Aaaawww thanks!

This is the final card that I sent to Louisa, my Secret Sister from Stampin_Up_In_Oz. I made it using the cracked glass technique. Whilst it was fun to do, I am not sure that I'll do it too often, I had a few burnt fingers by the end of it. LOL!




Card:Orchid Opulence (retired), Green Galore(retired) , Whisper White, Pixie Pink (retired)
Ink: Orchid Opulence(retired), Green Galore (retired), Pink Passion (retired), Summer Sun (retired), Only Orange (retired)
Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle
Tools: Big Shot, Polka Dot embossing folder
Stamp sets: Best Yet (retired), Echoes of Kindness (retired), All A Flutter

Hmmm... it looks like I must have been using up retiring stock when I made that one!

On another note, I found that I have been awarded another blog award from Andrea! Thanks for the compliment.


I now have to award this to five more blogs, so here goes in no particular order.


Nikki
Fiona
Leonie
Kerri
Linda


Now you too can go and enjoy some more of these ladies work, if you don't already know of them. Be inspired!


Till next time, happy stamping...

So simple!

Yes I am here actually showing you some of my own artwork! I finally found the craft desk today and boy did I have lots of half started projects. I buckled down (it was hard...not) and finished a heap of cards. As a result of my creative completion my desk was obtainable! I could see it again. I felt so good. I got the camera out and realised that I had so much more to take photo's of than I realised! Anyway that job is now done... and I am unveiling this simple one first!


This card was cut using the Big Shot and Movers and Shapers. I love these! Firstly it cuts the card and scores it for you - I mean really could we ask for more than that? And then I put a piece of DSP over the card front and as I hadn't moved the 'Shaper' it cut it exactly as the card, so I was able to just place my DSP right on top, without having to worry about lining it up etc. So easy!

I held the card shut as I stamped my image! Yes I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to get it perfect and then just tied a bow and adhered it to the front. I don't think my picture taking does it any justice as it looks quite stunning in person.

Card: Pink Pirouette
DSP: Kaleidoscope (retired)
Ribbon: Rose Red 1" Double Stitched Grosgrain
Tools: Big Shot, Holiday Windows Movers and Shapers
Stamp Set: Best Yet (hostess set)

Till next time, happy stamping...

Stuck on Asian Artistry

I am having a little run on Asian Artistry at the moment. Can you tell? I was truly inspired by all the lovely creations at convention. To be honest it hadn't really jumped out at me as a set I had to have!


I think I have now shown you all of the stamps in the Asian Artistry stamp set. Yep, every single one of them. That's how fantastic this hostess set is!


I've used a lot of the same materials to make both of these cards, so I'll list all their ingredients together.

Card: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pacific Point.
DSP: Good Morning Sunshine
Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pacific Point (via blender)
Punches: Wide Oval, Designer Label, Eyelet Border
Tools: Crimper
Stamp Set: Asian Artistry (hostess set)

Don't forget to keep checking out my other website for deals of the week - starting each Wednesday in June.

Till next time, happy stamping...

OSW - Part 3

Okay well here is Part 3 of my take on Linda Craven's OSW. These cards all started with three 4cm x 6.5cm rectangles. I found it particularly hard to make a portrait card with these cuts.



So this pink card was actually the last card that I made. It was supposed to be the one that was in the portrait pose, but somehow it ended up landscape. It was very bland so I decided to add the blinged up butterfly. These pictures don't do this card any justice at all. It is quite noice!

Now in case you weren't aware you can still get this butterfly punch! Yep, Stampin' Up!® has some excess stock available.

The card below was not what I expected, but I am happy with it. I used Andrea Lowcocks tutorial on pleating ribbon to help me with this one. I was pretty happy with how easy it was to do, once you know how. Thanks Andrea!

I just love the last card. I don't know why! I think it just came together so effortlessly. And doesn't that always makes you like a card? LOL.

So that is three sets done. Which means I have shown you 1/3 of the cards that I am to make using this OSW. Are you bored of these cards as yet? I know I'd like to see a couple of different colours for a few days. LOL. I have decided to have a break with my next post. Yep, I am going off schedule to show you something else! Keep your eyes peeled.

Card: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip

DSP: Bella Rose

Ribbon: Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain, Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain

Punches: Spiral, Butterfly, Designer Label, Scallop Edge, Scallop Oval, Large Oval

Embellishments: Pretties Kit, Chunky Glitter, Flower Fusion Too, Hodgepodge Hardware

Stamp Sets: Priceless, Best Yet, Occasional Greetings, Oval All (retired)

Till next time, happy stamping...

OSW - Part 2

Here we go with the second group of cards from this OSW of Linda Cravens. If you missed Part 1, click here!

This selection started off as a 4cm x 14.8cm strip of paper.



I don't know what stopped me from punching all the way along with the eyelet punch, but I liked the effect that I managed to achieve, purely by accident. Sometimes the best creations happen by accident!

I really loved how the Cottage Garden stamp set, matched in nicely with the Bella Rose DSP. Or perhaps it was the colouring? I stamped the salutation in Riding Hood Red and then again making a shadow in Pink Pirouette, although it's a little hard to see in the photo's.

This card gave me the willies, trying to get it right. The strip I started with seemed to be lacking! I decided that it needed something to go around it and this 1 1/4" ribbon seemed almost to overtake it! Trying not to go overboard, I thought that a plain piece of cardstock underneath would be okay - but it was just too boring! So I got out my trusty crimper and rippled the card and it was just enough to take the plain-ness out of the card.

Again I'll list all the ingredients together to alleviate a lot of doubling up.

Card: Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
DSP: Bella Rose
Ribbon: Pink Pirouette 5/8" Striped Grosgrain, Pink Pirouette 1 1/4" Grosgrain (retired)
Punches:Eyelet Border, Photo Corners, 1 1/4" Circle, Designer Label, Wide Oval, Scallop Border, Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1/2" Circle
Embellishments: Earth Elements Brads, Build-A-Brad Pewter
Stamp Sets:Priceless, Cottage Garden, Best Yet, Think Happy Thoughts

I hope that you have enjoyed this collection and I look forward to showing you more in the coming days.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Butterfly pansies!

Well this morning I was going through my daily emails and suddenly this inspiration came to me from Mary Jo Price-Williams. She sent this gorgeous card with Pansies made from the butterfly punch. Well I couldn't wait to try it out. I didn't read Mary Jo's technique first and went off and made my own, my own way. LOL!

So with butterflies pansies in mind, I remembered that I hadn't done the Mojo Monday sketch for a long time and this just fit perfectly.

In case you haven't worked it out yet, I love this butterfly punch! Unfortunately it's only available in the Summer mini and will not be available after 31st March 2010.

Card: Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Barely Banana, Old Olive
DSP: Kaleidoscope
Punches: Butterfly, Designer Label, 5 Petal Flower
Embellishments: Soft Subtle Brads, Hodgepodge Hardware
Stamp set: Best Yet (hostess set)

Till next time, happy stamping..

November SS update!

Okay, so I showed you what I received in October in my last post. This post is dedicated to what I received for November. Now I was quite happy with what I received for October and if Nikki had kept it at that level, well that would have been enough. BUT she didn't.


This month Nikki made me this funky circle circus card. She said that she hadn't used this set much and it was nice to try something she wouldn't normally do. Now I, on the other hand, love the circle circus stamp set. Nikki also made some funky wrapping paper to go around some metallic A4 sheets. They are so nice!

Then I received another parcel. In it was this super elegant fantasy box. I LOVED IT! I haven't had the opportunity to make on of these yet. I'll show you my offering when I finally get around to it.

Now before you think that was all that was in the parcel, the picture below showed the box opened. It was filled with LOTS of embellishments. It was really good to build my stash and since I have used some of them up already, I have had to buy more.

Also there was this super cute box of the most delicious choccies. Don't you just love the oval apperture. And of course, a matching card.

So that was November and I was feeling rather spoiled.

Keep your eyes open as the next post details ALL the December items that Nikki sent me. There is some eye candy coming up. Which reminds me, don't forget to leave a comment on my Blog Candy Post to be in the running for the lovely bag of cards.

Till next time, happy stamping

100th Post - Blog Candy up for grabs

I cannot believe that I have had 100 things to show you, in less than twelve months.

When I joined SU a year ago, I did it to save money. I had spent five months buying off a lovely demonstrator, who encouraged me to join as I alone was able to keep her sales quota up. So I figured, why not? I mean saving 20% on my purchases sounded like a great idea to me. And to boot Sale-A-Bration was on, which meant that I was also entitled to receive a FREE stamp set from the Idea Book and Catalogue. It seemed like a no brainer to me! This same incentive is available this year! If you join Stampin' Up! ® before 31/3/10, you'll be entitled to this fantastic offer too!

Anyway I started doing a lot more blog surfing - or blurfing, if you like and thought why don't I give this a go? I can make some nice papercraft item and my computer skills are okay. So with a little bit of research, I started this blog. I can tell you that my computer skills have improved greatly in the last twelve months. This was one of the hidden perks of joining Stampin' Up! ® for me. I have also made many great friends.

Anyway to commemorate this auspicious occasion, I thought I'd offer you some blog candy! All you have to do to be in the running is leave a comment before 14/2/10 and I'll randomly draw one winner to receive the lovely bag pictured above.

Now that bag alone is nice, but pictured below is what is inside the bag. Yep, half a dozen gorgeous cards. This bag and card set was designed by Becky Roberts for Ustamp.

Now since this is a Ustamp tutorial, I am not going to list the ingredients. But I must say, I LOVE the Happy Moments Stamp Set that is available with the Sale-A-Bration promotion. All you have to do to receive this set is to order AU$100 worth of product before 31/3/10. This isn't hard to do, as there are so many fantastic products available in the Idea Book and Catalogue and in the Summer Mini Catalogue.

Don't forget to leave a comment to be in the running to win this beautiful set.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Final gift to Secret Sister

Well, this is the final installment of the October to December 2009 Secret Sister swap. Well at least this is the final piece that I sent. Actually to be honest it isn't all of it, nor did I send all that is in this picture. How confusing is that?

I sent one of these milk cartons (which are designed by the very talented Becky Roberts) to Andrea. Inside was an assortment of brads and candles. I also sent some Pink Pirrouette DSP and Ice Circle Rhinestones. I hope they bought a smile to my SS's face!


The other set I posted to my extended family! The milk cartons are so cute and have a little trapdoor on the bottom, so they don't need to be ripped open to get to the goodies and can be re-used!

Since this is Becky Roberts design I am not going to list the ingredients on this post. I will be running a class to teach this for Easter. Keep your eye's peeled for more information as it comes to hand.

Till next time, happy stamping...

My gift to Andrea for October

Okay, here is part one of my gifts to Andrea.

Andrea indicated that her favourite SU colour was Pink Pirrouette and her favourite stamps sets were Fifth Avenue Floral and Pocket Sillhouettes.

I wanted to make something for Andrea using the things that she liked. I decided to make her this awesome little set of drawers. Unfortunately I didn't have enough Pink Pirouette cardstock and had to settle for Pretty In Pink. I then went through my DSP and found that Raspberry Tart would be a perfect match for my available equipment. I used the Build-A-Brads to make matching little drawer knobs.


In the drawers I included a pack of Clear Rhinestones Brads and the six cards pictured. Now these cards may look very similar to the cards on my previous posts and that is because I was using the same layout, stamp set or DSP and wanted to show the variety of options available.

I will list all the ingredients used together as this would become a very long post if I was to do each card and the drawers seperately.

Card: Pretty In Pink, Glossy White, Whisper White, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss
Ink: Versamark, Regal Rose, Stazon White (retired), Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black
DSP: Raspberry Tart
Punches: Eyelet Border, Scallop Edge Border, Scallop Oval, Scallop Square, Large Oval, Heart to Heart, Photo Corners
Embellishments: Pretties Kit, Build-A-Brad, White Signo Gel Pen, Sponge Daubers
Stamp Sets: Fifth Avenue Floral, Organic Grace (hostess set), Oval All (retired), Say it with Scallops, Best Yet(hostess set), Simply Said

Now keep an eye out as there is more to go with the drawers and that will come up soon in future posts.

Till next time, happy stamping

Sale-A-Bration sneak peak

Okay we are having a quick break from Secret Sister programming.

I recently joined a new online group called Stampin_Up_In_Oz. This group is available to anyone who loves Stampin' Up! You don't have to be a demonstrator to join. Click on this link for more information.

Anyway they have thrown out a colour challenge, which I just had to try. The colours were so unusual that I had to see what could happen. This is so not a card that I would normally make! But I do like the end result.

The stamp set I have used here is called Happy Moments and it's from the Sale-A-Bration promotion that's coming soon! The stamp sets this year are fabulous and I can't wait to show them to you!

Card: Very Vanilla, Lovely Lilac, Sage Shadow, Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Lovely Lilac, Sage Shadow, Summer Sun
Embellishments: Square Metal Edge Tag
Stamp Sets: Happy Moments, Best Yet

We will return to Secret Sister programming shortly.

Till next time, happy stamping...

2nd card to Andrea

Well I recently introduced you to my Secret Sister from round 2 - October to December 2009. This is the second card that I sent her. It was really quite simple to make, which was fortunate because I was really busy when I made it.


I couldn't quite cut out the fern leaf from the Organic Grace stamp set, so I improvised by stamping one of the flowers from Simply Said in Kiwi Kiss and cutting it out and in half and positioning it behind the flower. It worked wonderfully as leaves, so again another stamp that has dual uses.

Card: Pretty In Pink
Ink: Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Regal Rose
DSP: Raspberry Tart
Ribbon: Pretty In Pink 1/4" grosgrain
Stamp Sets: Organic Grace (hostess set), Simply Said, Best Yet (hostess set)

Till next time, happy stamping...

Hexagon Boxes

Well it's that time of year, when there are presents galore and the old square or rectangular box is getting a bit boring. Krystina Gerke designed these boxes for Ustamp with Dawn and friends. Of course, I decorated them my own way!

Have you not heard of Ustamp with Dawn and friends? Click on the link and learn all about it. Basically you join up and each day a new tutorial is put up. Now who doesn't like to learn something new each day? The tutors are from all over the world, so it's fascinating to see what is being made elsewhere.


These boxes were filled with chocolate coated sultana's and a little poem on the tag reads:

Santa's heard that you've been bad
So listen here's the scoop
All you're getting for Christmas
Is this bag of Reindeer Poop!

I don't know who the author is, but I love the cheekiness of it!

Card: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Real Red, Baja Breeze
DSP: Parisian Breeze (retired), Ski Slope (retired)
Ribbon: Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain, Riding Hood Red 5/8" striped grosgrain, Linen Thread
Punches: Scallop Circle, 1" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, Designer Tag, Small Tag
Embellishments: Rich Regal Eyelets (retired)
Stamp Sets: Best Yet, Spotlight on Christmas

Till next time, happy stamping...

For a special friend...

Well this post includes a card and a box! Double whammy!

Despite being a demonstrator, I don't own the whole catty... yet! So occasionally I have to borrow some sets from friends of mine. We decided that we would set a new rule, that if you borrowed a set, you had to make a card to go back with the set upon return. Recently I borrowed Loads of Love Accessories from my friend, Julie. I struggled with how to make a card using 'only' this set to go back, as I didn't want to team it up with Loads of Love (although that would have made a great card too).

This is my offering;


I stamped the presents along the base of a piece of cardstock, using my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to line them up and space them (or non space them) neatly. I then built my card around this. I tried to make it look like a shop front, although I am not sure how successful this strategy was.

I have also borrowed a couple of other things, like the tag punch, so I thought that I would make a sweet box to return the goodies in. I really enjoyed making these items, as I know how much they will be appreciated!

Card Ingredients:

Card: Elegant Eggplant, Pretty In Pink, Rose Red
DSP: Sweet Always
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Lavender Lace
Punches: Designer Label, Word Window, Scallop Edge Border, Photo Corners
Ribbon: Elegant Eggplant 1/4" grosgrain
Embellishments: Flower Assortment Designer Brads (retired)
Stamp Sets: Loads of Love Accessories, Fun and Fast Notes

Box Ingredients:

Card: Pink Pirrouette, Pumpkin Pie
DSP: Sweet Always
Ink: Elegant Eggplant
Punches: Small Tag, Round Tab, Tag
Ribbon: Pretty In Pink 1/4" grosgrain, Hemp Twine
Embellishments: Flower Fusion, Flower Fusion Too, Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads
Stamp Set: Best Yet

Till next time, happy stamping...

Faux metal challenge

This week on Extremely Special Aussie Demonstrators (ESAD) group we were challenged to make a card using the faux metal technique. Now I have recently learned this technique and thought that it would be a good opportunity to hone my skills. I really love Circle Circus stamp set as it works wonderfully with this technique.



I am also really enjoying the Best Yet stamp set which is only available to hostesses. Remember that during the months of June and July if you hold a workshop with orders in excess of $600 you are entitled to an extra $40 spending money.

Card: Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Not Quite Navy
Ink: Summer Sun, Tango Tangerine, Not Quite Navy, Versamark
Punches: Scollop Circle, 1 3/4" cirle - non SU, Large Oval
Ribbon: Riding Hood Red Taffeta
Stamp Sets: Circle Circus, Best Yet (hostess set)

Till next time, enjoy...

Waiting for Christmas

I came across this little beauty on Leonie Schroder's blog and just had to give it a try. Unfortunately I had to wait until I got my Stamp-a-ma-jig, so I could get the placement perfect. I had heard great things about the Stamp-a-ma-jig, but never seen it in action. I was a wee sceptical, but I am hooked. You can even stamp your image onto the image sheet and move it around on your artwork to find the best place for it. Also helps with all those stamps that I have put together, just that little bit off centre. My work is going to be taken to the next level with this new tool.

Card: Whisper White, Real Red
DSP: Haiku
Ink: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Wild Wasabi (retired)
Stampin Pastels: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Sage Shadow
Ribbon: 3/8" Riding Hood Red Taffeta
Punch: Large Oval
Stamp Sets: Window Dressing (hostess set), Lovely as a Tree, Best Yet (hostess set)

Basket of Love

Well here's another beauty. I am still practising the watercolour effect and don't really seem to have it down pat on this project. I used my blender pens, rather than aqua painter.


Ink: Basic Black, Pink Pirrouhette
Card: Elegant Eggplant, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirrouhette, Bravo Burgundy, Lavender Lace
DSP: Berry Bliss (retired)
Ribbon: Non SU - not really sure of the brand sorry!

Stamp sets: Time for You (retired) and Best Yet (hostess set)

Faux metal technique

Well I decided to have a go at the Mojo Monday sketch 88, although I am not brave enough to enter it on their site. And here is my finished attempt

A close up of the faux metal that I made....

Yes this is another new technique from me. And another addition to my blog in such a short space of time. I have been housebound for the last couple of days with a sick baby - who's sleeping a lot, so I have found plenty of time to work quietly on my papercafts.

Faux metal is an incredibly simple concept and the results are stunning. You just need a little time, embossing powder, versamark, stamps and a heat gun. I will look at running a class in my home in the not to distant future, so if you would like to come please email me.

Card: Basic Black, Taken With Teal, Elegant Eggplant.

Ink: Versamark

Ribbon: Purple 1/4" grosgrain (non-SU)

Embellishments: Metallic eyelets (retired)

Stamp sets: Circle Circus, Best Yet (hostess set) and Rustic Rooster (hostess set)

Cuttlebug: That's my type - embossing folder

There are a couple of ways to get the hostess set and the first is to host a workshop, however if you can't do that, perhaps you could show the Ideas Book and Catalogue and collect orders, via a catalogue party. To order an Idea Book and Catalogue, just email me at soniagarbutt@yahoo.com.au