INKYART

Blog Hopping with the Summer Mini

2012-01-28T06:00:00+11:00

Its blog hopping time - the first for 2012. This is the time to showcase all the lovely goodies from the new Summer Mini - there are some very yummy things and of course, for every $100 you spend between now and the end of March you will receive a free stamp set, designer series paper pack or set of embelllishments - got to love the free stuff!

I've used the very yummy Spice Cake designer series paper to create another scrapbooking page for my Twelve course. This paper is so yummy and works well with soft Suede, More Mustard, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, River Rock and Very Vanilla - so you just know with that line up of neutrals, blues and greens you are going to love it.

I decided to use Pool Party as my accent colour and teamed it with lace and pearls. And just in case you think I have lost my marbles completely, the colour I have allocated to Me for my Twelve course is purple (it is my favourite colour) so the little Elegant Eggplant button with the little pearl is to remind me this is a Twelve page. The flower embellishment is a piece of lace which I have threaded with cotton and pulled to make a ruffled flower. I've then added a punched flower, pearls and ruffled ribbon to finish it off.

I hope you are enjoying the hop - it is time to be on your way, off to visit the lovely and very talented Kathryn Manglesdorf.

Have a super weekend and happy scrapping.

Nikki

Sale-A-Bration Begins - FREE Stamps Anyone?

2012-01-26T07:43:24+11:00

Yes the most exciting time is here - Sale-A-Bration. Click on the logo above to see the exclusive stamps, papers and embellishments being offered this year.

My personal favourite (so far LOL) are the lovely papers, I've used them to make a few cards and a couple of scrapbooking pages - the colours are gorgeous.

So how do you get your hands on some freebies?

CUSTOMERS - Spend $100 and choose one of the 6 Sale-A-Bration items for free. Spend $200 and receive two Sale-A-Bration items - you receive a free item for every $100 spent.

HOSTESSES - host a workshop and earn lots of free goodies.

JOIN - become a demonstrator. The kits is on special $249 plus you get to add another stamp from the main catalogue onto your order for free (any value).

Call or email if you'd like to place an order, host a workshop or are thinking about joining up as a demonstrator - 0428 254 952.

Happy Australia Day.

Nikki

1st Layout of 2012, 1st of 144 and 1st JAI Scrapbook Challenge

2012-01-22T13:54:47+11:00

Yes this is the first layout of 2012.

All about what we did on the 1st of January 2012.

It is the first layout for my Twelve project .... only 143 to go :o)

So I think it qualifies as an entry for the Just Add Ink Scrapbook Challenge - Firsts or Ones.

I wanted to include a few pictures, but I only wanted to do a single page layout so I cropped them all and then played with them until they sat together well. Of course colour was going to be an issue with this many photos so I flicked through the Stampin' Up DSP pages of the catalogue and found this piece from the Paisley Petals pack - matches well with KP's top and the fireworks - perfect.

I loved the concept of firsts and so all the journalling around the outside relates to this - Firsts on the First of the First of Twenty Twelve, Our First time watching the fireworks in Sydney, First Sadler - Petrie event of Twenty Twelve and First time visiting Bondi Beach on the First.

A part of the Twelve concept is to 'colour code' each of the Twelve topics - so Holiday is my red orange topic. Students are encouraged to use a small embellishment on the page in your chosen colour - so I've included some Real Red brads as accents - ordinarily I would have just chosen the Cajun Craze ones only but I like the contrast.

This was a super quick easy layout to put together. Pop on over to the JAI scrapbooking challenge and why not put in an entry yourself - so much fun.

I am really loving the learnings of the Twelve course - I'll be back in a day or two with my second layout - one all about Me.

Happy scrapping.

Nikki

Twelve Update

2012-01-21T06:00:00+11:00

Although I am a little 'scared' as we are mid way through January and I am yet to make one of the 12 layouts for the month of January I am excited. The whole idea of Twelve is to simplify the art of scrapbooking by providing you with topics and daily prompts to ignite your inner creative being.

I've completed all the prepartion work which involved making a lovely Inspiration box. I've used the very yummy Spice Cake DSP from Stampin' Up! which is a new product in the latest Summer Mini. I really love this paper and as this little box is going to be with me all year long I thought it was perfect to put it to good use.

I bought the little clipboard in Officeworks and covered that with the same DSP.

For each of the Twelve topics I've allocated a colour and started to complete the inspiration cards to help with my mojo is lacking.

I've started an embellishment box - we need to gather 12 embellishments for each of the 12 colours - I've shopped my stash and I seemed to have had a flower fetish at some point LOL.

I'm going to be taking part in an embellishment swap with fellow Twelve students and so I hope to fill this box with more than just flowers. And of course, I am going to be make some embellishments of my own with all the lovely Stampin' Up goodies that I have too.

I then received some happy mail - I knew this was coming and that some of my local friends had received their envelopes so the tension was mounting when I finally found my parcel in the mailbox this week.

Perhaps I'll eat those Skittles when I have finally finished all 144 layouts - better check the best before date hadn't I LOL

This little notebook is to carry around in your purse so that have something to jot down something that inspires you when you are out and about and the bingo cards are so that you can check off the things to do each month.

And the lovely journal is for writing your thoughts in too. We also receive daily emails - thought provokers - some of them have been a little weird - but then sometime later, a thought occurs to me for a page - so pleased I now have somewhere to write all these little thoughts down before they are lost again.

I am really loving the whole concept - now just to FOCUS and make a page or Twelve!

Let me know if you are joining in with Twelve too - and if you'd like a bag of flowers I am sending RAK's to anyone who wants some.

Nikki

I've Moved!

2012-01-20T06:00:00+11:00

Nope not house or blog hosts ..... crafting spaces. Part of the de-clutter and simplifying process was to move my crafty gear from the lounge (where it was taking over) to a new home.

I now officially have a craft room ... well 90% of the room is mine ... shush don't tell my husband ... its going to be a surprise when he gets home to find the study has been converted - only joking I did tell I was going to do it - I think he is worried it will soon look just like my little nook in the corner of the lounge!

Here's the desk where I used to sit:

I used to sit here and make everything - surrounded by chairs I had borrowed from the kitchen to give me a bit more space. My stamps and card stock lived in the cupboard in the kitchen.

And here I am now:

A huge desk - and I have everything plugged in and ready to go - expect to see more embossing LOL.

Just so tidy - wonder how long it will last!

Look at all that space.

Very excited and really looking forward to sitting at my new desk.

The lounge looks heaps better now that all my stuff isn't 'all over the place'.

The only downside is that I can't see the television from the new craft room - but that's okay, once I've watched Coronation Street and Eastenders I just pop into my little haven and crank up the radio.

I'm a little sad to leave my little secretary desk - I bought it in an antique shop with some money my granny left me - it reminded me of both my granny and grandad.

So I am planning to convert it to a gift wrapping and letter writing desk - back to its original use I think - it will be good to have everything in one place.

It suits our lounge perfectly and I know we will never part company.

I was too embarrased to photograph it in its entirety before I started to move things into my own room (insert blushing smilie right here).

Right best get into that new room and start creating I think.

Nikki

Festive Friday Challenge # 1

2012-01-18T20:50:45+11:00

There's a new weekly challenge site created by Nicole Darendorf called Festive Challenges. Its the unorganised card maker's dream challenge site ... make a festive card every week of the year. How cool is that! Usually these are Christmas cards and occasionally other festivities will be included too .... and this being January of course the first festivity is Valentines Day in February.

Now two of the ladies on the team are great interstate Stampin' Up! buddies - the brilliant Tina Gillespie (she's just won two challenges this past few weeks go and check out her creations) and the lovely and very talented Kathryn Mangledorf - who is celebrating an important birthday this month. These girls are lovely and although we only get to meet up at Convention we get to chat to each other through a stamping forum.

I loved the little hearts on Madonna Dunn and Tina Gillespie's cards and I have been dying to use the new Saleabration papers and ribbons so although I haven't used the traditional colours for Valentines I still love it.

Here's a close up of those cute little hearts. The stamp set is also a Saleabration set - Outlined Occasions.

Thanks girls for the inspiration, and I wish you all the best with your new challenge site - I hope to be playing along every week.

Saleabration starts next week - I'll be posting brochures to whet your appetite - let me know if you want one.

Happy Stampin'

Nikki

Mid January Already?

2012-01-17T18:05:22+11:00

I looked at the calendar today and thought .... really? Are we really half way through the first month of 2012?

I bet you have been wondering where I have been haven't you. Well I am here, just busy, unfortunately not busy making lovely things to share with you - but up until yesterday I wasn't busy at work either - isn't that a good thing.

I have been a happy busy bee as I am decluttering and simplying the house, garage and garden and catching up on all those tasks that I have put off over the course of last year. Olivia did ask me if 'decluttering and simplifying' was really just another way of saying you are 'throwing everything out and starting again' ..... hummm now there's an idea .... but no, I have assured her that the decluttering bit is the easy part ..... not buying any more clutter is going to be hard ... but doable .... unless we are talking Stampin' Up! stuff of course (come on girls lets be reasonable ..... not completely insane). I have of course had to buy some new things - like boxes and storage items but all in all the house is feeling far more organised - well almost I still have some more to do.

So you don't think I have abandoned you altogether I thought I'd share a few holiday snaps.

We had Christmas at home and then we travelled to hubby's house in Sydney for ten days. And here's what we did:

We had a picnic with our friends and waited for the New Year's Eve fireworks.

We loved loved loved the fireworks.

We went to Bondi Beach and had lunch and sat on the steps of the Opera House on New Years Day.

We rode on the ferries everywhere and made funny faces!

Paul and KP fished.

KP and I spent a night at the Royal North Shore Hospital and he had to go to theatre to fix his finger after he tried to chop it off whilst cutting up a chocolate bar! Ouchy ouch.

The Sadler gang just hung out together for twenty days - bliss!

So you see I have been busy .... head back in a day or two - I have more to share with you.

Happy January.

Nikki

One on 1 Blog Hop - Hello Endings and Hello Beginnings

2012-01-02T03:00:00+11:00

Welcome to all the OLW blog hoppers, regulars and new visitors. A full twelve months has passed and my One Little Word CHANGE has become a close friend - I will be sad to say goodbye.

December's task was to take a look back at the year, the facts and the feelings and to wrap up the year before searching for a new word to take us through 2012.

I never really understood the power of just One Little Word until this year. As I appreciate symbolic gestures and items I would often find myself holding my Lisa Leonard necklace to remind myself that it was okay to CHANGE, or to embrace CHANGE, or to be brave enough to make a CHANGE. I wore the necklace almost every day. It was powerful, enlightening, grounding and fulfilling. I am unsure what to do with my pendant - I will be replacing it with a new one for 2012 but if you have any ideas please share them - I'd love to hear from you.

I spent a few hours on Boxing Day just finishing off all of the pages - I'm a few page protectors short but all the tasks are now finished.

I loved this experience and the One on 1 blog hop really did ensure that I completed each and every task - once again thanks to Margie for keeping me organised.

And so what's for 2012?

Having had what I would call an 'action' word for a year I was pondering a different type of word - I pondered words like Embrace, Nuture, Nourish, Cherish, Simplify or Do and really whilst writing this post I still wasn't sure which word to choose.

So I cheated a little! Being part of the alumni and One on 1 gang, I know that one of the first tasks for all OLWers is to check out the definition of your word in a Thesaurus - so that's just what I did. I know what I want to set out to achieve this year I just wasn't sure which word was going to be by my side whilst I continue my journey.

So my word for 2012 is FOCUS.

Why did I choose this word? I'm the world's best procrastinator; I want to achieve so much; I need more than 24 hours in one day or perhaps that should read ... I need to manage my time better; I am the master of excuses; I know what I should be doing but just don't follow it through; the list could go on and on! This all needs to stop ..... I need to stop the waffle, the excuses and the time wasting and just FOCUS!

I like the word FOCUS for I know that when I do just that I can achieve so much, and of course it isn't just about FOCUSing on the changes I have made but FOCUS on the everyday stuff, on the good and positive things in my life. I am pleased I have finally settled on this word for 2012.

Its time now to hop on your way - next stop is Tere - thanks for stopping by my little piece of cyberspace - I hope you'll drop in again.

Happy New Year

Nikki

List of participants in case you lose your way:

Hurry Up 2012!

2011-12-31T06:00:00+11:00

I'm not a huge fan of wishing your life away - I've always got so much to get done I'd like to slow life down just to give myself a head start most of the time ...

But ..... I've plenty of crafting planned for 2012 and I can't wait!

Have you noticed all the new buttons down the right hand side of my new look blog?

I've signed up for several Big Picture classes next year including Stacey Julian's TWELVE; a brilliant scrapbooking course for three months and I've finally been able to buy a Becky Higgins' Project Life kit (I've gone for the Cobalt colourway) having missed out last year (can I tell you how unbelievably excited I am about that); and I am also embarking on Cathy Zielske's Eat Well Move More journey too.

We have our final One on 1 blog hop planned for tomorrow - the final chapter for 2011 and the grand reveal for 2012 - yes I'll be doing this again too. I've loved loved loved One Little Word - its just 'ME' - tune in tomorrow for the wrap up on 2011 and to check out my new word for 2012.

Don't forget ladies, anyone can join up ..... its fun; check it out.

I'll be sharing my progress here throughout 2012, and of course, I'll always be showcasing the lovely Stampin' Up! goodies all year long too!

Happy New Year's Eve!

Love Nikki

Birthday Wishes

2011-12-29T07:00:00+11:00

I needed a birthday card for a 16 year old in December - Extreme Elements is such a cool set to use, I just picked three colours and stamped away.

And it was so easy to create another one using the same colours - Night of Navy, So Saffron and Baja Breeze. I've used the new Bakers Twine from the Summer Mini.

Why not take a look at some of your stamp sets and see what you have that you can randomly stamp some images with to create some quick and effective cards.

Happy stampin'

Nikki