Sunday FB Challenge - Tags!

This weeks challenge was tags, and I know most of the ladies so far have created just that - tags.  I tried to think out of the box a little and created a card featuring tags instead.  

I cut the tags and inked them after stamping the sentiments.  

This card turned out exactly as I imagined. 

 I've used the colour inspiration from the Sweet as a Peach collection but used the Artistically Inked dies for the background.  The sequins are also from the 'inked' suite and totally adorable!

Colour combo: Balmy Blue, Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz and Petal Pink.  

This card is off in the mail today with a gift.  I hope the recipient enjoys the colour scheme.  

Happy stamping,

Rachael xxx

colour INKspiration #102

What an adorable image!  Am I right?  I knew that this would be a challenge, because it would end up being monochromatic.  This card was one of those where you have to 'trust the process'...

Here is my interpretation of this challenge, using the wonderfully bright Polished Pink from the new In Colours.  I love this stamp!  I did cut off 2 of the animals mainly because it didn't fit in the size I wanted.   

As always, a bit of versamark stamping on my background cardstock, as well as the dotty embossing folder features, isn't it subtly perfect? I can't wait to see everyone else's interpretation of this challenge.  

Happy stamping,

Rachael 

 

Donut you know you deserve a treat?

 I saw an advertisement for a packaging company pop up on my Instagram yesterday.  It was a little box with a see-through lid and a donut in it. I was totally inspired!  Ok so it wasn't until I went to fuel up my car this morning at 7-eleven that I spotted the said donuts and knew I had to give a cute box a try. 

This box is made from two, 5 3/4 inch square pieces of basic white cardstock. Each one was then scored around the edges at 1 inch and cut on each corner, folded and glued to make a simple box base and lid.  There are plenty of tutorials on Youtube to give better instructions than I can.  

I stamped the edges of the top with the sprinkles from the Sweet Ice cream stamp set in Magenta Madness.  I used a sticky note to make sure it didn't go onto the top section.  I cut the top layered cards with the second largest circle from the layering circle dies.  I did add a small piece of acetate between the white base and the top 2 layers to protect the donut - this is probably optional if you are gifting it immediately.  If you want to purchase the products used for this and give it a go, please contact me.  Stampin Up products are so easy to work with!

My husband was very surprised when he got home to find his treat waiting on his computer!  

Happy SWEET crafting to everyone,

Rachael xxx

Global Design Project #298

I wanted to do a little more 'freestyle' stamping for this latest challenge.  I've used Hyderanga Haven stamps for this card as well as a combo of coloured inks that I feel mix well together.  

It's a simple card really, with some tone on tone stamping using the tiny stamps from the set.

Inks used: Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz and Bermuda Bay.

Thanks for popping by, I'm working on editing a video for the process of making this card and will pop a notice up later when its done.  It may give you a good laugh and give you some insight into my brain when I'm crafting; its a little hectic!

Happy creating,

Rachael xx

Sunday Stamps challenge by Amy

 My latest order arrived today and I knew exactly what card I was going to create with the biggest wishes stamp set, the Sunday Stamps Challenge!

Such a great sketch for a challenge, thank you Amy. 

I've stuck with the newest In-Colours for this card, using Pale Papaya and Soft Succulent.  The floral die is from the Artistically Inked Suite.  

I am really impressed with this new floral die, how pretty does it make a card look?  It instantly transformed a fairly boring card into something delicate.  

I've used my old faithful watermarking background with Versa Mark inks, using the same block lettered 'Thanks'.  Its a subtle effect but adds that touch of interest too. 

Grab the Biggest Wishes set now from Stampin Up.  I would love to help anyone who is new to the Stampin Up world and is looking to purchase.  

Happy Stamping everyone,

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

Farmhouse Chic - TGIF challenge

 

Another TGIF challenge completed!  I went with floral and old fashioned colour combo for the interpretation on this theme.  The colours are from the NEUTRAL family and include Sahara Sand and Merry Merlot. 

I used the shadow stamping technique with the floral stamp from Simply Elegance. 

Happy stamping,

Rachael

Sunday FB challenge - sketch

Another week- another challenge.  LOVED doing a sketch challenge although I admit, I got carried away and turned it on its side then it became a background!

I've used Birthday Chick stamp set - so cute.  

Colour combo of: Pale Papaya, Calypso Coral and Soft Succulent.

 

Happy crafting everyone,

Rachael xxx

June Ink & Inspiration hop

Welcome to the Ink & Inspiration Blog Hop. 

You are currently visiting Rachael Merrick from Australia. I hope you enjoy my version of the theme.

The brights collection of inks really screamed out 'colour explosion' to me and so I've chosen to use them for my card.  I stamped most of the Forever Fern stamps using a different colour for each image.  The layering effect created a great 'background' for the sentiment.  

And of course I can't forget the glitter!  I used a scrap of old glittered paper to die cut the fern image and place behind the sentiment.  

I hope the projects you've seen here on my blog today have inspired you & brightened your day. I've included images of some of the Stampin Up products in the current catalogue used on my card.

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!"

Forever After - Pride inspired card

I participated in a tutorial bundle this month.  The inspiration was PRIDE.  I loved creating this card, the colours pop against the black background.  The sentiment in this stamp set was perfect.

The colours I've used are :Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Pacific Point and Gorgeous Grape.

If you would like a bundle of fabulous card tutorials from talented Stampin Up Demonstrators, reach out to me.  

And I did come out of my comfort zone a little and create a tutorial that is on YouTube HERE.

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xxx

Let's Get Hopping Round 43

Welcome to The Let's Get Hopping Blog Hop Round 43 where our theme is to create using a technique that is new to us.  

I have to admit, the current trend of watercolours and alcohol inks has really got me thinking about creating backgrounds.  The blend of colours and varied depths of colour make for a really unique design.  So for our hop, I decided to give block watercolour a try.

I started with my larger acrylic block and inked it up with some similar coloured inks, direct from the ink pad.  I didn't want to use drops of ink from a reinker bottle otherwise I thought I would end up with a big mess.

Next I spritzed the whole block with water, wiggling the block around a little until the colours bled and mixed a little.  Then I laid it direct onto cardstock and let it sit for a minute to start soaking up before lifting it up.  I dried it using the heat tool, again moving it around so that the drops and pools of still wet ink would move around on the paper.  I loved the result but did sit the block back on top another time to add a little more dimension.  

For the card, I created an easel card with designer series paper from the Floral Arte Suite as they used similar colours as well as stamps from the Simply Elegant stamp set.  

Thanks for popping by.  Click the link to go to the next blog post by the wonderfully talented Shelly Wadge... 

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.

Color INKspiration challenge #101

 

I finally got around to creating for this wonderful challenge.  A huge congratulations to the team for it being their 100th challenge too from last week, I missed the deadline for that challenge due to life being too busy (thanks report card season!).  

Here is my entry using these beautiful softer colours.

I loved this combination so much.  And I knew exactly what I was going to do with it as soon as I saw the image.  I'd love for you to leave a comment and let me know what you think of this challenge and my entry. There is still a little bit of time to join in ;) 

Happy stamping,

Rachael xx