Scrapbooking in the month of May

I mentioned that it is International scrapbooking month didn't I?
Here is a 6"x6" scrap page that we did at the lovely Telita's place a short while ago.

I have used the vibrant but Autumnal "Pumpkin Pie" smooth cardstock.

Did you know you can now buy it in 20 sheet packs in the single colour of your choice ?

(20 sheets in a package $14.50)

The stampset we used is Nature's nest (not officially retired ... because it may come back in the main catalogue in September who knows).

 

The Turtle has been "paper pieced" which simply means I stamped the turtle image onto a piece of patterned paper and cut him out.

Then for detail I used my stampin' write marker (in pumpkn pie) to watercolour his tummy, claws, eyes, tail and some spots on his shell.

He looks rather cute on the pumpkin pie grosgrain ribbon.

The photo is of darling Jess at her favourite spot in the Japanese Gardens.

Other stamps used: Vintage Labels (SAB), Frames with a flourish.

Ink: Black stazon and Riding hood red for the background.

Eyelet border punch on the basic black cardstock.

Inspiration: The black, red and orange colour scheme came from pillows in an Autumn furniture catalogue.

Nature's Rustic Collage

I had to show you my second card using this rustic collage technique.

This time I've used a bit of Creamy caramel spongeing to make the white embossing pop out from the sahara sand.

You get that sand-blasted white wash effect by rubbing the whisper white craft inkpad over the stamped design, then I sponged creamy caramel over the top.

The Dragon fly was given a touch of white gel pen, not too much.

Then I have stamped the words with whisper white craft ink: Happiness always (another free stamp set from the Sale-a-bration catalogue)... gotta love free stampsets.

And then I added the stamped and watercolour-penciled Dragon fly from the Nature's nest stampset raised on dimensional foam.

As Dragon flies are inherently transparent and shimmery I used my two-way glue pen and dazzling diamonds for a little bit of bling.

Recipe: all of the above, plus the eyelet border punch and Basic Black grosgrain ribbon.

Natures Nest and Vintage Labels

I have re-discovered Sahara sand as my new neutral.
Well, all these colours are neutrals actually! Black, white, grey, sand, and a touch of creamy caramel.

Do you like this technique? A Vintage version of Collage.
I have been inspired by a T-shirt design and the french provincial style (think shabby chic furniture).

Card Recipe:

Stampsets: Nature's nest (from the  Summer mini catalogue $39.95)

 Rustic Rooster (Free hostess set)

Vintage Labels (Free Sale-a-bration set)

Ink: Black stazon, Whisper white, Creamy caramel.

Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Basic Grey, Basic Black.

Accessories: white embossing powder, heat tool.

Punches: 1" circle punch, Scallop Circle Punch.

Stamping Collage card version 2.

This  bird in a cage image just keeps appearing on my cards (it is from the Sale-a-bration Sale set "Happy Moments").  So I guess it is living up to its name as it has afforded me many happy stamping moments ...

On this card I decided I would continue with the bird theme with a gold embossed and dazzling diamond encrusted feather. I know over the top, but when you are sending a handmade card who writes the rules?

The sender!

The background stamping is from Rustic rooster (another free set for you when you host a workshop or, place orders to the value of $300).

Card Recipe:

Stampsets: Happy Moments (free), Nature's nest, Life Definitions, Rustic Rooster (free).

Cardstock: Old Olive, Basic black, whisper white.

Ink: Old olive, VersaMark, Stazon black, creamy caramel (for sponging).

Other: gold embossing powder, heat tool, two way glue pen, dazzling diamonds glitter, kraft taffetta ribbon, antique brad, sponge.

Nature's nest collage with gold embossing.

Do you remember doing Collage as a child. You cut out and stuck a whole lot of different images onto a sheet of art paper in different patterns overlapping and mixing them in a totally random pattern?

It was fun and very satisfying if I remember.

The background card is stamped on an angle with the script stamp from Rustic Rooster as a watermark effect on the Old Olive cardstock. I have stamped it again on the whisper white cardstock panel then in chocolate chip ink I have randomly stamped some of the words from the Life Definitions stampset. Delight and Create.

Finally I have gold embossed a dragon fly from the Nature's nest stampset.

Card recipe:

Stampsets: Natures nest, Life definitions, Rustic Rooster, Happy Moments.

Cardstock: Old Olive, Chocolate chip, whisper white.

Ink: Old olive and Chocolate chip. Versamark for embossing.

Tools and accessories: Vintage brads, crimping tool, gold embossing powder, heat tool and dimensional adhesives.

Nature's Nest - Turtle card

You may have seen this card layout before. It is a direct CASE (copy and share everything) from the one on page 17 of the Stampin' Up Summer mini. It  is a card with a conga line of turtles with layers of torn cardstock and the middle turtle is water coloured. As I have explained watercolouring can be dead easy if you emboss the image first. This one is embossed in gold. I have watercoloured with an aquapainter pen and outlined the image in sahara sand marker for shadow.

You just pick up the classic ink from inside of the lid of your ink pad and start at a point where you want the colour to be darkest. The longer you paint, the lighter the ink colour on your brush.
I have used both Old olive and kiwi kiss inks and some close to cocoa on his face and body.

For the background I just stamped the progression of turtles on whisper white cardstock. You can see what a crisp clean stamp impression you get using just old olive classic ink on the whisper white.
I have used a piece of tafetta ribbon in the gorgous chocolate chip and played with a couple of different button combinations before deciding on the single Old Olive button attached with a mini glue dot.

What you need to make this card:

Stampsets: Nature's Nest $39.95 Summer mini, Short and Sweet $29.95.

Cardstock: Whisper white, Chocolate chip, Kiwi Kiss.

Ink: Kiwi kiss, Old olive, Choc chip, close to Cocoa.

Other: Tafetta ribbon - Choc chip, Designer Buttons Bouquet, embossing powder - gold, heat tool, mini glue dots, Sahara sand Stampin' write marker.

Techniques used: heat embossing, water colouring, tearing.

Enjoy!!!

Last Christmas orders

On Monday I will be placing my last stampin up order before Christmas so if there is anything you need from the Inventory sale or as a last minute gift for someone this week. Please let me know. You can email me at nerida_carter@hotmail.com

Today's card is another variation of my launch project cards. I have used Riding hood red and pink pirouette with whisper white and basic black cardstock. The ribbon is tied in a knot behind the black grommet, which turns any old knot into a neat bow.
The dragon fly is from Natures nest stampset. I have rock and rolled the fly in pink pirouette and riding hood red then used the chocolate chip marker direct to the rubber on his feet and body for definition.
The Happy birthday is a single stamp "sweet birthday" stamped in basic black ink and punched out with my word window punch, and raised on dimensionals.

Enjoy!!!

Launch night a success!!!

What a great night we had launching the Summer mini catalogue last night. I enjoyed myself and I hope you all enjoyed your lucky door prizes and the projects that we made.

For those of you who couldn't make it - Here are the projects using new products from the Summer mini catalogue:

Animal stories in a sweet cup balloon.
Colours used: whisper white cardstock, pumpkin pie cardstock and ink. Riding hood red ink (for the words). New Circle punch 1 3/4" circle that is exactly the right size to hold the sweet cup.

I love the fact that our cardstock comes in so many colours that you can match it to the jelly beans in the cup.

The Animal stories stampset comes with matching double sided paper and 4 different animals in this stampset. Lots of variations for children's birthday cards and scenes.The tag at the top opens the sliding door to allow you access to your lollies with out tearing the card and when you have finished the jelly beans you still can see the happy birthday greeting through the window.

Magnetic Book mark : I made several different colour combinations of these and experimented a lot with magnets and paper clips. Finally, they seemed to work with a bit of sticky strip and good metal placement.I am using mine to mark the pages in my catalogues that I keep coming back to. The magnet keeps it from falling out even if I turn it upside down. A nice Christmas gift too for a reader in your family.

If you guessed I like butterflies you would be right and since this one comes with a matching butterfly punch I know I will get a lot of use from it. It also fits the flight of the butterfly stampset in the main catalogue... Baja breeze seems to go with everything especially butterflies I think. I have lots of different projects in mind for this stampset and punch.

Our third project was the dragon fly card featuring the beautiful large grommets that hold the ribbon neatly together. A very tailored look. Strong metal claws keep your bow neatly in place. There are 4 colours in a pack: Five each of white, black, silver and cream.The dragon fly comes from the new Nature's nest stampset and the happy birthday stamp is a single stamp which comes with a cake too. These colours are Elegant eggplant, more mustard and Old Olive and I have inked the stamp using markers direct to the rubber stamp.

I will have a few more photos of the night to show you tomorrow ... off to make a slideshow.

Nature's nest ... watercolouring

Sharing this little turtle card... from Natures nest. The turtle is so easy to watercolour and he shines very nicely with a little crystal effects and dazzling diamonds applied to his eye and shell.
What I used to make this card:
Ink: black stazon, kiwi kiss classic ink pad, versamark.
Cardstock: kiwi kiss, whisper white, baja breeze.
Designer series paper: kiwi kiss patterns.
Stampset: Nature's nest
Wheel: Forever flowers
Other: 2 way glue pen, dazzling diamonds, aquapainter, corner rounder.
Here is my second watercoloured card: I think the little turtle looks like he is coming up for air.
So the background stamping is from Inspired by nature, the patterned paper is baja breeze - does it look like bubbles rising?
What I have used:
Stampsets: nature's nest, inspired by nature
Ink: stazon, kiwi kiss.
Cardstock: kiwi kiss, baja breeze textured and baja breeze patterns.
Other: aquapainter and corner rounder.
I ask myself - What's missing?
A piece of ribbon and a happy birthday sentiment !