Another of our Christmas cards from my September classes. This one features the Joyful Christmas stamp set. I stamped it on vellum using the Gold Encore ink then flipped it over and coloured in on the reverse side with a Cherry Cobbler marker. Cut a second smaller flower from Cherry Cobbler cardstock stamped in the gold ink. A Very Vintage button is a nice finishing touch. The background panel is vellum embossed with the new Stylish Stripes embossing folder and attached to a piece of Naturals White cardstock. I do love the soft look of embossed vellum.
I'm really liking the Expressions thinlits too. Didn't the merry come up well in our new gold foil card. I used Tombow glue to stick it down.
I picked up this printers' tray at a craft show years ago and it has been sitting in my 'must do something with that one day' pile. I really enjoyed finally getting it out and using it to display some family wedding photos. Ours, my parents, grandparents and some great grandparents.
I made all the little photo panels using MDS and printed them on my home printer. Scroll down for a video tutorial on how to make one of those custom size projects in My Digital Studio.
I also used some Designer Series Patterned paper, clay flowers coloured to match the project and coated with CrystaL Effects and some of the lovely lace paper doilies.
Funny story - I put this project together for the recent MDS tour and had a deadline to meet. One of the last panels I did was that one there next to John and I. I found the wedding photo in my old photos folder on the computer but wasn't sure who they were. Was quite happy to find our from mum later that yes - they are my great grandparents, not just some random couple who ended up in my photo collection.
The Hearts A Flutter framelits set was handy for this section. I had a mix of black and white and sepia toned photos so I included a panel of Smoky Slate core'dinations cardstock embossed and sanded, plus some of the lovely Naturals Composition paper to tie in with the different coloured old photos.
Here's a closer look at two of the parts created using MDS. This is my mum's parents - my grandma and grandpa. I love love love old wedding photos.
I've used Venetian Romance DSP for this project -the digital version plus the paper version. I added some script stamps using MDS and the medallion stamp - both with the opacity turned down to make them a little more subtle. The 'Remember When' is from the Word Play set. (The digital version in MDS.)
This one is my dad's parents - my nana and pa. Such an elegant era.
For this one I used the Music Notes stamp - love that for backgrounds. The Mr and Mrs is from Meant To Be digital stamp set. I've added some digital tape under it to subtly highlight the words.
MDS is very clever. It comes with a ton of included content. Then if you do purchase additional downloads - they install in the right spots. There are handy search functions too if you're looking for something and are not sure what you have.
Like to know a bit more about how to create your own custom sized MDS projects. I've put together a video tutorial showing how I made something like this. Don't mind my crazy mouse - I'm still slightly hyperactive with my mouse movements - will try to work on that for the next video!
Here it is - complete with hiccups, blank moments and mischievous mouse! Includes creating a custom sized project, adding background paper, shape punches, photo fill technique, adding and recolouring stamps, and using digital tape. Hope something there is handy for you.
For more fabulous MDS videos, blog, projects and tips - visit the MDS website. There are loads there.
Looking for some Christmas card ideas? At my September Christmas Card classes we made 3 cards using some of the Christmas things in the new holiday catalogue. (Browse all the Christmas products here - Online Store Christmas Section.) I'll be sharing the cards with you over the coming week.
I quite liked this one with Special Season stamp set.
The DSP is Winter Frost and that's Pool Party at the top embossed with the Pretty Print embossing folder. I'm rather addicted to embossing folders - I think I have them all. Can't resist a new pattern. This one is handy for lots of occasions.
I went a little overboard with sponging the Encore Silver ink around the tree because I had to disguise a fingerprint. Oops ;-) Watch out when using the silver ink - it takes a little longer to dry than the regular inks. It is just lovely though - gives a nice crisp silver.
So are you a traditional Christmas colours crafter, or do you like the non traditionals? I quite love blues and silvers on Christmas cards.
Pinterest Pinterest - I Do Love Pinterest
After more Christmas card ideas or Stampin' Up inspiration? Do you love pinning ideas? I've just set up a Madex Creations board on Pinterest. I've got boards with Christmas ideas, card sketches, elegant cards, clean and simple, plus one of my favourite thing to browse online and drool over - storage options. Here's the link if you'd like to follow me on Pinterest.
And here's just a few of the things I've pinned recently on my Pinterest board. Happy Pinning. (Watch out - it is addictive!)
Can't sign off today without saying a big GO HAWKS.
We have meat for the BBQ, snacks for the tummies, a bunch of scarves to decorate the loungeroom and a few extra Madex's coming over to help cheer on our team in the grand final. Looking forward to a fun, family day - and hopefully a win!
School holidays here so we've been spending lots of time in our jammies, pottering about outside, reading good books and generally relaxing. Hannah and I had a bit of a play too with the Festive Flurry stamp set and framelits. Here's my card ....
I took my colour scheme (and that piece of patterned paper) from the Winter Frost Specialty DSP. Island Indigo, Coastal Cabana, Pool Party and Smoky Slate. Some silver glimmer paper goes well too for a bit of a sparkle.
And I'm completely in love with those gorgeous Frosted Finishes embellishments.
The greeting is from Special Season - very elegant I thought. I used the edge of my scissors to add a bit of texture to the edge of the greeting panel. (Which nicely disguised that it was cut a little wonkily with my scissors!)
Have you got one of the new Magnetic Platforms for the Big Shot? They make using framelits so easy peasy. No more post it notes.
Hannah had a play too. We quite enjoyed a nice bit of mum and daughter craft time.
Here's Hannah's card. She loves to raid my scraps box and see what she can put together.
Have a fabulous Spring day and I hope you get some creative time this week.
Cheers, Sue
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Last month at class we used several of the stamp and punch bundles. This card featured the Six Sided Sampler bundle which is one of my favourites.
Colours are Smoky Slate, Coastal Cabana and Strawberry Slush.
Here's another variation using the same colour combo.
I think these cards were inspired by something I saw using google images or pinterest but I can't seem to find it now. I'll be back to link if I track it down.
Just popping in with a quick announcement! The Stampin' Up Magnetic Platform will be back in stock tomorrow. (12th September.)
You can order it by visiting my online store tomorrow - or phone/email. I know lots of you have been waiting to grab this after using it at class last month.
So handy if you're using framelits - no more post it notes to hold them in place. We just loved how they snapped into position - makes creating super easy. It was a hit with my class ladies.
Speaking of classes - my Christmas ones are filling up fast this month. Visit this page to check out the spots available (or go on the waiting list - often a place comes up on the day.) I've got 2 places left tonight if you're keen for some Christmas creating. My new day time class is next Friday (20th September) if you'd like to come to a class and can't get to an evening one.
We've had a few kids' birthdays around the traps here lately so thought I'd share my super quick and easy kids' card ideas. When I'm in a hurry I love to make use of my punch collection.
Jack is a massive Minecraft enthusiast so I printed off some pics of the characters from the game and used my hexagon punch to whip up a card. It is a bit hmmm - rustic! But he LOVED it and reminded me a few days later, "Make sure you don't throw that card out mum, I want to keep it."
The greeting is from Timeless Talk. (See it here.) I've also used Washi Tape and some silver glimmer paper to add a touch of sparkle. The arrow is from Hung Up Cute Clips. Really loving my new hexagon punch. Punches make cardmaking easier I think!
While we were in Minecraft mode I printed off an extra page of pics to punch and use for cupcake toppers - stuck onto toothpicks. Jack loved his Minecraft cake.
Here's another kids' card - this time featuring the rather cute stamp set Zoo Babies and the postage stamp punch. If you've ever had Stampin' Up boxes delivered you might recognise the wrapping paper! We never run out in our house.
The patterned paper is the super versatile Polka Dot Parade. Nice and bright and happy.
Speaking of nature - (ha ha, is that a good segue?) - I'm so excited about having a garden. Things are starting to bud and it is so relaxing being out there pottering about. Want to hear a funny story?
We have two huge big water tanks which filled up nicely over winter and are attached to a drip irrigation system. A week or so back we got home from school and I turned on the dripper then headed inside to put the oven timer on to remind me to turn it off. Perhaps you can guess where this story is going.
Yes, I got sidetracked on my way in the door and COMPLETELY forgot all about it. Remembered 5 hours later when we were driving home from a school concert and was relieved to get home and at least find there wasn't a huge mudslide or anything. But our tanks are looking a tad emptier so have been watering by hand for a little while. And might have to save up for a timer I think!
Well time for me to go keep working on attempt number 756 at cleaning up my craft space. I dragged the 2 foot high pile of things from my desk to the dining table and started sorting over the weekend. Have a semi tidy desk and a very messy dining room now. :-)
Wishing all the dads a very Happy Fathers' Day, and especially my dad. I think if I had to pick a symbol for my dad I'd choose a rock. He's someone you can count on 110%.
Being the totally organised girl that I am, I had presents all sorted but found myself last weekend with a rather short patch of minutes to whip up an early Fathers' Day card and a birthday card for my brother. MDS to the rescue!
The kids raided my scraps box last night and made cards for John.
Jack made a poster/letter at school too and managed to bring a bit of a tear to the eye just like on Mothers' Day.
Today we are taking John to my new favourite place to eat at Highpoint - Dumplings Plus. They make them fresh all day and they are delicious.
What a fabulous weekend. Spring is in the air and that little touch of sunshine just warms the soul.