Take Two on "The Swap Card That Wasn't"

Remember this post? Thanks to Michelle, Robyn and Marelle for your suggestions on how to improve the card as well as to others such as Leonie who praised it when I lacked confidence in my creation.

Here's what I came up with in the end:


The changes are background stamping with French Script (now replaced by En Francais), some extra layering of card stock, addition of scalloped corners (made using the Slit Punch) and more half-pearls, one in each corner. The heart from the Always stamp set and overall colouring of Blush Blossom and Groovy Guava, the "For You" greeting from the One of a Kind stamp set and the white taffeta ribbon all remain as per the original card. I'm alot happier with the result although I would never have made many multiples of this card for the purpose of swapping. Note to Michelle, this card is on its way to you.

I'm really into the duo of Almost Amethyst and Lovely Lilac at the moment so decided to extend this card idea into the following card:


This card shape fits into a DL envelope and I've used Almost Amethyst Print Series Designer Paper for the background. I've placed another "For You" greeting (this one from the Occasional Greetings set) punched out with the small oval punch. Note to Robyn, this is on its way to you.

Only one more sleep and I'll be back home in Sydney. I've had a grand time stampin' with Cass. It all ends too soon.

Love from Crafty Kim

Finishing Soon - A Wheely Good Deal

I CASE'd this card from another 2008 Stampin' Up! Convention card swap (unfortunately giving credit to the designer of the inspiring card will have to wait until I return home where I have my SU! records).

I've used the Bodacious Bouquet stamp set stamped in Real Red (flower) and Certainly Celery (leaves) on Whisper White card stock and then cut the image out. It is mounted on Kraft card stock which has first been stamped with Itty Bitty Backgrounds in Versamark and then wheeled in Whisper White ink using the co-ordinating jumbo wheel, Bodacious. The base card stock is Black and I've added a "For You" greeting from the Occasional Greetings stamp set in Real Red ink on Whisper White card stock. The small Oval Punch is just the right size for this greeting. The Natural Hemp Twine also works well with the Kraft card stock.

Until 9pm on Tuesday 30 September 2008, you can receive the jumbo Bodacious wheel FREE when you order the Bodacious Bouquet stamp set. Please phone me on 0402 347 010 or email me to take up this offer.

I'm still in sunny Queensland and Cass is already at her craft desk waiting for me to join her so I must rush off.

Love from Crafty Kim

Get Ready for Christmas Craft Day - Save the Date

Hello from Queensland where I am visiting my close friend, Cassandra. I'm using her camera and computer to make this post - thanks for sharing Cass.

Now that I've re-stocked my supply of PINK Columbines (not sure what happend to the blue ones), I can show you one of the projects for an upcoming event. It's a double purse made from SU! Designer Series Paper and Satin Ribbon, filled with sweets and embellished with a stamp from the Season of Joy stamp set. By using different paper, ribbon and embellishments it can be made to suit kids, men and anyone who loves confectionery. Or fill it with other goodies like bath salts, lottery tickets or a gift card.

If you're on my mailing list, you should have received an email invitation recently inviting you along to our "Get Ready for Christmas" Stamp and Scrap-a-thon on Saturday 25th October. My good friend and fellow Stampin' Up demonstrator, Michelle Dyson, and I are getting together to host this great day, to help you prepare for Christmas! We'll be demonstrating some gorgeous Christmas projects, and providing our stamps and a selection of tools for your use, and there will be plenty of tables to spread out your projects. There will also be challenges to participate in if you wish and prizes to be won, along with a goody bag of Christmas project materials for each guest.

Where: Pennant Hills Bowling Club, 52 Yarrara Rd, Pennant Hills

When: Saturday 25th October 2008, 9.15am - 4.45pm, come when you can, leave when you absolutely have to!

What's provided?: Morning and afternoon snacks, tea, coffee and water. Other drinks and lunch will be available to purchase from the Club bistro, or take a short stroll to the local cafes. Use of our tools and stamps, a goody bag and prizes are also on offer, along with loads of inspiration and fun!

What to bring?: Your projects to work on, basic tools and adhesives, lunch if you'd like to picnic at the nearby park.

Cost and registration details: The early bird price is $30, payment is required at the time of registration. We can accept cash, cheque, bank direct deposit, Paypal or credit card (Mastercard or Visa) Early bird registrations close Sunday 28th September. To register, please phone me on 0402 347 010 or email me. Full price registration fee after the 28th September is $35, and registrations close Friday 17th October 2008.

Places are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment. Didn't get an invitation? Contact me with your email or mailing address and I'll send one straight out!

Welcome Nathan James

It's been a busy few days but I finally got to making a baby card. My beautiful friend, Kathryn, has been blessed with a gorgeous boy, her third son. Big brothers Thomas and Benjamin are thrilled with their new brother. Ben, is especially proud to be a big brother for the first time after nearly five years of being the little brother.

In the words of Don Herold..."Babies are such a nice way to start people". I couldn't agree more.

The starting point for this card was Bashful Blue. I looked at my trusty Colour Wheel and found that it teams well with Brilliant Blue. I tried teaming the blues up with Barely Banana and it wasn't in any way offensive but it was hardly eye catching. All by myself, I came up with Pumpkin Pie instead (with apologies to Michelle Dyson who has an aversion to orange). But what else? I'm thinking green but what green? So I went for a visit to Stampin' Up! Colour Combos site and plugged in the colours in use. Back came Whisper White (obviously), Gable Green and Wild Wasabi. I do like Wild Wasabi but I love the soft freshness of Gable Green.

I was away...I love giraffes and have a few of them in my collection. I decided to use the little giraffe from Little Hellos and use the Spotlight Technique. I just coloured the giraffe with an orange pencil since Brilliant Blue smudges if you try to water colour or use a blender pen on the image. I used the corner rounder punch to create a scalloped edge and then the 1/8 inch circle punch to add the holes to the scallops. I love the new Silver Hodge Podge from the Spring Mini Catalogue so I framed the words "baby boy" from Everyday Flexible Phrases with silver. I couldn't leave my ribbon reel in its home so Pumpkin narrow grosgrain was threaded behind the silver frame. I used my favourite pad, Versamark, with Itty Bitty Backgrounds to stamp the Gable Green base card.

So, if you're ever faced with a colour dilemma, be sure to solve it by visiting the Colour Combo site. There's always a link to it on this web site, on the right under "Places I like to visit".

I have been working on a Christmas novelty item today and bought some Pascalls Columbines for the purpose. Unfortunately, I was unable to complete the project due to a shortage of the lollies. It seems the manufacturers put less in the bag than they once did ;)

So I'll be back right after I've re-stocked the Columbine supply.

Love from Crafty Kim

P.S. Note to my lovely friend Suzanne, also a recently appointed mother of three boys, if you're reading this. I know baby Matthew is older than baby Nathan and I still owe you a visit and a card. You're not forgotten. Thanks for your patience.

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

Off Topic , but I couldn't resist...Fawn and Beagle

I know it has nothing to do with paper craft but I couldn't help myself. For those of you who know me well, this post will be no surprise. Animals are a great love of mine and I am so lucky to have lots of them in my life, including my Beagle dogs, Holly and Chloe (currently napping in their bed).

Through my Beagle associations, I was sent this picture from North America. Apparently the owner of this Beagle dog came home to find that someone had followed him home, right through the doggie door. The local Department of Natural Resources told the Beagle owner to put the fawn outside and block the doggie door so he couldn't return. He took the fawn to the edge of the woods where he believes he might have met the dog. Upon return a little later, the fawn was gone. We can only hope he was reunited with his mother.

Okay, back to paper-craft. Thanks for indulging me.

Love from Crafty Kim

The Swap Card That Wasn't

For those of you who don't know what I mean by card swapping, it's where a group of card-makers get together and each make several copies of their card design with a view to swapping cards with others. Sometimes they are themed around an occasion (such as Christmas) or a technique (like watercolouring); other times it is completely open. In this way, we get fresh ideas and designs to inspire us and also acquire display cards using stamp sets we may not own ourselves. It's always fun.

On Saturday 6 September (yes, that was the day the rain really, really poured down in Sydney town) I attended a Stampin' Up! function at Darling Harbour. It is a mini stamping convention with ladies from all over NSW attending and the excitement in the room full of stampers is huge. You really should come as my guest to the next one but I guess that's for another day.

One of the highlights amongst a day of stamping, learning new techniques and socialising, is swapping cards. Here is the card that I made with the intention of participating in the swap at this SU! function.


I wasn't 100% happy with it, I feel it needs something more in the background. So I procrastinated over making more and in the end, I only made one! Way short of what I needed to go swapping. I regretted it when I saw all of the others' gorgeous swap cards but there's always next time (annual Convention in Canberra next year, I'm counting down the days already).

Perhaps you can help me with ideas to improve this card? It uses the beautiful heart from the new Always stamp set (I could buy the set for this heart alone). The colours are Groovy Guava and Blush Blossom with Whisper White card and taffeta ribbon. The heart has been stamped in Groovy Guava ink on Blush Blossom card stock and cut out with snips. Then it was mounted on top of another stamped heart (Groovy Guava ink on Whisper White card stock) using SU! Dimensionals. A bit of sponging of Groovy Guava ink using Sponge Daubers around the card edges and a "for you" greeting from the One of A Kind stamp set (imagine it perfectly straight) and it is almost done. I got the idea of sticking a half-pearl (white) from the Pretties Kit onto the heart from a card made by Teneale Williams.

Please leave a comment or send me an email ktonnet@bigpond.net.au if you've got any suggestions. Thanks in advance for looking.

Love from Crafty Kim

Another Show Demo - Chalk Board Technique with a Difference

Here is a card made with a technique that Teneale Williams was demonstrating at the August Stitches and Craft Show. Chalk Board is a really simple technique using Stampin’ Pastels (chalks) and White Pigment Ink.

First you stamp the Baroque Motifs image in white ink on to dark cardstock (Chocolate Chip, Night of Navy or Black work best). Load a sponge dauber with chalk, in this case I used the Brocade Blue Pastel. Then bounce the dauber over the stamped image, being careful not to rub or wipe. Brush the excess chalk off using a dry paint brush. This leaves the flourish and swirls a light blue colour, rather than stark white.

The small flower from Baroque Motifs was then stamped in Whisper White Ink. And here's the difference from conventional chalk board: using a Brilliant Blue Watercolour Pencil, I've coloured the centre of the flowers and I have also toned the edge of the Flourish using the pencil to add “light and shade”. It is amazing how much better the card looks with this extra touch.

Finally a greeting from the It's Your Birthday stamp set was stamped in Whisper White Ink. Worth mentioning here is that the white ink, being a pigment ink rather than a dye ink, takes some time to dry so be careful not to smudge it. A Brocade Blue Wide Grosgrain Ribbon was added to embellish the card and add dimension. Otherwise, it is a single layer card - so easy and quick to make.

Other suggested colour combinations to try are Chocolate Chip card with Regal Rose chalk and ribbon or Black card with Old Olive chalk and ribbon.

At the Show we had a special Chalk Board Kit available for purchase and I am offering this special to those of you who weren’t at the show or missed the Demonstration.

Chalk Board Show Special
“Baroque Motifs” Stamp Set (P. 98 of Main Catalogue)
Stampin’ Pastels 51 colours (P. 150 of Main Catalogue)
Whisper White Ink pad (P. 129 of Main Catalogue)
Pack of 12 Sponge Daubers (P. 150 of Main Catalogue)

Total (includes Shipping and Handling) $120 which is a saving of $10.

Purchase price also includes step-by-step Chalk Board instructions (with pictures), a sample card and further stamp usage ideas.

Please email me at ktonnet@bigpond.net.au if you want to take up this offer.

Thanks for visiting and reading.

Love from Crafty Kim

A Variation on the Faux Tearing Technique

Here's another card that makes use of the Faux Tearing technique. Except this one hasn't been made with a large background stamp. Instead, a two-step stamp set called Wild Rose has been used.

I originally received this card from Kerri Hunter. The faux tear has been made using Night of Navy Ink sponged lightly across the card, using the torn edge of a piece of paper as a guide (see instructions in this post). Then the outline of a small Rose stamp was inked up in Night of Navy ink. But before it was stamped on the card front multiple times, it was stamped off on a scrap piece of paper first, to make the final stamped image much lighter in colour.

The feature rose and leaves in the bottom right corner of the card front have been stamped using the conventional two-step stamping approach; that is the solid small Rose image has been lightly stamped first and then the small outline Rose image has been stamped over the top, with the aid of a stamp positioner, the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig. To get the leaves looking like they are behind the flower, masking has been used. A greeting completes the card. Worth noting is that this card has no layers but it is still very effective.

If you would like to know more about either faux tearing or masking, please add your name to my newsletter distribution list by emailing me at ktonnet@bigpond.net.au In my newsletter, I share lots of stamping tips and techniques.

Thanks for looking.

Love from Crafty Kim

Faux Tearing - Show Demonstration & Special

Time has flown by since I participated in the Stitches and Craft Show at Rosehill. If you visited the Stampin' Up! stand you may have seen one of the demonstrations. But if you didn't come into the Show or were in too much of a rush to really take notice, here are the details of one of the techniques on display. It is called Faux Tearing and it also showed off the One of a Kind stamp set and matching punch.

(With thanks to Marelle Taylor for card design and photograph)

That Paisley Background pattern you see there is not stamped on a separate piece of card stock and then mounted; it's actually just stamped straight onto the base card. It's a really simple technique and very effective. It makes you want to run your finger over the "torn" edge.

Instructions for creating a faux tear are:
1. Tear a scrap of paper that is at least as wide as the card front. This will be the mask.
2. Lay the torn edge along the base card where you would like the faux tear to be.
3. Use sponge daubers to sponge along the torn edge in ink.
4. Move the mask up a few millimetres and stamp the Paisley Background stamp in the same coloured ink above the tear.

We had a kit available for purchase at the Show, and I'd like to offer this Show special to those of you who weren't at the show. One of the best things about these cards is that you only need one ink pad to make the card.

Faux Tearing Show Special
Background Stamp of your choice (P. 107-08 of Main Catalogue)
“One of a Kind” Stamp Set (P. 4 of Mini Catalogue)
Boho Blossoms Punch (P. 5 of Mini Catalogue)
Pack of 12 Sponge Daubers (P. 150 of Main Catalogue)
Double-stitched Ribbon - 13.7 m (P. 146 of Main Catalogue)
1 Inkpad in colour of your choice (P. 130-31 of Main Catalogue)

Total (including Shipping and Handling) $145 ...that's a saving of over $10!

Purchase price also includes step-by-step Faux Tearing instructions (with pictures), a sample card and further stamp usage ideas.

Please email me at ktonnet@bigpond.net.au if you want to take up this offer.

Thanks for visiting and reading. I'll be back soon with more Show demonstrations, samples and specials.

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

Happy Father's Day

Today we celebrated Father's Day. Fortunately the recent rain cleared and gave way to a sunny day here in Sydney.

Here's the card I made for my husband, Bryan, for this Father's Day. It was inspired by Cambria Turnbrow and I found it quick and easy to do.


I used some scraps of Jersey Shore Designer Series Paper that Karen Oliver donated to me (thank you Karen). This co-ordinates with the colours of Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi and Bashful Blue. I used one of the papers to fold and make the shirt. The buttons are Brilliant Blue Brads. I've used another of the papers to decorate the card base and added Wild Wasabi Double-Stitched Ribbon. I've stamped the circular sentiment "Hugs and Kisses" from Circle of Friendship on to Pumpkin Pie card stock, punched it out with the 1" circle punch and mounted it on Brilliant Blue card punched with the 1 1/4 " circle punch. The "Happy Father's Day" is from All Year Cheer II. All are mounted on Brilliant Blue and Wild Wasabi card stock. I think it works and a similar design could be used for a male birthday card.

Time for a quote. In keeping with all those Dads who today received a gift lovingly purchased at school Father's Days stalls around the country last week:

"Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope." Bill Cosby

My son, Ashley, presented Bryan with chocolates (amongst other things) and proceeded to ask if he could have one. To which his Dad replied, "just one". This suited Ashley who then said "that's okay Dad because I don't like any others". While Bryan had an afternoon nap in front of the car races on television, Ashley and I made triple chocolate cookies for his afternoon tea. Pretty lucky Bryan woke up when he did or there may have been none left for him to enjoy. Is the love of chocolate genetic?

Hope all the Dads out there had a great day with their families. Thanks for visiting and please keep coming back, I've got lots to share this week.

Love from Crafty Kim

Something for the Scrappers

Some of you may have seen this "in the flesh" before today because it isn't a new creation. I've had a busy few days with my Open House and also, following up on the Stitches and craft Show so not much personal crafting has been happening. But thanks to everyone who came along to my house for two very enjoyable stamping sessions. Everybody was really lovely and one of the best things about being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is the company of my paper-craft friends.

So, back to the canvas. I started scrapbooking over five years ago but I got a little distracted along the way and would you believe, I have lots of pages in no particular order, without an album being completed? So I've really welcomed the trend towards "off-the-page" scrapping where you put the outcome of your crafting out on display. Rather than hidden inside an album waiting for someone to glance at it. I figure if I am going to make the effort of creating a scrapbook page, I'd like people to see it.

Here is my first canvas ever. And, while it did take me a while to complete (learning the tricks as I went), I was really pleased with the outcome. I just bought a cheap canvas from a bargain shop. But I did use good quality acrylic base coat and paints. I mixed the pink colour to match the photo and designer series paper and after it had dried, I went back and put on small flecks of white paint to break up the pink.

When I first saw the Petals and Paisleys Designer Series Paper I thought the colours were too bold for me. But they turned out to be perfect for this photo. So off I went, sticking paper to canvas. And I was so proud of the result that I hung it straight up on the wall. Then the paper started to peel off. Oh no! That's when I discovered Stampin' Up! Sticky Strip. I can't believe I got through life without Sticky Strip until recently. This tape really sticks.

So, with a bit of stamping, using the scrap-friendly Be Happy set, and some cutting and punching with circle and oval punches plus some ribbon and bling, my artwork was complete and now it hangs happily on the wall for all to admire, except when it is being photographed by me!

I urge scrappers to have a close look at the Stampin Up! Designer Series Papers; they are great value (at $1 each for double-sided paper) and of course, there are loads of co-ordinating cardstock, punches, embellishments and stamps.

I'll be back soon to share some of the Stitches and Craft Show demonstrations and specials, just in case you missed them. And one more Father's Day card (remember Dad's day this Sunday 7 September).

Love from Crafty Kim