A top note Gift card for Christmas

I made this Simple Christmas card with my topnote die.
Just fold the cardstock in half before you put it through the Big shot to cut out the card base.
Then all I needed was the lots of tags die to cut out the circly white frame for my sentiment.
I am so tempted to stamp some more snow flakes on the red cardstock... such unusual restraint!

But wait ... when you open it up there is a gift card inside held by a half top note edged with the lovely eyelet border punch.
 I've used Real Red , whisper white and Old olive cardstock.
The snow flake in real red is from "Winter Post" and the words are from "Teeny tiny sentiments" on a word window punch lifted with dimensionals.
And another no-knot ribbon held together with a simple black brad.

Enjoy!

A Rich and Razzled Shimmer Dasher

 Here  is another stack of dasher cards I made last Sunday with my friend Sophie.
She loves the Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry as I do plus a bit of silver bling and shimmer.

 We started by stamping "dasher" in Platinum shimmer paint onto the razzleberry cardstock.
It's really shimmmery in the light. I love how the Rich Razzleberry tafetta ribbon matches the cardstock.
I have tied it through two holes punched through the top layer. It wont move, but it is tricky getting the bow to sit straight.

 A glue dot helps a lot. The Greeting is stamped in Old Olive using the curly cute stampset. This is a cinch to stamp using the clear block you can line it up straight very easily without a stamp a ma jig.
Sponging around the edges and popping it up on dimensional foam makes it stand out from the background.

So what do you think?

Would you like to make a stack of christmas cards like this? Give me a call and book a workshop or a stamp a stack at your place for November and don't forget the November Christmas bundle specials to get FREE rolls of Ribbon.

Background stamping is the snowflake from "Snow swirled".
Enjoy!

Shimmer painting on a Top note mask

Here is one of my early experiments with white shimmer paint and a sponge dauber.

Firstly I sponged the background with Pear Pizazz and stamped the lovely as a tree stamp.

I stamped the single tree in Old Olive ink and then again on vanilla cardstock, cut it out and raised it on dimensionals to bring it more to the foreground. 

The shimmer paint comes in a little bottle. I only needed a little bit of shimmer paint on my sponge dauber to get all this shine and shimmer. I seemed to have picked up some pink ink somewhere ...

"never-the-less" I've got my shimmery, glimmery effect that I was after.

Then just to up the glittery stakes I added some

2 way glue and tossed on some dazzling diamonds glitter on the forward tree.

The star on the top of the tree is a stick-on Rhinestone Jewell from Stampin' Up.

Masked top note with Christmas trees

 Here is what we made at a friend's place last Friday week. (Is it already over a week ago?)
We made these by spongeing the ink over a topnote cut out. (the negative part of the die cut... the bit you throw away.)

 I cant decide which is my favourite colour combination. The Marina Mist ink and Marina mist tafetta ribbon
or the Concord Crush spongeing which kind of looks like a night sky.

 Can you see on this one we covered any irregularities in the sponging (that means mistakes or blotches) with a clear rhinestone jewell. It looks like a shining star ...

Hear is my Old Olive version on vanilla cardstock. The colour is much more vibrant in real life.
Card Recipe:
Stampset: Lovely as a tree, Snow swirled (for the words)
Cardstock: Very vanilla
Ink: Marina Mist, or Concord Crush, or Old Olive.
Ribbon: Marina mist tafetta, Concord crush poly-stitched or Old Olive grosgrain.
Two holes were made to tie the ribbon through using a two hole punch or your crop a dile.

Faux Suede Decorative Ornament flower

Have you seen these Faux- suede textured flowers around?
When I saw a flower like this that Erin made I was most impressed and then I saw one made with the ornament punch on Jayne's site. That was it I had to try my hand at faux suede flowers.
Here is my first attempt on a card. Its coming up to Melbourne Cup day you could see these on a hat or lapel ... quick and easy decorating I say.

The actual flower can be made with as few as three punched out ornaments. I made this one with melon mambo cardstock.

When you distress the paper it de-laminates and becomes two pieces.

When you pull them apart the insides are all furry and look like Suede. (hence the faux-suede reference).

In the centre I have attached (with a mini glue dot) a cardstock button and then a Rich Razzleberry button on top.  The "thread" through the centre is a thin piece of cardstock tied through the button holes.

Also on this card I have used the Elements of style stamp, water coloured it, then covered it with a piece of vellum that is embossed with my Big shot machine.

The Ribbon is Rich Razzleberry Satin!

Just Believe Post it note holder

What's a simple useful gift for a young girl?

They love to write notes and draw pictures in note pads and stick them on the fridge, the furniture, their clothing, handy for writing notes while mum is on the phone ... so I picked up this little note holder and pen and wrapped it in some pink and orange paper.

I Glued it back together with double sided tape and some crystal effects for the tricky bits and decorated the front. On the front I have stamped the images with a new stampset from the Idea Book.
"Just Believe" So appropriate for girls who love fairies and magic?
Because fairies have to be believed in to to be seen.
 Like the toothfairy - if you don't believe in the tooth fairy you don't get any money left under your pillow...

I've put a layer of Crystal effects glue over the top of the circle (I just applied it using the nozzle and carefully spread it over the cardstock). It dries hard in less than an hour, so it needs to be the last thing you do.
Then I tied a piece of Pumpkin pie Satin ribbon around the base.
Jessica loved her note pad and pen. The first thing she wrote was a thank you note!

Perfect bubbles!

 The photos of Jess blowing bubbles with her friend Zak were just crying out to be scrapbooked and the circle theme just grew out of that. I was happy how the bubbles cut with my circle scissors tool came out.
It was very easy to cut photos on the glass mat (once I had remembered to put dotto down on the glass)...

The centre photos were left un cut with their white borders and the top and bottom photos cut with the circle scissor tool. I love how you can cut smaller circles of any size and create the ring that I cut to frame the main photo. It accentuates the bubble she is blowing and the elegant eggplant goes with her purple T-shirt.

All I had to do was cut my Title from white cardstock using the timeless type alphabet dies.
They are cut with the big shot machine and come with both upper and lower case letters plus numbers.
I had to put a crown on Miss Jessie's head as she is the Queen (or is that princess) when it comes to blowing bubbles and the tag is from Lots of tags tied with a Rich Razzleberry bow.
To continue the circle theme I used one of the Circle Circus stamps as a background on the Perfect Plum textured cardstock.

Ornament punch ideas

 

Just a quick post to show you another card I made with the ornament punch.

The sahara sand cardstock has been put through the Big shot machine with the polka dot embossing folder.

A layer of Concord crush cardstock and matching ribbon bands around the card and then I have stamped and punched the spotty ornament in Old Olive ink.

Sorry about the fuzzy photo - some cameras can't zoom or focus up close as you can see, even in bright sun light.... I have used dimensionals to give height to the merry christmas circle.

Concord crush doesn't come in a thin tafetta ribbon so I have made a cardstock ribbon to "tie" around the ornament.

When cut this thin is quite easy to thread throught buttons and use as ribbon - it makes a cute little bow.

Card Recipe:

Stampsets: Delightful Decorations, Winterpost.

Ink: Old Olive, Concord Crush.

Cardstock: Sahara sand, Concord crush, whisper white.

Tools: Ornament punch, 3/4" circle punch, Concord crush poly-stitched ribbon, dimensionals, Designer label Punch.

Some other ideas that you can  make with the ornament punch :

* gold fish (if you turn them on their side)... and add some bubbles.

* a vase to put flowers in...by cutting off the base.

*Jayne Mercer has posted a card here that features a beautiful suede textured (and coloured) flower made with the ornament punch.  So pop over to Jayne's site and have a look.

(I haven't had a chance to make one yet. Probably because I don't own the punch, yet...

I borrowed the one I used to make these cards. Glad that I waited now, because when I buy my ornament stamp bundle I'll be getting a roll of  ribbon for FREE).

How exciting is that?

Thank you... I've received a Blog award !

My friend Felicity has awarded me a blog award!!!
I feel very special ...
So thank you to all my blog friends who have encouraged me and commented on my blog.
I try to answer every blog comment to let you know that I appreciate your thoughts and feedback.
Thank you to all of you who visit, even though you may be just quietly going about your blog surfing I do appreciate your visits and hope that you enjoy what I have to share.

  As award recipient I have to share this award with 8 other blog friends
so here are a few of the blog friends I have been visiting lately and want to share my encouragement and appreciation for their creativity:
1. Jayne  www.jaynemercer.com/
2. Erin stampinmystyle.blogspot.com
3. Vanessa vanessawebb.net
4. Lisa lisabstamping.blogspot.com
5. Carol http://inkantations-and-inkarnations.blogspot.com/
6. Tennille stampingwithtennille.blogspot.com
7. Claire clairedaly.typepad.com/
8. Liam inspirestampin.blogspot.com

Enjoy!!!

Dress up for Christmas Free ribbon Special!

From 16 October-30 November*, Stampin' up are offering two ways to get FREE Christmas ribbon:

1. Get an exclusive package of ribbon for FREE when you purchase a Christmas gift-giving bundle!
2. Get an exclusive package of ribbon for FREE when you host a $550 workshop!

Choose from these bundles:

Gifted Bundle:
Gifted Set and Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper
Wood mount: 124041; $66.90 Clear: 124042; $56.90

Welcome Christmas Bundle:
Welcome Christmas Set and Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper
Wood:124045; $69.90 Clear:124046; $59.90

Season of Joy Bundle
Season of Joy Set and So Swirly Stampin' Around Wheel
Wood mounted only: 124043; $67.90

Delightful Decorations Bundle
Delightful Decorations Set and Ornament Punch
Wood mount:124044 $72.90

When you buy one of the above bundles you can Choose from the following limited-time ribbons (or when you host a qualifying workshop):
116792 Mistletoe Ribbon Originals $21.95 FREE
116795 Sleigh Bells Ribbon $15.95 FREE
113099 Riding Hood Red 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon $19.95 FREE
115608 Real Red 3/4" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon $19.95 FREE

Contact me nerida_carter@hotmail to place your order or to schedule your Christmas workshop!
*Bundles and ribbons are available while supplies last.

Season of Joy Medallion

I've combined three stampsets on this card: the medallion, Season of Joy and Heard from the Heart.

The technique used is "rock and roll".

I like it because you can use two colours to get depth and variation in both images.

 I like also how the tree shape and the medallion have the same shapes and dots repeated.
I have only used two ink colours: Pear pizazz and Old olive Classic ink.

 And then for some bling and sparkle I have added a few stick on Rhinestone jewels on the tree.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Season of Joy, Medallion, Heard from the Heart.

Cardstock: Whisper white, Early Espresso

Ink: Pear Pizazz, Old Olive.

Accessories: Sharp scissors, Clear Rhinestone Jewels, dimensionals.

A no knot silk ribbon bow

Nearly everyone I speak to has trouble with tying bows... just when you have the trick down perfect, you stand up proud to show a few friends and the skill eludes you once more... I know not how to tie the perfect bow, you say.

Well, not now, I have the no Knot bow at my finger tips ready to share.

It takes only a few moments to do (with only the aid of a rhinestone brad to hold it in place).

Here it is:

Take a piece of ribbon (Old Olive Satin ribbon looks so lovely in a bow) twice as wide as the bow you want to create. Fold it into equal thirds.

Then pinch it in the centre and wrap the tines (or the legs of) a brad around the pinched bit of ribbon.

Tease out the ends and trim them neatly with your scissors,

and stick it on to a card with a mini glue dot, or two.

Here it is from a different angle and tucked beneath a delightful decoration stamp.

With out a knot in sight.

Enjoy!!!

Delightful Decorations

 I think I took this photo before the glitter fell on it ... plain and simple.
So here is the stack of cards I managed to finish: 8 cards have to be a record for me.

Enjoy!!!

We stamped a stack on Tuesday...

Here is one of the cards I made on Tuesday night: the base is Concord Crush and the ink is Old Olive.
The stampsets are Elements of Style (for the branches) and Delightful Decorations plus Heard from the Heart for the sentiment across the bottom.
I made a very basic card to start, tried to repeat it, failed dismally and made a stack of various variations on the same design... I stuck to the same colour ink and cardstock for continuity...

Soon the dazzling diamonds filled the air, the tabletop and floor...
....a bit fell on the cards too.
Card Recipe:
Stampsets: Heard from the heart, delightful decorations, Elements of Style
Ink: Old Olive
Cardstock: Old Olive, whisper white, Concord crush.
Accessories: 2-way glue pen, dazzling diamonds glitter,

Dasher in Old Olive and Early Espresso

The card above is so simple. Just two pieces of cardstock and three stamps.

It looks fairly simple this way.

If you wish you can dress it up with dazzling diamonds and rhinestones to step it up and get the wow factor.

Dasher has been "rock and rolled" in the old olive and Early espresso ink (but only lightly).

The stamps are:

 Dasher

Heard from the heart

and Elements of Style.

This card uses just two stamps:

Dasher and Curly cute with a background of wheeled swirls and some polka dot patterned paper.

The variations for Dasher are endless...

expect to see a lot more of him between now and December!

Platinum shimmer paint ...

Now you just can't get more christmassier than Real red and silver ...
This is my first play with a new product "Shimmer Paint".
Its on page ... in the Idea Book and catalogue.
It can be used as an ink or mixed with ink and stamped or sponged onto cardstock.
I've tried a little of everything on this card.

 The basic colour scheme holds it all together. I have applied the shimmer paint (It comes in a little bottle) with a sponge dauber, you need very very little to sponge a stamp.
Then stamped it a few times onto the red cardstock and then stamped the little snow flake randomly around the background.

 Next, I have inked up the joy ornament stamp in real red ink and before stamping it I have sponged some shimmer paint around the edges of the rubber.
Stamped the image onto white cardstock and  here comes the good part...
punched the ornament out with the Ornament punch (yes it comes with its own matching punch).

 On a roll with the punches I have punched out a shape on the front of this card using the Designer label punch... which perfectly fits with the label stamp from the Winter post stampset.
My daughter loves this stamp: just because it says "do not open 'til Dec 25"
She is right into the reverse psychology thing at the moment.

Here it is closed from the front with all its stamping and shimmering. The platinum shimmer paint is the only one that is opaque, the other colours (shimmery white and champagne) are more transparent.
I am also loving the Red tafetta ribbon at the top of this card. What do you think?

Love Letter, Lovely as a tree

I am sharing with you a card we made at a weekend workshop just recently...

We had a lovely few hours stamping and having a gorgeous afternoon tea.

One of the best parts of cardmaking for me is the social aspect and meeting new fun and interesting  people.

The colours used are not your usual red and green but have a traditional feel with the sponging of the very vanilla cardstock edges. It gives a slightly vintage feel and softens the edges of the images.

The patterned paper used is called "Love Letter".

We stamped the "lovely as a tree" in Early Espresso ink and stamped the words from Curly Cute in Ridinghood Red on the vanilla cardstock.

The little piece of ribbon poking out at the top is striped grosgrain in Early Espresso and our star is a Rhinestone jewel.