My birthday was on Sunday and I received some really lovely cards. Who would have thought!
I want to share a very special one that I got from my Mother-In-Law. Lyn makes beautiful cards and I always look forward to catching up with her and seeing what she has created lately. Well, here is the beautiful card that I got from Mum for my birthday...
And the inside...
Don't you just love the Cottage Garden stamp set matching Cottage Wall DSP from the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue?
- Click HERE to see more gorgeous products in the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue, only available until the end of August.
I have wanted to enter a Just Add Ink challenge for a while. I have done a few of the challenges, however I usually do them after-the-fact! Well, this morning I was really inspired by the sketch challenge that was posted today...
... and I had an hour or so to craft, so I took the opportunity to finally enter a JAI challenge. In fact, I created two cards!
Here is the first card...
Stamps: Upsy Daisy (115898). Card/Paper: Glossy White (106555), Rich Razzleberry (119981), Kiwi Kiss (116204), Whisper White (106549). Ink: VersaMark (102283), Rich Razzleberry (115658). Accessories: White Stampin' Emboss Powder (109132), Rich Razzleberry Ink Refill (115664), Kiwi Kiss Ink Refill (111842), Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144), Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (109070). Tools: Heat Tool (106586), Scallop Oval Punch (114889), Large Oval Punch (107305), 1/16" Circle Handheld Punch (101227), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430). Non-SU!: Cotton Balls, Isopropyl Alcohol. Techniques: Poished Stone Technique, Emboss-Resist Technique.
I have been playing with ink refill techniques over the last few months and this is a technique called Polished Stone - neat aye! This is one of the re-inker techniques that will be taught at the 3-cards in 3-hours Workshop on 31 July. I love this colour combination and I am going to really miss Kiwi Kiss when it retires at the end of August.
- Click HERE to find out more about the 3-cards in 3-hours Workshop.
I was just cleaning up my craft desk after making the card above, when another idea floated into my mind. I saw a card on a display board a couple of weeks ago that was a simple design, but really effective. I think it was a swap from this year's Australia/New Zealand Stampin' Up! convention. Unfortunately, I don't know the person who made the card that inspired this one...
Stamps: Asian Artistry (Autumn-Winter Mini Level 2 Hostess). Card/Paper: Whisper White (106549). Ink: Barely Banana (101170), Basic Black (101179).
Yes, this is a one-dimensional card - there are no layers and no embellishments! Just stamps! Very different from the cards I usually make, but I love the effect. To create the background, I stamped the Barely Banana stamp pad directly onto the Whisper White card!
Well, I hope you are inspired by these cards as much as the sketch inspired me.
Yesterday was my daughter's birthday - she turned seven. Miss-Nine made a card for her sister last week, which is really gorgeous, so I wanted to show it off here...
Stamps: Crazy For Cupcakes (115780), Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel (111254). Card/Paper: Lovely Lilac (106564), Pixie Pink (108596), Whisper White (106549). Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908). Accessories: Close To Cocoa Stampin' Write Marker (100072), Lovely Lilac Stampin' Write Marker (100056), Pixie Pink Stampin' Write Marker (105112), Real Red Stampin' Write Marker (100052). Tools: Scallop Oval Punch (114889), Large Oval Punch (107305), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).
My girls love using the Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set to make birthday cards - it is the first stamp set they reach for! Other than cutting out the cupcake icing, Miss-Nine made this card by herself, with only a little bit of advice from her mother.
Now I did make a card for my daughter's birthday, but I am not going to post it here just yet as it has a great technique on it that a want to show in a workshop. So keep watching this space...
What are Artist Trading Cards?
Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) are miniature works of art that are traded between artists. Only 2.5" x 3.5", these little canvases are original works of art on cardstock, watercolour paper or board and can be about anything and made with any media, materials, or techniques. They can be produced as one-of-a-kind originals, in limited editions, or in a series based on a particular theme or subject. It’s all up to the individual artist.
The rules for ATCs are:
- they must measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches (64 X 89 mm),
- they are traded for other cards, not sold, and
- the back should have your name, contact information, date, title of work and a number if it is a part of a series.
For more information about ATCs, check out these websites that I found really helpful: Art Junction and Ellen Hutson's "the CLASSroom".
I have only recently become aware and involved in ATCs. This month I made my first ATC and was involved in an ATC swap between six Stampin' Up! Demonstrators, where the theme of the swap was "Japanese". So here is my Japanese ATC swap card...
Stamps: Asian Artistry (Autumn-Winter Mini Level 2 Hostess), Circle Circus (114375). Card/Paper: Basic Black (106561), Whisper White (106549), Pink Flamingo DSP (113976). Ink: VersaMark (102283). Accessories: Real Red Re-Inker (103287), Kiwi Kiss Re-Inker (111842), Black Stampin' Emboss Powder (109133), White Stampin' Emboss Powder (109132), Linen Thread (104199). Tools: 1-1/4" Square Punch (104400), 1" Circle Punch (109046), 3/4" Circle Punch (107217), 1/16" Handheld Punch (101227), Heat Tool (106586), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).
I found this theme really difficult and it really stretched me out of my comfort-zone, which is good! So, to find inspiration for my swap, I wandered around the internet, and what I found was a lot of gorgeous photographs of Cherry Blossom trees, Japan's national flower. The blossom stamp from the Asian Artistry stamp set came to mind and I hoped to capture the essense of these beautiful flowers. On the back of my ATC I wrote, "Inspired by Japanese Cherry Blossoms".
Here is some more information about my ATC:
- The background stamped images are black embossed on Whisper White cardstock and matted onto Basic Black.
- The flower blossoms are white embossed on Whisper White cardstock, saturated with water, then dyed using Real Red and Kiwi Kiss re-inkers.
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The "beads" on the right are made from Real Red patterned paper from the Pink Flamingo DSP pack, then threaded and knotted onto Linen Thread. I got this idea from a lovely card I saw on Bronwyn Eastley's website. There is also a great tutorial there on how to make paper beads.
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The Japanese character was laser printed onto Whisper White cardstock, dyed the same way as the blossoms, then punched out. The kanji character is Sakura, which means "Cherry Blosssom".
Here are the lovely Japanese ATC swaps that I received...
At the June workshops we used the Kissing Technique for a really easy and creative way of stamping beautiful and inticate images. My lovely husband offered to do a demo...
Anyhow, here are some cards that are stamped using the Kissing Technique:
Stamps: Medallion (117175), Baroque Motifs (116340), Lovely Labels (116390). Card/Paper: Chocolate Chip (108599), Whisper White (106549). Ink: Almost Amethyst (108621), Certainly Celery (105217), Pretty In Pink (101301), Chocolate Chip (100908), VersaMark (102283). Accessories: Chocolate Chip Marker (100071), Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder (109130). Tools: Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Heat Tool (106586), 1-3/8" Circle Punch (104401), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).
Like I said, the Kissing Technique is really easy. You will need two stamps, one with bold solid image and the other with a detailed image, and two ink colours.
For these cards I used the Medallion stamp for the solid image and the scroll image from Baroque Motifs stamp set for the detailed image. I inked the Medallion stamp with the lightest ink colour (Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery or Pretty In Pink), and inked the scroll with the darker colour (Chocolate Chip).
To "kiss" your stamps, stamp the detailed stamp onto the solid stamp. If you have done that successfully, you will see the detailed image transfered into the solid image. You then stamp the solid stamp onto your cardstock (huff on it beforehand if it has dried out). Note, the detailed stamp is not stamped onto the cardstock.
So for these cards I kissed the Medallion stamp and scroll together. Since the Medallion stamp is so large, I found the easiest way to do this is to lay it on the table face up and stamp the scroll onto it. I then stamped the Medallion stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.
To finish the card, I added a bit of Chocolate Chip spritzing, using the Color Spritzer Tool, and an embossed sentiment.
I made these cards to give to everyone who has (and will) place an order during the month of June. Enjoy!
- Click HERE to contact me to place an order this month and receive one of these cards for yourself! One of the Deals of the Week? The Medallion stamp?
- Click HERE to check out the card we created at the June Workshops using the Kissing Technique.
This month is the one-year anniversary of my In-Home Workshops - the June 2009 workshops were my first card classes. To mark the occasion, Jessica (who attended my first-ever workshop) gave me this cute mini scrapbook last week.
This scrapbook measures 3" x 2" and contains little memorabilia and quotes that, when I look through it, always bring a smile to my face.
I will share what some of the little messages and creations inside the scrapbook are...
- The second picture down on the left is a tribute to the card we made at the first workshop. It is Tempting Turquoise cardstock, Sprinkles stamp set, the faux-silk effect and faux-stitching (click HERE to see a photo of the card we made). The faux-silk effect is when you stamp tissue paper, screw it up so it is lovely and crushed, then glue it onto cardstock. On the double layout it has "Sometimes you have to screw it up!", this was because, once you spend time stamping, the last thing you want to do is "screw it up" and the ladies who came to that workshop had a hard time crushing the tissue paper to create the silk-effect.
- The second picture down on the right says, "Glitter goes with everything", including faces, tops, my table, floor...
- The third picture down on the left says, "Its not a mistake... its a reason to embellish" - something I say quite regularly!
- The fourth picture down on the left says, "It's the HANDMADE look" - another thing I say quite regularly!
I have been really priviledged to meet some lovely ladies during this last year. You are all a great bunch! And, thanks so much Jess for the thoughtful gift.
Jessica also emailed me some photos of some lovely creations she has been making lately.
- Click HERE to see Jessica's creations.
I really love using the Two-Step Bird punch from the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue. However, recently I have seen it used for more than a bird! Below is a photo of two cards that use the bird wing to create a tulip. The tall card on the right is a gorgeous swap that I received from my friend Bev. I was so inspired by it, I created the easel card on the left - keeping the tulip and embossed diamond matting and changing up the colours and style.
For my card - Stamps: Vintage Vogue (wood: 119191), Cottage Garden (wood: 119163), Scribble This (116406). Card/Paper: Rich Razzleberry (119981), Kiwi Kiss (116204), Whisper White (106549). Ink: Rich Razzleberry (115658), Kiwi Kiss (111835). Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (102023), Linen Thread (104199), Whisper White buttons from Button Latte (114333), Kiwi Kiss button from Button Bouquet (112092). Tools: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder (117335), Sizzix Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (113439), Mini Glue Dots (103683), 2-Way Glue Pen (100425), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Sponge Daubers (102892).
Keep an eye out for this design on the project in the July Workshop...
- Click HERE to contact me to order the Two-Step Extra-Large Bird Punch.
- Click HERE to see what else is in the new Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue.
Meet the Extra-Large Two-Step Bird punch from the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue...
You will notice first off that the style of the punch is quite different from Stampin' Up!'s standard black design. Starting with the 2010 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue and continuing with all new punch designs going forward, Stampin' Up! has adopted a new body style for punches. While the black-bodied punches are great, Stampin' Up!'s committment to providing the very best crafting tools means that even if something works very well, if they see a chance to improve it, they will work to made it even better.
- Click HERE to read more about this, including a feature list that shows why this new punch body improves on the old.
We used this punch in the May workshops to create these lovely Fresh Cut Notes cards...
Click HERE for a full listing of what was used to create these cards.
Here is another card that I made using the Two-Step Bird punch and the Top Note die...
Stamps: Vintage Vogue (wood: 119191). Card/Paper: Pink Pirouette (116203), Basic Gray (111859), Basic Gray DSP from Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper (Level 1 Hostess). Ink: Pink Pirouette (111838), Basic Gray (109120). Accessories: Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109025), Silver Brad (104336). Tools: Top Note Bigz Die (113463), Sizzix Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (113439), Sponge Daubers (102892), Stampin' Dimensionals (107730).
- Click HERE to contact me to order the Two-Step Extra-Large Bird Punch.
- Click HERE to see what else is in the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue.
There have been a couple of babies born lately and some still on the way. I decided to make a couple of "Welcome Baby" cards to have on hand for when the need arises. I saw these cute baby onesie cards by Lauren Meader and had to recreate them.
Stamps: Sprinkles (116418), Punches Three (Level 1 Hostess). Card/Paper: Pink Pirouette (116203), Bashful Blue (106565), Whisper White (106549). Ink: Pink Pirouette (111838), Pretty In Pink (101301), Bashful Blue (105209), Brocade Blue (101102), VersaMark (102283). Accessories: White uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen (105021), Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder (109130), Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (102023), Whisper White buttons from Button Latte (114333). Tools: 1-3/8" Circle Punch (104401), Scallop Circle Punch (109043), 1/16" Circle Handheld Punch (101227), Heat Tool (106586), Mini Glue Dots (103683), 2-Way Glue Pen (100425), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).
One for a boy and one for a girl! Aren't they so cute.
It is my Mum's birthday on Thursday and this is the card that I created for her.
Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral (115796), Upsy Daisy (115898). Card/Paper: Soft Suede (119982), Whisper White (106549). Ink: Soft Suede (115657), VersaMark (102283). Accessories: White Stampin' Emboss Powder (109132), Real Red Re-Inker (103287), Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109025). Tools: Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Folder (114517), Little Leaves Sizzlits Die (114511), Sizzix Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (113439), Heat Tool (106586), Aqua Painter (103954), Sticky Strip (104294), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).
There is actually quite a lot going on on this card, so without further ado...
- I used the lovely big rose stamp out of the Fifth Avenue Floral set, which matches the Manhattan Flower embossing folder - how handy is that! I stamped it on Soft Suede cardstock, masking as I went so that all the card was covered in flowers but they didn't overlap.
- Like I said, I used the Manhattan Flower embossing folder to emboss the Whisper White cardstock, then trimmed it with gathered Whisper White ribbon.
- Using VersaMark and white embossing powder, I stamped and embossed the same rose image, water coloured it and cut it out. This was adhered to the front of the card on dimensionals with some leaves I die-cut using the Little Leaves Sizzlits Die.
- I finished the card by embossing "Birthday Celebrations" in white from the Upsy Daisy stamp set.
I think Mum will like it. Just hope she doesn't see it here first!
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