Let’s Set Sail

Posted in Cards by

Stampin’ Up! Let’s Set Sail stamp set is another new set from the upcoming Mini Catalogue (available 4th January 2022), and I have used it for a very simple single layer card, inspired by the latest TGIF challenge, using the Masking Technique.

Masking is such a great technique and one that I haven’t used in a while. For my card I have used the reverse masking technique to create the sun.

I have cut out a circle using one of the Tasteful Label dies, out of a piece of scrap paper.

I’ve then placed the piece of scrap paper over my Basic White card base in the position I want the sun to be, then sponged using Mango Melody and Daffodil Delight inks.

Then I have just removed the scrap paper mask, and stamped the images where I wanted them.

I’m not too happy with my splodgy ink on the sails of the boat, but not to worry, I guess they are wet from sailing!!
Happy stamping!
Chris

Stampin’ Up! Friendly Hello CASE

Posted in Cards, Sale-a-bration by

Have you noticed just how much inspiration you can get from the Stampin’ Up! catalogues?
The artwork is next level, and it’s all there, for you. For your inspiration and ideas, and for you to CASE. So what does CASE mean? It means to Copy And Share Everything (meaning to copy the exact card), or to copy elements of the card, such as the layout, the colours, or anywhere in between. And here is an example….
I wanted to CASE the gorgeous card on Page 13 of the Sale-a-Bration catalogue, on the far right, which uses the Friendly Hello stamp set and DSP, but I didn’t have all of the items.

So firstly I realised I had run out of Fresh Freesia cardstock (uh oh, I can feel another order coming on!!), which the original uses as a cardbase. So instead, I used thick Basic White as my card base and added an extra layer of the DSP in the Fresh Freesia colour (from the Friendly Hello DSP).
I don’t have that ribbon, so instead I have used some of the Silver Simply Elegant Trim.
I’m not sure what pearls or rhinestones were used in the original but again, I am using what I have in my stash, so I added some of the gorgeous Pastel Pearls.
And lastly, I am not a fan of the black sentiment panel (just personal preference), so I stamped my sentiment (from the Sale-a-Bration Special Moments stamp set) in Fresh Freesia ink.
They are only small changes, but they have made the card mine.

The stamp set and gorgeous DSP are available from the 4th January. Don’t worry, I won’t let you forget!

Happy CASE-ing!
Chris
PS, if you are feeling stuck and unmotivated, lost your stamping Mojo or just don’t know where to start, CASEing is the way to get through that, in fact, that is how I learnt to make cards and to stamp when I first started out. Have fun!
PPS, Also remember, it is only ink and paper!!

You’re A Peach

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Today I have been playing with the Embossing Paste for the first time, trying a few things out and experimenting, which is always fun.

This card is made up almost entirely of the You’re a Peach Designer Series Paper, with the only stamping being the sentiment.

Behind the peaches, on the green background, I have created a little bit of texture by putting some of the paste directly onto the DSP through one of the Decorative Masks. It’s quite subtle but adds just a little extra interest. Here’s a close up…

All the peaches and flowers were fussy cut from the Designer Series Paper.

So there is my first play with the paste. Stay tuned for some more!!

Happy stamping!

Chris

Sweet Sailing Kitties

Posted in Cards, Christmas by

A quick post today to share a giggle… This is the card I made for my son for Christmas. Since he loves to sail, it had to have sailing boats included….

We have three cats, a big part of our family, who we both adore, so the kitty faces from Sweet Little Stockings was another obvious choice. Combine the two things and our three rascal cats are sailing with their Santa hats on. I had some fun creating this one.

The proportions are not quite right but its pretty cute anyway.

In the background, the water is the new Gentle Waves background stamp, and the boats from the Let’s Set Sail stamp set and matching punch, all available from the 4th January 2022 in the new Mini Catalogue.

The kitties and their hats were coloured with the Stampin’ Up! Watercolour pencils.

Happy stamping!

Chris

Handmade Notebooks

Posted in 3D, Notebooks by

I made these Notebooks from scratch as gifts for my wonderful customers who have supported me throughout the year.
Each book has Designer Series Paper on the outside and inside of the cover, with stamped pages which can be replaced when the old ones have all been used up.

The papers on the notebook above is the Hand Penned Designer Series Paper, and the one below uses the Host Rewards DSP called Pattern Party.

Both of these Notebooks feature the Friendly Hello stamp set (available 4th January through my online store as a free Sale-a-Bration reward for orders of $180 or more) and the Scalloped Contours Dies.
I hope your Christmas was extra special and that you are having some time to relax and recover today.
Happy stamping!
Chris

Happy Christmas!!

Posted in Bags by

Just a quick post to share with you a cute little gift bag that I made last week to put some gifts into. These are pretty easy to make and just use one sheet of Designer Series Paper.

I have used the Whimsy and Wonder Designer Series Paper with it’s pretty colours and designs. And the one below features the Sweet Stockings DSP.

I hope you are having a wonderful, blessed day and enjoying time with family and friends.
Happy Christmas!
Chris

One Layout, Four Different Cards

Posted in Cards, Flowers by

This is the last of the cards using this layout, I promise! It can be really interesting though, to use a layout and try out different things with it. So I will share here each of the cards that I have made in this design, but first my card for today, which is in the Vintage style, and uses the absolutely gorgeous Flowing Flowers (available 4th January 2022).

Such a beautiful image! The edges of the front layer have been distressed and sponged with Crumb Cake, and stamped with the smaller flower image, and the large pink flower stamped in Polished Pink.
Here is the inside of the card and the envelope.

And to show you the different variations on this layout, here are the two contemporary cards and the masculine card, from some of my earlier posts.

Happy stamping!
Chris

Vintage Friendly Hello

Posted in Cards, Flowers by

As I am sure you can tell, I just love the Friendly Hello Sale-a-Bration stamp set (available 4th January 2022), I am also loving the Heart and Home Suite (also available 4th January from the new Mini Catalogue) – yes, there is a lot to look forward to with all the gorgeous new goodies coming soon.

I made this card during my regular Wednesday morning Facebook Live, I have to admit though, I was very tired and probably sounded it. However I think the card turned out ok. This is a style I love to make, I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but it is easy enough to adjust it to be less “fussy” and appeal to a wider range of people.
The gorgeous flowers from the Friendly Hello set, have been stamped in Basic Gray and then coloured with Pale Papaya ink and Blender Pens. And that gorgeous Basic Gray doily is part of the Heart and Home suite.
Did you know that you can watch most of my Facebook Lives on my YouTube channel? Make sure you hit the subscribe button to get regular updates. Click here to go straight to my youTube Channel.
I’m not sure about you, but I am looking forward to some holiday time and some down time to connect with some creativity and have a play with some new products and ideas.
Happy stamping!
Chris

The Sketch and the Scraps!

Posted in Cards, Masculine by

Today’s card takes inspiration from yesterday’s card sketch (layout), and the card from the previous day’s post, using up some of the scraps I had found.

My card uses some more masculine colours but you could use any bits and pieces you have left over to create it in any colour combination you like.
These are so much fun to make. If you would like to see how I made the original scrappy masculine card, you can check out the Facebook Live.
And don’t forget that you can place orders (if you live in Australia) online anytime throughout the holiday period. There may be some delays in shipping as Stampin’ Up! will be closed for the Christmas break but they are always very efficient at getting those orders out quickly. Just click here to go to my online store.
Happy stamping!
Chris

Stampin’ Up! Calming Camellia Sketch Challenge

Posted in Cards, Flowers by

The Calming Camellia stamp set is the Host set in the upcoming Sale-a-Bration catalogue (January 2022) and just soooooo beautiful! I think I need to add a few more “o” to that soooooooooo. It really is a stunning stamp set, and so I had to get it inky!

I have stamped it in Pale Papaya and combined it with some of the Heart and Home Designer Series Paper. Loving this colour as well, so pretty.
The only way to get this set right now, is for you to join Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator, and if you are in Australia, I would love to have you in my Stampin family, so reach out to me for more info, or click the link.
The set will be available from the 4th January 2022, with a party or personal order over $500, so start collecting those orders now, and contact me to ask about having an online cardmaking or scrapbook party with your friends and family.
Happy stamping!
Chris