A Quick Thank You

Above are some quick and easy thank you cards I recently made. I'm ashamed to say I didn't come up with this idea, I CASed it almost in it's entirety from a lady by the name of Debbie Petersen (no blog). I have changed the colour, ribbon, punch and sentiment however! The cards look great IRL due to their 3 Dimensional aspect.

Supplies:

* Fresh Cut Stamp Set.

* Kraft, Whisper White and Soft Sky Textured Cardstock.

* Large Oval Punch, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots & Soft Sky Ribbon.

Note: Soft Sky products are now retired.

Thanks so Much

Today I've created a Thank You card using the layout from one of my favourite blogs "Clean & Simple" (check out my side bar for the link). I hope you like today's card.

Supplies:

* Trendy Tree's Stamp Set.

* Apricot Appeal, Whisper White & Ballet Blue Cardstock. Sarah DSP (retired).

* Chocolate Chip, Ballet Blue & Apricot Appeal Stamp Pads.

* SAMJ, Stampin' Dimensionals.

Trendy Trees

I know the 09/10 Idea Book and Catalogue has been out now for just over two months, but one of the sets I knew I had to have was Trendy Tree's. However, as I'm more of a hobby demo who does the occasional workshop, this set had to wait until my second order...sigh! I have it now though, which means I can post something that doesn't include Pocket Silhouettes!

To kick off my stamping with this set, I thought I'd start with a really simple card using natural colours. To add a little something, I've pierced the top and the bottom of the Kraft cardstock just to break up the layout a little.

Supplies:
* Trendy Trees Stamp Set.
* Kraft, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip and Kiwi Kiss Cardstock.
* Chocolate Chip & Kiwi Kiss Stamp Pads.
* Mat Pack & Piercing Tool.

Artfully Asian - Thank You

Last week, a friend asked me to make a few cards using the Artfully Asian set as she had noticed it on the retiring list. I thought it would be a great idea as I too, will miss this set, and of course, how easy it is to use and demo. In saying this, although I can no longer use it in demonstrations, I'm sure it will make re-appearances on my blog and in my personal cards and stationary. I'm not quite ready to let it go yet!

So, today that's exactly what I have for you. A simple card made using the Artfully Asian set. I've gone out of my way to use colours I wouldn't normally use, and that people wouldn't normally associate with this delicate set. I'm saying this too try to make myself sound good...but the truth of the matter is, I wanted to use the Pumpkin Pie Stripped Grosgrain for the first time. I really like this card though, it grabs the eye and is quite striking in real life. The photo doesn't do it justice and please ignore the Skype and normal phones in the background...I wanted to get this loaded ASAP for you all to see.

Supplies:

* Artfully Asian Stamp Set (Retiring).

* Pumpkin Pie & Whisper White Cardstock.

* Pumpkin Pie & Basic Black Stamp Pads.

* Earth Elements Markers, Scallop Edge Punch & Pumpkin Pie Stripped Grosgrain Ribbon.

My First Bella

Earlier in the week, I received a little package of some Bella Stamps from Canada. I originally saw Bella stamps on a fellow SU Demo's site (thanks Marcia :)) and fell in love with their funky young lady images. With a tweenie daughter I knew I'd use them HEAPS for her cards and cards for her friends, and not having used them since I received them, thought today I'd try them out.

Paper piecing, (and today's effort was my first attempt at it) is SO easy. I've used this technique on Kinibella's beach towel and beach bag. Basically, I've stamped two of exactly the same image. One on plain cardstock and the other on some patterned paper. I've then cut out the stamped towel and bag sections and adhered them onto my stamped image on plain cardstock. Then I've coloured the remainder of the image using inks, pastels and a blender pen. It looks GREAT and it's easy peasy! I hope you like today's card and today's technique.

Supplies:
* KiniBella (Bella Stamps) & Riveting (retired) Stamp Sets
* Soft Sky, River Rock and Whisper White Cardstock. Fall Flowers DSP.
* Soft Sky, River Rock & Basic Black Stamp Pads. Stampin' Pastels & Blender Pen.
* Antique Brass Hodgepodge, Mat Pack, Piercing Tool, 1/1/4" & 1/3/8" Circle Punches.
* CM Oval Cutting System.

Australia Day 'Thanks Heaps'

As a child, I was privileged to live and travel in quite a few different countries around the world. I can remember being embarrassed by the fact that I was Australian because of how the outside world perceived us as a people and as a Nation. This perception by those around us, filtered down to my family who was living abroad. I was teased at school for my ocker accent and it was expected (and communicated) that I should ALWAYS slob about in thongs, dress in a Bonds singlet and basically behave like the worst of 1980's Australian stereo-types.

I'm telling you this because, not only did my experiences open my eyes to the splendor of the greater world, their sights, foods and cultures. But, it also made me appreciate what I had at home. Australia is truly (in my opinion) THE BEST country in the world to live in. Now, when I travel abroad, I'm proud of my accent and my designer thongs. They symbolise something which I was born too, something that's within my blood, stirs my soul and fills my heart with a completeness of belonging.

So, today I have for you a card that I made specifically for Australia Day. I've taken our national 'green and gold' and created something sophisticated to show the world were all not just thongs, beer and brickies smiles. Were tradition, camaraderie, beauty and a whole lot more that I can't even put into words, but feel with every fibre of my being. Happy Australia Day!

Supplies:

* Live Your Dreams Stamp Set.

* VersaMark & Handsome Hunter Stamp Pads.

* Handsome Hunter, Metallics (gold) & Very Vanilla Cardstock.

* Embossing Buddy, Gold & Clear Embossing Powders & Pretties Kit.

A Pretty Thank You:

SU are offering a great special beginning the 10th November until the 30th 2008 (in addition to their already advertised single Stampin' Write Marker special). I can't tell you what it is yet, but I thought I'd make this card to showcase the special...can you guess what it is?

Supplies:
* Friendship Blooms & Kindness Stamp Sets/Stampin' Around Wheel.
* Pale Plum & Perfect Plum Stamp Pads.
* River Rock, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum and Whisper White Cardstock.
* 1/16" Corner Punch, Cherished Memories Rub On's.

Thank You:

Some of you may recognise this card from a workshop I demonstrated at in April or May this year. I've kept it (I usually send away my cards to family and friends) for so long because I love it. I love the simplicity and I love the colour scheme.

Supplies:
* Bold Butterfly & For a Friend Stamp Sets.
* Night of Navy, Whisper White and Real Red Cardstock.
* Night of Navy & Basic Black Stamp Pads.
* Stampin' Pastels, Blender Pen, Crop-a-dile & Red Gingham Ribbon.

RAK From the UStamp Team:

Several months ago, I signed up to an online stamping school called UStamp. Today, I received from the organisers this cute little thank you from the girls running the program. The little insert actually slides out from the top of the card for your messages. I've been making some projects featured on UStamp over the last week or so, and will post them during this week. If you like what you see and are interested in doing the online classes yourself, please email me (jasner5@bigpond.net.au) and I can forward details to you. Alternatively, I've provided a link above, so feel free to register that way - just remember to mention that I sent you :)

RAK From Kathryn:

Well, it was lovely last week to go to my PO Box and finding this pretty RAK from Kathryn M waiting for me. It was a thank you for a 'runner up' gift I sent her from my last beginner challenge. She's used the stamp set to make the card. Thank you Kathryn, I'm so glad you liked the stamp set and that you didn't already have it.

Thank You...Friend:

Well, after finding the SU rub-ons so easy to use, I couldn't stop at just one card using them. With this card, I decided to keep it very simple and try to stay monochromatic but using colour for only one section of the focal image. It's my simple take on a technique known as 'spotlighting'. I hope you like today's card.

Supplies:
* A Little Bit of Happiness Stamp Set.
* Basic Black, Basic Grey, Going Grey and Watercolour Cardstock/Paper.
* StazOn Jet Black.
* Neutrals Watercolour Wonder Crayons. Soft Subtles and Earth Elements Watercolour Wonder Crayons, Aqua Painter.
* Vintage Brads & Cherished Memories Rub-Ons.

A Difficult Challenge:

On Sunday I had my friend Tammy come over to scrapbook and stamp. It was a lot of fun, even though I maintain Tammy stole my stampin' mo-jo (I can hear you laughing from here Tammy...because you know it's true :))

Moving on, Tammy had brought with her the French Flair Background stamp which she bought thinking she'd use it heaps on her scrapbooking pages. Well, it's been months and Tammy has just not been able to incorporate it in any of her work.

From this her challenge was born. To use the French Flair Background Stamp in anything. I was also to use the colours tempting turquoise, Pink Passion and Wild Wasabi...colours I don't normally and find very uncomfortable to use. My first attempt looked FANTASTIC in my head, but on putting ink to paper, ended up in the bin. The above is my second attempt.

Supplies:
* French Flair, Party Punch and Carte Postale Stamp sets.
* Tempting Turquoise, Pink Passion, and Whisper White Cardstock.
* Pink Passion & Wild Wasabi Ink.
* Square Punches & Round Tab Punch.

Oh So...

This card was made at my July technique workshop and features Bleach Stamping. I somewhat CASEd it after seeing a beautiful card by Angela Rivera that was just stunning.

Although there are several methods of bleach stamping. For this card, I've simply made a bleach stamp pad and stamped on the Basic Gray cardstock. Interestingly enough, once the bleach took effect, the Basic Gray turned the exact same colour as River Rock when bleached.

Supplies:
* Oh So Lovely (Hostess Level 1), En Francais, Baroque Motifs & Circle of Friendship.
* Basic Gray Ink Pad.
* Basic Gray, Basic Black, River Rock, Whisper White, Naturals Ivory & Vellum Cardstock.
* White Gel Pen, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, 1/3/8 Circle Punch, 1/1/4 Circle Punch.

Back to Basics Challenge:

Over the last few posts, I've been attempting to shed light on a few stampin basics I employ in my own card making. My main aim when doing this, was to not only make stamping less daunting to beginners, but to also show, that great cards don't have to be complicated, flashy or time consuming. I hope you've enjoyed what I've made, and it's given you inspiration to stamp, stamp, stamp.

Moving on, I think it's time to have another challenge that goes right back to basics, and uses limited supplies. This time round, using the layout of my example below, I challenge you to make a card using only two colours plus a neutral. For those a little more adventurous, you are able to change the orientation of the layout if you wish.

The prize this time around will be my favourite product from the new mini catalogue due out in August. As this catalogue is top secret until the 1st August, I can't tell you what my favourite item is, but can say that the new mini is absolutely AWESOME!!! Furthermore, as products from the new mini are available for viewing and purchase from the 1st August, entries for this competition will close on Saturday the 2nd August. This time around, I'd also like my readers to vote for their favourite (the pressure of choosing between entries getting to much for my husband...LOL) card, and as such I'll pop up a voting panel on my blog from the 3rd August for 1 Week, after which, the winner will be announced.

Here's my example:

Supplies:
* Petal Prints & G'day Mate Stamp Sets.
* Blue Bayou & Whisper White Cardstock. 6x6 DSP Sampler Pad (So Saffron).
* Blue Bayou & Whisper White Stamp Pads.
* Tearing Edge, Stamp-a-ma-jig, 1/3/8" Square Punch, 1/1/4" Square Punch.

The Rules:
* Please use at least 3 Stampin' Up! products. They may be cardstock, ink and sticky strip which most of us have.
* You may use any 2 colours and 1 neutral of your choice - be it cardstock, ink or both.
* Please use the layout of the above card. Your design is open to interpretation, however, remember that your peers will be voting for the card they like the best and they will have to see a resemblance to the above card's layout.
* As usual, please submit your entries to me at jasner5@bigpond.net.au making sure that there in jpeg form.
* All entries must be received by 5pm (Australian Central Standard Time) on Saturday 2nd August 2008.
* Voting will begin 12pm Sunday the 3rd August and voting panel will be available for 1 week for everyone to vote.
* Although SU demonstrators are more than welcome to play, please be aware that you'll not be able to win the prize.
* Overseas readers are also welcome to play, however as I'm unable to ship SU product outside Australia as per my SU demonstrator contract, you'll also be unable to win the prize.
* This competition and it's prize are offered by me in the spirit of good faith, intentions and FUN. No offence is intended to entry submissions that do not win the one prize I'm offering.

Blackboard Thanks:

Here's the other project we made at my hostess thank you party. This time, I showed the ladies the 'blackboard or chalkboard technique'. I think I'm going to have to practice this one, cause it's actually quite difficult to keep neat. In saying this I absoluely LOVE this colour combination.

Supplies:

* Heartfelt Thanks and Small Sayings Stamp Sets.

* Wild Wasabi, Rose Red, So Saffron & Basic Black Cardstock.

* White Craft and Basic Black Stamp Pads. Stampin' Pastels.

* Rich Regals Brads, cotton tips and for the scalloping I've used the slit punch.