Easter Box

If you have some Tag a Bag boxes stashed away and you are looking for a last minute Easter idea...how about this?

This is another of the items we made in our Easter Treat class.

• The Tag a Bag Gift Boxes are super handy to have stashed away.
• The acetate sleeve has been run through the Big Shot using the Decorative Dots Embossing Folder which was a freebee during Sale-a-Bration.  If you missed out this will be available in the 2104 - 2015 Annual Catalogue!
• Add a tag using the Angles Tag Topper Punch - you can make any length of tag by inserting a 2" wide piece of card stock in and punching.  Even the hole is done for you.
• Embellish with a cute as can be peg.  These little pegs can be found in the Tag  Bag Accessory Kit.
• Finish off with some punched flowers:  The Petite Petals punch is one of the new punches in the Occasions mini, along with a co-ordinating stamp set.

I hope that has given you some inspiration for some gift giving.

Thanks for stopping by!

Anna

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

More Baby Cards!

Isn't this a cute idea??

 I love using plenty of white on baby cards, and then some subtles.

Here's the boy version.

Pretty easy to make a bunch of...

Thanks for stopping by!

Anna

Wonderful Washi

Our new washi tape comes out starting July 1st, in two sets with three designs in each set.  Want to see the Gingham Garden Set?

If you love using ribbon on a project you'll love washi.

It's very easy to use and looks so effective.

• Add washi tape straight to a project or use it through the Big Shot.  My butterfly is created by adding strips of washi to Whisper White, then cutting it out with the Beautiful Butterfly Bigz die
• Cut or tear washi tape - easy either way
• The pack of three patterns means the co-ordination is done for you...although I have a feeling I'll be using up the teeny flower pattern quicker than the other two!

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card:  Melon Mambo, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Ink:  Night of Navy
Tools:  Big Shot, Beautiful Butterfly Bigz die
Accessories:  Gingham Garden Washi tape, Ice Cream Parlour Buttons (retired), Linen Thread

Don't forget that time is running out to check what remains on the Retired List.

To view the full retired list click HERE.
To order email me at wheatonanna@hotmail.com or phone 55 765 469.
To order at my online store click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Anna

Baby Swipe Technique

This has nothing to do with grabbing babies from prams.

 

 

I first tried this technique using darker colours and it was disastrous!  But then I tried it in soft colours:  Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery.

 



• Fold a baby wipe into thirds and then thirds the other way.  Then fold the square in half.  This final fold is your swiping edge and should be about the width of your fingertips.
• Squeeze a drop of ink onto the fold, alternating with another colour:  I did three drops of Certainly Celery and three of Bashful Blue.  You'll end up with a line of ink drops.
• Swipe this across your glossy card, keeping your fingertips close to the edge, to give it firmness.  It helps to put a post it note under the card to create a 'handle'.
• Move your swiper along to create the next lot of stripes.  Once your whole card is full, turn the piece at right angles to swipe in the other direction, creating a soft blanket effect.

 

My technique improved with a few tries and I am sure I could now return to the darker colours and get a great result.  (I am now an experienced swiper.)

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Anna

 



Tool Time

Totally Tools is another of the sets retiring at the end of this month.

I've been making up some Father's Day cards and grabbed Totally Tools  for the occasion.

I love the look of layered punches and the 3.2 cm and 3.5 cm circle punches give this card a polished look. 

Stamps:  Totally Tools (available till the end of the month!), Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Woodland Walk DSP (retired), Whisper White

Ink:  Early Espresso

Tools:  3.2 cm Circle Punch, 3.5 cm Circle Punch, Word Window Punch

If you wish to order anything from the retired list, there is just over a week left.  Some things have run out already.

Thanks for stopping by!

Anna

Another card - two ways

This is another of the special occasion cards we made recently.  A wedding card.  My three thoughts about a wedding card were that it should be rich/regal, have sophistication and be weighty.  You know when you get a wedding invitation in the mail? - it feels heavier than any other mail.

This is the wedding card...

And this is the alternative which has a "For the Newlyweds" sentiment but this could easily be switched out for a Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary.

I found this design on Pinterest.

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler
Tools: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits die, Full Heart Punch

Thanks for stopping by!

Anna

Mother's Day Treat

I ran a freebee class at the local library last week.  We only had an hour and there is always a variety of experience amongst the participants. 

I used my favourite colour combo of Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Rich Razzleberry.  The treat is a Top Note piece scored with two lines 3 cm apart to fit a Tim Tam stick.  Very easy to do for a simple gift.  The ladies loved it.

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Fifth Avenue Floral, Bright Blossoms

Card:  Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Rich Razzleberry A4

Ink:  Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Rich Razzleberry

Tools:  1 3/4"  Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch

Accessories:  Pumpkin Pie 1.6 cm Satin Ribbon, Rich Razzleberry 6.4 mm Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread

Thanks for stopping by!

Anna

Sponged Get Well

I have shown you a few one layer cards using sponging.  This is one I experimented with for a recent class. 

I sponged through a wavey frame cut out of card stock and used three colours.  The image is from the Hostess set "Up in the Air" in the current Mini Catalogue which finishes up at the end of the month.  It has the sentiment "So Sweet" but I covered this with sticky tape after inking so that it didn't stamp.  A little bit of corner rounding is a nice touch too.  This is a really easy design to create.

SAB Update

Last week's Sale-a-Bration launch was a success in that we all had a fun time, but we also raised a bit of money.  Our raffle of goods donated by Stampin' Up! raised $90 for the Gold Coast Children's Hospital.  Thanks to everyone who bought tickets - most of my guests went away with a prize.  Thanks also to my first ever sponsor, my 10 year old son Zachary who contributed one dollar so that he could put his business cards in everyone's goody bag.  His blog is http://www.zaccars.blogspot.com/  Go visit and leave him a comment - he'd be thrilled.

Some cards!  Here are a few cards I had on display made using The Open Sea from the Summer Mini.

Baker's Twine is one of the exciting new products.  It's not quite this fuzzy in real life - that's my focus!

It's great for male cards and suits the Nautical Expedition Suite perfectly.

Stamps:  The Open Sea, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card:  Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Nautical Expedition DSP
Ink:  Not Quite Navy, Soft Suede
Tools:  Extra Large Tag Punch, Large Tag Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, 2mm Circle Punch
Accessories:  Cherry Cobbler/White Baker's Twine

And using the same suite....

Stampin' Up!s Distressing Essentials kit suggests this card has been on a few voyages.  I used the Tea Stain ink here to age the DSP.

And lastly... a few mini note cards..  The two sizes of tag punches are a quick and easy way to whip these up.

Thanks for stopping by!

Anna

Happy Graduation

Maisie, the daughter of a customer and friend is finishing primary school this week.  I remember those mixed feelings of excitement and sadness.  I made her this card to wish her luck.

The owl is dressed for the occasion again!  Does he ever get it wrong?

Stamps:  Medallion, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card:  Only Orange, Yoyo Yellow, Kaleidoscope DSP (all retired)

Ink:  Only Orange

Tools:  Owl Builder Punch,  Jewellery Tag Punch, 6.4cm Circle Punch

Accessories: Mini Brads

I apologise for the blue background.  My son has been using my camera and has changed some settings somehow!



Baby Booties

The new Stocking Tag Punch is not just for Christmas stockings.  Here I have used it for some cute baby cards.  Sorry the photo is a bit dull - it was taken on a rainy day.

And I love the Baby Tees jumbo wheel which I have never actually used as a wheel - I tend to roll out the pattern and then cut out the individual suits.  Sooo cute.

The gorgeous scallop circle is from the new Perfect Pennants die.

Stamps:  Stitched Stockings, Baby Tees Jumbo Wheel, Tiny Tags
Card:  Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette DSP (these patterns now retired, but the Subtles DSP Paper Stack is a beautiful alternative
Ink:  Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo
Tools:  Stocking Tag Punch, Jewellery Tag Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Perfect Pennants Bigz die for the Big Shot
Accessories:  Subtles Brads

Thoughts and Prayers

I borrowed this set from my sister to make some sympathy cards.
I inked the stamp in Pear Pizzazz then used a cotton bud to clean the ink off the flowers.  Using a Peach Parfait marker, I then coloured the flowers before stamping.  A simple technique.
Again, Teeny Tiny Sentiments comes to the rescue with exactly the right words.

Stamps:  Thoughts and Prayers, teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card:  Pear Pizzazz, Peach parfait, Whisper White
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait
Tools:  1/16" hole punch
Accessories:  Coloured brad

Blast Off

Pun Fun is one of my favourite sets.  It is so versatile.   I have used paper piecing on the rocket, stamping it on Celebrations DSP.  Do you like the rocket's jet trail?  This is from a Christmas set!  Season of Joy on page 20 has this cute little swirl which I coloured in three different inks to show the blasting off.

Works quite well, I think.

And...I am enjoying doing something on the inside of my cards lately too.
Stamps:  Pun Fun, Season of Joy, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card:  Pacific Point, Real Red, Whisper White, Celebrations DSP
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Real Red

Sweet Summer Sympathy

I have CASEd this card from Stampin' Connection our demonstrator forum.  Paula Dobson designed this card and used Early Espresso colours.  I chose Night of Navy.  I was trying to work out which stamp she used then realised it was one of the images from Sweet Summer, one of our Sale-a-Bration sets, which she had coloured in using her Stampin' Write markers.

I am enjoying using sponging on many of my cards lately.  Do you like the way the design is reflected inside the card?

Don't forget that Sale-a-Bration finishes at the end of March. 

Stamps:  Sweet Summer, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card:  Whisper White, Night of Navy

Ink:  Night of Navy

Tools:  Scorer, Sponges

Delicate Birthdays

Pocket Silhouettes is a delightful set of delicate floral images.  I love that we now have Designer Series Paper Packs in every colour family which make putting together a quick co-ordinating card soooo easy.  The large circle is cut out using the Circle Scissors.  I made these for two lovely girls who are friends of our family.

One is made using Blushing Bride colour scheme and the other uses Peach Parfait, both subtle In Colors.

Do you like the button detail?  It is so easy to attach buttons and ribbon using the Glue Dots and they stay put!

Stamps:  Pocket Silhouettes, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card:  Blushing Bride A4, Peach Parfait A4, In Color Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White
Ink:  Blushing Bride, Peach Parfait, Basic Black
Tools:  Circle Scissors Plus, Mini Glue Dots
Accessories:  Bitty Buttons, Linen Thread

Inlaid Embossing

What do you think of this technique? It's called Inlaid Embossing. I found a card on Stampin' Connection, a site where demonstrators swap ideas. This is one of the cards we'll be doing at my Big Shot workshop. Thursday February 24th, 9.30 till 12 or 7 till 9.30. Email me if you'd like to attend wheatonanna@hotmail.com

You don't have to own a Big Shot to attend and you'll come away with some beautiful products.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Pink Pirouette, Rick Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, Whisper White

Ink: Rich Razzleberry

Tools: Heart to Heart Punch, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Scallop Trim Border, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

I'll show you another card using this technique in my next post!

Open House

I have been a little slack with blog posts, holidays and all. Thanks to everyone who came to my Open House last Saturday. It was a fantastic turnout of positive people. After a workshop or Open House, there are always 'card guts' left over - that is, cardstock that has been cut for make and takes, but not used. If it's measured and cut, that's half the job done so I sat down and finished some of the cards that hadn't been completed. This is a little thankyou note we made up.

Summer Mini peek - Aviary

I am still enjoying a browse through the new catalogue but it is almost time for the Summer Mini, released December 1st.  I'll give  you a peek at a few of the things on offer over the next few posts.

One of the darling sets available in clear or wood mount is Aviary - so cute.  I have been making a bunch of note cards for a mini market this weekend and used some of the images from this set.

This owl is so cute, SU! could sell him on his own.  I made the first lot of notecards with him in a cage but then decided he should be free so I just layered him on a couple of circle punches and the scallop circle punch.

Like the bag topper? - that's the Top Note die from the Big Shot.  It's designed to be a bag topper, but there are hundreds of other uses for it. 

Stamps:  Aviary (coming soon!), Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card:  Whisper White, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango
Ink:  Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive
Tools:  1 3/4" circle punch. 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 3/4" Scallop circle punch, Word Window punch, Big Shot, Top Note Bigz die
Accessories:  Medium cello bags, Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Tempting Turquoise 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Mini Square envelopes (7.9 x 7.9 cm)

Asian Artistry

This beautiful stamp set is now retired but I love its images.  Using the Stampin' Write marker brush tips, it is easy to ink up parts of the images in different colours.  The Haiku DSP, also retired, matches perfectly.  I was asked to make a few sympathy cards and these images fitted the request. 
Stampin' Write markers are dual tipped: a fine tip for details and a brush tip for wider colour application.  They are only $5.75 each and available in all the colours.