AWH Heart of Christmas #18

Heart of Christmas Blog Hop: Fitted Florets with Boughs of Holly

Hello. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the Art with Heart Team Heart of Christmas Blog Hop for 2022. 

So glad you are joining us for our eighteenth 2022 Heart of Christmas Blog Hop. Wow, the year is spending by. November starts tomorrow and then Christmas will be here before we know it. I have enjoyed creating a card using part of the early release Fitting Florets suite together with current Sun Prints and Boughs of Holly Designer Series Papers. Here is my card:

 

My project for this blog hop was designed a couple of weeks ago for a Colour Creations Blog Hop when we were focussing on one of the Neutrals, Gray Granite. One of Stampin’ Up!s Designer Series Papers includes Gray Granite in its colour scheme, ie the delightful Sun Prints DSP. A number of the “B” sides use Gray Granite and white. The plan was to use one of these patterns as the background for a Framed Florets design - potentially with fussy cut flowers from the Boughs of Holly DSP. I ran out of time to create it for the Colour Creations Blog Hop so created the card design for this 18th Heart of Christmas Blog Hop using the Framed Florets dies and the limited release Framed & Festive stamp set. I really love the card's simplicity - well simple for me.

A panel of the Gray Granite & White DSP design from the Sun Prints DSP was adhered to a Thick Basic White card-stock base. The frame die from the Framed Florets dies was used to cut 4 frames in Basic White card-stock. Three of the centre ovals were put aside for other projects (an oval label is always handy).  One oval was stamped with a sentiment from the Framed & Festive stamp set in Gray Granite Classic Stampin’ ink. The 4 oval frames were adhered together - one non top of the other - and then centred on the card front - well a little closer to the top edge than the base - allowing some space for the floral arrangement. The oval label was adhered inside the frame.

A poinsettia spray from the Boughs of Holly DSP was fussy cut together with some DSP leaves. A few detailed die cut leaves were cut from Basic White card-stock. All these pieces were arranged and adhered with Multipurpose Liquid Glue or Dimensionals. 

A double bow was tied with Gray Granite Shimmer Ribbon (that had been cut in half lengthwise) and Gold Simply Elegant Trim and tucked under part of the arrangement with Glue Dots. Gold Adhesive-backed Seasonal Sequins added that final touch.

Partial poinsettia sprays from the edge of the sheet of DSP are great for adding to edges of your projects. Not wanting to waste these partial poinsettia arrangements, a couple were fussy cut and added to the card inner and to a C6 Basic White Envelope. It is an easy way to add a special touch.

Thank you for dropping in. I so appreciate it.

It is always a delight to see everyone's creations and I am sure there will be gorgeous Christmas projects on show. Don't miss checking out each blog. Join me in continuing with the blog hop by clicking the "onto the next" graphic below and be taken to the blog of the lovely Caroline Manwaring. I always look forward to checking out Caroline's creations together with everyone else's. 

Don't forget the weekly Colour Creations Blog Hop by the Art with Heart Team that launches every Wednesday at 8.00pm AEST. This Wednesday we are focussing on Mango Melody.

Stay well, stay safe and be kind to yourself and others.

Andrea XXX

If at any time you find a broken link and the next blog doesn’t come up or you started part way through, please head to the blog of our Heart of Christmas Blog Hop Host, the very special Sharon Davern, and she will have the list of all Art With Heart Team members who are participating in this blog hop. Check out her beautiful creation while you are there.

If you are in Australia, don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like your own copy of Stampin' Up's 2022-2023 Annual Catalogue and or the July - December Mini Catalogue then let me know and I will be delighted to send them to you. Pease don't hesitate to contact me with any other queries about these projects or Stampin' Up!. 

#heartofchristmas #heartofchristmas2022  #awhtheartofchristmas #Stampin'Up! #stampinupaustralia #stampinupsouthpacific #stampinupdemo  #handmadecards #makeacardsendacard #stampinupdemonstrator #papercrafting #artwithheartteam  #papercrafter  #stamper  #valleyinspirations #framed&festive #boughsofholly #sunprints

AWHT Colour Creations #26 Highland Heather

Highland Heather with Wisteria Wishes

Hello. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the Art with Heart Colour Creations Blog Hop. We are working though the Stampin' Up! colours in alphabetical order, featuring a colour each week. 

This week’s Blog Hop is focussing on a mauve called Highland Heather. Highland Heather is part of the Subtles Colour Family. This colour is lovely when used for flowers, butterflies, is great with blues for snowflakes and so much more. 

Highland Heather is produced in Stampin' Up!'s card-stock, both A4 & 12"x12"; Classic Stampin' inks (ink pads & re-inkers); Stampin' Write Markers; Stampin’ Blends, Subtles Designer Series Paper as well as Pastel Pearls, Cute Stars Adhesive-backed Sequins & is part of the Glitter Washi Four Pack.

Here is the card I created using the Highland Heather card-stock, Classic Stampin' Ink, Stampin' Write Marker and Stampin' Blends: 

I initially had a completely different card in mind for this blog hop but then ideas for the card structure/folds spun out of control. Rather that trying to pare ideas back I changed to a completely different concept... that of wisteria on a trellis. I started with a piece of Basic White card-stock and used one of the Split Card Textures dies in the corner. A little blending of Highland Heather Classic ink was added to part of the un-die cut section with some splattering from Highland Heather and Orchid Oasis Stampin’ Write Markers.

The background (seen behind the die cut area and as a small mount) is a piece of Balmy Blue card-stock with added blending of White Craft ink, Balmy Blue and Orchid Oasis Classic inks and Stampin' Up!s wonderful Blending Brushes. This panel was attached to the Highland Heather card-stock base and the die cut panel was layered directly on top.

The 2 step wisteria flowers were stamped in a combination of Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia and Orchid Oasis inks on Basic White card-stock. I recently saw a technique of lightly misting the inked stamp before stamping it onto card-stock. This gives a slight water-colour effect to the image. It was a learning process to discover how much misting is needed to get the desired effect without adding too much moisture to loose stamp definition. Its just trial and error. While you can use Fluid 100 Watercolor paper or Shimmery White card-stock it is also possible to stamp on Basic White card-stock as a light misting is best. The leaves were inked in Soft Sea Foam and Mint Macaron then also misted and stamped. The images were die cut with coordinating dies from the Wisteria dies. 

The flowers and leaves were arranged and adhered in place using Multipurpose Liquid Glue and Dimensionals. (That sounds easy doesn't it - well - I arranged all the pieces and was really pleased; thought I should take a photo so I didn't loose the arrangement when adhering pieces in place, BUT ... I accidentally knocked it and all the pieces went flying! It took MUCH fiddling to rearrange all the pieces to an acceptable arrangement - its still not as good as my first try. Sigh.)

A sentiment from the same stamp set was white heat embossed on Highland Heather card-stock using Versamark, White Emboss Powder and a Heat Tool. It was fussy cut into 2 pieces and added with Mini Dimensionals. A double bow of White Crinkled Seam Binding was tucked under some wisteria near the sentiment and the design was finished with some gorgeous Iridescent Rhinestone Basic Jewels that had been coloured with a Dark Highland Heather Stampin' Blend.

A Basic White card inner was decorated with some remaining flowers and leaves - just a simple decoration. A Basic White C6 Envelope was stamped with wisteria across the top edge.  

Thank you for spending time with me on my blog. I hope you found something to spark an idea  that will be useful in your crafting.

There is more Highland Heather creativity. To continue with the blog hop, click the  "onto the next" graphic below to be taken to the blog of the lovely and talented Rachel Palmieri. I always look forward to checking out Rachel's creations. I do love seeing everyones' projects - there is always so much inspiration.

I hope to see you next week when we will be featuring Mango Melody, one of the Brights Colours, as we continue the weekly 2022-2023 Colour Creations Blog Hops.  Also, don't forget that many of us are joining the Heart of Christmas Blog Hop on Monday evenings to share delightful Christmas projects to give you some ideas to help with your Christmas preparations. 

Stay well, stay safe and be kind to yourself and others. 

Andrea 💕🐾

If you find a broken link or have come to this blog hop from a different entry point, you can view the full list of participants on Catherine Proctor’s blog @ What Cathy Made. Cathy is our  Art With Heart Team Colour Creations Coordinator.  She is an wonderful lady. Check out her delightful creation while you are there.

If you live in Australia, don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like your own copy of Stampin' Up's 2022-2023 Annual Catalogue and or the July - December 2022 Mini Catalogue then let me know and I will be delighted to send them to you.  Please don't hesitate to make contact with any other queries about this project or Stampin' Up!. 

#colourcreationsbloghop  #stampinup #stampinupaustralia #stampinupsouthpacific #stampinupdemo  #handmadecards #makeacardsendacard #stampinupdemonstrator #papercrafting #artwithheartteam  #papercrafter  #stamper  #valleyinspirations   #wisteriawishes #splitcardtextures

AWH Heart of Christmas #17

Heart of Christmas Blog Hop: Joyful Flurry & Christmas Lights

Hello. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the Art with Heart Team's Heart of Christmas Blog Hop for 2022. How quickly the year is going! Christmas will be here before we know it. As I am sending Christmas cards to the UK, I need to get my card writing act together.

So glad you are joining us for our seventeenth 2022 Heart of Christmas Blog Hop. I saw Susan Campfield, a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator in the USA, yesterday when she created a new fancy fold card. Susan had altered a project she had seen. As I was intrigued with her fold, I converted her measurements to make the most of our A4 sized card-stock. I also used different stamp sets, Designer Series Paper, colour scheme and added a belly band. 

Here is my card (closed view):

The other inspiration for this card was to play with the Frosted Flurry dies. I had created a card for a The Stamping Cove Design Team using the Frosted Flurry dies, but, I wasn't happy with it. I loved the effect of the die cut snowflakes but didn't feel I had showed them at their best. I didn't want to be beaten, rather to redeem myself. I am happier with the effect seen on this project. What do you think??? 

A Very Vanilla Thick card-stock base was scored and burnished and an extra piece of Very Vanilla card-stock was cut to create a flap that will hide the personal written panel and have a decorative panel in the centre. Here is a top view photo of the standing card to give you a sense of the folds.

A Very Vanilla and gold design of the Lights Aglow Speciality Designer Series Paper was ombre blended with Blushing Bride and Polished Pink Classic Stampin' inks. One 6"x6" piece of SDSP was the perfect size for this fold. The front panel was decorated with gold heat embossed snowflakes from both the Joyful Flurry & Christmas Lights stamps. The front centre panel of the back flap was also gold heat embossed with snowflakes. Both front panels and the front flap panel also were coloured with ombre blending using the same colours, although I brought the colouring down further on the front panels. I didn't intend to recreate the SDSP, but there are similarities.

Gold foil panels were embossed with the snowflake embossing folder from the Wintry 3D Embossing Folder pack. When standing open the foil panels are only minimally seen but I like the drama created when looking more closely at the card panels.

I thought I would experiment and layer the detailed snowflake dies from the Frosted Flurry dies over snowflakes from a non-coordinating stamp set. The dies only cut part of the snowflake card-stock. It doesn't cut out the whole snowflake but cuts in such a way that segments can be lifted to give added dimension. The photo below endeavours to capture the partial die cut effect. 

A sentiment from the Joyful Flurry stamp set was gold heat embossed on Very Vanilla card-stock. It was cut with the Stampin' Trimmer and then the word "wonder" was fussy cut. I wanted to alter the sentiment. The sentiment was added with Mini Dimensionals. Iridescent Rhinestone Basic Jewels were added at the centre of larger snowflakes. The pink and yellow tones of the rhinestones go brilliantly on this panel.

A Very Vanilla card-stock belly band was wrapped around the closed card and overlapped at the front, knowing that the snowflake embellishment would hide the seam. Polished Pink Open Weave ribbon was wrapped around the centre of the belly band and then the Gold Elegant Trim was wrapped over the Polished Pink Ribbon. The largest snowflake from the Christmas Lights stamp set was gold heat embossed and then die cut with one of the Frosted Flurry dies to give it added dimension. The snowflake was cut out with the coordinating Twinkling Lights dies, however, some of the edge section fell off - I guess as I was mixing 2 different die sets to prepare the large snowflake there is likely to be some “issues”. I had already cut an extra blank snowflake so I was able to adhere the snowflake pieces onto the blank one. Even with that issue, I am impressed at the ability to use the dies with gold embossed snowflakes from a completely different stamp set. More Iridescent Rhinestones were added to this focal snowflake. A bow, tied with the ribbon and trim, was added at the side of the belly band.

Lifting up the inner flap shows the panel for writing ones personal message. This panel was stamped with garlands from the Christmas Lights stamp set using Blushing Bride, Polished Pink and heat embossed gold. A thin left over strip of the SDSP was added at the base and "Happy Christmas" from the Joyful Flurry stamps was gold heat embossed at the top. A C6 Very Vanilla envelope was gold heat embossed with the largest snowflake from the Christmas Lights stamps.

Thank you so much for dropping in and spending some time with me. I do so appreciate it.

It is always a delight to see everyone's creations and I am sure there will be gorgeous Christmas projects on show so don't miss checking out each blog. To continue with the blog hop, click the "onto the next" graphic below to be taken to the blog of the lovely Kate Morgan. I always look forward to checking out Kate's creations together with everyone else's. 

Don't forget the weekly Colour Creations Blog Hop by the Art with Heart Team that launches every Wednesday at 8.00pm AEST until the end of November 2022.

Stay well, stay safe and be kind to yourself and others.

Andrea XXX

If at any time you find a broken link and the next blog doesn’t come up or you started part way through, please head to the blog of our Heart of Christmas Blog Hop Host, the very special Sharon Davern, and she will have the list of all Art With Heart Team members who are participating in this blog hop. Check out her beautiful creation while you are there.

If you are in Australia, don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like your own copy of Stampin' Up's 2022-2023 Annual Catalogue and or the July - December Mini Catalogue then let me know and I will be delighted to send them to you. Pease don't hesitate to contact me with any other queries about this project or Stampin' Up!. 

#heartofchristmas #heartofchristmas2022  #awhtheartofchristmas #Stampin'Up! #stampinupaustralia #stampinupsouthpacific #stampinupdemo  #handmadecards #makeacardsendacard #stampinupdemonstrator #papercrafting #artwithheartteam  #papercrafter  #stamper  #valleyinspirations #joyfulflurry #christmaslights

AWHT Colour Creations #25 Gray Granite

Gray Granite with Framed Florets and Framed & Festive

Hello. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the Art with Heart Colour Creations Blog Hop. We are working though the Stampin' Up! colours in alphabetical order showcasing one colour each week.

This week’s Blog Hop is focussing on a mid grey called Gray Granite. Gray Granite is part of the Neutrals Colour Family and is a grey with a touch of brown. This colour is lovely when used with various shades of pink or yellow and is wonderful when creating a sympathy card. 

Gray Granite is produced in Stampin' Up!'s card-stock, both A4 & 12"x12"; Classic Stampin' inks (ink pads & re-inkers); Stampin' Write Markers; Stampin’ Blends, Neutrals Designer Series Paper as well as Sun Prints DSPs, Today is the Day Memories & More Card Pack, plus Bakers Twine (in the Essentials Pack) & Shimmer Ribbon.

Here is the card I created using the Fitting Frames suite early release products: 

I do love Gray Granite, although I am not sure I have showed it at its best in the blended framed background. I blended both So Saffron and Gray Granite Classic Stampin’ inks on a piece of Basic White card-stock with the idea of creating a sense of light shining in the darkness from behind the floral arrangement. This piece was placed on a card base of Thick Basic White card-stock. A sentiment from the coordinating Framed & Festive stamp set was stamped in Gray Granite ink.  Some splattering of water and some Wink of Stella added extra interest. The front panel was cut with the oval hearts die from the Framed Florets dies - ie it cuts an oval of hearts. Beautiful.  Another oval die was used to cut the oval hole. This panel was dry embossed with the Timeworn Type 3D embossing folder and then splattered with Gray Granite & So Saffron Stampin’ Write Markers. Did you notice my error - the little hearts were cut upside down - oops! The die cut front panel was added with Dimensionals. 

A floral arrangement and a twig of leaves were stamped numerous times in Gray Granite ink on Basic White card-stock. These images were coloured with Stampin’ Blend combos, ie light & dark Cherry Cobbler, Flirty Flamingo, Soft Succulent, Evening Evergreen and a touch of So Saffron, plus the Colour Lifter.  Some detailed leaves were cut from White Glimmer Paper with dies from the Framed Florets dies. This bundle is the first where the stamps and dies will hold the same name, which should make it easier to remember names.

The stamped and coloured elements were arranged together with the detailed die cut pieces and adhered in place with Multi-purpose Liquid Glue, Glue Dots and Dimensionals. The sentiment was stamped a second time with Versamark on Gray Granite card-stock and then it was heat embossed with White Emboss Powder and a Heat Tool. The larger words were fussy cut and added with Mini Dimensionals. To finish off, some White Crinkled Seam Binding and White Bakers Twine were tied into bows and adhered with Glue Dots. The final touch was the addition of some iridescent Heart Pearls.

A Basic White card-stock inner was stamped with the same floral stamp in Gray Granite ink. A thin strip of Gray Granite card-stock was adhered to the left side. I have photographed the card inner before it was adhered inside so the card inner and card front could be see together. It is a different way of showing the inner - What do you think???  A C6 Basic White envelope was also similarly stamped with the image on the back flap.

Thank you for spending time with me on my blog.

There is more Gray Granite creativity. To continue with the blog hop, click the  "onto the next" graphic below and be taken to the blog of the lovely and talented Tina Gillespie. I always look forward to checking out Tina’s creations. I do love seeing everyones' projects - there is so much inspiration.     

I hope to see you next week when we will be featuring Highland Heather, one of the Subtles Colours, as we continue the weekly 2022-2023 Colour Creations Blog Hops.  Also, don't forget that many of us are joining the Heart of Christmas Blog Hop on Monday evenings to share delightful Christmas projects and provide some ideas to help with your Christmas preparations. 

Stay well, stay safe and be kind to yourself and others. 

Andrea 💕🐾

If you find a broken link or have come to this blog hop from a different entry point, you can view the full list of participants on Catherine Proctor’s blog @ What Cathy Made. Cathy is our  Art With Heart Team Colour Creations Coordinator.  She is an wonderful lady. Check out her delightful creation while you are there.

If you live in Australia, don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like your own copy of Stampin' Up's 2022-2023 Annual Catalogue and or the July - December 2022 Mini Catalogue then let me know and I will be delighted to send them to you.  Please don't hesitate to make contact with any other queries about this project or Stampin' Up!. 

#colourcreationsbloghop  #stampinup #stampinupaustralia #stampinupsouthpacific #stampinupdemo  #handmadecards #makeacardsendacard #stampinupdemonstrator #papercrafting #artwithheartteam  #papercrafter  #stamper  #valleyinspirations   #framed&festive #framedflorets #fittedflorets

AWH Heart of Christmas #16

Heart of Christmas Blog Hop: Warm Welcome / Trimming the Tree / Window Wishes

Hello. Welcome to Valley Inspirations with Andrea and the Art with Heart Team Heart of Christmas Blog Hop for 2022. 

So glad you are joining us for our sixteenth 2022 Heart of Christmas Blog Hop. I quite a bit of fun creating a card using both Christmas and non Christmas stamps & bundles. Here is my card:

 

Recently, Stampin’ Up! released a bundle from the coming January-June 2023 Mini Catalogue for use at a Stampin’ Up! World Cardmaking Day Event. As I watched the event, I thought of placing a Christmas tree behind the open door and have had the idea bubbling around since then.  

Along with the Warm Welcome bundle, I have also used the Window Wishes bundle and Trimming the Tree stamp set. To gain dimension for the tree sitting behind the open door I thought of the Faux Step Fancy Fold. Some of the card-stock dimensions were adapted to fit the open door with the tree behind. I am sooooo delighted it worked. What do your think?

Here is a side view angle.

Some Thick Very Vanilla card-stock was cut to size and scored, folded and burnished. A subtle Smoky Slate design from the Abigail Rose Designer Series Paper (I love this DSP so much) was cut to fit the card front panels leaving a small border. The open door stamp from the Warm Welcome stamp set was stamped in Crumb Cake Classic Stampin’ ink. The Christmas tree from the Trimming the Tree stamp set was stamped in Evening Evergreen and Soft Succulent Classic inks and then gold embossed to give a sense of tinsel. The tree tub was stamped in Crumb Cake ink. The laurel from the Window Wishes stamp set was stamped in Evening Evergreen and Parakeet Party inks. Presents from the Warm Welcome stamps were heat embossed in gold using Versamark ink, Gold Emboss powder and a Heat Tool. All were stamped on Basic White card-stock.

The door and presents were die cut using the Warm Welcome Dies. I cut 3 extra doors to stick together to give some dimension to the door. The Christmas tree could have been die cut if you had purchased the coordinating Tree Trimming dies during the limited release over previous months or it could easily be fussy cut. The laurel was fussy cut but could have been die cut using the Window dies - I was in fussy cutting mode. The presents were coloured by blending with a Stampin’ Blending Brush - inks used included Fresh Freesia, Rich Razzleberry, Pale Papaya, Polished Pink, Balmy Blue, Blushing Bride Classic inks. The open door was coloured with Pale Papaya and Blushing Bride inks.

The pieces were all assembled and positioned with Multipurpose Liquid Glue or Dimensionals. Some gold embossed scalloped decoration was also added to give a little more interest. Iridescent Pearls Basic Jewels were scattered over the tree, laurel and scalloped decorations, as well as for the door knob.  The sentiment from the Window Wishes stamps was straightened from a curve. This could be done as the stamp was photopolymer. It was gold heat embossed onto Very Vanilla card-stock, then trimmed down and added with Mini Dimensionals. A double bow was tied in Gold Elegant Trim and tucked under the sentiment with Glue Dots.

The panel for a personal message can be found by lifting up the decorative panel. A piece of Very Vanilla card-stock was mounted on a slightly larger piece of the same DSP. A stack of presents was added in the corner. A Very Vanilla C6 envelope had a left over stack of gold heat embossed presents adhered to the front.

I hope you like my adaption of the Warm Welcome bundle.  The Trimming the Tree stamps and the Window Wishes bundle were also used to create this Faux Step Fancy Fold card.

It is always a delight to see everyone's creations and I am sure there will be gorgeous Christmas projects on show so don't miss checking out each blog. I certainly won’t. To continue with the blog hop, click the "onto the next" graphic below to be taken to the blog of the lovely and talented Michele Taylor. I always look forward to checking out Michele’s creations together with everyone else's. 

Don't forget the weekly Colour Creations Blog Hop by the Art with Heart Team that launches every Wednesday at 8.00pm AEST. 

Stay well, stay safe and be kind to yourself and others.

Andrea XXX

If at any time you find a broken link and the next blog doesn’t come up or you started part way through, please head to the blog of our Heart of Christmas Blog Hop Host, the very special Sharon Davern, and she will have the list of all Art With Heart Team members who are participating in this blog hop. Check out her beautiful creation while you are there.

If you are in Australia, don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and would like your own copy of Stampin' Up's 2022-2023 Annual Catalogue and or the July - December Mini Catalogue then let me know and I will be delighted to send them to you. Pease don't hesitate to contact me with any other queries about these projects or Stampin' Up!. 

#heartofchristmas #heartofchristmas2022  #awhtheartofchristmas #Stampin'Up! #stampinupaustralia #stampinupsouthpacific #stampinupdemo  #handmadecards #makeacardsendacard #stampinupdemonstrator #papercrafting #artwithheartteam  #papercrafter  #stamper  #valleyinspirations #warmwelcome #trimmingthetree #windowwishes