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...

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...

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...

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...

I finally finished my advent calendar!

I decided that I'd make an advent calendar this year. I purchased a pre-cut MDF box to assist me with this. Unfortunately there were no instructions in the package, so I have fumbled about and worked out how to put this box together. I now know, that MDF expands when painted. I had to file back all the tongues to fit in the grooves, in order to construct the box!

I loved the way I was able to use our adorable DSP and inks to create this calendar.


It's probably a bit difficult to see in the photo, but the ornaments from the Tree Trimmings set and the 3D snowflake are hanging from the top of the box.

I am not going to list all the ingredients for this project as it is such a mixture and some of the items used come from my stash or my friends stashes and have been there that long, that we would only be guessing their origin.

Till next time, happy stamping...

One layer card

Here I have made a one layer card, using the Season of Joy stamp set. I just love this set! It first became available in the spring mini last year and I was so glad to see it bought back into the current catalogue this year!


Now if you know this set, you'll realise that it already has a perfectly good Christmas tree in it, which I used here. However I decided to check out it's versatility and I used the flower stamp to build my own tree! This card was so quick to make and you don't need to own 'everything' to be able to make it.

Card: Whisper White
Ink: Summer Sun, Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red
Stamp Set: Season of Joy

Till next time, happy stamping...

3 Brad challenge!

Okay things we going swimmingly beautiful on day 1 of the cyberstamp. Okay I was probably ahead because I had already done my sketch challenge earlier in the week. Then out of nowhere, Tanya Kitto, decided to throw up a surprise challenge. We had to use three brads on a card. Pretty simple really!

Well I decided that I'd rework my sketch a little and turn it on it's side and I came up with this. Can you see my brads??? They are faux brads. Honestly I could have used real ones, but just thought that I'd buck the trend a little. It's that inability to follow directions to the tee, rearing it's head again!


This is a little brighter than cards I normally make - but I think it's cheery!

Card: Bordering Blue, Real Red, Green Galore, Night of Navy and Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, Versamark, Green Galore, Summer Sun (marker)
Punches: 1/2" Circle, Curly Label
Embellishments: Crystal Effects
Stamp Sets: Season of Joy, Cute & Curly

Till next time, happy stamping...

Celebrate Christmas

Well can you believe that it's only 44 days to Christmas???? I certainly can't! If you are anything like me they days just seem to get away from you and suddenly important dates just arrive without much notice. Well it feels that way anyway! As a special help to you I have installed a Countdown to Christmas tree on my side bar, so if you need a bit of a shock feel free to come in and have a look at how many more days have passed.

Well I had a workshop today with some lovely ladies and since we are gearing up for the Christmas season, I thought that I would make a bon bon as a prize for a party game. I have put a dauber and a couple of flowers in as a gift to the winner.


Isn't it just divine? We are having a huge Christmas this year and it appears that I might have to make up about 25 of these. I am just going to go to the $ shop and get some little trinkets to put in. Just another thing to put on my never ending to do list! There isn't really much required to actually make these little beauties!

Card: Very Vanilla, Night of Navy
Ink: Old Olive, Ruby Red
Ribbon: Very Vanilla 1/4" grosgrain
Stamp Set: Season Of Joy

Anyway I hope to be back sooner than last time. I am so excited to be participating in a cyberstamp this weekend and I am even providing a sketch challenge. Yes, you guessed it - I have already got it organised but I can't show you just yet! This is my first challenge so I hope that it goes okay!

Till next time, happy stamping...

Easy Christmas card

Are you shocked like me? Have you suddenly realised that it's November and you haven't started on your christmas cards yet? Well I hadn't really either, so here is card number 1. I am running a christmas card making workshop this month, click here for more details.

I love the Ski Slope DSP, which is only available to end of this month. I know that I normally use DSP as a background filler, but I thought that this gorgeous DSP was begging to be embossed on. It certainly turned out better than I expected.


Card: Not Quite Navy
Ink: Versamark, Not Quite Navy
DSP: Ski Slope
Ribbon: Whisper White Taffeta
Tools: Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Silver Embossing Powder
Embellishments: Pretties Kit
Stamp Set: Snow Swirled

Till next time, happy stamping...

I love scallops!

The title gives this post away. It's about scallops and who doesn't love them.? I know I do! I have made this Christmas card using two fantastic scallop punches. Yes, that's right - just two!


It just goes to show that there are many ways to use the same punch. I had seen the medallions before, but it wasn't until I received a card from my secret sister that I worked out how to do it. Her card was so nice that I have cased the layout above.

And here is a close up of the scallop medallion!



If you'd like to make this card at Stamp Club, please check out times on my event calender.

Can you believe that the Oval Scallop in the Spring Mini is going to be gone soon? I don't know how I will cope without it. If you haven't got one already, don't miss out - put your order in today!

SU is such a fantastic company and although we have the spring mini running, they have also introduced a Christmas Gift Giving Guide. They have gifts for Neighbours, gifts for Card Makers, gifts for Scrapbookers, Gifts and Kids and Teens and amazing Stocking Stuffers as well. It certainly sounds like they have everyone covered. To check out the Christmas Gift Giving Guide click here. And as a bonus if you spent AU$85 on product from this guide, you'll receive a FREE Scallop Square - now who wouldn't want one of those? You have until December 15 2009 to take advantage of this offer. I suggest you get in quick and start your Christmas shopping now!

Card: Whisper White, Real Red, Certainly Celery
Ink: Real Red, Chocolate Chip
DSP: I wish Simply Scrappin
Punches: Scallop Square, Scallop Edge
Stamp Sets: Weathered, Punches Three (hostess set)

Till next time, happy stamping...

An easy gift to post!

Okay it's getting close to Christmas and my attention is turning towards what to do for the grandparents. I am not sure about your family, but our grand kids are adored in ours. Grandma and Nanny are often talking about what the kids have been up to or in the case of my kids chatting to them on the phone, or listening to them read stories. Unfortunately for us we live too far away to be able to spend each Christmas with our extended families. So I thought this year I would case a gift that was given to me by my previous Secret Sister, Dianne Spies.

This is a little brag book - I am sure that given a few weeks in granny's purse it may not look the same and be like that favourite book we all used to read over and over again as kids.


So the picture above is the closed version and below is the fully opened view.

Now as you can see it has three sections and a slip for each one. The sections fold out, so you can put a photo on either side of the slips, holders and one on the red section behind the holders. All in all this little beauty will hold 15 photo's.


This was really easy to make and didn't take very long at all. I love the simplicity of it!

Card: Real Red
Ink: Baja Breeze, Real Red
DSP: Ski Slope
Punches: Eyelet Border, 1" Circle, 1/2" Circle, Round Tab
Ribbon: Whisper White Taffeta
Envelopes: Note card
Stamp Sets: Season Of Joy, Snow Swirled

Till next time, happy stamping...

Twisted Christmas

Again I have decided to try and make a card for Marelle's July Christmas challenge. This time I haven't cased the card and have made it up all by myself.


Of course, this didn't turn out as I expected. I was planning on doing a night time christmas tree, but the background stamp ended up looking like snow instead of stars.

I don't seem to be posting as regularly as I would like. I am still making cards and doing workshops and the like, but either it's for my secret sister or you've seen it all before. I will try and make some more new creations soon for you.

Card: Whisper White, Ballet Blue, Sage Shadow, Riding Hood Red
Ink: Sage Shadow, Versamark, Ballet Blue, Not Quite Navy, Blue Bayou (retired)
Tools: Clear embossing powder, Dazzling Diamonds, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Brayer, Sponge Daubers
Punch: 1" circle
Stamp sets: Lovely As A Tree, Itty Bitty Backgrounds (retired), Snow Swirled

Till next time, Happy stamping

Getting ready for Christmas - already!

Well hello again. Bubs asleep and the big girl is off with Daddy, so I had a couple of free minutes - couldn't possibly clean as it would be too noisy - lol. So I have got a head start on Christmas. I saw these Christmas cards on my upline, Vicky Dean's, blog and had to case them.



These cards were created using the masking technique. I just punched a couple of 1" circles out of my masking sheet and then held these over my card, while I stamped and sponged.


I love this idea as you don't have to have a heap of Christmas stamps. In fact, aside from the greeting the rest of the card is made using non christmas stamps.

I used my co-ordinating markers to draw the strings for them to hang on. Quite simple!

I'll include all the ingredients together as it would get awfully long to write each one out.

Card: Whisper White, Very Vanilla
Ink: Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Kiwi Kiss, Taken With Teal, Apricot Appeal
Punch: 1" Circle
Stamp sets: Snow Swirled, Priceless, Rustic Rooster, Circle Circus, Always in Bloom Wheel

Till next time, happy stamping...

Waiting for Christmas

I came across this little beauty on Leonie Schroder's blog and just had to give it a try. Unfortunately I had to wait until I got my Stamp-a-ma-jig, so I could get the placement perfect. I had heard great things about the Stamp-a-ma-jig, but never seen it in action. I was a wee sceptical, but I am hooked. You can even stamp your image onto the image sheet and move it around on your artwork to find the best place for it. Also helps with all those stamps that I have put together, just that little bit off centre. My work is going to be taken to the next level with this new tool.

Card: Whisper White, Real Red
DSP: Haiku
Ink: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Wild Wasabi (retired)
Stampin Pastels: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Sage Shadow
Ribbon: 3/8" Riding Hood Red Taffeta
Punch: Large Oval
Stamp Sets: Window Dressing (hostess set), Lovely as a Tree, Best Yet (hostess set)