Success.....

A short update post.  You might remember the pencil cup gift that I made for my friend's birthday a couple of posts ago?  (Photo is there to remind you)  Well, you will be pleased to know that I have managed to solve the problem of the elusive pen.

 Woo - Hoo.

Happy Stamping.....Manda

Pacific For You.......

I'm really enjoying using this new Al a Carte stamp, the For You Flower.  It is so versatile and yet easy to use. 

This time I've highlighted a different part of the flower centre, using my Stamp'n'Write markers, which you can see more easily in this photo.   I also liked the way that the dots from the embossing folder echoed the pattern in the DSP.

Stamp Set: For You Flower

Card Stock: Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Ink: Pacific Point

Other: Blueberry Crisp DSP, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, White Taffeta Ribbon, Extra Large Flower Punch, Bashful Blue and Pacific Point S'n'W markers.

Happy Stamping.....Manda

One Lovely Blog Award......

Wow......lucky me.  Given by my friend, and down line, Cassie. 

The rules of this award are to pass it on to 7 others who inspire you.  So here is my list....

(and these are in no particular order)

1. Steph Pike (my friend and SU! 'mum')

2. Louise Sutton (my friend and SU! 'niece')

3. Linda Craven (my friend and SU! 'sister')

4. Jan McAnulty (my friend and SU! 'sister' - I think (Jan you might have to clarify this one!))

5. Lyanna George (my friend and SU! 'sister')

6.  Jo (my friend and long distance Skyper!!)

7. Rebecca O'Gorman (my friend and SU! 'niece')

Did you notice that all of these people are "my friend and....."?  That is one of the serendipity's of being a SU! demo.  I have found all these new friends who otherwise I might never have met.  So thank you SU! for bringing all these inspiring people into my life.

(Sorry - it's been an emotional week in our house).

Happy Stamping........Manda

Another CASE...........

Here is another CASE from the new IBC.

I've had to make a couple of changes, but I still really like it.  It's a bit simpler than my usual style.

Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler

Stamp:  For you Flower

Other:  Flower punch, Early Espresso Ribbon, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake Stamp'n'Write Markers, DSP from Hostess Paper Pack, Paper Awl and Mat stack.

Happy Stamping......Manda

A birthday gift......

 This past week, it was my BFF's birthday.  Now that she has opened her pressie, (had to wait for the mail to be delivered), I can post the photos here to show you all. 

My latest discovery is pen holders, so I made her a little desk set, which would be perfect for her desk at work or that little table inside her front door where the keys and mobile phone get put (supposedly!!) when she comes home.

Here is the pen holder, complete with pens, and a little note book.

And a close up of the front of the pen holder.

Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Pacific Point, Very Vanilla

Ink: Pacific Point

Stamp Sets: Punch Potpourri, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Other: Pacific Point Ribbon (retired, but blue is her favourite colour, so I had to feature this), flower punch, bird punch (though mine had been held hostage at a friends house, so I actually hand cut these ones), Blueberry Crisp DSP, Stamp-a-ma-jig.

Happy Stamping......Manda

Just Believe......

When I first saw the new IBC, Just Believe was one of the sets that I had to have straight away (don't worry, this was a very long list - LOL!)

Anyway, once the new In Colours arrived on my doorstep (had to wait as they were on back order) I decided what better way to show case the new products, but to combine the two and create a set of cards, all of which you see above. 

Here is a close up of the main card style.  I've used the stripy DSP from the Hostess Set of papers, as well as the new ribbon in each colour, and the new Scallop Trim punch.  Pear Pizazz is the green colour on all of the cards, with the other four in colours being the feature colour on each card.  You'll see that I've also stamped the leaf image above the DSP.

Here are all the large cards together.  I've used a different sentiment from the set for each card.

The gift cards use the small framed image from the set.  I've used the in colour markers to ink the stamps, so that you get the multicolour image, both on the large cards and the gift cards. I've also stamped the image on the envelopes.

Small gift tags are also very popular at the moment, so here they are.  I've used the round image for these.  They are the perfect size for attaching to a gift.

Stamp Set:  Just Believe

Card stock: Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Concord Crush, Blushing Bride, Whisper White

Ink:  Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Concord Crush, Blushing Bride

Other: Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Concord Crush, Blushing Bride and Pear Pizazz Stamp'n'Write Markers, In Colour DSP Hostess Pack, Scallop Trim Punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Linen Thread, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, In Colour Ribbons

Happy Stamping........Manda

I've CASEd myself......

Here is Perfect Plum version of the card from the last post.  This time though I've made a few changes.

The great thing about this style of card, with minimal stamping involved, is that it is a very quick card to make.  For example, when you realise 10 minutes before you are meant to leave that there is a special occasion being celebrated by two of the people at the event you are attending, you can very quickly whip up an anniversary card!  (waving at you M and G!!!)

Here is the inside, I've just run a piece of white card stock through the same embossing folder, but it looks fantastic.

Card stock:  Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Other: White Organza Ribbon, Word Window and Modern Label punches, Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder, Basic Rhinestones.

Happy Stamping.....Manda

Inspired by the new IBC

I made this card, inspired (okay really CASEd, but exactly where is the line between the two? If someone knows, please let me know) by a card pictured on page 150 of the 2010-2011 Ideas Book and Catalogue.

There are so many wonderful new products in this catty, and on this card the NEW things are the Early Espresso Satin Ribbon, Pearls, Punch Potpourri and Afterthoughts Stamp Sets, and the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder for the Big Shot.

Here is the less 'arty' front view........

and a close up of the punched flowers and pearls.

Card stock: Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, Whisper White

Ink: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze

Stamp Sets: Afterthoughts, Punch Potpourri

Other: Elegant Lines Embossing folder, Early Espresso Satin Ribbon, Boho Blossom, Scallop Circle and 1 3/8" circle punches, basic pearls

For those of you who have requested it, I will also try to link this to Face book.  Wish me luck with the increased technology levels.

Happy Stamping......Manda

Happy Birthday Michelle......

You might remember a couple of posts ago I showed you a teaser of a birthday card and gift that I was to give to a friend of mine for her birthday.

Well, now that I've given the gift to Michelle, I thought I'd share the card with you all too. 

And the front view........

I am really liking this new 'Elegant Lines' embossing folder.  It is so elegant (funny that!) and easy to use.  I've also used the tag die with the big shot, and some new DSP which is called Elegant Soiree, which actually pattern matches the embossing folder, just not on this piece!!

Colours are Soft Suede, Very Vanilla and Baja Breeze.

Happy Stamping......Manda

A CASE of Steph........

You might have seen this card of my friend, and wonderful upline, Steph Pike.

I liked it so much that I had to CASE it. 

I didn't have quite the same selection of embellishments, so I changed the button, and the sentiment, using one from the Just Believe stamp set.  It wasn't until I had made my card that I looked at Steph's again and realised that she had used a background stamp, which I didn't. Still like it though, and hope you do too. 

Stamp Set: Just Believe

Card Stock:  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Other:  Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler Stamp'n'Write Markers, Old Olive Ribbon, Linen Thread, Red Button, New Scallop Edge Border Punch

Happy Stamping.......Manda

Happy Birthday to?

One of my good friends is having a birthday this week. 

Not saying who......

Not saying when.......

But here is a little tease for you......

Happy Stamping.......Manda

More Bag Tags/Bookmarks

Thought I'd show you some more bag tags or indeed they could be bookmarks.  You might remember them from an earlier post where I showed you the children's versions from school?  Well, I had some sets cut to size, so I thought I'd do a collection.

Here are some close ups.  These ones use the Apple Blossom stamp set.  It's a Hostess Level 2 set from the new IBC and I LOVE it.

This one uses the Great Friend stamp set, returning from the previous Spring mini.  So pleased that it has returned.

These 2 tags use the Punch Potpourri Hostess level 1 set.

And these three use Razzle Dazzle.

Simply Said was one of the first stamp sets that I bought at my first workshop.  I don't use it nearly enough. 

Hope you like them.....

Happy Stamping.......Manda

Blueberry Razzle......

 I finally received my first order from the new SU! catalogue.  Sooooo many yummy new products. 

This first sample features the returning (Yay) stamp set Razzle Dazzle.  I've teamed it with the co-ordinating DSP Blueberry Crisp.

You'll notice the new white organza ribbon too.  Loving the new ribbon.  Look at the height this ribbon will hold.

How cool is that!!

Here is a close up of the stamped image.  I've used the Rock and Roll technique to achieve the two tone effect.  Then I've added Dazzling Diamonds.  After all you can't have the Razzle without the Dazzle !!! LOL!!!

Stamps: Razzle Dazzle

Card Stock: Whisper White,  Pacific Point, Bashful Blue

Ink: Bashful Blue, Pacific Point

Embellishments:  White Organza ribbon, Blue Ice rhinestone, Scallop and large oval punches, word window punch, dimensionals.

Happy Stamping......Manda

I've Gone Dotti.....

If you live in Brisbane, you'll know about the wonderful and unique shopping that is available on La Trobe Terrace in Paddington.  Well, at number 200 is a fantastic shop called Gone Dotti, owned and run by the very talented Megan.

It is with much excitement that I can now announce that I've Gone Dotti........in that I am selling some of my hand stamped items in this amazing shop.

Here is the gorgeous way that Megan has displayed my cards - very cleverly in a picnic basket.

And I'm even featured in the front window display, with a selection of bird cards (showcasing the Good Friends stamp set).

Gone Dotti sells only handmade gifts, and the shop supports over 50 local artists.  If you are in the Paddington area, please pop in, say hello to Megan and tell her that I sent you.  Make sure you take your wallet though, as there are soooooo many fantastic gifts there.  I can see my Christmas shopping being very easy this year. 

Happy Stamping.....Manda

Contempo Christmas Ornaments

Well here is my first sample using a new stamp set.  This one is called Contempo Christmas, and it was one of those ones that just yelled 'buy me now' LOL.

You might have noticed that this card is very similar to the medallion card from an earlier post?  I often have extra card packs made up from a class (I hate to run short - very embarrassing!).  So I thought I'd actually  use one up, rather than putting it in the pile of card packs to be used at a later date. (I think I still have some packs in there with Groovy Guava card stock and that was a looonnngggg time ago).

Here is a close up of the sentiment.......

and here is an arty shot, showing you that I've popped up the black ornaments with dimensionals.

Stamps: Contempo Christmas

Card stock:  Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Stazon Black

Other: Black Grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals, Ornament punch (which is in the new IBC, but I had to hand cut these ornaments, as the punch can only be ordered as of today!)

Happy Stamping......Manda

It's Here......

It's the brand spanking new 2010-2011 Ideas' Book and Catalogue from Stampin' Up.

Lots (and I do mean LOTS) of new colours, stamps, papers, ribbon, brads, flowers, accents, rub ons, and more.

Stay tuned this month for lots (at least so I have planned) of posts featuring new items.

Happy Stamping.......Manda