Spin, Twirl, Dance!

You could say that creativity has been somewhat lacking in our house lately.  We had been expecting to be moving until red tape put a rather abrupt hold on our plans, and the past few months of waiting around have not been especially inspirational! Creativity has not been happening.  

And then we spotted this t shirt in the clearance rack.  

  And I remembered the sewing machine tucked away in storage, that I had bought to help keep myself entertained after we do move.  And I realised that this t shirt very clearly wanted to be made into a dress!  

A quick google search revealed there were lots of instructions online for making t shirt dresses.  I decided to base my one on these instructions by Mormon Mommy Wars.  Nice and straight forward, and quick too.  Of course, me being me, I then proceeded to change every step - shorten the t shirt, make the skirt fuller, add a frill, add some lace....  Needless to say I made one dress in two hours, rather than six in two hours like it said in the instructions!  But the end result was worth it...

a pretty, inexpensive dress (with none of the fuss of having to put in sleeves or finish necklines!) 

and a very happy girl (giving the dress the 'spin twirl dance' test).

Best of all - some creativity at last!

Sketch Challenge Pony Party, with sparkle.

I have been meaning to join in the fun over at 'Just Add Ink' for quite a while now, but just never quite got myself organised in time.  Until now that is.  This week they have a great sketch for inspiration and it worked perfectly for a birthday card for Bridie's friend.  Here is the sketch they had:

And here is what I came up with:

(The card is actually straight - it is my photo that is wonky!) I flipped the layout over so that the unicorn (from the Pony Party stamp set) would be looking towards the greeting.  A splash of colour using markers, and some glitter to add to the sparkle and magic soon gave us a perfect little girl's birthday card.

'This is Your Story' layout

I am pretty sure I could count on one hand the number of scrapbooking projects I completed last year.   I think my immediate desire to document the adventures and achievements in our lives was taken care of with blogging, and scrapbooking fell by the wayside.  I do enjoy scrapbooking though, and so this year I am hoping to get back into it.  At the very least I am hoping that I will need two hands to count the projects at the end of the year!

So here is my first scrapbooking project - a 12 x 12 layout.  It doesn't have any photos, but was the perfect project to allow me to play with some frills and fuss, and still keep the straight lines and order that I really like.

I used several different shades of pink ink to first sponge the nine squares that were the base of the layout, and then it was just a case of adding on the pretty bits - flowers, hearts and butterflies, and a 'B' for Bridie.  I used an assortment of punches and big shot dies, as well as embossing folders to add texture to some of the elements.  Some half pearls, paper daisies (one sponged pink) and some scraps of the Newsprint DSP were added to the mix too.  

Other ingredients (all from SU):

Card/ink: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose

Stamps: Rough Type, Notes and Details

Punches: Full Heart Extra Large, Heart to Heart Extra Large, Small Heart, Scallop Trim Border

Dies (used with Big Shot): Beautiful Butterflies, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet, Lots of Tags, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Simple Flower Embosslit

Embossing Folders (used with Big Shot): Perfect Polka Dots, Petals-a-Plenty

This layout is for the front of Bridie's album (hence the 'this is your story...') but I think it would be perfect as an artwork for her room too, so version 2 is on the list of things to do, as is a boy version of the scrapbook layout.  That's almost one handful of projects!

A Number Birthday Card

This card was inspired by a sketch (126) over at the Clean and Simple Stamping Blog.  When it comes to birthday cards for children you cannot go wrong with a big old number on the front.  They are so proud of their newer, older status (so at what point does that change I wonder?!)  I find it particularly good for boys too, who don't necessarily appreciate a bunch of fuss and frill.

 I started by stamping up some white card using the Circle Circus stamp set, and three different ink colours (Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze and Marina Mist) to make my own, one of a kind, 'patterned paper'.  Then after all of that, I only ended up using a couple of little strips of it on the front of the card, and another on the inside.  The dies used for this card were Timeless Type Junior Alphabet, and Lots of Tags. The sentiment is from my favourite, and most used (but sadly now retired) birthday set - A Little Birthday Cheer.

Lots of Monster Valentines

It's that time of year again - Valentine production line!  I did think this year I might take the easy way out and just let the kids choose valentines from the shop, but both boys (and several of Hayden's friends) asked if I couldn't please make those same valentines we made last year?  

So we settled on a compromise. With coughs and sniffles in the house (mostly me!) I didn't think homemade treats would be a good idea, but we could still make the same matchbook style of valentine with chocolates from the shop.

As it turned out these valentines really don't take so long to make, when you don't make the chocolates too!  Both boys were keen for a monster theme so I got to have a play with the 'Make a Monster' stamp set.  4 sheets of white card and (apologies - I decided to use up some of my stash of retired card - taken with teal and green galore, and a splash of pumpkin pie) 12 sheets of coloured card later (and a bit of cutting, scoring, stamping and sticking) and we were good to go with 48 valentines.  

We stamped one of the greetings from the 'Something Sweet' set.  It seemed perfect for the occasion.  Bridie wants robots on her valentines, but she doesn't need them until Monday, so we still have a bit of time to work on them.  We just have to survive the boys impending sugar hit between now and then.  Wish me luck! 

Simple and Pretty Thank You Cards

So do you recognise the background 'stamp' for these cards? 

Truth be told, while there is some ink on these cards, I didn't use a single stamp.  For a quick and easy background I simple pressed my ink pad directly onto the white card - I love the textured look you get.  I ran some coordinating card (pear pizzazz) through my bigshot with the 'thanks' embossilit die and then cut out just the thanks word part to use.  Add one of the daisies from the paper daisies pack and it was almost done.  The final step was to pile up some punched card circles in the centre of the flower, and give them a glaze of crystal effects (for the glue and the shine!)

Waiting for the crystal effects to dry was the longest step of this card, but well worth it, as it makes such a pretty embellishment.  The finished card looked so pretty I made up a couple more in Peach Parfait and Daffodil Delight, to add to the collection.

A Pirate Card for an Older Boy

Projects for boys can sometimes be a bit of a challenge, but I have found that a pirate theme is always well received.  The long retired 'Ahoy Matey' stamp set has always been a favourite of mine.  The images are fun to colour, and we have made some fun things with it.  They do tend to be better suited for younger children though, so I was pleased when SU gave us the 'Beware Pirates' stamp set that has an 'older' look to it, and was even happier when I finally got around to having a play with it!

For this card I wanted to use 'Not Quite Navy' for the main stamped image, and consulted my colour coach for an easy colour combo that would work with that - More Mustard and Cajun Craze (so easy!)

After recently spending an afternoon with my talented friend and upline Rachael Knight, I am feeling inspired to get my Big Shot out more often, and embossing folders are such a quick and easy way to transform a plain piece of cardstock.  For this card I gave the cajun card mat some texture using the Square Lattice embossing folder.  If you turn it on an angle the crosses become 'x's which are just perfect for a pirate theme (hopefully you can see them in this closeup).

My boys both gave this card the thumbs up so I am thinking I might need to make a few more for the birthday card stash!

Where has the time gone?!

Oh dear.  Is it too late to wish you all a Happy New Year?!   The past few months have been pretty hectic for our family, and the time just seems to be flying by.  Once again inspiration and the time to create have not often coincided, and the follow up step of blogging about it hasn't happened at all.  Now it is time to play some catch up!

Here is a quick card I made a while ago, inspired entirely by this fantastic quote from the 'Sense of Time' stamp set.  I am sure I am not the only would who could do with a few more hours in the day?!

The rest of the card involved simply freehand cutting a few wavy lines of card, and  rolling out some embossed butterflies using the 'beautiful wings' embosslit die and my under utilised (at the time!) Big Shot. 

It came together really quickly (from memory, time was short, and the 'to do' list was long!) but the therapeutic effects of having created something lasted a lot longer!

scrapbooking disguised as homework?

I had been so sure that when the kids went back to school I was going to have lots of leisurely craft time ('lots' being relative to the zero leisurely craft time I had during the summer break!)  As it turns out all that sunshine must have caused some memory loss, because I had forgotten about the fact that when school went back we would be busier than ever.  Never mind the leisurely craft time, it's all about the taxi driving, the school activities, the taxi driving, the after school activities, the work trips for Peter, the taxi driving, and trying to keep on top of the laundry.   Then you need to remember those other key ingredients that seem to have been lacking lately - inclination and inspiration.  There has been a bit of a craft drought around here lately, so thank goodness for homework!

When Campbell came home and told me he had to make a family tree for school, and asked if I had a stamp he could use, I was pleased to tell him I had something even better.  It was the perfect excuse to finally try my new Big Shot, and the 'little leaves' sizzlet die, and in no time at all he had more than enough leaves for his tree. It took a lot longer to stick them all on!  The tree trunk and grass we cut by hand, and he used punches to cut out all the photos and name labels.  We used a piece of 12x12 card as the base for the family tree, so that when he was finished he could put it straight into his album, and he is so pleased with his first ever, made it himself, scrapbook page.

I am pleased that the craft drought may finally be breaking, even if it is just homework disguised as scrapbooking!

Beautiful Wings Butterflies

Another little taster from the new catalogue for you, and I think this product is going to prove very popular - the gorgeous little embossilit die - Beautiful Wings.  I just love the detail and texture you get with these butterflies - five different butterflies (I have used four on this card, there is another, larger butterfly too) and they are so quick and easy to make. 

The colours I have used are Regal Rose (a Rich Regal colour from previous catalogues), and the fruity cocktail of Tangerine Tango (an 'in color' from the last catalogue) and Melon Mambo (from the last mini catalogue).  These three colours now join together in the renamed, regrouped Brights Collection (along with Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry, Real Red, and the new Daffodil Delight).

The front of the card has some texture thanks to the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  The greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Sentiments stamp set.  I was tempted to add some ribbon, but decided that the polka dots and embossed butterflies provided enough texture and interest.   As a bonus, the card is less bulky (and so easier to post!)

These beautiful little butterflies make the perfect embellishment, and are just one of several new dies and embossing folders that the new catalogue has on offer.  Remember that if you don't have a big shot, most of these (including the Beautiful Wings Embossilit die) can also be used with your cuttlebug.

Something Old, Something New...

something that has come out of retirement, and of course, something blue!  No, nothing to do with a wedding, just a card I made to show you some of what is in the new catalogue.  Can you guess which is which?

Something old (Carried over from the last catalogue):

Fifth Avenue Floral Stamp Set (the flower on this card is made from several flowers that have been stamped, cut up, and reassembled)

Cropadile (the little circles in the centre of the flower were punched using the cropadile) and 1" circle punch (for the curves at the end of the greeting)

Something New:

Scallop Trim Border Punch (I used it all around the outside of the mat, and I love it!)

Something that has come out of retirement, or back from a mini:

River Rock  - an old 'in color' that is making a comeback - yay!

Teeny Tiny Sentiments Stamp Set - back from the latest mini catalogue - a very versatile greeting set.

Something Blue:

Baja Breeze - an 'in color' from the last catalogue, that has returned as one of the revamped core color range.

Now, while I love this new border punch, I must confess that my favourite part of this card is the flower.  I love the texture it has, with a few of the petals turned up, and that lumpy, bumpy flower centre.  Worth the effort of cutting out all those flowers anyway!

The new SU! Catalogue is here!

Just in case you hadn't noticed already!  Contact me if you would like a copy of your own, or you can click  here, or on the link over there on the sidebar, to view it online.  In addition to some exciting new products I was also pleased to see some of my favourites from recent mini catalogues are returning, in addition to some of the most popular products from last years catalogue that have been carried over.

The biggest change, and the one that will take me a bit of getting used to, is the colours in this new catalogue.  With the launch of this new catalogue we also get the introduction of the new Stampin' Up! colour range.  Remembering that a lot (a LOT!) of colours have just been retired, the new range includes some brand new core colours, some 'in colors' from previous years that have come out of retirement and are also now part of the core colour range, and of course the new in color range for this year.  Lots of exciting new colours for us to play with, and SU have put together some great value kits to help us get out hands on them.  Click here, or on the colour kit link also over on the sidebar, for more information about those kits.

SU! also have a special offer for new demonstrators available this month.  If you sign up to become a demonstrator not only will you get the usual fantastic deal on your starter kit ($590 worth of product for just $339), but this month only, you will also get the new In Color kit (inkpads and cardstock) worth  $100.90, completely free of charge.  I think that is the best new demonstrator deal SU have ever offered.  If you want more details about that, please contact me, or I can put you in touch with one of my talented team members.

Headbands with SU! embellishments

While we have got a bit of a hair accessory theme going on, I thought I would show you Bridie's new hairband collection as well.  These were inspired by some rather pricey (and out of the question!) headbands that Bridie spotted while we were out shopping one day.  She was rather keen to bring some home, and wasn't really convinced that we could make some ourselves, for a fraction of the price, and that ours would be even prettier!  We grabbed some plain headbands instead, and went home to check out the embellishment stash (and it was around that time that Bridie was swayed to my way of thinking - bling will do that to a girl!)  Here is what we have come up with so far:

Like the flowery hair clips that we made, these headbands would make a great little gift, and I have no doubt that there will be more one-of-a-kind, fancy headbands being made, in the not too distant future!

Pretty Flowery Hairclips

Now that Bridie has a place to keep her hair clips, she needed a few more flowers to really make it look like a cottage garden.  So I dug out my felt flowers and eyelets and we transformed some plain metal clips into pretty, one of a kind, flowery hair clips (well - two of a kind, because we made them in pairs!)  They are so easy to make, and would make the perfect little gift for a girl who loves her hair accessories.

I used my cropadile to make holes in the clips (actually, I got Peter to do that bit, because his muscles are a bit bigger than mine!) and then it took no time at all to attach the flowers using a coordinating eyelet, and the cropadile again.    Disclaimer time - while the cropadile handled the hole making job with relative ease, please remember that any time you use it for heavier duty tasks like this there is a risk you could damage it.  If you don't want to use eyelets to attach the flowers you could always use crystal effects, or a hot glue gun.

Bridie is very pleased about her new hair clip stash, and the hair clip holder to keep them in.  And with all those pretty new flowers, it really is looking like a cottage garden, don't you think? 

Next up, Bridie's fancy new headbands!

Cottage Garden Hair Clip Holder

Recently I was looking at some crafty blogs, lamenting the fact that I don't have my sewing machine with me, and I came across a great hair clip holder idea at little pumpkin grace.

I thought it would be perfect for Bridie, who is not very good at keeping her clips in one place (let alone in her hair!)  I decided instead of fabric, I would make use of what I had on hand, and the cottage wall papers worked perfectly with the frame I had.  To make the paper a bit sturdier (I didn't want it ripping the first time we put clips in it) I applied several coats of modgepodge, to both sides of the paper.  It worked perfectly.  The paper was now more of a cardboard weight, but more flexible, and a lot more durable.  

 I used the reverse, non dotty side of some razzleberry ribbon for the clips to attach to, and finished the frame off with made it myself embellishment  - a ribbon flower, also using the razzleberry ribbon, and a touch of old olive ribbon and a button.

Not only is it a great way to keep Bridie's hair clips together, it also helps to pretty up her room.  She is very happy about that!  She is even happier with the clips we decorated to go in the holder. - the flowers to go in this cottage garden. The clips in the photo are the 'before' version, but I will take some photos of the 'after' version tomorrow, along with some cute headbands we decorated.  Very stylish if we do say so ourselves!

New 25 -50% Discounts on retiring product!

Stampin' Up have just announced some additional discounts on selected items from the retiring/last chance list:

Item #	Page	Description	Discount	Discounted NZ Price
116342	42	Big Bold Birthday	50%	$    31.98
116408	100	Seeing Spots	50%	$    17.98
116344	121	Big Deal Alphabet	50%	$    45.98
116208	126	In Color card stock (A4)	50%	$      8.63
105538	127	Bold Brights Stampin' Write markers	25%	$    51.71
105537	127	Soft Subtles Stampin' Write markers	25%	$    51.71
105540	127	Rich Regals Stampin' Write markers	25%	$    51.71
105541	127	Many Marvelous Markers	25%	$  209.96
105550	128	Bold Brights Classic Stampin' Spots	25%	$    37.46
105551	128	Earth Elements Classic Stampin' Spots	25%	$    37.46
105539	128	Earth Elements Stampin' Write markers	25%	$    51.71
105552	129	Rich Regals Classic Stampin' Spots	25%	$    37.46
112042	132	Urban Garden Designer Series paper	50%	$      9.98
112041	134	Bella Rose Designer Series paper	50%	$      9.98
107305	152	Oval Large punch	50%	$    17.98
113692	152	Eyelet border punch	50%	$    17.98
109043	152	Scallop Circle punch	50%	$    17.98
113694	152	Heart to Heart punch	50%	$    17.98
112082	152	Wide Oval punch	50%	$    17.98
112091	152	Scallop Edge punch	50%	$    17.98
113693	152	Full Heart punch	50%	$    17.98
104310	155	Crafters' Tool Kit	25%	$    68.96
112004	AW28*	1-3/4" Circle punch	50%	$    17.98
116629	CO*	Butterfly punch	50%	$    17.98

As with all product that is retiring these items will only be available until the end of August, or while stocks last.  To see the complete list of retiring product you can click here.  To see a list of product that is running low, or sold out already, you click here, or on the link at the top of my blog (right under the photo of Campbell and Bridie admiring their scrapbooks!)

Contact me ASAP if you would like to order any of this retiring product.  With discounts like this it is likely to go fast!

Baby Shower Butterflies

I am loving the single butterfly stamp from the mini catalogue, and when I needed a card and gift bag for a baby shower recently I decided that the butterfly would be perfect for a sweet baby girl and her mama, (who has two boys already and so not a lot of pink butterflies in her life!) 

I used the retiring Pink Pirouette patterned papers to make the gift bag, teamed with pink pirouette ribbon for the handles, and an assortment of pink inks for the butterflies on both the bag and the card.  

The sentiment is from the nursery necessities stamp set (also on the retiring list) because it had to have a hint of baby to it.  Alas the photos are worse than usual (an overcast morning on top of our cave like apartment don't make for happy photos) but hopefully you can see enough to get the gist of it!

A Clipboard for the Teacher

Recently we needed to come up with a gift for Campbell's teacher. Something that would be useful, and not too flowery and frilly.  A nice, useful, masculine gift for the teacher.  After a bit of thought we decided to decorate a clipboard, and this is what we came up with:

We decided to go with an owl theme -  decorating the back with one wise owl on a branch (chipboard from the So Tweet On Board Pack, covered with card, and papers from the Good Morning Sunshine DSP pack) and lots of eager little owls awaiting instruction covering both sides of the clipboard (another sheet of paper from the Good Morning Sunshine pack).  We personalised it using letters made with the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet dies from the Autumn/Winter mini catalogue, and then finished it off with some strips of coordinating card (pacific point, kiwi kiss) and some ribbon.  Several coats of modge podge help to seal and protect it all.

Campbell was really pleased with his gift, and the teacher was most appreciative. Best of all it was a relatively quick and easy project, and inexpensive too.  Perfect for mass production!

The kiwi kiss cardstock, Good Morning Sunshine DSP, On Board So Tweet, Kiwi Kiss ribbon, and Pacific Point Ribbon used in this project are all on the 'last chance list'.  Available only until 31 August, or while stocks last.

Last chance to get Retiring SU products...

The new Stampin' Up! Catalogue is just a few weeks away, so of course that means last chance to get those products that will be retiring.  The full list of retiring product can be seen online here.  I'm not going to list them all in this post because there are nine pages of retiring products this year - eek - remembering of course with the colour renovation we are saying goodbye to lots of colours (ink, card, embellishments) to make way for some lovely new colours.   

There are 95 stamp sets in the catalogue that are retiring, as well as 15 stampin' around wheels (8 standard size, and 7 jumbo) and all of the hostess sets.

You will see that the punches all appear on the retiring list.  This is because they are being 'reconfigured' into the new punch style we saw in the latest mini catalogue.  

There are five punches that will not be returning though, and these are:

•  Small Star
• Trio Flower
• Double Rectangle
• Horizontal Slot
• Slit

You will also see that some products have been discounted (25-50%) and there are some great bargains.  Some of the highlights of the discounted retiring product:

Three punches - Boho Blossoms, Scallop square, and the scallop oval punch are all 25% off.

17 of the stamp sets are discounted by 25%, and these Six stamp sets are 50% off:

• A Happy Heart (page 34) now $24.98
• Best Wishes and More (page 53) now $28.48
• Greetings Eight (page 57) now $29.48
• Only Ovals (page 93) now $23.48
• Enjoy Every Moment (page 97) now $31.48
• All Scallops (page 105) now $33.48

Many of the markers in the retiring colours are discounted (usually $6.75, now $5.06, or even $3.38 for a couple of colours!) as are many of the stampin' around inked cartridges.

Four of the Simply Sent kits are reduced by 25%

Six of the patterned paper packs are 25% off, and Pink Flamingo has 50% discount (now only $9.98 for 12 sheets of paper)

The Simply Scrappin' kits are all retiring, and the I Wish" Simply Scrappin Kit (page 137) is discounted by 25% 

Lots of embellishments are being retired (ribbons, brads, buttons, chipboard, assorted flower embellishments, rub-ons and glitter) and there are some great bargains to be had here too.

Double-Stitched ribbons in Rose Red, Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue (page 150) are 50% off - now only $11.75 Several of the other ribbons have 25% off.

The Chunky Sprinkles Glitter (page 145) is also discounted by 50%  (now $18.98 for four colours).

Both the 'Flower Fusion', and 'Flower Fusion Too' felt flower packs as well as the 'Blooms Again' cardstock diecut flowers (page 144) are discounted by 25%.

The 'Blooms' cardstock flower die cuts (also page 144), are 50% off.

Don't forget that all of these retiring products will only be available until 31 August, or while stocks last.  I will try to keep a list up to date of what is running low/sold out already! You can find it by clicking the 'What's gone already?' tab at the top of my blog (right under the photo of Campbell and Bridie looking at the scrapbook).

A reminder also that the Autumn/Winter Mini catalogue will also be ending on 31 August.

Let me know if there is something that you want to order.

Share a Cup gift card holder

When I saw the 'Share A Cup' stamp in the autumn/winter mini catalogue I knew it would be perfect for making some cute little holders for some Starbucks gift cards we were planning to give as gifts.  I teamed it up with the new Rich Razzleberry card, ink and polka dot grosgrain ribbon also from the mini (and returning in the upcoming new catalogue too).

I just inked up the cup part of the stamp (leaving off the 'hello' greeting this time).  I love the way the polka dots on the cup match the polka dots on the ribbon.  Made for each other!   This was a quick and easy project that made the gift cards that little bit more special (and hopefully easier to find in a handbag!)