Bella Bleu Paper Rose card

Lucky me one of my fabulous downline Debbie Lamb sent me a gorgeous card the other day - it's very classy & elegant (just like her).

I'm very lucky to have such a fabulous person as part of my team the WOW paperKRafters which makes it all so worthwhile.


Stamp sets: Vintage Vogue,Thank You Kindly
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Kraft, Very Vanilla, Bella Bleu DSP
Other: Kraft taffeta ribbon, eyelet border punch

Thanks Debbie I love it!!!!!!

A box you can post in an envelope!

Wow this is a cool project & is this week's inspiration on NZSU Blogs - it's a simple project that Angie Kennedy Juda shared on her blog that she learnt at her SU! regional training.

This is a great project as this small box which is 3 x 2-3/4" folds up flat for posting/storing & you can easily get one out of a piece of A4 card stock - so very economical. 

I'm starting to use up my soon to be retired card stock colours & I can see why Glorious Green is getting the chop but it does go rather well with Rose Red (colour combination courtesy of my colour coach wheel).

Stamp set: Vintage Vogue
Ink: Glorious Green, Rose Red, Regal Rose
Paper: Glorious Green, Rose Red, Whisper White
Other: Filigree designer brad, dimensionals

Bird on a branch continued

This was the 2nd project from my Friday class & we looked at embossing with any colour as long as you have Versamark and clear embossing powder. Ink up your stamp with the Versamark first (to make it sticky) then into the coloured pigment ink, then onto the paper, pour on the clear embossing powder, heat & voila a nice coloured glistening image.

I just loved this colour combo together too: Close to Cocoa & Pink Pirouette - taken straight from the designer series paper - the best colour combo creator in my humble opinion.

Stamp set: Bird on a Branch, Vintage Vogue
Ink: Pretty in pink, Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Versamark
Paper: Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Candy Lane DSP
Other: Pink Pirouette striped grosgrain, eyelet border punch, latte button, sponge, clear embossing powder
Technique: Easel card

Cracked glass

I learnt this technique at my upline Jacque's class several months ago & just loved it.  This is the card I created in her class using Thoughts & Prayers stamp set:

As I don't own this set I had to improvise with another set & chose the very versatile Bird on a Branch - I just love the writing style of Thinking of You which comes with this set; which is only $39.95 for 5 stamps - phenomenal value!

Stamp set: Bird on a Branch (or Thoughts & Prayers)
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Mellow Moss, Versamark
Paper: Kraft, Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White, Urban Oasis DSP
Other: Gold Brads, 5/8" Bravo Burgundy grosgrain ribbon, clear EP, sponge
Contact me if you'd like to order any of these products.

To crack the "glass" you need to emboss the image at least 4 times with clear embossing powder, making sure that each layer is totally melted. Then freeze for ~20 minutes. The paper curls in the freezer but straightening it out cracks will appear, sponge into the cracks with mellow moss to emphasise them. You do use a lot of EP with this technique we used a pot creating 10 cards but we all agreed very pretty!

Happy KReatin'

Fox and Friends Swaps

I love demo swaps as they're so inspirational but when they make me want to add another stamp set to my wish list (yes even demos have wishlists) you have to go GRR & I think my team mates may have sold me on this adorable animal set - Fox and Friends - should be Fox plus 7 friends as it's a set of 8 & only $29.95 if you chose the unmounted option which I love.

From Rachael Knight - she really outdid herself with this one as she's also used the magnetic movers & shapers (another thing on my wish list - which is very long for some strange reason at the moment) and this is a real WOW card all right.

From Lisa Bullock a sweet card showing a few of Fox's friends

and from Jacque Pedersen a rather handsome lion with a punch flower from the Boho Blossoms punch to make him look really regal - I'm sure this would be a huge hit with most children. 

More big shot cards

These are another 3 from my team's demo swap last weekend (yep I do belong to a BIG team - so always have lots of fellow crafters for inspiration & guidance).

From Sally Williams: she's used the SU! Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder - the folder measure 11.4 x 14.6 cm & is just a tad larger than others on the market (RRP $18.95).

From Bev Poultney: also using the Polka Dots EF, plus the bird's wing from the large bird punch to create a tulip flower & another SU! exclusive Lots of Tags dies

From Ann Wills: the Manhattan Flowers EF plus the SU! Thanks embosslit - now how cool is this plus how easy!

Well I hope everyone's weekend is going well I'm down at the V8s in Hamilton but most likely I'm shopping or crafting whilst he's happy!

A very quick & easy thank you

I wanted to make a wee thank you card (or 2 or 3) & all the new tools in the Autumn Mini make it so easy.

I've cased the wee notecard on page 11 & made it in more "me colours" but still a wee bit of sexy pink AKA Melon Mambo to brighten it up.

Making the wee notecard 14 cm x 7 cm I can also get 6 out of one sheet of A4 card stock.

Stamp set: NONE
Ink: NONE
Paper: Bashful Blue, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss
Adhesive: Tombow liquid glue
Other: Big Shot & Stampin' Up! Thanks Embosslit die ($25.95 RRP)

Happy non-stampin'

Heard from the Heart

I've admired this stamp set from afar for awhile & so glad we've finally got it & it's phenomenal value $45.95 [W] or $36.95 [C]. I received 2 demo swaps on Saturday that had used it as part of their swap.

Heather Stewart was nominated as our WOW pick of the day with her lovely Fresh Notes card with our favourite DSP Cottage Wall and everyone's favourite punch!

Julia Leece's must have been a close runner-up as I just adored this - she's bleached the soft suede card stock to create the clouds - perfect for a reflective card or masculine.

Interestingly I see they've both used the same saying; the other 3 in the set are:

• welcome christmas into your heart

• kindness comes in many forms but always from your heart

• wishing you happiness today & always

More swaps to share

I can see lots of my team mates sharing our swapping from Saturday training & I haven't even finished sharing the ones from a month ago so here's a few more to whet your appetite.

From my incredibly talented upline Jacque Pedersen - a beautiful Pendant Park  (RRP $35.95) card which teams up with Friends 24-7 beautifully.

From Barbara Bicknell - is it a gift apple? no it's a soap with the All a Flutter (single stamp RRP $15.95).

Last but certainly not least - please take a bow Paula Dobson for this amazing decorated note pad - she's used the Autumn Days stamp set (RRP $36.95).

Well the next time the whole Creative Inkers get together we're hiring a hall and creating all day - if you like to join our team & have fun & meet these fantastic ladies I'd love to send you a no-obligation brochure about becoming a demonstrator drop me an e-mail karen@karenstampz.co.nz and do check out my FAQs page.

Well I'm busy creating my next lot of swaps 50-100 for convention which is about 5 weeks to go in Sydney, hopefully I won't be constructing them going over on the plane going over this year!

Happy stampin'

The last of my birthday mail

What a pleasant surprise to get home from demo training to find a birthday card from the very talented Pauline McCardle in my letter box - Pauline's work is exquisite which is why she's on the Elite Team at Up2 Scrap.

She's made me a gorgeous easel card with the Razzle Dazzle all covered in Crystal Effects - stunning & I'm sure the photo doesn't do it justice.

Looks who's popped into to see what's going on Mr Tiger! I think it got his tick of approval too.

With the change of seasons & the sun being low I don't think I can do Pauline's card justice - but here's a close up which may reveal a bit more detail. Anyone living in Napier I'd certainly contact her for a workshop or class schedule. She's also a rather special person too so well worth knowing - thanks Pauline you can be late with my birthday card anytime if they're as fabulous as this.

This was my first birthday card & it came all the way across the ditch from one of the Aussie demos at ESAD Kris McIntosh - isn't it gorgeous too.

And a lovely card from Kathryn & Clare Stirling - using last years in-colours with this year's hostess set An Echo of Kindness - I'm sure some of you may have heard about a renovation of the Stampin' Up! colours & yes it's true so one of these in-colours will be returning in September when we get our new Idea Book & Catalogue (unfortunately it's not Purely Pomegranate). If you'd like to know what is happening or what is coming make sure you do sign up for my monthly newsletter (you'll find the sign-up form on the right hand column).

And not to be forgotten Napoleon AKA Napster in the garden doing what he does best;

plus inspecting my weeding or checking out the cat nip!

Thanks for poppin' in & I do hope your weekend is going well.

Demo Swap time again

A few weeks ago I partook in a swap with about a dozen demos, tomorrow probably 3 dozen & in just over a months time convention & 100s of demos. I just realised I haven't shared the last lot & I'm just about to get a new lot. So in no particular order here's 3 of the first lot.

From Rachael Knight a gorgeous party favour box cut out with her new Big Shot die & the big stamp is Medallion again in Whisper White craft ink & a bit of Rich Razzleberry - just gorgeous.

From Denise Ibbett a "futuristic" baby card using Lots of Bots & Tiny Tags - plus that's metallic cardstock used as well.

From Julia Leece a cut diapers card created using her new Polka Dots embossing folder plus she's used a Sizzlit die to create the button (so cute!)

The wee pillow box die

Well this maybe the perfect wedding favour box or pretty wrapping for a small gift such as jewelery but I have to be honest I am disappointed with the smallness of the pillow box when assembled ~ 3-3/4 x 2-1/4".

But I love the leaves the Leaves #2 die cuts out, I can see these on a scrapbook page - did you know that depending upon the tension of your Big Shot machine it can cut out up to 6 layers - mine cuts 4 but still awesome - it's so effortless!

It may be Autumn but I have a Cottage Garden

I just love this set & it's matching DSP Cottage Wall & I love my unmounted stamps - I am a convert - hopefully after my 2nd launch party tonight so are all the attendees - this was the 3rd project that everyone got to make for free & Nyra Sinclair was the winner of my DSP, ribbon & in-colour card stock prize draw - congratulations Nyra your prize will be with your shopping!

Stamp set: Cottage Garden
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence, Basic Black
Paper: Orchid Opulence,  Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Cottage Wall DSP
Other: Eyelet border punch, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, dimensionals

This is a 4 x 4" notecard & the make n' take was improved by the attendees stamping the saying in the Razzleberry ink - looked even better - I love that we can learn from each other. That's the last of my Mini Launch party projects - a HUGE thank you to my friend Judy Beetson & fellow demo for her help.

Very vintage top note gift bag

This was the 2nd project that attendees got to KReate at my mini launch party. It's based on an idea by Angie Judea Kennedy.

Recipe:
Stamp sets: Cottage Garden, Very Vintage (wheel)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Paper: Kraft
Other: Big Shot, Top Note die, wide oval punch, small tag punch, linen thread, Rich Razzleberry polka-dot grosgrain ribbon, brown paper bag (non-SU!)
E-mail me to purchase or find out more

This project  was made possible as finally the Big Shot has been released to complement the already extensive range of products which is available from Stampin' Up! Ordering from a SU! demonstrator most orders are shipped out within 48 hours of receipt.

The Big Shot is a manual die cutting machine that you can cut shapes and emboss with. Although though not exclusive to Stampin’ Up! we are able to offer exclusive  dies and embossing folders  which complement our stamp sets. The Big Shot comes with a multipurpose platform so you can use dies, embossing plates, and other products from a wide variety of sources.

The dies released in the new Autumn Winter Mini catalogue range  from the slim  Sizzlits and Embosslits through to Bigz, Movers and Shapers and Bigz XL dies (using the extended cutting pads which can be purchased separately) plus two exclusive embossing folders plus an exclusive alphabet set.

My Birthday cards continued - more mini items to see

Gosh am I am lucky gal - 4 of my team also sent me birthday goodies KReated with the new mini products. They certainly have showcased the new in-colours & products beautifully - thank you all I certainly enjoyed receiving them. Looks like they all love Rich Razzleberry too!

From Debbie - a lovely Cottage Garden card with bling

From Sally - the new Manhattan Flower's embossing folder teamed up beautifully with Razzleberry dotted grosgrain & my favourite bird punch!

Rachael has created a really neat box using the scallop circle die and the large Medallion stamp and it even contains Easter eggs!!

Plus a matching gift card - with a one of our new Sizzlits dies & the very lovely Cottage Wall DSP

Gosh don't I belong to a talented group of stampers - all will be cased by moi I'm sure!