JAI #97 - Just Add Inspiration

Good Morning

This week at Just Add Ink the challenge is to use this photo I found in a Vogue, or maybe it was Harper's Bazzar I was flicking through whilst I was the hairdressers as inspiration for your creation.  (It will also explain the average photo as it was taken with my phone.)

Here it is

Of course, I fell in love with it, because, after all, it is an advert for Tiffany & Co, but I thought these little purses in such vibrant colours were just to die for.  Santa, if you're reading this, I would not be sad to see the pink one, or the blue one under our Christmas tree *wink*

I thought the colours in the photo looked very much along the lines of Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Melon Mambo and Lucky Limeade, so they are the colours, along with a bit of silver that I have chosen to work with. 

And this is what I came up with

I cannot tell you how many versions of this I went through to eventually end up using this 'test' piece.  I tried it using my treasured textured Whisper White, with the Melon Mambo stamped off once, with it at full strength,with the Poppy Parade being brushed on using a marker, with the Poppy Parade being rock'n'rolled, with it being stamped on watercolour paper, with it being spritzed with water on watercolour paper, with 3 spritzes not being enough and 4 being too many - OMG it just went on & on & on.  In the end, I chose this one that was on plain Whisper White, with the Melon Mambo being stamped off once and the Poppy Parade being rock'n'rolled on.  The sentiment is from the same set and was stamped in Encore Silver and embossed with Silver embossing powder.  This should have taken 15 - 20 mins max, instead of the nearly 1-1/2 hours it actually did.

I hope you enjoy this inspiration photo and look forward to seeing your creations.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team have come up with too.  As usual, lots of beautiful creations to inspire you.

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful weekend

Supplies Used:  Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted
Stamps:  Botanical Silhouettes (PTI Anniversary set)
Ink:  Melon Mambo, Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Encore Silver (retired by SU! but probably still available elsewhere)
Cardstock:  Whisper White,. Pool Party
Accessories:  Silver embossing powder, Heat Tool, dimensionals

JAI #87 Colour Challenge

This week at Just Add Ink, we have a colour challenge using a couple of the new In Colours - here they are

I must admit, the last few weeks I've been suffering from a lack of inspiration and this week was no exception.   I really had no idea of what I was going to do with these pretty colours until I came across some sketches I downloaded from PaperCrafts Magazine - I think they were the basis for their Card Ideas for Paper Crafters edition, but I can't find the link for where I downloaded and printed them out from now, sorry.

Anyway, this is what I came up with

It's a little embarrassing to admit it took me 4 goes to get this right.  First of all, I couldn't decide on the layout of the stripes, then once I decided on the layout, I couldn't remember what lines I was using to get the spacing right and then I put a great big finger print on one.  Anywhoo, this one turned out OK, so I quickly mounted it onto the card base before my son could cut it up - he was 'helping' in the studio and chopping everything he could find into teeny, tiny pieces.

I cut the banner using my Petal Cone die, I like how it is overhanging the edges of the card, I've seen it done before but never tried it myself.

Well, that's it from me today.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team have come up with - there a lots of absolutely gorgeous creations to spark your creativity.

Thanks for visiting and enjoy your weekend.  Hope your team wins!

Supplies Used:

Stamps:  Faux Ribbon, Birthday Basics (PTI Ink)

Ink:  Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake (SU!)

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Crumb Cake (SU!)

Accessories:  Petal Cone die, Big Shot , Linen Thread, dimensionals (SU!), Buttons (PTI)

JAI 85 - Just Add Baby

OH MY GOODNESS, I was just preparing my post for tomorrow's Just Add Ink Challenge, and I've come across this, which I have totally forgotten about.  I started the post but never got around to finishing it. Oh dear, have a lot going on at the moment.  Sorry.

This week at Just Add Ink, Patrice challenged us to Just Add Baby.  I must admit that this week I have had so much going on and have felt so tired that I just didn't get around to creating something brand spanking new, so I have cheated just a little *blush*

The card that I have to show you today is the card I made for my friend Felicity's baby shower, but as I haven't shown it on my blog, I thought I would use it for this challenge

I stamped my Fox & Friends in Riding Hood Red, Baja Blue, So Saffron and Sahara Sand Craft Ink and embossed them using a clear pearl embossing powder that I've had in my stash for ages and absolutely love.  I love how it has given them a nice, soft feel.  The sentiment is from an old SAB set - one of my favourites.

I have embossed the front of the card using my Polka dots embossing folder on the 'wrong' side so the dots are debossed rather than embossed.

Supplies Used:  All Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

Stamps:  Fox & Friends, Congrats (retired)

Ink:  Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Sahara Sand Craft Ink

Card Stock:  Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot, Polka Dot embossing folder, Heat Gun, Corner Rounder (retired), dimensionals, Pearl Embossing Powder (from stash)

New Baby

Friends of ours had a baby a couple of weeks ago, this is the card that I made for her.

I've used some items that are now available in the new SU! catalogue.  I've stamped the pennants using Pretty In Pink ink and punched them out with the Petite Pennants punch.  The letters and sentiment were stamped in Versamark and embossed with Melon Mambo embossing powder.  These were punched out using the 1/2" RD punch.

For the background, I added some of the Bigshot Adhesive sheets to the back of Whisper White cardstock and then punched them using the Lace Ribbon punch.  I'm still not sure if I'd recommend this method to others as my punch didn't really seem to appreciate that very thin extra layer of glue and backing paper but it did make it a cinch to adhere to the card.

This card is a bit bigger than normal, from memory I think it was 21 x 20 cm with the 20 cm side being folded at 10 cm.  I can tell you that it fits into a DL sized envelope though.  And as extra long as this card is, I still couldn't fit the name William on, so Flickity Flick, young William will have to wait a bit longer for his welcome to the world card whilst I try to come up with another idea!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Supplies Used:  (All Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted)

Stamps:  Pennant Parade, Fresh Alphabet (PTI), Welcome Littel One (Stamp A Rosa - I think, it's very old)

Ink:  Pretty In Pink, Versamark

Cardstock:  Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot Adhesive Sheets, Ribbon Lace Punch, Petite Pennants Punch, 1/2" RD Punch, Melon Mambo embossing powder, Heat Tool, Bakers Twine

Another Sneak Peek

Here is another sneak peak of some of the new 2011 - 2013 In Colours.

In this card, which is basically a CASE of this card by Julie Buhler, I've used Pool Party and Island Indigo. I've inked up my clear blocks to create the background (again), and I've stamped the splodge from Extreme Elements in Going Gray. The guitarist was stamped in Versamark and embossing with Black EP. The sentiment is from PTI, and is one of my favourites!   Oh, the white layer is popped up on dimensionals.

Only a couple of weeks now until the new catalogue goes live - I can't wait - what about you????

I had something else written here and then my laptop went beserk (as it often does, it's very annoying) and deleted it.  I can't remember what I had written, so I'll just leave it at that, lol!

Thanks for visiting

Supplies Used:  All Stampin' Up! unless noted otherwise.
Stamps:  Extreme Elements, Extreme Guitar, Birthday Basics (PTI)
Ink:  Versamark, Going Gray (retired), Pool Party, Island Indigo (available September 1)
Cardstock:  Whisper White Textured, Island Indigo
Accessories:  Black Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool

JAI #80 - Sketch Challenge

Hello

It's Friday (YAY!!) and that means it challenge time over at JAI.  This week we have a sketch challenge, brought to you by Bron, check it out

Bron originally called it a Pocket Card with a flourish, and this is my interpretation of it

I've made some packaging for a little block of chocolate.

I must admit, I'm quite proud of this because I made the packaging all by myself, based off a little box of complimentary mints I received at one of our Regional seminars.  It was a lot easier than I thought, and it took me less time to make the box than it did to stamp it, which isn't that suprising when you look at the quality of stamping here.  Not the best, I must say.  A lot of the credit has to go to my score board though, it made it super easy.

Do you like the colour of the cardstock  - it's the new In Colour, Wisteria Wonder.  I think it's gorgeous.  Do you like the stamp I've used??  That is the new Parlour Prints background stamp that will be available to purchase on September 1, 2011.  I've stamped it in Versamark and embossed using clear embossing powder

The sentiment is from Just Believe and has been stamped in Wisteria Wonder.  So are you excited to see what else is coming up in the new Stampin' Up! catalog - not long to wait now!

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team have come up with, lots of gorgeous inspiration for you!

Thanks for visiting

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Just Believe, Parlour Prints (available September 1, 2011)
Ink:  Versamark, Wisteria Wonder (available September 1, 2011)
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder (available September 1, 2011)
Accessories:  Heat Gun, Clear Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy (yes, really!), Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch (well, that's what I call it anyway), Vintage Brads, Bakers Twine, Sticky Strip, Martha Stewart Score Board

Last Convention Make & Take

As promised, just a 'few' weeks ago now, here is another of the Make & Takes we did at the 2011 Stampin' Up! Convention.

Mine is a little different to most as the sample card had the Old Olive cardstock crimped and distressed with Early Espresso ink.  Here's where I admit that I'm not really a fan of the 'crimped' look - I think it's because it brings back too many memories of BAD 80's hair and associated fashions.  Anyhoo, I decided not to crimp and I'm SO glad I did because I just love how this has turned out.  I can't remember the exact dimensions of the card, except to say that it fits into the Small Open End Envelopes.

The card base and the piece the butterfly is stamped on is Natural Ivory cardstock, the Early Espresso scalloped border was punched using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch* and cut in half.  The butterfly was coloured with Not Quite Navy, Old Olive and Early Espress markers and it, along with the swirl can be found in the Creative Elements* set.  The sentiment is from the It's Your Day set*.  It's Your Day coordinates with the Great Day Simply Sent kit which we were all given during convention.  I'm yet to actually crack that open - no real surprise there though :)

Thanks for visiting, I'll be back to show you a card that I entered into the 2011 Papercrafts Gallery Idol competition.  I didn't make the cut, which is not suprising since there were SO many fabulous creations, but I love how the card turned out anyway.

Hope you have great day, thanks for visiting

Supplies Used:  (All Stampin' Up!)

Stamps:  Creative Elements, It's Your Day * (available for purchase September 1, 2011)

Ink:  Old Olive, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso markers

Cardstock:  Naturals Ivory, Old Olive, Early Espresso

Accessories:  Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch * (available for purchase September 1, 2011), dimensionals

JAI #72 - Just Add Colouring

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is to Just Add Colouring - either using markers, inks, blender pens, aqua painters etc, etc, etc.  I've been dreading this one cause I'm not all that good at colouring, a fact that is evident by the amount of solid stamps I have in my collection :)

Anyway, after much deliberation and at least one other attempt that met the round file, this is what I managed to come up with.

I really wasn't sure where to start so I just stamped a few of the daisies onto the watercolour paper and started colouring.  The placement of the daisies is very similar to the M&T that we did at our  Regional Seminar last November - I have used different colours though!  Once I was finished, I had to decide how I was going to finish it off, so I turned to my trusty layout folder and picked this one from CAS.  The sentiment is from the retired A Little Birthday Cheer which has been embossed with Black Sparkle embossing powder.  In the end, I'm quite happy how this has turned out (just don't look at how many times I've gone out of the lines *ooops*)

Make sure you check out what the rest of the Design Team has come up with - some gorgeous creations for your inspiration :)

Thanks for visiting

Supplies Used:  (All Stampin' Up! unless noted otherwise)
Stamps:  Every Moment, A Little Birthday Cheer (I think - retired)
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Watercolour Paper, Vellum
Ink:  Black Staz On, Versamark, Old Olive, So Saffron, Peach Parfait, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Soft Suede
Accessories:  Heat Gun, Black Brads, 1/16" punch, Black Sparkle Embossing Powder (American Crafts), Dimensionals

JAI #70 - Sketch Challenge

This week at JAI it's a sketch challenge. 

To start with, I was a bit stumped as to what to do for this since I don't have the Scallop Circle die yet.  I was going to drag out my Circle Scissor Plus, (I did do that eventually anyway) but then I had another idea.

This is what I came up with

The doily I picked up from the party supply shop across the road from my work.  The rest came together quite quickly, suprisingly enough.  I have embossed the base using an old Cuttlebug embossing folder.  Because the card measures 5" x 5" I had to run it through twice.  There must be a trick to that which I am not aware of because I ended up with a bit of a line in it.  Luckily that doily was big enough to cover it up, lol!  The sentiment is from the L3 Hostess Set, Occassional Quotes and has been stamped in versamark and embossed with Silver Sparkle embossing powder that I have had in my stash forever!

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team have come up with.  There are some absolutely spectacular project for your viewing pleasure :)

Thanks for visiting

Supplies Used: (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps:  Occasional Quotes
Ink:  Versamark
Cardstock:  Whisper White
Accessories:  Big Shot, Embossing Buddy, Circle Scissor Plus, Heat Tool, Embossing Folder (non SU!), Silver Sparkle embossing powder (non SU!), paper doily (non SU!)

Convention 2011 - Warning Sneak Peeks Ahead

Our Annual Stampin' Up! Convention was held just a few weeks ago.  I've been meaning to do an update but since there was a lot of stuff I was unable to share until June 1, I decided to wait until now.  This year Convention was 3 days, instead of just two, which meant we got to do some extra activities, such as the Pen, Pad, Marker - more on that a bit later *hint*.  Whilst I loved that it was 3 days, I still felt the time just whizzed by, there were a heap of people that I saw in passing but just never got around to speaking to because we just seemed to be continually moving from one thing to the next.

On Registration day we were very excited to find out what our Make & Take sets were going to be and they did not disappoint :).  We received the Creative Elements and It's Your Day sets and our Make & Takes were absolutely gorgeous.  I've only completed 3 out of the 4 and have only edited 2 of the 3 photos of them, so I will have to add the others in a later post.  Here is one of them - the No. 3 Card.

The floral image, the long frame (behind the floral piece) and the No. 3 are from the Creative Elements set.  This is a set of 8 and all of the samples I have show all of the stamps.  The floral image has been covered in Champagne Shimmer mist - the sample only had it on the flower but I didn't like how I went over the lines using the sponge dauber so I cover the whole lot!  As you can see, the M&T included SEAM BINDING so I am guessing that it will also be included in the new catalogue.  Just a head's up - start saving now ladies - all of the things we saw at Convention are absolutely gorgeous - you are going to want it all.

This is the second Make & Take I did - the Treat Yourself 6x6 Scrapbook page.  My friend Bron took a photo of me showing off the No. 3 card during our M&T session and I've cropped it down to finish off this page.  Convention is the ONLY time I ever complete scrapbook pages of myself, which is kind of funny, probably cause it's the only time I'm in the photos instead of taking them.

Again, all of the stamps are from Creative Elements, the big floral swirl, the long frame, the border and the sentiment which reads 'Treat Yourself Like You Own Best Company'.  Again, more SEAM BINDING (yay).  Also that Not Quite Navy scallop border hidden under the Old Olive flag was made using the RIBBON BORDER punch (yay - been waiting for that one).

Here are some more samples of the Creative Elements set from the display boards.

I really love the colour palette of this one.  The Butterfly is from Creative Elements.

The 'Create' is the 8th image in the Creative Elements set.  (And oops, I've cut the ribbon off from the side)

This one is pretty.  The flower has been popped up on dimensionals, but you could cut the flower into many layers to get a multi layer effect.

I really love this one, love the effect of the colouring of the flourish/swirl and the addition of the punched flowers.  Colour palette is very pretty too!

The M&T that I haven't finished yet uses the PETAL CONE DIE, another item I have been hanging out for. 

We were also told that our Demo pre-order will include more Christmas stamps so we can get a head start planning for workshops, making cards etc., so that was super cool. We were shown samples of 2 of the sets, but I'll have to do a separate post for those as I haven't edited the photos yet of the samples Shannon shared with us.  I can tell you that one of the sets will be Tags for Christmas, which was featured in the US Holiday mini which I won, along with the Tulips Embossing folder in the very first Prize Patrol - yay - that's 2 years in a row for me  - how lucky am I???
As I mentioned earlier, one of the activities we got to do was the Pen, Pad, Marker.  This is where you make samplers showing all the SU! colours of cardstock, marker and ink.  Kim & I didn't think we'd have enough time to complete it as we had a lunch date with the rest of the JAI girsl but when Nikki told us that it included the NEW 2011/2013 IN COLOURS we took one look at each other and hightailed it back upstairs.

So here it is, what you've all been waiting for - the 2011/2013 In Colours -

I LOVE them all and can't wait till our Demo pre-order in August.  As I've been typing this up, I've realised that my top in my M&T photo is very similar to Calypso Coral :)  I've also realised that we received a HEAP of information, so I apologise now as the blog posts will probably be all over the shop as I remember things.

I hope you have enjoyed all of these sneak peeks - honestly we saw SO many beautiful, beautiful things, I CANNOT wait for this new catalogue.  I've got a feeling it's going to be the best yet!  Hopefully I'll be able to update with some more convention info over the next few weeks (being honest here, lol)

Cheers

JAI #66 - Just Add Flowers

Hello, wow Friday has come around quickly this week!  The challenge at JAI this week is to Add a Flower.  The inspiration for my first item came from my umbrella which I got a couple of years ago at the Stampin' Up! convention held in Canberra.  Surprise, surprise that it was raining in Melbourne last week and when I put my umbrella up, it reminded me that I had meant to make something based on it.  So here we are, nearly 2 years later

Another Petal Cone box, however this one I hand cut by tracing around another my friend had sent me.  I did change the colours up a bit, though.  Here I've used Pink Pirouette, Going Gray and Baja Breeze cause I needed to use the pre-cut scallop 1/2 circles I was given to help disguise the slightly dodgy cutting.  I also wanted to add a flower to the top but I couldn't work out how it would close so I dug out my Crop-O-Dile, that I have used just twice to add some eyelets and used a piece of Pretty In Pink tafetta ribbon to close it.

And then, instead of keeping my spare to use as a pattern, I decided to make that one up too!

This one was cut from Melon Mambo and also has Pink Pirouette scallop circles.  The edging is from the Ice Cream Parlour DSP & Quick Accents SAB pack (US/CAN only) and the ribbon is from the Ice Cream Parlour Ribbon & Buttons SAB pack (US/CAN only).  My friend looks after me so well, sending me extras she had earnt.  The Pom Pom Trim is from the current Australian Autumn/Winter mini catalogue.  Boy, the Crop-O-Dile had its biggest work out of its life, adding more eyelets for the ribbon closure.  It's the most it's been used since I got it 3 or so years ago *blush*.

Cute, hey?  I think I'll fill them with some choccies for the Nana's for Mother's Day!

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team have come up with, there's some gorgeous inspiration for you.

Have a great day and thanks for visiting!

Supplies Used:  All SU! unless otherwise noted

Stamps:  Fifth Avenue Floral
Ink:  Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, Going Grey (retired - why, SU! this is such a pretty colour)
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo
Accessories:  Petal Cone Die (US/CAN only), Big Shot, Scoring Board, Sticky Strip, Tombo Mono Multi, Crop-O-Dile, Pretty In Pink Tafetta ribbon (possibly retired), Melon Mambo Pom Pom Trim, Ice Cream Parlour DSP & Quick Accents, Ice Cream Parlour Ribbon (US/CAN SAB), eyelets from stash of stuff

JAI #60 - Colour Challenge

There's a new challenge at JAI today - this week it's a colour challenge.  Colours that I like on their own and which look really good together also.  They are Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Whisper White and Crumb Cake

I based my card on this sketch I found over at Clean & Simple.  This is what I ended up with.

The oval panel was white, however I got a little excited when using the Tea Stain distressing ink and ended up covering more than I intended.  Never mind, I'm happy with the way it turned out.  I did find adding a sentiment a little hard.  I tried a few differnt things before settling on the 3 tiny tags.  I was also going to use the Very Vintage wheel on the base except I forgot and I stuck the DSP down before I remembered.  Ooops.

Well, I'd best be off - we're heading off to Loch Sport today for our friends 'Shinding' and I have to finish packing.

Have a great weekend and thanks for visiting.

Supplies Used - All Stampin' Up! unless specified otherwise
Stamps:  Tiny Tags, Life (PTI)
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive - Markers & Ink, Tea Stain, Mahogany (from Distressing Kit)
Cardstock:  Whisper White textured, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry DSP (from Brights collection)
Accessories:  Linen Thread, Jewelry Tag punch, Scallop Trim Border, Oval die, BigShot

JAI #54 - Colour Challenge

This week at Just Add Ink we've got a colour challenge -  Early Expresso, Soft Suede, Regal Rose and Rose Red - a colour combo that I've never used but is very, very pretty.

This week my card (notice they're always cards, don't want to get too carried away and do some scrapbooking or something 3D *smile*) had to do double duty - the challenge and actually be USED - I know, I can hear you all hitting the dirt as you faint from the shock of it, lol!  I am a S - L - O - W crafter, if I get something finished in one night, I'm doing well.  In an effort to get more organised, I have put almost everyone's birthday into my new iPhone, which is all well and good, except for the fact can now see I have to make A LOT of cards over the next few weeks *eek*

Anyway, enough of the rambling, this is what I made for my friend Felicity's birthday, which is today (Happy Birthday chickie).


I used my Soft Suede, Regal Rose and Rose Red markers to ink up floral frame from Just Believe and stamped it onto Naturals Ivory cardstock oval, which I cut using my Ovals die.  I then inked up the image again in Early Expresso ink and stamped it onto a scrap, added the sentiment and cut just the frame portion out and adhered it over the coloured image.  It's a bit hard to tell, but I've spritzed with with some Champage Simmer Mist (I need to add more paint to this mixture - it's not quite sparkly enough) and then added some Tea Stain and Mahogany ink (from the Distressing Kit) to the edges.  I've also inked the edges of the DSP using Rose Red ink and there's a couple of teeny, tiny pearls on the Regal Rose flowers.  The crochet trim can be found in the Summer Mini.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team have come up with, all gorgeous as usual.

Catch you later.   Thanks for visiting

Supplies Used:  All SU! unless otherwise noted

Stamps:  Just Believe

Cardstock:  Naturals Ivory, Rose Red Designer Series Paper (from Subtles collection)

Ink:  Early Express, Rose Red Ink; Soft Suede, Regal Rose and Rose Red Stampin' Write Markers

Accessories:  Oval die, Bigshot, Victoria Crochet Trim, Champagne Shimmer Paint, Distressing Kit, Sponges, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals

JAI #53 - Just Add Inspriation/Add A Burst of Colour

or if' you're like me, just do whatever!  It's safe to say that I did not properly read or understand the DT challenge at JAI this week.  We were given this beautiful photo with the description 'Just Add Inspiration - Add a Burst of Colour'.

Now, I did give this photo a glace - yep, bright yellow but as you can see from what I made, the bright colour was the only thing I took from this photo. *smacks forehead.  This is what I made

When I read  'Bursts of Colour', I immediately thought of black, white, with a bit of something bright to really pop!  Then I was reading Cath's Moxie Fab World blog and there was a colour challenge of black, white, bright pink and orange.  Perfect!  What stamps should I use - lightbulb - Avairy.

Then it went downhill a bit.  The stands for the birdcages ended up being a bit low in the end and not quite as evenly spaced as I would have liked.  I should have started again at that point but I had stuck that ruffled ribbon down and it was stuck good & proper and I didn't think it would withstand another move around on the card before totally unravelling.  I thought there was a bit too much white space at the top so I added a couple of score lines - oops, bad move - we'll fix that by adding a little more ruffled ribbon and some bling to blind anyone looking too close!

Well, must dash.  I've got the grocery & meat shopping to put away before I start the ironing (fun day, hey?)

I'm looking foward to seeing your creations this week.  Don't forget to check out the great creations the other DT girls have come up with - just beautiful!

Thanks for visiting!

Supplies Used:  All SU! except where noted
Stamps:  Aviary, Occassional Quotes
Ink:  Black Staz On, Regal Rose, Peach Parfait
Cardstock:  Whisper White
Accessories:  Basic Rhinestone Jewels, SAMJ, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Modern Label Extra Large Punch, Hibiscus Burst Satin Ribbon (PTI)

Songs I listed to whilst blogging (and eating my lunch):  Telephone - Lady Gaga & Beyonce, 17 - Ladytron, Fantastic Voyage - Lakeside, Immagination - Laura Branigan, Immigrant Song - Led Lepplin (yes, in the L's on iTunes)

JAI # 51 - Just Add Monochrome

OMG, where is my head at this week????  Can't believe I nearly forgot to post this.

Anyway, this week the challenge at Just Add Ink is Just Add Monochrome.   This is what I made

I must admit, I have made this card before, but I've never gotten around to sharing here.  So when my original idea didn't work out the way it did in my head, I resorted to what I knew would work!

I have stamped the swirl from Baroque Motifs 3 times with Versamark and then embossed with some embossing powder that I have had in my stash for ever.  I don't have a lot of it left so I am quite stingy when I use it as it looks so pretty on Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is from an old SAB set from a couple of years ago.  And yes, it is on crooked. *aaargh* - didn't notice until it was way, way too late.

Normally I make this as single layer card but this time I thought I'd  mix it up a bit and make an additional layer.  The card base is 5" SQ and the layer is a 1/4" smaller (I think).  Both the layer and the senitment are popped up on dimensionals.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team have done, all gorgeous as usual.

Well, that's it from me for tonight.  Thanks for visiting :)

Supplies Used:  All Stampin' Up! except where noted
Stamps:  Baroque Motifs, Congrats
Ink:  Versamark
Cardstock:  Very Vanilla
Accessories:  Heat Gun, Embossing Buddy, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Dimensionals, Pearl White Embossing Powder (Inky Pinky)

JAI #50 - Colour Combo

This week at JAI it's a colour challenge

When faced with a colour challenge, I like to gather all my colours together to see what they look like together.  These were kind of floral colours to me, so I started pulling out stamp sets I thought would look good, when I came across Cheep Talk.  Bingo, just what I was looking for and this is what I made

I took a bit of inspiration from Felicity's Christmas card with the ribbon treatment, and I was pleased to use another stamp set for the first time :).  It's a bit hard to tell but the little bird is popped up on a dimensional as is the sentiment.

Well, that's it from me today.  Finally, it appears we are getting some warm weather, typical when I have to return to work on Monday :(  Hope you have a wonderful day and weekend.

Supplies Used:  All Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted
Stamps:  Cheep Talk, Hello Again
Ink:  So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red
Cardstock:  Elegant Eggplant, Very Vanilla, So Saffron
Accessories:  Riding Hood Red Striped Ribbon (retired), Linen Thread, Bigshot, Cloud Die and purple button (Papertrey Ink)

Quick Thank Yous

Well, that ended up being a longer than expected break.  Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year.

Unfortunately the New Year didn't start as I would have liked and I've made up a few thank you cards for those who helped me out on Sunday morning.

These first two will be for the lovely nurse at Mitcham  Private (whose name I didn't get) and for the radiographer who copped a call at 9.00 am on a Sunday asking her to come in. 

Same design, both use papers from on old Basic Grey 6x6" pad (Sultry maybe).  Sentiment is from SU!, stamped in Cherry Cobbler Craft ink and embossed with Clear EP and punched out using the 1-3/4" punch.  This has been added to Papertrey Ink's Mat Stack 2, cut from Cherry Cobbler cardstock and embellished with a couple of Kaiser Pearls.

This last one is for my Doctor.  I'm pretty sure I woke him up when I rang his message service at 7.00 am.  I'm very thankful he was able to see me as early as he did.

Again, same design as before, paper from a different Basic Grey 6x6" pad (Mellow maybe?).  The sentiment has been stamped in Papertrey's Orange Burst pigment ink as I couldn't get a good impression with  my SU! Pumpkin Pie craft cube - it seems to be a bit dry.  It looked a bit 'clean' so I 'dirtied' it up to match the paper using SU!'s distressing kit - Tea Stain and Charcoal inks.  The mat was cut from Kiwi Kiss cardstock using Papertrey's Limitless Layers and has been distressing with the Tea Stain ink.  It's a little different but I like how it's turned out.

Thanks for visiting.  I'll be back later in the week with my JAI DT submission.

Supplies - SU! unless specified otherwise

Card 1 & 2
Stamps:  Elegant Thank You
Cardstock:  Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, DSP - Basic Grey
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler Craft
Accessories:  1-3/4" RD Punch, Big Shot, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Mat Stack 2 die - Papertrey Ink, Pearls - Kaiser

Card 3
Stamps: Elegant Thank You
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss (retired), Very Vanilla, DSP - Basic Grey
Ink: Orange Burst - Papertrey Ink
Accessories: 1-3/4" RD Punch, Big Shot, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Distressing Kit - Tea Stain & Charcoal ink, Limitless Layers - Papertrey Ink

Just Add Ink Swap Hop

We recently had a card swap at Just Add Ink... If you haven't come across it before, a swap is where all participants make multiple copies of one card design and send them off to the rest of the group. What you end up with is a copy of everyone's cards, but you've only had to design one! So we thought we'd share them with you all on a Swap (Blog) Hop!

Here are a few details about what's happening... There are 14 stops on our Swap Hop (Just Add Ink and each of our 13 Design Team members), but the hop is set up in a loop so it doesn't matter where you start. All you need to do to follow along is click the Swap Hop button at the end of each post and you'll be taken to the next stop! The great part of that is that you can do the Swap Hop whenever you want.

I decided to do a masculine themed swap - having so many males in the family it is something that I have to do often, so I'm comfortable with it.  I pulled out some of my new sets from the IB&C - Extreme Elements and Extreme Surfboard.

Here it is

I chose my colours based on the ocean, Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy, Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi and Early Espresso - OK, well maybe EE is not an 'ocean' colour but it went well with the others.  I stamped all the background elements first and the stamped the surfer in VersaMark and embossed with White Embossing Powder.  The sentiment is from Upsy Daisy - sometimes to you have to go searching through your 'girly' sets to find the right 'manly' sentiment - the font is the key - no swirly fonts for the men in my family, lol!

This is quite an easy card, the main panel is attached to EE card with dimensionals and the sentiment is also attached using dimensionals.  Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy.

I hope you and the DT girls liked my swap - it got the 'thumbs up' from my other half, so that's always good *smile*

Next stop on the Hop is Kim's.  Enjoy!




 
 

Supplies Used:

Stamps:  Extreme Elements, Extreme Surfboard, Upsy Daisy

Ink:  Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi, VersaMark

Cardstock:  Sahara Sand, Early Espresso

Accessories:  Heat Gun, Embossing Buddy, White Embossing Powder, Dimensionals

Melbourne Regionals Swap & M&T #1

Last weekend we had our Stampin' Up! Regional Event in Melbourne.  I managed to get a few swaps made up for the occasion.  This is what I made, based on something I saw in an upcoming US publication.

The Vanilla layer has been embossed using the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and then spritzed with Frost White Shimmer Paint mist that I made up.  I've also used some of the Newsprint DSP, the sentiment is from Perfect Punches and has been embossed using Clear Embossing powder and punched out with the Scalloped Oval punch.  I tried a new technique - ruffled ribbon - which took a while to get the hang of, and used one of the tools from the Distressing Kit to 'dog ear' the top corner.

During Regionals, we get to hear all sort of great business tips and see some great project ideas.  We also get to do Make & Takes.  This year the M&T's were 'beefed' up a bit, which was really, really good but it also meant that I only got 1 out of the 4 finished :)   I decided to do this one first, because it used the Colour Spritzing Tool, which I don't have (yet).

Isn't it pretty?  I was really pleased with the way it turned out but the staff at the Convention Centre may have thought otherwise since I mangaged to get quite a bit of Soft Suede spritz all over their very nice white table cloths.  Ooops.  1 down, 3 to go!

Supplies Used:
Regional Swap
Stamps:  Perfect Punches
Ink:  Basic Black, Versamark
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Newsprint DSP
Accessories:  Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Big Shot, Scallop Oval punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Old Olive Satin ribbon, Distressing Kit, Frost White Shimmer Paint (as mist), Sticky Strip, Dimensionals


Make & Take #1
Stamps:  Every Moment
Ink:  Soft Suede, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Black StazOn, Soft Suede marker
Cardstock:  Soft Suede Textured, Naturals Ivory, Water Colour, Old Olive
Accessories:  Aquapainter, Scallop Edge punch, Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta ribbon, Daffodil Delight 3/8 Taffeta ribbon, Basic Pearl, Clip Assortment

JAI #44 - Colour Challenge

This weeks it's a colour challenge at Just Add Ink and these are the colours we working with

They are such earthy colours and totally remind me of the National Parks and forests that are so close to our house.  This is what I made

I've used a new set - Growing Green.  As soon as I saw the colours, I knew I wanted to use this set.  I've stamped the Maiden Hair Fern (at least that's what I think it is) in Wild Wasabi and clear embossed on watercolour paper.  Then I watercoloured the leaves using Wild Wasabi ink and my aquapainter.  To disguise my dodgy watercolouring, I've given the whole thing a spritz with Frost White Shimmer Paint Mist.  (If you enlarge the photo, you should be able to see the shimmer)

The sentiment, from Occasional Quotes (L3 Hostess) is also stamped on watercolour paper using Chocolate Chip ink.  I punched it out using my new Modern Label punch and added a couple more of those teeny tiny pearls on either side of the sentiment.  The DSP is River Rock from the Neutrals paper pack and the ribbon is retired.

To make the shimmer paint mist, I got a few little spray bottles from Hairhouse Warehouse, dropped in a bit of paint and then filled the bottle with Isocol Rubbing Alcohol.  My mist was quite a light mixture as I wanted a very subtle effect on my Regional swap.  I have now added a bit more paint to make it a little stronger.  Here's a photo to show you what it looks like.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team's brilliant creations and I look forward to seeing you creations  using this colour combo!

Supplies Used:  All Stampin' Up!
Stamps:  Growing Green, Occasional Quotes
Ink:  Wild Wasabi , Versamark, Chocolate Chip
Cardstock:  Chocolate Chip, Watercolour Paper, River Rock DSP
Accessories:  Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Aquapainter, Corner Rounder (retired), Basic Pearls, Modern Label punch, Frost White Shimmer paint (as mist - shown above), Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon (retired), Dimensionals