Another Reason to Smile

Today is the second last day for this promotion. I have enjoyed using this stamp set very much especially since I got it FREE. I am in a water colouring phase at the moment so here is one of my creations with this lovely set. There's still time to get your orders in so contact ME.

Water colouring takes practice but the end result is very satisfying indeed. To get the depth I wanted in my water colouring, I used my Aqua Painter and Stampin' Write Marker in the same colours. The SU Watercolor Paper is fantastic as I could watercolour many layers of ink to get the depth of colour I wanted without it pilling!

  

project recipe
stamps: Reason to Smile (WM 130826, CM130828), It's Your Day (WM 124988)
ink: Classic Stampin' Pad - Concord Crush (119785), Lucky Limeade (122935), Blushing Bride (119786), StazOn - Jet Black (101406) 

card stock: Concord Crush (106549), Very Vanilla (106550), Watercolor Paper (122959)

dsp: 2010-2011 In Color Paper Stack (117158)

tools: Big Shot (113439), Tasteful Trim (120893) , Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Set (123130)

the added pizzaz: Aqua Painter (103954), Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (116806), Hemp Twine (100982), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

cardessence tips

• for this card, I cut out the inside of the Designer Frame so that I could mount it over the Watercolor Paper with dimensionals - to give it a shadow box type look;
• stamp the images on the Watercolor Paper with the StazOn ink;
• to achieve the layered stamped images, mask the flower images as you stamp - post it notes are best used as stamping masks because they already have temporary adhesive edges;
• I used my Aqua Painter to pick up the the colours from my ink pads to colour my images - with the ink pads in the closed position, press the lid onto the pad to transfer the ink from the pad to the inside of the ink pad lid to make it easier to ink up the blender pen;
• be sure not to get your paper too soggy ie. allow for a bit of drying time after a few layers of watercolouring;
• use the marker to "dot" colour on directly for darker shades and blend in with the Aqua Painter;
• lastly, apply a light wash of the Shimmer Paint only on the coloured flowers to give them a bit of an X-factor;

I will post another watercoloured card (which I am particularly pleased with) soon, so pop back in a few days time. Until then,

have a great day

Glomesh Glamour



Priscilla 11

Here's something other than card news.

I have a very clever friend who upcycles genuine Glomesh bags. She's always loved Glomesh bags ever since she was a kid and now she has added more glamour to these wonderful handbags. The detail in her craftsmanship is exquisite.

If you love Glomesh bags and are looking for something unique, check out her gorgeous creations in her GloGlam etsy shop. Here are 3 of her beautiful upcycled Glomesh glamour bags!

Victoria 1





Rosalie 1







Reason to Smile

What's there to smile about in June in Victoria, Australia? Snow season! We go to Mount Baw Baw a few times every year for skiing and a frolic in the snow. We love it there because it's not as crowded as the popular snow fields like Mt Buller or Lake Mountain, and the accommodation and lift prices are very reasonable.

What else is there to smile about? The FREE Reason to Smile stamp set that you can earn from Stampin' Up! during June when you purchase $125 AUD of products. I earnt my set extremely easily since I'm addicted to all that SU has to offer. Here's the card I created with this set and my current favourite tools - the Labels Collection framelits, Adorning Accents edgelits and embossing folders, for the Big Shot.

There's only 2 weeks left to this promotion, so hurry and contact ME to get your orders in!

 project recipe
stamps: Reason to Smile (WM 130826, CM130828), Sincere Salutations (WM 116416)

ink: Classic Stampin' Pad - Marina Mist 119668), Pretty in Pink (101301), Blushing Bride (119786), Rose Red (101778), Lucky Limeade (122935), Daffodil Delight (119667), StazOn - Jet Black (101406)

card stock: Whisper White (106549), Marina Mist (121682), Blushing Bride (121690)

dsp: Twitterpated (125406)

tools: Big Shot (113439), Labels Collection Framelits Dies (125598), Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies (125595), Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Set (125601)

the added pizzaz: Blender Pen (102845), Crystal Effects (101055)

cardessence tips

• stamp the images on the Whisper White card stock label die cut with the StazOn ink;
• to achieve the layered stamped images, mask the flower images as you stamp - post it notes are best used as stamping masks because they already have temporary adhesive edges;
• I used my blender pen to pick up the the colours from my ink pads to colour my images - with the ink pads in the closed position, press the lid onto the pad to transfer the ink from the pad to the inside of the ink pad lid to make it easier to ink up the blender pen;
• apply a layer of Crystal Effects to the coloured flowers to give them a glossy and dimensioned effect;
• lastly, please watch this video tutorial by StampcrazyAlison on the best way to use the Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies and Textured Embossing Folders together.

keep smiling

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



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