Team Weekend Away

The Demonstrator group I am a part of, The Inklings led by the lovely Jayne is having a team weekend away and guess whose going??? ME!! I'm taking a small break from packing and madly cutting cardstock and choosing photos to be printed tomorrow for scrapbooking to sort of RUB IT IN cos I'm so excited. We are going to Vision Valley for a bit of an escape, a whole lot of stamping and creating, lots of laughs, sharing of ideas and lots of munching on chocolate. The weekend kicks off tomorrow evening so I will be quiet during the weekend but if you need me for any reason pleas call my mobile. I can't guareentee reception though! I promise to bring back lots of pictures and and stories of the weekend.

So your reading this and going gee's I'm jealous I wish I could go along to something like this. Well all you need to do is sign up as a demonstrator and until the 15th August there is $25 off the starter kit. So not only do you get a super cheap starter kit, a very fantastic (and modest) mentor (me) but you also get to take advantage of all the lovely things attached to being a demonstrator such as weekends like this. To ensure you don't miss out on your discounted starter kit make sure you contact me before 15th August 2008.

Before I leave you for my weekend away... (Can you tell I'm psyched) I will leave you with a card I made last month for my cousins birthday. She turned 21. She loves green and loves pink. So I made her this ubber sweet card. The numbers on the card are non SU! sorry! If I had SU! number stamps I would have used them. The set I did use is a Level 2 hostess set "In the Spotlight." and I love it!

Speaking of spotlights... (Great link huh??.. Ok maybe I'm just exhausted!) Make sure you are on here on Monday to find out what my August Spotlight product is!

I hope you have a lovely weekend whatever you get up to. I am sure my weekend will be rockin'

HAPPY STAMPIN'

Dani

Christmas in July

I attended one of my customers, Vicky, place on Saturday night for a Christmas in July card making night. It was such a great night and it was nice to not be the centre of attention demoing how to make the cards instead sitting and just coming up with something new and seeing other people create different things that I wouldn't have thought of. So thanks for a great night Vicky! We must do it again sometime soon.

Whilst there I made a few Christmas Cards 2 of which I am going to share with you guys. Both use retired products so I do apologise if you like them and would like to make them yourself you may need to substitute some products. It was fun because I also got to play around with some stamp sets I've never used before that my customers had and I'll share those cards with you soon hopefully.

Now onto my creations...The first one I used the same/simular layout that I used on my baby card for Kristina's last colour challenge (Below 2 posts) because I really liked the layout and how it turned out. I used a set called Merry Mini's which actually retired from the last catty. I do apologise. It is a fun set for Christmas cards and tags and that is why I still use it/haven't got rid of it. I hope you like my card.

Stamp Sets: Merry Minis*

Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Whisper White

Ink: Wild Wasabi, Real Red

Accessories: Red grosgrain ribbon, Red Eyelets, Crop-a-dile, Mat Pack

The second card is using a set I just bought and have been eyeing off for a long time... Hung up on the holidays. I'm so glad I bought the set cos this card is rocking my world. I used Cranberry Crisp Cardstock and Ink which was last years in colours with Mellow Moss. I absolutly love that colour combo and couldn't help but use it again. You could easily change and substitute the colours though if you wished. I also used Nice and Narrow which is a retired stamp set for the small stars in the background. You could leave them off if you wish but I rather like them.

Here is a close up. I used some glitter glue on the balls and hanging ribbon to give it some shine and I also raised the round balls up on dimensionals.

Stamp Sets: Hung up on the holidays, Nice and Narrow*, Short and Sweet

Cardstock: Cranberry Crisp*, Mellow Moss, Whisper White

Ink: Cranberry Crisp*, Mellow Moss

Accessories: Dimensionals, Kindy Glitz Glitter Glue

Happy Christmas in July and TFL

Happy Stampin,

Dani

P.S. You may notice in the recipe there are some items with an asterix (*) next to it this is to indicate they are retired products.

P.P.S. 29 Posts down and I have only just got approval for my blog to operate... Whoops!

Spotlight: Sooty Stamping

Hi all,

For any new comers for the month of August I am displaying artworks that use glossy cardstock as my "spotlight" product. Todays project is using a technique called coloured soot stamping or you could use a more basic version of the technique called soot stamping. This technique is quiet fiddly but I found it quiet fun to play with. Due to this I have lots of tips for if you want to do this technique yourself.

To make this technique you need a piece of glossy white cardstock (Fancy that) a brayer or sponges, ink (I used Choc Chip, Close to Cocoa and Pumpkin Pie), stamps (I used Petal Prints and warmest regards*), a candle, matches/lighter and acrylic sealer. TIP: If you do not have acrylic sealer you can use hairspray! It isn't as good but is an easy substitute to seal your work. I used it for sealing all my art works in year 12 art!!!

Here's a quick rap up of what I did to achieve the look. First start by sponging the colours onto the glossy cardstock in random places. (For a more even look use one colour and apply with a brayer) Once desired colour is achieved light your candle and wave the piece of cardstock over the candle trying not to concerntrate on one spot for to long to avoid burning the cardstock. TIP: Hold the cardstock with some tweasers to avoid burning your fingers. Once desired burnt look has been achieved stamp your cardstock with image. TIP: Be careful not to touch the cardstock otherwise you'll get nice fingerprints on the cardstock and black soot on your fingers. Once finished stamping seal the image with acrylic sealer or in my case HAIRSPRAY!! Once dry finish your card and VOILA!

This isn't a technique I would use very often but it gives a nice vintage/warn look or is nice for an autumn type card. I just liked it cos I got to play with fire! TFL!

Have a great week!

Dani

Kristina Werner's Colour Challenge #16

Hi lovely people who are reading this blog!

It has been a while since I posted. As mentioned in my previous post I have been really sick with a virus and chest infection which has sent my asthma all over the place. I have had a week and a half off work and it has finally started clearing up today. (About time) I hate taking time off work I feel guilty and the catch up is just to much so monday is not going to be fun. I have been so sick I have lacked any motivation to sit at my craft table and make anything which is quiet unusual!



Anywho. I got up this morning and decided to tackle another Kristina Colour challenge. The colours were so pretty that it actually helped me feel better. This weeks colours are Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie and Very Vanilla. I made 2 cards this time and I'm happy with both although my brother Ben thinks they are quiet plain. What do you think?? I love comments so please let me know!!



This first card is made for friends of mine and my bf that had a little baby boy last week. I think the card is simple but so sweet and I really hope they like it. Congrats Emma and Brett on the arrival of a beautiful baby boy!

Stamp Set: Short and Sweet
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Soft Sky, Certainly Celery
Ink: Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Corner Rounder, Certainly Celery Grosgrain ribbon, Mat Pack

The second card I made I got inspiration for the layout from the catalogue on page 85. I'm so happy with how it turned out.



Heres a close up for you...



Stamp Sets: Simply Said, Occasional Greetings, In the Spotlight, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Card Stock: Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie and Very Vanilla
Ink Pads: Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie, Versamark (for water mark effect along edge)
Accessories: 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Square Punches, VV Grosgrain Ribbon, Hemp Twine

Thanks for looking! I wish everyone a lovely weekend and I hope everyone who is attending WYD enjoys the end of the week and travels home safely. I went to the last one in Germany and I know how much trouble the last few days of WYD were for myself.

Happy Stampin'

Dani xoxo

Spotlight: I cannot resist a white crayon!

As I promised last night. I have been working on some pretty projects using this months product, glossy white cardstock. For this card I used a technique called Crayon Resist. This is one of my favourite techniques to do as it has such a pretty and unpredictable outcome.

How it works is you cut your glossy white cardstock to size. Stamp your image in Stazon (Permanent Ink) being careful not to smudge it as the glossy cardstock can be slippery. Then take a white wax based crayon pressing firmly colour in the parts of your image that you want to remain white. Then take a sponge and sponge on your colour/s OR use a brayer. Once all colour has been added rub the cardstock with a paper towel to get the excess wax off. Then finish your card and Voila!

Stamp Sets: Petal Prints, Occasional Greetings

Cardstock: Orchid Opulence, Basic Black

Ink: Black Stazon, Orchid Opulence, Regal Rose, Purely Pomegrante

Accessories: Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Black Eyelets, Crop a dile, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, White Crayon

Techniques: Crayon Resist

Alternatively if my quick instructions wasn't enough detail for you there is also a great visual tutorial on splitcoast stampers which can be found here.

Have a lovely weekend.

Dani xoxo

Lazy Card Making Day and another KW challenge!

I've been off sick from work the last few days and whenever that happens my mum gives me a list of cards that she needs made so instead of resting in bed I end up making cards all day. (Not that I mind) Today I made some cards for my grandfather who has been very sick with multiple heart attacks. My parents are on the way up to QLD to visit him for his birthday. Unfortunatly by the time I went to photograph them they were already packed so I can't show off my mens cards which personally I find the hardest cards to make.


I was also fortunate enough today to stumble across Kristina Werner's blog and noticed she had posted another colour challenge so I decided today was the best day to give it a really good whirl. The colours given were based on some beautiful bedding shown below. The colours were Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Really Rust and Certainly Celery.



I used a layout created by Taylor Vanbruggen which i saw via the lovely Kylie Swain's blog who is a fellow Inkling. I had alot of fun creating this card. The colours are so incredibly beautiful and warm. I will use them together again. I am going to apologise in advance for the crap photography. I was having alot of trouble taking decent photo's of my card due to just taking the nebuliser which makes your hands shake and legs like jelly!! Silly Me! Oh well, ENJOY!



I proped the flower up so it looked like it was coming off the page. Here's a close up:



Stamp Set: In the Spotlight
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Fall Flowers DSP
Ink: Certainly Celery, Really Rust Marker
Accessories: Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, Certainly Celery Brad

I have also been working on some cards using this months spotlight product. Stay tuned to see them tomorrow! Enjoy your weekend whatever your up to!

Dani

It's Challenge Night!!

Last Saturday night was our monthly challenge night with my Inklings group. The very lovely Kari had her chellenge creating debut and se tus some rather interesting challenges. Unfortunatly I wasn't there to participate on the night but I did have the pleasure of creating them during this very busy week I've had.

Challenge #1 was to make a rather funky pyramid box. You had to use colours you don't use very often and a new stamp set. I am a rather naughty demonstrator as I have NEVER used Groovy Guava from the new in colours! So It was fun to play with that combined with the subtle Blush Blossom and my very favourite Priceless Stamp Set and Voila! I created this cute like box.

Challenge #2 was a colour challenge that can only be a real doozy! Never in my life time would I have thought to put those colours together and never will I again because it really tested me and I'm not overly fond of the results. My apprentice (my 15 yr old brother, Ben) actually helped me big time with this colour challenge. He came up with the warm and cold aspects of the colours and different ideas with what stamp sets to use. I think he will make a great card maker this Christmas!! Now enough blabbing and time for the colours we were given. Get out your catalogues ladies and image these colours together... Soft Sky, Ballet Blue, Not quite Navy, Really Rust and Pink Passion! Here is my dodgy attempt!!

Challenge #3 was a layout challenge. The layout was created by Lauren Meader. The layout could be used for a scrapbook page or a card. I chose to do a card as I already had in mind a card I wanted to make so it was quite easy to make. I tweaked the layout a little. I think the card looks lovely.

I hope you enjoyed looking at my creations. Please stay tuned for next months challenges as they will be set by the lovely... ME! I am racking my brain and hopefully I come up with something great!

I'm off to hybernate on the lounge at doctors orders as I have yet another chest infection. I've tried so hard to avoid it and it snuck up on me :( Not looking forward to the end of August as that's when I get them the worst.

Have a lovely night!

Dani xoxo

New Promotion for July

Stampin' Up just keep bringing on the Promo's!! Apart from still being able to benefit from the Extra Extra Promo there is a brand new Promo for anyone who signs up and buys the starter kit in between 1st July and 15th August they will save an extra $25 off the already super cheap kit. That means you will now recieve $560 worth of product for only $299! Anyone who also signs up within this time with the super cheap kit I will also throw in a pack of glossy white cardstock so you can make some of the beautiful cards that I am showing this month.

Remember when signing up you don't have to get the pre-selected 5 sets, you can choice your own favourite sets (of equal or lesser value) and your choice of 4 ink pads along with the basic black.

To find out more info or find out how you can sign up contact me today. I'd love to welcome you into the Stampin' Up family!

Happy Stampin'

Dani

Spotlight on... White Glossy Cardstock

Ok so I'm a day later than promised! Sorry! If you didn't read 2 posts below... WELCOME to my first of many spotlights! This month I am spotlighting one of my favourite products, White Glossy cardstock (106555). You can purchase this fantastic baby for only $9.50 for 25 sheets, That's 38c a sheet! So what can you do with this cheap product??

Believe it or not the glossy card stock is used in a variety of fun and easy techniques which I will display over the next few weeks. It also adds a bit of shiny-ness to a project and is also the best cardstock to use with your brayer or when sponging as you need less ink and it spreads easier!

Here is a card I made using the 'Ghosting' technique, on my glossy cardstock, which I love and used in my second attempt card for my Kristina Werner colour challenge. I will show a tutorial how to use this technique with the added effect of the very cool sponging which I think makes this card so rocking!

I hope over the coming month you come to love glossy white cardstock as much as I do and start to incorporate it into your own projects. Remember it is only $9.50 a pack and anyone who orders it from me during this month will also get free printed tutorial instructions on how to use it in all the techniques shown on my blog during this month. How good is that?

Thanks for looking and have a great rest of your week!

Dani :)