2ND CLASS CARD, AS PROMISED

In my class last week, my lovely ladies learnt all about two step stamping, but I also showed them how to make their own designer papers.  Creating your own papers allows you to coordinate with the card stock and elements you are using at the time.  If you can't find a paper to match - you can make it yourself!  The card we made was an idea I got from the very talented Danielle Daws.  Danielle kindly put a tutorial up on the Just Add Ink site.  She has also provide a .pdf you can download for Free!  Thanks Danielle!

This is also another technique card using "Crayon Resist".  Where the card has remained white on the butterfly's wings is where I coloured using white crayon.  When I sponge over those areas with ink, they resist the ink and remain white.  My ladies all thought this was a fantastic project and a great way to make a single layer card look spectacular!

Stamps:  All A Flutter and a sentiment stamp
Card Stock: Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Inks: Staz On Black, Certainly Celery, So Saffron
Accessories: Adhesive, Ribbon, White Crayon, Sponges

HEARTFELT

I thought I would feature one of my class cards so you can see what we get up to in my classes.  This is a card I taught in my Two Step Stampin class last Monday.  The ladies learnt how to use a Stamp-a-ma-jig, which is a must have tool to get your image exactly where you want it.  This card also features the Reverse Masking Technique and my favourite Sponging technique.  Quiet a lot to cram in one little card!!  They also learnt how to make their own Designer papers on another project.  Check back here in a day or two to see the gorgeous project they made!

Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks
Card Stock: Pink Pirouette, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Inks: Elegant Eggplant, Pink Pirouette, Pixie Pink
Accessories: Ribbon, Sponges & Adhesives

COFFEE ANYONE?

I am doing a workshop today and my Hostess saw a swap I made for my team a couple of months ago, that she was keen to have as her Make & Take.  This is a great wee gift and card in one.  Don't see your friends as often as you like?  Then send them a cup of tea or coffee to share with you!

If you like this idea too and live in the greater Wellington area, Waiarapa or Kapiti coast, then I can bring this workshop to you and your friends too!  Maybe you would like to see some other gorgeous projects instead?  I can cater to you!  Just drop me a line and you book your own workshop!

May is my birthday month and to celebrate, all Hostesses that hold a workshop in May will go into a draw for this stamp set!  You have got to be in to win, so book your workshop today!

TOP NOTE BAG HEADER

I was really excited a couple of months back to recruit my very first team member and downline - Debi Ryan.  She does the most beautiful Vintage scrap book pages I have ever seen!  Pay her a visit and leave a comment HERE.  As a "Welcome to my team" gesture, I put together a bag of goodies that she could use on her projects.  When I first started in SU a couple of Demonstrators in my extended team did the same for me, and I was extremely grateful.  If you would like to JOIN MY TEAM, then please drop me a line, I would LOVE to hear from you!

I used the new Top Note die in our Bigshot range to make this super pretty gift bag header.  It is such a lovely way to make your gift just that more special.  I hope you like the idea and will have a go yourself.  Don't have the die?  Then Contact me and place your order!

MARKING 100 YEARS.......

I was very honoured last week to be asked to make a very special Birthday card.  This was a first for me - making a card for someone turning 100 years old!!  What do you do for someone reaching that huge milestone?  I had a helping hand from above with this card.  The day before I was asked, I had been playing around with the new Heart punch from the Winter mini ($13.50) sticking a few together until I came up with (I think) a very realistic and tiny rose.  Couple that with the extra large two step Bird punch ($35.95), I knew what i wanted to do.  I am thrilled with the end result!  The card came up so much better than I had imagined.  I hope Doris likes it too!  Happy 100th Birthday Doris!

I have also added a little bit of bling in the form of pink Rhinestones, and of course, some sponged pink pirouette to soften the starkness of the whisper white card. Layered with certainly celery card stock, I think this colour combination is soft and feminine.



If you have a look at the close up of the roses, you will see the "raindrops" or dew drops? on the roses.  I think it makes them look so much more authentic.






If you would like to know how I made these, then make sure you book into my Flowers Everywhere class on the 8th of May!!  See you then!

ITS BLACK & WHITE, REALLY......

Now and again, I like to challenge myself to use only a couple of products from the fabulous Stampin' Up! range and do two or more cards (or 3d items) with the same product.  In this case, I used only Black, white and Gray card stock and the same two stamp sets for both.  I wanted to show you how you can create two cards for different occasions, using basically the same products.  All I have done is change the colour combinations and used different embellishments to achieve this.

This card doesn't use any black card stock, but varying shades of gray instead on a white card base.  A simple ribbon embellishment and the addition of rhinestones gives this wee card an elegant and romantic feel.  Perfect for a wedding!

Using the same grays, but adding a black base card gives this wee card a more somber feel.  Off with the rhinestones, I have added a wee bow from the same satin ribbon and added a coordinating button for a bit of interest.  I would use this as a bereavement card or a wee note to someone I care about to say I am thinking of them.

For both of these cards I have used the Very Vintage Wheel from the new Winter Mini catalogue and sentiments from the SAB set Whimsical Words (no longer available).  I have also used Going Gray and Basic Gray ink.

It just goes to show, that if you are new to card making or scrap booking, it doesn't need to be a huge outlay to begin with.  A couple of products can be used in various ways.  Need ideas?  Then watch out for my classes (on the right of my blog).  If one appeals, then book yourself in to learn.  You won't be disappointed!

ASIAN INSPIRED

I had a bit of an Asian thing going on the other day while in my craft room!  I made both Shanghai Moon and this wee card in the same day.  I had gotten away from the sponging I so love to do for a while there, and thought I had better get back to it again.  I love creating scenes with this technique.  You are only limited by your imagination!

I hope you like this one as much as you liked Shanghai Moon!  I have used the same stamps sets, but just changed the colours I have used.  If you feel inspired to try this, why not invest in these two sets?  Give me a call or drop me a line to place an order!  Eastern Influence (4 stamps in the set) is just $39.95, while Embrace Life is $53.95, with 5 in the set.

Stampin' Up! supplies I have used are:
Stamps:  Eastern Influence, Embrace Life
Card Stock:  Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Going Grey, Basic Grey, Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Basic Black
Accessories: Post-it-Notes (for masking), adhesive

ALL A FLUTTER FOR MUM

I have combined my JAI #12 challenge entry this week with Mothers Day, which is just around the corner!  This is the card I will be sending to my Mother.  My Mum is forever doing things for other people and has just returned from a month in Australia, while she took care of my very sick Great Aunt.  You rock Mum!  Kim, if you see this blog, you have to KEEP Mum, okay?!





This weeks challenge is a sktech challenge.  Here is the image we were given to work with:





I have used the All a Flutter stamp out of the new Winter Mini.  At just $15.95 for the single stamp, it is a great place to start if you are new to crafting.  This stamp lends to itself really well to colouring and layering.  I have made my butterfly more dimensional by cutting out a second set of wings on the top half of the Butterfly and popping them on the original image with SU dimensionals.

I have also added Dazzling Diamonds to the "eyes" on the wing for a bit of bling.  Of course, I had to include sponging!  I think this is the first entry to JAI that I have used this technique!  I finished the card with a flat satin ribbon and coordinated brads for interest.

Happy Mothers Day Mum!!  I hope you like your card.  Love you!

SHANGHAI MOON

My most sincere apologies for not blogging for a while!  It has been a crazy time for me over the last few weeks, but I am back on board now and have a lot to show you.

I finally got down to some serious card making yesterday and have turned out three cards I am really pleased with.  My good friend Diane has lent me some of her stamp sets so I could create.  Two in particular, Eastern Influence and Embrace Life, have a real Asian feel about them, so that is what I went with.

Of course, I just had to sponge something!!  I have also used a resist technique with a white crayon (now I have found my crayon, thanks Diane!) and have also masked the moon.  A lot of different techniques used on this card, but well worth the effort!  Check back tomorrow for my Just Add Ink entry this week!

JUST ADD INK CHALENGE #11

Just Add Ink always throw out great challenges and this week is no exception.  We were challenged to create anything we wanted.  I am now the proud owner of 100 paper bags, so I thought I had better put them to good use.  Those of you coming to my workshop on Saturday will see a couple of paper bag samples, and those attending my Tote Bag class will even get to try out a project with them too.

I have seen the most amazing mini albums on my blog travels recently and decided to have a go myself as part of the JAI #11 challenge.  I still look at this book and am amazed that I only started with four paper bags!  There is plenty of space for photos and journaling as this little beauty also has four hidden pockets to add that extra WOW.

Please leave me a comment and tell me what you think of this nifty little scrap book.  I really appreciate any feedback I receive.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIL

I have just spent a lovely weekend in Wanganui with my family.  My Mother-in-law celebrated her 85th birthday on Sunday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAULINE!  Her whole family made it for the special weekend.  Of course, I had to make her a special birthday card too.  Her favourite colour is green - can you tell?

 I know we enjoyed the weekend and I am sure she did too.  It will give her lots to think about once we are all back in our own corners of New Zealand!

TOTE BAG CLASS SNEAK PEEK

I have now posted my class list for April.  I thought you may like a sneaky peeky at my Tote Bag and Note Class being held on the 17th of April. We will be making a terrific little tote bag from a simple paper bag!  Along with four note cards and envelopes to go inside.  A unique little gift for someone special or to keep for yourself!!

 Please be sure to register your seat by contacting me (on the right of my blog) by Sunday the 11th of April.  The design of the tote and cards may differ than those shown in the photo, so be sure to come along to see what new designs will be yours to make!

SO MANY PRODUCTS, SO LITTLE TIME

Today is the day I have been waiting for!!  Now I can show you the All New Products Stampin' Up! have released with their fantastic look Winter mini Album!

If you need more storage space in your craft room, then you cant go past our new punches.  These little lovelies sit flat!  What about our new Clear Mount stamp sets?  They sit in a lovely flat DVD case with a pictorial on the spine for easy locating!  And, of course, easy hold blocks can be bought in a set or individually.


But the best news?  BIG SHOT is here at last!  A die cutting and embossing machine to get your imagination going!  Stampin' Up! have released some gorgeous die cuts that are only available through a SU demo.  I will be demonstrating these and other fab products at my workshop on the 10th of April.  Please register your interest and come along to play!  See you there!