12 Cards of Christmas - Card 12

I hope you've enjoyed the last 11 cards. This is the last one today and TOMORROW at 8pm our Summer Mini Blog Hop starts. Make sure to tune in then!
I know I've been calling this 12 CARDS of Christmas, but I'm going to cheat and sneak in a little card and pressie in one! I made these as thankyou gifts for my Spring Mini Farewell Party, and everyone seemed to like them :o)
I've turned the little deer from the Forest Friends stamp set into Rudolph!

Isn't he cute?? I used a Real Red brad for his nose. I got the idea for the chocolate holder from the very lovely Ngaire's Incentive Trip swap. She made a really cute version with a Freddo inside, and I've just Christmas-ified it (yes that IS a word!). I also tweaked it a little... I had to make a LOT of these, so I wanted to get maximum use out of my cardstock. Just cut a 21 x 7cm piece of cardstock (you can get 4 from an A4 sheet), and score at 7, 8, 15 and 16cm. They are really simple and quick to make!

When you open it up, Santa peeks through the window:

Forest Friends, and everything else in the Spring Mini is only available for ONE MORE DAY! I'll be taking orders until 9pm Monday, 30th November. That's TOMORROW! Let me know if you would like anything!

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Forest Friends, Best Yet (Hostess), See You Around (Jumbo wheel)
ink: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Versamark
card: Old Olive, Whisper White, Riding Hood Red
other: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circel Punch, Dimensionals

Parisian Breeze Journal

It's always a bittersweet time when it's the last month of a mini catalogue...so sad to see some favourites go, but also excited to see the next offering from Stampin' Up!

This journal showcases 2 of my favourite products from the Spring Mini - Great Friend stamp set and Parisian Breeze DSP:

This DSP (Designer Series Paper) is not just ordinary paper. It's called Specialty paper, which means it is a heavier weight and also textured. I love all the patterns in this pack, and the combination of Baja Breeze and browns works equally well for males and females. It's also strong enough to make boxes and 3D items out of.

We used it in my project class a while ago to cover one of the Stampin' Up! Art Journals. I turned mine into an Inspiration Journal, where I can jot down colour combinations, sketches and inspiring pictures for those days when I am feeling completely uninspired (yes, I have those days too!).

We used the Spiral punch to make the holes in the cover (I love the way it fits perfectly and looks absolutely seamless). I cut my letters and butterflies out, and then applied Crystal Effects to make them glossy. I even made a ribbon bookmark and attached some Pretties Kit beads to the end.

The Spiral Punch and smaller 5x5 Art Journal are on the Christmas Extravaganza list. I've bought the small one, and I'm going to decorate it as a Chrissy present for Amy. She starts high school next year, and I'm scared she'll stop telling me all the little things that go on in her life. I'm going to call it our Pillow Talk book, and we can write messages to eachother and leave it on eachother's pillow :o) I'll have to make a purple cover with butterflies..her two favourite things!

NEWSFLASH: Stampin' Up! have just announced that you now have a choice of 2 punches for the Christmas Extravaganza: the Scallop Square or Boho Blossom Punch (pictured). Woo Hoo! Let me know if you'd like to treat yourself (or someone else) to $85 worth of goodies from the list, so you can get your FREE punch ($30.95 value!).

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Jumbo Alphabet, Great Friend
ink: Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand
card: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Kraft
other: Spiral Punch, Pretties Kit, White Taffeta Ribbon, Parisian Breeze DSP, Crystal Effects

You're invited!

I'd love to see you at my Christmas Extravaganza event this month to Farewell Spring, and start the Silly Season off with a bang!

This is your chance to say goodbye to your favourite products from the Spring Mini Catalogue. It's also my "Merry Christmas" bash, and we can welcome in the Festive Season with a glass of bubbly and some nibblies.

You can make some gorgeous Christmas Tags to jazz up your Christmas presents. You'll make 8 tags and these are the 2 designs:

I've used mine to jazz up a couple of boxes of chockies. I just wrapped the chockies in some co-ordinating Designer Series paper and a bit of ribbon, and it makes a perfect easy-peasy gift (that looks like you spent hours making!)
PLUS there will be Special Offers and Discounts, Lucky Door Prizes, and of course a little pressie from me to take home.
I'm having 2 different time slots, so it won't be too crowded, but places are still limited!

When: Sunday 15th November
Time: 2:00pm- 4:00pm OR 7:00pm- 9:00pm
(let me know which time slot suits you when you RSVP)
Where: 27 Ryan St, Dundas Valley
Cost: FREE

PLACES ARE FILLING UP FAST, SO BOOK IN NOW!
Please RSVP by 8th November

Soft Summer

It's getting towards that time of year when we have to say goodbye to all of the lovely stuff in the Spring Mini Catalogue (and I wonder how I will cope without the scallop oval punch until next September!!). I'm consoling myself by looking through the new Summer Mini Catalogue over and over again. Yes, I have it here in my hot little hands and there's some exciting stuff in there... and 7 sets brand new, never before seen in US catalogues!

But I'm getting ahead of myself. We still have one month left to enjoy the Scallop Oval, Oval All, Great Friend, Parisian Breeze, Ski Slope DSP, Tree Trimmings, and this lovely set Soft Summer: This was a Stamp-a-Stack I did back in August. Simple cards using fresh, summery colours. 2-step stamping makes it really quick and easy. These stamps are double-mounted, so it makes the set really cost-effective too - $41.95 for 6 stamps.

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Soft Summer, Oval All
ink:Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, Kiwi Kiss, So Saffron, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip
card: Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, Kiwi Kiss, So Saffron, More Mustard, Very Vanilla
other: Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, sponge daubers, stamp-a-ma-jig

Finally, some stamping!

You can probably tell by the plethora of blog pots today, that NSW school holidays have ended and my kids are back at school! I just love the holidays...letting go of the routine and spending time with my children are two of my favourite things in the world. Of course getting back into a routine and having some time to myself are two of my other favourite things!

I thought I would show you the second stamp-a-stack design from last month. We used the very cute Forest Friends stamp set (in the Spring Mini) to create some sweet little cards:

I kept these ones very clean and simple, with lots of white space. I also used a slightly different fold; I scored about 1cm in from the spine, and stuck down the scored section, so it opens up like a book. I know there's a special name for that type of fold, and they use it to describe photo albums that are made like that, but I can't for the life of me think of it (I would try googling, but I'm determined to get off this computer soon!!). Does anyone know the name of it??

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Forest Friends, Occasional Greetings, On Your Birthday, Sweet Little sentiments (Level 1 set)
ink: Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouettte, Close to Cocoa
card: Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouettte, Whisper White, Certainly Celery
other: Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, White gel pen, Close to Cocoa marker, Eyelet Border punch, Designer Label punch, Corner rounder Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Baja Breeze striped Ribbon, Pink Pirouette Striped Ribbon, Crop-a-dile, Close to Cocoa Marker

More Rub-Ons

This was the other card we made in my Rub-Ons class this month. There's very little stamping on this card - just the branch (from Cheep Talk) and the words "for you" (from Basic Phrases). The rest is all Rub-Ons. Yes, you can use rub-ons on ribbon, and don't they look fabulous on a clear button? I put some "Walk in the Park" paper behind the clear button. These buttons are so handy to have in your stash, because you can make them co-ordinate with anything.

Don't forget...Only a week left to get your FREE Ribbon Bundle! Read about how you can get yours HERE. Don't miss out!


Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Cheep Talk, Basic Phrases
ink: Basic Grey, Kiwi Kiss
card: Cameo Coral, Pink pirouette, Whisper White
other: Clear button, Walk in the Park DSP, Summer Love Rub-Ons, 1" Circle Punch, Scallop Sqaure Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Baja Breeze double-Stitched Ribbon

Challenge #5 - Look Mum, No Stamps!

Can you believe that there is absolutely no stamping on this card? Not one little bit. It is actually one of the designs in my Rub-Ons Technique classes this month. It is difficult to tell in the photo, but the Baja Breeze piece has an acetate window behind it, and the stem and small butterfly are behind the window, and the grey outline and large butterfly are on top of the acetate. That's one of the great things about Rub-Ons...they can go anywhere! I made the window using the 1 3/8" Square punch, punched 4 times to make a rectangle. It's much easier than using a craft knife! I secured the acetate (just an overhead transparency sheet) using Snail adhesive.
The leafy border, and the sentiment are all Rub-Ons too. They come from the Summer Love Rub-Ons pack in the Mini.
I made the slightly rectangular Wide Oval by feeding a strip of cardstock slightly narrower than the punch into it (3.1cm)
So, that brings me to Challenge #5, a Stampless Challenge! Make a card that features no stamping whatsoever. You can use Designer Papers, Rub-Ons, embellishments galore, but No Stamps! *gasp*
I'm looking forward to seeing how creative you can be!

Enter a link to your creation via Mr Linky (please link directly to individual blog posts), and leave a comment on this post too.


You have until October 31 to enter, and anyone from Australia/NZ can enter. The winner will receive a sheet of Bright Delights Rub-Ons!

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: none!
ink: none!
card: Baja Breeze, Whisper White
other:Summer Love Rub-Ons, Scallop Oval punch, Wide Oval punch 1 3/8" Square Punch, Kiwi Kiss Satin ribbon, Dimensionals, Acetate (non SU!)

Another Guest Blogger!

There is one last day to enter my Challenge!
You have until tomorrow night to enter, and I'll announce the winner on Wednesday morning.
This gorgeous entry is by Cheryl:


She's used the Great Friend stamp set, and Walk in the Park papers. I love the way she's used a small oval with the Scallop oval, and placed it off-centre with a corduroy button.
Absolutely stunning card, Cheryl!

Elite Challenges

I had the loveliest day yesterday, catching up on some Elite Challenges from August, and doing the September ones too. I also used some Mojo Monday sketches again...they really take so much of the brainwork out of it! Here are some snapshots of my efforts (you'll need to click on the pictures to be taken to the full card)

This one was August's Sketch Challenge from page 22 of the Spring Mini.

This one was a Colour Challenge, and I've used a Level 1 Hostess set that had yet to see ink! I've also used Mojo Monday Sketch #79

For this Stamp Set Challenge we had to use my favourite stamp set from the Spring Mini "Great Friend". I've done this in Baja Breeze so much, and I felt like doing something a bit different with it, so I paired it with the gorgeous Haiku DSP, and Emboss-Resist brayering.

This one was September's Sketch Challenge from page 11 of the Spring Mini.

This one was a Colour Challenge, and I've used the very cute Build-a-roo set...and another Mojo Monday Sketch - #76

For this Stamp Set Challenge we had to use another set from the Mini "Soft Summer". I've done this in pink tones, and it looks gorgeous, and I thought I'd see how it looks in blues (I like it even better!). I've used the watercolour spritzing technique, and yet another Mojo Monday sketch.

So, what do you think? I'd love to know which one is your favourite!

Well, I've had my day of fun. I'd love to do it all again today, but the cupboards are bare, and I don't think my family will be too happy with "leftover surprise" for dinner again! LOL

Great Friend Tri-Shutter

There have been lots of these Tri-shutter cards on various blogs and websites lately, so I thought it would make the perfect second card for my Fancy Folds class. This is what the card looks like closed: And when you open it up, Voila!

The Urban Garden papers are so gorgeous, I have used them and used them and used them. Sometimes I have to *force* myself to use something different! Can you believe this card only uses a 3.5cm strip from 2 sheets of the paper. So even you paper-hoarders (and I know you're out there!) can make one of these and it will barely make a dent in your stash.

TIP: I used Confetti White cardstock for my card base, as it's a bit stronger and sturdier than the Whisper White. But I stamped my cut-out butterflies on Whisper White, as you just can't beat it for a crisp stamped image.

Here are some basic instructions with measurements that I worked out to suit Aussie cardstock and envelopes:
1. Cut an A4 piece of cardstock to 27 x 14.8cm
2. Turn to landscape orientation and score at 4.5cm, 9cm, 18cm and 22.5cm
3. Put the piece of cardstock portrait orientation in a trimmer. Cut a slit 4cm in, from 4.5 to 22.5 cm. Do the same on the opposite side
4. Fold along score lines accordion style, making sure the top and bottom narrow sections are folded in the same direction, while the middle wider section is folded in the opposite direction

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Great Friend
ink: Baja Breeze, Basic Grey, Kiwi Kiss
card: Confetti White, Whisper White, Basic Grey
other: Baja Breeze striped grosgrain ribbon, Kiwi Kiss Corduroy button, Urban Garden DSP

Sense of Time Stamp-a-Stack

I thought a masculine design would be a good idea for my August Stamp-a-Stacks, since Father's Day is just around the corner. I couldn't go past the Sense of Time set in the Spring Mini. It's not my usual style, but I was quite happy with how these came out, and the set is soooo easy to use. You really can't go wrong. I'm thinking it would make lovely heritage-style scrapbook pages too....

I also focused on some different ways to use Jumbo eyelets in this class. The hardware feel of the eyelets make them a great masculine embellishment (and the Crop-a-dile makes easy work of setting them!). I also used some Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, and some Linen thread. Tearing and sponging adds interest and texture to these fairly simple designs.

I have used some slightly neglected colours on these cards too - Mellow Moss and Bordering Blue. They both have a touch of grey in them, which makes them perfect for blokes :o)

So if you haven't made your Father's Day cards yet, whip out a collage style stamp set and some hardware, and you'll have them done in a jiffy.

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Sense of Time, On Your Birthday, Occasional Greetings
ink: Close to Cocoa, Bordering Blue, Mellow Moss
card: Bordering Blue, Mellow Moss, Naturals Ivory, Kraft
other: Brass Jumbo Eyelets, Linen Thread, 3/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch, Chocolate Chip Wide grosgrain, ribbon, Crop-a-Dile, sponge daubers, tag punch, Chocolate Chip marker

Team Meetings

One of my favourite gatherings are our team meetings. I hold them in my house, and it won't be long before we don't all fit, but I'm going to have them here for as long as I possibly can! We're planning a second storey renovation for early next year which will include knocking down a couple of walls downstairs to make a large dining room at the back of the house, so that will help! I'm going to put off hiring a hall for as long as possible because I just prefer a homey atmosphere. Our team meetings are always pretty informal. It's just a nice way to touch base with everyone, compare notes, and share what we've been up to. Of course there's always some stamping too. This was our most recent make-and-take. Everyone at the meeting made one, plus I like to mail one out to all those who couldn't make it on the day.

It's a super quick card that can easily be adjusted to suit almost any stamp set and punches, so it's a layout that I come back to again and again for workshops.

TIP: This card uses A4 cardstock very economically. The Kiwi Kiss piece is 10.5 x 7.4cm, so you can get 8 from an A4 sheet with no leftover bits. The Whisper White piece is 10.5 x 5.9cm so you can get 10 pieces from an A4 sheet with no leftovers. Super quick and easy for last-minute card emergencies!

This design also works well in workshops because although it is very simple, it has quite a few steps. So one person can be stamping butterflies (stamp 3 times in Riding Hood Red ink without re-inking the stamp), while another stamps the background stems in Pink Pirouette, and another stamps their sentiment in Kiwi Kiss. There's also some Paper piercing, faux stitching, edge distressing, sponging and punching to keep everyone busy, and give them some practise at various techniques and tools.
I couldn't resist making a stepped-up version....sometimes cards just beg to have their glad-rags on!Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Great Friend, Oval All
ink: Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss
card: Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White
other: Scallop Oval, Large Oval, Mat pack, White Gel Pen, sponge daubers, Cutter Kit (Distressing Tool), Felt Fusion, Rhinestone brads, Pink Pirouette Striped ribbon, Horizontal Slot punch, dimensionals

Tutorial - Sevens Box

This is the little treat box that my Launch party guests got to take home. I filled it with some yummy Coconut Ice (colour-co-ordinated, of course!)

It's been ages since I've done a tutorial on here, so thought I would show you how to make the box. They are really easy, and all you need is 1 A4 sheet of cardstock.

I've called this a Sevens Box, because you need to know your seven times table to make one!
First put your A4 cardstock in your trimmer Portrait Orientation, and use a Scoring blade or Bone Folder to score at 7 and 14 cm:

Then turn it to landscape orientation and score at 7cm intervals: 7, 14, 21 and 28cm (that's where your seven times table comes in handy!):

Now you need to cut off 2 squares and 2 small rectangles from one end, leaving just the centre square and small rectangle:
And use a Bone Folder to fold in at all the score lines:

You should have something that looks like this:

Now you need to cut along the score lines on both sides:

Now is a good time to decorate it:
(now, before you email me with stamping advice, I'm not holding my stamp upside down...it's a double-mounted stamp)

If you like, you can punch a peek-a-boo window in the front or the top flap:

This is what it looks like after stamping and punching:
(you only need to stamp in a "T" shape, as they will be the only exposed sides)

Apply adhesive to one of the middle flaps (I used Tombow glue because I had to make 50 of these boxes, and it was quick, cheap and easy! ...but you could use Sticky Strip if you like)

Adhere the front panel to the glue on the middle panel, and then apply more glue to the back panel:

and adhere that to the middle panel, forming one side of the box:

Repeat for the other side and Voila!

It looks cute with a Curly Label window too:

Don't forget to stamp the Cello Bag with White Stazon to match!

I think I'll be doing more of these at Christmas Time!

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Soft Summer, Elegant Thank You (mini catalogue)
ink: Pink Pirouette, White Stazon (mini catalogue)
card: Pink Pirouette
other: So Saffron Striped ribbon, Curly Label punch, Wide Oval Punch, Designer Label Punch, Crop-a-dile, Dimensionals

Blog Candy coming up soon....I've just realised that I'm about to reach a BIG number of Blog subscribers. Woo hoo!