Hybrid Thanks Card

I've been playing with My Digital Studio (MDS) to see what I can do. As I am relatively new to digital crafts, everything I make is a learning journey. I'm liking it all more and more.

Last night I randomly started a project using a tag template. Once I had it all the way I wanted it in MDS, I printed it on ordinary paper. That allowed me to tape a piece of Whisper White over the top of the print and printing again. It came out beautifully!

Once it was printed I wanted to mount the tag on a piece of Certainly Celery then add a ribbon, a rhinestone and a card base (I used Shimmer White for the card base).So I turned it into a HYBRID! (A mixture of digital and traditional elements).

What do you think?

 Imagine running off as many of these as you like to send out quickly to friends and family who have spoiled you in some way! What a quick project.

If you would like to get your own My Digital Studio program, you can have a FREE 30 day trial. The cost of the program is $24.95 and you get an instant download.

So why not grab the program and start playing today? There's always some free digital packs to go with the program available. New digital items come out every week!

Happy digital crafting.

Beautiful Floral Framelets Cards

We made some lovely cards at Lesley's card classes just recently. I want to share them with you. The first one is made with Whisper White cardstock using the Floral Framelets die set. We cut the card base on teh fold. The we cut the mat from the Print Poetry designer series paper stack. We stamped in  Midnight Muse and Crumb Cake ink and the stamp sets are Daydream Medallions and Papillon Potpourri. The stitched 3/8" ribbon is in Summer Starfruit and there are little Basic Gems pearls along the butterfly bodies and around the edge of the card. We cut and made an envelope and stamped it with more of the butterflies.  It's such a pretty card.

 The second one was cut from Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point and Rich Razzleberry cardstock (stamped in Rich Razzleberry too). The stamp sets are Language of Friendship and Itty Bitty Banners (with matching framelet to cut it out of course). The card base is cut from the length of a piece of A4 cardstock and is folded in a Z. The the front piece is cut out using the Floral Framelet die (just roll it half way through the Big Shot) and embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots folder on the other side.

When he saw the bird card, my husband remarked a person could put a special die cut photo inside the card using the mat as a base, then write their greeting on the back of the bird piece. What a clever man!

Thanks so much for a lovely morning out, Lesley.  It's great to be able to share ideas with you and other Stampin' Up! demonstrators :)

Some of these products I used on Lesley's cards are going to be retiring at the end of June, so if you see something you want to order, be sure to Shop Now so you don't miss out!

The New Idea Book and Catalogue from Stampin' Up! is almost here!

Oh my - I just flipped through the NEW Idea Book and Catalogue. My wish list just grew half a meter - LOL!

Attention Australian Crafters: Who wants THE new annual Ideas Book and Catalogue from Stampin' Up! sent directly to them next month? Yes there will really be a new catalogue available next month! That's a whole month earlier than it will be officially released.

The cost is AUD$9.95 to have a catalogue sent directly to your door - includes catalogue AND postage. 

If you would like to take advantage of this limited time offer,  message me your address and I can give you my  direct deposit details for payment.

 .... or you can wait till July and add it to a regular order.....

This and That!

A new scrapbooking/journaling system is available from Stampin' Up! You can get a discounted bundle if you order before May 31st. After that it will all be available in the new Idea Book and Catalogue coming out in Australia at the end of next month and new This and That goodies will be added over time. Here's a little video that gives you a peek at the new products you can get now:

Item	Description	Price
131268	Epic Day This and That Journal	$18.95
130814	Epic Day This and That Designer Series Paper	$18.95
131463	Remember This and That Rotary Stamp	$9.95
131271	Epic Day This and That Designer Stickers	$8.95
131269	Epic Day This and That Designer Washi Tape	$8.95
133905	Epic Day This and That Bundle Includes the five This and That products listed above. Only available in a bundle until 31 May.  In case you want to know: The journal cover is 20.6cm x 16.5cm. There are 31 double-sided pages in it, two of which have pockets in them. If you would like to see the papers and  some of the embellishments in a slightly slower, less snappy video, try this one below. (I made it so do be kind! Lol!)	$55.88 15% Off Retail Value!

Faux Velvet Technique

It's been awhile since I tried a new technique. Then along came the Australian Cardmaking, Stamping and Papercraft Magazine with their faux velvet technique and I was off to my craft room to experiment :) The result is soft, subtle and makes paper look like fabric! I liked the technique so much I used it at this month's crafty class. The cards everyone made were so pretty.

See what you think:

Here's my tutorial for how to make the faux velvet background, of course :)

After I made the soft and subtle background, I started thinking about how to make soft accents for the card itself. I had some velvet ribbon to add, some pretty border embossing with my edgelits, and then I remembered I knew how to make faux suede! I made the little flower accent with that technique:

Then I softened the edges of the Cherry Cobbler cardstock with my distressing tool.

All supplies used on this card are from Stampin' Up! Some are current, some are retired, so if you want anything used to make the card here, just ask about ordering. Supply list is as follows:

Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White and Old Olive cardstock (all current) (love the Confetti Cream cardstock too but it is retired).
Black embossing powder (current)
White Stazon ink (retired)
Versamark (current)
Flower brads (current)
Velvet ribbon (retired)
Parlor Prints stamp set (current)
Retired vintage style flower and leaf stamps
Basic Gems pearl (current)
Sentiment from a retired stamp set too
Needlepoint Border Textured Impressions embossing folder (current)

Have you got My Digital Studio Yet?

My Digital Studio (MDS) is a lot of fun, even for previous non-digital scrappers. I know because I am a previously inexperienced digital scrapper. I downloaded the full MDS program when it first came out and am enjoying learning how to use it. Here's a quick page I did just for fun, showing some pictures of our Motorhome renovations (I intend to scrap on the road, by the way!! No need to weigh the MH down with loads of craft tools there!):

Right now there are selected digital downloads at 25% OFF! Did you know that there are also lots of FREE downloads available,  even if you don't yet own MDS??? Well, there IS! Just go to SusanSalutations and click on 'Shop Now' near the top right. Go to the store, then search for Digital Downloads, then search by category, and you will see the free items there.

Happy shopping for free!

Happy Mother's Day

It is Mother's Day in Australia so I am wishing everyone who already is or is in the process of becoming a mother, a happy day.

If you need a last minute Mother's Day card idea, there are heaps of them on PaperCraftCentral, thanks to the lovely people who have contributed to previous Cards For Troops drives.

Here's a little card to inspire you:

Have a wonderful day, however you spend it.