What do you think?  In the festive spirit??  Just a few more days of Christmas cards to share then we'll get onto some non Christmas creating.   I think one of my all time favourite Christmas stamp sets is still Snow Swirled.   I tried some reverse masking with it yesterday.  (I think that's what it is called.)

For the sparkle I've used some glimmer paper with the doily punch for some and the self adhesive rhinestones for the others. 

Colours are: Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Old Olive and some Sahara Sand for the sponging.

I do love that Concord Crush glimmer brad.

Scuse the soft focus there.  I've been fluffing about with a different lens I dug out the back of a cupboard and didn't quite have the settings right for card photography. 

Was very happy with it for kidlet photography though .....

They look rather angelic there don't they.  Of course that's when you don't have any volume on to hear squabbling.  Hee hee.

Wishing you a peaceful day in this busy week.

Cheers, Sue 

Rather a festive month here at Madex Creations isn't it.  I must say I'm quite looking forward to getting out some floral stamps. 

My brain wants to get straight into January actually - in quite a New Year's Resolution and spring cleaning mood but still some more Decemberish things to do first so will wait for Jan!

Here's an ornament punch Christmas tree.  (Based on a scrapbook layout on page 25 of our previous catalogue plus I think I saw the design when blog surfing too but can't find it now to link - apologies.)

Stamp Set:  Delightful Decorations    Other: Ornament Punch, Circle Punches, Glimmer Paper and a pearl.

Colours:Miixed a bunch of reds for this one - Cherry Cobbler, Riding Hood Red, Bravo Burgundy, plus Old Olive embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.

Have a lovely weekend.  I've got a few more designs to show you so pop by if you're taking a break in blogland.

Cheers, Sue

A quick little Christmas card idea for you today using one of our handy note cards and the doily triple layer punch. 

 This card is inspired by one I received from Claire Daly earlier in the year. 

Stamp Set: Delicate Doilies and Many Merry Messages.  (That Noel greeting is getting a good inking this year!) 

Colours: Old Olive ink pad and Cherry Cobbler marker

DSP:  Hmmm not sure - I think it was Real Red or Poppy Parade, from one of the Patterns Stack DSP packs.

Other: Glimmer Brads.

You can find the note cards on page 126.  Great value - you get a pack of 20 cards and envelopes for $9.50. They're about 9cm x 13cm.

Signing off for now but back soon with more ideas to share.

Cheers,  Sue

For my next batch of Christmas cards I thought I'd introduce my ornament punch to my sparkly glimmer paper and revisit this design.

I've used the Shimmery White cardstock again as the base.  Wasn't sure how the Night of Navy ink would stamp on it, but it came up fine.   The flourish stamp is from Creative Elements (pg89.)  The Noel is from Many Merry Messages (pg 108) and I've just inked up part of it with my Cherry Cobbler marker.  (The lines extend a little further out each side on the stamp.) 

The paper at the top is Old Olive from the Brights Patterns Stack (pg 130.)  Border Punch:  Scallop Trim.

Ribbon:  Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon (aaahhh, love love it!)   And some self adhesive rhinestones.

Here's a closer look.  Which do you prefer - silver ornament or red ornament? 

In the mood for some more Christmas cards?  I'll be back with a couple more designs for you tomorrow.  (I've got a short attention span for card making so tend to change designs after 10 or so.) 

Happy stamping!   Cheers, Sue

I quite got on a roll with my circle tree assembling (see this card ) so made some little gift cards as well - aren't they cute.

They're 7cm square (so that you can get 3 across the width of an A4 piece of cardstock.)  I rounded the corners for some added interest - OK and because I just got a new rounder and have been attacking everything with it!  Once again I've used the Shimmery White cardstock as the base.  Wish I could find a way to photograph it to show the lovely lustre but my camera is not cooperating. 

I'll be back with more Christmas card inspiration tomorrow - this time featuring the ornament punch.  (And some more of that glimmer paper.  I ordered a bunch more packs after I opened the first one - its sparkliness makes me smile.)

Cheers,  Sue

Yesterday I showed you my Circle Christmas Tree card.  I made a few of these then realised that they were taking rather a long time and perhaps since I was starting my cards in December that might need a rethink.  So here's my slightly simpler version!

This one is on a Night Of Navy base - I've always liked navy on Christmas cards.  I've stamped the circle images over the base - these are also from the stamp set Delightful Decorations. 

You can see them better on this Real Red base.  I've used Night of Navy ink again (since it was out on the table and I was too lazy to go fetch another colour looked good against the red.)

Care for one more day of circles before I put my circle punches away?  I'll be back tomorrow with some coordinating gift cards.   And I've got Christmas card posts scheduled all week for you.  

(I keep having people ask me if I've retired from stamping - probably because I've been a rather absent blogger lately and with the term of no classes!  Thought I'd get the camera out and get snapping and share a bunch of Christmas ideas with you to fire up this patch of blogland again.  Definitely not retired!  Hmmm possibly retired from housework looking around our lovely tornado zone but that's a different story!) 

But better sign off for today - I've got a date with this little elf for a game of Trouble. 

Happy stamping!   Cheers, Sue

Making up for a few months of quietness here in my patch of blogland with a series of Christmas cards over the coming days.  I was inspired this year by a gorgeous circle punch Christmas tree card from the talented Judy May (click here to check out her lovely card.)

So I grabbed out my circle punches and got punching away!  Here's my first card ....

(That's the red and silver glimmer paper there in the background - Summer Mini pg 13 - thought we'd go for a touch of sparkle for these cards to sit on!) 

You can't quite see in the pic but I've used the beautiful Shimmery White cardstock as the base.  (Find it on page 125.  Ten sheets for $13.95.  Works out to be about 70c for an A5 piece and well worth it for the gorgeous subtle shimmer.  It is nice and sturdy too so perfect for a card base.) 

Circle Punches:  1", 3/4" and 1/2" - all on page 154.   Also small star punch (retired - sob!)

Cardstock:  Textured Old Olive, Night of Navy embossed with Petals A Plenty and spritzed with shimmer paint/isocol, Real Red, plus the red and silver glimmer paper. 

Other: My matt pack and paper piercer - it just needed a little extra something and some holes did just the trick as a finishing touch.  Stampin' Dimensionals to raise a few circles.  Some rhinestones - self adhesive, gotta love that when you're in a hurry.  (Pg 142)

Greeting Stamps:  The circle greeting is from Delightful Decorations (pg 20)  I've used Night of Navy ink.

I found the first one of these a bit tricky - getting the layout and spacing how I wanted them.  The subsequent ones were much easier - I could just copy the first one.

Now if you're like me and you're starting your cards late, or perhaps you only have a little craft time and this looks a bit time consuming - check back tomorrow for a slightly quicker version of circle Christmas Tree card.   And I'll be back Sunday with some matching little gift cards - so cute.

Monday we'll put our circle punches away for a bit and get out our ornament punches!  Looking forward to sharing some Christmas card inspiration with you over the next week. 

Have a lovely weekend - hope you're feeling lots of the sparkle of the festive season and none of the hustle and bustle. 

(That pic should really have a speech bubble from my kids - "Mum hurry up and take the photo so we can decorate the tree!")

Cheers, Sue

At class this month we've been using my brand new Box #2 die and the lovely Jolly Holiday DSP paper to make some festive boxes. They all looked different as we had a range of designs to choose from. Here's two of mine.

We've used the Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets to stick the glitter on to the punched out shapes.  They make it quick and easy to add some sparkle. 

Some ribbon trim.   We used the Real Red taffeta which works quite well, even though the red in the paper is Cherry Cobbler.  Love the wide striped ribbons.  Next month we get that in Cherry Cobbler - yum!

This little star punch has retired but we used it anyway as it was perfect for this project. 

The gold embossed greeting is from Short and Sweet stamp set, punched using the Modern Label punch.

SEPTEMBER 1st CLASS - A FEW SPOTS LEFT

We've got one more class left this month - well actually we had to reschedule it because of a school concert so it is Thursday September 1st, 7.30pm.  There's a few spots left if you'd like to make this box, plus a couple of Christmas cards.  Techniques: Faux Silk and Reverse Masking.   Last chance for a little while to catch a class.

RETIRED LIST

Lots of my customers have been ordering the Jolly Holiday DSP this month that features in these boxes.  It is reduced to $10.17 so quite a bargain.  I keep expecting to log on to find it sold out, but so far so good.   

Update on the sold out list:  Stamp Sets - Sanded, Afterthoughts, Cheers To You, Christ Is Born, Friends 24-7, Full Calendar, Garden Whimsy, Scribble This, Sense Of Time, Choo Choo, 12" Cardstock - Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Rich Razzleberry, Baja Breeze, Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi, Night Of Navy, Not Quite Navy, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Brushed Metallic cardstock, all the eyelets and all the retiring punches.

You can find the retired list here:  RETIRED LIST.   Get in touch before 31st August if there's anything you'd like before it disappears for good. 

My lovely stamping friends are having a blog hop today with some retired list products.  I did a lap around this morning with a cuppa in hand.  What gorgeous projects.  If you're looking for some card making inspiration today you can catch the hop here:  Judy's blog    then follow the links to do a lap.  Must get myself organised to join in one of these months!

NEW CATALOGUE LAUNCH

Don't forget to book your spot for my new catalogue launch - 2 dates to  choose from.  Details here. 
Not long to go now - getting exciting! 

Have a super weekend. 

Cheers,  Sue

I'm off to play with Jack's birthday present.  It was his birthday yesterday and we gave him a marble run.  It is keeping the whole family entertained!

Here's another of the cards we made last month at my Christmas In July classes.  This one uses the ornament from Delightful Decorations, the ornament punch and the Lovely As A Tree stamp set too.  Plus lashings of Heat and Stick Powder and Dazzling Diamonds glitter to make the gorgeous sparkly panel, and a nice coating of Crystal Effects for that glossy shine.

Colours:  Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla - an elegant combination for Christmas I think.

The Always Artichoke panel is stamped with En Francais, with some sponging around the edge for that nice added depth.  Tip: I ink up the stamp and place it on the table, rubber side up.  Then I lay my cardstock on top and press to make sure it contacts the rubber all over. 

The branches are from the big tall tree in Lovely As A Tree stamp set.  Once we'd stamped those onto the Vanilla cardstock we tapped the whole panel on to a Versamark Pad then added Heat and Stick Powder.  Heat until it JUST changes to be tacky, then dip it in Dazzling Diamonds.  A quick burst with the heat gun helps to set it.  I love glitter panels - a great feature for an extra special Christmas card. 

I decided to add Crystal Effects to the bauble.  I waited until I'd put the card together, stuck the bauble on with dimensionals and added the rhinestones.  Then coated it with Crystal Effects.  

Tip:  Then put it on the bench and leave it to dry overnight!  Don't go touching it 2 hours later because you want to check - it won't be quite dry and you'll leave a fingerprint which will then annoy you.  (Speaking from experience - grin!) 

One last pic to show that nice glossy ornament and sparkly glitter panel. 

Have a great week.     Cheers,  Sue

Note for anyone emailing:    We're heading up to Rockhampton for John's dad's funeral so I'll be offline from midday today til late Tuesday night.  Back on deck Wednesday. 

I seem to come back to this card design with punched squares quite often.  This was one I made last month after experimenting with the new Smooch Spritz spray - Gold Foil. 

Colours: Concord Crush, Blushing Bride, Cherry Cobbler

I've spritzed the Blushing Bride cardstock and the ribbon with a mix of Isocol and Champagne Mist shimmer paint for some lovely sparkle.  Then I used Smooch Spritz (Gold Glow) on the Concord Crush cardstock and rubbed some more on the Presto Patterns Designer Paper to reveal the pattern.  My 1 1/4" square punch came in handy to make the squares. 

I love the Antique  Brads - such an elegant finishing touch for lots of projects.  The ribbon is Concord Crush plus the narrow Daffodil Delight taffeta. 

If you're in the mood for some more creative inspiration, my friends have a Summer Mini blog hop happening today.  You can catch it here:  Nikki's blog. 

Have a lovely week.  An exciting week ahead - SaleABration starts on Tuesday!  I'll be back with more news on that very soon.

Cheers, Sue