Making the most of white ribbon...

 Hello again!  I had a few people ask how I managed to get the ribbon to match my card yesterday.

Let me share my tip : 

Use your Stampin blends to colour the white ribbon.  It means you will always have the correct shade to match your project!

I hold my brush pen tip against the ribbon and my finger.  BUT you can also use plastic or an acrylic block to sit under the ribbon as you colour.  If the shade is too light after it dries, give it another colouring.  EASY!

I would love for you to give this idea a go and send me a link. 

Happy creating,

Rachael

Sundays FB Challenge

 

This weeks challenge was a colour combination.  Rich Razzleberry always gets me in challenges because it only own a Stampin pen - no paper, cardstock or ink.  BUT I can always make it work.  

I love this image so much and even more so when stamped in a row.  

Its not too late to join us over on Tracy Bish's Facebook challenge.... always great to get the creative juices flowing.

Happy stamping,

Rachael xx

My latest box arrived!

 I ordered a few things from the retiring list, including the Woodland Wonders stamp set. I have loved this from the start but never got around to 'collecting' it until now, knowing I wouldn't be able to get it again.  

It makes for such a cute card and also a great to customise.

  I've kept this simple but did add plenty of background inking with a cut out to create clouds. The main tree and animals are coloured using a variety of Stampin Blends.  

Keen on creating your own slimline fun card for all occasions?  Upcoming coffee cake and cards afternoons are the perfect way to try stamping without having to purchase products.  Let me know if you would like to join us.

  

Happy creating,

Rachael xx

Freshly Made Sketches #489

This sketch threw me for a minute until I decided to turn it on its side.  

I used the strawberry bundle and created a card that probably isn't my normal style.  Lots of white space!  I've used some of the in colours too - soft succulent and pale papaya, teamed with melon mambo!  Perfect for strawberries I think. 

 

Again, I'm upset that my phone lens is smashed and causing me hassles with getting some good photos this morning but I can't do anything about it....

Happy stamping everyone, 

Rachael xx

Double up on challenges

 I set out this morning to create 2 cards, for 2 challenges.    I just couldn't make the ideas separate, so they melded into the one card instead. Funny how things turn out. So here is my card that matches both the Global Design Project 'Garden' theme and all the sketch from TGIF challenges for this week.

I used Simply Elegant for the background stamping and then my favourite succulent stamps for the image.  

Click on the links below to join the challenges with me :) 

 

As a side note, my phone has been dropped and the lens cover smashed.  It means my photos aren't the best despite some editing.  I'm not happy and now have to find the time to get it fixed!  

Happy creating,

Rachael xx

Inky Stampers Meeting

 Our team is amazing!  The inky stampers are a collection of wonderfully kind and enthusiastic stampers that have Tracy Bish to thank for coming together.  When I decided that I needed to get back to doing something for myself (which Stampin Up was an easy choice to turn to), I reached out to Tracy who I had seen on Youtube and Facebook.  I'm lucky to have found a great group of supportive friends.  Although we can't meet up face to face - although it WILL happen one day - we ZOOM each month to catch up.  Each time we complete a challenge during our time chatting. 

This months challenge was 'animals'.  I created this quick card, using retired stamps.  Such a lovely quote and a very 'neutral' card.  I think I need to recreate this again.  

If you are keen to join a group of wonderful ladies, please let me know.  There is a great 'sign up' deal for Stampin Up with loads of freebies.  You don't have to sell or even purchase great amounts.  Its really just a fantastic way to get into a hobby that is very rewarding and to have a fabulous support network.  

Happy inky fingers to all,

Rachael xxx

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