Saturday 3 October 2015

World Card Making Day!

Well, I know I haven't blogged in a while, with so much going on in our household it has certainly been tricky. But, what better time to start than today; World Card Making Day! 
Today we have been super busy, heading off to one of our many kids sporting events. With glorious sunshine and true a Australian summer heading our way, we headed for the Gold Coast early this morning. 
With a number of kids competing and lots of waiting around, especially for siblings of the kids competing, I decided to make up some card kits to celebrate the day as I couldn't hold my own event at home. I made sure to include adhesives, scissors and extra punch outs (just in case any went a stray).
The inspiration for this card actually came from one of the kids this week who constantly muttered the word "Baaanaaana!" in between training breaks, and after seeing the Minion movie last holidays, how could I resist creating one of these cuties!
The card I have created today is also inspired by one of the many Minion cards circulating on the internet.
So here it is. Hope you like it.
                                              

Yours in ink,
Joelle

Wednesday 1 July 2015

Kids Classes & Card #6 in my Masculine Card Challenge

What a lovely morning I have had with my kids craft class this morning. I simply adore how the children I teach are so creative, calm and enthusiastic. It is such a delight to teach them. I can't wait for next week's class - mini albums. There are still a couple of places for next week (only a couple though), so if you are interested, please contact me as I need to prepare all kits prior to the day.
So for those of you that have been waiting patiently, finally here it is, my last card in my Masculine Card Challenge. 
I believe I have saved the best until last. The card I have for you today is called a "Joy Fold" card and I got my inspiration from one of my favourite US blogs to visit Create with Connie and Mary . They recently had a Joy Fold card blog hop. I love their blog, they have weekly challenges and fabulous ideas using Stampin' Up! products.
I love the colour Island Indigo, it is one of my favourites, and I finally got to use it again in a card, this time for a male (or female - shhhhh). This is my favourite, because not only does it use one of my favourite colours, I was able to sneak a little bling in subtly too - what do you think?
Outside
Inside
All products used to create this card are by Stampin' Up! Stamp Sets: Amazing Birthday, Gorgeous Grunge and Wetlands. Cardstocks: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Island Indigo. Other: Silver sequin trim, Bermuda Bay thick bakers twine, silver mini brad, scissors, paper trimmer, Stampin' Dimensionals, Basic Jewels - pearl.
I hope you love this card as much as I do. Now . . . who to give it to?
Until next time,
Ink up those claws and get stamping!
Joelle



Monday 29 June 2015

School Holiday Happiness

School holidays are here and that means one thing . . . no making school lunches for two whole wonderful weeks!!! YAY!
Sure, there are certainly other joys to the school holidays like spending time with our lovely children, not having to hurry everyone up to pack bags, clean teeth, polish school shoes or get on that bus; but not having to make sets of school lunches is definitely a BIG bonus!
Well, I have been having lots of creative fun lately. I have been stamping, sewing and crafting up a storm. Unfortunately that has lead to a rather out of control craft space which needs to be reined in well and truly. But before I start a major clean up, here is a pickie of one of my latest creations:
A lovely lady at my husband's work has her baby shower today before she departs to have her baby. Babies are so exciting and such a blessing to any family. Sadly, my husband just informed me her last day was today, as not only is she having her baby, she is also moving away. I have used a hostess set here from the 2014-15 catalogue, which I just adore and after much inspiration from Pinterest, here is what I came up with:

All products used are Stampin' Up: Cardstock: Whisper White, Hello Honey, Festival of Prints DSP (retired), Trim The Tree DSP (retired). Inks: Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Tangello Twist. Stamp Set: Hello Love (Hostess set 2014-2015). Other: SNAIL, Fast Fuse, blender pen, glue pen, paper snips, paper trimmer, Basic Jewels - rhinestones.
Well enough for today,
I am off to entertain my kids (try to anyway).
I'll be back really soon with my last of my masculine challenge cards.
Until then,enjoy crafting up a storm.
Joelle

Friday 26 June 2015

Upcoming Holiday Class for Children - Mini Album - Week 2

I am really looking forward to my kids classes coming up in the holidays. I love how the kids are so creative and are often bubbling with excitement about creating something new and amazing. 
It always fascinates me to see how creative children can be and the different ideas they come up with, yet they are all given similar supplies. I provide a kit for each child in the class, with all of the supplies that they will need to complete their project, they then have the choice to create one exactly like mine or create their own. The majority of children choose to create their own, which is absolutely wonderful! 
Today I am showing off my craft class for kids for the second Wednesday (8.6.15) of the NSW school holidays.
I will be offering 3 differing kits that the children will choose from (blues, greys & yellows OR floral pinks, greens & yellows OR purples/yellows & greys).
Here are the completed examples of the 3 colour options:
 These are the finished mini albums closed.

The floral colour scheme album -  first layer
 The floral colour scheme album -  second layer

These little albums have plenty of space to add photos, journalling & memorabilia, and yet fold up to be so compact. They are the perfect brag book for the child, or fill them with memorable photos and they become a special gift for a loved one. They would also make the perfect year six graduation gift (all their friends could autograph it), add a couple of pickies from the night and voila! A unique keepsake.
If you would like your child to experience the joy of creativity in a positive small group environment, contact me today to secure their place.
I hope you have enjoyed checking out my latest kids class project.
Until next time,
Get crafty!
Joelle

Tuesday 23 June 2015

Upcoming Classes for Children

I have been so busy preparing for my children's school holiday craft classes and . . . wait for it . . .(drum roll please). .  launching my childrens after school craft classes to begin in Term 3, 2015.
I am so excited! With thousands of great ideas running through my brain at a million miles per hour, I am busy, busy, busy.
Today I have a photo of my kids card class which is running in the first week of the July school holidays (see details on the left hand side of this blog). Each child will make a set of cards along with a cute little box in which to store them in. There is an option to either make the box a pretty one with a butterfly or a more masculine one with some different embellishments. These make a great gift or are super useful when you need to find a quick card before flying out the door with a box of chockies for somebody special.


In regards to term time lessons, I have planned that each week the children will have a small project that they will complete to take home. We will also be working on a major project each week, which will be taken home at the end of the term. So exciting! So if you live in the Far North Coast or Northern Rivers Region of NSW and have a child aged between 8-14 years of age that might be interested in attending holiday craft classes or term lessons once per week, contact me ASAP. Places are limited. 
I'll be back soon with a photo of my other holiday Mini Scrapbook class which is running in the second week of the school holidays.
Until then, craft up a storm!
Joelle 

Monday 22 June 2015

Masculine Card #5

Ok, so I showed you four of my masculine cards, now it's time for number 5. I am pretty happy with this one and of the six cards that I have done, my husband has told me this one is his favourite (yep, storing that in the memory bank!) 
Today's card was so quick and easy to make, yet looks pretty good, if I do say so myself! This "Hardwood" background stamp has been sitting on my shelf for about a month now begging me to pick it up and use it, yet my "mojo" wasn't quite in the right place, but I had I ignored it's pleas until now ("Yep, the woman has finally cracked it, she thinks her stamps talked to her", I hear you say). I have also used the "Hello You" thinlits which are fast becoming one of my favourite dies. I also managed to create a faux button by simply using circle punches and some linen thread (another of my favourite supplies to use on masculine cards). I have made a card just like this one for my father-in-law's birthday, I hope he likes it.
All products are Stampin' Up! Stamp Sets: Crazy about You, Hardwood. Inks: Chocolate Chip. Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Old Olive. Other: Hello You thinlits, 3/4" circle punch, 1/8" & 1/16 handheld punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, linen thread.

Although my photography is not super on this one, I was happy with the overall effect.
My last card in the challenge isn't far away now. . . but until then,
Happy stamping!
Joelle

Saturday 20 June 2015

Masculine Card Challenge Card #4

I've done it again! I have completed yet another masculine card yet again. Today's card is a little bit of fun. I love this stamp set as I enjoy a bit of a laugh now and then, and this set sure does just that. I have also incorporated my love of animals in using this set and always find it amusing to see a dog chasing it's tail (I know how it must feel sometimes!) This set is called Giggle Greetings and sadly, I have had this set for a while and never even opened the case (oh the shame!) I have put this card together with the intended purpose of presenting it to a male that has maybe graduated from high school or university, achieved a goal they had set for themselves or even landed a new job or promotion.


This card uses Stampin' Up! exclusive products. Stamp Set: Giggle Greetings. Cardstock: Soft Suede, Envelope Paper (NEW!) in Tip Top Taupe, Watermelon Wonder, watercolour paper. Inks, Soft Suede, Watermelon Wonder, Memento- Black,  Smokey Slate. Other: Arrows TIEF, Blender Pen, Fast Fuse, Stampin' Dimensionals.
Hope you like this one.
Until next time,
Ink up those claws and stamp!
Joelle