Stampin' Up! Flower Shop Posy Class

How cute is that vase of paper flowers on page 95 of the annual catalogue.   You know.... this one ;)

I am running a class on Sunday 29th September where you can make your very own vase of these exact same flowers.  It costs $15 & includes a milk bottle vase & 8 flowers.  You can add whichever sentiment you want to the front to suit any occasion you prefer.  Bookings are essential as I only have 5 places left.
Email me - thespeckledsparrow@bigpond.com or phone 0411113530 to book your place.

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA

Stampin' Up! Build A Banner Kit - Coming Soon

Christmas Banner Simply Created kit & Build A Banner Kit.

I just received my preorder from the holiday catalogue & in excitement tore open the Christmas Banner Simply Created Kit & Build A Banner Kits.  Let me explain what these are.  The Build a Banner kit contains 18 blank canvas banners in 3 different styles & some template stencils & spritzers.  The Christmas Banner Simply Created Accessory kit contains lots of embellishments to make a Christmas banner.

I had quite a fight on my hands when using the Build A Banner kit.  I tried & tried & could not get the spritzers to get a clean effect.  After trying 3 times I gave up & moved on to the daubers with a much better result.  I have learnt a few tips & tricks when using the stencils so in an attempt to save you some frustration I am happy to share those with you.

1) Use snail or semi permanent tape behind the stencil to secure it to the banner.
2) If using the spritzer you need a good 10-11 drops of ink, alcohol & a tiny bit of water.  The darker the ink the better the effect.  I tried all alcohol & reinker & it bled through (see photo below)

alcohol & reinker only

Then I tried more ink, less alcohol & a dash of water & got a much better effect.  It was still not to my liking so I ended up sponge daubing my banner.
3) When using the spritzer, the moisture tends to curl the banner when drying so you need to dry it flat under something heavy.  I placed mine on some paper towel & then placed a heavy book over the top.
 4) When using a dauber I found it easier to apply the reinker directly to the dauber or into the lid of the matching ink pad

Dauber & reinker

The templates come with a mask stencil.  I used this & also the alphabet stencil at the same time to ensure clean lines.  On the spot one I used Bermuda Bay & Smoky Slate.

Bermuda Bay & Smoky Slate

5) Be careful when spritzing - ensure everything is out of the way....this one got spritzed from afar.  This one was my attempt at highlighting the spritzed image.  Blah - no good, but figured it was ruined anyway so why not have a play right? It is not totally ruined I can always colour over the top with a darker colour & make it  a halloween banner or cover the circle with something :)

The Christmas & Halloween Simply Created Accessory Kits come with lots of great embellishments.  I have used a few on these next photos. The Christmas Kit I used came with Bermuda Bay/Pool Party two toned 1 1/4" ribbon, Silver 1/8" Ribbon, Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Large Rhinestone Jewels, 5 x Vintage Faceted buttons & 3 glittered die cut accents & 4 Rosettes with centre circles that need to be assembled.  

Banner Accessories 

Snowflake Embellishment

Well I hope my tips helped you to create your banner.  Now that I have finally figured out how to make these Banners I am planning a class in October where you get to make a banner similar to my one here.  If you would like to express your interest in this class send me an email.  

Here is a video from Stampin' Up! which may help a bit also.  

CHRISTMAS BANNER SUPPLIES

Kits: Christmas Banner Simply Created Accessory Kit (#132697), Build A Banner Simply Created Kit (#133507)

Ink:  Bermuda Bay reinker(#131156), Pool Party reinker (#122933)

Cool Tools: Hot Glue Gun, Silver Glimmer Paper (#124005), 1" Circle Punch(#119868), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (#119861), Silver 1/8" Ribbon(#132137)

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio Tour & Pinspiration

I was lucky enough to attend the Stampin' Up! MDS tour when it was in Melbourne last weekend.  I have had very little to do with MDS so I was really looking forward to learning the basics.  Is it just me or do new things scare you too?  I am ashamed to say I was a little scared of MDS.  It looked so complicated & so technical!  To my absolute surprise it was a lot easier than I thought.  I just needed to take some baby steps with my learning.  The Stampin' Up! MDS tour is designed to do exactly that.  I learnt how to do basic digital scrapbooking but also how to make some great digital & hybrid cards, home decor & family heirlooms too.

Here is one of the pages I created at the tour.  You do get to make quite a few pages so if you go along prepare a folder of photos specifically for a photo book.

 There are lots of great ideas, tips & tricks to learn. If you get a chance to attend one I suggest you jump at it as it is well worth the $30 fee.  Here are the links for more info on the MDS tour  & the  My Digital Studio software & downloads.  If you cant attend there are lots of great Online Video Tutorials to get you started.   

I am a bit of a home decor magazine junkie.  All those lush homes styled to the nines, love it!  Having just built a brand new home, I needed to do a bit of styling of my own.  So, today I opened my MDS program & designed a nice little picture to put in a frame in my laundry.  I had seen a few laundry printables on pinterest and thought - hey with these new MDS skills I can do that!

Here it is!

It is a very simple project but will look great hanging on my wall in my laundry along with a few others I am working on.  How great is that?  Even if you prefer to create your cards & pages the traditional way, you can adapt MDS to make printable projects like this one.  If you are interested in giving it a try, the program is available to download as a free trial for 30 days.  Click here for your--->  MDS FREE TRIAL.  

Digital Laundry Page:

Digital DSP: Sweet Details 8

Font: Big Caslon

Embellishments: Paper Buttons

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

Stampin' Up! Stand E21 Craft & Quilt Fair

Just dropping in to show you our stand at the Craft & Quilt fair that is on now until Sunday at the Melbourne Convention Centre.
If you are attending please do come to our stall at E21 & say HI!

We are demoing lots of products and as you can see there are plenty of samples on the walls for inspiration.  Make sure you bring your camera/ipad/phone to take some photos.

I am working all day Saturday & Sunday so come find me!  I look forward to seeing you all there.

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

Stampin' Up! Gingham Garden Cards 3

I had such fun making this set of 10 cards & really love the Gingham Garden DSP as it is so bright & fun.  Last in the series of these cards are the following 4.

Doily Gingham Garden Birthday Card

Happy Birthday Gingham Card

Gingham Punched Flower Card

Elegant Eggplant Butterfly Card

CARD 1: 

Stamp Sets:  Petite Pairs(128706), Create A Cupcake(121982)
Paper:  Whisper White(106549), Melon Mambo(119980),  Island Indigo(124390), Gingham Garden DSP (129310)

Ink:  Melon Mambo(126948), Pear Pizzazz(131180), Island Indigo(126986).

Cool Tools: Big Shot, Adorning Accents Edgelits(125595), Basic Rhinestones(119246), 2 1/2" Circle Punch(120906), Beautiful Wings Embosslits(118138), Tea Lace Paper Doilies(129399), Bird Builder Punch(117191), Dimensionals(104430).

CARD 2: 

Stamp Sets: Create A Cupcake(121982) Label Love(130619)

 Paper:  Whisper White(106549), Daffodil Delight(121680), Melon Mambo(119980), Gingham Garden DSP (129310)

Ink:  Melon Mambo(126948), Pear Pizzazz(131180), Island Indigo(126986).

Cool Tools: Big Shot,  Basic Rhinestones(119246), 

1 3/4 Scallop Circle Punch(119854),  Artisan Label Punch(130920), Delicate Doilies Sizzlets (126999), Dimensionals(104430), 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch(129404).

CARD 3:

Stamp Sets:  Itty Bitty Banners(126257)
Paper:  Whisper White(106549), Daffodil Delight(121680), Melon Mambo(119980),  Island Indigo(124390), Gingham Garden DSP (129310)

Ink:  Melon Mambo(126948)

Cool Tools: Big Shot, Bitty Banner Framelits(129267), Basic Rhinestones(119246), 1 3/4 Scallop Circle Punch(119854), 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch(129404),Blossom Punch(125603)Fancy Flower Punch(118073), Dimensionals(104430).

CARD 4:

Stamp Sets:  Itty Bitty Banners(126257)
Paper:  Whisper White(106549), Elegant Eggplant(108614), Gingham Garden DSP (129310)

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant(126969), Daffodil Delight(126944).

Cool Tools: Big Shot, Bitty Banner Framelits(129267), Beautiful Wings Embosslits(118138),BasicRhinestones(119246), Gingham Garden Washi Tape(129314), Framed Tulip EF(121809).

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

Stampin' Up! Gingham Garden Cards 2

As promised I am back with the next 3 cards in my set of 10 Gingham Garden Series. These cards will be on display at the Stampin' Up! Stand - E21 during the Craft & Quilt Fair

There is lots to see & do there.  Why not drop in & say Hi!

For the cards I have been creating, I have been enjoying using the new Gingham Garden Washi tape.  I love that it coordinates with the DSP.  All three of these cards today feature the Washi tape. 

Washi Butterfly Thank You Card 

Bird builder Congratulations Card

Washi Butterfly Card

CARD 1: 

Stamp Sets:  Itty Bitty Banners(126257)
Paper:  Whisper White(106549), Daffodil Delight(121680), Melon Mambo(119980),  Elegant Eggplant(106969), Gingham Garden DSP (129310)

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant(126969)

Cool Tools: Big Shot, , Bitty Banner Framelits(129267), Basic Rhinestones(119246), Delicate Doilies Sizzlets (126999), Dimensionals(104430).

CARD 2: 

Stamp Sets:  Itty Bitty Banners(126257)
Paper:  Whisper White(106549), Island Indigo(124329), Melon Mambo(119980), Daffodil Delight(121680)Gingham Garden DSP (129310).

Ink:  Melon Mambo(126948), Elegant Eggplant(126969).

Cool Tools: Big Shot, , Bitty Banner Framelits(129267), Basic Rhinestones(119246), 

Framed Tulips EF(121809), Delicate Doilies Sizzlets (126999), Bird Builder Punch(117191),  Dimensionals(104430), Saleabration Island Indigo ribbon (retired).

CARD 3:

Stamp Sets: NONE

Paper:  Whisper White(106549), Daffodil Delight(121680), Melon Mambo(119980), Elegant Eggplant(108614),Gingham Garden DSP (129310).

Ink: NONE

Cool Tools: Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Framelits(127003), Beautiful Wings Embosslits(118138),

1 3/4 Scallop Circle Punch(119854), Adorning Accents Edgelits(125595), Adorning Accents EF(125601), BasicRhinestones(119246),  Gingham Garden Washi Tape(129314).

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

Stampin' Up! Gingham Garden Cards 1

With all this wet & windy weather I felt like a bit of sunshine yesterday.   I had a packet of the new DSP Gingham Garden & some matching Washi tape and managed to make 10 cards with lots left over!  I will show you them over the next few days but here are the 1st three I made.

Gingham Garden Butterfly Card

Gingham Garden For You

Gingham Garden Washi Butterfly

I have used Melon Mambo, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight & Elegant Eggplant for these cards.  They are certainly nice & bright!

CARD 1: 

Stamp Sets:  Itty Bitty Banners(126257)
Paper:  Whisper White(106549), Daffodil Delight(121680), Melon Mambo(119980),  Island Indigo(124390), Gingham Garden DSP (129310)

Ink:  Melon Mambo(126948)

Cool Tools: Big Shot, , Bitty Banner Framelits(129267), Basic Rhinestones(119246), 1 3/4 Scallop Circle Punch(119854), Beautiful Wings Embosslits(118138), Delicate Doilies Sizzlets (126999), Bird Builder Punch(117191), Dimensionals(104430).

CARD 2: 

Stamp Sets:  Itty Bitty Banners(126257)
Paper:  Whisper White(106549), Elegant Eggplant(108614), Gingham Garden DSP (129310)

Ink:  Melon Mambo(126948), Elegant Eggplant(126969).

Cool Tools: Big Shot, , Bitty Banner Framelits(129267), Basic Rhinestones(119246), 2 1/2"  Circle Punch(119854), Beautiful Wings Embosslits(118138), Delicate Doilies Sizzlets (126999), Bird Builder Punch(117191), Dimensionals(104430).

CARD 3:

Stamp Sets:  Create a Cupcake (121982)
Paper:  Whisper White(106549), Daffodil Delight(121680), Melon Mambo(119980),  Island Indigo(124390), Elegant Eggplant(108614).

Ink:  Melon Mambo(126948)

Cool Tools: Big Shot, Honeycomb EF (129378), Itty Bitty Shapes Punches(118309), BasicRhinestones(119246), Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die(114507), Word Window Punch(119857), Modern Label Punch (119849), Framed Tulips EF(121809)Gingham Garden Washi Tape(129314)

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA