Christmas Wreaths

I have had a break from my blog but I have still been busy creating.

I have been making these Christmas Wreaths for a few years now and the two I am sharing today and my most recent creations.

The first one is made using Stampin' Up Merry Moments Designer Series Paper, which is in the Annual Catalogue.

The ribbon is not Stampin' Up.

This second wreath is made with Stampin' Up Winter Wonderland Speciality Designer Series Paper, which is in the current Holiday Catalogue.

Once again the ribbon is not Stampin' Up.

I have posted photos of both these wreaths on the Facebook group Stampin' Cafe and also on my Pinterest page and a number of people have asked for instructions.

I don't have any written instructions but these wreaths are fairly straight forward to make, they just take a little time.

I start by cutting my 12 x 12 DSP into 4" x 4" squares. You will need about 1 1/2 packs of DSP for a large wreath. Cut each 4" x 4" square into a circle approximately 3 1/2" in diameter using decorative edge scissors. 

Roll each circle into a cone and secure with a staple at the bottom. 

Attach to foam wreath using hot glue. I used a 350mm foam wreath for these wreaths but I have also made smaller ones.

Decorate with ribbon or other embellishments.

Thank you for visiting my blog and have fun making a wreath for yourself.

Watercolor Wings for JAI #277 - Colour Combo

Just Add Ink #277 is a Colour Combo challenge.

 Here is the card I made for that challenge.

I started my card with a Mint Macaron base. To that I have added a layer of Very Vanilla which has been embossed with the new Woodland embossing folder.

The largest butterfly from the Watercolor Wings stamp set is stamped onto Very Vanilla cardstock using So Saffron, Calypso Coral and Mint Macaron and the cut out using the Bold Butterfly Framelits. The body of the butterfly has been stamped with Soft Suede.

The Thanks, which is one of the Expressions Natural Elements, has been coloured using a sponge dauber and Calypso Coral ink.

Calypso Coral ribbon and candy dots finish the card.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Delicate Ornament for FMS #201

Good morning. It is a while since I lasted posted. My card today is for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge # 201.

 My colours today are Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White.

The card base is Crumb Cake. The DSP is from the retired Trim the Tree stack and it is matted on Whisper White cardstock. The next layer is Cherry Cobbler, also matted on Whisper White.

The ornament, in Crumb Cake, has been cut using the lovely new Delicate Ornament Thinlits Dies, available from tomorrow in the new Holiday Catalogue.

The centre of the ornament is Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper, which adds a bit of sparkle but doesn't show up too well in my photo.

The greeting, from the retired Greetings of the Season stamp set, has been stamped in Whisper White Craft Ink. This also didn't photograph too well.

Don't forget to check out the new Holiday Catalogue which starts tomorrow, 1 September 2015. There are lots of great new products available.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Choose Happiness for JAI #274

Just Add Ink # 274 is an Inspiration Challenge.

 Here is my card for the challenge.

I have used the new thick Whisper White cardstock as my base. To this I have added a piece of Smoky Slate cardstock which has been embossed using the Arrows embossing folder.

The larger oval is Crumb Cake, stamped using the Hardwood stamp in Crumb Cake ink.

The smaller oval is Whisper White. The leaves are from the Choose Happiness stamp set, stamped in Crumb Cake. I used a blender pen and some Crumb Cake ink to colour the leaves.

The vase was made using a framelit from the retired Holiday Ornaments framelits collection with the bottom cut off. It was embossed using the Chevron embossing folder.

The greeting is from the 2015 Sale-A-Bration stamp set Lotus Blossom.

I hope you like my card.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Floral Wings for JAI #273

This is my entry for the Just Add Ink #273 - Colour Combo challenge.

Here is the card that I made.

The card base is Crumb Cake.

The brick wall layer was made by applying Smoky Slate ink to a piece of Whisper White cardstock that had been embossed using the Brick Wall embossing folder.

The vine, from the Floral Wings stamp set, was stamped in Blackberry Bliss ink. The flowers, from the same stamp set, were added using Bermuda Bay ink.

The greeting, also from Floral Wings, has been stamped in Blackberry Bliss.

The butterflies are from Papillon Potpourri, stamped in Bermuda Bay ink on Bermuda Bay cardstock. They have been punched out using the Bitty Butterfly punch. I finished the butterflies by adding some pearls from the Pearl Basic Jewels.

The ribbon is Crumb Cake Taffeta ribbon.

I hope you like my card. Thank you for visiting my blog.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Sprinkles of Life for FMS #197

My second post for today is my entry for Freshly Made Sketches #197.

 Here is my card.

I started with a base of Watermelon Wonder. The Whisper White layer on top of that has been embossed with the Woodgrain embossing folder.

The banner was made using the Banner Triple Punch. The paper is from the Cherry on Top Designer Series paper stack and it has been matted on Cucumber Crush cardstock.

I stamped the scene on Whisper White using the Sprinkles of Life stamp set and Soft Sky, Pear Pizzaz, Watermelon Wonder and Early Espresso ink. This piece is matted on Watermelon Wonder.

The sentiment in from Teeny Tiny Wishes, stamped in Early Espresso and punched out using the Word Window punch. It has been mounted using dimensional.

I have finished the card by adding three small Pearl Basics Jewels.

Sprinkles of Life is such a versatile stamp set and can be used for many occasions. The sale of this stamp set also supports the Ronald McDonald House Charities and $3.00 from the sale of every one of these stamp sets goes to that charity.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

You've Got This

I can't believe it is almost one month since my last blog post. I made this card as the make and take for a party I had recently.

I wanted a card that was simple to make, in neutral colours, that would suit most tastes.

I chose Crumb Cake as my card base. To that I added a layer of Designer Series Paper from the Neutrals Colour Collection Designer Series Paper Stack.

The Whisper White layer has been stamped using the You've Got This stamp set, the background in Crumb Cake and the flower in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

I chose my Happy Birthday greeting from the Cottage Greetings stamp set.

I am pleased with the result and the party attendees seemed to like it too.

It could be made in many different colours and with another greeting could be suitable for many different occasions.

What do you think?

If you would like to make this card, the supplies I used are listed below and are available to purchase in my online store. Just click on the Shop Online icon on the right hand side of the page.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Celebrate for JAI #269

This is my entry for the Just Add Ink #269 - Color Combo challenge.

I used Lost Lagoon for my card base. I added a layer of Whisper White which has been stamped in Tip Top Taupe and Lost Lagoon using the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set. I inked the stamp in each colour once and then stamped each three times to get the different shades.

I picked the largest butterfly from Watercolor Wings and stamped the layers using Soft Sky, followed by Pool Party and then Lost Lagoon. The butterfly was cut out using the matching Bold Butterfly framelits.

A Soft Sky butterfly, cut using the Butterflies thinlits, was added over the top of the stamped butterfly.

The Celebrate from the Expressions Natural Elements was coloured using Tip Top Taupe Ink.

The card has been finished by adding some Lost Lagoon Stitched Satin Ribbon.

I like this colour combination - what do you think?

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for PPA258

Here is my entry for Pals Paper Arts #258 - a color challenge.

The base of my card is Night of Navy. This is followed by a layer of Cucumber Crush which I have embossed using the Brick Wall embossing folder.

I have cut two ovals using the Ovals Framelits. The first in Watermelon Wonder and the second, smaller one in Whisper White. I have stamped the flower from the You've Got This stamp set onto the smaller oval using Watermelon Wonder ink.

The Thanks from the Expressions Natural Elements has been coloured using Night of Navy ink and has been attached using Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

I have finished the card by adding three Night of Navy Candy Dots.

The supplies used to make this card are listed below.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Happy Birthday for FMS193

This card is my entry for Freshly Made Sketches #193.

I have made a card suitable for a male today. I chose the recently retired Maritime Designer Series Paper as my starting point. The rest of the colours were chosen from the colours in the DSP. 

My base is Night of Navy, a thin mat of Coastal Cabana has been added to that followed by the Whisper White layer.

The ship from The Open Sea stamp set has been stamped in Night of Navy ink and the greeting from Express Yourself has been stamped in Real Red.

I have added two strips of DSP from the Maritime DSP.

I have finished the card by stamping the anchor from The Open Sea in Night of Navy and then fussing cutting it before adding to my card.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Sending Wishes for Just Add Ink #268 Sketch

Another entry for a challenge blog. This time it is for the Just Add Ink #268 Sketch challenge.

The colours I have used for this card are Delightful Dijon, Island Indigo and Very Vanilla.

The card base is Delightful Dijon, layered with a piece of Bohemian Designer Series Paper.

The next layer is another piece of DSP from the same pack, followed by a layer of Very Vanilla. Both of these layers have been mounted onto Island Indigo cardstock.

The banner, punched using the Banner Triple punch is in Delightful Dijon.

The Island Indigo circle has been embossed using the Boho Chic embossing folder.

The greeting, stamped in Island Indigo is from the Butterfly Basics stamp set.

All products used to make this card are current Stampin' Up products and are shown below. Just click on the Shop Now link to purchase.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Bohemian Birthday Wishes for FMS192

Today I have made a card for the Freshly Made Sketches 192 challenge.

The card base is Blackberry Bliss. Next is a layer of Whisper White cardstock with two stips of Bohemian Designer Washi Tape down each side. The next layer of Whisper White cardstock has been embossed with the Boho Chic embossing folder.

The flowers were made by placing strips of Bohemian Designer Washi Tape onto cardstock and then punching the flowers using the retired Blossom punch and the Petite Petals punch.

I looped some gold metallic thread behind the flower.

The greeting is from the retired Four You stamp set and it was stamped in Blackberry Bliss and the ends punch using the Banner Triple punch.

I hope you like my card.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Happiest Wishes for PPA257

I thought I would try another challenge and chose to make a card for the Pals Paper Arts 257 a sketch challenge.

 Here is my card.

The colours I have used are Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo and Whisper White.

I have matted my Crushed Curry base with a layer of Melon Mambo and then used some Designer Series Paper from the Best Year Ever pack, which was free in Sale-a-Bration 2015.

The circles have been cut using the Circles Framelits. The larger circle has been stamped in Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry using the Build a Birthday stamp set.

The greeting is from a retired hostess stamp set called Happiest Birthday Wishes.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Flower Shop and Petite Petals in a Box

Two posts in one day - a first for me. I had a request to make a card in a box for twin girls. I tried a number of different sized boxes before I decided on one to use.

This card is made from the "leftover" box and some "leftover" punched flowers I had on my stamp desk.

The box is made using Crumb Cake cardstock. Each of the upper panels of the box has been layered with Pink Pirouette Designer Series Paper.

The flowers are from the Flower Shop and Petite Petals stamp sets. They have been stamped on Whisper White cardstock using Pink Pirouette, Night of Navy and Crumb Cake inks and punched out using the Pansy and Petite Petals punches.

The Happy Birthday, from a retired Hostess set called Happiest Birthday Wishes, has been stamped on a strip of Whisper White cardstock using the retired Baked Brown Sugar ink. The ends have been punched using the new Banner Triple punch.

The card has been finished using three Pearl Basic jewels which I have coloured using the darkest colour from the Night of Navy Stampin' Blendabilities, which are now retired.

What do you think of my card made from "leftovers"?

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Mojo Monday #403 - Painted Blooms and Butterflies

The card I have made today is for the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge 403 shown below.

I have used Rose Red for the card base. To this I have added a layer of Whisper White cardstock and then a piece of Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper.

Next is a layer of Rose Red cardstock which has been embossed with the Spring Flowers embossing folder. The Soft Sky layer has been embossed with the Decorative Dots embossing folder. The banner is in Daffodil Delight and the ends have been punched with the new Banner Triple punch.

The Whisper White circle has been stamped using the Butterfly Basics stamp set and Soft Sky, Daffodil Delight and Rose Red inks. The edges of the circle have been sponged with Soft Sky.

I think this is a bright and cheerful card, suitable for a range of occasions.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Mojo Monday #402 - Best Thoughts

This is the first time I have entered in a sketch challenge. The Mojo Monday #402, shown below, was my inspiration and I enjoyed the challenge of making a card following a sketch.

Here is my card, which is very true to the sketch.

I have chosen Basic Black, Tip Top Taupe and Whisper White as my colours.

I used my Circles Framelits to cut all the circles.

I used the Best Thoughts stamp set for the images and the sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Sentiments. The images and sentiment have been stamped in Tip Top Taupe.

I hope you like my card for the sketch challenge.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Flower Shop Birthday

Today's card uses some retired cardstock and Designer Series Paper.

The card base is Concord Crush and the Designer Series Paper is Lap of Luxury, both of which are retired. You could chose a different card base and matching Designer Series Paper to create a similar card.

All remaining elements on the card are available from the current Stampin' Up Annual Catalogue.

I have used Very Vanilla for matting and for the flowers.

The larger flowers are from the Flower Shop stamp set and the smaller ones from Petite Petals. They have been stamped using Blushing Bride and Wisteria Wonder inks. They have then been punched out using the matching Pansy and Petite Petal punches.

The leaves are from the Owl Builder Punch.

I have added Pearl Basic jewels to the centre of each flower to finish the card.

This card was inspired by one I saw on Pinterest but mine has fewer layers and more flowers.

What colour would you use to make this card?

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Birthday Bows

Just a quick post today so you know that I haven't really gone missing.

The base of my card is Soft Suede and the Designer Series Paper is the Best Year Ever 2015 Sale-A-Bration paper, which is no longer available. You could use another of Stampin' Up's lovely Designer Series Papers instead.

I have cut a Soft Suede piece using the Deco Labels Framelits and put three bows on it. The bows have been made using the Bow Builder punch.

The sentiment has been stamped on Whisper White cardstock using Soft Suede ink. It has been mounted using Stampin' Dimensionals.

A quick and easy card, easily changed by using a different Designer Series Paper and a sentiment of your choice. What occasion would you use this card for?

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Convention Swap - Gold Coast 2015

I have just spent the last three days attending the Stampin' Up Convention at the Gold Coast. It was a great few days catching up with like minded crafters and being inspired. An extra special bonus was being the first to get our hands on the new Stampin' Up Catalogue. There are lots of lovely new products that will be available from June 2. Be sure to get your hands on a copy. If you would like to get a copy, let me know.

Part of attending Stampin' Up events is participating in swapping cards with other Demonstrators.

I made one swap in four different colours. The one pictured above is using Strawberry Slush.

All were made on a base of Whisper White, layered with a strip of Designer Series Paper and a piece of matching Cardstock. The final layer of Whisper White was stamped using the Painted Petals stamp set and matching ink. The leaves were stamped with Pear Pizzaz ink. Each card was finished with an Elegant Butterfly punch in Silver Glimmer Paper.

On the left below is the Crisp Cantaloupe version and on the right the Blackberry Bliss version.

This final version is Hello Honey.

After initially favouring the Blackberry Bliss version, I decided that the Strawberry Slush was my favourite. Which one do you like best?

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Butterfly Birthday

I have used the Spring Flowers Textured Impressions embossing folder, Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper and the Butterflies Thinlits for today's card.

The card base and butterfly are Island Indigo and the embossed Spring Flowers circle is in Daffodil Delight. I have added a strip of Painted Blooms Designer Series on the left hand side of the card.

The greeting is from a retired stamp set. It has been stamped in Island Indigo and punched out using the Modern Label punch.

I have finished the card with three Island Indigo Candy Dots.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Sheltering Tree - Happy Birthday

One of the most popular stamp sets in the current Stampin' Up Occasions catalogue is Sheltering Tree. It is a two-step stamp set but it is very easy to use because it is photopolymer and that makes it easy to line up.

My card today is on a base of Wisteria Wonder cardstock, which has been matted with a piece of Wild Wasabi Background Designer Series Paper.

I have stamped onto Whisper White cardstock using Baked Brown Sugar for the tree, and Wisteria Wonder for the leaves. The grass is stamped in Wild Wasabi.

The greeting is stamped in Wisteria Wonder and it is from a retired hostess set called Happiest Birthday Wishes.

This was a quick and easy card. You can achieve so many different looks with this stamp set by changing the colours. You can also add a bike, a swing or a rake. The set also has four lovely greetings.

The Occasions Catalogue finishes on 2 June 2015 so if you like this set you will need to purchase it before then.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Kinda Eclectic Birthday

I have used the Ornate Tag Topper Punch for the focus of this card.

I stamped a piece of Whisper White using the Kinda Eclectic stamp set and So Saffron, Wild Wasabi and Marina Mist ink. I then cut the stamped Whisper White card stock into three 5cm pieces and then punch the top and bottom of each piece with the Ornate Tag Topper Punch.

I adhered the three pieces to a base of Island Indigo.

I finished the card with the two butterflies from the Kinda Eclectic stamp set, stamped in Island Indigo and punched with the Elegant Butterfly and Bitty Butterfly punches. They are attached to the card using Stampin Dimensionals.

This was a quick and simple card to make and shows the versatility of the Ornate Tag Topper Punch. You could try this card using the other Tag Topper Punches.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Lacy Birthday

I have used the background stamp, Something Lacy in today's card.

My card base is in Basic Black. The first layer is Pink Pirouette. The second layer is Basic Black and I have stamped Something Lacy with Versamark ink and heat embossed it with Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder.

The Happy Birthday Wishes is from a retired hostess set called Simply Sketched. I have stamped this onto Pink Pirouette yardstick using Basic Black ink and punched it out using the Scallop Oval punch.

I have finished the card by adding a bow in Pink Pirouette Seam Binding Ribbon.

A fairly quick and simple card today but I think it is very pretty. What do you think?

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Birthday Butterfly

I have chosen Blackberry Bliss for the base of my card today.

I have added a layer of Very Vanilla cardstock and I have sponged Blackberry Bliss over one of the cards from the Artisan Embellishment Kit to make the pretty background. I wasn't going to buy this kit but decided the cards would be great for creating some pretty backgrounds.

The Birthday Wishes sentiment is from the Four You stamp set and is also stamped in Blackberry Bliss.

I cut the butterfly in Garden Green using the Butterflies Thinlits Dies and sponged over it with Blackberry Bliss ink. I have added some Basic Pearls to finish.

Do you like my sponged background?

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Mini Treat Bag Mini Album

I have used the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies and some recycled brown packing paper to make six mini treat bags. I have then used these bags to make this mini album.

I scored each bag at 1/2" from the closed end, stacked them on top of each other, sticking each one to the next with sticky strip. I punched two holes for the ribbon using my crop-o-dile.

I made inserts for each of the bags using a piece of 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" cardstock. To this I added a Project Life Grid Card for journalling. I completed each insert with a flag made using the banner punch and attached using the handheld stapler.

I decorated the album using the Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper, Best Year Ever Accessory Pack, Celebrate Today stamp set and the Balloon Framelits.

What type of album would you like to make?

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Mini Treat Bag For You

Today I have a gift bag made using the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies.

Instead of making a standard flat pocket like bag I have made it with gusseted sides.

I have made the bag using Whisper White cardstock that I have embossed using the Happy Heart Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

I have decorated the bag using a black tag punched with the Ornate Tag Topper punch.

The hearts have been added using the heart strip from the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Die set.

The butterfly is punched in Silver Glimmer Paper using the Elegant Butterfly punch.

I have finished the tag by using Real Red 1/4" Cotton Ribbon, Whisper White Bakers Twine and a small silver clothes pin.

You could make this bag in any colour and emboss it with many different embossing folders to get a completely different look.

What do you think of my little gift bag?

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Sheer Perfection

The two cards I am sharing today use some of the new Sale-A-Bration items which are available from today until 31 March 2015 with a qualifying purchase.

Both cards have a Basic Gray base and both have a layer of Sheer Perfection Designer Vellum paper. The Sheer Perfection Designer Vellum stack has 24 sheet of 6 x 6 printed vellum. There a 2 sheets of each of the twelve designs. It is one of the new free Sale-A-Bration items.

The first card uses Hello Honey cardstock, Hello Honey Stitched Satin Ribbon and Hello Honey thick baker's twine and buttons. The baker's twine and buttons are from the Sale-A-Bration In Color Accessory Pack.

The second card uses Melon Mambo cardstock. The butterfly is from the Butterflies framelits dies. The Basic Pearls have been coloured with Smoky Slate Blendabilities.

Both cards use the Happy Birthday from the Sketched Birthday stamp set, which has been cut out using the Bitty Banners framelits.

I hope you like these cards.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog