Art with Heart Blog Hop

Welcome to the Art With Heart Team Blog Hop!

Who are the Art with Heart team? The team is lead by Claire Daly and there are over 80 demonstrators across Australia ... if you want to become part of this great team just email me for more details. We have a great team forum, Business Building Club and heaps of support from like minded demonstrators.

This Blog Hop will be a monthly event happening on the last day of every month. You may have just come from Kimmy Meiklejohn's blog, but if you are starting here, don’t worry … you can make the complete journey just by following the links at the end of each post. There are 12 stops along the way and we hope you will visit each one to see the wonderful creations we have to show you!

If you leave a comment on each and every blog and then email Nikki at nikki@inkyart.com.au, your name will be put into the hat to win some beautiful blog candy. There is a deadline of 5:59 am AEST on 3 February 2010 to leave your comments and only non Stampin' Up! demostrators are eligible to win the candy - although we'd love all visitors to leave some comments please.

So for our first tour we decided upon the theme of Valentines. At the end of each post there will be a link to take you to the next stop on the tour. It would be fantastic if you could leave a comment on each blog! So grab a cuppa, and set off on what we are hoping will be an inspirational journey! I hope you enjoy my creation.

Stamp Set: Always
Ink: VersaMark, Certainly Celery
Card: Whisper White, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Stampin' Pastels, Regal Rose 5/8" Grossgrain Ribbon

As a special bonus to my blog visitors, you can win some bonus Blog Candy - the featured card and matching chocolate block cover with a yummy Lindt block of chocolate, no restrictions on who can enter (yes I will send it overseas) just leave a comment and your email address. Entries close ACST midnight on Thursday, 4 February.

Now you’re off to enjoy the beautiful creations of Kathryn Lowe.

Butterfly Prints

As I was feeling alot better today, oh don't you just love drugs!!! I have had time to do a little stamping today in between doing the housework. I needed to complete my swaps for UStamp with Dawn and Friends too, sorry I can not share these with you yet as they will need to be received by my Swap Partner, Maria Pane from the United States of America. I did create this one as well so I could share something with you.

Stamp Set: Fresh Cuts, Butterfly Prints, Oval All
Ink: Always Artichoke
Card: Always Artichoke, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Accessories: 5/8" Always Artichoke Grosgrain Ribbon, Butterfly Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch

Pocket Silhouettes

Sorry I have not posted for a while but I have been battling bronchitis but the antibiotics are kicking in now and hopefully after a restful weekend I will be back on track. Here is a quick and easy card using Pocket Silhouettes.

Stamp Set: Pocket Silhouettes
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point
Card: Bashful Blue, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White
Accessories: Pacific Point 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Styled Silver Raised Dots Small Oval Holder, Silver Brads, Paper-piercing Tool

Newsletter - Sign Up Today

I have been busy over the last couple of days designing a newsletter to send to all my Stampin' Friends.

Please sign up at the right hand side of my blog as I would love to share with you information on a regularly basis that will only be available for my newsletter subscribers. This month exclusive offer will include free postage for orders (sorry only available for Australian customers only).

Stampin' Up! Helping the Haitian Disaster Relief

On 12 January a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leaving in its wake devastation so overwhelming that the Haitian people and their leaders can only look for help from the outside to cope. In the past, when terrorists attacked the Twin Towers, when a tsunami struck Indonesia, when a hurricane destroyed New Orleans, and when wildfires ravaged Australia, Stampin' Up! demonstrators stepped forward and showed their commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

This time is no different from now until 28 February 2010, you can partner with Stampin' Up! to make a difference in the lives of those who continue to suffer from the effects of this devastating earthquake. Stampin' Up! will set aside $2 from the sale of every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set and donate that money to the American Red Cross' Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

If you would love to purchase this stamp set for an amazing price of $42.95 which would be great for Valentine's Day coming up in February please contact me at kmangelsdorf@adam.com.au or telephone me on (08) 8389 9149 or 0409 197 292...Act today, and start making a difference!

Birthday Cards

It was my birthday yesterday and I would like to share with you three handcrafted cards that I received from Lynette Irvine, Elaine and Robyn Abela. I love the fact that I have all these stamp sets as they have given me inspiration to get them out again - I just need to find some free time

Fresh Cuts

A very quick and easy card here, utilising the Fresh Cuts Notes which have a 5 petal flower punched out already for you to use.

Stamp Set: Fresh Cuts
Ink: Baja Breeze
Card: Whisper White, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Fresh Cut Notes, Bashful Blue 1/2" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Small Oval Punch, Silver Brad

UStamp with Dawn and Friends is BACK

Yes UStamp with Dawn and Friends are back!

I don't think I have shared with you all that I was the lucky winner of a free pass this time round from one of the Guest Designers, the very talented and I think I can now say one of my Stampin' Up! Friends from around the world, Penny Hanuszak.

If you have not joined up, it's not too late it is $24.99 (US$) and you get a least one new creation with all instructions plus photos each day for 30 days, online chats and you get to meet some wonderful talent people from all around the world - I think this is number 9 for me, I just can not miss out!

Art with Heart January Sketch Challenge

My upline Claire Daly has set up Art with Heart which is an online forum for all her team members where we receive and post information about being an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and they also have challenges and swaps. This is my first Sketch Challenge, I don't know if I am really happy with this creation as I have been having a little difficulty being inspired by this hostess stamp set, Live Like You Mean It, but when I saw the three thin columns I was drawn to this flower within this set.

Stamp Set: Live Like You Mean It, Big Bold Birthday
Ink: Really Rust
Card: Whisper White, Really Rust
Accessories: Green Ribbon

Treat Pouches

I have seen these treat pouches on lots of blogs and as I am having a stamp-a-stack with children's cards coming up early next month, I thought I would demonstrate a treat pouch as a gift to the hostess. Here I designed one for mum and one for a little girl.

Treat Pouch 1
Stamp Set: Wild about You
Ink: Pink Pirouette
Card: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Pink Organdy Ribbon (retired), Silver Flower Brad (non Stampin' Up!), Small Tag Punch, Large Tag Punch

Treat Pouch 2
Stamp Set: Echoes of Kindness
Ink: Barely Banana, Mellow Moss
Card: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Tempting Turquoise Brad, Small Tag Punch, Large Tag Punch

Stampin' Pastels with the Always in Bloom Wheel

Another 43C day today, but there is cool change coming overnight which will be so welcomed to all South Australians, we had our first CATASTROPIC fire ban day, but looks like there was no major fires in the Adelaide Hills, but there were a couple of deliberate lit fires down south but have not threaten homes lucky.

Back to my creating, I used my Stampin' Pastel again (loving them at the moment) with VersaMark and the Always in Bloom Wheel, which was a another first for me and it turned out well. I am enjoying these Pastels as they have all the colours from the four colour families.

Stamp Set: Always in Bloom Wheel, Sincere Salutations, Butterfly Prints
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Lovely Lilac, Green Galore, Pixie Pink, VersaMark
Card: Whisper White, Lovely Lilac, Pixie Pink
Accessories: Pretty in Pink 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Butterfly Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch

Pocket Silhouettes

Another very hot day today, 42C and I am really sick of this, it's not even cooling down overnight as previous evening I have been able to open up the doors and windows and air the house, however it's 9.30 pm and the airconditioner is still going. I have had a couple of friends and my dad call by this afternoon to enjoy my airconditioning as they had the power off, lucky it was only off for a few hours and ETSA were able to get it back on.

My card today uses a stamp set, Pocket Silhouettes which I have been loaning from my stamping friend, Lynette. This set is so reasonably priced at $33.95 and I have made a simple and quick card.

Stamp Set: Pocket Silhouettes
Ink: Basic Black
Card: Kraft, Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom, Very Vanilla, Old Olive
Accessories: Very Vanilla 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, 3/16" Corner Rounder Punch

Baroque Motifs

Wow, it is hot here 41C again today but I did get the washing done and started sewing the curtains for my nephew's games room - all 16 metres of fabric. I need to go there now and get the length and then trim them and then sew again the 16 metres!

Oh well, back to stamping and again another couple of cards I have made since Boxing Day. Have you enjoyed that I have been posting each day this year, that is 9 days in a row. I have had this design saved on my computer for a long time, which I have finally cased, it was designed by thINKspot, Marelle Taylor.

This stamp set has been around for a couple of years but it is one of my favourites that goes with so many designs and it's only $39.95, so if you would like this set, please contact me.

Card 1
Stamp Set: Baroque Motifs
Ink: Old Olive, Pretty in Pink
Card: Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Certainly Celery Brad, Scallop Edge Punch

Card 2
Stamp Set: Baroque Motifs, Upsy Daisy
Ink: Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant
Card: Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Kiwi Kiss Corduroy Brad, Eyelet Border Punch

Nursery Necessities & Schoolbook Serif Alphabet

Wow, it's hot here in Adelaide, luckly we have great airconditioning at work and here at home the split system is working a treat. It's the weekend now, so it will just be lazying around as it's another 2 or 3 days of 40+C, it was only 41 today looking forward to 43 tomorrow, but that will probably inspire so indoor activities - yes that would be STAMPING!

Here is a card I made earlier in the week, which is a simple, clear line card for a guy (and this is funny but I don't know any Matt's but it is going into my display folder so it does not matter).

Stamp Set: Nursery Necessities, Schoolbook Serif Alphabet, Short and Sweet
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive
Card: Summer Sun, Old Olive, Whisper White
Accessories: White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Night of Navy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

Thoughts and Prayers

It was back to work for a me today (only for couple of days), but as I have been on holidays I have a few more cards to share with you. This one was a cased from the front cover of 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalogue with a few modifications, well now I am looking at it there are quite a few changes that I have made.

Stamp Set: Thoughts and Prayers
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip
Card: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Kiwi Kiss 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Totally Tool

I do struggle with mens cards, but I recently purchased the Totally Tool stamp set so I could create a few more simple male cards. It is hard for me to not use lots of emblishments especially ribbons, but for men they need to be without all the trimmings just clean and uncomplicated.

Stamp Set: Totally Tool Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip Card: Very Vanilla, Summer Sun, Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Ski Slope Designer Series Paper

Annabelle Sketch Challenge #008

I have been inspired by Kylie who is one of the Annabelle Stamps Design Team Members to participate in this weeks challenge. Here is a very simple and quick card using one of Stampin' Ups! Level One Hostess stamp set, Live Like you Mean it which is a great theme for 2010! I have used one of the bold bright colours which is really outside my comfort zone as they don't get alot of use in my craft room.

Stamp Set: Live Like You Mean It
Ink: Orchid Opulence
Card: Orchid Opulence, Very Vanilla
Accessories: 1/4" Circle Punch

Polar Bear Easel Card from Germany

I was really excited when I received this beautiful Christmas easel card in the post today from the very talented Anett Schallock from Germany, isn't that polar bear just the cutest. Anett is one of my "online" friends from UStamp with Dawn and Friends and has shared her talents as a Guest Designer and I always look forward to checking out her blog on a regular basis. I think I will have to try and make one of these designs as this one is such an inspiration.

Thank you so much Anett, I love it!

Caardvarks Card Sketch

I have had a busy day today taking my dad to the doctors and then picking up my nephew and taking him shopping for material for some curtains for there entertainment room, so I will need to pull out the sewing machine for the first time in a long while. We then enjoyed lunch at Auchendarroch House at Mount Barker followed by the very funny movie Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakquel, which I recommend for a good laugh.

Well back to my creation today which was inspired by the Caadvarks Card Sketch, I did modify it a little but I think it still fits the sketch.

Stamp Set: Thoughts and Prayers
Ink: Perfect Plum, Certainly Celery, Mellow Moss, Sage Shadow
Card: Very Vanilla, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Sage Shadow
Accessories: Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Raised Dots Designer Holder, Crop-A-Dile

Charisma Cardz Challenge

The Charisma Cardz Challenge is holding a First Birthday Challenge with the theme of Celebrations! I decided to make a baby card, being a big Celebration for families and friends celebrating a new birth. I have used the Something Sweet stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalogue with the Sweet Treat Cups which are current available from me until 31 March 2009.

Stamp Set: Something Sweet, Nursery Necessities
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Barely Banana
Card: Pink Pirouette, Barely Banana, Whisper White
Accessories: Sweet Treat Cups, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Pearl Ball

UStamp Tea Bag Holder

I used my Stampin' Pastels for the first time for this project from UStamp with Dawn and Friends created by Guest Designer, Betty Traciak. I love this very quick project and would consider demonstrating this in the future.

Stamp Set: Baroque Motifs, Short and Sweet
Ink: Groovy Gauva
Card: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Cameo Coral, Ski Slope Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Stampin' Pastels, Pink Organdy Ribbon, Copper 2" Metal Edge Tags, 3" Whisper White Envelope

Mojo Monday #119

I am on a roll at the moment, yes two posts in one day. This time I have participated in the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge, this is the first one I have completed in ages. I enjoyed this one using one of my new stamp sets, Petal Pizzazz which is becoming one of my favourites.

Stamp Set: Petal Pizzazz, Best Yet
Ink: Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose
Card: Pink Pirouette, Cameo Coral, Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Pink Pirouette 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Lovely as a Tree

I love holidays, I am able to create, I do struggle with male cards, but I wanted to get a few completed whilst I have some free time. I used this tree for the first time from Lovely as a Tree as I have only ever used the big tree and the group of trees, this is why I love Stampin' Up! stamp packs as they are so versatile.

Stamp Set: Lovely as a Tree
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Perfect Plum, Mellow Moss
Card: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Circle Scissor Plus, Glass Matt

UStamp Treat Bag and Note Card

Happy New Year to all my blog visitors, yes I know you are there as my counter keeps getting bigger by the day. I love to receive comments on my projects, and appreciate it when someone leaves a message for me, thanks so much.

This is another great project from UStamp with Dawn and Friends, this Treat Bag and matching Note Card was designed by Jenn Picard from Canada.

Stamp Set: Petal Pizazz
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose, Really Rust
Card: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Cameo Coral, Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper
Accessories: 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Pink Rhinestone Brad, Scallop Edge Punch