Vellum and Embossing

Do you use vellum cardstock? Do you emboss it at all? I think doing this is my new favourite technique :) I have had the pleasure of making a few wedding cards lately and have been embossing on vellum for elements in each one I have made. Will I ever recover? Lol!

Here's a sneak peek at some wedding cards I  made:

If you want to see more, you can at PaperCraftCentral.com! And of course, if you see some supplies you would like, just place an order on SusanSalutations.

Happy crafting!

My Digital Studio (MDS)

I am a hands on papercrafter. Or I thought I was. Now My Digital Studio (MDS) has come out, there are so many new and cute projects being made by savvy digi scrappers I just had to try it! You can make so much more than scrapbook pages with it. You can make cards, elements to cut out and use any way you want, 3d papercraft items, banners, cupcake flags, invitations, and more!

And if you DO make scrapbook pages, you can have them printed at places like Harvey Norman's.

Here's a little video to inspire you to try the free download, or purchase the program outright.

• MDS software: It's easy enough for beginners, but includes a variety of tools for advanced designers too. Anyone can try it FREE for 30 days! You can download it straight from my store (item 130910).  
• Downloads: Check the store every week for new artwork to build up your digital library. 
• Print Products: You  can choose from a wide variety of high-quality print products (not available in all markets).  
• MyDigitalStudio.net: Check out our online community with forums to answer questions, videos to train techniques, and regular blog posts to provide inspiration and the latest product line information.

Let me know when you start making things with MDS!

Explosion Box Album

I went to a class this week (yes, I attend classes when I get a chance too!) run by a fellow demonstrator. Lesley had made some lovely kits up for us to make and complete an Explosion Box Album, all in a few hours. I had made these pretty little boxes before but had never filled one completely with photos. Do you know, I could fit 24 pictures in it and on it? And I wound up with such a beautiful, decorative item that I now have on display in my living room. It's a great reminder of our trip to Thailand, so easy to show guests and visitors :) Thanks, Lesley! It was a lot of fun. (We girls got a lot of talking done too! Lol!)

If you want to make and Explosion Box album of your own, I have some instructions for you on PaperCraftCentral, or you can contact me for a kit. Remember, all the supplies you need are available for purchase at SusanSalutations.

More About Colour Refresh - Spoiler Alert!

Stampin' Up! is going to change out their colours! Here's what they say:

Announcing our Colour Refresh! We love colour and we know that you do too. Colour is fundamental to who we are and what we offer. It's important for us to stay up-to-date with colour trends so we are thrilled to share our updated line of colours, and hope you will be as excited as we are by the new possibilities!
Why now? In 2010 we did a big colour renovation and shared our plans for smaller colour refreshes every three to five years to keep our colours on trend. Well it has been three years and we are excited to announce that the upcoming 2013-2014 annual catalogue will include 10 new colours (most of which are returning In Colors from previous years)! We are welcoming back some of your favourites, moving some colours around, and introducing three brand-new colours, so take a look!

Beginning on 4 April 2013, all retiring/discontinued colour products (i.e. ink, paper, ribbon, accessories, etc.) will be available only while supplies last so get your favourites before they run out!Just go to SusanSalutations and place your order today.

Here's how the new colours will look in June:

PS: Yes, it can be sad to farewell a favourite colour, but I am looking forward to the exciting colours coming in the 2013-2014 annual catalogue too :)
 

Sewing on Papercraft Projects

Do you ever sew on your paper projects? Faux stitching is great for adding quick accents (you can see some great paper piercing templates and paper piercing equipment on page 181 of the main Stampin' Up! catalogue) but sometimes I just want to stitch around a whole layout! I really like having a sewing machine for that. I am fortunate that I have an older sewing machine that I reserve just for such times :)

Do you sew? If not, why not? Lol!Here's a layout I where I doubles stitched a wavy border around the main stripey mat (this photo brings back so many good memories too!):

If you like this look and do not yet have a machine, you might like to look at some of the best sewing machines for beginners at my friend's new website. You might find other things you will like there, too.

Happy stitching!

Oh Hello

I had a little time this afternoon so made up a thank you card for a man. I used the Oh Hello stamp set  and Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede and Pacific Point inks on Very Vanilla cardstock. The arrow shape is coloured with some of my Many Marvelous Markers. I hand cut the arrow shape but punched out the clear heat embossed sentiment with the Decorative Label punch. The dp is International Bazaar and the ribbon is Daffodil Delight too. I hope the three little rhinestones don't make it less masculine! Oh and I also coloured the arrow again and stamped it on the envelope to match the card.

Supply List (can be ordered from my SusanSalutations website)

Oh Hello Stamp Set 130733 clear block, 130730 wood mount
Decorative Label punch  120907
 International Bazaar designer series paper 126920
 Daffodil Delight 1/4" (6.4mm) stitched grosgrain ribbon 126872
 Basic Jewel Rhinestones 119246
Daffodil Delight inkpad 126944
Pacific Point inkpad 126951
Soft Suede inkpad 126978
Very Vanilla cardstock 106549
Clear embossing powder 109130
Many Marvelous Markers 119806

New things from Stampin' Up!

Stampin' Up! has been putting out so many new things lately! I like the new way they will batch their colour families, for instance, and the new colours coming out soon (in the new catalogue die to be released in June). Some colours are retiring so make sure you order some of your favourite ones before they disappear.

I LOVE the new storage box ideas for wooden stamps. But you can use them for so much more! Here's a little video showing some ideas for using them:

  You can order directly from my site now, by the way. That is yet another innovation by Stampin' Up! Just go to any page on SusanSalutations and click on the 'Shop Now' tab at the upper right of the page.
  Have fun and happy crafting!

Cards for Troops 2013!

Aren't these snowmen cute? I made them with Stampin' Up! Circle punches and Stampin' Write markers. There's some felted acrylic behind them for texture and to add to the 3d effect.

I gave this card to one of my sweet girlfriends for Christmas.

Christmas? Did you see me type Christmas? Yes! You did! And it's only April! Why would I do that?

Well, it's because my annual Cards for Troops drive has started again :) That means anyone who wants to cheer our Troops on deployment overseas where they cannot buy seasonal greetings for their family and friends can start making cards to send to them. I'd love you to join in too. There are lots more details about how to do this on PaperCraftCentral.com so let me encourage you to go on over and find out more.

Happy card making!
PS: A huge thank you to everyone who has helped with the Cards for Troops drive in the past ♥