Clean and simple with Sale-a-bration

A very clean and simple design today as I think this Sale-a-bration set lends itself so well to it. I've created a Good Luck card but you could simply swap out the sentiment and match to another diddy image to create similar cards for any occasion (pretty much as I did when I made the boxed set here).

Recipe

Stamp set: So Happy For You

Cardstock: Whisper White

Ink: Wild Wasabi

Punch: 3/4" Circle

The card blank is an A6 landscape of Whisper White and I used my Paper Cutter and Bone Folder to score two lines around an inch apart. Using Wild Wasabi ink I stamped the sentiment direct to card between the lines. The lucky clover was stamped three times onto scraps of Whisper White card and punched with the 3/4" Circle before being popped up on dimensionals on the card front. And done!

Clean and simple as I said.

More samples using the Sale-a-bration sets coming up over the next few days. Email me to place your order and get your free set before the offer ends.

Sara xx

Ruffled ribbon with no stitching

Hope that you're having a relaxing Saturday. My downline Jan and I were planning on getting together this afternoon to enjoy a bit of a craft and catch up, but we've got snow and it's not showing any signs of stopping, so we may have to rethink.

We have a regional training day coming up in a few weeks time (with a preview of the Mini catty coming out in April - can't wait to see!) and its another chance to do card swaps with our friends - but we need some swaps ready to exchange, lol. Hopefully we'll get a few made today, whether it's crafting together or separately.

In the meantime, while Sale-a-bration is still running and you have a few more weeks to get hold of these fabulous sets for free, I thought I'd share a few more ideas for using them.

For today's colour combo I started with the idea that I wanted to use the Striped Ribbon in Pumpkin Pie, then I used the fabulous Colour Coach to suggest the Real Red and Pacific Point combo with it. The Coach is a great tool for kickstarting your mojo when you need it ;-)

Recipe

Stamp set: Punch Bunch

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Pacific Point, Real Red, Whisper White

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Pacific Point, Real Red

DSP: Sweet and Sour Specialty

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, 1-1/4" Circle

Striped Grosgrain Ribbon: Pumpkin Pie

Other: Flower Brads (Brights)

The base card is an A6 landscape of Pumpkin Pie. For the card front I cut a piece of the DSP into three and adhered it first to a layer of Whisper White and then Pacific Point card. The ribbon is about two and half times the length of the card and was frayed at one end to find a central horizontal thread. By pulling this thread you can gather the ribbon without the need for stitching. The ruffled ribbon was adhered to the front of the card and secured behind the layers with Sticky Strip. Holes were pierced above and below the Sticky Strip and Flower Brads pushed through, gathering the ribbon before opening the brad legs on the reverse of the layers to secure. These layers were popped up on dimensionals on the card base. Markers were used direct to stamp for the flower image, stamped onto Whisper White card and punched with the 1-1/4" Circle. This was adhered direct to a 1-3/8" Circle of Pacific Point card then popped up on dimensionals onto a Scallop Circle of Real Red card before adding to the card front with more dimensionals.

If you want to get your free Sale-a-bration sets before they're gone or you'd like to know how to join me in getting a sneak preview of the mini catty then please email me.

Have a great weekend and keep safe and warm.

Sara xx

Technique class results for kissing and emerging colour

I promised to share the cards we made last weekend at the technique class and here they are.

Everyone at the class gets their own technique book with a little explanation page of how to recreate the look and space for an example of the technique on the opposite page.

We then put the technique into practice to create full cards and we also stamp card to be able to make co-ordinating 6" x 6" scrapbook pages.

First of all we had a go at kissing (of the stamping kind of course):

And then we had a go at emerging colour:

Want the full recipes? Then please email me to sign up for the next class or you can book a workshop and I'll demonstrate one of these techniques to you and your guests ;-)

Thanks for stopping by.

Sara xxx

Clever hubby strikes again with valentine

Hope you had a good day yesterday. I had a lovely valentines day from first thing in the morning when he gave me his handcrafted card to the great meal and movie in, in the evening.

To tell the truth I'm getting a little worried by the competition in our household. He designed and made this all on his own - though he did say he liked it better when I was in the next room to shout questions to, (like the best way to stick the letters on). Phew! I'm not redundant ... yet.

I did check with him how he made it, so that I can share it with you here.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Bella Toile, Fine Flourish

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark

Punch: Full Heart

Other: Clear EP, White EP

Non-SU: Die-cut letters

The card blank is an A6 portrait of Cherry Cobbler. Bella Toile was stamped onto Baja Breeze card with Versamark and heat embossed with Clear EP. This layer was adhered direct to the card front. The hearts were punched from Cherry Cobbler card then stamped with the Fine Flourish using Versamark and heat embossed with Clear EP. Using Versamark ink and White EP, he heat embossed the die cut letters to give them a gloss, then adhered them direct to the hearts (with Tombow - my suggestion heehee), which were popped up on dimensionals.

He did decorate the inside too (using the Baroque Border wheel) but his personal messages are inside too, so I'm not sharing a photo ;-)

I'm such a proud wifey.

Sara xxx

Casing crumpled flowers

Hope you're having a great weekend. A quick post today because instead of crafting, I'm trying to tidy my craft room (also known as a dining room on a few occasions of the year, lol). It is such a mess at the moment. I've had a few days of preparing both a class and a demo to a Mom & Toddler ... and DH has been in there making my Valentine card. Enough excuses? Right I'll get back to it.

I'll share a few of the projects that made such a mess over the next few days, but in the meantime, today's card is one that I've cased from the US SU! newsletter. I'm afraid I can't find the name of the person who made the original. If you know, then please direct me to them and I'll add a link.

I loved the colour pop of the original and I just decided to distress my version a little further in keeping with the distressed flowers.

Recipe

Stamp set: Because I Care (sentiment)

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Peach Parfait, Pretty in Pink, Pear Pizzazz

Ink: Peach Parfait, Cajun Craze

DSP: Newprint

Punches: Scallop Border, Scallop Circle, Boho Blossoms

Other: Gold Brads, Linen Thread

The card blank is an A6 landscape of Crumb Cake. The sentiment was stamped in the lower right corner in Cajun Craze ink. A panel of Newsprint DSP was punched along the bottom with the Scallop Border and then distressed on the other three edges with the distressing tool on the Cutter Kit. The scallops were curled around a bone folder and all edges were swiped across the Peach Parfait inkpad. A Scallop Border was punched from a strip of So Saffron card, the scallops curled as before and the strip adhered behind the Newsprint. The flowers are a Scallop Circle and the largest of the Boho Blossoms layered together. Each flower was first sprayed with a Shimmer Paint spritz (Champagne Gold Shimmer Paint and rubbing alcohol mixed together), crumpled in the hand while wet and then the petals unfolded again and shaped to the width and height wanted and left to dry. Once dry they were secured to the Newsprint with Gold Brads and the layers were adhered direct to the card front. To finish, linen thread was tied twice round the card front and tied in a bow.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Sara xxx

Crop and class reminder - 11am - 4pm tomorrow

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow is Crop 'n' Class day. Crop is 11am - 4pm, drop in whenever you like. Class is 1.30pm-3.30pm.

More details here. Don't forget that if you bring a new member to either, then you both get a mini goodie pack each.

Hope to see you tomorrow.

Sara xxx

Simple and quick valentine gift - as easy as 3-2-1

If you're running a bit late for Valentine's day then this little project may be just what you need. Very quick, no stamping and just enough room for perhaps a single chocolate or a few chocolate hearts. And you only need a few supplies:

• 3 punches
• 2 colours of cardstock
• 1 ribbon

Recipe

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake

Punches: Petal Card, 1" Circle, Small Heart

3mm Taffeta Ribbon: Real Red

Punch two of the Petal Cards from Cherry Cobbler card (or Real Red). The Petal Card punch both punches the shape and scores the folds for you. On each four Petal Card shapes, fold in two of the petals next to each other, this will form your heart shape. Score and fold a piece of 6cm x 2cm matching colour card at 3cm and adhere to the outside of the folded petals. Punch/pierce a small hole in the centre of each end of the strip forming the "V" of the basket, thread with the Real Red ribbon and knot on the inside. That's your basket made.

Punch the small heart from a scrap of Crumb Cake card, centre this within the 1" Circle and punch again. Pop up the punched heart on the front of the basket using dimensionals cut in half. Done!

This pic gives a better idea of the size:

Have a great weekend.

Sara xxx

Valentine card for my DH - ssh, don't tell him ...

Don't worry, DH has been warned away from my blog for a week or so anyway, so there's not much danger of him seeing this beforehand, lol.

I made this card to match the little door hanger gift that I made for him here.

Recipe

Stamp set: Love You Much

Textured Cardstock: Real Red

Plain Cardstock: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake

Ink: Versamark

Markers: Early Espresso

Punches: Scallop Edge, Heart to Heart, 3/4" Circle

3mm Taffeta Ribbon: Real Red

Other: Gold EP

The card blank is an A6 landscape of textured Real Red card. A panel of Crumb Cake was stamped with the Love You Much sentiment in the centre using Versamark and heat embossed with Gold EP. The letters were coloured in with an Early Espresso marker. Using the 3/4" Circle punch the centre of the "O" was punched out. The Heart to Heart punch was used to the right of the sentiment and then the panel flipped over and punched again to get the mirror image punch (take care not to punch too close to your sentiment). The panel was positioned over the base card (without adhering at this stage) and the placement of the aperture pencilled through to the textures card. The aperture was punched out with the 3/4" Circle, poistioning it as far up the card as the punch will allow. A border of Early Espresso card was punched with the Scallop Edge and adhered behind the top of the main panel. A thin strip of Early Espresso card was adhered behind the bottom of the panel. 3mm Real Red Ribbon was tied around the top border. The panel was popped up on dimensionals on the front of the card with the apertures lined up.

Here's a close up of the aperture:

And then on the inside you see the full picture:

Recipe (Inside)

Stamp set: Love You Much, I {Heart} Hearts, Seasonal Wishes (sentiment, retired)

Plain Cardstock: Very Vanilla

Ink: Real Red

Markers: Early Espresso, Real Red, Crumb Cake

Other: Blender Pen

For the inside the aperture was again marked in pencil onto the Very Vanilla card layer and then the Stamp-a-ma-jig was used to position the birds in the right place. Early Espresso and Real Red markers were used direct to stamp and then the birds were coloured in using a blender pen and Crumb Cake ink. The hearts and the sentiment were stamped in Real Red ink.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sara xxx

Card Candy mini bloghop

Welcome to our Card Candy mini bloghop.

After our Stampin' Up! convention last November, our little crafting family agreed that we loved the card candy that we'd seen so much, that we should have our own mini swap 'n' hop. Well here it is. There's only three of us on the hop but hopefully what we miss in numbers, we'll make up for in inspiration.

If you've joined me from Joanne, then thanks for stopping by. Wasn't her set just so cute? I adore the little dresser, it looks so real. If you're starting here then don't worry you'll make your way round to Joanne and then back to here and you'll know that you've finished.

Now the set that I chose for the candy isn't very popular from just seeing it in the catalogue. You need to see what can be made from it to understand the potential. I think it's a great year round set, ideal for fella's cards and for anyone interested in nature and ecology. Here's the full candy bag:

And the individual pieces, with just a few brief details (email me if you need to know more - or want to order). The stamp sets for all, are Nature's Nest and Occasional Greetings:

Recipe

Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze

Ink: Versamark, Not Quite Navy

Punches: Modern Label, Word Window

Other: Gold EP, Basic Pearls

The shell was stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with Gold EP.

Recipe

Cardstock: Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive, Versamark, Tempting Turquoise, Frost White Shimmer Paint

Punches: Scallop Trim Corner, Scallop Trim Border, 2" x 1-3/8" Oval

Other: Black EP, Basic Rhinestones

Shimmer Paint was mixed with separately with Old Olive and Tempting Turquoise and painted underneath the feather. The feather was then stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with Black EP. A rhinestone was added to the "eye".

Recipe

Cardstock: Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink: Black Stazon, Perfect Plum, Baja Breeze

Punches: 1-1/4" Circle, 1" Circle, 3/4" Circle, Word Window

Other: Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds

The lilypad leaves had a little "v" snipped out of each and then veins added using a bone folder. They were joined together on the reverse with the Word Window shape. A blender pen was used to add pale shades of Perfect Plum and Baja Breeze to the dragonfly wings. Crystal Effects were added to the wings which were then sprinkled lightly with Dazzling Diamonds and left to dry.

Recipe

Cardstock: Early Espresso, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Ink: Early Espresso, Black Stazon

Markers: Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Old Olive

Punches: Scallop Trim Border, Corner Rounder

3mm Taffeta Ribbon: Early Espresso

The image was stamped with Black Stazon and coloured in. The sentiment was added at angles using the Stamp-a-ma-jig.

Recipe

Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, More Mustard, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive, Black Stazon, Not Quite Navy

Markers: Old Olive, More Mustard, White gel pen

Punches: Spiral Border

Other: Crystal Effects

The tortoise was stamped in Old Olive onto Certainly Celery card and cut out. The eye was coloured with the white gel pen. Using Black Stazon the tortoise was stamped again onto Whisper White card, the shell coloured with markers, cut out and Crystal Effects added over the top before popping up on dimensionals.

Now I'll pass you on to Jan (click here), who's been busy with some beautiful floral creations.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Sara xxx

A replay of the December technique challenge

Hope that you're having a good weekend. I had a miserable day yesterday and just couldn't bring myself to blog - sorry!

I found out that I failed my last exam :(

It rather got me down, especially as this was the only one that I'd come away from thinking "well that was almost OK". But I've picked myself up again. I went along to my downline Jan's crop for an hour or so this morning (mine's next Saturday if you can make it) and the crafting therapy helped. I'll retake the exam again in June and I'll study the syllabus and the past exam questions a bit more thoroughly this time (I'd revised the material well last time so I guess I must have presented it in the wrong way somehow).

Anyhoo, enough of my griping, here's the final challenge over at In Love With Stamping this month:

Your choice of any of the past challenges - so pick your favourite

I opted for the December technique challenge of no layers. Not so much my favourite challenge at the time but I was really inspired by my team-mates samples and so this is something of a CASE.

Recipe

Stamp set: Just Believe

Cardstock: Concord Crush

Ink: Versamark, Versamarker

Other: White EP, Silver EP, Basic Pearls

The card blank is an A6 portrait of Concord Crush. The front was dusted with an embossing buddy and then the main image stamped with Versamark. Using a makeshift "spoon" of scrap card I sprinkled Silver EP over the flower heads and then White EP over the rest of the image and heat embossed. The sentiment was stamped in Versamark and then heat embossed with White EP. Using the Versamarker I ruled lines around the main image and heat embossed again with White EP. Small pearls were added to the centres of the flowers to finish.

Please stop by tomorrow when Joanne (my upline), Jan (downline) and I will be having a mini bloghop to showcase some card candy that we recently swapped.

Sara xx