Happy Mother's Day

Yes in the UK today it is Mother's day!  That scared all my aussie friends didn't it - ha ha!  I was browsing the internet and saw an ad for flowers for Mother's Day - thank goodness for the odd advert here and there otherwise I would have completely forgotten.  It was Sunday, so I quickly whistled up two cards.

I took part in a swap a couple of months ago and was inspired by a card made by Virginia Newcombe. Its been sat on my desk waiting for me to recreate - what perfect timing.

The frame cut in the front of the card has been created by using the Petite Curly Label punch - a Sale-a-bration freebie.  Just punch three times one way and twice the other- Isn't that a cool idea?

I used Teeny Tiny Sentiments to stamp Happy Mother's Day - as the words are in one line I used a marker pen to ink up each individual word so that I could stamp them one word below the other - stamped in this way meant that the sentiment could be punched using the the Petite Curly Label.  To make it stand out I also punched a piece of Silver Glimmer paper to create a little matted piece - all Mum's need a bit of sparkle don't they!

Using Pleasant Poppies I stamped just part of the image onto a piece of Whisper White for the insert inside the card.  Using a Blender pen I coloured the image - adding a pearl as an accent.

So Happy Mother's day to both my mum and my mother-in-law.  I hope you both have a fantastic day.

Love Nik

x

 

Sieze The Birthday Challenge #1

What would be your ideal day? 

I'm on an extended holiday and during this past couple of days I've been feeling a little out of salts as they say.  I am one for routine, and now that I have finished most of the bigger jobs on my 'list of things to do' .... I can see the days stretching out and had no motivation to achieve very much really! Some may say that this is how it should be, but that's not me.

So today I decided to live my 'ideal' day ... or one version of an 'ideal' day!

Started with a museli, yoghurt and fruit breakie and then traweled through the blogs I visit and found myself a challenge to take part in - always thought it would be lovely to start the day off by making a card :)

Sieze The Birthday is a new site - and here's the sketch:

Here's my first entry - I say first because the sketch is the same for next week - however you must make a male birthday card - now that will be a challenge!

I 'allowed' myself 1/2 hour at my craft desk to rustle up an entry!

This card was so quick and easy and very simple.  You can see I've turned the sketch to a landscape version.  Using the Polka Dots Designer Series Papers and the new Sale-a-Bration Vintage Verses set, voila all done!

So having started with a perfect day ... what's next, well I am determined to knock off some of the more boring tasks on my list today and get back to my craft desk to finish off some swaps for the upcoming new catalogue being released at the end of the month.  I am also attending our Court Fitness Class - yes that's right, our end of the Court is determined to get fit and healthy in 2013 - last week nearly killed me but I'll be back tonight for more torture ... I mean exhilarating exercise!

And then, I'll start version two of a perfect day tomorrow - perhaps I'll be back with more to show and tell :)

Happy Stampin'

Nikki

x

 

Sale-a-Bration is Nearly Over

Only a couple more weeks before Sale-a-Bration comes to an end.  If you want to see what all the fuss is about have a look here.

Here's another card from the class a couple of weeks ago, have I told you I love the Everyday Enchantment papers yet?

Its been a lovely long weekend here in Melbourne and whilst it was three days at home for the Sadler Gang - it was a peaceful and restful one.  We went to see Melbourne Heart play on Saturday night with some friends, ate Souvlaki's and Cold Rock ice-cream (well the kids did, I stopped at the Souvlaki!), I caught up on some gardening and even managed to clip and wash the two dogs.  I had a visit from my best friend on Friday night and I had a lovely chat with my mum on Sunday;  the kids have just 'chilled' (read .... played xBox or worked and partied!). Even the laundry and housework are up to date.   I am really appreciating it's the simple things in life that make me happy and contented.

My husband is home tomorrow for 12 days - he's on a course here in Melbourne - it will be great to have him home again.  Then he goes back to Sydney for just a week and half as then its Easter and we are going away to Raymond Island - yay :)

Happy Labour day and keep tuned for more inspiration.

Nikki

x

Sale-A-Bration Class

I had a great night helping some lovely ladies to create some cards using the Sale-a-Bration goodies - it was great fun and I think everyone had a great time.

This card was inspired by one I found on the net (if you know where let me know so I can leave the appropriate acknowledgement please) - I loved that it included all the ribbons, brads, papers and the lovely Outlined Ocassions set.

Sale-a-Bration will finish at the end of this month so if you are wishing to place an order please let me know - for every $100 spent you will receive a freebie from the Sale-a-Bration catalogue - or hold a workshop and receive even more freebies.  

Happy stampin!

Nikki

x

 

Festive Friday Challenge # 1

There's a new weekly challenge site created by Nicole Darendorf called Festive Challenges.  Its the unorganised card maker's dream challenge site ... make a festive card every week of the year.  How cool is that!  Usually these are Christmas cards and occasionally other festivities will be included too .... and this being January of course the first festivity is Valentines Day in February.

Now two of the ladies on the team are great interstate Stampin' Up! buddies - the brilliant Tina Gillespie (she's just won two challenges this past few weeks go and check out her creations) and the lovely and very talented Kathryn Mangledorf - who is celebrating an important birthday this month.  These girls are lovely and although we only get to meet up at Convention we get to chat to each other through a stamping forum.

I loved the little hearts on Madonna Dunn and Tina Gillespie's cards and I have been dying to use the new Saleabration papers and ribbons so although I haven't used the traditional colours for Valentines I still love it.

Here's a close up of those cute little hearts.  The stamp set is also a Saleabration set - Outlined Occasions.

Thanks girls for the inspiration, and I wish you all the best with your new challenge site - I hope to be playing along every week.

Saleabration starts next week - I'll be posting brochures to whet your appetite - let me know if you want one.

Happy Stampin'

Nikki

x

MIA and Faux Silk

Sorry - yes it is true there is a lot of dust settled in here .... been MIA for over a week .... where have I been?  Nowhere special ... just here .... but now that Paul is away it is taking some time to adjust to the new routine - oh and I've broken the washing machine so I have washer woman duties to add to my list of tasks ... but it will be fixed soon!

I've managed to make a few things (in between the normal day job, being a mum and now a stand in dad ... I even cut the grass this week, pruned the roses and helped my neighbour by mowing her nature strip too) .... so posting will return to the usual frequency I promise ....  I am sure that I will soon get into the new routines and be back to normal :)

So what have I made?  Well an old and trusted technique - a real workshop wow ... Faux Silk.  The lovely Sue Madex reminded me of this lovely card and here is my version.

With Sale-a-bration almost over I am giving my favourite stamp set Bliss a good work out this week.

Here's a close up - its so easy ... just stamp your images onto white tissue paper, screw it up into a ball, unravel and adhere to a piece of white cardstock. Easy and looks good every time.

Back in a day or two with a special person's birthday card, and a team blog hop on Saturday.  But for now I will leave you with a snapshot of our daily chats on Skype .... that's my husband who is currently in Orchard Hills in New South Wales on the big screen and the kids and I huddled around the computer in our kitchen on the little insert screen - its so cool being able to Skype, means even the dogs get to say hi every day :)

Happy stampin and see you Friday!

Nikki

x

It's A Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop

Yes Sale-A-Bration time is here and a few of us have got together to celebrate with a little blog hop.

You may have arrived here from the lovely Ros Davidson's site or you may just be starting here ... but however you have found this page it's okay - you can follow the links and see all of the creations.

I make no apologies for using my most favourite technique - I love brayering.  Here I have used three of the four sets that are available FREE if you spend $100 or more or host a workshop with more than $600 in sales .... can you guess which ones?

The colours are Poppy Parade, So Saffron, Very Vanilla and Basic Black and this is a card we made at a recent workshop for a make and take.

The lovely lace is of course from the Summer Mini - sadly this will end on 31 March - no more lace after that :(

And here is a  'stepped up' version of the same card.  This time I have used a sponge to emphasise the sun's rays as well as a brayer and some lovely pearls for the butterflies.  This card is heading its way to a lovely friend and fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator who celebrate's her birthday on Monday.

So if you'd like to make the same card at your workshop give me a call now to book (0428 254 952) and I am offering a little blog candy today too .... 

Name all three Sale-a-Bration sets used to make these cards and I'll pick a name out of the hat to receive the 'thanks' card - I'll send it with an envelope for you to use next time you want to say thank you to someone special.

So off you hop to a lovely friend of mine Christine Blain - she is sure to have something lovely to show you.

Thanks for hopping and see you next week for more inspiration.

Happy stampin!

Nikki

x

Oh Lordy Lordy

Blogger, Typepad and file splitters .... goodness gracious me .... still no posts or pictures ... but I'll get there.

Thought I'd just carry on though as if nothing has happened .... just pretend that all is okay :)

So here is Paul's Valentine's day card - a little late in showing you but it was already made and written well before the date.  It's one of the new Sale-a-bration sets Bliss - isn't it lovely.  Poppy Parade and Crumb Cake, perfect combination.

I hope you had a lovely Valentine's day and shared it with the ones you love.

Nikki

Sale-a-bration Starts TODAY

Oh yes - its that time again .... Sale-a-bration is here!

The choice of four beautiful stamps sets - one set for every $100 spent on products from either the Ideas Book and Catalogue or the new Summer Mini.

If you want a closer look at the finer details click here.

This is just a quick announcement - I am placing my order tonight so if you want to join me and share in the postage just let me know - call me on 0428 254 952 or send an email with your order.

You can earn a FREE set by hosting a qualfying workshop too - call me for a date and I'll help you to achieve a FREE Sale-a-bration set as well as a FREE hostess set and FREE product.

Now's the time to also consider whether you'd like to join the Stampin' Up! family as a demo .... there is an additional free stamp set of your choice up to the value of $79.95 from the Ideas Book and Catalogue if you join up before 31 March.  To find out more just call or email.

Everyone loves Sale-a-Bration!

Back soon with samples and more to keep you inspired.

Nikki

x

Olivia's Easter Baskets

Olivia has been making Easter baskets ... aren't they cute!  The little bunny is made from punches and the boxes are an origami masterpiece - goodness knows how she makes them but if you want to know leave me a comment and I'll get a template sorted out :o)

Here's a close up of the handle - the eyelet was set using the Crop-o-Dile.  Now you may be wondering who these are for ... well they are a surprise for two lovely people who help us as a family, but .... I have a confession to make ... well I don't cos I didn't commit the crime ... but the three chocolate lovers in our house have eaten the contents already ... so I'm off to refill them before the weekend ... shush no one will ever know :o)

Back tomorrow with a scrapbooking layout over at the Stampamemory site.

Don't forget the Summer Mini and Sale-a-Bration end this Wednesday ... call me if you need anything or if you want to take up the newsletter offer :o)

  

Sale-A-Bration is the time to become a Demo!

Sale-A-Bration Demo Offer Ends 31st of March!   Did you know that Stampin' Up! Starter Kits aren't just for career demonstrators. I welcome both hobby stampers and career demos to the group from across Australia.

How Does a Hobby Stamper Benefit?

• Enjoy 20% off Stampin' Up! products every day.


• Save money on the Starter Kit and choose a Bonus Stamp Set  (valued up to $79.95).  Ends 31st March. 


• Customise the kit with your choice of stamp sets, ink colors and more (of equal or less value).


• Sign Up On-line.  Get immediate benefits.  


• Fill your Wish List!  Receive 30% off your first order of $300 or more plus qualify for hostess benefits.  During Sale-a-Bration you'll also earn 3 free gifts with a $300 order (one for every $100 in product).


• Imagine being able to view and order select new stamps and products one month in advance of  catalogue releases!  Demonstrators have already seen and ordered goodies from the Autumn Mini!


• There's no obligation to sell or hold workshops and no penalty if you decide to drop.  You keep all your goodies. 


• To remain active, $500 in total retail sales is required per quarter.  This includes your own purchases and customer sales (based on retail prices).


• Join now!  The end of the first full quarter isn't until the 30th of June.  You would be guaranteed discounts and benefits until then. During my first six months I earned six free stamp sets of my choice ... and there is an ability to earn 15 sets if you choose to ... it really is doable.


• If your total sales reach $500 by 30th of June 30, you remain active through to 30 September. 


• JOIN THE TEAM.  When you sign up with me, you become a member of my personal downline, and a member of the team Art With Heart.  We have a fab forum with access to over 90 other demonstrators across Australia - we offer each other support and friendship - not just stamping related but we are there for each other no matter what the drama or question - if you are looking for a great team of girls to become instant friends and who see the world in Chocolate Chip or Pixie Pink JOIN NOW! 

If you are interested I would love to have you as a member of my team! Contact me with your questions or to receive my password to sign up on line.

 
 

Heart to Heart

If you subscribe to the newsletter you will have seen this card last month ... its a CASE of the card on page 15 of the Summer Mini and when I saw it I thought ... what a great idea.  

You can use this idea for any of the punches ... all I have done is to use the Heart to Heart punch twice on a piece of Whisper White and then attach ribbon pieces onto the back of the card to 'fill in' the punched shapes.  It can be a bit fiddly to get just the right look with the ribbon but it is well worth the effort.

I also stamped and punched the three little hearts from the I {Heart} Hearts set and attached just one with Dimensionals. The Happy Birthday sentiment is from the FREE SAB collection - but you could change this to be any sentiment you wish.

SUPPLIES
Stamp Set	I {Heart} Hearts, Happy Moments
Card and Paper	Kraft, Choc Chip, Baja Breeze and Whisper White
Ink	Choc Chip and Real Red
Embellishments	Bits of ribbon
Tools	Scallop Edge Punch, Dimensionals

It's good to CASE sometimes ... and in this case this card was a for a very special friend for her birthday and as soon as I saw it in the new catalogue I knew who I was going to be making it for.

Don't forget that between now and the end of February, if you purchase the I {Heart} Heart set Stampin' Up! will donate $2 to the Red Cross who are helping in Haiti.

 

Happy Moments

Good morning, how are you?  I've been playing with the Happy Moments set again ... this time inspired by the lovely Co-Founder and CEO of Stampin' Up! who has been stamping onto pattern paper - you can see her cards here - they really are lovely.  

I thought that this was such a cool idea and not something I had tried before so I put ink to rubber to paper and I like it.  

When I took part in the Sale-A-Bration mini hop I found this lovely card with the birdie in the cage inked in a different colour, created by Amy Waters ... I loved it and just had to give that idea a go too.

Of course once I get started ... I can't stop trying new things so then I created the little 'suspended' sentiment (there has to be a better to describe that but for now my mind is blank!)  ... that was so easy too.

I should have taken a photo of the inside to show you how I have finished off the ribbon - I don't like there to be 'loose ends' so I punched the chocolate chip oval piece twice and sandwiched the ribbon between it.  So the ribbon is stuck down on the front of the card with snail ... wrapped around the back and snailed again to finish up in between the two oval punched shapes.  Now if this makes no sense whatsoever (well it is past my bedtime) - leave me a comment and I'll photograph the back of the card in the daylight :o)

SUPPLIES
Stamp Set	Happy Moments
Card and Paper	Choc Chip, Always Artichoke, Urban Garden DSP
Ink	Choc Chip
Embellishments	Brad, Markers, Blender Pen, Choc Chip Tafetta Ribbon
Tools	Large, Medium and small oval punches, Scallop Edge Punch Dauber for the sponging

Hope this inspires you to find yourself some creative time and try out some new ideas.

And finally, if you entered into the Blog Candy competition following our first ever Art With Heart Team Blog Hop - the winner will be announced very soon ... so watch your inboxes for an important message from team and good luck! 

Oh and thanks to everyone who took part and left so many lovely comments ... if you requested the template for the box this should now be in your inbox too :o)

 

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