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!