INKYART

One on 1 Blog Hop - May Update

How quickly are the months hopping along?  Far too quickly.  Thanks to Margie we are hopping again to share our progress with One Little Word.

I had some catching up to do after last month so here's some photos to show you the progress - I am UP TO DATE yay!

Firstly here's the March 'set yourself a task and complete it' challenge ..... I did giggle when I read my blog from last month and I thank everyone who commented ... sometimes 'stuff' just happens doesn't it .... and really these projects don't take me long to do. Its part of the reason I love OLW - you don't have to spend long each month to keep the word in the forefront of your mind.

This page really did just summarise how 'full on' the month of March was and it was no wonder I didn't set a task, let alone complete one.

April's task was much easier, for I knew I really had to work hard to get my OLW FOCUS to be at the forefront of my mind again.

And here's April's update.  I read last year's letter to myself, especially the part about where I want to be one year from now and guess what ... I could have just copied it word for word.  

So I've written something more realistic this year and it feels good to be real for a change!

Thanks for joining me on my OLW journey for this month.  Time to hop along now to Amanda's blog  to see how her month has progressed.

Nikki

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Join Stampin' Up YOUR Way

Click here to find out how you can join for just $169!

Join in May to receive a free pack of Designer Series Paper every month until December!

Art With Heart Team Blog Hop - Scrapbooking

I am blog hopping with the Art with Heart Stampin Up Team, where some of the girls in the team have got together to show off our lovely Designer Series Paper Packs on special during May!  Great if you are a scrap-booker, especially as 1 May is National Scrapbooking Day.  I also have news of a new way to join Stampin' Up and how to get some free papers ..... find out more at the bottom of this post.

Its been too long between scrapbooking pages .... I loved putting this together.  I've used the Well Worn DSP pack - a favourite of mine.

The flowers are made with the Blossoms punch from the new Autumn Winter Mini.  I've 'matted' the flower with a coordinating colour to create an edge to the petals.  I've also used the punch to create a border by cutting up the little petals into individual pieces.

The centres of the flowers are 1" circles of DSP which I have ran through the Lattice Embossing folder and a piece of seam binding tied in a knot.  The little butterflies are have hemp twine detailing too.

This photo was taken during our Easter break at Raymond Island - just as the sun was setting - Olivia is now 16 1/2 and having changed schools and circle of friends, she is now more confident and happy.  A simple task of just letting her hair dry 'au natural' rather than straightening it to within an inch of its life is so significant - this time last year she wouldn't have left the house without everything being 'just so'.

Designer Series Papers Special Offer - buy 3 get one FREE

During the month of May, for every 3 packs of DSP you purchase you choose an extra pack for free - that's a saving of up to $18.95.  Speciality packs are not included.

New Demo News

Now for some breaking news ..... from today, there's a new way to join Stampin' Up!  It's only $169 to become a demonstrator now and the best news is that you can now choose anything you like to go in your kit!

So if you've been an avid customer for a while and have built up your stash of goodies, there is no need to replicate what you have already.  You can choose whatever you want.

As an added incentive to join, any who recruits in May will receive a pack of DSP every month from May until December 2012 for FREE.  This includes packs from any publication - so that's new packs of DSP too - that's $151.60 of free products (you will need to pay shipping).  

The Art With Heart Team is a great group of crafters spread throughout Australia who communicate and share online and in person at stamping days. We would love to have new members join our team.

You can contact me on 0428 254 952 or email me at nikki@inkyart.com.au anytime and I would be happy to answer any questions you have - or send out an information pack.  No pressure, just ask any questions you have and then decide if this is for you.

Okay now its time to hop along to the next blog stop - the lovely Ros Davidson

Hope you enjoy the blog hop and I'll be seeing you very soon.

Nikki

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Blog Hopping with the Autumn Winter Mini

I need to warn you, sunnies are needed to view these cards I've made for this blog hop!

Welcome to the first of a few blog hops I am participating in over the next few days.  This one is to showcase the new Autumn Winter Mini - and I've chosen the Mixed Bunch set with coordinating punch - this is one of those sets that I loved from day one, was in denial that I really did need it, and succumbed within about two weeks of seeing the catalogue.

I have a pocketful of ladies birthdays during the month of May and I wanted to make some really eye catching cards.  Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade and Basic Black has been a colour combo I have been itching to try out for a long time.

The Ruffled Ribbons are so easy to use - they tie beautifully.  I've also used another new product from this new Mini, the Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders - these are so cute and as well as the hearts you will also receive a scallop and shaped edge for cards - so versatile.

All three cards were so quick to make.  The coordinating punch with Mixed Blossoms is perfect - and I used the 3/4" circle punch for the centres.  Of course, all the cards have a little bling .... the Rhinestone Jewels are perfect.

The newest favourite Big Shot toy has to be the new Framelits Labels Collection - these are just brilliant - six different sizes for less than $50 - that's great value.  I've never used this type of die cut before and I love them.

You can take the sunnies off now because it is time to move on to visit Di Dunk - she is sure to inspire with a creation or three!

Thanks for visiting - please leave a comment if you can - we all love comments.

And visit again in a day or two for another blog hop or three :)

Nikki

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Baby Wipe Technique Take 2

Here's the second card we made during the Baby Wipe technique classes last month, Ornate Blossoms is such a lovely stamp, and I haven't used it nearly enough.

We are learning the Crayon Resist Technique this month - there are still a couple of places left for Thursday 3 May at 7.30pm if you want to come along.

Check out all the details HERE.

Nikki

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Making Merry Monday 2011

I think it is time to make a start on some Christmas Cards ... so here goes with Making Merry Monday for 2012.  I'm joining in with Ros Davidson who is far more organised than me ....she started weeks ago.

Apothecary Art might not necessarily be the stamp set you immediately think of when you think of Christmas cards but its amazing how versitile it is isn't it.  I've used the sentiment from Welcome Christmas, using marker pens to stamp just the words of a much larger stamp as I liked the style of the writing and thought it went well with the image of the flowers.

The colours are Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive - such traditional colours.  I am going to 'try' to see if I can make some cards in less traditional colours this year.

Hope you are having a Merry Monday, if you are going to be joining me on this quest to make a start on your Christmas cards early, leave a comment and link to your blog, I'd love to cheer you on.

 

Happy Birthday Mum

I bought this stamp set because I wanted to make a card from my Mum with it ... Apothecary Art is such a beautiful group of stamps.

As a lot of you know my Mum lives at home in the UK - I get told off for saying 'at home' but that will always be 'home' as long as my Mum is there.

Today Mum celebrates her birthday.  I haven't seen my Mum in far too long, we talk on the phone - but not as much as I would like.  But Mum does read this blog and sends me emails (including the gossip about one of my favourite soaps Coronation Street :o) yes I still watch it).  Thank goodness for the internet.

I used a blender pen, ink and white gel pen to colour the little flowers and leaves and then highlighted the centres with little pearls.

I hope you have a great day Mum and enjoy your present - I am so pleased that I as I was sat here writing this post you emailed and said the card and present had arrived - what a great postal service we have.

Happy Birthday from Paul, Olivia, Kieran, Max and Spencer ... and me too.  Love and miss you Mum xx

Nik       

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New Class Update

Last month's technique class was all about Babywipes.  We made two cards using two different techniques and a sample for our technique books.

Sorry this photo is so dark - in Melbourne we have lost daylight savings so I am going to have to get better at planning my photography sessions arent I.

Bookings for the classes has been so good that I've added an extra night every month - it works out to be about the first Thursday every month - so now you have two opportunities to come along and learn something new.

Both classes will be the same technique - this month its Crayon Resist - and I'm keeping the classes small - so lots of attention and lots of time to have a play.

So if you are interested I still have three seats left in the new class - starting on Thursday 3 May at 7.30pm.

Call on 0428 254 952, SMS, email or send smoke signals ... I don't mind .... just book your seat if you want come along.

For more information check out all there is to know HERE

Nikki

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One on 1 Blog Hop - April Update

 

Well I could write I have failed .....

I could have opted out of the blog hop for the first time in 15 months ...

but I just wasn't prepared to do that!

So whilst my March plan hasn't worked out for me at all, I'm still here, haven't failed, just postponed and I WILL have completed everything by the time we hop again in May.

So I'll leave you with a photo that probably explains my month perfectly.  My husband was home for 12 whole days this month - completing a course in Melbourne (so we did a lot of gardening - well chopping down of trees).  The children know I hate it when he goes back to Sydney so Olivia made some cakes whilst I was out on the 2 hour airport run .... isn't she just the best daughter!

Til next month, be good and have fun - I've off to put together an Ikea desk with a sliding drawer and cupboard with shelves - currently flat pack .... wonder if I have been a little too over-ambitious ..... mother - daughter project - see I told you I hadn't failed - well not yet!

Its now time to hop along to visit Cindy.

Nikki

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Autumn Winter Mini Catalogue

 

I am so pleased to be able to finally share this new Autumn Winter Mini with you.  It is full to the brim of lovely goodies.

Highlights for me include three new Designer Series Papers, including Sweet Shop with embossed designs and the very popular Twitterpated range, new yummy stamp sets including Apothecary Art and heaps of new tools.  This Mini sees the arrival of the first set of Framelits - Labels Collection .... six dies of various sizes for $49.95 - great value.

And of course the new Simply Scored ..... finally Stampin' Up! have their own scoring tool - $55.95.  It was worth waiting for!

If that's whet your appetite click on the link below and have a look through this new Mini - if you want a copy call or email me now and I'll pop one in the post for you.

Happy Sunday.

Nikki

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