Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to a little blog hop.  This month we are exploring different techniques and I thought I'd show you this Triple Layer Technique as it seems to be very popular at the moment.

You simply take three pieces of cardstock and layer them one on top of the other - so in my case this was three pieces of Whisper White.  I decided on the sizing for the outside larger layer and then took off about 1 cm to create the next two pieces.  

I used a little bit of snail to keep each piece in place whilst I stamped.  If you centre your main image on the centre piece and work outwards it works best - and don't worry that little pieces on the outer edge of the cardstock do not take on the impression - these get covered up with the matting and do not show.  or as in my case they do show but they look like they are part of the design - I hope :)

When you've finished creating the pretty design you then matt the first two smaller pieces with the same colour cardstock as your final card (with the final card being the final mat).  In my case this was Concord Crush.

I've used Daffodil Delight, Tangarine Tango and Concord Crush inks and finished off the card with some ribbon detail.  Vanessa Webb demonstrated at Convention, her Ostrich Feather technique - great way to add extra interest to your ribbon details by adding different coloured and textured pieces.

I made this card for a dear friend of mine for her birthday - Vintage Vogue is one of my all time favourites and I'll be sad to see it retire at the end of the month.

Time to hop along to Di Dunk who is going to show us an embossing technique I believe.

Happy Hopping and I'll see you next week.

Nikki

x

Blog Hopping with Masculine Ideas

I've been away from blog land for far too long - I promise I have been creating just not sharing ... but I am here to make amends!

I'm taking part in a monthly blog hop with friends, showing what is often thought of as a difficult thing to create - something for the boys and men in our lives.

Olivia asked for an 18th card for one of her friends (this time I had over a week's notice which is good - last time I had about an hour!).  I was inspired by a swap from Convention with the bandana technique.  It was a bit fiddly and I kind of went with the artistic approach to the white gel pen outlines, but I really like the end result.

I've used Cajun Craze, Daffodil Delight and Marina Mist with the Extreme Elements stamp set used in Basic Black.  I just can't create a card without ribbon - so this time I used Bakers Twine - but thinking that some thin black ribbon would have been good too.

Off you hop now to visit Di Dunk - she is sure to have created a whole heap of lovely things.

Pop back soon - I've plenty lined up for you to make up for my absence.

Nikki

x

Project Life Blog Hop - May

It was whilst blog hopping through the One on 1 last month that I came across Jill Conyer's Project Life monthly blog hopping event - perfect for me as I love a deadline.

Now I am not sure if I am doing this whole Project Life thing the way I imagined I would do.  But for now I am enjoying noting the every day, taking more photos of just normal stuff and knowing that our family life is being documented.  This has taken the stress out of scrapbooking too.

For those that don't know me, I work full time, I'm a mum with two teenage kids and a Navy wife to Paul lives and works interstate just now - he comes home about every three weeks for a couple of days. I am a scrapbooker, card maker and Stampin" Up! demonstrator in my spare time!  So we start with the last week in February (if you want to see my previous updates click here).

I use a couple of apps on the iPhone to help me to remember the important stuff each day.  Not that I use them every day!  I use Momento and Project 365.  This is great because it means I can make notes anywhere and at anytime.

I nag the kids for photos too - and this page has two photos from Paul too.  I've left some blank parts on the written cards as I need to find some facts and figures - you'll see a couple of blank spots throughout these pages.

I am finding it a challenge to switch around the plastics as I seem to take a lot of photos in landscape - but I have found that for some bits of the album it is easier to work out where I will put a photo and then add it to the 'to be printed file' on the computer so I can just slot it in at a later date.

As I was struggling to make some photos work in the plastics I left a whole page out!  I panicked for just a little bit before I decided that I will ask Olivia to fill up the page with photos of her time away with her friends - phew problem solved.

I love the date cards - I am trying to complete a page per week - although for some events like holidays I am using as many pages as I need.

I also love clipping photos from my phone.  The text message from Olivia is a great example of this - we have so many SMS conversations - it is good to be able to print these too.

This is the beginning of the Easter holiday pages - I have used a few pages and more photos than hand written cards.

Isn't my friend's daughter amazing - doing the splits on a paddle board.  Olivia took the photo of the jetty in the dark - love it!

Yes that really is my husband doing yoga on a paddle board!

Its amazing how two grown men entertain themselves isn't it .... such show offs.

Again a couple of blanks on the written card - I can't remember how many fish they caught lol.

Well that's as far as I have got.  The next few weeks after this have become a little sketchy - hence I joined the blog hop .... to refocus my thoughts and reignite my passion for Project Life.

So I will definitely be back next month.  Time to hop along to see Laew.

Thanks again to Jill for prompting me to make a start on my catch up.

Til next time.

Nikki

x

 

One On 1 Blog Hop - February Update

Well this blog hop snuck up on me so I am a little less than prepared but these are some of my photos for the month.  

With the word FOCUS these are some of the things I am trying very hard to keep in my sights this year:

• Scrapbooking - I've completed 2 months of the Twelve course and already I am behind, but I am okay with this - I am loving the inspiration this course is bringing me and the new friendships I am forging.


• Growing veggies - the summer patch hasn't been brilliant but I am learning and planning on the winter crops  - must make the patch 'Spencer' proof (my pooch who loves to eat tomatoes)!


• I downloaded the Project 365 app to my phone and I am trying very hard to take a photo a day - it is helping with my Project Life album - which I must photograph and show you sometime soon.


• Whilst Duken may not be for me (great book), I am concentrating on a living a healthy life.


• Little pots of goodness for the kids and I every day - encouraging healthy habits!


• My computer at work shows me focusing on the job I need to do - I run a business for someone and I need to remain focused for this to be a success.


• Water - I have to drink 2 litres every day!

I haven't achieved all of these tasks through February but I've had a very good go at them.  

March brings newness, clean slates and a determined FOCUSed mind.

Time to hop along to visit Devon for an update on her OLW journey.  Thanks for visiting this month and I hope to be able to show you some completed pages next month.

Nikki

x

Nikki http://www.inkyart.com.au/  <---you are here!!!

Devon http://www.youhadmeatneurotic.com

Amanda http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com/  

Brooklyn http://www.everysnapshot.com/  
Kristina http://hrinspirationfromthe403.blogspot.com/
Jen R http://jenritchie.com/
Kara http://iwannabemewhenigrowup.blogspot.com/
Eydie http://www.whatwecreate.net/ 
Ruth http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com/
Missus W http://www.mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com/
Marilee http://rose-brier.blogspot.com/ 
Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com/
Kaylea http://www.myscrappylife.com/
Dawn G http://www.sunshineandcreativity.com/
Rebekah http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/
Becky http://www.becky-handforth.blogspot.com/
Orange Gearle http://orangegearle.blogspot.com/
Katrina http://www.katrinasimeck.com/
Jo http://www.mrsbeee.blogspot.com/ 
Nicky http://www.seejanebake.blogspot.com/
Beth http://www.thesingularlyordinary.blogspot.com/
Kelly http://mindingmynest.com/
Tere http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com/
Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com/ (START/ Lost & Found)
Melissa S http://blog.mshanhun.com/
Sharyn http://lavieenchic.com/
Kimberlee http://scrapsandsass.blogspot.com/
Jill http://jillconyers.com/
Cheri http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com/
Cindy http://www.cynthiacrysdale.com/
Jenn http://www.studiojenn.blogspot.com/
Monica http://scrapinspired.com/
Catherine http://myview-catherine.blogspot.com/
Naomi http://poeticaperture.com/
Jamie http://jmpgirl.blogspot.com/
Coley http://www.coleybelle.blogspot.com/
Melissa C http://www.smudgetime.com/
Donna http://holimess.blogspot.com/
Monica B http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/
Veronica http://www.veronicanorris.typepad.com/
Heidi D http://mommy.heidimdavis.com/
Lisa http://backtoallen.com/category/one-little-word/
Nikki http://www.inkyart.com.au/
Devon http://www.youhadmeatneurotic.com/

Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop!

Welcome to another blog hop - a group of us are here to showcase the lovely Sale-a-Bration goodies for 2012.  Have you picked your favourite yet?

No surprises really, a scrapbooking page and the lovely Everyday Enchantment papers!  I found a lovely old photo of Paul's parents on the day they were married.

Its just the best photo isn't it.  We are not sure who is who in the photo or if the year 1958 is correct (hence the reason it looks crooked as it is not actually attached to the page just yet!), but I'll be sure to check with my mother-in-law when I call her for a chat.

I created the top note die accent by using offcuts from other projects.  I placed all the pieces onto the cut out and then ran the whole lot through the Big Shot with the lattice folder - smooshed everything together.  I've also used the Triple Layer Punch - Blossom Bouquet to create three little flowers.  The centres are brads from the Everyday Enchantment Ribbons and Brad pack - another Sale-a-Bration freebie.

The leaves have been cut using the Two Step Bird punch too.

The Lace Ribbon Border has been threaded with the ribbons from the Everyday Enchantment ribbon and brad pack - and little pearls added to the centres.  The ribbons are so cute - and very easy to tie into bows.

I was thinking this page was a little sparce but I've decided that I really like it.  The lovely bright colours of the papers work well with the Basic Black cardstock and black and white photo.

Time to hop along to see what Christine Blain has to show you - she is one very clever lady so it is sure to be worth the visit.

Thanks for visiting and pop back soon - I've been scrapbooking this week and I've a few pages to share.

Happy Saturday

Nikki

x

Chinese Whispers Blog Hop

A blog hop with a difference today.  A group of us played Chinese Whispers recently - do you remember that game as a child?  Its basically a game whereby one person makes the first card, emails a photo of it to the next person on the list and that person CASE's the card.  She then sends a photo of her card onto the next person on the list and that person CASE's and so it goes on.  No matter where you are on the list you only ever get to see one card - it was great to see how it evolved.

Now if you are starting here, it would be best to go back to the beginning, click here to hop back to Tina Gillespie's blog to see how it all began.

And so here's mine - I'm number 11 on the list.  I made this card for a lovely girl who was celebrating her 16th birthdy just recently.

So next on the list is the lovely Kathryn Rudderick - enjoy.

Happy stampin!

Nikki

x

Big Shot Blog Hop

Yes it's that time once again for another blog hop -  this time show casing the lovely Big Shot - one of my favourite tools.  There are  six stops along the way - grab a cuppa and hop on board for some lovely inspiration.   

My most favourite die is the Timeless Type alphabet - being a scrapbooker I love that I can create any title I like.  I took a tip from Tina Gillespie (the hop before me)  and 'chopped off the curly bits' to change the style of the letters - what a fab idea.  

I also love the versatility of the embossing folders.  Just on this scrapbooking page alone I have used both the alphabet and three embossing folders.  

Embossing cardstock and papers is a cheap and easy way to change their look and feel.

Hop along now to see the lovely Sue Madex - she's been absent from our hops for a little bit and we've missed her.

Just have to finish this post with a close up on my boy, did he really look like this once?  Was he really this little and cute?   

Happy hopping and big shotting!

Nikki

 

x

 

Blog Hopping with a new Ideas Book and Catalogue

There's nothing like a deadline to get your mojo happening is there!  Yes a group of lovely ladies are blog hopping again this month - this time showing new items from the 2011-12 Ideas Book and Catalogue.  Now you know the routine, hop on board and just follow the links - and get ready to be inspired.

I fell in love with this set from the minute I saw it, Faith In Nature.  I love pears (did you know they are very good for you if you have sensitive skin .... you should be eating at least one day, but I digress) .... So I have turned to my trusty Colour Coach and came up with this colour combo, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Pear Pizzaz.

The pear was stamped using Stazon Ink onto watercolouring paper and then coloured using an aqua painter and the ink from the lids of the stamp pads (when the ink pad is still closed, squeeze the lid into the pad and then when you open the ink pad pick the ink up off the inside of the lid with either a blender pen or aqua painter).

Lots of sponging and tearing, with a piece of the First Edition speciality DSP, crumbled and inked too. I love the new scallop punch - perhaps now that I've used all the bits I punched at Convention I should actually buy the punch :o)

And here's the second sample.  Its the same pear coloured in the same way; but this time I have 'roughed up the edges' a little.  The background stamp is from the new Simply Soft set - its a flower based two step stamping set but I thought this particular stamp would make a great random background stamp.

So its time to leave and hop along to visit Judy May and see what she has created this month to inspire us.

Have a lovely weekend and see you next week.

Nikki

x

 

August Blog Hop - We Are Saying Goodbye

Hello and welcome to another blog hop - you are either on the hop already arriving from Ros Davidson's lovely blog or just starting right here.

With the excitement of the new Ideas Book and Catalogue comes the sadness of what has to go.  The Retired list is getting smaller - and for me this was one of my first sets.  I remember borrowing it from a friend until I could afford to buy it for myself - Eastern Blooms - discounted to just $29.96 and still available.

I've used the rock and roll technique and inked the lovely flower in Certainly Celery and the rolled the edges around the Not Quite Navy ink pad to add some interest.  I really love this card layout - its so quick and easy and never fails to look good.  I've re-inked the same stamp with Chocolate Chip and stamped again - this time punching out the centres.  I've mounted these using Dimensions to add some .... well 'dimension' ... to the card :o)

Onward you must go to visit the lovely Kathryn Ruddick - she's an inspiration to all of us, her energy and enthusiasm never fails to shine through whatever she is doing.

And if you want to check out what's left of the Retiring Goodies before they are all gone - click here and call one of us on the hop to place your order before close of business Wednesday 31 August - yes that's next week.

Thanks for stopping by.

Nikki

x

 

One On 1 Blog Hop - July Update

Back for another month and part of a blog hop.  Its a full circle so if you are starting here hop on board, if you have arrived from Margie's blog you'll know the drill - and all the blogs will be live during the middle of the night (Oz time so if you don't find a connecting link - don't panic just check back later).

This month is all about music.  Music plays an important part in my life - but I couldn't find myself ten tunes that meant something to me and my OLW, so I have listed just a couple.   Adele and Rolling in the Deep is my favourite right now.  I love the singer, her voice, her look, her words .... and whilst I haven't been through what she is singing about I love the first line ..... 'There's a fire starting in my heart, reaching a fever pitch that's bring me out the dark' ..... that's how I feel about my OLW.

   The page isn't my usual style - but I am very time poor just now and I will revisit it when I have a bit more time to ponder and embellish.

As I reflect each month on my OLW I am very aware of how much of it is centred around healthy living and 'stopping to smell the roses' .... sometimes it is hard to do this but this month we as a family have introduced DEAR - Drop Everything And Read (thanks to Sue Madex for enlightening me).  

There are many tears and tantrums from number 2 child - the very child that needs this regular event and the sole reason for the introduction of it into our lives.  But .... it has also bought about 1/2 an hour or so of silence every day after dinner - no screens (computer, tv or phones) and I know I for one am benefitting from it.

So I am pleased to report I have read not one but two books this month - When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman and Jodi Picoult's latest book Sing You Home - very appropriate for this muscical themed post; and I have restarted The Secret Lives of Dress by Erin McKean.  It is great to have found my passion for reading again - I am enjoying this quiet time.

August brings for me a new start yet again.  For us in the Southern Hemisphere it is one month until Spring.   We are moving office / warehouse at work - a huge change and a huge step forward; and I am joining the local gym.  My weight loss has stalled yet again and I am using August to kick start it into action.

Hope to see you around next month - hop along and enjoy the update from Monica.

I'm off to dance around the kitchen - playing Adele oh so very loud :)  

Enjoy your month!

Nikki 

x

 

Blog Hopping with Ribbons

Morning and welcome to another blog hop with friends.  This month we are showcasing Stampin' Up!'s amazing range of ribbons.    If you are starting here that's great just follow the links .... if you have arrived from the lovely Tina Gillespie's blog - isn't she one clever lady.

I've used different pieces of Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Concorde Crush ribbon scraps and stuck them to a piece of card using sticky strip.  Ideally, I think a quilters wheel and cutting mat would ensure a clean crisp edges to the ribbons, but as my quilters wheel is a little rusty I used my guillotine - that was a little scary to cut with but eventually we got there. 

The little flower is a Fleurettes II (page 140) teamed together with a Pumpkin Pie button and a slither of Concorde Crush cardstock to represent the thread.

The card size is a little on the slim side - I've recently discovered the Small Open-End envelopes on Page 123 - have never noticed them before Convention (when we made the most lovely swap this size) - they are very cute.

Hope you are enjoying this Ribbon Bonanza and you are inspired ... hop along now to see what my lovely friend Di Dunk has been up to.

See you next week - have a great weekend.

Nikki

x

One on 1 Blog Hop - June Update

Its the 1st of July - that means it's One on 1 time.  Hello if you have arrived from Cherie's blog, lovely to welcome you to my little part of blogland.  If you are a regular reader, welcome too ... hop aboard you are in for a treat.

This month we had to get all 'arty' with our word.  To be honest with you, some of this was a little out of my comfort zone but I sat down and made myself complete the task in one sitting and yes ... I had fun.

We had to think about our word as we made our little canvases.  I've been struggling with a few things this month - nothing major just trying to keep myself focused on my goals, so this was good therapy for me.  I had a look through my stash for a few extra non Stampin' Up! things to use and spent two hours creating nine little works of art that are related to each other and individual at the same time.

The words Joy, Love and Create are reflecting the contentment I feel with the constant reminder of my word and its meaning for me during 2011.  I started this because every year I made New Year Resolutions and I never kept them - this year I started the OLW journey and now I make sure I do this hop every month to keep me focused on what I have set out to achieve.

The little saying 'Follow your heart for it knows the way' is just so true - whenever I listen to my 'instinct' ... 'gut reaction' or 'mother's intuition'  I am never wrong ... I know this path is right for me, does this work for you too?

I thought I'd show you the state of my desk by the time I had finished just for a smile - I know it is a small space but really, I ended up cleaning stamps on my lap - I had pulled everything out and didn't have anymore spare desk to clean the stamps on.  

This month has been a month of 'out of comfort zone moments' and I just know July will be too.   But I will follow my heart and I know it will lead me to where I want to be, and I'll keep trying to move from where I am comfortable into where I really want to be but am not brave enough to jump completely just yet - wish me luck!

And if you have any great ideas of how to shift from the weight loss plateau I have hit I'd love your tips - still 10 kgs lost - which is great ... but goodness me you'd think my body would have given up on holding onto the rest but nope - I'm stuck ... I'll beat it ... I know I will, but any tips would be gratefully received LOL

Have a great month doing whatever makes you happy.  Hop along now to visit Amanda's Blog to see how she has interpreted the task this month.

Come visiting again ...

Nikki

 

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

x

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

x

One on 1 Blog Hop - April Update

Yes a whole month has sped by and it is time once again for a OLW update.  You may have arrived from Lynne's blog, if you have hello and welcome; if you are a regular of this blog, hello .... time to be inspired by my fellow blog hoppers!

This month's task was to write a note to yourself - reflecting where you are now and where you would want to be one year from now.

I found it hard to write to myself .... not sure why, but as I am embarking on a year of change I am embracing all the monthly tasks and just 'not thinking too much .... just doing'.

I am enjoying the journey and love reading how everyone else is embracing their word and including it into their every day life .... being one third of the way through the year I am so pleased I started out on this journey.

Hop along now to Monica's blog for more inspiration and I hope to see you again next month.

Nikki

x

Autumn Winter Mini Blog Hop

Just what you need for a long weekend .... a blog hop.  You'll have arrived here from the lovely Di Dunk or perhaps you are just starting here ...Sit back and enjoy the inspirational posts in this month's hop - and then find yourself some time to create before its back to the grindstone on Wednesday :)

Mine's short and sweet this month - Easter for me is a time for Spring and daffodils, little lambs and baby chicks .... so I was inspired to make a card with blues and yellows.

Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight and Wild Wasabi - such lovely spring / summer colours.

The Hello Blossoms is from the a la carte range at the back of the Mini catalogue.  These stamps are great value for money and I will be using this one often - perfect for little notelets or letters to friends.

A close up of the stamped image - it is clearer in real life - the Melbourne sunshine was very bright today - and no I am not complaining!

I've also used the new embossing folder- Framed Tulips.  I don't there there is often a card or scrapbooking page where I don't get the Big Shot out - an investment for certainly worth it.  And of course the Lattice folder has also been used - this being a carry over from the Summer Mini.

Okay time to hop along - have a wonder Easter break with the ones that you love and stay safe.  My husband is home for five days so we have heaps planned including the dawn service in Melbourne on Monday for ANZAC day and of course an Easter egg hunt, mixed in with lots of fun and lots of chocolate and plenty of time spent with very good friends .... looking forward to many photo opportunities to keep me scrapping through May :)

Have fun visiting Christine Blain and see you soon.

Nikki

x

One Little Word - Blog Hop - March

Hello and welcome to this month's One on 1 blog hop - if you have arrived from Jamie's blog you'll know all about this month's task ... if not ... start here and just follow the links.

Ali Edwards writes that by the month of March one will often loose the focus of their word and I have to admit that had it not been for these monthly classes and this lovely blog hop organised by Margie ... I think I may have become a casualty. Thankfully, the class  has kept my OLW just where it needed to be - right in front of me!

This month we had to set ourselves a task.  So checking on my list of things to do for 2011 I chose to read more.  Last year I read three books ... all of them in January and I never touched another book all year.  I was even a member of a book club - still didn't make reading a regular part of my day.  With my husband now living in Sydney I thought this was one task I could complete.

Thanks to my lovely friend Tracy, here's the pile of books sitting on my bedside table - I started with Eat Pray Love and read the first ten pages before I set about trying to read The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo .... five pages in (and yes I know it is a good read but) ..... I then started on The Secret Lives of Dresses.  

I've kept the papers and journalling the same as the previous months - I really love this Love Letter paper from Stampin' Up! - so much so I've bought more to ensure I have enough to complete the whole album.

And the journalling reads:

Well its the 31st and I haven't achieved my task.  I've been going to bed later and later ... and then lying there for hours listening to the night time noises of my house.  To be fair, sleeping on my own after four years of Paul being at home is taking some getting used to, but I'll get used to it.  I did get to page 61 of Secret Lives of Dresses and I will finish it in April.

And I love the butterflies so these will also be a permanent feature too.

I'm also collecting quotes - love the one I've written on the side pocket - Change your thoughts and you'll change your world - how very true.

Now I couldn't send you on your way without reporting on in on my healthy living changes could I ... weight loss to date is now 7kgs - and I am walking walking walking ... clocking up over nearly 30kms every week.  Feeling so much better - will be time to go clothes shopping very soon :)

Thanks for visiting and I'll see you again next month I hope.  Off you hop to see what the lovely  Monica to see how she has interpreted the task this month.

Have a great month.

Nikki

x

ps - here's the list in case you get lost along the way - and thanks again Margie for being the organiser xx

 

Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog Amanda http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com Donna http://donnabryantdurand.blogspot.com Joy www.undiscoveredjoy.blogspot.com Jan http://mysimplelittlelife.typepad.com Jamie http://jmpgirl.blogspot.com/ Nikki http://www.inkyart.com.au Monica B2 www.questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com Stacey http://www.TheAcornGarden.com/blog Katrina http://k84mansramblings.blogspot.com/ Rebekah http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/ Monica http://scraplifters.blogspot.com/ Chrissy http://getcraftywithchrissy.blogspot.com/ Jill http://jillconyers.typepad.com/ Lisa http://makeyourownescape.blogspot.com Kathryn www.katlodesigns.com Jennifer www.studiojenn.blogspot.com Jen www.byjen.com Sam http://learncreatedo.wordpress.com/ Miranda http://mirandasscrapsite.blogspot.com Lynn www.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com Cynthia http://paperpapereverywhere.blogspot.com/ Cheri A http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com Deb http://blakleyhomeplace.blogspot.com Nicky www.seejanebake.blogspot.com Karen D http://womenontractors.blogspot.com/ Tina http://ryzmomplus2.typepad.com/my_weblog/ Kimberly http://foreverdaisies.blogspot.com/ Abbey http://athomewiththerichardsfamily.blogspot.com/ Julie Ann http://julieannshahin2.blogspot.com

 

 

Blog Hopping with a Sketch!

Another blog hop, this time a group of us have got together and we each have the same sketch .... wonder what we will all come up with?

You may have arrived from the wonderful Amy Buchanan's site or you may be starting here - you know the drill .... its a hop so grab a cuppa and jump on board to be inspired by one very talent bunch of lovely ladies .... a reminder of the sketch:

And my contribution to the hop - a scrapbooking page of my lovely mother-in-law.  We 'think' Pauline is about 18 years old,(she's in her late 70s now and I can tell you that because she doesn't read my blog so I am safe LOL),  she looks so lovely, almost majestic, it is my most favourite photo of her.

I've used the soon to be gone Sale-a-bration set Bliss - the colours I chose were Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Cake Crumb and Cherry Cobbler.

I created the background by stamping the flourish in Cake Crumb, then the butterfly in Cherry Cobbler.  To get the faded image I stamped off onto scrap paper five times before I stamped the images onto my cardstock.  I then used the Spritzer tool with a Soft Suede marker to  add more texture and some sponging around the edges.

The patterned paper is from the neutrals paper pack - this I have wet a little with water and rolled the edges around a kebab skewer ... just wanted to roll the edges a little.  This paper was also lightly sponged and spritzed here and there.  

The paper in the middle is a piece of the soon to retire Speciality cardstock - love this stuff and haven't used or shown nearly enough of it .... its so cool, here I have again sponged and spritzed.

Another retiring product (sniff sniff) is the lovely lace which I have embellished with little adhesive pearls and a floral fusion flower.  I cut these using the Big Shot, and then scrunched them up so that I could separate the layers of cardstock to make some vintage-y embellishments.

Finally a close up of the photo - this is a photo of the original which hangs in Paul's mother's hallway - everytime we visit she reminds me that a long time ago some of her son's friends thought it was a picture of the queen - I love the story and I hope one day to hear it again ... and once I have the dates I'll document it to go with this page so that my children and their children can see what a beautiful grandmother / great grandmother they have.

Right time to hop along to the lovely Di Dunk - she is sure to have something that will inspire all of us.

Pop back next week for the final examples using the fabulous free Sale-a-bration sets together with the final few days of the Summer Mini goodies.

Til then

Happy Stampin!

Nikki

x