‘Tis the night before Christmas

Well it’s mid afternoon anyway.  I am as organised as I can be for Christmas.  Only the last minute things to do in the morning.  For my last post before Christmas I thought I would show a few of the ways I have packaged my gifts.

This first one is a gift card holder I made for my daughter and son-in-law.  I got the template for the stocking from Splitcoast Stampers here.  It was posted by Claire Brennan and you can see her example here.  I have used Ski Slope Designer Series Paper (retired Spring Mini), the Best Yet stampset (hostess set) and some Old Olive cardstock.  The poinsettia is made using  Ski Slope Designer Series paper and the Five Petal Punch.    A little Old Olive Ribbon and the stocking is finished.  You just lift the flap to find the gift card and I also added a message under the flap.

The pattern for this stocking can be printed directly to your cardstock or paper, however I decided to make a master template.  I printed the pattern onto some chipboard and cut out the pieces and now all I have to do is draw around them onto whatever card or paper I want to use.

These two boxes were made for my mother, she is getting a stampset and punch from the new Summer Mini.  Mum is also a bit of a crafter and I know she will enjoy these.

The box that holds the stampset has been adapted from one that Leonie Schroder posted on her blog.  She has a PDF file that you can download with the instructions.

Now if you visit Leonie’s blog you will see that I have totally cased this.  I love it.  Again I’ve used Ski Slope DSP and Old Olive Cardstock.  The “To, From” stamp is from A Holly Jolly Christmas stampset and the greeting is from Many Merry Messages.  I also used the Eyelet Edge punch  Can you see which set she is getting, I hope she doesn’t look today.

I wanted to make a matching box for the punch so I found an old box which was the right width and height and adapted the measurements so that it was the right length.  Now I have a matching gift set and I think it has turned out rather nicely. 

This is an ornament which I made as a small gift for my sister and neice.  I found the instructions for the ornament and also a matching gift box here.  I used some old DSP which I had left over from the last catalogue to create the ornament and stamped one of the snowflake images from A Snow Swirled to create the centrepiece.  The colours are Tempting Turquoise.

I used Tempting Turquoise card for the bottom of the box and whisper white for the top.  I stamped all three of the snowflake images from A Snow Swirled randomly over the Whisper White card.  I made the belly band using Tempting Turquoise.  I stamped a snowflake image onto Whisper White card and punched it out using the 1 1/4″ circle punch.  I punched out a Whisper White Scallop circle and a 1 3/8″ circle from Tempting Turquoise to create the medallion.  I also added a tag made using the Tag punch and Small Tag Punch.  A small gift but I hope they both like them.

This one holds a DVD which I am also giving to my Mum and Dad.  I altered the dimensions of Kim’s  chocolate box so that it will fit.  I have used Holiday Treasures DSP and Real Red card.  Again the Five Petal punch poinsettias.  I love these little flowers.

Well, after all that I just want to wish each of you a safe and happy Christmas surrounded by your loved ones.  I am looking forward to spending a lovely day with my children, grandchildren, parents, sister and niece.

Bye for now, Kris.

All Wrapped Up

Just a quick post.  I have been busy playing with my Summer Mini Sets and my pre-order from Sale-A-Bration.  That’s the great thing about being a demonstrator for Stampin’ Up! we get to order our product early and don’t forget that 20% discount.

So this post I thought I would show you how I have decorated and wrapped some of the presents under our tree.  This year everything has been hand-made, even the tree decorations.  I will try to post a picture of that another day.  Anyway see what a few stamps and a pretty tag can do.  I think they look lovely and I am sure that on Christmas morning they will be ripped open by eager little hands just as easily as bought paper.  I can’t wait till Christmas Day.  Now our grandchildren are a little bigger it just gets more exciting.

Bye for now,  Kris.

A Chistmas Card

I have been wanting to make cards for my two daughters for so long  and finally got them done yesterday.  I was going to make them an acetate card but I have been to Office Works so many times and the weight of clear binding covers I needed has not been in stock.  So this is what I came up with.

I used A Wish for Peace stampset which I have loved ever since the catalogue came out.  It is so serene and peaceful and “oldy worldy”.  I rolled  my So Swirly jumbo wheel on the Whisper White card using versamark ink and embossed with white embossing powder.  I then rolled the So Swirly jumbo wheel onto the Night of Navy card using versamark and embossed with silver embossing powder.  I wrapped the Night of Navy card with the  3/4″ Real Red Polka Dot grosgrain in the Summer Mini showing the reverse side.  I stamped the tree image using Night of Navy ink onto Whisper White card and then using my two way glue pen added Dazzling Diamonds  all over the image.  I attached this to Real Red card and using dimensionals attached it to the card front.  I tied a bow using the Polka Dot ribbon and attached using mini glue dots (my absolute favourite).

This close up shows the effect of the white embossing on white card (I saw this somewhere on the net and thought it looked fabulous).  You can see that the ribbon shows the Polka Dot side in the centre of the bow.  Love two sided ribbon.

So while it took me a while to get around to making these cards they were actually quite quick to put together.

This image shows the inside of the card.  I think that decorating the inside finishes off the card perfectly and it makes everything come together.  Of course no card would be complete without a bit of sponging .  Here I have used Night of Navy ink to stamp the peace dove and the message which come in the A Wish for Peace stampset.

The other side is done in the same manner but I have printed my message on the computer setting the RGB’s so that the colour matches the Night of Navy Ink.

I hope they like these cards.

Bye for now, Kris.

Happy Birthday Abigail

Our eldest granddaughter, Abigail, celebrates her 5th birthday today.  She loved the card that I made for Jae’s birthday and requested one like that for her birthday.  I spent a lot of time on this card and I hope she likes it.

She loves the rabbit and deer from Forest Friends (retired Spring Mini) which is what I used in Jae’s birthday card.

I used my Circle Scissors (now available in the Summer Mini Catalogue) to cut the Whisper White and Chocolate Chip Circles.  I stamped and masked the rabbit, tree and deer and used a torn post it note to create the sky and grass, sponging on Kiwi Kiss and Blue Bayou ink.  I also stamped an extra deer onto Whisper White card and cut it out so that I could mount it over the top of the first one to give some extra dimension.

The Kiwi Kiss card has been stamped with the Sanded Background using Kiwi Kiss  Ink.  The Pink Pirouette card has been stamped with the butterfly image from the Sprinkles stampset (she also loves butterflys) using Pink Pirouette ink  and the edges were also sponged with the same ink.

I punched the edges of a strip of Chocolate Chip card with the Eyelet Edge Punch and wrapped it with the striped Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon.  I added the six clear rhinestone brads (what little girl doesn’t love a little bling) before assembling the card. 

I love the way it turned out.  I am especially loving circles at the moment – I hope you don’t get sick of them. 

This is my third post for today (which must be some sort of record) so I won’t be back until at least tomorrow.

Bye for now,  Kris

Inventory Clearance Sale

This is exciting news.

Sale Dates: 15 December to 24 January, 2010

Until 24 January, 2010 you will get amazing discounts on select, high-quality Stampin’ Up! products with no minimum purchase, and no limits to how many you can purchase!

Sale Details:

• Inventory Clearance Sale products are only available at their discounted price during the promotion period.
• There is no minimum purchase required to receive the discount.
• There is no limit to the number of Inventory Clearance Sale items you  can purchase.
• All items are products featured in the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue.
• All stamp sets included in the Inventory Clearance Sale are square cut.
• Inventory Clearance Sale items are only available at the sale price while supplies last.

This is a fantastic offer – all current catalogue stock – alphabets, ribbon, stampsets, accessories.  You can download a full size flyer here.

Christmas Gifts

I promised to show you the gifts which Sarah and I received when we held our end of year celebration on the 7th December.  I was very spoilt – a handmade journal to keep all my fabulous (?) ideas together, chocolate, fudge and some beautiful soap and handwash.   I look forward to spending time with these ladies again in the New Year. 

We did make them work a little before they got to eat, drink and be merry and I thought you might like to see what they made.

It’s and easel card and I have posted one of these previously here.  This one is made using Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip papers and ink.  It  uses Butterfly Prints from the new Summer Mini, Sprinkles and  the Butterfly punch also from the Summer Mini.  These cards are fantastic because they stand up to give the full effect of your work but fold flat to send in an envelope.

Sarah has used this idea here to make birthday invitations for her daughter.

If you would like to see more of the things from the Summer Mini, then keep in mind the 13th February when Sarah, Shirley  and I are hosting a Sale-A-Bration event.  See my Classes and Workshops for more details.

Bye for now,  Kris.

Some exciting news

Great news! A few of the popular products from the Spring Mini Catalogue are still available for purchase, although the sales period for the mini is now over. These products will also be available in next year’s Idea Book & Catalogue.

Here is a list of the still-available products:

Item #	Item	Price
112534	Jumbo brads 5/16″ Neutrals Assortment	$15.50
112533	Jumbo brads 5/8″ Neutrals Assortment	$13.50
114889	Scallop Oval punch	$30.95
106960	StazOn ink pad (White pad and refill)	$22.95
109196	StazOn Cleaner	$9.95

 

I am so excited that the Scallop Oval punch is going to continue to be available.  It has fast become one of my most used punches, so I am glad that it can still make an appearance at my classes and workshops.

I had a get together on Sunday for a few of my customers who have attended all of my classes  as well as hosting workshops for me in their own homes.  I promise to come back soon with photos of the beautiful gifts I received.   I truly must have the best job in the world!

Apologies and So Many Things To Tell

Well firstly I must apologise for not updating this site more often but my excuse is good.  My husband and  I have been away caravanning in the beautiful Mid North Coast of New South Wales. 

This is a view from North Brother Mountain lookout at Laurieton.   Unfortunately it was a little hazy but on a clear day this is an absolutely magnificent view.  We actually lived in the Camden Haven area for 4 years when our girls were toddlers so it was great to catch up with old friends and visit familiar places.

Now to some Stampin’ Up! news.  The new Summer Mini Catalogue is out.  You can view by clicking on the photo on the side bar or you can head to my Stampin’ Up! Website  for all the news.  There are some fantastic new stampsets, two  new punches (a butterfly and a 1 3/4″  circle)  and of course the fabulous  Circle Scissors.  This is an amazing tool.  You can cut circles from as small as 1″ all the way up to 6″.  As well you can cut rings of any size – just imagine the possibilities for scrapbooking.  The Circle Scissors can be found on page 22 of the new Summer Mini. 

You will remember the birthday card I made for Lynda in this post.  Well the focal image was cut using the Circle Scissors.

If you would like a catalogue or you would like me to show you some of these beautiful new products please contact me k.mcintosh1@optusnet.com.au.

Now just to prove I haven’t been totally idle here is a card I made yesterday.

This uses a set called Razzle Dazzle and is found on page 18 of the new Summer Mini.

The Real Red cardstock has been stamped all over with the small flower image using Versamark ink.  The edges were sponged using Real Red ink.  The two striped images have been inked using Real Red, Always Artichoke and Chocolate Chip markers and stamped onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  They were then mounted onto Chocolate Chip card.  The focal image has been inked using Always Artichoke and Real Red Markers, stamped onto Very Vanilla cardstock and mounted onto Always Artichoke cardstock.  This piece was attached using Stampin’ Dimensionals and I am not sure if you can see it or not but I have used my Crafter’s Tool Kit to pierce a line around the  two outside edges of the focal image.   I attached a clip from the Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardward tied with some Very Vanilla Taffeta ribbon.  The whole thing is attached to folded Chocolate Chip card.

This set includes 5 images and is real value at $33.95.  

Now onto some more news (boy this is turning into a marathon),  Sarah, Shirley and I are going to have another stall at the markets.  This time we are going to North Lakes markets on Sunday 13th December, so if you are in the area, please pop in and say hello.

Don’t think I have much more to tell now so,  Bye for Now.  Kris

Happy Anniversary Sarah and Sean

Recently my daughter Sarah and her husband Sean celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary.  So today I am going to share the card I made for them.

I used the sampset Always, Whisper White and Perfect Plum cardstock and ink.  I stamped one heart in Versamark ink onto Perfect Plum ink and embossed with white embossing powder.  I then cut this out.  The other heart was stamped using versamark and Perfect Plum ink embossed with clear embossing powder and cut out.  To make the grid pattern I ruled up the back in 2cm increments and used my bone folder to make the score lines.  When turned over the pattern really stands out on the front.

This photo should show up the grid pattern much better.  My first attempt at this and I am so happy with the way it turned out.  I wrapped this piece with Whisper White Tafetta ribbon and tied a bow.  This piece was then mounted onto Perfect Plum and then a Whisper White card base.  The Perfect Plum heart was attached using dimensionals and the White heart was attached to the Perfect Plum heart using dimensionals also.  The word “cherish” was stamped in Perfect Plum ink onto Whisper White card and punched out using the Large Oval Punch.  I used the Scallop Oval (in the Spring Mini which finishes 30th November) to punch out the Perfect Plum piece.  Layered them together and attached to the card using dimensionals.

I finished the inside of the card by stamping with hearts also but I forgot to take photos will try to remember next time. 

I will try and get back with some samples from the new Summer Mini early next week.  Remember if you would like to know more about anything you have seen, then just contact me k.mcintosh1@optusnet.com.au.

 

Market Update

Today I thought I would show a few pictures from our market stall at Caboolture markets.  I think our stand looked great and we were very happy with the Stampin’ Up! banner.

You can just see Sarah doing a few last minute adjustments.

We met some lovely people who were very enthusiastic about the wonderful Stampin’ Up! products.

 

Sarah and Shirley worked very hard to create some beautiful gifts.  These sold very well as teacher gifts and also as “nanna” gifts.  The post-it note covers, matching bulldog clips along with a matching pen were a hit on the day.

And aren’t those giant paperclips just the cutest  bookmarks you’ve ever seen.

 

 

 Candy canes and lollypops were of real interest to the younger generation.

And what could set off a beautifully wrapped present better than a gorgeous handmade paper bow.

All in all we had a great day, met some lovely people and learned a lot.

We hope to do this again in the near future and will keep you posted about where we will be.

Hope you are all having a great day.  See you soon.