Banana Frog Blog

It's the little things...

Tiny Teen is still a favourite amongst the design team - whether in the alpha set or the Simple Greetings set.

Here Trish has created a fab layout combining Tiny Teen alpha stamps with one of the new alpha sets from Banana Frog: Budmo Jiggler - all nicely combined with some of the Jenni Bowlin papers in the Tangerine Dreams line.

I just love Teen font in its teeny Simple Greetings format - nice and convenient for lots of card projects:

The background for this card was stamped with Perfect Paisley stamps, and the little chipboard dragonfly by Magistical Memories is available in a set here.

And speaking of backgrounds, Trish has also created a fab layout with a background stamped out with Concentric stamps.

Banana Frogs in the wild!

We spotted this undeniably cute layout at Heather's blog, Scraps of Me. 

Heather used the Take Note stamps for her words...and you might take note that Take Note is on sale right now!

Stamps are not just for paper...

I was missing my textile roots recently and began to wonder how I could use my favourite Banana Frog stamps in a new way to incorporate some much needed stitching therapy...

So here they are: Our very own Banana Frogs!

 

After drawing the simple frog pattern onto my fabric I printed blocks of colour onto different parts of the frogs body and then using a permanent ink pad I stamped over the top using the Whirligig, Circus Stories, Retro Baubles, Scribble Flowers and Funky Paisely stamps sets. I added a BF monogram onto the back of one of the frogs using the large Madfont set .

I embellished parts of the stamped detail with hand stitching, sequins and beads to give the froggies a bit of sparkle and glamour!

So if you fancy doing something new, try creating your own patterned fabric with your favourite Banana Frog stamps, we'd love to see your creations!

Have fun!

Hannah

x x x

Work Out Wednesday :: Madfont

After a little break, Work Out Wednesday is back and we're moving right along through the Banana Frog stamp collection.  This week we're working out BIG, with Madfont -- one of the large sets of BF stamps!  It's the typeface from Mad magazine...which I am ashamed to admit I once thought was the epitome of cool.

Our workout always starts with a quick gift-tag as a warm up!  I'm loving polka dots this summer, so I've paired the big monogram M with the polka dots from backgrounds and the dotty circle frame from Circus Stories, and some summery yellow ink.

Since we're on the topic of sunshines, this punch is an oldie but a goodie!  I love the sunshine design.  Plus I like to have a few cards like this ready to go at all times -- just fill in what the 'happy' is for inside -- happy birthday, happy graduation, happy anniversary or just happy happy!  That little doodled line?  It's the vine from backgrounds -- just remove the ink from the leaves to stamp the doodle on its own.

And then it's time to hit the layout -- and this font is big enough to make a stand-out title.  Stamp on boxes and layer with two shades of ink to create a few words with bold impact.

Let us see what you've stamped with Madfont - one of the new releases in 2008.  I'll see you here next week with another set on show!

Love and glitter,
Shimelle.~*

July Guest Designer - Ali McLaughlin!

For those of you tuning in to see this week's WOW, sorry it will be back next week. I was just so excited to show you the gorgeous designs that Ali McLaughlin has done as July's guest designer!

If you've looked at Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbook Trends, Scrapbooks Etc and Paper Trends, to name a few, then you will definitely have seen layouts and cards by Ali McLaughlin. She is also on the design team for American Crafts. Yes, one super talented lady!

Here, without further ado, are Ali's designs...

For the record cards -

Ali says: "I loved that these stamps would be a perfect way to tell friends thank you, for just being there for me, I used pop dots on the flowers to add a little dimension to the cards."

You're Awesome card -

Ali says: "I mixed the concentric stamps, and bouquet of flower stamps. I added some brads and pop dots to them as well, I just added the sentiment and scalloped ribbon for a quick and easy card.

Embrace Life layout -

Ali says: "I also used the concentric and bouquet of flower stamps to make a border under the photo in my layout. I thought the stamps created the perfect accents to my page. I just added some stickers and brad to the center of the stamps as well. I love that these stamps are so fun."

Thank you so much Ali for sharing your designs with us!
You can get the stamps that Ali used (Concentric, Bouquet of Flowers and Take Note) all with 15% off this month.

If you have Concentric, Bouquet of Flowers or Take Note, let us see how you have used them.

Tea for two...

Or should that be cupcakes?

Shimelle's That Takes the Cake cupcake stamp set has been enjoying a little admiration from the Design Team this week, with both Tricia and myself bringing a few card ideas.

Tricia has also combined the cupcake stamps with the font from Paperchains as well as Tiny Teen.

Here they are in detail:

Those stamped images really pop against the kraft cardstock.

Rather than colouring in the stamped images on my card, I decided to stamp the main cupcake on 3 different patterned papers, and pieced the final image together: