Quick n' cute!

Hello, me again! Two posts in one week, I must be having a sudden rush of blood to the head. Just a quick post to share a mega cute card with you. I have been playing around trying to devise a card suitable for both boys and girls for our upcoming Inkydivas Stamp-a-stacK. (You can find the details here if you are interested). Anyway I was inspired by the incredibly talented Heather (Stamp with Heather) to have a go at this too cute little monkey she created with punches. You can see Heather's video tutorial here.

I had to adapt a little as we don't have the three hearts punch here in Oz yet, so I used the 3 flower punch and trimmed one for the hands and feet instead. What do you think? Is it too fiddly for a Stamp-a-stacK group? Would love to hear your thoughts, please leave a comment and let me know you stopped by.

Claire

Two for you ...

Hey there everybody. Too busy for Kristina's colour challenge this week. We had our first Christmas Club on Friday night. It was a great success, really fun and casual, everyone went home with four cards they were very pleased with. We still have a couple of spots remaining, so if you live in southern Tassie, and you would like to come along each 3rd Friday of the month to hang out with a great bunch of ladies and make some gorgeous projects - email me. candpharrison@activ8.net.au

The first thing I have to share today is the first scrapping layout I have done in a *very* long time. I just seem to be caught up in making cards all the time these days, since I became an SU demo. So, in a bid to revive my scrapping mojo I have embarked on an online journalling course. Awesome, amazing and incredibly inspirational would be the words I would use to describe it, four weeks in. The course is called Journalling 101, if you would like to check it out, go here.

Here is my layout for the week 1 assignment, a bit late, but - better late than never! We were challenged to create a layout that told the story of a regular event, the ordinary story. I chose to scrap my little guy's 10th birthday, which happened recently.

Project recipe:

Stamps: Non SU Foam Alphabet Stamps, Short and Sweet

Inks: Real Red

Cardstock: Brilliant Blue 12x12 textured, East Coast Prep DSP, Real Red, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi and More Mustard

Accessories: On Board Lots of Letters, Sponges, Stamp & Write Journaller. Markers, Star Punches, 1/4 " circle punch, Eastern Blooms rub-ons (retired) other rubons.

The second project I have to share was inspired by a tutorial by Michelle Zindorf - you can try the tutorial yourself here . I love my Voila stamp set, but it hasn't seen ink for a while. I went back to Michelle's tutorials to refresh myself on another technique and saw her card. I just *had* to make one! Here's my version;

Project recipe:

Stamps: Voila and Voila a la carte

Inks: Basic Black, So Saffron, Old Olive, Always Artichoke

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumkin Pie

Accessories: sponges, brayer, markers, ribbon, brads

Techniques: Masking

Thanks so much for dropping by. Please leave a comment, it is so nice to know who has visited.

Claire

Victorian Bushfire Appeal

So many people have been affected by the tragic bushfires that hit Victoria (Australia) last week. Living in a country where the climate can be so harsh, bushfires are a constant danger, but no-one could have anticipated the horror of the weekend before last. With such a small national population, most of us know someone who has been directly affected by the disaster. Everyone wants to help, and the fundraising to date has been both awe inspiring and incredibly humbling. But there is still more work to be done.

As a company with heart, Stampin' Up! is doing it's part in the fundraising effort. We, the stamping, scrapping and papercrafting community can do something to help, by supporting SU's fundraising campaign. SU is helping the Australian Red Cross in their efforts to support those affected as they pick up the pieces and begin again.

Here's how you can contribute:

From now until 31 March 2009, Stampin' Up! will donate 50% of the retail value of all sales from a select group of 10 stamp sets to the Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfires 2009 Appeal. I will also add my 20% commission to the donation.

This means that 70% of the purchase price (not just the profit) of the stamp sets listed below, will go directly to the Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfires 2009 Appeal.

Here is a list of the bushfire appeal stamp sets.

Stamp Set, Item Number, Pg in Catalogue, Price

Priceless, 112312, 105, $48.95

Seeing Spots, 112380, 89, $39.95

Baroque Motifs, 112380, 98, $39.95

Live Your Dream, 114261, 3, $55.95

(summer mini catalogue)

Looks Like Spring* , 108864, 76, $58.95

The Snowflake Spot*, 108934, 27, $39.95

Bodacious Boquet*, 108756, 80, $58.95

Polka Dots and Paisley*, 110247, 46, $35.95

G'day Mate,* 111937, 115, $35.95

Be Happy*, 108744, 51, $39.95

*The sets in blue will appear on the upcoming list of retiring products, so they will only be available for a the Bushfire Appeal, while supplies last. These are expected to be very popular.

If you would like to support this worthy appeal, please email me at candpharrison@activ8.net.au

Unfortunately I am not able to sell stamp sets to the international visitors to my blog, if you have seen the footage on TV. If these people's plights have touched your hearts, please click on the link here, to donate directly, on line to the Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

For those of you who would still like to do more, please visit Rainbows by Robin, for links to card appeals, and thank you cards for the CFA (community fire fighters).

Thank you for your support.

Claire

Always Valentines

Hello! A couple of new projects to share with you. Both use Kristina Werner's colour inspiration for this week, though the first was a fluke! (I had to substitute Real Red for Riding Hood Red as we don't have it here in Oz – yet!)

I recently caught up with an old friend. (We have known each other since pre-school. He's more like a brother than a friend, we seem to spend a lot of time just stirring each other up!) He has just returned from a stint living in Scotland with his Scottish partner (whom he met in Sydney). Anyway, whilst they were away, they decided to get married at beautiful Loch Ness (who wouldn't if the opportunity presented itself?!) Unfortunately Nessie has not made an appearance in any of the wedding photos L. To cut a long story short, the beautiful bride was admiring the wine glass charms I made for my Mum a few years ago. So I decided to make her some as a little, and belated, wedding gift. Here is the box,

and on the inside,

By fluke they used this week's Kristina Werner colour inspiration! Having made this little project, I decided that I loved the colour combo, and the way the hearts from the Always stamp set look when they are embossed in black. So I made a Valentine/Anniversary card for my hubby. (Yes our wedding anniversary is on Valentine's Day – how romantic!) Here it is.

Project Recipes:

Stamps: Always, Paisley Background, So Many Sayings (hostess)

Cardstock: Real Red, Basic Black, Basic Grey, Whisper White

Inks: Versa Mark, Basic Black, Real Red Marker

Accessories: Ribbon, Buttons, Word Window punch, Embossing Powders – white, black and clear, White Gel pen, non SU wine charm wires, beads and charms

Techniques: Embossing, Out of the box (on the card)

Thanks for stopping by, please leave a comment, I would love to hear what you think.
Claire

Puppy Love

Another Kristina Werner colour inspiration to share with you, using these colours.



It's been a couple of weeks since I have been able to play along, and once again my card took on a life of its own! I sat down with my stamps thinking that these colours might work well for the generic child card I need to design for our upcoming Stamp-a-stacK. (You can find the details here). However, thanks to the inspiration provided by Stamphappy1650 on Splitcoast Stampers, the card evolved into something far too elaborate for a Stamp-a-stacK! I really like the principle though and may modify it for the Christmas Club group. I used paper piecing on the ute, I haven't done this much but I think I will experiment with it some more!

Card Recipe: (All products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise mentioned)

Stamps: Loads of Love, Greetings Galore, So Many Sayings (Level 1 Hostess set)

Cardstock: More Mustard, Spring Showers DSP, Taken with Teal, Whisper White, East Coast Prep DSP, Bali Breeze DSP

Accessories: Markers, Blender Pen, Stamp-a-majig, 1 3/8 circle punch, 1 ¼ circle punch, Jumbo Eyelet, Old Olive Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by. Would love to hear what you think!

Claire

Inkydivas Class Schedule 2009

Inkydivas 2009

Hello, we're back for 2009.

I bet you were wondering when we were going to get our act together. Well with school heading back soon, and quality family time under our belts, we are feeling rested and relaxed and ready to STAMP! We hope you are too.

Our class formats are undergoing a few changes this year, after some constructive feedback from some wonderful stampers last year.

Christmas Club

So you thought you would be ready for Christmas last year? Cards all stamped and ready to send by the end of November – NOT!!! Well, this year we are here for you, this year we will help you have all your Christmas craft projects prepared well ahead of time. Join our Christmas Club and create 2 projects each month, from February to November – now that's organized!!

When: Every third Friday of the month, commencing Friday 20^th February

Where: Lynda's house in Tolmans Hill (details provided on registration). Refreshments provided, please bring a plate of supper to share.

Time: 7pm for a 7.30pm start

What: 2 Christmas projects. This month we will be making four Christmas cards, 2 each of 2 designs.

Cost: $15 per session payable one month in advance. A full refund will be given for cancellations with 2 weeks notice. After this time, cancelled places will receive project packs to complete at home.

To join our Christmas Club please contact Lynda or Claire, by February 10^th 2009. Samples of our projects for February will be posted on http://inkydivas.blogspot.com/ Places are strictly limited so get your name down FAST!

Technique Junkies Club

Love learning new techniques? Like to extend the versatility of your stamps? Technique Junkies is for you. Join this club and learn two new techniques every month. You will create a Techniques booklet, with detailed instructions for each technique with a sample, and also create a project using that technique. By the end of the year you will have built up a wonderful resource to keep and use over and over again.

Membership of this club will cost $10 to cover the cost of creating your Techniques booklet.

When: Every first Friday of the month, commencing March 6^th

Where: Lynda's home in Tolmans Hill (details provided upon registration). Refreshments provided, please bring a plate of supper to share.

Time: 7pm for a 7.30pm start

What: Learn two new techniques, with detailed instructions and a sample for your book. Cement your learning by creating a project using each of your new techniques.

Cost: $10 membership fee (once only). $15 per Techniques Junkies class, payable one month in advance. A full refund will be given with 2 weeks notice. After this date, project packs will be provided to complete at home.

Spaces are strictly limited, so contact Claire or Lynda, by 20^th February 2009 to book your spot! Check our blog for samples of some of the techniques we will be teaching, http://inkydivas.blogspot.com/

But wait! There's more ...

Every six weeks, or so, we are hoping to offer a full day Stamp Camp course. These stamp camps will sometimes cover techniques, 3d projects and other items of interest. On these days there will (usually) be four projects to create and take home, with detailed instructions.

The first Stamp Camp for 2009 will take place on 7^th or 8^th of March 2009 (to be confirmed) and will take the form of a NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION STAMP-A-STACK. Start the New Year as you mean to continue it, with a gorgeous batch of hand stamped cards to wow your friends and family, and show them how much you care. You will create 12 cards, 3 each of 4 different designs, such as Male, Child, Female etc

When: 7^th or 8^th March 2009 (to be confirmed)

Where: Lynda's house in Tolmans Hill (details provided on registration). Refreshments and morning or afternoon tea provided.

What: New Year's Resolution Stamp-a-StacK. 12 cards, 3 each of 4 different designs

Time: We anticipate the projects will take up to 2 ½ hours to complete. There will be two start times available 9.30am and 2pm.

Cost: $25 payable on registration. Registrations close on 20^th February. Cancellations after this date will receive project kits to complete at home.

Don't forget to check out our blog http://inkydivas.blogspot.com/ for more information and samples of the projects on offer.

To book a place in one of our Clubs or for the Stamp-a-StacK, please contact your demonstrator:

Claire Harrison: candpharrison@activ8.net.au

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

XX

PS The Inkydivas gratefully acknowledge the work of other stampers who share their work on the web. We hope that you will see it as a compliment if we CASE your work for our classes. Thanks!

A CASE card

Hello again,

Back at work last week, so not much time to create. However, as my collaboration with Lynda Moss (StampInkins) is about to kick off for 2009, I have spent a bit of time combing the web looking for ideas for class cards. Keep an eye out here, or on our Inkydivas blog for class details, if you are living in Southern Tasmania.

One of the classes we will be running regularly throughout the year is a Christmas Club, so that our club members can build up their supply of handmade cards and gifts gradually, instead of in a big rush in November, December. You can contact us via links from our Inkydivas blog, if you are interested in joining up.

Whilst looking for ideas for this class, I came across this card, and I just had to CASE it.

Here is my version.

I am sooo hoping that the Season of Joy set is in the new catty in April! The next couple of months are going to be very busy I think, with Inkydivas up and running again, the retired list coming out in March, and of course a brand new catalogue to drool over in April! Lots to look forward to… lots to share!

Card recipe: (All products used are Stampin'Up! unless otherwise stated)

Stamps: Season of Joy (Spring Mini)

Cardstock: Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Vellum

Ink: Real Red, Wild Wasabi

Acessories: Jumbo eyelets, Ice Rhinestone brads

Thanks for dropping by. I love to hear your comments.

Claire