Tanja & Adam

I was honoured to be able to make wedding invitations for a friend from work and her fiance, I love the design we came up with together! (Ignore the smudgey marks, I had to edit out the personal details for privacy reasons.) Simple but elegant and I think it suits what they are aiming for in their big day. The photo doesn't do justice to the shimmer white cardstock, it's beautiful and especially in case of wedding cards it justifies the little extra you pay for it.

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Stamps: Baroque Motifs
Ink: Concord Crush
Cardstock: Shimmer White, Concord Crush, (non SU! silver paper from an invitation design store)

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

The Rejects lol

One of the cardmaking magazines I read had a publication call for childrens party project sets and since Charlotte's birthday is coming up I decided to have a go. Unfortunately for me they didn't get accepted but that's a bonus for you since it means I can share them now instead of waiting for months until they get published :)
The set I created includes a little party blower topper, invitation and bag-elope favour bags that all match. I won't be making multiples of the favour bag or party blower (I normally would since they were quick and easy to make but just not enough time with a newborn).
They're all pretty straight forward, the 2 only things worth mentioning are:

• Bag-elope tutorial is here, only thing I changed was I cut a circle then scored and folded it over to make a flap, it is held shut by tombow multi adhesive on the back and velcro dots for the opening.
  
• To get quick and even coverage of glitter on the balloon (off the party blower) I ran it through my Xyron sticker maker and pressed it into the glitter.
  

Stamps: Pun Fun, Calender Alphabet, Family Phrases, Crazy for Cupcakes
Ink: Stazon, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink
Watercolouring: Invitation; Aquapainter w/ Watercolour Wonder Crayons, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink. Favour Bag; Aquapainter w/ Inkpads, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink
Cardstock:Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Patterns II DSP pack
Accessories: Trio Flower & Scallop, 1 3/8", 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Soft subtles Brads, Bashful Blue Taffeta, Dazzling Diamonds, Xyron, Tombow Multi Adhesive

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Parkes (not-so) Mini Bridal Expo

As most of you know I had the Bridal Expo on this weekend and so many of you wished me luck that I thought I'd share a few photo's of my display and let you know how it went.

The night was a huge success they had over 200 brides through the door (plus friends, family and 'sight-seers') which for our town of only about 12k or so people is a big event, it originally started out as the Services club wanting to show off their newly renovated function room and putting a call out in the paper for expression of interest from wedding related businesses. By the time the mini-expo rolled around there were 36 exhibitors! Considering how quickly it blew up into something huge I think the girls who organised it did a fantastic job (and I have a thank you card on my to-do list for this week to tell them so)
Anyway, here are some pics from my display:
I kept the display really simple, had my portfolio open for people to browse and a few brochures lucky door and business cards. If anyone is looking for a banner like that I actually got mine through Vistaprint designed to match my business cards, you do need to be careful that you don't tick (or untick if necessary) the "give me more offers" button because they will send you emails every day without fail if you leave it ticked (and the unsubscribe button is broken most of the time so it takes a month of daily unsubscribing to find the random day they let you unsubscribe!). But apart from their email marketing strategies they are a great company to deal with, the prices are pretty good, where they do "get you" is postage but even the 21 day slow option only takes about a week so I've never opted for any other option.

My lucky door prize bowl is just a cool candle holder I picked up for a few dollars at The Reject Shop and the business cards with the lollypops were just normal cards punched with a hole and the lolly pop threaded through.

I laid out my portfolio with each of the sets I've been showing you (still have a handful to photograph and share) on a 12x12 black page, I clear embossed up the sides with the "It's Beautiful" wheel to give a bit of interest without detracting from the designs. (Thanks to Marcia for suggesting I use this format!)

At the other end of the table I had my brochures and a candle just to make some interest, the mirror is a glass tile I stole from my sister-in-law left over from their wedding.

As well as doing my display I was talking to one of the organisers and she suggested that I do place cards and bonbonniere for the display Bridal table, but they wanted them simple in White & Gold so these are what I came up with. I was also able to get Gold embossing onto a candle by using the normal Stamping on Candles technique but with an embossed image, it makes quite a cool illusion, the gold flower looks raised but because of how you get the image onto the candle it is completely smooth with the wax.
The Bonbonniere were an easter egg pouch pattern that I stole from my upline Lisa. They were super quick and simple to make, You can see here how they fit together:
The chocolate is lightly glued in with a small strip of snail and the pouch is held shut with velcro dots.


Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Simple DL Invitation

This set was probably the hardest of the sets I designed for my portfolio, I used the colours from my wedding (Pink Passion & Kiwi Kiss) and because of the colours I decided to keep the theme fun & simple. The set includes an Invitation, RSVP card & Bonbonierre pouch that doubles as a place card.
Stamps: Scribble, Flight of the Butterfly
Ink: Versamark, Pink Passion SW Marker
Cardstock: Pink Passion, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Eyelet Border, Double Slot, Full Heart & Heart to Heart punches, Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Heat & Stick Powder, Cosmo Fine Glitter, Dazzling Diamonds

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Gate Fold Invitation

I have to give a huge shout out to the lovely Chrissie for this set! I was starting to lose inspiration for colour combo's and put a shoutout on SCS which Chrissie generously answered with not only the colour scheme from her wedding but she also shared pictures of the beautiful invitations she created for the big day. So, Chrissie, the C & K on this invitation are for you!
This set includes a Gate Fold Invitation, Thank You notecard & Reception Menu. One trick my friend Em shared with me once was since the Metallic Cardstock is pricey for doing large projects with, if you emboss in Silver EDP and then use the Going Grey cardstock the embossing will give the cardstock a more silver look and you've saved yourself a fortune!
Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment, Short Order Alphabet, Baroque Border, Together Forever
Ink: Versamark, Riding Hood Red
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red, Going Grey, Whisper White
Accessories: Full Heart & Heart to Heart punches; Riding Hood Red Striped Ribbon, Silver EDP, Stamp a Majig

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Z-fold Invitation

Sick of these sets yet? I've still got a few more to share but I might take a break from them for a few days and share something different.
This set is a Z-fold invitation (held shut by a belly band), Save the Date Card & Place Card. I got the original inspiration from this beautiful card by the very talented Teneale Williams, after I finished though, I realised that the colours were a very good match for my Mum & Dad's wedding (back in early 1980 so Brown suits for the guys and blush coloured flowers & dresses for the girls). I wish I'd realised earlier or I would have made it "for them"...
Stamps: It's Beautiful, A Beautiful Thing, Finest Flourish
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Versamark
Cardstock: Blush Blossom, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Very Vanilla 5/8" Grosgrain, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain, Clear EDP

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Tentfold Invitation

Another set from my portfolio, this one includes a Tentfold Invitation, Place Card & Thank You Note. I designed this set based on an invitation I'm currently working on, so obviously I've had to change the names & colours, but the frangipani theme is the same.
Stamps: Stamp It Frangipani, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana, Confetti Cream
Accessories: Soft Subtles Brads, Crimper, Jumbo Eyelets

Images © Stamp It Australia, Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Trifold Invitation

Another set for my invitation portfolio. This set includes a Trifold Invitation, Place Card & Save the Date Card. This set is using the colour scheme from Justin's cousins wedding we went to earlier this year, they had gorgeous pale pink bridesmaid dresses with brown trim.
I would like to say with this set that I'm only claiming to be a cardmaker not a calligrapher, the bride & groom would either need to organise their own calligraphy or get me to print them off the computer, but I wanted to show that there is the handwritten option available.
Stamps: Together Forever, Baroque Motifs, Short Order Alphabet, Please Come
Ink: Versamark, Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Silver EDP, Chocolate Chip Taffeta

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Pocket Invitation

I was going to wait to share these until later, but since I've been spending almost every spare stamping second on these or other projects that really can't be shown until a certain date I decided it would be better to start sharing these now, rather than let my blog go neglected.
I will be an exhibitor at a bridal fair next month for my side business and I have been building up my portfolio (one of those things I've been meaning to do for months now, nothing like a deadline to get you moving, right?) so what I have done for most of them is taken the Colour Scheme's from recent friend & family weddings and designed an invitation & matching stationery set as if I were designing it for them.
This set includes a pocket invitation, RSVP postcard & reception place card.
Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Baroque Border
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Lavender Lace
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Lavender Lace, Going Grey
Accessories: Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grosgrain, Wide Oval Punch, Silver Brads, Corner Rounder Punch

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Double Pocket Wedding invitation plus an exciting Announcement!!

This is the invitation I made for my brother in law & his beautiful fiance's wedding. I used the Diagonal Double Pocket tutorial from SCS and changed it up to make the measurements fit Australian cardstock. The bride & groom wanted to invite children to the wedding however they only wanted adults at the reception so we got around it by using the 2 pockets with the first pocket holding the invitation to the ceremony on 1 side and a map on the other, the 2nd pocket held the invitation to the reception with the wishing well poem on the reverse side.
I have been meaning to share this for a while but I wanted to make sure all of the guests have received their invitations first, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to share them when I announce that my 2nd blog, Zarna Gould Designs is officially open for business!!!
I will be putting all of my creations up on this blog, however stuff that relates to the "Zarna Gould Designs" part of my business will be appearing on both.
Stamps: Always
Ink: Versamark, Real Red
Cardstock: Basic Black, Real Red, Vellum
Accessories: Gold EDP, Gold Brads, Basic Black 1/4" & Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Charlotte's Birthday Party

These are the invitations that I made for Charlotte's Birthday Party, I have used Pretty Princess & Scribble This sets, and made them in an almost Kings Orders sealed with wax style (I'm sure there's a name for this fold but right now I can't think of it). The card closes with the Wild Wasabi Striped Grosgrain.
On the front closure I have stamped the Cake from Pretty Princess in Pink Passion on Pixie Pink Cardstock (7x7cm I think), I've then roughly coloured over the icing with my 2-way glue pen and sprinkled with dazzling diamonds. I've layered it on a piece of Wild Wasabi (Just a tip if you attach the Wasabi layer then the ribbon and then the top layer the invitation will close better, if you layer the ribbon underneath the wasabi layer the card opens slightly at the bottom when it should be closed)
On the back I have layered some Wild Wasabi & Confetti Cream and stamped the kid's names in Wild Wasabi with the Short Order alphabet and the little flower from Pretty Princess in Pixie Pink.
On the inside I have printed the invitation details on confetti cream cardstock using Publisher (the Tent Fold Card template works well as you can type on all 4 'pages' but it prints each 'page' in a corner of the cardstock meaning you can get all 4 with only 1 pass through the printer) I have then stamped the Princess using stazon and partially watercoloured her with my watercolour wonders. Watercolour Paper definitely works best for watercolouring, however on a job this large it just isn't cost effective, but confetti cream (or confetti white) has a nice texture that holds the water better than normal cardstock. Then I stamped the flourishes from "Scribble This" on the plain flaps to break up the blank space. I don't have it but 'So Swirly' or something similar would have looked great wheeled on the flaps. Just cut a piece of cardstock the same size as the middle panel and using the 2 way glue as a removable adheasive you can mask off the centre panel.
I should also add that you can buy Pretty Princess for this month only at 20% off as part of our Birthday Promo!

Stamps: Scribble This, Pretty Princess, Short Order Alphabet
Ink: Pink Passion, Pixie Pink, Wild Wasabi, Stazon
Cardstock: Pixie Pink, Wild Wasabi, Confetti Cream
Accessories: Wild Wasabi Striped Grosgrain, Bold Brights Watercolour Wonder Crayons, Aquapainter

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

So Shelli Creative Challenge #1 - Let's Celebrate Invitation

Shelli from SU! (I mean THE Shelli, who is Stampin' Up! lol) has started a blog called So Shelli & she has a Creative Challenge that she will be running once a month, the challenge for August is "Celebrate" (the theme for the US convention that just finished) and an idea popped into my head straight away so I had to play tonight.

I used some Real Red Gingham ribbon (don't you think Tart & Tangy and gingham ribbon are a match made in heaven? reminds me of homemade jam and picnics) I started this as a possible birthday invitation for Charlotte's birthday party (Can you believe my baby girl will be 1 in just over 2 months???), but I think that I want to make it more girly, this would be better for an older child or Kitchen Tea party maybe? I might have to try something with Berry Bliss & Pretty Princess, what do you think? Anyway here is the back of the invitation (or the front depending which way round you want it):

I've used the Summer Picnic DSP (again! are you sick of it yet? I'm not! hehe) & one of the Blooms die-cuts. I made the invitation "Long Notes" size, so it fits in a business size envelope (1/3rd of an A4)

Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Family Phrases, Family Favourites, Please Come
Ink: Real Read, Bashful Blue, Old Olive & Bold Brights SW Markers
Cardstock: Real Red, Bashful Blue, Summer Picnic DSP, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Blooms Diecuts, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Real Red Gingham Ribbon, Fire Square Rhinestone Brads

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould