Cara's pop-up 12th birthday

I'm still in catch-up mode here, but happy to be sharing. This time it's Cara's 12th birthday card & celebrations. I know - how can she be such a big girl already (taller than me), when I'm clearly not ageing (I wish). Anyway, enough silliness for now. Before I share the card, here's the birthday girl on her special day in May.

Now, back to the card. Here's the card front - pretty simple, lots of colour & some bling.

 

But when you open it up... Pop! Lots of pressies.

 

I used my newest Big Shot addition - the Pop 'n' Cuts die (which cuts the cool tabbed base) & dress up insert (to make the pop up inside that supports the largest pressie). All the other pressies are placed around or on top. This was my first ever pop-up card, so I was really happy how it came together. I normally wouldn't combine this many patterns, but I figure SU put them together so they'll work! Here they are again up close.

To keep the pressie embellishments flat for folding, I used a little flower & a punched circle of glimmer paper, rather than my fave rhinestones.

The Birthday

Back to Miss C's birthday, here's a better pic of her chocolate cake with peanut butter icing. I couldn't resist adding a simple banner.

Cara asked to have a birthday movie night to watch Pitch Perfect with friends, so that's what we did. I  made a simple birthday invitation in our new My Digital Studio (MDS) software.

On party night, we gave VIP bags for each guest. I bought the bags & added name labels. The labels are a single layer made in MDS, printed out on glossy paper & cut out a Labels framelit.

We had a candy bar for movie snacks too. Yum! Unfortunately, there wasn't much left over for Mum & Dad ;-)

Well, that's all for me for now. Thanks for visiting & hope to see you soon. If you'd like any more information, just ask.
Inky wishes, Di

Supplies
Cara's Pop Up Birthday Card
Stamps: Create a Cupcake
Card: pool party, island indigo, whisper white, tangerine tango & rich razzleberry card, Sycamore Street DSP (SAB- retired), silver glimmer paper, Patterns DSP (in-colours 12-14)
Ink: island indigo in pad
Accessories: island indigo satin ribbon (SAB retired)
Tools: Big Shot, Pop 'n' Cuts base, Dress Up Pop 'n' Cuts insert, Typeset Bigz die (numbers), Itty Bitty punch pack, Boho Blossoms punch

Cake Topper
Stamps: retired alphabet, Curly Cute
Card: Island indigo card, Tangerine Tango & Pool Party Patterns DSP
Ink: island indigo
Tools: Pennant punch

Embossed Fabulous Florets - casing Le-Anne

Today, I have a few cards to show you, all cased in some way from this beauty by LeAnne Pugliese. First up is a card I made for my wee Mum for Mother's Day - back in April no less. A first! 

I totally loved Leanne's layout & colours, so that's where I started. I heat embossed the Fabulous Florets flowers & leaves in white watercolour paper & coloured them in rich razzleberry, melon mambo & lucky limeade ink with an aquapainter.

Back at my easy embossing class, the gals were on fire so they finished both cards really quickly. We were having heaps of fun so I quickly put together a third card, inspired by Mum's card, plus some chalkboard technique bits I'd shown....and this is it!

I just LOVE the Feelgoods stamp set - font, sayings, everything! It looks so awesome embossed too. Here's another one I made with a different sentiment.

I couldn't believe it came together so quickly. Let me tell you that's definitely not the norm at colourmehappy :-) Anyway, that's it for my embossing class, but I promise I will be doing more.
Thanks for visiting & hope you liked the cards.
Until next time, inky wishes from me
Di
Supplies
Mum's Card
Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Delightful Dozen
Card: baja breeze, rich razzleberry, melon mambo, crumb cake, whisper white
Ink: versamark pad, rich razzleberry, melon mambo, lucky limeade ink pads
Accessories: white embossing powder, melon mambo organza ribbon (retired), basic pearls
Tools: Heat tool, embossing buddy
Feelgoods Class Card
Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Feelgoods, Papillon Potpourri
Card: pool party, rich razzleberry, melon mambo, basic black, whisper whiteInk: versamark pad, rich razzleberry, melon mambo, lucky limeade ink pads
Accessories: white embossing powder, basic pearls
Tools: Heat tool, embossing buddy, bitty butterfly punch, sponge

Pleasant Poppies - embossed & coloured

Next up is the second card from my April easy embossing class - using the beau-ti-ful Pleasant Poppies background stamp.

I used a technique I saw while blurfing, with a quick twist of my own to make it even quicker & easier. I'm not sure what it's called or where it originated, but I saw a card by Kim Cagle, who saw Sandi MacIver's card who was shown it by Amy  Isn't sharing wonderful?

Anyway, this is what I did.
1. Stamped the poppy with versamark & heat embossed with white embossing powder.
2. Coloured the poppy flower heads with whisper white craft (pigment) ink. This gives a semi-opaque base, so you can add colour without the base card colour showing through completely.
3. This part is my twist - I coloured the flower completely with a pretty in pink marker, then added a little shading with a rose red marker & blended it with the aquapainter. All the other cards I've seen were watercoloured with ink pads with aquapainters or blender pens, but I was happy to see I could still blend the marker over the white ink base.
4. Coloured the stems with a celery marker for a little extra depth.
4. Finally, I sprayed the whole panel with champagne mist shimmer paint, but you can see it at all.
Here's a closer look: 

The rest of the card is very simple - a baja breeze base with simple white, razzleberry & celery mats. I made this card just after the colour refresh announcement, so I was in my period of mourning celery & baja.
I really encourage you to try this technique, as it' looks so soft, pretty & very effective. I'll certainly be trying it again.
We did a third bonus card at the class - an impromptu design inspired by a card & embossed sample I showed. I'll share this next time. Until then, thanks for visiting & hope to see you here again soon.
Inky wishes, Di


Supplies
Stamps: Pleasant Poppies, Create a Cupcake
Card: baja breeze, whisper white, rich razzleberry, certainly celery, whisper white card
Ink: versamark, pad, pretty in pink, rose red & certainly celery marker
Accessories: white embossing powder, champagne mist shimmer paint made into a spray mist, razzleberry stitched ribbon, basic pearls
Tools: heat tool, embossing buddy, word window & modern label punches

Embossed Swallowtail Butterfly

Back in April (gulp), I ran some simple heat embossing classes & have totally forgotten to post the projects....until now that is :-). This was the first card we made, using the fabtabulous Swallowtail, in a colour combo of pool party, primrose petals & island indigo.

 

I planned to emboss in white, but used a mix white & iridescent ice embossing powder to show my bling loving gals something a little different. This made it really sparkly too... but hard to see in the pic. After embossing, we sponged all over the butterfly body with pool party ink (same as the card) to make the butterfly really pop. It's amazing what a difference it made.

The card below was my first version & this is embossed in white then sponged over. You can see it's a brighter white than the sparkly version & is also smoother to touch.

I changed the sentiment & ribbon for the class version, so the sentiment got a bit more attention (they like that you know). I like placement of the butterfly better in this version though.

 I'll show you the second embossed card next time, as some laundry folding is calling me now. I do wish it would call someone else but there you go. Thanks for visiting & hope you liked the card.
Inky wishes, Di

Supplies
Stamps: Create a Cupcake
Card: island indigo, pool party & primrose petals card
Ink: versamark, island indigo & pool party classic inkpads
Accessories: pool party & island indigo satin ribbon (retired), printed designer brad, basic pearls, white embossing powder, iridescent ice embossing powder
Tools: Heat tool, embossing buddy, word window & modern label punches, sponge dauber
Techniques used: heat embossing, emboss resist, sponging

Update your Stampin' Write marker collection

Good news for marker lovers! You can now update your Stampin' Write marker collection with the 10 new colours that joined our colour collections following our recent Colour Refresh. Choose the marker update option that suits you best.

First - a recap of the new colours to help you work out what you need:
3 brand new colours - Smoky Slate, Bermuda Bay, & Crushed Curry
4 returning in-colours from 2011-2013 collection - Pool Party, Island Indigo, Calypso Coral & Wisteria Wonder
2 returning in-colours from 2010-2012 - Pear Pizzazz & Blushing Bride
1 other returning in-colours - Soft Sky

And here they are in their collections:

 Option 1 - Purchase Single Markers

From now until October 31st only, you can purchase the single markers you need to complete your collection, or replace well used markers, for $5.95 each (plus s&h)
See all markers here in my store.

Option 2 - Purchase New Colour Marker Kit
Includes all 10 new colours for $49.95 (plus s&h), a saving of $9.55 over buying the 10 markers individually. This kit also includes a replacement insert for the Many Marvelous Marker collection.
See the new colour kit here in my store

If you need help working out what markers you need, just give me a call or drop me a line. I'll be back soon to share a project with you.
Inky wishes, Di

Window frame plus Betsy's Blossoms

Sharing another card renovation today. I found a kit for this window frame card during my latest tidy up, so rather than re-make it exactly, my friend Betsy helped give it a new look - Betsy's Blossoms that is.

Like the original, it has an clear acetate window frame, but now it has a happy birdie too. You'll be seeing the new happy birthday banner a lot (from Sketched Birthday). Here she is up close.

She peeked into the card inside as well.

I was really happy with how this turned out & renovating the kit was a lot more fun than the house variety.
Until next time, thanks for stopping by & hope you liked Betsy too.
Inky wishes, Di

Supplies
Stamps: Betsy's Blossoms, Sketched Birthday
Card: calypso coral, baja breeze (retired), whisper white
Ink: marina mist, calypso coral, pear pizzazz ink pads, calypso coral & marina mist markers
Accessories: basic pearls, 
Tools: Big Shot, Window Frame framelits, Itty Bitty punch pack, Essentials piercing templates, Paper piercing tool, piercing mat

New Page - My Digital Studio

A super quick post today to tell you I've added a new page about all things My Digital Studio (MDS), our awesome digital design software. You'll find the page link just under my blog header, or here.

While you're visiting, make sure you check out the deets on the MDS Digital Tour, which is visiting Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane & Perth during August. The tour gives you a unique hands-on opportunity to learn about MDS from Stampin; Up! Registration costs just $35 & includes the full version of MDS, valued at $24.95 on it's own. If you have any questions or would like more info, just ask.

I'll be back tomorrow to share a project with you. Until then, inky wishes from me
Di

Secret Garden double take

Happy Sunday quick post! During the week, I found an extra class kit for the Secret Garden card that I mentioned when I shared this razzleberry Secret Garden card.  I re-made it exactly except for the little punched flowers & more pearls. Thought you might like to see it.

The colours I used are certainly celery (now sadly retired), rich razzleberry, & primrose petals & all the flowers are curled at the edges & popped with dimensionals.
Thanks for stopping by & I hope you like the card. Until next time,
Inky wishes, Di

Supplies:
Stamps: Secret Garden, Made For You (retired)
Card:  certainly celery (retired), primrose petals, rich razzleberry, whisper white, Primrose Petals Patterns DSP (retired)
Ink: certainly celery (retired), primrose petals, rich razzleberry
Accessories: basic pearls
Tools: Big Shot, Secret Garden framelits, honeycomb embossing folder, curly label punch 

Quick & easy challenge cards

Popping in quickly to share two quick & easy cards I made as samples for a new SU Demo Group challenge. The challenge sketch was based on a fab sample from our new catalogue (p36), plus a colour challenge to use new in-colours, strawberry slush, crisp cantaloupe & coastal cabana.

 

This is what I came up with:

This one is probably my fave. Hello! - it has butterflies & no hand cutting thanks to a matching framelit. I've used the same colours in different proportions for the second card. Totally different huh?

Quick colouring Tip: The butterflies & flower were coloured in crisp cantaloupe ink using a blender pen. Normally I prefer an aquapainter for colouring, but the blender pens worked well as the stamped image is not waterproof & the colouring area is small.

To be honest, I don't love, love, love either of these cards, but can't put my finger on why. Also, the colours are maybe a little off in the pics - they look much better IRL. Anyway, I hope they give you some ideas to try.
Until next time, thanks for visiting & hope you have a happy day.
Inky wishes, Di

Supplies
Butterflies
Stamps: Backyard Basics, Petite Pairs
Card: crisp cantaloupe (base), strawberry slush, whisper white
Ink: crisp cantaloupe, coastal cabana, strawberry slush ink pads, blender pen
Accessories: basic pearls
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Backyard Basics framelits
Flower
Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Oh Hello
Card: coastal cabana, strawberry slush, whisper white
Ink: crisp cantaloupe, strawberry slush ink pads, blender pen
Accessories: large basic pearl
Tools: Blossom punch, Essentials mat pack, paper piercing tool, piercing mat

Happy New Catalogue Day & so much more

 

Today's the day we get to share our brand spanking new Annual Catalogue with all of you & an exciting day it is indeed. As a Demonstrator I had the privilege to get up-close & personal with it in late May at convention & I'm still as excited, looking through it now.
There's so much that I want to share with you, but for today, I'm going to leave you with the links you need, to view it online & download a copy to your computer, ipad, tablet or phone.
Of course, you can shop online from the catalogue 24/7 too.

All my regular customers will receive a complimentary printed catalogue too - there's nothing like having browse with a cuppa, on the sofa, in bed - wherever you like. If you don't have a Demonstrator & would like a copy, drop me an e-mail for more info.
* View Catalogue Online
* Download & save a copy to your computer, ipad or tablet
* Download Catalogue Stampin' Supply List

If that's not exciting enough, there's lots more to share. This should bring you up to date with all that's new....aside from the Annual Catalogue. Click on the pics to see a bigger version.

Grab Your Greetings

 From 2-31 July, get 25% off 3 greeting sets - which you know you can never have too many of! See them in my online store.

Holiday Catalogue Christmas Carryover Items

You might realise there aren't any Christmas specific sets in the Annual Catalogue, as most of our Christmas products will be be included in our Holiday Catalogue, which launches in September.
I know many of you like to make an early start on Christmas projects, so you'll be happy to hear that all these favourites from our last Holiday Catalogue, plus More Merry Messages from our Annual Catalogue are still available.

click on the pic for a larger image

Download the Christmas Carryover Flyer Here
All these Christmas goodies are available to order directly from me or from my online store.

Best of 25 Years

 

From June, a new themed stamp set is being released each month to help celebrate 25 fab years of SU. Each set includes clear mount stamps with classic SU images, plus 1 brand new image. All sets are clear mount & are available while stocks last. See the sets here in my online store.

June - Best of Flowers
July - Best of Butterflies

Single Stamps

We're trialling a new range of single stamps & this assortment is available until 31 August. They're available in clear mount & are packaged in a simple cello bag. See & shop our Single Stamps here

Phew! Are you still with me after all that? To help you keep track on an ongoing basis, I've set up a new page here on my blog to capture all the SU news & important dates in one place, rather than scrolling through every post. It's called SU News & Dates Page
& you'll find it on a tab just under my header.

If you'd like info on anything in this post, just leave me a comment or drop me an e-mail.
Thanks for visiting. Back soon with some projects to share.
Inky wishes, Di