Faux Leather

I've been missing in action a bit lately - no real reason, except that there isn't enough hours in the day and not a lot of time to play.  


I will have lots to share with you soon though because we had a Stampin' Up! Fun Day yesterday.  We had a day spent with over 150 ladies from all around New Zealand making some cool projects and playing with goodies from the new catalogue.  We also had the option of making swaps.  As usual, I was up until the wee small hours of Saturday morning finishing mine. I only managed to make 25 in the end, but that's 24 gorgeous swaps that I received in return. Watch this space...     

Anyway, back to the Faux Leather technique - I've been wanting to try this for ages and if I'd known how easy it was, I would have done so much sooner.  The male wallet looks very authentic in Chocolate Chip and with a gift card inside would make a perfect present for Father's Day.

Stamp Set: Occasional Greetings (soon to be retired)
Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip
Cardstock:  Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Bone Folder, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool


The card that I made to go with the woman's purse uses the retiring stamp set Friends 24/7, which has sold out.  

Stamp Set: Friends 24/7 (sold out)
Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip

Cardstock:  Regal Rose, Very Vanilla

Designer Paper: Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack

Accessories: Stampin' Markers Old Olive and Regal Rose, Basic Pearls, Boho Blossoms Punch, Regal Rose 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Bone Folder, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool.

Don't forget to click on the top right side of my blog to view the retiring list.  If you've got your eye on something - best to order it today, so you don't miss out. 

Well, it's another weekend nearly over with - I hope it's been a good one and I'll see you back here real soon :)

In the Spotlight

It's a bit miserable here in Auckland, New Zealand today, still humid but we've had some rain overnight and everything is still wet. It looks like it might rain again any minute, so I'm not going to risk it... and am going to settle in and have an afternoon crafting.

This was a technique that many of you are probably familiar with - Spotlighting. It's very easy, but so effective. Jacque Pedersen showed us this card last week and I love all the extra details on it. We used the jumbo eyelets, sponged around the edges and did some paper piercing too.

Stamp set: Friends 24-7
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla
Ink Pads: Black Staz On, Cherry Cobbler, Bashful Blue, Old Olive
Designer Paper: Pear Pizazz In Colour Paper Pack (Level 1 hostess reward)
Accessories: Jumbo Eyelets, Paper Piercing Tool, Aqua Pens, Black 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
I hope your weekend is going well :)

Christmas Gifts

These were the little gifts we made at the Christmas Gifts class that I held over the weekend. The acetate box is a dinky little size, so you can fill it easily. There are some scorched almonds inside the boxes, but how long they'll last in there, is anyone's guess...

I got the idea for this memo paper holder from an old Stampin' Up! Impressions magazine. This is a monthly magazine that demo's receive which features business tips, ideas and inspiration and is a great resource.

Hopefully these will give you some ideas on what to make for your Christmas gifts for neighbours, teachers or friends. They are quick and inexpensive but always appreciated, because they are handmade.  

Stamp Sets: Sparkly and Bright, Friends 24/7, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White
Designer Paper: Jolly Holiday, Kiwi Kiss (retired)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Old Olive
Accessories: Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Real Red 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Chocolate Chip 1" Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Blender Pen, Pretties Kit (retired), Scallop Edge Punch, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, 1 1/4 Circle Punch.

Happy stampin' till next time.

Poppin' Pastels

I originally held this class at the end of last year but repeated it again yesterday because it  was so popular.  There were lots of lovely ladies wanting to learn this technique, so voila - a class was scheduled!  If you see something that you want to do or learn a new technique, what are you waiting for? Contact me and we'll make a date.

This is one of the two cards that we made. I think it's lovely and I was taught how to do this myself, only last year with my fabulous upline Karen.

24/7 Birthday Card

This is a birthday card I sent to my SIL in Australia. I only hope she gets it in time as you can never tell how long the mail will take at this time of the year. I was pleasantly surprised on Thursday because I received my SU! order which I'd only just submitted very late on Monday night. My customers (and I) were very happy.

Karen my awesome upline, taught me this card a few months back. The class was Poppin' Pastels using the Friends 24-7 stamp set and Friendly words wheel.  We coloured the images with the Stampin' Pastels which had been stamped in Versamark.  The ribbon is from the Ribbon Originals set and we dyed it in a cup of hot coffee to give it the brownish tinge. It works really well and makes a very feminine card.