Retiring Colours

Hi guys,

I decided to make a card specifically for the JAI challenge this week. I have another great idea floating around up there which I hope to get done before cut off. I decided to use some of our retiring colours to make this card. Not only to use them before they go but to really celebrate how good some of the retiring colours are. I also decided to case a card from the current IB&C! I absolutly love the sweet card on page 8 of the catty. Here's my more boy-ish version of the card



Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink: Apricot Appeal
Cardstock: Apricot Appeal, Ruby Red, Brocade Blue, Whisper White
Accesories: Apricot Appeal and Brocade Blue Prints DSP pack, Scallop Egde Punch, Brocade Blue brads, Dimensionals, Polka Dot Folder, Big Shot

It's funny the last few cards I've made for JAI challenges have been alot more simple cards then I usually do. This is a fun card and would be great again for a make and take or a SAS. When I stamped the happy birthday sentiment I originally used my SAMJ and then thought no it'd look quirkier freehand so I stamped free hand instead. I like this look alot better. I don't think everything needs to be 100% perfect all the time to look great.

Thanks for looking,
Have a great evening! I'm off to watch my new favourite show, True Blood!

Dani

Baby Wipe Pizzazz

Hi guys,

Now I have a ripper of a card for you today. I started working on it on Friday and finally finished it today. I originally started with the latest Inkspirations sketch, This week being hosted by Cindy from the DT. She also gave us an extra challenge of using something you've been hoarding for a while. Here's this weeks sketch...



With that in mind I also felt like getting my fingers inky so I grabbed my re-inkers and headed to one of Stampin' buddies places. I combined our small stash of reinkers to stamp using the baby wipe technique. This technique can be used SO many ways and always has a beautiful and individual effect. I stamped using Petal Pizzazz and here's a close up of how my flowers turned out.



Doesn't it just give those flowers and leaves a little 'pop' and an extra something special? I'm so happy with this effect that u just may see it more often.

Then I decided to use Wonderful Favourites set for a sentiment in the circle. This set is so great and really versatile. I would also check back here in a few days for an upcoming special involving this set. Again being in the mood for something different I decided to use the Rock n Roll Technique to stamp my sentiment. Is a close up of how it turned out



With all these elements combined I added a few other bits and pieces like some scrunched ribbon which is really popular at the moment, some DSP (What card would be complete without DSP?) and some dimension and here's the final result...



Stamp Set: Wonderful Favourites, Petal Pizzazz
Cardstock: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Gloss White, Summer Picnic DSP
Ink: Baha Breeze, Pacific Point
Reinkers: Baha Breeze, Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Circle Scissors Plus, Pacific Point Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Isn't it pretty? I'm really happy with how it turned out. Now the thing I've been hoarding is the DSP I used it the background. It is Summer Picinic DSP from the Summer Mini in 2008! Yep I'm definatly a hoarder! I also entered this card for Just Add Ink's current challenge which was Just Add Printed Paper (DSP).

Thanks for looking

Dani

Just Add Ink #22

Hi guys,

This week at Just Add Ink they had a colour challenge. As soon as I saw these I was like WOW! I really like them but wasn't 100% sure what to do with them. Especially when you put them together they are quiet bright. Here's the colours




So I started off by just punching out some squares of the colours to see them together and just get the ideas flowing and the squares then formed the inspiration for the card. Its quiet simple but I really really like it. It would be a great Make and Take or SAS card and would be easily replicated in different colours. After the card was done I realised the squares sorta reminded me of the card on page 63 of the current IB&C but it wasn't where I originally drew my inspiration.



Stamp Set: Party Hearty
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Kiwi Kiss, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: 1 1/2" square punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Dazzling Diamonds, Two way glue pen

I was really morning the loss of my Polka Dot BG stamp and my mat pack with this card. But it's good its giving me an extra challenge. If you look really close at the turquoise squares I have added a little glitter just to give it a little something extra. I am hoping I have some extra time (unlikely but I'm hoping) in the next few days to do a few more matching cards.

Thanks for looking
Dani

Bon Voyage Megs!

Hi Hi!

One of my good friends flew off for a trip to Europe and the US today. Last night we went out for Farewell drinks so I decided to make her a card to say goodbye. I used the Inkspirations Sketch from last week. Again I just didn't get organised in time to have it posted on my blog before the challenge ran out. I really like how it turned out but must say the photo really doesn't give it justice. I need to invest in an OTT light esp with these dreary winter days it would just make the world of difference to my photos. I'm really happy with how the card turned out even if the photo doesn't give it as much justice as it deserves.



Stamp Set: Petal Pizzazz, Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Trendy Trees
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Almost Amythest, Pink Pirouette, Kraft, Pink Pirouette Prints DSP
Ink: Almost Amythest, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, Basic Black
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals, 1 1/2' Square punch, 1/2 ' circle punch, Tombow glue, Chunky Glitter, Certainly Celery ribbon, Soft Subtles Brads

I'm really happy that this card turned out so well considering the lack of supplies I have atm. It was weird not having my normal abundance of scissors and having to rely on kitchen scissors which are really awful to work with. I lost 4 pairs of scissors and they are the only pair I have left in the house apart from chicken scissors lol! The baby wipes are also getting a work out to clean my stamps. I don't know how I lived without baby wipes for so long!

Have a good night
Dani

The benefits of having a demonstration

One of the things I do as a Stampin' Up Demonstrator is in home demonstrations. It's great fun for me and great fun for you as a host. There are lots of benefits of having an in home demonstration.

Here are some of the great incentives:
* You get to learn about Stampin' Up.
* Look at, touch and play with our products.
* You get to invite some girlfriends over and have a fun night in.
* You get to make a card to take home with you.
* You get free stamp sets and money to spend depending on how much people order. The more orders, the more incentives.
* You get hands on advice about products and how to use them
* It costs you nothing
* You get a lovely handmade gift from me just for having the demonstartion.

Here is a picture of a handmade gift pack I gave to one of my customers last week for having a demonstration.



There's a handmade card, An altered notepad and a little gift pack filled with hodgepodge. Here they are up close.



Hand made card



Altered Notepad



Little gift pouch. You undo the ribbon and in the middle in a gift of hodgepodge. Silly me didn't take a photo of it opened. I will be making some more soon so will post what they look like inside soon.

I love making gifts like this and the best bit was they were all made from scraps of cardstock I had lying around from Riley's birthday invitations.

Stamp Sets: Polka Dot BG, Petal Pizzazz
Cardstock: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette Prints DSP
Ink: Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Certainly Celery Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Snips

Thanks for looking
Dani

Feeling at loss...

WARNING PERSONAL POST!

Hi Guys,

I was on such a role last week with my posts and Stampin' Up stuff and I felt so good about everything. My mail outs were going out on time, I was putting specials on my blog. I felt so organised. Then 'tragedy' struck two Monday's ago and I have felt very lost.

Last Sunday (6th June) I did a demonstration. I was in alot of pain afterwards due to my hips still being out of action that Karl (My partner) asked me to leave everything in my boot until he got home from work so I didn't strain myself anymore. By the time he got home, we forgot about it. The next day whilst we were home, somebody broke into my car and stole my bag that I took to my demo. It had all my regularly used tools, stamp sets, accessories in it, Plus a huge tupperware container with 100+ cards in it, bigshot stuff and a scrap album I've been working on for Rileys 1st birthday (which was last weekend). They took other stuff but nothing much of value. We reported it to the police but nothing has shown up. I have worked out that I lost over $1000 worth of products. But it was more the sentimental things (scrap pages, cards, etc) that I am extremly annoyed about.

I have other stuff to post from before my bag was stolen and am hoping to start getting back to creating soon, I just feel really lost and like my stampin' mojo is gone. I also just don't feel I can create without my Stampin' Scrub and my bone scorer. It seems so petty, but for me its something that brings me absolute joy and I feel like someone has just taken that away from me without a thought about how there actions affected other people. On the positive side, Stampin' Up will love my next order!

Thanks for reading and be sure to come back soon to see my mojo come back.

Dani

6X6 Scrapbook Page Swap

WOW 3 posts in 4 days, I'm on fire!!!! And theres lots more to come too! I'm so proud of myself!

I just had the opportunity to participate in a 6x6 Scrapbook Page Swap with my fellow Inklings. The theme was 'HOME.' I struggled at first cos I don't have many photos of my current house and all my ones of my old place are on another computer. I then thought about what my meaning of Home really is. For me home is a sense of belonging, of love and somewhere you go and feel comfortable. My family makes where I live feel like home so I thought to incorporate them into my page. Here's what I came up with...



The top note pulls out from behind the photo to reveal journalling and looks like this



I apologise about the photos. I find it so difficult to take photos of scrapbook pages without making them look all odd shaped.

Stamp Set: Priceless
Ink: Versamark, Melon Mambo
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Kraft, Basic Black, Ballet Blue
Accessories: Black grosgrain, White Gel Pen, Black Stampin' Write, Dimensionals, Big Shot, Top Note Dye

Thanks for looking
Dani

Bright and Blingy!

Before you scroll down I'll just warn you, This one is BRIGHT and you will need sunglasses to view it. I didn't intend on it being quite this bright and wouldn't usually use Only Orange but it turned out alright considering. Here's what happened...

The other week I was at a stampin' night with a fellow demonstrators, Danielle Pitts and Angela Parker. Was a great night and whilst there I started on this card for the current Inkspirations sketch at the time. I had Orchid Opulence and Melon Mambo scraps I was already working with so though Pumpkin Pie would set it off well. I asked to borrow some Pumpkin Pie CS and saw it come out from the Earth Elements pack but after I completed the circle part of the card I took it home to finish off and found that it was actually Only Orange. So End result = SUNGLASSES!



I actually didn't get this one up in time to be able to be in running for the challenge but thought I'd share it anyway. The great thing about it is it's very different to what I would usually do. With the Only Orange pleated paper strip I didn't have ribbon to match so I thought I'd create my own little feature by scoring the cardstock at 1cm, 3cm, 4 cm, 6 cm, 7cm, 9cm, 10cm, 12cm, etc etc and then folding it and taping to give the card an extra pop! I hope you like it.

Stamp set: One of a kind
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Orchid Opulence, Only Orange
Ink: Basic Black, Orchid Opulence
Accesories: Dimensionals, Circle Scissors Plus
Non SU: Buttons, Rhinestones

Thanks for looking,
Dani

June Deals of the Week

Hi guys,

Sorry I'm a bit late posting this up. Every week in June Stampin' Up is releasing a Deal of the Week. You could save 30% or more on a selected items. Check back each Wednesday for the new deals. This week starting 1st - 8th June you can purchase the following punches for $20.12!!! Awesome price considering they are usually $30.95 each!


Boho Blossoms Scallop Oval



Scallop Square Trio Flower

Please contact me if you would like to purchase any of these. Remember its only for a week so get in fast!

Have a great day
Dani

Happy 1st Birthday Grace

Hi guys,

One of the babies, Grace, from my mum's group turns 1 today! I can't believe how quickly this year has flown. It seems like only yesterday I was all nervous to meet these people and now they are all really great friends. Since it's her 1st birthday I thought it was only appropriate to make her a gorgeous card. I used the current Just Add Ink sketch. I've been wanting to join in on one of there challenges for weeks now so it was great to finally have the opportunity. Here's the sketch.

This card I made I feel has been inspired alot by Teneale Williams. If you haven't checked out her blog before, what rock have you been living under? She is super talented! Go have a look! I have used her 'Faux Bow' technique to get the worlds most perfect bow. She has a video technique on how to do them which can be found here. I think mine needs a little more work to live up to the master but I am very happy with it. I also cased a few things from other cards she has done but put my own little spins on it too. I must say I am quiet happy with the end result



Stamp Sets: Fox and Friends, Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Sanded BG
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel Marker
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette Prints DSP
Accessories: Choc Chip Wide Grosgrain, Bouquet Designer Buttons Pink Pirouette Button, Round Tab Punch, Dimensionals, Sponge Daubers, Hemp Twine

Thanks for looking,
Dani

1st Birthday Invitations

Hi guys,

I have been very quiet the last month or so that's because not only have I been working ridiculous hours but my little girl had surgery 2 weeks ago. She has an eye condition known as congenital esotropia which means her eyes turn too far inwards and don't work together. Because hers were quiet severe surgery was recommended asap. So we forked out the money (Thanks mum and dad) for her to have it done. I thought I'd share a few photos of her cos who doesn't love photos of kids??



Here is a photo of her in her gown just before the surgery. You can see that her right (your left) eye is turned in and the other is veering in. This happened all the time. I have alot of photos where you can see it more prominently



Here's a photo taken last weekend after shes started recovering from the surgery. Her eyes are looking great and it has made such a difference to her. Before she was crawling but was a little uncoordinated now she just flies, she also has started getting into and up things (like our 15 stairs) so it has made a real difference. One of her eyes is drifting a little. We are hoping it doesn't drift anymore otherwise she may need another surgery in the future but for the moment we are so happy and proud of her.

Ok now onto the fun stuff... Stamping! Apart from the surgery I have also been working on my little girls birthday invitations. I can't believe she will be 1 in less than a month! Crazy how quickly time flies! I made 35 birthday invitations (And still didnt have enough for everyone). I decided to make it a butterfly theme so she has gorgeous butterfly invites and will have a matching cake and lolly boxes which I will share with you later on.



I decided to use Melon Mambo, One of our new In Colours and will be a permanent colour as of September teamed with Regal Rose and Orchid Opulence (Which will leave us in September *tear*) to make her invites and really love the colour combo. I am going to try and continue this colour theme throughout the birthday party!



Here is the invite up close. I used flight of the butterfly and butterfly prints (From the summer mini) to do the stamping. I also used polka dot bg stamp and It's your birthday for the look who's turning one! (Thanks Tracey Eaton) Also how beautiful is the new In Colour ribbon?? It's my new favourite product cos you can use either side!



Here is the inside. I finished it off with more butterflies!

Stamp Sets: Flight of the Butterfly, Butterfly Prints*, It's your birthday, Polka Dot BG
Ink: Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, Orchid Opulence
Cardstock: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, Orchid Opulence
Accessories: 1 3/8" and 1 1/2" circle punches, Melon Mambo ribbon, dimensionals

Thanks for looking
Dani

Makeesha Colour Challenge No 24

Hi guys,

I'm currently off work for a few weeks because my hips have been playing up so I was lucky enough to have a play with Makeesha Byl's colour challenge for the week! I saw these colours and went ooooh interesting, Not sure if I can make these work but after pulling them out I noticed they work so well together. Here are the beautiful colours we had to work with...



Apricot Appeal is a colour I rarely use so its nice to get out of my comfort zone. I had alot of fun with this and if I get a chance I will try and have another play with these colours. Heres what I came up with...



Stamp Set: Nursery Necessities
Ink: Basic Grey, Sage Shadow
Cardstock: Basic Grey, Whisper White, Sage Shadow, Apricot Appeal Prints DSP Pack II
Accessories: Soft Subtle Brads, Small Star Punch, Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Sponge Daubers

Thanks for looking
Dani

First Inklings Blog Hop

Welcome to The INKlings’ Team’s first ever blog hop. You may have arrived here from Nicky Adamson's or just be visiting my blog, whichever way once you’ve checked out my creations you can continue the hop through the link at the end of this post to the next team member.

What style of cards do we frequently get asked for inspiration for? More often than not it’s masculine cards, be it little boys or grandfathers everyone seems to struggle with cards for the males in our lives. So as a team we thought we’d help you out by providing you with 20 team members fantastic blogs that you can hop through and get lots of fantastic ideas from.

Want to win some Blog Candy? Simply leave a comment on each blog and then email Michelle Dyson and let her know you’ve done so and you’ll be in the running for a fantastic prize of 20 handmade cards plus other goodies.
Sorry Blog Candy prize not available to SU! demonstrators.

Well isn't this so exciting, The first Inklings Blog Hop and My first Blog Hop! Please make sure you complete the hop of all 20 blogs and give all the lovely ladies some comment love because it's not as much fun if you don't. Now since the hop is masculine themed, if that isn't a challenge enough, I wanted to challenge myself to use stamp sets I wouldn't usually use to make a masculine card. Usually I just go to old faithful "Lovely as a tree" to make my card but not today and I must say I am really happy with what I ended up doing. I used Upsy Daisy embossed in black and teamed it with Urban Oasis and Walk in the Park DSP, a little hand sewing and some finishing touches and here it is...



Stamp Sets: Upsy Daisy, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink: Basic Black, Versa Mark
Cardstock: Kraft, Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Walk in the Park DSP*, Urban Oasis DSP
Accessories: Black Embossing Powder, Dimensionals, Black Brad, Neddle and Black Cotton

In case you miss anyone on the way here is a list of all the participants and links to there blogs

Clare McIlhatton
Janice Spencer
Dani Holland
Kylie Swain
Amy Anderson
Kari Hughes
Jayne Mercer
Joanna Wassens
Michelle Dyson
Christie Wallace
Carolyn Gibbs
Fiona Brown
Beth Stewart
Nicky Adamson
Dani Fender (ME)
Michelle Frost-Stevenson
Rachel Jackson
Rachel Capps
Carolyn Campbell-McLean
Michelle Le Breton

Well that’s all from me. Next stop on the INKlings’ Team Blog Hop is Michelle Frost-Stevenson. Have fun and don't forget to leave a comment on each blog to win some great Blog Candy.

Thanks again for stopping by
Dani

Makeesha Colour Challenge No 21

Hi guys,

Wow, twice in a week! Woo Hoo! And I got to participate in another Inkspirations Challenge! This week was a colour challenge. I really like these colours, They are my sort of colours. I'm pretty sure I did my Christmas Cards in these colours one year! Here they are...



My brother officially graduated from university last week and is now a qualified nurse so I thought these colours would be great for a card for him to say Congrats! Here is the card I gave to him...



Stamp Set: Say it with Scallops
Ink: Old Olive and Real Red Markers
Cardstock: Old Olive, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Old Olive DSP
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Bashful Blue grosgrain, Scallop Square Punch, 1 1/2" Square Punch, Dimensionals

Thanks for looking
Dani

Partying on an easel

I have been making lots of easel cards lately. They are heaps of fun and really easy to make and give your card that extra 'pop'. I made one this week using Makeesha Byl's sketch challenge which looks like this...



I absolutely love this sketch and have a million other ideas of what I could have done with it if i had enough time this week. But due to the flu, gastro bug and a teething baby that wasn't feasible unfortunately! Here's what I did come up with....



I used the Party Hearty Stamp Set with some lovely masculine colours Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze. I am so excited we are keeping Baja! How awesome does the card look standing up all on it's own! Here is a close up of the front of the card...



Stamp Set: Party Hearty
Card Stock: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: 1 3/8" and 1 1/2" circle punch, Scallop Edge punch, Word Window Punch, Black Brads

Thanks for looking!
Dani