A Bird in a Cage

I just wish I could stamp all day, but there is always a pile of ironing to be done and a meal to cook! So I thought that making something quick and easy would be a good idea. I'm sure some of you can relate to this as well!
Here is a quick card that I made using the AVIARY stamp set and ISLAND OASIS designer paper. I really love this RUFFLED RIBBON! This is such a cool effect which I will definitely try again :-)



Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Aviary
Card/Paper: So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Island Oasis DSP
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Basic Gray
Accessories: Scallop Edge punch, Old Olive 5/8" satin ribbon, rhinestone, sponge

Debbie

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Aviary and Island Oasis

Can you believe that Christmas is just 2 short days away? I'm so sorry about my lack of posting (well it isn't called the silly season for nothing!)
Here is a break from all the Christmas projects seen around lately. This is my niece's 21st birthday card. Luisa is part Samoan, so I wanted the card to be bright, and some of the designer paper I have used even uses the Samoan patterns!




Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Aviary, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card/Paper: Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Island Oasis DSP
Ink: Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Gray
Accessories: 1 3/8" Circle punch, Old Olive 5/8" satin ribbon, Pewter jumbo eyelets, rhinestone, sponge

I have previously made a Christmas version, HERE.

Debbie

Summer Mini Catalogue Launch

The Summer Mini catalogue is so excititing! Here is the bookmark that we made at my launch:




I saw these bookmarks on Becky Roberts blog, who has made some really gorgeous cards and projects with the Aviary stamp set.

I always like to give a little gift to my customers at the end of the year. This year was no different, so I made each of them one of these boxes which hold some Cadbury Chocolate Favourites!
The front of the box is inspired by the very talented, Jenny Moors, who made some similar cards.



My ladies were treated to this beautiful Black Forest Gateau, which I ordered form the Cheese Cake Shop:


Debbie

Christmas Aviary

Yesterday marked the beginning of the new Summer Mini catalogue! This mini is full of many exciting, new products!
Also, the promotion for this month is the December Frenzy sale, which is a huge sale for selected products, some up to 50% off! View my Specials page HERE.
One of the new stamp sets in the mini is the Aviary set, which is very cute and useful! I got inspiration for this card, by the very talented, Becky Roberts over at Inking Idaho. I just changed the papers to the Jolly Holiday DSP for a Christmas version.


Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Aviary
Card/Paper: Cherry Cobber, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Jolly Holiday DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Early Espresso
Accessories: 1 3/8" Circle punch, Old Olive 5/8" Satin ribbon, Pewter jumbo eyelet, pearl, sponge

Debbie

Gift for my Hostess

Today I held a workshop and I made this little gift for my hostess.....but unfortunately I forgot to take it along (sorry Audrey! I'll give it you ASAP!)
It's very similar to the one that I made for another hostess HERE. I made two cards to go inside, (with envelopes) but I can't show you the cards, because the camera wasn't doing it's job! :(


Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Asian Artistry, All a Flutter
Card/Paper: Certainly Celery, Whisper White, tea Party DSP
Ink: Almost Amethyst, Basic Gray
Accessories: 1/4" Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, Regal Rose & Certainly Celery markers

Debbie

A Few Cards

Hi there, life is a bit busy at the moment, but I thought I'd share a few cards with you all.

The dress on this first one is made by cutting into the Scallop Circle die:
Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Sincere Salutations
Card/Paper: Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Vellum, Candy Lane DSP
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Riding Hood Red 1/4" taffeta ribbon, clear rhinestone brads, Scalloped Circle die, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder


Here I've used the Sweet Stems stamp set and Tea Party designer paper:Supplies Used:
Stamp Set: Sweet Stems, Thank You Kindly
Card/Paper: Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Tea Party DSP
Ink: Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Basic Black
Accessories: 1 3/8" Circle punch, Scallop Circle punch, Pretty in Pink 1/4" grosgraion ribbon


This last one was a CASE, sorry I can't give full credit because I can't remember where I found it. Well anyway, it is a purse using the Top Note die:Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Best Yet
Card/Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Kraft, Cottage Wall DSP
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry 1/2" grosgrain ribbon, Top Note die, Build-a-Brad, 1/2" Circle punch

Which one is your favourite? I think mine is the dress one. Better get going, I have a watercolouring class on tonight.

Debbie

Elegant Kindness

I believe this is called a "gate fold card." Simply a piece of A5 cardstock, just folded so that the 2 sides meet in the middle.
The softness of both colours- Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery, the pearls and the En Francais stamp, give a graceful and elegant feel. Do you agree?

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Echoes of Kindness, Heard from the Heart, En Francais
Card/Paper: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Ink: Bashful Blue
Accessories: Bashful Blue marker, Certainly Celery marker, 1/4" Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, Mat Pack, Pretties Kit, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

Card Holder Bag

This is the gift that I made for my hostess at the workshop that I held today. Chiaki Haverstick writes fantastic tutorials on her blog, this uses less than one sheet of double sided designer paper and ribbon for the bag. The left over DSP can be used for cards that fit inside. I made 2 cards to pop in for my hostess, plus envelopes:


With the 2-step stampin' promotion in mind, we made this card using the Cottage Garden and Cheep Talk stamp sets. The stamped layer was inspired by Marelle Taylor.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Cottage Garden. Cheep Talk
Card/Paper: Old Olive, Kraft, Whisper White
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum, Old Olive, Versa Mark
Accessories: Rich Razzlerry 1/2" polka dot ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Host your own workshop and receive a special gift from me, as well as Hostess benefits depending on sales. Drop me a line for more info.

Debbie

Cracked Asian Artistry

This is such a fun technique! This is one of the cards that we made at my cracked glass class. If you missed it and would love to learn this fun technique, email me at: debairey@xtra.co.nz to schedule another class.
As you can see, I have distressed the Old Olive panel, just to add an extra touch. To do this, I used the Aqua Painter on the edge to soften the card and then I ran my finger nail up and down each side of the card. This really improves a simple card and gives it an aged look.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Asian Artistry
Card/Paper: Old Olive, Kraft, Whisper White
Ink: Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Versa mark
Accessories: Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Old Olive marker, Regal Rose marker, Clear embossing powder, sponges, Aqua Painter

Debbie

Echoes of Kindness

I am often drawn into using the Echoes of Kindness stamp set, because of it's gorgeous images and inspirational words. This stamp set can't be purchased, but can be earned for free if you host a workshop that comes to a total of at least $700.
I have used the watercolouring technique, inspired by Alisa Tilsner. Visit her fabulous blog HERE.Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Echoes of Kindness
Card/paper: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White
Ink: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss, Black Staz-on
Accessories: Blender pens, sponges

Email me to host a workshop, to earn this beautiful set and product for FREE!

Debbie

Birthday Sunset

Last Friday was my father-in-law's 80th birthday! All the family went out to a delicious buffet lunch to celebrate! This is the card that I made for him, CASEd from Dawn Griffith.
I must admit, this is the first time I've ever used my brayer! I definitely want to use it more often.Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Embrace Life, Sincere Salutations
Card/Paper: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron
Accessories: Vintage Brads assortment, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Brayer, sponges

Debbie

Tissue Holders

With the cold weather, we often need a packet of tissues handy. Yesterday was team training and some of us decided to do swaps. I decided to make a tissue holders as my swap:Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Cottage Garden, Best Yet
Card/Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Cottage Wall DSp
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: 1/2" Rich Razzleberry polka dot ribbon, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

Spotlight Remake

Yesterday I was cleaning my craft room (still a long way to go!) when I came across this card that I'd made a couple years ago, inspired by Sarah Gough. Visit her fabulous blog HERE.
I really loved this card, the stamp set- Artfully Asian, is now retired.I thought that I could remake it using Embrace Life:The technique that I've used is called spotlighting. It's a really effective way to highlight an image.

Supplies Used
Stamp sets: Embrace Life
Card/Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, Riding Hood Red patterns DSP
Ink: Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Scallop Edge punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, Mat Pack, blender pen, White gel pen

Debbie

A Pair of Butterflies

Do you like the new look on my blog? Blogger has launched some new designs, and I really liked this one and thought that some change would be good.
This is the second card that we made at my scene card class. Dreams du Jour is a gorgeous set and was perfect on this card.
Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Dreams du Jour, Embrace Life
Card/Paper: Pale Plum, Elegant Eggplant, So Saffron, Whisper White
Ink: Pale Plum, Pink Piroutte, So Saffron, Whisper White
Accessories: White embossing powder, sponges

Debbie

Sunset Scene

I hope you all had a relaxing long weekend. We went away up north to Mangawhai for a couple of nights. We had a really lovely and relaxing time :-)
Well, this is one of the cards that we made at my scene class using sponges. I love to see how my ladies' cards turn out, as we all sponge differently.
I love the effect of the sunset with the birds together in the middle. I used the XL Bird punch and the Embrace Life stamp set. I definitely recommend the XL Bird punch, I've used it on lots of projects.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Embrace Life
Card/paper: Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: XL Bird punch, 1/4" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon

I will post the other scene card in the next couple of days,
Debbie

Kind Words

I came across one card in my photos of cards to post. Such a simple template, but still really effective. And can you tell that I've fallen in love with the Echoes of Kindness stamp set?!
I've used the ever so popular "Raspberry Tart" designer paper, and I've coloured the flowers to match. So easy, but gorgeous!
Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Echoes of Kindness (level 1 hostess set)
Card/paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Raspberry Tart DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Rose Red
Accessories: Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Blender Pen

Debbie

Just Add Ink #18

The Just Add Ink team has set us this wonderful sketch to play with!So versatile! I sat down and had a play, this is what I came up with:I'm really happy with how this turned out. I used the Echoes of Kindness stamp set, which I love. It can be earned for free with a qualifying workshop. Email me to find out more....

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Echoes of Kindness
Card/Paper: Almost Amethyst, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink: Almost Amethyst, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive
Accessories: 1/4" Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon, Aqua Painter, Mat Pack, Dazzling Diamonds

Congratulations to all of the award winners at the Stampin' Up! convention! I hope you all had a fabulous time.

Debbie

Crayon Resist Class Cards

These are the cards that we made at my crayon resist class last Thursday. It was a great evening. If you missed this class and would still like to learn this cool technique, email me and we'll schedule a date.
The first card is a bookmark card. The bookmark is folded over and attached with magnetic strips:
And the second card uses the stunning stamp set, Fifth Avenue Floral.


I love the colour combos on both of them: Rose Red, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive and Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Gray.

It's been great hearing about the Stampin' Up! convention. I would love to go one year.

All products using Stampin' Up! products.
Enjoy the weekend everyone,
Debbie

Happy Mothers' Day!

Happy Mothers' Day to all you lovely Mothers out there! I hope you had a fab day. Well I know that I definitely did. It started off with French Toast and coffee. Yum. Also a carry bag and a voucher for 10 cups of tea! My mum is staying with us at the moment and I had booked a lunch at a lovely restaurant on the beach. We all went to church first and then on to our surprise destination for her and we had a most delicious lunch. We slept all afternoon and hardly surprising, none of us have had dinner due to our big lunch.
Here is the card that Sarah made for me. I love it and it is so special that she made it.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Embrace Life
Card/Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum, So Saffron, Whisper White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum, Pink Pirouette, So Saffron
Accessories: XL Bird punch, 1/4" Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon, sponges

WOW! The weekends over already, have a great week,

Debbie

Scene Cards

The very talented Paula Dobson has inspired me to make some scene cards! These are the first couple that I've made. I'm now feeling really confident picking up a sponge and creating a scene. I've made quite a few so keep your eye out!
Here's my very first scene card, using Pale Plum for the dragonfly, and Elegant Eggplant going into Pink Pirouette, then into So Saffron for the sponging, and Always Artichoke for the leaves:
And the next one. The dragonfly's and leaves are Elegant Eggplant and the sponging is Pale Plum going into Pink Pirouette and then So Saffron:

If you have any questions on these cards, just leave a comment or send me an email :-)

I definitely want to make more of these!

Debbie