Add Christmas Cheer

Many of us like to give a bottle of wine as a gift at this time of the year. Why not make it extra special by decorating the bottle!

For the bottle wrap I have used the Scallop Edge Punch on Choc Chip card stock to create the 'frill'.

I used the Urban Garden Designer Series Paper as the 'wrap', but before I adhered it to the bottle I daubed the edges with Choc Chip ink.

For the label I used Choc Chip, Baja Breeze and Whisper White card stock and daubed choc Chip ink around the edge of each piece.

I used the Baja Breeze ink and clear emboss powder on the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp (the embossing looks fab! but it is a bit lost on this photo).

To finish off I threaded the White Taffeta ribbon through and threaded (with help with some cotton thread) on a bead from the Pretties Kit.

You may noice by the way that the bottle is empty! My husband was gutted when I nicked a bottle of good wine. Which is another point. If you have bought a nice bottle of wine write the wine information on the back of the label.

Have fun

Donna

Wedding Table Setting

This gorgeous table setting was created by Jessica McDonald.
The balls in the basket were made following directions from http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/. They are called sonobe origami ornaments. Hope that you have fun making these.
Contact me for the Designer Series Paper and the ribbon.

Donna

Beautiful, Bright Bride

Created by Donna Calley.

I have been wanting this lovely lady since April. Isn't she stunning! I have black embossed her and then coloured her in with Pixie Pink Stampin' Write. I then used a dauber to apply Pink Passion, this gives the nice blended colour. It also goes so great with the Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper.

The Bride is holding a Rhinestone Brad and I have added the larger one over the top of the ribbon. Both the Pretties Kit and the packs of Rhinestone brads come with three sizes of brads, so you can choose the one that is in proportion to the project you are making.
The bag is a Double-Pocket Bag. It is really easy to make. Contact me today and either myself or one of my team can show you in a workshop or class.

Want more tips techniques and information? Then subscribe to my newsletter. The next one comes out tomorrow.

Have a great night.

Donna

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

Mr Grumpy

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

This isn't the best photo of Mr Grumpy. I think that he'd be even more depressed if he saw how bad my photography skills were this time!!

This is one of four cards that we shall be making 9.30am this Monday morning. Several spaces available, so contact me today to reserve your space. (donnacalley@xtra.co.nz)

Stamp set: Pick a Petal.

Card Stock: Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Basic Grey, Whisper White.

Ink pad: Baja Breeze, Basic Grey.

Accessories: Urban gGarden Designer Series Paper, Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Hemp Twine, Crop-a-dile, Jumbo Eyelets, Scalloped Edge Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch.

Happy Stamping

Donna

Embossing Times Three

Created by Donna Calley. Copyright Stampin' Up! 1998-2009

I love the effect you get when you do heat embossing. It really steps up your card to the next level.

During the month of June my two Stamp Clubs are going to be learning three different embossing techniques, one technique per card. We are then going to make this simple bag that was demonstrated at the SU! Convension to put them into.

If you would like to take part in my Stamp Club, there is one more place available. Be in quick to secure your place. (Click on the calendar to the right to find out more information about Stamp Club or just give me a call)

If you are keen to learn some embossing skills book to host a workshop, I can show you and your friends how.

Stamp set: Circle Circus, Occasional Greetings

Card Stok; Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Whiper White

Inks: Versamark, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black.

Accessories: Heat tool, clear emboss powder, white emboss powder, Raspberry Tart Designer Series Papers, Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, medium flat cello bags, Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, 1 1/4", 1 3/8" and scalloped circle punches, word window punch, paper trimmer, snips.

Add Style To Your Daily Planning

If your Dairy Planner is starting to look a bit tired? Give it a zing by adding some Designer Series Paper (I used Raspberry Tart and a strip of Old Olive card stock), some ribbon (Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon) and some bling with a hat pin from the gorgeous SU! Pretties Kit.

For a little something different turn a piece of card stock into faux lace (I used Rose Red).

1. Add detail to the strip of card stock with the eyelet hole punch.

2.Do the same on the other edge of the card ensuring that the image lines up on both sides.
3. Put the punch strip through the SU! crimper.

4. Attach your faux lace to your project.

Urban Garden

Created by Toni Alexander. images copyright Stampin' Up! 1989-2009
My Stamp club chose to make a tote bag and card set this week. When I saw how gorgeous this Urban Garden paper looked with the Reaal Red and the Baja Blue I just had to get Toni to come back the next day so I could photograph her cards.

These cards are so easy and take very little time to create.It is just a matter of cutting Designer Series Paper, in this case Urban Garden and then layering it with Card stock. The only stamping is the greeting using the Sincere Salutations stamp set. Add a little ribbon and you are done.

See previous posting for special on ribbon.
Order Sincere Salutations before Wednesday 20th May get 5% off the normal price.

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

Designer Series Paper for free!

Stampin' Up has come out with an amazing offer for the month of May. Buy 3 packs of Designer Series Papers and get the fourth for FREE!
If you have seen this years papers you will realise what a treat that is. The DS papers come in packs of twelve 12x12 sheets. They have designs on both sides and are stunning. My current favourites are Raspberry Tart and Bella Rose, however I have just received all of the swatches thanks to the wonderful Sharlene Torres and now I can't decide.

Bella Rose DSP. Copyright Stampin' Up! 1998-2009

Bella Bleu DSP. Copyright Stampin' Up! 1998-2009

Raspberry Tart DSP. Copyright Stampin' Up! 1998-2009

Aren't they just stunning! DSP can quickly add a little class to a card. Keep your eye out for other cards on my blog this month using DSP.
Note: The Bella Rose is the DSP that I have used in the last and the next card on my blog.
Try it out yourself. Click on the catalogue image in the side bar to see the rest of the range.
To place an order get in touch with me on donnacalley@xtra.co.nz.