Stamp Happy

Come to Bethlahem Brayer Card

This is a take off of a samply by Delys Cram, one of my talented demonstrators who lives in Whakatane.  She used a different technique, but I've used the layout and colors to recreate another version.

I've used a brayer and Bashful Blue here for the background for a gradual colour gradation.  I need to get that brayer out more often!

This was my first take:

And I fiddled around and tried it with another arrangement to see which one I liked best:

Because I love that Striped Satin Ribbon!  My girls couldn't decide which they liked better, so both pass the mark at my house.

I did a "naughty" and cut my star apart from my camel images.  That way I could easily stamp one in one colour, and the other in something different.  Plus, I could them place the star where I wished.

Well this one was fun and the ladies last night did well with it. We had a guest at class - my little brother!  He's here for the wedding and was a good sport and joined in.  I have a pic of him brayering on my Facebook Page.  Was fun!  We haven't had such a good laugh in a long time.  (not AT him . . . .)

Order your supplies for Christmas!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Come to Bethlahem

Colours: Midnight Muse, Bashful Blue

Other: Lace Brocade Embossing Folder, Whisper White stitched ribbon, White Embossing Powder, Dazzling Diamonds, Brayer

Joyous Celebration Gift Bag!

This is a cute project I re-jigged from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalogue.  As easy as it is, it's quick to put together and was a real hit with my classes thus far!  (Showing this tonight in Takanini - would love to have you join us!)

I've used the new 1 1/4 inch scallop circle punch to create the elements, and each one has a stamp or an embellishment of some type. Great way to use up bits and pieces!

The stamps are from the Joyous Celebration set, the same set featured in the post below.

I used a bit of the NEW Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details on the reindeer's nose.  Fun!

We filled the bag with a Cello Bag full of Caramel popcorn.  Smells nice!

Order your Supplies Used:

Stamps: Joyous Celebration

Colours: Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Chocolate Chip

Other: 1 1/4 inch Scallop Circle Punch, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling details, Gumball Green and Real Red Ribbons, Naturals Buttons, Dazzling Diamonds

Upcoming Events:

Tonight! Takanini Stamp Class!  Make the above and one other Christmas Project!  7:30pm  $15

Monday 19th November Techniques Class! Learn Brayering and Sponging.  7:30pm  $15 Birkenhead

Tuesday 20th Novemer Nelson Stamp Classes  1pm and 7pm.  Two projects at each.  Come to one or both!  $15

Joyous Celebration Christmas!

This is a project designed by Rose Keightley, one of the lovely demonstrators on my team, which she presented at our Christmas Extravaganza in Tauranga.  I accidentally left the stamp set she used in Tauranga, so when I went to show this to another group of stampers, I had to jig it a little to use another set.

I chose the Joyous Celebrations set featured in the Holiday mini catalogue - a cute one that fits perfectly with the Oval Punch and that new, really cool Holiday Frame Embossing Folder.

The background uses the Cherry Cobbler Core'Dinations cardstock, so it's been sanded to reveal the pink colour on the raised parts.  Same with the Early Espresso piece in the middle - Love the fun polka dots with this!

If you haven't tried the new Tulle Ribbon, it's a must!  I'm buying extra and putting it in my sewing stash . . . .  Soft and easy to tie!

Still time to order supplies for your Christmas cards and/ or to book into a class!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Joyous Celebrations $37.95

Colours: Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand, Early Espresso

Other: Cherry Cobbler Tulle, Holiday Frame Embossing Folder, Sanding Block, Window Framelits, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Oval Punch, Gold Brads

 

Upcoming Events:

Saturday Nov 10th Auckland Scrapbooking Day!  $55 for 4 layouts!  If we have extra time, you can work on your own projects 9:30 am to about 5 pm.  Birkenhead

Monday November 12th Christmas Stamp Class in Birkenhead!  7:30pm  2 projects  $15

Wednesday Nov 14th Takanini Stamp Class!  7:30 pm  2 projects $15

Blissful Bird in several color ways

I designed up this project when I was teaching a group of lovely ladies who had not ever stamped before.  This one features an easy, but effective and fun, technique, and is quick to put together.

I've used the Blissful Bird stamp here, one of our stamps that comes single AND it matches up with the ever popular Bird Punch:

 I also did this cutie up in the new Primrose Petals colour (Pool Party above), just to see what it looked like:

Someone had the idea in one of my classes (I think it was in Nelson) to do this one up in Cherry Cobbler and make it Christmas.  I thought that was brilliant, especially since the words on birdie's tummy are perfect for general, wedding or Christmas.  So after a few times playing around with different variations, this one was my favorite:

I'll be using this one as my swap in Broome next week - can't wait!  I should have made my travel companion help me with these . . . . :-), but I guess the diamond ring will suffice to earn his way this time.  It's my honor to have him there with me. 

I will be taking my computer with me and will check once a day for orders and customer service and things.  Be thinking of you!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Blissful Bird $18.95

Colours: various, but mostly Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Primrose Petals, Certainly Celery

Other: Bird PUnch, Basic Pearls, Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon

What's On:

Monday October 29th Make the Christmas Ornament on the front cover!  $15 7:30pm Birkenhead

Wednesday October 31st Make two Christmas Projects  7:30pm  $15 Takanini

Thursday November 1st Scrapbooking Night in Howick $15 7:30pm

Frosty Friends and the Cookie Press!

My 12 year old daughter, Kjristi, had a great time making these sugar cookies!  She used the recipe included in the Cookie Presses, rolled it into balls, and then pressed with the snowflake press.  Fun!

I kept the topper rather simple as it's likely to get tossed.  (Sorry that's just reality).  Cute, but nothing hugely time consuming!

I've used the new Frosty Friends here, a single stamp in the Holiday Catalogue.  Easy to colour in, too.

 

I used the new Window Framelits shapes for the topper for something a bit different.  And don't forget you get a FREE roll of the stitched satin ribbon with any order of $70 - no limit!  See the Specials and Promotions page for all the details. 

 A cute little gift for co workers, neighbors, or other school mums, for example!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Frosty Friends

Colours: midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, various markers

Other: Markers, Dazzling Details, Metallic Brads, Window Frame Framelits

 

 

Join us!

Wednesday October 10th Takanini Stamp Class!  7:30pm  $15

Saturday October 13th Tauranga Extravaganza!  Sorry All sold out

Monday October 15th Scrapbooking in Birkenhead 7:30pm  $15

Beautiful Ornament Keepsakes

It was a lovely weekend in Nelson for our stamp camp!  Despite being delayed on the flights, the ladies there managed to speed through all the projects in a shortened time - amazing really.

This project is a copy of the beautiful ornament on the front of the Holiday Mini Catalogue.  It's a fair bit of cutting, but the results are worth it!

It will be a pleasure to have this hanging from my tree this year!

We used the new Ornament Keepsakes set and the matching dies for this one plus the new Cherry Cobbler Tulle.  The more I use that tulle, the more I really, really love it!  I think I will be buying extra and putting it in my sewing stash.

The centre of the ornament uses the Rosette Die, a new addition to the Big Shot family.  You can make these manually with  the Simply Scoring Tool, but running it through a die, complete with edges and the creases already there is oh so easy.

And  a funny story to go with this: I asked Rob to help me with some pre-stamping and cutting for this project.  He really didnt' want to stamp, so he made it into a game for himself.

I cut the Very Vanilla card to fit TEN ornaments and asked him to stamp ten across:

He challenged himself to get eleven. I was impressed with eleven:

Then he was sure he could get twelve.  I said no way, I cut them to fit ten.  But he did it after a few tries:

I said wow, that gives me two extra on each sheet.  Well done!  But not enough, Rob wanted to get thirteen.  I said impossible:

And last few sheets, he got this many:

Eighteen!

There's my boy - in the midst of all the games, all my images got stamped without too much suffering. Good tip for you ladies out there.  :)

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Ornament Keepsakes

Colours: Real Red, Old Olive,

Other: Cherry Cobbler Tulle, Linen Thread, Ornament Dies, Rosette Die, Faceted Buttons, Large Pearls, Candlelight Christmas DSP

Upcoming Events:

Thursday 4th October Scrapbooking in Howick $15 7pm

Saturday 6th October Scrapbooking Day in Te Puke  3 layouts 10 am  $40

Saturday 13th October Tauranga Extravaganza 5 projects $35 1pm

 

Auckland Stamp Day's Christmas Wreath

This weekend was a lot of fun!  I had an all day stamp day at my house with 12 lovely ladies.  We crafted non stop . . so full on they often just went silent!! 

The first project we did was a Christmas wreath, although it certainly does not have to be limited to Christmas. Sophie Zedah from the Sydney office showed us this project at the Heartfelt Training Events earlier this month, and I just had to do it!!  It's not hard, just time intensive assembling all the flowers.

This is my Sofie holding up the wreath and her homemade Tiara. I had to take the pic three times to make sure that tiara was included:

The flowers are made with the Blossom Party die and the Fun Flowers Die.  You can never go wrong with flower dies . . .

I also used the Antique Brads, the Brass Buttons, and the Wood Buttons for centres.

We used a mixture of the Festival of Prints and the Candlight Christmas for the printed papers here.  I quite like both of those packs.

This is the ladies in action:

And the other table hard out:

The whole day was lots of fun with a nice mix of card, 3D, and techniques.  I'll be putting on a two day camp this weekend in Nelson and posting the projects over the next few weeks!

Supplies Used:

Colours: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Bashful Blue

Other: Fun Flowers Die, Blossom Party Die, Various buttons and brads, Foam wreath, brown wrapping paper, Cherry Cobbler Tulle

Sept 29-30 Nelson Stamp Camp!  $150 for two full days of stamping!

October 6th Tauranga Scrapbooking Day!  $40 for three layouts

October 13th Tauranga Christmas Extravaganza! $35 for a day of Christmas stamping!

Core'Dinations Christmas Card

This is a lovely project I took straight out of the new Christmas Holiday Catalogue - fun to make and super easy!  I didn't have all the same supplies as the sample, so I improvised with what I did have.  All look good - the beauty of Stampin' Up's coordinating supplies.

LOVE the new Core'Dinations paper - a textured cardstock with a core colour that can be revealed through embossing and sanding.

And the new tulle ribbons are fun - doesn't take much at all to create a really lush, yummy look.  Easy and light, too.

We have a new colour of Glimmer Paper, too - Champagne.  Every Christmas card needs a little bit of bling!

I'm off to play some more today in preparation for the Hamilton Quilt Show - after our awesome Heartfelt Event Stampin' Up! Training in Christchurch on Saturday, I'm feeling rather inspired to try some new things.  Thank, Team, for making it a great event!

To order your new catalogue or to place an order, please email me!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Various Christmas words

Colours: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Gumball Green

Other: Coordinations Cardstock, Tulle Ribbon, Champagne Glimmer Paper, various edge punches

Something for Christmas in Chocolates

I've taught this one over and over and over this season. If you've done a class with me, then you have seen it!  Because I love it - a cool technique, easy to achieve, and quick to do.  Meets all my Christmas card requirements!

This project was taken from a lovely swap given to me a year or maybe two years ago by Kristine McNickle. She did hers in blues, which was lovely too.

Yesterday I posted using this same single stamp done in colours - today done in just monochromatic browns.  Which do you prefer?

This stamp is just $24.95 - great value for an image with both motifs and words!  And I haven't met a customer yet who doesn't love these Mocha Specialty papers - between the metallic accents and the flocked papers, it's just gorgeous!!

Have a fantastic day!!

Someething For Christmas Gift Voucher Card

This is a project I do almost every year - and it's a super one!  Great for gift vouchers or small gifts or photos, this template can be adapted to any occasion.

Made with a standard Stampin' Up! envelope inside makes the pockets super easy to do.

I've enjoyed using this Something for Christmas set this year - one of the few stamps we sell as individual stamps.  On this sample I've coloured it with markers to get all the different colours.  My next post will be a sample with this one stamped all in one colour - also effective.

Would you like a Stampin' Up! voucher for Christmas or to give to a friend this season?  contact me to arrange!

 

Folded Exploding Ornament

This is a neat and quick project shown to my by friend and customer, Kathe O.  Thank you so much for sharing!  This is the ornament closed:

And open:

I chose to use the Mocha Specialty papers because one I love them and two because they have a bit of metallic shimmer to the prints.

The label on the front is just the same stamp layered up with punches.  Turned out nice and so quick.  Perfect Punches is one of those stamp sets I don't pull out often enough.

Email me with any questions or to have this shown to you in a class!

supplies Used:

Stamps: Perfect Punches $38.95

Colours: Brushed Gold, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

Other: Mocha Specialty Papers, Pearl Bead, Embroidery thread or a fine ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4 circle punch, Gold Brads, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Stitched Stockings Now Available!

Those cute cute cute Christmas Stockings available last month are now available again!

Get these now for Christmas projects - stamp set available in both wood and clear mount and the matching punch makes it a very easy image to use.

Order yours today to get it in time for Christmas tags and projects!

Stitched Stockings set of seven $51.95 clear mount or $64.95 wood mount

Builder Stocking Punch $41.50

 

Vintage Beautiful Season

I have really enjoyed teaching this card to my classes - I think most everyone has seen it now!

I took this idea off of a swap board at one of our events; I don't know who the original artist is but it sure is good one!

Beautiful Season isn't an expensive set as it's just the four stamps.  They are rather large and quite detailed though, so it's great value for money.

I used a water pen and quickly coloured in the image.  The great thing about watercolouring is you can be a little sloppy and it still looks great. OR you can take your time and make something really amazing.  But when doing mass production like Christmas cards, sloppy passes.

The project also uses very few supplies - just one colour cardstock and some pieces of Naturals Ivory cardstock.  No ribbon even.  Instead, we've used a piece of the ribbon border punch here.  You do need this one; it's absolutely gorgeous.

You do still have time to make some Christmas cards, especially if you choose a quick one like this.  Order your supplies today and I will make sure it gets to you as quickly as possible!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Beautiful Season set of four $40.95, En Francais $40.95

Colours: Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Old Olive

Other: Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Black Staz-On, sponges, water pen, Modern Label PUnch, Hemp Twine

Christmas Petal Cone

This is an awesome little box with sooooo much potential!  AND this die is on special this month too!

This box is done with two die cuts - you can make a flat pouch using just one die.  I taught this project at our three team extravaganzas and really enjoyed it.  It was easy to do and so effective!  The photo doesn't do these gorgeous colours justice, really.

These make a very cute box to hang on the Christmas tree or on a doorknob.  So cute!  Of all the Christmas sets, I've used this one Tags Till Christmas the most this year.

Design inspired by Delys Cram

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Tags Til Christmas $57.95

Colours: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo

Other: Petal Cone Die, Petals A Plenty Embossing Folder, Scallop Square Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Silver Brads, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, 1/8 inch Taffeta Ribbon, 1 1/4 square punch

 

 

 

An Island Oasis Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

The last few days have been busy with house project, finishing up gifts, and fun times with my girls.

This Christmas card is nearly a direct CASE from the talented Karen Rogers

I just loved her swap she did.  My mother was here visiting, and I realized karen's card was a perfect Christmas card for someone living in Florida (mom). 

 
 
And it's a great Kiwi Christmas card, too.  I sent mom home to Florida with 30 of these. She was thrilled.

Isn't that new Lattice Embossing Folder great?

I hope you all have a wonderful day today, tomorrow and the next!

 

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Tropical Party set of five $30.95

Colours: Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, So Saffron, Old Olive

Other: Brights Brads, Hemp Twine, Fresh Cut Notes, Square Lattice Embossing Folder

Christmas Breakfast 2010

This was so much fun for me!  I love to give gifts - heartfelt and personal ones, which is one reason why I am in the business in the first place isn't it. 

We had our annual Christmas Breakfast this morning with everyone bringing a gift and food. And oh so much food!!

Sofie was so excited, she set up a little reception desk at the front door and my self-appointed secretary dished out all the numbers for the gift exchange.

 
It makes me laugh how kids have such creativity within themselves.  Who would have thought to use two stools to make herself a perfect little desk and then to use her jazz costume hat to draw out the numbers.  I love it.

The year's gift was definately a team effort between myself, my daughters, my student Pascale, Chrissie Patterson, and Janine Pearce.  But it was great fun chatting around the table as we worked.

We made lanyards for the Stampin Up Scissors using various beads, but most prominantly beads made out of the Stampin' Up! Designer Series Papers:

 
The idea is to wear these during classes and workshops.  Maybe I'm the only one, but I've cut myself more than once reaching into my pocket for my scissors . . . And I have certainly lost more than a pair or two . .

 
The other cool thing is the scissors detach and have a little toggle on them, so now you always know which pair is yours.

Didn't those DSP beads turn out Gorgeous?!

It was a truly lovely morning, as it is every year.  Everyone leaves and I am on such a high.  Christmas is such a wonderful time of year.

I did take quite a few photos of the tree (My girls and I hung all the lanyards on the Christmas tree for the presentation) and the ladies, but all the photos turned out black.  (I've had terrible luck with cameras this last year) .  I do have this one that turned out okay:

 

And I do have this video that Madeleine was taking, unbeknownst to most of the ladies (and Dave, our token male).  I wasn't going to publish this because I desperately needed to pull my pants UP, but since I have no pictures, this is what I can offer.  And I don't really love that Madeleine filmed me from the Jolly Green Giant perspective, but it is what it is.  Just ignore ME.  LOL

Enjoy!~

 

 

Easy Snow Swirled Christmas Card

This is a take on a lovely Christmas card I received last year from Val McGunnigle.  Everyone loved it in my sample box ~

The reason I put this one down as "easy" is because it uses only one stamp set and only one colour + two neutral colours.  There isn't a lot of fiddling to do with colours and can be easily made up in different colourways.

Don't you love the rhinestones on the tree?

 
It's not too late to do your Christmas cards!  I whipped up 20 of these during a 90 minute cheer practice.

Place your orders today! 

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Snow Swirled $58.95

Colours: Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Other: Rich Razzleberry Ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Rhinestones

A Christmas Door & Important Message - please read

This is a lovely idea for a relatively Quick and Easy Christmas card.  I did this idea as a make and take at a Scrapbooking Convention many years ago - still an effective project.

The wreath is actually super easy - it's the wreath stamp from the Welcome Christmas stamp set.  It isn't as fiddly to cut out as it may appear; it's done quite randomly and they went pretty quickly.

 
 
**** It seems as of recent that many customers and friends are suddenly not getting my emails.  I believe that some of the internet providers may have changed their spam filter settings.  Please add me mail@stamphappy.co.nz to your safe senders list, your address book, or add the domain name as a safe sender.

And in the meantime, please check your spam or junk mail folder.  If you use Outlook or another email program, you may also need to check your junk mail folder on your webmail.  (for example, check your outlook junk mail and then also log into your email account via the webpage of your internet service provider and check that junk mail folder as well).

I reply to all emails and texts - if you have not heard from me, there is most definately a disconnect somewhere.  Text are most welcome as well.  021 128 9923   Many thanks so all of you - my valued customers and team!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Welcome Christmas, Tiny Tags

Colours: Real Red, Old Olive, Crumb Cake

Other: 3/8 inch silver brads, Real Red Satin Ribbon, Jewelery Punch

{Merry Christmas! and Blog Candy Winner}

Merry Christmas to everyone!

I think this is the hottest one I've experienced so far in New Zealand!  We're just getting back from the pool and now off to have lunch with dear friends.  But first:

Blog Candy Winner:

Research Randomizer Results #5 (www.ramdomizer.org)

That would be Janine!  Congrats janine and thanks all for playing my little game!  :)  Janine, contact me and I'll send that out to you.  Mail@stamphappy.co.nz  Like the rest of the country (one thing I LOVE about NZ), I am going to put my feet up until January 5th.  I may blog here and there, but taking a much needed break from the computer.  I will still check my emails 2x per day and am not leaving the country, but going on "light schedule" mode.  Happy Holidays everyone!

{Sweet Treats Lollipops}

Great little project for a little something to give friends this year or anytime.  My girls enjoyed making a couple of these, too.

Make a flower or an ornament for the tree using the Sweet Treat cups in about ten minutes.  Great way to use up those leftover strips of DSP, too!

Scallop edge your strip of DSP and then run it through the crimper.  This will allow you to ease the strip around the sweet treat cup.  Now fill the cup and cover the back, sandwiching in the popsicle stick and an ornament hanger if you wish.

I also stamped the stick with staz-on.  I've never had an ice pop in New Zealand, but I recall as a kid the sticks having little jokes and things, so this is throwback to that.  Do you have that here?

And don't you love the polka dot ribbon! 

Order your sweet treat cups here.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Short and Sweet set of twelve  $35.95 or Something Sweet $52.95

Other: strips of DSP, Scallop Edge Punch, Crimper, Sweet Treat Cups, Circle Scissors, Black Staz-on, Ribbon