JAI#41 - Just Add Birthday!

There is always someone needing to find inspiration to create a card or gift for someone's birthday so why not pop on over to the Just Add Ink blog this week and get some inspiration from the Design Team or the other entries that will flow in for this week's challenge --- to just add 'birthday'!

Here is my entry for this week, a gift box and matching card:

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Tiny Tags
Cardstock/Paper: Poppy Parade textured cardstock, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, So Saffron
Ink: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Poppy Parade
Accessories: Big Shot, Fancy Favor Bigz XL Die, Poppy Parade 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon, Jewelry Tag Medium Punch, Two-Step Bird Extra Large Punch, Silver Brad, Basic Pearls, Sticky Strip, Snail Adhesive

Inside the box I put some yummy chocolates and a couple of English Breakfast teabags for my friend to enjoy!


Here is a closeup of the flower centres which I embelished with the Basic Pearls...


I hope you can will join in with the challenge this week and make someone's birthday bright and happy!! Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Best Blog Friends Forever Award

Today I not only received the latest Stampin' Up! Impressions magazine (just for demonstrators - interested in becoming one then click here for more details) in the mail but I also received with it my complimentary copy of the soon-to-be-released Summer Mini Catalogue (which will run from 1 December 2010 - 31 March 2011)! This mini is filled from front to back with delicious new Stampin' Up! products! If you would like to receive your own personal copy as soon as it is released then send me an email today to be sure you are on my mailing list!

Then I also received this complementary blog award from a SU! friend, fellow blogger and fellow Just Add Ink Design Team member, Tania Gould:


Thanks Tania this was such a pleasure to receive today. I want to pass this on to the following 8 lovely ladies:

- Tania Gould (back at ya baby!)
- Delys Cram
- Bronwyn Eastley
- Claire Harrison
- Nicole Batchelor
- Gardenia Pepworth
- Danielle Daws
- Anne Brignall

I know many of these ladies have also received this award but that truly reflects what blogging friends these ladies are to me and others!

Z-Fold cards

Here is a picture of some Z-fold cards I made recently. These are so easy to make and you have no wastage from one sheet of A4 cardstock, which makes two unique cards. They fit comfortably in a DL size envelope which is good for postage costs as well.

I have made these previously and you can see a step-by-step tutorial here on an earlier post.

Stamps: Friends Never Fade
Cardstock/Paper: Greenhouse Gala DSP, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Stampin' Dimensionals

If you have made any of these cards I would love to see them, so please leave a comment on this post and include a link to your images. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Christmas Stamp-a-Stack samples

I have been feeling rather tired lately and it has been hard to even motivate myself to craft, however, I did manage to get my make and takes organised for my upcoming stamp workshop on Sunday (tomorrow, started this post a couple of days ago!) and I also started putting together my samples for my upcoming Christmas Stamp-a-Stack (SAS). I started making some of these before my actual order of stock for my Christmas SAS arrived on Friday and so there are a few changes that will be made to those made on the actual day.

Here are the four designs that those attending my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack will be making, three of each design, so a total of 12 Christmas cards! I also have to acknowledge that these are not my original designs but I have CASED cards that I have seen in blog-land and always wanted to make, so I will aim to give credit to those who inspired these.

Dasher
(inspired by Roanne - sorry can't find the blog/image link)

Christmas Tree
(inspired by Teneale Williams - can't find the actual card again on her blog!)

Snow Swirled

(Inspired by Leonie Schroder - she embossed Silver on Night of Navy, I embossed White on Concord Crush)

Contempo Christmas
(Inspired by Nicole Derendorf - I enjoyed using my new Stampin' Glitter Fine Cosmo)

The two middle cards used my retired stock of White Organdy Ribbon but the actual SAS cards will have White Taffeta Ribbon.

I now just have to get myself organised and type up my step-by-step instruction sheet for each card as well as pre-cut all the required cardstock, ribbons, rhinestone embelishments etc. As well as make my individual gifts for each attendee. I hope those who will be coming enjoy making these cards as much as I have getting them prepared for the event.

My morning session is BOOKED OUT but I do have a few spaces left in the evening 7 pm session if anyone is in my area (southern Tasmania) and wants to email me for details or check out my post on my next monthly stamp class for more details on the Christmas Stamp-a-Stack!

Thanks for stopping by and thanks to the ladies who have inspired me to put ink to cardstock and for these great inspirational cards!

Happy Mail...

Last week I received in the mail (amongst the bills) a few small parcels from some of the Just Add Ink girls who were participating in a ribbon share --- a great way to get a sample of all the colours! Then I can order a full spool of the ribbon/s that I use the most without wasting too much money and having too much ribbon on hand --- but who can have too much ribbon!

What I was really excited to receive in one of these parcels was a sample of the beautiful scallop cards that Bronwyn has been making and displaying on her blog --- check them out here!

This is the one she sent me, they are so beautiful and I now need to get the scallop die so that I too can have a go at these, I already have that stamp set and have not yet put ink to it!

Sorry Bronwyn that my photography skills do not do this card justice! Thank you so much for sending this to me. Bronwyn also has an easy step-by-step tutorial on her blog here so you can have a go at making one yourself, have fun!

Christmas Cocoa Specialty DSP

If you have looked closely at my previous post about the 'Dress Up Christmas' promotion where you can earn FREE ribbon from the following:

Then you would have noticed that in the Welcome Christmas Bundle there is a NEW designer series paper (DSP) pack - Christmas Cocoa Specialty DSP - which is not found in the current catalogue!

Click here to see a PDF document that pictures the actual paper!

This is pack is different to the usual packs (which have 2 sheets each of 6 double-sided designs). You will still receive 12 sheets in total - 2 sheets each of 4 double-sided designs and 2 sheets each of 2 single-sided designs which are also FLOCKED!!

This means they have a raised textured pattern -- ooohh nice extra dimension for cards, embelishments or gift wrapping!

Email me today to place your order for this delicious bundle or one of the other three on offer and receive FREE your choice of ribbon - how nice is that pre-Christmas?

Dress Up Christmas

Create beautiful packaging to fit any Christmas gift with exclusive products from Stampin' Up!®

This Christmas season there are two ways to get FREE exclusive ribbon:

1. Get one spool of ribbon when you purchase a Christmas gift-giving bundle (see details below).
2. Get one spool of ribbon when you host a $550 (AUD) workshop!

CHRISTMAS GIFT-GIVING BUNDLES:

Description	Wood Mount Item	Wood Mount Price	Clear Mount Item	Clear Mount Price
Gifted Bundle Gifted Set and Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper	124041	$66.90	124042	$56.90
Welcome Christmas Bundle Welcome Christmas Set and Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper	124045	$69.90	124046	$59.90
Season of Joy Bundle Season of Joy Set and So Swirly Stampin' Around Wheel	124043	$67.90	---	---
Delightful Decorations Bundle Delightful Decorations Set and Ornament Punch	124044	$72.90	---	---

* Bundles and ribbons available while stocks last


Choose from these ribbons:

Description	Item	Retail Value	Cost with qualifying purchase/workshop
Mistletoe Ribbon Originals	116792	$21.95	FREE
Sleigh Bells Ribbon	116795	$15.95	FREE
Riding Hood Red 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon	113099	$19.95	FREE
Real Red 3/4" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon	115608	$19.95	FREE

There is no limit to the number of bundles you can purchase and for each additional bundle you may choose another spool of ribbon.

Click the image below to download the promotional flyer!
Contact me today to purchase a Christmas bundle and receive your FREE ribbon or to book a workshop!

JAI#39

Last week we had a challenged for Breast Cancer Awareness and this week it is something that is just as important beyondblue - a national initiative to provide information and referral to services for depression and anxiety related matters. I think most people at sometime in their life suffers some sort of depression or anxiety and it is the support and encouragement of those around them that often make all the difference.

Therefore, when you join in this week's Just Add Ink challenge to 'Just Add...Blue' think of someone that you can perform a RAK for with your entry. RAK stands for 'random act of kindness' and sending your card on to someone just to let them know you are thinking about them or better still pop in to visit them and give it to them personally. We need to stop sometimes in our busy lives and just spend some time with those who mean something to us or to even share a smile with a stranger can have an impact on their lives!

I was given a 'Positively Pooh' book once and I love some of the little sayings in there: 'doing nothing with your friends is the best thing in the world', 'try singing to warm your soul' and 'there's always someone who can help'.

Here is my entry for this week's challenge and it sure cheered me up making it and I will send my card on to someone so they know that someone is thinking of them.


Don't you just love those owls! Our new Owl Punch is so cute and easy to use, here is a close-up...


I hope you have found some cheer today by visiting my blog and don't forget to join in this week's challenge at Just Add Ink and let someone else know that you are thinking of them. Have a lovely day everyone and keep smiling!

Sneak Peak!

I know I have been slack with updating my blog lately but things just seem to be taking my time in other directions at the moment and I keep forgetting to photograph items I have been making lately for other purposes before sending them on, I will try to remember!

Anyway here is a sneak peak of my Design Team entry that will be the next challenge released this Friday on the Just Add Ink blog...


If you haven't had the opportunity to play in the current challenge it is open until midnight tonight, you still have time! It is to raise awareness for breast cancer and so of course the challenge is to "Just Add Bling...and Pink!", something that fits the theme well.

Anyway, I am off to bed now as I am working 9 to 5 tomorrow and I have a stamp workshop with a group of lovely ladies tomorrow night - ~waving to you all~! We did 'kissing' at the last workshop so we are moving on to 'thumping' tomorrow, doesn't that sound interesting. If you want to know what this is really about, consider booking a stamp workshop with me!

Family Reunion

My family (the Huisman side) is having a reunion in November to celebrate my father's 75th birthday and just to be able to get together as a whole family which doesn't happen very often - there is atleast 34 of us (if you don't count my two cousins and their families if they are able to come)! We are spread not only across Tasmania, from the North West Coast to the South, but also over on the mainland in Victoria. As a momento of the occasion my father asked me to make some invitations (which I have yet to post to everyone!) but am going to share a preview here on my blog as I haven't shared anything craft wise for a little while now.

I finally got around to putting ink to my All in the Family stamp set and making replica's of each family on their invitation. Here is a group shot of the invitations...


And here are a couple of individual cards depicting a couple of the families. I wonder if anyone who knows my family recognises this first group?


And another one, but this family is missing one person who will receive their own individual family card as they are now their own family unit having recently gotten married!


For those of my family who visit my blog I promise to get these in the post this week!

This project not only required patience but also my handy Stamp-a-ma-jig to align the heads and limbs with the bodies etc. A thank you to my friend Jody-ann for spurring me on with getting these together as I had the idea in my head but hadn't actually gotten around to completing the task, thanks!

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Cherry On Top Award

I have been a slack blogger of late, so I am not sure I really deserve this award but thanks to Tania Gould who awarded me the Cherry On Top Award as she believes I am a beautiful blogger!


It is so nice to know that many out there find inspiration from or enjoy visiting my blog whether it be as a regular follower (you can join by clicking the link on the right-hand sidebar), an occasional stalker or just a one time visitor! It is also nice to receive comments from visitors on what you find here and what you would like to see more of.

Anyway back to how this award goes, I need to share 3 things about myself (and I will try to include things you may not already know) and then I need to pass the award on to 5 other beautiful bloggers out in the blog world.

About me:

1. I am afraid of dogs yet I allowed my daughter to get one a few years back (Chloe, who is doing well after her eye operation recently) and who is now very much a part of our family - although she hasn't cured me of my fear!
2. I was a Volunteer Ambulance Officer for about 7 years in our local community, but not any more, and I still can't watch an injection happening to me or any other person!
3. I am better at planning or organising things than actually doing them!
   

Five other beautiful bloggers:

1. Leonie Schroder
2. Kirsty Brown
3. Amy Buchanan
4. Ann Wills
5. Sarah Klass

There are so many beautiful bloggers out there but I have only selected 5 as per the award guidelines.

I am currently experiencing the third point that I shared with you about myself, I have lots of ideas and things happening in my head, but I just don't seem to be finding those coming to fruition at my craft desk! I am not producing any of the things I want to or should be doing!

Hopefully by attending a scrapbooking crop night with new found friends this Thursday I can find that inspiration coming back - let's wait and see!

Just Add Ink #37

Last week's sketch challenge was a very popular one with lots of absolutely wonderful creations - so much inspiration - and so difficult to just pick the top 5!

This week Just Add Ink brings you another colour challenge and when I first saw it I immediately thought of my stamps in the Nature category of my SU! catalogue - this is the colour combo...

Here's my contribution using the Every Moment stamp set we received at SU! Regionals held in Launcestion recently...


Watercolouring is something I am still developing, I just don't seem to have the flair of others, including our very talented design team member Danielle Daws.

What I also like about SU! is the great Idea Book & Catalogue we have, which is full of wonderful projects and inspiration when the mojo is lacking! On page 72, where you will see this stamp set featured, you will see a card that I have taken elements from to create my own card.

Hop on over to Just Add Ink to check out the other fabulous creations made by some of the Design Team with this colour combo and while you are there have a go for yourself! Most of all have fun!