Was moving some photos from my phone to my computer and came across a few I made at our last craft retreat and hadn't shared yet.  As soon as I saw the Very Versailles stamp set I knew it would go straight into my collection.  

Tips To Make This At Home:  I've cut a whisper white rectangle with my stitched rectangles dies (or you could cut a plain one with a trimmer if you're just starting out and don't have a die cutting machine in your tool stash.)  Cut an oval window from a scrap piece of cardstock - I've used one of the layering ovals dies.  Lay it over your white piece and secure with post it notes.  Sponge some ink into the oval window.  I've used Old Olive, Mint Macaron and Highland Heather. Lift off the oval window piece to reveal your sponged background.  I've stamped the gorgeous branch from Very Versailles in Memento black ink.  

For a softer look - I've used Basic Gray ink for the branch in this next card and sponged very lightly when making the background. 

Sponging through a shaped window is a great way to make an interesting background for your next card.  Keep an eye out in packaging for some windows you can use as sponging masks for your card making.  Stampin' Up! make it easy to create a coordinated card with our matching inks and cardstock - you can't go wrong.  

Happy creating! 

Take care, Sue

Product List: Shopping links to make this card at home

Very Versailles Cling Stamp Set [149275] $40.00	Layering Ovals Dies [151771] $58.00	Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820] $61.00	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090] $13.00
Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad [147106] $13.00	Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad [147103] $13.00	Mint Macaron A4 Cardstock [138344] $15.25	Highland Heather A4 Cardstock [147010] $15.25

Each month the Art With Heart team that I belong to has a creative showcase with a different theme. 

This month it is masculine cards and the team have gotten together to share lots of ideas for cards for the guys in our lives. 

I always seem to run out of those so some extra inspiration will be handy.  Are you looking for some masculine card ideas?  You've come to the right spot.  

I've got the link to the showcase host at the bottom of this post - head on over there to see lots more masculine card ideas from the crew. 

Mine is a quick and simple card and it is easy to whip up a batch of these while you have your supplies out.  Just grab a pack of patterned paper that has designs that work well for masculine cards.  I've chosen In Good Taste - such great textural looking designs.  Select a few coordinating cardstock colours and the Rectangular Postage Stamp Punch plus your favourite adhesives and that's about all you need to make these at home. 

Tips for this card: I've cut a layer 13.8cm x 9.5cm.  To add a little extra oomph to this you can pop it through with an embossing folder (see card below.)  Or if you don't have an embossing machine - use the scoring blade on your trimmer and add some scored lines such as I've done in the card above.  You can trim this layer with another colour just a smidge bigger if you like.  I like to punch a stack of the postage stamp rectangles then choose 4 to mix and match.  This bit always seems to take the longest - so many great patterns to choose from.  I start with the outside two and leave about half hanging off the edge.  Then add the inner two and you can even up the spacing.  Trim off the overhanging parts then add to your base card.  A quick greeting with the Classic Label punch to finish off and you're all set. 

The links to the rest of the team's cards can be found over here on Rachel's blog - Rachel is our lovely showcase host each month. Click on that link to have a browse through some other fab projects if you need some ideas for masculine cards.  Our showcase team would love it if you could say hello in the comments.  

Happy creating and stay well.

Cheers, Sue

This was such a simple card to put together - just a card base and 3 other parts - but I LOVE how it turned out.  Sometimes my simplest cards are my favourites.  

Like to make this one at home? Here's the details.  The 7cm wide panel is cut from one of the brushed metallics pack sheets - you get a mix of gold, copper and bronze - and embossed with the beautiful dandelions embossing folder.  Just stunning.  I popped it on an Early Espresso card base and added some copper ribbon and a greeting on crumb cake.  

I've been test driving the new Stampin' Cut and Emboss Machine to make this card.  If you're in the market for a groovy machine to give your cards a bit extra vavoom - I've got a video showing you some of the features of this one.   

Happy creating.  I'm just loving spending time at my craft desk lately. Tomorrow I need to have a post office day and get some into the mail. That's the true magic of cards, writing a message and sending them to someone special.  

Cheers, Sue

Click on the pic if you'd like to shop for any of the supplies used: 

Dandelions 3D Embossing Folder [152953] $17.50	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653] $209.00	Stitched Rectangle Dies [148551] $61.00	Stampin' Seal [152813] $14.00
Basket Weave & Metallic Ribbon Combo Pack [153553] $14.00	Early Espresso A4 Card Stock [121686] $15.25	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [147114] $13.00	Crumb Cake A4 Card Stock [121685] $15.25

We had a lovely weekend celebrating the dads in our family.  Here's the card I made for my dad.  I love the Wood Textures DSP.  It comes in a handy 6" x 6" size with lots of different wood grains in various shades and textures.  I've cut the letters out using the Large Letters Framelits - quite an investment but such a handy size.  The background is stamped with Gallery Grunge - another nice set for all those texture stamps. 

We had a zip up the freeway to visit mum and dad for afternoon tea with some yummy brownies.

The kids made John cards/messages to go with their gift.  Hannah opted for some computer creating ....

... and Jack got the pen out for some drawing.  He likes to raid my washi tape stash for some quick and easy decorating.

It was nice to take some time to be grateful for the awesome dads in our family.  We are very lucky.

Thinking of all those missing their dads over the weekend.  x

Take care,

Sue

A few of the products featured in this card ......

Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack [144177] $19.25

Large Letters Framelits Dies [141712] $172.00

Gallery Grunge Clear-Mount Stamp Set [146538] $35.00

Glue Dots [103683] $8.00

Everyone who sees this Delightfully Detailed Laser Cut Paper LOVES it.   You get 4 each of two designs - one is a full 12 x 12 design.  Just snip off the section you'd like and adhere to your card as I've done above.  The other design has 6 note card front sized designs plus some border strips.  One side is vanilla and one is white which makes them extra versatile - or sponge them in a colour of your choice.  Coordinates with the Delightfully Detailed Note Cards and Envelopes.

Tip:  To adhere - use our Multipurpose Glue.  Dab on teeny tiny dots - or even better use a sponge and silicone mat.  Leave for just a tic then adhere. 

For this card I've popped it over one of the designs from Garden Impressions DSP with a vellum matting layer on a navy base. 

This paper is so beautiful - a must have addition for those extra special cards.  A little fiddly and delicate to work with but very well worth the extra effort.

Happy stamping!

Cheers, Sue

Shopping links below here if you need them.  The host code this month is QHC24T6B

Product List

Delightfully Detailed Laser-Cut Specialty Paper [146907] $24.25

Garden Impressions 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [146289] $19.25

Classic Label Punch [141491] $31.00

Liquid Multipurpose Glue [110755] $7.00

Delightfully Detailed Note Cards & Envelopes [146911] $16.50

Some more balloon card inspiration for you today.  This one is a variation on Saturday's card. 

Tips and Techniques:  To make this one just grab a pack of your favourite Designer Series Paper.  I've used the Love Blossoms DSP Stack on page 17 of the Occasions catalogue.  (Note: There's a typo in the description - this is actually a pad of 6" x 6" squares,  not 12" x 12".)   You get 48 sheets with coordinating designs.  Makes it so easy to grab some that work well together.  Punch, arrange - all done.  You could whip up a bunch of these in a short time.  I was on a bit of a sparkly phase that day so added some coordinating Blushing Bride glimmer paper too.  Every day is better with a bit of  glitter I think. 

Got anyone who could use some sparkle in the mail?  Add a pack of glimmer paper to your next order.  My favourite colour in the glimmer paper is our beautiful Dazzling Diamonds.  Such a nice shade that goes with anything. 

Happy stamping!

Cheers, Sue

Product List

Balloon Celebration Photopolymer Bundle

[140810]

$64.50

Balloon Framelits Dies

[137362]

$29.00

Love Blossoms Designer Series Paper Stack

[140548]

$14.00

Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper

[140550]

$8.75

Shimmery White A4 Card Stock

[121717]

$14.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$10.00

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

This is a rather grainy pic but I love this simple card.  Great for using up some smaller pieces of patterned paper (or an idea if you have some little sample packs.) 

Tips and Techniques: Use square punches or framelits to cut your trio of squares.  This paper is from Wildflower Fields DSP - free during Saleabration with a $90 order. Love these floating dandelions.  Looks striking with a frame of black.  I've used Tombow glue to attach the wooden greeting.  (Find them here: Expressions Natural Elements).  Hard to see in the pic but since it was quite a plain design, I added 2 lines of scoring using my Score Board.  A nice way to add a simple little extra something.  I've used the thicker white cardstock for my card base. 

My daughter Hannah loves to create and send cards too.  She put this one together for her grandparents as a thank you. 

Here's some other thank you card ideas from Stampin' Up.

Got anyone to thank during February?  Thank you cards are handy to have a little stash of aren't they. 

Happy Stamping!

Cheers, Sue

We've been having lots of fun this month with my big bowl of washi tape!

Here's a colourful card that is so quick and easy to whip up.  

This one features Cherry On Top washi tape.  ($14.00 for 5 coordinating rolls.)

Line them up then add a wooden greeting.  (Expressions Natural Elements  $8.75. 5 each of 3 words - Congrats, Celebrate and Thanks. So versatile.   Page 160)

Some candy dots and a blossom accent to finish.  (Page 160/161.)

Here's a neutral toned version.  (Copied from Inspired by a gorgeous Angela Sargeant creation.) 

Added some silver dazzling details (page 162) to the wooden greeting this time. 

I loved class this month as everyone's cards turned out differently depending on which rolls of washi they picked from the bowl.  A little washi tape on the envelope to coordinate and voila - too easy. 

Start your washi tape collection today. 

Here's the washi tape section of my online store:

Washi Tape - colourful gorgeousness that matches your Stampin' Up colours.

Have a fabulous weekend!  Happy stamping.

Cheers, Sue

I had a lovely hour or so of cardmaking on Saturday for World Card Making Day.  Any excuse for some craft time.  My sister and daughter joined in the fun. 

I decided to introduce some ink to the pristine mint condition not yet used "About The Label" stamp set (page 129 for those playing along at home.)  Grabbed out the coordinating little set of punches (aren't they cute), a set of note cards and envelopes, the All Abloom Designer Paper pad (page 185) and some coordinating ink pads. 

For inspiration I turned to the page in the catalogue with the stamp set and found a few ideas to get me started.

The jars are easy to cut out with nice sharp scissors.  I love my paper snips (page 215.) 

And this stamp set has a nice range of teeny little greetings.  I opted for Hi - useful for a range of occasions!

Some patterned paper top and bottom and my 3 jars - just about set.  (Don't look too closely - I think one of those jars is a little lower than the other two.  Better not send this one to one of my gorgeous slightly OCD friends. Wink.) 

Some of our thick baker's twine in Strawberry Slush was just right for a finishing touch.  I had 27 tries at doing an attractive bow then gave up and snipped the ends off to a slightly less attractive knot.  :-)

Whipped up a little set in no time at all.   I love these little note cards and envelopes - great little size.

Happy Stamping!

Cheers, Sue

Doing some shopping?  Here's a few of the products featured in these cards.

About The Label Wood-Mount Stamp Set

$37.95

All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stack

$11.95

Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes

$9.95

Little Labels Punch Pack

$29.95

Strawberry Slush Thick Baker's Twine

$5.95

Paper Snips Scissors

$16.95

 

Table by StampinBuddy.