Everyday Occasions CTC131

This week at CASEing The Catty we are having our first look at the NEW Stampin' Up!® Annual Catalogue. I've had mine since early April when I attended Onstage in Perth. It is looking quite dog-eared from numerous browsing sessions!!! Getting access to the catalogue and new products early is definitely one of the advantages of going to these events that Stampin' Up!® holds for us, but another important benefit is the demonstrator training which takes place. We bring this information home, and share it with our teams, but there is nothing better than attending Onstage. If you think you'd like to be a part of this, talk to me or your own demonstrator because you may be surprised how easy it is.

I do my best to make every member of the team feel appreciated, and one of those ways is to welcome them to the team with a special card. This is one I made for Jacqui recently, after she took the plunge to join my team. I CASEd the card on the lower left of page 18, which used a medalion from Eastern Palace. For me, the inspiration was seeing glimpses of new In-color peeping through, and so I looked around my craft room and settled on the Window Box framelit as being the closest.

We had actually just finished a Window Box class, and I decided that using circles of new cardstock, cut with Stitched Circles Framelits would be quite interesting.

They were layered inside each other using some of last year's In Colors along with the very latest ones. Even that is quite effective on it's own, but more subtle with the Window Box cut out over the top.

Some of my favourite catalogue items are the Stitched Shape Thinlets, and the Jar of Love stamp and framelit set. Sadly, one of my flower dies from that set has disappeared, but I live in hope it will turn up soon. Fortunately I still have this smallest one and stamped a lot of blossoms before die cutting them.

I thought you might like to see how I pop them onto the mini glue dots. It saves me losing them and having to start again! "Thanks for joining us' is from a stamp set called All Things Thanks, and it is probably meant for after-wedding thank you cards, but seemed perfect for joining a team.

 

As well as including new colours, I also wanted to use some of the new Color Theory designer series paper stack. This piece has a 'crackle-finish' and a long time ago, I was very keen on painting things with a crackle-finish. My husband made a plate rack from timber, which I painted up in crackle finish. It is a fascinating process to watch. You can see a strip at the top and bottom of the card front, and again, at the bottom in the inside.

It seemed a nice idea to use the Stitched Shape Circle framelits for the inside too, and then adding a few sprigs of leaves and flowers. This sentiment is from a stamp set called Workshop Words Too, which I think was a prize patrol gift at my first ever Stampin' Up!® event. Yes, you walk away with a couple of stamp sets after Onstage Live too. The next Onstage function is November 11th, and some of my team and I are attending the Melbourne Victoria event. Tickets go on sale on August 15th, so if you'd like to come along, you might want to think about joining before then. If you are already part of my team, keep it in mind, as you will have a lot of fun!

 Time to head to lovely Liz Gross in Queensland

Happy crafting!

 Rachel

 A very quick Easter Saturday post to share the gift I made for my room mate on the recent trip to Perth for Stampin' Up! Onstage. It was fairly easy, using the Window Box Thinlits and the Window Shopping stamp set. Until May 31st, they are available to buy as a bundle at 10% off from the Occasions Catalogue. After May 31st, they'll still be available but there is no discount.

As I said, its fairly easy. You begin by cutting two of the largest piece for the box. You will need one for the top half and another for the bottom. This makes a difference when you cut the designs into the sides, as the heart in the centre of this one needs to be cut correctly and the same applies to the birthday candles.

To emphasise the pretty pattern, small squares of Peekaboo Peach have been placed inside the box, but it can look just as sweet with the see-through effect. It's such a handy feature that the ink colours, card, ribbon and other embellishments all match in the Stampin' Up!® range. Matching is never hit and miss!!

This box is a good size for edible treats, but I placed a Body Shop small body butter in here and it is a perfect size for those gifts also. Even though it is too late for Easter gifts there is still time for Mothers Day and you'll be really early for Christmas!

I have a class this Friday (21/04) evening at 7pm or Saturday (22/04) at 2pm, if you're able to come to South Morang, Vic to join us.A couple of my regulars have found themselves with holidays and reunions happening at the same time, so we have gaps at the table and product already cut. We're also making a bag with the Gift Bag Punch board, and a couple of tags to match your gift box & bag. Call or email, for your spot. rpalmieri5@bigpond.com 0417 500 681, I'd love to meet you and help solve your crafting problems.

Cheers, Rachel

These are some more variations of the boxes.

All About Bugs and Beetles AWH Blog Hop

I'm excited to bring you a blog hop with some of the awesome ladies in the Art With Heart Stampin' Up!® Team. Today we focus on the kids in our lives, from birthday cards to party ideas.

SALE-A-Bration continues and this week we have three new additional items you can earn for free with a $90 order - ask me how!

Thank goodness my days of throwing kids parties are over. After raising 5 boys, I never want to return to that time again. It was far too hectic and crazy! I do like making cards and gifts for my six grandchildren, 5 of whom are....you guessed it - boys!!!!

I have enjoyed a bit of crafty fun last weekend, putting together a cute fancy fold card - Peekaboo Flap Fold. Stamp & Scrap With Frenchie provided a video and measurements, and I have just changed them slightly, to suit the way we make cards in Australia. This one wasn't particularly difficult and adds a nice touch of interest. 

I decided to use Beetles and Bugs to make a card and bug box. My little boys have a great interest in insects, so it was a must-have on my Occasions Catalogue wish list. It's a photopolymer stamp set on page 38, and the sample hasn't worried one bit about realism, anything goes it seems. I went with Garden Green and a retired DSP to begin with and featured a big green beetle. I used the hexagon from the Build It Framelits to cut the opening in the flap in the card, and the piece that the beetle is stamped on so that they fit together perfectly. There is a slightly larger brown hexagon for it to sit on, which I hand cut by allowing a border all around the die cut piece.The 'nine' has been diecut four times in Pear Pizzaz and glued with Tombow before being stacked. It is attached to the card so that it can also hold it closed.

 

Initially, there was a trail of ants to add interest, but overnight I had a brainwave! I had a retired stamp set, The Great Outdoors, which I've kept as it features camping, and some family are keen on that, so it's handy to hang on to. I knew there was a larger ant in that set, and thought that would look great under a magnifying glass.

 I cut three black rings using two circle framelits together, and used the icypole stick from Cool Treats as a handle. Two circles fitted on top of each other on the front, for depth and the handle, then a window sheet circle. Finally, to finish the magnifying glass off neatly, a black ring is glued to the back. When I use Tombow liquid glue on a tiny project like this, I leave it until it turns clear, and it is less messy. One of my team, Carmela, shared this tip with our team, and I use it often.

Some more insects have been stamped and coloured inside the card, along with a sentiment from Cool Treats.

The boxes are very easy using Window Box Thinlet Dies. It is made from two main pieces, and this one is very simply decorated. Every alternate panel has 'air holes' punched and the plain panels have a large beetle stamped in black. The white hexagon on the lid is another die cut with Build It Framelit Dies and for the Garden Green, I cut another 'box lid' segment and then cut it smaller using a mark on the trimmer as a guide. I was very pleased with how perfectly it turned out. You don't have to have these in graduated sizes after all!!!

Again, the Tombow glue allowed to set a little, is the way I chose to put my box together. All the folds are made with the framelit, and folded and scored with a bone folder prior to constructing. The stamping and other main decorations are also completed before adhering the little box together.

I bought the plastic bugs and beetles at a local chain store, and was able to fit 20 into the box without too much trouble. The other rather delightful thing with these boxes is how nicely the lid tucks in and stays put. If you'd love to make a Beetles & Bugs gift set, you'll find them 24/7 in my online shop under Occasions. The Window Box Thinlet Dies are paired with Window Shopping stamp set (page 43) for 10% discount for the life of this catalogue, or if you can manage with just one of the set, of course they can be purchased separately. Bugs & Beetles stamps is on page 38, at less than $30 it's a must-have if you make cards for kids.

I do hope you're enjoying this blog hop. Now it's time to hop along to see what Tina Gillespie has shared. She's so clever, it's bound to be great!

If you find a broken link or have come to this blog hop from a different entry point, you can view the participants below:

1. Rachel Palmieri
2. Tina Gillespie
3. Ros Davidson
4. Rebecca Jacovou
5. Claire Daly
6. Catherine Proctor
7. Alisha Watson
8. Kim Dallinger
9. Kate Morgan
10. Rachel Woollard
11. Monika O'Neill

12. Tania Johnson

Happy crafting

Cheers, Rachel