The Art With Heart Team Blog - Valentines

Finally after much behind the scenes planning, Ros Davidson and I have orchestrated a new monthly blog hop with the Art With Heart team. 

So who are the Art with Heart team? Lead by Claire Daly, there are over 80 demonstrators across Australia ... if you want to become part of this great team just email me for more details. We have a great team forum, Business Building Club and heaps of support from other like minded demonstrators - I love it ... whilst we are all 'independent' demonstrators being a member of this team means that no-one is on their own ... team support is priceless!

So on with the hop ... you may have just come from Erica Boxall, but if you are starting here, don’t worry … you can make the complete journey just by following the links at the end of each post. There are 11 stops along the way and we hope you will visit each one to see the wonderful creations we have to show you!

I have used the I {Heart} Hearts and Real Red ink to create a very striking colour combination with the Whisper White.  The box is so easy to make (thanks to Kimmy Mieklejohn for showing me how to make them) - leave a comment and I'll email to you the template and instructions.

I'm going to fill this box with my husband's favourite lollies - he'll love it.   You can make these any size you like - I make mine and then flatten it out again ready for stamping.  I've stamped extra hearts and cut them out ... and used Dimensionals to attach them to the box.  The jumbo eyelets have been set with the crop-o-dile ... so easy and so quiet (if you've ever tried to set an eyelet in the dead of night with a hammer and setting tool, then you'll know what I am talking about!).

For the card I have scored two lines around the edge for extra (and quick) interest, stamped more hearts in Real Red and used the same eyelets and ribbon.  

Now I have a confession to make ... I was trying to tie a pretty bow but it just wasn't happening ... so whilst I was getting into a pickle I noticed that the ribbon looked good just twisted - I am really pleased with the result, far less stressful and its looks a little different too.  I've covered all of the hearts with Crystal Glaze - love that stuff!

So do you like it?  Leave me a comment if you do .... if you leave a comment on each and every blog in the hop and then email me at nikki@inkyart.com.au, your name will be put into the hat to win some beautiful blog candy. There is a deadline of 72 hours to leave your comments (that's 6.00am AEST 3 February) and only non SU demos are eligible to win - although we'd love all visitors to leave some comments please.

Well, that’s all from me. Now you’re off to enjoy the beautiful creations of Sue Madex who is another Melbourne based demonstrator.

Next month's theme is Easter ... looking forward to bring you something egg-sta special on 28 February - (sorry terrible joke)!

For my regular readers, the February newsletter is almost complete and will be emailed next week ... if you aren't on the mailing list and want to be, just complete the box on the right hand side.

 

The Holidays Are Nearly Over!

Does that make you happy or sad?  I'm sad because I've had quite a bit of time off work to spend with my family and it will be Easter before that happens again, and happy that our family life will soon be full of routine and order once again!

For the past few days we've been having fun with our best friends .... Australia Day was spent eating yummy hamburgers and playing backyard cricket and then I was the mother of four lovely children for a two night sleepover - from camping expeditions in the back garden for the younger two, to taking a million photographs in all sorts of poses and positions for the older two ... and plenty of card making for me, we've all had fun (poor Paul has started a summer school course - it's been a shock for him to be back at his desk studying again).

The younger two Tess and Kieran, sat with me to make cards and here they are:

Tess' creations .... my version of 'that' box will be back on Sunday with the template!

 More of Tess' creations ... she loves sponging!  

And finally Kieran's - now don't tell him that you've seen this because he said I wasn't allowed to post it here ... apparently it is 'gay' ... don't you love the vocabulary of today!  I love it - what do you think?

Well I hope you are making the most of your last days of the holidays ... or perhaps you are now enjoying the routine of school again already.

Back again on Sunday 31 January .... something exciting is about to happen ... the Art With Heart Team Blog Hop .... you'll have to come back on Sunday to find out more.

Have a beautiful day.

 

Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop!

Oh yes ... finally, Sale-A-Bration is here!  And to celebrate I am participating in another ESAD blog hop with free blog candy!

Firstly hands up who wants to see what the free sets look like  ... then click here to find out ...

See something you like?  Yes I knew you would!  So how do you get free sets?  

Spend $100 or more on products from any of the current cataogues and you will receive one set for every $100 you spend ... so an order for $200 means you can choose two sets and so on. 

Host a workshop with sales in excess of $600 to qualify for a free set - in addition to all of the other Hostess Benefits;

Join as a demonstrator during Sale-A-Bration and receive a free stamp set valued up to $79.95 - please take a look the Join Team Inky page to find out more.

Please note that the amounts above are before the shipping and handling fee of $5.95 or 5% of the total order whichever is the greater.

So on with the hop ...

If this is the first time you have visited my little piece of cyberspace, welcome.  For those of you new to the art of blog hopping, you might be wondering what  this is all about.  Well some members of ESAD (Extremely Special Aussie and New Zealand Demonstrators) have got together and we have all posted a NEW Sale-A-Bration idea you this morning. We have linked our posts together so all you need to do is grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy the ride .... it's going to be fun.

So who are ESAD and how can you join?  It's for all Australian and New Zealand demonstrators of all levels. Click here to join and receive the help and encouragement you need in your business from both new and experienced demonstrators.  I've been a member for a couple of months now and I receive the daily digest of information that keeps me up to date with my business in a jiffy - it's worth joining.

It was hard to choose just one set from the four that are available  - but Happy Moments was my pick of the bunch.

I've made two co-ordinating cards .... following the advise of another demonstrator that if you are sitting down to make one card it's quicker to sit and make two whilst you've have everything out that you need  - and she's right!

Using a selection of stamp sets from the Summer Mini for the background together with a couple of the large grommets these cards were quick to rustle up.

SUPPLIES
Stamp Set	Happy Moments, For Everything, Hello Again
Card and Paper	Whisper White, Rose Red and Choc Chip
Ink	Choc Chip and Rose Red
Embellishments	1” double stitch grosgrain ribbon, basic jumbo grommet
Tools	Spiral punch, dauber, markers

Now did someone mention Blog Candy?  We sure did ... if you visit and post a comment on all the blogs linked in the Blog Hop and then email Leonie to let her know you've completed the task, you go into the draw to win some Candy ... crafty candy of course; the sort that is 100% fat free :o)  Don't forget you need to comment on all of the 41 blogs in the hop  to qualify for a place in the draw.

So leave a comment here and then blog hop along to the very talented Pauline Bennetts.

And don't forget to come back again soon for more projects from the new Sale-A-Bration catalogue and the current Summer Mini.

 

Haitian Relief from Stampin' Up!

On 12 January, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leaving in its wake devastation so overwhelming that the Haitian people and their leaders can only look for help from the outside to cope. You can help make a difference in the lives of those who continue to suffer from the effects of this earthquake by purchasing the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set.   

In addition to supplying 5000 hygiene kit, from now until 28 February, 2010, Stampin' Up!® will set aside $2 from the sale of every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set and donate it to the Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Product Name	Item #	Price
I {Heart} Hearts	117715	$42.95

In the past, when terrorists attacked the Twin Towers, when a tsunami struck Indonesia, when a hurricane destroyed New Orleans, and when wildfires ravaged Australia, Stampin' Up! has stepped forward and showed their commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. This time is no different. 

Remember, Sale-A-Bration begins on Monday and this set can count towards your $100 order.

Lets all pull together and help the poor people of Haiti.

 

Celebration of Love

Yes with February just around the corner, here is the first of many items I've made especially for Valentine's day.

The beautiful I {Heart} Heart stamp set from the Summer Mini is going to get a workout over the next few weeks I think ... such a lovely set.  I've stamped the heart twice and cut one of them out and overlaid it with Dimensionals.  I've used Crystal Effects to highlight a few of the hearts and lots of dauber sponging on the edges of all the cardstock.  

The sentiment is from a new Sale-A-Bration set but you could use any sentiment you like ... transforming this card for any occasion ... birthdays, missing you, etc.

SUPPLIES
Stamp Set	I {Heart} Hearts, Happy Moments
Card and Paper	Kraft, Whisper White, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss and Choc Chip
Ink	Choc Chip
Embellishments	1” double stitched grosgrain ribbon, Crystal Effects
Tools	Heart to Heart and Word Window punches, daubers

Back on Monday for another ESAD blog hop - yes of course, it's a Sale-A-Bration hop .... see you Monday!

 

Sale-A-Bration Sneek Peek!

Only five days to go and Sale-A-Bration kicks in .... which means FREE stamps!

Now I need to be honest with you, since my holiday I have been finding it very hard to sit down and stamp - wasn't sure if it was that I have so much to create for upcoming commitments or that I had lost my mojo ... but every night last week I just wasn't motivated at all - I was a little worried!

So on Friday night I made myself sit down and concentrate - I picked a colour scheme and one stamp set and five cards later I'm happy again :o)  I'd like to call it the 'Stampin' Up! Effect' - you can't fail to make a great card with so many colour coordinated products ... so once I had started there was no stopping me.  I'm one happy bunny again.

Inspired by Sue Madex's card here .... I used the circle punch to create the circles that I then attached as the background to the card.  I am so pleased that the Scallop Oval punch is still available from the Spring Mini - it fits perfectly with the silver Hodge Podge Hardware - which is still available in the Inventory Sale - priced at just $43.46.

After stamping the little parcels I have added some colour with a Rose Red marker and then added some Crystal Effects for a bit of shine.

SUPPLIES
Stamp Set	Happy Moments
Card and Paper	Whisper White, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss and Choc Chip
Ink	Choc Chip
Embellishments	Hodge Podge Hardware, 1” double stitched grosgrain ribbon, Crystal Effects
Tools	1/2 “ Circle, Scallop Oval, Small Oval and Scallop Edge punches  and Crimper

Is this the last one?

I think it might be!  Another colour combination from the colour selector, Regal Rose, Apricot Appeal, Bashful Blue and Almost Amethyst.

The scallop edge has been created using circle punches - the 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" - I've just matted the DSP (again from the Hostess Level I selection) with some matching cardstock. Finished off with some Bashful Blue 1" double stitched grosgrain ribbon and a rhinestone brad.

I do hope that you have enjoyed the last few cards - just goes to show what you can make with just one stamp set ... I should be back home from sunny Queensland now so I'll be back in a few days with something from the Summer Mini, some holiday snaps, scrapbooking, another ATC swap .... gee I do wish I had taken some of my stamps away with me .... I only just got away with taking the laptop :o)

Stop Press: Don't forget the Catalogue Inventory Clearance! Three stamp sets are now SOLD OUT at the discounted price - 'Jumbo Outline Alphabet', 'Just Riding' and now the Wild West Alphabet. The others are still available, but only for a limited time! Remember that the die-cut sets are still available but at the usual catalogue price.

Until next time ...  

 

 

InkyArt News January 2010

InkyArt News for January has just been emailed to everyone who requested a newsletter - this month it contains news of promotions, special offers for newsletter readers offering free products, together with sneek peeks of Sale-A-Bration ideas and stamp sets.

Not on the emailing list and want to be?  Then sign up now using the new Join Our Mailing List box on the left hand side - just scroll down a little bit to find it!

 

Yes ... More Party Hearty!

 The cupcake takes centre stage again ... I love this stamp ... so very now!

I used the colour selector tool to come up with this combination - would have never thought to put these colours together myself ... it's an easy tool to use ... click on the icon on the right hand side and have a play.

I've stamped the cupcake twice, once in So Saffron and then again in Pacific Point.  I've then cut the 'cake' part out of the So Saffron one and adhered it to the other impression with dimensionals - hey presto a 3D cake!  The candle has been stamped using the markers.

The sentiment stamp fits perfectly inside the large oval, and I've layered it with scallop oval and wide oval and teamed it up with some striped grosgrain Tangarine Tango ribbon.  

The papers are from the Hostess Level I selection ... hold a workshop or place an order for more than $300 to qualify.

Back with more in a day or two ... yes I do have more!

Stop Press: Don't forget the Catalogue Inventory Clearance! Two stamp sets are now SOLD OUT at the discounted price - 'Jumbo Outline Alphabet' and 'Just Riding'. The others are still available, but only for a limited time!

 

 

Anyone for Cake?

Oops I forgot it is still January and I'm not supposed to be eating cake!  This card is made with some Pink PIroutte, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White cardstocks.  Rose Red ink and ribbon and a bit of Dazzling Diamonds make this a very girlie card.  This time I've used the Party Hearty sentiment which fits well inside the Tag Window punch.

Hope you are enjoying the look through my Party Hearty samples - I thought it was going to be a challenge to make so many cards from one set but it wasn't - once I got started the ideas kept flowing.

Back soon with more.

  

 

 

Happy Birthday Tracy

I couldn't let today go by without wishing my very special and very lovely friend a very Happy Birthday ... unfortunately we are away on my holidays so we can't be together today but she knows we are thinking of her.  You'll have to wait to see her card - guess who forgot to bring it with her to post - oooppps!

So have a beautiful day my gorgeous friend, be home soon to celebrate in true Petrie / Sadler style.

Love Paul, Nikki, Olivia, Kieran and Max 

xxxxx

I Love Kraft!

Yes it is true, I love both craft (obviously you knew that already didn't you) and Kraft the cardstock colour from Stampin' Up! (once described by my good friend as being cardboard colour!).

So today's offering is another with the Celebrate You stamp from Party Hearty - just love that the scallop circle fits so well within the letters ... great thinking SU!  

And yes ... there is a bit of Christmas here too, with Kraft, Real Red and Chocolate Chip I've also used a piece of the designer series paper from the I Wish scrapbooking kit .... a spare bit left over from Christmas projects that is easily converted into a birthday card.  Finished with sponging, a Fusion Flower and silver brad - another quick and easy sample to inspire you.

Just noticed that there appears to be a 'splodge' on the ribbon - that isn't there in real life but as I am in sunny Queensland just now I can't re-do the photo for you - so my apologies - it looks better in real life ... honest!

 

 

A Card To Celebrate 100 Posts!

Yes it is true ... this is the 100th post on the InkyArt blog - I can hardly believe it!  I hope that you find something inspirational from my ramblings and creations - I really love sharing them with you.

I found this line of bunting somewhere on the internet ages and ages ago and the idea just stuck in my head.  So if you are the creator can you let me know so that I can credit you here please.

Showcasing both the marker pens and Stamp-a-ma-jig - I've coloured the party hats with markers and trimmed around them ... loosing the stars.  The poles are the candle stamp, again using the markers I've just coloured in the candle part and left off the flame ... using a Stamp-a-ma-gig I have stamped it onto the white cardstock.  Linen thread has been used for the string and then I attached the little flags with Dimensionals.

Finished off with brads at the top of the poles and three cup cakes - again coloured in with markers this was a lovely card to make.  

 

 

Happy Birthday Chris

A bit of Just Jawing for my brother's birthday today.  Wasn't sure about this set until I saw Mirriam Thomas' scrapbooking page - it's very versatile ... the stamp has hearts for eyes which is great for a female page or card and I've covered them up with 3/4" punch circles and some googly eyes to transform it into a male card.

So Chris, I hope you love your card and are having a great day - one more year left before you join the big 40 club - enjoy it!  Oh and I'm back to being only three years older than you now (got to love brothers reminding you just how much older you are :o))

Happy Birthday Chris

Love Nikki, Paul, Olivia, Kieran and Max

xxxxx

 

Celebrate Twenty Ten with Chocolate!

Happy New Year to you and your family!

Okay so the title was a bit misleading but as this is the first day of twenty ten and traditionally a day for New Year Resolutions I thought it appropriate to celebrate with some chocolate ... yes the non-fattening and healthy kind ... Chocolate Chip cardstock!  I love the chocolate and pink combination.  

The patterned paper is a Hostess Level I freebie - how do you qualify for one of these?  Either have a workshop in your own home or place an order with me for $300 or more and you get to choose any of the Hostess Level I sets shown here.  And if you book a workshop during Sale-a-Bration you also qualify for a free stamp set!  Sale-a-Bration starts at the end of January and I am taking bookings now for workshops - call me if you'd like to hold one.

The stamp set is Party Hearty and I used some Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon and some little brads to finish it off.

I've decided that twenty ten has a nice ring to it, and should be a time to celebrate for each and every one of us ... so take some time out to create something that inspires you to celebrate.