Is that a button
Yes it is, 30 in fact. I have been wanting to try a button bracelet since I first saw them posted online. I followed a great tutorial put together by Patty Bennett. I found the elastic she mentions at Spotlight here in Australia and I used a darning needle that I had at home because I couldn’t find a beading needle. Anyway it went together very easily. I used buttons from the Neutrals assortment and I think it looks really gorgeous. I have also been trying my hand at some earrings made from brads, so will pop in and show you those later on.
I’d really love to hear what you think of my bracelet.
Bye for now, Kris.
A Little Flower Box
The tutorial for this box was shared by Madeline Morcelo at Inkspiration 4U and also on her own blog The Stamping Studio.
I used Crumb Cake cardstock for the construction of the box. I also used up some of the very gorgeous but now retired Presto Patterns Designer Series Paper. This paper comes white and is embossed with various designs also in white. You need to add colour to see the design. I used Crumb Cake ink and a sponge to add colour to the paper. I added extra colour to the edges of the pieces to give extra dimension. My flower is made using Ridinghood Red Cardstock and the leaves are Always Artichoke cardstock. I cut the 2 each of the large flower and smaller flower on the Island Floral Die. I also punched 2 flowers using the Fancy Flower Extra Large Punch. The leaves were also cut using the Island Floral Die. I separated each of the flowers and the leaves using the bone folder to curl the cardstock on both sides until each of the flowers and the leaves separated into two pieces. Once separated, I scrunched them up really tightly and opened them out again. I stacked the flowers onto a Vintage Brad, first the 4 small flowers, then the Fancy Flowers, then the large flowers and lastly the leaves. I made sure that the petals and the leaves were staggered to give a nice effect. Once I was happy with the flower I used Mini Glue Dots to attach it to the front of the box.
The box is quite a good size but I haven’t decided quite what to do for the inside, so when I do I will come back and show you.
Bye for now, Kris.
Thinking of You
I made this card using two challenges, the Just Add Ink colour challenge and the Clean and Simple sketch challenge.
I started with a base of Perfect Plum and added a layer of Whisper White card. The middle section of the card consists of a Layer of Pear Pizzazz. I punched one edge of Baja Breeze card using the Eyelet Edge Punch and attached it to a piece of Whisper White card. I wrapped this layer with Whisper White 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon before attaching it to the card. I stamped “thinking of your” from the Three Little Words stampset using Perfect Plum ink. I inked an image from the Silhouette Sentiments stampset using my Perfect Plum and Pear Pizzazz Stampin’ Write Markers and stamped onto Whisper White card. I punched the image using the 1 1/4″ circle punch and added a Perfect Plum 1 3/8″ circle before attaching it to the card. Lastly I tied a bow with Whisper White 1/8″ Taffeta ribbon and attached it to the card using a Mini Glue Dot.
I love the sketches at Clean and Simple and Just Add Ink but don’t always get to play along, why don’t you have a look for yourself.
Bye for now, Kris.
Motorcycle Birthday
I love the single stamps that are available in the new Autumn/Winter catalogue. Today I used the Motorcycle stamp to complete a card using the sketch challenge at Stamping 411 this week.
I started with a base card of Basic Black. I added piece of Tangerine Tango Designer paper from the Brights Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack to the bottom of a piece of Very Vanilla card. I wrapped the join with Basic Black 5/8″ Satin Ribbon and attached it to the Basic Black card. I added a square of designer paper which is the reverse side of the piece I used on the bottom of the card. I stamped the Motorcycle stamp onto Very Vanilla card using Black Stazon ink. I also stamped “happy birthday” from the Bring on the Cake stampset onto the same piece of Very Vanilla card using Black Stazon ink. Then I used my Tangerine Tango Stampin’ Pastel and blender pen to add some colour to both images. Lastly I added a bow tied using Basic Black 5/8″ Satin Ribbon.
Funny thing about the Designer Series Paper Patterns Stacks – my friend Shirley has been telling me for months to buy them and now that I finally have, I can’t believe I waited so long. The stack has 40 sheets of designer paper, 2 each of 2 designs in 10 colours. So now I have designer paper in all the colours in the Brights collection. Fantastic.
This stamp is really detailed and if you love colouring your images, then this one lends itself to lots of possibilities.
I did think this was going to be a male type birthday card, but I think maybe it is a little too girly. Might have a look and remake it in another colour. What do you think?
Bye for now, Kris.
An Inspired Challenge
This card I made for the Sketch Challenge at Sudsol this week. I know this is the second challenge for them I have posted this weekend and that’s because having had all week, I only just completed the two challenges. Nothing like a bit of pressure.
I used Rich Razzleberry for the card base and added a layer of Certainly Celery which has been embossed with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. I stamped the reed image from the Inspired by Nature stampset using Certainly Celery ink onto Whisper White card. I stamped the flower image using Rich Razzleberry ink over the top of the reeds. I layered the image panel onto a piece of Rich Razzleberry card which has one edge punched with the Eyelet Edge Punch. I stamped “just for you” from the Just Believe stampset using Rich Razzleberry ink onto Whisper White card and punched it out using the Word Window Punch. I added a Rich Razzleberry Modern Label and then attached it to the card front using dimensionals.
This is a super simple card but the image packs so much punch you don’t need to do much to create a beautiful card.
I’d really love to hear what you think.
Bye for now, Kris.
Ava’s Birthday
My scrapbooking is very haphazard and really depends on whether I have photos to match the particular layout which comes my way. This week the Scrapbook Sketch Challenge at Sudsol seemed to go very well with my youngest granddaughter’s birthday photos. I think these might be the only photos of Ava that I have scrapbooked (shame on me), because she is really adorable. Anyway in honour of Ava here is my layout.
I started with 12 x 12″ Basic Black Textured cardstock and added a strip of Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper 12 x 5″. The next layer is Basic Gray cardstock 12 x 7 1/4″. My photos are attached to the Basic Gray layer and then I added Garden Green scallop edge pieces which I cut using the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die. The scallop pieces have been wrapped with 1/2″ Chantilly Crochet Trim. On the bottom left I attached a double bow tied with the same ribbon which also has a large Clear Rhinestone Brad wrapped over the middle of the bow. On the top right hand side I attached a cupcake. The base of the cupcake from the Create a Cupcake stampset has been stamped using Chocolate Chip ink onto Very Vanilla card and punched out using the Build a Cupcake Punch. The icing from the Create a Cupcake stampset has been stamped using Cherry Cobbler ink onto Very Vanilla card and punched out using the Build a Cupcake Punch. I stamped the heart from the same stampset using Tempting Turquoise ink and punched it out using the smallest heart from the Heart to Heart Extra Large Punch. I added a small Basic Rhinestone for some bling. The title has been cut from Cherry Cobbler card using the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet.
This photos shows a close up of the double bow. Now I know there are lot’s of you who are “bow challenged”, however, if you do a simple google search for “bow tying” you will find lots of videos and step by step photo tutorials to help you.
This is a close up of the cupcake. I think the Clear Rhinestone on the heart just finishes the image perfectly and it also picks up some of the colour from the smarties on the top of Ava’s cake.
My scrapbooking is usually all about the photos. I only use small amounts of embellishments so that it doesn’t detract from the photos and the memories. What do you think? Is this your style?
Bye for now, Kris.
Another Gift Box
This cute gift box was designed by Deanna Tam for the Summer Edition of Inkspiration 4U. I used the Newsprint Designer Paper and Whisper White card, only thing is it should have been Very Vanilla card, oh well. I really do have to stop working in the dark!
This shows the side view of the box which is made using the Petal Cone Die or the template that is available on the Inkspiration 4U website.
This shows the top view of the box which is decorated with a Basic Black Scallop Circle (Bigz Die) and a circle of the Newsprint Designer Series Paper. The flower is made by punching 6 1 3/4″ scallop circles and 6 2 3/8″ scallop circles from Newsprint Designer Paper. I followed Deanna’s instructions for making the flower and I really love the effect.
Even though I muddled up the cardstock colours, I think this little box has turned out really lovely.
Bye for now, Kris.
Another Week of Deals
Ok, I know, I’m running late with this week’s deal, but here it is.
| Item | Page | Description | Regular Price | Sale Price |
| 119750 | 137 | Daffodil Delight 5/8” (1.6 cm) Satin Ribbon | $16.95 | $11.87 |
| 119963 | 137 | Certainly Celery 3/8” (1 cm) Taffeta Ribbon | $12.95 | $9.07 |
| 109112 | 139 | Square Fire Rhinestone Brads | $19.95 | $13.97 |
| 109113 | 139 | Square Ice Rhinestone Brads | $19.95 | $13.97 |
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So if you want to get hold of these great products at these fantastic prices, remember to let me know ASAP. Because if the stock runs out, so does the deal.
Bye for now, Kris.
A Special Card
I needed to make a card for someone special and I decided to use the sketch at Just Add Ink.
I used Whisper White card for my base and embossed it in the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder. I added a strip of Newsprint Designer Paper and a small accent of Basic Black card which I have embossed using the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder. I wrapped Whisper White 5/8″ satin ribbon around this piece and tied a bow before attaching to the card front.
I used my new Birds & Blooms Sizzlits 4 Pack Dies to make the flowers. To make the large flower I used Poppy Parade cardstock to cut two of the largest flowers and two of the medium sized flowers. I also cut one of the smallest flowers using Basic Black card. I used my bone folder to curl the Poppy Parade flowers until they separated into two layers, scrunched them and then open them out. I then stacked the flowers, firstly the small black one, then the medium Poppy Parade flowers and then the large Poppy Parade flowers, staggering the petals onto a Whisper White brad. The smaller flower is two medium Poppy Parade flowers and one small Basic Black flower, made in exactly the same way. I cut the flower stem by hand from Pear Pizzazz card and then attached the flowers over the ends. The leaf is cut from Pear Pizzazz card using the Birds & Blooms Sizzlits 4 Pack Dies.
I love the way this card has turned out and hope that the recipient does too.
Bye for now, Kris.
Mini Album Class
Yesterday I held a class where we made a Mini Scrap Album based on the Butterfly Album that Robin Merriman first shared here. She gave additional instructions in this post so that everyone could make this great little album. A couple of ladies couldn’t attend at the last minute and organised to collect their kits but two ladies did come (Hi Karen & Trisha) and we had a fun afternoon, laughing and chatting while they completed their albums.
This is the front of my Album. I chose to make a belly band from some Old Olive 5/8″ grosgrain ribbon and some Very Vanilla cut with the Ovals Originals Die. I stamped the large and small flowers from the Vintage Vogue stampset onto Very Vanilla card using Cherry Cobbler ink and cut them out. I added some Old Olive leaves cut using the Little Leaves Sizzlit, a Rhinestone brad and a couple of silver brads and my cover is complete. The designer paper we used for the album is the gorgeous Botannical Garden Designer Series Paper from the Autumn/Winter Mini Cataloque.
Karen chose to showcase a piece of the designer paper on her cover. Truly beautiful. Trisha decided to think about her cover a little more and complete it at home.
This is the first page in my album. I have a background of Not Quite Navy card with a strip of designer paper added on the left hand side at a slight angle. I also added a strip of So Saffron cardstock which has one edge punched using the Scallop Edge Punch and wrapped with Whisper White tafetta ribbon. I stamped the “always” image from the Always stampset using Not Quite Navy ink onto So Saffron card and punched it out with the 1 1/4″ circle punch. I added a Not Quite Navy 1 3/8″ circle and a 1 3/4″ scallop circle cut from designer paper and added it to the bottom right of the page over the photo.
Karen has decorated her first page with some beautiful butterfly designer series paper and Cherry Cobbler card. She has embellished with a Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla heart.
Trisha’s layout is similar to the one I used, however she has highlighted a different piece of the designer series paper.
This shows page 2 of my album. I’ve used So Saffron with the addition of a piece of designer paper which has a very light script all over. I added a piece of Early Expresso card cut with the Tasteful Trim die. I also added a So Saffron heart cut with the Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslit. I printed “Family” onto a piece of Very Vanilla card punched with the Heart Extra Large Punch. I have also embossed this inside the Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslit.
Page 3 has a base card of Marina Mist. with a strip of designer paper down the right hand side. I attached my photo first to an Early Expresso mat and then a Cherry Cobbler mat with is torn down the right hand side. I stamped “always on my mind – forever in my heart” from the Always stampset onto Very Vanilla card using Cherry Cobbler ink. I punched this out using the Modern Label Punch. I added a mat of Early Expresso card cut using the Movers and Shapers Punch Window.
These are Karen’s 2nd and 3rd pages. She has chosen to use her cardstock and designer paper in a completely different style.
Trisha’s 2nd and 3rd pages also reflect her own individuallity.
Don’t you just love how differently these albums are becoming and how they are reflecting the personalities of their creators. Remember they both started with the same amount of mats and card trims but have used them in such wonderfully different ways.
For my 4th page I used a base of Early Expresso card and added a strip of designer paper down the left hand side. I placed my photo behind the piece of Cherry Cobbler card which was cut using the Tasteful Trim die. I stamped “love you” from the Short and Sweet stampset onto Very Vanilla card and punched it out with the Small Oval punch. I added a Cherry Cobbler Large Oval and a So Saffron Scallop oval. A Cherry Cobbler butterfly cut using the Beautiful Wings Sizzlet finishes the page.
Page 5 has a base of Very Vanilla card. I added a strip of designer paper with a piece of Very Vanilla card punched along the bottom edge with the Scallop Trim Edge Punch and then a piece of Cherry Cobbler card to show off the punched edge. I added a piece of Marina Mist card on the right hand side with my photo over the top. I used my Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Write marker to ink up the “love” and “you” individually so that I could punch the greeting with the 1 1/4″ circle punch. This was attached to a 1 3/8″ circle of Marina Mist and a 1 3/4″ scallop circle of Cherry Cobbler and then added to the page over the lower left hand corner of the photo. Again a small Cherry Cobbler butterfly cut with the Beautiful Wings sizzlet completes the page.
Page 6 has a base card of Marina Mist to which I added a layer of Very Vanilla card and a layer of designer paper, both of which are torn on the lower edges. I added a piece of Marina Mist 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon over the top of my photo. The greeting is from the Always stampset and stamped using Basic Gray ink.
Page 7 has a mat of Old Olive to which I have added circle of designer paper. I cut the So Saffron card using the Tasteful Trim die and attached it over the circle of designer paper. I matted my photo on a square of Cherry Cobbler card and attached it to the lower right hand side of the page. I printed “my angels” onto Very Vanilla card using my computer and the RGB values for Cherry Cobbler. I punched this with the Large Oval punch and added a Early Expresso Scallop Oval. Another Cherry Cobbler butterfly from the Beautiful Wings sizzlet is attached to the Very Vanilla oval. My granddaughter Abi helped with the placement of the butterflies.
Karen’s pages show the beautiful designer paper off to perfection. She chose the placement of the photo mats with some specific photos in mind. The floral images on this designer paper are just magnificent.
Trish has kept her layouts pretty much the same as mine but has chosen to showcase some of the gorgeous floral patterns in this designer paper. Trish has also added some greetings to her embellishments, again with some very specific photos in mind.
I can’t wait to see both these albums finished.
This has turned into a monster of a post but I really wanted to show how we can use the same ingredients to get completely different results.
Bye for now, Kris.
Stamping with Kris 