Christmas in July with the Global Monthly Video Hop team... PDF FREEBIE

Hi there crafters,

I wanted to make sure you have downloaded this FREE PDF that our team created to match this special event from July over on Youtube.  All 6 projects not only have the list of products to use but also a QR code that takes you straight to the video for you to watch and create along with us.  Be sure to grab these tutorials and start planning your Christmas early this year!

Happy Stamping,

Rachael x

 

Global Monthly Video Hop - Christmas in July - PDF FREEBIE

 Hi there crafters and welcome to a special edition to our Global Monthly Video Hop!  This is a bonus video hop with a Christmas in July theme.  Pop over to my video and then join the team as we show off some fabulous projects including cards that will inspire you to get your Christmas creativity sorted and organised early this year.  

My project was a little treat box, perfect for sitting on the table on Christmas day or perfect package to hold a gift (I'm thinking jewellery!).  I've used the Woodland Wishes stamp and some colouring, finishing off with some ink blending.  

PS - check out the FREE download PDF, it matches the projects in the hop.  

Happy Stamping, Rachael x

Come Create a Card with Me - Woodland Wishes Christmas in July

   Hey there crafters!

Are you joining me over at Youtube each week?  This week we featured the Christmas July theme and a stamp set called Woodland Wishes... adorable images!  Pop over to Youtube and watch along with me!  

If you are interested in downloading this weeks matching PDF, grab the links and print yourself at home.  All PDF freebies are found on the side bars as a link.  

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

 

Christmas in July with Stamping INKspiration blog hop

Hi there crafters, I'm joining with the Stamping INKspiration blog hop group with a theme of CHRISTMAS IN JULY.  You has probably hopped here from Jan's blog - welcome!  I'm so glad to be showing off the Woodland Wishes stamp set with a traditional colour combo.  I'm a sucker for traditional colours at Christmas!

This stamp set was the first on my list when the Christmas in July release was available, the cute critters in a pyramid shape really caught my eye.  I've always love colouring these kind of images using Stampin Blends, but this one was quick to complete because there is so many smaller spaces to fill that it doesn't need too much colouring or many layers to create a pretty finished card front. 

 

I've added a bit of ink blending on the front panel too, to make it really show off the triangle shape of the image and to match  with the "Stitched Season" DSP!The easel fold meant that I could also have the coloured image sit up and can be easily shown off, simple but effective in design.  

Although its tricky to see in a photo, be sure you pop over to Youtube and watch me create this card.... the Wink of Stella really shows off the small amount of shadowing for the bear.  Sparkling makes it really add to it being a Christmas card! 

I'm thrilled that I have a few cards completed ready for Christmas because I know, before we realise it, December will be here!  I hope you too are in the mood to create along with all projects from the hop. 

Christmas in July - Traditional Color vibes

Cherry Cobbler | Real Red | Garden Green | Shaded Spruce | Crumb Cake

Next in the hop is Kelly!  

Click the image below that will take you straight over to her project.

Happy Stamping, 

Rachael x

 

Leonie Stuart  ●  Marga Bultena  ●  Mo Rootes

Teri West  ●  Jan Musselman

Rachael Merrick  ●  Kelly Taranto  ●  Angie McKenzie

 

Not a card... again

This weekend just gone, we spent an early Christmas celebration at my parents house.  Because my parents are still coming to us for Christmas day, the idea was to gift something small/inexpensive.  

I made a Christmas cushion years ago with red work stitching and since she passed, it has lived with me and come out each year.  I know how much my mum admired this so I wanted something for her to have with the same sentiment.  Handmade and Christmas - what better than a cushion right?  

I bought some navy linen, to match their navy grey and white decor of their house and sewed the zippered cover before adding a heat transfer vinyl design, cut with my cricut machine.  

Mum seemed pretty chuffed with the gift.  I'm glad :) 

Happy Christmas Crafting

Rachael xxx

 

Almost forgot...

I forgot to add this to the post the other day.....This was another part of the inky Secret Santa exchange that I sent in my parcel.  The little wooden houses are a part of a set of 5 from Kmart. 

 I need to finish off the other 3 for myself.

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xxx

Inky Christmas

 Our Inky Stampers team recently had their online Christmas party and Secret Santa was a part of it.  I sent off a package of a few goodies but these probably turned out my favourite.... a stationary set using new stamps which are release in January. 

All up there was 3 note pads - a large and small lined as well as a blank page one.   I'm glad Marian was in need of these... I feel like I may have to have a set of my own now too.

Happy stamping,

Rachael xx

Finally on holidays

 As a teacher, the last term before our long Summer break is always tough. So many jobs and events.... but now I'm officially on holidays for the next 6 or so weeks.  

My plan is to be more organised.  

• I've got all my cards posted
• I've got my calendar up to date with projects needing to be done
• I've 90% finished Xmas shopping and wrapping
• I've got 2 sewing projects to do on Tuesday
• I'm cooking meals today ready for lunches this week and may even squeeze in some baking.  

YAY!!!  So keep an eye out over the coming days for projects I have on the books ready to upload.  

Don't forget our card class online is soon....

Happy stamping,

Rachael xx

Packaging blog hop

Welcome to another months blog hop where we have a 'packaging' theme.  

I initially thought I would do a cute box but decided to create this one instead - a box of gift tags ready for Christmas gifts.  So its a double dip on the theme because my box is a package for tags that finish off packages.  

The box I created was a hinged lidded rectangular box.  Inside, I have a dozen tags complete with silver trim for attaching to presents.  

I've used Heartwarming Hugs and Garden Green for this project.  The DSP was a repeat from last year and I was thrilled to see it back again because its the only DSP that I've ever used an entire pack and had nothing but a few strips left!  The patterns are cute and make for great backgrounds to add a simple sentiment and embellishments to. 

I used a few cut out holly leaves for decoration and the same sentiment in Pear Pizzazz on all the tags.  It made it easy to mass produce these.  

This will make a great gift for someone in early December.  Thanks for popping along to my corner of the hop.  Don't forget to visit everyone else to be inspired.

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

 

Non Traditional Christmas Blog Hop

 

Welcome to another blog hop with the Let's Get Hopping crew.  

This is a fun one, with Christmas fast approaching, who doesn't love creating cards!  And this hop is all about pushing the boundaries and choosing something 'non-traditional'.  I've chosen Polished Pink and Evening Evergreen as a colour combo.  I gravitate towards red and green at christmas so this is just a little left of centre on this idea.  

I also wanted to spruce this card up with a fun fold and was inspired by a recent card swap with this one.  Its an easel card but one where the main sentiment panel pops up off the folded easel.  Fun!

Here is the aerial view to better explain what I mean. I love how it also means the card can stand up tall!  

I've added a peek a boo panel for inside the card, complete with a very pink Delivering Cheer colouring image.  

Thanks for popping along with the hop - I can't wait to read the comments and jump along to see what everyone else has created.  

In case you are keen to give this style of card a try, here is what I created behind the sentiment panel to allow for the pop up feature on the fold.  I may just have to do a quick video in the future too.

Happy Stamping, Rachael xx

Jump over to see Alicia's fabulous project

Kit Release....

 Have you seen the new Christmas tag kit?  

So cute!  Its an all inclusive kit which means you can craft without purchasing another thing!

There are 12 tags in this kit.  BUT what I'm most excited about it that there is also printed cello bags that match so that you can package up some Christmas goodies and add a tag for an instant handmade gift!  I'll pop up some actual examples as soon as my kit arrives... I can't wait!

Penguin Place sparkling card

 We all love a few sparkles on a card and what is even better is a lot of sparkles all together!  Sale-A-Bration brings us not only this adorable papers with images ready to cut and use but also the 6x6 BE DAZZLING  paper.  Both are free items in the catalogue with a $90 spend.  

I was doubtful about the BE DAZZLING papers because to take a photo doesn't do it justice but I quickly grabbed myself one on my second SAB order, and it is beautifully sparkly and adds so much to these snowy scenes.  

If you love sparkle and want to grab yourself some, pop an order in with me ASAP before they run out or the promotion finishes.

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

Another MERRY card

Yes, its another card using the Merriest Moments Bundle

I teamed it up with the Heartwarming Hugs DSP and plenty of bling thanks to some of the sparkling sequins and some floral accents from the dies in the bundle. 

The mini catalogue items are available until the end of the year.  BUT if you are thinking of ordering, now is time, with Sale-A-Bration ending soon.  See the side bar to be able to download copies of the catalogues to browse through today. 

Happy Stamping,

Rachael

 

Jun-Dec Mini Catalogue virtual swap

 

I participated in a virtual swap recently, using items from the new Mini Catalogue.  Of course, it was a Christmas Theme and I loved using the stamp sets and DSP from the catalogue to create a traditional feel card.  

Heartwarming Hugs Designer Series Paper was a returning product from last years catalogue.  When I saw this, I was thrilled as I used almost an entire pack last year (totally unheard of in my craft room!).  I do love the traditional colours and patterns.  The houndstooth is one of my favourites and had to be featured on this card.  

I used my go to technique of background stamping with Versamark ink using the Words of Cheer bundle.  The large clustered image from this has been used on other cards of mine already.  

 

Happy Stamping everyone, 

Tidings of Christmas

 This weeks Facebook Sunday challenge was the theme Christmas.  

I've used Tidings of Christmas, a 6x6 inch DSP pack from the annual catalogue.  I've paired it with the tailored tag punch and the Merriest Moments stamp set.  

The sentiment came from Words of Cheer, another great set from the mini catalogue. 

If you don't have a copy of the annual or mini catalogues and are new to Stampin Up, please reach out - these really are fabulous for your Christmas crafting.

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

TGIF Challenge...

I'm back into it!  You have no idea how frustrating the last several weeks have been - so busy that crafting has taken more of a back seat.  BUT this morning I was up early and decided today was the day to get back to doing some of my favourite challenges!  (see my side bar for links to my faves)

This weeks challenge was to be inspired by the new mini catalogue.  I've done 2 orders already from the mini catalogue because anyone who knows me, knows that Christmas is my time to shine.  I love the crafting, the decorating, the baking and the love that is felt!  So my card today uses some of the things that came from my order which arrived earlier in the week!

I was thrilled to see Heartwarming Hugs return as DSP again this year - its the only pack of DSP I've ever managed to run down to only a few scraps.  I love the traditional red and green colour combo for Christmas.  

The new embossing and die cut combo in the merriest moments bundle worked amazing!!! And all the stamped and die cut elements to layer with the frame were super easy to work with too. And I can't forget the sequins combo - whites and silvers that shimmer and make for a great shaker element to any card.  I added some to the frame too.  

If you haven't had a go at the TGIF challenges, jump in.  If you want anything from the mini catalogue - contact me.  

Edit: I've had such an overwhelming response to this card that I've created a YouTube tutorial and recreated it in similar colours.  Thank you to everyone who was so generous with their support. 

Inky Stampers meeting!

Each month our team meets up via Skype.  Its always a great hour of chatting and giggling.  We also try to craft in that time.  This month we decided to create a fun fold card.  Here is my version with a popup section inside.  

I used the Penguin Playmates paper that comes free at the moment in the SaleABration catalogue with any $90 order.  What is great about this paper is all the images that are begging to be cut out and used with the reverse side papers....  

I also used the die from the Words of Cheer Bundle (page 20 of the mini catalogue).  How pretty is that layered HAPPY sentiment!  It is so simple to create maximum impact on a card with these sorts of things at your fingertips.

The inside of my card pops open to reveal a fun scene using more of the cute animals from the DSP.  I couldn't help but use a retired die from last year to create a snowy slope scene for the bottom of the card.  As tricky as this card looks, it is very quick to come together and easy to do.  I must do a quick video on it to share.

Happy stamping, 

Rachael