A Special Birthday Card

I made this card for a very Special Lady's Birthday a couple of months ago. Soooo much pressure making a card for this talented stamper! In the end, I just went with something that I liked, and hoped that she would like it too!

I chose Sahara Sand, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla for my colour palette. I pulled out 2 sizzlet dies - Flower Fusion and Scribble Swirls. The stamps I've used are from Tea Shoppe (love that quote from Louisa May Alcott, "Little Women" author). I've punched it out with the Wide Oval, and then layered it inside a Framelit. It was a happy discovery when I found that the Designer Frames Embossing Folder fits nicely inside the Framelit too!
The DSP is from the Twitterpated pack. I've used Baja Breeze Stitched Satin ribbon (in the Mini) and crochet trim, and a few Pearls to add those all-important finishing touches.

Bordering on Romance Tunnel Card

I'm loving the Bordering on Romance set...it wasn't one that I initially purchased but I soon caved when I started seeing all the gorgeous creations people had made using this set. Plus it co-ordinates with the Edgelits, which were on my must-have list, so it wasn't too hard to talk myself into it! LOL
Here's the other card that we made in my Fancy Fold class:

Where is the Fancy Fold, I hear you ask? Inside, of course! :

This is called a Tunnel Card. You simply accordion fold an insert for your card, and use a Framelit to cut a window in it. The Framelits are great for this because you can see exactly where you are positioning them. The little points at the top and bottom help to centre it as well.
You can put anything you like inside the window. We stamped the Bordering on Romance flowers in black Stazon and watercoloured them, but a sentiment or verse would also work well.
The main colour featured here is Perfect Plum, such a lovely soft purple.
 

Framelits Fancy Fold

In my technique class last month, I taught some Fancy Folds using Framelits.
The first card that we made was a Framelit Flip:

You can find some instructions on Cristy's blog HERE.
Here's what the card looks like as it flips:

I've used the Apothecary Art stamp set and matching Framelits. I stamped my background using the blossom from Elements of Style (I think this set co-ordinates beautifully with Apothecary Art). I've used Island Indigo and Whisper White for my colour scheme...simple, but effective!

A little bit chuffed!

Tiffany chose my little mousies to feature in her Crafty Picks for this week. Yay me! :o)
Check out all the other gorgeous creations HERE

Bordering on Romance Stained Glass

The Bordering on Romance set (in the current mini)is perfect for the Stained Glass technique. This technique works best with a line art stamp, that has clear outlines and small areas to colour. I've used white embossing powder to emboss the stamp on a piece of vellum. You don't have to emboss, but I like the clear definition it gives the stamp. You could also use any colour embossing powder that takes your fancy. All of the colouring is done with markers on the reverse side of the vellum. This gives a really soft effect when you flip it over. I've cut a Framelit window to attach my vellum behind, that way it hides any adhesive. Backing it on to Whisper White cardstock really makes the colouring 'pop'. I've used a Framelit almost like an Edgelit to cut the decorative edge down the bottom.
The colours I've used here are Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral and Pear Pizzazz (for the leaves). I've used Whisper White ink to soften the Calypso Coral. Pretty!

June Stamp-a-Stack

I can't take credit for this design; I totally CaSed the idea for these cards from the very clever Connie Stewart.

It's a really clever idea. I started with 4 pieces of cardstock slightly smaller than a cardfront (10 x 14.3cm) in Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Soft Suede. I stamped each one with a different stamp from Artistic Etchings, using the same colour ink as the cardstock I was stamping on. Then I ran each one through a different embossing folder. The next step is to cut each one up into pieces. It doesn't really matter how you cut them up, as long as all 4 are cut exactly the same. Then just rearrange the pieces so that there is one of each colour on the Crumb Cake card base. Voila!
The sentiments are from Friendly Phrases, and I also stamped the flourish from Artistic Etchings under each phrase in Crumb Cake ink, so it didn't look quite so empty.
Don't they make awesome masculine cards? Thanks Connie for sharing your brilliant idea!

Only a Few Days Left to Smile!

Well, you don't really have to stop smiling at the end of June...but if you wait until the 1st July and THEN realise you missed out on this set, you really won't be smiling!

Here's a quick gift card that I whipped up using the "Reason to Smile" set:

This card is the perfect gift card size - just cut a piece of A4 cardstock into thirds (at 9.9cm) to make 3 cards from one piece of cardstock.
I've just used a scrap of DSP (the gorgeous Attic Boutique paper from the Mini used here), and then added a punched 2-1/2" circle. I've stamped in Early Espresso ink, which I love because it isn't as stark as black. Rather than using the 2-step stamp, I've gone for a different look and watercoloured my flower. The quote is from another set "Language of Friendship".

Read all about this month's promotion HERE. Don't miss out on your free rubber!

A Reason to Smile Stamp-a-Stack

We had fun playing with the new "Reason to Smile" stamp set at my Stamp-a-Stack this month. I'm always happy if I can make a few people fall in love with a stamp set by the end of the class...and I think I achieved that with this class ;o)

They were all devastated to hear that this set is only around for a couple more weeks...never to be available again. But the good news is that the clear mount version will only set you back $28.95, or you can get it free with a $125 purchase.
I think 2-step stamp sets are the most versatile sets of all. In one set, you have outline stamps that are suitable for water colouring, bold stamps that are suitable for backgrounds and all sorts of stamping techniques, and you can combine the two to create quick but striking dimensional effects. I always direct beginner stampers to a 2-step set, and I think it's a must for every rubber stamp collection.

For these cards I've used the outline image alone (bottom left) and watercoloured it. I've used the bold "fill-in" image alone (bottom right and top left), and I've used the 2 together (top right). All 3 work equally well.

The colours I've used here are Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Perfect Plum, Basic Grey, and just a dash of So Saffron. I've used some Baker's Twine and a Itty Bitty clear button to jazz them up a bit. It's hard to tell in the pic, but I've used the Jumbo "Texture" wheel in Versamark ink for the background. Love this wheel - it adds a very fine textural finish...and it's impossible to roll it crooked. In fact, I don't even try. I just run it back and forth over my card in all directions! The sentiments are from "A Word for You".

Amy's Birthday card

The day that I left for Convention, my baby girl turned 15 (I know, can you believe it?). We had a special "girl's night" the night before with my sister (Amy's choices were Breaking Dawn Part I on DVD, followed by a Japanese Restaurant and profiteroles -made by me- for dessert), and we did pressies before she left for school, but I still felt terrible leaving! Amy had given me her blessing, and the whole family were taking her out to dinner, and I left a double batch of brownies for her "cake" (she is not a fan of actual cake), but I still felt like a bad mother, and I hated to not be with her.
Every year we have a tradition that Amy chooses some colours for me to make her birthday card with. She surprised me with this year's selection - Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and More Mustard. Quite a mature choice, I thought (and quite a challenge to work with)! And here's what I came up with:

When Amy was a baby, our song for her was "You are my Sunshine", so it was only appropriate that I used the "Array of Sunshine" stamp set for her birthday card. It is a Hostess-only stamp set, and the dotty DSP I have used is also in the Hostess section. The sentiment is from the "Something Sweet" set, and I have hand-cut the curvy banner. Don't you love those Edgelits and matching Embossing folder?
I even made the inside pretty (must have been that mother-guilt!):

She tells me that she had a fabulous day, and loved the goodies I brought back for her from Memento Mall!

Stampin' Up! Art - the Bedroom

Here we are at the final stop of my household art tour:

This was another tricky one to photograph. Our bedroom is not the brightest room in the house, especially on the gloomy, miserable days we've been having. Add in the reflections on the glass of the frames, and this is the best that I could get (after many even more unsuccessful attempts). The colour is a little off too - our walls are actually more Baja Breeze than Marina Mist in real life!
These frames are 12x12 scrapbooking frames, so they fit a piece of 12x12 cardstock perfectly (I used Sahara Sand textured cardstock). I sponged a square of "First Edition" DSP, and inside I have layered Very Vanilla flowers. I pulled out every flower punch and die that I own for this, and all 3 frames have different flower variations. I also curled up all the petals to give them some dimension. In the middle of each one is an Antique Brad.
Each frame hangs from our picture rail on a piece of garden twine. I like to think our dreams will be sweeter because we're sleeping under some handmade art :o)

Another Hostess Share

Spend $108, get an extra $32 free!
Do you like freebies?? (who doesn't??) I'm looking for another couple of people to fill my final Share Group.

Here's a way for you to take advantage of BOTH of this month's specials without lifting a finger! Join my Hostess Share. For this Share to go ahead, I need 6 people.

Here's how it works:

Place an order for $108* (min.) and you can choose $32 in Freebies (from the regular section or Hostess section of any catalogue)

OR Bump up your order to $125* and you can choose $32 in Freebies PLUS you will get the Reason to Smile set absolutely free!

 AND all 6 of you will go into the draw to win 1 additional Item at 50% off!

*regular 5% Stampin' Up! shipping applies, but I will cover the cost of mailing out to you if you are not local to me.

What an amazing deal! I'm expecting this to be very popular (who doesn't love freebies?) so send me a quick email to reserve your place, and then I will need your order by the 20th June.

You may take more than one place if you wish, and double (or triple!) your freebies and chances to win!

Stampin' Up! Art - the Dining Room

Moving on through my house, the next Stampin' Up! artwork that you see resides in our "Big Room". This is our dining room, but also where my Craft desk is, and where I teach all my classes.
This is my favourite artwork:

Another Reject Shop box frame, which came with 6 sections in it. I've used some (now retired) DSP, and lots of embossing techniques. Because it's a box frame, I've been able to add lots of dimension using clips, ribbon and trinkets. It also has a "live life to the full" theme - each section has a different quotation "live with passion", "live life like you mean it", "you only live once but if you do it right, once is enough", "the best is yet to be", etc.
Total cost? $19 :o)
I hope you're enjoying this art tour. I have one more room to show you!

Stampin' Up! Art - the Loungeroom

These were a bit tricky to photograph, but hopefully you'll get the idea! I have made a series of 5 artworks that hang above our lounge:

I've used my favourite Medallion stamp, some simple black IKEA frames and some Basic Grey Patterns DSP for these. I wanted something  neutral, but still with a bit of punch. I think these fit the bill perfectly. I've positioned the medallion differently in each one...to me, it looks like it's "bouncing" :o)
I've embossed the Medallion with black embossing powder. I've also layered up the centre circle and raised it using Dimensionals. There is also a pearl in the middle of each medallion, and I've highlighted the dotted border using the White Gel Pen.
The best thing about these? If I get sick of them, I can make an updated version!

Stampin' Up! Art -The Front Door

This week I thought I would show you some of the Stampin' Up! artwork that decorates the walls of my home. I like adding that personal touch to my walls, and since I own plenty of supplies, the only cost is the frame :o) This is what you see when you arrive at my front door:

This is just a $7 box frame (from the Reject Shop), and inside is the velvety Mocha Morning Paper (but I plan to change this on a regular basis, to suit the season). Stampin' Up! Demonstrators can buy this decal on a Business Supply order, and I decided that this was the perfect use for it.
The best thing? It took me about 3 minutes to whip this up!

Craft Corners Feature!

Woo Hoo! I was lucky enough to be featured on Craft Corners "Best of the Web", along with some other very talented ladies. Check it out HERE (I'm about half way down).