Comfort Cafe Wreath
Well I must say that I believe this is absolutely gorgeous and one of my favourite tutorials for August so far. I wasn’t sure if I like this Product Suite – how wrong was I. I can’t wait to try making those flowers. This gorgeous wreath was designed by Christy Fulk. Take a look at her blog and check out her amazing work. Don’t forget to let her know how much you love it. We all love to get comments. The tutorial for this project is available as part of the August Edition at Craft Project Central. I know I keep telling you to take a visit and join up but it really is amazing value at $10.00 for 10 projects – all with photographs and step by step instructions. So what are you waiting for?
Bye for now, Kris.
Sunny Challenge 53/12
This week at Sunny Challenges and Creations our challenge has been set by Gwen. She has given us a great sketch and all we need to do is create something for a birthday. How easy is that.
I embossed Whisper White card using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder and attached it to scored and folded Melon Mambo card. I cut a piece of Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper, attached it to Wisteria Wonder card and added it to the card front at a slight angle. I cut three different pieces of the Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper and stacked them together onto Whisper White card to create a pile of presents. I wrapped it with Whisper White 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon, added a bow and attached it to Melon Mambo card. This piece is attached to the card front over the Designer Series Paper, again at a slight angle . I stamped the greeting from the Petite Pairs stamp set using Wisteria Wonder ink onto Whisper White card. I punched the greeting using the Large Oval Punch, attached it to a Melon Mambo Scallop Oval and then to the card front.
A simple card but a great way to use up those small pieces of designer series paper we are all left with from time to time. For more inspiration head on over the see what Gwen, Vicky and Christine have created. Once you have made your card, scrap page or 3d item, pop over to Sunny Challenges and Creations and add it to Mr. Linky. As always I look forward to seeing your beautiful work.
Bye for now, Kris.
Something New
One of the things I love about being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator is that I get access to new catalogues and new catalogue product long before they are released on the open market. So guess what? I am going to share with you a card I made using a couple of the new in-colours, Midnight Muse and Primrose Pink. Aren’t they gorgoeus names? Also a new stamp set called Betsy’s Blossoms. These fantastic new products will be available to you on the 1st September.
I made this card for the challenge at Craft Project Central this month. I ran Whisper White card through the Big Shot using the Stripes Embossing Folder and attached it to scored and folded Primrose Pink card stock. I stamped the bird image from Betsy’s Blossoms onto Whisper White card using Midnight Muse ink. These new ink pads are fantastic. They have foam pads not felt like the previous stamp pads and what a difference it makes to your stamping. Forget rubbing and pushing into the ink pad, the recommended way to use them is to tap lightly on your stamp, so in most cases, lay you stamp down on its back and then lightly tap the ink pad onto the stamp. 
(I didn’t do this, just habit, and I had ink everywhere, so lesson learned, follow the recommendation!). I was really amazed at the great coverage these new ink pads gave, usually an image that is solid like this bird has stamped slightly patchy, but not with the new ink pads. I think I am going to have to get more of these.
Anyway, after stamping the images I punched them using the 1-3/4″ Circle Punch. I also used my Circles #2 Die and cut Old Olive card using the 2″ circle on the die, a perfect mat for my images. I attached the images to the card front using dimensionals only under the middle image. I stamped “hello” from the Tiny Tags stamp set onto Whisper White card using Primrose Pink ink and then used the smallest framelit in my new Bitty Banners Framelits. 
Then I discovered that this tiny banner fitted on the Word Window Punch with just the tiniest frame showing. I just trimmed the ends with my paper snips. The close up of this shows me that my punch needs a little sharpening! I attached the greeting to the card front using dimensionals also.
While it may not be a stunning card, I had such fun making it. If you would like to win one month’s free subscription to Craft Project Central, then entering the monthly card challenge is a great way to do it. For every 10 entries, one free subscription will be given away.
Bye for now, Kris.
Butterfly Gift Box
Do you love butterflies? If you do, you won’t be able to resist this absolutely gorgeous gift box designed by Amanda Corbet. Please take the time to visit her blog and let her know how much you love her work. This is the latest project for the month of August at Craft Project Central. I know that if you haven’t subscribed before you will want to now. Don’t forget for only $10.00 you get 10 tutorials. Fantastic value.
I’ll be back soon with a sneak peak at something from the new catalogue.
Bye for now, Kris.
Gift Bag
This is a class I did recently at the Retirement Resort. I have been visiting these ladies every week (except when I am away) since March. We have been having lots of fun and getting to know each other well.
This gift bag and the matching card, gift card holder and bookmark use a couple of products which are retiring and which I am going to miss very much – Triple Treat Flower single stamp, Finial Press Embossing Folder, the beautiful Real Red 5/8″ Satin Ribbon and the 5Petal Flower punch. The bag is one of the first things I learned to make as a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator (thank you Nicki), it is made from an envelope, in this case a largish one but you can make these from any size envelope. Simply score on 3 sides, tape up the bottom corners and add some decoration front and back. Easy.
The book mark was shared by Stampin’ Up! in the Impressions Magazine for Demonstrators only. It is really simple. Cut card to 4″ x 4-1/4″, score on the 4″ side diagonally at 2″. Cut a 2-3/4″ square of card in half diagonally and cover the flaps to make a pocket and decorate as desired. Oh I just realised we used the retiring Eyelet Edge Punch as well!.
The gift card holder is just a long rectangle, scored and the bottom is taped to make a pocket.
Of course the card just matches the rest of the decorations. I wanted to share these with you to remind you that if you want anything from the retiring list, then make sure that you order it early, because when these things are gone, they will really not be coming back.
You can download the instructions here . I have also added the instructions to the Free Tutorials page because even if you don’t have the particular items used, they can easily be substituted with something else.
Bye for now, Kris.
Lady Bug Treat Box and Card
Isn’t this just the cutest little gift box and matching card you have ever seen. I know lots of youngsters who would love to receive this. Monika Davis is the creator of this fabulous tutorial for the August edition of Craft Project Central. Please take a visit to Monika’s blog and check out her amazing work. Don’t forget to leave a comment, we all love comments.
I know you are just dying to get your hands on the instructions for this project, so just visit Craft Project Central and sign up for the month of August. It only costs $10.00 and you get 10 tutorials, all photographed and step by step. Fantastic value.
Bye for now, Kris.
Friendship Preserves Basket and Card Instructions
Here is the second project for the month of August at Craft Project Central. This delightful project was created by Regina Andari. Please take the time to visit this talented papercrafter and let her know how much you enjoy her work.
The little basket is filled with gorgeous cards and would make an ideal gift for a housewarming or for that new neighbour you would love to meet.
A monthly subscription at Craft Project Central only costs $10.00 and for that you get 10 step by step projects with photographs. It really is amazing value.
Bye for now, Kris.
Sunny Challenges 52/12
This month we have the lovely Christine Blain joining us as Guest Designer at Sunny Challenges and Creations. We are absolutely delighted to have her join the team, her work is gorgeous and a visit to her blog will keep you busy for a while. Christine has actually set out challenge this week as well, which is to use her sketch and create a male card. Now that makes two challenges in a row creating male cards, which are something I really struggle with.
Anyway, I decided to go clean and simple and also monochromatic. I ran a piece of Whisper White card through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. I added 3 Silver Mini Brads to the upper right hand corner and attached it to scored and folded Night of Navy card. Remember when we had that stamp set Wanted, with the horse image and we use to stamp it several times to create a bit of movement, well I thought that would work well with the aeroplane image from the Need for Speed stamp set. 
So I stamped onto Whisper White card using Night of Navy ink but repeated the image without re-inking until I covered the width of the card. I attached this panel to Night of Navy card and then to the card front. I inked only the “happy birthday” from the “Live, Laugh and Love” stamp in the On Your Birthday stamp set using a Night of Navy Stampin’ Write Marker and stamped onto Whisper White card. I cut “v” shapes into each end and then attached it to Night of Navy card, also cutting “v” shapes into the end. I attached the greeting to the card front with Mini Glue Dots on the ends and a couple of dimensionals in the middle.
So there you go, my creation for this week. If you need more inspiration just visit Vicky, Gwen and Christine. Once you have made your card, scrap page or 3d item, pop over to Sunny Challenges and Creations and add it to Mr. Linky. I am looking forward to getting some inspiration from all your creations this week.
Bye for now, Kris
First Day of School Gift Set
Isn’t this just the most adorable gift set. This is the first tutorial for the month of August at Craft Project Central and is designed by the very talented Leena Girsa. Please take the time to visit Leena and see her gorgeous work and don’t forget to let her know how much you love it.
I am excited to say that I will be one of the designers for August!!! This site is a fantastic resource for everyone with 10 projects each month for a cost of only $10.00!
If you have never visited Craft Project Central, you must make the time. The projects are all very well designed and step by step with photograps – I for one certainly need the photographs when I am following a tutorial.
I will be sharing the projects for the month with you, so visit often to see what is on offer.
Bye for now, Kris.
Retired Lists
The retired list was released today and I have added a link to the lists on my side bar. I am really sorry to see quite a few of my favourites go but I am sure that I will soon replace them with new favourites.
Please check the lists and get back to me if you would like to order anything. Remember they do sell out very quickly, especially the discounted items, so don’t hesitate or you may miss out.
I must warn you that it looks like all the Ink Pads are retiring, however, they are only retiring the felt pads and replacing them with new style foam pads. So the same colours only the foam will be different. Also you may notice that the Stampin’ Write Markers are on the retired list, that is because they are only going to offer a select few to be able to purchase individually. They will mostly only be available in family groups.
Take a look and let me know if you need anything.
Bye for now, Kris.
Stamping with Kris 