Every Monday night I receive an e-mail in my inbox from Mojo Monday.  Mojo Monday is a fabulous blog that holds a sketch challenge each week.  You can see it here.  Anyway I look at it each Monday night  & think oh yeh I will get to that sketch later in the week & it NEVER happens.   So last night I was tidying up my desk (a never ending job) & this e-mail came through & I thought oh I’ll go have a look.  Popped over there & mmmm do I or don’t I ?  Oh why not so I sat down & created. 

Here is the sketch

 and here is my card

All supplies Stampin’ Up!

Stamp set:  Occasional Greetings,  Greetings Eight, Sanded

Cardstock:  Pink Pirouette,  Choc Chip,  Baja Breeze,  Close to Cocoa,  Whisper White

Ink:  Pink Pirrouette, Baja Breeze,  Choc Chip,  Baja Breeze,  Pacific Point

Accessories:  Blender Pen,  Pretty in Pink Taffeta ribbon,   1″ Circl e punch,  Styled Silver Hodgepodge,  Fire circle Rhinestone brads,  Cutter kit (distressing tool),   Paper piercer & mat pack,  Stampin’ Dimensionals 

I’m not 100% sold on this one, it’s not that I don’t like it I just find it hard to think of what I do like about it.  I may have another go later in the week……lol

I do still have that “cute” project to show you.  I will try to get the photos uploaded today.

Till next time…….keep smiling & happy stamping

Hi there,  this is a quick post.  It was my hubby’s birthday yesterday so I made him this card.  I am really really happy with how it turned out, I think I may have to “CASE” my own work…LOL

I watercoloured the ute & presents.  I am really enjoying watercolouring at the moment & I think I am finally getting the hang of it……YIPPEE

All supplies Stampin’ Up!

Stamp set:  Loads of Love & loads of love accessories,  Sanded,  Spot On Jumbo Wheel,  One of a Kind

Cardstock:  Chocolate Chip,  Not Quite Navy,  Creamy Caramel,  Old Olive,  Whisper White & Water colour paper

Ink:  Not Quite Navy,  Old Olive,  Choc Chip (wheel),  Staz On Jet Black

Re-inkers:  Creamy Caramel,  Close to Cocoa,  Not Quite Navy,  Garden Green,  Pumpkin Pie,  , Really Rust,  Ruby Red , More Mustard, Going Grey, Soft Sky

Accessories:  Aqua Painter,  Cutter Kit (distressing tool),  Jumbo Wheel handle,  Wide Old Olive grosgrain ribbon,  Styled Silver Hodge Podge,  Naturals Hemp Twine,  Designer Label punch,  Horizontal Slot punch,   Stampin’  Dimensionals

All the rave at the moment in the US is to do an “inside”  for the card & I thought my darling hubby is worth an “inside”  so here it is

All supplies Stampin’  Up!

Stamp set:  Loads of Love & accessories,  Wonderful Favourites

Cardstock:  Whisper White,  Good Morning Sunshine DSP

Ink:  Staz-on Jet Black,  Choc Chip,  Not Quite Navy,  Ruby Red

Re-inkers:  Not Quite Navy,  Garden Green,  Ruby Red,  Pumpkin Pie,  More Mustard,  Really Rust

Accessories:  Aqua Painter,  Jumbo eyelets & Cropadile

I love the idea of using the eyelets for the wheels,  this is not an original idea & I’m not sure where I first saw it (sorry, if it is your idea please let me know & I will place credit where it is due)

I hope you like this card I made, hubby  really did & I’m quite chuffed at how it turned out.

Till next time…….keep smiling & happy stamping

A little while ago I made this card

& I didn’t completely like it.  I still have trouble with the blue Good Friend on the Pink Pirouette, so I remade it the other day & oh boy it is MUCH BETTER

The kids even like it better!  What I have changed is very minimal but I think very effective.

All supplies Stampin’  Up!

Stamp Set:  Good Friend

Cardstock:  Baja Breeze,  Pacific Point,  Pink Pirouette,  Whisper White

Ink:  Baja Breeze,  Pink Pirouette, So Saffron

Accessories:  Pretty in Pink grosgrain ribbon,  Flower brad,  Stampin’ Dimensionals,  paper piercer & mat pack,  Stampin’ Sponges

You will notice I have also changed the wing on the lil’ birdie. I cut it out of some Pacific Point & raised it with a dimensional.  I love this card now & I think I am going to have to make a couple more so I can give to my Good Friends

I have been flat out with Life in general again & haven’t had much time to stamp so this is all I have to show you at the moment.  I am out again tomorrow,  home over the weekend but spending time with the kids & dear hubby as it is our wedding anniversary & his birthday.  I am out again the first half of next week so unfortunately I won’t have much to show you for a week.   Do keep checking back though because I may just surprise you with something really cute…………..if I can get it photographed

Take care & till next time keep smiling & stamping

Hello there,  I hope you are having a great day today

Yesterday I said I would have something exciting to show you.  Well I think this is exciting, sorta more “cute” than exciting.  I (again) was blog surfing & was checking out Carolina’s blog (the same blog I got the idea for the purse-a-lopes from) & found she had made some cute paperclip bookmarks.  A good friend (Hi LOU) bought me some paperclips to make into bookmarks & I have been meaning to do so.  So yesterday was the day!  I made 4 & a little card to hold them in.  I think this is the perfect gift idea for one of those little “BOOKWORMS” which my kids are

Anyway here is what I came up with

This is the front view

All supplies Stampin’ Up! unless stated

Stamp set:  Good Friend (coming in the 09/10 catty), Occasional Greetings

Cardstock:  Rose Red,  Old Olive,  Whisper White,  Bali Breeze DSP

Ink:  Pumpkin Pie,  Old Olive,  Taken with Teal,  Rose Red,  Rose Red marker

Accessories:  Felt Flowers (from the Summer mini),  Fire circles Rhinestone brads,  Old Olive wide grosgrain ribbon, mini glue dots , crystal effects  & Large Paperclips (not Stampin’  Up!), craft knife & ruler (not Stampin’ Up!)

And the inside

And this is what it looks like in a book

Yes I did say I made 4, but I could only get 3 to fit.  So Maddi (my 3rd daughter) was the recipient of the 4th one I made.  She was very pleased with that as I make bookmarks for my older girls all the time (& they are lost regularly) & never her.  She is getting old enough now to need a bookmark so she has one (I guess the first of many).

I hope you like my creation.  If you would like me to show you how to make these, why not book a demonstration.  I would love to come along & show you & your friends how to make them.  You will even be able to see some of the new products & the new catalogue.  I haven’t got mine yet but they are in Western Australia, so they shouldn’t be far away now……..yippee

Take care & till next time…………keep smiling & stamping

Good Monday morning everyone

I hope you had a great weekend.  We didn’t do much but it was  a nice weekend.  We had visitors to look at our house as they are wanting to build a house soon & looking at ideas.  So Saturday was full of that last minute “CLEAN” & most of Sunday was taken up with cooking, eating & chatting. 

I hope you are having a good Monday morning.  It is a great Monday morning here.  The music is pumping,  the coffe has been drunk,  the washing & ironing done.  Lunches made & sent to work,  dishes done & now it is time to stamp.

I know I said in Saturday nights post that I was going to stamp & post something on Sunday, but it just didn’t seem to happen.  I was chatting with a friend online & then got caught up with doing some paperwork & stamping went by the wayside….again. 

BUT I have been at it this morning.  I was visiting a friends blog  the other day when I saw this card that she made recently.  I fell in love with the whole concept of it, so just HAD to make one

So here’s my take on it

All supplies Stampin’  Up!

Stamp set:  Baroque Motifs,  One of a Kind (in the current mini & going to be in the 09/10 catty)

Cardstock:  Pink Pirouette,   Vellum Cardstock,  Rose Red,  Certainly Celery,  Whisper White

Ink:  Pink Pirouette

Accessories:  Large & Small Oval punches,  Crimper,  Two Way Glue Pen,  Dazzling diamonds,  Styled Silver Hodge Podge,  Flower Brad (coming in the 09/10 catty),  Paper Piercer & mat pack,  Stampin’  Dimensionals,  Mini Glue Dots

Don’t you think it is just so gorgeous!  The idea I mean…….lol.  You can find the original tutorial here

Well I am off now to go stamp some more.  I’m going to make some more of these cards plus remake the one I gave to my mother-in-law for her birthday.  Then this afternoon once the kids are home I am off to clean an old “Metters” oven so I can have it in the house.  I told hubby to just bring it in & then I will clean it, but he is insisting that I clean it out in the garage………

Hopefully I will have something fun & exciting to show you tomorrow.

Till next time keep smiling & stamping

Happy Saturday everyone!

I hope you are enjoying your weekend so far.

I haven’t been stamping much lately as I have been flat out with “life” .  I think I have only made these three cards this week.  They all either use new stamps or in colours from the 2009/10 catalogue which is due to be released April 1st. 

This first card I made to give to my mother-in-law for her birthday.  I absolutely LOVE the way it turned out.  I’m going to have to make another, just so I have one too

All supplies Stampin’ Up!

Stamp Set:  Echoes of Kindness,  Linen (retiring   )Fresh Cuts

Cardstock:  Baja Breeze,  Choc Chip,  Kiwi Kiss,  Water Colour paper, Whisper White

Ink:  Baja Breeze,  Kiwi Kiss, Choc Chip,  Staz On Jet Black

Accessories:  Spiral Punch,  Choc Chip Taffeta Ribbon,  Styled Silver Hodge Podge, Small Oval Punch,  Stampin’ Sponges,  Aqua Painter, Baja Breeze & Kiwi Kiss re-inkers

I watched the new in colours when they came out in the US & thought,  oh no,  I’m going to truely miss Purely Pomegranate,  Blue Bayou & ALL the others we have had this year,  BUT do you know,  I haven’t used them since I have had these new ones.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new In Colours.  They are really fresh.

Anyway onto the next card.  I whipped this up this afternoon,  just using a base card that I had already started.

All Supplies Stampin’ Up!

Stamp Sets:  Echoes of Kindness, Fresh Cuts

Cardstock:  Baja Breeze,  Regal Rose,  Taken with Teal,  Watercolour Paper

Ink:  Baja Breeze,  Regal Rose,  Taken with Teal,  Staz On Jet Black,  Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette & Regal Rose Re-inkers

Accessories:  Ice Circle Rhinestone Brads,  Stampin Sponges,  Aqua Painter,  Stampin’ Dimensionals

I am really very happy with how this one turned out too.  It is so pretty

& the final card, I feel is a bit BLUE.  I don’t mind it but I’m not a BLUE person, I prefer PINK (even thought my kitchen is blue…lol & yes I do love being in there,  it would have to come a draw with my craft room in being the room I love to be in the house)

All Supplies Stampin’ Up!

Stamp Sets:  Ocean Commotion,  Fresh Cuts

Cardstock:  Baja Breeze,  Taken with Teal,  So Saffron,  Whisper White

Ink:  Baja Breeze,  Taken with Teal

Accessories:  Styled Silver Hodge Podge,  Small Oval Punch,  White Taffeta ribbon,  Cutter Kit (distressing tool),  Stamnpin’ Dimensionals, Post-it note (not Stampin’ Up!)

With this card I have masked the seahorse so I can stamp the Seaweed image to be around the outside of it.  I must say i am actually quite proud of myself with these creations.  You see I am a lazy stamper & just plod along with what I know & I don’t like to have to get extra things out to use when creating….so i just ink & stamp.  With the first two I have done some watercolouring & I am loving the way the colouring has turned out.  I am definitely going to have to do this more often.  The masking isn’t a huge thing, but I actually stopped & thought about doing something different, so that is a big thing for me.  I should try to do different things more often.

Well we have just had a delicous chicken pie & vegies for dinner,  Robby has gone back to work, kids are in bed so I need to go clean the kitchen & then I will be back into my craft room to stamp some more.  Hopefully I will have something to show you tomorrow.

Till next time……keep smiling

Hi all,  this is going  to be a super quick post.  Last night I got out my Fresh Cut Notes (they are going to be in the new catty)  & decided I would make a nice, easy quick card.  This is what I came up with

The Fresh Cut Notes is a pre-prepared note sized card with the flower pre-punched out.  I wasn’t all that keen on these when I first saw them, but thought oh what the heck I’ll give them a try.  I’m so please I did because they are gorgeous

I pushed out the flower diecut & put a backing of Pink Pirouette behind the front cover of the card.  I then used the Tombow Adhesive (from the Summer Mini) & covered each petal with the glue & then covered the glue with the light pink Chunky Glitter (from the Summer Mini).  I did this for each petal & waited for it to dry.  Then I was wondering what I could put in the middle to  break up the white & decided on a Styled Silver Brad (from the Summer Mini).  I finally stamped the “for you” greeting from the Fresh Cuts stamp set (due out in the new catty) in Pink Pirouette down the bottom.  Oh & I tied some Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon around the top of the card.  I am really very happy with how this card has turned out & it took me all of about 10 minutes from start to finish (how quick & easy is that!)

So that’s it for tonight,  I will have to do some stamping tomorrow so I can show you some more new & exciting things soming out soon.

Till next time………….Keep smiling

Good morning everyone.  I hope you hav an enjoyable weekend planned

Yesterday I went to pick the kids up from school & in anticipation of picking up an order from a demonstration I did a couple of weeks ago.I was very pleasantly surprised when I got home & opened it that it was my pre-order for new products  out of the new catalogue coming out in April. 

I just love being a demonstrator with Stampin’  Up!, they really do look after us.  As a demonstrator  I (& all other demo’s) have had the chance to pre-order a selection of products  from the new catalogue & how good is  this; there was an extra discount on the stamp sets.   

When I realised the box was full of  my pre-order i just had to seal my blocks & get stamping.  I used the set called Good Friend,  this is such a cute set.

This is my favourite of the two cards I made.  I started with a base of Choc Chip, then layered Riding Hood Red & Good Morning Sunshine DSP.  I stamped the bird body image in Choc Chip & the legs & beak in More Mustard onto Whisper White & weathered the edges with my cutter kit then sponged with Riding Hood Red.  Next I stamped the Thanks from Greetings Eight in Kiwi Kiss onto Whisper White & then mounted that onto a Scallop Square of Riding Hood Red.  I finished it off with 3 Fire square Rhinestone brads. ( WOW that was lots of typing,  I think I might stick to  my original form of recipe writing)

This is the second one I made & I am not totally happy with it.  I think the bit that turns me off is the greeting in pacific point onto pink pirouette,  tell me what you think

All supplies Stampin’  Up!

Stamp set:  Good Friend

Ink:  Baja Breeze,  So Saffron, Pacific Point

Cardstock:  Baja Breeze,  Pink Pirouette,  Pacific Point,  Whisper White

Accessories:  Pretty in Pink grosgrain ribbon ,  Flower brad (new)

(now that was much easier)

I think there might be another card coming up the same as this second one with a change of greeting.  Will try to  make & post it tomorrow.

Now to the winner,  I posted on my blog asking you all which post you enjoyed reading the most, & I only had 2 people reply to this, so I am going to give each of them a pack of paper (the other 3 are demo’s).  So congratulations to Fiona & Helen,  I will be in touch soon to get your postal details & post your pack of paper to you.

I hope you like my cards,  I would dearly love to hear what you think of them.

Till next time…………….keep smiling

Hi there,  I hope you are having a great day today.  I am actually cheating a little & have organised this last night to post today while I  am at school helping in the Pre-Primary class

Yesterday I was having a play with some envelopes because I found this great tutorial to make these absolutely GORGEOUS little bags.  They are called Purse-a-lopes.  I thought they looked so special & easy that I just had to have a go.  I made one for each of my little kidlets,  here they are

 Aren’t they just so cute.

I put some little choc hearts in them & hung them on the kids doors so when they came home from school yesterday they had a little surprise & it DID make them smile.  They all came running down to me in the kitchen & gave me a big hug & kiss & said “Thanks mum, you are the best”  That just melted my heart & I knew it was worth making them.

If you would like to make them too go have a look at Carolina’s blog.

Anyway here is a closer look at the one I gave to Jemma

& here is a top view of what was inside them, but the chocs aren’t in there anymore

I thought I could also show you a couple of other things I have made using envelopes.

The first is called a bag-a-lope & it really is quite cute & it is just a matter of using an envelope, scoring here & there, punching out the top section & you are done.  How easy is that.  This is one I made a little while ago

& finally here is a little brag book holder I made a while ago too.  I can’t actually remember where I saw this idea, but it was somewhere on my blog surfing rounds one day, I must remember to write these things down in future.

I do have photos of the pages I have made for the inside, but I will post them into my gallery so you can go there to have a look.

Enjoy the rest of your day & till next time………..keep smiling

I absolutely LOVE this stamp set & was really surprised & quite sad when I saw it on the retiring list

Although I am keeping it.  This is one set I can’t bring myself to part with.  My kids love (the idea of ) horses & go for my horse stamps all the time (I have a few from before my SU days), so this is one they will love to use.

On this card I have done some faux stitching,  I always like the look of it, but can never get it to look just right.  This is about the best I have done so far,  just need to keep practicing to perfect it.  I am also trying to use up some of my retiring accessories.

All supplies Stampin’ Up!

Stamp Set:  Bronc Buster,  Short & Sweet

Cardstock:  River Rock,  Choc Chip,  Old Olive,  Whisper White

Ink:  Choc Chip,  Old Olive

Accessories:  white gel pen,  Cutter kit,  Stampin’ sponges,  Antique Brass Hodge Podge,  Paper Piercer & mat pack,  Wide Choc Chip grosgrain ribbon

Take care & keep smiling