Christmas Creations of a different kind.......

As promised, although a little bit later than anticipated, here are my culinary creations from this Christmas.

Firstly, we have the ice cream Christmas Tree Cake.  Why?  Because I don't like fruit cake, and nor do my children.  So when my mum discovered the Christmas Tree cake tin when cleaning out cupboards during her Spring Clean, I snaffled it to make this.....

Vanilla on the base, then a layer of chocolate for the tree base and the trunk, and then mint choc chip for the greenery.  Of course we needed some decorations on the tree.......and along came mini M&M's.  The edges of the vanilla layer are mint thins.

Then we have the gingerbread house.  As I think I mentioned in the last post, this year instead of buying pre-made gingerbread pieces, I bought a cookie cutter set that cuts the pieces of the house. So I made the gingerbread and assembled the pieces while the children decorated.  Misses 10 and 8 decorated the house, while Mr 4 decorated the Christmas trees and what where chimney pieces, but became fences because they didn't fit on the roof.  They had a wonderful afternoon.......

So......wishing you a very Happy Christmas......and I'll catch up again soon, once holidays are over.

Happy Stamping........Manda xxxx

For Your Inspiration......

This is a card that I made last night in response to a challenge on For Your Inspiration .  I have been watching these amazing photos for a while, but have only now had a chance to make a card in time to enter.

The inspiration photo is this amazing shot.

I've taken inspiration from the gorgeous turquoise and purple and white colours of the sky.  I've also tried to capture the sweep of the clouds in the background paper that I've made.

Stamp Sets: Just Believe, Curly Cute

Card stock: Elegant Eggplant, Tempting Turquoise, Glossy White.

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Tempting Turquoise

Other: White Embossing Powder, Elegant Eggplant spotted Grosgrain Ribbon, Ice Rhinestone Brads, Top Not Die.

Happy Stamping....Manda xxx

Christmas Bingo........

When the current IBC came out back in September, one of the first sets to catch my eye was the Bingo Background stamp and Jolly Bingo Bits.  Why?  To make my own game of Christmas Bingo! 

This is the box, it has a belly band that you slide off to open the lid.

  Then the inside looks like this.

Here are the game cards.

I've had to change the rules a little from traditional bingo.  The grey tokens get laid face down on the table, and then get turned over one at a time, for the players to cover their squares with a matching coloured circle to their card.  Each bingo card has each image, but in different places, so the first person to have a straight line, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally will win the game.  Of course, they will still have to call out 'Bingo'!

And just for something different, I'm entering my bingo game into the Inkspirations Challenge #100 -  Christmas Creations.

Stamp Sets: Bingo Background, Jolly Bingo Bits, Four the Holidays

Card Stock and Ink: Garden Green, Melon Mambo, Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Grey and Whisper White, Basic Black.

Other: Basic Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.

Happy Stamping.....Manda xxx



Christmas Bon Bons....

I spent the day stamping yesterday with a couple of friends, and they both told me that I never update my blog anymore.....so this post is for them.  2 posts in 2 days.....must be a record, at least since I went back to work.

This is a simple project that I've been wanting to do for a couple of weeks, and have finally completed.  A basket of Christmas Bon Bons.

Why?  To look festive.

With the added bonus of having something yummy inside to share on the Christmas Day lunch table.

(I hate the cheap and nasty versions with lame jokes and plastic toys - urgh!)

Stamps: Jolly Bingo Bits, Petite Pairs

Card Stock and Inks: Marina Mist, Old Olive, Blushing Bride, Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red. Other: Letters to Santa DSP, Candy Wrapper Die

Now I'm off to continue with the Christmas baking.....Gingerbread house pieces are baked, now off to assemble.  I'll post photos of the finished work of art after the 3 children have finished decorating.

Happy Stamping......Manda

60th Thank You's....

This is one of 25 A7 sized Thank You cards that I made for my aunt, who recently celebrated a milestone birthday.  As one of her birthday cards stated, she turned 18, but with 42 years experience.  LOL.

The colour theme of the birthday was black, white and gold. I've gold embossed the main flower, which is a little easier to see below.

(sorry not sure why it's uploaded sideways, but you still get the idea.)

And yes I did hand cut all 25 flowers - not a flower punch in sight.

Stamp Set: Vintage Vogue

Ink: Black Stazon, Versamark

Card stock: Basic Black, Whisper White

Other: Gold Embossing Powder, Basic Pearls.

Happy Stamping......Manda

For the Domestic Goddess.....

One of the ladies at work had a significant birthday during the week, so the other ladies and I combined to purchase her a voucher to a cooking school.  What else would suit but some Domestic Goddess DSP? 

Here is the card.

And here is the gift box. Nothing better than a matching set. LOL

Stamp: Tag Tastic

Card stock: Whisper White, Pool Party, Calypso Coral

Ink: Calypso Coral

Other: Pool Party Ruffled Grosgrain, In-colour spotted brads, Domestic Goddess DSP.

Happy Stamping.....Manda xx

Happy 21st Nick.....

Today is my nephew's 21st birthday, and we spent a lovely evening with family and friends last night celebrating his coming of age. 

This is the card that I made for Nick.

Loving the Mocha Morning Specialty Papers for the extra special male card.

Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

Stamp Set: Extreme Elements, Grunge Rock

Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

Other: Mocha Morning Specialty DSP, Big Shot Medium Sizzlets Dies, Fine Supernova Glitter

Happy Stamping.....Manda xx

Happy Birthday Mrs King.....

It was my teaching partner's birthday this past Friday, so I had to make her day special.  Mrs King's favourite colour is light blue, so I pulled out my (many) packets of Washington Apple (retired) DSP, featuring Bashful Blue, and created her a birthday card with a difference. 

There are 26 pockets inside this card, which I guess could also be a gratitude journal. Thank goodness for my Big Shot! I used the petite pocket die to make the pockets, but I folded the envelope flap back the other way to allow the tabs to slide out easily.

I covered the front and back of each of the pockets with different patterns of the Washington Apple DSP, but I only used the patterns that had Bashful Blue in them, to keep with the birthday girls favourite. And on each pull tab was a photo of each child in the class and their reason why they were pleased Mrs King is their teacher this year. 

And, of course, I had to make a set of cards as part of the gift. The belly band on the box opens on a Velcro dot under the butterfly, and then I've just made a rectangular pizza box.

And here's a close up of the cards.  I've used the Beautiful Butterflies Embosslits and Awash with Flowers stamp set.

And I also made a banner that said "Happy Birthday Mrs King" with I strung across the classroom. I used the Petal Cone die to cut out the pennant shapes, and my Big Shot alphabet to make the letters, which I then blinged up with Crystal Effects and Blue glitter.

Wishing Mrs King a very happy birthday.....

Happy Stamping.....Manda xx

Bar-what???

This is one of the cards that the girls and I made at technique class last time.....and there was much debate as to the pronunciation of the technique name.  Spelt it's 'Bargello', but do you say bargello, barjello, barge-ello, bag-ello......there was much laughter by the end of the card. 

Anyway.....here is the card.

Loving this flower stamp.  It's called 'Triple Treat Flower' and as it fits into 3 different punches, it is a triple treat.  No cutting....gotta love that.  And only $16.95.....even better.

Card stock: Whisper White, Lucky Limeaide

Inks: Melon Mambo, Bashful Blue, Concord Crush

Stamps: Triple Treat Flower, Happiest Birthday Wishes

Other: Cheerful Treat DSP, Lucky Limeaide Ruffled Grosgrain, Little Leaves Die, Punches

Happy Stamping....Manda

Mr 4 is very happy.....

 If you read my last post, you will know the story behind this picture. I have taken the photo before putting the picture into the frame, to avoid the glare on the glass.

Here are some close ups of the dinos.

And yes, I did cut them all out by hand.  I LOVE my SU! paper snips.

All I need to say is, Mr 4 is triple pleased!

Card Stock: Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, watercolour paper

Stamp Set: Dinoroar

Inks: Wild Wasabi, Cherry Cobbler, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Garden Green, Tangerine Tango

Other: Aqua painter.

Happy Stamping....Manda xx

Marina Mist Dino.....

As a mother of a Mr 4, I was very excited when the new IBC came out and there were.......

wait for it......

DINOSAURS STAMPS!!!!!!

(Insert happy, smiling and jumping for joy, 4 year old here)

So one of the first cards that I made with my new goodies was this card.

Yes I know.....it's a little bit sophisticated for a 4 year old, but I was also trying to incorporate a technique for classes in there.....and we have embossed water colouring.   I've tried it stamped with Stazon and it works just as well.

Mr 4 now has a request.....

"Mummy, can you make me a picture with dinosaurs for my bedroom?  Triple please?"

Stay tuned for that one!!

Stamps: Dinoroar

Card stock: Riding Hood Red, Watercolour Paper

Inks: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Marina Mist, Early Espresso

Other: Mini Brads, Letters to Santa DSP, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Petal Cone Die.

Happy Stamping.....Manda  xxx

Variations on a theme of Greehouse Garden Wisteria......

Firstly, I'd like to welcome a new member to my group of stamping mad friends.......a big hello to Paige. 

Paige has joined as a SU! demonstrator, and I wish her every success with this amazing business opportunity.

Below is the card that we featured at Paige's launch party last weekend.   We looked at 2 step stamping, and we used the Greenhouse Garden stamp set. 

All of the ladies who attended LOVED learning to use the stamp-a-ma-jig!!!  We even lined up the vertical stripes with the SAMJ.

When I got home and unpacked, I discovered 2 extra kits, cause I always have an extra 2 of everything - LOL.

So here is variation on a theme #1 ..... Hibiscus.

This time I've used the centre stamp as a pattern on the piece of Wisteria Wonder card stock.  I love the way the Wisteria co-ordinates with the Concord Crush.

And then here is the next one......daises (I think) again, but this time in portrait orientation. I've also used a piece of DSP from the new hostess papers.

Stamps:  Greenhouse Garden, Happiest Birthday Wishes, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card stock:  Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush

Ink: Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizzazz, Lucky Limeade

Other:  Cheerful Treat DSP, Lucky Limeade Ruffled Grosgrain Ribbon

Leave me a comment and let me know which one you like best.

Happy Stamping......Manda xx

Not only for Christmas.....

I have just opened up some new DSP, Letters to Santa.  Gorgeous colours, not traditionally Christmas, but beautiful.  And I found this combination of Old Olive, Blushing Bride with a hint of Early Espresso. 

Seeing as I have a couple of birthdays coming up, I thought I'd whip up a gift card and gift box to package the present in. 

And the perfect stamp set for all birthday occasions is the new hostess set Happiest Birthday Wishes.  A fantastic assortment of birthday sentiments.  This one fits the scallop circle punch perfectly.  I've stamped it 3 times, and then used my scallop circle, 1 3/8" and 1" circle punches to layer the stamped image.

Another fantastic hostess set is Tagtastic.  This cute little birthday tag comes from there.  This time I've used my markers to colour the stamp.  I love it when sets co-ordinate with punches, and this one is fantastic, with a stamp for just about every occasion.

Card Stock: Whisper White, Blushing Bride

Ink: Early Espresso, Blushing Bride, Old Olive

Stamps: Tagtastic, Happiest Birthday Wishes

Other: Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain and thin taffeta ribbon, Letters to Santa DSP

Happy Stamping.......Manda xx

Pink Elements

Here is a card that I've made!

Yes I am making a statement. 

 I actually got to sit down and make a card.

 O.M.G.

For those of you who know me, life is crazy busy at the moment.  So I was thrilled to be able to sit down today and after I rediscovered my craft desk under the piles of 'things' that had been dumped on it,  I opened a new to me set, and this is what I came up with.

I've used glossy white card stock and stamped the floral image from Elements of Style in Black Stazon.  After it's dry, I then sponged Pretty in Pink Ink over the top, in varying strengths.  You can't really see it in the photo, but I promise it's there IRL.

Then I've used the grid technique to chop up the image.  Some snail and patience later, getting the gaps right, and then a fussy cut bird and .....I'd made a card.  Woo Hoo.

Card stock: Pretty in Pink, Basic Grey, Whisper White, Glossy White

Ink: Black Stazon, Pretty in Pink

Stamps: Elements of Style

Accessories: Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon.

Happy Stamping.....Manda

A change of technique....

I thought I'd share with you a card from my latest technique class.  We were learning the 'Faux Mother of Pearl" technique, and this is the card that we started to create.

During the course of teaching this technique, we began a discussion about distressing, and whether or not we could use the SU! distressing kit to achieve the same result.  So I whipped out my brand new, never been opened, despite being in my stash since it was introduced into the catalogue nearly 12 months ago (GASP!!!) Distressing Kit and we began to play.

This is the finished card using the distressing kit.

Surprise, surprise, I think I like the distressed one better. 

Here is a close up of the technique.  We all love Shimmer Paint!!

Stamp Set: Strength and Hope, En Francais

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Tea Stain (from Distressing Kit)

Card Stock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip

Other: Pretty in Pink and Rose Red Stamp'n'Write markers, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Basic Pearls, Scallop border punch

Happy Stamping.....Manda

Something a little different.....

Background Fact #1: Today is Stamping Friend J's birthday.

Background Fact #2: Friend J is a Twilight Saga fan (as am I, sad I know).

Background Fact #3: Yesterday, I visited Stamping Friend C's house, and she let me 'raid' her stamping stash, and experiment with her Copic Markers.

Background Fact #4:  I found 'Edward' in the stash.

Result: One birthday card, especially made for Friend J, and posted snail mail earlier today.  (Friend J - if you are reading this post before getting happy mail, STOP NOW!!!)

Sad story continued.....the vampire's skin shimmers like diamonds in the sunlight, so Edward wouldn't be complete without some Shimmer Paint. I think you can see it in the photo below.

Again, not to spoil Friend J's surprise, but inside the card I wrote, " I can't send you the real one, but I think my stamped Edward is actually cuter than the real one anyway!!"

Now I should add that I'm not sure that this stamped Edward is supposed to be the Twilight Edward, but he looked close enough for me.  Sometimes, things just work out perfectly!!

Happy Birthday, Friend J!!

Happy Stamping.....Manda

Clearly for you....

When this stamp set was released in the current Mini Catalogue, I ordered it straight away, and while it has seen some ink, it's not seen nearly enough yet!!

Anyway this card we did for a techniuqe class, where we learnt what I call dry embossing. Here is a close up of the detail......

and here is the card.

Don't fall off your chair....

Yes it's a new post!!  Are you amazed??  I've discovered that working full time will seriously effect the amount of time you have to craft, and even more so the time allocated to blogging!  LOL.

Anyhoo.....on to the card.

I made this one up for one of Steph's down line challenges.  I really like it, and I have rediscovered the confetti white card stock that is used for the base.  Loving it!!

One of my friends recently told me that my style has changed since she met me, and she's right.  I've found that sometimes less is more, and I really think the simplicity of this card is what makes it. 

Card Stock: Confetti White

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Stamp: Razzle Dazzle, Stem Silhouettes

Other: Blueberry Crisp DSP, White Organza Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds.

Happy Stamping.....Manda

Did you miss me ????

I can't believe that it's nearly a month since my last post. 

Finally......Mum's Mother's Day Card

This card is the card that I made my mum for Mother's Day.....and it's also my final entry into Steph's down line colour challenge. 

It's also made using the Thanks for Caring set from the mini catty......Loving it. 

It's not so clear in this photo, but I've covered the White card stock with Shimmer Mist, that I've mixed with Isocol and put into a spray bottle.  Give it a shake to mix, and spritz away.  The effect is beautiful - muted dazzles look so elegant. 

Card stock:  Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Basic Grey, Regal Rose

Ink: Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Thanks for Caring.

Other: Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon, Frost White Shimmer Mist, SAMJ

Happy Stamping......Manda

Thanks for Caring......with Sympathy......

This is the next card that I made in the colour series, with the new stamp set, Thanks for Caring, from the mini catty.

I like this card, simple and direct, but I am thinking that it needs some of the Satin Rich Razzleberry ribbon.  This is what I had in mind, only to discover that my roll of said ribbon was empty.  Sob.   Next order!!

Here is a close up of the butterfly, which I've cut out, and then sprayed with a mix of Shimmer Mist and Isocol.  The Isocol evaporates quickly, leaving a lovely even sheen of Shimmer Mist.

Happy Stamping.......Manda