Alligator Crocodile Tears

Here's a card that I made just for fun, just because I wanted to make a punch art alligator to go with the See Ya Later Sale-a-Bration stamp (perfectly normal behaviour, right??!). And of course I had to give my Alligator a Crocodile tear:

The Alligator is made using the Pennant Punch, and I embossed the smaller pennant using the Decorative Dots embossing folder (also a Sale-a-Bration item). The teeny heart is from the Owl punch, and I also used it to punch half a heart, which became his tear. I made the tear glossy and wet-looking with a drop of Crystal Effects.
There's some other new products on this card - the Arrows Embossing Folder and the Banner Framelits. The colour combination is Island Indigo, Real Red and Gumball Green.



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Kaleidoscope Banners Stamp-a-Stack

This is the other Stamp-a-Stack design that we are making in my classes this week:

We're using some more lovely new products on these cards - the Hardwood background stamp, Kaleidoscope Designer series paper and the Banner Framelit Dies.
Here's the whole set:

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Petal Parade Stamp-a-Stack

I think I'm a little bit in love with this colour combination:

It's so soft and pretty - Smoky Slate, Pistachio Pudding, Soft Sky and Whisper White. I've used the Sale-a-Bration Petal Parade stamp set. After I made this card, I decided it would make a great Stamp-a-Stack. Here are the other designs I came up with, using the same-sized pieces of cardstock, the same colours and the same stamp sets:

I've used the Label Love set for my sentiments, and made these cards for various occasions. We'll be making these cards in my classes this week.


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Happy Hexagons

Making this card was one of those happy occasions when it all came together really quickly, but the final result looks like it took a long time (well I think so anyway!):

The background paper looks like I have artistically watercoloured it, but it's a sheet of the Watercolour Wonder Designer Series Paper. I've overlayed the Hexagon Hive thinlit, and the sentiment, cut out with a Chalk Talk framelit.
To make the flowers, I spritzed a piece of watercolour paper with water, and dropped some ink refills on it, in Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo and Pool Party. I used my heat tool to dry it off, and move the colours around. Then I just punched out the flowers using the Petite Petals punch, and popped a rhinestone in the centre of each one.

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Online Clearance Rack has been Updated

Just a heads-up that the Clearance Rack has been updated with some fresh new bargains. But these Retired products - up to 80% off - are only be available while supplies last. Don't forget that you also qualify for a Sale-a-Bration freebie for every $90 you spend!

The best way to get your hands on the bargains is via my Online Store. Look for the "Clearance Rack" on the menu.

 
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Retro Fresh Grunge

Just a quick and simple one today. I kept it crisp and clean, with lots of white space, and just a splash of grunge:

I've used Retro Fresh Washi Tape, and taken my colour scheme from that - Tangerine Tango, Baked Brown Sugar and Coastal Cabana.
I'm loving the "Just Sayin'" stamp set and matching framelits...it's such a fun way to add a sentiment to a card.


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Happy Congratulations

Sometimes you see a stamp set and you just have to have it. When I saw the "Happy Congratulations" set, I could see myself using it for all sorts of occasions...birthdays, weddings, engagements, babies....and it suits cards for men and woman, and all ages. And voila, there was my justification for buying it! Plus, it's only $22.95 in clear mount, so I didn't have to think too hard.
I thought the lanterns would look cute multicoloured, so I used the babywipe technique:

I made my own inkpad by folding a babywipe and dotting it with ink refills. I used Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe and So Saffron. I've used the Watercolour Wonder DSP to dictate the colour scheme, and the sentiment from the Happy Watercolor stamp set.

TIP: Stamp in Basic Grey rather than black when you are using soft colours....it's not as stark.

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Wood Mount Cases - not just for stamps!

Here's a really quick and easy gift idea. I made a few of these at Christmas time, and filled some with handmade cards, and some with chocolates.
I just slipped some pretty DSP inside the cover, and made a co-ordinating tag:

There are lots of other things you could use these for. You can keep Craft Supplies in them, looking neat on your shelves. Or how about popping in some sunscreen, tissues and other supplies for the beach or car? Or some colouring pencils and a notebook to keep the kids amused in waiting rooms?
Does anyone have any other brilliant ideas?


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Six-Sided Sampler Stamp-a-Stack

....trying saying that seven times fast!
This was one of my favourite Stamp-a-Stack Designs from last year, and I don't think I ever shared it here. It's a simple design, but I love this colour combo of Smoky Slate, Crushed Curry and Coastal Cabana:

The Six-sided Sampler stamp set and matching punch can be purchased as a bundle (p 125 - 132725 Wood-Mount Bundle $65.25  - 132724 Clear-Mount Bundle $56.75) You save 15% when you buy them this way.

TIP: Even the little banners behind the sentiments were made using the Hexagon punch. Just take a "bite" out of a strip of cardstock using the side points of the hexagon.


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Envelope Punch Board Boxes

This week I am running classes on the Envelope Punch Board. Specifically, on how to make boxes in all different shapes and sizes.
We'll be making our boxes from the gorgeous Watercolour Wonder DSP:

I've been through a stack of this DSP already....it's soooo pretty. We'll also be making a paper rose using the Spiral Flower Die.


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Simple Calendar Stand

Happy Valentine's Day! How is this for a perfect partnership: I had some leftover calendars from my Open House, and I had an IKEA "Tolsby" frames in my cupboard (I bought it because it was $1.99, and I knew I would find a use for it!), and when I put them together, this is what I came up with:

I've used a piece of DSP from the "Fresh Prints" stack, added a few punched flower embellishments (I love the new Petite Petals punch, and I especially love how well it layers with the Pansy Punch), a pretty piece of ribbon and voila, the perfect desk calendar in just a couple of minutes.

The mini calendar pads are from a school supplies company, and I have some spare calendars leftover. If you would like some, just send me an email telling me how many you would like, and I'll pop them in the mail for you. There's no charge, but I only have a few, so it's first in, first served!



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Tag Topper Treat Holders

I always like to make a little thank you treat for my Open House attendees, and this is what I made for everyone who came along last weekend. They are the perfect size to hold a chocolate treat (I used Freddos).
To make these, you need a 21x5cm piece of cardstock. Score 9.5cm from each end (TIP: if you are making a whole bunch of these, score your A4 sheet first, then cut it into 5cm strips). Punch each end using the Tag Topper Punch. To make the pretty wrapper, take a 6" x 4cm piece of DSP, and score at 5,7, 12 and 14cm (use the same tip above if you are making a big batch). Wrap it around the Treat Holder, using adhesive on the front and back to hold it in place.


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See Ya Later Stamp-a-Stack

This is the other design we are making at my Stamp-a-Stack Classes this week. We're using lots of new products on these cards - "See Ya Later" and "Banner Blast" stamp sets (both Sale-a-Bration freebies), the new Banner punch (another freebie), 3 new Embossing Folders (and we'll be putting the Texture Boutique Embossing Machine through its paces...I've taken to calling it the Baby BigShot, as it's proper name is such a mouthful!) and new silver and gold twine.

Even the colour combination I've used was inspired by the new Retro Fresh DSP....I often use DSP as inspiration when I'm looking for a new colour combo to try.


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Happy Watercolor Stamp-a-Stack

I'm so looking forward to getting back into classes next week. This is one of the designs we'll be making, using the new Happy Watercolor stamp set:

I've also used the new Hexagon Hive Thinlits Die (even the little hexagons that it cuts out!)
And check out the new Tag Topper Punch in action... I love how easy it is to make perfect tags.
The colours I've used are Pool Party and Wisteria Wonder, with a splash of elegant black and white.

I'm running this class at my house in Dundas next Tuesday night (11th Feb) and Wednesday night (12th Feb). We'll also be making 4 cards in another design. I have a couple of spots left in each class. Let me know if you would like to book in. I'd love to see you!


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Petite Petals Calendar

This was the other make-and-take at my Open House. For something a little bit different we made a self-standing desk calendar. I've made a few of these over the years, but never one with fringed grass!

They are very easy to make, and even fold flat for mailing:

It's made from a regular A5 piece of cardstock, scored at 7.5, 15, 17.5 and 20cm.
The grass and stems were both made using the new fringing scissors. The flowers are the new Petite Petals stamp set and matching punch. I also used the punch to make the leaves, by snipping in towards the centre.
The colours I've used are Soft Sky, Pistachio Pudding, Crushed Curry, Calypso Coral and Strawberry Slush.

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Another Great Year!

Hosting an Open House for 40 lovely ladies is a great way to get back into the Crafting/Classes/Card-making Groove! I think everyone had a fun afternoon....I certainly did! There was plenty of chatting, stamping, eating tasty treats and Catalogue-browsing....and lots of decision-making. Narrowing down a giant wishlist is a difficult process (I should know!)

This was one of the make-and-takes everyone got to make:

We used the (now retired) Sweet Sayings notecards from the recent "Whole Lot of Love" Promotion. If you weren't clever enough to order the notecards, here's an alternative A5-sized version (and a more masculine version too):

The stamp set that I've used is called "Another Great Year" (page 34 of the Occasions Catalogue). A very appropriate name for a kick-off-the-new-year party :o)
Here's my tip for making quick cards - BUY BIG STAMPS lol. I love a stamp that takes up a whole card front...a wee bit of embellishment is all that's required to finish it off.
I used a strip of Retro Fresh DSP on the masculine version, rather than ribbon, and took my colour scheme from there (Baked Brown Sugar, Tangerine Tango, Coastal Cabana and Very Vanilla)


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