Fiji and Freebies

So I'm still in Fiji enjoying my fantastic family holiday. The weather has been beautiful and the people are amazing. We have had so much fun with kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, watching the fire walkers and taking part in a Kava Celebration.

I was having so much fun I almost forget to let you know about a special that I decided to run while I was away!!

The is currently a limited edition, 10th anniversary, only available in the South Pacific, pop-up scraps bin, that is available  to all Australian and New Zealan demos, while stocks last.

I have purchased 5 in total and I'm giving them away to the next 5 people who place a minimum $50 online order with me and uses my hostess code: UHUBKCAN.

Click on the Shop Now button on the righthand side of my page to head on over to my store!!

Well thats it from me today, the kids want to go snorkeling before dinner tonight.
Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Brand New Stater Kit and a Paper P.A.R.T.Y !!!

 BRAND NEW STARTER KIT!!!

Join Stampin' Up! in your way . . . with our completely customisable Starter Kit for just $169!

Build your own personal kit by picking $235 worth of any of our high-quality products. We'll add in a business supplies pack valued at $80 (to help you get your business up and running) and you've got a customisable kit valued at up to $315!

And if that wasn't amazing enough, if you join in May you will also receive a free pack of Designer Series Paper every month until Dec. What are you waiting for!!!

Also going on right now, for the whole month of May, Stampin' up are offering buy 3 get 1 free Designer Series Paper. Now is the perfect time to top up on the ones you love or grab your self some gorgeous new papers !!

OMG so much exciting news.... I wish I could join up all over again!!!

For anymore information contact me HERE!!

Have Fun,
Chlo

Ribbon Share!!

Woo Hoo.... RIBBON SHARE!!!

A few of my customers have been asking me for a while to do one of these… so I thought I would get going and organise it!

This Ribbon Share gives you the opportunity to get a selection of beautiful Stampin’ Up! ribbons without having to pay for a whole roll of each colour! It’s on a first come, first served basis.

This time around we will be sharing in 5 different ribbon sets –

3/8 (1cm) Pleated Ribbon - Pg. 12 Mini Catalogue (4 Spaces)

Receive 1m of each of the 4 colours (Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red and Baja Breeze) available in the pleated ribbon. The cost of this share will be $13.95 plus postage

In-Colour Bakers Twine – Pg. 24 Mini Catalogue (6 Spaces)

Receive 3.5m of each of the 5 colours (Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder and Island Indigo) available in the Bakers Twine. The cost of this share will be $4.15 plus postage

1/4” (6.4mm) Grosgrain Ribbon – Pg. 139 Annual Catalogue (6 Spaces)

Receive 2m of each of the 6 colours (Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry, Rose Red and Bashful Blue) available in the 1/4 Grosgrain ribbon. The cost of this share will be $11.10 plus postage

3/8” (1cm) Taffeta Ribbon – Pg. 139 Annual Catalogue (6 Spaces)

Receive 1.5m of each of the 6 colours (Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Certainly Celery and Perfect Plum) available in the 3/8” Taffeta Ribbon. The cost of this share will be $13.95 plus postage

3/8 (1cm) Ruffled Ribbon – Pg. 138 Annual Catalogue (6 Spaces)

Receive 1.5m of each of the 5 colours (Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder and Island Indigo) available in the Ruffled Ribbon. The cost of this share will be $16.00 plus postage

Contact me to take part in the shares by emailing me at carlandchloe@gmail.com  and let me know which ones you would like. I need to wait for each group to fill before I order the ribbon. I will work out individual postage once I receive your orders. You may order from more than one ribbon group.

Have Fun,

Chlo

Please be aware the colours of the text used is just an example and are not the actual colours.

One Happy Mummy

Today's card is one that I made especially for a workshop that I had a few weeks ago. My lovely hostess, Michelle, really wanted a a shabby chic kind of card. Now anyone who knows me, knows that my style is more clean, simple and balanced... so the complete opposite lol.

Well I tried my best, I did some research and came up with this little number. Thankfully Michelle and her friends were all very lovely and said how much they loved the card... I think I believe them :-)

I actually used four different stamp sets for this one, but they all seemed to go lovely together.

 Isn't the little hummingbird gorgeous. He comes from the set called Elements of style, and he just stamps so beautifully. I have also used the large French Script background stamp. This is my new and favorite stamp set at the moment. I'm really looking forward to using it on my candles this year.

Now I know this one says "Happy Birthday" but I did make another one, in Riding Hood Red and sent it to my Mother In Law for mothers day (Mothers day is the last Sunday in March in the UK). But still to this day she hasn't received it. I have no idea where it's gone and wonder if the postage wasn't enough and maybe it's got held up somewhere... or maybe the postal worker liked it so much, they kept it to send to their own mother!!

So I just wanted to say to Val... Happy Mothers day and so sorry it hasn't arrived yet!!!

Have fun,
Chlo

Ingredients
Stamps: Elements of style, French Script, Vintage Vogue and Happiest Birthday Wishes - Stampin' Up
Cardstock: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla and Not Quite Navy - Stampin' Up
Ink: Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy and Lucy Limeade - Stampin' Up
Other: Latte pearls - Kasiercraft. Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon and island indigo bakers twine - Stampin Up. White button - from hubby's shirt!!

Scrapping in the dark?.... no problem!!!

Well last night I had my first Stampin' Up party in the evening. I was very excited and all organised in time (which makes a change lol). It was raining, but it didn't put me off. Got to my lovely hostess's house, met all her great friends, was all set to go when... the power went out!!!

So what could we do but get out the candles and scrap in the dark lol. This is the card we made.

Well actually, not quite. The one we did was in Wisteria Wonder instead of Riding Hood Red, as I knew the hostess liked that colour. But everything else was the same. I even taught the girls how to do the Two Step Stamping technique, which is how we got the little, lighter coloured flowers.

And when the lights finally came back on AFTER we had all finished the card (the timing couldn't have been any better) everyone's still loved amazing.... if maybe a little wonky lol.

Thanks for visiting,
Chlo

Ingredients

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red - Stampin' Up
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive - Stampin' Up
Stamps: Vintage Vogue and All Holidays - Stampin' Up
Other yummys: Red buttons, vanilla bakers twine and cream pearls

Where have you been all my life...

Ok, so that might sound a little out there, but that's how I feel about SU's Blender pens.

I have always wondered how people colour in their stamped images. I know you can buy the markers or the watercolour crayons but it costs so much to get them in every colour and I know that whatever colour I buy I will always want to use the colours I don't have... it happens with stamp sets all the time.

Anyway, in my SU starter kit I found this thing called a blender pen. I had no idea what it was and had never heard of them so I got on to good ol' Google and found some youtube videos. OMG what a wonderful little thing, also you get 3 in a pack for under $20!!! To say I'm in love or slightly addicted to using it is an understatement.

Anyway last night after seeing the Paper Lovin' Girls newest challenge PLG#20, I decided to make my own patterned paper using the Flower Fest stamp set. This is one of my favourite stamps as the moment and now that I use my blender pen as well... it's like a match made in heaven!!!

Doesn't it look lovely...well I think so anyway lol. I'm going to make a few of these and they will be my Thank You cards for all my customer orders in March. Oh and can you see a Sneak Peek from the new Autumn/Winter Catty??? Yep, it's the Lucky Limeade Bakers Twine and it comes in more beautiful colours too. It will be available from 1st April!!

Thanks for stopping by,
Chlo

Ingredients

Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade and Whisper White - SU
Stamp Set: Flower Fest and Elements of Style - SU
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, Blushing Bride, Peach Parfait and Early Espresso - SU
Other: Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Lucky Limeade Bakers Twine, Designer Label Punch and Blender pen - SU.

Love a simple card

I wanted to take some cards to my Stampin' Up workshops to demonstrate how all the products work so beautifully together.

 

I really love the Button Buddies stamp set. It can be used for some many different occasions and I think it's a great first stamp set. These colours all come from the Bright colour family, but I made the exact same in the subtles and they were just as good. I guess you just have to decide on whether the person receiving the card is a bright or subtle person lol. The sayings all came from the hostess set Happiest Birthday Wishes. Another must have set and can be yours for free... who could ask for anything more!!!

Have a Fun Day,
Chlo

Ingredients

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Real Red and Whisper White - Stampin' Up
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Real Red, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive - Stampin Up
Stamps: Button Buddies and Happiest Birthday Wishes - Stampin UP
Other: Brights DSP and Brights Buttons - Stampin Up, Thread.

Thank you cards

Today I wanted to share with you, my customer thank you cards which double as my business card.

And this is a close up of one of them...

I wanted to make them as simple as possible as I will be putting one in with each, new customer order. I was hoping that people would think they were to nice to throw out and keep it with there craft things lol.

It's also a really good way to use up scraps of cardstock!!

Thanks for visiting,
Chlo

Ingredients

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, So Saffron and Perfect Plum - Stampin' Up
Stamps: Just Believe, Button Buddies, flight of the Butterflies and Three little words - Stampin' Up 
Ink: Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, So Saffron and Perfect Plum - Stampin' Up
Other: tag die - sizzix, Bigshot, Scallop punch, Polka dot embossing folder and black ribbon - Stampin' Up.

Stampin' Up Sale-A-Bration starts today!!

This has to be my favorite time of the Stampin' Up calender... well second to the new catalogue being launched in September... oh and I also can't forget the Mini and Occasional catalogues too.

Anyway, Woo Hoo for the Sale-A-Bration!!!

I'm also extra excited this time around, as I have finally decided to join up as a Demonstrator too. After being a customer with them for the past 5 years, I decided that I would just go for it.

I already have two parties booked and of course, plan to use the up coming market as a place to introduce everyone I can to the wonderful world of Stampin' Up. Here's keeping my fingers crossed for some good leads!!

Sale-A-Bration (runs 24th Jan - 31st March), for anyone that doesn't know, is the time when Stampin' Up offers you the added bonus of free stamps, DSP or embellishments for every $100 you spend. These freebies are chosen from the special Sale-A-Bration Catalogue which can be viewed Here.

It's also a great time to join... I should know after all!!!

So if anyone wants some more information or would like to host a party or place an order, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Have fun and Happy Sale-A-Bration everybody!!!
Chlo

Easy flowers

So today I have something a little different to share. I've made so many cards and gifts getting ready for the market stall, that I can't even remember the last time I made a scrapbook page. And lets face it, it's not like I'm not taking photos of the kids, which means I'm really getting far behind with their albums... Every scrapper knows that feeling!!!

So today I decided to make some little flowers to add to a scrap page I'm doing of my daughter. Now I think these flowers may have been around the block a few times and I expect most of you have seen them, however my BFF and I hadn't... ever... I know shocking isn't it! So I set to working making some that would match with Stampin' Up's Hostess DSP called Cheerful Treats.

Out of the colours from the DSP I thought I would pick Concord Crush, Melon Mambo and Pink Pirouette. I also made them in a few different sizes, 1 - 3/4" and 3" scallop circle. I really love the Concord Crush colour.

I'll pop back tonight and show you how I used them on the page.

Thanks for stopping by,
Chlo

Cardstock: Concord Crush, Melon Mambo and Pink Pirouette - Stampin' Up
Other: Brads, 1-3/4" and 3" scallop punch.

Three cupcake take two

So I loved this design from Teneale Williams blog and my original card was pretty much identical except I used cupcakes instead of Easter eggs.

Anyway, I couldn't help myself and had to make a couple more for the market stall I'm having a in a few weeks.

  

This time I changed up the colours a little by using Stampin' Up incolours and changing the Very Vanilla for Whisper White. I have to say I love these colours as much as the original ones.

Now on my Very Vanilla card I used vanilla ink to stamp the swirls on the vanilla cardstock. But I was a little stumped with how to do that with the white card. So i decided to use white embossing powder instead. I stamped the swirl with Versamark and then I swiped the versamark pad along the end. I poured white embossing powder all over it and used the heat gun... Voila!!!

 

The photo really doesn't do it justice, but you can at least see the embossing. It's very subtle but it gives it a little something extra!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Chlo

Ingredients

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz and Concord Crush - Stampin' Up

Stamps: Party Hearty - Stampin' Up

Ink: Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz and Blushing Bride - Stampin' Up. VersaMark ink,

DSP: Concord Crush - Stampin' Up

Other: Pearls - Kaisercraft, Scallop border punch - Stampin' Up

Yes... another male card!!!

Thanks for all the feedback guys. It's nice to know I'm not the only one out there who finds male cards so hard.

But surprise, surprise I have made another one today!!!

 

This card came together really quickly, I think is was finished within about 20 mins... Gotta love that!! 

I got the idea from a Pinterest board called stamp it with jen. they used pinks and reds on their card, but I thought the layout would be perfect for a male card.

Also wanted to say that I had never been on Pinterest before, but after realising some of my work had been pinned and repinned and repinned again (I felt quite honoured about that) I took a look and OMG there is so much going on over there. My quick look turned into about an hour!! So if you haven't visited before go and take a look, but make sure you have plenty of time because you'll need it!!!

Have Fun,

Chlo

Ingredients

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Pacific Point, Pear Pizzazz and Baja Breeze - Stampin' Up

Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes - Stampin' Up

Ink: Pacific Point - Stampin' Up

Others: Nestabilities Circles, Bigshot, Polka Dot Embossing folder, Rhinestones - Kaisercraft and white grosgrain ribbon.

Why are male cards so hard???

 Is it just me, or does anyone else out in the bloggy world have the same problem. It doesn't matter whether they are young boys, teenagers or for Dads and Grandpa's. I never have the slightest clue. I always end up using my star cutters and some sort of blue, green, red, brown or orange combination.

This card today is no different. My father in law turned 60 at the weekend and I wanted to make an extra special card for him. I have to admit, it came out better then I anticipated, but I'm still not wowed by it... Hopefully he is!!!

So any suggestions for male cards would be much appreciated!!!

Have Fun,
Chlo

Ingredients

Cardstock: Concord Crush, Bashful Blue, Whisper White and Pear Pizzazz - Stampin' Up, Silver Glitter -
Ink: Concord Crush, Bashful Blue and Pear Pizzazz - Stampin' Up
DSP - Concord Crush - Stampin' Up
Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes and Petite Pairs - Stampin' Up
Other: Bigshot, Nestabilites Stars - Spellbinders, Square lattice Embossing folder - Stampin Up

Gift Card Holders

So yesterday I spent a couple of hours making up these lovely little Gift Card holders for the market stall I'm hoping to run next month.

I made mostly "New Baby" holders as the market is a Mums and Bubs market, but I did do a few Birthday ones and I think I'll also make a couple of plain ones so people can use them for any occasion.

They were so quick and easy to make and I used mostly scraps of patterned paper and cardstock. I just hope the people at the market like them as much as I do!!

Have fun,
Chlo

Ingredients

Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Pool Party, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, Peach Parfit and Whisper White - Stampin' Up
DSP: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Big Top Birthday and Spice Cake - Stampin' Up
Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes and Punch Bunch - Stampin' Up
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Pool Party, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, Peach Parfit and Whisper White - Stampin' Up
Other: Bakers twine.

Black goes with everything!!!

So I oringally made this card to enter into the challenge over at the ColourQ which was to use Black, White and any other colour of your choice. But what with all the crazy Christmas stuff going on, I didn't get it finished in time. Anyway, I thought I would share it with you guys as I was quietly pleased at how well they came out

Have to say, I can't decide which one I like best. Pool Party or Calypso Coral?!?!?!

Have Fun,
Chlo

Ingredients

Cardstock: Basic Black and Whisper White - Stampin' Up
DSP: Calypso Coral and Pool Party - Stampin Up
Stamp: Birthday Bakery and Party Hearty - Stampin' Up
Ink: Pool Party, Calypso Coral - Stampin Up. Black - Staz On
Other: Scallop punch, Designer Label Punch and Black Grosgrain - Stampin Up. Black Rhinestones - Kaisercraft.

Chocolate Bar Gift Holder

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I didn't really do anything too exciting for New Year this time around, but I have managed to do lots of crafting during these holidays. My BFF, Tracey and I have decided to run a craft stall next month!!! It's a little bit scary, but we are both excited to take on the challenge.

So, today I have another gift card holder to share with you. This one is to put a bar of Chocolate in... yummy!!!

 

Don't the colours just look great together!!! It was so quick and easy to make and I think I will make a few different colours and change the belly band stamp to accommodate birthdays, thank yous, baby shower.... oh and how prefect for Valentine's Day!!!

Thanks for Visiting,

Chlo

Ingredients

Cardstock: Pool Party, Whisper White and Island Indigo - Stampin' Up

DSP: Pool Party and Island Indigo - Stampin' Up

Ink: Island Indigo - Stampin' Up

Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes - Stampin' Up

Other: Bigshot, Nestabilities circles, Scallop and Circle Punch - EK Success, Polkadot Embossing folder - Cuttlebug.

Gift Voucher Holder

I hate to give gift cards or vouchers. I always think that the person receiving it feels that I couldn't be bothered to think of something special so I just got a voucher. I don't feel like that when I receive one, but I always feel like that when I give one... strange I know.

And then they always come in the most boring envelope in the world... ever!!! I've tried stamping on the envelope or wrapping it up, but it just doesn't feel like any effort has been put in. So when I decided to buy a voucher for two very close, couple friends, I wanted to make something nice and inviting to put it in.

I searched the Internet for a template or design idea but only came up with Gift Cards and not vouchers, so I decided to just give it a try and see what I... me... could come up with.

I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with myself. I showed my hubby and he just said "yeah, that's nice". I really wanted to show my fellow scrapper and BFF but the present is actually for her and her hubby. I know she'll be really impressed and super excited about it when she actually gets it!!!

The little snowman has been embossed with the polka dot folder, but only half way to make it look like it's snowing. He also has some glitter on his hat but the photo has come out a little bright.

And just after I made these, I noticed that the Just Add Ink challenge this week is Just Add Fancy Packaging. Don't you love it when a plan comes together lol!! Oh and the challenge is running for TWO weeks, so it gives you all plenty of time, in between all the holiday celebrations, to come up with something.

So to all my fellow blogger out there, I hope you all have a super marvellous Christmas and an amazing New Year!!

Hugs and Merry Christmas,
Chlo

Ingredients

Cardstock: Whisper White, Old Olive and Real Red - Stampin' Up
Ink: Old Olive and Real Red - Stampin' Up
Stamps: Button Buddies - Stampin' Up
Others: DSP in Real Red and Old Olive - Stampin' Up. 1.5" circle - Spellbinders Nestabilities, 2" circle punch and 3" scallop punch - EK Success. Rhinestones - Kasiercraft.

Pals Paper Arts Challenge

Today I decided to make another challenge card, but this time for the Pal's Paper Arts blog. The girls and boys on the design team over there are amazing. I also follow a couple of them on their blogs too. Mary Fish, has to be one of my all time favourite designer. Go and have a look at her blog Stampin Pretty, not only is she very talented but also she's a regular blogger, Hooray!!!

Ok, so the challenge today for Pals Paper Arts is to use a sketch, designed by Margaret Moody:

Isn't it a great sketch. Very easy and you can't help but feel your creative juices working. So this is the card I came up with...

 

I made this card for my friend, who is expecting her second baby in a weeks time. We held a little baby shower for her and I wanted to make a baby shower card, without being too boyish or girly. She and I are both convinced it's a boy... but you can't ever be too sure!!!

Because that card came together so quickly and the sketch was so user friendly, I decide to make another quick card, but this time only using one colour... there's nothing like a double challenge to get the blood pumping.

I think I could get very addicted to this design. Oh and doesn't the Calypso Coral really pop!!!

Hugs and Merry Christmas
Chlo

Ingredients - Baby Card

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Whisper White and So Saffron - Stampin' Up
Ink: Certainly Celery and So Saffron - Stampin' Up
Stamps: Button Buddies and Petite Pairs - Stampin' Up
Other: Certainly Celery and So Saffron DSP - Stampin' Up, Ribbon and Rhinestones - Kaisercraft, Designer label punch - Stampin' Up, 3" scallop circle punch and 2" circle punch - EK Success, Spellbinders Nestibilites.

Ingredients - Birthday Card

Cardstock: Calypso Coral and Whisper White - Stampin' Up
Ink: Calypso Coral - Stampin' Up
Stamps: Party Hearty - Stampin' Up
Other: Everything else the same.

That 1% of cards...

Pretty much 90% of the cards or scrap pages I make I love. Another 8% I like but feel somethings missing or somethings not quite right and then I have 1% which I really don't like, but they are done and I try to think of what to do better next time.

But then I find that sometimes you make that other 1%. A card that you simple adore. The colours are perfect, the design and layout are amazing and the card is a masterpiece. In fact it's so good you don't really want to give it to anyone. Ever felt like that... or is it just me!!!

Well, I made THAT card the other night. I have to admit the design is Cased from Teneale Williams Blog so I was already on to a winner. That girl is a Legend with a capital "L". Her cards are beautiful and I quite often find myself admiring them on Google images. So you see I couldn't really go wrong.

Teneale's card is an Easter themed one, but I have a friends birthday coming up so I decided to use little cupcakes instead.

I think what makes this card so lovely is the double layer. Everything is double layered and it makes such a difference. All very elegant. Now if only I could talk myself into sending it to the friend I made it for...

Hugs and Merry Christmas,
Chlo


Ingredients

Cardstock: Baja Breeze and Pear Pizzazz - Stampin' Up. Vanilla - Bazzill
Ink: Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz and Wisteria Wonder - Stampin' Up. Vanilla - VersaMark
Stamps: Flourish - Kaszazz, Party Hearty - Stampin' Up
Others: Pearls - Kaisercraft

Just Add Ink Challenge

I enjoyed the Just Add Ink Challenge from last week so much, that I couldn't resist having another go at it this week.

This weeks challenge is to just add SPARKLE... easy peasy. So I decided to make a sparkly, Christmas card using good ol' Dasher. I know I've said it before, but he has to be one of my all time favourite stamps. He's simply gorgeous!!

 

I even made them in the traditional Christmas colours of Red and Green, but just not together lol. This card was so easy to make that I think I will tuck is away and maybe send them out for next year as this year's have all been done... aren't I organised!!! 

Hugs and Merry Christmas,
Chlo

Ingredients

Cardstock: Red and green glitter card - American Crafts, Brown card - Bazzill, Whisper White - Stampin' Up
Stamps: Dasher - Stampin' Up
Ink: Chocolate Chip - Stampin' Up
Other: Rhinestones - Kasiercraft, Ribbon, button and thread.