Making things coastal, ocean and blue

Once there was a pretty blue dress waiting for a formal to go to...

It needed a matching flower for it's owner's hair.

We looked far and wide for a beautiful soft blue with just a hint of mint like the ocean.

A coastal cabana type ocean.

We never found the perfect hue, so we bought a white fabric rose instead and ...

Spritz'd with coastal cabana ink - fashion dilemma solved!

Half a spritz bottle of water, add three big drops ( or possibly more) of Coastal cabana ink and lightly spray til you get the exact colour you are looking for.

I think it dried a little lighter with the white fabric beneath, so it perhaps looked a little pool party which was precisely the colour we were after.

Stampin' Up! Products I love you.

Now, if only Stampin'up! Sold an instant hair braiding - fish-tailing tool...

Weekly deals in time for Christmas

Look look the thinlits circle flip card die is on special!

$13 off this die 

and gorgeous crumb cake seam binding ribbon (looks beautiful with gold and ties fabulous bows).

Send me a message or email your order through to nerida_carter@hotmail.com.

Christmas wishes,  Nerida.

A weekly shopping list...

So much to plan and organise in the month leading up to Christmas!

It happens every year so why can't I get this year lined up the way I'd like?

Perhaps, its because this is my daughters last year of Primary school and they seem to have an event on every day, or my nephews getting engaged this weekend and I still haven't sent a card let alone a present...

To start with let's look at the deals of the week:

A square one inch punch for all those inchy cards and patchwork patterned paper backgrounds - Tick.

And how else are you going to make those minecraft related cards?

Argyle texture embossing folder for cardigan knitted look backgrounds ... Just saying Baby cards!

Silver ink pad ... Christmas and anniversary stamping and it works very well as an embossing ink with clear embossing powder - ask me how?

Oh another gorgeous die to add to my collection and wisteria wonder chevron ribbon!!!

I am such a glutton for punishment when it comes to ribbons on sale. 

Any one want to share a roll with me?

Ok, off to do some gift buying for myself...

THE way to store your photopolymer stamps

This is the way i store my photopolymer stamps. its a very simple idea.

As photopolymer stamps are fairly new i thought I'd share this quick hint.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stCtTn9SXAU

Watercolour winter card making kit

I've  made two cards from the Watercolour winter card kit so far and can't wait to sit down and make a few more.

The kit comes with everything you need to make 20 cards.

Five each of four different designs.

This one is very simple in design but quite elegant. 

The kit instructions suggest you colour the letters "Merry" in Old Olive green ink with the watercolour brush provided, however I like it quite well with Bermuda Bay or Coastal Cabana ink.

All you need to make up the kit is ink and liquid glue and I've used the "Endless wishes" stamp set for the word Christmas.

The card bases are already printed with white dots for this card. 

All you do is adhere the cut out pieces and some sequins with Tombow glue and 

stamp "merry Christmas" on the Bermuda Bay piece and add the gold glimmer strip for a bit of bling.

The kit suggested adding a cut out shape of a snow sled, but I decided a small gold and cardstock star gave just the right amount of detail that it needs.

Going traditional in red and green

Portrait or landscape ... Not sure which one looks best?

Make one of each. 

This stamp set looks quite special embossed in gold. 

Each time I stamp it though, I feel like adding a bit of sponging and colouring with markers for emphasis. It is quite relaxing but time consuming to colour each tree, so a bit of sponged ink goes a long way.

The second one is very traditional in cherry cobbler red and green.

I've sponged the background with Soft Sky ink and a touch of Pistaccio Pudding on the trees.

And there's noting like some sparkles with sprinkles and sequins to glam it up a bit.

Featured Stampset - The Newborn King 

Trim the tree Patterned paper pack and In-colour sequin assortment.

Weekly deals

This week we have some very special deals. Check these out... 

Perfect print Number dies $32.21  ! Project life dies $32.21, silver buttons $10.46 and a hole punch $11.96, or the scallop border punch $20.96. 

Which ones are your favourites?

A challenge with Washi tape feathers.

Each month our Stampin' Up team (The Inksomniacs) have a challenge to keep the creative juices flowing and to inspire us. This month we have a card sketch to use as inspiration.

 

My creative process starts usually with colours, stamp images and then i design the layout.

So this is what's challenging for me, to start at the end and work backwards.

I have been working with Christmas colours lately like real red, old olive and gold ribbons so that was my base.

I added washi tape to create the horizontal element on the background and ran the whole card base through the big shot and dotted embossing folder.

I also like to repeat the colours in the images that I stamp... But I hadn't stamped anything yet!

I was experimenting with putting washi tape on different cardstock colours. 

Gold on elegant eggplant and blue on shimmer white cardstock.

To make it more interesting I die cut some feathers and they came out quite well so I stuck them on the card on an old olive Apothecary art Framelit.

Tied on some gold bakers twine and gold ribbon as per the card sketch and now, all it needs is a sentiment. It's no longer a Christmas card so maybe Birthday, A thank you or thinking of you?

Weekly deals

This week's deals from 15th to 22nd of October are:

See the pictures clearly in the store: 

http://www3.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryid=955

The doily thinlits die for $32.21

Envelope liner dies $34.46

Floral Framelits $34.46

Label card thinlits die $41.96

Moustache die $10.46

Wood mounted Truly grateful stampset $36.71

To place an order you can go to the online store and select Nerida from NSW as your demo or,

Send me an email at nerida_carter@hotmail.com and I will add yours to my next order.

The creative blog hop

This week I was invited to be part of The Creative Blog Hop by the talented Linda Higgins.   This is a fun way for bloggers to "pass the baton" and help showcase the blogs of other's whose work we admire.  Lots of different people both here in Australia and also overseas have taken part in the blog hop.

Part of the task involves answering several questions that let you know a little more about my work.  So here we go...

1. What am I working on now?
Stamping and crafting with paper and ink is one of my favourite ways to relax and zone out from all the realities of life. So I am often working on several projects at once. My dining table is usually covered in unfinished objects, piles of cardstock and half finished cards.

Right now I am working on several Project Life pages featuring photos from the recent school holidays. I love how easy and instant PL recording can be. Just print a bundle of photos, slide them in with a  journaling card, maybe add a sticker or two and you've finished your page. I am planning and designing my projects for upcoming classes and of course making Christmas cards and birthday cards to give, donate and sell.

2.    How does my work differ from others in my genre?

From my perspective, My style changes gradually from season to season, year to year depending upon the trending styles, stamps and products available. I like to dip into different genres. Some crafters have a very distinctive style that you can pick at a glance. Please let me know if you find mine. 

My cards are mostly very simple with very few layers. Sometimes it's a matter of knowing when to stop and my mantra is "less is more" but I don't always abide by it!

3.      Why do I create what I do?

I often ask myself this question. It's an obsession. I have to create, i need to share my creations and it is my time to myself. 

I create because I enjoy the process and the result. I make cards to donate to charities, markets, shops, family and friends. I love giving my cards. Especially the pleasure you know that a handmade card or gift can bring to the person who opens it. I appreciate all things handmade. It has a sense of time well spent, a small gift of oneself which is something to keep and enjoy. 

4.      How does my creative process work?

I do enjoy flicking through paper craft magazines, catalogues and Pinterest on line. I am often inspired by a colour combination in a shopwindow, fabric or home ware. I get home and I just have to create something with that style or colours in mind. My inspiration often starts with a product, tool or colour that I want to feature in a class, but just as often it is a birthday celebration approaching that I need to make a card or present for. When I am presented with a blank canvas I usually go to my Stampin up catalogues and get inspired by a clever layout and combination of products used, then I tweak it up with my own colours textures and stamps. 

Ok.. so now I get to introduce you to another blogger that I admire. Felicity Hawkins. Felicity's blog is called "Felicity's Craft corner" and you can see it here: Felicity.

Felicity  and I met when we both signed up as Stampin' Up! Demonstrators back in 2008 and attended a training event at Darling Harbour. We exchanged email addresses and swapped handmade cards. We've been to several Stampin' up! conventions together and I always look forward to team training events so we can catch up and stamp together. Felicity's stamping style is so pretty, elegant and inspirational and her work has been published regularly in print magazines. I love her work and you will too.

Here is a bit more about Felicity in her own words...

I’m Felicity and I live on the Central Coast of NSW (Australia). I am a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.
I started making cards 14 years ago with my daughter. I then discovered scrapbooking and have enjoyed all types of papercraft since. My first introduction to Stampin Up was a party I attended with Linda Higgins as the demonstrator.  When I arrived home and spent hours looking through the catalogue I knew I wanted to join, as I wanted everything in the catalogue. I have made so many wonderful, lifelong friends through my journey with Stampin Up. It is so nice to have something I can call mine. Something I enjoy and I create with my own two hands and to share with loved ones.

Thank you for visiting my blog today as part of the Creative Blog Hop. I am always interested to know what kinds of cards and projects you'd like to see more of so feel free to comment below.

 Don't forget to visit Felicity's blog next Monday too! 

The busy woman's Christmas card collection.

Happy World card making day! 

Most people wouldn't know that 4 October is celebrated world wide for card making. It's an opportunity for us all to make a few cards to give away and share the love.

To help us celebrate Stampin' Up! is offering a great special for WCMD, its a good excuse for us to get some great products at a discount to celebrate the day! 

And hopefully you'll get a chance to make a card for someone, too.

This is a quick sale - it's only available until Monday, October 6th! 

To celebrate World Card Making day, we are offering various specials. 

There's 15% off all Classic inkpads - all colours! 

Also 15% off mixed cardstock A4 packs, Whisper White cardstock, envelopes and Fast Fuse Adhesive.

Even better, there's 20% off 5 different stamp sets. !!!

To see what's on sale, the best way is to look at the online shop, on the website here.

 You can order directly online or if you prefer email nerida_carter@hotmail.com and let me know what you'd like and I can organise it for you.

Ok so where's the card you ask?

I've just realised its like October and I am very short of Christmas cards which I like to start sending out in November.

Solution: create a bundle of cards that can be made up at night in less than an hour.

It must have fewer than 5 steps. ( stamp, punch, cut, and stick).

Here's my first attempt. 

Step 1. Emboss the lost lagoon cardstock with polka dots embossing on lost lagoon cardstock.

Step 2. Punch a tag top onto a 2" piece of whisper white CS. 

Step 3. Stamp "Holiday Home" in Mossy Meadow and trees, reindeer, snowman in Lost Lagoon ink.

Step 4. Cut strips of silver glimmer paper for the chimney top, roof and base of tag.

Step 5. Cut ribbons, attach and glue it all together with Tombow liquid glue.

You could easily make ten or more of these cards in a night and be well on your way to a nice pack of Christmas cards to send out to friends and family next month.

A work of art with Festival of Trees

 This is a card I designed for a stamping party last week. I really enjoyed creating my little landscape inside the photo frame. It reminds me of the instamatic photos my mum used to take in the seventies.

I think you can get a retro modern version these days. You take the picture and it develops before your eyes.

Such a simple design. 

I've "painted"my clouds with the smaller "work of art" stamp in Soft Sky and hills with pear pizazz.

The Festival of trees is photopolymer so you can bend the words to shape your sentiment to fit into a smaller shape. As I did on the label punch accented with a glimmer paper star.

The cherry cobbler frame is one of the "on Film" Framelits.

Give me a call if you'd like to book a party and make some miniature works of art.

Nerida 0468877125.

Celebrate, stamp, Stock and save!

Did you know World Cardmaking Day is on the 4th October? 

So, to celebrate Stampin' Up! is holding the Stamp, Stock, and Save Promotion from 1-6 October. 

For this very limited time, you'll be able to purchase ALL Classic Inkpads 15% off! 

Thats right All Ink pads are: $8.46 each!

Select cardstock, envelopes and adhesive 15% off! 

Mixed cardstock packs are $10.16 and whisper white card is $12.71

Oh yeah, lets stock up!

Plus 5 great stamp sets are 20% off! 

It's the perfect opportunity for us to stock up on some Stampin' Essentials.

Click here to see the flyer.

Here's the list of stamps on sale at 20% off

Big News (Clear)

Was $55.95

Now $44.76

Playful Pennants (Clear)

28.95

Now $23.16

Choose Happiness (Clear)

30.95

Now $24.76

Petite Pairs (Clear)

Was $39.95     Now $31.95 So Very Happy (Clear)  Was $30.95 Now $24.76

Choose Happiness now $24.76 ( in clear ).

To take advantage of this offer, just email me at nerida_carter@hotmail.com and I am happy to place an order for you. 

But hurry - this offer ends on Monday 6th October. 

Holiday Catalogue ESAD blog hop!

Welcome to the ESAD holiday catalogue blog hop!

To celebrate the amazing range of stamps and products in the Holiday catalogue some extra special Australasian demos have created a wonderful array of cards and projects for you to view this weekend.

All you need to do is settle back and hop from one creative blog to another. 

Please leave a little comment-love with each blog that you visit and enjoy a relaxing creative journey of ideas to inspire you.

I've selected the Holiday home stamp set to feature on my step of the blog. There are three cute little houses that you can stamp and decorate. 

With words and images for a Merry Christmas, Halloween and Happy new home owners too.

The stamp set is made of photo polymer so they will stick to your clear blocks really well!

And you can bend them!!!  Take a look at the merry Christmas that I stamped on the label punch.

I've curved the photopolymer around the wreath. It is so cool how they do that. 

My card is kept closed by bending the house under the Curly Label punch. Just loving the slate grey with Coastal cabana and soft sky. I painted my house with the Coastal Cabana and Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities. Then added some dazzling diamonds glitter to look like moon light.

My second card is a square format which was quick and easy to make.

This one is to wish some friends a Happy new home !

I stamped the three houses in mossy meadow, cherry cobbler and blackberry bliss then water coloured the mossy meadow house in Hello Honey ink.

I love all the little details in this set, hearts stars and magic sparkles, lamp posts and trees with leaves  for autumn and a snow man for winter scenes.

My third project is a CASE (copy and share everything) of a card from Stampin' Up!'s impression magazine. As usual I made it my own with a different greeting, colours and textures.

Here it is close up to show a different way to use the Homemade holiday Framelits. By cutting off the chimney you have an arrow that makes great masculine designs.

I've put the arrows through the textured embossing folders: Arrows, Large Polka dot and Woodgrain.

The stars are from "Holiday Home" and the Happy birthday is from "Tag Talk" stamp set.

What is ESAD?

ESAD stands for "Extra Special Australasian Demonstrators" and is a facebook group just for Australian and New Zealand Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrators.

We love what we do & love to share with our customers, friends and

blog visitors. We also share what we love in our ESAD

Demonstrator community, through swaps, challenges, sharing knowledge, ideas& friendship and we're always there to help and support each other.

So if you are a Stampin' Up! demonstrator located in Australia or New Zealand then please feel free to leave me a comment with your email address then I'll contact you with information on how to join our group.

Now head on over to the next blog which is: Rochelle
 

1.   Keryn Campbell

www.kerynscards.com

2.   Narelle Hoggard

www.handmadebynarelle.wordpress.com

3.   Gail Kirby

www.stampwithgail.blogspot.com

4.   Libby Dyson

http://www.libbystampz.com

5.   Emily Campbell

www.tinykiwicards.blogspot.co.nz

6.   Debra Spijers

www.atimetostamp.com

7.   Kelly Kent

www.mypapercraftjourney.com

8.   Monique Fielder

www.stamping-with-moni-q.blogspot.com.au

9.   Andrea Buckland

www.creatingcardswithandrea.blogspot.com

10.  Debbie Lamb

www.debstampinstyle.blogspot.co.nz

11.  Sally Williams

www.sallystampingdelights.blogspot.co.nz

12.  Christie Kunkel

www.christiescreativecorner.blogspot.com

13.   Paula Reid

www.yellowbearnz.blogspot.co.nz

14.   Amity Knight

www.stampinamity.com.au

15.   Ria Kaire

www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/qraftyqueen/blog

16.   Nerida Carter

www.stampingjoy.blogspot.com
 

 

17.  Rochelle Blok
 http://www.rochelleblok.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/esad-2014-holiday-catalogue-blog-hop.html

 

18.  Tracey Speight

www.handmadewarratahstree.blogspot.com.au

Don't forget to leave a comment on each blog as you go!

Weekly deals

This week's deals include Framelits and paper piercing packs.

The circles collection Framelits are usually $45.95 and are only $34.46 this week until Tuesday 30th September. On film Framelits are just $37.46 and normally they're $49.95.

Email me your order to nerida_carter@hotmail.com   :)

Holiday homes cut out Card

In case you are not aware it is school holidays here. My favourite way to spend a day is with my family just hanging around at home. Perhaps watching a movie if its raining, riding our bicycles if its fine or walking along one of our amazing beaches.

But best of all I like to relax and make some cards at my dining room table.

This is a CASE ( copy and share everything) of a cut out card by "Stamping T" Tanya Bell.

This one features the  Holiday home stampset and framelits but you can make a similar thing with punched shapes like the Festival of trees.

This card is a very simple concept and just needs a steady hand with some multipurpose glue and a ruler to keep it all square. Here's the steps I used to put it together.

I cut a card base at 3.5cm, and 7 cm off the top flap of the card.

Then added a piece of DSP patterned paper to the cut off piece.

I attached the stamped and cut out houses on top to bridge the gap between the card top and bottom. I found Tombow multipurpose liquid glue to be perfect for the job.

I opened the card and turned the card upside down to stick the red bits on the back. This strengthens the card so the houses stay firmly stuck top and bottom.

On the inside panel I placed a white piece of cardstock and stamped a row of lights across the centre.

If you write at the top it won't be seen when the card is closed.

Next step was to add a gold star, heart, Santa's sleigh and merry Christmas, all these stamps are part of the Holiday home stamp set.

And then to colour in the houses with either an aqua painter, stamp'n write markers or Blendabilities.

I've used Real Red, sky blue and Hello Honey markers with my aquapainter on this one.

Just love this set of houses...