Inspired by Project Life... welcome to this month's GV Achievers Blog Hop

Welcome to another wonderful Blog Hop for the GV achievers! 

This month's Grand Vacation Achiever's blog hop theme is "Inspired by Project Life".  Which could mean anything really!  There are so many ideas out there that you can do with the gorgeous Project Life cards.. you don't have to just stick to actual page layouts. In the past I have shown you cards I made with the kits, as well as tags, mini albums and a bunch of different ideas.

So you might be asking.. why did you make a layout then if you had so many options? And the truth is that tonight I sat down to create something for this theme, and realised that at that moment, nothing would make be happier than just creating another page!  I've been working on an album of things that I am thankful for (kind of like a gratitude journal with pictures), and I decided that this was what I really wanted to do tonight.  We've had a few challenges lately, and just focusing on something that I am grateful for was exactly the therapy I needed.

One thing I LOVE about Project Life is how good it is for recording small everyday moments.  I used to only scrapbook major events or particularly striking photographs.. but with Project Life I enjoy ALL kinds of stories, big and small.  My garden (the subject of today's layout) might be small and not particularly noteworthy... but I enjoyed making this page, and focusing on how happy it makes me to grow delicious herbs and veggies that I can enjoy in my kitchen.

I used the Seasonal Snapshot cards and Accessory kit again. I find this such a versatile kit, and although it was designed with the Holiday season in mind, I've been using it for all kinds of everyday things.  I particularly love the colours and they go so well with outdoor and earthy subjects. I decided to do something I have been busting to try ever since I saw the clever Delys Cram do it... I edged around my PL cards with ink (in this case Black) which I think makes them even more striking. I also like just a touch of glimmer on my pages. And I cant seem to stop using the stripey washi tapes! :-)

I hope you enjoy my page today... please use the list below to click on the next name after mine to see what the other clever girls have created too!  Enjoy the hop!

Here are the names of the other girls taking part this month... lots of inspiration to be found!

Sparkly Sleigh Ride in blue or grey?

Today I have a workshops with a great group of ladies that I've been doing workshops with on and off for about 8 years!  So I am always looking for something new to show them.  Right now our latest Holiday catalogue is making that pretty easy :-)  So I decided to make a window card (you know how I love those!) and use some of our new Holiday products to pretty it up!

I couldn't decide whether to make it up in Grey or Blue.. so I made both and game them a choice as to which they preferred.  Most chose the blue, but one chose the grey. I also did a poll on my Facebook page as to which was better... and the results were about the same! Most chose blue, and just a few chose grey. :-)

Which do you prefer??

Penguin invitations with the Envelope Punch Board

October is a busy month for our family... not to mention expensive!  Both my children celebrate their birthdays, as well as my mother.  So there is lots to do, and one of my tasks is to create cards for each of them. We don't do parties every year, but this year is a "party year" for my son, who is turning 10.  It wasn't hard to choose a theme.. he has quite a few very specific "likes" and interests, but when I saw the new "Snow Place" stamp set in our new Holiday catalogue I knew that he would LOVE the penguin stamp in there!

I have no idea where his love of Penguins came from.. but he is quite besotted with them!  His favourite animal by far!  So I made a sliding invitation... the outside was created with the Envelope Punch Board to make a pocket, and the inside piece with the party details on it has a penguin on top... so you pull the penguin out of the pocket to read the details.

Ben said the first person he gave it to tried to open the whole thing and destroyed it!  So after that he stood with each friend he gave it to so that they knew what to do.  :-)

Here is another picture that shows the "correct" way to open it!  lol





Enjoy!

A super-size window with the Hearth and Home framelit set

In case you haven't noticed.. I am rather besotted with the window framelit in the "Hearth and Home" set.  This week I decided to run a "Product Focus" class on this product... and I really loved all the projects I designed for the class... if I do say so myself!!!  My product focus classes are where I take a favourite product and show several different ways to use it.  This is great for people who already have the product because they go away with a head full of how to get more Versatility from their product.  And if you don't own it yet... look out! Because after a product focus class you just might decide that you need that product after all......

We made 3 completely different projects in this class... but the card you see here is the final project and I found a way to simply change the shape of the window... effectively making it a double window rather than the single version that is the basic framelit shape.  This card could be for Christmas.. or with a change of sentiment could easily be used for a Masculine birthday card as well.

Soon I'll be putting up a video to show you how I made the window.... I cheated and did it a super-easy way :-)  So make sure you check back in the coming days for the video tutorial!  Or "like" my Facebook page as you'll see it update in your newsfeed.

In the meantime enjoy the card, and I've included a product showcase below so you can see the products I used.

Have a great day!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Hearth and Home Framelit die... Window cards with a difference

Ever since the release of the "Hearth and Home" window die, I have been enjoying using this versatile framelit set. I love that you can use it for both Christmas and Non-Christmas cards.

This week I am running a product focus class on this product. We'll be using it to make 3 different projects and I thought you might like to see one of them here.

I still have spots in tomorrow's class at 11am (Wednesday 21st October) if you would like to join us. Cost is $25 for the 3 projects, and all materials and lunch are included.

To book in to my class for tomorrow click HERE!

You overwhelm me with your Awesomeness

This stamp is surely one of my most favourite sentiments ever on a card!  Overwhelmed with awesomeness indeed!   And I love the way these colours seem to sing together!

I've included a product listing below should you wish to make a card like this yourself... click on the Shop Now button to access the online store.

Here's a closeup view of the card:

Enjoy!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Video Tutorial: Masking Tape Technique with Washi Tape!

Want a fun and easy background technique that you can do with just a few supplies? Well the Masking Tape Technique is for you!

This technique has been lurking around for years, but until a couple of weeks ago I had never tried it. Then I did, and liked the result so much I decided to schedule it into this month's classes as the Technique of the month.  And you can play with it, to create different effects.. so get your supplies and have some fun!

You will need:

• Base paper.. if you are wanting your colours to be true then stick to basic neutrals like Whisper White, Shimmery White, Very Vanilla.  Once you've had a play you might like to experiment and use other base materials. 
• Dye or water-based inks in a colour palette of your choice. For the piece in the video I used Island Indigo, Pool Party and Smoky Slate, but you can use any colours your heart desires!
• Masking Tape! The smaller the piece of paper you are working on, the narrower your tape needs to be. So for this small piece I used Washi because it was much narrower than the Masking tape that I had on hand. 

That's it!

Here's the ATC I made for the video.. 

Watch the video and let me know what you think! And have fun!

Masking Tape Technique.....Who'd like to come and learn a new technique?

I have this month's technique classes this week and this time we are using the "Masking Tape Technique" to create 3 gorgeous projects.  The "sneak peek" of the card you see here is made using the technique on a Typeset DSP background... and I really like how it turned out.

If you'd like to join us, I still have spots for both the Tuesday evening class at 7.30pm (yes, thats tonight!) or Wednesday 14th October at 11am.  All materials and refreshments are included (lunch too for the day ladies).  Cost is $25.  I run my classes here on the Central Coast, and I use Stampin'Up Products to create the beautiful things you see here and on my Business Facebook page.

To book at any classes email me by clicking HERE.

Seasonal Snapshot Project Life cards from Stampin'Up!.....My first Design Team post!

I have something exciting to share with you all... I am excited to announce that i have joined the Design Team for the Memory Keeping with Stampin'Up! Project Life Facebook page.. whew thats a mouthful isn't it!  But what actually matters is that I will be designing pages to add to their already gorgeous collection of Project Life layouts!  And today we are celebrating with a Blog hop... so you get to see all the other gorgeous creations too! (Blog addresses are at the bottom of this post if you cant wait!)

So today you get to see my first official design!  This month's task was to create a layout using the "Seasonal Snapshot" card kit which is featured in our current Holiday Catalogue (page ) I just love the colours in this kit!  But at first glance it seemed a little challenging. It features cards that are more likely to be used to showcase either American or European holidays.. cold Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Back to School.  Here in the Southern Hemisphere some of those things aren't really on our radar.  Sure Halloween is becoming a bit more mainstream, and even though we don't celebrate Thanksgiving, there is always something to be thankful for.

So instead, I focused on the colours in the kit... because I really do like the designs.  And for me, the crumb cake (Kraft), green and blue are reminiscent of the Australian Bush... and that was the inspiration for this page. I used some photos from the last school holiday when I took my children to the Australian Walkabout Park.  We spent a gorgeous day in the sunshine, meeting the animals and enjoying the flora and fauna in the bush.

Its a good reminder... don't be too focused on the designs and wording in a card kit... you can always modify its original purpose and make it work with your photos! Its more about getting the colours and elements right, and maybe even covering up the bits that don't work.

Here are closer pics of the single pages:

For the title block I used stickers from the matching accessory pack to create the words "Walkabout" and "Park".. the word park was also punched with the Washi punch.  On the picture below of the curvy tree I also ripped a corner of a card to bring a little of the crumb cake into that spot.. plus it covered up a blank area of the photo.

The only additional item I added (apart from what is in the accessory pack) was a little gold Glimmer paper.... I cant seem to do much at all without a bit of bling lately!  Oh and a tiny bit of thin striped washi tape too.

I hope you enjoyed my first design for the team!  If you haven't got into Project Life yourself.. you can either purchase product through my store by clicking HERE, or if you are interested in classes please let me know as I will be scheduling more Project Life classes soon!  You can contact me by clicking HERE.


Now you are free to visit the other Design Team Member's blogs and see what they created too!  I've added their links below for you.. just click on each one to see their gorgeous creations.  Enjoy the hop!
(Or if you'd like to stay up to date with what everyone is doing a little more often you can visit and "like" our FACEBOOK PAGE. )


Tina Gillespie

Delys Cram 

Julie Kettlewell

Elizabeth Richards Peterson

Anna Pickering

Constanze Wirtz

Kate Denyer

Project Life Storage

I've seen so many different way to store Project Life accessories, but I thought you'd like to see the one that works for me. I have this IKEA trolley set up so that I can wheel it next to me when I'm working with Project Life... and its a great solution. On the top shelf I have the current Card Kits and Accessory kits that I am working with, as well as pens and some of my photos.

On the second shelf I have my Selphy Printer so that I can print photos directly from my phone anytime that I decide to use them.... this saves me a bunch of time running down to the local photo printing place. Especially when I often feel the need to print photos in the middle of the night. So it's just really convenient.

On the bottom shelf I keep my smaller albums (6"x8"and 6"x6") - but my bigger 12"x12" albums are stored in a separate shelf.

There are lots of other ideas out there of course.. but this one works for me!

Check back here tomorrow morning because I will be posting my latest Project Life layouts using the Seasonal Snapshot card kit and accessories.  Cant wait to show you!!

Frosted Acetate Window card with Snow Friends from Stampin'Up!

Another Holiday catalogue set to show you today... this time its the little penguin from the "Snow Friends" stamp set.  I wanted to use it to make my boy's birthday invitations, and i took a little time out tonight to make a window card with it as well.  There are matching framelits for the images in this set, so no scissors required!

I sponged some white stallion over the corners of the acetate piece and also used the small dotty snow stamp from another set ("Jingle all the way") to add some snow. It looks pretty cool doesn't it?

To finish the card I added a frame made from Red glimmer paper, plus some washi tape at the bottom edge of the card too.  I really enjoyed making this one!

If you'd like to see more of my creations head over to my Facebook Business Page, where I post a little more often.

Video Tutorial: Creating Decorative Corners with the Curvy Corner Trio Punch

I have to admit I didn't purchase this punch with my first order from the catalogue.  There are always sooooo many things I wish to purchase to show off to my customers... you cant have EVERYTHING! (Although I do give it my best shot! Ha!)



But I kept this Curvy Corner Trio Punch on my wishlist all the same... and then of course I started seeing what everyone was doing with it.  And the results are lovely. So I decided to get one.  This week I ran my first classes that included the use of this punch.... and everyone really liked it!  I like it too.. because its basically a 3-in-1 punch and so it has lots of uses.

On the card above I used it to make decorative corners on the feature piece of paper and I really like how it turned out. I also put Washi Tape on the bottom of this piece of cardstock, and the punch had no trouble at all going through both the paper and the washi. If you put your washi on first, and then punch, it makes it look as though the washi is part of the paper.

So after using the punch and my customers also using it in class, I made a quick little video to give you a couple of tips on how to use it.

If you decide you would like one of these punches for yourself, visit the Online Store by clicking HERE.  Items can be sent anywhere in Australia for a low postage charge... all prices are in Australian dollars.

I'll be back with more to show you soon. In the meantime enjoy the video!

Going Green for a team Challenge this month

One of my favourite things about my Stampin'Up business is having a team to work with. I love these girls! They are all at different levels and need different things from their businesses, but we all share a love of paper craft and so we instantly have that in common. We have a team forum so that we can support each other, get questions answered, and generally hang out. And we show off our latest creations too!

Each month on the forum I run a team challenge... some months it is to use certain products or colours, sometimes an inspiration challenge or technique challenge. This month I am using a sketch, and the card you see today is a sample card for the challenge that I created.

I really wanted to use the Christmas tree foil vellum so this was a good chance!  I mixed some of our new in colours... the colours are Tip Top Taupe, Cucumber Crush and Mint Macaron.  I was pretty happy with how it turned out :-)

Hopefully you'll like it too!  Here's a close up...

Beautiful Christmas cards with the Jingle All the Way stamps and matching Framelits

I've been playing again today with this gorgeous set from our current Holiday Catalogue.  I am so happy with everything I've made with it so far.... the idea of creating a serene Christmas scene is so appealing to me, and these stamps and matching framelits work every time!

I used Island Indigo and Smoky slate as my main colours, and the houses are made from the black glimmer paper.  Aren't they cute?

I hope you enjoy this card and I'll be back with more soon.  Here's a closeup for you...

Tomorrow I become the mother of a Teenager

...and of course I needed to create a card worthy of the occasion. Girly, but not too girly.  Sweet, but not too sweet.


I had some left over cork numbers from one of the Project Life Accessories kits and I thought they would be perfect on this card. The actual design of this card is a sketch from the Mojo Monday Blog... here is the original sketch:

The DSP is from the "Go Wild" paper stack, which is so versatile with its neutral colour palette.  I used some stitched satin ribbon  and some basic pearls to finish off the card detail.

I hope you enjoy my card today.... wish me luck for tomorrow and the next few years!!!

Busy making Thank you cards today... is one of them yours?

Today I've been making thank you cards. with a purpose. Last month was my biggest ever month of Online Orders... I guess you all fell in love with the new Holiday Catalogue, just like I did.  And so, I wanted to say "thank you" for making my September a great month!

And when I got tired of the above colour scheme.. I started on a second:

I might even start a third colour scheme if I tire of these :-)

I'll be back soon!