Mojo Monday - 40 & Fabulous!

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I thought I would quickly play along to a challenge I haven't played in a long time, Mojo Monday.

It's a sketch challenge blog and gives loads of ideas for card layout and lots of people usually play along, so it's easy to get tonnes of inspiration.

My card has been made for my close friend Nicole, who does not resemble 40 at all!

Happy Birthday my sweet.

Thanks for stopping by,

Lou X

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Just Add Ink - Colour Combo

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 The Just Add Ink challenge this week is a colour challenge and even though I wouldn't usually put this colour combination together, I quite like it! That's what I like most about challenges, they make me step out of my comfort zone. You should play along too, it's lots of fun!

 

 Kim from our design team came up with this colour combination which was inspired by this image and it reminded me of a pretty garden tea party, so I tried to get some inspiration from the image also.

I love the little scallop bunting and ruffled trim, I had fun making this card. Sometimes though the photo doesn't show all the pretty details, but I did my best and took a close up to show the tiny twinkling details, I hope you can see them?

I also got some inspiration from one of my favourite UK demonstrators, Michelle Last. I have been stalking Michelle's blog for years and was blessed to get the oppotunity to meet her at Grand Vacation this year. She is just the sweetest and I love her work, I am sure you will too!

There seems to be so many birthdays this time of year. Between our daughter and son I think they have been to quite a few this past month! It's a little ironic that I am using the stamp set called 'Remembering Your Birthday', when I seem to have forgotten a few lately! I still very much love you all, please forgive me. (Insert giant hugs here!)

 Remembering Your Birthday (pg16)

 Kind & Cozy (pg82)

Stamp Sets: Remembering Your Birthday, Kind & Cozy

Accessories: Ruffled Trim, Bakers Twine, Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Markers, Scallop Edge Border Punch, 7/8'' Scallop Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch, Pearls, Dazzling Diamonds

Designer Series Paper: Subtles Designer Paper Stack

 Colour Combination: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Blushing Bride, Soft Sky, So Saffron

Thanks for stopping by,

Lou X

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Just Add Ink - Photo Inspiration

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'Joyful Wishes'

A phrase I want to share with all my blog friends. It's coming into what many call it as the 'silly season' and I, along with many I'm sure tend to feel as though we are turning 'silly' or crazy! (Yes, I am putting you in that basket too, just so I feel better!) I want you all to remember the JOY that this season brings, even if you may not follow Christmas traditions, I'm sure most of you will be with loved ones and this will bring love and joy.

The Just Add Ink challenge is a photo inspiration this week given to us by Kim on the Design Team. Thanks Kim, I love it!

When I was given this photo challenge I knew I just 'needed' to reach for the new 'Christmas Star' from the Single Stamps Holiday Collection. Some of the JAI Design Team had the same thought, be sure to pop over to Just Add Ink to see how versatile this stamp is.
Yes, this can be purchased as a single stamp! Christmas Star - $16.95. 

*Note that all single stamps are only available as clear mounted.

Another favourite stamp set is 'Joyful Christmas' on page 27 of the Holiday Catalogue and I'm hoping to be back soon to show you some cards I have made using this set - but don't hold your breath because you know what I'm like! ;)

Page 27 - $39.95 wood mounted / $31.95 clear mounted

Also from the Holiday Catalogue on page 24, the new 'Pretty Print Textured Impressions' Embossing Folder: $13.95

I made this card for my good friend Mehgan, who I met this year at the North American Convention. (You can read about Mehgan >HERE< - Stampin Up Convention - Part 1)

 I do miss Mehgan and a little piece of my heart, along with my card, will be spending Christmas in Arizona. Now to get it in the post, because you know how terrible I am at making things and not getting them to the desired person. Add that to my New Year's Resolution list!

Stamp Sets: Christmas Star, Joyful Christmas

Accessories: Seam Binding Ribbon, Pretty Print Embossing Folder, Stampin' Write Marker

Designer Series Paper: Modern Medley - the newsprint piece

 Colour Combination: Crumb Cake and Cherry Cobbler

Thanks for stopping by,

Lou X

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Just Add Ink - Sketch Challenge

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'We Blend Well'

I made this card not only for the Just Add Ink challenge, but also for my best-friends kitchen tea. I think it's appropriate! I'm not a huge fan of circles or things that sit off-centre, however I must admit that I'm pleased with how it turned out. I went to a 'retro/vintage' look. Hope you like too!

Here's the sketch challenge designed by Delys.

The stamp set I used is from 'Crazy Mixed Up Love' - it's a cute set. 

 

 Thanks for stopping by,

Lou X

P.S - For my devoted blog followers, I am sorry that it's been a while between posts. I have still been busy crafting as I recently did the Sydney Craft Festival and will be back with some photos of some of the lovely things. Thanks for all your love. Lou xx

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Just Add Ink - Colour Challenge

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It's hard to believe that it's October already and Christmas is just around the corner. When I noticed the colours for this weeks Just Add Ink Colour Challenge I thought they would be great Christmas colours and also give me the oppotunity to play with my new stamp set 'Merry Little Christmas'. I found myself singing the tune when I was making it! 

Stamp Set: Merry Little Christmas (pg27 Holiday Catalogue)

Accessories: Stitched Satin Ribbon, 2 1/2'' Circle Punch, Stampin' Markers, Bitty Banners Framelits

Designer Series Paper: In-Colour Paper Stack

 Colour Combination: Costal Cabana, Raspberry Ripple, Sahara Sand, Whisper White

P.S - I didn't read 'Very Vanilla' on the colour sheet and it looked white to me. So I went with Whisper White and I'm sure you can imagine it in Vanilla!

Thanks for stopping by,

Lou X

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Just Add Bows

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"Always the Bridesmaid, never the Bride"

The Just Add Ink challenge this week is from Nikki, 'Just Add Bows' and as you know, I always love adding bows to my cards, but this time, for me, it had to be an 'amazing' bow - a stand out bow! 

As for the quote, for me it's different. I have never been a bridesmaid. I have been blessed by being a bride and I loved it, but never a bridesmaid. Until now! So you can imagine my excitement when I was asked and of course I needed to create the most amazing engagement card for my best-friend and her fiancé! I can't wait for them to 'tie the knot.' ;)

 

This is a tri-fold card, so it needed to be on an easle!

The card was so thick that I made a box for it!

I am loving the new Modern Medley Designer Series Paper on page 154. 

I have seen so many beautiful cards made using this paper, great for Christmas and male cards too! I used it >HERE< a few months ago.

Another favoutite stamp - Hello, Doily on page 122.

$30.95 wood / $24.95 clear

 Stamp Sets: Hello Doily, Love & Laughter

Accessories: Black Satin Ribbon (my own stash), Large Scallop Edgelits, Delicate Designs Embossing Folder, Versa Mark Pad, Black Embossing Powder, Large Rhinestone, Sqaure Envelope,

Simply Scored was used to create the box.

Designer Series Paper: Modern Medley (pg154)

 Colour Combination: Whisper White, Basic Black 

 Thanks for stopping by,

Lou X

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A 'Lou' Moment!

Admission Time

Surely I am not the only one who has those 'moments' where a good intention goes horribly wrong due to being overwhelmed or excited, or both! 

Ok, so for those of you who know me really well, I have 'moments' all.the.time. I have the greatest of intensions, however I'm just .not. that great at pulling them off. I'm slack when it comes to posting birthday cards, finishing cards (I literally have tonnes of un-finished cards and projects,) or I make them and the intended person doesn't get them. To all those who love me anyway, I'm sorry and I really do still love you! 

My 'moment' in Utah. (Well one of them!)

If you can remember back to the USA Stampin' Up! Convention, there was a World Record Challenge. Here's the post >World Record Attempt<

 

 I made my card for my friend Nicole, who had helped me make cards, taken cardstock and ribbon home to cut, helped me pack orders before I left and has just been a great freind. (Note that my mum and best-friend also helped me, however, because if all my 'great intensions that I never pull off', Nicole had never received a handmade card from me!)

So, here's the thing. I made the card, packed it safely in my suitcase and took it with me. I sat down at the hotel and wrote on the hotel notepad what I was going to say in Nicole's card. It was heartwarming and lovely. It had all the things I wanted to thank Nicole for.

I sent my card that night, after lining up with my friend, Mehgan, for hours and hours. I was even a little proud of myself for having it organised! Nicole received her card a few days later and opened it up to NOTHING! No lovely heartwarming words of how grateful I was or how much I appreciated her help. Nothing. Just a card! I can only imagine the look on her face! 

So another card has been made, with heartwarming words in it this time, to saying thank you, not only for helping me, but for loving me with all my faults!

Thanks for listening and I would love to hear from others who might also be like me!

Lots of Love
Lou X

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Just Add Ink - Sketch Challenge

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The Just Add Ink challenge this week is a sketch challenge and as soon as I saw it I knew exactly what I wanted to do! I don't always know what to do and often ponder for quite a while before coming up with something, but this time I knew. I like it when that happens! Big Smiles :)

This weeks sketch:

 

 Yes, you got it! I just went straight to my new stamp set 'Six-Sided Sampler' on page 125.
$46.95 wood / $36.95 clear
OR  Bundle and Save $65.25 wood / $56.75 clear

Stamp Set: Six Sided Sampler

Accessories: Hexagon Punch, Small Heart Punch, Bitty Banners Framelits

Designer Series Paper: In-Color Paper Stack

Colour Combination: Whisper White, Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana, Brown Baked Sugar

On a side note, did you notice I didn't use any ribbon? I use ribbon or twine on nearly every card and I was asked recently if I could ever make a card without it!!!! Yes, yes I can! LOL

Thanks for stopping by,
Lou X

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Just Add Ink - Frames

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For those of you who may not know I am a Design Team Member over at Just Add Ink however I recently have missed the past couple of weeks. Please forgive me!

I made this card to participate in this weeks challenge, 'Just Add Frames' and if I'm not quick I will miss tomorrows cut off. Better get a 'shake' on! LOL

 I love the new Chalk Talk stamp set and I am so happy that the Shaker Frames are now available in the main catalogue on page 175, because they go so well together to make a shaker card. I loved Deb Fearns take on using this combination and thought I would give it a go myself for my bestfriends birthday card. Her favourite colour is Real Red and thought I'd add a bit of 'class' by adding the Gold Glass Glitter inside the shaker frame. 

I quite like how it turned out!

Stamp Set: Chalk Talk

Accessories:Taffeta Ribbon, Gold Cotton (my own), Stampin' Glass Glitter, Beautifull Baroque Embossing Folder, Shaker Frames, Versa Mark Ink, White Embossing Powder

Colour Combination: Real Red, Whisper White

Thanks for stopping by,
Lou X

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You're Just My Cup of Tea!

When I recieved my copy of the new 2013-2014 Stampin' Up! Catalogue, there was a part of me that was scared to see all the new, beautiful products, because I knew my wishlist would double. And it did! I wrote a list of what I wanted needed to have in my first order. 'Tea Party' on page 35 was one of them!

This card would have to be my own personal favourite and I loved pairing the stamp set with the new in-colours, Crisp Cantaloupe and Pistachio Pudding.

I'm sure you will agree it's a very 'Louise' card! 

Tea Party Stamp Set - Page 35

$39.95 wood / $31.95 clear

In Colour Designer Paper Stack - Page 152 (Love this!)

40 sheets, 4 of each colour $37.95

Ruffled Stretch Trim - Page 173 (Swoon!)

 $15.95

Stamp Set: Tea Party

Accessories: Ruffled Trim, Crochet Trim, Seam Binding Ribbon, Baker's Twine

Designer Series Paper: 2013-2015 In-Color Paper Stack

Colour Combination: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding

Buy these items at my online shop now!

www.louisesharp.stampinup.net

Thanks for stopping by,

Lou X

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