Welcome back to the Stampin’ Up! Annual catalogue Sketch inspiration, we are halfway at Sketch #11.
I do apologise, I haven’t done a very good job with putting this sketch onto Canva, and it doesn’t quite work here because the background is white and I don’t think I can change. You will see what I have done with the cards though, and it will all make sense. I hope.
Both cards use Crumb Cake cardstock for the card base (21cm x 14.5cm, which is then scored at 10.5cm on the long side and folded, so when it’s folded, your card front will be 10.5cm x 14.5cm), and the layer of Perennial Lavender Designer Series Paper is cut at 14cm x 10cm. I have then cut the DSP down the centre (lengthwise) at 5cm, then taken each of those strips and cut a 5cm x 5cm square off either the top or the bottom. Those smaller squares are then turned over so that you see the reverse side pattern. All of the DSP pieces have been sponged around the edges using some Crumb Cake ink and a Sponge Dauber. For the first card above, I have then placed each piece of DSP so that the sides are pushed up against each other, leaving a larger amount of cardstock around the outside edge.
The main focal point is simply one element from the Labels and Layers Ephemera pack, and one from the Fully Flowering Ephemera pack. I have layered the tag over some Basic Black cardstock measured at approximately 4.7cm wide x 7.6cm, and I have then used Paper Snip Scissors to cut the flag to match the one on the tag. Some Linen Thread around this is the only extra I have added. You could, of course, add a sentiment, but I liked the look of this without.
The Ephemera Packs are on Page 19 of the Annual Catalogue and make gorgeous papercrafting so easy.
And don’t forget the fantastic discount on Designer Series Papers, but only while stocks last. Check it out in my online store.
The idea for my card today was to create a summer scene. It’s the middle of a cold winter here in Australia, and I needed a reminder that summer will be here before we know it, and with that, time at the beach and swimming in our beautiful ocean. Does anyone else love swimming in the ocean? It’s something I love to do, it makes me feel so energised and refreshed.
The truck with the surf board in the back, and the palm trees are from the Trucking Along bundle, which is an Online Exclusive from a while back but still available here in Australia.
Good morning and if this is your first time visiting, welcome to my crafting blog.
I was honoured to be asked to become a Design Team member for the Craftin’ Round the World Challenges. This is a monthly challenge held on Facebook, where there are two different themes to choose from, which you can combine, or choose one at a time. And for my card today, I have chosen the Monochromatic Theme.
My card uses heaps of the Stampin’ Up! green colours including Soft Sea Foam, Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Granny Apple Green, and Lemon Lime Twist. The beautiful Magnolia image has been stamped in Soft Sea Foam on basic white cardstock before being die cut using the matching dies. And the leaves come from the Magnolia Mood Dies and the Stippled Roses Dies.
If you would like to join our challenge you can find us here in the closed Facebook group, where you are very welcome to share your own projects.
My card today features both retiring items, some that are staying on, and some that are in the new Annual Catalogue and not available until May.
My son is an avid sailor so the Let’s Set Sail stamp set with the matching Sailboat Builder punch was a bundle I had to have! But I am sad that it is retiring. It will be staying in my own personal stash though.
I’ve watercoloured the background behind the boat and used some of the new In Colors, Shy Shamrock, Summer Splash and just a touch of Peach Pie. The boat has been stamped in Shy Shamrock and some of the new Basic Beige. I’ve also used some Balmy Blue and Azure Afternoon ink for the watercolouring, along with a tiny touch of Starry Sky ink.
And behind the watercoloured panel is some of the new Lily Pond Lane Designer Series Paper which is also available in May in the new Catalogue – just one of many perks of being a demonstrator, we get to play with new goodies before they are released publicly.
I’ve been enjoying some quiet time recently while I recover from a nasty flu that took hold a few weeks ago. Sitting and colouring has helped to keep me occupied and creative. So now I’m putting together some cards and notebooks using the coloured images.
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
This week’s Colour Creations Blog Hop is featuring the core colour, Balmy Blue.
I have pulled out a stamp set that I haven’t used for quite some time for today’s blog hop, Perched in a Tree, and have combined the Balmy Blue with Pecan Pie and Crumb Cake.
Sweet little bird has been watercoloured with Pecan Pie and Balmy Blue inks with a Water Painter. The combination of the two colours, when they blend and move together have created some interesting and pretty colours, with a purple tinge in some places. Just one of the reasons I love watercolouring! For the trees in the background, I have die cut the trees twice, once in Pecan Pie cardstock and then again in Crumb Cake cardstock, and then layered them slightly offset so that it looks like there are trees peeking out from behind the ones in front. The layer of white cardstock has also been sponged lightly with some Balmy Blue ink, although it’s not so obvious in the photo. Next along on the blog hop is the talented Kate Morgan.
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.
Big Group Hug CAN YOU HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR VULNERABLE FAMILIES?
On of the very cool things about being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator is being with a company that encourages us to make a difference in peoples lives when we can. We are doing just that in the lead up to and at our joint ’35 Years’ with Claire Daly’s Art with Heart Stampin’ Up! Team (that’s our team) and Claire’s friend Michelle Grech’s thINK Out Loud team event on July 15th. We are excited that this event is also being attended by Sara Douglass, our Stampin’ Up! CEO as a guest.
I know I sure wish I could get there, but it’s a long way from where I live and times are tough. However…
We will be supporting Big Group Hug with a donation drive at the event, and a fundraising drive during July. Big Group Hug is a Melbourne charity serving local communities to tackle child poverty. This year they will help 6,000 vulnerable children who are living in crisis by distributing essential items in times of need. They are committed to supporting every young family who asks for help while ensuring that the child remains the focus of everything they do.
Do you remember the feeling of a hug when you were a child? The warmth. The safety. The spontaneous smile that surfaced mid-hug? There’s nothing better. That’s the feeling that drives Big Group Hug. They want every child who lives in poverty to feel the warmth of our collective hug.
We welcome donations to our fundraising page from customers and demonstrators. These can be provided straight to the organisation via our unique online donations page (so you will receive a tax receipt straight away).
I know times are tough for everyone, but even the cost of a cup of coffee would be welcome and help us build our total for essential items for these families.
It’s likely that most of you are unaware that my son and I have been living in poverty for the past seven and a half years, after going through domestic violence. We stayed in our home, which meant we often didn’t quality for this sort of help. But nevertheless, I ask that you help support those who need it most by donating just a few dollars. Do it on my behalf because I can’t. Things seem to be getting more difficult by the week. Personally we are just grateful to have a roof over our head, and I’m sure that those receiving your help will be grateful, too.
Thanks for stopping by. Happy stamping, and happy hopping, Chris
If you live in Australia and would like to purchase the items used to make my card today, you can click on the indiviual items listed below to go straight to my online store, or click here. Alternatively, you can use your device to scan the QR code below. And don’t forget the fantastic July Promotion, spend $90 (before shipping) and receive a voucher to spend next month. I always love this promo, it’s the best!!
Stampin’ Up! have free shipping today (21st June 2023), so if you are in Australia, and would like to make the most of this, click here to go to my online store. https://www.stampinup.com.au/?demoid=4020972
Dot Dot Stamping Designs 