Wednesday, May 16, 2012

First Communion Invitation Cards

I've been having all sorts of computer problems lately that I think it’s time for a new one. Hence, I've been unenthusiastic about blogging. However, I can't resist sharing with you the invitation cards I made for my eldest son's First Eucharist (Communion). I am so pleased with how it turned out but I must warn you that I used a retired Stampin' Up! set to achieve what I wanted. Everything else is new especially the gorgeous Designer Series Paper and Labels Framelits from the 2012 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue.

Don't they look fabulous? I used the Twitterpated DSP which is soft and feminine on one side and geometric and masculine on the other. I only used the Island Indigo and Basic Grey pieces for all the invitations.

 


















As you can see, these gatefold invitation cards are interlaced and locked in place with a set of nesting Labels Framelits die cuts so there is no need for ribbons or belly bands to hold them together. I also embossed the top most Labels Framelits die cut with the oval Designer Frames embossing folder - totally love this textured effect. Then, I cut out the dove and popped it on top with dimensionals so that it sits over the larger white frame as a catch to prevent the card popping open too easily. This extra measure is optional because the interlacing Labels die cuts work well in holding the folds together anyway as shown in the inset photo.

Here's what the inside of the invitation looks like. Instead of just stamping the Cross onto the card, I stamped it separately, cut it out and adhered onto the card with dimensionals. The flower on the left was stamped straight onto the card, coloured in with a blender pen and Stampin' Write Markers with Dazzling Diamond centres.


I am so pleased with this design and if you love it too, do leave me your comments. Here's the project recipe.

project recipe
stamps: Special Blessing (retired), flower from
Thanks for Caring (retired)
ink: Classic Stampin' Pad - Island Indigo (122937), Basic Grey (109120); Stampin' Write Markers - Island Indigo (123002), Basic Grey (120966)
card stock: Whisper White (106549),Island Indigo (124390), Basic Grey (121689)
dsp: Twitterpated (125406)
tools: Big Shot (113439), Labels Collection Framelits Dies (125598), Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Set (123130), Word Window ( 119857)
the added pizzaz: Blender Pen (102845), Dazzling Diamonds (102023)

cardessence tips
  • each A4 card stock sheet should give you 2 cards - firstly trim it so that it measures 8" wide then using your Simply Scored Scoring Tool, score at 2" down the longest length, turn it 180 degrees and score again at 2";
  • cut the card stock in half at its longest length;
  • when you fold your card, ensure that the centre edges are aligned and meet neatly in the middle ie. fold one flap first and force the other to meet up - use your bone folder to press and burnish the folds for a crisp neat fold;
  • use your 3 smallest Labels Framelits by nesting them evenly on Whisper White card stock and run it through the Big Shot - this will give you the outer Label frame and the smallest Label piece (top most layer) in a single run through the Big Shot;
  • run the card stock piece through the Big Shot with the 2nd smallest die followed by embossing with the oval Designer Frames folder;
  • adhere both Label pieces together with dimensionals;
  • adhere the frame (Whisper White) piece on the left first, and whilst keeping it in a folded position, adhere the Label piece by sitting it inside the frame piece - this will ensure that both sides are completely aligned;
  • lastly, adhere the dove.
happy stamping




Wednesday, April 4, 2012

2012 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue



1 April 2012 brings Stampin' Up! fans the new 2012 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue.  There are many, many new products in this catalogue and I love them all. The stamp sets are awesome but I really love the introduction of these new accessories:
  • Framelits, Edgelits and Embossing Folders for the Big Shot; 
  • Simply Scored Scoring Tool - including a metric plate; 
  • Scented Embossing Powders; 
  • Pleated Satin Ribbon in 4 great colours that are to die for;
  • 3 new Designer Series Paper;
  • New Designer Fabric;
  • Blossom Punch with a matching Mixed Bunch stamp set;
  • Jelly Bean Brads
  • In-Colour Bakers Twine 
I am excited about this catalogue as I love everything in it (the best catalogue since I became an SU demonstrator). Do contact me for your own personal and free copy. I am sure that as soon as you feast your eyes on it, you will want to place an order or learn more about how you can earn these products for free (anywhere in Australia). Can't wait to get your own copy, view it online by clicking on the image on the RHS of this page.

Have an awesome day

Friday, March 23, 2012

Fresh Vintage Sale-A-Bration

It’s been a while since I posted for which I am indeed sorry about. Much of my time and energy since the end of January was spent cheering and providing taxi service to my older son as he was heavily involved in swimming competitions for his club and school. Soaking in hot, humid and chlorinated air is quite energy sapping.

Nevertheless, I would like to share with you the Make & Take card which I showcased the Fresh Vintage stamp set. This is one of the FREE sets that you can choose during Sale-a-Bration. SAB ends on 31 March 2012 but there’s still time to place orders of $100 or more to earn fabulous SAB freebies.


I love this set as you can use it with many techniques and if you look at the SAB catalogue, you will find coordinating Designer Series Papers, Brads and Ribbon.

Here, I chose to use only one colour - clean and simple. See below for the project recipe.


project recipe
stamps: Fresh Vintage (WM 127082, CM125117), Teeny Tiny Sentiments (WM 119185, CM 120024)

ink: Classic Stampin' Pad - Blushing Bride (119786)
card stock: Blushing Bride (121690), Very Vanilla (106550)
tools: Big Shot (113439), Beautiful Butterflies (114507), Beautiful Wings (118138), Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder (119976), 1-1/4" Circle Punch (119861), Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch (122464), Word Window ( 119857)
the added pizzaz: 1/2" Blushing Bride Stitched-Poly Ribbon (119267), Basic Pearls (119247)

cardessence tips
  • run BB and VV card stock pieces through the Big Shot together to get the base and middle layer butterflies simultaneously with the Beautiful Butterflies die;
  • run the base layer butterfly with the embossing folder together with the Beautiful Wings embosslit die simultaneously (BB card stock pieces);
  • sponge all edges;
  • use the circle punch for the flower image as it will make adhering the Blossom Bouquet piece easier;
  • assemble the card with SNAIL, 2-Way Glue Pen, Multipurpose Liquid Glue and Stampin' Dimensionals.
happy stamping


Saturday, January 21, 2012

Red Chinese Lantern Card for Chinese New Year 2012

Red and Gold are traditional Chinese New Year colours. The color of Red in chinese culture usually means good luck and Gold symbolises wealth and happiness. Red lanterns are also symbolic in Chinese culture and festivals. Red lanterns are supposed to warn away evil spirits whilst expressing warmth, happiness and joy. Hence, when you send your friends Red and Gold Chinese New Year greeting cards with Red Lanterns, your cards will symbolise all these well wishes for them in the coming year. So here is another Red and Gold Red Lantern card to inspire you.

project recipe
stamps: Friends Never Fade (WM 121522, CM 120618), Teeny Tiny Sentiments (WM 119185, CM 120024), Baroque Border Standard Wheel (109675)
ink: Encore Gold Pad (retired)
card stock: Real Red (106578), Brushed Gold (124917))
tools: Modern Label Punch (119849), Word Window Punch (119857), Oval Punch L (119855), Oval Punch XL (119859),  Standard Handle (102971), Heat Tool (106587), Crimper (101618)
the added pizzaz: Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), gold tassel cord and beads

cardessence tips
  • Since the Encore Gold Pad is retired, I recommend using the Versa Mark Pad (102283) and emboss all images with the gold embossing powder;
  • use the oval punches for your lantern shapes followed by running the punch outs through the crimper.

Happy Chinese New Year

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

A-viary Happy Chinese New Year 2012

hAppY nEw yEAr everyone

I hope that all of you have had a Merry Christmas and celebrated the New Year with a bang. This year, I decided to be brave and convinced my husband to take our sons to the New Year's Eve Family Fireworks display in the city. And so we did, along with an estimated 50,000 Melbournians enjoyed an early evening of festivities and carnival extravaganza until 9.30pm when the skies exploded in a colourful display of fireworks.

It was a lot of fun, the weather was pleasant at 30-33'C with a light breeze and no mosquitoes or flies. We had caught the special New Year's Eve free train service to and from the city and the crowds were so very orderly. I was super impressed with all the organisation of the whole event by the City Council of Melbourne and the Melbourne Metro Train service - all which made our first New Year's Eve fireworks experience very enjoyable.


This year, Chinese all over the world will celebrate Chinese New Year - the Year of the Dragon, on 23 January 2012. With all the Christmas and New Year festivities over, it is time to focus on our Chinese New Year greetings.

For today's post, I'm resurrecting a card I made for CNY last year. Apart from Christmas, sending CNY greetings is the next most popular card giving event (that I know of). When Stampin' Up! released the Aviary SS in last year's Summer Mini Catalogue, I immediately saw the potential for using the bird cage images as Chinese Lanterns, particularly this one below.

The centre image is the primary Aviary SS image I used to create these 3 lanterns. I made the 2 smaller lanterns on each side of the larger one by cutting the lower portion out. I also hand made the tassels as I couldn't find retail tassels small enough to suit. Check out Nezumi World for easy tassel instructions. Here's the project recipe.

project recipe
stamps: Aviary (WM 122051, CM120452), Teeny Tiny Sentiments (WM 119185, CM 120024), Daisy Dash Jumbo Wheel (retired)
ink: Encore Gold Pad (retired)
card stock: Real Red (106578), Brushed Gold (124917))
tools: Modern Label Punch (119849), Word Window Punch (119857), Jumbo Handle (103661), Heat Tool (106587)
the added pizzaz: Crystal Effects (101055), Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), gold tassel cord


cardessence tips
  • since the Encore Gold Pad is retired, I recommend using the Versa Mark Pad (102283) and emboss all images with the gold embossing powder;
  • I recommend that you always apply Crystal Effects before cutting out the images because it is easier to hold on to larger pieces of CS than smaller ones.
happy stamping until next time