Christmas Stamp-A-Stack

I hate to scare you all to death......... BUT CHRISTMAS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!  

Now is the time to think about how many cards you need to make and to start ordering your supplies, and then..... start making them.  At my Stamp-A-Stack class this month we are going to start our Christmas cards.  Please give me call to book your spot if you'd like to attend this class.  Click on the tab at the top of this page to view class dates and times.

Cards in the Spotlight

At this month's Technique Tutorial we made cards using the spotlight technique.  This technique is supposed to look like you are shining a light on to part of a stamped image to "light it up" - like it's in the spotlight.

Do you think we achieved this?

This first card uses the gorgeous hydrangea stamp from the the level 1 hostess stamp set Because I Care.

Here's a close up of the spotlight technique:  This image was coloured with blender pens and ink from the fantastic selection of Stampin' Up!'s stamp pads.

For the second card we used another gorgeous stamp set, Elements of Style.  I think I'll be using this stamp set for several more techniques so I hope you like it as much as me....

And here's another close up of the technique:  This image was coloured with markers.

At October's Technique Tutorial we'll be learning colouring with watercolour crayons.  Click on the classes tab at the top of this page for class dates and times.

I (FINALLY) used my brand new owl punch today, so stay tuned for some cute owl cards in the near future.

5 Petals

Have you noticed a bit of a theme with my cards lately?  I'm loving flowers with leaves!

I whipped up these cards on Monday - okay, I wish I had just whipped them up - it took me all day to come up with these designs (my mojo is returning - but slowly (lol)).

I wanted to create four cards using a similar style.  What do you think?

The flowers have been made using the 5-petal flower punch.  I punched 4 flowers for each card and rubbed the top of each flower roughly with my stylus.  

Each of the cards have been made on very vanilla and riding hood red card stock.  For this first card I ran the  top note shaped card stock through the polka dot embossing folder.   

I used the top note die and the manhattan flower embossing folder on very vanilla card stock for this card.

 

The next two cards use the scallop circle die with the same embossing folders.

I cut the base of this card down a little to make it more square.

I've also used the colour spritzer tool and spritzed black ink onto some of the flowers.  What do you think of the striped grosgrain ribbon?  I really like it - it's old olive, so of course I like it (lol).  I also like the large 3.2cm width - it adds a great dimension to the cards.

If you have any questions about how these cards were assembled, please don't hesitate to email me with your questions.

A Card For Dad

Here's a card I made for my Father-In-Law.  I always struggle making cards for men (why don't they like pink and flowers??).  After looking through my stamp sets I once again pulled out my trusty Lovely As A Tree set.  How great is this set for masculine cards?

The base of the card is Kraft card stock (retired) which I've stamped the leaves onto with Chocolate Chip ink.  I used my Big Shot and the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet dies to create the letters for DAD from Chocolate Chip card stock.  I added Crystal Effects over the top of the letters to give them a glossy finish (after I assembled the card).

I cut a square of Chocolate Chip and Soft Suede card stock and layered on top of each other.  I added some twine to create the squares and button embellishments (not all Stampin' Up!).  I also used one of the leaves from Leaves #2 Originals Die for the Old Olive leaf - I scratched the leaf's veins into the card stock with my paper piercer and then sponged with Soft Suede ink.

Overall, I was very happy with the card.  Happy Birthday Kev!!

A Change to Class Days

I will no longer be able to hold classes on Fridays due to having swimming lessons - yes, that's classes for me - not my children.  Unfortunately, the only day the swim school can fit me in for a lesson is Fridays.  So after discussing with my regular bunch of stampers, I've changed my class times to Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm.

Stamp-A-Stacks will now be held on the 2nd Tuesday evening of the month and
Technique classes will be held on the 4th Tuesday evening of the month.

October classes are as follows:

Stamp-A-Stack - October 12th, 7:30pm.  The class will be themed for Christmas
Technique class - October 26th, 7:30pm.  Watercolouring with crayons

Please remember to RSVP two days prior to classes so that I can cut up card stock for you.

Hope to see you at a class soon.

A Blooming Quick Card

You know how sometimes you need a card in a hurry (because you've let your stash run low)??  Well this is a super quick and easy card to make.  The stamp is from the Eastern Blooms set which I recently acquired.  I've been borrowing my Sister-In-Law's set (thank's Trace) and thought it was probably time I got my own.

I stamped the image in black StazOn and punched out Riding Hood Red flowers from the Trio of Flowers punch - which has now been retired, but the small flower from the Boho Blossoms punch or Birds and Blooms Sizzlits Die would work just as well. I fixed the flowers in place with a black brad.

I then stamped the sentiment at the base of the flower and added a sprinkle of Dazzling Diamonds to the centre of the remaining flowers.  Layered it onto some card stock and - whalla - done!  How simple is that?

I hope you all have time to do some stamping this weekend.  Family permitting, that's what I'll be doing.  I think I've found my mojo again (AT LONG LAST!!).

Hydrangeas

I've seen a couple of these hydrangeas recently and decided I had to have a go at one.  Thankfully, I found a video which the very talented Valita Reynolds (a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator) placed on You Tube.  

The flowers are made with the large heart punch.  I love the fact that you can use your punches to make all sorts of different things besides punching the obvious shape of the punch. 

This is my take on the hydrangea and the card I made for it.  What do you think?

Here is a close up shot of the hydrangea.  I placed white brads in the centre of my flowers, but you can also place a circle of coloured card stock in the centre of each flower, as shown in Valita's video.  

I also did my leaves a little different.  I ran the paper piercer down the centre of each Old Olive heart and scratched veins into the card stock with the piercer.  I then sponged Old Olive ink onto the leaves.  I was happy with the end result. 

Click HERE to view Valita's You Tube video.

Cracked Glass Technique Class

I thought I'd show you the cards we made at last month's cracked glass technique class.  First off, a female card:

Sorry, the photo's aren't fantastic, so I'm not sure if you can see the cracked glass effect.  The girls who did the class each coloured their butterflies in different colours and they all looked great.

And here's one for the boys:

They all crack differently, so it's always interesting to see how they turn out.

At this months class (which is being held this Friday (17th) we are doing the spotlight technique.  I'll post some pictures of the cards we make next week (I'd better go and design them (lol)).

September Classes

Please note the following dates for September classes:

September 10th - Stamp A Stack
September 17th - Technique Tutorial (original date was 24th, but brought forward because of school holidays)

Please click on the Class Calandar tab at the top of this page for all class details.

Hope to see you at one of these classes.

Hip Hip Hoorah

I'm celebrating for three reasons...


1.  I've just had a BIG birthday which I celebrated in style.  Thank you to everyone who sent gorgeous cards and for the lovely messages.

2.  In the mail yesterday I received some more memory for my computer (hence the reason for my lack of blogging lately - it was taking over an hour just to switch between programs - grrr).  Now I'm running at top speed so there's no stopping me now.

3.  And this is super....

Release of the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalogue

The new 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalogue is here.  Please click on the picture of the catalogue to view all the gorgeous products which are now available.  I have several catalogues available, so if you'd like a copy mailed to you ($15.00, includes postage or $12.95 if you collect from me) please let me know.

Colour Renovation Colour Kits

I mentioned a little while ago that Stampin' Up! were introducing several new colours into the product range, and now you're able to purchase these new colours in the form of colour kits.

Check out the new colour kits HERE. 

These kits are a great way to update your exisiting Stampin' Up! prodcuts, without the expense of replacing products you already have.  Just quote the item number of the kit you'd like to order.  Easy.

Receive Free In Colours

During the month of September, join my team by purchasing the demonstrator Starter Kit, and receive a complete set of In Colours absolutely FREE;  that's Classic Stampin' Pads, Stampin' Write Markers, and an assortment of card stock.  That's a total saving of $84.90. Please don't hesitate to contact me to place your order for your Starter Kit.

A New Starter Kit (and it's cheaper)

The starter kit has been reduced to $289 and includes more than $515 worth of products - how good is that?! You can choose from 3 wood mount stamp sets, 1 clear-mount set with a clear block, a Stampin' Around wheel with ink cartridge and handle, inks, card stock, designer series paper, markers, ribbon, etc, etc.  Check out the starter kit below to get an idea of what you can get.  For a full description on what is included in the kit, look at page 8 of the 2010-2011 Catalogue (click on the catalogue above if you haven't received your copy of the catalogue yet).  It's great value!!

  

Enjoy browsing the 2010-2011 Catalogue.  I hope you enjoy all that you see!! 

Happy Stamping!