Something Saturday - Simple but effective card

 Hi there Creators,

Happy New Year! (or at least New Years eve😍)

Today I'm showing off how to create another card design that I was sent for Christmas, I can see so many ways to use this throughout the whole year, and it's such an easy card to make (don't you just love that?!)

With this card I'm doing a bit of a sneak peek (not that far in advance now as it'll be available on 5th January)  I'm using the Alphabet a la Mode Dies, such a great die set and I love that it has numbers as well as letters.

As you can see I made one each up for my kids for Christmas.  Ben even commented that it was a great card and would be good for all year round (high praise!)

I've actually used the Storybook Gnomes Designer Papers in the background which amazingly are still available despite being reduced on the retiring list! (from $21 down to $12.60)  check them out through the link they're available till 4th January, not long to go!

Here is the inside of Sam's card, I've added a layer of white over the back of the front of the card (ha that makes sense 🤣) but it covers the edges of the Window Sheet (and the not so attractive gluey bits that show through it)

Then the middle of Ben's card...

And lastly Josh's card.......

You can probably see from the photos how to create these cards, but just in case you missed it here's the video:

 

You can make these cards with any alphabet dies, just adjust the gap between the top and bottom of the dies to suit your card.

I hope this inspires you to create.

God Bless love

Heather xox

January Mega Class

Hi there Creators,

Well on 21st January I'm holding my usual Mega Class in Laanecoorie from 10.30 till 3.30pm (or by mail, in which case you'll swap out lunch for postage), we're doing Men's cards this time, I can't wait, I love the sets we're using and I'm really happy with the cards I've designed, we have one fancy fold card and another special window card, along with 10 others, so 12 cards in total. 😍

If you are keen to come and haven 't booked your spot yet, you only have till 4th January, as I'll be ordering everything on 5th when the catalogue goes live.  The cost for the class (includes lunch, stamp sets and more) is $125, unless you're one of my team members in which case as you'll be ordering your own stamp sets, it's only $57.   I do also have an alternative offer if you're not keen on the sets we're using (see below)

Anyway, who wants a bit of a peek of the cards we'll be creating?  Oh I'm so glad you said yes lol 🤣

As part of the class you'll be receiving 

• 2 stamp sets (Legendary Ride and Thanks a Bunch) from the new upcoming catalogues
• 
• 1/2 pack of Ready to Ride Specialty Designer Series Paper
• 1/3 pack of Adhesive Backed studs
• 1/2 pack of Bakers Twine essentials
• All your card-stock cut and scored for you and envelopes
  
• Full written instructions (and me there on the day for any extra help)
• Lunch and more
• You can add on the legendary Ride Dies, which go with the stamp set (usually $56 for only $46 if you want to, needs to be done when you book your place) 
• 

If you do book to join in, you'll need to bring with you:

• E Block (possibly others if you want a selection)
• Silicone Mat for gluing
• Glues (I definitely recommend having tombow with you, or the fine tip glue to glue intricate cuts) plus dimensionals
• Any other stamping tools you like to use

I mentioned that I do have an alternative offer; 

Someone asked if she could come along to have the social day and lunch, bringing her own stuff to work on, which as currently our numbers are fairly low, I decided it would be kind of nice to have extra people, so if anyone else is keen on this idea, let me know I'll be charging $25 to do this, you will need to bring your own things to work with, but you'll have lunch provided and still be getting a couple of goodies from me, but I wouldn't be providing you with the papers or accessories the rest of us would be using.  (if you pick this option and there is anything I have that you'd like to try out, do ask me to bring it) - you will still need to book your place so I know you're coming, but as I won't have to order your goodies please book by 13th January.

 Look forward to seeing those who can make it.

God Bless love

Heather xox

Something Saturday - Butterflies

 Hi there Creators,

Umm well I hadn't intended for this post to be a Christmas eve post, (thought I had an extra week up my sleeve 🤣)  However as I mention in the video, people still have birthdays this time of year too......

Having said that Merry Christmas! (I'll do the Happy New Year next week...)

So, today I'm showing you this really cool way to use your blending brushes so you can end up with a heap of different colours on your stamps, and I happen to think the butterflies ink up beautifully like this.

I've used Butterfly Brilliance stamp (set)  I say "set" but actually it's one stamp all the butterflies joined together, which then cut out with a big die: Brilliant Wings Dies, which doesn't just have the one big die, it then has a heap of more intricate butterfly dies too, which make excellent masks as you'll see.....

Anyway you're not here to hear me waffle on, lets get to the cards:

Card number 1 was this one, at this stage I was just thinking of showcasing the butterfly (and also a couple of the random dies (the sort of splatter and the bricks), as you can see I've taken the intricate die cuts and used them as a mask for the background, after taking the photos I did think I should have added bling, so if you end up with one of these cards, there will most likely be bling on it too 😁)  And if you're wondering where the words came from, it's a sneak peek of a new Sale-a-Bration set which you can pick for free when you order $90+ after 5th January.

Then I moved onto this card, which is when I started thinking I needed to add more butterflies to my cards or I wasn't going to get through them all lol.  Again I've used the intricate die cuts as stencils for the background of my card (I love this effect, and it's such an easy but effective background)  As you can see I've curled the butterflies leaves, and I've added a dimensional under the wings to keep them lifted up when the card gets squashed in the envelope, hopefully it works!

The next card finally ended up with the intricate die cuts on it too (I had actually cut them from vellum originally thinking the vellum would look nice overlaid on the stamped butterflies, but it obliterated the delicate ink, so that didn't work!)  the background of this card is very simply scored at regular intervals  I found this easy to do using my Simply Scored board (did you know there's a metric board as well that overlays over top of the main board?)

 

Then I realised there was still a random die I hadn't used, and with 3 full butterflies remaining........

 

Lastly I had 3 more intricate cuts to use up, so these I decided could be just on a plain very vanilla thick card, but I couldn't help adding a touch of gold on the ends of their wings (hey they needed blinging up, heaven only knows why I didn't feel that way about the other cards 🤣)  So I've used the Gilded leafing, I actually think this card might be my favourite, which is yours?

 

 

If you missed the video, do check it out here:

 

I hope this inspires you to create!

God Bless love

Heather xox

Something Saturday - Interesting Card design

 Hi There Creators,

Today I'm showing off a card I received from a friend, who happens to also be, one of my talented down-line.  I loved the card so much I asked if I could use it for a video, which she kindly consented.

Here's the card Lee-Allan sent me:

 

And here's my first attempt at the same design - I was feeling like I hadn't used this cute North Pole Mischief Stamp set enough before it's retired at the end of the month (at the time of writing it's still available to purchase, but as with all retiring products - stock levels can rapidly disappear, so if you see anything you're keen on, check out the links on here to see if they're still available and get them ordered!

I also used the Storybook Gnomes Designer Paper which is fabulous and (at time of writing) still available (and discounted) 

On  a bit of a side-note I actually made these cards the other night with the Story book Gnomes Designer Paper (the only stamps were for sayings) the Gnomes and the toadstool houses cut out from the paper and some of the other paper used for background - really simple to pop together and I just love how cute and effective they are.

And on to the last card in this "Interesting Card Design" post:

This is the one I make up in the video using the gorgeous (but I think overlooked) Festive foils specialty card (retiring and reduced), and the sadly retiring Christmas Lights Bundle (best to buy this as the bundle, as the individual items haven't been reduced, so you still get 10% off with the bundle price)  Oh and I used the (also retiring and reduced) Wonderful Snowflakes (ooo so pretty - iridescent)

Anyway on to the measurements I used:

Take your piece of A4 card and cut in 1/2 length ways at 10.5cm

Take one of these halves and cut again length ways at 5.25cm, (you'll end up with 2 lengths of 5.25cm x 29.7cm) fold one of these in 1/2 width ways at 14.8cm

Take the 10.5cm x 29.7cm piece and cut off 7.4cm from one end, then score at 3cm and 6cm, concertina'ing these to create the front step of your card, then fold the remainder in 1/2 to create the wider back step. (it would be at almost 14cm the last fold but it's easier just to do it by hand and bone scorer)

Decorate up the fronts of the 10.5cm piece of card and the 5.25cm strip

Then attach them together, here's the video if you want to see how: (you can fast forward to the exciting bits 🤣

I hope this has inspired you to create, do share what you make if you have a go, I'd love to see.

God Bless love

Heather xox

Something Saturday - Delicate Desert sneak peek

 Hi there Creators

today I thought we'd delve into some of the upcoming "new" stuff.  I wanted to show off my favourite suite in the upcoming catalogue.  Although just so you know the retiring list is out so check out the absolute bargains you can grab on that and also on the Clearance rack which has also had items added to it:  Retiring goodies,   Clearance Rack

As I mention the video, because I went to the Stampin' Up! Onstage event I was then allowed to do something called a PPP order (Product Purchase Premiere)  so it meant I got some of my goodies before any of the demos that didn't attend the event (exciting)! 

If you're a demonstrator you can now order this suite as a pre-order, however if you're a customer you'll need to wait till 4th January.  But it's fabulous so, put this on your list!

Here is the board I made to show whats in the suite:

There's stamps, dies, velvet ribbon and gold sequins

 

In the video I show off how I've coloured in the flowers on this card 

As I used Bermuda Bay instead of the Cherry Cobbler, I ended up making this card with the flowers I'd created:

 

Then I also made up this card using the fabulous long Aztec type design stamps to create the background

Then lastly I promised to make a zipper card using the long die, and here it is.....  I really thought it would make great zipper look, and I've used the end of the diamond'y shaped die to create the zip puller.  I'm really pleased with the way it turned out, I do think it makes and effective zipper, what do you think?

If you missed the video here it is:

I hope this inspires you to create (and if you want to find out more about being a demonstrator and getting to order things earlier 😉 just ask me)

God Bless love

Heather xox

Something Saturday - Birthday Card Organizer Kit

 Hi there Creators

Today I showed off this fabulous Birthday Card Organizer kit. The size of the Card holder is actually quite big at 8x10", so even if you make larger cards or slimline cards they should fit in fine.  The idea is to have one place to pop all your Birthday cards in waiting, under the correct month.  And everything is included in the kit to create all the cards, and label up the Organizer.

In the video, I unpacked the box it comes in and show off making the 2 varieties of card included with it (there are supplies for 12 cards)

Here are the 2 cards I made up as they're shown in the kit:

 Then in the video I mention that I plan to make something different with a couple more of the cards, so here is my "different" take on these......

The green based card (soft succulent colour) actually has a really nice front and back, so I've cut it in 1/2 and used both parts to create 2 cards, I've also used the beautiful True Beauty Stamp set lightly in the background.  The top card uses some cut off pieces from the kit to create the 2 lines, and the bottom card I cut the "ribbon" strip in 1/2 so I could use some on an envelope.

 Then this black & White card I really wanted to be more "male" focused, and I just love this little dog from Glad We're Friends, so I've fussy cut him out, and chose not to add more colour (wasn't really sure a green dog was the way to go lol) I decided against the sequins, and added some Rustic Metallic Adhesive backed dots instead, and swapped the sentiment over with the 2 cards

If you missed the "unpacking" video, here it is....

If you have any kits I hope this inspires you to come up with different ideas for the cards too.

God Bless love

Heather xox

Something Saturday - Show & Tell

 Hi there, 

As I mention in the video I've just recently been to a Stampin' Up! event called OnStage Local, this one was held in Sydney, and was a one day event, with an evening before for Leaders called "CentreStage".  I was blessed to be involved with both.  The CentreStage event was lovely, catching up with other leaders and some really cute little desserts. Yummm

Then on the Saturday we had the main event, I helped out with check-in, which was fun, handing out the special boxes to everyone.  At Stampin' Up! events they invariably give us a box, with goodies in it (I show these off at the beginning of the video). You can see the boxes in the background here:

 

Then a lot of people make up what's called "swaps".  It means you create a heap of cards (I made around 30), and swap them with others for what they've made up, it's a fabulous way to see what others are creating, get ideas, and have something to show off.......

I've taken photos of the swaps I received (I did show them in the video, but just in case you want a closer view here they are: 

then we had the opportunity to create a couple of cards from a kit that was launched on 15th Nov during our lunch break, it's called Timeless Greetings check it out through the link
And proof I was in Sydney 😍

In case you missed the video, here it is:

Hope these inspire you to create

God Bless love
Heather xox

Cards for December Classes

 Hi There Creators

Well we've finally got to December and ALL Christmas cards! 😍 

Just in case you're planning to order any of these, some of them will be on the retiring list on 1st December, and in some cases they'll be reduced, however you might have to get in quick to get them!

Classes are Wednesday 7th 10.30am in Laanecoorie, Thursday 8th 7pm in Laanecoorie and Saturday 10th 10.30am in Maryborough. $20 to create all the projects.  Let me know if you plan to come along.

Here is the offering for December:

First up is this duo of card with little pillowbox bag made using the Pretty Pillowbox dies I couldn't resist using the whole piece of metallic and shimmer specialty paper to create this duo (they're 6x6 sheets)  Along with the Celebrating You stamps, and the absolutely gorgeous Gold Shimmer Ribbon

Next up is this fun card using the Spruced Up Outline Dies (this will be retiring come December, so look out for a great price on the individual components - ask me if you're not sure) and, a bit of a sneak peek from the next mini catalogue, with the Handdrawn Dots Stamps, saying comes from Inspired Thoughts, which is a great all rounder saying set.

Then I've used the Decorated with Happiness bundle, (this is also retiring come December, again check the individual prices, as it works out cheaper)  it just really appeals to me this set!, and also the Stitched Greenery Die in the background for a bit of added interest

Then  lastly I felt a need to go "Aussie" and figured a bit of wattle could be Christmassy too 😁 As the Aussie Christmas carol goes: Deck the Sheds with Bits of Wattle......

Here I've used the beautiful Texture Chic Memories & More Cards & Envelopes paired up with the Brightest Beauty Stamp set (again it will be on the retiring list at the beginning of Dec😔) and Decorated with Happiness stamp set (and some gold heat embossing - gotta have some bling.....)  I've finished off by stamping the saying directly onto the natural finish ribbon.

Well that's it, next month is January so we won't be having our usual classes due to holidays, however I do plan to do one of my Mega Classes on a Saturday mid to late Jan, once I have my hands on some of the new products I'll be working out what we're going to do.

Look forward to seeing you if you can make it to class, if not have a wonderful Christmas

God Bless love 

Heather xox

Something Saturday - Brightest Beauty (Wattle next?....)

 Hi there Creators

I'm not sure if this set is specifically meant to be Wattle, but it sure looks like it!  Here in Australia (in case you're from a different part of the world)  the Wattle has been flowering beautifully out in the bush recently, here's one of the photos I took recently: (might have been good had I taken my phone out of it's red cover to take the photo, or even checked the photo after I took it! but I've never claimed to be a photographer, and didn't have my glasses with me - at least that's my excuse)

Anyway on to the cards.... Using the Brightest Beauty Bundle  I make up this card in the video, nice and simple just a bit of stamping, I thoroughly recommend using the Stamparatus to line up/position and stamp the yellow (fluffy bits) commonly called blossom 🤣  And I love using the linen thread with natural looking stamps.

After finishing the video I then made up these 2 cards:

This uses some of the pieces I had already cut out, and again the linen thread with a double bow, I love the background triangle pieces stamp 😍

And you can see the little yellow cut out pieces have debossing in them to give them that "fluffy" appearance.

Then I decided that actually it didn't need to be completely yellow, so thought I'd use up the last pieces of greenery with purple blossoms (and again the linen thread)  And how lovely is the tag for the saying? it also has a little bit of de-bossing texture at the top and bottom.

If you missed the video, here it is....

I hope this inspires you to purchase this bundle (from me 😉) 😀  I don't know if it'll make it into the next catalogue - here's hoping 🤞 so if it doesn't you only have potentially till 4th January. (you can click on the links above to check out what I used)

God Bless love

Heather xox

Something Saturday - Strip Christmas Trees

 Hi there Creators

Umm might not have picked the right name for this one 🤣  What I actually mean is Christmas trees made from strips of Designer Papers.  Phew we're not going to make our Christmas trees strip!

I had a few strips of the Boughs of Holly Designer Papers that were (in theory) 1cm strips, so I thought I'd have a go at something I used to do with washi tape.

The idea is to have strips of paper that are slightly shorter each time so when you attach them down you end up with the typical pyramid tree shape.

Here's the card I made up in the video.  I teamed it up with the Decorated with Happiness bundle (stamps & dies) Oh and the Adhesive-Backed Seasonal sequins  I do like sequins without holes in the middle for adding to cards!

Then after the video I made up this card, as I still had some scraps left over.  This time I also stamped the branches from the stamp set in the background, which I rather like, I'm looking forward to doing more with this set (it only arrived a couple of days before I did the video!)  I tried to stamp the saying directly onto the card with Stazon Black, but it really didn't show up, so ended up covering it with vellum, and punching the ends with the Handmade Tag Punch.  As I mentioned in the video I often do these cards so that the tree is a little skewiff or wonky, I kind of like the effect it gives.

the stars have some rather nice detail in them as you can see:

If you missed the video here it is:

I hope this inspires you to have a go too, feel free to share what you make, I do love seeing what I've inspired in others 😊

God Bless love

Heather xox

Something Saturday - Really cool Sunlight effect

 Hi there Creators,

Well I really didn't know what to call this, but the effect reminds me of sunlight streaming through gaps, so I'm running with that 🤣 (or at least walking fast - if I'm running there's something seriously wrong...)

The card I start making in the video is this one;  in the video I show how to create this effect in the baubles, it's actually remarkably easy, all you need is a shape cut out of spare cardstock, then sticky notes, ink and a blending brush.  I think it might be easier for you to watch the video than for me to try and explain it, but suffice it to say it's easy and creates a fabulous effect!  I've used the Spruced Up Outline dies (which are so fabulous)

After that I felt I should try and use most of the dies in the Spruced up Outline dies, so I went on to make these 2 cards....  I love the way you get the outline of the die, as well as the inside 😍  and of course looking at them on here I kind of wish I'd done the same effect with the trees - Oh well, famous last thoughts........

  

And this card......

I think there ended up being 3 dies I didn't use from the set (not bad going!)

If you missed the video here it is......

I hope this inspires you to create, and try out the "sunlight effect" for yourself

God Bless love

Heather xox

Something Saturday - Christmas Tree Box

 Hi there Creators,

Today I'm showing you how to create a little box with a Christmas Tree standing up on top of it, this is actually one of the projects my Craft@Home group have to create this month (if you would like more details about my Craft@Home group, just ask)

You could give a Christmas presy in this box, and then it can be stored to use as a decoration, the ribbon is a belly band around the box, so it will slide on and off, and the tree can be stored inside the box when it's been packed away

How to make this?  well...... you're going to need 

• 3 (or more) symmetrical trees for the tree decoration, I've used Twinkling Lights Dies, you can also buy them as part of a bundle with a stamp set too (bundles give you a 10% discount) Christmas Lights Bundle. 😍
• Something to colour your trees with, I used Garden Green, Pear Pizzazz and Shaded Spruce inks brushed on with a blending brush.  (Although I'm now thinking they'd look good cut from Designer Papers.)
  
• An A5 sheet of real red card (21cm x 14.8cm) scored in on each side at 5cm.  This is the base of your box
  
• A piece of Garden Green card (14.1cm x 8cm)  scored in on each side at 1.5cm, this is the lid of your box
  
• 3 (or more if you're using more trees) 2.5cm x 1cm strips of Soft Suede
• piece of wide ribbon, or strip of card that goes all the way round your box (although it won't store so well in the box)
  

 Ironically the first one I made, the tree stood up nicely, then the one in the video had complications, it could have something to do with trying a different glue!  I recommend Tombow rather than the fine tip glue pen that I tried out.

Anyway, make the box up, using the measurements above, wrap the ribbon round, and secure the ends together with tear & tape adhesive.  Cut out the trees and colour them up, then fold them in 1/2 coloured side on the inside of fold , add the small strips of soft suede to the bottom of them to create the tree trunks, make sure that the folds are in the same place with each, so when its all joined together and stands up they'll all be the same length.

then glue them back to back so they stand up as a little tripod tree.

Next you can glue the tree to the ribbon, if it really doesn't want to glue, you could add a stitch to it.

Then decorate up your tree 😊

Here are both boxes I made up:

And here is my second tree, that didn't want to stand up properly, I ended up adding brads to attach it down, then another piece of cardstock under it to give a bit more stability, although I'm not sure how well it'll pack away now 🤔

If you missed the video here it is:

I hope this inspires you to have go too 😊

God Bless love

Heather xox