Beautiful Friendship Cards

I have two cards to share today using the Beautiful Friendship Stamp Set. I was inspired to make these cards from the Annual Catalogue.  I did alter them as I can never, even if I try,  make it exactly as shown. Too much time is spent figuring out what to do.  I mainly attracted to the colour combination of each card. 





The first combines Night of Navy and Pool Party with a splash of Whisper White and Pear Pizzazz. The second card used Petal Pink, Calypso Coral with Whisper White and Pear Pizzazz. 
 

New Wonders Birthday Card

Absolutely adore this stamp set.  I coloured it in with my blends. No fancy colouring needed, the highlights are done with the stamping.  I stamped the image out twice and  fussy cut out one, of the fairy and paper omitting the leaves and attached it back over the image for dimension. The background dsp is from the Bird Balad dsp pack. The Petal Pink Striped Organdy ribbon on the card is also a favourite of mine.  The large 'Happy Birthday' came from the Perennial Birthday stamp set and was silver embossed.

I did make  this card for a young relative and was so pleased with it, that I didn't hide it inside the envelope. She loved it too!

Free As A Bird - All Occasion Card

Here's another group of birds coloured using blends. I really like the main combination of  Crumb Cake, Calypso Coral, Petal Pink and Shimmery White. I used a stripe of the dsp from the suite and made a border using the Decorative Ribbon Border punch in Shimmery White. If I was to make this card again, I think I would make the dsp strip narrower, so that it was more noticeable behind the  Stitched Nested Shape. Of course, the Petal Pink Organdy Bow finished the card beautifully. No need for a sentiment.

Good Morning Magnolia - watercoloured with inks

Here's two magnolia's that I water coloured with inks.  The ink colour combination is the same, except I was very light handed with the Melon Mambo ink on the right.The leaves used Granny Apple Green.
First I stamped Versa Mark onto water colour paper. I used my Stamparatus to do this, so that I could stamp the image multiple times to make sure the ink got in all the crevices of the paper. I then sprinkled on silver and heat embossed it.
The inks were applied with an Aqua Painter and left to dry. I fussy cut each out without a white border. Very easy to do with the embossed edge.

Hope you like how I finished each card!

Free As A Bird Bundle and Suite

Today I have two cards to share from Stampin' Up! When I first got this bundle I found these designs by Stampin' Up! and couldn't wait to make it!  Sometimes it great to delve in and let some else do the creative work. Its probably the right opportunity to remind us that the new annual catalogue is filled with lots of inspiration and a great go to when that creativity is not bubbling up on the surface.

Free As A Bird - Two For One Card

Well when I get my dsp I do cut it up into smaller workable pieces.  So from my 12x12" paper, I cut it into half (6x12") and then into thirds, ending up with 6 smaller pieces measuring 6x4". Before cutting check the pattern/design on both sides for optimal use.
So that is what I did with my Bird Ballad Designer Paper, I found two  papers that went well together. Cut 1 3/4"strip from both and matched them back together with an insert of the Scalloped Lace Trim. Now I have a 'two for one' card.
I coloured the group of birds from the stamp set using colours from the paper with my Blends. If you are unsure what colours are in the paper, turn to the dsp section in the catalogue and all colours used in the papers are listed for you.

Two Cards - No Line Water Colouring with Good Morning Magnolia Stamp Set

I stamped off the large magnolia flower with Sienna Sand ink onto Shimmery White cardstock.  This makes for a lighter image that gets lost when colouring.  I did this twice so I would have two flowers to colour with my water colour pencils. Then I would sure to be happy with at least one to turn into a card.  As it turned out I was pleased with both and made two cards.

I used Rich Razzleberry and White pencils to colour the petals, Crushed Curry and Early Espresso for the centres of both flowers.  I did change up the colour combination on the leaves.  The top card used Granny Apple Green with Garden Green and the bottom card used Old Olive with Garden Green.

This gorgeous set does come with matching dies but I cut mine out as I did not want the white space around the edges. This was easy to do, as I don't mind fussy cutting. 

Changing the colour of the leaves then lead to two different cards when finished.  The top card using my favourite new In-Colour, Purple Posy while the bottom cards uses Sienna Sand card bases with co-ordinating dsp layers. I thought a little lace wouldn't go astray with both cards.  I added a 'thanks' from the Well Written die set for the bottom card but left the top card sentiment free, as I can add one later when the need arises.  I think it could make a birthday, thank-you, sympathy or even a wedding card.  It's good to have a versatile card on hand to use when needed.

Bonus Days

During July for every $90 (before postage and handling) spent on Stampin' Up! products you earn a $9 Bonus Days coupon code that can be used in August. There is no limit on the number of coupons which can be used. 

Everything is Rosie Product Medley - on sale from today!

Isn't this a gorgeous card.  You could make this and many other projects using product from the Everything is Rosie Medley!














The medley includes this exclusive stamp set,
as well as -

• a die set
• 6x6" Designer Series Paper Stack (24 Sheets)
• 6x6" Rose Gold foil paper (8 Sheets)
• Printed die cuts ( 2 sheets)
• Rose Gold die cuts (4 sheets; 2 each of 2 designs)
• Rose Gold adhesive backed mirror embellishments
• Melon Mambo Ruched Ribbon (10 yards)
• Night of Navy/Rose Gold Metallic Edged Ribbon (10 yards)
• Rose Gold Shimmer Paint

Hop over to my online shop for a better look at what's in the kit. Or check out my prevous Everything is Rosie post as it has a YouTube video attached.







Here's two more cards made from this medley.

Paper Pumpkin is coming!

Not sure what it is?
Well, it is a monthly paper crafting kit offered by Stampin' Up! Previously, it has only been released in the USA and parts of Canada. Now, this kit be available to customers and demonstrators in Australia from May 15 until sold out!
This is a special kit not only because it is the first for us but Shelli Gardner, Board Chair and founder of Stampin' Up! partnered with the Paper Pumpkin team to develop the kit.
The kit comes in a beautiful box. In the box there is an exclusive stamp set, a Classic Ink Stamp Spot, paper & crafting materials to make 12 cards with co-ordinating envelopes.  There are instructions to make 3 cards of 4 unique designs.  Keep it simple and make the 4 unique designs or extend the supplies to make alternate designs. This kit co-ordinates with  Bird Ballet Suite coming in the new upcoming annual catalogue.
Watch the following Youtube video from Shelli. Listen to why it is special for her and get a sneak peak of one of the cards and materials in this kit. Click to view.

Everthing is Rosy!

 Stampin' Up! is putting together a package or medley of exclusive, co-ordinating products to let your creativity bloom. There is so much in this medley - a stamp set, dies, dsp, foil sheets, ribbon, Rose Gold Shimmer Paint, mirror embellishments, stickers & sentiment tags. I hope I didn't leave anything out!  You do need to supply your own adhesives and inks.
View the following SU video for a better look - click here to view a video from SU on Youtube.

Love the colour combo of Night of Navy, Melon Mambo and that beautiful new Rose Gold foil.
Here are some of the projects featured -

2018-19 SU Annual Catalogue Retiring Lists

This time of the year is exciting because a new annual catalogue with heaps of wonderful new product is coming! But it is also a little sad saying goodbye to products that will be retiring.
Best to head over to my online shop and browse through the list to check all of the retiring products before you miss out, as they are available only while stocks lasts. Depending on inventory levels, discounts on select products may be introduced after May 9th.  I recommend getting in early to avoid disappointment. Click to browse in shop.

Another Birthday!

I made this card for a friend who is not only celebrating her birthday but her retirement as well!  When thinking about what I was going to do for this card, I reached for the Well Said Bundle and some dsp.  I chose one sheet from the Garden Impressions Designer Series Paper. It was bright and cheery just like my friend. The layout I borrowed from a card I made from a few posts back.  I did stamp the inside and used up some left over strips to decorate the inside too. Now all I need to do is put a gorgeous bouquet of flowers with my card!

Classic Garage Birthday Card

I usually struggle when it comes to masculine cards but today's card was made simple with the Classic Garage 6x6" Designer Series Paper.
The only stamping was with the birthday sentiment from Perennial Birthday stamp set and the background stamp from Timeless Textures stamp set. The motorcycle was fussy cut from one sheet of dsp and the decorative panel came from another sheet from the stack.

Adding Colour with a Chalk Marker

A handy card for any celebration. It would make a lovely engagement or wedding card.
The flower from Beautiful Day stamp set was stamped in Versa Mark and embossed with White Embossing powder onto a piece of Sahara Sands cardstock. The word stamp 'congratulations' came from the Well Said stamp set and embossed in white too.
I used the Stampin' Chalk Marker to colour in the flowers. If you don't have the marker you can mix a little water with Craft Ink and apply with a small paint brush.
I cut the Cardstock down to have a 1/8" border all round for a card base of Sahara Sand card. A little bit of ribbon finished the card off nicely.
An easy card to make!

New Storage from Stampin' Up!

Great news today! Stampin' Up! have come up with new storage system to showcase your new Stamp Pads, Ink Refills, Markers, Pencils and other accessories.  Best feature I think is that it is a modular system for you to configure and it organises everything neatly so you can position it within reach on your craft desk.
Like what you see! Hop over to my online shop or contact me for more info.

Muted Bloom by Bloom

On Monday I shared how you can get a different look and feel too, with using a different colour combo. I couldn't stop stamping so I have two more cards to share but this time I just used two colour inks, but achieved a third by using second generation stamping.  In other words, I stamped the Smoky Slate off to get a lighter shade. I used Smoky Slate with Petal Pink and Smoky Slate with Pool Party in the other card.
Again I used the framelits from the Well Said Bundle for the word dies.

A Different Look using Bloom by Bloom Stamp Set.

The colours used in the catalogue to show the Bloom by Bloom stamp set were bold and bright, so I decided to tone it down with using Smoky Slate, Pool Party and Petal Pink ink.  A very different look!
To complete the card I used the Well Said Bundle for the stamping and word die.

Decorating the Insides with DSP.

This is a follow up from my last post.  I don't like to waste my left overs or scraps of cardstock and dsp. I made the two cards on the left with one piece of 6x6" dsp from the Garden Impressions DSP.
Sometimes I use a strip of ribbon to decorate, but in the bottom card I used the strip of cardstock left after cutting up an A4 sheet of cardstock for two cardbases.
After completing the front of the cards and used the pieces of dsp to decorate or co-ordinate the inside of the cards. Here's what I did-

Quick Cards using Garden Impressions 6x6" DSP

This DSP is part of the Garden Impressions Suite from the annual catalogue.  This suite is a favourite of mine. Today's cards used only one sheet from that stack. This sheet caught my eye as I love the Night of Navy, So Saffron and Crushed Curry colour combo.
The sentiment and tiny dies on the navy card came from the Well Written Framelits Dies and the oval shape came from the Stitched Shapes Framelits. Unfortunately, the ribbon and bakers twine are no longer available but you can subsitute that with Daffodil Delight Double Stitched Ribbon and Navy Baker's Twine from the annual catalogue.
The sentiment from the yellow card came from the Happy Gorgeous stamp set.  This is one of my favourite stamp sets for birthday sentiments. The flag banner and thin strip came from the scrap pieces left when cutting up the layers for the dsp and card bases.

Dot to Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

I have 2 cards to share today which feature a dry embossed background.  This embossing folder comes from the Happiness Blooms Suite. I ran two So Saffron card bases through my machine and simply love the textured backgrounds.

The ink colour combination for this card was Mango Melody and Granny Apple Green. Yes, two colour inks only! The behind flowers used second generation stamping. Love how this can stretch your colours.
I stamped out a flower on a 'Post It Note', cut it out and used the sticky part to keep it in place. Then using second generation stamping I stamped the flowers. The result makes it appear that they are behind when in fact they were stamped after. The process was repeated with the leaves.  To give some extra texture, I stamped a smaller flower from the set and raised it with a dimensional. I also used the set of triangular dots for the flower centres (don't know the correct term but you get what I mean). Anyway it was stamped with Versa Mark and white embossed. I stamped 'happy Birthday' from the Perennial Birthday Stamp Set. Then I cut across with my trimmer under the birthday in a line, stopping to fussy cut around the flower.

Well this card evolved from putting a green ink smear towards the bottom left corner.  So I got out Stitched Shapes Framelits.  Cut the largest circle to cover it. I liked the 'happy birthday' from the previous card so I stamped that out and layered it under the circle. The large flower from the Bloom by Bloom stamp set was the obvious choice. This I raised with dimensionals.
What a quick card this turned out to be! 

Making Your Own DSP with Bloom by Bloom Stamp Set

I used to do this all the time - stamping my own dsp.  I pulled out some colour combinations and started stamping onto 6x4" Whisper White cardstock.
The first card used ink combination of Night of Navy, Granny Apple Green, and So Saffron.
The second card ink combination was Balmy Blue, Night of Navy and Highland Heather.

I cut the Whisper White cardstock down and raised it up on a frame of Night of Navy card. The 'thanks' was cut with a die from the Well Written Framelits Dies.
It was missing something so I added some White Baker's Twine. It was still missing something so I added some tiny pearls which had been coloured using my Night of Navy Blenders.

I cut the stamped piece down a little and framed it with Highland Heather card before adhering it to a Night of Navy Card. The strip of Night of Navy was a scrap piece which I embossed with White Embossing Powder using the 'for you' from the Well Said Stamp Set. The bow used some Highland Heather Organdy Ribbon which I earned free from Sale-A-Bration.

3. Brusho's and Beautiful Day Stamp Set.

 I was very guarded with the amount of Brusho's I used in the second card. I let loose with background of the first but still not overpowering.
I did dissolve some Gambage (orange) and yellow crystals in a painter's palette to add extra colour to the butterfly in the second card.
The sentiments come from Happy Gorgeous Stamp Set.

2. Brusho's and Beautiful Day

Yes I am quite pleased with how they turned out.
You can compare with the photo below.
The top card used only the flower. I didn't like the blue mess. I fussy cut around the flower.




I used the Subtles 6x6" DSPaper on both cards co-ordinating with the So Saffron and Pear Pizzazz card bases. The sentiment from the top card came from Enjoy Life Stamp set and the bottom used Varied Vases. A little piece of Pear Pizzazz trimmed the bottom card. The ribbon is no longer available but a strip of Pear Pizzazz cardstock would do the trick.

Brusho's

Brusho's have been around for quite awhile now.  If you don't know Stampin' Up! released a set of 5 colours.  They are water colour ink crystals which when mixed with water makes washes and designs.  There are 5 colours in the pack and they are Brilliant Red, Gambage (orange), Moss Green, Prussian Blue and Yellow. I have to confess I purchased these last year and they sat on my shelf. I decided to get them out and have ago after my daughter Hannah remarked, "How have you not used them yet!"

Hmm, well  Brusho's looked fun but you have little control over the final results (the crystals burst with colour when wet) and this is what stopped me I think.  Yes, you can make lots of unique backgrounds but you can do more too. So with caution I started. I think the best advice I can give

(if your a control freak) is to start with just a few specks whether you are adding to a wet or dry water colour paper or pallet. Of course, I didn't adhere to that advise strictly speaking with my first play after all you do need to see what the crystals can do!
After my initial play I became more conservative.
I stamped the flower and butterfly from the Beautiful Day stamped set with Versa Mark and embossed with white embossing powder. I then taped each down to a board ( to stop warping) and then spritzed the paper with water before tipping the crystals (Brusho's) onto the water colour paper.
Oh, the other best advice I forgot to say earlier was not to remove the lids but to pierce the lids with a drawing pin (to stop excessive crystals escaping - need only a few sprinkles). Store with the pin in the lid.
Well here's what I finished with. One I was very conservative with, the other not so. I didn't sprinkle madly, I did try to put , for example the yellow and orange inside the flower and green on the leaf.
I made 4 cards that I quite liked. Initially I thought some were going to end in the bin, but they survived! I shall share these with you over my coming posts.