Birthday Wishes

This was a simple bithday layout we did in class this week.  I love this colour combo of Baja Breeze, Early Esspresso and Pretty In Pink and think I will have to commit it to memory for other creations.



Card: Baja Breeze, Early Esspresso, Pretty In Pink, Very Vanilla

Ink: Early Esspresso, Pretty In Pink, Baja Breeze

Stamps: Bring On The Cake

Access: Heart Border Punch, Aqua painter, Square Lattice Emboss Folder, Itty Bitty Shape Punch, Linen Thread

Fathers Day Wallet

My husband often says he feels like he is "just a wallet" to the children so with that in mind I thought of doing a wallet card for them to give to him this Fathers Day.  He is a hard person to buy for so a voucher card from Bunnings or the local BCF store wont go astray and will fit into this perfectly.

It also has pockets with little cards to write your messages on and a little window pocket in the back to slip a photo of the kids of in this case a "Free Breakfast in Bed" voucher.  Now as he is not my father I keep telling him he has to wait for the kids to get up and do it and with teenagers it sometimes turns into more like Lunch!!!

Card stock: Basic Black, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Ink: Soft Suede

Stamps:  Occassional Greetings

Accessories:  Square Lattice embossing folder, silver brad, corner rounder punch 

18th Birthdays

It sems that whenever I get around to posting I bombard you all with a back log of postings.  This is my last for the night I promise.  These were not done for a class but just something that I did for fun.  My eldest son has been going to a few 18th birthdays lately and I have had to produce some cards rather quickly.  These are two that I threw together about half an hour before he was due to go out.  I think I will have to get it together and make a few more to have on hand.

The black and white card is using Stampin Up Designer papers and the other card is from some papers that I have had for ages and really need to use up.

Christmas In August?

I normally start doing Christmas cards once a month from July but somehow this year, July came and went before I knew it, so we had to start in August.  It seems really weird to start so early but if you are anything like me, (horribly unorganised!) if you don't get an early start they never get done.  I would be horrified if I had to go out and do the unthinkable and buy Christmas cards.

 The idea behind these cards was to make them fairly quick to make so that they could easily be mass produced without looking too simple.

The first card is a bit of a spin off of a card that we did last year.

Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White

Stamps: Snow Swirled

Accessories: Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds

The second card uses one of my fav Christmas colour combos:

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Always Arthichoke, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Versamark
Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Baroque Motifs, Contempo Christmas
Accessories:  Silver Embossing Powder

It was great to get a start on Christmas so hopefully I can get enough done early so there isn't the usual last minute late night stamping very late in December.

On Your Bike

This is very similar to another card that I did for a Less Is More Challenge a little while ago but we didn't do in class.  This bike stamp is so good for a male card as I think every man dreams of riding down the highway on a Harley.  The only real difference to this card from the previous is that I embossed the bike in silver embossing powder to give the "chrome" look of a bike.

Stamps:  Motorcycle (mini)

Cardstock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red

Ink:  Versamark, real red marker

Accessories:  Silver Embossing Powder

Ornate Blossom

I have had this stamp for some time now and I am ashamed to say that this is the first time I have even used it.  I don't know if that means that I have too many stamps (as if) or I just need more time to stamp - that must be it!  This was a quick, easy card to put together and I love Concord Crush and River Rock together but then River Rock is one of those fabulous colours that goes with everything.

Cardstock:  Concord Crush, River Rock, Whisper White

Ink: Concord Crush and River Rock markers

Stamp: Ornate Blossom

Accessories:  Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Rhinestone Brads

Embossed Frame

It is difficult to see in this photo but this card has a Frame created using the Petals A Plenty Embossing folder.  This is a great technique if you want a pattern around your stamped image.  You need to create a template from some thick cardboard.  I created a frame with an inch thick border to fit the same size as the actual embossing folder.  To run this through the BigShot you need to have all of the tabs closed.  You then place your cardstock into the embossing folder as usual.  Place your frame template on top of the closed embossing folder, then a cutting pad and run it through.  This will give you a border of the embossed image with an unembossed area in the middle.  Hard to describe but very nifty!

Cardstock:  Concord Crush, Vwery Vanilla

Ink:  Concord Crush

Stamps: Style Beautiful

Accessories:  Pearls, Petals A Plenty Embossing Folder, Champagne Shimmer Paint

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The Retirement List Is Here

It is that time of the year again and the Retirement List has been released today.  I am sure that there were many eager stampers out there checking early this morning to see what MUST HAVE products are going.  There are a few things to take note of:

• Lots of Stampin Wheels are going so don't miss out and get in quick as these normally sell out fast.
• All the Designer Papers are going except the Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack.
• Many of our gorgeous ribbons are going so don't miss out on these.
• There are 5 punches going and if you don't have them I know you won't want to miss out.
• Some items have been discounted so this is a chance to grab a bargain.
• A few items are being reconfigured and not being retired.

From experience of the past few years, many items sell out quickly.  I suggest if there is anything that you really WANT or NEED that you get in quickly to avoid disappointment.  If you have any problems viewing the list, please don't hesitate to contact me.  I can also email it to you in page number order if that will make it easier for you to go through.

The best thing about this list being released is that means only 4 weeks until the new Catalogue is released and we will have many new exciting goodies to drool over!

Love & Care

This is one of my most favourite sets and it is such a shame that it is a Level 2 Hostess Set as I think everyone should have this set.
I got my inspiration for this card from the very talented Teneale Williams as I have to admit I was a little Mojo Low last week when I was doing my class preparation. Although once I go started I didn't want to stop.  I don't think I will be able to part with this set when the new Catalogue comes out.

Cardstock:  Cherry Cobbler, River Rock and Very Vanilla

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, River Rock

Stamps:  Love and Care, Word Play

Accessories: Rhinestones, Rhinestone Brad, Very Vanilla Ribbon

Birthday Elements

Although I wasn'g going to do butterflies for awhile one just managed to sneak in this week.  The first card we made was a girly birthday card.

Cardstock:  Early Esspresso, Rose Red, Pink Pirrouette, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Early Esspresso
Stamps: Elements of Style, Curly Cute
Accessories: Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Rhinestones
Extras:  Nestabilities Die Cuts

Now that I see this, it is not a good photo but it is far too cold to go out and take another one so sorry about that.

A Little Bit Antique

I wanted to create an antiquey feel for this card and although there were a few steps involved it was actually easy to create.
The photo doesn't actually show it but we did the Faux Mother of Pearl technique on this card so it actually has a gorgeous glimmer to it.
We firstly stamped the En Francais onto Very Vanilla card.  We then dabbed Champagne Shimmer Paint onto this using glad wrap and let that dry.  Next we brayered Blushing Bride ink over the entire piece and then Crumb Cake over that to mute the colour and age it.  We then stamped the flourish from Elements of Style in Rich Razzleberry over the entire piece.  The two flowers were stamped onto a scrap and cut out, sponged and mounted on dimensionals.  The card was Rich Razzleberry and then mounted with Soft Suede and Blushing Bride and finished off with some Rich Razzleberry ribbon.
The mounting layers were edged using the distressing tool and sponged with the same ink colour.  The edges were rolled to make it look like peeling wallpaper.
It is such a pity that the glimmer hasn't photographed well as it looks great.

Corner Fold Cards

There cards are a bit of a change to the easel fold card and are really quick and easy to make but create a bit more of a WOW than a normal fold card.
In last weeks class we made two of these in different colour schemes.

Card Stock:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Ink: Basic Black

Stamps: Sweet Summer (Sale-A-Bration set), Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Big Shot, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Basic Pearls

Card Stock: Concord Crush, Pear Pizzaz, Very Vanilla

Ink: Concord Crush, Pear Pizzaz

Stamps: Just Believe, Thoughts & Prayers

Accessories: Large Oval, Wide Oval Punches, Lots of Tags Bigshot Die, Big Shot, Papers from Level 1 Hostess gifts

Extras:  Nestabilities Scallop Circle and Circle Die

These were both easy to make but effective.  I think I will be making a few more in this style for something different.

Meet Millie

For years now my husband and I have gone hot and cold on getting a dog.  We have never been on the same page at the same time until last Saturday!  Hubby thought it about time we bite the bullet and I visited our local pet store and just fell in love with a little bundle of fluff.  She was tucked away in a cage in the back of the store and I nearly missed her.  I was acutally on my way out of the shop after seeing some other pups and decided to have a look around at all the "extras" available for pets now.  Luckily I did as there she was, just the perfect little bundle.

After lots and lots of cuddles, I was torn away as I couldn't make a decision on my own.  I had to wait for hubby to see her on Saturday.  I went off to work Saturday morning and he promised to go and have a look and that he would call me when he was there.  The call never came and I thought he had maybe changed his mind and we wouldn't get a dog.

When I got home I got the most amazing surprise - we had our little bundle of joy!  I knew he couldn't resist those pleading little eyes if he saw her.

So meet Millie, our little Schmoodle who is so so cute and very cuddly.  She looks at you pleadingly and you just can't resist sitting down and having cuddle time.  Well she has done that to me many many times this week and not a lot has been happening around our house this week.  Do you think you could resist this face..........

We are having a bit of fun trying to train her to use her piddle pads so if anyone has any tips, I would love to hear them.  The upside of this is that I now have the cleanest floors as I seem to be mopping constantly.  It reminds me of the good old potty training days with my children and happily I got there with them so at least I know the time is coming where she gets it.  Lucky she is so CUTE!

Cards For the Boys

I am always looking for a male orientated card at the last minute for something and never seem to have any.  We made these two cards last week in class and I have used them both already so I will have to make a few more.  I always find making male cards a little difficult and my sons and husband are always saying keep them simple.  They all liked these two cards so I was on the right track.

The first card with the sailing boat was very quick and easy to put together.

Stamp:  Seaworthy
Card Stock:  Soft Suede, Night Of Navy, Very Vanilla
DSP:  DSP Designer Pack in Neutrals
Access:  Spiral Border punch, Blender Pens
Ink:  Soft Suede, Night of Navy, Stazon Black

I love the Spiral Border punch for male cards as it gives definition to the card without being over obvious.

The second card is with the fabulous Motorbike stamp from the Autumn/Winter Mini.  This catalogue finishes at the end of July so don't miss out on any of your favourites.  This also was a quick card to put together even though there are a few layers involved.

Stamp:  Motorcycle, Occasional Greetings
Ink:  Real Red, Stazon Black
Card: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
DSP:  Designer Pack in Neutrals

Floating Butterflies

Last week was my last class for the term.  We had kids sport all weekend so today was the first day that I actually felt like we were on holidays and it feels goooooood! We are not going away for the holidays so hopefully I get some play time to start next term organised - now theres a challenge!

This first card can be done with just about anything.  We used butterflies as I am hooked on the butterfly die at the moment but the options are limitless.  You could use stars, hearts, flowers, birds, balls, anything that is relevent to the occassion.  This card looks so much better in the flesh and will get a WOW from whoever you give one to.

Card stock:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Desingner Paper:  DSP Pettern Pack in Neutrals
Accessories:  Big Shot, Beautiful Butterfly die, Tasteful Trim die, Accetate, Rhinestone gems, Champagne Shimmer Paint, Elegant Bouquet Emboss Folder
Stamps: Curly Cute

Scallop Easel Card

This week has been a bit of a catch up week with classes so there was only one new project.  I have finally got around to trying a Scallop Circle Easel Card after admiring them for months and months.  I was surprised at how easy they are to put together and it just goes to show you just have to give things a go.

With all the excitement building about getting a new Catalogue fast approaching, I have had a look at the stamps that I have and haven't used yet!  Oh boy, do I have some work to do.  This is always a difficult time for me as I still have so many projects I want to get to but feel the clock ticking away and I never want to part with anything - just can't wait to get new goodies to play with.

Stamps:  Because I Care (Level 1 Hostess), French Foliage, Great Friend, Style Beautiful
Ink: Always Arthichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Black Stazon
Card: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla
Punches: Scallop Oval, Large and small oval
Access:  Big Shot, Scallop Circle Die, Circle Cutter, Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Now that I have done this one, I want to try out the concept with some of the other Die cuts that we have.

A Couple of Night Owls - Bertie & Bob

Even though I am not a "bird" person when it comes to craft and stamping, I have to say I just love these owls!  A few weeks ago I got to have a play day with a group of very talented ladies and Kez showed us how to make these gorgeous owls.  Check out her gorgeous little couple.  The talented Lynn Pratt created the template and you can purchase a copy from her by visiting her blog site and clicking on templates.

I had a little play on Monday night and these were my take on the little cuties.  I originally set out to do a Bride and Groom set but left it a little late and wasn't up to working out a wedding dress so I settled for a couple "Out On The Town".  I really felt that Bertie needed eyelashes and she certainly got some.  My original version had shorter eyelashes and no glitter and I just felt that something was missing.  This is the updated version and if you can't see in the photo, I sprayed the eyelashes with Champagne Shimmer Paint and they look very GLAM!!!!!

I have used Chocolate Chip, Marina Mist, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla, Basic Black & Crumb Cake card stock.  The papers are from the Love Letter DSP set.  There were quite a few punches used and I made my eyes larger to create a "doey eyed" look.

Bob's Fob Watch was created using the Clock for Sense of Time and Bertie is blinged up with some clear rhinestones.

I am looking forward to creating more characters using this awesome template and I'd like to thank Lynn and Kez for the inspiration.

Yellow Fairy

A few weeks ago, I had some play time and I had just received Awash With Flowers so I created a few different cards using this set in various techniques.  I have had a few requests to do this one so it finally managed to get on the class list.  As much as I love yellow as a bright summery colour, I am not drawn to it in my craft so this was my own personal challenge - to use yellow.

Card stock:  Daffodil Delight, Whisper Whtie

Stamps:  Style Beautiful, Bring On The Cake, All In The Family

Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Chocolate Chip, Pretty In Pink

Accessories:  Daffodil Delight ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds, Corner Rounder, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle and 2 1/2" Circle punches

Loving the new Butterflies

I have to apologise but I am hooked on my new Beautiful Butterflies die and you may see a few more creations using this until my fascination wears off. This weeks class included another card using the butterfly but I did limit it to just the one card. 

Stamps:  En Fracais, Style Beautiful
Card Stock: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Vellum
Ink:  River Rock, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Accessories:  Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Die, Rhinestones, Old Olive Ribbon, Champagne Shimmer Paint, Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder

Petal Pizzazz

Petal Pizzazz was a set that I thought I would use a lot and sadly it has been pushed to the bottom of my huge, make that super huge,  pile of stamps and ignored.  I love it as the flowers are so easy to cut out and if you can't have a punch to do it for you this is what you need.
The flowers where embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder and then sprayed with the Champagne Shimmer Mist.  It is such a shame that this doesn't photograph well as they sparkle beautifully.

Stamps:  Petal Pizzazz, On Your Birthday

Card Stock:  Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Whisper White

Ink:  Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip

Access:  Big shot, Vintage Wallpaper Emboss Folder, Paper Piercing tool, Mat Pack, Basic Pearls,

Beautiful Butterflies

Can you believe that this is the first ever side step card I have made!!!  I have always wanted to do this one but never got to it and when I sat down last week to do the cards for this weeks class this all just fell into place.
I am loving my new Beautiful Butterflies die for the Big Shot and no doubt you will see a few more butterflies in the future.  Now the base card is really easy to do and then it is up to you how to decorate it and the options are limitless.  Althogh, be aware that this card is not for the wordy as there isn't a lot of room to write much. 
As easy as this card was to do, there were a few steps involved.  We rollered with the wheels, cut, embossed, sponged and glistened with the Champagne Shimmer Mist but all worth it.

Stamps: Very Vintage Wheel, Sincere Salutations

Ink: Concord Crush, Elegant Eggplant

Cardstock:  Concord Crush, Elegant Eggplant, Very Vanilla

Access: Beautiful Butterflies Die, Big Shot, Finial Press Emboss folder, Basic Pearls, Designer Label Punch, Large Oval Punch

One I Missed

Last week I had someone wanting to purchase some of the goodies we used to make a particular card.  I couldn't quite remember what we used so thought where better to look than on my blog site.  After looking and looking I realised that I had missed one!  Now given how frequently I post (ha, ha) I can see how this happened.  So here it is. 

Stamps:  Tiny Tags, Friendly Words Wheel

Ink:  Basic Black

Punches:  Boho Blossoms, Jewelry Tag

Access:  Big Shot, Island Floral Bigz Die, Clear Rhinestone Brad, Stiped Grosgrain Ribbon

A Great Deal!

Stampin' Up! have listed an awesome promotion that is too good to resist!  Truely any self confessed craftaholic needs to take advantage of this or you really can't be a real craftaholic.

Host a Workshop until June 30th with just $450 in sales and you receive:

A Level 1 Hostess Set of your choice
$40 Free Spend on anything from any of the Catalogues AND
A BONUS $70 Free Spend

That's right - $110 FREE Shopping Money to buy whatever you want from the Catalogues!!!!!!

Now tell me how can you let that opportunity go by.  Get a group of friends together and give me a call and book a date before the time runs out!

Thanks for Caring

Sadly we all at some stage have a need for a Sympathy card and I know I find it very hard to think of one when I really need one.  With that thought we made two Sympathy cards this week so that when the time comes we have one at hand.  My thoughts of sympathy cards is that they should be subtle and simple and the new Thanks For Caring set is just perfect.  It is important to look at this set outside of just a sympathy set as the little flower and butterfly stamps are just gorgeous and can be used for any occassion.  A couple of the words can also be used for other occassions.

Stamps:  Thanks For Caring

Ink:  Black Stazon, Bashful Blue

Card:  Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla, Water colour paper

Access:  Framed Tulips Emboss Folder, Designer Label and 2 3/4" circle punches

Stamps:  Thanks For Caring

Card:  Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Ink:  Black Stazon, Bashful Blue

Access:  Scallop Circle and 2 3/4" Circle Punches, Blender Pens

Emboss Resist Awash With Flowers

This week we revisited the Emboss Resist Technique.  I recently got the gorgeous Awash With Flowers set so just had to use it of course.

Stamps:  Awash With Flowers, Tiny Tags

Card:  Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Glossy White

Access: Jewelry Tag Punch, White Emboss Powder, Versamark, Whisper White Grosgrain, Hemp Twine

Onsies

This card has been around for awhile now and I was inspired by a few people.  The talented Karen who is on my list of Blogs I visit and Crafters Anonymous both inspired me to give it a go.  It is such a cute idea.

Card:  Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Baja Breeze

Ink:  Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze

Access:  Lattice Embossing Folder, Designer Label Punch, 3/4" and 1/2" circle punches, Baby Tees Wheel, Blender Pens

A little bit French

I thought it was about time I got around to posting again.  I have made several attempts over the past few weeks but sadly have failed each time so you may be in for a little overdose.

This card is from last weeks class.  I wanted to do something that was a little bit antiquey but this wasn't actually what I had in my head but this is what made it out.  I have recently become very attached to Crumb Cake card stock.  It is not a colour that I have ever used and I have to admit I had the original sheets I got in a mixed pack when I first signed up to Stampin' Up almost 3 years ago!  I am now onto my third pack in as many weeks.

Stamp Set:  Artisic Etchings, French Foliage

Card:  Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Crumb Cake

Ink:  Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler

Access:  Music Notes Wheel, Build A Brad, Daubers

Splash of Summer

In a complete contrast to the Autumn colours in the previous card I went more towards summer colours and feel.  The icecream is created using the Build a Cup Cake punch from the Autumn/Winter catalogue.  it is such a versatile punch and can be used for so much more than just cupcakes.  The matching stamp set "Create a Cupcake" is also very flexible when you really look at it. 

Stamps:  Create A Cupcake

Ink: Soft Suede

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Soft Suede

Punches:  Build a Cupcake, Modern Label

Extras:  Silver brads, Square Latticfe Embossing Folder, Daffodil Delight PomPom Trim ribbon

Autumn Leaves

French Foliage from the Autumn/Winter Mini is not a stamp set that I would naturally be drawn to I have to admit.  After doing a bit of internet surfing I saw some very inspiring creations and thought I should give it a go.  Given the weather lately, I also had to stretch myself out of my normal colour range and look at yellows and oranges which I very rarely use.  I was really happy with the end result and just love this set now.  If you have over looked it, maybe give it another look.

Stamps:    French Foliage, Word Play 

Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Early Esspresso, Tangerine Tango

Card Stock:  Early Esspresson, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla

I Feel Ulcers and Grey Hairs Coming

After 12 months and a long 120 hours of Learner Driving lessons, my 17 year old son got his red P's on Monday.  )Eeeekkk!!  I spent all of Monday with a stomach full of butterflies and breathing into a paper bag.  Torn between thinking of all that driving I will no longer have to do and the fact that my baby was going to be out there all on his own on the road was excrutiating.  Why do those beautiful little cherubs we bring home from hospital have to grow up???

After we both paced the RTA waiting for his turn to do his test, quoting all the things we could remember that would be important, a very lovely, smiling man called his name - a good start.  Off he went, a little apprehensive but confident he had done the work.  I was left to continue to pace and look at the clock every minute and a half.  Finally he walked back in but wasn't sure how he went.  Another excrutiating few minutes dragged by until he got called up again.  Holding our breath we listened to the instructor and the only words I think Leroy  heard were congratulations - everything else was "white noise".

We are so proud of him but now the worrying kicks in.  I never realised just how terrifying it would be watching him drive off for the first time solo and not sure how long it will take me to get used to it.

Anyway I just had to make him a card so after a search on the internet, I found this great punch art car on Melissa's blog site.  Thanks Melissa for this great tutorial, I was far too stressed to think anything up on my own!

Flowers For You

Our second card was designed to be suitable for Mother's Day without it actually having the specific words.  Sadly we are not all fortunate enough to still have our mothers so I wanted to make it flexible.

Stamps:      Elements Of Style, French Foliage, Teeny Tiny Semtiments
Card:          Old Olive, perfect Plum, Whisper White
Ink:             StazOn Black, Perfect Plum, Old Olive
Acces:        Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Jewelry Tag punch, Hemp Twine, Sponges, Blender Pens, Nestabilities
                  Scallop dies

Every now and again, I really enjoy doing some colouring and the Elements Of Style flower is a great stamp to use for this technique.  The blender pens are perfect for smaller areas of colouring.  I stamped the image in the Stazon ink so that there was no chance of the ink "bleeding" into the colours.

Fairy Princess

My holiday was officially over this week with classes returning.  It was great to catch up with some of you and to hear about your holidays.

Our first card was a very girly and now that I look at it, I can see that she needs a little wand to finish of the Fairy Princess look.

Stamps:    French Foliage, All In The Family
Card:       Pretty In Pink, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Ink:          Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Rich Razzleberry, Chocolate Chip
Acces:     Big Shot, Finial Press Emboss Folder, Top Note Die, Beautiful Butterflies Die, Pearls, Dazzling
               Diamonds, Sponges

Posting Overload

Wow, you must be sick of me by now.  I don't post for ages and now I have overloaded your inboxes!

I took part in my first challenge in ages the other day and the posting is now buried below.  Anyway that got me to thinking what other challenge could I set myself.  Well, last night I thought I should pack up my very messy dining table as I still had the leftovers from classes last week everywhere.  Sometimes when I am tidying up, rather than putting away all the little bits of leftover cardstock, I create little gift tags.  I try to include these with every order I receive as a little thank you from me.  I don't write in them and I try to keep them very simple.
This week, I thought I would set myself an additional challenge.  The unofficial ground rules where:
1. Only use what is on the table
2. All products must be within arms reach
3. Cannot even lift butt off chair to reach something
Now my table was pretty messy and there was quite a bit on it but I think I thought I had Go Go Gadget arms when I dreamt up the guidelines.  Some things that I would have loved to have used where so close - yet so far away.  Anyway it was a fairly rewarding experience and I did come up with 35 new tags for my collection - not to mention that I didn't have to clear up all those messy little bits of card stock.
Why not give this a go next time you are having a play day and see what you can come up with.  Little gift tags are always a great thing to have on hand to add to that gift wrapping to make it look a little more special.
I look forward to hearing what you come up with and the rules you set yourself to do it.

Happy Easter

As I won't get to see any of my lovely ladies until after Easter I just had to share my Chocolate addiction a little early.  Everyone who attended classes in the last week received a little pressy.

Thank goodness for the Big Shot and the Fancy Favor Die.  If you are constantly making boxes for different things this Die is a godsend.

The hardest thing about doing these was stopping all the little and not so little Dean mice getting into the chocolates.

Have a Happy Easter everyone and enjoy the school holidays.  Stay safe and I look forward to catching up next term.  Don't forget to bring along any creations you come up with through the break to show and tell.

Must Have Chocolate

When I first looked through the new Autumn/Winter Catalogue I just knew that I had to have the Eat Chocolate set!  Like how can you possibly be a choccy holic and not want this set.  Even if you aren't, you MUST know someone who is.  This is a gorgeous set that I am sure will be hugely successful.  There is only one problem I can see with it and it may be a big one - everytime I look at it, I have an over powering urge to Eat Chocolate which is probably who it was named.

And what a great moto for life - I'm no quitter - so I gues I have to just keep eating chocolate!

Card stock:    Chocolate Chip (of course), Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla
Ink:                Choc Chip, Marina Mist
Stamps:          Eat Chocolate
Accessories:   Decorative LAbel Punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, Marina Mist ribbon

Beautiful Butterflies

I had a request for something girly for Mothers Day for our last class and I don't think you can get too much more girly than this one.  With Sale-A-Bration about to finish I had to incorporate another bit of Bliss before it went and managed to use something new from the Autumn/Winter catty also.

I didn't put any words on the front as not everyone wanted to do Mothers Day as such but for those who did, I used the new Decorative Label Punch with Happy Mothers Day on the inside of the card.

Card stock:   Melon Mambo, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Cenlery and Very Vanilla

Ink:  Melon Mambo

Stamps:  Bliss, French Foliage

Accessories: Big Shot, Polka Dot Emboss Folder, Paper Distresser, Beautiful Wings Die, Rhinestones, Scallop Square punch, Dimensionals

Just In Time

 

This first term just seemed to disappear before my eyes and I barely got to use some of the goodies I got from the Summer Mini.
In the last few weeks I tried to use things I am ashamed to say I hadn't even opened so out came Rough Type which is a fantastic alphabet set for card makers - that is once you get the fiddly little labels sorted.  I don't do much scrapbooking and find some of the alphabets too large for cards but this is the answer to our problems.
I haven't used the new In Colours much either so this card ticked off two things I needed to use.  The balloon looks a bit dirty in the photo but it has actually been stamped with Champagne Shimmer Paint and sparkles beautifully in the flesh.

Card stock:     Concord Crush, River Rock and Very Vanilla
Ink:                 Concord Crush, River Rock
Stamps:           Rough Type, Crazy For Cupccakes
Accessories:    Big Shot, Polka Dot Emboss Folder, Scallop Edge Punch, 1/2" & 3/4" circle punch
                       Concord Crush ribbon, Dimesionals, Champagne Shimmer Paint

How Time Flies

I had one of those moments that only a parent can understand last week when we started the day singing Happy Birthday to my wonderful first born who was turning 17!  I mean when did that happen!!!  I am sure that it was only a few years ago that he was just starting out at school fresh faced and full of awe at everything.  Now he has whiskers and is ready to take on the world. 
We have had a few heart stopping moments of late with the first time your child gets into another childs car - who isn't sitting in a booster seat but who is actually sitting behind the steering wheel!  I am SO not ready for all this grown up stuff from my little cherubs.  Does anyone know how to turn the clock back or at least stop time.  Anyway he had a wonderful birthday.  
As usual I was last minute mum yet again and was up late trying to think up a card idea.  He isn't into fussy so here is what I came up with.

I kept the colours very neutral with Basic Black and Very Vanilla.  I used the Newsprint DSP which very kindly had a 17 amongst the print on one of the sheets.  To lift it a little I added Crystal Effects to the 17 to make it stand out and added a clip from the Mini Library Clips.  True to the male species he couldn't work out what it was there for if it didn't really do anything.  That's boys for you, they just don't get the whole accessories thing!

Luckily this was a quick and easy card and I wasn't up till all hours but - there was no stamping (shock)!

What A Ride

If you are anything like me, when it comes to boy or man cards, you struggle.  When I saw this awesome motor bike stamp I got a little excited!  I know crazy aren't I? "Motorcycle" is one of the great new stamps in the Autumn/Winter Catalogue just released and I am sure it will be popular.

I made this card really only to show what can be done for a quick simple male card and one of my lovely downline ladies Karen who is linked on the side bar of my site suggested I submit to the Just Add Red Challenge on the Less Is More site so this is my entry.

Cardstock:  Basic Black, Whisper White & Real Red

Stamp:  Motorcycle

Ink: Basic Black

Tools:  Paper Piercing Mat and Piercer & Real Red Marker

Kimono Cuties

One of the first sets I had to have when the Catalogue came out was Kimono Kids.  I just fell in love with these two gorgeous little dolls.  With all that has been happening in Japan lately and with both of my children going to Japan in the near future (OMG, I will be a nervous wreck), I had to do a bit of a tribute.  We have been doing a bit of colouring over the past few weeks in classes and this one was done using crayons and Aqua Pens.  The images were embossed to make colouring in smaller areas easier.

Stamps:  Kimono Kids

Card stock:  Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White

Crayons:  Real Red, So Saffron

Ink Pads:  Versamark

Accessories:  Black Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, Aqua Pens, Dimensionals

Mother Of Pearl

It is such a shame that my camera doesn't take great pictures as this technique looks gorgeous.  It is called Mother Of Pearl as when you can see the full effect, it looks like the inside of a pearl shell.  I am looking forward to experimenting with different colours and if they take better pictures I will definately post them.

Stamps:  Tiny Tags, Elements Of Style

Card Stock:  Glossy White, Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso

Ink: Early Espresso, Pink Pirouette

Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Jewelry Tag Punch, White Shimmer Paint, Daubers, Early Espresso Ribbon

Award Surprise!

Once again I am behind in updating my Blog.  The lovely Kez kindly nominated me for this award and I am only just getting around to doing anything about it.  Thanks Kez it was a lovely surprise.

Now this is what I have to do:

Acknowledge who I recieved this award from - Thanks Kez
Link back to the person who awarded me - Done
Nominate 3 of my favourite blog sites with less that 300 followers.  Now if you think that is easy, think again as there are so many extremely clever ladies out there that inspire me when my mojo takes leave of my body!

1. Karen - Karen is one of my lovely downline ladies and is very talented.
2. Michelle - Michelle is in the same group of demonstrators as me and also very creative.
3.Jennifer - Jennifer is also within the same group as I am and makes some wonderful creations.

Take a look at these fantastic blogsites and enjoy.