Just Add Ink

Posted in Big Shot, Cards by

I love the challenges that the talented girls over on Just Add Ink come up with, but just haven’t had much time in the past to do many of them, but I think it’s time that changed, don’t you? 🙂  Their challenge this week is to use the colour combination of So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Crumb Cake (previously known as Kraft).  Well, these colours didn’t really inspired me very much, I am just not into the feminine, girly stuff at the moment (that could change at any given moment! 🙂 ). And after three or four attempts, none of which really seemed to be working the way I wanted them to, well, if in doubt, resort to knitting!  So I did.
But after I while I decided to use one of the failed attempts, changed it around somewhat, and here is the end result.

I have used the new Elegant Bouquet embossing folder for the flowers, and then coloured the raised parts using pastels (this was not the original idea, but seems to have worked out ok).  And I wanted to use the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder for the Crumb Cake layer, but it hasn’t arrived yet, so had to use Perfect Polka Dots instead (but you can use your imagination and pretend). The butterfly is a stamp from the set For Everything.  The beautiful ribbon is unfortunately retired, but again, I am waiting for all my new ribbons to arrive.  The  little pink roses are just made from cardstock, and on the tag is the word “friends” from the Tiny Tags Stamp Set, and using the Jewellery Tag punch. Oh, and I nearly forgot the important part, Dazzling Diamonds (which is probably hard to see in the photo) on the butterfly and in the centre of the flowers and roses.
In the end, it was good fun to put it all together, and I hope you like it.
Happy stamping,
Chris

More yummy new stuff!

Posted in Big Shot, Cards by

Today’s card uses one of the new embossing folders, called Elegant Lines.  Using embossing folders makes card making so quick and easy, and the new ones are, like everything else Stampin’ Up, absolutely gorgeous!
The cardstock colours I have used are Pear Pizzazz , then Concord Crush(both new In Colours), and Baja Breeze for the embossed layer.  Butterfly is stamped with Stazon and then coloured using Concord Crush and Blushing Bride markers, and again, more of those lovely pearls.

And don’t forget to book in for my Ink Embossing Class, if you would like to experiment with a different way of using the embossing folders.  Details are on my Classes page.

Hope you have all had a crafty weekend.
Happy stamping,
Chris

Fantastic Fabric Creative Challenge

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Now that’s something a bit different!  I had to take part in this challenge as soon as I saw it – to use fabric in a project.  This particular challenge is from Shelli Gardner, the Co-founder and CEO of Stampin’ Up! who is such an amazing and inspiring person.  You can find Shelli’s challenges here, and make sure you click on some of the entries for lots of inspiration and ideas.
So, to the challenge.  We don’t have Stampin’ Up! fabrics here in Australia (yet!) so I have used some that was in my (rather large) stash of material.  Then I have used the Scallop Circle Die through the Big Shot with the layer of material, to cut it out.  I have then cut an arc out of each side to create the waist line of the dress, and some retired lace for the belt.

Now we get to some of the absolutely gorgeous new stuff from the new catalogue, which is full to overflowing with irresistable things.
I have used some of the new In Colours and DSP, namely Blushing Bride and Concorde Crush Cardstock and the Lap of Luxury DSP.  I have used the Happiness Shared Stamp Set (Page 80) for the greeting and the rose bud, which is watercoloured using Blushing Bride ink with a little Regal Rose to add to some depth, and Pear Pizzazz (another In Colour) for the leaves.  You will also notice some of the half back pearls, which are now available in packs of 150 (50 of three different sizes), much to my delight! (See Page 140 of the catalogue).  But what you can’t really see in the photo is the little bit of shimmer that I have added to the centre of the rose and the roses on the dress.  I have used our new Shimmer Paint, applied with a paint brush, just to highlight a few areas.
Lots of lovely new things, and lots of inspiration!
If you don’t have one of the new catalogues and would like one, please feel free to contact me (if you are in Australia) and I will send one out to you.
Hope you have a creative weekend.  Happy stamping,
Chris

Mojo Monday 153

Posted in Cards, Designer Series Paper by

I really like this week’s Mojo Monday sketch, and thought Iwould give it a go, using some new, soon to be released stamps and papers.  So just a little sneak peek of some things you can order from me, from Wednesday.  The new catalogue is, as expected, absolutely gorgeous, so if you would like one, make sure you contact me.  And of course, it also contains some gorgeous new products.
This card uses one of the new hostess sets called Cute by the Inch. This set is only available to those how host a workshop, so if you would like one, contact me today about booking a workshop.
I have also used the new Newsprint Designer Series paper, along with the Polka Dot Embossing folder on the black background (it’s a bit hard to see in the photo).  The colours used in the card are Basic Black, Real Red and Very Vanilla.

This is a really easy layout if you own a couple of square punches, but even if you don’t, you could try it using circles instead of squares.  Anyway, have a go and see what you can create!
Happy stamping,
Chris

Two different cards…

Posted in Big Shot, Cards, Christmas, Seaside, Season of Joy by

from one design.  I have used a very simple layout today, and made two completely different cards, just to show you how you can do it too.  The first card uses some lovely male colours, including one of my new favourites Soft Suede.  I have run the layer of Soft Suede cardstock through the Big Shot using a non-Stampin’ Up! embossing folder, but I thought this one really suited the image I wanted to use for it.  The image is from the Seaside stamp set and is also stamped using Soft Suede ink.

The second card uses a retired DSP which I am trying to use up 🙂 and thought I would get a start on some Christmas cards.  I have used the Season of Joy Stamp Set for this one.

So have a go, give this nice easy but effective layout a try using something you have at home.  If you don’t have a Big Shot, use some patterned paper, or a stamped background.  And just find an image from one of your stamp sets and a colour combination that you like, or even try something different.
And just a little hint, there will be some lovely new embossing folders available from Stampin’ Up! very soon! 🙂
Happy Stamping. 
Chris

Two posts in two days!

Posted in Cards by

Wow!  What’s even more amazing, two cards in two days!
Another of the Helping Hudson challenges, but this time a colour challenge.  I had to use the colours of Rose Red, Pretty in Pink and Not Quite Navy, which is a gorgeous combination.  And if you pop on over to the Helping Hudson blog site: www.helpinghudson.blogspot.com  you will see lots of inspirational ideas using these colours.
I thought I would like to get back into some watercolouring, so here is my design for this challenge:

I have used an entire sheet of Stampin’ Up! watercolour paper.  If you haven’t tried it, then I recommend that you do, it is absolutely the best watercolour paper out there.  I have tried quite a lot of others!
So, I used Not Quite Navy ink with an Aquabrush for most of the background, then just used a tiny bit of Rose Red ink for some contrast at the bottom.  Then I stamped the image from the beautiful Asian Artistry stamp set, (currently a hostess set, but not for much longer), in black Stazon ink, and coloured the bird in Pretty in Pink and Rose Red with Markers.  And the greeting is from Three Thoughts stamp set.
The colours in the photo are not very true, so use your imagination a little.  I was planning on taking a photo of it during the day today, but have been having so much fun out with my family today at the Malkara Model Railway exhibition.  Jamie has been crazy about trains from a very young age, and I suddenly find myself learning all sorts of new stuff that I didn’t know before I had a son!  But we had a great day. 🙂
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and happy stamping!
Chris

Helping Hudson

Posted in Cards by

I have finally done some more stamping! 🙂  Yes I know, about time. But I have needed the break, and am starting to get back into the swing of things.
I wanted to share with you some new challenges and a fundraising venture that a group of fellow Stampin’ Up! demonstrators are undertaking.  I do hope you will all support them, it is a fantastic idea for a very good cause. Just click on the link, to see what Helping Hudson is all about.  You can make a donation, buy some card or scrapbooking tutorials or enter into some great challenges.
And I want to especially thank the ladies who have put the challenges together, I normally enjoy doing these, but have been a bit out of it recently, but these ones have inspired me to get the ink out again!  So here is my first challenge entry, which is a sketch challenge.

This card features the very soon to be gone Cottage Wall DSP, with cardstock in Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence and of course, Whisper White.  I have stamped the greeting from “Heard from the Heart” stamp set in Rich Razzleberry and also used the polka dot ribbon in the same colour.  The die cut flowers were a present from a very special friend (thanks Kerri) and I have used a half back pearl from the Pretties Kit.

Enjoy your day,
Chris

Taking another break

Posted in Cards, Simply Scrappin' Kit by

I am taking another break from stamping and blogging for a while, but might just surprise you every now and then with one of my projects. So here is a quick and easy card, made using the Sunny Days Simply Scrappin’ Kit from the current mini catalogue, and a retired greeting stamp which I have coloured with markers.

I am available to take orders by phone or email, and don’t forget about the great deals this month, with 20% off Two Step Stamps (see details in previous post).

Happy stamping,
Chris

Two Step Stampin’

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July is “Two Step Stampin'” month, and Stampin’ Up! is offering another fabulous deal, with two step stamps sets at 20% off.  Using two step stamps is a great way to make your cards and scrapbook pages look a little more creative, without much extra work.  There is no limit to the number of discounted set that you can purchase, but this promotion is for July only.  Here are the sets that have been discounted.

Item  Page  Description  Regular Price  Sale Price 
116386  39  Loads of Love  $39.95 $31.96 
116342  42  Big Bold Birthday**  $53.95  $43.16 
115860  78  A Rose is a Rose**  $66.95  $53.56 
116332  86  Playful Petals**  $52.95  $42.36 
115770  98  Cheep Talk  $47.95  $38.36 
115946  115  Wonderful Favourites  $39.95  $31.96 
119187  14*  Tiny Tags (wood-mount)  $38.95  $31.16 
118592  14*  Tiny Tags (clear-mount)  $28.95  $23.16 
119163  31*  Cottage Garden (wood-mount)  $32.95  $26.36 
120003  31*  Cottage Garden (clear-mount)  $24.95  $19.96

Contact me by email: dotdotstamping@myacn.net.au to place your order with your payment details.
If you are not sure how to use two step stamps and would like to book a workshop featuring one of these stamp sets, also contact me asap to book a time.
Happy stamping,
Chris

Back from holidays!

Posted in Cards, Fresh Cuts, Seaworthy, Weathered by

Yes I have been away, having a lovely holiday with my beautiful family in Darling Harbour, Sydney.  We did have lots of fun at the aquarium, Sydney tower and heaps of other things to do and see in the area.  And although it is lovely to be home, I have to admit that now it is quite difficult to get back into the routine of everyday life.

Firstly, today is your last chance to make the most of those fantastic deals on Rhinestone brads and ribbon.  The rhinestone brads are such a great way to add a little extra bling to your cards and scrapbook pages, and at that price you can get some in each shape and colour.

Also, due to the recent announcement from Stampin’ Up! about their colour renovation, some items are starting to run low.  At this particular time there is very little Close to Cocoa cardstock left, so if you like this colour you need to contact me asap to place your order.  There will not be re-runs of colours now, so once they run out they will no longer be available.  So if you have a favourite colour that is retiring, don’t leave it too late, better to place your order early to make sure you can get it before it runs out.

And so to a card!  I have been doing some watercolouring recently and this was one of my experiments which I was quite pleased with.

Stamp Sets: Seaworthy, Fresh Cuts (greeting), Weathered Background.

Cardstock: Bordering Blue, Confetti White, Watercolour Paper.

Inks: Black Stazon, Bordering Blue, Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss, So Saffron.

Accessories: Aqua Painter, Twill Tape, Small Grommets (retired).

And stay tuned for a new promotion from Stampin’ Up! for July, with more great deals.
Happy stamping,
Chris