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...

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...

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...

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...

I don't really like orange at all!

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...

Getting ready early!

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...

Winners announced

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...

Summer Edition of Inkspirations - FREE passes

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...

A little brag book!

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...

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

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!

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...