Christmas Blog Hop

Did you know it is .... XXX days until Christmas?  No I haven't forgotten to fill in the XXX; I just didn't want to scare both you and I by actually putting it into writing just how many days there are until Christmas .... I haven't bought one single Christmas present which is very unusual for me!

Welcome to a little festive blog hop that will hopefully inspire you to create a little something for a friend or two.  If you are already travelling through the hop you will have flown in from Christine Blain's blog - if not .... grab a cuppa and hop on board.

So with XXX days to go,  I thought I had better make a list of presents and that had me thinking ... I know I am not the only one to be working against the clock to have some little things prepared for the loved ones in our lives who help us through the year ... teachers, friends, neighbours, work colleagues ... just a little gift and a handmade card is often more appreciated than an expensive shop bought item.  

So I have created two easy little treats that are inexpensive and quick to rustle up.  This little basket is made from an 8 1/2" by 8 1/2" square of cardstock - a few folds and a couple of holes punched with the crop-o-dile and hey presto a jazzy little box that holds a few lollies - a great idea for a teacher's gift perhaps.

The little gift tag is made from the Perfect Punches set, stamped twice in both Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive, punched out with the scallop circle, the 1 1/4" circle and layered using Stampin' Dimensionals onto a 1 3/4" circle.  So simple!

Now once I had started I couldn't stop LOL .... I had some gold coins and thought these would look a bit more special if they were packed up into a little bag.  

These are so easy to make - in fact I have to confess that Olivia helped me (thanks OJ) as I was running a little late with my project.  Wouldn't these make a fun pressie for school mates?  A great way to make a few extra special gifts without breaking the bank ... perfect for this time of year right?

If you'd like the template for the little box leave me a comment and I'll email one to you.

Right off you hop for yet more festive ideas from the lovely Kristine Thompson.

Have fun and see you another day for more Christmas ideas.

 

Happy Birthday to my Mum-in-Law

Another November birthday ... my lovely mum-in-law at home ... if you read my blog you'll know that I made some cards for Pauline (you can check them out here if you missed them) .... and hopefully she has received them along with her birthday card.

Stampin' Up! offer a Regional day each year for all demonstrators and guests - lots of useful hints and tips, a new stamp set and some make and takes.  I have to confess, when I looked at the stamp set I wasn't overly excited ... but as always, once I started to see all the lovely ideas for how to use it I am very pleased that I now have it in my collection.

Every Moment is a great set to showcase watercolouring with ... and this card also uses the masking technique too, and the Spritzer - something I didn't own but I came home and placed an 'urgent' order for one :)

The sentiment is beautiful .... 'when we see with our hearts, every moment is the most wonderful gift in the world' ... how very true.

Hope my Mother-in-Law loves her card .... and has a very happy birthday.

Now some backyard news ... remember our little blackbirds who built the most beautiful nest and decided to start all over again building another outside our laundry door - well we have babies ....

Two little gaping mouths poke out the top of the nest - the parents are searching every waking minute to find food for them - don't you wish you could leave them a plateful of food out on the lawn - it would make their job so much easier!  They hatched on Friday and already three days later they are big enough to see over the top of the nest.

And here's our veggie garden ... Paul has taken charge of it - doesn't it look great! We now have tomatoes, capsicum, beans, cucumber, strawberries, garlic, lettuce and some pumpkins from my friend Kay's garden too.

Well I hope you have a lovely day - lots of lovely warm weather for the Melbourne-ites this week - at last.

Back with more cards and even a scrapbooking page very soon.

Happy Birthday Olivia

It's our daughter's 15th birthday today .... I remember thinking a couple of years ago that 15 was so old. But here we are with a girl who is growing up so fast, about to start Year 10, there's talk of VCE's, driving cars, piercing tummy buttons and sometimes even BOYS eeeeekkkkkk!  

So I thought I'd make a more grown up card - don't you just love these little cakes - there is a little bit of dazzling diamonds on the cakes - doesn't matter how grown up you are does it .... everyone loves a bit of sparkle :)

Olivia received her birthday present a couple of weeks ago - a new iPhone ... instant squeals of delight followed by floods of tears ... I think she was excited and pleased :)  So I was thinking of a little something for her for today.

I went to the Melbourne Stampin' Up! Regionals last weekend .... and a lovely demo showed us how to make these cute bird houses ... I knew Olivia would love one so I made this one for her and filled it with her favourite chocolates - Lindor Lindt.  

The little roof has been cut using the Top Note Die .... and then embossed using a new Lattice folder - yes the new Summer Mini will be released in a few days time ... with lots more yummy things to whet your appetite.

Well I am off for a day filled with cup cake making, school fete (I'm serving popcorn, candy floss and ice creams can't wait) and then a house full of girls for a sleepover ...

Happy birthday Olivia!

Love from Mum xx

 

 

Royal Tour - Welcome to Australia and Vintage Vogue

Hello and welcome to my castle which is located in Melbourne, Australia.  I'm not sure how many aussies have taken part in the Royal Tour before .... but two of my friends are taking part too ... and we have been very excited.

So without further ado here's my project using the beautiful stamp set Vintage Vogue.  It's a gift for my mother-in-law who celebrates her birthday this month.  How often do you reach for a notelet or card to send to someone .... and find you don't have anything to send?

The designer series paper is a set called Elegant Soiree, it coordinates perfectly with Baja Breeze, Crmb Cake, Very Vanilla and Soft Suede.   I have made four designs, two of each.  I have planned for these cards to be used for all sorts of occasions.  Whilst this set of cards have all their sentiments in place;  I'll be making more as gifts with hand stamped sentiments that are not attached to the card .... this is so when the card is written an appropriate sentiment can be attached - perfect.  

A lovely thank you card ...

As And a 'just for you' card ... all the cards have matching envelopes too.

We are nearing Christmas, so this little gift idea would be perfect for teachers, friends, colleagues and anyone who you post pressies too as it is light and easy to package.

I am offering a pack of these cards with the self adhesive sentiments as blog candy and a thank you for visiting my castle.  

If you would like to be in the draw please leave a comment and then email me a note of your name and email address to nikki@inkyart.com.au to let me know your name and your email address to be included within the draw.

Thank you for visiting my aussie castle ... it's been a pleasure to meet you .... leave me a comment so that I know you have visited, and come back again soon!

 

The Royal Tour is Coming ....

Yes .... almost time to share a great project for Christmas - and a huge blog hop that spans the Australia, the US and Spain .... 

Come back on Friday to take part - and enter the draw to win some blog candy!

Stampamemory Challenge - Spring!

The challenge this month is Spring - I hummed and arrrhhhed for ages .... did I choose flowers, the new veggie patch .... tulips?  I settled for our new garden residents ... a little family of Blackbirds and some Collar Doves.

Wild Wasabi is my new favourite green - and yes your eyes are not deceiving you - the cardstock is wonky under the title ... having completed the page I put it onto the bench in the kitchen ready to photograph it ... right in a puddle of water ... ooops!

Hop on over to the Stampamemory site to enter the challenge - we'd love to see all of your entries.

 

 

We Stamp for Lara - Sticky Post .... scroll down :)

Not very long ago I was part of the Helping Hudson team to raise money for a little lad called Hudson who needed a few pieces of equipment to make his and his family's life a little easier.

Well here's another lovely little girl called Lara who also needs our help.  Lara's mum Madonna Dunn and leading Stampin' Up! demonstrator .... Alisha Tilsner have worked so hard to put together a special forum based month event .... with daily tutorials and lots and lots of prizes, including a Big Shot - WOW!

So if you want to take part .... hop on over to Madonna's or Alisha's site to sign up .... $25 for a whole month's worth of crafting inspiration .... that's less that a dollar a tutorial .... I've signed up - I can't wait.