UStamp Swap Sister Gifts

OK, have been dying to post these pictures but had to wait until they were at their destination to be fair to Angela my swap sister and I didnt want to spoil it for her either. As part of my UStamp participation I chose to include myself in a project sister swap 'across the seas' hehehe :) We were paired up at random with another member from somewhere around the world and Angela was my swap sister. So I got to work early and produced this collection of items. It consists of a Lindt chocolate block holder, a CD tin with gift cards, pen and calendar and one of my soap boxes (yes I know you are thinking where is the tutorial which I said I would post on an earlier post for this, I promise it is coming, never done one before and wanna get it right). I have also attached the beautiful cards that Angela sent me as well as a little matchbox (Thanks Angela). I love these cards, they are sooooo cute and especially as they contain some colours that I would not normally use. You may be thinking what is it with me and the Urban Garden DSP lately, well let's just call it a phase shall we, it's taking all my energy to stay away from PINK.

Faux Dry Embossing (show demo)

I worked at the Craft show in Melbourne today and on our stall we each had a turn at demonstrating something. I chose to do the faux dry embossing technique. Ever since I discovered this I have been trying all different types of stamps but I think these ones work really well. Unfortunately the photos just dont do them justice. A lot of people were walking past and thinking that they were really embossed - I love it :)

I chose the image from the Upsy Daisy Set for the card on the right and the branch stamp from Kindred Spirits for the one on the left. Can you spot something in the branches??? This techinique is super easy but so effective. All you need is some Whisper White Craft Ink and choose a dark colour cardstock and matching ink. You will also need a Stamp-a-majig for this technique. Simply stamp your image first in whisper white ink on your cardstock. Set aside to dry. Clean your stamp off then create a template for your image with your dark coloured ink on your stamp-a-majig. Layer this over your white stamped image and move the image sheet (from your stamp-a-majig) ever so slightly a little to the right and down. Line up your black positioner (from your stamp-a-majig) around your sheet then take your image sheet away. Finally stamp your image over the top of your white one with the darker coloured ink, but dont move your black positioning tool, ink up your stamp and stamp again. This really helps make your image 'POP'. Now if this seemed all a little too much, maybe you need to give me a call and I can come and demonstrate this easy technique to you or perhaps you would like to register for my classes or stamp club. Please send me an email at felic77@hotmail.com or call me on 0414 400 841 and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Here are some more pics.

Upsy Daisy Embossed

Ok this is the last card for the night. I have to go to bed before the stroke of midnight and I turn into a 'pumpkin'. Once again following on from an inspiration on SCS, this card is using Urban Garden DSP again. I am really happy with this mainly cos I love pink and grey together but also cos it has some embossing. This technique was the 'WOW' that got me hooked on stamping and card making over 10 years ago. I don't do enough of it these days but it's nice to get back to basics every now and then. The In Colours these year are awesome too, it will be sad to see them disappear next year but at least we get an extra 6 months of them - YAY! My favourites are Pink Pirouette and Baja Breeze. Ok, now off to bed :(

New rubber.........

Gotta love the smell of new rubber and fresh inks. This is done using the new Upsy Daisy Stamp Set and the New In Colours, Baja Breeze and Pacific Point. The new Satin Kiwi Kiss ribbon just finishes it off with some new DSP too......oh and I can't forget the new Curly Label Punch and one of the new Level 1 Hostess sets Best Yet :) If you havent got your hands on a new catalogue yet, you can call me TODAY for you own copy for hours of reading and heaps of awesome ideas.