Last CASE for 2014

Today is the last of the CASE-ing the Catty challenges for 2014, giving everyone a break until the release of the Sale-A-Bration and Occassions catalogues in 2015.  The challenge this fortnight is to use the colour combination found in the cute Santa & Co. Designer Washi Tape found on page 29 of the Holiday Catalogue.  These are great Christmas colours, adding Basic Black and Marina Mist to the more traditional Real Red and Old Olive.

 I love my 3D items and this challenge gave me the opportunity to try out a cute little gift idea using the Tiny Treat Boxes found on page 10 of the catalogue.  I have taken two of the boxes and attached them back to back with the top flap forming the central 'handle'.  To hold them together I added a band of Marina Mist cardstock and some panels of DSP.  Do you recognise the DSP? It is from the main catalogue and is from the Back to Black set of papers, I have coloured the white images with Stampin' Write Markers (Real Red) and Blendabilities (Old Olive).  I also found some Christmas M&Ms at Costco and thought they go perfectly with the colour theme.

I hope you take time to join us in the final challenge for the year, pop over to the CASE-ing the Catty blog for more inspiration, upload a picture of your project and link back to the challenge blog in your own blog post.  See you all again in 2015.

Happy Stamping
Monique

CASE-ing the Catty - Better Late Than Never!

Is it just me or is life getting busier as the year progresses?  I have just realised that I didn't write and post my card for the CASE-ing the Catty challenge on time (so far behind time I am mortified)!  The theme was to take inspiration from the Holiday Catalogue and use one of the images to CASE.

 I chose the image on page 20 of the Snowflake Card Thinlits Die.  I borrowed the die from a friend of mine and neither of us had the matching stamp set "Letterpress Winter" so I improvised and used the die to cut the snowflake.  I ran it through the Big Shot once and then removed it turned the DSP so that the second time I ran it through it cut the parts that had previously been left uncut and formed a snowflake that fits perfectly in the flip section of the card.  I added the snowflakes and silver ribbon for some added bling and the panel of coordinating DSP to add some interest to that panel.

There is still time to join in the CASE-ing the Catty challenge, as these have now gone to fortnightly challenges.  Just pick an image from the Holiday Catalogue and upload your image with a link back to the challenge blog in your own post.

Happy Stamping
Monique

Hand Stamped Happiness

I had the urge to create tonight, although I will admit it was a bit of a challenge as nothing seemed to be going right with my planning lol.  I had chosen the above sketch from Hand Stamped Sentiments and wanted to use my new Choose Happiness stamp set which I haven't had chance to ink up much - some stamps even still had the backing on them :)

I knew exactly what I wanted on the off-set panel, it was the strips along the top of the card that had me stumped. I tried DSP strips initially, but couldn't find ones that looked good.  Then I tried hand stamping, just using the flower stamp, but that was too plain. I also tried a number of different colours for the 10x14.8cm mat on the card.  Eventually I decided to add some of the leaves in Mossy Meadow and some of the small flowers from Petite Petals and was happy with the result.  Finally happy with the result!

Happy Stamping
Monique

Forever Young

Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day, a bit of a tough one this year as just last month my little nephew Charlie was born sleeping.  As a paper crafter it didn't feel right not to make his parents a special card.  I figured if he had been born normally, or had sadly passed away sometime in the future I would have sent a card, so why would I not acknowledge his little life just because it was so very short?.

As you can imagine, it was the hardest card I have had to make, and I struggled for quite a while because I wanted something that was 'just right'.  I didn't have the right stamps or sentiment, but with MDS was able to take a sentiment I had seen on-line and a digital Stampin' Up! stamp and combine them before cutting out with framelits and adding to the card front.

It is such a fitting sentiment, little Charlie's feet have definitely left footprints on all our hearts. My own heart goes out to everyone who has lost a child in pregnancy or during infancy, particularly today.

Monique

Freshly Made Sketch

Just a quick post tonight as it is getting late and I don't want to miss the cut off for the Freshly Made Sketch Challenge this week.  Its been quite a while since I did a challenge outside of my Design Team entries, but this one just caught my eye.

I recently ordered the Choose Happiness stamp set and this was my first go at inking up the stamps,  I knew I wanted to do a Blackberry Bliss and Hello Honey colour combination and the DSP was just perfect for this.   I was so happy to read that the lovely Bendabilities work with a number of our current inks, including Baked Brown Sugar which gave the flower a softer look than the Memento Black ink would have.  I inked up only part of the sentiment and free had cut it into a banner, I just love this sentiment "choose happiness" I think we sometimes forget that we have the power to do just that, put aside the things that irritate us and make choices that will make us happier.

Happy Stamping
Monique

CASE-ing The Catty Week 12: Gift Boxes and Bags

Oops, I am a bit late with my post this week for CASE-ing the Catty Challenges. This week we are taking inspiration for Gift Boxes and Bags from the Holiday Catalogue.

I have to say this week was particularly hard for me, as there are sooo many cute gift boxes to take inspiration from!  I found it so hard that I couldn't just choose one, I had to make two!!!

The first one, on the left, is one of the Tiny Treat Boxes.  These are so cute at 2", but still hold a nice amount of treats, both of these boxes hold 3 Lindt Balls.  I took inspiration for the Tiny Treat Box from the picture on page 10 of the catalogue. I stamped the box with the smallest stamp from Bright & Beautiful using Night of Navy ink, the bow made from a combination of Silver and White Organza ribbon.

The second 'box' is made using the Curvy Keepsake Framelits - I LOVE this box, so versatile.  For this one I used Vellum Cardstock and once cut out with the framelits, I ran it through the Northern Flurry Embossing folder.

 Here is a close up of the tag, stamped with the Good Greetings stamp set. I hand cut the banner and added it to a scallop circle cut from the wonderful sparkly Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper using 1-1/4" Punch.

I hope I have inspired you to join in this week with the challenge, just pick a project from the Holiday Catalogue and CASE away!

Challenge Guidelines

• Create a new project for this challenge
• Mention CASE-ing the Catty, and post a link back to the CASE-ing the Catty Blog
• Note in your post which project you took inspiration from
• Use only Stampin' Up! Products, new or retired in your project
• Have fun!

Happy Stamping
Monique

ESAD Holiday Catalogue Blog Hop 2014

Isn't the year going quickly?  I know it is just rushing by for me, which on one hand is very scary and on the other quite exciting as it means we have a new Holiday Catalogue full of inspiration for Christmas. With a new catalogue comes an ESAD Blog Hop!  Whether you are starting at my blog, or have hopped over from Kelly's blog Sharing My Papercraft Journey, just keep following the links at the bottom of each post until you get back to where you started from!

I love finding different uses for our Stampin' Up! products, and I just adore these cute little wreaths, perfect for identifying Christmas Party guests' glasses!  The idea originally came when I had a glass standing in the cut out shape of a wreath I was making for a card, I thought it would make a cute coaster, then when I looked at the wreath and the stem of the glass this idea just popped into my head!

To make them simply stamp your wreath in some lovely coordinating colours, then cut out using the matching framelits.  You will need to make a small cut in the wreath, I found doing it where the cardstock was the narrowest was best (see picture above).

Next cut a bow from glimmer paper, and adhere the bow so that it overlaps the cut in the wreath.  I added a small amount of 2-way glue to the overhanging bow and let it dry, this will help the wreath stick together but still be able to be separated for re-use.

Here is the full set I made, don't they look great?  I can't wait to bring them out at Christmas time. You could even add a little banner on the wreath for guests to write their names on, or laminate the wreaths before you cut them.

One final quick project I also made with the Wonderful Wreath Framelits is a gift tag.  These are great because they give you lots of room to write on the inside.   You can find a great Youtube video of how to make these at Papercraft Button.  I used the wonderful Specialty DSP Under the Tree found in the holiday catalogue because it is cardstock weight and makes wonderful tags!  I also added some of the new Frosted Sequins for some added bling!

I hope you have enjoyed my projects, time to hop on over to see what wonderful creations Andrea has made at Creating Cards with Andrea

Happy Stamping
Monique

CASE-ing the Catty Week 11 - Holiday Catalogue: Tags

Time for the CASE-ing the Catty challenge, this week we are moving over to the Holiday Catalogue with a focus on Tags!  

I love all the possibilities for tags these days, and was spoilt for choice in the Holiday Catalogue, but decided to go with the little ones on page 4 of the catalogue.

I thought the little tags made with the new Note Tag Punch were so cute, but I don't have that punch (yet)!  I decided to recreate using the Tag Topper Punch instead and shook it up a little with different shapes on the front.  The sentiment is from Wondrous Wreath and a really great size for these tags. Tag size was 5.1cm x 7cm before using Tag Topper Punch - cut from the Under the Tree Specialty DSP.  Adding in some ribbon and twine and they are quick and easy and super cute for adding to gifts this year.

Challenge Guidelines:

• Create a new project for this challenge
• Mention CASE-ing the Catty in your blog post and link back to the challenge page: CASE-ing the Catty
• Note in your post which project from the catalogue you used as inspiration for your project/
• Only use Stampin' Up! products (current or retired) in your project
• Have fun and inspire others

Happy Stamping
Monique

CASE-ing the Catty Week 10 - Artistic Expression

Time for another challenge at CASE-ing the Catty.  I have had a busy month with anniversaries, Father's Day and birthdays in the family and so missed last week's challenge, but back again this week combining my challenge entry with gift giving!

 The challenge this week is to take inspiration from the Artistic Expression section of the catalogue starting on page 154. I took inspiration from the cute little box made from window sheet on page 174.

This was fairly easy to recreate and will be part of my husband's birthday on Sunday ... shhh don't tell him!  The base is made from a piece of 10-1/4" x 7-1/2" Window Sheet; scored at  2.5"; 5"; 7.5" and 10" along the longest side, and 2.5" along one of the short sides.   The lid is made using a piece of DSP 5-5/8" x 5-5/8" scored at 1-1/2" on all sides.  I used the Tag-A-Bag Accessory Kit to make the tag, doesn't the sentiment from Amazing Birthday fit well into the tag? I attached the tag to the top with dimensionals.  

I hope you like my project and it inspires you to join in this week at CASE-ing the Catty.

Challenge Guidelines:

• Create a new project for this challenge
• Mention CASE-ing the Catty in your blog post and link back to the challenge page: CASE-ing the Catty
• Note in your post which project from the catalogue you used as inspiration for your project/
• Only use Stampin' Up! products (current or retired) in your project
• Have fun and inspire others

Happy Stamping
Monique

CASE-ing the Catty Week 8 - Card Giving

This week at CASE-ing the Catty the challenge is to take inspiration from the Card Giving section of the catalogue, starting on page 102 and going all the way to page 143!  So much inspiration in those pages.

I just love the title of this section of the catalogue, I think card making is what Sampin' Up! products get most used for.  I not only love sending handmade cards to people to mark celebrations and life events, but also as gifts themselves.  Who wouldn't love a set of handmade cards to send out!

I took inspiration from one of the set of cards on page 104 of the Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue, I was planning on making the whole set, but time, as usual, got away from me! The whole set of cards use "Something to Say" stamp set, which is a great versatile set with a range  of sentiments, it can be used for many different occasions. I used the lovely Lullaby DSP and the Whisper White Satin Ribbon that I coloured with the lightest shade of the Smoky Slate Blendabilities pens.  I love these pens and the versatility they bring to embellishing cards!  The flags I added using the cute, and very handy, hand held stapler in the new Holiday Catalogue.

Challenge Guidelines:

• Create a new project for this challenge
• Mention CASE-ing the Catty in your blog post and link back to the challenge page: CASE-ing the Catty.
• Note in your post which project from the catalogue you used as inspiration for your project
• Only use Stampin' Up! products (current or retired) in your project
• Have fun and inspire others

Happy Stamping
Monique

CASE-ing the Catty #7 - Home Decor

Time for another CASE-ing the Catty Challenge, this week is all about taking inspiration from the Home Decor section of the catalogue starting at page 94.  You don't have to make a Home Decor item, just use the images in that section as an inspiration for your project.

  Challenge Guidelines:

• Create a new project for this challenge
• Mention CASE-ing the Catty in your blog post and link back to the challenge page 
• Make note in your post of which project from the catalogue gave you inspiration for your project
• Use Stampin' Up! only products (current or retired) in your project
• Have fun and inspire others

I chose to make a card this week, taking inspiration from the canvas with the beautiful big Swallowtail butterflies on page 94. I like the colour duo of Hello Honey and Smokey Slate, and so kept this in my design.

The middle butterfly I stamped in Smokey Slate and then stamped onto Vellum, then before allowing it to dry added a mix of Dazzling Details and Clear Embossing Powder to emboss.  The vellum was punched out and added to the card panel.  I used the darkest of the Daffodil Delight Blendabilities to colour pearls and rhinestones for the bodies of the butterflies.

I hope this has helped inspire you to give the challenge a go, just pick something from the Home Decor section and link up to CASE-ing the Catty Blog.

Happy Stamping
Monique

CASE-ing The Catty Week 6 - Kids

Time for another CASE-ing the Catty Challenge, well actually I am a little late putting up my post for the challenge!  I thought I had done it mid-week only to find it had slipped my mind!  This week we are focusing on the "Kids" section f the catalogue starting at page 82.

 Challenge Guidelines:

• Create a new project for this challenge
• Mention CASE-ing the Catty in your blog post and link back to the challenge page 
• Make note in your post of which project from the catalogue gave you inspiration for your project
• Use Stampin' Up! only products (current or retired) in your project
• Have fun and inspire others

I don't make a lot of kids cards, so thought this might be a bit of a challenge (no pun intended) for me this week, then I realised that I didn't have to make a kids card, just be inspired by one that was in the catalogue.  I chose the sketch from page 86, also keeping to similar colours.  I added some Silver Glimmer Paper, secured with a cute little staple using the Handheld Stapler that is coming in the Holiday Catalogue.  I also added some silver stars to give some added bling!  The cake is from Sketched Birthday, and the sentiment from Age Awareness.

It would be really easy to change up the colours and give this layout a more masculine feel.

I hope I have helped inspire you to join in this week, if you need a bit more inspiration pop over to CASE-ing the Catty and see what the other design team members have created.

Happy Stamping
Monique

Cover Up

Don't you just hate it when you have a card all planned out, cut out, elements ready to go and the last bit of stamping you do has the shadow edge of the rubber stamp onto your card - I know I do.  Well that happened to me making a cute Christmas card. 

I had already adhered the DSP layer on the flip card, and so didn't want to just waste the whole card and start over.  I have to say usually I trim down the rubber around all my stamp images before mounting, but with Clear Mount, which Bright & Beautiful star is from, I don't worry unless I have a problem.

The easy solution - add a sentiment banner to the card to cover the mistake!  I love this little santa from Get Your Santa On from the new Holiday Catalogue that goes live on 28th August. I coloured him in Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities and used Dazzling Details on the trim of his suit. The DSP is also from the same catalogue.  The glimmer paper is the new Silver Glimmer Paper and has much more of a silver look to it that the one recently retired.  The exciting thing about the upcoming Holiday Catalogue is that for the first time ever it goes live in all the parts of the world where Stampin' Up! are active - no longer do the US get it a month before us!  Of course as demonstrators we get a sneak peek order from the catalogue a month early.

Happy Stamping
Monique

CASE-ing The Catty #4 - Wedding

Welcome to another week of CASE-ing the Catty Challenges, this week we are taking inspiration from the Wedding section of the Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue.  In the South Pacific region that is pages 60 to 71.  Joining in is easy, just have a look at those catalogue pages and take inspiration from one, or more, of the projects. You can pick a card or 3D item, a stamp set or just take a sketch or colour combo. Then upload a link to your creation at CASE-ing the Catty blog.

 I took inspiration from the cute little Gift Card Enclosure Packs on page 66.  These are great, and so quick and easy to decorate. As an added bonus they already have slits inside for you to actually put a gift card!  This would be perfect to pop in a couple's Wishing Well.  I have used my new favourite colour Blackberry Bliss paired with Gold on this project to give it a beautiful rich look.  The Gift Envelope has been stamped with the Work Of Art heart stamp to give it a lift.  The belly band is made from cardstock layered with the luscious new Gold Satin Ribbon, and stamps from both Chalk Talk and Label Love - you can see how easy this would be to adjust for other occasions.

Because I loved this colour combo so much I decided to CASE my CASE and make a card to match!

I hope my creations have inspired you to join in this week, remember it doesn't have to be a wedding project, just take inspiration from the Wedding section of the catalogue.

Happy Stamping
Monique

Gold and Blackberry = Bliss!

Isn't this a cute sketch?  I sometimes struggle to put a card together and like sketch challenges as they give me new ideas!  This week the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches caught my eye and inspired me to join in.

I just can't seem to stop using Blackberry Bliss!  Cardstock, DSP, it doesn't matter I LOVE IT!!!!  I had just finished my project for the next CASE-ing the Catty challenge and had Blackberry Bliss and Gold out on my desk so just had to use them again for this challenge.  I had wanted to use my Gold Baker's Twine, but just couldn't find it, so resorted to some other gold twine I had in my stash.  The button is one of the Very Vintage Designer Buttons pressed into VersaMark and then embossed with Gold Embossing powder. 

Happy Stamping
Monique

CASE-ing the Catty #3 - Birthday

Can you believe another week has gone by?  Well it has, and it's time for another CASE-ing the Catty challenge.  This week we are taking inspiration from the Birthday section of the Stampin' Up Annual Catalogue, in the South Pacific region that is pages 42 to 59.  So have a look over the catalogue and take inspiration from any of the projects on those pages and come join in at CASE-ing The Catty blog.

I was inspired by the cute little bag on page 52 of the catalogue, I loved its cute simplicity and the lovely little tag.  Of course a gift bag is nothing without a matching card and envelope and I was inspired by the birthday note cards on page 50, then decorated an envelope to match!

Now for each of the elements individually.  The gift bag was made from one of the cute little Polka Dot bags. Like last time I used these little bags I folded the top over, this time I wanted it to be more like a stand up bag so inserted some card stock in each side and added handles made from the very cute Sweet Sadie Washi Tape.  I added the Washi Tape to the tag base then used my Stampin' Write Markers to colour the Happy Birthday stamp from Amazing Birthday to match.

I used the Age Awareness happy birthday for the card, I just love this stamp and it is the reason I bought this set!  As I already had Amazing Birthday I added some extra embellishments to the card and envelope.

Finally here is a quick look at the back of the envelope, I had stamped the "surprise" when I was deciding how to decorate the front of the card, and it seemed perfect to add as a "seal" on the back of the envelope.  

I hope I have inspired you to check out the Birthday section of the catalogue and to join in with this week's Birthday theme.  It is easy - just browse the birthday section, find a project that inspires you and get creating. You can make a copy of a project, or just take a colour theme or stamp as your inspiration!

Happy Stamping
Monique

Flipped Sketch

Isn't it funny how a sketch or colour combo just catches your eye for some reason?  I don't usually do much creating through the week, saving it for the weekend, but when I saw this sketch from Stampin' Royalty I just had to get started on my card right away.

I started with the flowers, it gave me an excuse to have a play with my Blendabilities!  Checking through my new DSP the gorgeous Blackberry Bliss sheets in the Park Lane pack really took my eye.  After cutting the triangles out of the DSP I had some fun playing around with the layers, what colours they should be and finally came up with the above design.  It just fit better once I had flipped the sketch.  I used the flowers from the Hostess Stamp Set "I Like You" for the main image as well as to add some detail to the Whisper White layer. The sentiment is my new favourite birthday one from Age Awareness.

Happy Stamping
Monique