Hippo Birthday

I'm still having fun with Pun Fun and the button bouquet.

Tip: If you don't have the colour ribbon that you are after, cut a strip of card in the colour that you want, crumple it up an then flatten in out. This gives you colour and texture.

Circle Scissor Fan

You may recognise this card. I have based it on the gorgeous waterlily card on page 96 in the SU! Ideas Book and Catalogue.

I created the circles using the Circle Scissors. Now here's a tip for you: when you are wanting to cut out a part circle place about three or four small strips of temporary adhesive such as Dotto on the back of the part of the card you are cutting. If you still have the Dotto on the circle when it is cut, you had it in the right place! Does that make sense? If you have the Dotto further out the card moves too much.

Thursday's Tip - Scoring Designer Series Paper

I was talking to Paula Richard, one of my wonderful team yesterday. She suggested that I gave advice on scoring designer series paper (without ripping it!!).

Designer series paper is fabulous not only for decorating your scrapbooking pages and your cards, but is also great for some 3D projects. It is, however, a lighter weight than the cardstock Stampin' Up! sell and therefore needs to be treated a little gentler when it comes to scoring.

Tip: If you are a little heavy handed with the scoring blade on your paper trimmer, then try using a bone folder down the score line instead.

Begin with your bone folder in the groove at the top of the paper trimmer.

Move the bone folder down along the groove putting a firm enough pressure to cause indentation. This should be enough to give a deep enough score without ripping the paper.

Give it a go today. Sign up to my fortnightly newsletter to receive more tips, ideas and 3D project templates.

Happy creating.

Donna

Star Gazing

A few weeks ago I created a cute little box and decorated it with stars. I thought that it was about time that I told you how to make them.
I used Stampin' Ups! wonderful Star and Large Star Punches. These are designed to fit over the top of each other.
First punch the small star. I used Old Olive card stock.

Next, line up the Large Star and punch straight over the negative image.

Tip: Always have the hole facing you (opposed to the picture side of the punch) then you can position items a lot easier.

These stars would be great to liven up any Christmas decoration, a wreath, some cards, a table seting, a......................!the list is endless!

Now it's your turn to try. Order your punches now and get started on your decorations early. Phone 09 238 2100 to place an order or e-mail me on donnacalley@xtra.co.nz.

Happy punching!!

Donna

Emboss Buddy

Tip: When using your Powder Pal trays, wipe your Emboss Buddy over them first. This will make cleaning the Powder Pals so much easier.
Have fun.

Tip: Damp-proof your card stock no.2

Hi Ladies, I have just remembered a great tip from the authors of ' Living Off The Smell of an Oily Rag'.
They suggest placing sticks of chalk behind the books on a bookcase to absorb the moisture. When the chalk is looking a bit moist put it in the airing cupboard to dry out then start again. Try this in your card stock storage space.

Keep Your Card Stock in Tip Top Condition

Tip: At this time of the year when the air is damp, keep your card stock in a damp-free area. Preferably in a room that has a fire or heater on frequently.
Remember that even the winter sun will bleach your card stock, so find a dark aswell as damp free area.

Fifth Avenue Floral

Created by Donna Calley. Images copyright Stampin' Up! 1989-2009

Technique tip: Keep the backing paper to each of your dye-cut stamps when you mount them. These can be used to place over one stamped image before you stamp another image slightly over the top (in the image above I stamped the top flower first, then covered it. I then stamped the next flower to the side).

If you do not hve your papers still Post-It Notes are excellent replacements. Get your inks out and try it today!

Stamp Set: Fifth Avenue Floral

Card Stock: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Basic Black.

Ink: Bashful Blue, Basic Black.

Accessories: Aqua Painters, Old olive and Yoyo Yellow Stampin' Writes.

Revamped Baroque Motif

Created by Donna Calley. Images copyright Stampin' Up! 1989-2009

This is a revamp of the first card swap I did with the New Plymouth Team when I first joined Stampn' Up! last August. I think that the Bella Rose Designer Series Paper looks Fab!

Tip: Use an aqua pen to dampen the Designer Series Paper and the background Cameo Coral card stock. Screw the card up and then carefully flatten out to give your card extra texture.

Note: The aqua pens have gone down in price in this years catalogue. Contact me for more details.

Stamp Set: Baroque Motif

Card Stock: Very vanilla, Choc Chip and Cameo Coral

Ink: Old Olive and Ruby Red

Accessories: Bella Rose DSP, Dimensionals, Aqua Pen, Choc ChipTaffeta Ribbon

Ink Free Fingers

Created by Donna Calley. Images Copyright Stampin' Up! 1989-2009

I designed this card in a major rush the other evening before a workshop when I couldn't find the stamp set I needed for the card that I had already prepared. I was so glad for the Bella Rose Designer Series Paper it really finished it off. I used StazOn Ink for the stamped image and coloured it in using Blender Pens with Poppin' Pastels. (Aqua pens and Stampin Spots would also work really well). StazOn ink is not water based so it doesn't smudge easily when using blender pens or aqua pens.

Tip: When using StazOn ink it is recommended that you replace the inner cap, which can lead to lovely black inky fingers. Use a couple of Stampin' Dimensionals between the lid and the inner cap to permanently stick them together. You now have only to handle the outer lid that is lovely and clean.

Stamp Set: Playful Petals

Card Stock: Riding Hood Red, watercolour paper

Ink: StazOn Ink

Accessories: Blender Pens, Poppin' Pastels, Bella Rose Designer Series Paper