Partial embossing Beautiful Butterfly

Last week we learnt how to do partial embossing at Keryn's team meeting and it was lots of fun.  Thanks to Julie for the great tutorial, really enjoyed using all the fun tools involved in this process.

You really need a Big Shot machine to cope with the extra layers involved in this technique, a Cuttlebug machine is simply not strong enough to do this.

A couple of 'sneak peeks' as well in this card - the base card is a lovely new colour called Wisteria Wonder and the butterfly was cut out using a new DSP called "Just Add Cake".

What we used:

Card:  Wisteria Wonder, Pink Pirouette, Just Add Cake.

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant, Cherry Cobbler

Stamp Sets:  Artistic Etchings, Butterfly Prints.

Tools and other fun stuff:  Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die, Basic Pearls, Linen thread, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals.

Hello, hello, hello!

Here is a card I made using the sketch from the Stamping 411 blog, featuring a couple of stamp sets which retire very soon!

I must be in a 'spring' frame of mind as I choose really cheerful colours today, it is a beautiful (windy) day here in Wellington and it was lovely to be able to sit in the sun for a couple of minutes, without feeling cold, while my little boy played on the slide after kindy this morning.

I stamped the flower image randomly on white card with three ink colours, then punched them out and arranged them on an embossed green card.  I lined up the 'hello' greeting using the Stamp-a-Majig - invaluable for this sort of stamping, when you want things neatly in rows.

What I used:

Card:  Tempting Turquoise, White, green

Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise

Stamp sets:  Petal Pizazz, Basic Phrases

Tools and other fun stuff:  Scalloped Square punch, Square Lattice embossing folder, Stamp-a-Majig.

Soon to retire - Eastern Blooms

A very short post today!

Here a a few cards I made this past year using the Eastern Blooms set retiring at the end of this month.

It is a lovely set and quite versatile, if you'd like to order one please get in touch with me.

Loads of Love Birthday

Hi there, here is a very simple card I made a couple of days ago - simple because some time ago I'd made the striped, embossed and die cut background when I was experimenting with this technique so all I had to do was glue it down and add the Loads of Love Truck to it and it was almost done.  This little truck is really useful as you can 'load' lots of different things on the back of it to suit almost any occasion.

A much simpler card than I usually make, but we all need a change now and then!

What I used:

Card:  Crumb Cake, scraps of Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, So Saffron and Soft Suede

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler

Stamp Sets:  Loads of Love, Punch Bunch (retired).

Tools and other fun stuff:  Top Note die, Square Lattice embossing folder, Scalloped Square punch, Paper Piercer and mat pack.

Samples of soon-to-retire products - Petal Pizazz

Just thought I'd show you some samples of cards I made with the Petal Pizazz set which retires at the end of the month.


If you love bold coloured images this set is for you!  I've loved using it and am sad it is retiring, but on the bright side there will be lots of new sets to fall in love with in the new catalogue due out on 1st September.


Another update on sold out products from the Last Chance list:

1. Stamp: Sanded
2. Stamp: Full Calendar
3. Stamp set: Garden Whimsy
4. Stamp set: Choo choo 
5. 12"x12" Card:  Bashful Blue
6. 12"x12" Card:  Rich Razzleberry
7. 12"x12" Card:  Chocolate Chip
8. 12"x12" Card:  Crumb Cake
9. 12"x12" Card:  Very Vanilla
10. 12"x12" Card:  Early Espresso
11. 12"x12" Card:  Night of Navy
12. 12"x12" Card: Marina Mist
13. Punch:  Spiral
14. Punch: Corner
15. Punch: Large Star
16. Punch: 1 3/8" x 5/8" Oval
17. Embellishments:  Pewter Jumbo Eyelets
18. Embellishments: Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets
19. Embellishments: Metallic Eyelets

If there is anything you need to purchase before the retire/sell out please get in touch with me as soon as possible.

Nature Walk Clean and Simple

The sketches over at Clean and Simple really caught my eye a few days ago so I decided to play along and make some cards for it, the first one I posted here and this is the second card.

I used the same stamp set and colours - they go really well together.

What I used:

Card:  Baja Breeze, Rose Red, Old Olive, White

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose and Old Olive Stampin' Write markers.

Stamp Sets:  Nature Walk, Sincere Salutations

Tools and other fun stuff:  Top Note die

Nature Walk and an update on the Last Chance list

At the last minute I decided to make a card for a Clean and Simple challenge which involved a banner - and there is a matching card that I'll show you tomorrow.

I used the Nature Walk stamp set which I love but have not used nearly enough as I should have, and coloured my image with markers to get the multicoloured image.  I also used the butterfly to stamp a 'ghost' image behind the greeting, I think I need to take some better photos tomorrow morning in daylight though.

Following is an update on sold out products from the Last Chance list:

1. Stamp: Sanded
2. Stamp: Full Calendar
3. Stamp set: Garden Whimsy
4. Stamp set: Choo choo 
5. 12"x12" Card:  Bashful Blue
6. 12"x12" Card:  Early Espresso
7. 12"x12" Card:  Night of Navy
8. 12"x12" Card: Marina Mist
9. Punch:  Spiral
10. Punch: Corner
11. Punch: Large Star
12. Punch: 1 3/8" x 5/8" Oval
13. Embellishments:  Pewter Jumbo Eyelets
14. Embellishments: Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets
15. Embellishments: Metallic Eyelets

If there is anything you need to purchase before the retire/sell out please get in touch with me as soon as possible.

What I used:

Card:  Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Rose Red, White.

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Regal Rose and Old Olive Stampin' Write markers.

Stamp Sets:  Nature Walk, Sincere Salutations

Tools and other fun stuff:  Scallop Border punch, Wide Oval punch, Square Lattice embossing folder, Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon (retired), Stampin' dimensionals.

A new phone list

What I really like about papercrafting is that it's not only for cards and scrapbooks but you can make lots of other useful and beautiful items for your home as well.

We've had an assortment of papers stuck on a cupboard for years with phone numbers, most unsightly I must add but put in the the haste of the moment years ago and there it stayed...

Today I've remedied that problem!  Some lovely card, a couple of punches, a smidgen of texture here and there and I have a new list - now I'll have to repaint the kitchen to match LOL!

Now, an update on the Last Chance list - the following products are sold out:

1. Stamp: Sanded
2. Stamp: Full Calendar
3. 12"x12" Card:  Bashful Blue
4. 12"x12" Card:  Early Espresso
5. Punch:  Spiral
6. Punch: Corner
7. Punch: Large Star
8. Punch: 1 3/8" x 5/8" Oval
9. Embellishments:  Pewter Jumbo Eyelets
10. Embellishments: Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets
11. Embellishments: Metallic Eyelets

If there is anything you need to purchase before the retire/sell out please get in touch with me as soon as possible.

My mum will be really pleased when she hears about the new list!

What is no more - finally!!

What I used:

Card:  Bashful Blue, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Kiwi Kiss (retired), Basic Grey.

Tools and other fun stuff:  Large Star punch (retiring this month but already sold out I'm afraid - but lots of new punches for sale from 1st September), Small Star (retired last year), Square Lattice embossing folder, non SU alphabet dies, lined page from my diary.

Soon to retire - Fresh Cuts

I thought I'd show you a few of the cards I've made during this year which use some of the retiring products.  Today I've chosen the "Fresh Cuts" stamp set and there are different techniques on each card.   

The Fresh Cuts set consists of 3 images and 2 sentiments: 'for you' and 'thank you'.  The last card has a sentiment from Sincere Salutations, which has been carried over to the next brochure.

For this card I applied different colours directly onto the stamp using Stampin' Write Markers in three different colours.   

This time I stamped the image in Soft Suede on Very Vanilla and then used my Stampin' Write Markers to colour in selected parts of the image.

For this card I stamped the image in Versamark Watermark ink and then used a mix of black and gold embossing powders to heat emboss it.

What I used:

Card:  Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Black, Crumb Cake

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink, Versamark Watercolour ink.

Stamp Sets:  Fresh Cuts ($35.21 for set of 5 stamps)m, Sincere Salutations ($47.95 for set of 8 stamps)

Tools and other fun stuff:  Scallop Oval punch, Large Oval punch, Wide Oval punch, Scallop Border punch, 1/8" Old Olive Taffeta ribbon, gold embossing powder, black embossing powder, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, heat tool, Floral Fusion Sizzlits die, basic pearls.

Priceless mini cards - and a giveaway!

Priceless was one of the sets I chose with my starter pack last year, the combination of scribbles, dots and whimsical images always appealed to me.

This morning I quickly stamped up these three little cards to show you how versatile this set can be:  I cut the three white backgrounds to size (to match some envelopes I already had) then used Rose Red, Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie ink to create an all-over pattern.  All that was needed then was a sentiment punched out and matted with the same Rose Red background and they were finished.

Now, if you'd like this set of three mini cards and envelopes all you have to do is 'like' my Facebook page, leave me a comment there, and this mini set could be yours.

I'll do the draw next Sunday evening so be sure to share this invitation with all your crafting friends - looking forward to seeing you all on Facebook!

What I used:

Card:  Rose Red, White

Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Chocolate Chip.

Stamp Sets:  Priceless (retiring at the end of the month, $58.95 for set of11 stamps), Basic Phrases (also retiring, $53.21 for set of 24 stamps, double mounted)

Tools and other fun stuff:  Word Window punch.

Scrapbooking Christmas - Jolly Holiday DSP on show

Hi there

Well, I may just be starting to catch the scrap-booking bug - not a bad bug to catch I guess!

I really enjoyed making this 6" x 6" page and it went together quite easily for once.

It uses a couple of products that will retire at the end of the month, the Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper (40% off, now $12.30 for a pack of 12 sheets) and I also used the Christmas word from Basic Phrases (25% off, now $53.21).  Please let me know as soon as possible if you'd like to order any products.

Please note the following items have already sold out:

1. Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets
2. Pewter Jumbo Eyelets
3. Metallic Eyelets
4. Photo Corner Punch
5. Star Punch

What I used:

Card:  Very Vanilla, Jolly Holiday DSP

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker

Stamp Sets:  Basic Phrases

Tools and other fun stuff:  Scalloped Border punch, Ornament punch, 1/8" Old Olive taffeta ribbon.

Saying goodbye to Eastern Blooms

Here is the card I mentioned yesterday - my first attempt at a stenciled background.  I had a few problems lining it up on the card front so in the end went for the 'tear it out' option so I could re-use the background.

I had to smile because I really have difficulty with this tearing technique, always afraid it's going to rip right through all the hard work!  I guess one way around this would be to tear the cardstock first and then embellish, but in today's case it was more a matter of tearing to fix something that was not quite right...  anyway, I faced my fears and did it, and am very pleased with the result.

Quite a lot of layering and punching, but it was fun.

What I used:

Card:  Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, So Saffron, snippets of Cajun Craze, Riding Hood Red, Pumpkin Pie etc for the flowers.

Ink:  Soft Suede, Old Olive

Stamp Sets:  Eastern Blooms,

Tools and other fun stuff:  Boho Blossoms punch, 1/8" Old Olive taffeta ribbon, Basic Pearls, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.

Stenciled background sympathy card.

Have just received our monthly Stampin' Up! magazine which showcased a new technique of stenciled backgrounds.  I don't have the punch they suggested but had a play with my scalloped square and here is the result! This was the second attempt, the first one I'll show you tomorrow.

(Please click on photos for a close-up view).

What I used:

Card:  So Saffron, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Ink:  Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip

Stamp Sets:  Eastern Blooms, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Tools and other fun stuff:  Scalloped Square punch, Bird punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Lots of Tags Sizzlits die, Stampin' sponges, Basic Pearls, Stampin' dimensionals.

Rosette tutorial

Oh dear, last year I posted a photo of the Christmas card I made my mum and dad on a Stampin' Up! Facebook page and only today realized there had been quite a few people asking how I'd made the rosette!  So, apologies for the delay in getting back to you, and without further ado here is what you were all asking for!

Start by scalloping a length of Old Olive card and scrunch it up carefully.  I used two lengths to make the rosette.

Colour in your image with Stampin' Write markers (I used the Christmas tree from the "Loads of Love" Stampin' Up! set and Chcolate Chip and Old Olive pens) and punch it out with the 1 3/4" circle punch.

Sew along the non-scalloped edge of your scrunched up card with the largest stitch possible, and gather as you would a piece of fabric.  Now, I must add that it was quite hard to do this, so you may want to skip this step and hand pleat your card for the next step (I was experimenting at the time with gathering card on the sewing machine)

This is what the back of my image looked like after I'd stuck the  card frill around it.  You need to use a very strong adhesive like SU's Sticky Strip to hold the folds in place.

Here is the finished rosette, ready to be placed on your project.

Gather the rest of your supplies:  Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla cardstock, Play Date DSP and Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon.

The greeting is from Contempo Christmas - love that set!

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial, happy crafting!  Needless to say this technique works for lots of different occasions, not just Christmas.

Last Chance list - time to start saying goodbye to the current catalogue!

Now is the time to buy those Stampin' Up! products which have been on your wishlist for a while and will be retiring at the end of this month.

As you will see from the partial list below, some sets have been discounted between 25% and 40% so there are some great bargains for all.

For a full list of what is retiring, including cardstock, ribbons, punches, etc, please visit Stampin' Up! - I look forward to receiving your order.

 Remember there are no backorders during the Last Chance list: once an item sells out - that's it!

I will keep you posted on items that are getting low, or when they sell out.

Item Code	Stamp Set	Disc.	Price
112322	Calendar [wood-mount]		$40.95
112356	Sanded  [wood-mount]		$40.95
113007	Always  [wood-mount]		$68.95
113031	Tart & Tangy  [wood-mount]	25%	$20.21
114275	Eastern Blooms  [wood-mount]	25%	$35.96
114391	Build-a-Roo  [wood-mount]	25%	$41.21
115754	A Wish for Peace [wood-mount]		$36.95
115770	Cheep Talk  [wood-mount]		$57.95
115772	Cheers to You  [wood-mount]		$38.95
115774	Christ is Born  [wood-mount]		$43.95
115776	Christmas Classics [wood-mount]	25%	$41.21
115786	Dreams du Jour  [wood-mount]	25%	$30.71
115794	Family Accessories Too  [wood-mount]	25%	$30.71
115802	A Flower For All Seasons  [wood-mount]		$29.95
115806	Fresh Cuts  [wood-mount]	25%	$35.21
115808	Friends 24-7  [wood-mount]		$54.95
115812	Full Calendar  [wood-mount]		$40.95
115848	Party Hearty  [wood-mount]		$57.95
115850	Petal Pizzazz  [wood-mount]		$70.95
115854	Pun Fun  [wood-mount]		$70.95
115864	Simple Birthday Thanks [wood-mount]		$40.95
115870	Sock Money Accessories [wood-mount]		$46.95
115872	Sock Monkey [wood-mount]		$57.95
115908	Basic Phrases [wood-mount]	25%	$53.21
115912	Bugs & Kisses [wood-mount]		$58.95
115922	Just Cricket [wood-mount]		$29.95
115932	Occasional Greetings [wood-mount]		$73.95
115946	Wonderful Favourites [wood-mount]	25%	$35.96
116338	Art by Design [wood-mount]		$40.95
116354	Defining Alphabet [wood-mount]		$95.95
116356	Family Phrases [wood-mount]		$40.95
116360	Fun & Fast Notes [wood-mount]		$70.95
116362	Garden Whimsy [wood-mount]		$54.95
116366	A Good Egg [wood-mount]	25%	$35.96
116398	Pick a Petal [wood-mount]		$64.95
116402	Priceless [wood-mount]		$58.95
116404	Schoolbook Serif Alphabet [wood-mount]		$93.95
116406	Scribble This [wood-mount]		$73.95
116414	Simply Said [wood-mount]		$58.95
116681	Kind Heart [wood-mount]	25%	$10.88
116881	Forest Friends [wood-mount]		$29.95
116885	Sense of Time [wood-mount]		$47.95
116887	Choo Choo [wood-mount]		$36.95
116889	Great Friend [wood-mount]		$38.95
116891	Good Cheer [wood-mount]		$47.95
117705	Animal Stories [wood-mount]	25%	$22.46
117709	Razzle Dazzle [wood-mount]	25%	$30.71
117717	Hello Again [wood-mount]	25%	$20.21
117719	Sweet Birthday [wood-mount]		$15.50
117721	Sweetness Unlimited [wood-mount]	25%	$10.88
119173	Lots of Bots [wood-mount]	25%	$28.46
120009	Lots of Bots [clear-mount]		$29.95
119194	All a Flutter [wood-mount]		$16.50
121484	Bella Toile [wood-mount]		$40.95
121486	Beware Pirates [wood-mount]	25%	$43.46
121494	Compliments to the Chef [wood-mount]		$43.95
121512	Extreme Guitar [wood-mount]		$23.95
121514	Extreme Surfboard [wood-mount]		$23.95
121526	Gifted [wood-mount]	40%	$35.97
120480	Gifted [clear-mount]	40%	$28.77
121536	Holiday Hoopla [wood-mount]		$41.95
120450	Holiday Hoopla [clear-mount]	25%	$25.46
121544	Kimono Kids [wood-mount]		$46.95
120498	Kimono Kids [clear-mount]		$37.95
121550	More Monkey Accessories [wood-mount]		$36.95
120468	More Monkey Accessories [clear-mount]		$29.95
121556	On a Pedestal [wood-mount]	40%	$25.17
121564	Seeing Stars [wood-mount]		$46.95
121566	So Cute [wood-mount]	25%	$19.46
120612	So Cute [clear-mount]		$20.95
121568	Sparkly & Bright [wood-mount]		$38.95
121578	Tag Alongs [wood-mount]		$38.95
120513	Tag Alongs [clear-mount]	25%	$23.21
121594	So Many Thanks [wood-mount]		$17.50
121596	For You Flower [wood-mount]		$17.50
121598	To & From Tag [wood-mount]		$16.50
122121	To a Classic [wood-mount]		$40.95
120441	To a Classic [clear-mount]		$32.95
123163	Engraved Greetings	25%	$20.21
123165	Hello, You	40%	$14.97
123167	Live, Laugh, Love	25%	$18.71