Looking back at this week...

This past 2 weeks have flown by and I realise that I haven't updated the blog like I should have.  Hopefully you are all following along on my social media pages to keep up! I realise this is a bit of a photo dump but here is the projects that I have uploaded and featured recently - enjoy. 

A fun fold and a blending ink background technique using Attention Shoppers.  

Some fun cards - one for an upcoming workshop and the other using old Lawn Fawn stamps for boys!

The adventurous sky stamps made for a great fun fold, and the Silly Geese is another workshop card. 

Interactive cards - one for mothers day and another using my favourite Hot Air Balloon bundle!

2 weeks of monochromatic hop cards - Azure Afternoon and Berry Burst.  

A Bridgeton inspired card, with a fun fold pop up surprise inside.  

I've also uploaded some new videos to my YouTube.  Please pop over and subscribe so you get notified when the next one goes live.  

Happy creating, 
Rach xx

Just because...

 It's almost the New Year and of course like many others, I'm attempting to be organised.  My aim is to send out my birthday cards ahead of time and to have them sorted and in envelopes before the end of the previous month.  So today I discovered that with all the cards I created over Christmas, I'd left myself short of birthday cards.  

I created this design, in bulk with the intention of using up some designer series paper.  I have so much already but always find cutting it up very hard to do.  They are all so pretty! So to show it off, I used it as my background and added a simple label and some butterflies to finish.  

Just Jade and Bumblebee papers as well as Flirty Flamingo for the butterflies, make the pattern really pop.  

I now have cards in envelopes, addressed and stamped, all ready to pop in the mailbox today.  Thats all January birthdays done and dusted.  Are you on my birthday list?  If not, send me a message and I'll make sure one comes your way during the year.  

Happy stampin,

Rachael xx

A sweet mini gift box

 I've been playing with the Sweet Peach suite this week.  After making the donut box, I found myself turning to this easy construction once again and grabbing leftover DSP to decorate it.  In total, about 15 minutes from start to finish!  

The label was a quick stamped image and a sentiment cut to size to layer on top.  I love using the sponge daubers to add the touch of colour to the peaches and leaves.  

click on the above images for a larger version and see the details!

 YOU'RE A PEACH DSP is currently on Sale for 15% off ($17.00).  It's a beautifully versatile set of images and colours.  

If you are wanting your own set of Sweet as a Peach or simply like to collect Designer Series papers like a lot of us do, please contact me.  

Happy stamping,

Rachael

Technique Tuesday Blog Hop - ink!

 

This Technique Tuesday focuses on ink.  As a stamper, ink and paper are the staples of our craft.  Ink is a versatile product. I have chosen to use water splatter blotting as a technique.  

I cut out my circles using the Layering Circles dies, each a different size, using Basic White cardstock.  you could also use the watercolour paper if you would like for this technique.

I then used my blending brushes to ink them with Night of Navy and Pumpkin Pie.  I left the dies on the cut circles to give a white halo effect.  

After inking the entire circle, I used my waterpainter to flick water over the inked areas and after 2-3 seconds of sitting on the paper, I blotted it off with a tissue.  This removes some of the ink and leaves a shadowed splatter effect to the area.  You can repeat several times to get more detail like I have.

Thanks for popping by on the Hop.  

Please leave a comment below and don't forget to jump over to the other participants blogs to be inspired. 

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

Youtube tutorial

 

A new (and quick) tutorial over on YouTube.  Click the picture below to go check it out.  

I've used the Simply Elegant Suite to create this card.  It would make an ideal 'mass production' card or even a simple workshop card.  

Happy Stamping

Rachael xx

Sunday FB challenge

 

This weeks challenge got me digging into my DSP stash - I'm always up for using some of the sheets up if I can.  

I used last catalogues 'Fine Art Gallery' Designer Series Paper.  I also used Old Olive and Poppy Parade cardstock. 

The ribbon is coloured with Stampin Blend pens to match up the paper.  

You can join in the challenge and post over on Facebook HERE.

A 15 minute card

 I challenged myself to create a fast card the other morning.  You see, I don't get loads of time to create.  I try to make sure it fits in with work and family.  

So the other morning, less than half an hour is all I had.  I pulled out the trusty stamp set "Queen Annes Lace" to use because it always gives a great result for little effort.  Talk about simple stamping!  

I used Versamark ink to do the background.  The designer series paper is the new In Colour collection of 6x6 papers, I chose pale papaya.  A quick ink of the background using my blending brush and then stamped over the top to create the image.    

 

I'm happy with the results for such a little investment of time.  

Happy creating everyone,

Rachael xx

Sunday Challenges

 

Last weeks challenge was to use punches. I've used the new Elegant tag punch on this card, but not as a straight punch out as it is intended.  I used the top section to punch out several foil card pieces and arragned them to the side panel to create a boarder.  Then I use a strip of white card that was the width of the punch to add 2 ends the same as the rounded end of the punch.  This was easy, just add the card from the bottom of the punch, rather than through the slot as normal.

Another sunday challenge has been posted, so that means more creating to do... 

Happy stamping, 

Rachael xxx

Technical difficulties

 Technology is great - until it isn't.  Always the way isn't it? 

So I'm finally back up and blogging.... with new passwords and email accounts. 

I've been plodding along with creating, mainly because I've found myself really time poor this year. Many of my cards have been posted onto my Facebook but here is some stamping spam for you all to enjoy :) 

Can't wait to show you what I've been up to this weekend...

Rachael xx

Happy New Year!

 And just like that, we begin a new year!

I've taken a break over the Christmas Holidays from most of my creating.  I have been playing with a new toy (Cricut Maker) and that has been a huge learning curve.  

Today I got up and decided it was time to open some of my new stamps.  I've used one of the stamps from the mini catalogue to create a Thank you card.

The mini catalogue is bursting with cute stamps and launching today is the Sale-A-Bration catalogue which means you get loads of FREE goodies too.  I'm about to place my order and get the coordinating papers and another stamp set that match these yummy strawberries.

I am hoping to get lots done today, although the inks are calling to me already!

Happy Stamping, Rachael xx

Colour INKspiration Challenge #91

 

Challenge number 91 is out now for Colour INKspiration.  The above image and the colour palette provided plenty of inspiration for my card. 

This is a mini card, which I guess could double as a gift tag too.  I have used Granny Apple Green, Bermuda Bay, Pretty Peacock and Magenta Madness.  I didn't include glitter but did add some sparkle with some gemstones. 

I've stamped and used blender pens on the envelope too.  I have been trying hard to use my Paper Pumpkin stamp set for plenty of cards, ensuring its not just sitting unused after only a few cards.  I'm really happy with the simple layout and how cute this turned out.  The colours worked well together.  

Thanks for popping by, hopefully most of your Christmas creating is slowing down and you can relax for the Christmas break.  I plan on doing some baking to go with handmade cards over the next few days which will go to our neighbours.

Happy Holidays INKspiration peeps, Rachael xxx

No time for creating

 I'm trying my best to find time to play with paper but there is so much to do at this time of year.  I've reverted to more 'simple stamping' lately so that when I do get some time, I can whip a card up in the short amount of time I do have. 

This card is on a Granny Apple Green base with some watermark stamping using a Versamark ink pad.  The sentiment is stamped and embossed in white, on the speech bubble (also a stamp) which is tone on tone pink and fussy cut by hand.  This card took little time and I pushed my comfort zone with the colour choices too.  

This stamp set comes from the new Mini Catalogue which starts in the new year.  I love all the sentiment choices, most of which are bold and screaming out to be the feature of the card.  

Happy stamping (even with limited time), Rachael xx