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?

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

Bookmarks!

I've had requests on the home front for bookmarks for textbooks (MOTH), multiple on-the-go-at-once books (Mr 10) and to make reading less boring (Mr 7) and though I did provide some, it was a while ago and the requests continue. What pushed me into an intensive bookmark-making session was a recent "incident" at school - I was helping out in grade 2 when someone dog-eared the page of a library book *gasp*! I thought that if every child had their own "special" bookmark, it might save the teacher more palpitations :) 

I used a variety of designer paper, shaped with the scalloped tag-topper punch and adhered to card stock for strength. Then it was just a matter of a quick decoration (punched out flowers, stamped monsters etc) and a piece of ribbon or twine. I left the card stock side blank, for names. I really hope these do the trick. 

Now my family are very familiar with the scallop tag topper punch - it did all the Christmas tags, as well as many birthday tags, card closures etc. Something a little different was required! 

I've seen this style of bookmark online, and realised that it would be a great match with some very cool designer paper I have.

Mr 10 likes using a brick wall to mark his place ... And Mr 7 has admitted that this monster is cool, although the jury is out on whether reading will be less "boring"!

All of these bookmarks were so quick and easy to make - just some card stock, a punch, left over scraps of designer paper and some imagination.