I think this is my favourite of the cards I've made lately. 

It was for a card swap so I made 12 of them.  Originally I was going to emboss the butterfly in black but it was midnight so John and the kids were sleeping and I didn't want to wake them with the heat gun.  (Not that the heat gun is that loud, but doesn't everything sound so much louder in a quiet, sleeping house.)

I looked around and noticed my Crystal Effects bottle so used that instead.  The Swallowtail butterfly is stamped with StazOn black ink then there's a thick coat of Crystal Effects over the top.  So thick that I used an entire bottle on my 12 swaps.  I started out using a brush, but found it easier to just use the nozzle to aim. 

I was rather impressed that I managed to resist touching them that night to check if they were dry. 

(I ALWAYS end up leaving a fingerprint by checking too early!) 

Left overnight, they were ready to go in the morning.

I've used Summer Starfruit and Basic Gray cardstock.  I really didn't care for Summer Starfruit when these new In Colours were released, but it has grown on me.  Now I've used a whole pack and need to order more!  I love it with black and grey. 

The grey cardstock is spritzed with some Isocol/Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint to give some sparkle.  The ribbon is the very elegant 1 1/4" Two Tone Basic Gray/Black ribbon.  (Pg 13.) 

Stampin' Up Seasonal Catalogue Products Featured:

Swallowtail large stamp. 

Page 18.  $24.95 clear mount (note - you'll need a large block) or $30.95 wood mount.

Honeycomb Embossing Folder

Page 6.  $13.95.  I really love this folder, but then again I am completely addicted to embossing folders. 

For beginners: You need a Big Shot die cutting machine (or other die cutting tool) to use the embossing folders and cutting dies.  Definitely one of my most frequently used tools so well worth the investment I think if you love papercrafts.

Crystal Effects

If you like the glossy finish of the Crystal Effects you can find that on page 177 of the main catalogue.  $10.95 for a bottle which will last ages (unless you go berserk with it painting big butterflies!)  It creates a glossy, lacquered look over images, paper etc.  It also works as an adhesive. 

HINT:  I usually keep a pin taped to the side of the bottle to poke in if the nozzle has gotten plugged.  I did read a tip somewhere to store it upside down then the nozzle part doesn't dry out, so might try that with my new bottles. 

Need To Get In Touch??

CONTACT DETAILS:  0417 377 057 or [email protected]

Send through an email or give me a ring if you'd like to:

* place an order or ask a product/technique question,  

CLICK HERE: How To Order

* book for a February or March class    

CLICK HERE:  Class Dates and Details

* order your complimentary copy of the new 40 page Seasonal Catalogue

* or if you'd like to join a fabulous, friendly team 

CLICK HERE: Demonstrator Benefits

Happy stamping and have a fabulous week!

Cheers, Sue

Gave my camera a workout today so I've got lots of cards to share this week.  I thought I'd show you a few ways I've used the new In Colour ribbon.  (Get a free roll this month with each $60 of products purchased.) 

Base card is Elegant Eggplant stamped with the beautiful swirl from Everything Eleanor (pg 112)

The feature panel is Naturals White (pg 160) embossed with the Lacy Brocade embossing folder (Holiday pg 6.)

The squares are punched with the Postage Stamp punch (pg 182) and feature the Papillon Potpourri stamps - pg 115 (and coordinating Elegant Butterfly Punch pg 184.)  Colours are Old Olive and Raspberry Ripple.  Some pearls to give our butterfly a nice finishing touch.

If you've been visiting my blog for a while you'll know that I use this card layout heaps.  Quite a handy one - you just need some sort of square punch and can make use of offcuts and small scraps.  I'll be back tomorrow with a snowflake Christmas version. 

If you'd like to gather a group of friends to make this card (or another design), I've got a space on the calendar the last weekend in November for a card party.  Just get in touch to book your date. 

Before I duck off today I thought I'd share this cartoon my son (6) Jack drew last week to go with a birthday letter for his poppy (my dad.) 

That's me on the couch giving directions, "Write a letter to Poppy."  And Jack and his big sister Hannah replying  "OK"    "OK"

I think I'll title it  "Bossy Mummy".   :-) 

Happy stamping (or bossing!)

Cheers, Sue

Having a very chilled out long weekend here.  The kids and I decided to do some watercolouring yesterday. 

I gave them aquapainters and a few drips of reinker, they picked their stamps and off we set.  Jack painted dinosaurs, Hannah painted flowers and I chose Four Frames.  (Trivia for the day: Found out at convention that this was the highest selling set in Aus/NZ last year.)   

I used Hannah's colours and she chose Real Red, Melon Mambo and Elegant Eggplant.  I sort of mucked up my original plan with my watercolouring (the colour bled out of the frame) so decided to just add a bit more water and go for a wash of colour.  (Tip: I added more colour on the outside of the frame and dragged it in so I had a bit more control.  Well sort of.) 

Was in experimental mode so opted for layering some torn cardstock for the base.

The scrap left once I punched the frame looked interesting so I decided to keep experimenting.  I tore it out and scrunched and sanded a scrap of Elegant Eggplant card to fit under it.  Hannah was using Creative Elements stamp set so I grabbed the butterfly from that and painted some ink on with an aquapainter.  It stamped a little blotchy but I ran a damp aquapainter over the butterfly and that disguised the blotchiness and any white edges.

For my base I used Melon Mambo cardstock and added score lines with my Simply Scored.  I sanded the front so that the score lines would show more and to take the 'crispness' off the base.

Not sure that I actually like the finished results but it was fun to have a play and try something different.  I'd show you the kids' cards but they ducked off half way to make a batch of biscuits so not finished yet.  (Hannah did a SUPER job of making the biscuits all on her own, including getting everything out except for a few things she couldn't reach at the top of the pantry,  using the mixer, following the recipe, measuring and weighing,  involving Jack and muttering the occasional "Seriously Jack" in an exasperated voice when he'd stir the egg with his finger or some such thing.  Ha ha.  She's getting so grown up.  I was very impressed and the biscuits were yummy.  Hmm in fact - might go have one now!) 

Hope you are having a fabulous fun weekend.   (A few spots left for class this week if you'd like some papercrafting fun in your evenings. Details here.)

Cheers, Sue

Just a quick little card for you today using one of the SaleABration 2012 sets:  Elementary Elegance.  This main image coordinates with the Curly Label punch.  I've stamped it in Rich Razzleberry then used a Concord Crush marker to pick out a few details before stamping.

I've punched the frame out then popped a piece of vellum embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder behind it.  I love this shot (above) with the light shining through.   Crowns and birds and butterflies and swirls - a lovely vintage looking image. 

I trimmed a tiny bit from the front of the card (as I'd winged it and not quite stamped it centrally.)  I popped a piece of Rich Razzleberry satin ribbon round the inside part of the card so it shows through when closed.  (Does that make sense?  Here's a pic that shows it much better.  Stayed up too late watching the tennis and my brain isn't quite in gear today!)

Have a lovely week.   I think I might spend a bit of time checking out camera reviews after my 'aagggghhh splash' moment at the lake on Friday!   Yes, dropped my point and shoot camera out of my pocket so it is nestled away there at the bottom of the lake in the reeds keeping the fish company.  Doh!  

Cheers,  Sue

Hello, how are we all?  I've conducted a couple of Stampin' Up workshops in the past couple of weeks (waving a hello to Michelle and her guests and Marie and her guests.)  I thought I'd share the project we did for our make and take. 

Colours:  Confetti White base, Wisteria Wonder, Blush Blossom and Cherry Cobbler.  (Be back soon with another colour combo for this card, actually no - the same combo but different colours featured!)

We stamped the swirl from Creative Elements then added some texture using a crimper.  The butterfly is done with 3 markers for a multicolour effect.  I love the Lace Ribbon Border punch - in Cherry Cobbler here.  The Wisteria ruffled ribbon and a string of 5 pearls are the finishing touches.

This card was inspired by one of our make and takes  at Convention 2011. 

One more pic of the crimping.  Doesn't it bring back memories of 80's hair styles! 

Speaking of hair - we've been doing some major practising lately of independently looking after long hair at our place in preparation for camp.  My little crafting girl is off at camp this week.  Looking forward to seeing her again tomorrow and finding out about all the fun things they've been doing.  Jack's been quite enjoying having his parents all to himself but I think he'll be happy to see Hannah again tomorrow too. 

And camp has inspired a new milestone - washing, drying, and deknotting long hair without mum.  Now just to get Jack up to jumping in and out of the shower all by himself and I can sit on the couch with a glass of wine and celebrate.  :-)  

Happy stamping!    Cheers, Sue

I've been enjoying the blog hops my stamping friends hold each month.  Thought I'd get myself organised and join in this month.  Our theme is the Big Shot - my favourite crafting piece of equipment.  

You may have come from Nikki's gorgeous project over at Inky Art  or perhaps you're kicking off from here.  There are 6 stops on the hop today.

As well as being blog hop day, it is also Hannah's birthday.  She's 9.  Thought I'd use the Big Shot to make her card.  Now Hannah being a very girly girl, I went straight for my drawer of pinks and plums, and grabbed the Beautiful Butterflies die.   I was a little inspired by the kite on page 156 of our catalogue - done with a mixture of embossed textures, so I grabbed 4 embossing folders too. 

Petals A Plenty, Finial Press, Dots and Stripes.   Butterflies cut out with the die and embossed with the folders ......  The Big Shot makes it quick and easy. 

Then it was just a matter of arranging the butterflies onto my card.

Colours:  Pink Pirouette, Pretty In Pink, Rose Red, Perfect Plum and Shimmery White.

One of my most used punches is the Scallop Trim border punch.  Perfect when you just need a little extra something.  And works so well with pearls.

And since Hannah is not so much of a 'less is more' girl, I threw a few more butterflies and pearls on the inside.   (Was rather late at night I must confess so throw is rather accurate!)

Ooh nearly forgot to show you the shimmer.  I love the shimmery white cardstock (page 125) and get it out for special occasions (and special girls.)  Hard to photograph but here's a try.

Now what did I do before I had my Big Shot and Embossing Folders?  Such a nice way to add texture to a card.

Before I sign off and send you on your way, and while we're talking Big Shots, here's some creations Hannah and her two friends Georgia and Olivia made at our place on the school holidays.  They had a ball with my Big Shot, Box #2 Die,  Flirtatious fabric, Top Note Die and lots and lots of bling!   Kids just love to crank that Big Shot handle.  They were very impressed with their cards and boxes.  Bit of a rhinestone party happening there!

Time to head on to the next stop on the hop.  You'll find the talented Kathryn Ruddick over at Katlo Designs with some more Big Shot Inspiration. 

Happy hopping!

Cheers, Sue

Hello, how are we all today?  We've enjoyed a lovely relaxing couple of weeks of school holidays and are getting back into routine again this week.  I launched off on a health kick this month and that's going quite well too.  12 days in and I'm still feeling motivated.  Anyone else in a get healthy mood with this warmer weather?   I'm trying the couch to 5K program.  (Really more of a couch to car sort of girl but we'll see how we go in morphing into energetic exercising mama!) 

Haven't had my inks out for a little while but I've hunted through the photo vaults and found a few I haven't shared yet in case you're looking for a bit of card inspiration.  Here's one of the make and takes we did at the Stampin' Up Convention earlier this year.

Features the elegant swirl and beautiful butterfly from the Creative Elements stamp set, markers, crimper to add some texture, and the dotted scallop ribbon border punch.

Colours:  Naturals Ivory, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy and Early Espresso.

I like the size of this one.  It fits the small open end envelopes.  (Pg 126: 17 x 8.9cm) 

Here's a closer look.  The crimps add a nice touch don't they.

Hope your week is going well. 

Happy Stamping!

Cheers,  Sue

My newsletter ladies will recognise this card.  It features the Beveled Windowpanes on page 16 of the Autumn Mini and the butterfly from Nature Walk stamp set.

The base is Early Espresso, the bottom panel is Soft Suede - embossed using the Framed Tulips embossing folder, and the top panel is Naturals Ivory.  I love the subtle fleck in this cardstock.  Early Espresso taffeta ribbon and some hemp twine to finish, plus some glue dots to help attach the windowpanes.

The windowpanes are a nice way to highlight something on your card or project.  Here's a closer look.  There are 3 sizes in the pack - 2.5 x 2.5cm, 2.5 x 3.2cm and 3.8 x 5cm.  I've used the largest one on today's card.   A pack of 12 (4 of each size) is $16.95, or perhaps you'd like to share them with a friend or two. 

Hannah's Candle

Hannah and I had a craft evening recently stamping on candles.  I can't show you mine as it is for my Marker Club  girls, but Hannah was very proud of her creation so let's share that one.

She used a combination of Vintage Vogue and Friends Never Fade.   She is definitely taking after her mother as she took some step by step photos on her camera as well which made me smile. 

Have a lovely week.  Stay warm!  Rather chilly here in Melbourne this week - perfect weather for popping the heater on, staying indoors and doing some crafts.

Cheers, Sue

By now we've had our first day at the Melbourne Stampin' Up Convention for 2011 and all the fun of swapping to kick it off.  Thought I'd share some pics of the swaps I made with you today.  I did a couple of different colour schemes and a couple of different designs. 

I had such a lot of fun making these.  The feature panel is done by taking a piece of watercolour paper, spritzing it liberally with water then dripping some drops of reinker on.  I spritzed again if needed then either waited a while for them to dry, or used my heat gun to speed it up if I was in a hurry.  You need to do all this on a nice protected surface of course so I spread baking paper, scrap paper and paper towel down first. 

I've used Sahara Sand, Pink Pirouette and Rose Red for the first lot there, and Sahara Sand, More Mustard and a teeny bit of Cherry Cobbler for the second batch.    Each one turns out differently.  Once they were dry I stamped over the top using the set French Foliage then spritzed with my trusty combo of Isocol and Frost White.  (A huge thanks to Lyn from my team for this last step.  We made some of these at my last team gathering and she spritzed hers with the shimmer mix.   It looked FABULOUS so big thanks Lyn.) 

I also made another swap design using the background set Bella Toile, and the butterfly from the Strength and Hope set.  Colours: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Old Olive. 

The butterfly is embossed in white onto our lovely vellum cardstock then cut out.   The olive cardstock had a trip through the crimper and the Rose Red cardstock has been spritzed with a mix of Isocol and Frost White Shimmer Paint. 

With a last minute dash to the finish line I took my swap total from 14 to about 40.  Looking forward to swapping - it is a lovely way to meet lots of people and it is always nice to bring home a lovely range of ideas.  

Back with another post tomorrow!  (Goodness, I'm a better blogger when I am away I think!)

Cheers,  Sue

A simple, fairly monochromatic card to share with you today.  This card has a Soft Suede base.  The feature panel is on Naturals Ivory, matted with Early Espresso.

I stamped off some images and did the first stamping of others to give the different intensities of ink.  A jumbo eyelet to finish off - set using my Cropadile.  I hadn't used my Cropadile for a little while so had to send the search party into the rather messy depths of our study to find this handy tool. 

I've used the butterfly from Nature Walk stamp set for the background and sponged as well to add some depth.

Have a super weekend.  The Stampin' Up Convention starts next Thursday so I'd best get busy this weekend and make some swaps.  Swapping with other demonstrators is always such a fun, friendly way to kick off convention. 

Cheers, Sue