More French Foliage

Here's a nice simple one using French Foliage. What a great "bloke" card! I think I'll make a couple of these for Father's Day coming up...
I've used Naturals Ivory cardstock and stamped the woodgrain background in Crumb Cake ink. The strip of Always Artichoke cardstock has been given the Faux Suede treatment: run the strip of cardstock across a table edge (or you can use a bone folder) several times to loosen the fibres of the cardstock. Gently separate the two layers. Scrunch it up and open out again and then lightly tap it on the Always Artichoke inkpad.

Anyone else following Masterchef? We're all addicted here. It's exciting seeing the contestants being whittled down. Amy is a big fan of Ellie, and Jacob thinks Hayden is going to win. I myself like Kate :o)

French Foliage

Probably my most-used set from the current mini would have to be French Foliage. It's one of those very forgiving stamp sets - it's practically impossible to make it look bad! I've used the beautiful leaf images a lot, but I also find myself reaching for the other elements in the set - the fine script and the ink spatters in particular...very handy for covering up an "oops"!
For this stamp-a-stack, I took my inspiration from page 20 of the Mini. I loved the look of embossing a piece of cardstock in the same colour as the base card, and sticking it over the top. I made multi-coloured leaves by using a sponge dauber to sponge directly onto the rubber in More Mustard, Cajun Craze and Crumb Cake. The Spiral Punch makes a great "notepad" border, perfect for masculine cards (I have a sneaking suspicion that this punch will be retiring come August *sob*). I've used Bring on the Cake (also in the Mini) on all these cards...it has a great variety of Birthday phrases. Very handy if, like me, you make more birthday cards than any other.
We stamped on Naturals Ivory cardstock, which is a lovely soft antique white. Finally, a piece of Linen thread finishes these cards off nicely.
I hope you have a great week. My sister is on Maternity leave now so I'll be spending some time this week helping her put the finishing touches to Junior's room :o)

Cupcake Stamp-a-Stack

Where has this week gone?? In fact, where has the first half of the year gone??

I thought you might like to see some bright and cheery stamp-a-stack cards we made using the Build a Cupcake stamp set and punch (love this punch!).

In these cards, I've showed a few different ways to make cupcakes by either using the stamp set alone (with no punching), or by using the punch alone (no stamping) or by using a combination of the two. I've also used the Melon Mambo Pom-Pom trim, the In Stitches Jumbo Wheel and the Decorative Label Punch, all in the Mini.

I love pairing the Decorative Label with the Wide Oval punch...it makes a real feature of it.

The colours I've used are Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink., Tempting Turquoise and Chocolate Chip - sweet pinks with the other colours to balance it out a bit! :o)

Coasters!

This month's Project Class is something a little bit different. We are making a set of 4 coasters and a Holder for them to go in.
This project came to life when I was searching for a nice set of coasters to buy my Mum for Mother's Day. I couldn't find any that I thought she would like, so of course I did what all good crafters do - I made my own!


I found a very ugly set of coasters in a homewares shop, on sale for only $5.95 (and they had heaps of them, because of their ugliness). I like a challenge, so I bought them, thinking that I could give them an Extreme Makeover. Here's what they look like, after they have had their Stampin' Up! treatment: I covered them with Blueberry Crisp DSP and also used the Razzle Dazzle stamp set. In my class next week everyone will be able to choose their favourite DSP to cover their coasters, and they will also learn how to make them heat and water-proof!
I hope you all have a lovely weekend. We finally seem to have seen the end of the rain here in Sydney for a little while, so I'm planning to enjoy the great outdoors!

Lunch Sack Mini Album

The days seem to be just flying by at the moment, and there don't seem to be enough hours in them either!
I promised to show you the Paper Bag Mini Album that I made using the Mini Lunch Sacks (on page 21 in the Mini Catalogue). I made mine into a Gratitude Album. I have so many things in my life to be grateful for, and I think like most people I sometimes take them for granted. So this album is filled with quotations about gratitude and photos of special people in my life, and it's something I can flip through when I need a gentle reminder about how many blessings I have *smile*
Here's the cover, embellished with autumn leaves cut out using the Leaves Die on the Big Shot in Autumn Spice DSP:

I've used 3 Mini Lunch Sacks to make the album and each one can be opened up, so you can slip little mementos or some journalling inside:


The other pages are just the Autumn Spice DSP (it is a specialty paper and is cardstock weight, so it's perfect for projects like this)
Here are the rest of the pages (you should be able to click on them to see a larger version, and read the quotes):









I held it all together using my Crop-a-dile to punch 2 holes and then setting 2 Jumbo eyelets to the front, and 2 more to the back. This holds it securely and gives it a neat finished look too. The ribbon is just to pretty it up!

It was a fun project to make, and didn't take too long either. Hope you like it!

2 spots left!

Due to popular demand, I am opening up a second group, but I only have 2 places left, so you'll need to be quick! All you need to do is email me your $90 order, and then you can choose $22 in freebies to add to it. I'll be placing the orders tomorrow!


Here's the info in case you missed it:
Would you like to to advantage of this month's Hostess Promotion, but don't have time to host a workshop?

Why not join in my Virtual Workshop? It's easy! All you have to do is email me your order of $90 or more* by this Friday 10th June with "Virtual Workshop" in the subject line. Once I get 5 orders, I will combine them and all 5 of you share in the Hostess goodies! This means that for every $90 you spend, you get to choose $22 in freebies! And what's more, I will put the 5 names in a draw to win a Level 1 Hostess Set!
I can run another one later on in the month if there is enough interest.

The orders will be sent to me (the usual shipping and handling charge of 5% applies), and I can either deliver it to you if you live nearby or mail it if you are further away (I will cover the cost of mailing it to you).
Email me now to join in the fun!

* your $90 order can include the 5% shipping and handling fee

Amy's Birthday card

How about a nice bright card in some lovely WARM colours? (it's been freezing here in Sydney). This was the card I made for Amy for her birthday. She turned 14, but she is still very much into all things cute and cuddly! (with a vampire or two thrown in!)
I've used a new stamp acquisition Every Little Bit. As Demonstrators we get to earn stamp sets for free, and I must say free stamps are my favourite kind of stamps! *smile*

Virtual Workshop!

Would you like to to advantage of this month's Hostess Promotion, but don't have time to host a workshop?

Why not join in my Virtual Workshop? It's easy! All you have to do is email me your order of $90 or more* by this Friday 10th June with "Virtual Workshop" in the subject line. Once I get 5 orders, I will combine them and all 5 of you share in the Hostess goodies! This means that for every $90 you spend, you get to choose $22 in freebies! And what's more, I will put the 5 names in a draw to win a Level 1 Hostess Set!
I can run another one later on in the month if there is enough interest.

The orders will be sent to me (the usual shipping and handling charge of 5% applies), and I can either deliver it to you if you live nearby or mail it if you are further away (I will cover the cost of mailing it to you).
Email me now to join in the fun!

* your $90 order can include the 5% shipping and handling fee

Come and take a look!

After a small hiatus, the Elite Challenges Blog is up and running again. The lovely Carol has set some great challenges for us. It's been ages since I participated in a challenge, and the rainy weather in Sydney this past few days gave me the perfect excuse to sit and stamp ;o)
I did all the challenges for May and June. You can check out my six entries HERE
Let me know what you think!
...and while you're at it, have a look around at some of the other fantastic work over there!

Mini Lunch Sacks

I'm loving the Mini Lunch Sacks in the Mini Catalogue at the moment. It's so easy to dress one up (here I just used some leftover scraps of DSP) and pop a little something for a special someone inside. I used a Big Button (also from the mini) which I just stuck on with a Dimensional. I've attached only the lower half of the button so that the folded-over edge of the bag slots into it and holds the bag shut. The little tag sits in a mini envelope made with the Petal Card Punch. Too cute!
Stay tuned and next time I'll be showing you the Mini Album I made, also using the Mini Lunch Sacks.
It's so nice to see the sun out here in Sydney (after a week of rain)...now to tackle the mountainous piles of washing!!

Bow Tie Owl

I've been having fun with the owl punch. It's just so cute! I've given my owl a bow tie which I made using 2 chopped up owl's feet (sounds quite gruesome doesn't it?!)
The colours I've used are More Mustard, Baja Breeze and Chocolate Chip, and the sentiment is from the level 2 Hostess set Apple Blossoms. I've also used the Woodgrain stamp on the Top Note.