Tag Archives: Designer Series Papers

A Scrap Page….

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… finally!!  Yes, I finally started and completed a scrap page today.
In the last two years I have only done one scrap page and even that one I wasn’t particularly happy with.  My mojo has been completely lost when it came to scrapping, but today I decided it was time…. yep, time to force myself to make just one page.

This is the thing I love so much about Stampin’ Up!, everything is so well coordinated that it makes it just so much easier to make something quickly and easily without too much difficulty (unless your mojo is MIA), so once I got into the swing of it, things fell into place pretty easily.  What do you think…..?

I have used the Comfort Cafe Designer Series Papers for this page, and just matched up the colours for my card stock, except for the base which is Sahara Sand.  And keeping in line with my obsession with paper piercing I have used the template to pierce some circles – I like the contrast of the different shapes and geometrical patterns.
This page is 8 x 8 inches, and because I have used a smaller size for this page, I didn’t want to have journalling visible, so I have cut a tag using the Two Tags Die, layered some vanilla card stock on top and attached some Linen Thread. And yes, even the journalling is finished!
Did you realise that if you turned those pieces of patterned paper over, it would make a lovely feminine page?  Stampin’ Up! are so clever at this stuff…… 🙂

I just wanted to thank all of you for the lovely messages about my mishap on the weekend, my thumb is fine and healing up nicely, although still quite painful.  Not painful enough to stop me from stamping though 🙂  Thanks again, I really appreciate your kind thoughts.

Well, you never know, I just may have turned the scrapping corner, and you may just get to see a few more of these soon 🙂
Happy stamping!
Chris

Bright Blossoms

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This is one of “those” stamp sets… you know the ones, you see it, imagine all the great things you could do with it, and then don’t use it!  Yes, for me Bright Blossoms has sat on the shelf for quite some time, unused and unloved.
But… I received a package in the mail during the week with some bits and pieces for a challenge, and amongst it, some patterned paper from the Summer Smooches DSP – one that I don’t yet own.  So, perfect opportunity to get Bright Blossoms off the shelf and use it!


Ok, so my challenge was to use the colours in the card stock I had been sent, which were Real Red, Tempting Turquoise and Island Indigo, add some whisper White card stock if needed, use only the ribbon included along with one other type of embellishment, which in this case is the rhinestones (must have bling!).
I have some the patterned paper left over now, so I might just have to work out how to use it for another card.  You never know, Bright Blossoms might get a bit more of a work out! 🙂
Hope you are having a crafty weekend.  Happy stamping!
Chris

 

Feeling Sentimental

Posted in Cards, Masculine by

I’ll be the first to admit that I love making cards that are girly – pinks, purples, ribbons, lace and vintage in style, but I also really enjoy making masculine cards.
A lot of people have commented that they struggle with making cards for the men in their lives, so this year I plan to share with you lots of tips and ideas for male cards, and hopefully some inspiration too 🙂

This particular card uses the new Sale-a-Bration stamp set called Feeling Sentimental, and it is great for masculine cards.  I am also going to enter this card in this week’s Paper Players challenge #129, which is a sketch challenge.  Pop on over to their site, lots of inspiration for you!

So, my first tip for making masculine cards is, don’t be afraid to use patterned papers, as I have done in this card.  I have used the Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP here, which is perfect, but don’t forget to look at the packs of papers you already have.  Stampin’ Up! are fabulous when it comes to incorporating all sorts of possibilities, so have a look through those flowery papers and look for stripes, spots, even what may seem like a girlish pattern, could be cut so that it changes it’s look. How about some of those Christmas papers?  Red or green stripes or spots or patterns could easily be turned into a background for a tree or other masculine image.
Let’s see if I can give you an example…. The Twitterpated DSP is a lovely flowery, pretty pack of papers, but have a look at the reverse side of each paper.  Green and blue checks… stripes…. geometric designs in grey, and a red geometric pattern that could easily be cut to look masculine.

For my card, I have die cut the patterned paper using the Window Frames Collection, and then layered that over my stamped image.  This particular patterned paper is only available for a few more days, so make sure you get in quick if you want to get hold of some!

Happy Stamping!
Chris

Bright Birds

Posted in Cards, Classes by

I love this technique, and how bright and cheery these cards have turned out!

These are really easy to make and so quick that you can easily make up a batch as a gift for someone.

These ones use the International Bizarre patterned papers and the For the Birds stamp set, and I have highlighted the colours Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango.  Of course, they would look great using any of the gorgeous Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Papers.

And because they are so quick and simple, I have had a request to run a class on this set of cards.  So instead of my Card Kit night on the 1st Feb, we will be making this cute set of cards.  Cost will be $15 and includes all materials, but do contact me asap to book your place as seats are limited.

Happy stamping!
Chris

Dynamic Duos #35

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Gorgeous colours again this week for the Dynamic Duos challenge, and here is the third card in my Bordering on Romance set that I shared in my previous post.

I have used mostly So Saffron with just a hint of Certainly Celery on the leaves.

The sprays of flowers have been cut out by hand and then lifted off the card with dimensional tape.  And this time, instead of lots of faux stitching, I have just done lots of paper piercing 🙂 it does create a completely different effect.  The greeting is from the Perfectly Penned stamp set.

Lots of inspiration from the rest of the Design Team, which you can see here.
Hope you are having a crafty and productive weekend.  I know I am! 🙂
Happy stamping!
Chris

 

Bordering on Romance CASE

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I wanted to make a card for our lovely neighbour who has been unwell for some time and recently had an operation, and when I saw the “August” card in this fabulous line up of cards on Kathy Tanners blog, I just knew I had to CASE it!
It’s also been a while since I did some serious water colouring and thought it would be a good time to get some practice in.

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I did however do the watercolouring on Whisper White card stock.  Watercolouring with inks works best on watercolour paper…. yes, really…. 🙂 as it absorbs the water, whereas the Whisper White card stock can’t absorb as much and can easily become scuffed up.  So I have used a Blender pen and added the colour as quickly as possible and with as few strokes of the brush as possible.  Nevertheless I am not entirely happy with how it turned out.  More practice required!

So I made another one…….

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I just love purple!

There is a third one, but you will have to wait a few days to see it! 🙂  and you never know, I may feel inspired to make a fourth 🙂
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Happy Stamping!
Chris

A New challenge

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If you are a follower of my blog, you will know how much I love a challenge… whether that’s a colour challenge or sketch challenge, or any other challenge for that matter!  So I love it when I find a new challenge site, especially one which is being run by two very talented stampers, Bronwyn Eastley and Kathy Tanner.  So of course, I just had to take part in the first challenge at Still AddINKtive which is both a sketch and colour challenge.  Love it!

I have made a card for a friend whose birthday is later this week, and since she loves stitching, and I love doing it on my projects, I added lots of  faux stitching!

My card uses the Betsy’s Blossoms stamp set and some patterned papers from Floral District Designer Series Papers. Add to that a greeting from the Itty Bitty Banners set and some pretty pearls, and that’s it!  Quite simple really.
This is such a pretty colour combination, why don’t you give it a go?

Happy stamping!
Chris

I am thrilled to let you know that my card was chosen as a Top Pick for this challenge, and I also won a prize!  I am feeling very lucky! 🙂  Thanks Bronwyn and Kathy.

Top Pick Badge 1

Stampin’ Royalty Challenge #156

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I thought it was time I did some stamping for the enjoyment of it, so I have gone looking at some of the challenge sites that I used to frequent regularly, and today I have made a card for the latest challenge from Stampin’ Royalty.

Here is the sketch:

stampin royalty sample-005

And here is the card I have made:

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I have a few bits and pieces which arrived just before my move, and which have not been used, so definitely time to start using some of them 🙂  I have used the Summer Afternoon Hostess stamp set along with some of the Fan Fair patterned papers, which are just gorgeous!

I will be back over the next few days with more creations and with some updates for classes etc for the new year.  In the meantime, happy stamping!
Chris

Freshly Made Sketches #65

Posted in Cards, Challenges, Christmas by

Sharing a card today that I have made for my sister, who owns a farm with lots of apple trees.  And I have used the sketch from this week’s Freshly Made Sketches.

I have used a combination of the Perfectly Preserved and Polar Party Stamp Sets, along with the Be Of Good Cheer patterned papers in some traditional Christmas colours.
Here is the sketch:

FMS Final 65-001

Hope you are finding time to do some Christmas stamping too.
Happy Stamping!
Chris

Dynamic Duos #33

Posted in Cards, Christmas by

So my second challenge card for today, and I have made a card inspired by my lovely and very talented friend Deb Fearns.  Deb recently showed me a gorgeous little box that she had made using the Natural Composition Specialty papers, and it inspired me to find the papers and use them in this card.

This week’s Dynamic Duos challenge is to use the colours Black and Gold and also a music theme.

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So I have used the music notes from the Natural Composition Specialty papers, which I have applied black ink directly to, and then just rubbed it over with a tissue to get rid of the excess ink.  With the gold coloured foil (non-Stampin’ Up!) behind, it makes the music look gold as well.
Once again I have used the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set and have hand cut around the ornament once it was embossed with gold powder.  I then die cut the Very Vanilla ornament so that I could layer one over the other.  And the greeting is from the Joyous Celebrations stamp set.

Make sure you check out the rest of the gorgeous projects from the very talented Design Team here.

Well, that’s all from me for now.  If I don’t have a chance to post more before Christmas, I hope you all have a wonderful, safe and happy Christmas.
Happy Stamping!
Chris