Sandra's Stamping Spot

JAI 107 Just Add Nikki Spencer ......

2012-03-07T13:36:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone!

I have been a long time follower of the amazingly talented Nikki Spencer so when I saw that this weeks JAI theme was to CASE Nikki, I just knew that I had to play along! The only problem was which card to CASE :)

This is the gorgeous card that I chose to CASE (you can find Nikki's original blog post here)

and here's my take on it -

I was inspired by so many things on Nikki's card. On the 2nd layer there was the stitching around the top half and the crimping along the bottom. I don't have a crimper, so I substituted with the Stripes embossing folder. For the centre panel, I've used MFT Die-namic Upsey Daisies die. I also loved how Nikki did her ribbon so I've attached it with an antique brad and flagged the end.

Here's a close up of the daisy-

I love reading your comments! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Don't Open Until for The Stamp Spot....

2012-02-27T10:00:00.005+11:00

Hi Everyone!

Just a quick post today. I spent most of yesterday in the ER with my eldest son. He was severly dehydrated due to vomiting and had to be hooked up to a drip. He's feeling a lot better today but I'm still trying to catch up on my sleep. It's amazing how exhausting sitting around doing nothing is :)

Today's card is one that I created for The Stamp Spot.

It's my first card using my new Copics. I've still got a lot to learn but they are a lot of fun :)

I love reading your comments! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Copics - Hair- E35, E37, E39 Skin- E00, E21, E30, E31 Dress- V12, V15, V17 Present- RV23, RV25 Bow- RV10, RV11 Grass- YG63, YG67

Cardstock - Su! - Pretty in Pink DSP and card, Whisper White and Wisteria Wonder. Express it blending card

Ink - Memento black

Ribbon - SU! whisper white tafetta

Just Add Ink #105 and Card Patterns #153 ......

2012-02-22T00:07:00.001+11:00

Hi Everyone!

It feels like ages since I had the chance to play along with the Just Add Ink team. As soon as I seen the beautiful spring colours of this weeks challenges I instantly thought of Easter but with it still nearly 2 months away, I'd decided to not go there just yet :)

I'm pairing it up with the fantastic Card Patterns sketch. So many wonderful options with this one!

I challenged myself to use a stamp set that hasn't seen ink in awhile and I'm so glad that I did :) I really like this Vintage Vogue set.

I love reading your comments! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Supplies- All Su!

Stamp - Vintage Vogue, Teeny Tine Sentiments

Ink - Pool Party, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Wisteria Wonder, Versamark

Cardstock - Pool Party, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White

Other - Pearls, Clear Embossing powder, twine

Magnolia ......

2012-02-21T11:50:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone!

Today I have something a little bit different for you. I've coloured in a Just Magnolia image using this tutorial again to colour it in with my Stampin' Write markers on water colour paper.

On the weekend I did a Copic Markers beginners course. WoW! I've been practising and I'm getting pretty good colouring hair and skin (even if I do say so myself! LOL) I haven't got many colours yet, so it's a bit hard to complete a full image but as soon as I do, I'll be sure to share :)

I'm linking this tag to the Just Magnolia challenge - make a tag.

I love reading your comments! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Supplies -
Cardstock - SU! - Kraft, Rose Red, watercolour paper, First Edition DSP
Various SU! Stampin Write Markers, Blender Pen
Ink - StazOn, Ranger Distress Ink's - walnut stain, brushed corduroy, tea stain
Inkssentials tool and sponges and SU! lace

Freshly Made Sketches #22 and Festive Friday #5....

2012-02-16T07:54:00.002+11:00

Hi Everyone!

Just a really quick post this morning as I have to go to work.

Today's card is a combination of the Freshly Made Sketches (great sketch, Jen!) and because I still had the stamp set Tidings of Joy sitting on my desk from this card, I thought I'd make another Christmas card to cross off my list and join it to Nicole's Festive Friday.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

Freshly Made Sketches #21 ......

2012-02-13T22:52:00.001+11:00

Hi Everybody!

Today's card is made using the Freshly Made Sketches #21 sketch

I was trying for a vintage style card but with a splash of colour. What do you think?

I love reading your comments! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

ETA - This card was picked for a "Perfect Princess"!

I'll be back later with a supply list

Merry Monday #6....

2012-02-11T23:50:00.001+11:00

Hi Everybody!

I know I've been a bit slack posting this last week but hopefully you'll forgive me when you see my card today :)

I've used Lesley's, Merry Monday #6 sketch (although, I did move the small circle element to better suit my card) -

my card-

I had so much fun colouring in this image from SU! Tidings of Joy. I came across this fantastic tutorial on how to use Stampin' Up! markers like Copic markers and I'm so happy with the results. What do you think?

I love reading your comments! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Stampin Write Markers used - Blender pen, Blush Blossom, Basic Gray, Going Grey, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Creamy Caramel, Sahara Sand, Close to Cocoa, River, Rock, Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Old Olive, Marina Mist, Real Red

With Love and a Mini Envelope Tutorial........

2012-01-23T10:13:00.001+11:00

Hi Everyone!

I needed to make a card for my youngest son's, little girl friend who is turning 4 on Valentines Day. I thought it would be nice for her birthday card to have a Valentines feel to it. I've seen quite a few cards in blog land that have the envelopes with hearts coming out of it but thought I'd put my own spin on it.

Here's the Just Add Ink #101 sketch that I used-

I don't have the Scallop Envelope die so I made a mini envelope using the Scallop Square Die. I also put together a quick mini tutorial on how I did it-

The blue dotted lines are score lines and the red solid lines are cut lines.

This is what it should like once it's scored and cut.

Place a small piece of adhesive in the corner of one flap so that when you fold them in, it adheres together as in above picture.

Place adhesive on the side edges of bottom flap and fold over.

Finished envelope measures 6.5cm's square closed over 6.5 x 10cm's open.

I'm also entering this card into Unstampabelles Challenges #7 - anything goes (there's no stamps on this one) and Shirley's Valentine Blog Hop #1 (well, it is a Valentines birthday card LOL :)

I love reading your comments! And remember, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. If you use my mini envelope tutorial, please let me know so I can come and have a look!

Supplies- (All SU! unless stated)

Card stock - Rose Red, Soft Suede, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake,

Ink - Crumb Cake

Sentiment - printed on my computer

Other - Big Shot, Scallop Square Die, Hearts and Brackets Die (retired), sponge daubers, snail, liquid glue

Merry Monday #3.....

2012-01-21T09:31:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone!

This morning I have two cards that I made for Lesley's Merry Monday Challenge #3

I was cleaning out my tea towel drawer in the kitchen the other day and came across some cute Christmas angel tags from a few years back and thought that they might look really pretty on a card. I have no idea what they were doing in that draw though!! LOL

It's hard to see in the photo but I've stamped the snow flake image from Short and Sweet in Versamark on the background and then applied Heat & Stick powder and then dazzling diamonds to give them a bit of sparkle like the glimmer paper oval. The sentiment is from Something for Christmas. I fussy cut around the angel and popped her up on dimensionals.

I love reading your comments! And remember, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

The Paper Players #78 and Card Patterns #148.....

2012-01-18T00:15:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone!

Today's card is a combination of two challenges -

The Paper Players #78

Card Patterns #148

At first I struggled a bit with the colour combination but now that my card's finished, I really like how these colours look together. I also decided to mirror image the sketch to better suit the bird.

Don't look too closely at the stitching LOL My three year old was sitting on my lap helping me sew. He told me it looked "really cool" when we were finished :)

I love reading your comments! And remember, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

I'll be back later with a supply list

CR84FN #46 and Sketchbook Saturday Challenge #45......

2012-01-15T22:23:00.001+11:00

Hi Everyone!

The card that I have to share with you today is a combination of two challenges-

CR84FN Color Challenge

and Chupa's Sketchbook Saturday Challenge #45 -

my card-

I think I'm addicted to watercolouring the Fabulous Florets flowers! And to think I had them sitting on my desk for so long uninked!! LOL :)

I love reading your comments! And remember, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Supplies - (all SU! unless otherwise stated)

Stamp set- Fabulous Florets, Occassional Quotes

Cardstock- So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla, watercolour paper, Subtles Collection DSP

Ink- StazOn, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron,

Other- Big Shot, Tasteful Trim Die, Labels Fifteen (Nestabilities), Pearls, whisper white satin ribbon

Fabulous Florets ........

2012-01-14T23:21:00.002+11:00

Hi Everyone!

I've got a combination of three challenges for you today.

colourQ challenge #119

Stamping 411 #238

The Friday Mash Up #41

(I decided to make a thank you card but not mash it up with DSP)

My card -

and a close up -

I actually won this stamp set "Fabulous Florets" at Stampin' Up! Regionals last September, but this is my very first time inking it up. I think you might be seeing this one again soon though :)

I love reading your comments! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Merry Monday Challenge #2.....

2012-01-10T23:06:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone!

In yesterday's post I mentioned that I didn't have the time to make any Christmas cards last year. Well, my dear blogging friend, Lesley, commented that I should check out her blog for her latest challenge. The challenge is called "Merry Monday" and it's a fun challenge for you to create one Christmas card for your stash each week. What a great idea!!

Here's Lesley's sketch -

And here's what I came up with -

and a closer view -

(Ooops! Please excuse the photo quality - I just noticed that the camera lense must need a good clean :)

I really enjoyed making this card! The ornaments on the image panel have been stamped and then clear embossed to give them a lovely, glossy shine and some texture. I didn't have a Christmas sentiment stamp to fit the space, so I used a rub on that I had in my stash. The red Glimmer Paper was cut with the Two Tags die and then popped up on dimensionals.

I love reading your comments! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Freshly Made Sketches #16 and Less is More #49....

2012-01-09T22:11:00.001+11:00

Hi Everyone!

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and New Year! I still can't believe that I didn't make even one handmade Christmas card this year. Oh well, that's the joy of working retail at Christmas time. I've just started two weeks holiday, so hopefully I'll get the chance to play along with all my favourite challenges :)

Today's card is a combination of two challenges. Freshly Made Sketches -

and Less is More - Predominantly Purple.

After such a long break from crafting, it took me far too long to put this card together! LOL We're going to a Naming Day this weekend and thought the different purples would make a lovely card for a little girl. I decided to flip the sketch to fit all three butterflies on.

I love reading your comments! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Flashback Friday #17 Your First Banner.......

2011-11-05T18:10:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone!

This month Flashback Friday is asking to see our very first banner.

I created this banner last Christmas. You can see the original post here.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I love reading your comments!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Rolled Roses....

2011-10-31T23:13:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone!

It seems like ages since I've joined in on a Case Study Challenge. When I first saw this month's muse, Niki Estes beautiful creation, I just knew that I had to play along.

Here's my card -

a close up of the gorgeous rolled roses .... I love them!

There are lots of things that inspired me with this card. The square shape, the sponged shape behind the flower,as well as the stamped background.

I'm also entering this card into 4 CraftyChicks ~ Paper Piercing (it's hard to see in the photo but the Cherry Cobbler layer is paper pierced) and Pals Paper Arts ~ Ribbon.

I love reading your comments! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Supplies - (all SU! unless otherwise noted)
Card Stock - Blushing Bride, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Old Olive
Stamp - Elements of Style
Ink - Crumb Cake
Other - Big Shot, Nestabilities Labels Fifteen, MFT Rolled Rose die, Crumb Cake seam binding, Basic Pearls, TomBow, snail, dimensionals, sponge dauber

A Halloween Ghost...

2011-10-23T11:13:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone!

Today I have another entry into Shirley's Monday Monster Mash to share with you

Kind of cute, isn't he??? Although that black shape under his eyes is suppose to be an open mouth but now that I look at it, it looks more like Bert's nose from Sesame Street :) I cut the ghost free hand out of felt, so there's lots of texture on this one.

As always, I love reading your comments! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

(I'll be back later with a supply list)

Guest Designer at Freshly Made Sketches......

2011-10-19T17:08:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone!

I am so excited to be this weeks Guest Designer over at Freshly Made Sketches where the emphasis is on clean cards but not necessarily "simple". I just love this style of card making!

Here's my card-

I received Under the Big Top at Stampin' Up! Regionals last month and this was my first time playing with it. I wasn't too sure about this set to begin with, but with it's fun images and brightly coloured matching DSP, it's just perfect for kids (big and little)!

I hope you'll take the time to check out the Freshly Made Sketches DT's wonderful creations this week and maybe even play along if you get the chance.

As always, I love reading your comments! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Supplies - (all Stampin' Up!)
Stamp - Under the Big Top
Card stock- Whisper, White, Basic Gray, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait. Big Top Birthday DSP.
Ink - StazOn.
Stampin' Write Markers - Real Red, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight
Other- Big Shot, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die, 1 1/4" Circle punch Large and Small Star punches (retired), snail, dimensionals, hot glue gun (non SU)

A Cute Spider .....

2011-10-13T14:59:00.002+11:00

Hi Everyone!

Today I thought that I'd add a cute spider to my Halloween hall stand collection.

Doesn't he look cute on the Old Olive Spider DSP from Frightful Sight? Kind of like he's sitting on his spiders web! :)

The inspiration came from here although I did change it a bit. I decided my spider really needed 8 legs :) So I've done a mini tutorial to show you how I did it.

To make the legs small enough to fit around a 1 3/4" circle, I punched 8 of the small corners in black cardstock with the Photo Corners punch (retired). I then punched 8 large corners from the same punch in old olive.

Attach the center corner of a small punched corner to the sticky edge of a post-it-note. This gives you something to hold onto while you repunch them.

Slide the corner into the large corner of the punch but don't push it in all the way. Just place it in about 2/3rd like the next photo and then punch

This is what you'll end up with

You then layer the smallest piece on top of the black small punched corners and arrange around the circle to create your spider.

You can leave it like it is or you can make a lollie and glue it on to create a bigger decoration.

I'm going to enter this cute little spider into this week's Monster Mash

And I've just realised that there is not a single stamp in sight on this project, so I'm also entering it into the UnstampaBelles Fall/Autumn challenge.

As always, I love reading your comments! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Supplies- (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise stated)
cardstock- Basic Black, Old Olive, Frightful Sight DSP
other- snail, hot glue gun (not SU!) silver gel pen (not SU!) googley eyes (not SU!)

Do you want to Play along with the Monster Mash Blog Hop.?

Here are the rules:

1. It has to be Halloween, card or 3D item.

2. It does not have to be 100% SU 80% is ok.

3. Yes using Retired is OK...

4. Use my Monster Mash Badge/Graphic in your post and a link back to my blog.

5. Add your card to the blog hop then put the code on your post.

6. You can enter as many times as you like, just has to be a new card and post.

Little Pumpkins.......

2011-10-12T15:22:00.001+11:00

Hi Everyone!

Today I have some little pumpkins that I made to share with you all!

I was inspired to make these from here. I thought I'd use the same idea to make cute little pumpkin Hershey Nugget holders as well.

Here's a top view-

and one from behind-

Cute, hey? I've decided to decorate my hall table for Halloween this year and these look soooo cute sitting with the other Halloween decorations I've collected so far.

I'm also entering them into Shirley's Monster Mash. Be sure to check out the other entries at the end of this post. Lots of cute Halloween ideas!

As always, I love reading your comments! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Supplies- (all Stampin' Up!)
stamp - Elements of Style
card stock - Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso, Old Olive,
ink- Pumpkin Pie, Versamark
other - Scallop circle punch, Clear embossing powder, heat gun, sponge dauber, snail, sticky strip

Do you want to Play along with the Monster Mash Blog Hop.?

Here are the rules:

1. It has to be Halloween, card or 3D item.

2. It does not have to be 100% SU 80% is ok.

3. Yes using Retired is OK...

4. Use my Monster Mash Badge/Graphic in your post and a link back to my blog.

5. Add your card to the blog hop then put the code on your post.

6. You can enter as many times as you like, just has to be a new card and post.

Happy World Card Making Day!

2011-10-01T16:50:00.003+10:00

Happy World Card Making Day!

I haven't really been in a card making mood lately due to having two deaths in our family in just eight days :( It's been really hard, but a good friend once told me that stamping is good therapy so I thought I'd play along with a few challenges today.

This is my first time playing along with Freshly Made Sketches. The idea behind this challenge site is to keep your interpretation of the sketch CLEAN. Not Clean and Simple...just CLEAN! I think these challenges are perfect for my style of stamping! :)

Here's what I came up with -

and in the spirit of World Card Making Day, I thought I'd show you the inside too

A friend is having a Halloween fancy dress theme birthday party the week before Halloween. I thought it might be fun to give her a Halloween birthday card using my new Little Boo stamp (isn't he just the cutest little ghost ever??!) and the Frightful Sight DSP. I really like how the ghost tag looks a bit like a headstone.

I heat embossed the Little Boo stamp with black embossing powder before colouring in the Jack-O-Lantern and 'Boo" with my Stampin Write markers. So, I thought I'd enter this card in the Pals Paper Arts heat embossing challenge as well.

And I'm also entering this into Shirley's Monday Monster Mash Blog Hop Week 7

As always, I love reading your comments! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Supplies- (all Stampin' Up!)
Stamp - Little Boo, Party This way
DSP - Frightful Sight
Card Stock - Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Basic Gray, Whisper White
Other - Big Shot, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die, Scallop Circle punch, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers, snail

My Sydney Regional Swap Card .....

2011-09-15T16:49:00.000+10:00

I'm sorry it's been awhile since I last posted. Sadly, my Nan passed away on Sunday, September 11th. 10 years ago this is the date that changed the world. It has been a day of reflection and sorrow ever since. Now it has a lot more personal meaning to me. For those of you that have been following my blog - amazingly, DH's Grandmother is still with us, but they don't know for how much longer.

Now, onto nicer things :) I thought I would share with you the swap that I made for my very first Regional held in Sydney last weekend.

I CASE'd myself with this one :) I just updated the flower to one from the current catalogue.

As always, I love reading your comments and if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask!

Supplies (All Stampin' Up!)
Stamp - Vintage Vogue, En Francais
Ink - VersaMark, Crumb Cake, Rose Red, Perfect Plum
Card Stock - Crumb Cake, Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Very Vanilla, Old Olive
Ribbon - Crumb Cake Seam Binding
Other - Big Shot, Top Note Bigz Die, Little Leaves Die, Eyelet Border Punch, Pearls Basic Jewels, Sponge Daubers, Snail, Paper Snips, Multipurpose Liquid Glue

Join Stampin' Up! for Just $169.

2011-09-05T14:59:00.001+10:00

During September, you can join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator for only $169! The limited-time mini Starter Kit-valued at over $310-comes with the high-quality products listed below:
$169 Mini Starter Kit

Easy Events Clear-Mount Set*
Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set*
Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
A4 Smooth Card Stock Assortment
Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper*
Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon*
Notes Cards (20)
Clear-Mount Block C
Blender Pen (1)
SNAIL Adhesive
Business supplies

*New to the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue

Or, if you want the full Starter Kit, you can get it 20 percent off during September only! That's over $610 worth of premium Stampin' Up! products and business supplies for just $231.20! See what's included in the full Starter Kit here.

Join Stampin' Up! in September and get brand-new products for just $169! Contact me by email or ph. 0403 776 910 to get started today.

Stampin' Up! 2011 - 2012 Idea Book & Catalogue is here!

2011-09-04T12:17:00.000+10:00

The new Stampin' Up! 2011 - 2012 Idea Book & catalogue has finally arrived! Well, actually it started on the 1st of September but I'm running a bit behind. Let me tell you though, it is well worth the wait. There are so many yummy new stamp sets and accessories to drool over.

You can view the IB&C online here

If you don't already have a demonstrator, I can send you a copy for only $15 (including postage) anywhere in Australia. Or why not book a workshop with me and recieve your own copy for free? Just email me for more details.

The Paper Players #61 I'm here for you ......

2011-08-28T21:36:00.000+10:00

Sadly, this is my last week as a Summer Guest Designer with The Paper Players. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute working with these super creative ladies and have had so much fun over the last 3 months! Thank you so much for having me!!

This week Jaydee has a sketch for us

I was in a very sombre mood when making this card. I had just got home from the hospital after saying what will probably be my last goodbyes to my hubby's dear Grandmother. I decided to make a Thinking of You card that could also be a sympathy card.

I'm hoping to get the opportunity to make another card using this great sketch later this week, so be sure to check back :)

We hope that you will join The Paper Players this week! I can't wait to see what you all come up with! Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations as well.

The Paper Players Design Team

As always, I love reading your comments! And remember if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Supplies - (All Stampin' Up! unless other wise stated)

Stamp - Occasional Quotes, Pendant Park

Card stock - Early Espresso, Kraft, Very Vanilla

Other - Early Espresso Striped Grosgrain ribbon, Colour Spitzer, Chocolate Chip SU! marker, twine (non SU!) Big Shot, circle die (non SU!), snail, dimensionals

The Friday Mashup #20 Sweet as a Button .....

2011-08-23T18:00:00.002+10:00

This week the Friday Mashup have a super fun challenge!

Create a project using Buttons .
or Create a project featuring "Cupcakes".
or "Mash it Up!" and create a project with Cupcakes & Buttons!

I had the idea to make a card like this a little while ago but never had the chance. This was the perfect opportunity!

I modified my self standing flower pot card and made it into a self standing cupcake card!!

the inside-

and a side view-

If there's enough interest, I'm happy to do a tutorial for my cupcake card. Just be sure to let me know by commenting :)

As always, I love reading your comments! Remember if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Supplies- (All Stampin' Up! unless otherwise stated)

Card stock - Cherry Cobbler, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Ink - Early Espresso, Rose Red, Cherry Cobbler
Other - Big Shot, Sweet Buttons Embosslits, Crystal Effects, bakers twine (non Stampin' Up!) Regals DSP Stack (Cherry Cobbler) Tombow glue, Dazzling Diamonds, snail, sticky strip

The Paper Players #60 ..........

2011-08-21T21:19:00.001+10:00

Hi Everyone!

This week at The Paper Players LeAnne has her very first sketch challenge for us all to play along with.

My card's not very CAS, but I absolutely love the vintage look of it so here it is -

We hope that you will join The Paper Players this week! I can't wait to see what you all come up with! Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations as well.

The Paper Players Design Team

As always, I love reading your comments! Remember if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Supplies - (All Stampin' Up!)

Stamp - Happiness Shared

Card stock - Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Water colour paper

Ink - Crumb Cake, Blushing Bride, Bravo Burgundy, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Early Espresso

Other - Pearls, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing folder, Early Espresso satin ribbon, snail, dimensionals, Blender Pen

The Paper Players #59 ......

2011-08-14T21:08:00.001+10:00

Anne Marie has a very Pink colour challenge over at The Paper Players this week.

I must admit that I was a little bit stumped at first but once I had all the colours out on my desk, it came together pretty quickly. Here's what I came up with -

If you would like to find out how to make my ribbon carnations, you can find my free tutorial here.

I also used this weeks Create with Connie and Mary sketch-

We hope that you will join The Paper Players this week! Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!

The Paper Players Design Team

Carrie Gaskin GD

As always, I love reading your comments and if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask!

A Thing of Beauty .....

2011-08-13T20:57:00.001+10:00

I am so excited! I have received this award not once, but twice in the last couple of weeks! How cool is that???

A very big thank you to both Monique and Kerry!

First off, I have to share 5 things about myself -

1. When I was little I really wanted to be an UFO investigator when I grew up!

2. Not too surprising, but I'm NOT an UFO investigator now that I have grown up LOL :)

3. My kids and I LOVE Chinese take away. We would eat it every day if we could.

4. My favourite animal is the hippo.

5. I would like to take a photography course one day.

Now for the hard part .... I have to pass on this award to 5 fellow bloggers. It was really hard to narrow it down to just 5, but here goes -

1. Bronwyn Eastley of addINKtive designs
2. Lesley Croghan of Always Playing with Paper
3. Jen Mitchell of I Create
4. Heidi Baks of RunningwScissorsStamper
5. Sharon Field of Created By You

Make sure you drop by their blogs to check out all their wonderful creations. I'm sure you will be in awe of their amazing talent just as much as I am.

Birthday Blog Hop.....

2011-08-08T18:50:00.006+10:00

Today is a very special day indeed! It's Lesley Croghan's birthday! Lesley is the founder of the Paper Players. I am so happy that I have had the chance to know Lesley better since being a Summer Guest Designer. She is always there with a friendly, encouraging word. I am so lucky that I can now call her friend.

Happy Birthday, Leslie!

To help Lesley celebrate her birthday, Nance has organised a Surprise Birthday Blog Hop.

I've noticed that Lesley's favourite colour at the moment is Poppy Parade so I decided to make a card and matching gift bag using this colour just for her :)

We hope that you'll enjoy Lesley's Birthday Blog Hop. You can find the list of blogs below. Don't forgot to stop by Lesley's blog to wish her a very Happy Birthday.

Birthday Blog Hoppers -

Anne Marie Hile - Stampin’ Anne
Carrie Gaskin - Artistic Avenger
Cindy Beach - Stamps, Paper and Ink
Jaydee - Stampin’ with Jaydee
Jen Mitchell - I Create
Joan Jeffery - JJ Creations
Lauri Ingram - Paperville
Laurie - Hiding in My Craft Room
LeAnne Pugliese - wee Inklings
Nance Leedy - Canopy Crafts

Rita Wright - Cards by Rita
Sandra Azzopardi - Sandra’s Stamping Spot (you are here)
Tui Nathan - Stampin’ Time

As always, I love reading your comments and if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask!

Supplies (all Stampin' Up!)
Stamp - Flower Fancy, So Happy for You (retired)
Card Stock - Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight
Ink - Black StazOn, Lucky Limade
Other - Big Shot Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Eyelet Border punch, Whisper White grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds, TomBow, snail, dimensionals

The Paper Players #58 ~ School Daze

2011-08-07T22:01:00.001+10:00

Hi Everyone! I hope you are having a fantastic day!

This week over at the Paper Players Ann has a fun theme challenge for us~

For something different, I decided to decorate a Post-It-Note cover~

I no sooner finished, then my kids were calling dibs on who was getting it AND putting in orders for their friends as well. I think I can safely say that they really liked it ;)

I also made a matching card. I think this would make a great gift to say thank you to that special Teacher in our kids lives.

We hope that you will join the The Paper Players this week! Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!

The Paper Players Design Team

As always, I love reading your comments and if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask!

Supplies - (all Stampin' Up! unless stated)
Stamp - Best Friends Alphabet Upper (retired)
Card stock - Real Red, Pacific Point, Celebrations DSP (retiring)
Other - Spiral Punch (retired), snail, dimensionals, Scribblers mini gel pen (pack of 10 from Big W)

The Paper Players #57... A Sketch Challenge ...

2011-07-31T21:43:00.000+10:00

Hi Everyone!

This week at the Paper Players, Nance has a sketch challenge for us. Can I just say that I LOVE this sketch! I can see myself using this one again.

Here's my card -

Tip: I wasn't very happy with the way you could see the bottom of the stamped image through the seam binding. To fix this, I placed two layers of ribbon on top of each other before adding the double bow. Now you can't see anything through the ribbon :)

We hope that you will join the The Paper Players this week! Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations! Sadly, this is Tui's last week of being July's Guest Designer. I'm so happy I got the opportunity to get to know you a bit better Tui!

The Paper Players Design Team

Tui Nathan GD

As always, I love reading your comments and if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask!

(I'll be back later with a supply list)

The Paper Players #56 Take 2

2011-07-26T19:26:00.000+10:00

Hi Everyone!

Today I have my other DT card I promised you for this weeks challenge at The Paper Players. Thank goodness I discovered that my scanner also has a card reader. What a clever little thing it is :)

Here's my card-

My original card for this challenge can be found here. See .... I told you it was a lot different to my other card :) This photo really does not do it justicethough. It doesn't really show in the photo, but the main panel behind the butterflies has been stamped with the En Francais stamp in Crumb Cake which has been stamped off first. This gives it a very soft, subtle look IRL.

There's still time to play along with Anne Marie's fantastic sketch so why not head over to The Paper Players to check it out?

As always, I love reading your comments! If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask!

The Paper Players #56

2011-07-24T23:11:00.000+10:00

Hi Everyone!

Ann Marie has a fantastic clean and simple sketch for you this week over at the Paper Players

Here's my card -

This was the first card that I made for this challenge before changing my mind and deciding to make another one. Luckily, I had already uploaded the first card to my computer to edit, because my card reader has decided it doesn't want to read my cameras memory card any more and I was unable to post the new card. So, you'll just have to check back in the next day or two to see the other card that I've made using this sketch. It's a LOT different to the above card :)

We hope that you will join the The Paper Players this week! Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!

The Paper Players Design Team

Tui Nathan GD

As always, I love reading your comments and if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask!

Stamping 411 #212 and Inkspirations #78 ....

2011-07-19T12:29:00.000+10:00

Hi Everyone!

I know it's been ages since I last posted so I've got two posts for you today. Be sure to check out my earlier post as well :)

For this card I decided to combine the sketch challenge over at Stamping 411-

and the colour challenge over at Inkspirations-

Here's my card -

As always, I love reading your comments and if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask!

Pocket full of Sunshine

2011-07-19T11:36:00.003+10:00

Hi Everyone!

I've got another card to post today, so be sure to check that out as well :)

This week the Just Add Ink team have a beautiful inspiration challenge.

Doesn't that picture have you dreaming of a romantic holiday in the Greek Islands?

A work colleague asked me to make a card for her daughter's birthday this week. She really wanted a Pocket Full of Sunshine card. While making this card I kept thinking of the movie The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants so as soon as I seen this weeks JAI challenge, I just knew it would be perfect for it. Remember when one of the girls spends time in Greece and that beautiful, crystal clear, blue water? Which brings me to my card :)

The background paper was a scrap piece I had left over in my stash. Isn't it just perfect for that denim jeans look? I've machine stitched it and added some vintage brads to give the look of a jean pocket. The Kaisercraft flower has been stamped with versamark onto Daffodil Delight card and then clear embossed. I stamped and clear embossed it onto Chocolate Chip card as well. After fussing cutting and colouring the smaller petals with Pumpkin Pie and Peach Parfait and my blender pen, I added dimesionals to make three layers. The Petal Pizzazz leaves have been stamped with versamark and clear embossed as well. The sentiment was printed on Whisper White card stock using my computer. I
flagged the ends using the corner of my square punch and then popped it up on dimensionals.

I'm also entering this card into a 'new to me' challenge Crafty Sentiments - Use Stitching.
What do you think? Do you think she'll like it? As always, I love reading your comments and if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask!

The Paper Players #55 Colour Challenge

2011-07-11T03:00:00.002+10:00

Hi Everyone!

This week at the Paper Players, Lesley has a fantastic colour challenge for you.

As soon as I seen this weeks colours, I just knew I had to do a masculine card. My all time favourite stamp for male cards has to be Motorcycle.

I stamped the motorcycle with Black StazOn onto watercolour paper, then coloured it in using ink pads and blender pen. You can't really see it in the photo, but I also spritzed the Poppy Parade card stock with my new colour spritzer and Crumb Cake marker to "grunge" it up a bit. The design was based on last weeks Stamping 411 sketch challenge. I loved the sketch but didn't get a chance to play.

We hope that you will join the The Paper Players this week! Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!

The Paper Players Design Team

Tui Nathan GD

As always, I love reading your comments and if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask!

Supplies-
Stamp set - Motorcycle
Ink - Black StazOn, Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Basic Black
Card stock - Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade, Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Watercolour paper
Other - Linen Thread, Big Shot, Tasteful Trim die, snail, Crystal Effects

JAI #74 - Fancy Folds

2011-07-06T09:16:00.000+10:00

Hi Everyone!

Over at Just Add Ink this week they are having a challenge with a difference. It's a Fancy Folds Blog Hop Challenge. Each of the DT members are showing a different fancy fold card plus a link to the tutorial on how to make it. You then choose a fancy fold that you like, create it and link it up to the challenge site. How fun!!!

I was inspired to creat a side step card like Bronwyn's.

a side view -

As this card is for a work colleague who is retiring at the end of the month, and everyone will need to sign it, I've changed the dimensions to make it a bit bigger.

I've watercoloured the main image with ink pads and an aquapen. The bird has been stamped in Early Espresso ink and then using my Stamp-a-ma-jig, I've stamped again in versamark. I then clear heat embossed it and popped it up on dimensionals. His eye is a little pearl that has been coloured with a black Stamp' Write marker. I've also added Dazzling Dialmonds to the centers of the flowers with a versamark pen and heat and stick powder.

I'm really happy with how it turned it and hope it has that WOW! effect :) I'm hoping to get a chance to make some of the other fancy fold cards soon too.

The Paper Players #54 - Christmas in July

2011-07-04T10:12:00.018+10:00

Hi Everyone!

This week at The Paper Players Jaydee has a theme challenge for you all -

In Australia, Christmas is in the middle of summer and is usually very hot! It was a really nice change to be making a Christmas project in cooler weather LOL

For something different, I thought I'd make a 3D project instead of a card this week-

Wouldn't it be lovely to receive a beautifully wrapped gift with this as the gift tag? It could come straight off the gift and onto the tree :)

I made another version of this last Christmas. You can see my original post here and find the instructions to make the ornament here.

We hope that you will join the The Paper Players this week! Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!

The Paper Players Design Team

Tui Nathan GD

As always, I love reading your comments and if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask!

Supplies -

DSP - Jolly Holly

Card stock - Old Olive, Very Vanilla

Stamp Set - Best Yet (retired)

Ink - Cherry Cobbler

Other - Tombow glue, Dazzling Diamonds, Basic Rhinestones, dimensionals, scallop circle punch

The Paper Players #53 A Sketch

2011-06-26T17:13:00.002+10:00

Hi Everyone!

Time for another challenge over at The Paper Players. This week Leslie has a great sketch for you all to try. Can I just say that I loved this sketch so much, I didn't just make one card this week ........ I made two!! :)

Here's the sketch -

My first card -

I've clear embossed the Cherry Cobbler background with the swirly stamp from Elements of Style. If you click on the "Tutorial" tab under the header, you will find the instructions to make the ribbon carnations.

And my second -

See, I told you it was a great sketch! We hope that you will join the The Paper Players this week! Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!

The Paper Players Design Team

Cindy Beach GD

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email. I also love reading all your comments!

Stamping 411 #208

2011-06-23T16:12:00.001+10:00

ETA - Whoo-Hoo! This card was chosen for the Showcase at Stamping 411!

Hi Everyone!

Todays card is inspired by the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge.

Here's the sketch -

And my card -

Supplies -
Stamp - 'En Francais' 'Just Believe' 'Tiny Tags'
Ink - Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Rose Red
Card stock - Rose Red, Very Vanilla
Other - Rose Red seam binding, Kraft corduroy buttons, Jewellery punch, snail, dimensionals

Create with Connie and Mary #155 and Just Add Ink #72

2011-06-22T11:13:00.002+10:00

ETA - Whoo-hoo! This card was chosen as a Top 3 pick over at

Create with Connie and Mary!

While blog surfing the other day, I came across a post on Nance's blog saying that she had been invited to join the Create with Connie and Mary Thursday design team. Congratulations Nance! And of course, being the challenge junkie that I am, I just had to play along with this weeks sketch too :) Since the card that I entered the other day for the Just Add Ink challenge didn't have a lot of colouring, I thought I'd do some more colouring on this one and enter it over there as well.

Here's the sketch -

And my card -

I wasn't too sure about this card at first but after four attempts at the layout, it's kind of growing on me. I'd love to hear what you think about it. You can be honest :)

I'll be back with a supplies list later.

The Paper Players #52

2011-06-19T22:02:00.000+10:00

It's challenge time again at The Paper Players. This week Jaydee has a fantastic Clean & Simple sketch for us all.

I decided to make another Thank You card for my stash. It's clean and simple, but I think it's pretty too :) Can you see the touch of Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint on the butterfly? I'm also entering this card into this week's Just Add Ink - Just Add Some Colouring In challenge. I've used ink pads and a blender pen to colour in my butterfly.

We hope that you will join the The Paper Players this week! Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!

The Paper Players Design Team

Cindy Beach GD

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email. I also love reading all your comments!

Supplies -
Stamp - All a Flutter, En Francais, So Happy for You (retired)
Card Stock - Crumb Cake, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Ink - Early Espresso, Black StazOn, Crumb Cake, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette
Other - Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, Blender pen, snail, dimensionals

Card Patterns Sketch 120 .....

2011-06-19T10:32:00.000+10:00

Hello! I hope that you are all enjoying this beautiful winter sunshine that we are having at the moment. Soooo much better then all that rain last week :)

Todays card is using the Card Patterns sketch

Here's my card-

I realised when I was photographing my card, that with the little flag shaped edge and striped background, it reminded me of a circus tent. Such fun!

The Paper Players #51

2011-06-12T19:13:00.005+10:00

This week we have a fantastic colour challenge for you over at The Paper Players.

What a bright, cheery colour scheme to brighten up this dark, dreary Sydney weather we are having at the moment! :)

And another angle of the flowers-

How to Make These Flowers - I cut some different sized circles using my Big Shot. You could also use different sized circle punches. Spray the circles on both sides with water and scrunch them up into balls. Straighten them out a bit and leave to dry. Once they are dry the circles will be quite stiff and will hold their shape. You can now ink the edges for more definition if you wish. I used Tombow glue to adhere my circles together. The button centers have been cut using the Sweet Buttons die. Cover them with Crystal Effects to give that glossy button look and let dry. Once dry, pierce two holes with a paper piercer and thread some linen thread through to tie a bow. Adhere the 'button' to the flower center with Tombow. Alternatively, you could pop a brad in the centre too.

I decided to CASE myself this week. You can see my original card here. I don't normally do 'bright' but I'm really happy with how this card turned out.

We hope that you will join the The Paper Players this week! Please be sure to visit the other DT Members to see their wonderful creations!

The Paper Players Design Team

If you have any questions, feel free to ask away! Please leave me some comment love, I really love reading them :)

Supplies -

Stamp - So Happy For You (Sale-a-bration retired)

Card stock - Pear Pizzazz, Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White

Ink - StazOn Black

Other- Big Shot, Scallop Square Die, Embossilits Sweet Buttons, Little Leaves, Perfect polka Dots embossing folder, Nestabilitie Circles, Linen thread, Melon Mambo grosgrain ribbon (retired) Crystal Effects, snail, Tombow, paper piercer

Stamping 411 #206 and Inkspirations #72

2011-06-07T21:57:00.003+10:00

Tonight's card is a combination of two challenges.

The sketch comes from Stamping 411 -

And the colour combination is from Inkspirations -

Here's what I came up with -

Sorry about the shadow on the left side of the photo. I took it as the sun was setting and it was quite windy outside, so I had to snap it really quickly.

This card is going to my Grandfather to let him know that even though we don't get to see him much (he lives over 5 hours away), we are always thinking of him.

Supplies-
Stamp - Motorcycle, Pendant Park, So Happy For You
Card stock - Not Quite Navy, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Whisper White, water colour paper
Ink - Not quite Navy, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black, Going Gray, StazOn Black
Other - silver jumbo brad

JAI #70

2011-06-07T12:13:00.001+10:00

Todays card is a sketch challenge from the talented ladies at Just Add Ink.

I don't have a scallop circle big enough to use as a card so I've had to use some 'creative license' and swap it for a scallop square die. I hope that's still okay.

I love making these scrunched up circle flowers. They are so easy, but they look so effective! Can you see the sparkle? I sprayed them with some chamagne glimmermist.

As always, if you have any questions feel free to email me. I love reading your comments, so please let me know what you think of my card :)

Supplies -
Stamp - Pendant park
Card stock - Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Jolly Holiday DSP
Ink - Cherry Cobbler
Other - Cherry Cobbler seam binding (not available in Aus) Very Vanilla brads, Big Shot, Nestabilities, Little Leaves die, Tomboy glue, snail, mini glue dots

The Paper Players #50

2011-06-05T21:11:00.002+10:00

I am so excited to bring you my very first card as part of The Paper Players Summer Design team!!

I'll let you in on a little secret. I don't normally do New Year's resolutions but I decided that this year that I would like to make sure that I thank people for not only the big things that others do in our lives but also the little things as well. I do this verbally, but I would really like to make more of an effort to let people know how much I appreciate their kindness by sending them a card now and again too. So ... this is the first of many 'Thank You' cards that you will be seeing on my blog :)

I would love for you to play along with us at The Paper Players! If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I always love reading your comments :)

Supplies - (all Stampin' Up!)
Stamps - Happiness Shared, Tiny Tags
Card Stock - Early Espresso, Rose Red, Very Vanilla, Watercolour paper
Ink - StazOn black, Old Olive, Early Espresso, Rose Red, Bravo Burgundy, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray, Peach Parfait and Pumpkin Pie and Crumb Cake.
Ribbon - Early Espresso satin, Chantilly 1/2" trim
Other - Big Shot, Vintage Wall Embossing folder, Trinkets, Jewellery Tag punch, snail, dimensionals

Some REALLY Exciting News!!!

2011-06-01T09:57:00.001+10:00

I have to keep rereading the email to be sure .... but yes .... I'm definitely reading it right :)

I have been lucky enough to have been chosen as a member of The Paper Players Summer Design Team!!!! I'm still doing a happy dance!

I'm am so honoured and excited to be asked to join this wonderful team of paper crafters for the next couple of months. I hope that you will come and join in on the fun!!

JAI #68 and The Paper Players #48

2011-05-25T11:01:00.000+10:00

Does anyone else have troubles with their blog titles or is it just me???
Today's card is a combination of the Just Add Ink Colour Challenge and The Paper Players Sketch Challenge hence this blog posts title! LOL

Here's the JAI colour combo -

And The Paper Players Sketch -

And my card -

At first I had a bit of trouble with this colour combo but I'm really happy with how it turned out. I'd love to hear what you think :)

Just Because I Care ..........

2011-05-23T17:35:00.001+10:00

Today's card is the very first time that I've used any of my Peach Parfait card stock. Mmmmm ..... not sure why I waited so long because it's actually a really nice colour to work with *smile*

Here's my card -

The challenges that I'm entering this card into are -
CASE study

Friday Mashup!

Southern Girls Challenge Frill and Polish - Frill of lace and Polish of pearls

This card is going to a very dear blogging friend, who is going through a rough time at the moment, to let her know that my thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. I hope she likes it.

I'll try to come back later to put in a recipe.

Deal of the Week #3

2011-05-18T22:24:00.001+10:00

If you live in Australia and would like to take advantage of these fantastic specials or order any other Stampin' Up! products just send me an email.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

CASE Study Challenge #39

2011-05-17T18:54:00.001+10:00

It seems like ages since I've joined in on a Case Study Challenge. This month's muse is Sarah Martina Parker.

Here's the inspiration card (isn't it just divine?) -

And here's my card -

Be sure to click on the "Tutorial" button just under my blog header to find out how to make my ribbon carnations :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

Self Standing Flower Pot Tutorial ............

2011-05-15T21:15:00.004+10:00

Due to popular demand, here is my Self Standing Flower Pot Tutorial

Supplies -
1 piece Early Espresso 10cm x 24.5cm.
1 piece Early Espresso 7.5cm x 14cm.
1 piece Very Vanilla 7cm x 13.5cm.
Cutter, Bone Folder, Paper Snips, Sticky Strip or double sided tape, snail.

Score Early Espresso card stock at 3.5cm, 12.5cm, 14cm, 15.5cm and 24.5cm.

Using a bone folder fold all scores into hills and valleys as pictured.

At the bottom of your pot mark 1cm in on each side.

Place into your cutter with the flap up the top. Line up the first score (the bottom of the "flap") and the 1cm mark as pictured above. This means that when you cut, you will only be cutting the "pot" and not the top "flap". The "flap" should still be a rectangle shape.

You might find that your cutter is unable to cut through all four pieces of card stock at the bottom. I use my paper snips to cut through the rest.

Your flower pot should now look like the photo above.

Place a 2cm piece if sticky strip or double sided tape in the inside on both top corners (see above photo). Stick together so it sits flat.

Then lift the "flap" and place 2cm strips of sticky strip on the top about 1.5cm's in and stick down.

This is what it now should look like.

And a side view. See how the fold in the middle supports you flower pot to stand by itself?

Using snail, adhere the Very Vanilla card stock to the Early Espresso 7.5cm x 14cm.

You are now ready to decorate your flower pot. To do this I sit my flower pot and insert onto the envelope and then arrange the flowers on it so I know how much room I have to make it fit into the envelope.

Here's a few ways that I have decorated mine -

See this post here.

I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial.

If you have a questions, feel free to ask away.

Also, I'd love to see any projects that you make using this tutorial. Please leave me a comment with a link to your blog so I can visit you :)

Please remember that my tutorials are for your personal use and inspiration only. If you use this tutorial please provide a link back to me. Thank you.

Flashback Friday #11

2011-05-14T21:04:00.002+10:00

Just for some fun I thought I'd play join in on this months Flashback Friday Challenge. You have to show your first wedding card. Now I haven't been blogging for that long so my first wedding card is from February this year. I hope that it's still allowed.

Here's my card -

I made this card for a colour challenge. Mmmmm .... bit of an unusual colour combo for a wedding card and no, I didn't win the challenge but the couple that I gave it to loved it! LOL You can see the original post here.

Why not join in on the fun and show your first wedding card that you made?
Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

Bliss ......

2011-05-14T18:43:00.001+10:00

I hope you are all having a great weekend so far. It was such a beautiful sunny day today but that wind was freezing! I think it's going to be a great ski season this winter.

While blogger was down last night I decided to try out a 'new to me' sketch challenge that I had jotted into my note book the other day.

This sketch comes from Diva Coffee Break Designs. I turned the sketch onto it's side because I really wanted to play with my Bliss stamp set. I had to move the circle because it looked a bit funny on top but other than that all the design elements are still there from the sketch.

Here's the sketch -

Here's my card -

the inside's kind of plain but I thought I'd show you anyway :) Now that I look at it again, I think I might 'stamp off' the flourish a couple of times so it's really faint and stamp it into the middle to dress it up a bit. What do you think?

By popular request I'm hoping to have a tutorial done in the next few days for my free standing flower pot card that you can see here and here. Make sure you check back for it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

The Paper Players #46

2011-05-14T10:19:00.002+10:00

Edited to Add- This card was chosen as a Cut Above at The Paper Players :)

The Paper Players have a fantastic colour challenge this week! Just look at these beautiful, rich, warm colours. They are just perfect for the cool autumn (feels like winter) crafting nights :)

We have quite a few males with up coming birthdays in our family so I new this colour combo would be perfect. My new order came in with 'Motorbike' so I decided to ink it up.

Here's my card -

And since Blogger has been down for so long, I had a bit of extra time and decided to do the inside as well-

I really like how the inside turned out, maybe even better than the front :)

Be sure to check back later on this afternoon as I have another card to share.

Thanks for stopping by!

Deals of the Week 2 ....

2011-05-11T14:57:00.000+10:00

This week Stampin' Up! has some fantastic new deals for Deal of the Week.

If you live in Australia, don't already have a demonstrator and would like to take advantage of this fantastic deal, please send me an email. I can have your order delivered direct to your door.

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
120963	142	Stampin Pastels New Color Kit (19)	$28.50	$22.80
115957	151	Thanks Embosslits Die	$21.95	$17.56
114513	151	Sweetest Stem Embosslits Die	$21.95	$17.56
113483	155	Pennant Bigz XL Die	$74.95	$59.96

Ribbon Carnation Tutorial .......

2011-05-10T18:48:00.004+10:00

Welcome to my first tutorial!

I had so many lovely comments about my ribbon carnations, I thought I'd share how I made them.

Here's two examples of my ribbon carnations in action -

I've found that soft ribbons work best for these flowers. I like to use taffeta, organza or seam binding. In the above photo's I have used Stampin' Up! Kraft (now known as Crumb Cake) taffeta ribbon.

Take a 30cm (12") length of your chosen ribbon.

Using a running stitch, start in the top corner and sew down one side and across the bottom.

Pull the thread tight so that it gathers up the ribbon.

After pulling the thread tightly, start rolling the ribbon onto itself, starting at the end where the thread is. Sew small stitches along the way to hold it together as shown in the above photo's. Once you are happy it's all secure knot thread and cut it off.

Turn your flower over and push down on the ruffles to flatten them out a bit.

This is what it should look like when you are finished. To attach it to your projects just place a glue dot on the bottom of the carnation.

If you have a questions, feel free to ask away. I'd love to see any projects that you make using this tutorial. Please leave me comment with a link to your blog so I can visit you :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

This tutorial is for your personal use and inspiration only.

If you use this tutorial and then publish your project on your blog, please provide a link back to me.

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T20:04:00.002+10:00

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day and that you all got very spoilt. Unfortunately, I had to work (someone has to help all the "leave it to the last minute" men purchase the perfect gift for their wives/mother's ;) However I was spoilt with a lovely breakfast in bed that the kids helped cook for me.

I also have a little bit of bragging to do :) I have had two cards receive challenge awards this week. Whoo-hoo!!!

This card, that my kids gave to their Great Grandmother for Mother's Day, was chosen for a Just Add Ink Top Pick-

And I woke up this morning to find that this card, that we gave to my Mother-in-law for Mother's Day, was chosen as one of The Paper Players Cut Above-

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

Another Flower Pot Card .......

2011-05-07T13:26:00.000+10:00

I hope you're not getting too sick of seeing my free standing flower pot cards because I've got another one for you today :) This card is for The Paper Players theme challenge - Birds, Bees, Flowers and Trees.

Here's my card -

and the inside -

I am so in love with this card! It just might be the best flower pot card yet. You can check out my other ones here and here. What do you think? If you have any questions, feel free to ask away!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

All a Flutter ............

2011-05-06T14:16:00.000+10:00

Today's card is a combination of two challenges. Card Patterns have a wonderful sketch and at SU-Only this week is In Celebration of Butterflies!

Here's the sketch -

And my card -

I picked up a pack of paper doilies from a cheap store quite a while ago now and they've sat in my draw unused ever since. As soon as I seen the sketch I knew that they would be perfect for my card. They are very white so I used a dauber with crumb cake ink to lightly colour it and then sponged early espresso ink around the edges. Although it doesn't show up in the photo, I've also sprayed it with champagne glimmer mist to give it a beautiful little sparkle.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

Flower Pot Card.......

2011-05-03T13:54:00.001+10:00

ETA - This card was chosen as a JAI Top Pick :)

I had so much fun making the flowers for todays card. And yes, I do remember promising to make a tutorial for my ribbon carnations but I lost it when my computer died :( I will try to redo it next week. I might even do one with the measurements for my self standing flower pot card while I'm there :)

Talking about my free standing flower pot card, here it is!

a side view-

and the inside-

I'm entering this card into a few challenges this week-

Just Add Ink - Just Add a Flower
Cupcake Craft Challenges - Something Beginning with 'C' (ribbon Carnations)
Dream Valley Challenges - Flowers
The Lollipop Ladies - Ribbons (ribbon carnations and ribbon on the flower pot)

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

Supplies-
Stamp - Sincere Salutations, All a Flutter
Ink - Rose Red, Black StazOn, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip
Card stock - Rose Red, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Other - Big Shot, Circle Nestablities (Non SU!), Two-Step Bird punch, Champagne mist, Very Vanilla satin ribbon, Victoria lace, Sticky strip

I'm Back! :)

2011-04-25T09:37:00.000+10:00

Just wanted to let you all know that I'm back in the land of internet again :) I have sooooo much catching up to do!!! :)

While I was having severe internet withdrawals, it was nice to have a break too. To be honest I didn't get much crafting done either but now that I'm back online it'll be good to sit at my craft desk again too.

I can't wait to visit everyones blogs to see what you have all been up to.

Hope you all have a safe Easter and Anzac Day!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

Computer Probems :( ......

2011-03-28T11:18:00.000+11:00

Just a quick post to let everyone know I won't be able to post anything for a little while :(

I'm on a public computer as my 2nd computer has now crashed. We're still waiting on our main computer to be fixed, so I don't know when I'll get a chance to blog again. Hopefully it won't take too long. The good thing is that I'll have lots to show you when I do get back on line :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

Monochromatic Birthday Card ..........

2011-03-21T19:07:00.000+11:00

Today it has been raining nearly non stop all day. Hopefully in your part of the world, you had a little bit of sunshine :)

Todays card is a mix of 2 challenges. The sketch came from Inkspirations 4U and over at Cupcake Craft Challenges their theme is "Monochromatic".

Here's my card -

It's hard to see in the photo but I've sprayed the flower with Champagne Mist mixed with isocol. It gives it a really pretty sparkle.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

Supplies - (All Stampin' Up!)
Stamp - Party This Way
Ink - Cherry Cobbler
Card stock - Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Celebrations DSP
Other - Big Shot, Polka Dot embossing folder, Real Red brad, Scallop circle punch, Champagne mist, snail, tombow

A Cut Above ......

2011-03-21T10:45:00.003+11:00

Whoo Hoo!! My entry in last weeks Paper Players Challenge #38: Ann's Color Challenge has been awarded a Cut Above award. How cool is that??? I fell in love with this card as soon as I made it and I'm so happy that they loved it too :)

Here's my card again (just because I love to show it off :)

If you have time, make sure you check out the other entries. There's some really inspiring cards. Or why not play along with this weeks challenge?? Go on...I dare you! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

Inkspiration #61

2011-03-18T14:54:00.001+11:00

I think I might have missed the cut off for this weeks Inkspirations Sketch Challenge but I thought I'd post it anyway.

Here's the sketch-

And my card-

I purchased Pendant Park when it was on special awhile back but this is the first time I've used it (shhhh ..... don't tell my husband :) I love the border stamp in this set and that's why I bought it.

To tie my bow so it sits straight I used a fantastic tutorial from Paula Dobson.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

Blog Candy Winner!

2011-03-17T21:05:00.000+11:00

Thank you to everyone that left me special birthday wishes this week!

The time has come to draw the winner of my blog candy. The winner has been drawn using Random Integer Generator..........

Here are your random numbers:

Christine Blain: said... Well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!! I hope you have a lovely day :)

Congratulations Christine!! Send me an email with your details and I'll get your candy out to you.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

In the bag.......

2011-03-17T18:13:00.000+11:00

Todays card has been inspired by a challenge at INKspirations 4U. I'm also entering this card into Stampin' Royalty - Texturise! (dry embossing).

Here's my card -

At first I really struggled with this colour combo but I really like how it turned out. I think it looks kinda fun!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sandra

Stamp -Birthday Bakery,
Card stock- More Mustard, Bravo Burgundy, Sahara Sand
Ink - Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, StazOn
Other - Big Shot, Polka dot embossing folder, stamp-a-ma-jig, tombow, dazzling diamonds, aqua painter, retired ribbon, retired button, snail, glue dots