Strength & Hope Tri-Fold Card

There is a lovely new stamp set in the new Autumn-Winter mini catalogue on page 23 called Strength and Hope, Stampin' Up! is donating $2 from the purchase of this set (clear or wood mount) to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). The BCRF is dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and translational research worldwide.  If you would like to purchase the set, get ideas for using it or earn it for free at a workshop contact me now to book a date!

I used it to make up another tri-fold card after my previous one worked out so well, but this time I took the colour scheme from the Elegant Soiree DSP (I do that frequently when I am stuck for colour schemes - go and look at the colours used in the designer papers and use those!).

I stamped the word image in the set multiple times to cover the Very Vanilla circle that I had cut with the Circle Scissors Plus. All of the flowers and pieces were sponged around the edges and I added basic rhinestones to the centre of the flowers (they work out so cheap - $9.50 for 150 rhinestones!!). Here's another view of it, so you can see the centre panel is plain Very Vanilla and stamped each end with the scroll/flourish from the set. If you want to make this card - I have a template in PDF form for the Australian standard size measurements so if you want a copy email me.

Stamps: Strength & Hope

Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Elegant Soiree DSP, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze.

Ink: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede

Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Circle die, Little leaves die, Birds & Blooms, Corner rounder punch, paper snips, SNAIL, Victoria Crochet Trim, Hemp Twine, 1" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1/16" hole punch, basic Rhinestones, Stamping sponges.

Twisted Chocolate Easel Card

I've seen several twisted easel cards and couldn't quite figure out the directions and had to convert them fro A4 paper size anyway, so I made my own! I have the directions as a PDF, but of course have no idea how to link it to this blog post - so if you want the dimensions that I used send me an email and I'll get them to you! They are super simple and really effective, of course being Easter - I had chocolate on the brain!

Stamps: East Chocolate
Card Stock: Pear Pizzazz, Elegant Eggplant, So Saffron & Chocolate Chip
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, White StazOn
Accessories: Decorative Label punch, 1/4" very vanilla grosgrain ribbon, paper snips, Dimensionals, So Saffron DSP, scallop circle punch, SNAIl.
Non SU: aluminium foil

Mini Candle Cake & Card

I found some little battery operated candles in our cheap store last year and used them to make a lantern with the gorgeous Asian Artistry stamp set (don't think I blogged it - it was one of those creations that was so fraught with frustration that even though the end result was gorgeous I didn't want to see it again for a while!) But I digress, mini candle cakes are SO cute and calorie free. I did this one using up some retired DSP scraps for a birthday, but you could easily make them for any occasion (This DSP was from Washington Apple, but you could easily substitute it for the So Saffron page in the Subtles DSP Patterns Pack).

Too cute isn't it! The sentiment was stamped and cut out with the modern label punch, before I fish tail cut the ends of it. I also made a matching card with the same papers using the new Build  A Cupcake punch.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Create A Cupcake

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red, Bashful Blue (marker), Wild Wasabi (marker).

Card stock: So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, Washington Apple DSP (retired), Whisper White, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Two Step Bird Punch, Build A Cupcake Punch, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, White gel pen, Dimensionals, Modern Label Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes flower punch, SNAIL, Basic Pearls, 1 3/4" scallop circle punch, paper snips.

Happy Easter - Scrapbook Layout

Happy Easter Everyone, I hope that you are enjoying time with your family & friends or just chilling out enjoying the break and maybe getting the time to get some stamping or scrapbooking done! This is the double layout that we did last month for my scrapbook class - for details of any upcoming classes head over to my calendar of events here, subscribe to my newsletter or check out my business Facebook page. 

The white panel is obviously for journaling which I haven't done yet! I am loving the new Tasteful Trim die - makes such lovely borders for cards and scrap pages and combined with the new multi adhesive sheets makes my life SO much easier! Although I also pulled out one of my roller wheels for this page and when I do I always wonder why I don't use them more often.

I love this chocolate bunny (retired) I know naughty of me to use retired items, but my Easter stamp set was on loan to a friend so I had to improvise!

Here's the same chicken from my Easter treat bag, but sitting on a wooden crate. The other Trendy Trees for carrots and bunny punch art I CASEd from someone, but for the life of me now I can't find it again on the internet - awesome idea and if it's yours let me know so I can credit you! The bunny on top of the journaling was the same I used last year on my 6" x 6" Easter baskets.

Stamps: Retro Remix roller wheel, Trendy Trees, Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Woodgrain, Chocolate bunny
Card stock: Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Crumb Cake
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black (marker)
Accessories: roller wheel handle, paper snips, SNAIL, Dimensionals, Ovals die, Big Shot, Textured Impressions finial press, polka dots & vintage wallpaper, small oval punch, large oval punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Stamping Sponges, Boho Blossom punch, scallop circle punch, Tasteful Trim die
Non SU: google eyes

Bliss Box

I always make a hostess thank you for my party hostesses and it's usually a 3D item filled with a few little bits and pieces e.g. ribbon, a wood mount stamp, chocolate etc. The fancy favor box die is awesome for making these boxes and during Sale-a-bration I made this one up for one of my hostesses - I know the stamp set is no longer available, but I thought it might give those of you who have it a nice gift packaging idea or you could easily use another stamp set e.g. Friends 24-7 for a similar effect. So if you would like to host a workshop and receive a thank you present from me similar to this contact me now!

Stamps: Bliss
Ink: Chocolate
Card Stock: Whisper White & Chocolate Chip
Accessories: 5/8" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, small & large tag punch, hemp twine, 1/16" hole punch, Stamping sponge, Sticky Strip, Big Shot, Fancy Favor Box die

Who Loves You? Owl Card

I saw a card similar to this here last month and I made it up and then it's taken me over a month to blog it, running just a bit behind! I loved it when I saw it though as it is just one of those cards that uses fairly simple elements of letters, sponging, white gel pen dots and punching, but NO STAMPING!!

Ink: Poppy Parade

Card Stock: Early Expresso, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, DSP In Color (hostess level 1)

Accessories: Owl punch, paper snips, white gel pen, 2 way glue pen, Dimensionals, Big Shot, Junior Timeless Type alphabet die, Full Heart punch.

RSPCA Fundraiser Result

So sorry not to have posted the result of the RSPCA Queensland fundraising afternoon earlier, but life has been busy. We had 30 lovely ladies attend the afternoon for 3 hours of fun and five projects to make and a scrumptious afternoon tea! There were lots of displays for ideas, awesome raffle prizes and also door prizes. We had some fantastic donations of prizes from Little Farm Designs and also Stampin' Up! plus Diane brought along some wonderful fresh produce for donation.

Lots of busy ladies being very industrious. Isn't it a lovely venue, fortunately the St.James Anglican Church donated the venue gratis for the afternoon - how lovely was that!

and did I mention the awesome afternoon tea - a very big thank you to Michelle, Diane, Sue and Catherine for helping with all the food. I was also fortunate to borrow items from Annette & Michelle as I just didn't have enough of some items to supply five tables at once!

The grand total that has been donated to the RSPCA Queensland to go a small way to helping them recover after the devastating floods, cyclones and other natural disasters that this year has seen 99% of the state declared a natural disaster zone was $701.26. So thank you very much to everyone who helped, especially Catherine for setting up the displays and Michelle for helping everyone with their projects. Hope you enjoyed it!

Pentagon Treat Tubes

So last year Kim S. did a terrific tutorial on her blog of a pentagon treat tube - this year the tutorial went onto SCS here. I love how quick this tube is to make using the Fancy Flower punch for the ends. Last time I made the cannon and this time I went a bit vintage and decided to try my hand at making an old fashioned British post box!

You can't quite see it, but I added the royal crown (ala Grunge Rock stamp set) and hand wrote in the post collection times. Then I decided that I wanted to make something a little bit festive and tried my hand at a Christmas cracker - it didn't turn out exactly how I wanted it - but you get the general idea!

One end of each of the tubes removes so that you can add treats and also access them for that sugar craving! To create the smaller end piece that curves up, I did one cut into the centre and folded the flower punch in on itself so that it only had 4 petals not 5 anymore. I'd love to see you add your creations to the SCS gallery or you could just send me a link.

Easter Treat Bag

So here's a simple punch art bag to pop some yummy Easter treats in!!! It's based on the same template as the owl bag and the birthday bag I have made previously - but now very excitingly I can use the new Stampin' Up! Mini Lunch Sacks #121031 from the new mini catalogue page 21.

Ink: Peach Parfait

Card Stock: Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Yellow & DSP - In Color (hostess level 1)

Accessories: Polka Dot Textured Impressions Plate, Basic Pearls, Top Note Die, Scallop Circle Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, paper snips, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Ovals Die, 1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon certainly celery, mini lunch sacks, SNAIL, Tombow glue, small oval punch.

Non SU: google eyes

Motorbike

This is a card made using the new motorbike stamp available in the new mini as a single stamp (love the range of single stamps!) and the square lattice textured impressions plate that I was SO happy about becoming a carry over item!

Stamps: Motorbike, You're A Gem
Ink: Soft Suede, Tangerine Tango
Card Stock: Soft Suede, River Rock, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Crop-a-dile, gold eyelets, SNAIL, Dimensionals, Stamping sponges, Aqua Painter, Square Lattice textured impressions folder, 1" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch.

French Foliage Christmas

I am a big fan of leaf stamps - always have been and by now you would honestly think I had enough in my collection - but then I saw the French Foliage Set and went ekkkkkk!!!! It's just so nice and as I am finding - versatile! I love Christmas cards that you are able to make using non-Christmas stamp sets & that are simple enough to mass produce and the below fulfills both these criteria. Of course what would a Christmas card be without some sparkle, so I added Dazzling Diamonds to the bauble in the centre of the wreath.

Stamps: French Foliage & Word Play
Ink: Old Olive, Real Red & Basic Black
Card Stock: Old Olive, Real Red & Whisper White
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Crystal Effects, dazzling diamonds glitter.

Chocolate Star Box

I did an online tutorial last month to make a star box - I got to use the new Eat Chocolate stamp set that is in the new Autumn-Winter mini catalogue it's a lovely set and fits the new decorative label punch perfectly!

The box is a perfect size to put in some wrapped chocolates or a little gift nestled in tissue paper.

Stamps: Eat Chocolate
Ink: Soft Suede
Card Stock: Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede
Accessories: Elegant Soiree Designer Paper, 5/8" polka dot soft suede grosgrain ribbon (retired), Dimensionals, Stamping Sponge, Decorative Label punch.http://craftingwithtia.blogspot.com/p/tutorials.html

Easter Chicks

It never ceases to amaze me how versatile the two-step bird punch is........it makes it far more affordable for any item if you can use it for a multitude of different applications. I made these a few weeks ago ready for the Easter rush, so I did use a now retired Sale-a-bration set in the background, but I am sure you could use any one of a multitude of different stamps to create a lovely background effect.

I do love that single stamp All A Flutter - looks lovely done in multiple colours, I only stuck one wing down to give it more dimension.

Stamps: All A Flutter, Inspired By Nature, Sweet Summer, So Happy For You, Teeny Tiny Sentiments & roller wheel Sandy Speckles
Ink: So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Rose Red
Card Stock: Whisper WHite, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron
Accessories, Paper snips, Dimensionals, Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Stamping sponges.

Carry-Over List from the Summer Mini

Did you forget to order something from the Summer Mini Catalogue? Some of the punches, Big Shot and accessories have been carried over and are still available to order. 

Product now available to order:

118480 1/2" Chantilly crochet trim $13.95

118481 5/8" Victoria crochet trim $13.95

118874 2 3/8" Scallop circle punch $33.95 

118765 Bitty buttons (64) $7.95

121093 Colour catcher $10.95

118871 Island floral bigz die $42.95

118309 Itty bitty shapes punch pack $30.95

118763 Mini vintage tags (12) $6.95

117649 Pinking hearts border punch $30.95 

118072 Pinking hearts corner punch $19.95

115950 Scallop square bigz die $42.95 

118770 Smooch spritz - gold glow $7.95

118771 Smooch spritz - silver foil $7.95

119976 Square lattice embossing folder $15.95

118764 Vintage trinkets (48) $10.95 

Big Shot Easter Eggs

Here's a quick and colourful Easter card made using the Big Shot Ovals die and some textured impressions folders, great for using left over pieces of card stock or DSP.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Bugs & Kisses

Ink: Basic Black

Card Stock: Peach Parfait, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Daffodil Yellow, Concord Crush, DSP Hostess level 1 – In Colour

Big Shot Accessories: Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Finial Press & Petals-a-Plenty, Original Ovals die.

Other Accessories: SNAIL, Bitty Bits Punch Pack, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, paper snips, Basic Pearls, 2-way glue pen.

New Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue is here!!!

Yes, sadly Sale-a-bration & the Summer mini catalogue have finished, but that heralds the arrival of the new Autumn-Winter mini catalogue!

If you would like a hard copy of the catalogue, please contact me and I would be happy to mail you one, or alternatively you could download the PDF of it here. As a super special offer if you place an order (from either the current catalogue or the new mini catalogue) on Saturday April 2nd you can get free shipping for orders over $50! As part of my RSPCA Qld fundraiser all commissions on the day will be donated to the cause as well.

So don't delay - why not put in a calorie free order today and get yourself a real treat in time for Easter!