Winners for Inkspirations 4U Christmas edition

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!

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....

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

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...

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...

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????

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!

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?

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...

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...

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:

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

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?

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

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!

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

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???

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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...

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...