A brave move for me....

I got brave and joined in with my Stampin Dreams Blog Hop group for FUN FOLDS.  I haven't hopped in a while, and getting back into the swing of it has given me a bit of anxiety, I want to make sure I get it right.  

I created with the Fine Art Floral Suite.  The fold starts with a z fold with a front panel attached, a simple fun fold for beginners. I love the layering effect it has when assembled.  And its a great way to use up some Designer Series Paper too!

Thank you for hopping over to my blog.

Here is a list of the other blog hopper participants, please go and check out the other inspiring creations.

 

Sunday Facebook Challenge

 This week I stepped back into my scrapbooking mode and created a mini album.  Talk about a blast from the past....

The challenge this week for Sunday was:

I've used the Simply Elegant DSP for this album and approached it using black and white photos and similar layouts for each page.  I then finished with plenty of sentiments from my stamp collection.  

I love how the heart 'charm' turned out, its stamped on foil cardstock using Stazon ink - its double sided and was hand cut.  

I have a feeling my mum is really going to love this :) 

Happy creating everyone,

Rachael xx

Technique Tuesday Blog Hop - Pressure Embossing

Welcome to our blog hop with a focus on pressure embossing this month. 

 I use my embossing folders LOTS, so this was an easy one for me to join in with this hop.  I've chosen to use the Forever Greenery embossing folder which is small enough to go into the mini cut and emboss machine.  

The best thing about embossing is that it adds so much depth and texture to a card with very little effort.  Today, I've used plain Polished Pink cardstock and run it through to create a mat for the ice cream and label.  The tip I have to you is to add an extra piece of cardstock in your plate sandwich so you get a super crisp image after its run through the machine.

The sweet ice cream bundle makes for a bright and fun card, perfect for my polished pink embossed matting.  

Next time you use a background embossing folder, try adding the extra 'shim' to the stack and see how much clearer your impressions are.  Be sure to check out the other wonderfully talented demonstrators listed below who are a part of our hop.

Happy Stamping....

Rachael

Elegance and Greenery - FMS 488

Freshly made sketches have another fabulous sketch on their blog for this weeks challenge.  Here is my take on it:

I started to create this card with a very literal interpretation in mind.  I don't think I ended up that way but that's ok.  I love how the Simply Elegance Designer Series Paper is foiled, and glimmers when you move the card. 

If you would like to join in the fun, head over to their blog by clicking on the sketch image below.

Products used:

• Basic White and Grey Granite cardstock 
• Gold foil card
• Grey Granite ink
• Versa Mark ink
• Simply Elegance stamp set 
• Forever Flourishing dies
• Forever Greenerystamp set
• Gold Embossing Powder and Heat tool
• Stampin Dimensionals

Happy creating,

Rachael xx

New catalogue means kits galore

 I couldn't wait to get my hands on the newest Kits from Stampin Up.  I have some friends who like to come along and create but really aren't into buying a lot of supplies.  We've decided to get some kits to share and have a lovely bundle of cards for giving.  

This is what we've gone with this time and will probably create them over a few cups of coffee on weekends. 

A beautiful soft card design, with roses.  We will also do a small gift box to go with it, as a little thank you freebie for coming along and joining the fun.  

These ones everyone is keen for - because lets face it, male cards aren't the easiest to get right.  We will probably create a small box to go with this one with a faux wood panel top.  

So pretty - this one will be perfect for girls of any age.  Don't those envelopes look fun!  I can't wait to do a bag topper to go with this....

And finally, an oldie but a goodie with foiled accents.  This will make a lovely little collection and we will create some simple tags to go with this set as a freebie thank you.  

So much fun coming up in the next several weeks.  Now to wait with anticipation for them to actually arrive (and possibly a few extra things to play with in the same order!)  If you would like your own kits, please let me know and we can get some on order for you. 

Happy crafting

Rachael xxx

Slimline card

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Can you believe this is my first ever slimline card. I know its been a trend for a while but the JUST ADD INK challenge pushed me to give it a go. I'm so glad I did!

I've used Polished Pink, Evening Evergreen, Soft Seafoam and Granny Apple Green for this card.

The sweet strawberry stamp and punch bundle made for a pretty and very easy card to assemble.  I used Stampin Blends for the colouring and kept the embellishment simple with the punched out images.  

Of course, I missed the deadline to upload this card but that's ok.  It was so much fun!

Happy stamping,

Rachael xx

TGIF Challenge!

 YAY, I had time to complete a TGIF challenge this week.  Its been a while.....

This weeks challenge was to use Stampin' Blends.  EASY!  These are my favourite, colouring always means a bit of relaxing in front of the tv.  

I immediately thought of the Birthday Chick bundle, and I was already in need of a male card.  Here is the result:

I've tried to keep to male colours.  I have to admit, I used a lot of colours in the Blends - lots of layering.  And of course, I had to make a shaker card for a birthday!!! I used some of the 'Well Suited' DSP for the background of the shaker card too.  

Take a peek inside, some birthday hatching chicks to finish off the card.  

Heres to a fabulous week!  Unfortunately report card writing is looming, so I'm not sure how much creating will get done anytime soon.  

Rachael xx

Sunday challenge again - as promised

 This weeks challenge was a sketch.  Everyone loves a good sketch, it gets the creative mind working :) 

I've created with the retired snail mail papers.  These were on my desk so it gave me a good excuse to do a clean up and create at the same time. 

Here is the sketch from Tracy, please join along and post your version onto her FB page too :) 

Happy creating

Rachael xxxa

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

Ink & Inspiration Blog Hop December - New Mini Catalogue

Welcome to the Ink & Inspiration Blog Hop. You are currently visiting Rachael Merrick from Australia. I hope you enjoy my Mini Catalogue project.

I created a simple card to showcase this beautiful paper which is FREE in the Sale-A-Bration catalogue and a matching box to hold a small gift.  

-"You are Amazing" stamp set for the sentiment from the Mini Catalogue

-"Flower & Fields" designer Series Paper from the Sale-A-Bration catalogue

-"Potted Succulents" die for the label from the Mini Catalogue

I hope the projects you've seen here on my blog today have inspired you & brightened your day. 

You are currently visiting Rachael Merrick. Please see the list below & hop through all of the people on the list to see all our projects. You don't want to miss any!"

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