Blossom Designs

Away

I haven't been able to finish a couple of projects I've started and we are going away today for a long weekend to visit our good friends, Tricia & Paul.  So we won't be back until Monday evening and I won't be able to take my stamps with me (boo hoo!).

Have a great weekend.  See you Monday if I can get in my studio to stamp after unpacking.

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Too Many Late Nights!

I made this on Friday for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge but after having a number of late nights in a row, my brain lost itself (I know, you are asking if I had it in the first place!) and I forgot to post my card.

Anyway, here is my card.

I am really happy with how this turned out.  Taylor had a great sketch to start with so it wasn't hard.

How nice is the DSP!  It is from the Brocade Background set.  I used river rock and very vanilla cardstock and stamped the image in blue bayou with a bit of dazzling diamonds.  A girl's gotta have some bling!!  LOL

After getting the pretties kit a while ago, I finally used the hat pin and beads.  I also used the flat backed pearls.  Shame on my for taking so long to do so.

I got my nestabilities out to cut the squares in very vanilla.

Happy Stamping,

.

Supplies
Stamps: Big Bold Birthday.
Ink: Blue Bayou.
Paper:Very Vanilla, River Rock, Brocade Background DSP.
Accessories: Pretties Kit, 1/4" Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon.

Free Wheelin' Promotion

How lucky are you to get another great promotion from Stampin' Up! as well as the fantastic stamps in the Spring Mini catalogue.

For the whole month of September, when you purchase a preselected stamp set (see table below), you will receive the coordinating wheel FREE!!  Yes, I said FREE!  How great is that?  You can make the wheeled image as bold or subtle as you like just by using different ink pads (e.g. - the wheeled image to the left has used the versamark ink pad, a very nice sublte look!).

The wheels are simple and easy to use.  If you are new to Stampin' Up! and/or haven't used the wheels before, I would suggest also purchasing the Stampin' Around Wheel Guide (page #151 in the Idea Book & Catalogue) to guide you for perfectly straight line or even a mitered corner.  Don't forget the handles (standard & jumbo) also on page 151.

Contact me to place your order or to find out more information.

Item #	Page #	Description	Price
113968	29	Merry, Merry Bundle (includes Merry, Merry stamp set and All about Christmas jumbo wheel)	$45.95
113969	48	Artfully Asian Bundle (includes Artfully Asian stamp set and Watercolor Vine jumbo wheel)	$45.95
113970	59	Nursery Necessities Bundle (includes Nursery Necessities stamp set and Nursery Letters  jumbo wheel)	$56.95
113971	80	Bodacious Bouquet Bundle (includes Bodacious Bouquet stamp set and Bodacious jumbo wheel)	$58.95
113972	94	Carte Postale Bundle (includes Carte Postale stamp set and Leaves à la Carte jumbo wheel)	$48.95
113973	105	Priceless Bundle (includes Priceless stamp set and So Swirly jumbo wheel)	$48.95

Happy Stamping,

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Faux Metal Money Holder

I got this idea from Dawn Griffith.  She has lots of video tutorials and the faux metal is one of them.  There are so many techniques I have been wanting to try but just don't get around to doing them.  I must make more time to do that.

You can find the faux metal tutorial over at Dawn's Stamping Studio HERE.  Ooops and also her money holder tutorial HERE.

I used the Boho Backgrounds stamp for this technique.  I know it is a bit bright and again I've gone for cardstock I don't normally pick for my first attempt.

Here is the Money Holder open.  I think I will do my faux stitching around the inside too (should have done it before taking this photo) so it matches the front of the holder.

I'm afriad that $50 went back into my purse!  LOL

My first attempt at faux metal!  Not too bad.  I absolutely love the look of the embossing powder when you have 3 or 4 layers - it is so silky smooth you just want to touch it!  LOL  Don't, or you little fingers will get burnt as the embossing is very hot.

Happy Stamping,

.

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Boho Backgrounds.
Ink: Versamark.
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Petals & Paisley DSP.
Accessories: Silver Embossing Powder, Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" + 1 1/4" Circle Punch, White Gel Pen.

I Almost Forgot My Card

I posted this card back in July HERE and I couldn't give too much away at the time as I knew this was going to be my swap card.

There is another swap going on at the moment - a 6x6 scrapbook page.  I think I am too late to join but I will most likely join in the next one.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Stamping,

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Swap #6

How cute is this card?!

Ruth made this one.

All the swap cards I've shown you are from the Spring Mini catalogue.  I don't have a lot of the stamps (yet! LOL) so getting involved in a swap is a great way to show everyone the stamps made up into cards (especially if you don't have the stamps!).

Today is the last swap card to show you.  I hope you have enjoyed seeing them all.  I would have linked you to each of the girls blogs but as far as I can see, Kari is the only one with a blog.

Happy Stamping,

.

Supplies
Stamps: Always.
Ink: Close To Cocoa, Purely Pomegranate, Pretty In Pink, Versamark, Black Stazon.
Paper: Close To Cocoa, Purely Pomegranate, Pretty In Pink, Confetti White.
Accessories: Paper Piercing tool, White Gel Pen.

Swap #5

Janice made this card.  I love these colours together.  It looks so pretty.

Blue is another great colour for Christmas cards.  Very popular too.  I still have made any yet or should I say I haven't made any samples or even thought about a design!!  I don't usually start mine until late September/October so I have a little time to decide.  When do you start making your Christmas cards??  If you've already started (OMG!), post a link in your comment so we can have a look.

Happy Stamping,

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Supplies
Stamps: Season Of Joy, Wonderful Words.
Ink: Ballet Blue, Really Rust, Brilliant Blue, Old Olive.
Paper: Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White.
Accessories: Brilliant Blue Marker.

Swap #4

When I first saw this card, it reminded me of some sweets I haven't had in years - toffee apples.  Yummy, yummy.  My mouth is watering just from typing this!  LOL 

Fiona made this beautiful card.  I'm not sure that any of my photos are doing these cards any justice because IRL they are all gorgeous!

Happy Stamping,

.

Supplies
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, One Of A Kind.
Ink: Rose Red, Green Galore + matching markers.
Paper:Rose Red, Green Galore, Whisper White, Summer Picnic DSP.
Accessories: 1 3/8" + 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Designer Label Punch, Black Gingham Ribbon.

Swap #3

Oh look, another card from Kari!  Cheeky girl snuck an extra card in there for me.  Bless her! 

Not only did she send me the swap cards, but she also stamped a number of images for me to use!  Plus she gave me a sample of the Summer Picnic DSP (I don't have any - yet!).  WOW!  I couldn't thank her enough!  When I sent Kari my swap cards, I also included stamped images of Big Bold Birthday in Wild Wasabi as that was all I had time to do.  So after I forgot to stamp the other colours she asked for (how embarrassed and how guilty did I feel!), I quickly got down to business and sent the images to her this week.  So sorry Kari, but I know you still love me - right?! LOL

I so love this colour combination.  Can you see the embossed dots at the top and bottom of the card?  Kari used the crop-a-dile to do that!  I guess I'll have to add this set to my wish list too - oh shame!

Happy Crafting,

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Supplies
Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment.
Ink: Pumpkin Pie.
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Whisper White, Old Olive.
Accessories:1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain, Crop-a-dile.

I Created Today!

I just haven't been able to sit down and create for about a week!  Truly!  I was so glad my swap cards arrived plus I wanted to show them to you anyway, but they arrived in time to save me from not posting anything at all!!

So, onto my project for today.  I sooooo wanted to do Taylor's Cupcake Challenge and after thinking we were supposed to be away visiting friends this weekend (I got the dates wrong!), I was pleased and sat down to create my card.

My lovely fellow demonstrator and friend, Kari, stamped these images for me from the Tart & Tangy set in the Spring Mini Catalogue.  Read more about it tomorrow.  Thanks Kari!  Mwah.

Just a close up shot of the sketch.  See how the ribbon has two knots in it - before you say anything, I did mean to do that.  I just wanted something different. LOL

I lifted the sentiment off the page with dimensionals.  Hard to see in the images above.

Happy Stamping,

.

Swap #2

Just a quick post today.  I wanted to share more swap cards.

This lovely one is from Kari.  I do like the tart and tangy set but not everyone does.  I love those cherries.

I will have to put this set on my wish list I think.  Thanks Kari!

Happy Crafting,

.

Supplies
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Much Appreciated.
Ink: Real Red, Old Olive, Bashful Blue.
Paper: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Old Olive.
Accessories: Summer Picnic DSP, Corner Rounder, Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon.

Swap Cards

I got involved in my first card swap with my upline's team the INKlings.  The lovely Kari collected all the cards and sorted them into our assigned groups, then sent them back to us.  Thanks Kari!  Mwah!!  Over the next few days I will show you the ones I received.

This is the first of the swap cards I received.

Isn't it gorgeous!  Fiona made this one and I just love how she used the Soft Sky colour for Christmas.  She also used the Spring Break DSP, some dazzling diamonds on the tree and the season of joy stamp set.  Thanks Fiona!

I don't know if Fiona has a blog but I will check and link it here later on!

Happy Crafting,

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Supplies
Stamps: Season Of Joy.
Ink: Soft Sky, Black Stazon.
Paper: Soft Sky, Whisper White, Spring Break DSP.
Accessories: Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds.

Enjoy Your Day!

How do you like the card?  It is 3" x 3" (one of the smallest cards I have made!) LOL

I again kept it simple and quick.  I think it is pretty self explanatory.

I love how the three project are together.  If I do little sets like these, I have to have things matching.

I hope you have enjoyed my projects over the past few days.  I certainly enjoyed making them and giving them to the recipients.

Happy Crafting,

.

Card
Supplies
Stamps: Riveting (retired).
Ink: Close to Cocoa.
Paper:Close to Cocoa, Whisper White.
Accessories: Scallop Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1/4" Whisper White Ribbon.

Birthday Gift Bag

Here is the other box/bag I made to match the other bookmark.

As much as I like the black and white one, I equally like this one!

I could have used very vanilla but I just like how the whisper white cardstock and ribbon finish off the bag and makes it eye-catching.

Just a close up shot.  I added the ribbon at the last minute - I quite like it. 

Here are the two projects together.  I would have loved to have added other things but I ran out of time.

NOTE TO SELF: Organise yourself better girl!

Happy Crafting,

.

Box
Supplies
Stamps: Circle of Friendship.
Ink: Close to Cocoa.
Paper:Close to Cocoa DSP, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White.
Accessories: Round Tab Punch, Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" + 1 1/4" Circle Punch, White Gel Pen, 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Corner Rounder Punch (minus the guard), Pewter Eyelets.

Bookmark
Supplies
Paper: Close to Cocoa DSP
Accessories: On Board Blossom & Basics (chipboard), Glossy Accents, Large Paper Clips (from stationery store).

Starter Kit Super Savings

Don't forget.....

You only have until the 15th August to take up this offer (5 days to go!).  Please contact me if you are thinking about it or want to know more.  If When you do decide to, you will love it just as I do!  Being a demonstrator means you get the inside scoop of things to come and also you can access the 'demonstrator only' section on the Stampin' Up! website which means you are never short of inspiration.  Plus, the quality of SU! products superb and you will be able to share this with others.

As well as all that, you will be able to join me on Jayne's (my upline) forum and be apart of the INKlings.  We have a cyberstamp once a month where one person will set the challenges (usually 3) and we chat while we stamp and complete our cards/scrapbook layout.  The INKlings just had their first stamp camp and by all accounts (I wasn't able to make it - boo hoo) it was a roaring success - so much so that Jayne is organising next years.  How about that, a weekend of stamping, chatting and more than likely drinking (LOL) with a bunch of lovely ladies.  Ah, bliss.

So what are you waiting for?  Join me along this wonderful Stampin' Up journey where along the way, you will meet lovely people and make some great friends as I have (~waving at my fellow demonstrators~).

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Tag Birthday Card

I finally got all the projects photographed!  Hooray!

As I was running out of time, I kept the card very simple and very quick.  It only took 5 minutes from start to finish.

I nearly forgot about this so on Thursday I only had a few hours and I had to make 2.  I will post the other one I made next week.

This is the everything together.

I know it doesn't seem much but as money is a bit tight this month (husband's visa payment came out), I wanted to make something that was from 'me'.  Karen is actually one of the ladies at my Thursday night salsa class and she is great.  She always make me laugh.

Happy Birthday Karen!

Happy Crafting,

.

Card
Supplies
Stamps: Terrific Tags.
Ink:Black Stazon.
Paper: Whisper White.
Accessories: Black Gingham Ribbon.

Bookmark & Gift Bag

I am having so much fun making these boxes/bags.

I made this one for someone's birthday. I made the matching bookmark HERE the other day.

Instead of using DSP, I used my whisper white cardstock and stamped on it using black stazon.  The gorgeous stamp is from Boho Backgrounds set.  Using the cardstock makes it a little stiffer going around the base but nothing to worry about.

I just so love that background stamp.  I added one of the flowers in the Pretties Kit along with a flat backed pearl adhered to basic black cardstock using the 3/4" circle punch.

I didn't stop there!!  LOL  I added some black gingham ribbon along the bottom and then added a little bow too.  Can you see my faux stitching on the black carstock?

What do you think?

Here are the two projects together.

I didn't have a plan when I started these.  I just knew I wanted to make the bookmark's.  After I had done that, then what do I put the bookmark in? - the box/bag of course!

Happy Crafting,

.

Box
Supplies
Stamps: Boho Backgrounds.
Ink: Black Stazon.
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black.
Accessories: Black Gingham Ribbon, Flower & Pearl from Pretties Kit, 3/4" Circle Punch, Round Tab Punch, Pewter Eyelets, Crop-a-dile.

Bookmark
Supplies
Stamps: Boho Backgrounds.
Ink: Black Stazon.
Accessories: Large Paper Clip (from stationery shop), Flower Chipboard, White Acrylic Paint, Black Marker.

Stationery Set

Ok, so while I was making my bookmark's (waiting fort he glossy accents to dry), I wanted to try something else.

I joined a new forum last month just set up for Australian SU! demos and this project was the latest one featured.

I have a friend who writes to her many pen pals all over the world.  So I had this in mind for her (waving hi Nicole!).  Now I think as she writes to so many, Nichole  types her letters on the pc but if she wanted to send just a short note, she could with this set.

I have yet to put a sentiment in the bottom right corner.  A rub-on would look nice too!

Here is the inside view.  This project wasn't going to have any stamping on it but I decided that I wanted to add the scallop embellishments on each pocket and leaving it plain was too boring so I stamped using bashful blue ink.

I added the DSP at the top of the writing paper so it all matches and you can't see it but the envelope also has a vertical strip of DSP along the left side (on the front).

Happy Crafting,

.

Supplies
Stamps: Circle of Friendship.
Ink: Bashful Blue.
Paper:Apricot Appeal, Bashful Blue, Le Jardin DSP.
Accessories:Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" + 1 1/4" + 1" + 3/4" Circle Punch, Ribbon Originals (Fairy Tale), Flower from Pretties Kit, Bashful Blue Brad.

Where Have I Been??

The short answer is: No where!!  LOL

I have been busy creating and have a few things to show you.

Here is the first project.  Very simple and easy but this took time as I used 'Glossy Accents' to coat the chipboard to give it a lovely shine.  They are bookmarks using chipboard and large paper clips.

The one on the left (brown), I used my close to cocoa DSP to cover the chipboard.  Then I covered the circle layer with glossy accents and once that was dry, I then coated the back side.

The one on the right (white & black) I painted white with acrylic paint then stamped over it using black stazon and one of the boho backgrounds stamps (love this set!).  I also covered this with glossy accents on both the front and back.  It helps protect the chipboard.

I have matching cards and boxes to show but I need to edit the photos, so this is all for today!

Happy Crafting,

.

Challenge Weekend #2 + #3

I decided to combine challenges #2 & #3 together.

Challenge #2  - colour (Apricot Appeal, Mellow Moss & Pumpkin Pie).  I got this colour combo from SCS.
Challenge #3 - sketch (http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/2008/03/cupcake-challenge-9.html). I love Taylor's sketches so of course I had to use one.

I must say that the photo doesn't really do the card justice.  It does look better in real life.

I used my wild about you stamp set and for the first time I didn't use the whole image.  I got my 1" circle punch and punched out a fraction of the image instead.  My 'light bulb' moment came to me when choosing what stamps to use.

I didn't go OTT with the pumpkin pie today!

How do you like the eyes?  I love them and think they are great.

Happy Crafting,

.

Supplies
Stamps: Wild About You, Polka Dot (background).
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Mellow Moss, Apricot Appeal, Basic Black.
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Mellow Moss, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White.
Accessories:1" + 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1/4" Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon, Googly eyes.

Challenge Weekend (part 2) Challenge #1

Tonight is the main challenge night for those of us in the INKlings team who weren't able to make the team weekend away.

Challenge #1 - Mini Gable Box (template found on the SU! demonstrator website).

I actually made this the other night (trial run).  When testing out new templates, I tend to use cardstock I don't normally use very often.  Brilliant Blue is one of 'those' colours.  Then, after putting the box together I had no idea of how to embellish it.  Oh dear!  This is what I came up with.  Not my best work I must admit and I wasn't going to show it to you either.  But, here it is!!  LOL

Now here is my second attempt and a much better looking one too (well I think so!).

As I still had some Le Jardin DSP on my desk, I printed the box template onto bashful blue cardstock and went to work.  I am very partial to the soft subtles family.

The funny thing is that when Kari uploaded her box onto the forum gallery, we had both used the round tab punch and adhered it to the top of the box - spooky!

I am really pleased with the one.  I was thinking of using this for the birthday I missed on Thursday but I might just have to make another one as I don't think I can part with this one now!  LOL  How sad am I?

Happy Crafting,

.

P.S. - still have another project to show you....stay tuned!

Supplies

FIRST BOX
Stamps: One Of A Kind.
Ink: Basic Black, Brilliant Blue.
Paper: Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Whisper White.
Accessories: 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Horizontal Punch.

SECOND BOX
Stamps: Circle Of Friendship.
Ink: Bashful Blue + Marker.
Paper: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Mellow Moss, Le Jardin DSP.
Accessories: Round Tab Punch, Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" + 1 1/4" +1" + 1/2" Circle Punch.

Challenge Weekend

This weekend is the "INKlings Team Weekend" away and unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend.  Next year!!  Anyway, Kari and I were chatting and she came up with the idea of having a cyberstamp for those not attending the stamp camp.  Even though none of us would be together in one room stamping our little hearts out, at least we would be stamping together via the forum.

Kari has posted a couple of challenges tonight with the main challenges being left for tomorrow's get together.

The first one tonight is the CASE a card from another INKling's blog.  This wasn't easy for me as I browse just about every INKling blog I have a link for.  I decided to CASE Michelle's blog HERE and her card on THIS post (3rd card down - green & purple). We had to use a different stamp set.  Even though Michelle has called her card Boho Note Card, she has used the stamp from the Wanted set.  I actually did use the Boho Backgrounds stamp (LOL).  Make sure you say hello to Michelle when checking out her blog.

 

You can see here (well just about see) I have used dimensionals to lift the white cardstock.

The other challenge was a business one.  Label all your mini catalogues, technique books, IB&Cs, forms, etc.  I have done this (what I have) so up to date here.

See you again tomorrow for our other challenges.

Happy Crafting,

.

Supplies
Stamps:Boho Backgrounds.
Ink: Regal Rose.
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Regal Rose.
Accessories:Black + Pink Gingham Ribbon, Black Brad, Scallop Punch

Spring Mini is here!

I have attached a link to the new Spring Mini in my sidebar over here ----------->

Go and check it out!