Piggies

Well it's been a busy month for sure.  Can you believe we're already up to the last day of September.  Where did that go?  Where did the last 3 months go? And oh my goodness, Christmas is surely coming (there are Christmas things in the shops now!!).  So I've fallen behind on sharing the cards I made for a run of birthday parties my Matty was invited to.  We had the Minions & Evil Minions from Despicable Me and now this time, back to Angry Birds.  Well the Piggies!

Matty's friend loved Angry Birds, so it was back to the world of image surfing on Google.  Matty asked me to make a Piggies card, so that made it a little bit easier to narrow down our card choices.  We chose this one:

I pulled out all my green card stock for this one and settled on the colours of Wild Wasabi & Pear Pizzazz for the nose.

I've used the large circle die to cut the face, and assorted circle and oval punches to create the nose, eyes, ears and mouth.  Totally easy but an instant winner with the kids!

The card was finished with a birthday sentiment and really was a quick card to make.  You can find the making instructions (with video) over at this link at Stampintx.com.

So go on, give this card a whirl when you  need a birthday card for the kids in a hurry!  I used the following supplies:

Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners
Inks: Basic Black
Papers: Basic Black, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi & Pear Pizzazz CS
Accessories: Big Shot & Circle Die, Oval & Circle Punches

More Mosaics

Just popping in after a very busy weekend!  I thought things would slow down after winter sports had finished.  Not so, we've just finished going to the last Presentation night.  Maybe NOW things will slow down (although with less than 100 days to Christmas, not sure that will happen!!!).

So when you need a card in a hurry and time is at a premium, pull out the coordinating Mosaic Madness stamps and products for a lovely card!

In fact, I used this card as a demo/make & take at my Catalogue Launch.  The card is really simple but elegant.  And you can change it with just the colours!!

I've used the new In Colours - Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar and Crisp Cantaloupe.  So pretty!  I've punched out the mosaics with the coordinating punch (Super easy!!), either glued them or popped them up with dimensionals.  You might notice that the embossed layer is reversed.  I love this side the best :)

Choose the details!  I've used the Itty Bitty punch to punch a flower, added some bling with rhinestone gems and added a birthday sentiment.

Really Easy, Really Quick and Really Pretty!

So here's what I used:

Stamps:  Mosaic Madness & Simply Sketched
Inks: Early Espresso, Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar and Crisp Cantaloupe
Papers: Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar & Strawberry Slush
Accessories: Big Shot & Mosaic Embossing Folder, Itty Bitty & Mosaic Punch, gems

Tag a Bag Gift Box

Well, if you're like me and follow many blogs featuring Stampin' Up! you'll already know there was a Tag a Bag Gift Box make, at this year's Stampin' Up! convention.

And even though I liked the box I made, I liked it much better when I converted it to something else!  And when I say converted, well I mean, I only did one thing.......

The box comes in two pieces, the base (Kraft) and the slide-on lid (transparent).  I took the cover off (made as per the Make & Take instructions) and made it into a Washi Tape holder.  How pretty and clever is that!!

From this:

To this:

I did keep the gorgeous decoration on the box though.  It's too cute to hide away.  In fact, you might remember, I used the same decoration on the mini box I made the other day.  I loved the decoration so much, I had to make some more!!

These colours are so vibrant.  I love how the Summer Starfruit contrasts beautifully with the Bermuda Bay, and the coral colours of Calypso Coral & Crisp Cantaloupe.

So when you look at your Washi Tape, now look at these Tag a Bag Gift Boxes as the perfect storage solution (and yes, I do have other Washi Tape in my collection, including the Stampin' Up! range!)

 

 

To make your own gift boxes, I've used:

Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge & Hello, Lovely
Inks: Bermuda Bay & Crisp Cantaloupe
Papers: Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Coastal Cabana CS & Crisp Cantaloupe DSP
Accessories: Tag a Bag Gift Boxes, Summer Starfruit Stitched Ribbon & Linen Thread.

Instant Art Galleries for Your Home

Create an art gallery for your home with a selection of framable art from My Digital Studio. It's so easy! Just print, frame, and hang.

Here are some downloads to help you get started (click on the links):

• Go With Heart Framables
• Grateful Heart Framables
• Label This Laundry Designer Template
• Potluck Framables
• Made to Be Awesome
• You & Me Designer Template 

Don't have My Digital Studio (MDS) yet? MDS is available as a free trial for 30 days.  See for yourself what you can do!  Click on this link to download MDS!
 

Christmas Single Stamps

I'm so excited!!  The Christmas Single Stamps that I've had my eye on for the past few weeks (they have been available in the USA) are finally here.  Woohoo!  I think I want them all!

Single Stamps -- New Holiday Collection!

 

A new, holiday-themed collection of single stamps is now available! The holidays will be here before you know it, and these holiday-themed single stamps may be just what the budget-conscious stamper needs. There are eight different stamps to choose from, six of which coordinate with Framelits dies or punches.

All the Christmas Single Stamps are pictured below.  I'm sure you'll find one, or two, or all that you'll like!

Be Merry (item 134767)

Christmas Star (item 134813)

Cheers (item 134769)

A Gift for You (item 134765)

Joy and Love (item 134771)

Magical Season (item 134777)

Wonderful Blessing (item 134779)

Prince of Peace (item 134811)

These stamps are only available until 31 January, 2014 (or until sold out).

 You can purchase these stamps by contacting me to make an order or order 24/7 online at this link.

Happy Shopping!

Mini Boxes

So I've had a disaster of a weekend!  My car broke down yesterday (the thingy that held the fan belt just clean snapped), and a normal shopping trip of say 30 mins ended up taking over 5 hours by the time I waited for roadside assistance, tow trucks, call out the manager of a servicing garage to open by his workshop to park the car inside etc etc).  So it reminded me how lucky or should I say blessed, to have so many wonderful friends that helped me out yesterday.  So I can't thank them enough, but maybe I can give a little something.  Like these cute little mini treat boxes!

I saw the making of this box from a video tutorial by Dawn Olchefske and followed the making of the box to the letter (well I think I did).  Amazingly it only takes half a sheet of cardstock and 2 glue dots (although I doubled and used 4!!!!!).

After I cut out the box using the template I had created, I stamped the box all over with one of the hexagons from the Six Sided Sampler set.  Love that set!  I used Crisp Cantaloupe ink on Crisp Cantaloupe cardstock!

I added a little decoration of a tag and leaves.  You might recognise this little decoration as a Convention project (shared by others not me), but that's another story!!  So I recommend you give this box a try.  Super cute and super easy.  Perfect just to say thanks!  Find all the instructions at DoStamping.

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Six Sided Sampler & Hello, Lovely
Inks: Crisp Cantaloupe
Papers: Crisp Cantaloupe, Whisper White, Calypso Coral &Bermuda Bay
Accessories: Glue dots, linen thread, white ribbon & bone scorer

Dawn's tip for making these boxes:
1.  Use only half a sheet of cardstock, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
2.  Score at 1 3/4", 3 1/2", 5" & 6 3/4"
3.  Turn and score at 1 1/2" & 4"
4.  Have two glue dots ready!

Dawn's Tips for making this little box:
1.

I'm back

Well it's been a long time between posts!  Over the last week we've been so busy with end of season events (talking football here), my working a week of afternoons and then the weekend.  I'm finally catching up on my admin.  But enough of that boring stuff, I've finally found a few moments to create again, and that means .... to show and tell again!

Craft for me is such a relaxant and stamping, well I love it.  So I had a lot of fun stamping this card inspired by a Pinterest find!

Don't you just love the colours in this set?  They are all the new In Colours and I love them!  Of course, you knew that already!

I've used a few stamp sets here: Six Sided Sampler, Papillion Potpourri & Simply Sketched.  They all go so well together.  I've also used my Simply Scored Tool to make a scored outline on the Baked Brown Sugar CS base.

A gratuitous side angle pic.  Just love the elements of this card, don't you?

So here's what I used, so you can make it too!

Stamps: Six Sided Sampler, Papillion Potpourri & Simply Sketched
Inks: Early Espresso, Baked Brown Sugar, Strawberry Slush & Coastal Cabana
Papers: Whisper White & Baked Brown Sugar CS
Punches: Hexagon Punch, Butterfly & Bitty Butterfly punches
Accessories: Rhinestones, Simply Scored Tool & Dimensionals

Editor's Note (!!), I've searched and searched through Pinterest and can't find the original pin.  When I find them, I'll update this page.  Or email me if you find it first.  Many thanks xx

Sunburst Card

Have you seen the Sunburst or Starburst cards out there in the world of blogs, Pinterest and beautiful websites?  I love them and have been itching to make one (or two or three.....) myself.  So after a little bit of googling, I followed the instructions to make my own card!  I followed Dawn Olchefske's tutorial and set to work!

I love love love this card.  I love the colours of the DSP, I love the effect of the sunburst and I love my little birthday embellishment too.  Love love love!

To create the Starburst effect, all you need is FOUR 1-1/2" x 4" pieces of paper. - See more at: http://dostamping.typepad.com/dostamping_with_dawn/2013/07/starburst-sunburst-card-video-stampinup-dsp.html#sthash.zDOJ1220.dpuf

I cut this gorgeous Eastern Elegance DSP into FOUR pieces, measuring 1 1/2" x 4".  Seriously, that's all you need.  The secret is in the cutting and you can follow Dawn's youtube video to see!  The pieces were cut on the diagonal, from one end to the other, creating enough pieces to make a sunburst.

To create the Starburst effect, all you need is FOUR 1-1/2" x 4" pieces of paper. - See more at: http://dostamping.typepad.com/dostamping_with_dawn/2013/07/starburst-sunburst-card-video-stampinup-dsp.html#sthash.zDOJ1220.dpuf

I just had to show a close up of the birthday sentiment.  It's so cute and totally inspired from our Mosaic Madness stamp class!

To make this card, I've used the following supplies:

Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners & Mosaic Madness
Inks: Pool Party & Basic Black
Papers: Whisper White & Pool Party CS, Eastern Elegance DSP
Accessories: White satin ribbon, Silver 1/8" ribbon, Circle & Itty Bitty punch, & rhinestone gem

Koala Birthday Card

So the birthday run continues.  This time I had to make made a card for one of Jessica's little friends from childcare turning 3.  I wanted something cute.  Not Angry Birds, not Despicable Me or anything else the current range of boys.  So I decided to do some punch art. 

I've used the Koala punch art, sourced from the blog of Carolyn Bennie.  The koala is so cute and when I saw him doing a google image search, well I just fell in love!  I think I'm going to use the koala for Australian-themed Christmas cards to send overseas.  He's way too cute!

I made three little balloons from scrap pieces of blue cardstock.  I used the small oval punch and the owl punch (recognise the feet???) for the balloon and used Whisper White bakers twine for the balloon strings. 

White gel ink adds feature to the koala and the balloons.  So cute, so cute!

 

This card is actually a great one for using up scraps.  The birthday banner used scraps too!

So for instructions on the assembly of the koala,  head on over to Carolyn's blog.  Here's what I used:

Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners
Inks: Basic Black
Papers: Whisper White, Smoky Slate, assorted blues, retired Nursery Necessities DSP
Accessories: Whisper White Bakers Twine, Signo White Gel Ink pen
Punches: Bird Builder, Owl Builder, Small Oval, Circle punches, Word Window & Small Scallop Circle Punch

Elegant Leaves

So this week my cards are coming thick and fast (mainly because I've fallen behind on blogging, so I've got a stack to share.  Honest aren't I?!!!!).    Today's card share is a card based on a project I found from the Stampin' Up! Blog.  That card used the Best of Autumn stamp set (not yet available in Australia) and featured beautiful leaves.  Well a friend of mine just happens to love leaves, so I had to make my own version for her birthday:

I've used a very eclectic range of colours for this card but I think they all go together really well.  The background features Coastal Cabana, Summer Starfruit, Cajun Craze & Crumb Cake.  All stamped together and looking fab!  The Paris post marks were stamped in Gumball Green.

I've used the Cajun Craze CS as the card base and added a little sampler of ribbons, twine and lace, fastened to the card with a mini brad.  So cute and a great way of adding interest to the card.  You might notice that my stamped leaves have been double stamped for most of them.  I just stamped twice without reinking.  Easy!

I've also added a feature leaf stamped in Gumball Green.  The Gumball Green gives a bit of interest and has been handcut to sit over the ribbon.  I like it!!

So here's what I used:

Stamps: French Foliage
Inks: Basic Black, Gumball Green, Coastal Cabana, Summer Starfruit, Cajun Craze & Crumb Cake
Papers: Whisper White CS & Cajun Craze CS
Accessories: Pool Party Ribbon, Lace & Hemp Twine, mini brads

Simply Sketched

I just wanted to share a Sympathy card I made for a dear friend on the loss of his mother.  I had been inspired by a card on Pinterest (but of course, it's my favourite place to be inspired) and followed the design for the flower and background embossing.  It's a gorgeous card and the design, well it can be used for any occasion really!

I've stamped the flower onto watercolour paper and used my Black StazOn ink to stamp the flower.  I also stamped a second flower onto a scrap piece which I subsequently cut out after colouring.  I have coloured (with my blender pens) using Strawberry Slush ink for the flower and Pistachio Pudding for the stems.  Beautiful colours I think!

I've embossed the background Whisper White card matt with the Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder and used Soft Suede as the card base. I sponged and distressed the stamped layer, as well as sponging the doily too.  I've added little pearls and some Very Vanilla seam binding (which didn't go to badly I thought, as I didn't have white.).  I've stamped a sentiment which you could swap for anything.

I did a bit of searching and found the original designer's website: www.elefevre.blogspot.com where you'll see how much I was inspired with this design.

Best of 25 Years - Christmas

Best of 25 years stamp collections.

As part of Stampin' Up!s 25-year anniversary celebration, we're bringing back some of our favourite stamp images from the last quarter century and combining them into five sets, which will be released -one set per month- until April 2014. Even better, along with some great classic images, each "Best of" set will also include a never-before-seen image! 

 

This month - it's Best of Christmas!

 

September - Best of Christmas

 

Some things to remember:

• All Best of stamp sets will include 3-5 images, including a never-before seen image, and will be priced at $25.95.
• While we are releasing just one Best of stamp set per month (with a new theme each month) until October, all of the Best of sets will be available until April 2014.
• All Best of stamp sets are available in Clear-Mount only.
• The stamp images may be sized differently from the original stamp sets. 

August - Best of Shelli

July - Best of Butterflies

June - Best of Flowers

To order, head on over to my online shop or contact me by phone 0417 165 345 or email.