Mojo Results

Last week at our regular class, everyone brought in their first Mojo challenge.  All the ladies had done a wonderful job - for some, it was their first time.  I thought I'd share their creativity with you here and hopefully inspire others to have a go at trying something new.

Before I show you the pictures, I'd like to tell you that the brief & sketch are in a post back on April 9.  The idea was a very simple one, with the main purpose being to encourage crafters to get out the things they already have and use some of the skills we've been doing in classes.

Here's the results:

Susie's cards - she made two designs for us to choose from.  Love the use of the rhinestones on the thank you card.

Avril also gave us options with 2 designs.  The picture really doesn't do the fairy justice.

This is Laurel's card.  She also made a couple of options but I didn't get pictures of them all.  Don't you love the black & red combo?  And that flower - lovely.

Kristen's card is on the right here.  She's experimenting with the vintage look & has a stash of gorgeous stamps (the postage kind) and old cigarette cards.

Well done ladies!  Love your work!

I'll post the next Mojo challenge tomorrow.

Karen

Chocolate

Thought it was time to continue with Regina Brett's wise words, so here's the next 3 life lessons:

• When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
• Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
• It's ok to let your children see you cry.

The first point, made me realise that chocolate is never far from my world (actually, I'm off sweets for 3 weeks, Doctor's orders).  Basically, I'm in a lotta trouble - how will I control my chocolate urge?  I can always opt for the kind that doesn't put weight on, or give me pimples!

Yum!  You've got to admit, it really is a lovely colour.  And all the options, with felt flower accents (Flower Fusion) and ribbon in taffeta or grosgrain, it's so easy to plan your projects when you have such a wonderful array of goodies to feed your cravings!

That said, I think I'll go make something with Chocolate! 

Happy Stampin' crafters!

Karen

Bookmarks

I'm reading Mao's Last Dancer at the moment.   It's a big book, and since I read far more slowly than I talk...hahaha....it's gonna take me a while.  I should add, that I LOVE the book by the way.     But I'm also reading a couple of other books at the same time.  Problem:  I only have one bookmark.....not strictly true, but that doesn't matter because if I SAY I only have one, then I've got an excuse to make myself one.   Not that I need an excuse to make something, but I don't often make things for me, I'm usually gifting what I make to others (aww, I'm soooo nice!).

SU (in a recent DEMO only publication....You should join!), gave instructions for using our Hodgepodge Hardware to make jewellery.   Not really my style, so I CASED (copy and share everything) it to make my new bookmark.

Here it is in Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie & Styled Silver Hodgepodge.

Oh, and I've used Rub Ons as well.   Might have to get those out more often because I like 'em!
Hope you like the finished result as much as I do!

Karen

Designer Series Paper

As the "Paper Lady", it may not come as a surprise to know that I kinda like paper......alright, I love it, and consequently I have quite a lot of it.

When I first became involved with Stampin' Up! (SU), I was thrilled with their packs of paper.   You can never have enough coordinating papers in my view.  Not only that, but all the colours are ID'd so you can mix and match with the cardstock and inks we also carry.   That said, they've done it again & introduced the newest Designer Series Paper (or DSP) in the current mini catalogue called Cottage Wall (page 30).

The colours are Old Olive (my Fav!), Orchid Opulence (hadn't looked twice at this colour before, despite always having it in my studio!) and Rich Razzleberry (who could resist a colour with a name reminiscent of a Willy Wonka candy bar?).

So to whet your appetite if you haven't already clicked on the link, here's a couple of pics.   

Wishing you a razzleberry day!
Karen

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea

During May, the Cancer Council will be holding the Biggest Morning Tea.  I have decided that I would like to participate since it is a fundraising event to help find a cure for cancer.  Many of you probably know someone who has suffered cancer and I do too, having lost a very dear friend and had several friends and family members diagnosed with the disease in its various forms.  So, what better cause to support I ask myself?
Consequently I will donate 10% of the class fees for my card making class on 7th May.  The class attendees will also be able to donate to the fund if they wish.   If you would like to attend this class, please email or call to book as soon as possible as space is limited.
http://www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/
My event is listed on this site - under "Fundraise with Craft"

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sunday brings Regina Brett

It's Sunday.   This is my day to sleep in!   Ooohhh I looovvve it!   But since you can never have enough of a good thing, here's a few more pearls from Regina Brett:

• Cry with someone.  It's more healing than crying alone.
• It's ok to get angry with God.  He can take it.
• Save for retirement, starting with your first paycheck.

Well, I hope you're not crying today, and I hope you're not angry either.  And if you're about to receive your first paycheck, lucky you, you should be smiling!

Happy, happy, happy Sunday.  Be good to yourself!

Karen

 

It's Hollys day to sleep in too. 

Boxes in all shapes and sizes

As you know, I like packaging.   I also like fiddling around with measurements to get just the right sized box for a gift I'm giving.  I'm extremely familiar with boxes in inches, as opposed to centimetres, since my love for making these started while we were living in San Diego.  In fact, I still think of everything in terms of whether it works in 12"x12" or 8 1/2" x 11"!

With the help of my Scor-Pal (in centimetres) I'm slowly adapting back to metric - you wouldn't think it would be so hard since I actually grew up with metric in school.   Maybe it is harder to teach an old dog new tricks - even ones they'd already learned!!

However, I still believe that it's easier to make a box with a separate lid when using inches.   BUT, I will not, I repeat, WILL NOT be beaten, so if I'm looking a bit glazed over, it's because I've been thoroughly testing my brain.

The result?   Lots of boxes.

One or two of these were made a while back, but I decided to get them out together because it's good to see how different they all are.    

As I will be doing a class on this in the not too distant future, I'm not posting supplies or instructions. 

Aren't they lovely?  

And as with yesterdays post, another demonstrator perk is access to a wide variety of patterns for boxes, pouches, bags & more.   And let me tell you, once you start, you'll find yourself designing your own in no time.     It's an endless source of entertainment.

Have a super weekend!

Karen

Mojo, Mojo, Mojo - For Beginners

In addition to workshops & classes, I hope to inspire my customers to try something new with their own stash of stamps & paper craft supplies when they go home.  With that in mind, I issued a challenge today to my regular group of ladies.  It goes like this:    Using the basic sketch template below, make one card using only supplies you have on hand.   IF you want to step it up a notch, make 4 of the same design (more if you like), and we'll hold a swap at the next class on 23rd April. 

This template can be found on the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator website.  Another perk of being a demo is that we have access to all sorts of special goodies - think about it, you should join!

Now, this is a basic sketch because you may have never attempted anything like this before.  However, if you have, feel free to step it up any way you like.  But remember, simple cards can be very eye-catching and effective, so don't feel you have to do more than the basic shapes are indicating.

Lastly, this challenge is open to anyone.  So if you can't get to a class but still want to play, please post a comment with a link to your creation.  

For more inspiration, here's a couple of cards my daughter made using the template:

And one from me:

Notice how we haven't used any embellishments on the cards?  That's not to say you can't, but if you want to keep it simple, let the stamped images and/or the patterned paper speak for themselves.   By colouring the stamps with markers, you can get a number of colours on one image - cute on the bird & it also gives the greeting some definition on the same card.

Look forward to seeing what you come up with!  

Mothers Day cards for our troops - final post 2010

Well ladies, you did it!  Over 500 cards were collected this morning, by the lovely Julee from the Dept. of Defence here in Sydney.   She was thrilled with the amount of beautiful cards we had made and loved the way they were all packaged in their ziplock bags clearly labelled with the creators name & number of cards made.  She said that makes it easy for them to despatch as they can send the appropriate amount to the various locations around the globe.   How wonderful to think that our lovely handmade creations are going to touch those special men and women who are out there fighting for freedom, protecting the oppressed and keeping the peace such a long way from home.  When you add that to the fact that their Mum's are going to receive a handwritten message this Mothers Day, it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. 
Godspeed & love.
Karen

Fresh-Cut Notes

These notes are available in packs of 15 including envelopes for $17.50! Catty code #111882.  That's right, they're very good value, and completely gorgeous with all sorts of lovely ways to decorate & embellish them.  I've decided to do a class using them this month, so I've been playing with them and found that they run through the Big Shot easily, and they also look good with an overlay of cellophane.  I'm not showing you these here, that's for class attendee eyes only!

Another advantage to these little notes is that they coordinate with the Fresh Cuts Stamp Set on page 72 of the current Idea Book & Catalog (IBC) AND the 5-Petal Flower Punch on page 152.  There's a lovely example of their use on page 131 so you should really check it out.   Once you start playing with them you'll be amazed at the possibilities. 

If you really haven't a clue about what to do with them though, come to the class!  See my class schedule at the top & left of the page, and email or call me if you'd like to reserve a space.