HAPPY DANCE!!

Hello again. Well as the post title suggests there was one day this week that called for a Happy Dance! I arrived home Wednesday to once again be disappointed that my pre-order of goodies from the new Stampin' Up! Autumn/Winter min had failed to appear. I consoled myself by getting on line and booking my spot at Stampin' Up! convention this year. Whilst I have been a demo for 3 years now, this is the first time I have been to convention and I am very much looking forward to it :)

So, whilst I am on the computer, there is a knock at the door and my parcel postie arrives with 2 big boxes of pre-order YAY! (He must have been working overtime this week). Perched on top of the two big boxes is an express post package - what could it be?

Master 11 insists that we open this one first and inside I find a completely gorgeous set of goodies from my new Secret Sister! Here is what I received:

Two gorgeous cards, this one using very clever masking and sponging


and this one using my absolute favourite Stampin' Up! colours, Chocolate Chip and Riding Hood Red and my favourite elephant from the Animal Stories stamp set. (I will be very sad when this one retires at the end of the month, I hope it will be ressurected in the new catalogue come September!)

There was also a beautiful pull out box (again decorated with elephants!) containing a box of curry for me to try - I looove a good curry!


closed ....
and open









But wait! That's not all! And I think by now you may notice the trend that is emerging here... There was also a too cute trinket box, decorated with... you guessed it - elephants!! I think my Secret sister took me seriously when I mentioned in my questionnaire
that " a girl can never have too many elephants"! Here it is closed, check out the fabulous rouched ribbons. And another pic with it open, inside you can see my secret sister's thoughtful gift of Jumbo rivets, jumbo eyelets, Twill tape and buttons.












So thanks so much Secret Sister for making an already fab day into an extra special Happy Dance day!

Thanks for stopping by. Till next time.

Claire

Just Add Ink 7 Re-Run!

Ok, so I had all the stuff on my desk still from yesterday's entry into the Just Add Ink colour challenge see here to enter. I wasn't completely happy with yesterday's effort, so I thought I would continue to play with the same sketch (Mojo Monday 128) and colours and see what I could come up with. So here is plan B (lol!)

The colours just "work" a little better for me this time.

Sorry the photo is not so great, it is bucketing rain here in Tassie today, after a very hot weekend, so I had to take the pic indoors with a flash. But you get the idea ...

Project Recipe:

Stamps: Razzle Dazzle (Summer mini)

Inks: Pink Passion, Versa Mark

Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Pink Passion, Whisper White

Other: So Saffron ribbon, White Gel Pen, Markers

OK, so, leave me a comment and let me know which one you prefer!

Till next time, thanks for dropping by.

Claire

Out of my comfort zone!

Hello again! Making the most of the long weekend to grab a little extra crafty time. Today I pushed the envelope a little and took on this week's Just Add Ink 7 Challenge. It is a colour challenge, and the colours are definitely ones I find *scary*! See what you think, you can enter and check out the other entries here.

I just couldn't get my head around them. So I went looking for a sketch to inspire me, and happened upon the Mojo Monday sketch for this week 128. It's an incredibly popular challenge and you can check out the entries and challenge yourself here.

I love the Mojo sketches because they are so very detailed.

So, armed with my sketch and my colour scheme, it was then quite a simple task to choose an appropriate stamp set and come up with a card. Here it is - still a bit afraid of the colours, I keep wanting to reach for my sunnies lol! But then it wouldn't be a challenge if it was easy...

I would love to know whether you think I was successful in my trip into the "colour twilight zone" and my use of the sketch.

Project Recipe:

Stamps: Embrace Life

Inks: Basic Brown, Tempting Turquoise, Pink Passion, Green Galore, Whisper White, Versa Mark

Cardstock: Green Galore, Pink Passion, Kraft, Tempting Turquoise, Windsor Knot DSP

Other: White Gel Pen, Aquapainter, Circle Scissor Plus (how easy is that thing to use!!), Bold Brights Brads

Technique: Watercolouring

Thanks for stopping by. See you next time!

Claire

Candy Lane Creation

Hiya! Back at last - where did that month go to?

I am in a fever of anticipation at the moment as my pre-order of products (including the wonderful bigshot) has left the Stampin' Up! warehouse in Sydney and is wending it's way painfully slowly (in my opinion, lol) to Tassie. For the first time in my life I am actually disappointed it is a public holiday on Monday (no mail - torture!)

Anyway, I have been keeping myself busy in the meantime so I have a too cute little box to share with you today. The inspiration for this box was provided by a fellow SU demo Sonia Garbutt, you can check out her fab creation here, don't forget to check out the rest of her creations whilst you are visiting. Sonia was also kind enough to provide a link to the instructions, so if you would like to try one of these gorgeous boxes yourself, visit Andrea Lowcock here and print out her template.

Here 'tis closed




And open


And a close up of the gorgeous Candy Lane Designer Series Paper flower on the belly band.





Project Recipe:

Stamps: Razzle Dazzle, Fresh Cuts

Inks: Close to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette

Other: Candy Lane DSP, Circle Fire Rhinestone Brad, Curly Label Punch

Hope you like my pretty little box. Leave me a comment, it's always great to know who stopped by.

Until next time,

Claire

A challenging latte

Don't faint! I'm back again...

I just had to scoot back and share with you a card I made for a challenge. I have been enjoying watching the growth of a brand new Aussie challenge blog Just Add Ink. They have an amazing design team - many of whom were already in my blog favourites. The best part (for me) is that two of the DT are Tassie girls - go Tassie! It's great to see girls from our little island attracting national and international attention.

I had a few thank you cards to make so I figured I would push myself a little and try this weeks's challenge in my card design. It is a sketch challenge, my favourite kind. I also went with a softer more girly colour combo than I do usually.

Here is my entry for JAI3

Project Recipe: (All items used are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise stated)

Stamps: Sip by Sip

Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, Versa Mark

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Pink Pirouette Ribbon, Button Latte button, Hemp Twine, Sponge Daubers

Non SU: Versa Marker

Technique: Emboss Resist

Don't forget to get on over to Just Add Ink and check out the challenge yourself if you would like to enter. Otherwise soak up the inspiration on offer.

Thanks for stopping by, I would love to know what you think of my entry.

Cheers

Claire

A Fantastic Tall Tale!

Hi again.

I've just popped back to share the project that I made at a Workshop on Saturday - waving to you Christine! Christine and her pals have been with Stampin' Up! longer than I have, and I was so lucky they chose to find a local demo again, when theirs moved to Queensland. We have had some great fun crafting together in the last couple of years, so when Christine booked another workshop I knew I had to find something a little bit challenging for them to do!

I searched through my favourite resources and came across this box by Stampin' Terri, which I have been meaning to make for ages. I downloaded her fab tutorial and had a go, replacing her chipboard panels with ones cut from the heavy card you find in the backs of packs of Stampin' Up!'s designer series papers - waste nothing!

Here is the one I made with the ladies on Saturday. The first one I made I filled with goodies and gave to Christine as a hostess gift.

The inside

The outside

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

Stamps: Polka Dot background

Inks: Rose Red

Cardstock: Pacific Point, Rose Red Textured

Other: Tall Tales DSP, brad

Non SU: Tissue paper for flower embellishment on box top

Well, thanks for stopping by. If you like my Fantasy Box leave me a comment and let me know!

Cheers Claire

Inkydivas are BACK for 2010

Hello everyone, thanks for stopping by my blog - between computer troubles and school holidays there hasn't been a lot going on here!

I've just called in to let you know that, due to poplular demand, my friend and colleague Lynda Moss and I will again be running our Inkydivas classes this year. Here is what we have in store:

Technique Junkies Club

A group for those who wish to learn how to extend the use of their stamps and inks. Each week we will demonstrate two new techniques, participants will receive full instructions to place in their techniques book and create a sample and a project using the techniques. Last year we looked at techniques such as Emboss Resist, Faux Metal, Fossil Stone etc.

When: First Friday of each Month (except February, the first class will be Friday February 12th)

Where: Lyndas home in Tolmans Hill, Tasmania (full details provided upon registration)

Time: 7pm for a 7.30pm start

Cost: $15 per week (plus $10 at the first class if you require a Techniques Booklet)

Bring: A basic craft tool kit, i.e. double sided tape and/or tape runner, pencil, ruler, scissors and a plate of supper to share. An email will be sent out before each class of any special requirements.

Christmas Club

Get a head start on your Christmas Cards this year! Be prepared early and take the stress out of November. This club allows you to do just that. Each month we will create 4 Christmas Cards, 2 each of 2 different designs, or occasionally a packaging or gift idea.

When: Third Friday of each month commencing Friday 19th February

Where: Lynda's home in Tolmans Hill (full details will be provided upon registration)

Time: 7pm for a 7.30pm start

Cost: $15

Bring: A basic craft tool kit i.e. a tape runner and or/double sided tape, pencil, ruler, scissors and a plate of supper to share. An email will be sent out before each class of any special requirements.

Stamp-a-StacK

Once again we are starting our Stamp Camp schedule with a "New Year's Resolution Stamp-a stacK". Did you promise yourself that this year you would be organised and not buy any Birthday or Occasion cards? Then this event is for you, come along and stamp a pile of gorgeous handmade greeting cards that you can put away to pull out when you need one.

When: There will be two sessions (both the same) Saturday 20th February and Sunday 21st February 2010

Where: Lynda's home in Tolmans Hill Tasmania (full details will be provided on registration and receipt of payment)

What: Create 12 gorgeous hand stamped cards, 3 each (in different colour ways) of male, female, boy and girl

Cost: $40 (This includes all supplies needed to create all 12 cards except adhesive, and afternoon tea)

Time: 1.30pm sharp

What to bring: A basic craft kit - scissors, adhesive (i.e. snail and/or double sided tape) ruler, pencil etc and your own mug.

Here is a sneak peek at some of what we have designed for you!

Boy

Female

All of these classes were incredibly popular last year, so if you are in Southern Tassie and would like to attend book early to avoid disappointment!

To register: Contact your Inkydiva Claire or Lynda as soon as possible, places are strictly limited and will only be confirmed on receipt of payment.

We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Cheers

Claire