Hostess Set
We are nearing the end of this Annual Catalogue and already getting excited for the next one but I must take a moment to say that I will miss the Tranquil Tulips stamp set which is a Hostess only stamp set from the 2017-2018 Annual Catalogue. Since this is a two step stamp set, I decided to use my Stamparatus to stamp the images. I also wanted to focus on the In-colours which will be retiring with the end of the catalogue this year. 
Such pretty colours and using the Stamparatus made it so easy for me to complete the same card in each of the colours. I cut Whisper White card 6.5cm wide and the length of the card front. I placed each of the pieces into the Stamparatus and stamped the three stem image using Emerald Envy ink. I was able to place the three “leaf” images onto the other window and stamp them using Emerald Envy ink. I cleaned and removed the leaf and stem images and placed the flower images onto the stamping windows. 
Since I have four faces, I was able to position the first image and second images of the large and small flower and then just change out the colours to stamp the flowers in Dapper Denim, Flirty Flamingo, Sweet Sugarplum and Peekaboo Peach ink. I removed the large flower images and replaced them with the flower centres, which I was able to stamp at the same time using Early Espresso ink. While the small flower images were still in place, I stamped the small flower once more in each colour and added the flower centre so they could be cut out by hand and attached to the card front using dimensionals. 
I stamped the greeting from the Best Birds stamp set onto a strip of Whisper White card using each of the same colours used for the flowers. It’s easy to do this because you can lift the window and move it down one notch or two so that the images are spaced evenly with enough room to use one of the Layering Oval Framelits Dies to cut them out. Each of the greetings is attached to co-ordinating cardstock cut using one of the scalloped ovals from the same set of dies.
To assemble the cards, I attached the stamped image panel to co-ordinating cardstock and then scored and folded Thick Whisper White. The small hand cut flower is attached using dimensionals as is the greeting panel.
To decorate the inside of the card, I used two designs, the first one in Dapper Denim, shows the small flower from the Tranquil Tulip stamp set, with the small detail flower stamped over the top. The two leaf images are designed to be stamped on top of each other but I decided to use them as separate images and stamp around the flower. To create this design you need to lift the hinge and move it one notch and re-stamp. For the decoration on the Flirty Flamingo card, I didn’t use the Stamparatus but simply stamped a portion of the three leaf image and some of the single leaves in Emerald Envy ink. I stamped the solid and detailed flower images using Flirty Flamingo ink.
I have to tell you, the more I use the Stamparatus, the more in love I become. If you are still undecided, a search on You Tube will find lots of ideas for getting the most from this amazing tool. If you haven’t already purchase one, they will be available when the next Annual Catalogue goes live in June. However, you need to remember that if you love these colours as much as I do, then you need to get in quick and order the cardstock, ink and also the ink refills before they sell out.
Bye for now,
Kris
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Brothers & Sisters
Here is my Memory Keeping page for this week. This page documents a photo of my Great Grandparents along with his brothers and Sister. The photo is not great quality but it is a fantastic thing to have a wonderful photo of so many family members. The photo was taken in 1923 when my grandmother was 16.
I used the gorgeous brick wall Pattern Party Decorative Mask to create a background across the top of 12″ x 12″ Very Vanilla card. I used the Shimmery White Embossing Paste and boy does it shine. Once the embossing paste was dry, I used a very light touch to add some Crumb Cake ink across the embossing. I cut a piece of Daffodil Delight card using an old Stampin’ Up! Bigz Die and embossed it using the Basic Polka Dot Embossing Folder. I attached a piece of Delightful Daisy Designer Series paper across the bottom of the page. 
I punched a strip of Calypso Coral card using the Decorative Ribbon Border Punch which of course is only A4 length, so I cut it in half and attached it across the top of the designer series paper. I attached my photo to a piece of Tranquil Tide card , leaving enough room to add the description of the families below it. I cut two hearts from the same Designer Series Paper pack and attached them, the green striped heart is on dimensionals. The printing was all done on my computer and cut into strips and attached to the top of the page. The title has one end punched using the Triple Banner Punch. I am loving how these pages are all coming together and that my children and grandchildren are gaining some insight into their ancestors. It probably helps that my Dad lives close by, and so it is easy to relate that this is Dad’s Grandfather and family.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and that you get some Memory Keeping done yourself.
Bye for now,
Kris
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Wreath stamping
Sometimes when searching on the net, Pinterest or just a google search, you will see beautiful wreath style cards, which are so perfectly aligned it is amazing. Well I found a You Tube video by Ruth from Artful stamping which shows you how to create a template and her second video shows you how to use the template to get this kind of stamping perfect every time. I’m also using a much neglected stamp set called Lovely Friends. I created my template following her instructions and cut some Whisper White card into squares and started experimenting. 
I embossed Whisper White card using the Layering Leaves Embossing Folder and wrapped it with a length of Dapper Denim 5/8″ Crinkled Seam Binding which I tied in a knot. The embossed card is attached to scored and folded Dapper Denim card.
I used an 8cm square piece of Whisper White card and stamped the small leaf image from the Lovely Friends stamp set using Old Olive ink. I stamped the solid small flower from the same stamp set using Pool Party ink and the detailed small flower over the top of the solid image using Dapper Denim ink. I stamped the greeting from the Perennial Birthday stamp set into the centre of the image using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I cut the image using the largest circle from the Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies and attached it to a Dapper Denim scalloped oval cut using the Layering Circles Framelits Dies. 
The image panel is attached to the card front using dimensionals.
To decorate the inside of the card, I stamped the leaf and flower image across the bottom of Whisper White card using the same inks. By stamping once and then lifting and moving the Stamparatus window one notch and stamping again you get the images spaced perfectly and in a perfect line. You do need to be careful that you are not moving the card you are stamping on, because it won’t line up properly if you do (as you can see by these images).
The second card is created in the same manner but uses Sweet Sugarplum, Perfect Plum and Emerald Green inks. It has a card base of Emerald Envy and uses Emerald Envy 5/8″ Crinkled Seam Binding.
Can you tell, I am loving using the Stamparatus.
Bye for now,
Kris
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Black Ice and Copper
This card once more uses the Black Ice technique but this time I have used Copper Foil. I dragged the Basic Black Archival ink over the Copper Foil and then stamped the image from the Butterfly Basics stamp set using the same ink. The panel is covered with Versamark ink and Clear Embossing Powder which is heat set. I wrapped the panel with the Copper Trim and tied a knot before attaching the Copper Foil to Basic Black card. The panel is attached to Thick Whisper White card.
I stamped the greeting from the Butterfly Basics stamp set onto Whisper White card using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and cut it out using one of the Layering Ovals Framelits Dies. 
The greeting is attached to a Basic Black scalloped oval cut using the same dies and attached to the card front using dimensionals.
To decorate the inside of the card, I stamped part of the floral image onto the lower left hand corner using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.
So simple but really pretty.
Bye for now,
Kris
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Retiring Lists
Yesterday Stampin’ Up! released the list of what is retiring from the Annual Catalogue and also from the Occasions Catalogue. Some of these products will be already marked as low inventory. Sooo, please check out the lists and make sure that you place your orders as soon as you can to ensure that you do not miss out on something you want/need.
Download the retiring list for the 2017-2018 Annual Catalogue here.
Download the retiring list for the Occasions Catalogue here.
Happy Shopping
Bye for now,
Kris
Beautiful Black Ice
I wanted to make a card using the Black Ice technique but I didn’t want the whole card to feel dark and heavy. I stamped the the greeting from the Beautiful You stamp set lower right hand corner of Whisper White card using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I embossed the stamped card using the Softly Falling Embossing Folder and attached it to scored and folded Peekaboo Peach card. 
I punched two strips of Peekaboo Peach card using the Decorative Ribbon Border Punch and attached them to each side of a piece of Painted Autumn Designer Series paper (retired). The panel is attached to the left hand side of the embossed card. I attached each piece of punched card with a different edge showing and now that I look at the photo, I think I should have had the decorative edge showing on the left hand side. I cut a piece of Silver Foil card and following the technique instructions, dragged the Basic Black Archival Ink over the card. I stamped the image from Beautiful You using the same ink and used the Heat tool to set the ink. I ran the Versamark ink down the card and sprinkled with Clear Embossing Powder before heat setting.
The image panel is attached to Basic Black card and then the card front using dimensionals.
To decorate the inside of the card, I punched a strip of Peekaboo Peach card using the Decorative Ribbon Border Punch. The punched strip is attached behind one long edge of the same Painted Autumn Designer Series Paper before being attached to the bottom of Whisper White card.
I love how this image looks with the Peekaboo Peach and Whisper White card don’t you.
Bye for now,
Kris
Product Used:
Black Ice
I’m sure you would have seen a number of cards made using this gorgeous technique. Well today I had my first play after watching a video by Melissa Kerman on You Tube. The technique is not very hard but you do need to take a little care over each step. I used the same colours as Melissa did in her video but I used the Waterfront Stamp set to create the image panel. I lightly dragged the Basic Black Archival ink over Basic Gray card and then stamped the greeting from the Flourishing Phrases stamp set. 
I set the panel aside to let the ink dry while I created my focal panel. I dragged the Basic Black Archival ink over Silver Foil and then stamped the mountains, water and trees using the same ink. I used my heat gun to set the ink and then dragged Versamark ink over the panel, sprinkled it with Clear Embossing Powder and heat set it. 
I had to add versamark twice to my panel and I still missed a few bit but I am happy with my first attempt. I attached the panel to Basic Black card, then the Basic Gray stamped panel and lastly to scored and folded Basic Black card. I dragged the Basic Black Archival ink over a narrow strip of Basic Gray and attached it to the bottom of Whisper White card. The panel is attached to the inside of the card.
This is such a fun technique to play with. I have a couple more cards to share with you using this technique.
Bye for now
Kris
Product Used:
Australia Day Memory
I am trying to share some of my Memory Keeping with you guys and have decided to try and post something every Saturday. Today it also helps to keep my mind off the fact that all my Stampin’ Up! friends are attending Onstage in many different locations around the world. My lovely friends Jenny and Joyce are attending in Sydney and I know they will have an amazing time. Of course, I am just a little jealous that they will see the new Annual Catalogue and probably some new product which I will have to wait a little longer to view. Since the April Onstage Live event will nearly always fall in school holidays I will probably almost always miss out on this event, but spending time with my grandchildren comes first.
My project today was created a few months ago and I cannot be specific with regard to the exact card pack I used to fill the blank spots in my layout, but you can take the general idea and use it to create pages of your own. I do like the idea of traditional 12 x 12″ page scrap booking but for me it can be quite time consuming, as I place pieces and put it aside and come back and add or take away pieces from the design. 
Since Stampin’ Up! introduced Project Life and now our Memories and More Card packs, I find it easiest if I stick to layouts that use 6″ x 4″ photos or cards and 3″ x 4″ photos or cards. The layouts seem to come together quicker and I only need a few embellishments to complete the pages. I have probably done more scrap booking over the last year or so than ever before.
This traditional page uses one pocket card for journalling and a retired stamp set Gorgeous Grunge to create the background. I also used the retired Timeless Type Alphabet to cut out the title. The second page just uses one pocket card to complete the layout. I know that the pocket page layout is no longer available but the idea can be transcribed to any style of layout.
I hope you are getting your photos off the camera/computer or whatever and getting them onto pages. I know that it gives me great pleasure to remember the events depicted on the pages and my grandchildren absolutely adore being able to look at a photo and then laugh and tell stories related to them.
Because most of the items on these pages are retired, I have no product links, but you can visit my store and check out the Memories and More card packs and the pocket pages and albums we now have in stock.
Bye for now,
Kris
Product Used:
Brusho One Sheet Wonder
I saw a post on a Demonstrator only Facebook page by Desiree Smith (I’m sorry I can’t find a blog for Desiree). She created a patterned 6″ x 6″ sheet of Shimmer Card using the Brusho Crystals. I used her idea to create these cards. I also found the template for cutting the 6″ x 6″ piece of card here on Deb Valder’s blog. You can find photo’s of the cards Deb Valder made here. 
So this is how I set about creating this set of cards. I took a piece of Shimmer Card 21cm x 6″ and sprinkled each of the five colours in the Brusho crystals (Prussian Blue, Yellow, Gamboge, Brilliant Red and Moss Green) over the piece of card. 
Then I used a spritzer to add water all over the card and watched the crystals burst. You have to be careful not too add too much crystal or your colours will run together and get a little muddy. So sprinkle lightly and when you add the water if you think you need more colour, just add a few more crystals in the colours that you want. If you get too much pooling of water on the card, just use a piece of paper towel to absorb the excess water. I placed my card on a piece of paper towel and left it to dry while I cut up Basic Black, Lemon Lime Twist and Whisper White to create the embellishment panels for the cards. The card bases are Thick Whisper White card. I also decided what images I wanted to feature on each card so I could create the panels to suit the stamp or embellishment. 
When I had finished my preparations, the card was dry enough to turn over and use the heat gun to finish drying the panel. I trimmed the card down to 6″ x 6″ and followed the template to cut up the card. Each of the Brusho pieces are attached to Basic Black card as well. 
For two of the cards, I used the excess piece of card to cut out three dragonflies using the Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies and also a butterfly using the Butterflies Thinlits Dies. I used the Bold Butterflies Thinlits Dies to cut the detailed butterfly from Basic Black card. I used one of the stamps from the Vertical Greetings stamp set to create the next card. I inked the image using Stampin’ Write Markers, Cajun Craze on the pot, Early Espresso ont he trunk and Perfect Plum with some Elegant Eggplant thumped over the top to create the flowers. The next card uses two stamps from the Perennial Birthday stamp set with Memento Tuxedo Black ink for the greeting and Night of Navy, Crushed Curry and Cherry Cobbler for the confetti.
The next card uses the Touches of Texture stamp set. The leaves are stamped in Lemon Lime Twist ink the solid flower is stamped with Real Red ink which has been stamped onto scrap paper first. The detailed flower image is stamped with Real Red ink. The last card uses an image from the Lift Me Up stamp set which is stamped using Night of Navy card and cut out with the c0-ordinating Up and Away Thinlits Dies. Each of the cards has three Metal Rimmed Pearls attached as a last embellishment.
Because I loved how these cards turned out so much, they have featured in my March Classes and one of the recent classes at Beachmere. At my March classes the ladies created the panel as the bonus project for that month and then created the card with the dragonflies. They had all the rest of the pieces to play with at home. At my Beachmere class, the ladies created the Brusho piece and created three cards in class and took home the other pieces to create with at their leisure.
Bye for now,
Kris
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Another Brusho Share
This card uses the same left over kits as the card I shared in my last post, however, this time, I made the orientation portrait instead of landscape. I embossed the Whisper White card using the Simple Stripes Embossing Folder and attached it to scored and folded Daffodil Delight card. I punched Daffodil Delight card using the Decorative Ribbon Border Punch and attached the card behind both long edges of the Whisper White panel before attaching to the card front. The greeting from the Beautiful Day stamp set is stamped onto the banner using Pumpkin Pie ink and the same ink is sponged lightly around the edges. 
The banner is attached to the card front using dimensionals. I inked the flower from the Beautiful Day stamp set using Versamark ink and then Basic Black Archival ink before stamping onto Shimmer Paper. I sprinkled the image with Clear Embossing Powder and heat set it. 
This time to colour the image, I used the Aqua Painter to add ink inside the embossed image. You need to make the water pool inside the embossing, so that it stays fairly wet. I used Yellow, Gamboge and Brilliant Red Brusho Crystals to colour the image by adding each colour to a clear block and mixing the crystals with the Aqua painter. I used the Aqua Painter to lift the colour and dab it into the water (first yellow, then Gamgoge and then Brilliant Red). The ink spreads inside the embossed image and colours the water. This method lets the colour spread where it wants and creates a one of a kind image. The leaves are coloured in the same manner using the Moss Green Brusho. I waited until the image was dry and then cut it out and attached it to the card front using dimensionals.
To decorate the inside of the card, I punched a strip of Daffodil Delight card using the Decorative Ribbon Border Punch and attached it behind one long edge of Whisper White card embossed using the Simple Stripes Embossing Folder. The panel is attached to the bottom of Whisper White card.
Don’t you just love how the exact same pieces of card can be changed up to create a totally different look?
Bye for now,
Kris
Product Used:
Stamping with Kris 