Stamp-A-Memory Challenge

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and are enjoying the post Christmas peace. I love the period between Christmas and New Year so many pyjama days and nowhere to be at any given time. So relaxing.

I just wanted to share a little gift I made for my hubby's brother and his lovely partner. I used this year's Christmas photo of my boys to decorate a calendar for them.

I picked these calendars up for a few dollars at one of the cheap shops in town. They originally have a little whiteboard on top and I have used sticky strip to attach a little layout over the top and then repunched the hanging hole with my trust crop-a-dile. I added an eyelet as well for strength.

I used my Sizzix to cut out the numbers for the year.

This month's challenge at Stamp-a-memory is to scrapbook about a gift or make a gift so I think this fits the criteria.

Thanks for stopping by.

Lisa

Supplies:

DSP - Celebrations

Real Red Cardstock

Pacific Point ribbon (retired)

Photo Corner punch

Sizzix and Timeless Type Alphabet

Sticky Strip and Glue Dots

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Welcome Christmas Ornament

Today I have a project to share with you from my $30 Club. We had our christmas get together last Friday and this is the project I brought along for the girls to make.




We have used the Welcome Christmas Stamp Set and the designer series paper that was available in last month's promotion (and I have totally forgotten the name).

Here is the otherside of the ornament.

One of the girls from the club (waving hi Jo) suggested putting photos of the kidlets on these ornaments to hang on the tree. I think that would be so cute.

All Supplies Stampin' Up! unless otherwise stated.

Thanks for stopping by

Lisa

Just add Critters!!

Due to all my computer and camera issues it has been so long since I have played along with one of the challenges at Just Add Ink so I was determined to have a go this week.

The challenge is to just add critters...how fun is that!

My first though was to use the fabulous Fox and Friends stamp set but after spending two days searching for it on my bombsite of a desk I decided to do a scrap page instead using a retired Simply Scrappin Kit because I knew it had the cutest little turtle sticker.

When I got the kit out I found that the papers were a bit bright for my photos so I have kept the sticker and substituted papers.

The title, journalling spot and turtle came from the Hoppy Memories Simply Scrappin Kit from last year's catty.

The rubons are called Anchored and are from two years ago and I have also used some retired Antique Brass Hodgepodge including a label holder, photo turns and brads.

The papers I have used came from the Urban Oasis Designer Series paper set. I have used Chocolate Chip and Kiwi Kiss cardstock and of course the Top Note die (love it).

To make the cute border I have used the Curly Label punch and only punched off a small section and worked my way along the edge. This is a great alternative for a boys page when the scallop and eyelet border look a little too pretty.

So as you can see I have used a lot of my retired stash on this layout.

How about you, do you have a pile of retired products you haven't used. How about I challenge you to get out your old product and create. Leave me a comment and link to your creation. I would love to see what you make.

Happy Stamping

Lisa

All materials Stampin' Up! unless otherwise stated.

Very Merry

We are up to the last layout from my last Scrapbook Club. Don't forget if you are interested in joining the next round there are still spots left so be sure to contact me soon.

Our last layout was a Christmas layout featuring Bella Rose Designer paper (now retired).

I have used a base of Old Olive cardstock. I always save my diecut papers when I buy them to use as templates. I have used one of these templates to make a Real Red photo mat. I doodled around the edge with my Basic Black marker.

I have punched circles from the Bella Rose paper with various circle punches (I think I used every circle punch I own.

The title was stamped with the Big Deal Alphabet and trimmed out.

In the little frame I have used a definition from the Definitions set. The cute frame stamp is now retired (and I cannot for the life of me think of the name of the stamp set). I journalled on white strips and adhered these to the layout.

I hope you have enjoyed this little look at my last scrapbook club.

Happy stamping

Lisa

All materials Stampin' Up! unless otherwise stated.

Home

Hi there,

We have had a hugely busy day today in the Johnston household. It started out bright and early with young Mr Sam waking up at 5.30 (I know!! and I am so not a morning person). We then spent the next few hours waiting anxiously to see if cricket would be cancelled or not.

Thankfully it wasn't and Zac's Under 12 team won their grandfinal match. I was so excited for the boys. They have worked hard and really deserved their win. Zac bowled really well and got two wickets with the last two balls of his over but then didn't get to come back on so we will never know if he would have got his hat-trick. Yes I am a very proud mumma.

Ben's team (under 9s) only had two people in their opposition turn up so they had a muck around game for the last of the season. Ben has really enjoyed his first season of cricket and he has improved so much.

After cricket it was home for a few hours to prepare for Ben's 9th birthday party which was at the Indoor Sports Centre ...so yes more running around and sweaty boys. They had a blast though.

Zac is now at his second birthday party of the day so before I pick him up (and then his sleepover guest) I have five minutes to share the fifth layout from scrapbook club.

This layout features the cute jumbo wheel "Neighbourhood".

I have used the wheel on Kraft cardstock to make the background paper and also to make the cute accents.

Here is a close up of some of the detail on the page.

I love this colour combo of navy, red, kraft and chocolate chip.

I still haven't added my photos to this page as I wanted some post renovation photos but of course 11 years after we started we still haven't finished. As my husband says, "You can't rush these things".

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you find some time this weekend to create.

Happy stamping

Lisa

Sweet

Our fourth layout for scrapbook club was "Sweet".

We used the Sweet Always paper (now retired) and Always stamp set. The heart and bird from this stamp set are just gorgeous.

Thanks for stopping by.

Lisa

Time With Dad

The third layout from my last Scrapbook Club featured the gorgeous Sense of Time stamp set and heat embossing.

The colour scheme of Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Kraft, Basic Gray and Black was again drawn from the patterned papers we used (Urban Oasis from the last catalogue).

This was a simple layout that really put the focus on the photos.

Don't forget to check out this post for details on joining the next round of scrapbook club.

Thanks for stopping by

Lisa

What a Hoot

Hello again.

Time to share the second layout from my 2010 Scrapbook Club (see yesterday's post for details on joining my 2011 Scrapbook Club).

This was a fun layout using chipboard and the Forest Friends Stamp Set. The colour scheme was drawn from the Urban Garden Designer Series paper.

These photos crack me up. Matt, Ben and Miss B had such fun pulling faces for the camera.

Thanks for stopping by.

Lisa

December Frenzy

yeah I know December is a kind of crazy month but I was actually talking about this:

Stampin' Up! have some awesome specials for December. Click here to view the flyer. Some items are 50% off regular prices.

The promotion runs until 29 December and is strictly while stocks last so contact me to grab a bargain today.

Happy Stamping

Lisa

Summer Mini Catalogue

The Summer Mini Catalogue can now be viewed online here.

We have some fantastic new product lines including Smooch Spray and Presto Patterns Specialty paper. The stamps sets and new Designer Series Papers are of course gorgeous plus we have a new border punch (happy dance).

If you would like your own copy of the Mini Catalogue or to book your Summer workshop and see some of the new products in person be sure to contact me.

Happy Stamping

Lisa

Scrapbook Club 2011

I think I have well and truly had my share of issues with technology lately. My computer has died (again!!). My poor old DH had already rebuilt it once this year after some very nasty virus issues and this time around there was no reviving the poor old thing. So I now have a brand spanking new laptop which I absolutely love but we are still trying to retrieve my old files and pictures etc that were stored on the old computer.

To top it all off my camera died when we were on holidays last month and it has only just returned from the repairer. I was very lost without a camera. I don't think I realised just how often I used it.

But the good thing is that it is back and I can now share my projects with you again.

So firstly I have some layouts from the last Scrapbook Club I ran. I will share one each day from our last club so be sure to check back tomorrow.

The first layout is one of my favourites using Bella Rose Designer Series paper and the A Rose is a Rose Stamp Set (both of which are now retired).

We did a lot of stamping, cutting out and layering with the rose embellishments. We also used border punches and I have added in a cute hat pin and pearls from the Pretties Kit.

I am currently taking signups for my 2011 Scrapbook Club.

What is Scrapbook Club I hear you ask, well each club has 5 members and the club runs for 5 months. Each member agrees to place a minimum $60 order each month.

Each member gets to be Hostess one month and receive the hostess benefits from our order which will be a minimum of a Level 1 Hostess Stamp Set and $30 to spend in the catalogue.

Each month we will make a 12x12 layout. There will be a small materials fee of $5 for the layout kit which is a bit different to my last club but it will enable us to add more embellishments to the pages we make.

I will also be offering the Club layouts as a monthly scrapbook class for non Club members at a cost of $20.

Scrapbook Club is a great way to add to your stamp collection, create some layouts for your album while learning new techniques and have a great time out with new and old friends each month.

So be sure to contact me if you would like to join the 2011 Scrapbook Clubs.

Happy stamping

Lisa

Pete Murray - Opportunity

Gorgeous, gorgeous song this. Enjoy.

Join the In Crowd

Stampin' Up! have a fantastic offer this month for anyone thinking of joining.

Not only has the starter kit been revamped it is now cheaper at only $289.

Plus this month anyone who joins will also receive an In Color bundle which includes the markers, inkpads and cardstock in the 5 brand new In Colors.

This is a fantastic offer so if you have been thinking of joining contact me this month for more information.

Plus new demonstrators receive 30% off their first order over $300 so this would be a great time to save on all those new catalogue goodies.

Happy Stamping

Lisa

Scrap the Boys Challenge 2

Here is another layout from camp last weekend which is my entry for the second Scrap the Boys challenge this month, which was to use ribbon in a unique way. I have used 5 ribbons across the bottom of my photo as a background.

The cute little bird was from a pack of SEI chipboard pieces, there are Finishing Touch Ideas rubons, Making Memories Fabric brads, papers from Stampin Up and I can't remember where the diecut paper came from but it is fairly new.

Thanks for stopping by

Lisa

Scrap the Boys August 1

Well it has been a week since we arrived at Lake Keepit for Deb's awesome Paperarts retreat and I am now recovered. We had the best time and Nerd Night was a blast...unfortunately I have to report that I am the nerdiest of them all and apparently by quite a way. My boys will be so proud of their mumma ..mmm maybe not.

At camp as well as doing four classes with Ngaire and Jill...I scrapbooked, and ate and chatted and scrapbooked some more. It was amazing..so great to recharge the spirit even if the body came home very very tired.

This is the first layout I have to show you. It is for the Scrap the Boys challenge to use flowers on a boy layout.

My flower was handcut from some denim fabric and layered with a Making Memories canvas flower and vintage button.

I thought this challenge would be hard but I ended up using flowers of some description on almost every layout from the weekend.

Photo is my gorgeous Matman looking angelic (ha ha). Used up an old fabric frame and rubons on here too and that cute fabric tag is from Junkitz.

Thanks for stopping by

Lisa

Last Chance

The Last Chance List has been released by Stampin' Up! and some products are up to 50% off...

Click here to view the full list.

This is your last chance to get these products, once they are sold out or come 1st September they are gone for good. Some items have already sold out so if there is anything you would like contact me quickly to place your order.

Happy Stamping

Lisa

Would you like to win this...I would!

There is a fantastic giveaway at Scrap the Boys at the moment. Be sure to head over and check it out and while you are there check out the first challenge for August. It is a good one.

Happy Scrapping

Lisa

Mattman and Beanie

The 1st challenge at Scrap the Boys this month is to record your boys vital statistics right now using a portrait shot. Full details of the challenge are on the blog here.

Sam, decided to "help" me take photos of my layouts lol.

I have done a couple of these pages, first one is Matman aka Matt

and second we have Beanie aka Ben

How cute is that dinosaur!! Beanie's page is all Basic Grey Archaic and Matman's uses Kaiser - finally more of my stash of older papers is being used. Feeling very proud of myself now.

I have a page of Zac on the go - I just need to pin him down for some help with the journalling and Sammy, well I need to pin him down so I can get a photo that isn't blurry...he moves so fast these days.

Thanks for stopping by

Lisa

My Boy

Scrap the Boys has some great challenges at the moment and since I have not one but four boys to scrapbook I thought I would play along.

The first page I have is for the "Devil is in the details" challenge and is of my eldest Zac.

Believe it or not I didn't have a stamp that I liked for this layout so I actually inked some non-slip rubber matting and stamped on my background with that. I am really happy with the effect and will definately be using that again. The ink I have used is Night of Navy. The papers and embellishments are way old ones from my stash and it feels so good to have finally used them. The only fairly new item is the ticket that my Mum gave me a bunch of when I was admiring the collection she had (thanks Mum).

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget you have until the end of the month to enter the challenges at Scrap the Boys.

Cheers

Lisa

Love this Girl

This is a page on my cute niece Nykola. It was going to be my entry to the Just Add Ink add stitching challenge but with all the computer issues I had it was never entered so I thought I would share it with you all today.

There are a couple of things I really love about this page. The first is the handstitched titled. It was very easy to do by stamping my title with the Jumbo Outline Stamp Set and then using my paper piercer to pierce holes for my stitching.

The second thing I love is the layered flowers. I used the One of a Kind stamp set and stamped with Rich Razzleberry ink on to a sheet of orchid paper from the Cottage Wall set of papers.

I also cut some leaves from one of the other sheets of paper and layered those in there as well.

The stitching around the edges was done with my paper piercer and white gel pen and yes it did take ages. I really need to dust off my sewing machine ...I had forgotten how much I like the look of stitching on my scrapbook pages.

I have used two of my new favourites with the Top Note Die and Timeless Type alphabet for my bigshot machine. I love love love that alphabet.

Some pearls from the Pretties Kit, Rich Razzleberry Ribbon and Rhinestone brads finish off the layout.

Now if you would like to get hold of the Big Shot for your own scrapbooking and cardmaking I have a special bundle deal available.

My Big Shot Bundle includes:

Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

(includes standard cutting pads and multipurpose platform) $179.95

Top Note Die $42.95

Scallop Circle Bigz Die $37.95

Little Leaves Sizzlit Die $10.95

Embosslits die of your choice $21.95

Textured Impressions Embossing Folder of your choice $15.95

Total $309.70

Plus Level 1 Hostess Set and $30 free product of your choice.

You pay only $300 with free postage.

A payment plan of $100 per month is also available with the products being delivered after the last payment.

Contact me to order your Big Shot Bundle this month and I will also include a free cardmaking class using your new Big Shot machine.

Happy Stamping

Lisa

JAI24

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is a sketch challenge.

Here is the sketch:

My photo is a shocker and I will try and get a better one in the morning but the deadline is Midnight tonight so I didn't have a chance to wait for better light (or for the Crystal Effects to dry for that matter). So here is my entry:

The label holder is straight in real life...honest. The bird from the Always Stamp Set and the inside of the label holder have been covered in Crystal Effects for a bit of dimension and sparkle. Using it this way it would normally take a few hours to dry completely. Make sure you leave your card flat or the Crystal Effects will run with gravity (how do I know this you ask hmmm I may have had a little accident with it in the past).

I have cut roses from one of the sheets of Bella Rose paper and the other flower is made from circles of various sizes cut from the Bella Rose pink paper. I have also stamped the script stamp from the Level 2 Hostess Set Rustic Rooster several times on a strip of pink Bella Rose paper and torn and inked the edges.

The pearl in my flower centre is from the Pretties Kit and the label holder from our Styled Silver Hodgepodge. I tend to buy these things and then never use them because they are "so pretty". But I am making myself use them now and they do look much nicer on a card then sitting in a box where they won't be seen (wouldn't you agree??).

So there you have it my not quite dry yet entry...make sure you stop by Just Add Ink and enter too..you have until midnight tonight.

Thanks for visiting

Lisa

two-step into fabulous

This month Stampin' Up! have 20% off selected Two-step stampin' sets from our current catalogues - no limit, no minimum purchase required.

The stamp sets featured in the main catalogue are:

Loads of Love (page 39) usual price $39.95 sale price $31.96
Big Bold Birthday **(page 42) usual price $53.95 sale price $43.16
A Rose is a Rose ** (page 78) usual price $66.95 sale price $53.56
Playful Petals **(page 86) usual price $52.95 sale price $42.36
Cheep Talk (page 98) usual price $47.95 sale price $38.36
Wonderful favourites (page 115) usual price $39.95 sale price $31.96

and from the Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue:

Tiny Tags (wood mount) usual price $38.95 sale price $31.16
Tiny Tags (clear mount) usual price $28.95 sale price $23.16
Cottage Garden (wood mount) usual price $32.95 sale price $26.36
Cottage Garden (clear mount) usual price $24.95 sale price $19.96

** retiring stamp sets.

Contact me today to place your order.

Happy stamping

Lisa

Christmas In July Class

I have a cute class planned to celebrate Christmas in July this year. The class features the gorgeous "I Wish" Simply Scrappin Kit from Stampin' Up!.

In the class we will be making 3 cards and 6 tags as well as decorating a tin (complete with a belly band) to store them in. This could either be a cute gift or a fabulous way to get yourself organised for Christmas.

There is also plenty left in your kit to go home and make some more cards and tags.

I only have 5 spots for this class so be sure to book early.

The class costs $35 and will be held on Sunday 18th July at 1 pm. The class runs for approximately 3 hours.

Please note I will need payment by Friday 9 July to order the supplies.

Happy Scrappin

Lisa

Just Add Ink 23

This week at Just Add Ink the challenge is to just add patterned paper. Now I love my Designer Series Papers so I knew this would be a challenge I would really enjoy.



For my card I used the Haiku Designer Series paper. The flower embellishments are made by layering different sized circles that have been punched from the paper, scrunched and inked. I have added some Felt flowers as well.

The sentiment and leaves have been diecut with my new favourites Timeless Type and Little Leaves for the Big Shot.

The Green scalloped circle is a Carousel Note from my stash of retired product.


Thanks for stopping by and don't forget the challenge is open till Midnight Wednesday so you still have time to enter.

Happy Stamping

Lisa

Edited to add: My card was picked in the top 5 this week at Just Add Ink .... I am an excited little vegemite.

Colour Renovation

Many of you would have heard by now that Stampin' Up! are having a colour renovation.

We have come to know and love the 4 colour families of Bold Brights, Rich Regals, Soft Subtles and Earth Elements plus neutrals but the time has come for an update and I for one love the changes.

We will now have 4 colour collections: Brights, Subtles, Regals and Neutrals. Each collection has ten colours.

The new colours are just gorgeous and my least used colour family (Bold Brights) will now be my go to collection.

The sad news is that many colours will be disappearing when the new Idea Book and Catalogue is released in September. So if there are colours you cannot live without (Close to Cocoa comes to mind) or inkpads you haven't purchased refills for it would be wise to start thinking about that now so you can spread your purchases out over the next few months and before stocks run out.

The retiring colours are:

Stampin' Up! have really planned the change out well and customers who have purchased Marker, Crayon and Pastel sets will be able to purchase the new colours to update their sets. More details on these options will be available closer to the release of the new catalogue.

PLUS we will still have In Colours and the new good news is that they will now be available for two years. Five colours will be released each year. So the first year we will have five and the second 10 and the third year the first lot will be retired and new group released so there will always be 10 In Colours available.

All in all, definately a change for the better and I cannot wait to get my hands on the new core colours.

If you have any questions about the Colour Renovation or would like to place an order please do not hesitate to contact me.

Happy stamping

Lisa

Deals of the Week

Stampin' Up! have a fantastic promotion for us this month and I am sooo excited about it.

This is the first time we have had this promotion in Australia. Each week there is a new deal, and each deal only lasts for a week...how cool is that!

Deal Number 1 is on everyone's favourite tool - punches! Especially mine...have you noticed my punch obsession. I will have to take a pic of my wall of punches to share with you all.

But back to the fantastic deal - until next Tuesday, 8th June, you can take 30% off these punches:

The Scallop Oval, Scallop Square, Trio Flower and Boho Blossom punches are all only $20.12 for one week only. What a bargain!! There are no minimums and no limits, so place your order today!

Lisa

Stamp a Memory Challenge - Shaped Layout

Hello there, my poor old blog has been sadly neglected for quite some time now...I really don't know where the time goes.

I have some scrapbooking to share today. This fortnight's challenge at Stamp-a-memory is to create a shaped layout.

I decided to go with a crescent moon shape to go with a sweet photo of my Matt-man asleep in his cot (it was a rare site with that child I tell ya).

I am really pleased with how this turned out. I have the layout sitting against an acrylic frame in the photo so you can see it a bit better (I hope).

My title has been stamped with the Jumbo Outline Alphabet and cut out.



Thanks for stopping by and I promise to update again more frequently (I rooly truly do).

Lisa

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Sweet Slumber Specialty paper

Barely Banana Textured Cardstock

Stamps: Jumbo Outline

Ribbon: So Saffron grosgrain, Riding Hood Red Taffeta

Inks: Riding Hood Red, So Saffron and Baja Breeze

Punches: Large and Small Star, scallop border

Big Shot Dies: Top Note

Other: Sponge Daubers, Many Marvelous Markers, Button Bouquet button, Crop-a-Dile, Stampin Dimensionals, sticky strip, glue dots

Autumn / Winter Mini is here

Well we are back from our camping adventure and thankfully this year the rain waited until we had arrived home. The kids had such a great time, as did the adults. It is so lovely to relax and enjoy each other's company. Now to start planning next year's Easter adventure.

While I was awol the new Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue has gone live. Click here to check it out. If you would like a copy contact me and I will pop one in the post to you.

We have some fantastic new product lines including the Big Shot. I can't wait to get my hands on some of Stampin' Up!'s exclusive dies. If you are as excited as I am about this product you will want to check back Thursday to see my bundle deal for the Big Shot.

Back to the unpacking now

Happy Stamping

Lisa

JAI9 First Giggle

Has it been a week since my last post already. I really don't know where the time goes.

Well actually I have an idea that it might be this little person.

When I was taking photos of my challenge entry I turned around to discover him doing a little computing of his own. He is such a character. (Excuse my very messy desk in the picture there too).

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is a sketch. You have until Wednesday to enter so if you haven't already be sure to give it a go.

Here is the sketch:

And here is my Scrapbook page:

I am really having trouble getting a decent photo of this layout..

I have used the Rock-a-Bye Boy Simply Scrappin Kit from Stampin' Up!.

Here is a close-up of my journalling and the sticker I have used for the title.

Thank for stopping by.

Happy Stamping

Lisa

Supplies:

Rock -a-Bye Boy Simply Scrappin Kit

Ink: Bashful Blue

Ribbon: Tangerine Tango Striped Grosgrain

Other: Stampin' Dimensionals, Scallop Edge Punch, Spiral Punch, Stampin' Journaller, Button Bouquet

JAI8 Bunny

This week at Just Add Ink the theme is to "Just Add Easter".






What says Easter more than a cute bunny (well except chocolate maybe).

Obviously, I must have liked the colour challenge last week as I have used the same colours again this week (they just happened to match the bunny my Sam is holding in the photos).




Here is a close-up of the punch art bunny. I have sponged all the separate pieces to give him a little depth.

The base of my layout is Tempting Turquoise cardstock topped with a sheet of paper from the Windsor Knot DSP set. I have cut a circle from Green Galore cardstock and stamped this with the Polka Dot background stamp.

I have used my Scallop border punch and Curly Lable punch on some cardstock strips and added some So Saffron ribbon for a bit of detail. The flowers come from the So Tweet chipboard set and have just been sponged with ink.

Don't forget to check out all the other entries at Just Add Ink.

Happy stamping

Lisa

Supplies:

Card: Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, So Saffron, Summer Sun, Pink Passion

Paper: Windsor Knot

Stamps: Polka Dot Background, A Good Egg

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, So Saffron, Pink Passion

Other: So Saffron Ribbon, Sponge Daubers, Stampin' Dimensionals, Timeless Type Chipboard, So Tweet Chipboard, Crop-a-dile

Punches: Large Oval, Small Oval, 3/4" circle, 1 3/8" circle, 1/2" circle, Boho Blossoms, Scallop Border, Slot, Curly Label