French Foliage with Autum Spice

I fell in love with this stamp set when it was first released in the Autumn-Winter mini catalogue.  I have just acquired it and love it. The product in this catalogue are only available until the end of the month, so don't forget to place your order before the end of the month. I have used images from this stamp set in a layered fashion to give it this vintage look.

I have used the wonderful Autumn Spice DSP also available in the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue.  The colours in this DSP are Old Olive, Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Early Espresso.  All wonderful colours to use with this stamp set. Here I have also embossed some More Mustard card stock with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and sponged Early Espresso ink on it.

I have used the rock 'n' roll technique when stamping my leaf.  I first fully inked it with Pumpkin Pie ink and then inked the edges with Cajun Craze.  It has stamped up looking more natural this way. I am looking forward to finding some time to make more creations with this stamp set.

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Top Note Booklet

Here's a wee notebook I made using the Top Note die.  Fold card stock in half and then place folded edge just in from the cutting line on the long edge of your top note die.  You will end up with a lovely shaped piece of card stock to use for a booklet, or card. I have used the stamp set 'Nature Walk' to embellish my notebook. This stamp set, lends itself to so many styles and colour uses.

I have stamped the butterfly with Staz On ink on watercolour paper, and coloured it in.  I then inked the entire image with Versamark ink and clear embossed it.  I like this finish as it gives a greater depth to the colours.The booklet front is retired Sage Shadow card stock and I have sponged lots of Always Artichoke ink on the edges. Then using Always Artichoke ink also stamped the images, with a little Cherry Cobbler ink for the flower heads.

I also stamped the back of my booklet to match, and gave it a signature to make it an authentic piece of artwork.
The inside has cut pieces of exercise book so that it has lined paper to write on. I put them through the Top Note die and then hand cut it on the perforated edge, this makes it a little smaller than the outside and fits nicely inside the card outer. Staple in place.  Each edge is sponged and also stamped in Always Artichoke ink with the bee in this stamp set.

Here's a lovely wee idea to while away a few hours in this wintry weather.  Make a few and put them away in your stash for those special gifts.

Thanks for joining me.

Chalkboard Daisies

This card has been a long time in coming to be blogged.  When I first saw the chalk board technique on my Splitcoast stampers newsletter, I just had to give it a go.  I love how this stamp, 'Inspired by Nature', lends itself to this technique so well. I love the finished effect that chalk board gives. 

The background cardstock has been Silver embossed using the daisy image.  I have then repeated the same image onto black card stock using White Pigment ink.  I then coloured on the dried white image using watercolour pencils, blending the colours as I went.

I then made a matching inside to my card.

I hope this gives you some great craft inspiration. Enjoy your weekend.  I caught some lovely sun yesterday.  Good Vit D for free. Sorry those who are cold and sick of the rain, but I just had to share.

Stampin Supplies:-

Stamp sets - Inspired by Nature, Close as a Memory (retired)

Card Stock - Basic Grey, Rose Red, Black

Ink - White pigment, Versamark

Other - Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, water colour pencils

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Inlaid Buttons

I was given so many lovely birthday cards this year but the one that really caught my eye was this Inlaid Buttons card made by my sister.  I just love this card.  I have finally gotten around to photographing it and posting it.  

My sister has a buttons embossing edge which matches in with the Stampin' Up! Buttons #5 die perfectly. I think the buttons overlaid on each other and set on dimensionals and some string gives this a special finish. 

You can see here, that a little sponging adds some definition to the embossed buttons on the edge. Love those sponges.   Hope you feel all inspired to go and give this a go too. 

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Gift with Purchase - July Promotion

Stampin' Up! love to treat us to special deals and this month is no exception.  

Spend $120 on your choice of Stampin' Up! products and receive an exclusive product bundle for FREE. 1- 31 July, 2011

Receive: One spool White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon with repeating flower designs.  Approx. 13.7mtr.

48 flower buttons, 16 each in 3 colours (Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Pacific Point). Approx. 1.3cm Value: $37.50

 

Contact me today to get your free exclusive bundle.  

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Hedgehog Wall Hanging

I love this Hedgehog image from the stamp set Fun & Fast Notes.  I have stamped it on water colour paper with Staz On ink and given it the smallest amount of colour to give it character.

 

I had fun getting this little fellow together. I thought it would make a great wee painting to hang up and so I have mounted him on card to look like a hung picture. I have also dry embossed the card using my Fiskars cutter groove and Stampin' Up! bone folder.

The colours I have used here are Certainly Celery and Daffodil Delight.  I love this new yellow and it works well in all colour families. 

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Razzle Dazzle in Naturals

Here's another colour combo using the 'Razzle Dazzle' stamp set.  Not a colour scheme I would have thought to use with this stamp set but I had seen this colour scheme on a blog, and wanted to try it out. (I but don't remember where I saw this combo, let me know if it's you, so I can acknowledge you). My sister has this stamp set and so a play date was organised.

I am very happy with this colour combo and how this turned out. 

I have used markers to ink up this image.  I love the label "It's good to dream". I hope you feel inspired.  Thanks for your patience in waiting for this blog entry, life has it's moments, but as the card says it's good to dream.

Stampin' Supplies:- 

Stamp set: Razzle Dazzle

Card stock: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Kraft

Ink: Markers: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede

Other: Matt Pack, Linen thread,

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Birthday Celebrations

Time to update my blog.  I have been enjoying a visit from one of my sons, so blogging hasn't been happening. We also got to celebrate our favourite daughters birthday recently (we only have one, so it's fun to say that). When you turn 15 it's fun to decorate your cake with a theme and you can get away with using "Pet Shop's" just for fun.  Miss 15's nick name is "Bee", hence the "Bee" theme.We were out shopping and saw this "Pet Shop" that had a bee hive and bee in the set, along with a wee ladybird.   Perfect excuse to be purchased for a cake decoration and can then be added to the 'stored' tin of "Pet Shop's". Here's the cake Miss 15 made and decorated.

The card followed with the 'bee' theme we started on the cake, this gave me another opportunity to use the wonderful wee bee stamp in the "Nature Walk" stamp set.

 

I brayered using So Saffron and Certainly Celery ink and then stamped the grass on top.  I water coloured the flower and bees on water colour paper and cut them out and then attached them.  Part of the top note makes a lovely side tab.

This card folds open differently then the usual card style. This is the inside of her card. I love how you have 3 panels to add sentiments and loving words to. I have made a matching centre panel to match the card front.

I finally chopped into my last sheet of favourite DSP (retired). Love this paper. The wee 'bee' is from the Sale-a-bration set "Sweet Summer".  The greetings are from the "Create a Cupcake" set. I had fun making this card.  Hope you enjoyed it too!!

Stampin' Supplies:-

Stamp sets:- Inspired by Nature, Nature Walk, Sweet Summer, Create a Cupcake, Every Moment.

Ink:- Certainly Celery, More Mustard, So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive

Card stock:- Old Olive, Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss (retired)

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All a Glitter - just DAZZLING

Don't you just love surprising someone with a card that has a special effect that you know they love.  I am not such a glitter girl, but I had a birthday card to make for a friend who shares the same birthday as me.  So I decided to try this glitter technique that we got to learn from Bron at Regional Training in Wellington.

This card did give the WOW factor I had hoped for.  My recipient was delighted.  When you have such a great tile with so much character the rest of the card can be kept quite simple. Don't you just love those "Lots of Tags" Sizzlits dies.  A little ribbon and pearl and you are complete.

I hope you can see how lovely this tile has turned out, photo's never really do full justice.  There's nothing like seeing a card like this is real life.

Stampin' Supplies:

Card stock: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Inks: Pear Pizzaz (love this colour), Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso

Other: Scor pal, Heat and Stick powder, Dazzling Diamonds, Heat Tool

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A Flower For All Seasons - Poinsettia

Here's the final installment in this series using the images in the stamp set "A Flower for All Seasons".  This lovely poinsettia has been coloured a lovely rich red, but they are also grown in cream. Did you know that?  I used to have a wonderful red Poinsettia under my kitchen window, when I lived in Perth, which flowered all year round.  We could grow such different plants there because of the lovely warm climate.

I have used only a corner of the embossing folder "Manhatten Flower" on the bottom of this card front.  This keeps it simple and has quite a striking effect.

I made my brad using a piece of card stock punched with a 1/4" circle punch and added crystal effects to it.  Quite effective isn't it? There's an option you may not have thought of if you don't have a matching brad.

Stampin' Supplies

Card stock: Not Quite Navy, Real Red

Inks: Real Red, Garden Green, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy and Bashful Blue

Other: Manhatten Flower embossing folder, Big Shot, Water colour paper, Aqua painter, Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

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A Flower for All Seasons - Sunflower

Well I did say I would post a card I had made with all four lovely images in "A Flower for All Seasons" stamp set.  So here's card number three. These sunflowers remind me of the year we planted heaps of sunflower seeds at the back of our property and were rewarded with a wonderful patch of really tall sturdy sunflowers.  They really are a very dramatic flower in a group planting.  Someone planted a "maize" with sunflowers in Upper Hutt one year.  What a wonderful idea.

I love making paper buttons using my Sizzlits Buttons #5 die.  Check out my earlier post on how I did this.
I love the wee detail of the ladybird climbing up the side of the pot. Terracotta pots develop there own character with age.  Cajun Craze is the replacement colour to Really Rust which I used to colour this pot.

I love small cards, they are so handy to have, wee notes that say so much.  I have left these cards with no greeting on the front, I can always add one later or use them for any occasion.

Stampin' Supplies

Card Stock: Garden Green, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

DSP: Woodland Walk

Inks: Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Real Red & Garden Green

Other: Scallop Edge punch, Buttons #5 die, Big Shot, Crystal Effects, Linen Thread

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A Flower For All Seasons - Tulip

Here's the next card that I made with the stamp set "A Flower for All Seasons".  This one is the tulip image, which of course works so well with the "Framed Tulips" embossing folder that is available in the current Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue. A little detailing using the Matt Pack and Paper Piercer, gives a wonderful faux stitch detail.

It just begged a bright cheerful colour, and here I used Daffodil Delight card stock and also sponged the embossed folder with Daffodil Delight ink to match. Using this colour was inspired by the warm sunny days we have been having over the past week. I even sat outside in short sleeves enjoying a coffee in the sun yesterday.

 

I have water coloured these images using an aqua painter and ink pads.  I have used the 1 3/4" circle punch for the image and it is mounted on a 2" circle cut out of Bashful Blue card stock using my Big Shot and the Circles #2 die.  Now there's a great combination of circle sizes for you to try out. 

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A Flower For All Seasons - Daisy

Isn't it lovely when a customer let's you use a stamp set that you haven't got.  Thanks Annemiek. Here's a card I have water coloured using one of the images in this stamp set.

 I used my markers direct to the water colour paper for the frog, but you can see the varying colour change on the pot when using my ink pad with aqua painter and marker.

I will be posting more of these images as I have made a different card for each image in this stamp set.  A Flower for all Seasons is a fun wee set that has 4 stamps and is so reasonably priced at $29.95 + p&h. If you would like to order this stamp set then email me now.

Stampin' Supplies:

Stamp set:- A Flower for All Seasons

Card stock:- Real Red, Whisper White, DSP Celebrations, Water colour paper

Ink:- Daffofil Delight, More Mustard, Old Olive marker, Real Red, Cajun Craze marker

Other:- Large White brad from 5/16" Neutrals Assortment

Thanks for stopping by

Butterfly from Nature Walk

Blogger has had a few issues, and my Thursday post disappeared, so here it is today.  My mother in law loves nature so here's the Mother's Day card I made her.  

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I love these colours.  They are so Autumny.  I brayered a piece of Natural Ivory cardstock cut out with the Top Note die using my Big Shot. The faux stitching is done with Pumpkin Pie marker. I then built my scene using the stamps from the Nature Walk stamp set, using different inks, all in autumn tones.  The button is made using the Sizzlits Buttons #5 die.  I cut 4 layers and glued then together.  I threaded some linen thread through it and attached it using crystal effects.  It makes a great glue.

I then water coloured the butterfly on watercolour paper and cut it out.  I then inked the whole image with versa mark ink and clear embossed it.  It has given it a lovely shiny finish.

Stampin' Supplies:

Stamp set:-  Nature Walk

Card stock:- Pumpkin Pie, Naturals Ivory

Inks:- Early Espresso, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Staz on, Versa Mark

Other:- Top Note Die, Big Shot, Sizzlits #5 die, Water colour paper, Clear embossing powder, Heat tool, retired chocolate chip ribbon

Every Moment - Birthday Gift Voucher

I love this stamp set, so when asked to make a Birthday voucher for a special lady, I knew that this would delight her, and I wasn't wrong.

I have used the masking technique to layer the daisies.

I have made a tag out of the lovely wee phrase that is in this stamp set.

I even stamped the envelope to match.

Stampin' Supplies:

Stamp Set: Every Moment

Card Stock: Soft Suede, Naturals Ivory

Ink: Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Old Olive

Other: Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, Antique Brass jumbo eyelets, button from Brights collection, Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, hemp twine, spritzer, pearls.
 

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