Owl Bookmark Card

I designed these bookmark cards a while ago as a free make and take at a workshop as per a request from the hostess and then again recently at a class due to popular request. They feature a folded magnetic bookmark that is integrated into a card front, a perfect gift for when you want to give a little gift!

and a close up of the bookmark, the back of each of the tag die pieces has a magnet on it so that it can grip to the book pages. The sentiments on the card & bookmark can be changed to suit the occasion e.g. thank you

If you want a unique make and take item like this FREE at your workshop for you and your guests or a custom class contact me now to organise a suitable time/date.

Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes, Curly Cute & Fresh Vintage

Ink: Island Indigo

Card Stock: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Crumb Cake, Everyday Enchantment DSP, Whisper White, Calypso Coral

Accessories: Owl punch, Big Shot, Two Tags die, Word Window Punch, scallop circle punch, Tombow glue, sticky strip.

Non SU!: magnet (recycled from my fridge)

Framelit Labels & Flowers

I've had a lovely play of late with the new Framelits dies in the Autumn-Winter mini catalogue, they are really easy to use and cut beautifully. The final card we made this week in the Mother's Day class was this one..........

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Field Flowers
Ink: Blushing Bride, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz
Card Stock: Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White & Blushing Bride
Accessories: Big Shot, Framelit Labels Collection dies, Adorning Accents Edgelit die, Adorning Accents Embossing Folder, Designer Frames Embossing Folder, wide oval punch, stamping sponge, basic rhinestones, clear circle rhinestones, 1/16" handheld punch, Dimensionals, Tombow glue.

Mixed Bunch of Yellow Daisies

So here was another card idea for Mother's Day that I CASEd (sorry I forget where I took the idea from, but if it is yours let me know so I can credit you) as I have a class for female cards/Mothers Day this week (details here) and wanted to use some of the products from the new mini and this was the result.........

Isn't it lovely and bright?? I love how the oval die & the lattice folder made the vase part of it look so realistic!

Stamps: Mixed Bunch & Oval All
Ink: Daffodil Delight & Early Expresso
Card Stock: Early Expresso, Daffodil Delight & Whisper White
Accessories: Clear rhinestone brad, square lattice embossing folder, Daffodil Delight taffetta ribbon, scallop oval punch, blossom punch, oval punch, 1/16" handheld punch, basic rhinestones, 1" circle punch, stamping sponge, Dimensionals.

Twitterpated Apron

So I was tossing around ideas for Mother's Day cards as I have a class on it coming up really soon! (details here) and wanted to use some of the products from the new mini and this was the result.........

Sorry for the average photo - it was taken at night (when all my best crafting gets done), if you want to get supplies for this then the DSP and pleated ribbon you can get from the Twitterpated product share and of course if you want to join us to make this and 3 other cards book in for my class on May 1st.

Stamps: Field of Flowers
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Card Stock: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Twitterpated DSP
Accessories: Baja Breeze seam binding, Baja Breeze pleated satin ribbon, edgelit dies Adorning Accents, Embossing Folder Adorning Accents, Itty Bitty shapes punch, XL oval punch, Designer Frames embossing folder, basic rhinestones, Beautiful Wings, Big Shot, Crop-a-dile.

Birthday Cards........

Well amidst the Easter festivities, school holidays and work I had a birthday *grin* yep they do sneak up on me each year! Anyway this year I thought I would share with you some of the beautiful cards that friends gave me.

A gorgeous panelled card using Elements of Style from Catherine:

A fishy affair from Charmaine:

A Load of Love from Annette:

An amazing gift and card from Marsha using the Fun Flowers die & Happiest Birthday Wishes:

That even had a matching envelope - how cute is that!

A wonderful gift card from Myleigh and the Stampin' Sistas:

And inside a vellum embellishment:

Thanks girls - you all helped make my day very special!

Ships Wheel

I love it when Stampin' Up! release a new suite of items and in the Summer mini the Nautical suite is awesome - a masculine suite of DSP, stamps & Bakers Twine - what's not to love?? This is my version of a card I saw online, but I modified it to fit a standard card size and used masking and sponging to get the background around the ship. The circles were cut with the Circle Scissors Plus and the wheel spokes with a punch, the dots didn't show up very well, but they are mini silver brads.

Stamps: Open Sea & Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Ink: Not Quite Navy, Daffodil, Pumpkin Pie

Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Modern label punch, Word Window Punch, white gel pen, mini silver brands, 1/16" handheld punch, Dimensionals, Circle Scissors Plus, stamping sponge, 1 1/4" circle punch

Hugs & Kisses Scrapbook Double Layout

Do you celebrate St. Valentines Day? I saw a lovely single scrapbook page on the Paper Crafters Library a while ago and decided to adapt it to a double page layout and also make it suitable for other events e.g. anniversaries, those cute children moments or a wedding - it could be easily changed to suit the event by changing the colours used. The first page features what would be the main photograph and the second page has room for journaling and smaller photographs, other round tabs or hearts could be added afterwards to add in dates or a little quote or similar. I am going to change a few of the hearts decorating the pages though, as I just borrowed the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set.

Live, laugh & Love Scrapbook Pennants

I CASEd the layout from somewhere on the web (apologies I couldn't find the link back when I went to look for it), but I changed the papers, stamps, colours & modified the layout a bit too........I have to make a matching page for this as this was just a single scrapbook page I made a few weeks ago and just haven't made time to make it a mate yet (I have a personal aversion to single scrapbook pages unless they are the title or end pages in my album). I love the al a carte stamps and in particular the Triple Treat Flower - not the least for which there are three handy punches to make layering it effortless, but in the Summer mini catalogue there is also matching designer paper - how cool is that?? Like many projects, I took the card stock and ink colours directly from the designer paper that I chose to use, Bring on the Cake. The page is designed to have only a single photograph on it - on the Poppy Parade section, which is hopefully large enough to leave a nice coloured boarder around the photograph to frame it nicely.

The pennants are all popped up on Dimensionals and threaded onto Early Expresso Bakers Twine, also from the Summer mini catalogue. The centre of each little flower on the pennants is highlighted with a small Basic Pearl and the scallop strips along the bottom were all cut with the Tasteful Trim die and the Big Shot. 

Stamps: Triple Treat Flower, Field Flowers, On Your Birthday, Pennant Parade

Card Stock: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Eat Cake DSP, So Saffron, Poppy Parade.

Ink: Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze

Accessories: Basic Pearls, Big Shot, Five Petal Flower Punch, Petite Pennants Builder Punch, Fancy Flower Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, 1/2" circle punch, Antique Brads, Tasteful Trim die, Big Shot, SNAIL, Dimensionals, Early Expresso Bakers Twine, 1/16" handheld punch, 

PCL Floral Treat Box

I got a super cute box template from the Paper Crafters Library this month and decided to to make it up - super easy as the template prints directly out onto the card stock and then it's just a case of decorating it! It features more of the divine FREE hostess paper Cheerful Treat and a hostess stamp set. I changed it a bit as I didn't have the die cuts that they used and decorated mine with flowers rather than the Valentines theme in their example.

It features an acetate window that you can see the treats through (but mine is still empty for the minute) and a neat little velcro closure on the top tab (the original design from Paper Crafters Library has a slotted closure, but I changed it).

Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes, Array of Sunshine

Card Stock: Concord Crush, Cheerful Treat DSP, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette & Whisper White.

Ink: Old Olive & Concord Crush

Accessories: Boho Blossoms punch, Circle Ice brads, 1/16" circle punch, Sticky Strip, scallop circle punch.

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.

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.

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.

Saffron Monochrome

One of the really fun things about being a demonstrator is participating in swaps at meetings when we get together, totally optional of course, but it's a lot of fun and you get some terrific ideas from other people. At our monthly get togethers we usually try to do a swap and also at regional conferences and training days. This is a gorgeous card from a few months ago made by the very talented Samantha F. for our monochrome swap. It takes So Saffron to a whole new level doesn't it?

Stamps: Tiny Tags

Card Stock: Whisper White & So Saffron

Ink: So Saffron

Accessories: Subtles brads, 5-Petal punch, Jewelry tag punch, Bird Builder Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punches, bitty buttons, fancy flower punch, Big Shot, vintage wallpaper embossing folder, square lattice embossing folder, polka dot embossing folder, basic pearls, linen thread, cutter kit, stamping sponges.

Inkspiration Colour Challenge - Cupcake Voucher Holder

I combined a recent class sample with the Inkspirations colour challenge this week:

and here is the result:

I first made these a year or so ago here and did another one recently here which resulted in a few people expressing interest in learning how to make them - so we did a class and this was the sample I made up - I still have to add some Dazzling Diamonds glitter to finish off the icing, but was pleased with the result. They hold any normal sized gift voucher card or you can add a custom one.

The girls all had a ball making them, they also did a gift tag and card to match which I will show you in a separate post.

Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Pale Plum & Elegant Soiree DSP

Accessories: Boho Blossom punch, Bitty Punch pack, Crop-a-dile, Antique Brads, mini library clip, very vanilla grosgrain ribbon, circle scissors plus, paper piercer, Tombow glue.

Non SU!: Hot glue gun & glue sticks, Styrofoam ball, needle & thread.

Cupcake Handbags

Here's another idea for using the cupcake punch for a non-cupcake item - super simple, super fun - not my idea, but too cool not to share my version with you!

Stamps: Create A Cupcake
Ink: Concord Crush
Card Stock: Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, In Color DSP (hostess level 1)
Accessories: Build A Cupcake Punch, Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals, Big Shot, Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Folder, 1" circle punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Tombow glue.

Punched Happy Hippo

I made up several of these punch art hippo's (you can see another I made last year here) and then had one on hand to make a fast card for a birthday. I raided my 'scrap' box which contains lots of punched shapes or Big Shot die cut outs that have been cut as extras when I was cutting other things. I found lots of number 5's and glued them randomly onto a piece of Real Red card stock, put it through the Big Shot with the square lattice embossing folder (still available as a carry over item from the Summer mini catalogue). It's makes great inlaid embossing - such a cool background effect I use it a lot.

Nice and bright isn't it? I love bright colours for children's cards. What's your favourite colour for a child's card?

Stamps: Party Hearty
Ink: Basic Grey & Basic Black
Card Stock: Basic Grey, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Pacific Point, Basic Black,
Accessories: Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet die, Big Shot, Tombow glue, Stamping Sponge, Dimensionals & lots of punches.

Birthday Party Spider Treat Bags

One of the things in the new catalogue that I love is the mini lunch sacks. They were perfect for my son's birthday party treat bags recently (I try to minimise the amount of plastic in our lives) and these were a real hit and surprisingly quick to make! I cut the scallop edge off the top, ran them through the Big Shot with a Stampin' Up! embossing folder that we don't have available in Australia (yet), but that my friend from America sent me because she knew I loved spiders and have a boy. The bags were held shut with a mini bulldog clip (non SU! but you could easily use a library clip).

The spiders were made using simple punch art and lots of scraps of card stock. The eyes were made easy thanks to the Owl Punch.

The bags were big enough to fit in a metal die cast car, stickers, a gel pen, treats and a balloon, more than enough to keep a child busy on the way home from a party! These would make awesome party or in fact any special occasion wrapping - want to order some of the mini lunch sacks? Then contact me today or earn them for free by hosting a workshop party!

Card stock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red

Accessories: Tombow Glue, Owl Punch, Scallop Circle punch, Photo Corners punch, Spider Web Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

Do Cupcakes Get Any Better Than This???

I first made this style cupcake last year, but of course promptly gave it away and forgot about it, until I was looking to make a super special gift voucher holder this week........

These are just so cute! It uses lots of gorgeous ribbon, paper punches flowers (Boho Blossom) and an awful lot of hot glue, but the results are fabulous. This one I also edged pieces with Crystal Effects and dusted with Dazzling Diamonds to make the entire thing sparkle.

I love making them and recipients love the way that the top comes off to reveal a gift voucher - either a commercial one or as in this case a custom made voucher. I took the colours for this one from the Elegant Soiree Designer Paper (Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede and Crumb Cake) and the greeting came from my super favourite birthday greetings set On Your Birthday.

Would you like to come and join in the fun and learn how to make this unique and very special gift card holder? I have a class coming up soon (click here for details via my Facebook page or here for my website calendar) which includes a cupcake gift holder similar to the above, a matching tag and card with envelope. Any questions please let me know.

Ice-Cream Anyone?

I am loving the new Cupcake punch from the Autumn-Winter mini catalogue - too much fun - of course there's a lot more to make with it than just cupcakes! I also love the new Tasteful Trim Big Shot die and the multi-purpose adhesive sheets in the new mini catalogue as well.

Stamps: Create A Cupcake & You're A Gem

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip & Real Red

Card Stock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip & Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Tasteful Trim die, Big Shot, Multi-purpose adhesive sheets, Polka Dot textured impressions embossing folder, Crystal Effects, Square Lattice textured impressions embossing folder, 1" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Dimensionals, Stamping Sponge, Dazzling Diamonds.

Vintage Owl Flowers

I was inspired by a card made by LeeAnn that I saw about a year ago to turn the body of the owl punch into a flower, so I remade it with the materials I had and this is how it turned out:

Pretty nice hey? I love those antique brads and the Love Letter designer paper. I'm not sure if you can see on the right hand side, basically I cut a 'v' shape out of the top of the owl body and then folded up each of the bottom sides to make each petal - the flower I made has six such petals with the brad in the centre. Then I added it to a card.

Stamps: Tiny Tags

Ink: Riding Hood Red & Basic Black

Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, Love Letter DSP & Basic Black

Accessories: Striped grosgrain ribbon, Victorian Lace, Vintage Trinkets, Jewelry tag punch, 1/16" handheld punch, Circle Scissors Plus, Dimensionals, Big Shot, Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Elegant Lines, Antique brad, SNAIL.