Saturday, April 28, 2012

Blog Hopping with the Autumn Winter Mini

I need to warn you, sunnies are needed to view these cards I've made for this blog hop!


Welcome to the first of a few blog hops I am participating in over the next few days.  This one is to showcase the new Autumn Winter Mini - and I've chosen the Mixed Bunch set with coordinating punch - this is one of those sets that I loved from day one, was in denial that I really did need it, and succumbed within about two weeks of seeing the catalogue.


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I have a pocketful of ladies birthdays during the month of May and I wanted to make some really eye catching cards.  Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade and Basic Black has been a colour combo I have been itching to try out for a long time.


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The Ruffled Ribbons are so easy to use - they tie beautifully.  I've also used another new product from this new Mini, the Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders - these are so cute and as well as the hearts you will also receive a scallop and shaped edge for cards - so versatile.


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All three cards were so quick to make.  The coordinating punch with Mixed Blossoms is perfect - and I used the 3/4" circle punch for the centres.  Of course, all the cards have a little bling .... the Rhinestone Jewels are perfect.


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The newest favourite Big Shot toy has to be the new Framelits Labels Collection - these are just brilliant - six different sizes for less than $50 - that's great value.  I've never used this type of die cut before and I love them.


You can take the sunnies off now because it is time to move on to visit Di Dunk - she is sure to inspire with a creation or three!


Thanks for visiting - please leave a comment if you can - we all love comments.


And visit again in a day or two for another blog hop or three :)


Nikki


x


 



Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Baby Wipe Technique Take 2

IMG_1256Here's the second card we made during the Baby Wipe technique classes last month, Ornate Blossoms is such a lovely stamp, and I haven't used it nearly enough.


We are learning the Crayon Resist Technique this month - there are still a couple of places left for Thursday 3 May at 7.30pm if you want to come along.


Check out all the details HERE.


Nikki


x


 



Monday, April 23, 2012

Making Merry Monday 2011

I think it is time to make a start on some Christmas Cards ... so here goes with Making Merry Monday for 2012.  I'm joining in with Ros Davidson who is far more organised than me ....she started weeks ago.


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Apothecary Art might not necessarily be the stamp set you immediately think of when you think of Christmas cards but its amazing how versitile it is isn't it.  I've used the sentiment from Welcome Christmas, using marker pens to stamp just the words of a much larger stamp as I liked the style of the writing and thought it went well with the image of the flowers.


The colours are Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive - such traditional colours.  I am going to 'try' to see if I can make some cards in less traditional colours this year.


Hope you are having a Merry Monday, if you are going to be joining me on this quest to make a start on your Christmas cards early, leave a comment and link to your blog, I'd love to cheer you on.


 



Saturday, April 21, 2012

Happy Birthday Mum

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I bought this stamp set because I wanted to make a card from my Mum with it ... Apothecary Art is such a beautiful group of stamps.


As a lot of you know my Mum lives at home in the UK - I get told off for saying 'at home' but that will always be 'home' as long as my Mum is there.


Today Mum celebrates her birthday.  I haven't seen my Mum in far too long, we talk on the phone - but not as much as I would like.  But Mum does read this blog and sends me emails (including the gossip about one of my favourite soaps Coronation Street :o) yes I still watch it).  Thank goodness for the internet.


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I used a blender pen, ink and white gel pen to colour the little flowers and leaves and then highlighted the centres with little pearls.


I hope you have a great day Mum and enjoy your present - I am so pleased that I as I was sat here writing this post you emailed and said the card and present had arrived - what a great postal service we have.


Happy Birthday from Paul, Olivia, Kieran, Max and Spencer ... and me too.  Love and miss you Mum xx


Nik       


xxxxxxxxx



Thursday, April 12, 2012

New Class Update

Last month's technique class was all about Babywipes.  We made two cards using two different techniques and a sample for our technique books.


IMG_0516Sorry this photo is so dark - in Melbourne we have lost daylight savings so I am going to have to get better at planning my photography sessions arent I.


Bookings for the classes has been so good that I've added an extra night every month - it works out to be about the first Thursday every month - so now you have two opportunities to come along and learn something new.


Both classes will be the same technique - this month its Crayon Resist - and I'm keeping the classes small - so lots of attention and lots of time to have a play.


So if you are interested I still have three seats left in the new class - starting on Thursday 3 May at 7.30pm.


Call on 0428 254 952, SMS, email or send smoke signals ... I don't mind .... just book your seat if you want come along.


For more information check out all there is to know HERE


Nikki


x


 



Monday, April 2, 2012

One on 1 Blog Hop - April Update

 


Well I could write I have failed .....


I could have opted out of the blog hop for the first time in 15 months ...


but I just wasn't prepared to do that!


So whilst my March plan hasn't worked out for me at all, I'm still here, haven't failed, just postponed and I WILL have completed everything by the time we hop again in May.


So I'll leave you with a photo that probably explains my month perfectly.  My husband was home for 12 whole days this month - completing a course in Melbourne (so we did a lot of gardening - well chopping down of trees).  The children know I hate it when he goes back to Sydney so Olivia made some cakes whilst I was out on the 2 hour airport run .... isn't she just the best daughter!


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Til next month, be good and have fun - I've off to put together an Ikea desk with a sliding drawer and cupboard with shelves - currently flat pack .... wonder if I have been a little too over-ambitious ..... mother - daughter project - see I told you I hadn't failed - well not yet!


Its now time to hop along to visit Cindy.


Nikki


x



Sunday, April 1, 2012

Autumn Winter Mini Catalogue

 


New mini


I am so pleased to be able to finally share this new Autumn Winter Mini with you.  It is full to the brim of lovely goodies.


Highlights for me include three new Designer Series Papers, including Sweet Shop with embossed designs and the very popular Twitterpated range, new yummy stamp sets including Apothecary Art and heaps of new tools.  This Mini sees the arrival of the first set of Framelits - Labels Collection .... six dies of various sizes for $49.95 - great value.


And of course the new Simply Scored ..... finally Stampin' Up! have their own scoring tool - $55.95.  It was worth waiting for!


Simply-Scored-scoring-tool-examples


If that's whet your appetite click on the link below and have a look through this new Mini - if you want a copy call or email me now and I'll pop one in the post for you.


AW Mini 2012


Happy Sunday.


Nikki


x