Goodness! It's February already!

Oh no! This blog has no entries for January 2010. I can imagine in the far distant future, in a dark post-apocalyptic setting where people will be using stamp pads for make-up and wooden stamp blocks for firewood, a copy of this blog will be discovered by the accidental activation of back-up server in a mostly destroyed Google disaster recovery centre. People will only find fragments of this blog from 2010 and incorrectly deduce that there are only 11 months in a calendar year - all because of me!

Totally unlikely, hey? SIF¹ anyone would burn their stamps...

I have been very badly distracted during January (that's right, people from the future - we have 12 calendar months). After the pre-Christmas creative binge, I fell back into an old love-hate relationship that I have with a PC game called Counter-Strike: Source. Mainly played by male gamers, a CSS session is usually fuelled by huge doses of testosterone (and hence, swagger, swearing and raging) - so much so that I'm really starting to miss genteel female company! To try to get back into the crafty swing of things, I took part in this month's INKlings Cyberstamp hosted by my upline, the wonderful Jayne Mercer. Her first challenge was to create a flower using punches.

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Kiwi Kiss
Riding Hood Red

Stamp sets:
Stem Sayings

Paper:
Sweet Nothings Simply Scrappin' Kit
Whisper White CS

Accessories:
Butterfly Punch
Heart to Heart Punch
Trio Flower Punch







Having not made anything in a rather long while, I really struggled to appreciate the aesthetics of this card when I finished it. Is it good, bad or just ... as CSSer's would say... meh?

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1. SIF: CSS for "as if". As in, SIF you headshot me while blinded

Telling Tall Tales

OK I've been sprung! I gave a half-hearted undertaking that the notebook for Jillian would be the last one that I'd post for a while but I truly couldn't help myself. When I recently opened up my pack of Tall Tales DSP to cut some samples for my team and myself, I saw the little zebras riding aloft on their striped balloons and I just had to use it to make something for my nephew Shi Wei's birthday. As it turns out, it was a notebook and here it is:

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Chocolate Chip

Stamp sets:
Hello Again

Paper:
Chocolate Chip CS
So Saffron CS
Tall Tales DSP
Whisper White CS

Accessories:
2-Way Glue Pen
Bone Folder
Paper Snips
Sticky Strip



I used the Quickutz Katie font for his name.

My auntie Kim recollected an exchange that she had with Shi Wei the last time she visited. Whenever he was asked what he did at pre-kindy, he would coyly reply "Nothing". My aunt's attempts to coax more out of him with a "You can't do nothing all day at pre-kindy!" would be met with a laugh from him followed by an enigmatic smile.

I suspect that this evasion may be due to his realisation that anything he likes can be withheld if he misbehaves! But I digress...

So, my aunt laid a rather clever trap for him with a tall tale in the following conversation:

Auntie Kim: Shi Wei, what did you do today at pre-kindy?
Shi Wei: Nothing.
Auntie Kim: Well, I know what you did because I came to see you.
Shi Wei: But I didn't see you there!
Auntie Kim: I was hiding behind the fence and I could see you but you couldn't see me. I saw you singing.
Shi Wei [surprised]: Oh!
Auntie Kim: I saw you running.
Shi Wei [even more surprised]: Oh!
Auntie Kim: I saw you playing.
Shi Wei [crestfallen at being found out]: Oh!

Poor little thing ... after that, he's an open book ... when it comes to pre-kindy activities at any rate *grin*

Calendar Class

This 2010 calendar is one of two calendars being made next Friday evening, December 11 at my calendar class. It uses the beautiful Sweet Nothings Simply Scrappin' Kit which is part of the Christmas Extravanganza promotion.

There are also products fresh from the new Summer Mini: the lovely Butterfly Print stamp set with co-ordinating Butterfly Punch and the Retro Mix Wheel.

We have room for a few more people to attend this class - the cost is $20 and is being held in Padstow at 7:30pm. Bookings are essential as the number of places are limited. All attendees will receive a copy of the new Summer Mini too!

Please contact me to hold a place for you.

Gift Card Card Tutorial

Here is a quick tutorial on how to create your own gift card card. The key to everything is really step 4. All the measurements beforehand are just a guide - I added the measurements because I like to have the borders relatively symmetrical but I realise that this isn't everyone's priority!

If you are really organised, you can design your gift card card to co-ordinate with your gift card...

1. Size up your gift card
By my reckoning, the average gift card is 86mm x 54mm [3 3/8" x 2 1/8"]. But you may have a special card to give that isn't even a gift card ... such a club membership card that was handprinted by the local club owner's 12-year-old daughter armed with a printer and a laminator. The main aim of this step is to get a general idea of the dimensions of what you are dealing with.
2. Determine the smallest size cardstock required
The great thing about this method is that you really don't have to measure anything but you just have to leave at least approximately 5mm [3/16"] between where the gift card finishes and three edges of your cardstock. The gift card should be flush against the opening which is why you don't have to add a margin to that edge.

3. Clip the gift card to the cardstock
This step is completely optional but I think that it makes things a little easier. I'd recommend you test your clip doesn't leave an unsightly mark if you are not planning on layering something on top of the right side of your backing. Note that the backing is upside down - ie. the opening is on the bottom but will be on the top in the completed project.

4. Apply dimensionals
Cut dimensionals in half and apply them around the gift card as snugly as possible. A snug fit prevents the gift card from moving around. Place dimensionals to support the cardstock where the ones for holding the gift card are too far from the corners. Notice no dimensionals along the opening - obvious but if you follow instructions like me, it's a gotcha!
5. Decorate and punch a slot
I mounted my stamped and blinged image onto the backing that I prepared above. Then I used a 1" circle punch to create a semi-circle to make it easier for the recipient to grasp the card out of its holder.
6. Mount onto card
Remove the dimensionals backing and mount the gift card holder on your card. I also added my sentiment to my card at this stage.
7. Insert gift card and secure
This is actually an important step. Nothing holds your gift card in the pocket that you created - so it could slide out quite easily. In my original version of a gift card card, I used a ribbon to hold the card in place. In this more masculine one, I slotted in the gift card and inserted a Designer Brad at the spot shown to keep it secure. And that's it!

Last post for today I promise

... for you ... and for me! Personally, four posts in one day is completely excessive and the only reason I am posting this last one is because I promised to let my newsletter readers know the tips for using the faux metal technique with jumbo brads.

You can see the technique in action as the flower centre on the card that I made for hubby for our anniversary today. There is a close up in the bottom left of the picture. By the way, I highlighted the debossed dots with a metallic silver pen.

So, here are the tips:
1. Use only two layers of black embossing powder - any more and it becomes a gooey mess.
2. Since the brad is metal, it gets very hot when you melt the embossing powder so use tweezers or a clip with a wooden handle to hold it while applying heat.
3. The heat also takes longer to dissipate. VersaMark your rubber and wait a little bit before making the impression - also hold the brad in place for a little longer than normal too.

So, that's it! Tips over and time to spend the evening with Hubby! Have a great night.

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Sahara Sand
Taken with Teal

Stamp sets:
Cheer and Wishes
En Français
Occasional Greetings
One of a Kind
Sanded
Wonderful Favourites

Cardstock:
Basic Black
Basic Gray
Taken with Teal
Whisper White

Accessories:
Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon
Black Embossing Powder
Heat Tool
Pretties Kit
Sponge Dauber
Stampin' Write Markers in Neutrals

Give 'em the new Razzle Dazzle

(To the tune of Chicago's Razzle Dazzle)

Give 'em the new razzle dazzle
Razzle Dazzle 'em
Give 'em a card with lots of flash in it
And the reaction will be passionate
Give 'em the old hocus pocus
Brad, embellish 'em
How can they see with glitter in their eyes?

What if your lines all are askew?
What if you can't stamp without a tool?

Razzle dazzle 'em
And they'll never catch wise!

This card is to farewell the old and welcome the new. It sports some Jumbo brads and the Birthday Wish single stamp from the Spring Mini ending today and a sneak peak of the Razzle Dazzle stamp set, Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon and Circle Scissors from the Summer Mini which is launching tomorrow.

The scalloped large circle was made using the corner rounder and if this card wasn't for someone completely utterly special, I would have had second thoughts about doing it. By the way, it isn't for my sister ... and, by the way, that is NOT saying that my sister isn't completely utterly special either!

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Lovely Lilac
Orchid Opulence

Stamp sets:
Birthday Wish
Razzle Dazzle
Wonderful Favourites

Cardstock:
Lovely Lilac
Orchid Opulence
Whisper White

Accessories:
Button Latte
Circle Scissors
Corner Rounder Punch
Jumbo Brads in Neutrals
Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain
Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
Stampin' Write Markers in Gable Green, Lovely Lilac, Orchid Opulence, Real Red, So Saffron

Parisian Breeze breezes by

I just had to post this little album before the Spring Mini ends. I made this for my cousin Kelvin and it features the truly inspiring Parisian Breeze Specialty paper that will be saying goodbye with the Mini. The cardweight is perfect for this album and everything about this paper makes me want to make stuff out of it!

Stampin' Supplies
Paper:
Kraft CS
Parisian Breeze Specialty
Whisper White CS

Accessories:
Basic Eyelets (retired)
Crop-A-Dile
Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon in Chocolate Chip
Flower Fusion Too
Hemp Twine
Jumbo Brads in Neutrals
Trio Flower Punch




Don't you love how the Trio Flower Punch creates a punchie that layers perfectly on the Flower Fusion Too five petalled flower?

I've used a Quickutz Peppermint Spine die to make things easier but you could replicate it with a scallop edge punch and Crop-A-Dile. I also used a Cuttlebug Floral Borders die for the corner flourishes. The Kraft panel is actually a little pocket in which a photo can be inserted as the centrepiece of the album.

Reflection Technique Class

I had a most enjoyable class the other night with some of my terrific customers. We used the Reflection Technique for a Christmas card and a masculine card.

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Basic Black

Stamp set:
Season's Surfin'

Cardstock:
Gable Green
Kraft
Real Red
Whisper White

Accessories:
Aquapainter
Stampin' Dimensionals
Stampin' Write Markers in Brilliant Blue, Creamy Caramel, Gable Green, Green Galore, Mellow Moss, Real Red
Watercolor Wonder Crayons in Bold Brights, Earth Elements, Soft Subtles


It's really weird - I have been attracted to Season's Surfin' recently but couldn't really put my finger on why. The palm tree, in particular, was stirring something pleasing in me and I only realise why today. It reminds me of Queensland and the Whitsundays, where Hubby and I spent our honeymoon. Today is our sixth wedding anniversary and I think that, subliminally, Season' Surfin' was reminding me of the marvellous time that we had there and that our anniversary was coming up fast! To think, a moment's reflection would have revealed all of this beforehand...

The following card has acetate layered over the Baja Breeze cardstock. I thought it was an evocative allusion to the reflective surface of water and provided a nifty way of supporting the Thinking of You sentiment in StazOn Cotton White.

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Baja Breeze
Chocolate Chip
Cotton White StazOn

Stamp sets:
Lovely as a Tree
More Thoughts Simply Sent

Cardstock:
Baja Breeze
Kiwi Kiss
Whisper White

Accessories:
Aquapainter
Crop-A-Dile
Jumbo Brads in Antique Brass
Sponge Dauber
Watercolor Wonder Crayons in Earth Elements

Stampin' Up! Australia's Spring Mini ends today and with it Season's Surfin' and the Cotton White Stazon.