Christmas 2010 :)

Baby deer

Is over for another year - why does it go so fast! Well I thought I'd take a few days of blogging when I started my holidays 2 weeks ago & 2 became 12 but I really needed it - shame the holiday is over & back to work in 2 days time. I thought I'd do a quick summary of some of the high & low lights of this year's event & will be back blogging about cards etc tomorrow.

The low lights the rain & it's accompanying humidity & tangled lights - I will put them away tidier this year. Gave up in the end & got the wire cutters out!

What a tangled mess!

Let it rain & rain non-stop

My boys have hated the heat but did enjoy playing helping put up the lights!

Napoleon AKA Napster in the sun

I'm sure she can't see me here!

Rear guard attack by Tiger

I had to laugh at this - sitting at my computer desk & I look across the road & there's Santa in suburbia visiting my neighbours. 

Finally all presents wrapped & I manage to get out of Auckland for Christmas morning in Hamilton with Pete & his family and the most presents I've ever seen under a tree for 2 very spoilt wee boys.

Pete & me under the tree when there is room for us!

Who is the biggest Thomas fan Keegan @20 or his cousin Logan @3!

Pete's children; Keegan & Cassie with their nana.

Xmas lunch :)) The table was decorated by Keegan beautifully - go army boy - nice to see you've got a sensitive side (though I think Aunty C was directing from the sideline)..

Then back to Auckland for the Rogers celebrations/dessert. My lovely nieces & nephews - gosh they're no longer babies anymore.

Amber, Mikaela, Max, Amos

Mikaela & Max strike a pose :)

The end of the day:)

So I hope everyone's day was as FABULOUS as mine. Catch you soon with card making - though I am so over cards still, have I made a heap in the last few weeks.

Spinning really fast

This was another one of the projects I recently made at my team's Christmas party - the technique was taught to us on the day by Sally Williams but all credit must go to Janet Appletree who comes to my classes who suggested a few years ago we snip the ends of a teeny weeny amount on the dimensionals that go between the coins - it sure does work - no "clumphing". The decoration has got quite a lot of dazzling diamonds glitter on it & looks really pretty spinning in real life.

Stamp sets: Christmas Greetings, Delightful Decorations
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Versamark
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, Jolly Holiday DSP
Punches: Word window, scallop edge
Other: White embossing powder, basic rhinestone, dazzling diamonds glitter, dimensionals, 2x 10c pieces
Technique: Spinner Card

Just in case you receive a late Christmas card

and haven't sent the recipient a card how about a Happy New Year card using the oh so summery Island Oasis DSP and Tropical Party stamp set - this also would be fabulous for an invitation for drinks.

Isn't our new textured plate just FABULOUS! Love it! This was my make n' take from my free summer mini launch party, along with Christmas cake, cherries, strawberries, chocolate balls & bubbly - it's been a FUN weekend all right. I CASED my card from Kay Kalthoff whose cards are the same but much cleaner looking - I hope mine reflects summer & pacifica/kiwiana.

Stamp set: Tropical Party, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink: Tempting Turquoise or Rose Red
Paper: Whisper White, Island Oasis DSP, Fresh Cut notes card & envelope
Other: Square lattice textured EF, hemp twine, Bold Bright brads, word window punch, word window punch, dimensionals, sponge dauber.

Don't forget Teeny Tiny Sentiments (wood mounted) is part of the December frenzy and is reduced 50% - phenomenal value at $37.98 for a set of 24 - there is a saying in there for every occasion.  

You've got mail

The best sort handmade cards - I have my first 3 handmade cards & unbelievably they were all from someone who's name started with the initial J!

So in the order I received them from Jan (bit scared about returning the favour as this is fabulous) a red perfect dot embossed card front with silver embossed saying from Season of Joy on gray card stock for the front.

But look at the inside - WOW now how clever is this!

Then my dear friend Jackie gave me hers - a Christmas saying & some cut out trees from designer series paper.

Then my neighbour & friend Joan popped hers in my letter box today using the ever so versatile bird punch or in this case a wee red robin which has also been dry embossed.

So as Sesame Street would say the cards today are bought to you by the letter J and what a fabulous collection they are!

Sarah's cute birdhouse

This was such a cool, easy project that Sarah taught our team last week at our play day.

We all had different DSP for the roof & they all looked fabulous. Here's my completed one full of mini Santas (it took the whole bag full) & I have to say that our mini clips are really strong & so cute!

Dasher Part 3

This was a really cool card inspired by a swap from Delys Cram and then demoed to me by my upline Jacque when we were doing brayering techniques.

The sky was brayered but the rest of the colouring was done with sponges, sticky notes & ink. The flourish stamp from Cottage Garden gold embossed made a lovely border.

Stamp sets: Dasher, Cottage Garden, Many Merry Messages
Ink: Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Versamark
Paper: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Whisper White
Other: Brayer, sponges, post-it notes, Old Olive 5/8" ribbon, 

Move over cheep talk there's a new bird on the block!

and it's called Aviary - just released in the new Summer Mini. It's a set of 9 stamps with 4 different birds & 4 different cages & a bird cage stand, priced at $42.95 for clear mount or $53.95 wood mounted - it's seriously cute - so expect lots of posts. These are 2 cards I received recently from other demonstrators - we like to swap cards when we meet.

From Sarah Roche a delightful pocket card - love her colour combo too of Pear Pizazz & Rich Razzleberry.

From Jacque Pedersen a real aviary of birds! I think Marina Mist might be Jacque's favourite colour now.Jacque's also used the new Textured Impressions embossing folder - which is one of my favourite "new things" I can now share.

Thank you both they're both just adorable!

Small gift idea?

Covering a small notepad with some scrummy DSP makes a delightful wee gift.

I got 4 pads for $2 & look at it now.
 
This is the newly released Island Oasis DSP which can be found in the new Summer Mini catalogue - bring on the pina coladas! I've teamed it with it's matching Tropical Party stamp set for a real summery look & it matches these cute pens I got at the Stampin' Up! convention this year perfectly.

It's summertime :)

So let's kick off December with a new mini catalogue & a stupendous sale - many of the items are 50% off :) Contact me if you'd like to order anything.

Item	Page	Description	Retail Price	Sale Price
119181	39	A Little Treat Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$26.95	$13.48
120018	39	A Little Treat Clear-Mount Stamp Set	$21.95	$10.98
119189	40	Tote-Ally Tess Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$45.95	$32.17
111255	43	Daisy Dash Jumbo Stampin’ Around Wheel	$19.50	$11.70
121482	56	Baby Bundle Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$59.95	$41.97
119161	72	Autumn Days Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$46.95	$23.48
120012	77	Pendant Park Clear-Mount Stamp Set	$36.95	$18.48
113031	88	Tart & Tangy Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$26.95	$18.87
115806	91	Fresh Cuts Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$46.95	$32.87
115946	102	Wonderful Favorites Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$47.95	$28.77
119167	104	Heard from the Heart Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$46.95	$28.17
119185	105	Teeny Tiny Sentiments Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$75.95	$37.98
105115	118	Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Write Marker	$6.95	$4.87
105106	119	Certainly Celery Stampin’ Write Marker	$6.95	$4.17
100045	119	Pretty in Pink Stampin’ Write Marker	$6.95	$4.17
105114	119	So Saffron Stampin’ Write Marker	$6.95	$4.17
105111	119	Bashful Blue Stampin’ Write Marker	$6.95	$4.17
105108	119	Regal Rose Stampin’ Write Marker	$6.95	$4.17
105109	120	Bravo Burgundy Stampin’ Write Marker	$6.95	$4.17
100069	120	Night of Navy Stampin’ Write Marker	$6.95	$4.87
100082	121	Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker	$6.95	$4.17
103104	122	Small Cello Bags	$9.25	$5.55
111325	140	Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware	$70.50	$35.25
112530	140	Circle Scissor Plus	$67.95	$40.77
116681	161	Kind Heart Wood-Mount Stamp Set*	$14.50	$7.25

As well as that the Summer Mini launches today & all items are available until 31 March 2011 - click HERE to see the online version.

Things to do

I'm sure this is one of the catch phrases of us all at this time of the year & my dear friend Judy gave us all a very pretty notebook to jot down ideas to help get us organised as the silly season starts being silly!

She's covered a notebook with Ski Slope DSP (no longer available), a very sparkly ornament & my favourite alphabet set of all time Tidy Alphabet (retired but a real keeper).

Thanks Judy I'm sure it will come in real handy!

Who can resist Dasher Part 2

This is my take on the earlier version which used Cherry Cobbler CS & Winter Post for the snowflakes.

Stamp sets: Dasher, Snow Swirled, Tiny Tags
Ink: Old Olive, Versamark
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Whisper White
Other: Petals-a-plenty EF,  Old Olive 1-1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon, Antique brad, dimensionals, Frost White Shimmer Mist paint, black embossing powder, sponge dauber.
Technique: Emboss Resist

I'm back but back with a goodie to share!

One of those crazy weeks when classes, workshops & a team event get in the way of blogging but have lots to share. Yesterday was my team the WOW paperKRafters Christmas party/play day - absolutely fabulous day, 6 projects in 7 hours & lots of food :)

This is the project I demoed & was shared to me by my upline Jacque & then I shared with my team - which is what being part of a team is all about. If you'd like to know about being part of a fabulous team do check this page out.

Stamp sets: Fifth Avenue Floral, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink: White Craft, Early Espresso
Reinkers: Rich Razzleberrym Pumpkin Pie, Pretty in Pink
Paper: Confetti Cream, Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizazz, Watercolour
Other: Rich Razzleberry 5/8" grosgrain, Top Note die, little leaves Sizzlit die, Manhattan Flowers embossing folder. dimensionals, white embossing powder.

The colour combo which is rather fabulous was the Colour Coach's pick for Rich Razzleberry which became the focal point as that was the ribbon I had enough of & the right size for the project. I'll be sharing the tutorial for this project with my newsletter readers as well as links to the new Summer mini catalogue and December's specials, which I hate to tell you this but they're very tempting as quite a few items 50% off. So if you haven't signed up for my Monthly Newsletter the sign up box is on the right-hand side of my blog, next newsletter out December 1st!

Popping Pendant Park

Donna & her friends wanted a lesson on poppin' pastels & Christmas and this is what I came up with and it's not even a "Christmas set" - it was fun seeing all the different versions they created - don't tell anyone but I think Donna's Wayne had the most funkiest colour combo & blending. Wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself!

Stamp sets: Pendant Park, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink: Versmark, Old Olive, Early Espresso
Paper: Real Red, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Punches: Modern Label, Word Window
Other: Stampin' Pastels, sponge dauber, cutter kit, dimensionals, Sleighbell ribbon, basic pearls
Technique: Poppin' Pastels

What a delightful gift card holder!

Many thanks to Rachael Knight from our team who swapped this great idea with me. She used the punched out shape to be the closure/fastening mechanism & it works! I see Lisa Bullock from our team took the concept & made the wheels on a truck do the same!

I recreated Rachael's idea with Jolly Holiday DSP & the Christmas Cocoa DSP the sayings are from Snow Swirled. My only change was to take a small bite with a small oval out of the word window punched "slot".

Stamp sets: Delightful Decorations, Snow Swirled
Ink: Cherry Cobbler or Real Red, Old Olive or Early Espresso
Paper: Crumb cake (AKA Craft), Very Vanilla or Whisper White , Jolly Holiday or Christmas Cocoa DSP
Punches: Ornament, word window, small oval, scallop trim border
Other: Old Olive or Real Red 1/8" taffeta ribbon, dimensional, basic pearl or rhinestone, sticky strip, mini glue dot

Thanks Rachael what a great concept & it's quick & easy which are my favourite catch phrases for all things Christmas.