I had the Flowering Zinnias DSP out for a Just Add Ink challenge card recently, and while I had it on the table I thought I'd fussy cut some of the larger flowers.  Five of them layered up quite nicely for this card.  

The white panel is embossed using the Leaf Fall 3D Embossing Folder.  I've matted it with another piece of the Zinnias paper.  I wanted a tiny greeting so used the Changing Leaves stamp set and dies.  

Here is the full Flowering Zinnias Suite - it includes the paper, stamps, dies, embossing folder and embellishments. 

This suite is from our Online Exclusives - we have a new range of online exclusive products 4 times a year.  

Here is some inspiration for creating with this suite.  Lots of our bright colours coordinate. 

I have quite a few florals in my stamp collection but I sometimes can't resist a new one.  :-) 

Have a great week.

Cheers, Sue

Stampin' Up Product List: Click image to shop/browse items

Flowering Zinnias Suite Collection (English) [163485] $146.00	Simply Zinnia Bundle (English) [163480] $91.75	Zinnia 3 D Embossing Folder [163337] $19.25	Leaf Fall 3 D Embossing Folder [159847] $19.25
Changing Leaves Bundle (English) [164139] $94.50	Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad [147089] $15.75	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653] $227.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $7.50

Thought I'd give a sketch challenge a whirl so headed over to Just Add Ink to see what their latest challenge was.  Here is my entry.  I've used the bright and colourful Flowering Zinnias DSP for a pair of cheerful thanks cards. 

Here is the sketch - my card maths was a bit wonky so I ended up adding a few more strips instead of the 4 in the sketch. 

Here is a closer look at each card.  My white cardstock panel is 3 1/2" x 5".  The background paper is card front size (10.5cm x 14.8cm.)  My DSP strips are 8.5cm wide and varying heights so they fit evenly.  I'd planned 4 evenly sized strips but my maths was wonky so I ended up making them varying sizes.  (And I'm a maths teacher - oopsie!!) 

And since I had some strips left over I made a second one.  The Flowering Zinnias DSP is from our Online Exclusives collection.  The circle die with the stitched edge is from Changing Leaves Dies and the thanks greeting is from Simply Said stamp set - also from our Online Exclusives. 

It was fun to take part in a challenge.  Pop on over to Just Add Ink if you'd like to take part or to browse all of the entries and the design team inspiration.  

Happy creating,

Cheers, Sue

Oops that was a slightly longer break from our weekly colour creations blog hop than I'd intended.  Back again with the crew this week though for Pineapple Punch.  

I don't think I've actually used this colour before!  It is a bright, happy yellow. 

Today I decided to give it a whirl with some watercolouring and teamed it with Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay and Mango Melody.  

I coloured the flowers with Pineapple Punch ink and used the cardstock for the word and for the narrow trim.  

This card is based on a beautiful Gail Ellis design (here.) 

I've been enjoying playing with this technique.  I've used watercolour paper and taped off a border using low tack adhesive painters tape from Bunnings.   It helps to wet the watercolour paper first.  I usually pop a few drops of my various colours of reinker onto a clear block which I use as a palette.  I couldn't find my Pineapple Punch reinker so instead I pressed a small clear block into the ink pad then used my aquapainter to grab the colour.  So much fun to just play around with the colours.  I'm going on a craft retreat soon (my first!) so I think I'll take a bunch of these and colour away.  Very relaxing.  

Here's a closer look at a few bits.  I have no idea what I'm doing with watercolouring really but it is fun and you really can't go wrong.  They all seem to dry quite nicely.  Great technique to play with to feel a bit artistic.  

My base card is Crumb Cake and I've embossed the flowers and leaves from Wonderful Romance stamp set with white embossing powder for a soft look.  Rather hard to see when you're starting to colour but got there in the end.  

Want to see some more Pineapple Punch creations.  Head on over here to Catherine's blog to see the full list of participants and click the links to check out all their projects. 

Happy stamping! 

I'll be back on Thursday for our February Blog Hop.  

Cheers, Sue

Oops I missed last week with some internet hassles - I must go back and share my Gorgeous Grape card though now that we're back online (fingers crossed.)

This week we are up to Granny Apple Green - a gorgeous, vibrant green.  Quite a nice addition to the ink collection if you like bright happy colours. 

I used my Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends and teamed it up with Lovely Lipstick - a nice bright pink.  (It has photographed a little more red tinged so you'll have to take my word for that.  Lighting must be a little off today.) 

I've used the flower from Petal Palette stamp set and the greeting is from Wishing You Well.  I've trimmed the white cardstock with some of the Granny Apple Green to help feature the green, and popped it all onto one of our Silver Foil Edged cards.  I am so loving these and will miss them when the Holiday Catalogue finishes.  They come in either silver or gold packs and you get 20 cards and envelopes (also with a foil trim) in the pack.  Such an easy way to add a metallic element with no hassle. 

Now I'd best save this in case my internet drops out again - repair guy out today but I think it is still being a tad flaky.  Aaah the joys of wi fi. 

Oops - helps if I add in the link for you to check out the other Granny Apple Green creations - here it is over at Catherine's blog.

Next week we are back with Grapefruit Grove so stay tuned for that one. 

Happy Stamping!

Cheers, Sue

A lovely bright and happy spring colour for you this week on our AWH Colour Creations Blog Hop. 

We are up to Daffodil Delight and I thoroughly enjoyed making a nice cheerful card with it.

Keen to see some more projects featuring this colour.  There's a link down the bottom of this post. 

I was inspired by a Janet Wakeland video to use some of our new Foil Edge Cards and Envelopes. (Page 11 of the Holiday Catalogue.)  Don't they make a lovely base and an effortless silver trim there.  I cut my Daffodil Delight cardstock to 4" x 5 1/4".  Cut it a little smaller if you'd like more of the silver border to show through.  The embossing folder is Swirls and Curls (pg 5.)  This was the perfect time to grab out my Beautiful Day stamp set and give the butterfly a whirl.  I embossed it with silver embossing powder then coloured it using my Stampin' Blends - Daffodil Delight and Pool Party pairs.  This stamp set is a great one if you're just getting started with colouring.  Nice big sections to colour - you can't go wrong. 

I coloured some sections with the pale colour of the pair, then added a little bit of the darker shade - just plonked it on along the edge of the section.  Go back over the join with the pale colour and it softens the edge. 

I've given our new Chicken Wire Elements a whirl too.  (Find them on page 43.)  Nice for a little touch of silver.  Just snip off the amount that you want or use the whole piece. 

Got some time and love the colour Daffodil Delight - get a nice dose of yellow with a whiz around my teammates posts.  Here's where you'll find the links:  Catherine Proctor's Blog

We'll be back next week with the next colour on the list. 

Cheers, Sue

The Tropical Escape DSP comes in a handy 6" x 6" size and makes a great leafy background.  There are various designs including leaves, stripes and more all in our lovely greens with some Blushing Bride and Basic Black for contrast. 

I've stamped the cute rhino from Animal Outing stamp set and coloured him with the lighter of the Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends, adding some extra touches with the darker alcohol marker.

Here's another variation using one of the other Tropical Escapes DSP (last day for our DSP special today.) 

I've stamped the kangaroo in black and coloured him with the watercolour pencils.  In August we have a new batch of pencils in alternative colours to the set in the main catalogue if you'd like to add to your pencil collection.  We've also got the Stitched Season framelits you can see featured in this card.  August only for the framelits and stamp set and while stocks last so grab them quick if you're keen on that lovely stitched edge shape.

A great tip from the talented Tina Gillespie (find her here) is to blend the pencils using the Wink Of Stella clear glitter pen.  Love the touch of sparkle this gives.  (Hard to photograph!) 

Happy stamping!

Cheers, Sue

Shopping from home?  Here's the links.  The current host code is QHC24T6B

Product List

Tropical Escape 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [146916] $19.25

Animal Outing Clear-Mount Bundle [148324] $78.25

Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2 [149014] $21.75

Stitched Seasons Framelits Dies [149013] $57.00

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897] $11.50

Everyone loves a pop up card - that nice element of surprise when you open the card always brings a smile to the face.  Now you can make them really easily with the Party Pop Up Thinlits.

And open it up ......

Tips and Techniques: Cut your card insert section, score it down the middle then place the Party Pop Up Thinlit carefully so the tabs line up with the score line. 

You can use the other thinlit as the pop up element too - it also has tabs marking the central line - one on the base and can you see the other tucked between two of the candles?

For my Big Shot sandwich I've put the magnetic plate at the bottom, the precision plate on top, then my cardstock and thinlit (cutting edge down) and finally one acrylic plate on top.  I find the precision plate handy for more intricate dies like this. 

Once you've run it through, time to get out the new Big Shot brush and foam mat.  Roll the brush over your thinlit a few times in different directions and voila - the little bits come out and no more 'ten minutes with the poker' poking bits out.  My new favourite tool I think!

Now fold all your score lines and adhere your insert inside your card, making sure to get the scored line tightly into the centre of your card. 

You can also use the elements on the front of your card.  At class in February we found the Fine Tip Glue super handy for sticking the fine lettering of Happy Birthday onto our card front. 

I loved using these and am hoping we might have some more pop up elements in future catalogues.  At class we were remembering those frog mouth type pop up cards some of us used to make when we were kids, or the spirals with a shape stuck on top.  Got any pop up memories?  I've always loved pop up books too. 

Happy Stamping!

Cheers, Sue

Balloons and sparkle - can't go too wrong with that combo.  Here's a sparkly option for your next balloon card. 

Tips and Techniques:  This one is a great option for if you're in a hurry.  So quick to just punch out a bunch of balloons in your favourite colours of glimmer paper.  (Thanks Ann - I loved the one you made at class that inspired this card.)  Stamp the strings and stick on your balloons - voila.  All done.  I found it easiest to arrange my balloons first then started from the top and adhere them one by one.  I used the bow from Balloon Framelits to cut a sparkly bow.  There is a bow stamp in the Balloon Celebration set you could use instead if you don't have that set of framelits.  Or if you're very clever with ribbon you could add a lovely ribbon bow for a nice finishing touch.  I'm all thumbs with ribbon so I love the 'zip it through the Big Shot' option.

I've used our lovely thick white for the card base, and our regular white for the section I've stamped on.  The smoothness of the regular white is great for stamping.  I've been going through LOTS of the thick white for the card bases.  A little sturdier so your card will stand up well. 

Have a sparkly day!  See you soon for another dose of balloon inspiration. 

Happy Stamping!

Cheers, Sue

Would you like a tour of my craft room?    Find me here:   Sue on YouTube

For some handy tips for card measurements:

Find more videos from me here:   Sue on YouTube

Shop Stampin' Up in Australia here:  SU Australia With Sue

Product List

Balloon Celebration Photopolymer Bundle

[140810]

$64.50

You're So Lovely Photopolymer Stamp Set

[140762]

$30.00

Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper

[140550]

$8.75

Red Glimmer Paper

[121790]

$8.75

Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper

[135315]

$8.75

Balloon Framelits Dies

[137362]

$29.00

Whisper White A4 Card Stock

[106549]

$15.00

Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock

[140490]

$12.25

Basic Black A4 Card Stock

[121688]

$12.25

We gave the new Hexagon Hive Thinlits Die a test drive at card making class last month.  Here's one variation.  This was another card where the choice of DSP or cardstock colour gave lots of variations.

Some tips for using the Thinlit - Big Shots can vary in terms of the amount of pressure they apply so experiment with yours.  I found with my hexagon hive thinlit I needed an extra layer of cardstock as a shim.  I placed it underneath the plastic cutting plate.  To help get the hexagon panel out of the thinlit we used a paper piercer and slid it into a gap after we'd poked out some hexagons and gently eased the rest of the panel out.  Take your time and be careful near the edges. Adding a layer of baking paper between the thinlit and the cardstock can help too.  

Other products featured:

Perfect Pennants Stamp Set

Occasions: Page 27

Wood $51.95  Clear  $41.95

To add it to your cart: Find it here

10 stamps in this set and it coordinates with the Banner Framelits.

Scalloped Tag Topper Punch

Occasions: Page 35

$39.95

Shopping online: Find it here.

Make a tag of any length.  Width 5cm.

I really love this one.   For this card I trimmed a little of the edges off the white tag and added a crumb cake one underneath for a double layer.

Fresh Prints DSP Stack

Occasions: Page 33

$11.95

A pad of 48 double sided pages. 11.4 x 16.5cm

Colours: Crumb Cake, Coastal Cabana, Real Red and Whisper White

Find it here online. 

March Stampin Up Card Making Classes In Melbourne

Hoping to catch a fun and friendly class this month?  We're filling up fast but there are a few seats left.  This month we're doing Masculine and Feminine and have some great projects to make.  Dates and details here - March Classes.    Hope to see you there.  We've had a few new faces at class in 2014 and look forward to a few more in March. 

Have a fabulous weekend.  A long one here in Victoria and in our place we're quite looking forward to some relaxing and chilling out.  Perhaps a spot of creating too - that's always relaxing. 

Get in touch if I can help with any stamping matters. 

Cheers, Sue

This was another of the cards we did at last month's Christmas card class. 

A gatefold card, held closed with a belly band of burlap.  (Ooh don't say that too fast, you'll trip over your tongue!)  We stapled the burlap - super easy. 

The Merry is cut with the Expressions thinlits.  The thinlits have tiny holes so you can poke the lettering out with a paper piercer. 

Tombow multipurpose glue is handy for sticking it to your project. 

Must make something with the Love one too.  And have a scrapbooking idea for Thankful.

We also used Christmas Collectibles bundle - the ornament stamps and punch.  Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive for this card.  We used the White Craft Ink on the coloured cardstock, and the coloured ink on the white cardstock.  All works well together with coordinating colours. 

Too early for you to be thinking about Christmas?   Here's a birthday variation instead just for you.

The greeting is the every so sassy Sassy Salutations.  Love the font.  I've added a couple of the cute self adhesive candy dots.  Love these.   And the gorgeous happy DSP is Birthday Basics. 

Last few days of the school holidays here.  Is it bad if I'm looking forward to the Christmas holidays already!  Quite enjoyed the nice relaxed pace of this week with not much on the calendar. 

The kids have been enjoying a bit of holiday craft too. They dug out this air pump art thingy from the toy vaults and have been having fun with it.  Creating is fun.  Hope you get some creating time this week.

Happy stamping!

Cheers, Sue