IDEAS Blog Hop - We're Cut Out to Be Friends!

Hi there

I'm back with the IDEAS (International Demos Exciting Artistic Stampin') team this month to share more fabulous projects. We are a group of international demonstrators who create a Tutorial Bundle each month to give you, our customers and readers inspiration for your crafting.

This month marks 5 years of my participation with the IDEAS Tutorial Bundle and it will be my final one.  In 2024 I will be focussing on in-person classes and also getting back into some patchwork with a new project ready to commence. I will write individual tutorials periodically when I get inspired by a product or something seasonal.

If you've come from looking at Jacqui's project, then welcome!  If you're visiting me, I appreciate you stopping by today!  You can continue your journey to see the other inspiring creations from the IDEAS Team by clicking on the Next Blog button in the list at the bottom of the post. 

This month our theme is We're Cut Out to be Friends and it's all about cutting - die cutting, fussy cutting, using punches as well as the trusty trimmer. We have 13 fabulous tutorials in our 57 page bundle with a wonderful range of Christmas crafting projects as well as all occasion projects such as the one I’ve created.

Recently, it was our Godson’s wedding, so I wanted to create a special wedding card for him and his Fiancé. I designed this classically elegant silver and white card and box envelope, as the flowers are very dimensional (although the photo doesn’t show this particularly well). The box is intended for hand presentation, and would need to be in another container to survive the postal system. The design would also work for engagement and anniversary occasions as well. It is an oversized card that would be perfect for group signing. The bundle also includes lots of lovely cards and gift card/packaging projects, for last minute Christmas ideas.You can see additional pics of my project by clicking on the link below.

There are 3 ways you can get the December 2023 Tutorial Bundle.

1.  Place an order with me for $50 or more using the current month's Host Code (shown in the side bar on the right) and you will receive the tutorial bundle for FREE. I will email you the PDF file within 24 hours of your order being confirmed.  

2. You can purchase the tutorial with Instant Download through my Etsy store by clicking here. You can pay with a credit card or PayPal and you DO NOT need to sign up to Etsy to make a purchase. Check out as a guest if you are not a member.

3.  Join my team and you will get this bundle of tutorials FREE every month to use for your personal crafting or for classes. You can see all the details over on the Join My Team page. It might be the right time for you consider the opportunity to run your own home-based craft business or to get a great discount on your craft supplies. There is a fabulous joining offer during October - 35% off or 35% more! Get in touch and I'll tell you all about this great offer.

Once you have received the tutorials, please remember not to share or distribute the printed or electronic copies of these bundles. We have worked hard to provide these exclusive projects for your use. If you know someone that would like to purchase the bundle, please direct them to me to obtain their copy. Thanks for your support.

To continue on with the hop, click on Next Blog at the right in the list below.

Blog Hop Index

Thanks for visiting today!

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CASE-ing the Catty - Sketch Challenge

Hi there

Welcome to CASE-ing the Catty for this week. 

If you've just come from looking at Lauren's lovely project, then welcome! If you're visiting me, I appreciate you stopping by today!  You can continue your journey to see the other inspiring creations from the CTC Crew by clicking on the buttons at the bottom of the post. 

This week, we are CASE-ing the layout of the Koala card in the photo above. 

Here is the card converted into a sketch so you can easily see the key elements, which are 3 panels and a sentiment. There is lots of scope to get creative. This is also a great layout to use your designer paper in the background, with your decorated panels over the top.

Well, I couldn't help myself, lol, I just had to CASE the Koala card because it is so darn cute!  I wanted to make my card distinctly girly though, so I have used a different colour combo. My card base is Pool Party and I've added a layer of the icecream designer paper. My stitched panels are die cut from Grapefruit Grove card stock for the background of the Smoky Slate Koalas. 

These Koalas are set to party, with the first one holding a triple scoop icecream, fussy cut from the designer paper; the second with the party hat holds the birthday greeting from the Label Me Bold stamp set, stamped in Bermuda Bay and the third is holding a bunch of balloons I stamped and fussy cut.  Did you notice the cute banner? No, you didn't miss this design in the paper pack; I have stamped the small square image multiple times in a row and then die cut the banner from it. The So Saffron metallic twine (that is more like Daffodil Delight) from the Sale-a-bration Metallic Baker's Twine & Sequins Combo Pack  was used for the cute bows.

I have kept the inside simple, with a panel of Whisper White and I have hand cut the row of birthday candles at the base. The greeting is from the Bonanza Buddies stamp set and I've added another banner  across the top using the same square stamp, this time in Mango Melody. 

I'm really happy with how this card turned out. It looks the similiar but so different from the sample, which is the great thing about CASE-ing!

 

Project Details
Stamps	Bonanza Buddies, Label Me Bold
Card stock & Papers	Whisper White, Pool Party, Grapefruit Grove, Birthday Bonanza DSP
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black, Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate, Mango Melody, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana
Accessories	Rhinestones, Metallic Baker's Twine & Sequins Combo Pack (Sale-a-bration), Assorted Pompoms
Tools	Stitched Rectangle Dies, Bonanza Dies, Big Shot, Dimensionals

 

I had in mind another card and this time I turned the sketch on its head, literally!  Yes, you can do that! Let your creativity be inspired by, but not limited to what you see in the sketch. 

This time I have a soft and pretty card, perfect for an engagement, wedding or anniversary. I started with a Thick Whisper White card base in a portrait orientation and added the panel of Petal Pink and Champage Foil accented designer paper from the Parisian Blossoms Specialty Designer Series Paper that I had layered onto Champagne Foil.  The 3 panels were die cut from Champagne Foil with the Stitched Rectangles Dies and positioned horizontally to form the background for the cherry blossom spray from the Forever Blossoms stamp set. 

I've coloured the large cherry blossom image with Petal Pink and Mint Macaron Stampin' Blends Alcohol Markers for a soft look and cropped it with the coordinating die from the Cherry Blossoms Dies. I have cut the cherry blossom branch in two and inserted the greeting from the Here's A Card stamp set and added some extra leaves and a bud to soften the edge of the greeting banner.  The Petal Pink Metallic-Edge Ribbon is tied around the bottom panel to finish in a bow at the bottom of the floral spray. I have coloured, fussy  cut and popped up the 2 flowers with the Champagne Rhinestone centres for added interest and texture.

For the inside, I have a Petal Pink mat for my writing panel and the greeting from the Forever Blossoms stamp set in the centre. At the base is more of the Petal Pink Metallic-Edge ribbon and the top section of the cherry blossom image.

This card is so soft and pretty in real life and I hope the recipients love it too.

 

Project Details
Stamps	Forever Blossoms
Card stock & Papers	Whisper White, Petal Pink, Parisian Blossoms Specialty DSP, Champagne Foil
Ink	Memento Espresso Truffle,
Accessories	Champage Rhinestones, Petal Pink Metallic-Edge Ribbon
Tools	Stitched Rectangle Dies, Cherry Blossom Dies, Big Shot, Dimensionals, Stampin' Blends (Petal Pink, Mint Macaron)

 

Now it's time to click on the Next button below to hop over to see the lovely project Siobhan has to inspire you this week. 

We would love you to join us with your CASE of the Koala sketch over the next 2 weeks, using our Facebook group. Click on this link or the image below to go there. The first time you will need to click on the 'Join Group' button at the top. Once you have been added to the group, you can go ahead and post your creation and you do not need to have a blog. 

Thanks for visiting me today!

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Wedding Cheers

Hi there

I've just returned from a week in sunny Cairns where we attended the wedding of a lovely young couple. The groom is the son of the Best Man from our wedding many moons ago. It was our first visit to Cairns and the weather was warm after our ongoing winter in Melbourne. I was worried that it would be very humid, but was pleasantly surprised. All in all, it was a lovely week away leaving out the forgettable trip home when planes, trains and automobiles conspired against us!

Now onto the card that I made for the happy couple. I decided on the new Sip Sip Hooray Bundle paired with the Cheers to That Bundle. I've never been taken by 'drinks' sets before, but I really think these two bundles provide lots of options for celebratory occasions. I thought the champagne glasses were most appropriate for the occasion and I have added interest by turning them into a shaker element.

I started with a piece of thick Whisper White card stock and used the 'bubbles' from the Sip & Celebrate Dies at the top. In hindsight, I should have moved it down a tiny bit so that the bubbles weren't so close to the top edge where I needed to put the 1/8" foam strip. Something to remember for next time. I used the champagne glass die from the same set to cut the apertures for my shaker element.  At the top, I have the 'cheers' from the Cheers Dies cut from Silver Glimmer.

There are a couple of different ways to do the shaker element. I heat embossed the champagne glass image in silver onto narrow strips of whisper white and then placed the 1/8" foam strip around the embossed image, leaving a little more space from the edge of the image than I usually would, as I wanted to make sure the stems of the glasses were wide enough for the sequins to move freely. I added the Woven Threads Sequin Assortment into the centre of the glass and placed a piece of Window sheet over the top. By doing the shaker elements separately this way, I was able to position them perfectly under each champage glass aperture. Next time I would probably just go with the die cut shape and do the shaker element in the normal way. Foam strips were added to all sides of the finished panel before adhering to the Silver Foil that covered my Whisper White card base.

The greeting is from the Cheers to That stamp set and I've heat embossed it in silver and added a narrow border of Silver Glimmer. A bow of silver/white Baker's Twine finishes it off.

For the inside, I have a Silver Foil mat for my writing panel. The greeting from the Dandelion Wishes stamp set was heat embossed in silver in the centre  and a narrow strip of Silver Glimmer added at the base. To finish I have 3 sequins to add a touch of colour. 

Project Details
Stamps	Sip Sip Hooray, Cheers to That, Dandelion Wishes
Card stock & Papers	Whisper White, Silver Foil, Silver Glimmer, Window Sheet
Ink	Versamark
Accessories	Woven Threads Sequins Assortment, White/Silver Baker's Twine (retired)
Tools	Cheers Dies, Sip & Celebrate Dies, Big Shot, Foam Strips, Silver EP, Heat Gun

 

If you have queries about any of my projects or anything Stampin' Up! related, then please get in touch. I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for visiting today!

• Shop my Online Store 24/7
• See the latest Stampin' Up! Promotions
• Request a FREE Catalogue
• Check out my Tutorial Store

IDEAS Blog Hop - 'Magnolia Lane' Wedding Season Projects

Hi there

I'm back with the IDEAS (International Demos Exciting Artistic Stampin') team this month to share more fabulous projects. We are a group of international demonstrators who create a Tutorial Bundle each month to give you, our customers and readers a heap of inspiration for your crafting. There will be a theme for each month and this month it is about seasons so we have projects for Summer, Winter, Christmas and I have gone a little left field with my Wedding Season projects. We have 12 fabulous tutorials in this month's bundle, each including at least one card and 3D project. 

If you've come from looking at Odette's lovely projects, then welcome! If you're visiting me, I appreciate you stopping by today!  You can continue your journey to see the other inspiring creations from the IDEAS Team by clicking on the NEXT button at the bottom of the post. 

This month, I have a created a group of coordinating projects that would be fabulous for any celebratory occasion. They would be perfect for a bridal shower, wedding or even a special birthday event. There is a congratulations card and gift bag, plus a cute party favour and thank you card if you are hosting one of these events. 

I have used the lovely products from the Magnolia Lane Suite for my projects.  The suite includes the beautiful Magnolia Lane Designer Series Paper that I have used for the gift bag and the Good Morning Magnolia stamp set for the sweet and classic Magnolia bloom image. My tutorial has step by step instructions to make all four projects shown in the photo.

You will receive another 11 detailed, step by step tutorials with more ideas for Seasonal occasions as part of the bundle. You can see a preview of all of the projects in the bundle as you move through the hop.

Would you like a copy of the instructions for these projects for your personal use, or even to use in your classes? 

There are 3 ways you can get the August 2019 Tutorial Bundle.

1.  Place an order with me for $50 or more using the current month's Host Code (shown in the side bar on the right) and you will receive the tutorial bundle for FREE. I will email you the PDF file within 24 hours of your order being confirmed. 

2. You can purchase the tutorial with Instant Download through my Etsy store by clicking here. You can pay with a credit card or PayPal and you DO NOT need to sign up to Etsy to make a purchase. Check out as a guest if you are not a member.

3.  Join my team and you will get this bundle of tutorials for FREE every month to use for your personal crafting or for classes. You can see all the details over on the Join My Team page. 

Once you have received the tutorials, please remember not to share or distribute the printed or electronic copies of these bundles. We have worked hard to provide these exclusive projects for your use. If you know someone that would like to purchase the bundle, please direct them to me to obtain their copy. Thanks for your support.

Now it's time to hop over to Debbi's Blog to see her sweet Summer projects.

Thanks for visiting today!

Soft & Pretty with So Detailed Thinlits

Hi there

Today I'm sharing a soft and pretty wedding card featuring the 'So Detailed' Thinlits dies. I've paired it with some other products from the 'Falling in Love' suite in the Occasions Catalogue including the 'Falling in Love' designer series paper and the Very Vanilla Satin ribbon. Using all these beautifully coordinated products results in a quick make.

I have used the Blushing Bride Glimmer paper for the die cut which makes for a beautiful sparkly focus on the card.  Here are 3 ways you can use to add adhesive to a fine die cut:

1. Put tiny dots of Tombow liquid glue all over the reverse side of the die cut and leave it for a few minutes to go tacky. When the colour of the glue changes from white to a creamy colour then you can adhere it to your art piece. This will ensure that the glue doesn't squish out and make a mess. This can be a bit time consuming and some people find it tricky to manage the flow of liquid glue.
    
2. Squeeze out a blob of Tombow liquid glue onto a corner your Silicone Mat and take up some of the glue using a quarter piece of a yellow stamping sponge. Place your die cut on the silicone mat reverse side up and dab all over with the sponge.  You need to hold the die cut firmly so it doesn't move, otherwise the glue will transfer to the front of the die cut. This is a very quick and easy way to  get a fine layer of glue all over the die cut. Store the sponge in a snap lock bag to use again another time.
    
3. Use your fingernail on the corner of the piece glimmer paper you will use  for your die cut, to separate the layers. Carefully remove the backing paper from the entire piece. Cut a piece of double sided adhesive paper (such as Sizzix Adhesive Sheets) the same size as your glimmer paper. Remove the backing paper of the adhesive sheet and adhere to the reverse side of the glimmer paper. Burnish well with your bone folder to ensure good adhesion.  Run your glimmer paper and So Detailed Thinlits die through the Big shot as normal. Carefully peel off the backing paper and attach the die cut to your art piece. 

I have used all 3 methods successfully. For the quickest, mess-free result I would recommend option 3 using the double sided adhesive sheets. I have had mine since they were available from Stampin' Up! (now retired) but you can find them at craft stores. I do not recommend you adding the adhesive paper to reverse of the glimmer paper without removing the backing. The glimmer paper is already quite thick and adding the adhesive paper makes it very difficult to cut a fine die such as the So Detailed Thinlits successfully, even running through the Big Shot multiple times. Now for the card!

I  attached the die cut to to the Very Vanilla panel first, then added a strip of the 'Falling in Love' DSP  to left edge. A strip of Vellum card stock forms the background to my stamped greeting positioned on the right hand side. The Very Vanilla Satin ribbon goes over the top, covering the edge of the DSP.  I added the bow with a glue dot, after adhering the vanilla panel to the Blushing Bride base card. A silver heart from the Metallic Enamel Shapes was coloured with a Copic marker to trim the greeting panel. I could have used a Blushing Bride heart, but I like the soft luminous look the coloured silver gives.

Here is a close-up of the gorgeous Blushing Bride Glimmer paper and the pretty pink heart.

For the inside I have a mat of Soft Sky which is one of coordinating colours in the 'Falling in Love" DSP. It is trimmed with some Soft Sky washi from the retired 'All is Calm' set and a strip of Blushing Glimmer. The sentiment from the 'Falling for You' stamp set is stamped in Soft Suede with the Dandelion flower over stamped in Blushing Bride. I also stamped the Dandelion flower onto the Very Vanilla envelope for a coordinated finish.

Project Details
Stamps	Falling for You, Rose Wonder
Card stock & Papers	Blushing Bride, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride Glimmer, Vellum, Falling in Love DSP
Ink	Soft Suede, Blushing Bride
Accessories	Very Vanilla Satin ribbon, Metallic Enamel Shapes, All is Calm washi (retired)
Tools	So Detailed Thinlits, Big Shot, Sizzix Adhesive Sheets (retired), Copic Marker, Glue Dots

I hope you found my tips on adding adhesive to fine die cuts useful.

Thanks for looking!

Shop with me in March and WIN!

Products used in this project.

Card Stock A4 Blushing Bride [131287] $14.00	Very Vanilla A4 Card Stock [106550] $15.75	Falling In Love Designer Series Paper [142788] $19.25
White Vellum A4 Card Stock [106584] $11.50	Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper [140550] $8.75	Card Stock A4 Soft Sky [131292] $14.00
So Detailed Thinlits Dies [142751] $56.00	Falling For You Clear-Mount Stamp Set [143109] $36.50	Rose Wonder Photopolymer Stamp Set [140697] $47.00
Very Vanilla 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Satin Ribbon [142794] $10.00	Metallic Enamel Shapes [141678] $12.25