ESAD 2018 Annual Catalogue Launch Blog Hop

Wahooooo!! Here we are at another Blog Hop!! This time for ESAD..

                                       

What a way to celebrate the newest and most exciting catalogue!! I immediately loved how bright and cheery it was, when I saw it at OnStage!! And now that the catalogue is live, you can purchase anything from it, by following this link.

Seeing Bronwyn's items makes me just want more items, is that the same for you?

I guess it's time to look at what Ive created, right?

Well in between deciding what to make and actually producing something, I had a little help...
I've deliberately placed this basket on my table because Tiger likes to sit & observe what I'm  doing & he doesn't always sit in the best place - hence the basket!!





















Except this time he wanted to play with my scraps of paper - clearly he is excited by the new products too!!

And this is what the scraps came from... Using one of the peices from the Stained Glass Die Set, I cut out the peices & attached them together for a fence. As soon as I saw this peice I knew it reminded me of a picket fence running along a property, just like I use to walk past in my Nanna's country town of Goorambat, near Benalla... Needless to say, my idea worked!

This is nothing like what the original card idea was, in my mind, but I am super happy with it, either way!

The fence is up on Dimensionals so that the piggies are flat against the card. I do just love their happiness in being together, dont you?

 Ive used 4 separate stamp sets for this card, (Sea of Textures, This Little Piggy, Enjoy Life & Animal Outing), 2 Die sets, (Bottles & Bubbles and Stained Glass) & 1 Punch, Cookie Cutter)

 The card stock is Pear Pizzazz, Early Expresso, Very Vanilla & our new In-Colour, Powder Pink.

 And wasn't it a challenge to cut the Dimensionals so that they raised up the love hearts - they are so tiny!!

Next was to use a stamp set that I won for attending OnStage in Sydney back in April. This stamp set, named In Every Season is certainly not one that I would usually even glance at, so the challenge was on to make good use of it...

 All of the images are small, so I wanted to showcase one of them & making my own DSP, (Designer Series Paper) seemed to be the perfect was to show it off!!

I used Versamark and stamped it numerous times, then applied Black Embossing Powder and heated the images. And this is the result :)

And this Painted Glass sentiment is just the perfect one for this card!! Adding a few Rhinestones throughout the card and then on the sentiment is all that was needed to finish it off!!

I have a close friends' son who has recently asked his girlfriend to marry him, so Im thinking this card will be for them...

Thanks for stopping by to see my creations. I'd love for you to leave me a comment about my cards and then continue with the Blog Hop... Be sure to visit them all, you will be truly amazed by everyone's creativity!!

Click on the image below to follow the links....

                                         

Alternatively, you can follow the links this way....

1. Kelly Kent

2. Leonie Schroder

3. Joanne Stubbings

4. Libby Dyson

5. Courtenay Heuston

6. Fi Cobbin

7. Carolina Evans

8. Peta Stephen

9. Sharon Dalton

10. Jackie Aitken

11. Rochelle Blok

12. Nicole Wilson

13. Emily Campbell

14. Denise Buetler

15. Katrina Duffell

16. Delys Cram

17. Kathryn Mangelsdorf

18. Megan Lenske

19. Mandy Depiazzi

20. Bronwyn Eastley

21. Jo Weedon            (You are here)

22. Siobhan Fitzsimmons

23. Melissa Gifford

24. Cathy Pinchbeck

25. Jessie Holton

26. Jenny Bowman

27. Rose Packer

2018 Retirement List Blog Hop

Here we go with another amazing Blog Hop!! You have possibly come from Nicole's incredible page & designs. How gorgeous is her work? Thanks for playing along also, Nicole :)

When names were requested for this Blog Hop, I jumped at the chance!! I love to see people's ideas & interpretation of the theme of each hop... This theme, of course, is to use items from the Retiring List...

I decided to pull out all the retiring colours, the stamp sets, embossing folders & punches to see what sparked my interest. This is what I came up with...

 A close friend & co-worker had a baby a year ago, so Yusuf is now turning 1!! Our excitement for him almost matches how super cute he is!! So of course, he needs a special 1st birthday card...

Ive used the Myths & Magic Special DSP, Large Numbers Die & already retired Elegant Label Punch, on a base of Dapper Denim & Whisper White cardstock.

And can you see that Ive sponged the Silver Glimmer Paper for the #1? How super cool, errr, magical is that!!

It's another first for me that I use 2 designs of the DSP on one card, the wizards AND the brave knight fighting his dragon!! The Number of Years stamp set is wonderful that it includes the 'ST' so that our cards can be grammatically correct, isn't it?

 I always love to do projects that aren't only a card, so I went hunting in my stash of 'things that I've bought & will get back to one day', dont you have a pile like that too?

I found this card box & also remembered that my work have been asking for a supply of cards of mine. This is so that the staff members can flick through when they need a cards & it is immediately there for them... How perfect will this box be?

Whenever I choose an item like this, I always paint the edges, I just dont like the wooden finish. And I almost always paint them white... Then the many layers of Tear 'n Tape ensures the DSP will last on the project for a long time & shoul withstand a little bit of wear & tear, better than only using the tape around the edges, for example.


















Using the tape makes this projet so quick to complete, as you can use a craft knife to cut around the edges precisely for a smart finish & it is almost done.
(Ps, dont look at how I still need to paint over the exposed wooden edges, ok....)

 Now with the dividers also completed, the various cards can go in & lots of people will be happy to purchase & send or give a card to a loved one.

And now for my final item to show you...

Im a bit sad that the Magical Day stamp set is retiring, so Im not quite sure that I will be willing to part with it...& I've also used the Birthday Wit Set AND Sunshine & Rainbows on the one card!!!!

This card has a base of Whisper White with a mat of Sweet Sugarplum.

My rainbow is Elegant Eggplant, Dapper Denim, Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi, Peekaboo Peach, Tangerine Tango & Rose Red - my (retiring) interpretation of the V.I.B.G.Y.O.R. rainbow acronym :)

Ive made this card for another close friend & co-worker who is celebrating her birthday with 'our' baby that is turning 1, yes, on the same day!!

Melissa is such an incredibly driven woman, always is aware of her food intake, cooks incredible food, achieves greatness in her fitness & just loves unicorns - what a balance, hey?
 You never can tell how a card will come together, do you? 3 sets on the one card - Im still smiling about that one...

Thanks for dropping to see what Ive prepared for you all. Id love to hear what you thought of my projects...

So get up, put the kettle on, on your way to the loo, come back with a fresh cuppa & be prepared for Libby's stunning work.

Her creations will mirror the gorgeous woman she is, bright, colourful with a touch of sparkle!!





And if you get lost in all this craftiness, here is the list of everyone participating:

Blog Hop Participant List

Blog Hop Participant List

1. Lou Kitzelman

2. Kelly Kent

3. Bronwyn Eastley

4. Jackie Aitken

5. Jo Stubbings

6. Peta Stephen

7. Sharon Dalton

8. Lauren Meiklejohn

9. Courtenay Heuston

10. Nicole Wilson

11. Jo Weeden  You are here, Jo Weedon :)

12. Libby Dyson

13. Cheryl Algie

14. Megan Lenske

15. Beryl Crisp

16. Fi Cobbin

17. Rose Packer

18. Cathy Pinchbeck

19. Carolina Evans

20. Renee Lynch  

21. Sandra Mastello

22. Katrina Duffell

23. Rachael Lewsley

24. Leonie Schroder

25. Emily Campbell

26. Monique Fielder

27. Michelle Strazds

28. Jessie Holton

Thanks again x

Challenge... 1, 2 & 3...

I don't often take part in challenges, (although they are a great way to get the creative juices flowing!), but I saw one on the Stampin' Up! demonstrator web-site a couple of weeks ago.
(One of the many perks of sighing up to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator)

And I decided to commit to it!!

This challenge is what I would call a "3,2,1" challenge.
I needed to make 3 x cards, 2 x 3D items & a scrap page of any sort - my mind immediately exploded...suffered a little...and then, slowly but surely, I began to have ideas forming in my head!!

And I was off....

3 Cards:

While I was attending OnStage 2017 in November, I was lucky enough to receive this stamp set: Bird Banter. So I teamed up Bella the puppy, (from Bella & Friends), for this fun card. Using the masking technique & a couple of Blends, I was able to give Bella a lift to see her friends!!

I then stamped Bella a couple of times so that I could fussy-cut her little limbs, to add a bit more dimension to her

My second card saw me using the Get Well Soup, but I changed it by using the masking technique again. This time I removed the Get Well Soon sentiments & added the So Very Much, so that it seems to be apart of the warm bowl of soup....

Im loving the Blends, can't you tell already :)

They make colouring in an image so quick and easy, I just love the shadowing effect of them!

To finish this card, I dusted off my container of Silver Embossing Powder, the spoon was screaming to be that colour, right??

Here's an insight into my childhood: I was always around the kitchen, trying Mum's cooking & especially available when the spoon needed to be licked after a batch of biscuits or a cake was happening!!
So making my third card made me think of mum & all the skills she taught us, in life in general, but especially in the kitchen.

I particularly loved how the mixer is relative to the size of the bowl, so of course they had to be together!! This DSP is Domestic Godess & just reminds me of a table cloth!!

I think would make a great card for someone's partner or even a close friend...

2 3D items:

For those of you who have been visiting my blog, you may have noticed that I JUST LOVE 3D ITEMS!!

I had been talking with a close friend about the wooden type kits I have that I just havent had the time to put together somehow...and then this challenge jumped at me!!

So, given that it was only a month or so away from Christmas, (back then...), I decided to find one of wreaths I had been meaning to work on and actually do it!!

Ive used a current & gorgeous DSP called Christmas Around The World (Candy Cane paper in this image) & a retired DSP called Be of Good Cheer. Ive now got this hanging on the front door at the Child Care Centre that I work at...

 Using the Glimmer Paper from a previous kit, I used the mini Dimensionals to give them some height. I strung a peice of Window Sheet across from one side of wreath to the other & hunted out the Alphabet dies for Merry Christmas, also.

 And can you see my holly? These wooden circles, initially, were sponged with Cherry Cobbler and then left to dry overnight with a big blob of wet adhesive from my Fine Tip Glue Pen - dont you love the effect??

 To keep up with the 3D Christmas theme, I was asked to make boxes for 2 of these Glitter Baubles, by a customer. What struck me was how similar the colours of the bauble & our stunning Glimmer Paper is - just beautiful!

 I have made boxes for the customer previously, so I knew that she wanted to fill the bauble with the children's name of the finishing year & present this to each of her children's teacher.

I started with the first box here & was feeling pretty chuffed with myself & then maybe either got a bit tired or a little lazy, causing me to get glue on the front of the box...

As we know, this is simply an opportunity for embellishing, right? So then I made a 'belly' type band to go around the lid of the box, punched a bow & ta-day, I've saved the box!!

2 different boxes for 2 different teachers!!

When each teacher opened their gift, the lid picked up the bauble, presenting her with everyone's name over the year.

During the time that I was making these boxes, I was also going to work during the day. The children in the centre that I work at, thought I was very Chrismassy with the amount of sparkle I had all over me, it just added to the festiveness!!

1 Scrap Page...

Before I was a card or 3D item maker, I was a scrapbooker!! I must admit that I havent spent a lot of time recently 'scrappin' at all, so it was lovely to be 'forced' to create a page!!

My 16 year old daughter, Rachelle recently completed her Year 10 year & they celebrated by having a formal. Rach was originally not going to go, deeming it 'too over the top' &being a basketball couch & player, she didnt think it would be something she would enjoy.

Roll on a couple of weeks & her friends talked her into wanting to go - and boy are we all glad she did!! She had a great leadup with shopping for 'the dress', shoes & a little bit of make-up & was blessed with a couple of her friends helping her to prepare on the day...

 Rachelle's dress was a 'nude' colour, so this posed a bit of a colour challenge for me, so I decided to go with 'Blushing Bride' - working the any type of pink is hard for me, but I think it works!!

The latest craze in the Stampin' world is this 'Eclipse' technique, so after stamping Versamark & heating the white Embossing Powder, I used my Big Shot to spell out the heading, (& an additional 3 layers of each letter, *gasp*) & then adhered them together.

 The Bloomin' Love set lent itself nicely to lace on Rachelle's dress, Im so pleased with how it all came together! And combining this with the dies, sponging it slighty & adding a splash of class with our Pearls, it finished off the page!

This had certainly been a long post of many creations & I thank you for sticking with me!!

Im incredibly grateful to be able to be able to make various items that I can share with loved ones & possibly even inspire someone else to get creative too!!

Im super glad that I followed through with achieving this challenge - I may even go looking for another 3, 2, 1 Challenge, perhaps?

I'd love for you to leave a comment on any of the projects that you like...

See you next time :)

I'm Tired...

As a card-maker, I have a collection of cards that I fill as I make various cards. I use this box for markets & of course, when I need a card for a special occasion.

I made a certain card a couple of years ago, for Easter and they are STILL in my collection!!

I am so tired of looking at them - they needed to either be sold immediately or be rebirthed...kinda ironic, hey?

So on the third day, they...no, they didn't, I'm being silly!!

I needed to only change the sentiment, so needed something reasonably similar in size.

When I removed the dimensionals, (the padded adhesive to give the sentiment lift), there was a little bit of gum left over, so I needed to cover those spots with more flowers.

I replaced the sentiment with one from the stamp set called Thoughts & Prayers & I don't think that it is obvious that it has been changed. Do you agree with me?

Just a Small Thanks...

A few weeks ago, I took over 100 slides to my local Harvey Norman store. I wanted the images copied, along with copying original wedding photos of my Mother & Father In Law's Wedding.

I'm sure you can understand, I was slightly nervous handing over such an important part of my husband's life... But when I met Mat, at the photo lab, I knew I could trust him.

Not only did Mat take great care of the slides, but he also had them finished in about 2 hours!!

I barely had time to finish this little box before he called to say they were done!!

I just love when I get things right and all the lines actually line up!!

The aeroplane from       reminded me of the age of some of the slides that had been copied, so I thought it was just perfect for this project! The 'tree' from the      punch made for a wonderful little cloud!!  With a couple of Dimensionals  on the lid, I threw in a few Favourites Chocolates & I was out the door to collect my slides & USB with a small gift for Mat.

Eid Mubarak to my Muslim friends.

I work with & have many friends who are Muslim.

I love to be welcomed into their life, share in their ups and downs and of course, their celebrations...

During July, Ramadan is celebrated and I am very aware that there are not many cards for those in the Muslim community.
I wanted to change this....

 I am aware that the moon holds great importance within the Muslim religion, so definitely wanted to include this in my card. I just love the richness of the Blackberry Bliss, so it was this cardstock that I reached for first!!

I am very happy with the cleanness of these cards & they were very well received, for that, I am very grateful.

Come back again soon, to see how I decorated a box for a new baby :)

Therapy Time.

There is no surprise that any type of craft has huge therapeutic benefits. These range from enhancing fine motor skills, the opportunity to be social with those of a similar interest & the elation of completing a given task, however simple or involved.

I have a friend who has had a rough time dealing with a brain tumour.
She had "Trevor The Tumour" removed & then began her long road to recovery.

After a while, my friend asked for some kits to be made for her, as she is spending a lot of time simply sitting. She needed something to do with her hands, that could be a challenge to her, but not so much that she couldnt achieve the end product. The other part of her brief was that the card could be used for her to give to those who helped her during her recovery.

What a beautiful gesture, hey?

Enter: Stampin' Up! products!! I muddled over this conundrum for a while, before I came up with a card design that she could use and that I felt reflected her.

This is my card design:

This card has 13 elements to it, between the 3 base layers, the flowers, embellishment and the sentiment. This was no mean feat for a woman who has been through a lot in the last few months! 

But at least she can take her time and choose to send off her cards as she makes them, one by one.

I wrapped all the separate peices and wrote an essay, just in case she was having a bad day or her short-term memory was playing games on her

Not long after I sent her parcel to her, she posted this photo. She is busy getting into her cards, when she has the time, energy and discipline :))

Sharing my therapy with others, makes me feel all warm 'n fuzzy, Im happy to give her a helping hand, considering we live away from each other.

I hope you get some therapy time, whatever your craft is....until next time, Jo xxx

Kids In The Kitchen...errr, the Stamp Room!!

Every now and then, one of my 3 children will want to come in and actually make something in my stamp room. Rachelle, 14 decided she wanted to make a small gift for her teachers, after seeing an item from On-Stage 2015.

So Rachelle made 13 of these beauties, stage by stage and then happily handed them out on one of the last days of Year 8.

As the receiver pulls the tab on the right, the left peice pulls out also.

Of course, they were very well received!! Well done Rachelle, I loved having you in my stamp room, let's not wait until next Christmas before another visit, pleeease????

Spending time with children AND stamping is absolutely a win win for me!!