Your Great Birthday CTC#38 -CASE-ing The Kids Section

Another Friday, another CASE-ing The Catty and this week we are CASE-ing the kids section, pages 39-48. You may have started here with me, in which case you have a delightful lot of hopping to do as you check out all the design team blogs, or if you came here from Stasia's  blog, you won't have quite as far to go.

I wanted to CASE the card on page 47, and fully intended to make a kids card, I need quite a few cards for children, especially boys. However, a sudden flash of inspiration came out of the blue!


 At convention we received the stamp set I Think You're Great and we made three different Make And Takes over the 3 days. One of them used the floral-like stamp which we inked, and then daubed with a darker shade in the centre. I decided to make a row of images using this technique and style it like the chosen design. Mint Macaron is the main colour, and Lost Lagoon was daubed into the centre. Those two shades really go nicely together, and a tiny accent of Hello Honey gives a bit of a 'lift'. I'm sure Watermelon Wonder would look great too. The sentiment is from the retired Itty Bitty Banners, cut with Bitty Banners Framelits (they're still in the catalogue). There was a scrap of  white Jute Ribbon on my table which I thought added interest, even though you can hardly notice it, along with some white Bakers Twine.


I've had more free time while school has taken a two week winter break, and I couldn't stop myself from creating another version of this card using Guy Greetings. I bought this stamp set mainly for the sentiments and the tool image. However, after a recent outing with a family member, it became very apparent that he has a 'thing' for hats. We had just exited Flinders Street Station, the main rail station for Melbourne. It is quite historic, and has some rather traditional shops beneath street level. One of these is a men's hatter and a comment was made about the nice hats but how expensive they are. I might have to sneak back to check it out sometime!

 This card is much plainer than either my first, or the catty version. I think I might have liked some Crushed Curry on there too.The strip of hats is mounted on Elegant Eggplant and the DSP is from that recent great paper stack, Adventure Bound. I don't use a lot of the Regals, but they really suited this card.
From The Herd was another of those stamp sets with very handy sentiments, in particular it's a really nice 'Happy Birthday' sentiment. The font is almost the same as Guy Greetings so they paired up here, beautifully! Even with the close-up I've taken, you can't see that I fussy cut three hats, sponged the edges and raised them on half Dimensionals. I'm using sponge daubers so much lately, might have to pop some more on the next order!

If you are thinking of ordering in my online shop, the Hostess Code for this month is 6J7FYB24.

It's time for you to pop over to check out  Tricia  on the blog hop. Are you looking forward to a creative weekend?

Rachel

 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Stampin' Up!® Retired List

Just letting you know that Stampin' Up!® have released their Retired List, as we await the release of a NEW Catalogue on June 2nd.

To see the retiring stamps you just need to click on the highlighted words or to go straight over to retired accessories click on those. The online stores have been VERY busy because everyone in the know, demonstrators included, jump straight onto these retiring and reduced items. Some aren't reduced in price, possibly indicating lower numbers at the warehouse, and other items are up to 50% off - it is certainly well worth taking a look.
If you choose to make a small order in my online store, (Australian addresses only please) I'd be very pleased if you used the Hostess code 6MGVWWGH.

Just a couple of the retiring stamp sets.

There's only just over 5 weeks left to order from the current annual catalogue and Occasions Catalogue. Not sure yet which items from the Occasions Catalogue will be included in the next annual catalogue.

Little Buddy Birthday has been retired, and reduced in price. The clear mount is $21.71 and the wood mount costs $28.46.

Postage Due is another stamp set I'll be sad to see retire. I love using the collage-style image, especially with other stamps. The clear mount one is $25.46 but the wood mount is only another $3 more.

I didn't think that Itty Bitty Banners would be on the retiring list, but since the banner Framelits haven't retired, I suspect we will get something new to use with the Framelits. Regarding Dahlias was another surprise retiree, it's such a dramatic, but simple large bloom.

Anyway, I'm sure you have your favourites too
Cheers
Rachel

Birthday Birds STS 24

Do you like these colours?

Blackberry Bliss is one of my favourites from the NEW In Colors, but if it wasn't for the Moonlight DSP, I think I would struggle to mix it with Hello Honey and Tangelo Twist. I kept my stamping minimalist with Momento Black ink and sponged the Tangelo through a punched-out circle. The stamp set is Serene Silhouettes, and a greeting from Itty Bitty Banners mounted onto one of the cute label shapes from Project Life Cards and Labels Framelits Dies. 
Sieze The Sketch were kind enough to provide this nifty sketch.

Cheers
Rachel

Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits

$42.95

Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack

$11.95

Serene Silhouettes Wood Stamp Set

$42.95

Serene Silhouettes Clear Stamp Set

$33.95

Itty Bitty Banners Wood Stamp Set

$27.95

Itty Bitty Banners Clear Stamp Set

$21.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Pretty Pink Birthday Wishes FMS192 & PP202

I wasn't planning to make a card today. I had this sketch at Freshly Made Sketches pinned to my blog for a number of days, but wasn't sure what I wanted to make. Then last night I noticed Sandy's Tic Tac Toe Challenge at the Paper Players, and I quickly decided the bottom row was exactly what I wanted.
So there are a couple of shades of pink:- Strawberry Slush and Blushing Bride.
There are pearls, because pearls are so refined and elegant!
And there is embossing: Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder.

That particular embossing folder gives great spots to pop a tiny flower, these are stamped before punching with the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack flower. The flower stamp (and a star and heart that also have punches) are all included in a super new stamp set, Something To Say. It was one of the first things I added to my pre-order nearly a month ago, and I've been making pretty things with them ever since my parcel arrived. You can order too, in less than 24 hours! The Happy Birthday greeting is from a stamp set I've had for ages now, its very well-used. Itty Bitty Banners comes with matching Framelits, so you get a very precise cut around the greeting.
I'm going to save this card for a work colleagues birthday in a month or so.

Have a great day!
Rachel

I enjoy playing with card, stamps, ink, ribbon and other embellishments that make it onto cards. I get a real kick out of creating a card. Often it is for a challenge, but in the back of my mind are also the other family & friend events that I will need a card for, and so that might set the theme too. I'd love to share the fun with you too. If you think its something you might enjoy too, ask me how you can get a 20% discount on all the goodies in the Stampin' Up! catalogue. As long as you live in Australia, you can join through me. There's a "Join my Team" tab to the right of my blog, or you can ring 0417500681 or email me. for more information.

Retiring Lists, Classes and New Catalogue Launch

Oh WOW! it doesn't take too long for the retiring lists to begin selling out. I thought I would add a kiddie stamp set to my order, but by the time I came to submit that order this morning, Blast Off! had sold out. You can never tell what will be popular, often it is the retiring colours, but it can be totally random.

Two out of the four stamp sets used to make this  little card are retiring. The background stamp on the crumb cake is part of Creative Elements. Its been a 'go to' stamp set for a few years now, but it is on its way out at the end of the month and the wood set is 25% off at $42.71. The other retiring stamp set is the flower on the white square, a part of Betsy's Blossom, isn't it sweet in the three shades of pink?

Luckily Papillon Potpourri is sticking around, and so is Sketched Birthday, which is where that celebrate banner comes from.

This card used the cake from Love & Laughter, another retiring stamp set. Itty Bitty Banners will appear in the new catalogue, as will Petite Petals from the Occasions mini catalogue. Off The Grid, is also retiring, as is the punch that does the tiny flowers.

If you want to check out the lists of retiring stamps and accesories you can check here...

Retiring Lists

• Retiring Stamps (Available 30 May - 30 June, 2014, or while supplies last)
  • PDF
  • Sortable Excel file
• Retiring Accessories (Available 30 May - 30 June, 2014, or while supplies last) 
  • PDF
  • Sortable Excel file

The Excel files get updated during business hours to tell you what has sold out.

Mystery Hostess

If you are ordering and want to take part in a mystery hostess promotion, when you reach checkout you enter this series of letters  CZKVNKJJ  on the  bottom left, where it has a box 'do you have a hostess code?'

Join Stampin' Up!

Don't forget that there is a special joining special  running in addition to the usual joining arrangements. More details are available here on an earlier blog post.

Classes for June

I am running the Boxed Cards class again during June. During May  I cancelled  a couple of classes due to a family situation. This has now improved, my apologies to those of you affected by this. I have a Saturday afternoon class chalked in for 21st June 2pm - 5pm, and evening classes 7pm -10pm for Thursday 19th, Friday 20th and Thursday 26th June. Email rpalmieri5@bigpond.com or txt 0417 500 681 if you would like to attend one of these classes.

Catalogue Launch

I am holding a catalogue launch on Friday 4th July, 2pm through to 8pm you will be able to call in, collect a showbag and catalogue for free. There will be displays and samples to admire, and the opportunity to stamp a little sample,  if you choose. If you order in the first 10 days of July, you will be entered into a mystery hostess draw. More details as the day approaches.

Have a great week

Rachel

Little Mouse Thanks You

I spent another few days away from my craft supplies, just before Easter, but I always take something to play with! Mainly I was trying to finish my swaps for the South Pacific Stampin' Up! Convention  held in Melbourne in May, but I also slipped Life in the Forest and some card and ink pads into my basket. I had lots of ideas running around my head, and it is usually a bit frustrating because I am missing something to finish them off and often have to sketch out the idea, so I recall it when it is time to put those stamped images to use. I have a lot of quirky ideas for this little mouse, here he is, perhaps, sending a thank you for saving his life.
I've simply stamped in black Stazon and water coloured with an Aqua Painter and ink pressed from the stamp pad onto the lid. You need the tiniest bit. The clouds are done by sponging some ink with a Sponge Dauber using a scalloped circle as a moveable mask.
I stamped out the 'Gee, Thanks' from Just Sayin' because you can barely see the 'Thank You' from Itty Bitty Banners on the Basic Grey card.

The On Film Framelits were perfect for this little snapshot of Life In A Forest.
Washi Tape & a paperclip (Essentials Hardware Clips), are the finishing touches.


It's a few days since I published this blog and I have no idea what was wrong with me when I did. I forgot to acknowledge the Paper Players sketch and Washi Tape challenge, which helped me put this card together. Apologies, Nance and everyone else at The Paper Players. :( so sorry.

Hope you like my funny little thank you card and thank you for passing by my blog

Rachel

Fine-colored Feathers HSSCC#183

What do you think of this colour combination?

 

I have been playing with watercolor paper and re-inkers, planning for some future classes. It was just co-incidence that I had picked this exact colour range for this panel showing off an assortment of stamps from Fine Feathers. The  four feathers are stamped using Black Stazon, there is one more lovely feather in this set, a peacock feather, but I've tried for masculine with this card, and that last feather was just too pretty! The water color panel is layered onto a strip of Crushed Curry and a Basic Black that was given a zig zag edging with a Finishing Touches Edgelit. A Naturals Designer button threaded with linen thread has been placed to draw attention to the greetings, Happy Birthday from Itty Bitty Banners and Celebrate from Starburst Sayings. Both of these come with Framelits to make cutting out a breeze.

This is the first time I have found this particular challenge, Hand Stamped Sentiments.  Amy White led me to it. There are some great cards there using these colours, pop on over and take a look for yourself...

Hoping for a fun, crafty week (in between my real job)
Rachel

En Francais Birthday FMS 131

This morning, when I was tidying up I decided to make a card with some of the background pieces I'd demonstrated at last night's workshop. The girls were making Scalloped Tag Topper cards once they had stamped a background. I'll pop a photo of some samples near the end of this post.

The En Francais stamp makes a lovely background with its flowing script, but it was handy to have Cindy H's sketch at Freshly Made Sketches to give me some fresh inspiration on how to use it a different way. The colours here are Pool Party, Coastal Cabana and Bermuda Bay, such an awesome trio~!

I don't usually leave such a wide margin around my layers, so that was a bit of a change for me, as was the strip of patterned paper laid over both. I'd had the Pool Party ruffled ribbon out for the class, as one of the ladies had used this colour scheme too.

I also love the Happy Watercolor stamp set, and have used the longer flower (looks like a native orchid to me) on the panel. I stamped the 'splash of paint' stamp from that stamp set three times without reinking. Using the darkest shade, Bermuda Bay, then huffed* on the rubber, stamped, huffed* again and stamped, to get the faintest image at the top.The dotty image is also from Happy Watercolor, it has been stamped in gold ink. Itty Bitty Banners has been getting a lot of use lately too, the framelits to cut the banners make it so quick and easy.

* huffed - technical term to describe breathing heavily through the mouth!!!

The girls were able to make a variety of cards using background stamps like Hardwood, En Francais and World Map before trying a couple of ways to use the Tag Topper Punches.

I've been busy with my grandchildren today and now they are in bed I am quickly catching up with my blog. We are keeping two of the older ones for a few more days, so it will be busy for a while before we return them to their parents. It isn't really helping that the weather has turned cooler and drizzly for a number of days now. We took them to a concert today and it was just as entertaining watching their reactions, as the performers were!

Thanks for popping by,
Rachel

Lacy and Lovely FMS #124

I'm in the middle of one of my busiest family times at the moment - I have 4 family birthdays over the four weekends. Three are grandchildren, one is my eldest son and three of those birthdays also involve driving out of town for an hour and three-quarters. All very tricky, fitting in the shopping for presents, card making etc. has meant I've been MIA from my blog for more than a week.
I'm about to remedy that with a card for Freshly Made Sketches challenge. It's Karren's first sketch and its a beauty - I know there'll be a lot of entries!

Because I'm supposed to be getting ready for one of those trips out of town this morning, I haven't set up my light box for the photo, so I do hope this isn't too dark. I stamped a panel with Lacy and Lovely stamp set, which I don't actually own (but my lovely upline, Sue Madex does) and she recently held a little gathering for her team where we played with her stamps. I hadn't made anything with this, and I saw Karren's sketch and knew it would be a good fit.

I also used the Decorative Dots Embossing folder from SALE-A-BRATION, and some of the thick coloured twine which is another SALE-A-BRATION freebie. I used the Colour Coach to select this combination of Smokey Slate, Elegant Eggplant and Summer Starfruit. I didn't stamp any of the three lovely greeting stamps that come with Lacy and Lovely, so I pulled out the tried and true Itty Bitty Banners and used the matching dies to quickly cut the banner.

Lacy & Lovely Stamp Set page 117

I'm getting a hurry along, must fly

Rachel

Regarding Dahlias FMS 115

Regarding Dahlias stamp set has been around since June, but I had put off buying it until last week, after seeing all the amazing cards others have been making. I've struggled a little tonight to bring this together, but I'm happy with the final result. Excuse the poor light though, taking a photo at night with artificial light is not a recipe for success!!!!



I've based my card on the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches, used my favourite colours -Bermuda Bay and Coastal Cabana with a touch of So Saffron on the Papillon Potpourri (132058) butterflies, and a greeting from Itty Bitty Banners(132022). The Bitty Butterfly punch (129406) came in handy, along with the Elegant Butterfly Punch.(127526). Just a few rhinestones to finish off because my friends all love a little bling! I'm preparing for the January birthdays.......

Cheers
Rachel

Wild Things PP170 & RS88

Today in Melbourne we have a day off work for a horse race! It is billed as "the race that stops a nation" . Anyway, I won't argue with a day off at anytime, and have enjoyed breakfast in the garden in the spring sunshine, tidied my craft space and promptly messed it up again!
Oh, what joy!

 I saw the challenge at The Paper Players for "wildlife" and then searched for a sketch or colour inspiration and decided the RetroSketch sketch would fit really well.

In 2007 I (reluctantly) accompanied my mother, an intrepid traveller, to Zambia and Kenya. Needless to say, it was a marvellous experience, and one treasured moment was visiting a sanctuary for orphaned rhino. There was a mature rhino there who had been hand-reared after being orphaned by poachers who was tame enough for us to be photographed with. Of course, we could stroke his leathery hide as well, and I still get newsletters from the sanctuary in Kenya.

Now to tell you about the card. I've stamped the World Map (130342) onto Whisper White card, using a circular mask to keep the centre panel clear. I then used Zoo Babies, and a freshly inked black stamp pad to stamp a solitary rhinoceros into that blank circle, the congratulations is also from Zoo Babies (130453) and has been easily cut with Itty Bitty Banners Framelit (129267). The black circular frame was cut using the two largest circles from Framelits Circle Collection (130911). The wooden button (127554) and Linen Thread (104199) are the finishing touches. If you want to purchase any of these items, pop over to my online store or click on the names and you will go directly to them.




Enjoy your week, no matter what you are doing,
Rachel

African Tales FMS#109

Oh my! Have I spent a lot of time making this card today!

I needed to make a birthday card for a special little boy turning two next weekend, so I went to Freshly Made Sketches sketch 109 for the starting point. Next I turned to my NEW Zoo Babies stamp set.


 I ordered it at 25% off when they went on sale Tuesday and it was in my hands Friday morning - how good is that? Thanks Stampin' Up! and Australia Post! If you want to take advantage of this BIG sale 25 stamp sets for 25% off, there is still time, but only till this Monday night.

The subject and colour inspiration came from Tinga Tinga Tales a BBC program. **Be warned, if you dare to click on the link there is LOUD noise.** Apparently this is a favourite of Tyler, so I've bought a book (which also was delivered very promptly on Friday ) and used the pictures for inspiration today. It has just taken me several attempts to get a result I was happy with, and I'm not so sure that it is totally clean and simple. Sorry FMS, I have tried very hard to simplify it.


I especially like the monkeys and crocodile in the Zoo Babies stamp set, they are a pretty good match for those in the African Tale. There is a purple elephant with black and red patterned ears too, my version is Perfect Plum and Cherry Cobbler. The croc is a mix of Chocolate Chip and Cajun Craze. One monkey is also Cajun Craze, the other is Crushed Curry. I had to pull out two retired stamp sets for grass (Dinoroar) and leaves (Bloomin' Marvellous) and used a variety of greens including Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive and Gumball Green. The 'Happy Birthday' greeting is from Sketched Birthday: I love the border around it and the fact I can cut it out so neatly with the Itty Bitty Banners die. I tried another DSP in Crushed Curry but decided it didn't have enough OOOMPH! and ended up settling on this Christmas paper Season of Style. The pattern 'speaks' to me of Africa.

Have just finished off the inside of the card and decided to add its picture to the blog. When the card is for someone close to me, I usually step-it-up a bit by decorating the inside fairly elaborately. More Zoo Babies and a greeting from Yippee-Skippee.

Zoo Babies 25% off $36.71 (w)

Now I just have to cross my fingers that the rest of the present arrives before the weekend party!

Hope you are having crafty time this weekend, and don't forget to call 0417 500 681, email rpalmieri5@bigpond.com or go online if you need supplies or want to take advantage of the specials.

Cheers,
Rachel

Pleasant Poppies CCMC252 FMS86

I'm really glad I did most of my housework yesterday 'cos with the family all busy today, it has given me time to sit and make cards, and that has to be good, right?

I'd had so much fun with the Create with Connie and Mary challenge colours this morning, so after a break I decided to watercolour a portion of the HUGE  Pleasant Poppies stamp. I used Stazon stamped on Stampin' Up! watercolor paper. Each flower was shaded very simply with my Stampin' write marker in So Saffron. I also 'shadowed' one side of the blossom and stem with a soft line in Sahara Sand, because it helps the image POP!

I wonder if you can see what I mean in this close-up?

The Blender pen is invaluable too, as it really does what its name implies - helps blend the colours smoothly.

If you would like to learn this technique, I'd be happy to show you, if you're nearby.

I decided to use Amy's sketch here. Don't forget to pop over to Freshly Made Sketches to see the other fabulous cards too.

I stamped a Happy Birthday greeting with Itty Bitty Banners stamp set, there is a lovely assortment of greetings in that set, which is carrying over to the new catty. A small strip of retired DSP at the bottom of the panel was mounted onto a Soft Suede base, and I had to use retired ribbon too, as I really wanted a narrow piece and I had nothing current that was suitable. The greeting was topped with a So Saffron button threaded with linen thread and I lined the inside with the DSP and some more poppies.

Happy stamping!

Rachel