Final Day!

There are just over 24 hours to go

until the end of our March special deal!

Click here to visit the online store.

Cyclone News

Thank you so much for all the lovely emails of concern regarding cyclone Debbie. Fortunately, we live a long way south of where Debbie crossed the coast so the worst of the storm didn't affect us. The system has been downgraded into a tropical low, which is just starting to hit our region this morning. The forecast is for flooding rain and high winds, but again, we are very safe in our little house and aren't expecting any trouble apart from a messy backyard and plenty of puddles!

The Last Peek...

This is the very last sneak peek I have to share with you before our release on the 1st of April. This last set is called Final Roll Call, and is all about celebrating our graduates!

Final Roll Call

digital stamp set

Available from April 1st

A Riot of Colour

If you love colour, then this is the set for you! Filled with wonderful, vibrant candy and lots of sweet sayings, Candy Shoppe is perfect for the kid in all of us... and completely calorie free!

Candy Shoppe

digital stamp set

Available from April 1st

More Sneak Peeks...

This mini set is designed for all those extra special celebrations in life - weddings, anniversaries, coming of age. 

Champagne

digital stamp set

Due for release on April 1st

Precious Baby

The Precious Baby digital set is fully loaded with lots of images and sentiments for the new arrivals in your life. It has you covered from birth till around 4 or 5 years old.

Precious Baby

digital stamp set

Available in store from April 1st

Coming Soon...

This new digital set is called Dancing Queen, and it's also due for release on the 1st of April. Here are a few little peeks at some of the cards that have been created with the new images...

Dancing Queen

digital stamp set

Due for release on April 1st

April Releases

You've already had a little look-see at the new Superb Fairy Wren digital set, but I thought I would share a few more tiny snippets from some of the cards that my fabulous designers have created.

Superb Fairy Wren

digital stamp set

Available from April 1st

Love a Freebie??

Don't forget our March Special Offer

Buy any 3 digital sets and get one free*

Discount available until the 31st of March 2017 (AEST)

Sneak Peeks

We've got a new range of clear and digital stamps hitting the store on April 1st, that's just 11 more sleeps! To get you curious about our new designs, I'm going to share a few sneak peeks over the coming week. So, let's start with the two new clear stamp sets called "Celebrations" and "Doris and Daphne"...

Celebrations

Clear Stamp Set

Doris and Daphne

Clear Stamp Set

And here's a sneaky look at some of the fabulous projects from my designers...

Superb Fairy Wren in Watercolours

New Release Sneak Peek

Today I've used one of the images from the Superb Fairy Wren set to create a watercolour picture for my wall. I've posted some pictures below showing the different stages of the painting, starting with the digital image printed out in a very light grey colour - called "washout" in MS Word. The yellow pigment on the bird in the first two images is masking fluid, which keeps the paint off that area of the picture until you're ready to add colour.

Superb Fairy Wren

Digital Stamp Set

Due for release on the 1st of April

JayDee (free pattern)

Aside from card making, I also love working with felt, and one of my favourite activities is hand stitching cute little animals and tiny toys. This little guy, named JayDee, is made from craft felt and stands only 6" high. It really didn't take too long to cut him out and stitch him up... definitely achievable in an afternoon!

If you're interested, I've included my hand-drawn pattern at the bottom of this post.

All the pieces, cut out and ready to stitch and stuff.

Some assembly still required.

The arms and legs are attached with buttons and unwaxed dental floss. 

 Feel free to make one of your own.

Sneak Peek...

I've already shared these sneak peeks on Instagram and in the Beccy's Place newsletter, so I thought I'd post them here as well so everyone can have a look. This is one of the stamps from the soon-to-be- released "Celebrations" clear stamp set. As you can see, it will have you covered for Christmas, new babies, birthdays and weddings... in fact, any celebration where gifts are given!

 

 

Little Cottage

Some days I wake up and I just feel like fiddling... today's card is a good example of one of those times! After printing the image several times I went to work with a craft knife and sharp pair of scissors to cut out all the different little elements in the scene. Then I layered everything with foam tape to give the illusion of dimension. At the same time, and probably not surprisingly, I cured myself of the desire to fiddle!

Stamps: Little Cottage digital stamp by Beccy's Place

Tutorial - Exploding Box Card

Exploding Box Cards are probably not for the beginner card maker given the amount of cutting, measuring and layering involved. But the end result is definitely worth the added effort, especially if you're looking to create a card for an extra special occasion. These cards contain lots of extra surface space that can be utilised for photos, images, embellishments or messages from large groups of people. They also have a large open space in the very centre that is big enough to hold a gift, some chocolates or a 3D embellishment. Check out all the fabulous ideas on the internet by searching for "exploding box card pictures"... it's definitely worth it!

1. You'll need 4 pieces of coordinating card stock and some matching patterned paper. You can add extra items such as embellishments, stamps and ribbon as desired.

2. Place a piece of 12" x 12" card stock on your score board and score at 4" and again at 8". Turn the card stock 90 degrees and score again at 4" and 8" to create nine square sections. (see template for scoring positions).

3. If your score board has an attachment that allows you to score on the diagonal, add it and score from the outer corner to the centre score line (refer to template). Repeat in all four corners. If you don't have a score board, you can simply use a ruler and scoring tool (see below).

4. Fold along all the score lines. The horizontal and vertical score lines are valley folds and the diagonal score lines are mountain folds. Set aside.

5. Trim your second piece of card stock to a square measuring 111/4" x 111/4". We're going to remove a square piece from each of the four corners that measures 33/4" x 33/4". Measure and mark 33/4" horizontally and vertically from each corner. Draw a line between each of the marks so that you have a grid of 3 squares across and 3 down. Using a sharp knife or trimmer, remove the four corners.

6. Score and fold along the inner lines so that your card stock resembles the picture below.

7. Trim your third piece of card stock to a square measuring 101/2" x 101/2". We're going to remove a square piece from each of the four corners that measures 31/2" x 31/2". Do this is the same manner as before, but adjust the measurements.

8. To decorate, I used the off cuts from the second piece of card stock on the outside of the box. You can use patterned paper, images or just leave it blank. 

9. I added some patterned paper triangles to the inside of my card box. These will only be visible once the box is opened.

10. I cut squares from pieces of patterned paper and decorated the two other pieces of card stock. You can decorate both sides if desired. Now is the time to add photographs or images to each of the "flaps", it's a little easier than waiting until it's all constructed.

11. Add strong glue or double sided tape to the centre back of the second piece of card stock.

12. Carefully centre it over the base card stock and press firmly to adhere in place.

13. Repeat with the other piece of card stock, being careful to centre it well.

14. You've just completed the base of your card!

15. Now we have to make a lid. Trim the fourth piece of card stock to 71/2" x 71/2". Place it on your score board and score at 15/8". Rotate 90 degrees and score again at 15/8". Rotate 90 degrees a second time and score at 15/8". Rotate 90 degrees one more time and score at 15/8". Fold along all four score lines.

16. Using a knife, scissors or trimmer, make ONE cut on each corner. Cut on one of the score lines, stopping when you reach the next score line (see photo below).

17. To make your corners extra tidy, you might like to remove a small section from the little square tab in each corner. Make sure you don't remove any of the card stock from the long sections in the centre.

18. Turn your card stock so the top of the lid is facing up. Apply glue to the tab and press it to the inside of the lid. Repeat on all four corners until you have a shallow box.

19. The lid should slip easily over the base and serves to hold everything closed.

20. Now it's time to decorate! I added lots of three dimensional flowers to the centre of my card as well as a stamped sentiment and some Nuvo crystal drops. I finished the lid with some ribbon and a stamped and coloured image.

I hope you'll give this card a go... it might be a little bit of a challenge but it's definitely worth the effort.

Stamps: