Sweet Sunday Baby Card

Hello!

For my little baby girl card I've used the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge for the layout and my new Animal Stories stamp set from the current SU! Summer mini catalogue.

Here is the layout:

And here is my card:

Stamps: Animal Stories, Cheep talk (heart & branch) warm words Ink & card: Close to cocoa, pink pirouette, certainly celery, caramel Other: Pink pirouette striped grosgrain, clear rhinestone brad, filigree brad, eyelet border punch, paper piercer, crystal effects (on the heart) stampin' dimensionals (for the pink elephant)

Must dash - visitors have arrived!!

Caroline

More Christmas Creations

Hello HO HO !

Well, I had fun making more cards today, last minute of course but I think I just about have enough..... Good thing that Stamp with Us have a Chrissie theme as that gave me an extra nudge to keep the Christmas creating happening. So, I made one card & liked the colours together as an alternative to traditional colours, so I got on a roll & made a couple more! These are the first cards this year that I have made with the Season of Joy set (I made everything with it last year!) & I was reminded of what a lovely combination of stamps it offers....and that made me happy, as opposed to finding that my CDs had been stolen from my car sometime this week, which did not make me happy!! Quite what they are hoping to do with "Children's car travelling favourites" (or some similar jolly title!) a Wiggles CD, "Row Row the boat & other all time children's greats!" among others, is quite beyond me!!! In fact, only a couple taken are ones I will miss, so it's no big deal thank goodness...(Mr 3 is not happy at all about the Wiggles loss tho')...but just don't go into my car without asking!!!

Sorry about that...I feel better now! Moving on....Here's my Stamp with Us challenge card:

And here are the cards together:

Stamps: Season of Joy, Many Merry Messages Ink & card: Baja breeze, pretty in pink, not quite navy other: pink taffeta ribbon, paper piercer, bella rose dsp, scallop edge punch, dazzling diamonds.

Good luck with any last minute stuff!

Caroline x

T'was the week before Christmas....

Hi!
Here's a quick selection of Chrissie cards that I've been making....still need some more, but I'm not sure that will happen, we'll see!
Anyway these first two cards are based on the Stamp with Us sketch challenge & use the Holiday Line up stamp set and the ski slope dsp (now retired, but great while it lasted!)
This next card is CASED from Sam Post here. She has some fabulous cards and photo tips too! And finally a simple, quick card made using an embossing folder, SU! real red & sahara sand cardstock & the funky red polka dot ribbon out now(!) in the current Summer mini catalogue. Have a fun weekend!
Caroline x

Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #16 & a little house!

In a bid to get some Christmas cards made I decided that I would need to make my Inkspiration Challenge card a Christmas one. This one is a great sketch & very flexible for all kinds of cards.... I will be using this sketch again.

Here's my card:

Stamps: Winter post Ink: Baja breeze, chocolate chip, black, basic grey Card: Riding hood red, choc chip, kraft, confetti white Other: Designer label punch, riding hood red striped grosgrain, cutter kit distressing tool, clear rhinestones, nestabilities circles (non SU!)

The little house mentioned in the title is a gift I made for a lovely friend who has recently moved house - I made it almost exactly as the instructions given by Monica from Stamp with Us in their on line classes earlier this year. The 'roof' lifts off, so that the inside can be filled with goodies!

Stamps: Cheep talk, sentiment is handwritten Card: chocolate chip, so saffron, real red, brocade blue Other: So saffron ribbon, scallop edge punch, metal edged tag, real red grosgrain.

Cheerio for now!

Caroline

Baby building blocks...anything but a card!

Hello!

Well, the Stamp with Us Challenge this week is a fun one - anything but a card! I started with a Christmas themed plan, but have a friend who I'm about to help to make invites for her baby shower, so must have had that on my mind as my project evolved into a baby theme! I was quite pleased to finally use the tea bag box (thats been one of the things cluttering my desk for several months now) as a template (it's one of the twinings ones that hold 10 tea bags - I was trying to get healthy & drink green tea!) Anyway I thought I'd make 'building blocks' which would hold small gifts like choccies, baby socks....or even tea bags?!!

So here it is showing how the top opens:

Stamps: Nursery necesities, tart & tangy Ink & card: Sahara sand 12 x 12 (textured), riding hood red, so saffron, baja breeze DSP: sweet slumber Other: On board lots of letters, button bouquet designer buttons, hemp twine.

And my TV tip for next week is to tune in to 'Ashes to Ashes' series 2 on the ABC 9.30pm Monday....SO FAB!!! As for anyone in England I expect you all saw it a couple of years ago!!

See ya!

Caroline

Cards for Men and Boys!

Well, I've enjoyed a lovely long weekend in Perth especially feeling the sun at last! I'm a bit of a slack blogger, but at least have two cards today. One was made for my daughter to take today to the birthday party of a young fellow in her school class and the other is for the Stamp with Us sketch challenge this week.
First, the sketch challenge card (which, I might say, I found quite tricky!)

Stamps: Just cricket, on your birthday, sanded background Card & ink: kiwi kiss, real red, night of navy, chocolate chip Other: bella rose dsp,bold bright brads, paper piercer, stampin' dimensionals.

And now the birthday card......just can't get enough of those elephants in party hats!!

Stamps: Party hearty, crazy for cupcakes (balloon) wild about you, think happy thoughts Card & ink: Pacific point, tangerine tango, white, black Other: Pacific point striped grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch, paper piercer, scallop circle punch, 1" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch.

Happy stamping!

Caroline

Party Parade Colour & Inspiration Challenge!

Hey there!

I'm just sneaking in at almost the last moment to post my card for Makeesha's Colour Challenge this week, which is to use real red, so saffron (couldn't live without it!!), regal rose and whisper white. I got the inspiration for my card from the new Spring mini (choo choo card), which fits with Marelle's spring mini springboard challenge this month too. Anyway, can't stay long as Mr 3 is trying to climb on me & randomly push the keyboard buttons (just had to re type 2 lines as I didn't notice it had all suddenly changed to CAPS lock!), so here's the card....

Front view:
side view:

The party hearty hats with the elephants is a fab idea that I CASED from Mary Fish!

Stamps:Wild about You, Party Hearty Ink & cardstock: so saffron, regal rose , real red Other: scallop circle and edge punch, paper piercer, stampin' dimensionals.

Thanks so much for looking.......and just before I go - CONGRATULATIONS to Leanne (blog to follow!!) for achieving her first 3 months Stampin' Start!!!! ;)

See you!

Caroline

Stamp with Us Sketch Challenge

Hello there!

It's been a while but finally have got back to posting! I made a card for this weeks Stamp With Us sketch challenge and have just popped back to the site and realised that I turned the sketch upside down..oops! Oh well, it could easily be reversed and I guess these challenges are meant for individual inspiration!

I have used big bold birthday & the raspberry tart dsp. I also dug out a little of my purely pomegranate stash (from last years in-colours) as it seemed to match quite well.....anyway here 'tis....

Stamps: Big bold birthday ink: purely pomegranate, cameo coral card/paper: cameo coral, purely pomegranate, raspberry tart dsp other: rose red ribbon, clear rhinestones, silver brads.

I recently made a tri fold card too (they are all the rage at the mo!), for my cousin in the UK & used the raspberry tart dsp and other similar colours to above. I like these cards 'cos they're so simple but look a little tricky. I'd better get on to posting it now (as in sending it in the mail before I get so involved with planning and making the card that I don't actually get around to sending it!...sound familiar to anyone?!!)

Anyway must go, I'm off to walk the dogs before it gets too dark!

Caroline

Inkspirations Colour Challenge #11

Hello there!
Just popping in with my attempt for Keesh's challenge this week, which is to use these colours:

This is the card I whipped up quickly in between various interuptions today, so it's quite simple!

Stamps: Petal pizzaz, great friend (sentiment) Ink & card: as above! (I'm being a lazy typist!) Other: washington apple dsp, flower fusion 1 Pumpkin (felt flower centre), pretties kit (vanilla pearls), certainly celery grosgrain, large oval punch, hemp twine.

Thanks Keesh - I enjoyed creating with these colours!

Have a good evening!

Caroline

Sketch Challenge and getting ready for Christmas...

Hi there!

I'm starting to plan for a Christmas card workshop, so decided to use Makeesha's sketch challenge this week to help get me started with Christmas and to start using a new stamp set from the Spring mini catalogue.

Here's the sketch:

Here's my card!

Stamps: Season's Surfing (Spring mini), Best Yet (hostess level 1) Card & ink: Real red, baja breeze, real red, chocolate chip, black stazon Other: the yummy ski slope dsp! (Spring mini), scallop circle punch, choc chip grosgrain, baja breeze coudroy buttons (Spring mini), paper piercer.

Don't tell my children that Christmas is in the air though...they'll be wanting to count down the days already!

Have a lovely week!

Caroline

Mojo Monday #97 Sketch

Happy 1 August!

I headed over to the Mojo Monday blog yesterday when I needed to make a birthday card for my daughter's little friend (for her party today). The sketches are fab...and incredibly popular, with several hundred card makers participating each week. I had a small window yesterday to make a card as I was poorly all day, but had a small timeslot where the panadol & cough potion(!) kicked in enough for me to drag myself up from the couch & make a card!!

Anyway, I've used the Great Friend stamp set, which is in the new Australian Spring mini catalogue starting today. If you don't have an SU! demonstrator & would like a copy, please email me (address on the right) & I would be happy to send one to you.

Anyway, here's my card:

Stamps: Great friend, baroque motifs, on your birthday (Happy o' Birthday with the o' cut off!)

Ink: Pale plum, so saffron, pretty in pink, celery card: whisper white, pretty in pink, lavendar lace Other: washington apple dsp, paper piercer, chipboard number (on board lots of letters), dazzling diamonds, so saffron striped grosgrain, oval scallop punch, nestabilities (non SU!), rhinestones (non SU!)

Have a good weekend!

Keep away from the bugs!

Caroline

Stamp with Us Colour Challenge

Sitting here in my fleece & jeans it's a bit hard to imagine being back on the beach on a Summer's day (as in the Stamp with Us Colour Challenge photo this week). However, it was great to be out bushwalking here in WA this week seeing rivers overflowing and plenty of water racing over the rocks at Bell's rapids after the recent heavy rain we have had....

So, this is my card using the Just Surfing stamp set & the sweet slumber dsp for the cloud background - this is very similar to another Just Surfing card I made earlier this year. I have used riding hood red, so saffron & pacific point as the main colours - my current fave colour combo (well for this week anyway!)

Stamps: Just surfing, polka dot background, sanded background. Ink & card: So saffron, whisper white, pacific point, baja breeze, riding hood red Other: cutter kit (to distress circle edges) pacific point striped grosgrain, sweet slumber dsp, scallop edge punch, circle punches

This is the colour challenge photo: Well, we're off to see 'French & Saunders' tonight, so looking forward to a good laugh!

Thanks for popping in!

Caroline

Colour Inspiration #56

Just a very quick post as I have to get out to do some food shopping...boo! Lovely bright colours for this week's Kristina Werner colour challenge! I cased one of my own card layouts here and used the cute owl together now stamp set.
Stamps: Owl together now, polka dot background, It's your birthday (retired) Card & Ink: So saffron (yes, it does look rather bright!), riding hood red, ballet blue, pumpkin pie, celery, whisper white Other: scallop circle punch, so saffron brads, so saffron striped grosgrain, paper piercer.
And here's the colour inspiration pic:

Have a great weekend!

Caroline

Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #10

So pleased I got this finished, particularly with it being school hols...but managed to get a few minutes to sneak off and stamp! I've used the Upsy Daisy stamp set for probably the first time and also (a sneak peek!) the butterfly and sentiment from one of the new Spring mini catalogue sets Great Friend. Ordering begins on 1 August and there's lots of good things to add to your wishlists!

Anyway here's my card:

Stamps: Great friend (Spring mini) Upsy Daisy Ink & card: Not quite navy, so saffron, baja breeze Other: scallop edge punch, silver hodge podge hardware, clear rhinestones, urban garden paper, friendly words stampin' around wheel, dazzling diamonds, paper piercer, nestabilities (non SU!)

And here's the link to Makeesha's blog and sketch for this week.

Have fun and keep warm (that's if you're experiencing winter in Australia!)

Thanks for looking!

Caroline

Stamp with Us Theme Challenge

This weeks Stamp with Us challenge is to make a child's card. What a great theme! I'm always trying to make last minute cards as I should be about to head out with my children to a party! I've made a girly one for one of my 6 year old daughter's friend. I based the card layout on a sketch by Amy Rysavy here (she has some wonderful sketches). I used All in the Family which is a bit fiddly, but so cute!

Of course I couldn't go past using pink & lots of shiny dazzling diamonds & bling!

Stamps: All in the family,family favourites, family phrases Ink & card: So saffron, rose red & regal rose Other: pink flamingo dsp, word window punch, regal rose grosgrain ribbon, stamp-a-ma-jig. Non SU! -nestabilities & rhinestones.

Got to dash,

Have a good week!

Caroline

One Sheet Wonder Workshop

Last week I was a little busy preparing for my one sheet wonder workshop based on a project by Heather Summers for UStamp earlier this year (or could have been last year?). I even had hubby cutting templates for me to get it ready on time! Anyway, it was all worth it as we had a lovely afternoon on Sunday creating & chatting! So, I thought I'd post a few photos, including ones of the cards & gift box we made.

Below are the sample cards & box (the tangerine card was from a previous workshop):And this is one of the colour variations of baja breeze and pretty in pink (Jaana's cards):

And another using riding hood red, which I think looks quite striking with black & the bella rose riding hood red dsp:

So that was what we were up to on Sunday! If you would like more details please email me on the address on the right.

The other exciting news is that the first mini catalogue for this year will start on 1 August. As a demo I've been able to have a good browse & pre order products already! So stay tuned for more information later......

Have a great weekend - hope you get to do all the things you want to!

Caroline

Two in One!

I've combined Keesh's Colour Inkspiration challenge #9 and this weeks Stamp with Us sketch challenge in one card. I've also taken Keesh's suggestion of making a male card and have used an old favourite set of mine - Voila!

Stamps: Voila, sanded background Ink & card: Ruby red, baja breeze & basic grey Other: Urban oasis & urban garden (hat) dsp, ruby red brads, nestabilities, paper piercer & mat pack.

Bye for now! Caroline

Stamp with Us recipe challenge & a new baby!

Hi!

Hopefully I'm still in time for this week's stamp with us recipe challenge-I haven't tried a recipe challenge before, so it got my brain ticking working out what I needed to do! Meanwhile, a work colleague celebrated the arrival of her first grandchild on Monday - so I have made the card for this exciting occasion!

The challenge was to use only 2 cardstocks, 4 patterned papers & NO embellishments! The card I have made fits with this, BUT I can't promise I won't add some dazzling diamonds before giving it to the recipient!!

The stamp set is a new one in this years Australia/NZ catalogue...and I like the cute sentiment for a new born! The paper is actually retired berry bliss from the 08/09 catalogue. The colours are pretty in pink, so saffron (flowers), chocolate chip & black stazon.

Here it is:

Thanks for looking!

Caroline

Stamp with Us Colour Challenge

Hi there!

The stamp with us colour challenge this week is based on this picture below:

Looking at it again, I would now choose SU! pink passion & real red BUT when I made my card yesterday I was inspired to use regal rose, rose red & sage shadow. If I get time (unlikely!) I will try & make another using the brighter pink & red.....meanwhile, here's what I came up with:

Stamps: embrace life, polka dot background Card & Ink: regal rose, rose red, sage shadow, black stazon Other: regal rose grosgrain, silver hodgepodge hardware, scallop punch, rose red dsp, nestabilities dies (non SU!)

Here's a close up of the layering on the flower (or rather, an excuse to try out the macro function on my new camera!!)

Why not pop over to Stamp with Us & join in?

Bye for now from a cold, blustery Perth!

Caroline

Colour Inspiration #54

Good afternoon!

Kristina sure knows how to pick colours - this weeks combination here is really striking. I haven't seen the other entries yet, but I bet they're going to be good! Anyway, this is my card. It involved a little bit of fiddly cutting, but I wanted to use this cheep talk set a bit differently to how I have before.

Stamps: Cheep talk,polka dot background Ink: Pumpkin pie, soft sky, green galore, taken with teal Card: As for ink, plus whisper white Other: Pumpkin pie grosgrain, silver hodgepodge brad, 1 1/4" square punch,scallop edge punch, button (retired).

Here's the inspiration pic:

Thanks for looking - I'm off to check the other entries out now,

Caroline

Stamp with Us Congratulations theme Challenge

Hello from a rainy winter's day in Perth!
In fact it's good to get rain, especially as we know it won't be long before the sun's shining again.
Anyway, enough of the weather report and on to a card I have made for the Stamp with Us weekly challenge and for friends who are about to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.

Here is my card: Stamps: SU! Cheer & wishes, Always ink: baja breeze, night of navy card: whisper white, urban garden dsp other: ribbon originals valet pg 150 of the Aus catalogue, eyelet border punch, pretties kit - rhinestone brad, non SU! polka dot cuttlebug embossing folder.
Thanks for looking..I'm off to make a nice hot cuppa!
Caroline

Inkspirations Colour Challenge #8

Hi!

Keesh's colours for this challenge were pumpkin pie, pink passion (haven't used that for a long while!) and celery.

So I got to work with my new stamp set - petal pizzaz.....love it! and created 2 cards, one in the challenge colours & another in the sweet slumber dsp colours (I had seen this combination used very effectively on SCS).

This is my challenge card:

Stamps: Petal pizazz, polka dot background and on your birthday Other: earth elements brads, celery 5/8" grosgrain, silver hodgepodge brad, corner rounder punch, polka dot embossing folder (non SU!)

And this is the same layout but using the sweet slumber dsp colours of ruby red, so saffron and bali breeze. The ribbon is from the dress up ribbon originals on page 150 of the catalogue - it's actually riding hood red, but is a good match for the ruby red here. The card base is sahara sand.

Well, I hope you are enjoying your Sunday,

Cheers!

Caroline

Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #8 & a 60th!

Just posting my card for Keesh's challenge this week before the school pick up. I was also asked to make a 60th birthday card for someone who loves all things pink...so I combined the two. Here is the sketch challenge pic:

And here is my card using the fabulous fifth avenue floral stamp set:

The colours for the card & ink are pretty in pink, so saffron and rose red. The sentiment is a computer font.

Must dash...thanks so much for looking!

Caroline

Stamp with Us Sketch Challenge

Happy Monday!

I'm back with a card I created for a sketch challenge which I found by going from Sam Post's blog here to Kate Lewis' blog here to Stamp with Us here! The sketch has circles, so I couldn't resist! Here is the sketch:

And here is my card:

Stamps: Wild about you, family phrases, polka dot background Ink: So saffron, tangerine tango, old olive, more mustard, black Other: cirle punches 1 1/4", 1 3/8" & scallop circle punch, paper piercer, tangerine tango striped grossgrain ribbon.

Thanks for looking - have a good week - hope that UK sunshine continues!

Caroline