Giving Animal Outing an Outing

I was so lucky to be given this stamp set at OnStage in April.  This is the first time I inked it up - and I've really enjoyed it!

I was inspired by a card I saw on Pinterest for this creation, however I changed it up a little.  Unfortunately the link wasn't working, so I can't give credit.

I stamped the main card front on Whisper White cardstock.  I used Memento Black Ink, and then coloured with various Blends.  For the giraffe I used both light and dark Daffodil Delight Blends, and both dark and light Crumb cake. For the leaves I used both dark and light Old Olive, and for the frog I used light Daffodil Delight then layered light Old Olive over it.

The sentiment is stamped onto Crushed Curry, framed with Soft Suede Card Stock.  I used the very corner of the Every Day Label Punch to punch the corners.

This picture is a little wrong - let me explain.  The first time I did this, I cut the corners of the Crushed Curry cardstock, then separately cut the Soft Suede cardstock.  When I went to layer the two together, I found that the angles of the cutouts didn't match.  

My solution was to adhere the Crushed Curry (with the corners already punched out) onto the Soft Suede, then I could judge the angles better to cut out the corners.  My Soft Suede was only 3mm wider and longer than the Crushed Curry, as I wanted to have the layer quite close.

Once the sentiment was adhered to the card, I stamped the corner decoration from the set Around the Corner - this is another set I received free during OnStage!

If you live in New Zealand and would like to purchase any of these items (or anything else) from Stampin' Up! please click on a picture below, and you'll be taken straight to my online store.

If you don't already have a demonstrator, I'm very happy to send you a complimentary copy of the current Annual Catalogue - this is only open to those who live in New Zealand.  Email me here with your address details.

Thanks for stopping by!

Product List

Animal Outing Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146600]

$44.00

Around The Corner Photopolymer Stamp Set

[147464]

$34.00

Old Olive Light Stampin' Blends Marker

[144574]

$9.50

Daffodil Delight Dark Stampin' Blends Marker

[144585]

$9.50

Tufted Embossing Folder done three ways

Good evening!  Thank you for stopping by.

Today I decided to put my brand new Tufted Embossing Folder to good use. I had an idea of a different way I could use it, so I did some experimenting.

Here's my first card - the embossing on the Crumb Cake card stock is quite subtle, and I couldn't photograph it very well.  The embossing is over the entire card, but the photo only shows it over the top part.

As you can see, it's very subtle.  In real life, it's kind of like a quilting affect. 

The flower stamp is from the Love What You Do stamp set, stamped in Memento Black Ink.  I then coloured the flowers in using Stampin' Blends.  I cut the flower out using the Stitched Shapes framelits, and the Layered Oval dies.  

The first thing I did was to colour each of the lines of the quilting - to do this I folded the Crumb Cake card stock on each line, then sponged Early Espresso ink on both sides of the line.  I did this over the whole card.  

After that I adhered sequins to each of the intersections.

This is the outcome.  I like this look, however because I was quite picky about what colour sequins I wanted, picking those out and then sticking them in place (using the Fine Tip Glue) was a very long process.

So I thought about it again, and tried something a little different.

What if I embossed each intersection with Copper Embossing Folder?  It would be quicker (wouldn't it?) and it might look just as good.

Erm - no!

Ok - let's be honest, it kind of looks like it might have a very uniform case of Chicken Pox!  I didn't have anything like a tiny dauber I could put the Versamark on with (pre the Embossing Powder), so I used a tiny paint brush I found at home. The problem with that (for me) is that the dots then aren't a uniform size or shape.  It also took at least the same amount of time to emboss these than it did to do the sequins.

It perhaps looks slightly better in real life, as you can see the quilting affect of the embossing folder, however I won't be sending this particular card to anyone!

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only crafter to make this sort of mistake - and I really do think I learned from this.  I also still quite like the sequinned card.

I promise to use the tufted folder again, hopefully to better affect!

If you would like a complimentry copy of the current Stampin' Up! Catalogue, please email me here (if you live in New Zealand), and I would love to be your demonstrator.

Clicking on the picutres below will take you to my online store, where you can have a look at all the Stampin' Up! products, and you can shop at whatever hour suits you best (this is only open to those who live in New Zealand)

Take care, and I hope your Friday runs smoothly

Andrea

Product List

Tufted Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

[146335]

$19.00

Copper Stampin' Emboss Powder

[141636]

$10.50

Metallics Sequin Assortment

[144214]

$10.50

Daffodil Delight Dark Stampin' Blends Marker

[144585]

$9.50

Any Occasion Card

Hi there, thank you for stopping by!

I watched a video yesterday talking about how to colour with the Blends, and I wanted to put my learnings to practice.

This is the card I made

The cardstock I used is Lemon Lime Twist - I love how fresh and bright it looked.  And it was ideal for my experiment.  The stamp set is Perennial Birthday. The only green Blends I have so far is the Light and Dark Old Olive ones.  They wouldn't really go too well with the Lemon Lime Twist, but first I coloured the leaves with the Light Daffodil Delight, then went over with the Light Old Olive.  It was still a little dark for me, so I went over it again with the Light Daffodil Delight.  I think the colour of the main leaves is amazing!

I used the Light Daffodil Delight again under the Light Pumpkin Pie that is on some of the flowers - I really like the more subtle tone that it made.

The other thing I did with these flowers, which you can't really see properly on the card, but which I think makes the colours pop a little more, is I went around each of the elements with Light Smoky Slate, and then lifted some of the colour with the Colour Lifter.  

Last time I showed my husband a card I'd made, he commented 'Why do you always put writing on your cards?'  And so, especially for Andrew, I made a card with no sentiment - so it can be used however the giver wants to use it.

If you live in New Zealand, and you 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.

If you don't already have a demonstrator, I'd love to be your demonstrator!  Contact me here and I'll send you a complimentary copy of the new Stampin' Up! catalogue.

If you'd like to join my team of Absolutely Awesome Crafters, and be a demonstrator, contact me here and we can talk!

Product List

Lemon Lime Twist A4 Cardstock

[144250]

$17.75

Daffodil Delight Light Stampin' Blends Marker

[144586]

$9.50

Old Olive Light Stampin' Blends Marker

[144574]

$9.50

Pumpkin Pie Light Stampin' Blends Marker

[144578]

$9.50

Perennial Birthday Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[145760]

$46.00

I Love What I Do!

I feel so lucky - I love what I do! I get to create really cool things, and I get to share them with other people. 

My card today is simple, but lovely in it's simplicity. It uses one of the new In Colors too, I'm falling in love with all of them!

See what I mean?

I've used Grapefruit Grove cardstock, layered with Whisper White.  The black stamping is with Memento Ink, and the very gentle colour on the flowers is Grapefruit Grove stamped off once.

Love What You Do is the stamp set I used, and I finished my card off with some of the new Faceted Dots, which are just gorgeous.  They come in 4 colours (Black, Blackberry Bliss, Grapefruit Grove and Mint Macaron), and in 3 sizes. When you look at them closely they appear to have a matte finish, but when  you move them around in the light a little the facets make them look shiny as they catch the light.

So simple - anyone can do this!

If you like the idea of sharing what you love, and if you also love Stampin' Up!, then you might want to have a chat with me about becoming a demonstrator.  It's fantastic fun, and you can work to build it up into a business, or you can join just to get the joining kit (which is $189 and has $96 worth of free product for you), and then the Demonstrator Discount which is 20%.  There's no obligation to sell products if that's not your thing.

If you live in NZ and you'd like to purchase any of the items I've used to make my card, then click on any of the pictures below and you'll go straight to my online store where you can shop to your hearts content!

Product List

Love What You Do Photopolymer Stamp Set

[148042]

$44.00

Grapefruit Grove A4 Cardstock

[146995]

$17.75

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$12.00

Grapefruit Grove Classic Stampin' Pad

[147142]

$15.75

Faceted Dots

[146910]

$12.50

You are Simply The Best!

I saw a very cool card on Facebook today by Pam Mead using the Varied Vases suite.  It was so cool I decided to CASE it (Copy and Share Everything).  Of course, I couldn't resist putting my own spin on it!

I decided to showcase the new In Color, Call Me Clover.  I just love this colour - bold and vibrant.  I liked it so much I only used two other colours - a splash of Pineapple Punch on the flowers, and Memento black for outlines and the sentiment.

The vases are made with the Vase Builder Punch, and I used the 2018-2020 In Colour Designer Series Paper.  The patterns here are both sides of one sheet.

I used my 2018-2020 Stampin' Write markers to do the colouring of the flowers.

Then I used the 1/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, also in Call Me Clover.

I like adhering ribbon with a glue dot on the back of the card, and I also like to use some SNAIL adhesive on the back of the ribbon that adheres to the front of the card.  I've always had problems with my ribbon becoming too loose, and I find using both adhesives keeps it exactly where I want it.

My husband said he didn't know if the ribbon added anything, but I think it does - we agreed to disagree! I like the extra splash of colour, and I would worry without the ribbon the card wouldn't look finished!

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

Thanks for joining me!

Andrea 

Product List

In Color 2018–2020 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[146963]

$23.00

In Color 2018–2020 Stampin' Write Markers

[147159]

$31.25

Varied Vases Photopolymer Bundle

[148381]

$83.50

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$12.00

Shares

Welcome to my Shares for the 2018-2019 Annual Catalogue!

For New Zealanders Only

If you're anything like me, your wishlist will be long and interesting!!!  There’s so much to love in the new catalogue!

Let me help you budget for some of those items by offering two options for DSP Shares and a Ribbon Share.

What is a “Share”?

A share is a select range of products from the catalogue broken into smaller quantities so that you can order more of your favourites.  Smaller quantities means a smaller cost.  Think of it as a try before you buy option – or a get it all now option.  Buy ALL the new DSP, Color Collection DSP and/or Ribbon in a ‘sampler’ and then purchase full packs or reels of your favourites.

What makes up a “Share”?

I’ve calculated what I need for each share, how many people the share will include and the total cost.  I collect orders until I fill the share and then I order all the materials (paper or ribbon) required for the share.  Once they arrive, I cut the paper or ribbon and package for delivery or pickup.  There’s three options to choose from.

What 2018-2019 Annual Catalogue Shares are available?

Prices are for local pick up – to add delivery, see section below on getting your order.

First up is a Share of the almost all the Designer Series Paper in the new Catalogue. I'm not including the Delightfully Detailed paper as it's too hard to cut up evenly.

You'll get all 6"x6" pieces of paper.

6 x Tea Room, 6 x Broadway Bound, 6 x Share What You Love, 12 x Graceful Glass, 6 x Twinkle Twinkle, 6 x Under the Mistletoe, 6 x Nature's Poem, 6 x Petal Promenade, 6 x Tranquil Textures, 6 x Animal Expedition, 6 x Best Route, 12 x Garden Impressions, 12 x Tropical Escape, 12 x Wood Textures.  You'll receive 108 pieces of 6" x 6" paper. 

If you want to participate in this one, please click on the Pay Now (PayPal) button below

Next up is the Ribbon Share - most of the new ribbons in the new Catalogue are included.

You'll get: 55cm of Leaf Ribbon, 110cm of two colours of 1/8" Cord, 110cm of three colours of 1/4" Mini Striped Ribbon, 110cm of 3/8" Real Red Ribbon, 110cm x five colours of 1/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, 110cm x two colours of 5/8" Polka Dot Ribbon, 110cm x two colours of 1/2" Textured Weave Ribbon, 110cm x 3/8" Mini Ruffled Ribbon, 55cm x 4 colours of Natures Twine, 110cm of 1/2" Black Satin Ribbon, 110cm of 1/4" Rich Razzleberry Velvet Ribbon, 55cm of two colours of Metallic Ribbon Combo Pack, and 55cm of two colours of Tea Room Ribbon Pack

If you want to participate in this one, Please click on the Pay Now (PayPal) button

My final share this year is the Colour Stacks - these packs are 6"x6", and come in every colour Stampin' Up! has.

You'll get:

2017-2019 In Colours - 10 sheets

2018-2020 In Colours - 10 sheets

Brights - 10 sheets*

Regals - 10 sheets*

Subtles - 10 sheets*

Neutrals - 10 sheets*

* Alternating Designs

If you'd like to purchase all 3:

If you're able to pick up in Christchurch, that's fine.  If you need me to post it to you, please pay postage below

Postage Rates

Tracked Postage $7.00 NZD Tracked Rural Postage $10.70 NZD

If I don't have enough people sign up to make the share viable, I will refund your money, including postage

When do you get your items?

Items will generally be ready to post within 3 weeks of me receiving your order.  In the unlikely event I am unable to complete the numbers required for a share, I will refund your purchase via PayPal.  If you are local & picking up, I will contact you to arrange a pick up date.  If you have opted for postage, I will contact you with a tracking number once your parcel is posted.

If you have any questions, please let me know via email!!!

Take care,

Andrea

Varied Vases

Thank you for reading my blog today!

I had a play with a brand new set today - Varied Vases.  This is a beautiful set that is already proving very popular on Pinterest.

Here's the card I made this evening:

I don't know if you've seen Paula Dobson's card made with this set, but this is not so much 'CASEing' hers (Copy and Share Everything), as it is trying to 'channel' hers.

I'm getting a little more confident in colouring - I used the Watercolour Pencils here, and then used a Blender Pen to make it look more like a watercolour than straight pencil.

I stamped all of the images in Sahara Sand, then I coloured over them.  I used the Grapefruit Grove ribbon, and I was done.

One regret was forgetting that I was using such a light stamp pad when it came to the sentiment - it would have looked a lot better in Crumb Cake.

Never mind...we live and learn, don't we!

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 be taken straight to my online store.

Take care,

Andrea

Product List

Varied Vases Photopolymer Stamp Set

[146644]

$55.00

Grapefruit Grove 1/8" (3.2 Mm) Grosgrain Ribbon

[146954]

$12.50

Watercolor Pencils

[141709]

$33.50

Graceful Glass In Colours

Thank you for stopping by!

I've been happily colouring the Graceful Glass Vellum using my Blends.  I love the effect.  Today though, I decided I wanted to use my new In Color marker pens - and I started with Lovely Lipstick and Pineapple Punch - and they look totally fantastic together!  For those of you who are slightly concerned about the above sentence - In Color is trademarked as the name for the 5 colours that Stampin' Up! renew each year.  Even though I spell colour with the 'u', in this instance it is in fact correct to spell it the American way.  If you didn't know I was a fiend for correct spelling, you do now!

These colours together are rich and beautiful.  I coloured on the top of the vellum this time, so the colour is extra strong.  

The only thing I regret about these cards is the fact that I don't have the associated stamp set, which has a gorgeous font which really goes well with the stained glass affect. It's now firmly at the top of my wish list (you've got all year Andrea...you don't have to get everything now...hahahaha!)

This next card has the vellum coloured around the other way, and I like it just as much as the other one.  In fact, I think I like it slightly more!

The stamp set I used is Love What You Do - I really like this sentiment.  If it wasn't a beautiful day before you got this in your mailbox, it would be a lot brighter afterwards!

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

I hope you enjoy your Thursday!

Andrea

Product List

Graceful Glass 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.X Cm) Designer Vellum

[146344]

$23.00

2017-2019 In Color Stampin' Write Markers

[144033]

$31.00

Love What You Do Photopolymer Stamp Set

[148042]

$44.00

In Color 2018–2020 Stampin' Write Markers

[147159]

$31.25