June Inspiration Challenge

My Stampin' Up! team's forum has a monthly challenge set by demonstrators in our group. This month's challenge was an inspiration challenge and the demonstrator setting the task (thank you, Nerida) put up a picture of Monet's painting with the waterlilies (ah, the impressionists...) For the challenge, we were asked to make a card inspired by this picture. Here's what I did:

Two-Step Stamping special!

During the month of July, Stampin' Up! are offering a number of two-step stamp sets at 20% off RRP. The following list contains the names of the stamp sets, their usual price and their special price. The card above this info is made using the beautiful "A Rose is a Rose" stamp set featured in the specials.

Colour Renovation

Stampin' Up! likes to keep their product line fresh and up to date - that's one of the thngs I like most about the company. So, when they announced there was going to be a change in colour families, I knew it would be a considered choice and that the colours going would not be retired lightly. Stampin' Up! spent a couple of years researching their changes and they have come up with a "Colour Renovation" they are proud of. There are four colour families: brights, neutrals, regals and subtles and there are 10, not 12 colours in each family. There will be 5 In Colour introduced each year and In Colours will be kept in for a period of 2 years instead of 1. I am including two pictures below. The first is of the new colours and their organisation and the second is of the retiring colours. Stocks of these products will not last forever so make sure you order your favourite cardstocks and inks before they disappear forever..........

A "Blokey" card

Hi all! This is a card I made for my lovely Dad after he came to help my husband with som e home renovation. We did a house swap - the four children and I went to visit Grandma on the South Coast (beautiful surroundings, but far cry from a holiday I can assure you!!!!) and my Dad came up here to help Brett get some jobs done. He did such a great job and I made this card to say thank you. Making "Blokey" cards can be a challenge but the Totally Tools stamp set (IB&C pg 57) and the sanded background made it pretty easy. Add a bit of scrunching and sponging ('dirtying up'!) and a couple of silver brads and you have a card fit for the blokeyest (?) of blokes. Hope you enjoy - Elizabeth

All you need is LOVE!

I made this item for my church for Valentine's Day and finally got around to photographing it the other week. I bought the wooden letters from a craft shop and covered them with DSP from the Sweet Nothings 'Simply Scrappin' kit. I have then embellished with ribbon and hemp twine, buttons, various items from the Pretties Kit, the "Butterfly Prints" stamp set punched out with the butterfly punch and "Life Definitions" stamp set. I also used felt flowers from Flower Fusion Too kit (with silver brad centres). I wanted to bring it home but people seem to enjoy it as a permanent fixture at church, so that's where it's staying. For now....(LOL)

A lovely morning!

This morning I had the privilege of introducing my daughter's teacher's mother to stamping. We had a fabulous time (just the two of us) making a wedding card and a birthday card. The wedding card I'm posting here was the basis of the card we ended up making (hers had two punched birdies with a pearl between their beaks and branches instead of the cake - it looked gorgeous! - must remember to take a photo next time!). The card is made using Sahara Sand and Very Vanilla with the So Swirly Wheel and For the Bride stamp set. I used the eyelet border punch at the bottom and Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon to embellish. The wedding cake is embossed with clear embossing powder over Sahara Sand and versamark inks. And I used the Roll Around Wheel Guide to make sure the swirls were straight!!!




The next card we made was a birthday card for her daughter-in-law. I had made this card recently for my beautiful friend, Michelle and thought it fit the brief. We used Rose Red, Baja Breeze and Whisper White cardstock. The inks were rose red and baja breeze and the stamp set was Baroque Motifs. We cut out 3 flowers and raised them using dimensionals and put a small pearl in he middle of each. The ribbons are Rose Red double-stitched grosgrain ribbon and Baja Breeze striped grosgrain ribbon. I stamped the happy birthday sentiment using Basic Grey ink.

Things I've made recently...

Have had a few things on recently and would like to show you what we've been making. These first couple are from our stamp club. We made a page for a frame (upon the request of the person whose turn it was to host)and we made a freestanding 3D pop-up card. Stamp Club was held on 29th May which was National Thank You Day, so we put a thank you sentiment on the card. Both were made primarily with the Vitage Vogue set from the current mini catalogue. The page has leaves from the bird punch (mini) and letters from the Big Deal alphabet. The picture on the page was put there to fill the space - it's a picture of my beautiful Emily when she was about 4 years old (she's nine now!!!!!)The only extra stamp set the pop-up card uses is Pocket Silhouettes ("thanks so much")

Some things to do with the Bigshot!

Hi, everyone. Still trying to keep up with my blogging (with four children, 3/4 of whom want turns on the computer also, this can be tricky!!). Took these photographs of some items I recently made using the bigshot. I have to make special mention of Linda Higgins via Nerida Carter's website for the idea for the bird punch card. The Manhattan Flower embossing folder card was adapted the card design in the Autumn/Winter mini catalogue. The Upsy Daisy card was made using the space created when I cut a top note design out of cardstock.



Card Recipe:

Cardstock - Soft Suede (base) and Whisper White (Top Note)
Stamp Sets (Occasional Greetings - Happy Mothers' Day)
Ink - Soft Suede
Accessories - Crop-a-dile, Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain ribbon, 2-step bird punch, Flower Fusion too baja breeze flower, silver brads, 2-way glue pen, SNAIL, Top Note Die, Bigshot Machine.
DSP - cottage wall and baja breeze patterned paper.



Card Recipe:

Cardstock - Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip
Stamps - Occasional Greetings (for you)
Ink - Kiwi Kiss
Accessories - Melon Mambo polkadot grosgrain ribbon, Manhattan Flower embossing folder, Bigshot machine, SNAIL





Card Recipe:

Cardstock - Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Baja Breeze
Stamp Set - Upsy Daisy
Ink - Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze
Accessories -Top Note Die cut-out, sponge, SNAIL, 1 1/4" circle punch and 1 3/8" circle punch, Crop-A-Dile, Pewter Jumbo Eyelet, Baja Breeze double stitched grosgrain ribbon.

Thanks for looking, until next time, Elizabeth.

Trying to keep up with my resolution........

........to post more, that is. So, here is a few of the cards I have made recently. Hope you enjoy!

Deal #1

This week's deal is 30% off 4 of our punches. Instead of paying $30.95, you'll be paying $20.12 ea. for the Scallop Oval(114889), Scallop Square(112081), Trio Flower(109183) or Boho Blossoms Punch(110711). AMAZING value! This offer is available until 8th June, 2010 so get in quick!