A Sneaky Peek a Day......new Autumn Mini (Aus) 2010

I've been playing with more of my pre-order sets (my second pre-order!  I love getting new toys before anyone else, squeeee!)  and have come up with this:

Aren't these little guys cute?  I've used a new set called "Fox & Friends" and the sentiment is from an oldie but a goodie, "Wild About You."  I did a different version with essentially the same layout, which I think I prefer, though I must say it took a lot of Stamp-a-Majigging to get it right.

I also used some Soft Suede (that yummy brown) here.  Doesn't it go well with the current In-Colours?

Remember that the Summer Mini and Sale-a Bration are both on the way out, so make sure to contact me if you need to order.

Cheers, L

The answer!

LOL at Karen and xxx, I mean Corinna!  Thanks for playing, girls!

Karen was correct!

Here is what I did:

1.  I stamped En Francais with Kiwi Kiss ink onto glossy white cardstock.

2.  When it was dry, I inked up the new Medallion stamp with Versamark, stamped it, and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

3.  Using my brayer, I then inked over the whole thing with Kiwi Kiss ink until I was satisfied with the depth of colour, and wiped any excess ink away from the medallion with a tissue.  The embossed image resists the ink, hence "emboss resist" technique.  The stamping underneath shows through the clear embossing, which is the "Joseph's Coat" (as in "coat of many colours") technique.  I actually inked up the brayer with Old Olive ink later because when it dried, the Kiwi Kiss didn't look right on the glossy cardstock.

I then assembled the card, using the Sanded background stamp,  sponging, and a rhinestone brad in the centre.

Karen, I'll have to have a think about what to send you as your prize, LOL.

And now here are some more sneak peeks for you:

Isn't this the most girly image you can think of?  My five year old daughter is in Heaven now that we have this.  She is going to a party on the weekend, and this is the perfect card.  If you look closer you can see the glitter.  Notice anything else?  The dark pink cardstock (and ink) is Melon Mambo, which is a current US in colour!  I really thought I would hate it from the way it looked in the catalogue, but in real life, it is lovely - and goes very well with Pretty in Pink.

The next card was made with some scraps I found lying around that seemed to fit together.  The sentiment is a new clear-mount stamp!!!!!  I am completely in love.

Goodbye Summer, hello Autumn

Sniff, it is nearly time to say goodbye to the gorgeous Summer Mini.  So if you had your eye on that lovely Butterfly Punch, Sweet Treats set, the bright designer buttons in playground and sherbert, the cute Wagon full of Fun set, spotty red ribbon, the DSP etc.....don't leave it too late!  They may or may not appear in the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue, but they definitely don't appear in the upcoming Autumn Mini.  Make sure you contact me by the end of this month (not long to go!) to place your order.

I've been busy making improvements to the Craft Lair as you know, might post a picture here later!  I've also been starting to play with some new toys - making samples with the Autumn  Mini stuff for our big Launch on the 18th April.   If you are sittting on the fence about coming to the Launch, let me tell you - it will be a fun day out!  You can have some "me time" and come home with some gorgeous creations you made.  What a relaxing and productive way to spend a day!

Here is a sneaky peek:

 Isn't it a gorgeous stamp?    Anyone know what technique I used to make these?  Add your comment, and I'll rustle up something as a prize for the first correct answer!

Here is a closer look:

While I was making these, I had company:

A lovely card from Karen Thomas

Aren't I lucky?  The gorgeous and madly talented  Karen Thomas sent me this beauty in the mail last month.  So pretty, crisp and elegant.  Love it!

Best dash, I've been up to my elbows in Nit shampoo as the kids have headlice, shudder.  I have been playing with some new things I can't show you yet, but in the meantime, remember that you only have a few weeks left of the current Summer Mini and Sale -a-Bration!

Join the fun on 18th April!

My sisters-in-stamping (Stephanie Pike, Linda Craven and Bec O'Gorman) and I are organising another Big Cardmaking Day!  This time, we are launching the upcoming Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue.  I'm reallly excited, it will be so much fun!

We'll be making 4 cards, 2 gift cards, and 2 3D items using the Sizzix Big Shot!  You'll love it!  Just wait until you see the fun new products you can play with - the big Shot, clear-mounted stamps, new in-colours, new punch designs, and new stamps, of course!

The Venue:  Virginia Golf Course, Elliott St Banyo
Sunday 18th April 2010, 10am - 4pm
$40 materials, morning tea and lunch included.  There will be a massive raffle and lucky door prizes too!

RSVP required with a $20 deposit to secure your place.  Please contact me for more information at louisesutton@internode.on.net .

So put it in your diary now, organise a group of friends, or make new friends there!  We'd love to see you.

A side project: a mobile

I found an inexpensive cane hoop at a local craft store and rediscovered it during my recent spring cleaning session in the Craft Lair.  I was immediately inspired to make a mobile.  I found some clear nylon thread (like fishing line), and punched out some 11/4 inch circles with Whisper White cardstock, and some Old Olive circles with my 11/2 inch circle punch.  I then attached them fairly randomly, using a bit of sticky strip to attach the olive circle to the clear thread, and SNAIL to cover it with the white circle.

Here are a few photos to show you what I mean:

This was my first attempt, so it is a little rough and ready, but I love the look.  My 5 year old loved it too - it now hangs in her room and she calls it her "dreamcatcher" and credits it with taking away her bad dreams, LOL.  I'm already thinking of things I can change to make it better next time.  I can imagine this with punched out butterflies, or stars too.

Easter Treats! Class this week

This month's class is designed to totally impress our harshest critics:  our kids.  Your children will think you are the cleverest person in the world, and beg you to make these cute Easter egg boxes/baskets for their friend, teacher, coach, bus driver, whatever.  And you'll feel pretty clever too!

The class is on at my place, this Thursday at 10:00am, $15.  RSVP is essential, and I have a couple of places left.  Contact me if you'd like to come, or if you can't make it but would like to do this class at another time, let me know.

Here's what we'll be making:

Please note colours and DSP will most likely change as these were made with whatever I happened to have on my craft desk!  LOL.

If you live in say, DALBY, and would like instructions on how to make these, let me know (hi, Maree!).

Edited to add:  Almost forgot!  I'm planning to have this class in my CRAFT LAIR, which is still a work in progress, but much improved now that gross mouldy old couch was taken to the dump!

A Boy Card

Just as the girls grow out of pink and fairies, the boys eventually grow out of pirates and trains.  Here is a very simple card for the boys, featuring a Rugby ball and a footy player (could be used for AFL, Rugby League, or Rugby Union, or American Football).

I used the same colour combination (Old Olive and Not Quite Navy) as in my FIL's birthday card a few posts ago, distressed the edges, and used (retired) eyelets for a more rugged look.

I think I'll make a few of these to have on hand.

You Rock!

You really do, you know!  LOL

I whipped up a couple of these cards fairly quickly (intending for them to join the "Craft Stall" pile).  My almost ten year old daughter assures me that the adolescent set will love it.  Sometimes it can be hard to find things for that age group - no longer into pink and fairies.  This stamp set  (Just Jawing) will get a workout I think!

I also used the matching "Scary Skulls" wheel for the background.  The hearts were coloured with a marker then I added glitter - I think they look pretty good!  Finally, I made the "You Rock"sentiment into a banner, curled it around my finger to give it some dimension, and that was that.

Happy Birthday Father In Law! (2010)

We went to a casual dinner at Sizzlers last night for my dear FIL's  birthday - which meant I had to whip up a quick card (though I should have had one already prepared, seeing as how his birthday is the same day every year!).    Because I was under some time pressure, I kept it very simple:

The background is from Circle Circus - I think it would look great on a scrapbook page too, must try that!

The main image is that good old standard, Party Hearty.  The image was coloured with Old Olive and Not Quite Navy Markers.  The matching eyelets are retired (boo hoo!) and I used my trusty Crop-A_Dile to set them.  Looks a bit crooked, now that I study the photo!    Finally to make the card a little more masculine, I distressed the edges with the tool from the cutter kit.  Love that nifty edge distresser!