Stamping Joy

Summer mini catalogue and Saleabration - a month to go!

2012-03-02T13:38:00.000+11:00

So, has Summer ended or will it return with a vengeance after this lovely rain is gone?

I do love this cool weather. But 1 March does mark the last month of Sale-a-bration aswell as the current summer mini.

So if you haven't enjoyed the Summer mini or saleabration experience yet, there is still time!

Book your qualifying workshop before the 31 March and I will put you in the draw to win a free "Perfect postage" stampset!

Receive a free sale abration stampset for every $100 you spend.

As well as free hostess dollars when your workshop total reaches $300.

I have the 10th, 17th and 24th free...

You can see the free Saleabration stampsets if you click on the picture below.

Masculine cards

2012-02-26T09:00:00.001+11:00

What makes a good male card?

Its all about the colours you use - contrasty neutrals, or dark blues, red and white.

The textures - rough and edgy, not too many layers.

The style of stamping - crisp, detailed, yet distressed and a little bit dirty.

For this card I chose "The Open Sea" stampset because its new and its in the Summer mini catalogue.

And, it has detailed stamp images of an anchor, world map, compass, ship's log, and a ship.

The colours are Black, Vanilla and River Rock (you could use sahara sand).

Giving lots of contrast and and character.

The four squares are punched out with the postage stamp punch.

Rough textures with clean stamping.
Distressing the edges of the world map circle and also the black layer of cardstock.
I have used a splatter stamp (from the French Folliage stampset) for some dirty, seasalt-spray on the black background and used the ship's log stamped in white frost shimmer ink.

Finally the words: happy day to you are not too over the top or embarrassing!
Basic Black ink on vanilla cardstock punched with the modern label punch.

Here it is in the Red, white and blue version:

The pointer hand is from the Bring on the Cake stampset and spins on a brad attached to the cuff.

The Open Sea ...

2012-02-25T08:00:00.002+11:00

An excursion out on Sydney harbour with lots of photos from the ferry, stopping at Shark Island for a run around and learning all about early settlement of Sydney and basically what all the landmarks are and making sure not too many hats get blown into the briny blue water.

The "Open Sea" stampset is a brilliant set for this scrap book page. I teamed it up with Baker's twine (available in the Summer mini) this one is wound with cherry cobbler and white cotton and goes with the reds and blues and razzleberry I have chosen. My title is created with the Timeless type big shot alphabet and attached with two way glue pen.

What is a page about the water and ships with out a swathe of deep blue ocean made with crumpled Night of Navy cardstock and sprayed with Frost white shimmer paint spray.
Distressing is a great stress release .... give it to the kids to squish and destroy, they will love crushing up mum's special paper!

Instead of fussy cutting out all the boats I found that the shifp fits beautifully into the 6cm circle punch and so does the world map stamp too.

If you want a smaller circle you can squeeze it onto a 1 3/4" circle, with out losing too much of the ship.
I just love what you can do with the detailed anchor stamp and the compass ... layering and ageing it with inks. The distressing kit comes in handy for roughing, sanding and distressing the edges.

January Scrapbook page

2012-02-24T10:29:00.001+11:00

A simple scrapbook page for the beginning of the year - using stamps, my bigshot alphabet and some First Edition designer series paper.

The typewriter image from Established Elegance is great for an education themed page.

For me it is a traditional element that says writing, working and playing with words.

My dad had an enormous remington typewriter in his office (downstairs beside the garage) I remember being able to play on it and dreaming of working in an office when I grew up ....

It is said be careful what you wish for, you just might get it !

...and I spent 26 years working in an office using a computer keyboard for most of it.

Early thoughts lead us to where we are now.

Here is Jess on her first day of school this year.
I have also used the Elementary Elegance stampset framing the 4 with butterflies, keys and crowns.

The typewriter spits out my journalling on a small Curly label punched piece of cardstock.

I have repeated the same images (making my own background paper) on to the First Edition printed paper. Adding two pieces of punched ribbon border to the sides.
The colours I have used are Rose Red, Soft Suede and Early Espresso.

Enjoy!!!

More "Letters to santa" Quick accents

2012-02-20T08:00:00.002+11:00

Have you ever read that book:

"Where is the Green sheep"?

Well we played - where is Santa - this year.

We visited the shopping centres of course, but it was a case of:

we just weren't dressed for photos with Santa, we just didn't have enough time, we will do it another day.

And then it happened - Santa had gone.

He'd caught the last reindeer train back to Finland and the Northern hemisphere.

There was only his empty chair...

what's a mum to do?

Take a photo anyway - so its not in the spirit of Santa but it was funny...

And just to save us from the Is santa real questions...

Santa had hitched a lift with the fire brigade to help with their fundraising and he came to us for a photo instead.

All the decorations on these pages are from the Quick accents "Letters to Santa" pack.

What can you do with shimmer paint?

2012-02-19T07:20:00.000+11:00

It comes in Frost white, champagne and Platinum.

Its being sprayed, daubed, sponged and stamped.

Here's a few quick tutorials on how to use your shimmer paint from Stampin' UP!

SHIMMER SPRAY

You will need:

1. about 3-5 drops of Shimmer paint,

Rubbing alcohol

a small spray bottle.

2. 3/4 fill a small spray bottle with Rubbing alcohol

(ask for Isocol at a chemist or pharmacy)

Open your container of Shimmer paint and dip the spray bottle's tube into the paint.

You can do this 3-5 times to add the paint to the isocol in your spray bottle.

You can add more or less depending on how shimmery you want to spray.

3. Put the spray bottle lid back on and Shake your spray bottle.

4. Spray on your cardstock and leave to dry for a few moments.

Drying time depends on how much you spray the paper.

When you use frost white it looks a bit like sea spray.

Champagne looks like little specks of gold glitter.

Tip: spray the cardstock with shimmer mist BEFORE you stamp, otherwise the ink will run or spread.

On this sample I have sprayed the Blue cardstock, crumpled and distressed the paper, unfurled it and sprayed again. In the light it is like the deep ocean sparkling with sea spray.

And the sample above shows I have sponge-daubered the edges with shimmer paint too.

A REALLY WOW effect on invitations.

* * * * *

Shimmer paint stamping!

What you need:

1. Shimmer paint

a sponge dauber

a rubber stamp.

2. Use a sponge dauber to pick up shimmer paint from inside the lid of the shimmer paint bottle.

3. Then, daub the paint onto the rubber stamp.

Keep dipping the sponge dauber into the lid of the paint and onto the rubber until the stamp is inked.

Tip: You can even mix a few drops of re-inker with the shimmer paint (add the shimmer paint and ink together on a flat plastic lid so that you don't contaminate the bottle).

4. Lastly, stamp the shimmer daubed rubber stamp onto your dark coloured cardstock.

The Frost white and Platinum are both opaque and look best when you tilt them sideways in thelight.

This effect looks great with snow flakes, ocean, beach and water themed stamps, as well as boats and background stamps.

The card above is stamped with Frost white shimmer paint on the background layer (with the writing from the Open Sea stampset)

with some sea salt splashes added to the blue layer. (Stamped using the French Folliage splatter stamp).

Congratulations on making a new home...

2012-02-18T07:00:00.001+11:00

Ok, so I borrowed this stampset too!
The grass is always greener on the other side of the table ...
Or is it that I buy the stampsets that seem to suit my style and then I want to experiment with other people's style and that means borrowing their stuff!

I really liked how these colours go together:
Lucky Limeade, Concord Crush and Very Vanilla.
The background is stamped with Lucky Limeade ink using a Sale-a-bration stampset called "Fresh Vintage".
And you saw the Lace Ribbon border punch on my previous post...
The only thing new here is the NEW hostess stampset called "up in the Air" it has 3 images of flowers, butterlies, words, and birds making nests in tree branches .. perfect for new homes, new neighbours, new baby, engagement, and easy watercolouring.
You can see it in the Summer mini catalogue on page 5.

Watercoloured Butterfly

2012-02-17T07:30:00.000+11:00

I have to show you a card I made

at a friend's house (Hey Linda!) ... was it a week ago, now?

Warning - Don't borrow this lace border punch UNLESS you intend to own it.

After making this card with the lace ribbon punch I have put it on my next order wish list.

It is so easy to punch a border and you can thread it with ribbon or lace.

I will be using it on scrapbook pages, wrapping around gifts, cutting it up for individual flowers and as a belly band around boxes.

Doesn't it dress up this very plain one layer card?

The butterfly is punched out of First Edition Designer series paper with the 6.4cm circle punch.

I have simply watercoloured it with my aquapainter brush using Pool party and Lucky Limeade Ink.

The card is sprayed or is it Spritzed with some Soft Suede ink

(looks like aged fly dirt) there's a tool for this.

And the Musical notes are "wheeled" on to the paper also in Soft Suede ink.

To finish it off the Victorian Crochet ribbon is tied loosely around a few holes in the

Lace Ribbon Border Punch.

Quick accent scrapbooking

2012-02-16T07:00:00.004+11:00

It is February so,

time to finish up the Christmas scrapbooking

... date, journal and file it in the scrapbook for prosperity.

As you can see, these pages are very simple and quick to make.

Three or more photos for each page (printed with borders to reduce the need to matt).

A title that I have die cut with my Timeless type alphabet in colours from the photos:

Real Red, Marina Mist and white.

The rest is put together with accent stickers from the Christmas sticker kit

called "Letters to santa" (page 131 of the Idea book and catalogue).

My main accent is the two tag die with a ribbon bow and sticker hung over the title bar.
There is a silver embossed wreath behind the words: Merry Christmas.

The second page of this double spread is even simpler:

Scrapbooking in a square with 4 strips of patterned paper for a frame
is a quick way to get lots of photos on a page and keep an organised balanced feel to the page.
The only accents are the centre sticker of Santa and some punched Marina mist Blossoms on dimensionals.
I have used a grey textured cardstock to let the reds and blues have centre stage.

Simply Adorned! simply Beautiful!

2012-02-15T07:00:00.000+11:00

Every girl likes a bit of bling!
I am just a little bit obsessed with the new simply adorned set of jewellery.
Ive added a bright crystal bauble, a small glass locket and dangling key charms to my stainless steel chain and it goes with all my casual outfits.

So then I had to have the Simply adorned bracelet ... with a pearl bauble and some crown trinkets.

The small square charm fits a small photo, a piece of miniature artwork or square of designer fabric.

Established Elegance ...

2012-02-14T07:00:00.003+11:00

I do like new stampsets ...
very very much, and new tools to play with!

I have CASE'd (copy and share everything) this card, almost exactly, from the Stampin' Up! idea book on page 83, because I just love the antique elements and details.

From the First edition newsprint on the circle scallop die to the embossed framed image and distressed paper ... the antique tag and crumpled lace, antique brad, pearls and crumpled ribbon.

The stampset is called Established Elegance: it has a very vintage, very french antique style... which considering my advancing age is very me at the moment... and its very fashionable to be antique right now.

So that's what made me happy this week: a new stampset and an antique card to share.

Elegance

2012-02-13T13:25:00.001+11:00

A very close friend of mine phoned today to say she found a new job, so I have made her a special card to celebrate...

I have used my fabulously new:

" Established Elegance"

stampset that perfectly suits the occasion.

I wonder who gets the most pleasure out of this card?

It was definitely fun to make!

Card Recipe:

Stamp sets: Established Elegance (p97 IB&C) $42.95 Clear

Friendly Phrases (p106) $27.95 Clear

Cardstock: Wisteria Wonder, whisper white, Very vanilla, Rich Razzleberry

Designer series papers: First edition, Pocketful of Posies

Ink: Rich razzleberry, Concord Crush, Wisteria wonder

Tools: Scallop circle punch, Boho blossom punch

Paper snips

Victoria crochet lace/ribbon, Antique brads,

Basic Jewel - Pearls

Champagne shimmer paint (in isocol spray).

A free stampset - Elementary Elegance

2012-02-13T07:00:00.004+11:00

This is a really fun card fold called a

"Double gated" card.

And when you slide off the ribbon it opens up like this-

These colours are so pretty together: Pool Party and Island Indigo.

The Stampset is a free Sale-a-bration gift when you spend $100 with stampin up.

The Elementary Elegance stamp

is beautifully coordinated to go with the Curly label punch

and the new Everyday Enchantment designer series papers.

Card Recipe:

Stampset: Elementary Elegance

Cardstock: Pool party

Ink: Island Indigo.

Paper: Everyday Enchantment Designer series paper

Curly Label punch, Large oval punch, eyelet border punch and dotted scallop ribbon punch.

Pool Party ruffled ribbon.

Tools: Big shot, Designer Frames Embossing folder

Pearl Basic jewels.

Its all about the elegance of coordinated ... colour, ink, stamps and paper.

A busy week ...

2012-02-12T07:00:00.001+11:00

It has been a busy week or two ... re-establishing the school and activities routine, and finding time to schedule all the must-dos into each day.
Funny enough though, you can always make time to do what you love, if you give yourself permission to.
During the month of February I signed up for a Digital photo challenge at where else?
Crafters Anonymous...
Where you take a photo a day on a given topic and post it.
I am hoping it might inspire me to scrapbook some more (maybe, if I have time)
I will show you what I mean: My View.

My View today - feeding the Noisy Mynas.

The next day was Words:

I was actually looking for a DrSeuss poem but happened upon the words to Brahms lullaby.

And a peom by William Blake (think "Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright... in the forests of the night")

On the 8th the challenge was the sun.

As you all know we have had a very grey, wet Summer and so I had toget up early to get the sun as it rose and before the rain clouds obliterated it's shine for the day.

Here's my picture of Sun.

Sun rise 7am.

Oh HAPPY Mail !

2012-02-11T08:33:00.003+11:00

There is nothing quite like a parcel in the post.

Filled with a handmade card, coffee and chocolate ...

This gorgeous card and gifts are from Felicity

You can see some of her other beautiful projects at: Felicity's craft corner.

The card is made with the Beautiful colours: Marina mist, Perfect Plum and Rose red with some Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon .

How lovely is the fussy cutting of the Established elegance seamstress doll?

The layers of texture are very lush: expecially the vintage wallpaper embossing and the oval frame.

The gifts were wrapped and tied with a handmade clay medallion (texture stamped with an Artistic Etchings stamp). Is it time for another cup of coffee yet?

A Fabulous Floret Scrapbooking page

2012-02-08T07:00:00.003+11:00

Summer time at the Beach playing in the shade in the sand.

It must be one of the best childhood memories I had as a child.

I've chosen the Fabulous Florets stampset to embellish my scrapbook page.

The line art and solid stamp flowers fit nicely into circle and oval punches.

I have rock and rolled the flowers in both Wisteria Wonder and Elegant eggplant inks and thrown on a rhinestone jewel for the flower centre.

The "photo-corners" are made with the curly label punch.

Simply punch out the curly label and using your craft knife or rotary cutter slice a slit into the corner of the cardstock and voila!

you have ready made photo corners.

On the right of the page I have embossed the Big shot textured impression Flower Garden direct to the background page.

It creates a delightfully deep impression as a contrast to the stamping and photo.

The words: the earth laughs in flowers is stamped on an elongated punch of the Modern label punch.

You can make this as long as you like by putting the ends of a 1.4cm strip of card through the punch one end at a time.

Happy 9th Birthday and Bring on the cake!

2012-02-07T15:49:00.001+11:00

A Boy's birthday card for you today!

We went by train and we went by Ferry to visit the

Powerhouse Museum

and had chocolate cake for afternoon tea.

Jess decorated the inside with watercolouring and circus stamps.

Card Recipe:

Stampsets:

Bring on the cake

Zoo Review

Under the big top.

Cardstock: Marina Mist and whisper white

Stampin Write Markers.

Aquapainter pen for colouring.

Thank you Note cards

2012-02-04T11:33:00.000+11:00

I have some Thank you cards for you to day.

While I wait for my next Sale-a-bration order to arrive I have been playing with the Everyday Enchantment paper pack and a few punches.

The in-colour "pool party" is a lovely minty blue and is one of the main colours in my cards here.

You can see I have used some pool party ruffled ribbon right down the centre for texture.

I have used the Curly label punch of patterned paper and a cut-down postage stamp punch for my stamped "thanks" raised on dimensionals.

I love how the punch gives you the window on the back so that you can see what image you are punching out exactly, which enables you to centre the flower and crown in the shape.

The tiny butterfly is one of the images from "Kindness Matters", it also has the word "thanks" stamp.

Have you noticed this little stampset yet?

Its on page 71 of the Idea Book and catalogue.

Five stamps for $17.95 That is a bargain.

There you are:

Only a few hours early this morning to make and now all I need is the stampin' up parcel to go with them.

A Morning cup to "perk" you up

2012-02-03T05:30:00.002+11:00

When you are feeling a little bit down or a little tired and emotional what's the perfect pick me up?

A card from a friend, of course.

Aren't these little take-away cup cards just perfect?

They would make lovely Thank you cards, Invites, Thinking of you or, Random acts of kindness cards.

The tutorial for these is at: Lorri Heiling's stampaddict blog.

I made a few changes with the measurements.

These are made using half an A5 card. which is 10.5cm high.

I just cut a normal card in half then trimmed a diagonal off each side, making the bottom 2.5 cm narrower than the top. If that doesn't make sense ask me for directions.

The band around the centre is crimped with my crimp tool to look like the belly band of an insulated cup.

The whole cup was also crimped for that realistic texture and this belly band is from Mocha Morning Specialty paper. I've stamped the Tea cups from the A la carte stamp and raised them with dimensionals.

The top of the cup (mmm I think they call it the lid) has a 3D white strip on it.

Now if I had the SWAK lip stamp I could put a bit of lipstick on the edge for realism... but as I don't we will have to suffice with a "poppy parade" love heart punched with the Small heart punch.

The last one needed to have some purple on it as it was for a friend who likes the purples...
I think the "kindness matters" butterflies are also a happy perk-me-up stamp with Boho Blossom flowers and a touch of Concord crush ribbon.

Scrapbooking the days of Summer

2012-02-01T05:30:00.001+11:00

During the holidays we managed to get out into the bush a couple of times for walks, even though it threatened rain with overcast skies. One of the days we visited Girrakool National Park. We walked as far as the caves, crossing stepping stones over rain-filled creeks and had some good conversations along the way.

I really like this stampset: "Kindness matters" because it has butterflies designed to go with vintage style pages. It seems to match a lot of my stampsets at the moment.

For a small 6 x 6" page there is a lot going on starting with some

"flower garden" embossing on the Elegant Eggplant cardstock.

Distressed edges on the patterned paper

Punched flowers from the Boho Blossom punch with added PEARLS

Embossed vellum butterflies (Beautiful wings embosslit)

and of course the photo that has been cut out with the Beautiful butterflies die.
And the corner has been sprayed with shimmer paint mist for added sparkle.

Its appropriate that I have used the kindness matters stampset from Shelli Gardner's collection as the layout was inspired by one of her gorgeous vintage cards.

Sale-a-bration has started...

2012-01-31T14:29:00.000+11:00

Such an exciting time of year... children tucked safely back in school, the usual pattern of our days resume and there is time for blogging, stamping, scrapbooking, cardmaking and workshop planning!
It may be the best time to join as a demonstrator with Stampin' up! to get your discounts all year 'round ...

On the weekend I demoed at my first workshop for the year.

There is nothing more fun than stamping and creating with friends, a lovely afternoon tea and catching up with what we've missed.

On our first card we used the "Fabulous Florets" stampset combined with the Flower garden embossing folder which makes a quick base for assembling a card on Concord crush.

We made an elongated sentiment using the "modern label punch" and the words from the Fabulous Florets stampset... I was intrigued by the quote:

"the earth laughs in flowers"

it is a little controversial as it is attributed to the poet ee.cummings but,

it seems the author is actually Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

The second card is made using the delicious "Everyday Enchantment" designer series paper.

It coordinates with the Fresh Vintage and the Elegant Elements stampsets.

(Both FREE from the Sale-a-bration catalogue).

We punched out the patterned papers with a new postage stamp punch - so easy!

Did I mention that I love the colours: Pool Party and Poppy Parade together.

And Lucky Limeade was made to be rock and rolled with Pool party on this stamp.

My calendar is open for February and March workshop bookings...

You can send me a text, email or give me a call to plan an afternoon together with friends.

Nerida on my Mobile: 0468 887 125

Sale-a-bration 2012 starts today!

2012-01-24T07:30:00.008+11:00

Sale-a-bration is one of the most exciting times of the Stampin' Up! year.

Because ...

From 24 January to 31 March everytime you spend $100 (in one transaction) you get to choose a Free stampset, or a free pack of patterned papers or free brads and ribbon bundle!

We love free products and whats more when you and your friends get together for a workshop (that reaches $600) you get to choose another free product...As well as the usual FREE hostess gifts and hostess dollars to spend on anything out of the current catalogues.

Today's card is a lovely simple one which uses some of the pretty "Fresh Vintage" patterned paper and the Fresh vintage stampset.

I have used several different coloured markers direct to the rubber stamp.

I just love Calypso coral and Melon mambo pink together

with Marina Mist, Pool party and Lucky limeade.

The "Happy Birthday" is stamped in Marina Mist ink and is from the "Perfectly Penned" stampset.

Fabulous Florets

2012-01-20T13:00:00.001+11:00

Fabulous Florets is a stampset on page 14 of the Summer mini catalogue and it forms part of the totally coordinated "Beyond the garden" Product Suite.
I am never quite sure how a card will come together when I make it from scratch...
But if I use products from the same "suite" of products, I atleast get a coordinated image and style that works well together.
I"d probably be a lot more productive if I stamped more and thought less about the whole thing...
but there you go, it all turns out fine in the end.

Card Recipe:
Stampset: Fabulous Florets (set of 6 stamps)
"Flower Garden" Textured Impressions embossing folder.
Cardstock: Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder and whisper white.
Ink: Melon Mambo, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder.
Tools: Modern label punch, Circle and oval punches, Big shot.

Stamping Joy Sale Table...

2012-01-19T13:33:00.001+11:00

I have been cleaning out my shelves of any stamps that I haven't used over the last 6 months...

And I found quite a few retired stampsets needing new homes.

Some of them date back to last year's Sale-a-bration.

Send me an email or post a comment if you want me to set any of these aside for you.

Bliss, clear mount, stampset $20

Punch Bunch, clear mount stampset $20

So Happy for you, clear mount, new $20

Sweet little Sentiments Wood mount, new $20

Happy moments, wood mount, new $22

Warm words, wood, new, unmounted $20

Warm words, wood, gently used $15

Bodacious Bouquet, wood, gently used $30

Happy Everything, gently used, wood $15

Wishing you, Peace Hope Love, Wood $25

One of a kind, stampset $20
Boho blossom (whale style) punch $20

Boho Backgrounds, wood, gently used $15

Whimsical words, new, unmounted $20

Fresh cuts, gently used, Wood $20

Punches Three, wood, gently used $15

I can post anywhere ( for the minimal postage fee to you) or we can arrange pick up or delivery if you live locally. These are my private sets and do not form part of any Stampin' Up Special offers.

Saleabration sneak peeks...

2012-01-19T07:00:00.002+11:00

Only a week to go before the Sale- a - bration starts for 2012!

It is the best time of year to buy your stampin up products because you win a FREE stampset, or free product bundle, for every $100 you spend during Sale abration.

When you host a workshop that totals $600 you get more free stamps, or paper, or brads.

It starts on the 24th of January ...

Here are two cards I have made using some of the gorgeous designer series paper available FREE this year!

The patterned paper coordinates with stampsets, which coordinates with brads and the colours all work beautifully together:

Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Soft Suede, Peach Parfait, Very vanilla.

Check your diary and lets make a date.

But, keep this quiet, Sale-a-bration doesn't actually start until 24th January ...

Building a scrapbook page.

2012-01-17T12:46:00.008+11:00

Scrapbooking is a little different to making cards.

You know that your scrapbook page is going to be kept for some time and may be brought out year after year by family and friends.

I know that a scrapbook page takes a little longer and so I set aside enough time to enjoy the process.

There is the Photo selection time - choosing a picture that evokes an emotion: a moment of pride, excitement, a beautiful photo, or an event to remember!

Next comes the colour matching - to the photo, to the mood, to the season.

Usually it is the fabrics and patterns in the photo that I want to repeat in the background.

Then choosing the products I will use as accents: Sometimes for me it is the latest set of patterned papers or a shiny new product that I want to experiment with. And, sometimes it is just an idea I have, inspired by a magazine, or an image from an advertising catalogue. My favourite are bath, manchester and bedroom catys.

This one reminds me of pillows or a patchwork quilt.

Often, I like to start small with a 6x6 inch page and build up a full size page from there.

Sometimes by the time you add an embellishment and some background stamping, or a title that is enough!

But usually I like to add more than one or two photos to a page and that decides the way the page will look.

I add my date and journalling last ... and sponge around the edge of the white page.

This page is one of my favourites featuring Jessica at the Choral Festival in September.

The singing club sung songs from Mary Poppins and dressed as maids and chimney sweeps.

The fresh vintage patterned papers and the orangey reds in the embellishments match the cute little aprons they wore.

a CASE of the Catalogue!

2012-01-16T14:17:00.001+11:00

Only a few weeks left of the holidays ... I have been neglecting my blog, so sorry - am having a lovely family and friend time, doing some scrapbooking and card making, just making up the days as they come along.

Now just before Christmas I was flipping through the main Stampin' Up! catalogue and remembered how much I liked this box and tag.

Now I had bought the two tags die and the Fancy Favour box die with this project in mind -

I hope you like my interpretation of the project on page 145.

It is more than a gift box as you can keep your pens, scissors, tags and ribbon scraps in it.
Just looks so special covered in the Flirtacious Designer fabric ... I dont think I can give this away, not yet.

I have used the gorgeous Glimmer paper (sponged with Melon Mambo ink).

The 5 petal punch makes a lovely bloom in First Edition paper held together with a Vintage brad in the centre.

The decorative label "wings" are sprayed with my homemade shimmer paint "mist".

I have tied the gift tag with a piece of fabric (just torn from the edge of the fat quarter) and tied a key trinket charm to the top.

The "kindness matters" stampset is so beautiful I want to stamp pink and Soft suede butterflies on everything...

See what you can make with a few big shot dies, some gorgeous fabric and a pretty stampset?
I enjoyed making this box and it is a substantial little trinket holder on my table.
Any questions or thoughts? Leave me a comment below.

Sale-a-bration Sneak Peek

2012-01-05T11:19:00.001+11:00

Here is just a quick look at a card I have made with my first Sale-a-bration stampset called Fresh Vintage.
It coordinates with patterned paper which you can get for free when you purchase $100 worth of stampin up products between 24 Jan and 31 March 2012.

This is a first for Australia. Previously the offerings at Sale-a-bration time were always FREE stamps. Which we love.

And this year for the first time we will be able to get designer Series paper and brads and ribbon as our free product aswell as free stamps.

The flower stamp is my favourite and is gorgeous when you ink it up with markers in Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Lucky Limeade. So pretty!

The Happy Birthday stamp is from the Perfectly Penned stampset and is inked in Marina Mist.

Tools used: Big shot machine, Top note die cut, Two Frames embossing folder and ovals die.

Happy New year and "Thank you"

2012-01-03T12:31:00.000+11:00

For my first post of the year I wanted to wish all my blog readers a very happy 2012 and also say "thank you" for your kind comments, encouragement and for sharing my creative journey with me.

I really do appreciate your comments and thoughts - they let me know that you are there and what kind of things you like to see.

So here is a virtual

"Thank you"

card from me to you.

Wishing you a quiet, calm new year with lots of creative surprises!

Card Recipe:

Stampsets: French Foliage, Perfectly Penned

Cardstock: Sahara Sand

Ink: Sahara sand, Soft Suede and Early Espresso

Tools: 6.4cm Circle punch

Merry Christmas with a Dasher of ribbon

2011-12-23T09:52:00.001+11:00

Last minute christmas and gift cards are being made for Sunday... 25th.

Presents being wrapped and put under the tree.

I made a few extra cards to put gift cards in and thought I might need to dress up a few of these Dasher cards to make them a little bit Special.

Ta Da!!

A piece of rufffled seam binding and a perfectly tied Pear Pizzazz bow.

As soon as I clean off my table for Christmas I find another christmas card or gift card that needs to be made.

When does it ever end?

Knitted Santa Tree Ornament

2011-12-22T07:30:00.009+11:00

Isn't he cute?

Santa was the last of my Christmas tree ornaments to arrive and he inspires me to get the knitting needles out and make something.

Tracy Grant made this and he is going straight on to our little tree that we bought yesterday.

This weather being so cool is actually knitting weather I think...

Perhaps Barbie could do with a small knitted dress to wear on xmas day?

If I have time between shopping for a turkey, groceries, and the last minute gifts that I have yet to buy.

Christmas Tree ornament inspiration

2011-12-21T07:07:00.003+11:00

This card is inspired by one of the Christmas tree ornaments I received from my Crafters Anonymous swap. The two tag die, the sentiment punched in green and white and the bauble in 3D at the bottom.

I have used the flocked Mocha Morning Specialty papers for my ornament.

And tried to stick with Red and green ( Real Red and Lucky Limeade ) to keep the Christmassy feel going in contrast with the black and mocha colours.

For texture I placed a piece of whisper white through the Big shot machine with the houndstooth embossing folder and edged the bottom with the eyelet border punch. Enjoy!!!

Quick and simple Christmas card

2011-12-20T07:00:00.002+11:00

I needed an extra card to send overseas and came up with this one for simplicity.

The Christmas tree from "Snow swirled" is stamped in lucky limeade ink on white cardstock.

I have layered it onto Pacific Point cardstock and put one of the two tag dies behind it.

Then stamped Merry christmas on the frilly bit.

There is a Merry Christmas star at the top punched out with the 3/4" circle punch and thats all the stamping done.

Lastly I cut a layer of whisper white and ran it through the big shot on the Square Lattice embossing folder and that is that... this one is already in the mail.

Star ornaments for the tree

2011-12-19T07:15:00.002+11:00

Since I received this beautiful Christmas star ornament from Daryl Clapham. I have been working on a CASE (copy and share everything).

I have worked out the basics and am now making a few to give as gifts or as decorations.

Here is my first one stamped in Poppy Parade ink - I have stamped the Contempo Christmas tree, cut it out with my sharp snips and pasted it on a piece of square embossed cardstock and the ribbon is Calypso coral ruffled. I think it complements it nicely.

Here's the other side with the words and some snow flakes.

And here is the star ornament opened.

Its made with five squares of patterned paper. Each one is only 3 inches square and you need some ribbon and a bead with a large hole or a ring like I have used here.

Here it is in Concord crush stitched ribbon, patterned paper and ink.

I mixed up the patterned paper squares to get a more decorative star ... if you have lots of christmas patterned paper you could decorate a whole tree.

Quick Christmas tag

2011-12-18T07:00:00.000+11:00

Needing a quick christmas tag to hang off a gift I came up with this one.

1. Fold a piec of cardstock in half

2. Put the folded edge inside the two tags die and run it through your Big shot machine.

3. Voila! you have a tag card that opens and you can tie a piece of ribbon through the top to attach to a present.

This two tag set just amazes me with it's versatility.

I have decorated my tag with a punched circle of Not Quite Navy cardstock which I have embossed with the wreath from "Welcome Christmas" stampset.

Then, I stamped Merry Christmas from the Contempo stampset on to the Lots of Tags die with some real red sponging. Just a little bit too easy I think!

Christmas Tree ornaments part 2

2011-12-17T10:15:00.001+11:00

Crafter's Anonymous group have sent me some of the most inspirational christmas tree ornaments.

The folded Christmas tree is from Shari Lankveld.

It seems to be made up of folded squares... so clever.

This beautiful ornament by Angie Jones is made with the two tags die and also the flower builder punch with beads dangling on the end... I am inspired to make a few of these.

And check out the very creative ornaments by Deb Speijers.

The bird and bauble are cut out of metal shim (silver flashing I believe) and embossed with the Big shot machine. And how gorgeous is the reindeer and snowflake too.

I have one more to photograph to show you. But will have to leave it for another day...
All these ornaments are handmade and mostly from stampin up supplies, so if you are feeling inspired and want to learn how to make them, send me an email and we can get together to decorate your tree.

Christmas tree ornaments

2011-12-16T07:00:00.001+11:00

When you are addicted to stamping and all things art and craft you join a group called

Crafters Anonymous

I 've been going there for a while now and can I say they haven't helped.

They just keep sending me more ideas to further my addiction...

But it's all good - take a look at the lovely gifts I have received.

This star ornament is by Daryl Clapham.

I might be making a few of these to decorate the house this year.

This cute little snowman is by Dannii Sholz.

And here is the Angel ornament I sent as my christmas tree ornament.

It is one of my favourite punch art angels that I have made before

but for these I was able to make the angel's skirt with
Stampin' Up fabric
and I used a square ice brad in her hair to hold the ribbon and wings on the back.

A host of angels ready to be sent ....

In this photo I think you can just see the shimmer paint that I have sponged on the angel's hair.

And the wings are made of velum punched out after I'd run it through the Big shot with the Elegant lines embossing folder.

Last chance before Christmas!

2011-12-15T16:25:00.001+11:00

Just a very quick post to let you know that tomorrow Friday 16th is probably the last day to order any Stampin' Up! products to guarantee a delivery before Christmas.
I will be placing an order on Friday afternoon, so if you have any last minute Christmas orders for friends, family or you ... then send me an email message and I will ensure you get your goodies under the tree or in the post in time for the big day.
Order tomorrow and I will throw in a special gift from Stamping Joy!

Anything ordered off the December Frenzy list will get another 5% off, too. Thats free shipping for this weeks order.

Glimmering Christmas ornaments

2011-12-15T07:00:00.003+11:00

Let me show you a new product fresh out of the Summer mini catalogue.
It is called Glimmer paper (it comes in silver and Red) but don't despair you can colour the silver glimmer any Stampin' up ink colour that you like....
Can you imagine that with a sponge, a dauber, or an aquapainter, an inkpad or a reinker bottle any of these will create glittery paper in any of the colours of your dreams.

The photo above shows the original silver glimmer paper and the one below is sponged with Melon Mambo ink. Isn't it just gorgeous?

Hint: the more ink you apply the deeper the colour, and if you make it very inky - you can always dry it off with your heat gun.

On this card I have sponged one of the ornaments with Concord crush ink and attached them both with dimensionals.

I have tilted the card to the side so you can see this lovely glitter in the light - it's quite amazing!

For the rest of the card I have used my big shot for texture, the petals-a-plenty embossing folder, and a piece of square lattice embossed cardstock too.

The tag is from Lots of tags, some sponging, twine, and ruffled ribbon to complete.

Enjoy!!!

Stocking Tag builder punch

2011-12-14T13:00:00.000+11:00

This card is going out to a friend with three boys... one stocking each.
A part from the fact that I got a bit happy with the Dazzling diamonds and 2-way glue pen, I like the bright colours and simplicity of the Christmas stockings hanging on a string.

I didn't think we needed the fire place below as most of us here don't have mantle pieces to hang them on.
Layed on the floor under the tree will be fine for us or on the curtains in the dining room.

I have simply punched out 3 stockings from Cherry cobbler and Lucky Limeade cardstock, mixed them up a little and placed them on the white cardstock.

I have successfully attemped an embossed frame on this card using my big shot machine and a "frame" of petals a plenty embossing folder.

The Stocking builder punch coordinates with the Stitched stocking set (both from the Summer mini catalogue that we can order from now until end of March).

The Merry Christmas is from the Contempo Christmas set - I love the mix of printing and script.

Just a dasher of Mocha

2011-12-14T07:30:00.002+11:00

Keeping it simple I have created a gate fold card in real red cardstock and stamped "Dasher" in Early Espresso ink on some shimmer white cardstock.

The Merry Christmas stamp is from "Contempo Christmas" and is cut out with the Big shot 4 tags die.

Both shapes are sponged with a little bit of champagne shimmer paint and the sponge dauber has a little bit of Early Espresso ink on the edges.

Now for the dash of mocha morning designer series paper (DSP).

I wanted a little glint of gold to wrap around my card and this patterned paper has just the right amount of lush depth to make my card a little bit special.

Then I have tied the centre with a piece of Baker's twine (new in the Summer mini catalogue).

The background stamping that you can hardly see is the Welcome Christmas wreath.

Don't forget the Welcome Christmas stampset is on sale this month!

Have you seen this list?

2011-12-13T16:33:00.002+11:00

You can get up to 50 percent off some great Stampin' Up! products during the December Frenzy !

Welcome Christmas Clear-Mount Set is 50% off NOW $19.98

Welcome Christmas Wood-Mount Set is 50% NOW $24.98

I {Heart} Hearts Wood-Mount Set is 40% NOW $25.77

For Everything Wood-Mount Set is 40% NOW $28.77

Every Moment Wood-Mount Set 40% NOW $19.17

Awash with Flowers Wood-Mount Set is 40% NOW $43.17

Friends Never Fade Wood-Mount Set is 50% NOW $15.98

Friends Never Fade Clear-Mount Set is 40% NOW $15.57

Ornate Blossom Wood-Mount Set 40% $11.97

Clearly For You Wood-Mount Set 40% $28.77

Poppy Parade 1/2'' Stitched-Poly Ribbon is 30% NOW $11.87

Blushing Bride 1/2'' Stitched-Poly Ribbon is 30% $11.87

Regals Flower Brads 30% $11.87

Neutrals Flower Brads 30% $11.87
Distressing Essentials is 30% off was $37.95 NOW $26.57
* All items are limited quantity at the discounted price and the discount will be removed once the limit is reached.

Time for a Teacher's gift

2011-12-13T07:15:00.001+11:00

This year we had one of the only male teacher's in Jessie's school so no flowers and butterflies on the teacher's gift this year...

I thought about boxes of chocolates and christmas ornaments,

then we decided on a pen and note pad holder to put on his desk.

The stampset is

"Zoo Review".

There's a lion, giraffe, zebra, penguin and polar bear so we went for an African animal theme, with lots of mud splatters and script on the background from the

"French folliage" stampset.

My favourite set for making a vintage style in Early Espresso and Soft Suede inks.

The only pen I could find was bright orange so I have attached it with a piece of Pumpkin Pie Wide grosgrain ribbon and a silver brad.

And for the frame in the background I have used "notably ornate" in Early espress ink.

The arrow shaped post-it notes are stuck on the clear acrylic photo frame that I picked up for $2 each at a stationary shop.

Now to make a matching Thank you card...

Works like a charm - Wearable art

2011-12-12T13:29:00.001+11:00

We all love charm bracelets. I always envied those girls at school who were allowed to wear theirs to school with little animals and ballet shoes, birds and hearts dangling from them.
And you know how I love my stamping...

I showed you this miniature artwork in an earlier post but I was so disappointed with the photo quality I had to take them again. I think these photos show you a little more of the detail in these key charms and the bevelled glass of the locket charm.

Now I will be able to change my art and my jewellery every week if I want to.

When I go to the school for reading the girls often comment on my necklaces and this changing artwork has certainly gathered some compliments.

A red piece of cardstock, some beautiful butterflies die cut with the embosslit die, layered with velum and pearls. What's not to like?

I must update the photo even now, Jessica looks so different since this photo was taken in 2010.

The clasp on the chain has a Stampin' Up logo and leaf design on either side.

And it closes with a bar and ring attachment,

no fiddly clips ...

Now I can wear my art and change it with my changing moods and the seasons.

Featured items:

Simply adorned chain (61cm) $19.95

p.7 Summer mini catalogue.

Bevelled glass (front and back) charm 2.5cm square $29.95

Trinket keys (4 keys) $11.95 p.141 IB&C

The Stainless steel chains and charms come packaged in separate gift boxes.

Christmas music

2011-12-11T13:15:00.007+11:00

Real Red and whisper white ... just say: Merry Christmas!
The musical notes are wheeled in real red ink and between the lines I have stamped the teeny tiny sentiments.
Add a touch of Lucky Limeade and Early Espresso Ink and you have a Card for the music teacher.

The white satin ribbon adds a soft elegence to this card

with the "Merry Christmas" from the Contempo Christmas set.

Now no Christmas card is complete without the addition of Dasher the reindeer, fussy cut to sit on top of dimensionals... sponged in Early espresso and Champagne shimmer paint.

Its a Pool Party and Island Indigo Christmas

2011-12-10T07:45:00.004+11:00

At home I have been having my own private
stamp a stacks...
To challenge myself I pull out some
non traditional christmas colours

and set about creating a set of cards.

"Something for Christmas"

is a single A la carte stamp that you can purchase on its own

and I love what you can do with it, either with markers or with two coordinating ink pads.

I made a couple of landscape oriented cards and used the ornament punch with the "Delightful decorations" stampset for the large baubles. I always use the lighter colour first then roll the rubber onto the darker ink pad to keep my lighter inkpad clean.

The rest are all portrait style (up and down) cards.

Same stamps, same colours and with the

"houndstooth" embossing folder providing some texture on 2/3s of the card front.

Starting to look a bit familiar now... I ran some of the Island Indigo cardstock through the Big shot to emboss it with a different texture (square lattice folder) after punching it out.

Here they are on the floor ... made in just a couple of hours ready to be posted out

and no two cards exactly the same.

Melon Mambo and Razzleberry christmas card

2011-12-09T13:44:00.000+11:00

I just have to share another Christmas card today!

Jessica made this one and I think she has her own very unique style -

Red cherries, green snail and a Melon Mambo pig with a cute button nose.

Finished off with some "Heard from the Heart" words:

Welcome Christmas into your heart.

Happy Mail for Christmas

2011-12-09T12:31:00.001+11:00

I have to show you the two gorgeous Christmas cards I received in the mail this week:
the first one is from my long time crafting friend Felicity.
She makes the most beautiful cards and with such lovely details.

This one has the Snow Swirled Christmas tree and the sentiment is framed with embossing.

Here is a close up of the oval frame.

So Clean and crisp - I love it.

The second card I received this week is from Daryl C. Acrafter who shares our addiction from Crafters anonymous this came with her Christmas tree ornament that I will show you very soon.
I just love the layers of texture she has used.

And the Pool party colour which is just so pretty...

I will show you tomorrow some of the cards I have made that are almost a copy of this one.

Simply adorned...

2011-12-07T13:45:00.002+11:00

Stampin' Up have released

Simply adorned

Jewellery

in the latest Summer mini Catalogue.

It gives us all the oportunity to Wear our Art.

Change your out fit and change your artwork too.

The insert in this glass and silver framed locket is 2.5cm square.

A perfect little miniature to express your stamping creativity.

My "Amour" locket Art uses two of my favourite stampsets:

(I had to squeeze them in)

Artistic Etchings

and

Kindness Matters.

The locket is deep enough to add a small key trinket inside

or some rhinestone jewels in the centres of the butterfly (with space to spare).

And as the back is clear as well you can add a photo of your special someone,

or a piece of your favourite patterned paper.

Summer Birthday card

2011-12-06T13:00:00.003+11:00

Birthdays are great and I love spoiling my friends with some Stamped gifts.

When you love what you do, you have to share what you love.

(Now where have I heard that before?)

I made this card for a great friend and as it is NOW Summer it was kind of logical that all the products on my crafting table were from the Summer mini catalogue.

So let me walk you through what's new on this card.

The flowers are from a new stampset, Fabulous Florets and I have Heat embossed them in the

new Melon Mambo coloured embossing powder.

The wheeled edge is new, called "Love Blossoms".

Can you see the oval embossing folder used on the Pacific Point cardstock?

I think these colours go beautifully together.

Then every good card deserves a well dressed gift box.

I have used the Fabulous Florets and Love Blossoms Wheel, again.

And added a new Postage Stamp punch, with one of the Pretty Postage stamps on top.

Ribbons are:

Marina Mist striped grosgrain and

Seam binding ribbon in very vanilla.

My box is cut using the Fancy Favour BigZ die.

December Frenzy Sale

2011-12-04T13:30:00.002+11:00

Just what you wanted: December Specials - Yay!

Some items on this list are 50% off!

You can click on the picture and get a closer look at the bargains offered this month at our favourite Stampin' Up Store. The specials are just in time for Christmas.

Just email me nerida_carter@hotmail.com with a list of what you need and we will put an order in, before any of this lovely stock runs out.

I can have your order delivered direct to your door (included in the shipping), if you wish. So shop from home, shop from your computer, ask me to deliver - why go out to the shops when you can get your stampin' up goodies online.

Joyful ornament cards

2011-12-03T07:00:00.001+11:00

A week ago I realised how close we are to December...

Took stock of how few christmas cards I have made and decided:

It was time to make a stack of cards, plus maybe try a different style of card this year.

As demonstrators we saw this idea at Convention in May created by Stampin' Up's Pam Morgan.

It is aptly named a telescope card, as it folds outwards and gets longer and larger, like a telescope I suppose.

I love my "Dasher" stamp. He polishes up so prettily with some silver embossing.

His swirling antler nicely matches the
"Snow Swirled" stampset.

The Not Quite Navy and Pool Party make cool crisp snowflakes.

Ten done and maybe another 20 to go?

I have a few more to show you tomorrow.

Enjoy!

Christmas Quick accents

2011-12-02T06:30:00.004+11:00

Each year I create a Christmas collage of photos to post to our family,

Like a Christmas letter but in pictures.

A 4x6" photo fits perfectly on a 6x6" scrap page and with a few stickers from the "Letters to Santa" Quick accents sticker kit.
I have my first scrapped page for December 2011.

Sugar and Spice and all things nice that's our little girl.

I have tied some Cherry Cobbler baker's twine (available in the Summer mini) around the top of this page instead of ribbon - it reminds me of candy canes.

And here is a card I have made using the Letters to santa Quick accents:

So lets do simple...

Two stickers in strips along the edge,

Two embellishment stickers one on top of each other

A stamped Word window (Very Merry)

Two pearls

and baker's twine...

Then run 2/3s of the card through the Big shot machine for texture

stickers and all.

How easy is that!

Take a close look at this new embossing folder ... it is called houndstooth

but I just think of the David Jones pattern!

122369 Quick accents "Letters to Santa" page 131. $18.95

Houndstooth embossing folder $14.95

December Frenzy and Summer is here!

2011-12-01T17:31:00.000+11:00

This month at Stampin' Up! there is a December Frenzy sale.

You can see the flyer here

with 30% and 40% and 50% off the normal retail prices.

I am ordering my Christmas presents next week - Do you want to share the shipping?

And being the 1st December, the Summer Mini Catalogue products are available today.
I love what is in the new mini! Click on the catalogue to see an electronic version.

Inside there's Simply adorned Jewellery: Baubles, glass lockets, charms.

New stamps, new punches, new papers, glimmer paper,

Fabric, Embossing folders

Embossing powders.

Let me know if you'd like me to post or drop you a new Summer mini, or if you would like to book a Summer mini launch party at your place.

Delightful Decoration zed fold cards

2011-12-01T13:29:00.001+11:00

I love an interesting fold.

Get the measurements right and it looks a treat on my sideboard in the dining room.

This year I am enjoying my Cherry Cobbler, white and the Lucky Limeade cardstock as a colour combination.

I like crisp and fresh colours together with a bit of rich texture.

This card has a bit of all that and more...

There's that baker's twine in Cherry cobbler and white... again.

Trimmed with the Pinking hearts border punch

and the Delightful decorations ornament stamp punched out in Lucky Limeade green.

Here is another twist on the same card creating a diamond with the square and a few snowflakes and the Petals a plenty embossing folder.

Enjoy!

Scrapping April now!

2011-11-29T13:02:00.000+11:00

My scrapbooking is going well... we are up to April now.

Here is the girl after the Easter hat parade holding her winning raffle prize of chocolate Easter eggs.

It was her dream come true... being handed a basket of chocolate by a 6 foot tall white rabbit on stage in front of all her friends.

The eggs were pink, blue and gold...and the Quick Accent sticker kit just keeps giving.

And not a single stamp was used creating this page!

January Scrapbook page

2011-11-28T05:00:00.001+11:00

In January we went to the Japanese gardens. Jessica's dress is in blue and white with a pale pink necklace.
I do like how these colours go with soft suede and white.

More stickers, with a piece of torn scrapbookng paper in blue
and a pretty in pink tafetta ribbon ... tied in a bow with pearls.

Scrapbooking memories album

2011-11-27T05:00:00.001+11:00

Do you remember the scrapbooking Memories album to inspire me to do some scrapbooking?
Well I discovered that I am even further behind in my scrapbooking than i thought. I have serious scrapping to be done. The 6x6" page is a good place to start.
I found this great photo of Jess throwing a pebble into a rock pool at the beach last December.

I was able to start scrapbooking really quickly using a scrapbooking sticker pack.

They are so pretty in pinks and soft blues.

I was going so well, I stamped the roses from elements of style and ...

... watercoloured them.

I cut out a stamped bird in Bashful Blue and Marina Mist (I know it is not a seagull or a Pelican)

but the words do say:

Dream of the Possibilities.

A little bit of pretty pink tafetta ribbon and a few pearls...

The Stampin' up stickers are very thick and layer on top of each other to create lovely medallions.

Are you ready for the next page?

Simple Male card

2011-11-24T08:07:00.000+11:00

There are males and there are males, all different but when it comes to cards they are few and far between that look forward to a nice card on their birthday!

Its what's inside that counts - The brief for this one is:

Keep it simple and we did.

The stampset is called "Happiest Birthday Wishes".

From a stampset of 11 stamps I have only used two.

With two colours and white.

For a man who likes red motorbikes and blue jeans it seemed to suit...

Card Recipe:

Stampset: Happiest birthday wishes

Cardstock: Marina Mist, Poppy Parade, Whisper white.

Ink: Island Indigo, Poppy Parade.

3.5cm Square punch.

A real red Thank you gift.

2011-11-14T18:17:00.003+11:00

I have a brand new embossing folder .... the hounds tooth pattern. It is very special on Real Red card stock and I can't wait to try it out on a few more colours... like black and white, soft suede, Early espresso.
I have teamed it with the Fun Flower die and the Boho Blossoms punched flowers for the centre.

It opens up as a gift folder that has 4 pockets inside.
For Christmas I have added some Christmas tags, a magnetic book mark and post it notes.
It fits anything you really like: chocolate, T-bags, chocolate, a gift card, or even a piece of jewellery too.

If you are looking at buying the big shot for Christmas, this is the month to buy it !
The Big shot bundle is 10% off and so are many of the big shot dies, embossing folders and Embosslits.
So what will be under the tree for you on Christmas day?

Christmas Houndstooth and buttons challenge

2011-11-13T16:38:00.002+11:00

I have borrowed two challenges this weekend to inspire me to make a card.
The Elite Challenges have 3 new challenges every month and Paper Pals Arts have one.
So this is the card I made this morning.

The Elite challenge was by way of a sketch (If you turn to page 116 in your Stampin' Up 2011 catalogue you will see the layout that I got this from).
And the Paper Pals Arts challenge was a photo inspiration. I just took some of my colours from there and the fun flower was already cut and on my table.

In real life the Real Red, Pear Pizzazz and Poppy Parade are very vibrant together. They are a little paler in these pictures. Perhaps I need to tweak the colours in my browser.

How to tie the Perfect bow... one more time.

2011-11-13T09:00:00.003+11:00

I've been asked how to tie a perfect bow. It is something every card crafter has to master at some time!

Fortunately, its easy once you know how.

These instructions are "slightly" different to the last tutuorial I did, so here goes.

1. You will need to cut a piece of ribbon about 32cm long.

If in doubt use more, because you can always cut the excess off later.

2. Fold the piece of ribbon in half over your two fingers that you are holding in a scissor shape.

3. Take the back piece and wrap it upwards and hold in place with your thumb.

4. Make sure they cross over.

5. Now take the left hand piece and wrap it over and towards the right.

6. Wrap it completely around the back and bring the end up through the gap in your scissored fingers.

7. Let the top piece of ribbon flap forward over your thumb.

8. Take the bottom piece and tie a little knot over your thumb. This takes two hands, but no more than three. I had to put down the camera to do this step.

9. Slowly, Pull the ends tight.

10. Turn over your hand and you have a perfectly-proportioned-flat-bow tied on your fingers.

Now gently, ease it off your fingers. You may need to adjust the tightness of the knot at the back.

11. Trim the ends into flag points with your sharp scissors and you have the "easy tie" bow.

Another Christmas card...

2011-11-11T17:38:00.001+11:00

I made another Christmas card from scraps of cardstock on my table. If you have seen my table you know there is enough left over bits to make 20 christmas cards, I am sure.

I think this may be one you might choose to take to an after 5 event with all that black and Cherry Cobbler red Ribbon.

It has some Mocha Morning specialty paper on most of the base layer, an embossed frame and a cut out flower from the Creative Elements stampset.
I love my coloured markers - This one has every colour of the rainbow on those petals and is finished with a clear rhinestone jewell in the centre.

My ribbon is the Cherry Cobbler coloured Seam binding ribbon tied in an easy bow.
Merry Christmas is just a small part of the "something for Christmas" stamp. Once again coloured with my markers and stamped inside the embossed frame.

Middle of Spring ATCs for Crafters Anonymous

2011-11-07T07:40:00.002+11:00

Each season this year a group of lovely ladies have swapped Artist Trading Cards with me

featuring the Four Seasons in Australia.

The ATCs are always due in the middle of each season.... so this is my Spring ATC.

Inspired by the swarm of bees buzzing around our front garden.

ATC Recipe:

Stamp sets: Simply soft, Nature walk (bee).

Cardstock - Concord Crush, Naturals Ivory.

Ink: Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade.

Dazzling diamonds, 2-way gluepen.

Big Shot, Striped embossing folder,

Aquapainter, sponge.

A stack of Christmas baubles...

2011-11-04T17:23:00.001+11:00

Today and yesterday I made these three cards... it is a great idea for quick stamping and sponging that I saw recently by Dawn Ferguson.

The branches are stamped with my old favourite "Lovely as a tree" stampset.

And the centres of the baubles are stamped with the "Artistic Etchings" medallion.

I have used a clear window sheet, with three circles punched out, to mask the card while I sponged and stamped the Christmas baubles on to the tree.

And then I changed the tree branches to swirly patterns with the Creative Elements stampset.

You can stamp the baubles in different colours and with different patterns and stamps.

The Joy at Christmas stamp is from "Perfect Punches" and fits neatly into the scallop circle punch.

It is important to remember to keep a white circle (without ink) as you sponge your baubles.
To give them that 3D appearance.

Scrapbook inspirations

2011-11-04T08:00:00.001+11:00

Its November, and I haven't scrapped my January photos yet!

My resolution to scrap each month this year never eventuated ... did it.

I've decided I needed some motivation to get scrapping!

So to start I bought a new scrapbook binder and it has a great front cover:

"Memories... we do not remember days,

we remember moments."

It's designed to go with one of my stampsets:
Elements of Style.

And the Beau Chateau Product suite ... so I have no excuse not to scrap.

The colours are even ones I have in my collection:

Marina Mist, Pink pirouette and Soft suede!

So to start the album I have put in a page I made (one of the only ones) this year using Creative Elements stampset and some of that lovely Crumb cake Seam binding ribbon.

I "think" the photo was from January... taken at a party at the Scating rink.

Would be a good idea to start by dating my pages as I make them, too.

Looking for a cute Teacher's gift idea?

2011-11-03T08:00:00.016+11:00

I have just finished making this cute little box on wheels.

It is a Stampin' Up Make and Take project from the last Convention.

And I was thinking it is a cute little gift.

Inside it fits 4 little cards. Like this one:

The elephant is stamped and cut out to sit ontop the patterned paper oval.

It says Celebrate! You deserve it.

The colours are Bright as you'd expect at the circus:

Real Red, Tempting Turquoise and Daffodil Yellow.

The box on wheels is made using the Scallop envelope BigZ die that you cut out with your Big shot machine.

The stampset is called "Under the Big Top".

My Lion is painted with the aquapainter brush using Daffodil, Red and More Mustard inks.

Then the ever resourceful Jessica made her own version with the off cut extras left on my table.

She's done a brilliant job, don't you think?

My Christmas wish list looks like this...

2011-11-02T11:46:00.001+11:00

Its November and I am starting my Wish Gift list.
What better way to buy your gifts than from Stampin' Up...
You know its great quality and something that everybody "needs" for Christmas!
Make sure there's something under the tree for you.
Page Item     Description                             Retail Price 10% Off Price
156 117332 Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die$21.95 $19.75
156 114515 Flower Burst Embosslits Die $21.95 $19.75
157 114517 Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder $14.95 $13.45
157 116824 Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder $14.95 $13.45
157 119277 Elegant Lines Embossing Fold $14.95 $13.45
158 113440 Buttons #5 Sizzlits          $9.95 $8.95
159 113466 Pillow Box Bigz Die     $36.95 $33.25
159 114507 Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die $39.95 $35.95
159 120903 Scallop Square Duo Bigz Die $39.95 $35.95
160 115953 Mover & Shapers Punch Windows $54.95 $49.45
160 120893 Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die $69.95 $62.95
160 121810 Petal Cone Bigz L Die $59.95 $53.95

Add on a share of Seam binding ribbon (7 colours) for $24.
(two shares left)
Add on a share of Ruffled Ribbon (5 colours) for $25
(one share left).
Email me at Nerida_carter@hotmail.com to place your order.

A Mocha Morning 3D Christmas ornament card

2011-11-02T08:00:00.010+11:00

This card is a CASE from Karen Cummings blog...

I have used the gorgeous Mocha Morning Specialty paper to make my ornaments.

Three punched ornaments make the 3D bauble.

Simply folded and glued together with a piece of thin tafetta ribbon hanging from behind.

The Welcome Christmas

"Joy" stamp was used in the background in Soft suede ink and the greeting is also from the

Welcome Christmas set
stamped over

the petals-a-plenty embossed oval.

November Special!!!

2011-11-01T13:21:00.001+11:00

We know that November is special ... because it's the month before Christmas.

Stampin' Up think so too... perhaps its time to buy an early Christmas present to put under the tree?

Because, Stampin' Up are holding a Big Shot Promotion in November!

During November, 1st - 30th, you can get 10 percent off this list of Big Shot dies!

Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die
Pillow Box Bigz Die

Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder

Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die

Flower Burst Embosslits Die
Mover & Shapers Punch Windows
Scallop Square Duo Bigz Die
Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die
Petal Cone Bigz L Die
Buttons #5 Sizzlits Die $8.95

Beautiful butterflies with Elegant lines folder.

Don't have a Big Shot yet?

Then you can get 10 percent off the exclusive Big Shot Bundle!

For $168.15 you get The Big Shot Bundle including:

One Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (value $149.95)
Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die (value $21.95)
Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (value $14.95)

That is $186.85 worth of value, For: $168.15.

Pillow box die (extended).

Another way to get your Big shot is to hold a workshop that reaches $600 in sales

and you can have your Big shot for 50% OFF. That's only $74.98

And you also get to spend $100 worth of Hostess dollars that you could spend on the already reduced 10% off Big shot dies on the list above.

Now that's a great Christmas gift!

Peace on Earth...

2011-10-31T13:06:00.002+11:00

Oh Yes, it really is only 7 weeks (and a few days) to Christmas!!!

So I am getting started, in serious, on my Christmas cards.

This one is my new stamp. A single A la Carte stamp called:

Something for Christmas.

It is so easy to use because you can colour it with Stampin' Write markers and get a pretty coloured panel to put on your cards or tags.
And, everyone can be different, depending on the colours you use.

I have used my in-colour markers:

Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade with some Real Red.

For inspiration I just flipped open the catalogue at page 15 and started to make the card using this stampset. I wanted to use Lucky Limeade and Island Indigo cardstock.

Then, I cut the white cardstock a bit short and did the

I-meant-it-to-look-like-that style of card.

And I am pretty happy with the cheerful way it came out.

I have Sprinkled the Eyelet border edge with dazzling diamonds on 2-way glue and wrapped it with some Ruffled Lucky Limeade ribbon. The background stamping is The Contemp Christmas bauble.

Perfect and easy!

Jessica's Favourite stampset is:

2011-10-31T07:30:00.002+11:00

After the school holidays the children's favourite stampset has been named.

It is ..... (drum roll) ...

"Under the Big Top"

A cute pink dancing bear ... looking suspiciously like a mouse with a pink curly tail.

A Happy Birthday Seal with balancing birthday cake.

And, my favourite for sure ...

You're the best and I'm not LION!

Now that Winter is over...

2011-10-29T08:00:00.003+11:00

Let me show you the Winter ATC (Artist Trading Cards) swaps I received from the Crafters Anonymous group. They mostly feature snowy climates and snow flakes and icicles. Quite a Christmassy theme going on here. Lots of shiny dazzling diamond glitter favoured by some of our New Zealand neighbours.

I like this simple silver on white on white snow flake. Will inspire me to simple Christmas cards this year.
Artist is Dee Sturgeon.

Two of my favourite stampsets: Lovely as a tree, and Welcome Christmas.
Artist: Deb Spiejers.

Watercoloured snowmen and sandy white snow by Artist: Bev Poultney.

I just adore the Cradle Mountain masking and snow flake.
Artist: Rebekah Kaberry, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania.
Very soon, I will show you the Spring ATCs I have made that were posted today.

Ribbons and a baby card

2011-10-28T16:13:00.002+11:00

I still have some shares left in my ribbon share special.
Did you like the seam binding ribbons? But, didn't want to buy a whole roll?
At $24 for a share of the Seam binding ribbons (in 7 pretty colours that work beautifully for Christmas)... your bows will be luscious and silky for every style of card.

The second Special offer is a share of the Ruffled in colour ribbons.
At $25 for 2.2metres of 5 different colours - you will have a ribbon that matches all the new in-colours in the new catalogue!

And while we are on Specials...
This cute Congratulations card for a new baby has been made with the Stockings punch(new $33.95).
To turn it into a pair of socks I have trimmed the length down and sponged the toes and top to look like a pretty pair of baby socks or booties.

The Pool Party ribbon is attached with about 5 glue dots and folded back and forth for a frilly edge.
Pool party looks a very soft baby blue when used with white on a small square card.

If you were hoping to get this stampset and or punch before the Summer mini catalogue comes out you only have until the end of the week. After then you will have to wait 'til 1 December to order.

The ruffled ribbons are available now, just send me an email to get your share.

Or buy both shares for just over cost price $42.

A case of jewelry and bling.

2011-10-27T12:32:00.002+11:00

It has been a busy busy few weeks ...
I've been to Canberra and saw the ~~Queen~~ (not),
I did see Tara Moss the UNICEF ambassador for Breastfeeding, crime writer, mother and model, and Suzanne Colson and Peter Hartmann (amazing people doing amazing stuff).
But besides all that I am preparing for the School Fete by "cooking" Coconut Ice by the slab,
cleaning out the cupboards of old toys and clothes...
and sneaking peeks at the new Summer mini catalogue!
And making a bit of Stampin' up jewellery CASEd from the talented Denielle B. (I hear she gave a set of jewellery to Shelli Gardner - Stampin' up CEO for her birthday).

My pendant is a simple arrangement of Cherry cobbler Cardstock, a piece of Designer series patterned paper, a layer of Crystal effects glue and a Bevelled windowpane, with a piece of seam binding ribbon sandwiched between the layers for a loop to clip the Rhinestone brad around.

The little one I gave away as a Thank you gift and now have to make one for my daughter as she thought it was for her, of course she did.

The crystal effects takes at least an hour to dry (best to leave it overnight) and then its a good idea to put a lacquered layer of crystal effects on the back to protect the cardstock against your skin.

The patterned paper is from the Love notes DSP... it retired in September but I am thinking I will be making these with either some fabric or patterned paper from the new catalogue in my next batch.

Email me at nerida if you would like more detailed instructions.

Nerida_carter@hotmail.com

Zoo review Giraffe

2011-10-12T09:00:00.002+11:00

Is this a classic masculine card?

Nice earthy colours: Early Espresso, soft suede and naturals ivory cardstock with some pumpkin coloured ink and sponged edges.

The naturals ivory cardstock is very easy to water colour on. I used soft suede ink for the outline then filled in the spots with my aqua painter dipped in Pumpkin pie ink.

A big First Edition punched circle (nothing fussy) and a masculine crumb cake Seam binding bow at the bottom. Does it pass the bloke test do you think?

The sentiment is kind of blokish too - Happy Day to you! Stamped on the decorative label punch.

Fun Flower and a Pocketful of Posies

2011-10-11T09:00:00.010+11:00

The Fun flower die is just the best Big shot die to come out this year!

You have seen me cut it in fabric, in cardstock and in Designer series paper.

This one is using the Pocket ful of Posies Patterned Paper.

We stamped the centre flower with Concord Crush and wisteria wonder ink.
The Simply Soft stampset is a hostess gift you can receive when you have a workshop that reaches $300 in sales. We have two-step stamped the outline then stamped the petals slightly off set.

The lucky limeade layer has been embossed with the new embossing folder interestingly enough its called stripes.

A bit of sponging on the petals, some ribbon leaves and a sentiment from Friendly Phrases.

A pretty birthday card.

Christmas is on its way...

2011-10-10T13:25:00.001+11:00

On the weekend we made some cards with a great bunch of ladies.

Have you started on your homemade Christmas cards yet?

This first card shows you dont have to use traditional Chrissy colours or christmas papers.

Use what ever you like and how elegant is this one with the Morning Mocha Specialty paper?

The perfect bow is centre to this card in 1/8 of an inch wide tafetta ribbon.

It wraps around a piece of spotted scallop ribbon border punch !!!

Stampsets used: Welcome Christmas and Teeny Tiny sentiments.

Ink: Basic Black and Real Red.

Cardstock: Very Vanilla and Basic Black.

Specialty Paper: Mocha Morning

Punches: Word Window, 2 1/2" Circle punch.

But its all about the Glass glitter on the tree.

Held on with a few dots of two way glue pen.

This really is a quick and easy card to make and looks like a snow globe dont you think?

In colour butterflies

2011-10-10T12:58:00.000+11:00

Today's card features all five of the new stampin' Up in colours:

Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party, Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade.

Using my Embossing folders and the big shot machine I have textured each of the cardstocks.

Square lattice, Polka dots, petals a plenty and vintage wall paper.

The stamped butterfly and sentiment is from Creative Elements.

I Can't wait to receive my ruffled ribbons in these five exciting colours this week. . .

I love colour and texture together!

Zoo Review

2011-10-09T07:00:00.000+11:00

Card Recipe:

Stampsets: Zoo Review, friendly phrases.

Cardstock: River Rock, Soft suede, Naturals Ivory,

First Edition DSP.

Ink: Soft suede

Circle punches:2 1/2" and 1 3/4"

Decorative label punch

Crumb cake Seam binding ribbon, sponge.

I simply stamped the Zebra in Soft Suede ink and then used my aquapainter to "colour" in the stripes.

I am loving the Seam binding ribbon in Crumb Cake and with a little bit of glue on the ribbon you can easily fold it and get this lovely ruffled look.

Being School holidays Jessica has made her own card.

She used the Penguin image from Zoo review and then water coloured the penquin in pretty in pink.

Gift card in Poppy Parade and Calypso Coral

2011-10-08T10:19:00.010+11:00

Gift cards are a great idea for a creative friend and why not wrap it in a pretty card?

On the inside there is a simple pocket to slip your Gift card or Gift Certificate (available from Stamping Joy !)

A great Birthday or Christmas gift when you are not quite sure what's on your best friend's wish list... or why not suggest it to some one in your family.

Card Recipe:

Stampsets: Triple Treat flower, Happiest Birthday Wishes.

Punches: Five petal punch, Fancy Flower punch,
1/2" circle punch,

Dotted Scallop ribbon border punch.

Cardstock: Poppy Parade, Calypso coral and whisper white.

Ink: Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral and Daffodil Delight.

Designer Series Paper: Pocketful of Posies.

Big shot, Sizzlit Lots of tags die.

On the inside I have stamped the Elements of style swirl in matching colours.

A rhinestone jewell completes the centre of the flower and die cut frame.

Ribbon Share - In colour Ruffled and Seam binding ribbons.

2011-10-07T11:46:00.000+11:00

This time we have chosen two new ribbons... the Seam Binding ribbon and the In-color Ruffled ribbon.

One of the best things about these ribbons is how easily they tie either a knot or a bow!

We used both these ribbons at the catalogue launch in September.

A few of you have said that you would love a sample of the new ribbons... I know I do!

Now none of us need to buy all the ribbons at 9.1m on each roll... and how would you decide between all those gorgeous colours!

With a ribbon share you can get all the colours, but for a fraction of the price.

The ribbons are on page 138-139 of your new Idea Book and Catalogue.
* * *

In the ribbon share the ribbons will be cut up for you... this time we are going to do a quarter-share of each ribbon colour. Which works out to be approximately 2.27m of ribbon per colour.

The Seam Binding Ribbons (all 7 colours) will be $24 (approximately 2.27m of each colour). And includes postage.

(Artichoke, Baja Breeze, Cherry cobbler, Crumb cake, Pear Pizzazz, Rose Red, Vanilla)

The Ruffled ribbon (all 5 colours) will be available for $25 for a quarter roll of each colour, including postage. (Wisteria, Pool Party Limeade, Island Indigo, and calpso Coral).

Or buy both the Seam Binding share, and the Ruffled ribbon share for $45!

We need 4 people for each share to get started.
To be part of the share contact me at nerida_carter@hotmail.com. or SMS me on 0468 877 125.

Let me know which share you would like to receive, or both.

If you'd like a different share just let me know and we will see who else would like to share.

Mocha Morning Butterflies

2011-10-07T10:15:00.000+11:00

A Mocha in the morning with butterflies?

Well actually its a cup of Tea for me.

As soon as I touched these Specialty papers I just fell in love with the flocking and texture and colours.

I copied this idea from a picture frame we saw at Stampin' Up's Training day in Sydney.

What an amazing way to display the different patterns!

Two of the papers are flocked with black and two papers are metallic textures. You just have to have a close up look and feel of these papers to appreciate them.
Sophie Zadeh (Stampin' Up) says she got the idea from the way butterflies are displayed in shadow boxes.
I have attached my beautiful butterfly dies with dimensionals to a piece of texured Soft Suede cardstock.

My Create frame is an embossed frame (new) and has been sponged with soft suede ink around the edges to get an antique look.

Supplies:

Stampset: Creative Elements

Soft Suede Ink and textured Cardstock

Specialty Paper: Mocha Morning

Big shot machine. Beautiful Butterflies die.

Designer Frames embossing folder.

Stampin' write markers, sponge and Linen thread.

Are you hosting a workshop in October? Free stampset and punch.

2011-10-04T12:00:00.000+11:00

The stampin up special for October is a Christmas one ...

We just can't wait for the Summer mini catalogue to start so, here's the the October special you can get right now. From 1–31 October you can purchase

the Stitched Stocking Stamp Set and Stocking Tag Punch early--before the debut of the 2011 Summer Mini Catalogue.

when you Host a $450 workshop, you will receive the Stitched Stocking Stamp Set and coordinating Stocking Tag Punch for free.

Here’s the prices and codes for the the stampsets and punch …

125798 Stitched Stocking Wood-Mount Set $53.95 or,

123784 Stitched Stocking Clear-Mount Set $42.95 and

124095 Stocking Tag Punch $33.95

Remember if you don't purchase this set during October you you will have to wait until 1st December in the Summer mini catalogue to get it. And that only leaves you 24 days to get your Christmas cards and gifts ready for the big day....

Do you ever need to make a card in a snap!

2011-10-02T07:05:00.000+11:00

Very often I find I am almost ready to go out and think;

Oh, I really should be taking a thank you, or a Birthday card with me

Do you find yourself needing a quick card sometimes?

The Simply sent kits are a fabulous idea for the quick crafter or the beginner crafter to use.

The "Great Day" kit contains:

8 full size any occasion printed cards,

4 sheets of coordinating sticker accents, 8 white flower buttons,

8 pieces of bash ful blue ribbon and 8 white envelopes.

There is a matching "It's Your Day" stampset or you can stamp and write your own special message inside.

I made these up in next to no time and loved how easy it was to peal off the flower stickers, place them and tie the ribbon for a simple and striking card.

Simply sent kits range from $19.95 to $23.95 on pages 136-137 of the Idea Book.

Simply Sent: Great Day $21.95

How to wear stampin' up fabric...

2011-09-30T07:00:00.002+10:00

You do not need to be a able to sew to use stampin' up fabrics... not at all!

The fabulous Big shot makes it easy to cut out as many FUN Flowers
as you need to layer a gorgeous flower
that you can wear on your lapel, your hat, or in your hair.

Ellen, Penny and Nerida (wearing my Fun flower brooch).
With a brad, hot glue, or just a safety pin, or perhaps a single stitch you can bunch these flowers together and dress up that suit, shirt, beret or headband.

Here's Jess wearing a Fun Flower on her beret (for multi cultural day) and a

Fabric Artistic Etchings coaster on her t-shirt.

Supplies used:

Fabric: Timeless Portrait

Trinket key

Big shot

Fun flowers die

one stitch

a safety pin

and a beret!

(Fabric coaster was made by Denielle B)

Merci Au'voir!

Fabric and ribbon bookmark

2011-09-28T07:15:00.026+10:00

Every month I receive a free magezine from Stampin' Up called "Impressions" there is always something in it to give me a new creative idea. Its a bit like an extension to the idea book and catalogue except it has instructions and a list of materials that makes it easy to whip up one of your own.

Mine never quite come out like the sample in the magazine but that is the great thing: you get the idea, you use the supplies you have and change it to suit your own style.

It is made with a piece of wide striped grosgrain (mine is Basic Black) and I have cut out three of the beautiful butterflies dies in Fabric using the Big shot.

(The fabric is the Cherry Cobbler piece fromTimeless Portrait).

I've Stuck it on with a brad and pieces of cardstock front and back.

The front piece is covered with multipurpose glue and champagne glass glitter.

You wont lose this bookmark on a dark night... and I have pinched the front piece of ribbon with a thin ribbon (Basic black tafetta) to make the antenae.

I used sticky strip and dimensionals to attach cardstock circles to a piece of hat elastic.

The elastic is stretchy enough to wrap around my Stampin' up catalogue or a regular novel.

One of the best book marks I've made.

What do you think?
Now if you are wanting to receive the Impressions magazine and discounts on all your new products give me a call 0468 877 125.
Nerida

Big shot Fun Flowers and a Pocket full of Posies

2011-09-27T06:00:00.000+10:00

What do you do when you have a box of new Stampin' Up goodies?

You make things ... you play with all your toys and see what you come up with.

I love creating, copying, designing and giving away my creations.

This Fun Flowers die is so so versatile: I have made it using "Pocketful of Posies" designer series paper.

What I love about this die is you can cut it out in fabric, cardstock, chipboard, acetate (window sheets), velum, felt, cork and it will cut through 8 layers of fabric with ease.

The Pocketful of Posies papers have a great selection of colours:

Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz, Night of Navy, Rich Razzleberry, Early Espresso, Soft suede and Poppy parade. It coordinates with just about anything.

It even works with my favourite Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon.

Now shall I pin this on a card, a box, my shirt, a hat or bookmark?

Multi-colour Button Buddy

2011-09-26T07:00:00.004+10:00

On Friday I met up with friends from my Mother's group... 8 years and still going!

We have something in common of course.

We love to stamp and make cards, even the occasional scrap page gets done.

On this occasion it was a card using the new in-colour Island Indigo and two new stampsets: Button Buddies and Friendly Phrases.
I was inspired by my daughter's colouring of this flower and so we used a bunch of Stampin' write markers to ink up the rubber, huff and stamp.

Colours used: Daffodil delight, Peach Parfait, Rose Red, Poppy Parade, Marina Mist, Concord Crush and Pear Pizzazz.

A veritable who's who of coloured markers.

And the friendly phrases stamp had the same treatment with Poppy Parade, Concord Crush and Marina mist hi-lighting different words. The large oval punch fits these words just perfectly.

Did you notice that this flower fits in the smaller of the two scallop circle punches?

Lastly it needed a ribbon, I don't yet have the pool party ruffled ribbon so...

a new punch was called for: The Dotted Scallop ribbon border punch !!!

Stampin' up don't skimp on quality, and they don't skimp on adjectives either.

Two Tags and Triple Treat flower

2011-09-25T06:00:00.003+10:00

Another project in Concord Crush and Wisteria Wonder?

My favourite dynamic duo ... gradually I am branching out into the other new in-colours but you will have to be patient while I catch up with the cards I have made, so far.

This little basket is made with the larger of the Two tags die. They are folded along a pre-scored line so that they overlap on the base and have a neat little box inside.

Here's a photo showing the edge. The First edition Specialty paper is lightly stamped with a new Hostess stampset called Simply Soft.
The Wisteria Wonder belly band is embossed with the Petals a Plenty embossing folder.

Are you liking this Triple treat flower stamp yet?

It comes as a single stamp in our A La Carte selection. Made to coordinate with the Fancy flower punch, Five petal flower punch and 1/2" circle punch. It can look so pretty stamped with markers direct to rubber.

Recipe:
Stampset: Triple treat flower $16.95, Simply soft (hostess)

Paper and Cardstock: Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White.

First edition Specialty paper

Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush.

Big shot, Petals a plenty EF, Two Tags die.

Ribbon: Wisteria Wonder ruffled.

Creative Elements butterfly - featuring Ten new products

2011-09-24T09:15:00.004+10:00

Here is another card I prepared for my launch.
It was on the display table but did not make it into the launch "make and take" short list.
As you can guess it uses almost all new Stampin' up products from the Idea book and catalogue.

New stampsets: Creative Elements and Friendly Phrases.
New embossing folders: Designer frames and striped embossing folders.
New Two tags die (which may I add, fits the oval designer frame perfectly on its end, as I have shown here).
New colour: Wisteria Wonder cardstock and ink.
New Ruffled Wisteria Wonder ribbon (cant get enough of this pretty frilled ribbon).

And a NEW punch: The Dotted scallop Ribbon border which I have tried out on the newsprint specialty paper for a vintage-type edge.
So there it is one small card with ten new products featured on it!

Button Buddies and one layer cards

2011-09-23T16:56:00.000+10:00

Beautiful flowers, buttons, cute pigs, snowmen, cherries and vases of flowers ... its all in the Button buddies stampset. I have only just scratched the surface with the cards I have made so far.

This one is a CASE from from the Idea Book and Catalogue. A quick and simple card with a button attached using a mini glue dot.

Next I wanted to stamp all the in-colours and make centres of the flowers with the new glass glitter.
It sticks on perfectly with the multipurpose glue.

Then next is a cute little piggy in Melon Mambo with the perfect bow attached at the top and a button for his nose! Faux buttons work just as well (using the button embosslit die).

Shelli demonstrated this stampset up on stage at our Stampin up Convention back in May.

The last one is made by my daughter, Jess. She wanted to colour every petal a different colour (but her mum would only let her use the retired brights colour markers .... and none of any new ones).
Not surprising, It came out very pretty on these pre-punched cards.
She has used the Friendly phrases stampset for her words- Wow you're the Best!
We have school holidays for the next two weeks - I'm looking forward to lots of crafting!