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...

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...

Happy Mothers Day to all!

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

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

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



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

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

Till next time, happy stamping...

Secret Sister Birthday surprise!

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

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


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

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

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

Till next time, happy stamping...

2nd attempt at Stamping 411 sketch

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

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




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

Till next time, happy stamping...

A challenge completed finally!

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

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

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



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



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

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

Till next time, happy stamping...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Till next time, happy stamping...

Love is in the Air!

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


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

Till next time, happy stamping...

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

My contribution to Inkspirations 4U Valetines and Birthday Extravaganza

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

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


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



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

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

Till next time, happy stamping...

A Holly Krautkremer Design

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


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

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

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

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

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

Till next time, happy stamping...

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...

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...

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...

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....

Let's hope she doesn't check my blog....

This card is for a fabulous friend, who is having a special birthday this week. I know that she doesn't check my blog unless I tell her to, so I should be okay posting this a couple of days early!

Anyway it's that fantastic black magic technique again! Basically I stamped a section of black paper with white and coloured all the butterflies in and then checked which area I wanted as my background! It worked really, really, really well! Or at least I think so!

I don't think a butterfly card looks any good without a 3D one to make it pop! I used my classic ink pads and a blender pen to colour these in.


Do you also love the sentiment? It's from the NEW stamp set, Perfect Punches. This is one of the sets we were given, yes given, at Convention! And we've had to keep it under wraps for months. Talk about painful!

Card: Elegant Eggplant, Taken With Teal (retiring), Basic Black, Pale Plum (retiring), Whisper White
Ink: Whisper White, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum (retiring)
Tools: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Watercolour pencils
Embellishments: Vintage Brads (retiring)
Stamp Sets: All A Flutter, Perfect Punches

On the off chance, that my friend has popped onto my blog, HAPPY BIRTHDAY STACEY!

Till next time, happy stamping...

A pile of pillows!

Sorry for not being here for a wee while - things are busy again! I had my mum visit from Sydney for five days. And boy were we busy! We went to Gemfest, which is a festival of gems - I guess you probably could have gathered that from the name! LOL! We saw lots of fascinating gems and peices of jewellery. Mum and Miss 7 fossicked but only came up with some cracked sapphires that were too small to do anything with! Oh well they enjoyed playing in the dirt anyway!

I had a party over the weekend and the hostess wanted something special on each participants place, so I whipped up these cute little pillow boxes and put some SU!® supplies in them. Very cute and popular!

Anyway I am sorry that this post is so quick... but I have a gazillion things to do tonight. I'll try to get back sooner.

Till next time, happy stamping...

So simple!

Yes I am here actually showing you some of my own artwork! I finally found the craft desk today and boy did I have lots of half started projects. I buckled down (it was hard...not) and finished a heap of cards. As a result of my creative completion my desk was obtainable! I could see it again. I felt so good. I got the camera out and realised that I had so much more to take photo's of than I realised! Anyway that job is now done... and I am unveiling this simple one first!


This card was cut using the Big Shot and Movers and Shapers. I love these! Firstly it cuts the card and scores it for you - I mean really could we ask for more than that? And then I put a piece of DSP over the card front and as I hadn't moved the 'Shaper' it cut it exactly as the card, so I was able to just place my DSP right on top, without having to worry about lining it up etc. So easy!

I held the card shut as I stamped my image! Yes I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to get it perfect and then just tied a bow and adhered it to the front. I don't think my picture taking does it any justice as it looks quite stunning in person.

Card: Pink Pirouette
DSP: Kaleidoscope (retired)
Ribbon: Rose Red 1" Double Stitched Grosgrain
Tools: Big Shot, Holiday Windows Movers and Shapers
Stamp Set: Best Yet (hostess set)

Till next time, happy stamping...

Featuring Michelle...

Wow the school holidays are over for us, so I should be relaxing with the kids both away today! Let see how that pans out!

This sweet card was made by Michelle from Stampin_Up_In_Oz.

Whilst I was setting up this post, I found this card on Michelle's blog. It was her last post. So that should give you an indication on when I set up with post. Anyway pop on over to Michelle's blog for more information on this card.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Haiku Birthday from Carole

Well as you are aware I am involved in a few online stamping groups. One of the things about these is that the ladies are so nice!

I received this card for my birthday from one of the ESAD ladies, Carol Stedman. Wasn't it wonderful of her to send me a card?

I am so excited as I am getting the Scallop Circle die soon and this card is inspiring me!

Anyway as this isn't my card, I am not going to be writing ingredients lists. You get to contact the artist, so that they know that you are inspired by their work.

I will be showcasing all the cards I received for my birthday - aside from the shop bought ones (lol) - over the next couple of weeks.

Till next time, happy stamping...