I've discovered Chickaniddy Crafts!!!!

A very quick post today to tell you about a wonderful new craft company that I discovered through another blog - Chickaniddy Crafts. They have just released details about their new collection 'Date Night' (which is stunning) and giving sneak peeks of 'Twirly Girly'. The patterns and colours look incredible (can't work out how to put a picture on this post from their blog page....) and today they are having a GIVEAWAY!!!!

Please go to link http://www.chickaniddy.com/Blog/date-night-giveaway/ to see the collections and enter to win!!

Take care
Shona
 

More late night card making

I really must find a way of going to sleep at a 'normal' hour each night instead of early the next day but there are too many jobs to do and so many card ideas to try out!!

Both of my children take gymnastic classes and they finished last week. We caught up with Max's coach today to pick up his badge and certificate, and it gave us a chance to thank her for all her help over the past 2 years (as he will have a different coach next year). She is a lovely lady so I wanted to make a card that's feminine but not girly. I'm not usually into flowers but just love this paper by October Afternoon 'Travel Girl' Collection. It fitted perfectly with some silver cardstock and is simple but sweet. 

Then last night it was back to xmas card inspiration. I decided to try and do a card that was a bit more masculine, not quite so 'candy caned' (if that makes sense).

To be honest, I'm not sure that I like it but the more I look at it, the more I think its not too bad. Definitely out of my comfort zone but so good to try something else. The papers are from Studio Calico 'Magical' 6x6 pad.

And then of course I had to get a bit of red and white in there somewhere. I had some a silver Versacube arrive the other day and couldn't wait to try it out. I think its gorgeous and I'm definitely a 'pigment ink' girl. The paper is from Echo Park 'Happy Holiday's' Mini Theme. And I'm just loving this silver twine I found at local $3 store. It so lovely to use and easy to tie, its a wonder its not on every single card!! Must remember to go and buy some more just incase it disappears after xmas has passed!

My next purchase to aim for will have to be an embossing gun, some Versamark ink and some embossing powders. I love watching blog videos of people heat setting their powder, the effect is incredible.

I didn't put it on my Santa List and my birthday isn't until August...don't think I can wait that long......

Take care
Shona


 

Finally made some 'non-xmas' cards

 Finally made some cards that don't relate to christmas! Have seen so many wonderful cards on the blogs I follow lately that felt inspired to create something new. I wish I could do some more stamping but still struggling to find a decent ink pad. I think I've worked out that I only like 'pigment ink'. All the water based dye ink pads I have are so blotchy, and dry blotchy. I did buy the Memento Tuxedo Black ink as so many people use it but its just as bad. Maybe its the paper I use???? So have just ordered Versamark Onyx black archival ink, so fingers crossed!

So I played around with my Teresa Collins 6x6 pads last night and always go back to the same colour scheme. These papers were from the Memorabilia pad. I cut out a frame with my Cuttlebug and was going to put foam so it sat up higher but it didn't look right to me once I put the wording on. Just love these enamal dots, wish they sold them in bags of 100!!

This is using the Lawn Fawn 'Into the Woods' paper pad, which I haven't used much of lately. I wanted something friendly and simple and found I had the perfect orange enamel dots too, which was fantastic! 

Really love both of these cards but still want to make more xmas cards. Just the feel of this time of year I think. Only two more weeks to go, the kids and I can't wait. Have been grocery shopping today trying to buy some bits and pieces in advance....think I need to remortgage the house to buy everything we need for xmas lunch!!

Enjoy your day. Going to be 28 degrees Celsius today, just perfect.

Take care
Shona

Small present cards with Studio Callico

I am loving this new paper pad!! Studio Callico 'Magical Memories' 6x6, its brilliant! This is my favourite small card so far as I also found this lovely thin silver cord at a $3 shop. The paper is so subtle in shade but has so much going on with its pattern.

Another grey and white paper from the same pad. Love the simple pattern and can always add my beloved red rhinestones or stars!!

Finally I used the joy paper which has the 'happy holidays' sentiment at the bottom of its page. Really need to work on my straight lines when cutting. Hopefully that will all be changing soon....

Am about to put in an order for the new We R Memory Keepers Trim and Score Board. My paper trimmer is 10yrs old and shreds paper more than cuts it. I also don't have a score board. So this product is absolutely perfect!! My mother-in-law has given me some money for christmas and decided this morning that this is what I will buy. Hopefully you will notice much more precise folding and cutting in my projects once I receive it.  Am so excited!!

Take care
Shona

 

I've gone present tag crazy!!

I decided that with all my craftiness of late, that this year instead of buying a $1 sheet of christmas present stickers, that I would make my own tags. And with not sleeping much of late, I thought what a great use of my 'non-sleep' time, make tags!!

Unfortunately I don't own a 'tag' die, so just measured out some manilla tags I had and went from there.  I watch Kristina Werner do her dash lines around her cards all the time, and thought what a perfect time to try them out. I can see why she does them as it makes such a difference!!

I used my usual Lawn Fawn 'Peace Joy Love' 6x6 pad and also this fantastic Studio Callico 'Magical Collection' 6x6 pad that I found at The Warehouse!! Very amazing to find it there and absolutely love all the different patterns and colours (lots of grey and white!!). 

I basically just tried out whatever I could think of. These ones I started with first. You get two pages of these tags with the Lawn Fawn pad and used them to get ideas. I love light blue and white and am now loving red and black, very modern yet christmasy.

Would be nice to have a die so could cut them out properly every time but hey, that's what handicraft is all about...being handmade and not perfect everytime. Well, that's what I tell myself.....

Have done a few few tonight including some small cards, will post those tomorrow. Must try going to sleep, not many sleeps left till christmas and still so many things to do!

Take care
Shona
 


 

 

Washi Xmas Trees on the wall

I decided the other night that the kids could have their own xmas trees in their room but instead of buying 2 little trees, I thought what a great opportunity to use some washi tape!!

So I asked the kids to choose all their favourite tapes (I have quite a few to choose from.....) and I chose a spot where there is a table underneath. That way they can leave some food and drink for Santa and maybe he will leave something for them!!

The tree's aren't perfectly straight but the kids don't care. They absolutely love them! Some of the tape keeps coming away but I just keep pushing it back down every time I pass them. As we get closer to xmas and the kids start getting xmas cards from their classmates, I will have to work out some way to attach them to their trees...maybe more washi!!!!!

Take care
Shona
 

Finally have my twine projects on display!!

I can't believe its been over a week since my last post. Was really burnt out after doing the Holiday Card Workshop, have never had to make so many cards in such a short period of time. Needed some time out but am now starting to get new card ideas popping up in my head, that I really need to try out......

Yesterday, Phoebe, Max and I put up our Xmas tree. I try to control some of the decorating but pretty much let them go for it and they love doing it.

I was in charge of decorating the front of the house. We don't have many decorations but was a chance to finally put up some of my Bakers Twine projects. 

I absolutely love how my front door wreath turned out. Simple and christmasy!!

And with some ribbon and a staple gun, I managed to hang up my smaller wreaths that I showed photos of in my last post. I think they look really effective and can't wait to make more as presents for my friends and family.

Even managed to find a nice spot on my mantlepiece for my twine xmas trees. I also fitted in my silver thumbtack balls which I love to make as well. 

I even found this wreath that I had made last year (that I'd forgotten about...), I must have been a wreath in a former life, as I can't stop making them!!

Have started a new tradition this year where I ordered a HUGE pile of xmas story books from the local library, wrapped them all up and put under the tree. Each night before bed, one of the kids gets to choose a 'book present', unwrap it and we read it together in bed. So far the kids are loving it!!

Must get back to 'twining' something!!

Take care
Shona