SU Inventory Sale!

Hi there,

here's an exciting piece of news, SU is having an Inventory Sale! Now on till 24 Jan 2010. Check out this list below... some of them have been drastically marked down.

All stamp sets on sale are square cut (you need to trim them), while stocks last. If you don't have a hard copy of the Idea Book and Catalogue, you can view them online (click the Idea book icon on my blog).

Hope u manage to grab a bargain!

x Julia

Last Inkspiration Sketch Challenge #17 for 2009

Hi everyone

Can't believe it is almost the end of year 2009! Thought I would try Keesh's last sketch challenge for the year. Next year I will try to do more challenges and post them on my blog. :)

Here goes for the Inkspiration Sketch Challenge #17:

I thought this was a rather simple card, I just didn't have the inspiration to think up something new to do! LOL

I have put crystal effects on the lovely flower and the words "Christ is born", that gives it a glam factor. :) And since Jesus was born in a manger, I thought the twine gave it a rustic and quaint look!

If you have time, try this sketch from Makeesha, its rather fun and something I always use alot. Check out the other samples with this sketch here.

Recipe:

Card stock: Real Red, Whisper White, Ski Slope DSP (retired), Choc chip.

Stamps: Christ is Born

Others: Scallop Edge punch, twine, paper piercer, Filigree brads, Crystal Effects, Silver Brads

While I had my supplies out I did a few other cards with the same papers....

This one above I used the stamp set Season of Joy, and some kindyglitz around the snowflake.

This card above I used Tree Trimmings stamp set (from Spring Mini), and Many Merry Messages. I drew faux stitches around the bauble with my white gel pen. I think I should have embossed the greeting ti make it stand out more!

This simple gorgeous card has an embossed background - with the Cuttlebug. Again, Season of Joy stamp set, and a gemstone in the middle of the snowflake. I really really like the embossed background - subtle and very tactile!

Hope you all have a lovely week and finished most of your holiday shopping...take time out to do some craft! I would love to hear what you have made :)

xx Julia

To Market, To Market...

Hi there

I'm off to the Norwood Market for Child and Baby tomorrow, Nov 8, at Norwood Primary School, from 9-3pm! I'll be displaying stampin' up! products and cards for sale, and free make and takes. It's the first time ever I've done a market stall and thank God I'm sharing it with my gorgeous friend Pixi.

Here is one of the cards I've done for the stall:

The card has the color combo Kraft, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White. Guess where I got this color combo from? From a Real Living interior design magazine!!! Yes, look around you for color combo inspiration, it's everywhere!

I am really loving Kraft cardstock as it looks very organic. The blue Supernova glitter looks really pretty - my photography doesn't quite capture it! The Riding Hood Red 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain ribbon adds a touch of elegance -you can purchase this from the Spring Mini Catalogue up till 30 Nov only. Let me know if you want the supplies list for this card.

Remember to order any of your Spring Mini products before 30 Nov! On 1 Dec we have a brand new exciting Summer Mini Catalogue release. More to come!

Happy Stamping,

Julia

Southern Belles Monthly Challenge #1

Hi Everyone

I am part of a group of fellow SU demonstrators and we have our own blog called Southern Belles. We are starting a new monthly challenge (Sep), with a sketch by Denise Boddey. There is a prize for the winner (non-SU demo) which is a free inkpad! Go to our Southern Belles website for more details on submission etc.

Here is the layout:

And here is my card...I've modified the layout to A5 card dimensions.
A fairly simple card but does take a while to assemble and trim. I used the Organic Outlines stamp set for the first time - this stamp set can be used to decorate items for the home too.

Supplies used:

• Stamp sets: Organic Outlines, Gallery (from Spring Mini), On your Birthday
• Ink: Basic Grey, Kiwi Kiss
• Paper: Basic Grey, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Baja Breeze
• Accessories: Pretties Kit, Stamp-a-ma-jig, paper snips

Hope you like it!

x Julia

Inkspirations Colour Challenge #12 and Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #38

Hi there,

its been a while since I last updated my blog! Time has flown as my kids and I have been sick. But I'm ready to get back into stamping again and start working out those challenges :)

Today I have Makeesha's Colour Inspiration #12 and Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #38. Do check out their websites to see what their design team and others have come up with - its very inspirational! Just click on the links I have made above.

I have done 2 cards with Keesh's challenge, one of them using Mercy's sketch challenge. Here are the challenges:

Card #1

This card here, I tried a very interesting technique: Emboss resist with clear embossing powder on Whisper White cardstock and then brayering over with Regal Rose. I sponged on some more Regal Rose in the floral part of the bird to increase contrast. Then I outlined the cute bird with my 2-way glue pen and added Dazzling Diamonds to make it pop further - ooh la la.

Close up you can see the Emboss Resist technique better, I hope. The bird is actually shiny but I couldn't capture it with my camera. The bird's eye was calling for something sparkly so I added the Kaiser gems.

I have also stamped the inside of the card to match:

Card Recipe for Card #1: all Stampin' Up! unless mentioned:

• Stamps: Always, Best Wishes and More
• Inks: Real Red, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Basic Black
• Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Regal Rose, So Saffron, So Saffron DSP, Sweet Always DSP
• Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Brayer, Button Latte, Linen Thread, Spiral Punch, Dazzling Diamonds, 2 way glue pen, diamante (from Kaiser), Real Red ribbon

Card #2 - Keesh's Challenge and Mercy's Sketch

This is actually my favourite card of the 2, and here I used Mercy's card sketch together with Keesh's colour challenge. It's a great sketch, try it too! The technique used here is Faux Stitching - so very cool. Oh, I like....

Also I have dressed up Stampin' Up's ultra smooth envelopes with the matching DSP on the flap (card is sitting on the envelope), and stamped the inside of the card. There is glitter on the blooms but my photography didn't capture it!

Don't you just like how groovy that sentiment is from the Great Friend stamp set in the Spring Mini. And the Regal Rose ribbon is lovely and soft, easy to tie bows with.

The Faux Stitching technique is great for narrow strips and tight corners; when you don't have a sewing machine handy; and when you don't want to have to hide the threads behind the card stock - its just a bit neater. Simply use your paper piercer, Mat Pack to align, and a good white pen.

Card Recipe for card #2:

• Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Great Friend (from the Spring Mini)
• Ink: Real Red, Markers - Regal Rose and Real Red, White pen
• Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, So Saffron, So Saffron DSP, Pink Flamingo DSP
• Accesories: Mat Pack, paper piercer, Pretties Kit, Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Snips

Hope you are having a good day, and as usual would love your comments on my blog!

x Julia

Keesh's Inspiration Challenge #10

Hi everyone,

I thought Keesh's Inspiration Challenge #10 was great for a father's day card

so I jumped at the chance to try this challenge.

The colours were quite daunting, the Taken with Teal was really bright, in the end I think I should have used more of the teal colour in my card.

Here is the challenge photo:

and my creation using the new papers Walk in the Park from the Spring Mini out on 1 Aug:

These beautiful Walk in the Park Designer Series Papers are proving to be very versatile for both male and female cards/scrapbooking! Luuurrrveee it.

I had punched out circles in the Taken with Teal cardstock and put pewter brads over it, but its hard to see this in the photo, taken at night.

Hope you like it! If you want to know what other supplies I used, leave a comment!

x Julia

Sweet Sunday Sketch #27

Last night I decided to try the Sweet Sunday Sketch #27 by Karen. Her sample card is stunning! Here goes:

And a sneak peek of what's new in the Spring Mini Catalogue out on 1 Aug:

I really like this card sketch (thanks Karen), it's simple and classy. I couldn't decide which card is better: the one with the crushed Cameo Coral scallop circles, or the Baja Breeze scallop circles? what do you think!

I stamped part of the LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH stamp to get the happy birthday greeting (it was a lightbulb moment for me!), from the Occasional Greetings stamp set from SU. That "flag" idea I got from the SU catalogue. Inside the card I've flipped the same patterned paper and used the reverse side to lay a strip of Cameo Coral pattern to add contrast against the Eyelet Border. The Kiwi Kiss button from SU gives a final touch.

What's new: the gorgeous Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper, and the super pretty funky butterfly from the Great Friend Stamp Set! Love the styles of these two new items!

Well, hope you enjoyed this, I'll be bringing you more sneak peeks from the new Spring mini soon!

x Julia

Mojo Monday Week 96

Hi again,

This week has been great, I've managed to do quite a few cards! Time to try the Mojo Monday Week 96 sketch.....I love the simplicity and balance of this sketch. Check out their blog - there are more than 250 samples of cards made with this sketch! It is really cool to see how different every card can be.

I decided to go really bright and funky with this card sketch, so I used the Pink Flamingo DSP from SU. I must admit initially I wasn't quite sure how I could use these bright funky chirpy papers when I got them, but now that I've used it, I am loving it! And guess what, a real coincidence, this week the talented Makeesha also used strips of this DSP in her scrap page and it looks fantastic! A pure coincidence!

I altered the sketch a bit and made an A5 card instead of a square card, and used 1" strips of patterned paper. Once again, I used my corner rounder punch to create scallop edges on my black circle. And finally markers for the colorful sentiment. My husband even gave a nod of approval when he saw this card *wink*.
Supplies all from Stampin' Up unless mentioned:

• Ink: all markers - Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise, summer Sun, Real Red
• Paper: Pink Flamingo DSP, Real Red and Basic Black cardstock
• Stamp: Occasional Greetings
• Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Fiskars circle cutter, Corner Rounder Punch, Felt fusion flowers, Diamante brad

Hope you like this one! I would love to see your creations, if you have done a card with this sketch, or with the Pink Flamingo papers!

x Julia

Amy Rvsavy Friday Sketch #72 and Keesh's Colour Challenge #10

Hi Everyone

I managed to find time to do Amy and Keesh's Sketch and Colour Challenge this week. I love how Amy's sketch turned out, and also Keesh's colour combo! Initially I found her colour combo a bit difficult but after trying it out, it is a beautiful colour combo! Thanks to Amy and Keesh for their sketch and colour challenge.

Here are the sketch and colours and my cards:

The first highlight for me in this card was cutting out the 3.5" circle in Mellow Moss (using Fiskars circle cutter) and then creating the scallop edge with my Corner Rounder Punch from Stampin' Up!. It took a bit of patience but it looks lovely! I love my SU scallop circle punch which is super duper quick and cute, but sometimes it is not big enough for what I want, so here comes the corner rounder punch to the rescue. I'd be happy to demonstrate this at your next workshop/class, just ask me.

The 2nd highlight : I finally got a chance to use the Fine SuperNova glitter from Stampin' Up! This comes in a pack of 5 gorgeous colours - Choc Chip, Olive, Orange, Pink, Aqua, all for $26.95. All I did was to colour part of this cute bird with my 2 way Glue Pen and then pour the pink glitter (which matched perfectly to Rose Red). LOVE it!

The 3rd highlight was to use my scissors to distress the edges of the papers - thanks Bernie for your great tip! Now this is a fantastic quick technique, lovely for rustic looking cards, and doesn't cost a cent! Try it!

OK here are the supplies used (all Stampin Up unless mentioned):

• Ink: Always Artichoke, Choc Chip, Mellow Moss, Basic Black
• Stamps: Friends 24-7, Short & Sweet, So Swirly wheel, En Francais
• Paper: Rose Red DSP (retired), Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla
• Accessories: Linen Thread, Rose Red Db Stitch Grosgrain Ribbon, Button Latte, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Fiskars circle cutter, Corner Rounder Punch

Have a great week!

x Julia

Mojo Monday Week 94

Hi there...

Every first Mojo Monday of the Month there is a 'contest' and winners get a prize! So I thought I'd give it a try :) Mojo Monday sketches are fun and always good to use when you are stuck and out of 'mojo' :) Plus, the Mojo team always provides plenty of inspiration! Check out their gorgeous work too.

Here is the sketch...

And here is my attempt:

There were 3 things I did here that were out of my comfort zone:

Firstly, I modified the sketch a wee bit and added a "ribbon flower" (don't know what else to call it!) at the top left corner. I punched out a 1 1/4" circle, put Sticky Strip on it, and then pleated the ribbon around the circle and finally adhered a lovely white pearl in the middle. A rhinestone brad would look equally lovely! I am liking this "ribbon flower" (not sure if I've seen it somewhere before and became 'stored' in the back of my mind??) and I think I might go on and make a card with these flowers as a feature.

The other thing I did was to use my Eyelet Border Punch to make a border around my sentiment - first time I ever tried it!

And lastly, I tend to use strong vivid colours in my cards, so I decided to use pastels here, for a change.

Other points of interest: I cut out the flower on the bottom right hand corner from the Tea Party DSP, twice, and layered the pieces with Dimensionals. Paper piercing also added definition and texture to the card. For a nice finishing touch, I put a strip of matching DSP on the inside of the card.

I am quite happy with the end result - a soft looking card befitting the sentiment. It looks better in real life. :)

Supplies all from Stampin' Up!:

• Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
• Paper: Tea Party DSP; Choc Chip & So Saffron cardstock
• Ink: Choc Chip Classic
• Accessories: Eyelet border punch, Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Pretties Kit, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, Stampin Dimensionals

Love to hear your comments! Have a great weekend...

x Julia

Inkspirations Inspiration Challenge #9

Keesh's Inkspirations Inspiration Challenge #9

Hi Everyone,

its time for me to try Keesh's Inspiration Challenge #9 and boy, I quite struggled with this!

Anyway I thought it was time for me to test out my new brayer and try to create a beautiful rose lit sky. Here is the challenge:

and here are my cards:

My first attempt at brayering over glossy cardstock....and I do like it! However I used Basic Black ink which took forever to dry - next time I will try black embossing or Black Staz On.

Anyone has seen any online tutorials or tips on brayering, I would love to hear from you!

Supplies Used - All Stampin' Up!

• Inks: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, Apricot Apeal, Basic Black
• Cardstock: Basic Black, Apricot Appeal, Glossy, Rose Red DSP (retired)
• Stamps: Inspired By Nature, Tres Chic
• Accessories: Paper Piercer and Mat Pack, Jumbo Eyelet, Brayer, Corner Punch, Crop-a-dile, Button Latte, Linen Thread, Rose Red Db Stitched Ribbon

Have a great day!

xx Julia

Inkspirations Colour Challenge #9 and Mojo Monday Wk 93

Hi,

wow time has flown, I didn't realise how long ago since I've posted on my blog! I had a good break overseas and now I am ready to get back to stamping and scrapping!

In this simple card I have attempted Makeesha's Colour Challenge #9

and also Mojo Monday Week 93 Sketch.

I used Fifth Avenue Floral and On Your Birthday stamp set, Basic Grey & Whisper White cardstock, Baja Breeze patterns DSP, Ruby Red brads, Baja Breeze striped Grosgrain ribbon, Small and Large Oval and Scallop Edge Punches; Glue Dots; Crystal Effects; Aqua Painter; and inkpads Basic Black, Ruby Red, Baja Breeze.

I tried scalloping the edges of the rectangle with my scallop edge punch but I think I still need to practise this!

Have a great week...any comments would be wonderful.

xx Julia

Final Donation Amount for the Bushfire Appeal

In mid-Feb, Stampin' Up! launched the Bushfire Appeal in response to the tragedy that affected so many lives in Victoria and across Australia.

I am pleased to announce the final donation amount Stampin' Up! will be making to the Bushfire Appeal through the sales of the 'Bushfire Appeal Stamp Sets' will be $77,889.63!

Thank you so much to every one who contributed towards this worthy cause by purchasing one of those Bushfire Appeal Stamp Sets!

x Julia

Baroque Motifs Card - quick and easy

Hi there!

I had a request to put this card I did at my demo on my blog. This is a fun, quick and easy one using the Baroque Motifs stamp set (love this set, so versatile!) and A Little Birthday Cheer set, and only 2 ink colors. If you are using Basic Black like me here, remember to wait for the ink to dry as it takes a while longer than our other colored inks. I forgot, so there is a slight smudge! So here you go: a simple, quick and easy and pretty card. You could do a few at one go and have them ready whenever you need them!

Have fun stamping!

x Julia

Inspirations Challenge # 6 and Amy Rvsavy Friday Sketch #56

Don't you just love hot soup or hot cappuccino when the weather is turning cold? Makeesha's Inspirations Challenge #6 captures exactly that! And again I have combined Keesh's challenge with Amy Rvsavy's Friday Sketch #56.

I'm thinking lush, rich, creamy and smooth cappuccino.....so here is my creation:

I lurrvve that chunky glitter....its actually the first time I am using the green glitter! I love how just this one stamp does it all.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Illuminations

Ink: Choc Chip, Close to Cocoa

Paper: Outlaw (retired), Certainly Celery DSP (retired), Very Vanilla, Choc Chip.

Accessories: Pretties Kit, Choc Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Corner Rounder Punch, Mat Pack, Sand paper, SU Sponge

Thanks for looking! Would love to hear your comments! Thanks Keesh for another beautiful challenge and thanks Amy for a fantastic sketch.

x Julia

Kwerner Color Inspiration #48

I always wanted to try Kristina Kwerner's Color Inspiration challenges but somehow either ran out of time or didn't have the right colors as we Ozzies don't have exactly the same stuff as our SU mates in USA.

This time I was determined to give it a try, especially since I needed to make a birthday card or two! *wink*

Here is the Color Inspiration #48 :

I really like Kristina's style - fresh, funky, clean and modern. So I did this:

I took this photo indoors at night so it is not a good photo. But guess what, I made this card out of my scraps (apart from the Choc Chip CS)! It's amazing what you can do with some spare scrap paper and your punches. I didn't have any other DSP that matched so I really wanted to use this Kiwi Kiss paper from the Good Morning Sunshine DSP pack, so my punches came to the rescue!

To make the flower I used the large oval punch on Good Morning Sunshine DSP. Then the Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" circle punches, Think Happy Thoughts stamp set, Flower Fusion Old Olive felt flower (simply gorgeous), and clear rhinestone brad. The petals aren't stuck on that evenly but I guess it adds to the whimsical feel of the card! (heeeheheh)

To make the stem I used Sticky Strip (fantastic when you need strong adhesive), wide Choc Chip db stitched grosgrain ribbon, and button (retired). Plus the good ole' Scallop Edge Punch.

I'm loving this card and I think I will make more with different colors!! Anyone have any comments on how to take better photos indoors at night with an amateur camera?

Thanks for stopping by

x Julia

Amy Rvsavy Friday Sketch #55 and Keesh's Inkspirations Colour Challenge #6

Hi there!

this time I am trying two challenges at one go, by the talented ladies Amy Rvsavy and Makeesha Byl:

Amy Rvsavy's Friday Sketch #55

Keesh's Inkspirations Colour Challenge #6

Here is what I came up with:

and a close up of the Rock n Roll technique on the flowers:

Card Recipe (all from SU except circle cutter):

• Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Tres Chic, Family Phrases
  
• Paper: P. Pomegranate, Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
  
• Ink: P. Pomegranate, Regal Rose, Basic Black, Versamark
  
• Accessories: Chunky Glitter, Tombow Adhesive, P. Pomegranate db stitched ribbon, Word Window Punch, Silver brads, Scallop Edge Punch, 1/16" circle Punch, Fiskars Circle cutter, dimensionals
  
• Techniques: Rock n Roll (Regal Rose and P. Pomegranate), Sponging
  

I love the Tres Chic background stamp - it makes any cardstock look glamorous instantly! I might have overdone the chunky glitter on the flowers :) I would never have put this color combo together - not something I would normally use - but it is growing on me. I sure will miss P. Pomegranate when it retires!

Here are the other cards I did with Keesh's colour challenge combo. These cards are quick and easy as I used lots of punches. I used Baroque Motifs stamp set and Large Oval Punch here. I can't wait to get the new Wide Oval Punch come 1 Apr with the new IBC!!! I taught this card layout at a recent class and I LOVE this sketch from Becky Fleck who is from US and very talented!

Thanks Amy and Keesh for your lovely challenges!

Update: Wow I am so thrilled Keesh picked my card as the winner!!! It made my day! And Amy picked my card among the top 10!! woohoo! :) Check out their websites to look at all the gorgeous samples everyone submitted.

x Julia

Inkspirations Sketch Challenge # 6

Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #6

Its time to have another go at Keesh's Challenges! Here is her sketch challenge:

I needed to make a pink baby card so I thought I would use this layout, did three at one go:

It's the first time I am using pinks with grays rather than my favourite pinks and browns. I was quite happy with how it turned out :) Thanks to my lovely friend Jayne B., I learnt how to use my almost forgotten Fiskars circle cutters! Thanks Jayne!! Unfortunately Fiskars does not have circle shapes in increments of 1/4 " so my layered circles are abit big, but that will have to do for now.

I used the new In Color paper (the polka dot background one) - Pink Pirouette and it is absolutely gorgeous! I thought I would not buy the matching ink pad but having used it now I am so buying it.

I stamped the cute pram twice and cut it out in the Pink Pirouette paper and stuck it down with dimensionals. I didn't have any matching patterned paper so I used a Pretty in Pink piece of scrap paper and stamped hearts over it.

A rather simple card but I love it! Thanks for a lovely sketch, Keesh!

x Julia

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes, Polka Dot, heart shape from SU incentive stamps

Paper: Basic Grey, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette (new)

Ink: Basic Grey, Pretty in Pink, Real Red marker

Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, white ribbon not SU (could not find my whisper white grosgrain ribbon!), Fiskars circle cutters, aqua painter, scallop edge punch