.

another cool hand sewing project - needle wallet

2012-02-03T08:36:00.002+13:00

this is a VERY super easy project - the only sewing is hand sewing the felt pages to each other and any embellishment you want to decorate the front. I haven't done blanket stitch for so long - so please excuse my attempt around the bird!! hee hee

It's held together with the iron on fuseable webbing that Stampin' Up! sell - all you need to do is get the iron out - which if anyone knows me doesn't happen very often! LOL
My next skill I need to learn is how to cut a straight line with the pinking shears! hehe Be gentle with me please!

It's a long weekend here in New Zealand so we are escaping to the beach for it so I won't be posting till next Tuesday - have a GREAT weekend!!!

yea olde coat hanger

2012-02-02T07:23:00.002+13:00

This is another EASY project using the Stampin' Up! fabric. This coat hanger is SOOOOO easy it's embarrassing and it's all hand sewn! All you need a length of fabric at least twice the length of the wooden coat hanger and about 6" wide. Turn about 3/4" over on the short ends and iron flat, and on the long edges iron a 1" fold over. Then wrap a strip of padding of some sort around the wood part of the hanger, you could use an old stocking or a strip of quilting fabric - even a strip of old towel would work. I put a strip of sticky strip on the wood to help hold the padding in place.

Measure the length of the metal part and cut a strip about twice the length of the hook and 1" wide. Fold in half and stitch down the middle, turn inside out and stitch up one end. Thread on to the hook and stitch the bottom to the padding to stop it falling off!

Then back to the main hanger part - fold the fabric in half and using a running stitch stitch about a 1/4" stitch 1/2" apart and work your way to the center. Thread the coat hanger in and pull the tread to gather it. Carry on sewing but this half you will have the hanger in the fabric. At the end gather again and secure the thread. Add a ribbon if desired. Hope that all makes sense!

If you make one PLEASE let me know I love seeing other peoples creations!!

using Stampin' Up! fabric

2012-02-01T08:08:00.002+13:00

One thing I do enjoy doing when I'm not playing with paper is playing with Fabric! Stampin' Up! have started selling fabric which is AWESOME!!! This is called Spice Cake - and it matches the DSP with the same name. Stampin' Up! sell fabric in sets of 3 - each of those co-ordinate with each other. Each pack ($24.50) includes 68.6cm x 45.7cm of 100% cotton fabric, and it's delightful to work with. This is a enlongated hexagon caddy - there are free tutorials all over the web for it.
this one is made using the Beau Chateau fabric and I think I didn't put enough stuffing in this one LOL I have made a few things lately with the Stampin' Up! fabric so I will do a short series on it over the next few days.

a fun cube!

2012-01-31T08:37:00.002+13:00

Over at Crafters Anonymous we had our very first online class and Anne Brignall taught this cool cube. You can use it as a photo cube like I did, or just a box with something special inside - whatever suits your need.

It's quiet an easy project and I look forward to teaching it sometime this year. I started with Crumb Cake and each photo is layered with Whisper White. I stamped directly onto the photos using Stazon Ink and even coloured some stamps in with Stampin' Up! markers which worked well too! The photos are of my husband and his two brothers - hubby is the cute little one! lol My father in law took lots of photos so I have lots to choose from - such a neat way to see how they grew up!

Below are pic's showing each of the sides and how I decorated them. The bottom I kept blank.

thanks for visiting my blog today - see you tomorrow :)

interesting fold time!!!

2012-01-30T15:21:00.002+13:00

This is a fun card to make for a change. I first saw it on another Stampin' Up! demo's blog HERE go check Clare's samples out! It looks really complicated but it is relatively easy!! I think I will do it for a class this month on the 15th.

This sample I started with Crumb Cake (aka kraft) and used Mocha DSP (love that packet!) and Basic Black. Stamping a range of stamps on with Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Basic Black makes it easy peasy.

Do let me know if you would like me to teach you this cool card either at one of my classes held at my place or a one off at your place with a few friends. Email me julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz for more information.

thanks for visiting and HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUCKLAND CITY! we are 172 years old today!!

Stocking punch EXTRA - broken leg

2012-01-29T08:12:00.002+13:00

I just HAD to make this card following a comment on my last stocking punch post by Ms. (sorry I don't know your real name!) What a cute idea! It took a bit to get the crutches somewhat right - still not 100% happy but....... you have to stop somewhere! hehe

The sentiment is a cut up on from a cool alpha we have now (I'm typing this in bed without my catty near me so sorry can't remember the name! hehe) and it says "Q - is for Quickly - how we want you to recover" I didn't want all those words so I just cut up what I did want!

The irony about this card as it was me at the local A&E yesterday as I broke my toe - my little toe at that - no where near as dramatic as a whole leg! hehe. Just one of the annoying things that they can't do anything about but you knock it every time you walk anywhere!

Tomorrow I have another neat card fold technique to show you - might make it an upcoming class soon. Don't forget my class on Wednesday - It will be at 10am this week only (1st Feb) - but it will be repeated on Sunday 12th Feb at 12.30pm if you can't make this weeks one. Email me for details julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz

another tea cosy made with Stampin' Up! dies!

2012-01-28T15:41:00.002+13:00

this is basically the same pattern as the other tea cosy I posted but I covered the top with flowers made from felt that I cut out using the Stampin' Up! dies - they are so easy to make and makes this somewhat retro project POP!!! I glued the flowers together first but hand sewed them on to the tea cosy. Now I just need to find a tea pot to go with it! hehe

Tea Cosy Stampin' Up! style!!

2012-01-27T12:14:00.002+13:00

Isn't this a fun project. It's a (large) tea cosy made from Stampin' Up! fabric - Flirtatious (122335 $24.50) to be exact. I used a cool pattern I found at a quilt shop in Cambridge and really enjoyed sewing for a change.

Stampin' Up! have 5 sets of fabric in the Main Catalogue and Ideas Book. Each packet contains 3 different fabrics each 68.6cm x45.7cm or 18" x 27". There is another pack called Spice Cake in the current Summer Mini too. They are 100% cotton and LOVELY to work with. Email me if you would like more information regarding ordering Stampin' Up! fabric. julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz - don't forget they have a range of buttons, ribbons, and other embellishments that co-ordinate with the fabric!!

I will be showing a few projects that I have sewed using Stampin' Up fabric - although you have seen some before like me yo-yo mouse on this post HERE

Thanks for visiting and sharing your comments - I LOVE hearing from you. I am off now to make a card with a broken leg on it after Ms left a comment about one on my last post - thanks for that :)

see you tomorrow!

Stocking punch - running shoes!

2012-01-26T12:30:00.002+13:00

this is the last of the series of cards using the stocking punch. I made some running shoes this time. The socks are the top end of the stocking and I've crimped it to give the look of socks. The white soles but using a bit from the bottom of the punch. You could add 'strips' or a 'swish' if you want to be more brand specific lol! I love this sentiment from Word Play stamp set - it just seemed perfect for this card. The gravel on the path is just the background stamp ' Wonderfully Worn' - and more crimping on the background 'grass'.

I hope you have enjoyed this series - I have barely touched the surface of what you can do with this punch - like I have seen a great pair of ice skates made with it. If you have made something with this punch leave a comment below - I would LOVE to see them!

I have some more creative 'off the page' projects to show you so be sure to come back and visit. :)

Stocking punch - muddy gumboots!!

2012-01-25T08:46:00.002+13:00

I couldn't do a series on the stocking punch without including a gumboot one esp. as we in New Zealand is one of the biggest farming countries in the world. Gumboots are the same as galoshes or 'wellingtons' - each country call them something different! lol the rubbery boots you wear to keep your feet dry and MUD free! If you have a different name for them please leave a comment- I would love to know what they are called where you live!! There is nothing better than jumping in puddles of water or mud in your gummy's! hee hee

The grass is made by crimping a strip of Old Olive then snipping bits out - just make sure the point of your grass blades are on the top ridge, this keeps it strong and somewhat more regular. I I sponged it before I snipped too. To create the sky I punched out a scallop circle and oval out of a piece of scrap card and used the hole as a stencil - not the punched out piece. I sponged using the stencil with Whisper White craft - easy peasy!

One more card tomorrow - see you then.

Stocking Punch - love those red shoes!!!!

2012-01-24T08:02:00.002+13:00

I couldn't do a stocking punch card set without something glamorous or sparkly! Every girl has a favourite pair of shoes and mine are red!! And yes I have 'cankles' like this lady - actually it could easily be a self portrait! hehe The heals are the 'hanger' part of the stocking punch. To achieve the definition on the legs I started with Pink Pirouette then sponged the legs with Whisper White craft ink then lightly sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip. It just makes it look like she has stockings on, you could try and sponge some shape into the legs/feet/ankles but as I don't have any shape in mine I didn't put any on the card! lol

Using the crimper again for the dress - just helps to give the card some texture. Two more stocking punch cards to come (more if I design more hee hee) so see you tomorrow.

Stocking Punch - Rugby World Cup card

2012-01-23T09:55:00.002+13:00

As many of you know New Zealand won the Rugby World Cup in October last year. It was many years ago that we last won so this is a BIG deal for us!! To celebrate this achievement I thought I would use the awesome stocking punch and make some rugby boots. You can easily change them to soccer, football, gridiron whatever! I used the crimper for the socks to make them stand out, especially as the winning All Black team wears 'all black' LOL.

The sentiment from Word Play was perfect for this. I used Pear Pizzaz for the Top Note but sponged it with Old Olive to give it more colour. The Rugby World Cup colours is green, white and blue, so I used the Pacific Point card base to replicate their scheme.

I have another great card using the stocking punch and crimper tomorrow - see you then!!!

Stocking punch - ballerina!!

2012-01-22T09:56:00.002+13:00

I have made a series of cards using the stocking punch. This particular one i.e. the ballerina is inspired from Jackie Topa's tutorial she has for sale on her blog. She had a different skirt etc but the shoes are all her design. Over the next few days I will show you how I took her 'shoes' idea and ran with it - and I mean ran with it!!! lol I had a BALL (literally hee hee!)

There is SO MANY options when you think of it, it's just a matter of working out how to execute it.

So come back over the next few days and see how I turned the stocking punch into one of the most useful punches there is! Don't forget that Stampin' Up! aren't continuing with this punch so if you haven't got yours yet then ORDER IT TODAY!!! you don't want to miss out!!!

Love that sparkles!

2012-01-21T08:00:00.002+13:00

the last but by no means least is this love token box. I just LOVE using the new sparkly card from Stampin' Up! It punches really well which is what I've done here. It's a simple design but that's all you need with sparkle like this!! I stamped the "LOVE" stamp with markers to get the multi coloured look. Add a little ribbon and it's done!

I'm going to start a series of projects using the cute Stocking Punch from tomorrow - so be sure to come back for another visit.

See you then. :)

SWEET MAMBO!!

2012-01-20T09:11:00.002+13:00

I decided to make the Melon Mambo box into a 'sweet treat' type box. I love the Melon Mambo with Pumpkin Pie combo. The rickrack is made with the Tasteful Trim Big Shot die - I ALWAYS use the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (MAS) when I am using dies that are fiddly to stick down. It makes it SOOOO much easier - I cut a strip of the MAS just a bit bigger than what I'm cutting out - stick it to the card stock then put through the Big Shot. It's REALLY great when doing alphas too!

Back to the box .... I used the doilies stamp set (and matching DSP) to pretty this wee box up.

Another box to show tomorrow - hint - it's got SPARKLE on it! lol

thanks for looking today :)

mini takeaway boxes

2012-01-19T17:21:00.002+13:00

This tower of mini takeaway boxes are a fun way to make cool gift boxes. I made them using the Cone Petal Die (you use two with a bit cut off the bottom 3" from the top and a score mark 2" from the top) and I also made the handles from bangle wire. Over the next few days I will show you how I decorated these three funky boxes.

Today's box I have kept to the 'oriental' theme.

I used 4 different stamp sets for this but kept to Basic Black and Real Red ink. The 'flag' thing on the handle is also part of the die and I stamped it with this neat stamp from "Bring on the Cake" which I reckon gives the look of the fortunes found in fortune cookies! lol

Come back tomorrow (yes I am back blogging again!) to see another version.

Thanks for visiting!

and the winner is .....

2012-01-16T16:27:00.002+13:00

this afternoon I have entered the numbers into www.random.com from the below list

1 - Lisa Bullock

2 - Paul Reid

3 - Sally Williams

4 - Carolyn S

5 - Narelle Hoggard

6 - Tia Routledge

7 - Ms

8 - Glenda

9 - Rhonda

10 - Angie Jones

from the list of all those who commented on my blog post for my Totally Scored Ustamp with Dawn project. And the winner is:

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:5Powered by RANDOM.ORG

a BIG congrats to Narelle who I know will be so happy to join me at the next Ustamp round! Thanks to all those who entered - it's not to late to join in the fun!!!

what an awesome start to the year with Ustamping with Dawn - Let's Score

2012-01-14T18:33:00.003+13:00

This is my current Ustamp with Dawn project

This round of UStamp with Dawn and Friends is all about the new Scoring Tool released to the American market recently. Unfortunately we 'down under' don't have it in our current catalogues but we keep our fingers crossed! lol One advantage of designing for this UStamp rounds is that Dawn sent me a score tool!! how COOL is that!! It's a fabulous tool and I LOVED working with it!.

Why not join up now and get the tutorials by the best of the worlds Stampin' Up! designers and have a BALL while doing so!

I have a free pass to hand out for the next round of UStamp so leave a message and I will pick a winner thru random.com.

a super quick chrissy card

2011-12-21T20:10:00.002+13:00

I am giggling to myself as the lady I gave this card to is called 'Chrissy' LOL BUT it still was a super quick Christmas card! hehe I used the brushed silver cardstock. I punched the middle one out of a scrap that I had scored every 1/4", the right one is the largest circle punch for the Whisper White and the #2 circles die for Big Shot. And the left one is the wide oval plus the tail of the biggest petal from the Blossom Petal Builder punch. I added the top of the Ornament punch to the outside two baubles. With the left bauble I embossed it with the Lattice embossing folder which hides any joins!!

The ribbon is left over strips of the brushed gold cardstock too.

I have been pretty slack this year sending Christmas cards - I ran out fairly early and haven't sent them to heaps of people I usually do. I just ran out of time to make them and just COULDN'T send store bought ones could I?? lol My New Years resolution is to start making Christmas cards EARLY!!!

project for my last class of the year - an easel calender!

2011-12-19T19:31:00.002+13:00

Sorry for the loooonnngggg gap since my last blog post, life has just gotten in the way - that and a very sore back! But this week I am having my very last class for the year and this is what we are making - a lovely calender easel card!. This can be used as a card, and a gift in one!! Great for those last minute Christmas present.

I opened my pack of Spice Cake DSP for this project. I must admit that when I first saw the pictures of it in the Summer Mini Catalogue I wasn't a fan as I don't like green and orange together BUT I am so pleased I ordered it (along with the matching fabric!) as I LOVE IT!!! I think the inclusion of the Soft Suede and Pool Party helps the More Mustard and the Pear Pizazz to be happy together! hehe AND Stampin' Up! have offered these enormous buttons to match the DSP. Of cause the lush velvet ribbon goes awesomely with it all!!

I even love the Spiced Paisley stamp set which matches again and I have used for the decoration on the front panel

Inside I have allowed for a space to write a greeting to the receiver of the gift, plus another nice sentiment from Every Moment stamp set which goes well with the sentiment I used for the front from Elements of Style - my always go to stamp set!!

If you want to order any of these products email me at julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz

thanks :)

Up on the Rooftop BLOG HOP - UStamp with Dawn and Friends!!

2011-12-02T14:31:00.002+13:00

Welcome to the UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Up On The Roof Top 2011

World Showcase Holiday Blog Hop.

If you have been following the Blog Hop from the beginning, you have just been wowed by Melissa Huie's AMAZING Sparkling Ornament - wouldn't one of those look great in you house this Christmas!!

If you are just joining the Blog Hop, no problem, as you can start at any point. All the Designer's Blogs are linked together so you will be able to see ALL the FABULOUS projects we have for you.

My project is this frame that I designed. I LOVE making things from scratch - that way you can get EXACTLY what you want, in the colours that you like and in the size you need.

I love using the Brushed Gold cardstock and embossing it with the Lattice Embossing Folder. And heat embossing with the Cherry Cobbler and gold ties it all together.

The card matches the frame to make a complete gift!

As a Special Thank You for stopping by my blog I am giving away BLOG CANDY!!

Please leave a comment about my project to be entered for a chance to win a great goodie bag of current Stampin' Up! products. I will randomly select a winner to be announced on Tuesday, so please check back to see if you are the lucky recipient!

AND there's MORE...LOTS MORE!!

You have the opportunity to get the downloadable PDF Tutorial for my project FREE!! It's a GIFT from UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Woohoo!! See the blinkie below to access the FREE Blog Hop Website.

In the Spirit of the Holiday Season, you have the opportunity to get in on "Special Holiday Pricing" for the upcoming UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! SCORE!! Event. The Stampin' Up! Simply Scored Tool is HOT STUFF and SCORE!! will feature 40+ projects, all created using the Simply Scored Tool. SCORE!! is a MUST NOT MISS Event!! See the blinkie below to join and get in on the Early Bird savings.

And now for the most exciting giveaway of the season...

Everyone that joins the new and exciting upcoming event - SCORE!! - with "Special Holiday Pricing" will be entered into a Drawing to win 1 of 3 FREE Passes for an ENTIRE YEAR of UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! events!!

YES!!

You read that right!!

YOU could win a whole year of UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! events FREE!!

***Special Holiday Pricing of just US$19.99 ends Dec 8th***

Winners will be announced on Friday, Dec 9th.

Click the Blinkie below to join SCORE!! with Special Holiday Pricing

and a chance to win a FREE Year of UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! events!!

Click the blinkie below and you will be taken to

THE UP ON THE ROOFTOP BLOG HOP WEBSITE!!

Of course it's ***FREE*** to join and

there you will find the tutorials for ALL the blog hop projects,

PLUS live chats, challenges and more prizes!!

You will even have an opportunity to be considered for a spot as a Guest Designer!!

Yes!! It is all FREE, so tell all your friends and

join the fun with UStamp with Dawn and Friends!!

***

AND last but certainly not least, it's time to hop on over to the next Designer's Roof Top, so please click below for NEXT BLOG, where you will find FIONA ready to share a delightful Holiday project with you.

If you would like to hop back to Melissa's Roof Top, please click below.

Thanks again for stopping by and Happy Holidays to YOU!!

A FRENZY of savings - up to 50% off

2011-12-01T08:01:00.002+13:00

Stampin' Up! are not only starting their new Summer Mini today but also a month of FRENZY sales - below is the awesome sales which will go on all month BUT my last order for the year will be 27th December but get in early and grab yourself or someone else some GREAT Christmas pressies!!

Item Page Description Discount Retail Price Sale Price

120597 22 Welcome Christmas Clear-Mount Set 50% $47.95 $23.98

121584 22 Welcome Christmas Wood-Mount Set 50% $59.95 $29.9

117715 28 I {Heart} Hearts Wood-Mount Set 40% $50.95 $30.57

121528 35 Got Treats Wood-Mount Set 40% $48.95 $29.37

117699 42 Something Sweet Wood-Mount Set 40% $46.95 $28.17

116686 46 For Everything Wood-Mount Set 40% $57.95 $34.77

119163 67 Cottage Garden Wood-Mount Set 50% $39.95 $19.98

121508 72 Every Moment Wood-Mount Set 40% $38.95 $23.37

121480 74 Awash with Flowers Wood-Mount Set 40% $87.95 $52.77

121522 75 Friends Never Fade Wood-Mount Set 50% $38.95 $19.48

120618 75 Friends Never Fade Clear-Mount Set 40% $30.95 $18.57

121600 75 Ornate Blossom Wood-Mount Set 40% $24.95 $14.97

123551 88 Clearly For You Wood-Mount Set 40% $57.95 $34.77

123848 96 Chloe Stampin’ Around Builder Wheel 40% $11.95 $7.17

116911 126 Padded Envelopes (3) 40% $7.95 $4.77

119263 138 Poppy Parade 1/2'' Stitched-Poly Ribbon 30% $20.50 $14.35

119267 138 Blushing Bride 1/2'' Stitched-Poly Ribbon 30% $20.50 $14.35

119731 143 Regals Flower Brads 30% $20.50 $14.35

119730 143 Neutrals Flower Brads 30% $20.50 $14.35

118762 146 Distressing Essentials 30% $45.95 $32.17

103179 149 Craft & Rubber Scissors 30% $45.95 $32.17

112531 149 Circle Scissor Plus Glass Mat 30% $45.95 $32.17

a great calender

2011-11-30T20:22:00.003+13:00

Over on Crafters Anonymous Tia took Monday's class and we made this cool calender. It spins revealing the different months as you go. The first 6 months are on one side and the last ones are on the back as shown below. I used some of the new products out of the Summer Mini Catalogue which goes LIVE tomorrow!! The DSP is SCRUMMY!! it has a matching stamp set to which I have overlapped the DSP with stamping it in Cherry Cobbler. I have used Not Quite Navy and Whisper White.

If you would like a free Summer Mini Catalogue please call, text or email me julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz

Thanksgiving card

2011-11-28T18:22:00.002+13:00

Yesterday I was lucky to be involved in a Thanksgiving dinner when my direct Upline invited us to her families dinner. She is from America so this is an important part of her year and I think it's lovely that she shares this special time with her Stampin' Up! family! So to say thank you to Jacque for opening her home and sharing her table with me I made this card for her.

I have been inking up embossing folders for ages so thought that the same technique would work well with the the Embosslites dies. Here I have used the Flower Burst die and inked in More Mustard. I used More Mustard for the ink on the Crumb Cake card base, punched Word Window and the crimped cardstock, Soft Suede for the piece of card, Early Espresso for the ink on the frame and words. I've added some paper piecing in a line and the bit of linen thread tied around the frame and finished with a bow. And of cause I did the envelope to match!

Happy crafting everyone!

Thanksgiving card

2011-11-28T18:22:00.000+13:00

A paper rose wreath for Christmas!

2011-11-25T18:10:00.002+13:00

I made this wreath by rolling the lovely First Edition Speciality DSP into roses and then hot glued them on to a foam ring. I used about 6 sheets of paper for it. The idea came from Stephanie Lynn's blog Under the Table

It took a bit longer than I thought it would but pleased with the result.

The ribbon I used is a sneak peek from the upcoming Summer mini catalogue that goes live on the 1st December (less than a week to go!!LOL) - the ribbon only comes in vanilla but I dyed it Cherry Cobbler to make it more lush for my wreath.

Thanks for looking.

Holle's turning ONE!!

2011-11-24T20:05:00.002+13:00

my friend's Claire and Alan's baby girl is turning one soon and I wanted to make a bright and fun card for her. I freely admit I struggle with kids cards - I can do baby but I'm hopeless at kids cards! Luckily with the Stampin' Up! Design Series Papers makes the job a LOT easier! I have used 3 different sheets from the "Big Top Birthday " set - I freehand drew the "1" and then just did layers for it. The balloon stamp is a Stampin' Up! stamp but currently not available in New Zealand/Australia. The main colour's used are - Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, Real Read - there is also Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie snuck in there too hee hee

I love layering and giving cards that extra bit of texture - this pic shows the details.

It's always nice to decorate the inside of the card to match the front - and here I have continued the theme.

I am sure we will have a good 1st birthday at the park in a week or so!

my VERY first Ustamp with Dawn designing project!!

2011-11-21T18:49:00.003+13:00

a few weeks ago I got an email from one of the best known Stampin' Up! demo's ANYWHERE - Dawn Rapas - she runs a site called Ustamp with Dawn and they have 'rounds' where they focus on a 'product' and there are at least 30 different projects that are designed just for it by demo's from all over the world!! The one she invited me to design for was Knock Out Punches - World Companionship 2011 and so it's all about PUNCHES!! I was HONOURED to be part of it and above is my project that I designed (yes from scratch! lol) showcasing a HEAP of punches.

My project went live on Friday so I can now share it with you. Why not go over and join in the fun - there is so much on offer!!!

something for the sewer in your life

2011-11-17T19:42:00.002+13:00

these are PIN CUSHION RINGS! aren't they sweet! AND very useful for when you are sewing - these keep pins at hand -literally! I made them using the YO-YO maker and before tying them off I filled it with filling AND most importantly a flat big button which stops you pricking yourself with the pins!!! lol Then they are sewn on to the ring bases which have loops for attaching them. I used the three fabrics from the Beau Chateau set - they are sooooooo lovely!!

Here is what they are like on the hand. I got the idea off the awesome Pintest.com site - they used hot glue and bottle tops but I think my version are a bit more posher! lol I want to try to stamp on to plain fabric and use that - as you wouldn't be washing the fabric it doesn't matter about the type of ink you use.

Thanks for looking :)

meet the man who will adorn my craft room wall!!!!!

2011-11-16T16:54:00.002+13:00

Isn't he LOVELY! lol I started with an old shop mannequin (yes he is life sized!!!) and then covered it completely with torn strips of paper from the Specialty Designer Series Paper called First Edition Specialty. Then I cut out all the letters from Basic Black using the two Big Shot alpha's in the current Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue - Timeless Type Junior for 'Shakespeare' and the other out of Simple Letters alpha.

The flourishes were hand cut from the Neutrals Collection Paper Stacks. It's a bit hard to see in the photo but the body has been sponged and coloured to look old. I still have some coats of varnish or similar to seal it all properly but I LOVE how it turned out and just HAD to share it! hehe! Below is a close up of the papers.

By the way I bought 10 of these 'chests' so I have sold on some of them so I have a few more to decorate over time! lol

not a stamp in sight!

2011-11-15T19:09:00.001+13:00

this very quick paper only Christmas card is made solely from the new Design Series Paper called 'Letters to Santa'. I used 3 different sheets, one for the tree, one for the backing and one for the sentiment. The base of the card is Early Espresso and I have use Whisper White for the layer. I even used a strip of Early Espresso for the faux ribbon. I made it to show you can make great cards without embellishments if you want to. Just look at the papers and see what parts you can use to make stuff.

The tree is a very clever fold that I have NO idea where it originates from - but THANK YOU to whoever created it - it's so cool!!

I love getting swaps esp. when they come from the other side of the world!!!

2011-11-14T18:41:00.002+13:00

I am a guest designer on the current round of Ustamp with Dawn - the Knockout Punch round. And one of the things the designers do is swap cards with each other so I received this awesome card from Twila Davis (visit her blog here). I don't have this set of papers and it's great to see it in real life - I might order it now - BUT you will have to wait till our new SUMMER catalogue goes live on the 1st December! We don't have the stamp set available to us down under but I love having a sample with it on.

The card opens up and as you do it produces a box inside the card and there is a greeting that you look thru a punch out to see - very very clever!!

So a BIG THANK YOU Twila for sending me such a lovely card.

Beau Chateau Yo Yo mouse

2011-11-13T20:36:00.002+13:00

not a title you see very much these days hehe - but this is the latest addition to my craft room. I just LOVE the Stampin' Up! fabric, it's so nice to work with. Also imagine getting (or giving) this as a gift with a card mad out of matching paper!

Now to think of what else I can make out of the fabric...................................

single layer chritstmas card

2011-11-12T21:20:00.002+13:00

this is one of the cards I am teaching at a workshop on Sunday (along with the sing Rudolf). It's created by using a brayer (or you can sponge it). I think this will be my Christmas card this year that every one will get - it's very easy to create, cheap to produce as it's only one sheet of cardstock but still very effective and Christmassy!

I think ANY card with Dasher on it is always a winner! hehe 'Dasher' is a single a la carte' stamp that Stampin' Up! sell - and the Merry Christmas is from a small set of just two stamps called 'Christmas Greeting' so it's VERY economical way of starting into card making.

see you tomorrow :)

my version of the carol singing Rudolf!

2011-11-11T08:16:00.002+13:00

I have wanted to make a singing reindeer card for AGES but didn't have the tools to make the antlers but now with the new wee die that Stampin' Up! introduced in the Idea Book & Catalogue in September we can make lovely antlers! They did change the small oval punch which meant the mouth was more wider and less longer than what people used before so I thought I would make it a feature by adding some teeth! hehe I created this by using the the small oval punch twice - first you punch a arch in some Whisper White cardstock then you punch out that arch with the same punch a bit higher creating the teeth that fit in nicely in Rudolf's mouth. The addition of the music wheel stamp to make sheet music.

I am teaching this card on Sunday at Anita's workshop - if you would like me to create this card yourself at the comfort of your own home with some friends contact me to book a workshop and not only will you get to make this you will be introduced to the wonderful world of Stampin' Up!!

email me at julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz

yippee I was picked the winner!!

2011-11-10T20:21:00.003+13:00

over at Just Add Ink I got picked as the winner this week for my bookworm punch art book mark (pictured below) YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

It's so nice to be acknowledged by your piers - the designers at JAI are REALLY good! So why not go over to their site and join in on the next challenge!

Deck the Hall photo board

2011-11-10T15:10:00.002+13:00

this must of been one of the quickest projects I have EVER made! I started with an old 12"x12" canvas that I had painted on years ago but didn't like it anymore. Then I covered it with 3 layers of quilting batting, these where tacked to the back frame just with a staple gun. Then I wrapped the Stampin' Up! Deck the Hall fabric over it all and again using the staple gun I stapled it into place. Then I stapled in the lovely denim tape that is now available in the pattern shown and then threaded brads just thru the denim tape - not the whole thing.

I think it took me about 15 mins!! now I can have photos or even cards being displayed on it!

I have a few more projects made out of our fabric but I will give you a break from them for a bit so I can show you some cool cards.

See you then!

Deck the Hall Christmas Ball decoration

2011-11-09T05:43:00.002+13:00

here is another use for the technique I introduced the other day - these are three foam balls that I have decorated in the three different fabric samples you get in the Deck the Hall's pack.

These make lovely Christmas decorations - I love the 'olde' feel they give.

thanks for visiting :)

Deck the Hall wreath

2011-11-07T16:38:00.005+13:00

This is a wreath I made last week. It's made using the new Stampin' Up! fabric called Deck the Hall and believe it or not there is not a stitch of sewing in it!!

The wreath is made of foam and you cut out bits of fabric and then using a metal nail file you push the fabric into a groove you have precut with the file. EASY PEASY!!!

Here is a closer view to see the details. Even the ribbon is not just wrapped around I cut the strips so they just go slightly to the back - I worked out I saved about 30 cm of ribbon doing it that way! I am always looking for ways to 'save costs' for any project!! The ribbon is held in the back with small pins. I covered the back of the wreath with stick on felt just to finish it off. Can't wait to hang it up for Christmas this year!!

thanks for visiting!

every book worm NEEDS one of these!

2011-11-04T08:49:00.004+13:00

This is the project that my class made this week - again it's a bookmark but we attached it to a card - so it's perfect for that 'no gifts please' invites where you want to give a bit of you with the card! I made the book with the larges square punch and of cause sponging gives it all the definition it needs. The rest is 1" circle punch, itty bitty circle punch (eyes) and a flower from boho punch for the cute as hands. The antennas are just thin strips of card curled around the piercing tool.

If you make a book mark like this (or the Sesame St ones) you MUST ensure the back it pretty too - so just mirror the back to match the front'.

I'm going to enter this in the Just Add Ink challenge for the week - just add a tag or bookmark. It's been awhile since I did enter any challenges so I thought it would be - esp. when Brownyn E suggested it! Thanks Bron!! Here's the link to their challenge this week - JUST ADD INK it's only just started so why not enter yourself!

Have fun!!

here are the last 6 characters

2011-11-02T07:13:00.002+13:00

this is 'Snuffy' (according to Google lol) Grover and Grouch....

and of cause Cookie Monster, Elmo and Big Bird. I must admit that these designs are everywhere on Google Images - when I was a kid we never had 'Snuffy' or 'Elmo'! I remember when my kids were young and the 'Tickle Me Elmo" came out we were like 'who is Elmo?' LOL

The fun thing about them is they are bright and colourful and make you smile - and of cause useful as a bookmark! lol

Tomorrow I have a project that involves a bookmark and a card together!!

thanks for stopping by!

Burt & Ernie and The Count!!!

2011-11-01T17:15:00.002+13:00

here are more of my Sesame Street characters that I made for my swaps for my team training on Saturday. Burt and Ernie were fairly easy to do - I used the Boho punch for their hair but I think Burt's nose is a wee bit big but I think it adds to the fun of it! lol There are lots of Burt & Ernie's around on the web.

The Count was all made up by me as I couldn't find another one on line - used the ornament punch for his face and the bird punch for his ears. His nose is the tallest heart in the 3 heart punch. When you start doing punch art you look at an object and start to think what punch would make that shape and go from there. It's GREAT fun. I have some more Sesame Street ones to show tomorrow and another cool home made character I made today for my class tomorrow. See you then!

miss piggy & kermit!!!!

2011-10-31T09:42:00.002+13:00

I made a heap of these book marks for my team training on Saturday - all characters from Sesame Street and the Muppets. These two I made completely from scratch as I couldn't find a Google image of them as punch art anywhere!! I used the ornament punch for kermit's face and I HAD to have real pearls on miss piggy!! lol

Come back tomorrow for more characters.

lovely flocked swap card

2011-10-27T17:03:00.002+13:00

I recently made this card for a swap in America - I had to make 3 cards the same but forgot to make an extra one for me! lol I used the LOVELY specialty DSP Mocha Morning. I used punches to create the tag end (a square on a angle) and the modern label punch for the 'claws' holding the tag. Also I used circle punches to nip the corners on the layers as well as for the circles that the ribbon flowers are sitting on. I LOVE using the new seem binding tape and it rolls beautifully to create the elegant flowers.

it's always nice to match the inside of the card and the envelope to the front of the card- ties it all together! The colours for the card is Basic Black, Very Vanilla and Soft Suede.

thanks for visiting my blog, I am sorry it's been over a week since last post - LIFE just gets in the way sometimes! hehe

luscious trifold stepper card

2011-10-19T16:49:00.002+13:00

I LOVE my new Specialty DSP Mocha Morning - with its luscious flocked paper! I just sit a pat it a lot but the other day I took the plunge and cut some! We made the trifold stepper card on Monday night at the Crafters Anonymous online class taken by Bek Kaberry.

I also used the First Addition Specialty DSP too - for both the flower and the big panels. The flower petals I rolled my brayer over them covered with Crumb Cake ink. I also stamped the matching flourish from Elements of Style which is the same as on the flocked DSP.

There is ALWAYS a place for a few pearls or rhinestones...................

and also a bit of ribbon!

awesome Secret Sister Swap!!

2011-10-15T19:47:00.002+13:00

over on Crafters Anonymous we held our first ever secret sister swap. This is were you are given a name and you make some gifts personal to that person and send them off. I will show you what I sent to my secret sister but this is what I received from my secret sister - Helen Williams. I guessed it right straight away as there are limited crafters on the site that sew this amazingly and Helen has a really character to her card making. Also she knew about my obsession with chocolate 'Pineapple Lumps' - these are a New Zealand sweet that I ADORE!!

The amazing bag is made from the new Stampin' Up! fabric - Timeless Portrait and it is REVERSIBLE!!! she even put the same amazing clasp on both sides! My favourite colour combo is red, black and white and this bag just ROCKS!!!!

the card is just so styley!!!! I don't have this set so it's awesome to have a sample to show my customers - and what a sample it is!!!

So THANK YOU Helen Williams - you are an awesome secret sister. Here is the link to her blog - Crafty Helen

test tubes of yumminess

2011-10-13T18:41:00.002+13:00

I just got my hands on some test tubes to craft with and this is the first project made from them. I decided to fill them with three different types of sprinkles for cupcakes or big cakes - chocolate hail, 100s & 1000s and mini hearts. As I wanted to keep this a fun project I went for the bright colours of Melon Mambo and Tempting Turquoise. I love using the BIG SHOT to make the embellishments which was a Crafters Anonymous fortnightly challenge - so always pleased to participate in these challenges.

The words are from 'Bring on the Cake' stamp set and the cup cake is from 'Create a Cupcake' and matching punch. The box itself I designed to fit the three test tubes in - I LOVE working things like that out! This is such a quick project you would be surprised how quick! Why not contact me to have a workshop at your place (or mine if easier) with a few friends and we can make this project and you can see all the WONDERFUL products Stampin' Up! has and how easy it is to put projects like this together.

Email - julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz

another year another 1st place!!!

2011-10-10T16:26:00.002+13:00

I know this isn't my paper crafting but something else we are passionate about - and that is our 1967 Ford Mustang Notch Top. My hubby imported it 5 years ago and spent about 18 months restoring it. We have showed it over the last few years and every year so far we have won first place for his category. Each year they have different trophy's and this year we have this lovely rimu one. That is our car that is etched into the wood.

The awards night was a great night out - with the theme of 'back to school' and here is a picture of us dressed up.

I wore my fathers black gown and I hired the graduation cap - funny thing I never did have a graduation so it was cool to pretend for a while! hehe. Craig wore my fathers Kings College tie and boater hat. You can't see his knees but he had shorts on with long socks and black shoes! It was great to see everyone dressed up and all the different ways they interpreted the theme.

And it was awesome to sit a table with two lovely ladies who LOVE Stampin' Up! So hi to Mary and Jackie - looking forward to club events even more now!

santa can be an owl made from a pillow box can't it??? lol

2011-10-09T17:42:00.003+13:00

this wee fellow is a version of an owl that was taught to us on Crafters Anonymous by Deb Speijers a few weeks ago. I made this guy for our first level team training yesterday as the theme was 'Christmas'. I LOVE working with punches and this one was no exception. We had the best set of swaps from all the demos at the meeting - lots of inspiration and ideas! That's the cool thing about swapping. We make an amount of swaps (13 for this one) and so we come home with 13 different samples.

I hope my fellow demo's enjoy this little fellow as much as I did making them!

would love to go shopping in this shop!

2011-10-04T20:04:00.002+13:00

I saw a card using these awesome style dresses at a shop run by a fellow Stampin' Up! demo Barbara Bicknell and she kindly let me case it from her.

They are so fun to make - like playing dress-ups! If you would like to learn how to make these contact me to arrange a class for it.

a bouquet of tools

2011-10-02T18:35:00.002+13:00

I first saw these bouquets over on Tania Cordie's blog and have made them before (click here for my last version over a year ago). But Stampin' Up! have released a new background stamp called Tool Shed and so I HAD to make another one! I started with a piece of DSP from the Well Worn pack (my current favourite) and I stamped the whole image on to that. Then I stamped it again on Very Vanilla and coloured them in using a blender pen to get lighter colours. Then I cut them all out which took longer than expected! hehe

The new First Edition Specialty paper is great for the 'wrapping' around the bouquet as it is thinner and easier to shape than normal DSP and GREAT value as you get 24 sheets for the $29.95!!

Do you like the 'nail' that I included on the greeting? I accidentally dropped something on it after the card was finished and it left a mark so rather than re stamping the whole thing I thought an additional embellishment won't go a miss! My mantra for crafting is 'there is no such thing as a mistake but a new way of creating!'

Finally - go the Warriors!! (that's for all the Aussies and Kiwi's) :)

happy stampin'!

oh wow - FREE stuff from Stampin' Up!!

2011-10-01T19:50:00.003+13:00

Stampin' Up! have done it again - they are offering a cool as stamp set called Stitched Stocking and the matching stocking punch FREE with all orders or workshops (party) with sales over $500!!! That's worth over $100 But wait - there's more - (I have always wanted to say that! hehe) you will still receive the normal hostess benefits as well - which is $70 hostess dollars to spend on ANYTHING in the Ideas Book & Catalogue!!! There is a special section in the front of the book that ONLY hostesses can purchase exclusive items at a greatly reduced prices. Check it all out in all it's yumminess on pages 8 - 12!!

Below is a wee pic of what's in the stamp set and the punch. It's not just limited to Christmas stocking projects - I have used it to make a cool hobby horse on the baby card above. I have seen it being used as baby booties as well!! You could make cupcake toppers look like horses or wait - what about looking like rein deers!! I saw Mel Davies create some cute as ones here I can't wait to have a play to see what else we can make with them!!

But if you can't wait to have a workshop you can purchase this set for $64.95 for wood mount or $51.95 for clear mount, and the punch is $41.50. This offer is only available for October - it is NOT for sale in November - so contact me today to either book a get together with a few friends or to order the stamp set or punch.

Happy crafting!

happy birthday Stef

2011-09-28T15:33:00.002+13:00

My good friend (and cousin in law if there is such a thing) Stef had her birthday last week and this is the card I made for her. It's made using the new scrummy DSP called Mocha Specialty Designer Paper. The black images are flocked - you just want to sit there and pat the card (then the little men come and wrap you in a white coat that ties up in the back and take you away! lol).

The card itself is quite plain letting the texture of the paper stand out. The ribbon is the new seam binding ribbon (in Very Vanilla). I have teamed it up with Very Vanilla card. I even lined the envelope to add to the luxury feel of the whole project.

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEF!

welcome to your new home

2011-09-27T19:32:00.002+13:00

this is the card that I made for a friend Bron when she shifted house last week. I CASed it off Dee Sturgeon as she sent me a similar card when I shifted - you can see her card here

I changed the colours right up to make it different - I used the wood background stamp to create the weather boards and the flower box. The roof and the shutters are made using the scallop boarder. The windows are just hand cut but the flowers are from the Boho punch and the leaves from the two step bird punch. As you can see from the below punch the roof pulls off to show the card where a greeting is written. I used the retired Good Neighbours 'Sale-a-bration' stamp for the house stamp - that's one retired stamp set I am KEEPING! lol

can you see how TINY the brads I used on the flowers? they are the new TINY brads - they are so cute and so fun and EASY to use!!

adding something a little extra

2011-09-26T17:56:00.002+13:00

the other day I was out shopping with another demo and we found these stationary kits and thought we would challenge ourselves to do something to 'swish' it up. SO here is my take. I took it out of a clear acetate box that had yucky stickers all over it. But the items were held in a strong plastic container/tray so I thought I could cover the tray with a lid.

I wrapped some matching card around the side of the tray ......

and added some embellishments to some of the items. I matched the bright pink of the stationary items with Old Olive and Melon Mambo. It was fun to do something like this - I am waiting to see what the other demo does with hers! hehe

If you would like this set be the first person to put in an order over $100 and it's yours!!!

email me at julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz - I am putting in an order on Wednesday night which will be the last one for this month. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

happy 25th anniversary

2011-09-25T15:45:00.002+13:00

25 years ago on Tuesday I was a bridesmaid for my friend Chrissy and her hubby Rogan. Over the years we lost contact until recently when we bumped into each other at a shop! I knew it would be their 25th anniversary this year and had been looking for their address as I wanted to at least send them a card. So it was awesome to catch up with her over a couple of lunch dates already and I was able to send them a card after all!

I love the fact now with Stampin' Up! that you can purchase whole packets of silver card as I LOVE the silver. I used silver embossing powder for the sentiment. The flowers are made using the triple layer doily punch. The happy couple are off today to spend a week in Raratonga to celebrate their milestone! So cool to see such a happy pair.

highlighting with sweet treat cups

2011-09-22T07:43:00.002+12:00

the sweet treat cup has the new glass glitter in it making it a 'shaker' card. I wanted to highlight the girl swinging - and thought it would look like snow - hence the sponged 'snow' back ground. Sometimes I make a card cause I have a purpose (i.e. birthday, Christmas etc) but sometimes just cause I want to try out an technique - like this one!! I have NO idea what I would use this card for - happy to hear your ideas on that one! hehe

another zig zag card

2011-09-21T16:06:00.002+12:00

This is another one of my zigzag cards - this one made for the Stampin' Up! Big Day Out. It is using the new DSP (Designer Series Paper) called Timeless Portrait. It is so pretty - Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla.

The flower is made using the new Doily Triple Layer punch. I have blogged about these before on the post relating to the 3D Frame that I have for sale. A full tutorial for the flower is included in the tutorial for the 3D Frame (only $5NZ!)

the edge around the sentiment is made with just the eyelet boarder punch - punch out a strip and make small snips along the flat edge and then run through a crimper - then you can bend it around the oval - easy peasy!

Happy Crafting!

hows this for CUTE!!!

2011-09-20T07:28:00.002+12:00

last nights class on Crafters Anonymous was taken by guest teacher Deb Speijers

Isn't he a little cutie!! It's made from the Stampin' Up! pillow box die and a few Stampin' Up! punches. I used the triple heart punch for the feet and beak - and lots of circles!!

I can see a few of these being made!

LOTS TO SELL CHEAP!!!!

2011-09-17T19:58:00.003+12:00

I have just listed all my retired stamps I have for sale on my page above. Just click over to the other page of my blog to see the EXTENSIVE list! There are MANY bargains to be had!!

HAPPY SHOPPING!!

GO THE ALL BLACKS!!!

2011-09-11T20:19:00.003+12:00

Last Sunday I had my new catalogue launch party and I made a few take home goodies. As New Zealand is hosting the Rugby World Cup at the moment I thought it was fun to include the theme into my take home gifts and door prizes.

This is the door prize and it's black and white jelly beans in a bag in a box made from the scallop envelop die. I wrapped a belly band of white around it after I stamped 'Celebrate Today' stamp from the 'Well Penned' stamp set. I made the 'sparklers' out of the triple layer doily punch.

Everyone who came to the event took home one of these. I couldn't believe my luck when I found black lolly pops! They came from the same lolly shop as the black and white jelly beans! Apparently they are blackberry flavour! I used two different scallop circles on the back and the small Stampin' Up! alphabet to cut the 'nz' out - finishing off with a bit of black ribbon.

I used the alphabet dies to make the 'GO ALL BLACKS' too. The box is the box our Stampin' Up! catalogues come in which I covered in the brown wrapping paper that is packed into our boxes to protect all our lovely goodies in transit! Finished off with a sheet of Whisper White and there you have a lolly pop stand!

It was a great day and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I will show you the project they made tomorrow :)

thanks for visiting!

my hubby's fathers day card

2011-09-08T17:37:00.002+12:00

Here is the card I made for my kids to give their dad for Father's Day last Sunday. My husband collects guitars which means between him and the kids we have 8 guitars (plus a ukulele) and they all like rock music (both kids are in rock bands) so we went for a rock themed card.

I did the guitar on white card with black heat embossing powder. The ribbon I sponged to get the red in it - and take the vanilla out of it! lol

The back ground image was a HEAP of different stamps that I stamped with Versamark and then embossed it with silver embossing powder. I did each stamp one at a time but it all melted into one piece which is great!.

I love texture and so I used a scrap piece of acetate and put it thru the Big Shot and the lattice embossing folder then wiped the Stazon Black ink pad over it (see below pic). I was really pleased how these things went together. and he side the card was 'cool'. A man of few words is my man! hee hee

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

2011-09-07T19:44:00.002+12:00

Last Sunday was Father's Day down here in New Zealand and this is what I made my Father-in-law. It is a tool bag that has pockets - with one big one that holds a gift card (bottom photo) and lots of room in the bag for lollies!!!

The bag itself is an version of my handbag which is a tutorial I give for free when you purchase my Top Note Stepper Card tutorial. It's a 'tic-tac-toe' type of bag and it's SO easy to change it to suit what you want to achieve. Mind you my FIL didn't realise it was a tool bag - maybe he should wear his glasses more!!!! LOL

I used Soft Suede card and DSP from the patterns pack and just the Soft Suede marker to do the faux stitching. The tools are from the Totally Tools stamp set which are SOOOOOO handy!!.

thanks for visiting!

layered vintage card

2011-09-04T20:13:00.002+12:00

This is one of my favourite cards made from the Timeless Portrait DSP. The back two sides of DSP I was worried how I was going to use them as they are very heavily printed - one with cameo heads and the other is hand writing of a Shakespeare story! But I think I managed to work them ok by layering them up with Basic Black panels and a plainer DSP on the last layer before the greeting to help calm the eyes. The scalloped ribbon helps to tie it all together. Rather than tie a bow I made life easy on myself by just creating two loops and tie them together with the legs of a brad! And I STILL love the antique brads the Stampin' Up! sell! Just GORGEOUS!!!!

As the front of this card is fairly heavy (with eight layers!) I needed to add weight to the inside of it - not just to tie it together with the front but also to balance it so the card could stand up hee hee!

fabric on canvas

2011-09-03T10:43:00.003+12:00

this is another project using the new Stampin' Up! fabric. These are my parents on their wedding day - 28th January 1961.

I just covered a normal canvas - it wasn't even a new one, just one that I got tired of looking at - always recycling! hehe

The flowers are made with the big Trims dies, I even sponged some of the fabric to get more red showing. The letters are from the new On Board chipboard collect which have been sponged and covered in Crystal Effects. I used the new boarder punch for the lovely lacy bit too. LOTs of great products all available now in the new Ideas Book & Catalogue.

Become a Stampin' Up! demo for just $189

2011-09-01T07:31:00.002+12:00

Isn't this an awesome promotion!!! Here is what you get for the $189

$189 Starter Kit (item 127499)
Contains over $340 in products and business supplies—including new products from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue! All items below are recommended, but a new demonstrator can substitute a similar item of equal or lesser value.

Page	Item	Description
37	125012	Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set*
40	123225	Easy Events Clear-Mount Set*
121	121698	A4 Smooth Card Stock Assortment
121	102277	Old Olive Classic Stampin’ Pad
121	105216	Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin’ Pad
121	103133	Real Red Classic Stampin’ Pad
124	101179	Basic Black Classic Stampin’ Pad
126	107311	Whisper White Note Cards (20)
129	124339	Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper*
139	124142	Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon*
144	104332	SNAIL Adhesive
147	122129	Blender Pen (1)
163	118486	Clear-Mount Block C

*New to the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue!

as you can see you can change the items for a different colour or a different stamp set valued at the same or lesser.

There are many reasons why to join - discounted product, exclusive Demo only offers and products, opportunity to meet amazing people!! You can share what you love and have customers who order so you can get your product for free!! Or just be a hobby demo. There are A LOT of reasons to join! Email or phone me TODAY for more details - there is even a freebee that Stampin! Up! are offering if you join before the 15th!! Plus be part of my team which is full of support and sharing!

is it a book or a box??

2011-08-31T19:59:00.002+12:00

I think it could be both! lol

A few weeks ago Debi Ryan taught us a cool box which looks like a box. I decided to make another one using some of the new products. This one shows the new stamp sets (two new ones) and a new embossing folder (can you see where I used it??) and the new "Glass Glitter". That is what I love most with the products I used for this - it's so sparkly!! hehe I used Crystal Effects to adhere it to the frame (embossing folder????). Apparently it tarnishes a bit over time to give vintage look. Actually at the Stampin' Up! Big Day Out I accidentally called it "Broken Glass" which isn't really a good selling name nor a popular product to craft with - blahahahah. I have to concentrate to call it "Glass Glitter" but what ever you call it it is an AWESOME new product. It comes in both silver like I used and gold.

Only one more sleep before the new catalogue go live!! I can't wait!!! Can you?????

vintage scrap book 12x12 page

2011-08-30T13:03:00.002+12:00

more yummy new products are on this page:

- The DSP 'Timeless Portrait'

- The stamps 'Perfectly Penned' & 'Delicate Doilies'

- New punch 'Triple Layer Doily'

- Embellishment 'Trinket Keys'

- Embossing folder 'Designer Frames'

The photo is of my Great Grand Parents on my mothers side (her mothers parents). I am so in love with Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla and Basic Black! You will (and have) see a lot of it from me in the next wee while - I have LOTS of samples to show you - all item's I prepared for the Big Stamp Day Out last weekend.

This weekend I have me launch party for the new catalogue - email me by Thursday for more details if you are keen.

Also I now have the 3D Frame tutorial available to purchase on the side of my blog along with the Top Note Stepper Card.

Happy Crafting :)

a frame of fabric!! Stampin' Up!'s new FABRIC!!!

2011-08-28T21:36:00.002+12:00

I made another frame like the last one but I wanted it bigger - so I decided it would be cool to cover it with the lovely new Stampin' Up! fabric - Timeless Portrait. The Stampin' Up! glue stick is PERFECT for adhering fabric to card. I used the backing card that comes with the DSP packs as the base for all of this frame. When making your own frame from scratch you can over it with what ever you like and make it with whatever!!!

The butterflies are cut with the Big Shot and the Beautiful Butterflies die - and the two patterned fabrics are also out of the Timeless Portrait fabric pack.

By the way - it's my mum at 21 in the photo :)

I am having my new catalogue launch party this coming Saturday where you can see the new catalogues along with the samples I am showing on here over the next 2 weeks or so. Email me if you would like to join us julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz

My Stampin' Up! Big Day Out project

2011-08-27T21:35:00.002+12:00

Today in Auckland we had New Zealand's first Big Day Out where all Stampin' Up! demos and guests were invited to come along for a day of lots of fun and products. I was privileged to be asked to demonstrate some new products (yes they sent me stuff no one else in NZ had! how cool was that!!) and this is the main project that I showed.

One of the new products is full packets of A4 Brushed Silver card and I just knew I had to make a silver frame and antique it!! There are LOTS of new products in the projects - the ribbon, the punches, the embossing folder, the charms etc.......

I will offer a tutorial for this project on my blog this coming week so look out for it!

Now I better go to bed and rest my body after such a HUGE big AWESOME day!!

another cool Crafters Anonymous class project

2011-08-24T07:34:00.002+12:00

this week the wonderful Bev Poultney of Hamilton showed us Iris folding - and this vase was the project. I have done it for YEARS so it was nice to revisit it. You can do lots with this type of project. I decided to keep to Riding Hood Red, using the DSP pattern packs - a little inside information is that these are carrying over on to the new catalogue which is good!

I having been very busy making projects for a BIG Stampin' Up! event this weekend so next week I will have LOTs of sneak peeks into the new catalogue coming out next week!

have you purchased my Top Note Stepper Card in the last month or so?

2011-08-19T08:33:00.002+12:00

if you have but haven't received anything yet PLEASE email julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz as I have been having difficulties with the PayPal button with my change of address. I wasn't receiving emails saying people had purchased it. I have now fixed the issue with the button but if you are waiting for the tutorial I apologize and look forward to you contacting me so I can send you the tutorials you have purchased.

Thanks and again sorry for the inconvenience.

another cool Crafters Anonymous technique night

2011-08-19T08:10:00.002+12:00

Last night we had one of our fortnightly technique classes where you learn a technique rather than complete a whole project. Last night Anne taught us the ghosting technique where you stamp an image first in Whisper White then when dry over stamp - slightly off from the white image - to create an almost 3D 'embossed' look.

This isn't the best photo as it was taken at night - actually usually when we do classes the CA Team have prepared their samples as we always try out the tutorials before the class but last night I didn't get a chance pre make it so I was like all the other crafters following along the class. It was a great time, the buzz of it all was AWESOME!!! I for some reason chose a large stamp that I was having trouble inking up and holding the stampin-ma-jig at the same time but I think you get the drift! lol

I made the frilly ribbon by using the heat tool on it, be careful that you burn the ribbon - it doesn't take much heat to make the ribbon curl. The scallop bits around the oval is just a strip of scallop boarder that you cut down to 1cm from top of scallop then do little snips every 5mm or so which makes it easy to bend it around the oval. Try it with different boarder punches - they all create different looks. You can also put it thru the crimper to make bigger boarders easier to bend. Lots of fun things to try!!

The next online technique class I am teaching at - it's a goodie (well I think so but I am bias! lol)

Email me julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz if you would like to know more about joining the Crafters Anonymous site - it's only $20AUD per year.

I love a new (to me) technique - inlaid embossing today!

2011-08-16T20:02:00.002+12:00

I have wanted to try this technique for a while and finally got a chance today while working on what my class tomorrow are making. To do it you cut or punch like I did here card (I pre stamped mine too) and stick them to card stock. Then you put them all thru the Big Shot with the Lattice embossing folder. This blends the punch outs and the background together. To add a bit more to the card I added the three extra flowers with dimentionals. You can see it in more detail below.

I have another version tomorrow with a different subject!

an amazingly cool box!

2011-08-14T15:42:00.003+12:00

We had a very special class on Friday night to celebrate our first year on Crafters Anonymous and Bek Kaberry come up with this very cool box.

They are very easy to make (gotta love that!!) and actually useful! Think Christmas ones filled with goodies like chocolates, or even jewellery (gotta love that even better!!). What about kiddies one with fun little nick knacks etc.

I used Basic Black for the outside frame and Basic Grey for the inside. The DSP is the Basic Grey one from the Neutrals Patterns Pack. These are SO useful when you want to keep things simple! Great value for money as you get 4 12x12 of each colour (2 of each design - double sided).

Hopefully I won't be having such a long gap between blog posts!!

I have been busy working on some new projects but can't show you those till 1st Sept! They are worth the wait (if I don't say so myself! lol)

enjoy the rest of your Sunday!!

isn't this the cutest little book??

2011-08-10T20:01:00.002+12:00

Debi Ryan taught us this cool box album on Monday night at Crafters Anonymous. I love all these types of things. I used the a la carte stamp Sail Away for my decoration and kept to the nautical theme through out. The blue is Marina Mist which I really love!

Inside the book is a little fold out album. I have some old photos of my husband as a kid playing in a boat that I thought would be great with this project! I used lots of different stamps on the fold out part, some which are retiring, so remember NEVER leave it to the last minute to place your order!!!

I reckon this could make a cool card - esp. if it was for a special occasion and you wanted to have room for lots of comments or lots of signatures!!

I really love this type of project, I am sure I will make more of these and versions there of soon!!

two projects today!!

2011-08-07T19:20:00.002+12:00

thought as I haven't blogged since Friday I would do two photos today to make up for it! hehe

The first one is a little bag that I have used the dress from past posts on. This time I wanted a different edge on the skirt - so I punched it twice. What you do is punch it like normal then attached the punched out item on a strip of scrap card with dotto and repunch but this time move the scallops a half scallop and that will give you a great zigzag type of edge. You can do the same with the scallop boarder punch and you can use it for grass or something! Have a go and see what you can create!!

This card was for Allie who turned 18 last week (Sam's sister from the grungy card I made with the guitar last week). I cut the 18 shape out then wheeled it with the Forever Friends Jumbo wheel, added some punched flowers, tags, a few pearls and a bit of lace - easy peasy! She was very happy with it (but that might of been the ca$h inside it!! lol)

see you soon.

Zig Zag card

2011-08-05T18:45:00.002+12:00

Over on Crafters Anonymous we have classes online every Monday night and last week I taught this card. It is an awesomely different card which looks fabulous on a special persons mantle. This particular one is for my mother-in-law as she just had a knee operation. I have a few samples of this card - this one is made from card stock but it looks really cool in DSP. I used Old Olive and Crumb Cake which were rolled with So Swirly wheel.

The decorations were simple with the Beautiful Wings Embosslite. a few pearls, some lacy ribbon and 'ta da' it's done!

this is what I put on the back of the card - it not only stabilises the card (more importantly on DSP only cards) but it gives you somewhere to write!!

I have been a bit slack this week with blogging as I am busy making samples etc with products from our exciting new catalogue that starts on 1st September - BUT don't forget our amazing retiring list with many specials between 25-40% off AND ALL the items on the list WILL NOT be available after 31st August so order TODAY!!

thanks for looking!

very posh dress this time!

2011-08-02T11:40:00.003+12:00

Here is another version of the cool dress that I have been playing with. This one is in my favourite Black and White with red colour combos!! I had a hounds tooth skirt as a teenager and it was my favourite!! (why is it called hounds tooth too?? LOL) I have kept this a whole dress rather than the top and skirt of the last post. I think it's fun using the right sentiment with an image - like wouldn't we all WISH for a dress like this!!! I know I would - be like being Audrey Hepburn eh!!

Don't forget that the Stampin' Up! 2011 Retirement List is out - email me julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz if you haven't received this information! By the end of the month the products will not EVER be available again - and I think MANY products (stamp sets and others) will be selling out fast - it is a first come first serve sale. Many products are 25-40% discounted - AND you can still earn Hostess benefits!!

Call or email me TODAY to place your order!!!!

for the love of sewing and card making!!!

2011-07-31T20:16:00.003+12:00

Today is the last day for ordering things from the Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue and so (or should I say SEW) I just HAD to use a stamp or two from it. First is the Pattern stamp that I used for the background paper. The paper is from the Hostess pack which come in the current 'In-colours' - this is Poppy Parade. It only had small dots on it so I stamped over the whole thing with the Pattern stamp creating my perfect DSP. NEVER be afraid of stamping on DSP to make it more what you want - customising it to suit what YOU want to do, not trying to work around something that's just not quite right!

The second stamp I used is from the set 'Sew Suite' which is one of my favourite sets from this mini. The mannequin stamp is so useful for lots of projects. Here I have used it as the base for my picture. To create the top on the mannequin I stamped the mannequin stamp on the back of the DSP paper and then cut the bodice out. The skirt is fun to make. It's made using the largest scallop circle and folding it on the scallops. To add a bit to it I punched the scallops with the hand held punch - I liked how it turned out.

The words are from 3 different sets - the first 'You're' is from a stamp out of "WORD PLAY" and I just coloured in the word I wanted using the SU markers. 'Wonderful' is from the 'WONDERFUL' stamp set and finally the 'S E W' is from the "DEFINING ALPHA" set. Again I inked these with the markers. I thought the stitching added a nice feel to it - as well as putting them on different angles. You won't often see me putting sentiments on an angle - it's one of my pet peeves to be honest - but I thought I could get away with it on this one! LOL (correct me if you think otherwise! hehe)

Another thing I like to see is a card finished completely which includes the inside of it. Here I went with a different piece of the Hostess DSP but in the same colour and it's matched up with the white the same size as the front of the card. By the way the 'dress and top' paper is also from the same Hostess DSP set. A really practical Hostess gift!!!!

I first saw these dresses on Sharlene Meyers BLOG the other day - they are dotted all over web now.

I have made a few more examples of these cute dresses which I will post over the next few days.

aren't these the sweetest little ladies you have ever seen????

2011-07-30T19:39:00.002+12:00

The wonderfully talented Rhonda Fawcett designed some punch art country ladies like these one day over the summer holidays and posted them on her BLOG the other day. When I saw them I had to make some, just changing some bits but I even CASED her card design for the second one as it was SO perfect!!

I used the Hostess Pack which is exclusively for Hostess or single orders over $350NZ and they are 6"x6" and all in the current 'In Colours'. I love the rosey cheeks and the 'sweetness' to them. I decided to make one 'baking' as I felt they look like they would enjoy baking! hehe The bowl is made using a small oval punch and a medium circle punch - the wooden spoon is just freehand cut.

On the top one I used Stampin' Up!s little 'lunch sacks' which are a perfect size for a little treat (maybe even some home baked cookies?). I LOVE using stamps slightly different they they were made as. The little sentiment had other words on it - it said 'a little treat for someone sweet' but using the marker pens you can individually colour just the words you want - making your sentiment stamps even more versatile!!

Teenage boy cards are the hardest!!

2011-07-29T09:48:00.002+12:00

I like most card makers we find some things 'challenging'!!! so for me it is boys cards esp. teenage boys but now Stampin' Up! are putting out more and more stamp sets that are so easy to use as boys/teens cards. Here I have used a variety of stamp sets to create the grungy look. The red piece behind the 'Happy Birthday' words was created by putting two label punch outs together - you can see it better on the close up photo below.

I find the best way to do these cards is to put a whole lot of elements together. I did make this with a teen in mind (happy birthday Sam for the 13th Aug!!) and he is interested in music, guitars and BMXing (hence the directional details) so just layer them up and BINGO you have a card. I have used acetate to give the appearance of more depth - it means that you can put details behind it like the coarse tape ribbon. Lots of hardware type things - eyelets, staples, clips etc - add to the masculine feel.

Thanks for visiting my blog - happy crafting :)

Cork/notice board card

2011-07-27T19:20:00.002+12:00

I found some self adhesive cork the other day and thought it would look good as a mini notice board on the front of a card. I had a BALL making all the mini items for it. I used the All in the Family stamp set for the cat photo and the photo booth photos. The 'to do list' was from the Eat Chocolate set and the birthday card was made using the Lots of Bots set. Brads became drawing pins and TA DAH it was done.

Here's a close up of the board:

If this inspires you to have a go at making your own version I would LOVE to see them so send me an email with your pic or link to your blog - the possibilities for this could be endless! julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz

cracked windows

2011-07-25T15:53:00.003+12:00

This is the fun card we made at my Manurewa class last Friday. I wanted to do a window scene for ages and came up with this. After fiddling around with different curtain ideas I thought this one worked best. The girls at the class were terrified when I said to put the embossed images in the freezer!!

If you would like to learn how to do this fun technique email me today julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz and we can arrange a class at your place with your friends - or at my place in my class room (saves you cleaning up after! hehe).

here are two cards today

2011-07-22T11:58:00.002+12:00

Yesterday a friend said she was sick of looking at the same photo on my blog because I was being slack and not posting as often as I should (school holidays???) so LINDA here are TWO for you!! hehe

The first on was from a online class I did this week on Crafters Anonymous taken by the lovely Dee Sturgeon (visit her lovely site). These flowers are so much fun! I think they look best on the simple card. I LOVE clean and simple cards using Crumb Cake as the base. I drew the white lines by tracing around some coasters! Easy Peasy!!

Here's another one - this time I used the cupcake stamp from the Cupcake set to make the clouds. They are stamped in Whisper White Craft Ink. The butterflies and sentiment are from Flight of the Butterflies. I love the contrast between the plain card and the bright butterflies!.

start twist card

2011-07-19T11:58:00.002+12:00

I can not believe it's been nearly a week since I blogged! where did it go?? lol

Here is a cool as card style that we did over on Crafters Anonymous the other day. The lovely Sharna Russell taught it to us.

It's made from a 12" x 12" sheet of card stock and it twists down to the lovely six point star you see here. To decorate I used the awesome Sew Suite DSP and the words from the Tote-ally Tess stamp set. The DSP has only 11 days left to be purchased so make sure you contact me before the end of the July so you don't miss out - as the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue is finishing on the 31st July and ONLY the Big Shot items will be available after this date. Email me if you want to order anything or have further questions - julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz

Here is the inside of the card - I just used different size circle punches to punch out most of the buttons from the DSP. Such a fun card!!

Now is the time to join Stampin' Up!

2011-07-13T12:24:00.002+12:00

and my team!

The benefits of signing up to be a demo are:

* Discounted product delivered right to your door

* Access to products before customers

* Exclusive access to Demo only magazines, websites, training and socialising (including camps) put out by Stampin' UP!

* Opportunity to meet new people and share the crafts that you love

* Opportunity to make money to either pay for your hobby/obsession or help towards the family income

* Be part of a great community minded company

* Hands on regular training with myself and my team, we are known as 'Stampologists' hee hee.

When you sign up you purchase a starter kit for $340 which is worth over $590!! - you get to fine tune the kit to your preferences!

NOW is the time to sign up so you are fully ready when our exciting new catalogue arrives in September.

I have a SPECIAL just for people signing up to my team before the end of July- a gift basket FULL of great Stampin' Up! products to help you get started as SOON as you sign up.

call or email TODAY!

My daughter made Featured Crafter on Crafters Anonymous!!!

2011-07-12T19:26:00.002+12:00

This past weekend was my daughters 14th birthday and she made her own cake - a 'sorting hat' from Harry Potter - of which she is obsessed with! She LOVES cake decorating and is getting pretty damn good at it if I don't say so myself!!

After every online class on Monday nights on Crafters Anonymous the tutor gets to pick the featured crafter for the week and this week they picked Kelly's cake. She isn't a member yet but I put the picture of her cake up under the cooking and cake decorating section as I was so proud of her! Didn't she do well!! The icing was YUMMY!!! I couldn't eat the actual cake as it wasn't gluten free but the icing was gooooooddddd! hehe

thanks for visiting :)

last two days

2011-07-12T07:13:00.003+12:00

Day 11 was 'something sparkly and I did cheat and bought Debbie this cool as makeup bag, it's not hand made by me but it was so lovely I just had to buy it for her! lol

Day 12 was 'a surprise' and so I made Debbie this frame. The background is the Presto paper which I sponged in old olive around the edges so the wording on the paper shows thru, the butterflies are made with the divine embosslite 'butterfly wings'. I added some lovely little pearls to the them to give them more 'wow'. The sentiment is from the amazing set 'word play' which is SUCH a fabulous set and one of my favourite sets!

It was such a fun time to do these projects for Debbie and I enjoyed receiving all her gifts for me which I show you soon.

day nine and ten

2011-07-10T10:17:00.002+12:00

we are getting there LOL Day nine was 'something to stamp' so I made Debbie her own mosaic background stamp. I had some spare wooden blocks and then cut up bits of the left over rubber you get when you mount your Stampin' Up! stamps. I have made a few of these over the years- I have a stripey zebra one, an open mosaic like this and a tight mosaic one.

Then day ten was 'something to post' so I made a simple card pack, using Garden Green, Not Quiet Navy, Cherry Cobbler. There where 4 cards with 4 matching envelops.

days seven and eight

2011-07-09T16:42:00.002+12:00

Day seven was 'something wintery' so I gave this lovely little hotty shaped in the heart -perfect for having on the lap while you work away in your craft room during cold winter days!!

day eight was 'something pretty' so I gave Debbie this flower brooch. You may recognise it from the New Zealand Woman's Weekly craft page a few weeks back as it is the very same brooch. Nothing pretty that pink flowers!!

something to make and something to tie

2011-07-08T17:05:00.004+12:00

day 5 was "something to make" so I made up a jar of 'sand art brownies' - these make a fabulous gift - just layer the ingredient's in the jar and attach the cooking instructions. Here is the recipe for them off an old website.

day six was "something to tie" and so I made a silk scarf. These are fun and so easy to do. Just use Stazon ink and they look sensational!!

remade chocolate boxes

2011-07-07T15:28:00.002+12:00

for day three of our mid winter Christmas swap the theme was "something chocolatey"! (my favourite day! lol) SO I decided to remake the 'favourites' box. I pulled the original box and used it as a template to create the Pacific Point one. I had to use more than one sheet of 12x12 textured card to get all the pieces out. I used some acetate for the window and you can't really see but I ran that thru the BigShot with an embossing folder. Added a few decorations and a bow and it was done. The bow was one I taught over on Crafters Anonymous a few months ago.

Day for was "something smelly" and as I didn't have time to make EVERY gift I bought this beautiful lotion.

MID YEAR CHRISTMAS GIFT SWAPS

2011-07-06T18:22:00.002+12:00

Last month I participated in a Mid Year Christmas gift swap - you get together 12 days of gifts following a theme for each day. I wanted to share some of the gifts I made for my swap partner Debbie Dawson. Day one was 'something to hang' so I made these little earrings by stamping the Sew Suite stamps in Black Stazon on shrinky dink plastic. Once they are dry you use a heat tool and watch them shrink before your very eyes - way cool!!

The stamp set has the 'buttons' stamp which was perfect for making the earrings complete as a gift.

Day 2 was 'something altered' so I had a tin I altered (not SU paper :( LOL)

I will go thru the other gifts over the next few days..

Tea Caddy

2011-07-05T07:40:00.003+12:00

over on Crafters Anonymous we had another cool online class last night. The talented Anne Brignall taught us this caddy which I have made for tea but you can easy enough put anything in it! mmmm chocolate would be good!! hee hee

the round tab punch worked well to make tabs for the tea bags. You just put adhesive in a strip down the middle so it doesn't affect the tea bag when you pull the tag out like the two on display. Also you can still see what flavour the tea is (green tea with jasmine for these ones!)

what a great pressy this would make!.

If you would like more info about joining Crafters Anonymous email me on julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz

Back to crafting - YIPPEE!!!

2011-07-04T14:18:00.002+12:00

and why not start with a card for a new born!! This card is for my old (not in the age sense! lol although she IS one year older exactly than me! hehe) neighbour Joyce's son and daughter-in-law who had their first baby last week. As you can guess it's a little girl (Bethani-Grace to be exact!) and I went with the button theme. I LOVE both the Button, Button stamp set ($62.95 wood mount, $49.95 clear mount for 17 stamps) and matching BigShot Sweet Buttons embosslit ($26.50) which creates the 3D buttons. I used DSP from the Subtle's pattern pack ($45.95 for 40 sheets double sided) to make my card base which works great as long as you layer some card stock on the inside as well as the out side like I have here with Pretty in Pink and Whisper White. I popped up the pink buttons with dimensionals to give them of the 3D look.

Since I had the embosslite out I did a few more colours - Bashful Blue, So Saffron and Pear Parfait. This time I didn't do any stamping of buttons but I did pop up the blue ones to give some depth. Here is a picture so you can see the effect the popped up ones give.

Also this time I used Bashful Blue card for my base and added the DSP from the same Subtles pattern pack. The little 'Welcome Baby" is a single stamp called Sweet Unlimited ($14.50) and is perfect for baby cards and other themed projects.

**all prices are in New Zealand dollars.

my new craft room

2011-06-30T07:37:00.003+12:00

I have finally shifted and got my craft room sorted. It took a few days but I am pleased with the result. I am so wanting to start crafting again - it's been over two weeks since I have been able to which in the life of a crafter is a LIFE TIME!! lol

The good thing about this is that I can teach in the room which means I don't have to move things into the kitchen every time! Also if it's messy and I am too tired to clean up I can just shut the door and it doesn't bother my TIDY addict of a husband! hee hee

these rails that I have my punches hanging from I got from Ikea last year in Sydney - I am not sure if you can get similar in New Zealand as I went looking for more and couldn't find any. They are only 1" high which is good for holding the punches. For the little punches I used a clear spice rack which works brilliantly!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN!!!

2011-06-16T16:36:00.002+12:00

today is my SIL and closest friends birthday. It is a VERY special one - a BIG 'O' birthday (but I am too nice to say exactly how many!! lol) and to celebrate they are going on a romantic cruise around the Greek Isles - how cool is that! so I made her card with that in mind.

These are her favourite colours - she is a blue girl, and I loved using that cool stamp set - I am hoping that it will be in the next new catty!!!

I used the HUGE medallion stamp and lots of Champagne shimmer paint!.

Little bits like the crimping and piercing is fun to add detail and texture to a card.

She was pleased with it so that's all I ask for!!

Make sure you buy this weeks NZ Woman's Weekly!!

2011-06-15T07:00:00.005+12:00

Every week people can send craft ideas and photos to the magazine and if they choose you they will publish your idea AND you get $100 worth of Stampin' Up! products! How cool is that!

This weeks magazine features ME!!! hehe I got to take the photos and write the instructions. It's a VERY easy and fun project - I used the Stampin' Up! Big Shot die Flower Folds to cut the felt but you could hand cut any shape to make it work - although the die makes cutting lots so EASY!!!

This is a project that myself and a few other demonstrators did for the girls (and one guy) made for the Stampin' Up! Canterbury Regional Training early this year following their devastating earthquakes. It was a small gift we made for them to help brighten their day. The whole event was a free and fun day for them to have a break away from their rocky lives for a day. And how scary that the week this project makes the magazine Canterbury is again being rocked by large quakes!! My thoughts continue to be with me fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators and their family's at this time. Actually to ALL people in the area we are sending cyber HUGS to you all!!

boxes boxes boxes!!!

2011-06-13T07:24:00.003+12:00

This is what my craft room looks like!! We are all set to shift next Monday (20th) so I had to pack up my craft room. It actually didn't take long to do as a lot of my things are in cartons etc. The red tap on everything is for the shifters to know that it all goes into my craft room. We have rooms coloured co-ordinated hee hee!

So there won't be many projects to show you over the next 10 days or so. I have some saved up to post so it won't be a complete drought!

Hope you all have a great week!!