A Sketchy Sketch Birthday Card!

I seriously can't believe I have not used this stamp set before today!  I have avoided it as it is what I call "Too Scritchy Scratchy" or in normal words it is a sketched style of stamp.  I had a left over (we call them rejects here) piece of water coloured cake from my last gift card & thought...what the hell lets try & use it.

I have always wanted to join in a Sketch challenge & figured why not have a crack at the Paper Craft Crew Sketch Challenge 59.  (Seriously can I say Sketch one more time?...I think I might.)  So for my 1st ever challenge entry I chose some bright & fun colours with the Birthday Basics DSP.

Here is the sketch:

Here is my card! I turned the sketch on it's side for something different because that's how I roll ;)   

 You can see I used the Petite Curly Label punch & layered them on the 1" Square punch.  That is the 1st time I have used that punch since Sale-A-Bration so go me for using it again!

Sketched Birthday Inside

Stamp Sets:  Simply Sketched (130426)
Paper:  Raspberry Ripple (127545), Very Vanilla (106550), Bermuda Bay (131286), Gumball Green (127543), Summer Starfruit (127542), Water Colour Paper (122959),  Birthday Basics DSP (130145)

Ink:  Bermuda Bay (131171), Blushing Bride (131172), Summer Starfruit (126991), Raspberry Ripple (126859), So Saffron Marker (131263).

Cool Tools: Circle Collection Framelits(130911), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (118874), new Bermuda Bay 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (131206), 1" Square Punch (124094), Petite Curly Label Punch (129405), Perfect Polka Dots EF (117335), Bigshot (113439), Dimensionals (104430).   

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

Stampin' Up! Quick Pop n' Cuts Gift Card Holder

My daughter has a birthday party to attend today & I almost forgot to make a card!  I decided to buy her friend a gift card as that is what they all seem to want these days.  I often make gift card holders, particularly around Christmas.  Here is a quick gift card holder using the Pop n' Cuts Die that is easily adaptable to any occasion.  I love that the Pop n' Cuts Die cuts the little slits in the corners so it fastens itself.

I cut the base card card in Raspberry Ripple in the bigshot using just the base of the Pop n' Cuts die (no inserts) & scored it at 1", 3 1/2" & 8" on my trusty Simply Scored Scoring Tool .  I then added Birthday Basics DSP & Bermuda Bay Ribbon.  Nice & Quick & just in time! I stamped the cupcake from the Sketched Birthday stamp set twice - once on Very Vanilla & once on Bermuda Bay.  The vanilla one was punched out using a 1 1/4 " Circle Punch & popped up on dimensionals.

Pop n' Cuts Gift Card Holder Closed

Pop n' Cuts Gift 

Stamp Sets:  Simply Sketched (130426)
Paper:  Raspberry Ripple (127545), Very Vanilla (106550), Bermuda Bay (131286), Birthday Basics DSP ( 130145)

Ink:  Bermuda Bay (131171), Blushing Bride Marker (131265)

Cool Tools: 1 1/4" Circle Punch (119861), 1 3/4 Scallop Circle Punch (119854), new Bermuda Bay 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (131206), Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122344), Bigshot (113439), Card Base Pop n' Cuts (130099), Sticky Strip(104294), Dazzling Details (124114), Dimensionals (104430).   

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

Just Released - Single Christmas Stamps!

This morning, Stampin' Up! have realised a second series of single stamps!  Woohoo! These brand new never-before-seen SINGLE Christmas stamps are now available & starting at $9.95 a stamp, this is a cheap way to start those Christmas cards and/or gift tags!  

Contact me to order one or all of these Christmas stamps or order directly through my online store at http://www3.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx?dbwsdemoid=4005855 

** I am planning on ordering some of these this week, so if you want to add your order to mine we can combine postage & save $$.

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

A New Take On An Old Wedding Card

My son's kindergarten teacher is getting married this weekend & he wanted me to make her a card to wish her well.   I knew exactly what I was going to make.  I saw a card in the 2012-2013 annual catalogue & have wanted to case it for ages. My friend Bron has made this card & I was inspired by her version to make my own.  Stampin' Up have so many great ideas in their catalogues so dont EVER throw away an old one.  The ideas are gold in these catalogues!

To Annie & Allan who are getting married on the 7th September - Congratulations & Best Wishes from us!

I have used a few new products for this card, including the silver Encore stamp pad, smokey slate cardstock & the new Brights DSP stack.

Wedding card 

Stamp Sets:  Love & Laughter (125477)
Paper:  Smokey Slate (131291), Basic Gray(121689), Brights (Daffodil Delight) DSP stack 130134), Silver Glimmer Paper(124005)

Ink:  Encore Metallic Silver Ink Pad (132142), Basic Gray(126981)

Cool Tools: Owl Builder Punch (small heart 1118074), Small Heart Punch(117192), Corner Rounder Punch(119871), Dimensionals(104430).

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

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