Stamping with Sonia

Winners for Inkspirations 4U Christmas edition

2011-10-16T08:36:00.004+11:00

Sorry I am a little late in announcing these winners. I got busy yesterday and my daughters wanted to go to the local rodeo. What a great night it was with lovely horses and great horsemanship on display, plus of course, the bucking bulls.

Anyway onto more pressing matters. The winners are:

Rachel and Karen from Dallastown.

I really enjoyed reading about all the things that excite you about Christmas. I loved the fact that so many of us, who live apart from family, enjoy getting together and are willing to make that effort. I was super impressed with Terry Duncans family ritual and although I don't always stay with my family (it's usually at my in-laws) on Christmas Eve, I hope that when my kids grow up it becomes a ritual for them.

If the winners could please email me, so I can give their information on to the organiser of Inkspirations 4U, I would appreciate that.

For those who didn't win a FREE pass, I would recommend that you join anyway. Click HERE to find out how to join.

Till next time, happy stamping...

More FREE passes!

2011-10-14T07:11:00.002+11:00

I haven't had the chance to show you all the items I have made from the Fall edition of Inkspirations 4U and here we are about to start up another round.

Today I am giving away two more FREE passes to the Christmas edition.

To be in the chance to win you need to:

Become a follower and

Leave a comment with details about why you LOVE Christmas.

I love Christmas because I get to spoil my kids and see them really happy! I also love that lots of yummy food is involved, but mostly that our extended families try to get together and enjoy each others company!

You have until tomorrow afternoon (Australian EDST) to leave a comment. As the next session starts on the 17th October 2011.

If you don't win you can always join. All the details are HERE.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Eeewww....

2011-10-07T15:46:00.000+11:00

We were given another colour challenge over at Inkspiration 4U Fall session by Dianne Oullette. I am so not an orange person. If you follow my blog, you'll know this. I had made an attempt to complete all challenges, so I couldn't shy away from this.

I found that the Pumpkin Pie was too 'bright' for me, so I decided to try a technique that was in the 'to do' crypt. I got out my trusty crayons and dusted them off. I applied my crayons direct to my stamp and then gently spritzed with water, then stamped the image. This certainly had the effect of softening that bright Pumpkin Pie.

I also got some white taffeta and a sponge dauber and Bravo Burgundy ink and coloured the ribbon to get it to match. In an attempt to 'distress' I scrunched up the background and added ink to the folds and then reflattened - easier said then done. Unfortunatley this photo looks like it is still scrunched but it isn't really.

Card: Not Quite Navy, Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Bravo Burgundy
Punches: Small Oval, Large Oval
Ribbon: White Taffeta
Embellishments: Regal Brads
Stamp Sets: Upsy Daisy, Petite Pairs, En Francais

Till next time, happy stamping...

No stamping today

2011-10-06T03:38:00.001+11:00

Are you surprised? I've attempt to scrapbook again. It's actually hard not to join in when you are given such a wonderful layout. Even for me this was easy to follow and create.

Again Mariangeli Marina created a great layout for Inkspiration 4U Fall session.

This here is my attempt. I was pretty happy with this one. I've had these photo's printed for ages, hoping that one day I'd get enthused enough to scrapbook them.

Card: Elegant Eggplant, Rose Red
DSP: Sweet and Sour (retired)
Punch: Corner Punch
Embellishments: Tulle from tutu... Miss 3 is going to be annoyed that I've cut up here dress ups..lol

Till next time, happy stamping...

Love in threes...

2011-10-04T15:30:00.001+11:00

See I told you that I have been busy. Today's post shows a card that I made using an Inkspiration 4U Challenge, by Andrea Lowcock. I find these the most difficult to work with. I want them to be easily recognisable as fitting a certain challenge, but then I don't want them to be too literal.

In this challenge, I went quite literal..lol! There wasn't much more in the picture... I suppose I could have used the colour pallette, but then it would be a colour challenge... well that's my excuse anyway...lol!

Don't you just love those new Glimmer Brads.... they are to die for.

Card: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Encore Gold (retired)
Punches: 1" Square, Scallop Square, Heart to Heart
Ribbon: 1/4" Basic Black grosgrain
Embellishments: Basic Glimmer Brads
Stamp Set: Short and Sweet

Till next time, happy stamping...

A different colour combo...

2011-10-02T15:20:00.000+11:00

Well I am back with more to show you. As I said in my post on Saturday, I have been creating, but not blogging.

Today I am showing you the second colour challenge, set by Dianne Oullette, for Inkspiration 4U Fall session. I don't know about you, but I am not sure that I would have ever put these colours together on my own.

Needless to say, I am happy with how this card turned out. I used the Wedding Suite stamp set. I am not sure that I've ever used it for a wedding...lol!

I had a feeble attempt at distressing. I think I need to work on it a bit more. Needless to say, I won a prize with this card.

Card: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Pool Party
Ink: Cajun Craze
Punches: 1 1/4" Square, Scallop Square
Big Shot: Elegant Bouquet embossing folder
Embellishments: Half pearls (non -SU)
Stamp Set: Wedding Sweet

You can still join Inkspirations 4U Fall session and be in the running for prizes.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Moi... Scrapbooking????

2011-10-01T15:03:00.003+10:00

I apologise for so little activity over the last week. I have been working six days a week and whilst I have been creating, I haven't had time to blog.

In an effort to attempt all challenges over at Inkspiration 4U Fall session, I decided to try the scrapping challenges. This gorgeous layout was set out by Mariangeli Miranda.

And here is my feeble attempt. Do those buttons look familar? I made them in THIS post.

I am attempting to use up old supplies before I buy some more.

Card: Bashful Blue, Melon Mambo
Ink: Island Indigo
DSP: Sweet Stitches (retired)
Punch: Cute and Curly
Big Shot: Buttons No 5
Ribbon: Melon Mambo pompom trim (retired)
Stamp sets: Wonderful Favourites (retired), Sense of Time (retired)

There is still time to join Inkspirations 4U Fall session and it's so worth it with so many wonderful projects and challenges - and you can win FREE stuff.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Something a little different!

2011-09-22T14:23:00.001+10:00

Well here I am again.... well in theory I am here. I actually am probably at work.... as this post is scheduled.

The lovely Andrea Lowcock, has given us yet another challenge over at Inkspirations 4U. This one was definitely an Inkspiration.

I almost went with balloons but then thought I'd try and emulate a group of colourful butterflies heading off to see the world.

One of the colours was an old retired one.... can you guess which one it is?

I will not put ingredients on this post, as it's pretty self explanatory.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Isn't this too cute?

2011-09-20T13:54:00.000+10:00

I know you are probably surprised to see me again so soon. Honestly there is a truckload of inspiration over at Inkspirations 4U Fall session.... I can't get enough of it! If your mojo is low, I suggest you head on over there!

Anyway this little beauty was designed by Deanna Tam. I decided to go for a simpler version as Miss 3 has already laid claim to it, before it was even built. She chose the colours and I just created for her.

Card: Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Rich Razzleberry
Ink: Certainly Celery, Lucky Limeade, Rose Red, Rich Razzleberry, Wisteria Wonder, Island Indigo
Punches: 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Circle, 1/2" Circle, 1 3/4" Circle, Scallop Border Punch
Embellishments: Designer In Color Brads, Linen Thread
Tools: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder
Stamp Sets: Pocket Silhouettes, Precious Butterflies (hostess set)

Till next time, happy stamping...

Color Challenge...

2011-09-18T13:39:00.001+10:00

Well after yesterdays effort, I thought I'd show you a colour challenge that I had undertaken.

I wasn't so sure what I thought of these colours. Actually I will probably never use them together again....lol! They did turn out okay together and there are some stunning examples over at Inkspirations 4U.

Card: River Rock, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip
Ink: River Rock, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip
Embellishments: Game Spinners
Tools: Crimper
Stamp Sets: Take a Spin, Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess set)

Till next time, happy stamping...

I am back... for now...

2011-09-17T13:47:00.003+10:00

Hi all,

I know it's been a little while since my last post, but I have been super busy and crafting has taken a back seat for a little while. Inkspirations 4U commenced it's Fall session this week and it has really given me the boost I needed to get into my craft room....

This adorable sketch challenge was put together by Andrea Lowcock. Isn't it just divine? You should check out her creation. It's even better than the sketch...lol!

I thought I'd also join this challenge up with the current Late Night Stampers group challenge, which is to use current in-colors.

I have been so busy that it took me three days to make this card... Ridiculous I know... but I had to grab the snippets of time as I found them. On the first night all I had time to do was stamp the images. Then I did some colouring during my lunch break the next day, cut them out that night after I got home from a late night CPR course. I finally got to put it together last night.

Card: Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Pool Party
Ink: Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Lucy Limeade, Basic Black
Stamp Sets: Morning Cup, Loads of Love, Elements of Style

Till next time, happy stamping...

And the winners for Inkspirations 4U Fall session are:

2011-08-31T07:04:00.002+10:00

and Julie Price

and Vicki Steele

Congratulations ladies. I shall forward your email addresses on and you shall receive an invitation to join just prior to classes starting.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Blog Candy

2011-08-23T07:24:00.002+10:00

Just a quick one today. I am designing again for Inkspirations 4U Early Fall 2011. I am so excited that it is going to be starting soon - September 12th - I have two FREE passes to give away.

To be in the running to WIN a FREE pass please:

Become a follower of my blog and
Leave a comment

or

Spend AU$50 with me.

Entries will be drawn on the 30th August 2011 (Australian Time).

Good luck!

Till next time, happy stamping...

Another challenge... am I on a roll?

2011-08-15T13:35:00.002+10:00

Guess what? I am back.... but I think this is it! Three challenges in two days! I will need a little break to get over this creative juice flowing.

Okay so this was another first for me, entering Friday Mashup #19. I've been checking out other people's entries over the last couple of months and hoping that one day I'd get a chance to give it a go.

This week's Mashup was Butterflies and Bling, or Marina Mist, Perfect Plum and one other colour.

I decided to mash them all together. Yep, I included them all.

I added the colour Rose Red to make it super pretty. I did my Dazzling Diamond and Crystal Effects trick again. It is just so much fun!

Card: Very Vanilla, Marina Mist, Perfect Plum, Rose Red
Ink: Marina Mist, Perfect Plum, Rose Red
Punch: Photo Corners
Embellishments: Rhinestones
Ribbon: Rose Red 1" Double Stitched Grosgrain
Stamp Sets: Precious Butterflies (hostess), Flight of the Butterfly

Till next time, happy stamping...

My first entry to The Play Date Cafe

2011-08-15T08:58:00.002+10:00

I really enjoyed getting the chance to stamp yesterday, so I thought I'd find a challenge and keep creating. I loved the colours in The Play Date Cafe Challenge #94.

These colours scream male to me... yet somehow I got something very different! I was going to do some lovely pennants hanging from the corner of the card. I showed Miss 8 my punched Pennant peices and she said.... "they could be ice-cream cones" - that just goes to show that even at 7am kids still think of ice-cream....lol! I was like, well yes, they could! But how would I do the 'ice-cream'? And then it came to me.... the Cupcake Builder Punch!

Finding a sentiment to go with ice-cream was a little tricky so I dug deep into the cupboard and pulled out this saying from a retired hostess set. It seemed so appropriate!

To get the ice-cream to have the criss-cross effect, I put it through the crimper twice. The first time it doesn't matter how tight you hold the crimper, but you have to let it release a little bit for the opposite lines.

Card: More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Island Indigo
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Island Indigo
Punches: Pennant Punch, Cupcake Builder
Tools: Crimper
Stamp Set: Time Well Spent (retired hostess set)

Till next time, happy stamping...

Don't fall off your chair!

2011-08-14T08:19:00.003+10:00

Yes I am back quickly after six weeks hiatus. I wish I could say that I'd been holidaying on some tropical island... however I have been at home, trying to be Mum and Dad, as my husband has been away at work for the last six weeks. I haven't had much time to create... however our new catty is out next month and I just had to play with my pre-order. And I couldn't go past this weeks Stamping 411 sketch challenge.

So this is my contribution. Talk about mixing the old with the new. Old DSP, New In-colors and stamp set.

When I was nearly finished making this card, the butterflies looked a little dull. So I decided to give them some bling. If I could add Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds to every card and item, I would. LOL!

Card: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Basic Black
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Island Indigo, Basic Black
DSP: Greenhouse Gala
Punches: 1 3/4" Circle, Scallop Circle
Big Shot: Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder
Stamp Set: Precious Butterflies (hostess set)

Till next time, happy stamping...

Unconvention for local demos

2011-06-27T10:26:00.002+10:00

Well hello my friends. It's been a little while between posts and I have resigned myself to the fact that this might continue for a little while. I've been enjoying my new job! However my darling husband went away for work and managed to catch some germs and bring them home... and then he proceeded to share them with everyone. I held out, whilst I was caring for my family, but collapsed this past weekend and only got out of bed for more water and replenishments. And that is my excuse for the delay.

Anyway, way back at the beginning of the month a couple of local demo's who were unable to get to Convention decided that we'd hold our own. It was a lovely day, with way more talking than creating. Can't complain about that!

The lovely Kerryl taught us how to make these gorgeous flowers. They are a little bit fiddly, but worth the effort.

Then we made this gorgeous box to dress with the flowers.

I am not including the ingredients for this one, as I can't remember them that well, although I am sure that you can look at the pics and work it out.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Milk carton Die???

2011-06-11T08:35:00.003+10:00

Firstly I am sorry about the slight delay in posting, however I have returned to paid employment and my time is not my own any more :-(

This gorgeous little box was made using the Milk Carton Die.... yes it really was. It was designed by the gorgeous Martha Gomez for the Spring and Easter session of Inkspirations 4U.

I used the Love Defined stamp set to decorate this set and although it was current when I made it, it has since retired.... oh that's just a tease, isn't it?

Again I've used my favourite method of inking up stamps, with Stampin' Write Marker® to stamp image.

Card: Baja Breeze, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirrouette
Punches: 1" Circle, Medium Jewellery Tag
Ribbon: Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grosgrain
Tools: Crop-A-Dile, Big Shot, Milk Carton Die
Stamp Sets: Love Defined (retired), Tiny Tags

Till next time, happy stamping...

The Final Gifts For My Secret Sisters

2011-06-04T09:19:00.000+10:00

Well, I have certainly dragged this out, haven't I? Especially since the Secret Sister Programs finished at the end of April....lol!

For the final reveal, I went back to making some similar items for both sisters again.... I know that they are both unique, but I wanted to make them so much.... and it just made sense to double up on items. So basically all the members of their family received their own little test tube of M&M's. Genevra and Theresa also received a nugget tin, filled with six hand stamped tea light candles and a nicely decorated bar of smelly soap.

Then I started to make gift packets according to each sister. Above you can see Genevras gifts. She received an embossing folder, wrapped in DSP. I made a cute litte cover to house some 6" x 6" DSP that Genevra liked. I also decorated an Stampin' Store container and filled it with buttons and filled a cello bag with some of the new Pompom ribbon. Below are Theresa's gift. I wrapped a stamp set in some DSP for her.

Now I am sure that you'll agree that I must have used half the stock in my craft room to make these items, so I will not be putting all the ingredients up today.

Now just so that you know, I have enrolled in another round of Secret Sister which starts this month, so I may go quiet again for a few days at a time as I create.

Till next time, happy stamping...

1st card for April Secret Sisters

2011-06-02T08:11:00.003+10:00

Hi, how are you all today? Have you been enjoying seeing what I created for my Secret Sisters? This is the second last instalment of these posts.

I thought I was going to be late in sending them their final parcels, so I made these cute little boxes and sent them a Lindt Easter bunny to tide them over!

The boxes were identically made, aside from the colours for both sisters. However their cards were quite different. Genevra likes 'flowery' images, so I thought I'd try out a little watercolouring. Theresa, on the other hand, wanted to see some cards made with the Cute By The Inch Hostess set... In order to bring these cute little stamps alive, I decided to multi colour them... and you all know how much I love to do that!

Genevras gift ingredients

Card: Cherry Cobbler, Pink Pirouette, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Stazon Black, Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy, Garden Green, Certainly Celery
Punch: Scallop Trim Border
Stamp Sets: Eat Chocolate, Vintage Vogue, Happiness Shared

Theresa gift ingredients

Card: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Tempting Torquoise, Whisper White
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Tempting Torquoise
DSP: Sweet and Sour
Punch: Scallop Square
Tools: Mat Pack
Stamp Sets: Eat Chocolate, Cute By The Inch

Till next time, happy stamping...

Theresa's 2nd card and gift for March

2011-05-31T08:54:00.001+10:00

Well as you probably are aware, I had to send a little gift each month to my Secret Sister... and sometimes it doesn't matter what the gift is, as the wrapping is just so much fun! I decided to make a 2-5-7-10 box for Theresa. Again this is a tease,as I used that gorgeous Sale-A-Brations set, Sweet Summer.

I got the idea to hang hearts from the branch from Tenealle Williams.... I love her work, but haven't totally cased this card at all... actually it's so different that I am not sure you'd even recognise that I was inspired by Tenealle.

I would just like to clarify at this moment, that althought I wouldn't pick 'oranges' as a colour to use myself, I truly enjoyed being pushed out of my comfort zone and I actually liked the items I made. They were so fun and funky and happy too!

Card: Real Red, Tempting Torquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, Tempting Torquoise, Pumpkin Pie
Ribbon: 1/4" Tempting Torquoise Grosgrain (retired)
Punches: Heart to Heart, Scallop Border, Double Rectangle (retired)
Embellishments: Torquoise Rhinestones - Non-SU
Stamp Sets: Sweet Summer (Sale-A-Bration), Friendly Words Roller

Till next time, happy stamping...

Final card for March for Genevra

2011-05-29T08:43:00.002+10:00

I am so sorry for being absent for the last week. I have been focusing on other things at the moment and haven't had any time to create or blog :-( Quite sad really. Luckily for you, I haven't shown you everything, I made for my Secret Sisters in the last rounds.

I had really wanted to try out the masking technique to make a garden of roses (like they ever sit like this in a garden.... what was I thinking?) Anyway, I tried to create something unusual and I guess you could say that I did. I did actually like this card, however photographing it was a little difficult. I had a couple of the flower heads coloured twice and raised up on Dimensionals. And since I don't trust myself with a brayer, I chose to colour the sky and foreground using sponge daubers..... I must make a promise to myself to practice with my brayer! Genevra was kind enough to say it was lovely, even with my misgivings on my skills.

The inside and envelope of this card were also decorated too!

Card: Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Blushing Bride, Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Tempting Torquoise, Not Quite Navy
Ribbon: 1/4" Old Olive Grosgrain
Punch: Word Window, Small Oval, Large Oval
Stamp sets: Happiness Shared, Just Believe

Till next time, happy stamping...

A little punch art!

2011-05-23T11:56:00.000+10:00

Over at Inkspirations 4U, we have been given this lovely image to inspire us.

Now, I have been meaning to try a little punch art for a while and this just encouraged me to finally do it! Kinda cute, I think!

Card: Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Punches: 1' Circle, Wide Oval, Large Oval, Modern Label, Scallop Circle, Spiral, Slot (retired)
Tools: Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder
Embellishments: Toggle Eye's - non SU
Stamp Set: Create A Cupcake

Till next time, happy stamping...

Genevra's 1st Installment for March

2011-05-22T17:39:00.000+10:00

Today I am going to show you what I made for Genevra for her first instalment for March.

Firstly I made this of so cute box from the Milk Carton Big Shot die. It was a tutorial from Spring and Easter Inkspirations session - now closed.....by Martha Lucia Gomez. She is just so talented...

Anyway this cute little box holds a standard wheel just beautifully and since Genevra had said that the Take A Sip roller was on her wish list, I thought I'd made the card around that.... At that time, I didn't have many 'cup' stamp sets and although I really wanted to use the roller, I didn't think that it was acceptable to use and then gift it.... so flourishes came into play..

The flowers on the top of the box are from the Pretties Kit and I used my brayer and Classic Ink Pads to colour them.

Card: Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Versamark
Ribbon: 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain (retired)
Punches: Pinking Hearts Border
Embellishments: Pretties Kit Flowers and Pearl
Tools: Big Shot, Milk Carton Die
Stamp Sets: Baroque Motifs, Pun Fun, Baroque Border Wheel

Now although you can't get this tutorial anymore, there is a Summer Session of Inkspirations 4U that you may be interested joining. Click here to find out more!

Till next time, happy stamping...

1st card for March for Theresa

2011-05-21T18:17:00.000+10:00

Okay now this post is a bit of a tease.... because you can't get this stamp set anymore ! :-( It was a Sale-A-Bration stamp set called Sweet Summer, which I took ages to warm to and now miss so much.

It was about this time, that I started making totally different gifts for my Secret Sisters, after all they are two very different people.

This card was made using colours that surrounded Blueberry Crisp DSP, as Theresa had indicated that she liked it - I was secretly glad to be away from Pumpkin Pie....lol!

Card: Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Certainly Celery, Daffodil Delight
DSP: Blueberry Crisp
Ribbon: 5/8" Double Striped Pacific Point Grosgrain (retired)
Embellishments: Circle Ice Rhinestones
Stamp Sets: Curly Cute, Sweet Summer (retired - SAB)

Till next time, happy stamping...

A Blatant Case...

2011-05-20T20:01:00.000+10:00

Okay, so these were the gifts and cards I made for my Secret Sisters, Theresa and Genevra.

They each received a lovely card and a Fantasy or Stepper Box filled with ribbon and embellishments. I had received one (click here to see) from my Secret Sister, Nikki Stalker, in November 2009 and had been meaning to make one ever since. They look fabulous and aren't really that tricky to make.

I used up some of my Jolly Holiday DSP... and who would have thought that it was Christmas related in these pics???? Gotta love the all roundedness of this DSP!

Okay it was months since I made these, so I'll have to try and guess what I used....lol!

Card: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
DSP: Jolly Holiday
Punches: Scallop Square, Scallop Trim Border, Scallop Circle, Modern Label, 1/2" Circle
Ribbon: 5/8" Very Vanilla Satin
Embellishments: Build A Brad
Stamp Sets: Circle Circus, Cute By The Inch (hostess set), Just Believe

Till next time, happy stamping...

Two SS - One layout!

2011-05-19T19:48:00.003+10:00

Well, I know a little over a week ago, I promised to show you more of what I created for my Secret Sisters.... and I've been slack! But here is the actual first cards that I made for them. As you can see I have used the same layout for the card front...

...but different colours and stamp sets give a totally different look! The first one was for Theresa, who loves Pumpkin Pie (thanks for challenging me to the limit)! The second card was for Genevra! I personally prefer the striking boldness of the second card, although I think it might have been a bit too striking for Genevra.

First Card

Card: Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Ink: Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie
Ribbon: 1/4" Old Olive Grosgrain
Embellishments: Circle Ice Rhinestones
Stamp Set: Cottage Garden

Second Card

Card: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler
Ribbon: 5/8" Black Satin
Embellishments: Rhinestone Jewels
Stamp Sets: Elements of Style, Happiness Shared

Till next time, happy stamping...

I don't really like orange at all!

2011-05-14T19:32:00.000+10:00

Oh boy.... this going to be the third post for today..... Can you believe it? I've actually so much to show you, however I will try and space it out... but I want to show you this NOW....lol!

I find the Stamping 411 sketches just speak to me, although I haven't had an opportunity to do one for a couple of weeks. Today I spotted this one and knew that I'd have to team it up with...

..this oh so challenging colour challenge from Inkspirations 4U.... eeew! I so don't like orange.... but I thought I might be able to work with on this occasion....lol!

So this is what I created.

I really enjoyed colouring my new Morning Cup images in. And yes I did stick with the colours above..... they just soften up a lot when picked up from the lid with a blender pen. I also used the markers for some direct colouring too! I was a wee bit naughty and used some Soft Suede to create shadows under the cup.... should I be disqualified???

Card: Basic Black, Tango Tangerine, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Tango Tangerine, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede
Punches: Scallop Trim Border, Scallop Trim Corner, Medium Jewellery
Ribbon: 5/8" Basic Black Satin
Embellishments: Basic Black brads
Stamp Set: Morning Cup

Till next time, happy stamping...

Unconvention Sketch

2011-05-14T16:01:00.004+10:00

Well as I explained in an earlier post, we are having a virtual convention on ESAD for those of us who cannot attend the real thing. In order to share the load of organising, I was nominated to do a sketch challenge. So this is my sketch.
I was very good and designed the sketch first and then made a card... although it may have been easier to do it the other way around.

My initial thought was to have butterflies on the three half circles down the side... but again my logical and creative sides of my brain were not communicating.

Card: Blushing Bride, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla
Ink: Stazon Black, Blushing Bride, Peach Parfair, Soft Suede, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, Pretty In Pink
DSP: Lap of Luxury
Punches: 1 3/8" Circle, 1 3/4" Circle
Ribbon: 5/8" Victoria Lace
Embellishments: Pearls, Regals Flower Brads
Stamp Set: Elements of Style

Till next time, happy stamping...

If you'd like to play along, I'd love to see your cards or scrap page.... Please link to Mr Linky below.

Getting ready early!

2011-05-14T08:33:00.003+10:00

I've been trying to get on to blog this week and there have been difficulties with Blogger... so I apologise if you have been wondering what has happened. I hope they have fixed it for a little while. I know that they deleted all posts that were put up from Wednesday this week... but luckily I hadn't put any up.

Anyhow onto some more interesting things. Today I am going to show you this cute Fathers Day wallet or card.... it certainly looks like a card on the front.

Yet when you open the inside you can see it's a wallet.... not I just have to go and find some gift cards that hubby might like....

This was designed by the lovely Rosa Vazquez for Inkspirations 4U summer session. I chose to use monochromatic colours as we had a colour challenge on ESAD (click here for more details) for Unconvention for those of us who couldn't make it to the real convention. I also participated in the LNS challenge to create something for Fathers Day.

Card: Night of Navy, Baja Breeze, Ballet Blue, Pacific Point
Ink: Night of Navy
DSP: Blueberry Crisp
Punches: Scallop Edge Border, Large Star, Small Star (retired)
Stamp Set: Occasional Greetings

Till next time, happy stamping...

First Challenge entry for Inkspirations 4U Summer session

2011-05-08T20:08:00.003+10:00

Well I guess the title gives it away.... but in case you didn't read it. Inkspirations 4U Summer session is now open.... Yippee! If you haven't enrolled, I suggest that you ask your kids or hubby to quickly sign you up today as a Mothers Day Gift....lol!

Anyway here is our first colour challenge.

And here is my meagre offering. These aren't really colours I would normally work with and I initially thought that something baby would work and then ended up with this..... I really need to work on getting the left and right sides of my brain to work together....lol!

Card: Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz
Ink: Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede, Stazon Black
Ribbon: 5/8" Victoria Lace
Embellishments: Flower Brads, Pearls
Tools: Big Shot, Elegant Bouquet
Stamp Sets: Happiness Shared, Curly Cute

Till next time, happy stamping...

Happy Mothers Day to all!

2011-05-08T10:59:00.003+10:00

Hi all... Just a quick one today, since I should be spending time with family...lol!

While my sisters were here with their new borns, I took the opportunity to make them their first mothers day cards. I used our Classic Ink Pads, as the ink is water based and didn't hurt their precious skin.

For the front of the card I inked up their feet and attempted to get them to put them on the paper. It was great as these babies were 10 and 13 weeks old and not very co-operative!

On the inside I inked up their little hands and made it appear like they were holding Mum's heart. As you can see by the images, they weren't liking the process much. I will clear up that I don't have a neice with six fingers and a thumb - she just double stamped.

Card: Ballet Blue (retired), Pixie Pink (retired), Whisper White
Ink: Ballet Blue (retired), Pixie Pink (retired)
Punch: Full Heart
Tools: Big Shot, Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder
Stamp Set: Occasional Greetings

Till next time, happy stamping...

Secret Sister Birthday surprise!

2011-05-06T11:34:00.002+10:00

I can finally come clean and show you some of the items I have been making over the last few months. This is because I have been 'revealed' to my Secret Sisters. So first up we have this set I made up for Theresa Kamp who was my SS from Stampin Up In Oz.

It was her birthday in February, so I made her an extra gift and here is the card. This was a case from Marelle Taylor.

Secondly I made her a little cupcake decorating kit. I purchased some Betty Crocker icing and made this cute box to hold it all. I even included cupcake toppers. Isn't it just too cute! This box was one of the many wonderful tutorials that was available in the Inkspirations 4U Valentines and Birthday session. It was designed by the lovely Madeline Morcelo.

Card: Tempting Torquoise, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Tempting Torquoise, Real Red, Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie
DSP: Sweet and Sour
Ribbon: 5/8" So Saffron Grosgrain (retired)
Punches: Scallop Oval, Medium Oval
Embellishments: Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads
Tools: Big Shot, Polka Dot embossing folderStamp Sets: Crazy For Cupcakes, Birthday Bakery (hostess), Well Scripted (retired), Party This Way

Come back soon as I have three months worth of items to show you

Till next time, happy stamping...

Winners announced

2011-05-01T01:00:00.001+10:00

Well it's time to announce the winners of the FREE passes to the Inkspirations 4U Summer Session. I really wish I could give everyone a FREE pass! Our first winner is......

So this was Sherry D and here is her winning comment.

The second winner was....

Christie Anderson - and here is her winning comment.

Congratulations ladies - you are in for a couple of weeks FILLED with Inkspiration! Please email me so that I can forward your details onto Madeline Morcelo, so that you receive your official invitation!

For those that missed out on a FREE pass from me, you can still join us for a fantastically fun time. Click HERE for more details.

Till next time, happy stamping...

ESAD Autumn Winter 2011 Blog Hop

2011-04-30T09:59:00.003+10:00

Hello and welcome to the ESAD Autumn/Winter 2011 Blog hop. You may have arrived here from the lovely Pauline Bennetts Blog. Did she do an amazing job with our new product? Or perhaps you've just arrived at my blog all by yourself. Don't stress, just click on the link below to Sharlene Torres blog and on each blog you'll be given a link to the next and eventually you'll be lead right back here.

What is ESAD?

ESAD stands for Extra Special Australasian Demonstrators and it's an online group just for Australian and New Zealand Demonstrators for Stampin' Up!®

We so love what we do and not only do we love to share it with our customers, friends and wonderful blog visitors but we share our love of what we do with each other as Demonstrators. We run swaps, challenges, tutorials, product know how and cyberstamps and we are always there to help support each other when it's needed.

So if you are a Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator located in Australia or New Zealand please feel free to click here to join our wonderful group.

Right now that's the formalities over. Onto the interesting stuff.... so what have I made to show you today?

Firstly we have this cute little book box. How often do we collect buttons and have no cool place for them. I've made this little book to store my buttons in. I've decorated the front with images from the Sew Suite stamp set. If you are a sewer, you just HAVE to have this set. It's super cool.

Now to the buttons. I did include some of the Sweet Stitches Designer buttons on the front, however two of the ones on the front of the box were made by me. Yes, faux buttons. If you'd like to know how to make them, please click here to find out how.... don't forget to come back and do the rest of the blog hop though!

I made mine using the Sweet Stitches DSP. Isn't it just adorable? You can make these buttons using punches or in my case I used my Big Shot and the Buttons #5 Sizzlet Die.

The picture above shows how I held them while I was waiting for the Crystal Effects to dry. Below is a photo of a selection of them.

You'll notice in the photo above that some are shinier than others. This is partly due to camera angle and also partly due to whether I added just one or two layers of Crystal Effects

Card: Bashful Blue, Regal Rose, Rose Red, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla
Ink: Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise
DSP: Sweet StitchesTools: Big Shot, Buttons #5 Sizzlet Dies, Cyrstal Effects, Heat Tool, Clear Embossing Powder
Ribbon: Twill
Stamp Set: Sew Suite

Okay so you thought that was enough... well no.... this mini is full of great items and I just have to show you a card I made.

This card is made using the Create A Cupcake stamp set and it's co-ordinating punch. Yes, we have the most adorable punch to make 'cutting' these out easier. I chose to use the punch to cut DSP for the cake patties and cardstock for the cake and cherries. I stamped the sprinkles on with Versamark and embossed them, so they are shiny. Kind of hard to show in the photo. I also used Crystal Effects on the cherries, so that they are all shiny! So cute! I've also used one of my own matching designer buttons on this card as well.

Card: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue
Ink: Rose Red, VersamarkDSP: Sweet Stitches
Punches: Build A Cupcake, Decorative Label
Tools: Heat Tool, Clear Embossing Powder, Cyrstal Effects
Ribbon: Blushing Bride 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon
Stamp Set: Create A Cupcake

Okay so now I have finished with my creations and it's time to say goodbye! It's been lovely having you here and please feel free to leave comments on what you like and didn't (is that possible?)

Now it is time to go on over to Sharlenes blog and check out her fantastic creations.

Till next time, happy stamping...

How did you celebrate the Royal wedding?

2011-04-30T08:32:00.002+10:00

In our house, we thought we'd make a big deal of it.... not because we are Monarchists, but because I have two daughters and doesn't every little girl love stories of Princes and becoming a Princess.

The first photo is a snippet from our table decorations.

Then a plate of handmade chocolates and chocolate logs. Miss 3 assisted in making the chocolate which is why the cherubs and bells aren't coloured very well with the white chocolate.

Then my sweet sister knocked up a batch of scones for our high tea.

We did cook up a BBQ (well we are Aussies, after all) and served it on the Royal Albert Old Country Roses fine china. The kids were impressed.... the hubby was scared!

Then we settled in to make crowns and watch the ceremony.

Here is my 10 week old niece... all crowned up.

And then "Princesses Gone Bad". I do love this photo. We tried to get a number of nice, normal happy snaps but couldn't get everyone to look at the camera.... but miraculously when we said "silly" photo, we all poked our tongues out and looked at the camera. Go figure!

Well I hope you had a great night celebrating the Royal Nuptials, as we did.

Okay don't forget to come back at 10am today as we have an ESAD blog hop on this morning, featuring our new Autumn Winter mini catalogue

Till next time, happy stamping...

2nd attempt at Stamping 411 sketch

2011-04-23T15:18:00.002+10:00

Okay now I am really on a roll... I have made this since my last post of about an hour ago. Yep! It was quick and easy. To see my previous attempt of the the Stamping 411 sketch please go to THIS post.

Again it's relatively 'clean'. I love this new stamp as it suits my favourite method of inking.

Card: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery
Stampin' Write Markers: Rose Red, Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Wild Wasabi, Marina MistRibbon: Tango Tangerine Pompom Trim
Tools: Big Shot, Butterfly embosslit
Stamp Set: Hello Blossoms

Till next time, happy stamping...

Back so soon!

2011-04-23T14:01:00.002+10:00

Who would have thought that I would be back so soon? I didn't think I'd be posting today, but I feel I have neglected you enough. The hubby and kids left this morning and I have spent a couple of hours cleaning.... you know... do the yucky work first and then play, play, play till they arrive home on Monday.

I checked in over at Stamping 411 (love that site) and knew that today wouldn't pass without me making a card for this sketch.

Here is my attempt. I decided to try a new technique out that I saw on Susan Timmermans site. It's using Epsom Salts, boiling water and a paint brush. I'll let you go over to Susans site to find out more details. Needless to say I saw this technique this morning and thought I'd paint up a few pieces of scrap cardstock. The first piece that was dry was Pacific Point.... not my favourite colour at all.... but I decided that I would go with it.

This card is very 'clean' for me, as I don't generally leave a lot of white space. I am quite happy with the result and it really is quite stunning IRL.

Card: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Basic Black
Ink: Pacific Point, Basic Black, Not Quite Navy
Punches: Scallop Trim Border, Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle
Ribbon: 1/4" Basic Black Grosgrain, Black Satin
Embellishments: Rhinestones, Rhinestone brads
Stamp Set: Just Believe

Till next time, happy stamping...

A challenge completed finally!

2011-04-22T19:42:00.003+10:00

I know that I have been MIA a bit lately, but for those who don't live in Australia, I will explain. It's school holidays! Do I need to say anymore? We have been busy seeing family down at the beach and entertaining interstate guests when we got home. The saddest part about all this, was that I was having so much fun that I was too preoccupied to craft and blog. Would you like to know the best part? Hubby is taking the kids away camping tomorrow and I get to catch up - yippee!

Okay so the title talks about me finishing a challenge. Well I've been a very quiet member of Late Night Stampers for over 12 months. I have always had good intentions of getting some of their challenges done, but it never seems to happen. Today I am rewriting the books and have officially completed Challenge 117 - Anything BABY Yay!

I have been hanging to try out this embedded embossing/quilting technique and am very happy with the result. I did have intend to have it oriented in landscape, but I kind of decided to make it look like a babies cot bed. Do you think it worked? Quilt at the bottom, ruffle where it folds over and cutesy baby sheets at the top!

And here is the inside. I just embossed to the edge of the patchwork which was quite easy to line up.

Card: Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Rose Red
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Rose Red
DSP: Patterns Pack II (retired hostess set)
Ribbon: Melon Mambo Pom Pom
Tools: Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder
Stamp Sets: Short and Sweet, Occasional Quotes, Family Favourites

Don't forget to leave a comment on THIS post to WIN a free entry into the Summer session of Inkspirations 4U.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Summer Edition of Inkspirations - FREE passes

2011-04-15T09:41:00.000+10:00

Are you ready for another round of Inkspirations 4U? We have the Summer Edition commencing on the 10th May 2011. We have more Guest Designers, challenges and tutorials than before! Each session is better than the last!

You can get in early and purchase your class ticket for USD$20 before 20th April 2011. Click here for more information.

You can also win a FREE pass from me. Here is how to apply to join;

Option 1

Become a follower of my blog, and
Leave a comment

Option 2

Spend AU$50 with me

You need to adhere to either of those options before 30th April 2011.

I know you are thinking that you'll miss out on the early bird special if you wait for this chance to win a FREE pass, however if you have already joined we will refund your class ticket fee!

Till next time, happy stamping...

Split Negative Technique

2011-04-11T21:09:00.002+10:00

Now I wish I could say that I made this, however that's not the case. This card was made for me by my Secret Sister from the Stampin_Up_In_Oz Yahoo group.

It was a bit of a bugger trying to photograph this as Australia Post wasn't particularly kind and I have had to try and 'straighten' it! This split negative technique is a bit funky on the eye as well!

So I guess you'll realise that I haven't been posting anything as I've been making it for my Secret Sisters or the next round of Inkspirations 4U.

Come back in a few days to find out how you can win a FREE pass to the next class session of Inkspirations 4U.

Till next time, happy stamping...

A little brag book!

2011-04-06T17:06:00.004+10:00

I am have been holding off posting, as the formatting is driving me crazy. I think I've worked out how to fix it, but it's still frustrating.

Here is a cute little scrapbook book we made over at Inkspirations 4U.

It ended up being about 2 1/2" square, so just the right size for a brag book, if you ask me!

I made this for my sister to put pictures of her new born in. The colours haven't shown up very well in this picture, unfortunately.

Card: Perfect Plum, Certainly Celery
Ink: Certainly Celery
DSP: Always (retired)
Embellishments: Linen Thread, Button (thanks SS)
Stamp Set: Short and Sweet

Till next time, happy stamping...

Inkspirations - Sonia style

2011-03-31T22:23:00.003+11:00

I am hoping that my formatting will behave today... but no telling until I type a few lines and hit preview. I've checked it out and it's misbehaving again... Grrrr! I'll try and perservere and get something up here for you.... however it may be short and sweet!

This is the project I created for Inkspirations 4U. It's a cute 3" square pizza box, with a recessed lid. I nearly forgot to show it to you! How silly of me! I just loved this Sale-A-Bration set! I honestly don't know how I am going to work without it in the future! Oh that's right, there are heaps of yummy new products coming.... Be sure to come back to check out the new products tomorrow! Till next time, happy stamping...

Black Bliss 411

2011-03-30T15:20:00.003+11:00

Anyway this sketch is the current one for the Stamping 411 site. Isn't it just great? I decided to mix it with our weekly challenge at Stampin_Up_In_Oz, which is Black Magic

My formatting is misbehaving today, so I'll just stop at this and hope that tomorrow things improve.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Oh pick me... again!

2011-03-29T13:04:00.002+11:00

My lovely friend, Madeline from The Stamping Studio, has presented me with this lovely award. I received this a few months ago, but figured, I'll try to follow some of the rules and play along again!

Right, 8 little known facts about me!

1. I am on a health kick at the moment!

2. I am still trying to bond with my new house! (six months in and we are still not friends)

3. Yesterday I worked out how to change a downlight - yippee! I can see again!

4. I find kids homework frustrating.... not the actual homework but getting the kids to do it!

5. I am trying to teach my daughter, Miss 8, to longstitch....

6. I cannot knit! Tried and tried and tried, but just can't do it!

7. My sisters are my best friends!

8. I hate cleaning bathrooms

Hmmm... yes I don't think you would have known those things about me, unless you are my sisters....lol!

Now to hand this award on... in no particular order.....

Kristy Strong (sewing related)

Lynda Shrimpton

Jamie Adcock

Mae Collins

If you haven't been over to see their work... get your mouse finger clicking!

Till next time, happy stamping...

I am in love with this project from Inkspirations 4U Spring and Easter sesssion!

2011-03-25T21:15:00.004+11:00

You are probably over hearing about Inkspirations 4U Spring and Easter session and I assure you it will be over soon. BUT in the meantime, I have to show you what I have made! After all, isn't that why you come to my blog?

The lovely Marisol gave us a gorgeous tutorial for a pop up box! The picture below shows the box all closed up.

I chose to decorate the top with a lovely rose made from the Ornament Punch. Isn't it adorable? If you have been waiting for the Ornament Punch to become available, you can do a little whoopie dance, as they are back in stock!

Once the lovingly adorned lid is taken off, my butterflies take flight! On the inside you have a stunning little gift card holder! How much nicer is this, rather than a gift card tucked in a greeting card?

So that was take one! I knew as soon as I made it that I would have to do it again soon! As we have a wedding coming up (I know the bride and groom will not see this post), I thought I'd make their gift from this tutorial too!

But first of all, I needed to make a card - truth be known it was the last thing I made for this set, but the first I am showing you!

I made the Heart Punch Bride and Groom by following this video tutorial provided by Valita Reynolds.

And below is my box, which is covered in Bride and Grooms!

Here is a close up! Would we all love to have cleavage like that?

And here is a close up of the inside!

And and full photo of the inside all popped up!

Now this session of Inkspirations 4U is only open for another ten days! So if you want this tutorial you'll have to join quickly. You'll also receive another 10+ project tutorials and some wonderful challenges!

Till next time, happy stamping...

A cute gift pack!

2011-03-24T17:11:00.003+11:00

Today's post is really quick as I have been so busy the last couple of days and I really should be preparing dinner for my family... but I am sure they can wait a few extra minutes!

This sweet little gift case was designed by Madeline Morcelo for the Inkspirations 4U Spring and Easter session. Isn't it just cute! I am ready for the next birthday party that Miss 8 gets invited to! A lot of the ladies also thought this would be super cool if it enveloped a big block of chocolate and I couldn't disagree with them.

Card: Basic Black, Riding Hood Red
Ink: Basic Black
DSP: Greenhouse Gala
Punches: Scallop Border, Scallop Square
Ribbon: 1 1/4" Striped Riding Hood Red Grosgrain (retired), Riding Hood Red Taffeta, Pear Pizzazz ribbon
Embellishments: Large Brad from Hodge Podge
Stamp Set: Punch Bunch (SAB)

Till next time, happy stamping...

Two tone challenge!

2011-03-22T06:48:00.000+11:00

I've challenged myself of late to enter more challenges. This one is from the lovely site called Creatalicious Challenges. The best thing about these is you get a month to make them.... it's very handy for us busy people!

This months challenge is to make a two tone card. Easy, you say! I dare you to try! It's great fun making sure everything doesn't meld into each other. I think I managed it here, just!

I love using the watercolouring on these roses. Basically you emboss the image on Glossy cardstock with White Embossing Powder. You then lightly spritz the area with water and then you drop ink into each section and slowly work it around. You can change colours and they will gently bleed into each other and create a nice gradual flow with makes your flowers look more realistic.

I also dabbed some Platinum Shimmer Paint onto my flowers once they were dry. They are quite shimmery as you can see by the bottom flower! It was really hard to photograph this. To the naked eye the shimmer is actually a cross between the top and bottom flowers, so not quite so shimmery, but still slightly sparkly. I also used versamark and stamped the flower image on the Very Vanilla cardstock, which was impossible to photograph as well! All in all, I'd say this is a beautiful card, that photography does no justice!

Card: Rose Red, Very Vanilla, Glossy White
Ink: Versamark, Rose Red, Tangerine Tango
DSP: Sweet and Sour
Ribbon: Rose Red 1" Double Stitched Grosgrain (retired)
Embellishments: Circle Fire Rhinestones (retired)
Tools: Heat Tool, White Embossing Powder
Stamp Sets: Growing Green, Well Scripted

Till next time, happy stamping...

Embossed shadows

2011-03-21T07:58:00.002+11:00

Hello! I hope you all have had a lovely weekend. I've certainly enjoyed mine! Not much crafting happened, but the kids enjoyed the time spent with them.

Over at Inkspirations 4U we were given this "inkspiration" challenge. These are not normally colours I would go for. But I chose to use them out of this challenge. I even incorporated the red from the telephone in.

We were also given a sketch challenge too, as you can see below. It's kind of easy, so I thought I'd combine the two. It's amazing how much you feel like you've accomplished when you combine challenges. LOL!

So here is my contribution! I decided to try out the embossed shadowing technique that Madeline has shown us over at Inkspirations for you. I inked my Just Believe stamp up with versamark and then coloured the flowers in with Cajun Craze, then stamped and embossed my image with clear embossing powder. I then got a sponge dauber and More Mustard and inked around the images to give a etheral glow! It's not the best photo, but it was very hard to photograph without glare. Grrr!

Card: More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Ink: Versamark, Cajun Craze, Basic Black

Punches: Small Oval, Large Oval, Scallop Oval

Ribbon: Black Satin

Tools: Heat Tool, Clear Embossing Powder, Sponge Daubers

Stamp Set: Just Believe

Till next time, happy stamping...

A set I was given!

2011-03-18T14:28:00.002+11:00

Hello and welcome back. I hope that you found my time between postings a bit more satisfactory this time! LOL! We do have the weekend coming up which means family time, so you may have to wait until Monday for the next instalment!

Anyway moving right along, todays post is a card I made for a Color Challenge over at Inkspirations 4U Spring and Easter session. I don't think these are colours I would grab off the caddy by myself, however I didn't mind the outcome.

And here it is. I have used the Printed Petals Stamp set, which was given (yes given) to us at Convention last year! Now you would think that since I had it three months before it came out in Australia, I'd have used it lots. I am embarrassed to say, I haven't used it since Convention 2010. It's not that I don't like it, but I don't remember it when I am thinking of sets to use!

This card turned out to be a very clean and simple card, which is unlike me, but I do like it alot!

Card: Pear Pizzazz, Rose Red, So Saffron
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Rose Red
Embellishments: Rhinestones
Stamp Sets: Printed Petals, Sweet Summer (SAB)

Till next time, happy stamping...

Isn't this cute!

2011-03-17T21:41:00.002+11:00

Well, have you been eagerly awaiting the next update of what I have been up to? The Spring and Easter Inkspirations 4U session is in full swing and there are lots of fantastic tutorials and challenges to keep me busy... and you too, if you'd like to join!

This gorgeous basket was designed by the divine Andrea Lowcock! It was super easy to make and I can see someone wanting these as party favour bags.

I really think that Andrea is the original Ribbon Whisperer! She does some fancy stuff with her ribbons and I love the little loops she encourages us to try here.

All the baskets and co-ordinating cards that have been made by members at Inkspirations 4U Spring and Easter session look so different... but you'll have to join to see them all!

Card: Concord Crush, Basic Grey
Ink: Concord Crush
DSP: Lap of Luxury
Punch: Scallop Circle, Heart to Heart
Ribbons: Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grosgrain, Very Vanilla 1/4" Grosgrain, Pretty In Pink 1/4" Grosgrain
Tools: Big Shot, Scallop Circle Die
Embellishments: Rhinestones
Stamp Set: Oval All

I have been trying to take more time to spend on my other hobby of patchworking and sewing, which is cutting into my blogging time. I'll try to get back more regularly in future.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Are you ready for Easter?

2011-03-14T14:27:00.003+11:00

Are you enjoying my daily posts? I hope I can keep them up for you!

Last week one of the tutorials on Inkspiration 4U Spring and Easter session was this adorable little basket from Holly Krautkremer!

In Holly's design she had some lovely eggs from the Easter Blossoms stamp set, but I don't own any stamp sets with Easter eggs in them. So I made a little oval reverse mask and stamped inside it with the Sale-A-Bration Bliss set and then sponged over the top of that. I then cut them out and they are superb!

Card: River Rock, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, River Rock
DSP: Elegant Soiree
Punches: Scallop Border, Wide Oval, Designer Label
Ribbon: Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain (retired), Marina Mist Satin
Embellishments: Pearls
Stamp Sets: Bliss, Well Scripted

Till next time, happy stamping...

Starring...

2011-03-13T12:47:00.002+11:00

Well this card has been made by an extra special person in my life, my daughter! Miss 8 has become involved in her own Secret Stamper program. I can think of nothing better than teaching kids to give for 'no reason'. She's just started and this is her first effort.

When I saw this Stamping 411 challenge, I just knew it was right for Miss 8's secret stamping friend.

With a little bit of encouragement and help, this is what she came up with. Miss 8 also learnt how to do some watercoloring as well. She has enjoyed being given free reign in mummy's craft room. LOL!

I am super proud of her and I am going to link this post to the Stamping 411 site, even though it's not in the same calibre as most of the others there. I hope they don't mind.

Till next time, happy stamping...

I finished a challenge on time!

2011-03-12T09:15:00.001+11:00

Actually I finished two challenges, although one didn't have a time limit! I managed to combine these two challenges. The first is a colour challenge put out to us over at Inkspirations 4U Spring and Easter session by the sensational Diane Oullette. I honestly think I've found my new favourite colour combo.

I've been trawling the net a bit of late and had noticed some wonderful Mojo Monday sketches about! I really like this one, but nothing was working for me! Until I decided to combine it with the colours above. So I have managed to finish it on time and can actually enter it! Yippee!

I know all this talk, when all you want to do is see the finished result. Well here it is! What do you think? Most cards I make are very feminine or masculine, but this one confuses me. I am leaning more towards masculine, but not overly!

Card: Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black, Not Quite Navy

DSP: Greenhouse Gala, Blueberry Crisp

Punch: Scallop Trim Border

Tools: Circle Scissors Plus, Mat Pack

Embellishments: Vintage brads, 5/16" brads (retired)

Stamp Sets: Sense of Time, Elements of Style

Till next time, happy stamping...

Inkspirations 4U is on again!

2011-03-11T07:27:00.002+11:00

I'd guess I should apologise for letting you down and not posting anything much lately. I am still very busy with house improvements and also school committments. We've also had visitors last weekend and are expecting some this weekend, so my time isn't really mine at the moment. Anyway that's enough excuses from me! Let's get onto the fun stuff!

Well Inkspirations 4U Spring and Easter session has started. If you haven't joined I strongly recommend that you do! Each session the tutorials are getting better and better! Can that possibly be? Yes it can!

Todays instalment was designed by the lovely Vimar Serrano. She showed us how to make this gorgeous centrepiece. Isn't it divine?

Card: Blushing Bride, Marina Mist, Whisper White, Vellum
Ink: Blushing Bride, Marina Mist, Regal Rose, Versamark
Punch: Eyelet Border
Tools: Crimper, Circle Scissors Plus
Embellishments: Pearls
Stamp Set: Vintage Vogue

Now I do have few other projects and challenges from Inkspirations 4U Spring and Easter session to show you, but if you can't wait until I update my blog, come and join us at Inkspirations 4U. Not only will you get to see what I've made, but also all the other talented ladies as well, and you can join in the fun!

Till next time, happy stamping...

Look what else I received!

2011-02-28T07:49:00.002+11:00

As I have previously stated I am participating in Secret Sister with the Stampin_Up_In_Oz Yahoo group. This is my second card and gift for the month of February.

Inside the little box is samples of the new In-Color ribbons, which I don't have, so I was super excited to receive these. In the wallet folder is three different types of hot chocolate. Now that is definitely the way to my heart! Again I hadn't tried any of those, so my horizons are being expanded without even leaving home.

Card: Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy, Pacific Point
Ink: Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy
DSP: Blueberry Crisp
Punches: Word Window, Small Oval, Large Oval
Ribbon: 5/8" Pacific Point Striped Grosgrain, 5/8" Very Vanilla Grosgrain
Embellishments: Regals Brads, Metallic Eyelets
Stamp Set: Just Believe

Till next time, happy stamping...

Meeting Blog Friends....

2011-02-25T10:45:00.002+11:00

Well as I mentioned in THIS POST, I met up with a very special blog friend Lynda late last month. I was in Sydney awaiting the birth of my nephew. Lynda and I dragged out kids out to Sydney's Bicentennial Park for a wonderful morning. The kids played happily and Lynda and I got to chat and laugh! It was a great morning!

Anyway the purpose of this meeting was for Lynda to give me these cute little Princess Anya images. I had saw this card she made on her blog incorporating these and she offered to post a few images to me - isn't she sweet? So this is what I created with Lynda's images.

Lynda also surprised me with this gorgeous little notebook! It's currently in my bag and I have finally allowed myself to write in it! It took a while as it's sooooo cute!

Lynda also gave me THIS card, which I put in an extra special place so I wouldn't lose it! It's still there. I am so glad Lynda put it up on her blog so I can direct you to it! LOL!

So this is a HUGE Thank you to Lynda for all the beautiful items you gave me and even more for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet up with me! I enjoyed myself immensely!

No ingredients this time, as lots of them are NON-SU.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Mixing the old with the new!

2011-02-24T14:44:00.002+11:00

I guess I should apologise for not being here for the last week or so. I decided that I wanted to grow a hedge to 'fence' off my front yard and that now would be an ideal time to plant it. That way hopefully it will be established before the winter frosts come in. So with that in mind, I purchased 140 Japanese Box plants and have had to dig (well hubby did) 37 metres of garden. This then required planting, mulching and lots of water to help establish it. Just getting them all planted took four days! I have also decided to paint Miss 8's room, so I have been busy cleaning, emptying rooms out, washing walls, sanding, taping, undercoating, sanding again and painting. I wish I could say that I am finished, but I need to do another coat and then start on the trims in the room. Now onto the stuff you really care about...

Well this month we have been given the challenge to use green at the Stampin_Up_In_Oz Yahoo group. This was because we were working towards March which has St Patricks Day in it. There was no requirement to make anything symbolic of St Patricks Day, but I couldn't help myself!

I think this card is a cross between Aussie and Irish - Green and Gold for Australia and the Shamrocks for the Irish - perhaps I should call it my Aussish or Irie card?

Now all of the ingredients on this card are made from old stock, except the Stamp Set and punch! I just love this So Happy For You stamp set that's only available through Sale-A-Bration! It is very cute!

Card: Green Galore (retired), Summer Sun (retired)
Ink: Green Galore (retired)
DSP: Patterns Pack (retired hostess set)
Punch: Heart to Heart
Stamp Set: So Happy For You

Till next time, happy stamping...

Winners of Inkspirations 4U Easter and Spring session

2011-02-14T18:58:00.002+11:00

Well as promised, today I have used the Random Number Generator to pull out the winning comment!

And the winner is:

Also winning a FREE pass for spending $50 with me is Janne McColl.

Congrats to both these ladies!

Now for those of you who missed out on winning a free pass, get over to the Inkspirations 4U site to register at the early bird price.

Till next time, happy stamping...

A Thank you to me and A Thank you to you!

2011-02-13T06:08:00.001+11:00

Well firstly I'd like to say a super big THANK YOU to all those who have visited my blog over the last two years. I have just reached 25000 hits! I can remember when I started this blog thinking that I'd be lucky to get any visitors, however I have come to realise that there are many wonderful people out there who do pop in and visit. Some leave comments which inspires me, whilst others just look and learn! Either way, I am happy to have shown you something that hopefully inspires you!

Remember today is the last day that you can enter into the draw to WIN a FREE pass to Inkspirations 4U Spring and Easter session. Check out this post for more details. I will announce the winners tomorrow.

Anyway onto this next card.... Well I wish I could say that I made it, but alas I didn't! It was made by Andrea Lowcock for me! It arrived in a particularly nasty group of letters last week and it took all the sting out of the bills that arrived with it!

It was really hard to photograph, but the butterfly has the most beautiful sheen over it! I am assuming it's our shimmer paint. Which I haven't used yet!

Since it's early morning as I type, I am only guessing through my tired eyes as to all the ingredients. Hopefully I get them right, or else I am sure that Andrea will let me know which are wrong ;-)

Card: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Blushing Bride
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa (retired)
Punch: Scallop Trim Border, Scallop Square
Ribbon: Bashful Blue 1" Double Stictched Grosgrain
Embellishments: Pearls, Shimmer Paint
Stamp Sets" All A Flutter, Elements of Style

Till next time, happy stamping...

Love is in the Air!

2011-02-11T05:57:00.003+11:00

Well I'd seen this gorgeous technique around lately! I don't know what it's officially called but Embedded Embossing, sounds pretty good! Basically you dress up your cardstock however you like and add bits to it, such as the hearts in this image. You also do all your stamping first too! And then you just run it through your Big Shot with an embossing folder and suddenly the bits you added look like they are part of the original cardstock.

Card: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Pretty In Pink, Bravo Burgandy, Melon Mambo
Ink: Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry
Ribbon: Black Satin
Punch: Heart to Heart
Embellishments: Pearls
Stamp Sets: Always, Short and Sweet

Till next time, happy stamping...

Don't forget to jump over to this post and leave a comment to get yourself into the draw to Win A FREE pass to Inkspirations 4U Easter and Spring Session.

Another round of Secret Sister

2011-02-09T10:20:00.002+11:00

Well I know I've been a bit quiet on here of late. That's because I have joined two new rounds of Secret Sister. I have also been doing up my next tutorial for the next round of Inkspirations 4U. Don't forget to check out this post and leave a comment before 13th February 2011 to WIN a FREE pass!

Anyway as I am sure that you are aware I cannot show you what I have been making for either of those groups. I can however show you what I have received. This is my first card from my Stampin_Up_In_Oz Secret Sister. I hate to say this but she has definitely set the bar high! It is really beautiful. It was very hard to photograph, actually almost impossible, to catch the shimmer on card. Very classy!

As I haven't made this I will be guessing the ingredients, so I hope that they are right.

Card: Cake Crumb, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip and Riding Hood Red?
Ink: Chocolate Chip and Riding Hood Red?
Embellishments: Rub-ons to match Razzle Dazzle (retired), Shimmer paint
Stamp Set: Razzle Dazzle

Till next time, happy stamping

FREE passes to give away

2011-02-04T15:33:00.002+11:00

Okay this will be the third time I have tried to post this message. I am hoping that it works this time...

Anyway I have two passes to giveaway to the next session of Inkspirations 4U which starts in March 2011. In order to go into the running for these passes you can either;

1. Become a follower of my blog and post a comment

OR

2. Place a AU$50 order with me. If you please a AU$100 order, you get two chances to go into the draw, plus will be eligible for a FREE Sale-A-Bration stamp set. Email me to place your order! Remember I can ship anywhere in Australia.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Help Aussie Demos In Need - A new support group!

2011-01-31T12:10:00.000+11:00

THIS IS A STICKY POST - SCROLL DOWN FOR UP TO DATE POSTS

In light of the current natural disasters that are occurring in Australia at the moment, I felt that I needed to do something to help our sister demonstrators who have lost their stamping and therefore business supplies. I have created an online Yahoo group called HelpAussieDemosInNeed (HADIN).

Here's how you can help:

If you or someone you know of has been a victim of a disaster (or is affected in the future) which wipes out some or all of their supplies, contact me (soniagarbutt@yahoo.com.au) and give me their contact information.

I will contact them and get their permission, find out what their needs are, where we should send items, and (this is important) when they will be ready to begin receiving gifts of love from other demonstrators.

Once we know that, I will publish a list (kind of like a SWAP list but we won't be swapping, we'll be GIFTING) of what is needed to the HADIN group and people can sign up for what they would like to donate. They will mail the supplies directly to the person in need (please don't send them to me), but not before they are ready to receive supplies. I will co-ordinate the effort so that we don't send duplicates of items that can't be used and so that ALL demonstrators recovering from disasters of all kinds, can receive this outpouring of love and support from our caring family of demonstrators.

Items can be sent directly from you, using overstock or items that you would like to donate or you can place a CDO (Customer Direct Order) and have items shipped to them directly from Stampin' Up!®.

Please, if you know of anyone who has been affected by the recent flooding, storms and bushfires, email me as soon as possible so I can begin contacting them to see how we can help. In some cases, it may be difficult to contact the people, at least in the immediate aftermath of the destruction, but we will do our best.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Just Because

2011-01-29T21:50:00.001+11:00

Sometimes there are people who come into your life through the most unexpected channels, yet provide you with so much joy and excitement! Well I have to such blogging buddies, who often email me and leave lovely comments.

I thought it would be nice to make them something special to say thanks! After all isn't that what cardmaking is about? Letting people know that we are thinking of them and that they are special!

Now this is probably not the best photo angle, but the two big boxes in the centre hold family sized Kleenex tissue boxes inside! I got this wonderful tutorial from the very clever Nikki Stalker. Click on this link to go to the tutorial!

I also decided to make co-ordinating notebook as well. I actually removed the original cover and made my own. I used the spiral punch, although I had to double this up as the punch holes were a bit too far apart. I then got a very narrow strip of co-ordinating cardstock and threaded it through the spiral and attached the front cover! Let me tell you, these covers are a vast improvement on the originals, which I think were bright yellow and hot pink!

Now the butterfly and flourish in the pink tissue box are from the new Sale-A-Bration set, Bliss! And the name certainly is so well suited to this set! Remember you can only obtain this set by spending AU$100 or hosting a qualifying party, before 31st March 2010. Contact me to work out the best way to get your FREE rubber!

I'll list the ingredients together... I am sure you can work out which is which!

Card: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, Pretty In Pink, Concord Crush
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Basic Gray, Rose Red, Concord Crush, Pretty In Pink
DSP: Urban Garden (retired), Lap of Luxury
Punches: 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Circle, Scallop Edge
Tools: Big Shot, Scallop Circle Die, Circle Scissors Plus
Ribbon: Basic Gray 3/8" Taffeta (retired), Baja Breeze Double Stitched Grosgrain (retired), Pretty In Pink 1/2" Striped Grosgrain (retired)
Embellishments: Rhinestones (non-SU), Pearls (non-SU)
Stamp Sets: Fifth Avenue Floral, Just Beleive, Occasional Greetings, Bliss

Till next time, happy stamping...

Tasty Lollipop Cover

2011-01-27T14:01:00.000+11:00

Now I know that giant Lollipops are kinda cool on their own, but Rosita designed this cute tutorial for us, over at Inkspirations 4U Valentines and Birthday Extravaganza.

Isn't it just divine? I really loved the flower, which is made from the Heart to Heart punch! Who would have through?

If you are a true giant lollipop fan, you'll know that this photo has been staged! I used a skewer from the kitchen to give the look of it! I don't think this tiny little skewer would have the strength to hold up a giant lollipop.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Classy chocolate box!

2011-01-25T13:38:00.000+11:00

Hmmmm... now does the title suggest that I have made a box from chocolate. If that's the case then I am misleading you a wee bit! Now this 'Classy' box holds chocoates or anything small you'd like to put in there!

This tutorial was done up my the marvellous Madeline Morcelo for Inkspirations 4U Valentines and Birthday Extravaganza. Her tutorial was so easy to follow!

Stampin_Up_In_Oz had a colour challenge when I made this. The colours to be used where, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie! Hmmm, I am not sure if you've noticed but 'oranges' don't tend to get much of a look in with my projects, so this was a challenge!

Iam sorry to let you know that the ingredients list will not be included, due to the fact that it was an online tutorial.

Don't forget that Sale-A-Bration has started. You can earn FREE stamp sets by spending AU$100, hosting a party (conditions apply) or becoming a demonstrator. Contact me for more information.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Another picture challenge!

2011-01-24T22:05:00.001+11:00

I think that Madeline over at Inkspirations 4U has found my weakness! Picture challenges!

Sorry about the size of this picture, but I wasn't able to make it any bigger without major distortion! Anyway if you squint enough you'll be able to make another lovely bed, with pillows and owls on it! Owls, I hear you say! That should be easy! Use the new owl punch.... but I don't have it! So back to the drawing board for me.

Finally I decided to look in the background, so to speak! And what should I see but patchwork! Now if you know me you'll know that I actually enjoy this craft. It's my other creative passion! So would you now beleive that I haven't ever made a patchwork card before? I hadn't and thought that it was obviously time to do something about that!

Most of the cards that I have seen using this technique butt all their squares up together, but I thought I'd leave a wee bit of a gap to give a 'sashing' effect! I also sponged around all the squares in their corresponding colour!

To finish the project off I decided it needed a ruffle around the edge. This is really easy to make. Just punch the eyelet border and then run it through your crimper a couple of times to soften it up!

Card: Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Pink Pirouette, Bashful Blue
Ink: Rose Red, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Pink Pirouette, Bashful Blue
Punch: Eyelet Border
Tools: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Crimper
Stamp Sets: Tiny Tags, Short and Sweet, Fun and Fast Notes

Till next time, happy stamping...

My contribution to Inkspirations 4U Valetines and Birthday Extravaganza

2011-01-22T21:58:00.000+11:00

Well I guess you've been wondering what I designed for Inkspirations 4U online classes this time round.

Well here it it, we made a super cute mini scrapbook from the fabulous Top Note Die. It had ten sweet little pages to be decorated and filled with Love!

We also had a colour challenge very early on! I don't think that you could ever go wrong with pinks and greys... I know very untechnical names.... but I wanted to include all the lines, tones and hues!

I decided to make the very cute choccy box above! It's adorable I say! I got the tutorial from Becky Roberts 12 days of Christmas and just tweaked it a little. I am sure that it doesn't look Christmassy anymore! LOL!

I'll not be putting ingredients up for these items as they are from online tutorials, but you know where to go to get.... Click on the highlighted links above!

Till next time, happy stamping...

What would you make from this?

2011-01-20T21:35:00.000+11:00

Over at Inkspirations 4U we were given this challenge! What do you see?

I was very confused by this photo. These sort of challenges really blow my mind! I can't ever seem to work out what to do. Initially I thought this one was telling me to go to bed, so that's precisely what I did!

When I awoke a little plan had formulated in my head and I decided to use the colours and the double circles to create a card. These colours cried baby to me! Or perhaps that's just where my mind is at the moment! In case you weren't aware, I am going to be an aunty any day now! Or maybe I have already become one, as I am scheduling this post!

I was really happy with this card. It was one of those super easy ones to make that just look great!

Card: So Saffron, Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue
Ink: Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue
Punches: Scallop Trim Border, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 3/4" Circle
Ribbon: 1/4" Bashful Blue Grosgrain
Stamp Sets: Fox and Friends, Curvy Verses

Till next time, happy stamping...

Scare me!!!!!

2011-01-18T20:12:00.001+11:00

This is another project that is part of Inkspirations 4U. It's a cute photo frame and co-ordinating card. Please excuse the 'flash' on the window sheet!

I challenged myself to make this for a little boy! I only have daughters and just don't come across boys very much at all! I started with the DSP, which is not my favourite and built the colours from there. I used my new Make A Monster stamp set and I think it's extra cool! So many options!

I am not so sure that I even like this project... actually that's not true. I loved the project... I just don't like this take on it! I think I'll have to keep on working on the boy things!

Now since this is a Project, I am not going to give you any ingredients... if you'd like to know more, get yourself over to Inkspirations 4U!

Till next time, happy stamping...

A happy colour challenge!

2011-01-16T19:07:00.004+11:00

Hi all,

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend! I have had a quiet one, just cleaning, cooking, washing, painting... you know all that normal stuff! I have been challenging myself to attempt every challenge and project thrown at us, over at Inkspirations 4U. So far so good, but that's because we got the weekend off, so we've all had a chance to catch up!

This was the second colour challenge thrown at us! I have to admit that I haven't been too friendly with Blushing Bride as yet! I wasn't really sure what to make of this, and suddenly while I was in the shower, I came up with this idea. Do you like my lightbulb moments?

I did a little bit of masking to create the 3D illusion. Then I watercoloured them, by picking up ink from the top of my Classic Ink Pads and a blender pen. Then I mixed Dazzling Diamonds and Crystal Effects and painted the balloons to give them some zing. This takes a whole extra five seconds to do and the effect is fabulous.... well I didn't count the drying time then...lol!

Card: Blushing Bride, Real Red, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla
Ink: Blushing Bride, Real Red, Baja Breeze, Stazon Black
Ribbon: Real Red 5/8" Polka Dot Grosgrain
Stamp Sets: Crazy for Cupcakes, Party This Way

Come back soon to see the next instalment!

Till next time, happy stamping...

A Holly Krautkremer Design

2011-01-14T17:46:00.002+11:00

Today I have a lovely set made from a Holly Krautkremer tutorial! Holly is another Design Team member at Inkspirations 4U. Really you should head on over their and join in all the fun! We have daily challenges and projects! It's so good to see how everyone interprets these and the positive interactive comments are inspiring!

Now I shall not be putting the details of ingredients up here since it is in the class notes. I am sure you understand!

On another note, we can be glad that the Brisbane River didn't reach the expected peak! Unfortunately this didn't stop the millions of dollars worth of damage and the unfortunate loss of life. My heart goes out to those who are dealing with grief at this time. At a time like this when words can't help, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers!

Stampin' Up!® is such a wonderful company and as such have released today that they will be donating $2 from every stamp set (over $30 value), sold between 15th January 2011 to 15th February 2011, will be going to the Queensland State Emergency Services! I can't think of a better excuse to buy myself some more rubber, knowing that it will be helping someone else.

I can say that I have had some really positive responses to the Help Aussie Demos In Need group (see post above) and hope that if you are a demo you will also join us!

I'll be back soon with more Inkspirations 4U photo's!

Till next time, happy stamping...

Too busy creating to blog....

2011-01-12T12:05:00.003+11:00

Isn't it annoying when I don't get online and keep you up to date.... but honestly I have been so busy... creating, and who can deny anyone creating time? Anyway in case you don't know Inkspirations 4U Valentines and Birthday Extravaganza is open and running! We've got a fortnight of classes, already commenced...but you can join now and still get access to all tutorials. Click on the header below for more information!

Okay so here is the first project that I tackled... and it was really easy to tackle! The tutorial was so easy to follow. This gorgeous little album folds out in a variety of funky ways and can hold nine photo's in it! This tutorial was made by Madeline Morcelo herself, the founder of Inkspirations 4U!

As this is a tutorial from an online class, I am not going to give you the ingredients... but join the classes and you'll have all the information at your fingertips.

On a side note, I'd like to let all my readers in QLD know that I am thinking of them. I have had contact from some of my friends and one family has lost their home and anothers livestock and farm is currently under water. They have all got their lives, for which we are extremely grateful, and praying for the safe return of the 90 missing people. If there is anything I can help anyone with please contact me.

Till next time, happy stamping...

This is a sweet card!

2011-01-05T11:02:00.004+11:00

Well as I said in my previous post, I have to make a couple of sympathy cards. This is another one that I made.

I actually did this watercolouring before I left Queensland. I had just received my new order from the new Idea Book and Catalogue and was so busy packing! The only place that I could sit and not feel guilty was at the hairdressers. I like to do crafty stuff at the hairdressers, rather than read those gossip mags....

I wish I could tell you which watercolour crayons I used, however I had them all with me and didn't write it down. Sorry!

Card: Whisper White, Pretty In Pink
Ink: Stazon Black
Tools: Aqua Painter and Watercolour Crayons
Punches: Eyelet Border
Stamp Sets: Elements of Style, Great Friend

Till next time, happy stamping...

A sad time..

2011-01-02T16:20:00.003+11:00

Well for most of us the end of 2010 and start of 2011 has been a great experience... however for some of my friends they have lost their Grandad and others have had their homes inundated with water from the Queensland floods. I am thinking of them all madly wondering what I can do to help from so far away. Of course, there is nothing like a card to just quietly let someone know that you are thinking of them.... I've got a little time up my sleeve for my wet friends, as they haven't had mail delivered for a little while and will need to let the waters recede before the postie can get through!

This card I made for my friends who lost their Grandad. I decided to use the watercolouring technique as it is this weeks challenge over at Stampin_Up_In_Oz. I used my Classic Ink pads and Blender pens here.

Card: Pear Pizzazz, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie
DSP: Greenhouse Gala
Tools: Blender Pens
Stamp Sets: Growing Green, Curly Cute

Don't forget to get on over to the Inkspirations 4U site and register for the classes starting next week. The early bird special has been extended until today, which is really great for us Australians as our dollar means that it will be even cheaper than normal. You have to get in TODAY (2nd January 2011) to qualify for the early bird special.

Till next time, happy stamping...

And the winners are...

2010-12-30T06:29:00.001+11:00

Today is just a quick post to let you know who the winners of the FREE passes to Inkspirations 4U are.

I am about to embark on the long journey home, so I am currently using someone else's computer and it just doesn't seem to work like mine...lol! Please bare with me as I have been unable to use a computerised random number generator, so have used to grumpy little girls this morning.

If you don't win, please don't despair you can still join in. If you join up by 30th December 2010, you'll get in at the early bird special price of US$20.

Anyway without further ado.... the winners are....

Lynda... who left a comment on 17th December

and

Julie P... who placed an order with me

Thanks to everyone for your warm wishes and encouragement upon being asked to join a Design Team. You make it all worthwhile.

Till next time, happy stamping...

I am so excited to announce....

2010-12-29T19:25:00.001+11:00

THIS IS A STICKY POST - PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR NEWER POSTS

That I have been asked to be on the Design Team for Inkspirations 4U!

I guess this might explain some of my absense over the last week or so....he he he!

Our next class session commences on the 10th January 2011 and I have two FREE passes to give away.

In order to enter you have two choices;

Option 1:

Leave a lovely comment on my blog, and;
Become a follower of my blog

Option 2:

Order AU$50 of Stampin' Up!® product before 29th December 2010. I can ship to anywhere in Australia. Email me to place your order!

I will draw the lucky winners on 30th December 2010 (Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time), so that you are able to register at the early bird price if you aren't succesful in winning a FREE pass.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Christmas gifts!

2010-12-27T11:37:00.001+11:00

You know how there are some people that you just don't know what to buy for and they have everything i.e. Old Aunt Enid. I found the perfect gift. Choccies are soooooo nice! But to jazz it up a bit I used Becky Roberts tutorial from her 2010 12 days of Christmas.

Okay so there were a few people that I was a bit stumped with...lol! Actually it was more for my brothers and sisters who insisted we didn't spend money on them.... but I wanted to give them something small.

As this is Becky's tutorial I am not going to write the ingredients down.

This post is short and sweet as I am away at the moment and using someone elses computer.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Table Decorations.....

2010-12-26T11:19:00.003+11:00

Hello my friends,

I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas with all the special people in your life! I had a wonderful day!

Below are some little gifts that we had sitting around on our tables to nibble on.

Firstly we had some cinnamon and sugar coated almonds - talk about a cross between sweet and savioury. I had help from my two year old in making these. She added the ingredients and stirred them for me. She also helped to stamp and adhere the tags. Can you pick the one I didn't guide her with?

Then we also had some home made Ferrero Rochers.... they are almost as good as the originals... but I haven't worked out the wafer bit yet! LOL!

These looked great on the table and were a hit! These little bags are on sale with the December Frenzy... but we only have three days left, so get your order in today and be ready for next Christmas.

Also just a little reminder that you also only have three more days to get yourself in the running to win a FREE Inkspirations 4U pass.

Card: Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Read Red, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red
Punches: Large Oval, Scallop Oval
Ribbon: 1/4" Old Olive Grosgrain
Other: Small Cellophane Bags
Stamp Sets: Occasional Greetings, Short and Sweet

Till next time, happy stamping...

Moi! A Stylish Blogger!

2010-12-25T00:01:00.001+11:00

Well a little while ago I was awarded by the lovely Sandra Azzopardi, the Stylish Blogger Award. Thank you Sandra it's made me smile... and I apologise for not forwarding it on sooner.... but I thought I'd wait until Christmas Day and hopefully make someone else's Christmas a little bit more special!

Of course with this award come certain conditions..... Firstly I have to tell you eight things about myself....

1. I love Christmas.
2. I am a big child at heart - you'll find me starting water balloon fights :-)
3. I despise banana's - makes me physically sick just to smell them
4. I try to see the best in everyone
5. I am going to try and give up coffee
6. I just got a new puppy a month ago (well she's actually my daughters... but I seem to spend a lot of time with her)
7. My first craft that I engaged in as an adult was cross-stitching - I find it nearly impossible now that I have young kids.
8. I can play the piano, organ, recorder (lol) and saxophone - I have a flute too... but I can't play it proficiently

Okay part 2 - pass it on to eight very stylish blogs...... in no order and I wish I didn't have to stop at eight!

Jodene Tripp

Gardenia Pepworth

Karen Gower

Fiona Platzer

Jenny Adams

Marisol Gutierrez

Martha Lucia Gomez

Madeline Morcelo

Alright then, it's time for me to sign out and crawl into bed so Santa Claus can come.... I hope that you and your families have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a wonderful new year.

Till next time, happy stamping...

A notebook for the teachers!

2010-12-21T09:15:00.000+11:00

Well here we have a note book that I made for Miss 8's teachers this year too! This was the final instalment of their gifts. I didn't drip feed them to the teachers as I have done here to you....lol!

These started out using the Jolly Holiday DSP as I was in the Christmas mood.... but somehow they became non-Christmassy. I seem to have a habit of using non-Christmas DSP for Christmas projects and vice versa. I guess it just goes to show how versatile they are.

When the new Idea Book and Catalogue came out the very first set I just had to have was 'Just Believe' It is soooooooo beautiful! As I am sure you can see by this one stamp used here. Of course there are more in the set... but this is a fine example of how wonderful this set is.

Again I am back to my normal self, colouring my stamps with markers....lol! Also you may be wondering about the scallop oval that is around the Wide Oval punch. That was made by punching out a 1 1/4" circle and then punching a scallop circle around it. I needed two of these to go around each wide oval. I then cut through one side of the scallop circle and then snipped from the inside circle all the way around the inside of the circle. Did that make sense? I then gently stretched out the scallops and adhered them around the wide oval. If this doesn't make sense, please leave a comment and I'll do up a post to show you how with pictures.

Card: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
DSP: Jolly Holiday
Punches: Scallop Trim Corner, Scallop Trim Border, Wide Oval, 1 1/4" Circle, Scallop Circle,
Ribbon: Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain
Stamp Sets: Just Believe, Occasional Quotes (hostess)

Till next time, happy stamping...

More gifts for the teachers....

2010-12-19T09:03:00.003+11:00

You didn't think that the candles were all they deserved, did you? I also made them some Christmas tags for their gifts. These were really, really, really quick to make.

I do love to colour my stamps in with markers. It really doesn't take that much longer than using a classic ink pad and the result is outstanding.

This is going to be a quick post today as I have so much to do. I love Christmas but it certainly makes us super busy. Gifts to buy and make, presents to wrap without the kiddies seeing them, food to cook, parties and so on.

Card: Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla
Ink: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Crushed Curry
Ribbon: Hemp Twine
Stamp Set: Gifted

Don't forget to comment on my blog and become a follower so that you can go in the draw to WIN a FREE pass to Inkspirations 4U Valentines and Birthday classes, commening in January 2011. You can also enter by spending AU$50 with me by the 29th December 2010.

Till next time, happy stamping...

End of Year Gifts for the class teachers!

2010-12-15T22:27:00.003+11:00

The Silly Season is upon us and it appears that I have been neglecting you, my loyal blog followers. Don't feel alone, the washing machine is feeling pretty lonely too! I am sorry and although I will endeavour to be back definitely sooner than later, I can't make any promises.

Well as you know I moved recently and my DD had to change schools in the middle of the year. She was lucky enough to have two wonderful teachers for this last term of the year. I couldn't help but make them some homemade pressies to say thanks for taking my precious one under their wings and helping her catch up on schoolwork and fit in to the new school environment.

Now I am sure that you all know that I am a fan of candle stamping.... gotta love the name! So I thought that some cheery candles would make a great start to the gift pack. Click here to find quick instructions on how to do this. It is a very quick and economical gift!

Ink: Pacific Point, Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Stazon Black and assorted blue and red markers.
Tools: Heat Gun, 3/16" Circle Punch
Non-SU: Candles, Baking Paper
Stamp Sets: Snow Swirled, Holiday Lineup, Curly Cute

I have some exciting news, so make sure you come back and visit soon.

Till next time, happy stamping...

A cake for my sister!

2010-12-06T13:55:00.002+11:00

Well here is something I made for my sister's baby shower last weekend. Yep she knows she's having a girl!

I got the templates for this card from my good friend Peta Schirmer.

It was all hand drawn and cut out and definitely only a project that I would do for someone I love! It was supposed to have three tiers but she didn't have too many people coming to her baby shower, so I was able to delete a tier. Phew!!!

Before you get excited about these colours and papers, please let me tell you that they are super old. I used Purely Pomegranate which hasn't been available since March 2009 and Berry Bliss DSP, which co-ordinates with it. Again something that I pulled out in the moving process and decided that I needed to use up.

Card: Purely Pomegranate (retired), Pretty In Pink, Pink Pirrouette, Cake Crumb,Whisper White
Ink: Purely Pomegranate (retired), Pretty In Pink, Pink Pirouette, Cake Crumb, Daffodil Delight
DSP: Berry Bliss (retired)
Punches: Eyelet Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punch
Stamp sets: Baby Tees roller, Wedding Sweet

Till next time, happy stamping...

A card and decoration in one!

2010-12-02T07:12:00.002+11:00

Hello again!

Recently I was doing a bit of blurfing and I came across this super cool star card by Cathy Clarke. I left a comment asking her where I could get instructions and the very next day she sent them to me. That's one of the things I love about papercrafters, most are willing to share their expertise! All it take is a nice comment on their blog!

The card sits very neatly when tied together as shown above and below it is opened out! What a cool decoration!

These were so quick to make and didn't use very much equipment at all.

Card: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
DSP: Jolly Holiday
Ribbon: Hemp Twine
Stamp set: Gifted

Till next time, happy stamping...

Want a super bargain????

2010-12-01T11:53:00.003+11:00

Just a quick post today to let you know about some fantastic bargains that are available from today until the 29th December 2010.
Some items are up to 50% off. Click on the link HERE for more details and email me to place your order. Don't forget I can arrange delivery anywhere in Australia.

Also the Summer Mini Catalogue has been released today. Click on the link in my side bar to see the catalogue online.

Gotta go now and put my Christmas tree up!

Till next time, happy stamping...

Baby showers galore!

2010-11-30T07:07:00.004+11:00

Well I seem to have my computer back again - Yippee!

Anyway I am going to be an aunty again soon - two more times, so I had to make baby shower cards for my sisters.

I whipped these up before I had totally unpacked my craft room, so I had to use whatever cardstock I could find. Strangely enough it was Groovy Guava (aka Gruesome Guava), now retired, and Real Red.

I love this baby tees roller, as it is so versatile and you can cut the images out to give a totally different look. I know of lots of demo's who have unmounted theirs from the roller and mounted them flat too!

I seem to be using up a bit of retired product of late, which is probably because I've had to pack it and unpack and have been reminded that I have it. I hope you don't mind! I'll be back into the new stuff soon enough, although I think I am going to have to keep using retired product in order to make room for lots of new stuff.

Card: Groovy Guava (retired), Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Kraft White, Real Red, Bold Brights markers
Ribbon: Real Red Polka Dot 5/8' grosgrain (retired)
Tools: Big Shot, Polka Dot embossing folder
Stamps: Baby Tees roller, Curly Cute, Polka Dot Background, Baby Tees roller

Till next time, happy stamping...

I love this set!

2010-11-26T13:50:00.002+11:00

In case you haven't read my previous posts, you may not know! But I LOVE this set! It's so stylish!

Here I have used my favourite new Christmas colour combo - Marina Mist and Cherry Cobbler!

Today I am showing you two variations of the one card. I don't particularly have a favourite as they are both so damn good! LOL!

Anyway I coloured the tree using my markers. I think it you can only afford inks in one delivery method, i.e. stamp pads, spots or markers, I would go for markers every time. It is perhaps a little more time consuming inking up a single colour stamp, but chances are you'll want to do multicoloured images anyway!

Card: Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy
Ribbon: 3/8' Whisper White Taffeta
Embellishments: Basic Rhinestone Jewels
Stamp Set: Snow Swirled

On a side note, I am having some computer issues, so please bear with me if I don't post for a few days.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Searching for inspiration!

2010-11-22T22:40:00.000+11:00

Do you sometimes get a block? Can't think of what to create? Well that happens to me too! To get myself back into the swing of things, I've been doing a big of casing... it really does work to get your brain going.

Today's case is from page 38 of the Idea Book and Catalogue. The certainly don't call it an Idea Book for no reason.... there is heaps of inspiration in there!

I don't actually have any Dafffodil Delight cardstock (how can that be?), so I decided to dab some Whisper White on the Daffodil Delight Classic Ink Pad and I think I prefer the effect that I managed to get. It's a little splotchy and gives more texture than plain cardstock would have.

Of course true to form, I just couldn't keep with their colours. I wanted to try out my new colour coach and must say that I quite like it. I wouldn't have used these colours together myself, but enjoyed what I created.

Sometimes I get a little excited and stamp on the inside too!

Okay so as I was saying.... inspiration and action = mojo! As I was building the card above the one below was forming in my mind. To challenge myself even further, I decided that I'd stick with using the same colours again! As you can see I have two very different cards.

I wanted to have a see through component of this card and it was mighty difficult to photograph well. Sorry!

There was a bit of measuring to make sure that I got the four sections exactly placed and although that may sound a little fiddly, I am pleased as the result was pretty much symmetrical.

And again, since I had the see through cut out, I had already decorated the inside of the card! Talk about killing two bird with one stone! It just needed a verse to complete it!

The little bows are made using the no tie method, which involves wrapping a brad around the ribbon and since this ribbon was so thin, the brads were hanging out the back everywhere so I got my trusty Craft and Rubber scissors and cut the extra metal bits off. I love these scissors! It's almost like having something from hubbys tool box in my hand, but definitely much cleaner and easier to use! LOL!

Alright I am going to be horrible and lump all the ingredients together again, since most of them double up!

Card:Whisper White, Pacific Point, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo
Ink:Pacific Point, Old Olive, RIch Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight
Ribbons: 5/8" Pacific Point Striped Grosgrain (retired), 1/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta
Punches: Full Heart, Ornament Punch, Jewellery Tag Medium
Embellishments: Heart Treat Cups, Buttons (non-SU), Clear Rhinestone Brads
Stamp Sets:Tiny Tags, Occasional Quotes (hostess set), Sweetheart, Delightful Decorations

Till next time, happy stamping...

This set is a must!

2010-11-20T10:22:00.001+11:00

Well if I was asked what my favourite Christmas Stamp set that Stampin' Up!® has, it would have to Snow Swirled!

Since I got my internet access back last week, I was doing some blurfing and came across this gorgeous card at Cards by Mistreez. I just had to case it, but did a few variations. I am not really sure which card is my favourite.

I have to apologise for the lighting of my photo's. I am still trying to work out the best way to getting natural light for my card photography. Please bear with me while I work this out! It doesn't help that we've had overcast and rainy days.

This card down the bottom I used Cherry Cobbler and Marina Mist, which are both new colours! I love them and decided straight away that I would be using them together on my Christmas cards this year!

I gently rolled the brayer, inked up in Marina Mist, over the top of my embossed Whisper White, in order to highlight the embossing. I did this as it looked a little plan without the decorative edging like the other two.

I'll list all the ingredients together and I am sure that you'll be able to work out which ones I used on each card (aside from the dodgy camera work).

Card: Blushing Bride, Perfect Plum, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Blusing Bride, Perfect Plum, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, Versamark
Punch: Scallop Trim Border
Tools: Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Heat Tool, Silver Embossing Powder
Embellishments: Basic Rhinestones, Basic Pearls
Stamp Set: Snow Swirled

Till next time, happy stamping...

It started as a CASE...

2010-11-18T22:03:00.002+11:00

and grew!

Well hello and sorry for taking a few days to get back online... but I have honestly been having too much fun in my craft room!

This card started with the little tree which is on page 15 of the Idea Book and Catalogue. It is done using the kissing technique. It was a little difficult as I found that the 'present' stamped better than the squat 'obelisk' shape after kissing, so trying to line them up was near impossible as I couldn't use my trusty Stamp-A-Ma-Jig.

I didn't want to make a tag, so thought I'd build on this and create a card. Isn't this Cherry Cobbler just perfect for Christmas?

Card: Cherry Cobbler, Brocade Blue (retired), Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink:Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Soft Suede, More Mustard
DSP: Jolly Holiday
Punches:Scallop Trim Border, Designer Label, Modern Label
Ribbon: 1 1/4" Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain (retired)
Embellishments: Bold Brights Brads(retired)
Stamp Sets: Playful Pieces (hostess set), Snow Swirled

Till next time, happy stamping...

Jodene and Andrea Rock!!!

2010-11-15T11:12:00.001+11:00

Well it seems like ages ago... well actually it was... when I received, not one, but two Best Blog Friends Forever Awards. These were from Andrea and Jodene!

It is so nice to know that your comments are appreciated and I certainly know what they mean. I LOVE to receive comments on my blog. It helps me know if I am moving in the 'right' direction!

Anyway I'd love to send you in the direction of some of my Best Blog Friends Forever, who uplift and inspire me to continue on this fantastic journey!

These are;

Leah
Carole
Sandra

I hope to be back soon with more stamping stuff... yes I have been in my room creating!

Till next time, happy stamping...

A challenge to get me started!

2010-11-13T12:26:00.000+11:00

Are you suprised to see me back so soon? I only got the internet connected earlier this week and had some catch up blurfing to do and I noticed that my blog friend, Andrea, had entered a Creatalicious challenge to make a predominately white card. Now this is something that I had always wanted to try but never got around to, so I thought why not!

The rules for the challenge was to use 'all white you can use a little colour eg flowers,sponging and colouring of images but the majority of your project should be all white'

So here is my entry:

It was actually harder than it seems trying to fill up 'white space' without using colour!

I was really happy with the medallion that I made! Have you seen this colour before??? It's actually Rich Razzleberry and Bermuda Bay! And I have to say a special thank you to Tracey Hanshaw as I won this from her blog candy draw! I was so super excited when she contacted me to let me know.

Anyway it's time for the ingredient list;

Card: Whisper White
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay (retired), Baja Breeze
Ribbon: Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon
Tools: Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Just my type (non-SU), Blender pens
Embellisments: Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads (retired)
Punches: Boho Blossoms, Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Trim Border, Scallop Edge Border
Stamp Set: Crazy for Cupcakes

Till next time, happy stamping...

I think I am back!!!

2010-11-12T12:07:00.002+11:00

Who can believe that this first photo was taken four weeks ago! Yep, I've been in my new house for four weeks and it still feels like only yesterday! Thankfully the amount of unpacking isn't still here to be done.

I had so many craft boxes that I couldn't actually fit them in the room! You can imagine what hubby had to say about that!

This is a view from the doorway! As you can see I am sitting right at the window, so I can watch my kids as they play in the backyard - does that count as good parenting???

This is a view looking across from the left hand corner of the room. As you can see I have built-ins and I hate to admit this but they are full too!

This view is from the built-ins! Yes the desk is a creative mess already!

I also have in this room a Horn Sewing Cabinet and all of my sewing gear, so it's a tad bit squishy!

I now have this computer in the 'study' so I'll not be able to jump on for inspiration as easily. The only other craft thing which hasn't found a home in this room, is my A4 cardstock.... I really like keeping it in a filing cabinet and there is no room (and nor do I have a spare one).

Okay let's hope this is the beginning of some more exciting and regular posts. I have certainly missed being on here! And have lots more to show and tell you.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Just an update - no pictures

2010-10-29T10:44:00.004+11:00

Well again this post is pictureless.... We have been in our new house for a fortnight now and we still are unpacking boxes... how did I accumulate so much stuff? I only have about half a dozen boxes inside to do now and then onto the garage and shed.

I did manage to get into my craft space this week and create some cards...but unfortunately I can't find the camera now! I will work on it for you!

I am also waiting on my internet to be transferred, so I haven't been able to blog surf and all those fun things! I think I'll lock myself in the study when I do and try and catch up. I have been missing you all!

Anyway I'd best keep going...

Till next time, happy stamping...

Still here!

2010-10-21T22:28:00.004+11:00

Hi all,

Just a quick post to say I am still around. I am buried under a pile of packing boxes. We got our house later than anticipated, so I am more behind than I planned.

Today I managed to half construct my papercraft desk, so hopefully I will be able to get into the swing of things soon...

I hope you are all creating some wonderful projects...

Till next time, happy stamping...

The tidy up!!!!

2010-10-16T16:20:00.001+11:00

I don't know what happened here.... I mean I know that my desk is full... too full according to my husband, but it really started going all out of control once we knew we were moving. I have barely had any time to do any stamping at all in the last month and I am missing it! I think my desk became a dumping ground, so here it is!

So after a big night out with my friends I decided to get stuck in and clean it up. As I am a bit precious about my papercraft stuff (you'd never know from the photo above), I decided to pack it myself. I can just imagine that the packers would have just referred to it as 'just paper' - utter blasphemy! Here it is halfway cleaned!

Aah the desk is clear! It's been a long time since it looked like that! But desks are for filling up aren't they?

Oh yes, and did I tell you I had to dismantle the desk, as I built it in this room! I think it took me four hours to build, but am happy to say it only took two hours to pull down!

So there it all is... my papercraft equipment all packed and ready to go. Hopefully I am starting to unpack it as you read! Yep, you guessed it! These posts have all been scheduled for the last week and half!

Till next time, happy stamping...

Teachers gift!

2010-10-12T16:13:00.001+11:00

Well in case you don't know, we are in the process of moving.... and what a long process it has been! But I don't want to bore you with the boring details! I should have the keys to my new house today.... I'll be living in my OWN house for the first time ever! Now that is super exciting!

I wouldn't be normal if I didn't make a farewell gift for Miss 7's teacher. I made this super cute basket using 1 sheet of 12" X 12" cardstock and 2 sheets of DSP. It was super quick and easy. But best of all it was effective! I did fill it up with even more chocolates so that all of Year 2 wanted it!

Card: Orchid Opulence (retired), Old Olive
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
DSP: Cottage Wall (retired)
Ribbon: 1/4" Old Olive Grosgrain, 5/8" polka dot Rich Razzleberry grosgrain (retired)
Punch: Scallop Square
Stamp Set: Cute By The Inch (hostess set)

Keep your eye's out for the next post, which shows how messy my papercrafting corner has been!

Till next time, happy stamping...

Aaaawww thanks!

2010-10-08T15:56:00.002+11:00

This is the final card that I sent to Louisa, my Secret Sister from Stampin_Up_In_Oz. I made it using the cracked glass technique. Whilst it was fun to do, I am not sure that I'll do it too often, I had a few burnt fingers by the end of it. LOL!

Card:Orchid Opulence (retired), Green Galore(retired) , Whisper White, Pixie Pink (retired)
Ink: Orchid Opulence(retired), Green Galore (retired), Pink Passion (retired), Summer Sun (retired), Only Orange (retired)
Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle
Tools: Big Shot, Polka Dot embossing folder
Stamp sets: Best Yet (retired), Echoes of Kindness (retired), All A Flutter

Hmmm... it looks like I must have been using up retiring stock when I made that one!

On another note, I found that I have been awarded another blog award from Andrea! Thanks for the compliment.

I now have to award this to five more blogs, so here goes in no particular order.

Nikki
Fiona
Leonie
Kerri
Linda

Now you too can go and enjoy some more of these ladies work, if you don't already know of them. Be inspired!

Till next time, happy stamping...