Happy Birthday to a dear friend

A good friend of mine has a birthday today, and I wanted her to know just how important she is, so I made this special card.

I threw lots of things at this card and just hoped that they would all come together in the end - I think I pulled it off. I started by creating my quilted top note shape using the gorgeous Raspberry Tart DSP, and then just layered up my other elements on the top.

Rich Razzleberry is not one of the colours in the Raspberry Tart paper, but it does tie in really nicely to add a bit of weight.

Materials

Stamps: Occasional Greetings, Vintage Vogue

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Raspberry Tart DSP

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Rose Red, Cameo Coral

Other: Top Note Die, Little Leaves Die, Big Shot Die Cutter, Pretties Kit, White Gel Pen, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon

Easter Bunnies for Kindy

Miss 3 and I sat down this week to create some end of term Easter gifts for her kindy teachers. I had been wanting to try my hand at some punch art for a while, and when i spotted these cute wee Easter Bunnies I knew they would be just perfect! Miss 3 helped with the punching and the sticking - I think she did a great job!

After completing the bunnies I attached them to Baja Breeze Fancy Favour Boxes, popped in some easter eggs and tied them up all ready to be given out.

Miss 3 enjoyed making the bunnies so much that she decided she needed to make 1 for each of her cousins and grandparents so 3 bunnies turned into 12!

Materials

Stamps: A Good Egg

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Baja Breeze

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Basic Grey, Black Stampin' Write Marker

Other: Word Window Punch, 1 3/4", 1 3/8", 1/2" & 1/4" Circle Punches, Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch, Big Shot Diecut Machine, Fancy Favour Box Die, Brads, Pink Pirouette Striped Grosgrain

Bella Bleu Medallion

As soon as I saw the Medallion stamp I knew it would be joining my collection! It is classic and gorgeous and just stunning - Love it, Love it, Love it!! This is my first time inking it up:

Once again I have used the Top Not die (see I told you it would appearing a lot!), and teamed it up with some Bella Bleu DSP. You can't tell from the pic, but the Not Quite Navy cardstock in the background has also been stamped repeatedly with the Medallion image - I stamped off twice on scrap paper first so that it was a really subtle image. It gives a really nice texture to that layer of the card.

Materials

Stamps: Medallion, Best Yet

Cardstock: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, Bella Bleu DSP

Ink: Not Quite Navy, Basic Grey

Other: Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Button Latte, Top Note die, Big Shot Diecutter

Mojo Monday # 131

It's another great sketch over at Mojo Monday this week, and I was lucky enough to escape to my stamping room quickly this afternoon.

It's been ages since I used my Bella's Bloom stamp set, so decided to get it inky again! The colour combo is Riding Hood Red, Pumpkin Pie & So Saffron. I'm not sure where I got this combo from but have used it a couple of times now and still like it a lot!

To get the colour gradient on my flowers I used my 3 colours of marker and just graded the colour out from the centre - very easy to do and has such great impact!

Materials

Stamps: Bella's Bloom

Cardstock: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, RHR Patterns DSP

Ink: Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers

Other: Wide Oval Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon

Embossed Razzleberry with Butterflys

Still playing with all the lovely new goodies from the Autumn/Winter Mini. The products are so good that I am just constantly inspired at the moment - wish there were more hours in the day to act on the inspiration!

This card didn't turn out quite how I saw it in my head, but I enjoyed making it anyway, and that's the whole point behind this hobby right!

You are going to see that Top Note die shape turning up a lot in the near future - I just can't stop using it! And that will be very closely followed by the Polka Dot embossing folder!

Right, I am off to get dinner in the crockpot so that I have more time to craft this afternoon!

Materials

Stamps: Garden Whimsy, Sweet Little Sentiments

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Regal Rose

Ink: Baja Breeze, Basic Grey, Rich Razzleberry

Other: Top Note die, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Big Shot Die Cutter, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Word Window Punch

Mojo Monday # 130 - Birthday Bot

It's been a while since I did a Mojo Monday sketch, but this weeks sketch was just so good that I had to have a try! Here's the sketch

I have used one of the new sets from the Autumn/Winter Mini catalogue - Lots of Bots. I have been waiting very patiently to get my hands on this set for a couple of reasons - it's super cute for one, but also because it will be great for masculine cards.

I used my Circle Scissors to cut the circles, and my Bot was coloured using a blender pen and the lids of my inkpads. I threw in a few brads to replicate the rivets on the bot.

Materials

Stamps: Lots of Bots

Cardstock: Kraft, Basic Grey, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Urban Oasis DSP

Ink: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Going Grey, Stazon

Other: Silver Brads, Jumbo Brads, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, Circle Scissors, Blender Pen

More sneak peeks!

I have another sneek peak at products from the upcoming Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue for you today. Another cute little box - this time it's a pillow box, and this project features NO stamping!!

That gorgeous little bird on a branch is a brand new punch! Not only is the punch image new, but the design of the punch itself is also new - a great new slimline, easier-to-use design. And do I hear you asking if that ribbon and bird are a new colour?? Well yes it is - it's called Rich Razzleberry and it is stunning!

Materials

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose

Other: Pillow Box Die, Bigshot Die-cutting System, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Button Latte

Burgundy & Gold Wedding

We celebrated the wedding of my friend yesterday, so I can share the card I made for them today. The wedding invitation colours were Burgundy, Champagne and a touch of gold, so I used the same scheme for my card and gift wrapping.

I just love the Baroque Motifs stamp set for weddings. It is classical and elegant - everything a wedding should be! And what wedding would be complete without a few crystals & pearls as well!

Materials

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, En Francais

Cardstock: Bravo Burgundy, Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold, Brocade Background DSP (retired)

Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Sahara Sand

Other: Scallop Edge Punch, Pretties Kit, Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Chit Chat Rub-ons, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1/16" Circle Punch

Embrace Good Neighbours

I have been playing with another of the FREE Sale-a-bration sets today. This time I used the Good Neighbours set. This set is SOO much fun - you can mix and match all the little houses with the different roofs to come up with lots of different looks!

I love the colours on this card (Bashful Blue, Riding Hood Red, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie) - I took my inspiration from the Washington Apple DSP. The little flag is raised up on dimensionals in the centre to give it a little curve.

You still have a little over 2 weeks to earn your FREE stamp sets so be sure to get your order in! Simply email me your order and I will take care of the rest!

Materials

Stamps: Good Neighbours, Embrace Life

Cardstock: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Riding Hood Red, So Saffron, Washington Apple DSP

Ink: Bashful Blue, Riding Hood Red, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Grey

Other: Button Bouquet

AUTUMN WORKSHOP

Come and join me for a fun FREE afternoon of stamping and inspiration! I will be showcasing the NEW Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue, and some great new products including the Big Shot and SU! exclusive dies, a new punch design, and clear mount stamps.

When: Saturday 24 April 2010

Time: 2pm

Where: Churton Park, Wellington

Cost: FREE!

There will be make 'n' takes, door prizes and more!

Spaces are limited so make sure you book your place NOW! To book ph 477 1282 or email me

More Sale-a-Bration and a SNEAK PEEK!!

Another Sale-a-Bration stamp set to showcase today. This time it is Vintage Labels. The great thing about this stamp set is not only are the images gorgeous, but they all also fit punches within the Stampin' Up! range - gotta love that versatility!

Here is a quick little easter box that I whipped up yesterday:

The box is also a little sneak peek at a couple of the new products that will be appearing in the soon to be released Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue. See if you can guess what the new items are!

Materials

Stamps: Vintage Labels

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss, So Saffron, Whisper White

Ink: Perfect Plum

Other: Fancy Favour Box Die, Polka Dot Texturz Plate, Scallop Circle Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutter, Rhinestone Brad

Everything a Hen needs!

On Friday I shared the card I made for my friends Hen party, and today I can show you the matching gift I created. Originally I made the card and was going to purchase a gift, but 3am one morning while feeding baby a different idea popped into my head - all based around a Martini glass!

The completed box

A view of the top of the lid

The box itself is very simple, and then I just added a acetate window. I applied a rub-on to the window, as well as some Dazzling Diamonds & Crystal Effects around the edge for a little extra detail.

And here is what was inside:

To finish off the whole look I shredded some clear cellophane and added that to the glass as well as the bottom of the box. And no 'cocktail' would be complete without fruit on the edge of the glass!

It was designed as a 'Hen Party Survival Kit' and contained the following:

Red Bull and Chocolate - for energy to survive the night

Chapstick & Breath Mints - for all the frogs the Hen was made to kiss on her night out

Plasters - for the inevitable injuries

Safety Pins - in case of wardrobe malfunctions

Nurofen- for the morning after

I had great fun putting this together, and the hen (and other party guests) thought it was great too!

Materials

Stamps: Cheers to You, Tart & Tangy

Cardstock: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Pink Flamingo DSP

Ink: Stazon, Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red

Other: Curly Label Punch, Chit Chat Rub-ons, Real Red 5/8" Ribbon, Hemp Twine, Aquapainter, Blender Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Crystal Effects, Corner Rounder Punch

Cheers to Hens Party's

My best friend since Primary School has her Hen Night tomorrow. I am so excited for her that she has finally found her soul mate and that they will soon join the 'old marrieds' club. Sarah was head Bridesmaid at my wedding 7 years ago and of course organised my hen night. Unfortunately I can't return the favour so instead I wanted to give her something for her night out. This is the card that will go with the gift:

A close up of the detail

And inside the card:

I took my inspiration from a card by MJ Albright, but changed it up a little to include more cocktails

(a very fitting addition for the bride-to-be ;) ). I also made a matching gift, so be sure

to check back on Monday when I will share that here!

Materials

Stamps: Cheers to You

Cardstock: Whisper White, Cameo Coral, Real Red, Pink Flamingo DSP

Ink: Real Red, Summer Sun, Tempting Turquoise, Cameo Coral, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Grey, Going Grey, Stazon

Other: Real Red 5/8" Ribbon, Twine Thread, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds, Aquapainter

A Summer Notecard

This is a quick summery notecard I threw together at the weekend (I am in denial that we are in Autumn already) using the fun A Flower for all Seasons stamp set. I think this set is a little overlooked in the catalogue, but I love it's versatility.

This card was inspired by a cute gift box and set of note cards on Dawn Olchefske's blog.

Materials

Stamps: A flower for all Seasons

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White, Tea Party DSP

Ink: Stazon, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, Almost Amythest

Other: 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Wide Stitched Ribbon, Rhinestone Brad, Aquapainter, Blender Pen

For You

Another card using the great Happy Moments Sale-a-Bration set. I really love the layout of this card with all the different layers. I do however wish that I had added another colour - I just feel like it needs a punch of something a bit brighter...what do you think?

Heres a close up of the ribbon treatment

If you would like to earn this stamp set for FREE email me your order now!

Materials

Stamps: For You

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Bella Rose DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink

Other: Choc Chip 5/8" Ribbon, Button Bouquet, Hemp Twine