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

 

Xmas Twine Projects

Now that the Online Card Workshop has finished I have alot more time to spend getting my twine projects ready for Xmas.

For this one I used red/white bakers twine, then decorated with chipboard snowflakes and pearl stars.  All of this is from Papervine. 

This wreath was made with a darker green/white bakers twine, chipboard snowflakes and green and clear sparkly rhinestones.

This final wreath is made with red/green/white bakers twine and red/green/clear rhinestones. They all look so christmasy and can't wait till next weekend to get all my decorations out and go crazy!!!

Will show you some of the twine trees tomorrow.

Take care
Shona
 

Holiday Card Workshop - Day 5

Another day and a few more xmas cards. I just did two cards over the past hour, the fastest I have ever worked! Didn't want to stay up late tonight AGAIN so decided I would sneak them in between vacuuming and putting out washing.

Day 5 was a 'His and Her's theme'. Lots of great ideas but unfortunately alot involved embossing (which I can't do) and some of the cards weren't really my cup of tea. However, Kelly Rasmussen made two cards with a cut-out triangle representing a xmas tree, that was a bit of me!!

I didn't really go with the 'his and hers' theme but thats ok. This first card I used Echo Park 'Happy Holiday's Mini Theme' paper. After I die-cut the tree I tried stamping on the bottom card to fill in the tree space but it was a disaster. So out came the silver washi tape and voila! I cut out the curve by hand after tracing around a bread plate!

On this card I used papers from the same Echo Park Mini Theme. One of Kelly's cards had a scalloped edge. I ended up using a Rachel Carley fluted side plate and traced around the edge. I think it looks pretty good!!

Tomorrow is the last day of the workshop. Am going to miss all the ideas but have found it quite stressful making cards all the time. I certainly have rather a big bundle of them now, so not many more to make for xmas!

Kids and husband back to their usual places today...hoorah! Can hear myself think and place not so messy (although that's more to do with the husband, than the children...he thinks because he's sick that he doesn't have the energy to pick up after himself....). I told him I won't get sick because I am always on the go and the germs can't catch me!!!! Maybe I should have a 'sick day' anyway.......

Take Care
Shona

More cards from Holiday Card Workshop - Day 4

Well, I managed to stay up till 1am this morning and try out some more cards from the workshop Day 4. Shari Carroll had a card where she stamped the word 'peace' over two pieces of paper (with a slight gap inbetween). I couldn't quite get the pieces to sit where I wanted, got up to get a drink and came back to see the paper sitting in this position. I loved it!! So popped in a silver brad and stamped from there. Have used papers all from Lawn Fawn 'Peace Joy Love' yet again.

Now, the wonderful Kristina Werner had a video on stamping with the 'back' of your stamps. I thought this was great as I don't have any straight line stamps (and really want to try plaid stamping) so gave it a go with the 'Be Merry' stamp.'

Well, I won't show you the photos but it was a disaster! Found it so hard to get the stamp straight and sometimes the stamp would stick to the page and come off the stamp block, very frustrating. So.....

as I was playing around with red ink (my hands are still stained....), I turned the stamp over and tried stamping it like a candy cane. I used the Fiskars Large stamp thing with foam feet (sorry, can't remember the name) and that helped me keep the same distance between each stamp. Its a bit rustic but really like it.

Now have sick husband and sick 8yr old daughter at home. Will be another late night as I tackle Day 5. Hopefully will have some cards to show you tomorrow.

Take care
Shona
 

Holiday Card Workshop - Day 4

Well, Day 4 is my absolutely favourite so far as it uses the Lawn Fawn Peace Joy Love stamp set and papers that I actually own! The day was all about extending the usage of your stamps. The first card was about layering your stamping and embossing. Shari did two cards that looked great but I don't have any embossing equipment. I did try to layer the tree stamps but the colours I have didn't look right being overlapped. So I just did a line of them and stamped the joy with my light grey stamp and used good old Glossy Accents. She also did another type of card but I ran out of time last night to try it out. Will try tonight.....

Shari also talked about curving stamps. I tried out with my 'be merry' and 'xmas lights' and they don't look too bad. I tried to have a go at her curved cardstock idea but realised that when I stuck it all together, that the white part on top was supposed to be the other way around, one there was a curve one way, then the other. Was disappointed but its kind of grown on me. And so nice to finally have a decent black ink pad. Got my hands on Memento Tuxedo Black and its just as good as everyone says!!

Am off now back to the school for my son's athletics day. Been there for past 3 hours, came home to put on washing and do this post. There are still lots of different cards to try from Day 4 and will have a go at those tonight and post in the morning.

Take Care
Shona
 


 

Online Holiday Card Workshop - Day 3

There just aren't enough hours in the day at the moment and it will get worse as its gets closer to christmas.  Need to put 'extra 2 hours a day' on my Santa List!!

Day 3 of the workshop was fantastic. They were teaching about CAS (clean and simple) cards. Laura Bassen was first. She did amazing plaid stamping (which I couldn't try as don't have the right stamp) and also a gorgeous tag that had a die-cut heart in the middle matching up to the words. Unfortunately I don't have any small die-cuts either, so made my first ever tag with stamp washi tape and a stamp from Kaisercraft. The washi tape and string are from Papervine  .

Another card was made with some basic quilling of a Xmas Tree. It looked amazing, unfortunately I didn't have the right coloured paper and my hands shake too much!

A layered card was also shown by Shari Carroll, she is just so clever!

Shari also did a wonderful angled card using Lawn Fawn products. This is such a strange coincidence. I was making a card exactly like this on Saturday morning 2am which this class went online. We must have been thinking the same thing!!!!

So I got out my Peace Love Joy 6x6 pad and used the snowflake from the same collection. I added some glossy accent to the outside tips of the flakes and some rhinestones to their middles. And finished off with some red glitter fabric ribbon. 

And once again I found another small card in my leftovers, so used the same washi tape down the sides and stamped with Kaisercraft. I quite like doing these little ones. Must make a pile for my presents this year.

One more week of the class to go. I have been finding it hard to fit in trying so many cards but its so worth the extra time. Have learn't so much this past week and can't wait to see what comes up tomorrow morning. Would recommend this class to everyone and will definitely do it again next year!

Have Max home sick again today, so will be lots of Lego done in-between cleaning up from the weekend. Oh joy!

Take care
Shona
 

Day 2 Holiday Card Online Workshop

2.10am. Yes, thats what time I went to bed this morning after trying to fit card making into my busy day. Wish I could spend time doing my crafts instead of washing/cleaning/vacuuming!!

Anyway, Day 2 (which came online for me on Thursday 2am) was incredible. It was all about working with die's and there were some amazing videos and ideas.  Unfortunately I have hardly any die's (one word, one tree and rectangles) so was very hard for me to try out any of the ideas. But my good old Kiwi 'can-do' kicked in and I tried my best.

Debby Hughes did the most amazing 'snow scene' card with snowflakes etc. I had to hand cut my snowy hills (which you can see, how wobbly....) and just used some stars instead of using embossing paste (have no embossing equipment etc). I am really happy with it and love the hill layering (will do that again!). And have fallen in love with my Glossy Accents, it makes such a difference!!

During my mammoth card making I discovered a small offcut card and decided to do this:

How I love my Lawn Fawn Peace Love Joy 6x6 paper pad!! And then while going thru my offcuts again I found an angled piece of white card, so did this:

Once again I got out my Lawn Fawn pad. I used some washi tape  along the edge of the angle and put the white card on some foam tape. Am waiting for a huge pile of stamp pads to arrive (can't wait) so mainly using my Versacube in Sky Grey.

Been 29 degrees here today and just remembered that I was supposed to do this post this morning. Day 3 came online early this morning, so will be making cards again tonight. Am really enjoying it, just wish I had a few more hours in the day!!

Take care
Shona
  

Day 1 of Holiday Cards Workshop

Wow, Day 1 of the Online Card Workshop was amazing!! There were 3 video tutorials and so much information and new ideas. And then looking at the Gallery to see what the other students had come up with was overwhelming. There are so many talented crafters out there!!

For my homework I decided to try making two of the cards. The first one above was based on the tutorial by Kristina Werner (just love her). I had never thought of only embossing certain parts of a card and cutting washi tape to use as slimmer strips was genius!

Then on the inside of her card she made up a vellum gift card envelope. I don't have any vellum but did have these glassine envelopes, so used them instead. Its slightly too big but some gift cards come attached to large bits of cardboard, so shouldn't be too bad. Am really happy with the card.

Then, the incredible Jennifer McGuire showed how to fold a card differently and how to match up the wording on the front with the wording on the inside strip when flattened out. I don't have any stamps that would work like that, so used my Lawn Fawn 'Peace Joy Love' 6x6 paper pad and cut out some of the strips. So that when the card is opened up.....

the strip in the front matches up with the inside strip. Unfortunately the strips weren't long enough so I could do the same on front and inside but am really happy with it and just love the colour of these papers.

Really enjoyed my first day and will definitely be making these cards again. Day 2 was released at about 2.30am this morning (the joy of living in New Zealand....), so will look at that tonight with everyone in bed and try it out.

Will also try to link this post with the Gallery so people can see my cards but they are all so good, hopefully mine won't look they are made by a 5yr old!!!!

Take care
Shona
 

I won a place in an Online Card Making Class!!

Well, I couldn't believe my eyes yesterday when I saw in my email Inbox an email from Laura Bassen! She is one of my absolutely favourite card designers. She was emailing to say that I had won a place in the Online Card Classes Holiday Workshop 2013. I couldn't believe it!! It is 2 weeks of classes taught by all my favourite designers. It starts tomorrow and I can't wait to do the first class!! It really has made my day and getting an email from Laura Bassen of Doublestick Heaven blog (which I follow) is like getting an email from a celebrity! Will let you know what the classes are like.

Has been a very busy few days with Max's birthday. He loved all his presents (especially the IPOD). Phoebe asked me to make a card for her, so she could have her own card to give him. I used Echo Park 'All about a Boy' again, its just perfect for him.

On Friday after school I brought back 4 of his friends (and Phoebe and her friend) to our house. They ate lots of lollies and played war (obsessed with Nerf guns). When my husband Dave came home we then went to the park and He brought down McDonalds for everyone. We had a fantastic time but boy was I tired when I finally dropped everyone home around 7.30pm.

We didn't get to try the cake until we got home and Max just loves it. He is obsessed with the game Minecraft, so was wonderful for him.

Still working on my bakers twine pieces but really want to make some more cards. So many ideas floating around in my head. A beautiful 29 degrees here today, so lots of sunblock needed!!

Take care
Shona


 

My discovery of Teresa Collins

After purchasing in September a 6x6 pad each of 'Family Stories' and 'Memorabilia' by Teresa Collins, I find myself drawn to the papers again and again (as you will see by my last few cards....). I absolutely love grey and white and also light blue, so both pads are perfect for me to play around with.

I have seen this 'banner' type shaped paper around quite a bit lately and decided to have a go myself. These three papers used are all from the 'Memorabilia' pad, as well as the 'Love is Rare' sentiment. I found it quite hard to cut the ends of the paper to make sure the triangles were the same but am really pleased with how it turned out.

Am in the midst of making more twine wreaths and xmas trees. Finally got my hands on some red/white bakers twine and just about finished one small wreath tonight. Will show you a photo of that tomorrow hopefully.

My son Max is having his birthday party after school tomorrow. Will bring him and his 4 friends home from school so they can eat junk food and play 'war'. Then my husband and I will take two cars to McDonalds (as will have my daughter and her friend as well) for dinner. Fingers crossed the weather is good so we can take our dinner to the park.

Will let you know how it goes........

Take care
Shona
 

Hello, hello and hello again!

Well, two months ago I purchased a 'hello' die from I Love Scrapbooking. I love it so much, I use it whenever I possibly can! Its very similar (only a bit smaller) than one I had seen by Simon Says Stamp! , which was used by so many craft bloggers. I love all of the 'Simon' products but can't quite afford the postage etc at the moment, so this die is my 'runner-up'!

The blue paper is from Teresa Collins 'Family Stories' 6x6 pad. The arrow paper is from Basic Grey 'True Love', which I put onto foam. I really like trying out new paper placement that's out of my comfort zone.

This next card took alot more thought. I'm kind of happy with it but feel there is something missing..... All the papers used are from Teresa Collins 'Family Stories' 6x6 pad...again...just love that pad!!

And for my last 'hello' card, I decided I had better do a few more Xmas cards. The red paper and xmas tree border is from Lawn Fawn 'Peace Joy Love' 6x6 paper pad. It was fiddly but used the fabric glitter ribbon again along the bottom edge and the 'Christmas' sticker is from Echo Park. I really like the modern Xmas cards and have tried to make this one of them but not sure if I have succeeded....

As you can see I really have been busy in the card making department. Am really enjoying it and just waiting for some new stamp pads to arrive to try my hand at a bit more stamping. Not sure I will go down the road of 'copic colouring' as I wouldn't know where to start but sure do love watching Kristina Werner at www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/. She is amazing!!!!

Need to go and 'twine around' some more bakers twine around my xmas string tree's. My son's birthday was fantastic and he has fallen asleep amongst his many gifts.

Take care
Shona
 

Max's 7th birthday tomorrow!!

Well, Max will be pleased his birthday will finally be here tomorrow, he has been counting down for months!!

I decided to make him a card myself as he loves all the cards I make and is always the first to give me great compliments about them. I used his favourite washi tape and then paper and stickers from Echo Park 'All About a Boy'. Fingers crossed it will be a hit!

Certainly is alot different doing a card with a 'boy' theme as so many of my cards are aimed at women or girls. Was quite fun to do, to get more graphic and away from pink or pretty stars etc.

My husband has just broken our cable tv (to my disgust!!), so instead of catching up with my recorded programmes, it looks like I may be making more cards after all!

Take care
Shona
 

 

My new Xmas Tree die!

On Friday I popped into The Warehouse and found a fantastic Xmas Tree die from Couture Creations for $5.99!! Well, I couldn't resist. When I got home it started raining, so to hell with cleaning the shower, I decided to experiment with it.

After putting it through my Cuttlebug, I discovered that I quite liked the left over shape, so came up with this card. Its basically a white cardstock with a piece of candy-cane coloured paper from  Lawn Fawn - Peace Joy Love 6x6 paper pad. I cut another piece of white cardstock the same size as the piece with the die cut  and put this gorgeous washi tape across. I then glued the die piece over top.

I decided to stop there as there was a lot going on with the stripes and the washi. Then I came up with these:

These are two smaller cards (basically a normal sized card cut in half). The card on the right shows the actual Xmas Tree die cut. I just added some small light green sequins as if they were lights.

The other card is once again using the left-over shape with just a few light blue pearls. I absolutely love using the Lawn Fawn - Peace Joy Love papers and used them on both of these cards.

I had so many ideas on how to use this and they are all scribbled on a scrap piece of paper. Hopefully I will get a chance to try them out before Xmas actually arrives!!

Everyone back to school/work tomorrow. Has been our second 3-day weekend in a row with perfect spring weather (even got a bit sunburnt....). My son's 7th birthday on Wednesday and need to make him a card tomorrow. Will let you know what I come up with.....

Take care
Shona
 

Finally some more Xmas cards

How funny that I've been so busy making so many cards, that I haven't had time to blog about them!! Haven't been able to sleep much lately, so been staying up till around 1.30am and working on different cards. It takes me so long to put a card together, it can take me hours just to do one. Maybe as I get more confident it won't take so long but I really stress about everything I put together.

With this card I really wanted to use this gorgeous red glitter ribbon I found in a $3 shop. I laid plain white cardstock over top with foam. The card is stamped with two stamps from Kaisercraft, both in Versacube colours. The gorgeous pearl and glitter stars I bought from the wonderful Papervine shop. So finally on my way to having a few more xmas cards.

Have alot more cards to share, will do another post tonight. Need a few nights off from card making maybe....unless an idea for another card takes over!!!!!

Take care
Shona
 

Fun with Teresa Collins 'Family Stories'

Wow, two posts in one day!! Just about to go to bed and decided I would quickly do this post first. I also purchased the 6x6 pad of Teresa Collins 'Family Stories' a few weeks ago and was dying to try a card with black cardstock. Thought these papers would be perfect!

I just love all these colours together and the wording on the front strip. Told my Mum this is a 'family' card, to give to someone who is an important part of your family. A bit modern for her but she liked it.

And aren't enamel dots the best!!!! Wish they came out in sheets of 100, I wouldn't be so cheap with them then.

Must go to bed!!

Shona