Around the World Stampin' Up Challenge

Well, feeling exceptionally brave today and decided to actually enter something I've made as a result of one of the themes in this Challenge blog, instead of making and not posting! The theme was 'squares' and my square framelits came in very handy.

Products used: Whisper White and Island Indigo card, Island Indigo DSP, Island Indigo inkpad, Square framelits, Papillon Potpourri stamp and Elegant Butterfly punch, Sassy salutations stamp.... and lots of dimensionals to lift the top layer.

Sketchabilities 117

It's been a while since I had time to scrapbook and as usual, it was a lovely sketchabilities design that got me going again, even if it was a quick and easy lay-out. I'm happy with the colours used and the dramatic arts theme in the embellishments.

The photo is from a fool around photo booth on New Year's Eve last year.

Supplies list:

Papers: Coredinates Beach, Scraps of Kaisercraft Velvet Ensemble collection

Inks and Stamps: Tim Holtz distress ink Black and Brushed Corduroy, SU Take Note rotary stamper, Penny Black Music background stamp.

Punches:  SU Decorative Label, SU scallop tag topper, SU scallop circle

Other: dimensionals, Collectibles from Kaisercraft Life is Art collection.

New Toys

With the imminent close of the Special Occasions catalogue, I splashed out and got myself a circle thinlit die. When it arrived, I could hardly wait to have a go. The possibilities are exciting, but these were my first attempts.

 And I also treated myself to Hardwood background stamp, just in case it wasn't in the new catalogue. (Less than a fortnight to go, I think!) The inaugural use of that stamp was this little easel card.

Framed: Sketchabilities 115

Once again, Sketchabilities has provided a wonderful inspiration. This was my second outing using Close to My Heart products, this time the "Free to be Me" promotional pack on special limited offer last month. The photos are from a NewYear's Eve/New Year's party just past and as soon I saw the sketch, I knew they were the photos to use.

Here's the sketch.

And here's my take on it:

Some details

Supplies List

Papers: Bazzill white, selection of papers from CTMH "Free to be Me" promotional pack.

Stamps and Inks: CTMH True Life, Distressed Backgrounds and Balloon Talk, SU French Foliage (for the rain splatter effect), SU Pool Party and Tim Holtz Distress Ink Barn Door.

Dies and Punches: SU square framelits, Provocraft Olivia alphabet, office hole punch.

Other: Dimensionals, JAC paper.

A Clean and Simple Card

I am really pleased with this card and have made it in a couple of colours but I like the blue best and I've experimented with various ways of adding a sentiment. The cirlce and scallped circle combination has ended up being my favourite.

I embossed the flowers onto vellum and coloured them in from behind to give a soft colour. The circle embossing folder I got as a free gift from the SU special occasions catalogue and I've used it for lots of things already as it's such a versatile design. The leaf sizzlit was the very first thing I ever bought from Stampin' Up and it's more than paid for itself - I even begin to wonder if it is possible for such things to wear out.

What I like best about this card is the simple harmony and sense of balance.

This is for the Paper Players Challenge, 17 May 2014
http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.co.nz/

Grandma's Close to my Heart

I recently discovered that there was a Close to My Heart agent living in the area and this is the first thing I've used the items for. This is one of the few existing photos of both of my children's grandmothers in the same place. Not quite sure of the year, but it is most probably 1987. I like the vintage feel of these papers and because of the ornate nature of the base paper, I've kept the layout quite simple.

Supplies list

CTMH Skylark paper pack and Skylark assortment, True to Life stamp set, Distress background stamp, SU Scallop top tag punch, Tim Holtz distress ink Vintage photo, Provocraft Red Tag Sale dies, Martha Stewart lace edge punch, Lagoon Zip Edge ribbon.

Card Making

School holidays equals crafting time, so I've been doing quite a lot of scrapbooking and have made a pile of cards. I've been trying to come up with a great 21st birthday card for the daughter of a good friend. It's evolved:

The final version