Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Christmas Card - Stampin' Up! "Wishing You" on brayered background

Wishing You (WM131748 / CM131751) is a gorgeous simple stamp set by Stampin' Up! and I used this set in many applications.  Today I am showing you its effectiveness on a brayered background and the difference between a versamark stamped image and an embossed image...

Old Olive on Cherry Cobbler DSP...I stamped the image in versamark first then brayered over the stamping in Old Olive
The versamark resists the ink hence the duller/lighter colour of Old Olive.
SU DSP from the pack Season of Style 132340

Then I turned to Cherry Cobbler and again brayered over the versamarked image ...
SU DSP from the pack Season of Style 132340
Embossing gives a clean crisp finish and when white embossing powder is used, a white is accomplished...
I brayered on the same scratch paper I used when I brayered in Cherry Cobbler.   The brayer picked up the red and transferred this to my project and I really liked the look!  SU DSP from the pack Season of Style 132340
New scratch paper and brayered in Old Olive over White powder embossing...
Am loving Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler this Christmas - feels Australian in colour...
DSP is from the pack Season of Style Stack 132181

This is also Cherry Cobbler brayered over White powder embossing, but in this case, I did not polish off the ink from the images hence the bloodied images...
SU DSP from the pack Season of Style 132340

Again over white powder embossing, I sponged the background with Cherry Cobbler and then brayered over the top to even the sponging out - this gives the different intensities you can see on the background...

SU DSP from the pack Season of Style 132340
So I have again created some very easy to make cards using Gloss Paper (retired from SU), had some fun with versamark and powder embossing and practiced my brayering skills - which need a little more practice since the photos show up all the lines and inconsistencies - guess that is the beauty of Hand Made.

Enjoy celebrating New Year's Eve
x x x for those that are still up at midnight - I won't be :-) shut eye for me.
see you in 2014

Monday, December 30, 2013

Christmas Card - Stampin' Up! "Festive Flurry" & "Snowflake Soiree" on acrlyic block background

Festive Flurry (WM 131778 / CM131781) and Snowflake Soiree (WM 127922 / CM127925) are gorgeous Stampin' Up! snow flake stamp sets that are purrrfect on an acrylic block background. So purrrfect, I made 25 sets of 4 in less than 2 hrs.

This is one set in Marina Mist and Midnight Muse...

The sets of 4 were all of the same colour - in this case Marina Mist acrylic block background and the images are stamped in Midnight Muse.
This is another set in Pool Party and Costal Cabana - am LOVING that new Stampin' Up! colour!...
This set was stamped in Costal Cabana, the block in Pool Party
To create the background is so easy, simply get your acrylic block or similar, use it as a stamp and ink it on your ink pad, then stamp it on your paper but leave the block on for a second or two so the ink can be absorbed by the paper.  Since this was such a production line, yes some of the block stamping did get a little crooked, adds to the hand stamped theme...
A Crafty Cat: "Festive Flurry" snowflake & the greeting is from Joy to the World (WM 131796 / CM 131799)
If you had the time you could emboss the images, for that touchy feely effect but since I made 100 of these, stamping was the way to go...
A Crafty Cat: Stampin' Up! Festive Flurry
Snowflake Soiree is a finer snowflake by Stampin' Up!  
Greeting is from the set Greetings of the Season (WM128030/CM128033)


Then I added a little bling with Stampin' Up! Rhinestones on the snowflakes from the set Snowflake Soiree...
A Crafty Cat: Stampin' Up! Snowflake Soiree
The rhinestones looked great on the snowflakes from the set "festive flurry" as well...
A Crafty Cat: Stampin' Up! Festive Flurry
And for a closer look at the bling...
 
A very simply created card, yet I enjoyed making them, was very pleased with the outcome and loved giving them away...  I hope you enjoyed your Christmas however you celebrate.

Love

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Christmas Card - Stampin' Up! "Festive Flurry" on ink pad drag

Ink Pad drag is one of my favourite techniques, in that it is so easy to create a lovely backgrounds.  I used this technique with the gorgeous Stampin' Up! snow flake stamp set of Festive Flurry (WM131778 / CM131781) and the greeting from Joyful Christmas (WM 131802 / CM131805) and the result is clean, crisp and so easy to recreate in mass.  I made around 100 of these in 2 hours.

 Island Indigo and Costal cabana on Pool Party background...
I added Dazzling Details 124117 to the flakes and it made the Ink colour so much darker...and glittery
Real Red, Melon Mambo and Blushing Bride on Pink Pirouette background...
A Crafty Cat:  Stampin' Up! Christmas cards with festive flurry on an ink pad drag.
The colours died on this one, Marina Mist on a Tempting Turquoise background...
A Crafty Cat:  Stampin' Up! Christmas cards with festive flurry on an ink pad drag...yesssss more Dazzling Details
Purples, this gave the most unusual colours - Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder and Perfect Plum on Wisteria Wonder Ink Pad Drag...
A Crafty Cat:  Stampin' Up! Christmas cards with festive flurry on an ink pad drag.
Although in some instances the same colours were used on the snow flake and background, there is a significant colour difference because the drag gives a thinner application AND for the background drag I used the old pads to ensure I got that textured / lined background.  This is especially evident for the above cards with the third card closed showing that I had in fact used Wisteria Wonder.

Two days until Christmas and I still have so much to share with you.  Unfortunately I've not been able to achieve posting all the cards I wanted before Christmas simply because I have crashed with chronic fatigue.  I am up and down like a yo yo, so bare/bear with me and know there is more to come x x x

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Christmas Card - Stampin' Up! "Evergreen"

Mass card making can be daunting, but with lovely stamp sets like Stampin' Up! Evergreen WM 127970 / CM127973 and a technique called ink pad drag...well daunting becomes easy and rewarding.  I made 100 cards in 2 hours using this technique.

I dragged Stampin' Up! old fabric inkpad - Daffodil Delight across the Whisper White card stock and then stamped the 2-step Christmas tree from Evergreen and greeting from Joy to the World WM 131796 / CM 131799 in Old Olive or Always Artichoke ink.  I then punched a star from the Merry Minis punch set 126882 out of the wonderful Glimmer paper - Silver 124005 or Champaign 127885.


I then started to play with Acrylic Blocks, inking directly from the ink pad and stamping the block on the Whisper White Cardstock.  I then (as above) 2-step Christmas tree from Evergreen and greeting from Joy to the World WM 131796 / CM 131799 in Old Olive or Always Artichoke ink.  I punched a star from the Merry Minis punch set 126882 out of the wonderful Glimmer paper - Silver 124005 or Champaign 127885 and topped the tree.
By simply changing the background technique, the look of the card is totally different but still easy to accomplish and simply stunning
Only four more days to Christmas, so I had better get in and finish my projects.
I hope you and your family are well and you are all excited about Christmas and your creations are nearly complete.

Happy Crafting
Love

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch Board - Gift / Sweet Boxes

The Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch Board has me captured and creating all sorts of things.  Today this Gift/sweet box was taught to us by Sherenne.  It is simply cute, versatile and excited us all... 

To make the boxes in the background
  1. Watch Pootles Paper craft video
  2. Cut a piece of DSP 6" x 6"   
  3. Use your Envelope Punch board to punch and score at 1.5" and 3.5"
  4. Turn paper anti clockwise, match up the first score line with the score guide, punch and score (watch video for clarification on this - a little hard to explain sorry!) match the second score line with the score guide, punch and score and repeat for next two sides.
  5. Four cuts along the opposite folds must be made to allow the box to fold again check video.
  6. Round corners with corner rounder
  7. Punch holes for ribbon ties/bows
  8. Fold all score lines with bone and stick together with sticky strip
  9. Add bow / ribbon tie and fill with your choice of gift.
Using retired DSP Sherenne created the most gorgeous set to inspire us.

For the box in the foreground (known as the Sewing Style Box) please watch this You Tube Video or view the written instructions HERE

This is my final creations, only in DSP from the pack "Afternoon Picnic" as I wanted to play with my new Pansy Punch 130698.  I modified the one in the background to hold a Chocolate bar by simply punch and scoring at 2 1/2" instead of 3 1/2"

It is always nice to see close up, how boxes are decorated and all I did was nestle two pansies on top of each other, curled the edges and added a Vintage Faceted designer button 127555 and a Large Rhinestone 129324 to set off the centre.
Yes a Rhinestone on the side too
This is truly a fantastic board/tool and a must for all paper crafters.   If you want one, please let me know so we can get you one ASAP and teach you how to use it.  Hope you are not too rushed with the festive season preparations.

Happy crafting
Love

Friday, December 13, 2013

Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch Board - Paper Bows

Bows to dress up your Christmas gift boxes are so easy to make on the Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch Board.  Today I am going to share with you how to make these gorgeous bows out of two 1" strips of Designer Series Paper (SDP).

Paula Knall has an excellent You Tube video explaining how to make these gorgeous little bows out of 2 strips of DSP one measuring 6" x 1" the other 3 1/2" x 1"

A range of coloured DSP to show the amazing look of these simply created bows.
Steps to making these bows
  1. Watch You Tube video for Paula Knall
  2. Cut a strip of DSP 6" x 1" and another 3 1/2" x 1"
  3. Take the 6" length and Punch at 3" on both sides of the strip ie centre of the strip
  4. At the end of the strip punch both ends, both sides as per the video
  5. Soften paper with bone
  6. Bring ends to centre and secure with a glue dot
  7. Take the 3 1/2" strip of DSP and punch at 1 3/4" on both sides of the strip ie centre of the strip
  8. Turn strip 90 degrees to board and punch end to give the chevron cut tips - again watch video
  9. Layer bow on top of tie and adhere with a glue dot
  10. Wrap a piece of ribbon around the middle of the bow - choose a colour highlighting your DSP.
A close up of the bow so you can see the layering and the wrapping of the ribbon...
Cherry Cobbler seam binding is used to highlight the dots on the DSP.
So now use your bow to decorate...
Sherenne used it on her gorgeous bon-bon and added Rhinestone to achieve this amazing look...

A close up so you can see that Rhinestones that were placed on the dots of the paper - just stunning.

These bows certainly dress up any gift box, how I love them and all simply made on the envelope punch board - am loving that board!

See you at the next post,
Enjoy your craft,
Love


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch Board - Bon-bons

Stampin' Up! have released the My Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board and WOW, this tool enables one to create envelopes, card boxes, gift boxes and bags very easily.  The all in one scorer, punch and corner rounder makes it a must for all paper crafters.

Today I am show casing the Bon-bons... in earthy Australian colours, hence the yellowing on the photograph...nah just late and I could not get enough light onto the projects.
This photo features the 6 sided and 3 sided Bon-bon.
This is a 6 sided bon-bon made from a 10" x 6 1/2" piece of retired Designer Series Paper (DSP), beautifully created by Sherenne Poulton. 

Steps for 6 sided bon-bon / cracker
  1. Watch Alison DouglasYou Tube Video
  2. Cut a piece of DSP 10" x 6 1/2"    NB if you want a shorter or longer bon-bon adjust the length (10") ensuring that it is a whole number.  For example if you want a shorter bon-bon, 8" x 6 1/2"
  3. Along the length, score every inch ie 1", 2", 3", 4", 5" and 6" (remember to score lightly so that when you fold along the score lines the DSP does not tear).  You can use your paper trimmer scoring blade or Score board.
  4. Along the width of the DSP, score the end at 1 1/2", 2" and at 2 1/2"
  5. Flip the paper and score at the other end - 1 1/2", 2" and at 2 1/2"   NB if you find that the width of the ends is too much reduce scores to 1", 1 1/2" and 2"
  6. Having your first end score at 1 1/2" allows one to use a boarder punch and have a scalloped or other end, and I think that looks rather fancy :-), great work Sherenne.
  7. Fold along all score lines along the length
  8. Fold the ends accordion style / mountain, valley, mountain.  This will enable the ends to collapse more easily when you fold and stick the bon-bon together.
  9. Use your Envelope Punch board and punch at 2" on the length of the score lines, both ends (watch video for clarification on this - a little too hard to explain sorry!)
  10. Run Sticky Strip along the 10" length flap that is 1/2" wide to the next score line and stick together.
  11. There is a pictorial tute on Omellie's Designs so be sure to check that out as well.
I found it much easier to do ALL of the scoring first, and then the folding and punching simply because I kept catching the edges of the punched out sections.
Greeting from Joy to the World (WM131796 / CM131799)
A square or 4 sided bon-bon can be made from a 8" x 6 1/2" piece of  Designer Series Paper (DSP), beautifully created again by Sherenne Poulton.  
The bow is made on the envelope punch board.  For details please click HERE.
And I made a couple as well and played with sizing...

Square bon-bons, the little one is so cute, just cannot fit anything significant into it!

Steps for square bon-bon / cracker
  1. Watch Traci Cornelius Tube Video
  2. Cut a piece of DSP 8" x 6 1/2"    NB if you want a shorter or longer bon-bon adjust the length (8") ensuring that it is a whole number.  For example if you want a longer bon-bon, the your DSP dimensions will be 10" x 6 1/2"
  3. Along the length, score every inch ie 1 1/2", 3", 4 1/2"and 6" (remember to score lightly so that when you fold along the score lines the DSP does not tear). You can use your paper trimmer scoring blade or Score board.
  4. Along the width of the DSP, score the end at 1 1/2", 2" and at 2 1/2"
  5. Flip the paper and score at the other end - 1 1/2", 2" and at 2 1/2"   NB if you find that the width of the ends is too much reduce scores to 1", 1 1/2" and 2"
  6. Fold along all score lines along the length
  7. Fold the ends accordion style / mountain, valley, mountain.  This will enable the ends to collapse more easily when you fold and stick the bon-bon together.
  8. Use your Envelope Punch board and punch at 2" on the length of the score lines, both ends (watch video for clarification on this - a little too hard to explain sorry!)
  9. Run Sticky Strip along the 8" length flap that is 1/2" wide to the next score line and stick together.
I found it much easier to do ALL of the scoring first, and then the folding and punching simply because I kept catching the edges of the punched out sections.
 
A triangle or 3 sided bon-bon can be made from a 10" x 5" piece of  Designer Series Paper (DSP), beautifully created again, by Sherenne Poulton. 
 
Steps for 3 sided bon-bon / cracker
This is based on the same principle as above
  1. Cut a piece of DSP 10" x 5"    NB as previously mentioned, if you want a shorter or longer bon-bon adjust the length (10") ensuring that it is a whole number.  For example if you want a longer bon-bon, the your DSP dimensions will be 8" x 5"
  2. Along the length, score every inch ie 1 1/2", 3", 4 1/2" (remember to score lightly so that when you fold along the score lines the DSP does not tear). You can use your paper trimmer scoring blade or Score board.
  3. Along the width of the DSP, score the end at 1 1/2", 2" and at 2 1/2"
  4. Flip the paper and score at the other end - 1 1/2", 2" and at 2 1/2"   NB if you find that the width of the ends is too much reduce scores to 1", 1 1/2" and 2"
  5. Fold along all score lines along the length
  6. Fold the ends accordion style / mountain, valley, mountain.  This will enable the ends to collapse more easily when you fold and stick the bon-bon together.
  7. Use your Envelope Punch board and punch at 2" on the length of the score lines, both ends (watch video for clarification on this - a little too hard to explain sorry!)
  8. Run Sticky Strip along the 10" length flap that is 1/2" wide to the next score line and stick together.
As mentioned previously, I found it much easier to do ALL of the scoring first, and then the folding and punching simply because I kept catching the edges of the punched out sections.

Decorating the bon-bons is entirely up to you - Sherenne added Santa from Santa's List with a greeting...
Santa has a sparkle in his eye, Santa's List (WM131808 / CM131811)
I collected the punched out pieces and made a flower...

So as you can see from watching the You Tube videos (a big thank you to those ladies), and by following the same methodology, you can create bon-bons / crackers any size and with as many sides you would like.  There is something special with making your own bon-bons, I am now converted and just love them.

I will be posting many more creations made on the Envelope Punch Board. To ensure you don't miss a post, submit your e-mail address under the heading Never Miss a Post on the RHS of the screen.

Happy crafting
Love

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Christmas Card - Stampin' Up! "Mosaic Maddness"

Mosaic Madness is a versatile Stampin' Up! stamp set that can be used not only for female and male cards as previously demonstrated, but for Christmas too.  These are one layer, feature a faux frame and one 3D bauble - very simple yet effective cards to make and give for Christmas wishes.
In Pacific Point and Daffodil Delight, these are simple but lovely Christmas Cards.

 I punched out 3 stamped out Mosaic Madness (WMxxx / CMxxx) images and glued them together to form one 3D bauble on each card...
Daffodil Delight on Whisper White
Pacific Point is a solid striking colour ...

 Real Red, traditional and bright

 A collection of bauble layouts...

There is a certain pleasure making and giving hand made Christmas cards.  I hope you have time to make a few cards to give away and that you receive at least one hand made card, so that you can feel the pleasure of receiving.

I hope you are enjoying your craft over this beautiful festive season.

Love

Monday, December 9, 2013

Christmas Card - Stampin' Up! "Santa's List" 2

Santa's List is my favourite Stampin' Up! stamp for 2013 and this would have to be my favourite card.  I love the vintage or earthy creations with this stamp and the many techniques involved to create these cards including the use of the Apothecary Accents Framelits (127003) and the Window Frames Collection framelits (129021) ...enjoy

This layout was cased from Wendy Stainback with Santa being stamped on water colour paper and coloured with Real Red marker and a blender pen on both cards. 

On a background of Crumbcake, I layered Early Expresso and Cherry Cobbler.

The rosette is made on a sticky round using a twisted piece (1/3 of the width) of burlap and folded any stray strands of burlap behind the rosette.  Here is a closer look...

and then I began to play, sponging more heavily & adding the bow...
Jingle all the way is from Christmas Classics and the embossing is done with Perfect Polka Dots and Pretty Print Textured Impressions Embossing Folders.

I nestled the Window Frames Collection framelits dies and used the burlap for a square bow (not tied) and lightly sponged it with Early Expresso Ink, just to give it a little highlighting...
I love the addition of the frayed burlap to both cards. 

Santa's list is a wonderful stamp and you will see a couple more layouts where I have used him.  If you love him and want to purchase him, get in quick, he is only available until the end of January 2014.

Happy creating over the Christmas holiday period,
love