Blossom Designs

Welcome Little One

I LOVED this card by Alisa Tilsner so much that I decided to CASE it.  I will be sending this out to our friends that had a baby girl a few weeks back.

Isn't it cute !!  I really love the colours Alisa used.  I will use this layout again and hopefully have some matching ribbon.

Here is the little elephant with his flower.

Happy Crafting,
K.

Supplies
Stamps: SU! - Wild About You, Riveting.
Ink: SU! - Pink Passion, Apricot Appeal.
Paper: SU! - Pink Passion, Apricot Appeal, SU! DP - Petals & Paisley.

Women Of Life

it is sketch challenge day over at SCS and I haven't done this challenge in a couple of weeks so I thought it was about time to start.

Here is the sketch we needed to follow.

I turned the sketch on it's side as I really wanted to use this stamp set. This time I used 'Women Of Life' stamp set from Papertrey Ink.  It was designed by Melissa Bickford - check out her blog HERE.

Unfortunately, you cannot see that I used crystal lacquer on the centre of the flower.  I did use come 'bling' though !!

Happy Crafting,
K.

Supplies
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Women Of Life.
Ink: SU! Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Versafine - Onyx Black.
Paper: SU! - Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White.
Accessories: SU! Pumpkin Pie Brad, Bazzil flowers - Orange, Green

Little One

I have taken a few photo's of this card and I cannot get the colour right !! I took one again this morning and it seems to be better.

I received my new Papertrey Ink stamps that I ordered.  This set is called "Just Hatched". Can you see the Polka Dots in the background .....they are another set released by Papertrey Ink.  I should have made this in pink as our friends had a baby girl a few weeks ago and I still haven't made a card - I'm terrible.

Just a close up of the beautiful stamp.  All the stamps from Papertrey Ink are acrylic so you can see exactly where you are stamping unlike the wood stamps.

Happy Crafting,
K.

Supplies
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Just Hatched, Polka Dots Basic.
Ink: SU! - Tempting Turquoise, Stazon White.
Paper: SU! - Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, SU! DP - Petals & Paisleys.
Accessories: White Organza Ribbon, Nestabilities - standard & scallop.

Problems

There seems to be a problem with my photos being displayed.  I have absolutely no idea why this is happening but I am hoping it is to do with Typepad and not me.  The photos were displayed yesterday so who knows.

Check back later to see if you can see them.

K.

Pre-Order Your 2008-2009 Idea Book & Catalogue

Would you like to pre-order the new Idea Book & Catalogue which is coming out in April ??

If so, please contact me to place your order.  {NOTE: type 'SU! Catalogue' in the subject line.}

Also, there are only 4 days left for Sale-A-Bration.  You better get in quick with your order.

The Summer Mini runs until the 31st March so there is still time for orders.

Happy Crafting,
K.

Jen's Sketch For You To Try - 23rd Feb 08

Today is Jen's turn for her Sketch For You To Try. Check out her blog, her card is fab.

Here is my take on Jen's sketch.  I added some bling !!  I used my SU! DP Petals and Paisley and also two shades of Bazzil flowers.

This was a fairly quick card to make although it took me a while as I was watching Die Hard on DVD with the hubby.  Oliver was sound asleep so I cannot blame him for the interruptions.  LOL.

How do you like my bling ??

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This is Jen's sketch.  I really liked this one Jen.

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Happy Crafting,
K.

Supplies
Ink: SU! - Tempting Turquoise.
Paper: SU! - Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Bashful Blue, SU! DP - Petals & Paisley.
Accessories: Turquoise Gems, SU! 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon - Tempting Turquoise.

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #36

Today is sketch challenge from Beate. Yay !!

I had so much fun with this one - can you tell.  My motivation has come back.  I really haven't felt like stamping this week.

I used my white gel pen for the stitching effect.  Godd thing is if your cannot do straight lines (my hand is up), it doesn't matter as it just adds to the effect.

I also used the same colour combination as the other day - SU! Cameo Coral, Summer Sun and Ruby Red.  Can you tell I'm liking this colour combo ?? LOL

• Here is a close up of the stitching with my Papertrey Ink flower and text.

I also did some paper peircing in the top corners.

This is Beate's Sketch - give it a go.

Supplies
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Beautiful Blooms.
Paper: SU! Cameo Coral, Summer Sun, Ruby Red.
Ink: SU! Cameo Coral, Summer Sun, Ruby Red.
Accessories: White Gel Pen.

Happy Crafting,

K.

Join Stampin' Up!

Stampin Up!® needs all kinds of demonstrators.

Discount Demonstrator: Likes the idea of buying stamps for personal use at a discount and occasionally sells to friends and family.

Short-term Demonstrator: Sells for a short period of time to earn a specified amount of money and stops when the goal is reached.

Hobby Demonstrator: Loves doing workshops and earning extra money when it’s convenient, works a lot some months and very little other months; likes to do workshops that are easy to book; doesn’t like to work too hard to book workshops.

Career Demonstrator: Views a Stampin’ Up!® demonstrator as a viable business with a long term career potential; pursues management and wants to move up the career ladder; loves attending Stampin’ Up!® events and has developed close social relationships with other demonstrators; works at her business in a consistent and outgoing manner.

For more information, please contact me.

Happy Crafting,

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Hosting A Stampin' Up! Workshop

A Stampin’ Up! workshop is a stamping event where you open your home and invite your friends to enjoy an exciting demonstration provided by a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator. When you host a workshop, you’ll see new project ideas, learn different stamping techniques, and have fun with people you enjoy.

Why host a workshop?

Would you like to receive free stamp or free products of your choice?

All you need to do is host a workshop with me!  Gather a group of your friends that are interested in stamping (even if they have never picked up a stamp before) and work out a mutual date and time that suits everyone.

Being the hostess means you get a complimentary Idea Book & Catalogue worth $12.95.  Along with the catalogue, you can earn free stamp sets and $ to spend from the catalogue based on the total amount from your orders.

Sound good?  We can have a chat and work out what type of workshop you would like - beginner or experienced stamper.

Contact me with any questions you have or to book your workshop.

Happy Crafting,

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Welcome to Blossom Designs

I would like to welcome you to Blossom Designs blog.

I am a Stampin' Up!® Independent Demonstrator in Australia.  Feel free to contact me if you are interested in hosting a workshop or wanting to join the Stampin' Up!® family.

I hope you will enjoy reading my blog as much as I have had creating it.

Happy Crafting,

Another Challenge

Here is a card I did for a colour challenge with the Elite girls.  Look at the categories on the right under CC Red Summer. It was to use SU! Ruby Red, Cameo Coral and Summer Sun.

What do you think ??

I don't think I would have thought to put these colours together. I'm really impressed though. I think I will be putting these colours together again.

Happy Crafting,
K.
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Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Pretty Princess
Ink: Black Stazon, SU! Markers - Summer Sun, Ruby Red, Cameo Coral.
Paper: Summer Sun, Ruby Red, Cameo Coral.
Accessories: SU! Brad - Ruby Red, Circle Nestabilities - standard & scallop.

Jen's Sketch For You To Try - 17th Feb 08

HEALTH WARNING - you may need to put on your sunglasses. LOL


I decided to have a play with PTI stamps, the borders and corners set to use as a background. How did I do ??

Yes, this card is growing on me, maybe it is the brightness ?

The stitching flower effect is actually rub-ons !! Yes, rub-ons. I love my flowers although I didn't use my primas.


Here is Jen's sketch.

Lost My Motivation

It has happened !! I think I need to clean up my desk - it is a mess so I don't really feel like crafting.

Better get my butt into gear !! I've got dinner cooking nicely so while it is simmering away, I will start clearing away.

I did actually make a card on Saturday for Jen's Sketch Challenge but I didn't like it much so I haven't posted it - yet !! It is growing on me as it is sitting right in front of me.

Hope you are all having a good week so far. It is only Tuesday but I keep thinking it is Thursday.

Happy Crafting,
K.

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #35

It is Friday and that means Beate's Sketch Challenge time. Yay !!

I wanted to use this stamp of 'puppybella'. I wasn't entirely sure what colours to use or even what DP to use. I rummaged through the pile of papers beside me on my table and got some inspiration.

Here is a close up of bella with her dog.

Here is Beate's sketch.

Happy Crafting,
K.




Supplies:
Stamps: Puppybella.
Ink: Stazon - Black SU! Markers - Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, Real Red.
Paper: SU! DP - Paisley & Petals.
Accessories: SU! - Real Red Brads, Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon.

Papertrey Ink Release Party !!

Did anyone get to the Papertrey Ink Release Party last night ??? I am up super early this morning to order but the forum seems to have suffered a meltdown !! There is just too many of us PTI fans (stalkers!!) for the server to cope with. LOL Looking at the website, they have released 5 new stamp sets, plus ribbon, paper, ink, a special box and if you register with their forum by the 22nd February, you will be entered into their competition to win ALL the stamps released for the next YEAR !! Yes, a year's worth of free stamps. OMG - how good is that !! If you haven't already, check out Nichole's blog for more information.

Well, I am off to get Oliver ready for nursery.

Happy Crafting,
K.

I'm A Stampin' Up! Independant Demonstrator

Yes, it is official.  I got the news today.

How exciting ! 

You can check out Stampin' Up HERE.  Feel free to check it out and if you like what you see, contact me and I will place an order for you.  It will even be delivered straight to your door.

Happy Crafting.
K.

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope you all have a lovely Valentine's Day with your loved ones.

Thank you to those who have sent me well wishes. My right eye is almost back to normal but it has now spread my left eye !! I thought it might so as soon as I saw the signs, I put my eye drops in and although my eye was stuck shut this morning, it is not as red or sore.

Happy Crafting,
K.

Not Seeing Well

I wanted to do today Sketch Challenge on SCS but I am having trouble seeing properly.

How attractive !!! It all started yesterday when it felt like I had something in my eye - kind of scratching. During the evening it got worse. When I woke this morning, my eye was glued shut and swollen. Oh dear!! Unfortunately here in the UK you HAVE to make an appointment to see your doctor which can take days to get one (they make exceptions for children though). So guess what, no doctor available today !!! Off I trot to the hospital with Oliver and luckily Rob came home from work and collected Oliver from the hospital. I was there for 4 hours - can you imagine a 3 year old sitting still and quiet for 4 hours !! Not Oliver !!! Anyway, I finally get my eye drops from the doctor and boy, does my eye fell so much better already.

I will try to do the sketch challenge tomorrow as I will have the house to myself - Oliver is at his grandparents.

Happy Crafting,
K.

Celebrate Today Mother

Today's challenge over at SCS is 'Colour Combination'. The colours we were to use: SU! - Tempting Turquoise, Kraft & Green Galore.

I wanted to use my Papertrey Ink stamps as each month they release new stamps and you can enter their competition to be one of their 'Guest Star Stamper'. The message stamps was one of last months release so I thought I would give the competition a go. I also used the lovely Spiral Bouquet set.

I am really really happy with how this card turned out. Better than I had imagined. I think I might give this to Rob to give to his mother for mother's day here in the UK.

Happy Crafting,
K.

Supplies:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Spiral Bouquet, Mixed Messages.
Ink: SU! - Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Versamark.
Paper: SU! - Kraft, Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, Basic Black.
Accessories: SU! - 1/4" Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon, Brads.

I've Got An Award - Yipee !!

Oh wow. Look what I received from my blogging friend Kylie (yes, another Kylie !!). She has recently become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator in Australia and she also started her blog in October 2007.

How sweet of her to send me this award. Thank you very much and I'm glad you like my blog and it inspires you.

I am supposed to pass this onto 10 people. This was harder than it looked. I only named 6 people who as far as I could see, hadn't had the award on their blog.

Jayne Mercer
Stamping Caz
Charmaine Ikach
Frances Byrne
Jen Del Muro
Bethany Paull

There were more blogs I could have chosen but I don't necessarily leave comments so if I emailed them to say here is your award because your blog is fantastic, they would be wondering who on earth I was. LOL

Happy Crafting.

K.

Jen's Sketch For You To Try - 9th Feb 08

Another day, another card !! Today is Jen's Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT).

I must say, this turned out better than expected. I stamped the bouquet yesterday but I didn't use it so I thought I would use it in today's card.

Both stamps are from Hero Arts Clear Design stamps. They are the K & M letter sets.

I used the small flower stamp in the K set to stamp the background.

EDITED: I realised after posting this that I hadn't taken a photo of the completed card (the two bits on the right hand side are missing. Once my camera is charged up, I will update with finished card - oooops !!

Here is Jen's sketch. She added the heart embellishment to coincide with Valentines Day but I didn't want to use it this time.

Happy Crafting.

K.

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts.
Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black, SU! - Gable Green.
Paper: SU! - Gable Green, Basic Black, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, SU! DP - Petals & Paisley.
Accessories: SU! - Brads, SU! - Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon.

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #34

It is Friday again and that means Sketch Challenge time.

I thought I would use my Bella stamps today.

I am pleased with the result - it is nice and bright and happy.

Here are the "Javabella" girls. Aren't they great !

This is Beate's sketch.

Happy Crafting.

Supplies:
Stamps: Javabella.
Ink: Brilliance Black Stazon, SU! Markers - Blush Blossom, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose, Bashful Blue.
Paper: SU! - Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose, Whisper White SU! DP - Petals & Paisley.
Accessories: White Satin Ribbon, Rectangle Nestabilities.

Finally..........some crafting

I have been into central London today to the Australian High Commission as I need to replace my NSW driver's license in readyness for my return (our move) back to Australia. Can you believe that I can change my maiden name to my married name on my passport with just our marriage certificate but I need a specific certificate from Births, Deaths & Marriages (in NSW) to be able to change my name on my driver's license !!! How bizzare is that.

Anyway, back to crafting.

Here is todays sketch on Splitcoast Stampers (SCS). If you haven't already looked at SCS, please do. You can brouse the resource area for tutorials on just about anything you can think of or have a look at the gallery for inspiration. The people there are very friendly too.

I am also using this card for Tuesday's Colour Combination on SCS which is to use Real Red, Apricot Appeal & Ballet Blue.

Here is my card.

I don't have any DP in similar colours so I used my Cuttlebug Bloom Dots embossing folder on the Apricot Appeal cardstock and added some red gems.


Most of my stamps stand vertically and only a few stand horizontally so I was limited to what I could use - I might have to invest in some more stamps - oh shame !! LOL

Happy Crafting,

K.

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! - Wild About You.
Ink: SU! - Ballet Blue, Versamark.
Paper: SU! - Ballet Blue, Apricot Appeal, Real Red, Whisper White.
Accessories: Red Gems, Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Googly Eyes (love these), Photo Corner Punch.

Papertrey Ink Apprentice

I'm sure most of you know Papertrey Ink and the fabulous stamps they release each month. Nichole Heady, one of the ladies behind Papertrey Ink has a blog in which she gives us great sneak peaks of the new sets from the 10th of each month up until release day (15th). Nichole also has some great tutorials so go and check out her blog. You won't regret it.

A couple of days ago, Nichole posted THIS - a contest for a Papertrey Apprentice:

---> The winner will get to assist me in designing a stamp set which will be released during our April 15th, 2008 debut. We will have a concept meeting via phone or email, to discuss what types of things you would like included in the set, the theme of the images, or even any fonts you would like to see used.
---> I will then design the set according to your specifications. You will be the FIRST to see the rough drafts & final copies! You will be involved in every step of the process!
--->Your name will be included in the promotion & packaging of the stamp set!
--->You will receive the first copy of the set, hot off the presses, before anyone else!
Leave a comment on today's post welcoming the new girls and you will be eligible to win!
The contest will close at 12pm (EST) on Monday (02/04/08)
and the winner will be chosen via the Random Number Generator. I will announce the winner here on Monday night. Best of luck to all! I am looking forward to collaborating with one of you very soon!

Guess what ??.......... I WON !!! OMG, I won something. See Nichole's post HERE. I am so excited and very nervous as I do not know what is in store for me. It can only make me a better crafter, right ?? I know that Nichole will be doing most of the work and I guess I will have my input but my name will be associated with this stamp set. I am on cloud 9. Even better, the stamps will be released in April - just days before my birthday. Who could have asked for a better birthday present - not me !! LOL

Thank you again Nichole, Julie & Jane for a fantastic opportunity.

Happy Crafting,
K.

Jen's Sketch For You To Try - 2nd Feb 08

Here is Jen's sketch.........

......and here is my card. You might need your sunglasses though. LOL

I do love my 'Bundle Of Joy' set for baby cards, especially new born cards. I was trying to match the cardstock to the DP - Fall Flowers. I could have used Bashful Blue but I don't yet have the matching grosgrain ribbon (things have to match !!) LOL

Ohhh, isn't he cute !! I also used my cuttlebug baby embossing folder for the background.

I thought I would add this photo as well because my little boy, Oliver wanted to be in on the photo. He is holding onto the easel and instead of smiling nicely, he is squinting (a lot lately for photos) so he does look funny. LOL

Happy Crafting.

K.

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! - Bundle Of Joy.
Ink: Tempting Turquoise. Always Artichoke Marker.
Paper: Temping Turquoise, Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand.
Accessories: 1/4" Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon, Tempting Turquoise Brads, Cuttlebug- Baby Embossing Folder.

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #33

Not long after my last post, I checked Beate's blog and there was her sketch. Brilliant, I thought, I'm on a roll here.

I cannot take credit for the idea of the film strip - it came from Jayne Mercer. Check out her blog.

I used my nestabilities to cut and emboss the square shapes. If you take a closer look I think you can see the embossing. I used a post-it note to mask the bottom of the square so the image didn't go over the embossed area.

I really should have made the black strip a little bit wider or I could have cut the Old Olive square's smaller but I couldn't be bothered as I know I would not have gotten all the squares the exact same size (I'm very particular with things matching and a perfectionist).

I decided to use my SU! round tab punch for the sentiment with a lovely gem brad. I put a foam pad underneath to hold it in place and also to give it a lift.

This is Beate's sketch - how did I do ???

Happy Crafting.

K.

Supplies:

Stamps: SU! - Oh, So Lovely.

Ink: SU! - Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive.

Paper: SU! DP - Fall Flowers, Old Olive, Basic Black

Accessories: SU! - 1/4" Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon, Round Tab Punch, Papermania Green Gem Brads.

DCM Challenge - Red & White

It is Friday again and that means challenge day. There are two today - DCM and Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge. Beate hasn't uploaded her sketch yet so I made a start on the DCM challenge.

This week's and next week's dare are team dares - and we've decided to go nice and easy on you guys, as the past few dares have been pretty tricky ! This week, we decided on a colour combination for a change. We want you to design a card using only RED AND WHITE on your cards- it doesn't have to be a Valentine themed card - it can be any theme- as long as use incorporate RED and WHITE on it. So there you go ! Not too bad really eh?

I really like how this turned out. It is not something I would normally put together just by themselves but I LIKE it. It is bright and fresh and the sun is shinning here in the SE of England at the moment which makes me happy and cheerful.

Hello to all the new people that have been reading my blog over the past few days. Allison of Stampin' When I Can advertised my blog on Wednesday 30th January 2008 (you have to scroll down to find it) along with some others in the "newly discovered" section. She has different section posts each day - a great way to find new blogs to read and inspire you. Check it out. Thank you Allison.

Happy Crafting.

K.

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! - Blooming With Happiness.
Ink: SU! - Real Red.
Paper: SU! - Real Red, Whisper White.
Accessories: 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (from John Lewis), Bazzil Flowers, White Buttons Stickles - Diamond.

Thank You

I did it !! I resisted for so long but I have now bought a few Bella Stamps and here is one - Stampingbella.

I cannot tell you who I made this for just in case they read my blog (not sure if they do).

It is a little plain jane for me (I would have preferred a nice DP for the background but I haven't got one to match. I like everything to coordinate.

Here is Stampingbella up close. I do need to practise my colouring in. I used my SU! markers but I cannot wait to get the crayons. I have just realised that I haven't coloured in whaterver bella is in holding in her hand. Opps. I will have to do that in a minute.

I wanted to do something different with the writing so I coloured over the letters with my water colour brush and my markers.

Happy Crafting.

K.

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! - Wonderful Words, Stampingbella.
Ink: Black Stazon, SU! Markers - Brocade Blue, Pretty In Pink, Blush Blossom, Close To Cocoa, Basic Black.
Paper: SU! - Brocade Blue, Close to Cocoa, Pixie Pink, Whisper White.
Accessories: White Organza Ribbon, Rectangle Nestabilities, White Gel Pen.