And the winners are...

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....

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!

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.....

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!

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!

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....

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!

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!

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!

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????

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!

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!

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!

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!

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...

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!!!

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!

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!!!

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

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!

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!!!!

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!

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!

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...

Last month of Secret Sister for Stampin Up In Oz

This is the last gift package I sent to my Secret Sister from Stampin_Up_In_Oz, Louisa. I finally stuck with her favourite set at the time, Vintage Vogue and colour, Rich Razzleberry. I thoroughly enjoyed making these items, as I rooly, rooly like this combination.

I also made her a little bag as seen below, which I included two pots of embossing powder. We can never have enough of that! LOL!


I filled the round container with a selection of ribbons. I thought the round containter would be difficult to make but it wasn't really. I was quite happy with the finished result.

Okay, this it is going to be easier to list ingredients together.

Card: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Whisper White
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Orchid Opulence (retired), Old Olive
Ribbon: Rich Razzleberry polka dot (retired)
Punch: Word Window
Embellishments: Rhinestone brads
Tools: Circle Scissors, Big Shot, Scallop Circle die
Stamp Sets: Vintage Vogue, Occasional Greetings, Occasional Quotes

Till next time, happy stamping...

Sense of Time Butterflies

Well here, I go again with another card I made for Louisa, my Secret Sister, from Stampin_Up_In_Oz.

I tried to incorporate green into this card to give Louisa some ideas on how to use it. I am not normally a green person either, but trying to do things for a Secret Sister is just another way to challenge myself.



The Sense of Time stamp set was not available at the time I made this card, but I think that the wording is so appropriate for butterflies, as they have to "Live for Today" and "Hope for Tomorrow". In case you are wondering the Sense of Time stamp set has made it back into the current Idea Book and Catalogue! Three cheers for SU!®

Here is a close up of the butterfly. I stamped him in Stazon Black and then using my classic ink pads and blender pens coloured him it. It was so quick and easy!

Card: Certainly Celery, Tempting Torquoise, Whisper White
Ink: Black Stazon, Certainly Celery, Tempting Torquoise, Pacific Point, Apricot Appeal (retired), Soft Suede
Tools: Paper Piercing tool and Mat Pack
Stamp sets: All A Flutter, Vintage Vogue, Sense Of Time.

Till next time, happy stamping...

A bag of goodies!

I hope you are enjoying the school holidays, depending on where you are in the world. Today I'd like to show you this cute gift bag I made for Louisa. Louisa was my Secret Sister for Round 2 with the online group Stampin_Up_In_Oz. It was made using the Parisian Breeze Specialty Paper. I really think I should have stocked up big on this. It is absolutely gorgeous, but like all papers we have an ever changing group of them and I am sure that Elegant Soiree will quickly fill the void left by Parisian Breeze.

I think the bag was a Makeesha Byl design which was made available to the demonstrators on ESAD. It was so easy to make, although I changed it a little and used the Circle Scissors Plus and Scallop Circle Big Shot die to create the flap of the handbag!

The bag was able to hold the two pillow boxes and the card. I know I would have loved the receive this gift.

Card: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Ink: Baja Breeze
DSP: Parisian Breeze Specialty (retired)
Ribbon: Baja Breeze 1' double stitched grosgrain, Chocolate Chip 5/8' grosgrain
Embellishments: Clear Rhinestones, Flower Fusion(retired)
Tools: Circle Scissors Plus, Big Shot, Pillow Box die, Scallop Circle Die

Till next time, happy stamping....

Great friend gift

A good thing about the Stampin_Up_In_Oz group is that you don't have to use current product all the time. Since Louisa likes butterflies, I couldn't help but dust off one of my favourite sets, Great Friend.

I made Louisa a chocolate slider box and co-ordinating card. I think the Urban Garden DSP was my favourite out of last years catalogue. Although I will miss it, there are some beautiful new ones this year.

Below is a close up of my butterfly. I stamped the image on the main peice of cardstock in Apricot Appeal (now retired) and then ink up the stamp again and then went around the edge with a Regal Rose marker pen to give it a bit of oomph! I stamped this on a scrap peice of cardstock, then carefully cut it out. I know it seems a bit fiddly, but it's so worth it! I then adhered my top butterfly slightly skewiff, so that it gave the impression of movement, and put dimensionals under the wings.


I was really pleased with how this turned out. And I was even more pleased when Great Friend made a return to the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalogue.

Card: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze
Ink: Apricot Appeal (retired), Kiwi Kiss (retired), Not Quite Navy, Regal Rose
DSP: Urban Garden
Ribbon: Baja Breeze 1" double stitched grosgrain
Punch: Scallop Edge, Scallop Oval, Large Oval, Small Oval
Stamp Set: Great Friend

Till next time, happy stamping...

Secret Sister in Oz - Round 2

Well in case you weren't aware, I have been participating in another round of Secret Sister. This time it was with the Stampin_Up_In_Oz group. These are a group of ladies who love Stampin' Up!® though may not necessarily be demonstrators. It's membership is open to anyone who loves Stampin' Up!®.

This round my sister, Louisa Wilson, told me that she loves butterflies and also found green a difficult colour to work with. So I tried to incorporate these into the items I made for her.


This card is made using the Butterfly Prints stamp set, which was in a mini catalogue, but I am happy to say has been bought back in the main Idea's Book and Catalogue. The Butterfly punch is also back, which makes me super happy.

Card: Pink Pirouette, Rich Razzleberry
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
DSP: Cottage Wall (retired)
Embellishments: Rhinestones (non SU)
Stamp Set: Butterfly Prints, Occasional Greetings

Till next time, happy stamping...

A challenge set by EnchantINK!

Last month my friend Andrea set a challenge on her blog and I thought I'd make sure that I entered. The challenge was to take inspiration from her blog header. I wasn't feeling too creative. Actually getting a card out of me at all was a suprise as I have been sooooo busy!

Anyway I figured I'd try to case her header and add some of the elements that I have learned from being on her blog.

I got a scrap peice of paper and punched out two Full Hearts and keep both images. Using the punched image I layered them and then brayered over the top. I then took the other peice of cardstock that I had punched the cards out of and layered it over where I had previous had the actual punched shape and sponged the inside. This left me with the white line around the hearts. And since this was Andrea's challenge it wouldn't be right, without a bit of bling, so I mixed some chunky glitter and Crystal Effects together and painted the hearts. It looks much better IRL.

I also used the scrunchy ribbon, which is made by cutting down the centre of the ribbon about 1cm and then pulling on a thread. I did this until I had enough scrunchy ribbon to sit nicely on the card. It is a little slow, but so worth it. I then made the super easy bow that Andrea taught us as well.

Anyway I can't actually remember all the colours that I used on this card, but I do know that the cardstock was the newly returned River Rock. Isn't it fantastic?

Anyway no recipe today... sorry.... perhaps I'll get back on track soon

Till next time, happy stamping...

A gift for Daddy!

Hi all. I apologise profusely for not being here. I have been extremely busy! Actually so busy that I only made one card last week. I know, one card! It's disappointing.

Anyway I thought I'd show you this cute wallet I made for my husband for Fathers Day. I got the tutorial for this from Helping Hudson. If you haven't been over there already, you need to - you can only purchase the tutorials till the end of September and they are so worth it!


This wallet was designed by Gayatri Murali. She is a very clever lady!

I did make up little credit card size cards and the kids wrote messages and drew pictures for their daddy! I am sure he'll treasure it.



I don't know if I will be in trouble if the law looks at this photo, as I am not sure if we are allowed to take photo's of 'real' money. It's only a portion anyway, so not exactly copyable.

I can't believe that this only took two stamp sets, two colours of cardstock, one ink pad and a gel pen. Not very much ingredients at all. Unfortunately some of these have now retired, which means there is lots of new product in a NEW Idea Book and Catalogue.

Card: Close to Cocoa (retired), Basic Black
Ink: Close to Cocoa (retired)
Tools: Signo Gel Pen
Stamp sets: Weathered (retired), Occasional Greetings

Till next time, happy stamping...