Creative Elements with Mocha Morning

I love the new specialty DSP Mocha Morning, I think because it is textured and gives so much more dimension to a project without really having to do anything special to it. I decided to participate in the December Craft Project Central card sketch, the sketch is here (turns out I was too late to play along - but ohh well there's always next time, although I only got time as I was on holiday so maybe next Christmas I'll get to play along again!)

and my contribution is here:

and a close up so you can see the layering of the flower and the butterfly

Stamps: Creative Elements
Ink: Black Stazon, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake
Card stock: Mocha Morning DSP, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Dimensionals, stamping sponge, Antique brads, blender pen, 1/16" handheld punch.

Merry Christmas - Secret Santa

We had our demonstrator Christmas dinner this week and as part of it we did a secret Santa swap. I made my gift using no ink or stamps (bit scandalous I know!), but I did use the new petal cone die and created a Santa and Christmas tree and filled them full of Lindt chocolates. I loved how the tree gave me the opportunity to use up lots of little scrap pieces of green card stock and also silver glimmer paper (not that the recipient wasn't worthy of me cutting up new sheets of card stock, far from it, just that after lots of Christmas classes I end up with lots of strips of green and red card stock left over!).

The two petal cone creations were than popped into a gift bag decorated to resemble a Santa suit and adorned with a little owl Santa tag - sorry the photo was a bit blurry!

Hope you all have a very safe and happy Christmas with your loved ones.

Card Stock: Real Red, Garden Green, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Basic Black, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer

Accessories: Decorative Label tag, Owl builder punch, Big Shot, Petal Cone die, scallop boarder punch, sticky strip, SNAIL, Tombow multi adhesive, bird builder punch, ornament punch, elegant lines embossing folder, 1" square punch, 1" circle punch, wide oval punch, Boho Blossoms punch, 1/16" handheld punch, white Bakers twine, word window punch, petals a plenty embossing folder, white gel pen.

Stocking Builder Punch - Limited Edition Get Yours Now!

The Stocking Builder Punch (item 124095) from the 2011-2012 Summer Mini Catalogue will not be carried over into the next Idea Book & Catalogue. Hence once the current inventory of this punch has been depleted, it will no longer be available for purchase, so if you want to get your hands on this punch that creates a lot more than just stockings contact me now to place an order.

Stamps: Perfect Punches & Stitched Stockings

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight & Cherry Cobbler

Card stock: Regals Patterns DSP, Bronze metallic card stock (retired), Whisper White, Night of Navy, Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Bright brad, 1/16" handheld punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Big Shot, Scribbles die, Houndstooth Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, ribbon border punch, Scallop trim punch, stamping sponge, Owl Punch & Stocking Builder punch.

Silver Snowflakes

Snow Swirled has to be one of the all time favourite Christmas stamp sets and I don't own it!!! I did borrow it from a friend recently (thanks Annette) and I made up three different cards using it. The snowflakes in the below card are done in silver embossing powder.

Stamps: Snow Swirled
Card Stock: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze & Whisper White
Ink: Versamark, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Baja Breeze seam binding, silver embossing powder, scallop border punch.

Dasher amidst the Green

This was a relatively quick card to make for Christmas using some die cut leaves, DSP and my all time favourite al a carte stamp - Dasher, such great value! I did after taking this photo add some basic Rhinestones to the antlers to add some extra sparkle.

Stamps: Dasher & Contempo Christmas
Ink: Early Expresso
Card Stock: Old Olive, Brights Patterns DSP Stack, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Accessories: Bright brads, Big Shot, Little Leaves die, Dimensionals, Basic Rhinestones, 1/16" handheld punch, Boho Blossom punch.

Beautiful Season in Blues

Here is another card made using the Beautiful Season stamp set - not made by me though. It was from a swap at our Regional training day earlier this year by Heather Bennett, doesn't that layer of Pool Party card stock make the image pop!

Stamps: Beautiful Season
Ink: Concord Crush
Card Stock: Glossy White, Concord Crush & Pool Party
Accessories: Wide oval punch, scallop ribbon punch, blender pen, Dimensionals, Silver Smooch Spray, Sponge dauber

Beautiful Season in Black & White

Here is another quick card made using Beautiful Season.......The red berries were coloured with a Stampin' Write marker and highlighted with Crystal Effects. The ribbon was crimped by opening the brad and sliding the ribbon in and then closing it and then cutting a fish tail on each end to give it a more bow effect, without having to actually tie a bow!

Stamps: Beautiful Season

Ink: Real Red & Basic Black

Card Stock: Whisper White & Basic Black

Accessories: Rhinestone brads, Real Red satin Ribbon, Dimensionals, 1/16" hole punch

Beautiful Season in Red & Green

I borrowed this stamp set from a super generous friend last week (thanks Catherine!) and made a couple of different cards with it - thinking I might have to buy it though as it is so lovely! For this one I kept to the traditional Christmas red and green colours with lots of sparkle. The red behind the modern label punch greeting is actually two more modern label punchies offset to give the greeting a boarder.

Stamps: Beautiful Season
Ink: Black Stazon, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke & Crumb Cake
Card stock: Letters to Santa, Old Olive, Whisper White & Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals, modern label punch, scallop trim border punch, blender pen, stamping sponge.

Christmas Squares

Following on from yesterdays circles, today is Christmas squares! It wasn't made with designer paper though, but a randomly stamped pattern using co-ordinating inks - another card that can be made relatively quickly and in a production line or stages, which I find perfect for Christmas. The squares can either go on the diamond like below, or parallel to give a different look.

Stamps: Contempo Christmas, Delightful Decorations, Pennant Parade
Ink: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler
Card Stock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
Accessories: 1 1/4" square punch, 1 3/8" square punch

Word Play Christmas Circles

Here's a super fast card that is perfect for making multiples of for Christmas time. What really makes this card special is the designer paper - Mocha Morning - it's so beautiful, the double sided sheets all have a gold metallic sheen and then there are 4 sheets that are flocked - so pretty and a pack goes a very, very long way! If you need any supplies for this card, don't forget to contact me to place an order.

Stamps: Word Play
Ink: Basic Black & Crumb Cake (marker)
Card Stock: Early Expresso, Very Vanilla & Morning Mocha
Accessories: 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1/4" black grosgrain ribbon & Crumb Cake seam binding.

Christmas Scrapbook Layout 2011

I know I promised Christmas cards, but I just finished the scrapbook layout for Tuesdays class, so thought I would share that instead! There are still spots for the class if you want to come along - just let me know ASAP! I kept the layout fairly simple as for Christmas I think that the photographs are the most important element so they should dominate the space and journalling. 

I wanted to show off the new Silver Glimmer paper from the new Summer mini catalogue and added strips of it cut with the Tasteful Trim die, the new postage punch and the heel and toes of the stockings. The Baja Breeze circle that I cut with the Circle Scissors Plus to go inside the Scallop Circle Die for the year was 4" diameter. Extra journalling could be done in white gel pen on the Night of Navy card stock as well.

I chose not to title it with anything other than the year as I felt that the stockings hanging and the Christmas postage bauble stamp told the story better (as will the photographs - we got our first Santa photo today & it wasn't blue and silver!!!). I used the relief cut out of the Tasteful Trim die to border the DSP on this page as I didn't want to waste any of the gorgeous Silver Glimmer paper - did I ever tell you I was 1/4 Scottish!

I am not sure if you can see from the photographs (sorry taken at night so not the best), but each of the stocking tops have our names written on them - if you have a bigger family, then you can just add more stockings! I also added a few basic rhinestones on the stockings to add to the sparkle of the page. Most of the Baja Breeze will be covered by the photographs, but there will be enough left to give a slight contrast. The stockings are suspended by some white Bakers twine - how awesome is that stuff - 23m for just $4.95 - bargain of the year I say!

Stamps: Stitched Stockings, Merry & Type

Card Stock: Night of Navy, Baja Breeze, Whisper White. Regals DSP Patterns stack & Silver Glimmer Paper

Ink: Night of Navy (ink pad & marker)

Accessories: Big Shot, Tasteful Trim Die, Scallop Circle Die, Square Scallop Die, Circle Scissors Plus, Junior Timeless Type Alphabet, White Bakers Twine, basic rhinestones, 1" square punch, 1 3/8" square punch, postage stamp punch, Stocking builder punch.

Field Of Flowers Card

Sorry about the hiatus between blog posts - this time of year everything gets a bit mental as we all try to fit in so many last minute things! The card below was CASEd from Mary F. and was what I took the colours etc from to make the matching envelope and gift voucher holder that I showed you in my last post. Did I say I loved this set - you will be seeing more of this in the new year - but tomorrow I'll probably start to show you some more Christmas Cards, including some super fast ones so that if you are like me and leave things until the last minute.............

Stamps: Field of Flowers

Ink: Crumb Cake & Early Expresso

Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede & Mocha Morning DSP

Accessories: Mat pack & paper piercing tool, Wide oval punch, Dimensionals, Antique brads, paper snips, basic pearls.

Field Of Flowers Gift Voucher

I made a gift voucher recently for a dear friends birthday with my long awaited Field of Flowers stamp set - it was the one set in the catalogue that I wanted because I liked it - not for classes, not for giving to someone else, but purely because I wanted it and it took me 3 months to get it! The top is held down with velcro and it flips out to reveal the voucher - it has a matching card which I will show you tomorrow....I am also loving that hostess set Happiest Birthday Wishes - so cheap and versatile!

Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes, Field of Flowers

Ink: Soft Suede & Early Expresso

Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede

Accessories: Mat pack & paper piercing tool, Big Shot, Top Note Die, paper snips, basic pearls.

Non SU!: velcro

RSPCA WA Fundraiser Result

I have to say a super big thank you to all of the participants who registered for the RSPCA WA fundraiser on Friday night, to Catherine for donating the wine for the raffle, Stampin' Up! for donating some fabulous prizes, Jocie for helping cut the kits and all the girls who bought raffle tickets, mini milk cartons of goodies, bid on silent auctions, placed orders (commissions were donated). 

We made five projects in total which I will put up on the blog (as soon as I photograph them all), enjoyed some nice door prizes, caught up with old friends and made some new ones and along the way and as a result we will be donating a total of $779.72 which will no doubt help the RSPCA WA with their invaluable work. 

Thanks Everyone 

Stampin' Up! Featured in Better Homes & Gardens

Have you seen the latest Better Homes & Gardens magazine (December 2011) if so go and check out page 33 - in their "Now for All the Trimmings" article, they used some of Stampin' Up!'s great products to make a series of terrific advent calendar boxes that you can re-use year after year! They are also using the advent calendar to unveil daily prizes from December 1st via the TV show Sunrise & Weekend Sunrise.

Made using the Big Shot Box #2 die, Junior Timeless Type alphabet, assorted card stock and seam binding ribbon - want to make one of these yourself? Contact me today to order supplies or if you'd like to make a box and decorate it for advent or another event we could do it as a workshop make & take at your party - book a workshop with me before 2pm this Wednesday to be held from December 10th -March 31st 2012 and go in the draw to win a prize from the current catalogues (every booking will get a prize) they include a current CM stamp set and more - so go and check out your diaries now.........

Bleached Dasher

This was a card I made recently for a demonstrator swap using the bleach technique, I did it in two different matt colours Cherry Cobbler & Daffodil Delight. It's the sort of card that if you do it in stages, you could easily mass produce it!

The sparkle is the new champagne glitter glass that we received as a prize at Regional training last month, I used Crystal Effects to adhere it to the card stock.

Here is a photograph of the bleach developing in intensity - the bottom part of the picture is where it was stamped and I took a photograph within a minute, the top part is where the bleach had been left for over 5 minutes. So when you are using bleach, you really do have to be patient and allow it time to get to its final exposure point before you make your card up.

Stamps: Dasher, Lovely as a Tree & Contempo Christmas
Ink: Versamark
Card Stock: Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler or Daffodil Delight, Early Expresso
Accessories: Gold brads, Crystal Effects, Champagne Glitter Glass, Gold Embossing Powder.
Non SU!: bleach

December Frenzy Sale - Up to 50% off!!!!!!!!!!!

So did you enjoy the blog hop yesterday? December not only heralded the arrival of the new Summer mini Catalogue (you can see the PDF of it here or email me and I'll post one to you), but it also was the first day of the December Frenzy sale! Lots of lovely products, some up to 50% off, so if you are looking for a bargain or a last minute gift for a crafty friend or yourself (yes I am happy to gift wrap items for you) contact me with your order today! To guarantee delivery before Christmas I would have to have your order before the 11th of December to allow for shipping time.


Please note that the warehouse has a limited number of these awesome items available for this promotion.  Once that number has been exhausted, the products WILL return to normal catalogue price.  Be in quick if something you love is in the discount list! 

Welcome Christmas                                               pg 22  (W)  50% off            NOW   $24.98
Welcome Christmas                                               pg 22  (C)   50% off            NOW   $19.98
I {Heart} Hearts                                                       pg 28  (W)  40% off            NOW   $25.77 
Got Treats                                                              pg 35   (W)  40% off           NOW   $24.57
Something Sweet                                                    pg 42  (W)  40% off            NOW   $26.97
For Everything                                                        pg 46  (W)  40% off            NOW   $28.77
Cottage Garden                                                      pg 67  (W)  50% off             NOW   $16.48
Every Moment                                                        pg 72  (W)  40% off             NOW    $19.17
Awash with Flowers                                                pg 74   (W) 40% off             NOW   $43.17
Friends Never Fade                                                 pg 75   (W) 50% off             NOW   $15.98
Friends Never Fade                                                pg 75   (C)  50% off             NOW   $15.57
Ornate Blossoms                                                   pg 75   (W)  40% off            NOW   $11.97
Clearly For You                                                      pg 88   (W)  40% off            NOW   $28.77
Chloe Stampin' Around Builder Wheel                     pg 96  40% off                      NOW   $5.97
Padded Envelopes                                                 pg 126  30% off                    NOW $3.90
Poppy Parade 1/2" (1.3cm) Stitched-Poly ribbon      pg 138  30% off                   NOW $11.87
Blushing Bride 1/2" (1.3cm) Stitched-Poly ribbon     pg 138  30% off                   NOW $11.87
Regals Flower Brads                                             pg 143  30% off                   NOW  $11.87
Neutrals Flower Brads                                           pg 143  30% off                   NOW $11.87
Distressing Essentials                                           pg 147  30% off                   NOW $26.57
Craft and Rubber Scissors                                     pg 149  30% off                   NOW $26.57
Circle Scissor Plus Glass Mat                                pg 149  30% off                   NOW $26.57

ESAD Summer Mini Blog Hop

Welcome to the ESAD Summer mini catalogue blog hop, did you enjoying seeing what Kelly created here?

What is ESAD?

ESAD stands for "Extra Special Australasian Demonstrators" and it is an on-line group just for Australian and New Zealand Stampin Up demonstrators.

We so love what we do and not only do we love to share it with our customers, friends, and wonderful blog visitors, but we share our love for what we do with each other as demonstrators. We run swaps, challenges, tutorials, product know-how, and cyberstamps, and we are always there to help and support each other when it is needed.

So if you are a Stampin' Up! demonstrator located in Australia or New Zealand, then please feel free to click here to join our wonderful group.

I love the new Nautical Suite in the new mini catalogue. I've made three items with it, but have a lot more ideas so pop back anther time to see some other things made with it! I am also loving the new candy wrapper die, it's so cute, but if you cut it on the fold you get an extra long candy wrapper like the one below.

The stamp set used is from another new stamp set from the mini called Pretty Postage that has not one, but two co-ordinating punches! I love how the ends of the candy wrapper just stay shut.......I know what I'll be using to make our Christmas crackers with this year.

The next item is a card using the set Open Sea - such a gorgeous masculine set, I did this one using the Circle Scissors Plus to cut the circles and the word window punch to complete the ships wheel. The silver brads are from the main catalogue and are the mini ones. I've also used the new white bakers twine (I ordered all three of the colours of the new twine - but do you think I could find the red and white striped one today - I think I need to clean up my craft desk!). I masked and sponged the sky, then reversed masked  and did the sun as well. All the white highlights were just free hand drawn on with a white gel pen.

The last item I made was a sticky note holder is a super quick and practical gift to make and can be embellished to suit the occasion, in this instance I used the Open Sea set again. The dimensions of the cover are 7" x 3 3/8" (sorry I know that I am in a metric country but I use both imperial and metric measurements sometimes on the same projects!) then I scored at 3 3/8" from each end, folded and attached the pile of ~50 sticky notes with sticky strip - too easy! 

Your next stop on the blog hop is Jane who is doing something fantastic with the Pretty Postage set & punches (I love co-ordinating punches and stamp sets, don't you?), enjoy the journey!

Ornament Ice-cream

Here is another use for the ornament punch when you aren't making Christmas themed items with it! A swap from Alison Smith at Regionals.

Stamps: Short & Sweet, Pennant Parade, Heard from the Heart

Card Stock: Early Expresso, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla & Just Add Cake DSP

Ink: Early Expresso & Blushing Bride

Accessories: Big Shot, Polka Dot textured impressions embossing folder, Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon, Vintage Wallpaper textured impressions embossing folder, ornament punch, petite pennants builder punch, Dimensionals.

Flirtatious Birthday

Here's a swap card from Michelle Coates featuring the very bright Flirtatious DSP - love the folding that she did with it.

Stamps: Cut & Curly (retired)
Ink: Melon Mambo
Card stock: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Flirtatious Specialty DSP
Accessories: Basic rhinestones, scallop circle punch, bone folder, Melon Mambo polka dot scallop grosgrain ribbon, curly label punch, 1" circle punch, stamping sponges, Crystal Effects

Just Add Cake Happiest Birthday

I am loving the versatility of the hostess rewards in the new Idea Book & Catalogue, if you don't like the hostess stamp sets and DSP you can use the hostess money anywhere in the catalogue - so much choice!  One of the sets I have been using a lot is the Happiest Birthday Wishes set, 11 stamps with various birthday greetings. This is one I CASEd from Beth-Ann as I loved the simplicity and colours on it which were taken from the DSP colours.

Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes

Ink: Wild Wasabi, So Saffron

Card Stock: Just Add Cake DSP, Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze

Accessories: Subtles brads, Dimensionals

Fathers Day Wallet

I am running a bit behind in my blog posts (as you can see) This was a card wallet made from an A5 size piece of card stock and designed to hold a gift card on one side and a greeting card on the other. These were made for Father's Day, but they can be made for any occasion.

Most of the embellishing on this one was via sponging and the hand drawn stitching with a stamp 'n write marker pen. It was held shut via a small piece of velcro.

Stamps: Word Play & Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card Stock: Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip & Very Vanilla

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: 1" circle punch, corner rounder punch, metallic brad, 

Non SU! velcro

Polar Bears

We went to the zoo today, so much fun, although we didn't get to see polar bears, but this was another great swap card made by Peggy Quarmby using the Zoo Review stamp set. I love the effect of torn paper & shimmer mist spray on the 'icebergs' .

Stamps: Zoo Review & Pettit Pairs

Card Stock: Basic Grey, Bashful Blue & Whisper White

Ink: Basic Grey & Bashful Blue

Accessories: Owl builder punch, frost white shimmer paint, Dimensionals, Tombow.

Non SU! Isocol 

Ariel 6"x6" scrapbook page

Once a year we have a Stampin' Up! demonstrators meeting for our state, a fun filled day of demonstrations, make & takes, ideas and information. One of the highlights are the swaps. I actually got time to make 20 swaps this year - but I think I forgot to photograph mine, so I might have to make another to blog it. This one below was made by the very talented Kylie Leusciatti, such vibrant colours aren't they!

Stamps: Commotion in the Ocean
Ink: Pacific Point
Card Stock: Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise & Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Bug Shot, Junior Timeless Type Alphabet, 1 1/4" circle punch, Dimensionals, white gel pen

Build A Blossom

I love the colours on this card, but for some reason when I photograph Concord Crush it always looks very blue? Anyway this was made for a lovely friends birthday using the new Build A Blossom punch and stamp set - I love the builder punches they save so much cutting out time! What you can't see is the tulip boarder dry embossing around the top of the Concord Crush card stock which gives the card more dimension.

Stamps: Build A Blossom

Ink: Old Olive, Concord Crush, Certainly Celery & Wisteria Wonder

Card Stock: Concord Crush DSP (in colour), Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush

Accessories: Victoria lace, subtle brads, antique brad, Build A Blossom punch, Big Shot, Tulip Embossing Folder

ESAD Summer mini blog hop is coming..............

The Summer mini Blog Hop Is Coming............December the 1st...........by 25

ESAD Stampin' UP! Demonstrators featuring all new products from the Summer 

mini catalogue! If you want a summer mini catalogue sent to you on December

1st please contact me or if you want to come along and play with all new 

things from the new catalogue in person we have an RSPCA WA fundraiser on 

December the 2nd - see here for details.

Embossed Wedding Card

This card is the result of getting a phone call from a friend in distress who was in the car, driving to a wedding who had forgotten to make a card! I had less than 10 minutes to create something (after I finished laughing) - amazing what happens when you are on the clock - it isn't fancy but it fits the bill and there is no way I could have done it without my Big Shot - for this months super special on the machine and dies check out the post here! You can't see from the photography as I didn't have long to take the pic, but each of the flower centres' has a basic rhinestone in the centre of it so the card had lots of sparkle!

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink: Baja Breeze
Card Stock: Baja Breeze & Whisper White
Accessories: Big Shot, Elegant Bouquet embossing folder, modern label punch, Dimensionals, organza ribbon, rhinestone brad, basic rhinestones & stamping sponge.

Sneek Peek - Fabulous Florets!

Not long now until the new mini catalogue is released (if you want one sent to you on December 1st - please just contact me so I can add you to the list - they are FREE), alternatively you could join us for an evening of crafty fun whilst raising money for the RSPCA WA ( details here ). The card below is made using one of the gorgeous new stamp sets that will be in the mini called Fabulous Florets by the ever talented Samantha F. in our demonstrator group swap this month.

Stamps: Fabulous Florets

Ink: Bashful Blue, Cherry Cobbler & Crumb Cake

Card Stock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler & Crumb Cake

Accessories: Scallop border punch, Twine, Dimensionals, paper snips.

Magazine Card Holder

There is a really cute mini magazine holder on page 132 of the Ideas Book & Catalogue (IB&C) that I thought would be perfect for use in my downline meeting this month, but I also used them as a hostess gift holder as well. They are sized to fit standard C6 sized envelopes and cards. For our meeting we actually decorated them using the wheels as we did a mini workshop on wheel techniques, but you can decorate them however you like or just use DSP as per the example in the IB&C. We decided that they would make lovely gifts containing a few handmade cards for elderly relatives or those that are challenging to buy for.

The new chocolate chip polka dot scalloped ribbon is definitely one of my favourites from the new catalogue and I continued the polka dot theme on the label with a white gel pen.

Stamps: Baroque motifs, Elements of Style
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Card Stock: Baja Breeze & Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Polka Dot scalloped grosgrain ribbon, curly label punch, 1" circle punch, white gel pen, Sticky Strip.

Merry & Type Partial Embossing

This is a super cool and simple technique that has been on the web for a while, I honestly can't remember where I first saw it I'm thinking it was probably on Dawn O's blog? You simply take a piece of chipboard (available now as sheets to buy on page 155 #114320 which is awesome as they make great die cut shapes to embellish) and cut a shape you want to show up patterned - in this case a triangle shape. I then sticky taped it to the OUTSIDE of the embossing folder, placed the white card stock inside as per normal and left off the bottom standard pad and ran it through the embossing folder as normal. I tend to get better results with the crease pad as the top layer than the standard cutting pad - but that is my preference for what I have found works with my Big Shot best. 

The embossing folder I used for this card is on sale this month - so if you want to save yourself some money, contact me to place an order now.

Stamps Merry & Type

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Card Stock: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White & Regals Pattern Stack DSP

Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Petals A Plenty textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, Decorative label punch.

Faux Mother Of Pearl

Each month we get together at demonstrator meetings and have a chat, participate in swaps and also practice or learn new techniques/templates. I get to go to two demonstrator meetings a month as I attend one that my upline holds and then run one that my downline come to if they chose - so if you want to join my team you won't be left stranded for support or ideas! At my upline meeting this month we made this beautiful card with the faux mother of pearl technique. I have a blue tag to attach across the DSP, but I can't decide what sentiment I want on the card at the moment so will attach it when I give the card. Sadly the beautiful soft pearl effect on the butterfly doesn't show up well with my photography either! 

Stamps: Just Believe

Ink: Sahara Sand, Marina Mist, black Stazon, Old Olive & More Mustard 

Card Stock: Whisper White, Marina Mist,  Sahara Sand, & Neutrals DSP

Accessories: Scallop lace border punch, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies die, Dimensionals, Aqua Painter, basic pearls, Frost White Shimmer Paint, stamping sponges.

Double Brayer Embossing to Make Gingham

Here's a variation on the previous brayered embossing technique from earlier this week here.....you just do the technique twice, but rotate the card stock 90' when you put it into the inked embossing folder - super cute gingham effect isn't it?

Stamps: Easy Events
Ink: Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder & Black Stazon
Card stock: Basic black, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
Accessories: Blender pen,  Striped embossing folder, Dimensionals, Big Shot.

Big Shot Mini Memo Hangers

Actually I have no idea what to call these things - I made up some bits and pieces for a fete recently and below was one of them. They are made by adhering DSP (designer series paper - I used some retired patterns but the new patterns would look lovely too!) to chip board or similar (I used the thick white card that acts as a backing sheet on the DSP packs) with either the Anywhere glue stick or my favourite the multipurpose adhesive sheets. I then die cut the shape twice to form the covers and then die cut several layers (~6 at a time) of white copy paper, used my crop-a-dile to hole punch everything and held it all together with a ring clip that I bought from a stationary shop. Such a cool thing for adding to a bag when you need to write a quick note or phone number down! 

If you don't have a Big Shot or are after the Beautiful Butterflies die - they are both on sale this month (along with several other dies) check out the sale here and contact me to place an order.

Brayered Dry Embossing

I recently did a Big Shot techniques class - which could have easily filled about four time slots as there is so much cool stuff you can do with this die cut machine! One of the techniques was brayering the top of an embossing folder and then putting the card stock into the machine - so you get an almost letter press effect. The brayering can be done on either side of the embossing folder so you would get a positive or negative effect. Of course the best part is the brayer and embossing folder clean up super fast with water as the Classic inks are water based so no staining! (this might not be the case with the black ink though as that is water proof - but i haven't used black for this technique yet so can't comment on the staining of it, although that wouldn't effect the performance of the folder or brayer).

Stamps: Word Play

Ink: Baja Breeze & Early Expresso

Card Stock: Whisper White & Early Expresso

Accessories: Elegant Bouquet embossing folder, Big Shot, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Organza ribbon, paper piercer.

Harry's Movie Present

My son had a friends 6th birthday to go to on the weekend and I'm always a bit challenged when it comes to thinking of what to buy for children as I know how I feel about lots of plastic stuff and the 2 minute toys (i.e. they play with them for 2 minutes and then they either break or the child loses interest in them) and I wasn't sure what books he likes to read/be read so I took the cheats way out and bought some movie tickets for him. My son helped me die cut the letters for his name, stamped the tag and chose the lollies (treats/candy/sweets) to add to the bag for eating whilst watching the movie(s) and this was the result - fast, effective gift packaging that was unique! (the parrot sticker was also my sons addition to the packaging).

Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes

Ink: Real Red
Card Stock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red
Accessories: Timeless Type Junior Alphabet, Spiral Punch (retired), Tombow Glue, hemp twine, 1/16" handheld punch.

BIG Big Shot Savings

Ever been tempted to buy a Big Shot or some of the gorgeous dies for it??? This super versatile machine can cut over 50 different materials (list here). This month is a good month to cross it off your wish list (or I'll be happy to gift wrap it for putting under the Christmas tree so someone else can cross it off their list!). All the details can be found here or are listed below - make sure you read all the way to the bottom as there are TWO more offers exclusive to me available!

During November, get 10% off select Big Shot dies. Use these exclusive dies to create fabulous shapes for scrapbooking and card making, dry embossing card stock or making sensational gifts.

Page	Item	Description	Retail Price	10% Off Price
156	117332	Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die	$21.95	$19.75
156	114515	Flower Burst Embosslits Die	$21.95	$19.75
157	114517	Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	$14.95	$13.45
157	116824	Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	$14.95	$13.45
157	119277	Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	$14.95	$13.45
158	113440	Buttons #5 Sizzlits® Die	$9.95	$8.95
159	113466	Pillow Box BigzT Die	$36.95	$33.25
159	114507	Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die	$39.95	$35.95
159	120903	Scallop Square Duo Bigz Die	$39.95	$35.95
160	115953	Mover & Shapers Punch Windows	$54.95	$49.45
160	120893	Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die	$69.95	$62.95
160	121810	Petal Cone Bigz L Die	$59.95	$53.95

Click to the right of my blog menu under categories and select 'Big Shot" and you will see some of the things that I've made with it.

If you don't have a Big Shot machine you can either take advantage of the super special offer below or you could get your Big Shot for half price at just $74.98 plus S&H by simply hosting a $600 workshop. You can get your machine for the 50% off and use your Hostess Dollars you earn to purchase the discounted dies - which based on a $600 workshop would be $100 how cool is that!

Page	Description	Retail Value	10% Off Price	Item
155	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine	$186.85	$168.16	128944
156	Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die
157	Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Now here's my personal offer #1: For any purchase of a Big Shot machine I will buy you a Textured Impressions Embossing Folder of your choice (see page 157 of the current catalogue RRP$14.95).

If you are not sure how to get the maximum amount of versatility out of the Big Shot why not come along to the Big Shot techniques class next week, where you can learn some tricks of the trade, test the machine out and ask lots of questions.

Personal Offer #2: place any order over $50 with me on the weekend of the 5th & 6th of November 2011 and you will go in the draw to win a $40 voucher to spend on SU! products (to be used before the 31st of March 2012, order total still attracts the 5% postage charges, i.e. I will take $40 off the total amount owing)

Of course if you want a permanent discount on all of your Stampin' Up! products and a host of other great benefits, check out page 169 of the IB&C for details about the Starter Kit or contact me for more details.

So if you want Big Shot savings, to host a workshop, join in a class or just take advantage of any of the special offers listed above why not contact me today.