Seeing The New Year In With Style

I'd first like to take this opportunity to wish one and all a happy new year. I thought I would start off 2012 with a class full of elegance and new products ... gotta love new products!
With the release of the Occasions Mini in a couple of days, it was a perfect time (and excuse!) to showcase them.
Stampin' Up! is releasing some new and amazing Framelits dies for the Big Shot. They are like nothing SU! has had before. And what's even better, is they have co-ordinating stamp sets to go with them!
I have used the new Labels Collection of Framelits and teamed it with the stamp set 'Apothecary Art'. Notice the gorgeous DSP with the rich and beautiful colours? That's new too. Ans the beautiful pleated ribbon? New also!
Here's a closer look at the cards...
For this card I have used a Label die to cut out a window in the front of the card. Very cool and so easy to do with the new dies!
This card is simple but oh so sweet. Perfect as a standby for any occasion!
Last but certainly not least, is this card. Elegant and classic, what more do you need when you want to say you care?

So there you have it, a new year and lots of new goodies!

Class Details:
Wednesday 11th January / Thursday 12th January 2012.
Cost : $15.00
Email to register your spot!

A Canadian Christmas

Happy Sunday all!
Here's a card for a dear friend down under. I wanted to make something "Canadian" and I thought snow and a Red Cardinal were the perfect symbols of a Canadian Christmas.
The original card idea came from the demo site so it's not mine but isn't it cute?
It's difficult to see but the door is actually popped out from the card front. Here's a side view to give you a better idea...
I made the wreath by punching out a circle then punching over it with my scallop circle punch. Super easy and super cute!
Thanks for stopping by today and taking a peek :)

Who's That Knocking On My door?

I thought I'd share a little project I have been busy with. I made my own Christmas wreath for the door!
The wreath is made up of rosettes (or Lollies as they are called here) of three different sizes. I added some ribbon and buttons and here's the finished product...
I used the 'Letters To Santa' DSP from Stampin' Up! to make my rosettes. It took me a while to score all the paper but it was worth it, especially since my handy dandy scoring board made the job so much easier. I love it!
This photo gives you a little (that's a hint) sneak peek at one of the upcoming products in the Occasions Mini which will be released next month. Can you guess what it is?
Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek :)

On the 1st Day of christmas...

I was not organised enough to post photos of the advent calendar I made for this year!
I saw this beauty on Monika Davis's blog and knew I had to give it a try.
It took me two days off and on to finish it but boy am I pleased with the results!
It is something that can be used year after year and there is enough room in each box for three lots of candy.
Here's a closer look...
My favourite part of the calendar would have to be the tree. I think it is darling. It's amazing what you can create with a cork, a skewer, a straw and some paper!
Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek, and enjoy the rest of your day!

'In Colour' Snowmen

Happy Sunday all!
Here's a clean and simple card for some Christmas fun.
I've used In Colours (Lucky Limeade, Poppy Parade, Pool Party) to colour my icicle men.
I think it gives them a "youthful"look, if that's possible with snowmen!
I partially embossed the surrounding card stock, then lightly sponged over the embossing with 'Pool Party' to give it a bit of colour. Add some glitter for a bit of glitz and there you have it, five jolly snowmen, wishing you some Christmas cheer!

'Fancy Pants' Fun

Happy Thanksgiving day to all my American readers! I wanted to post a Thanksgiving card but didn't have any to photograph sorry. You'll just have to suffice with a Christmas Card...it's a cute Christmas card though!

This is one of the cards I am including in my 'Fancy Pants' Christmas cards class... This is the card standing. It folds up flat for easy posting ... gotta love that. I have used the very cute snowman image from the stamp set "Snow Much Fun' and the wee bird on the snowball is from the same set. I've coloured my images with a blender pen, taking ink from the inkpad lids. Add some Bakers Twine (mmmm, love the Baker's Twine), some jingle bells (for a Christmas feel) and there you have it.
Thanks for taking a peek!

Class details:

Wednesday 14th / Thursday 15th December, 7 - 9.30 pm
Cost: $20.00, email to register

A Cardinal Christmas

Hello all. This is a quick post to show you a card I made for a recent order. I used my Bird punch to make my cardinal and sponged around the edges with Early Espresso ink to give him a bit of depth. To get the detail on the face I punched the head in black and cut out the shape I wanted with scissors. I'm really pleased with how he turned out.
Here's a closer look...
For the leaves I stamped a piece of Always Artichoke card stock before I punched them out, to give them some interest. The piece of DSP I used is a retired piece from last Christmas but I so love it. I embossed it then sponged over the embossing so it tied in with my cardinal.
Now, have to get back to preparing for Christmas At The Market... it starts tomorrow.
Thanks for taking a peek!

'Merry & Bright' Card

Happy Thursday all!
Today I'm sharing a card I made as part of a recent order. I have to say I love, love, love the crimped holly and button embellishment!
Here's a close up to give you a better idea...
See what I mean?! Cute, cute, crimper cute!
I folded some striped ribbon to look like the candy you can buy here called ribbons. I cut the holly out with the Stocking Accent die from Sizzix. Much easier than trying to cut my own!

I want to take this opportunity also to wish all my North American readers, a happy Remembrance Day for tomorrow... "Lest we forget".

Santa's Little Helper

Hello all :)
Today I have a stocking to share with you that I made using the Sizzix Big Shot Stocking die. Isn't it adorable?! I used fleece and felt and even tried my hand at blanket stitch. Luckily the stitching is just decorative as I don't know how well it would keep the stocking together otherwise!
I have made several of these for my upcoming craft fair. What have I put inside them I hear you ask?
Guess...
Whatever could it be?
I'll give you a clue...
It's brown and edible...
Yep, chocolate!
Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek at my blog, and enjoy your day :)

Inky Moose Christmas Club Card

Here it is... the last card for the 2011 Inky Moose Christmas Club.
Shades of blue are combined to create this lovely. I've used the classic 'Serene Snowflakes' stamp set as what's Christmas without a few snowflakes?... Christmas in New Zealand is what it is but that's a whole different story!
Here's the inside of the card...
Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!

Scalloped Season's Greetings

Hello all!
I have just realised that it has been a week since I last posted! That's terrible and I apologise for those of you that check my blog every day :(
I have been furiously making products to sell at the upcoming Christmas At The Market which is happening in two weeks.
This is one of the cards I created to sell. I saw the idea on Andrea Walford's blog (Thanks Andrea!) and tweaked it to suit the idea I had in my head.
I've used retired DSP and cut out scallop borders with the Sizzix die. I layered them and added a greeting in embossed gold to dress it up. I used gold thread on the button too.
I really like the finished product. It was pretty simple to put together and it's just a little different from the typical Christmas card fare.
Here's what I put on the inside...
I carried the scalloped theme over to jazz things up on the inside too.
Thanks for taking a peek!

Santa's Lost His Coat!

... but not to worry, I found it!
Here's a card I had some lovely ladies make last night at a workshop. I just love it!
I used the yummy new silver glimmer paper for the buckle. It is so shiny and fantastic in person. Santa would be impressed!
The card is a Gate Fold so it opens in the middle. I have used Santa's belt to keep it closed...
Ho, ho, ho... that's all for today. Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!

A New ASI Team Member!

Happy Tuesday!
I wanted to share with you the latest member of the ASI team. I have to say she's the cutest member by far!
Her name is Jemima (Jem for short) and she is 14 weeks old. I now have to puppy proof my craft room as there are so many things she can get into and destroy ... my card stock collection being the current favourite.
Thanks for taking a peek :)

Pretty Punch Art From Louise

I can finally share this oh so pretty card with you. I received it as one of the ASI swaps, from team member Louise.
I couldn't share it earlier as I needed the card for a customer who recently had a baby. I've since given her the card, so I can now share it!
I love the soft "angelic" feel of the card and those wings, oh my!
Thanks Louise for the beautiful card. I loved it and so did my customer!

ASI Christmas Challenge

October was my month to choose the challenge for our ASI team. I went for a Christmas card with matching tag. There was method in my madness when I chose this project... if I haven't personally made enough Christmas cards to send this year, I can use the swaps!
This is the duo I came up with. I've Used Blushing Bride and Cherry Cobbler colours. Non traditional colours I know but I still think they work.
I found a negative cut out of a die I have and used it to sponge the pink focal point on the card. I started with Pink Pirouette ink and worked my way through my pink inks for shading. I finished with a tiny bit of Riding Hood Red. I then stamped the swirl (from 'Creative Elements') with the cut out still in place as I only wanted it on the sponged area. I stamped my ornament where I wanted it to go then stamped it again with Versamark and heat embossed it with the beautiful Cherry Cobbler embossing powder. I cut out the heat embossed ornament and placed it over the stamped ornament (on my card) with dimensionals. I then added some gold thread, an antique brad (LOVE those!) and lace to give it a vintage feel. Once I had my ornament placed, I then Versamarked the sentiment and used gold embossing on it.
Here's a close up of the matching tag I made to co-ordinate...
I didn't add the extra layer of an embossed ornament to the tag as I thought it might have been too much.

I had the idea of what I wanted to create in my mind when I set the challenge, and it took a while to get those ideas onto card stock how I wanted, but I am thrilled with how they turned out. Most of the photos were taken with the flash on and don't do the projects justice. They have a lovely, soft feel about them. They're slightly shabby chic with a vintage feel and a hint of elegance. How's that for a combination!
Thanks for taking a peek.

Just Bee-U-T-Full!

Happy Monday all!
Here's a card I made last week for one of my DD's teachers. DD said the teacher loved bees so I thought what better than a card with bee punch art on it. I remembered ages ago seeing a bee card that Diana Gibbs had created and here he is. Thanks Diana for the inspiration... this guy is one handsome bee!
I've used circles and ovals and hearts to create this punch art wonder.
Here's a close up of him...
I've added tiny pearls for his eyes and one layer of the wings is vellum.
Thanks for taking a peek!

'Merry & Bright' Album Class

Happy Friday everyone!
Today's post is an upcoming class I have. I've made a scrapbook album out of CD folders. Pretty cool huh?!
A wee while ago I attended a class Carol was having where we made these. I just love them and knew my ladies would too.
Here's a peek of the inside...
There's lots of pages and pockets and things to fill so you'll have a wonderful keepsake for Christmas.
Here's a peek of the last page...
I've used the Stocking Accents die in the latest Mini to create the holly. I'm loving the Red Glimmer paper for the berries!
Want to make one of these gorgeous albums for yourself, or a Baby Album instead? Here are the details:

Class dates: Tuesday 15th November / Wednesday 16th November, 7 - 9.30 pm.

(NOTE: I am not running my usual Thursday night class because of 'Christmas At The Market', but am offering a class on the Tuesday instead).
Please let me know at registration if you are signing up for the Baby Album OR the Christmas Album.

Cost: $30.00 - To be pre-paid to confirm your spot.
Given the amount of product required, REGISTRATION CLOSES Sunday 30th October so I will have time to order supplies and make up kits. In the event that you have paid but are unable to attend the class, a kit will be provided for you.

Trick Or Treat... Here's Something Neat!

Have you seen the skinny cellophane bags in the Holiday mini and wondered what to do with them?
Well, wonder no more! They are perfect for filling with little treats of all different kinds.
I made some up into Halloween treats to sell down at The Kubbyhole (Yes the Christmas Kubbyhole is now open ... 355 Queen Street). My favourite would have to be the spider. I embossed the scallop circle he sits on, with the web embossing folder but it's a little tricky to see. I filled some with candy (or lollies as I call them) and some with pencils.

I took the photo with my phone hence the small size. I am going to have to take some more me thinks as you don't get to appreciate the Halloween characters.
Thanks for taking a peek!

An Old Fashioned Christmas ... Inky Moose Style

Doesn't this card remind you of days gone by... Christmas when you were little and the tree seemed 10 ft tall?
This is the next card for my Inky Moose Christmas Club in November. I've used the new 'Christmas Lodge' stamp set and added a hint of DSP. It's a bit difficult to see in the photo but I've used Dazzling Details to add some well, details, to the tree to give it a bit of glitz. I love that stuff! It gives you the look of glitter without the mess.
Here's a slightly better photo to show you what I mean:
I thought about adding baubles and things to decorate the tree but decided it didn't need them. This mighty Christmas tree makes a statement all on it's own.

Class Dates: Wednesday 2nd November / Thursday 3rd November, 7 - 9.30 pm.
Cards are $2 each.
When you email to confirm your spot, let me know how many cards you'd like to make!

Just A Little Friendly Competition (aka Team Rivalry)!

Now, if a free Big Shot isn't much of an enticement for you to join the SU! family, the ladies in my ASI team and I have come up with a contest of our own. We are all a little competitive (actually we are all really competitive but that's ok) and so we have organised a team challenge. This is where you, my readers and customers come in...

For the months of October and November, for every $25 product you order (shipping and tax is excluded), you will receive a ballot for our ASI 'A Present For You' contest.
All ballots from three ASI team members will be put in a hat and if you are lucky enough to have your name drawn, you win... drum roll please...

A free Big Shot OR your choice of $100 Stampin' Up! product if you already own a Big Shot!!!

Now isn't that the kind of present you'd like to win?!

*Orders can be from the Clearance Rack (you should check it out as they have just added new Holiday goodies) or any current catalogue.

*Check out the latest and sweetest addition to the SU! range... Cute cookie presses! These count towards an order. I'll be having some of these sweet treats to sample at upcoming classes. ASI team member Linda surprised us all at our meeting over the weekend with some. They were SOOOOO good!

*If you have a Wish List for Christmas get hubby or family members to order from it for you, and you'll get the ballots.

*Host a workshop in your home with friends and family. With Christmas coming up a Christmas themed workshop would be lots of fun and would give you Christmas cards to send!

So what are you waiting for?! Get out your catalogues, look online and contact me with you order today!

Lookee Here!

Ever thought of signing up to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and part of my Inky Moose team? Well, now is the time to join because Stampin' Up! have pulled out all the stops on this recruiting promotion.
During October, you'll get a FREE Big Shot (or up to $125 in free Stampin' Up! products) when you join the Stampin' Up! family. Yes you did read that right... a FREE Big Shot!!!
So what are you waiting for... contact me today!