Just Add Ink Challenge

Had a quiet afternoon at home today and had no urgent cards to make, so I decided to check out some challenge sites for inspiration. I had just missed the deadline on a couple, but found this one at Just Add Ink Sketch Challenge 187

On first glance it looked quite simple, but sometimes simple is actually quite difficult and I spent a bit of time just looking at a blank page. I finally remembered a technique I wanted to try using one of the stamps from the Mosaic Madness set. I also used two of my favourite In Colours - Pistachio Pudding and Coastal Cabana. Here is my card:

Project Details
Stamps	Mosaic Madness, Sassy Salutations
Card stock & Papers	Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding, In Colour DSP Paper Stack
Ink	Coastal Cabana and Pistachio Pudding Ink and Markers
Accessories	Basic Rhinestones, Ruffle Stretch Trim, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip
Tools	Mosaic Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig

I hope you like my card

Happy Stampin'

Kayleen

More Birthdays

We seem to celebrate birthdays every other week in our family, so I am constantly making cards to give to family and friends. . . . luckily I enjoy card making!!
The first card is one I made for my gorgeous niece Jasmine May's 1st Birthday - I wanted to have a go at stitching on a card - it was a bit tricky to keep the card straight, but I am happy with the effect. I then used water colour pencils and an aqua painter to colour the image in. . . .  I hope she likes her card.

Project Recipe
Stamps	Two by Two (retired)
Card stock & Papers	Whisper White, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Silver Glimmer
Ink	StazOn Black
Accessories	Two-way Glue Pen, Aqua Painter, Watercolour Pencils
Tools	Big Shot, Typeset Alphabet Bigz, Wallflower Alphabet (non SU), Sewing Machine

The second card was for my darling Mum's Birthday (I won't say which one - birthday, not Mum - I only have one of those!!) featuring the Shop Around Wheel and the gorgeous Ruffle Stretch Trim which I love using. Mum always keeps her cards on display for ages and then has her favourites on a board in her study, so I like to make something special so I can be on the board.

Project Recipe
Stamps	Shop Around Wheel, Postage Collection (Hostess)
Card stock & Papers	Very Vanilla, Strawberry Slush, Crumb Cake
Ink	Crumb Cake
Accessories	Dimensionals, Strawberry Slush Ruffle Stretch Trim, Basic Pearls
Tools	Postage Stamp Punch, Square Punch (Non SU)

As always I hope you like what I have made and you can contact me to order any of these fantastic products or join a class.

Happy Stampin'

Kayleen

Christmas Banner

I have been home all week with the flu and although I always thought it would be great to have some time with nothing to do, it gets boring very quickly. I did have a chance to play with the new Stampin Up Build a Banner Simply Created Kit. This is an awesome kit that comes with 18 blank canvas pennants, twine, pattern and alphabet stencils and spritzer bottles. You can also order a kit which has just the pennants and twine for creating more wonderful banners. They are really fun to make (if you don't mind getting a bit messy). Here is my first creation. . . .

Project Details
Stamps	Blissful Bird (retired), Calm Christmas
Card stock & Papers	Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Winter Frost DSP, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink	Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Basic Grey
Accessories	Simply Created Build a Banner Kit, Ribbon, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons
Tools	Scallop Circle Punch, Bird Builder Punch, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Glue Gun, Stocking Punch (retired), Scissors, Snowflake Die (non SU), Big Shot, Daubers

Yes, I do know the photos of the banners are out of order, but after spending 40 minutes trying to re-order them I decided it wasn't that important and you would forgive me.
I found the best way to get the patterns on the banners was with a dauber as the spritzers made the canvas very wet and the ink ran a lot. I had a lot more control using the daubers and was able to keep the colour just where I wanted it. The ink also dried a lot faster and I was able to put the pattern and the letters on at the same time, rather than waiting for ink to dry.

Stay tuned for more projects using the Build a Banner Kit and other wonderful new Stampin Up! products.

Happy Stampin'

Kayleen

Just Add Ink Challenge

While Jessica was making a card for Fathers Day, I thought I would try another challenge site at Just Add Ink. I met some of the girls on the team there at Convention in Brisbane this year and I am very inspired by what they do each week with the challenges. Here is this week's sketch . . .

I decided to get a head start on my Christmas cards with this challenge. I was checking out some blogs recently and a lot of people make one Christmas card every week throughout the year, so when they get to Christmas, they have a pile already done. I think I have left my run a little late, but better late than never. Here is my card . . .

Project Recipe
Stamps	Tag It, Gorgeous Grunge
Card stock & Papers	Whisper White, Smoky Slate, Island Indigo, Winter Frost DSP
Ink	Island Indigo
Accessories	White Embossing Powder
Tools	Heat Tool, Scissors

Hope you like what I have done

Happy Stampin'

Kayleen

I'm On A Roll

I decided while I was at it I would have a go at another Challenge Site. This one is called Dynamic Duos and the challenge this week was to make a card using Pool Party and Basic Black.
Here is the Challenge . . .

And here is my card . . .

Project Recipe
Stamps	Postage Collection (Hostess), Best Dad Ever (Retired)
Card stock & Papers	Basic Black, Pool Party
Ink	Basic Black
Accessories	Pool Party Brads
Tools	Postage Stamp Punch, 1-1/2" Square Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig

I like the clean and simple look of this card and I just hope that my Dad doesn't look at my blog before Father's Day (not likely really). If you love the look of this stamp set, contact me to host a party and you could get it for free!

Happy Stampin'

Kayleen

First Challenge Post

I have decided to try one of the Challenge Sites that a few friends have talked about as a way of trying out some new styles of cards. The first one I have attempted is for a site called Mojo Monday #307 where they post a sketch of a card and you make up the card in your own colours, card-stock and DSP.
Here is the sketch . . .

And here is my card. . . .

Project Recipe
Stamps	Sketched Birthday
Card stock & Papers	Whisper White, Strawberry Slush, Island Indigo, Crumb Cake, Raspberry Ripple, Birds Of A Feather DSP (Retired)
Ink	Strawberry Slush
Accessories	Basic Rhinestones
Tools	1-3/4 Scallop Circle Punch, 2-3/8 Scallop Circle Punch

I really enjoyed creating this card and putting my own stamp on it, so to speak. Why don't you gave it a try too?

Happy Stampin'

Kayleen

Birthday Time

My Sister had her birthday last week and she collects Royal Doulton Lady Statues, so I wanted to make a card that was a little similar to her collection - this is what I came up with . . .

I used the ink pad and rubbed it on one side of the embossing folder before I ran it through the Big Shot which is how I got the pattern on the Very Vanilla Cardstock - easy but effective. A few bits of bling finished off the card.

Project Recipe
Stamps	Create a Cupcake
Card stock & Papers	Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant, Patterned DSP
Ink	Elegant Eggplant
Accessories	Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals
Tools	Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder (retired), Dress Up Framelits, Big Shot, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch

The second card was for the daughter of a friend on her 7th Birthday. I have to confess that my daughter Jessica made the card for us to give her, so credit goes to her, but she said it was ok to post it here . . .

Project Recipe
Stamps	Sketched Birthday
Card stock & Papers	Whisper White, Strawberry Slush, Pool Party
Ink	Strawberry Slush
Accessories	Dimensionals, Pool Party Ribbon (Retired), Basic Rhinestones
Tools	1&3/4 Scallop Circle Punch, 2&3/8 Scallop Circle Punch

Hope these cards have given you some inspiration to make some of your own. Don't forget to contact me if you have any questions or would like to join in my classes for card-making

Happy Stampin'

Kayleen

Wildflower Meadow Playtime

A get-together with a group of friends who are also Stampin' Up Demonstrators gave me a chance to play with some of the new catalogue products that I haven't ordered (yet).  I was lucky enough to try some new colour combos with the Wildflower Meadow Stamp and Embossing Folder.

This first card uses one of my favourite new In Colours for 2013-2015, Strawberry Slush, and was very quick and easy to make. . .

Project Recipe
Stamps	Wildflower Meadow, Mixed Medley (hostess, retired)
Card stock & Papers	Whisper White, Strawberry Slush
Ink	Strawberry Slush
Accessories	Dimensionals
Tools	Fancy Flower Punch, 11/4 Scallop Circle Punch, 3/4 Circle Punch, Wildflower Meadow Embossing Folder, Big Shot

The second card uses another In Colour, Crisp Cantaloupe - don't you just want to eat these colours - I love the names, and also allowed me to have a play with the Simply Pressed Clay. I made the flower in white and then mixed re-inker with Crystal Effects and painted it on the top. The card was another quick and easy one, but the clay does take a day or so to dry. I find it easier to have lots of flowers and buttons made in advance and then I can just colour them as needed. You can also colour them with the ink pads or markers, so they are very versatile.

Project Recipe
Stamps	Wildflower Meadow
Card stock & Papers	Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe
Ink	Crisp Cantaloupe - Pad and Re-Inker
Accessories	Pearls, Simply Pressed Clay Flower, Whisper White Satin Ribbon
Tools	Glue Gun, Crystal Effects, Wildflower Meadows Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Scissors

The final card did take a little longer to make as I used the Markers to colour the stamp, however I think the effort was worth it. I have seen it coloured in various combinations and you get quite a different look depending on the colours you use.

Project Recipe
Stamps	Wildflower Meadow, Pretty Petites (Retired)
Card stock & Papers	Whisper White, Marina Mist
Ink	Marina Mist, Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi and Blushing Bride Markers
Accessories	Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals
Tools	Wildflower Meadows Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Petite Curly Label Punch

I hope you have enjoyed looking at these cards and please contact me if you would like to order any of the products featured in them, or to book into a class to make some of your own creations.

Thanks and Happy Stampin'

Kayleen

New Annual Catalogue

Today the new Annual Catalogue for Stampin' Up! goes live. There are some fantastic new products and five amazing New Colours that are being introduced: Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe and Coastal Cabana. As usual with all of Stampin' Up's products there are co-ordinating ink pads, card stock, ribbon and accessories. Please contact me if you would like to order any of these awesome products.

Team Meeting

When I joined Stampin' Up! I was excited not only because of the fantastic product they offer (and it all co-ordinates amazingly well) but also for the great people you get to meet and spend time with. Each month we have a team meeting at the home of our team leader Nikki and we get to play with new product, try out a new technique or work on some business building for those wanting to move ahead. This month we tried a technique called "shaving cream". This involved lots of messy shaving cream, re-inkers and a heap of paper towel. We played around and experimented using lots of different colour combinations and then had to take our finished cardstock home and create a card with it. Here are my finished cards. . . .

The first card is made using a new stamp set called "Hello, Lovely" from the 2013-2014 Annual Catalogue, which is released on July 2nd 2013. Please contact me if you would like a copy.

Project Details
Stamps	Hello, Lovely
Card stock & Papers	Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Ink	Crumb Cake, Bermuda Bay and Coastal Cabana Stamp Pads and Re-inkers
Accessories	Basic Rhinestones
Tools	Bitty Butterfly Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Scissors

The second card is made using one of the stamp sets from the limited edition "Best of 25 Years" sets. Each month a new set is released showcasing some of the most popular stamps from the last 25 years. The set for June 2013 is "Best Of Flowers".

Project Details
Stamps	Best of Flowers, So Sorry
Card stock & Papers	Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding
Ink	Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding and Coastal Cabana Stamp Pads and Re-inkers
Accessories	Dimensionals
Tools	Shaving Cream, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Scissors

Thanks for stopping by . . . . 

Kayleen

Welcome to my blog!!!

Welcome to my blog - I hope you enjoy having a look.

There is not much here yet, but I hope to have more in the days to come.

Well, I have taken the plunge and after some fantastic help from a good friend Judy May, I finally have my blog up and running. I am excited to be able to share with you some of the creations I have come up with, although it was difficult choosing the one to use on my first blog post. Anyway - here it is. . . .

I wasn't sure about this stamp set when I first saw it, but after seeing some fantastic ideas with it, I could no longer resist. I think it is great for those harder to produce "male" cards - not sure who will receive this, but I love the sponging (which also gives a sneak peek to some of the new In Colours)

Project Recipe
Stamps	By The Tide
Card stock & Papers	Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink	Island Indigo, Pool Party, Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana and Pistachio Pudding
Accessories	Basic Pearls, Island Indigo Ribbon
Tools	Sponge Daubers

Hope you come back soon

Kayleen