A Little Distracted...

Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't posted for a few days. I have good reason! I have been a little distracted when it comes to my craft lately... lots going on in my life, but one of the good things is something I have always wanted to do and never had the courage til now! I have finally got my motorbike licence! I picked up my new baby yesterday and I had to ride it home!!! I have to admit, I was extremely nervous and felt like vomiting but managed to hold it all together and had a fabulous ride home without incident! My family were in the car behind me the whole way (to protect me from behind!!) and my soon to be 9yr old daughter said, 'you are really good at that mum, you looked really good!'.
So, I thought I would share a picture of my newest toy!


Its a Yamaha Scorpio 225! Its actually the same bike I learnt on in the Pre-learners course, which is a 7hr training course you have to do before you can get your licence these days. Thank goodness for passionate motorcyclist's who are prepared to share their expertise and train novices such as myself!! The course is very thorough, starting from the very basics of how to get on and off a bike the right way!!
Anyhoo, will try to post some craft real soon... promise! xx

Birthday Card for my Dad

My Dad's 70th is coming up and I wanted to make a card to post and then something else for the party we are planning. As Darleen and Kim were here today, I borrowed Darleen's Uncharted Territory set to play with (borrowed rubber is as good as new rubber sometimes!)


I have basically CASEd the card from the mini catalogue... I didn't put the boat on and used a different sentiment. I added white eyelets and the hemp twine - which we all thought added to the nautical theme!! I stamped the image using the new Stazon White ink, onto acetate. Another happy end result!

Fathers Card and Gift Holder

Hi there... after another fun day with the girls (Darleen and Kim - my downlines and besties!!), I thought I would share what I got up to!
I am pretty sure I might have shown you the card in a previous post... but anyhoo, I made a matching wallet/envelope as my hubby is getting tickets to see Nickleback (is that how you spell it??)


I love the colour combination here - Kraft, Not Quite Navy and Very Vanilla. Very simple design but I am really happy with it. The button on the envelope is from my stash, otherwise all SU products.

Team Forum Challenge

While our 'great leader' Melissa has been on a well earned Maternity break, she asked me to do the monthly challenges for our team forum. For the month of September I have decided to use a sketch challenge from the 'Mojo Monday' site. And the colour challenge is taken straight from the IB&C (page 18). The card pictured in the IB&C is lovely, but definitely not colours I would normally reach for... therefore it was a challenge for me to use them. I decided to combine the two challenges into one and this is what I came up with.


I have used the following products (all from SU)
Card stock: Pink Pirouette, Basic Gray and Whisper White
Ink: Basic Gray and Regal Rose
Stamp Set: Great Friend (Spring Mini Catalogue)
Accessories: Patterns Pack II DSP (lvl 1 Hostess Gift) and silver brads from the Vintage pack.

I think the end result is not bad... what do you think??

More Christmas Cards to Share

Hi all! After the Christmas Stamp-a-stack on Friday (which was lots of fun), I have had a play, and made some more cards!! When you actually teach the class and don't get to create, you get the bug to do something!! So, I thought I would share some creations with you.


This first one is one of the cards that we did in the class. It features the new Tree Trimming set from the Mini Catalogue. The layout was inspired by the Mini Catalogue as well.


This card was CASEd from my lovely upline Melissa Garland who has lots of lovely creations to check out! I have changed the colour scheme to red and green for the more traditional chrissy colours.


This one is also CASEd from the very talented Claire Daly who's blog I visit on a regular basis for inspiration. I have changed some things as I didn't have everything needed to do it exactly the same...


This last card... well, I was talking to a girlfriend about the Tree Trimming set and different things you could do with it. Making a flower shape was one of the things mentioned in this discussion, and well, it needs some more work, but I thought I would share it anyway.
Thanks for stopping by again and please leave a comment if you like what you see xx

Inkspiration Sketch Challenge #12 (Part 2)

Hi again! I wasn't real happy with my first entry into Keesha's challenge this week and its been bugging me since I entered it... so I have tried again and much happier this time!! (although, my photography skills are not any better) if you click on the image you get a clearer view.


This is the sketch again..



I have used all SU products on this card.
Card stock: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink and Very Vanilla
DSP: Bella Blue
Ink: Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon, split pins and Dazzling Diamonds

Anyhoo, hope you like and thanks for stopping by again! xx

Inkspiration Sketch Challenge #12

Hi everyone! Its been a while since I have participated in a challenge, and after visiting the lovely Makeesha's blog today I found this sketch challenge and well... here I am! Below is the sketch...


and here is my entry...


I have used the Sense of Time stamp set from the Spring Mini Catalogue. Pirouette Pink and Chocolate Chip card stock. Chocolate chip ink, Pirouette Pink striped grosgrain ribbon and flowers, split pin and 1/2 pearl from the Pretties Kit.
Thanks for stopping by xxxx

Christmas Card

Hi everyone... its been a while and thought I would share some Christmas cards I have been making. I love the colour combination in the new 'Ski Slope' DSP from the Spring Mini. Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Baja Breeze and Real Red.
In this first card I have used the Seasons of Joy stamp set and the greeting is from the Many Merry Messages set. I snuck in some Baja Breeze DSP and Real Red Striped Grosgrain ribbon. I finished off the flowers with Diamonte split pins from the Pretties Kit.


In this card I have used that gorgeous tree from the Lovely as a Tree set and the sentiment is from Short & Sweet. You just can't go past Dazzling Diamonds to bling up the tree can you LOL!!


This next is one using Seasons of Joy again. I'm not fussed with this one... I love that Striped ribbon though. It is also new from the Spring Mini. It's 1 1/4" wide!!!


I hope you have enjoyed reading and seeing!! Have a great week xx

Spring Mini is here!

Hi everyone. I am a bit late with this news... sorry. You may or may not have heard that the first Mini Catalogue for 2009 is here.
It has a whole lot of lovely goodies hiding in its pages just waiting for you to find them! Please feel free to click on the image to the right of this post to have a look for yourself.
Let me know if there is something you simply can't live without!! LOL!!

Another Page of Mae!

I can't seem to resist scrapping my baby girl! Whether its because she is definitely the last or just 'cause she's so darn cute, I can't decide...
She was so excited at Easter and has definitely got a sweet tooth.


I have used Bella Rose and Chocolate Chip DSP with matching card stock and inks. The flower and hat pin are from the gorgeous 'Pretties Kit'. I have coloured the flower using a blender pen and matching ink.
Its almost a shame she wasn't eating spaghetti as the checkered DSP looks like the old Italian table clothes don't you think??
Anyhoo, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I am praying for more sunshine... at least no rain til after lunch so we can get some soccer in! Bye for now xxx

Boy Cards

Here are some more cards we are going to do in our 'Male' card class next Wednesday.


These two cards are made using the 'Just Surfing' set and the 'surfer dude' is stamped using the 'All in the Family' set (thank you Darleen xx). These cards are perfect for the younger generation don't you think? My two older kids, aged 8 and 11 both thought they were great.
If you are interested in joining in the fun on Wednesday don't hesitate to ring/email me to reserve your seat. Class details are in the right hand column.

Male Card Class

One of the most common requests I get from customers is for 'Male' cards... I must admit these aren't easy with the shortage of male orientated stamps out there. But I have borrowed the Trendy Tree stamp set from my lovely upline Melissa and come up with some cards especially for men!


I got the idea from the very talented Yvonne Campbell (link provided to the right) who has done some of these cards and I loved them (changed them ever so slightly). If you like these cards and would like to make them, check the class details to the right and give me a call or email to book your seat!

'Just Surfing' variation!

After the Christmas card class on Friday, the girls and I were going through some cards I had made and they were all impressed with the card I made for Mitchell's birthday with the 'Just Surfing' set. We were discussing some other ways to use this set. I suggested that you could use the board as a flower and they all said they like to see it done... so when they left, I had to try it!!


I have used the In Colours Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette , Riding Hood Red and Whisper White card stock and DSP. I used the Eyelet Border punch on the white card stock, then ran it through a crimper which makes it look even more lacey! The petals/boards have been embossed (shown in the photo below).


The sentiment is from the Upsy Daisy set which I also embossed, then cut out with the large oval punch. It is mounted onto two scallop circles which are overlapped to frame the oval. Lastly some Pink Pirouette striped grosgrain ribbon.
Hope you like it. Til next time xxx

More Scrapping!

After having such a fun morning on Friday with the girls that came to my Christmas card class, I was keen to have a play with something myself.... so, I decided to scrap a photo of my gorgeous hubby and myself from a night out a couple of months ago.


I have used the gorgeous Urban Garden and Urban Oasis DSP with co-ordinating card stock and ink from SU. The big flower is cut out of the DSP while the others are all made using the Scallop Circle punch! Silver hodgepodge in the centres and of course ribbon.. I love adding ribbon to add texture and colour to the page. I have used the Kiwi Kiss striped grosgrain and the Kraft taffeta ribbons.
Anyhoo, its early and the kiddies are hungry, so I had better go and do the mum thing and organise some breakfast!!

The Pink Elephant Colour Challenge #18

My great friend Kim put me onto The Pink Elephant site which runs challenges... as the colours for this weeks challenge were 'Chocolate, Pink and White' how could I resist having a go at it!!


Below is my entry... I must admit, this card was started with no direction at all as to where it was headed, but the finished product I am really please with.


I have used SU Pink Pirouette and Whisper White card stock. Bella Rose DSP and Chocolate Chip Patterns Designer Series papers. Pink Pirouette In Colour ribbon and an SU chip board frame. The Butterfly is cut using Kim's Cuttlebug machine (love that machine!)
Hope you like it... xxx

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #90!

Another challenge was needed to get the 'Mojo' happening today! If you would like to join in the challenge fun with Mojo Monday click here. This weeks sketch was a great challenge.

Below is my entry. I have used the gorgeous SU Kraft, Very Vanilla and Riding Hood Red card stock. Also from SU, is the double sided papers Bella Blue and Bella Rose.


Unfortunately my photography skills are very poor...(if you click on the photo to enlarge it, you will see more detail). I have used my girlfriends Cuttlebug to cut and emboss the Butterfly. I then sponged Close to Cocoa and Riding Hood Red lightly over the top and finally clear embossed the dry embossed areas on it. (I hope that makes sense..) I have aged the edges of the card stock with Close to Cocoa as well. The sentiment is from the Upsy Daisy stamp set.
Anyhoo, I hope you like it and thanks for visiting again. xxx

June/July Special

Now this is another great special!! If you host a workshop/stamp class in the months of June or July, and reach $600 in sales you will receive $110 worth of Stampin' Up! goodies for free! Thats an extra $40 on top of the normal $70 for reaching such good sales. As well as the money to spend don't forget the free Hostess stamp set you get to choose as well.. Wow, freebies!! We all love those.
So, all you have to do is host a class and invite lots of friends to have a fun couple of hours! Thats the easy part... the hardest thing is choosing what you want for free!!

Book your class now - don't miss out. Contact me ASAP by email, phone or in person - look forward to hearing from you soon.

Christmas Card Time!

The year is flying by again... I thought it might be a great time to get the Christmas cards under way for the fast approaching festive season.
I have come up with two new designs using the new In Colours on one and my favourite colour combo on the other, being Kraft, Baja Breeze and Not Quiet Navy.


If you are interested in making some of these cards, please let me know as I am running a class on Friday 19th June. See class details in the left hand column.

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #89

I thought it was about time I entered another challenge and seeing I love the Mojo Monday one's.... here it is!


I have used a 'Love Note' from Stampin' Up! which are tiny little 3 x 3 inch cards. The DSP used is the gorgeous Bella Rose, with Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla card stock and Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon. The sentiment is from the Fun & Fast Notes set also from SU. The flower is a silk flower from my stash that I have coloured using SU blender pens and ink.


Hope you like it and thanks for visiting my blog xxx

More Scrap Pages

A little get together with my two 'Scrapbooking mad' older sister's produced some gorgeous photos and ideas for some new pages. Thanks Julie and Robyn for not only the inspiration, but the great lunch and laughs! I didn't even get out my camera! I've always called them 'the paparazzi' due to the million and one photos they take between them at any occasion... they just email the requested photos and away I go! Gotta be happy with that I think :-)

I am one of five children, four girls and one boy. We all live in a fair distance apart, me here, Andrew at Bonnells Bay, Robyn at Cameron Park (Newcastle), Julie in Port Macquaire and Bernice in Katherine!! Mum and Dad live West of Kempsey... so get togethers aren't very frequent and usually someone is missing. That is what inspired this first page... Bernie being the furtherest away is the one missing at this occasion so we thought we would pose especially to scrap a page showing her that 'we miss her'.


I have used some gorgeous papers from the Bella Rose DSP and some from the Urban Oasis DSP from Stampin' Up!. Also from SU is the Jumbo Outline alpha stamp set. The flowers, buttons, rubons, diamonties, siblings definition and wooden heart are all from my stash.


The next page features my little Mae on the swing and posing for the cameras! Isn't she cute - I am totally bias of course LOL!!!


I hope you have all had a fantastic weekend xxx

Ribbon Share

OK girls, who's interested in all the gorgeous ribbons from Stampin' Up! but just can't afford or need that much ribbon??...
Well, here is the solution - a 'Ribbon Share'! We need six ladies to go in for a share of each roll where you will end up with 1.5m or 2m of each colour depending on the share you enter for the price of just over one roll - now that sounds good doesn't it!

In-Colour Stripped Grosgrain
6 people will get 2m x 6 colours (Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Ridinghood Red & Tangerine Tango)
$22 inc postage


Taffeta Ribbon
6 x people will get 1.5m x 9 colours (Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Kraft, Gray, Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue & Ridinghood Red)
$22 inc postage


If you are interested in either/both of these shares, email me and I will let you know more details.

If there is anything else that you love that could be shared, let me know and I can see if anyone is interested in sharing it to save on cost - for example The Silver Hodgepodge, The Pretties Kit even Designer Papers can be shared!

School Photos

I had to show you my older two children's school photos. I have an album each for their school photos which I scrap each year. I had done Molly's yesterday and thought I had better do Mitchell's. When I got his album out, I found that I hadn't done last years - um mah!! So, I did two of his today! Any excuse to scrap LOL!

Male Cards

OK, I have trouble making men/boys cards as I have told you all before... but as this is the month for both my husband and sons birthday, I had to try a little harder didn't I! I decided it was time to get the 'Surf's Up' stamp set which I have been eyeing off for some time to make Mitchell's (son) card. I was really happy with the end result of that one. Mitch said 'sick - did you make this mum, that's awesome!' So as you can imagine, I was very chuffed!


For the hubbies card, I had purposely ordered the new Urban Garden and Urban Oasis DSP just to make men's cards and scrap pages. I used matching card stock and the only stamp I could find to fit in the 1 1/4" square was a retired one from the Taggers Dozen set... I used the En Francais background stamp on the base of the card. (love that one) The ribbon is the new Kiwi Kiss in colour. I have sort of concertinaed the ribbon using mini glue dots to hold it in place. Hubby was very impressed!! Seeing both their reactions to the cards made the effort all the more worth while xx

Borrowed Rubber!

As I couldn't go to Convention just recently, I borrowed some new Stamp sets off Melissa (thanks heaps Mel). I had great fun playing with her stamp sets and almost didn't give them back hehehehe!
Below is a card made using one of the flowers from the Echos of Kindness set which is a lvl 2 Hostess set. Its also one of my first attempts at water colouring... I am pretty happy with that outcome even if there isn't much detail in it! I have also used the Friendly Words jumbo wheel (love it to bits!) in the background at the top of the card. On the bottom half is Bella Rose DSP. I have used the gorgeous new Eyelet border punch and the Scallop Edge border punch along with Ridinghood Red Taffeta Ribbon.
I sent this card to my big sister Robyn for her birthday last Friday. Happy Birthday Robbie - love you xx


The next card is using the Upsy Daisy set. I have used the marker pens to colour directly onto the stamp this time and then embossed clear embossing powder over the top to get that lovely raised shiny effect. The card stock is Not Quiet Navy and Bella Bleu DSP. The ribbon is Mellow Moss Taffeta - isn't it beautiful... I would still like to add a sentiment to this card - but I am waiting to get the Oval punch to do that!


The next card is basically the same design but different colours. Stamped in the same way with the Marker Pens and embossed. I used the gorgeous 1" Rose Red Ribbon and the Eyelet Border punch. The paper flower is from my stash. I sent the card to my mum for Mothers Day. (she loved it!)


The next card is actually made with borrowed rubber from the wonderful Darleen... it is called Cheers to You. We were busy on one of our usual get togethers on a Wednesday and she mentioned she needed a card for her brother but was busy with another project so I thought I'd have a play with this set and came up with this card. I gave it to her to give to her brother. I used water colour pencils to colour in the beer mugs and the rest of the card is very basic but works well for a male card don't you think??


Well, thats all for now - I hope you have enjoyed these new creations. xxx

My Gorgeous Baby

I have been itching to scrap lately and thanks to my little sister reminding me of this gorgeous photo, (which by the way she took!) I have finally finished a page! Thanks for the inspiration Bernice xxx


Below is a close up of the words. How beautiful is the saying... thanks again Bernie! Wouldn't have come up with that one, but it totally suits the photo.


I have used Bazill card stock from my stash for the background. The patterned papers are all from Stampin' Up! Retired Rose Red DSP and the new Chocolate Chip DSP - yum! I tried to dye the flower with the Rose Red reinker but couldn't get the depth of colour I wanted, so I coloured it in with the Rose Red Marker Pen! That certainly did the trick. I have used the Top Note template from Stampin' Up! to put the text on and I tore the shape out and curled and inked the edges. I have also used the new 1/4" Choc Chip grosgrain ribbon and the title has been stamped with the Jumbo Outline Alphabet set onto Rose Red DSP. Finally, to soften the edges, I have rubbed Choc Chip ink with a cotton ball around the edges of the papers and the outside edge of the page.

I hope you like this one! I will hopefully be inspired enough to do some more real soon. xx

Thought I would throw in a photo of what she looks like now - not even two years on and look how much she has changed... its amazing. (still gorgeous isn't she!)

Join Stampin' Up! for $150!!

WOW. Stampin’ Up! have just announced THE BIGGEST special they have ever had for joining up as a demonstrator.

Join up with the fabulous Scrapbooking Promotion Starter Kit (still great for cardmakers too) for just $150 during May! Here's all the promotion Information: Download May Recruit Special

How awesome is that? You can join as a hobby demonstrator to just get the demonstrator discounts and benefits, or I can work with you to build a great business to bring extra income into your family while you work from home at your own pace. It’s such an awesome company to be a part of and I can’t see them repeating this great offer any time soon. Email me ASAP if you are interested in getting an obligation free recruiting pack.

So, what are you waiting for.... Ring or email today, I'd love to hear from you!

Paper Casting!

Well here is technique I never would have thought of myself!! My bestie, Kim, was doing the blog round and stumbled across this amazingly creative idea that gives a beautiful shabby chic look.
Kim came to my house and showed me how to do it! I then used the image to make a Mothers Day card for my beautiful mum.


I have used the script stamp from the Rustic Rooster set, flowers from Eastern Blooms, leaves from Bodacious Boquet (retired) and sentiment from Occasional Greetings.... just a few!!
Colours used are Baja Breeze, Rose Red and Kiwi Kiss!
The technique uses 'toilet paper' of all things - something we all have handy!! I have used my blush brush to dust Rose Red chalk over the image. (look out for the rosey red cheeks on me tomorrow!)
If you would like to see the instructions for this technique, click on this link. A huge thank you to Danielle for this fabolous idea and very clear instructions.

May Specials!!

Coming up very soon in May is a great special for all you scrapbooking girls out there. Buy any three packs of selected Double Sided Papers and get the fourth one free!!! Yes thats right FREE. We all love to get freebies don't we.
Check the list below and see whats on offer.

Item Page Description
112042 132 Urban Garden Designer Series paper
112470 132 Haiku Designer Series paper
113976 132 Pink Flamingo Designer Series paper
112468 132 Sweet Always Designer Series paper
113992 133 Tea Party Designer Series paper
113975 133 Raspberry Tart Designer Series paper
113966 134 Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series paper
112469 134 Holiday Treasures Designer Series paper
112041 134 Bella Rose Designer Series paper
113974 134 Bella Bleu Designer Series paper
113978 135 Urban Oasis Designer Series paper
112461 135 Washington Apple Designer Series paper
112039 135 Windsor Knot Designer Series paper
113980 135 Candy Lane Designer Series paper

The packs of paper come with 12 sheets, 2each of 6 double sided designs for $16.95each... Great quality 12" x 12" papers that match in with all the card stock, ink and ribbons that Stampin' Up! supply.

Contact me via email, phone or in person to order your papers now!! Don't miss out.

21st Birthday Tin

I posted some time ago a card that I made for my niece's 21st in May... well I have now decorated a tin (lunch pail style) as a gift for her.
I am going to put 'index cards' inside it for all her friends to sign at her party as a keepsake. Her favourite colours are red, white and black - hence the colour scheme - which I think worked a treat.


As you can probably see, there is not much SU product here at all. Just the 1/4" grosgrain ribbon in red, black and white. Everything else is from my stash or bought for the project..


The clock represents time, obviously!! As in where has the time gone, how did you get to 21yrs old already?... and you couldn't have a 21st present without a key!


Well, I am very pleased with the result of this little project and hope LaShae likes it too... let me know what you think. xxx