Wishing you a lovely day….

Thank you for visiting my Blog and I hope you too are having a lovely day. Today here in Australia it is Australia Day and usually I’d be in Berrima celebrating with street parades, markets and great food. But today it has been so hot that Joe and I didn’t want to leave the house….

So what do you do when you don’t want to do anything but stay cool…………. make a card!

This card was made for the Global Design Project #173 Challenge.


Global Design Project 173 – Color Challenge

The GDP#173 – color challenge is a soft, sweet combination of Soft Sea Foam, So Saffron and Petal Pink. The Design Team have shared some beautiful projects to inspire us. To see their projects and what others have have made as part of the challenge …Click HERE!

My Card…

For my card I have used the ‘Forever Lovely Bundle’ 150580. This bundle consists of a Forever Lovely photopolymer stamp set and co-ordinating ‘Lovely Flowers Edgelit Dies’. By purchasing as a bundle you get a 10% discount….Bargin!

This card is made up of layers – The card base I used Very Vanilla cardstock, which is not a colour I use a lot but keeps in with the subtleness of the card. The ‘Subtle’ 3D Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder gives some texture to the mat. The card front was stamped using the 2 stamps from the stamp set – one stamping the flowers and the other the leaves. In between these two layers I added a layer of vellum cut using the flower edgelit die and other flower and leaf images also cut using the dies that come with this bundle.

With a beautiful sentiment stamped in Momento Ink, a few extra hearts in So Saffron and clear rhinestones just finishes this lovely card.

Thank you for taking the time to read my Blog.

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl – Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.

Mother & Daughter Class

This year I started the year with my first Mother and Daughter Class during the holidays. It was open to Mothers/Daughters, Grandmother/Granddaughters and of any age.

I had two Mum’s and their daughters (primary school age) attend and we had a lovely time playing with products from the Gingham Gala Suite from Stampin’ Up! 2019 Occasions Catalogue. We started with a simple and easy card to make, using a note card and the Butterfly Gala Stamps 148580. Learning to stamp and colour images using the stamps.


Then we took it up a notch by making a card using the Gingham Gala Designer Series Paper 148554 and the Butterfly Duet Punch 148523. You can purchase the Butterfly Gala Stamps with the punch as a a bundle 150599 with a 10% discount…great way to buy!

We coloured the butterflies using a Dauber and Stampin Pad, then punched out with the Butterfly Duet Punch. Adding a piece of vellum cardstock to the front of the card, a 2″ circle punched from Whisper White Cardstock, a Highland Heather circle cut with the Starburst Punch and finished with some Clear Rhinestones.

Along with the card we made a simple little gift box to match. With a couple of added chocolates, a small piece of ribbon and a paperclip to close the box. It’s ready to give to someone special.

This class was so much fun that I will be running again on April 27th…..

Thank you for Reading todays post. If you would like to know more about Stampin’ Up! or any of the products I have used. Or if you are interested in attending a class or Hosting a party …Please feel free to contact me.

All the products used will be listed below and linked back to my On-Line Store.

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl – Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.

Occasion and Sale-A-Bration Catalogue…. LIVE!

They are LIVE ….. If you don’t have a catalogue in your hands right now….

Then here is the next best thing….the LINKS

❤️ Spend $90 (*before Shipping and handling) from either Annual or Occasions Catalogue and choose a FREE item from Sale-A-Bration as indicated in the SAB Catalogue on Page 2

❤️Host a Party for you and your Friends and there are extra rewards ..More information on Page 3 of the SAB

❤️ Join NOW and you have 2 joining Options to choose from…so check it out on Page 4 of SAB

Clearance Rack Update…..

It’s almost the end of the 2018 and Stampin’ Up! are going through their inventory and de-stashing…..Now’s the time to get those great bargins!

Stampin’ Up! have Updated the Clearance Rack.

Supplies are limited, and with discounts up to 60%, products will go quickly. Shop now and stock up.

There are some fantastic items reduced like the ‘Love Today Planner and Refill’, this was my 2017/18 Product. I love the style…love roses….the colours…pages are thick enough to stamp on and there are lots of added extra’s. This may go very quickly!

So….Don’t walk….RUN before there gone to my On-Line Store

Also don’t forget the Year-end Closeouts

Here is the link to my On-lIne Store for the Year- End Closeout

Lovely Lattice, a little note…..

Lovely Lattice, a little note….by Stampin’ Up!

Lovely Lattice 149730 by Stampin’ Up! has a charm to it with that slight vintage feel with the lattice behind the flowers. As soon as I saw it I had to have it because it screamed “Colour me!”.

 If you love to colour then this is a must to have. You could colour with Blends, Watercolour pencils or with re-inkers and your Aqua pen. There are no fonts in this set but I don’t you will have any trouble finding one that will work well with it.

This beautiful stamp is one you can earn for FREE when you spend $90 in the Sale-A-Bration Catalogue by Stampin’ Up!

Lovely Lattice is one of the new ‘Cling-Stamps’ by Stampin’ Up! The adhesive image label now ‘Clings’ and I mean ‘Cling’.

Here is a fun video telling you about our ‘Cling-Stamps’

What did I use on this card…

The image and sentiment are stamped with Memento Ink and coloured with Stampin’ Up! Blends. The sentiment ‘ a little note’ comes from the Butterfly Gala 148580 in the Occasional Catalogue.

The Blends used are…

Pink Pirouette (Retired)

Flirty Flamingo Combo 147278

Old Olive Combo 144597

Daffodil Delight Combo 144603

Pool Party Combo 144605

Mossy Meadow Dark 148546 **

Balmy Blue Light 148540 **

Cardstock used….

Whisper White 106549

Blushing Bride 131287

Balmy Blue 147007

** These products will be released in the 2019 Occasions Catalogue…for your copy of this catalogue along with the Sale-A-Brations Catalogue, contact me.

Thank you for reading my Blog post today. All of the products used are listed below and linked back to my On-Line Store.

 

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl – Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.
 

Simple Stamping with Butterfly Gala

Simple Stamping with Butterfly Gala

Simple Stamping, getting back to the basics of stamping. Making a card that you can whip up in minutes, you don’t need many products and anyone can make.

Stampin’ Up! have given us a challenge…Simple Stamping…only using a note card, stamp and ink.

The stamp set I have used is ‘Butterfly Gala’, this set will be available in the 2019 Occasions Catalogue. You can purchase this stamp set along with a coordinating butterfly punch as a bundle. You will find in the Sale-A-Bration Catalogue other products that also coordinate with Butterfly Gala. Remember with the Sale-A-Brations when you spend $90 you can pick a FREE item for the Sale-A-Bration Catalogue.

So getting back to my card…it’s so simple.

How to…..

Products Used –

Steps-

As this is a Photopolymer Stamp Set I used a pierce mat with all stamping.

  • Using the Memento Ink stamp on the sentiment
  • Choose which Butterfly you wish to use (there are 4 different designs) and only ink up the large butterfly in Memento Ink. You can do this by covering the small butterfly with Washi Tape ink it up then peal off the Washi Tape check there is no ink on the smaller butterfly and stamp the image. The butterflies are paired so if you were using the punch it matches up perfectly. Do this twice to have 2 large butterflies.
  • Repeat this again but this time you are stamping the three small butterfly.
  • In the stamp set you will find solid wing parts for large butterfly and a solid butterfly or wing parts for the smaller butterfly. Using a different colour with each butterfly stamp the solid images lining them up with the outlined images.
  • Stamp the butterfly bodies and antennae with the Memento Ink

 

Thank you for reading my post about this simple but fun card…I will add links to the products used below, except for the Butterfly Gala.
If you live in Australia and would like a copy of the Occasions and Sale-A-Bration Catalogues then just contact me and I will get one to you.

 

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl – Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.

Year-End Closeout

It’s your last chance to show 2018 some love!

The Year-End Closeout is our chance to do a little inventory cleaning—and your opportunity to take advantage of special year-end deals on retiring and surplus items. Remember: Some items are last-chance and limited-inventory, so place your order while supplies last!

Year End Closeout List-
https://su-media.s3.amazonaws.com/…/Year%20End%20Closeout-S…
Shop Here
https://www3.stampinup.com/…/categ…/30090/year-end-closeout…

 

Online Extravaganza

Six days. Three sales. One spectacular promotion!

For savvy shoppers everywhere, this time of year is a dream come true. Some of the biggest sales of the year are happening, which means some of the biggest savings are, too! We hope you are ready to save big, because we’re throwing a spectacular six-day promotion with exclusive, limited-time deals. Get ready for Online Extravaganza!

Promotion Details

Online Extravaganza will run for six days. During this time, we’ll be throwing three, 48-hour sales featuring a selection of products from the 2018–2019 annual catalogue—all at 10% off! Each 48-hour sale will feature two product categories (e.g., paper, stamps, ink, etc.). When one sale ends, the next sale begins; this cycle will continue until Online Extravaganza is over. By the end, nearly every item from the annual catalogue will have been on sale!

Discounted pricing for items featured in this promotion will be available only during each allotted 48-hour sales period (e.g., discounted cardstock will available only during Paper & Embellishments sale; discounted ink pads will be available only during Tools & Ink sale). No exceptions.

 

 

While discounts will be available for most items, some exclusions apply.

These non-discounted items include—but are not limited to—the following products:

  • Host stamp sets
  • Big Shot
  • Stamparatus
  • Bundles will not receive additional discounts during this promotion.

Click here for a comprehensive list of items excluded from Online Extravaganza

 

 

A fun little Christmas Self-Closing Treat Box

A fun little Christmas Self-Closing Treat Box

I love this little box, its so simple to make and looks amazing. Its made to fit a Ferrero Rocher but you could put Jewelry in it as well.

You could have a basket of them under the tree for the visitors that call in. Or on the table as a treat for your Christmas Dinner guests.

Or make them in pretty paper for Birthdays or Wedding favors….

I have made this box using the Under the Mistletoe Designer Series Paper 146921 and decorated the box using the Christmas Traditions Punch Box 148030 to make the gorgeous tags.

I have a written Tutorial as well as a Video showing how to make these great little boxes.

There is an alteration in the written tutorial making the width of the Designer Series Paper a little wider to give longer tabs which are folded to form the base of the box for extra strength. If you are just going to put a Ferrero Rocher in the box then the measurements on the video are fine. If you were to put something a little heavier in the box then you will need to follow the Written Tutorial.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my Blog…I hope you have fun making these cute little boxes like I did.

If you have any questions please contact me, all the products used will be below linked to my On-Line Store.

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl – Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.

Why two Black Ink Pads?

Why are there two Black ink pads, is one better than the other?

Good question and I know that many of you who are new to stamping are asking  this question.

The two Black Stamp pads that Stampin’ Up! retail are StazOn Jet Black and Memento Tuxedo. Both are very different and are used for different techniques.

 

Let’s start with Stazon Jet Black 101406 and Refill 102566 this is a permanent archival ink, and is for stamping images which are coloured using watercolour techniques.

   

StazOn can be used on many different surfaces such as..Plastic, metal, shrink plastic, rubber, leather, polymer clay, laminated paper, coated paper, uncoated paper, photo, glass, porcelain, terracotta, cellophane.and works well on the Stampin’ Up! Window sheets…I always recommend doing a test before using on anything new.

The drying time when using Stazon is 3 seconds for porous surfaces – 5 minutes  for non porous surfaces. Drying time varies based on surface / material, humidity, etc.

Stazon is a ‘Solvent Ink’ which means it is not made from a water base. Solvent inks are permanent and don’t require heat setting to achieve permanency. Most solvent inks are acid-free and archival. 

Hints and Tips…

  • Replace inner plastic cover and cover immediately after use. Exposure to air will cause the ink in the pad to dry out. I put a Glue dot on the lid to hold the inner plastic in place so I don’t get inky fingers when taking it on and off.
  • Clean stamps immediately after use with StazOn Cleaner 109196. It can stain your stamps. StazOn cleaner is not recommended to use on your Photopolymer stamps as it may damage the polymer. Clean your Photopolymer with Stampin’ Mist Stamp Cleaner 102394 the stazOn will stain the stamp…but its still usable.

 

So what about the Memento Tuxedo Black 132708 and Refill 133456. Memento is a water-based, acid free ink and fade-resistant.

Memento Ink is required when using Stampin’ Blends. It is also a good general ink pad for all other stamping as you will get a good clear image.

  

It can be used on coated paper, vellum, uncoated paper, printer paper. As before I always recommend doing a test before using on anything new.

Drying time is 3 to 5 seconds on coated paper. Virtually instant on uncoated papers. Varies based on surface / material, humidity, etc.

Memento is easy to clean from your stamps using the Stampin Scrub 126200 and Stampin’ Mist Stamp Cleaner 102394 or with the NEW Simply Shammy 147042

 

So back to our question –

Why two Black Stamp pads?

There are two Black stamp pads because they are for two separate techniques..Watercolour and Alcohol markers-Blends.

Its a case of opposites attract….

Watercolour + StazOn (Solvent ink)

Stampin’ Blends (Alcohol Markers) + Memento (waterbase)

Is one better than the other?

This is a very simple answer I think….NO.

Sometimes when someone says they like one over the other its a personal preference. Yes they look different but that’s because they are too different inks and have two very different qualities.

Should you buy both, again simple answer …YES.

Especially if you want to do both watercolour and use the Stampin’ Blends

 

Please note that some of the information obtained above comes from the manufacturer and other web pages.

Thanks for taking the time to read my Blog post. I hope this helps you when deciding on what Black Ink you require when going through your Stampin’ Up! Catalogue. If you have any questions just leave me a message below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.