Monday 7 March 2016

Sending Hugs

One of the reasons I love making and sending cards is that it lets people that I care about know that I'm thinking of them.

I needed to make a some Hugs-in-a-card recently. Come and see what I made...

I wanted a sympathy card that wasn't too traditional or morbid for a friend who had just lost her elderly father after a long illness.




I used a set called Sheltering Tree, which has seen a lot of use in autumn colours and spring flowers. This time I just wanted the bare tree, and added butterflies in coordinating blues.

At the same time, I had a friend going through a rough time. I lightened the card up a bit by using coordinating pinks, purples with a touch of blue.




Same card, but the colours made a big difference. Both friends loved their card - it reminded them that even though I can't do anything to help fix things, I'm thinking of them and sending hugs. And sometimes that is enough.


Monday 29 February 2016

Very Hungry Caterpillar!

My niece has just turned 3 and so I took the opportunity to do something I've wanted to try for a long time. I've seen the idea around in various forms, but wanted to do my own.

What do you think? He's not as fat as the after-the-picnic-feast caterpillar, but I hope he's still recognizable for a 3 year old!


Friday 26 February 2016

A tale of two cards

Today's card has a bit of a story involved with it.


I wanted to make a special birthday card for a talented carding lady. I am loving the Wildflower Fields designer paper at the moment and wanted to base the card around that. I kept it pretty simple, because the paper itself speaks for itself, so I just added a few flowers cut out with the Botanical Builder framelits. They needed to go over a circle to separate them a little from the background.




But then I began to wonder - is it too busy?? I ended up making another card, which was very similar but just "toned down" a little . Less is more! Now that I know it has been received, I can show it to you.

 

So what do you think? Do you agree that less is more, or really, is it "more is more"!? I still can't decide...  At least I know my friend loved her card, which is all it takes to make me happy!

Wednesday 24 February 2016

Male Birthday

So many people say that making cards for the men in their lives is tough. I struggle sometimes too - mostly when I'm in a girly mood and just want soft flowers! But my Build-Your-Card-Stash class has to be able to provide for our menfolk too, so come and see what I came up with:


I wanted to use the new suite Going Global. It covers love really well - no mush! It also covers friendship and Father's day and travel. I just added a simple sentiment from a different set, and there's a perfectly non-frilly yet still interesting male birthday card! Hooray.

I'd love to show you how to make this over coffee and a muffin - do let me know you can come to my class on Thursday March 3rd at 9am!










Monday 22 February 2016

First Card for the Build-Your-Stash Card Class

Good morning Monday!

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend, whatever you were doing. I got the jobs done quickly so I could spend some time making cards.

This card is CASEd (Copy And Share Everything) from the amazing designers at Stampin'Up! I just changed it up a little. I used the new extra thick white cardstock as the card base and added some Botanical Gardens designer paper from the current Occasions catalogue. It's part of the same suite as the flowers from the "Hawaiian" card I showed you on Friday but has a completely different feel - cooler and less tropical.


The Just for You stamp set is free if you spend $90. It's little flowers and leaf sprigs go so well with the paper - and the matchiness of it makes my heart happy. Yes matchiness is a word - I just used it! I added some sequins and some black and white bakers twine to finish it off.  

We'll be making this as one of the build-you-stash cards on Thursday 3rd March. I'd love to see you, so let me know you're coming and I'll prepare your supplies.

Getting a decent photo of sequins is tough, particularly in afternoon sunlight. Here's another attempt:



Friday 19 February 2016

Card Class Coming and another birthday card!

I don't know about you, but I seem to have a huge number of birthdays in January and February! Christmas is well behind us and now we've settled into the new year, isn't it time to get your birthday cards sorted? Who knows, if your "clump" of birthdays comes later, you can be organised ahead of time!

I haven't decided on exact designs yet, but we'll make a mix of male and female, kid's and adult's cards. I've had a request for Thursday classes recently, and I'm hoping that this works for everyone. I can repeat the class (maybe on a Monday?) if that is needed. Let me know what you'd like.

Thursday 3rd March, 9am at my place
Cost will be $20 for everything you will need. 
We'll make a bunch of birthday cards to top up your stash. 
Please RSVP so I can prepare your supplies, or contact me if you need more details.


And now for the pretty picture...


This card was inspired by a Hawaiian shirt day at MOTH's work recently. You can get inspiration ANYWHERE!! Very simple, using the framelit die set called Botanical Builders. It's part of a suite that includes a stamp set, designer paper washi tape and jewel embellishments - I'll be showing you some more later. It really is almost too easy to make spectacular cards with this set. And that makes me happy.

Friday 12 February 2016

Inspiration strikes

Today I want to share my excitement at finding inspiration out of the blue. My youngest came home from school with an invitation to a friend's party. How normal. But.. there was a lovely image on the invitation that saw me grab the invitation from him and disappear into my crafting space!

Here's the invitation




And here's what I made. 



I would never have thought to combine these elements without the inspiration picture, it's a bit outside of my "usual". But I'm so glad that Violet sent the invitation!!

I had some "help" while trying to finish the card - I think he sensed that I was not paying enough attention to him! 



Where do you find your inspiration for crafting?



Wednesday 10 February 2016

Sale-a-Bration!

It's Sale-a-Bration time folks! 




Basically, that just means you get extra free products. For every $90 you spend, you can choose any of the products in the SAB brochure for free! Wow. 

So what can you choose? There's designer paper, stamp sets and embellishments as well as Project Life card kits and accessory kits! These are available until the end of March. There are special benefits for hostesses during Sale-a-Bration with extra rewards just for having fun with your friends.



If your wishlist is too long, now is the best time to sign up. You get a really amazing deal and can choose your own starter kit. You can drop at any time with no penalty, but I think you'll find that the events and rewards, ongoing discounts on products, combined with an amazing community of supportive and creative people will keep you hooked!! Contact me for more information - no pressure, I'm happy to answer all your questions!

Here's the link to the online brochure, showing you everything you can choose:http://su-media.s3.amazonaws.com/…/20151005_SAB16_Core_eng-…




And here are some links to videos showcasing some of these gorgeous products:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11XUnDO96GM 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1m-fEjzu40 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4LXgYV3lc8

Monday 8 February 2016

Still Global

So what else can you do with this wonderful Going Global suite? Although it seems at first glance to be "for the boys" it really can be for anyone special in you life. Male Valentine's cards or friendship cards? Come and see...



For this card I embossed vellum and layered it over some designer paper - love that subtle look! The paper comes from a stack called Going Places. I didn't want to take attention away from the vellum, so a simple sentiment with some banners and I'm done!


This second card has bling, but not so very much that you couldn't give it to a man if you wanted. Of course, this will suit our girlfriends too :) Again I'm very much letting the backgrounds carry the day - more designer paper from the same stack, a couple of stamps and it's done. Quick and simple.

I hope you liked my cards today - maybe you feel inspired to try some "gender neutral" cards yourself?

Friday 5 February 2016

Valentine's card

Oh my goodness, it's February already! How did that happen?! That means that Valentine's day is just around the corner. Do you celebrate? I know many feel it's just a commercial beat up, but we celebrate it in our house, because it's an anniversary - we got engaged on Valentine's day. (Isn't he clever, making sure he'd never forget the date?!)

Anyway, just because it's a day of love, there's no need to get all pink and floral on poor MOTH (man of the house). Have a look at what I came up with...


I've used a new "suite" from the Occasions catalogue called Going Places. I absolutely love the embossing folder - there are heaps of ideas for it zinging around in my head. I'm sure you'll see a lot more of it here! The stamp set is Going Global with some very versatile images and sentiments - not just for boys, although it solves the "I can't make masculine cards" drama beautifully!


Such a simple card - embossed background, a strip of designer paper and a couple of stamps. And no flowers in sight!! I like the way the red heart shows up so well in the black and white.





Monday 1 February 2016

Yesterday was my sister's birthday, so now I can show you the card I made her. I'll show you her present soon.

I kept it very neutral, wanting the focus on the gorgeous texture and shape.



The punch I used to make the flower is called the Festive Flower builder punch. It was in the Christmas catalogue, which finished early January, but I can tell you that it was loved so much that it will be back in the new annual catalogue coming in June - hooray! You get 3 different sized petals as well as the little cross/stamen thingie for the centre. The textured embossing folder Softly Falling is also coming back in June. Love it.

Here's a close up of the flower - I couldn't resist adding some Wink of Stella to the centre for a subtle shimmer.


I would love to show you how to make this card - contact me for class times or to get your own copy of the catalogues.

Friday 29 January 2016

More Balloons

Happy Friday everyone!

I want to show you another card made with the Balloon Celebration stamp set - it is just so versatile.


I had so much fun making this; just pick some colours you like, and stamp away. It's too easy! I cut the the Happy is plain black cardstock and I added glitter with the new (to Stampin'Up!) Wink of Stella glitter brush. I love it. The photo doesn't do justice to the wonderful glitteriness (yes, it's a word!!) of it. You can buy the Wink of Stella in clear or gold and they are both delicious, and very easy to use. No wearing glitter all over you.

I was so pleased with this card that I made another, this time more of a male version.


I checked with my menfolk and was allowed the glittery "happy". Two very quick nearly one-layer cards, one happy stamper here. 

Wednesday 27 January 2016

Sale-a-Bration!

So, what is Sale-a-Bration, you ask. It's the best time of the stampin year, that's what!

Until the 31st of March, you can get FREE products for every $90 you spend. Wow. This includes designer paper, stamp sets, embellishments and Project Life kits. You can order from the annual catalogue and/or the new Occasions catalogue. Now is absolutely the time to stock up on anything you've had your eye on! Think about hosting a party to make the most of the special Sale-a-Bration deal of $40 extra hostess rewards for qualifying parties.



The new Occasions catalogue and the Sale-a-Bration brochure are online here. Or, if you'd like your own copy, contact me.


Monday 25 January 2016

Balloons!

Well hello! It's a new year and there's a new catalogue to play with, which always makes me happy. 

The Occasions catalogue runs until the 31st May, together with the Annual catalogue and is full of gorgeous new products for birthdays, Valentine's day, Easter, Mother's day and more.

There are even more products than in these two catalogues, and you can get them for free! But more about Sale-a-Bration next time. 



This card uses a new stamp set called Balloon Celebration, which comes with a coordinating punch (Balloon Bouquet) for the balloons. Making life easier is always a good thing!

If you'd like to receive a copy of the new catalogue and the Sale-a-Bration brochure, just let me know.