Amazing You Stamp Set and Celebrate You Thinlits

Did you know that you can earn the Amazing You Stamp Set and Celebrate You Thinlits Dies for FREE when you make a qualifying purchase during Sale-A-Bration. Watch this video and be tempted!

Stamparatus Technique Series: Video #3 Creating Patterns with the Hinge-Step Technique

I've been waiting patiently for Video #3 to come out, and here it is. Another video to whet your appetite. I can't wait for mine to arrive in mid March and I can try out some of these techniques.

June is just around the corner and you will be able to order your own Stamparatus in our new catalogue that comes out in June.
   

A total eclipse of the cards

Did you enjoy the Stampin' Up! video on the Eclipse technique? Here is my take on this technique.

The Eclipse class was so much fun, we made 3 very different cards.

This card was created using our Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies. We stamped the image first, coloured it with an Aqua Painter and then cut out the ovals. The small oval was then adhered down and the other raised up. What do you recon?

This card we used the Sale-e-bration Celebrate You Thinlit Dies, these are the FREE items you can get during the Sale-e-Bration promotion. The "YOU" was cut out once in the Designer Series Paper, and then again twice more in Pool Party. These pieces are used instead of dimentionals. Sponging around the shape gives it that extra pop!

Finally we stamped using the Painted Harvest Photopolymer Stamp Set and then cut out the "THANKS" using the Large Letters Framelits Dies. It was then raised up with long strips of dimensionals.

Eclipse Technique video

Our class this week was the Eclipse technique, for those that have never heard of this before, here is a video presented by Brandi from our Stampin' Up! office. Stay tuned to see the cards we made using that technique.

Perennial Birthday Project Kit video

Another great video put out by Stampin' Up! I am loving the inspiration, how about you?
Stock the delightful box contained in Stampin' Up!'s Perennial Birthday Project Kit with birthday cards you make yourself, and you'll never forget to send a birthday card again!

The kit includes components for making 16 birthday cards, 4 each of 4 designs, plus the box to store them in.

Wednesday morning class

The class this Wednesday morning will be trying different versions of the Eclipse technique. It seems to be a very popular technique at the moment and I have been playing with a few options.

Do you want to join me for this fun class?
When: Wednesday 21st February 10am
Cost: $10
Where: Zena's Craft Studio in Wellington Point (email me for the address)

Please RSVP which class you wish to attend, so that I can prepare all the kits. Please bring your ‘basic kit’ to each class. This includes a paper trimmer, tape runner, double sided foam tape, multipurpose liquid adhesive and scissors.

* If you are a beginner and do not have a kit, there will be kits available for sale.

Vellum 3 ways

Have you ever tried Vellum? I love what we can do with the thicker vellum. It allows you to emboss, both heat emboss and dry emboss. We did both in our Wednesday morning and Friday evening classes.

This gorgeous card was created by running the vellum through the embossing folder, turning it over and sponging on the back. We started out with the softer pink all over then, sponged a centre in a darker shade, lastly we rubbed a dark Fresh Fig right in the centre.

The shape was then cut out following the embossed edge. It was then adheared to the front of a Whisper White card with our multipurpose Tombo glue.
Here is my tip on gluing on vellum: Run the Tombo all around the edge of the vellum and then sponge or rub with your finger to spread the glue. This works a treat and you can't see any glue.

This card, we embossed with copper. The secret of heat embossing on vellum, is to always warm up the heat tool first and then start heating the back of the vellum before directly heating the front.

Finally we dry embossed the vellum and this time we used the vellum as the entire card. Of course because you can see through the vellum, all panels need to have the oval adhered to hide the glue.

So what do you think? Why not try making your own, I'm sure you and the recipient of the card will love it.

Technique Series - Watercolour Shadows & Highlights

Using an Aqua painter and the stamp pads as a palette, you can watercolor and create shadows and highlights.
I am really enjoying looking back over these videos, I hope you are too. This Watercolour Shadows and Highlights Technique video is probably a favourite

Technique Series - Rock and Roll

When I was shown this technique many years ago I was so excited. The Rock and Roll technique is a great way to add a variation of colour to your stamped images.



I made so many of my Christmas cards using this design.

Technique Series - Marker to stamp

Have you got markers? Here is something you may not have done with them. This Marker to stamp video shows how instead of using ink pads, try to colour the rubber stamp with a Stampin' Write Marker, give it a breath to re-moisten the ink and stamp the image. This works great on any stamp from a blocked image to an intricate design.

Also you will notice the Stamp-a-ma-jig that Katie is using to line up and position the stamps correctly. This is a great little tool that is available through my online shop, although I am looking forward to the new bigger positioner coming soon, it is the Stamperatus.

Technique series - using sponge daubers

How easy is this card to create! Another technique video from the past.

We all try so hard to make fancy cards. This one was put together in a few minutes using a sponge dauber and a mask. If you haven't got a mask, you can always make your own using a few punches. Have a go, you will be pleased you did.

Technique Series revisited

This video is over 2 years old, but I think it is always good to go back and revisit techniques.
Embossing folders are great to add depth and dimension to your products, but did you know that they can also be used as stamps? Andrea shows some of the lovely images you can create with embossing folders and ink.
Why not have a go and let me know how you get on.

Wednesday morning and Friday evening class

This class we will be looking at what we can do with vellum. 3 types of embossing and you will have 3 very different looking cards. This class is on twice this week, to cover numbers.

Do you want to join me for this class?
When: Wednesday 14th February 10am
Friday 16th February 7pm
Cost: $10
Where: Zena's Craft Studio in Wellington Point (email me for the address)

Please RSVP which class you wish to attend, so that I can prepare all the kits. Please bring your ‘basic kit’ to each class. This includes a paper trimmer, tape runner, double sided foam tape, multipurpose liquid adhesive and scissors.

* If you are a beginner and do not have a kit, there will be kits available for sale.

Stamparatus Technique Series: Video #2 Aligning with Red Rubber Stamps

As promised, here is another video on the Stamperatus. I am so pleased to see these videos coming out now, it is showing me how to use it correctly and getting the best images.
 Here is  Video 2  and it shows us how to align stamps that have the rubber backing. I also like the idea that you don't have to place the card in the corner, take a look and see.

Stamparatus Technique Series: Video #1 Precision Placement

The Stamparatus is going to make life so much easier for me and other stampers that have trouble lining up images or the sentiments. It will be in our June catalogue. Stampin' Up! have given us an opportunity to reserve this tool and have put out some videos to help us get the hang of it.

Here is the first video and I shall post others shortly.

Wednesday morning & Friday evening class

This class we will be playing with bubble wrap and inks. I've done this ages ago and thought I would revisit it as it is a technique that I am fond of. We are still using stamps from the Occasionals catalogue, however there is an option of using our cute little pig, from the This Little Pig stamp set.

Do you want to join me for this fun class?
When: Wednesday 7th February 10am
Friday 9th February 7pm
Cost: $10
Where: Zena's Craft Studio in Wellington Point (email me for the address)

Please RSVP which class you wish to attend, so that I can prepare all the kits. Please bring your ‘basic kit’ to each class. This includes a paper trimmer, tape runner, double sided foam tape, multipurpose liquid adhesive and scissors.

* If you are a beginner and do not have a kit, there will be kits available for sale.

Our bubbles and glitz class

Still staying with the male theme we made 2 cards for the men using the Bubble Over stamp set, but then made a glitzy birthday card that brought on all the oohs and aahs.

This lovely 21st card was given to my cousin for her birthday, but it was requested by the ladies to replicate so we made it without the 21. This stamp set is the Cake Soirée Stamp Set and I am loving it. I can't decide which colour I love the best, what one do you like?