#TGIFC135 | Ombre Technique

Hello friends and a big welcome to you! Today for new new challenge over at TGIF Challenges we have a technique for you, Ombré.

I'm sure you've all seen cards with the Ombré look and I for one am a big fan. But if you aren't sure what Ombré is here is a definition for you googled from the Internet.

ombre

  om·bre

The definition of ombre is the French word for color that is shaded or graduated in tone.

An example of ombre is the color of a dress that is light gray at the top, medium gray in the middle and dark gray at the bottom.

I've gone for an Ombré Christmas card and mixed it up with the Eclipse Technique. Super easy and so fun!

I first started this card with trying to sponge 3 different colour greens on a piece of Shimmery White cardstock to get the varying shades of colour from light to dark. But as I was trying to get the colour sponged across the cardstock it just wasn't working or looking very good. So that idea was scrapped. I then thought to, again using the Sponge Brayer, sponge just one colour of green - Garden Green, over the Merry Music Specialty Designer Series Paper. Because this DSP is white with the black print, it is perfect to add colour too so it co-ordinates with whatever project you are creating.

I just started with the colour at the bottom of the DSP and then rolled the Sponge Brayer, back and forth and then also moving it up the DSP, keeping the darkest concentration of colour at the bottom, thus creating the Ombré look.
 

 The next part of the card was to die cut the 'Joy' letters for the Eclipse part of the card. Once the letters were cut out of the DSP I then cut 3 more of each letter out of Basic Black cardstock and layered them all together. This layering of all those Basic Black cardstock adds to the effect of the technique, creating more of a shadow.

I popped the letters up as well with some Mini Stampin' Dimensionals and then added some ribbon and trim while layering the 'Merry Christmas' from the Teeny Tiny Sentiments. Last but not least I punched out some pieces from the Holly Berry Builder punch to add to that Christmas feel.

. If you are after some inspiration for this challenge check out all the fabulous creations from the rest of the TGIF gals and I'm sure you will get the creative ideas flowing. I do hope that you will join us this week for this fabulous Ombré technique.

Just on a side note, this is my last challenge with the TGIF crew. I'm stepping down from the design team to have a break after this most momentous and most fabulous year.  I'm so very thankful to have been part of the TGIF DT and I hope that my creations have inspired you one way or another. I'll still be blogging and creating but just having a little bit of time to recharge. Thank you to all you who support me. Love to you all!

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#TGIFC131 | Eclipse Technique

Hello, Hello! Here's to the weekend. A time to rest, rejuvenate and maybe even fit in some time for creating. If you are looking for something to get that creative mojo going why not check out the new challenge over a TGIF Challenges.

We are playing and creating with a new technique, the Eclipse Technique. Have you seen it yet?

It's fun and quite easy to do. If you're not sure what it is just Google 'Stampin' Up! Eclipse Technique' or search the same in You Tube and you'll be able to see what the fun is all about. You'll love it!

 Basically you stamp on your card background layer and then use an Alphabet Die like the Large Letters Framelits to cut a word in the stamped background. You then pop those letters up with a foam adhesive so you can just see the shadow of the letters on the card. Super fun and super easy.

I've gone with a Christmas Card today and I've made a long card in the landscape orientation. I don't think I've made a card this size before and the only reason that I did this time is so that I could fit the word 'Merry' across the card front.

I repeatedly stamped the holly image from the Carols of Christmas Stamp set with Crumb Cake Classic Ink on Crumb Cake Cardstock. Loving that tone on tone look and because the card front is quite busy with the stamping and the die cutting the tone one tone stamping makes the stamped images a bit more subtle and just tones the whole card back a little bit.

I die cut the letters out of the Crumb Cake and then cut another whole set out of Basic Black and layered the Basic Black underneath. This just adds to the whole shadow effect and the eclipse look to the card.

I've teamed up the Crumb Cake layer with Cherry Cobbler and the gorgeous Merry Music Specialty Designer Series Paper. I don't know why I haven't used this DSP yet cause it is just AMAZING!!!
And then finished off the some of the 7/8" Striped Ribbon, Basic Black Baker's Twine and some black sequins from the Metallics Sequin Assortment.

Make sure you check out all the amazing inspiration from the rest of the design team!! Why not give this fun technique a try and join in this fabulous challenge over at TGIF? Can't wait to see your Eclipse creations!!

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#tgifc 125 - Theme Week - Getting around

Welcome, welcome. It's time for a new TGIF Challenge with this week being a fun theme week - how to travel.

Maybe it's by land,

maybe it's by sea,

maybe it's by air - 

This week let some form of transportation be your inspiration!!!

It can be by bike, balloon, wagon, car, plane, horse, whatever your transportation heart desires. 

When scouring through my stamp sets for something transporation related, the only stamp set that I had was Lift Me Up. I haven't used the set for a while and I really enjoyed playing around with this one again and creating with it.

I first started with the water colour wash layer and really wanted the wash to have a cloud like look. I first use Stampin Up!s colour, Soft Sky for the washed background but that was too light so I went over it again with Marina Mist. Once I washed the colour on the Shimmery White Cardstock I spritzed the wash with water using one of the Stampin' Up! Spritzers. This washes out the colour a bit more and gives it a more muted look.

Once the wash background dried, I then sprayed some of the water from the spritzer in my hand and then flicked some of the water over top of the wash. When the droplets dry, they pull some more of the colour out and gives another look to the water colour wash background.

I then added the Gold embossed Hot Air Balloons, some co-ordinating ribbons and trims and the dotted some of the gorgoeus sequins from the Iridescent Sequin Assortment.

Make sure that you check out the rest of the creations from the amazing TGIF Design Team. Lots of amazing creations and lots of inspiration for you for this weeks theme. While you are there check out all the details on how you can enter your creation in to this weeks challenge. I'm so looking forward to seeing your take on this weeks theme.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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#TGIFC111 - Sketch Challenge

Hello and a big welcome to you!! SO happy to have you here today! We have an all new challenge for you today over at TGIF Challenges #111 and its my favourite type of challenge - sketch! Yay!

I do love me a good sketch and a do love to change it up a little. I may or may not have done that today. OK I have but I couldn't help myself! I just wanted to use some brand new products and it looked better to me changed around a little.

I had my very first attempt at using the NEW and oh so very fabulous Embossing Paste with the Pattern Party Decorative Masks. And I am very pleased to say that this paste is AMAZING!!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. I'm thinking of getting me some more so I never run out!! Its that good!

I've used the large circle mask today. You get 4 masks in the Pattern Party Decorative Masks so all different looks for all different creations. The circle mask almost looks like a Mandala which are so on trend at the moment. You just lay the mask over your cardstock and scrape the paste over the mask with the Palette Knives until you have achieved the look you are after. Its really simple to use and it dries really quickly so you don't have to wait around for hours for your card to dry. TIP : Becuase the paste dries really quickly make sure you wash your mask and palette knives straight away otherwise you may have a difficult time trying to clean off dried on embossing paste.

This large circle mask teams well with the stamp set and the dies from the Eastern Palace Suite which is what I've done here today. With the card base being Night of Navy, I put the card together with Powder Pink, Pool Party and Gold. Love this colour combo.

I've also used some other new products from the new 2017 - 2018 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue - Mini Sequin Trim, love that new size, Pool Party Solid Bakers Twine and Pool Party Shimmer Ribbon, so gorgeous!!

Night of Navy

Pool Party

Powder Pink

Gold Foil

Click on the colour to see all the Stampin' Up! products in that colour

 Here is a You Tube clip that shows you how to use the new Embossing Paste. Another fabulous thing is that you can colour it too with the Stampin' Up! Re-Inkers. Got to love that!

 Be sure to stop by and check out the inspiration from the rest of the design team and why not play along yourself?

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

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#TGIFC 107 | Sympathy or Get Well

Hello and welcome to another TGIF Challenge. Isn't the year rolling by fast!!! It's the middle of May, we are about to celebrate Mother's Day this coming Sunday here in Australia, my eldest just celebrated his 14th birthday and we are nearly into the beginning of Winter. I know everyone says it every year but this year is going so quick!

This week at TGIF our theme is those cards that we all dislike making and sending because it usually means that someone close to us is going through a difficult time in their lives. Although we don't like to make Get Well or Sympathy cards it is really good to have some of these in our stash ready to send out quickly to our friends in their time of need.

My card today is quite 'pulled back' from my usually style but I find that these types of cards don't need all that 'fluff and stuff' just a simple, heartfelt message to convey your love and sympathies. I've used the Heartfelt Sympathy set, which I thought I didn't have but I do, and combined it with some new products coming out 1st June 2017.

The DSP is from the Delightful Daisy DSP. I did just have a plain piece of cardstock behind the embellishments but that looked too stark and it just needed something. Those spots on the DSP was just the 'something' that the card needed without being to over powering and in your face. How cool is that mottled look the DSP has? Almost like a watercolour wash without any of the mess.

I made a rectangle out of the square stitched shapes framelits and then using my Paper Trimmer cut out the inside of the rectangle. Love the frame that it left behind. The paper trimmer makes for cutting pieces out like this so easy because you can line up the trimmer blades exactly to where you want to cut and the trimmer arm is clear which makes it easy to see where you need to cut to. Love my SU trimmer. 

Did you see the piece of new In Colour Tranquil Tide ribbon??  It is gorgeous!! Love that it isn't too thick and it has a beautiful woven feel to it. Love it. Here's a picture that I put on Instagram this morning of all the new In Colour ribbons together!! I'm in love!!!  I'm such a sucker for beautiful ribbon and trims.

I don't normally embellish the inside of the cards but I really wanted to add this beautiful sentiment to my card.

'May you be comforted by the outpouring if love surrounding "

Isn't that beautiful? I know I would love that if I was going through some sort of hardship.

Again on the inside I've used the Delightful Daisy DSP and the Tranquil Tide ribbon with some Linen Thread, but you may have noticed another new product. The gorgeous Faceted Gems. These come in Gold, like I've used here and also in Silver. So pretty and I love the way the light bounces off all the different angles for a stunning sparkly effect.

I hope that I've given you a little bit on inspiration for this weeks theme. Why don't you play along with us this week? Click here for all the details and all the amazing inspiration from the TGIF gals.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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#TGIFC105 It's time to CELEBRATE!!! TGIF Challenges is TWO!!!!

Oh yay! It's Friday! Two fabulous things are being celebrated today. Mr.Stamping Blok and I are celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary and .... TGIF is turning 2!! It's time to get your party pants on and get celebrating!

Here's a quick pic of my hubby and I on our wedding day all those 16 years ago. Eeek! I look so young!! I can remember so many details of that day like it was yesterday.

Was such a fabulous day and such a fun reception. We have many people still saying to us that it was one if the best weddings they had ever been to. We had a fabulous band and everyone there (yes everyone. I can't remember many people sitting down that's for sure) danced the night away. Anyway enough of going down memory lane, on to the other celebration of the day. 

With TGIF turning two we want to CELEBRATE this week!!! It's a PARTY!!!

So it's time to get the balloons, streamers, cake, party hats, decorations or whatever you need for a party to celebrate this momentous occasions.

My card is a birthday card to TGIF. It's a mix of some items that are retiring from and some that are staying in the 2017 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue. Sniff, sniff. I'm going to miss that embossing folder and Gold Wink of Stella.

I started with the embossed base layer and and then did my favourite flick of the Gold Wink of Stella. I just love that and it gives another layer and element to lift any creation.

I've then embossed the images from the Balloon Celebration stamp set with Gold Stampin' Emboss powder on vellum. Stamping the that spotty image onto vellum really makes it look like a balloon filled with confetti and glitter.

The balloons are accented by some Flirty Flamingo and Black Metallic thread 'bows'. I use the Gold Metallic Thread a lot but tend to forget about the black one a little bit. Love the dramatic look that it has given here.

The 2 and Happy Birthday are from the fabulous Number of Years set. Those big numbers are a fabulous size. They really stand out and give a fabulous look to any card or scrapbook page.

 Why not play along with us and help us celebrate our 2nd birthday. Click here for all the details on how you can join in and for all the inspiration from the Design Team. Look out for some creations from TGIF Alumni.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Because some of these products are on the Retiring List they may not be available anymore.

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TGIF #103 | Sketch Challenge

I hope that you are all having a fabulous Good Friday and are enjoying the start to the Easter weekend. Today we have a new challenge over at TGIF Challenges. A fabulous and pretty straight forward sketch for you to make it as you wish.

I've had another play with the all new Eastern Palace suite and some of the oh so stunning new 2017 - 2019 Stampin' Up! In Colours. Get them on your wish list now so that when 1st May 2017 come around you'll be ready to place your order!  

I've started with a watercolour wash background using Fresh Fig. This is a stunning colour and so on trend at the moment too. Seeing lots of clothes in the shops at the moment in the colour.

I've used some of the Eastern Medallion Thinlits to accent my card. The Fresh Fig medallion was cut for another project but because it didn't quite cut through properly and all the little pieces didn't come I put it aside and kept it for another day like today. I like the look of all the little pieces still in the die cut and it gives the medallion another look.

I've layered the medallions with some pieces of the Eastern Palace DSP. This is so gorgeous and two of the sheets of DSP have a beautiful gold foil embossed in it.

I've then accented the card with some Gold Sequin Trim, Gold Metallic Thread and some of the Eastern Gold Vinyl Stickers. Yes stickers! Another gorgeous element to this gorgeous Suite.

All finished off with a sentiment from the Eastern Beauty Stamp set. Don't you just love the font??!! I think is gorgeous!

I hope that I've given you a little bit of inspiration for this weeks sketch!
Make sure that you check out what the rest of the TGIF Challenge team have created this week. Its amazing!! They are amazing!! I do hope I see your creation in this weeks challenge too!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Recreate this creation at home using the following Stampin' Up! products.  Click on the images below to see product information and to shop from my online store.
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Eastern Palace Suite Products Used :
143675 Eastern Beauty Photopolymer Stamp Set $37 AUD

 143725 Eastern Medallions Thinlits Dies $56 AUD

 145308 Eastern Beauty Bundle (stamp set and Thinlits with 10% discount) $83.50 AUD

 144147 Eastern Palace Specialty Designer Series Paper $21 AUD

144149 Eastern Palace Cardstock Pack $14 AUD

 144150 Eastern Gold Vinyl Stickers $12.25 AUD

144082 Fresh Fig Classic Stampin’ Pad $11.50 AUD

 

 Products From Current Catalogues

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TGIF Challenges #100 | Designer Spotlight - Mercedes Weber

What a massive week we have here at TGIF Challenges!!! This week we are celebrating our 100th challenge!!! 

To commemorate and celebrate this fantastic achievement we are highlighting the founder of TGIF, Mercedes Weber.

After checking out Mercedes blog and her creations I think I've channeled my inner 'Mercedes'.

The things I noticed about Mercedes creations is that she uses lots of doilies, glimmer paper, twine and thread. I loved one of her most recent creations with the scrunched up black and white stripe DSP, from the Pop of Pink pack, so that is where I thought I would start.

To make this card a bit more my own with a Mercedes feel I flicked Gold Wink of Stella over the DSP layer and then adhered that beautiful Delicate White Doily in the middle.

Next then I wrapped some Flirty Flamingo Ribbon and Gold Metallic Thread around the card layer and then added the Gold Foil Stitched Shapes circle and the Fabulous Foil Designer Acetate for some added embellishment.

I finished off the card with the big sentiment from Scenic Sayings and the 'Happy Birthday' from Thoughtful Banners. To get I shinny sheen on the 'Hey there, friend' I first inked the stamp with Versamark ink and then with Archival Basic Black ink. Once I stamped the stamp I quickly poured over Clear Stampin' Emboss powder and heat set it for that shinny look. 

All finished off with some Gold Glimmer Paper and some Black sequins from the Metallics Sequin Assortment. I hope that you like my 'inspired by Mercedes' creation and I'm so looking forward to seeing what you come up with for this fabulous challenge.

Make sure that you check out what the rest of the TGIF Challenge team have created this week. Its amazing!!

Here is a quick link to everyone's blog to see what they have done!

Carolynn Sander
 Marisa Gunn
Elizabeth Price
 Sue Plote
 Holly Stene
 Breelin Renwck
 Ashley Van Camp
 Andrea Tracy-Tucker
 Jeanna Bohanon
 Melissa Stout
 Cathy Caines
Chloe Evans

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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TGIF #95 | Birds of a Feather

 Hello, Hello! It's Friday. Yay for the weekend and Yay that its TGIF Challenge time. We have a fabulous theme challenge for you - Birds of a Feather.

 I hear you asking, what does that actually mean. Your creation can be birds, feathers, the colours and patterns in the challenge picture. Whatever you see in the image that inspires you!

I've gone for a bright Crushed Curry and Dapper Denim card for you today using the Best Birds stamp set and the Birds and Blooms Thinlits from the 2016 - 2017 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue. I had been using a lot of products from the 2017 Occasions Catalogue that I nearly forgot that I had this set and thinlits. Bit of a first world problem, yes I know.

It's a quick card for you today with some bright colours.

I started with a Crushed Curry watercolour wash background on Shimmery White cardstock. I chose Crushed Curry over Daffodil Delight because I thought that it was brighter than Daffodil Delight and was a great match to the Dapper Denim.  And then you know what the rest of the card was put together from scraps or bits of scraps that were lying around on my desk after my recent craftermaths (means lots of crafting with lots of mess. Craft + Aftermath = Craftermath. Ha!)

I love how super quick this card was to make yet it is super fun. Maybe next time you are creating have a look around at the scraps near where you are working and try and put something together. You might just be surprised with what you come up with. Can't waste any crafting products.

Check out the other 'Bird' inspiration over at TGIF Challenges and then add your own creation to the challenge. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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