A merry Christmas to you all!

Christmas is always a busy time, and I would like to wish everyone (who dropped by to look at my blog, or leave comments) a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful New Year. May this time be an opportunity to spend time with family and loved ones and to tell them how much they are appreciated and loved. See you next year! Till then, Happy Stamping!

Trendy Trees at Christmas!

Thought I would whip up a different Christmas card using one of the neglected stamp sets that I have, Trendy Trees. I cased this scenery from MF's blog, but had to add something else, rather than the leaf. I thought of adding a forest friends stamp (a good way of remembering a friend this Christmas!). Hoping whoever friend gets this will like it. This is also the first time that I have some emboss resist, masking and sponging playing with brown, green and orange.

My elephant is thirsty!

The animal stories stamp set from the new summer mini is starting to grow on me, as initially I had reservations about using this set. After seeing other people's wonderful creations, I have decided to give it a try. So, in anticipation of summer, I thought of creating a secne where my elephant is thirsty. Sorry for the mistake in the elephant, as I think my stamp-a-majic moved, and I ran out of white gel pen as I was creating the effects on the water.

Have a great stamping weekend!

Say goodbye to chilly winter

Today's weather has turned out pretty warm, considering the cold, windy and rainy days the past week, Can't wait for summer to really kick in, as I have to weed out our garden among other things. Last week, I have cased MZ's chilly front and experimented on adding a boat. I drew the branches and the boat as I don't have any stamps. My card is quite small as this is just an experiment. The only stamp I used here is the snowflake from snow swirled set. Though it doesn't snow here in Wellington, thought that dreams of snow can be best captured in this.

Gift wallet v.2

In the midst of experimenting with sponging and masking, I have been busy making gift wallets (another version) for my  husband's family and wrapping gifts. This time, I have made the gift card to just slide out, than untying the ribbon. I have used the season of Joy stamp set )hopefully not too late, to use it). Just acquired this set as an early Christmas gift.
Stamps: season of joy
Cardstock: kraft, riding hood red, very vanilla
Ink: garden green, choc chip, ruby red

Sunset Tree

Eversince I have tried sponging, masking, and playing with colours, I have become more adventurous with trying more scenes, this time, sunset. Sunrise or sunrise always amaze me and I tried to capture this using Lovely as a Tree stamp set. I had to use the colours I have at hand, and sponged one layer after layer to get the desired effect. I've never used as much black, so saffron, pumpkin pie, choc chip, and real red for sponging to get the desired effect.

Reflections

One of the things I like about Michelle Zindorf's work is how she is able to capture the reflection of a subject. After much encouragement from my husband to try more scenery cards, I have experimented on this one, using lovely as a tree again. I made a mistake on the first one, so hopefully this is better. I did a lot of sponging and msking on this one, not sure if I achieved the reflection effect.
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Trendy Trees (sentiment)
Ink: Baja breeze, black, choco chip, white gel pen (false stitching)
Cardstock: Baja breeze, whisper white, black

a gift wallet!

I have made a few gift wallets using the spring mini (I know that the summer mini is out), but just wanted to share what I have done. I have also used a new colour combo, getting out of my comfort zone and this is what I came up with.
Stampset: Best Yet, Just Beachy
Colours: Taken with Teal, Apricot appeal, Blush blossom, certainly celery ribbon,
Ink: taken with teal,choc chip, pumpkin pie, Stampin write markers

Lovely as a Tree

After seeing my friend Paula do several scenery cards over the past week, she has convinced me that it's worth trying it out. At first, I was intimidated by it all as I found the idea of sponging, masking and reflecting a bit too much for a beginner like me in card making. But it was worth trying it out as I miss the days when I used to do some painting, I think I will try more nature cards from now on. Thanks Paula, I am now a fan of Michelle Zindorf. I have used my new lovely as a tree stamp set, an early Christmas gift from my musband, and to thank him for it, I have made this card for his upcoming birthday.Hope he likes it!

Tree Trimings male card!

I must admit that I will miss this fabulous set from the spring mini. It is not only versatile, I also think that it is an economical set, as you can do so much with it. This time, I also decided to play with some cool colour combinations for Christmas, thinking of a male Christmas card, as it is always difficult to make some cards for guys.

Stamp set: tree trimmings, snow swirled
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Ballet Blue, Kraft, Very Vanilla
Ink: Ballet blue, chocolate chip, Pumpkin Pie

Let it snow!

I have been like a card machine yesterday, making about 20 cards, and this is one of the cards. My friend Paula invited me to the Lower Hutt Christmas market, and we hope to sell some SU crafts that we have made. The stamp I used is a retired SU, but I couldn't resist using it because of the detail and coloring involved. I am sure, that whoever this card goes to will be very pleased.
Paper: Ski slope DSP, Riding hood red, baja breeze

Ink: SU markers, choco chip stamp pad

Stamp: retired SU stamp, snow swirled (sentiment)

Triangle Treat box

This triangle treat box was one of the storage ideas we made at the class. I experimented with daubing pastels on embossed image, central panel (was like applying make-up), and matched the embossed background with soft summer image. I complimented the paisley background with the paisley design from the DSP Raspberry Tart. I saw this box from Paula Ponders blog, but changed the measurements.

Stamp set: Soft sumer, curly stamp

Accessories: scallop edge, curly label punch, dimensionals, 1/4 grossgrain ribbon, small cellobag, pastels

Gift bag for a Friend

One of the things I like about SU is that I learn from ideas of other people, I saw a similar bag from Tracey's blog, but changed it a bit to make it my own. I used the walk in the park DSP, which will be retiring this end of November. To close the lid, you can use a thinner twine or elastic string for better effect. So, if you find this DSP or this gift bag, awesome, email me to book for a class or order the gorgeous paper before it retires this end of the month.

Paper: pretty in pink, walk in the park DSP, baja breeze
Stamps: oval all
Accessories: bling from prettiest kit, crop a dile, oval and oval scallop punch, piercing tool, large eyelets, and bashful blue 1/4 grossgrain ribbon

A Boho Thanks

I have made this card for a co-teacher of mine who gave me some materials for my research a few weeks ago. I forgot to post this, as this is the first time I have used this set. I will try to use it for some of my Christmas cards, as I plan to layer the circles so I could use our lovely punches.

Stamp set: Boho Backgrounds

Cardstock: whisper white on chocolate chip, circles are pacific point, baja breeze, and kraft.

Accessories: circle punches, and markers

It's chefmate!

I made this card for my step-son on his birthday, he is studying to be a chef, and I thought of using this one just for him.

Stampset: Viola
Cardstock: Apricot appeal, pacific point, and others
Accessories: blender pens, pastels, and embossig folder

Happy Stamping!

I'm back with a flip card

Hi everyone! I know I have been away for a month from blogging with a reason, I have done and dusted all my studying. This means, I will have more time for my love of crafting, YAY! To kick-off, I have decided to use a different colour combo using a different hostess set, Organic Grace (thanks Paula, for introducing this t me!) and great friend for the butterfly. Hope you like what I have come up with.

Stamp set: organic grace, great friend, best yet
Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, More Mustard, and Apricot Appeal, Tea Party DSP
Ink: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red
Accessories: soft subtles and earth elements brad, curly label punch, nesties, scallop edge

Happy Stamping!

Breast Cancer Awareness & Starter Kit Promotions

For over 20 years, Stampin' Up! has made a difference in women's lives by simply doing what they love to do - SHARE CREATIVITY! From October -December, 2009 when you sign up as a new demonstrator, Stampin' Up! will donate $5 to the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation. Not only that, you not only get the starter kit at a discounted price of $379 (over $650 in total value), you also get a FREE! pack of Raspberry Tart Designer Paper (19.95) and a Pretty in Pink Classic stamp pad (13.95) to help you get started. Email me to join NOW!

World Card Making Day SU way!

For the whole month of October, SU is celebrating World Card Making Day (Oct 3) by giving a 20% discount on either of the following stamp sets when you purchase any of the simply sent Card elements Kit:

Purchase any of these 2 simply sent kits (click Idea Book & Catalogue)

112028 Page 140 Flower Power Card Elements $36.95

112021 Page 141 Rock Star Card Elements $36.95

And get 20% off any of these coordinating stamp sets

116779 Page 140 Wow Flowers Stamp Set $28.95 regular price $23.16 discount price

116777 Page 141 Starring You Stamp Set $28.95 regular price $23.16 discount price

Order yours TODAY! Email me!

Small Secret Window Box

Ihave made this box awhile back but havent had time to post it. I have used the same concept for the taller box, but only reduced the measurements. I like making boxes now, as I find my scorpal very handy to score lines on cardstock, and you can fold and complete a box straight away. I have used best yet sentiment on scallop circle. I also used Always stamp set (notice the bud stems on the side of the box), I think this coordinates with the DSP on the lid very well. Happy Stamping!

Card folder box

This is the last project at the craft class over the weekend. I played a bit with how to make ny card folder box. I like the kraft cardstock as it is very useful to mix with other colours. I also tried to get away from the traditioal Christmas colours. I also find it very useful using only 1 stamp set (which I learned from training field day) to explore a stamp set's versatiltity, I used Snow Swirled stamp set.

Accordion Card

At craft class, we made this accordion card using the Washington Apple DSP. I am loving this designer paper because of the flexibility of the design, either for a boy or girl could do. I got the idea from SCS but altered it a bit with the snap band I made using velcro. Any sentiment could be used, in this card I used echoes of kindness sentiment (hostess stamp set). The girls got to choose their own sentiment in the card. Flower for the card came from the Eastern Blossom stamp set. I thought this stamp set went well with the chosen DSP.

Stamp set: Always, Echoes of Kindness, Eastern Blossoms

Ink: Ruby red, pumpkin pie, brocade blue

Cardstock: Washington Apple DSP, ivory, brocade blue

Thanks for looking. Happy Stamping!

Flippin' Card

This is one of the cards we created at my 1st craft class last Saturday. I cased this card from Julie Woolner (thanks Julie!) which I got from our field training day last Thurs here in Wellington. It was great to meet new people, and hopefully to be part of a local team, so that I won't feel abandoned anymore, (thanks Lisa Beck and the others, I will be in touch!). I like this card a lot because of the movement it makes and it creates a bit of surprise for the sentiment that is partly hidden before you flip it over to the other side. I like this Always stampset as it has a mixture of images and sentiments that you can mix and match with any card

Stamp set: Always $66.95
Cardstock: whisper white, kiwi kiss, riding hood red, and pink pirouette
Ink: old olive, chocolate chip, regal rose, ruby red

Father's Day!

At last Sunday's workshop, we had fun creating this card using the sense of time set. In preparation for Father's Day, I thought to convert the card into a watch, complete with strap to open the card. The girls enjoyed punching the hole for the strap using the slit punch, and stamping the sentiments and images on the card.

Stamp sets: Ocassional Greetings, Sense of Time

Colours: chocolate chip, old olive

Purchase SU products and grab a FREE GIFT

For every single purchase of Stampin Up! products worth $120 (excluding shipping), or

Hosting a workshop with a workshop sales of $700(excluding shipping), you get this

RIBBON BUNBLE FREE! Promo runs September 1-30 only, so hurry!

This ribbon bundle includes 9.1m each certainly celery 5/8" poly twill ribbon and 5/8' so saffron gross grain ribbon.

Tree Trimmings , simple but elegant!

During the pre-order for the Spring mini-catalogue, I did not order this Tree Trimmings stamp set. But when I saw how gorgeous and versatile this stamp set is, particularly when used with the Ski Slope DSP, I couldn't resist. My set arrived this week and thought I'd try it out. You can create several simpl, but elegant Christmas cards for your loved ones. If you like this set, ORDER YOURS NOW for $28.95. Email me.

Stamp set: Tree Trimmings $28.95 (spring mini catalogue)
Sentiment: Best Yet (level 1 Hostess stamp set)
Cardstock: very vanilla, baja breeze, Ski Slope DSP $19.95
Colours: chocolate chip, ruby red, and bashful blue

Grab the Spring mini product bundle paper share!

For all of us who love crafts, (as well as those who are just starting!) a product bundle share is a good way to have MOST at a LESS COST. As a new demo, I noticed that aside from the stamps that we want to get, paper is the one we need the most to begin any craft project. I thought of offering a product bundle featuring the 2 designer papers from the mini catalogue and their matching cardstock.

You get 2 sheets of 6" x 6" of each (double-sided papers). A total of 24 pcs. of DSP for $12.00 (Walk in the Park and Ski Slope DSP).

You also get 4 sheets of A5 cardstock for each colour (except for baja breeze, you get 8 pcs of A5). A total of 44 pcs of A5 cardstock for 10 colours for $26.00

Four people in this share of $38.00 each (includes shipping anywhere in NZ).

How to order Clarissa's Product Bundle Paper Share:

Email me to order. Once the product share is completed, I will email you for payment and shipping details.

Another Christmas!

I just love this Snow Swirled stamp set as it is very elegant, and so versatile to use. This time, I have used the main tree stamp. This coordinates really well with the Ski slope DSP, which I also find very versatile, especially when used with the In colour cardstock. It takes the guesswork to cardmaking out, but still making fabulous, classic christmas cards. I also used a technique of modifying the scallop edge by punching a circle on each scallop with the 1/16" circle.

Stampset: Snow Swirled $53.95
Cardstock: Kraft, In colour (riding hood red, baja breeze) multipack A4 cardstock $17.25
Other accessories: Scallop edge $35.95 and 1/16 circle $19.95
ribbon and brad (not SU!, bur still coordinates with the SU products).

Christmas theme in a recessed window!

After accomplishing 3 readings yesterday, I thought of rewarding myself with some crafting. I remember seeing a tutorial from Splitcoaststampers (Lynn Mercurio) about a recessed window. I thought it was a little intimidating to begin with, but it turned out quite an enjoyable experience as I got to use my new scorpal again and the fabulous Ski Slope DSP from the new mini catalogue. I decided to use it as a picture frame by making a stand at the back of the cardstock. If you motice the detail in the flower, its my 1st time to use the bling from the SU prettiest kit. (I now have an entry to the August challenge for Crafty Fingers

Stampset: Snow Swirled and Circl Circus

Colours: Riding hood red, kiwi kiss cardstock in old olive and ruby red ink

Ski Slope Designer Paper (Spring mini catalogue)

Accents: Bling (Prettiest Kit, SU), red ribbon (not SU).

Note: If you see anything that you want to purchase, just email me. Some items, I can create a Kit Bundle to minimise the cost.

Happy Crafting!

Thank You notecard for a Surprise!

My wonderful husband came home with a wonderful surprise yesterday, he had this beautiful arrangement of flowers created by a lovely lady, Celeste (who is a florist,by the way). It was a lovely surprise as my hubby and I forgot that we were celebrating the special date of our wedding monthsary. So, to thank Celeste, I thought of matching the flower colours with a thank you note card.

Materials: Almost navy, ruby red, vanilla and certainly celery cardstock.
Stamp set: soft summer from the spring mini
sentiment: same using word window punch with choc chip ink
Technique: watercolour using SU pastels and blender pens

Treat Box

I got my scor-pal in the mail yesterday and I thought of modifying this treat/gift box I downloaded from the SU demo website. This scor-pal is just great, a must tool for crafters who are into cards, boxes or any other 3D projects. I used the same materials from the mojo sketch #96, but used baja breeze ribbon instead. The sentiment is from the Best Yet hostess set on whisper white with a circle stamped accent from the Circle Circus stamp set, as well as the background outer circle, I used versamark to leave a watermark effect (although the photo does not do any justice, compared to the actual sample. The 1st image shows the 2nd lid, used recycled acetate with circle scallop punch. If you and your friends are interested in making gift boxes for those special occasions, just email me and I am happy to come to you to book a class. Cheers!

Happy Stamping!

Mojo Sketch #96

Hi everyone, sorry that I have been silent for more than a week as I have been swamped with studies. Anyway, couldn't resist doing this Mojo sketch #96 using the Sense of Time stamp set from the spring mini catalogue using chocolate chip and black ink. Cardstock: Kraft, Not quite navy, and baja breeze DSP and cardstock. Accents: chocolate chip 1/4 grossgrain ribbon and hodgepodge hardware. Hope you like this one, I plan to make a similar card for Father's Day