A Rustic Monotone Layout

 

I've had the stamp set "Creative Elements" on my wish list for ages.  I finally got around to ordering it and it arrived last week.  I knew exactly what photos I needed it for!

I tested out a number of different base cardstocks; Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Sahara Sand before deciding on Soft Suede.  I think the effect of the white swirls on it looks so cool!

 I wanted a rather rustic monotone feel to this layout to go with the photos which didn't have alot of colour in them either and just love how it turned out.  I also sanded around each photo which gave them a aged look.

Stamps: Creative Elements. Calendar Alphabet, Hearts A Flutter, Lovely As A Tree, Woodgrain
Cardstock: Soft Suede,Sahara Sand, Early Espresso
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Whisper White Craft, Garden Green
Accessories: Big Shot, Hearts A Flutter Framelits, Chipboard, Simple Letters Alpha Dies, White Bakers Twine, Sponge Dauber, Spritzer Tool, Stampin' Spritzer, Sanding Block

My Christmas Cards!

These little babies have recently been sent out to my nearest and dearest so I hope that they enjoy them because they were a labour of love!

I have a "thing" for the Pool Party colour and knew I wanted to use the new tulle ribbon, champagne glimmer paper and Heart of Christmas stamp so the design just grew from there.

I'm still not sure if I like the Early Espresso or Crumb Cake tulle better ...

... or the background trees stamped in Crumb Cake spritzed with Pool Party or stamped in Pool Party spritzed with Crumb Cake - these are difficult choices!

I have to show you the difference that the new Stampin' Spritzer tool makes too.  It's definately different to the Color Spritzer Tool which attaches to a marker.  The new tool actually holds water and a few drops of whatever coloured ink you like (in this case Early Espresso) then sprays it on!  How cool is that?  Better yet, it's only $NZ5.95 for 2!

 

While I was playing with designs I had my first go at a step card which I thought I'd share too:

Stamps: Heart of Christmas, Lovely As A Tree, Woodgrain Background, God's Blessings
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Champagne Glimmer Paper
Ink: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Big Shot, Adorning Accents Embossing Folder, Labels Collection Framelits, Jewelry Tag Punch, Sponge Daubers, Color Spritzer Tool, Stampin' Spritzer, Pearl Basic Jewels, Linen Thread, Crumb Cake/Early Espresso 3 1/2" Scalloped Tulle Ribbon

Lovely As A Tree Christmas Cards

I was inspired by some Christmas cards on SCS and ended up having to buy the Lovely as a Tree stamp set just so I could make them.

Of course I added my own twist (as you do) and was really pleased how they turned out. They were actually very fast and simple to make and once you have made a positive/negative oval template, it's all go!

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree, God's Blessings, Woodgrain
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla
Ink: Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Big Shot, Designer Frames Embossing Folders Set, Sponge Dauber, Spritzer Tool, Dazzling Diamonds