Another Nature Walk

As we head into the last month of the 2011 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue which ends 31 July 2011, I would like to share yet another card I made from the botanical beauty of the Nature Walk stamp of this catalogue. I cased this design from Mary Fish who produces absolutely fantastic creations.

project recipe
stamps: Nature Walk (WM 123559, CM 121997)

ink: Not Quite Navy (103008)

card stock: Not Quite Navy (121685), Whisper White (106549), Very Vanilla (106550)
dsp: Elegant Soiree (117163)

fab tools:  Big Shot (113439), Floral Fusion Sizzlit Die (115969), Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (115963), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976),

fab factor: Gold Brads (104337), 1/4" Whisper White Grograin Ribbon (109025)

 cardessence tips

• run the Floral Fusion die through the Big Shot for your die cuts before running through the Square Lattice embossing folder to give the flowers some texture;
• I used 3 different circle size punches from my cache of tools to punch out the flower centres in WW;
• emboss the VV card stock with the Finial Press embossing folder;
• use dimensionals to adhere the WW layer to the NQN mat so that you can lace the grosgrain ribbon in between these layers instead of underneath the NQN mat. TTFN

Please remember that all items from this mini catalogue may or may not return in the new 2011 - 2012 Idea Book & Catalogue. If you haven't bought this set yet, July is your last chance to get it or to fill your wish list from this mini catalogue.

Have a fun day

Shadow Box

Quite some time ago, I bought a boxed set of 8 shadow box frames from Target. Ever since then I've been dying to fill and decorate a shadow box, so Chloe's birthday gave me the impetus. I really enjoyed creating this project and can't wait to make more.

project recipe
stamps: Broadsheet Alphabet (WM 121490, CM 120585)
ink: Regal Rose (105211), Pear Pizzazz (119784), Soft Suede (115657), Daffodil Delight (119667), Baja Breeze (111833)

card stock: Pink Pirouette (116203), Regal Rose (108612), Pear Pizzazz (121693), Soft Suede (119982), Daffodil Delight (121680), So Saffron (108611), Baja Breeze (116207), Whisper White (106549)
dsp: Sunny Garden (119831)
fab tools: Butterfly XL Punch (119848), Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die (118138), 2-Step Bird XL Punch (117191), Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (115963)

fab factor: Basic Pearls (119247), Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (116806)
non SU: Isocol to make shimmer mist with shimmer paint, Target shadow box frame

 cardessence tips

• use the butterfly punch to make the flowers;
• use the wing from the 2-step bird punch to make the leaves - trim a little to shape;
• emboss the DSP before spraying with shimmer mist;
• alternate letters were stamped separately, cut and adhered with dimensionals;
• remember to leave a fine border around your cut outs to preserve a clear and even stamped image;

Thanks for stopping by

Cottage Garden

Here's a card I made for my sons' Godmother on Mother's Day. I really enjoy the simplicity of creating tonal (tone on tone) cards particularly because I don't have to think about colour combinations.

The Cottage Garden set is a 2-step stamping set - an outline stamp and a solid stamp, but if you prefer, you can also use each stamp separately. The outline stamp offers versatility as you can manually colour the stamped image in ink, watercolour pencils, crayons or pastels using either a blender pen, aqua painter or markers.

project recipe
stamps: Cottage Garden (WM 119163, CM 120003 ), Teeny Tiny Sentiments (WM 119185, CM 120024)
ink: Baja Breeze (111833), Not Quite Navy (103008)

card stock: Baja Breeze (116207), Not Quite Navy (108606), Whisper White (106549)
fab tools: Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402, Stamp-A-Majig (101049)
fab factor: Basic Pearls (119247),  5/8" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon (119958), Dazzling Diamonds (102023), Sponge Daubers (102892), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

cardessence tips

• to get a perfect alignment in 2-step stamping, use the Stamp-A-Majig however, with practice, you should be able to stamp your images just by eyeballing - a slightly misaligned image is appealing as well;
• to achieve a tonal colour effect on the solid flower stamp, ink up the stamp in Baja Breeze, then daub the outer edges of the petals in Not Quite Navy - always apply lighter colours before the darker colours in any type of tonal colour stamping;
• cut out the large flowers, curl the petals and adhere with dimensionals to make the card "pop".

Enjoy!

Card & Candle Gift Set

I was introduced to Stampin' Up! and card making in late February last year (2010) which led to me hostessing a workshop and 4 months later, I became a demonstrator. This beautiful stamp set was one of my first purchases from my workshop and has remained a favourite ever since because the large flower images makes for easy cutting for a layering. Doesn't it look great in Concord Crush? Check out the gorgeous Antique Brads too.

project recipe
stamps: Petal Pizzazz (WM 115850), Heard from the Heart (WM 119167, CM 120006)
ink: Classic Stampin' Pad - Concord Crush (119785), Pumpkin Pie (105216), Pear Pizzazz (119784), Old Olive (102277)

card stock: Concord Crush (121691), Perfect Plum (108615), Whisper White (106549)
dsp: In Colour DSP Patterns Stack (117158)
fab tools: Heat Tool (106586), Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402), Paper Snips (103578)

fab factor: Antique Brads (117273),  5/8" Organza Ribbon (114319)
non SU: candle, glitter glue

 cardessence tips

• I highly recommend using the Paper Snips to cut out stamped images because the blades are so sharp and thin that you can cut right up to the blade's end without getting the angular "nick" on the card stock compared to just normal scissors;
• remember to leave a fine border around your cut outs to preserve the clear and even stamped images;
• I used Old Olive to stamp the greens on the candle as I felt that Pear Pizzazz was too light;

Happy stamping

Stampin' on Candles

I held a candle stamping workshop as a Thank You to the lovely ladies who helped me with the Stamp Your Heart Out fundraiser. Aren't they just so clever to put together their inspirations on candle? I am so proud of them - for their generous time and effort with the fundraiser and for producing these gorgeous masterpieces.

Would you like to learn how to stamp and embellish candles? Why not gather a few friends for an off the page class with me? Contact Me to organise a fun filled session.

Happy Stampin'

Create a Cupcake Purse

How's this for a clever idea using the Create a Cupcake stamp set and the Build a Cupcake punch from the current 2011 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue?

I swapped with Felicity Fernandez at Convention and until I received her swap card, I never thought beyond the "cupcake box" on how truly versatile the stamp set and punch were. Felicity's swap is one of my favourites from Convention and I was simply compelled to re-create it with only a colour change.


project recipe
stamps: Create a Cupcake (WM 123553, CM 121982), retired SU sentiment

ink: Blushing Bride (119786), Regal Rose (105211)

card stock: Blushing Bride (121690), Pear Pizzazz (121693), Whisper White (106549), A4 White Vellum (106584)
paper: In Colour DSP Patterns Stack (117158)

fab tools: Build a Cupcake Punch (121807), 1" Circle Punch (119868), 3/4" Circle Punch (119873), Big Shot (113439), Framed Tulips Embossing Folder (121809), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), 2-Way Glue (100425)
fab factor: 5/8" Organza Ribbon (114319), Basic Rhinestones (119246)

 cardessence tips

• stamp the 2 cupcake bases with BB on WW
• to punch out the straps, use the 3/4" circle punch first so that it is easier to "eyeball" and punch out a uniformed width "O" ring; it's also easier to hand a larger card stock than trying to gauge the centre of a 1" circle to get a uniformed "O" ring
• punch out 3 purse flaps with the 1" circle punch
• to assemble the purse, adhere the purse flaps with 2-way glue to the bottom of the cupcake base and trim before attaching the strap (don't trim the strap at all)
• pop dimensionals on the purses before adhering to the base mat for a layered 3d effect.

 Have fun!

Create a Cupcake

Here's the other card I demonstrated as a Make & Take at my 2011 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue party. This fun card was made in conjunction with the Build a Cupcake punch in colours that most little girls would absolutely love - pink and bright!

project recipe
stamps: Create a Cupcake (WM 123553, CM 121982)

ink: Pretty in Pink (101301), Melon Mambo (115656), Tempting Turquoise (100814)

card stock: Pretty in Pink (106568), Melon Mambo (119980), Pacific Point (116202), Whisper White (106549)

fab tools: Big Shot (113439), Build a Cupcake Punch (121807), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (119976), Sponge Daubers (101610), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), 2-Way Glue (100425)
fab factor: Dazzling Diamonds (102023)

 cardessence tips

• stamp WW card stock with hearts or flowers in PIP and MM inks before running it through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder - either emboss or deboss side up will look great;
• stamp cupcake bottoms in TT on WW card stock and punch out with Build a Cupcake punch;
• stamp the dots image on PIP cardstock and punch out cupcake top in PIP, daub edges with MM; spot glue the dots with 2-way glue on and sprinkle with Dazzling Diamonds;
• punch out candles and flame;
• adhere the cupcake top with dimensionals for a layered 3d effect.

 Thanks for stopping by

June Update

Well, how fast has the last few months flown. It already feels like we’ve had winter for the last 2 months and yet, June is the first month of winter. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I looked at our home inside-outside thermometer on Tuesday, 10 May - it was a mere 1.8°C which I now know is the coldest Melbourne day on record. Brrrrrrr….how cold is winter going to get?

What’s in store for June? Yes, Monday Zen is back and it will be held on the first Monday of every month. This is your opportunity to come over and start/finish your personal projects - BYO tools and materials. However, you are welcome to use my tools if you need to, purchase any materials and accessories as you need them (eg. 1sheet of card stock) and best of all, leave the cleaning up to me! Please be aware that this is not an organised class and a nominal fee of $5 applies. So, come on over and let's get crafty together.Anyone celebrating Christmas in July? If not, then maybe you would like to prepare for Christmas early. With this in mind, I have scheduled 2 classes for you.

Christmas in July Class





Tagged for Christmas

 June Events (held at 5 Alpine Court, Vermont South 3133)

Click my Events for more details. Please note that classes are limited to 8 people, all materials are supplied and precut but colours may vary. Alternatively, if you prefer to arrange with a group of your friends (min 4, max 8) to have your own private in-home classes, contact ME.

Don't forget the......

• Hostess Promotion: until 30 June, when you host a workshop with minimum sales of $450, you will qualify for the regular generous Hostess Benefits plus an additional $70 to spend on SU merchandise;
• 2011 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue: you still have until 31 July to place your orders as the merchandise from this catalogue may or may not return in the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue which will be out in September;
• Strength & Hope Promotion: until 31 July, when you purchase the Strength & Hope stamp set, Stampin’ Up! will donate $2 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation;

That’s all for now, Happy Crafting!