Very Distressed, Very Vintage, Very Vogue!

This card is a CASE from one I found on Splitcoast Stampers, made by Sage Kimble


I changed the colours a little, using the delectable Soft Suede cardstock, combined with layers of Confetti Cream.  The base layer has been stamped with "Sanded" background.  The next two layers are Confetti Cream, but stamped in different colours - Soft Suede for the bottom layer and Sahara Sand for the top.  They started out as plain rectangular pieces, and I stamped first with the "Very Vintage" Stampin' Around jumbo wheel before attacking them madly!  It was very therapeutic!  I misted them (from the reverse side) with water, and scrunched until the pieces were soft and pliable, like fabric.  Our Confetti Cream and Confetti White are ideal for this technique, as they are a heavy weight hand-made style cardstock with long paper fibres,

I flattened the pieces out and swiped/sponged some extra patches of colour, Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand to highlight some of the creased areas, adding to the aged/vintage effect.  The top, slightly smaller layer was positioned over the lower layer, and I hand-teared the right hand side away, rolling the edge to create even more texture.

The flower accent was stamped using "Vintage Vogue" in Soft Suede ink onto both Confetti Cream and Soft Suede cardstock, then cut out, ruffled slightly and assembled with an Antique Brass "Build a Brad"  At the bottom, some Kraft taffeta ribbon is tied with some Linen thread and some more "Vintage Vogue" elements, a leaf and small flower with an Antique Brass brad to secure.

The inconspicuous greeting was stamped on a piece of Confetti Cream using the "Tiny Tags" stamp set, punched with the Jewelry tag punch, and tied on to a Corduroy button.  Sage has used a Kraft button, a colour we don't (yet?) have, so I used a retired Kiwi Kiss button, and bleached the colour out using liquid bleach.  I sponged it over with Sahara Sand ink and a touch of Soft Suede to get a good match.

I loved making this card, I hope you like the effect!  I have also made a variation on this card, that I like even more - perhaps I'll post that one next?

The time is..... NOW! Joining Special - save more than 50% off retail prices!

It's never been a better time to join my StampInkPaper team of Stampin' Up! Demonstrators.

Between now and JULY 31st, you can get started on your own profitable business from as little as $259

The Starter Kit contains products valued at over $560, so this represents a more than 50% discount on retail prices, the Starter Kit has never represented better value!

The Standard kit contains everything you need to begin your business, but it is also highly customisable.  There are 4 stamp sets, and you can select alternate sets to suit your tastes (up to the same or lower value per set) .  You can choose which colour family cardstock, which colour inkpads, which Stampin' Around wheel and cartridge etc.  Should you choose to add the fabulous "Stampin' Memories" kit for an extra $75, you will receive a further $150 worth of products, including 12x12 cardstock, an alphabet stamp set, Simply Scrappin kit and more.

Click HERE for the fine details listing what comes in your Starter Kit.

This offer is just ideal if you have been pondering this opportunity for a while - there is absolutely nothing to lose!  The only ongoing requirement to remain as an active demonstrator is to place orders totalling $550 (catalogue value) in each Stampin' Up! quarter.  Everything else is up to you - from building your own team and generating real income, to self-funding your passion for stamping and papercrafts.  IMAGINE that!  Guilt free purchases of as many stamp sets, accessories and more, knowing it has all been paid for by your very own Stampin' Up! Demonstrator business.  It's a very nice feeling, I can attest to that myself!

As your Upline, I offer you a unique combination of access to some of the largest Demonstrator team forums while maintaining individualised attention to my team members.  Please feel free to contact any of my downline team - Carolyn Gibbs, Clare McIllhatton or Kay Jacob to ask them if I am the right upline for you.

So - get out that wishlist, grab the catalogue, think about where this could take you, and CONTACT ME for more information.  You can even sign up online in around 30 minutes, with your ABN and Starter Kit order ready to go.  Simply visit my Demonstrator Business Website at http://michelledyson.stampinup.net/ and click on the "join now" button.  My Recruiter Authorisation Password is: ciaran  You'll soon receive your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator ID, and some emails to log you into the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator website.  You can then get started placing orders right away!

The next few months with Stampin' Up! will see the release of a new Idea Book and Catalogue with lots of new products and stamp sets, a new Online Discussion forum called "Stampin' Connection, a Colour Renovation and more - join now and you'll be ideally placed to take advantage of customer excitement and start making your Stampin' Passion pay for itself and more!

Convention - what a blast!!!!!

Phew!  I overslept this morning after a HUUUUUGEEE weekend of being inspired, creating and sharing.  But, the kids were duly shuttled through morning routine and onto the bus in record time.

Stampin' Up Convention 2010 was the best event so far - and they have all been great, so that's a pretty good rating!  The perfect mix of stamping, creating and business stuff (which still manages to be energising and inspiring!)

Just a quick post right now, hopefully I'll be back later when I've done some unpacking and photography, but I wanted to show you my swap card.  I was pleased with it, and judging by the rate at which they flew out of my swap box, I think others loved it too!

The card base is Old Olive, cut using the Scallop Circle Big Shot die, using a folded piece of A5 cardstock.  The fold is positioned just on the inside of the cutting lines on the die, to create a hinge rather than two scallop circles.  I used the "Very Vintage" Stampin' Around wheel to ink up the background (so fast, using an Old Olive cartridge inserted), and sponged the edges too.

 Next up is a So Saffron circle, cut on my Circle Scissor.  So easy!  Yes, EASY!  So easy that my hubby was able to cut me a few more all on his own, to bring to the Awards Dinner, so I could assemble a few extra.  I didn't even need to talk him through it, cool hey!


OK, after the So Saffron circle there is a Not Quite Navy circle, also cut on the Circle Scissor.  This layer is stamped with the totally GORGEOUS Pendant Park Tree, and edges sponged as usual for definition.  The Owl stamp is from the "Fox and Friends" set, so versatile.  I inked him up with More Mustard, and used my Chocolate Chip marker to add some accents to his ears, eyes, wing and belly feathers.  He is stamped onto a 1 3/4" circle of Confetti Cream, to become a 'moon' behind him.  Of course he needs something to sit on, and what better that the branch from the 2 Step Bird Punch, cut from Old Olive.

 To finish, you could stamp anything you liked on a scallop circle, word window or other punch, but I used the word 'hoot!' from the Owl Together Now stamp set, punched with the Jewelry tag punch and tied on with a bit of Linen Thread.  Hope you like! 

Back soon with some exciting news about joining my Stampin' Up! team - there is a fabulous deal to sign up between NOW and 31st July.   So, take out your wishlist, check out the standard kit on the inside back cover, and start IMAGINING where you could take your own, flexible and fun business or hobby.  To Convention in Melbourne next year perhaps??  Stay tuned...

Mark II - Scallop Circle + Fox and Friends + Medallion = Quick and Easy!

Here is Mark II in my series, and I hope you'll agree it's a slight refinement on the original prototype below!!??

The card base is Close to Cocoa, and I cut the base in the same way, using the Scallop circle bigshot die to cut a card from a folded piece of A5 cardstock.  I stamped the Medallion background using Close to Cocoa ink - it's a match made in heaven size wise!!  And if you were thinking a little more deeply than I was at the time, you could probably line up the points on the Medallion with the bumps on the Scallop much better!!

Over this, I have cut a 3" circle out of Kiwi Kiss cardstock, and sponged the edges.  A slightly smaller circle of Really Rust was also cut on the circle Scissor, 2 3/4"  - also sponged.

I had a thought of using the 1 3/4" circle as a "moon" backdrop for the cutest little owl, from the "Fox and Friends" stamp set.  He's inked up simply in plain Chocolate Chip, and is perched on a branch cut from Old Olive using the 2 Step Bird punch.  A snippet of Kiwi Kiss striped grosgrain was the finishing touch.  I didn't add one to this card, but a sentiment from the "Teeny Tiny Sentiments" set would look just fine under the branch.

Hope you like it, there's another to follow that I like even more, still working on lots of Mark III for my Convention Swap - only one more sleep before I head into the city to stay at a hotel ready for a bright and early start on Friday morning!!

A prototype... Fox and Friends, Bigshot Scallop circle and Bird Punch +

What do you make when you've forgotten there is a child's birthday party happening later that day, and you're already knee-deep in other tasks?  It's the 'less than 10 minutes' card!  I don't know what possessed me to try something that I haven't done before, but despite this being the prototype, it worked out very well. 

I chose colours of cardstock that are going to be retiring, both to use them up from my stash, and remind you what they look like because I've not often used them!!  The card base is Brilliant Blue, and is made from an A5 sheet, scored and folded as for making a standard, landscape orientation card.  Next, I positioned the cardstock on the upturned Bigshot Circle Scallop die so that the long open edge was just overhanging the base to be cut  as normal.  The fold is positioned so that the top few scallops are ABOVE the fold, the width of fold below the cut lines will form the spine of the card.  What you end up with is a cute, almost circular, scalloped edge card.

For the circles on the front of the card I have used the Circle Scissor to chomp some quick circles from Gable Green and Whisper White.  Well, actually, I grabbed a left over white circle from my last workshop and just cut the one from green...  (note to self - precut a batch of 2 3/4" and 3"circles to have on hand for such future occasions...!)

On the Whisper White circle, I stamped the cute little owl from the Fox and Friends, inking her up with Brilliant Blue and Gable Green markers with Summer Sun eyes.  The branch is from the fantastic new 2 Step Bird Punch.  To finish, I stamped a birthday greeting in Gable Green from another owl set, Owl Together Now.  I decided that the owl eyes needed some definition, hence it became a she with the addition of some Brilliant Blue eyeliner.  A stretch of celery twill ribbon added a final touch. 

I made a more, um, considered version of this card today, which I was pleased with - stay tuned for the first production model!

It's Scrapbooking Month! Sweet Nothings Simply Scrappin Kit layout

I'm putting this here to show that I *can* and *do* occasionally make a scrapbook page!!  I was a scrapper before I got into making cards, and the appeal of cardmaking was that cards can be completed in smaller chunks of time.  I am one of those 'work on a layout for a week' people usually, so it is gratifying to whip up a card or two in an hour, give them away and then work on the next.

However, in honour of Scrapbooking Month, here is a 6x6 layout I have made as part of a swap amongst a lovely group of demonstrators.  I have used a "Simply Scrappin Kit" for the first time too - tooo easy!  It came together so fast I could probably make a few more pages without digging into my cardmaking time ;)

The kit I have used is "Sweet Nothings" and it uses the colours Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss and Pink Pirouette.  These colours are also featured in the Designer Series Paper "Bella Rose" so you could extend one kit to make a whole album with ease, by purchasing a pack of Bella Rose and a pack of 12x12 In Color cardstock.  The Simply Scrappin kits come packed with *SIX* 12x6" diecut sticker sheets, and I have barely scratched the surface of those (and I made 5 copies of this page for the swap)  There are also DSP's  exclusive to the kits inside, and textured cardstock.

The photo is of my craft studio not long after I had finished moving in and making it look noice, trust me, it doesn't look much like that now,  at least in terms of tidyness!!  Stamps I have used include "Bella's Bloom" and the "Life Definitions" set - a must have for scrapping.  I stitched around the outside on my sewing machine, which sees a lot more paper than fabric these days!!  The embellishments are "Felt Fusion Too" felt flowers and Bouquet Buttons, a rhinestone brad and a snippet of delectable Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon. 

Hope you like it, let me know what you think!!

Melon Medallion

I love the "Medallion" stamp in the Autumn/Winter Mini catalogue, it's been on my 'drool list' since it made it's debut in the US Stampin' Up! catalogue.  And now it's here!!  Woo hoo!!  I've seen it used for quite a number of techniques, including emerging colour, emboss resist, layering and more.  It's such a bold and large image that it makes for a really quick card. 

For this card, I decided to try a thumping/multicoloured image technique.  I inked up the stamp in Melon Mambo ink all over.  Next, I took a wedge of clean, dry sponge and 'twisted' off patches of ink, leaving bare rubber underneath.  I then daubered on Kiwi Kiss ink into the spaces and stamped onto Whisper White.  And, the bonus is that by cutting the image in half I could make two cards with one impression! 

Instead of leaving it onto the white background, I cut around the image with papersnips and mounted it on a Kiwi Kiss piece, and trimmed again.  The base card is Melon Mambo, stamped with "Polka Dot" background.

To embellish, I used a yummy filigree designer brad, with a Rhinestone brad through the centre.  The Kiwi Kiss double sided satin ribbon was the perfect match for the bright, blingy look, and I used a diecut label shape to stamp a greeting from "Short and Sweet".  All done!

INKLINGS Team Blog Hop - Masculine Ideas Galore!!

Welcome to The INKlings’ Team’s first ever blog hop. You may have arrived here from Joanna Wassens blog or just be visiting my blog, whichever way once you’ve checked out my creations you can continue the hop through the link at the end of this post to the next team member, Christie Wallace who has some cool 'manly' BigShot projects to show us.


What style of cards do we frequently get asked for inspiration for? More often than not it’s masculine cards, be it little boys or grandfathers everyone seems to struggle with cards for the males in our lives. So as a team we thought we’d help you out by providing you with 20 team members’ fantastic blogs that you can hop through and get lots of creative inspiration from. Be sure to bookmark your faves, or add us to your "follow" list so you can come back and visit us again!


Want to win some Blog Candy? Simply leave a comment on each blog and then email Michelle Dyson (yes, that's me, I'm co-ordinating this bit) and let her know you’ve done so and you’ll be in the running for a fantastic prize of 20 handmade cards and other goodies.

Sorry,  Blog Candy prize not available to SU! demonstrators. But everyone is most welcome to leave a comment! 


So, what have I created to show you? I think I must be a bit strange, because I enjoy creating 'blokey' cards, probably because I can easily conjure up a grungy, messy style. Neat and elegant - not so much!

My dad was the inspiration behind this card, as he is a Boilermaker by trade, welding and making interesting stuff with metal. And, I've recently run a class on Heat Embossing techniques, where one of the techniques we learned about was "Faux Metal". I made some metal-look embellishments by stamping the "Totally Tool" stamp set images into a puddle of molten silver embossing powder, and then trimmed around the tools. They really do look like they are made from pressed tin!

For the rest of the card, I chose Basic Gray cardstock, which happens to be pretty much "Overall Gray" too. I've used the "Sanded" background on the top section of the card, with Basic Gray ink, and the nuts and bolt stamp from the "Lots of Bots" Autumn/Winter mini stamp set to stamp the lower section, in honour of the various screws, split pins and bolts that would come out of the washing machine with the (cleaner) grey overalls. I have taken a layer of Brushed Silver metallic cardstock, and used the "Spiral" punch along one edge.

 Next came the fun bit - scrunching it up and distressing the edges. Since one of my enduring memories of childhood was greasy smudges, I used a great 'blokey' tool, the "Spritzer" and my Basic Gray marker to squirt random inky splodges over the background and metallic layer.   Over this, I have put a 'rivetted' panel, stamped many times with the "Sanded" background to darken the Basic Gray panel.  I then ran it through another great tool for masculine cards, the Crimper, giving it a corrugated iron effect.  I matted this piece on a distressed Basic Black panel and attached the layers with some Antique Pewter Jumbo Eyelets with my Crop-a-dile.  Yes, they are very slightly wonky, but I think it adds to the effect.. (that's my excuse anyway).  I mounted the faux metal using Pop Up Glue dots, which are a great choice for adding dimension when you don't want white foam to show.  At the bottom of the card, I added a sentiment from "Teeny Tiny Sentiments" on a spritzed piece of Whisper White, punched out with the large oval, mounted with Stampin' Dimensionals Then I added a row of Pewter brads and Jumbo Eyelet.  Now, I don't think my dad is ever going to actually retire, but at least he might have more time to muck about in his workshop these days!

My second project was designed to co-ordinate with the card.  Again, inspired by my dad, who always, always has a notebook with him to jot down important measurements, sizes, contact details etc.   I have taken an Office One spiral bound notebook from KMart, which happens to have the same coil spacing as our Spiral punch, and punched along the side of a piece of Basic Gray Designer Prints paper, before sticking down onto the notebook cover.  I stamped the nuts and bolts again, as above, and sponged the edges to give them a 'pre-smudged' look.  Down the spine I have tied some short ribbon lengths, in black gingham, black grosgrain and Basic Gray Taffeta.  A second piece of Designer Prints paper was matted on a distressed Basic Black panel, and layered with two more faux metal tools and a silver embossed monogram rivetted on with some more Jumbo eyelets.

Well that’s all from me. Next stop on the INKlings’ Team Blog Hop is Christie Wallace
for a clever gift card holder and Big Shot card. Have fun and don't forget to leave a comment on each blog to win some great Blog Candy.  Did you add me to your Bloglines/follow list/bookmarks yet? 

List of participants - in case you get lost or something gets broken along the way, you can hop back here and find the next Blog in the chain to visit. The names of the girls are the bloghop posts, and the URLs are their blog home addresses, to make this useful for people who want to do the hop further down the track...

1. Clare McIllhatton http://craftycowcreations.blogspot.com/
2. Janice Spencer http://www.janicespencer.blogspot.com/
3. Dani Holland http://www.daniholland.wordpress.com/
4. Kylie Swain http://kraftykylie.typepad.com/blossom_designs/
5. Amy Anderson http://amyandersonsblog.blogspot.com/
6. Kari Hughes http://www.karigail.wordpress.com/
7. Jayne Mercer http://www.jaynemercer.com/blogs
8. Joanna Wassens http://www.joannawassens.com/
9. Michelle Dyson http://stampinkpaper.blogspot.com/
10. Christie Wallace http://christiescreativecorner.blogspot.com/
11. Ryn Gibbs http://rynscraps.blogspot.com/
12. Fiona Brown http://www.fionajanestamping.blogspot.com/
13. Beth Stewart http://www.elisabethstewart.com/
14. Nicky Adamson http:/nickyadamson.blogspot.com
15. Dani Fender http://danifender.blogspot.com/
16. Michelle Frost-Stevenson http://stampinground.wordpress.com/
17. Rachel Jackson http://havefunstamping.blogspot.com/
18. Rachel Capps http://rachelcapps.wordpress.com/
19. Carolyn Campbell-McLean http://carolyncampbell-mclean.blogspot.com/
20. Michelle Le Breton http://www.michellescraftclasses.blogspot.com/

Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon Share

I've had a few enquiries about running a Ribbon Share for the gorgeous "Polka Dot" ribbons in the new Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue.

There are three colours: Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry and Melon Mambo and each of  them will be joining the new core Colour Collections in September with the release of the new Idea Book and Catalogue!

So - what is a Ribbon Share, and how does it work?

It's easy, and cost effective.  Instead of needing to buy a whole roll of each colour, you can get a decent length of all three colours, for less than the cost of ONE roll! 

The ribbon is 1/2" wide, and double sided - one side is printed with white polka dots, and the other side is the matching solid, so it's nice and versatile. 

What you will receive:  One quarter of a roll of each of the three colours (approximately 3.4 metres per colour) for a total of more than 10.2 metres of delectable grosgrain spotty ribbon.

Cost: The cost is just $15.90, including postage anywhere in Australia.

How to sign up?:  Send me an email with your name and address details,  and I'll contact you to arrange payment.

The number of groups will depend on the level of interest,  however the last group will not proceed unless it is 3/4 subscribed.  Ribbon will be ordered as each group fills, and will be posted out ASAP after receipt.

You don't know what you've got till it's gone...

No, I'm not channelling Joni Mitchell, but I do have an important point to make... I *really* don't want anyone to panic, it's just paper after all, but I do want to make everyone aware of the facts so that they can avoid disappointment, hence this reminder post...

The Colour Renovation Project has exceeded all forecasts of demand in the US. Some colours (despite analysis by SU! of sales trends, previous retirement purchasing behaviour, and building in a comfortable 'safety margin') have already SOLD OUT in 8.5x11" smooth cardstock, having exceeded demand by as much as 4x predictions. Where possible, more is being manufactured to meet backorders, but there is a limit to what can be done without affecting production of the exciting NEW colours.

The sold-out colours in the US do not affect us here in Australia/NZ directly, as our cardstock is a different size, A4. However, the same result could ultimately be expected here as we get closer to the release of the new Catalogue, and extra production is limited by the same factors as the US market.

So - please, don't delay, take a good look at your colours. Decide which you are willing to leave behind as you move to the beautiful new palette, and also which colours you feel you can't do without for a while yet. Own the inkpad? Check you have a reinker on hand. Use the colour a lot in your cards or scrapping? Check you have a pack or two in reserve. Matching ribbon? Marker? Like to watercolour flowers and nature images? Consider the Earth Elements Watercolor Wonder crayon kit for all the colours you need in one set. Have some patterned paper featuring a retiring colour? Check your stash for matching cardstock, etc

A timely investment now will save you (and me!) much stress later on when stocks become unavailable. There's nothing worse than trying to track down a reinker for a retired colour, "hen's teeth" doesn't even come close! And I can see the Ebay prices skyrocketing along with demand...

We are lucky that we have a couple of extra months to plan ahead and order, but I do recommend that you organise and order for your future needs sooner rather than later.

As an added incentive, place an order of $50 or more (excl p/h) before MAY 31st to receive a free Stampin' Write marker, valued at $5.75 + p/h in a retiring colour (random choice, but I will match with your order where possible) Your order must contain at least one retiring colour product. Limit of one marker per customer, per order. Sorry, full packs/rolls only, no split packs - why not consider sharing with your stampin' friends?
Off you go, consider it your homework for the week from your Creative Coach!

I'm off to prepare for my Friday Evening Class on PUNCHES, finish some 6x6 Scrapping pages, and work on my projects for the upcoming Inklings Team Blog Hop - starting Thursday night! - theme is MASCULINE projects, so you're bound to find heaps of inspiration. Stay tuned for details, and have a lovely, crisp Autumn day! Thanks very much to Caroline LeBel, a Canadian SU! Demo for her lovely Colour Renovation image (spelled the non US way!)

Friday Night Classes and Saturday Stampin' Crop

This week I have two events for you:

Friday Night 14th May 7.30 - 10pm Punches Class:

Come along to learn how to get more out of your paper punches. I've got a long list of tips and tricks to share with you, from 'outside the square' applications to clever punch art ideas. There are limited places available, so please give me a call to book your seat. The class cost is $20 and includes comprehensive written notes and all materials needed to make a bunch of samples - turn them into cards or keep them in your techniques folder for future reference. Either way, you'll go home enthused and keen to create with these invaluable tools

Where? My home in Cherrybrook, please call me on 9484 9447 or 0403 175 790 to book and get location details.

What to bring? Your pleasant company for an enjoyable evening of learning and crafting - everything you need will be supplied!

Saturday 15th May 10am-5pm Stampin' Crop Day:

Join myself and a lovely group of ladies for the day, and bring whatever projects you are keen to work on. I provide morning and afternoon tea, casual demonstration and instruction, heaps of inspiration, and my extensive collection of tools, punches, die cutting machines and stamps for your use on the day. Come and go as you please, lunch can be BYO or grab a bite to eat from the bakery or cafe just 2 minute walk away.

Where? My home in Cherrybrook, ring 9484 9447 or 0403 175 790 to book your spot and get location details. New ladies are most welcome!

What to bring?: Your basic papercrafting tools (trimmer, bone scorer), your projects, a selection of adhesives.

Cost: $15 for the day, includes tea, coffee, nibbles, morning and afternoon tea and use of my equipment.

Kards by Karen - Embrace Life, Sanded and En Francais

This is my 300th post apparently!! A milestone of sorts I guess :) So I though I'd show something a little different, a card made by one of my lovely customers.

Karen is a regular attendee at my monthly Stampin' Crop days, and she's one organised crafter! She arrives with the designs she wants to recreate printed out, with instructions and colours written down, ready to get productive. I have no idea who made the original inspiring card (although I'm sure it would be recorded with Karen's notes) but it is a beauty! It uses a colour you'll fall in love with all over again when it returns with the new catalogue, River Rock, and Soft Sky, and touches of Basic Black and Whisper White. The background is "Sanded" and "En Francais" and the image stamps are from "Embrace Life" I love the layering, and the beautiful feature flower stamped in black Stazon onto Vellum cardstock, and coloured from the back with inkpad and blender pen. There's two flowers layered on each other, and gently shaped to give dimension. Large oval punches are wrapped around the sides for a finishing touch. Thanks for letting me photograph your card Karen, and thanks to the original creator for being so, um, creative! If you are the originator, and happen to see this, we'd be delighted to see a comment from you :)

And the Winner is.... Vintage Vogue!

Well, I think it is a winner of a stamp set - versatile, matching wheel, nice sentiments etc. But I'm really talking about a different kind of winner. After my launch, I wrote out tickets for each guest, one for every $50 spent on the day. I had my daughter help scrunch them into balls and draw the lucky winner.....

Debbie S from Normanhurst!

Congratulations Debbie, your prize will be delivered with your order. Debbie has won the limited edition Hostess Set "Picture this" from the A/W mini, "Vintage Labels" Saleabration set, some Pendant Notes, samples of the polka dot ribbon in our 3 new colours, a marker, white gel pen and some retired "Mini take out box" template sheets. I hope you enjoy using your prize Debbie, and thanks so much to everyone who came and made it a great day!

Now for the third Mother's Day card, and the second of my Make and Take projects at the A/W Mini Launch.

Card Base: Lovely Lilac, rolled with the "Very Vintage" jumbo wheel in "Lovely Lilac" ink.

Stamped panel: "Top Note" Bigshot die cut from "Whisper White" and stamped with "Vintage Vogue" in "Sage Shadow", "Lovely Lilac" "Elegant Eggplant" and "Lavender Lace" Flowers were trimmed with Papersnips, and layered with Stampin' Dimensionals, and given a Dazzling Diamonds glitter accent. The sentiment is from "Occasional Greetings", but like the previous card, you could easily turn this one into many other cards by switching the greeting around. There is also a Sizzlit "Little Leaves" diecut tucked behind the flowers, cut from "Sage Shadow" cardstock and glued on with Tombow glue. The colours in RED are on the Retiring List - check your supply of cardstock and ensure you have a reinker for your inkpad before it's too late!!

Manhattan Flower Kiwi Mothers Day Card

Oops! Where does the time go? I swear I was coming back in the same day to describe the rest of the cards I posted below, but alas, life intervened... To make this post look purty on your blog feed summaries, I'll post the pic again.

Card base: Kiwi Kiss stamped with 5th Avenue Floral in Versamark ink

Embossed panel: Whisper White cardstock through "Manhattan Flower" embossing folder and the BigShot, then trimmed to remove blank areas using papersnips

Ribbon: Narrow black grosgrain vertically, with a tie of Kiwi Kiss striped grosgrain

Sentiment: Label stamp from the recent Sale-a-bration set, "Vintage Labels", with a stamp from "Occasionally" positioned inside it, punched with curly label punch and mounted with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Easy Peasy, and it is the kind of card you could make a batch of ahead of time, using various base colours, and add an appropriate sentiment as the occasion demanded.

I love the colour combination of black, kiwi and white in this card, to me it looks crisp and sophisticated. Changing the colour to Bashful Blue or Pink Pirouette and you could have a wedding card. I like versatile card designs, what do you think of this one??