The INKspirables crop swap cards

Cards created by INKspirables team members - Some Images Copyright Stampin' Up!® 1989-2008

These are the cards I was lucky enough to receive in exchange for six of the one I showed you yesterday.


Clockwise from Top Left the cards were created by: - Barbara, Anita, Sharlene, Judith, Diana and Julie


As Barbara is my very new downline we gave her an exemption from the Black and White theme so she could use the things she received in her starter kit.

The Inkspirables Team Crop

Sharlene organised a fantastic day today for her team, The INKspirables. We met at a local community centre and crafted from 10am to 4pm with prize draws, a card swap, make and takes and a shared lunch.

I'd had Barbara join my team since the last INKspirables team meeting and had another lady with me who will be signing early in the New Year so it was fantastic to be able to introduce them to the rest of the INKspirables.

Today I'm going to share with you my swap card. The theme was black and white with a splash of another colour.

Some Images (c) Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used - All Stampin' Up!® - Holiday Wishes Stampset, Whisper White Craft Ink and Basic Black Classic Ink, Basic Black, Whisper White, & Purely Pomegranate Cardstock, Snail, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips, Paper Cutter.

Candy Cane Mouse Holder

I was looking at Dawn's Stamping Thoughts yesterday and found a video for a Mouse Candy Cane Holder and had to make one at once. Isn't it cute?

Lachy is delighted with them and so when he went grocery shopping with his Dad today bought the candy canes for the mouse's tail. I can see some more being made for cute Christmas gifts for his best buddies at school.

Supplies - Stampin' Up!® except for those noted otherwise: Creamy Caramel, Pretty in Pink & Basic Black Cardstock, Paper Snips, Hobby blade unknown, Fiskars embossing tool, while gel pen, chocolate chip stampin' write marker, 3/4" circle punch, fiskars 1/4" circle punch, snail, stampin' dimensionals, candy cane.

Lachlan put together his own today. You can see his here.

Scallop Circle Punch Ornaments

I had a great time at my Craft at Keryn's last night. Lots of projects being started and put together and lots of chat. I managed to get these scallop circle ornaments made that I'd seen on Angie's website. I just need one more to fill up my mug tree.

And here's a closer look: -

Stampin' Supplies all Stampin' Up!® - East Coast Prep and Petals and Paisleys DSP, Scallop Circle Punch, Snail Adhesive, Linen Thread, Pretties Kit, Paper Snips.

DCM Dare by Vanessa - Coffee

The dare for this week is to make your card Coffee Themed. I've gone with a card that is sort of coffee coloured but my real coffee piece, which isn't quite so obvious, is the patterned paper pieces which are a coffee filter dyed with reinkers.

You can find the instructions for dying coffee filters here at Splitcoast Stampers.

Supplies used, All Stampin' Up!® unless noted - Very Vanilla, Purely Pomegranate and Chocolate Chip Cardstock, Chocolate Chip & Purely Pomegranate Classic Ink Pads, Solitude Stamp Set, Snail, Paper Cutter, Paper Snips, Chocolate Chip, Purely Pomegranate and Wild Wasabi Classic Reinkers, Coffee Filters from local grocery store.

And following on from yesterday...

This morning I finished off a card I started last night with the bits and pieces still out from yesterday's card.

Stampin' Supplies all Stampin' Up!® - All in the Stars Stamp Set, Brilliant Blue DSP, Whisper White and Brilliant Blue Cardstock, Brilliant Blue Classic Ink Pad, Large Star and Star Punches, Paper Cutter, Paper Snips, Snail, Stampin' Dimensionals, Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker.

My New Toys.....

....from the Summer Mini arrived in a box this morning. I was strong I managed to get a few chores done before I sat down to play.

Only one card completed so far but lots of ideas of spinning round in my head for after the boys are in bed.

Supplies used all Stampin' Up!® - In The Stars stamp set, Large Star, Star and Scallop Edge punches, Real Red, Brilliant Blue & Whisper White Cardstock, Real Red and Basic Black Classic Ink Pads, Paper Cutter, Paper Snips, Snail Adhesive, Dimensionals.

It was only after I'd finished the card that I looked at it and thought that with the stars and stripes it could be seen to be an interpretation of the US flag. There was no such intention however being purely kiwi at heart.

The 'In the Stars' stamp set and scallop edge punch will be available to you in the Summer Mini Catalogue from 1 December 2008 to 31 March 2009.

Now on to the presents.

While looking for something totally different on Splitcoast Stampers yesterday I found the instructions for this DSP Bow. This will be just fabulous for decorating the presents for the more careful (read adult) members of the family this year.

This one only took me about 15mins to make once Dave had helped me work out how to hold my tongue to get the strips of paper folded into the points. Just like folding a bandsaw blade apparently. You'll get the drift when you have a look at the instructions.

I've worked out that one pack of DSP will make 24 bows. A lot more than the number of presents I have to wrap and I'll be able to make them in the time it would take to get to the shops to buy a number of those expensive, gaudy shop bought ones. Perfect!!

Supplies all Stampin' Up!® - Wintergreen DSP, paper cutter, snail, 1/16" circle hole punch, mini brads any colour, stampin' dimensionals or pop up glue dots.

What I got out of Dr Phil and Oprah...

If I can manage to squeeze in the time I like to sit in front of daytime TV eat my lunch and because I can't sit without doing something, create a card or a box or two.


Today I sat down with some left over strips of DSP a couple of stamp sets a bit of ink, card and adhesive some bits or ribbon and a few freddo frogs.


Here's what I have stashed away for door prizes or if I'm feeling generous towards the boys, choccy treats to go on the Christmas tree.

Thank you Angie Kennedy Juda for sharing the instructions for these boxes on her Chicken Scratch Website.

All supplies Stampin' Up!® - Stamp Sets Tart and Tangy and Solitude, Real Red and Tempting Turquoise Cardstock, Dashing, East Coast Prep and Summer Picnic, DSP, Old Olive, Real Red and Ruby Red Stampin' Write Markers, 1 1/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle and Word Window Punches, 6mm White Grosgrain ribbon and 5/8" very vanilla grosgrain ribbon, snail, sticky strip, paper trimmer, paper snips.

I just had to get some more use out of the Tart and Tangy stamp set before the Spring Mini Catalogue finishes on 30 November. Have a look at your wishlist to make sure nothing you want is in that mini.

Two Promotions from Stampin' Up!®

Both available from 10-30 November.

Get your Stampin' Write Markers singly. But only for this limited time.

Spend $20 on regular priced merchandise (including the single markers) and receive 20% discount on rub ons in the current Idea Book and Catalogue and the Spring Mini Catalogue.

Check out the Stampin' Up!® website for more details and then contact me to place your order.

DCM Sponsored Dare: - Sparkle and Bling

Jozza has dared us this week to create cards with Sparkle and Bling. Every girls favourite!!! As the dare has been kindly sponsored this week by Charmed Cards and Crafts my card deviates from the usual Stampin' Up!® images you've been used to from me.


This week I've used a Charmed Cards and Crafts downloaded image called Las Vegas George. The only glitch I had was I didn't remember when I went to watercolour to image with my Stampin' Write Markers and Aqua Brush that ink jet printer ink is not waterproof. With a bit of care I think I did allright in the end.


Anyway here's my card: -

First I printed the image onto watercolour paper using my inkjet printer. Photocopying it before colouring or using a laser printer would have made it easier to colour. I then outlined the areas to be coloured in Stampin' Write Markers and using my Aqua Painter in a circular motion picked up and spread the ink into the centre of the coloured area.

Supplies used: - Charmed Cards and Crafts Vegas George Image, Kaiser Crafts Clear Rhinestones.

Stampin' Up!® Supplies: - Chocolate Chip & Close to Cocoa Cardstock, Watercolour Paper, Outlaw DSP, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Earth Elements Stampin' Write Markers, Aqua Painter, Scallop Circle Punch, Brushed Metallic Cardstock, Paper Cutter, Paper Snips, Snail & 2 way glue.

Don't forget that from 10-30 November Stampin' Up!® is offering single Stampin' Write Markers for only $5.95. Click here to view more information on Stampin' Up! Website and then contact me to place your order.

Ideas for your Scallop Circle Punch

Yesterday and today I found two quick and easy tutorials using my favourite Scallop Circle punch.

Images (c) Stampin' Up!® 1999-2008

This is one created by my good friend Donna. They are the quickest little bags to make. I had this one made within 30 minutes after I saw the tutorial.

This one is from Tanya at Tinkerin' Ink. I managed to have a go at this Scallop Santa while at my Craft At Keryn's session this morning. The only change I made was to smudge a bit of black Stampin' Write Marker around the top of the red scallop. There was a definite Christmas flavour to the projects that were completed today.

Supplies used all Stampin' Up!® - Santa - Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Real Red, Blush Blossom and Whisper White Cardstock, 2 Way Glue, Paper Snips, Black Stampin' Write Journaller, Blender Pen
- Gift Box - Whisper White Cardstock, Scattler Sunshine Jumbo Wheel and Handle, Always Artichoke and Taken with Teal Classic Ink Pad, Certainly Celery 6mm Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Cutter, Paper Snips.

Christmas Stamp A Stack

Now's your chance to get together with a group of like minded cardmakers and get a head start on your Christmas card making!!!

Make 12 Christmas cards, four each of three designs. See a picture of the cards above.

When: Friday 14th November 7pm to 10pm

or

When Saturday 22nd November 10am to 2pm

Cost: $24.00

Bring your own adhesive (double sided tape or tape runner) and lunch for Saturday.

Advise when booking if you'd like me to order you a Stampin' Up!® snail tape runner to have available on the day.

Venue: Wellington, New Zealand

Booking is essential. Your booking is confirmed with payment.

Email me to secure your place.

Aidan's Birthday Card

This card was started about an hour before we had to leave for his party on Saturday morning. Given the time restraints, I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

Some Images (c) Stampin' Up!® 1999-2008

All Supplies Used are Stampin' Up!® - Ahoy Matey Stamp Set, Whisper White, Very Vanilla and Summer Sun Cardstock, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue Classic Ink Pad, Stazon Black Ink Pad, Earth Elements Markers, Aqua Painter, Bold Brights Water Colour Crayons, Paper Cutter, Paper Snips, Stipple Brush, Water Colour Paper, Snail Adhesive.

Woo Hoo!!! Single Stampin' Write Markers

Click here to go to the Stampin' Up!® website to see the colour choices more clearly.

Demonstrators and Customers alike have been asking Stampin' Up!® for single Stampin' Write Markers and for a limited time this is what they are providing. For $5.95 plus 5% shipping choose only the markers that you really want, replace your favourites or start your collection.


This promotion is only running from 10-30 November 2008. Send me your order details now so you don't forget but also so your order can go in early in the promotion in case popular colours sell out.

Also follow this link to view my 'Many Uses for Stampin' Write Markers' Tutorial.

This offer is available to New Zealand Residents only.

October Papercraft Challenge

In October I challenged the papercrafters on my newsletter list along with the members of the Sketchbook and Stampin' Scrap forums to create a papercraft project using at least one item of Stampin' Up! product in the theme of 'Christmas'. Obviously everyone has been working hard on their Christmas projects as we have a great selection of cards this month.

Here they are:

Vicky
Lesley

Judy

Judy

Jo

Janetta

Gillian

Esther

Donna

Eileen

Cathryn

Cathryn

Anita

Anita

Aliyah (7 Years Old)

Adriana

Adriana

For all cards some images (c) Stampin' Up!® 1999-2008.

The winner of the challenge this month by random draw is Cathryn. Congratulations on the win of a For A Friend Hostess Stamp Set.

If you would like to be part of my monthly challenge join my EMail newsletter list, the link is in my sidebar. I am only able to send prizes within New Zealand.