Stampin' Up! Googly Ghouls Halloween Treat Bags

To start off I have to say I do like Halloween but probably because I am now a "middle aged" Aussie that this occasion was never celebrated in Australia when I was growing up. To me it is a muched loved American tradition and I do very much like it but it definitely is not an Aussie tradition. However our younger generations now do probably due to all the retail marketing more so than any knowledge if its origins and they all like the most important bits which is 'dressing up" to get "treats and lollies" lol. I am not a total party pooper so this is my effort to join in a little and made these treat bags for the day, mainly for my daughter, some of her friends and for some of my customers attending my classes this week. I bought the Stampin' Up Ghoulish Googlies designer kit which made these projects so much easier and I did also buy the Googly Ghouls stamp set which I know I can use for other projects like little boys "Frankenstein" style birthday cards and the "Witchy" one for girls so I will be able to use this set throughout the year and not just for October 31. Wishing all those that celebrate the day a "happy, ghouly type of day with lots of sweets to enjoy and of course a few frights would have to be included" (wouldn't they?), have a good one anyway...........cheers Sue

Stampin' Up! Stippled Blossoms - one of those rare gem stamp sets you can use for nearly any occasion!

Well I think this stamp set can cover any mood, occasion or event simply with just a change of ink colour! I love two-step stamping and this is now my favourite and it has such a "wow" factor when you actually stamp the second image over the first! It's great as a one sheet single layer wonder, it looks great with some embossing and can be layered as well. I think I could also come up with a male card design with it using the leaves but I've run out of time this weekend - I've been crafting most of yesterday and this morning so I best be getting on with other priorities in life.....the fairies haven't shown up to do any of my other work and chores.....guess I'll have to do it myself again! Lol. I fully recommend purchasing this set to add to any collection, its versatility makes it so worth it!
On a more somber note "God bless my Mum" she would have turned 92yrs old today, this is the second birthday she hasn't been here for - perhaps that's why I'm so drawn to the "flowers"! :) She would have adored these cards!

Some of the Stampin' Up! Birthday Cards I received from my Birthday Pen Pal Swappers!

Well I've been far too busy to create for my blog the last two weeks - been to Melbourne for a girly getaway for a few days with family and friends and took my daughter on her first plane ride as well as a shopping spree included for her 15th birthday, had my birthday amongst it all and of course one has to come back and catch up on the "real work" that piles up when you escape for a little while! Am happy to be back at my craft desk though, I miss it if I don't have a "play" at least once a week. In the meantime till I create some new projects of mine to share with you here a some of the lovely handmade Stampin' Up! cards I received from some of my "Birthday Pen Pals Swapper" group for you to see. I love how everyone has their own different ideas and they always inspire me! Well with that I am itching to get some creating happenin here now...........cheers Sue

Punch art Santas on covered notebooks - a simple gift idea!

I think these covered notebooks make a great inexpensive christmas gift for that someone you just want to give a little something to - like your neighbour or a school teacher etc. and I think the ribbon knots are a great way to disguise the spiral binding. There a heaps of different Santa punch art ideas you can "CASE" on the net but I picked these ones because they were a big larger to put on a notebook which are larger than the average card size. "Easy as" and fun to make! Also it's only "73 sleeps till Ho Ho"....best to get those Christmas projects happening now........cheers Sue

Baby Girl & Baby Boy Diaper-fold Gift Card Holders

These cute "diaper-fold" gift card holders were super easy to make basically just one sheet of 12x12 designer patterned paper, a little punch art (these baby ideas are from a punch art tutorial I bought from US demonstrator - Jackie Topa) and a little ribbon and button embellishing. As I said the diaper-fold is super easy, I'm pretty certain I saw this fold on Splitcoaststampers. My "creative mojo" seems to disappear ocassionally like it decides to go on holiday now and then which is great for a break sometimes but I am always glad when I feel it coming back and I can get back to some happy, inspired creating! :).....hope you like these.....that's it for me for today.......cheers Sue

Birthday cards with just a little matching "something"

Can't believe that it's been two weeks since I posted anything! It's that time of year when everything starts to gain momentum before the extra busy Christmas season. School holidays are nearly over and there are always alot of "Birthdays" this time of year as well! I made these two birthday cards for friends and just wanted to make a little something extra to go with their cards so one has a matching bookmark and the other a post-it note holder. The one with the embossed Manhattan Rose in Cherry Cobbler was inspired by Mary Fish ( a talented US demo) who had used the new Coredinations card stock and embossed and sanded the image - very effective! Take notice of the lovely 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon on this one too because Stampin' Up have a great special this month - for every $60 spent in product orders you can get a free roll of this great ribbon and it is available in the five different new In-colors - Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, Rasberry Ripple and Summer Starfruit. I have three of them but am stoked that I will be able to get the rest for free when I place my next order! Cheers for now and try and keep cool today it is supposed to be very hot and windy.................Sue :)