Dancing On

A dear friend wanted a card made and began telling me a story about a loved daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. She loved music and dancing, and my friend wanted to know whether I could make something with Beautiful You.

As she spoke I envisioned this card and could hardly wait to take up ink and stamps to see if it would come together, as I imagined. The dancing girl was stamped first and then masked before I randomly inked up Sheet Music and stamped diagonally across.

 Once the images had dried I set to work with Stampin' Blends in shades of blue, beige and grey. It seemed to meet my friend's expectations, and I really think these commission pieces are much easier to work on when you hear a little about the person.

It inspired me to continue on and make my spare image into a card there and then (instead of cooking dinner!) and you can see that one here.

Dance FMS#322

Beautiful You was on my desk after I had finished making a card for a customer order. I usually stamp two of the image anyway, and thought it suited this card sketch at Freshly Made Sketches. Often a sketch is just what you need to start the creative juices flowing.

 There is a lot you can do with a sketch like this, with its wide border. No dimensions are stipulated, so that pretty much gives you the freedom to change it around any way you like. It's great that Quilt Top TIEF carried over at the end of the holiday catalogue, I wish the whole Quilted Christmas suite did. Blends were used to colour the dancing girl and Bermuda Bay and Basic Gray seemed like a natural colour scheme.

 After masking the girl, Sheet Music background stamp was randomly inked and stamped off, to give a hint of music behind the dancing girl. They seem to fit together like a hand into a glove!

Another sentiment from Beautiful You, to finish up this card. Check out the other entries at Freshly Made Sketches, you're bound to be inspired.

Enjoy your day!

New Catalogue Day!

Great News!!! It is September 1st and so it's time to order your new stamps for Christmas crafting. Those of you who have passed me your orders, I will be submitting them later today. I've already had a play with a handy little selection of festive stamps because demonstrators get to order a month ahead of the catalogue release. One of the little perks of being a Stampin' Up!® demonstrator, along with the 20% discount on your purchases. Contact me if you'd like to know more about becoming a Stampin' Up!® demonstrator.

  

Musical Season is on page 25 of the new Holiday catalogue. You can buy the red rubber stamps in clear mount (you mount them on acrylic blocks purchased seperately) or wood mount (provided with the stamps). You can also bundle with the Framelit dies and save 10% overall. The dies co-ordinate with four of the stamps, and an additional two dies can be cut without stamping, a horn and a musical note. If I was a musician, I'd no doubt be able to name that note!!!

 I've played around with these stamps quite a lot, and asked my friends for suggestions and this is the result of an idea my friend Tina shared with me. Originally the drummer boy was stamped onto the base but it looks heaps better with the squares to ground him.

Inspiration for my cards came from the catalogue but I tried to put my own spin on it.  I stamped the drummer boy in black ink and poured clear embossing powder over before heat setting. Bermuda Bay was washed over the background, and the piece was cut with a Stitched Framelit square, and a larger square was laid behind. It is a simple design, and quite easy to put together. Clean and layered (like this) is my preferred style.

For this card I've attempted a collaged look, which is a bit outside my comfort-zone. In the Annual catalogue is a large background stamp called Sheet Music which has been part-stamped over the background. This time I used a larger sentiment from Every Good Wish, and some splatters from that set too. I love the ornate pattern on the instrument, which I suspected to be a Balalaika, but might possibly be a mandolin too. I've done a Google search, but there doesn't seem to be anything exactly the same. Don't forget to leave a comment if you know.

Later I went back and added some more stamping with another stamp from Musical Seasons. Do you think 

• should have left it as it was
• it is better with the mistletoe

This week in the mail I received a photo box, to help with my photography. I'm not too sure that it is helping too much yet, but we'll wait and see.....

If you prefer to make your own order, you can visit my online shop any time of the night or day, and don't forget to check out the Clearance Rack for any specials that might help your crafting.

If the orders reach $450 this month, I will draw a prize winner for this fab Christmas stamp.

Other option, gather orders from friends, work colleagues, family and add onto your wish list to total $450 retail before shipping. This is known as a virtual party, and you will be gifted the stamps plus $45 bonus to spend on more product.

Or, call me 0417 500 681, and we will hold an actual party with your friends.

ERBPDTEM