Balloon Builder - Birthday Card

One of my darling friends and fellow Stampin' Up Addict had a significant birthday a few weeks ago. Now I can't tell you how old she is, as you never ask a lady her age, but it was certainly card worthy that's all I'll say!!

So with some super exciting, new Occasions goodies in hand, I set out to make her a beautiful card and of course had to use her favourite colour which is purple.

The balloons stamps and the sentiment are both from new stamp sets coming out in the Occasions catalogue (Available 5th Jan). This new catty is Ah-May-Zing and I know I say that about every catalogue, but it's always so true and this one is no exception. I literary preordered (a fantastic perk of being a demo. Ask me how you can be one too)  everything from page 8 - 11, straight away, no questions asked!!

It's a bit hard to see in this photo, but I actually used my stripes embossing folder twice, first one way and then I turned my card around and put it back in again to get the criss cross effect.

I got this awesome idea from Michelle Last, who is a UK demo. I saw THIS card on Pinterest and loved the idea of using the embossing folder in such a different way.

And of course, every card is in need of a little bling especially when it's for such a special birthday.

After stamping my balloons over and over again, I think it was 3 times in between reinking, I stamped three off again on a spare piece of cardstock, covered them in versamark and sprinkled Iridescent Ice all over it. After heat setting the powder I was left with these gorgeous and super sparkly balloons.

Now I'm guessing your are wondering how I cut out those balloons... well I can't really say at this time, but I was pretty "Punch" drunk with happiness on how easy it was!!!

If you are wanting to get your hands on a copy of the new Occasions Catalogue and don't already have a Demo looking after you, then please send me an email and I'll pop one in the post to you (Australian residents only. Sorry)

Happy Crafting and Merry Christmas,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Can You Case It #100 - Sketch Challenge

So as busy as I am with extended family staying, all the kids are on summer holidays and the mad rush of Christmas upon us, I did find time to make a card for Mr.5 to take to a Birthday party that he had coming up.

I've been a huge fan of the "Can You Case It" challenge blog and absolutely love what the Design Team come up with each week. When I popped over and saw the team had a two week sketch challenge up and running, in a blog hop style, I couldn't resist taking part.

Here is the sketch for this fortnight's challenge:

And this is my interruption:

This card was so quick to put together and with the help of the sketch I knew exactly what I was going to do.

Of course, when it comes to making cards for 6yr old boys, I can never pass up using the fantastic No Bones About it stamp set. And to make this one a little bit, extra special, I sprinkled some Glow-in-the-dark Embossing powder on to the dino skeleton!!! Yep, that stuff seriously exists and works a treat as my son and I discovered while hiding in his dark wardrobe with the card lol

I wanted to make the main banner part of the sketch stand out from the rest of the card and I thought using the Little Letter Thinlit dies and raising them up would be a great idea. Just adding a piece of Old Olive behind the black really made the whole thing pop.

So, the CYCI #100 sketch challenge is running for 2 weeks, so why not pencil in some "Me Time" and give the sketch a go. And if you don't have time to make anything, then grab yourself a cuppa and take a little tour of the Blog Hop. There is even blog candy up for grabs too.

Happy Crafting and Merry Christmas,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Year Ends Sale Spectacular

Wow, what a fantastic way to kick off a Thursday morning!!

Stampin' Up! have announced an End of Year Sale, starting today with up to 60% off, and there are lots of holiday catalogue items in the sale. This special runs until 4th of January or while stocks last.

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE... for *** ONE WEEK *** only you can get up to 50% off selected items from the Annual Catalogue too... Woo Hoo.

So where can you find all these amazing specials?? Right HERE!!!

 So what are you waiting for, Happy Shopping!!

Chlo x

Celebrate Today - Welcome baby

Today's card was made for one of my friends who had a gorgeous baby boy a few weeks ago. I have been wanting to send it away, but it also happened to be a card that my girls made in class this month. Anyway, classes are done for the month and now this little card can go on it's away.

I adore the Celebrate Today stamp set. I find it's so versatile and can be used for all different types of occasions, plus having matching framelits just makes this stamp set simply perfect!

On my card today, I actually cut three of the balloons out, folded them in half and stuck them together, to give this three dimensional look. It was a trick, people were using when making 3d ornaments for Christmas last year. It works with any symmetrical shape.

I really wanted to keep the card fairly simply and not to frilly, as after all it is for a little prince, but also keeping it soft too. I think gathering and layering the trim and lace together and pairing it with the vintage button it perfect. The gold metallic thread bow is the icing on top.

So as I pop this card in the post, I just received a text from another friend to tell me she just had her baby girl today!!! Looks like I'm off back to the Scraproom again today!

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Happy New Home

Wow, it seems everyone I know is either moving house or moving away at the moment. Life never says still sometimes and I'm always a card behind!!

One of my dear friends recently moved house and being that she's a card maker and a demo, I really felt I couldn't get away with not making her a card... it's absence would be noted!! I decided to dig out an old retired set called Holiday Home to make this cute little card for her.

I'm still upset that this set didn't get more time in our catalogue. I know even now it's pretty sort after, but I have no plans on letting my one go anytime soon.

I wanted to keep my card pretty simple but still have some pop and cutting the Deco label out in gold glimmer, really achieved that I think. Of course I had to add the beautiful gold metallic thread, to give it another texture and a wooden word element, naturally matches all the other colours I've used.

I think most people would look at the Sweet Li'l Things DSP as paper for babies or children, but most of the patterns are neutral enough to be used for anything. I really love the spotty pattern that I used for the cute little house.

Right, off to the post office I go to send this little friend to it "new home"... gee I get funnier every day!!

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

School Holiday Cards

So with school holiday happening, so does the crazy act of juggling three kids (who are ALWAYS bored!!), working part time, housework (man that job is never done) and trying to find some craft time. For some reason my kids always see me, or maybe they sense me, sneaking away to have some inky time. They of course then follow and beg to make a card too.

Well, I never actually let them touch any of my "Lovelies" but last week I gave in and helped them each make a card for their friends. I practically turned into a Helicopter mum and tried not to pass out when they inked up the stamps. Anyway they had a fabulous time and asked me to take a photo of them with their creations. Maybe they knew they wouldn't be allowed in again... ever!!!

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Holly Jolly - Sneak Peek

With only a few days left until the Holiday Catalogue goes live (1st Sept... Yippee!) I thought I would share another Christmas card I created using lots of the new goodies.

I had originally make this card to enter a sketch challenge, but I then missed the cut off!! But I really loved how it all came together and it will now be one of my cards for my November Christmas Card classes.

So, some of you may know (and have noticed) that I love the little Greeting thinlits in our big Annual Catalogue, well I was absolutely over the moon when I saw Stampin' Up! had brought out more of these gorgeous little words, but this time they are all Christmassy words (that is SO a word!!)

Did you notice the new gold glitter ribbon!!??!! It is simply stunning and when you order it, you also get the dazzling diamonds coloured ribbon too!! Such a great value for money.

And lastly, the beautiful "Iced Rhinestone" that I have put in the centre of the gorgeous wooden snowflakes. They really do add a stunning touch of bling!!

So only 3 more days and you too can order some of these gorgeous products!! If you don't have a Holiday Catalogue yet (GASP!!!) then send me an email and I'll pop one in the post to you ASAP (Sorry, Australian postal address only)

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Congratulations - Sheltering Tree

I've been meaning to make a Z fold card for a while and decided that it would be fun to whip one up for class this week. These kind of fancy folds are so much fun and really turn your normal card into a wow card with just one simple, extra fold.

This week in class I was designing cards using the gorgeous Sheltering Tree stamp set and showing how it can me used for more then just a tree.

In today's card I just used the "leaves" stamp to make a very stunning, yet simple background for my wooden embellishment to sit against. Doesn't it look great!! I wanted to keep the whole card very neutral, as I wanted the gorgeous Designer Series Paper to be the stand out on the card.

The paper used is called Timeless Elegance and it really is beautiful. The photo of the collection in the catalog really doesn't do this paper justice. I love absolutely every design and find it very hard to use. I'm such a paper hoarder!!

But with all my cards, I couldn't help but add a little bit of sparkly or glam to my cards and so I sneaked in a little piece of gold thread, just to give it that finished feeling!! Ahhhh, my inner Crafter is happy now.

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Sleigh Ride Edgelits

So today I'm sharing another card that I made using the cute Sleigh Ride Edgelits that are coming up in the new Holiday Catalog. This is my second card with this set (you can see my other one HERE) and I'm pretty sure it's not the last time you'll be seeing it here!!

Every time I use these Edgelits they cut beautifully and look stunning, no matter what colours you make them with. My card today, I used a mixture of greys and then finished it off with some of our gorgeous silver glimmer paper.

The DSP I used for the sky is also from the new Holiday Catalog and as soon as I saw it in the pack, it made me think of a snowy night, which I think fits perfectly with this card.

Oh and can you spy the gorgeous new thick silver thread and super
adorable wooden snowflakes!! The thread comes in gold as well, and is perfect for those little finishing touch.

The snowflakes are beautiful and there are three different sizes and shapes in the pack. I can see that I will be using quite a few of these in the next few weeks!!

Would you like a copy of the new holiday? If you live in Australia and don't already have demo but would like your own copy, just send me an EMAIL and I'll pop one in the post for you.

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Sheltering Tree and Watercolor Wishes Kit

Today I thought I would share one of the cards my girls will be making today at our monthly card class. I had a sudden urge to see if I could heat emboss on a Window Sheet and make a window/see through card.

I have to admit, I did have a few attempts to get the right colour/glitter combination. First I found White Embossing powder was too... well white!! Then I tried Stazon White and that wasn't quiet strong enough, so finally decided to stamp with Craft White and then add Iridescent Ice over the top and heat set it.

The sentiment is from the Watercolor Wishes card kit and I just love the font. The kit itself, is absolutely beautiful and after you've finished putting them all together, you then have these awesome sentiment stamps that can be used on all your other cards!!

Well I hope the girls enjoy making this as much as I did,

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Layered Letters - Congratulations

So a few week ago one of my Downline recently promoted to Supervisor, which is a HUGE achievement in the Stampin' Up! world and I didn't want to let the occasion pass by without making her a card of course... well it's kinda what we do around here!!

I decided to use the gorgeous "Layered Letters" stamps to stamp out the word Congrats and as her favorite colours are blue, I of course needed to use as many Stampin' Up! Blues as I could find!!

Now, I expect you are thinking "Surely, she isn't that crazy, that she sat and threaded all those sequins?" Well you would be wrong, as that's exactly what I did!! It took me about 2 hours to pick out the colours I wanted and then thread them on to a piece of silver thread. When I showed the Hubby, he thought I was crazy too, but I explained that I knew Kim will immediately notice and appreciate the dedication.

And do you know what??!! Within 10 minutes of her receiving it, I got a text to say "Thank you for the beautiful card. I love and appreciate the amount of time it would have taken to thread all the sequins!!" See, a true Crafter notices everything!!

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Awesomely Artistic and Butterflies

So I was asked the other day to make a sympathy card for a family whom lost their little girl to SIDS recently.

Sympathy cards are such a difficult card to make, but when it's for a parent grieving the lost of a child, I had absolutely no idea how/what to make for that. Most sympathy cards for very somber and neutral, but I didn't really feel that was appropriate for this, so I decided to make something that was pretty and bright, without it being overly happy.

I had seen a beautiful card that Rochelle Blok had made over at The Stamping Blok, where she had heat embossed the flower stamp from "Awesomely Artistic" and then used her blender pens to colour them in. I decided that this idea would be a great starting place and then the rest of the card sort of came together after that.

It's the kind of card that I hope I never have to make again, and I send the family all of my love and prays during such a difficult time xx

Hug, Chlo

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Jingle All The Way - Holiday Sneak Peek

Morning guys, I finally found some time to get into my preorder from the upcoming Holiday Catalogue (On sale from 1st Sept) and it is AWESOME!

My fellow crafty friend Kim from Kim's Paper Krafts came over for a evening of crafting, which didn't end until 1am!! I had to prep for my monthly card classes and Kim had invitations for her daughters Sweet 16th Birthday to do first. Finally we got all our "work" craft finished and we could start playing with the new goodies.

This card was a vision that Kim had as soon as she saw this stamp and framelit bundle and I just helped pull it all together.

The framelits really are amazing and they cut beautifully too. I absolutely love how all  the sentiments have a very slight curve and so sit beautifully under the framelit.

I am also super excited that we now have a super fine tip glue pen. It is perfect for adding glitter, sequins and all those teeny tiny embellishments. It made adding the glitter to the edge of the framelits so easy. I can see myself using this heaps in the future!!

So if you would like your very own copy of the new Holiday catalogue, then just send me an email and I'll pop one in the post to you. Unfortunately I am only able to post to Australian addresses.

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Holiday Catalog Goodness

 One of the best things about being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator (and there are tons of great things, let me tell you) is being able to order new goodies a month before everyone else. Oh actually, I've just thought of something even better then that.... being able to order new goodies a month before everyone else, and using product bonuses and credits and getting your goodies for FREE!!!

So today, we finally got to preorder from the new Holiday Catalog and I for one could not wait. In fact I had decided to stay up until 12am to place my order then, but actually slept right thought, so as soon as I opened my little peepers, I grabbed my ipad and put my order in. Now starts, the long wait for the postie.

Unfortunately, you guys have to wait until 1st of Sept before you can place any orders, but to make the wait a little more bearable, send me an email with your address and I'll pop a holiday catalogue in the post to you!! I am only able to post to addresses within Australia, but if you need a local demo in your country then pop over to the Stampin' Up! website and click on 'Find a Demonstrator'.

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Words of Truth

It was Hubby's Birthday last week, and he's not really a fan and doesn't really get into the spirit of all the fun that comes with having a birthday.

I of course still decided to make him a card, but I've learnt there isn't too much point going "all out" for him as he only say's "That's nice!" when he gets it. So the card I made him, literally took me about 15 minutes, and it only took that long because I couldn't decide on which colours to use!

I of course turned to my trusty "Go to Man Stamp" Gorgeous Grunge because it can make any card look brilliant in just a matter of a few stamps. Now I do use it a lot for my guy cards, but it's so versitile that I've used it for any occasion, even vintage chic cards.

The sentiment is from the new stamp set 'Words of Truth' and it suits Mr.E right down to the ground, as we all think he's pretty awesome around here!! I have to say I love this new sentiment set. So many fun pharses and the typewriter font is so on trend at the moment too.

Now I know you don't usually add any glitter to a guys card, but I didn't think the gold metallic thread, classed as sparkly and it just gives it a nice little touch!!

Oh and I almost forgot to mention our new Thicker Whisper White Cardstock!!! It is brilliant for stamping and now perfect thickness to be used as a card base. I reckon the Craft Angels were singing the Day Stampin' Up! finally decided on this!!

When I gave it to Mr.E, he looked at it and "Oh, that's nice" and moved on... Nothing changes lol,

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Watercolor Wings - Just Because Card

Just a quick share with you today.

I made this little card for a class a few weeks ago and just realised I hadn't shared it on here. It's a long, skinny card which I never seem to make many of, though I don't know why as I really like how they look and if you have the envelope punch board, it's a snap to whip up a matching envelope.

It's such a cute card and pretty easy to put together. I just followed the 3 step stamping techinque to build the butterflies one at a time, with the last butterfly being stamped completely using all three stamps. I then of course couldn't resist using the matching framelits to add a little vellum butterfly on top.

Add a little sparkly and you have one sweet little "Just Because" card, which I'm going to send to a friend today, for absolutely no reason at all. I love sending out those type of cards, don't you!!

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Lego Star Wars Birthday Card

My youngest had a birthday last week and knowing I make cards he announced he would like a Star Wars or Lego card!

Well while trying to decided how I was going to make a Peppa Pig cake for him, I didn't think much more about his request, until a fellow demo Liv Ingle from Inkreations shared an amazing Star Wars Lego card, which she had made using her E-Cutter.

I immediately tagged my beautiful friend Kim on the post and sent her request to try and find and these amazing little figures on her awesome E-Cutter. Lo and behold she dropped them into me later that night!!

Aren't they awesome!! And who wouldn't love a Lego/Star Wars card, especially when your turning four and are Lego mad!!

I was hoping to stamp a sentiment but I really wanted to add this Yoda saying and so decided that doing something on MDS would be easier, which is was.

So after all this, did the Birthday boy like it??? He was absolutely over the moon with it and wanted to take it to school with him on Monday. That folks, is what this is all about!!

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Layered Letters - Perfect for Kids parties!!

Well those of you who popped in over the weekend, will know that my kids had become little socialista's and had been invited to two parties this weekend. Throw in that it was hubby's birthday and Mr.4's too and I was flat out whipping up cards.

Kids cards can be tricky, but this is where the brilliant Layered Letters stamp set comes in fantastically. I literally got this set thanks to all the beautiful bookmarks one of my super talented downline, Tracy Holmes at Made By Me 2444, had been creating.

When I was little, Chloe was a very unusual  name and I could never get anything personalized. Pretty funny considering it has been the most popular baby name for the last few years!! Anyway, what could be more awesome then a personalized Birthday card, which is exactly what I made for them!

I made the "Trent" card first which was pretty straight forward as "Trent" is a five letter word, but when I came to make "Kate's" card I was a bit stuck as she only had four letters and we all know that odd numbers are a crafters delight!

That's when I came up with the idea to stamp her letters in between the odd number of circles. Hooray, the world is right again!!



I just finished them off with some bakers twine and sequin trim and they were done.

I actually enjoyed making them so much, I think I'll be using the idea to make personalized customer Thank You cards this month, because who wouldn't love a card with their name on it!!

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Awesomely Artistic - Swing-Out Card

I have seen lots of these Swing-out, Fold-out, Pop-out cards and decided that I wanted to give it ago for class last week. Well it was a big success and the girls loved making them. I think they even had plans to go home and make some of their own designs, which is exactly what I love to hear!!

I really hope you get the idea of  what the card looks like, because it was pretty tricky to photograph. I decorated the front using the Awesomely Artistic stamp set, which I really enjoy stamping with.

I used some gold embossing powder to make my dragonfly standout and then added some of our gorgeous new gold thread. Man I'm going through a lot of that at the moment. It just seems to go with everything lol

I added two little "hinges" to the top and the bottom of my Very Vanilla insert to stop the card front from flapping around. Putting them in, also means the card front swings out every time you open it now too.

Hope you have as much fun making these as I did and if your looking for a great tutorial then pop over to Dawn's Stampin Thoughts as she has an awesome video.

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

No Bones About It

Well it has been the weekend for Birthday cards that for sure. And to make matter just a little bit more tricky, 4 of the 5 cards where for boys!

Now I don't know why but my mind goes completely blank when it comes to male themed cards. It can't be because we don't have a lot of male themed stamps, because Stampin' Up! actually have a lot that can be used for the guys. I think it's because I love to bling up my cards as a kind of finishing off, and with guy cards, you kind of have to leave the blink out, making them feel... unfinished I guess.

Anyway, this card was for a little boy turning 6 and with most boys his age, he's totally into Dinosaurs. Thankfully my 'No Bones About It' set arrived last week, so I got stuck in:

I was actually really pleased how quickly this came together. I designed the "patterned paper" using two of the stamps in the set (Leaves and Footprints) and then made the card around that. This set has lots of little stamps that can be used in all kinds of ways, as well as some really awesome sentiments.

I love how you can use the skeleton of the Dino's with their bodies or on their own. It did make me wish that I had some embossing powder that glowed in the dark, as that would have looked amazing on the bones.... though maybe a little scary, but I'm pretty sure my Mr.6 would have loved that!

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

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Watercolor Wings Notecards

Today's share are some little Thank You note cards that will be 'winging" their way to my customer who have placed order this month!! I always like to show off a new stamp set or technique that I've learnt or played around with recently.

I of course had to make them in a variety of shades and colours as I can never pick a favourite and when doing watercolouring, each one comes out differently every time.

I used black embossing powder to really make the butterflies pop and stand out against the vivid watercolour background. And aren't those little thinlit greetings just gorgeous!! I'm so in love with these little darlings that you will see me using them a heap more times, that's for sure. They are also such great value to money, which never hurts!!

Happy crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Just Add Ink #271

As you guys know, I love to take part in the Just Add Ink Challenges and this week is no different. I absolutely love the sketch that we were given this week:

And the card I made is one of the best ones I've done in a while. It's looks exactly like the idea in my head and I love everything about it.

Isn't it pretty!! Everything about this card is just perfect. I adore the papers from the Pretty Petals DSP stack and when I actually came to stick them down, I still couldn't decide which pattern to use.

I'm also completely in love with this new, gorgeous stamp set called Awesomely Artistic. The stamps are just beautiful and I adore the little Dragonfly.

How great does cutting and then raising the "Thanks" greeting look. Such a simple idea, but really gives it some WOW factor.

The "Thanks" is one of the little phrases from the Greetings Thinlits set. I just adore the font's of these sentiments and they cut perfectly every time.

If you would like to purchase any of these great products just click on the images below or pop over to my store.

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Just Add Ink #270 - Christmas in July

So today I popped over to see what the JAI (Just Add Ink) girls had been up to and what this weeks inspiration was. Well I have to admit, when I realised it was Christmas in July I thought oh no!!

I'm so not ready for Christmas just yet, even if it is only Christmas in July. I also didn't think I had a Christmas stamp set to use. But after looking through my stash, I realised my favourite set from last years Holiday Catalogue had actually carried over to the new Annual Catty, Woo Hoo!!

I kept this card fairly simple but some how it came together beautifully and I don't think I would change anything. The two pieces of Glimmer paper came about because I didn't actually have one piece big enough (I told you I'm not ready yet!!) and I also couldn't decide which colour to use. I love it when two wrongs make a right!!

And out of all the images in this set, I couldn't go past adding the little snowman. He's super cute and with all this cold weather around, I thought he was rather appropriate!

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog