Clear Block Stamping

Hi!

My stamping ladies often ask me to show them how to do different stamping techniques they've seen, or to make a card using a particular technique.  This last month one of my ladies asked about clear block stamping, and as it was a technique I hadn't really dabbled much with I was keen to give it another go.  I also had a request for a card using Circle Circus, so I decided to combine the two.

We discovered that when you are stamping with clear blocks the best way to get a good impression is to stamp with the Stampin' Pierce Mat underneath your cardstock. We stamped the clear blocks first and then the Circle Circus images over the top.

I used the thank you sentiment from Sassy Salutations on my card, but some of the ladies went with the happy birthday sentiment instead.  We then finished off the card with a bit of bling, including the new Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels.

Stamps: Circle Circus, Sassy Salutations
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black
Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Other: Clear Blocks, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Basic Jewels Rhinestones, Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels

Bye for now,

Tina

Happy Father's Day and a New Catalogue Resolution

Hi!

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful dads out there!  I'm writing this post as Rob is having a bit of a sleep in.  All dads need a it of spoiling today, don't they?  We're also going out to lunch with Rob's parents, which will be lovely.

The card I have for you today was made for Rob's dad for Father's Day  I love the colour combination - very masculine - Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, Early Espresso and Whisper White.

I used my slightly neglected Circle Circus set for the card.  I love the effect of the overlapping images on the card.

My New Catalogue Resolution is to make more effort on the insides of my cards.  I love the work of Teneale Williams, who makes the insides of her cards just as stunning as the outsides.  It doesn't take too much longer to do and really adds something special to the card.

Tomorrow I have the newest scrapbooking challenge at Stamp A Memory for you, and then after that I'll show you the card I made for Rob for Father's Day.  Speaking of which, the kids are hassling me to go give him their school-made gifts and cards, so I'd better finish up quickly!

Stamps: Circle Circus, Well Scripted (retired)
Ink: Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, Early Espresso
Cardstock: Whisper White, Baja Breeze
Other: 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon, Circle Punches, Dimensionals

Catch you later,

Tina

Stamp A Memory May Challenge: summer fun

Hi!

Today I'm back with my layout for the new Stamp A Memory Challenge.  This month you have a gorgeous photo to inspire your scrapping.  Here's the photo:

Isn't she a cutie!  I took my inspiration from the colours in the photo.  I have had a photo sitting on my desk waiting to be scrapped since January.  The main colours in the inspiration photo - blue, pink and yellow - were basically the same as the colours in my photo so it fitted perfectly with the challenge!  Here's my layout:

My colours are probably slightly brighter than the ones in the inspiration photo!  I went with Temping Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Regal Rose and a splash of Tangerine Tango.

I used the Circle Circus bubble stamp to carry the water theme from the photo onto the page.  The Daffodil Delight pompom trim was a cute little feature too.  I used some floral paper from the Sweet Stitches DSP pack and the flowers from Cottage Garden to bring the floral pattern from the inspiration photo into the layout.

I can't wait to see how you are inspired this month!  Why don't you pop on over to Stamp A Memory to see what the other Design Team girls have come up with?

Stamps: Circle Circus, Cottage Garden
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango
DSP/Cardstock: Sweet Stitches DSP, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight
Other: Big Shot, Timeless Type Alphabet Die, Lots Of Tags Sizzlits, Paper Snips, Sponge Daubers, Daffodil Delight Pompom Trim, Corner Rounder Punch, Scallop Border Punch

Happy Father's Day!

Hi!

The card I made for today's post was created using the latest sketch over at Card Patterns.  Sadly I missed their deadline by a couple of days.  Oh well, maybe next time!

I used a narrow strip of Baja Breeze cardstock and pleated it across the bottom of the square panel.  The sketch had ribbon across the bottom, but I thought the pleated cardstock was a good substitute on a male card.  The Greenhouse Gala DSP screams 70's wallpaper to me, so I tried to compliment it with the offset circles down the left side.  Groovy Baby!

DSP/Card Stock: Greenhouse Gala DSP, Real Red, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip

Other: Circle Cutter and Punches, Chit Chat Rub Ons (retired)

While I'm celebrating one of the most important men in my life, I thought I'd also show you the card I made him for his birthday last month.

Here's the inside:

I used a left over section from the front to add interest to the inside.  It's something I really should focus on a bit more - making the inside just as special as the outside.

Stamps: Circle Circus, Always

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie

DSP/Card Stock: Washington Apple DSP (retired), So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White

Other: Dimensionals, Stamp Positioner, Sponge Dauber

Catch you later,

Tina

Art With Heart Blog Hop: Males In Our Lives

Hi!

Welcome to the Art With Heart August Blog Hop. This month, with Father's Day just around the corner, we have chosen a theme of Males In Our Lives. If you've started the blog hop here, that's fine. It's a circle so just keep on hoppin' round all 9 blogs 'til you get back here. Remember to leave a comment on each blog and then if you're not a SU demonstrator email Nikki Sadler at nikki@inkyart.com.au to be in the running for some fantastic blog candy.

The Art With Heart Team are a fantastic group of Stampin' Up! Demonstrators led by the very talented Claire Daly. You may have just come from the blog of one of those team members: Christine Blain. Christine is also a member of the Helping Hudson team. The Helping Hudson team has a blog set up to raise funds for a KidWalk for my son Hudson. If you'd like to know more, please check out the Helping Hudson blog.

OK, on to my project! I am honoring my eldest son Alex in this blog hop. He is a fantastic big brother and very protective of his younger sister and brother. Hence the title: Brotherly Love.


I took this photo on Ada's last day of Kindy. It was one of those moments that I was lucky to capture, as I wouldn't normally have the camera with me. As we walked out of school after picking up Alex he put his arm around Ada's shoulders and started telling her some of the things she needed to know about starting 'big school'.


I cased this layout from one I saw in Scrapbooking Memories magazine: Kellie Lusted's layout on page 84 of Volume 12 Number 7. For my layout I used the Haiku DSP papers and matching card stock.


There was lots of layering in this layout. It took me 2 evenings to put together. The first was all the cutting, sponging and stamping and the second evening was adhering it all down. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.


So that's it for my project. Next you're off to see how Kristine Thompson has celebrated the men in her life.

The Art With Heart Team run a blog hop on the first Saturday of every month, so be sure to come back next month for the next hop!

Stamps: Circle Circus, Basic Phrases, Short Order Alphabet (on the retiring list!)
Ink: Old Olive, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede, More Mustard Marker
DSP/Card Stock: Haiku DSP, More Mustard, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron
Other: Big Shot, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Die, Top Note Die, Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Rhinestone Brads, Paper Snips, Circle punches, Scallop Circle Punch, Stamp Positioner, Sponge Daubers, Dimensionals, Staples

Here are a list of the other blogs in case a link isn't working:

Christine Blain

Kristine Thompson

Nikki Sadler

Dianne Dunk

Alisha Watson

Sue Madex

Kathryn Ruddick

Judy May

Catch you later,

Tina

Haiku Card

Hi!

Stampin' Up have revealed the second Deal of the Week and it's Designer Series Paper! Haiku and Tea Party DSP are regularly $16.95, but until Tuesday 15th are $10.17. Pink Flamingo and Raspberry Tart are discounted to $11.02. The heavier weight Sweet Slumber Specialty DSP is usually $22.95 but has been reduced to $14.92. What fabulous bargains! Please get in touch if you'd like to order any of these beautiful paper packs.

I thought I'd show you a card I made recently using the Haiku DSP and Circle Circus.



All it needs is a sentiment suitable for the occasion and it is ready to send! A quick and easy card with minimal stamping, which is fantastic when you need a card in a hurry.

Stamps: Circle Circus
Ink: Old Olive, So Saffron
DSP/Card Stock: Haiku DSP, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White
Other: Sponge Dauber, Dimensionals

Catch you later, I'm off on a scrapbooking retreat for the weekend!

Tina

Twin Cards for Twin Girls

Hi!

Today is a special day because my gorgeous nieces turn 4. Happy Birthday Charlie and Olivia! Special girls need special cards and because my daughter insisted I made them cards that are pretty much the same. Here are the cards together:



I've only ever used Circle Circus to make male cards, so it was well past time to try the stamps with some girly colours. I used Pixie Pink with Very Vanilla and a splash of Night Of Navy. The card is a CASE of the card on page 51 of the IB&C that uses the Simply Said stamp set.

Here is Charlie's card. Her favourite colour is pink, so I used a large Pink Rhinestone Brad to decorate the scallop image.



Olivia's favourite colour is yellow, so she got a large Yellow Rhinestone Brad.



Happy Birthday beautiful girls! I wish we could be there to help you blow out your candles.

Stamps: Circle Circus
Ink: Pixie Pink, Night Of Navy
Card Stock: Pixie Pink, Very Vanilla, Night Of Navy
Other: Large Rhinestone Brads, Silver Brads, Boho Blossoms Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Dimensionals.

Catch you later,

Tina

Circle Circus Birthday

Hi!

Today I thought I'd show you a birthday card I made for my brother-in-law. Circle Circus is one of my favourite stamp sets, but I haven't used it for a while. Way past time to get it inky! Here's the front of the card:



My brother-in-law has just got a new iphone so we decided to get him an itunes voucher for his birthday. I used an offcut and adhered it using double sided tape on 3 sides to form a little pocket for the gift voucher. I did this because I made the card before we'd decided what to get him, so it was the easiest way to incorporate a gift card holder without having to make a whole new card.



Works well, I think!

Stamps: Circle Circus, Whimsical Words and Happy Moments (both retired SAB)
Ink: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
DSP/Card Stock: Haiku DSP, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White
Tools: Stamp Positioner, Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Punch

Catch you later,

Tina

Stamp A Memory April Challenge #2

Hi!

As a part of my Stamp A Memory Guest Designer 'duties' I get to submit a layout for inspiration for the second April Challenge. Tanja's second challenge for April is to:

create a layout about yourself, listing 5 things you like about yourself and it must include a photo of yourself.

Hmmmm... 'myself' is probably my least favourite topic to scrap! And to make it extra challenging I had to think about 5 things I like about myself. Hmmmm.... Here's the layout I came up with:



I cheated a bit and asked some friends what they liked about me. I was surprised to find their answers were all very similar, so I reckon the things they said must be true! They said I was : creative, generous, strong, organised and a great wife and mother.

And here is a close up of the ruched ribbon:



Now, as you can see, my Big Shot and Timeless Type Alphabet Die got a big workout in the making of this layout! The combination makes titles so much easier. I couldn't imagine how long it would have taken me to stamp and then cut out all those 'me' letters! A little tip for the Big Shot is that you don't need to cut out all the letters on a die - you can just put card stock over the letters you want and only cut those out:



Certainly handy, as I probably would not use the other letters in Tangerine Tango and it would have been a big waste of card stock. This way I can just cut what I need, when I need it. I do cut whole sheets in colours like Whisper White, because I know they will get used.

Stamps: Circle Circus
DSP/Card Stock: Haiku, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink: Old Olive, Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler
Other: Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Stampin' Up Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Die, Stampin' Up Top Note Die, Curly Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Paper Snips, So Saffron 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), 1/4" Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon

Finally, I'd like to point out that the photographer was my 4 year old daughter, Ada. Isn't she clever! So please give this challenge a go - there's a fab prize up for grabs - your choice of 2 jumbo wheels (handle not included).

Catch you later,

Tina

Mojo Monday #124

Hi!

I struggled a bit for ideas this week for Mojo Monday's 124th challenge. Not sure why, but I think it was the two boxes on top. After a bit of blog surfing I saw Melissa's invitation on her blog Bee Divine Designs, which I visit regularly. Her lovely design got the old brain ticking over again. Here is the sketch:



And here is my card:



I'm quite pleased with it. I like the bold Circle CIrcus images stamped with Basic Black ink. My husband will be sending it off to one of his best mates for his birthday.

Card stock/DSP: Ski Slope DSP, Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red
Stamps: Cicle Circus, Best Yet
Ink: Basic Black
Other: Scallop Circle and 1/4" punches, black brads and red and white ribbon from my stash.

Catch you later,

Tina

PS: My friend LOVED her stamped candle!