Backyard Basics Birthday Card

Here we are back at the start of a new week. I hope you had a great weekend!

We took a visit to the zoo which was lots of fun…

Today’s card share continues the nature theme, and is especially sweet to create because of the matching Stampin’ Up! Backyard Basics bundle.

The bundle includes the stamp set and matching framelits to die cut the stamped images.

No hand cutting involved… LOVE that!

The card here was inspired by Kimberley Van Diepen and is on a Naturals White cardstock base, with a touch of the Epic Day This & That designer series paper.

Happy stamping,

Today I’m stopping by with the Layered Labels tags I promised a little while back.

These definitely make me feel inspired to create!

We’ll have lots of fun and excitement to share soon, with news from the Stampin’ Up! Incentive Trip to Broome. Stay tuned! But for now, here’s a little sneak peek of something special that arrived a few weeks ago…

Click to enlarge

A delightfully packaged gift, and inside…

A Stampin’ Up! travel wallet and our documents for the trip to Broome, Western Australia!

Very exciting!

Happy stamping,

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Find me on Facebook! facebook.com/StampingWithSimone

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Oval Accent Big Clear die treat holder.
Leave a comment below if you’d like a copy of the FREE PDF tutorial

One of the fabulous perks of being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator is the free products, and last month I was very spoilt with lots of goodies from the Annual and Christmas Holiday catalogues (Australia/NZ). One of the free items was this Oval Accent Bigz Clear die.

…And from the moment I took it out of the box I KNEW I wanted to make these treat holders. They also fit perfectly with this week’s Create With Connie & Mary favour challenge CCMCHOL12-03.

I started putting together a tutorial for my blog, but it was getting VERY long. It’s not that it’s a difficult project, but I took lots of photos which made the tutorial quite lengthy and my blog wasn’t playing nicely with all the images. Soooo…. I’m in the process of creating a FREE PDF with full instructions.

Would you like a copy?

Just leave a comment below and I’ll send it to you!

UPDATE 30th Sept 2012: The 9 page tutorial is done! Yay! If you’ve left a comment requesting a copy, please check your inbox because the tutorial should be there waiting for you. Let me know if it hasn’t turned up. Enjoy!

UPDATE 30th Oct 2012: I’m still sending out the tutorial to those who request it – remember it’s a large file so if you haven’t got it within a couple of days please let me know.

While you’re here, why not subscribe to receive blog updates by email.

Happy stamping,

Oval Accent Bigz Clear die treat holder

All Stampin' Up!: Make a Cake stamp set (p44 Annual Catalogue), Itty Bitty Banners (p134), Bitty Banners Framelits Dies (p191), Dazzling Diamonds, Melon Mambo, Extra Wide Oval Punch, StazOn black, Brights Paper Stack

The Itty Bitty Banners stamp set and Bitty Banners Framelits Dies are an awesome pair. A perfect match, no less.

Time-Saving Tip:

1. Stamp a sheet of sentiments from Itty Bitty Banners in your favourite ink colours. Allow enough room between stampings for the Framelits to fit.

2. Line up all three Bitty Banner Framelits over their matching images.  If you're new to Framelits, click here for my Top 3 Framelits Tips.

3. Ta-daaaa….With one roll of the Big Shot you'll have a 'Happy Birthday', a 'For You' and a 'Thank You' image all cut out and ready to use on future projects.

I have an empty brads container on my desk with a handy stash of stamped and die cut sentiments in a variety of colours. Definitely makes life easier.

It's good to know the Bitty Banner Framelits also work perfectly with the ribbons on the Blue Ribbon stamp set (p33)!

Happy stamping,

www.simonebartrum.com

Dream Journal

Stampin' Up! On Board Journal, Beautiful Butterflies die, Scallop Square die, On Board Sheets (Chipboard), Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, Trinket Keys, Ruffled Ribbons, Sweet Shop DSP (Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue), Calypso Coral & Lucky Limeade textured cardstock, Jelly Bean Brads (Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue)

• TIP: Adhere DSP (Designer Series Paper) to chipboard before running it through the Big Shot. I use the Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets as my method of choice. Very easy to use. More details and instructions on p155 of the Australian/NZ Idea Book & Catalogue.

Message from Simone:

I'll be at Stampin' Up!'s annual Convention for the rest of the week, but you can still contact me on my mobile or via email. I may just take a little longer to get back to you. 

Also, there's still time to get a FREE pack of gorgeous patterned 12×12 DSP every month for 2012. Yes seriously. BUT you must join Stampin' Up! before the end of May which is…. almost here! I still can't believe this amazing offer. You can also get one free pack when your order 3! More info here.

Happy stamping,

The new Apothecary Art stamp set and matching 'Labels Collection' Framelits dies are two of my most favourite Stampin' Up! products EVER! So quick and easy, and the results are great every time.

They really are a wonderful treat in the new Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue.

Black heat embossed frame from Apothecary Art, watercoloured with blender pen and ink, Wisteria Wonder flagged banner, Vanilla panel embossed with Stripes embossing folder, on a Sahara Sand base.

Click to enlarge.

Framelits Tip #1

The best tip I could pass on is to use Post-It notes (aka 'sticky notes') to hold Framelits in place over the stamped image. 

Begin by stamping your chosen image from the gorgeous new Apothecary Art set, then line up the matching Framelit over the top ensuring an evenly-spaced border. Secure it with a sticky note so the frame won't shift while the 'sandwich' is rolled through the Big Shot.

Even better, keep a stash of post-it notes with your Framelits so they'll always be where you need them.

Framelits Tip #2

Cut a Magnet sheet to size, and slip it in the plastic wallet that the Framelits come packaged in.

By doing this, the metal Framelits won't slide around in the wallet and it's much quicker to find the correct one. (click to enlarge image).

Don't have any magnet sheets? Grab some old fridge magnets instead (the advertising kind – they seem to be multiplying on my fridge!) and attach them to a cardstock base.

Framelits Tip #3

To help with easy identification of the different sized dies in the set, think of the largest die as No.1, the next size down as No.2, all the way through to the smallest being die No.6. (Or the other way around, if that works for you.) You can add a label to the coordinating Apothecary Art stamps so you'll always know which die to grab. For example, this label fits perfectly in die # 4.

For more information, or to order your Apothecary Art stamp set and Framelits (with prompt delivery to your door) – contact Simone.

Oh, and don't forget to check out my newly-revived Facebook page and 'like' it for all the latest news.

Happy Stamping,

P.S. We had a fun time away camping recently… but I didn't take any craft gear this time, and must say I was itching to get back to it.
We all had a lovely break though, with happy hour all day by the campfire and the kids just ran around or rode their bikes the whole time. Gotta love this gorgeous country of ours.

Thanks for making my day by leaving some comment love below 🙂