CTC #524 - CASE An Annual Catalogue Technique

Welcome to another week at CASEing the Catty Sunday Blog Hop, where utilise the projects within the current Stampin' Up! catalogue to inspire our own projects each week. We also invite you to join with us in the challenge each week by using this inspiration in your own creations and uploading a photo to our Facebook page.

This week we are taking inspiration from the techniques in the Annual Catalogue, you can either do a word search in the electronic version of the catalogue, or there is a Product Techniques section of the catalogue from pages 104 - 133.

I opted to do a word search and found a technique in the "Fun With Blocks" pages 110 - 111. While I have used my block for stamping, I have never thought to use the side of the blocks to create lines!  Stampin' Up! label this "repeat it". By using multiple colours and directions you can get some really interesting effects. Though I do have some tips for this technique which I will include below.

I have been wanting to do something with my Kintsugi Inspirations Suite, having just bought it as part of the Buy One Get One 50% off promotion. I started with the vase images, knowing I wanted to create the lines to sit behind them.  Having chosen my colours (Lost Lagoon and Petal Pink) I added my block lines to a piece of the Kintsugi Inspirations DSP. The sentiment is from Inspiring Imperfections stamped onto a trimmed label from the Foiled Frames Ephemera Pack.  I added some Flower Accents from the same Suite Collection to add some sparkle. 

I would highly recommend giving this technique a go yourself. Here are some things I learned along the way that might make it easier for you.

• You can block off parts of your lines to create interesting effects. I I added a piece of post-it note to have the lines finish on an angle and love how this turned out.  
• Make sure you are stamping on a soft surface like the Stampin' Pierce Mat, it makes it much easier to get a good image.  
• I found it easier to get even spacing by looking at the edge of the block in comparison to the previously stamped line, rather than trying to look down through the block to line up the existing line. 
• Use different sized blocks for different sized lines, this sounds simple when you read it, but it took me a while to figure out how to get longer and shorter lines! 
• Finally be patient, use scrap paper to try out the technique until you feel proficient.  Where I used Post-It notes to mask off the corners, you could also use other shapes to create frames and other shapes. 

  

I hope you are inspired to join in the challenge this week, just use one of the many techniques in the Annual Catalogue to inspire your creativity, then post a picture of your project to the CTC Facebook page.

  

Time to hop on over and see what Julia has created this week.

Happy Stamping
Monique

CTC #75 - Mother's Day

Welcome to another CASE-ing the Catty Challenge, this week we are looking at both the Annual and Occasions Catalogues to inspire the creation of a Mother's Day project.  I know Mother's Day falls at different times of the year across the globe, but here in Australia it is the second Sunday in May. 

I chose the card at the top right of the image above which comes from page 10 of the Occasions Catalogue.  I think the Number of Years gets thought of as a birthday set, but it is really quite versatile.

I struggle with totally white cards, I don't know why but I decided to add a little colour by adding Rich Razzleberry as the base of my card.  I chose some softer colours for the flowers also.  The sentiment from Crazy About You fits perfectly in the banner from the Number of Years set.  

I have a little confession to make, I really struggle with adding the twine behind a layer on a card, so I don't often do it.  My problem comes with the need for it to look random while at the same time being not very random at all.  Well, great news, while making this card I came up with a way to make this work for me and I thought I would share in case anyone else has that problem too.

Step 1 - Take the piece of card stock that you want to put the twine behind and lay it on your Paper Piercing Mat.  Measure the width of the card stock and 1/2" from each side put a pin into the mat.

Step 2 - Remove the card stock, and wrap the twine around the two pins leaving a little bit of a tail on each side.  Tie the pieces together with some spare twine, or with some washi tape, and remove the pins.

Step 3 - Line the twine bundle up where you want it and adhere with washi tape. I find washi tape allows me to pull the twine around a little and unlike sticky tape doesn't interfere with adhering the layer onto the card.  

This would work with any sort of twine or thread so you can expect to see a lot more of it on my project from now on.  This technique also works with any shape, and you can play around with how much twine you want to show really easily.

  

If mine, or any of the Design Team's projects, have inspired you to join in, link your creation to the main page. 

Now it is time to hop on over to Elizabeth's blog and check out her creation.

                               

Product List

Number Of Years Photopolymer Stamp Set [140653] $47.00	Old Olive Baker's Twine [134579] $5.25	Brights Sequin Assortment [138389] $8.75	Fine-Tip Glue Pen [138309] $12.00	Rich Razzleberry A4 Card Stock [119981] $12.25
Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549] $15.00	Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad [131179] $11.50	Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad [126959] $11.50	Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad [131172] $11.50	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [126944] $11.50

Happy Stamping
Monique