Bethinking

So Cheeky

I like using scrapbooking sketches as a way of getting inspiration for the layouts I'm creating. This layout used a sketch from a magazine, "Scrapbooks etc". This is such a typical photo of Emily at the moment, with her cheekiest grin, so I wanted to feature it on the page, as well as include some journalling about what she's like at the moment. This sketch was perfect for what I wanted!

I used a couple of strips of patterned paper from the "Petals and Paisleys" designer series paper, and stamped some of my own background paper with the Spot On jumbo wheel and the Polka Dots and Petals stamp set. For the journalling, I've printed that on Vellum, then punched out circles from the patterned paper and black cardstock to help highlight the journalling spots.

The title uses some chipboard, sponged with Taken with Teal ink, and the Big Deal Alphabet, which is highlighted with Crystal Effects to make it shiny. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, thanks to the sketch. What do you think?

eScape

For the month of June, Stampin' Up! is encouraging people to eScape. That is, to eScape from the "e" - all the electronic forms of communication that are so constant in modern life, and to communicate by sending a handwritten note or card to someone, instead of an email or text message!

So while it's kind of ironic that you're reading about this via the Internet, you can still participate in eScaping if you like! You can do that in a few different ways:

1. Come along to my eScape event next Friday, 27th June at 7:30pm. At this class we'll be making some "Love Note" sized gift cards, with matching handmade envelopes, and a box to store them in. All the cards will involve watercolouring, so the class will also include tips and techniques to help improve your watercolouring skills. Cost: $20.

2. Purchase the eScape bundle - on sale for the month of June. The bundle includes a set of Love Notes, the Circle of Friendship stamp set, and the 1 1/4 inch hole punch. If you buy these together, then they're 25% off. Click here for more details.

3. Don't buy or come along to anything, but do take the time to send someone you love a handwritten note - I'm sure they'd appreciate it!

Please contact me ASAP if you'd like to order the June special product bundle, or book in for next Friday's eScape event. Thanks!

Peeking Pirate

The "Ahoy, Matey" set is fantastic for boys' birthday cards. Even though I don't have boys myself, I seem to use this set a lot! For this card I wanted the pirate's parrot to be seen from the front and the inside, so I stamped it on the inside, then created a "peek-a-boo" window using my circle punches so that the parrot could see through to the front of the card!

The images are stamped on Watercolour paper, then coloured in with Watercolour Wonder crayons and an aqua painter. I used the Rough Texture jumbo wheel in the background, and a greeting from the "It's Your Birthday" set inside. To add to the rough "piratey" look, I distressed the edges of the cardstock and sponged them with some brown ink. I hope you like the card!

Extra, Extra hostess benefits!

Stampin' Up! has announced two great promotions for June. One is the "Extra, Extra" hostess promotion. From June 1st to July 15th, if you host a workshop with sales over $700 (believe me, that's not so hard to reach), then you receive an extra $50 worth of hostess benefits! So, instead of receiving a free Stamp set and $80 worth of free product from the catalogue, you receive the stamp set plus $130 worth of free catalogue product. How good is that!

The card below is made using the "In the Spotlight" hostess stamp set, which is so versatile. Most of the images in the set can be punched out with the Stampin' Up! punches, making it such an easy set to use. If you'd like to earn this stamp set, which is only available to hostesses, as well as your $130 to spend from the Idea Book and Catalogue, then please contact me today to book your workshop.