Candy Cane Snowmen

I recently purchased a couple of stamps from IndigoBlu and they added a small 3x3" stamp with my package as a thank you! Awwww! It was such a lovely thing to do and to my delight, it was a of a snowman who was just screaming for me to turn him into some bright and cheery Christmas cards.

Candy Cane Snowmen

I used the following D-lish Scraps products when creating these cards .. red and lime Coloured Doilies, lime Coloured Wire, rainbow mix Bitty Bags, red, white and green Spiral Stamens, 15mm green with red dot Printed Wooden Buttons, red and lime Pinwheel Blooms, and red Cosmos Daisies.

It may only be September but do you realise that right about now its only three months until Christmas? If, like me, you mostly send out handmade Christmas cards, its time to get started making your cards. If, like me, you like to embellish them, then head on over to D-lish Scraps where I'm sure you'll find all your embellishment needs and then some!

I hope wherever you are, the sun is shining.

D-lish Scraps Cotton Candy goodness

Each month D-lish Scraps releases a limited number of  Just Add Paper kits which co-ordinate with the monthly Inspiration Board challenge. These kits have grown in popularity to the point where they now sell out in less than 24 hours and Amanda is going to have to start making more of each limited edition kit each month.

Although the Cotton Candy kit I used to create the following layouts is now out of stock, I'd love to share with you just what good value ($10 per kit) and how much fun, the kits are to work with. From this kit I created two layouts of me as a not quite one and another just a few months older; one layout quite soft and pretty and the other bold and bright, but both from the one kit.

Almost one

As the kit name suggests, all you need to do is add paper. In this instance I got out two pieces of cardstock, two pieces of co-ordinating double-sided paper (from the MME Now & Then Dorothy collection), new Heidi Swapp banners, Jillibean Soup alphas, and then some background mixed media bits and pieces.

For my second layout I followed the sketch (fairly loosely) from the current Inspiration Board challenge for, funnily enough LOL, inspiration!

Sweet

I had some patterned paper off-cuts which I'd normally put in a ziplock bag for 'later use' (yeah right LOL) but had been challenged by a girlfriend to make a Christmas card by the end of the weekend. Although I'm no longer interested in making cards I thought "why not use these off-cuts, raid my D-lish Scraps stash, and have a few cards put away for future use?". So whilst the cards aren't Christmas themed, my girlfriend let me off the hook because I made three (three!) other cards LOL!!

Additional D-lish Scraps products used when making the cards include .. black/white Cotton Twine, mint Cherry Blossoms, hot pink and light pink Rambling Roses, white Sweetheart Blooms, white and light pink Sweet Petites, black Bling, Flair Buttons from the Just My Type pack, black Small Roses, and mini 3.5" round Paper Doilies.

When all was said and done, after finishing these projects I had one 2.5 x 3.25" piece of patterned paper left, and some pink flower sequins, the aqua chevron bag, washi tape and a wood veneer cupcake left over from the kit. I've got to say I'm pretty happy with what I achieved with so few products.

Make sure you've liked D-lish Scraps on Facebook and selected 'get notifications' so you'll receive sneak peeks of future kits as they come up. Then you can decide if you want to be one of the first scrappers to purchase the kit before the all sell out!!

Happy scrapping!

Hybrid cards with D-lish Scraps

I am known for making some very elaborate cards with lots of stamping and layers and multiple techniques but do you know what? Sometimes I just want to whip up some quick and easy cards that look great but don't take forever to make. Honestly? I'd much rather spend my creative time scrapbooking. But being a paper crafter, and you'll no doubt relate to this, friends and family expect, and look forward to, receiving a hand made card.

So, I needed to make some cards but I really wasn't in the mood. Having left it to the absolute last minute and consequently having to think outside the box I figured with the multitude of free, downloadable printables circulating online for pocket page scrapping that there would surely be something suitable for card making. Right? Right!!!

These cards came together so quickly and easily I am 100% converted to hybrid card making! The free downloaded, printed images are from Kate Hadfield Designs at The Wood Connection and Teeny Tiny Cards by Kolette Hall. (I used Stampin' Up! markers to colour in sections of the Teeny Tiny Cards.)

I've used the following D-lish Scraps products on my cards .. Washi Tape, red Motex Tape, PVC doilies, hot pink and aqua Sequins, a hot pink 30mm Double Layered Crochet Flower, flowers from various Resin Grab Bags, Freckled Fawn Enamel Dew Drops (Black/Grey/White), Paper Clips (Silver Arrows) and Wood Chips (Birds), Skipping 5 Puffy Things (Woodgrain Hearts), various Bitty Blooms, a bow from the Resin Whimsy Bow Grab Bag, a bottle cap from the Heart Mix Bottle Caps, a Paper Doiley, Journal Its by Star (Round & Rounds brights, Sweet Talkers pastel) and Carnival Tickets. Phew! LOL!

What do you think? Will you give hybrid card making a go?   :)

Scrapbook Creations - Design Diva competition

Those of you who know me well know that Scrapbook Creations is my absolute favourite Australian scrapbooking magazine. I am proud to have now had a number of layouts and projects published in Scrapbook Creations and was uber excited when I found out they were running their Design Diva competition again this year.

I had to enter and despite leaving it until almost the last minute to get my entry in, I did. I wasn't successful. I wasn't even short listed LOL! Am I disappointed? Not really, oddly enough. Although it would have been wonderful ..

Of the three required projects, I thought the one that would really let my entry down was my OTP. For the most part, OTPs just aren't my thing. If I have a 'stroke of genius' I can sometimes pull something amazing off, but for the most part OTPs leave me stumped. The problem I found was that no 'strokes of genius' were heading my way in time for me to complete my entry. The only thing left was to create a suite of cards. Ironically, this was the one project Scrapbook Creations wanted to publish!!!!!!! In the end I didn't proceed with having the cards published because, quite honestly, I had put so much work into the techniques, elements and details on the cards, it would have taken me days to write the step by step instructions Scrapbook Creations required for the feature. I can't believe I 'rejected an acceptance' but I guess sometimes other things in life have to take precedence yes?

These are my entry projects ..

Today

entry 1 - a piece of me

published in Scrapbooking Memories Vol. 16 No. 3

"Although I like to experiment with different products and techniques, the style of scrapping I find myself returning to time and time again is a clean and neat, often pretty, and elegant one, incorporating lots of journaling (there is hidden journaling on my tag as well as on the layout) and attention to detail."

Mia

entry 2 - signature style

"Creating depth with layers, paints and inks, adding textiles and other mixed media, stitching and distressing, are all some of my favourite techniques to use when scrapping."

Champ de fleurs

entry 3 - Off-The-Page

"I was making cards for several years before I started scrapbooking so it seemed natural to me to return to my grass roots and make a card suite for this challenge in my favourite card style .. vintage, shabby botanicals."

So there you have it. The fish that John West rejected LOL! Until next time .. keep crafting!!!   :)

Ozzie! Ozzie! Ozzie!

Owl! Owl! Owl!

Okay so we know how much I love the Collections Elements chipboard Ozzie Owl to use as a template for creating paper pieced owls for cards sooooo ..

Tropicana

This particular Ozzie Owl features a delicious Daffodil Peony Rose and Nudies button in chesterfield (which I altered with Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink) from Ruby{B}Lou whom you can find on Facebook. The Nudies button is fabric so I didn't need to use Alcohol Ink, but I had it out to colour my pearl spray and so figured "heh, why not". It worked so yay for me!! Or Ozzie Owl anyways. As I type Ozzie Tropicana is winging his way to my mum for her birthday (happy birthday mum!) and as she's not feeling so great right now I hope his cheery disposition brightens her up some.

Light & Breezy

Light & Breezy Ozzie is a delightful mix of very old (the Petaloo flowers are ancient) and fairly new MFT dies. He's for a girlfriend's birthday a little later in the month.

The next two Ozzies are a little more vintage. Originally I intended to send Nana's Sofa to my mum but when I heard how sick she was I thought she needed cheering up. The other one turned out a little more masculine than I intended, but flowery LOL! I'm not sure who either of these will go to but they'll be handy to have in my card stash for the future I'm sure.

Nana's Sofa 

Grandpa's Garden

If you see my post Inspired by Creative JumpStart 2013 you'll see I refer to my 'usual style of card making'. These Ozzie Owl cards are a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Not a lot of stamping because I'm kinda over that, at the moment anyways, still a fair bit of layering, and lots of detail, but mostly kinda simple, clean and nice. Noice even. LOL!! I made these cards before I got stuck into the Creative JumpStart 2013 tutorials and I'm hoping the difference we can see from these cards to the card I made for GB for our wedding anniversary translates into my scrapping as well. Time will tell!

Meanwhile back at the studio, I'm very excited to share my first ever She Art with you tomorrow! Hope you're having a good one. Cheers!!!   :)

PS: Where exactly did Thursday and Friday go????

Inspired by Creative JumpStart 2013

The most important things are the hardest to say because words diminish them.

~ Stephen King

I read the above quote on a girlfriend's FaceBook page this morning (heh Kiera!) and thought "wow". So many times I am lost for words because, quite simply, there are no words. Those who know me well are probably rolling on the floor laughing at the thought of me lost for words. But seriously guys, you all know what I mean.

At the moment this is kind of how I feel about the Creative JumpStart Summit run by Natalie Kalbach at the beginning of each year. This year is my first and all I can say so far is "wow" because really, there are no words. To date we've been inspired by Nat herself on more than one occasion, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, Heidi Swapp, Sharon Laakkonen, our very own Louise Nelson, and Karen Ellis. It has been fabulous to watch the online tutorials by these extremely talented artists and to catch a glimpse into what makes their creativity tick.

So, digressing for a moment, GB and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary yesterday. Woot woot .. go us LOL!!! We've never really made much of a fuss about our wedding anniversary (we celebrate married life every day .. awwwww!!) but I don't know, there was something different about this year. Our relationship has shifted a little. In a good way. A very good way. We seem to be having more fun lately. Given everything we've been through in the past 19 years some would say its a good thing we're having more fun. I agree! LOL GB would agree too!! So I decided to make him a fun, lighthearted wedding anniversary card. I didn't want to go all pink and red and romantic on him and was left wondering what I could do. Then I remembered I had some of the uber talented and fabulous Charmane Koch's Charms Creations Heavenly Hearts in my stash.

19 years

Okay so it may not seem like much. Granted, it is just a card after all. But for those of you who know my usual 'style' this is so far outside of the box for me its almost scary!!! I have been so inspired by all the fabulous Creative JumpStart tutorials that I literally just jumped out of my safety zone when creating the background for this card. It looks nothing like I planned and comprises many, many layers of inking and painting and misting and stamping. I just kept on going until I was happy and here's the best part .. it was fun, fun, FUN!!!! I've had fun in the past with mixed media and enjoyed getting my hands dirty but this was different. This was addictive. Admittedly I did create five canvases for Christmas presents (yet to share), but could this wee little card herald the beginnings of a new direction for my scrapping?? All I know is I'm hanging to finish my current project and get started on a LO inspired by Louise Nelson's fabulous crackle backgrounds!!!

Oh and keeping in theme with the light-hearted nature of our wedding anniversary 'celebrations', this is what I put on the inside of the card and yes, it made GB smile, and no I didn't want to know the answer to the question posed!!!!

Honey I know you're not reading this, but here's to the next 19!   :)

PS: Who gives away handmade gifts at Christmas without taking photographs of them first? Me it seems.   :(

PPS: I made a few cards the other day before I became engrossed in the JumpStart tutorials. I'll try to remember to post them tomorrow so you can see exactly what I mean about this card sooooo not being my 'style'.   :)

International Card Making Day

So last weekend was International Card Making Day and a couple of my girlfriends (heh Susan and Lucy!!) at ScrapChat put up a couple of challenges and they ended up creating a monster!!!  :O

At the best of times these days I don't much like making cards anymore. I'd really rather spend what little time I have to be creative, scrapping. Getting my grunge on. The reality is though, I need cards. I just can't bring myself to pay the ridiculous prices for a nice card when I could so easily whip one up myself. But as we well know, I love a challenge LOL and the girls' challenges caught me and dragged me in. What I didn't expect was that they'd create a card making monster!!

Susan's challenge was to create a pair of Christmas cards using punch art, ribbon and three buttons on each card. I ended up making three (because that's  how many cards I get out of a sheet of 12x12 cardstock) along these lines ..

products used:

cardstock - Prismatics

patterned paper - Jillibean Soup

embellishments - Heidi Swapp ribbon, Stampin' Up! buttons, embroidery thread

tools - Stampin' Up! punch

Lucy's challenge was to create a card with a flower made from a punch (no purchased flowers), a stamped quote or rub on verse, and patterned papers (as well as your cardstock base). The only 'extras' we were allowed to use were glitter, bling and mists. I found this harder than it perhaps sounds ..

products used:

cardstock - Prismatics and Stampin' Up!

patterned paper - My Mind's Eye

inks - Tim Holtz Distress and Archival Ink

stamp - Stampin' Up! Whimsical Words

tools - Stampin' Up!, EK Success and Martha Stewart punches

Where does the 'monster' bit come in? I wanted to make the cards up quickly and knew that I had a small stash of flowers I had made from punched out circles. So I got those flowers and my 6x6 patterned paper pads out to see if I could quickly pull something together (I had other scrapping I desperately wanted to do) and before I knew it I had matched up enough flowers and patterned papers to make eight cards!!! Plus they had somehow got me in the mood to make cards!!!  :O  That never happens so I figured I'd make hay while the sun shines ..

They had turned me away from the scrapping I wanted so desperately to do and created a 'card making monster'! However, I made sure to use sentiments that were fairly generic and would cover most of the occasions when I'd want to send a girlfriend a card; and now I can rest assured that I don't need to worry about making cards any time soon! Thanks for the inspiration Susan and Lucy! Oh and belated happy International Card Making Day wishes everyone!!!!   :)

Playing catch up

Over at ScrapChat I set a couple of challenges each month. One is a LO challenge, the other an all year round Christmas card challenge. Like so many of my scrappy friends, I like to send out handmade cards at Christmas. I hang my head in shame as I admit that the past two Christmases have seen not a single card sent from my home. Something had to change .. we needed to get organised!

Here's where the "playing catch up" comes into well, play .. I've been setting themes each month for our Christmas cards. I rocked through January (joy) and February (green & silver), but come March I came to a grinding halt. I just could not wrap my head around the theme for March which was 'rustic'. Then came April and I thought "be smart" and so keeping that and the perfect patterned paper I had in my stash in mind, I set the theme 'Here comes Santa Claus'. The problem with April's cards is the Santa Claus patterned paper had been sitting on my desk languishing, gathering dust. May? Oh no let's not even discuss May LOL! The theme for May was 'peace' and until a few days ago I had no idea what to do with it! In the end what I came up with is a little (?) left of centre but heh at least it'll stand out on the mantelpiece LOL!!

So this is me .. "playing catch up"..

March - A Rustic Christmas

products used:

cardstock - SU Crumb Cake

patterned paper - Chatterbox artsy.licious Fine Flocked Paper in Ruby

stamps - Kaisercraft Sheet Music, Prima Nouveau, SU French Foliage and En Francais

inks - StazOn Blazing Red, Black Cherry and Saddle Brown, SU Crumb Cake, ColorBox fluid chalk Dar Moss

other fun stuff - German Glass glitter (rose), Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist (Gold), Lumiere acrylic paint (561 - Metallic Gold), twine, chipboard

April - Here comes Santa Claus

products used:

cardstock - SU Confetti White, ColorMates Medium Autumn Red

patterned paper - Cosmo Cricket Dear Mr Claus collection

other - Tim Holtz mini paper rosettes die, EK Success Swiss Cheese border punch

May - Peace

products used:

cardstock - SU Confetti White

other - chipboard peace signs by Mel Johns, various organza ribbons, Making Memories rub-ons (Beach - red)

fun stuff - FolkArt acrylic paint (662 - Metallic Silver Sterling), Crystalina Kindy Glitz, Glossy Accents

2012 Christmas card count .. 30 done .. 30+ still to go!!   :)

I've run away with Tim

Tim Holtz that is. LOL! Oh and yes .. in my dreams! Fortunately for the both of us, I only want him for his creativity and good looks!!!! Oh and let's not forget his charm and great sense of humour. Plus his studio filled with vintage love. Sigh ..

Seriously though? I've been participating in his online class "Creative Chemistry 101" the past couple of weeks which has meant I've been busy 'studying' (ha ha) and doing 'homework' (OMG that's even funnier!) so I don't really have anything to share. Oh and I've been playing truant a lot too. We're nearly at the end of week two and I'm still only at about day 4 or 5 .. oops! I've a lot of catching up to do LOL!! But that's the beauty of these online classes .. you can do it all at your own pace.

Meanwhile my buddy Miriam (heh sunshine!) sets a monthly card challenge at ScrapChat and as I wanted to make something fresh and new for another friend's birthday, I decided to give it a bash. It was meant to be a punch art card and wouldn't you know it, halfway through I realised I was paper piecing!! D'oh!!!!! In any event out of the stash of products arose ..

Ozzie Stella Rose

products used:

cardstock - Bazzill

patterned paper - My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose - Mabel papers 6x6

embellishments - Wendy Irving Expressions rubons; Prima flowers; buttons; orange sewing machine thread

fun stuff - Kaiser white acrylic paint; Viva Decor Croco crackling color; Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Broken China and Spiced Marmalade); white Uniball Signo pen; 

other - Collections Elements Ozzie Owl (used as a template)

punches/dies - SU 1" and 3/4" circles and large oval; Sizzlits Flourish #9

Thanks for the challenge Miriam even if I did get it wrong!

What's next? I'm not exactly sure. I'd like to do my own March challenges at ScrapChat .. the all year round Christmas card challenge and my colour based layout challenge. I'd love to catch up on Tim's classes and get my tags (the 'homework') from each class up to date. In just a couple of days I'll be setting new challenges for April at ScrapChat. I'm running almost ridiculously late in a handmade embellishment swap, but that's mostly because I can't settle on what to make. I owe a friend a CJ which I really, really want to get done because that means I'll be finished with group one in that swap. Sigh .. LOL .. where to begin? Fingers crossed for a productive weekend!

Meanwhile, whatever you're up to this weekend .. enjoy!!!!   :)

A quick share

Just a quick fly by from me today sharing the Christmas cards I've made for our all year round Christmas card challenge at ScrapChat. I've got to say I'm really rather enjoying it. I can't imagine why I haven't done this in past years. It doesn't take long to whip up five or six cards and now I've made 12 of the 60 or so cards I need to make! A brilliant idea if you ask me.

Anyways this month our challenge was Green & Silver .. ugh! Do you know what I reckon? I reckon Green & Silver was something of a real challenge for me and do you know what else I reckon? I reckon maybe I'm just a bit of a dufus because I set the challenge!!! D'oh! You reckon I'd set it to suit myself LOL! Moving on ..

Christmas Trees

SU products used:

cardstock - Whisper White, Wild Wasabi

patterned paper - Wild Wasabi from patterned paper stack

stamps - Patterned Pines, Best Yet

ink - Wild Wasabi

punches - Scallop Trim Border, Designer Label Large

other - Hodgepodge Hardware in Styled Silver

other products used:

ink - Archival Brilliance Platinum Planet

I can feel the mojo returning so hopefully I'll be back soon with something a tad more exciting than Christmas cards in February!   :)

PS:  Note to self .. keep in mind what I want to do for March's challenge!!!!   ;)

Happy Valentine's Day

For GB ..

Happy Valentine's Day

products used:

cardstock - SU Naturals Ivory, Poppy Parade

patterned paper - Scenic Route Laurel Sailmaker Lane

stamps - SU A Happy Heart, I {Heart} Hearts

inks/markers - SU Poppy Parade

punches - SU Modern Window,  Heart to Heart

other - SU stitched poly-ribbon, Melissa Frances glitter chipboard heart, Inkssentials Glossy Accents

Wherever you are, whomever you are with, whatever you are doing, remember to cherish your loved ones today and everyday.   :) xx

Merry Christmas!!

Huh?! Come again?!

LOL don't stress. It is only February. But this year I am determined to be organised come Christmas. That means having my cards made ahead of time. A number of my scrapping buddies feel the same way so over at ScrapChat we've having an All Year Round Christmas Card Challenge. January's challenge was to use the word Joy for inspiration.

Joy

products used:

cardstock - Prismatics

patterned paper - Lilybee Designs Christmas Town and SU DSP First Edition

alphas: Carolee's Creations tiny alphas (Milk Chocolate)

embellishments: Prima RAJA flower centres; Making Memories staples; various buttons; beads

trims: Chatterbox artsy.licious crochet trim; twine from Purple Pumpkin; burgundy net trim

dies: Tim Holtz Alterations Mini Paper Rosettes; Die-namics Rolled Flower; Cuttlebug Harlequin

other: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (fired brick)

I may be a day late, but I did it! I can't believe it LOL! I've actually made Christmas cards in February. I'm really hoping I can keep up the pace because this is something I've wanted to do for the past few years and each year I have failed miserably. This year I'm determined that come Christmas I will have plenty of cards to send out to family and friends; and yes LOL, some of them will just about keel over from the shock!

February's challenge is to use the colours green and silver. Ordinarily I think I'd pair green with gold so this will be a fun one to take on. Perhaps I'll go lime green? I'm thinking possibly some owls? Whatever the case I'm going to be buzzing if I get them done!   :)

Thanks Tiff!

The fabulous Tiff Sawyer of Scrap Sanity had a Countdown to Christmas giveaway on FaceBook last year and although I wasn't in time to 'win' one of her giveaways, Tiff sent me a pack of the fabulous rub-ons and gorgeous chipboard owls I commented on anyway!! You can check out all the wonderful delights Scrap Sanity has to offer HERE.

So anyways, a girlfriend was over scrapping last night (heh Miriam!!!) and I had the rub-ons and chipboard owls sitting on my desk screaming at me to play! So I did. LOL! I decided to make a card with a difference. Instead of scoring the card as per usual, I made it with two separate pieces I joined with a jump ring.

1234567890

products used:

cardstock - SU! Early Espresso

patterned paper - Jillibean Soup Blossom Soup 6x6 mini pad

other - ScrapFX chipboard tree, chipboard owls, CherryArte rub-ons Numbers White, jump ring,

handmade flowers, SU! Scallop Trim Border punch

Yep, for something else to do I decorated both the front and the back of the card. I figured as I was keeping it so simple, I might as well. When I get around to sending this card to someone I'll most likely do some journaling strips for what I want to write. Although, if it sits around for long enough LOL, it may just be turned into a notebook of sorts.

Thanks Tiff!!!!   :)

Christmas Down Under

What does Christmas in Australia (or where you live) mean to you? Growing up, and even to this day, Christmas in my family has always been a very 'English style' celebration. Not for us the prawns on the barbie followed by a fresh, perhaps tropical, fruit salad. Oh and I no complain LOL ... hmmm the taste of roast turkey, roast potatoes and gravy, followed by traditional Christmas pudding with custard (and sixpences!!), no matter the temperature outside, or inside for that matter, on Christmas day!!

When it comes to Christmas cards 'a la Australian' though, Christmas in my home gets a little trickier. Rather than going the 'obvious route' of Santa Claus surfing, wearing boxers and thongs, or carrying a swag, or emus (or other native animals) wearing Christmas hats, although admittedly all loaded with bags of character, I've chosen to express Australia in the following Christmas cards with my use of colours. I hope you approve ...

Deck the Halls

Stampin' Up! products used:

colours - Barely Banana, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive

cardstock - Confetti White, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive

stamps - French Filigree, Creative Elements, Merry & Type

other - Textured Impressions Stripes, Linen Thread

other products used:

patterned paper - Basic Grey Fruitcake - Holly Berries, Sugar Cookie; German Glass Glitter - Lime Green; mini pearls; Inkssentials Crackle Accents; dies - Sizzix Stars Primitive, Label Ornate #3; chipboard and JAC paper

Merry and Bright Baubles

Stampin' Up! products used:

colours - Barely Banana, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Crumb Cake

cardstock - Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Barely Banana

stamps - Delightful Decorations, Merry & Type, French Foliage, En Francais

other - Linen Thread, VersaMark stamp pad, Ornament punch

other products used:

patterned paper - Basic Grey Fruitcake - Sugar Cookie; German Glass Glitter - Rose; mini pearls; Artee Clear Detail embossing powder; die - Sizzix Label Ornate #2

Something for Christmas

Stampin' Up! products used:

colours - Barely Banana, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive

cardstock - Confetti White, Barely Banana, Riding Hood Red

stamps - Something for Christmas

other - Textured Impressions Stripes, Taffeta Ribbon - Riding Hood Red

other products used:

patterned paper - Basic Grey Fruitcake - Twinkle, Holly Berries; German Glass Glitter - Copper; Hooked on Craft paper doily; Inkssentials Glossy Accents; die - Big Shot Thick Cuts Circles; chipboard and JAC paper

Okay, so on my calculations, having made six of each of the cards I've shared so far, that's a total of 54 Christmas cards made in the past three weeks. Phew! I guess that could explain why I'm feeling a little over Christmas already. LOL ... just kidding of course!! But I am a tad tired; and my house is a tad dusty and in need of a thorough going over. But I still have Christmas card ideas coursing through my veins. I'm eager to have a go at some cards in pinks and golds. Plus some cards with 'character' so to speak, a little fun perhaps.

One of my most special girlfriends (heh Sandy!!) is coming to stay this weekend so the question is ... do I let Sandy see my home for the first time ever in it's natural state (ha ha ha) and keep making the cards I'm feeling so inspired to make ... or do I prepare the 'palace' for the imminent arrival of our 'state visitor'? ROFL ... I can hear Sandy's response now and no I won't (or more to the point, can't!!!) share it with you!!!

I guess we'll know around about next Monday which path I chose to follow ...

Winter Wonderland

I'm back with more Christmas cards to share. Personally, I'm more of a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas colours, and one thing I'm really not fond of is 'Winter themed' cards. Yet this next group of cards were made with blues and silvers and fall (in my humble opinion) slap bang, right in the middle of 'Winter themed' and yet I like them waaaaay more than the first three cards I've shared. Maybe I'm still just getting my Christmas groove on. Whatever the case, here's the 'Nordic' (ha ha) range ...

Love & Peace

Stampin' Up! products used:

colours - Baja Breeze, Marina Mist
cardstock - Confetti White, Baja Breeze
stamps - Merry & Type, Many Merry Messages
other - Scallop Trim Border punch, Decorative Label punch, VersaMark stamp pad, Uni-ball Signo white pen

other products used:

patterned paper - Basic Grey Blitzen - Jack Frost, Ice Blue; corrugated cardstock; Kaiser rhinestones; Brilliance Platinum Planet ink pad; Artee Silver Detail and Clear Detail embossing powders; sewing machine thread

White Christmas

Stampin' Up! products used:

colours - Baja Breeze, Marina Mist
cardstock - Confetti White
stamps - Baroque Motif, En Francais, Winter Post
other - VersaMark stamp pad, Whisper White taffeta ribbon

other products used:

patterned paper - Basic Grey Blitzen - Ice Blue, Fresh Snow, Snowballs; mini rhinestones; Kindy Glitz - Chrystalina; Inkssentials Glossy Accents; Brilliance Platinum Planet ink pad; Artee White embossing powder; Big Shot Thick Cuts Circles die; chipboard and JAC paper; metallic embroidery cotton

Bejewelled Ornaments

Stampin' Up! products used:

colours - Marina Mist, Baja Breeze
cardstock - Confetti White, Marina Mist, Baja Breeze
stamps - Tree Trimmings, French Foliage, Style Beautiful, Creative Elements, Many Merry Messages

other products used:

patterned paper - Basic Grey Dasher - Snowbank; mini rhinestones; Brilliance Platinum Planet ink pad; sewing machine thread

I was planning on doing some fun, character themed cards next, but after all that Wintry magic I feel the need to touch base with something more Australian! Wish me luck.   :)

Bah humbug!

Well, not really, I suppose. But then again, maybe ...

Christmas is always a time fraught with danger for GB and I. Oh and before you ask or roll your eyes (LOL), there are plenty of good reasons. Yet despite how much we try to avoid it, and having even in the past attempted a 'John Grisham' (skipping Christmas!) we've never fully succeeded in avoiding it altogether. I remember one year we studiously, but gratefully, declined any and all invitations to attend Christmas celebrations, only to have GB's brother turn up on our doorstep, unexpectedly, presents in hand, for lunch, just as (get this LOL) we were about to sit down to pancakes for brunch!!! We had so much fun and my BIL so enjoyed his Christmas 'with a difference' that year, it's become something of a tradition!!!

So anyways, Christmas is only, I don't know how many weeks away, and my my attention has accordingly turned to Christmas cards. Oh that we had children we could take cute photos of and print our cards at a photo kiosk!!! Oh that our friends and family didn't know about my paper crafting addiction and so didn't expect a handmade card! LOL I must confess, despite all the bah humbug-ing and whinging and whining I really do rather enjoy making our Christmas cards each year; and this year I get to bore you senseless with each of the designs. Ha ha ... the Scrooge has the last laugh! So without further ado, here's the first instalment ...

Christmas Robin

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Naturals Ivory, Always Artichoke

colours - Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Soft Suede, More Mustard

stamps - Beautiful Season

other products used:

Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas Magic patterned paper; Archival Ink Jet Black; United Ribbons seam binding; Inkssentials Glossy Accents

O' Christmas Tree

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Naturals Ivory, Cherry Cobbler

colours - Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede, Basic Gray

stamps - En Francais, Lovely As a Tree, Many Merry Messages

other - Crochet Trim Victoria 5/8", Basic Pearl Jewels, Modern Label punch, Scallop Trim Border punch

other products used:

Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas Magic patterned paper

Bauble of Joy

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Naturals Ivory

colours - Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake

stamps - Delightful Decorations, French Foliage, French Filigree, Baroque Border standard roller

other - Ornament punch, Eyelet Border punch, Designer Frames embossing folder

other products used:

Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas Magic patterned paper; United Ribbons seam binding; VersaMark stamp pad; Artee Clear Detail embossing powder; metallic embroidery cotton

All these cards were made using the following sketch from PageMaps (check them out HERE) ...

September 2011

I'll be back with more Christmas cards to dazzle you (ha ha) in just a few days so stay tuned!  :)

PS: Liking much the gorgeous text paper in the background of my photos??? It's from Stampin' Up! (yes I know LOL!!!) and is there new "lighter-weight" patterned paper "First Edition Specialty". Now not a lot gets past me (okay yes it does LOL!) but for the princely sum of $24.95 I had no idea I was receiving 24 sheets of this scrumptious paper and that it was double-sided ... four each of the six designs. Talk about good value. I highly recommend you get your hands on some. I mean at about $1.00 a sheet for divine patterned paper ...

The 'card making frenzy' ...

A girlfriend (and my local Stampin' Up! demonstrator) (heh Miriam!!) sells her beautiful cards through a local florist (who also has a shop in town) and the local market. You can visit Miriam's blog HERE. Her most recent market has involved an enormous amount of preparation (whilst she's been deathly ill!) as it was part of a larger fundraising effort in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With her usual commitments seemingly having quadrupled and being extremely sick, Miriam sent out the smoke signal to myself and another girlfriend to make up some cards to help her out.

As Miriam is a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, for the most part all the products I've used are Stampin' Up!. LOL I no complain ... I love, love, love Stampin' Up! products. One day I plan to join Stampin' Up as a demonstrator, but in the interim I need pantry shelves, umm ... an electrician to finish installing some light fittings and ceiling fans, ahh ... that's right outdoor tables (we have the chairs!), oh yeah and a BBQ. LOL and that's just the tip of the iceberg!!!

Anyways October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and if you care to make a donation to the Breast Cancer Network Australia (visit them HERE) you can do so VIA THIS LINK.

These are a few of the cards I made ...

Fresh Like Spring

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Crumb Cake, Wild Wasabi, Watercolor

inks/markers - Crumb Cake, So Saffron, More Mustard, Wild Wasabi

stamps - Love & Care, French Foliage, En Francais background

other - Basic Black designer button, Linen Thread

from my stash:

black sewing machine cotton, embroidery thread

Wild Marigolds

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - River Rock, Wild Wasabi, Poppy Parade, Watercolor

inks/markers - River Rock, Wild Wasabi, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait

stamps - Love & Care, Medallion background

dsp - Peach Parfait from 2010-2012 In Colors pattern stack

punches - Scallop Trim Border

other - Brights Designer Buttons, Linen Thread

White Butterfly Delight (green)

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Confetti White

inks/markers - Wild Wasabi

stamps - Friends 24-7

dsp - Certainly Celery from Subtles Stack and Melon Mambo from Brights Stack

punches - Scallop Edge Border

other - Basic Pearl Jewels, Sizzix Embosslits Beautiful Wings

from my stash:

Sizzix/Tim Holtz Mini Paper Rosettes die

White Butterfly Delight (blue)

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Crumb Cake and Confetti White

inks/markers - Marina Mist

stamps - Friends 24-7

dsp - Bashful Blue from Subtles Stack and Regal Rose from Brights Stack

punches - Scallop Trim Border

other - Sizzix Embosslits Beautiful Wings

from my stash:

Sizzix/Tim Holtz Mini Paper Rosettes die

Kaiser Pearls - Denim

Hello - Have a Great Day

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Confetti White, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red

inks/markers - Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black

stamps - Lots of Thoughts

dsp - Real Red, Regal Rose and Tempting Turquoise from Brights Pattern Stack

punches - Owl Builder

other - Clips, black 3/8" grosgrain ribbon, Sizzix Top Note die

from my stash:

Sakura Aqualip pen - Black

Inkssentials Glossy Accents

That's it for me just now. I'm not sure what October holds. I know what I want to do. Scrap. Create. Paint. I know what I should be doing. Sorting filing, working out, gardening, cooking, cleaning, blah blah blah LOL. Weather permitting our roof is being replaced this month. We're having our 12 months maintenance inspection with our builder this month so who knows, maybe I'll have tradies crawling all over the house? Wouldn't that be nice LOL?! Whatever October holds for you I hope it's a good one.