A Simple Sketch

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This sketch is from Clean and Simple Stamping – if you haven’t checked them out then definitely do so, lots of great inspiration there!  I like the simplicity of this sketch, although it really allows so many options that is was hard to know which one to choose.  But I felt like doing some watercolouring, and here is the result:

The card didn’t quite turn out the way I had hoped but I am quite happy with it anyway.  The stamp sets are Happiness Shared and Curly Cute, and the colours are Very Vanilla, Old Olive and the gorgeous Cherry Cobbler.  The black ribbon is not from Stampin’ Up! but is an adhesive backed paper lace.

I hope you get to do something crafty this weekend.  If the weather is anything like it is here in Adelaide then it is good weather to stay snuggled up inside with the heater on and ink on your fingers! 🙂
Happy stamping!
Chris

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Today’s card is about using up some of my stash of supplies.  It is easy enough to end up with heaps of beautiful bits and pieces to use up – Stampin’ Up! has such beautiful things!

I apologise for the photo, this card definitely looks much brighter in real life.
The stamp sets used are both from Stampin’ Up!, Perfect Punches for the greeting, and Thanks For Caring.  The cardstock colours and DSP are all retired, so no longer available.
And talking about Stampin’ Up!, check back here over the next week or so for some very exciting news!

Happy Stamping!
Chris

Christmas in July

Posted in Cards, Christmas, Designer Series Paper by

Another Christmas card today, for another challenge from Our Creative Corner.  The challenge is to make a seasonal card, either for the 4th July if you are in the US, or Christmas in July, which is far more fitting for us here in Australia.
The stamp set is called “Welcome Christmas” and it has barely seen any ink up until now, but is a gorgeous Christmas set.  And the DSP is Jolly Holiday, available in the current catalogue, but not for much longer I would imagine!
Lots of bling on this card, using the half-back Rhinestones, and perhaps a little less obvious in the photo, I have added some Dazzling Diamonds over the berries in the wreath.  Then just a bit of tearing, the distressing tool around the edges, and lastly my favourite, faux stitching!
So, happy stamping, and don’t forget, Christmas is on it’s way! 🙂
Chris

Patchwork Fun!

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I’m sure I am not the only one who has a large stash of those annoying little pieces of patterned paper.  They are too beautiful to throw away, but I have always struggled with ways of using them.  I did try my hand at some patchwork cards once before, and thought I would have another go at it.
This particular card is a design I saw here, and I have pretty much kept it the same, simply because it was the first one I tried.  Time for some experimenting now!  But I thought I would share this one with you.  The papers are retired, but you could use any combination, just as you would in a patchwork quilt, so let your imagination go crazy and have some fun.
Happy stamping (or patchworking),
Chris

Life is a Matter of Moments

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Today’s card was meant to be a CASE of a card from the current Stampin’ Up! catalogue, (Page 99), but it has turned out a little different, as seems to happen with most of the cards I CASE!
I have used another beautiful stamp set, called Elements of Style, along with the Whisper White Organza Ribbon.   The colours are simply black and white, with Sahara Sand.
I find the catalogue such an inspiration, so many wonderful ideas and different ways to use stamps and other products.  So if you are feeling uninspired, or just looking for some ideas, why not grab your catalogue and see what you can find.
Happy stamping!
Chris

Because I Care

Posted in Big Shot, Cards, Designer Series Paper, Uncategorized by

I think “Because I Care”  would have to be one of the most beautiful stamps available in the current Stampin’ Up! catalogue (Level 1 Hostess Set),and I have used it often, it seems to be one I keep coming back to.   This set of cards is one I made for another challenge, this time from Our Creative Corner, who want to see a card which shows off my particular style of cardmaking.  Hmmmmmm well, I love colouring – watercolouring, pastels, pencils….. I love patterned paper and ribbon, sponging and paper piercing or stitching.  I guess what I am saying is that is was hard to narrow that down, and I love trying out new things.  Then after I had made one card, I couldn’t stop, and ended up making a set of three cards.

Again I went with watercolouring the main images in each card using inks and aquabrush – I think this is probably my favourite way of doing watercolouring.  I have used the fabulous Newsprint Designer Series Paper, which I adore, and which you are going to see over and over again…..  And, I have used the Distressing Essentials Kit, to create that old fashioned, worn look, which I think works really well on these cards.

Happy Stamping!
Chris

Two posts in one day….

Posted in Cards, Christmas by

and two challenges in one day!  It’s another sketch challenge but this time from the ladies at Just Add Ink!  This is a really simple sketch but one that you could do so much with.  I decided to do a Christmas card – nothing like getting in early!  And since most of my cards are going to the school that Jamie goes to for fundraising, I am sure one of the parents or children will be happy to start on their Christmas collection.

The stamp sets I have used are Tree Trimmings and Contempo Christmas, and the colour combination – nice and traditional, is Real Red, Garden Green and Sahara Sand.

Happy Stamping!
Chris

Stampin’ Royalty Challenge No 77

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This week’s Stampin’ Royalty Challenge is a sketch challenge, and I have made two completely different cards using the same sketch.  Both of the cards use retired stamp sets and papers, so they are no longer available, but the stamps are ones that I love so I couldn’t resist getting them out for a play!

The first card uses the stamp set “A Kind Word”, and the second uses “Spring Song”, both from Stampin’ Up! and the greeting on the second card is from the very useful and versatile set called Teeny Tiny Sentiments, which is a current set.

I hope they inspire you to do something crafty today!

Just Add Black and White!

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This week’s Just Add Ink Challenge is to make a project using only Black and White, with no other colours.  I have kept this one simple, but have used Very Vanilla with Black – close enough!  I had to use the gorgeous “Love Letter” Designer Series Paper for this card, it is one of my all time favourite DSPs. And I have used the Oval All stamp set for the greeting, along with some retired black ribbon.  And that’s it!
Why don’t you try one?  It’s quick, simple and easy.
Happy stampin’
Chris

 

A Special Thank You and a Challenge!

Posted in Cards, Cottage Garden by

Today’s card is meant as a very special thank you to a new group of friends.
I was lucky enough to attend seven amazing days of training, which now see’s me qualified as an NLP Practitioner.  And during those days, I got to know a group of amazing people, some of who have become good friends.  And so I want to thank each of them for their friendship, love and laughter.  Normally I would send them a card each, but there are a heap of them and I don’t know their addresses, so I will do it here instead! 🙂

We are always influencing and touching the people we come in contact with each day, either in a positive way, or a negative one.  And everyone of these amazing people has given me so much in a positive way, probably without even realising it.  If I miss anyone, please forgive me, but a special thanks to:  The very amazing Tad and Adriana James, Georgette, Cat, Paul, Julie, Leah, Margie, Anita and Les, Naomi, and all the other amazing people who I would have loved to get to know better.

And now down to the business end…. the colour combination, came from a challenge set by the girls at Stampin’ Royalty.  The colours, Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo and Daffodil Delight, just had to be flowers…… so I have used an old favourite –  Cottage Garden, and for the greeting, Heard from the Heart, both from Stampin’ Up!  Hope it brightens your day and reminds you that spring will be here…. sooner or later!

Happy Stampin’
Chris