My photography 'studio'

I don't know if you have noticed, but hopefully my photos have been looking a bit better lately as I have been using my new photography 'studio'. I say 'studio' as I made it myself by using three cardboard backs off the DSP packs! I used kraft tape to attach two card squares to adjacent sides of another card square. I made a hinge out of a piece of white card and stuck it to one side and then used velcro dots so that I can join the sides together so they stand up when I want to take photos. I can then unfasten it and store it away flat. Hopefully the pictures will make it clearer. Here is my 'studio'.

 This is the hinge I made, you can just about see the other half of the velcro dots if you look to the right of the centre line.

Here it is folded up ready to store away.

One Sheet Waterfall Mini Album

This little mini album is made from one sheet of 12" x 12" card. It is from a tutorial I found on the lovely Kelly's Blog here, it's a lovely little album which would make a special little gift instead of a card. I used some retired nursery nurse DSP to decorate it, I left it quite plain but will definitely have another go with some 'new' DSP. It folds up to 3" x 4", this is the front.

 When you open it up the page folds down so you have lots of room for photos.

 Then turn the page over, it is decorated on the back and then the next page folds down. 

It's a great tutorial and Kelly has some lovely things on her blog so it is well worth popping over to see her.

Pastel Madison Avenue

All the cards I have made using the Madison Avenue stamp set from Sale-a-brations have been quite bright and bold so I thought I would do a pastel version. These are my February thank you cards for my customers.

 The colour scheme is bashful blue, so saffron and certainly celery.  I also used the itty bitty banners set which you can get free during Sale-a-brations.

One sheet Mini Album

When I went on Julie's team training a few weeks ago I received this little mini album from the very talented Nicki as a swap.

I loved it and thought it would make a great item to demonstrate at Evelyn's party. This is my version using some the papers, ribbon and Maddison Avenue stamp set from Sale-a-bration. Nicky used thechip board packaging from the glimmer card to make her front and back cover. I didn't have time to cover that with DSP  during my demonstration so I used two pieces of card stock stuck together instead! I also covered the spine with a piece of DSP. The colour way is pool party and island indigo.
Here is my version:

Feeling Sentimental

I had a lovely time at Evelyn's party last week. Evelyn and all of her guests made this card which uses the lovely Feeling Sentimental stamp set which you can only get FREE during sale-a-bration by choosing it as your free item when you spend £45!
I went for a masculine feel and used a British red and blue theme, (Raspberry Ripple and Midnight Muse). I also used the ticket duo punch and matching That's the Ticket stamp set. 

To keep costs down for any would be crafters I only used one ink pad and the card stock was from the same pack, the 2012-2014 in colours. I showed everyone a spiced up version I made using raspberry ribble and midnight muse ink and some gems for bling.

If you would like to have a go at some stamping and try before you buy why not book a party with me? Sale-a-bration is a great time for hostesses as you get a pack of silver glimmer card if you host a £150 party as well as your £25 hostess pounds to spend anywhere in the catalogue. If you host a £300 party you also get a Fee sale-a-bration bundle of papers, stamp set, ribbons and buttons as well as your £50 hostess pounds! Remember Sale-a-bration and these offers ends on March 22nd.

Direct to Paper Technique

The last card we made at the class used the direct to paper technique as well as a bit of sponging. This is a case from the amazing talented Michelle Zindorf's blog. If you haven't been to Michelle's blog then you need to hop over (after you've read my post!) as she has some fantastic tutorials.  This is the first time I have tried this technique and I was really pleased with the results. The sky was made by dragging the so saffron ink pad across the card, (I dragged it back and forth a few times), then the water was made using the pool party ink pad. Then a bit of sponging. Have a look at Michelle's blog for the tutorial.

 The sentiment is from the pursuit of happiness stamp set, (again). I put some dazzling detail on the flowers, I'm not sure this shows on the photo though.

Reverse Masking Technique

Another card from our sponging techniques class.  This one is called reverse masking, sounds technical but it is really easy! All you do is punch or die cut (or even hand cut) a shape out of scrap paper, put the punched/diecut shape to one side and use the paper with the hole in as a mask/stencil - see not difficult at all! Secure your mask onto your card stock -I used some post it notes, then sponge and stamp through it. Then remove you mask.
This is what we ended up with:

 I used a label framelit to cut out the shape and sponged with melon mambo then tempting turquoise ink, it goes purple where the colours meet. I then stamped the birds from Serene Silhouettes in black Stazon ink before removing the mask. I then stamped the saying from the pursuit of happiness stamp set. We also made an ATC to go in the ATC holder, this time I used the extra large oval punch to make the mask.

 I had a play around and made a card by sponging around the die cut label, removing it and then stamping.