Retired Stamps on eBay

Just a quick note to let you all know that I have some of my retired SU! sets on eBay, if you are the winning bidder and you found the stamps through my blog let me know and I'll include a little something extra for you!

PS I will be making this post 'sticky' until the listings end so make sure you scroll down for new entries.

Birthday Wishes

This is the card that I made for Justin from me. I have so much trouble making cards for him! I went with the Jersey Shore Colour Scheme again but this time I just used a piece of Brilliant Blue Prints DSP. I know the penguin is a little bit kiddish, but this card is for the guy who just said the other day 'I like toys', so I think I can get away with kiddish for the big kid!

Stamps: For a Friend, Wild About You
Ink: Versamark, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Paper Crimper, Scallop, 1 1/4", 1 3/8" Punches, White EDP, Wild Wasabi DS Ribbon
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue Prints DSP

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Happy Birthday Daddy

Today is Justin's Birthday, this is the card that I made for Charlotte to give him. But I didn't do all the stamping... Check it out:
I love involving kids in making cards and presents for people, even if it's just writing their own little gibberish message with the 'translation' underneath. Since Charlotte is still a bit little this year to do something herself I decided to stamp her handprint, it's a bit smudgey, but i think that gives it even more charm.
I showed her the finished product and told her that it was from her for daddy and read what it said on the front and she got the biggest smile on her face, so I assume that meant it meets her approval.
Next year she might be old enough to help dictate what colours to use (Is it wrong to teach a child their colours as Wild Wasabi or Pumpkin Pie instead of Green and Orange? hehe)

Stamps: Best Friends Alphabet Lower, Family Phrases, Loads of Love Accessories, Charlotte's Left Hand ;0)
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue
Cardstock: Jersey Shore DSP, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Wild Wasabi DS Grosgrain Ribbon, Corner Rounder & Word Window Punches, Crafters Tool Kit (for the paper piercing)

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Mr & Mrs Gould - Put your sunnies on for this one

I have been re-doing our Wedding Scrapbook pages, I originally made them when I first started scrapbooking - and it was obvious that I was new at it!!! So this is Wedding pages take 2 :)

Recipe

Cardstock: Basic Black, Green Galore, Pink Passion
Ink: Encore Silver (Make sure you heat set I didn't and you can see it started to rub off in the album), Bold Brights SW Markers

Stamps: Best Friends Alphabet (Upper & Lower)

Accessories: Pretties Kit, Rhinestone Brads (Fire & Ice), Crafters Toolkit (for faux stitching) Stampamajig

I did it again!

I just hit enter when I was starting a new post and it published the blank post with gibberish, sorry again to people with google reader, just call me a loser :0)

Oops

Sorry to anyone with google reader I accidently posted Justin's birthday card early, instead of scheduling it. The post has been deleted and will reappear on Monday, however if you have google reader it will stay there, but you won't be able to comment.
Just think of it as a sneak peek of things to come ;0)

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Summer Picnic Quickies

With getting ready to move house over the next few weeks I figured we'll need some thank you cards as I think we will be calling in quite a few favours from friends and family so I decided to use up some of the scraps from the summer picnic dsp that I have been using for the last few projects. I also used the Tart & Tangy stamp set from the mini catalogue, have I told you how great this set is??? I just added a little bit of DSP, a scallop punch, a little bit of ribbon on one and we were done! These cards took a grand total of 10 minutes for all 3!!!

I grabbed Always Artichoke by accident instead of Old Olive for the apple card so I decided to just go with it and used Always Artichoke around the outside and for the stem of the apple and Old Olive for the middle. If you squint just right and poke out your tongue a little you may be able to see it ;0)

Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Family Phrases
Ink: Rich Regals SW Markers, Bold Brights SW Markers, Earth Elements SW Markers, Old Olive
Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Summer Picnic DSP
Accessories: Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Punch

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Kwernerdesign.com - Colour Inspiration #17

This is my first entry for Kristina Werner's Colour Inspiration Challenges, For (I suppose 17 lol) weeks now I've admired the beautiful colour combos that she has used and I finally gave in and did one, normally I am so late that I don't bother but this time I realised I had all day today (plus some if you count the time difference) to finish it so I had no excuse.
I embossed, then watercoloured the berries from Oh So Lovely, using Ink Pads and my Aquapainter, but I wanted to build up some colour in the shadows and I haven't mastered the aquapainter well enough to get the look I wanted, so I used the fine tip of my SW Markers to build up the colour, I then lightly sponged some Regal Rose over the Whisper White and rubbed the edges in Rose Red.

Stamps: Oh So Lovely, Happy Everything
Ink: Rich Regals SW Markers, Soft Subtles SW Markers, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Versamark
Cardstock: Rose Red, Sage Shadow, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Accessories: Black EDP, Regal Rose 5/8" Grosgrain

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Enjoy the Little Things

I have wanted to play with this Summer Picnic DSP since I first saw it over on Dawns Stampin' Thoughts (Check out her awesome video tutorials). I thought it would be the perfect paper along with the new Enjoy Every Moment Stamp Set (also new) to scrapbook these photos of Charlotte's first 'jump' on a Jumping Castle. She had an absolute blast, my friends little boy Marshal (we call him Charlotte's boyfriend because he loves her so much) was so rough (he has 2 younger brothers) and Charlotte thought it was great fun crawling around while he jumped near her, getting flipped onto her back a few times. I have used the ribbon slider from the new Styled Silver Hodgepodge, to tie the Real Red Wide Grosgrain ribbon through. I think it just added something extra to the page that a plain knot or bow can't.

I pleated some Old Olive Grosgrain and machine stitched along the ribbon to hold it in place, see my 'straight' stitching that's why I'm a stamper not a quilter. I have embossed enjoy with white EDP and added detail to the 'o' by layering a Blooms diecut flower onto a Real Red 3/4" circle layered on a Bashful Blue 1" circle. I added a brad from the new hodgepodge and some faux stitching with my Signo White Gel Pen. I wanted to punch out 'the little things' with the word window punch but it was too long, so I used a little variation on this tutorial.
Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment (Spring Mini)
Ink: Versamark, Old Olive, Real Red
Cardstock: Summer Picnic DSP(Spring Mini), Real Red, Bashful Blue, Old Olive
Accessories: White EDP, Styled Silver Hodge Podge, Blooms Diecuts (Both from the Spring Mini), Real Red & Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain, 3/4", 1" & Word Window Punches, White Signo Gel Pen
Images (c) Stampin' Up!, Designs (c) Zarna Gould

It really rattles!

I saw this card last night and thought it was so cute I had to show Justin, when he saw it he said it would be cool if it really rattled. As soon as he said that I thought of a Shaker Card and had to have a go!

I have used vellum for the window as I had no overhead transperancy sheets and couldn't wait to have a go. To give the card 'rattle' I used small pink seed beads instead of sand or glitter. This was my first attempt at a Shaker card and I really recommend that if you haven't had a go at a shaker card to try something bigger before you try something this fiddly.

Stamps: Happy Thoughts, All in the Family, Family Phrases, Polka Dot BG
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Elegant Eggplant
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Vellum Cardstock, Elegant Eggplant, Regal Rose
Accessories: Soft Subtles Brads, Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grosgrain, Scallop Punch, 1 3/8", 1 1/4" & 1" Circle Punches
Images (c) Stampin' Up!, Designs (c) Zarna Gould

Welcome Jenny

I made this card for Jenny, (she is my Lisa's new downline - so kind of like a Stampin' Up! sibling) to welcome her to our team, with the addition of Jenny we are now able to become an official team recognized by SU!

I love the instant friendships that get formed through stamping you meet people who you might not normally get to know and because of a common passion you just bond instantly. And though I still haven't met Jenny in person yet but I'm sure this will be another example of this kind of friendship.

Stamps: Oh So Lovely (Lvl 1 Hostess set), Warm Words, Weathered Background
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate, Sahara Sand, Versamark
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Black EDP, Aquapainter, Very Vanilla Grosgrain, Purely Pomegranate DS Ribbon
Images (c) Stampin' Up!, Designs (c) Zarna Gould

While I was making the Christmas Ornament I had the idea of making a fridge magnet in a similar style as an easy gift idea. However I was getting sick of Christmas (it is only July after all, and I'm starting earlier than some of the department stores and that's hard to do!) so I decided to try out some of my new Summer Picnic DSP & Blooms Diecuts (both from the mini). I added some Old Olive Wide Grosgrain and some Styled Silver Hodgepodge (Have I mentioned how much I love that stuff) and topped it off with a rubon from 'A Perfect Day' (yup, you guessed it; in the mini).

Can you see the flower pattern in the brad? The new hodgepodge has a whole heap of funky brads as well as the plain silver ones.

I have covered a square frame from the On Board Ginormous Pieces (IB&C) front and back with the DSP so you can't see the hollow in the middle of the frame. Then I've attached some self adhesive magnet strips that I had in my stash, but i think it could work just as well with those cheapy magnets you get from the pizza shop or vets and attached to the back with crystal effects or stickystrip.

Christmas in July

I made this Christmas ornament using some more of my preorder from the mini. Check out the ribbon!!! It is Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon, it's approximately 1" wide and I am in love! I'll give you a tip about cutting dovetails into Ribbon, (courtesy of my Myer Bridal Registry days) If you fold the ribbon in half lengthways and then cut on an angle the 2 sides will be symmetrical.

The brad anchoring the 2 sides of the ribbon is the star brad from the new Styled Silver Hodgepodge, and is through an Always Artichoke star which was punched with the small star punch.

I have used the Holiday Harmony Paper to cover the Trimmings On Board Chipboard and then clear embossed (just use the versamark pad to apply directly to the paper) to give a little bit of durability to the ornament.

Have a One Sheet Wonder(ful) Christmas

The other night I decided to try out a One Sheet Wonder* so I used the retired Loves Me DSP and it turned out so great that I had to make another, and because I had been dying for an excuse to use the new Holiday Harmony DSP from the Mini Catalogue**, because it is just so gorgeous!
I have taken the colours of Always Artichoke, River Rock & Purely Pomegranate from the dsp, but as the particular sheet I used had No Always Artichoke in it I used it as the backing cardstock for all the cards and then used Purely Pomegranate & River Rock for the majority of the accents & stamping.

And close-ups of the cards and tote:

Included in the OSW were 9 cards and a tote. I got the directions & inspiration from akstamper on SCS. Some of the measurements for the bag needed to be altered as our A4 cardstock is narrower and longer than their Letter(?) sized cardstock, if you want the new measurements just send me an email and I'll be happy to share.

*In Case you were wondering a One Sheet Wonder (or OSW) is where you use DSP (or make your own with stamps and neutral cardstock), then cut it up to make really fast simple, but stunning cards

**Mini Catalogue Starts 1 August, check out all the details here

Beach

Sketch: Got Sketch? #30

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Whisper White

Ink: Sahara Sand (for sponging on the banana), Bashful Blue, Bold Brights & Soft Subtles SW Markers.

Stamps: Crab & Company

Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch (for scalloped border), On Board Simon Lower, Bashful Blue Grosgrain, Crystal Effects (on the little Sea Creatures)

I got an award!

The wonderful Marcia over at the stampspot gave me this blogger award, there are some rules that go along with the honour:

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls you’ve nominated.

I've seen this award on almost every blog I read so I'm going to nominate anyone reading this who hasn't already received it!

Charlotte @ 4 months

When Charlotte was 4 months we stamped her hand & foot (do you know how hard it was to get a 4 month old to make a flat hand instead of a fist?).

This was also a first attempt at a bit of a distressed look, I think I should go back to what I know best...

Recipe

Cardstock: Sage Shadow, Perfect Plum, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Perfect Plum, Soft Subtles SW Markers

Stamps: Scribble This, Scribble Alphabet (retired now - so sad!)

Accessories: Sanding Block, Sponge (for ink), On Board Simon Lower, Hodgepodge Hardware

Retired Stamps, Last Chance

This is your last chance to buy my Retired Stamp Sets, anything that hasn't been bought or reserved by Sunday Night will be getting Listed on eBay!
Check all the details Here and email me zjgould@gmail.com if you want to buy any.

Mini Catalogue Sneak Peek

I got my preorder yesterday and I'm in love!! The colours in the new Holiday Harmony DSP are divine and are the inspiration for this card

I've used Season of Joy ($51.95 in the mini) and the ever versatile Sincere Salutations.

My colours are River Rock, Always Artichoke and Purely Pomegranate, which, from the look of the mini are "THE" colours for Christmas this year. I stamped the Tree & Snowflake in River Rock to create my own background paper.

Can you see the shadow behind the tree? I made that by using the negative left on the backing sheet by the christmas tree, clear as mud?

When you buy diecut stamp sets like those in the mini catalogue there is a hole left in the rubber backing sheet that is vaguely the shape of the image, so, I peeled the waxy backing off and sponged the tree shape in River Rock then stamped over the top of the shadow with the tree.

I topped it all off with some pomegranate ribbon (I've used so much of that it's not funny!)

I know that it seems a little early to be making Christmas cards but did you know that if you made 5 cards a month by the time December comes you will have made 30 cards! No more rushing to get them done or going out and having to buy a packet of cards last minute (I HATE, HATE, HATE buying cards now that I know how easy they are to make!)

Bring on the Spring!...

The Spring mini that is!

I have just received a massive box of mini catalogues from SU! and I will be sending them out to my customers over the next few days. If you want to be included in my mailout email me (zjgould@gmail.com) and I would be more than happy to send you a copy.

Even though I can't place orders for it until 1 August, I am more than happy to take pre-orders and put them through at 12.01am on 1 August.

I am also offering a special for hostesses for the duration of the Mini Catalogue, so why not get your friends together and have a great night in, or, if you aren't in the Parkes area why not host a catalogue party*??

*(For a catalogue party I send you a copy of the IB&C as well as a bunch of mini catalogues and you collect orders from your friends to be delivered right to your door, anywhere in Australia!)

I should be getting my Demonstrator Preorder tomorrow so hopefully I will have some samples up soon! If you don't think you can wait until the start of August to get your hands on these yummy goodies why not take advantage of the Super Starter Kit Savings promo and sign up to be eligible for the Demonstrator Preorder???

Happy Birthday Allison!!!

The fantastic Allison from Stampin' When I Can & Stamping Links to love is celebrating her birthday today, so, Allison, this card is for you!

The other Links to Love girls and I decided to have a blog birthday party for her! And what is a party without lollies and pin the tail on the donkey???

(and no the 'retro' in retro party mix is not meant to mean anything, they're just my favourite mixed lollies right now!)

Ok so I've been a really slack blogger!

Do you know how long it has been since I've posted one of my cards or scrapbook pages, it's all been business and no play, that just won't do!

I've started scheduling posts for every few days to get some regular posts on my blog!

This is a card we made for a stamp-a-stack I had a few months ago (I told you I'm slack!)

We used the emboss resist method, where we stamped the flower on Very Vanilla Cardstock (inked using SW Markers) then stamped again in versamark roughly over the original (I wanted a shadow kind of look) and embossed in clear EP, then brayered over the top with bashful blue ink.

Recipe

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Mellow Moss, Lavender Lace

Ink: Soft Subtles SW Markers, Bashful Blue

Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks

Accessories: Linen Thread, Large & Small Oval Punches, Clear Embossing Powder

How cute is this???

This woman made a little miniture scrapbook store that is 16" deep and 12" wide, make sure you check out the close up pics, she has even made little tiny packs of stickers and tinsy rubber stamps.

She said she made it because of how many times she wished she could take the whole store home with her when she has been out shopping for scrapbooking supplies ;p

Love what you do and Share what you Love

Have you been thinking about earning some extra income but don't want to lose out on your crafting time? Or have you been looking for a way to get your supplies at a discounted rate?
Why not sign up with Stampin' Up!?
This month SU! are offering $25 off the starter kit, that's a massive $560 worth of product for only $299.
If you have been considering signing now is the time!
I can't offer you the big team meetings that some demonstrators can, but what I can offer you is more personal service & support, more time devoted to helping you grow your business.
So why not give me a call (on 02 6862 2552) to discuss what SU! & I can do for you, you would be under absolutely no obligation to sign.

Don't forget about my Ribbon Club (still some left over places), the Extra Extra Hostess Benefits promotion and my Retired stamp set sale.