Easter Scrap Page

 You would think by this, that I am up to date with the scrap booking ... You would.
Let's just pretend that I am and enjoy the Easter layout I have created last week.

 My Title is stamped with "Broadsheet Alphabet" in a variety of inks that were dark enough to show up on the Melon Mambo cardstock.

Elegant Eggplant, Cherry Cobbler, Rich Razzleberry, Wisteria Wonder.

I had a lot of fun with this layout.

The scallop edged dotted ribbon you will note perfectly matches the ribbon in Jess's hair.

And the flowers on the layout are the same as the punched flowers on Jessie's Easter hat.

 Then I plunged into to the Punch Art for some patterned paper chickens and cracked easter eggs.

 Very easy with the large oval punch and patterned papers. The chicken is simply the Bird builder punch with his tail cut off and some legs drawn in.

 Journalling is short and sweet on the Apothecary Art stamp, cut out with the Edgelits die.

My Bunny sticker is compliments of a free stampset and sticker pack I received at the last Stampin' up Convention. The Quick Accent sticker sheets just keep giving and giving.

The Liebster Blog Award

I feel very honoured this month

 as I have received a blog award.

Angie has awarded me the Liebster Blog award!

 How exciting! Thank you!!

 "What is a Liebster Blog Award?",

 "Liebster" is German for "Dearest".

The award is a "Share the love arrangement", given to inspirational bloggers with less than 200 followers, to bring attention to their blog, and increase their following!

Here's what you have to do if you are a recipient of the Liebster Blog Award.

1. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award.

Thank you Angie!!!

2. Link back to the blogger who presented you the award.

http://angiescraftfusion.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/liebster-blog-award.html

3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.

(See the pretty award above and on my sidebar!)

4. Present the Award to 5 other deserving bloggers with less than 200 followers.

5. Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment on their blog.

So here are my picks and I hope you get as much inspiration from them as I do:

* http://kcpaperlady.blogspot.com.au/

* http://ellenthehappystamper.blogspot.com.au/

* http://lhiggins.blogspot.com.au/

* http://felicityscraft.blogspot.com.au/

* http://stampingwithtennille.blogspot.com.au/

Thanks so much for nominating me!!

Mother's day note cards

I am making Mothers day note cards for my local school.

Probably make 20 or more at this stage.

This one is all pink and pretty, but might be a little time consuming with the watercolouring and sponging.

I have used the "Rue de Fleurs" stampset.

My favourite part of this card is the Framelit edge that I have created with the Big shot and the largest of the Framelit dies.

Happy Mothers day stamp is from "Teeny Tiny Sentiments" on the modern label punch sponged with Melon Mambo ink.

"Rue de Fleurs" for Mothers day

 Isn't this a gorgeous image for mother's day cards?

A bodice bursting with flowers.

I've added two different ribbons some pearls and tiny crumpled roses.

 A touch of First edition newsprint paper under the edgelits die and lots of other vintage elements in the pens stamped on Poppy parade cardstock.

 I sponged around the edges of the Framelit die and watercoloured the stamped image.

Card Recipe:
Stampset: Rue de Fleurs, Teeny Tiny Sentiments.
Cardstock: Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Whisper White.
Patterned paper: First Edition
Ink: Black stazon, Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade.
Ribbons: white Organza ribbon, Blushing bride pleated satin.
tools: Boho Blossom punch, pearl jewels, blender pen, sponge dauber.
Big shot machine, Framelit and Edgelit dies.

Scrapbooking a proud moment!

 When the weather is wet and gloomy we scrapbook.

Today's page is all about a proud moment when Jess received a class medal at the end of year assembly.

I have so many photos I never know what pictures to scrapbook next,

 so I have chosen a picture that has lots of feelings and emotion attached to it.

... and then its play time with what ever new stamps and tools I can find.

 I am loving the "Mixed Bunch" stampset and matching punch.

You can layer the punched flowers with plain, stamped or patterned paper and the centres fit into several of our circle punches.

 By cutting out two of the frilly petals you can make a butterfly.

The antenas are made from ribbon or twine would work too.

I like to put a rhinestone jewell in the centre of my butterflies. How pretty are these?

 The Journalling box is stamped with the apothecary Art stamp which conveniently has lines to write on.

The New Big shot - Framelit dies are great for making different sized frames around any image.

 And did you notice the gorgeous big strawberry I made using the Sizzlit heart and a trimmed down piece of the 5 petal flower punch? these look great dipped in some chocolate chip or Early espresso ink.

 For a title I stamped the Congratulations stamp from "Curly Cute" and

Wow, you're the best

from "Friendly Phrases".

Cardstock: Cherry cobbler, Lucky Limeade, whisper white.
Designer paper: First Edition.

Making boxes with the Simply Scored Scoring tool.

The simply scored scoring tool

 is fabulous for:

1. Scoring the fold in your cards, no crooked, slightly wonky folds any more!!!

2. Making concertina (accordion) folded rosettes

and

3. Scoring the measurements of

 card stock boxes.

You can make boxes any size you like (up to 30.5 x 30.5cm).

I took some photos of the DVD box I made recently,

 to show you all the cool features on the "Simply Scored" tool.

At the top there are imperial measurements (and it comes with a metric insert that slides into the board.)

At the top end of the board is a little compartment to hold your extra scoring tools in.

Very clever idea ... I have checked out the other score pads on the market and they dont have all these features. It also comes with its own scoring stylus....

Any way, Card stock for my box was 11 5/8" wide and 8 1/4 " deep.

I scored lines for the spine of my DVD box dragging the stylus from top to bottom, turned it sideways and scored the sides too.

I won't bore you with the maths.... it's actually easier using the metric insert.

The "simply scored" comes with three little pins to measure where to make your score lines.

Especially if you want to make more than one, you don't have to keep measuring and doing the maths in your head because the pins keep the place on the board.

Did I mention that it also comes with its own scoring stylus tool?

So you don't have to use your bone folder. The scoring tool is very comfortable and allows for a fine precision score mark.

Having cut and scored my paper. I was then able to fold the box around my DVD and stick it together with sticky strip. Too easy!

The decoration was explained in a previous post. Now for the details:

Simply Scored tool - $55.95

 Page 6 and 7 of the Autumn Winter mini catalogue

(comes with scoring stylus and three Place markers).

Metric scoring plate: $21.95

Framelits, Attic Boutique and a Poppy Parade Blossom

 When you have new toys - it is time to play!
This is one of the first cards I made with the new Framelits and "Attic boutique" papers. I particularly love the soft Pool Party blue with the Bold Poppy Parade flower on whisper white.

 You have probably been seing these pretty crumpled flowers around everywhere in all different sizes.

So easy to dampen the cardstock with water or rubbing alcohol, then crumple and shape the cardstock before it dries.

With a red brad in the centre it takes centre stage on any pastel coloured card.

My "Thanks" stamp is also in Poppy parade ink and I have used a small "Framelit" to frame the word from "Rue de Fleurs" stampset.

The pretty pattern in the oval is also from this stampset, just love it as a feature in Soft Suede.

I love how the next size up framelit die, perfectly embraces the "Designer frames embossing folder".

Those little white dots are definitely braile for gorgeous and stylish!!!

And I have tied the linen thread around the framelit with Island indigo Baker's twine for a little more texture.

Presenting ... BigZ Bird die

The latest product in the Autumn mini - released this month is the BigZ bird die.
I think it is so elegant...
Depending on the material you cut it out of, determines the character of this elegant bird.
Above I have used two of the less floral patterned  papers out of "Attic Boutique" Designer series papers. Using  Daffoddil Delight and Soft Suede patterns on a Basic Black cardstock base.
I have tied some Seam binding Ribbon around the folded wing base.
Just ready for a sentiment...

How to stick your clear stamps together and get them straight!

I thought today I would show you my new alphabet stampset called "Broadsheet".

My sweet daughter has been helping me stick my new stamps together.

This is the quickest way I have found that actually helps you get your stickers on straight.

1. Pull off the backing from your cling rubber stamp.

2. Peal the paper from the front side of the sticker.

(easiest if you remove half and half at a time).

 3. Then place the rubber stamp cling side down onto the sticker.

You need good light so that you can see where you are placing it.

Press down. 

 4. Lift it up, turn it over and you have your sticker exactly in place, where it should be.

 Another tip: Keep the rubber bit that your rubber stamps came in.

It is a good holder inside the DVD case, so that you can see what's missing and acts as a kind of frame to keep them stuck inside the plastic box.

Any questions about your cling stamps?

Send me an email or leave a comment below, thank you.

Apothecary Art Just for you

 Here is a quicker way to wrap a DVD box... and, the time I saved in wrapping I was able to spend watercolouring my Apothecary Art flowers.

I am really enjoying these holidays with Jess home and not having to be somewhere every day.

The box is simply wrapped with the First Edition printed paper, edges punched with the scallop punch, and stamped with the "Rue De Fleurs" stamps in Poppy Parade and Soft Suede inks.

The Framelits and edgelits are a very elegant way to frame any stamped image but especially designed to fit the Apothecary Art stamps.

 The attic Boutique papers go beautifully with this too in Poppy Parade and a soft version of daffodil delight and Soft Suede colours.

Another project with the two tags die

 Here is a little project I came up with, all by myself ... no CASEing on this one.

Don't you love it when you make something new and you can be proud of it?

It is fairly simple - just a piece of cardstock, folded in half before running it through the big shot, using the larger of the two tag dies.

 You can see how I have folded it and placed a square Post it note and pen on the inside.

Handy little gift is it not?

The Concord crush cardstock was also textured with the Flower garden embossing folder. It gives a lovely deep embossed line.

The big flower on the front is made with the Big shot Fun Flower die using the Free Hostess-only Designer series paper.

And I have created a belly band that locks in behind the flower with a tiny slit made with my cutter kit.

 The sentiments: Are stamped with the tiny tags stamp and punched out with the tiny tag punch.
Tied with a piece of twine onto some ruffled Wisteria Wonder Ribbon.

And of course the pen is from Stampin' Up! a souvenir pack from the last Stampin' up convention.
Are you sure you don't want to come with me as a guest  at the end of May this year?

Apothecary with Simply Scoreed rosette and no tie Ribbon bow.

 Long weekends are very relaxing and what's not to enjoy, especially when there is a new Autumn mini catalogue and I have all my new "TOYS" ... I mean "Tools" to play with.

 The new "Simply Scored" scoring tool is just brilliant for making score lines on cards and boxes and ...

for making rosettes.

You just take a strip of patterned paper 30cm long and 3 cm wide (make that 12" by 1 1/4" if you're imperial). Make 1/2 " creases (score lines) with your Simply scored scorepad, then turn the paper over and score every 1/2" again on the other side. Making mountains and valleys.
 Stretch it around underneath your Framelit cut out and stick it to the card with Sticky strip.

You can make it round like a circle or oval shaped to suit the shape you are framing.

I have used the Scallopped Edgelit die for my Wisteria Wonder card base and the other Edgelit for the Melon Mambo layer.

Do you like my no knot bow?

A piece of Melon Mambo scallop dot ribbon over-lapped and just held together with a rhinestone brad in the centre. You just have to Love the quick and easy things in life.

A few more layers of the Framelit dies and a circle punch with two pretty jewells to catch the light. 

Apothecary Art

Being Easter and all, I have had some time to make cards ... Yay!!!
I am exploring what you can do with my new Edgelits and Framelits in the big shot.
And combining them with the new Designer Series paper: Attic Boutique.

 Pool Party cardstock and matching Seam binding ribbon ...
I love the script of this Happiest Birthday that fits into the Apothecary banner.

I've watercoloured a bit with Poppy Parade and Old Olive ink.

 This paper is going to be a favourite - check out that image of an old fan and the trumpet.

Did you also notice the Scalloped edgelit. It has scallops on its scallops!
Give me a call if you want to place an order for any of the products in this post: 0468 877 125.

Gift box wrapping a DVD and making crumpled flowers

 Gift wrapping can be a chore or,
 a creative canvas to express your feelings.

I made this DVD cover from cardstock as a gift for a friend who held a workshop for me recently.

It contained a DVD box with clear stamps in it.

 On the front side I "wheeled" the friendship stamp around the Island indigo cardstock, then scored and folded my box... with the new Stampin' up ScorePal.
 (more on that later).

I added a piece of Concord Crush Embossed houndstooth cardstock and a sentiment:

Just because from the "Notably Ornate" stampset.

 I wrapped it with a piece of lace ribbon punched from Lucky Limeade cardstock.

I think these colours go beautifully together: rich, bright and vibrant.

The box is topped off with a crumpled flower made with the Fancy Flower punch, 5 petal punch and the Boho Blossom punch.

Here's the basic Tutorial for making these pretty flowers.

 You will need:

*Fancy Flower Punch (punch three from vanilla cardstock)

*5-petal punch (punch three from vanilla cardstock)

*Boho Blossoms punch (punch three of the largest blossom)

# Paper piercing tool

# Brad and perhaps a mat pack (so that you dont ruin your table).

# A spray bottle of water or isocol. 

# Dimensional or glue dot to stick to your project.

 1. Layer your punched flowers onto the paper piercer, from largest to smallest blossom.

 2. Then push your brad through the centre hole to hold it together.

 3. Begin scrunching each layer of petals upwards.

If you are finding the cardstock a bit difficult to crumple with your fingers give the whole flower, or each layer a spray with your spray bottle. This makes the paper fibres more pliable, but be gentle they are delicate when wet.

If you used Isocol (rubbing alcohol from the chemist) you can add some shimmer paint and it will dry quicker.

4. When it's almost dry you can unfurl your petals to the desired shape of your bloom.

Just remember the amount you spray will determine how long it takes to dry.

If they are still a little too damp, they wont stick to your adhesive, so set them aside to dry.

 And there you have it crumpled flowers - they look a bit like Gardenias I think.

You can sponge them with ink if you want to deepen the colour or just spray on a bit more shimmer paint for added sparkle.

Enjoy!!!

Items carried over from the Summer mini

Did you miss out on buying the best of the Summer mini catalogue?
Did you miss the Cherry Cobbler twine? Glimmer paper, Postage stamp punch or Love Blossoms wheel?
Its not too late ... Stampin' Up! have carried over these items:
http://www3.stampinup.com/au/documents/CarryOver_Flyer_0212_AUNZ.pdf

Autumn mini catalogue launch week specials

Click here to flick through an electronic version of the new catalogue.

Or send me an email for me to pop one in the post to you.

Launch week specials:

Bundle 1.

Simply Scored Tool $55.95

Metric Scoring plate $21.95

Twitterpated DS Paper $18.95

Value: $96.95 for $90 AND

 Free Jelly Bean brads valued at $8.95

*  *  *

Bundle 2.

Framelit dies $49.95

Edgelit dies $19.95

3 adorning accent embossing folders $16.95

Attic Boutique DS Paper $18.95

Value: $105.95 for $95 AND

Free Jelly Bean brads valued at $8.95.

*  *  *

Bundle 3.

Stampset "Mixed Bunch" Clear $38.95

Blossom Punch $33.95

Attic Boutique DS Paper $18.95

$91.85 for $85 AND

Free Jelly Bean brads valued at $8.95.

Order this week to get these Launch week specials.

*  *  *