Can you case it? Challenges #101

So I can finally reveal my super exciting news and which is I recently become one of the newest members of the Design Team for the Can You Case It? Challenge blog!!

I was absolutely thrilled when I was asked to join them this year and I really couldn't wait to get started with them all. The girls are an amazing mix of cardmakers and I just hope I can do the team justice with my weekly creations.

And talking of weekly creations here is my first Design Team challenge, which is a colour challenge:

And here is my card, using Blackberry Bliss, Lost Lagoon, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla.

I decided to give my water colouring another go, as it's something I'm always working on lol. I choose to use another new stamp set from the Occasions Catty (Goes live in 2 days!!) called Birthday Blooms. I used my aqua painter and a little... and I mean a little, bit of Blackberry Bliss to colour in the gorgeous bloom. Man, a little of that colour can go a long way. I then chose Lost Lagoon as my "blue" because it has such a green undertone and teamed perfectly with the leaves.

Did you also notice a couple of other NEW goodies? The gorgeous glittery Pool Party ribbon, is simply Divine in real life. so soft and really catches the light. And we are now stocking Wink of Stella, which really adds a WOW to everything it touches. I had never used it before, but can see this is quickly going to become an addiction as I just want to add it to everything!!

To finish the card off, I added some of the splatter stamps from Gorgeous Grunge in Crumb Cake and then a few with gold embossing powder just to mix up the textures.

The overall card feels very glamorous and classy, so guessing it will have to be sent to a classy lady. Might make a great a Mother's Day card.

So I hope I've inspired you to take part in the Can You Case It? Challenge, this week. Jump on over to the blog, take a look at what the other talented DT's have come up with and upload you creations there!

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

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