Heart of Christmas Blog Hop Week 1

 

Hello and welcome,

My name is Vicki Boucher and I'm from Melbourne, Australia. Today, I'll be sharing with you a Christmas card I made for our first Christmas blog hop with the Art with Heart Team. They will be held on Monday at 8pm each week until November 24th. I'm so excited to see everyone's beautiful creations, so make sure you hop around. The link for the next person will be at the end of my blog.

The new mini Stampin' Up! catalogue and online exclusives for September are nearly here. Among the upcoming items is the Festive Friends bundle, which includes both a stamp set and coordinating dies. The images are so adorable, featuring an elf, a snowman and Father Christmas, of which they have matching dies for easy die-cutting.

For my card, I selected the traditional Christmas colors: Poppy Parade, Shaded Spruce, and Pool Party. These colors, along with black and white, have been used consistently used throughout the card. The elf has been coloured in using Stampin' Blends.

I created a custom plaid background using Basic White cardstock Stampin' Blends, grid paper and a plastic ruler. Utilizing the grid paper as a guide for the lines, I began with dark Pool Party brush tip to achieve a thicker appearance. Next, I used the fine tip for Poppy Parade and Shaded Spruce to complete the design.

Keeping the plaid theme, I used the Forever Plaid Embossing Folder and embossed the strip of Basic Black cardstock and Poppy Parade cardstock panel. 

The cute holly is from the Jolly Holly bundle and I added a few Pool Party embellishments to finish off the card.

Thank you for visiting my blog today, I would so love to hear your thoughts on my project by leaving a comment below.

Now it's time to visit Rachel Woollard blog, I can't wait to see her beautiful Christmas project.

If the link is broken Sharon is our host for the Heart of Christmas blog hop with all of the list of the participants, click on Sharon Davern's name to see the list.

If you live in Australia and don't have a demonstrator, you can purchase any of the Stampin' Up! products by shopping with me at my Stampin' Up! online store here.

Make sure you follow me on social media via Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Happy Stamping

Vicki Boucher

Colour INKspiration Challenge #CI190

 

Hello and welcome,

My name is Vicki Boucher, and I am from Melbourne, Australia. Tonight, is the latest Colour INKspiration Challenge #CI190 this photo was chosen by Colour INKspiration Crew Member, Nikki Spencer. I just love these colours together and inspiration photo.

The chosen colour combination for #CI190 is Basic Beige, Crumb Cake and Cajun Craze. As well as the chosen colours you may also like to add Basic White, Basic Black, Very Vanilla and metallics to your project. We also allow 'Ivory', 'Bronze' and 'Natural Tones' in the Stampin' Blends. If you don't have all the colour palette, feel free to use the closest SU substitute (ie: Pecan Pie instead of Cajun Craze .... for example).

The challenge will run for almost 2 weeks until 7pm (AEDT) on Monday 7th July 2025 details to follow at the end of my blog.

I have used the new Stampin' Up! online exclusive, the Charming Day bundle. It's part of the Floral Charm Suite Collection and will be available starting next month, July 2025. I absolutely love the detailed floral and greenery imagery; it’s such a versatile bundle for all kinds of projects and occasions!

The moment I saw the challenge colours, I was inspired to create a vintage card and I instantly knew this bundle would be perfect for it. 

I began with Basic Beige cardstock, stamping the large floral and foliage image using Black Memento Ink. Then, I used Stampin' Blends, shading the leaves with dark and light Crumb Cake and coloring the roses with Cajun Craze.

The Charming Day dies were used to die-cut the stamped image, and I used another detailed die to create extra foliage to complement the main focal image.  

I love adding lots of interesting layers to my cards, and this one has! The Gardens Embossing Folder is one of my favorites and I enjoy pairing with Two-Tone Cardstock. For this card, I used Cajun Craze for two different panels and embossed them with the folder. To highlight the raised images, I simply used a nail file to lightly sand them.

I added a fun extra layer by stamping various images onto Basic Beige cardstock. I combined the Charming and Elements Text stamp sets to create vintage vibe. I added plenty of splatters using Stampin' Blends and old Stampin' Write Markers. 

To complete my card, I used Black & Very Vanilla Large Check Ribbon tied into a bow and added Crumb Cake Gems from the Earth Tones Shimmer Gems. Both of these products are on the Last Chance items list.

I hope the latest challenge has sparked some inspiration, and we’d love for you to join in! We’re excited to see a variety of projects using the challenge colors. Just make sure your project is brand new and created specifically for this challenge.

Challenge guidelines:

• Create a NEW project made specifically for this challenge.
• Use all of the challenge colours (or close substitutions) unless stated.
• Upload only ONE picture per entry straight to the discussion wall and NOT in an album.

Colour INKspiration Challenge #CI190 will run until 7pm (AEDT) on Monday 7th July 2025.

To get your creative ideas flowing, make sure you check out the Crew's Project in the CI190 Album.

Please click on the link here to join the challenge.

Thank you for visiting my blog today, I would so love to hear your thoughts on my project by leaving a comment below.

Make sure you follow me on social media via Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Happy Stamping

Vicki Boucher

Stamping Sunday Blog Hop - Sketch and In Color

 

Hello and welcome,

My name is Vicki Boucher and I'm from Melbourne, Australia. Today marks the Stamping Sunday blog hop for June, and this month's theme is "Sketch and In Color," which involves selecting any sketches from the Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue and incorporating the new In Colors into our projects. 

As it is the third Sunday of the month, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's creations, which can be accessed by on their names at the conclusion of my blog. Here's my card I made for this month.

Sketches provide an excellent foundation for cards, gift tags, or even scrapbook pages, making the creative process more manageable. I have selected a portrait sketch, which is located on page 24 of the catalogue. A photo has been included below.

I have used the Thankful Garden bundle, part of the Lovely Garden Suite Collection (165541). This Online Exclusive product includes designer series paper, stamp set, decorative masks, dies, ribbon, sequins, which work well together seamlessly to add texture, dimension and color to your creations. The masks simplify coloring by all five masks in conjunction with ink and a Blending Brush. This technique allows for significant variation in color.

I used three of five In Colors 2025-2027, beginning with Secret Sea, stamp the hydrangea onto Basic White Cardstock. It is a beautiful color and significantly softer than black Memento Ink.

Next, I applied Strawberry Slush ink using the first three masks, followed by Secret Sea ink with the next two masks. Inspired by Stacey Marsh, an Artisan Designer, who created a card using this bundle, admired her technique of producing a 3D effect by stamping the hydrangea flower head an additional time and was eager to try it myself. 

To achieve this look, just simply add color to the extra flower head, carefully fussy cut the tiny flowers, and use Stampin' Dimensionals to add depth. I needed a third hydrangea as per previous step for my extra pieces of tiny flowers placed onto the card with adhesive.

The hydrangea is positioned on two panels of Cloud Cover paper, sourced from the 2025-2027 In Color 6x6 Designer Series Paper. Additionally, I incorporated Cover 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls and stamped the sentiment using Secret Sea ink. For this, I used a separate stamp set titled Beautiful Motifs.

Thank you for visiting my blog today, I would so love to hear your thoughts on my project by leaving a comment below.

Please email me if you would like a copy of the 2025-2026 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue send an email to me here. 

If you live in Australia and don't have a demonstrator, you can purchase any of the Stampin' Up! products by shopping with me at my Stampin' Up! online store here.

Make sure you follow me on social media via Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Happy Stamping

Vicki Boucher

To see all of the amazing projects by the Stamping Sunday Design Team please click on their names below. 

Colour INKspiration Challenge #CI189

 

Hello and welcome,

My name is Vicki Boucher, and I am from Melbourne, Australia. Tonight, is the latest Colour INKspiration Challenge #CI189 this photo was chosen by Colour INKspiration Crew Member, Monica Formosa.

The chosen colour combination for #CI189 is Darling Duckling, Melon Mambo, Cloud Cover, and Secret Sea. As well as the chosen colours you may also like to add Basic White, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Basic Beige and metallics to your project. We also allow 'Ivory', 'Bronze' and 'Natural Tones' in the Stampin' Blends. If you don't have all the colour palette, feel free to use the closest SU substitute (ie: Balmy Blue instead of Cloud Cover .... for example).

The challenge will run for almost 2 weeks until 7pm (AEDT) on Monday 23rd June 2025 details to follow at the end of my blog.

I just love the leaf die from the Tankful Garden dies from the online exclusive Thankful Garden bundle. I used the die to die-cut out multiple leaves using the 2025-27 In Colors DSP and formed a wreath. I layered a circle in Basic Beige cardstock using a circle die from the Stylish Shapes dies.

Next, I worked with the Sweet Blooms bundle, combining the stamp set and dies for the sentiment on Melon Mambo cardstock and I heat embossed the "Hello". To add some texture, I used the Exposed Brick Embossing Folder with Basic Beige cardstock. I love how the Melon Mambo color really stands out more against the neutral tones. Digging through my retired ribbon stash, I found some Melon Mambo thick baker's twine #useyourstash and tied it into a bow.

I hope I've inspired you with the latest challenge and I do hope you'll join in. We so look forward to seeing a variety of projects using the challenge colours. Please ensure that your project is new and made specifically for this challenge.

Challenge guidelines:

• Create a NEW project made specifically for this challenge.
• Use all of the challenge colours (or close substitutions) unless stated.
• Upload only ONE picture per entry straight to the discussion wall and NOT in an album.

Colour INKspiration Challenge #CI189 will run until 7pm (AEDT) on Monday 23rd June 2025.

To get your creative ideas flowing, make sure you check out the Crew's Project in the CI189 Album.

Please click on the link here to join the challenge.

Thank you for visiting my blog today, I would so love to hear your thoughts on my project by leaving a comment below.

Make sure you follow me on social media via Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Happy Stamping

Vicki Boucher

Colour INKspiration Challenge #CI176

Hello and welcome,

My name is Vicki Boucher, and I am from Melbourne, Australia. Tonight, is the latest Colour INKspiration Challenge #CI176 this photo was chosen by Colour INKspiration Crew Member, Lou Kitzelman. This sweet little bird is an Australian Pink Robin.

The chosen colour combination for #CI176 is Petunia Pop, Granny Apple Green and Basic Black. As well as the chosen colours you may also like to add Basic White, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Basic Beige and metallics to your project. We also allow 'Ivory', 'Bronze' and 'Natural Tones' in the Stampin' Blends. If you don't have all the colour palette, feel free to use the closest SU substitute (ie: Lemon Lime Twist instead of Granny Apple Green .... for example).

The challenge will run for almost 3 weeks until 7pm (AEDT) on Monday 11th November 2024 details to follow at the end of my blog.

Here's my card for the challenge I've used the Online Exclusive Changing Leaves Bundle which includes the Changing Leaves stamp set, dies and hybrid embossing folder. I used all three for my card.

I used the large leaves image from the stamp set stamped in Petunia Pop and Granny Apple Green then I used the coordinating die and hybrid embossing folder. Using Paper Snips I snipped the leaves so I could arrange them differently for the layout.

I just love the detailed leaves dies they are my go-to from this bundle, once die-cut out I like to add colour to them using a Blending Brush.

The white background panel is embossed using the Changing Leaves Embossing Folder, I do like to have a crisp white background and add splatter by using an old Basic Black Stampin' Marker. 

Before adding all of the images to the card I added a 3/4 circle in Basic White cardstock, I used the largest die from the Spotlight on Nature Dies and added Basic Black Splatter to the circle.

I also had to use the Cheerful Daisies stamp set and dies, I added in just one daisy stamped in Black Memento ink onto Basic White Cardstock. 

Next, I used a retired black and white twine and tied it into a bow. The sentiment is from the Simply Said stamp set and is heat embossed. I used the label die from the Changing Leaves dies. To finish off the card I added a few of the Petunia Pop embellishments which are from the 2024-2026 In Color Resin Dots. 

I hope I've inspired you with the latest challenge and I do hope you'll join in. We so look forward to seeing a variety of projects using the challenge colours. Please ensure that your project is new and made specifically for this challenge.

Challenge guidelines:

• Create a NEW project made specifically for this challenge.
• Use all of the challenge colours (or close substitutions) unless stated.
• Upload only ONE picture per entry straight to the discussion wall and NOT in an album.

Colour INKspiration Challenge #CI176 will run until 7pm (AEDT) on Monday 11th November 2024.

To get your creative ideas flowing, make sure you check out the Crew's Project in the CI176 Album.

Please click on the link here to join the challenge.

Thank you for visiting my blog today, I would so love to hear your thoughts on my project by leaving a comment below.

Make sure you follow me on social media via Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Happy Stamping

Vicki Boucher

Colour INKspiration Challenge #CI175

 

Hello and welcome,

My name is Vicki Boucher, and I am from Melbourne, Australia. Tonight, is the latest Colour INKspiration Challenge #CI175 this photo was chosen by Colour INKspiration Crew Member, Monica Formosa.

The chosen colour combination for #CI175 is Lemon Lolly, Crushed Curry, Basic White and Crumb Cake. As well as the chosen colours you may also like to add Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Basic Beige and metallics to your project. We also allow 'Ivory', 'Bronze' and 'Natural Tones' in the Stampin' Blends. If you don't have all the colour palette, feel free to use the closest SU substitute (ie: Wild Wheat instead of Crushed Curry .... for example).

The challenge will run for almost 2 weeks until 7pm (AEST) on Monday 21st October 2024 details to follow at the end of my blog.

These challenge colours are something I don't normally do but I was up for the challenge and I love the inspiration photo. I used my all-time favourite Cheerful Daisies stamp set and dies, plus the Changing Leaves Dies which are now back in stock at Stampin' Up! online store in Australia. 

I stamped the larger daisy in Memento ink then coloured it in using Lemon Lolly Stampin' Blends, next I used Crushed Curry Watercolor Pencil and coloured in the flower to give it some more depth on the petals.

I also stamped the smaller daisy stamp in Crush Curry ink and stamped three images. I used the Cheerful Daisies Dies to die-cut out the images of the daisies and I also used the large trio daisies die for the Basic White daisy. 

I just love the detailed leaves images from the Changing Leaves Dies and I simply just used Basic White cardstock and die-cut out the images. They are perfect to go with the daisies.

The two background panels layered under the daisies are a water colour wash using Crumb Cake ink onto Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper and dried embossed Crumb Cake cardstock, embossed with Eyelet 3D Embossing Folder. 

I used the Large Check Ribbon, layered a strip onto the two background panels and I also made a bow by cutting the ribbon in half before tying it.

To finish off the card I used Simply Said stamp set, heat embossed the sentiment onto Basic Black cardstock and layered it over the ribbon. I added a few of the Lemon Lolly embellishments from a packet of Rainbow Adhesive-Backed Dots.

I hope I've inspired you with the latest challenge and I do hope you'll join in. We so look forward to seeing a variety of projects using the challenge colours. Please ensure that your project is new and made specifically for this challenge.

Challenge guidelines:

• Create a NEW project made specifically for this challenge.
• Use all of the challenge colours (or close substitutions) unless stated.
• Upload only ONE picture per entry straight to the discussion wall and NOT in an album.

Colour INKspiration Challenge #CI175 will run until 7pm (ADET) on Monday 21st October 2024.

To get your creative ideas flowing, make sure you check out the Crew's Project in the CI175 Album.

Please click on the link here to join the challenge.

Thank you for visiting my blog today, I would so love to hear your thoughts on my project by leaving a comment below.

Please email me if you would like a copy of the 2024-2025 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue send an email to me here. 

If you live in Australia and don't have a demonstrator, you can purchase any of the Stampin' Up! products by shopping with me at my Stampin' Up! online store here.

Make sure you follow me on social media via Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Happy Stamping

Vicki Boucher

Colour INKspiration Challenge #CI174

  

Hello and welcome,

My name is Vicki Boucher, and I am from Melbourne, Australia. Tonight, is the latest Colour INKspiration Challenge #CI174 this photo was chosen by Colour INKspiration Crew Member, which just happens to be me!

The chosen colour combination for #CI174 is Pool Party, Bubble Bath, Highland Heather and Gorgeous Grape. As well as the chosen colours you may also like to add Basic White, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Basic Beige, Crumb Cake and metallics to your project. We also allow 'Ivory', 'Bronze' and 'Natural Tones' in the Stampin' Blends. If you don't have all the colour palette, feel free to use the closest SU substitute (ie: Pretty in Pink instead of Bubble Bath .... for example).

The challenge will run for almost 2 weeks until 7pm (AEST) on Monday 7th October 2024 details to follow at the end of my blog.

Today's card is a very special card because I've made this for my mum who'll be turning 80 next year and the challenge colours were perfect for her birthday card. I wanted to go all out and make something special with lots of sparkle, embellishments ribbon and lots of different elements made into a Z-Fold card. 

I love the large magnolias from the online exclusive Magnolia Mood bundle, stamped in Gorgeous Grape and coloured in with the Stampin' Blends in the following colours Highland Heather, Bubble Bath and Pool Party. I used the brush tip for most of the colouring in and I also used the Color Lifter to blend in some of the colour. 

The card base is a sheet of Gorgeous Grape cardstock cut at 27cm x 21cm, scored at 9cm and 18cm and then folded into a Z-fold. I added Basic White cardstock for each of the panels cut at 20.6cm x 8.5cm and then layered another piece of paper on top cut at 20.1cm x 8cm. I used the Perennial Lavender Designer Series Paper, Country Lace Designer Series Paper and Highland Heather cardstock. 

I used the Highland Heather glimmer paper which is from Three Color Glimmer Specialty Paper (162813) for the Alphabet A La Mode Dies and for the detailed images from the Magnolia Mood Dies. 

For the large bow at the front of the card I used the Iridescent Striped Trim Ribbon it picks up colour from the light and it's easy to tie into a bow for your projects.

The sentiment is from the Country Birdhouse stamp set, stamped in Gorgeous Grape onto Basic White cardstock and die-cut out using the long-stitched label die from the Changing Leaves Dies. 

Too add more interest, I used the two detailed leaves dies die-cut out in Basic White cardstock and added colour using Pool Party ink with the Blending Brush.

I kept the inside of the card simple with just some stamping using the magnolias stamps and paper from the Country Lace Designer Series Paper.

This is how the card looks when standing up from the inside. I have left space for me to write a message on the basic white cardstock panel. 

Other elements used on the card are Purple Fine Shimmer Gems (162611) and Spotlight on Nature Dies.

Here is how the card looks when folded up and can be placed inside a slimline envelope. 

I hope I've inspired you with the latest challenge and I do hope you'll join in. We so look forward to seeing a variety of projects using the challenge colours. Please ensure that your project is new and made specifically for this challenge.

Challenge guidelines:

• Create a NEW project made specifically for this challenge.
• Use all of the challenge colours (or close substitutions) unless stated.
• Upload only ONE picture per entry straight to the discussion wall and NOT in an album.

Colour INKspiration Challenge #CI174 will run until 7pm (ADET) on Monday 7th October 2024.

To get your creative ideas flowing, make sure you check out the Crew's Project in the CI174 Album.

Please click on the link here to join the challenge.

Thank you for visiting my blog today, I would so love to hear your thoughts on my project by leaving a comment below.

Please email me if you would like a copy of the 2024-2025 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue send an email to me here. 

If you live in Australia and don't have a demonstrator, you can purchase any of the Stampin' Up! products by shopping with me at my Stampin' Up! online store here.

Make sure you follow me on social media via Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Happy Stamping

Vicki Boucher