Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper - a Fussy Cutter's Dream

Hello and welcome. Well the new Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue is finally live and we can now all get our hands on the beautiful new products. One of my favourites from the new catalogue is the Bird Ballad Suite, particularly the Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper. As paper crafters we all have a bit of a tendency to hoard our beautiful patterned papers and not want to cut into them but for me that wasn't the case with these papers. The minute I opened my packet I couldn't wait to start fussing cutting the gorgeous bird images.

The layout for this card was inspired by this gorgeous creation by Charlet Mallet which is the focus for this week's Global Design Project CASE the Designer challenge.

When CASEing Charlet's card I was inspired to combine both the dry embossed background and the offset banner element and tryout a partial dry embossing technique with the Lace 3D Embossing Folder. This technique is great for embossing a portion of your background and makes your embossing folders more versatile. My beautiful friend (and fellow Artisan) Mikaela Titheridge shared this technique on the Stampin' Up! Corporate Instagram page earlier this year. Follow this link to see  her instructions on how to achieve this partial embossed effect - https://www.instagram.com/p/BsJkzxnlpvC/?igshid=dlk3hl38bdkr

I hope you like my project and that I have inspired you to try out some partial dry embossing or to get out and cut up your DSP

Happy crafting

- Tan xx   

All Geared Up To Celebrate

Hello everyone,

My youngest little one has been attending quite a few parties for his daycare and kinder buddies lately so I have been busy creating cards for him to give to his friends at these events. Not to typecast but most 4 year old boys love cars so the cool images from Geared Up Garage were the perfect go-to for these cards.

Now two of the cards I made were whipped up quite hastily before we headed off to the parties but I did manage to have enough time to take a pic of this one.

When creating this card I drew some inspiration from the team at the Global Design Team and their current sketch challenge GDP#186. Here is the sketch that inspired the layout of my card

I really love the detail in all the images in the Geared Up Garage stamp set. In this card I've used the oil can image to add a little extra detail to the DSP background and the oil stain stamp added some texture to the Basic Gray starburst circle.

The little splatters of silver were created using my favourite stamp from the Timeless Textures stamp set. I'm really going to miss this stamp when the set retires at the end of May. 

That's all for this post today but be sure to pop back and check out my blog again throughout the week. I've been very busy behind the scenes creating some great projects to share without in various posts over the next couple of weeks, including an amazing limited release surprise from Stampin' Up!.

Thanks for stopping by.

- Tan xx

Feelin' boho for GDP#153

Hello and welcome back.

Today I'm playing along with the Global Design Project colour challenge and have created a project using Daffodil Delight, Flirty Flamingo and Soft Suede. 

There's something about the combo of pink and brown that makes me think "Boho" so the obvious stamp set choice for this challenge was the "Follow Your Dreams" set. 

Don't you just love this beautifully detailed dreamcatcher? For this project I  stamped  the dreamcatcher in Soft Suede and I used a combination of Daffodil Delight and Flirty Flamingo to colour the flowers.

In keeping with the "dreamy boho" theme I created a soft watercolour background in Flirty Flamingo and added a little second and third generation stamping and a few white embossed flowers to create some subtle texture.

 

Lastly, to add a little extra dimension I added another die cut dreamcatcher to the background using the inlaid die cut technique.

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you liked my project. Pop over to the Global Design Project blog to see what the designers  have created with this colour combo

Happy crafting

- Tan xx

Baby Congratulations for GDP #145

I'm sure I've said this before, I absolutely love playing with new Stampin' Up! colours at this time of year and with the fabulous gift of a Colour Revamp this year I have so many new colours to create with. The tricky thing with new colours is working out what colour combos work and often I find a colour challenge is a great way to kick start the process. Today I turned to this weeks Global Design Project colour challenge (GDP#145) for inspiration. 

And here is the card I created using Grapefruit Grove, Fresh Fig and Mint Macaron.

For some reason I immediately thought "Baby Card" when I saw these colours. How cute are these little pins from the Better Together stamp set? And did you notice any similarity between the pins and the Global Design Project colour combo picture? The order that the team at GDP put the colours in was so appealing that I had to replicate it in placing the pins on my card. 

This card isn't as busy as my usually work, instead is a perfect example of the theory of "less is more". Using the new Subtle Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder is a perfect way to add interest to a card without adding too much detail and my new favourite ribbon, Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon in Whisper White provides an extra element of softness.

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed my post and are inspired to have a play with the new Stampin' Up! colours yourself. Make sure you pop over to the Global Design Project to see what the designers have created using this beautiful combo 

 - Tan xx

A New Colour Palatte | GDP Sketch Challenge #142

My favourite thing about the release of a new Stampin' Up! Catalogue is seeing what new In-Colors I can add to my collection. However this year, along with 5 new In-colors, Stampin' Up! have added an extra 16 new colours (10 brand new and 6 returning) to their colour collections. Yay!! More new colours to play with!

So with new colours at my disposal I decided it was time to play with some new colour combos and since purple isn't a colour I turn to a lot I chose to start with the two new shade of purple, Highland Heather and Gorgeous Grape.

 

What do you think? Did you notice that I've used a new blue as well? I love how the Balmy Blue compliments the purples in this project. 

When I'm working with new colour combos I often find it easier if I have a layout or sketch I can CASE and for this card this weeks Sketch Challenge from Global Design Project was 

I also drew some inspiration from the cleverly creative Susan Wong (Stamping Susan) who recently shared a clever way to create a fringe style embellishment using cardstock in one of her exclusive, members only, Crafty Carrot Collective videos (head over to Susan's blog to find out how to join)

You may have also noticed some subtle texture at the top of the card. I felt like the project needed a little extra something but I also wanted to keep the top panel completely white. Initially I thought of adding some detail in embossing paste and the diamond patterned mask was perfect, however, when I opened my tub of embossing paste I discovered it was rock solid (insert sad face). It didn't take me long to find a solution though. Instead I used a dauber to sponge some Versamark over a section of the mask and then I heat embossed the pattern in White Stampin' Emboss powder. I love how the heat embossing created a smooth and shiny result, I'll definitely be using that technique again. 

Thank you for stopping by today, I hope you enjoyed my post. Make sure you pop over to the Global Design Project to see the designers take on this creative sketch

 - Tan xx

CASEing Brian King for GDP #140

This weeks Global Design Project CASE the Designer challenge (#140) was one I just couldn't resist.

Brian King is a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator that I have been following since I was first introduced to Stampin' Up! over 7 yrs ago. He has an amazing talent for combining colour, clean lines and layers to create simple sophisticated cards and while my creative style has become more fussy and detailed over time, I still love to turn to Brian's blog for inspiration.

When creating my project I chose to CASE the layout and combination of flowers and a beautiful sentiment of Brian's card. The colour combo I've gone with today features a brand new Stampin' Up! colour, Soft Seafoam. Don't you just love how it goes with the Copper and Black? In keeping with Brian's style I wanted to keep my card relatively simple however I just couldn't resist adding a little extra detail with some inlaid die-cutting and some plaited linen thread.

Thank you for stopping by today, I hope you enjoyed my post. Make sure you pop over to the Global Design Project to see the designers take on Brian's card

 - Tan xx

Designer Series Paper Love for GDP #134

Hands up all you Designer Series Paper hoarders. I'm sure I'm not the only one out there who has sheets of DSP in their stash that they are "saving" for that special project that never seems to come along. 

I'm not sure why I think this way, what's the worst that can happen if I use up all my DSP? I mean if I run out I can always buy more, right? So in a bid to get over this I made a commitment to myself to start using up my DSP and this card is the first of what I hope will be many cards featuring my favourite DSP. 

This pattern from Delightful Daisy is my absolute favourite. The soft colours of Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party and Calypso Coral are so beautiful in this floral pattern. I'm also guilty of saving the pieces of the white wash woodgrain from the Wood Textures DSP stack but it goes so perfectly with the florals, don't you think?

My inspiration for this card came from this weeks Global Design Project sketch challenge (GDP #134)

This sketch is perfect for showcasing the beauty of the DSP. 

To see what the Global Design Project Team have done with this sketch head over to their blog here.

I also wanted to showcase one of my favourite retiring sets , Celebration Time. This cake image has been my go-to for many of my projects and I'm a little sad to see it go. 

 

Thanks for stopping by today. 

Tan xx

Celebration time for TGIF #141 and GDP #120

New Years Resolutions. 

Have you made any this year? 

I'm not really one for making New Years Resolution but this year I have set myself a few goals that I hope to achieve. One of them is to push my creativity by participating in at least one challenge a week and another is to be more consistent with my blog. Last week I participated in a TGIF challenge and guess what, my project won!!! How exciting! (Click here to see my project)

So here I am in week 2 and today I'm participating in TWO challenges with this project. 

The colours for this project, Fresh Fig, Night of Navy and Island Indigo, were inspired by this weeks TGIF colour challenge and the layout was inspired by this week Global Design Project CASE the Designer Challenge. The card I chose to CASE is this gogreous card by Krista Frattin. 

I just adore Krista's work. She has an amazing talent of layering elements to create the most beautiful cards. Head over to her blog, Stampin Dolce, to see some more of her work.

Inspired by Krista I've layered this sponged and heat embossed cake from Celebration Time over some metallic thread, ribbons, sequin trim, punched out shapes and a metallic doily. 

I also want to give a shout out to another amazing demonstrator, Susan Wong who inspired the sponging on my background and the cake. I've not had a lot of success with the sponging technique but after watching one of Susan's Crafty Carrot Collective tutorials I picked up a couple of tips and I'm loving the technique now. 

I hope you enjoyed my post and I have inspired you today. 

 - Tan xx

Merriest Christmas Wishes for GDP #113

Welcome. 

I'm back with another Global Design Project colour challenge project and I have to admit this was my toughest colour challenge so far. The colours for this weeks challenge are

And don't they look great together in this little graphic. 

On a card, however, I really struggled to come up with a design where the colours complimented each other. Finally, after many attempts, this is the card that I created

I'm loving the trend of embellishing cards with frayed ribbon at the moment. It's a great way to double purpose your ribbons and adds a fun detail to your project. 

My good friend Jennifer Frost gave me the inspiration to build up this section with embellishments in a recent Crafty Carrot Collective tutorial. Unfortunately I'm unable to share her design as it was part of an exclusive, subscribers only, tutorial program  but if you head over to the Crafty Carrot Collective blog you'll find details on how to join in the fun.

Thanks for stopping by. Make sure you pop over to the Global Design Project blog to see how other designers have been inspired by this colour challenge

- Tan xx

Christmas Table Decor inspiration.

This weekend I collaborated with two of my crafty friends, Jennifer Frost and Tracy Bish, to host Holiday Craft Party to celebrate the release of the 2017 Holiday Catalogue from Stampin' Up!  We all had a wonderful time crafting with everyone who attended!
In preparation for the day I chose to create some Christmas table setting decor display and I thought I would share some pictures of this display with you today

Won't your Christmas guests feel special sitting down to this beautiful place setting. These Gold Striped treat bags from Stampin' Up! are the perfect size to hold your guest's cutlery and napkin and no Christmas table is complete with Christmas crackers.

Last year, the super amazing Louise Sharp shared her Christmas table setting and when I saw her decorated glass bottle (you can see the details here) I knew it was an idea I wanted to CASE.

To add an extra touch of my display I chose to include these decorated candy jars. My colour scheme was inspired by this weeks Global Design Project Colour Challenge , Old Olive, Basic Black and Gold.

I even managed to find some delicious coordinating Lindt chocolates, yummo.

I hope you I have inspired you to get started on your Christmas decor crafting.
Thanks for stopping by

- Tan xx

Deck the Halls for GDP #106

Hello everyone. I'm sure I'm not the only paper crafter who loves Christmas and like many of you every year I can't wait to make a start on my Christmas creations. However this year, life has been so busy I've not done a scrap of Christmas crafting.... until today!!! 

So here it is, my very first Christmas card for 2017.

The inspiration for this card came from the Global Design Project sketch challenge this week, GDP #106. I love a great sketch challenge and this one is no exception. 

Once I had completed my card I still had my crafting mojo and the kids were entertained so I decided to create a coordinating wine bottle gift tag.  

I always make sure to have a couple of bottles of wine on hand around Christmas and these wine bottle gift tags are the perfect instant gift wrapping.

Both of these projects will be featured at a Christmas Paper Craft Party I'm co-hosting with the super amazing Jennifer Frost and Tracy Bish next month. I'd love to see you there, to find out more or book you place head over to booking page on Jennifer Frost's blog (click here)

Thanks for stopping by. Make sure you pop over the the Global Design Project to see how others have been inspired by this sketch

- Tan xx

Tone on tone stamping for GDP#105

This week's Global Design Project (GDP #105) challenge is a colour challenge and I have to admit I find colour challenges the trickiest. However, when I saw this weeks colour combo of Peekaboo Peach, Tangerine Tango and Lemon Lime Twist, I was excited to see where I could go with it and this is the card I came up with. 

I possibly cheated a smidge by incorporating a bit of copper and some woodgrain Designer Series Paper in the design but don't you just love the contrast?

Its no secret that I love the Oh So Eclectic stamp set and Eclectic Layer thinlits, the flowers and leaves really lend themselves to tone on tone stamping which is why the flowers look great with a Peakaboo Peach background and Tangerine Tango details. To achieve the same tone on tone effect with the leaves I inked up the watercolour leaf stamp with Lemon Lime Twist and then stamped it first on a scrap of paper before stamping the image on Whisper White card so get a lighter image then I've stamped the detail in full strength Lemon Lime Twist.

Do you notice the embossed detail behind the flowers? Stampin' Up! have included some emboss only dies in the Eclectic Layers thinlits. These thinlits are a great way to add little embossed detail to your projects without embossing a whole panel.

Thanks for stopping by. If you want to see some other amazing projects featuring this colour combo be sure to pop over to the Global Design Project page, you are going to love what the GDP designers have come up with.

- Tan xx

Welcome little one for gdp100

Some of you may remember my post last week (check it out here) where I played along with the TGIF Challenge Sketch Challenge, well imagine my surprise when I discovered my card was selected as the winner!!! What an amazing honour to be chosen from so many beautiful cards.

Motivated by such a wonderful compliment I couldn't resist playing along with another fabulous challenge blog, Global Design Project. This week marks the 100th challenge for the Global Design Project and to celebrate each designer has created a card and particpants have invited to CASE one of the cards.
The card I have decided to case is this beautiful card by Allison Okimitsu from Nice People Stamp. I've been a long time admirer of Allison work and this gorgeous card is no exception.

And, here is my card

I have a few friends and family members expecting babies in the next few months so I thought I should stock up on some baby cards, starting with this one. While it can take some time, I really enjoy handstiching on cards and the effect it has on a special card is well worth the time so it was this feature on Allison's card that I have chosen to CASE. I was also drawn to the simplicity of the placement of the coffee cup and sentiment in the centre of the card and have made that same placement choice for the teepee and sentiment.

I just love the detail in this gorgeous teepee from the Little One stamp set and I've added this spray of flowers makes it just a little more girlie. And don't you just love the combination of copper and blushing bride?

Thanks for stopping by.
- Tanya xo