Color Me Christmas Reindeer

Hi!

Today's super cute Christmas card was a CASE of one I found on Pinterest.  You can see the original card here.  It was such a cute card that I didn't change much.

This was a really quick and simple Christmas Card.  When I first made the card I heat embossed the reindeer and present (on this inside) before colouring, but in the end I switched to stamping in Stazon ink as it was much quicker and less messy.  Quick and easy is good when it comes to Christmas cards!

I changed the embossing folder too, as I don't have the snowflake one.  If you squint a bit the polka dot folder looks a bit like snow.  Well, not really, but I can pretend it does!

A bit more colouring finishes off the inside.

Bye for now,

Tina

Two By Two

Hi!

Is colouring stamped images something you enjoy doing? I certainly do, and find it very relaxing.  Last week my 2 eldest children had a friend each to sleep over at our house, and so while they were watching a movie together I sat at the kitchen table with my markers and blender pen and coloured this cute Noah's Ark image.

Isn't it a gorgeous image?  It's the new Two By Two stamp and is found in the Annual Catalogue.  As soon as I saw it I just HAD to have it!  The image sat coloured on my desk for a week before I turned it onto a card.

I used my new Window Frame Framelits to cut out the image and the matt, and also my new paper piercing tools to help create the faux stitching around the image and outside of the card.

Some embossed polka dots on the inside to match the outside.  I don't have anyone to give this card to just yet, so it will just have to wait in my stash for a special occasion.

Stamps: Two By Two, A Word For You
Ink: Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip, Pacific Point, Marina Mist, So Saffron, More Mustard, Soft Suede, Basic Grey, Daffodil Delight, Rose Red, White Signo Gel Pen
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Whisper White, Watercolour Paper
Other: Big Shot, Window Frames Framelits, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Basic Jewels Rhinestones, Paper Piercer, Mat and Templates, Chocolate Chip Scallop Edge Ribbon, Dimensionals, Blender Pen

Bye for now,

Tina

JAI #134: Just Add Polka Dots

Hi!

Yes, it's Friday, and another JAI challenge.  This week Trish has put forward a challenge to Just Add Polka Dots to our projects.  I needed to make a baby card, and I though the polka dots were a cute touch.

I made this card a little while ago, so it has a mix of old and new products.  A sad farewell to the Fox And Friends stamp set, and also the satin ribbon.  The colour I have used are two of the gorgeous new In Colours - Raspberry Ripple and Primrose Petals.  Does Raspberry Ripple make you think about a huge ice cream cone?  Mmmmm, yum!

I stamped the frame and sentiment in Raspberry Ripple and the turtle in Primrose Petals.  They are such lovely, complimentary colours.

Some more retired stamping on the inside!  Oops, I should think a bit more when choosing my products for projects!

Stamps: Happy Moments, A Word For You, Fox And Friends (retired), Well Scripted (retired)
Ink: Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals
Cardstock: Primrose Petals, Whisper White
Other: Big Shot, Labels Collections Framelits, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Whisper White Satin Ribbon (retired), Basic Jewels Rhinestones, Dimensionals

As usual, I hope you can play along with us this week at Just Add Ink.

Bye for now,

Tina

Christmas In July

Hi!

It's my 'off' week for Festive Friday, but I thought I'd post a Christmas card anyway.  This was a card I made for my regular stamping ladies as a sample on the very first time we stamped together in December 2011.  Hmm, it's been in my 'To Blog' folder for far too long!

This is the only photo I have of the card - no inside shot!  Even though the punch is retired I thought I'd still blog the card as it also features the gorgeous Glimmer Paper.  I love this paper, but I tend to hoard it rather than use it.  Bit silly really, it's to pretty to stay in my DSP box!

Stamps: Snow Swirled, Stitched Stockings (retired)

Ink: Real Red, Wild Wasabi

Cardstock: Silver Glimmer Paper, Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White

Other: Big Shot, Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Large Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Stocking Builder Punch (retired), White Baker's Twine, Dimensionals

Bye for now,

Tina

Some Mother's Day Cards

Hi!

I hope all the mum's out in blogland had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday.  I had a fabulous day with my family.  My children and husband showered me with some handmade gifts and a couple of books followed by pancakes for breakfast and a yummy lunch at a local hotel.  I didn't need to eat tea that night!  I had a lovely day and felt very loved and appreciated all day.  I hope you did too!

So I was going through my 'To Blog' folder on my computer and noticed two Mother's Day cards I'd made with my support group that I hadn't shown you.  I go to this support group most Mondays.  It's for parents of children with special needs and I love going.  I have made and strengthened many friendships in the group as we all have a common bond.  Twice a term I teach cardmaking or scrapbooking to the group.  Last term the group wanted to make Mother's Day cards, so this is what we made.

This card was a CASE, but I can't find the original link now - I made it so long ago!  If you know where I should credit the design, please let me know!  I love the monochromatic look of this card.

Some nice and simple stamping for the inside.

I can't remember if this is a CASE or not! I used some of the lovely but retired Sweet and Sour Speciality DSP on the card.

Some more hearts on the inside.  Mum's love to be loved!

Bye for now,

Tina

Layout 80: May

Hi!

One of the tasks I set for my scrapbooking this year was to create a double layout for each month, just a snippet of the things that we did that month.  This layout is the one I created for May.

Each month I choose a favourite photo and print that full sized, and the rest I print at quarter size.  The white blobs are erased faces for privacy.

After I die cut the word May I ran it through the Big Shot again in the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder.  I thought it suited the papers I chose for the layout, just a little bit playful.  You may be able to see the embossing in the photo above.

Ink: Lucky Limeade Stampin' Write Marker
DSP/Cardstock: Cheerful Treat (Hostess), Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
Other: Big Shot, Simple Letters Alpha Dies, Petal Cone Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Itty Bitty Punch, Circle Punch

Catch you later,

Tina

Vintage Vogue Thank You Card

Hi!

I love the Vintage Vogue stamp set, but I haven't inked it up very much.  I needed a Thank You card and the sentiment in this set  "You raise kindness to an art" was just perfect.

The two smaller flowers were stamped directly onto the cardstock using the Rock 'n' Roll technique.  I inked the stamp in Melon Mambo, stamped it off once, and then rolled the outside edges of the stamp in Melon Mambo again to give a two-toned flower.  The larger flower was stamped the same way on a second piece of cardstock so I could raise it on dimensionals.  I used Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds were used to finish the centre of the flowers.

Rock 'n' Rolled and Dazzling Diamond-ed flowers on the inside to match the outside.

Stamps: Vintage Vogue
Ink: Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black, Whisper White
Other: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Basic Black Scallop Dots Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch, Paper Snips, Dimensionals, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds

Catch you later,

Tina

A CASE of a CASE

Hi!

Today's card features a few retiring products.  Is is based on a card I CASED a few months ago from Judy May.  You can see Judy's original card here, and my first CASE here.  I love this card for the males in our lives.  The colour scheme and textures are just great.

So on the outside the retiring products are the Large Star punch and the Celebrations DSP.  The star punch has already sold out, but you can still get your hands on the Celebrations DSP if you're quick!  The Brushed Silver cardstock is being reconfigured.  Currently you can only purchase it in the Brushed Metallics pack, but come September 1st you'll be able to purchase it in a pack of it's own.

On the inside I have used the Classic Stars Jumbo wheel which is also retiring at the end of the month.  Get in quick!

Stamps: Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel (retiring), A Word For You
Ink: Pacific Point, Real Red
DSP/Cardstock: Celebrations DSP, Brushed Silver, Pacific Point, Real Red, Whisper White
Other: Big Shot, Timeless Type Alphabet Die, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Large Star Punch (retiring), Silver Brads

Catch you later,

Tina

CASED Card

Hi!

Today's card was made way back when Sale-A-Bration was going strong.  I CASED it from the very talented Judy May, who I was finally able to meet in person at Convention recently.

I loved Judy's card so much I CASED it almost exactly!  It was my first go using the Silver Brushed Metallic Cardstock, which is just gorgeous.

It's such a fantastic design for a boy's card.  Judy is a very talented and inspiring card maker.

Stamps: Punch Bunch (2011 SAB), Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel
Ink: Real Red
DSP/Cardstock: Celebration DSP, Sliver Brushed Metallic, Real Red, Pacific Point, Whisper White
Other: Big Shot, Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Silver Brads, Paper Snips, Scallop Square Punch, Dimensionals

Catch you later,

Tina

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hi!

My husband Rob and I have never really been ones to celebrate Valentine's Day.  It's all a bit too much commercial for us.  I don't often give him a card on the day, but this year I decided I would.  It's our 13th Valentine's Day as a couple.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Stamps: Punch Potpourri (Level 1 Hostess), Well Scripted

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Whisper White

Other: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Scallop Square Die, Full Heart XL Punch,Corner Rounder Punch, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Sponge Daubers

Catch you later,

Tina

Lovely As A Tree

Hi!

Today's card was made for the challenge at Stampin' Royalty.  They have a fab colour combination to work with this week.

 I needed to make a masculine birthday card, so this combo suited my needs perfectly.

I stamped the tree in Early Espresso ink on River Rock card stock.  I also sponged around the River Rock card stock with River Rock ink.  It's a bit hard to see in the photo, but I love the aged look it gives to the main panel.

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree, Basic Phrases
Ink: Early Espresso, River Rock
Card Stock: Marina Mist, Early Espresso, River Rock, Rich Razzleberry
Other: Hemp Twine, Dimensionals, Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Stamp Positioner, Blue Eyelets

Catch you later,

Tina

Anyone for Icecream?

Hi!

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is a colour challenge.  It was a colour combination I found particularly challenging.

When I do a colour challenge I usually pull out the supplies I have in the colours and just play around with them until I am inspired.  I reckon this time I sat there for a full hour before I was inspired.  Here's what I eventually came up with:

I used the technique where you turn the inkpad upside down and bang it on your cardstock on the Sahara Sand cone.  It gave it a nice visual texture that made it look like a waffle cone.  Sorry - I can't remember the name of the technique.  I used Crystal Effects and glitter on the icecream to give it a bit of texture too.

Stamps: Curly Cute
Ink: Bashful Blue, Sahara Sand
DSP/Card Stock: Celebrations DSP, Bashful Blue, Blushing Bride, Whisper White
Other: Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Scallop Edge Border Punch, 1 3/4" Circle XL Punch, Crystal Effects, Glitter, Dimensionals, 1/4" Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

Catch you later,

Tina

Dreams De Jour Slider Card

Hi!

Well I'm back as promised, just a little later than I expected.  The card I'm showing you tonight was designed by Gardenia for the current UStamp round.  She designed a cute little baby card, but I decided to make mine a birthday card.

Here's the card with the slider section all the way in:

And here it is with the slider section pulled out:

And finally, the inside of the card.  I hope you can see the butterflies stamped in Blushing Bride along the left side of the insert.

I used two of the new In Colours Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzazz and paired them with Basic Grey.  Such a pretty combination.

Stamps: Dreams De Jour, Best Yet (retired hostess)

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, Rose Red, Black Stazon

DSP/Card Stock: Blushing Bride Hostess DSP, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Grey, Whisper White

Other: Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon, Scallop Edge Border Punch, 3/4" Circle XL Punch, Rhinestone Brad, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, Slot Punch (retired)

Catch you later,

Tina

New In Colours

Hi!

Each year Stampin' Up! introduce a handful of brand new, trendy colours to complement their core colour range.  For the current catalogue and the future, the In Colours will be current for 2 years instead of 1 year, making them much better value!

Today's card was made using three of the new In Colours - Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz and Concord Crush.  I have been asked to make some sample cards for a potential commission, and this was one of the cards I came up with.

The sentiment is not a stamp, I used Photoshop to play with the text and then printed it out onto Whisper White card stock.

Card Stock: Concord Crush, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White
Other: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Circle Cutter, 1 3/4 Circle XL Punch, Two-Step Bird XL Punch, Paper Snips

Catch you later,

Tina

Sunshiny Birthday

Hi!

I tried a little blog surfing before I sat down to create this afternoon. As soon as I saw the sketch over at Just Add Ink I was inspired! It really appealed to the logical side of my brain - very even, orderly squares.


Another very quick and simple card. I'm hoping to have another go at this sketch over the weekend. I think it would look great as a scrapbook layout and I think I have the perfect photos. As I said before, I was very inspired by this sketch!

DSP/Card Stock: Good Morning Sunshine DSP, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Summer Sun, Pacific Point
Other: Square Punches, Chit Chat Rub Ons (retired), Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Dimensionals, Chocolate Chip Flower Fusion Too Flower, Brown Brads and Yellow Eyelet (both non SU)

Catch you later,

Tina

Bella Rose in a Cottage Garden

Hi!

Today was a day of mixed feelings for me. My daughter Ada started school today, which she was very excited about. Neither of us was very upset about this big event as she's been ready for school for a long time. About mid morning I did have a little ponder about how grown up she's getting. I do miss her, but it's time to let her spread her wings a little further. And she's got big brother Alex to show her the ropes at school!

So now it's just me and Hudson at home during the day. It sure feels quiet after having all 3 children home over the holidays! I'm hoping to get into a new routine of housework in the morning and then me-time in the afternoon while Hudson has a sleep. This routine worked well today and I managed to make a card for the latest Just Add Ink challenge, which was to add embossing.

After a few false starts this is the card I came up with:


Totally different to the card I had in my head when I sat down at my craft desk! That's just how it goes some days - you go where the mojo takes you. It doesn't show up well in the photo but the strip down the side is Bella Rose DSP. I used the same DSP under the top Kiwi Kiss panel. I punched the scallop oval into the Kiwi Kiss to reveal the DSP and sentiment below.

Stamps: Cottage Garden
Ink: Old Olive, Regal Rose
DSP/Card Stock: Bella Rose DSP, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip
Other: Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Paper Snips, Scallop Oval Punch, Dimensionals, Sponge Daubers, Stamp Positioner

Well, must dash as school's out soon and I can't wait to see how Ada's first day went.

Catch you later,

Tina

Razzle Dazzle in Chalk

Hi!

Here's a card I made to try out a new technique using my Stampin' Pastels. It was a challenge on the Art With Heart team forum.



Hmmm, not sure that I like the card, but I do like the technique. I'll have to play some more and see if I can come up with a better card!

Stamps: Razzle Dazzle (Summer Mini)
Ink: White Pigment Ink, similar to SU Whisper White Craft Ink
Card Stock: Handsome Hunter, Lavender Lace, Basic Black
Other: Stampin' Pastels (Lavender Lace and Green Galore), Black Gingham Ribbon, Chit Chat Rub Ons, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Dimensionals

Catch you later,

Tina

A Sweet Little Box

Hi!

The very talented Gardenia over at A Little Less Useless is running a monthly 3D challenge. This month the challenge is to make something new that is 3D using die cuts and it must include either blue or green. Phew!

Here is a sweet little Hexagonal Box I made today for the challenge:



Here's a close up of the Bird on a Branch on top. These aren't actually from the SU punch, but die cuts I was gifted recently. I also used the Polka Dot embossing folder:



Now, Gardenia is also giving away some awesome blog candy this month. If you want to be in the running you need to go to this post and follow the instructions there.

Card Stock: Brocade Blue, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette
Ink: Regal Rose
Other: Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Sponge Dauber, Bird and Branch Die Cuts, Rhinestone (non SU), Hexagon Box Template (non SU)

Catch you later,

Tina

All A Flutter

Hi!

As some of you may know, we've been having issues with our gas supply this week. As a result we had no hot water for 3 days. Hot water's kinda crucial when you have children! Thankfully my neighbour and very dear friend allowed us to go to her house to use her bathroom. The kids thought it was great fun, as they got to use their torches to go next door. It was a real adventure for them, but a real pain for the grown ups!

I decided to make my friend a card to go with a box of chocolates as a thank you for her kindness, which was very much appreciated. I don't know what we would have done without her! Here's the card:



I was able to have a play with some of my new things as I was making this card: Polka Dot Background stamp, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder and Melon Mambo ink. I'm so glad Melon Mambo is going to be one of the core colours come September. I think it gets a bit overlooked by the very popular Rich Razzleberry, but it is a fabulous colour and well worth adding to your colour collection.

Stamps: All A Flutter (Autumn Winter Mini), Polka Dot Back Ground Stamp
Ink: Melon Mambo
Card Stock: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Watercolour Paper
Other: Aqua Painter, Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Chit Chats Rub On (retired from Summer Mini), Dimensionals