Andrea Mears

Monday, 30 April 2018

Perennial Birthday

I've only just purchased this stamp set - I completely overlooked it in the Occasions Catalogue, however I've been seeing lots of really cool projects made with it. It's actually designed to be part of a kit (that is only available until the end of May), however it is available in the new catalogue, and it works really nicely as a stand alone set.

Here's the card I made today with this set. This was inspired by a card by Victoria Littlewood that I saw on the Pootles craft forum.

This card looks deceptively easy to make - however I soon learned there was more to it than met the eye!

I started with a standard NZ card base (14.9 x 10.5cm), and cut a mat of Berry Burst that measured 13.9 x 9.5cm. My next step was to cut a piece of Whisper White for the card front - this measured 12.9 x 8.5cm.

Next I used Memento Black ink to stamp the Stylised Birthday stamp - I can't quite believe that this is retiring as it is a fantastic stamp that I have used heaps. Ok - so this part was all good so far. Then I inked up the flower stamp from the Perennial Birthday stamp set, and all did not go so smoothly!

I don't have much experience in using smaller stamps. It took 4 attempts for me to make one that didn't have an outline of the stamp somewhere on the front. In the end I went for the smallest block that fitted the image (in this case it was the 'A' size clear block), and I checked it in minute detail after each inking. If I had gotten any ink on the base of the stamp at all (rather than just the raised image), I cleaned it off and started again. It took a while, but I eventually got a mistake free card front!

I coloured the flowers in using the Dark Pink Pirouette blend pen - it goes perfectly with the Berry Burst that I stamped the flowers in.

Finally, fourth time lucky, I had a card I would be happy to send someone!

I'm going to offer a special offer to New Zealand Residents only.

The Perennial Birthday Kit costs $54.00. For that you get a gorgeous wooden box, components for making 16 cards, tabbed dividers and more. If you want to purchase this, you also need to purchase the Perennial Birthday stamp set that goes with it ($46) in order to be able to make the cards.

If you would like though, I'll sell you the kit alone for $60, and I'll make up the kit for you and post it to you for an extra $7 (or you can pick it up if you live in Christchurch), and you don't have to buy the stamp set.

You've only got until the end of May to grab this deal (or until stocks run out). It's a gorgeous kit, and you could even think of giving it as a gift. I know if someone gave me a beautiful box with 16 ready made cards I'd be extremely happy! Email me by clicking here if you're interested.

If you'd like to purchase any of the products I've used tonight to make this card, or if you'd like to purchase the kit, please click on the pictures below to go to my online store.

Stay warm and dry if you're in New Zealand, and I hope you enjoy your Tuesday.

Andrea

Product List

Perennial Birthday Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[145760]

$46.00

Stylized Birthday Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[141828]

$21.00

Perennial Birthday Project Kit

[145579]

$54.00

Pink Pirouette Dark Stampin' Blends Marker

[144592]

$9.50

Happy Birthday Gorgeous!

I have several aims in my crafting style - one is to use embossing folders more.

I love how they give immediate texture and interest to backgrounds. They're so easy to use, I'm not quite sure why I don't already use them a lot!

Today's card is made using the Sparkle embossing folder. I think it makes the Crushed Curry background really pop.

As you can see, I started with a black card, standard New Zealand size, and then a piece of Crushed Curry cardstock slightly smaller.

I stamped the lady and the sentiment onto Whisper White, using Memento ink. I found that Memento ink takes a little longer than the others to dry, so it pays to leave it a few minutes before colouring the lady.

I used the Water Colour Pencils to colour in her hat and dress. I then cut black pieces that were slightly larger than the Whisper White, and adhered it all together.

A birthday card to give a good friend - I'd be happy getting this in my mail box...I'm sure you would be too!

If you live in New Zealand and would like to purchase any of the items I've used to make this card, please click on the product pictures below and you'll go straight to my online store.

If you're thinking that you'd really like to purchase some of these products, but they're more than you'd like to spend, consider joining as a demonstrator. You pay $189, and you recieve $285 worth of product. You choose everything - including the $96 worth of free product. For the next three months, or as long as you remain a demonstrator, you will get 20% off anything in the catalogue. There's no obligation - you can drop at any time. You still get to keep all the products you've ordered. If you'd like to know more, check out my 'Join My Team' tab above. If you live in New Zealand, I'd love to have you join my 'Absolutely Awesome Crafters' team!

Take care,

Andrea

Product List

Sparkle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

[141468]

$15.75

Beautiful You Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[143637]

$59.00

Watercolor Pencils

[141709]

$33.50

Love What You Do

This is my first card made with products from the 'Share What You Love' suite.

This suite is being released early for customers - you can buy various versions of the suite from 2 May! Click on the pictures at the end of this post after 2 May, and you'll find all the details on my website.

I CASE'd (Copy and Share Everything) this off a card I saw on Pinterest, but there was no name saved with it. If it's yours, please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due!

I started with a Powder Pink card, and cut a piece of Share What You Love Designer Series Paper to act as a mat on the card. I then cut a piece of Whisper White cardstock slightly smaller again (measurements below).

The background 'splodge' is a stamp - I love that I can make an arty looking splodge! I stamped that in Powder Pink ink, then I stamped the flowers and sentiment in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

I used Cherry Cobbler light and dark blends to colour in the flowers. They are a little darker than I envisaged, but I think they look great.

I then wrapped a piece of Fresh Fig sheer ribbon around the card, and added some of the Share What You Love Artisan Pearls.

I love this suite! The Designer Series Paper is a double pack, and each piece is almost a card weight. It's probably not quite as heavy as the Painted With Love Designer Series Paper, but would still be perfect for making 3D items such as boxes and bags. It also has some silver foil shot through some of the patterns - just gorgeous.

Measurements

Powder Pink cardstock - 10.5 x 14.9cm

Share What You Love Designer Series Paper - 9.5 x 13.9cm

Whisper White cardstock - 8.5 x 12.9cm

I hope this inspires you to consider this beautiful new suite - remember you can purchase it from May 2 - not long now!

Product List

Love What You Do Photopolymer Stamp Set

[148042]

$44.00

Share What You Love Specialty Designer Series Paper

[146926]

$56.75

Share What You Love Artisan Pearls

[146927]

$12.50

Fresh Fig 1/8" Sheer Ribbon

[144174]

$12.75

A non-hobby way to use your washi tape

Hi there!

Thank you for stopping by. Today I'm going to share with you how I use washi tape in a totally non card making or scrapbooking way.

In my 'other job', I used to use a diary, but I found I sometimes only wanted to write a tiny amount on a particular day, and other days I wanted 3 pages worth of notes. So I changed to a notebook, however it didn't quite meet my needs. I meet with a number of people regularly. I always found myself going through my notebook looking for the little notes I'd written myself that I needed to mention next time I was talking to a particular person. It felt unprofessional, time wasting and awkward. So I put my thinking cap on, and came up with this:

All I did was run a piece of washi up the outer side of some of my notebook pages - took approx 2 minutes per page (things have to be straight and even for me, or I'd have to throw the notebook out!). It would probably only take a sensible person 30 seconds per page.

Now, whenever anything comes up that I know I have to discuss with a specific person, or put on a specific meeting agenda, I can find my page quickly (it doesn't take long to memorise which washi you've used for which page), and voila! Information captured in a place where it is really easy to find later.

The first time I did this I only did one page per person/meeting. It wasn't a problem if I filled that page, as I was able to take the next blank page and put the same washi on it as last time, and I still had a set place to document my topics.

The next time I set up a new notebook, I put several pages aside for those I meet with often, or have a lot to bring up when I meet with them, but the principle is still the same.

My manager always asks when I start a new notebook what colour her new washi tape is!

If you find this idea useful, please feel free to copy and share!

Take care,

Andrea

Tranquil Tulips - and I use up some of my washi tape!

Do you struggle just a little to use washi tape? I buy it because I love it, but then I end up never finishing it (in fact, I'm lucky if I even start it!)

Today's card is using the Tranquil Tulips set - this retires at the end of May, so I want to make sure I use it lots before it retires.

I started with a piece of Basic Black cardstock, and I cut a piece of Whisper White to be the card front.

I then stamped the tulip onto another piece of Whisper White cardstock, using Berry Burst and Tranquil Tide inks, and used the largest Stitched Framelit Oval to cut out the tulip.

I sponged around the edge of the oval. The stitching doesn't show up in this photograph, however in real life it looks great.

I then used the washi from the Basics Set 1 washi tape (the pink ones) and put them artfully on the card. Once I had done that, I used dimensionals to adhere the oval to the card front, and just snail to attach the layers.

Tomorrow I'm going to blog a completely different way of using washi tape for something not card making or scrapbooking related - I use it in my 'other' job. Make sure you come back to check it out!

If you live in New Zealand and would like to purchase any of the products I've used tonight - please click on the pictures below and you'll go straight to my store.

It's been great having your company for a few minutes - leave me a message if you like this post - I'd really appreciate it!

Take care,

Andrea

Product List

Tranquil Tulips Photopolymer Stamp Set

[143767]

$34.00

Basics Pack 1 Washi Tape

[144221]

$17.00

Clean, Simple and Beautiful

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you enjoy this post!

I keep coming back to this stamp set. I love the fact that there are so many things you can do with it - dress it up, or (as in this case), keep it clean and simple.

How simple is this card? I used the Old Olive watercolour pencil to colour in both her dress and the umbrella - I just used a heavier hand on her umbrella.

Other than that, the rest of the card is simple to CASE if you wish.

There is no sentiment on the inside, so this card could be for anything - celebrating walking away from a job you don't like, or a person you don't like, or is it walking towards a new adventure that is exciting and just a little scary?

If you live in New Zealand, and would like to purchase any of the products I've used to make this card, please click on the pictures below, and you'll go straight to my online store.

I hope you have a great Thursday, and that you gets lots done off your To Do list.

Andrea

Product List

Beautiful You Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[143637]

$59.00

Watercolor Pencils

[141709]

$33.50

Beautiful You

This stamp set (Beautiful You), is one I fell in love with as soon as I saw it, and it remains my favourite stamp set after 18 months (I've only been crafting for 2 years, but still...it's my fav!)

This card is CASE'd (Copy and Share Everything) from a card that Mary Brown did - I changed the colours, but I think it's absolutely gorgeous.

I started with a Whisper White card base, the standard NZ size (14.9cm x 10.5cm). I then cut a mat of Sweet Sugarplum that was 12.9 x 8.5cm, and a piece of Whisper White (for stamping) that was 12.4 x 8cm.

I stamped the lady in Smoky Slate. The next part I found the hardest. I know the theory behind masking, however I'm not very good at it! If I had a black marker it would have been easy, but I didn't, so it involved using a post it note that got covered in black ink. Never mind! I coloured the words with Sweet Sugarplum, Dapper Denim and Emerald Envy (using up the retiring In Colours), then I used the Enamel Dots in the same colours.

So apart from the masking (which is not easy for me), this was a lovely, easy, quick card but I love the clean and simple lines of it.

If you live in NZ, and would like to purchase anything from my online store, please click on the pictures below and you'll be taken straight to my online shop.

I hope you've enjoyed this card, and you can see just how easy it would be to make yourself!

Take care,

Andrea

Product List

Beautiful You Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[143637]

$59.00

2016-2018 In Color Stampin' Write Markers

[141393]

$31.00

Clearance Rack

A short and sweet post today!

The Clearance Rack has been updated!

There are heaps of products there, some are discounted heavily.

Click here to go straight to my online shop and started shopping!

These products are only available while stocks last, so get your orders in straight away - even leaving it for 24 hours can lead to disappointment.

Contact me by email if you have any questions.

Take care,

Andrea

Thinking of You

I'm back from holiday and I'm refreshed and renewed! A few days away with my family, in a beachside bach - just what I needed. It's not possible to swim in the sea at this time of year without a full body wetsuit, but it's lovely to walk on the beach and just enjoy the peace.

Today's card is CASE'd (copy and share everything) from Lori Pinto. It's a monochromatic card (I love making those some of the time), and it's using Background Bits, which is retiring soon.

The only colour used in this card is Fresh Fig. That includes cardstock, ink, ribbon.

I'm using a standard NZ card size, with the Whisper White card stock being 10.5cm x 14.9cm

The Fresh Fig layer is 10cm x 14.4cm. The Whisper White cardstock in front is 9.5cm x 13.9cm

On that piece card, I stamped the background writing top left and bottom right, after stamping off once. I then adhered the Fresh Fig Sheer Ribbon.

Next I used a square of Whisper White that measured 7cm x 7cm, and stamped the background stamp repeatedly (after stamping off once). I then used full strength Fresh Fig for the flowers and the sentiment (from Teeny Tiny Sentiments). This was adhered to a square layer of Fresh Fig (measuring 7.5cm x 7.5cm)

All done. Quick and simple, but elegant and effective.

If you're interested in purchasing any of the products I've used to make this card, please click on the pictures below and you'll go straight to my online shop.

Have you ever considered becoming a demonstrator - there are so many benefits, and you've got nothing to lose. No obligation. Check out the details in my 'Join My Team' tab above - I'd love to have you join my Absolutely Awesome Crafters Team (only available to people in New Zealand)

As we head into the weekend, I hope you have one that you need - productive if need be, quiet if need be, social if need be!

Andrea

Product List

Fresh Fig Classic Stampin' Pad

[144082]

$14.00

Fresh Fig A4 Cardstock

[144248]

$17.00

Fresh Fig 1/8" Sheer Ribbon

[144174]

$12.75

Background Bits Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[144029]

$44.00

Teeny Tiny Sentiments Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[120024]

$62.00

Sympathy Card

Thank you for stopping at my blog!

I like to have a collection of Sympathy Cards made up as when I need one I generally don't feel that creative.

I've taken an idea from yesterday's blog (which was CASE'd from melscardcorner.com) (CASE'd meaning copy and share everything), and altered it slightly.

Here's the card:

The stamp sets I've used here are retiring ones - Thoughts and Prayers and Background Bits. I've left them sitting on my shelf for too long unused (or hardly used), and it's time to get the most out of them before they retire. Of course, I can keep using them after they retire, however as a Demonstrator, I don't want to be showing you how to make something out of a set you can no longer purchase.

As you can see, I started with a Whisper White standard NZ size card base, a layer of Basic Black cardstock, then the card front out of Whisper White.

I cut a template out of a scrap piece of card - I used the largest Circle Stitched Shape framelit for my circle. One thing to note - I had my template slightly smaller than my card front layer as I wanted to be able to hold the cardfront in place. If you do this, just make sure you cover up all the areas on the cardfront layer that peek out - this was card number three for me as the colour kept ending up where I didn't want it!

I then sponged from top to bottom. At the top is Real Red. I took most of the ink off the sponge as I wanted a hint of colour rather than a strong colour. I did the same with the next two colours, which were Pumpkin Pie and Crushed Curry.

I then stamped the 'writing' from Background Bits while the masking template was still on it. I find this set a little difficult to stamp repeatedly, but I found if I lined the top of the stamp up with the very bottom of the second-to-last line of the writing, it appears to be evenly spaced.

Then I removed the mask, and stamped the tree from Thoughts and Prayers in Memento Black, and the sentiment.

I adhered all the layers using the SNAIL, and the card was complete.

If you read my blog yesterday, you'll know that I have a sick cat - I'm pleased to report that he has been eating, using the litter tray and is moving around more today - a big improvement!

If you live in NZ and would like to purchase any of the products I've used to make this card, please click on the pictures below and you'll go straight to my online store.

tams# 22043

Product List