coffee, chocolate and friends....

those things all go together soooooo well! At Kmart the other day I was in the party section (as you do) and I found a stack of coffee cups with lids (yip $2.50 for 10!) and I knew what I wanted to do with them! I undid one to get the template for the shape of the cup itself as you need to get the curve right as it's not just a straight strip of paper. Then a decorating I went!!! At the Stamp Camp I went to a demo (Juliette) taught us how to make the lovely burlap flower out of our burlap ribbon. It's so fun to do - it leaves you with lots of threads from the ribbon which is what I used for the bow and around the lids etc. If you would like to know how to make these book yourself a workshop with me - email me at julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz

Oh yes the coffee cups are filled with chocolates - pineapple lumps to be precise! lol

Clearance Rack Updated

The Clearance Rack has been updated and here are the items and WOW there are some good ones there!!! I'm putting an order on Friday 28th February so let me know what you need. Also I have updated my GARAGE SALE 2014 -now with photos. Email me to grab your bargin julia.leece@vodafone.co.nz

Never Underestimate the Power of YOU!

I wanted to make a quick card to pop in the bag of an order - it was a special order as it was for a young lady who had saved her Christmas money to buy a Texture Boutique Embossing Machine. SO I decided I wanted a card to encourage her to enjoy her new crafting tool (BTW her mum was pretty happy she bought the machine too! lol). The word stamp is from Yippee-Skippee!. It actually says "never underestimate the power of TWO" but by colouring the words in individually with marker pens I could leave off the word "TWO" and add my own using the alphabet set "ABC-123 Outline Alphabet & Numbers". One I stamped the set I masked the greeting with some post-it notes and then stamped "Off the Grid" stamp over the top. 

We had a fab time at Stamp Camp - I will post some pics soon :) 

Retro Hello!

I LOVE the new Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper. I have created these three matching projects using this cool paper. I used the matching Washi tape too. And I LOVE the new Fringe Scissors!!! I made the top of the canister using them. There are LOTS of YOUTUBE videos of some of the amazing things people have come up with using them. 

I'm off today for a few days to Rotorua (aka Roto Vagas! hee hee) for our Stampin' Up! team Stamp Camp!!! Can't wait to spend some quality time with some very creative people!!

Treasure Chest

I am in LOVE with the new Hardwood background stamp, I used it to create my treasure chest and matching card. To make the 'wood' I inked the stamp up with Versamark and heat embossed it with Early Espresso embossing powder on to Soft Suede cardstock. Then I gently sponged some Craft Whisper White over it then rubbed it off with a tissue. Then finally I sponged the edges with Soft Suede. This 'method' I've found seems to give it a more 'aged' look. 

The treasure chest itself is one I designed myself and at some stage I will do a tutorial on it but just haven't had the time. BUT I will say I made the chest out of Soft Suede card then added the wood on after it was made. That way I could line up the 'planks' evenly around the chest. I hope you like it - it was FUN making it :) and NO coins were harmed in the making of this display - YEAH RIGHT!!! lol

Sweet Sweet Moments

I am LOVING the new Scalloped Tag punch - it makes so much more than just tags -nothing wrong with tags but hey we love multi purpose tools!!! There is a technique to enable you to punch things wider than the 2" panel, it's just a matter of 'sliding' it in where the 'gap' is between the 2" guide and the main housing of the punch. In need - Google my friend! lol There are MASSES of tutorials online already with these punches! The flowers of cause are made from the Spiral Flower Die, leaves from the bird punch. I pulled out the old piercing tools to make the detail on the round Vanilla piece. It's always great to go back to tools you've had for a while. This project we made at my Manurewa class last night and the girls enjoyed playing with the piercing tools too!

I'm off to Pukekohe tomorrow for the day to the Franklin A&P Show - we have a HUGE Stampin' Up! tent - if you're in the area come and say hi!

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

Yip it's THAT day again today - February 14 - VALENTINES DAY! This is the card I made my hubby. It's a simple as card (that is such a New Zealand thing to say!) using the new Ampersand embossing folder, Pool Party Co-Ordination card stock and my Big Shot Typeset Alphabet dies. Oh and the red glitter heart using the small heart punch. I used Real Red too of cause as that's the Valentines Day colour!! I also made him a red velvet heart shaped cake - he called it a guilt cake cause I'm not home tonight as I have a class! lol Every day is a Valentines Day for me!! We're having a nice day together on Saturday instead! hee hee

Hope you get to spend some time with those you love over the next few days, THAT'S what it is all about!!