More Extreme Elements

Here's another of those Extreme Elements cards - how cool is it?  Get out your Colour Coach and just stamp - it works a treat.

Happy Stampin!

Nikki

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Designer Series Papers Blog Hop

Well here it is .... this post is supposed to be part of a lovely blog hop dedicated to Stampin' Up! lovely Designer Series Papers but with the technical hitch this didn't happen.  If you'd like to have a peep at the hop (and you should because there are some super ideas and creations) start at the lovely Ros Davidson's blog 

Don't you just love how each pack coordinates so well - takes the hard bit out of creating a masterpiece.  

I was recently inspired by my lovely friend Sue Madex to 'interview' the kids and record their answers.  Traditionally I do try to do this for their birthdays but the end result doesn't often end up on a page.  So I sat down with both the kids on 12th of June, asked the same questions Sue asked her children and here's the end result.

This is Kieran's page (he's 13)  - yes I really did use Rose Red for my boy!  I just love the Sweet and Sour set - so bright and it has textured bits - and if you use the sheets without the flowers it isn't too girlie ... right?

See how the different sheets in the pack just work so well together.  I use up all the little scraps - just flick them over and you have a new design that coordinates perfectly- all Stampin' Up! papers are double sided with different and complimentary designs.

Here's Olivia's page (she is 15), Blueberry Crisp - must be one of my favourites because I struggled to actually make this page using the remnants of what was left from previous projects.

I think the best bit about the Stampin' Up! papers is that they take away the need to think - just pick a pack you like, chuck in a few coordinating sheets of card and away you go .... I used to stress that the blue wasn't quite the 'right' shade but really .... when you look back at the pages, do you notice this ... no of course not, its what's written and the photos, that's what counts and since I found Stampin' Up! I have started (and more importantly finished) so many more pages than ever before.

For those that want a closer look at the answers to those questions ... here's a close up.  Kieran's first and I should let you in a secret, I don't cook a meal without veggies ...

and then here's Olivia's ... bless her for wishing her Dad lived in Melbourne full time .... soon sweetheart .... he'll be home again very soon.

Hope you are having a lovely weekend - Melbourne is almost experiencing a heatwave ... during my walk today I had to take my jacket off :)

Happy scrapbooking

Nikki

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Did You Miss Me?

Sorry if you have been looking for updates and found nothing.  Both the hosting and the domain name expired and guess who had changed her email address and forgot to update the records .... ooops.

All good now!

Will be back with later today with a couple of scrapbooking layouts that were meant to be part of a blog hop.

Til then

Its good to be back :)

50th Birthday Card

I was recently asked to make a 50th brithday card by a work collegue to give to her friend.  It needed to be big she said - and that was it!

So I turned to my all time favourite pack of DSP, Love Letter and created this.  Its a A4 folded in half so lots of people can sign it ....and yes I have to confess I have used the retired small star punch (never understand how or why you would retire punches but there you go).  Some of the stars have been ran through the polka dot impressions folder for added texture.

A simple but effective design.  If you need a card for someone special just give me a shout - all my cards are $5 each including an envelope.  Call or email if I can help 0428 254 952.

Happy Stampin!

Nikki

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More Black Magic

Another example of Black Magic - such an effective technique.  By newsletter readers will have seen this sample already.  If you haven't tried this technique then I urge you to give it a go - its so easy.

Hope you are having a great day.

Happy Stampin!

Nikki

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Its Our Boy's Birthday

Oh my goodness me .... our boy is 13 today .... where has the time gone?

In 13 years he has gone from being 51 centimtres and 6lb 13 oz to a hulking 5ft 8" and goodness how heavy!   No wonder I have no food left in the cupboards!

I am in love with Extreme Elements.  I love love love this set and what a great card it made.  I actually made two and Olivia chose this one for Kieran.  Can't wait to make some girl versions - so super quick and super impressive - reckon this could be my next workshop Make and Take.

Happy Birthday KP - pressies included Turtle Beaches - very very expensive headphones for xBox 'Live' nuts .... thankfully we found them in the US so they were half the price, a special gift from dad - a new Manchester United soccer strip and a week of celebrations which started last Sunday as his dad can't be home with us today.

Happy birthday sweetheart.

Love Mum, Dad, Olivia, Max and Spencer

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Always

Well the US retired list came out last week and to my dismay this stamp set was on it.  

It was one of the first sets I purchased ... I love the heart ... and the little bird. Here I've used the marker to rubber technique to create a multicoloured image. 

Lets hope it isn't on the Aussie retired list which will be out in a month or so.  I'll be using it a few more times for sure before then.

Happy Stampin!

Nikki

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Happy Birthday Chloe

Its my niece's birthday today - Happy Birthday Chloe.

I've used the Create a Cupcake set from the new Autumn Winter mini to make a very girlie and very sparkly card.  

To create the sparkly  bit you just stamp your image as usual - then apply Versamark over the whole image.  Cover this with Heat and Stick Powder and warm with a heat gun.  The Heat and Stick power is a little like clear embossing powder - it 'turns' sticky with the heat.  Sprinkle Dazzling Diamonds over the top - tap off and reheat for a few seconds to set.

I've then punched all the pieces out using the new Build a Cupcake Punch - attached a piece of linen thread and some sparkles.

I love the sparkly bit - and I will be showing you more examples because I have made a start on some Christmas cards - theres lots and lots of Dazzling Diamonds :)

I hope you have a beautiful day Chloe.

Birthday hugs and kisses from Auntie Nikki, Uncle Paul, Olivia, Kieran, Max and still being very naughty Spencer!

xxxxx

Stampamemory Scrapbooking

Hop on over to the  Stampamemory Scrapbooking site today .... there's a new page to see.  

Happy scrapbooking!

Nikki

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A little bit of Black Magic

At a workshop a couple of weeks ago, I managed to find a technique that no-one had tried ... Black Magic.  My newsletter readers will have seen this technique with another sample already this month - everyone at the workshop loved how easy it was to create.

It looks so effective and it is really simple.  Choose a stamp set that has some solid block areas .... I've chosen my all time favourite set Upsy Daisy, and using Craft white ink stamp the image onto black or dark cardstock.

Use the Stampin' Up! watercolouring pencils to colour in the white areas - I used two shades of blue - applying the lighter shade first and then the darker shade.  Take a white gel pen to add touches of white to the edges of your image - this step really makes it pop.

Why not give this lovely technique a try - I know I'll be digging more of my stamps out to see what I can come up with.

Happy stampin!

Nikki

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Class Dates

I'm taking bookings now for the following classes.

Watercolouring class - Friday 17 June - sorry fully booked

$20 for three cards - including envelopes - I'll show you how to create a few masterpieces  - its easy and fun:)

One of the three cards we will be making

Then in July we will be making Christmas cards - stop groaning, it will be here before you know it ..... if you make a few cards each month by the time Christmas arrives you'll feel so organised.

Christmas In July class - Friday 15 July - fully booked sorry!

Next date is 19 August

No supplies are needed - everything is provided, just bring yourself.  All classes start at 7pm.  Bring a friend or come on your own - its fun and informal and everyone has fun.

If you want to keep up to date with the class dates and sneak peeks sign up for the newsletter.

You can book by email, SMS or call me - my number is 0428 254 952.

Look forward to seeing you at a class sometime soon.

Nikki

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SAM Challenge - Buttons!

Well the Stampamemory challenge this month is to use buttons.  I have quite a few and I have a confession to make .... I don't think I have ever used any of them - insert blushing smilie!

I think I have an 'issue' with them sticking up off the page too much!  Yes I know - I am strange!

So this was a challenge but I managed it!  I used little strips of DSP to make the thread and attached the buttons with mini glue dots.

I thought there was far too much white space once I had finished so I added a little detail onto the top right hand side.  It was only after I had done this that I realised that I now had an even number of buttons instead of an odd one .... being a wannabe keen gardener (insert like the look of a cool looking garden just don't like weeding and digging LOL) I know that things should be in threes or fives - oh dear :)

Now that's its finished I love the buttons and can't wait to add more to more pages and some cards.  I used my new favourite designer series paper Sunny Garden, teamed it up with Pear Pizzazz ribbon and a lined piece of Poppy Parade paper from the Hostess Level I pack for the journalling.

Why not join in the challenge this month - we'd love to see your creations.  Click here for all the details.

Happy scrapbooking!

Nikki

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Baby Tees - the blue version!

One of my friends had a lovely baby boy called Luke.  I won't say how long ago - but lets just say I need to wrap up her present real quick and walk the whole ten minutes to her house to deliver it before the lovely little mite starts walking!

I'm only joking, Luke isn't that old - but this little card and fleecy blanket hasn't been delivered quite as quickly as I would have liked.

I found this idea whilst blog surfing and if I could find it again I'd give credit to the talented person who created it!  I embossed a piece of Very Vanilla card stock using the Lattice Folder and then brayered some Marina Mist ink over the top - it creates such a lovely look - simple but striking.

The little sentiment is from the Tiny Tags set and the Jumbo Wheel is Baby Tees.

Right now just to find some blue wrapping paper and off I trot - baby cuddles .... they are the best aren't they.

Happy stampin!

Nikki

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One Little Word - Blog Hop - May

As we enter our sixth month of the OLW I really have to start off this post by thanking Margie - without her and this hop I know I would be behind in my mission - so thanks Margie for giving me a deadline and ensuring I am up to date :)

This month our task to was jot down ideas, thoughts, tasks, missions and 'stuff' we want to tackle with our word this year.  As well as photos of my lists I thought I'd add a few photos taken in my garden of late - just so that you don't get too bored - its a long post!

I often find these kind of lists overwhelming - I just want to achieve it all now!  So I decided to not think about it during the month - I'm a bit of an over-thinker ...  I just made a list a couple of nights ago.  
Its in no particular order (hence the bad photos in the wrong order LOL - bring back daylight savings - it might actually be light when I am at home LOL) .... those who know me well know I am a 'list chick' - give me a list and a deadline and I'm all yours!

You'll see some of my things are ongoing, some probably look a little strange .... such as learn iTunes for example ....  I am a little challenged when it comes to things like computers - not because I can't do it ... more that I find it hard to sit and concentrate on one task at one time.   When I've mastered my own iTunes account and have my own play lists for my iPod I'll be one very happy bunny.

With a goal of simplify in mind - I just wrote out the goals, the comments and observations .... without drafting them first - trying to embrace the 80 20 rule ....doesn't sit that well with me but it did feel good to knock over this task in a matter of 20 minutes rather than take all day over it.

I've made a start on a few of these already - I am now running for two whole minutes and a little bit ... on the treadmill without falling off the end and needing to be resuscitated - apparently I am doing what is called interval training - walking for two minutes and then jogging for two minutes for a total of 40 minutes - I still have to smile to myself that I am actually now able to run - albeit it not very far just yet! 

To date I've lost 10 kgs and I feel great albeit that I've been stuck there for two weeks now.  I've set another goal of 15kgs - like to have something to aim for and the whole amount of 25kgs seems so much in one go

I've treated myself to a OLW pendant and chain - with my word Change stamped into it .... promised myself this when I reached 10% weight loss - so very excited to see what it looks like - should be here in a few weeks. 

Declutter is a happening thing too - started with my wardrobe - as soon as something is too big it goes out - in Melbourne we regularly receive charity sacks to fill with unwanted items - there really is no excuse when the bag is delivered to your house - you fill it - and someone comes by and picks it up.  The study on the other hand .... well I need to get in there very soon.

Well that's enough waffle from me ..... I'm really good at talking the talk - need to make sure I walk the walk too.

Time to hop along to the next stop - the lovely Karen

As these blog posts go up over the course of about 24 hours - here's a list of whose taking part this month in case you get lost along the way.

Have a good month and thank you for visiting.

Nikki

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Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog
Jamie http://jmpgirl.blogspot.com
Cherie http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com  
Jill http://jillconyers.typepad.com
Amanda http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com 
Lynn W http://www.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com
Rebekah http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com 
Melissa S http://blog.mshanhun.com 
Lisa A  http://backtoallen.com/writers_blog
Sam http://learncreatedo.wordpress.com
Jenn http://www.studiojenn.blogspot.com
Junelle  http://yesandamenblog.blogspot.com
Jen S  http://www.byjen.com
Monica B2 http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com
Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com 
Nikki  http://www.inkyart.com.au - you are here!
Karen D http://womenontractors.blogspot.com

One on 1 Blog Hop - May Update

Its that time again - come back tomorrow night for May's update.  

I've been busy making cards and scrap booking pages this week so plenty to show you in the coming week or so - and the newsletter is almost ready - news of a class for June - so if you aren't on the list yet make sure you sign up.

Til tomorrow

Nikki

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