Last day for Sale-a-Bration and Spring/Summer Mini...

A friendly reminder that today is the last day to earn something for free, from Sale-a-Bration (SAB).  Click here to view them. And, if there was anything from the Spring/Summer Mini that you wanted, then it's the last day to order from that too!  Click here to view the mini. 


Here are two cards that I made with Sally while we were down in Rotorua for our Stamp Camp, earlier in the month. We've used the gorgeous Everyday Enchantment designer paper and the coordinating Enchantment Brad and Ribbon pack, which are both from SAB.  

Stamp Set: Elementary Elegance
Card Stock: Lime Limeade, Whisper White
Designer Paper: Everyday Enchantment
Ink: Lime Limeade, Calypso Coral
Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad pack, Curly Label Punch

Stamp Set: Elementary Elegance, Fresh Vintage

Card Stock: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade

Designer Paper: Everyday Enchantment

Ink: Lime Limeade, Calypso Coral

Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad pack, Postage Stamp Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch.

It's another beautiful day here in Auckland today. The sun is shining for the 6th day in a row!  I've been for my run, walked my little man Oscar and am about to start making some samples for my Autumn/Winter catalogue launch tomorrow. I've still got one spot left for tomorrow and a few for Tuesday night, if you wanted to come along. 


I had an amazing farewell last Wednesday, which was my last day at the school where I was working. I received beautiful flowers and gifts, had a yummy morning tea and felt so humbled by their generosity and kind words. I'm also very grateful for the many friendships I've made there, over the years. Luckily, I live next door to the school, so I'll be sure to visit when I can. 


Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Open Sea

A short and sweet post today to show you one of the masculine cards we made one weekend at my Masculine Stamp-a-Stack class.  I really like this stamp set and it comes with coordinating designer paper.  Just a reminder that this set and the designer paper is only available until 31 March, so if it was on your wish list, you've only got a few days left to order.  

Stamp Set: The Open Sea (Spring/Summer Mini catalogue), Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess set)
Card Stock: Island Indigo, Ridinghood Red, Very Vanilla
Ink: Early Espresso, Island Indigo
Accessories: Linen Thread

Everybunny ~ and an announcement!

This is one of the cards we made on Sunday at my Easter Class. Isn't it adorable! I've cased this from a wonderfully talented demonstrator in Australia - Kirsty Brown. Pop across to her blog to see the amazing work she does. I'm holding a repeat of this class on Thursday evening, so if you want to pop along - I still have some spaces available. We'll be making two cards and a cute little treat box. 

Stamp Set: Everybunny, Woodgrain
Card Stock: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, 
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Expresso, Calypso Coral
Accessories: Hemp Twine, Itty Bitty 4 Petal Flower Punch, Rhinestone, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, 1" Circle Punch. 


I hope you're enjoying your week. My week is going too fast, just when I don't want it to. Tomorrow is my last day at the primary school where I've worked for almost 11 years. I am very sad to be leaving and have been so fortunate to work with many kind and caring people, who have become wonderful friends. I've been feeling very fragile lately and imagine that I'll be much worse tomorrow, so if you see me - please be gentle. 


I'm giving myself a wee holiday and then am re-enlisting into the Airforce, to my previous trade of Flight Steward. It's all very exciting {and scary as heck, after such a long time} but if I can enjoy it half as much as I use to, then I'll be happy. I will be continuing as a demonstrator, but my classes will be on hold for a bit, while I'm under training. 


Have an amazing week!

Belated Birthday Card

I received this beautiful belated birthday card and coordinating envelope, a few weeks ago from my lovely friend Rhonda, who lives in Turkey.  I love everything about them - the colours, textures, little trinkets and ribbon are all totally gorgeous. I wasn't sure if she had made them herself, because they look so amazing and professional.  Not that she isn't amazing and professional in her card making skills - but I just wasn't entirely sure. Turns out she did make it and I'm blown away at how clever she is!  

Here's the envelope: 

There are no Stampin' Up! products used on this card, because SU! isn't in Turkey.  You might have to work on that Rhonda - you'd make a fabulous demonstrator. Anything is possible so never, say never.  


Now, I can't wait for Christmas ;)

Sale-a-Bration Count Down

If you love freebies then you won't want to miss out on Sale-a-Bration (SAB).  There is only 8 days left so the countdown is on...  


This covered notebook uses the gorgeous designer paper Everyday Enchantment from SAB and it's one of my all time favourites.  I've cased this from the SAB catalogue for part of a prize for a raffle I had to provide for work.  I also included a small boxed set of note cards - check out this post HERE and a small box filled with some chocolates.  

Here's the choccies. 

And, the set all wrapped up together:

Stamp Set: Fresh Vintage, Elementary Elegance
Card Stock: Lime Limeade, Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Soft Suede
Designer Paper: First Edition, Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper
Ink: Lime Limeade, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Versamark, Blushing Bride
Accessories: SAB Ribbon & Brad pack, Ribbon Border punch, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Boho Blossom Punch, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding Ribbon, Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Designer Frames, Basic Pearls. 


Have a fabulous Friday and if you've made some SAB creations, I would love to see them :)

Spiced Paisley

As soon as I saw this stamp set, I knew that I had to have it! Sadly though, this is the only time I've used it, but I do plan on changing that.  And, the designer paper Spice Cake is delish and rates in my top three.  This is a clean and simple, one layer card cased from Cristena Bagne. 


Also, just a friendly reminder that products from the Summer Mini (which this stamp set and the coordinating designer paper are in) are only available until 31 March so don't delay - order today!  I'm a poet and I know it...lol. 

Stamp Set: Spiced Paisley (Summer Mini - available until 31 Mar '12), Elementary Elegance (SAB 2012)
Card Stock: Whisper White
Designer Paper: Spice Cake (Summer Mini - available until 31 Mar '12)
Ink: Pool Party, Soft Suede
Accessories: Clear Button (retired), Linen Thread, Scallop Circle Punch. 

More Swaps..

As promised, I've got some more swaps to show you from last weeks Stamp Camp in Rotorua. This one was made by Jacque Pedersen (a case from Carolyn Bennie). It features some of my favourite sets - Nature Walk and French Foliage.  

Stamp Set: Nature Walk, French Foliage
Card Stock: Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Whisper White
Designer Paper: First Edition
Ink: Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, More Mustard
Accessories: Early Espresso Bakers Twine, Decorative Label Punch, Antique Brads.


And, isn't this swap adorable! It was made by Narelle Hoggard and she's also used one of my favourite stamp sets Creative Elements.  You may have noticed that I have lots of favourite sets.....lol.  Narelle got the idea for the coffee cup from Brenda Quintana but amended it to her own dimensions. How clever is that!

Stamp Set: Creative Elements
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso
Accessories: Decorative Label Punch, Round Tab Punch, Blossom Punch. 


I hope your weekend is going great and you've had time to do a little crafting. 

Swaps!

I'm so pleased I decided to make swaps for our Stamp Camp last weekend - even if it did make my week crazier than usual. This is one of my favourite swaps made by Sharon de Vos. Having said that though, all the swaps were gorgeous and it's a reminder of how many wonderfully talented ladies we have out there.  

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card Stock: Marina Mist, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Designer Paper: Beau Chateau
Ink: Soft Suede
Accessories: 1/2" Baja Breeze and Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Jewellery Tag Punch, Fun Flowers Die, Big Shot, Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads, Vintage Trinkets. 


And, here's a lovely card made by Rhonda Fawcett.  

Stamp Set: Nature's Nest, French Foliage, Thank You Kindly
Card Stock: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Riding Hood Red, Pacific Point
Ink: Sahara Sand, Riding Hood Red, Pacific Point
Accessories: Small Oval Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Crop-o-dile, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Stripes Embossing Folder, Big Shot. 


We've had beautiful weather here in Auckland these last few days.  I hope it stays for the weekend because the sunshine always brightens my mood.  Does it do that to you?

Established Elegance

As you know we had our Creative Inkers Stamp Camp over the weekend, in Rotorua. It was great fun with lots of laughs, chatting and creating. The workshops were fabulous and I'll be showcasing the projects during the week, so you'll have to pop back to have a look. 


It's the first time I've inked up the stamp set Established Elegance although it was one of my first purchases when the IB&C was released last year. This was the card I made for our swaps.  I was pleased with how it turned out although it was a weeny bit fiddly because I had to cut around the designer frame. I received a whole heap of gorgeous swaps in return, so will be able to show you those at some stage too. 


I cased this card from someone out in blog land. Unfortunately, there wasn't a water mark on their photo so I can't remember who it was. 

Stamp Set: Established Elegance
Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla
Ink: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive Stampin' Markers
Designer Paper: First Edition
Accessories: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Scallop Circle Bigz Die, Designer Frames Embossing Folder set, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Chantilly Crochet Trim, Basic Pearls, Antique Brads. 


Have a great week everyone!

Notably Ornate

I like to pop a little thank you card into my customer's orders, to thank them for their loyalty.  This was one I made recently.  It's a one layer card and I've cased it from Crafty Clare.  It took me longer to get my things out, than it did to make it. Don't ya love that!

Stamps: Notably Ornate, Thank You Kindly
Ink: Early Expresso
Card stock: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Beautiful Wings embosslits die, Basic rhinestones

I'll be on my way to Rotorua as you read this... for our annual Creative Inker's Demonstrator Stamp Camp.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Birthday Card

This was the lovely birthday card that I received from my friend (and fellow demo) Sally Williams.  Sally has cased this from the Ideas Book and Catalogue and it was on my "to do" list - so that's saved me a job. Thanks Sally, I love it!

Stamp Set: Petite Pairs
Card Stock: Old Olive, Perfect Plum, Pear Pizzazz, 
Designer Paper: In Colour Patterns Pack, First Edition Designer Pack
Ink: Perfect Plum
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Regals Designer Buttons, Fancy Flower Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Embossing Folder, White Bakers Twine. 

It's happy hump day today, so only two days left till the weekend. I'm off to Rotorua for our annual Demonstrator's Stamp Camp, which I'm really looking forward to. No doubt there will be late nights, lots of chatter and amazing projects to make and share when I get back.  Enjoy the rest of your week. 

Easy Events meets SAB

This was the project we completed at my last class. It's a cute little box which is very easy to make (thanks to Julie Davison) and is home to four little note cards measuring 3" x 3". I've cased the cards from Crafty Clare who does a lot of clean and simple which is perfect when you've got a card or two, to make in a hurry. 


For the first card, we used the sponging technique. It could be used for Valentines Day, a wedding or an engagement. The little bird image fits perfectly with the Large Heart Punch. 

I've mounted my messages and images separately on the wooden blocks for the whole set,  which gives me more freedom and I can change the messages around to use with whatever image I want. 

The flower punch from the Itty Bitty Pack is used for these little 3D flowers.

A 5cm square piece of card stock can easily be turned into this scalloped mat with the Scallop Trim punch.  Quick and easy. 

Stamp Set: Easy Events, Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Fresh Vintage (SAB 2012)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Lime Limeade, Soft Suede, Calypso Coral, 
Designer Paper: Everyday Enchantment (SAB 2012), In Colour Designer Pack
Ink: Black Staz On, Pool Party, Lime Limeade, Calypso Coral, 
Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Basic Pearls, Linen Thread, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 ½" Circle Punch, Large Heart Punch, Flower Punch from the Itty Bitty Pack, Jewellery Tag Punch. 

Leap Year baby

It was my brother's birthday on 29 February, so officially he turned 11 years old.  I hope he appreciated the card I gave him. It was one I had in my stash because unfortunately, I didn't have time to recreate anything from scratch. 

Stamp set: Pun Fun (retired), Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel (retired), On Your Birthday
Card Stock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pacific Point
Ink: Black Staz On, Pacific Point
Accessories: Circle Scissor Plus, Watercolour Wonder Crayons, Blender Pen, Silver Brads


How's your weekend going? I've been busy trying to sort out my craft room which has been a work in progress for some time and get my monthly newsletter out, amongst lots of other things.  


I'm glad the weather bomb didn't hit Auckland as hard as they predicted and we've got a beautiful day here today. I did get to enjoy it earlier on my morning run. It's actually much colder inside, than out. Whatever you've been up to, I hope you've enjoyed it :)