Using my stash part 2

I have a basket full of unused make 'n take packets from workshops, launches and classes. I tend to make a couple of extra so if someone unexpectedly turns up, they won't miss out...but then if someone cancels at the last minute, I have leftovers. They sit in that basket, mocking me. Not any more! I have dedicated my spare time this weekend to making something with them so they are not wasted. Apart from needing to top up my own card box I like to give some to my lovely mother in law for her birthday so she has a decent supply. So here are my first examples ( more to come):

The first photo shows what the cards were originally supposed to look like ( part of a class I did for Mothers Day I think last year), the second photo shows how I used the same elements with different punches and stamps. What do you think?
The last photo doesn't have a "before" photo; I believe it was originally a Christmas card two years ago- it uses Soft Sky cardstock which retired quite a while ago!

Birthday butterflies

My youngest daughter had a birthday party to go to after school yesterday so I needed to whip a card and present. The present was easy - some hand made hair accessories from the Big Shot (see my post about my recent fabric in the Big Shot class) and I forgot to snap a photo of them, sorry.

At least I remembered to snap the co ordinating card!

Ten years

Well, coming up twelve this year actually! This layout is done using a photo taken of Paul and I when we went out for dinner for our tenth wedding anniversary. Can you believe this is the first time we've ever been to dinner for our anniversary ? Sad but true. You see, four out of our six birthdays fall within 5 weeks and our anniversary gets lost in there. But not our tenth!

You can see I took the colours from my outfit - Tempting Turquoise.   I found some old chipboard alphabet in my stash and used the letters spelling "TEN" as a mask, spraying the gold spritz over them.  I then sponged the Presto Patterns DSP with Tempting Turqoise ink to reveal the pattern (they come as blank white 12 x 12 sheets, and you reveal the pattern when you colour the paper - cool!) and spritzed some more gold around.  I am going to have to stock up on those before the end of this mini!  The hearts are from a current hostess set.

Stamps:Punch Potpourri (hostess)
Paper:  Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Presto Patterns Speciality DSP, Whisper White
Ink:  Gold Glow Smooch Spritz, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise

A lovely award

My lovely Stampin' Sistah Manda  awarded me this lovely thing or inspiring her.  She's such an inspiration herself!  And someone I  am grateful to have met through Stampin' Up!

Now I have to pick five inspiring people....

1.  Nicole
2.  Amy
3.  Leah
4.  Zarna
5.  Liam

Hard to stop at just 5!

Thanks Manda, you made my day!

Using up my stash

Have you got a big stash of embellishments you never seem to use because you don't want them to run out?  Or you thought they were really cute but can't find the right project to use them on, or maybe your style has changed?

(Raising hand) My name is Louise and I'm an Embellishment-holic.  I must confess I bought every single colour of brad just before SU! changed their colours and I've been holding onto them because they are retired and I can't get them anymore!  Argh!    But I also can't use retired products in my workshops or on swap cards, so they just sit there.  I finally gave myself a stern talking too while starting the BIG SPRING (-ahem, it is Summer) CLEAN a couple of weeks ago and decided I'd use up the brads - even if it means using them ALL up!

Mind you, I haven't finished the spring clean yet; it sort of got sidetracked with all the back-to-school palaver, and I haven't gotten back to it yet.  Ooops.  I was just so pleased to have my crafting mojo back I just went with it.

Anyway, here is a double page 12 x 12 layout I did of our holiday to Sydney last year.  What better way to use lots of colours than a layout about Luna Park?

Stamps:  Party This Way  Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Riding Hood Red markers
Paper:  Pacific Point, Whisper White, Riding Hood Red
Other:  Piercing Tool, brads, Big Shot, Timeless Type (? I think) Alpha dies, white gel pen

You'll no doubt be pleased to hear I still have lots of retired brads yet.  Which should tell you how many I had to start with, becuse I used a lot in this layout!  Sorry about the photos which were taken after I'd put them in their plastic sleeves.

Have I shown you these before?

Some quick 8x8 scrapbooking pages I made while watching the 24 hour flood coverage.

This one is a photo of the newest member of our family, isn't he sweet?  I kept it simple, with some co-ordinating punches, stamps and clear buttons from the Summer Mini (you know how I love matchy-matchy!) called Itty Bitty Bits.  

This page was done at our Regional Training Day last September, but I've only recently added a photo from my brother's wedding in November.  It uses a butterfly die-cut and there are stamps, too which you can't see too well.

Not a great photo taken with the plastic sleeve on!  It is a CASE of a page in our Demo magazine Impressions, which I love.
I've used crochet lace from the Summer Mini, little flower punch from the Mini, adhesive Rhinestones and pearls, Broadsheet Alphabet, Baroque Motifs, Newsprint DSP and the edge distressor I think.

The great thing about the 8 x 8 format is that it is quicker to complete than a full-sized 12 x 12 page, naturally!

What you missed today...

...but you can do tomorrow evening if you like. Email me if you are interested! Here are my lovely models showing off their creations!

Shaker Heart - Valentine idea?

I had bought this stamp set and the heart treat cups months ago, but finally decided to stop hoarding them to make this card.  I think I will expand on the idea to make cute little Valentines for my kids.  We don't usually get into Valentines Day as a family, but this might just change this year!

I ran out of sweets to put into the cup, so instead I stamped hearts and punched them out to make a shaker card instead.

Stamps:  Sweetheart, Broadsheet Alphabet
Ink:  Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi
Paper:  So Saffron, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Other:  Full Heart Punch, Heart Treat Cups, Pinking heart border punch (Summer Mini), Small heart punch

Builder Birthday

Wow, my eyes, my beautiful eyes!  Sorry, the colours are a little bright in this photo!

On the Summer Mini Bandwagon again, I invested in the Builder Wheel and used it to make a card, or three, and gift wrap for my lovely Godson Liam's birthday.  I had fun inking up the triple cell cartridge with Real Red, Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango.  The hardest part was lining it up so I got "Happy Birthday" stamped properly, but I'm getting better with some practice.  Simple, bright and fun card for a little boy, don't you think?  I also stamped the card with Seeing Stars to add some interest.

Best part is, I now have a couple of spare cards for the next boy's birthday!

Why?

I used to be able to email posts from my iPhone, which was brilliant if I was posting on the go with photos taken on my phone.  Sigh, it appears I can't do that any more, for reasons unknown.  


ETA:  I fixed it!  YAY!  Look forward to more bloggity goodness on the run!

Still, at least I have poor quality photos to show you!

I started these cards when I was messing around with the Big Shot getting ideas for the class I'm doing this week (Big Shot with Fabric - contact me if you are interested, as I have a couple of spots left).  I found some thin cork sheets to put throufh the BS and realised that the big flower in the Island Floral die (Summer Mini p 21, $42.95) nests nicely with the Fancy Flower punch - Eureka!

I really like these colours together - I was challenging myself to use a colour I hadn't used before - Cajun Craze.  It looks wonderful with Elegant Eggplant and More Mustard.  Who knew?

Stamps:  On Your Birthday
Ink:  Elegant Eggplant, Cajun Craze markers
Paper:  Confetti White, Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Whisper White
Other:  Gold Glow Smooch Spritz (Mini Catalogue); Island Floral Die (Mini Catalogue); Square Lattice Embossing Folder (Mini Catalogue); Big Shot; Fancy Flower Punch, 3/4 " circle punch, Rich Regal buttons, Cork Sheets (non- SU!)

Stamps:  On your Birthday
Ink:  Elegant Eggplant marker
Paper:  More Mustard, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Cajun Craze, Cork Sheet (non-SU!)
Other:  Square Lattice embossing Folder; Island Floral Die, Big Shot, Fancy Flower punch, Scallop Circle Extra large Punch, 13/4" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, rhinestone brads, Rich Regals Buttons, Gold Glow Smooch Spritz

Stamps:  Perfect Punches
Ink:  Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Elegant Eggplant markers
Paper:  More mustard, Elegant Eggplant, Cajun Craze, Whisper White
Other:  Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Island Floral Die, Fancy Flower Punch, 3/4" circle Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Rich Regals Buttons, adhesive rhinestones, Gold Glow Smooch Spritz

Sorry about the quality of the photos.  The cards look much better in real life, I must say.
I also realised, when listing all the products I used, that I have used a LOT from the Summer Mini!  LOL.  It is a good one, I must admit.  Remember you can earn free SAB stamps when ordering from the Mini too, so if you've been umming and ahhing about something, now is the time to go for it!

Have a happy week!

February Class: Fabric in the Big Shot

Whether you are a brand-new stamper or cardmaker, or an experienced papercrafter, you are welcome to attend one of my monthly classes.  I hold them at my home in Brisbane, during the day, and on an evening.  RSVP is essential, and if you have it, please bring your own basic kit and adhesives.  The cost will vary depending on the project we are making.

February Class:  Fabric with the Big Shot!
I've seen gorgeous brooches, hair accessories and even shoes and clothing embellished with fabric flowers with the Big Shot - so let's give it a try!
Cost $25
Date:  Thursday 10th February, 10:00am
Bring:  nothing!
RSVP essential
Venue:  My home, Brisbane

NB there will be an evening option on Friday 11th Feb from 8pm available to those who cannot make it during the day - please let me know if you wish to be added to that list

Here are some samples of the pretty things we will be making  (no not the girls, although I think they are pretty!   The hair accessories!).

These were my prototypes, and I've practiced a lot more since then, with felt, different colours, etc.   How easy would it be to make these as presents?   Come have a play with fabric and see what you can make!

Sale-A-BRATION time

SAB officially started last week, but I'm only getting a chance to update my blog today....sorry about that!
I have a button on my sidebar ---->  with details, but in case you've never heard of SAB, here goes!

Sale-a-bration is the biggest promotion of the Stampin' Up! year, it runs from 25th January to 31st March 2011.  You can earn fabulous, free exclusive stamp sets during this promotion three ways:
1.  Spend $100 on any SU! products (including the Mini Catalogue) and earn one free SAB set of your choice.  You can earn as many as you like - there is no limit.
2.  Host a workshop of at least $600 and earn one free SAB set (as well as the generous hostess benefits); and
3. Join SU! during SAB and choose a free stamp set from the Idea Book & Catalogue valued up to $79.95!

The fun part is that every SAB, Stampin' Up! releases four exclusive stamp sets which are never ever offered as part of another catalogue.  They are only available at this time.  I have a little collection of previous SAB sets going, which I can't wait to expand with the gorgeous sets this year!

Check out this years' sets - they come in a choice of clear mount or wood mount for the first time!

Here is the SAB catalogue - click HERE to download it as a PDF.

I've got more things to show you but I need to dash now or I won't get the kids to school on time!