French Wheelin' and More Handy Tips

I've been wanting to show you paper-craft examples using the various sets that are part of the current Stampin' Up! Free Wheelin' Promotion. The only problem is I haven't had much time to get inspired and create. So it occurs to me that there is no need to "re-invent the wheel". Here's a card I have CASE'd from Michelle Pauly. It show cases the Carte Postale stamp set and the Leaves A La Carte jumbo wheel perfectly:


The colours are Whisper White, Basic Black and Certainly Celery. For the main panel, the Leaves A La Carte wheel has firstly been inked up in Celery before being over-stamped with the wheel inked up in Whisper White. It is quite busy but works because the colours are subtle.

The white panel beneath the main panel has been wheeled with Certainly Celery only and a scalloped edge added using the Slit Punch. This is a really neat technique, if you'd like to learn more, have a look at this online tutorial from Julia Stainton.

A row of paper piercing using a piercing tool and the Mat Pack tops the card. I've used narrow Black grosgrain ribbon to embellish. Speaking of ribbon, do you hate it when it frays? I know I do. It's less likely to happen with a card that isn't handled much but for scrapbook pages, I like to prevent my ribbons from fraying. The first step is to have a really sharp pair of snips, dedicated to cutting ribbons only (that means paper never goes near the blades - except when my desk is really messy and I can't find my paper snips). This gives you a clean, neat edge to start with. Then I take to the end of the ribbon with a naked flame and very carefully melt the fibres at the end of the ribbon. You only want to do this gently, slowly and briefly:


Please don't set your ribbon or card on fire. And keep the matches or lighter away from the kiddies. And if you borrowed your husband's BBQ lighter, remember to return it. Did I mention it may not work on all ribbons? I depends on what the ribbon is made of so if you're planning to do this, please experiment with the ribbon first.

Remember, if you like what you see above, you can buy the Carte Postale stamp set before the 30 September 2008, and receive the Leaves A La Carte jumbo wheel for free.

I've got lots of other cards to make....my dear friend Kathryn had a baby boy (Nathan) recently so a welcome card is currently formulating in my head. Please stay tuned.

Thanks for visiting,

Love from Crafty Kim

Another Show Demonstration, the "One Sheet Wonder"

(Thanks to Sharon Davis for Card Designs and Photograph)

Well if you came along to the August Stitches and Craft Show in Sydney you would have seen either Sharon, Karen or Tracey demonstrating the One Sheet Wonder.

The So Swirly Jumbo Wheel and Priceless Stamp Set are perfect candidates for the One Sheet Wonder concept. So what is it? A very quick and easy way to make several cards at once or, to make a mini-book or even several themed larger pages. You take a 12 x 12 inch or A4 sheet and decorate it with stamping. In this case, the So Swirly stamp wheel was inked in Basic Black ink. Then it was wheeled across 12 x 12 inch Whisper White card stock diagonally because diagonally is much more forgiving if you're not perfectly straight. Of course, you can use a wheel guide if you need help to wheel straight. Then, after a few more wheels, let the sponging begin. Using an ink pad of your choice (such as Almost Arthichoke, Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie - I think stronger colours work best with the black or brown), sponge colour onto the sheet and around the edges using sponges and daubers (you'll achieve a different look with each). The sample above is sponged with Purely Pomegranate.

The resulting sheet is cut-up according to a template and used to decorate and embellish scrapbook pages or to make cards. The co-ordinating stamp set Priceless is also used to adorn the pages or cards. Compared to buying decorative paper, it's quite cost effective.

And this month, it's even more affordable because of the Stampin' Up! Free Wheelin' Promotion. If you buy the very versatile Priceless Stamp Set before the 30 September 2008, you will receive the So Swirly Jumbo Wheel for free.

If you're interested in receiving the 12 x 12 and A4 templates to guide the cutting up of your decorated 12 x 12 inch card stock, please email me at ktonnet@bigpond.net.au

Thanks for looking,

Love from Crafty Kim

Ready for a Wheely Good Deal? Check this out...

From the 1st until 30th September, when you buy a preselected stamp set, you'll receive the coordinating wheel absolutely FREE!

The details are as follows:

113968 Merry, Merry Bundle (includes Merry, Merry stamp set and All about Christmas jumbo wheel) $45.95

113969 Artfully Asian Bundle (includes Artfully Asian stamp set and Watercolor Vine jumbo wheel) $45.95

113970 Nursery Necessities Bundle (includes Nursery Necessities stamp set and Nursery Letters jumbo wheel) $56.95

113971 Bodacious Bouquet Bundle (includes Bodacious Bouquet stamp set and Bodacious jumbo wheel) $58.95

113972 Carte Postale Bundle (includes Carte Postale stamp set and Leaves à la Carte jumbo wheel) $48.95

113973 Priceless Bundle (includes Priceless stamp set and So Swirly jumbo wheel) $48.95


Are you tempted but haven't used a stamp wheel before? Check out this online wheeling tutorial for the basic technique (with thanks to Expert Village). I hasten to add that you can also ink up wheels using ink pads. You don't have to purchase the ink cartridges unless you are going to do alot of wheeling, then a cartridge is more convenient.

I'm also happy to demonstrate the technique to you in person and give you "a try before you buy". But please don't delay, I have a feeling that these bundles are going to be very popular. Please call me on 0402 347 010 or email me at ktonnet@bigpond.net.au

Now, I'm off to come up with some creations using the various products on promotion so please stay tuned, I'll post them during this coming week.

Love from Crafty Kim

It's Beautiful, It's Versatile & It's Postponed

Here's another card I'm planning for guests to make at my Open House. It was inspired by a card made by Angela Parker for our crafty weekend away. I've used the It's Beautiful Jumbo Wheel from the new Stampin' Up!® Spring Mini Catalogue. Stamp wheels are versatile; they can be used as the feature or the background. They're also quick and inexpensive. Once you have the wheel handle (priced at $7.50 for the standard size or $10.95 for the jumbo), you can add any standard or jumbo wheel to your collection for $11.95 or $15.95.

This card has a monochromatic colour scheme, meaning shades of one colour only are employed. I love it in Purely Pomegranate teamed with the co-ordinating double stitched ribbon but it would work equally as well in a variety of other colours. Another feature to note is the paper piercing which follows the swirls in the stamp pattern. Here's a close-up to show you what I'm referring to:



The greeting comes from Circle of Friendship and I've used the scallop and circle punches to mount the greeting and distinguish it from the busy background. I scalloped the corners with the Slit Punch and added some Pretty in Pink Brads to each corner. To reduce the starkness of the white card stock I used my ink pad and sponge daubers to lightly sponge ink around the stamped images.

The invitation to my Open House planned for the afternoon of Saturday 16 August generated lots of interest. Thanks to those readers who replied to me. Unfortunately, many ladies just couldn't make it along on this date so I've decided to postpone the event in the hope of more people being able to attend. I apologise for the disappointment and inconvenience this change generates and thank you for your understanding. New invitations will be sent out by email to my newsletter readers this weekend and I will also publish details here early next week.

I'll be back later today to show you another use of this lovely stamp wheel.

Love from Crafty Kim