Stationery Carousel (yes it spins!!!!!)

This is a combination of a few creations from Tammy Beaver and Jenny Moors and their very inventive projects but with my own take on combining the two. I have been working on this most of the afternoon (too hot to go outside - 45 degrees today!) I have used the Ballet Blue DSP from the Hostess Patterns Pack available as a level 1 freebie. If I made another one I would use cardstock for the drawers next time to make this a little more sturdy. I have combined Tammy's awesome carousel idea (she is a genius!) but I have done only one layer of drawers and then I have used Jenny's calendar idea for the top but modified it a little to include a pen and post-it-note pad. For those of us not lucky enough to have the matchbox die, you can find some fabulous instructions here from Kristen to make your own easily. I finally found a supplier for these nifty little calendars here in OZ - really affordable too! For my drawer handles I have used a brad and an eyelet together so there is something to grip - so easy! The top and bottom square platforms are simply covered card from the back of the DSP packs. It isn't super fancy or decorated only one colour, I just had the idea and wanted to see how it would turn out. The bottom spinner uses a ribbon spool (see you never should throw ANYTHING away - OK chief horder here *g*) Check out Tammy's awesome tutorial with excellent instructions for how this mechanism works. I will fill the drawers with stationery items like paperclips, rubber bands, mini bulldog clips, eraser etc.. The last two photos are taken with it turned upside down so you can see the spinner platform and the drawer handles up close. I may run this as a class later in the year ready for next calendar year. BTW, you should all be proud of me - NO PINK! New Year's Resolution on track...........

Finally........

I actually started this project a while ago (as you can tell from the retired DSP, really miss these papers and colours) after seeing so many on SCS but was missing the key tool to put it together but now I have it :) This is a card organiser and birthday book all in one. It's a fantastic reference to organise myself for all the birthdays during the year but would make a lovely present for someone. It is super easy to make too. All you need is a pack of your favourite DSP paper (including 2 of the cardboard inserts from the back, hope you keep these, very handy indeed) Select six of your favourite sheets. For each one you are going to first of all score it 4" from the bottom then fold up. With it folded you are then going to score it down the middle at 6" and fold in half back the other way with the pockets on the outside. So what you have created is two pockets on either side with dimensions 8" x 6" for each page. Repeat this for all six sheets and arrange in preferred order. For the covers, I have cut 2 pieces of card from the back of the DSP packs 8-1/4" x 6-1/4" but you make these even bigger if you wanted, it just looks nicer if they are slightly larger than your pages. Then I have covered them in DSP front and back. Finally attach your calendar pages and bind together and decorate. If you would like more detailed instructions and the calendar pages, see here. I will definitely be making some more of these, stay tuned.

Something for me for a change....

I am always making cards, projects and albums for everyone else and I thought it was time to make something for me for a change. I recently got the outline alphabet as it is on special at the moment (50% off) and saw this project and thought it would be fun to make one too. I have blown it up a little cos I didnt have a mat for my frame but if I make another I will do it better next time. My squares are 2-1/2" and I made my own BIG button. I layered a few punched circles of DSP together and sanded the edges then punched two small holes in the middle to resemble a real button. Finally I covered it in a layer of Crystal Effects (I love this stuff - so versatile) and tied a thin strip of DSP to act as ribbon. And I layered the rose to look a little like paper tole I guess. I used Dazzling Diamonds on the letters and the butterfly as well as some pearls from the Pretties Kit.

21 days to go.....

SAB (Sale-a-bration), the biggest promotion for the Stampin' Up! year is only 3 weeks away and I will be posting teaser projects each week leading up to commencement. This is by far the best opportunity for you to earn FREE stamp sets by placing orders for as little as $100. Each order of $100 enables you to choose from 4 exclusive stamp sets (not available any other time and cannot be purchased) and the more you order, the more you can get for FREE, there is NO limit. For every $100 order - one FREE set. Here is this weeks project, a little set of 3 x 3 note cards in a cute little matching tote. This set is called Vintage Labels, definitely my favourite at the moment. It consists of 6 stamps - 3 sentiments and 3 labels. This set also coordinates perfectly with the Curly Label Punch, the Scallop Circle Punch and the Wide Oval Punch. If you would like the instructions to make one of these little totes, click here. I also made some matching envelopes (you can buy packs of 20 cards and envelopes in this size for $13.50 - 10 each of white and vanilla) using some of the Desginer Series Paper from the new Mini Catalogue called Kaleidoscope. Super easy jsut cut a small piece to fit inside the envelope about half way in and then stick it to the flap and cut around the edge of the flap the excess DSP - wa-lah! I know that one of my new year's resolutions was not to use pink but kinda necessary for this paper and besides I have used Pink Passion, a pink I don't normally use hehehe :)

New Year's resolution (yes another one, I have a few)

I have a few New Year's Resolutions mainly trying to stay away from PINK, yeah well I will let you know how that's going, stay tuned for tomorrow's post.

I want to start participating in some of the Mojo Monday sketch cards. Here is my first one which is actually challenge #119 the last one for 2009. Just scraping in mind you as the deadline is tomorrow morning (gotta love being downunder). I have used some of the frames from the new set Framed with Love, and I used my Circle Scissor plus to cut the circles. My embellishment is made up of some flowers from Flower Fusion Too and a silver brad. Colours used include Perfect Plum and Baja Breeze. Thanks for looking.

More Mini Catalogue Sample Cards....

Both these are CASE's (Copy and Share Everything) of ideas I found here and here. Trying to use different colours and stay away from PINK for a while - my new year's resolution, going to be tough but gonna give it a shot. The first card uses the Framed with Love set with the cute flourish for the border and one of the frames for the sentiment. This set is great value too as you get 5 different frames plus the flourish and flower element all for $49.95.

It's great to combine with the other sets in the mini too like I have done with the second card with the Butterfly Prints ($25.95) which has a coordinating punch! I have used the little flower from the For Everything Set ($47.95) also from the mini and the reeds from Inspired by Nature (IB&C p.74) The sentiment on this card comes from the Thoughts and Prayers (IB&C p.48) stamp set. I added a little Certainly Celery Button from the Sherbet Designer Buttons ($15.50), also in the Mini Catalogue.

Sweet Treat Cups

I have been having so much fun with these little cups - just so versatile! Here are some baby cards inspired by this sample. I had a heap of buttons in a huge container that were just waiting to be used (probably not like this but at least it 'rattles' ) I used the Pink Pirouette and Baja Breeze textured cardstock with the matching Patterned DSP with some matching ribbon (Gee I love SU and how easy it is to coordinate projects).

I also made a gumball machine but with Jelly Belly Beans. This card has a little pull tab to get the beans out when you open the card. And if you look closely I have put a brad in backwards to act like the handle. All these cards were made using the new set Something Sweet ($44.95 - there are 14 stamps in this set!) which is in the New Mini Catalogue. It has coordinating Sweet Treat Cups and the 1 3/4 Circle Punch.

Wedding CD tin

My brother-in-law and his wife were recently married and I took quite a few photos on the day of the wedding so I thought I would give them a copy of the photos in this cute little CD tin that I decorated especially. I really need to stop using PINK! Anyone who knows me will understand that this is REALLY REALLY difficult :)

I have used some of the Candy Lane DSP and the Together Forever stamp set using the large oval punch and scallop oval punch with some Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon. I also put a strip of cardstock that I used the scallop border punch to decorate. I sponged all around the outside for a textured look. If you wondering why I have managed to post THREE times today it's because it's stinking hot outside (37 degrees celcius) so the best place to be is inside in the aircon creating right! Thanks for looking.

On my soap box again......

Ok here is another one but a different design. The other ones I made were for square soap blocks, these are for rectangle ones. I have used a piece of Pink Pirouette Cardstock and some little strips of Candy Lane DSP. I punched one of the Boho Blossoms Flowers and stamped the For you from the Fresh Cuts set. I used the Horizontal Slot Punch to tie the Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon. Once again no need for any adhesive. I might add this to the tutorial if anyone is interested. It's super easy just some cutting and scoring and you're done :) Thanks for looking.

On my soap box...

I have wanted to make one of these for ages and just haven't had the time to sit down and work it out until now. These are little boxes for soap blocks but you could put little 3 x 3 Note Cards in them or some little treats. They are not very elaborate as I just wanted to try them out and work out all the measurements etc.. I have stamped the one on the right using the new Razzle Dazzle Stamp Set and the one on the left uses the beautiful Bella Bleu DSP with a butterfly from the Butterfly Prints set (both these stamp sets are in the new mini). The best thing about these is there is NO adhesive needed - are you impressed or maybe just intrigued? I might do a tutorial for these but I have never done a tutorial before so please be patient. I have another idea for a different type of soap box so stay tuned for that one too.

Tea Light Candle holder

This is actually designed for battery operated tea light candles but I didnt have any on hand so put some real ones in it just for the picture (not advised to burn with the paper and all - LOL). This project is yet another one from the UStamp group. Thanks to Madeline Morcelo for this awesome idea. This is the first project that I have made using the new Sweet Treat Cups (these hold the candles in the box) how cool is that! The sweet treat cups come in a box of 12 for $6.50 so you could make four of these beautiful holders if you wanted with just one box. The sweet treat cups are available in the New Mini Catalogue. The little butterfly is from one of the new stamp sets in the New Mini Catalogue too called Butterfly Prints ($25.95) It comes with the matching butterfly punch ($30.95) too to make cutting these out a breeze. Once again I have used the Bella Rose DSP - gee I love this. So glad we have this until September. The little flower to the right of the butterfly is simply cut out from this paper. Thanks for looking :)

Time to get organised

Here is another project from the UStamp group. This project was designed by a very talented NZ Demo Tracy Old. This is my own take on her project using different papers and stamp set. I have used the Always stamp set with the matching Sweet Always Designer Series Paper. These are super easy to create and you can print off a calendar FREE from here. I printed it at 110% just in case you are interested. I have used one of the backing card sheets from the DSP packs (I have sooooooooo many of these, knew they would come in good use one day) for the 'tent' part. Thanks for looking. More projects on their way soon.

Love Notes Box

This is another project from my UStamp group. Thanks again to Becky Roberts for such an awesome tutorial. I made it my own by using different papers and stamps but the idea is still the same. This little box holds all four 3 x 3 note cards and then the little drawer holds the envelopes. There is room to hold many more if needed. I have used the Dreams du Jour set with the Bella Rose DSP, some corduroy buttons and some taffeta ribbon with coordinating cardstock with the In Colours Pink Pirourette, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red and also some Chocolate Chip. I stamped the 'Love You' on watercolour paper then coloured the flower image in using my blender pens and punched it out using the 1-1/4" square punch. This was super easy to put together, if you want the instructions just join up on the UStamp group, it's not too late and you will have access to all the fabulous projects and instructions. Totally awesome for inspiration. There is something new everyday, great for me while I am on holidays with 'plenty' of creative time - YAY! Thanks for looking :)

Gifts for work colleagues

Here are some more candles this time using the Always set. I am so glad they released this in the full catalogue this year, it was my favourite set in the mini last year. I have used some of the Urban Garden papers and some Silver Hodge Podge (these are easy to bend around the candles).

More Mini Projects

I made this collection of gift cards for a hostess gift recently. She loved it and so did the other attendees (maybe a little jealous). I have used the Razzle Dazzle set (which I won at Regionals) and the new scallop notes from the Summer Mini Catalogue. I used the Rock'n'Roll Technique with the image on the front (sorry this photo does not help) and cut a tiny strip of the matching colour paper from the Patterns DSP to adhere on the inside.

New SUMMER Mini Catalogue

The New Summer Mini Catalogue has just been released and the products are so pretty. I am all inspired to create cards using bright colours and lots of colouring. In this post you will find some photos of my projects that we made at the recent Regional confernence in Melbourne as well as some of my samples made using the set For Everything - definitely my favourite. The new Mini has new punches, buttons, ribbons, stamps (of course!), wheels, Designer Series Papers, embellishments, rub-ons..........and the all new Circle Scissor Plus which cuts circles and many sizes from as small as 1" up to 6". Cant wait to play with that too.

Gift Card Holder

Yes these really are gift card holders and the perfect size. They are origami christmas stockings - how cute! The gift card sits just in the top and wont fall through because of the way it is folded. This is another project I learnt on UStamp. There are so many more projects that I am dying to try and now that I have some time I will do as many as I can over the next few weeks. The problem is there are new ones every day and I cant keep up - hehehe :)

U Stamp Swap

Shame on me for not posting anything for a month! Ok, I have an excuse, let me explain. I am a teacher and this time of year is particularly busy with reports and exams but today was my last day - YAY! plus I have been very busy with a workshop every weekend for the last month. But now I am on holidays and I promise I will make up for it. This post is for my litle goodies received from Charlene Godsave in the recent UStamp swap. It is an awesome opportunity to get lots of ideas and inspiration while meeting others from all over the world with new projects every day. This recent UStamp has finished but the new Year End Blowout has begun. It's not too late to join either. Click on the blinkie in the right margin if you would like some more info. These photos include the swap I sent to Charlene (the box and matching card with little Aussie treats) and what she sent me which includes a beautifully decorated notebook, card and hot chocolate sachet with a caramel Mars Bar - YUM!! Thanks for looking.

Christmas is coming....

It's time to get organised with all those cards and gifts. Not only can you make your cards, you can make your gifts as well - how impressed will your friends be!!! These are SUPER EASY. All you need is some candles, some tissue paper, some baking paper, your favourites stamp sets and inks and your embossing tool. I am going to make some more of these over the coming days so stay tuned for more samples. I have to thank the wonderfully creative Simone for demonstrating this fabulous idea at Regionals a few weeks ago. I made candles like this many many years ago before I discovered Stampin' Up! but now I have sooooooooo many more options...... Thanks Simone for reminding me about this technique. Thanks for looking.