Coveting Snow Swirled

There's a gorgeous set in the US catty called "Snow Swirled", which we don't have yet, and Liam (then-customer and now-downline, and champion of thinking out of the box!) gave me the idea to make my own version using Priceless. And it just so happened that I had a masking class planned, and so this card was born! This is a technique called reverse masking. I made a triangle shape out of post-it notes (so I measured 3 points for my triangle, and stuck a post-it note joining each point, leaving a triangle-shaped hole in the middle). Then I stamped the small swirl from 'Priceless' inside my triangle and also sponged inside too. Then I stamped the tiny flower from Priceless in Gold Encore ink, and I dotted the centres using a mixture of Purely Pomegranate re-inker and Crystal effects, applied with a toothpick. Then just whip off your reverse masks and Voila! I've also sponged the edge of the River Rock cardstock with River Rock ink. The words 'Season's Greetings' are from an awesome set called "Many Merry Messages". The Pomegranate ribbon is in the current Spring Mini, which expires at the end of this month, so don't wait until December to buy it!

These colours are River Rock, Always Artichoke and Purely Pomegranate. Here's a blue version:

Ballet Blue and Bashful Blue with Silver embossed accents.
Which one is your favourite?

Always Sunset

Last month's technique class was masking, and this is the card we made....quite Zindorf-esque, I think! Michelle Zindorf is the master of brayering. Her work is stunning.
For those who don't know, a brayer is a rubber roller used to apply ink. It's an essential item in a stamper's toolbox, and can be used to get rainbow effects like this, as well as to apply ink evenly to large detailed stamps, to dye patterned paper a different colour, and lots more.
To get this look, we used gloss cardstock, and started by brayering the entire piece with More Mustard ink. You apply ink using a brayer by rolling backwards and forwards until the ink is even. I find gloss is a bit more forgiving to brayer on than regular cardstock.
I then stamped the bird from 'Always' in Elegant Eggplant ink, and masked him with a cut-out sticky note. Next I stamped the Baroque Motifs swirl in More Mustard ink. I then made a mask for the sun (just a 1 3/8" circle punched out of a Sticky note). Next I brayered with Really Rust ink, starting at the top of the card and working my way down as I rolled to get a blending effect. I did the same thing with Chocolate Chip on the bottom half. Then I removed the sun mask, and stamped the branches from Always on the right hand side.
The finishing touches are some black grosgrain ribbon on the left, with a Hodgepodge paperclip, and the sentiment is also inside a Hodgepodge frame.
'Always' is another gorgeous set that is only available until the end of this month!

Time for a Challenge!

I haven't had time for a Kristina challenge for aaaages, and I really don't have time this week either, but I just couldn't walk past these colours!!

So, this super-quick and simple (but hopefully elegant!) card is doing double-duty as a birthday card for a special someone and my challenge card!

It's also a sneak peak of a stamp set that is coming soon ;o)

Stamps: Polka Dot background, Embrace Life
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink: Whisper White, Old Olive, Certainly Celery
Other: Celery Wide Grosgrain ribbon, Scallop border punch (also coming soon!), Blender Pens

One of a Kind

Another set from the Mini that I'll be sad to say goodbye to..."One of a Kind", and it's matching Boho Blossoms punch. I used the colours from THIS Elite challenge for this card: Old Olive, So Saffron, and Blue Bayou. I love the rich buttery yellow of So Saffron, and I'm not normally much of a yellow girl!
I stamped the large flower from One of a Kind in So Saffron ink, and used a dauber to give it a bit of extra colour (just like I did HERE). I stamped the triple-flower in Blue Bayou ink and punched it out with the Boho Blossom punch. The rest is really easy, just more punching and a So Saffron brad and Blue Bayou ribbon to finish it off.

Bloomin' with Beauty

I thought I'd better get cracking and show you some more Spring Mini Catalogue creations before it disappears at the end of this month!
This is the most beautiful set to watercolour, and I'll be so sad to see it go! *sob*
I've watercoloured with the brush tip end of my markers, straight onto watercolour paper, and then blended with an Aquapainter. You get really deep tones colouring this way, and it's really quick too! I used Apricot Appeal and Pumpkin Pie markers for the flower, Mellow Moss for the stem and leaves (use the fine tip end for the stem), and then Going Gray around the flower to add a shadow.
It's hard to tell in the pic, but I stamped the Linen background on Apricot Appeal cardstock in Apricot Appeal ink. It gives the cardstock a textured look. I used the stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the blossom definition (from 'Bloomin' with Beauty'), and stamped in Pumpkin Pie ink. I paper-pierced the Pumpkin Pie cardstock strip, top and bottom, and sponged the edges too. The friendship stamp is from 'Think Happy Thoughts' and I stamped the little bee from 'Bloomin' with Beauty' in the middle. I wanted the circular sentiment to sit flat, so I used the 1 3/8" circle punch to take a 'bite' out of the main image panel (after I adhered the 2 layers together). Then I could pop the sentiment circle in to fit snugly where I wanted it.

Stamps: Bloomin' with Beauty, Linen, Think Happy Thoughts
Ink: Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, Black Stazon,
Cardstock: Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, Mellow Moss, Watercolour Paper
Markers: Apricot Appeal, pumpkin pie, Mellow Moss, Going Gray
Other: Apricot Appeal Grosgrain ribbon, Mat pack, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig

November Promotions

There's not 1, but 2 great Promotions during November. Each one runs from 10-30 November.Single Stampin' Write Marker Special Offer

From 10-30 November, purchase Stampin' Write markers individually for $4.95!
Never before offered in Australia!

If you've ever wanted to try Stampin' Write Markers, but haven't wanted to buy the whole pack, this is your chance!
Or perhaps you have some markers that are so well-loved that they need replacing?
Maybe you've wished for ribbon in a colour that is not available? Just use a marker to colour in White Taffeta ribbon, and quickly and easily make your own custom colours.
...I know I'll be stocking up on some of my favourites!
Read more about it HERE

20% off Rub-Ons Promotion
If you've ever wanted to try Rub-Ons, this is your chance! Read more about it HERE

Spend $20 on regular catalogue merchandise and qualify to purchase any Rub-Ons assortment at 20% off! Once you spend your $20, you may purchase as many packs as you like!
Only $15.96 per pack (regularly $19.95). There are 2 sheets in every pack, one black and one white.

Page Description
141 Urban West Rub-Ons
141 Cherished Memories Rub-Ons
141 Anchored Rub-Ons
6* Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons
11* A Perfect Day Rub-Ons

*From Spring 2008 Mini Catalogue

You can see a selection of cards I've made using rub-ons HERE
Feel free to email me with any questions you may have!
I'll be back later today with a card :o)

12 Cards of Christmas - Card 12

The last day! I hope you've enjoyed my 12 Cards of Christmas. Don't forget to check out my Special Offer at the bottom of this entry!

This is the card we were going to make at my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack last week:

...in Old Olive, River Rock and Purely Pomegranate. But, thanks to Old Olive cardstock being on backorder (*gasp!*), this is the card we ended up making:

Nothing like being forced to step out of your colour comfort zone!! This is my Garden Green substitute, and I have to say, I quite like how it turned out!

This card started life as another Elite Challenge. Click HERE to see it's original form. I adapted it to be more suitable for a Stamp-a-Stack. It's really easy to get a collage-y effect with the Season of Joy stamp set. I stamped in Sahara Sand first (I felt that it worked better with Garden Green than the more yellowish tones of River Rock), and then stamped the tree in Garden Green, and then the swirl in Purely Pomegranate. It's really quick and easy, and it doesn't matter if you don't line it up perfectly (gotta love that!)

The sentiment is layer upon layer of circle punches. First the scallop, then the 1 3/8", then 1 1/4", followed by 1" (stamped with 'Party Punch'), and finally the 1/2" circle.

Stamps: Season of Joy, Party Punch (Level 1 Hostess set)

Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Sahara Sand, Garden Green

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Purely Pomegranate, Sahara Sand, Garden Green

Other: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch, 1/2" circle punch

Now, my Special Offer! If you would really like to make your Christmas cards this year, but are wondering how you can possibly fit it in, I've got a way to help you do it. Just choose a card from my "12 Cards of Christmas", and email me with how many you would like to make, and I will cut all the cardstock for you, and send it to you, along with a completed card. You can also order any stamps and supplies you need to complete each card, if you don't have them already (the supplies for each card are listed at the end of each post). I'll email you back with the price, and we'll take it from there.

So maybe you can get all your Christmas cards made after all!

12 Cards of Christmas - Card 11

This is the other Stamp-a-Stack Design for this month. It's actually a modified version of THIS card I made for the Elite Challenges blog. I thought my class attendees would kill me if I made them do all that cutting out! This way, they just have to cut out the 3 leaves (5 times LOL)
I think this one's pretty self-explanatory. It's all just straight stamping, apart from the 'leaves' which are actually just the flower stamped in Always Artichoke, and 3 petals cut out to make leaves.
Tomorrow I'll have the last card for you, and the Special Offer I promised!

Stamps: Season of Joy (again!!)
Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Always Artichoke, Creamy Caramel
Cardstock: Whisper White, Purely Pomegranate, Always Artichoke, Creamy Caramel
Other: Large Oval punch, Corner Rounder punch, Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched ribbon, Paper Piercer, sponge daubers

5 Reasons to Love the Double Rectangle Punch

I use the humble Double Rectangle punch a LOT. In my opinion, it's a very worthwhile $11.50 investment!
Here are some of my favourite ways to use it: (number 2 is the promised Nifty Knot-Tying Tutorial)

1. Make Ribbon slots
2. Tie a nifty knot (*NEW* Tutorial)
3. Tie a Faux bow
4. Make an ornament hanger
5. Make a candy-cane sized hole

12 Cards of Christmas - Card 10

This card is actually THIS month's Christmas Stamp-a-Stack design, and I have just opened up a new class time for all those people who need to make more Christmas cards. This is the last class I'm running for this year, too. (I'm having December off classes, but will still be around blogging and taking orders, etc!)
You can come along on Thursday 27th November at 9:30am and make 5 of this card, and 5 of another design (which I will show you tomorrow). Email me if you would like to come!
For those who can't make it to the class, you'll just have to pay close attention to my instructions...
I used the very popular "Dashing" paper, which has just come off backorder today (hooray!). The sentiment from 'Party Punch' has been stamped in Real Red ink twice: once on Real Red, and once on Very Vanilla card stock. I punched out the Red one with the Designer label punch, and the Vanilla one with the 1" circle punch.
I made myself a template for punching slots in the designer label punch. Here's how you make one, so that you always get your slots in the right place:
1. Punch out your Designer label
2. From some scrap cardstock of a different colour, punch out 2 "slot" pieces using the Double Rectangle punch (or the Horizontal Slot punch for larger ribbon)
3. Use 2-way glue to adhere the 'slot' pieces to the Designer label:

4. Now punch out the 2 slots by positioning your punch over the slot pieces:
This gives you a template which you can now use to just draw in the slots next time you need to thread some ribbon through a Designer Label!


I used Real Red narrow grosgrain ribbon which fits beautifully through these slots. I popped the Merry Christmas circular sentiment up on Dimensionals. The Christmas Tree image has been stamped in Black Stazon ink, so the ink doesn't run when I watercolour it.

By the way, I mounted my 'Fun and Fast Notes' set with the greetings cut off and mounted on the sides of the blocks, so words and pictures can easily be stamped separately.

I watercoloured using Watercolour Wonder Crayons and an Aquapainter, and at the class I'll show you how to do some really fast colouring that still looks good!

Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes, Party Punch (Level 1 Hostess set)
Cardstock: Old Olive, Real Red, Very Vanilla
Ink: Real Red, Black Stazon
Other: Dashing DS Paper, Designer Label Punch, 1"circle punch, Double rectangle Punch, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, 2-way glue pen, Dimensionals, Watercolour Wonder Crayons, Aquapainter

12 Days of Christmas Cards - Card 9

Are you sick of this set yet?? Hopefully not! If you scroll down and check out my other samples, you can see how different they all are (and I still have a couple more coming!!).
This colour combination has had a workout this year: Purely Pomegranate, River Rock and Always Artichoke. It's the colours in the gorgeous Holiday Harmony papers in the Spring Mini (that finishes at the end of this month!). For the background, I've stamped the swirl in Versamark ink, and the small flower in Whisper White ink. On the Always Artichoke strip, I've done some faux stitching with the Mat Pack and White gel pen (at $18.95 and $7.95, it's the cheapest "sewing machine" you'll ever buy!). The main image has been inked in River Rock and then the edges rolled in Always Artichoke ink. I also sponged the edges of the cardstock with Always Artichoke ink and a sponge dauber. I've used just a small piece of Pomegranate Satin ribbon in the corner. It's so rich and lustrous, and really adds a touch of elegance to the card. Finally I've stamped the star on a scrap of Whisper White cardstock and punched it out with the 1/2" circle punch, and popped it up on a Dimensional.

Stamps: Season of Joy
Ink: River Rock, Always Artichoke, Purely Pomegranate, Versamark, Whisper White
Cardstock: River Rock, Always Artichoke, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White
Other: Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon, Mat pack, White Gel Pen, 1/2" Circle Punch, Sponge Dauber.

12 Cards of Christmas - Card 8

I do love the challenge of making Christmas cards out of non-Christmas stamp sets. The very clever Liam gave me the idea to use this one. It's "True Friend" from our Spring Mini, not even remotely a Christmas set. But the flower looks slightly poinsettia-like, and the other one is a bit starry or snowflake-ish, and then you stamp in Christmas colors and voila!
The background has been stamped in Versamark. Next stamp 'Merry Christmas' in Old Olive ink (I used the one from 'Season of Joy', but you could substitute any Christmas greeting), and then stamp the other stamps around it in Real Red and River Rock.
I discovered a nifty ribbon-tying trick, and I'll try and do up a tutorial for that sometime this week!

Stamps: True Friend, Season of Joy
Ink: Real Red, Old Olive, River Rock, Versamark
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Real Red, Old Olive
Other: Real Red Wide Grosgrain Ribbon

Edited to add: The Promised Tutorial "Nifty Knot-tying Trick"

In the card I showed you above, I just tied the knot in the usual way, by wrapping it around the piece of cardstock and tying a double knot. Sometimes I tie the knot as a separate piece of ribbon, but I still find that I need to tie a double knot to make it stay in place. Here's a trick you can use so you just need to tie a single knot, and it will stay in place without coming undone. This is what the finished card looks like with the new knot:

See how the knot sits nice and flat, and is not bulky, unlike the first card I posted?
So here's how you do it, step by step with photos!

1. Use the Double Rectangle Punch to punch 2 holes where you would like your knot to be. You'll be going through 2 layers of cardstock for one of the holes, so use your big muscles!

This is what it should look like:

2. Thread a piece of ribbon through the 2 holes (make sure it is long enough to tie a knot with):

3. Place another piece of ribbon across the front of the cardstock, and adhere it to the back

This is what the back looks like:

You can tape over the ends with Sticky Strip to hold it securely.

4. Tie a single knot over the top. Because the ribbon is going through the 2 holes, it will stay in place, and tie tightly without the need to do a double knot.

Voila!
I hope you found my tutorial useful :o)

Christmas Gifts Class

I haven't forgotten that it's Card 8 today, but I just wanted to quickly show you what we'll be making in Thursday's project class. I've just had a couple of cancellations, so if you live in Sydney, let me know if you would like to come and make these on Thursday night. It's a Chockie bar puller (there's a Lindt Chocolate bar in the tall pouch), a decorated glass jar that's perfect to fill with goodies, and a bag-in-a-box. They've all been made with the Old Olive Prints papers. They make great Teacher's gifts, or anyone really...
Let me know if you'd like to come along!

Edited to add: The glass jar is a Berri juice bottle (my family have been enjoying lots of OJ lately!) I sanded the yellow lid with a sanding block, and filled it with Cadbury "Christmas baubles" and Christmas m&ms...yum!

12 Cards of Christmas - Card 7

Here's another quick and easy card to mass-produce using "Season of Joy" and our current In Colours. I stamped the gorgeous Polka-Dot background stamp in Whisper White ink. If you've been afraid to try the large background stamps, this is a great one to start with. It's so easy to use! No lining up, just one stamp and your card is covered in Polka-Dots.
I stamped the Christmas tree image in Wild Wasabi ink. I also inked up 'Merry Christmas' in Wild Wasabi ink, and used a cotton bud (q-tip) to remove the ink from the row of dots on the stamp, and then used a Rose Red marker (did you see...we can buy the markers individually from 10-30 Nov!!) to ink up just the dots.
The star is from the 'hand-stamped' stamp, and I have cut it out and stuck it on using 2-way glue. A piece of double-stitched Purely Pomegranate ribbon finishes it off nicely.

Stamps: Season of Joy, Polka Dot
Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Other: Purely Pomegranate Double-Stitched ribbon, 2-way glue, Rose Red marker, cotton bud.

12 Cards of Christmas - Card 6

I am actually away on Haemophilia Camp with my family, but hopefully I've set this post to appear at the right time, so you don't miss out on Day 6.... This card uses my favourite set of papers from this year's collection. It's called "Wintergreen", and it has the colours Sage Shadow, Certainly Celery, Soft Sky and Always Artichoke....no wonder I love it, all those divine blues and greens!
I don't CASE very often, but I saw these cards on Splitcoast and just had to make my own version. It's such a quick and easy design, and such a clever way to use the "Enjoy Every Moment" set. I've inked up just the 'joy' bit using an Always Artichoke marker. The swirl (from Baroque Motifs) has been stamped in Soft Sky ink, and then I've added a couple of small flowers (from 'Season of Joy' in Certainly Celery. The flower for the centre of the 'o' has been stamped in Certainly Celery and punched out with the 3/4" circle, and popped up on a Dimensional. I sponged the edges of the Whisper White panel with Soft Sky ink. I also sanded the edges of the Wintergreen paper with a sanding block, to reveal a white edge.

Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment, Baroque Motifs, Season of Joy
Ink: Soft Sky, Certainly Celery
Cardstock: Sage Shadow, Always Artichoke, Whisper White
Other: Wintergreen DS paper, 3/4" circle punch, Always Artichoke marker, Dimensionals, sanding blocks, sponge dauber