Stampin’ Up! Cottage Wreaths Cards

This morning’s Facebook Live is now available to watch both on Facebook and YouTube.

As you can see, the Cottage Wreaths stamp set and matching dies are great for cards of all occasions, as well as Christmas.
I hope you enjoy watching the video, although I have to apologise for being quite distracted towards the end, one of my cats could hear me talking but couldn’t work out where I was and was getting quite vocal. Cheeky little rascal.

The kits to make the three cards are available for free to anyone who places a $30 order in my online store before midnight this coming Sunday 30th July (shipping extra). The kits will be sent out separately to your order.
And just a reminder that due to Stampin’ Up! policy, I am unable to stamp images to include in the kits – that means you get to do the fun stuff!
Don’t have the Cottage Wreaths stamp set? Try the cards with a different stamp set, that’s part of making creativity fun. Alternatively, you can order the stamp set and dies by clicking on the images below.
Happy stamping,
Chris

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Stampin’ Up! Translucent Florals Part 2

You may have seen my blog post from yesterday where I mentioned having taken part in a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator only event, where we made projects using the Translucent Florals Bundle (currently only available to demonstrators who took part in the event).
Today I am sharing the second project we were given to make. I didn’t put together the first card in this series, preferring the stepped up version, and even then I made my own adjustments.

A mask was made using some of the leaf dies from bundle, and this was used to add texture paste to the card base. However, before applying the texture paste, I lightly sponged some Gray Granite ink directly to the cardbase, and using the same coloured Stampin’ Write marker, outlined the edge of the sponged leaves and added some veins.
The sentiment is stamped in Copper Clay, with a tiny strip of Copper Clay cardstock along the bottom edge of the sentiment. And because I really liked the Copper Clay with these colours, I have added some of the In Color Dots.
And here is my alternative idea for this project.

For this card I have added a white layer (cut with the Deckled Rectangle Dies) over the Gray Granite cardbase, which gives it a brighter look, and had an odd shaped scrap of Garden Green cardstock which I have cut down and added behind the white to the top corner.
Again, I have sponged some leaves, this time in Garden Green ink, before adding the green die cut leaves over the top.

As you can see, we had a lot of fun at our Creativity Now Demonstrator event. You can take part in these events too, there is a wonderful opportunity this month to join at a great price with a lot of extras, so all you need to do is to take the plunge and make the most of that opportunity. You won’t regret it.
Reach out to me if you would like to chat more about it. (Australian residents only, please).

Happy stamping!
Chris

Use your device to scan the QR Code below.

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Colour Creations Stampin’Up! Bubble Bath

This week in our Colour Creations Blog Hop we are featuring the beautiful pale pink, Bubble Bath.

I have used some of the Bright and Beautiful Designer Series Paper for my background, a gorgeous ombre look, adhered to a thick Basic White cardbase. The reverse side of this sheet of DSP has bubbles in pink and if you look closely at the top where the very pale pink and white areas are, you can just see the bubbles from the reverse side – not intentional on my part, but I like the added dimension.

Over the Designer Series Paper, I have used various elements from the Gorgeously Made Dies, ( which I may be a little obsessed with at present), in Smoky Slate and Night of Navy, as well as Bubble Bath. The sentiment is from the Wildlife Wonder stamp set, stamped in Night of Navy ink.

Next along on our blog hop is Ros Davidson.

If at any time you find a broken link, please go to the blog of our Colour Creations host, Catherine Proctor, who will have a list of all of the participants in the Blog Hop.

Happy stamping, and happy hopping,
Chris

If you are in Australia and are interested in purchasing any of the items used in the project, you can click here to go straight to my online store, or click the items listed below.

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Alternatively, if you would like to scan the QR code using your device here it is.

And don’t forget the fantastic sale on Designer Series Paper, during June 2023.

The Crafty Addicts Challenges – Colour Splash Card

The Crafty Addicts is back again this month with an open challenge, meaning we want to see any and all of your cards, there’s no restriction as to what you can use, just craft away and share with us.
My card for this month is one that was a bit of an experiment, I’m not too sure that I am happy with the colours, they are for a colour challenge, and I’m not sure I would normally put them together. But it’s always fun to play with colour.

I have used the Foursquare Decorative Masks and some Masking Paper. Each section has been masked, then coloured with ink and blending brushes. Then the masks removed and replaced to create a new area to sponge in a different colour. The circle mask I left there during that process of colouring the background. I’ve then simply used a ruler and black marker to draw the lines in between each colour.
It looks a whole lot more complicated that it really is. Masking is one of my favourite stamping techniques.
And just to add to all the masking going on, I decided to mask the sentiment which comes from the Sending Smiles stamp set, they are two different stamps, I’ve masked half of the strip of cardstock and stamped the word birthday, then masked over the stamped word, and stamped the word hugs.
The colours used are Azure Afternoon, Granny Apple Green, Lemon Lolly, Crushed Curry, and Flirty Flamingo.

Come on over to The Crafty Addicts challenge site where you can see what the rest of the Design Team have made this month. And do share your creations, we love to see what you’ve been crafting.
Happy stamping
Chris

You can click on the images below to go to my online store or click here, or if you prefer to use your device with the QR Code, you can find it below. Don’t forget about the amazing joining offer, if you live in Australia I would love to welcome you to my team, feel free to email or leave a comment if you would like more information.

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Hello, Irresistible

As soon as I saw this divine Designer Series Paper, it became a “must have”. Actually a “must have immediately!!” Such beautiful colours and designs.

My set of cards is inspired by one made by a US demonstrator, Amy Koenders from stampwithamyk.com.

The only stamping on these cards are the sentiments, everything else is from the DSP pack. This first card is similar to the one Amy made, and then I’ve used different colours from the DSP.

Which one do you like best? Originally I thought the first was my favourite but today it’s the middle one. Maybe tomorrow I will like a different one best.

If you love this paper as much as I do, and you live in Australia, you can order this through me. It’s not in any of the catalogues though, this is only available for a short time.

Happy stamping

Chris

Technique Blog Hop – Masking

I am starting to get back into some group crafting and sharing, which is exciting, and a bit confronting, after such a long time of crafting on my own.
My first Blog Hop today, is with the Crafty Collaborations group, and we are focusing on the technique of Masking, one of my all time favourite techniques because it can be done in so many ways.
Today, I have decided to keep my card very simple, and I’ve featured the leaf stamp from the Sale-a-Bration set Beautifully Happy.

I have used my Stamparatus to keep everything lined up, and used a one inch strip of scrap paper across a piece of Basic White cardstock, as a mask.

I’ve then inked up my stamps with Soft Seafoam Ink, and using a Sponge Dauber, added some Shaded Spruce and a tiny touch of Cajun Craze ink around the edge of the leaves.

Once I felt I was happy with the leaves, I removed the mask, and stamped a sentiment from the Wildlife Wonder stamp set.

This is such a simple technique, but so effective. I’ve layered this onto some Shaded Spruce to frame the main layer, and then onto a Soft Seafoam card base.

Here is where you will find the other’s taking part in the Blog Hop.
Happy Hopping, and Happy Stamping!
Chris

Tea and Cards

I hoping to make a regular time to go live on my Facebook page, and eventually to link it up to my YouTube channel as well, but one step at a time.

And I’m calling it Tea and Cards. I’m hoping you will make yourself a cup of tea and join me. Here’s what I will be making live on my Facebook business page.

I plan to go Live tomorrow morning, Monday 30th January at 10am Sydney time, for the first of my version of Tea and Cards.
Make yourself a cup of tea (or coffee) and join me for some crafting fun. You can choose to just sit back and watch, or have all your materials ready, and create along with me. Here are the measurements and materials you will need to create this easy fun fold card.
I hope I have the Imperial conversion correct.
The card I am making tomorrow will be in different colours to the one pictured.
I would love to have you join me for some crafting time together.
See you then,
Chris

One piece of Designer Series Paper or other patterned paper of your choice: 30cm x 14.4cm (12 in x 5 3/4in) – I’ll be using the Dandy Designs DSP from the Sale-aBration catalogue.

One piece of matching cardstock: 14.9 x 10.5cm. (5.5 x 4.25 inches),
plus two more pieces of cardctock in the same colour: 11.5 X 8.5cm (4.5 X 3 3/8 inch), these two pieces are to layer under the white Die cut pieces.

Two pieces of white cardstock diecut using the Scallop Contours Dies, using the second largest of those Dies.
Plus some large scraps of white cardstock to fussy cut the flowers.

Beautifully Happy Stamp Set (from the Sale-aBration catalogue, or stamp set of your choice.

Ink pads in colours of your choice, to match or contrast with your patterned paper.

Glue, Dimensionals, scissors, clear blocks and other tools as needed.

Embellishments if your choice.

I hope you will come and join me, so that we can craft together. Here’s the link to my Facebook page, and there’s also a link in the side bar.

https://www.facebook.com/dotdotstamping?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Happy stamping!

Chris

A Special Thank You

Today’s card is a Birthday Card, made for a very special lady, who single handedly allowed my Stampin’ Up! business to stay afloat in 2022.

Not only did she consistently place orders with me, but she collected them from a neighbour as well. Enough orders so that I could continue as a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator into 2023 and beyond.

So, Anne, thank you is not enough, thank you with all my heart, for all that you have done to help me in the last year. And Happy Birthday.

Every demonstrator needs an Anne!!

The card I made for Anne uses the Abigail Rose Designer Series paper, this time coloured with Watercolour pencils.

The stamped panel uses stamps from the Sentimental Rose kit. And one of the things I most love about Stampin’ Blends is being able to change the colour of the pearls.

The inside of the card features a fold over of the DSP with a separate pull out card underneath for words.

Happy Stamping everyone,

Chris

Sit Stay Relax

Today’s card is inspired by the current colour challenge at TGIF.

I’ve used the Sit Stay Relax Host set and kept the layout nice and simple.

Little kitty has been stamped separately with Memento ink and coloured with blenders, then fussy cut and adhere to the chair. It reminds me of just how one of our own kitties often sits, with one leg hanging over the edge. So cute!

It’s quite a hot day here in my part of Australia, so with all the curtains and blinds drawn against the heat and glare, the Early Espresso looks almost black.

Hope you are having a crafty day. And staying cool!! Happy stamping,

Chris

It’s been 10 months…??

I can’t believe it has been ten months since I last blogged. Ten months or more really, of being without the slightest bit of inspiration, totally mojo-less, and really struggling with everything creative.

Thankfully the urge to create started returning a few weeks ago, yesterday I started de-stashing my crafting space with the intention of sending out a heap of cards to people, and finally, finally getting back into stamping and creating again.

So, without further ado, here it is….

I started with a piece of the Abigail Rose Designer Series paper from the current Annual catalogue, which I have coloured using Stampin’ Blends, the flowers in Mango Melody. The centres of the flowers were coloured with Real Red and Mango Melody blended over the top to change the colour.

I fussy cut two of the flowers, one raised on Dimensionals on the front, the other on the inside of the card.

I love how vibrant these colours have turned out.

If you are still here, and have been patiently waiting for me to return, thank you, I am very grateful.

Let’s hope this year is one of creativity, love, laughter and fun.

Happy stamping,

Chris