Strawberries for Christmas

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and had some special treats.  Most importantly, that they got some quality time in with family and friends.  Summer time in New Zealand means strawberries, and we have had plenty of those this summer in the Bay.  I decided already last year that my idea of a Christmas card would be a bit 'Kiwi-ana-ish'.  I did not manage to post cards last Christmas, but I did manage to get a  number out this year.  Here's one of the Christmas cards I promised to share, it's my take on a Kiwi Christmas card.

And because they have been picked oohh! so early in the morning, they have a bit of dew on them, to make them that much yummier. I picked strawberries in my youth, and you had to start work early!!

I hope you enjoyed this theme. I love how our Stampin' Up! stamp sets can be used in so many different ways, with different themes. 

Stampin' Up! supplies:

Stamp set: Tart and Tangy & Many Merry Messages

Cardstock: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White

Markers:  Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green

Other: Crystal Effects and Dimensionals 

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Happiness Is....

A while ago I bought this lovely wee plaque and it sits on my craft desk.  It's such an appropriate sentiment for me, especially placed by my stamp sets etc.  I love it because it reminds me to keep perspective on what's important.  I wanted to share it because while I'm looking forward to Christmas, I am looking forward more to being together as a family. Relationships are what makes life important and meaningful.

Paul said 

"for I have learnt to be satisfied with what I have.  

I have learnt this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content.." 

Phillipians 4:11b-12a

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Butterfly on Fern

When I chose the "Growing Green" stamp set, I thought I would have no trouble being creative with it, but it is taking a little work to find my Mojo with it.  I have coloured the fern with my pastels and then sprayed it with my new gold "Smooch Spritz".  I was quite surprised how bright green my Certainly Celery card stock looked between Early Espresso and Soft Suede card stock. It almost looks like the deleted Gable Green.

As I don't have every punch, I made my little tag, using the word window punch and cutting a straight edge on one side.  Sponging always adds such a lovely finish to projects, it softens edges and blends colours together subtly.

I love colouring in, so I have water coloured and cut out my butterfly. I rolled the edges up to give it a more authentic look, so it looks about to take flight.

Stampin' Up! supplies:

Stamp set: Growing Green, All a Flutter & Pocket Silhouettes

Card stock: Soft Suede, Certainly Celery, Early Espresso, Whisper White and Watercolour Paper

Other: Stampin' Pastels, Blender Pen, gold Smooch Spritz, sponges

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Simply Said

It's about time I put a blog up, so here goes.  There have been such lovely projects to look at for Christmas and I have finally finished making all my Christmas cards, now for a few hours to fill them all in.  Once they are in the post I will share.
I was reminded recently how effective making your own designer card is. For this I pulled out my first ever Stampin' Up! stamp set that my daughter and I decided to purchase.  "Simply Said" has been well used at our house, with so many different ways to use it.  Here's a colour combo that has emerged and I must say, I quite like. Stamp up a sheet of A4 card and see how many cards or ways you can use up the whole sheet of card. I have some left over so I will be putting my thinking cap on how to use the rest.

I am not usually a purple girl, but I must admit that Perfect Plum has become one of my favourite crafting colours.  Pumpkin Pie is always a hit too.

I have made this flower using the Scallop Circle punch and Boho Blossoms punch.  I have put the flowers through my crimper and then smudged them with white ink.  A brad to finish them off, and they are ready to be worn on my card, a wonderful match for the rest of the outfit.
I also took up a challenge to add something to my blog that did not entail using the Big Shot.  I hope this satisfies that challenge Keryn!!

Stampin' Up! supplies used:

Stamp sets: Simply Said, Seasons of Joy & Fun & Fast Notes

Card stock: Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, Perfect Plum and Sahara Sand

Ink: Always Artichoke, Pumpkin Pie, Perfect Plum and Early Espresso

Punches: Scallop Circle and Boho Blossom

If you would like to order "Simply Said" for $58.95 plus p&h, then email me to place your order today. It's such a good value stamp set with 11 stamps in the set.

 

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Circle Flower on DSP

I have had this DSP flower on my desk for a while now, with the intention of using it in a card.  Today I finally worked out how to finish it.  I have cut the circle using my Circles #2 die.  I have sponged the edges with Early Espresso ink to give it the distressed look.  I have used a layout from a Cardmaking, Stamping and Papercraft magazine. It's a good challenge to emulate an idea without having the exact supplies in hand.
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The scallop edge is using 1" circles made into a template, traced onto card and then cut out.  This template is then traced and hand cut onto the desired card stock.

 

This doesn't have a home yet, but it's a good idea to have in the stash for that last minute "got to have a card" moment in your life.

Stampin' Up! supplies used are:

Card stock:- Naturals Ivory & Always Artichoke

DSP: Neutrals & Greenhouse Gala

Ink: Early Espresso

Ribbon: Early Espresso1/8" taffeta ribbon

Brad: Metalic 

Button: Subtles

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Summer Mini Catalogue

The new Summer Mini Catalogue is now available, brimming with lots of new products and ideas. Product in the Summer Mini is available from 1 December 2010 until 31 March 2011. 

Book a workshop today, get some friends together and discover the new products and techniques that Stampin' Up! have to offer you.  I would love to share these with you.

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December Frenzy 1 - 29 December, 2010

Stampin' Up! are going to give us a busy month.  December Frenzy specials are available now until 29 December, so place your order today to take advantage of these specials.  Those marked in red are reduced by 50%.

Page no's are for the current Idea Book & Catalogue.

Email me today to place your order.

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