What really got me started on the challenges on Sunday, was this stunning colour inspiration pic from Kim at Off The Wall Craftiness - isn't it just too beautiful??

And of course, I instantly thought of our gorgeous new Designer Series Paper "Woodland Walk" - it's too yummy and in just the right colours.

Those of you who know me well, will know how much I love making those dear little gift card holders using the Scallop Envelope Die, and the sweet love note size cards.  Well, when I saw these colours, and also, this great sketch by CardPatterns :

Not to mention the fact that our stampin' friend Tina is one of their guest designers this week and has already had a go at the sketch (good for you Tina!! Lovely card!!), so by the time I imagined the DSP and the sketch together, I already knew what I was going to do, and was grabbing out the Big Shot and the Love Note cards and the Wild Wasabi cardstock.

I made four cards to go in the box, and based the cards on that awesome sketch from CardPatterns. Instead of placing a circle on the card front, I decided to chomp a semi-circle out of the card front - this worked well for such tiny cards, as I was then able to stamp my greeting inside the semi-circle, which means it is also on the inside of the card already.

Overall, it was a very jolly enjoyable Sunday afternoon and evening, making card projects for  different challenges! Thankfully I was able to combine some of them on the same projects.

My green and brown tones are Soft Suede & Wild Wasabi from Stampin' Up, and I have used the Scallop Circle and 1 3/8" circle punches for the hole, and a green rhinestone brad to keep the ribbon in place.

Well, what a busy week already! Hope you're having a good one too, and find some time to get some ink on your fingers! Catch you again soon,

Kathryn.

I haven't posted in over a week, and now you are going to get two posts within an hour - why is this SO??? Well, because I am a duffer and I have just realised that Colour Throwdown Challenges finish on Sunday nights not Tuesday nights - no wonder I always miss those deadlines . . .

Anyway, whilst looking for inspiration, I came across this VERY unlikely colour combination, and since I am up for a challenge, I thought I'd give it a go, especially since Charisma Cardz suggested VINTAGE for this week.

Here's the Swatch from Colour Throwdown :

And here is my "Vintage - Collage" interpretation of those amazing colours.

I've used the new level one hostess set, Punch Potpouri, along with Artistic Etchings, the Two Step Bird Punch and some old lace.  In Australia and New Zealand, Dusty Durango has a different name. It is Cajun Craze and it's in our new Regals Collection.

I have used Cajun Craze, Perfect Plum and So Saffron card stock and inks for all the layering, stamping and sponging. The main layer of the card which is heavily sponged in the three colours is actually Very Vanilla.

I'll be back a bit later in the week with another little project I have done, inspired by these great challenge sites - thanks so much to all the amazing design team members who work so hard to get these challenges running and to have such fabulous samples to share! 
 
 

Hi Everyone,

What do you do when you need a little inspiration?  When I just want to create a couple of cards but I don't want to spend hours on the layout or colour palette, I go visit a few of my favourite challenge sites and see what everyone is up to.  It really works for me, as all the hard work is taken away, you just get out your ink and card and start creating!

This week, I found this totally awesome colour inspiration at The Play Date Cafe :

And this really simple and inspiring sketch at CPS Card sketches :  

and I decided to combine the two to make a couple of cards. Love how well the analogous colours go together, and love the fact that Stampin' Up! has a delicious pack of DSP called "Sweet & Sour Specialty" which fitted the criteria perfectly.

I have used the same two stamp sets for both cards - "For Everything" and "Kimono Kids" which are both on page 42 of the AU/NZ Stampin' Up! Ideas Book & Catalogue. Both cards have paper piecing and the tags are cut using the Big Shot and Sizzlits Dies.

Colours used are Daffodil Delight, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Peach Parfait and Pumpkin Pie - and off course, there's a bit of stamping using the trusty Jet Black Stazon!

If you're in Australia and you don't have a 2010-2011 Ideas Book, or if you'd like to know how to get these delightful stamp sets, please email me, [email protected] and I will be able to help you.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

 LEANNE RENEHAM!!!!

for winning 11 lengths of gorgeous 1 & 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon from the new Stampin' Up! Ideas Book & Catalogue. You are going to love co-ordinating this beautiful ribbon with your latest projects!

Here are two more cards I have made using Artistic Etchings stamp set and a few bits of odds and ends from my craft collection, including buttons, silk flowers and old lace.

This card uses the darling "Elegant Soiree" Designer Series Paper - I can see myself going through lots of packs of this particular paper! The image is stamped in Early Espresso ink to co-ordinate with the Soft Suede card stock.

This yummy Pretty in Pink and Elegant Eggplant card is made using "Lap of Luxury" designer series paper, silk flowers, rhinestones, old lace and a scallop circle punch to make the larger flower. 

Here's a close up of those flowers!

I have used my Stampin' Write Markers to colour the white silk flowers to co-ordinate perfectly to complete this project. It's not a card I would like to post in the mail, but I sure would like to see the face of the recipient when they pull it out of the envelope.

Well that's probably it from me on Eiffel Towers and Artistic Etchings.  Have you checked your calendars to see what's on next weekend? I'd love you to join us at Hazelwood Cottage at East Warburton for a fun stamping Getaway. Just a very good excuse to catch up with all your stamping and scrapbooking projects before Christmas is suddenly upon us! There is more information HERE.

Also, don't miss the brand new Christmas product sale which starts today, details HERE.

Well, I said I'd be back with more cards that I have made using the gorgeous new stamp set - Artistic Etchings. I really enjoyed making this set of cards for CraftExpo, and am looking forward to making even more!

For this card, I have chosen Patterns Designer Series Paper in Baja Breeze for the backgrounds, and the images and layers are in Not Quite Navy, with scraps of Very Vanilla cardstock and a piece of Hodge Podge from the Styled Silver set.

I have used silver brads in the centres of the diamond flourish images. 

I have used the same stamped images again, but gone for the vibrant Daffodil Delight teamed with Night of Navy for this card . . .

If you check back to Sunday's post, you will see that on two of these cards I have used the new 1 & 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon. It is an absolutely beautiful embellishment coming in 11 different colours now to co-ordinate with your projects.

If you would like to receive a small sample of each of the 11 colours, be amongst the first to leave a comment before 5pm Friday, and I will draw out one name to receive a piece of each ribbon to use on your cards - (only Australian readers and no Stampin' Up! demonstrators please).

Be sure to check back on Saturday for the winner of the ribbon and to see two more samples using this delightful stamp set!

I had a lovely time at CraftExpo on Thursday and Saturday.  The Stampin' Up! stand looked fabulous with so many samples of new products and projects, and the visitors were all so friendly and happy to have a chat!

I have been dying to show you some of the new projects I have been making with the products from our brand new Ideas Book & Catalogue - I had to make a concentrated effort in the last week to get a pile done for the show.  I chose to do a poster using "Artistic Etchings" stamp set, a new set of six stamps which includes one of the Eiffel Tower - very appropriate given where I have just been.

I have teamed the stamped images with two lots of our new Designer Series Paper - "Newsprint" and "Love Letter".  Love the ridinghood red, black and very vanilla combinations. 

I have also used the extremely popular "Vintage Wallpaper" textured impressions plate, sponged with a little basic grey to emphasise the pattern - I adore the luxurious look of this technique, and it's so simple to do!

To add to the vintage feel of these cards, I added some old lace and half pearls.  I had a lot of fun making these, and will be back later in the week to show you a few more - I did several in different colours and styles.

Enjoy! and don't forget to check out my events page - I have a big weekend coming up for stampers who want to get away - click here for more information!

See you again soon, Kathryn. 
 

Well, we are back from tripping around Europe, and it's been a very busy time, getting our house all beautiful to sell, so we can move later this year, and doing lots of stamping the last few days in preparation for CraftExpo this week.

With the help of some workshop attendees on Sunday, I got out my new Ornament Punch and Delightful Decorations stamp set and scrapped a new layout - haven't done any for a while, so it was nice to get one done.  Loving having Wild Wasabi green back, to go with Certainly Celery.

I have taken the inspiration for this layout pretty much straight from page 25 of the brand new 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Ideas Book and Catalogue.  Just a couple of minor changes to accommodate my (very old) photo and to use "Dasher". Loved using up all these little scraps with the punch and adding some texture to some with the Big Shot & Embossing Folders.

Are you going to CraftExpo?  If you are, I will be there on Thursday & Saturday, all day.  Please do come and say "hi" and see what we've been busily stamping with all the gorgeous new products!