A Very Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a relaxing New Year break. I'd just like to thank you all for your support throughout the year. I hope that after the hustle and bustle of Christmas, you find the time to relax and de-stress. 

Just thought that I'd share the beautiful Christmas card I received from Sally. Coincidentally I was going to make the exact same card for her. Great minds think alike... It's a case from the Holiday catalogue on page 38. I actually prefer the piece of designer paper that Sally's used rather than the one featured. Thanks Sally - I love it!

Stamp set: Warmth and Wonder (hostess set from Holiday catalogue)
Card: Whisper White
Designer Paper: Winter Frost DSP (Holiday catalogue)
Ink: Coastal Cabana, Basic Grey
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Paper Piercing kit, Whisper White Bakers Twine

I'll be back in the New Year with more ideas and projects to keep you inspired. Until then, have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones! 

Stampin' Up! Warmth and Wonder

I loved this card as soon as I saw it on Delys Cram's blog and decided that I would be casing this little beauty. It was quick to make, so I made quite a few, in minimal time. I've used Gumball Green and Cherry Cobbler whereas I'm a little unsure of what colours Delys has used - I'm thinking Real Red but am stumped by the greeny grey colour? Pop along to Delys' blog HERE and tell me what you think? Then, have a little scroll down and look at her fabulous projects...

Stamp set: Christmas Messages, Warmth and Wonder (hostess set)
Card: Whisper White, Gumball Green
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details, 
Tools: Big Shot, Pretty Prints EF

I've almost finished wrapping and packing so am feeling a little more in control with Christmas only 3 days away. Bridgette (DD17) and I are heading down to Palmerston North via Ohakea, to pick up Brett later this afternoon. My other daughter Nicole, flies down to join us tomorrow evening. I think it will begin to feel like Christmas once we're on the road because so far, it's been a little too crazy busy to enjoy the build up. What about you? Are you all ready and prepped?

Enjoy your Sunday everyone! 

Gift Certificate Wallet

This was a last minute gift card wallet that I made Nicole for her birthday. It was quick, easy and fun to make.  I got the instructions to make it from Marelle Taylor - check it out HERE.

Stamp set: Flowering Flourishes
Card: Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant
Ink: Gumball Green, Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Rhinestones
Tools: Scallop Trim Border Punch

I hope your week is wrapping up nicely. Today is the last day of work for me for two weeks (yay!). With the holiday season closing in on us so quickly and the day to day grind so busy I'm mindful of keeping that FESTIVE spirit. I think we can all admit at times this can be difficult. In today's busy world it's hard to fit everything in a 24 hour period!  I've finished my shopping but am yet to finish my Christmas cards. I also have to wrap and pack as we're heading down to Palmerston North on Sunday where we'll be spending Christmas and New Year with Brett (my fiance) and my family. My daughters will be with us for Christmas too which I'm very grateful for. 

See you back here in a few days to see some more Christmas goodies.

Happiest Birthday Wishes to Nicole!

Today, my oldest daughter is turning 20 years old. Goodness knows where that time has gone (and yes, I know that I say that every year!). While I am so proud of the young lady she has become, I miss the child that she was. As a mother of two beautiful daughters, I often reflect on how fast they are growing up. Nicole has grown up to be a caring and kind young woman and is mature beyond her years. She knows where she's going and how she's going to get there. She'll do well in life and she deserves to, because she is a very hard worker, personable, organised and focused. She has been a joy to raise and I am so very grateful for her, every day of my life! I love my beautiful, green-eyed girl!

Purple is Nicole's favourite colour. I can't believe that I thought it was blue until very recently {embarrassed}. 

This card idea was one I saw on Pinterest months ago, so I do apologise as I don't know where the inspiration comes from. If you know, please feel free to comment so I can share the credit  :-) 

And, here's what it looks like on the inside. The photos aren't very good and it doesn't show up well, but the "20" is a pop up on a strip of window sheet and has been die cut in silver glimmer paper. 

Stamp set: Tape It, Lots of Dots Jumbo Wheel (retired), Happiest Birthday Wishes (retired), Occasional Quotes (retired)
Card: Whisper White, Silver Glimmer paper, Lovely Lilac (retired)
Designer Paper: Modern Medley
Ink: Black Stazon, Lovely Lilac (retired)
Accessories: Whisper White Bakers Twine, Neutrals Designer Button, Window Sheet
Tools: Large Star Punch (retired), Small Star Punch (retired) 

Have yourself a great day! We're off to movies and dinner tonight, so I'm looking forward to that. 

Christmas came early....

Christmas came early for many of us on Saturday. Our fabulous upline, Jacque (my upline's upline) hosted the annual Christmas team breakfast. She totally spoilt us and gave us these amazing goodie boxes. They are such a cool idea and I love it! Thank you so much Jacque - I can't imagine how much time and effort went into making these gorgeous gifts for us. 

Come and take a look...

There's bath salts, a notebook, a selection of handmade cards and envelopes, tags, ribbon, rhinestones and a decorated pen, all beautifully presented in a gorgeous box. 

Included in the box was a six month challenge. This is such a great idea! For example, Decembers challenge is to pamper yourself with a relaxing bath using the bath salts. Easy you may say - but for me that is quite a challenge considering I've only had two baths in the 12 years I've lived in this house... (I can imagine your incredulous looks as you read this, lol). Anyway, there is a different challenge for each month, but I won't ruin the surprise and will keep you posted once I've achieved them. 

Have a wonderful day and I'll see you back here tomorrow when you can see my daughter's birthday card I've made her. 

Stampin Up! Joyful Christmas

This was the second project that we made at at class the other night. Other than the cutting out of the Poinsettia and leaves, this was quite a quick card and is a bit of a Wow in real life. I've cased this from Tami White who is a demo from the States. Check out her blog here - she has some lovely work. 

Stamp set: Joyful Christmas
Card: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, White Vellum 
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Versamark
Accessories: Gold Embossing Powder, Antique Brads
Tools: Big Shot, Pretty Prints EF, Apothecary Accents Framelits

To place an order at any time for any of these items, please email me at debbie.l@orcon.net.nz :) 

I hope you like today’s card. I'll be back soon with another pretty project and until then, happy stamping! 

Stampin' Up! O Holy Night

This was one of the cute Christmas cards we made in class last night. I've cased it from the lovely Leonie Schroder - a demonstrator from Australia. Check out her blog HERE. 

How are your Christmas preparations coming along? To be honest, I've not even started to think about Christmas just yet - other than the few Christmas card classes I've been holding, that's about it. I've got my daughter's birthday on the 17 Dec, so am busy trying to sort things out for that. I can already see it's going to be lifestyles of the frantic and frazzled...

Have a great week everyone and I'll see you back here soon featuring the other creations we made last night. 

Stampin Up! Joyful Christmas

This is one of the cards I've made to give to friends for Christmas. It's a case from the very talented Amy O'Neill. 

Stamp set: Joyful Christmas
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi
Card: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake 
Designer Paper: Season of Style Paper Stack
Accessories: Neutrals Designer Button, Linen Thread

Have you checked out the Clearance Rack Blitz? There's up to 80% off retired items and only while stocks last. The Clearance Rack sale is not a promotion and will be ongoing. Items will be removed and new items will be posted depending on inventory levels. All products in the Clearance Rack section are retired, discontinued items. No current products will be sold in the Clearance Rack. There is no set time for availability. Check it out HERE!

Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack Blitz!

Everyone loves a good deal; and what better deal could there be than Stampin’ Up! products at up to 80% off? Items are only available while supplies last.  See what’s on sale HERE.

Email me HERE to place your order. 

CLEARANCE RACK BLITZ

A new Clearance Rack Blitz begins on Tuesday 10 December. Retired products will have up to 80% off— but are only available while supplies last.   

Come back here to my blog to see the list of products that will be available. 

I hope you're enjoying the weekend!

We love Valentine’s Day! And why wouldn’t we? It’s a chance for us to say “I love you.” And it doesn’t just have to be about romantic love. This holiday is a time to share the love with anyone and everyone. We’re here to help you prepare with the A Whole Lot of Love products.

Dates: Available now until 27 January or while supplies last.

These are exclusive products that will not be available after the promotion. No limits on this promotion.

Item	Description	Price
131850	Love You More Stamp Set (Wood)	$45.95
131853	Love You More Stamp Set (Clear)	$36.95
134611	Follow My Heart Stamp Set (Wood)	$33.95
134614	Follow My Heart Stamp Set (Clear)	$26.95
134617	Flowerfull Heart Stamp (Wood)	$20.95

Item	Description	Price	Includes
134610	Sweetheart Treat Bags	$10.95	12 heart sacks, 12 die-cut labels, 12 pre-cut pieces of  Pool Party Baker’s Twine
132162	Monster Hugs Boy	$11.95	18 boy monsters, 18 googly eyes, 18 adhesive hearts
132163	Monster Hugs Girl	$11.95	18 girl monsters, 18 googly eyes, 18 adhesive hearts
134609	Sweet Sayings Cards and Envelopes	$11.95	12 printed card bases, 12 envelopes (four Real Red, four Pool Party, four Crisp Cantaloupe)

Click HERE to download the flyer

Love you More stamp set #131853 clear mount $36.95

Follow my Heart Stamp Set #134164 $26.96 

Stampin' Up! Best of Love

The Best of 25 Years Stamp Set for December is: Best of  Love! 

• All Best of stamp sets will include 3-5 images, including a never-before seen image, and will be priced at $31.95
• All Best of stamp sets are available in Clear-Mount only.
• The stamp images may be sized differently from the original stamp sets.
• All sets once released are available to purchase until April 30 2014 (or whilst stocks last). 

Email me HERE to order this lovely stamp set. 

Sorry, you've been neglected lately - I've been away and it's also the silly season at work. I will endeavour to blog something that I've made during the week but until then, have a good one and I'll see you back here soon!

Festive Flurry Card in a Box!

This card in a box has been doing the rounds lately, thanks to Sally Williams. Initially, the stamp set didn't really appeal to me because I thought it was a bit fussy, old fashioned and not my style at all. Of course, now I love it and had to add to my collection. The best thing is that it also has some framelits that coordinate with the set, so there is no intricate cutting involved. The Festive Flurry Stamp set and Framelits Dies which can be bought separately or as a Bundle for $100.95 which is a saving of 15%. 

If you're interested in learning how to make this little beauty, I'm holding a class on Sunday 23 November at 2pm and then again on Monday 24 November at 7.30pm so email me HERE to book your place. When you book, let me know if you want to make it in traditional colours (featured here in Cherry Cobbler and Gold) or Island Indigo and Silver (looks fabulous and I'll be blogging that at a later date). 

And, in case you're wondering, the card is able to fold flat for posting so we'll also be making a custom sized envelope with our new envelope punch board at the class. 

Stamp set: Festive Flurry, More Merry Messages, Wishing You
Card: Whisper White, Soft Suede
Designer Paper: Season of Style
Ink: Gold Metallic Encore, Cherry Cobbler 
Accessories: Gold Ultra fine Glitter, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons
Tools: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Festive Flurry Framelits

That’s it from me for today – hope to see you back here soon. Have a wonderful weekend!

Stampin' Up! Dress Up

This was the card I made my lovely friend Rhonda, who lives all the way over in Istanbul, Turkey. When she visited a few months ago she'd seen a copy of this card and expressed how much she liked it. That was all the motivation I needed, to make her one for her birthday. I had fun putting it together, especially the cardigan. Hopefully the pearl necklace stayed in tact after going through the International postal service and they didn't get squashed :-)

It sounds like you had a wonderful birthday Rhonda - which is very deserved! 

Stamp set: Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi

Ink: Wild Wasabi

Designer Paper: Pretty Prints Paper Stack (retired)

Accessories: Basic Pearls

Tools: Big Shot, Dress Up Framelits, Modern Label punch, Word Window punch, Beautifully Baroque EF, Sponge

To order any of these items, be sure to email me HERE, any time of the day! Have a fabulous Wednesday!

Stampin' Up! Wetlands

The Wetlands stamp set is very versatile. It ticks the boxes for me because can be used for masculine or feminine cards and it includes both images and messages in the set. I also love the font used. We used this set the other night at class and did the Watercolour Wash technique which I've cased from Julie Davison. If you click on her name it'll take you to her blog where she has created a video to show you how to make this card. It really is super easy!

Stamp set: Wetlands 
Card: Marina Mist, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Watercolour Paper
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On ink, Marina Mist, Crumb Cake 
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Linen Thread
Tools: Aqua painter, Pretty Print Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Stampin' Distress Tool 

I hope you like today's quick card! See you back here soon :-)

Craft Out West!

Just a quick advertisement today! For those of you who live out in West Auckland or even the greater Auckland area, why don't you pop along to the Craft Out West Craft show over the weekend and support the West Auckland Hospice?! 

Where: Westwave Recreation Centre, 20 Alderman Drive, Henderson
When: Saturday 9 November & Sunday 10 November 2013
Time: 10am - 4pm
Cost: Adults $5, Senior Citizens $3, Children under 12 years old free

All proceeds to Hospice West Auckland 
For a full list of traders visit: http://www.hwa.org.nz 

I'll be at the Stampin' Up! stand on Sunday, so I hope to see you there!

Bordering on Romance

This was the card I made Mum for her birthday, which is today. Of course it's a case - and this time from Chat Wszelaki who has some super cute projects on her blog. 

I hope you have a super birthday Mum! I wish I was with you, to help you celebrate. 

Stamps: Bordering on Romance, Fabulous Phrases
Card:  Whisper White, Melon Mambo
Ink: Black Staz On, Melon Mambo and Wild Wasabi Stampin' Markers
Accessories: Melon Mambo Ribbon (retired), Basic Pearls
Tools:  Simply Scored scoring tool, Dimensionals

Well, I have to run for now. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Stampin' Up! Modern Medley

It's a girlfriend's birthday today (you know who you are) and this is the card I made her. It's the first time that I've used the stamp set Flower Shop and Modern Medley designer paper. Flower Shop has 6 gorgeous flowers in the set and I've been wanting to use it for ages. I've cased this card from the very talented Linda Gutierrez. 

And, here's another one to add to my emergency stash, with the flower coloured in Rich Razzleberry:

Stamps: Flower Shop, Wetlands, Chalk Talk
Card: Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Designer Paper: Modern Medley
Ink: Basic Black Staz On, Calypso Coral, Rich Razzleberry
Tools: Big Shot, Chalk Talk Framelits, Circles Collection Framelits, 1 3/8" Circle Punch

I hope your weekend has been going well. I've been busy preparing for my classes I have scheduled for tomorrow. I've got the day off because I worked on Saturday. I'm running two sessions at 10.30am and again at 7.30pm and there's still spaces available at both. We're doing the Watercolour Wash technique using the lovely Wetlands stamp set. Email me to book your place or text me on 021 260 6680 if you'd like to join us. 

See you again soon!

Stampin' Up! Best of Sale-a-Bration

The new Best of 25 Years Stamp Set: Best of Sale-A-Bration goes live today!

• All Best of stamp sets will include 3-5 images, including a never-before seen image, and will be priced at $31.95
• All Best of stamp sets are available in Clear-Mount only.
• The stamp images may be sized differently from the original stamp sets.
• All sets once released are available to purchase until April 30 2014 (or whilst stocks last). 

Stampin' Up! Ghostly Ghouls

We don't go all out in a big way and celebrate Halloween in New Zealand however, it is becoming more popular with the youngsters who like to go trick and treating. I always make sure I've got some sweets tucked away, for the few who make the trek up my driveway. 

This year I bought some skull lolly pops while in Australia. They were quite cute by themselves but I decided to add a little something to them. They were fun to make, will be fun to give and I'm sure they'll be fun to receive! 

Stamp set: Ghostly Ghouls (retired)
Card: Tangerine Tango, Lovely Lilac (retired)
Ink: Black Staz On, Lovely Lilac (retired), Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Googly eyes (retired), 2 3/8 Scallop punch, 1 3/4" Circle punch

I hope you have a great weekend lined up. I'm hoping for dry weather so that I can tackle the leaves before I water blast the pavement around the house. Not much fun, but necessary to tidy up the place before summer. See you again soon!

Pretty Packages Bundle Deals!

Available from today until 30 November! Click on the image to enlarge it. 

30% off Select Seasonal Downloads!

Get 30% off Select Seasonal Downloads until 30 November!

Email me to place your order. 

Stampin' Up! Chalk Talk

This is the Thank You card I put in with my customer's orders this month. It was quick and easy and truly a 10 minute card. Don't you just love, love, love washi tape?! I've cased this card from Jen Jacobsen. Click on her name to take you to her blog, where you'll see lots of other lovely projects. 

Stamp set: Chalk Talk
Card: Whisper White, Basic Grey
Ink: Basic White
Accessories: Season of Style Designer Washi Tape, Epic Day This and That Designer Washi Tape, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Pink and White Ribbon (sorry, can't remember the correct name - but it's now retired). 
Tools: Big Shot, Chalk Talk Framelits

The night of fright is almost here!  I have a little show and tell for you and have spruced up some skull lollypops that I bought, to give to the kiddos for Halloween! See you back here soon :-)