Extravaganza - it's all happening today!

I thought I'd get a quick post in before things get too hectic today... this afternoon is our team's first Extravaganza of the year and I haven't even started packing yet!

Extravaganza is a great chance for customers to spend a whole afternoon crafting & make & take 5 projects each, as well as case heaps of ideas from the displays AND win a door prize if they are lucky! This is the door prize I have come up with - an altered tin filled with.....well that's a suprise for the winner!I love this Bali Breeze paper, available in the Summer Mini Catalogue - contact me to order your paper today!

Recipe:

Stamps - Live Your Dream

DSP - Bali Breeze

Cardstock - Whisper White

Markers - Old Olive, Taken With Teal, Bashful Blue, So Saffron

Ribbon - Old Olive 5/8", White Taffeta, Tempting Turquoise 1/4"

The start of a long project!

This is the first page of a very long project. I'm attempting to do an A-Z album of the places I've been. I'm cheating a little as I plan to include cities as well as countries but even so I'm a few letters short - I'll have to start planning my holidays around this album!

I found this page really difficult as there were so many photos that I wanted to include.

Working with Only Orange is also a real challange for me.

Recipe;

Cardstock - Only Orange, Taken With Teal, Whisper White, Basic Black, Always Artichoke.

Ink - Always Artichoke, Taken With Teal

Stamps - Short Order Alphabet, Petals Wheel

Other - Brads, Boho Blossoms Punch, Photo Corner Punch, Chipboard - On Board Lower

The boho blossoms punch has retired now but it's easy to create a very similar effect with the Spring Flower Bouquet punch from the Idea Book & Catalogue (pg 143).

Mojo Monday Week 71

For this weeks Mojo Monday entry I've used the 'From The Garden' stamp set. This is one of the FREE stamp sets you can choose from if you spend $350 in one go! I've been planning to use it for ages as I wanted to try out some water colouring. It also gave me a great reason to use my scallop punches from the summer mini catalogue, which I love.

If you'd like more information about how you can get this, or other stamp sets for FREE please contact me for details.

Recipe: Cardstock - Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Glorious Green, Gable Green Stamp Sets - From The Garden, Priceless, Lots of Thoughts (retired) Ink - Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, StazOn black. Other - Watercolour Pencils, Blender Pens, White 1/4" Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Square Punch.

I made a couple of gift bags last week for two customers who had been waiting for their Dazzling Diamonds to arrive as they were so patient and cheerful about the dalay. These little SU cellophane bags were perfect for the job and I got to use my favourite colours - I'm making the most of them before they retire in a few months time! Recipe: Stamp sets - In The Spotlight, Tags For All Cardstock - Whisper White, Soft Sky, Ink - Rose Red, Regal Rose, Blue Bayou Ribbon - Regal Rose 5/8"

Mojo Monday Week 70

This card is based on a Mojo Monday challange.

It gave me a good reason to use one of my Carosel Notes (Summer Mini Pg 5).

I also love the Afternoon Tea DSP. Both are in the current Summer Mini Calalogue.

Doing these challanges at the last minute is becomming a bit of a habit - I've decided to make a big effort to do week 71 tomorrow...

Kristine Werner Challange #39

This is my first Kristina Werner Challange - finally colours I happen to have! Not my best work as I was in a REAL hurry to meet the deadline but lots of fun to do.

Ginger & Honey Nut Loaf Recipe

This is for the ladies who attended my classes on Saturday - glad you enjoyed it and sorry its' taken me a few days to post. The Recipe is from 'Taste - Baking with Flavour' by Dean Brettschneider & Lauraine Jacobs. 3cm fresh root ginger 115g honey 115g golden syrup 50g butter 2 small eggs 3tbsp milk 3/4 tsp baking soda 140g flour 3/4 tsp cinnamon 3/4tsp allspice 100g hazlenuts, chopped & toasted. 2 tbsp honey for glazing. Grate ginger into muslin, wring out the juice into a bowl & set aside. Discard the pulp. Beat honey, golden syrup & butter together on a moderate speed until light in colour. Add eggs & ginger juice, mix on a low speed until combined. Warm milk slightly and stir in the baking soda. Add to the batter & mix on low speed until combined. Sift together the dry ingredients and add the hazlenuts, then fold dry ingredients into the batter. Mix well to ensure there are no lumps. The batter should be runny. Line & lightly grease a loaf tin. Pour in the batter and bake at 170'C in the middle of the oven for 40-50 mins. It is ready if a skewer comes out clean. Remove from the oven and, while the loaf is still warm, glaze it with the second measure of honey. Once cool, remove from the tin, slice and cerve with butter or a drizzle of honey. Enjoy!

Saturday Scraping Class

This is the scrapbook page we made at my class today. I had a great time so I hope the ladies also enjoyed themselves. It was really neat to see how everyone's page turned out a little differently. I love the colours on this page and the All In The Stars set is great for both boys and girls. The layout & colour choice was inspired by one I saw demonstrated by Patrice at a Hamilton Extravaganza. Now I have a month to plan for my next Saturday Scraping class on the 14th Feb...

My first NZSU Challenge

This is my first entry to an NZSU Blog Challenge - to create a card, layout or anything (!!) using one of the FREE Sale-A-Bration sets. It's also the gift box I'll be teaching at my class tomorrow.

If you'd like to know how you can qualify for FREE Sale-A-Bration stamp sets, or would like any information about my classes please contact me.

Wow, An Award On My First Day!

I'm so lucky - within 24 hours my friend and team-mate Karen (AKA The INKredible Journey) spotted my blog and nominated me for the Marie Antoinette blog award - Thanks Karen, I've already gained so much inspiration from your blog - I'll continue to keep followin

Now, I'm new at this but as I understand it the rules are: Link to those who award it; Post the award; list 7 other nominees deserving of the award. So here are my 7 deserving bloggers'''

1) Rachael Knight, AKA Knightstamper, for putting in a big blogging effort over the last few months and creating some beautiful Kristina Werner design challenges.

2) Kelly Slattery - a very talented, creative lady who has just signed up as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator but already has a wonderful blog.

3) Sharon, AKA Lemon Delicious , as she's into the new SU scallop edge and scallop square punches in a big way - a girl after my own heart! Check out the lovely creations on her blog using these punches.

4) Trudi, AKA Made By Me, who's blog has some gorgeous projects (and yummy recipes), but not only does she post on her own blog, she also finds time to run the NZSU blog - a great site and valuable resource.

5) Patrice Halliday-Larsen, AKA Create with Stamps, who's work has also often inspired my own in the past.

6) Anna Southerland - AKA Fresh Funky and Fun, has many gorgeous posts on her blog, but in particular some beautiful watercolour cards.

7) Toni, AKA Create With Toni, has some very cute bags and jars that she has decorated. Altered tins are my latest 'thing' so I;m keeping my eyes open for inspiration.

Well, that took me a while - there are so many talented crafters out there it's hard to choose just a few! Thanks again Karen for my award.

Welcome to my first post!

Well, what can I say - I've been meaning to do this for quite some time so I'm feeling very satisfied right now! I still have a long way to go - lots of things I want to add but don't quite know how to go about it - so 'watch this space' for changes. I welcome any advice and will certainly be seaking help from some of the very knowledgable ladies in my team - Thank You in anticipation!

I guess I better get on with the main goal - to post photos that will hopefully inspire...

This one is a shot of all my 'Extravaganza' kits. We're holding the event in Auckland on the 31st January - contact me for more details of how to register. Basically, guests make 5 different projects in one afternoon. Its' great fun - you go home with your arms full of Make & Takes and your head full of inspiration. I can't tell you too much about this project as I don't want to spoil the surprise....