Fast and Fabulous - Hostess Set

Today I decided to create with the Level 2 Hostess set FAST AND FABULOUS. One of the beautiful stamp sets that are Free and exclusive to the Hostess of a qualifying workshop.

 I love this particular set because you can use a number of techniques with it.  Today I used the 2-step stampin' technique.  This is where you use a lighter ink, in my case I used Daffodil Delight, for the base image then use a darker colour (Soft Suede) for the overlay image.

Here is a close-up showing the 2-step Stampin' Technique.  It is so easy to do and so affective.

Would you like to know how to do this, and other techniques and earn FREE, EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTS at the same time?  Host a workshop. Contact me today for more details.

Supplies:
Stamps: Fast & Fabulous, Oval All
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede
Card: Soft Suede, Blushing Bride, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Blushing Bride DP, 1-3/4 x 7/8" Oval Large Punch, Scallop Oval Extra-Large Punch, Little Leaves Sizzlit Die, Basic Pearls, Blushing Bride 1/2" stitched-poly ribbon 

Nature Walk

Today I am showing off a card made for our dear friend June. We met June through bowls and she is such a wonderful caring person. She has taken my son under her wing so a special card was required. I decided to use the beautiful Nature Walk stamp set.

The little bird in this set reminds me of all the birds in my garden at the moment, busily collecting to build their nests and raise their young.  

The colours used are Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive which go so well together, with the bird stamped in Soft Suede.  The card was finished off with Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding Ribbon scrunched across the corner of the image.  

Creating this affect with ribbon is so easy.  Invite some friends round for a creative party and I could come along and show you all this and other ribbon techniques.  Interested?  Email me for more details. 

Supplies:

Stamps: Nature Walk

Card: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Soft Suede

Accessories: Brights DP Stack, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding Ribbon, Basic Pearls

Birthday for my husband

My dearest Hubby had a birthday on Tuesday.  He had to work, but we went out for the evening at the local American Diner.  Why is it their burgers taste so much better than what you get a home. LOL

Anyway A male card was required.  I have to admit I find it really difficult to design male cards, but Stampin' Up! solved my problem in the new Mini Catalogue.  They released a single stamp of a motorbike and as my hubby used work with and own a motorbike, I just knew it was the one to use.

Now I just love Red shiny paintwork on motorbikes, so I decided to colour the tank and mudguards red and then placed Crystal Effects over the top to give the look of beautiful shiny paint.

Yet again Red paper from the  Brights Designer Paper stack was used.  (I really can't do without these papers)

Supplies:
Stamps: Motorcycle, Curly Cute
Ink: Basic Black
Card: Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red
Accessories: Real Red & Old Olive markers, Brights DP stack, Crystal Effects

Paper Flowers Tutorial

I have had quite a few requests asking how I made the flower in my previous post. Now I don't claim to have invented this, there are tons of tutorials out in blog land showing how to make paper flowers! but here is mine for my followers. x

I made my flowers with the following Stampin' Up! punches.

Boho Blossoms Extra Large

5-Petal Flower Extra large

Fancy Flower Extra Large

I used Pink Pirouette card stock and punched THREE of each of the 5-Petal Flower and the Fancy Flower.  Then I punched THREE of the pointy star shape from the Boho Blossom punch (Note: you can punch these from the little scraps of card left over from punching the other shapes)

Take the three smaller shapes and layer on top of each other but each one slightly off centre from the one below.  With a paper piercer make a hole in the centre and pop a brad through. Layer the 3 x 5-petal punched shapes, again off centre make a hole and place the brad through these.  Do the same with the 3 x Fancy flower shapes.  Open the brad at the back to secure the layers together.  They should look like this.

Now comes to the fun bit.  Spray the flower with water then start to scrunch up each layer towards the centre of the flower.  I found using my paper piercer to lift each petal made the task a lot easier.

Continue scrunching up each layer.  You will notice as you lift each layer there will be sone dry patches left on the card underneath.  Spray some more water on these areas to make it easier to scrunch the layers.

Continue scrunching up the petals until it looks like this.  (Note the more tightly you scrunch the better your flower will look)

Now we start to unfold each petal.  Take care as your card is now very wet and quite fragile.  I found it best to fold each layer one by one and I used my piercing tool to tease each petal.

When you get to the centre, you can either tease the petals quite flat or leave them quite scrunched.  Continue teasing your layers into the shape you like.

Leave your flowers to dry (I left mine overnight) and once dry they will be quite sturdy.  I finished mine off with a Stampin' Up! Basic Pearl in the centre of the flower.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and will have a go at making your own.  

They are so easy to make. 

                                

                                     *************************************

For anyone wishing to purchase the three punches to enable to make flowers just like mine, I am offering a special package until the end of the month (31st May 2011)

1 x Boho Blossoms Punch

1 x 5-Petal Flower Punch

1 x Fancy Flower Punch

1 x Pack of A4 card stock  (20 sheets 2 each in 10 colours) You choose which colour collection

Buy for £57 delivered to your door and receive a pack of Basic Pearls (worth £4.50) FREE.

Please email me if you wish to take advantage of this bundle offer.

Paper Flowers

At last I found myself able to craft today. The last week or so has been a little manic. Many of you that know me, know that my son plays cricket and this week the season kicked off (or should that be bowled off) lol. He plays for the U13 and U15 teams as well as in one of the Saturday teams. To top this he also plays bowls for the local club and next weekend is in trials to be selected to play for Suffolk U25 team. This last week we have had 3 cricket matches and 2 bowls matches so I haven't been home much.  But today we where all at home for a welcomed rest.

I decided to have a go at making some paper flowers.

I was so pleased how it turned out. I decided to use Pink Pirouette card as I wanted to try and make a vintage style flower and thought this a suitable colour.  I loved the flower so much I couldn't wait to get using it.  I decided to create a pillow box using my new BIG SHOT and PILLOW BOX die in Baja Breeze card.

I love these two colours together, they seem so romantic.  The leaves are made from Pear Pizzazz card using the new sizzlits die 'Little Leaves' from the mini catalogue.

I am now experimenting with different colours for the flowers, so expect some more flower related projects soon.

This next week is another sport filled week so I best get myself organised with crafting I can complete on the go.

See you soon. x