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)

Candle Emma joins Tickled Pink Stamps Challenges

Candle Emma (by CC Designs Sugarplums) is another gorgeous Christmas image this year. I've used her in a Christmas card I've made for Tickled Pink Stamps Monthly Sketch Challenges here. Once again these papers are almost too gorgeous to cover up!

Stamps : Candle Emma (CC Designs Sugarplums), Contempo Christmas (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock & Papers : Stampin' Up!; Christmas Past (Graphic 45)
Inks:   Stampin' Up!, Prismacolor pencils
Other : linen thread & lots of tags die (Stampin' Up!), lace trim border & doily flowers Doohickey's dies (Magnolia), lace & pearls (Kaisercraft), bell (stash)

Mollie Mittens joins Tickled Pink Stamps Challenges

Oh no I hear you say - not another Christmas card! well, yes ... and there will be more of them. This time I'm using a Mollie Mittens Christmas image (so stinkin cute dont you think!) and joining the Tickled Pink Challenge here. I've added lots of sparkle to this card with kindyglitz around the edges of all the papers and on Mollie's santa hat, as well as on the flowers near the sentiment on the patterned papers (doesnt show up too well in this photo). These Graphic 45 papers are so gorgeous you could use them on their own on a card!!

Stamps : Mollie Mittens Christmas (Tickled Pink Stamps)
Cardstock & Papers : Stampin' Up!; Christmas Past (Graphic 45)
Inks:   Stampin' Up!, Prismacolor pencils
Other : scallop border punch (Stampin' Up!), lace & pearls (Kaisercraft), kindy glitz, gold twine & charms (stash)

Lil Lolita Sketch Challenge take 2

I couldn't stop at 1 entry for the last Lil Lolita Boutique Challenge here. This time I used 2 of the gorgeous Lil Lolita Christmas images and my Graphic 45 papers (again)!!!

Stamps : Lil Christmas Lolita Evie, Lil Christmas Lad Luca (Tickled Pink Stamps), Teeny Tiny Sentiments(Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock & Papers : Stampin' Up!; Christmas Past (Graphic 45)
Inks:   Stampin' Up!, Prismacolor pencils
Other : lots of tags die (Stampin' Up!), pearls (Kaisercraft), cardboard, holly leaf punch, bell & rafia (stash)

Tickled Pink Sketch Challenge

I've been busy making Christmas cards so thought I'd join in again with Tickled Pink Stamps monthly sketch challenge here. Isn't Christmas Ornament Cherrie just gorgeous - I've used shimmer paint on her ornament! I'm also loving these Graphic 45 papers. I've used a lot of bells on my cards - I actually bought a heap of charms for cards but love the look and colour of the bells with these papers.

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

Lil Lolita sketch challenge

Lil Lolita Boutique is having a sketch challenge here. I decided to make a christmas card - dont seem to have enough of them at this time of the year! I just love these new Lil Lolita Christmas images and my Graphic 45 papers!!!

Stamps : Lil Christmas Lolita Willow (Tickled Pink Stamps), Contempo Christmas (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock & Papers : Stampin' Up!; Christmas Past (Graphic 45)
Inks:   Stampin' Up!, Prismacolor pencils
Other : lots of tags die (Stampin' Up!), lace trim border & doily flowers Doohickey's dies (Magnolia), lace & pearls (Kaisercraft), bell & gold twine (stash)

A Pink Christmas

Today I'm playing along with 2 challenges: the Tickled Pink Stamp Monthly Challenge - sketch # 7 and Lil Lolita Boutique challenge # 23 - Pink Christmas. I had fun with this sketch and working with pink christmas colours. I'm still trying to work out the best settings for my printer and still experimenting with my prismacolours - but practice makes perfect!

Stamps : Lil Birthday Kellita digi (Tickled Pink Stamps), Contempo Christmas (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock & Papers : Stampin' Up!; Eskimo kisses (Basic Grey)
Inks:   Stampin' Up!, Prismacolor pencils
Other : ribbon (Stampin' Up!), lace trim doohickey die (Magnolia), tassel  (Tickled Pink Stamps), pearls (Kaisercraft)

So Stinkin' Cute!

This is a scrapbook page I made for The Greeting Farm Scrapbook Challenge. It uses some recent photos of my gorgeous 2 1/2 year old daughter. I'm really happy with how this worked out - sort of a retro vintagy feel.

Stamps : Ruby (The Greeting Farm)
Cardstock & Papers : Stampin' Up!; pretty in pink (Kaisercraft)
Inks:   Stampin' Up!
Other : eyelet border punch, aquapainter (Stampin' Up!), vintage tag doohickey die (Magnolia), lace, wooden flowers (Kaisercraft), buttons, sticky alphas, rubbon alphas (stash)

Birthday Ruby

The challenge this week at All That Scraps Weekly Wednesday Challenges is "Birthday". We always need birthday cards dont we, so I couldnt resist making one with "Ruby" from The Greeting Farm. This is also an Easel card - hard to see in this photo though.

Stamps : Ruby (The Greeting Farm)

Cardstock : Stampin' Up!

Inks:   Stazon, markers (Stampin' Up!)
Other : brads, hemp twine, aqua painter  (Stampin' Up!), buttons (stash), embossing folders (Cuttlebug)

More butterflies!

Today I'm joining a challenge at Scrapbook Boutique challenges  which is butterflies. I love butterflies - enough even to make a second entry for this challenge! This time I've made a scrapbook page of my daughter when she was 3. I've used 3 butterfly charms flittering through the flowers!

Stamps : In the spotlight (the greeting farm)
Cardstock & Papers : various (Stampin' Up!)
Other : Flowers, rhinestones, thickers, butterfly charms (stash)

Cute and Sweet

This months challenge at Bizzy Becs Store challenge is "cute and sweet". I just love this kind of card! A Sarah Kay image first came to mind - so cute!

Stamps : Sarah Kay, vintage vogue (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock & Papers : Brocade Blue, Tea Party DSP (Stampin' Up!)
Inks:   Stazon, Brocade Blue, markers (Stampin' Up!)
Other : Doilly, flowers (stash), eyelet border punch, ribbon, aqua painter (Stampin' Up!), Labels 4 (Spellbinders)

Christmas card in non traditional colours

Over at All that Scraps weekly Wednesday Challenges their challenge for this week is “Be Grateful” and “Christmas project using any color except green and red". I just love blue and white at Christmas, it reminds me of snow - a fairytale for me because I live in Australia where it is summer at Christmas time.

Stamps : Tilda (Magnolia)
Cardstock & Papers : Baja Breeze, watercolor, sweet slumber specialty DSP, ski slope DSP (Stampin' Up!)
Inks:   Stazon, markers (Stampin' Up!)
Other : ribbon, aqua painter (Stampin' Up!), snowflakes (stash), Kindy Glitz,

Lil Lolita and Tickled Pink Challenges

I'm joining in 2 challenges here. One is the lil lolita boutique challenge # 22 "Black and White + 1", and the other is Tickled Pink Stamp monthly challenge # 6 which is a sketch challenge. I'm still getting used to using my Prismacolors but am reasonably happy with this card.

Stamps : Lil Birthday Kellita digi (Tickled Pink Stamps)
Cardstock & Papers : Black, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!) Bayberry cottage (Pink Paisley)
Inks:   Prisma Color Pencils
Other : scallop trim corner and border punch, rhinestone brad (Stampin' Up!), peony petals and lace trim doohickey dies (Magnolia)

Butterfly Challenge

Today I'm joining a challenge at Scrapbook Boutique challenges  which is butterflies. I love butterflies!! I love this butterfly image and it looks great when cut out. I quite like this simple yet stylish design.

Stamps : Great Friend, Friendly Words wheel(Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock : Baja Breeze, Basic Grey, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!).
Inks:   Baja Breeze, Basic Grey (Stampin' Up!)
Other : Silver brads, eyelet border punch, paper piercing tool, mat pack, sponge daubers (Stampin' Up!).

My crafting space

Kellie at Tickled Pink Stamps is asking for ideas on how we set up our crafting spaces. Now mine is not ideal but it works for me. Actually I have taken over our dining room table. I have the right half of the table and my 2 daughters have the other half. It works because the girls like to be around me so it is easier if I'm in the living area rather than tucked away in the corner of a back room. They like to do whatever I'm doing!!! The dining table is where I keep things I need to use all the time (ink pads in a caddy, buttons in plastic containers etc). All my stamps and die cutting/embossing etc is kept in a laundry cupboard in large plastic containers. Bit messy at the moment haha!!!!

Halloween treats

I made this cute little haloween treat bag for the All that Scraps Weekly Wednesday Challenge - last minute halloween packaging. It uses a gorgeous image from the Greeting Farms "Sweet and Toxic" set. I coloured this image with my Stampin' Up! markers and used kindyglitz in her hair. I've used some Magnolia paper from my stash to make the oragami bag. the paper was only single sided to I stamped the white side with black, purple and orange skulls (also from the Sweet and toxic set). The inspiration for the origami bag came from Traci Porter who is part of the All That Scraps DT.