Aviary (3) - Three bird cages

Hi everyone, here's the last card from the Aviary card class: 

 

The cages were stamped in Basic Grey ink and the colour scheme was Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Melon Mambo. The flowers were punched using the flower punch from the Itty Bitty punch pack:

Here's a close up of the flowers. The green edge has been punched with the scallop border punch:

I stamped the inside of the card too, with a row of birds. This is a terrible photo but you get the gist (I hope). Right, you've seen all the cards from card class now, hopefully you've enjoyed them. The next  card class has a masculine theme and takes place on Wednesday 30th. Let me know if you fancy joining us. x

 

Father's Day/Men's cards class Wed 30th May

Hi everyone, the next card class will be on  Wednesday 30th May. The theme will be Father's Day cards but these cards can be adapted for any occassion, for the men in your life. Here's a sneak peak:

There's a special offer for this class. If you sign up for the class you can have the Open Sea stampset at a special discounted price of £20 for the wooden set or £15 for the clear set.

If you want to take up this offer, I need to know about it by Wed 23rd, 5pm. The class and stamp set will need to be paid for at this time. This will give me enough time for the stamps to be ordered and delivered by the class date of the 30th. You can sign up for the class at any time, but if you want the stamps, don't delay.

I went to a brilliant Stampin' Up! training event in Leeds on Saturday and all the demonstrators create swaps for eachother. That way you get lots of samples of different stampsets and different ways to use them. I will show you photos of all the swaps later but I created my swaps using the Open Sea stamp set.

Here they all are:

I made more than 30 of these, which meant cutting out more than 30 ships by hand. I needed a punch!! Here's a close up:

I hope I've shown you how great this stamp set is. If you want it at a discount, then place your order and join us for the class. Hope to hear from you soon. x

Aviary - Card 2.

Hi everyone, apologies for not blogging for a while. I've done 2 fairs this week and now I'm not very well with a nasty cold. Still it gives me a bit of time to do some typing. I bet you thought I'd forgotten about the Aviary cards but I haven't. Here's the second of the Aviary cards which we made at the last card class. This one use the oak tree from the Lovely as a Tree stamp set, as a fern. Have a look:

I used Old Olive, Melon Mambo and Always Artichoke cardstock. The foliage of the oak tree was inked using old Olive, taking care not to ink the tree trunk. An Always Artichoke marker was then used to dab spots of darker green onto the stamp, to create depth. The small stamp from Lovely as a Tree (just 2 leaves and a pine cone) was stamped round the edges, creating a 'fern leaf look'.  The birdcage was then stamped on top of the 'fern' in Basic Grey ink, which looks less stark than black (although in the photos it looks like blue) Here's a closer look:

The greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set again. I've used the gorgeous dotted scallop ribbon in Melon Mambo and the fllower was punched using the Boho Blossom punch with a rhinestone in the centre for a bit of bling. Here you are:

The scalloped edge was punched using the Scallop Edge Border punch. If you fancy making these cards and need any products, then please get in touch. x

Aviary Class May 16th

Hi everyone, here's a sneak preview of the Aviary Class which will be held on the 16th May, 7.00-9.30pm at my house:

We'll be making these lovely bright cards, not at all my usual colour scheme but I really enjoyed making these samples.

I won't keep you waiting to see all of these cards in more detail so here's the owl card:

I used Melon Mambo, Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie. The little owl is one of the stamps from the Aviary stamp set. I used the clear set so managed to stamp one owl on top of the other without using the stamp-a-ma-jig, although this is still my favourite tool.

The greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set. This set is so useful as it contains just about every greeting you can think of and they fit the Word Window punch. The label is punched using the Modern Label punch. Here's a closer look:

 

If you fancy making this card, and the others, then it's not too late to book your place. Just contact me on 07970 708348. Check back soon for the others in close up. x

Fair Owls

Hi everyone, I recently had a stall at a Spring fair and I was asked to do an activity for the children. Having seen several versions of this owl on the internet, I decided to do these.

These owls have made with Poppy Parade, Island Indigo and Daffodil Delight cardstock. Their bodies are cut using the Pillow Box die and the Big Shot. The 'feathers' are made from strips of designer papers from the Designer Paper stacks in matching or complimentary colours.

I used punchs for the detail - the feet are punched using the 5 Petal Flower, the wings are punched with the Large Oval and the beak is one of the hearts from the Heart to Heart punch. I prepared most things before the fair but the owl was so popular I had to cut lots more. One girl ended up making 5 of them!

Here's a close up of the red one:

The kids loved this, especially as it gave them a little gift box aswell as a cute owl. Why not have a go yourself. x

Lovely Pansies

Hi everyone, I hope you are enjoying your Bank Holiday weekend, despite the weather not being great.

Here's another card we made at the last card class:

I love these pansies and am really pleased with the way they turned out. We used the butterfly punch to make these flowers and Wisteria Wonder card. Here's a video showing you how to make these. And here's a close up of the flowers:

 

The centres of the flowers have been inked with Concord Crush ink and the lines drawn in with the Concord Crush marker pen. Some glittered lines give the finishing touch. The brads are not Stampin' Up! 

 The label was stamped using the Four Frames stamp set and the greeting is from the Petite Pairs stamp set, which fits nicely in the frame. It was then punched using the Modern Label punch. The ribbon is the lovely Scallop Dots Ribbon in Concord Crush. Here's another close up:

 

Remember, the next class is on Wednesday 16th May, if you fancy joining us. Have a great weekend. x

Classes in May

Hi everyone, there should have been a class on the 9th May but as it's a Bank holiday weekend and I have a clash of dates later in the month, due to a charity event, I am not having a class on the 9th and the next one is on Wednesday the 16th May. It will be 7.00-9.30pm at my house as usual and the cost will be £12 which includes everything you need except adhesives.

The theme for the 16th will be the Aviary stamp set. This is one of my favourite stamp sets - cute and modern and suitable for all occasions. I haven't made my samples yet but here is what the set looks like and if you click on this link (http://mapleleafstampin.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Aviary) you'll be taken to some blog posts where I've posted two other cards using this set.

On Wednesday 30th May, we will be making masculine cards which can be used for Father's Day (if you want, or birthdays etc) We will use The Open Sea, a new set which is in the Summer mini catalogue. We may even make a little gift for the men in our lives. This is what the set looks like and the sample out of the catalogue:

 

If you are interested in joining me for these classes, please let me know as soon as possible. Everyone who attends classes during May will get a free hardcopy of the mini catalogue - it is so much easier to look at the 'real' thing. Also keep an eye on my blog for previews and any special offer info. Hope to hear from you soon.x

Free ticket to Convention worth £149

Wow, there's been so much news these past couple of days, I can't keep up. Stampin' Up! have just announced that anyone who buys the Starter kit during May will get a free ticket to the Stampin' Up! convention in Germany this year. (You do have to pay your own travel and hotel costs)

Convention is a time when demos from Germany, France and the UK get together to celebrate success and do some crafting. I have never been but it always looks like great fun on the photos. Click on this link for further information http://www2.stampinup.com/gb/eng/8057.asp

Right, I'd better show you a project or else you'll give up reading my blog.... Here is one of the cards we made at the last card class. We used the owl punch to make this gorgeous rose:

I used Very Vanilla for the base card. The Big Shot was used to cut the Top Note, which was then embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. Cherry Cobbler was used for the red layer, the rose and the seam binding ribbon.

Here's a close up of the rose. As I've said the owl punch was used for the petals and the scallop circle was used for the centre. Here's a tutorial showing you how to make this. This lady makes great flowers from punches, so have a look at her other tutorials.



I used the Bird Builder punch for the leaves. The bow is a double bow made with Cherry Cobbler seam binding and one of the beautiful Antique brads. Here's a better view:



You may notice that I sprayed the rose with champagne shimmer mist. I mixed it with some alcohol and put it into a spray container. It gives it a lovely sparkle but it is hard to capture in a photo. I hope you like this card and have a go at making it yourself. Let me know if you want to order any of the products. I'll be back soon with another card. x

Summer mini catalogue

Yeah, at last!! The Summer mini catalogue is here. Click here to be taken to the catalogue. There are some fabulous new products here and remember I'm placing an order tomorrow (2nd May), so if you want free P&P get in touch before 6pm on the 2nd.

I will be showing you some projects using the new products soon, so keep an eye on my blog. All I need now is time to play....

Enjoy the new catalogue and don't forget the great new starter kit offer. What a great way to get all your goodies at a discounted price. x