(Freshly Made) Sketch #36

I wasn't going to make any challenge cards this week, but after I had organised everything today, I wondered what I would do with the rest of my Sunday!!!
 Taking a look at the sketch for this week at Freshly Made Sketches, I decided to make this card using the Aviary Stamp Set, a set I received when I joined Stampin' Up. My main worry was deciding which colours to use and after trying out a few combinations I settled on More Mustard and Basic Grey, with a little Always Avocado ink thrown in for good neasure.

Using the Decorative label punch to cut the three shapes for the left side of the sketch, I also added a Glimmer Brad to each. A layer of Domestic Goddess paper in grey was placed under the Whisper White with the stamped images, including the Happy Day to you greeting from stamp set Friendly Phrases. The branch is the Thoughts and Prayers Stamp set. So just a simple little card, using a clean and simple plan. Forgot to add, it hasn't caught them very well in my night time photo but there is a row of 3 rhinestones on the bottom of the cage and a slightly bigger rhinestone up the top.

Thanks for taking a look at my blog, happy stamping everyone!

Don't forget to check out the other cards for this sketch here at Freshly Made, maybe you would like to play along too?

Owl Be There!!!

I have had a slightly hectic week, getting ready for convention and working. I don't usually work five days a week, but it just so happened that I needed to attend a conference for work, and since the Principal said I could have a day in lieu, which would help out with the day and a half I am absent this coming week for Stampin Up Convention in Chilly Canberra, I went along willingly! As it happens, it rained like there was no tomorrow in Melbourne on Friday, so I quite enjoyed my day of education, food and laughter!

Now on to stamping, even though it was mostly about punching for this card!
I had an order for punches last week, and as one of them was the Owl Builder Punch, I decided to use mine to make the Thank You card. There is no end to the variety of ways you can use this little fellow, and I kept him fairly simple for this small card, only adding in eyelids by half punching the largest circle, and a wing with a half circle of the smaller Scalloped Circle Punch. He is perched on a branch from the Bird Builder Punch, which my customer had also purchased. I used the Modern Label Punch and Word Window Punch for the greeting, and I think that "Thank You" might be from a retired set. I know my customer is going to love playing with her new punches.

While I was in the mood, I punched out a second owl, the VERY basic model, and added him to the centre of a row of stamped owls. Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, I stamped the owl from the retired Punch Bunch stamp set, from 2011 Sale-A-bration. Such a shame that it was available for a short time because this set was particularly cute, with baby, birthday and general stamps in the one pack.

After mounting the Crumb Cake panel onto a strip of Pool Party, edged with the Scallop Trim Border Punch, I threaded a button from the Neutrals Collection through Early Espresso Baker's Twine and wound it several times around the join. Quite quick and easy, but cute, don't you think?

And now, I'm off to pack my bag for Convention on Webnesday - WOOOHOOO!!!!

Sketch and Color Challenge

I knew I would make at least another card using this sketch!!! I was looking at the Color Challenge for this week at Create with Connie and Mary, and I wasn't sure how to put these colors together. Then I noticed Pool Party and Calypso Coral ( a muted version of Poppy Parade) featuring in the DSP Domestic Goddess 122355, which arrived in my order on Friday. By backing it with the Poppy Parade before adding a hint of black in the brad, a punched flower and a layer under the panels I hope it meets the conditions of the challenge.

I stamped Triple Treat Flower 125040 $16.95 twice in Poppy Parade ink onto Poppy Parade card and punched one with Fancy Flower Punch 118073 which fits nicely around the whole flower, and the other with 5-Petal Flower Punch 119880 which punches on an inner outline. I also punched a black flower out with the Fancy Flower Punch to place at the back. The two flowers in Poppy Parade had the edges inked in the same shade of ink using a sponge dauber. To meet the criteria for the Freshly Made challenge I added a strip of paper from another of the Domestic Godess DSP, a rather lovely multi-colored check, and a length of Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon. The greeting, from Friendly Phrases 124982 has been stamped on a scrap of DSP punched with Decorative Label Punch. I used an Edgelit die in my Big Shot to cut the serated scallop edging.

Pop over to see other creations atCreate with Connie and Mary and Freshly Made Sketches.

See you again soon

Rachel



(Freshly Made ) Sketches #35

I find a sketch is always a great help when it comes  to getting my creativity going and I have to say that I LOVE this sketch posted at Freshly made Sketches this week. So much so, that continuing my pursuit of masculine cards AND using DSP (patterned paper, for those who don't understand Stampin' Up's acronym), I whipped up TWO cards last night!

I find the three panels of the sketch a great way to show off the double sided paper, in this case I used Stampin' Up DSP 122359 Well Worn on page 129 of the catalogue. I really like this particular paper, both for cards and for scrapbooking. Since most of my scrapbooking involves travel at some ancient destination, Well Worn is very appropriate! LOL!

Of course, with the Paper Party happening all through May, I put in an order for 3 different packs of DSP qand received the 4th one FREE, so I have heaps to choose from now! It is not too late for you to order a selection for yourself either, just get in touch with me here.
With each pack containing 12 sheets of double sided paper, each one gives you 12 great choices.

The first card I made was very simple, using the DSP on a panel of Cherry Cobbler, a strip of Crumb Cake put through the Big Shot to emboss with Textured Impressions Houndstooth at the bottom of the Not Quite Navy card. The Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine has been threaded through two buttons and wound several times around the bottom strip. I stamped the Happiest Wishes on your Birthday! from a current hostess set, onto Crumb Cake and used the Curly Label Punch 119851 to punch it out. I always like to smudge ink onto the edges of paper to define the edges, so I did that to all the pieces before adhering them. Inside  I used a square of Crumb Cake with a narrow piece of the Well Worn DSP along the bottom and stamped it's your day! as the greeting inside.

I followed basically the same formula with the second card. Using a different sheet from the Well Worn DSP, I used different dimensions to cut the strips and panel, but kept the Crumb Cake strip and the base card dimensions the same. Instead of the Bakers Twine, I used ¼" Early Espresso Grosgrain ribbon and three Designer Buttons threaded with linen thread on each panel. Again I defined the edges of the panels and greeting with ink and decided to add an owl made with the Owl Builder Punch. Since my good friend Genella loves green so much, I introduced a touch of it in the branch (from the Bird Builder Punch) and the owl's waistcoat. This has all been positioned onto a card cut from River Rock. Not sure if this is a bit too busy, but I'm sure I will keep on playing with this idea over the next few days. Don't forget to check out how others have interpreted this shetch at Freshly Made Sketches, it is bound to inspire you too!

 Just a reminder, I am holding a class in masculine cards featuring a collage technique using Extreme Elements and Grunge Rock on Friday 15th June at 7 pm- 9.30pm in South Morang.

June & July 2012 Classes: South Morang, Melbourne, VIC

June Class Dates and Details

Fri   15th June 7.00pm-9.30pm
Sun  17th June 2.00pm-4.30pm
We will make three cards for the men in your life (teens or more mature than that!)
You will use two of the current Stampin' Up stamp sets on Page 60 of the IB & C, Grunge Rock and Extreme Elements, as seen in the earlier post.

July Class Dates and Details

Wed 11th July 2.00pm-4.30pm

Fri    13th July 7-00pm-9.30pm

Topic TBA

Class Fee: $20  All materials supplies.   

Book your spot in a class now 

General Class Information

I hold classes at my house in South Morang, Melbourne.  

Maximum of 6 people per class.

Phone: 0417 500 681or Email: rpalmieri5@bigpond.com to book your place.

IMPORTANT:
If you cannot make a class you've booked for, please let me know as early as possible.  

CCMC201-Sketch Challenge

Over the last few days I have been working on masculine cards for some classes I will be holding in June. I love the Grunge Rock stamp set and Extreme Elements stamp set, both on Page 60 of the current IB & C. They seem to complement each other very well and look good in 'earthy' shades used frequently for the fellas.

Then today I decided to take part in my very first challenge on a blog I follow, Create with Connie and Mary. Not sure that I am satisfied with my effort, but it was fun to try meeting the challenge. Here is the sketch for this one. I have changed my card since I took the first photo, but only slightly. See below.

 

By the way- I did use my stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp happy in Crumb Cake,Pool Party,More Mustard, Lucky Limeade, Cajun Craze and Island Indigo. I might need a bit more practice, the spacing is a little off, but I love practising all these different techniques!!!!

Thanks for taking a look, and happy stamping!

Rachel

May Paper Party

                                                                                                                                                                     During May we're having a Paper Party with two different ways to earn free Designer Series Paper.

OPTION ONE:  BUY THREE AND GET ONE FREE

During May if you buy three packs of Designer Series Paper (excluding specialty packs) you'll receive a 4th pack free.         There are 12 packs to choose from in the main catalogue, and another two in the Autumn Winter Mini. 

Find a Designer Series Paper for every crafting occasion, every crafting project, and every creative mood. You can  if you'd like to place an order or ask a question.contact me. It is easy to place an order by phone or email and your order can be delivered anywhere in Australia for an additional 5% of ordered amount or $5.95 (whichever is greater).

OPTION TWO:  JOIN DURING MAY AND GET FREE PAPER FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR

Yes you read that right!  Join as a demonstrator during May and receive a pack of Designer Series Paper (excluding specialty packs) every month for the rest of the year.

You can read all the details here (Free Paper Offer). 

The starter kit is now just $169 and is FULLY CUSTOMISABLE.  You can pick whatever products you'd like up to a value of $235.  Yes - any products you'd like!  Plus you get business supplies like catalogues and order forms valued at $80.

You'll get the first sneak peek at the new Idea Book and Catalogue in a few months and the chance to order products a month early.  You get access to Stampin' Connection where demonstrators from Australia and New Zealand share their gorgeous creations and chat stamping.  You'll get access to our fabulous fun team facebook group. 

How Do I Join?  How Do I Join?

Remember to look through your catalogues first and pick out your $235 of products for your kit.  Get in touch if I can help you with any questions or if you'd just like to chat about joining.  I'd love to hear from you.

DSP on Cards

With the great promotion on DSP that Stampin' Up has on for the month of May, I figured it was time to use up some of the lovely papers I've been hoarding.LOL.And when the new catalogue is released later in the year there will be a whole new range to choose from, and those in my stash will be GONE from the range.

This sweet and simple birthday card is made using the Party This Way set on Page 39 of the current catalogue. Priced at $26.95 for a wood mount set and $21.95 for the clear mount, it is fantastic value. It is a great set of 5 stamps including "Happy Birthday", the candle, a balloon as seen on the next card, "Party This Way" and a pennant which matches the Petite Pennants Builder Punch on page 152. It can easily make an adult or child's card depending on the way you use it.

The floral strip on my card (above) is Beyond the Garden DS from the Summer mini, so is no longer available but you can use any patterned paper to help decide a colour scheme. I used Melon Mambo as the base with a Blushing Bride strip under the white panel which has been trimmed using the Scallop Trim Border punch on page 151 of the current idea book and catalogue. I did need to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig (don't you love its name?) to align all those candles. Inside has been trimmed with another strip of the same DSP edged with the Scallop Trim Border punch to tie in with the front and the greeting reads "the more candles the bigger the wish" from the retired Whimsical Words stamp set.

This is a CASE (copy & share everything) of my upline Sue Madex's card for the February Sale-A-bration Blog Hop. Blog Hops are a wonderful way to get creative inspiration and I always check into Sue's Blog regularly to see what fresh, new ideas she has. On my card you see the lovely balloon from Party This Way - can you imagine using a whole bunch of bright colours or even pastels and the "Party This Way" stamp on an arrow could easily substitute for the "Celebrate" I have used which was a Sale-a-bration bonus stamp set, Outlined Occasions.

I cased another card recently from fellow Stampin' Up demonstrator Ruth Clark whose work I greatly admire. She pays such attention to detail on both her cards and her scrapbooking pages.You can see her card in the background here with much more detail than mine, and her blog with some more fabulous cards and scrapbook LOs. She certainly helped inspire me with her use of the new (and available on special offer of buy 3 packs, get one free -only in May) Twitterpated DSP from the Autumn-Winter mini on page 13. Contact me here for your copy of the Autumn-Winter mini which sells from 1 April - 31 July.

This card is a real showcase for some of the lovely products from this mini. Besides the Twitterpated paper I added a fancy edge to the card with Edgelits Dies Adorning Accents(two in the set, the other is fancy scallop) and the  Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Adorning Accents (three to this set, two match the edges, another is tiny hearts). Then I stamped the medium label stamp from the set Apothecary Art, page 19, onto watercolour paper, cut it out on my Big Shot using the Framelits Label die ( there are 6 in the set, so plenty of options) to fit this particular stamp and watercoloured those sweet little flowers with a blender pen and Stampin Write Markers. Apothecary Art is a set of 6 quite large stamps with 4 labels in different sizes and two greetings, the "So Grateful" (above) and "Happiest Birthday". The wood mount is $63.95 while the clear mount is $50.95. On the inside of the card I used one of the border stamps from Bordering on Romance on Page 11 of the catalogue and "happy mother's day" from Teeny Tiny Sentiments on page 105 of the Ideas Book & Catalogue. It is trimmed with some Boho Blossom punched from Basic Grey card and held with a brad and a couple of our Basic Jewel pearls top and bottom of the label.

I seem very long winded today, sorry if it is too long.