So much inspiration everywhere.....

I am currently taking part  in another online card class run by Kristina Werner and Jennifer McGuire - Kickstart, all about getting inspiration for creating from just about anywhere really.  It has really helped me to get focussed, organise my supplies (I am not lucky enough to have a craft room per se....but my kids are good with eating on the couch so it works), look for inspiration and to also actually stop procrastinating and just do it. 

For me I find these classes terribly inspiring, but also I must say that sometimes having a few craft projects on the go at a time can help.  At the moment I have cardmaking (obviously), I am making a quilt for a Christmas gift, an off the page album of my 40th (eek), and now I also want to get started on some smaller gifts for Christmas and the end of year.  I know it sounds hectic, but along with eating on the couch the kids are good with finding their washing in the baskets so I save time there too!  But I do find that the more you do, the more you actually get done?  So for good measure I have signed up for a 3km fun run that I need to find training time for.  Let me tell you now it is unlikely I will be blogging about that one!

Anyway the good folks at Simon says Stamp are running a great event called Stamptember and I happily joined in by placing a nice big order with them.  Unfortunately I haven't received it yet as it does have a way to travel, but I have certainly been getting busy with all the inspiration from the card class.  Since they are asking to see what everyone has been creating this month I thought I would link it back to their blog to share.  So whilst it isn't an "inky" type of card, I certainly was covered in glitter.

The card below is inspired by Kristina Werner's card where she used DSP on an angle to create a really great background.  So I thought about it and did something similar for my card, however instead of using DSP I used different types of card stock with textures and bling.  The recipient of this card is certainly a "bling" kind of girl, so hopefully she will love it.  I am super pleased with it if I can say that without sounding arrogant, but I am!

thanks for dropping by,

Jenny

It took some time, but we got there in the end!

You know when sometimes it just takes a while to come together?

Well surprisingly this is one of those cards.  I had stamped the background in versamark about 12 months ago and then got myself terribly confused and couldn't work out what to do next!  A few weeks ago....right about when I made the mess that I shared in the post below.... I came across it and finally finished it off.  You know what, I kind of liked it too and actually so did a friend who came and took it to give her daughter for her birthday!  Don't worry, I did a beauty of a card for her still, I will share that one tomorrow!

Have a great Friday!

Jenny

Background stamping and Retro Sketch #21

Well the online card class is over and there were so many fabulous ideas, and unfortunately for me, just not enough time to put them into action.  Although if you check out the state of my dining/craft table you will be mighty impressed with my efforts to have a go!

Oh dear - chaos!

Anyway I managed to make quite a few cards, that I am really quite pleased with, they must be all right, one friend came over last night and asked if she could have one to give her daughter for her birthday?!   Happy to oblige of course.  The card today uses a background stamp, the medallion stamp from Stampin Up, with some ideas from the online card class Stretch Your Stamps, and retro sketch #21.

Have a great week, Jenny

I'm back....

I know it has been a long time, but I have been doing the online card classes with Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner - Stretch your stamps, and I am super keen to be crafting away.  This is a card I did on the weekend for a wedding.  I decided to use up some beautiful papers I had and let them do all the hard work.  I am so pleased with how it turned out.  I used the double bow techinique I learned from Danielle Daws blog

I am a little bit obsessed with instagram so I tend to get carried away with the editing, so aplogies for that.

Will be back in a few days with some exciting cards - I hope!

So many workshops so little time....

Well, not quite, but I have been super busy with workshops since I started to run them in May.  Things changed in my life this year and I found myself needing extra income, so I started to run some workshops - and I have to say that whilst I am certainly no expert and I have lots more to learn, they have proven to be a real saviour for me.  I can totally recommend if you are thinking "mmmm maybe you will or maybe you wont", do it!  It is easy and fun and so good.  Stampin Up make it super easy and they are so professional at their end, it makes it simple for us as demonstrators.   If you are interested in joining me on this adventure then email me on williams2108@gmail.com

Now for the card - dreadful photo - not to self, stop being lazy and taking photos on iphone!  Very simple embossing folder, embosslit butterflies, DSP and some beautiful lace ribbon.  Colours are soft suede, pretty in pink and very vanilla.  Too easy and so pretty - well in real life, the photo....not so much.

Thanks for looking, 

Jenny

Another Just Add Ink #72

Is it even possible?  I have had a full day of crafting over the weekend getting ready for some workshops that i have coming up - interspersed with some creative procrastination, including bulking up my own supply of cards to have on hand for kids parties, and my own friends.  It was just delicious to have that much time and as long as I don't look at the weeds in the yard or the multitude of other jobs around the house that I possibly could have done....well, let's just not go there shall we - it is just unpleasant for everyone.

So the cards I have were actually a little set I made using an old Sale-a-bration set Happy Moments that I just adore and will not be parting with anytime soon.  They certainly have colouring in so into the mix they go for this week's Just Add Ink challenge.  I like colouring in - wish I was better at it, but I guess that will come with time....perhaps that is justification for more crafting days?

OK so the bird cage isn't colouring in - but it was part of the whole little set.  I hope you enjoy them and have a great week.

Jenny


Card: SU Love notes set (retired), Perfect Plum, Rose Red, So Saffron, Baja Breeze
DSP: Subtles DSP
Stamps: Sale-a-bration Happy Moments (retired)
Ink: Basic Black
Other: Wide Oval punch, Curly label punch, 1 3/4" Circle extra large punch, Scallop trim border

Just Add Ink #72

I always want to join in the challenges and just run out of time.  But this one over at Just add Ink today is a beauty and I had a card already to go, so it was meant to be really.  If I am lucky, I might get another one done tonight.

I know this isn't the most practical Christmas set, but you really need to send a surfing santa to people living overseas.....you just do.

Enjoy your weekend.  Thanks for looking.

Jenny

So simple, yet so effective....

I didn't want to shock anyone who might be checking my blog - so I left it a few days between posts!

Love love love the medallion stamp, it is as the title suggests, so simple yet so effective.  I inked up this beauty in pumpkin pie ink and used my sponge dauber to put some poppy parade around the edges and in the middle.

I have a new camera that sadly far exceeds my capabilities in photography - however I am on a mission to take better photos and learn how to make the most of this camera...eventually.  There are few dodgy photos to still get through though so bear with me.

till next time.

Jenny

Card Supplies
Card stock: Poppy parade, pumpkin pie and whisper white
Ink: Pumpkin pie, Poppy parade and basic black
Accessories: Diamonte and Pumpkin pie 1/8' taffeta ribbon.

here we go....

Yes, I have decided that if Makeesha Byl, whose blog I visit quite frequently, can with 5 kiddies (congrats on the newest arrival!) can keep updating her blog....I am pretty sure I can make a better go of it.

Sooooo, here  is a card made with the too cute Aviary set, I made for a 25th birthday.  I knew she had a black and white themed 21st so figured she might like a bit more colour four years on.  Don't ask me why the owl is on top of the cage or why he is sliding off....I am going with artistic license!

Thanks for looking,

Jenny

Card supplies:
Card stock: Melon mambo, whisper white and basic black
Ink: Basic black and melon mambo
Accessories: Black satin ribbon, silver brads and button.

Easy gifts for teachers

Been a very long time between posts - but sometimes life throws you some curve balls and you need to take the time to respond and deal with them.  I haven't been making anything for about 6 weeks now, but am hoping to have a bit of time during the week to get my card stash up and running again (once my Sale-a-bration order arrives with all my goodies)!

Thought I would show you what I put together as very easy teacher gifts last year for Christmas.  I know teachers get alot of chocolates and soaps, and coffee mugs, so I thought they might appreciate something different.  These are little wooden tissue boxes that have dsp, ribbon and card stock - I lacquered over them so they can be wiped free of dust.  These four were actually bought off me by my dear friend for her kids teachers and from what I hear they loved them - and that is always nice to know.

Thanks for looking,

Jenny

Just Add Christmas

The theme over at Just Add Ink this week is to Just Add Christmas.

My effort for today is a decoration, used with mdf gift tag shapes that have been covered in Jolly Holiday DSP from Stampin' Up and various stamped images.  The words Joy, Hope and Peace have been cut out using my Big Shot (how did I ever get by without it?....I love love love it).  I apologise for using an old Stamp set for the flowers and the star, but they could be easily swapped with any stamp that means Christmas to you. These are quite restrained but you could really go to town decorating up a storm on these tags.

I am thinking these will become a present for a teacher this year, so I hope they like them.

If you would like to make some for a Christmas workshop or simply would like the supplies, drop me an email and I would be happy to order them for you.

Thanks for stopping by,

Jenny


Card Supplies:
Paper: Jolly Holiday DSP, Choc Chip cardstock
Stamps: Season of Joy, Spotlight on Christmas (retired)
Ink: Cherry cobbler, Old Olive
Other: Crystal effects, Basic pearls, very vanilla  1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Old olive 1/8" taffeta ribbon, Choc chip double stitched grosgrain (retired), Big shot,  Timeless type junior alphabet dies.

No mind of my own

Have a complete copy today - well almost.  I have always been a fan of Jayne Mercer's work, and she recently showed some cards she put together for a stamp a stack.  I am in the process of putting together some cards for our Peer support group at work, so they need to be easy to put together, as the clients will have varying levels of abilities (and possibly their carers too!)  Anyway I thought these might be a good place to start - well it will be one of the samples I show for selection, this is new to me, so I will need to be guided by the people that know our clients best.  I am really looking forward to it though and will let you know how it goes.

I played with real ribbon and then decided that card stock cut to look like a ribbon was much better on top of the embossed polka dots.

I have used some retired goodies on these cards - the card stock - cat from Window Dressings, but you get the drift.  What I like is that the cards can be anything really - birthday, sympathy, male or female, add a Christmas stamp and there is an easy Christmas card!  Speaking of which if I don't get started on those soon, I will have to buy some, and that is unheard of!

Thanks for stopping by,


Jenny

Cyber challenge #3

Here is my first attempt at Jayne Mercer's Cyber challenge - but her third challenge!  It was to find a design in the catalogue and turn it pink.  My "original" is on page 108.  I have to say I love the Blossom party die - and I have used it heaps as it makes quick, easy yet effective cards....what is not to love.

Thanks for stopping by, Jenny


Card Supplies:
Cardstock: Pink pirouette, blushing bride, rose red, whisper white
Ink: Pink pirouette, rose red
Stamps: Vintage vogue, Occaisional quotes
Other: Blossom party original die and pink pirouette button (retired), scallop edge border punch

We need to fight....

I am serious too.  We need to fight against cancer and all the havoc it is raging on us all.  

I hear these days that there are now terms called "charity fatigue" where people are so bombarded that they don't want to give money.  But we need to continue to support charities like the Cancer Council so that we can find a cure, but also in the meantime, help those families that have tragically been affected.

Sadly, yesterday I heard of the fourth person I know this year alone, who, because of this disease, won't even see her youngest child start school, celebrate her 40th birthday or grow old with her husband - it is just so very sad and there has to be a way to stop it.   I can't do much but I can do my bit, and so can you.

Jayne Mercer is holding her cyberstamp Girls Night In so please stop by, make a donationa and help fight.

Super quick today....

Here is a card I have made with the Birthday bakery set, which is a Level 1 Hostess gift with Stampin Up.  I love it and would you believe it is my first stamp set with a cupcake!  How is that even possible?  I must confess to using some retired card stock in these cards, but any combination would look fabulous, and then a little bit of kindyglitz (yes I am channelling my inner 9 year old) - I love the stuff, but any glitter would work!

Oh and the polka dot stamp is also retired.  I love this set, it was alot of fun to colour in with the ink pads and blender pens.  It almost makes me look like I know what I am doing.....almost, I will just have to do some more practice!  If you would like to have this set, why not contact me to find out how?  You can email me on williams2108@gmail.com


Thanks for dropping by.

Jenny

Card supplies:
Card stock: Orchid opuluence and gable green (retired) and blushing bride, whisper white
Ink: Orchid opulence, basic black, blushing bride
Stamps: Birthday bakery, On your birthday
Other: Blushing bride ribbon, scallop oval punch, medium oval punch, small oval punch, kindy glitz 

Just a quick one, my friend from work who quite frankly does wonders for my ego (thanks Sue), had another birthday card request and below is what I did for her, a complete CASE from Marelle.  It was the first chance I have had to ink up my brayer since I learnt about them at Marelle's class.  I am pretty pleased that I remembered everything!

I will just have to wait to hear if it was well received by the birthday girl!

Jenny

Card Supplies:

Card Stock: Elegant eggplant, So Saffron, Pale Plum, Whisper white

Stamps: Short and Sweet, Medallion, Vintage vogue

Ink: Elegant eggplant, Pale plum, So saffron, versamark

Accessories: White taffeta ribbon, hodgepodge hardware, scallop trim border punch, heat embossing tool, brayer

Just Add Ink #38 - Some pinky bling!

Well here we go, my second challenge and I have just the card to join in the fun of the Just Add Ink challenge.  I kept it without sentiment, because it could really be for any occaision.  I hope you enjoy!

There is a little bit of shimmer paint on the raised bits of the embossing...I will get working on my photography skills I think!

Jenny

Card Supplies:
Card stock: Crumb cake, Pink pirouette
Tools: Elegant lines embossing folder
Accessories: Pink pirouette striped grosgrain ribbon and pearls.

Am loving the accessories.....

Now in all truthfulness - I am a bit of a plain Jane.  For those of you who know me - don't be shocked, but I am not one for accessories and "extras" with clothes, just have never been that good at putting it all together.  BUT all those wonderful accessories in the new Stampin Up catalogue, now that is entirely different!

The cards today have a snippet of the new 1/8" taffeta ribbon, which even though it is small, I think it really is so effective and pretty.

I am also using the scallop trim border quite a bit and to be truthful I can thank all the other lovely blogs I visit for making me realise the error in my ways by not buying it straight away!

These are just some blank cards so I have them on hand when needed....unless my lovely friends from work get to them first!


Jenny

Card Supplies:
Card stock: Melon mambo, basic black and whisper white
Stamps: Cottage garden, Scribble jumbo wheel
Ink: Basic black, smooch inks (not SU)
Accessories & Tools: Basic black 1/8" ribbon, scallop trim border punch.


Card stock:  Crumb cake, Pumpkin pie, Rose Red, Whisper White
Stamps: Scribble jumbo wheel
Ink: Basic black and smooch inks (not SU)
Accessories: 1/8" Old olive ribbon, scallop trim border punch.

Ummm....has anyone seen September?

WOW where did September go?  Seriously I can't believe we are week into October already!

I actually was very busy last month.  The girls group from our Church had its annual Mother Daughter night with 70 craft kits to organise.  Now that is what I call a workshop!  We did the lovely little owl pencil boxes just like those that Marelle did a few months ago.  It was a fun night and an interesting lesson for me to realise the varying levels of confidence that people have when they are doing something like this.  As I was leading the craft night my girls had the help of my mother with their craft and below is what they ended up with.

They were both very proud of themselves!

Add to the work for that night, I also had wedding invites to do for a friend of mine - I actually was working to such a tight time frame, I didn't take a picture of the invitation.  But I did take a photo of the prototype I did for her - which I made into a birthday card so I could actually do something with it.

You can't see it since my photo taking skills are really bad, but I put the new shimmer paint on the raised parts of the embossed card.  It looked really pretty - and sooooo simple to do.

So have I been doing anything much - well apart from ordering lots and lots of new goodies - so many I haven't had time to use them all!  But I have started, so I will be back over the weekend with some picutres to show you.

Jenny

It's HERE!!!!

The new Stampin' Up catalogue is here and ready to go!  So many beuatiful new stamps, accessories and of course more "toys" for our big shots! 

To have a look online is just one click away, or you can contact me and I will mail you one direct for $15 - with a gift voucher inside for your first order.

Already an Stampin' Up fan and a bit confused about how to go about getting the new colours into your collection?  Well they have thought of that also.  The new Colour Renovation Kits provide loads of cost effective ways to purchase the new colours that have arrived.  Even better though - if you join Stampin' Up as a demonstrator in September, you will recieve all of the new In Colours for FREE!  That is a fantastic offer....I wonder if I can join twice?

It really is too exciting for words, you are going to love it - SU have out done themselves this time.

Email me if you would like to know more about how to join Stampin' Up or if you would like to host a workshop to receive loads of FREE goodies just for having fun with your friends!


Jenny