Christmas treats and flowers!

The challenge this week at All That Scraps Weekly Wednesday Challenges is "Christmas Flowers". I've made a treat (a mini Christmas cake) for Christmas guests with these cute little tags made with images from the Greeting Farms "just for you" stamp set (very cute) and using a gorgeous flower die from Magnolia.

Stamps : Just For You (The Greeting Farm)

Cardstock : Stampin' Up!

Papers : Kaisercraft

Inks:   Stampin' Up!
Other : brads (Stampin' Up!), doily flowers Doohickey's die (Magnolia), Scalloped Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), pearls (Kaisercraft), kindyglitz, raffia  (stash)

Inkspirations Christmas Gift Blog Tour!

Welcome crafters!! Wowee, it is so much fun to be part of the first Inkspirations Blog Tour. Thanks so much to the Inkspirations team for letting me join in!! I have never been part of a blog tour before and I hope my creations can stand up to the other amazing talent out there.
Now, you should have arrived here from Belinda. If not and you want to start at the beginning then go to the Inkspirations challenge web site.
If you have time you may like to look at some of my earlier blog posts where I showcase christmas cards I've made - from the special coloured images, gorgeous papers and other embelishments, to the simpler yet still stylish bulk make cards.
Today I'd like to show you a Christmas organiser booklet that I made. I made one for myself and also a few more to give as Christmas presents (I have given them out already so they can be useful immediately!). I made my first one last year and find them great for both organising myself and as a keepsake.

Stamps :  Contempo Christmas (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock & Papers : Cherry Cobbler, very vanilla, old olive, Jolly Holiday DSP (Stampin' Up!)

Inks:   Cherry Cobbler, chocolate chip, old olive (Stampin' Up!)

Other : old olive grosgrain ribbon, scallop trim border punch, Antique brads (Stampin' Up!), alpha-num rub-ons (stash). 

I made this organiser by simply sticking a heap of cards together, reinforcing the spine with a band of cardstock, then decorating the front. I made up the page inserts using word (email me or leave me a comment if you would like me to email you a copy) then I decorated each page using patterned papers. You can have as many or as few pages as you like. The gift organisers I made had 4 page openings. The first opening is a Christmas card list. The next opening is a Christmas gift list. Then there is calendars for November and December. Lastly a Christmas day plan and Other notes. The organiser I made for myself had more openings. There was another opening for gifts bought and received for my family (always nice to remember this). I also had an opening/pocket for the Christmas letter I write each year. I like to keep page decorations minimal so it doesnt get too bulky.
I have also thought of putting photos on each page instead of the organiser and giving as a mini photo album.
I hope you are enjoying the blog tour, your next stop is Rebekah.
Merry Christmas and thanks for visiting my blog!

 

A Christmas Decoration

This is a Christmas decoration I made for the centre of our dining table. It is simple but effective.

I bought 3 large scented candles and wrapped with double sided papers. I also covered a wooden door plate with coordinating papers and painted the edges, then I made a large paper flower from strips of paper. Finally I added some twirled paper strips. These papers are from last years Kaisercraft Christmas range. I also made a heap of coordinating bonbons, placemats (which I laminated), napkin rings, and paper chain.

 

More Christmas Cards!!

It has been so much fun making all of my Christmas cards (but I'm ready for a change now). This photo shows 3 designs that I made a heap of.

The left card and the centre reindeer card were very quick to make in bulk, the right card took more time.
I just love embossing folders, they give such an elegant look to the card.
I just love the simplicity and elegance of this reindeer card. The red pearl for the nose and the glitter sparkle in the antlers seem to set it off. I saw a card similar to this somewhere but cant remember the details.

Stamps : Dasher, Contempo Christmas (Stampin' Up!)

Cardstock & Papers : Crumb Cake (Stampin' Up!)

Inks:   soft suede (Stampin' Up!)

Other : real red grosgrain ribbon (Stampin' Up!),  pearl (Kaisercraft), kindyglitz

I just loved making this card. It took longer to make due to all the layers but was worth it. I love the new scallop trim border and corner punches from Stampin' Up! but it did take a bit of getting used too in order for it all to line up. This wide striped ribbon is also a fav of mine.

Stamps :  Contempo Christmas (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock & Papers : Cherry Cobbler, very vanilla, old olive (Stampin' Up!)

Inks:   Cherry Cobbler, chocolate chip, old olive (Stampin' Up!)

Other : old olive striped grosgrain ribbon, vintage wallpaper embossing folder, scallop trim border and corner punches (Stampin' Up!) 

This last card is also very simple and elegant. I CASED a card from Angela Sargent but changed the sentiment label and blinged the edges with kindyglitz. 

 Stamps :  teeny tiny sentiments, tiny tags (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock & Papers : old olive (Stampin' Up!)

Inks:  old olive (Stampin' Up!)

Other : old olive striped grosgrain ribbon, vintage wallpaper embossing folder, lots of tags sizzlit dies (Stampin' Up!), kindyglitz 

 

Stylish Blogger Award

I recently found out that I have received a special award from the amazing card maker Kellie who runs the very addictive Tickled Pink Stamps Online Store. Wowee, Thanks Kellie!!!  
In this award you nominate blogs you’ve newly discovered and dig. 

By accepting this award I must complete the following tasks:
1) Thank and link back to the person who awarded me.  Done!

2) Share 8 things about myself.

• I love horses - I have a horse that I used to do dressage with (before kids!) and a shetland pony for my girls.
• I live on a farm. We have lots of cows, 2 dogs and a cat (as well as the horses).
• My favourite flower is a rose. I have heaps of roses in my garden - a pruning nightmare!
• I love watching The Young and the Restless (eek, did I just admit that!)
• I love to drink tea (English breakfast, very strong with a touch of milk)
• We have a large veggie patch so I preserve a lot of fruit and veggies for year round use (sauces, relish, jams, preserved fruit etc).
• I have a PhD in Applied Maths and worked for 20 years as a scientist. Just this year I left my job and are now a SAHM and thoroughly enjoying being creative. 
• A favourite breakfast treat of mine is toast with vegemite, tomato and cheese ... Yum!  Done!

3) Pay it forward to 8 bloggers that I have recently discovered. 

• Ann
• Makeesha
• Jackie
• Stephanne
• Jess
• Jen
• Kristy
• Angela

4) Contact bloggers to let them know about the award…. Doing!

Christmas Ornament Cherrie joins Tickled Pink Stamps Challenges

Christmas Ornament Cherrie is so gorgeous that I've used her a few times in my Christmas cards.  I've joined in again with Tickled Pink Stamps monthly sketch challenge here. I've used shimmer paint on the ornament, Graphic 45 papers (again) and another bellin the flower. Hopefully I'm near the end of my Christmas card making. Next onto the handmade gifts!!!

Stamps : Christmas Ornament Cherrie (Tickled Pink Stamps), Teeny Tiny Sentiments (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock & Papers : Stampin' Up!; Christmas Past (Graphic 45)
Inks:   Stampin' Up!, Prismacolor pencils
Other : linen thread, shimmer paint & lots of tags die (Stampin' Up!), lace trim border & doily flowers Doohickey's dies (Magnolia), lace & pearls (Kaisercraft), bell (stash)