Cup and Saucer

I can't take any credit for today's blog entry. I received an amazing paper cup and saucer (filled with Hershey kisses) from my lovely friend and workshop hostess Marilyn. Marilyn makes the most amazing things from paper, and she really doesn't need me to do a workshop for her at all, let alone give me a gift for coming along!
Of course once I got home I had to make one of my own, and because Marilyn was kind enough to share the template with me, I could!

You can find the template here

I only used the template for the cup. I’ve used Dies and punches for the rest, and a strip of cardstock for the handle.

The stamps I used are “Elements of Style” for the cup and saucer, and “You are Loved” for the tag. I chose Baja Breeze and white as my colour scheme.

We all made cups and saucers at last month's team meeting. Thanks Marilyn!



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Free MDS Download!

The My Digital Studio Facebook page has reached 20,000 likes, and they are giving away a Download for FREE!! It’s only free until the 23rd April, so get it now.

 

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Oh Whale Simply Scored

I've been having fun with my Simply Scored Borders Plate. The first thing I thought of when I saw it was that the scallops would make great ocean waves. And of course the perfect animal to swim in the ocean is...

How cute is that whale?? I haven't even used the matching stamp set here, just the sizzlet on it's own. There's a great wave-y patterned paper in the Sunshine and Sprinkles DSP that worked perfectly on this card. The Whale sizzlet also cuts out some other useful shapes, including this little anchor. And a silver button is the perfect finishing touch.
The Simply Scored "waves" don't show up that well in the photo, but they are very tactile in real life. I've done the waves all over the white piece. Here's a close-up:

Here are some TIPS to help you get the most out of your Borders Scoring Plate:

1. Don't forget to remove the plastic film on both sides of the clear plastic template.  It works much better without the films in place!

2. Use a post-it note or two to hold the cardstock in place
3. Hold the stylus in a vertical (upright) position
4. To help the stylus glide more smoothly over the paper, try one of the following ideas:

• run the tip of the stylus over a piece of soap
• run the tip of the stylus through your hair (yes, really!)
• run your finger over the paper that you are going to score. The oils in your hand will help the stylus to glide over the card stock. 
• rub the paper with waxed paper before using the stylus

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Swallowtail Stamp-a-Stack

I have to admit that I wasn't tempted by this Swallowtail stamp straight away, but then I received an amazing birthday card from Teresa Dabrowski and another from Nikki Stalker and they made me buy it. Has that ever happened to you?? Well, I'm actually very grateful, because now I love it. It is one of my favourite stamps and I have now made some other people buy it (I'm sure they're very grateful too!)
Here's the stamp-a-stack we did this month using this gorgeous stamp:

My apologies for the photo. It was a quick one taken right before my class.
We stamped the butterfly in Early Espresso ink and coloured it in with sponge daubers. It's such a quick way to apply colour to a stamp like this. I then ran the piece through the Big Shot using various embossing folders.
One of the best things about this stamp is that it takes up most of the card...just enough room for a simple greeting and it's done!
I've used Naturals Ivory and Naturals White cardstock on these cards. I love the soft tone and subtle fleck in it.



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Stampin' Up! Promotion

Do you ever wish that you had more money to spend on Stampin' Up! products? Consider it done.

If you host a $400 party (or place a $400 group or individual order), you'll earn an additional $60 in FREE products! So that's $120 in freebies (of your choice)

OR Join Stampin' Up! and get an additional $60 in your Starter Kit!

Dates: 15 April-30 May, 2013 (yes, it ends the day before the last day of the month)



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Faux Tearing Revisited

It's been a while since I did any faux tearing, but I revisited it last month for our team meeting. At every monthly meeting, we learn (or re-learn) a stamping technique. I always find that even if I've done a technique before, it's always good to have a refresher.

Here's my Faux Tearing card a la "French Foliage":

and a close-up of the "torn" edge:

You really have to run your finger over it to feel that it isn't really torn, it's just a sponged effect using ink.
To get this look on your card, tear a scrap of paper that is at least as long as your card. This will be your mask. Lay the torn edge along your card where you would like your faux tear to be. Use a sponge and your inkpad to sponge along the torn edge. Move the mask up over the sponged edge a few mm. Finally, stamp, sponge, spritz or brayer the cardstock above the tear. Voila!

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My Digital Studio

As you are probably aware, My Digital Studio has been launched in Australia.

I've been having a play with it over the past couple of weeks, and I have to say (and this is coming from a complete novice at this kind of stuff) that it is so intuitive and easy to use. It's a software program for your computer that allows you to design digital scrapbook pages, cards, banners, printables and more. You can use all the fabulous Stampin' Up! stamp sets, papers, punches and embellishments, but in digital form.

The best part about it is that you can try it absolutely free. Download the FREE 30-day program trial HERE. After the 30-day trial, if you decide to purchase the program, it is only $24.95. That's a one-off cost and it comes loaded with tons of stamps, embellishments and papers already on it. You can also purchase individual elements for immediate download from My Stampin Up Online Store. Some of those are free too!

So what are you waiting for? Download the free trial now!

The first 'big' project that I tackled was a new blog header. I kept it very simple, and I'm not sure that I am 100% happy with it, but it's a start! What do you think?

Online Order Offer!

I'm having an Oh! Oh! Oh! (but in a good way, I promise!) If you place an Online Order with me between 10th April - 10th May, for every $10 you spend, you will get an entry into the draw to win this fabulous bundle of goodies:

What an amazing stash! 4 stamp sets, a pack of paper, a ribbon and button bundle, an embossing folder and a Simply Sent Kit...all brand new and unopened!

This Offer is only available for Online Orders at my store, and only from 10th April - 10th May 2013.
Click HERE to Shop Now

Going, Going, Gone...

Just a quick note to let you know that some ink refills are sold out already - Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery and River Rock ink refills are all no longer available.
Regals Collection and Neutrals Collection are also sold out.
Regals and Brights Watercolour Crayons are also sold out.

You'll need to get in fast if you need to stock up on any retiring colours. They are available only while stocks last!


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2013 Colour Refresh

Stampin' Up! love to keep their colour palette up to date and on trend, so it's time for a freshen up!

The upcoming 2013-2014 annual catalogue will include 10 new colours (most of which are returning In Colors from previous years)! We are welcoming back some of your favourites, moving some colours around, and introducing three brand-new colours, so take a look!

In a nutshell, we are losing 10 colours - Regal Rose, Pretty In Pink, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Bravo Burgundy, Not Quite Navy, More Mustard and River Rock. Products in these 10 colours are available only while stocks last from today (inks, refills, cardstock, ribbons etc). If you need to stock up on any of these items, I would recommend ordering fairly
quickly based on prior experience!

We are also gaining 10 colours - Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Island Indigo are all sticking around. We are welcoming back Blushing Bride, Soft Sky and Pear Pizzazz. And we'll be meeting brand new Smoky Slate, Crushed Curry and Bermuda Bay.

You can see a video showing the new colour families HERE

I love change, and I love colour, so I'm very excited. I must admit that I am a little sad about losing Baja Breeze though. Which colour will you miss most?

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Creped Filter Paper Flowers

It’s very quick and easy to make gorgeous flowers using the Creped Filter Paper (Seasonal Catalogue page 6, $4.95). I made my flower using the Blossom Punch. I folded the Rectangular piece of Filter paper into eighths and punched once to get 8 flowers. I then placed a brad in the middle to secure the layers together, and scrunched up each layer to the middle, working from the top layer down. I added a touch of colour using a sponge and Wisteria Wonder ink.

The heart on my card is from the More Amour Specialty Paper. I have coloured the white side using a brayer and Wisteria Wonder ink.

Creped Filter Paper can be found in the Seasonal Catalogue page 6, $4.95. It's strong, flexible, sheer paper, great for creating 3-D accents. It can be stamped, dyed, inked, punched, stitched or cut. 12 sheets per package. Each package includes four 6" x 12" (15.2 x 30.5 cm) rectangles and eight 6" (15.2 cm) diameter circles.

See a video tutorial HERE

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Watercolor Pencils and Crayons Discontinued

Due to unforeseen problems with our supplier for Watercolor Wonder Crayons and Watercolor Pencils, Stampin' Up! have decided to discontinue these two products.
The following items are only available while supplies last. Get 'em before they're gone!

101879: Watercolor Pencils
119802: Subtles Collection Watercolor Wonder Crayons
119803: Regals Collection Watercolor Wonder Crayons
119804: Brights Collection Watercolor Wonder Crayons
119805: Neutrals Collection Watercolor Wonder Crayons

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Petite Curly Label Punch Now Available

The Petite Curly Label Punch that you saw in the Sale-a-Bration brochure is now available for purchase!

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Sent With Love Special Offer

During this limited-time offer, you can purchase the exclusive Sent with Love Stamp Set or Sent with Love Designer Series Paper - or bundle them for a special 20% discount!
The Sent with Love Stamp Set and Sent with Love Designer Series Paper are only available during this special offer. After 15 June, they'll both fly away!

Item	Description	Price
131847	Sent with Love Stamp Set (clear-mount)	$33.95
132182	Sent with Love Designer Series Paper	$18.95
132851	Pretty Bundle Includes the Sent with Love Stamp Set, Sent with Love Designer Series Paper, and Calypso Coral Baker's Twine	$46.25 20% off retail value!

Email me to place your order or click HERE to shop now!