Wow - I am so lucky!

I won another card challenge - over at Pals Paper Arts. Crazy, right? I mean I have only been doing paper crafting such a short while compared to everyone else, and I can't believe it. This is the card I won with - my take on Spring Fever!
I really love making cards and creating beautiful things, and challenges like this make me be creative outside my normal self.
Thanks Design Team for picking my card this week - it feels wonderful!

March & April Classes

Class reminder for March & April! Put one of these dates in your calendar and come along to learn something new, make some cards so you have them on hand for special occasions and meet some fabulous ladies. I welcome beginners looking for a new challenge, as well as experienced stampers.
All classes are in my home in Stonebridge (Barrhaven) in Ottawa. When you register for a class, I will send you details how to get to my house. You can reach me by email biancacoldrey@gmail.com or at 613.219.8337 to register. Space is limited, so don't wait too long.

Moms, if you are planning on coming to one of my day time classes, you are welcome to bring your children. There will be someone here dedicated to looking after all our children while we spend some quality time paper crafting.

Open House
Thursday, March 29, 2012
7pm - 9pm
Create two gorgeous cards, and place an order before the end of Sale A Bration to receive your free gift*! We will be using product from the Sale A Bration catalogue, as well as product from the Occasions Mini. There is no charge to come to my Open House.
*Minimum order must be $60 to qualify for free gift.

Fabulous, Fast & Fun Cards
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
9:30am - 11:30am, or 7pm - 9pm
Make 4 fabulous one-of-a-kind cards for all occasions in less than 2 hours. Have lots of fun while learning some new stamping techniques.

Cost of class is $20 flat fee or free with a $30 (or more) order

Technique Club

Thursday, April 12, 2012

7pm - 9pm

Learn a new stamping technique on the second Thursday of each month in my home in Barrhaven.

You will master a new technique on two cards, as well as make a sample to file in your Technique Book (with instruction sheet for those of us that forget the steps after class).

Cost of class is $20 flat fee, or free with $35 (or more) order.

Crazy for Cupcakes

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

7pm - 9pm

Love baking cupcakes and want to take them to the next level? In this class we will make 24 cupcake toppers (4 styles, 6 of each) with different themes, as well as cupcake wrappers to match. Themes include baby shower, kids birthday, adult birthday and wedding. 

Cost of class is $20 flat fee, or free with $35 (or more) order.

Private Workshops

Anytime, on your schedule

See a class you and your friends would like to take, but it doesn't fit into your schedule? Give me a call and we will schedule something that works. It can be in your home, or mine.  We can make 4, 8 or 12 seasonally themed cards in each workshop.

Workshops start at $20 flat fee, or free with $30 (or more) order.

Email me at biancacoldrey@gmail.com, or call me at 613.219.8337 to register for your class today.

Flight of the Butterfly

Some more Spring Fever in these tiny little 3x3 cards with matching envelopes. I am totally loving these colours together, more than I did when I first set eyes on this combo. I especially love Basic Grey and Melon Mambo together - so crisp!

I made the envelopes simply by un-gluing (is that a word?) a Mini Whisper White Square Envelop, tracing it out on DSP with a pencil and then a quick snip and some sticky strip, and we are done. The labels are from the Simply Scrapping Kit in the Occasions Mini. There's no reason you couldn't just prettily stamp a white envelope, but how pretty do these look?

Flight of the Butterfly is one of my favourite stamp sets, but I rarely use it. I must just forget about it - actually, you know, it's because it's a wood mount set and I can't see what's inside as easily as my clear mount sets, so all those wood mount sets get overlooked every day. I had better remedy that. From today, I will work my way through the wood mount sets, creating something special, so they feel like they are loved too.

Stamp Set: Flight of the Butterfly
Cardstock: Melon Mambo (textured), Daffodil Delight (textured), Basic Grey (textured), Pear Pizzaz (textured), Whisper White
DSP: Spring Fever Simply Scrapping Kit
Ink: Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Basic Grey, Pear Pizzaz, Versamark
Punches: Butterfly Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch
Other: Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Basic Rhinestones, Snail Adhesive, Sticky Strip

Enjoy!

Weekend Quickie!

Seriously, it is a weekend quickie. It's all I had time to do this past Family Day long weekend. For some reason, I thought I would have a bunch of time to myself. But, oh no, Family Day kind of means you have to spend the weekend with your family :)  Not that I am complaining, of course...

I had some cupcakes go out for a client, and I knew it was for a birthday, so I made a quick little tag and attached it to the box. A beautiful, fully-opened rose perfectly matched the Melon Mambo cardstock. It's these little added extras that make the difference to my cupcake deliveries. Not only are my cupcakes the best tasting, the whole package is the prettiest.

Stamp Set: Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess)
Ink: Melon Mambo
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Big Shot: Two Tags Bigz Die
Punch: Decorative Label Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch (to thread ribbon)
Other: Sponge Dauber, Snail Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips, non-SU ribbon

Enjoy!

Spring Fever!

Honestly, this feels like cheating. If you can't tell, I used the Spring Fever Simply Scrapping Kit from the Occasions Mini to create this card. Actually, I really used leftovers from the Simply Scrapping Kit. I attended a workshop last weekend, and we made about 8 cards and a box, and there is so much leftover that I cannot bear to not do something with it.
The colours absolutely scream SPRING with Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight and Pear Pizzaz. The Designer Paper is beautiful - I like them with small prints, as I am not into scrap booking so much (yet), so the smaller prints work well for me on cards and tags.

 I used the heart punch to make the petals on the flower - just punch out 8 and fold in half. Stick one side down with Snail and you are done. Everything co-ordinates, it all works well together, and the finished product looks so great (like you spent hours creating it all).

All the images on the inside of the card are stickers..you heard correct, they are stickers! I added some more pearls for a touch of luxe, a Dimensional for pop, and then I was done. I still feel like I cheated :)

I used the layout from PPA 129 Sketch Challenge for added inspiration too. 

Stamp Set: Mixed Bunch, Petite Pairs

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo

Cardstock: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo

Punches: Full Heart Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch

Other: Spring Fever Simply Scrapping Kit, Large Pearl Basic Jewels, Basic Pearls (love the multiple sizes in the one pack), 1/4" Daffodil Delight Grosgrain Ribbon, Snail Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals

Enjoy!

Regally Inspired!

These are colours I never use. I have no idea why, just one of those things. The Bravo Burgundy is still the original cardstock I bought a couple of years ago, and for some strange reason I must have felt like More Mustard was my own personal in-colour, as I have two new packages stored away. And, I never use them. I love Always Artichoke as a colour, but am stumped as to how to use it creatively.

This card was inspired by a napkin I saw at my friend's house (my good friend, who I am going to convention with) a while back - early January, possibly. The colours on the napkin (scroll to bottom) really popped out at me and I thought the shapes would be interesting on a card.

I used my 1" square punch to punch the shapes, and then punched opposite corners with my corner rounder punch. I love that little punch so much.

It's my father-in-law's birthday in early March, so this will be set aside for him.

The inside, same colours - soft suede, very vanilla and more mustard.

Here is the napkin that gave me inspiration this week - love when that happens!

Stamp Sets: Best Dad Ever, Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess set)
Ink: Always Artichoke
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Soft Suede
Punches: 1" Square Punch, 3/16" Corner Punch
Other: Natural Hemp Twine, Antique Brads, Stripes Embossing Folder, Snail Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Paper Piercer, Stampin' Dimensionals

Enjoy!

Pennant Parade Be Mine

It's Valentine's Day tomorrow! Fingers crossed the roses have been ordered, the chocolates are wrapped and dinner will be delivered. These days, with three kids under 3, we don't eat out as much as we'd like to. We never really ate out on Valentine's Day either.
Being in the industry, I know what a crazy mess dining out on Valentine's Day is. Only tables of 2, two or three different seatings mean you have to get in, eat the set menu and get out before the next round of diners files in. It's not particularly romantic to eat out on Valentine's Day.
My husband and I much prefer to go out for a long brunch the first Sunday following the day of romance. It's less rushed, we eat slowly, read the newspaper, drink lots of coffee and we love brunch. You can eat anything and get away with it - eggs & bacon, roast beef and potaotes, desserts - you name it, it's all up for grabs.

My last card celerating Love for this year uses Pennant Parade and the new stamp set from SAB - Outlined Occasions. Although any stamp with a small greeting/sentiment would work well here.
I hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow, and if you aren't with the one you love, at least treat yourself well - buy some flowers, head to the spa, buy some nice bubbly wine on the way home and then order in your favourite dinner.

Stamp Sets: Outlined Occasions (SAB), Tiny Tags, Pennant Parade
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Basic Black
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, StazOn Jet Black
Punches: Petite Pennants Builder Punch, 1/2" Cirlce, 3/4" Circle, Small Heart Punch
Other: 5/8" Basic Black Satin Ribbon, Snail Adhesive, Stampin Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots (to hold ribbon/bow in place).

Enjoy!

Ribbon Valentine

Valentine's Day is almost upon us, so if you haven't made your Valentine's cards, this is the last weekend to get crafty and get them done. 
I have never really embraced Valentine's Day until this year. Don't get me wrong, I love to receive flowers and a card from my husband, but it wasn't until I had children that I started enjoying all the holidays the year brings. I love the decorations, the cards and the candy. I love the way we can turn any occasion into a celebration.
This is the card I will send to one of my sisters in Australia. I doubt she reads my blog, so she won't know it's coming, and it will hopefully be a big surprise.
I used the new Hearts Collection Framelits Dies (love, love, love them) and then, if you can tell from the photo, I used strips of ribbon to make the heart. I just looked for all my little bits that I keep in a jar because I can't bear to part with them. I like to give everything a second chance :)

My card measures 5" x 5", with Real Red and Whisper White. It should fit nicely into a Medium Whisper White Square Envelope.

Stamps: Petite Pairs, I (Heart) Hearts
Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red
Ink: Real Red
Big Shot: Hearts Collection Framelits Dies, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Embossing Folder
Punch: Small Heart Punch, Small Oval Punch
Ribbon: (Sorry, a lot of these seem to be retired), Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon, Real Red Taffeta Ribbon, 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (Pretty in Pink, Real Red)\
Other: Sticky Strip, Stampin Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive

Enjoy!

Creating Pretty Cards #8

 It is hard to believe my twins turn one tomorrow. This past year has flown by so fast, and the twins have grown so big. From just 5lbs each at birth (one a little under, one a little over) to 25lbs now, they are in their 12-18 month clothing already.
We don't really have anything special planned. I will bake them each a cake, I have made them a card each and we will take some photos. No party, no huge celebration. I kind of wish we did, but I just don't have the time. Two babies, and a toddler, take a lot of work and energy.
I made them each a card though, so that's something special. And, yes, it's the same card - one in pink and one in blue. I dress them the same - one in pink and one in blue, so why not the same card?
You can also see how easy it is if you see a layout you like, but don't have the exact same paper and accessories, to change it up to suit.
My stamp sets and designer paper are all retired, but there are some stamp sets I can't bear to part with yet. And the paper, well, I picked it up on the clearance rack. I made the sentiment on my computer and then punched it out.

Stamp Sets: Happy Moments (SAB retired), A Slice of Life (Hostess retired), Swirls & Curls Verses (Hostess retired)
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Chocolate Chip, StazOn Jet Black
DSP: Nursery Suite (retired)
Punches: Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Corner Punch
Other: 5/8" Satin Ribbon (Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue) Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Two-Way Glue, Snail Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Blender Pen

Enjoy!

Simple Valentine

A simple and sweet Valentine's Day card today. My card measures 6.25" x 3" and will slide nicely into a small open-ended envelope by Stampin' Up!
I very simply punched three heart shapes into a strip of Whisper White card stock and mounted the designer paper (now retired) behind each window. A quick trim of Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine and a button finish this off super quick.

Inside I just used a small strip of the designer paper, topped with Real Red and then punched out some co-ordinating hearts. And, I just realized, no stamping required for this one!

Super simple, super sweet!

Card Stock: Whisper White, Real Red
Designer Paper: Retired from Stampin' Up (but any would work in this situation)
Punches: Full Heart Punch, Small Heart Punch
Other: Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Real Red Button, Mini Glue Dots, Snail Adhesive