thINKingstamps...again

Come visit....

2009-10-28T16:08:00.003+13:00

Just leaving a little note for anyone who may see this - I won't be updating this blog in the foreseeable future, but you can catch me over at thINKingstamps! where I now post all my projects.

Uh-oh...Where's Sarah?

2009-05-20T20:46:00.003+12:00

Don't worry - I haven't disappeared again so soon, I'll be back to blogging in a day or so. In the meantime, there's a wee post on thinkingstamps explaining where I've been. A Very Special Influence.

See you soon!

Fab Bunny!

2009-05-13T09:23:00.003+12:00

Woohoo! Finally getting up to speed with the awesome Verve challenges! This one is for Viva la Verve, it was a great sketch challenge...with the added twist of using blue and green! I think Baja Breeze is a blue?! It's right on the fence for me, but I figured it's more blue than Certainly Celery, so that's all that counts!
I used the "wrong" side of my textile embossing folder for the Baja panels. Some Bunny was stamped on watercolour paper and coloured with markers. I used the bow tie from Black Tie Birdies and added a little Crystal Effects for shine. To get the paper pieced t-shirt I stamped bunny on the wrong side of my patterned paper, and cut out the shirt. It'll be backwards, so takes some tweaking with your scissors, but comes out ok in the end!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Some Bunny, Black Tie Birdies, Uplifting Phrases
Ink: Stazon Black
Card stock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Certainly Celery
Paper: Spring Fling
Punches: Word Window, 1/4" Circle
Accessories: Watercolour Paper, Markers, White Taffeta Ribbon, White Brads, Crystal Effects, Cuttlebug, Textile Embossing Folder, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Some supplies available from Stampin' Up! All Stamps by Verve.

Mojo-licious

2009-05-12T12:26:00.002+12:00

Yippee! Tuesday here in NZ means Mojo Monday, and another of Julee's awesome sketches. I decided to use my Cupcake Affair set - and break out the liquid Applique for the cupcake frosting, I think I just love watching it puff up!
I used papers from SU!'s Candy Lane, which seemed appropriate, and sponged + distressed all the layers. A bit of piercing, and lots of cardstock fluff later, I was done! This wasn't a quick card with all that sponging, but I love the simple symmetry of the layout.

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Cupcake Affair, Thoughtful Florals
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Red Riding Hood Red
Card stock: Chocolate Chip, Red Riding Hood Red, Whisper White
Paper: Candy Lane
Punches: Scallop Edge
Accessories: Liquid Applique, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Distressing Tool, Sponge Daubers, Piercing Tool, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Some supplies available from Stampin' Up! All stamps by Verve.

Muted Mojo

2009-05-10T17:05:00.003+12:00

On Thursday evening I got a phone call that my Grandma, who is very unwell, had taken a turn for the worse. I needed something to take my mind off things a little, and checking the Mojo Monday Blog (which is new to me after my stamping holiday!) I found this amazing sketch by Julee. Anyone who has visited before knows how much I adore her sketches, they are quite simply the best out there.

So this is the result. At the time I thought this card was quite muted (possibly due to my mood!) but when I was photographing it today, I really started to like it. I think this might be the first time I've ever used Night of Navy on a card!
I used two Verve sets for this one, Beautiful You, and the image on the sentiment panel is from Abundant Blessings. I thought it matched the Granola paper by Basic Grey perfectly. The primas were sprayed with Creme de Chocolate glimmer mist to darken and mottle them.
I haven't stamped a sentiment inside yet, as I'm not sure what I'll use this card for. I'm sure I'll find the perfect one in my Verve collection though!

Happy Mother's Day everyone - I'll share my handmade gifts over the next week.

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Abundant Blessings, Beautiful You
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Bordering Blue
Card stock: Night of Navy
Paper: Granola by Basic Grey
Punches: Scallop Edge
Accessories: Primas, Glimmer Mist, True Thyme Ribbon, Granola Brads, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Some supplies available from Stampin' Up! Stamps by Verve.

Stationary Box

2009-05-08T19:10:00.005+12:00

Hi all! Sorry for the lack of updates - I hadn't been stamping at all over summer - but I'm back in the swing of things, expect to see some posts from me a bit more regularly from now on!

Awhile ago I saw a couple of these amazing stationary boxes while visiting Janine. She was kind enough to pass on the amazing template by Jackie Topa - you can find her amazing instructions here. I know these have been around for almost a year, but here's my take. I used all Verve stamps, they were perfect - simply elegant.

This is for my Grandma who is currently in hospice care - please keep her and my family in your thoughts.

The closed box. I went with the same supplies throughout to keep things simple and quick to put together.
The open box. I love all the surprises when you open one of these boxes.

I used the same layout for the greeting cards and just flipped the orientation.
I made a little post-it note holder.
The love note sized cards are really simple, patterned paper, a sentiment and prima flowers.

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Assorted Verve Visual sets.
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Card stock: River Rock Textured, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla, Groovy Guava
Paper: Ginger Blossom
Punches: Word Window, Scalloped Circle, Threading Water
Accessories: Nestablilties, Prima Flowers, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Kaisercraft Pearls, Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Some supplies available from Stampin' Up! All stamps by Verve Visual.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2008-12-20T22:30:00.000+13:00

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update - thank you all for your kind messages while I have been unwell and dealing with a family situation. Please forgive me if I don't get chance to write you all back personally, you've really been filling my inbox with love!

I will be spending the next few weeks with family and loved ones but hope to be back online early in the New Year with lots of fun projects.

I haven't even had chance to make Christmas cards this year, but I hope you've all enjoyed creating special keepsakes for family and friends! May you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Stay safe and I can't wait to share all kinds of creative things together in 2009!!!

Best wishes,

It's Verve Time!!!

2008-11-07T10:19:00.006+13:00

Hi everyone!!! So sorry it's been foreverrrrrrr since my last update.....being sick isn't great for the creative mojo!

I have great news though.....this month Verve have some amazing new releases, and even better I get to play with them all as one of the guest designers for November! Stay tuned over the next few days as I share some of my sneak peaks and I hope you'll join us in the Verve forum at SCS for the release party on Sunday the 9th at 8pm (EST) that's Monday at 2pm here in New Zealand!

Also, don't forget to check out the Verve blog for the amazing sneak peaks by the Diva's and guest designers. As a special bonus Julee has created some amazing sketches for a Holiday Release challenge - be in to win the entire Verve release!

Here's one of the cards I've made with this month's Plain Janes. I'm still amazed, every single time, how beautifully Verve sentiments stamp. They're just gorgeous - I dare you to try and get a bad impression with one! The idea behind this card was to make the ATC sized layer removable so it can easily be popped in a purse, or on the fridge for inspiration on the go! Lots of shimmer and shine on this one in real life, I'm a true glimmermist convert lately!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Proverbs 3:5 Plain Jane
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Card stock: Very Vanilla, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou
Paper: Offbeat by Basic Grey
Punches: Threading Water, 1/4" Circle
Accessories: Primas, Self adhesive Rhinestones from KaiserCraft, Glimmermist - Silver Bells, Satin Ribbon, Chipboard Bracket by American Crafts, Long Rectangle Nestabilities, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Stamps by Verve. Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Where have I been? SENZ 2008!

2008-10-12T17:56:00.001+13:00

'Nuff said!

Late Night Inspiration!

2008-10-03T00:48:00.003+13:00

....Or maybe that should be early morning inspiration! It's almost 1am here after a very long day, but I knew there was no way I could sleep tonight if I didn't get this card down on paper and out of my head!
Aren't the colours for this weeks Colour Inspiration Challenge gorrrrrgeous? I've used Old Olive in place of Kiwi Kiss and I still love the combo! I was so inspired by the plate too, I had to use this similar image....
The images from Mostly Flowers were stamped then punched with the 1 1/4" Square. The hardest part was lining them up into the grid (this is a 4 1/4" Square card by the way) but once you get the center one ok, you're good to go.

There's a little piece of cardstock in between the ribbon layers keeping it supported, and the brad "butts" are hidden in between the ribbon layers too.

Ok, I think I can sleep now that this is made!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Mostly Flowers by Stampin' Up!, Beautiful You by Verve
Ink: Pumpkin Pie
Card stock: Very Vanilla, Old Olive
Punches: Threading water punch, 1 1/4" square punch.
Accessories: Styled Silver Hodgepodge, Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon, SU! Markers, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Blushing Gift Ensemble

2008-09-26T11:43:00.003+12:00

This project originally started last night as a card. This project also originally started as my entry for Laura's Diva Challenge...to use tags. Obviously it became more than a card, and as a result, I missed the deadline! Not to worry, I used natural fibers - there's still time for the Verve September Project Parade!
I'm really happy with how this turned out. It's kinda shabby chic dontcha think? I love, love, love shabby chic....but the planets have to be aligned right for me to pull it off! Inside the box (designed by Heather Summers) is a jumbo paperclip bookmark and a covered post-it note pad. I would love to include a pen, but need to find a good source for RSVP pens in New Zealand!
I started with the paper - Admire from the Basic Grey Blush range. It's too gorgeous....but what on earth to pair it with? Ruby Red and Sage Shadow worked really well.....even if the Ruby Red has photographed a little orange!
I used lots of Verve sets while making this. Abundant Blessings for the silhouette image, Fairy Tales for the background swirls stamped in Versamark and the sentiment on the post-it and So Happy for the sentiment on the box.
All sponging was Close to Cocoa. I used my threading water punch....a lot! I knew I'd love that thing! Best of all, I still have more than half the sheet of paper left...yippee!

Off to check emails, I slept in and am so slack this morning!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Fairy Tales, Abundant Blessings and So Happy by Verve.
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Brilliance Graphite Black, Versamark
Card stock: Ruby Red, Sage Shadow
Paper: Admire - Blush by Basic Grey
Punches: Small and Large Tag punches, Scalloped Circle, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Threading Water punch.
Accessories: Primas, Kaisercraft pearls in Blush, Oval Nestabilities, Sponge Daubers, Hemp, Cutter Kit, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Some Bunny Loves You!

2008-09-24T20:29:00.002+12:00

When Verve released their new sets at the start of the month, I of course fell in love with them all. But most of all, I loved this uber cute little set, Some Bunny! It's a little bit goofy, but over the 11 years we've been together, I've made Shanan lots of little cross stitch samplers - one of his favourites was a little bunny I stitched from a magazine, and I stitched this exact sentiment underneath it. I know...we're SO sappy! But that's what you get with high school sweethearts!
So of course, the first card I made with this set has to be for him. I don't think this is TOO girly, I did debate the "ear ribbons" with myself....but I figure, I'm the some bunny...and I'm a girl...so the ribbons work, right?

The ribbons are from another new Verve set, Black Tie Birdies. After cutting them out I polka-dotted them with my white gel pen. I've had those brads in my stash forrrrrrrrrrrrrrever, it made me so happy to finally use some of them.

The sketch is from Julee's Mojo Monday #54. I used Kraft cardstock for the Verve Project Parade Challenge this month. The colour combo is from an old SCS challenge. Lastly, this is my entry for the Spoon Full of Sugar challenge...to use a "charming character" I think this bunny is ultra charming!

Wooohooos for the week:

Spring cleaning...getting everything in it's place.
Keeping my stamp room tidy - yippee!
Getting my SENZ ticket all sorted, so excited for this!
Coming up with my swap pin for SENZ (I went all cutesy on this)
Not spending any money on craft supplies so far, a la SOS challenge!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Some Bunny and Black Tie Birdies by Verve
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Card stock: Kraft, Soft Sky, Basic Black
Paper: Notebook DP
Punches: Threading Water and 1/2" Circle punches
Accessories: Brads I've long forgotten the maker of!, Cuttlebug, Spots and Dots Embossing Folder, Black Grosgrain, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

So Thankful

2008-09-20T08:35:00.003+12:00

I woke up nice and early this morning (8:30am is early on a Saturday!) and jumped right out of bed, because I knew I had the photos of the card I made yesterday morning all set and ready to go. So....here it is!
Can I just be not humble for a second and say.....I love this card! It's really outside of my comfort zone colour wise. I guess it's not THAT out there - but I think I usually tend towards using softer colours together. That said, I just scrolled back through my posts recently...and Verve must inspire me, most of my Verve cards are brighter than my usual work!

The sketch is from Julee's Mojo Monday 53. I've missed the last few weeks, so have a couple to catch up on (which is cool - it's nice to know they are there when I need a creative push!)

The papers are from the Basic Grey Sultry pack - as are the brads. Loooooooove this paper! The top piece is from Stampin' Up! in the Spring Break pack. It was fun to finally use some of the goodies I bought awhile ago, the paper, brads, Primas and Glimmermist (on the Primas) have all been sitting neglected!

All the stamps are by Verve. I used a mix of older, newer and newest sets on this one! I think that's why I love Verve so much, everything mixes and matches so well. Chloe had a question about Verve shipping to NZ - and I'm happy to report it's a really good deal Chloe! It's only $13 US for a flat rate priority envelope (you can fit lots of sets in the envie) and I usually get my order a week after it's posted (can I just say, that I've ordered from somewhere in NZ the day after a Verve order...and got my Verve order first - so it's not a long wait at all!) They now have online shopping for lots of countries including NZ too - love it!

I used a gorgeous Verve sentiment on the inside of this card too, so thought I'd show you - even if the Chocolate Chip has photographed black!

I also wanted to share one of the things I was so grateful for this week....this RAK from Mrs Frizz!

Aren't they prettttttty? She was so sweet to send me some Primas - I think she might be the queen of Primas! Mrs Frizz is also the queen of Basic Grey right now, head on over to see her gorgeous layout that made the Basic Grey gallery yesterday! Wooohooo!

Now, I'm obviously a bit head over heels for Primas at the moment. I bought my first pack, received a RAK and did a share with Kelly and Beverley all in the same week pretty much.....and I think Google Reader knows it!!! Here's the link that it recommended me yesterday....http://prima.typepad.com/prima/2008/09/the-sidewalk--1.html Primas! in kit form! on THE day Janine and I start our SOS challenge! Cruel right? I thought so!

Although I might be going mad all ready (I think Janine might blog on this lol) I have so far refrained from purchasing anything! I seem to be doing more window shopping than usual though...I guess the unavailable is always sweeter!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Beautiful You, Fluttering By and So Happy by Verve
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Card stock: Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Paper: Sultry by Basic Grey, Spring Break by SU!
Punches: Photo Corner punch
Accessories: Silver Bells Glimmermist, Essentials 4 Primas, Sultry Brads, Chocolate Chip Satin ribbon, Circle and Square Nestabilities, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Stamps by Verve. Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Therapy....and a Challenge!

2008-09-19T09:17:00.005+12:00

Yesterday was a great day....retail therapy and "coffee with the girls" therapy! Janine, Kelly, Beverley and I went to the coolest wee shop, S'Wonderful in Brooklyn (they're moving soon though!) Filled to the brim with cool, retro stuff - I spotted this.....
and just had to have it! I'd read about these posters a few weeks ago, I think I blog hopped starting from Kristina's site - and I was really intrigued by the story behind them. They are all over the design world at the moment (so much so I think it might now be UNCOOL to have one - I'm always too late to make the cool stage!)

The basic story is, during WWII there were a bunch of posters made to convey messages to the public. They used an entirely new font, one designed to be "special and handsome" - making it hard to counterfeit the posters! The first two posters ('Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution will Bring Us Victory' and 'Freedom is in Peril') were used but the third ('Keep Calm and Carry On') which was to be used in the event of an invasion, was never distributed (despite over 2 million copies being printed) You can find more info here.

Fast forward a bit, the poster was found in an attic....hung in a secondhand bookstore in London, and eventually drew so many comments that the owners started reproducing the poster. A quick Google search shows you can now buy it on everything from mugs to t-shirts - in every colour under the sun. My version is screen printed by hand, I love the way it's framed....showing the raw edge of the paper rather than covering it with a mat.

I love it. I love the back story, I love the typeface, I love the juxtaposition of a bold, modern design....that was created in 1939! Most of all, I love the message. As someone prone to anxiety and moments of terrified paralysis (yup, I have a flair for the dramatic!) the message is really important to me.

So here it hangs....above my computer workstation to remind me everyday - Keep Calm and Carry On! (taking this photo was weird....my camera has that auto focus on a face feature....it loved that mask!)

Now, one of the most fun things about going out is.....every time Kelly drops me home, I have a parcel waiting! Yesterday I had two - some Basic Grey (Eva - yum!) paper and Glimmer mist...and my new Verve! Wooohoo! Even better, Kelly got her first Verve parcel too - yippee!

Now, it's just as well I got some new goodies...cos it'll be the last time for awhile!

On the road to SENZ (kinda like CHA - the NZ version) I NEED to save some money. It'll be a huge shopping weekend, but not if my credit card is maxed out! lol

So in moments of pure genius or utter madness, Janine and I hatched what she has dubbed the Spend or Save (SOS) Challenge! The rules are pretty simple....no more craft spending, at all, until SENZ weekend - 10th-12th of October.

There are some exceptions - we both have some pre-ordered goodies coming, so they are allowed. Janine has her exemptions here, mine are:

Some trademe primas and paper arriving soon

A Stampin' Up! parcel which just arrived as I was typing this, yay! (if I'd known I would have done more than stock up on envies, dimensionals and card stock! Oh well, there are two new sets in there at least lol)

and I was allowed to buy my SENZ ticket, which I did this morning.

Janine has set herself the extra challenge of not using some of the goodies she has coming - which is just masochistic! lol

So that's the challenge, and I have to say, I'm kinda excited! I have a TON of unplayed with stuff at the moment, I've been so busy reorganising that I just haven't had time to get inky. I also found a bunch of stuff I forgot I had - so it'll be great to use what I have! and hopefully, come SENZ - I will have saved enough to go hogwild shopping!

Fly Bunny, Fly!

2008-09-17T13:06:00.003+12:00

Another yummy Kristina challenge! Feels good to be creating - I took a break from stamping and the computer over the weekend...apparently my weekend was five days long! lol Now to tackle the long list of blogs I need to check and emails I need to answer!
I thought this combo was soooooooooo gorgeous. Looked kinda christmassy to me, so I ran with it.
The bunny was stamped on watercolour paper and watercoloured with markers. Love this technique, and it turned out pretty well for me today - yippee! Those wings are Chocolate, I just used a teeny bit of ink to get the pale shade.

Wow - Wednesday already - time for WhooHooing Janine style!

~Loving the sun - makes everything so much brighter!
~Great date night last night with Shan, Whoohooo for deciding to do our "cheap dates" more often and working them into our budget (hate that word! lol)
~Coffee tomorrow with the gals, can't wait.
~Whooohooo for...starting...the reorganising process in my stamp room. BIG job! It seems every few weeks I was hitting a "space crunch" so buckling down and getting rid of some stuff and reorganising the rest. Can't wait to be done!
~Yay for spending last Saturday at Eastbourne, sitting by the "beach" (still miss Brighton Beach like crazy) eating the requisite chips with Watties sauce and reading. It's become glaringly obvious I NEED that time by the water to recharge - gonna make this one a Saturday tradition.

Hope it's sunny where you are!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamps: Inky Antics
Ink: Stazon, SU! Markers
Card stock: Chocolate Chip, Bravo Burgundy, Watercolour Paper
Paper: Old Olive Prints
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Snow Dots embossing Folder, Earth Elements Buttons, Linen Thread, Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain, Aquapainter, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Happy Bird-day!

2008-09-11T09:51:00.003+12:00

When I got up this morning, I had every intention of sitting down, quickly blog hopping then breakfast. That all fell by the wayside when I saw Kristina's colour challenge for this week! The colours are gorgeous, so of course I was tempted to pull the colours from my stash "just to have a look". You guessed it...as I type blogs are still uncommented and my tummy is grumbling for breakfast!
As soon as I saw the inspiration piece I thought of this set from Inkadinkado I picked up a couple of weekends ago - it was still uninked! The horror!
Apologies for the chocolate looking burgundy, I couldn't get it to come right without washing out all the other colours. Had to use my new Threading Water punch - been hanging out for this baby for awhile now. The white Taffeta is new too, my taffeta collection is sadly lacking...need to get onto that!

Used lots of dimensionals on this one, the bird is the third popped up layer. This is going to my brother's girlfriend (my "hopefully one day sister-in-law") for her birthday tomorrow so fortunately I can protect all those layers in a box with her present! I've used Diamond stickles on this one too, on the flower centers, the swirls on the bird and the word "wishes". Love that hint of sparkle!

Thought I'd show you a quick shot of the inside (because I actually finished it off as I made the card for once!) I always keep the inside of the card pretty simple - I think the gorgeous sentiment from Verve does all the work for me!

Happy Stamping!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Wonderful Wishes Remixed by Verve, Birds Galore by Inkadinkado
Ink: SU! Markers
Card stock: Rose Red, Whisper White, Soft Sky textured, Bravo Burgundy
Paper: Rose Red Prints Designer Paper
Punches: Small and large oval punches, Threading water punch
Accessories: Diamond Stickles, White Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

One Sheet Wonder - Verve Style

2008-09-09T12:20:00.003+12:00

I was so excited to find this One Sheet Wonder and accompanying sketches by Julee on Saturday - what a cool challenge! I used a piece of Designer Paper by SU! from the Petals and Paisleys pack. It was such a great excuse to break out my new Verve sets, I used lots of them on these cards.

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Petals and Stems, Anniversary Birds, Fluttering By and lots of others all by Verve!
Ink: SU! Markers
Card stock: Pretty in Pink, Cool Caribbean, Old Olive, So Saffron, Whisper White
Paper: Petals and Paisleys DP
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots Embossing folder, Nestabilities, Dew Drops - Water, Kaisercraft Rhinestones, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Stamps by Verve. Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

The Joy of Flowers

2008-09-04T23:07:00.003+12:00

There's nothing like new goodies to get the mojo going! I finally got to open my HUGE Verve package yesterday, after a month of being super patient! Was more than time to get them inky tonight!
Kristina's rockin' colour challenge this week was Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Rose Red, Regal Rose and Whisper White (for those of us without those wonderful new SU! In Colours - can't wait till April!) I knew right away I wanted to create a paper and ink garden!
I love the Floral Whimsy set from Verve, all the images come in a couple of sizes, so it was super easy to layer all the flowers and stagger the images. I used my markers to ink them up (yup - clear stamps that work with markers....heaven!) The scallops are from my super duper new long rectangle nestabilities, I thought I'd get away with not buying these, but nope, I had to have them! The gorgeous butterflies feature in a few Verve sets, this size is in Petals and Stems.
Well, that's 2 of my new Verve sets inky.....only 11 to go!!!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Floral Whimsy, Petals and Stems
Ink: SU! Markers
Card stock: Old Olive, Rose Red, Whisper White, Regal Rose
Paper: Old Olive Prints DP
Accessories: Long Rectangle Nestabilities, Kaisercraft Rhinestones, Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon, Paper Snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Stamps by Verve. Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Woooohoooot Wednesday....but..on a Thursday!

2008-09-04T20:45:00.007+12:00

Yup, so I'm being a little bit of a diva and cheating by doing Janine's WoooHooot Wednesday a day late, but I figure a little slack during my birthday week is called for! lol

My WooooHooooots for the week:

The lovely weather we had earlier this week. Was so nice to see the sun!
Going to Greytown on Saturday (Thanks Hannah....read about it on your blog!) Doing a little shopping and visiting the yummmmmmmmy chocolate shop there.
Finding some books I wanted actually on the shelf at the library!
My long rectangle nestabilities, some dew drops and cuttlebug folders arriving from Cut @ Home today....one week since I ordered...speedy shipping!
All my birthday presents and cards, lots of parcels from family back home.
The beautiful flowers my parents and brother sent.
Spending my entire birthday out and about with Shanan - I love that he takes the day off!
A wonderful day today shopping and lunching with Janine, Kelly and Beverley - a great group of friends!

This gorgeous card and candle set Janine made me. Sooo gorgeous, shimmery in real life too!
This beautiful card and flowers from Kelly, if I ever won lotto (we don't play, so that would be a miracle) I'd have fresh flowers alllll the time, they brighten my day so much.

This gorgeous purse Beverley made me. Filled with lots of little goodies, I bet you'll see some of these on my cards soon!Shoooooooooooopping! Gorgeous papers and ribbon, and especially that Stazon White pad I've been after, thanks for finding it Beverley!
The beautiful bouquet Shan gave me yesterday morning.....what a hubby!

Hope you had a week filled with woooohooots too!

You're Fantastic Verve!

2008-08-29T23:01:00.004+12:00

There's two things I just loooooove about Verve - first, the stamps...duh! Second, they have THE best challenges! This card incorporates three Verve challenges, Julee's Mojo Monday sketch, the August Project Parade challenge and Michelle's Meet the Diva Challenge!
Once again, Julee's sketch rocked - congrats on your 50th sketch Julee!

The August Project Parade challenge was to use Pink and Brown....you have to pop over to the site to see the yummy inspiration piece - it just screamed "use Cupcake Affair" to me!

Michelle's fun challenge was to use supplies we haven't touched in awhile. I used my new Fairy tales set - first time I've got it inky. I also used the Two Scoops paper I've been hoarding and 16 - yup 16 of the rhinestones I love to have in my stash! Lastly, I used some of my precious narrow Chocolate Chip Grosgrain - I can't believe this stuff retired!

After stamping the cupcake bottom, I turned it over on my foam mat and embossed stripes with my embossing tool - in real life it has a really cool texture and dimension. There are Cotton Candy Stickles on the popped up flowers. The Blush Blossom cardstock was sponged with Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip - feeling hungry yet?!?

Have a great weekend!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Cupcake Affair, Fairy Tales
Ink: Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip
Card stock: Blush Blossom, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White
Paper: Two Scoops by Basic Grey
Punches: 1/4" Circle Punch, Small and Large Oval punches, Photo Corner Punch
Accessories: Kaisercraft Rhinestones, Circle Nestablilities, Narrow Choc Chip Grosgrain, Sponge Daubers, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Stamps by Verve. Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Beautiful You

2008-08-27T16:44:00.004+12:00

How gorgeous are these colours for Kristina's challenge? Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Very Vanilla! Yummy!
I had this idea for a simple layout....bunching all the elements together all in one spot, I really like how it turned out! I stamped the background by combining three clear stamps on one block, inking with Regal Rose then really roughly stamping off once before stamping onto the Pretty in Pink.

The gorgeous sentiment from Verve was embossed with clear embossing powder. The butterfly was stamped on vellum cardstock with Chocolate Chip stamped off a few times.

Loved this combo, don't be surprised if you see another card from me soon using the same colours!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Beautiful You from Verve, and a really cheap clear set with no name!
Ink: Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Versamark
Card stock: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose
Paper: Certainly Celery Prints
Punches: Corner Rounder punch.
Accessories: American Crafts Typehouse Chipboard, Kaiser rhinestones, Regal Rose ribbon, Clear embossing powder, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Cammie's Treat Tote

2008-08-25T11:32:00.005+12:00

I had a very quiet weekend on the creative front, spent lots of time sorting out boxes and just generally relaxing with Shanan. On Saturday I did make this adorable little "Treat Tote" that Cammie designed to take over to Janine, who had us over for a lovely dinner. I just thought the tote would look adorable filled with little embellishments as a hostess gift.
I used Cammie's measurements, but instead of using a punch to cut the window, I used my Oval nestabilities to cut out a larger area. I stamped an image from True Friend on the inside of the tote so it would show through any gaps in the window.

The only other big change was in the closure. I wanted to be able to untie then retie the bow at the front, so punched through all the layers with my Crop-a-dile (how did I ever survive without it?!) but only set the eyelets on the front layer - the ribbon bow keeps it all held together. I love that River Rock double stitched ribbon, such a gorgeous neutral.

Thanks for such a great tutorial Cammie!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: True Friend
Ink: River Rock
Card stock: River Rock, Really Rust, Very Vanilla
Paper: Apple Cider DP
Punches: Slit, Small and Large Tag punches
Accessories: Markers, Crop-a-dile, Jumbo Eyelets by Provocraft, River Rock Double Stitched Ribbon, Hemp Twine, SNAIL adhesive.
Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Oprah Says...

2008-08-22T21:59:00.002+12:00

Another Verve creation! Tonight I used the stamp set I won at the latest Verve release party - Beautiful You. This is such a must-have set, I've never seen such a wonderful collection of sentiments.
The sketch I've used is from Julee's Meet the Divas Challenge - so much fun to read all her answers to our questions! I did cheat a little, the sketch called for a circle, but I HAD to use an oval. it fit the sentiment perfectly. Hope you'll forgive me Julee!

The colours are from Kristina's Color Inspiration 19. We had to use Whisper White, Basic Gray and Basic Black + one other colour from the photo. I chose the hint of apricot from the flowers in the vase.

I didn't have any designer paper that fit my card idea, so went to work making my own. I stamped the flower on Whisper White, reverse masked it and sponged Apricot Appeal in a circular motion. Then I masked the flowers and sponged Basic Gray around the edges. I finished with a bit of bling....making my own Stickles (I have 35 bottles and none were the right colour!) with a drop of reinker, crystal effects and dazzling diamonds glitter. I wish you could see how sparkly it is in real life!

This card was the perfect excuse to break out my roll of Basic Gray taffeta too - previously unloved!

I just had to share the sweet note Shan left me today! I usually drink Coke Zero but occasionally splurge on a "real coke" lol This was the last one in the fridge - I love unexpected surprises like this....it might be goofy to some people, but it made me smile!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Beautiful You
Ink: Basic Gray, Apricot Appeal, Brilliance Graphite Black
Card stock: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Apricot Appeal
Punches: Corner Rounder, 1/2" Circle punches
Accessories: Basic Gray Taffeta, Sponge Daubers, Oval Nestabilities, Dazzling Diamonds, Crystal Effects, Swiss Dots embossing folder, Making Memories jumbo brads, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Stamps by Verve. Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Verve - Cupcake-a-licious!

2008-08-21T16:31:00.005+12:00

Here it is...after weeks of coveting their stamps, my first Verve card! I have to say...I can't believe how well these stamp....honestly, the coverage is as good as (in some cases...a little better!) than rubber! Love it!
Isn't this cupcake just the CUTEST?! I love this set, Cupcake Affair - had to have it right away! It's been forever since I baked some cupcakes - probably cos I don't have a dishwasher and hate the cleaning up after icing them - but stamping them is almost as much fun!

I went all candy coloured with this card - not intentional, I just inked up my cupcake with the first colour I thought of! I used some Marigold Morning to shade the flowers and found that going back over every second line on the cupcake liner enhanced the pleated look.

I used Baby Blue liquid pearls on the "icing" and white Kaiser pearls on the flowers. The ribbon is from a couple of rolls I picked up for like $2 each - love layering it like this.

The "what-looks-like-patterned-paper" is actually a stamp from the Grateful Elegance set, beeeautiful stamp!

Oh, I almost forgot...the sketch is from Julee for Mojo Monday #49 - so cool to finally do one of her sketches with her stamps!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Grateful Elegance, Cupcake Affair
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Basic Gray, Soft Sky, Barely Banana, Marigold Morning
Card stock: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Soft Sky, Barely Banana,
Punches: Slit, 1 1/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle punches
Accessories: Swiss Dots embossing folder, Sponge Daubers, Discount store ribbon, Kaiser Pearls, Liquid Pearls in Baby Blue, Blending Pens, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Stamps by Verve. Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Today's a GOOD day!

2008-08-21T15:58:00.002+12:00

I LOVE days like today! Started off great with a coffee date with Janine, Kelly and Beverley (I have so much to learn from these girls...all amazing scrappers!) at Butlers - soooo yummy, you get a free chocolate with your coffee (not to mention the Chocolate Ganache cake I had to have cos I skipped breakfast - excuses right?)

We went shopping at kikki.K - my first time there, but it won't be my last, see all the CUTE goodies I got? (Mandy, you'd love all the giraffe things there!) I thought this meal planner would be such a good way to remember to take the chicken out of the freezer in time for it to actually thaw before dinner!

The magnetic hooks are so I can hang stuff from my file cabinets....I can't waste an inch of storage space cos I'm such a shop-a-holic! As evidenced below....
Then....when Kelly kindly dropped me home....THIS was in my mailbox....my new Verve stamps! Yippee! Isn't that the fastest shipping ever? Julee rocks! She's such a sweetheart there was also a free stamp and some gorgeous ribbon in the package!

So...I've already made a card - my first Verve card ever! I'm off to take a photo and will be back soon!

Find Joy.....Five Times!

2008-08-20T13:14:00.003+12:00

I had so much inspiration for this set of cards.....these are for a card swap over at The Sketchbook. The challenge was to use BLING - how could I resist?! Luckily All That Glitters is the Fan Club theme at SCS this month too. The colour scheme(s) come from Charmaine's Diva Challenge in the Verve forum - to use Black, White and a "splash" of one other colour! I did five different colours for the swap. I wanted to do a simple card with the focus on the sentiment. For my bling I've used Kaiser Rhinestones as well as some watercolour shimmer paints on the flowers. This might be hard to see in some of the photos.
I used my Square Nestabilities to cut out everything except the card base, which measures 4"x4" I also embossed the layers.
The colours are Certainly Celery, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Lavender Lace and Pretty in Pink. I used my Polka Dot background for the dots.
As for finding joy in the little things....today I'm happy that I've finished my cards and my stamp room is STILL lovely and tidy, I'm grateful the sun is shining and that I'm going out for coffee (and chocolate!) tomorrow, and I'm psyched that there's only two more days before I have Shanan home for the weekend again...I miss him when he's at work! (sappy, huh?)

Hope you have a joyful day!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Polka Dot Background, Polka Dots and Paisley
Ink: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Lavender Lace, Real Red, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue
Card stock: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Lavender Lace, Real Red, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Accessories: Square Nestabilities, Kaiser Rhinestones, Watercolour Shimmer Paint (from MFT), Assorted Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Stamps and some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Whoooo Hoot!

2008-08-13T20:10:00.002+12:00

Janine has the coolest feature on her blog....Whoo Hoot Wednesday - I love reading what's making everyone happy, so thought I'd join in this week!

~Meeting lots of fun, creative people in Wellington - I'd missed having people to create with!
~A parcel arriving from Stampin' Up! today....new rubber!
~Getting my set of Rectangle Nestabilities finally....can't wait to have a play.
~The ducks that come to visit every morning, they get a piece of bread for breakfast then waddle off back across the road again.
~Getting a phone set up upstairs finally, was always missing calls because I'd forget and leave the phone downstairs!
~Most of all....winning THE most beautiful set from Verve today during their release party....what a lucky gal! It's called Beautiful You and I so can't wait to get it inky!

Funky & Fresh!

2008-08-08T17:13:00.003+12:00

Another bright one today! This is for Kristina's Color Inspiration #18. I used another of Julee's wonderful sketches for Anni-Verve-Sary, can you tell I'm addicted! This is also for Amy's Meet the Verve Diva's challenge, to use Butterflies!
I don't do bright that often, but I really like the way this turned out. The black just makes it pop! The sentiment is a rub-on from the Eastern Elegance pack by SU! Flower by Petaloo, Rhinestones by Kaiser. Making this was a fun way to brighten a gray day!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Priceless
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Summer Sun
Card stock: Basic Black
Paper: Summer Picnic and Rose Red Prints DP
Punches: 1/2" Circle, Corner Rounder punches
Accessories: Petaloo flower, Kaiser Rhinestones, Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain, Eastern Elegance Rub-ons, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Stamps and some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Long, Tall Thanks

2008-08-07T11:49:00.002+12:00

There are just so many cool challenges out there at the moment! This covers three, another sketch from Julee for Anni-VERVE-sary, Laurie's Verve Diva challenge and this week's Colour throw down challenge . The hardest thing about this card was def. the colours for me - Wasabi and I just don't see eye to eye! Not sure what it is, maybe I'm just not a green girl!
All pretty straightforward, Stickles on the popped-up tulip and scallops, reverse Cuttlebug inking technique thingee (seriously...what is that technique called?!?) and yay...another bow!

In sad news....ok...well, not really....but kinda....a BIG parcel arrived from Verve today....but it's addressed to hubby and I can't open it till my birthday in September! Complete torture.

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Garden Whimsy, Short and Sweet
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate
Card stock: Purely Pomegranate, Very Vanilla
Paper: So Saffron Prints DP
Punches: Small Oval, 1/16" Handheld, Slit
Accessories: Styled Silver Hodgepodge, Double Stitched Wasabi ribbon, Stardust Stickles, Floral Screen embossing folder, Brayer, Paper Snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Stamps and some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Heartfelt For You

2008-08-04T13:51:00.004+12:00

Ok, so I'll refrain from boring you again by raving about Julee's sketches...but aren't they just amazing? Her pretty graphics are always an inspiration too!
This is one of the sketch challenges for Anni-VERVE-Sary, the 3rd of 12! The most amazing part of this card for me was.....I tied a bow!!! Yippee! I couldn't have done it without Kristina's awesome video tutorial - so worth a watch if you're bow challenged!

I used Nesties for the large square, SU! punches for the smaller squares and the slit punch for the scallops. The scalloped layer and the large square are up on dimensionals. Teeny bit of Baby Blue Stickles on the popped up flower and Kaiser pearls for bling. I was so happy to find this ribbon in my stash, it worked perfectly with this card!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Heartfelt Thanks, Occasional Greetings
Ink: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Always Artichoke, Basic Black
Card stock: Very Vanilla, Soft Sky, Always Artichoke
Paper: Apple Cider & Le Jardin DP
Punches: 1 1/4" Square, 1 3/8" Square, Slit
Accessories: Nesties, Kaiser Pearls in Bliss, Baby Blue Stickles, Discount store satin ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Stamps and some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Get Well, Chick

2008-07-31T21:59:00.003+12:00

Here's my card for Julee's Mojo Monday #48! I've only recently "discovered" Verve Visual (musta been living under a rock!) - and I'm oh so in love! Their stamps are to die for (and I'm getting a big parcel from DH for my birthday!) and Julee's blog is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Her sketches are the best out there, bar none.
These cute birds are in a Heidi Grace set I picked up over the weekend. I thought they'd look cute paper pieced. I also just had to break out one of my new Cuttlebug folders, Floral Screen - which I inked up with Chocolate Chip ink for the reverse embossing thingee (can never remember what this technique is called! The sentiment is from the Rain or Shine MFT set. This is for my sister Michelle who has the flu really bad. She's a groovy chick so I'm sure she'll like this.

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Rain or Shine - My Favorite Things, Tags & Words - Heidi Grace
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Chocolate Chip
Card stock: Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky
Paper: Rose Red Prints, Apple Cider
Punches: Word Window, Slit
Accessories: Floral Screen embossing folder, Brayer, Circle Nestabilities, Choc Chip Satin ribbon, White Gel Pen, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Comforting Circle

2008-07-27T20:36:00.005+12:00

This card is for a challenge in the Gina K. forum at SCS. I just loved this challenge...to make a round card, it really makes you think outside of the box...or rectangle as it were. This is also for Joan's Challenge for Dare to get Dirty week, to use silhouette stamps.
This card is a couple of firsts for me...first time I've inked this gorgeous set, Comfort and Peace and the first time I've really used a lot of Wild Wasabi on a card! I know it's a really popular colour, I've just had trouble getting to grips with it!

I also went shopping today, and although you can barely see it, I used one of my new Cuttlebug folders, Argyle, on the frame and Soft Sky layer.

I based the colour scheme on the Two Scoops paper by Basic Grey. You should have seen me do the happy dance when I needed something for the flower center and found that brad in my stash! Love it when that happens.

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Comfort and Peace
Ink: Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi
Card stock: Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi
Paper: Two Scoops by Basic Grey
Punches: Word Window
Accessories: Nestabilities, Blender Pens, Petaloo Flower, K&Company fabric brad, Silver Stickles, Kaiser rhinestones, Cuttlebug, Argyle embossing folder, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Stamps by Gina K. Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Triple Play

2008-07-25T10:53:00.006+12:00

There are SO many amazing challenges floating around this week - this card is for three of them! The first is one I've been wanting to do all week, create an ATC for Verve! I've been drooling over their images all week, now I know they ship internationally they are TOP of my wishlist!

This is my first ATC and it was SO much fun to make. You can finish one so quickly, and the small space isn't daunting at all. I wish I had some Verve stamps to use, but I had to settle for this Special Florals set from Inkadinkado. It was perfectly sized for an ATC.

I used this weeks colour combination from Kristina Werner - LOVE this one too, so pretty and soft.

Finally, I turned my ATC into a simple card for Sharon's Stamp Simply challenge in the Fan Club forums at SCS. It's stormy and cold here today (middle of Winter here in NZ!) so I've got a full day of stamping ahead...and it's Friday! Bliss!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Special Florals - Inkadinkado
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Card stock: Regal Rose, Whisper White, Sage Shadow, Rose Red
Paper: Rose Red Prints
Accessories: Corner Rounder punch, Oval Nestabilities, Wendy Irving Flowers, White Dotted Ribbon, SU! Markers, Kaiser Rhinestones, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Regal Rose Grosgrain, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Simple Big Pieces

2008-07-23T14:41:00.005+12:00

More fun challenges from Dare to Get Dirty week at SCS today - this one was to keep it simple, clean, lots of white space. I've long admired this style of card, but was never quite game enough to try! So glad I did today though - it was fun, fast and my workspace didn't get near as messy!

I used this weeks colour challenge from Color Throwdown, Cool Caribbean, Pumpkin Pie and Barely Banana. Love this combo, it worked perfectly with lots of white space too.

The far left circle and the flower are popped up on Dimensionals. I used my regular old paper trimmer and trusty bone folder for the score lines.

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Big Pieces, So Many Sayings.
Ink: Cool Caribbean, Pumpkin Pie, Barely Banana
Card stock: Whisper White
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie marker, Kaiser rhinestones, Pumpkin Pie grosgrain, Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Stamps and some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

My Favourite Sweetie

2008-07-22T14:56:00.006+12:00

I had SO much fun making this card today! I got to combine three amazing challenges and use lots of techniques/supplies. Here's some of the details:

The first challenge is one of the Dare to get Dirty challenges for fan club members at SCS. The challenge was to use ribbon as a jumping off point for your card. I chose this candy pink striped ribbon, and used it as inspiration not only for my colour scheme (candy colours) but also the yummy stamps I chose!

The second challenge was another for Dare to get Dirty - to use vellum. I used a piece of vellum card stock to soften the background paper. I always forget to use vellum, it was great to pull some out today.

The third challenge was the MFT Sketch challenge #40 in the MFT forum. I love this sketch, it gave me the chance to play with lots of layers.

I used tons of My Favorite Things products on this one, a couple of stamp sets, pearlescent watercolours, a pretties flower and some brilliance ink I bought from there.

The sundae image was coloured a few diff ways. I used White Opal liquid pearls on the glass, it gives a shiny finish with a bit of texture, really does look like glass. The rest of the image was coloured with Stampin' Up! markers, then I overlayed sparkle using my pearlescent watercolours for the first time.

I couldn't find a background paper I wanted to use, so made my own! I stamped the ice cream then masked it off and stamped the cones. Coloured with markers and dotted between the images with the small end of a Bashful Blue marker. The pretties flower was originally white, I coloured that with a marker too.

I love how this turned out, I'm sending this to my sister - I always call her sweetie when I text her for some reason, so it's perfect!

Stampin Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Here's the Scoop, What's up Cupcake?
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Basic Gray.
Card stock: Very Vanilla, Barely Banana, Regal Rose, Bashful Blue.
Paper: Summer Picnic.
Punches: Word Window, 1/16" Handheld.
Accessories: Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Pretties Flower, White Opal Liquid Pearls, Pearlescent Watercolours, Unknown Ribbon, White Gel Pen, SU! Markers, Soft Subtles Brads, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.
Stamps by My Favorite Things. Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Love You Hippo!

2008-07-21T13:15:00.007+12:00

Isn't this Hippo by Melanie from Gina K. Designs just THE cutest ever?!? I love her, she's the main reason I had to have this set.

I made this card for two challenges, the fantastic sketch is by Asela Hopkins and I used dry embossing for the Our Creative Corner challenge. This sketch was so perfect for the "OCC" challenge, it was my first time using my brand new oval nestabilites that I bought from Marcie at http://www.ucutathome.com/- who is sponsoring the prize at OCC! I dry embossed both my white oval and the card base.

I paper pieced the hippo, and popped up her....um...butt! lol

I loved making a card with this sketch, it's one I'll use again and again. It was also fun to pull some Cool Caribbean from my stash, I still love this colour!

Stampin Supplies:

Stamp Set: Just so Hippy!

Ink: Stazon, Cool Caribbean, Certainly Celery

Card stock: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Cool Caribbean, Pretty in Pink

Paper: Spring Fling

Punches: Scalloped Circle, 1" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle

Accessories: Oval Nestabilities, Certainly Celery Wide Grosgrain, Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Stampin’ Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive.

Stamps from Gina K. Designs, Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Here's the Scoop....

2008-07-12T18:26:00.001+12:00

I just love this new MFT set, Here's the Scoop, it's sooooooooo cute! I wanted to try paper piecing the full image, and Kristina's Color Inspiration challenge #15 was the perfect time to do it! These colours just screamed ice cream to me...so this set was perfect! Every part of the image is pieced - the carpet is Whisper White with Linen stamped in Close to Cocoa. I also stamped Linen in Chocolate Chip on Chocolate Chip for her pants. I had to cheat and get a tiny bit of Blush card in there though!

My First Gina K. Card!!!

2008-07-07T15:53:00.000+12:00

Yay! I'm finally back and creating! It feels so good to finally have my stamping space sorted after the move, and ohhhhh so good to be stamping again! I just had to use some of my brand new stamps from Gina K. I went to browse the Gina K. member forum hoping for sketch inspiration or a jumping off point (I was feeling a tad rusty!) and found this awesome challenge from the artist of this set herself, Melanie Meunchinger! I just love her stamps, so this was perfect for my first Gina K card. In fact, I have the rest of her stamps top of my wishlist!

While I think of it, I can't recommend Gina K. stamps enough! The rubber is gorrrgeous, wonderful quality and the customer service is above and beyond. Poor Gina had to deal with my changing my address mid order, and she was fantastic!

The sketch for this card comes from Cupcake Challenge #23. I've long been an admirer of the challenges at Taylored Expressions, but this was my first time playing.

I'm sending this card to my parents and youngest brother, I miss them terribly now I've moved cross country!

Stampin' Supplies: Just So Hippy stamp set. Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Whisper White cardstock. Spring Break DP. Stazon, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Blue Bayou ink. Watercolour Wonder Crayons, Petaloo Flowers, Piercing Tool and Mat Pack, Old Olive Ribbon, Epoxy Stickers, Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Small Corner Rounder Punch, Aquapainter, Stampin' Dimensionals. Some Supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Fun & Fast Congrats

2008-06-15T10:43:00.003+12:00

This card is for my sister Michelle, who was accepted into Teacher's College! I used Beate's weekend sketch, and Kristina Werner's colour challenge - my first time playing in both these challenges! I loved both the sketch and the colour combo - I'm all about Rose Red and Old Olive lately. I used more white than I would usually, and really like it. I need a new mantra "white is my friend...breathe...white is my friend" I'm usually so scared of white space!

I paper pieced my fav bird, added shadow with my Going Gray ink pad and a blender pen. The cuttlebug folder is Spots and Dots. I wanted to use a ton of different patterns, it's fun to mix them all up together. The bird layer is popped up.
For the insert I omitted the bird using markers and stamped repeatedly. The photos are kinda washed out, but I love the vibrancy of this card IRL. I added a little rhinestone to the flower center too, it's hard to pick up without maximising the photo.

Glad I finally got something new on this blog, I've been doing mainly SUO projects at thINKingstamps lately.

Happy Stampin'
Sarah

Supplies Used: Fun & Fast Notes, Polka Dot and Cheer & Wishes stamp sets. Whisper White, Rose Red and Going Gray card. Rose Red and So Saffron prints DP. Stazon, Old Olive and Going Gray ink. Spots and Dots Cuttlebug folder. Cuttlebug. Square Nesabilities. Clear Rhinestone. Old Olive wide grosgrain. Stampin' Dimensionals. Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

Not your typical 'Get Well' card...

2008-05-30T15:48:00.000+12:00

My Mother-In-Law will be going into hospital for a short visit, and what we hope is some minor surgery. Instead of flowers, we made her a "comfort parcel" and gave her some chocolates, relaxing herbal tea, magazines, hand lotion (I remember hearing somewhere that you get awfully dry skin in hospital....the cashier reiterated this!) and this cute frog cuddly toy.

Of course, as soon as hubby and I chose the frog I KNEW I had to do an "Unfrogettable" card! I had to take the photo with the flash, so I apologise for the poor quality. It looked so cool in real life, lots of dimension and texture.

The eyes are from the $2 shop - perfect size for this set. I used my Square Nestabilites for the main image. Coloured the image and Pretties with Watercolour Wonder Crayons. I punched two Regal Rose scalloped circles and cut them a little larger than in half so they would layer behind the punch. The half circle layer was cut with a Colluzle template, and I used the Bubbles Cuttlebug folder for the Vanilla layer. I used Baby Blue Stickles on the water and the scalloped layers are up on Dimensionals.

For the inside of the card, I used a strip of the designer paper, then stamped the frog on scrap paper, and layered on the base image with Dimensionals.

Hopefully this will bring a smile on a difficult day!

Happy Stampin'

Sarah

Supplies Used: Unfrogettable stamp set. Regal Rose, Old Olive and Very Vanilla card. Old Olive prints DP. Basic Gray & Old Olive ink. Pretties kit. Hodgepodge Hardware. Blender pens. Watercolour Wonder Crayons. Cuttlebug. Square Nestabilites. Bubbles Embossing Folder. Colluzle. Scallop Circle Punch. Stickles. Some supplies available from Stampin' Up!

A fresh start!

2008-05-30T15:37:00.000+12:00

Welcome to my new blog! I set this up as a companion to my Stampin' Up! only blog thINKingstamps so I would have somewhere to show my creations using products from other vendors. Cards will be posted on one of the blogs only - any subscribers won't get double ups in their email.

My greatest hope when blogging is that someone, somewhere will be inspired. I'll be posting links to blogs that inspire ME greatly, as well as my favourite shopping sites. Hopefully it won't take me too long to get some projects on here!

Happy Stampin'
Sarah