Collage stamping and a male birthday card

Male birthday?

Designing a card for a male is the antithesis to my usual purple pretty floral cards, so this was always going to be a challenge.

Finding a stampset without a flower is a challenge in my craft room!

So when it came to selecting a stampset and colours - I had to try the collage technique as I truly could not settle on one male stampset and I have done stars and trees many times before.

I have used the Pendant note cards. They are precut and come in Kraft, Kraft and Kraft.

A perfect male colour - call it kahki, call it crumb cake -

It reminds me of the overalls that my dad used to wear in his shed and in the garden.

The ink colours are all pretty much from the same pallette: sahara sand, Soft suede and chocolate chip.

I've gone very heavy on the ink pad "smooshing" - thats a technical term for swiping the ink pad over the cardstock to give a distressed dirty look which is very masculine I think.

Nothing crisp and clean for this style of card.

Card Recipe:
Pendant notes (15cards and envelopes) for $17.50
Stampsets: Tres chic background (expiring), Frames with a flourish (expiring),
Artistic Etchings (sneak peek), Happy birthday is from Party this way (sneak peek).
Cardstock: whisper white.
Ink: Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, chocolate chip.
Tools and accessories: Eyelet border punch, Soft suede polka dot ribbon (expiring), button bouquet, embroidery cotton, mini glue dots, dimensional foam adhesive.
Like this card?    Let me know what you think by leaving me a few words.
Just click your mouse on POST A COMMENT under this post - Enjoy!!!

Save the date: 15 September 2010

The new 2010/11 Idea book and catalogue will go live on 1 September 2010.
Are you as excited as me? Can't wait to play with the newest products from stampin' up?

As expected there are so many new things to play with in this catalogue.
 New patterned papers, new colours, new tools, new stamps, new buttons, ribbons and embellishments...

And the date has been set for our 2010/2011 New Catalogue launch ...

Wednesday 15 September 2010 at 7.30pm

Put the date on your calendar now ... other details will come later.

Birthday card in three pinks

I had a sweet little girl in mind when I made this card. So I chose my favourite three pinks:

Melon Mambo, Pixie Pink and Rose Red.

The stampset used for the animals is "Animal Stories" you might be seeing a lot more of this stampset in the next year ... that's a big hint regarding the new catalogue coming out next month.

I stamped in all the images in Melon Mambo.

The birthday cake is a single stamp from the A la Carte selection.

I've used two punches here, the circle punch to cut out the cake and the circle scallop punch to cut out the pixie pink cardstock.

  

There are a few new stamps used here but they are just a sneak peek of whats in store ...

This one is pretty obvious - A brand new sentiment set: and it fits beautifully into the wide Oval punch.
I've put it up on dimensionals and made a bow under the oval with the Melon Mambo ribbon (RETIRING) this gorgous polka dot ribbon is going ... after 31 August.

Thats it your first sneak peek of some of the new and returning stampsets.

Send me an email if you are needing any of those last chance specials.

Scallop circles and little leaves with the BIG Shot.

I have been busy creating a few cards with a mixture of old and new bits and pieces this week.

We are in the middle of the last month before the new Idea book arrives and the last few weeks before the current catalogue finishes.

There are a few old and new things hidden in the card above.

The card is shaped by rolling some orchid opulence cardstock (folded in half) through the Big shot machine using the large scallop circle die.

Did you notice the gorgeous embossing folder I have used?

Then I have run it through again between the embossing folder to get that lovely vintage wallpaper texture.

The centre is a ruffled flower using the scallop circle Punch with a few boho blossom flowers in the centre and a Rhinestone brad to hold it all together.

The little leaves behind the ruffled flower make an easy accent behind.

Most popular stampsets in July!

Are you curious what other stampers are buying?

Want to know what's popular right now?

 Here are the top ten stamp sets
 that sold from Stampin' up in July 2010:

120003 Cottage Garden (clear-mount)

118592 Tiny Tags (clear-mount)

115770 Cheep Talk (wood-mount)

115860 A Rose is a Rose (wood-mount)

119163 Cottage Garden (wood-mount)

116386 Loads of Love (wood-mount)

116332 Playful Petals (wood-mount)

118598 Vintage Vogue (clear-mount)

111536 Wonderful Favourites (wood-mount)
117693 Very Vintage Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel

My card is made from the very popular Vintage Vogue stamp set ( I think it was overshadowed last month only because there was that Two step stamping promotion sale last month).
My favourite stampset for the month of July was the Vintage Vogue and the vintage vogue wheel!
I am loving the Pale Plum and Rich Razzleberry colours together.
This Razzleberry spotted ribbon (and the melon mambo one aswell) will expire at the end of this month along with the pale plum ink and cardstock so enjoy it while it lasts... I am.
Thanks to Linda for the layout of this card... you can see Linda Higgins' cards using this set in the July edition of Australian cards and papercraft magezine.

Making Peace with the Paper Piecing technique

Paper piecing is the technique for August.

Warning: Paper Piecing requires the use of scissors!

 It requires the cutting of small pieces of paper.

 If you don't have hours to cut around small detailed stamps on patterned paper don't even try this.

Really, if you stamp them first, then sit down in front of the TV while you're cutting, it takes no time at all - its quite peace - ful.

And if you select simple shapes its even easier...

Me, I just like butterflies

The first step, which I didn't photograph, (because this is not a tutorial) is to stamp your background.
I used the Very vintage wheel in kiwi kiss ink, rolled on a diagonal. Then I took my All a flutter butterfly stamp in Old Olive ink and stamped it onto the background a few times.
Taking the same stamp I inked it in black Stazon and stamped it on my patterned paper.
I used the cottage wall and some pink pirouette patterned paper.

Then you cut out the patterned paper and stick the butterflies over the stamped images on your background.

Paper piecing project done.

 That was fun wasn't it?

I made eight of these little Artist trading cards to swap with this month.

No two cards are ever the same. The sentiment says "Bee Happy!"

So that was paper piecing ... now off to try some paper piercing... oww, that might hurt.

In Sydney for a couple of days of relaxation and adventuring...

Long name for a scrapbook page ... .

 I still haven't quite worked out the difference between a photo album and a scrapbook yet,

but that's fine... I just have to learn to take less photos or take a less photogenic sweet child next time I go on holidays... 

The first Page shows gorgeous Jess getting aquainted with our hotel room at the Old Sydney Holiday Inn. It is an old converted wharehouse with heaps of character and lots of natural light in all the rooms and the huge atrium inside.

On the Roof top of the hotel is the swimming pool, spa and sauna... Jess took teddy with her for a bit of R&R while we checked out the city views. That's the harbour bridge and the Opera house to the right.

That sunshine in the middle of winter was beautiful, we could have hung around all day.

But, the city shops and sights were beckoning...

and we had to go adventuring:

Can you remember when you were a kid and found a sign with your name on it?

It didn't ever happen for me until I went to Nerida street, Chatswood.

But Jessie has a garden named after her!

We discovered the Jessie street garden in the city and she was over the moon.

Ok, the stamping is minimal on these pages... I have used the big shot Timeless type alphabet to do my titling (the set contains both upper and lower case alphabets) and the Lots of Tags die for the "a few days of relaxation..." The hearts are punched with my small heart punch - it makes a cute border with great contrast against the Pacific Point textured cardstock.

I think what I like about this alphabet is that it makes me think of a magezine font ... now all I have to do is come up with some better titles for my scrapbook pages.

Stampset: Frames with a flourish

Cardstock: Textured 12x12 Pacific Point and Kiwi kiss, whisper white smooth.

Ink: Basic Black Stazon and marker pen.

A Two Bird Birthday celebration

At Convention I photographed a card up on the display boards and now I have made my own CASE (copy and share everything) ... it may not be an exact copy but it is probably pretty close.

 I just love the colours together: Rich Razzleberry cardstock with the Cottage wall designer series paper.

The background stamping is Upsy Daisy in rich razzleberry ink. Have you notice how stampin' up ink is always a tone darker than the cardstock of the same colour? so that you can get this shadow stamp affect.

The page of writing is half a Top note cut with my Big shot machine and sponged around the edges with ink.

The script is stamped with the rustic rooster background stamp in pale plum ink to give it that rustic vintage look. I have edged the "page" with the spiral bound punch.

The bird punch is just heaven to use as it is in the new punch style. Much easier to store because they are flat and like a good hole punch very easy to use.

I love how you can position the birds wings taking flight, or resting when the bird is on its branch.

*Two step bird punch $30.95 will be going up to $33.95 after 1 September!

Rich Mambo Pony party cards

Here they are my little Ponies .... by 7 year old request and their mothers everywhere -
In Rich Razzleberry and Melon Mambo versions.

Did you know how therapeutic it is to colour in a pony mane and tail with markers and some watercolour?

Takes you back to your child hood perhaps in pinks and purples with orchid opulence for sure.

The circle punch has been tied with Melon Mambo polka dot ribbon and held together with a square fire Rhinestone brad in pink!

This Unicorn has wings that are stamped with black stazon on velum cardstock, cut out, coloured in from behind and adhered with a mini glue dot or two.

The Rich razzleberry card has been rolled through the Big shot machine to get that gorgous polka dot raised background. The wings this time are layered with a bit of patterned paper in the shape of a wing,

 with the velum on top.

This pony is dancing off the page with dazzling diamonds for an extra magical birthday.

The knot of ribbon is held together with a circle ice Rhinestone for that extra bit of sparkle.
Card Recipe:
Stampset: Pony Party (Autumn Winter catalogue)
Cardstock: Whisper white, Rich Razzleberry (or melon mambo) and Orchid opulence.
Ink: Black stazon and coloured markers.
Tools and accessories: Circle punch, Horizontal slot punch, Rhinestone brad, two way glue pen and dazzling diamonds glitter, word window punch, polka dot ribbon (Rich razzleberry and Melon Mambo), dimensionals.

One Last Chance ... with specials

Stampin' Up! have released this years retirement list ...

You can see the list  HERE just click on the one last chance.

These stamp sets are 50% off:
A Happy Heart (page 34) is now $20.98
Best Wishes and More (page 53) is now $23.98
Greetings Eight (page 57) is now $24.98
Only Ovals (page 93) is now $19.98
Enjoy Every Moment (page 97) is now $26.98
All Scallops (page 105) is now $27.98
                                      ....and 17 other sets are 25% off!
Six of the Patterned papers are 25% off, and Pink Flamingo is only $8.48 (thats 50% off !)
"I Wish" Simply Scrappin Kit (page 137) - perfect for Christmas cards is 25% off - now only $27.71!
Chunky Glitter (page 145) is 50% off - only $15.98.
Blooms Die Cuts (page 144), also 50% off - only $8.25
Double-Stitched ribbons in Rose Red, Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue (page 150) are 50% off - $9.98! Most of the Striped ribbons are 25% off.
Take a look at the 7 Jumbo wheels and 8 standard wheels that are retiring... Most of the markers in Retiring Colours are 25% off, only $4.31. Cameo Coral and Apricot Appeal are 50% off, now only $2.88!
 Note: We found out this week that there will be a price rise of some things in the new catalogue noticeably the A4 cardstock will be $13.95 (for 24 sheets) from September 1.
Basic Grey, Kraft, Sahara Sand and Basic Black will no longer be available as a 40-pack. They will be 24 sheets to a pack from now on.
Also the largest of the punches will be going up in price too. So if you have your eye on the two step bird punch for $30.95 get it before 31 August before it goes up to $33.95.
 These items are only available while stocks last! And some items are already selling out.
Email me nerida_carter@hotmail.com to place your order!

Joy fold card in Cottage wall paper

I nearly forgot to show you the latest Joy-fold card we made last week. It was fun to make especially choosing the papers, stamps and colours to match. It is actually easier to make three at once I think, because you can just replicate all the pieces and stamp them assembly line style.

It is made with Pale plum and Rich Razzleberry Cardstock.

With the gorgeous Cottage wall Designer Series patterned paper that I love. I love the colours: Rich razzleberrry, orchid opulence and Old olive with that crisp white.

Here's how it opens ... we stamped the front panel with the always beautiful Vintage Vogue flower stamp... rock and rolled in pale plum and Razzleberry ink.  With a touch of the old olive vine and leaves curling across for that vintage look.

Don't these colours just look so pretty together?

You could make a card front just with that much and a piece of ribbon.

But look there's more....

It opens up with that small flap inside to show another vintage vogue flower and happy birthday message.

Back to that little flip out card inside ... it says: life happens, love helps.

Card recipe:

Stampsets: Vintage Vogue, teeny tiny sentiments.

Ink: Old olive, Rich Razzleberry, Pale plum.

Cardstock: Whisper white, pale plum, Rich Razzleberry.

Designer series Paper: Cottage Wall ( Autumn winter mini catalogue only available until 31 August).

Accessories: Circle Rhinestone brad, silver brad

Tools: Circle scallop punch, small and large Circle punches. Mat pack and dimensionals.

Baroque Motif and a Rich razzle kiss

I decided to make a full-sized Baroque Motif  birthday card.

I like to layer up a card with contrasting colours and glitter for birthdays.

Hearts and swirls just go hand in hand if you ask me.

Here is a close up of the square shaped baroque medallion turned on its diagonal.

I have punched out the square with a square punch

and layered it on to the square scallop punch of kiwi kiss cardstock.

Then to add some sparkle I have put a few dashes of two way glue pen around and sprinkled it with dazzling diamonds (fairy dust).

The centres of the small flowers also have this treatment.

Can you see it shining in the sunlight?

Simple but elegant ...  a weddings, birthdays, anything card.

Card recipe:

Stampsets: Baroque Motifs, teeny tiny sentiments.

Cardstock: whisper white, Rich Razzleberry, kiwi kiss.

Ink: Rich Razzle berry

Tools: word window punch, square punch, square scallop punch.

Small Heart punch, two way glue pen, dazzling diamonds.

Share a cup with heart

These cute little cards are called love notes.

They are the perfect size card to give to a friend to say "thanks", "I'm thinking of you" or just "hello".

I've combined the techniques of masking, punching and layering on all three.

 Any one who knows me, knows I love a good strong cup of tea.

One thing my mum taught me is that you can solve, (or attempt to solve) almost any problem in the world over a nice old fashioned good cup of tea.
This one looks like the washing up after a few of my friends have solved most of the social, emotional and economic problems in the world.

A few friends and a lot of love exploding with hearts.

The Tiny Tag at the top says thanks so much.

And those hearts are just brilliant at covering any not so perfect masking when you stamp.

Last but not least is the four cups, balanced precariously in all my favourite colours:

Orchid opulence, elegant eggplant, Melon Mambo and Rich razzleberry.

What I used to make these cards:

White love notes: 20 cards and envelopes $13.50

Stampset: share a cup $11.95

Tiny tags $28.95 clear mount.

Tools: jewellery tag punch, small heart punch, dimensionals.

Last chance list ...

Today is the day!
To make way for the new Idea book and Catalogue that comes out on the 1st of September Stampin' Up have issued their Last chance list for the 2009-10 catalogue. Stampsets, cardstock, ribbons, brads are all being retired and some of them are half the normal price. Sadly stampsets such as Embrace life are going, Wild about you and Organic Outlines, too.

We have only found out today that some of the catalogue items are going to increase in price on September 1st... that's right A4 cardstock prices will be increasing and some of the large punches, so now is a good time to take a close look at your cardstock and punch tool needs.

Ordering is quick and easy. To order you can contact me by email anytime at nerida_carter@hotmail.com or call/text my mobile 0468 877 125. I can have your order posted  directly to your door anywhere in Australia for a small postage charge.

I am placing an order this week (Tuesday) - for local customers I am offering a  a deal: order product to the value of $75 and I will give you $10 credit towards some extra cardstock, ink or ribbon.
Order $100 worth of product and you may be the lucky one to select a free hostess gift with your order.

Here is the list, (just click on the one last chance) and enjoy!

Baroque in a Rich Razzleberry swirl...

Today's card is a very simple card.

I have brought out one of my most favourite stampsets "Baroque Motifs"

Did you know that this stampset was voted most popular stampset by customers in 2009? And it is still a very stylish and the elegant stampset that I reach for when I want to make a wedding, engagement, birthday or baby card.

I've teamed it up with the in colour Rich Razzleberry and kept it monotone.

That is just Very Vanilla and black as neutrals to the gorgous Razzleberry ink and cardstock.

Don't you love these little hearts?

This is a small sized punch in the current Winter mini catalogue and it is only $11.50

They look just gorgous hanging off this swirl like a bunch of ripe red grapes in my opinion.