New Mini and Sale a Bration! Hooray!

Hello, lovely!

A new Occasions Mini to love!  Click HERE to view a PDF copy.

And it is Sale A Bration!  Hooray!

Click HERE to see a PDF online.

Goodbye Holiday Mini!  But don't be too sad, there are still some pretties you can purchase from the carryover list HERE

I've put the links to the new catalogue, the SAB catalogue AND the Carryover List from the last catalogue (which lists what is still available for purchase from the Holiday Catalogue) over on the sidebar.

Come visit my Online Store or contact me to purchase today!

You make me Happy!

Another Sneak Peek!

This time new punch, new stamps, new embossing folder, new framelits, new washi tape!

Another new product you won't be able to live without!

Looks pretty boring.  But wait and see what this baby does to any 2inch or 5.1cm wide piece of card stock:

It turns it into a cute and easy gift tag!  Or, if you make the card stock longer, a bookmark!  Just add stamps, ink, and a bit of twine/ribbon/yarn.

I think this would be so easy to have in a drawer with pre-cut card stock (mine was about 10cm long x 5.1cm wide), already stamped, and some twine.  That way you have a gift tag kit ready to go.

There are two tag topper punches.  Here are some more I've made:

I'm getting quite a stash ready!

Love ya!

Thinking Valentines Day yet?

Stamps:  Peachy Keen (NEW Mini), Just Sayin' (NEW mini)
Ink:  Soft Suede, Bermusa Bay
Paper:  Island Indigo, Real Red, Whisper White, Confetti White (retired), Fresh Prints DSP Stack (NEW mini)
Other:  Big Shot, On Film Framelits Dies, Word Bubbles Framelits Dies

Here's a cute, fun card to get you started!  Loads of sneak peeks here from the new Mini Catalogue.

Countdown to SAB 2014 and New Mini - More sneak peeks

Stamps:  Petal Parade (SAB), Simple Stems (NEW Mini), Perfect Pennants
Paper:  Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Confetti White (retired)
Ink:  Strawberry Slush
Other:  Big Shot, Banners Framelits Dies (NEW Mini), Secret Garden Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder (SAB), Thinlets -circle card

I really love Strawberry Slush and Bermuda Bay together, don't you?

This card features new Banner Framelits from the Mini, the new flower stamp set I've shown you before, and a cute embossing folder you can get for free during SAB.  Like it?

Sneak Peeks - Because you're lovely.

Stamps:  You're Lovely (SAB), Banner Blast (SAB)
Ink:  Midnight Muse, Real Red.
Paper:  Whisper White,  Confetti White (retired), Fresh Prints DSP Stack (NEW Mini)
Ribbon:  Coastal Cabana Ruffle Stretch Trim
Punches:  13/4" inch circle punch, Banner Punch (SAB)
Other:  Big Shot, Deco Labels Collection Framelit Dies)

Yay!  New stuff!

This card features new DSP, a Sale a Bration stamp set and punch, and the Labels Framelits and a circle punch.  Don't you love it when the new things just work perfectly with the old stuff you already have?

Let me know if you'd like a copy of the new SAB catalogue and the new Mini!

Remember the window card I showed you the other day?

I made a couple more.  Window cards are sooooo easy with framelits, and especially with the Magnetic Platform for the Big Shot.  If you don't have one, you can keep the framelits in place with a post it note, or washi tape.

Here's a simple one made with a new stamp set from the upcoming Mini (starts next week!) and this matches the Flower Garden framelit set from the main catalogue.

Stamps:  Simple Stems (NEW Occasions Mini) , Bring On the Cake
Ink:  Strawberry Slush, Baked Brown Sugar, Pear Pizazz
Paper:  Whisper White
Other:  Big Shot, Secret Garden Framelit Dies

Here's the inside:

And here's another, that I thought would be a pretty wedding card:

Stamps:  Sweet Essentials
Ink:  Baked Brown Sugar
Paper:  Whisper White, Fancy Foil Designer Vellum, Sweet Sorbet DSP (SAB)
Other:  Big Shot, Hearts Collection Framelit Dies

This uses new DSP, but the heart framelits are in the main catalogue.

Gift Card Holder

My kids are at the ages where gift cards are the way to go for their friends' birthdays.  I was browsing the internet for some ideas recently, and came across this awesome YouTube video by a clever Stampin' Up! demonstrator in the USA, Jackie Topa.

My son is going to a birthday party today, so this was just what I needed!  I made two while I was at it:

I used the following products:

Cardstock:  Real Red, Midnight Muse, Whisper White

Ink:  Real Red Classic Ink, Midnight Muse Classic Ink, Daffodil Delight Classic Ink

Stamps:  Bring On the Cake, Perfect Pennants (Sneak peek - this is from the NEW mini)

Other:  Gingham Garden washi tape, Paper Trimmer, Score Board, Envelope Punch Board, SNAIL Adhesive.

Check out Jackie's video:




Have fun trying this yourself!  As always, you can purchase these products in my Online Store.

Weekend Roundup

I love that my Thing 2 is so patient teaching Things 3 and 4 how to play cricket.

Summer school holidays are still on.  That means normal routines are out the window; we have cricket games to play,  new pool toys to test out, trips to the beach,  back to school shopping, new school shoes, dentist appointments, haircuts, podiatrist appointments, movies and playdates.

Small boys - notice how perfectly his ears are in focus while his face is blurry?  He's not one for standing still.

I've recently got a Silhouette Cameo ecutter, and I've been trying to carve out some time to learn how to use it while the holidays are on.  I'll show you what I've been working on shortly.  I'm loving that I'm able to use my favourite MDS images with it.

I have another sneak peek of new product too - not my favourite sample, because I was using leftover card stock from a previous project,  and whatever colours were on my desk.

And it's a die!

I know, I owe you a tutorial for the window card.  I'll get to it!

Sneak Peeks Plus another Die Cut technique...

 My blog post titles are really very literal today!

I had my Occasions Mini pre-order arrive yesterday (it goes live at the end of January), with a couple of new SAB goodies too, so I made a few things while inspiration struck.  Some of the pre-order included new framelits, so they were quite appropriate for my Die Cut technique series. 

One technique, easy with nesting framelits, is to make frames/windows with the dies:

Fun isn't it?  I places a bit of acetate in the middle so the smallest starburst looks like it is "floating" in the findow.  See the new goodies?  New DSP, new starburst framelits and matching Starburst Sayings stamp set!

I will try this again because I'm not 100% happy with the way this card turned out; in my imagination it looked much better.  But still, you get the idea of the technique.  I'll do a tutorial with another sample a little later.

While I'm showing off new things, here are a few more things I whipped up last night:

 

Here's a card made with one of the left over diecuts from the window card, a new embossing folder, another new framelit (the banner shape) and the new Starburst Sayings stamp set.  Also, notice the bling?  Gold sequins!  Love them!

This time a quick and easy gift tag, made with another new stamp set (Perfect Pennants) which is made to co-ordinate with these banner framelits.  The top of the tag was made in a snap with a new punch.  And you know how much I love Stampin' Up! punches.

Last sneak peek for today doesn't have a die cut - but it still used the Big Shot.  It features the faux embossing technique and an embossing folder - you ink the embossing folder and this is the result.

As you can see, I also used the gold sequins, and a cute little banner made with a new punch and co-ordinating stamp set called Banner Blast.  They are a Sale a Bration special you can earn for free when you spend $90!  SAB starts at the end of January also.  See the Baker's Tine is also a little bit special?  It's a new product in the upcoming Occasions Mini. 

Different Ways with Diecuts - Part 1

Do you have a Big Shot die cutting machine?  Wondering what to do with it?

I thought it might be fun to do a few posts on different ways to use some of my favourite dies.

1.  Shaped cards:

 

Want to know how I made it?  Easy!  I made a Pacific Point version and a Tangerine Tango version.

Supplies:  

Stamps:  Woodgrain background; Wildflower Meadow Background stamp; Sweet Essentials

Ink:  (blue cards) Pacific Point Classic Ink, Soft Sky classic ink, soft sky, Old Olive, Marina Mist, Pacific Point markers, Jet Black Stayzon ink.  (orange cards) Tangerine Tango Classic ink, cameo coral, pumpkin pie, tangerine tango, crushed curry markers, Jet Black Stayzon.

Other:  Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, basic rhinestones, sponges.

Method:

1. Take half an A4 sheet of Whisper White cardstock, fold it in half to form the card base.

2.  Line up Largest Labels Framelit as shown so that the folded edge is inside the frame and cut out with your Big Shot and the magnetic plate.  TIP:  the magnetic platform means the framelit won't shift around; if you don't have one, use post it notes or washi tape to keep your framelit where you want it.

3.  Using the same framelit, cut out a piece of Pacific Point/Tangerine Tango card.

4.  Stamp your blue or orange piece with a background stamp (I used Woodgrain here). Use the same colour ink as the cardstock for a tone on tone effect.

TIP:  when using a large background stamp, bring the ink to the stamp (see picture) and place your cardstock on top.  Press evenly with your fingers or a bone folder.  Place some scratch paper on top if you don't want to get ink on your fingers (clearly I don't care about a little mess!).

Then sponge the edges with the same ink.

5.  Next, I cut a label from Whisper White cardstock - I used one two sizes smaller than the big one I used for the card base.  

Once this is cut out, sponge the edges as before.

6.  Next stamp your main image.  I used a background stamp called Wildflower Meadows, and I inked it up using Stampin' Markers.  When stamping with markers, always use the brush end and remember to "huff" on the stamp when you have finished colouring it, because otherwise the ink will dry out before you stamp.  Also, I try to use the lightest colours first, then shade with darker colours over the top.  Markers are the best way to make a stamped image multicoloured.  And they are inexpensive too!

 

7.  Now you can assemble your card - adhere your layers.

Last of all, I used a scrap of whisper white (left over from cutting out the white label shape), and cut it into a 2.5cm strip.  I stamped the strip with the woodgrain stamp in the lightest ink (soft sky on the blue card, cameo coral on the orange one).  I stamped a sentiment in black Stayzon ink (my personal favourite black ink) and notched the ends before sponging the edges to make sure it coordinated with the rest of the card.  Then I adhered the sentiment, using dimensionals, and placed a few adhesive rhinestones to finish it off.

I actually made four blue and four orange cards - it was pretty easy to mass produce by cutting everything out at once. Now my card stash is starting to fill up nicely!

Let me know if you'd like to order any of these products from me, or if you have questions, leave a comment.