Mae's Cachet

Sale-a-bration 2012

2012-01-24T21:03:00.000+11:00

It's HERE! The most anticipated time in the Stampin' Up! year when everyone's loyalty as customers, hostesses and demonstrators are rewarded with free product.

Customers - spend $100 on any SU! product and then select a Sale-a-Bration item for FREE!

Hostesses - get the regular hostess benefits PLUS with a qualifying workshop of $600 select a Sale-a-Bration item for FREE!

New Demonstrators - join for just $249, receive the Starter Kit, and receive FREE a stamp set of your choice!

Click image to view brochure online

Contact me today for further information, to place an order, book a workshop or to join my team!

Or if you want to join you can do so online here just click on the "Join Now" button on the left hand side, and you’ll be a demo in only a few minutes!

The Big Day!

2012-01-15T18:48:00.001+11:00

Just a quick post to share with you a couple of my favourite snapshots taken yesterday at my son's wedding.

Proud Parents

Waiting

Bride arriving

Bridesmaids

JAI 100 - Blog Hop

2012-01-13T00:01:00.006+11:00

Well can you believe it...Just Add Ink's 100th challenge! Amanda and Danielle started this great Australian/New Zealand challenge site a while back now and we are up to our 100th challenge, coming through a few changes along the way, including changes in the leadership and some Design Team members. It is so exciting to be a part of such a fabulous challenge site and to be a part of such a great team.

To make this week a little different we have decided to have a Blog Hop to share what the Design Team have created to inspire you in joining in the 100th challenge and as it is such a milestone the challenge is to "Just Add...a Crown".

You have most likely just come from Kim's blog, such a talented lady, and here is what I've come up with...a simple, bright and cheery card using Under the Big Top...putting a gold crown on the celebrating elephant! If you didn't come from Kim's blog but would like to follow along on the Blog Hop then just click on the badge below to go to Nikki's blog, another inspirational lady. If you get stuck just go to the JAI blog to find all the links.

Another thing that we are doing differently for this week's challenge is to offer a prize for the Top Pick and a prize also for commenting on all the DT member posts. So don't forget to leave comments as you hop around our blogs and definitely don't forget to join in the challenge and upload your submission on the JAI blog.

I also promise to be back soon to not only share some of my crafting projects but also some snapshots of my son's wedding this weekend.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to celebrate with us at JAI and enter your project with a crown.

PS - sorry for letting the team down with my post not going live at the correct time, thought I had it all under control but alas not!

MIA!

2012-01-09T21:11:00.000+11:00

I am going to be MIA (missing in action) for the next few days as my focus is not on crafting or my blog...we are getting ready to celebrate the wedding of my son Dylan to his fiance Sarah this coming Saturday. So I apologise in advance for my poor blogging and sharing anything with you here...I even accidently deleted the photo I took of the wedding card I made for my cousin's wedding this past weekend, before loading it to my laptop, sorry!

However, don't forget to pop back on Friday as I will have a post ready for JAI to go live that day!

Wedding Placecards

2012-01-05T11:47:00.001+11:00

Well life has been busy celebrating Christmas and bringing in the New Year, while renovating a room and getting prepared for my son's wedding next weekend...besides just relaxing and procrastinating in there some where!

The last few days I have been busy finishing off the 100 place cards required for the wedding and I thought before I dropped them off to the soon to be bride and groom I would take a photo of them and post them here to share with you all.

Here is a group shot, with several of them hidden under others, while I quickly spread them out to take the photo. Trust me there are 100, and I actually made more than 100 as a couple of people can't come now and I also typed my sister's maiden name and not her married name...she has been married for years, so how I did that I don't know! Glad I checked and double-checked them. Hopefully, Sarah and Dylan don't find any other mistakes on them.

Here are a few close up shots of the bride and groom's place cards and how I also did the ones for the bridal party, plus a guest place card. I really like the font my son chose for the wedding invitations and which I followed on with for the place cards. I also continued on with the Baroque Motifs flourish that I had used on the invitations (which you see in this post here) and of course Sarah's favourite colour purple, using Elegant Eggplant cardstock.

Can't believe I missed this, should be Sarah Collins at the Reception!
Good pick up from my sister. Had to make another one.

I am really quite pleased with how they turned out. Now all I have to do is finishing off the Guest Book!

Thanks for stopping by and Happy New Year to you all.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T20:36:00.000+11:00

Just popping in to thank everyone for their lovely comments on my blog over the last year and visiting me here! Enjoy your Christmas celebrations and time with friends and family.

I am going to take a break from blogging for a week or so and hopefully will find some time to craft so that I can have some new things to share with you all in the New Year!

Just Add Ink #97

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000+11:00

Fridays feel like they are coming around quicker and quicker at the moment and that means it will soon be Christmas and then not long after that my son's wedding and I haven't even found an outfit to wear yet! Oh well, at least the last couple of week's I have been organised for the challenges over at Just Add Ink (but this one is the last that I had done ahead of time!).

This week Jo Eades has provided us with a great inspirational photo...take what you like from it, whether it be the colours Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade, Poppy Parade and Pool Party or the purse picture or the layout or any element as your inspiration, even the bling!

I really enjoyed this challenge and so I took both the colours and 3D element (changing the purses into mini milk cartons) and then used the photo layout to photograph my projects. Here is what I came up with...

Project Supplies:
Stamps: Tiny Tags
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade, Poppy Parade and Pool Party
Ink: Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade, Poppy Parade and Pool Party
Accessories: Big Shot, Mini Milk Carton Die, Jewelry Tag Punch, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Pearls, Circle Pumch, Acetate, Mini Library Clips, Sticky Strip

I photographed these little beauties before I had filled them with sweet jellybeans! These were a hit at last month's market and sold very quickly...they would make great little Christmas gifts.

Now pop on over to the Just Add Ink blog and check out how the rest of the Design Team were inspired by this photo and see how they intrepreted it for this week's challenge. Then have fun yourself with it and upload your project, whether it be a card, scrapbook layout or 3D project etc.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend. Remember to slow down and enjoy this time of the year celebrating with family and friends.

Just Add Ink Challenge #96

2011-12-02T00:01:00.000+11:00

I just love Fridays, not because I have to work, but because it's when the weekly Just Add Ink challenge comes online! It also means that the weekend is just around the corner...although this weekend is busy for me...Stamp Class tonight, Christmas Stamp-a-Stack workshop Saturday afternoon, lingerie party Sunday afternoon and sometime in between there I want to spend some time with my family!

Anyway enough about my busy schedule, you have most likely popped by to see what I have done for this week's JAI challenge...and it is a special one for me as this week the challenge is to "Just Add...Tania Gould". Tania is one of the very talented and fabulous Design Team members for JAI as well a friend of mine who inspires me tremendously, not in only her stamping and creating, but also in how she lives her life...full of family and fun!

The best accolade anyone can get for their craft is to have people inspired by what they create and to enjoy sharing their talents. So we would like to show Tania how much she inspires us by her creativity and therefore this challenge is to create something in which we "Just Add...Tania Gould". We hope you find inspiration from Tania and the Design Team and will join in the fun too!

I find Tania very talented in watercolouring and know how much she loves to use Elements of Style, so that is the stamp set I used and attempted to recreate a card she shared on her blog (click here) that I thought reflected a true "Tania-style card". I added ribbon as this often features on her cards and I used the lovely Marina Mist colour as this also reminded me of Tania.

Here is my Tania inspired card...

Project Supplies:
Stamps: Elements of Style
Cardstock: Marina Mist, Very Vanilla
Ink: Marina Mist, Old Olive, Jet Black StazOn, Versamark
Accessories: Aqua Painters, 5/8" Marina Mist Satin Ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware (Silver), Sponge Dauber, Snail Adhesive

Don't forget to check out how Tania has inspired to Design Team members by popping on over to the Just Add Ink blog and then link up your inspired project!

Have fun, be creative and enjoy your week!

December Frenzy!

2011-12-01T09:22:00.000+11:00

How would you like up to 50% off on selected Stampin' Up! products? Well from 1-31 December 2011 you can have just that...what a great Christmas gift idea! Click on the image below to see the PDF of select items on sale during the December Frenzy...

Contact me today to take advantage of these great specials.

Today is also the start of our Summer Mini Catalogue which has some lovely new products...some beautiful Designer Series Paper (love Spice Cake p10-11), cute Candy Wrapper Bigz L Die (p13), great nautical masculine range (p18-19) and of course with me getting in to a wedding focus the Marry Me stamp set (p21) is just beautiful.

Click the image below to view the mini catalogue online and for those on my mailing list watch out in the post over the next few days for your own special hardcopy!

For those who know about Stampin' Up!'s regular promotions and offers etc don't forget to keep an eye out for details of the upcoming Sale-a-bration promotion that happens every January! I have my copy and there are some lovely items on offer for FREE so watch this space!

Anyway who places a $100+ order with me during the month of December will receive FREE shipping & handling and your order will be sent direct to you!

Bah Humbug!

2011-11-25T00:01:00.002+11:00

The weeks seem to be flying by at the moment, here it is Friday again and that means another Just Add Ink challenge. As it is getting closer to Christmas and everyone is getting into that frame of mind it was decided to have a challenge for a Christmas card or project using NO traditional Christmas stamps and NO Christmas papers, you can use a Christmas greeting though. As I was thinking about this challenge I thought of the Button Buddies stamp set and the fact that at this time of the year many people get excited about eating lots of cherries...but not me as I don't like them. However, I did like the card I ended up making using the cherry stamp from that set. I also got to experiment with my new Designer Embossing Frames using the Big Shot and masking out some embossing from a Polka Dot Textured Embossing Folder.

This was my first attempt...

I was happy with it but thought maybe it would look better if I could add a little colour to the frame around the cherries. So using my Garden Green marker I coloured in the embossing folder before running my cardstock through the Big Shot and here was the result...

Here they both are side by side to compare the difference, which do you like best?

Now that you have popped into my blog why not pop over to the Just Add Ink blog and see what other ideas the rest of the Design Team came up with and have a go yourself using a non-traditional Christmas stamp on your next project and link it up for us all to see.

JAI 94 - Sketch Challenge

2011-11-20T19:53:00.000+11:00

Oops forget to publish this post so it was still sitting in draft since Friday!

Friday means another challenge at Just Add Ink and this week it is another Sketch Challenge put together by Bron...

I wasn't sure at first what to do for this week's challenge, maybe a circle easel card, maybe something with birds and flowers, maybe a telescopic card...maybe not! In the end I came up with something a little different. I made a baby card in the shape of a bib...

I thought the tumbling monkeys was a cute idea for around the bib and they did make it hard to stand my card up for photographing...it just wanted to roll the way of the monkeys!

I hope you can find the time to pop on over to Just Add Ink and see what the other Design Team members came up with and then have fun with the challenge yourself and link up your project.

Have a great week.

Christmas Stamp-a-Stack

2011-11-17T17:34:00.000+11:00

After only showing a sneak peak of the cards we made at my recent Christmas Stamp-a-Stacks, I thought I should show you the whole cards we made. One was my own original design and the other three were inspired or direct cases from talented stampers whose ideas I liked and thought it would be lovely to make cards like theirs (especially as I was very limited in time to getting my kits and workshops organised at the time).

My design using Simply Stockings and coordinating punch...

A nice clean design, inspired by someone who I can't find now, using Contempo Christmas...

A lovely idea by Angie Leach of using a window theme for Welcome Christmas stamp set...

And my favourite, plus a few of my attendees, was the dazzling Christmas tree, inspired by the talented Sue Madex...

These cards were fun to make and with matching envelopes, stamped with a coordinating image to the card, customers have atleast 8 cards ready to post in time for Christmas.

JAI#93 - Colour Challenge

2011-11-11T00:01:00.001+11:00

Hi! When this post goes live I will be away for a couple of days fishing with my husband in the Central Highlands of Tasmania, hopefully catching some lovely trout, relaxing, reading a good book, drinking red wine and enjoying some much needed time away.

Life has been so busy for me lately that last week I didn't participate in the Just Add Ink challenge when it was my turn to design and even do that week's post...thanks Delys! So this week I thought before I head off for a few days holiday that I would join in and as I also wanted to make a few small fridge calendars for our upcoming market, I thought why not combine the two. So nothing original from me this week as I have made these mini calendars before, but not with this gorgeous colour combo thanks to Kim Badelt!

Here are my fridge magnet calendars...

Pop on over to Just Add Ink and see what the rest of the Design Team have created using these lovely colours and then join in the fun and upload your project.

Gone fishing!!

A BIG special for you!

2011-11-05T21:40:00.000+11:00

Anyone would think Christmas has come early at Stampin' Up! with this BIG special we have for you in November...

During November, get 10% off select Big Shot dies. Use these exclusive dies to create fabulous shapes, embossing, and more!

They add so much more to your cards, scrapbook layouts and handmade gifts!

Don't have a Big Shot machine? Then no problems just grab the exclusive Big Shot Bundle, with 10% off...Limited Time….details in above image. What a great Christmas gift idea!

But wait there is more...no not a set of steak knives! How would you like to get 50% OFF your Big Shot, well you can, simply by hosting a Stampin' Up! workshop in your home with $600 in sales. I will demonstrate some stamping techniques for you, plus, you and your friends get to make and take a project home showing how creative you all can be. You will also earn Hostess Dollars which you can then spend on your discounted dies...how great does that sound?

Contact me today to purchase your Big Shot Dies or the Big Shot Bundle or if you want to get your Stampin' Up! products at a continual 20% discount then think about becoming a demonstrator like me. If you have any questions drop me an email at maecollins2@gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your week.

JAI 91 - Colour Challenge

2011-10-28T00:01:00.001+11:00

It's Friday and that means another great challenge at Just Add Ink...and this week it is a colour challenge...

Each month as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator we receive a monthly newsletter called Impressions which includes product information, art challenges, ideas, techniques and advice for demonstrators. Well the one I received the other day reminded me of a great technique that I like to use called Emboss Resist and so my card for this week's challenge was inspired by a card I saw in the newsletter using this technique.

With this card I first stamped the Medallion image with VersaMark ink, then embossed it with Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder. I sponged over it using Cherry Cobbler ink and a little Blushing Bride ink. Then using my French Script background stamp (now retired) and Jet Black StazOn ink (my added neutral colour) I stamped over the emboss resist image. I just loved the results and the added texture.

I then finished off my card with some ruffled Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding and added a centre flower layered with Basic Black and Blushing Bride, punched using the Boho Blossom punch. To this I added a beautiful Antique Brad and two tiny tags using the Tiny Tags stamp set and the coordinating punch. Love how everything coordinates with Stampin' Up! products.

Project Supplies:
Stamps: Medallion, French Script, Tiny Tags
Cardstock: Blushing Bride, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Blushing Bride, Jet Black StazOn, Versamark
Accessories: Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Antique Brad, Tiny Tags and Boho Blossoms Punches, Sponge

Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you get a chance to hop on over to Just Add Ink to check out the gorgeous work from the rest of the DT and to link up your own entry.

Have a great weekend.

Christmas Stars

2011-10-27T17:28:00.000+11:00

I meant to share this days ago but just didn't find the time to take my photos and to do my post. So without further ado, I wanted to share with you these beautiful Christmas stars that one of my recent recruits, Allison Payne, showed me how to make last Thursday evening. See I told you it was late...a whole week has gone by!

I have received one of these beautiful stars before in a swap from Carolyn Robinson, who also was generous in providing the instructions too, however I never got around to making one. I think I am more of a visual learner and so when Allison was offering a class to show how to make them I asked if I could join in and of course she said yes! It was a small and intimate gathering but one that was lots of fun none-the-less and full of inspiration. Thanks again Allison!

Don't you think they would look pretty hanging from a Christmas tree? What I also really like about these Christmas decorations is that they can fold away so neatly, not take up much room and not get crushed while in storage for a whole year until the following Christmas. Here is what they look like closed.

I had so much fun making these that I thought I might make some for my next market, in varying sizes...do you think they will sell? Thanks for stopping by.

Christmas Stamp-a-Stack

2011-10-25T16:55:00.000+11:00

My next monthly Stamp Class, first Friday in November, which is Friday the 4th, will be my annual Christmas Stamp-a-Stack as I am struggling to find a time in my schedule to hold one early enough for my friends and customers to be ready for Christmas and not too close to Christmas as everyone else's schedule gets full! One of my lovely customers is having a workshop early in November and that one is being converted to a Christmas Stamp-a-Stack as well, which should help me to cater for as many of my "regulars" and new customers as possible.

My Christmas Stamp-a-Stack will cost $15 and for this attendees will make 12 cards, 3 each of 4 designs (see sneak peak photo below!) with coordinating envelopes. Kits will be pre-prepared and will include full instructions...must find the time to put these together soon! I still have a few spaces left in my Friday night's Stamp Class, 4 November 7pm - 10pm, if anyone wants to email me for further details.

One of the designs below is my idea, but the other 3 are based on ideas I have seen here on the web by very talented stampers and cardmakers and using stamp sets I have in my stash! After the events I will post full shots and give credit to those who inspired me.

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy the rest of your week.

JAI#90 - Sketch Challenge

2011-10-21T07:20:00.000+11:00

Here it is Friday again and time for another Just Add Ink challenge, as you can see also time for my weekly blog post, as life continues to be too busy to update my blog more regularly at the moment.

Here is the sketch...

Here is my card...

I wasn't too happy with this one based on the sketch, but it is ok and I didn't have time to create anything else. So this is it.

Pop on over to the Just Add Ink blog and see what the other Design Team members created and then join in the challenge yourself.

Hopefully I will find some time over the weekend to create a post showing what I made at Allison Payne's workshop tonight. I am a visual learner, although I can follow instructions pretty well, and so attended Allison's workshop to make a Christmas decoration that I have been intending to make for ages! Thanks Allison I had lots of fun tonight.

JAI #89 - Inspiration Challenge

2011-10-14T20:56:00.001+11:00

This week Delys gave us another beautiful photo as inspiration and here it is...

I took the colours from the photo as my inspiration for the cover of a calendar I was making for our upcoming market this weekend.

Here are some of the inside pages that I made and stamped with some of our Stampin' Up! images (although not very good photos sorry!)...

Now head on over to the Just Add Ink blog and see what inspiration the other Design Team members have for you from using this photo and then join in this week's challenge and link up your own project.

Have a good weekend and thanks for stopping by.

They are done!

2011-10-11T22:07:00.000+11:00

At long last, it seems, I have finally finished my son Dylan's wedding invitations and they are now in the post (actually yesterday) on their way to all the invited guests. So now I feel I can share photos of the invites here on my blog that I made.

As my future daughter-in-law Sarah's favourite colour is purple I used Elegant Eggplant cardstock as the base card, which I then embossed with three flourishes from the Baroque Motifs stamp set in predesigned places to ensure they wrapped around the invite. Each invite was made from one A4 sheet of cardstock which had one end corner rounded, which was the closing flap. This A4 sheet was then scored and folded, with one fold creating a pocket for the inserts for the reception details and a RSVP insert. The inserts and actual invite section were made of White Vellum Cardstock (thanks Kathy Tanner for helping out when I was a few sheets short and waiting on my order to arrive!).

On the side of the invite section I stamped in Elegant Eggplant another flourish, which all needed to take time to dry so this step was a slow process as I was making 60 invites (I only really needed 54 but better to make extras, which I needed, plus I wanted a couple of spares for Sarah and I to use when srapbooking the wedding photos).

Around the whole invite itself I made a band of Elegant Eggplant bordered with Basic Black cardstock, over which I wrapped White Taffeta Ribbon (a few actually had White Satin Ribbon), which was threaded through a Diamonte Heart (the only piece of non-Stampin' Product used).

I was quite pleased with the results and so was my son and his fiance. Now it is time for the unveiling and for you to see what has been occupying my creative time of late!

The Completed Lot!

Invitation - closed.

Invitation - open.

Outside of Invitation.


Ready to Post.

All addressed, stamped and ready to be posted.

This was a labour of love but also an epic task as several steps had to be done over a period of time and it was mostly done by myself. I only hope the invited guests appreciate them as much as I did making them for the wedding. My son is one of my biggest fans and who encouraged me start this blog and share my love of stamping and creating with others. So it didn't surprise me when asked if I would make the invitations. I now have a few other items to create for the wedding...placecards, guest book and maybe small gift boxes.

Just Add Ink #88

2011-10-07T00:01:00.000+11:00

Another Friday, which means another Just Add Ink challenge and this week's was provided by the lovely Kim Badelt...

Just Add...a Die Cut!

Well nothing unique or original from me again this week as my life is busy working and trying to complete the 60 wedding invitations! My son asked why I haven't posted photos on my blog yet, but I said that didn't feel right until they were completed and posted out, which is intended for this coming Monday...so watch out for photos soon.

So without further ado, as I need to get back to making the last 40 bands to go around the invites, here is my creations...butterfly brooches and one fabric butterfly fridge magnet (top left of photo).

I also used my No 2 Box Die with my Big Shot to create a couple of gift boxes for my monthly stamp class tomorrow night...

Hop on over to Just Add Ink and check out the other Design Team members' projects and then join in the fun yourself with this week's challenge...Just Add a Die Cut!

Have a good weekend and hopefully next week I might be able to share with you photos of the wedding invitations that have taken up so much of my time lately.

Simply Stockings Promotion

2011-10-01T21:12:00.001+10:00

Promotion dates: 1-31 October 2011

Promotion details:
Purchase the Stitched Stocking Stamp Set (Wood Mount 125798 - $53.95 or Clear Mount 123784 - $42.95) and Stocking Tag Punch (124095 - $33.95) early--before the debut of the 2011 Summer Mini Catalogue.
and
Host a $450 workshop, and receive the Stitched Stocking Stamp Set and Stocking Tag Punch for FREE.

See the stamp set and punch by clicking here.

Just Add Ink #87

2011-09-30T00:01:00.003+10:00

Well in keeping with my latest blogging efforts of one a week here is this week's Just Add Ink challenge which is the colour combination of...

...and here is the card I created for my niece's birthday last weekend...and as you can see I personalised it for her so she really knew it was just for her...Happy Birthday Jorja!

Thanks for stopping by and leaving lovely comments on my blog, I really appreciate the feedback and it lifts my spirits during a busy time.

I have also been busying putting together my son's wedding invitations (60 in total), when not working or dealing with general household duties. I will put up some photos when I take the time to stop and capture what I am creating.

In the meantime pop on over to Just Add Ink and see how the other Design Team members have used this colour combo and then join in the fun and link up your own project using these colours.

Have a great weekend and if you are a footy fan, enjoy the Grand Final.

JAI 86 - Sketch Challenge

2011-09-23T00:01:00.001+10:00

Well I have been a poor blogger of late but I have been busy in other parts of my life and also trying to complete the 60 wedding invitations that I need to make for my son's wedding in January next year. Making the same thing 60 times over is quite monotonous even if you love the purpose for which you are making the project. Therefore, I have to do it in stages and short stints otherwise I lose my concentration. Can you imagine clear embossing 180 flourishes at one time? I couldn't do it, took me 3 sessions to complete!

Anyway, this post is about the latest challenge at Just Add Ink which is a sketch challenge. I decided to move away from my usual card project and create a scrapbook layout for this week's challenge. I even dug deep and brought out some old photos of my 18th birthday celebrations to put on the page. Not sure what I think of my fashion sense back then or the fact that I have indicated my age here by doing this layout!

Here is the sketch...

Here is my layout using a 12x12 sheet from the new Timeless Portrait DSP...

As you can see I flipped the sketch and used it as my inspiration to create a timeless layout. Hop on over to the Just Add Ink blog and see what other projects the Design Team have made using the sketch as their inspiration. Then join in the fun and upload your project based on the given sketch.

Thanks for stopping by and I will see if I can get another post in before the next JAI challenge, not holding my breath though!

Just Add Ink #84 - Colour Challenge

2011-09-09T00:01:00.000+10:00

Well it is Friday and that mean's another challenge from Just Add Ink. This week the challenge was set by me...White plus ONE other colour! When I put this challenge forward I had the idea of using Whisper White as the base and just adding a 'touch' of ONE other colour. However, when I eventually put my card together I went the other way around...I used the colour Always Artichoke and then added just a 'touch' of White with a thin border and white embossed greeting. I used my new stamp set Forever Young. I was happy with the outcome, although only a basic design and little detail, what do you think?

Now hop on over to the Just Add Ink blog and get inspiration from the very talented Design Team members and then join in the fun by linking up your project. Enjoy the challenge and have a great week!

Another week gone by!

2011-09-08T10:35:00.000+10:00

Well another week has almost past between posts and life has been busy as usual. Apart from working 9 to 5 still doing tax returns, I managed to hold a launch last Friday evening for the new Idea Book & Catalogue 2011-2012 and I attended Stampin' Up!'s Regionals event in Hobart on Saturday. Regionals was very enjoyable, getting lots of inspiration from the presenters, and catching up with fellow demonstrators and Just Add Ink members from Tassie...Bronwyn Eastley and Kathy Tanner. I also had the pleasure of sharing this event with my new recruit Louise Dalton and to meeting some other Tassie Inkydinks (my team) downline members who I have only chatted with online ~ waving ~ hi ladies! It was so great putting faces to names.

So here are a few snapshots of the events of last week...

Firstly, my guest pack for the new catalogue launch which included their own personal copy of the new catalogue, order form, lucky door tickets, 2 make 'n' take kits, a handmade card from me which had an additional attendee special as well as the 10% discount I offered for orders placed on the night...all of this for the cost of $10. As it was a celebration we also cracked open a couple of bottles of champagne and savoured some lovely chocolates! All in all I think everyone had a great time.

Here are the two lucky door prize packs that I made up, which included a roll of new ribbon, Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon, and a container of Dazzling Diamonds.

Here is one of the make 'n' takes, a card featuring the new Just Add Cake DSP, Pennant Parade Stamp Set and coordinating Petite Pennants Builder Punch. It also used the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and the Cupcake Builder Punch. The 'Wish Big' greeting came from the Word Play Stamp Set and this suited my sentiments for Bronwyn Eastley who celebrated her birthday the day of Regionals, so she got this card and of course a lovely big box of chocolates...which she kindly shared with us all on our table. Happy Birthday, again Bron!

Here is the second make 'n' take, a simple gift card featuring the Button Buddies Stamp Set, Just Add Cake DSP and the 1/2" Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots Ribbon. I used the buttons from our last special, however, we have some in other colours in this new catalogue as well.

Now for a couple of snapshots of Regionals...

Louise, Kathy & Bron enjoying M&Ts

The one M&T I got completed - for my niece's birthday!

JAI Tassie Girls - Me, Tania, Bron & Kathy

Samples for Under the Big Top

Under the Big Top Stamp Set we received at Regionals

Well that is a brief snapshop of my past week, don't forget to pop back tomorrow to see what the latest Just Add Ink challenge will be!

Join for $169

2011-09-02T09:37:00.000+10:00

During September, you can join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator for only $169! The limited-time mini Starter Kit-valued at over $310-comes with the high-quality products listed below:

$169 Mini Starter Kit

Easy Events Clear-Mount Set*
Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set*
Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
A4 Smooth Card Stock Assortment
Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper*
Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon*
Notes Cards (20)
Clear-Mount Block C
Blender Pen (1)
SNAIL Adhesive
Business supplies

*New to the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue

Or, if you want the full Starter Kit, you can get it 20% off during September only! That's over $610 worth of premium Stampin' Up! products and business supplies for just $231.20! See what's included in the full Starter Kit click here.

Join Stampin' Up! in September and get brand-new products for just $169! Contact me to get started today or you can quickly join up online via my Stampin' Up! website by clicking here and using the Join Now button on the left-hand side of the screen...you only need a valid credit card to join online.

Just Add Ink #83 - Sketch Challenge

2011-09-02T09:12:00.001+10:00

The above sketch is provided by Brownyn Eastley for the latest Just Add Ink challenge, which I didn't have time to enter as I have been busy working 9-5 and after hours trying to get myself organised for my catalogue launch tonight!

Tomorrow's is Stampin' Up! Regionals in Hobart, so I will get some inspiration from there butI don't think this year I will have time to make swaps as there is just not enough hours in the day for me at the moment.

Hopefully I will have some time on Sunday to share with you the fun of my catalogue launch and of Regionals, unless of course something else crops up to take me away from blogging!

Anyway I encourage you to pop on over to the Just Add Ink blog and see what inspriation the other Design Team members have for you and join in this latest sketch challenge and link up your entry!

Just Add Ink #82

2011-08-26T00:01:00.002+10:00

Hi all

It seems that I can only find time once a week at the moment to update my blog as I have been busy juggling other commitments, including working at H&R Block preparing tax returns. It has been a big adjustment going back to work almost full-time, 4 days/week, but an enjoyable change though, including being paid!

This week over at Just Add Ink Jo Eades has challenged us to find something in our craft stash that we have had for a while and not used and to use it in a new project. I didn't think I was going to get this week's challenge completed in time, but as I was the one managing the post over at Just Add Ink this week, I had the power to add my project at the last minute...if I could find the time or an item to make something!

So after preparing this week's post at Just Add Ink I went into my craft room to see what I could find and came across a "Simply Sent card kit" which has been in my stash for a while now and not used. A Simply Sent card kit is one that has all items pre-prepared for making quick and easy cards, great as a gift for new stampers and cardmakers or for someone who wants to make a bunch of cards quickly. I didn't feel I had time to mount the stamp set supplied, so I decided to just use the pre-cut cardstock and accessories, and use a stamp that was just sitting on my craft desk waiting to be inked up. The stamp I used was one that I got at Stampin' Up!'s recent Convention Love What You Do and I thought this might make a nice card to give those who attend my upcoming New Catalogue Launch.

Here is my small collection of cards, made in 10 minutes, I still need to finish the rest of the cards from the kit...

Project Supplies:
Stamps: Love What You Do
Cardstock: Crumb Cake (Kraft), Real Red, Old Olive, More Mustard, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive
Accessories: Real Red Stampin' Write Marker, Real Red buttons, Mini Glue Dots, Sponge

I sometimes think I shouldn't "think" about what I need to make or how to put something together and just do it because I was happy with the result of these very "quick and easy" cards...what do you think?

Now why don't you rummage in your craft stash and find something you have forgotten you had and create a project to share with those who visit us over at Just Add Ink. Also, don't forget to pop on over there to see the other inspirational ideas from the rest of the Design Team.

Just Add Ink #81 - Colour Challenge

2011-08-19T00:01:00.002+10:00

Well as you can see I have been a bad blogger of late, not having made a post for three weeks, but that has been because life has just been too hectic for me to stamp, create or even support Just Add Ink. Those girls are great, supporting and carrying us when life gets too difficult or complicated to do everything we have committed ourselves to. Thanks team!

Anyway, I have managed to find some time to create a card for this week's Colour Challenge, put forward by Bronwyn Eastley, and in which I enjoyed using some of my new items that will be available in the upcoming catalogue to be released 1 September.

Here are the colours we had to use...

and here is my card...

The flower stamp is a new hostess set and I just love that new lace punch! Hopefully I will get some more time to play with the new items I have received in my preorder.

In the meantime, why not pop on over to Just Add Ink, see what the other Design Team members made and then join in the fun and link up your project using the colours provided.

Say Goodbye!

2011-08-01T17:05:00.000+10:00

Only one month to go until the new Idea Book & Catalogue 2011-2012 is released and that means lots of lovely new products and accessories. If you would like a new catalogue, you can pre order your copy with me for $12 plus postage if you aren't local.

However, until then we are saying goodbye to some products from the current catalogue to make room for the new items. So check out the list of retiring items by clicking here and contact me ASAP if any are still on your wishlist as you don't want to miss out because once they are gone they are GONE! Only available while stocks last!

JAI#78 - Colour Challenge

2011-07-29T00:01:00.003+10:00

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is another great colour combination...

As I haven't had much time for myself lately and have had limited crafting time I wasn't able to create anything unique or technical for this week's challenge but just relied on a simple layout and basic technique of 'rock n roll' stamping. As I had received my latest Stampin' Up! order which included the stamp set 'French Foliage' I just had to ink it up and use it immediately and I hope it is a stamp set that will be coming back in the new catalogue, available 1 September 2011. I also used my Not Quite Navy Stampin' Write Marker to ink up part of the 'Afterthoughts' stamp set greeting, which will be going when this catalogue ends at the end of August 2011.

Only a basic design but I was happy with the results. Now pop on over to the Just Add Ink blog and see what other fabulous ideas the Design Team came up with for this latest colour challenge...then join in the fun yourself and link up your creation.

Thank you cards plus some...

2011-07-26T21:20:00.000+10:00

Firstly, thanks to all the lovely comments on my blog posts I appreciate your feedback and apologise for not visiting many of your own blogs lately or responding in person to any of the comments but life is a bit hectic at the moment. This is why again this post is going to be a quick one with very little detail of products used etc and also my apologies for not linking to those individuals who have inspired me and from whom I have cased ideas for the following cards, although I do remember that Teneale Williams inspired Amy's 18th birthday card.

The following cards have been either requested by my best friend Rose, who lost her mother recently, as thank you cards she needed after recent events or for her actual birthday and her daughter's 18th which all happened in the same week they lost their beautiful mother and 'Nonna'.

Amy's 18th Birthday Card

Inside view (thanks for the inspiration Teneale)

Rose's birthday card

Simple but elegant small thank you cards

Thank You card that I really enjoyed making!

My messy desk after these creations and a couple more that I forgot to photograph at the time!

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to come back on Friday my Just Add Ink project for this week's coming challenge!

JAI #77 - Sketch Challenge

2011-07-22T08:03:00.000+10:00

Well as you can see from my lack of posts during the week I have been extremely busy and I have had no time for crafting or blogging. I am currently working virtually full-time at the moment at H&R Block helping prepare individual tax returns, yes it is that time of the year again! Also, my BF's mother passed away last week and the funeral was this week, it was a lovely send off for her at the St Mary's Catholic Church led by the Archbishop, who had known her since she immigrated to Australia from Italian...rest in peace Nonna!

This week's Just Add Ink challenge is a sketch put forward by Bron, and did I find it difficult to do! I don't know why and after seeing what the other DT members created I definitely don't know why because they came up with some gorgeous designs.

Here is my card and as I am posting this very quickly this morning (late too!) before I head off to work I am going to miss putting in the Stampin' Up! supplies I used and hopefully get back to editing my post over the weekend. It is definitely not a "Mae style" as one of my friend's put it when she saw it sitting on my craft desk, as she asked who made it?

I even managed to decorate the inside.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to pop on over to the Just Add Ink blog and see what the rest of the DT did with this sketch and then join in the fun yourself and link up your creation!

Have a great weekend...and week if I don't get to post again until next Friday!

JAI#76 - Inspirational Photo

2011-07-15T00:01:00.001+10:00

This week over at Just Add Ink Delys has provided us with an "inspirational photo" and isn't it a spectacular view? We were to use this photo as our inspriation for a creative project this week.

Living near the beach myself, and always eager to improve my brayering and sponging skills, I decided to make a water scene and really enjoyed making a reflection of my main image...what do you think?

I had to wait several days to photograph my card in the spot that I thought most appropriate, on our balcony, because it has been so windy and rough this past week that my card would have just kept falling off the balcony before I could get the photo taken. As I was so happy with my picture I didn't want to crop it down to a standard card size, I left it as a larger card.

Hop on over to the Just Add Ink blog and see what other great projects the Design Team were inspired to create and then link up your project, using the photo as your inspiration.

Just a quick post...

2011-07-11T14:49:00.000+10:00

Just a quick post to share a few exciting and enjoyable events from this past week...firstly, I spent some time with Kathy Tanner who showed me how to make the satin flower on my card below, thanks Kathy! Secondly, thanks to Nikki Spencer for sending me some 'happy mail' (that is mail we don't expect but makes us VERY HAPPY when we receive it) for helping her with her blog issues last week...I won't share with you exactly what she sent me except to say that it was yummy (in crafting terms!) and I am having fun playing with some of the items, which you might see appearing in a project or two here on my blog (including the card below!)...some of which will be coming out in the next IB&C to be released in September...can't wait for that!

Finally, the best news of all...I have given away my Greenhouse Gala Tote! Yes, I have a new member of the Tassie Inkydinks...hello and welcome to Louise Dalton! Louise was invited along to a couple of workshops recently by one of my lovely hostesses/customer/friend, Letitia (thanks Tish!), and was bitten by the Stampin' Up! bug...she is going to have so much I am sure and I know Tish will enjoy stamping and creating with her!

I must say this was one of the easiest sign up processes I have gone through, doing it online via my Stampin' Up! webiste, all Louise needed was a valid credit card, so she and I just stepped through the online process and Voila! Louise was signed up, given her Demo ID straight away via email, given access to the Demo Website and invited to join Stampin' Connection the online demo forum, and her Starter Kit was being processed to be sent out directly to her...now we can't wait until her first workshop, that we will do together in the next few weeks! Welcome Louise and have fun!

JAI #75 - Colour Challenge

2011-07-08T00:05:00.000+10:00

Well here it is Friday again and a lot has happened since last week - firstly, my son finally got his driver's licence, then it was the fantastic Fancy Folds Blog Hop by the JAI Design Team, which involved lots of last minute frantic Blogger issues, but all went smoothly in the end. I had some fun time chatting with Kathy Tanner and being shown how to make a beautiful satin flower, and I also started back doing some casual work with H&R Block preparing individual tax returns - and now here we are time for another JAI challenge...and this one is a colour challenge.

I wasn't feeling very inspirational at the time I made my card for this week's challenge, so when I feel like that I draw on ideas from the current Idea Book & Catalogue or the mini catalogues and this is the page (p16) that inspired me, plus, I wanted to use one of the Beveled Windowpanes which I have had in my stash for a while now.

Here is the card I made using the colours we were given and using the card in the mini as my inspiration, such a lovely stamp set this one, Clearly for You.

Close Up of the Beveled Windowpane

I was really happy with the end result, so if you find yourself stuck for inspiration then do what I did and open up your IB&C or a mini catalogue and find something in there to get the creative juices flowing!

Now pop on over to Just Add Ink and see what the other Design Team members did with this colour combination and then join in the fun and link up your creation.

Gift with Purchase

2011-07-03T22:12:00.000+10:00

Just wanted to let you all know of this month’s (July 2011) Stampin’ Up! promotion.

Simply purchase $100 of Stampin’ Up! product of your choice this month (1-31 July 2011) and receive a FREE exclusive accessories bundle.

The bundle includes:

One spool of white 1/4" (6mm) grosgrain ribbon with repeating flower designs. Approximately 13.7m.
48 flower buttons. 16 each in 3 colours (Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Pacific Point). Approximately 1/2" (1.3cm).

Here is a simple thank you card that I created using these products...

So easy! Just email me to place your order. Don’t have a current Stampin’ Up! catalogue? Email me to arrange for a catalogue to be mailed to you.

Fancy Folds Blog Hop - JAI 74

2011-07-01T00:01:00.038+10:00

JAI FANCY FOLDS

Diamond Fold

I hope you enjoyed viewing Paula's gorgeous easel card, wasn't her sponging effective, and you're now ready to check out another Fancy Fold. I have made a Diamond Fold Card.

Front View

Close-up shot of the detail

Back View

Closed for ease of posting!

Stamps: Creative Elements (to be released in IB&C in Sept!)
Inks: Always Artichoke, River Rock, Cajun Craze
Cardstock/Paper: River Rock Textured Cardstock, Always Artichoke DSP (from Regals Patterns DSP Stack), Basic Black, So SaffronAccessories: Scallop Trim Border & Corner Punches, Paper Piercer, Stamp-a-ma-jig

To view the tutorial I followed, click HERE. You can also find a tutorial on how to make a Diamond Fold card on Splitcoast Stampers, but I preferred this YouTube tutorial myself with the folding instructions, although there are a few disruptions during her video clip, door bell etc.

Thanks for stopping by, now it's time to hop on over to the fabulous Delys' blog where she has another awesome Fancy Fold for you to try.

Just click on the blinkie below to take you there -

Have fun checking out all the different types of folded cards you can make and then pop back to the Just Add Ink blog and link up one that you have made.

FREE Greenhouse Gala Craft Tote!

2011-06-27T11:19:00.000+10:00

LAST WEEK of this offer! Yes, I still haven't given away this gorgeous tote to a new demonstrator who has signed up with me, a few are thinking, and I have had many an offer to buy it but I am not selling it Iwant to give it away to someone who joins with me in Stampin' Up! You don't need to do workshops or stamp classes if you don't want to, you can simply join SU! to receive the continual 20% discount on your personal purchases to fulfill the needs of your hobby/addiction like me when I first started four years ago!

Who doesn't love getting things for FREE or at a great discount?

Well I have my own personal special (not a SU! promotion) on until the end of this month (June 2011)....how would you like to get for FREE this gorgeous Greenhouse Gala Tote (value $45)?

I bought one for myself and an extra one from Momento Mall at Convention especially for this purpose (an idea Delys gave me while at Convention and being tempted by all the lovely goodies available to us demonstrators!). This is my personal (not SU!'s) recruiting promotion, where if you sign with me as a SU! demonstrator then you get the regular benefits of being a demonstrator PLUS this lovely tote for FREE! So, in addition to your starter kit which you pay for ($289…worth $515), you will enjoy a 20% demonstrator discount and tons of other great benefits,... AND you get my special.

Email me today if you want to join my team...you don't need to be in Tasmania, but you must live in Australia.

You can sign up to be a business demonstrator, full-time or part-time, or a hobby demonstrator (who just buys for herself). I will give you all the support that you need to achieve your goals as a demonstrator.

Ready to sign up right away? Just click here to go direct to my Stampin' Up! website, all you need is a valid credit card.

If you want to find out more about the benefits of being a SU! demonstrator check out my page of information by clicking here or email me with any of your questions and I will be happy to answer them for you, no obligations.

Here is an image of the tote I found on the web full of SU! goodies...

You never know where this adventure will take you...but I know I have meet some amazing and talented people in my four years of being a SU! demonstrator and continue to enjoy my SU! journey.

JAI#73 - Sketch Challenge

2011-06-24T00:01:00.002+10:00

Friday again, which means another Just Add Ink challenge and this was a simple sketch put forward by me and I think I had the most trouble with it...I made three cards before I finally settled on this one. Shh, but if you look closely you might see some sneak peaks in this card of a stamp set coming out in the next IB&C, but it's a secret until September, sorry!

As you know after SU! Convention I have been inspired to sometimes decorate the insides of my cards and this is one of them, although the photography is not too good...a bit blurry, my camera seemed to focus in on the DSP background rather than the stamped image on the inside of the card...I am no photographer that is for sure!

Here is the sketch that we had to work with...

Now I encourage you to pop on over to the Just Add Ink blog to see how other members of the Design Team interpreted this sketch in their projects for the week...and then you might find some time to play along too and link up your creations for us to ooh and aahh over!

You will also notice that at over at JAI we celebrated our 500th follower during the week which is so exciting. We also decided to carry on this excitement and so for this week's challenge we are actually offering a prize for the 'Top Pick' (or winner) and also a random entry...so an extra two reasons to get out your stamps and craft supplies to create a project using this sketch as inspiration!

More birthdays and sneak peaks!

2011-06-21T23:35:00.000+10:00

Well I had a lovely night out tonight with my boy and his fiance. We shopped for a suit for him for an interview he has this coming Thursday, then tea at Nando's and then we all went to see the movie Oranges and Sunshine. It was good movie, worth seeing. It tells the story of Margaret Humphreys, a social worker from Nottingham, who uncovered one of the most significant social scandals in recent times: the forced migration of children from the United Kingdom to Australia.

Before I went out I did manage to finish a couple more birthday cards, which I also got in the post to my nephew and niece, who celebrated their birthdays yesterday and tomorrow, respectively. When I am pushed for time I love to look through my 'To Case' file and make a card quickly without too much thought to design, colour etc. This afternoon was no exception and I was pleased with the card I CASED from Christine Blain using Extreme Elements. Christine had used Cajun Craze, whereas I chose to use Cherry Cobbler plus I also clear embossed my bike after colouring in parts of it. Sorry for the poor lighting but it was quite overcast and getting late in the afternoon when I took the photo.

Here's where the sneak peaks comes in on the birthday card I created for my niece...these cute pigs can be found in a new stamp set coming out in the next IB&C, to be released in September. Also the strip of ribbon Ice Cream Parlor is part of a special bundle available next month, I mounted it onto a thin strip of Marina Mist card for added dimension...more details in a later post of this special.

Can you see that I have poked the poor pigs eyes out with my paper piercer (how cruel can I be!), and backing the front panel on Basic Black makes them stand out more! I also added some cute pink buttons I had for their snouts...so cute!

Well I am finally starting to get tired so night peeps I am off to bed!

Birthday cards and a Sympathy card

2011-06-21T12:48:00.000+10:00

There are a few birthdays this month for which I hope to make cards and today I want to share two that I made last night...a little late I know...for my son's fiance and her twin sister who celebrated their birthdays yesterday. My nephew Reuben's was yesterday too and I haven't yet finished that one!

Megan's card


Sarah's card

I did them both slightly differently. For Megan's card I stamped the Elements of Style image in Basic Black and Versamark ink and then clear embossed the image before colouring with my Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker. For Sarah's card I stamped first in Basic Black ink and then coloured the image with my Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Write Marker after which I coloured it with my Versamarker and clear embossed the whole image. I am not sure which method I prefer as they both give different results.

Unfortunately, I not only wanted to make birthday cards but a sympathy card as well for a close friend who lost a mother, mother-in-law, nan...my thoughts are with you all at this sad time. Here is the front of the card, again using the same image from the Elements of Style stamp set...you can see how versatile this stamp set is, as I have been using it a lot lately for a variety of card types. This card was also inspired by the very talented Tania Gould's card, although I couldn't just add stamps I had to also include some lace for my card.

After coming back from Convention and being inspired by the very talented Teneale Williams, I am also decorating the inside of some of my cards as well. I was quite happy with how this turned out.

Well I had better go now and finish off some of the other birthday cards that I need to make, before I have to leave for a night out with my son. I am collecting on my IOU that I received from Dylan for Mother's Day, dinner for two and a movie! My option was to have it with him or for my husband and I to enjoy a night out ... I have chosen to enjoy a special night just with my son, especially as it was a Mother's Day gift.

Gift cards

2011-06-17T22:09:00.056+10:00

I find my friends at Just Add Ink so inspirational, that when I need to get motivated I can just stop by one of their blogs and it gets my creative juices flowing so that I should quickly get into my craft room...and today was no exception!

I popped in to the very talented and lovely Paula Dobson's blog and was inspired by her Inlaid For You cards that I wanted to have a go at this technique myself...I have seen it several times lately and today I just felt that I had to give it a try and with the Big Shot it is sooo easy!

I also had several of the littlest butterflies cut out already from the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die in Pretty in Pink cardstock and so I thought this technique would be a great way to use them up...I hate to throw anything away that I could possibly use in a project...which is why I have so many bits and pieces lying around waiting to be used ONE DAY!

I didn't have the Little Leaves Sizzlet Die so I decided to simply stamp this element in Wild Wasabi using an image from the Just Believe stamp set, which is also where the greeting stamp is found.

Here is the set of five small gift cards that I created...I was so pleased with the result that I am definitely going to do this technique again and again...and I might even demonstrate it at one of my upcoming workshops!

Thanks again Paula for the inspiration and I hope she doesn't mind but I have simply repeated her instructions here on how to do this technique.

How to:

1. Select you die cuts and cut your peices out.
2. Using Tombow Multi Adhesive lightly adhere the pieces on your card stock.
3. Insert your carstock into your embossing folder of choice and run through the Bigshot.
4. Adhere with Dimensionals to you card base.

It is that easy!

If you would like me to demonstrate this technique at a workshop in your home, or to see how easy it is to use the Big Shot and use these lovely embossing folders and dies, then contact me today!

Just Add Ink #71 - Black & White

2011-06-10T00:01:00.006+10:00

I just love the weekly challenges we have over at Just Add Ink, they keep me crafting and inspired, and this week's challenge is no exception - challenges are up every Friday. For this week, Paula challenged us to a Black and White colour challenge ...that's it. JUST BLACK & WHITE...no other colours!

I knew exactly what I had in mind to do for this week's challenge - the Split Negative Technique - and of course my most recently purchased stamp set that I am just having so much fun inking up, 'Elements of Style'. As a result of using the Split Negative Technique I of course ended up with, not one but two cards, each being a reverse of the other. I couldn't decide which one I liked best, can you?

Stamps: Elements of Style, Well Scripted, Tiny Tiny Sentiments
Cardstock/Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink:Basic Black, Whisper White Craft Ink
Accessories: White and Black Embossing Powders, Curly-Label Extra Large and Decorative Label Punches, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Adhesive

Why don't you hop on over to the Just Add Ink Challenge Blog to get some wonderful inspiration from the rest of the team and link up your entry.

10 Minute Birthday Card

2011-06-09T16:45:00.000+10:00

Today my parents and nephew Adam came to visit and Adam asked me if I had any birthday cards around fishing as one of his friends was celebrating his 21st. Unfortunately I did not have any fishing stamp images, but I said I was happy to make a masculine birthday card for him if he wanted me to. So I showed him a couple of the masculine stamp sets I had and he chose the surfer and also told me his mate liked St Kilda, so I based the card around the red, white and black colour scheme.

I really had no idea where I was going with the card, but what I ended up with in about 10 minutes, he and I were both pleased with...

What do you think? Not bad for a quick card, eh?

Making Alterations...

2011-06-07T21:22:00.000+10:00

When I made a recent birthday card I was basically happy with the layout, colours and general design but I thought I had placed my ribbon and embelishments a little too low down on the card and so I wanted to recreate the design with a few alterations.

Here is my first attempt...

Stamps: French Script, Medallion, Cute by the Inch, Vintage Vogue, So Happy for You (SAB)
Cardstock/Paper: Very Vanilla, Neutrals Patterns DSP, Pretty in Pink
Inks: Bravo Burgundy, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Rhinestone, Adhesive

Not only did I think I had placed my ribbon etc a little low, but you really couldn't see the impact of the Medallion stamp on the DSP along with the French Script. Therefore, I made a few alterations and came up with the card below...

Stamps: French Script, Medallion, Cute by the Inch, Vintage Vogue,Well Scripted
Cardstock/Paper: Pretty in Pink, Bravo Burgundy, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand
Inks: Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brad, Stampin' Dimensionals, Adhesive

As you can see I swapped the Neutrals DSP for Sahara Sand cardstock and this allowed the effect with the French Script and Medallion stamps to show better, plus I stamped the Medallion stamp in Bravo Burgundy rather than the Pretty in Pink which got lost on the first card.

I chose a wider ribbon and again these cards were inspired by the talented Teneale Williams' use of ribbons in her Convention WOW presentation, plus I added a larger flower from the Vintage Vogue stamp set.

No sooner than I turn around it seems to be someone else's birthday and can't seem to make myself take one from my box of cards...I always have to make a new one! I suppose it is because I often make them with that person in mind or that I want to try a new style or technique.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing some of the cards I have been making lately although they have not been posted in the order that I have made them as I often forget to take photos of my cards before I pop them in the post, these ones I took but didn't get around to blogging at the time!

Birthday dragonflies...

2011-06-07T14:00:00.000+10:00

One of the things I love about Stampin' Up! events is the opportunity to get inspiration and ideas from other fellow demonstrators and many of these can come from cards and projects that are on the display boards. One card on the display board at Convention had four squares placed together at the top of the card, but what I liked about them was the way they had been rounded at opposite corners and the other corners left square. You will see what I mean when you look at my card below.

The other idea that I was reminded of was embossing of images on to patterned Designer Series Papers and so I also incorporated this in my card below by embossing dragonflies on to Woodland Walk DSP. I was very happy with the result and I hope the recipient of this birthday card likes it too!

Stamps: Nature's Nest, Well Scripted
Cardstock/Paper: Basic Black, Garden Green, Woodland Walk DSP
Inks: Basic Black
Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, Black Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Adhesive

Better Late than Never - JAI#70!

2011-06-06T22:22:00.000+10:00

Well last week's Just Add Ink challenge was a sketch challenge that made me want to try out the very talented and lovely Bronwyn Eastley's famous easel cards...you can check out a tutorial of hers by clicking here! So tonight I finally got around to making one, and with the sketch in mind as well. So as I said in my post header...Better Late than Never!

I also have a special person in mind, whose birthday it is this month, that I want to send this to and I sure hope it brightens up her day when she eventually receives it!

Stamps: Hello Blossoms, Oval All
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight
Ink: Baja Breeze, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Scallop Circle Big Shot Die, CM Circle Patterns, Scallop Oval Punch, Boho Blossom Punch, Brights Designer Buttons, Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals, Adhesive

I really enjoyed making this card and even my husband said it was nice, especially the button flowers! It is a little different.

Thanks for stopping by.

Commissioned Cards

2011-06-05T22:12:00.000+10:00

Before Convention I was commissioned to create several birthday cards for key milestones...1st, 18th, 21st and 90th...as well as a couple of thank you cards. I thought I would share these with you now, although I haven't taken the time to post the supplies used as I usually do.

The person who requested these cards was very happy with the results and so was I. Which one do you like the best?

Thanks for stopping by.

18th Birthday Cards

2011-06-05T22:00:00.001+10:00

My daughter turned 18 at the end of April and I made her the following card as she was so excited to be the legal age to enjoy an alcoholic drink now and then.

She liked her card so much she asked me to make another similar one for a friend of hers who was also turning 18.

I was pleased with the results, here they are again side by side...

I didn't get to share these cards with you at the time, so I thought I would post them now.

Friday fun...

2011-06-03T09:32:00.000+10:00

Yes, can you believe it, Friday is here again and that means some weekly fun with a Just Add Ink challenge! It wasn't my turn to design this week and so I haven't yet made anything for this week's sketch challenge and of course when you see it you will know it was inspired by the very talented Bronwyn Eastley. The sketch is another reason that I wanted to finally have a go at making one of the Scallop Easel Card's that Bron is the queen of!

Maybe if I find some time this afternoon I might try to 'whip one up'! Anyway why not pop on over to the Just Add Ink blog and see what fabulous ways those in the Design Team used this sketch and then have a play with it yourself.

Here is the sketch...

Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely weekend.

Bleached Out Images

2011-06-02T21:12:00.000+10:00

Tomorrow night is my monthly stamp class, sorry places are full, and the first one I have held since returning from Convention. I can't wait to share with the ladies some of the excitement I got from attending Convention and the great ideas shared at the Workshop WOWs. One of those demonstrated by the very talented Kirsty Brown is what I will be teaching at my class and that is the technique of colouring an image using bleach.

Kirsty used a beautiful stamp image from the Elements of Style set, which has been on my wishlist for a while now and so after returning from Convention it was one of the sets I ordered and received this week. I have often been inspired by cards made by the lovely Tania Gould who also favours this stamp set.

You will probably not be surprised then to see this set featuring in a few of my cards over the next few weeks!

The card below is a slight variation on the one I will be demonstrating tomorrow night at my class, do you think they will like it?

Stamps: Elements of Style
Ink: Melon Mambo, Versamark
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Aqua Painter, Bleach, Melon Mambo Pom Pom Trim

I really enjoyed trying this new technique and making this card and I hope the ladies at tomorrow night's stamp class do too.

Dont forget our current Extra Extra Hostess Promotion...if you hold a workshop between now and 30th June and your Total Sales come to $450 or more you will receive a bonus $70 to spend – so instead of receiving a Level 1 Hostess set and $40 to spend you will get a free Level 1 Hostess set and $110 to spend in any of the current Stampin’ Up! Catalogues.

Contact me today to book in your workshop or if you are pressed for time you might like to arrange your own Catalogue Party, email me for details.

JAI#69 - Fussy Cutting!

2011-05-27T00:01:00.005+10:00

Have you heard of the term 'fussy cutting' in card making or scrapbooking? Well, if not, today you will because this week the challenge from Just Add Ink is just that 'fussy cutting'! 'Fussy cutting' is where with a good pair of scissors, effort and patience you cut out a design from Designer Series Paper (DSP) or a detailed stamped image and adhere it to your card or layout.

As you would probably know by now I have just recently returned from Melbourne where I attended a Stampin' Up! Convention and from which I received lots of inspiration and ideas. One of the very talented people who did a Workshop WOW was the lovely Teneale Williams who shared some great tips and techniques with ribbon and I so wanted to use her ruffled lace idea using our glue stick that I just had to add it to my card for this week's Just Add Ink challenge.

Sympathy cards are not ones that I usually make and they are not ones that you want to rush, so the patience of fussy cutting lent itself to this card for me. I was very happy with how it turned out and I used Stampin' Dimensionals to add layers to my handcut images. You may not be able to see it in this photo but the top flower is actually raised above the others by simply adding two levels of dimensionals underneath.

Stamps: Thanks for Caring (AUT-WIN Mini)
Cardstock/Paper: Greenhouse Gala DSP, Baja Breeze Textured Cardstock
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Paper Snips, Lace, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sponge Daubers

Teneale not only inspired me with the ruffled lace on this card, but to decorate the inside of my card as she does on most of her cards (which I usually leave blank!), and so hers are works of art on the inside as well as the outside...she is such an inspiration!

Inside View

If you have the patience and a good pair of scissors then why not try your hand at creating a card, layout or 3D project using fussy cutting! Pop on over to the Just Add Ink blog and see what the rest of the team created using this technique.

Deals of the Week

2011-05-25T08:19:00.000+10:00

Here is the final 'Deals of the Week'. Contact me by Tuesday, 31 May to take advantage of these great specials!

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
113838	62	Right on Track Stampin' Around Wheel	$11.95	$8.37
115619	68	Retro Remix Stampin Around Wheel	$11.95	$8.37
119975	134	Vintage Type Rub-Ons	$15.95	$11.17
118760	134	Play Date Rub-Ons	$16.95	$11.87

Extra! Extra! Hostess Promotion

2011-05-23T08:04:00.000+10:00

Do you still have lots of items on your Stampin' Up! wishlist? Then this is the promotion for you...earn an EXTRA $70 free product, over the usual hostess benefits, when you hold a $450 workshop (including GST & shipping, yes you read correct, this offer is inclusive of GST & shipping, a first for SU!). This offer is only for the period 23 May to 30 June 2011, so get in quick to earn this extra benefit before the time runs out and my limited workshop spaces get booked!

I have got lots of ideas and inspiration from Convention so this is a great time to book a workshop. Haven't got time to hold a workshop then consider putting an order through with a few of your friends, to a total of $450, and I will still give you this EXTRA $70 benefit!

This is a great offer and one that will fill my calendar quickly over the next few weeks...so contact me today and book your spot in my diary!

Convention 2011 Highlights

2011-05-19T22:47:00.001+10:00

Time to come back to my 'real world' after an awesome week spent in Melbourne...firstly for the 2011 Stampin' Up! Convention, then to spend time with my sisters, and lastly to fulfil my daughter's dream of skydiving for her 18th birthday! It was such a blast going to my very first Stampin' Up! Convention and so I thought I would share a few of my highlights with you...this could be a long post so you might like to go get yourself a cuppa before reading on!

Firstly, a snapshot of the Melbourne skyline taken from the Convention Centre where we spent a fabulous few days being inspired, WOWed and meeting some very talented SU! demonstrators. One of those tall buildings on the right was where we stayed...my roomies were the awesome JAI DT members Bronwyn Eastley, Delys Cram and Paula Dobson, plus the lovely Moana (sorry forgot her surname) and Andrea Morgan (Delys' sister).

Melbourne Skyline

Meeting the JAI Design Team members, who were able to get to Convention, was one of the things I was looking forward to most about going to Melbourne, and here we are...

Back (L-R): Tania Gould, Bronwyn Eastley, Jodene Tripp, Paula Dobson, Jo Eades
Front (L-R): Kim Badelt, Nikki Spencer, Me, Delys Cram

It was so funny getting our photo taken at various times as we seemed to have our own Paparazzi...see below. The photographer on the right was taking professional shots during the Convention and you can one of his shots on Shelli Gardner's blog, we felt so special.

JAI Paparazzi

Notice the person on the left, that is the very talented Christine Blain and it was so great to meet her as I stalk her blog often. I also met and made friends with Di Barnes (but can't find a photo of us together). Another person I was able to meet was the very funny Bonnie Thurber...her presentations are always a laugh and I so needed the tissues that Paula had kindly packed in our 'roomie gift bags'.

Bonnie Thurber and I

Not only did Bonnie do a great presentation but many others including our own JAI team leader, Delys Cram. Her scrapbooking and 3D projects were a great inspiration. Others who WOWed us with their ideas and techniques, just to name a few, were Sharnee Torrents, Teneale Williams and Kirsty Brown. I have so many ideas and inspirational tips going through my head that I am not sure where to start. Looking forward to sharing some of these with my lovely customers at my next Stamp Class as well as the two workshops I booked while at Convention with Ange Arnold and Letitia Hallsworth - can't wait ladies!

Delys Cram on stage!

Not only were those who presented inspiring but the samples displayed on the swap boards were too!

Swap Boards - very inspirational

To finish off the Convention there was a dinner and presentation of Awards...of which I qualified for one much to my surprise! For this I received a pin and new stamp set to be released in the IB&C coming out in September and which I can't share with you at this time, sorry!

My Roomies
L-R: Bronwyn, Moana, Paula, Delys and Andrea

Back (L-R): Christine Blain, Kim Badelt, Tina Gillespie, Bronwyn Eastley, Jo Eades, me, Nikki Spencer, Jodene Tripp
Front (L-R): Moana, Paula Dobson, Delys Cram, Andrea Morgan

What a Convention, lots of sneak peaks, new promotions released, ideas, inspirations and WOWs a plenty...not to mention the opportunity to meet many of my online friends and colleagues!

This wasn't the end of my time in Melbourne though. The next few days I spent with my sister and her family and of course this allowed for a very rare sister's get together, which of course meant a photo opportunity.

Sisters
Ann-Mary, me, Jannette (youngest to oldest)

Ann-Mary very kindly chauffuered my daughter and I around while we shopped until we dropped and of course got in the ultimate 18th birthday present for my daughter Emily - a skydive!

Emily hanging around in preparation with Cleave

Flying high!
Check out the full video clip on YouTube - click here!

What a blast!

These were just some of the highlights of my week away...this post would go on and on and on if I tried to share with you everything that I did and enjoyed so I had better stop now.

As you can see I just love being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, sharing what I love and inspiring others in their creativity. If you would love to be a part of this great family contact me today and I can share with you all the other great benefits of joining up.

Thanks for stopping by.

Deals of the Week - Week No. 3

2011-05-18T07:00:00.000+10:00

Today the third week of Stampin' Up!'s May Specials will be announced and as I will be still on the mainland after Convention, I won't have the opportunity to post (or email) the latest specials, so I will instead direct you to My Stampin' Up! Website to check out the details - click here to be directed to my promotions page!

I will be home this everning and so if you wish to place an order for any of these items then just send me an email with your details and method of payment.

Convention Swaps...

2011-05-13T10:00:00.000+10:00

Well here it is Friday again and this week we don't have a new Just Add Ink challenge, as the one from last week is running for two weeks, because most of the JAI Design Team are having fun together at Stampin' Up! Convention in Melbourne. By the time you read this post we will be into the second day of Convention and I am sure having an absolute ball catching up face to face with one another, chatting, stamping, swapping, shopping, eating, drinking...as I said having a ball.

So I thought I would quickly post these images of the swaps I made for Convention - sorry for the bad photography as I took them so quickly the day before I flew out and typed this up after I had finishing packing and making sure I had everything I needed for my week away. NO, Convention is not going for a week, I have just added to my time away to spend time with the girls before Convention and then three days with my lovely sisters who both live in Victoria, plus my daughter will be joining me for these last few days.

So without further ado here are my swaps...

Group shot

I made 56 swaps in total.

Swap 1 - inspired by Laura Fredrickson

Showcasing Wheels and the Shadow Technique

Swap 2 - inspired by my friend Raewyn

I liked her layout and colour combo, a nice CAS card!

JAI Convention Swap - my design!

Although my sponging ended up darker than I had intended.

Well that is all I have time for to share with you this week. I will update you on all the Convention fun and maybe some new SU! info when I return next week. Have a great week and thanks for stopping by.

Deals of the Week - Week No. 2

2011-05-11T07:00:00.000+10:00

Today the second week of Stampin' Up!'s May Specials will be announced and as I will be jetting off to the mainland for Convention and won't have the opportunity to post (or email) the latest specials I will instead direct you to My Stampin' Up! Website to check out the details - click here to be directed to my promotions page!

I will however, be checking in regularly to my emails and so if you wish to place an order for any of these items then just send me an email with your details and method of payment.

Don't forget to pop back there next Wednesday for the third week of specials as I will be flying home late that Wednesday evening!

JAI#67 - Sketch Challenge!

2011-05-06T00:01:00.001+10:00

It is that time again of the week for another Just Add Ink challenge and if last week is anything to go by there are a lot of crafters out there who enjoy joining in with our weekly challenges...a whopping 137 entries! I don't suppose that the fact that Mother's Day is this Sunday and the challenge was to Just Add a Flower had a great deal of influence in getting you all inspired and organised for a card/gift for you mother this weekend, LOL?

This week it is a Sketch Challenge put together by the very talented Bronwyn Eastley (don't you just love her easel cards and the lovely work she is doing with those butterflies dies etc!).

As has been the case for me lately my day to day life has become rather busy (doesn't seem logical as I am not working a 9-5 job at present, would love to though, needed the extra $s for next week's trip away for Stampin' Up! Convention! Whoo Hoo I get to meet some more of the JAI Design Team in person!) and so I didn't have time to put too much thought or energy into my design for this week so it is a CAS card (Clean and Simple).

Here is the sketch...

And here is my card...

Stamps: Just Believe, Well Scripted
Inks: Garden Green, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip
Cardstock/Paper: Crumb Cake, Woodland Walk DSP, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Stampin' Write Markers, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Button, Clear Embossing Poweder, Decorative Label Punch, Sponge Dauber

I am not sure if you can really see from the photo but I actually clear embossed the stamped image. I had first inked up the image with Garden Green ink and then using a cotton bud removed the green ink from the flowers and then recoloured them with my More Mustard Stampin' Write Marker. The stitching is actually faux stitching using a paper piercer and the template from the Mat Pack and then using my Sahara Sand Stampin' Write Marker to create the stiched lines.

Need to go now and finish the packing of my swaps for Convention, only did 40...20 of 2 designs...have run out of time for the third one I intended to do! Then I need to consider packing my SU! supplies required for Convention and what clothes to wear/pack...I hope the weather is warm as I have more summer weight clothes than winter, which I only discovered the other day when my daughter made me spring clean my wardrobe to see what we could find for me to wear at Convention. I am so looking forward to this week's trip - I get to meet and hang out with a number of the JAI Design Team, other SU! demonstrators, fun at Convention, then spending three days with my sisters during which time my (just turned) 18 year old daughter will come over to Skydive over the Yarra Valley for her birthday present as this got cancelled over here in Tassie for her birthday. Glad it is her and not me jumping out of a plane!

So between now and next Wednesday morning when I fly I have so many things to do and wish there were more hours in the day!

If you can find the time please pop on over to the Just Add Ink blog and see what the other lovely talented ladies have put together to inspire your creativity and then have some fun and join in with us, using the sketch as your template.

PS - I got to meet in person our new Design Team member Kathy Tanner, who lives not far from me, and who I hope will find some time (after I am back from Convention) to get together with me to stamp and chat...we sure can chat, as we had a two hour lunch the other day...and who might share with me some of inspiration and I can show her a few different things that I have found fun to do.

Deals of the Week!

2011-05-01T22:31:00.000+10:00

Get high-quality Stampin’ Up! products up to 40% off during our Deals of the Week! Each Wednesday in May, you’ll find a new list of select Stampin’ Up! products on sale for that week. Be sure to check my website each week to see what the new deals are!
No limits (although if stock run low the products will be returned to their regular price before the end of the week) and no minimum purchase required.

This Week's Deals (1-10 May 2011):

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
121578	37	Tag Alongs Wood-Mount Set	$31.95	$19.17
120468	59	More Monkey Accessories Clear-Mount Set	$23.95	$14.37
121550	59	More Monkey Accessories Wood-Mount Set	$29.95	$17.97
120003	75	Cottage Garden Clear-Mount Set	$24.95	$14.97
119163	75	Cottage Garden Wood-Mount Set	$32.95	$19.77
121494	98	Compliments to the Chef Wood-Mount Set	$35.95	$21.57

Contact me today to place your order.

JAI#65 - Mateship!

2011-04-22T00:01:00.001+10:00

Well it seems that life is so busy at the moment I can only manage to update my blog once a week at the moment...because here it is another Friday and another Just Add Ink challenge.

This week's challenge is to Just Add Mateship/Friendship for ANZAC DAY.

The whole idea of the challenge is to portray mateship or friendship. It can be a real blokey card or a feminine one that has a sentiment or image expressing friendship...I am not quite sure if my design fits so well with the challenge but you can be the judge and let me know.

So What is ANZAC Day all about?

ANZAC Day is a very special day in Australian and New Zealand history. ANZAC stands for the Australia New Zealand Army Corps and it is significant because on the 25th of April, 1915 Australia went into battle for the first time as an independent nation. We had only become a country in 1901 and prior to that we were a loose collection of colonies and this was our "baptism of fire" on the shores of Gallipoli.

Our troops landed on a beach at dawn (now called ANZAC Cove) on the Turkish peninsula on that fateful day. They suffered a terrible defeat but our men fought with great bravery. The battle really highlighted the character traits of mateship and sacrifice. We talk about the Anzac Spirit which was born that day and use the term as a mark of great respect. Australia and New Zealand commemorate this day with a Dawn Service and Parade to remember those who fought and gave their lives for their country, not only in World War 1 but in all subsequent wars.

Here is my creation...a very simple yet I hope poignant card.

Stamps: Friends Never Fade, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Inks: Basic Black, Real Red (Stampin' Write Markers used to colour the flower)
Cardstock: Whisper White
Accessories: Two-Step Bird Punch (stem), Stampin' Dimensionals

This was actually my third attempt at fulfilling this challenge and I wasn't happy with either of my first two attempts! This process reminded me of a graphic designer I used to work with at the State Library who said that the first couple of designs she would come up with would be what anyone would create or what was expected and then usually the third or fourth design was more unique and something a bit more different. Well, I think that sums up how I felt with this process.

I hope this looks like a poppy as that was my intention and this is the flower that I think of when I think of the ANZACs and the men who remember their mates that have fought and died for their country.

The other reason this card is so special to me is beause while I was making it it reminded me of my brother who would have turned 40 yesterday (21 April) but who sadly took his own life at the young age of 23.

So Easter this year is very much a time of remembrance...of the death and resurrection of Jesus, of my brother and of the ANZACs. Take a moment this Easter to remember and pray for those you have lost and give thanks for those who are a part of your lives today.

Don't forget to pop on over to Just Add Ink and see how the rest of the Design Team were inspired with this challenge and then if you have time over Easter join in the challenge yourself, as we love to see how you are inspired by the challenges we set each week.

JAI#64 - Colour Combo

2011-04-15T09:24:00.000+10:00

I can't believe it has been a week since my last post...and here we are at another Friday...which means another Just Add Ink challenge!

If you LOVE chocolates then you are going to LOVE this week's challenge...and with Easter just around the corner it is a perfect time for this type of colour challenge...but you get to choose the colours!

The challenge is to make a paper craft project inspired by your favourite chocolate bar wrapper.

My project this week wasn't really inspired by my favourite chocolate bar wrapper but just one that I had bought in my recent grocery shop, as the Cadbury blocks were on special...plus, I still had my Spot On wheel on hand from the recent workshops I had done focussing on using Stampin' Around Wheels.

I therefore, made a Chocolate Bar Slider to decorate up the block of chocolate before giving it away as a gift. What do you think did I achieve a good replication of the wrapper and in the right colours? Can you guess what Cadbury block this is?

Yep, you guessed it! It is a block of Cadbury Mint Bubbly. I think the Eat Chocolate stamp set in our current Mini Catalogue is so sweet and I am sure I will be inking it up lots in the next couple of weeks.

Isn't this a fun challenge? Now pop on over to Just Add Ink and see what other yummy projects the rest of the Design Team came up with and then have some fun yourself making a yummy project or two.

[Warning: this challenge comes loaded with additional calories and great temptations!]

JAI#63 - Inspiration Challenge!

2011-04-08T00:08:00.002+10:00

Well if you like challenges then the one over at Just Add Ink this week will surely do your head in...it did to a lot of the Design Team...blame Delys for this one, she gave us the following photo to get inspiration from - whether it be the colour scheme, the theme or whatever!

This is what I came up with using elements in the photo for inspiration to decorate my box...this could also have been submitted for last week's challenge to 'Just Add a Bag or a Box' which I hadn't got around to doing at that time.

Close-ups will show you the little details of a braided gold cord, tiny tags and a Tempting Turquoise border to reflect blue band on the outfits above...

Stamps: Tiny Tags
Inks: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise
Cardstock/Paper: Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, Jolly Holiday DSP
Accessories:Big Shot, Fancy Favor Big XL Die, 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Real Red Ribbon, Gold Thread, Adhesive

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to pop on over to the Just Add Ink blog and see how the rest of the Design Team were inspired ~~not~~ by THAT photo! Apparently Delys has a FEW of these inspirational photos stored away for future use...so you never know when another might pop up for a future challenge at JAI.

Anyway, we would love you to join in the fun too...go on I dare you!

Carryover Product Flyer

2011-04-05T08:10:00.000+10:00

While the catalogue may be gone, some of the fantastic products featured in the Summer 2010-2011 Mini Catalogue are still available for purchase! Click on the image below to download a copy of the flyer and contact me today if you missed out on ordering these items before the catalogue finished and still have them on your wishlist!

Click image to download PDF Flyer!

2011 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue

2011-04-01T09:07:00.002+11:00

It is here!! Stampin' Up!'s new Mini Catalogue starts today and all the lovely goodies within are available until 31 July 2001. It includes a Sew Suite range of products for those of you who also loving sewing as a craft, a cute Build a Cupcake punch, a lovely chocolate set (which is my favourite of course!), some new individual stamps...I got the motorbike one...and of course some new Big Shot goodies...and this list keeps on going!

If you want to download the new Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue click on the image above or click HERE

To download the supplies list for the projects pictured in the Mini Catalogue click HERE

If you'd like your own copy to look through, just give me a call or drop me an email!

Not only is there a new Mini Catalogue available today, but also at it is Friday there is of course a new challenge to be found over at Just Add Ink and this one is a theme challenge Just Add a Bag or a Box, so pop on over to get some inspiration from the Design Team and see what lovely 3D items you can create!

Blog Makeover

2011-03-30T23:30:00.000+11:00

Well I have managed to distract myself from more pressing things on my 'to do list' and do a makeover on my blog...what do you think?

Honest feedback now...both positive and negative. Does it take too long to load? I felt it did sometimes but wasn't sure if it was because of everything I was trying to do at once...I get frustrated waiting for some blogs to load and so don't hang around and go somewhere else...and I don't want you not to visit me here!

I managed to create some 'Pages' that Blogger now allows us to do and I have a couple of more ideas for those but they will have to be done another day!

I succeeded in losing my previous blog header in the changes...due to my inexperience with how these blogs are actually put together...need a few lessons I think!

Anyway thanks for stopping by and don't forget to comment and give your feedback.

WARNING!

2011-03-30T17:49:00.000+11:00

I am trying to give my blog a makeover myself and in doing so I seem to be destroying some of the things I had...like my blog header!! So be patient at this site undergoes some changes...some will work and some won't I am sure...this is going to test out my blogging skills!

Please be patient as I iron out the wrinkles!

Sale-a-Bration Ends this Thursday!

2011-03-29T08:16:00.001+11:00

Have you received your FREE stamps sets from this year's Sale-a-Bration? If not, and you want to get one...as they are only available now...you will need to place your $100 order with me before this Thursday! Don't have a $100 to buy...then get together with a friend and place a $100 order together and get a stamp set FREE to share! Click on the SAB catalogue below to see what sets are ONLY available until this Thursday...

Sale-a-Bration 2011 Brochure

Not only is Sale-a-Bration finishing this Thursday, 31 March 2011, but also the current Summer Mini Catalogue is ending...so if you had any items in this Mini on your wishlist and have not yet ordered them then the time is NOW! We can not guarantee what items in this Mini may reappear in the next Ideas Book & Catalogue to be released later this year...so to not miss out order them before Thursday! Click the catalogue below to view it's contents...

Contact me today if you want to place an order from these catalogues which will be ending this Thursday, 31 March 2011. I accept cash, credit card, paypal and direct deposit payments.

JAI#61 - Just Add Stamps!

2011-03-25T00:01:00.010+11:00

As the title of this post clearly states the latest challenge over at Just Add Ink is to simply "Just Add Stamps"! Sounds easy enough but as we the Design Team experienced it wasn't as easy as it seemed. Did that mean we couldn't use punches, embelishments, ribbon etc everything we all love to play with? Could we use Designer Series Paper or what about layering of cardstock? Lots of discussions were had before some of us finally created out submissions...others had created their DT submissions before all the discussions were finalised so you may find some additional items snuck in here or there! I think Jo suggested this challenge and some of us DID find it a challenge.

I actually created three submissions before I finally decided on the one that I was happy with and the I felt fit the challenge the best. Here is my third design which I think complies to the intention of the challenge to "Just Add Stamps"...

For the design above I simply created a border using my Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker and then using my Stamp-a-ma-jig to align the image I stamped the Upsy Daisy silhouette with Elegant Eggplant ink, using Melon Mambo ink to stamp the greeting in a contrasting colour.

The card below was actually my first design and I think it still fulfills the essence of the challenge as I only used a Stampin' Around Wheel - Baby Tees to stamp the image and the from a second roll of the wheel I hand-cut and coloured a babysuit to mount using Stampin' Dimensionals over one of the sections of the image...

The card below was my second attempt at the challenge, using the stamp set Circle Circus, and the ink colours of Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise and Rich Razzleberry. However, by simply using a punch to punch out the greeting I felt within myself that I didn't fully comply with the challenge of using just stamps! What do you think does this card fit the intentions of the challenge?

Head over to the Just Add Ink site and see what the other Design Team members came up with for this challenge and then see how you go creating a card with "Just Add Stamps" and using NO other embelishments, tools or specialty papers...go on give it a try, it is not as easy as you may think!

Baby congratulations...

2011-03-23T12:32:00.001+11:00

This morning as my daughter was heading off to college she informed me that her friend had gone in to labour and would have her baby girl some time today, so she asked if I would make a cute baby card for her.

Since then I have noticed on Facebook (where all the news is found!) that she has given birth to her beautiful daughter...Isabella. Isn't that such a lovely name?

Here is the card that I made...I was very pleased with how it turned out that I want to make another one for my friend who has recently had a baby girl...Remi (another beautiful name)...but I will have to wait until later today as I have some chores to do and the groceries to buy, but I just wanted to quickly pop in and share what I created this morning...for the other you will have to wait until Friday's Just Add Ink challenge is up!

Stamps: Baby Steps
Inks: Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo Stampin' Write Marker
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Regal Rose 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Bow Easy, Snail Adhesive, Sticky Dots

Have a lovely day and thanks for stopping by!

Just Add Ink Colour Challenge and a Happy Birthday...

2011-03-19T13:51:00.000+11:00

I can now put up this post because one of the Just Add Ink Design Team who is celebrating their birthday tomorrow - HAPPY BIRTHDAY PATRICE - has already received the card displayed below. In the usual tradition of our team...when we are organised enough...we make and send a birthday card to that special person. So this week I have combined the latest colour challenge over at Just Add Ink...Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Whisper White and Crumb Cake...with a recent design I made (click here to see previous post and card) for Patrice's birthday card.

Hop on over to the Just Add Ink site and see what the other design team members created using this fabulous colour combo (it wasn't my week to submit an entry...so I waited until I knew it was ok to post this one) and then join in the challenge yourself.

JAI#60...a colour combo!

2011-03-18T09:47:00.000+11:00

This week over at Just Add Ink it is time for another challenge and this one is a fabulous colour combo provided by the very talented Delys...

I have been helping out with some of the technical sides of images etc lately, like turning our colour swatches in to these cute buttons, and therefore the lovely Bron has titled me the 'techy expert'...I think my IT son will be proud of that!

It is not my week to design however I have made a card with this colour combo, but you will just have to pop back here on Sunday to see it as it is a birthday card for someone special who visits my blog and I didn't want to spoil the surprise until she gets it in the post!

In the meantime why don't you pop on over to the Just Add Ink blog and see the inspiration from the other Design Team members, lots of nature and butterflies etc, and then join in the fun creating something with this fabulous colour combo!

UStamp Swaps...

2011-03-15T21:24:00.000+11:00

Recently I took part in a UStamp chat session and some of us decided to create and swap cards on two themes...Mother's Day and Autumn...one card for each theme. There were five of us who decided to participate and therefore we needed to create a total of ten cards...I finally got around to making mine this afternoon!

I had fun making the Mother's Day cards using my new Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (coming out in the soon to be released Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue).

A close up view...

Stamps: Just Believe, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Inks: Perfect Plum, Whisper White, Rose Red
Cardstock/Paper: Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Perfect Plum
Accessories: Framed Tulip Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Modern Label Extra-Large Punch, Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

Here is the one I made for the Autumn theme...although my husband said it reminded him of the colours of Africa! This card was inspired by the very talented Michelle Zindorf, who is a whizz with the brayer! Click here to see the one of hers that I CASED, although I used different colours. I was actually quite happy today with my brayering skills...I might actually be getting a hang of this, usually I have lines but not today!

Here is a close-up view of this one...love those silhouette birds!

Stamps: Inspired by Nature
Inks: More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Bravo Burgundy, Basic Black
Cardstock/Paper: Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Whisper White, Basic Black
Accessories: Top Note Die, Big Shot, Brayer, Sponges, Photo Corners Extra-Large Punch, Two-Step Bird Extra- Large

Now to get these off in the post tomorrow...I hope everyone likes them...as much as I liked making them!

Just Add Ink Challenge #59

2011-03-11T00:01:00.002+11:00

Well it is that time of the week again for another Just Add Ink challenge, and this week we have the following sketch challenge for you...

I have been busy the last few days and thought I wasn't going to make it in time to get my Design Team entry in, but I did! I have been trying lately to be economical in both my time and my crafting efforts. What I mean by that is, combining some things together, like this project which I made to reflect the sketch above but to also be an item I can sell at this month's craft market. It is a Memo Book Cover which I created from a sample left at my place my by an ex-SU! demo friend, Bridgette Bygrave, who left it with me to create a template/tutorial from her design...using one sheet of A4 cardstock. As you can see I finally got around to this...she left it with me prior to Christmas!!

It was also something that I did as the Make 'N' Take at my friend Sarah's stamp workshop this Sunday just passed, although a simpler design on the front of that one. Everyone had fun making one and personalising their front covers! It was also a good 'test drive' for my template and instructions...which had an error in...now fixed.

Another benefit of doing workshops like these is not only do you give ideas to those who attend but they also give ideas/inspiration back from what they create! I liked Karen's monogram idea (although she is in this mind frame because of her daughter's upcoming wedding!), Sallie's idea of using an extra strip of DSP to cover the inside panel which had a superfluous ribbon hole and I liked the results of my suggestion to Mel of stamping a flourish over her Very Vanilla letters, cut using the Big Shot and alphabet dies, to tone down the colour and blend it in more with her background colours.

Here is a look inside...it simply covers one of those memo books that I remember using at school for spelling bees and the like!

Stamps: Punch Bunch (SAB set)
Carstock/Paper: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Garden Green, Woodland Walk DSP
Inks: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Big Shot, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Dies, Two-Step Bird Extra-Large Punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Extra-Large Punch, Horizontal Tab Punch (retired), Flower Fusion (retired),Punpkin Pie brad, Wild Wasabi Double-Stitched Ribbon, adhesive

This would make a great gift idea...it could be used as a notebook, address book, travel diary, ideas book...you name it the possibilities are endless!

Now it is your turn to get inspiration from our sketch and put in your entry...if you need further ideas check out what the rest of the Design Team created to inspire you over at Just Add Ink!

MOJO Monday 181

2011-03-10T10:30:00.000+11:00

It has been a while since I joined in with the weekly sketch challenges from MOJO Monday...but last night I decided to make a card along the sketch lines for a friend whose Pop died last Sunday, just so she knows I am thinking of her at this time. She will most probably see it here on my blog, as I know she pops in here now and again, before she gets it in the post and that is only because I want to get my entry in to the challenge as well and I will be busy over the next few days...I will put it in to the post to her today.

I wasn't so sure about the colour choice but I wanted to also play with the lovely DSP pack that you can get from SU! in the current colour groups...I have only got the Neutrals DSP Pack at the moment but will definitely be getting the others. As I was putting this card together my daughter came home from work and walked passed and she said "love the colour combination" so I felt happy to continue putting it together.

Here is the sketch from MOJO Monday...

Here is my 'Thinking of You' card using Basic Gray as my main colour with a splash of Real Red to brighten it up...

What do you think, not too dreary a colour for a card like this? It has a lot happening on it and I am not sure that is what comes naturally to me...but it was fun playing with this sketch anyway.

2011-03-05T10:40:00.000+11:00

Would you like to get your Stampin' Up! supplies at 20% OFF?

Would you like a FREE stamp set to the value of $79.95?

Would you like the opportunity to earn some extra $s?

All of this is available to you by signing up as a new demonstrator during the Sale-a-Bration period (which ends 31 March 2011). Don't want to do any workshops...no worries...you can just be a hobby demonstrator, ordering products for yourself, family members and close friends.

Other benefits of joining Stampin' Up!....

Stampin’ Up! Starter Kit, retail value of $515 only costs $289
Customise your starter kit with inks and stamps sets of your choice (up to or of equal value)
Receive 30% OFF your first order (retail value $300 min.) placed within first 45 days
20% demonstrator discount
Opportunity to earn additional FREE stamps sets in your first 6 weeks
NO annual fees to pay
Only need to sell $500 (retail sales, your own and any other orders) every quarter to remain active
Orders placed online and delivered straight to your door or direct to your customer/hostess
Access to demonstrator website for ideas, inspiration, templates etc
Monthly Impressions magazine received in the mail
Attendance at Convention (this May in Melbourne!), Regional events etc
Opportunity to see and preorder new products before catalogue releases
No obligations to hold workshops and no penalties if you decide to stop as demonstrator
You can sign up online (through my demonstrator website click here) and you only need an ABN (register online here for your ABN) and valid credit card
Join my team and I will give you all the help you need to be the type of demonstrator you want to be

If you have any further questions or want some no obligation information then contact me today - maecollins2@gmail.com

JAI#58 - Just Add Amanda or Danielle!

2011-03-04T00:02:00.001+11:00

We have a great challenge over at Just Add Ink this week...it is to Just Add Amanda or Danielle...yep, you heard correct! That is, for this week you get to CASE the talented Amanda Reddicliffe or Danielle Daws with either a card, layout or 3D project...whatever takes your fancy from some of the great inspiration they shared with us on Just Add Ink during their time at the helm or something inspiring you find on their blogs!

As a Design Team we had fun going back over their work to find that special piece we wanted to CASE...and this is our way of saying thank you to them both for the wonderful work they did creating this fabulous challenge site Just Add Ink and allowing us to be a part of their vision by putting us on their Design Team.

Without further ado here are the original cards that inspired me and the CASED cards that I created...

Danielle's orginal My attempt!

Amanda's original My attempt!

As you can see I don't quite have the flair that these two ladies do! Danielle's is such a vibrant card with a great burst of colour...I didn't realise how much the colour would change when brayering it over designer series paper...I will have to try again another time with a much more vivid colour! I was happy with my bow and I know how much Danielle likes using these on her cards.

Again with my CASE of Amanda's card, I didn't quite get the beautiful vivid colours that she had in hers, but I did add some bling...maybe I can just blame it on my poor lighting and photographic skills.

Anyway, I hope they are chuffed that we found it fun to CASE them both as our send off from leading the Just Add Ink Design Team. Best of luck to you both - Amanda and Danielle!

Thanks also to Danielle who sent me a beautiful card yesterday, that she featured on her blog a while ago...it is so beautiful in real life and her watercolouring is fantastic...click here to see it on Danielle's blog!

I suggest you pop on over to the Just Add Ink site and see what the rest of the Design Team created for this challenge and then maybe have some fun yourself and join in!

Just Add Ink - Design Team Search

2011-03-01T20:18:00.000+11:00

Do you love using Stampin' Up! products? Are you a current or ex-SU! demonstrator? Would you like the opportunity to share your inspiration and ideas with others? Then you should check out the Just Add Ink site because we are looking for another Design Team member to join our team...click on the link below to find out all the details on how to apply!

Just Add Ink Design Team Search

JAI#57 - Colour Challenge and farewell

2011-02-25T00:01:00.000+11:00

Well this is farewell to Amanda and Danielle as the leaders of the Just Add Ink Design Team and also a colour challenge...which I turned in to a 'With Sympathy' card...and maybe I made this subconsciously as I was sad to see both Amanda and Danielle leave this fabulous challenge site that they created.

Here are the colours they gave us to use...

If you visit me regularly here you will also know that I am inspired by the very talented Michelle Zindorf who is a whizz with the brayer! I enjoy the depth of colour and projects that can be made with this tool and so when I saw the three colours we were given I thought I would blend them together with the brayer because I couldn't think of anything else to do at the time.

I started off by brayering my Whisper White cardstock with River Rock and then added Daffodil Delight and finally finishing it off with Cherry Cobbler. I was happy with the results! Then off course this simply had to be stamped with one of my all time favourite stamp sets Lovely As a Tree from which I used two of the images to give my picture some depth of space.

Stamps: Lovely As a Tree, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Inks: Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, River Rock, Basic Black
Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, River Rock, DSP Patterns Stack - Neutrals Collection
Accessories: Brayer, River Rock 3/8" Double Stitched Ribbon (not available in current IB&C), Adhesive

I sponged the edges with Cherry Cobbler and mounted this on to a piece of River Rock from the DSP Patterns Stack - Neutrals Collection (watch out for some more projects using this paper stack as it is such a versatile one and which has inspired me to buy the similar ones in the other SU! colour collections). I tore a little corner off my image so a small piece of the printed DSP could peak through, this was sponged with River Rock and I then attached a piece of River Rock 3/8" Double-Stitched Ribbon (not currently available), which I had gathered by pulling the stitching threads, before mounting on to Daffodil Delight, giving just a thin border. I then mounted this again on to Cherry Cobbler before finally mounting it on to my card base of River Rock.

I didn't want my 'With Sympathy' greeting to stand out boldly on the card so I stamped it with Cherry Cobbler which blended it in to my background a little more. However, I should have used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to ensure the greeting was straight, if you look closely you can see it slopes up a bit which I didn't really want! The Stamp-a-ma-jig is a really handy tool to have when you need to place an image or greeting in an exact location, helps keep things straight if you are like me and some of your images are not mounted straight on your wooden blocks!

Here is a close-up of my gathered ribbon...

If you would like to purchase any of these SU! tools I use please contact me or if you would like to book a workshop to have a go at using the brayer then give me a call or drop me an email to maecollins2@gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to hop on over to the Just Add Ink site to see what other ideas the very talented Design Team came up with when using this colour combination. Don't forget to join in the fun and make a project yourself and share it with us at Just Add Ink.

Cards for Christchurch

2011-02-23T15:24:00.000+11:00

It has been a terrible twenty four hours for Christchurch, New Zealand with a 6.3 earthquake that has devastated the city and caused a tremendous loss of life. Many people are injured..some severely, many people have lost their homes and possessions...or they have been damaged greatly, and many are having difficulty contacting their loved ones.

My heart and prayers go out to those people affected. I hope and pray that there will be more survivors...and send prayers of strength and perserverance to those assisting with the rescues. It is so hard to know how to help in times like these and when we are not there in person.

Therefore, the whole of the Just Add Ink Design Team (some who have family and friends in Christchurch) want to do something and this is what we have come up with...

Victim Support are a group affiliated with the NZ police force and are trained in dealing every day with adversity, helping and supporting people in need. We thought they would appreciate some cards that they could write on and take to victims of this devastating quake.

If you would like to do the same then you can send a homemade card (blank inside with envelope if possible) to:

Victim Support
PO Box 2109
Christchurch
New Zealand

Thinking of you, Get well soon, With sympathy or just a plain blank card would be appreciated I am sure.

This afternoon I was going to start on one of my swaps for SU! Convention, to be held in May of this year in Melbourne, but I thought my effort was better put in to making some cards for this worthwhile cause.

Recently I stumbled across a card created by Amy Celona, who had been inspired by a card in their IB&C using the Just Believe stamp set, and I had wanted to CASE this one at sometime. Well today I did as I thought it was an appropriate design for Cards for Christchurch and so I set about making eight of them. If you look closely in my photos you may be able to see that because I had a bit of a production line going I ended up forgetting to tear the Early Espresso cardstock from the bottom of six out of the eight cards...however, I didn't think it really detracted much from the design of the card anyway.

I better go now as I want to pop down to the Post Office and get them in the mail. If you would like to do something for those in New Zealand then you might like to put your creative energies into making some cards too.

Stampin' Up!'s Final Donation Amount for the Australia Flood Appeal...

2011-02-21T15:40:00.000+11:00

In a previous post I mentioned that Stampin' Up! was assisting those affected by the Queensland flooding by raising money for the Australia Flood Appeal from the sale of stamp sets. Well I am proud to say that during the appeal SU! raised $11,862 from these stamp set sales.

Thank you to all who supported this appeal--you truly have made a difference in the lives of others. All proceeds will be donated to Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal on behalf of Stampin' Up! demonstrators and customers in Australia and New Zealand.

I was also donating a percentage of my demonstrator profits during this period to the Appeal and with a small top up, I donated $50 to those affected by the floods in Queensland. Thanks to my customers who purchased items through me during this time.

JAI#56 - Sketch Challenge

2011-02-18T00:01:00.001+11:00

If you visited the Just Add Ink site last week you would have read the announcement that Danielle Daws and Amanda Reddicliffe have decided to step down from JAI at the end of this month. This must have been a difficult decision for them both as they created this fabulous challenge site and it has been their baby from day one! They have provided lots of exciting challenges and inspiration for us as a Design Team as well as those who played along regularly or just now and then. I wish both Danielle and Amanda best of luck in their future endeavours and have enjoyed working with them as part of the Design Team. However, all is not lost...Delys Cram and Bronwyn Eastley have agreed to continue hosting this fabulous site...so we will continue to bring exciting new challenges and inspiration to those that enjoy joining in with us at Just Add Ink.

So, on to this week's challenge...which is a great sketch challenge that I had fun playing with!

And, here is my take on the sketch...

Stamps:Just Believe
Inks: Pear Pizzazz, Tempting Turquoise (Creative Combination taken from the Color Coach - a great resource to have for only $28.95!)
Cardstock/Paper: Pear Pizzazz Textured, Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Lots of Tags Sizzlits Dies, Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Write Marker, Blender Pen, Rich Razzleberry 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Bow Easy (non SU!), Adhesive

Now pop on over to Just Add Ink for more inspiration and to see how the other Design Team members have interpreted this sketch. Then don't forget to have a play yourself and enter your project as we would love to see what you came up with using this sketch for inspiration!

Just Add Love - JAI#55

2011-02-11T00:01:00.001+11:00

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is a good one to get me motivated and to do something that is on my 'to do list'...that is to design some wedding stationery samples...for those who know me and my family will know that my son is getting married next January and he has asked me to make the invitations! Sarah, his fiance, loves the colour purple and so I used this in my initial samples with Elegant Eggplant and Brushed Silver. I only wished that SU! had some satin ribbon in Elegant Eggplant as I think that is a richer/more elegant looking ribbon for a wedding, but the grosgrain ribbon looks alright too.

I used the heart stamp from the set Punch Potpourri, which is a Level One Hostess Gift. I really like this set as each image has a coordinating punch which makes cutting out your images so much quicker and easier! You gotta love that!!

I simply wrapped some silver cord a few times around the card and raised the heart over this with Stampin' Dimensionals. The "you're invited" text is actually from the Compliments to the Chef stamp set.

I printed out the Bride and Groom text on to some Card Stock A4 White Vellum and then punched them out with the Scallop Oval Punch. The only think I don't like about using vellum is what adhesive to use as no matter what type I choose it still seems to show through. I might try some Mini Glue Dots next time, rather than my snail adhesive!

If you look closely you may notice that this "you're invited" text is darker than the other, that is because I embossed this one make it bolder.Both my heart images were inked up with Versmark and then Elegant Eggplant ink before stamping on to Whisper White cardstock and then Clear Embossed, prior to punching out with the Full Heart Extra-Large Punch.

I think I actually prefer this placement setting with the Brushed Silver cardstock, although on the other one I really like the impact of the silver thread over the Elegant Eggplant cardstock. Not sure that I like the ticket-corners on this design, what do you think?

Which design to you like the best or do you like specific elements in each?

I just love the Textured Impressions Vintage Wallpaper for romantic type cards/stationery. I actually like different elements of each of these two similar but differant designs and I think I may actually swing the card around in my next sample so it opens up and not sideways...so watch for other samples/designs that I will post another time.

Now it is time for you to pop on over to the Just Add Ink site and see what other fabulous ideas the Design Team have for you with this week's Just Add Love challenge!

Valentine's Sweet Treats...

2011-02-10T17:31:00.000+11:00

This Saturday my friend Jody-ann and I have been invited back to participate in this year's Eaglehawk Neck Fair with our J@Mpot stall...unfortunately as Jody-ann is nursing her husband back to health I will be doing this alone...although my daughter or my husband will come and help me set up and pack up (my daughter will visit friends on the Tasman Peninsula or if it is my husband he will go fishing for the duration of the fair).

As this Fair is so close to Valentine's Day...this coming Monday so don't forget your Valentine!...I thought I should make a few items targetted as this special day. I decided to make a few different Sweet Treat gift ideas for those who hadn't as yet got a little something for their someone specail...it would also brighten up the stall with something new and bright using Real Red ink and cardstock!

These items below are quick and easy to make using the Big Shot and the Top Note Die as a topper for SU!'s Small Cellophane Bags. Simply fill them up with something sweet and decorate the topper. I used the heart image form the Punch Potpourri set (Level 1 Hostess Set) which fits perfectly with the Full Heart Punch, a 'happy valentine's day' greeting from the Teeny Tiny Sentiments stamp set which fits perfectly in the Word Window Large Punch and then mounted this on to the Modern Label Extra-Large Punch.

The next ones I made were filling tubes with red lollies and putting a topper on using again the same heart stamp/punch as previously but mounting them on to a piece of Real Red using the Scallop Circle Punch. I also added the greeting 'Amour' from Artistic Etchings stamp set to continue the love theme!

Finally, I made a few packaged with a match box fold (inspiration found on Tabitha Davis' blog), using Crumb Cake cardstock and stamped with the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set and then again topping with my heart image as before. The window was punched out with the Curly Label Extra-Large Punch and the sweets were again put in a small cellophane bag.

What do you think? I think they fit the theme well and will brighten up my stall but the ultimately question is will they sell...I will let you know next week!

I have been Scrapbooking!!!

2011-02-06T22:06:00.000+11:00

I have neglected my scrapbooking hobby of late...well about a year...but today I went to a scrapbooking event with my friend Sarah and I got inspired again - thanks to Angelene, Tish and others!

I started my daughter's New Zealand school trip album last year with a couple of pages but that was it and so today I managed to finish the cover page (see picture below) and put together a few additional pages. They are not complete as yet so I won't photograph them to share with you here because I need to add some journalling and put in some embelishments/elements from her trip before I will be happy with them.

I found an outline map on the web of NZ and printed this on to Stampin' Up!'s Card Stock Vellum but as it was only A4 size and I wanted to hide the adhesive edges where I adhered it to my page I overlaid some red cardstock, sponged with Basic Black ink, over the sides. I then used the fern leaf stamp from the retired stamp set Organic Grace and embossed it with Silver Embossing Powder to add a feature symbol of NZ on to the cardstock. I used my Big Shot and the Timeless Type Alphabet set to cut out of Brushed Silver cardstock my title, including the year she went on her trip.

I am happy that I have started again and can't wait to mix this in with my usual card making and 3D items that I have been doing. My daughter also said that she is going to hassle me to keep going with this project now that I have started and I have some ideas floating around in my head on how I want it to come together...so watch this space for some more scrapbook pages over the coming weeks!

Stamps: Organic Grace (retired)
Cardstock/Paper: Red (non-SU), Card Stock A4 White Vellum, Brushed Silver from Brushed Metallic pack
Ink: Basic Black, Versamark
Accessories: Paper Tearing Ruler (CM), Sponge, Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet, Big Shot, Adhesive

I hope you have enjoyed seeing something a little different here on my blog today and thanks for stopping by. Feel free to leave a comment if you feel inclined as I love to get feedback from my blog followers!

That time of the week again! JAI Colour Challenge...

2011-02-04T00:12:00.001+11:00

Another week has passed and so it is that time of the week again for another Just Add Ink challenge, this week it is a colour challenge...

I again struggled with the challenge this week, not because of the colour combination but because my past week as been busy with supporting a friend while her husband has been in hospital having open heart surgery and because I didn't have any Rose Red cardstock (just some tiny off-cuts!). My friend's husband is slowly on the mend and will be out of ICU hopefully by the time this post goes live on my blog!

I had a few ideas floating around my head for this challenge and until I sat down at my craft desk to create my DT submission I didn't know which idea I would go with. This is the card I finally created...

Stamps: Just Believe, French Script, Sanded, Tiny Tags
Inks: Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Rose Red, Regal Rose
Cardstock/Paper: Patterns Pack II DSP, Early Espresso, Regal Rose, Soft Suede
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Clear Embossing Powder, Sewing Maching, Sponges, Jewelry Tag Medium Punch, Pewter Brad, adhesive

First I stamped French Script (now retired) in Soft Suede on to a piece of DSP from Patterns Pack II (last catalogue hostess gift), then I inked up my image from the Just Believe stamp set in Early Espresso - but before I stamped it on to the DSP I removed the ink from the flowers and coloured them in with my Rose Red Stampin' Write Marker (thinking this was the only way I was going to meet the Rose Red part of the colour challenge!!). After stamping this image on to my DSP I decided that I would clear emboss the image for added impact. So out came my Stamp-a-ma-jig, a very handy tool to have in your stamping supplies, to help me align the image that was now to be inked in Versamark before applying the Clear Embossing Powder. I then sponged the edges of my DSP with Rose Red ink and adhered this to a piece of Early Espresso cardstock.

I was really happy with the process so far and so I decided to do something else that I haven't done for a while, I got my sewing machine out and stitched around the edges of my DSP on to the cardstock. If you look closely you will see that it is not really neat but I was still happy with the effect it produced.

I really wanted to mount this piece on to Rose Red cardstock but not having any off-cuts large enough, and my friend did not have any either, I substituted it for Regal Rose cardstock but to deepen the colour I inked the edges with Rose Red ink. I wrapped a piece of 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon around the front panel and attached a couple of Jewelry Tags stamped from the Tiny Tags stamp set using a Pewter brad.

This feature panel was then adhered to a card base of Soft Suede which I had stamped with the Sanded background stamp using Soft Suede ink.

I was very happy with the result, what do you think?

Even though I faced challenges to complete my card, apart from the actual colour challenge itself, I really enjoyed the process taken in putting it together. This is one of the aspects I enjoy about my craft - time out from the every day chores and pressures of daily life!

So pop on over to Just Add Ink and see what other fabulous ideas the rest of the Design Team had from using this lovely colour combination!

Thanks again for stopping by for another JAI challenge and I will see you back here next week for the next one!

Just Add Ink #53 - Inspiration Challenge!

2011-01-28T00:00:00.003+11:00

I struggled a bit with this week's Just Add Ink challenge which I thought was "Just Add Bursts of Colour!" due to the photo title, but slowly ideas kept popping in to my head - mainly bursts of colour found in nature, maybe a sunset or flowering blooms! The challenge is actually an inspiration challenge using the photo for your own inspiration - flower, colour, summer - whatever, you take from it.

Finally this is the card I put together, thanks to a friend for lending me this stamp set as it is on my wishlist but one I do not have as yet - Upsy Daisy. I simply coloured each individual flower using my Stampin' Write Markers in bright colours and then stamped it on to Whisper White cardstock. Then I restamped this image, aligning it up with my Stamp-a-ma-jig, in Versamark Ink and embossing it with Clear Embossing Powder.

Keeping the design simple so the focus was on the 'bursts of colour' I added a bright bow in 3/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon and a simple greeting stamped in Tempting Turquoise from the Teeny Tiny Sentiments stamp set.

What do you think - did I capture the essence of this challenge? Can you also see where I might have also found some additional inspiration for the design of this card?

That is what I love about this group, we can not only inspire others but amongst ourselves as well. I must say though that I found it really hard to capture the bright yellow colour of my ribbon, it kept showing up as an orange shade rather than the intensity of the yellow! I think I need some help getting the best of my photos using my camera - another thing to add to my 'to do list'!

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to pop on over and see what the other DT members have created, click her to visit Just Add Ink.

Spending time with friends...

2011-01-26T09:00:00.001+11:00

This post is a bit late but I have been busy with other things that have kept me away from the computer!

Last Friday I took a road trip to Launceston, a 2 1/2 hour drive from my home at Dodges Ferry, to spend some quality time with two other Just Add Ink Design Team members - Tania Gould and Bronwyn Eastley - stamping, chatting and getting inspiration! It was disappointing that the other Tasmanian Design Team member - Danielle Daws - could not join us, maybe next time! I was so pleased that another Stampin' demonstrator - Rochelle Wright - could join with us for the evening, she is a very talented lady who is so generous with her ideas and gave me some additional inspiration, thanks Rochelle!

Also, thanks so much to Tania and her beautiful daughter Charlotte (who left me some cute little stickers on my pillow) for their hospitality as they allowed me stay the evening, which was definitely required as we didn't finish up until the early hours of Saturday morning! I have realised that I am no longer a teenager and it takes me days to recover from such a fun evening on top of the driving! Thanks also to Bron for supplying the beautiful Thai food for tea it was delicious!

We actually shared some make 'n' takes giving us some focus for the evening and so that we just didn't sit and chat forever and not get any ink on our stamps, which is always possible when you get together with friends - here is a group shot of what we made...

I shared with the girls how to create shadows using Stampin' Around Wheels and used a greeting that I felt summed up our evening...

I loved the colour combo of Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink and Wild Wasabi. This is also going to be the technique I will demonstrate in my first stamp class for this year, but maybe a different colour combo.

Next it was Bronwyn's turn and she stepped us through making a card using the lovely stamp set Bliss, her favourite at the moment, which is also one of the sets available in the current Sale-a-Bration promotion - so contact me if you want to earn one for FREE for yourself!

I love the vintage feel to this beautiful card and I now have another couple of items on my personal wishlist!!!

Tania guided us through the making of a lovely gift card holder, with a masculine colour style, that will come in handy for someone's upcoming birthday I am sure. I didn't have an actual gift card to put in it for my photo so I simply used my Village Movie Club card to demonstrate...

This was so much fun that I am keenly looking at my calendar to see when we can do this again!

Sale-A-Bration is here again!

2011-01-25T00:01:00.000+11:00

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE SALE-A-BRATION BROCHURE!

If you are a Stampin’ Up! customer you will know that each year after Christmas Stampin’ Up! has a Sale-A-Bration (SAB) and this year it begins on 25 January and goes until 31 March, 2011.

As usual there are four lovely stamps sets to be earned FREE in two easy ways...

Spend $100 and earn one FREE SAB set of your choice.
Host a workshop with minimum sales of $600 and you'll earn one FREE SAB set in addition to the regular generous hostess benefits.

Or why not join my team, the Tassie Inkydinks, during Sale-A-Bration and choose a FREE stamp set from the current Idea Book & Catalogue (valued up to $79.95) as well as receiving the other great benefits of being a SU! demonstrator --- a heavily discounted Starter Kit, 20% discount on purchases, earn extra $s, flexible hours, first to see new catalogues, ability to earn more free products and much more --- contact me today to find out more.

Just Add Ink #52 - Sketch Challenge

2011-01-21T00:00:00.000+11:00

Don't you just love joining in with the Just Add Ink weekly challenges, I know I do. If I am stuck for an idea, need further inspiration or feel like I have lost my mojo then this is a great place to start. With colour, theme or sketch challenges you always have something to spark off an idea or project and you can of course go back to past challenges for additional inspiration and ideas from those who join in either on a regular basis or when the mood takes them, plus of course those projects submitted regularly by the Design Team!

This week it is a sketch challenge...

I often use the JAI challenges to help me get started on commissioned cards, such as the one my mum requested as my parents have been invited to a 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration - now that is a goal to aim for! Here is the card I made. I think I need some more practice at blurring the edges of my photos when I want to add a romantic or softer touch - I might just get some direct tips this weekend while I am visiting Tania Gould as she has a tutorial posted on her blog which I followed, although I have a slightly different software program, however, the process is very similar. I thought I was also very clever with using a prop in my photo a ring I knew my daughter had and which I thought might complement my project!

Here is a close-up of my greeting...

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Sentimentsr
Paper/Cardstock: Bushed Gold (from Brushed Metallic pack), Basic Gray, Lap of Luxury DSP
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Gold Embossing Powder, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet, Lattice Embossing Folder, Curly Label Extra-Large, Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim (Summer Mini), Snail Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, heat gun

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to hop on over to the Just Add Ink site to see what the other Design Team members have created from this sketch challenge and then join in the fun for yourself!

Enjoy your day!

PS - don't forget to pop back here next Tuesday when Sale-A-Bration kicks off and I will have all the details!

12 x 12 Calendars

2011-01-19T21:08:00.004+11:00

Last Sunday my friend Jody-ann and I had another stall at the Dodges Ferry Farmers and Artisans Market and we had some 2011 desktop calendars among our stock but no larger ones. So I quickly whipped up a couple of 12 x 12 calendars, completing one on the morning of the market! As a result I didn't have time to photograph them well, however, here they are...

Notice the cute little owls, they are stamped using a set that is coming in the Sale-A-Bration promotion to start very soon...watch this space for more details soon! They are then punched out with the matching Two-Step Owl Extra-Large Punch.

This second calendar is one that can hang on the fridge as it has heavy magnets adhered to the back.

I had fun making these calendars and now that I have my template set up I can easily reprint them when required or adjust them for next year!

If a recipient really likes the topper then they can simply add next years calendar where this year's sits because I have used split pins/brads to attach the individual months.

Australia Flood Appeal

2011-01-14T21:47:00.003+11:00

One of the things I like about being a part of a company like Stampin' Up! is their sense of generosity and support in times of need and they are showing that again with their support of those affected by the recent devastating floods in Queensland.

Direct from the demonstrator website today...

AUSTRALIA FLOOD APPEAL
13 January 2011
As flood waters continue to inundate Australia in what has been described as the worst flooding in 37 years, we express our deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones and homes and to those whose lives have been changed forever. We, like so many of you, feel a compelling need to lend support to all those who have been affected.
Stampin' Up! demonstrators have a long history of making a difference in the lives of others--especially when disaster strikes and the need is greatest. Nearly two years ago, we watched another tragedy unfold in Australia. Our hearts were touched as demonstrators, customers and friends joined together in support of the Bushfire Appeal. We've done it before and we can certainly do it again!

Please join with us by supporting the Australia Flood Appeal--a cause in which Stampin' Up! will donate $2 AUD of the retail value of sales from any stamp set (with a retail value of $30 or more) sold in Australia and New Zealand from 15 January through 15 February to the State Emergency Services in Queensland.

As a further incentive and assistance to this cause any stamp workshop held with me with sales of $300 minimum I will personally donate an additional $30 to the appeal or for any individual order placed through me for $100+ I will provide FREE delivery direct to you, during the period 15 January to 15 February 2011.

So get out your wishlist or check out the online catalogues and start making one (booking a workshop also entitles you to a FREE catalogue if you don't have your own personal copy!). Then contact me with your orders or workshop bookings and in this small way lend a hand to those in need!

Just Add Monochrome...

2011-01-14T00:01:00.003+11:00

Well it has been a week's since my last post and so therefore it is time to share with you again my weekly Design Team submission for Just Add Ink. I haven't been really motivate to craft at the moment which is sad because I have many things on my crafting 'to do' list as well as having a market this coming Sunday to be ready for!

If you actually saw my desk you would wonder, as I do, how I managed to find the space and creativity to put this card together because my craft desk/area is a mess!! I am in the process of cleaning my craft area at the moment and when I am finished I might post some pictures here on my blog!

I was happy with my card however and I got to use a couple of items in my craft stash that I hadn't yet got out of their packages - Beautiful Wings Embosslits Dies and Modern Label Extra-Large. The only thing I didn't like so much was the ribbon as it was not the beautiful satin ribbon I wanted, because Stampin' Up! don't have it in Perfect Plum or Elegant Eggplant. However, this one I found matched the colours I was using.

Do you notice the Presto Patterns Specialty Designer Series Paper that I used as my feature panel? I really like the vintage glossy designs that it has and which you can personalise with your own colour simply by using a Smooch Spritz or using ink and brayer or sponge! I sponged Perfect Plum ink over the panel and it so beautifully revealed the lovely pattern.

Stamps: Occasional Quotes
Inks: Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant
Cardstock/Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, Whisper White, Presto Patterns Specialty DSP
Accessories: Beautiful Wings Embosslits Dies, Big Shot, Modern Label Extra-Large Punch, Ribbon (non-SU!), Basic Rhinestones, Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive

I don't usually embelish or put greetings on the inside of my cards but today I felt inclined to. So I carried through the butterfly embosslit theme but changed the colour from Perfect Plum (used on the front) to the Elegant Eggplant for this particular butterfly, I still added the rhinestone embelishment to add some sparkle. I think this card would suit either an engagement, wedding or anniversary so I added a love themed greeting from Occasional Quotes (Level 3 Hostess set).

If you haven't been to visit us over at the Just Add Ink site lately you need to as Amanda/Danielle have made some changes to the site itself and it is a great place to go if you have lost your mojo as you can find inspiration from past challenges - colour, sketch, theme etc.

Pop on over to Just Add Ink to see what the other Design Team members have submitted for this week's 'Just Add Monochrome challenge and join in the fun!

Just Add Ink #50 - Colour Challenge!

2011-01-07T00:01:00.003+11:00

Over at Just Add Ink this week we are having a colour challenge...

At first I didn't know where to start with this challenge but then I thought that I needed to make a couple of fridge magnet calendars for my next market and I also wanted to put some ink to my Circle Circus stamp set (it has been sitting uninked on my shelf for a few months now, how sad is that?) and so that is what I did and with combining the colours in the current challenge, here are the results...

I love this stamp set for allowing me to just randomly stamp different images with different colours to get a vibrant background piece - even though I am hooked on DSP I can make my own when I want to! You might see in this calendar below a small piece of DSP snuck in when I backed my calendar - this is from the DSP pack - In Color which is a current Level 1 Hostess benefit.

The other technique I wanted to try was adding some scrunch to my ribbons which I got inspiration from on Mary Fish's blog, there she used satin ribbon while I stuck to my In Color Stitched-Poly Ribbon.

I also got to use some of the heavier magnets that I managed to find while on holidays recently in Geelong, Victoria at a lovely craft shop that I stumbled across. I sent my dear hubby off to the Aussie Disposals store next door but he came back before I had finished browsing so I sent him off to the Big W store and said I would catch up with him - half an hour later I did!

Anyway, I had fun playing with these colours so why don't you pop on over to the Just Add Ink site and see what the other very talented Design Team members have created and then join in the fun and submit your own entry!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you found some inspiration here today.

Supplies used:
Stamps: Circle Circus, Every Moment, Whimsical Words
Inks: So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red, Elegant Eggplant
Cardstock/Paper: Riding Hood Red, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, DSP Pack - In Color
Accessories: 1/2" Stitched Poly-Ribbon, Clips Assortment, 1 3/8" Circle and Scallop Circle Punches, Calendar Tabs, Magnets, Snail Adhesive and Stampin' Dimensionals