Just Add Ink #365 Sketch Challenge - Message in a Bottle

Happy Friday gang. I've been a little quiet of late and that is because the kids, hubby and I have been busy enjoying the cooler days and the amazing outdoors that is the NSW. Last weekend, the Evanses set off over the mountains and visited our friends out at Gunnadeh. We honestly had the best time getting right back to nature.

We visited a few national parks, saw some waterfalls, made a campfire and roasted some marshmallows and of course had a barbie. Some times in the winter I like to hibernate and not venture to far but our no motto it to get out and spend more time connecting together.

But now back to today's post for Just Add Ink, which is a sketch challenge that the awesome Karren came up with.

I loved this sketch and I'm sure I'll be using it lots over the next coming weeks, that's for sure. I decided to open one of my new stamps called Message in a Bottle for my creation this week:

When I saw this stamp set in the catty I knew it had to have it and sure enough it was the first set I ordered. The sentiments and images are ideal for my kids, who just happen to love all things ocean themed.

I actually made this card for my daughter, for no reason but just because. I plan to pop it in the post and send it to her, as who doesn't love receiving happy mail!!

And if you are wondering how I made the "fish netting" behind the image, well surprise, surprise it is our new copper trim ribbon that I have stretched out. How awesome does it look!!

Well that it's for me today. I hope you guy's check out what the other demo's have been up to and don't forget to take part this week.

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Product List 
 

Message In A Bottle Photopolymer Stamp Set [143707]	Hardwood Clear-Mount Stamp Set [133035]	Happy Birthday Gorgeous Photopolymer Stamp Set [143662]	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [126944]
Rich Razzlebberry Classic Stampin' Pad [126950]	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad [131171]	Shimmery White A4 Card Stock [121717]	Crumb Cake A4 Card Stock [121685]
Tranquil Tide A4 Cardstock [144252]	Basic Black A4 Card Stock [121688]	Copper Metallic Thread [141696]	Metallics Sequin Assortment [144214]
Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372]	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Heat Tool [129056]

Happy Birthday Bestie - Jar of Love

Tomorrow just happens to be yet another birthday and this time it's one of my besties, Amy. As much as Ames and I love to catch up, both of us are pretty busy and just can never get a time together. So this year she had an awesome idea that instead of buying a present of something that we probably didn't really want, we will take the birthday girl out for lunch or dinner, our treat.

So my birthday was in March and she took me to Macca's for lunch. Now I know it doesn't sound like the best place to go, but when you have a four year old with you at all times, it mean he could play and have fun while we got some adult conversation time. Win/Win!!

Now even though we don't buy presents we do have to make a card for each other, because after all we are card makers!! I decided that I would make a little shaker card using the new Jar of Love set:

I missed out on the Jar stamps and framelits the first time that Stampin' Up! did them and always regretted it, so I knew this time around it would be on the list.

This set is super versatile and I've really only used it in an obvious way. I expect Pinterest will be heaving with ideas over the next few weeks.

In the framelit set, there is a die that cuts out about 6 or 7 single hearts in one go which is how I filled up my little jar. I decided to pair my Sweet Sugarplum hearts with the matching ribbon, which I pleated by using lots of glue dots. I love the over all effect of the pleated ribbon and it was so easy too. I think I'll be using this technique a lot more now.

So, all I have to do is write on the inside and pop it in her mail box. Fingers crossed I don't make a spelling mistake, which I almost always do. Tell me, is that just me?!?!

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Product List 
 

Jar Of Love Photopolymer Stamp Set [141587] $47.00	Jar Of Love Photopolymer Bundle [142342] $92.50	Hardwood Clear-Mount Stamp Set [133035] $26.00	Sweet Sugarplum Classic Stampin' Pad [141395] $11.50	Emerald Envy Classic Stampin' Pad [141396] $11.50	Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad [101731] $14.00
Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad [140931] $12.25	Very Vanilla A4 Card Stock [106550] $15.75	Sweet Sugarplum A4 Cardstock [141423] $14.00	Kraft 12" X 12" Card Stock [133674] $12.25	Basic Black A4 Card Stock [121688] $14.00	Window Sheets Base Material [114323] $8.75
Gold Glimmer Paper [133719] $8.75	Sweet Sugarplum 3/8" (1 Cm) Ruched Ribbon [141428] $14.00	Sahara Sand 7/8" (2.2 Cm) Lace Trim [137866] $12.25	Gold Sequin Trim [132983] $8.75

Something special for Mum - White Christmas Shutter Card

It's getting to that time of year when we all start thinking about making and sending out our Christmas cards, but if you are like me and have all your family overseas, then we have to get organised a little bit earlier to beat the Christmas rush.

Now my Mum loves all my cards that I make. She's a huge follower of my Facebook page and always likes, leaves a comment and even shares my cards to her friends. When she comes to visit, she loves to come and make some cards with me, so that she has a stock of handmade cards to give to her friends too.

 Here's a photo of us taken when I visited her in India this year!!

Now my only problem is every year I have to make her a special, one of a kind, card that I know she will keep... no treasure, for the rest of the year. It also has to be something she hasn't seen before.

So today, I'm sharing her card and because she don't visit here often (thankfully) the secret is safe with all of you!

Do yo think she'll like it!! She, like me, lives in a hot country during Christmas and we both miss the cold, dark, snowy English Christmases. The main reason why I brought the White Christmas stamp set was because it reminded me of my childhood Christmas, so of course I had to use it on my Mum's card.

I have seen these Shutter Cards popping up all over the internet at the moment and I love to jump on board a bandwagon lol!!! They are so very simply to make and so effective. I cut out the little "Merry Christmas" banner and hung it up between two of the shutters to give it a little 3d effect. It still closes and fits into a normal size envelop, because it slides in between the panels.

Now I'm counting on you all to keep this little card a secret, just in case you run into my Mum. She's such a jet setter who knows where you might find her!

Have fun,
Chlo

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Happy I do day

Morning guys, I hope you all had an amazing long weekend. I know we did. Our gorgeous friends, who have moved to Western Australia for the next two years, had come back for a visit and of course we all had to get together for a catch up. It was honestly sooo much fun!! I will miss that little family when they go back next week.

So today I thought I would share a wedding card that I was asked to make for my friend Amy. She is one of my besties and a fellow cardmaker. A friend of hers was getting married but because of her super busy schedule, she said she was going to have to buy a card!?!?!? I of course then offered to make one.... I'm now wondering if the whole conversation was a ruse lol.

 

The inspiration for this card came from Pinterest (of course) by fellow Stampin' Up Demo, Inge Groot over at Stampin' Cards and Memories.

I really couldn't help but make the card girly and lovey dovey. Lets face it, wedding are for the girls more then the guys anyway. Can you tell how much I'm loving our new in-colour sequins?!? They are just the perfect little extra to add to any card and they fit perfectly onto one of our glue dots, which is awesome.

Well that's it for me today. My oldest is back to school tomorrow and I need to get the household out of Holiday mood and into School mode, but the best part is we are on the downward run to the summer holidays and Christmas... Woo Hoo!!!

Have Fun,
Chlo

Ingredients

Stamps: Something to say, And many more and Hardwood
Ink: Crumb Cake
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Strawberry Slush, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla and Early Espresso
Other: Circle Framelits, Circle Punch, Hearts a flutter framelits, Silver Foil, Polka Dot Embossing Folder and In- colour Sequins