"ART WITH HEART" BLOG HOP - AUTUMN/WINTER MINI CATALOGUE!!

Welcome to the "Art With Heart" team blog hop, showcasing new products in the Stampin' Up! Autumn/Winter Mini catalogue (going 'live' tomorrow!).

The "Art With Heart" team, of some 90 Stampin' Up! demonstrators spread across five states of Australia, is lead by Claire Daly.  It is a team that has provided me with some fantastic friendships - I'm proud to be a part of it!  We have an online forum that is a great source of advice and support from like-minded (mad!) stampers and scrapbookers.  If you'd like to sign up as a demonstrator, and be part of our Stampin' Up! 'family', please email me at c.blain@yarravalleysnackfoods.com.

Our team blog hop occurs on the last day of every month.  A number of us take part each month, so you're sure to find lots of inspiration along your way, visiting the blogs of team members involved.

You may have just come from the blog of the gorgeous, bubbly, Kristine Thompson.  If not, don't worry - you can join at any spot on the 'tour'.  There are 14 of us involved in today's blog hop.  Make sure you leave a comment on every one of the blogs along the way, then email Nikki Sadler at nikki@inkyart.com.au.  Let Nikki know you've commented on each blog, and you'll go into the draw to win some "blog candy".  There is a deadline of 6.00am (AEST) 3rd April, to email Nikki.  We'd love as much "comment love" as we can get :), but please note that the blog candy will be awarded only to an entrant who is not a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

Okay, onto my cards using my FAVOURITE new stamp!  I have chosen to use the Medallion stamp, which I'd been hoping-against-hope would be brought out in Australia with this new catalogue.  And whaddya know - we got it!! 

First up is a card using my often-used, and much-loved, colour combo of kraft and red, with a bit of brown:




Stamps: En Francais, Medallion, Occasional Greetings

Card: Kraft, Chocolate Chip

DSP: Bella Rose

Ink: Sahara Sand and Chocolate Chip stampin' pads, Versamark inkpad

Other: Clear embossing powder, Eyelet Border Punch, Curly Label Punch, sponge dauber, Flower Trio Punch, linen thread, paper piercing tool and mat pack, Playground designer button, mini glue dots, Dress Up ribbon originals

(Even though the colour looks a bit 'orange', I've used Riding Hood Red.  Blame the photographer.)


While I had my big, beautiful, Medallion stamp out I decided to make a second card, using the same layout, but a completely different colour combination.  I am in LOVE with Melon Mambo, one of the three new colours introduced with this catalogue.  It's bold and bright (not quite as muted as this photo shows).   What do you think of this one????




Stamps: En Francais, Medallion, Occasional Greetings, Polka Dot

Card: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink: Melon Mambo stampin' pad, Jet Black Staz-On inkpad, Versamark inkpad

Other: Clear embossing powder, Eyelet Border Punch, Curly Label Punch, sponge dauber, black Basic Jumbo Grommet,1/2" circle punch, Build-A-Brad, Valet Ribbon original


You're sure to see many more cards from me, using this stamp.  I'll try to show you some other things as well in the coming days and weeks :)

Thanks for visiting today - I really appreciate it.  Now it's time to go on to Kathryn Mangelsdorf's blog, to see her beautiful creation.  Enjoy the rest of the tour!

Just in case my blog is your starting point for today's blog hop, here's a list of my 13 team-mates who are also involved in this fun 'event'.  (Make sure you leave comments!)



Ros Davidson

Tina Gillespie

Kathryn Lowe

Sue Madex

Gayatri Murali

Di Dunk

Kristine Thompson

Kathryn Mangelsdorf

Tanja Westwood

Judy May

Kim Meiklejohn

Nikki Sadler

Claire Daly




 

"JUST ADD INK" 10 - COLOUR CHALLENGE

This week the colour 'challenge' (and I use that term loosely, because, hey, take a LOOK at these yummy colours!) over at Just Add Ink  is to make a card/item using this colour combo:







I've kind of 'gone to town' on this one.  Might just be a tad overdone, LOL, but I LOVE the new wheel that is coming out in the Autumn/Winter Mini catalogue in just a few days.

I won't waffle on, because I am about to race out the door to have dinner at my in-laws' (yay to not having to cook ... ah, again!).  Here is my card:





Stamps: Very Vintage wheel (out 1st April), Inspired by Nature, Best Yet

Card: White Glossy Card, Kraft, Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom, Close to Cocoa

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom and Cameo Coral stampin' pads

Other: Sponge daubers, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/2" circle punch (not Stampin' Up!), Scallop Circle Punch, edge distresser, Build-a-Brad, 1/2" circle punch, Valet Ribbon Originals, Kraft taffeta ribbon.

"WORLD'S GREATEST SHAVE" LAYOUT

Recently my youngest boy decided, of his own volition, to take part in the World's Greatest Shave - encouraging people to seek sponsorship to dye or shave their hair, to help raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation.  Ethan is such a beautiful soul, with qualities that I really admire.  He was positively EXCITED about the prospect of shaving all his hair off, and fronting up to primary school the next day!  He wasn't the least bit embarrassed, or worried what others would think of him, because he knew that it was all for a good cause, and his hair would grow back soon enough.  How's that for a level head?  Have I mentioned I am proud of him??!!

Well, such a special event calls for a scrapbook page, I think.  Scrapbooking is waaaay outside my comfort zone (I love the smaller 'canvas' of a card, and feel a little intimidated by the large page!), but I wanted to do this layout to document what Ethan chose to do.  So, here is my photo-heavy layout!







A close-up of the accent on the bottom left of the page:





Here's a closer look at the title, cut out using two products NEW to Stampin' Up!, come 1st April:





And, finally, the little bit of journalling I squeezed in amongst all the photos:





Here's a list of all the supplies I used on this layout:

Stamps: Life Definitions, Starring You

Card: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Basic Black

DSP: Baja Breeze and Basic Gray Patterns DSP

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Baja Breeze stampin' pad, Basic Gray marker

Other: Baja Breeze corduroy brads (retired), sponge dauber, Star Punch, Large Star Punch, Basic Gray taffeta ribbon, Clips assortment, dimensionals ... and Big Shot, with Timeless Type Alphabet Junior Sizzlits (both being released 1st April in Australia



 

PINK, SPOTTY, FLOWERY "THINKING OF YOU" .....

Does the post title give you a good idea of what today's card might look like??  (Sorry, bit unimaginative with my titles!)

Today I discovered that Lisa Johnson has started to throw down challenges on her website, which I often go to for a drool over her beautiful work.  Clearly I haven't visited her blog for a while, because already Lisa has posted two challenges.  Never mind - I'll start at number 2.  The current challenge is to use light moss, a button, and polka dots.  This is what I came up with:





Stamps: One of a Kind, Sincere Salutations, Polka Dot background

Card: Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette, Mellow Moss

Ink: Pink Pirouette and Mellow Moss stampin' pads

Other: Pink Pirouette 1 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, Boho Blossoms punch, mini glue dots, Button Bouquet, Stamp-a-ma-jig, circle nestabilities



Pretty, don't you think?  Hubby actually likes this one, which concerns me - normally that's a bad omen! LOL.  The wide pink ribbon I have used on this card is available in Australia only until the end of March, when the current Stampin' Up! mini catalogue runs out.  Make sure you place an order with me, or your demonstrator if you already have one, if you don't want to miss out on this beautiful ribbon!  I love it, and hope you like what I've done with it. :)


 

"JUST ADD INK" CHALLENGE #9

I have some new Stampin' Up! goodies to play with, so I turned to the Just Add Ink Challenge for this week, for a bit of inspiration.  The girls at JAI have come up with a sketch this week; a great starting point for those of us who are a bit cloudy-headed, and don't know what to make!  Here is my interpretation of the sketch - I wanted the card to look a bit like a present.  I ALMOST managed to make a whole card without adding Kraft, but it just needed that little 'something', LOL.





Stamps: Polka Dot background, On Your Birthday

Card: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Kraft

DSP: *NEW* pretty paper, available from 1st April :)

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Chocolate Chip and Ruby Red stampin' pads

Other: Sponge daubers, *NEW* button die (available 1st April), Scallop Edge punch, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Valet Ribbon Originals, mini glue dots
 

SCALLOP NOTES II, POLKA DOTS, AND A BIT OF PUN FUN

Yes, folks, I'm back, for the second time in one evening!  After signing off earlier, with a promise of making cards in the coming days, I checked the 'family planner' on our bench and realised that the next few days are pretty full-on for our family.  So, I've taken advantage of a bit of time this evening with only one son home (he being the son who is not particularly interested in talking to his mother).  I went into my craft room and had a little play with some products that are about to be 'retired' from our range of Stampin' Up! goodies.  With less than two weeks left of the current Summer Mini catalogue, I decided I should focus on showcasing some of the products.

Back in this post I showed a few of the pretty things that are available only until the end of March.  I love the little Scallop Notes II, which are the sweetest 'love note', or gift card, size.  They are on page 7 of the Summer Mini catalogue, and at $23.95 for 30 cards and envelopes, are great value.  The Scallop Notes come in a selection of Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze and Chocolate Chip (10 cards of each colour); all of the envelopes are Very Vanilla.

I have a few photos to show you of the results of my play session this evening.

First up is a 'group shot' of the three colours of cards, so you can visualise them, if you're not familiar with Stampin' Up!'s colours.





Now I'll show them to you, one by one, so I can include a list of all the products used to make each card.

Behind this first card is a blank, standard-sized card, so you can see how little and cute the Scallop Notes are!  I'm a very 'visual' person, so find it much easier to see something than have it described to me.



Stamps: Pun Fun

Card: Pink Pirouette Scallop Note II, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Basic Gray

DSP: Bella Rose

Ink: Basic Gray and Pink Pirouette stampin' pads, Pretty in Pink marker

Other: 1 3/4" circle punch, Word Window punch, sponge dauber,Trio Flower punch, white gel pen, dimensionals



On this next card, I've used an adorable little stamp set and punch that will be available to purchase from next month.  They're TINY (and that's all I'm saying for now)!





Stamps: Pun Fun, Polka Dot background, plus new, exciting little stamp set...

Card: Baja Breeze Scallop Note II, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Pink Pirouette

Ink: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette stampin' pads, Pretty in Pink marker

DSP: Pink Pirouette Patterns Designer Series Paper

Other: Sponge dauber, Flower Fusion Too, Pretty in Pink brad, glue dots, exciting little punch... :)



The little house stamped on this last card is from one of this year's Sale-a-Bration stamp sets, called Good Neighbors.  The stamps can be earned for FREE if you spend $100 on Stampin' Up! products before the end of March.  A stamp-a-ma-jig comes in very handy if you're using this stamp set!  See the cute little envelope underneath the card?





Stamps: Good Neighbors, Short & Sweet

Card: Chocolate Chip Scallop Note II, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip cardstock

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss stampin' pads

DSP: Kiwi Kiss Patterns Designer Series Paper

Other: Sponge daubers, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Word Window Punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Scallop Circle Punch, dimensionals, Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbon



I hope you've enjoyed my little Scallop Notes II 'showcase'.  Let me know which one is your favourite!

Christine :)

IT'S A *PINK* BABY!!

Happily, I had to make a 'girl baby' card for some special people this past week.  Our warehouse manager and his wife became parents for the first time, to baby Charlotte. Yippee! How sweet!!  Since we have around 30 employees, and I wanted everyone to be able to write in the card, I made a big card from one A4 sheet of cardstock, folded in half.  I'd told my sister about it, and she wanted to see the card, so I thought I'd be my usual show-offy self, and share it with everyone! Here it is, in all its pinkness:





Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes, Punches Three

Card: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Watercolour paper

DSP: Candy Lane

Ink: Pink Pirouette stampin' pad, Pretty in Pink marker, Jet Black Staz-On inkpad

Other: White brads (from 5/8" Neutrals assortment), 1 1/4" Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, dimensionals, Scallop Edge Punch, paper piercing tool, sponge dauber, Nestabilities



That yummy wide ribbon, in Stampin' Up!'s Summer Mini catalogue, is available only until the end of this month, so if you don't have it yet, but would like some, be sure to get your order in to me!  (Unless of course you have, or are, your own demonstrator!) 

The Jumbo Brads I've used at the top of the card are still available for purchase, even though they are not listed in a current catalogue.  They cost $13.50, for 32 brads (8 each of Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla and Silver).  I think they're a pretty cool embellishment, so thought I'd just let you know they're still available!

I am hoping to get some time in my craft room, to make a few more cards to show you, in the coming days, so please keep checking back.  I will again be taking part in my team's blog hop on the last day of the month.  This month we'll have some beautiful creations to show you, using new and exciting Stampin' Up! products, so make sure you mark the 31st March in your diary, to visit all the participating Art With Heart team blogs!

"JUST ADD EASTER" - Just Add Ink Challenge #8

It's been WEEKS since I have played along with a challenge, and I've missed making a card 'just for the fun of it' (not that all those special birthday and baby cards haven't been fun, if any of my loved ones are reading this, LOL).  So, I've whipped up a card for the Just Add Ink challenge - this week, the challenge has an Easter focus.  If you'd been reading carefully, you may already have figured that out by my post title.  Subtle, aren't I?!

Because my supply of Stampin' Up! Easter stamps is VERY limited, I've used a very old "Egg Heart" stamp from my stash. Apart from that, and the pink adhesive hearts (oh, and the Nestabilities!), everything else on my card is Stampin' Up!, including a very cute embellishment that is NEW to Stampin' Up!, come April.  Can you spot it?





Stamps: Egg Heart (not SU!), Occasional Greetings

Card: Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink

DSP: Tea Party

Ink: Jet Black Staz-On inkpad, Close to Cocoa stampin' pad and marker, Pretty in Pink marker, Pink Pirouette stampin' pad

Other: Large oval punch, sponge dauber, Oval Nestabilities, NEW button die (coming April!!), dimensionals, Valet Ribbon originals, pink heart Rain Dots

THESE GIRLS ......

made today the BEST Friday I've had in a long time!  I just wanted to share with you all a picture of three of my dear friends, who I would never had met if it wasn't for Stampin' Up!  We gathered at a gorgeous cafe today, to celebrate Kerry's and Leanne's birthdays.  Judy, the fifth member of our monthly stamping group, wasn't able to make it (she's in Perth, celebrating another 'special someone's' birthday) - we missed you, Judy!

I love this photo of Kerry, Claire and Leanne (although Kerry, aka "Pinky", doesn't look too happy to be FIFTY, does she??  How fabulous does 50 look on this woman??!).

Leanne will probably be unhappy with me sharing the next photo (although I think you are beautiful, my friend!), but it is the only one I have with the four of us together, so it is special to me.

Can you see all the beautiful homewares and gifts in the background?  If you're in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne, check out Succulent Cafe in Lilydale - it's really lovely.

Thank you, my friends, for a fabulous, long, lunch - love you!
 

"HELLO AGAIN" .... it's been a while, hasn't it?!

Well, I don't know about in your corner of the world, but I'm finding March to be an extremely busy month for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and babies!!  I don't quite know where the time has gone since I last posted on my blog - oh, wait, yes I do. I've been bunkered down in my craft room, making cards for all these happy occasions :)



Stampin' Up!'s Summer Mini catalogue runs only until the end of March, so I thought I'd share with you a couple of 'flowery' cards I've made using the cute little "Hello Again" stamp set.  It's only $21.95 for 5 sweet stamps, and it co-ordinates with the Retro Remix wheel ($11.95).  Despite that fact that Melbourne has plunged head-long into Autumn (bringing with it 100-year-record hail storms, and cold weather - a bit of a shock to the system!), I'm clinging to the 'springy' colours I used in my Easter post for this first card.  You'd probably find that using the Stamp-a-ma-jig (stamp positioner) to line up the row of flowers would be a good idea ..... however, I made this card at our monthly stamp night (with dear friends) recently, and was rather cavalier and just stamped away 'by eye'.  Too busy talking, laughing and eating chocolate on the night, I think!





Stamps: Hello Again

Card: Barely Banana, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Ink: Barely Banana stampin' pad, Bashful Blue marker, Pretty in Pink marker, Almost Amethyst stampin' pad, Certainly Celery stampin' pad and marker

Other: Bashful Blue 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, sponge daubers, edge distresser, Sherbet Designer Buttons, mini glue dots



I just love how those cute little buttons match the ink colours so well, don't you?  Speaking of cute, did you notice my brand-new watermark?  I know, I know, it probably should be over the card, but it's so pretty, I decided to 'showcase' it on its own.  (Simple pleasures!)



The next card I have to show you, using the Hello Again stamp set, is a Scallop Notes II card.  These adorable note cards are also in the Summer Mini catalogue.  For $23.95, you get 30 cards and envelopes - 10 cards each in Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze and Pink Pirouette, and 30 Very Vanilla envelopes sized perfectly for the little cards.  I think I might've got just a little carried away with the embellishments on this card, but I'll let you be the judge! 





Stamps: Hello Again

Card: Scallop Note II (Baja Breeze), Whisper white, Pink Pirouette and Baja Breeze cardstock

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Basic Gray stampin' pad, Pink Pirouette stampin' pad, Baja Breeze stampin' pad

Other: Curly Label Punch, 1" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Valet Ribbon Originals, dimensionals, sponge daubers, Fleurettes II, pink rhinestone brad



Isn't that satin Baja Breeze ribbon to-die-for??  Oh, and the white crocheted flower, from the Fleurettes II selection, is another item that is available only until the end of March.  Don't miss out on getting these gorgeous products while they're still available; contact me, and I can process an order for you!  Remember that for every $100 worth of product you buy from me before the end of March, you get to choose a FREE stamp set from the four gorgeous Sale-A-Bration sets on offer this year.

Here's a close-up of the little card, against a very classy background of a white polystyrene lid that was out on our deck (I'm nothing if not resourceful!).  I wanted you to see how I stuck a little strip of Pink Pirouette card on the inside edge of the card.





That's it from me for another day!  I'll try not to leave it so long between posts next time.  Thanks for visiting, and don't forget to contact me before the end of March if you need anything from the Summer Mini catalogue!