Goodbye 2013

Well I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas full of joy and fun and spending time with those you love! I was totally spoilt on the day being invited to spend Christmas with a good friend and her family and of course we spent much of the time talking about cards and stamps and new catalogues  - as you do!!
And here we are, its New Year's Eve already!! Doesn't time fly!! Time to look back briefly over the year that was and look forward to a new year of opportunities. (Including the new Occasions Catalogue!!)
In the meantime, here is a card made with current ( but NOT new!) items while we wait for the fun and fireworks to begin :-)

I was looking for a feminine and teenage-ish feel for this card and did CASE a card by Chrisine Gaydos and you can see her work here. I kept the basic layout and the use of both Six Sided Sampler and the Beautiful Wings Dies but I did change quite a bit too - added layers, bling, the colour scheme and changed the greeting and added the banner and how the butterfly die was used …

The card base is Whisper White and the Raspberry Ripple card layer is embossed with the Hexagons EF. The silver Glimmer card stock banner is added on top of a Doilly and the Hexagons are stamped with images from the Six Sided Sampler stamp set in both Raspberry Ripple and Coastal Cabana.

The greeting is also from this set and the stamp actually says "hello sweet friend" so I used a Post it Note over the bottom of the stamp to cover the two unwanted words and then cut these out with the Bitty Banner Framelits. The coastal cabana "Holey" Hexagon is easy to make - first punch a 3/4" circle then centre the hole in the Hexagon punch and Voila :-). Dimensionals help it to stand out too and allow the banner to be slipped through the punched hole.

The butterflies are all cut using the Beautiful Butterflies Die in Silver Glimmer and Raspberry Ripple card and blinged up with some Basic Rhinestones. 

Card Stock: Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple, Coastal Cabana

Specialty: Silver Glimmer and Doilly's

Ink: Raspberry Ripple, Coastal Cabana

Stamps: Six Sided Sampler

Accessories: Big Shot, Hexagon EF, Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Bitty Banner Framelits, 3/4' Circle Punch, Hexagon Punch, Basic Rhinestones, White Bakers Twine

Of course the year wouldn't be complete without the dogs having a last day's play so we popped in to see Monty at his house today and they had a little play and cuddle together.

(for those wondering, they do  stay "G" rated - if Monty tries anything more he is on the ground by his ears in about 3-5 seconds! ) 

Happy stamping until next year!

Jan

Christmas Card Gift Boxes

Last week I shared with you some boxes I made to hold 4 or more cards and envelopes. You can read more about that here. Today I have some cards to go inside the boxes. These are for a couple of teenage girls so wanted to keep the colours bright and more clean or grunge rather than vintage for this project. I do hope they like them. Of course, a Westfield voucher tucked inside too will go down well am sure, but we are looking at the cards!

Some cards - such as the shoe from Fabulous You and the Rev Up the Fun cards aren't new so I won't give details on them today. You can see more of the male cards here.

This card and the next are Cases of cards found on page three of the current SU Idea Book and Catalogue . I have added some Dimensionals and different embellishments but its otherwise pretty close to the original. I like the fresh look of these.

The Calypso coral frame is cut using the Square Framelits and then layered onto the Whisper White card stamped with Dictionary. The greeting from the Hello Lovely set is stamped onto a piece of Strawberry Slush Card and the arrow onto white and then added with dimensionals too.

And the Polka dot Butterfly is simply plain Calypso coral card punched with the Elegant Butterfly punch and the dots added with the Signo Gel pen. A Simply pressed Clay button is under the White Bakers Twine

Card stock: Calypso Coral, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White

Ink: Calypso Coral, Signo Gel Pen

Stamps: Dictionary, Hello Lovely

Accessories: Big Shot, Square Framelits, Elegant Butterfly punch, White Bakers Twine, Hung Up Cute  Clips

And very similar here just a change of colours, greeting and accessories.

Card Stock: Coastal Cabana, Pool Party, Whisper White

Ink: Calypso Coral, White Signo Gel Pen

Stamps: Dictionary, Hello Lovely

Accessories: Big Shot, Square Framelits, elegant Butterfly punch, White Bakers Twine, hung up Cute Clips

This one is inspired by Dr Who as I seem to remember one of the girls is a fan. Note the embossing folder is loads of clocks!(Thanks so much Katerina for letting me borrow this!)  Whilst not a SU EF, it is certainly a good one!!

The Phone Box is initially inked in Pacific Point and then I simply used a Midnight Muse Marker directly on the stamp to emphasise the outlines before stamping. Its then cut out with the Circle Framelits to fit in with all the clocks.

Card stock: Pacific Point, Smokey Slate, Whisper White

Ink: Pacific Point, Midnight Muse ( Marker), Smoky Slate

Stamps: Feeling Sentimental (Saleabration 2013), Itty Bitty Banners, Gorgeous Grunge

Accessories: Big Shot, Circle Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Corner Rounder punch, Miscellaneous Clocks EF, Hung Up Cute Clips.

Well, I had better go and take the dogs for a walk as it's going to be a hot one - 40 degrees Celsius today. If you have time, do come back later to see what else was part of the Collection for the boxes:-)

Happy stamping until net time.

Jan

Summer Birthday and JAI #195

These last couple of weeks I have been focused on finsihing Christmas cards and have missed being able to take part in many card Challenges! But they are all done now - all 57 of them, phew! So now it's time for a card inspired by the Colour Challenge this week at Just Add Ink.

My first challenge was that I don't actually have any Soft Sky or Blushing Bride in ink or card stock - so I have used Pool Party instead of the Sky :-) 

And here too is a first look at some of the upcoming Salebration free items!!

The card base is Whisper White, the next layer of white is stamped with Positively Chevron in Calypso Coral ink and then partially covered with the same colour card using the Decorative Dots EF. This is then added with some dimensionals to the Pool Party layer.

The greeting is from the fun Saleabration set See Ya Later and is cut out and layered using the Oval Framelits. The butterflies are from the familiar Papillon Potpourri set and the button is made from Simply Pressed Clay using the button molds filled with Dazzling Diamonds.

Card Stock: Whisper White, Calypso Coral So Safron, Pool Party

Ink: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, So Safron

Stamps: See Ya Later *, Papillon Potpourri, Positively Chevron

Accessories: Big Shot, Oval Framelits, Decorative Dots EF*, Elegant and Bitty Butterfly punches, Basic Rhinestones, Simply Pressed Clay, Bakers Twine

* Saleabration item

So fabulous to have all the Christmas cards done in time for posting (via the Post office ) and look forward to sharing in some more challenges soon.

Happy stamping until next time,

Jan 

12 Days to Christmas!

With only 12 days to go it is of course the busiest time of the year for most people but especially the card makers! When I finally went through my list it came to nearly 60 cards!! So it has been a busy month and now am finally winding down as am nearly there and have a few other Christmas projects to share soon too. Its also time to think about Wish Lists of stamping "needs" - yes we all "want" certain things but when they become "needs" you know its something serious LOL! Saleabration starts January 28 and the thought of some lovely freebies to compliment purchases is always exciting!

But for now, its back to Christmas cards :-)

The design here  is the same as the card box and card set you can see here and I decided to just experiment with a few different colour schemes. This was the first though not my favourite :-)

Card stock: Smoky Slate, Bermuda Bay

Designer Series Paper: Winter Frost Specialty

Ink: Versamark

Stamps: Joyful Christmas

Accessories: Big Shot, Expressions Thinlits (Merry), Silver Embossing Powder, Frosted Finishes Embellishment

This next card is one of my favourites and I've since made quite a few of them - glad now that I splashed out earlier on the Frosted Finishes!!

Poinsettias are such classic Christmas symbols and this time is silver embossed onto Whisper White card stock. The banner is again using the Winter Frost DSP - am getting so much use out of my one pack its wonderful!! The Expression thinlits are used again for the Merry - so all in all there is very little  stamping involved, just the poinsettia! I have had a sneak peek of the coming Occasions Catalog that has some banner framelits so soon there will be no more uneven banner layers:-)

Card Stock: Pool Party, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Winter Frost Specialty

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Big Shot, Petals a Plenty EF, Expressions Thinlits, Silver EP, Frosted finishes Embellishments

Sally has been visiting her friend Monty regularly this week and they always love a play. Here is a common sequence of events….

Monty on his back, begging for attention and Sally pretending to ignore him - just teasing him until he gives a little bark as well :-)

Get ready Monty…she's coming to get you!

A reminder to be careful what you wish for!

But he obviously loves it, look at that tongue hanging out :-)

And a little kiss as they really do love each other :-)

Happy stamping until next time,

Jan

Christmas is Coming!

It has been too long since I shared what I and others have been creating lately! Just over a week ago I had a couple of friends over for the last Stamp & Chat night for the year and we had a wonderful and busy time!
There were three main projects:
   - A box to hold 4 or more cards and envelopes
   - A box to hold 3-6 tea light candles ( depending on height of candle)
   - Decorate a pillar and some tea light candles

This photo of Katerina's shows the card box well - the inside has a green box attached to the back panel of the "book" and the cards sit inside it. It is made using a free tutorial by Jill Hillard. The front panel we decorated quite differently than the tutorial but we used the basic construction recipe! The decoration was a joint effort - nothing quite like putting more than one creative head together! I suggested the white and gold Poinsettia and dear Katerina took it from there! I love the Polka Dot banner and the lovely crisp Merry

In this version I used a Velcro dot to secure the box closed but in hindsight I wouldn't do that again as makes it a little difficult to open. There are 4 moderately decorated cards with envelopes and plastic pockets inside. I made a matching card and decorated a gift bag as well for a good friend who is yet to be a card maker.

On the card the pearls are embossed with gold EP. It is easy to do - simply adhere pearls lightly to a piece of card. This makes them easier to handle. Push the upturned pearls into the Versamark ink and cover with Gold EP and heat as usual. 

Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Be Of Good Cheer ( Retired )

Inks: Versamark

Stamp: Joyous Christmas

Accessories: Big Shot, Expressions thinlits (Merry), Gold Embossing Powder, Basic Pearls

Next we made a little box by Becky Roberts it is contained in one of her tutorials for purchase  - 12 Days of Christmas 2010.  Whilst we made the box together,  out of respect for Becky,  I didn't share a copy of this tutorial.

The top of the box has a Window Sheet making it a See Through box! Here also are some of the Tea Light candles decorated to fill it. Normal sized teas will fit 6 in 2 layers or 3 Longer burning candles. I find Hallmark tissue the best to stamp on as it easily absorbed into the candle on heating. And don't forget to punch a hole for the candle wick :-)

Card stock: Cherry Cobbler

Designer Series Paper: be of Good Cheer

Stamps:Joyful Christmas (retired)

Accessories:Old Olive ribbon, Antique brad, Tissue paper, sticky strip

And the award for the best pillar candle….goes to K as well!

Again, keeping to the theme of the night it features the Joyous Celebrations stamp.

Wow! what a busy night that was! So many projects completed though makes for some great Christmas ideas. 

Well, happy stamping until next time,

Jan

Shopping Around

The cool change came through just after 6pm - the temperature dropped from 36  to 27 in about 10 minutes! Such a lovely cool breeze!! We left for the park and the dogs had a good play together.

I needed a card for a relative in NZ and it seemed time to play with the Shop Around wheel again. I looked at CASE - ing the card in the Catalogue and changed  colours and added embellishments - ok I changed quite a bit :-)

The Card base is Pool Party card with the Shop Around Jumbo Wheel stamped onto Smoky Slate card and layered onto Basic Grey which has scallops cut using the Adorning Accents Framelits.

The frame is Basic Grey ink and card layered over a pop of Calypso coral. Pool Party ribbon and a rose made from Simply Pressed Clay and coloured with a marker to add the finishing touches. 

There is also some Dazzling diamonds glitter on the rose - used in the moulds at the time of pressing in the Clay.

Dimensionals are used to raise the frame and the also the whole Basic Grey layer.

Card stock: Pool Party, Basic Grey, Smoky Slate, Calypso Coral

Ink: Smoky Slate, Basic Grey, Calypso Coral

Stamps: Shop Around Jumbo Wheel, Chalk Talk

Accessories: Big Shot, Adorning Accents and Chalk Talk Framelits, 13/8" circle Punch, Pool Party Ribbon, Simply Pressed Clay, Dazzling Diamonds

This second card is a further variation and I think I prefer it for the intended recipient who will be 91 years young (and unlikely to be looking here!)

So something a little lighter and brighter! The card base is Smoky slate and the Shop Around is this time rolled onto Pool Party card stock which is layered on Coastal Cabana.

The Calypso coral tag is topped with some Ribbon trim ( it has some elastic in it but is still able to be tied ) and a little monarch butterfly from the lovely Papillon Potpourri set and topped with some basic pearls.

The frame is again stamped in Basic Grey, but this time is stamped onto Smoky Slate card. The Frame and greeting are from the Chalk Talk set.

Card stock: Smoky Slate, Coastal Cabana,  Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Whisper White

Ink: Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Basic Grey

Stamps: Shop Around Jumbo Wheel, Chalk Talk, Papillon Potpourri

Accessories: Big Shot, Adorning Accents and Chalk Talk Framelits, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Calypso Coral Ribbon Trim, Basic pearls, 

Tomorrow I hope to share some Christmas projects we made at last weeks' Stamp and chat night.

Happy stamping until next time,

Jan

Rev Up for the Males

It is such a beautiful and warm day today - currently its 34 degrees Celsius but its expected to get to 36 and it probably will. So its an "inside with air con" day for us after an early trot to the Park for a walk :-)

Today's card is a CASE of a card I saw on line a couple of months ago and stamped some of  the images at the time but was waiting for my whiite Gel pen….and so today was a great time to have a quick break from Christmas cards and projects and put it together! I can't find the original picture but I have changed a few bits and pieces from what I can remember. If you find the original please let me know as I'd love to give credit to the person that inspired me!

The front of the card is made using the "Chalk board" technique - white embossed onto black card stock and if you don't use the Embossing Buddy and some stray bits of EP float onto the black card thats absolutely fine, just adds to the look! The chevron punched images only just fit :-) And the gum ball green arrow is hand cut and stamped in Black Stazon ink.
The White frame is hand drawn - ok, with a ruler! Using the White Gel Pen.
And the background is the gorgeous Positively Chevron stamped in Smoky Slate ink

Card stock: Smoky slate, Basic Black, Gumball Green, Whisper White

Inks: Versamark, Smoky slate, Black Stazon

Stamps: Rev Up the Fun, Positively Chevron

Accessories: White EP,White Gel Pen, Chevron Border Punch.

This card has "teenager" written all over it don't you think? It is destined to go inside one of the Christmas gifts I will share with you later - a set of 6 cards packaged to impress :-)

In the meantime, I need a card for an Uncle who prefers cars to motorbikes….and so went to my stack of previously stamped images for inspiration.

For those of you wondering, I don't own this stamp and it has recently returned home with its rightful owner :-) I discovered I didn't have any tyres stamped so decided to improvise using the Gorgeous Grunge set. The smoky slate lines provide a "road' instead. 

The greeting is embossed with White embossing powder onto Pacific point card stock and cut with the Wide Oval punch. The arrow is from the Hello Lovely set and is stamped in Black Stazon and cut out with scissors. The greeting, Car and Arrow are all added with dimensionals.

Card stock: Smoky Slate, Basic Black, Whisper White, Pacific Point

Ink: Pacific Point, Smoky Slate, Coastal Cabana, Black Stazon, Versamark

Stamps: Rev Up the Fun, Gorgeous Grunge, Hello Lovely

Access: White EP, Wide Oval Punch

Happy stamping until next time,

Jan