and created these cards:

 

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Cottage Garden & Much Appreciated (retired)
Inks: Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Basic Grey, Melon Mambo & River Rock
Papers: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Basic Black & Tea Party DSP.  I also found a piece of pink crimped CS in my stash (with absolutely no idea where I got it originally!!)
Other: Square & Oval punches, Eyelet border punches, Kraft Taffeta ribbon & pink satin ribbon, sponge daubers and Stampin' Dimensionals

OK, now I've got to go and make some more cards!!  I've seen a few gorgeous cards out there that I just might case, stay tuned!!

Fifth Avenue thanks

OK, I'm almost catching up on birthday cards but now I better start on my thank you cards too!  So much to do, so little time to do it!!

This is one of my favourite cards from the Fifth Avenue Floral workshop we did last year.  I just had to do it again!  It's such an elegant card too, I love it!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral & Much Appreciated (retired)
Papers: Kraft, Baja Breeze, Basic Grey & Whisper White CS, Urban Oasis DSP
Inks: Basic Grey, Baja Breeze & Kiwi Kiss
Other: Basic Grey Taffeta Ribbon, buttons & crochet thread

Just had a thought .... if you're looking for a fantastic Stamp at Home Kit, contact me to try the Fifth Avenue Floral Workshop.  It's just gorgeous.  I love the stamps, I love the papers, I love the colours!!  The window box is just perfect for anyone wanting to try a new box style!

The card set includes four trendy card designs packaged in a unique window box. All materials and colour instructions are provided.  Contact me if you would like to make this set, just $25 mailed to you!

Baby Card Time

Pink seems to be the theme of my week ... no guesses why really!!  Although I think we're in a world of hurt if baby number three isn't the girl we're expecting!!

Anyway, today I had the chance to make a card for my lovely cousins who welcomed baby Esther into the world this week.  Another beautiful little girl to join my very large (extended) family!

While blog-surfing yesterday, I saw a card featuring a cute little giraffe on a yellow card.  I don't even think it was a baby card, so I thought to myself ... I could use this and turn it into a baby card.  So here's what I made:

I had to do a scrounge around for some baby-themed stamps as I've lent all my baby stamp sets to friends, so luckily I had on hand the Wagon Full of Fun set that had this cute little duck image.  Cute enough for a baby card I think!

The photo doesn't really show it very clearly, so I'll try to explain: I have used circle punches to cut circles from the textured Pink Pirouette CS and then lightly sponged the edges with Pink Pirouette ink.  It gives both dimension and texture to the card.  The black CS behind the pink gives a striking contrast and works really well (in my humble opinion!!).  I've also 'water-coloured' the little duckie although looking back, I think the Melon Mambo ribbon might be a bit too strong for this pic.  Oh well.  I also sponged the edges of the white CS with the duckie with more Pink Pirouette!!  I love that colour!!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: A Wagon Full of Fun (retired) & Little Angel
Papers: Pink Pirouette CS, Pink Pirouette textured CS, Whisper White & Black CS
Inks: Pink Pirouette, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie & Melon Mambo
Other: Circle punches, Pretty in Pink Taffeta ribbon, sponge daubers & Aqua Painter brush

I will now try and find the original card that I was inspired by, so I can give credit where credit is due!!

Happy Birthday to my Luke

Hip Hip Hooray, it's my son's birthday today.  My big boy Luke turned seven today and I have no idea where those seven years have gone, but they have been fantastic years.  All the more better for Luke being part of my life.

To my dear son Luke, may life bring you everything your heart desires.  You are my special boy!

So naturally (!!!) I have to show you the card I made for his birthday.  It's getting harder and harder to make non-babyish cards for boys, but this stamp set in the current Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue from Stampin' Up! is just perfect!

You can't tell in this photo, but I put the black strip through the crimper for texture.  I used copic markers to colour the robots in and added a touch of Crystal Effects on the balloon to make them shine!  I also sponged the chipboard number seven (7) with Baja Breeze ink and then coated it in Crystal Effects.  I love the shiny effect of it.  I also added two thin strips above & below the robots for interest and stamped the 000 111 000 111 computer digits along the strip.  I hope you enjoy the card.  Simple but just right for a boy!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Lots of Bots
Inks: Basic Grey, Sahara Sand & Baja Breeze
Papers: Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, Black & Whisper White
Other: Crimper, Crystal Effects, Sponge Daubers & Chipboard Numbers

Birthday Card for Bella

It's taken a bit of effort, but I've made a start on all the cards I need this month!  Birthday cards, baby cards and thank you cards ... June is such a busy month in my household!!

Today's card is my creation for my niece Bella who has just turned six.  As she lives so far away, I'm not really quite sure what toys and things she's into, but I suppose being a girly girl, anything with pinks and purples should work!  So I found this Tilda stamp in my crafting drawers that I had never used and decided to give it a go!

I coloured it in with Copic markers (my first go - so don't be too harsh on me!!) and used some papers to glam it up!  I'm actually quite happy with how it looks!!  It's simple but suitable for a 6 year old girl.  I also coloured in the chipboard number six with some Smooch ... just like applying nail polish!!

Here's what I used (all Stampin' Up!) unless otherwise indicated:

Papers: Whisper White & Glossy White CS, Tea Party DSP
Inks: Black & Copic Markers (non-SU)
Other: Scallop Border punch, Chipboard numbers & organza ribbon (non-SU)

I have to admit ... I so love the Tea Party papers.  They are so pretty!!

Deals of the Week - Number 2

Throughout the month of June, Stampin’ Up! is bringing you a new deal every week! With the Deals of the Week, you’ll get up to 50 percent off a selection of products from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue!

Be sure to check my web site each Wednesday in June to see what new deals are up for grabs that week, then contact me to place your order!

This week's deal starting today (Wednesday 9 June 2010), Stampin' Up! have discounted prices on selected beautiful Designer Series Papers.  Available at this special price until Tuesday 15 June 2010.

Haiku Designer Series Paper, was $16.95 now $10.17

 

Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper, was $16.95 now $11.02

Tea Party Designer Series Paper, was $16.95 now $10.17

Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper, was $16.95 now $11.02

Sweet Slumber Specialty Paper, was $22.95 now $14.92

The Sweet Slumber Specialty Designer Paper is printed on textured, cover-weight cardstock.  You'll love the effects you can create with this textured, specialty paper!


Contact me now on phone 0417 165 345 or email: carolyn@stampwithme.com.au before this special offer runs out!

OSW Birthday Cards

The other day I started my One Sheet Wonder (OSW) cards.  Do you remember?  The brilliant but easy technique of creating your own background designer papers with your favourite stamp sets.  I used the Cottage Garden stamp set with the yummy colours of Baja Breeze, Basic Grey and River Rock.

I then created the following birthday cards:

 

Isn't it just amazing what you can with punches, papers, ribbons and of course the One Sheet Wonder piece of itself.  I used my square punch to cut up all the OSW and then spent a few moments on each card deciding on how to assemble each one. 

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Cottage Garden & Upsy Daisy (for the sentiment)
Papers: Baja Breeze, River Rock, Night of Navy, Basic Black & Whisper White CS, Baja Breeze DSP
Inks: Baja Breeze, Basic Grey & River Rock
Punches: Square (1 1/4"), Scallop Edge, Eyelet Border & Butterfly (non SU)
Other: White Taffeta Ribbon, Silver Tags & Silver Thread (non SU)

I hope you enjoyed these cards - some of them are already on their way to the birthday recipients!!

It's raining baby showers

With little more than a week to go until our new baby is born, we've been been overwhelmed with the number of cards, gifts, well wishes and baby showers that have come our way.

Nearly everything we have received has been in pink!!  Pink is the dominant colour this week in our household!  Just look at this gorgeous card made by my dad's lovely wife, Cheryl.  She sent me some gorgeous little pink outfits with her gorgeous card.  I just love the use of the gingham ribbon too!

I have been blessed with two 'baby showers' and so many gifts too.  On Sunday, I took the camera with me to my baby shower/high tea at the Rydges Hotel, Capital Hill in Canberra.  Here's a couple pic's of the yummy food we were served:

Divine cakes and all served on this really cool three tiered serving tray.  And get this, each of this was shared for two people only!  Two people!!  We all got to take some of these cute little cakes home there was so much.  All washed down with a glass of champers, tea & coffee.  Can't wait to go back again!!

(And this photo was taken, after we had started eating ... you should have seen how full it was when it was brought to our table!).

Now who's a lucky girl???  I am!

Pillow Boxes with the Big Shot

Finally I can show you the project that was supposed to have been made last weekend (we just ran out of time with too much fun, laughing and chatting!!).  Last night at our monthly craft night we made the cutest little pillow boxes with the bestest tool ever .... The Big Shot!!

The Big Shot has made making pillow boxes the easiest thing ever.  With all lines scored or cut, all you need to do is fold and stick.  Simple!!  You might also notice that we embossed the pillow box too.  I told you the Big Shot is a clever thing!!

Here's what we used:

Big Shot: Pillow Box Bigz Die, SU Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folders
Papers: Pale Plum, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink CS & Cottage Wall DSP
Punches: 5-petal flower & butterfly punch
Other: Rhinestone and watercolour pencils

Do you like the pansy decorating the box?  It's so cute and looks so life like.  Pansies made with the butterfly punch are one of the popular techniques at the moment.  We made ours using the faux suede technique to give us the textured paper, coloured the pansy pieces with watercolour pencils, spritzed them with water for the colours to blend.  When they are dry, stick them together with a mini glue dot.  Easy!

SU Colour Renovation .... An Update

A few weeks ago, Stampin’ Up! announced their colour renovation with the fond retirement of some old favourites and the introduction of some new and exciting colours and colour palettes.  Based on long and extensive research, SU are revamping the current colour families into four new colour collections. 

This morning Stampin’ Up! have announced that the retiring colours are selling out quite quickly and from today, all retiring colour products are only available while stocks last.

If you're looking to stock up on ink pads, markers, ink refills, cardstocks/papers or even ribbons - I recommend doing so as soon as you can. For more info on the colours (both new and old), click here.

Contact me on phone: 0417 165 345 or email: carolyn@stampwithme.com.au

One Sheet Wonders

Can you believe it's Friday already?  The week seems to go by so fast these days including the hours of each day. Tomorrow we have my son's seventh birthday party which I am madly preparing for today!!  June is quite a busy month around here, with Luke's birthday on the 10th and the baby due on the 15th, I decided to play it safe and have Luke's party a week early.  So off to the cake tin hire shop this morning (with the sad realisation that this is probably the last cake of it's type for Luke as he's getting to be such a big boy now) and now the house smells wonderfully of butter cake in the oven!  If you live in Canberra and looking for a great shop with cake tin hire and icing accessories, visit the Style Emporium at Gold Creek.  They're fantastic!

We're using the cake tin of Megasaurus the scary dinosaur ... you'll have to wait to tomorrow for a pic of the finished product!

Anyway, it would appear that I am digressing!!

I have so many cards to make this week - both thank you cards and birthday cards so I thought I would try the One Sheet Wonder technique!  One Sheet Wonders (OSW) are essentially one sheet of stamped cardstock (or patterned paper) that is cut up and used as the feature element to create a number of cards (or items).  It is an easy and quick way of creating coordinated greeting cards.

I've created two A5 sheets of stamped backgrounds using the Cottage Garden stamp set in two colour combinations: 

Colours used are Baja Breeze, Basic Grey and River Rock.  Easy but so chic!  This was inspired by the cards I found over at thINKspot blog!

This combo uses the pinks:

Colours used are Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, River Rock and Basic Grey.

I'm not quite sure which colour combination I like but I've highlighted the centres of the large flowers and butterflies with glitter, so I'm sure to have fun with both.  Stay tuned for the cards made with these OSWs.  If you're looking for more inspiration on creating background papers (aka OSWs), then visit the gallery at Splitcoast Stampers, you'll be amazed!

Scrapping the Bridge

One of the projects we made over the weekend, was the layout inspired by and instructed by Trudy (even if she kept insisting that she wasn't wearing a teacher's hat!!).  Using the same layout design, we chose our own colours and went to work.  This is what they all looked like:

(My layout is right at the top and I've turned the original design upside down!!)

Now I can show you the finished project!  It's amazing what photos, some journalling and a few stamped focal points can do!

This project was jazzed up with a few Stampin' Up! products too, mainly Big Shot items from the SU Autumn-Winter mini catalogue (I'm so loving this catalogue!!).  The SU products I have used are:

Big Shot: Stampin' Up! Timeless Type Junior Alphabet & Stampin' Up! Lots of Tags dies
Punches: 5-petal punch & Spring Blossom Punch (retired)
Stamps: Happiness Always (retired)
Ink: Basic Grey & Signo White Gel Ink pen

Editors Note!
I've just been advised by my WH that my journalling is incorrect.  Apparently Luke is trying to UNDO the bolts on the bridge, not tighten them up!!  Oh well, best go add some more journalling!! 

Flower Basket Gift Box

As we count down to the excitement of welcoming a new baby into our household, I haven't even had a moment to share our Memoranza Weekend.  In what was supposed to be a girls craft weekend, we had a Craft Bonanza!!  With lots of fun, laughter, fantastic food and of course the wonderful company, we crafted through the entire afternoon/evening last Saturday.  Only stopping when we realised it was after midnight and we were starting to yawn!

Expecting to be very productive as well as completing four projects, I packed two bags full of crafting materials only to discover that the planned projects took up our time.  In fact, we only got through three projects and we still have one more to go (saving that one for Craft Night this Friday!!).

The project I wanted to share today is the Flower Basket Gift Box which was introduced to us by the lovely Michelle.  It was a fantastic project and the results are amazing!  See for yourself:

This is my version using the Stampin' Up! Specialty Papers: Parisian Breeze (now retired), a punched border using Baja Breeze CS and the Eyelet Border punch, assorted flowers and ribbons.

This is Felicity's version, also using SU Parisian Breeze specialty papers:

This is Trudy's version using the SU Cottage Wall DSP in the current Autumn/Winter mini catalogue:

And all of them together:

If you would also like to make these gorgeous Flower Basket Gift Boxes, check out this link for the full template and instructions.