Still here, just had a super busy week! Didn't get a chance to do much creating, just a couple of cards.
Here's one of them. I wanted to try the cracked glass technique with Crystal Effects but it wasn't very successful. It gives a great dimensional glossy effect, but it is too pliable (even after being put in the freezer) to crack very well. Because it is wet for a longer time than embossing enamel, it also causes the ink to feather a little bit. I find using UTEE gives the best result in the shortest time for the cracked glass technique. I do really like the Stampin' Up! Crystal Effects though and prefer it to Dimensional Magic because it dries much quicker and is also thicker and runs off the edges less.
I have used Stampin' Up! Touch of Nature set. The card is Naturals Ivory cardstock and then I have used Cranberry Crisp cardstock stamped with Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla as the first layer. The second layer is Chocolate Chip cardstock stamped using the Stampin' Up! Linen background stamp (my new favourite!) in Chocolate Chip ink. The main image is Naturals Ivory matted on Always Artichoke and I have watercoloured the image using the Watercolour Wonder Crayons, before I added the Crystal Effects. I have also used Hodgepodge Hardware and some Stampin Up! olive green organza ribbon. The sentiment is from the hostess set Warmest Regards and I have embossed it using gold embossing powder.
Friday night we were glued to the TV for the football. Paul barracks for Collingwood (and I do now to a much lesser degree) and all my family in Perth barrack for West Coast (my Mum was at the game!). It was such an exciting game to watch. Go Pies.
Had a great workshop yesterday, a lovely group of a few regular customers and also met some lovely new people. I always find the workshops a really enjoyable way to spend the afternoon and we had fun exploring techniques and introducing the new customers to Stampin Up! They were quick to book their own workshop when they saw the amazing hostess benefits the hostess received. It's great when a group does this as we then get to 'step it up' at subsequent workshops and explore some of the more detailed techniques for papercrafting.
Last night it was our kinder trivia night which was great fun. We didn't win (far from it, lol) but we did do well with prizes along the way - vouchers for all sorts of things including hairdressers, Bakers Delight, play centre etc. Most importantly we raised heaps of money for the kinder which was great.
Today we just had a quiet family day - took the boys to swimming class and then I just read my book and relaxed which was a much needed lazy day.
Hope to get a chance to do some creating this week. I also need to sort my photos and get my pages planned for the Scrappy Hollow scrapbooking retreat I am going to this weekend.I like to use the Cropper Hopper Page Planners, because they have room for papers, photos and embellishments and I always find I get much more done. I am aiming for 10 completed pages (ever the optimist!). I am also planning on completing and emailing this months card template and technique sheet. These will not be posted on my blog, but will be exclusive to my customers and those who subscribe to the email list (top right column). I promise it will be worth it!
Have a great week,
Claire xx