Tool Bench Fold Card

Hi Crafty Friends,

I have a brand new tutorial available for this stunning bench fold card.  This tool bench is a real stand out piece that is surprisingly simple to make.  I hope this is something that you will try yourself at home.  The card folds perfectly flat for mailing.
I hope that I have inspired you to make something like this.  Please share your designs.  I love the creativity of others and we should all inspire each other.

On another topic, My fur babies are growing so much each day.  They are now walking and have discovered there is a world outside their bed.  They are beginning to play with each other.  They are just too cute for words.  I know.....I know......I'm a crazy dog lady.....

Until next time,
Stay Crafty,
XO Tan

Bike Ride Easel Card

Hi Crafty Friends,

Tomorrow we are celebrating a special friend's birthday.  I love my extended crafty family and always try to give them something that they will cherish.  This is the card that I made for her.  There is a tutorial for this available here.

Below are the steps for this card. I hope you like it and give it a go yourself.

My fur babies are growing so much every day.  They are now able to walk a little and are starting to want to venture the outside world.  I just love them so very much.  One look into those beautiful round eyes and I'm gone.  We will be adding to our Fur Family at the end of January.  My daughter is going to get her very own fur baby and we can't wait.

Until next time,
Stay crafty,
XO Tan

Ingredients:

Cardstock –

Whisper White  – 6 x 12 (15.3 x 30.5)

                                    5 ¾ x 5 ¾ (14.6 x 14.6)

                                    Plus scraps for stamping

Old Olive  -     5 ¾ x 5 ¾ (14.6 x 14.6)

Silver Foil  -    6 x 6 (15.3 x 15.3)

Inkpads –

Memento Tuxedo Black

Soft Sky

Old Olive

Sahara Sand

Soft Suede

Real Red

Smokey Slate

Dapper Denim

So Saffron

Calypso Coral

Stamp Sets & Dies –

Bike Ride S/S

Sheltering Tree S/S

Birthday Banners S/S

Bunch of Banners Framelits

Layering Ovals Framelits

All the other bits and pieces –

5” Mini Sequin Trim (Silver)

Mini Dimensionals

Stamp N Pierce Mat

Tombow

Sponges

Snips

Trimmer N Scoreboard

Bigshot

Copy Paper

Washi Tape

The Simple Steps –

1.     Score the 6” x 12” Whisper White piece at 6” & 9” on the long side.  Fold piece in half and the half again on one side.

2.     Take the 6” x 6” piece of W/W and secure to your work surface with a small amount of snail on the back.

3.     Tear the copy paper in a curve so that it looks like a hill.

4.     Secure the lower portion of the hill on the lower third with washi tape.

5.     Use a section of sponge and blend Soft Sky ink in a gentle swirling motion.

6.     Remove the lower section of copy paper and place the other piece over the top of the sky you just created.

7.     Repeat this process using Old Olive ink for the grassy area.

8.     Stamp grassy areas with the stamp from Sheltering Tree in Old Olive  randomly throughout the hill.

9.     Gently remove the inked panel and centre on the Silver Foil panel.

10. Place the largest Scallop oval die in the centre of the panel. Run through the Big Shot together.

11. Take only the inked panel and place the largest oval die and centre it over the previously cut scallop oval. Cut in the Big Shot.

12. Adhere the sponged piece to the foil piece.

13. Place sponged image on top of the folded easel piece.  Using a pencil, trace the aperture. Using the same scalloped oval that was used on the foil piece, cut out this folded piece.

14. Adhere the sponged piece to the cut easel piece using Fast Fuse.

15. Take the scrap pieces of Whisper White and stamp the bicycle parts using Memento Tuxedo Black.

16. Stamp the highlights for the bicycle using Soft Sky

17. Stamp the basket and dog using Sahara Sand

18. Stamp the apples and any other items you want to include in your card.

19. Put your bicycle together using Tombow Mono.  Adhere the bicycle using dimensionals in the centre of the card so that it rests just under the oval aperture.

20. Add the front and back baskets using extra dimensionals.

21. Stamp a banner from Birthday Banners using Dapper Denim Ink.

22. Stamp the ‘Happy Birthday’ greeting in Real Red, curving it as needed to fit within the banner. Attach with Dimensionals.

23. Adhere the Old Olive piece to the large open square of the easel piece using fast fuse.

24. Stamp a greeting onto the bottom half of the Old Olive piece.

25. Place some stamped and die cut flowers on either side of the stamped greeting.

26. Place 3 gems above the greeting to function as a stopper for the easel.

Enjoy!

Say Cheese!

Hi Crafty Friends,

Wow! I am so overwhelmed by the support I've had for my Advent Calendars.  I can't wait to see how everyones turns out.  These really come together quite quickly and are such a lovely addition at Christmas.  Tonight is the night when my children and I fill our calendars and really start the Christmas excitement.

I have been busy creating again.  When my daughter went on her year 5 camp to the snow this year, I wanted to give her a special album.  I came up with a box that looks like a camera but on the inside, there is a mini album.  I wanted to keep things simple and this is her special place for her favourite photos from her camp.  You can make this in an evening and it is a great way to showcase all the gorgeous papers that we all love so much.  I know I have a bit of a paper addiction,  I am working through it though.
I will produce a tutorial shortly for this, so stay tuned.

Our gorgeous Cavie puppies are getting bigger each day.  Their eyes have all opened now and they are trying to walk.  So darn cute.


Till next time,
Stay Crafty,
XO Tan

Makin' Minis

Hello Crafty Friends,

It's been pretty hectic here. From puppies to paper, we've been making something.  I have been busy making mini albums again. These take me back to my happy place. I am slowly converting all my store bought albums to handmade mini albums.....and I love them.  This way I can share my creativity for years to come. With each turn of the page, there is loads of colour and individuality.  I am able to store all kinds of memorabilia's as well as the all important photos.  I am completely in love with Stampin' Up's range of patterned papers.  They fold beautifully without cracking and look amazing.  Tell me what you think? What is your favourite paper?

Till next time,
Stay Crafty,
XO Tan

Stamps That are Hard to Part With.....

Hi Crafty Friends,

I have been at it again. This is now the 4th order I've done of the Retirement List.  Every time I check it, I find something new that I need.  So, I've decided to do a list of my top 10 stamps that are retiring this year.  Tomorrow I will share some cards that I've made with these stamps.
Here goes.......In alphabetical order.....
1.    Basket Bunch (Bundle) - This is just too cute and perfect for Easter.
2.    Botanical Blooms (Matching dies) - Perfect for creating backgrounds and 3D items
3.    Carousel Birthday - Beautiful Retro themed stamp set for all ages
4.    Cottage Greetings - I just love the font on the sentiments. I'm always reaching for this one.
5.    Gorgeous Grunge - This is probably my favourite stamp for adding texture, depth and interest.
6.    In The Meadow - Timeless images that lend perfectly to many colouring techniques
7.    Kinda Eclectic - Another great texture and interest stamp.
8.    Papillon Potpourri (and matching Punches) - The all time greatest butterfly stamp set.
9.    Petite Petals (and matching Punch) - Perfect tiny flowers that you can stamp, punch and shape.
10.  Wetlands - Timeless stamped images of birds and classic sentiments.

So there you are, my top ten retiring stamps of 2017.  How will we survive? Probably have to do some more retail therapy.  Don't forget, every order over $50 entitles you to a free gift from me. All you have to do is use the hostess code, EGREXP6F.
                      

                                               Stay Crafty,
                                                  XO Tan
 

Hi Crafty Friends,
OMG! The retiring list is live. Ive already placed one order, how about you?  Make sure you check it out and see all the amazing products that are sadly retiring this year.  There are so many. Classics such as Papillon  Potpourri, Something for Baby, and Gorgeous Grunge just to name a few. 

Items are already running out so you need to be super quick. If you have any questions, please ask me and I'm all too happy to help.

Remember, The hostess code for April is EGREXP6F.  
Any order over $50 entitles you to a free gift from me. I truly appreciate you business and would love to be your demonstrator if you don't already have one. 

Stay Crafty guys,
XO Tan

OnStage Sydney 2017

Hi Crafty Friends,

On the weekend my bestie and I went to Onstage Local in Sydney. It was held at Luna Park and it was Ah....May.....Zing! As always, there was tons and tons of awesome new products but this was incredible.  We got to check out and play with lots of the new products and I have started planning and saving and already have lots of extraordinary ideas for you to come.  I have just uploaded a tutorial video showing how I created my swaps for OnStage.  Please check it out if you have a chance. Also, make sure you subscribe so that you never miss a new video.

I want to give a special shout out to all the talented demonstrators I met on Saturday. There is something special about a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  Everyone is so kind and lovely, not to mention , some of the most gifted crafters around.  We stayed at the Meriton in North Sydney and it was awesome.  It's the first time I had stayed with them and it definitely won't be the last.  One word, LUXURY.

On the way home, we had to do a minor pit stop.  Last year, one of my fur babies had her own fur babies.  I stopped off to visit one of the puppies and see how she is doing.  Maggie, the first born and such a sweet, yet feisty, Tricolour Cavalier is gorgeous.  She has maintained her incredible nature and is so loved by her new humans. I couldn't be any happier.  She is just the sweetest.

I have already started planning for the next event in November.  I can't wait, but I'm sure I will keep busy in the meantime.

Tomorrow, the retirement list comes out.  Make sure you are quick as products sell out quickly.  Most items will be discounted and Inks and paper are usually the first to go.  I will keep you up to date with all the changes going on, so stay tuned.

Until next time,
Stay Crafty,
XO Tan

Swaps for Onstage Sydney

Hi Crafty Friends,
I've been busy the past few days getting all my swaps done for Onstage in Sydney. This time next week we will be getting to meet some old friends and make lots more new ones.  I attended my first ever onstage event last November when Stampin' Up! had their live event in Brisbane.  All I can say is, it was Awesome!! I am well and truly hooked. So now I'm getting prepared for the new catalogue reveal as well as seeing the great new products first hand.
This event, I decided to feature the marbling technique.  This is such a fun and easy technique, You only need, shaving foam, reinkers and card stock.  Each card will turn out a little differently to the one before and it is heaps of fun to do.
If you are at onstage next weekend, please come and say hi!

Unfortunately, I won't have my gorgeous little helper with me.

Hidden Reveal Spinner Class

Hi Crafty Friends,

Today I've been having a bit of a play with the emboss resist technique.  Sara Douglass, CEO of Stampin' Up! recently posted a video that sparked again this awesome technique that is so easy to achieve.  This Saturday, I am having a class where we will make the Hidden Reveal Spinner Card and also an Emboss Resist Card.

Places are limited, so please contact me if you would like to come along and join in the fun.

On another note, I can't believe there is only just over a week of Sale A Bration Left......Make sure you place your order today as when Sale A Bration is over, the products are gone for good.

Well, I'm off to create some more.  It's been raining continuously here and looks like it will be all week so it's perfect to stay home and craft.


Until next time,
Stay Crafty,
XO Tan

Made With Love

Hi Crafty Friends,
Today was another Made With Love markets for the northern NSW area.  After an incredibly wet couple of days, we managed to get everything set up and have a great day.  We met an amazing group of people who like us, share the passion for paper craft.

Again, I was lucky enough to have my best friend and total paper addict with me as well as my gorgeous daughter.  She was so excited to show off her new, Ink Responsibly T-Shirt and definitely looked the part.  For the first time, I booked an extra space for the markets, and just as well, I have been busy......Very busy!









How has your weekend been? Crafty? What ever you have been doing, I hope that you all are having a fabulous weekend shared with those you love. (or at the very least, doing what you love)


Next weekend, we will be having our first class with the hidden reveal spinner card.  If you are in the area, please let me know if you would like to come and join us.  It will be a great day and lots of beautiful crafters.

Until next time,
Stay Crafty,
XO Tan

Global Design Project Colour Challenge 077

Hi Crafty Friends,

Today I've decided to take part in my very first colour challenge with the Global Design Project.  For this week's challenge, we were given a set of colours and I set off to make a card.  The colours are Early Espresso, Peekaboo Peach, Bermuda Bay and a free choice, I chose Watermelon Wonder.

I began my card with my chosen colour of Watermelon Wonder and added a matt of Early espresso embossed with the petal burst TIEF.  Before I embossed, I brayered Craft white ink directly onto the folder to really bring out the texture and to give me more versatility with the colours.

I decided to pull out one of my favourite stamp sets, Botanical Blooms.  With all the gorgeous new stamp sets at the moment from the Occasions and Sale-A-Bration catalogues, It's easy to forget about all the other amazing stamps in the Annual Catalogue.
I die cut a series of flower blooms using the above colours with the Botanical Builder Framelits.  I have highlighted the flowers using my uni ball Gell pen.  This is a favourite technique of mine for bringing a cut image to life.
Finally, I've embellished my flowers with some Enamel Accents in Peekaboo Peach and the co-ordinating Peekaboo Peach Ruched Ribbon.  The sentiment is a simple Happy Birthday from the Sale-A-Bration set, Designer Tee.  I love the whimsical font of this stamp.

Inside the card, I've continued the theme with stamped florals from the set in the colours of the challenge, finished with a die cut border from the framelits.

Product List

121686

138341

131286

141422

106549

141493

101731

140625

140757

143359

141398

138323

131171

141427

141410

105021

So, what do you think? This was a fun card to make and I absolutely love these colours.  The contrast between the colours is just beautiful.  I will definitely be going back to this colour scheme again.

Thank you for visiting me today.  Until next time,
Stay Crafty,
XO Tan