Happy Mother’s Day

By | May 10, 2015
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Hi there

Happy Mother’s Day Mum and also to all the mums, aunts and those of us that play a ‘mothering’ part in childrens lives.  We celebrated with a family lunch at my brothers today which was lovely.

Here’s the card I made for my Mum:

It’s similar to the card I taught at a recent workshop – same colours and layout just change the sentiment and embossing folder and the card takes on a new look.

Check back tomorrow to see the little gifts (120 of them!!) I made for a local Mainly Music and our Church ladies for Mother’s Day.

Stamp Camp 2015 Projects

By | May 3, 2015
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Hi there

I hope you’ve all had a good weekend.  We have our inorganic collection happening in a couple of weeks so yesterday Phil and I did a clean out in preparation.  Our storage area looks way tidier than it did at the beginning of the day 🙂

Todays post should have been done months ago – these are some of the projects we made at Stamp Camp (which was back in February!).

The first project is one that Heather Stewart taught – a ‘fancy fold’ card and an envelope made using the Mini Treat Bag Die.

The second project was taught by Juliette Riddell – a wedding card/album using the lovely Something Borrowed DSP and a cool technique with the Circle Card Thinlits die.

Thanks ladies for some great projects.

Your Perfect Day – Fold Over Card

By | April 27, 2015
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Hi there

I hope you didn’t get blown or washed away today – a good indoors craft day.  I managed to get some projects finished that had been sitting half made on my desk for weeks!

Yesterday I had a workshop at a friends place and this is the card we made.  I CASED the design from Dawn Olchefske – she called it a ‘Fold Over’ card – and did a few tweaks so that it fitted our metric card stock.

This set works beautifully with this design.  Some of the ladies changed the sentiment and embossing folder and created birthday cards – I really like this stamp set and it can be used for more than just wedding themes.  I added an additional mat around the circle cut out for some contrast to the front.

My measurements are:
Sahara Sand – 10.5cm x 14.5cm
Elegant Eggplant – 9.5cm x 14.5cm
Very Vanilla – 8cm x 14.5cm
Wisteria Wonder – 29.7cm x 8.5cm

Check back on Mother’s Day to see another version 🙂

Masculine Birthday Cards

By | April 21, 2015
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Hi there

Here are two more cards I’ve made recently in the same style as yesterdays post.

This paper is so cool I decided to use the ‘cut out’ bit for the inside of the card.

Julia also showed us how to make the same style but in a landscape orientation – how cool is that!

 And a box with chocolates in it – of course.

Supplies:
Stamp – Big Day (SAB)
Card Stock – Old Olive, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
DSP – Adventure Bound DSP Stack
Ink – Early Espresso
Other – Little Letters Thinlits, Timeless Type Alphabet Sizzlits (Retired), Acetate, Tag a Bag Gift Boxes

Retiring List is out

By | April 21, 2015
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Hi there

The Retiring List has now been posted – check out my website for the list of stamps and accessories that won’t be carried over to the new catalogue – there are some good discounts so be in early

Retiring Stamps

Retiring Accessories

The easiest way to purchase any of these items is via an online order.

If you have any questions or need any help just contact me.

Happy Birthday Dad

By | April 20, 2015
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Hi there

Today is my Dad’s 82nd birthday – happy birthday to the best dad in the world 🙂  He (and Mum) are always there for us in so many ways – it’s hard to put into words the gratitude and love we have for them.  We celebrated Dad’s birthday on Friday night and this is the card I made for him.

This really cool card was taught to us by Julia Leece at our Stamp Camp back in February (sorry – couldn’t show this until now).  It uses a piece of acetate to create the clear ‘window’.  Check back tomorrow for some other cards I’ve made recently using this technique.

Supplies:
Stamp Set – Big Day (SAB)
Card Stock – Early Espresso
DSP – Adventure Bound DSP Stack
Ink – Early Espresso
Other – Little Letters Framelits, Baked Brown Sugar Thick Bakers Twine, Acetate

Don’t forget to check back tomorrow for some more samples.

60th Birthday Card

By | April 19, 2015
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Hi there

I hope you’ve all had a good weekend.  The weather yesterday didn’t start out that great – cold and wet but today has been like summer and 22 degrees :).

Back in February my friend celebrated her 60th birthday – I’m sure she’s pulling our leg as she doesn’t look 60.  We had a lovely dinner out and it was a great evening.  I had forgotten to take some photos off my camera hence the delay in showing you the card I made for her.

I had no idea what she would be wearing on the night but the colours from my card matched her beautiful dress – she looked gorgeous.
Supplies:
Stamp Set – Apothecary Art, Flowering Flourishes, Memorable Moments
Card Stock – Pool Party, Island Indigo, Soft Sky, Watercolour Paper, Naturals White
Ink – Pool Party, Island Indigo, Pear Pizzazz

Other – Labels Framelits, Festive Paper Piercing, Pearls, Aqua Painters, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder

Well I’m off to bed as I have an early start tomorrow morning.

Happy Birthday Dominic

By | April 15, 2015
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Hi there

It’s funny – if you hold on to things long enough they will come back into fashion.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back!

Over the weekend I helped my neighbour make TMNT birthday invites for Mr 5 – he’s really into them.  Then I needed to make a card for a friends four year old.  I sent his Mum a text to check what he’s into this year (check out his previous birthday cards here and here) and found out ‘Super heros’ so here’s this years card:

This is a CASE from Kelly Kent – thanks Kelly for the great instructions for making these guys.  I changed the ‘shell’ from being 3/4″ squares to the 3/4″ circle punch but otherwise it’s the same.

Supplies:
Card Stock – Gumball Green (retired), Early Espresso, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Basic Black
Punches – 1 3/8″ Circle, 1 3/4″ Circle, 1″ Cirlce, 3/4″ Circle, Small Oval, Large Oval, 7/8″ Scallop Circle, 1 3/4″ Scallop Circle, Owl Builder
Other – Honeycomb Embossing Folder

Bon Voyage Hanna

By | April 14, 2015
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Hi there

My almost 19 year old niece left today for her OE to Europe and the UK :(.  She and a friend from school are heading to London first to begin their OE and see the other side of the world.  We will miss her heaps but with Skype, Facebook and email she won’t seem so far away.

We had a family lunch on Sunday and this is the card I made for her.

Punch art is great when you don’t have a stamp for a particular occasion.
Supplies:
Card Stock – Basic Grey, Basic Black, Island Indigo, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White
Punches – Word Window, 1 3/8″ Circle, 1/4″ Circle, Small Oval, Owl Builder Punch
Other – Timeless Type Alphabet Die (retired), Basic Black Brad (retired)

Hanna – have a wonderful time and enjoy every minute of it.  We love you heaps 🙂

Happy 21st Birthday (times two)

By | April 12, 2015
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Hi there

It’s a while since I’ve been to a 21st birthday party – but last night we attended one for our friends twin sons.  They had a theme of American Gangster so Phil and I hired costumes – what do you think?  Love Phil’s shoes.

Now we all know how hard it is to make masculine cards but these two were easy – one is a builders apprentice and the other is studying graphics at Uni.  Two stamps set sprung to mind immediately – Totally Tools (retired) and Work of Art.  So here are my creations:

Supplies:
Stamp – Totally Tools (retired), Hardwood, Four You
Card Stock – Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
Ink – Momento Black, Crumb Cake
Other – Black Embossing Powder, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Watercolour Pencils, Mini Brads, Timeless Type Alphabet (retired)

Supplies:
Stamp Set – Work of Art, Four You
Card Stock – Whisper White, Tangelo Twist, Mossy Meadow, Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon, Blackberry Bliss, Basic Black, Crumb Cake
Ink – Tangelo Twist, Mossy Meadow, Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon, Blackberry Bliss, Momento Black
Other – Owl Punch, Word Window Punch, Oval Framelits, 1/2″ Circle Punch, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Timeless Type Alphabet (retired)
Leave me a comment – would love to hear what you think of these cards (and our costume).

Work Birthday Gifts

By | April 11, 2015
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Hi there

Thought I’d get a quick post in before getting ready for an ‘American Gangster’ themed 21st birthday party tonight.  Phil and I have hired our costumes for the evening so you never know there may be some photos to come.

Part one of today’s post should have been blogged last year as these are the birthday gifts I made for work to give the staff – better late than never!

I also made these for my previous company and they go down really well with staff.  It’s just a topless pad (from a stationery shop) which I have covered with some card stock and then decorated.  Here I’ve used the Polka Dot Parade DSP pack – nice bright colours.  I also did them up in Marina Mist, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Daffodil Delight.  As we have an office in the US I was able to get the Pentel RSVP pens again which have a barrel which allows you to add a piece of the DSP.  You can also find similar types of pens at some of the stationery shops here in NZ.
Now on with this year’s gifts.  I like to alternate between some form of stationery item and food so this year the gift is based around food – ‘morning tea is on us’.
I’ve made everyone a little mini treat bag which contains a hot chocolate sachet, a flavoured coffee sachet and a tea bag.  Once a month everybody who has a birthday in that month receives a treat bag and a muffin 🙂

Here’s a close up of the treat bag
It’s a great way to use up retired DSP and all my scraps.
Supplies:
Stamp – Big Day (Sale-A-Bration 2015)
Card Stock – variety of ‘Brights’ colours, Confetti White (retired)
Ink – Momento Ink and Blendabilities
Other – Mini Treat Bag Framelit, Itty Bitty Accents Star Punch
Well I better get a move on and get my ‘party’ clothes on – catch you back here soon

Creative Inkers – Extravaganza Projects – March 2015

By | April 7, 2015
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Hi there

As promised here are the other four projects that the ladies made at our event.

The centre piece of this card uses the Project Life Grid Cards from page 188 of the AC.  The decoration on the top of the box was made using the Bow Builder Punch – doesn’t it look great.
Love this Diorama Card – check out the inside.

The next two cards use the Butterfly Basics set – two very different looks – Emboss Resist and a Watercolour Technique using an Aqua Painter

Our next Extravaganza is being held on Saturday 25th July from 12:30pm so keep this date free – more details nearer the time.

Creative Inkers March Extravaganza

By | April 6, 2015
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Hi there

Last weekend we had our Creative Inkers Extravaganza.  It was a great afternoon with over 100 ladies creating five projects during the afternoon.  Jacque, Kath and I taught a set of four notecards using the Sheltering Tree set from the Occasions Catalogue (I do hope this carries over into the new Annual Catalogue due out in June).

Our Note Cards and Envelopes (page 194 of the AC) are great for creating quick cards.  You get 20 note cards and envelopes for NZ$11.95 and the card bases come already scored.  They are available in Whisper White or Crumb Cake.

Each card depicts a season – here we have Spring and Summer

and then Autumn and Winter

Here’s the finished gift – bundled up with Thick Baker’s Twine and a tag ready to give away.

Supplies:
Stamp – Sheltering Tree
Card Stock – Baked Brown Sugar, Strawberry Slush, Wild Wasabi, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Sky
Ink – Soft Suede, Strawberry Slush, Wild Wasabi, Pistachio Pudding, Bermuda Bay, Basic Gray, Crushed Curry, Cherry Cobbler, Baked Brown Sugar, Soft Sky
Other – Note Cards and Envelopes, Baked Brown Sugar Thick Baker’s Twine, 1 3/4″ Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8″ Circle Punch, Hearts Border Punch

I’ll be back tomorrow night to show you the rest of the projects.

Bundle and Save Promotion

By | April 1, 2015
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Hi there

It’s the beginning of a new month and already we have a great promotion from Stampin’ Up!

For a limited time (1 – 17 April) save 15% on selected bundles – see flyer below.

Butterfly Basics and Your Perfect Day – Card Class for March

By | March 31, 2015
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Hi there

My card class ladies had two special requests for card designs this month – an Easter card and a wedding card.  I don’t have any ‘Easter’ stamps so I went with the flower image from my newly purchased Butterfly Basics set and teamed it up with the words from Crazy about You.  This set has really been my ‘go to’ sentiment set these last couple of months.

The image is stamped on watercolour paper then coloured in using an aqua painter (or blender pen if you prefer).  My trick with using an aqua painter is to put a bit of foam in the barrel – I’ve found this helps the even flow of water to the tip of the brush and you don’t get a puddle on your paper.

I do hope we get the Irresistibly Yours paper (or similar) in our next catalogue – I love it.

Supplies:
Stamp – Butterfly Basics, Crazy about You
Card Stock – Elegant Eggplant, Garden Green, Naturals White, Watercolour Paper
Ink – Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Garden Green, Pear Pizzazz, Momento Ink
Other – Basic Gray Bakers Twine, Artisan Punch

Now I also didn’t own a wedding set but as my nephew is getting married soon I thought I’d better get one.  After much debate (with myself!) I went with Your Perfect Day.

This is another CASED card – why recreate when somebody else has done a great job!  I saw this card on Pinterest and kept coming back to it – it just caught my eye.  Thank you Sabine for sharing this with us.
Supplies:
Stamp – Your Perfect Day
Card Stock – Sahara Sand, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler
Ink – Sahara Sand, Early Espresso
DSP – Something Borrowed
Other – Circle Framelits, 2 1/2″ Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Heart Punch, Linen Thread
Thanks for checking out my blog 🙂