Summer Picnic Previous Makeover

Hello there once again! I am finally going to enter my first online challenge by joining in on Andrea Walford's previous makeover challenge (Makeover Monday Challenge). Hop on over to Paper Crafter's Library and you will be amazed by the talent, that is unless of course you have not been there before.  I have never entered and online challenge before other than our monthly Stamparoo Swap and I am finding it quite exciting. This one is a very simple card and did not take very long to finish. A great way to use up old DSP. It would be nice as a pack with envelopes as a gift.  I am going to have to get myself into gear and get a move on to try and bring my pile of discontinued DSP down.

Here is my card for this month.  I hope to be able to join in on other challenges. Its just the time juggling with work and having our grandson home on weekends from Boarding School (helping with his homework!) For this challenge I used the following products:-
Cardstock - Old Olive, Real Red
Stamp Pad - Versamark
Stamp Set - Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess gift)
DSP - Summer Picnic (discontinued)
Accessories - White Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Crystal Effects (on dots on DSP),                        1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Circles # 2 Dies, Big Shot, Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon.
Well thats it from me for now. I am off to take our Grandson back to Boarding School.  I have had to take turns using my computer this weekend as he has a new Ipad and was on my computer getting new apps for it.
Anyway by for now and thanks for popping by :)

It's Autumn!

Hello fellow stampers! We are well into Autumn now and aren't you just loving this weather? The mornings are fresh and invigorating. A little bit of rain and a taste of what is to come during winter. I can see you cringe with the mention of winter.
Well before Autumn is over I thought I would make a card that represents it. This was my design for the last Sketch Stamparoo Swap Challenge. The challenge was in the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue on page 14, top left. The technique that is used in this card was from DarleneDesign.com. First of all you need to use your Embossing Buddy and rub over your cardstock (Confetti White) and using Versamark to stamp your image then Black Embossing Powder. Heat with heat gun but dont over do it as you will lose your shiny embossing if you heat too much.  The next step for this technique is to use four colour co-ordinating markers and colour in the area you wish to then spray some water into your hands and flick it onto the card that you have just coloured in. Leave it to dry.  It will depend on how much water you flick on as to how much your colouring will change. You will see further down another card I have made using this technique. The colours I have used for this card are Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard, Cajun Craze and Pumpkin Pie.
I have used Confetti White as it allows the water to soak in. Other cardstock used are Cajun Craze and More Mustard.  For the circles I have used Circles #2 Dies and distressed the edges. For the leaf on the circles I have used the Confettie White the same way as the original card. Its as easy as that. What a lovely effect. Thanks Darlene.  My first try with this technique was by using the same colours as Darlene but I wanted to do something different for the swaps so chose the autumn colours. I love the colours Darlene chose for her card. They are Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake and Marina Mist. I have also used the circle from Perfect Pennants.
My in home workshop was yesterday and we had a lovely bunch of ladies, 12 in fact.  It was like a beehive full of action and laughter as usual.  We even had a little rain at the end which didnt last long.  The first card I am about to show you I cased from Kathy from Stamping Still. Kathy I love this card. You are so talented and thanks so much for sharing. I decided to make this card smaller for my workshop as I found the dimensions only allowed me to get one card from an A4 piece of cardstock. My measurements for the base of the card are 21 x 10.5cm. Of course the images are a lot closer together but the idea is there. I love Not Quite Navy so I have used the same as Kathy. Hope you dont mind Kathy. For this card you need your Embossing Buddy and then using French Foliage (one of my very favourite stamp sets) with Versamark, White Embossing Powder and your heat gun. You can then use En Francais stamp and before stamping it onto your cardstock just using a tissue wipe away a bit here and there to give it the light and dark effect. You will then need a dauber and Not Quite Navy Stamp Pad and starting on your embossing areas gently rub in circles toward the edges and then to the rest of the card. You need the veins to show. You will also need a piece of Not Quite Navy cardstock for the extra leaf and embossing the same. I have used the 4 You from Tiny Tags along with the Tag punch. I am sure if you pop onto Kathy's site you will agree that she is a very talented lady. Thanks again Kathy for a gorgeous card.
Our next card I decided to do a simple one just in time for Mother's Day. I have once again used Confetti White cardstock as it is a lot thicker than Whisper White and will stand up a lot better. Firstly I have used the Adorned Accents Edgelits Dies to cut the shape into the bottom of the front of the card.
A WORD OF WARNING!!! When using the Edgelits Dies be sure that both ends of the Dies are in line with the plates.  If not, when you run the plates through the Big Shot they will catch on the side and flick and bend the Dies out of shape.
I then used my Adorning Accents Embossing Folder for the embossed area above the cut. Both the Edgelits and Embossing Folders are in the new Autumn - Winter mini catalogue.
I have used Field Flowers Stamp Set.  For the outline of the image I have used Pumpkin Pie. For the fill in I have used Peach Parfait but stamped it off once and then onto my card. With the Confetti White you may need to do this three times to get the shade you want. I have finished off with Pumpkin Pie Satin Ribbon. Very simple but effective.
The last card was also cased from Catherine Pooler. Catherine used Mocha Morning Specialty DSP.  Catherines blog is so interesting so just pop on over and have a look.
I had three lots of kits done up for this card using Bashful Blue, Regal Rose and So Saffron. It all depended on who wanted which colour and who was quick enough to get the colour they chose.
For the card here I have used the following:-
Cardstock - Chocolate Chip, So Saffron
DSP - Love Sparkels (discontinued)
Stamp Set - Punches Three (discontinued)
Accessories - Crumb Cake ribbon, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Two Tags Dies.
If you pop over to Catherines Blog she has a video presentation of this card as it gives a great new idea of how to use the Two Tags Dies. Once again thank you Catherine for sharing your lovely card.
The sentiment I used in this card was found over 21 years ago when a dear friend of mine had her first child. I have used this sentiment ever since in my homemade cards.
Here it is:-

CHILDBIRTH
Nobody tells you about childbirth
Sure they tell you about the pain
The Piles, the veins, the heartburn, the always full bladder,
the tender breasts, the stretch marks, the fatigue, the cravings, the backache, the tearing, the stitches,
the pain, the pain, the pain,
.......But not about the heart,
How it is captured forever,
by one small glimpse of a fuzzy head emerging.
How it is tied with silken, iron-strong bonds to a wrinkled pruny face, a tightly curled fist,
a nuzzling rosebud mouth, a periwinkle eye tear drenched.
Nobody tells you you're hooked for the next twenty years at least on the most powerful drug of all.
Love.
Nobody tells you at all.

The next card is a masculine slider card. I did a demo at one of our stamp camps and it is such a hit and so easy to do. If you wish to see my original card then go to August 29th 2011 on this blog.
For this card you will need the following items:-
Stamp Set - Lovely As A Tree, Perfect Punches
Cardstock - Basic Black, Confetti White (for leaf image)
Stamp Pad - Versamark, Basic Black
DSP - Well Worn
Markers - Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Cajun Craze
Accessories - Corner Rounder, 3/4" circle punch, Wide Oval Punch, Daubers, Black Embossing Powder, Water for flicking.
Use the same technique as mentioned earlier in this post for the leaf. 
Rather than giving you the instructions it might be better if you went to Beate Johns instructions on Splitcoast Stampers.  She gives a very good tutorial and easy to follow. If you wish to watch her video tutorial then scroll down to the bottom of her instructions.

Well thats about it for this time. I cant seem to get on here each week and have to cram it all in when I get the time. I have locked myself in my craft room while my grandchildren are in the lounge room watching Beaconsfield. 

I hope you like my selection of cards and would like to thank you for stopping by:)
See you next time!

AUTUMN - WINTER MINI CATALOGUE

 

Hi there everyone! I am so excited about the new Autumn - Winter Mini Catalogue.    

It is packed with so many gorgeous products.  I know that this one is the best so far.  I am sure you will be thinking the same. For starters we have the Simply Scored Scoring Tool.  This is something that we have all been waiting for. It also has a few accessories that you can purchase. As you know normally the scoring boards come in inches but now you can buy a metric plate to place on top. We also have markers so that you dont have to keep looking for the place to score.  The marker tells you straight away where to score. The Simply Scored Stylus is a very strong ergonomic and comfortable tool.  If you would like to see what it looks like then click this link to view in video.

We also have some Framelits Dies, Edgelits Dies and some edging Textured Impression Embossing Folders.  Click here to see how the Edgelits Dies and Embossing Folders work. There are lovely stamp sets, papers, punches and Brads.  We even have Scented Embossing Powder in Vanilla, Melon and Cherry. Need I say more. I am sure I have your fingers itching to get their hands on the new mini catalogue.

    Please look down the right hand side for the Autumn-Winter mini icon and click on it. You will be taken to the catalogue and you will be able to see page by page all that Stampin' Up! has to offer in the new mini. Please email me if you would like to order. Lets see how long your wish list will be. You have until the end of July. Thanks for popping by :) 

March Workshop

My little group of ladies is growing. Its nice to see everyone having fun and hearing the laughter. This week I think I made them too simple as they were finished in no time. I had a busy weekend as I had a workshop on Saturday, Monday and then off to Ngaires on the Tuesday night for our Stamparoos get together.  One of our lovely ladies, Lynda Winfield has flown the coup and moved to Melbourne. She will begin her Stampin' Up! journey over there once she has set herself up. We will miss her dearly but we will be able to catch up with her at Conventions. It does not make it seem like its forever then. She is such a talented lady and I will miss seeing all of her lovely creations and of course at Stamp Camps.
Back to my workshop. These are the projects my lovely ladies made this time.

The idea from this one came from Convention last year in Melbourne. Here it is here.  Sometimes you just need to create ideas by looking at another card and taking it from there. I liked the way the crimper was used and how we dragged our stamp pad over the corrugation to give it the rustic look. This was how I built the idea for the Happy Birthday one below. I love the butterfly in this card and we used markers to colour it. We also used the Dotted Ribbon Border Punch just a little under the image.  Below you can see the card I created from the idea I got from Convention.                                               

For this one I have used the following: -                      Cardstock - Confetti White, Pear Pizzaz, Early Espresso    Stamp Set - Best Dad Ever                                Stamp Pad - Marina Mist, Pear Pizzaz, Early Espresso Accessories - Early Espresso Marker, Early Espresso Grosgrain Ribbon, Crimper                                                    First of all I cut a piece of Confetti White 6 x 8cm. I inked up my stamp with Pear Pizzaz and then rock and rolled with Marina Mist. (To rock and roll you need to gently roll your stamp around the edges onto your ink pad to give your image an extra colour or shade) I then went around the edges of the stamp very gently with Early Espresso. This is to highlight the edges and then I  huffed to moisten the stamp and stamped it onto the Confetti White Cardstock. I ran my Pear Pizzaz cardstock 9.5 x 14.5cm 3/4 way through the crimper and then went over the crimped area with my stamp pad giving it a rustic look. I tied my ribbon in a knot to accentuate the ties knots. I love the colours used in this card.

I just love this next one as I love the nautical image of The Open Sea.  This stamp set unfortunately will disappear once the Summer Mini Catalogue finishes on 31st March. I have heard it wont be appearing in the new catalogue but one can only wish.  This one is also a very simple one and very effective using the following products :-                      Cardstock - Soft Suede, Whisper White, Pool Party          Stamp Pad - Pool Party, Soft Suede                                         Stamp Set - The Open Sea 

Accessories - Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dauber                                        I love simple and effective cards dont you?   This idea brought me to another idea. We had to do a swap with 1 layer only.  There were some lovely ideas and it is amazing what you can create with just one layer. Here is mine using The Open Sea.  I scored a piece of Whisper White cardstock at 3 & 9cms from the top of the card. I then masked the outside area and stamped my image onto the cardstock. I used the Scallop circle punch to create the clouds by sponging.  I used a dauber for the water and Teeny Tiny Sentiments for the sentiment. A very crisp and clean card.  I seem to have been doing a lot of masculine cards lately which is odd as I tend to have trouble trying to think of ideas for the men. I will come back later and show you the other lovely cards I received in the swap. There were only 9 of us this time so a lovely little bunch sharing stories and saying our farewell to Lynda.                              




For my next card I had prepared a bit more this time as I knew there would be some ladies who would not want to get their fingers all inked up. I decided since it is almost Easter that we would use the Happy Easter Stamp Set from the Summer Mini Catalogue.   I used Watercolour Paper and a Blender Pen with various coloured Markers. For the background we used shaving cream and re-inkers. First of all you place some shaving cream onto an old plate or some kind of surface and flatten it out a bit.  I used Baja Breeze and Pacific Point re-inkers and placed a few drops over the top of the shaving cream.  I then used a skewer to swirl the ink around (not too much) to make a pattern. I used Glossy Cardstock and placed this glossy side down onto the shaving cream and lifted it and wiped straight away with a paper towel.  You need to wipe it off straight away or you will be left with unwanted streaks.  It is such a WOW project and the kids would love this one. It can get a bit messy though but it all comes off in the wash.      

The last ones I would like to show you are what we did at one of my workshops recently. My hostess wanted a card for her dads birthday and this is the one I chose. I was already working with the Best Dad Ever stamp set so this is another sequence of masculine cards. These two cards are exactly the same only the first one I used only Basic Black and Very Vanilla cardstock.  I used the First Edition Specialty DSP from the main catalogue and clear embossed the image onto the DSP. I then used my brayer to cover it in black ink and used a tissue to rub off the excess ink from the embossed areas. I spritzed over the card so that it wasnt too bare.
The other card uses Marina Mist Ink Pad and Well Worn DSP.  I used the same technique with the resist embossing and Basic Black Ink.  Quite a stunning stamp set. 
Well I guess that is it for me tonight. I have an early start in the morning so I must get my rest. I was awake until 2am this mornng. For some reason I was unable to sleep.  I know..... these are the times you get up and create. I had to work this morning so I was unable to do that, normally I would. 
Well its bye for now and I hope I made it up to you for being away for so long. Cherio for now and thanks for popping by :)

Mocha Morning Specialty

I am sure that is what a lot of you would like first thing in the morning, a Mocha.  Well this is not quite what I was talking about. This DSP is simply gorgeous and there is so much you can do with it. I have had it sitting in my craft room and have not done anything with it. I tend to do that and I am sure I am not alone when I say that. How many of you buy craft items and dont use them for ages. I read somewhere recently that one of the Stampin' Up! ladies has a little box under her table for new and unused items. She will not put them away in the cupboard until she has used them. What a good idea! Anyway here are a few ideas I came up with this week.

 I had to make a 21st birthday card and this is what I came up with. I have used the following:-
Cardstock - Basic Black, Crumb Cake
DSP - Mocha Morning Specialty
Stamp Set - Outlined Occasions (Sale-a-bration), Calendar Alphabet & Numbers
Stamp Pad - Versamark
Accessories - Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Basic Black Marker, Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, 1/2" & 3/4" circle punches.
The DSP has like a velvet texture and is very pleasing to the eye. The number stamps are the only ones I have so I had to think of a way to accentuate the 21 with it being so small. I was pleased how it turned out. Hope you like it.

 The next one is very similar except that I have used the Polka Dot Folder instead of the ribbon.  I have also used the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch and cut it in half so that I could use it for top and bottom. For the celebrate sentiment I have used the Basic Black Marker to colour in between the embossed areas. I was quite happy with this one as well.

The next one you could use it for a lady or a gentleman except I would take the ribbon off for the latter. This one is also using the Mocha Morning Specialty DSP. I have used Perfect Pennants Bigz Dies for this one. I did try threading the ribbon through the holes but I didn't like it so just did the bow instead. I have used Happiest Birthday Wishes for the sentiment and the Scallop Circle and 1 3/8" Circle Punch. I have also embossed Early Espresso with White Embossing Powder for the sentiment. As you can see I have used the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch for this one as well. This DSP is only available this year in the Idea Book & Catalogue so if you would like to purchase it you will need to order it by September as it will be gone forever. I know its a long way off but a lot of people have missed out on some lovely DSP and I am unable to get it for them now. Even if you dont wish to use it in the near future. You can alway hoard it along with all the other craft items you have bought. LOL!
Thanks for popping by :)

Is it April already! Well almost!

Well here I am at long last. These past few months have had their ups and downs. I am glad to say I am gradually winding my way back to normality. We have had sickness in the family and I am glad to say that all is well again. I have also had our grandson every weekend from boarding school and I have learnt a lot in that time helping him with his homework. I am quite enjoying it. Last night I photographed all my cards I want to post on my blog ready for tonight. I came home tonight to find my computer playing up and it was saying "logging off". Must have been doing that all day. I waited and waited and waited and then I realised I had just received my new Stampin' Up! Impressions.  I just love to make myself a cuppa and sit and relax and read my new impressions. What did I do? Yes I fell asleep. Oh well back to check on the computer and it is still "logging off"   Anyway luckily for me I have a new Iphone and I quickly did a search on how to rectify the problem (after a few hours of waiting) and there it was. Within a few seconds my computer was back to normal. Technology!
Anyway here I am and I had better make it worthwhile after being out of sorts for so long.  First of all Sale-a-bration is about to close and there are only two more days to order so you had better get in quick if you would like to receive a free stamp set, papers or ribbon and brads.
The new mini is just around the corner and I must say this is definately the best one we have had in a long while. My wish list is the biggest its been for a mini. At last Stampin' Up! are bringing a scoreboard to Australia but only in the mini so you had better save your pennies up if you would like one. Hopefully it will come out in the new Catalogue in September.  We just never know.
Well I had best start off with a few cards from a few workshops ago so that my ladies who have bought card kits are able to see what they are making.
First of all is the cute little handbag that is just big enough to fit in a chocolate for that special person.

 This cute little handbag was one of the swaps from Perth Regionals last year. I am not sure who's swap it was as I was not fortunate enough to have swapped with this lady so thank you to whoever it was. I took photos of Susan Joyce's swap and measured it up on the day.  Its so cute and so easy to make. Please see the template to the left. You can make it whatever size you like.  I have used Paisley Petals DSP and Bravo Burgandy cardstock.
For the buckle I have used the Round Tab punch.

The next card is using the technique Resist Embossing. For this card I have used the following:-

Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Stamp Pads - Versamark, Basic Black,
Stamp Set - Upsy Daisy
DSP - retired but can use First Edition Specialty
Accessories - Embossing Buddy, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Brayer, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dauber, Black Marker, Spritzer, Pumpkin Pie ribbon.
First of all you will need to cut out your DSP and use your Embossing Buddy to gently wipe over so that you dont get the static. Ink up your stamp with Versamark and stamp onto your DSP. Using a heat gun set your embossing powder and then using your brayer go over and over with Basic Black ink until you have darkened the DSP.  Using a tissue wipe gently, polishing the Embossed areas. The rest is pretty obvious.  I have used dimensionals to raise the DSP (on very vanilla). This idea was not mine either and I know I have it somewhere on my computer of where I cased it from. As soon as I find it I will come back and let you know who it was. Thank you to whoever it was. The ladies at my workshop loved it.


The last card for that workshop is a masculine one. A very easy one I must say. For this one I have used the following:-
Cardstock - Not Quite Navy (one of my favourites), More Mustard.
Stamp Pad - Not Quite Navy, More Mustard
Stamp Set - Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess gift)
DSP - Well Worn
Accessories - Big Shot, Designer Frames Folder, Stripes Folder, Corner Rounder, More Mustard Grosgrain Ribbon, Scissors to distress cardstock, Daubers. 
This card is pretty self explanatory just by looking at it. I used the dauber to go around all of the edges to give it a bit of definition as well as distressing. A very simple card that does not take a lot of time if you need a card in a hurry.

Well thats it for this post.  I will close this one off and start another.  I need to catch up on what I have missed out on. Thanks for popping by :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here we are into 2012 already.  Dont you agree that 2011 went by so quickly.  My Christmas cards were out very late this time as it seemed that Christmas was on my doorstep before I knew it. I am sure a lot of you are feeling the same way. Well here we are on the 1st January 2012.  Only today was I able to read my SU! January Impressions Newsletter.  I have been way to busy to sit down and leisurely read the newsletter.  I dont think I was meant to read it before today as there were some very good tips for after the bustling Christmas season. It read Whether you love the bustling, festive season or you can't wait to get it over with, the post-Christmas hangover can hit even the best of us. (thats me for sure). You've been shopping for gifts, entertaining and keeping up with appointments and parties. (yes again).  When it's all over, sometimes you're so worn out that you just want to curl up in a ball under your favourite blanket and hibernate until a magical elf comes and cleans your house, cooks a month's worth of freezable gourmet meals.  (Sorry ladies, the elf does not exist).
Here are a few ways to tackle or even prevent these less-than-mediocre moods with a little care.

1. GET COSY. Sometimes we need to succumb to that hibernating urge and take some time alone to recharge.  Cook something nice, grab your comfy blanket and read a great book or watch your guilty pleasure TV show-without the guilt. (I sat down this morning to read a good book before I read the newsletter)

2. KEEP GIVING. On the flip side to getting cosy, its just as important to think outward. Even when the festive season is over, stay in the giving mindset. Start looking forward to something like Valentines Day or someones birthday. One of the best cures for the blues is thinking of and helping others instead of staying wrapped up in your own problems.

3. PLAN A PICK-ME-UP.  Make a day for a fun day trip, stamping with friends or another outing. Having something to look forward to can boost your mood. In fact, research shows that anticipating a positive even raises your spirits just as much as when you experience the event itself.

4. GET SOME SUN.  Try to get out in the sun a little every day. Lunchtime is a great time to take a walk or run some errands.  If you have to be indoors all day, open the shades and let in as much natural light as you can. (As I was taking my newsletter outside to sit in the very overcast morning and as I stepped outside, the sun all of a sudden came out. I wanted the cloudy feeling but when I read the newsletter I realised that the sun was what I needed)

5.  GIVE THANKS.  Create a gratitude journal and take a minute every day to jot down a couple of things that you are thankful for. you will become more aware of what is good in your life and what is worth celebrating and being happy for.  As a bonus, creating the journal itself is a mood booster too. (Once upon a time ago I had started a gratitude journal and it makes you think at the end of each day what you are greatful for, try it)

6. CELEBRATE THE LITTLE THINGS. As you are writing down lists in your gratitude journal, remember to keep the simple pleasures and moments in mind too. Most often, these are the things worth celebrating most and tend to be things we overlook and take for granted.

7. CONNECT WITH OTHERS.  Meeting new friends at workshops and spending time with old ones at stamp clubs or group meetings is a great way to stay social - and being around people as well as creating and maintaining meaningful relationships is essential for our mental well being.

 If you have been feeling a little tired and run down try these mood boosters and you will beat the blahs for good.
These tips have been slightly adjusted but most of them referred to how I am feeling.  Dont get me wrong, I am not depressed but just very tired after the festive season. 

Well it is our son's birthday tomorrow.  I spent the morning reading a book, reading my newsletter and making a baby card for a friend.  As the day wore on I was thinking of what kind of card to make our son. I happened to go online to check out the SU! website and was checking through the new cards etc on the Stampin Connection when I came across a card I liked.  I soon realised that I had seen this ladies work before so I sat for awhile and ran through some of her blog.  I am talking about Beccy Roberts.  Beccy had done a folded card and had referred where she had found her inspiration.  I went to that blog (Wickedly Wonderful Creations - Wendy Bell) and decided that this was the card I was going to make.  Its funny how you try to concoct an image in your head of what you are going to do and then all of a sudden you find something you want to do. 
If you would like to see a video tutorial of this card then visit Wendy Bells blog. I have adjusted one of the measurements as I found that the diamond did not sit centre.  When it says to score at 3" and 5.5" change it to 3 1/4" and 5.5". You will then find your card sitting central. Hope this helps.

I have used the following products.
Stamp Sets: Happiest Birthday Wishes, So Cute (discontinued), Autumn Days
DSP : Well Worn
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, So Saffron
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Versamark

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Scallop Circle Punch, Ribbon (discontinued) Stamp-a-ma-jig.

Well thats it for me for now. I do hope you have had a wonderful start to the new year and that it continues to be good to you.
Thanks for popping by :)