Christmas Gifts for Mum

As I was packing my Mum's Christmas present I decided to send a few extra goodies too - as Mum and I live so far apart I thought I'd share some of the goodies I have been making with all my class and team ladies.  Mum's a regular visitor to my blog so I thought she'd like to see some of the things I have been making - so I packed up a little parcel - there's a lovely silver and pearl necklace in the little bag!

And here's Mum's card.  I fell in love with the Christmas Lodge tree the minute I saw it in the new catalogue and somehow Mum is the only one to receive a card using the tree!  Oh well there is always next year!

Well its Christmas Eve here in Australia which in the Sadler household means we are off to the movies this afternoon - we are going to see the new Bond movie.

Then it will be back home again, Radio 2 Christmas Eve breakfast show on full blast so we can sing along to all the old Christmas songs, and I'll be in the kitchen, glass of Sav Blanc and the Jamie Oliver Christmas dinner preparations will begin. 

Love love love Christmas Eve and really love that even as the kids get older they still enjoy our traditions too.

Take care of you and yours.

Happy Christmas.

Nikki

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Christmas Punch Art

I received this beautiful card from the lovely Carolina Evans and instantly NEEDED to make the little Christmas pudding - isn't it cute.  You simply have to check out Carolina's work, she is an inspiration.

And here's my version.  I had to CASE the puddings exactly because they were so cute.  Carolina used Designer Series Papers for her pudding top but I used Very Vanilla cardstock.

Here's a close up of the little pudding.  Both the kids wanted cards to give to their boyfriend / girlfriend so I rustled up a few of these.  Loving the Curly Cute stamp set!

I am coming to the end of all my cards for this year - I am a little relieved and looking forward to making some cheerful birthday cards - how about you?

I do have one or two creations left to share so will be back in a day or so.

Nikki

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Shaker Frame Cards

I've had the little Shaker Frames sitting on my craft desk for about two months now - and I was determined to use them for a Christmas card.  

Now I would have retaken this photo had I not been in such a rush to post these cards to some lovely ladies - but I am hoping you can just about make out that I used the Snowflake embossing folder on the Whisper White Cardstock - can you see it?  Humm probably not! 

The foliage and bird stamp is from the Christmas Lodge set, the ornament is from Ornament Keepsakes and the sentiment from Snowflake Soiree.

Here's a better picture - half way through making the cards I decided to use the embossing folder so here's one without it - I couldn't make up my mind if I preferred the cleaness of this one more.

I used Window Sheet and some chunky glitter - reminds me of the snowglobes we always had as kids. Looking forward to making more cards with these dear little frames - oh and a scrapbooking page or two!

Happy festive stampin'

Nikki

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Primrose Petals for Christmas Anyone?

I am traditionally a green and red girl when it comes to Christmas cards - but I have been stepping out of my comfort zone a little this year.

This was a class card from last month - Primrose Petal and Very Vanilla.  I love the Fancy Fan Folder.  I stamped the ornament in the middle of the Very Vanilla cardstock and then cut it out using the matching framelit.  I then embossed the rest of the cardstock with the Fancy Fan Folder and placed it all back together again - adding some height using dimensionals.

Think I will be rustling some more of these up in different colours as they are so quick to make.

Happy Stampin!

Nikki

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Ornament Keepsakes with Festive Piercing Pack

This month's Ornament Keepsakes promotion features this brilliant stamp set and includes the festive piercing pack too.  

I stamped the little pieces at the bottom individually, lining them up with the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig (where would we be without that brilliant tool) .... and then stamped the ornament and die cut using the matching framelit.

The sentiment is from the New Christmas Lodge stamp set - yet to get inky with that one.

Hope you enjoyed your weekend.  My husband is home for 9, yes 9 sleeps .... and although he has to work we are now decorating our ensuite ... well I can't have him home with nothing to do can I!

Back again this week with more Ornament Keepsake samples.

Happy Stampin!

Nikki

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Ornament Keepsakes For JAI #140

I've been making samples for the upcoming classes this week, a couple of which I wanted to keep clean and simple.  As I reached for an embossing folder I remembered the Just Add Ink challenge - to add chevrons!  

Midnight Muse is one of the new in-colours, and the new ribbons are so easy to tie ... even I can tie a nice little bow!

I stamped and cut three of the little decoration pieces, scored them down the middle and then pieced them together with Sticky Strip - the decoration folds flat for posting and then pops up for display.

Its been such a long time since I joined in a challenge - it was fun.

Keep your eyes peeled for more Ornament Keepsake samples in the coming days.

Nikki

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Do You Know How Many Sleeps It Is Until Christmas?

I know - I've been away from here for so long that it really isn't fair to come back with a blog post counting the days to Christmas is it!

If you don't want to know, look away now .... oh actually don't look away because I have a lovely card to show you!

There .... 68 ....  sleeps to go - see that wasn't so scary was it!  I love love love Christmas - in fact I have fairy lights up permanently in my kitchen (well if it is good enough for Nigella it's good enough for me, right?).  I've also downloaded an app for my iphone that plays carols to me every time I check to see how sleeps it is until the great day ... yes I know .... I'm sad!

So ... if the number 68 has put you in a tizzy here's a card you'll love.

Its a simple and quick card using a brayer, an embossing folder and the lovely Snowflake die.  This is one of the cards we made during the classes last month and everyone was surprised at how quick and easy it was - isn't the Champagne Glimmer paper just so very sparkly.

New class dates have now been posted HERE.

Seats fill quickly so let me know if you want to come - you'll see a couple of extra dates for some lovely 3D Christmas decorations - you won't want to miss them - I'll be busy this weekend rustling up some samples to tempt you so keep an eye out.

Get a head start on those cards this year - come and enjoy the company of other crafty ladies, enjoy a cuppa and have some fun!

I'll be back in a day or two with some photos to show you - evidence of what I have been working on that has kept me away from my craft room!

Nikki

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Spotlighting Technique

Last month's classes were focused on the Spotlighting Technique.  This is such a simple but effective way to make cards.

I've used the Beautiful Season set - one of my favourites.  You stamp the image twice, then colour one of the images before punching a circle to highlight just one area.  I used the 1 1/4" circle and then matted it with a 1 3/8" circle.  You then position this back over the other stamped image - I used dimensions to 'pop' it up a little bit.

I coloured the bird using some Markers and the Blender Pen.  The Blender pen is great because the colour 'runs out' giving you that lovely shading effect with minimal effort :)  

The greeting is from Teeny Tiny Sentiments - there are two Real Red brads up on the top left and I've covered the join where the embossing ends on the background card with a strip of Glimmer paper.

If you'd love to learn some new techniques, I hold classes at my house twice a month on a Thursday night.  There are a couple of seats available in both - all the details of the classes are here.

I'll be adding a couple of Saturday afternoon classes during November so keep an eye out for the details or subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date with all that's happening.  There's a sign up box on the right hand side of the page.

Just call or email to book your seat - the ladies are friendly and new members are made to feel very welcome.

Nikki

0428 254 952

ESAD Blog Hop For The Holiday Traditions Catalogue

Back again for another blog hop, this time the ESAD Holiday Traditions Catalogue Hop.  

So are you wondering what ESAD is? 

ESAD stands for "Extra Special Australasian Demonstrators" and it is an on-line group just for Australian and New Zealand Stampin" Up! demonstrators.

We so love what we do and not only do we love to share it with our customers, friends, and wonderful blog visitors, but we share our love for what we do with each other as demonstrators. We run swaps, challenges, tutorials, product know-how, and cyberstamps, and we are always there to help and support each other when it is needed.

So if you are a Stampin' Up! demonstrator located in Australia or New Zealand, then please feel free to click here to join our wonderful group.

So what have I created for you today?

Lots of new catalogue products for you.  Have you noticed that there are a few 'bundles' of products in the new catalogue now?  The new Scentsational Season stamp set is so cute and the bundle of framelits and stamps means you save over $10 on the clear mount option and more if you prefer to use wood.

I used the framelit to cut the shape from a piece of the new Core'dinations card stock - in the Gumball Green In-Colour.  I ran this through the Vintage Embossing folder and then used a sanding block to remove some of the colour to show the monochromatic colour inside - you can tear or distress this card in many ways to reveal the colours.

I stamped and embossed the little gingerbread man onto a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and then placed this underneath the Gumball Green piece.  The sentiment stamp - Heart of Christmas - a gift from the recent HeartFelt event, is a perfect greeting I think.

For this one I've used a piece of the Snow Festival Designer Series Paper behind the Christmas Tree cut out and then added Rhinestones to the paper to add a bit of sparkle.

I also added rhinestones to the bakers twine - this time I have used two of the larger ones at the end of the twine to so they look like little beads.

Well that's all from me .... time to hop along and visit the lovely Andrea Buckland - hope to see you again some time.

Nikki

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Happy Christmas Bigz Bird Die

I love this die - I didn't think I did until I went to Convention and Elizabeth Stewart showed us some lovely lovely creations.

This was a card from last month's Christmas Stamp a Stack - isn't she lovely. I've used the soon to be retiring Letters to Santa designer series papers but you could use anything really.  

The Greeting is from Many Merry Messages - another retiree, and the little punch is also retiring too.  Thankfully the antique brads stay - yay cos they are my favourite.

There are a couple of places in the class this week and next - we will be exploring the Spotlighting Technique.  

If you want to come along call, email or SMS 0428 254 952.  The classes are very relaxed, the existing class girls are very friendly and everyone has a great time.  Class girls will also receive the new Catalogue and the Holiday Traditions mini on the night.

Happy Stampin'

Nikki

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Still Time For More Winter Post

Another Christmas In July class card - this time using Winter Post and the Well Worn designer series papers - both items retiring at the end of this month.

I was inspired by something in blogland with this card and you could use this layout for any papers and colours - great for using up scraps.

Happy Stampin"

Nikki

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Elegant Eggplant Christmas

A lovely simply Christmas card from one of the recent Christmas in July classes - I was stretching myself to make cards using non-traditional colours - wasn't easy but I do like this one.

I also then changed the sentiment and made this into a lovely teenage girl's birthday card - which should be with its recipient by now :)

Happy Stampin'

Nikki

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Festive Friday Challenge # 3

Another Festive Friday Challenge and the first Christmas card for 2012.  I do have a confession, this is a case of a card that I made and forgot to blog from last year - the original one was posted off last year. I have a very busy week this week (you know one of those weeks where there is something on every night) and as I am so determined to enter as many of these festive challenges as possible (that way I will have a heap of cards ready for sending in a timely manner this year) -  I needed something quick to make.

I was inspired by Carolyn Bennies shimmery poinsettia - the shimmer paint is so easy to use and adds a real sparkle.

Why not have a play along yourself, I'm feeling a little organised having made my first card and it's still January - whoo hoo!

Nikki

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Christmas Blog Hop

Welcome to our last blog hop of the year - a Christmas themed one of course.  Hop on board and be ready to be inspired (I am in need of inspiration - I've hardly made any Christmas cards this year).

I was inspired by my fellow blog hoppers Alisha Watson's Regional swap and  Judy May's recent JAI win, to try out the pop up Christmas tree using the Pennant Parade stamp set and matching punch.

Here's a sneak peek of a new A la Carte stamp from the upcoming Summer Mini - a single stamp called Stylish Star - isn't it cute.

The colours used are Lucky Limeade with either Riding Hood Red or Wisteria Wonder - ovely quick cards to make and the pop up posts well too.

Time to hop off now to see what the lovely Sue Madex has created.

Happy blog hopping

Nikki

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ps if you'd like a free copy of the new Summer mini and you don't have a demonstrator already, just send me an email and I'll pop one in the post for you.

 

Making Merry Monday

A friend told me this weekend just past that there are 8 weeks until Christmas.  Is anyone else as shocked by that little gem of information as I am?  OMG - that's not long is it.

Without further ado, here's a card that I was going to teach in a Glitter class.  Yes I am going to say WAS because this class is doomed I think!  I've had to cancel it so many times for all sorts of reasons, so I am thinking it is a sign - this class isn't meant to happen :o(

Here's a close up of the sparkliness (yes a new word for the 2011 festive season). And how do we do that?  

Well you stamp your image first.  Then take your Versamark pad and stamp this over the image - straight onto the cardstock - not onto the stamp - you need to cover the cardstock completely.  (Tip: I tend to stamp several images on one piece of cardstock and then Versamark and glitterise (not sure that is a real word either) the whole lot at the same time).

Cover the whole piece of card with some Heat and Stick powder - use a heat gun to melt this.  When the powder is moulton, sprinkle over Dazzling Diamonds.  Tap off the excess and heat again.  (Tip:  just a little flash of the heat gun this time - we are just setting the Dazzling Diamonds not melting it).

Hey presto you have some lovely sparkly pieces to make into cards.

This card uses the Delightful Decorations set and matching Ornament punch. Using a matching stamp and punch means you can churn a few of these out in double quick time - just what we need with only 8 weeks left to go!  The swirl is from Baroque Motifs.

Happy Making Merry Monday.

Nikki

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Making Merry Monday

Welcome to another Making Merry Monday.  I have been wanting to make these lovely flowers for a few months now.  So I 'invested' in a couple of punches and here's my first attempt.  I love it!

Who would have thought that wetting and scrunching cardstock would have resulted in such a lovely shabby chic flower?  Yes it really is just water and cardstock!  And when you've finished scrunching and squeezing you just add a spritz of Shimmer Mist and leave the whole lot to dry overnight - amazing.

So today's Christmas card is made with Cherry Cobbler cardstock, Mocha Morning speciality papers (this one is flocked and is lovely), and a piece of Whisper White which has been run through the Vintage Vogue folder.

Happy Stampin'

Nikki

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Making Merry Monday 2011

With it being October now - I thought it would be a good time to bring back Making Merry Monday. MMM was invented by Anita Meade a few years ago and the idea is that you post a Christmas idea every Monday (or you could reword that last sentence to read 'Nik is going to be super organised and have all her cards made in good time this year' LOL).  Here's the first one.

When I saw this set in the new catalogue it was top of my 'had to buy it now' list.  Beautiful Season is great for watercolouring and the little bird can be made into a little robin very easily.  The little sentiments in the set fit perfectly with some of the punches too, this will make it easy to mass produce cards if you need to - I'll have a sample or two to show you very soon.

Have you seen the new sparkles in the catalogue this year?  Glass Glitter (page 145) is so lovely, and I've used Sticky Strip to glue it into place.  And isn't the new Stripes embossing folder lovely - very Christmassy I thought.

What this space for more Christmas card ideas - this is the month to make a couple extra and donate them to a good cause - I make and collect cards the Defence forces serving overseas - if you have any cards you'd like to donate also please get in touch.

Happy Stampin'

Nikki

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AWOL

I feel like I have been gone forever and ever.  Fallen off the planet, shouting world stop ... let me off .... I haven't crafted for ages and I really do feel that this lovely hobby helps to keep me sane and balanced.  

I also know that sharing creations and being a part of the blogging community is something I love to do .... its been a part of my life for so long now, that when other things like my day to day working life get in the way (gggrrrr grumble grumble groan groan), I begin to feel empty if I don't make the time to 'Love what I do, and Share what I love.'  Have I told you I love being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator? 

So I'm here, back again .... and raring to go ... well almost .. there is a little tasks of finishing some swaps for a lovely group of ladies .... but for now I thought I'd share a Christmas card with you.  Yes girls, with less than 100 sleeps to go ... it is time to get festive.

This is one of those cards you can produce over and over again.  The technique is masking and if you would like to know how to do it, sign up to my newsletter and I'll include the instructions just for you.

I'll be back in a day or two.  I have launch night cards and news to share, a blog hop on Saturday and news of a product share (hands up who loves ribbons and sparkly brads)  .... so I have no excuses and plenty of things to create.

Happy Stampin'

Nikki

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Christmas In July again!

I love this card.  It was inspired from a stamping magazine - not sure which one but when I saw the tree made with the leaves from the two step bird punch I knew that eventually I would find the time to make it.  It really is very easy (yes Sharon I did write easy LOL) to place the leaves (tear off the stems) into a shape of a tree - and when we made this in the class last week we had trees of all different styles ... and they all looked lovely.

I've used the Vintage Vogue set to create the background - stamping tone on tone with Rich Razzleberry - and the pearls are a must have finish for the card.

Happy Stampin

Nikki

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Christmas In July

I've made a start on my Christmas cards.  How is that for organised?  I have started a monthly Christmas card class (waving hi to the ladies from Friday night) - here is the first of the three that we made.

Poppy Parade, Early Espresso and Whisper White .... lovely combination.  If you are wondering about that die cut - its the Top Note die cut once as usual and then you pop it back in the other way round to create a more square shape.

There are still a couple of places left in the August class - its on the 26th - and we are going to be getting glittery.  If you want to book a seat call or SMS 0428 254 952.

Happy Stampin

Nikki

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