Stamp Happy

{Altered Recipe Tin}

2009-12-11T07:03:25+13:00

Don't have the time to attend class? Prefer to work on your own? Live too far away? Make this Altered Recipe Tin

in your own time!

***** Only three kits left - order now to get them in time for Christmas******

Just in time to make this up for Christmas or those Spring and Summer weddings!

Of course, you aren't obliged to put recipe cards inside -other ideas include small gifts, choccies, a plant, an assortment of thank you and birthday cards, etc.

Kit includes the tin (5.5x2.5x4), Bella Rose papers (extra included so you can vary the design), ribbons, one sheet of Dots and Designs Rub-Ons (lots left over for more projects!), button, cardstock, brads, and instructions with photos & measurements.

Kit: $27 including postage and instructions

Best Value!! Altered Recipe Tin Bundle: The above Kit PLUS From the Kitchen of Stamp Set, Chocolate Chip Marker, Ruby Red Marker, Regal Rose Marker, postage and complete instructions.

$114.36 for only $99.95!

PDF instructions only: $10

Altered Recipe tin

OR Email me to order.

12-3026-0331071-50

*Kits only while supplies last

** This offer is only available in New Zealand

***Due to copyright laws, I am unable to prestamp your kits

Thanks and Enjoy!

{Goin' to the Movies}

2009-12-10T12:07:35+13:00

A few days ago, I was invited to attend The Time Traveler's Wife. It had been years - literally! - since I'd been to a movie theatre.

I started to wonder a bit about the old movie theatre popcorn tradition and decided to do a little research on the subject.

"New laboratory tests conducted by the non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest reveal that a $12 medium-popcorn-and-soda combo sold at Regal, the country’s largest movie-theater chain, contains 1,610 calories and 60 grams of saturated fat — the equivalent of three McDonald’s Quarter Pounders with 12 pats of butter." See the full article here.

So next time you or I go see a movie, pass on the popcorn and eat a heathier snack before or after instead. And a side benefit, this will help break the habit of eating while watching, too, a sure way to consume too many mindless calories.

{Diana Farthing}

2009-12-09T06:25:00+13:00

Please welcome Diana Farthing in her first appearance on my blog! Again, this month I gave the Challenge Team the new Sherbet Buttons and the new Pink Pirouette Ribbon to feature in a project.

Diana used the Pink Pirouette ribbon and certainly celery button on this one with the 'Great Friend' stamp set, punching holes around the card and then drawing a white line around the whole thing. She said to me, "You showed us that at camp and I love it because it adds elegance without too much fuss." (about using the white gel pen).

Cool - good to know I do sometimes impart some useful gems!

This card is a birthday card for Diana's niece. She's used the retired Flitting By wheel, Great Friend for butterflies (on acetate and cut out) and sentiment and thn placed the gorgeous button in the middle.  She just wanted to use pink and white for this one, so the dsp from Tea Party was perfect.

Dianaused the Snow Swirled set and stamped on acetate with the White Staz-On, and then layered certainly celery, pumpkin pie and white cardstock, very vanilla and Pink Pirouette ribbn an the pumpkin pie button.   The ribbon is wrapped all around the back of the certainly celery cardstock, so you can see it on the other side. Looks really pretty!

Thanks, Diana!

{Sweet Treats Lollipops}

2009-12-08T11:53:53+13:00

Great little project for a little something to give friends this year or anytime. My girls enjoyed making a couple of these, too.

Make a flower or an ornament for the tree using the Sweet Treat cups in about ten minutes. Great way to use up those leftover strips of DSP, too!

Scallop edge your strip of DSP and then run it through the crimper. This will allow you to ease the strip around the sweet treat cup. Now fill the cup and cover the back, sandwiching in the popsicle stick and an ornament hanger if you wish.

I also stamped the stick with staz-on. I've never had an ice pop in New Zealand, but I recall as a kid the sticks having little jokes and things, so this is throwback to that. Do you have that here?

And don't you love the polka dot ribbon!

Order your sweet treat cups here.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Short and Sweet set of twelve $35.95 or Something Sweet $52.95

Other: strips of DSP, Scallop Edge Punch, Crimper, Sweet Treat Cups, Circle Scissors, Black Staz-on, Ribbon

{Bella Bleu Explosion Box}

2009-12-07T07:12:00+13:00

You know how they say you'll always remember what you were doing when X happened. Well, I designed this box the day I found out Michael Jackson had passed away. Although I was in a sombre mood, I do like the sophisticated look the events of that day inspired.

An Explosion Box is the same concept as an Explosion Album - the idea being that it all folds up neatly into a box or book and then Surprise! Out comes all kind of panels and hidden places when opened.

This is a very simple design, but does afford at least 22 places inside to slip in a photo, journaling, or embellishments.

The colouring on top is done with Blender Pens. Why? The flower image from Friends 24-7 is stamped with Brocade Blue, a water based ink. So if you want to give it a soft, water-coloured look and use a water brush, the ink will smear all over the place. The blender pens offer a softer look than a straight marker, but doesn't smear a water-based ink.

The background wording is done with the beautiful Friendly Words wheel and Sahara Sand ink. A bit of Kraft Taffeta ribbon and a couple of pearls finishes this off nicely.

This Explosion Box would make a very tasteful gift.

Order the supplies to make this box here or schedule a hands-on class here.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Friends 24-7 $53.95, Friendly Words Wheel $18.95

Colours: Kraft, Sahara Sand, Bordering Blue, Creamy Caramel

Other: Pretties Kit, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Blender Pens, Heart to Heart Punch, Curly Label Punch, Latte Buttons

{New Catalogue Write-Ins!}

2009-12-06T07:58:00+13:00

Great news! Due to their fabulous popularity, Stampin' Up! has decided today to continue to offer a few items from the Spring Mini Catalogue:

Item #
Item Price

112534 Jumbo brads 5/16" Neutrals Assortment $18.50

112533 Jumbo brads 5/8" Neutrals Assortment $16.25

114889 Scallop Oval punch $35.95

106960 StazOn ink pad (White pad and refill) $26.95

109196 StazOn Cleaner $11.75

I am thrilled to not only have these things available to you as a customer, but also to still get to use these in classes! I can see more acetate projects coming . . .

{Animal Stories}

2009-12-05T06:31:00+13:00

A combination of projects submitted to SCS, this is a very cute and fast little card to whip up.

The whale here is coloured in with the Stampin' Write Markers. I've had quite a few people ask me how to acheive multi-coloured images - this is just one of many ways:

Stamping with Markers

1. Use the side of the brush tip end of your marker (using the point will fray your marker, making it less than a pleasure to use), colour in your image directly on the rubber.

2. Unless you are sitting in a wet sauna, it's good practice to huff on the stamp to rewet the ink. Stamp. Smile.

Now, how did we achieve the waves? Use the Scallop Square Punch! And guess what? The Scallop Square punch is on promotion for just 9 more days - get it now before the promotion is over!

My eldest daughter made up this card using the elephant instead of the whale and using Old Olive "grass" where I have bashful blue waves. It also turned out really cute. If she hasn't given it away, I will post it in the next few days. Remind me . . . :)

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Animal Stories set of four $28.95, Short and Sweet set of twelve $35.95, Polka Dot Background $39.95

Colours: Bashful Blue, Old Olive

Other: Scallop Square Punch, Mat Pack, Old Olive Striped Ribbon

{Season of Joy Stepper Card}

2009-12-04T06:16:00+13:00

This has been one of my top three favourite cards to teach and share with my customers this Christmas season. Such a cute fold and so easy!

Inspired by Teresa Brown and her Incentive Trip Swap, I chose to copy her concept but change the colours and the stamps.

I chose Season of Joy for two reasons: one, I love this set - complete with words, flourishes, background images, focal images, the works and two - it's the easiest tree to cut out in the book!

The poinsettas on the words feature the Stampin' Up! SuperNova glitter - a fine, fine coloured glitter that is truely fairy dust. It comes in five colors and at $6 per pottle, a bargain! Plus, there's Chocolate Chip in the selection - what could be yummier than Chocolate Chip Glitter?

I have four spots left for classes/workshops before Christmas, there's still time to book in and learn how to make this before the holidays!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Season of Joy set of eight $60.95

Colours: Bashful Blue, Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive

Other: Super Nova Glitter, large oval punch, Scallop Oval Punch, 3/4 inch circle punch, Rose Red ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Are You Dehydrated?

2009-12-03T06:33:00+13:00

Welcome to a new element to this blog - my weekly Feelin' Fabulous post. My intent here is to share tips and ideas current to enhacing our lives. And NOT just weight loss! Because, in the words of Mimi Spencer, looking great is not just about losing weight! I'd like to include here a variety of topics - all things relevant to being a better you (and me!).

I encourage interactivity - please leave your comments!

I'd like to start with the timeless topic of water intake.

The human body is composed of 75 percent water and 25 percent solid matter. The human brain, working round the clock, requires more water than any other part of the body.

The exact amount of bodily water varies according to age and the proportion of muscle-to-fat (muscle contains more water than fat.) However, most people need 2-3 litres per day from drink and food.

Water is absolutely your best option for hydration. It is true that beverages such as tea, coffee, wine, beer, soft drinks, sports drinks and juices contain water, but they also contain caffeine, alcohol, sugar, artificial sweeteners or other chemicals that act as strong dehydrators. The more of these beverages you consume, the more dehydrated your body becomes because the effects they create in the body are exactly opposite the ones that are produced by water.

Signs of dehydration include:

Thirst, Dry Skin, Loss of Appetite, Brain Fog, dark coloured urine, fatique, headache, general aches and pains, chills, inability to keep warm

Many experts contribute many complicating factors in many, many illnesses, including depression, to a chronic lack of adequate hydration of the body.

And I know this is not all about losing weight, but I can assure you that step one to weight loss is increasing your WATER intake.

Increasing your water intake can only be beneficial! Challenge yourself this week to drink at least one litre of pure, filtered water each day and see if you notice a difference!

Have a fantastic week, everyone!
sources: Dangers of Dehydration, Symptoms of Dehydration

{Paula Dobson}

2009-12-02T06:21:00+13:00

Please meet and welcome with me the new Challenge Team! We have four talented ladies joining us for the next six months - please check our their bios and their fantastic work here each Wednesday.

This month, December, each artist was given the 1 1/4 inch Pin Pirouette Grosgrain ribbon and the Sherbet buttons, both from the new Summer Mini Catalogue.

Paula has made for us a very sweet baby card, which also features the Animal Stories set, another new goodie in the Summer Mini.

Paula has used faux stitching to highlight the layers with a white gel pen and has also scored the pumpkin pie layer to add interest. She also made up the envelope out of Pink Pirouette and stamped to match.

Supplies used:

Stamps: Animal Stories set of four $28.95

Colours: Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie, Pretty in Pink

Other: Sherbet Buttons, Pink Pirouette ribbon, White Gel Pen, Mat Pack

{SUMMER MINI!}

2009-12-01T06:39:00+13:00

Yay! It's finally here! My team of demonstrators and I have been so looking forward to the launching of this fantastic new product release for our customers!

Free copy with your order or download here.

Lots and lots of yummy new toys!!!!!!!!!!

I do offer gift vouchers . . .

Join me tomorrow night (Wednesday) at 7:30pm for a Summer Mini Catalgoue Launch! Birkenhead location Email me to register

{Easy Easy Christmas Cracker}

2009-11-30T06:16:00+13:00

Although this is not a tradition that I grew up with, I think it's a great one that we may adopt over time. What a fun thing - to have cleverly packaged gifts on the table for everyone to open.

This year, why not make your own? it's very quick, easy, and probably will save you money, too. (Unless you plan on putting jewelry inside) For my class purposed, we just used eclairs . . .

Keep the embellishments simple as one would likely be making quite a few - great thing to have on hand for pop-in visitors. This particular design is made so the box does not get ruined upon opening, which is a real bonus for those of us who appreciate the time put into handmade items! :)

Last day to order this Ski Slope Designer Series Paper!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Winter Post set of seven $56.95

Colours: Baja Breeze, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive

Other: Designer label Punch, Chocolate Chip Ribbon

{Heritage Winter Post Christmas Card}

2009-11-29T06:32:00+13:00

A Heritage Card was the request by some of my customers, and here is what I brought to them. Many thanks to the talented artists on SCS who share their beautiful work such as this one!

The Winter Post Stamp Set is the predominent set used to create this work of epherma. Layer upon layer, nearly every stamp in the box, and seven (yikes!) ink colours later, what a masterpiece.

The stamp set Frames with a Flourish is also mixed in there as well as the En Francais background stamp. I've been noting to my customers that I know Frames with a Flourish is not one that would normally jump off the page at you, but it truly is a very good investment as it mixes in so well with sets that feature more focal images. Result: greater variety and flexibility with the stamp sets you already own.

Two days left to order that scrummy wide Riding Hood Red and Vanilla ribbon!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Winter Post set of seven $56.95, Frames with a Flourish set of seven $75.95, En Francais Backgroun $39.95

Colours: Riding Hood Red, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive Brocade Blue, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel

Other: Vintage Brads, Riding Hood Red Striped Ribbon, Colour Spritzer

{Sparkle Layout}

2009-11-28T06:17:00+13:00

Do you need some quick layouts for all your Christmas photos? This is a really great template to use; simply rotate it or rearrange the elements to create coordinating pages.

The main embellishments, the hanging ornaments, are stamped either directly onto the layout or onto a scrap piece of Whisper White, cut out, and mounted to the layout. Stamps make a very economical and versatile way to make your own matching embellishments!

The ornament hanger included in this stamp set (Tree Trimmings) was a bit short for where I positioned my ornaments, so instead I created my own visual "hanger" with the mat pack and a row of paper piercing.

A small bit of Ski Slope DSP, a scrap piece of Baja Breeze, some red ribbon and three brads finish off the bottom of the layout.

You may not have noticed at first glance, but I've also matted the photo with Ski Slope DSP and then used a third print to create a photo corner in the upper left hand corner. It's a great way to use up the leftover bits and pieces!

Three days left of the Spring Mini Catalogue, which includes the Tree Trimmings set and the Ski Slope Papers!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Tree Trimmings set of four $28.95, Warm Words set of eight $46.95

Colours: Old Olive, Real Red, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip

Other: Real Red Ribbon, Vintage Brads, Mat Pack, Photo Corner Punch

{Easy Sevens Box and a Scrappy Bow}

2009-11-27T08:53:41+13:00

Many thanks to Marelle Taylor for sharing this really easy and cute square box template!

Here, I've stamped all over the Certainly Celery Box with the very cool snowflake found in the Winter Post set (my personal favourite snowflake this year). The window is made using the Curly Label Punch, the coordinating stamp set, white Staz-On ink, and a scrap bit of acetate.

Now all I need are some lollies to fill it up!

The Curly Label Punch Bundle is on the SU Gift Giving Guide - the purchase of which will go towards scoring you a FREE Scallop Square Punch or a FREE Boho Blossoms Punch.

The bow is a lot of fun, too. A really easy concept AND a fantastic way to use up all those leftover strips of DSP. My eleven year old daughter, Madeleine, has taught this three times, so it's even very acheivable for the younger set.

Find the basic tutorial here, but of course it's an easy modification to make the bow bigger by doing more layers or create a different look by cutting the strips wider or thinner. I found the glue dots didn't work supremely well; the dimensionals seem to work the best for this one.

Ski Slope DSP retiring in three days - get it now for your Christmas projects!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T08:05:55+13:00

Happy Thanksgiving! May your day be filled with thoughts of gratitude for the many, many blessings we all enjoy.

Today I want to express appreication for:

1. My three wonderful daughters

2. A beautiful, comfortable home with running water, heating and cooling, and food in the cupboard.

3. A life full of wonderful friends, both in church and work, that truly enrich my life.

{Great Friend Flip Album}

2009-11-25T10:18:53+13:00

This is an amazing album template - thanks to Kelly Slattery for sharing this one with me. Featuring many fold-outs and tons of places for photos and embellishments, you can fit an entire story or event into this one. It just keeps going and going . .

Doodling is something I never though to do (Don't we stamp because we don't draw?), but doing the simple line around the front square with the white gel pen was not too scary. And it adds a layer to the image without adding any layers.

I love this colour combination - Baja Breeze, Cameo Coral, Basic Grey, and Kiwi Kiss. The
papers are the Walk in the Park DSP, which are being deleted at the end of the month.

The stamp set is Great Friend, my most used set from the Spring Mini, which is also going out at the end of the month. Such a beatiful buterfly - get your set before they are gone!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Great Friend set of five $37.95

Colours: Baja Breeze, Basic Grey, Kiwi Kiss, Cameo Coral, So Saffron

Others: White Gel Pen, Pretties Kit, Eyelet Border Punch, Kiwi Kiss ribbon

Order Delays

2009-11-24T08:11:12+13:00

We are currently experiencing some issues with either the people at the border control or with the courier company and some of the SU orders are going astray or being significantly delayed.

I've recieved a huge backlog of orders yesterday, so they are coming through now. However, if yours has not yet arrived, please contact me and I will do what I can to follow up.

Thank you for your patience.

{Scribble This 3D Flower}

2009-11-23T08:10:17+13:00

A beautiful flower inspired by team member, Jennifer Montgomery. It's an easy, clever way to make a 3D portion to the Scribble This flower. I made this up as a wedding invitation sample.

1. Simply stamp and cut out this big flower from this set three times. I've chosen to make the bottom one Kiwi Kiss as pseudo greenery here.

2. Place a bit of adhesive on the tips of the petals of the top flower and fold or roll them underneath. When the big brad is placed in the centre, the flower petals will sort of pop up to create a lot of neat dimension.

3. I have also used my bone scorer to create a bit of a lift on the Kiwi Kiss and the Riding Hood Red petals. Add just a hint of glitter to the top two flowers to differentiate them from the "leaves".

This big and the really big brads are being retired next week; don't miss out on these goodies!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Scribble This set of five $71.95, En Francais background stamp $39.95

Colours: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Very Vanilla

Other: 5/16 neutrals brads assortment, Stylized Silver Hodge Podge Hardware, Pink Taffeta Ribbon, 1 inch circle punch, blender pen

{Just for Fun}

2009-11-21T06:42:00+13:00

An email sent to me by my father - the last one is the best:

Oxymorons

1. Is it good if a vacuum really sucks?

2.  Why is the third hand on the watch called the second hand?

3. If a word is misspelled in the dictionary, how would we ever know?

4. If Webster wrote the first dictionary, where did he find the words?

5. Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack?

6. Why does "slow down" and "slow up" mean the same thing?

7. Why does "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing?

8. Why do "tug" boats push their barges?

9. Why do we sing "Take me out to the ball game" when we are already there?

10. Why are they called "stands" when they are made for sitting?

11. Why is it called "after dark" when it really is "after light"?

12. Doesn't "expecting the unexpected" make the unexpected expected?

13. Why are a "wise man" and a "wise guy" opposites?

14. Why do "overlook" and "oversee" mean opposite things?

15. Why is "phonics" not spelled the way it sounds?

16. If work is so terrific, why do they have to pay you to do it?

17. If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?

18. If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

19. If you are cross-eyed and have dyslexia, can you read all right?

20. Why is bra singular and panties plural?

21. Why do you press harder on the buttons of a remote controlwhen you know the batteries are dead?

22. Why do we put suits in garment bags and garments in a suitcase?

23. How come abbreviated is such a long word?

24. Why do we wash bath towels? Aren't we clean when we use them?

25. Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

26. Why do they call it a TV set when you only have one?

27. Christmas - What other time of the year do you sit in front of a dead tree and eat candy out of your socks?

{Great Friend Tri-Fold}

2009-11-20T06:33:01+13:00

I still don't have my head totally around how these work, but they look fantastic! I've done up a couple versions of these, all inspired by the birthday card K aren Rogers sent to me. I'll post another version in the next few days, too.

This particular colour combination was requested by a Bride-to-Be who wants to do these up for her wedding. What an amzing invite this will be for her! We were designing it to keep the costs down as much as possible, so this card doesn't use much beyond stamps, card, and ink.

The stamp set used here is Great Friend, one that I personally find very easy to use, and have found that I use every single stamp in the set on most projects. And at $37.95, it's tremendous value as well - only $7.59 per stamp!

The Tri-Shutter card is actually quite easy to prepare; it's just a matter of a few scores and slits in the card and then getting all the folds to go the right ways, which does require a bit of brain gymnastics, but if I can do it . . .

You can find an online tutorial for this one here and/or I am most happy to teach you how to do it in a hands-on class or demonstration. I have three slots open for December and am now taking bookings for late Janaury and February.

Great Friend stamp set available for ten more days only!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Great Friend set of five $37.95

Colours: Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue

Other: Trio Flower Punch, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, white gel pen

{Fresh Cuts Christmas Card}

2009-11-19T08:16:13+13:00

The Fresh Cuts notes are perfect for featuring some patterned paper or a stamp technique.

Here, I've used it with the Ski Slope papers for a very quick Christmas card, done up for my Stamp A Stack last week.

I like the clean, simplicity of this design.

The centre flower is from the Spotlight on Christmas set, which works perfectly with the Five Petal Flower Punch.

The Fresh Cut Notes are great to have on hand to whip up a quick card. Also perfect for using up leftover bits and pieces. At at $20.95 for 15 card and envelopes, the price is right, too. Order here.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Spotlight on Christmas, Occasional Greetings

Colours: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Old Olive

Other: Ski Slope DSP, vintage brads, Five Petal Flower Punch, Chocolate Chip ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Fresh Cut Notes

{Pam Cregeen}

2009-11-18T10:49:32+13:00

Featuring the Soft Holly Wheel, Pam created these three works of art:

Stamp Set: Season of Joy

Stampin' Around Wheel Soft Holly

Tree Card:   Kraft and Very Vanilla cardstock

   Riding Hood Red & Kiwi Kiss Stampin' Pads

Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

    Star Brad from Hodge Podge Hardware

Joy Card:   Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla cardstock

Riding Hood Red & Always Artichoke Stampin' Pads

Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

White Gel Pen for dots.

Parcel Card:   Whisper White & Sage Shadow cardstock

Always Artichoke & Riding Hood Red Stampin' Pads

Designer Series Papers & Jumbo Eyelet

Wow! Hard to choose a favourite! Beautiful, precise work, as always, Pam. Thank you so much for sharing!

{Sparkle Flippy Album}

2009-11-17T06:15:00+13:00

Another version of the DIY Class made up with the Tree Trimmings stamp set and the Ski Slope papers.

I really llike the Old Olive/Baja Breeze combo!

Little books like this are very satisfying to make up and fill with photos and journaling, but they also make a wonderful little gift that really, really means a lot.

When we all had small children, three other mothers and myself took a weekend trip away, and I made up little albums for each of them as Christmas gifts. Just yesterday I got a Facebook message from one of the mothers who commented how she still looks at that book. And so do I.

I encourage you to take the time this year to make something from the heart. I will, too.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Tree Trimmings set of four $28.95, Warm Words set of eight $46.95

Colours: Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Real Red

Other: Ski Slope DSP, Chocolate Chip ribbon, eyelet border punch, mat pack

{Sweet Butterfly Gift}

2009-11-16T08:13:38+13:00

Isn't this a fun idea!

This is a sweet gift given to me by team-member Michelle Cave. It's a cute idea to doll up those lovely handmade soaps you can pick up at local craft fairs that smell so luscious. (I bought soaps last year strictly on the premise that if I couldn't stuff myself with chocolate, at least I could bathe in it).

And you can whip these up in no time for a little gift for birthdays or Christmas. The Scallop Square Punch Michelle has used on the wee card is FREE with purchase this month!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly, Occasional Greetings

Colours: BAja Breeze, Not Quite Navy

Other: Urban Garden DSP, Baja Breeze ribbon, Hemp Twine, Medium Cello Bags, Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Square Punch

{Forest Friends meets Candy Lane}

2009-11-15T06:54:19+13:00

I must admit it took me a while to warm up to this little set, but it's turned out to be quite a little cutie to work with.

And this is one of my tried and true stand-by layouts - if you look twice you may recognize it from several other projects! Add a few more or take away a few layers, change the colours and images, and you'll have a very different looking card without too much brain sweating.

Now, for those of you who are really awake this Sunday morning, you may already be wondering how I coloured in that tree with Riding Hood Red, when there is no Riding Hood Red marker.

Did you know you can make your own? And in less than a minute!

1. Put four or five drops of the Riding Hood Red Ink (from the ink refill bottle) into a little container or a lid (I used a lid from our brads containers).

2. Place the tip of a blender pen into the ink and let it soak up. Done!

You may need to "reink" the marker peridically. However, you don't want to go overzealous with the ink because the blender pens have two ends, and too much ink will soak all the way through to the other tip, which you may want to use for Baja Breeze.

I bought a pack of the Blender Pens (6 tips) and make myself up a complete set of In Colour markers.

*Be sure and store these on their sides to avoid the blending of the colours in the barrel.

Order yours here!

*And one last plug - the Forest Friends stamp set AND the Scallop Oval Punch used here are both retiring in 14 days!! Get them now before they are gone.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Forest Friends set of four $28.95, Really Retro set of seven $28.95

Colours: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla

Other: Blender Pen transformed into a marker, Scallop Oval, Large Oval punch, ribbon, Candy Lane DSP

{Are You Up for a Challenge?}

2009-11-14T07:06:58+13:00

We've all enjoyed our four talented Challenge Team Artists the last six months - many thanks to all of them for prividing such beautiful work and consistent effort.

November is their last month, so now's your chance to come on board for a six month feature!

Each month I will send each artist a packet of the same supplies, sometimes an easy product feature and sometimes a real challenge. They then each come up with a project of their choosing featuring all or some of the provided product.

Email me if you'd be interested in trying out products and featuring them on this website.

Have a wonderful weekend!

{3 Minute Christmas Fudge}

2009-11-13T07:07:11+13:00

Who doesn't need a quick little gift this time of year?

This is a great little project my dearest friend, Melinda, showed me years ago. I remember the thrill of making a personalized gift out of an "ordinary" chocolate bar! I think everyone I knew got one or two or three at the time.

Back then, we used plain white and a dash of Silver Embossing Powder, but here I've added more colour for Christmas. This is just an Aero Bar (although they've recently changed the double wrapper, darn it) wrapped up in a smidge of the Ski Slope DSP.

I've stamped out the Season's Greetings from the Season's Surfin' Set and coloured in to match the papers.   I added a bit of the white gel pen on the big letters; some of my customers added white gel pen to all the letters to look like a frosting of snow. It looked fantastic!

All up, this will take you about 3 minutes to make.

Season's Surfin is a set of three beachy Christmas stamps for $39.95 and is only available until the end of the month.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Season's Surfin set of three $39.95

Colours: Baja Breeze, Real Red, old Olive, Basic Black

Other: Real Red 5/8 ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

{Choo-Choo Pull-Up Treat}

2009-11-12T06:34:00+13:00

Now here's a cute little gift-y item for little (and big!) ones!

The Pull-Up Treat has been around for a long time and it works up really cute with the Choo-Choo set.

And it's a fun way to wrap up a small gift, like this sleeve of oreos, a chocolate bar, a meusli bar in a lunch, or a little treat as a thank you. One of my customers last year made up a number of these and hung them on the tree. I'm sure her grandchildren loved to see what surprises were held inside!

Plus, then you'd have little gifts ready to go for holiday visits. I'm liking this idea!!

Choo-Choo and the coordiating track wheel available until the end of the month.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Choo Choo set of five $35.95, Right on Track wheel $13.95

Colours: Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Grey

Other: horizontal slot, crimper, Pumpkin Pie ribbon

{Elaine Franklin}

2009-11-11T06:50:00+13:00

I think this was Elaine's favourite challenge yet!

Elaine made us up a beautiful box and tri-fold card in her elegant style.

That's quite a beautiful pointsetta on the box and card, Elaine!

The month's featured product is the Soft Holly Wheel, and Elaine has used it here around her box and as borders on her card. It makes for a quick and beautiful matching set!

Thanks, Elaine! Your work is awesome!!

Item #	Item	Price
112534	Jumbo brads 5/16" Neutrals Assortment	$18.50
112533	Jumbo brads 5/8" Neutrals Assortment	$16.25
114889	Scallop Oval punch	$35.95
106960	StazOn ink pad (White pad and refill)	$26.95
109196	StazOn Cleaner	$11.75