Just Add... Hearts - Just Add Ink Challenge 2

I can't believe it's time for Just Add Ink's second challenge!  We had a huge response to our first challenge - 51 entrants!  I'm still blown away by how much Amanda and I have accomplished, and how brilliant our Design Team is.  We're incredibly lucky.

On to the challenge!  This week the challenge is to Just Add... Hearts.  To give you a bit of background, every week at Just Add Ink we post a challenge - either a colour combination, a sketch or a Just Add... challenge.  You don't have to make a card (think outside the box - layouts, 3D, boxes...), and all product brands are accepted.  All members of the Design Team are Stampin' Up! demonstrators, so we're obviously going to use Stampin' Up! goodies, but the main idea for our challenge site is to get people creating! 

For the Just Add Hearts challenge, I thought I'd do a scrapbook layout.  My daughter is usually the focus of my scrapbook pages, but this time I thought I'd scrap one of my favourite photos of my husband and I from our wedding.  When my husband and I got married, we did everything the 'wrong' way.  We didn't have a bridal party, we didn't have bucks or hens nights, we walked down the aisle together... and my husband was the only person to see my wedding dress before the day!  I love that!  It makes my wedding dress so much more special to me. 

The photo I've used is one of us getting ready together (in the Honeymoon Suite... which we had from the night before!).  Because we didn't have a bridal party, and Brian was the only one who knew what dress I was wearing, he got the job of 'fluffing' my dress.  And he did a wonderful job too (only outdone but the photographer, who'd had years of experience with wedding dresses).

I've used Pink Pirouette textured cardstock with Rose Red and Confetti White as accents, and I've used the Baroque Motifs stamp set to embellish two of the corners.  You can't see it terribly well in this photo (because it's a photo of a b/w photo), but the curtains in the photo have a very similar pattern to Baroque Motifs.  And obviously, I've added hearts, which I embossed with the Baroque Motifs design before punching them out using the Heart to Heart Punch

I hope you like my page, and I'd love to hear your feedback - so please leave me a comment!  And make sure you check out Just Add Ink to enter the challenge yourself, or to have a look at the amazing talent we have coming to our site!


Materials:
Card Stock - Pink Pirouette textured, Rose Red textured, Confetti White
Stamp Set - Baroque Motifs
Inks - Versamark, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red
Accessories - Clear embossing powder, heat gun, Heart to Heart punch, Stampin' Dimensionals






Click HERE to visit my Stampin' Up! website.

Crayon Resist

I received so many wonderful comments about the Crayon Resist cards I made for the Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop, so I thought I'd put together a tutorial about it.  Here it is!

If you'd like to download a pdf copy of this tutorial, click HERE.

Technique Tutorial

Crayon Resist

Crayon Resist is a simple, but very effective technique that can be used with most stamp sets.  It's relatively easy and it can be used for creating one card, or multiples.  Can't beat that!

Supplies:
Whisper White card stock
Your desired stamp set
(I’ve used Happy Moments -
Sale-A-Bration 2010)
Stazon Black Ink Pad
Coloured classic inks
(I’ve used So Saffron, Baja Breeze and Mellow Moss)
White crayon (wax)
Stampin’ Sponges - cut into smaller pieces

Step One

Using Black Stazon ink, stamp your image/s onto the Whisper White cardstock. In this tutorial, I’ve created an entire sheet to use like Designer Series Paper (DSP).  Stazon is the best ink to use because it’s permanent and won’t smudge later when you’re blending your inks.

Step Two

Using a white wax crayon (water soluble crayons won’t give you the same effect), roughly colour the parts of your image that you want to remain white. 

Because white crayon doesn't show well in photos, here's a coloured example:

Step Three

Cut a Stampin’ Sponge into smaller pieces so you can use them for separate colours (it’s also more economical and easier to handle).

Ink your first piece of sponge with the ink pad you’re using first. I’m using So Saffron first as it’s the lightest of the three.

Step Four

Pick a spot to begin, and gently sponge the ink onto the card stock.  It's best to start gently so you can work out the best pressure to apply for the effect you're going for. 

For this project, I'm going to be applying 3 colours over the entire sheet.  For the first layer I'll be applying large "dots" of ink evenly across the page.  It's better to apply too little than too much, because you can always go back to apply more later.

NOTE: Please be aware of the card stock you're using.  Whisper White is fantastic for soaking up ink, so the effect you've created will subtly change as you're going.

This is what the first layer looks like:

Continue on with your inks to do the remaining layers. For my project I'm applying Baja Breeze for the second layer...

...then Mellow Moss for the third layer. I've left some white space so I can go back with each ink and even out the overall colour effect. I'm aiming for an even distribution of colours, so I don't want to end up with no room to move after applying the two darker inks.

Complete

Once you've finished evening out the colours, gently rub a tissue or piece of paper towel over the sheet to remove the ink that is sitting on top of the crayon.

Now you're ready to make your projects using your unique DSP.

Project Ideas:

Here are some cards I made using the Crayon Resist technique:

I hope you found this tutorial useful - I'd love to know what you think!  I'd also love to see any projects that are made using this technique - just leave a link to your blog with a note in the comments section.

You can also find this tutorial on Just Add Ink.

View From The Park

Some of you may know that we've recently had to move house.  Our daughter Olivia (who's nearly 3) has coped brilliantly with it all, and has been very excited to find out there's a great park about 5 minutes walk away.  Olivia can spot a park from anywhere.  Whenever we go somewhere it's constantly "Look, Mum!  I saw a park!  Look, Mum!  Another park!"

One fantastic feature about this new park is its awesome view.  Have a look at this!

It's not a great picture of Olly, but she was too excited to stand still!





Click HERE to visit my Stampin' Up! website.

Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop!

Welcome to my stop on the Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop for ESAD (Extra Special Australian (and New Zealand) Demonstrators) - an online group for Australian and New Zealand Stampin' Up! Demonstrators.  ESAD is a fantastic resource for SU! demonstrators because it not only supports you in your business, the group supports you as a crafter. 

On to the fun stuff!  Just to let you know what's happening, at the end of each blog hoppers post will be a link to the next post.  You keep going until you come back to the place that you started - in all there are around 40 SU! websites to give you inspiration... and blog candy!  I'm giving away a roll of Tangerine Tango 5/8 Striped Grosgrain Ribbon ($19.95AUD/$22.95NZ) - all you have to do is leave a comment on each participating blog and then email Leonie - leonie@stamp-a-latte.com - to let her know you've commented on each blog and she'll put you in the draw!  If you're finding yourself a little lost on the blog hop, click HERE to see a list of all the blogs participating.

We're all using the Sale-A-Bration stamp sets in this blog hop, and they are available to earn from today until the 31st of March.  Contact me if you'd like to book or attend a workshop in the Hobart area so you can earn your Sale-A-Bration set!

On to my creations for you.  The set I've used is called Happy Moments, and it's a cutie!  I'll tell you a little about the techniques I've used as we go along.  I made the first two sets of cards for swaps with other demonstrators and I was so pleased with how they turned out, I just had to include them here.  I'm smitten with Crystal Effects lately, and with these sets of cards I've used Crystal Effects mixed with various inks (using the re-inkers) to give a beautiful glossy, glass like finish to the images. 

Materials:

Stamp Set - Happy Moments (Sale-A-Bration 2010)

Cardstock - Confetti White, Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Elegant Eggplant

Inks - Versamark, Rose Red re-inker, So Saffron re-inker, Elegant Eggplant re-inker, Handsome Hunter re-inker

Accessories - Crystal Effects, Black embossing powder, So Saffron ribbon, Scallop border punch, Adhesives & Dimensionals

Here's a close-up of how the images turn out with the Crystal Effects.  I think it's a gorgeous way to use the re-inkers, and really easy to do.  I'd love to know what you think!

Materials:

Stamp Set - Happy Moments (Sale-A-Bration 2010)

Cardstock - Taken With Teal, Kraft, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White

DSP - Tall Tales

Inks - Versamark, Taken With Teal re-inker & marker, Rose Red re-inker, So Saffron re-inker, Elegant Eggplant re-inker, Ballet Blue re-inker

Accessories - Crystal Effects, Black embossing powder, Styled Silver Hodgepodge, 1” circle punch, Adhesives & Dimensionals

The next two sets of cards I made using a crayon resist method.  You stamp the image with black Stazon, use a white crayon (wax, not water soluble) to 'colour' the parts of the image you want to remain white, then sponge your ink over the top.  Once that's done you wipe over the entire image with a paper towel to remove any excess ink and to remove the ink that is sitting on top of the crayon.  I've used Whisper White paper here, but glossy cardstock gives a different kind of finish again.

Materials:

Stamp Set - Happy Moments (Sale-A-Bration 2010)

Cardstock - Pink Pirouette, Confetti White, Basic Black

Inks - Versamark, Black Stazon, Pink Pirouette

Accessories - white crayon, sponges, Pink Pirouette ribbon, Basic Black ribbon, Heart punch, Scallop border punch, Adhesives & Dimensionals

Materials:

Stamp Set - Happy Moments (Sale-A-Bration 2010)

Cardstock - Whisper White, Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Basic Black 

Inks - Black Stazon, So Saffron, Baja Breeze, Mellow Moss

Accessories - white crayon, sponges, So Saffron ribbon, Butterfly punch, Adhesives

And the last piece I have for you is a gorgeous little box designed by Lauren Meader (you can find the template HERE).  I thought Fresh Cuts would go well with the birdcage from Happy Moments and I'm so pleased with how it turned out.  I've kept it really simple to highlight the birdcage.  What a cute image!

Materials:

Stamp Set - Happy Moments (Sale-A-Bration 2010), Fresh Cuts

Cardstock - Tangerine Tango 

Inks - Versamark, Tangerine Tango 

Accessories - Rhinestone brad, Adhesives & Dimensionals

That's it from me!  I hope you've enjoyed my creations for you.  Your next stop is Debbie Williams.


If you're finding yourself a little lost on the blog hop, click HERE to see a list of all the blogs participating.







Click HERE to visit my Stampin' Up! website.

Lost? Blog Hop Blog List.

In case you're finding yourself lost on the Sale-A-Bration blog hop, here's a list of all the blogs participating.

Alana Galagher http://www.alanagalagher.com/

Amy Waters http://www.becreativewithamy.wordpress.com/

Andrea Buckland http://www.creatingcardswithandrea.blogspot.com/

Andrea Eppingstall http://aedesigns.com.au/

Ann Gerlach http://goss-musings.blogspot.com/

Bronwyn Eastley http://addinktivedesigns.blogspot.com/

Cathy Clark http://www.cathyclark.com.au/

Chantell Randall http://www.inkeverywhere.wordpress.com/

Charmaine Black http://www.l-ink-edtopaper.blogspot.com/

Chris Parker-Barnes http://www.dotdotstamping.com/

Christie Wallace http://christiescreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Corinna Buchan http://pinkflowersandbling.typepad.com/

Danielle Daws http://danielledaws.blogspot.com/

Debbie Williams http://debsstampincreations.blogspot.com/

Felicity Fernandez http://www.stampinwithflick.blogspot.com/

Gardenia Pepworth http://alittlelessuseless.wordpress.com/

Jenny Hayward http://www.astampingjourney.wordpress.com/

Julie Fettes http://blog.stampwithjulie.com.au/

Julz Johnston http://julzstamp.blogspot.com/

Karen Dillon http://www.cardsbeautifulcards.blogspot.com/

Kerri Hunter http://sovereignstampers.com/

Kris McIntosh http://stampingwithkris.wordpress.com/

Kym Byrne http://www.kymbyrne.com/

Leonie Schroder http://www.stamp-a-latte.com/

Linda Craven http://www.craventime2stamp.com/

Louise Sutton http://handmadebylou.blogspot.com/

Lyanna George http://lyannageorge.wordpress.com/

Lynn Powell http://www.lynnpowell.com.au/

Madonna Dunn http://www.madonnadunn.com.au/

Mae Collins http://maecollins.blogspot.com/

Michelle Frost-Stevenson http://stampinground.wordpress.com/

Narelle Hodges http://stampwithnarelle.blogspot.com/

Nicole Derendorf http://www.stampingdownunder.wordpress.com/

Nikki Sadler http://www.inkyart.com.au/

Pauline Bennetts www.paulinebennetts.com/stampede

Rebecca Scurr http://stampinwithrebecca.wordpress.com/posts/

Ros Davidson http://www.rosdavidson.typepad.com/

Sarah Stevens http://www.scrapink.wordpress.com/

Sharlene Torres http://www.stampwithsharlene.blogspot.com/

Sonia Garbutt http://www.stampinwithsonia.blogspot.com/

Tanya Kitto http://www.stampnchat.com/






Click HERE to visit my Stampin' Up! website.

Sale-A-Bration is here!

Promotion Details:

Promotion Dates: 25 January-31 March 2010

Customers: Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $100 purchase (no limit!).
Hostesses: Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product with a $600 or more workshop, in addition to the regular hostess benefits.
Recruits: Choose any retail stamp set (a value up to $79.95) from the current catalogue when signing up during the promotion.







Click HERE to visit my Stampin' Up! website.

Sneak Peek - Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop

In the time that I haven't been moving house and working on Just Add Ink, I've been working on a Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop for ESAD (Extra Special Australian (and New Zealand) Demonstrators) - an online group for Australian and New Zealand Stampin' Up! Demonstrators.  I'll have more information about ESAD for you when our blog hop starts at 6am EST on Monday 25th.

So, what happens in a blog hop?  Well, when you visit my blog on the 25th, you'll read my entry and marvel at my amazing projects (a girl can dream!), and then you'll notice a link at the bottom leading you to another SU! demonstrator's blog.  And there you'll find her wonderful creations, and a link to the next blog.  Make sense? 

In all, there will be about 40 blogs for you to get inspiration from.  We're all using the Sale-A-Bration stamp sets that are available to earn from that day until the 31st of March.  I'll have a post on that on the 25th too (or you can click on the catalogue at the bottom to have a look).  But it gets even better than getting inpiration from so many talented stampers - there's blog candy (aka prizes) to be won!  More details on the 25th.

For the moment, I'm going to leave you with a photo of part of my preparations for the blog hop.  No, I don't make just one thing at a time!! 

Click HERE to visit my Stampin' Up! website.

Inventory Sale Almost Over - - - Hearts Appeal for Haiti

Just a quick post to let you know about a few things happening at Stampin' Up! 

Firstly, the Inventory Clearance Sale finishes this SUNDAY JANUARY 22nd.  There are a few stamp sets that are sold out (they're listed below the flyer).  If you want any of the remaining sets, get in touch ASAP, because after Sunday they will revert back to the regular price.

*    *    *    *    *

Secondly, Stampin' Up! have stepped forward to help the people of Haiti after the earthquake earlier this month.  Below is an extract posted on the demonstrator website - I thought I'd share it here. 

On 12 January, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leaving in its wake devastation so overwhelming that the Haitian people and their leaders can only look for help from the outside to cope.

From now until 28 February 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts ($42.95 AUD/$49.95 NZD) stamp set sold will be donated to the American Red Cross' Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

If you'd like to help support this fundraiser, please get in touch.  Every bit helps.

Click HERE to visit my Stampin' Up! website.

Just Add Ink Launch!

Just Add Ink is LIVE!!   

I'm so excited to be able to share our very first challenge with you!  It's an amazing priviledge to be working with so many talented crafters. I really hope you take the time to have a look at the Design Team blogs.  Head over to Just Add Ink to see what the site is all about, and of course to enter your challenge!

Here's my creation using our colours - they're the colours from our blog design.

I wish I could take credit for this gorgeous flower design, but that credit belongs to Joanne from Mainly Flowers.  She has a brilliant tutorial there.  I did fill the flower out a little more with extra scallop pieces though.  I'm thrilled with how it turned out.

And a close up of the gorgeous Rose Red ribbon - I attached it with Sticky Strip and gathered as I went.

I hope you liked my card - as always, I love reading your feedback!



Materials:
Cardstock - Taken with Teal, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
DSP - Raspberry Tart, Tall Tales
Stamp sets - Boho Backgrounds
Inks - Taken With Teal
Accessories - Rose Red ribbon, scallop circle punch, sticky strip, Bright Delights rub ons







Click HERE to visit my Stampin' Up! website.