Spiral Flower Die - Valentine's Roses

Oh I have completely forgotten to share my special Valentine's roses I made for myself.  Yes,  I knew I would not get any Valentine's presents so I made my own!   These were made using the new Spiral Flower Die featured in the Occasions Catalogue on page 32.  It is only $29.95 & makes the most beautiful & versatile flowers.  I will be sharing some projects over the next week featuring this die so stay tuned for more.

Cherry Cobbler Roses

Felt Roses

                                                                    
I used the new Spiral Flower Die with some felt to create these little baby bootee roses. I can see them made with Calico or any other fabric.  Really, your creations are nay limited by your imagination. 

Stamp Sets:  NONE

Paper:  Cherry Cobbler (121681), Garden Green (108605)

Ink: Cherry Cobbler (126966) 

Cool Tools: Bigshot (113439), Spiral Flower Die (Occasions 129379), Backyard Basics Framelits (leaves - 129380), Felt, Secret Garden Framelits (bootie leaves 129372)

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

The Beginners Guide To Making Swaps - My Tips & Tricks

Swaps are one of my very favourite things to make.  Mass production at it's best!  I remember my first time making swaps & it was a very anxious time.  Was it good enough? Does it have enough on it?  Will they like it?   If you are worried about these things - DONT BE!   There are usually examples from past swaps, so ask the organiser for some examples. Ask for help & get a friend or family member to check your work.   Swaps are great for lot of things but best of all they are great for inspiring you to create, so jump in & join that swap!   

 Do you need to make swaps or want to join in the fun but don't know where to start?  Stressed? Don't be! I knocked 35 of these off in one afternoon. 

Here are my tips for making swaps:

1) Decide on a design & make up 1 sample. *Remember you only need a card front. Read the swap rules.  For this swap the items used needed to be Stampin' Up! current items only & based on Sale-A-Bration 2014. 

2) Don't use too much on the card as you are giving them away. I limit my sample to just card stock & a bit of bling. I try to avoid using too much DSP, embellishments & ribbon as these are expensive when you are making lots. If you don't mind spending the money, then feel free to add it all!  You can always make a snazzier version for yourself at the end & add these then. I would have loved to have used gold on this card & some gold embossing & the Sale-A-Bration DSP but when making multiples it is just too expensive. 

3) Make sure you have everything you need before you start. Nothing worse than running out mid way through….ask me how I know that 

4) Organise an assembly line. (Yes, mine is rather messy here but it works for me.  My creation process is a little similar to the swedish chef from the Muppets!) Find what works for you.  Some people like to allocate an area for creating & an area for assembling.  

5) Cut everything out 1st. Emboss or die cut everything before you start. Eg. I stamped 35 flowers, then punched them all out & put them in a pile. I cut 35 layers individually & stacked them up, so as I went along my assembly line I just had to take one from each pile. 

6) Work backwards. I assemble the base layers then the other bits & pieces.

7) Adhesive: Use glue stick or tombow unless you are willing to go through the snail like nobody's business! I went through 3 snail refills on the 35 cards I made here & a whole packet of dimensionals. 

8) Label the back with a card recipe. You need to include your name & items you used. If you need a template for this let me know & I can send you one. I just do mine in word & print them out to put on the back of each card. 

9) Bribe..ahem I mean deligate the dirty work to kids or family. I had my daughter who is 10 yrs old poking all the holes out of 35 doily dies. She was paid well for her work…. in chocolate & no fingers were lost in the process!

I hoped this helped & let me know if you need a helper. My daughter is free most afternoons.

Here is my finished card:

Stamp Sets:  Petal Parade (Sale-A-Bration 133599), You're Lovely (Sale-A-Bration 133575).

Paper:   Whisper White (106549), Crisp Cantaloupe (131303), Pool Party (124391).
Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe (131176), Pool Party (126982), Crumb Cake (126975). 
Cool Tools: Bigshot (113439), Deco Labels Framelits (1130102)), Banner Punch (Sale-A-Bration 133519), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Dimensionals (104430), Pearls (119247),  Delicate Doilies Sizzlits L(126999), Decorative Dots Embossing Folder (Sale-A-Bration 133520). 

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

Sale-A-Bration Caravan

I was enthralled by all the samples coming out of the US convention last year, & one really caught my eye.  It was a cute little retro caravan by Erica Cerwin, who is one of the Artisans for Stampin' Up.  Here is her display

  Absolutely gorgeous right?  Well, how excited was I when Erica released her Whole Lotta Love Project planner that includes another sweet version of her cute little caravan!  I made a very basic one first to try it out & I must say it was reasonably easy & came out quite well.   I used Sweet Sorbet DSP & the Banner punch (Sale-A-Bration items) - you could choose either of these FREE with a $90 order during Sale-A-Bration! 

Here is my version: 

Stamp Sets:  None

Paper:   Whisper White (106549), Crisp Cantaloupe (131303), Pool Party (124391), Silver Foil Sheets (Occasions 132178), Basic Black (121688), Sweet Sorbet DSP (Sale--a-bration 133521)

Ink: None 
Cool Tools: Bigshot (113439), Ovals Collection Framelits (129381), Banner Punch (Sale-A-Bration 133519),  Dimensionals (104430), Envelope Punch Board (133774), Word Window Punch (119857), 3/4" Circle Punch (119872), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (119861), Stampin' Trimmer (129722), Sticky Strip (104294), Calypso Coral Bakers Twine (125573).

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

Sale-A-Bration - Wish Big! Card

I have been really busy preparing for my big Sale-A-Bration day & have not been posting as much as I normally would.  Today, I was playing with some scraps on my table & decided to use them for a card I am entering in the Paper Craft Crew Card Sketch Challenge #78. 

I have used 2 different Sale-A-Bration stamp sets for the main section, & the NEW Petite Petals stamp & matching punch for some embellishment.  I am loving the subtle colours of Sale-A-Bration this year, they are so pretty.

Stamp Sets:  Petal Parade (Sale-A-Bration 133599), You're Lovely (Sale-A-Bration 133575), Hardwood (Occasions 133032), A Dozen Thoughts (131059), Petite Petals (Occasions 133155) .
Paper:   Whisper White (106549), Sahara Sand (121695), Crisp Cantaloupe (131303), Pool Party (124391), Birthday Basics DSP ( 130145).
Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe (131176), Pool Party (126982), Crumb Cake (126975). 
Cool Tools: Bigshot (113439), Deco Labels Framelits (1130102)), Banner Punch (Sale-A-Bration 133519), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Dimensionals (104430), Pearls (119247), Tea Lace Paper Doilies (129399), Petite Petals Punch (133322). 

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

Sale-A-Bration Banner Blast Birthday Card

We had a special birthday here last week - my daughter turned 10!  Every year she gets a card made with the gorgeous new Sale-A-Bration products.  This year I chose to use the Banner Blast stamp set & combined it with one of her all-time favourites, the cupcake punch & stamp set.  The best thing is you can get this stamp set free when you order $90 worth of product.  In fact if you ordered just 3 of the products I used on this card you would be there already!

I really like the new Hardwood background stamp from the NEW Occasions catalogue.  It is quite versatile & looks great as a background, don't you think?  The Occasions catalogue is jam packed full of lovely new stamps, tools & bundles, plus there are a few carry over items from the Holiday catalogue too.  If you would like your very own copy of the new catalogues feel free to contact me so I can get them in the mail for you.


Stamp Sets:  Banner Blast (Sale-A-Bration 133551), Four You ( 130538), Hardwood (Occasions 133032), Create A Cupcake (121982).
Paper:   Whisper White (106549), Strawberry Slush (131300), Sahara Sand (121695), Crisp Cantaloupe ( 131303), Pool Party ( 124391), Pistachio Pudding (131299).
Ink:  Strawberry Slush (131178), Crisp Cantaloupe (131176), Pistachio Pudding (131177), Pool Party (126982), Crumb Cake (126975). 
Cool Tools: Bigshot (113439), Chalk Talk Framelits (129983), Cupcake Builder Punch (121807), TypeSet Alphabet Bigz (127553),  Calypso Coral Twine (125573), Banner Punch (Sale-A-Bration 133519), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Dimensionals (104430, Pearls (119247). 

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

Something Old, Something New - 2014 Occasions Catalogue Sneak Peek

A nice big box full of Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalogue product arrived 2 days ago, but life got in the way..…until now.   I managed to finally get creating with my lovely new products today. Nicole, (from Nic Nac Lovelies) & I had a lovely craft day creating lots of new sneak peeks just for you.   The Occasions catalogue goes live 28th January, so not long to wait!

One of the many reasons I love being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is we get to preorder & play with all the new catalogue products a whole month before they are released.  I loved the So Grateful stamp set right away & could see lots of great uses for it.  Today I chose to water colour it using my blender pens & markers.   I could have sworn I saw a card just like this recently but it seems I may have dreamt it.  I looked high & low today & I could not find anything like it.  So, it seems it may just be my very own creation.

I don't often use subtle colours.  Those of you that know me, know I am far from subtle ;) I am a more bright, In Colour type of girl.  For this card I wanted to use the Venetian Romance DSP and for some reason Baked Brown Sugar & Blushing Bride.  They work well together don't you think?

I have used 3 new sneak peek products here - can you pick it?  That twine is a Sale-ABration item coming very very soon & the striped flag is from a new Occasions Catalogue stamp set called Perfect Pennants.

I have lots more sneak peeks in store for you.   Sale-A-Bration is just under 3 weeks away so for the next few weeks you will be seeing my countdown creations to this very special event.  Once again this year I am holding my Sale-A-Bration day event on the 23rd February.  Last year's event was an all day saga, however, this years will run 10:30 am - 4:00 pm & will be held at my house.  More info regarding this day will be released next week.  But for now, keep that date free if you would like to attend.

Stamp Sets:  So Very Grateful (133053), Perfect Pennants (133230)
Paper:   Baked Brown Sugar (131301), Blushing Bride (124392), Very Vanilla (106550) Water Colour paper (122959), Venetian Romance DSP (130144)

Ink:  StazOn Black (101406),  Markers in: Blushing Bride (131265), Coastal Cabana & Pistachio Pudding (126856). 

Cool Tools: Bigshot (113439), Ovals Collection Framelits (129381), Victoria Crochet Trim (118481), Very Vintage Designer Buttons (129327), Twine - Sale-A-Bration Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack (133522), Pearls (119247), Blender Pens (102845).

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA  

12 Weeks Of Christmas: Week 12 Merry Christmas!

The day has arrived, presents are all unwrapped & bellies are full.  We are all having a rest until the family arrive for Christmas dinner & I thought I would share with you my Christmas card I sent out to many of my friends.
There are two versions of the same design because you only get one sheet of each of that gorgeous silver foil DSP in the pack.  I wish you got 2 of each don't you!

I have used the very versatile single stamp called Be Merry & for only $16 it is a great stamp to use on both cards & for your Christmas tags.   I masked off the to & from on the stamp to get this effect.  I used the retired Bigz die for the snowflake & Island Indigo as my base colour.   These single stamps have been so handy for my Christmas preparation for cards & gifts & I even gave some of the actual stamps as gifts.

Stamp Sets:  Be Merry (132739)
Paper:   Island Indigo (124390), Coastal Cabana (131302), Bermuda Bay (131286), Winter Frost Specialty DSP (132341).

Ink:  Island Indigo (126986), Bermuda Bay (131171) 

Cool Tools: Bigshot (113439),  Snow Flurry Bigz Die (Retired), 1/8" Mini Silver brads (122941), Basic Rhinestones (119246), SIlver 1/8" Ribbon (132137). 

Thanks For Looking,

TRICIA