White-White-White

Hi everyone - super quick post today as the flu is kicking my butt! The OCC challenge this week is to make an all-white creation. I've used off white and dirty white for some variation in my creation.

I've just made a simple gift tag/box topper this could also go on a card base for a quick last minute card. Head on over to OCC for all the details about this week's challenge!

 Thanks for stopping by!
 

New Templates from Creations by AR!

 Read on for your chance to win!

I'm so excited it's time to finally show you the two newly released templates at Creations by AR! Let's jump right to it, first up is the Ribbon Keeper!

Isn't it great! I have a lot of ribbon and I love this storage solution - best of all - this template comes with TWO different sized boxes, this is the smaller ribbon keeper which also stores embellishment containers - the larger one is perfectly sized for those big spools of ribbon. Enough chatter - you want to see how it works, right?!

Cute right?! Best of all, the ribbon keeper goes together so quick and easy. I've decorated mine simply with some punches and die cuts and I just love it.

Ready for another amazing storage solution?

This is the Menu Keeper....

I was so delighted when I saw this template - I can't tell you how long I've had all the stamps to make my recipe cards and just haven't bothered to use them - now I can organise all my favourite recipes cutely! This template comes with the box design, the interior dividers and also a stand for your recipe cards!

My box used just a couple of sheets of cardstock and ONE sheet of 12x12 paper - love that! Best of all, this template isn't just for recipe cards - you could use it to sort photos, as a card organiser, or how about somewhere attractive to store all those pesky bills that seem to always fill your mailbox?

You can get the templates now at Creations by AR....

Menu Keeper   

Ribbon Keeper  

....but how about a chance to win the template of your choice for FREE?! Simply leave a comment on this post and one lucky person will win their choice of ribbon or menu keeper!

Want more chances to win? Hop along to see the other amazing design team creations and be sure to leave comments so you'll be in the draw!

Amy Park

Andrea Budjack

Lisa Somerville

Magdalena Cortez

Mandy Gill

Maria Bell

Adela Rossol

Ribbon Keeper: (all supplies from SU!)

Stamps: Calender Alphabet Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss Paper: Bella Rose Ink: Chocolate Chip Dies: Little Leaves Punches: Owl Punch, Eyelet Border, 1/4" Circle Other: Kiwi Kiss Ribbon, White Gel Pen

 Menu Keeper:

Stamps: Lovin from the Oven (MFT Stamps) From the Kitchen Of (SU) Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Marina Mist, Whisper White (SU) Paper: Kaisercraft Ink: Wild Wasabi, Marina Mist (SU) Dies: 1/4" Rosette Die-namic (MFT Stamps) Nestabilities Punches: Scallop Edge, Circle Punches (SU) Other: Marina Mist Ribbon (SU)

Buttony Thanks

Hi everyone - another clean and simple design to share with you today! A couple of days ago I needed a pair of quick thank yous - and only wanted to take a short break from studying, this is what I came up with.

I used the CR84FN colours for this week - they just looked so bright and fresh.

Simple but effective! To create the background for my button die cuts I masked an area with long thin post-it notes, stamped the polka-dot background, then used a kraft marker to draw in a couple of border lines. I love the subtle tone-on-tone effect.

I used the leftover buttons to decorate little envelopes. Have a wonderful day, thanks for visiting!

Colour Combo: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Kraft Stamps: Sweet Little Sentiments, Polka Dot Background (SU) Dies: Buttons #5 (SU) Punches: Corner Rounder (SU) Other: Linen thread, Dimensionals, Kraft marker (SU)

Boxed Chain Drop Earrings

Happy Monday (or Sunday!) It's a quiet day at our house on the hill, Shanan is home sick today poor thing, so I'm going to curl up in my favourite chair and study a little while keeping him company.

I thought I'd pop on and share a little project from the past week. I made these earrings and pillow box to go with my Mother-in-law's birthday present - I'm so glad she liked them!

It was so fun to pull out my jewellery making supplies - I haven't made a lot recently and it was a nice change of pace. These are simple chain drops featuring wire wrapped mauve pearls, crystal and those gorgeous silver filigree beads.
 

 

I wanted a simple and elegant gift box for the earrings, and turned to my trusty pillow box die - just the right size for jewellery! The box is cut from vellum. That's it from me, I have a card I'll share tomorrow!

Colour Combo: Basic Black, Lavender Lace Stamps: Teeny Tiny Sentiments (SU) Dies: Pillow Box (SU) Punches: Modern Label, Word Window (SU) Other:Black Satin Ribbon, Silver Cord (SU) Rhinestones (Kaisercraft)

Wanted

Happy Saturday everyone! I have a quick card and quick post for you today - it's pizza and movie night, and I'm anxious to get back to snuggling on the couch while hubby watches some basketball! It is definitely snuggling weather here in Wellington today!

This week's challenge at OCC comes from Kristin, she has a 1-2-3-4 challenge for us. Create your card using one patterned paper, two layers (the paper counts as a layer, the card base doesn't!), three stamps and four non-paper embellishments.

I had a rough idea of what I wanted to do, and I love how it turned out! My three stamps were the woodgrain background, the sentiment and the star. My four embelishments were the twill, 2 jumbo brads and the punched out star element.

I'm playing along in Jessie's Forgotten Stamp Friday challenge - it's been a good year or so since I stamped with this set - but it can't be beat for masculine cards! Somehow Jeanie's Krafty Thursday challenge has escaped me till now - but I'm joining in this week!

The inside is my favourite part of this card. I haven't pulled out this alphabet in forever, but I still love the bold graphical style!

Head on over to OCC for some awesome eye candy, and we hope you'll play along!

Colour Combo: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Very Vanilla Stamps: Wanted, Wild West Alphabet, Woodgrain Background (SU) Paper: Cottage Garden (SU) Dies: Label 4 & Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders) Punches: Small Star, Rounded Corner (SU) Other: Twill, Jumbo Eyelets, Brad, Crop-a-dile, Piercing Tool (SU)

Distress to De-Stress!

Hi everyone - I hope you're having a good weekend. I have to say, I made my OCC card at the very last minute this week, but the challenge couldn't have been more perfect. 

 

This week my challenge is for you to distress to de-stress using the provided sketch (below). So rip and sponge edges, crumple flowers or use your favourite distressing technique to work away a little stress while stamping!

 

I made this card for my Mother-in-law's birthday. I also used CTD #130 for my colour combo and the CCEE challenge to use a distressing tool.

 I stamped my image on watercolour paper and coloured it using markers. My edges are sponged with Crumb Cake ink and distressed using the cutter kit tool.

The inside is nice and simple with lots of room for a personal message.

Head on over to Our Creative Corner and see the design team samples - I hope you'll play along this week!

 Colour Combo: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Pretty in Pink & So Saffron Stamps: Because I Care, Warmest Regards, Wonderful Words (SU) Paper: Candy Lane & So Saffron DSP (SU) Dies: Butterfly Embosslits (SU) Punches: Corner Rounder (SU) Other: Pearls, Mat Pack, Cutter Kit, Button, Choc Chip Ribbon, PIP Ribbon, Markers, Piercing Tool (SU)

Welcome Baby!

Happy Valentine's Day! We celebrated over the weekend as Shanan has an exam tomorrow. Our low-key Valentine's included curling up on the sofa in comfy new slippers (really, who doesn't love a good pair of slippers?!) pizza and a couple of great movies - it was perfect, hope yours is too!

Recently one of Shan's co-workers had a new baby boy. Baby cards are just the cutest - I'll never pass up the oppourtunity to make one!

The sketch for this card came from Jen's SFYTT for Feburary. The colour combo is from CR84FN15 - I used So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise and Pear Pizzazz.

I paper pieced the elephant image, cutting out an extra head and popping it up for a little dimension. I love this embossing folder....it gives a gorgeous even texture.

I left lots of room inside for writing a message, just adding in a scrap of the paper used on the front of the card.  Thanks for visiting!

Colour Combo: So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White Stamps: Short & Sweet, Celebrate Everyday (SU) Paper: Spring Fling, Pear Pizzazz DSP (SU) Punches: XL Scallop Circle & Circle (SU) Other: Brads, Circle Scissor Plus, Button, Linen Thread, Square Lattice Embossing Folder (SU)

CAS SUO OLC

That's a lot of acronyms right!? In case you haven't come accross any of those before, the title reads "Clean and Simple, Stampin' Up Only, One Layer Card". Which is exactly what this is - fast, effective, fun!

The SCS color challenge this week had a different but gorgeous combo, I had to play along. I also wanted to play in Jessie's Forgotten Stamp Friday - I love her challenge to use a stamp set older than six months (I've barely inked Circle Circus, but I love it!)

I stamped and masked various images for a Thank You card that's easy to post, modern and gender neutral. Thanks for stopping by!

Colour Combo: Daffodil Delight, Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, Whisper White  

Stamps: Circle Circus, Heard from the Heart (SU)

Branch Out

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. Today I'm sharing my project for Our Creative Corner. This week  Lori Rider has challenged us all to create a clean and simple (CAS) card incorporating a tree image. It's been awhile since I made a CAS card, so this was fun!

I stamped my tree twice, cutting out one of the images to pop up the foliage. The rest is very simple, a border punch and pretty sentiment to finish it off.

Inside is the matching sentiment and an off cut of the border piece to tie it all together.

I hope you'll join us at OCC this week, we'd love to have you play along!

Colour Combo: Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Whisper White Stamps: Love Defined, Occasional Quotes (SU)  Paper: Peach Parfait DSP (SU) Punches: Eyelet Border (SU) Other: Circle Scissors Plus, Markers, Dimensionals (SU) 

Belle Toile

Happy Chinese New Year! My day started with a migraine, not fun. So once I kicked it I used the colour combo at Color Throwdown and the SCS sketch for this week to make a soft and soothing card. Stamping is always relaxing for me, it totally made me forget my head was hurting!

I finally used my beautiful Belle Toile background stamp. It's been sitting on the shelf waiting to be inked up for awhile now. I love it! I added the sentiment on a little tag so it can be easily changed if I need a quick card - I think this one would work for just about any occasion.

I've kept the inside blank for the moment in case I do need to use the card as a sympathy card or something else. Have a wonderful day, thanks for stopping by!

Colour Combo: Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue, Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Early Espresso Stamps: Belle Toile, Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Soft Summer (SU)  Punches: Scallop Edge, Itty Bitty Shapes, Word Window, Modern Label (SU) Other: Vanilla Ribbon, Espresso Button, Vanilla Brads, Linen Thread, Stamp-a-ma-jig (SU)

Love is in the Air

Happy Saturday everyone, I've got today's OCC challenge to share. This week Wendy has challenged us to make a 3D Valentine project.

I'm sharing this little box, it's empty at the moment but I think I'll fill it with some sweet treats for Shanan.
 

The box is made from two Box #2 (SU) diecuts glued together. I've used paper and ribbon as a band around the box and gone to town with lots of decoration.

Head on over to Our Creative Corner to see the wonderful design team creations and link up your project!

Colour Combo: Real Red, Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise  Stamps: A Happy Heart (SU) Paper: Raspberry Tart (SU) Dies: Box #2 (SU) Punches: Scallop Edge, Circles (SU) Other: Real Red Ribbon, Linen Thread, Markers, Button, Dimensionals (SU) Rhinestones (Kaisercraft)

Fresh Valentine

Happy Weekend everyone! We've got a busy one planned, another trip to the Zoo and a couple of family dinners - can't wait!

I've got my OCC card to share with you today, this week Wendy has challenged us to use an Analogous Colour Scheme (3 colours that are side by side on the colour wheel). There's a graphic and full explantion at Our Creative Corner.

My card also uses Jen's January SFYTT - I lurve Jen's sketches, and now she's hosting her challenge monthly I'm sure I can fit them all in!

This is going to be Shanan's Valentine's Day card for this year. I just love the blues and greens instead of the usual pink and red.

I've taken a cut out portion of the scalloped circle element to get it to meet up with the heart shaped treat cup. The rest is pretty simple, despite all the layers I think this one comes off pretty clean looking.

Inside I've used more of the same papers and the modern label punch for a sentiment.

Head on over to OCC to see the amazing team creations and link up your very own masterpiece!

Colour Combo: Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi, Pear Pizzazz Stamps: Sweetheart, A Happy Heart (SU) Paper: Petals & Paisleys, Pear Pizzazz DSP (SU) Punches: Full Heart, Large Corner Rounder, Scalloped Circle, 1/4", 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circles, Word Window, Modern Label (SU) Other: Brads, Dimensionals, Heart Treat Cups (SU)

Have it your way....

The sketch that is! It's time for another wonderful OCC challenge. This week Wendy has this fun sketch for us - dress it up, or keep it clean and simple - it's up to you!

I went somewhere in between with my card, I kept to the sketch with just a few embellishments added and some bright papers for a bit of 'pop'.

I think these Greenhouse Gala papers might be my favourite SU pack ever. I've used the cute-as-a-button Aviary set and one of my old faves, Wonderful Words, for the sentiment. 

The inside of this card couldn't be more simple - I let the paper do all the work, doesn't that pattern leave a perfect space for writing in?

Head on over to Our Creative Corner to see what the team has created and we hope you'll link up your card too!

Colour Combo: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz, Going Gray, Whisper White Stamps: Aviary, Wonderful Words (SU) Paper: Greenhouse Gala (SU) Dies: Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders) Punches: Scallop Edge (SU) Other:  Pear Ribbon, White Gel Pen (SU) Rhinestones (Kaisercraft)

Sneak Peak!

Soooo, yesterday I came home to a BIG box of goodies sitting on my doorstep....next month we get a new mini catalogue here in NZ, and this is my fav one EVER!

There are so many new goodies that I've been dying to get....let's take a look at a few shall we?! *grin* (don't forget you can click photos to make them huge!)

I made this card for my lovely and talented friend Beverley (how fun is it making cards for people who love crafting?) - believe it or not, this is a totally Stampin' Up! only card. Big scallop circle, yum - huge scallop square, yummier - cute little birds in cages, adorable!

Even that prima looking flower is totally Stampin' Up! (let me know if you want to know how I made it!)

I LOVE the new Square Lattice embossing folder - you'll see this one a lot folks!

 Inside I used a sentiment from Heard from the Heart and cut out another cute cage.

I'm linking this one up to C4C62 - square cards - I'm so glad SU! have square envelopes now!

And because birthdays (and Beverley) are so special, I had to decorate the envelope too!

Keep an eye out for more new product sneak peaks on my upcoming cards/projects - the new mini launches December 1st (right in time for you to splurge on a Christmas pressie for yourself!)



Stamps: Aviary, Heard from the Heart, Short & Sweet, On Your Birthday
Paper & Card: Jolly Holiday Designer Paper, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black
Punches: XL Scallop Circle, Word Window, Modern Label, SlitBig Shot: Floral Fusian, Scallop Square dies, Square Lattice embossing folder
Other: Black Satin Ribbon, Neutrals Buttons, Linen Thread, Black Brads, Cutter Kit, Dimensionals E-mail me to purchase.

Gift Wrapping Made Easy!

I love wrapping gifts - it's so much fun finishing off a present with a gorgeous wrapping. Sometimes though, you have something that's just too awkward to make a nice parcel out of - Project Tuesday is here to help! This week we're making Genie Bags. I went with a Christmas theme and I think a decorated bag like this would be perfect for any hard to wrap gift!

I used products from one of the Dressing Up Christmas bundles on sale here in NZ this month - this stamp set and paper together are so elegant. 

I've cut an oval into the Top Note diecut and hand cut a mat from Real Red cardstock. The sentiment was inked with markers and layered on top using dimensionals.

On the back of the bag I've tied a quick label and added some more of that gorgeous mistletoe paper.

Head on over to Project Tuesday to see what the design team has come up with this week!





Stamps: Gifted, Welcome Christmas
Paper & Card:  Christmas Cocoa DP, Soft Suede, Real Red, Whisper White Ink: Soft Suede, Real Red
Punches: 1 3/4" CircleBig Shot: Top Note die
Other: Mistletoe Ribbon (free with this month's promo) Markers, Neutrals Buttons, Real Red ribbon, Hemp Twine, Dimensionals E-mail me to purchase.