Merry Christmas and a Happy 2015

As this year comes to an end I wish

you all a fabulous 2015.

I am hoping to get more cards and

 Project Life

done in the new year.

Stampin Up Holiday Stocking

I love Christmas.

Each year I make decorations for our home

and now we have a few big boxes full of

crafty Christmas goodness.

It's so much fun opening them each year.

I have made some stockings this year,

 this one is a gift

but I will be sure to be making a few

more to add to our collection.

Christmas with Silver Glitter Card

Some how I always end up using glitter on my

Christmas projects. Each year I end up with 

glitter everywhere. This card is no exception.

I love the look but not the mess.

At least I will sparkle tonight. 

October Team Sketch Challenge

Each month our Stampin Up team has a variety 

of challenges. This month it is this sketch.

I love following a design, all the 

hard work is done for you.

Christmas Card Crafting Begins

It is so scary when you look at the calender

at this time of the year and realize you 

have no free weekends left.

My mind is full of Christmas craft but

to get the time to sit and do it is another thing.

So I have decided to just get in and do it.

I have started with this card, all though not

for me it is commissioned but at least I have started.

Looking forward to some late nights and getting 

my craft on!!!

Christmas Cards for the Troops 2014

I can't believe it's that time of the year.

But it is and here are the designs I came

up with this year. I made multiples of each card.

I decided to keep it simple this year. 

Stampin Up Whisper White cardstock,

 a little embossing, add an image and

some sparkle. 

Creative Blog Hop

This week I was invited to be part of The Creative Blog Hop by the talented Nerida Carter.   This is a fun way for bloggers to "pass the baton" and help showcase the blogs of other's whose work we admire.  Lots of different people both here in Australia and also overseas have taken part in the blog hop.

Part of the task involves answering several questions that let you know a little more about my work.  So here we go...

1. What am I working on now?

At the moment I am trying to get a head start on Christmas, whether it be cards or crafty gifts.

I love getting in early and decorating boxes and bags so when Christmas rolls around I just need to pop the gift in. I have just finished a stack of Christmas cards for Cards for the Troops.

I have also nearly finished a large Project Life album. I have used around 400 photos from a holiday and to my delight it was really quick to do. I started it pretty much straight away after our holiday.

I saved all bits and bobs so I could pop them in the album. It is such a pleasure reliving the holiday through the photos and the funny stories I have written about.

2.    How does my work differ from others in my genre?

As I am a Stampin Up demonstrator I like to showcase different ways to use their stamps and supplies. My work varies all the time.

My preferred style is Vintage. I use lots of layers, cream tones and not much colour.

If I am submitting pieces to magazines I work around what will work best in photographing

the colours in the card.

3.      Why do I create what I do?

It’s time for me. Time to do something I love and it makes me happy.

I can zone out and forget the day’s worries (most times).

I love to create things to give for gifts. To spread happiness through handmade items.

Hopefully one day my many scrapbook albums will be interesting records of our lives.

I truly believe there is some kind of hobby for everyone, you need something to get you

excitied.                                 

4.      How does my creative process work?

I think of the recipient and what they like i.e. colours, style.  

I always start with a layout and the size of the card.

Funny enough sometimes stamps are chosen last to see which will fit best.

I make one thing at a time. I don’t start another project until I have finished.

If I am not happy with the end result I do start again.

After all it’s a learning process and you do quickly learn what you like and don’t.

This is the spot I should be introducing to you another blogger to keep this going but at this stage I am waiting to hear back from a few so hopefully before next week I will be able to do this.

If you would like to be a part of this Blog Hop leave me a comment and I will get in touch.

Thanks.

Today & Everyday SU Cards

When I was a child one of my favorite toys

was my nestling set of  Babushka dolls.

I would play with them for hours.

Unfortunately I don't recall what happened to them.

I now admire my daughter's set.

So when I saw the Today & Everyday

Stampin Up stamp set I had to have it.

These cards are off to very dear friends.

I was inspired to make these cards

from Pinterest but cannot recall from who.

 All supplies Stampin Up

Beautiful Packaging

I recently received a beautiful candle but not

only was the candle amazing but so was the packaging.

I didn't want to throw it out and so I cut it up

and went about making cards with it.

There was so much beautiful card from one box.

I still have plenty of gold left to make more.

I will be back soon with some cards that I 

have made using soap wrappers. 

Happy Dad's Day Cards

I am either getting older, much much more busier or

the days in the months are going quicker.

Years ago, even with small children I was

always organized and on top of things.

This year special occasions keep popping

up and I am not ready. Plain ran out of time.

Father's Day is this coming Sunday and

I have made 2 cards, one more to go,

at least that's a start I suppose.

I am pleased with how these cards have turned

out. It was good making something outside the box.

Quick Birthday Cards

A quick couple of Birthday cards.

I layered the butterfly 4 times to give the

simple layout a focus.

 Blackberry Bliss cardstock as the base.   

I love the Stars embossing folder.

A very quick technique to give

plenty of definition.

Simple And Quick Stampin Up Flower Patch Card

Another card using the Flower Patch

stamp set from Stampin Up.

I stamped out many flowers

in all colours. Cut them out

using the Framelits. So now

I have a bunch of flowers to pop

onto cards for a quick and easy layout.

Fabulous Flower Patch with Stampin Up

Stampin Up have released photo-polymer stamps.

After a little hesitation I have tried

them and I am happy to say the quality is excellent,

as all SU products are.

This card is made with the Flower Patch stamp set.

There are endless uses for this set and you

can even buy the framlits to match,

so no fussy cutting.

All products used are SU.

Happy Birthday Sunshine

There's nothing like new craft supplies

to get the creativity flowing.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on

Stampin Up's new products.

All materials Stampin Up.

Vintage Card Style with Stampin Up

Vintage Style really is my favourite type

of card making. 

If I could I would make cards using only

Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake.

I have lost count of how many Crumb Cake ink pads

I have gone through in the last 7 years.

There are 3 layers of Very Vanilla cardstock

on this card front. Indulgent, maybe!

But it is for a very special friend

for her birthday so that's okay.

A Touch Of Elegance

Basic Black and Very Vanilla give that

touch of elegance to any project.

There are many layers to this flower

(hard to see by the photo).

I am sad to see this beautiful lace

ribbon being retired at the 

end of this month but

true Stampin Up style there will be

another similar lace that I will use for my projects.

Baby Girl Card with Stampin Up Products

My favourite type of card.

Pink, pretty, ribbon and bling.

This card is off to a cousin who recently

had a baby girl.

I kept adding to this card. I think I could have 

emitted the extra butterflies but I love the 

silver glitter paper. 

All supplies are Stampin Up.

Colour Challenge with Stampin Up Colours

I would like to say I have been absent as I am working on

many projects but in fact life has been hectic.

School holidays, Easter, 4 birthdays, working,

 our son getting his license, oh and keeping up with The Royals.

Also we have fantastic weather for this time of the year and 

being school holidays you don't want to be inside.

We tried paddle boarding for the first time.

I loved it, serious fun and a good work out too. 

Back to the card. 

There is a colour challenge with my Stampin Up

group for this month and you could only use the following colours,

Coastal Cabana, Pool Party, Midnight Muse and Sahara Sand.

I had so much trouble not using Whisper White or Very Vanilla

but saying that I think this card is okay without it. 

Happy 18th Birthday Card and Gift Bag

I must admit I love making "girly" cards.

The more flowers, ribbon and bling the better.

Square cards are great too as you can add more.

I was inspired by Denise, http://stampingpassion.blogspot.com/

 for the gift bag.

She made me a similar one for my birthday.

Music In The Air

Here are a few cards I made with a music theme in mind.

They could be used for any age or gender.

I don't use a lot of black on my projects

but as of late black seems to popular

in the paper crafting world. 

Sweet Sorbet Happy Birthday

It seems once Christmas is over all

the birthdays come around.

I have made so many projects with 

the Free Stampin Up Sweet Sorbet

designer series paper.

It's great to have a few Birthday cards on hand.

Wonderful Stampin Up Friends

I wanted to share with you the crafty gifts I received

recently from friends for my birthday.

So much inspiration.

Cardmaking Stamping & Papercraft Magazine

In this month's magazine, Vol 20 No 5

I have had a card published and there is 

also a 2 page Cardmakers Profile about me.

I feel very privileged to be a part of this magazine.

A few years ago this was a dream and it

still feels surreal to see my photo

in the pages of this fantastic publication. 

Polaroid Card with Stampin Up

One of the latest trends in the papercraft

world at present is using polaroid products.

On this card I have created my own polaroid

picture of a Zebra. I used Stampin Up's

square framelits to cut out my window.

It's a great way to highlight an image or sentiment.

Simplicity with Stampin Up

I made this card for a challenge and then

changed my mind.

I like how it came together though.

The Whisper White, Very Vanilla, gold Washi Tape

and gold sequins match well.

All supplies are Stampin Up.

Home-made Gifts for a Friend with Stampin Up

I recently made these gifts for a friend and 

she is also a Stampin Up demonstrator.

Not only would it be a gift for her Birthday

but she could also take to her classes

as a display of Stampin Up products.

I made the card using the Brick Wall technique.

I decorated a Full Wood Mount Case and placed all the gifts inside.

Inside I placed the card, a coffee voucher and a small scrapbook.

I also added a Tag a Bag Gift Bag with chocolates (not shown here). 

I made this small scrapbook using various Stampin Up stamp sets

throughout. It could be a good resource to show a variety

of stamps and products.

All products used are Stampin Up.

Sweet Sorbet Stampin Up DSP

I keep reaching for Stampin Up's

Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper

lately when I make cards.

Even better that it is Free with

a $90 or more order.

It's summery and fresh. 

Bling Cards with Stampin Up

 I wanted to make a "just because" card

for a friend.

 I had no layout or colour scheme in mind.

Below is what I came up with.

I liked the first card so much I made

a second and just changed

it a little.

All supplies are Stampin Up.

Happy 60th

I made this card for my MIL's birthday.

She loves flowers and so I went with that theme.

But when I finished it looks more like a card

you would give for a sweet 16th.

I am pleased with the way it turned out 

but just not sure.

Oh well, I enjoyed the process and hopefully

she will like the card. :) 

Birthday Wishes

I made this card last night, needed one quick.

This is a great card layout.

Sorry about the slope of the photo.

Must be having too much school holiday fun.

I do feel like we are on the down hill slope back to school.