Coffee, Cake and Cards Catchup

 I had my first workshop this morning, supported by some wonderful friends who came, ate, drank coffee and laughed with me a lot.  Everyone had a wonderful time.  I helped one of them with their very first Stampin Up order.  AND we are all excited to move towards Christmas themes and a new PAPER PUMPKIN!  

I'm guessing this will be a really popular kit so I have already started taking names for an order as soon as they are available.  In the meantime, we plan to catch up again soon - and create.  I'm thankful for friends who get me and I've been reminded of that a lot lately.  Crafting is more than a hobby to me, its my therapy!  Today, I introduced 2 of my friends into that crafting world and they understood me even more, they had fun and found that it really isn't that difficult to create something beautiful with their own hands!

Happy stamping, Rachael xx  

Wishing you much happiness

You just never know when you need a pretty and simplistic card.

 I created this one so quickly,  using the So Sentimental image as the main focus.  It could be a birthday, anniversary or wedding card with that kind of sentiment!  I can see myself making multiple copies of this one in different shades of Subtles colour collection to have on hand.  

Supplies for this card:

Balmy Blue and Whisper White cardstock

Balmy Blue ink

Stitched So sweetly dies

So Sentimental Cling Stamp set

Greenery Embossing Folders

Basic Pearls

Dimensional dots and adhesive

Peony Garden Designer Series Paper

 

Purple isn't my colour...

...BUT I think I made it work in this card!

A neighbour is recovering from having some skin cancers removed today, so I thought a nice card would cheer her up as I'm sure she is in pain.   I don't usually use purple but I actually think I pulled this one off.  The colour reminds me of hydrangeas like my grandfather used to grow so it was only fitting to use Beautiful Friendship for this one.  The best thing about this card - it took 15 minutes from start to finish!

Supplies:

• Whisper White and Highland Heather cardstock
• Highland Heather, Balmy Blue and Mint Macaron inks
• Basic Pearls
• Retired embossing folder
• Beautiful Friendship stamp set
• So Sentimental stamp set
• Stitched So Sweetly dies 

I hope everyone is well out there - remember to SLIP SLOP SLAP and WRAP!

Rachael xx

Calypso Coral JUST FOR YOU

When my SUBTLES COLLECTION of Stampin Up inks arrived, the colour Calypso Coral stood out amongst the others.  Probably because its very on trend at the moment.  I happen to have it sitting on top of Mint Macaron the other day and thought it would make a great combination.  

I used watercolour paper to stamp my SO MUCH LOVE flower and then used my Blender Pens to colour it in with the inks.  I used Gray Granite to shade the background of the die label.  It created a soft card, with pops of colour.  

  

Supplies for this card:

• Calypso Coral, Mint Macaron and Gray Granite inks
• Calypso Coral and Mint Macaron Cardstock
• So Much Love Cling Stamp Set
• Stitched So Sweetly Dies
• Basic Pearls
• Dimensonal Dots and adhesives
• Blender Pen
• Watercolour Paper

Happy Stamping, Rachael xx

Sunday FB challenge

 I'm pretty sure I haven't posted my version of Tracy's challenge for this week, which was based around a sketch.  It made for a quick card, using up more of my designer series papers.  I used vellum to cut out a fern shape using the dies also, which added a subtle layer to the other greenery die cuts. 

Supplies include:

Whisper White, Garden Green and Pear Pizzazz cardstock

Forever Fern Stamp Set and matching dies (Forever Flourishing0

Greenery Embossing Folder

Forever Greenery Designer Series Papers

Basics Pearls

We spent the afternoon at the local duck pond with the family.  It was a beautiful afternoon out and about.  Making memories whilst we can! 

Happy stamping, Rachael xxx

Delivery Day....

 I was so excited to be able to get stamps at a big discount last week when Stampin Up had their 15% off sale.  My box arrived today - here is what I got.  

A great variety of stamps and some accessories to match.  I'm getting ready for Christmas and my next order will be very 'Merry'.  

For those of you who, like me, are more of a visual person, I created a quick iCLIPS video of what my order looked like.

Now to create some birthday cards.....

Happy Stamping,  Rachael xxx

A Merry hello

 This cute hostess set certainly has a lot to give. Not only did I use it yesterday to create the joy fold card, but I sat at my desk Last night and in no time created a set of 2 more cards and a gift bag with tag. 

For the first card, I stamped the itty bitty fern and holly stamps in a circle to create a wreath then added some ‘berries’ using the dotty stamp in the set. The sentiment is lifted up by dimensional dots. 

The second card uses the holly stamps again to add detail to the side of the card whilst the stocking is 2 stamps using Real red and Pear Pizzazz inks. A simple card with a traditional layered look. 

Finally I created thIs tag (and then had to make a gift bag for it to go on). I used the long stocking stamp, which has layering stamps for the trees and the heel/toe colouring. I added some green ink to the top of the stocking with a blender pen, a very simple way to add colour. I hand cut some holly to add to the sentiment of the card also. Finally, I used a now retired punch board to create the gift bag, which was finished off with a panel of stamped background paper. This was stamped using the small stamps from the set. 

I am so pleased with this little stamp set. I’m always hesitant to buy seasonal stamp sets but this one is worth it! It is only available as a hostess set though, so if you are interested in being able to get your hands on this, please let me know. 

Happy Stamping Sunday to you all.

Rachael xx

Joy Fold and A Merry Hello

 The countdown is on...

Can you believe it’s only 89 days until the big day and with the way Australia Post is backlogged, that only leaves half that time to start think about and creating some cards! Red and green of course 😉

I have the “A Merry Hello” hostess set and cracked it open this morning. There are so many images and lots of itty bitty images to use to create custom background papers! 

I watched several tutorials on YouTube earlier this week on how to make a joy fold card and cake up with this version. I did use an embossing folder and a fern leaf to mount my sentiment inside the card over. The rest is stamped or layered with Pear Pizzazz and Real Red. 

Happy stamping,

Rachael xx

Simply stamped Forever Fern card set

 I have wanted to use this stamp set for a simply stamped card since I joined. It arrived the other day!!! 

So easy and quick, I used the Peony Designer Series Papers as a mat for the stamped images. To coordinate, I use Granite Gray and Petal Pink inks. The images layer so well and are very detailed. Of course there is the first that go with it that I have used on a little project but I liked this idea of fast and easy, which meant 2 sheets of cardstock became a set of four 4x4 cards in less than half an hour. 

Now to wrap them in a cello bag and gift them 😉

It’s cold and windy here today but we are off to get fish and chips in the park with the family. Enjoy your weekend.

Rachael xx

Inspired by another blog

I received a box of new stamping goodies this morning. I also went looking through some fellow Stampin up demonstrators blogs when I came across this tutorial by chick n scratch... 

Here is my version:

This little treat box will come in handy for a spreading some love very soon! The tutorial was so easy to follow!!! Go check it out and and have a go yourself! 

Stampin Up! Supplies: 

• Pear pizazz cardstock 
• Soft sea foam and pear pizazz ink
• Forever Fern bundle (stamps, dies and designer series paper)
• Small craft peg 
• Basic rhinestones 
• Adhesives and dimensional dots 

Now to go and clean up my craft desk... again! 

Rachaelxxx

Forever Greenery addict - a Mini Project!!!

 I spotted some little notepads in a cheap shop the other day.  I have needed to write myself several lists (mainly wish lists!) since coming back to crafting.  So I thought it would make a great little project to have a go at writing a PDF for.  For now, until I work out how to upload the PDF and make it a download option, I'll pop up a picture of the project finished 🤣

Yes, I've used the Forever Greenery Designer Series Paper again!  This collection is wonderful to work with and all things green are very on trend at the moment.  I think I may send this one in the mail and make another for myself.  

And to show how much I love this paper set (actually just the colour green I think), here is a collection of some of the cards I've created in the last week or so that are all green themed.  So pretty and versatile!

I'm off to take washing off the line, wishing I was at my craft desk.  

Happy stamping!

Rachael xxx

Latest card using Queen Annes Lace

I found time yesterday afternoon to do some embossing and inking 👍

I've used Queen Annes Lace Stamp set with Coastal Cabana ink and card stock.  Aren't the Stitched So Sweetly Dies the best?  

I'm waiting for a bit of quiet time in the house to go create some more... I'm taking full advantage of school holidays 😉

Don't forget todays 24 hour only promotion - HUGE savings on stamps.  Leave me a message if you are interested in getting fabulous stamp sets at discounted prices.  

Rachael xx

Color throwdown challenge 611

I was too late to enter but I created this card using kraft, white, grey and green as a part of the Color Throwdown Challenge. I used some older Stamping Up! Products on this including the floral stamp (on the new Peony DSP) as well as an old sentiment. I’m struggling with sentiments, wishing for a bigger variety so I may have to invest in one or two sentiment stamp sets. 

We are loving the holidays here! I’m taking our eldest and our grandson to the shops for a while this morning... wish me luck, it’s bound to be busy! 

Rachael xx

#colourthrowdown #ctd611

Freshly Made 453

 

This weeks challenge included circle elements. I couldn’t get the circle right and then thought I Would just add a simple hand drawn/traced circle element instead. I had it in mind to use this stamp for a card just like this so I stamped and fussy cut for what seemed like hours! 😁

You can never have too many thank You cards on hand! I used the So much love stamp set for this with Old Olive and So Saffron. A great combo 👍🏻

Happy crafting,

Rachael xx

  #FMS453

Fab Friday Challenge #197

I loved the simple sketch challenge this week over at Fab Friday. I’ve used DSP and an old sentiment to stamp with Gray Granite. I think the simplicity of the card allows for the details to show up well in the papers.

It’s been a busy day of mulberry jam making and gardening here. I hope you’ve found time today to do something you enjoy.

Rachael xx

Sunday Facebook Challenge

Tracy has posted her FaceBook Sunday Challenge today!  YAY!

This week is a colour combo challenge and at first I thought I may not be able to participate as I'm still building up my stash but then remembered that Crushed Curry was a part of the Regal collection and I had some things put away unopened.  

I haven't made a rose for a long time - this one was fun and turned out better than I had hoped.  I didn't have any crumb cake to use at all 😒- but don't worry, it reminds me of the old 'kraft' colour so its on my long wishlist.  

Its been a warm day here and the whole family (including the dog) went out to the park and a festival for the morning.  The afternoon was spent napping and crafting.  

Happy Sunday to everyone!

Rachael xx

Todays 2 cards

 

Products featured are Forever Greenery Designer Series Paper, the Greenery Embossing Folders and Stitched So Sweetly die set.  Colours Used are Old Olive, Whisper White and Basic Black.

Products featured are Peony Garden Designer Series Paper, the Greenery Embossing Folders and Stitched so sweetly die set.  Colours used are Petal Pink and Gray Granite.  

I hope you also found some weekend crafting time today.  

Rachael xx

World Card Making Day 3 October

 The 3rd of October is a special day in our house, our eldest has her birthday on the 3rd!  BUT this year I will be celebrating World Card Making Day as well.  Card Makers from around the world will be posting photos and videos, doing Live Videos on Facebook and Instagram.  There is bound to be lots of fun and inspiration happening, come and join the fun!

Happy Stamping 

Rachael xx

So Much Love Simple

 

A fast and simple create after I coloured and cut the flower from So Much Love Stamp Set.  I'm loving the die set, made the matting very easy.  I've used Some Garden Green, So Saffron and Cherry Cobbler inks for the image.  

I'm officially on school holidays.  I have lots of ideas for cards and projects, as well as another order ready to put in.  LOTS of crafting to fit in over the next 2 weeks.  

Happy Stamping!

Rachael xx

Queen Annes Lace Set

 

I finally stamped Queen Anne's Lace Photopolymer Stamp Set. Love that you don't have to line it up precisely and it still looks great.  Gray Granite and So Saffron made for a simple colour scheme.  

Happy Thursday everyone!

Rachael xx

4x4 cards

 I love a square card!  

I created these two 4x4 inch cards this afternoon to try out some new things that arrived.  

To create this card, I used the following:

• Old Olive Cardstock
• Whisper White Cardstock
• Forever Fern Designer Series Paper
• Pretty Peacock ink
• Versamark Ink
• Greenery Embossing Folders
• So Sentimental Stamp Set
• So Much Love Stamp Set 
• Stitched So Sweetly Dies
• Rhinestone Basic Jewels

To create this card, I used the following:

• Petal Pink Cardstock
• Whisper White Cardstock
• Peony Garden Designer Series Paper
• Gray Granite Ink
• So Sentimental Stamp Set
• Stitched So Sweetly Dies
• Rhinestone Basic Jewels

Thanks for popping in.  I hope you are finding a spare hour to craft too.

Rachael xx

My kit arrived

...And so say I'm excited to create is an understatement. 👍 

I've raced around the house to tidy and organise dinner so I have time later to sit and unwrap it all.  

The newer style stamp pads are fabulous - they sit flat!!!!

Check out that pretty paper and matching card stock.  

Now which one do I want to use first?  

Happy stamping, Rachael xxx

Thank you treats

 I was inspired by Tracy Bish to create this box.  Instead of a sugar stick I tucked in 8 chocolate eclairs and then added the simple punched tag with some white grosgrain ribbon.  Papers are old Stamping Up DSP.  

Because I had leftover lollies, I speed crafted this cello bag with topper and more punch work.  

I can't wait to give them away!!!  

Hope you have found some time for crafting too. 

Rachael xx