studio 4490
  • Home
  • About
  • Recognition
  • Sketches
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Recognition
  • Sketches
  • Contact

studio 4490

Creating the day away

InspirationRambling

Five Favourites: Must Visit Cardmaking Blogs

written by Kylie

Hi Everyone,

Thought I would do something a little different today and share with you some of the people (and their blogs) who inspire me in the cardmaking realm, not only with their creativity, but also with their generosity in terms of encouragement and sharing of information and ideas. You may recognise some of the names but perhaps a couple of names are new to you. I thoroughly encourage you to visit their websites as I am sure you will come away just as inspired and uplifted as I do. Here are my Five Favourites: Must Visit Cardmaking Blogs:

1. Jennifer McGuire Ink – Jennifer McGuire – she’s the guru! What more can be said? Plenty actually! Jennifer regularly shares card making videos which are always informative and beautiful. Jennifer is a wizz at showcasing different techniques too. She comes up with ideas that are sometimes amazing in their simplicity and have us all wondering why we hadn’t thought of that too. The other thing I love about watching her videos is that she always seems to squeeze more than one card/example into each one. Jennifer is also very generous with her encouragement of others within in the industry and promotes kindness (and the world needs a whole lot more of that!)!

2. Nichol Spohr Magouirk – You all know I love creating little scenes with my stamps and it was so fun for me to come across another card maker who creates intricate scenes like I do. Nichol creates the most gorgeous cards and her videos are just lovely!

3. Lawn Fawn – it is no secret that Lawn Fawn is one of my favourite stamp companies! I love their products (in fact, look for a haul video coming soon). I love that their blog features cards by their customers as well as their design team. They really seem involved and aware of what is happening within the industry. I love their Release Weeks where they show the products they are releasing in depth – they actually stamp out each of the stamps and you get a feel for what they were trying to achieve with each stamps. This is great because I’ve been known to look at stamps by other companies and I have no idea what the stamp is at all. lol

4. Creative Cardsea – Elle is an amazingly talented cardmaker and her cards always leave me inspired. She colours so beautifully and her card designs are always so fantastic. I also love how Elle gives us an insight into her thinking with her posts about goals and struggles. Oh, and she gives herself the most fabulous challenges! I’ve been known to play along and they are super fun!

5. Gotta do the Happy Dance – Bev was the first person to comment on my blog and she has commented on the majority of my posts ever since. Bev is incredibly generous in terms of encouragement and support. She ALWAYS uplifts with her posts AND her cards! One of the things I love most about visiting Bev’s blog is that she has a wide range of styles and every post inspires.

So these are Five Favourites: Must Visit Cardmaking Blogs. I hope you visit their blogs and come away as inspired as I do when I visit them. I would love to hear some of your “must visit” blogs so please feel free to share in the comments below. There are so many wonderful cardmakers out there and I would love to spotlight more (perhaps a post for another day) but for this post my criteria was to include the blogs I always visit first when I sit down to read.

I hope you enjoy this type of blog post too – it is a little different for me. I have some ideas for similar posts and will be sharing them over the coming months. If you would like to suggest any more areas you’d like for me to cover, please do so.

Happy Stamping!

(Disclaimer: This is my personal opinion. I am not affiliated with the first three artists/companies. The last two artists I feel privileged to call my friends after having come to know them through cardmaking.)

27 February, 2016 4 comments
0 Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
BirthdaysCardsStampin' Up!

Happiest of Birthdays to You (Stampin’ Up!)

written by Kylie

Hi Everyone,

One of my favourite stamps sets to use lately has been the Birthday Blooms stamp set from Stampin’ Up! I have made a lot of cards recently with this set – it is fun to colour and it also versatile enough to be used for birthday, thank you, thinking of you, or even sympathy cards. I have three cards to share today – all variations of the one theme.

For the first card, I stamped the images a few times around the edge of a panel of white cardstock and then coloured them in with Copic Makers. I added some washi tape to the edges of the card base and then placed the decorated panel in the centre. You could always pop up this middle panel with some foam tape.

Here’s the card…

Happiest of Birthdays to You Materials used: Stamps - Birthday Blooms (Stampin' Up!); Washi Tape - It's My Party Designer Washi Tape (Stampin' Up!), and Copic Markers.

Happiest of Birthdays to You
Materials used: Stamps – Birthday Blooms (Stampin’ Up!); Washi Tape – It’s My Party Designer Washi Tape (Stampin’ Up!), and Copic Markers.

The second card came about because I still had a piece of designer paper on my desk from an earlier project and thought it matched well with the pink I had used to colour the flowers. I placed this down the left hand side of the card base. Before adding my panel to the card base, I added a few hearts around the sentiment which I highlighted with some Wink of Stella. I then popped the panel up using foam tape.

Here’s the card…

Happiest of Birthdays to You Materials used: Stamps - Birthday Blooms (Stampin' Up!), Lunar Animals (Mama Elephant); Designer Paper - Garage Days (KaiserCraft); Copic Markers and Wink of Stella.

Happiest of Birthdays to You
Materials used: Stamps – Birthday Blooms (Stampin’ Up!), Lunar Animals (Mama Elephant); Designer Paper – Garage Days (KaiserCraft); Copic Markers and Wink of Stella.

My final card came about because I had been looking back at some of the cards I had made during 2015 and one card just jumped out at me. You can see the card I refer to here. I decided to use this card as inspiration and I think it came out super well.

Here’s the card…

Happiest of Birthdays to You Materials used: Stamps - Birthday Blooms (Stampin' Up!); Punch - Triple Banner (Stampin' Up!); Distress Inks and Copic Markers.

Happiest of Birthdays to You
Materials used: Stamps – Birthday Blooms (Stampin’ Up!); Punch – Triple Banner (Stampin’ Up!); Distress Inks and Copic Markers.


This really is a super fun set and I LOVE colouring those flowers. I stamped and coloured a whole pile of these flowers so will hopefully have more cards to share in the future.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Happy Stamping!

14 February, 2016 0 comment
0 Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
CardsCompetition EntryPaper SmoochesStampingThank You

Thanks a Bot (PS)

written by Kylie

Hi Everyone,

Today I am sharing another card using the super cute Boom Bots stamp set from Paper Smooches. Seriously, how cute are the robots? And the darling robot dog? Adorable!! I love it! I really feel as though I have only just started to scratch the surface on this set.

Today’s card is really rather simple – some patterned paper, a few coloured robots and an embossed sentiment. I tend to like using hearts as embellishments but you could easily switch them out for stars, sequins, rhinestones, or the like.

Here’s the card…

Thanks a BOT Materials used: Stamps -Boom Bots (Paper Smooches); Cardstock - Knights Smooth, American Crafts; Designer Paper - Garage Days, Technologic (KaiserCraft); Sprinkles Shapes - Hearts (Doodlebug Designs); Copic Markers, Silver Embossing Powder (Unknown), Punch - Banner Triple (Stampin' Up!)  and Wink of Stella.

Thanks a BOT
Materials used: Stamps -Boom Bots (Paper Smooches); Cardstock – Knights Smooth, American Crafts; Designer Paper – Garage Days, Technologic (KaiserCraft); Sprinkles Shapes – Hearts (Doodlebug Designs); Copic Markers, Silver Embossing Powder (Unknown), Punch – Banner Triple (Stampin’ Up!) and Wink of Stella.

I’d like to enter this card into the Paper Smooches February 2016 Challenge. The theme is Fun and Cute!

SPARKS BADGE

Paper Smooches - February 2016 Challenge

Paper Smooches – February 2016 Challenge

I hope you enjoyed this card and I thank you for stopping by to visit! It’s time to head back to the studio to do some more crafting so I will see you all next time!

Happy Stamping!

SUPPLIES

http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product.aspx?id=337549
http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product.aspx?id=337559
*Kaiser GARAGE DAYS 6.5 x 6.5 Paper Pad
*Kaiser TECHNOLOGIC 6.5 x 6.5 Paper Pad
Doodlebug HEARTS Sprinkles Shapes Glossy Enamel Embellishments 4575
InLinkz.com


(DISCLAIMER: Although a member of the Simon Says Stamp Affiliate program, all items used to create my projects were purchased by myself. I only link to items I have used, like to use and actually recommend.)

3 February, 2016 4 comments
0 Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
CardsPaper Smooches

I’m nuts and bolts about you (PS)

written by Kylie

Hi Everyone,

The moment I saw the Boom Bots stamp set by Paper Smooches I knew I *had* to have it. I had lots of ideas for using it but I talked myself out of getting it for a while as I didn’t really think I *needed* it. Finally I just gave in and purchased it and I am so glad I did as I have totally loved creating with this set. I have a few cards to share today using this stamp set and I have only just begun to touch on some of the many and varied ways it can be used. It’s a realllly fun set!

My first card using this set was super simple. I used the smaller stamps in the set to create a background on the melon mambo cardstock. On the centre panel I stamped a couple of the super cute robots. A very simple card!

Here’s the card…

Luv u Bots Materials used: Stamps -Boom Bots (Paper Smooches); Die - Pierced Rectangle Stax (MFT); Cardstock - Knights Smooth (Knights), Melon Mambo (Stampin' Up!); Copic Markers; Melon Mambo Ink Pad (Stampin' Up!)and Wink of Stella.

Luv u Bots
Materials used: Stamps -Boom Bots (Paper Smooches); Die – Pierced Rectangle Stax (MFT); Cardstock – Knights Smooth (Knights), Melon Mambo (Stampin’ Up!); Copic Markers; Melon Mambo Ink Pad (Stampin’ Up!)and Wink of Stella.

I’m not too good with using white space and thought this card might be a little plain. I decided to keep the basic design the same but to spice it up with a bit of bling. I also wanted the stamping on the base cardstock to be a little bolder.

Here’s the card…

U + Me = <3 Materials used: Stamps -Boom Bots (Paper Smooches); Die - Pierced Rectangle Stax (MFT); Cardstock - Knights Smooth (Knights), Melon Mambo (Stampin' Up!); Copic Markers; Melon Mambo Ink Pad (Stampin' Up!), Clear Rhinestones (KaiserCraft) and Wink of Stella.

U + Me = <3
Materials used: Stamps -Boom Bots (Paper Smooches); Die – Pierced Rectangle Stax (MFT); Cardstock – Knights Smooth (Knights), Melon Mambo (Stampin’ Up!); Copic Markers; Melon Mambo Ink Pad (Stampin’ Up!), Clear Rhinestones (KaiserCraft) and Wink of Stella.

Thinking the white panel in the centre might be that little bit too white, I decided it was time to add a bit of a background with distress inks and a stencil. (As an aside, this design could be seen to be an interpretation of Sketch #1 shared here. This design has so many possibilities!).

Here’s the card…

U + Me = <3 Materials used: Stamps -Boom Bots (Paper Smooches); Die - Die-namics Blueprints 13 (MFT); Cardstock - Knights Smooth, American Crafts; Designer Paper - Scrap Yard (KaiserCraft); Huey's Masks - Circle Graph Mask (Studio Calico); Sprinkles Shapes - Hearts (Doodlebug Designs); Copic Markers; Distress Ink Pad - Salty Ocean  (Tim Holtz/Ranger) and Wink of Stella.

U + Me = <3
Materials used: Stamps -Boom Bots (Paper Smooches); Die – Die-namics Blueprints 13 (MFT); Cardstock – Knights Smooth, American Crafts; Designer Paper – Scrap Yard (KaiserCraft); Huey’s Masks – Circle Graph Mask (Studio Calico); Sprinkles Shapes – Hearts (Doodlebug Designs); Copic Markers; Distress Ink Pad – Salty Ocean (Tim Holtz/Ranger) and Wink of Stella.

I totally loved the above card but it wasn’t quite how I imagined it. I switched out the paper for this gorgeous foiled checkerplate design (also from KaiserCraft), softened the sponging behind the robots and added some soft pink hearts and voila! my card was finished. I love this one the most.

Here’s the card…

I'm nuts and bolts about you Materials used: Stamps -Boom Bots (Paper Smooches); Die - Die-namics Blueprints 13 (MFT); Cardstock - Knights Smooth, American Crafts; Designer Paper - Garage Days (KaiserCraft); Huey's Masks - Circle Graph Mask (Studio Calico); Sprinkles Shapes - Hearts (Doodlebug Designs); Copic Markers; Distress Ink Pad - Salty Ocean  (Tim Holtz/Ranger) and Wink of Stella.

I’m nuts and bolts about you
Materials used: Stamps -Boom Bots (Paper Smooches); Die – Die-namics Blueprints 13 (MFT); Cardstock – Knights Smooth, American Crafts; Designer Paper – Garage Days (KaiserCraft); Huey’s Masks – Circle Graph Mask (Studio Calico); Sprinkles Shapes – Hearts (Doodlebug Designs); Copic Markers; Distress Ink Pad – Salty Ocean (Tim Holtz/Ranger) and Wink of Stella.

As I think the above card is so fun and cute, I am actually going to enter it into the February Challenge at Paper Smooches. The theme is…fun and cute! 🙂

Paper Smooches Challenge Blog

Paper Smooches Challenge Blog

Paper Smooches - February 2016 Challenge

Paper Smooches – February 2016 Challenge

I’m in the middle of creating another card using this stamp set and will hopefully have it ready to share tomorrow.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Happy Stamping!

SUPPLIES:

http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product.aspx?id=337549
http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product.aspx?id=337559
*My Favorite Things PIERCED RECTANGLE STAX Die-Namics MFT
My Favorite Things BLUEPRINTS 13 Die-Namics MFT
My Favorite Things BLACK LICORICE Hybrid Ink Pad MFT
My Favorite Things REFILL BLACK LICORICE Hybrid Ink MFT
Hero Arts Shadow Ink Pad BUBBLE GUM Mid-Tone AF208
Doodlebug HEARTS Sprinkles Shapes Glossy Enamel Embellishments 4575
*Kaiser TECHNOLOGIC 6.5 x 6.5 Paper Pad
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad SALTY OCEAN Ranger Summer TIM35015
Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad SALTY OCEAN Ranger TDP40132
*ZIG Wink of Stella GLITTER CLEAR Brush Tip Marker 025320
InLinkz.com


(DISCLAIMER: Although a member of the Simon Says Stamp Affiliate program, all items used to create my projects were purchased by myself. I only link to items I have used, like to use and actually recommend.)

2 February, 2016 4 comments
0 Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
CardsClose to My HeartCTMHStampingThank You

Thank you for your kindness (CTMH/HA)

written by Kylie

Hi Everyone,

Happy New Year to you all! Hope you are all enjoying a happy start to 2016!

I’ve spent a lot of time creating lately but not much time blogging and I’ve missed you all!

On my to-do list is making a few “thank you” cards as my stash is depleted and I really need to send out a few. I had recently received the Friendly Pets stamp set from Close To My Heart (CTMH) and the Acts of Kindness set from Hero Arts and I thought they would work together perfectly. As I needed to make a number of cards I also decided to go with a very simple card design. I have turned this card design into a sketch as I love it so much and think it is actually a very versatile design. I’m going to add a page for sketches on my blog as a resource which will grow over time – for those moments when creativity seems a little blocked.

Here’s the sketch…

Sketch 1

Sketch 1

As you can see, it would be perfect for a one layer card but you could easily jazz it up as well. I decided to make the centre panel pop up with foam adhesive but otherwise I kept the design very simple.

Here’s the card…

Thank you for your kindness Materials used: Stamps - Friendly Pets (CTMH), Acts of Kindness (Hero Arts); Copic Markers, Designer Paper - Happy Snaps (KaiserCraft), Glossy Accents (Ranger) and Rhinestones (KaiserCraft).

Thank you for your kindness
Materials used: Stamps – Friendly Pets (CTMH), Acts of Kindness (Hero Arts); Copic Markers, Designer Paper – Happy Snaps (KaiserCraft), Glossy Accents (Ranger) and Rhinestones (KaiserCraft).

If you are interested in seeing how this card came together, here’s a video showing the process…

For the second card, I switched out the patterned paper and used washi tape instead. I don’t have a lot of washi tape but I have enough that I really should be using it more. On cards where you only want a little bit of colour, like this one, washi tape fits the bill perfectly.

Here’s the card…

Thank you for your kindness Materials used: Stamps - Friendly Pets (CTMH), Acts of Kindness (Hero Arts); Copic Markers, Zig Clean Colour Real Brush Markers, Washi Tape (KaiserCraft), Glossy Accents (Ranger) and Rhinestones (KaiserCraft).

Thank you for your kindness
Materials used: Stamps – Friendly Pets (CTMH), Acts of Kindness (Hero Arts); Copic Markers, Zig Clean Colour Real Brush Markers, Washi Tape (KaiserCraft), Glossy Accents (Ranger) and Rhinestones (KaiserCraft).

For the third card, pattered paper came back into play and I thought I could use it in the balloon as well for something a little different. Adding a stitched line to the border of the middle panel gave it a little ore interest too.

Here’s the card…

Thank you for your kindness Materials used: Stamps:

Thank you for your kindness
Materials used: Stamps:

The next card, I stepped the basic design up a little more by adding a border of patterned paper to the middle panel. I also gave the dog more of a setting with a grass and sky background. Can you see how the possibilities for both this stamp set and the design just continue to develop?

Here’s the card…

Thank you for your kindness Materials used: Stamps - Friendly Pets (CTMH), Acts of Kindness (Hero Arts); Copic Markers, Designer Paper - Happy Snaps (KaiserCraft), Distress Ink (Tim Holtz/Ranger), Glossy Accents (Ranger) and Rhinestones (KaiserCraft).

Thank you for your kindness
Materials used: Stamps – Friendly Pets (CTMH), Acts of Kindness (Hero Arts); Copic Markers, Designer Paper – Happy Snaps (KaiserCraft), Distress Ink (Tim Holtz/Ranger), Glossy Accents (Ranger) and Rhinestones (KaiserCraft).

For the final card I am sharing today, I moved away from the straight lines in the middle and added a cloud edge. So pretty! I also made the middle panel wider. It is still the same sketch but automatically these two changes make the card look quite different. The hint of glitter tape along the left hand edge adds a little bling and fun to an otherwise simple card.

Here’s the card…

Thank you for your kindness Materials used: Stamps - Friendly Pets (CTMH), Acts of Kindness (Hero Arts); Copic Markers, Dies - Puffy Clouds Border (Lawn Fawn), Shimmer Tape (CTMH), Designer Paper - Little One.

Thank you for your kindness
Materials used: Stamps – Friendly Pets (CTMH), Acts of Kindness (Hero Arts); Copic Markers, Dies – Puffy Clouds Border (Lawn Fawn), Shimmer Tape (CTMH), Designer Paper – Little One.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. If you happen to use the sketch idea to create your own card, please let me know as I would love to see your interpretation.

Happy Stamping!

24 January, 2016 0 comment
0 Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Rambling

Happy New Year

written by Kylie

Hi Everyone,

As one year comes to a close and a new one begins, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank each one of you for taking the time to visit my blog. An extra big thank you goes out to those of you who take the time to comment and email. I really do appreciate every sweet comment you share with me.

I’m not one for New Year’s Resolutions but there has been one thing which has popped up for me a few times this past year which I need to address. I’m sure I’m not alone with this one either. I often put on crafting videos when I sit down to create (I’ll share some of my favourite sites/artists in another post). For the most part, it is incredibly inspiring watching the creative processes of others. At the same time, however, I end up stuck in a weird vortex where I’m watching creativity at work but I am not actually doing anything creative myself. At times, I’ve also found my creativity impeded as I judge my own abilities too harshly, I find that I won’t use particular products as other creatives have used similar, and at times the SAME ideas to the ideas I have had (this happens a lot around new release time where it seems as though everyone is using the same product!). It’s at this stage when I need to remind myself to step away from the computer and just PLAY! Forget what everyone else is doing and just do your own thing!

I keep saying to myself that I really need to spend more time creating than I do watching others create. I made it into a jpeg and thought I would share it with you all. Maybe it will resonate with you as well.

Quote

And on that note, it is time to step away from the computer and actually go and play! Happy New Year to you all! May 2016 bring you every happiness!

Happy Stamping!

31 December, 2015 6 comments
0 Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
CardsCTMHReviews

Review: Workshops on the Go – Kaleidoscope Cardmaking Kit (CTMH)

written by Kylie

Hi Everyone,

Today, I thought I would do something a little different – a review! A friend of mine is a Close To My Heart consultant and I’ve been drooling over a lot of the things in the current catalogue. We recently had a crafting get-together (which was so much fun!) and after seeing some of her goodies, I decided to order a few things. (I’m actually considering becoming either a CTMH or Stampin’ Up! consultant in the new year).

I selected a range of stamps, ink pads and also the Workshop on the Go: Kaleidoscope Cardmaking Kit because I really needed to make some birthday cards to have on hand. I thought the kit might be a way to get some cards made very quickly. I was also interested to see how easy the kit would be to use if you were a beginner cardmaker.

Workshops on the Go: Kaleidoscope Cardmaking Kit

Workshops on the Go: Kaleidoscope Cardmaking Kit

The kit comes with the following items:
* Stamp Set
* 2 x Patterned Papers
* 4 x Cardstock Sheets
* 15 x Card Bases and Envelopes
* 1 x Enamel Dots
* 1 x Shimmer Trim
* 1 x Instructional Brochure

(Please note: CTMH has their own names for each of the items, for example, the patterned papers are called B&T Duos. For ease of comparison, I have used more commonly known terms).

The catalogue makes mention of the coloured ink pads needed to complete the kit, as well as other basic supplies such as paper trimmer, adhesive, etc. I used CTMH inks as well as a memento ink. I really liked how the CTMH ink stamped. It reminds me of the Hero Arts as it stamped a bit splotchy at first before drying to a perfectly smooth colour. Just lovely! (The ink pad design is a bit hit and miss for my liking. It is a good size and stacks well, however, opening it can be really hard and I suspect people with conditions such as arthritis may struggle to get the ink pad open!)

My first opinion of the kit was that I really like the stamp set. I don’t have a lot of solid stamp images in my collection so this immediately fills a gap. I was also really happy with the colour palette. The colours are very pretty. The instructional brochure seems to have just the right amount of information without being overwhelming. It contains sketches of the three card designs, a cutting diagram for each of the papers and cardstock as well as large colour pictures so you could really see how it all went together. I couldn’t wait to begin!

To get started, I turned to the cutting diagram and cut all of the papers and cardstock as instructed. Once that was done, I picked out one of the designs and started stamping and assembling. It was at this stage I ran into difficulties. It seems I had made a mistake with one of the dimensions! Uh oh! Fortunately, it was only slightly out for one size and didn’t have too much of an impact on the finished piece. The next issue I had was stamping straight! Even though the stamps are clear I did have difficulties lining up the stamps for card one. My difficulties were compounded when I accidentally dropped the ink pad onto my stamped piece. *sigh* I wasn’t a happy stamper at this point especially when I realised the card kit contained only one sheet of the white cardstock. Fortunately, I did have another in my stash and was able to cut new panels and re-stamp.

In the end, the stamping and assembly process was fast and fun too and now I have 15 birthday cards at the ready.

Here are the three cards I made:

Card 1…

Happy Happiest Birthday Materials used:  Kit: Workshops on the Go: Kaleidoscope Cardmaking Kit; Ink pads: Canary, Pear, Pixie (CTMH), and Grey Flannel (Memento).

Happy Happiest Birthday
Materials used: Kit: Workshops on the Go: Kaleidoscope Cardmaking Kit; Ink pads: Canary, Pear, Pixie (CTMH), and Grey Flannel (Memento).

Card 2…

Party time! Materials used:  Kit: Workshops on the Go: Kaleidoscope Cardmaking Kit; Ink pads: Canary, Pear, Pixie (CTMH), and Grey Flannel (Memento).

Party time!
Materials used: Kit: Workshops on the Go: Kaleidoscope Cardmaking Kit; Ink pads: Canary, Pear, Pixie (CTMH), and Grey Flannel (Memento).

Card 3…

Celebrate Materials used:  Kit: Workshops on the Go: Kaleidoscope Cardmaking Kit; Ink pads: Canary, Pear, Pixie (CTMH), and Grey Flannel (Memento).

Celebrate
Materials used: Kit: Workshops on the Go: Kaleidoscope Cardmaking Kit; Ink pads: Canary, Pear, Pixie (CTMH), and Grey Flannel (Memento).

So now that I have finished making the kit, I can honestly say I enjoyed the process of stamping and putting the cards together. I stayed true to the designs in the brochure although it would be really easy to mix it up – use different coloured inks or swap the paper over (as it is double sided). I liked the actual card designs as they are different from my usual style. I think a beginner stamper/cardmaker would be able to assemble the cards relatively easily although I suspect they might run into the same issues I had with stamping straight for card one. Aside from the ink pads and basic supplies such as adhesive, etc, the kit does contain everything you need to get started. If you follow the cutting guide there is actually a little bit of leftover patterned paper and coloured cardstock, as well as extra shimmer trim and enamel dots. You could easily make another couple of cards with the leftovers. My one criticism is that I think another sheet of white cardstock should have been included just in case of issues with stamping or cutting. Aside from this, it is a fun kit to work with and I am looking forward to using the stamp set with other projects in the future. The cutting guide also makes you aware of just how many different cards you can make out of a handful of papers.

I hope this was of interest to you and perhaps offered some insight into whether this product might be of use to you or to someone you know.

Happy Stamping!

30 December, 2015 0 comment
0 Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
ChristmasClose to My HeartCTMHRamblingStampin' Up!

Ramblings

written by Kylie

Hi Everyone,

Wow! It has been such a long time (again!) since I popped in to say hi and share what I have been doing creatively. Like many of you, I’ve spent A LOT of time creating Christmas cards recently. I make them for my work as well as for myself so it does take a bit of time. I had planned to use some of the new stamp sets from Lawn Fawn to create my cards this year – then I saw the card example on page 15 of the Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalogue (using the Embellished Ornaments Clear Mount Bundle)! I knew immediately I wanted to make something similar. Seriously, it is a GORGEOUS card! Whilst I stayed fairly true to the example in the catalogue in terms of design I have mixed it up a bit – I’ve used distress inks, added some bling and used my printer and the Minc to add some pretty foiled elements. And yes, the Minc is totally awesome and my new favourite crafting tool!

Here is the first of the two styles of Christmas cards inspired by the design in the Stampin’ Up! Catalogue…

Merry Christmas (Blue) Materials used: Stamps - Embellished Ornaments (Stampin' Up!), Dies - Delicate Ornament Thinlits (Stampin' Up!), Triplits - Banner (Sizzix), Blueprints 13 (MFT), Cardstock - Stampin' Up!; Card Base - KaiserCraft; Inks - Distress Ink; Minc - Foil, Toner Paper; Wink of Stella; and Rhinestones (KaiserCraft).

Merry Christmas (Blue)
Materials used: Stamps – Embellished Ornaments (Stampin’ Up!), Dies – Delicate Ornament Thinlits (Stampin’ Up!), Triplits – Banner (Sizzix), Blueprints 13 (MFT), Cardstock – Stampin’ Up!; Card Base – KaiserCraft; Inks – Distress Ink; Minc – Foil, Toner Paper; Wink of Stella; and Rhinestones (KaiserCraft).

And the second card…

Merry Christmas (Red) Materials used: Stamps - Embellished Ornaments (Stampin' Up!), Dies - Delicate Ornament Thinlits (Stampin' Up!), Triplits - Banner (Sizzix), Blueprints 13 (MFT), Cardstock - American Crafts, Stampin' Up!; Inks - Distress Ink; Minc - Foil, Toner Paper; Wink of Stella; KindyGlitz, Metallic Thread, and Rhinestones (KaiserCraft).

Merry Christmas (Red)
Materials used: Stamps – Embellished Ornaments (Stampin’ Up!), Dies – Delicate Ornament Thinlits (Stampin’ Up!), Triplits – Banner (Sizzix), Blueprints 13 (MFT), Cardstock – American Crafts, Stampin’ Up!; Inks – Distress Ink; Minc – Foil, Toner Paper; Wink of Stella; KindyGlitz, Metallic Thread, and Rhinestones (KaiserCraft).

And with that my Christmas cards were made. Yay!

On a completely different note, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking recently about becoming a consultant with either Close to My Heart or Stampin’ Up!. They both seem like really great companies and offer product which I like. Would love to hear any opinions about each company. I do know consultants for each of the companies (and I would sign up under them should I decide to proceed) but I’d love to hear any words of wisdom from my friends in blogland, including whether you would actually be interested in seeing any cards I made using stamps/products from these companies.

I hope you are all happy and well and I am so sorry for the long absence! I’m sorry too that I’ve not been visiting your blogs too! I’ve missed seeing all the fabulous things I just *know* you’ve been creating!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Happy Stamping!

20 December, 2015 2 comments
0 Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Clearly BesottedGorjussLawn FawnStamping

Best Wishes (Gorjuss)

written by Kylie

Hi Everyone,

Today I have three cards to share using the Gorjuss stamp set Toadstools. I have had so many ideas buzzing through my head for this set but I’ve decided to limit it (for now!) to three cards. For this series, I have essentially used the same card design but I’ve switched up the colour schemes for each. I think this card set illustrates that simply by changing the colour palette you use, without even changing the design too much, you can end up with a completely different feel. Imagine how many different card looks you can get when you switch up the design as well?! I totally love how versatile stamps are!

For my first card, I had been playing around with the blues and greys on her outfit which prompted me to put her in a winter scene.

Here’s the card…

Best Wishes Materials used: Stamps - Toadstools (Gorjuss/DoCrafts), Joy to the Woods (Lawn Fawn), A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted); Cardstock - Knights Smooth, American Crafts; Dies - Die-namics Blueprints 13 (My Favourite Things), Stitched Hillside Borders (Lawn Fawn), Circles (Sizzix); Copic Markers, and Distress Inks.

Best Wishes
Materials used: Stamps – Toadstools (Gorjuss/DoCrafts), Joy to the Woods (Lawn Fawn), A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted); Cardstock – Knights Smooth, American Crafts; Dies – Die-namics Blueprints 13 (My Favourite Things), Stitched Hillside Borders (Lawn Fawn), Circles (Sizzix); Copic Markers, and Distress Inks.

I decided then to add a bit more colour and a dark night sky was born along with rich green rolling hills. Love the colours of the background.

Here’s the card…

Best Wishes Materials used: Stamps - Toadstools (Gorjuss/DoCrafts), Joy to the Woods (Lawn Fawn), A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted); Cardstock - Knights Smooth, American Crafts; Dies - Die-namics Blueprints 13 (My Favourite Things), Stitched Hillside Borders, Let's Bokeh (Lawn Fawn); Copic Markers, Distress Inks and Wink of Stella.

Best Wishes
Materials used: Stamps – Toadstools (Gorjuss/DoCrafts), Joy to the Woods (Lawn Fawn), A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted); Cardstock – Knights Smooth, American Crafts; Dies – Die-namics Blueprints 13 (My Favourite Things), Stitched Hillside Borders, Let’s Bokeh (Lawn Fawn); Copic Markers, Distress Inks and Wink of Stella.

For the final card, I realised I had yet to use the little critter and the toadstools from the set. Of course that had to be remedied immediately. The toadstools are super cute. I had been tempted to go with a darker colour palette but eventually decided on more of a spring time theme.

Here’s the card…

Just Because Materials used: Stamps - Toadstools (Gorjuss/DoCrafts), Joy to the Woods (Lawn Fawn), A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted); Cardstock - Knights Smooth, American Crafts; Dies - Die-namics Blueprints 13 (My Favourite Things), Stitched Hillside Borders, Let's Bokeh (Lawn Fawn); Copic Markers, Distress Inks and Wink of Stella.

Just Because
Materials used: Stamps – Toadstools (Gorjuss/DoCrafts), Joy to the Woods (Lawn Fawn), A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted); Cardstock – Knights Smooth, American Crafts; Dies – Die-namics Blueprints 13 (My Favourite Things), Stitched Hillside Borders, Let’s Bokeh (Lawn Fawn); Copic Markers, Distress Inks and Wink of Stella.

So, there you have it – one stamp set, one basic card design and three different cards. They were so fun to make and I hope you enjoy viewing the cards today.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

1 November, 2015 4 comments
0 Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
CardsGorjussHalloweenStamping

Happy Halloween (Gorjuss)

written by Kylie

Hi Everyone,

Following on from yesterday’s post, I *had* to see how the gorgeous Gorjuss girl (from the On Top of the World stamp set) would look as a little witch with GREEN skin. She’s just as adorable as she was before. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a stamp of a kitten which would fit the scene so she is without her faithful friend (the black kitty cat). I also just realised I forgot to give her a broom. She might be stuck on the fence for a while…or maybe the little birdies will fly her away.

Here’s the card…

Happy Halloween Materials used: Stamps - On Top of the World (Gorjuss/DoCrafts), Crazy Talk (Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous), Crazy Things (Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous), Vintage Fence (KaiserCraft); Cardstock - American Crafts, Knights Smooth;  Designer Paper - Black & White (Glitz); Dies - Die-namics Blueprints 7 (MFT), Die-namics Blueprints 22; Copic Markers, Distress Inks, Distress Markers and Wink of Stella.

Happy Halloween
Materials used: Stamps – On Top of the World (Gorjuss/DoCrafts), Crazy Talk (Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous), Crazy Things (Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous), Vintage Fence (KaiserCraft); Cardstock – American Crafts, Knights Smooth; Designer Paper – Black & White (Glitz); Dies – Die-namics Blueprints 7 (MFT), Die-namics Blueprints 22; Copic Markers, Distress Inks, Distress Markers and Wink of Stella.

Hope you’ve enjoyed seeing (yet) another of my cards using the On Top of the World stamp set.

Happy Stamping!

19 October, 2015 2 comments
0 Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Newer Posts
Older Posts

Categories

Follow Me

studio4490

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

@2010-2019 Kylie Page and studio4490. All rights reserved. All information, cards, ideas, videos, photographs, are shared in good faith for inspiration and educational purposes and cannot be used without the express written consent of Kylie Page and studio4490. The information contained herewith is as accurate as it can be at the time of publishing, as too are the links to external sites. Please click on these links with care. Stamp designs and papers remain the copyright of their respective owners.


Back To Top