I had so much fun with the Chalkboard technique that I had enough pieces left to make a few cards. Here's another version of last week's card.
Colours are More Mustard and Calypso Coral. I'm really loving the Soda Tops - I use the Big Shot to squish the tops flat - just one at a time .... and so many of our stamps and punches fit the inner circles.
Have a great week.
Nikki
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For the past couple of months the Chalkboard Technique has been everywhere I've looked. I didn't have the stamp sets being used .... so that stalled me for a bit, but then I had the call for a couple of male birthday cards.
I've mainly used the Bring On the Cake stamp set (page 142 of the main catalogue) and added in a few other birthday stamps from other sets. I found the best thing to do to create the chalkboard effect was to use the embossing buddy and a white pencil - both of these left lots of lovely white smudges - perfect for this technique. I used used a Craft White inkpad - the longer drying time enabled me to smudge the images a little too - all adds to the effect.
Why not have a go yourself, so easy!
Nikki
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I've seen various designs of this card around the web and on Pinterest, and really wanted to have a go myself. I loved the effect - it looks so striking.
I've used the boho blossoms and Itty Bitty Shapes Pack punches to create the flowers - highlighting some with pearls and placing the odd brad here and there. It was quite time consuming but I do think it would be a good card to mass produce in front of the television .... Olivia has already been asking for a couple for friends who are celebrating their birthdays very soon so I had better start punching.
Happy Stampin'
Nikki
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If you have a wish list as long as your arm from the current or seasonal catalogue? Then I have good news for you.
There are two ways to receive an extra $60 of product.
Book a Party
Hold a Party before 30 May (yes that's the day before the end of the this month) and receive an additional $60 of free product - that's $120 of Hostess dollars to spend on anything you want. You could buy a BigShot for just $30 ... yes $30!
You can hold a workshop in your home, hold a catalogue party (just pass the catalogue around your friends and collect orders) or treat yourself to some lovely treats.
All orders have to be placed by 30 May to qualify.
Become a Demonstrator
Still want the more but don't want to have a party? How about joining up as a demonstrator. Don't panic it's not scary.
Click on the tab above JOIN MY TEAM to find more ..... and remember you get to choose $295 worth of goodies and pay just $169
Call me if you want more information or want to book a Party.
0481 316 626
Nikki
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When was there ever a better time to shake up this little piece of unloved blogland than on Mother's Day.
Of course, Mother's day in England is a little earlier in the year, and as this year I only managed to send a card to both of our Mums I thought I would send their pressies on the Australian date - great excuse to make an extra card .... albeit that I don't think they have actually arrived yet!
I used the All Dressed Up Framelit dies together with the Print Poetry Designer Series paper packs - my favourite pack of paper at the moment (page 16 of the seasonal catalogue). I love the Flower Trim (page 5 of the seasonal catalogue) - I've cut off individual flowers to use.
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mums - near and far. I'm spending the day with my two - visiting the garden centre to buy a new plant for the garden, some home cooked breakfast, a soccer match and a driving lesson .... sounds perfect to me.
Pop back soon, I've lots of cards to show you, together with all the latest news from Stampin' Up!
Nikki
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How can it be 1 May already?
This little piece of blogland has been taken over by dust bunnies - thank goodness the same cannot be said for my crafting space!
And what does the first of every month bring? Yes a One Little Word blog hop that I have forgotten all about.
So I need to leave you with a 'relevant' quote to my OLW 'Consistent' (one which is hopelessly apt for me this month) and ask you to hurry along to Ruth who I am sure has something far more exciting for you to read.
I'm off to sweep away the cobwebs, throw open the windows and let in the light ... InkyArt will resume normal service in a jiffy -thanks for visiting.
Nikki
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Good day to all the fellow One on 1 blog hoppers and friends. With the first quarter of the year now over, I am pleased to say I am loving how my word Consistency is appearing in my day to day life.
So to start with I have last month's 'homework' - the mood board. I'm not sure if it was because I only had copies of Weight Watchers, Preventation and Woman's Health to hand to find inspiration but when I looked at the collection of photos it struck me that it was bang on target - health, strength, fitness, peace and positive affirmations. When I thought about how I would explain this board it felt very personal but then I reflected on how all of these areas affect all of my family - healthy food to promote healthy minds and bodies and tackling 'opportunities' head on, is what we are all experiencing this year. The children have embraced the healthy food - I won't lie, it did take a while for my teenage boy to come round, but now he is leaner and fitter for it and is quite proud.
I subscribe to a great blog written by Andrew Jobling - his articles are published on a Sunday morning - great timing for a little bit of reflection I find, and even though some weekends I never manage to open the email, I always find time in the week so go and have a read. Last week it read ....
From now on ...
When there is an opportunity to do something you haven’t done before – say ‘yes’.
When someone invites you to a seminar, workshop or information evening – say ‘yes’.
When there is an chance to confront a fear – say ‘yes’
Stop procrastinating on things you have always wanted to do and – say ‘yes’.
Great words!
So onto this month's task was to Take Action. As I had just started a new full time job with a fair bit of travelling every day it seemed sensible that planning and time management was a good Action for me to concentrate on this month.
Its worked out well, good in fact, consistently being organised is how I like to be, and I think for most of the month that is what happened. There was the odd hiccup here and there, and some difficult decisions had to be made (I stopped running card classes in the evening and therefore decided I won't be attending one of the highlights of the year the Stampin' Up! Convention) but I am surprising myself by being okay with this - letting go of the superwoman cape that has been strangling me for so long, has been very uplifting - not boring like I thought it would be.
Can't wait to see what's in store for April.
Have a happy and healthy month and I'll see you next time. Time to hop along to visit Michelle
Nikki
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I was asked to make a 50th wedding anniversary card last week. As I was making it, I couldn't help but think of the recipients - 50 years together, all those memories, how different their lives must be today compared to when they first married - what a special moment to celebrate.
Soft Suede, Very Vanilla and Champagne Glimmer paper look so luxurious together. The Memorable Moments set is so versatile - I have it in the clear mount option which makes it super easy to place the images where you want them (of course you can use a Stamp-a-ma-jig too). This set is good for creating age related cards or scrapbooking pages - the numbers can be used as Save The Dates, or birthday invites even - great set. In this instance I used a retired Timeless Type die cut for the numbers as I wanted them to sparkle.
The little tulle roses are individual flowers cut from the new Flower Trim (it's on page 5 of the new 2013 Seasonal Catalogue - its easy to miss I think). I popped a large pearl in the centre of the little rose and used Glue Dots to attach them to the Glimmer paper.
I finished off the inside using little pieces left over from the front of the card. I loved the end result - simple but elegant I think.
The lady I made it for loved it - and I hope the couple who are celebrating their 50th loved it too. If you have a special occasion coming up and would like a handmade card please do get in touch - each card costs $5 and can be picked up or posted to you.
Nikki
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I was asked to make two Christening cards last week. The recipants were a three year old niece and a nephew who is one.
As I don't have any baby / little people stamps I thought I'd rustle up two shaped cards.
I've made a card similar to this a while back - you can see it here. It's such an easy card to make and looks so pretty. I used a piece of scrap paper the same size as the card front to create the template. If you fold the paper in half lengthways - then use punches and scissors to create the shape you need, this process provides you with a symetrical template to recrete using card stock.
I followed the same process for this card too. It's amazing what you can find to cut shapes - the little part at the bottom of the card to create the 'legs' was cut using a framelit from the Holiday Ornaments set (oh yes I hear you say). The Designer Series paper is Tea for Two and the little elephant is from the A Fitting Occasion set. To make this little stamped image more of a feature I used a series of circle and scallop punches to enhance it.
If you have a special occasion and would like a card made just let me know - the cost is $5 per card - if you live locally you can call in to collect or if it is easier I can post it to you.
Happy Stampin'
Nikki
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Mum sent me a present out of the blue, something to make me smile she said. I don't know what I was expecting to receive but it certainly wasn't the most beautiful pair of diamond cluster earrings. They are so beautiful and I have been wearing them 24/7 ever since they arrived. And yes they do make me smile, every time I look in the mirror I can see them and its like a hug from Mum.
Of course I had to send something to make Mum smile in return, so I pulled out the Stippled Blossoms set to create this card.
Its a two set stamping process - and it magically creates the most beautiful roses. I've used the same colour ink pad, but to create the paler solid image I first stamped the image onto a piece of scrap paper before stamping onto the card stock - this gives the lighter tone.
I hope this card makes my Mum smile. Now that I've finally started my new job I am smiling again - its been a big week but I know this is going to be fun, especially as my new office is located in a Westfield shopping centre - so many shops to explore in my lunch break - whoo hoo.
Love you Mum x
Love Nik
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