Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Sweet Baby Boy

I made this card to send to my friend Margaret and her husband David to celebrate the birth of baby Jaxson.


Stamps: Wild About You, Everyday Flexible Phrases, Canvas
Inks: Craft White, Brocade Blue, Bashful Blue
Cardstock: Whisper White, Brocade Blue, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Hodge Podge Hardware, Blue Gingham, Corner Rounder punch


I also made a similar one today for the birth of my first nephew baby Julian. I don't have a picture of that card but here is a photo of the gorgeous little man.

And a photo of me being a doting aunty.

Monday, August 27, 2007

More Birthday Cards...

I don't think I have posted these ones yet...forgive me if I have.

This one was from my Mum.


This one was from my friend Mel.

Easy Father's Day Cards


A few nights ago I popped over next door to stamp with my neighbour Kristy and friends Sheridan and Ainsley. We mainly worked on Father's Day cards and male birthday cards. Here are my 2 Father's Day cards for my dad and father-in-law. I have just completed hubby's card today but have not taken a pic yet...
You can find the instructions for the shirt fold on Cambria Turnbow's blog HERE

Cards That Move - photos

So here are some photos of the cards we made at my "Cards that Move" class on Saturday.

Pop Up card - pull both ends and the message pops up.



Spinner Card - Tilt and the little blue bug spins and rolls across the card.



Slider Card - pull one end and two pieces slide out to reveal your messages.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Rock'nRoll

Here's a fun little stamping technique for you - rock and roll.


Ink up a solid image stamp (such as the flower from Petal Prints) in a light colour (e.g. Regal Rose)

Stamp off once on scrap paper

Rock and roll the edges of your stamp in a darker ink (e.g. Bravo Burgundy)

Stamp your image!



Simple but a gorgeous two-toned effect. Be sure to clean your stamp after each rock'n'roll so you don't put the dark ink into the light ink pad.


Tip - use the Dynamic Duos from your Colour Coach for great two-toned colour combos!

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Ribbon Tying Tutorial

I'm often asked how I tie my ribbons so neatly on my cards and scrapbook pages. I also often end up tying other people's ribbons for them at workshops and classes so I thought I'd better put a tutorial on the blog.


This tutorial illustrates how I tie ribbons such as the one on this card:


The first step is to cut your ribbon pieces. You will need one piece slightly longer than the width of your card. The second piece needs to be about 12cm - you need it long enough to handle and can trim it later.


The next step is to tie the shorter length of ribbon around the longer length.


This will usually make the longer piece of ribbon look a bit wonky so pull it's ends to straighten it.


Pull the ends of the shorter piece so that they both point downwards.


Turn it over so that you see the neater side of the "bow".

Trim the ends to a suitable length. I like to trim them on an angle. It helps prevent fraying and I like how it looks.


You can slide the "bow" along the long piece of ribbon to any position you like.



I like to use mini glue dots to adhere my ribbon to my card. I usually put one glue dot at each end and one under the centre of the bow.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Look what I made last night!

I was so pleased with myself for actually getting something made at Open Stamping Night that I just had to post it here! I managed to get 2 whole cards done in between helping the other ladies and showing tips and techniques like chalking and "rock'n'roll". Quite often I'm so busy with other people I don't get anything made myself so last night was very productive!



Stamps: Wild About You
Inks:Brocade Blue, So Saffron, Certainly Celery
Paper: Brocade Blue, So Saffron, Sarah Designer Paper, Whisper White
Accessories: Soft Subtles Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals




Stamps: Simply Said
Inks:Brocade Blue, So Saffron, Certainly Celery
Paper: Brocade Blue, So Saffron, Whisper White
Accessories: Soft Subtles Brads, Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals


I used the Sarah Designer Paper on both of these cards. I also took my colour combination from this paper - Brocade Blue, So Saffron and Certainly Celery.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Open stamping night full


Just a quick note to let you know that Open Stamping Night for August (Mon 13th) is now full - and I mean totally full! So if you haven't RSVPed already, I'm sorry but there is no room left. Next one is on Tuesday 4th September.

More Tips

Spectrum Inkpads – when storing these, be sure to slide the pads apart to prevent colours from bleeding into each other. Only push them together when inking up a stamp; just tap the stamp moving it slightly to the side to get a complete inking. When you use a brayer, be sure to keep the pads separated.


Heat embossing – Warping of your cardstock can occur if you hold your heat gun too close to your cardstock. Move the heat away quickly after the embossing powder has melted.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Recollections Tin



Remember the plain white tin I bought at the expo ages ago? Well here it is, finally decorated!



I used paper from the Recollections Designer Paper to cover the tin. I then used Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon to hide the edges that couldn't be covered with paper neatly. The papers and ribbons where adhered to the tin with SNAIL adhesive, Sticky Strip and Mini Glue Dots.


The word CARDS was stamped in Bravo Burgundy ink with the Pure and Simple Alphabet stamps onto Very Vanilla cardstock, then layered on Bravo Burgundy cardstock. The corner rounder was used on each corner.



The roses were created by stamping the medium sized rose from the Wild Rose stamp set in Bravo Burgundy and Mellow Moss inks. They were then cut out and adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals to raise them up.



The For You sentiment comes from the All Year Cheer stamp set and was stamped with Bravo Burgundy ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock. The ribbon is from the Prep School Ribbon Originals and the frame from the Antique Brass Hodge Podge Hardware.




The ribbons used to decorate the handle are: Chocolate Grosgrain, Celery Grosgrain, Cranberry Stitched Grosgrain, Olive Organdy and assorted ribbons from Prep School Ribbon Originals.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Cards That Move

I've been working on some groovy cards for my Cards That Move class on the 25th August. One of them has already been posted here on the blog and that one was made at a Paper Angels meeting (taught by Liz) a couple of months ago. The other 2 I've been working on are a Spinner Card and a Double Slider card. If you come along to the class not only will you get to make these great cards but you'll also receive a copy of the instructions to take home. Please RSVP ASAP if you would like to attend.

What colour is your brain?

I saw this on another stamper's blog and just had to try it.
Your Brain is Green

Of all the brain types, yours has the most balance.
You are able to see all sides to most problems and are a good problem solver.
You need time to work out your thoughts, but you don't get stuck in bad thinking patterns.

You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about the future, philosophy, and relationships (both personal and intellectual).

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Colour Combos

The colour wheel from Stampin' Up! is a great way to find colour combinations. Don't have the wheel? Or maybe you do have the wheel but would like some different ideas? Try this website: Stampin' Up! Colour Combos

Thursday, August 2, 2007

August Hostess Special

This month's special from Stampin' Up! is an exclusive bonus for hostesses.


Hooray for Hostesses


Be the star of the party when you bring the stamping festivities home with a workshop between 1 August and 15 September. Share stamping at your gathering, and enjoy an extra party favor by adding one of three free
pre-selected stamp sets to your already fantastic hostess benefits.
This special gift-a hostess appreciation set-is a thank you for inviting everyone to your gala.


Choose one of these pre-selected stamp sets with a $600 workshop.


108890 Petal Prints $53.95
108881 Nice & Easy Notes $53.95
108721 All About U $53.95

Birthday Card Competition Winners

We have a winner! Here is the fantastic winning card by Kim Shesgreen. Great job Kim! I love the colour combination - WOW!


Kim's prize is a 10% off voucher.




The runner up is Genevieve O'Leary with this gorgeous creation. Beautiful work Gen! Your prize is this card candy.

I'll see you both at tomight's workshop and will give you your prizes then. Thanks ladies, you did a great job. And thanks to everyone else who sent me a birthday card!

By they way, have you noticed that both cards were made with the same stamp set? It's amazing how such different creations can come from the one stamp.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

So busy...

Well again I have not updated the blog for a few days - sorry! I have just been so busy with other everyday life stuff that I haven't had time to stamp anything new, let alone take photos of it and upload to the blog.

I did get a little bit of stamping done today - finished off some card candy to use as door prizes at my workshops this month. I've also been busy prepping the materials for tomorrow night's workshop and class materials for August.

August is going to be a very busy month for me. I have 3 workshops, 3 classes/stamping nights and am also busy rehearsing with a local orchestra for our performance of My Fair Lady the musical at the end of August. If you're local to Brisbane and are interested in seeing the musical, let me know and I'll pass on the details to you. Tickets are only $10 for adults, $7 concession and $25 for a family.

I should be able to upload some photos on Thursday from Wednesday's workshop. I'll also update the blog tomorrow when I finally find out what the monthly special is. All we know so far is that it is something special for hostesses. I'm guessing its extra hostess dollars or a bonus stamp set!