Summer Picnic Previous Makeover

Hello there once again! I am finally going to enter my first online challenge by joining in on Andrea Walford's previous makeover challenge (Makeover Monday Challenge). Hop on over to Paper Crafter's Library and you will be amazed by the talent, that is unless of course you have not been there before.  I have never entered and online challenge before other than our monthly Stamparoo Swap and I am finding it quite exciting. This one is a very simple card and did not take very long to finish. A great way to use up old DSP. It would be nice as a pack with envelopes as a gift.  I am going to have to get myself into gear and get a move on to try and bring my pile of discontinued DSP down.

Here is my card for this month.  I hope to be able to join in on other challenges. Its just the time juggling with work and having our grandson home on weekends from Boarding School (helping with his homework!) For this challenge I used the following products:-
Cardstock - Old Olive, Real Red
Stamp Pad - Versamark
Stamp Set - Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess gift)
DSP - Summer Picnic (discontinued)
Accessories - White Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Crystal Effects (on dots on DSP),                        1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Circles # 2 Dies, Big Shot, Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon.
Well thats it from me for now. I am off to take our Grandson back to Boarding School.  I have had to take turns using my computer this weekend as he has a new Ipad and was on my computer getting new apps for it.
Anyway by for now and thanks for popping by :)

Mocha Morning Specialty

I am sure that is what a lot of you would like first thing in the morning, a Mocha.  Well this is not quite what I was talking about. This DSP is simply gorgeous and there is so much you can do with it. I have had it sitting in my craft room and have not done anything with it. I tend to do that and I am sure I am not alone when I say that. How many of you buy craft items and dont use them for ages. I read somewhere recently that one of the Stampin' Up! ladies has a little box under her table for new and unused items. She will not put them away in the cupboard until she has used them. What a good idea! Anyway here are a few ideas I came up with this week.

 I had to make a 21st birthday card and this is what I came up with. I have used the following:-
Cardstock - Basic Black, Crumb Cake
DSP - Mocha Morning Specialty
Stamp Set - Outlined Occasions (Sale-a-bration), Calendar Alphabet & Numbers
Stamp Pad - Versamark
Accessories - Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Basic Black Marker, Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, 1/2" & 3/4" circle punches.
The DSP has like a velvet texture and is very pleasing to the eye. The number stamps are the only ones I have so I had to think of a way to accentuate the 21 with it being so small. I was pleased how it turned out. Hope you like it.

 The next one is very similar except that I have used the Polka Dot Folder instead of the ribbon.  I have also used the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch and cut it in half so that I could use it for top and bottom. For the celebrate sentiment I have used the Basic Black Marker to colour in between the embossed areas. I was quite happy with this one as well.

The next one you could use it for a lady or a gentleman except I would take the ribbon off for the latter. This one is also using the Mocha Morning Specialty DSP. I have used Perfect Pennants Bigz Dies for this one. I did try threading the ribbon through the holes but I didn't like it so just did the bow instead. I have used Happiest Birthday Wishes for the sentiment and the Scallop Circle and 1 3/8" Circle Punch. I have also embossed Early Espresso with White Embossing Powder for the sentiment. As you can see I have used the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch for this one as well. This DSP is only available this year in the Idea Book & Catalogue so if you would like to purchase it you will need to order it by September as it will be gone forever. I know its a long way off but a lot of people have missed out on some lovely DSP and I am unable to get it for them now. Even if you dont wish to use it in the near future. You can alway hoard it along with all the other craft items you have bought. LOL!
Thanks for popping by :)

Is it April already! Well almost!

Well here I am at long last. These past few months have had their ups and downs. I am glad to say I am gradually winding my way back to normality. We have had sickness in the family and I am glad to say that all is well again. I have also had our grandson every weekend from boarding school and I have learnt a lot in that time helping him with his homework. I am quite enjoying it. Last night I photographed all my cards I want to post on my blog ready for tonight. I came home tonight to find my computer playing up and it was saying "logging off". Must have been doing that all day. I waited and waited and waited and then I realised I had just received my new Stampin' Up! Impressions.  I just love to make myself a cuppa and sit and relax and read my new impressions. What did I do? Yes I fell asleep. Oh well back to check on the computer and it is still "logging off"   Anyway luckily for me I have a new Iphone and I quickly did a search on how to rectify the problem (after a few hours of waiting) and there it was. Within a few seconds my computer was back to normal. Technology!
Anyway here I am and I had better make it worthwhile after being out of sorts for so long.  First of all Sale-a-bration is about to close and there are only two more days to order so you had better get in quick if you would like to receive a free stamp set, papers or ribbon and brads.
The new mini is just around the corner and I must say this is definately the best one we have had in a long while. My wish list is the biggest its been for a mini. At last Stampin' Up! are bringing a scoreboard to Australia but only in the mini so you had better save your pennies up if you would like one. Hopefully it will come out in the new Catalogue in September.  We just never know.
Well I had best start off with a few cards from a few workshops ago so that my ladies who have bought card kits are able to see what they are making.
First of all is the cute little handbag that is just big enough to fit in a chocolate for that special person.

 This cute little handbag was one of the swaps from Perth Regionals last year. I am not sure who's swap it was as I was not fortunate enough to have swapped with this lady so thank you to whoever it was. I took photos of Susan Joyce's swap and measured it up on the day.  Its so cute and so easy to make. Please see the template to the left. You can make it whatever size you like.  I have used Paisley Petals DSP and Bravo Burgandy cardstock.
For the buckle I have used the Round Tab punch.

The next card is using the technique Resist Embossing. For this card I have used the following:-

Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Stamp Pads - Versamark, Basic Black,
Stamp Set - Upsy Daisy
DSP - retired but can use First Edition Specialty
Accessories - Embossing Buddy, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Brayer, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dauber, Black Marker, Spritzer, Pumpkin Pie ribbon.
First of all you will need to cut out your DSP and use your Embossing Buddy to gently wipe over so that you dont get the static. Ink up your stamp with Versamark and stamp onto your DSP. Using a heat gun set your embossing powder and then using your brayer go over and over with Basic Black ink until you have darkened the DSP.  Using a tissue wipe gently, polishing the Embossed areas. The rest is pretty obvious.  I have used dimensionals to raise the DSP (on very vanilla). This idea was not mine either and I know I have it somewhere on my computer of where I cased it from. As soon as I find it I will come back and let you know who it was. Thank you to whoever it was. The ladies at my workshop loved it.


The last card for that workshop is a masculine one. A very easy one I must say. For this one I have used the following:-
Cardstock - Not Quite Navy (one of my favourites), More Mustard.
Stamp Pad - Not Quite Navy, More Mustard
Stamp Set - Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess gift)
DSP - Well Worn
Accessories - Big Shot, Designer Frames Folder, Stripes Folder, Corner Rounder, More Mustard Grosgrain Ribbon, Scissors to distress cardstock, Daubers. 
This card is pretty self explanatory just by looking at it. I used the dauber to go around all of the edges to give it a bit of definition as well as distressing. A very simple card that does not take a lot of time if you need a card in a hurry.

Well thats it for this post.  I will close this one off and start another.  I need to catch up on what I have missed out on. Thanks for popping by :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here we are into 2012 already.  Dont you agree that 2011 went by so quickly.  My Christmas cards were out very late this time as it seemed that Christmas was on my doorstep before I knew it. I am sure a lot of you are feeling the same way. Well here we are on the 1st January 2012.  Only today was I able to read my SU! January Impressions Newsletter.  I have been way to busy to sit down and leisurely read the newsletter.  I dont think I was meant to read it before today as there were some very good tips for after the bustling Christmas season. It read Whether you love the bustling, festive season or you can't wait to get it over with, the post-Christmas hangover can hit even the best of us. (thats me for sure). You've been shopping for gifts, entertaining and keeping up with appointments and parties. (yes again).  When it's all over, sometimes you're so worn out that you just want to curl up in a ball under your favourite blanket and hibernate until a magical elf comes and cleans your house, cooks a month's worth of freezable gourmet meals.  (Sorry ladies, the elf does not exist).
Here are a few ways to tackle or even prevent these less-than-mediocre moods with a little care.

1. GET COSY. Sometimes we need to succumb to that hibernating urge and take some time alone to recharge.  Cook something nice, grab your comfy blanket and read a great book or watch your guilty pleasure TV show-without the guilt. (I sat down this morning to read a good book before I read the newsletter)

2. KEEP GIVING. On the flip side to getting cosy, its just as important to think outward. Even when the festive season is over, stay in the giving mindset. Start looking forward to something like Valentines Day or someones birthday. One of the best cures for the blues is thinking of and helping others instead of staying wrapped up in your own problems.

3. PLAN A PICK-ME-UP.  Make a day for a fun day trip, stamping with friends or another outing. Having something to look forward to can boost your mood. In fact, research shows that anticipating a positive even raises your spirits just as much as when you experience the event itself.

4. GET SOME SUN.  Try to get out in the sun a little every day. Lunchtime is a great time to take a walk or run some errands.  If you have to be indoors all day, open the shades and let in as much natural light as you can. (As I was taking my newsletter outside to sit in the very overcast morning and as I stepped outside, the sun all of a sudden came out. I wanted the cloudy feeling but when I read the newsletter I realised that the sun was what I needed)

5.  GIVE THANKS.  Create a gratitude journal and take a minute every day to jot down a couple of things that you are thankful for. you will become more aware of what is good in your life and what is worth celebrating and being happy for.  As a bonus, creating the journal itself is a mood booster too. (Once upon a time ago I had started a gratitude journal and it makes you think at the end of each day what you are greatful for, try it)

6. CELEBRATE THE LITTLE THINGS. As you are writing down lists in your gratitude journal, remember to keep the simple pleasures and moments in mind too. Most often, these are the things worth celebrating most and tend to be things we overlook and take for granted.

7. CONNECT WITH OTHERS.  Meeting new friends at workshops and spending time with old ones at stamp clubs or group meetings is a great way to stay social - and being around people as well as creating and maintaining meaningful relationships is essential for our mental well being.

 If you have been feeling a little tired and run down try these mood boosters and you will beat the blahs for good.
These tips have been slightly adjusted but most of them referred to how I am feeling.  Dont get me wrong, I am not depressed but just very tired after the festive season. 

Well it is our son's birthday tomorrow.  I spent the morning reading a book, reading my newsletter and making a baby card for a friend.  As the day wore on I was thinking of what kind of card to make our son. I happened to go online to check out the SU! website and was checking through the new cards etc on the Stampin Connection when I came across a card I liked.  I soon realised that I had seen this ladies work before so I sat for awhile and ran through some of her blog.  I am talking about Beccy Roberts.  Beccy had done a folded card and had referred where she had found her inspiration.  I went to that blog (Wickedly Wonderful Creations - Wendy Bell) and decided that this was the card I was going to make.  Its funny how you try to concoct an image in your head of what you are going to do and then all of a sudden you find something you want to do. 
If you would like to see a video tutorial of this card then visit Wendy Bells blog. I have adjusted one of the measurements as I found that the diamond did not sit centre.  When it says to score at 3" and 5.5" change it to 3 1/4" and 5.5". You will then find your card sitting central. Hope this helps.

I have used the following products.
Stamp Sets: Happiest Birthday Wishes, So Cute (discontinued), Autumn Days
DSP : Well Worn
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, So Saffron
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Versamark

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Scallop Circle Punch, Ribbon (discontinued) Stamp-a-ma-jig.

Well thats it for me for now. I do hope you have had a wonderful start to the new year and that it continues to be good to you.
Thanks for popping by :)