New Crafty Creation

I have spent the weekend experimenting with a new technique that I had seen on SCS some time ago but have just needed a free weekend to give it a go. These are candles that have been made using Stampin' Up! rubber stamps and watercolouring technique. I absolutely love the effect the watercoloured flowers give. Here is a quick tutorial on how to make them but if this is all too much for you to take in then keep your eye on this site as in 2009 I will be scheduling a class on how to do them. Cheers. Alison.

Stamped Candles

Materials needed;

Rubber Stamps
Tracing paper
Baking paper
Permanent dye ink like Staz On
Stampin' Write coloured markers
scissors
Heat gun

STEP 1
Stamp images onto tracing paper and set aside to dry. Do an extra of each image just in case you make a mistake as it does take some time for the images to dry and this will save time.
STEP 2
Once the images are dry colour them to your taste and then cut them all out as close to the image as you can. Lay them out on the candle to get a gauge for where they will go.
STEP 3
Cut a piece of baking paper to the height of the candle and twice the length of it so that it wraps around about twice.
STEP 4
Place the image onto the candle in position and then wrap the baking paper around it and the candle firmly. Use the excess baking paper as a grip to hold the candle with.
STEP 5
Turn the heat gun on for about 30secs to warm it up and then gently pass it over the candle where the image is for about 5-10secs depending on the candle. Each candle will differ on it's melting point but you should see a change in the image to indicate that it has set. It works by the heat melting the candle slightly and then the pressure of the wrapped baking paper pushes it into the melting wax. Be careful not to melt it too much as this will change the shape of the candle.
STEP 6
Allow thw candle to cool slightly then gently peel the baking paper off to reveal the image. Voila!!!! You did it.

Now go forth and create more candles. They are great gifts not to mention you can co-ordinate them to suit your own decor.

Fun and Fast Engagement Card

My good friend Sophia asked me to make an engagement card for her and I decided to go with, yes you guessed it, Bashful Blue combo again. I told you I have a thing for it now. I have used the very versatile set "Fun and Fast Notes" and although the picture doesn't really show it, there is watercolouring on the cakes. The word Celebrate is from the set "Wonderful Words" and has been stamped with the mini tinted Top Boss pad and embossed with silver embossing powder. This is an easy technique but is so very effective. I may have to schedule a class for it in 2009. Interested??
Sophia hasn't actually seen this card yet so I hope she likes it. If not I guess I will keep it in my collection for a future event. Let me know what You think!! Do you think she will like it?

Materials used;
Stamp set - Fun and Fast Notes, Wonderful Words
Card Stock - Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue
Stampin Pads - Top Boss Tinted Embossing pad, Basic Black, Bashful Blue
Accessories - Stampin' Emboss Powder (Silver), Heat Gun, Powder Pals, Aqua Painter
Ribbon - my own

Real Red and Bashful Blue Christmas Cards

Ok so I am stuck on two favourite colours again. I have had a thing for Real Red for about a month now but have now incorporated Bashful Blue as well. So as you can see I have gone a bit mad with them now. I got my inspiration from SCS as usual, and in fact one is a direct CASE from there with the ribbon being slightly different. I have also used the awesome SU! stamp set called "Seasons of Joy" which will only be available for one more week in the Spring Mini Catalogue. Pick up your set this week for only $1.00 P&H.
The materials I used in all the cards are:
Cardstock - Whisper White, Real Red, Bashful Blue
Ink Pads - Real Red, Craft White, Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue
Ribbons - various.

Don't forget that the $1.00 promotion starts tomorrow so get your orders in now for delivery next week. Also the Super Saturday is looming as well and is sizing up to be loads of fun. Mark it in your diaries. I hope I can see you there next Saturday.

Special Offer week and Super Saturday

SPECIAL OFFER WEEK
Well the festive season is well and truly upon us now and I am feeling very much in the spirit. I have decided to have a Special Offer Week. For one week only I am offering $1.00 postage and handling fees on any orders placed between Sunday 23rd of November and Saturday 29th November. This is a huge saving of over 80% off the normal P&H price of $5.95. What a great opportunity to buy the Christmas present for yourself that you REALLY want!! Or mabye pick up your supplies for decorating your Christmas cards, gift tags and wrapping. You can even tell the hubby you are saving money!
Don't forget that this would also be a great,last chance opportunity to pick up some of those Stampin' Write pens for $4.95 or mabye some Rub Ons for 20% off with the money you save on P&H. Both of these promotions will be ending on the 30th of November so get in quick and pick up a bargain.
Check out the catalogues onthe links in the right hand panel.

SUPER SATURDAY
To launch the new Summer Mini Catalogue(1stDec.2008-31stMar,2008) and farewell the outgoing Spring Mini Catalogue(1stAug.2008-30th Nov.2008), I am holding an OPEN HOUSE day on Saturday the 29th of November from 10am - 12pm. There will be demonstrations, FREE make and takes, FREE gift for everyone and a lucky door prize with a minimum value of $20.00(to be drawn at 12pm). This is also the final day for the $1.00 P&H offer and the second last day for the 2 awesome November promotions mentioned above. Why not check out the Spring Mini one more time on the link in the panel to the right and catch some bargains before they are all gone.

Orders must reach me by 9pm the 30th of November to qualify for the November Promotiions as well as any orders from the Spring Mini Catalogue.

If you can make it to the Open House then as RSVP would definately be handy.

If you cannot make the Open House and would like to take advantage of the $1.00 P&H offer then email your order to alisonengesser1@optusnet.com.au or contact me on 0423 208 402.

Cheers
Alison

Baby shower cutie

I am going to a girlfriends baby shower on Sunday and have needed an excuse to make this "onesie" card I saw on Splitcoast Stampers for ages. I originally saw the idea on Splitcoast Stampers but the creator of this gorgeous design is Lauren Meader. You can get the instructions to do this here.
It is so very easy to make and I have included the 'recipe' for materials used below. Let ma know what you think.
Have an awesome day.
Alison

Materials used

Cardstock - Bashful Blue and Whisper white
Stampin Pads - Bashful Blue
Stamp sets - Lovely Labels
Punches - 1 3/8 and 1 1/4 circle punches
Ribbon - Little blue gingham ribbon
Eyelets - Bordering blue
Snail adhesive

Sorry for my absence

As the title says, I am so sorry for my absence. I have been dealing with some family dramas and unfortunately missed out on adding any blogs. But rest assure I am back now and boy do I have some catching up to do.

I have added some new cards to the slide show so check them out.

Also, for those of you who are on my mailing list for Stampin' Up! news then you will have recieved my new ENewsletter. What do you think? It have come across this company and it is really helpful in helping me design my newsletters as well as keep track of who is receiving, opening and unsubscribing. If you haven't received it then check your spam folder as some systems put it in as spam!!
If you would like to receive this newsletter in the future then just drop me an email, alisonengesser1@optusnet.com.au and write Newsletter subscription in the subject line and I will add you to the list. It is a fabulous way for me to keep you up to date with what is happening with both Stampin' Up! and Totally Crafty.






I have also been very busy making lots and lots of Chrissy cards. I have included a few pictures here and also in the slide show. I must thank a very dear friend of mine, Rachel, who so generously lent me her "Hung up on the Holidays" stamp set and several of her stamp pads which I used to make these cards, which I also Cased the idea from her for. I would also like to thank another dear friend, Sophia, who lent me another SU! stamp set, Festive Favourites, to make some chrissy cards as well. Such wonderful friends I have. Thanks Gals.
Let me know what you think.