Holiday Cheer Gift Tags

I strongly believe that a gift given with love is always well received, no matter what the size or price tag. And if it comes with pretty packaging then even more smiles :) I love nicely presented gifts. They say a lot about the thought that's gone into it and let's face it, even the plainest of presents can be dolled up with a little bit of creative presentation. It doesn't always have to be the conventional wrapping paper or a gift bag, that's the best part. Little altered tins, interesting jars, boxes, anything can be innovatively used. And the great thing is you can upcycle/recycle several things as unique packaging. I know I collect those yogurt tubs/biscuit tins (and the like) for a reason (much to husby darling's growing fury though!).

But if you don't have the time (or the patience) to channel your creative side, especially after you've spent hours finding 'just the right gift' for like twenty something important people on your list, then some ribbon and gift tags should do the job nicely.

Here are a few CAS gift tags. I'd been wanting to ink up that fun stamp, I think I bought it at Lincraft, love it!

 

 

They are listed on my Madeit Store. I made them in four colours - kraft, blue, pink and green.

Oh and speaking of prettily wrapped presents and the joy that comes with it, have you ever seen a little girl's eyes light up with the most beautiful smile in the world when she's handed over a present wrapped in pink with shiny twirling ribbon? Sigh.

Happy crafting!

Lulled into a Craftless Sleep!

Busy days, a week long trip to Adelaide, being sick (bummer) and a slow and bumpy episode of house cleaning have all left little or no time to craft. Although some faint voice inside my head is prodding me to make something for the holidays, ignoring it seems convenient and easy enough! OMG! I can't believe I just said that! But sadly, it's true. Where's my mojo? I'd better find it soon...

For now, here's a card that I'd made for a dear friend's baby shower a couple of months ago... (remember the diaper cake I'd made for the same occasion?)

Image: In Style Stamps (I customised it a wee bit for my friend)

Well, I do hope I get over this sluggish phase soon. But otherwise, hope everyone's right in the holiday spirit and hope you're having lots of fun!

Happy Holidays!

A Dog's Christmas Promise

I haven't been posting regularly and it's not a good feeling :`( I seem to have lost my mojo, boohoo! Well, anyways, it's almost Friday and I don't want to bog you down with my woes. So here's a holiday card that probably would spread some smiles around :)

The adorable little poodle is Pasha from Inktegrity. Right now, they're hosting a challenge where 'Anything Goes'. This is my card as a DT. So visit their blog and send in your entries to win some goodies from their store.

Hope you are enjoying the holiday spirit! And Happy Thanksgiving to all my American blog buddies :) And oh yeah, have fun shopping on Friday! Husby & I were there last Black Friday and shopped till we dropped!! This year I might do some online shopping just to relive the fun :-D

Happy crafting!

'Tis the Season!

It's official...the holiday season is upon us! As Sydney swelters in the heat of the familiar Christmas summer, baubles, holly and tinsel dot the ceilings of shopping malls and huge decorated Christmas trees stand tall and grand. Stores have already displayed their wares, Christmas style, luring impulsive buyers. Christmas carols play softly in the background and the festive spirit is infectious. Considering the number of times I've mentioned Christmas, 'tis the season indeed! It's no surprise then that I made my first holiday card today after a trip to the mall :-)

 Image - Inktegrity

I made this card as my DT creation for Inktegrity's sketch challenge. Drop in there and have a go if you wish. They have a challenge there every Wednesday.

I think more holiday cards are not far behind :-) Will be back soon with more.

Happy crafting!

Yes, I'm Alive!

Phew! What a month it's been! I had to prepare for a craft stall here in Sydney's west. It was part of a vibrant and colourful festival called Parramasala organised over the Deepavali weekend. I had so much fun making everything and the two days that I had the stall were so exciting! Here are some pics -

The whole event had an Indian flavour, hence the colourful India inspired creations. I'd made photo frames, cushion covers, little cloth birdies, cards 'n' other paper goodies, jewellery and more. Overall, it was a fun experience :-)

I've kind of stashed away all my craft stuff for now...yikes!! But I'm sure it won't be that way for long :-) I have Christmas cards on my mind right now...will get working on them soon. Of course, I will be back with another post soon :-)

Happy crafting!

Black Leaf Designs - Halloween Blog Hop

Hey there! Welcome to BLD's first ever blog hop! If you came here from Chris's blog then you're doing great :-) If not, then please start here. You'd probably know by now that you could win all the fun halloween images you see featured in all the DTs projects. Isn't that great? Loads of inspiration + a chance to win some cool images.

Here's what I made - a 4X6 note card. I don't know why, but this scary house instantly reminded me of the giant's castle from Jack and the Beanstalk. Hmmm, that giant would make a nice halloween costume :-) "Fee Fi Fo Fum...I smell the blood of an Englishman, muhahahaha!"

The image in my project is from the Trick or Treat Stamps Set and the pattern paper is from the Trick or Treat Patterns set.

Hope this project inspires you to create something spooky this Halloween.

Your next stop is over at Fink's place. Remember to leave a comment and some love at each blog for your chance to win some spooky Halloween images.

Happy crafting!

It's a cake alright!

My second attempt at a diaper cake!
I made this for a special friend's baby shower. It makes a great centrepiece and not to mention, a practical gift for the new mom to be :-)

Happy crafting!

Quick Share!

Hello there! Just a quick post to share these cards I made...

Lots of shopping to do, yippeee! So gotta rush! Oh and yeah these cards need to be mailed too :)

Happy crafting!

I'm very much here!

Hello! I know it's been strangely quiet here...I've been busy with other things and haven't had much time to sit down and craft. There's a part of me that is sort of uneasy about the fact that my craft table is a mess, I haven't stamped in ages and haven't been listening to my creative side. But I'm sure I'll work on it and manage to get back to crafting more often. Like I did yesterday when I made this card.

Image: Inktegrity

 

I have a couple of other projects in  mind and am determined to get them done soon. Will be back to share them :)

 

Happy crafting! 

Designing for Inktegrity

Woohoo! I'm on the DT for Inktegrity! Here's a card I made with one of their adorable images...

Speaking of DTs, here's another card I made with Black Leaf Designs' Cupcake images...

Happy crafting!

Paper Wallets

I made these, well I like to call them, paper wallets :) They're based on a couple of inspiring tutorials I found on the net. I just adapted them to suit the supplies I had. They're so so flexible as a design idea. I mean, so much room to tweak around with the colours, the embellishments, the theme...fun, fun, fun :)

Thanks M, for your encouraging nudges, I came up with these :)

I'm thinking these would be perfect for gift cards, a little money gift or maybe for some girly stuff or just some candy :)

Happy crafting!

whoo-ooo-ooo is i? Contest @ Some Odd Girl

Hey there! Just popping by quickly to share this contest at Some Odd Girl. How fun! Time to put your thinking caps on and suggest a name for this cute lil fella. If your name fits the bill, then you could win some fabulous stuff. So head over to Some Odd Girl and play along!

Sunkissed!

What a lovely day!  I love the sight as I look out of my kitchen window...the sun is out, the grass looks green and is glistening with the morning dew. Some inspiration to do the dishes :)

Ginger, (from In Style Stamps), seems to be enjoying out in the garden too!

The cling rubber stamp is so good, excellent image quality! (although I did a very mediocre job of colouring it. Damn! I really have to work on my colouring skills!) I'm waiting to ink up the other ones from ISS as well...

Hope you have a wonderful day ahead!

Happy crafting!

Spring is here!

It's officially spring time in Aussie! There are pretty little daisies in bloom, the birds chirp incessantly and the sun is smiling again :) I made this simple card with my favourite birdie stamp. I just knew I would use the lil bird when I thought spring :)

I love how the sun and the venetian blinds play hide 'n' seek in this picture...

On another note, Alison is having a fundraiser over at her blog Free Digital Stamps. You can help by purchasing a digi stamp set for $10. They're lovely images and there are a couple of other generous gestures as well. Read her post for more info and please help if you can.

Happy crafting!

Par-tea Time!

I love the quintessential English teapots! They're so pretty, with dainty little patterns on them, looking all lady like and proper :-) I can almost imagine a scene - a beautiful backyard with pink 'n' white roses, white patio furniture, a tray of cakes and sandwiches, pretty cups 'n' saucers and a pot of fresh tea...sigh!
Well, maybe it's time to have a tea party! How about this fitting invite and matching place card?

teapot digi stamps: Black Leaf Designs

Head over to Black Leaf Studios for your chance to win a free image!

Happy crafting!

New at my Handmade Store

Hey! Thought I'd do a quick post to share these latest additions to my Madeit store.

For details visit my store.

Happy crafting!

Look who's here...and quite early!

I felt like making a Christmas card, just like that! So I went and made one :) And then I saw that I wasn't the only one. A Spoon Full of Sugar and Stampavie are both a having a Christmas in August Challenge and I'm sending my Santa cheer their way!

Hope you've been good this year, 'cos Santa seems to be in a rush to be here early :-)

Happy crafting!

Whimsical Owls

I'm back! I know it's been quiet here for a while...let's just say my mood hasn't been very upbeat these past couple of days. At times I would wish for everything around me to evaporate, leaving me in a vaccuum and staring at nothing. Intense, huh? Well, I think I quite need these days in my meandering life. They give me a perspective, help me clear my vision ahead and learn valuable things about myself.
Alright then, enough of my philosophy and over to this project I wanted to share with you. It's interesting that I chose a card I made with Owls in it. Owls - wisdom - wise old owl...I digress.

Here's the card -

These adorable owls are from Black Leaf Designs. Aren't they the cutest? Check them out and other fab images and projects from DT members at Black Leaf Studios.

The card itself was very simple to make - 6x6 card base in kraft, some background stamping, lots of inking on the edges, the owl digis printed out on white CS and coloured and cut out, the sentiment also printed out on white CS and cut out, the tree hand cut and fed into the crimper and the flowers punched out of patterned paper - easy peasy! (on the inside it says 'Happy Birthday'. But it could be anything really)

And so now, after my much needed being-in-the-void phase, I foresee creating and posting more often. It worked, see?

Happy crafting!

PS: Thanks to a special silent regular reader of my blogs! You made me feel great :) Will get back to posting regularly :)

Pretty in Pink

I printed out a bunch of digi images from my stash the other day. It makes me uneasy to know that I have loads of them just sitting there, waiting to be used in a project. I think I should use them more often.

Here's a card I made with a cute image. Some quick colouring, some dry embossing and a simple punched out embellishment - easy and adorable! And one can't go wrong with gingham for baby cards :)
(Sadly, I don't have details of where I got this image from.)

 The pink gingham paper appears a little brighter than the actual shade. All a matter of  playing with light I guess...

Happy crafting!

Cool Shirt Card

I made this card for someone special. It will be on it's way to the reciver soon, so I thought I'd take a couple of pictures and share it with you.

 
Isn't the shirt adorable? I found the tutorial for it on Bird's Cards under 'Video Tutorials'. I think it's a faboulous idea for cards for men. And it's fun to play with, you can go dress up with it, dress down, funky patterns...lots of options.

Mine isn't really perfect...but I guess it's pretty decent for the first try :) Hop on over to the tutorial and have a go. It's fun!

 I just got my heat embossing tool and I'm still a little shaky :) Will get there soon!

Over to something else now, The Stamping Bazaar is having a DT call. If you're interested, give it a shot. Even otherwise, stop by at their website. They have some really cute stuff.

That's it from me for now.

Happy crafting!

Born to Shop!

Who'd say 'no' to retail therapy? This card reflects my mood so well! Maybe that's why I enjoyed making it :)

The image I've used is a digi from Amber Ink. Isn't it absolutely adorable? Love it! It's a treat to colour in :)

Happy crafting!

Christmas in July!

Welcome to The INKlings’ Team’s Christmas in July blog hop. You may have arrived here from Fiona Poirier's blog or just be visiting my blog, whichever way once you’ve checked out my creations you can continue the hop through the link at the end of this post to the next team member.  

This year is flying by! It's July already and it's probably a good time to start thinking about your Christmas cards and projects. The INKlings team has and we thought that this month was the perfect time to host a Christmas in July blog hop. You'll find lots of great ideas provided by some of the team members’ fantastic blogs. 

 Want to win some Blog Candy? Simply leave a comment on each blog and then email Christie Wallace [Christies_stamps@yahoo.com.au]  and let her know you’ve done so and you’ll be in the running for a fantastic prize of handmade cards plus other goodies. 

Sorry Blog Candy prize not available to SU! demonstrators but you're more than welcome to leave us a comment!

I chose pixie pink and green galore for my theme and created a card, an ornament and a lolly bag.  EDITED TO ADD: The inspiration for the colour combo came from an old issue of Better Homes and Gardens :)

 

 

 

 Supplies used: Stampin Up!
card stock: Pixie Pink and Green Galore
stamp sets: Basic Phrases, Fun & Fast Notes, Short and Sweet
ink: Pixie Pink, Green Galore
punches: Scallop Circle, Star, Circle, 1/16 handheld
other: white gel pen, crimper

Well that’s all from me.  Next stop on the INKlings’ Team Blog Hop is Rachel Jackson.
Have fun and don't forget to leave a comment on each blog to win some great Blog Candy.
Happy crafting!

This is where I fell asleep!

Cute, colourful bookmarks...

Happy crafting!