Ornate Blossom

I have had this stamp for some time now and I am ashamed to say that this is the first time I have even used it.  I don't know if that means that I have too many stamps (as if) or I just need more time to stamp - that must be it!  This was a quick, easy card to put together and I love Concord Crush and River Rock together but then River Rock is one of those fabulous colours that goes with everything.

Cardstock:  Concord Crush, River Rock, Whisper White

Ink: Concord Crush and River Rock markers

Stamp: Ornate Blossom

Accessories:  Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Rhinestone Brads

Embossed Frame

It is difficult to see in this photo but this card has a Frame created using the Petals A Plenty Embossing folder.  This is a great technique if you want a pattern around your stamped image.  You need to create a template from some thick cardboard.  I created a frame with an inch thick border to fit the same size as the actual embossing folder.  To run this through the BigShot you need to have all of the tabs closed.  You then place your cardstock into the embossing folder as usual.  Place your frame template on top of the closed embossing folder, then a cutting pad and run it through.  This will give you a border of the embossed image with an unembossed area in the middle.  Hard to describe but very nifty!

Cardstock:  Concord Crush, Vwery Vanilla

Ink:  Concord Crush

Stamps: Style Beautiful

Accessories:  Pearls, Petals A Plenty Embossing Folder, Champagne Shimmer Paint

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The Retirement List Is Here

It is that time of the year again and the Retirement List has been released today.  I am sure that there were many eager stampers out there checking early this morning to see what MUST HAVE products are going.  There are a few things to take note of:

• Lots of Stampin Wheels are going so don't miss out and get in quick as these normally sell out fast.
• All the Designer Papers are going except the Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack.
• Many of our gorgeous ribbons are going so don't miss out on these.
• There are 5 punches going and if you don't have them I know you won't want to miss out.
• Some items have been discounted so this is a chance to grab a bargain.
• A few items are being reconfigured and not being retired.

From experience of the past few years, many items sell out quickly.  I suggest if there is anything that you really WANT or NEED that you get in quickly to avoid disappointment.  If you have any problems viewing the list, please don't hesitate to contact me.  I can also email it to you in page number order if that will make it easier for you to go through.

The best thing about this list being released is that means only 4 weeks until the new Catalogue is released and we will have many new exciting goodies to drool over!

Love & Care

This is one of my most favourite sets and it is such a shame that it is a Level 2 Hostess Set as I think everyone should have this set.
I got my inspiration for this card from the very talented Teneale Williams as I have to admit I was a little Mojo Low last week when I was doing my class preparation. Although once I go started I didn't want to stop.  I don't think I will be able to part with this set when the new Catalogue comes out.

Cardstock:  Cherry Cobbler, River Rock and Very Vanilla

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, River Rock

Stamps:  Love and Care, Word Play

Accessories: Rhinestones, Rhinestone Brad, Very Vanilla Ribbon

Birthday Elements

Although I wasn'g going to do butterflies for awhile one just managed to sneak in this week.  The first card we made was a girly birthday card.

Cardstock:  Early Esspresso, Rose Red, Pink Pirrouette, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Early Esspresso
Stamps: Elements of Style, Curly Cute
Accessories: Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Rhinestones
Extras:  Nestabilities Die Cuts

Now that I see this, it is not a good photo but it is far too cold to go out and take another one so sorry about that.

A Little Bit Antique

I wanted to create an antiquey feel for this card and although there were a few steps involved it was actually easy to create.
The photo doesn't actually show it but we did the Faux Mother of Pearl technique on this card so it actually has a gorgeous glimmer to it.
We firstly stamped the En Francais onto Very Vanilla card.  We then dabbed Champagne Shimmer Paint onto this using glad wrap and let that dry.  Next we brayered Blushing Bride ink over the entire piece and then Crumb Cake over that to mute the colour and age it.  We then stamped the flourish from Elements of Style in Rich Razzleberry over the entire piece.  The two flowers were stamped onto a scrap and cut out, sponged and mounted on dimensionals.  The card was Rich Razzleberry and then mounted with Soft Suede and Blushing Bride and finished off with some Rich Razzleberry ribbon.
The mounting layers were edged using the distressing tool and sponged with the same ink colour.  The edges were rolled to make it look like peeling wallpaper.
It is such a pity that the glimmer hasn't photographed well as it looks great.

Corner Fold Cards

There cards are a bit of a change to the easel fold card and are really quick and easy to make but create a bit more of a WOW than a normal fold card.
In last weeks class we made two of these in different colour schemes.

Card Stock:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Ink: Basic Black

Stamps: Sweet Summer (Sale-A-Bration set), Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Big Shot, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Basic Pearls

Card Stock: Concord Crush, Pear Pizzaz, Very Vanilla

Ink: Concord Crush, Pear Pizzaz

Stamps: Just Believe, Thoughts & Prayers

Accessories: Large Oval, Wide Oval Punches, Lots of Tags Bigshot Die, Big Shot, Papers from Level 1 Hostess gifts

Extras:  Nestabilities Scallop Circle and Circle Die

These were both easy to make but effective.  I think I will be making a few more in this style for something different.

Meet Millie

For years now my husband and I have gone hot and cold on getting a dog.  We have never been on the same page at the same time until last Saturday!  Hubby thought it about time we bite the bullet and I visited our local pet store and just fell in love with a little bundle of fluff.  She was tucked away in a cage in the back of the store and I nearly missed her.  I was acutally on my way out of the shop after seeing some other pups and decided to have a look around at all the "extras" available for pets now.  Luckily I did as there she was, just the perfect little bundle.

After lots and lots of cuddles, I was torn away as I couldn't make a decision on my own.  I had to wait for hubby to see her on Saturday.  I went off to work Saturday morning and he promised to go and have a look and that he would call me when he was there.  The call never came and I thought he had maybe changed his mind and we wouldn't get a dog.

When I got home I got the most amazing surprise - we had our little bundle of joy!  I knew he couldn't resist those pleading little eyes if he saw her.

So meet Millie, our little Schmoodle who is so so cute and very cuddly.  She looks at you pleadingly and you just can't resist sitting down and having cuddle time.  Well she has done that to me many many times this week and not a lot has been happening around our house this week.  Do you think you could resist this face..........

We are having a bit of fun trying to train her to use her piddle pads so if anyone has any tips, I would love to hear them.  The upside of this is that I now have the cleanest floors as I seem to be mopping constantly.  It reminds me of the good old potty training days with my children and happily I got there with them so at least I know the time is coming where she gets it.  Lucky she is so CUTE!

Cards For the Boys

I am always looking for a male orientated card at the last minute for something and never seem to have any.  We made these two cards last week in class and I have used them both already so I will have to make a few more.  I always find making male cards a little difficult and my sons and husband are always saying keep them simple.  They all liked these two cards so I was on the right track.

The first card with the sailing boat was very quick and easy to put together.

Stamp:  Seaworthy
Card Stock:  Soft Suede, Night Of Navy, Very Vanilla
DSP:  DSP Designer Pack in Neutrals
Access:  Spiral Border punch, Blender Pens
Ink:  Soft Suede, Night of Navy, Stazon Black

I love the Spiral Border punch for male cards as it gives definition to the card without being over obvious.

The second card is with the fabulous Motorbike stamp from the Autumn/Winter Mini.  This catalogue finishes at the end of July so don't miss out on any of your favourites.  This also was a quick card to put together even though there are a few layers involved.

Stamp:  Motorcycle, Occasional Greetings
Ink:  Real Red, Stazon Black
Card: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
DSP:  Designer Pack in Neutrals

Floating Butterflies

Last week was my last class for the term.  We had kids sport all weekend so today was the first day that I actually felt like we were on holidays and it feels goooooood! We are not going away for the holidays so hopefully I get some play time to start next term organised - now theres a challenge!

This first card can be done with just about anything.  We used butterflies as I am hooked on the butterfly die at the moment but the options are limitless.  You could use stars, hearts, flowers, birds, balls, anything that is relevent to the occassion.  This card looks so much better in the flesh and will get a WOW from whoever you give one to.

Card stock:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Desingner Paper:  DSP Pettern Pack in Neutrals
Accessories:  Big Shot, Beautiful Butterfly die, Tasteful Trim die, Accetate, Rhinestone gems, Champagne Shimmer Paint, Elegant Bouquet Emboss Folder
Stamps: Curly Cute