A new technique
I watched a video posted by Sage Kimble about a vintage techniqe called tapestry paper. The card Sage created using this technique is absolutely gorgeous and although I used the same colours as her I don’t think my paper is quite as good. Some practice is in order.
Anyway here is the card I created for the Clean and Simple challenge this week using my tapestry paper. My base card is Crumb Cake and I added a layer of Bravo Burgundy. My tapestry paper is attached to the left hand side of the Bravo Burgundy paper and then I added a piece of Soft Suede which has been embossed using the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder. I added a strip of Bravo Burgundy 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon as well.
To create the greeting piece I used my Bravo Burgundy Stampin’ Write marker to ink up the oval around the “happy birthday” in the Perfect Punches stampset and stamped onto Whisper White card. I punched the piece out using the Wide Oval punch. I stamped “for you” from the Great Friend stampset inside the oval using Bravo Burgundy ink. I attached this to a tag cut from Crumb Cake card using one of the tags from the Lots of Tags sizzlits. I punched two sets of leaves from Soft Suede card using the Two Step Bird punch and also punched 3 flowers from Bravo Burgundy card using my Trio Flowers punch (retired). I attached the leaves and flowers around the greeting and added two medium and one large Basic Pearl to the centre of the flowers. The greeting piece is attached to the card front using dimensionals.
I quite like the way this has turned out and will definitely be trying this technique again.
Bye for now, Kris.
Nature Walk and a challenge
This week I finally had time to participate in the Stamping 411 sketch challenge.
I used Poppy Parade for my base card and added a layer of Pear Pizzazz card. The Whisper White layer has been embossed using the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder. I added the Poppy Parade 1/2″ stitched Poly Ribbon before attaching it to the Pear Pizzazz layer. I inked the flower image from the Nature Walk stampset using my Poppy Parade and Pear Pizzazz Stampin’ Write markers and stamped onto Whisper White card. I added a mat of Pear Pizzazz which has been punched down both sides using the Scallop Trim Border punch. I stamped “thinking of you” from the Three Little Words stampset using Poppy Parade ink onto Whisper White card and added a Poppy Parade Modern Label . I attached the greeting to the image panel and then added the whole piece to the card front using dimensionals.
Not quite sure if I have pulled this one off or not but I think it’s ok. What do you think?
Bye for now, Kris.
Strength and Hope
This stampset is on the last page of your Autumn Winter Mini Catalogue and Stampin’ Up! is donating $2.00 from the sale of every stampset to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I haven’t used this set much yet and thought I would participate in the Stampset Challenge at Sudsol this week.
The layout for this card was inspired by a swap I received from Simone Bartrum earlier this year. I used Whisper White as my card base and added a layer of Pretty in Pink card which I stamped with the “word” stamp from Strength and Hope using Pretty in Pink ink. I also sponged the edges with the same ink. The piece of Whisper White on the left is punched along one edge using the Pinking Hearts Border punch and then I embossed it using the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder. I tied this piece with Pretty in Pink 5/8″ Satin Ribbon before attaching it to the card . I stamped the butterfly from Strength and Hope onto Whisper White card using Pretty in Pink ink and cut it out. I attached it to the card front using dimensionals.
This is a close up of the bottom right hand corner of the card. You can just see the “words” stamped onto the Pretty in Pink card and the gorgeous butterfly image.
Well, hopefully I can post a little more often this week. I was away for a couple of days last week visiting my Mum in beautiful Pottsville (northern NSW). I also held a class while I was down there with some of my loyal customers (hello Mum, Robin and Ann).
Bye for now, Kris.
A Card Box
But this is no ordinary card box, it is designed for giving those beautiful one-of-a-kind 3d cards we make from time to time for someone special and I found this fantastic free box template on the Three Sisters blog. This is a great site because it is free to join and all the projects and templates shared are free as well. If you haven’t checked it out yet, then I suggest that you do. Anyway on with the box.
I constructed my box from Basic Black cardstock. I added a piece of Newsprint Designer Series Paper to the bottom section of the front of the box. I tied a double bow on the bowmaker that my son-in-law made for me and discovered that I could actually tie it onto the ribbon which is attached to the Very Vanilla card. I added a narrow piece of Basic Black card which has one edge punched with the Scallop Trim Border punch. I cut two sets of leaves from Old Olive card using the Little Leaves Sizzlit and added one to the bottom section and one to the top flap. My largest flower is made using 3 Real Red scallops punched using the 1 3/4″ scallop circle punch. I used my bone folder to curl both sides of each scallop until each one separates into two layers. I scrunched each piece into a tight ball and then opened them out. I stacked them onto a brad (any colour because you don’t see it) and then scrunched each layer up around the brad again. When you open it out again you get a real “carnation” like flower. The two smaller flowers are made using 1″ and 3/4″ circles.
The shows the box open and you can see there is plenty of depth in there for your 3D card.
I made my box especially for this card which I shared with you earlier in this post. The card was made as part of a technique class on making “paper flowers”. I lvoe it and couldn’t bear to part with it and now it has a gorgeous new home. I’ve actually got a recipient in mind for this card, and now it is even more special. I am really happy with the way this has turned out and I hope you all check out the site and make one of these fantastic card boxes for one of your special creations.
Bye for now, Kris.
Class Update
I have just updated my Classes and Workshops page and thought I would share a project which is featured in one of my upcoming classes.
This is another tutorial from Inkspiration 4U and as such I cannot share the instructions with you. I love the way it has turned out and the ladies who attend this class will be choosing their own Designer Series Paper from a selection which I will have available. I have used some of the beautiful Lap of Luxury Designer Series Paper for my photo frame.
This shows the photo frame closed with its gorgeous belly band. I have used the Island Floral Die to make this flower. I am so glad that it is one of the things that have been carried over from the Summer Mini Catalogue.
So if you would like to make this gorgeous photo frame then be quick to contact me and reserve your place, remember numbers are limited.
Bye for now, Kris.
A Cute Basket
I loved this little basket when I saw the tutorial as part of the Inkspiration 4U Spring Easter collection, but it used the Petal Cone Die which we do not have in Australia so I was thrilled when Madeline uploaded a printable template.
I used Pretty in Pink for the basket and added the petal trim in Whisper White which has been embossed using the Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder. I tied a double bow in my Whisper White 5/8′ Satin Ribbon and attached it to the handle using Mini Glue Dots. I used my Island Floral Die to cut 1 large flowers and 1 small flower from Pretty in Pink card and one set of leaves from Wild Wasabi card. I also used cut 1 Pretty in Pink flower using the Fancy Flower punch. I also punched the large flower on the Boho Blossoms Punch from Whisper White card. Each of these pieces was curled using my bone folder on both sides until the layers separated. I sponged the edges of the Whisper White flowers using Pretty in Pink ink. I scrunched each layer and then opened them again. They were stacked onto a Silver 5/16″ brad making sure that the petals were all staggered and that the two layers of leaves where slightly offset. I did a little more scrunching until I was happy with the way it looked and then added it to the edge of the basket using Mini Glue Dots. I cut some short lengths of Whisper White and Pretty in Pink and ran them through my paper shredder and then I used my crimper on them to give them some texture. I put them in the bottom of the basket and added some small easter eggs.
I absolutely love this little basket, even if it is a little time consuming to make without the Die. I really hope we get this die in the new catalogue in September.
Bye for now, Kris.
Markets
Shirley and I attended the Northside Twilight Markets again last Saturday. We had a fun afternoon showing some lovely people all the fabulous things about Stampin’ Up!. We would love to be able to meet more of you, so come join us on 7th May from 2pm to 6pm.
I made these cute little boxes from a tutorial I found by Kerin Sylvester . They are only tiny but they still hold 3 Cadbury Favourite Choccies (my favourite as well). The base of the box is Chocolate Chip card. I stamped the egg from the Easter Blossoms (retired) set using Pretty in Pink OR Bashful Blue ink onto Very Vanilla card. I also stamped “easter wishes” from the Occasional Greetings stampset using Chocolate Chip ink just above the egg. I added a mat in the same colour as the egg and then attached them to the card front. I used my double slot punch (retired) to create the holes in the top to thread my Pretty in Pink and Bashful Blue 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon through. I also created matching gift cards. These are only 2″ square. Again I used Pretty in Pink and Bashful Blue card. The images were stamped in the corresponding ink onto Very Vanilla card and attached to the card base.
These are really cute . The tutorial actually gave instructions for 2 larger boxes and I am definitely going to be making these again.
I also made these little gift sets for Mother’s Day, which is also just around the corner. I used Whisper White textured cardstock for the Pillow Box. I stamped “a gift 4 you” from the Bring on the Cake stampset using Cherry Cobbler ink onto Whisper White card and punched it out using the Wide Oval Punch. I sponged the edges with the same ink. I used my Floral Fusion Sizzlit to cut the flowers from Cherry Cobbler card. I love to make my flowers 3 dimensional and these flowers are perfect for this. I use my bone folder to curl the edges of the flowers on both sides until I am able to separate them into two layers. I attached a silver brad through the layers making sure that the petals are staggered. Once they are all attached I scrunch each layer up around the brad, carefully opening them again to create a great dimensional flower. I added two sets of leaves behind the flower, punched from Always Artichoke card using the Two Step Bird punch. The flower and leaves are attached to the Wide Oval and then the whole piece is attached to the front of the Pillow Box. There are a couple of Cadbury Favourite choccies in the little box. The 3 x 3″ gift card has a Whisper White base and layer of Cherry Cobbler card. The top Whisper White layer has been stamped with “happy Mother’s Day” from the Occasional Greetings set using Cherry Cobbler ink. The flower and leaves are constructed in the same way as for the Pillow Box.
I made 2 more of these sets using Perfect Plum and Tangerine Tango card. I think they are super cute and a great little gift for a child to give to their Mum or even their Grandmother.
Bye for now, Kris.
At Last…..
I want to apologise for my lack of posts over the last week or so but I have been having some issues with my internet provider. I have taken steps to change my provider and I am sure that things will settle down very soon.
I also want to say a big thank you to my friend Gwen who helped me out recently by organising the purchase of some Apple Pie for a function for which I was helping to cater. The pie was magnificent and if you live on the Sunshine Coast then please try the Picnic Point Bakery. Funny thing about Gwen and I, we met through Stampin’ Up! and have become firm friends. She is a fantastic lady and I am sure that those of you who know her will agree. I guess that is one of the greatest benefits of being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator – demonstrators are the most sharing, caring people and Gwen is one of the best.
Ok now on to business. You may have noticed that my sidebar has changed slightly. Well, Sale-A-Bration finished on the 31st March, so if you didn’t get your free sets, then I am sorry you have missed out. It is always sad to see these stampsets disappear (never to be seen again).
The Summer Mini also retired on the 31st March. However, we have a been fortunate enough that Stampin’ Up! has decided to carry over some of the great products from this catalogue.
For the Big Shot –
Square Lattice Embossing Folder (don’t know how I would have managed without this one).
Square Scallop Bigz Die
Island Floral Bigz Die (Fast becoming my favourite flower die).
Punches –
Pinking Hearts Corner
Pinking Hearts Border
2 3/8″ Scallop Circle
Itty Bitty Buttons Punch Pack
Accessories –
Bitty Buttons
Smootch Spritz
Colour Catcher
1/2″ Chantilly Lace Trim
5/8″ Victoria Crochet Trim
Ok so now you are all excited about the things we kept, you should see what is in the new Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue released on the 1st April. Some gorgeous new things in there. I made a purse and matching card for my granddaughter Ava using the new Build-A-Cupcake Punch and Bring on the Cake Stampset.
I used the instructions I found previously on Sandy Hancock’s blog to make my Easter Basket. The colours used are Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White. I punched the cupcake base from Chocolate Chip card and the icing from Pretty in Pink card. The candle is again Chocolate Chip card and I added a Daffodil Delight “flame”. I attached the pieces to a circle of Whisper White card and then embossed the whole piece with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. I added a circle layer of Pretty in Pink card and attached it to a Chocolate Chip Scallop Circle. I stamped “wish big” from the Short and Sweet stampset onto Whisper White card using Chocolate Chip ink and punched it out using the Small Oval, added a Pretty in Pink Large Oval and then a Chocolate Chip Scallop Oval. This was attached to the front of the box using dimensionals. The handle is a strip of Chocolate Chip card with both edges punched using the Scallop Border Punch and then a very thin strip of Pretty in Pink card is attached down the middle. I used Pretty in Pink Flower Brads to attach the handles. I used this little bag to hold a Gift Card.
The matching card has a Chocolate Chip base. I added a layer of Whisper White card which has been embossed on the bottom two-thirds using the Finial Press Embossing Folder. I attached Pretty in Pink 1/4″ grosgrain to cover the end of the embossing. To make the focal image I punched the cupcake base from Chocolate Chip, the icing from Pretty in Pink card, the candle from Chocolate Chip and the “flame” from Daffodil Delight using the Build-A-Cupcake Punch. I attached the cupcake pieces to the Whisper White 1 3/4″ circle and then embossed the whole piece using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. I added a Chocolate Chip 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle mat. This piece is then attached to the card front over the ribbon using dimensionals. I stamped “happy birthday” from the Bring on the Cake stampset using Chocolate Chip ink in the top right hand corner of the card.
I love this new punch and I am sure you will too.
So until next time….. Bye for now, Kris.
Scallop Circle Basket
Here is another project I made using a Tutorial from Inkspirations 4U. I am really loving all of the tutorials so far and look forward each day to receiving a link to a new one. Only problem is there is not enough time to create them all.
For this little basket I cut 2 Pretty in Pink scallop circles using the Scallop Circle Bigz Die and 2 scallop circles using the same die from a piece of Lap of Luxury Designer Series Paper. Once they were assembled using the tutorial instructions, I created a handle using Concord Crush 1/2″ Stitched Poly Ribbon with Pretty in Pink 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon attached along the centre. I used 2 Flower Designer Brads to attach the ribbon to the basket.
The instructions for the tag is also included in the tutorial. I used Pretty in Pink card and added Very Vanilla 1 3/4″ Scallop Circles to the front and the back using dimensionals. Before attaching the scallop circles I stamped “a gift for you” from the Bring on the Cake stampset using Concord Crush ink. I also sponged the edges with Pretty in Pink ink. The hearts are punched from Pretty in Pink and Concord Crush card using the Heart to Heart extra large punch. I ran two of these through the crimper to give texture and stamped one of the floral images from the Tiny Tags stampset onto two of the hearts as well. The tutorial called for 1/8″ tafetta ribbon to be added behind the hearts. As I didn’t have any of this I cut slivers of Pretty in Pink and Concord Crush card and curled them and added them behind some of the hearts.
I think this is such a gorgeous little set. Filled with chocolate it would make a fabulous small gift.
Bye for now, Kris.
A milk carton or two
I signed up for the Inkspirations 4U Spring and Easter session and boy is it amazing. This tutorial uses the Milk Carton die to make this absolutely adorable little box.
I have used Concord Crush cardstock to create the basic box. I decorated the panels by stamping one of the images from Silhouette Sentiments (level 1 Hostess set) onto Very Vanilla cardstock using Concord Crush ink and then using Pretty in Pink ink to give a kind of shadow effect. I added Pretty in Pink cardstock mats. The little box is tied together using Concord Crush 1/2″ Stitched Poly Ribbon. The box is actually hexagonal and super cute. I thoroughly recommend joining this site you will not be disappointed.
Bye for now, Kris.
Stamping with Kris 