SC266 Beautiful Cherry Blossom February 4, 2010

Oh, a couple of firsts for me today. First time I’ve used this stamp set – Eastern Influences – and most definately the first time I’ve used this colour combination – Basic Grey & Regal Rose. I’m really not a pink girl but love how this came together. For inspiration I’ve used this week’s SCS Sketch Challenge SC266 … thought it was going to be a bit of a challenge as there are a number of elements however it came together quite easily.  I originally coloured the flowers with the Stampin’ Up! Watercolour pencils however when I used the blender pen over the top to blend the pencil it turned the rose pink to a lilac colour so I went over the top with SU’s Stampin’ Write Markers … ok it made the flower a tad darker but at least it’s Pink! For more details see below …  and I’d like to thank you for stopping by and taking a peek!

Products used to create this card – all current SU products! – Stamps – Eastern Influences, Ink – Basic Grey, Regal Rose, Cardstock – Whisper White, Regal Rose, Basic Grey, DSP – Patterned Papers II, Accessories – Regal Rose 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon, blender pens, dimensionals, circle punches – 3/4″, 1″ & 1 1/4″,  flat backed pearls from pretties kit and a teeny, tiny drop of crystal effects to adhere pearls!

CaS52 Anniversary February 2, 2010

Real quick card this morning. I quite enjoy the clean & simple look and loved this card which I sort of cased – CAS52 Simple Love – although I’ve used punches not stamped images and of course, it’s an Anniversary card. You can find the challenge deets here: CAS52. Thanks for taking the time to drop by!

Products used to create this card – SU card – Real Red, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron on a Confetti White base, Ink – Real Red, Stamps – Cheer & Wishes, Accessories – Punch – Full Heart and Real Red Striped grosgrain ribbon.

Singing my Love for my Valentine February 1, 2010

This one was lots of fun to create, yet simple. I love how the mouse has turned out. I originally found him on a Christmas card – here - and thought he would make the cutest Valentines Card for my wonderful DH! I’ve used various SU punches to create the mouse including small oval, large oval, circles – 1″, 3/4″, 1 3/8″, 1/2″ and the double rectangle. I used the Full Heart for my book and used a rub-on from the Eastern Elegance rub-on collection (retired) but this could easily be replaced with a sentiment stamp or a different rub-on! I also used the scallop oval and small oval for the sentiment (stamps – hostess level 2 – Occasions for all) and some chocolate tafetta ribbon. I used the Sanded background stamp with versamark to create a background behind the mouse as I felt it was too much pink without something on it’s own, although I’m not so sure you can make it out in this photo! Cardstock colours are close to cocoa, pretty in pink & real red on a base of confetti white. Thanks for taking the time to drop by – hope I’ve given you some inspiration today!

A run on red, retired and borrowed! January 28, 2010

Well, I have 4 cards to share with you this afternoon. I’ve had a bit of a run on red, retired stamps and a borrowed stamp set.  After completing another 10 of my Christmas #2 card last week I was a little OVER Christmas cards, being as really, we’ve only just gotten over Christmas 2009. However, I do feel really good about already having a dozen Christmas cards for Christmas this year! When I receive the circle scissor I’ve just ordered from the Stampin’ Up! Summer mini I’ve got some more Christmas cards in mind using the Happy Christmas Mate set from the 2009-200 Idea Book & Catalogue, but that’s another post! Thanks for taking the time to drop by!

Ok – on with today … firstly I just HAD to make a card using the Classic Pickups set I received earlier this week. It’s a retired (2007!) USA set and I’ve been looking for it for about 2 years - finally found someone willing to part with their new, unmounted set. I have a lot of motor heads in my life so had been on the look out for this set and was very excited when I won the auction and it finally made it into my hands. I wanted to add texture to the card so used a Cuttlebug embossing folder but thought later that I could have used my SU crimper! Cardstock colours are Real Red, Basic Black, Kraft and Whisper White. Eyelets are retired SU eyelets. The car is coloured with Prisma Pencils.

This quick an easy card was made using an image a friend stamped off for me (thanks Court!!). I have again used a Cuttlebug embossing folder but could have used my SU crimper to add texture to the cardstock. Cardstock colours are Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White.

The following two cards were made using a great little Papertrey Ink set Everyday Button Bits, which I have borrrowed from Court (thanks Court!). I don’t usually stray too far from the SU brand but have always had problems getting buttons to sit right on my cards and when Court showed me this set I had to give it a try. Now I think I’ll be able to think outside the square a little in regards to using buttons with the SU sets! Cardstock colours are Ruby Red, River Rock, Whisper White & Basic Grey. DSP = Patterns Pack II. Ribbon = Riding Hood Red Tafetta. SU Clear buttons. Non SU items – stamps, alcohol inks = used to create background piece in the Soaring high card and to colour buttons.

Sale-A-Bration and Haiti Relief January 28, 2010

Hello one and all. I started this post the other day but got sidetracked and just haven’t made it back here again! My life is somewhat full/crazy at the moment … at least it feels that way. Just wanted to let you know that Sale-A-Bration has started here in Oz – the annual promotion that Stampin’ Up! runs where you get to choose a FREE stamp set for every $100 that you spend on current stock items from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue or the Summer Mini Catalogue! There are 4 FAB sets to choose from this year – Happy Moments; Vintage Labels, Good Neighbours & Whimsical Words! You can view the catalogue here: Sale-A-Bration and I’ve also added a permanent link under the Stampin’ Up! tab at the top right hand corner of my blog!

Stampin’ Up! are also running a promotion to help raise some money for the Haitian Disaster Relief by donating $2 from the sale of every I {Heart} Hearts set which can be found in the current Summer Mini catalogue.  A perfect set for Valentine Day, Birthdays, Just Because, Wedding, Anniversary, Engagement cards and much more! You can view more about the promotion here: Haitian Disaster Relief This promotion runs through until February 28th, 2010. If you would like to order one of these great sets please don’t hesitate to contact me!

Christmas #2 January 20, 2010

Once I saw SC264 sketch challenge over at SCS this morning I had to have a play. A Christmas card came to mind and this very quick and simple card is the end result. I’m very happy with this card and it may become my main Christmas card for 2010. Thanks for taking the time to drop by!

Products used to create this card – all Stampin’ Up! = Stamps – Holiday Lineup; Cardstock – whisper white, basic black, kraft & riding hood red; Ink – stazon black, riding hood red; Accessories – crystal effects, blending pens, riding hood red striped grosgrain ribbon (which was available here in Oz in our Spring Mini)

Teen’s Birthday January 19, 2010

Now I usually find male cards the hardest and I’ve had to make 2 teen birthday cards in one week. I feel this one is a little plain at the moment so might add to it a little more – inking around the edges, a sun stamp or something! I stamped the surf boards, then clear embossed them to give them a gloss finish. Thanks for taking the time to drop by – if you have any suggestions of ways to ‘fix’ this card – they will be greatly appreciated! Thanks and happy crafting!

Products used to create this card are all SU (except the sand!): Stamps – Just Surfing, Cardstock – Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Confetti White; Ink – Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Bordering Blue, Versamark; Accessories – scissors, clear embossing powder, Tombow Multi Purpose glue & sand from my stash ….

SC263 18th Birthday January 18, 2010

Hello! It really has been far too hot to make any cards but I did get inspired over the weekend to make an 18th birthday card I need. I followed the basic SC263 sketch challenge over at SCS but found it a bit challenging for a male card – not sure why but I feel the sketch would better suit a female card or even Christmas card!

I was a bit naughty and strayed away from using all SU products for this card but I don’t have a scissor circle yet – ordering one of those later this month so I opted for some Nestabilites dies. Oh, and the 18th stamp came out of my stash too *blush* …. Products used to create this card – SU = Cardstock – chocolate chip, whisper white; DSP = windsor knot; Ink = stazon black, chocolate chip, sage shadow, so saffron; Stamps = Just Beachy, Birthday wish (both from the spring mini catalogue); Accessories – 1″ chocolate grosgrain ribbon, vintage brads, blender pens … and from my stash – Nestabilities dies and 18th stamp.

Four cards in one day! January 4, 2010

Happy New Year everyone! Been on a bit of a marathon card making session this afternoon – well, not really … I just made 4 very different cards in about 2 hours. Not going to go into much detail – all cards were made using SU products – all of which will be listed at the base of the post.  Click on any card to enlarge it! Love Bug is for my wonderful DH – we’ve been together for 24 years on Thursday so had to make him a card … just because, the Christmas card – the first for 2010 … only 59 odd to go! The floral birthday is for my friend in Finland who’s birthday isn’t until early February but I’m getting in early. I sent a card & letter to her about 3.5 weeks ago and I still don’t think she’s got it yet! Finally the “fore your birthday” is for my FIL who’s birthday is later this month. He’s been quite unwell again but seems he’s finally on the mend … hopefully he’ll be able to get out & about real soon and play some golf – one of his favourite past-times.

 Products used to create these cards: Stamps – The Back Nine (R), A Flower for all Seasons, On Your Birthday, Occasional Greetings (R) Calendar Alphabet & Numbers; Cardstock – Riding Hood Red, Confetti and Whisper White, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie; DSP = Riding Hood Red; Ink – Stazon Black, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip; Accessories - 1 3/4″, 3/4″ & 1/4″ (R) circle punches, oval & oval scallop punches, square scallop punch, Riding Hood Red striped grosgrain ribbon, vintage brads, mat pack, paper piercer & Stampin’ Write Journaler. (R) = Retired

Tutorial – Calendar Gift Box December 22, 2009

Well, here goes … my first on-line tutorial. I’ll ask for forgivness now as I’m sure to make a mistake or three but will try my best. Remember my post from the other day Calendar Gift Box  – the gift box for the calendar … well here is the tutorial so that you can make your own. If you use my template please let me know by leaving a comment! Thanks for taking the time to drop by!

This gift box suits a 7 1/16″ x 7 1/16″ square calendar. To create this you will need: paper trimmer with cutting & scoring blade, card stock, stamps, adhesive, ruler with inches, pencil – optional – ribbon, designer paper

 I figured the easiest way was to upload a template of sorts with all the measurements on it – please feel free to print it if you need to.

Cut and score the base piece (8.5″ x 8″) as above, trim out sections with the x in them, and cut the score lines marked with the squiggle. Fold and score all fold lines and fold up so that your cardstock now looks like this

add some double sided tape to the small flap and also along the two edges of the first fold on the base to the first score line so that you can stick the base together

stick the flaps down followed by the sides to the base

then cut your front piece 7.25″ x 7.25″ and decorate as desired

now add adhesive to the back of the front piece along both sides and the base

finally line up the front and base and stick together

The completed package!

Products used to create my Calendar Gift Box – Stamps – Christmas Classics, Best Yet, Lifelong Notes (R); Cardstock – Cranberry Crisp (R), True Thyme (R); DSP – Holiday Thyme (R); Accessories – Ribbon – Cranberry Crisp (R); Paper trimmer with cutting & scoring blades, ruler with inches, pencil, and for ease of photographing I’ve used a double sided tape with white backing.