For Grand Father

As mentioned in my previous post I was lucky enough to recieve some stamped images from For Father as a Christmas present - & I was so grateful. For Father is a new set in the current Summer Mini Catalogue & I'm kicking myself that I didn't get it. Of course it is not too late, as it is still available until 31st March - so it could be making an appearance in my bookshelf soon.

Anyway, onto the card - I made this for my Grandfather's 80th birthday last weekend. He loves labradors & currently owns a beautiful yellow dog named Skip, although my dog is a little too orangy for my liking. I used More Mustard & So Saffron Stampin' Write Markers, but maybe should have used a little Creamy Caramel to tone it down abit.

Here is abit of a closeup of my watercolouring, certainly nothing extrodinary, but I was quite pleased with it. I have just coloured in the outline & shaded areas with Stampin' Write Markers & then used an Aquapainter to blend the colour.

Stampset: For Father, It's Your Birthday

Cardstock: Choc Chip, Basic Black, Confetti White, Close to Cocoa Textured & Watercolour Paper

Ink: Black Staz On

Accessories: Double Stitched 1" Wide Choc Grosgrain Ribbon, Twine, Jumbo Antique Brass Eyelets, Aquapainter, So Saffron, More Mustard, Choc Chip & Basic Gray Stampin' Write Markers

YAY - presents......

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas.

Our family had a great day - the kids got spoilt, as usual & we all ate too much!! I was lucky enough to be involved in 2 Secret Santa's & thought I'd show you pic's of my gorgeous goodies
First up is this dashing pressie from my INKling Secret Santa Carol! Thanks so much Carol, I can't wait to use the brayer, rhinestone brads & all those Ribbon Originals.

Next is this gorgeous parcel is from my Elite Secret Santa - Lisa R, thanks Lisa, it is beautiful!

Here it is opened up, I can't wait to use some of the new wide Grosgrain Ribbon & rhinestone brads. Isn't the contertina card awesome - it also included some For Father stamped images that I have aleady used, so check back tomorrow & I'll show you what I created.

I have just realised that I was actually involved in 3 Secret Santa's, as my family had one too - I just forgot about it as it didn't involve stamping stuff.........I got a new hairdryer :-)

Peaceful Wishes

I made quite afew of the following card this Christmas & I think it's fairly obvious why! I CASED this from Splitcoast Stampers & it was by far the simplest Christmas card I've made. Stampset: Peaceful Wishes
Cardstock: Whisper White
Ink: Always Artichoke, Real Red Marker, Basic Black
Accessories: 2 Way Glue, Glitter

While shopping the other day I was this little ornament & thought it would go perfectly in my Christmas project I showed you earlier this month (see here for a reminder)
It fits into one of the sections perfectly & the colours are quite a good match also.

Even though the donkey looks more like a cow, I still think it is pretty cute. There is only one sleep til Christmas Day - may the Peace & Joy of Christmas find your home!

Christmas Fun

I've been having lots of fun making these packets of poop to sell at a local Christmas Mardigras & also as a fun little gift for Chistmas Day Here they are all ready to sell

This is my Sultana Reindeer Poop - named so as they are choc covered sultanas

Snowman Poop - even though we don't get snow at Chirstmas here in Australia (or any snow at all where I live!) I thought these were cute

I also made some Nutty Reindeer Poop using choc covered nuts. Don't forget that by simply spending $20 you can get Festive Favourites at 20% off - the fun little reindeer fits perfectly into the small tag punch!

Stampsets: Festive Favourites, Tags for All (retired)

Cardstock: Old Olive, Real Red, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Kraft

Inks: Basic Black

Accessories: Contraband Ribbon (I'm trying to use it all up!), Hemp Twine, Stampin Write Markers, Scallop Circle, Small & Large Tag Punches

More Christmas cards

I find Splitcoast Stampers a great place for inspiration - all Stampin' Up! stamp sets are listed alphabetically, making it really easy to find a fun way to use your stampsets. There are also lots of tutorials on techniques & projects.The card I CASEd this from was a small 3x3 card - I changed afew things & think is works well for a normal sized card too.
Stampsets: Lots of Dots Wheel, Party Punch (hostess set)
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla, Dashing DSP
Inks: Certainly Celery
Accessories: Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Square Fire Rhinestone Brad, Real Red Stampin' Write Marker

I've seen this card around alot & it looks great in lots of different colour combinations too!
Stampset: Lovely as a Tree, Occasional Greeting
Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Whisper White
Inks: Always Artichoke
Accessories: Artichoke Grosgrain

Merry Christmas Wanted!

Who doesn't want a Merry Christmas!! I've been having fun making Christmas cards using non-Christmas stamp sets. I think I actually used Apple Cider DSP which is not available any more - you could easily substitute spotted River Rock DSP from Dashing or the new Ginger Blossom papers if you wanted the same look.
Stampsets: Wanted, Party Punch (hostess set)
Cardstock: Real Red, Very Vanilla, Apple Cider DSP
Inks: Real Red
Accessories: River Rock Double-Stitched Grosgrain, Scallop Circle, 1" & 1 1/4" Circle Punches

I can't believe how many things can be made with a flower petal! I have seen butterflies, dragonflies & smiley faces all made using Pick a Petal - must get too it & make some myself. I first saw these candles on Splitcoast Stampers - they'd also look fab on a birthday card too & are a great way to use up some patterned paper scraps!

Stampsets: Pick a Petal, Occasional Greeting
Cardstock: Purely Pomegranite, Whisper White, Holiday Harmony DSP (retired)
Inks: So Saffron, Always Artichoke
Accessories: More Mustard & Basic Black Stampin' Write Markers, 2 Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds

Christmas CASEing

I'm back with some more of my Christmas cards, although I can't really call them mine, as I CASEd most of them. I found todays 2 cards on the blog of a talented Australian demonstrator - Nicki Tidbold. She is very clever & I've loved everything that I've seen on her blog - I liked these cards so much that I haven't changed them much at all!

I think this card was actually designed by another Aussie demo - Robyn Lawton. I can't believe I have only just bought Crab & Co, it is just soo cute & very versatile.
Stampset: Crab & Co
Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White, Dashing DSP
Ink: Black Staz On, Real Red
Accessories: Blender Pen, Olive Grosgrain, Puff Paint & stapler

I loved Nicki's original card using Season of Joy, but since it is now retired (I hope it returns in next years Idea Book & Catalogue) I thought I'd use a current stampset
Stampsets: Occasional Greeting, In the Spotlight (hostess set)
Cardstock: Confetti White, Always Artichoke, Wintergreen DSP
Ink: Always Artichoke
Accessories: Rhinestone Brad (from Pretties Kit), Sponge Daubers, 1 3/8 Square, 1 1/4 & 1 3/8 Circle Punches

Christmas Cards

I thought it was about time that I tried to get organised for Christmas & made some cards - so here they are ....... ... about 97!! I've been using left over card packs from Workshops, Classes & Stamp-A-Stacks that I have been holding recently, which made it alot easier to get so many made quickly. Most of the cards have been CASEd from once place or another, so I thought I'd post them individually so you can see where I CASEd them from. Both these cards have come from a telented American demonstrator - Michele Force.

This card is pretty much an exact CASE, although I did change the stamp set used.

Stampset: City of David

Cardstock: So Saffron, More Mustard, Night of Navy, Whisper White

Inks: Night of Navy, More Mustard

Accessories: Navy Grosgrain Ribbon, Square Fire Rhinestone Brad

I've changed the colours & stampsets for this card - although I did CASE the layout & the idea for the So Swirly Wheel down the right hand side.

Stampsets: So Swirly Wheel, Hung Up on the Holidays, Peaceful Wishes, Occasional Greeting

Cardstock: Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranite, WildWasabi, Whisper White

Inks: Wild Wasabi, Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranite, Basic Black

Accessories: Guava Double-Stitched Ribbon

I'll endevour to post the rest of the cards over the coming week - I also need to make time to write in & send the cards :-)

Custom Baubles

My sister recently bought me some clear glass baubles from Spotlight - they are so much fun because you can decorate them however you like!
For the one above I have stamped the crab, from the stamp set Crab & Co, onto acetate using Black Staz On & then coloured it using some Sharpie pens from Woolworths. I love Staz On ink - it gives such a crisp clear image & can be stamped onto glass or plastic & when dry it won't rub off. Once the image was coloured, I rolled it up to fit through the hole at the top of the bauble - the acetate will unroll once it is inside the bauble & you will be able to see the image. I've also added abit of sand from the kids sandpit in the bottom - I would have loved to add afew shells as well, but the ones we brought home from our last trip to the coast are too big, so I had to make do with afew rocks instead.

For the next one I have rolled up some 1/2" x 6" pieces of scrap Bali Breeze Double Sided paper & put inside. I also adhered a Rub On onto the other side. I'm hoping to find some time to try our afew more ideas for my custom made baubles in the next few days.

Tying up Christmas

Not organised for Christmas yet? Need to make some last minute cards? Still need to buy those last minute gifts? Well during December simply spend $20 on any product & Stampin' Up! will give you 20% off a great range of selected items that are sure to help you 'Tie up Christmas'. Click here to see the full list of discounted products. The stampsets would be great for Christmas cards, the calendars & punch box wonderful gifts & I'm buying some of the wide grosgrain ribbon to tie around presents. One of my clever downline made these cards using the Festive Favourites stampset that happens to be available for 20% off this month - thanks to Mandy for allowing me to share them with you.

I love the little tag on this one. The stamp from this set fits perfectly in to the tag punch & by using both the small & large one, you can create a cute layered tag

Stampset: Festive Favourites

Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red

Ink: Black Staz On, Real Red

Accessories: Real Red, Chocolate Chip & Creamy Caramel Markers, 2 way glue, Dazzling Diamonds, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Small & Large Tag Punches

I love how Mandy has used the Dazzling Diamonds on this card - aren't those snowmen cute! She has also used Many Merry Messages, which is also available foat 20% off once you spend $20

Stampset: Festive Favourites, Many Merry Messages

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Ink: Blue Bayou, Black Staz On, White Craft Ink

Accessories: Bashful Blue & Certainly Celery Markers, 2 way glue, Dazzling Diamonds

Christmas ATC's

It doesn't take much to sidetrack me & since the arrival of my Summer Mini products I have abandoned my Christmas projects. It is way past time that I got organised & actually made my Chrissy cards, especially since Christmas is now only 3 weeks away !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These are the ATC's I made for last months swap & I forgot to post them here.

Stampsets: Peaceful Wishes, Short & Sweet

Cardstock: Purely Pomegranite, Always Artichoke, Whisper White

Inks: Purely Pomegranite, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Pomegranite Satin Ribbon, Pewter Brad, Blender Pen (to colour the berries pomegranite)

Summer Mini Love

Things I LOVE in the new Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalogue:

• Scallop Edge Punch - no more using my corner rounder for scallop edges YAY!
• 1" Double-Stitched Ribbon - I thought this ribbon might be too wide & therfore hard to tie in a knot or bow, but I am happy to report that it is not. It is soooooo nice, I just love it & have already used almost a whole roll of the Rose Red
• Bali Breeze Double Sided Papers - the colours are just gorgeous & I'm having lots of fun using them

I really love just about everything in the catalogue really, but for the purpose of this post I will only list the items I actually used on the cards :-)

These cards were for a recent card swap I was involved in. I couldn't decide which colour I liked best, so made both

I coloured the word in using my Taken with Teal marker, then covered with 2 way glue & Dazzling Diamonds.


I also challenged myself to make a scrapbook page using a white background & am really happy with how it turned out. I used the same colours as the cards & have done the wording the same - although you can't see the diamonds in the pic.

Stampsets: Big on Spring, In the Spotlight (hostess set)

Papers: Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Regal Rose, Bali Breeze DSP

Inks: Rose Red, Taken with Teal, Versamark, Black Staz On

Accessories: Scallop Edge & Scallop Circle Punch, 1" Double Stitched Ribbon, 2 Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds

Hello Summer Mini

If you haven't got a copy of the new Stampin' Up! Summer mini catalogue, then you'd better let me know so I can send you one, or you could also click on the link on the right to check it out on the Stampin' Up! website. It has some really gorgeous stampsets & other fun products & the colours are so bright & fresh.

For last month's INKlings ATC swap I used one of the new sets I prepurchased, called Embrace Life - it is such a lovely set & there is also matching Double Sided Papers available. I didn't have enough Rhinestones Brads to make all my swaps the one colour, so had to mix it up abit & ended up using Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Purely Pomegranite & Blue Bayou

The theme was 'sparkles' so I have also added some Dazzling Diamonds to the flower, which has been stamping using Staz On onto Watercolour Paper & coloured with my Aquapainter & ink.It is fairly simple, but I am very happy with how they turned out.

Stampset: Embrace Life
Ink: Black Staz on, Blue Bayou, Purely Pomegranite, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Old Olive
Paper: Watercolour Paper, Blue Bayou, Purely Pomegranite, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Rhinestone Brads, 2 Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds, Aquapainter, White Gel Pen

Goodbye Holiday Harmony

The Spring Mini has now finished & I will be sad to see Holiday Harmony double sided papers gone - I made this project to enter in Shelli's Happy Holiday Creative Challenge. I'm not really sure what you would call it, but I will be adding some pics of the kids & using it on the centre of my table over Christmas. As it folds flat you can also mail it, so I may even make one to send to my Grandma. Here it is closed & folded flat.

You untie the ribbon to open.

& can retie the ribbon to keep it opened out. There are four sections, so you can add lots of photo's, I also think it would look cute with a small nativity scene in each section - ETA I found a cute little nativity that fits perfectly, you can see it here!

Stampset: Party Punch (hostess set)

Papers: Purely Pomegranite, Always Artichoke, Holiday Harmony DSP

Ink: Purely Pomegranite, Encore Silver

Accessories: Hand Selected Accents & Elements, Styled Silver Hodgepodge, Rub Ons, Theater Ribbon Originals, Double Stitched Pomegranite

Boxes, Bags, Baubles & Bows

These are some of the projects I will be showing you how to make if you come along to my Boxes, Bags, Baubles & Bows class on Saturday morning - send me an email if you are planning on coming along - alana@aussiebroadband.com.au

Now for any overseas visitors who may not know what a 'sausage sizzle' is - it's just a sausage sandwich, usually cooked on a barbeque, hence the 'sizzle'. Quite an Aussie thing, especially in the summer - although I'm not too sure if it technically is a sandwich, as it usually only involves one piece of bread with a snag (sausage) that has been cooked on the barbie (barbeque, BBQ) slapped in the middle, with a good helping of tomato sauce (ketchup - we never use this word :-))

Fabulous Angels

Aren't these the cutest little Angels?? As soon as I saw this one, I had to make it straight away. They are made using the large flower from the Fabulous Flowers stampset.

Once I started I couldn't stop, so made afew colour variations. I can see there will be afew of these on my tree this year.

I was trying to use only Stampin' Up! producst, however I had to used some contraband silver cord. The beads are from the Pretties Kit & the halo is a ribbon slide from the Styled Silver Hodgepodge.

I added some glitter to this one & love how it turned out.

I can't believe there are only 4.5 weeks til Christmas & I have not posted a Christmas card on my blog yet!!! I hope the rectify this soon. In the mean time check out my kids with Santa. We went to our first Christmas party yesterday at the Cuttabri Wine Shanty & had a great time. Santa delivered presents that were kindly donated by the Salvo's & they also put on a free sausage sizzle.

Not sure what Santa is telling Sam here - I hope it was to behave!

This one of Josie cracks me up! She lent in for a cuddle & got abit excited - Santa doesn't look too impressed though.

Cyberstamp & Summer Mini Sneak Peak

Last week the INKlings had our monthly cyberstamp & it was my turn to set the challenges. I was going to try & resist using products from the upcoming Summer Mini as they aren't available to customers yet, but I couldn't help myself.

First up was a colour challenge inspired by my new favourite papers Bali Breeze - Rose Red, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise & Pumpkin Pie. Above I have covered some Stampin' Store containers with the gorgeous new double sided papers.

I thought I'd also make a card for the colour challenge & above is my sample using a new stampset Live Your Dream. How do you like the ribbon? It is the new 1" Double-Stitched Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon & is just gorgeous. It also comes in Chocolate Chip & I have a feeling you will be seeing alot more of it in the future (I've almost used up my preorder roll already)

Next challenge was to make a scrapbook page using a card sketch from Beate Johns. Above is a 6x6 page, once again using the new Bali Breeze papers & if you look in the bottom right hand corner you will see another new product - Flower Fusion felt flowers, they are lots of fun!

The above page uses the same sketch, however it is 12x12. I have used Live Your Dream stampset again & this time teamed it with the co-ordinating Afternoon Tea Double Sided Papers. The beautiful big scallop circle is another new product - Carousel Note.

I hope you enjoyed looking at my cyberstamp efforts, along with abit of a sneak peak at some of the new products that will be in the Summer Mini - available from 1st December 2008.