CCMC244 Feeling Sentimental

This lovely set of stamps, Feeling Sentimental, will not be available in just a few hours. Such a shame, because it has been really popular as a masculine stamp, with the Phone Box/Dr Who thingy (sorry, my Dr Who expert is out tonight!), Ferris Wheel and Penny Farthing stamps.

I am entering my card for the challenge at Create with Connie and Mary, check out the other submissions too.

I will certainly continue using my stamps, and hopefully something similar might be included in the Annual catalogue, when it is released at the end of June.

 I can't remember where I read that it is possible to emboss stamping done with the new ink pads, it was on someone's blog I think, but I went back re-reading for a couple of weeks worth today, so I could credit the person who brought it to my attention, but no luck, unfortunately. I tried it today, and of course you use the clear embossing powder so the original colour shines through. I've tilted the card this way and that, to try to pick up the glistening effect with the camera, but cannot do that either.

Next I sponged the phone box with Marina Mist, before 'lighting it up' with Daffodil Yellow, and a little Crumb Cake on the ground. I did substitute the Not Quite Navy with Midnight Muse, they are quite close really, and Midnight Muse was my new, juicy stamp pad, and it needed to be new so I could heat emboss.

The background has been done on glossy card stock, using blues and a black, and is another sample for my April class "polished stone" technique. It was inspired by a card I saw on Pinterest, by Rachel Tessman, Stamp your Art Out. I'm having trouble linking to her card, but this is Rachel's website. 

Finally, I stamped just the 'hello' part from the Oh, Hello stamp set, which is available in the 25th Anniversary mini catty till the end of June.

Hope you have a great weekend and take some time to do things you like, with those you love, that's my plan anyway!!!

Take care,

Rachel

PPA#155 Mixed Bunch...in every sense

Recently I have been experimenting with colours, and this combination has me in two minds!

I used some of my re-inkers to test the polished stone technique and this was one sample that came out quite distinct. I decided to stamp over the colours in black Stazon ink, but actually intended to use a different, smaller flower stamp, but once the stazon hit the paper, its fate was decided. Oh, dear!!!!

So, how do you like the Mixed Bunch daisy in these hues?

I used the sketch at Pals Paper Arts as my inspiration starter, its a great sketch, I think I might play around with this one over the next few days.

Sunday Stamps #40

I already had a few panels using this Polished Stone technique lying on my work table, because I am preparing some samples for my April classes. You can check out the dates at the top of my blog, just click on "classes".


When I saw this sketch by Tara, I was inspired to use this square piece in pink and yellow shades. I stamped the gorgeous chrysanthemum from Blooming with Kindness in Black Stazon, and then double mounted on So Saffron and Regal Rose. I fiddled quite a bit with the 'midriff' panel, wanting to put ribbon but finally deciding it would be too much, I cut a strip of retired Hostess DSP, Cheerful Treat.

I had edged the So Saffron strip with the lacy Edgelit Finishing touches and dry embossed using the Lacy Brocade folder, released in the Holiday catalogue, but carried over for now, which hopefully means it will be in the new annual catalogue too. Maybe the effect is a bit lost, since it is mostly behind the square.I chose a greeting from the Sweet Essentials stamp set, a lovely clear font with 8 different greetings for all occasions.

Sunday Stamps have this challenge open till Friday March 22nd, pop over to seek inspiration for yourself.

Cheers,
Rachel

Just a reminder that Sale-a-bration finishes up next Friday so if you were intending to place your order for $100 worth of  "must have" Stampin' Up! supplies, plus a lovely sale-a-bration freebie, you probably should ring or email me NOW! If you need some help with your choices, I am home after 4pm Monday-Wednesday and a "lady who lunches" the other days, so feel free to contact me.

Also, if you have thought about joining Stampin' Up! either to actively run a home-based business, or just to buy your supplies with a generous 20% discount, this week is the one to do it in. You get to choose an extra 25% of product in your demonstrator pack. That means, you pay $169.00 BUT you choose $294.00 of your choice of products (no shipping for this initial order either). WOW!!!
You can actually just click on the picture link (over there, on the right!) but make sure you have your wish list sorted out, up to, but not over, $294.00!!!

Then, if you submit an order over $300 in the first 45 days, you receive 30% off! How good is that? Your commitment is to order $400 every quarter, and you get longer for your first quarter too. Join now, and your first quarter ends June 30th. Even if you can't keep this commitment up, there is no penalty, you don't need to return anything, but maybe you'll be another happy member of the Stampin' Up! family.

Claire joined my team this month as a hobby demonstrator,just like me(Waving hello Claire!), perhaps that would suit you too.

In May, I'm off to Brisbane for Convention. Lots of fun, presents, sneak previews and learning over 3 days.

I have some classes for April and May listed at the top of this page, and I'll have even more to share with you after convention. Let me know if I can help you with any of your crafting needs, rpalmieri5@bigpond.com for email or phone/txt 0417 500 681

Cheers
Rachel

Oh, Hello Alice

I haven't done a 'family' layout in quite some time, but today I did this one. I had seen Tina's sketch on 'Just Add Ink' and knew I wanted to do something to begin Alice's scrapbook, and then inspired by Stampin' Ups! stamp set Oh, Hello and the gorgeous specialty papers in the 25th Anniversary mini catalogue, More Amore DSP, I chose the photo of her with her two big brothers, Xavier and Isaac.

As their dad says, "I guess they don't LOVE her yet, but they seem to LIKE her, and that's good."

Well, we are just so surprised (and overcome) because who would ever think after having five sons (and 3 miscarriages) and welcoming 4 gorgeous grandsons, that we would have expected this baby to be anything but a boy? So far, 9 days later, she seems quite placid and easy-going so all is well.



Most of my supplies are Stampin' Up! but I did use some letters by Bella! So glittery and swirly, and a couple of Bo-Bunny Brads. When did you last scrapbook? Click on the link for Just Add Ink, above and see what else you find to inspire.

Happy Stamping (and scrapping)

Rachel

Birthday Tricycle PP#136

I promise this is my last post for the day!

I've had a lovely time today and I have actually done more than make cards, but that is what I concentrated on most this afternoon. Only one other family member was home for dinner tonight, so that was easy, and he has gone off to work now too. I just seem to have been on a roll with the creativity this afternoon, no idea why really.

Of course, the starting point was the colour challenge from The Paper Players. Then, there is a small person called Alice. She was born only seven days ago, a girl to a family with 2 sons already - my eldest son's family, so Alice is my first grand-daughter. I am the mother of 5 sons, and Gran to 4 boys, and was sure we'd never see a girl in this family - till Alice!
This has given my whole week a rosy glow, and I suspect inspired this wee birthday card.

So, we have a technique commonly called 'Ink to Rubber', the stamp set Moving Forward, a party banner from Owl Occasions from the Holiday mini, grass from Dinoroar and 'Happy Birthday' from Made for you. Add in a little teddy from Baby Bundle and a bunny from a long retired set and you have all the stamping sorted. I really like 'Ink to Rubber' for a change because you can use multiple colours on the one stamp, and it gives a water-coloured effect. I would be happy to teach you how to do this, if you are near to the northern suburb of Melbourne, South Morang.

 Lately, I have seen a lot of people using flowers cut with Floral Fusion Sizzlets, so I ordered them with my last order, and they appear on this card with a Vintage Faceted button on top. The middle layer of the flower and the Pool Party banner have both been dry embossed using the Square Lattice Folder.

I hope you will have some fun stamping soon, 

bye for now, 

Rachel

Get Well leaves PP#136

Another very quick post using the same colours from The Paper Players. I want to post a 'Get Well' card off today to a Stampin' Up! Colleague who has had surgery today. This lovely lady remembers everyone's birthdays and special events , so it only seems right to cheer her up in return.

As I cleaned stamps, it occurred to me that French Foliage could look rather nice in these colours. I've used one colour for each leaf but the large one was tipped with Early Espresso on top of Lucky Limeade and the Regal Rose leaf has a touch of Lucky Limeade. The droplets are Pool Party, as is the greeting. I put the card face through the Big Shot in a Woodgrain Embossing Folder and mounted the square on Pool Party and Lucky Limeade.To complete this card a piece of Regal Rose ribbon trims the card and large wooden button.

Cheers,
Rachel

Flowers for Mum PP#136

I mentioned in my last post that Pool Party and Lucky Limeade were my favourite colour combination, but what about when you add Regal Rose and Early Espresso? Now, that's a REAL winning combo. Have a look over at The Paper Players challenge for lots more inspiration.

I continued along the floral theme and broke out Thoughts and Prayers, such a lovely set with this graceful branch or a beautifully-shaped tree, as well as some very thoughtful greetings. I have found many uses for this set besides bereavement cards, and decided to get it inky for this project.

I've gone a bit crazy with the punches again too! Itty Bitty Shapes blossoms finished with SU Basic Pearls, Boho Blossoms punch for the Pool Party flower on the vase, and the vase itself is the Ornament punch with a flattened base, also embossed with the Fancy Fan Folder.

A tiny greeting from Teeny Tiny Sentiments, and then a simple layering of different coloured squares of card and this easy card was finished in no time.

I'm heading back to the table to make another card! Catch you again soon,

Rachel

Dynamic Duo colors#43 and Retro sketch #54

This colour selection for Dynamic Duos challenge should have been so easy for me because they are my favourite combination in the WHOLE Stampin' Up! colour range and it will be so sad to say good-bye to them both at the end of June, when we meet the NEW In-colours!

Anyway, the problem has been that I strayed from my original plan, and it all became too, too fussy, so while I won't actually throw the card in the bin (because someone, somewhere will love it) I couldn't submit it to a challenge.

Now it is late at night and only a few hours until the link closes, and I have started again. I went with this great sketch from Retro sketch with minor changes, and used the same Mixed Bunch stamp and the matching Blossom punch and then a quick stamp with one little flower centre from the Mixed Bunch (there are 3 large and 3 small in this stamp set) and I punched that out with the NEW 7/8 inch scalloped punch in the 25th Anniversary Mini catalogue. I used a Pool Party brad to finish it off, and also a little spritz with the Shimmer Paint in Frost White added to rubbing alcohol in a mister.If you look hard, you may see the shimmer mist on this flower.

 The leaf was punched using the Bird Builder punch and I also stamped a leaf in Lucky Limeade using the leaf stamp from  Nature's Walk. Some more little blossoms were punched using one of the punches from the three in Itty Bitty Punches with rhinestone centres, and a greeting wishing a Happy Mother's Day from Teeny Tiny Sentiments. I've realised that I've done heaps more punching than stamping for this card, but I'm pretty happy with it. Any other questions, you can email me, always happy to help.

You should pop over to Dynamic Duos and Retro sketches too (just click on the links) and see if that inspires you to make a card too.

Cheers,
Rachel

Sweet & Simple Thanks FMS76 & CTD232

Love this sweet sketch by Linda Suarez at Freshly Made Sketches, I often use this style for cards, but it just so happened that the designers had picked many of my favourite stamps, so thinking that I always like to have a 'Thank you' card on hand, I whipped out the Pretty Postage stamps and inked up the "thanks" from that on Whisper White card, in each of the three pretty shades suggested in the Color Throwdown challenge.  I substituted So Saffron for Barely Banana but apart from that the colours are 'true'. 

After punching the words with a one inch square punch, I continued by using my Postage Stamp Punch to punch matching coloured squares to place on Stampin' Dimensionals which went on the dry embossed panel of Whisper White. Now, instead of using a plain piece of Crumb Cake, I took a piece from the Natural Composition Paper pack. I must remember to order another pack or two of that, just in case it gets dropped from the range in June. A strip of So Saffron and Calypso Coral behind the white also introduced another glimpse of these pretty pastel shades.

Don't forget to get inky soon, 

Rachel

Last days of Sale-a-bration!

Just a bit of a shout out to let you know that time is running out to take advantage of these great free stamp sets, embellishments, designer patterned paper, digital studio, punch and so on......................

 Offer finishes 22nd March, about two weeks away.

There are 19 different items to choose from, all for free, when you order $100 worth from either the new seasonal catalogue or the big, thick annual catalogue.

If you don't have a copy of those catalogues handy, the links are on the sidebar of this blog.
So long as you have an Australian mailing address you can order through me. Phone 0417 500 681 or email rpalmieri5@bigpond.com
5% or $5.95, whichever is greater, is added to the order by Stampin' Up! to cover shipping and orders can be mailed direct to your door.

Cheers,
Rachel

Colour, Sketches, inspiration......

Too late to enter my card for these challenges, but I thought I might just put it up here, regardless, since  it was the last sketch from Tui at Freshly Made Sketches which helped start the creative process, and the colour challenge at Colour Throwdown  pushed me just that little bit further! Aren't those colours delicious? You can still click on those links to see the other submissions that did get linked to the sites, and the very deserving winners!

I had a couple of birthday cards to make for girls at work this week, one birthday is on Friday and another Saturday. Fortunately, I had made one a while back, and blogged it (and it was a Sunday Stamps Top Pick too!!!) so I set to work to make this one as special as possible too.

Just Believe was my chosen stamp set, and I stamped the main image with versamark and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I then rubbed the image with Crumb Cake ink on a dauber to create a bit of shadow, added in the Boho Blossom Punch flowers and some pearl basic jewel centres, a piece of Victoria crochet trim lace over a strip of Melon Mambo trimmed with the scallop trim border punch.

I know the recipient was thrilled! Happy birthday G,

Happy stamping,
Rachel

The ups and downs of life and other challenges...CCMC241

I have had a particularly busy week, what with my (paid) job Monday to Wednesday, the funeral of my very dear friend Helen on Thursday morning, while another family member had to stand-in to be the welcoming committee for friends arriving from Ireland, also Thursday morning.

So, there we were, experiencing all the highs and lows that life can deal out. I was sure that I would have no time for challenges this week. However, John and Ruth have enjoyed a few days being shown around the city of Melbourne, and the wildlife and wineries of the Yarra Valley and have now taken off to do some independent sight-seeing down the amazing Victorian coast.

They'll love it, especially as the weather has cooled enough to be quite pleasant in the sun now.

When it seemed that things were back under control in the household this morning, I snuck into  my craft room and put together this simple get well card for the challenge sketch at Create with Connie and Mary this week. I distressed the edges of the red paper and tied bakers twine instead of a ribbon, but I've really stayed true to the original. The stamp set is Perfectly Preserved which has been carried over from the Holiday catalogue. Luckily, as I still love it and haven't used it half enough yet. The Get Well Soon is from Delightful Dozen which contains 12 lovely varied greetings. Click on the link (above) to Create with Connie and Mary and see all the different submissions there.

Happy stamping everyone,

Rachel