Just Add Ink # 28

I had so much fun participating in the Just Add Ink challenge last week, that I am playing along again. This time I'm not cutting it so close to the deadline!

The challenge this week was to make a MAN CARD using this colour combo...

I love this combo, but struggle with cards for men, so it was a big challenge for me!! Anyway, here is what I came up with...

If you are looking for some male card inspiration, check out the other great entries over at Just Add Ink.

I said I'd be back with some Layouts...

So here I am...I should be preparing for a Stampin' Up! Workshop I have tomorrow morning, however thought I'd would do a quick post to share some layouts with you from my amazing weekend of scrapping. The weekend was run by Lee at Remember When and I went with a couple of friends and we had a great time. We scrapped till we dropped, from the minute we arrived till the early hours of the morning, then up again early to start scrapping again right through to the early hours of the next morning. The only breaks being for food and an amazing outdoor spa (in near freezing temperatures!) overlooking the valley and a beautiful sunset, topped off of course with a glass of champers. What more could I ask for!!

Anyway, enough of that and onto the layouts.

Sorry the photos are a little wonky! These layouts were both done based on sketch challenges we were given throughout the weekend. Both are very simple, but thats what I like!

Thats it for now, I'll post some more layouts tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by and as always, don't forget to leave a comment so I know you have been here.

JAI 27 Sketch Challenge

I am back after a fabulous weekend of scrapbooking. I will post later with some scrapbook pages to show you. However, I have found a great challenge website Just Add Ink where they give you a sketch each week and you create a card or scrapbook layout based on the sketch. I will be participating in these whenever I can as I had a lot of fun with it. This site is run by Stampin' Up! Demonstrators, but you are not requried to use SU Product...although of course I will be!

Anyway, here is my card for the JAI 27 challenge.

Here is the sketch:

And here is my version:

I have used an older Designer Series Patterened paper for this one and the beautiful Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon with the cute little button. I've used Kraft and Confetti White Cardstock.

Like I said, I had fun doing this, so why not give it a go.

Will be back later with some layouts.

Have a good day.

Excited!

Tomorrow I am off to a Scrapbooking weekend away with two of my good friends. We went last year and loved it so we weren't going to miss this year! A whole weekend of scrapbooking, good food, good company, wine and relaxing. Of course there is the bonus of no kids (I adore my kids, but a kid free weekend is a good thing now and again!). I am hoping to get lots of layouts done and I will share them next week. 

Of course, one of my kids is off school sick today and I'm hoping he recovers quickly so I don't have to feel guilty about going away!

Anyway, I thought I'd post a few scrapbook layouts for everyone to look at. These are some random pages I have done over the last 6 months or so.

These first two layouts use the same patterned paper and similar layouts and colours - when I'm onto a good things I make the most of it!

This is one of my favourite layouts that I have done!

I should point out that I scrap in both 12x12 and 8.5x11 sizes. I don't like feeling restricted in size...sometimes photos just need one size or the other, and I am happy to have my albums have a mix of sizes. I use American Crafts D Ring Albums because they look good and are versatile with size.

This layout was based on one from the Cathy Zielske Design my Life online class I did a couple of years ago through Big Picture Scrapbooking.

I think this layout may have been from that class as well...having trouble remembering!

This last one uses some SU patterned paper and a Remember When Lasercut.

Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to leave me a comment so I know you have been here!

I will have lots to share next week after a weekend of scrapbooking! Can't wait!!

School Holidays are busy!

Well I have no new layouts or cards to share with you today. Things are hectic around here with the school holidays. I think the kids have a better social life than I do! Oh well at least they are having a good time and keeping busy. But it has left me with no time for crafting.

Anyway, just thought I would remind you about the two great specials that Stampin' Up! are offering for the month of July.

The first offer is 20% off a bunch of our 2 step stamp sets. These are great sets offering you lots of versatility. The sets that are on sale are as follows:

• Loads of Love - Item # 116386, pg 39 in catalogue was $39.95 NOW $31.96
• Big Bold Birthday ** - Item # 116342, pg 42 in catalogue was $53.95 NOW $43.16
• A Rose is a Rose** - Item #115860, pg 78 in catalogue was $66.95 NOW $53.56
• Playful Petals** - Item #116332, pg 86 in catalogue was $52.95 NOW $42.36
• Cheep Talk - Item #115770, pg 98 in catalogue was $47.95 NOW $38.36
• Wonderful Favourites - Item #115946, pg 115 in catalogue was $39.95 NOW $31.96
• Tiny Tags - Item #119187 (wood mount), Pg 14 in Mini Catalogue was $38.95 NOW $31.16
• Tiny Tags - Item #118592 (clear mount), Pg 14 in Mini Catalogue was $28.95 NOW $23.16
• Cottage Garden - Item #119163 (wood mount), pg 31 in Mini Catalogue was $32.95 NOW $26.36
• Cottage Garden - Item #120003 (clear mount), pg 31 in Mini catalogue was $24.95 NOW $19.96

** Retiring Stamp Set

You can order any of these sets by dropping me a quick email. I can take payment via credit card, direct deposit or cash. The order can be delivered anywhere in Australia. There is a small delivery charge which I will confirm before placing the order.

The second offer is 20% off the Starter Kit. The starter kit is great value even if you don't want to be an active demonstrator and just want to get great value in the kit and be able to get a discount on products you purchase. Or perhaps you are looking for a way to earn a bit of extra money while doing something you love. Either way, now is the time to do it with 20% off the kit. Contact me for more information or if you have any questions.

You have until July 31 to purchase the starter kit or one of our two step stamp sets.

A lazy weekend

Well I have to admit I have had a fairly laid back weekend. Yesterday was spent with my brand new nephew on his first day home from hospital! Its very exciting to have a baby in the family again - gives me my baby fix without actually having another one myself!

Today, the weather has been pretty miserable, so I have spent the day preparing for my holiday workshop on Wednesday and the Mother/Daughter Scrapbook workshop I have booked this week as well.

I do have a few cards to share with you though. This first one uses stamping to make a patterned paper effect. Very easy to do and cost effective too!

This next one is a card I did at a party a few weeks ago and everyone loved it. It uses the very versatile Pocket Silhouettes Stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave me a comment so I know you have been here!

Loving the Big Shot!

Hi All...hope you are enjoying the school holidays so far. It is so nice to not have to be ready and out the door at 8.50am! We haven't done alot so far, although yesterday I did teach my first school holiday workshop which was fun. The girls were great and very enthusiastic. We made 4 cards and a box. I will post some pictures tomorrow of what we made.

In the meantime, here are a few cards made using the Big Shot with the Top Note die. I am loving the Big Shot, its so easy to use. I need to get some more die's but for now I am loving the Top Note. Below are two cards that were quick and simple. The first one I used for a male card - I find cards for men the hardest to do, so I think I will use this one over and over again! I have used a stamp from a Sale-a-bration set and I have used the Tiny Tag punch with a stamped Happy Birthday inside. Like I said...quick and easy!

This next one was a bit of an experiment with the Baja Breeze and the Tangerine Tango together, but I love how it turned out.

Well thats it for today! I have a lot to do as I got a new laptop on the weekend so I am busily transferring all my files from the old computer to the new one...a painful process, but I am so excited to have a new and fast computer!

A Card Swap

In the world of Stampin' Up! Demonstrators we have an online meeting place...we can chat, get advice and check out the wonderful gallery of cards, scrapbook layouts and other creations. We can also participate in swaps. This is where there is a group of demonstrators (in the one I was in there were 12 of us) and we each make 12 cards in the same design. These cards all get sent to the person who is coordinating the swap. She then sends us back 12 different cards - one from each demonstrator. I have just participated in my first one and it was really exciting to get a bundle of cards in the mail. It is really helpful to see different styles and techniques as well as colours and stamp sets that I don't own.

Anyway, I thought I'd share a few of the cards here with you. One demonstrator in particular, Marion, was very kind and sent me a bundle of different cards as it was my first swap.

The first cards are from a very talented lady - Marion Benfield. She doesn't have a blog so I can't link you to it, but her cards are really wonderful.

I love this butterfly card...very simple yet elegant. I will definitely be giving this one a go!

This card uses the "Pun Fun" stamp set and has distressed edges around the white cardstock.  Marion has roller stamped the white taffeta ribbon in the same colour as the background cardstock - I was amazed at how well stamping on ribbon could work!

This is one of my favourites...again from Marion. I have been contemplating purchasing the "Lots of Bots" stamp set from the current mini catalogue and after seeing this card I have ordered it! This card looks so much better in real life - the photo doesn't do it justice! It is so simple yet so effective - great for boys cards. This is actually an easel card and are quite simple to make. I will have to post some info on making these soon.

Again from Marion, This is Crayon Resist technique and I will be learning more about this soon. This is done on SU Glossy White paper and uses the "Scribble This" stamp set.

This last one from Marion uses the "Echoes of Kindness" Stamp set and she has used a great technique  with the ribbon to give it a different type of look. She has also used Watercolour paper for the stamped image and coloured it with inks and water. Again a great look.

This cute card is from Alissa Ross, another talented Demonstrater. The stamps used are "Short & Sweet", "Cute & Curly" and the "So Swirly" Jumbo Wheel for the background. I'm not usually a yellow person, but I really like this card.

Well thats enough to look at for now. I will post some more cards in the next few days.

Have a good weekend.

Some Scrapbook Layouts

My love is scrapbooking. I really enjoy making cards as well, but scrapbooking is my love! Since I started SU I have focused a bit more on making cards and I have learnt alot, but this week I was able to spend some time scrapbooking which was great!

This first layout is not entirely SU Product, but parts of it are. I was really happy with how it turned out. The green is SU Old Olive and I've also used SU Black and Kraft. The metal tag is also a SU product and I was really happy with how it looked with a punched Old Olive circle and a brad in the middle. The patterned paper is one I've had hanging around for a long time and the letter stickers are American Crafts. I often find it hard to do boy layouts - there are so many more options for girls. But this layout came together fairly easily and I was happy with the result.

This next layout also uses Old Olive Card Stock along with other cardstock colours and some American crafts thickers letter stickers. I've had these photos hanging around for a long time and I have wanted to make the layout special because it was about my childhood. I found it a little harder because the photos were not people!!! LOL! But in the end it turned out ok. It was refreshing doing a layout that was not about the kids for a change - something to keep in mind as I'm sure there are many things we could do layouts about other than our family.

Well thats it for now. Off to spend some time with my kids - its finally school holidays and we desperately need these two weeks to recover. It has been a long term and my kids are exhausted so I'm looking forward to a few days of relaxation - well as much relaxing as you can do with three kids!

I'll be back tomorrow with a bunch of cards to show you.

July Special - 20% Off Two Step Stamp Sets

Stampin’ Up have a great offer for the month of July. Receive 20% off selected Two Step stamp sets. All the details are here! One of the stamp sets on sale is my favourite - Cheep Talk. I use that set so much and I think the little birdies are just adorable!! You can place an order for one of these sets through me any time in July – just send me an email and let me know what you would like.
Alternatively, why not host a workshop and not only receive the 20% off these sets, but potentially get some hostess rewards such as free hostess stamp sets and money to spend on free product. You will also receive a free copy of the Idea Book & Catalogue.

Plus for the month of July, book and host a workshop with me and receive a free inkpad in your choice of colours, plus a free Stampin’ Write Marker (your choice of colours) for every workshop booking made.
Workshops are a lot of fun and easy to host. Invite a few friends over, you get a demonstration from me plus everyone gets to make a card to keep and you get the benefits of the hostess rewards.

Give me a call or drop me an email if you are interested in hosting a workshop.

Ph: 0419 219 240