A Rose Is A Rose

I made this card for my sister-in-laws birthday using the beautiful A Rose Is A Rose stamp set and Stem Sayings stamp set. This is a 2 step stamping technique (for a demonstration on how to do 2-step stamping give me a ring to book a workshop).
The colours I have used are pale plum, pure plum, always artichoke and mellow moss, and of course good old whisper white.
The half pearls from the pretties kit look fabulous with it.
To place your Christmas order phone me today on 09 23 2100.

The Last of my Simply Scrappin' 6x6 Cards

This is the last of the Simply Scrappin' cards I made last week.
Apart from the brads and the Pixie Pink Stampin' Write Marker, all the elements, card and stickers come from the Petal Party kit.
The flower was made using the scalloped edged punch on the Designer Series Paper. Contact me for instructions or to book a workshop for a demonstration.
Handy tip: If something is going to be hidden behind another layer of card, for example ribbon, or in this case the line of green, circle die-cut stickers, then just use a small piece covering the ends with the top card layer. This will save you quite a few stickers and a fair amount of ribbon. In the example above there are no green, circle stickers behind the photo!
Contact me today to purchase your Simply Scrappin' Kit or any other product.

Scrappin' Saturday - How To Take Scrapbook-Worthy Pictures of Active Children

From www.stampingismybusiness.com
Everyone loves taking baby pictures. Cute little ones on their backs or their stomachs, making adorable faces or getting into funny situations.
Getting a good picture of your little one once their more mobile, however, can become a bit more of a challenge.
Often, they're moving from one thing to another so quickly that, by the time you're set up, you've missed the shot.
Here are a few tips for capturing those fast-moving kids:
1. Use a fast shutter speed. Sports photographers know the only way to really capture the action is to take the kind of shot that freezes time. Set your shutter speed for 1/500th of a second or higher and you'll be able to avoid most blurry photos... even if you're moving your camera to track your subject when you snap the picture!
2. Use a flash. Sometimes, in low-light situations, you won't be able to shoot at a very high shutter speed. In those situations, a flash will do a fair job accomplishing the same benefit as the first tip.
3. Shoot wide. Don't worry about getting too close to your fast-moving subject. You run the risk of cutting them off at the edge of your shot. Instead, shoot a wider angle. That way, you have more choices for composition when you edit the photos later. And don't worry about cropping too much when you edit. Most of today's cameras have enough megapixel power that you won't lose resolution no matter how much you zoom in for your edits!
Employ these three tips consistently and you'll find a lot more action photos to choose from when you're putting together your scrapbook pages

Simply Scrappin' Sista

This Simply Scrappin' page uses the same Simply Scrappin' kit as the past few days, Petal Party. At $43.95 these are a great present. Yes, you are definitely allowed to give yourself a Christmas present. Better still give a wishlist to your loved ones with all the Stampin' Up! producct that you love. Give me a call if you want me to post you a Wishlist (09 238 2100).

Have a great weekend

Donna

Simply Scrappin' Boys

Simply Scrappin'

Want an idea of a fabulous present to give to someone this yaer? Try out Stampin' Up!s Simply Scrappin' Kits. They are fantastic, with 8 sheets of 12x12" textured cardstock, 4 sheets of designer series paper and 6 sheets of die cut stickers, they are extremely versatile and at $43.95 are a great price. You can make more than 12x12" scrapbook pages, you can also make boxes, cards and 6x6" scrapbook pages.

The Simply Scrappin' Kit that I have used for the card above is Petal Party. I have used it to make four 6x6" scrap cards. (The others I shall put on over the next few days). These are a great gift on their own, or put it into a frame for someone special. With seven different designs to choose from there is something to suit everyones taste.

To view the full range of Simply Scrappin' Kits click on the catalogue link on my website http://donnasinkspot.stampinup.net/ . Then contact me to place your order. 09 238 2100.

Take care

Donna

Embossed Candle

One of my friends, Shaynon Taurua, loved the embossing on candles that we did at Stamp Fest so much that she has been making loads as presents for her friends.

She has made a fabulous job with this one using the Circle Circus Stamp Set in Gold Emboss powder and trimmed with the 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (pg 150).

Thank you for sharing this Shaynon.

To find out more about embossing on a candle contact me on 09 238 2100.

God bless

Donna

Stamp Fest Fun

What an amazing day we had at Stamp Fest. So many gifts given away, so many smiles and laughs. Thanks to all who came. It was a great success.

Congratulations to Fleur Scott. She won the Prize Draw which contained $200 worth of Stampin' Up! product.

We have yet to decide the next Stamp Fest date. We will keep you posted.

The Embossing Queen

I think that if I had to choose my very favourite paper crafting technique, it would have to be heat embossing. It takes everything to such a different level. On this bag that I gave as a gift at Stamp Fest last Saturday, I covered the whole bag in Versamark. Sprinkled it with the clear emboss powder, then before heating it with the heat tool, I scratched all over with the bone folder to get a crocadile skin affect. Very funky!

I used the stunning Filigree brads for extra Wow!

Add Christmas Cheer

Many of us like to give a bottle of wine as a gift at this time of the year. Why not make it extra special by decorating the bottle!

For the bottle wrap I have used the Scallop Edge Punch on Choc Chip card stock to create the 'frill'.

I used the Urban Garden Designer Series Paper as the 'wrap', but before I adhered it to the bottle I daubed the edges with Choc Chip ink.

For the label I used Choc Chip, Baja Breeze and Whisper White card stock and daubed choc Chip ink around the edge of each piece.

I used the Baja Breeze ink and clear emboss powder on the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp (the embossing looks fab! but it is a bit lost on this photo).

To finish off I threaded the White Taffeta ribbon through and threaded (with help with some cotton thread) on a bead from the Pretties Kit.

You may noice by the way that the bottle is empty! My husband was gutted when I nicked a bottle of good wine. Which is another point. If you have bought a nice bottle of wine write the wine information on the back of the label.

Have fun

Donna

Christmas Gift-Giving Guide

Want to take the stress out of gift-giving this year? Use this excellent gift-guide to inspire you, plus get a gift for yourself for FREE! That's right, when you purchase just $105 worth of product from this list you'll receive the Scallop Square Punch for free!

A great gift for you or for a cardmaker on your gift list.
The Guide includes the following products: -

Gifts for Neighbours - made using: -
- I Wish Simply Scrappin' Kit - $43.95 - Pg 137
- Real Red 12x12 Cardstock - $17.25 - Pg 128
- Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon - $17.95 - Pg 151
- Small Flat Cellophane Bags - $8.95 - Pg 130
- Curly Label Punch Bundle - $77.95 - Pg 153
- Kiwi Kiss A4 Cardstock - $12.50 - Pg 126
- Whisper White A4 Cardstock - $16.25 - Pg 127
- Riding Hood Red 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - $22.95 - Pg 150
- From the Kitchen of Stamp Set - $62.95 - Pg 93

Gifts for Card Makers
- Thanks x 2 Simply Sent Card Elements and More Kit - $56.95 - Pg 142
- More Thoughts Simply Sent Kit - $98.95- Pg 143
- 2U Simply Sent Card Elements & More Kit - $56.95 - Pg 142
- No One Like You Simply Sent Kit - $98.95 - Pg 143

Gifts for Scrapbookers
- Petal Party Simply Scrappin' Kit - $43.95 - Pg 136
- Rock A Bye Girl Simply Scrappin' Kit - $43.95 - Pg 137
- Rock A Bye Boy Simply Scrappin' Kit - $43.95 - Pg 137
- Sweet Nothings Simply Scrappin' Kit - $43.95 - Pg 138
- Hoppy Memories Simply Scrappin' Kit - $43.95 - Pg 138

Gifts for Kids and Teens
- Just Jawing Stamp Set - $53.95 - Pg 67
- Bold Brights A4 Assorted Cardstock - $17.25 - Pg 128
- Real Red Stampin' Write Marker - $6.75 - Pg 128
- Brilliant Blue Stampin' Write Marker - $6.75 - Pg 128
- Glorious Green Stampin' Write Marker - $6.75 - Pg 128
- On Board 5"x5" Art Journal - $16.25 - Pg 147
- Spiral Punch - $24.95 - Pg 152

Stocking Stuffers
- Dress Up Ribbon Originals - $29.95 - Pg 150
- Valet Ribbon Originals - $29.95- Pg 150
- Pigtails Ribbon Originals - $32.95 - Pg 150
- Cutter Kit - $39.95 - Pg 155
- Button Latte Designer Buttons - $18.50 - Pg 151
- Button Bouquet Designer Buttons - $18.50 - Pg 151

Page numbers above refer to the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalogue.

Contact me to place your order today.

Christmas Tree Decoration

This Christamas tree decoration was described to me over the phone by my wonderful upline Anela Corbett. She had used the scalloped punch for hers, but I would imagine that it would look good created using a whole variety of the punches.

I made mine using the curly label punch.

1. Punch eight shapes out of the Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper.

2. Score them using the bone folder and a ruler. Then fold them in half.

3. Adhere one half of a punchie to another using a 2-Way Glue Pen or a SNAIL adhesive. Do that on four of the punchies. (I forgot when I did mine so had to pull it apart hence the photo showing six punchies stuck together).

4. Place a piece of taffeta ribbon down the centre and then continue gluing down your punchies.

5.When you have stuck them all down make a loop at the top with the ribbon using a piece of matching thread to tie it. At the bottom thread a bead from the pretties kit onto the taffeta ribbon. I find it easier to tie a piece to thread to the ribbon first and pull that through the bead first. You need a bit of brute force, but it does work!

I hope that you have fun making this.

The Curly Label Punch Bundle is part of this months specials. If you purchase this or a variety of the other items on the Christmas Gift-Giving Guide and total is $105 or more than you will receive the Scalloped Square Punch for free. What a great Christmas Present.

Just Beachy

I just love this box. I have made it quite a few times now. ( Check out my earlier posting for tutorial http://donnastamps.blogspot.com/2009/06/goodie-bag-wrap.html).

And the Just Beachy stamp set is fabulous set to decorate it. The expressions on the fishes faces are just classic. This would be a great present filled with small chocolate fish. The Just Beachy Stamp Set is on page 14 of the Spring Mini Catalogue and is great value at only $53.95.

You only have until the end of November to purchase anything from this catalogue, so contact me to place your order.