Joining the Baby Bandwagon

Did that get your attention?? No, I'm not pregnant...as if!! That would be a minor miracle, and a catastrophic failure of modern surgical techniques LOL...but it seems that babies are popping out all over the place. I know so many people who have just announced that they are pregnant/have just given birth/or are about to give birth any second. It seems that I'm not alone... Sarah and Teneale, two of my favourite cardmakers in the country are also making lots of baby cards. Check out their blogs for their gorgeous creations! They are well worth a look.

We had a team meeting on Monday, and we all made a Chrissy card using the Spotlight on Christmas set. I used the fabulous FREE ribbon on this card, and a bit of a different Christmas colour combo:

and then to show just how versatile this set is, and also because I needed to make a few baby cards, and I wanted to use some of the yummy FREE So Saffron ribbon, I came up with this one:

I made a Pink Pirouette version too, which has been sent off already. I made the star all glittery with 2-way glue and dazzling Diamonds, and then added a layer of Crystal Effects, which gives it a glossy, glittery effect. Using patterned paper made this card super quick and easy.
I'm on a "perfect knot" tying mission this month...if you come along to my classes during October I will show you how to tie a perfect, flat knot (whether you like it or not LOL)

Don't forget: Only a few days left to get your FREE ribbon! Email me with an order for $100, and you'll receive a ribbon bundle absolutely free.





Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Spotlight on Christmas, Short and Sweet
ink: (card 1)Riding Hood Red, Versamark, Basic Grey
ink: (card 2): Baja Breeze
card: (card 1): Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Basic Grey, Baja Breeze
card: (card 2): Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Baja Breeze Patterns DSP, Candy Lane DSP
other: (card 1): Large Star Punch, Word Window Punch, Mat pack, Crimper, White gel pen, Certainly Celery Polytwill ribbon, Rhinestone brad
other (card 2): Large Star Punch, Word Window Punch,Crystal effects, Latte Buttons, So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon

More Rub-Ons

This was the other card we made in my Rub-Ons class this month. There's very little stamping on this card - just the branch (from Cheep Talk) and the words "for you" (from Basic Phrases). The rest is all Rub-Ons. Yes, you can use rub-ons on ribbon, and don't they look fabulous on a clear button? I put some "Walk in the Park" paper behind the clear button. These buttons are so handy to have in your stash, because you can make them co-ordinate with anything.

Don't forget...Only a week left to get your FREE Ribbon Bundle! Read about how you can get yours HERE. Don't miss out!


Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Cheep Talk, Basic Phrases
ink: Basic Grey, Kiwi Kiss
card: Cameo Coral, Pink pirouette, Whisper White
other: Clear button, Walk in the Park DSP, Summer Love Rub-Ons, 1" Circle Punch, Scallop Sqaure Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Baja Breeze double-Stitched Ribbon

Dust!

Sydney is a very eerie place today. After hearing gusty winds all night, I woke up to a strange orange glow, and walked outside to find everything covered in a layer of brownish-red dust. I have never seen anything like it.

The air is finally starting to clear now, but I feel like taking to the streets with a giant vacuum cleaner to suck up all the dirt that is still blowing around. I have been rinsing my mouth out all day too, to get the gritty feeling out of my mouth.

It's on again!!

GIANT CRAFT SALE

My team and I are getting together to have our second Giant Craft Sale Day. We have cleaned out our cupboards, and have lots of Craft Goodies that need to find new homes. There are stamps (both Stampin' Up! and other), scrapbooking supplies, ribbons, embellishments, plus handmade cards and gifts too (perfect for Christmas!), and lots lots more!

Everything will be priced to sell, so come along and grab a bargain! We'll also have Lucky Door Prizes to be won.

When: Saturday, 24th October 9am -1pm

Where: The Church Hall (Blacktown East Presbyterian) Cnr Heffron Rd and Gallop Gve, Lalor Park

Please spread the word to anyone who may be interested, and I hope to see you there!

Challenge #5 - Look Mum, No Stamps!

Can you believe that there is absolutely no stamping on this card? Not one little bit. It is actually one of the designs in my Rub-Ons Technique classes this month. It is difficult to tell in the photo, but the Baja Breeze piece has an acetate window behind it, and the stem and small butterfly are behind the window, and the grey outline and large butterfly are on top of the acetate. That's one of the great things about Rub-Ons...they can go anywhere! I made the window using the 1 3/8" Square punch, punched 4 times to make a rectangle. It's much easier than using a craft knife! I secured the acetate (just an overhead transparency sheet) using Snail adhesive.
The leafy border, and the sentiment are all Rub-Ons too. They come from the Summer Love Rub-Ons pack in the Mini.
I made the slightly rectangular Wide Oval by feeding a strip of cardstock slightly narrower than the punch into it (3.1cm)
So, that brings me to Challenge #5, a Stampless Challenge! Make a card that features no stamping whatsoever. You can use Designer Papers, Rub-Ons, embellishments galore, but No Stamps! *gasp*
I'm looking forward to seeing how creative you can be!

Enter a link to your creation via Mr Linky (please link directly to individual blog posts), and leave a comment on this post too.


You have until October 31 to enter, and anyone from Australia/NZ can enter. The winner will receive a sheet of Bright Delights Rub-Ons!

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: none!
ink: none!
card: Baja Breeze, Whisper White
other:Summer Love Rub-Ons, Scallop Oval punch, Wide Oval punch 1 3/8" Square Punch, Kiwi Kiss Satin ribbon, Dimensionals, Acetate (non SU!)

Challenge #4 Winner!

I had such a tough time choosing this month's winner. You are all sooo clever! Here's a slideshow of them all...can you see why I had such difficulty choosing just one??

But I just couldn't go past this card by Dione Bird:

She used the layout from page 3 of the Mini, and the colours of Ski Slope papers, to make a gorgeous card using the "Priceless" stamp set. I think it's just stunning.
Congrats Dione! Just email me with your address details, and I'll pop a little bundle of goodies in the mail for you.
I'll be posting a new challenge for you all very very soon!

2 more entries!

I just wanted to show you 2 last entries that I had to my Challenge. These gorgeous creations are by Donella Henderson in Queensland.

This box inspired by the one on page 5 of the Mini, using a different stamp set:This layout inspired from page 11 of the Mini, using the new 'Great Friend' stamp set:Thanks Donella, they are both gorgeous!

It's been so much fun seeing what everyone has come up with...it's going to be so hard to pick a winner!

Another Guest Blogger!

There is one last day to enter my Challenge!
You have until tomorrow night to enter, and I'll announce the winner on Wednesday morning.
This gorgeous entry is by Cheryl:


She's used the Great Friend stamp set, and Walk in the Park papers. I love the way she's used a small oval with the Scallop oval, and placed it off-centre with a corduroy button.
Absolutely stunning card, Cheryl!

Elite Challenges

I had the loveliest day yesterday, catching up on some Elite Challenges from August, and doing the September ones too. I also used some Mojo Monday sketches again...they really take so much of the brainwork out of it! Here are some snapshots of my efforts (you'll need to click on the pictures to be taken to the full card)

This one was August's Sketch Challenge from page 22 of the Spring Mini.

This one was a Colour Challenge, and I've used a Level 1 Hostess set that had yet to see ink! I've also used Mojo Monday Sketch #79

For this Stamp Set Challenge we had to use my favourite stamp set from the Spring Mini "Great Friend". I've done this in Baja Breeze so much, and I felt like doing something a bit different with it, so I paired it with the gorgeous Haiku DSP, and Emboss-Resist brayering.

This one was September's Sketch Challenge from page 11 of the Spring Mini.

This one was a Colour Challenge, and I've used the very cute Build-a-roo set...and another Mojo Monday Sketch - #76

For this Stamp Set Challenge we had to use another set from the Mini "Soft Summer". I've done this in pink tones, and it looks gorgeous, and I thought I'd see how it looks in blues (I like it even better!). I've used the watercolour spritzing technique, and yet another Mojo Monday sketch.

So, what do you think? I'd love to know which one is your favourite!

Well, I've had my day of fun. I'd love to do it all again today, but the cupboards are bare, and I don't think my family will be too happy with "leftover surprise" for dinner again! LOL

Great Friend Tri-Shutter

There have been lots of these Tri-shutter cards on various blogs and websites lately, so I thought it would make the perfect second card for my Fancy Folds class. This is what the card looks like closed: And when you open it up, Voila!

The Urban Garden papers are so gorgeous, I have used them and used them and used them. Sometimes I have to *force* myself to use something different! Can you believe this card only uses a 3.5cm strip from 2 sheets of the paper. So even you paper-hoarders (and I know you're out there!) can make one of these and it will barely make a dent in your stash.

TIP: I used Confetti White cardstock for my card base, as it's a bit stronger and sturdier than the Whisper White. But I stamped my cut-out butterflies on Whisper White, as you just can't beat it for a crisp stamped image.

Here are some basic instructions with measurements that I worked out to suit Aussie cardstock and envelopes:
1. Cut an A4 piece of cardstock to 27 x 14.8cm
2. Turn to landscape orientation and score at 4.5cm, 9cm, 18cm and 22.5cm
3. Put the piece of cardstock portrait orientation in a trimmer. Cut a slit 4cm in, from 4.5 to 22.5 cm. Do the same on the opposite side
4. Fold along score lines accordion style, making sure the top and bottom narrow sections are folded in the same direction, while the middle wider section is folded in the opposite direction

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Great Friend
ink: Baja Breeze, Basic Grey, Kiwi Kiss
card: Confetti White, Whisper White, Basic Grey
other: Baja Breeze striped grosgrain ribbon, Kiwi Kiss Corduroy button, Urban Garden DSP

Petal Pizzaz Sidestep

My August Technique class was "Fancy Folds". This was the Sidestep card we made. LOTS of cutting out on this one, but apart from that it's an easy card to put together. There are probably visual instructions somewhere, but here's a quick description of the measurements I used for mine:
1. Put an A5 piece of cardstock portrait orientation in a trimmer. Cut a slit 5cm in, from 2.5 to 16cm
2. Turn to landscape orientation and score at 5cm, 10cm, 13cm, 16cm and 18.5cm, stopping each time at the cut slit.
3. Fold along score lines accordion style, starting and finishing with a mountain fold.

We also made a Tri-Shutter card, which I'll show you tomorrow!

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Petal Pizzaz, Echoes of Kindness, Fresh Cuts
ink: Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango
card: So Saffron, Whisper White
other: Word Window, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Bone Folder, 1/2" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, dimensionals

Catching Up!

Since Noosa, I feel like I have been treading water...keeping my head above (but only just!), and not moving forward at all. So the last 2 days have seen me at my stamp desk, getting next month's class designs done. That's all done now, and tomorrow I'm hoping to squeeze in a little stamping just for me...my sanity needs it!

As a result, the blog has taken a back seat, and now I have some catching up to do here (never mind the housework, which has taken a back-back seat and is just going to have to stay there LOL)

Thankfully there are other bloggers who have been updating!
Check out Kerry's blog for some Anniversary Blog Candy.
Ruth has been published for the first time, so pop over and say Congrats to her.
In fact, all the blogs in my sidebar are very inspiring, and well worth a visit.

I'm happy to say I've had lots more entries in my August Challenge (feeling a lot more popular now! LOL)
Here's a gorgeous one from Zoe, who doesn't have a blog:

The colours haven't shown up completely true to life. It is Baja Breeze, Kraft and Chocolate Chip. She took inspiration from Parisian Breeze paper on page 9 and the design from page 22.

Punchies for Charity

Fellow Demo, and general-all-round-lovely-person Jayne Mercer is collecting punched out shapes for Westmead Children's Hospital. Read all about how you can help HERE

Guest Blogger

I've had a few more entries to my August Challenge trickling in (thank goodness! I was feeling quite unpopular for a while there! ;o)

I received a gorgeous entry from Karyn, in Kersbrook SA who doesn't have a blog:


It was inspired by the colours and layout on page 4.
Isn't it gorgeous?
You have until September 15 to take part. The Challenge is open to anyone in Australia OR New Zealand

Sense of Time Stamp-a-Stack

I thought a masculine design would be a good idea for my August Stamp-a-Stacks, since Father's Day is just around the corner. I couldn't go past the Sense of Time set in the Spring Mini. It's not my usual style, but I was quite happy with how these came out, and the set is soooo easy to use. You really can't go wrong. I'm thinking it would make lovely heritage-style scrapbook pages too....

I also focused on some different ways to use Jumbo eyelets in this class. The hardware feel of the eyelets make them a great masculine embellishment (and the Crop-a-dile makes easy work of setting them!). I also used some Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, and some Linen thread. Tearing and sponging adds interest and texture to these fairly simple designs.

I have used some slightly neglected colours on these cards too - Mellow Moss and Bordering Blue. They both have a touch of grey in them, which makes them perfect for blokes :o)

So if you haven't made your Father's Day cards yet, whip out a collage style stamp set and some hardware, and you'll have them done in a jiffy.

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Sense of Time, On Your Birthday, Occasional Greetings
ink: Close to Cocoa, Bordering Blue, Mellow Moss
card: Bordering Blue, Mellow Moss, Naturals Ivory, Kraft
other: Brass Jumbo Eyelets, Linen Thread, 3/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch, Chocolate Chip Wide grosgrain, ribbon, Crop-a-Dile, sponge daubers, tag punch, Chocolate Chip marker