Oh So Lovely Sympathy Card

After a long illness a good friend's Father passed away yesterday morning. Not a type of card that I've had to make for a long time so I went to Splitcoast Stampers and used a card by 'Card Crazy' as my inspiration. Thanks especially for the colour combination.

Supplies Used All Stampin' Up!® unless noted otherwise - Stamp Sets Oh So Lovely and Deepest Sympathy (Montarga), Basic Black and Whisper White Cardstock, Outlaw DSP, Stazon and Sage Shadow Classic Ink Pads, Blender Pen, Black Gingham Ribbon, Paper Cutter, Paper Snips, Snail Adhesive.

Daring Card Makers - Give it Some Heart

It's my turn to set the dare over at Daring Card Makers this week. Nobody had Valentines on the schedule before the 14th February so somebody had to do it. Right? I'm daring you to use a heart or hearts on your card be they punched, stamped, die cut, patterned paper, embellishements, anything as long as it's heart shaped.

Here's my card: -

It's not easy to see in the photo but the hearts are stamped using the heart stamp in the Polka Dot Punches Stamp set.

All supplies Stampin' Up!® - Polka Dot Punches and Yummy Stamp sets, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip and Real Red Classic Ink Pads, Only Orange, Glorious Green, Real Red and Sahara Sand Cardstock, Mat Pack, Bold Brights Brads, Paper Cutter, Paper Snips, Stampin' Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive, stampin' sponge.

The Daring Cardmakers team would love you to join in. Make your card and load it onto your blog and send us your link in a comment.

Click here to go to the DCM blog to see the inspiration provided by the Design Team.

Colour Challenge No. 4

Each Friday I'm going to spin my Colour Coach without looking and find a new colour combination.

Today's combination is: - Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Blush Blossom and a Neutral

Supplies used All Stampin' Up!® - Certainly Celery, Regal Rose and Blush Blossom Cardstock, Regal Rose Classic Ink Pad, Polka Dot Punches & Sincere Salutations Stamp Sets, 1/2" Circle Punch, 5/8" Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Adhesive, Paper Snips, Paper Cutter.

To play along create your card using the colours listed above or the closest you have in your collection, save to your blog or website and send me a comment with your link. If you don't have a website/blog attach your card to an EMail and I will display it here with the next weeks challenge.

There is no deadline on these challenges please join in whenever you please.

If you would like to expand you cardstock collection, each week I will be offering a cardstock share consisting of 8 A4 sheets of each of the three colours listed above (does not include the neutral). There will be three places and I will contact you re payment once all of the places have been filled. NZ resident only please.

Email me to reserve your place.

See Challenge no. 3 - Places are still available in this weeks cardstock share also.

Feeling Very Pleased with Myself

I found a kitset set of 3 cubes while picking up milk at Woolworths this morning. After initial discouragement which was fixed by a call to Dave to find out how to use the keyless chuck on the cordless drill, I manged to make these cubes all by myself. I used to do basic DIY stuff but after meeting Dave I've been very good at letting him do it all for me.

These cubes are part of the redo of my office. A room that when we moved into the house 7 years ago got the computer and bits and pieces of shelving and bookcases and things were stored all over the place. With my Stampin' Up!® business it needed to have a true place of it's own and over the last two weeks this office has got: -

- desks along two walls

- a new A2 cutting mat

- towel ralls to hold punches

- plastic containers screwed to the walls for ribbon

- 7 40L stackable plastic containers to hold things that aren't used that often

- plastic containers to go across my windowsill for storage

- wiring stored out of reach and off the floor.

- three new wooden cubes

- the best of the storage that it had already

Still to come - a new lampshade, and a comfy chair to relax with a cup of tea between creating.

While musing on how clever I thought I was I realised that my business had completely paid for the redecorate out of it's earnings as well as paying completely for my papercrafting hobby. Not bad for a small business that is done for the love of papercrafts and as a stay at home for my need to be out meeting people.

Now off to fill up those cubes before I pick up the boys from Holiday Program.

If you'd like to find out more about being a Stampin' Up!® demonstrator during Sale-A-Bration see my post here.

The next meeting for my Stampin' Up! team, Keryn's Krew, is scheduled for the 10th February.

6 in 60 minutes, Maybe...

.... Maybe not.

I got together with my good friend Karen last night for a bit of cardmaking. The week before we'd done the same thing and over 3 hours we'd made 2 cards each. This time I'd seen latest copy of Creative Paper magazine and they had a section on 6 cards in 60minutes and I thought we can do that. Well we did, that is we made 6 cards using the cards pictured in the mag as templates but it took us just under 3 hours.

If you've got a copy of Issue 73 Creative Paper Magazine have a look on page 14 and see if you can work out which of my cards match which of Deanne's.

All supplies used Stampin' Up!® - Bali Breeze DSP, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Taken with Teal, Very Vanilla and Purely Pomegranate Cardstock, Old Olive Classic, Whisper White Craft, Taken with Teal Classic and Purely Pomegranate Classic Ink Pads, Scallop Edge, Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle & Spring Flower, Star and Large Star Punches, Soft Subtles and Bold Brights Brads, Paper Cutter, Paper Snips, Adhesive, Cherished Memories Rub Ons, Sincere Salutations Stamp Set, Mat Pack, Confetti Simply Scrappin' Kit

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

You'll notice from my blog that I have a preference for creating cards and 3D items, but sometimes even this veteran cardmaker finds a picture that just has to be scrapped.

After discussions with Kelly last week I wanted to be able to use my new Lots of Dots wheel from the Summer Mini Catalogue and she had mentioned that bubbles were quite popular in the scrapping world at the moment.

Lachlan swears that he was just pretending to be asleep but I'm not certain.

All supplies Stampin' Up!® - Only Orange, Brilliant Blue and Brocade Blue Cardstock, ABC Alphabet Lower Stamp Set, Lots of Dots Jumbo Wheel, Brilliant Blue and Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink Pads, Brilliant Blue Stampin' Write Marker, Snail Adhesive and Glue Dots, Word Window and 3/4" Circle Punches and Paper Cutter.

Workshop WOW demo challenge

on Splitcoast Stampers this week is to make a diamond fold card.

On my second try I managed to get my mountain folds and valley folds in the right places and here it is both closed and open.

Supplies used all Stampin' Up!® - In the Stars stamp set, Whisper White, Gable Green and Tempting Turquoise Cardstock, Gable Green Classic Ink Pad, Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Write Marker, Paper Cutter, Bone Folder, Star and Large Star Punches, Adhesive.

Second DCM Card - Get Someone Else to Make Your Card

Even tho. I got Cathryn to make the original card for this challenge Lachlan wasn't going to be outdone and asked if he could make a card for me as well.


For this one I chose to replicate a punch art card from the latest Impressions magazine that Stampin' Up!® puts out for it's demonstrators. I did this so Lachy had a picture to follow. Big mistake he thought his card should be every bit the same as the picture and was annoyed when it wasn't. Lachlan is 8 and a very talented paper crafter for his age but nothing like the professionals employed by Stampin' Up!®.


Here is Lachy's card, colours and stamp sets used are different than the one in the magazine but the sketch and the tree are completely the same.

Stampin' Supplies used all Stampin' Up!® - Yummy Stamp Set, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pad, 5/8" Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White Cardstock, Paper Cutter, Paper Snips, Adhesive, Scallop Circle Punch and Bone Folder.

Click here to see some of Lachlan's other artwork including the card I made under his instruction for this challenge.

Congratulations Card

On Friday at Cathryn's when we were working on my Daring Cardmakers card Cathryn also had to make a congrats card for a new baby boy in her family. She used her Congrats Sale-A-Bration set and while she had it out I stamped a few images and we discussed some ideas I had for using it when I got home.

So Cathryn here is the card that came of those ideas: -

As usual you can't see the dazzling diamonds glitter that I used on the hearts.

Supplies used Stampin' Up!® - Congrats and Polka Dot Punches Sale-A-Bration sets, Purely Pomegranate and Whisper White Cardstock, Purely Pomegranate Classic Ink Pad, Bali Breeze DSP, Adhesive, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Light Pink Gingham Ribbon, Paper Cutter, Paper Snips

If you're interested in earning any of the Sale-A-Bration stamp sets that I've used over the last few days click here to go to the Stampin' Up!® website and choose your free set, find your $120 order from your wishlist and contact me to place your order.

Tag Punch Flower

You will know the feeling of seeing a project or technique on a blog or in a magazine and having the right materials on hand and being able to make it there and then. That's what happened to me today after I'd read the latest Impressions magazine, for Stampin' Up!® demonstrators.

Here's the card I created: -

All supplies Stampin' Up!® - Polka Dots and Petals and Yummy Stamp Sets, Bali Breeze DSP, Purely Pomegranate and Pretty In Pink Cardstock, Purely Pomegranate and Pretty in Pink Classic Ink Pads, Large Tag Punch, 3/16" corner rounder, paper cutter, snail adhesive, stampin' dimensionals, bone folder.

If you are interested in learning how to fold the tag punched piece into flower petals contact me about booking an 'in home workshop' or 'class on the go' or click here to find the dates of my next Craft At Keryn's session.

DCM - Get Someone Else to Make Your Card

Cathryn is one of my Cardmaking Buddies so when my Mother stole Lachlan this morning to take him away for the weekend I knew just who to ask. I've had a great afternoon over at Cathryn's today and managed to get her to make the card above to my design with just verbal instructions.

You can't see the glitter very well in the photo but imagine the edges of the flower glittering with dazzling diamonds.

Expect to see a card designed by me and made by Lachlan early next week when he returns.

Supplies all Stampin' Up!®: - Yummy and Polka Dot Punches Stamp sets, Old Olive Classic Ink Pad, Old Olive and Whisper White Cardstock, Bali Breeze DSP, Adhesive, Paper Cutter, Paper Snips, Dazzling Diamonds, 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 circle punches.

Colour Challenge No. 3

Each Friday I'm going to spin my Colour Coach without looking and find a new colour combination.

Today's combination is: - Night of Navy, Really Rust, More Mustard and a Neutral.

Here's my card: -
Supplies used all Stampin' Up!® - Ahoy Matey and Eat Cake Stamp sets, Night of Navy, Really Rust, More Mustard and Very Vanilla Cardstock, Night of Navy, Really Rust and More Mustard Stampin' Write Markers, Matey's Map Jumbo Stampin' Around wheel, Versamark Ink pad, Aqua Painter, Paper Cutter, 1/16" Handheld circle punch, Linen thread, Paper Snips and adhesive.

To play along create your card using the colours listed above or the closest you have in your collection, save to your blog or website and send me a comment with your link. There is no deadline on these challenges please join in whenever you please.

If you would like to expand you cardstock collection, each week I will be offering a cardstock share consisting of 8 A4 sheets of each of the three colours listed above (does not include the neutral). There will be three places and I will contact you re payment once all of the places have been filled. NZ resident only please.

Email me to reserve your place.

See Challenge no. 2 - Places are still available in this weeks cardstock share also.

A Little Something For You

I don't often use my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig (Stamp Positioner) so as a challenge to myself I decided to try and replicate the bag topper on page 5 of the Sale-A-Bration brochure.

Pleased with my success I've decided to use this as my Make & Take for workshops happening before Valentines Day. You could take out the star punchies and put in some yummy chocolates or a small gift. I still have some dates left for late January/early February. Contact me for available dates.

Supplies used: - Yummy Stamp Set, Whisper White Cardstock, Chocolate chip, Wild Wasabi, Ruby Red Classic Stamp Pads, Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker, Paper Snips, Adhesive, Stipple Brush, Large and Small Star Punches.

January 2009 - Tutorial (Chocolate For Valentines)

My January Stampin' Tutorial is up on the blog now. Check it out here.

Say It With Scallops

I've just had a relaxing afternoon before and after a squash game, with the kids downstairs watching a DVD, creating cards. I needed to send out Thank You cards to my Sale-A-Bration workshop hostesses and what a better time to use the 'Say it With Scallops' stamp set and 'Square Scallop' punch lent to me by my downline Megan. I have to give them back on Tuesday.

Once I had the stamp set and punch out in front of me I remembered a post I had bookmarked on Karen's blog - Luv to Stamp - with the title Quick cards and Square Scallop punch. It is the second card in this post that was my inspiration for the cards I created. Thanks Karen.

Supplies used all Stampin' Up!® - Say it with Scallops Stamp Set, Scallop Edge and Scallop Square Punches, Styled Silver HodgePodge, Adhesive, Paper Cutter, Paper Snips, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose Cardstock, East Coast Prep, Outlaw, Petals and Paisleys and Spring Silhouettes DSP, Wild Wasabi Double Stitched and 5/8" Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Mat Pack, Temping Turquoise Stampin' Write Marker, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Wild Wasabi Classic Ink Pads.

Styled Silver HodgePodge Share

3 PLACES LEFT!!!

I have been asked by some of my customers for a HodgePodge share and I am as always willing to oblige.


The HodgePodge hardware I have chosen is the Styled Silver shown on Page 5 of the 2008 Summer Mini Catalogue.

One tin of hodgepodge hardware will be split into five shares each containing: -

- 8 cast brads (2 of each design)
- 2 cast ribbon slides
- 10 book plates (2 of each design)
- 20 4.8mm brads

The cost of each share will be $14.30 including postage.

I will contact you to arrange payment once the share is full and then place the order once all payments have been received.

EMail me to book your place.

Colour Challenge No.2

Thank you very much Donna for joining in with my challenge last Friday. Click here to see Donna's cards.

Each Friday I'm going to spin my Colour Coach without looking and find a new colour combination.

Today's combination is: - Summer Sun, Elegant Eggplant, Lovely Lilac and a Neutral.

Here's my card: -

Supplies used all Stampin' Up!® - Boho Backgrounds and Everyday Flexible Phrases Stamp Sets, Summer Sun, Lovely Lilac and Elegant Eggplant Cardstock, Elegant Eggplant Stampin' Write Marker, Adhesive, Paper Cutter, Word Window Punch, Pretties Kit.

To play along create your card using the colours listed above or the closest you have in your collection, save to your blog or website and send me a comment with your link. There is no deadline on these challenges please join in whenever you please.

If you would like to expand you cardstock collection, each week I will be offering a cardstock share consisting of 8 A4 sheets of each of the three colours listed above. There will be three places and I will contact you re payment once all of the places have been filled. NZ resident only please.

Email me to reserve your place.

See Challenge no. 1 - Places are still available in this weeks cardstock share also.

The Card Template I always return to.

When in a hurry, like I was yesterday to get this card made for my Mother In Law in the middle of packing up my office, I always return to the 2/3rds, 1/3rd template that I used to make her card. YAY I'm getting cutom made desks and storage for my office starting tomorrow and new carpet with the rest of my house in three weeks.

Here's the card: -

To make this card I used a piece of Spring Silhouettes DSP cut to 138x95mm then shortened it to 90cms. The bottom 48cms was turned over and the piece rejoined back together. Attached to a base card and decorated with a band off cardstock and other embellishments to hide the join.

All supplies Stampin' Up!® - Circle of Frienship Stamp Set, Wild Wasabi and Soft Sky Cardstock, Wild Wasabi Classic Ink Pad, Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon, Paper Cutter, 1 1/4" Circle, 1 3/8" circle and scallop circle punches, Spring Silhouettes DSP, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat Pack, Styled Silver Hodgepodge, Snail Adhesive.

When's the best time to become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator? Right now......read on!

Are you on to your second or third wishlist? Do you know the current Idea Book and Catalogue cover to cover?

Have you thought about becoming an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator?

I'm really enjoying being an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. For a passionate paper crafter/card maker there is no better job/hobby than when you're sharing your passion with your friends, family and other potential Stampin' Up! addicts.

Stampin' Up! Provides monthly idea newsletters, an extensive easy to use demonstrator website for ordering, business tools, online training, discussions, and a Demonstrator support team, it goes on and on. I will also be here to help you every step of the way as you learn the ropes and then be on call as you become confident in your new calling. Whether you choose to be a demonstrator as a hobby or a business or just to get a discount on your own purchases you will receive the same level of support from both Stampin' Up! and myself.

Have a look at the great value demonstrator kit here on the Stampin' Up!® website or page 161 of the current idea book and catalogue.

If this is for you contact me by Email, and we can take it from there.

If you're in the Wellington Region come and join my team 'Keryn's Krew' for our team get togethers on the fourth Tuesday evening of every second month. EMail me for details.

I'm looking forward to being able to say 'Welcome to my team'.

DCM - Giving Thanks

The Daring Cardmakers Team this week have challenged us to get all our Thank You cards made and sent.

Here is my contribution: -

All supplies Stampin' Up!® - Carte Postale Stamp Set, Whisper White and Bashful Blue Cardstock, Bashful Blue Classic Ink Pad and Versamark Ink Pad, Clear Embossing Powder Heat Tool, Paper Snips, Paper Cutter, Snail Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals.

Colour Challenge No. 1

One of the challenges for me in Card Making is to use different colours together. It's so easy to get stuck in a rut. So I've decided to challenge myself and would like you to play along with me. Each Friday I'm going to spin my Colour Coach without looking and find a new colour combination.

Today's combination is: - Tempting Turquoise, Cameo Coral, Taken with Teal and a Neutral.

Here's my card inspired by the January Wicked Sketch Challenge on Splitcoast Stampers Forum.

Supplies used all Stampin' Up!® - Sprinkes and Bodacious Bouquet Stamp Sets, Taken with Teal Classic Ink Pad, Cameo Coral Stampin' Write Marker, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise and Cameo Coral Cardstock, Petals and Paisleys DSP, Paper Cutter, Paper Snips, 1 1/4" Square and Spring Flower Bouquet Punches, Snail Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals.

To play along create your card using the colours listed above or the closest you have in your collection, save to your blog or website and send me a comment with your link.

If you would like to expand you cardstock collection, each week I will be offering a cardstock share consisting of 8 sheets of each of the three colours. There will be three places and I will contact you re payment once all of the places have been filled. NZ resident only please. Email me to reserve your place.