Look!! I STAMPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, after a mega dry spell do to a massive overload of Uni work I have finally stamped!! I am on a few days break between exams and 4 weeks of prac and decided to join the girls on the Elite Stampers forum for a Cyberstamp. One of the girls hosted (thanks Jayne!) and set challenges for us to complete. A great way to get the mind moving and the creative juices flowing!!

So here are the cards I did for the 3 challenges. Don't love them all but hey, they might appeal to someone out there!! I will try to put up the details for the stamp sets etc tomorrow but if I forget and you would like to know, please email me

This challenge was a colour and theme challenge. It was to be a birthday card using Crumb Cake, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla & Chocolate Chip. Not in love with this one but it fit the bill!

This challenge was to CASE a card from the IB&C (picking a random page number) and to use a set from the US retirement list. I used a hostess set called Birthday Bakery which will obviously retire, but I love it :) Don't love the card as I don't think it 'works' but again, someone might like it!

Last challenge card.......

Now this one I do quite like :) This card was made with a little girl in mind, Miss Keely is turning one soon and I wanted a sweet birthday card for a sweet little girl :) The challenge was to use at least 3 embellishments with the only stamping being a sentiment. I used patterned paper, buttons and ribbon. This cupcake punch is going to get a workout methinks!!

Ok, while I am here a couple more cards to show you.

This one was made for the second challenge but I got my stamp sets mixed up and used a set that wasn't retiring! Ooops, well I have another card to give to someone so its all good!

Last but not least, this is the card that I made my daughter for her 4th birthday last month. My first play with the cupcake punch and I LOVED it!!

Bling and cupcakes, a match made in heaven ;D

Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!!

Just Add Ink #35

Its been a while since I have done a Just Add Ink Challenge, I have been so busy! Tonight I felt in need of some direction, so I headed to JAI to see what the Challenge was. This week it is a Theme Challenge...... Just Add Sympathy. I haven't made one of these for a while (which in this case is a good thing!) so I struggled with where to start. I decided to use a set from the New Catalogue called 'Just Believe'

Its a really lovely set which could fit many themes.

When I stamped the main image I decided to try a shadow effect. I stamped the main image and then straight after lifting the stamp moved it very slightly to the left and stamped again. Its hard to see in the photo but it gives it a lovely shadow.

I have also used some of the New In Colours! Expect to see more of these colours, they are YUMMY!!

Stamp Sets: Just Believe, Occassional Quotes (Level 3 Hostess Set)

Cardstock & Ink: Concord Crush Cardstock, Pear Pizzazz Cardstock, Bashful Blue Cardstock, Whisper White Cardstock, Concord Crush Ink

Accessories: Scallop Trim Punch, Wide Oval Punch

Enjoy your Sunday :)

The Last Hurrah.....

Well everyone, as fun as it has been, today is the last day of the Helping Hudson event. Thanks to everyone who supported Hudson. It has been such a fun things to be involved with :)

I decided to quickly knock out the last two cards for the Challenges today, which sounds easier than it was! I just could not get them right! Eventually I came up with two cards that I like.

Here they are....

The first one is for the Helping Hudson Colour Challenge. The Challenge being to choose one colour (can use varying shades of that particular colour) and one neutral. I have a Wedding Party to go to tonight so I decided to make a card for them under the Challenge.

I really like the finished card. To get the mottled effect on the Medallion, I inked the stamp up in Baja Breeze ink and then used a sponge dauber to dab Not Quite Navy ink in parts. The layering on the tag is done using the scallop oval punch and trimming off the top and bottom scallops/

Stamp Sets: Medallion, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Cardstock & Inks: Not Quite Navy Cardstock, Baja Breeze Cardstock, Very Vanilla Cardstock. Not Quite Navy Ink, Baja Breeze Ink

Accessories: Ice Crystal Brads, Scallop Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, Very Vanilla Tafetta Ribbon

The next one is a Notecard inspired but a card from Marelle Taylor. This card is for the Helping Hudson Sketch Challenge as well as the Just Add Ink Colour Challenge.

I used a new Hostess Set from the New Catalogue being released in just 11 days!!! It is called Playful Pieces and has my head swimming with possibilities!! The base of the cupcake was a rectangle, but I trimmed it down to look like a cupcake base. The top of the cupcake is half a scallop circle punch. The background is using Real Red ink that I have stamped off so it is a bit more subtle.

Stamp Sets: Playful Pieces, Tiny Tags

Cardstock & Inks: Kraft Cardstock, Real Red Cardstock, Very Vanilla Cardstock, Chocolate Chip Cardstock, Real Red Ink, Versamark

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Tafetta Ribbon, Chocolate Chip Tafetta Ribbon, Linen Thread, Scallop Circle Punch, Small Jewellery Tag Punch, Heat & Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds

Ok lovely people, I have to be getting ready to go out. Tomorrow I plan to get a start on my swaps for Regionals. Wish me luck!!

Technique Challenge

Evening All

I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to manage the Helping Hudson challenges this week but had an idea for the Technique Challenge and decided to give it a go!

So, the technique this week is 'Embossing & Sponging' - two of my favourite techniques :)

I decided to break out another set from the new catalogue. This one will be a best seller, I am sure!!

The set is called Artistic Etchings and I specifically wanted to use the Eiffel Tower image as it felt whimsical and romantic. The colour scheme that comes to mind for me when I think of France is Black, Red & White so I went with that!!

I decided to make a Swing Card, which is a bit of a trip down memory lane for me. My wedding invitations were Swing Cards (try making 70 of these!!) so its no wonder its been 5 1/2 years before I made another one!! I used clear embossing on the background and the masking technique on the main panel. I will admit, I wasn't too sure of it at first but it is definately growing on me :)

So here it is.......

and the middle of the card......

Stamp Sets: Artistic Etchings

Cardstock & Ink: Basic Black Carstock, Riding hood Red Cardstock, Whisper White Cardstock, Basic Black Ink, Riding hood Red Ink, Versamark

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Hope you like it :)

Another Helping Hudson Challenge :)

2 down, 1 to go! Helping Hudson Challenges that is :) This one is a Colour Challenge and I will admit I struggled with it as it is not a Colour Combination I would have thought of myself..... of course that is what Challenges are all about!!

So here is the colour scheme.......

and here is my card......

It is a take on a card I did a while ago and I tweaked it a bit to suit the colours. Oh and there is that 'sneak peek' stamp again ;D

Stamp Sets: Fifth Avenue Floral, Perfect Punches

Cardstock & Ink: Rose Red Cardstock, Pretty in Pink Cardstock, Not Quite Navy Cardstock, Whisper White Cardstock Rose Red Ink, Pretty in Pink Ink, Not Quite Navy Ink

Accessories: Mat Pack, White Gel Pen, Wide Oval Punch, Pretty in Pink Ribbon

I hope you like it, I hope to be back with the last challenge card tonight.