cute fawn christmas card

Here's another card using the Kitsch Christmas stamp set by Avery Elle & the O Christmas Tree stamp set by Concord and 9th. I  think they work together so well.

I used the Cable Knit embossing folder from Stampin' Up!'s 2016 Holiday catalogue to emboss the circle. It gives a very deep, textured effect - it really looks like a jumper, I love it!

Lots of cutting done using my new Scan n Cut. I must say, I've moaned a bit about it in previous posts, but it does cut the deer, bells and holly like a dream. You can set it to cut with a broder round the stamped image, but I set it to cut with no border and you can see that it's absolutely bang on the line.   

 

It cut the glitter card quite well - I had to increase the blade depth to 7 as the card is quite dense, and even then it took two repeat cuts to go all the way through, all the way round, but it took less than a minute and i got a crisp and even cut.

 

A very kitsch Christmas

I do like this fawn stamp. It reminds me of an image painted on a cot from when I was little. I'm not sure if it was a cot that I slept in or if it was a toy cot I had. Or whether it even was mine or I just saw it & coveted it. But anyway, it reminds me of that.

All the stamped images apart from the tree are from the Avery Elle Kitsch Christmas stamp set.

I just love its 60s retro vibe. I coloured all the images with Pro Markers. I'm not an experienced Pro Marker-er, but I think they turned out pretty ok. 

The Christmas tree stamp is from the Concord and 9th stamp set O Christmas Tree.

Each of the stamped images was cut using my new Scan n Cut. It was what can best be described as a learning experience!  It loved cutting the images from the Avery Elle set, as they are all nice, clear line drawings. It cut every one of them without an argument. 

However, I only had about a 60% success rate with the Christmas tree from the Concord and 9th set. It scanned them all OK, but for some reason it simply would not recognise some of the images when it came to converting them to a cutting file. I did try repositioning those images elsewhere on the cutting mat, and for a few this did the trick, with it recognising them on a 2nd or 3rd scan. But some it simply would not pick up. Having looked at them I can't see why. To my eye they appear the same as the images that cut OK - same ink colour, and a clear, unsmudged impression.  I guess it's to do with the detail on the branches of this stamp - miniscule variations in my stamping that the eye can't detect but the scanner can. I expect that the more I use the Scan n Cut, the more I'll be able to predict which stamps it's likely to "get on with" better. Awkward little bugger.    

The label is one the pre-set shapes that comes with the Scan n Cut machine. Why, yes, I *did* use it on yesterday's project too. Why, yes, it *is* the only one I really know how to use at the moment.

I am very pleased with this card though, and the strength of the machine is that I stamped and cut out the individual elements in large batches so I can now go & make multiple copies quite quickly.

I bought both stamp sets from the UK, from Seven Hills Crafts, which has a great selection of stamps and dies from US designers.

hot air balloon thank you card

 

I made this card with my newest baby - a Brother Scan n Cut! I've had it a couple of months now, and while I seem to have mastered cutting out stamped images pretty well, the more advanced design functions are still way beyond me.

For this card I used the Scan n Cut to cut out the centre of the postage stamp. It also cut the stamped balloon image out too. I re-sized the label, which is a standard image which comes with the software, to fit the size of the postage stamp and cut that too. I also cut out the card blank too. Well, why not?

It really does cut out stamped images very crisply and cleanly, and as I have a bit of arthritis in my hands it's great for that alone. That said, I'm rather less impressed with some of the other features. I can't get it to create an even and centred faux stitched image no matter how hard I try. I've followed Mel Heaton's very clear Youtube video to the letter and also re-calibrated the machine multiple times, but I still get a wider margin on one side than another. I'm also getting an uneven cut, with theleft hand side of anything I cut pretty much always needing two cuts to go through the card, no matter what the blade depth or how thick the card. I'm told that this is a known issue among other users, but so far there's no fix for it, which is a bit annoying.

Hopefully I'll post more in due course.

 

Punched Santa Hat

If like me you're making a start on your Christmas cards, the Foxy Friends stamp set (141549) is perfect for making fun, cartoonish cards & here's a way to make a santa hat using the co-ordinating Fox Builder Punch (141470).

As you can see, one of the elements the Fox Builder Punch punches out is his bushy tail. 

Slide a strip of red card into the punch where the tail appears & punch (cutting your card to size & positioning it carefully will mean you don't waste card by punching out elements you don't need). Trim about 1/3 off the narrower end of the tail. 

Then punch out a small  scalloped circle in white card (I used the retired 3/4" scalloped circle punch by Stampin' Up! - if you don't have one you can use a plain circle punch or just cut it freehand). Take the white punched piece and punch into it again to create a scalloped crescent shape. Trim the edges to fit the red "hat".  

I used a small round circle from the Owl Builder Punch to punch out a bobble in white card - look around your punches & dies to see what you've got that will make a small circle, or just cut it freehand.

Assemble the pieces & glue in place et voila - one festive fox!

If you like the Foxy Friends stamp set and coordinating Fox Builder Punch, you can buy them as a bundle (142326) and  save 10%.

Foxy Friends stamp set & punch

Picture (c) Stampin, Up!

I received the Foxy Friends stamp set & Fox Builder Punch this week & have been having a play around with them. 
 

Its a multi step stamping set (and the punch only works with certain elements)  so I really recommend looking on Pinterest & searching for images of how other people have used it when you start out, as the range of animals you can make can be a bit overwhelming.  I made a few horrors that wouldn't have looked out of place in South Park (I'm talking about you, badger with death rays coming out of your eyes). But after a bit of experimentation I worked out which pieces work best to make particular animals. So far I've made a convincing fox, cat, raccoon, badger and skunk (for nothing says "Happy Birthday" quite like a skunk). I think a wolf, a beaver  and a squirrel are do-able but I haven't perfected them yet. 

You'll really want to buy the stamp set & the punch to get the best out of each. Buy them together as a bundle and save 10%. 

Moroccan Owl - how to

I posted a card made with the Owl Builder Punch & Moroccan Nights stamp set a few days ago. I said that you can section out the large patterned mandala stamp to make a feathered breast for the owl. Here's a quick how-to.

Stamp the large mandala stamp 3 times -  twice in the same colour for the eyes, & once in the colour you want his feathered breast to be.

Punch out the very centre of two of the mandala stamps with a small circle punch or die to make the eyes - I used a 3/4 inch punch, but you could go smaller if you want.

Position the breast section of the punch over the outer portion of the mandala stamp. Move it around a bit until you see the feathers "appear", then punch.

Punch out the whites of his eyes & a darker pupil & cut in the pupil with a little v shaped notch. Colour the heart in orange or punch from orange card. Punch the body in darker card.

Layer it all up - the breast on the body, then the beak. Layer the pupils over the whites, & the whites over the patterned circles & glue in place. Finally, position the completed eyes where you want them & glue in place.

And you're done!

I really like the texture this stamp set adds to the owl builder punch & I hope you do too! 

Moroccan Owl birthday card

The new Moroccan Nights stamp set is perfect for jazzing up the Owl Builder Punch. 

The pattern on the large stamp can be sectioned out and used to punch out the feathered breast of the owl, while its centre makes a good background for googly owl eyes. I punched them out with a 3/4" circle punch, then layered the punch out pieces from the owl punch over the top.

Quite the hootie cutie!

Here's what I used:

Moroccan Nights stamp set 141718
Owl Builder punch 118074
Layering circles framelits dies 141705
Endless Birthday Wishes stamp set 140273
Timeless Textures stamp set 140517
Kinda Eclectic stamp set 135350

Christmas in July

I'm making my Christmas cards at the moment. I like doing them now rather than later in the year because I have the luxury of time that I know I won't have later in the year. I can take time to experiment & play & make each card individual. If I only make one card in a session that's fine - come October time I'd be having to mass produce one design to get them all done, & I don't really enjoy doing that.

For this card I've used the Peace This Christmas stamp set (141570) from the new annual catalogue. I like the font & the foliage so it's great for cards where you want to make the text the focal point.

I've teamed it with the This Christmas paper pack (141628) which reproduces some of the images found in the stamp set. The colors are Garden Green, Basic Black, Very Vanilla and Cherry Cobbler. I've also used the Layering Circle Framelits (141705) to cut out and back the sentiment.

One thing I noticed was that the flower punch from the retired Itty Bitty Accents Punch pack cuts out the poinsettia from one of the stamped images - great for layering up & creating dimension, so dig it out & use it with this stamp set if you have it.
 

I used the Bow Builder Punch (137414) for the bow. It adds a nice touch but bulks up the depth of the card, so I'll be hand delivering this rather than mailing it.

Pineapple Rocket

OK, so I was messing around with the new Pineapple stamp (#141746) and preparing to use it on an art journal page. I really love how it looks repeat stamped, so I'm a bit loath to tinker with it, but tinker I shall. Not sure how yet - I'll probably ink & paint over it so it only shows faintly through. Then stare blankly at the result for some time. That seems to be the pattern.

When I first saw this in the catalogue, I didn't so much see a pineapple as a rocket on its side. Can you see it? I promise, once you do see it it becomes the sort of thing you can't "unsee", a bit like this wall illusion.

I had a quick play this afternoon and this was my first effort at making it overtly rockety. I had to overstamp several times to get the colour gradations, so a stamp positioning tool was essential. I used the MISTI stamp positioner which made precision repeat stamping very easy, but you could try this with the stamp-a-ma-jig tool if you have it. The flame is Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango and Real Red. The body is Pacific Point, and I then sponged Night of Navy round the edges of the stamp & stamped, and then used a Basic Black marker to colour the edge again (blurring it with a sponge) & then stamped a final time 

Here's a quick card I knocked up with it. It gives you an idea of how best to position it. Given more time I'd probably put more "space" elements in the background (stars, planets etc).

I used the text and crosses from Sunburst Sayings (#140725) & a star punched out of silver glimmer paper.

I'm really pleased with it. I love making my stash work hard for me & this looks like its a great versatile investment.

These stamp sets are available to buy from my Stampin' Up! shop. Click on the link on the right to go shopping and search on the item numbers shown above.

Project Life - moments like this

Journal card from the Moments Like This card collection, dressed up with stickers from the matching accessory pack, a little stamping (Kinda Eclectic, Pun Intended) punched hearts & some machine stitching.

Sunburst card

A bright & cheerful card using a mix of old & new. The sentiment is from the That Thing You Did stamp set. I used the sunburst die to cut the yellow sunburst & popped it in front of some retired Retro Fresh DSP. And the bunting is from the Balloon framelits die set.

Other things I used

silver glimmer paper

linen thread

brights cardstock

basic gray ink

real red ink

decorative dots embossing folder   

labels thinlits dies 

In praise of chalk paint

I've come over all yummy mummy recently & started daubing chalk paint on things. Chalk paint is addictive to work with because on most surfaces it requires no priming, it dries quickly, it can be sealed with a thin coat of wax & if you don't like the end result you can just paint over it & start again.

I painted over this hideous marmalade fire surround in my living room last year 

 & got this rather nice, grown up result. 

I still have loads of paint left over & have been eyeing up other tat that I can "transform".

This is my latest project.

It's an IKEA mirror that I decorated in a class at a scrapbooking retreat. You may be shocked to learn, reader, that I've never been entirely convinced by it, which is why it has lived on a dark wall under the stairs for nine years. I finally decided it was chalk or chuck (or quite possibly both) & dug my paint out.

I use Autentico chalk paint because that's what my nearest stockist sells, but there are other brands available & even B&Q stocks a range. You can usually buy sample pots if you only want to paint something tidgy.


I covered the mirrored section to protect it, then painted a medium coat of paint making sure the brush strokes went all in one direction. Honestly, it took less than 5 minutes to cover it, then about 15 minutes to dry. I applied a second coat, let it dry then brushed on some wax & buffed it off. The whole thing took less than an hour.

Most impressively of all, I done a proper DIY & hung it on the wall myself! Not just a nail-straight-in-the-wall job, neither. I put a proper picture hook on the wall & hung it off that. #skillz.
 

That right hand picture looks out of alignment now. That's going to bug me.
 

Bloomin' Love - not just for Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! Hope your other halves have been sweet to you, if you go in for that kind of thing. Mr B has gifted me a single red rose, thoughtfully accented with a diamante rhinestone. And some booze. Dead, dead classy, we are :)

If you've bought the Bloomin' Love stamp set, don't consign it to the shelf now that Valentine's Day has passed. It contains lots of lovely delicate floral images perfect for other occassions. You only need to add a suitable sentiment.

For this quick and easy birthday card I've repeat stamped the small flower spray and the longer leafy bough stamps in Blushing Bride and Sahara Sand. I've stamped them into a loose right angle shape. I've also stamped and die cut three small flowers and stamped the banner & backed it with Blushing Bride glimmer card. The Happy Birthday sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Sentiments stamp set.

Then I've glued the three die cut flowers over the stamped background, tied some linen thread and popped the banner up on 3d foam. The card is backed with some coordinating paper from the Love Blossoms DSP stack and layered onto a card blank.

Complete the card by carrying on the theme on the inside of the card too. 

Here's what I used. If you fancy buying the stamps, you can also buy the coordinating dies as a bundle and save 15% - click on the bundle link at the end of the slide show. And remember that until the end of March you can receive free products from the Sale-a-bration catalogue with every £45 spend.

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Sale-A-Bration 2016: Flowering Fields

We're nearly half way through Sale-a-Bration 2016, and I wanted to show you what I think will turn out to be the most versatile of the stamp sets you can get for free with each £45 spend.

Flowering Fields (#141303) is one of this year's great free Sale-A-Bration offerings. It has lovely clean lines and is great for colouring in. You might be tempted to stamp the flowers all in a row for a botanical guidebook feel, and they work very well that way. Or cluster them together for a wildflower garden effect. Check out Pinterest for oodles of ideas on how to use them.

For today's card I want to show how they can be used to form backgrounds, rather than being the focal point of a card.  I've repeat stamped a single image (top row, middle stamp) to draw the eye in towards the centre of the card.

As you can see, I repeat stamped the leaf image in the top left and bottom right corners of the cardtstock, making sure that I tapered them off as I got towards the middle of the card. (You're aiming to fill in a rough triangle shaped space with your stamping).

I coloured my leaves in with alcohol markers, using two tones that match Mossy Meadow, the green cardstock I used.

I also stamped the little heart shaped petals from the Bloomin' Love stamp set, in Rose Red ink in among the green leaves.

The flower cluster behind the sentiment is also from the Bloomin' Love set. It matches this flower from the Love Blossoms DSP pack:

I inked up the whole stamp with a Rose Red ink pad, the carefully wiped off the ink from the leaves and coloured them in with a Mossy Meadow green marker. I stamped it once onto the label, inked it up the same way and stamped again, slight twisting and overlapping the two images - the banner sentiment (also from Bloomin' Love) then covers up the join.

The label is finished off with some silver twine and a pink flower cut from the Bloomin' Heart framelits. 

It's a nice, crisp card you can adapt for any occasion. 

Remember, the Flowering Fields stamp set is free when you spend over £45 during Sale-A-Bration. You can place a qualifying order by clicking on the products I used, below.

 

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That's me in the corner...

Thrilled that my Valentine's Treat Bag made it onto the front page of the Stampin' Up! US website, and then onto the telly in Utah! Follow this link to get  a fleeting glimpse at 3.28 - bottom right of the screen. (Stampin' Up! are based in Utah, so it's not quite as random as it seems.)

Pop Up Valentine #2

Two Bloomin' Hearts pop-up Valentine cards in 2 days! It's an all out, Bloomin' Hearts, pop-up Valentine card frenzy!!

I made this card using the Bloomin Hearts thinlit dies and Bloomin' Love stamp set. I used pretty much the same principle as with yesterday's card - score your base card, position the heart die about .5" from the score line & don't completely cover it with the top cutting plate, so that the heart remains attached at the base point.

Flip the card over and repeat on the opposite side of the card. Lift up the two part cut hearts & glue them to each other at the top with a couple of glue dots. Decorate with a sentiment and cut a slightly larger backing card in black. Attach the black backing card & cut a couple more hearts in Real Red. Glue them into the gap left by the popped up hearts (cut off the very bottoms off where the popped up hearts are still attached). And you're done!

Here's what I used - click on anything to buy.

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