First up is a Top Note gift card holder which is really cute.  Excuse the pic – I took it at night which is a no no. It opens up to hold a gift voucher card inside.

Stamp sets:  Vintage Label (Sale-A-Bration)
Cardstock:  Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss
Inks:  Riding Hood Red, Choc Chip (sponging)
Accessories:  Big Shot, Top Note die, Bella Rose DSP, Curly Label punch, Cropadile, jumbo eyelets, Felt Fusion, Choc Chip taffeta ribbon

Next up was a 3D challenge to make this gorgeous gift bag with pocket and matching gift card.  I really like this and I will definitely be making more of these.  This is kinda masculine but will try a prettier one soon.

Stamp set:  Think Happy Thoughts
Cardstock:  Not Quite Navy, Choc Chip, Whisper White
Accessories:  Scallop Edge punch, Bella Rose DSP, Scallop Circle punch, clear rhinestone, Choc Chip ribbon, Cropadile, Jumbo eyelets, Old Olive ribbon

Last but not least, a scrap page!!  I know – don’t fall off your chair.  I actually had some beautiful photos of a wonderful day which made this challenge so much easier.

Stamp sets:  Medallion, Circle Circus
Cardstock:  Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Ink:  Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose
Accessories:  Scallop Edge punch, Scallop Circle punch, Curly Label punch, rhinestone brads, Regal Rose marker for thumping and journalling.

This was a sketch challenge and these pics are from our wonderful Mother’s Day we recently celebrated.  This is my gorgeous mum and her four lovely daughters!  Our family had decided to have a pink theme (if you hadn’t noticed) and we had to wear something pink, the whole setting was decorated in pink, our desserts were pink and even our champagne was pink!  Everyone donated to Breast Cancer research instead of buying pressies and we managed to send off a generous donation to the Cancer Council’s Mother’s Day Breast Cancer campaign. 

The whole day had a magic feel about and I’m so glad I made this page to remind me of it.  Behind the photo is a pull tag for with some journalling.

I do have a couple more projects to show you but it’s late now so I’m off to bed.  I’m off to Scitech on a school excursion with Matt and his Year 5 class tomorrow.  Should be fun!?  Somehow I’ve even been talked into going on the bus with them!

Cheers

Anyway I just thought I would quickly share this gorgeous little picnic basket with you.  I have joined UStamp for this round which is all about using the Big Shot.  This one uses the Top Note die to make the lid.  Pretty cute isn’t it?

I’ve used a few items from the Autum/Winter mini catagloue to create it.  Firstly, the gorgeous Cottage Wall designer papers and Rich Razzleberry cardstock.  I’ve embellished it with Silver Hodgepodge and wide Old Olive ribbon.  My flower is made with Rich Razzleberry, Perfect Plum and Pale Plum cardstock. 

I’m a little sad tonight as my stamping gals from Perth have all boarded the plane for Sydney heading to the Stampin’ Up! Convention.  This will be the first time I’ve missed Convention but with a few home renos and things that we plan around here I decided I would stay home this year and save the pennies.  I know they will be unpacking their bags and laughing till their sides ache tonight and that’s the part I’ll miss the most.  We always have such a wonderful fun time together!  Oh well, I have fantastic memories of my times at Convention and hope I get to go next year! 

Over the next few days a group of demonstrators who haven’t been able to attend this year are holding Unconvention.  We will be having all sorts of fun over the next few days cyberstamping together so be sure to check back in now and then as I hope to participate in a few challenges along the way.

Cheers

It’s actually quite simple to make using the Top Note Die.

Here is the side view:

Here is another I made using the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder instead of a layer of DSP and using the Scallop Circle Die as the lid. 

and here are a few more……

I somehow managed to put my hand up for helping out with a little ‘token’ for the Mum’s at our school Mother’s Day breakfast this morning.  My idea was a simple bookmark for each mum, however as soon as I let those girlfriends of mine loose in my craft room and they saw these handbags they had their hearts set on them!  I tried to explain they had no idea what was involved in making them in bulk but they twisted my arm (and the top off the champagne bottle)!  We managed to cut and prep 50 in one afternoon while the kids ran around together.  I have such a wonderful bunch of girlfriends from our little school and whilst it was a chore in itself, we had some fun putting these together.  Part way through we changed the handbag to a quicker little gift bag and after a few more get togethers we had finally completed our quota of 130!  

Here is a closer look at the gorgeous gift bags using the Top Note Die as a lid.  Super cute and the Mum’s loved them!  Aren’t these rosettes just so sweet?

Well I’m off for an early night as I’ve had some dental surgery this week and it’s finally catching up with me.  I’m exhausted.  Oh, and I guess I’ll have to get up tomorrow and make my Mum one of these little bags!! 

Happy Mother’s Day girls.

Cheers

Like what you see here?  Well this is a sneak peak at my final entry as Guest Designer with Keesh’s Inkspirations Challenges.  I have absolutely loved being involved with these challenges from the other side of the fence (so to speak) and it certainly has challenged me to look at my tools, stamp sets and colours with a new approach. 

This week’s challenge is an inpsiration pic:

 and here is my entry:

What do you think?  I have to say I am really happy with it.  When I first looked at the pic my thoughts jumped straight to Fifth Avennue Floral, Regal Rose and Pink Pirouette.  

I have recently begun making flowers out of all sorts of punches and DSP and so I knew I wanted to incorporate them on the front.  These are made by punching cardstock with the scallop circle punch and running them through the crimper (A LOT!) to break down the fibres and peel the cardstock into two layers. Then layer them together and pin with a brad and scrunch them up to your liking.  I ended up making several different colours and then used my smaller circle punches to make the smaller buds.  I loved making these so much I have a desk full of different colours – they are sooo purty!  You can also use tissue paper but it has be folded over and layered on cardstock to allow the punch to cut through.

Here is a view from the side and you can see a little peak of the Fifth Avenue Floral rose in there too.

Stamp set:  Occasional Greetings, Fifth Avenue Floral
Cardstock:  Rose Red, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Always Artichoke
Inks:  Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Big Shot Scallop Circle Die, Circle Scissors Plus, Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Sweet Always DSP, Clear Rhinestone brads, 5 Petal Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4″ circle punch, 1″ circle punch, glue dots.

Well as I said I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Challenge Team and I have so say what an amazingly talented bunch of girls Keesh and her Team are.  Thanks for the warm welcome and blog love girls!  I have soaked up their brilliance and hope to play more often!

Don’t forget to go and check out the other Design Team members creations.  Keesh is having technical dramas this week and hasn’t been able to load her item so Kirsty is hosting the challenge.  I’d love to see you have a go and upload your entry with Mr Linky on Kirsty’s blog.

I hope you get the chance to join in.

Makeesha
Kirsty
Chantelle
Teneale
Sarah-Jane
Renee
Cindy

Cheers

Ok so now you are up to date with the travelling Ryan family, it’s time to see some more new goodies from the Autumn/Winter mini.

Here is a little gift box I have made using the Big Shot Top Note die and embossed it with the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder.  I have embellished with a flower made by layering several Scallop Circle punched pieces of the new Cottage Wall DSP and the polka dot Razzleberry ribbon.

Here is a view from the side so you can see the gift box.

Stamp set:  Vintage Labels (Sell-a-bration set)
Cardstock:  Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum
Inks:  Rich Razzleberry
Accessories:  Big Shot Circles #2 die, Top Note die, Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder, Large Oval punch, Small Oval punch, Razzleberry Polka Dot ribbon, Button bouquet

The Top Note die is so versatile for cardmaking, scrapping or gift items and I just love playing with it!  I’ll be back soon with another Top Note gift item.

I’m having a class in my home next Wednesday night, 28th April if you’d like to come along and play with the Top Note die for yourself!  Just email or call me to book your place.

Have a great week!  Don’t forget to visit again on Friday for the Inkspiration Challenge which goes live at 4pm Perth time.

cheers

I thought I’d share with you the card and treat pull my Club ladies made last time we met.

Stamp sets:  I {Heart} Hearts, Life Definitions
Cardstock:  Kraft, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette
Inks:  Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Heart to Heart Punch, Bella Rose DSP, wide Choc Chip grosgrain, Crimper, Choc Chip marker, slot punch, brads

As you can see I’ve punched out the Pink Pirouette with my Heart to Heart punch and then layered a piece of DSP behind it to give another dimension.  I just love Stampin’ Up! punches! 

Have a great day.  I’m off to do the food shopping before our 42 degree day sets in!  Yuck!

Whilst we’ve been back a week it’s been a busy one unpacking, washing and repacking to go away yet again at the end of this week for more camping, fishing, reading, swimming and fantastic company but this time with a great bunch of families from school.  It will be our first trip together but something tells me, not the last!

I’ve hardly had a chance to touch the stamps since Christmas so I don’t have a lot of new things to show you but I thought I would share with you this little token gift I gave some of my very special girlfriends for Christmas.  The weekend before Christmas I had the absolute pleasure of having a great night out with some of my bestest stamping girls.  It was a stinker of a hot night but a most enjoyable one with good friends with lots of laughter and fun!

Here we are enjoying our desserts!  Me, Vick, Charmaine, Keesh and Mon. 

and here is my little gift to each of them….

Here I have embossed the large solid image from Organic Outlines using White Craft Ink and white embossing powder onto Kraft cardstock, layered it onto Whisper White and then onto Real Red.  The sentiment is from Warm Words and I’ve used Jumbo White Brads and the GORGEOUS  Polka Dot Real Red grosgrain ribbon from the new Summer Mini to wrap around the card and tied it off with some silver cord. 

The little box is made using the same products however I’ve also added the flower image from Organic Outline and punched a half  1″ circle to help open the box. I’ve also lined it with some Ski Slope DSP just to finish it off.  As you can see it is just a little gift of some Apple Tea-lights. 

Don’t forget the Inventory Clearance Sale is still on until 24 January so hop in quick for some fantastic bargains! Check out this post below for more details.

and here is a pic of my gorgeous friend Makeesha and myself at our dinner. 

Tomorrow Keesh leaves the West to head for a new adventure in Cairns and whilst I will miss her terribly I know we will always be dear friends forever more.  Keesh and I met at a team meeting at our upline Ngaire’s almost four years ago and from the minute we were introduced just hit it off and have built a special and strong friendship that goes beyond our love of stamping!  I know there will be long chats and online antics so whilst my heart is sad tonight, I know we will be the best of long distance friends and I’ll just have to chalk up some visits to Cairns!  I’ve always wanted to go there anyway!!  Best of luck to you Keesh.

I made a tall fliptop box which housed five cards and envelopes, a corner bookmark and a pocket diary. 

Here is a closer look at the cards, all using minimal stamping but various punches with buttons, brads or felt flowers as accents.  They were all simple designs but quite striking I think.  I love how the Kraft cardstock comes up with these papers! 

Well things are certainly busy in this household and I’m sure they are in yours too!  I still have an awful lot to do before Christmas day plus we are going away two days later so I’m prepping for that too. 

Thanks for looking.  Take care.

I am a member of a Yahoo Group called ESAD (Extra Special Australian Demonstrators) and some of us are taking part in our first bloghop to showcase the great new products in the Summer Mini Catalogue.  ESAD is a fantastic support network for demonstrators and as well as helping each other out, we have challenges, cyberstamps, tutorials and I’ve formed some great online friendships!

There will be 30 blogs to hop to along the tour so you may need to make a cuppa and settle in for a while.  You may have arrived here from Lisa’s blog and seen her gorgeous projects but if not that’s ok too, you can continue on the tour until you get back here if you like.  If you visit all 30 blogs and leave a comment on ALL 30 you will go into the running to win some gorgeous Blog Candy!  Demonstrators from all over Australia are donating all sorts of goodies so you know what they say…. you’ve got to be in it to win it.

First I must apologise for the shadows and lighting in my photos.  I had my projects all ready to photograph in the gorgeous sunlight and then discovered Paul had the camera in his car at work, so I had to wait until the evening and the light just created shadows no matter what I did.

Ok… so here we have a new fun stamp set called Something Sweet.  It has 14 stamps in the set is $44.95.  The images are so much fun and there are so many ideas to chose from, it automatically made me grab the Bold Bright colours.  I know they are not traditional baby card colours but who says we have to have soft colours? 

Stamp set:  Something Sweet (NEW)
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red
Inks:  Tempting Turquoise, Real Red
Accessories:  Scallop Edge punch, 3/4″ Polka-Dot Grosgrain (NEW), Playground Designer buttons (NEW), hemp twine.

Here’s another fun card using the same stamp set, Something Sweet.  This time I have chosen the gumball images and used the exciting new Sweet Treat Cups.  I have filled it with jelly beans and also made a pull tag so that the recipient can actually eat the goodies inside! 

Stamp set:  Something Sweet (NEW), Occasional Greetings (inside sentiment)
Cardstock:  Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Whisper White
Inks:  Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red
Accessories:  Sweet Treat Cups (NEW), 1 3/4″ circle punch (NEW), corner rounder, Crop-a-dile, Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon, 1″ circle punch, 3/4″ circle punch.  

Here’s a pic of how it looks from inside….

This card is also my entry in Keesh’s colour challenge this week, using Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Whisper White.

Last but not least we have a cute little project using the Sweet Treat Cups.  I’ve had these little buckets forever and am always looking for something to use them for and thought this would make a great additon to a party table.  I have used the Die Cut Blooms and the NEW 1 3/4″ inch circle punch to inset my Sweet Treat Cup. I’ve used a kebab skewer as my stem and adhered it to another larger die cut at the back, wrapped some Certainly Celery wide grosgrain ribbon around it for leaves and voila!  Bright, fun, and yummy too! 

Well I hope you’ve enjoyed looking at these new products and of course there are soooo many more.  If you’d like to receive a copy of the Summer Mini Catalogue, please email me or call and I’ll pop one in the post to you.  Or you can check it out online here. 

Don’t forget I’m holding Christmas classes here on Thursday at 7.30pm and a Christmas Gift Ideas class on Friday at 10am.  I still have a couple of seats at each if you would like to come along and then you’ll be able to see the new goodies in the flesh! 

Righto…. off you go now to visit Lyanna and continue on your journey.  Have fun and don’t forget to leave your comments for your chance to win the blog candy! You have until Wed midnight EDST to submit your comments.

Thanks for looking!

My stamp club met on Wednesday and I thought I’d share with you this gorgeous little gift box/drawer we made.  I just love it and the girls all did too. This is the one I made to start with.

This box uses Choc Chip, Real Red and Whisper White card stock together with Ski Slope DSP and the Tree Trimmings and Best Yet stamp sets. I have used Crystal Effects with glitter on the baubles and the Crop-a-dile and jumbo eyelets with a rhinestone brad and ribbons to make the drawer pull.

It also has the added bonus of a gift card attached to the top which is kept closed with the silver hodgpodge brad.

 and here is the one we made as a group. 

Here I have used Real Red, Baja Breeze and Whisper White cardstock and Ski Slope DSP .  I’ve made a bauble with the Red Gingham ribbon, Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/8″ circle punch and the Snow Swirled image with a Fire Rhinestone brad.  I’ve also used  Warm Words and a  Baja Corduroy Button for the drawer pull which works extremely well. 

Don’t forget the Spring Mini catalogue finishes at the end of this month and a lot of these items will go with it.  I don’t know how I’m going to survive the lead up to Christmas without my much loved Ski Slope designer papers!

Thanks for looking!

Cheers