Just Add Ink #551...Just Add 3D - photo heavy

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Hellooooo ~

Over at Just Add Ink today our new challenge kicks off - Just Add 3D. Rachael suggested this one & I had some fun creating these little Easter treat boxes (using the Love You Always boxes from the current mini catalogue) for our beautiful teachers.

You'll probably have worked out that this, & the previous couple of challenge pics, were all taken on the same day, which was rainy, dull & overcast - the perfect combination for lousy pics. I was working to get ahead prior to going on holidays. If only I was a bit more tech savvy I'd know how to clean them up & make them look as gorgeous as many other bloggers do....

I've wrapped the boxes in the pretty designer paper from the Ice Cream corner suite. These cute little bunnies are an MFT set of stamps that I reach for annually :)

The design team has created a variety of gorgeous projects for this challenge. Pop over to JAI to check them all out, then join the challenge fun with us!

We had an amazing two weeks in Queensland. The weather was stunningly perfect! We visited Fraser Island & all it offers - spent time at some gorgeous water spots, saw lots of the local wildlife & we finished our holiday with two nights in Brisbane where I got to spend precious time with my beautiful godson's. We had a day at Seaworld on the Gold Coast where my little guy absolutely fell in love with the dolphins (& has now proclaimed he is going to become a marine biologist) & little miss totally adored the seals. She even conquered her fears & rode a rollercoaster! It's good to be home but by gosh I've done a lot of washing & ironing since our return!

Here are just a handful of pics. Hubby made some amazing timelapse videos using his GoPro but if I add even one or two here this post will get ridiculously longer than it is already. Hope you enjoy a snippet into our holiday.

Ice cream at Noosa - the twins & I.

#Beach life.

Hubby got up verrrry early to catch the sun rise.

Stunning Lake Mckenzie - a long arduous drive on the island but absolutely worth it!

Champagne pools!

The Moheno shipwreck.

One of the locals - a dingo wandering about on the beach.

There was a family of goannas at our camp - I think this was one of the smaller visitors.

Patrice x

Just Add Ink #389 - Just Add Inspiration

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Good Friday morning friends ~

Welcome to our latest challenge over at Just Add Ink. Kelly has given us a great inspiration pic. Being so close to Christmas I'm still working on all my packaging so today I'm sharing a little Pillow Box all fancied up with designer paper, burlap, ribbons & trim. Inside is a gift card to the Dendy Premium Cinemas here in Canberra - a luxurious way to enjoy a movie on date night. Hmmmm I should be gifting this one to myself....

At the recent Stampin' Up! On Stage event in Melbourne I was lucky enough to room with a few fabulous ladies, one of which was the super talented Narelle Farrugia (that woman seriously cracks me up, she is too funny). It is a tradition for 'roomies' to give each other small gifts, & Narelle's was packaged very similarly to what I have done here. So my version is a CASE of hers (slight differences in designer paper & washi but basically the same - why change it if it ain't broken I say). Narelle graciously allowed me to share with you all because I didn't have time to get a different project ready. It has been super busy for weeks now, & I know I'm not alone in this! I'm not sure if Narelle blogged her original gift box to us roomies but pop over to check for it.

Hopefully this close up shows you the different layers of cardstock, designer paper, ribbons & trim (each of these items are current & can be purchased, except the corrugated c/s used for the Pillow Box itself).

If you've still got some Christmas crafting to get done, pop over to JAI & pick up a few card & packaging ideas. Don't forget to take a pic of your work & upload to join the challenge fun & share your ideas with us all. Here is the inspiration pic for you.

Thanks for stopping by today. I'm off to have my hair done shortly, then I'm out with the girls for dinner tonight. Tomorrow I have Elf duty at Little Athletics with the twins, & on Sunday I'm off to see Mama Mia the musical - very much looking forward to that. I hope you have something nice planned for your weekend!

Patrice x

Just Add Ink #387 - Just Add a Colour Combo

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Happy Friday ~

Welcome to the latest Just Add Ink challenge. Nikki has given us a festive colour combo this week....very fitting for this time of year.

I've taken one of Stampin' Ups! retired white gift boxes (2016/2017 Holiday Catalogue - I hoard all things craft) & dressed it up with designer paper & a heat embossed poinsettia - stamped in Cherry Cobbler, then again with Versamark & Clear Embossing Powder, I did the same with our new leaf punch (oh the convenience!) & added the lovely mini sequin trim. Fairly simple but dresses up a little gift really well I think. These boxes are going to contain some chocolates for the teacher aids in the twins classrooms.

Do you still have Christmas goodies to create? We'd love you to join us at JAI for some crafting fun, although keep in mind it isn't a Christmas specific challenge.

It was absolutely awesome & so much fun to spend time with my beautiful crafting friends at On Stage in Melbourne a fortnight ago. The time goes so quickly though...so a few of us have decided a road trip to meet halfway is in order sometime during February. We've found a nice spot with water close by & I just can't wait!

Gorgeous Kid finished Year 11 exams this week so no more school for him until February next year. He told his boss he's available for extra work & they've already taken him up on it. He hasn't had a day off yet lol.

Patrice x

Just Add Ink #385 - Just Add a Sketch - Pizza Gift Boxes

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Happy Friday friends ~

It's an exciting day! I'm hopping on a plane to Melbourne to meet up with some of my lovely JAI girlfriends for On Stage this weekend. I'm so looking forward to lots of laughs & good times. A shame not all of us are going to be at the same event...others are attending Gold Coast (waving to you Lou), & a few of the girls way over West aren't making the trip across this time (we'll miss you).

Anyway, welcome to the new challenge at Just Add Ink. Kim has given us a sketch this week. I'll pop it at bottom for you. I decorated some little Pizza gift boxes with the gorgeous Year of Cheer Suite. I love the foils...Specialty Designer Paper & Washi, Embossing Powder...all beautiful in copper.

Super easy to put together, they were not so easy to photograph. I wrapped the base of the box with copper Washi.

 
I used the Add a little Glitz Christmas stamp set for my sentiment - but you're not limited to creating Christmas packaging with this one.

As per the sketch I've tucked my ribbon (1cm shimmer in Powder Pink & Pool Party & the Metallic Edge in Silver) strategically under the sentiment, which is raised on dimensionals, added a couple of copper sequins & voila, finished!

What I neglected to notice until I was photographing these cute little boxes was my omission of the twine element at the top :(  oooops. I've been too distracted making what's inside these little boxes...but I can't show you those until later :)

Why don't you join the challenge fun this week?  Pop over to the JAI blog, be inspired by the design team samples & head into your craft space to get creative. We love to visit your blogs to see how you've been inspired.

Be sure to pop back next week because I'm certain there will be a bunch of On Stage photos floating around blogland. Until then....thanks for stopping by, & have a great weekend. I will be! Squeal.

Patrice x

Just Add Ink #310 - Just Add a Sketch

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Aloha ~

Popping in from Hawaii to share my card for the new challenge over at Just Add Ink today.  Tina gave us a sketch and I got a little lot carried away creating something quite unlike my usual CAS style.

I started with a cupcake shaped card (die from the Papertrey Ink Shape Up series) in Crumb Cake, added some vellum leaves, a bunch of flowers - crochet, fabric, paper - pearls, twine, seam binding....lots of little goodies.  I created this card with a certain friend in mind....she always adds lots of texture and ribbons, twines and pretty stuff to her cards.  I hope she loves it.

I really did enjoy layering up and finding pretty bits and pieces to go on my cupcake card, but it sure did take me a lot longer and I don't know that it actually looks worth the time that went into it lol.

Below is the sketch, why don't you use it and join the challenge fun this week?  Have a look over on the JAI blog at the design team inspiration and then link your own creation up.

Well that's it from me.  Thanks for stopping by and see you back here soon.

Just Add Ink #293 - Just add a Gift Card - photo heavy

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Wow ~ one week until Christmas!  This year really has whizzed by.  I'm looking forward to a little downtime over the Christmas/New Year break.  It will be nice for us all to be home together, relaxing, playing and enjoying some quality time.  I'm also looking forward to finally reading the latest Michael Connelly novel, The Crossing.

We have a timely challenge for you over at Just Add Ink kicking off today, and going for two weeks. Kim has us creating Gift Cards.  So if you've got a few last minute gifts to prepare why don't you pop over and join the challenge?  The design team has a bunch of inspiration to get you started.

I needed four gift card holders and matching cards which seemed a lot of work when time is in very short supply at the moment,  What to do?  Combine them of course.  I used a fabulous tutorial by Diane Barnes of Colour Me Happy for a 'no cut patterned paper folder'.  Sooooo simple, sturdy and fabulous!

Be warned - I'm a huge fan of non traditional Christmas colours.  I should also add that these all look waaaaay better in real life - blame the lousy photographer :o)

Coastal Cabana & the little elf from Christmas Cuties, coloured with copics

A masculine gift gift card holder using long retired designer paper & silver accents

Island Indigo and Peaceful Pines for a teenage boy

Strawberry Slush with a beautiful big glimmer poinsettia - it caught the light and it's hard to see the two different glimmer papers, and the plain silver foil leaves

This is what the inside looks like - a place for your gift card on the left (I've popped a piece of c/s there for photographic purposes) and on the right there is plenty of space to write your message

This is what the back looks like - I've adhered the ribbon closure with a little blingy brad

If you pop over to Di's blog to check out her no cut patterned paper folders you'll see just how much inspiration I drew from her.  Thank you, Di, for always sharing your talents and tutes with us.

Righto, it's too early to wish you all a Merry Christmas yet, so I will be back next week with another little Christmas treat share.

The Just Add Ink design team ladies will return with a brand new, fun challenge for you on Friday, 15 January 2016! Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Easter Gift Boxes - Punch Art & Photo Heavy

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Happy Monday!

Surprise surprise I'm back to show you some little Easter Treat Boxes.  A friend asked if I could put a few little gift card holders together for her children for Easter.  I decided that was a tad ordinary, and besides I don't actually own any Easter stamp sets.  So with huge help from Pinterest here is the line up.

Using the Two Tags die, Crumb Cake and Chocolate Chip colour combo.

The Fry Box die, Pool Party and Whisper White colour combo.

A PTI Favor It Box using Baked Brown Sugar and Pink Pirouette colour combo.

The Fry Box die using Pistachio Pudding and Whisper White colour combo.

The Mini Treat Bag die, made into a box using Naturals Ivory.

So the bonus with these little gift boxes is that they'll not only hold a gift card, but a few little choccie eggs as well! Lucky kids.

If you read my last post you'll know I alluded to something special happening on Friday.  It was my birthday. I had a lovely day and was extremely spoilt with loads of phone calls, text messages, FB messages and even a couple of special visitors over the weekend.  We went out to dinner and two (yep two) dessert restaurants before coming home with very full tummies.  In fact I was quite uncomfortable.  I didn't wake feeling much better on Saturday morning either.  All that sugar was sitting in the pit of my belly!  It was very yummy at the time though lol.  Thank goodness birthdays only come around once a year.

Back later in the week.

Just Add Ink # 213 - Just Add Inspiration

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Hi lovely blog friends ~

It's Friday thank goodness!  The weather here in Canberra took a nasty cold turn yesterday, brrrrr bring back Summer I say!  I'm already missing wearing shorts and jandals.  It's going to be a looong cold Winter this year I think.

At Just Add Ink we have a totally gorgeous inspiration pic provided by Nikki this week.

So much to choose from - chevrons, flowers, spots, gold, pink, white, blue, cake ... just scrumptious.  As soon as I saw this one I knew I wanted to use the beautiful packaging that Stampin' Up! has to offer - the Tag a Bag Gift Box.

This little package has been sitting on my desk for weeks waiting to be photographed.  It is awkward and the weather has been ho hum so I procrastinated for ages.  Still not sure I did a very good job :(

I managed to incorporate a lot of the elements that I wanted to.  Using Whisper White, Pink Pirouette and Soft Sky card stocks, and the new Spiral Flower die I made a lovely little cluster of flowers and topped them with Large Pearls.  I used my glue gun to adhere the flowers to my paper doily and chevron ribbon 'belly band'.  Can't wait to fill this little box and pass it on.  I love giving 'hand made'.

Pop over to JAI and have a look at all the other beautiful creations the design team has made this week for your inspiration.  I do hope you play along with us, and look forward to seeing lots of loveliness linked on the blog.

Busy Saturday for us this week as Gorgeous Kid has a birthday party and then we're off to Flip Out with friends, before dinner at our house with said friends.  Have a really enjoyable weekend!  Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave me some comment love - I do enjoy reading them.

Just Add Ink - 2013 A Year in Review

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Hi friends ~

Happy 2014!  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that this lovely new year of ours is already shaping up to be a good one for you!

I have some exciting news to share ... the lovely ladies over at Just Add Ink recently asked me if I'd like to re-join the design team.  I consider these ladies family and I've missed them soooo much - 2013 was a tough and busy year for me and I had to sacrifice precious crafting time among other things - so I jumped at the opportunity.  I REALLY missed blogging last year too so I'm going to make a concerted effort to get back into it.  Being part of the design team will help me with that for sure *wink*.

Just Add Ink is currently still enjoying the summer break, but we thought it would be fun to choose our favourite projects of 2013.  I had very slim pickings, with only a few projects eligible so here it is ... original post here.

We'd love you to go back over your favourite JAI projects for 2013 and link up.  We'll be back with a fun Blog Hop on 17 January so be sure not to miss that!

I did take a few pics of some of the Christmas projects I put together.  They need editing and once I've done that I'll pop back to share.  Thanks for stopping by today *squeal - so excited to be back*.

JAI#156 - Just Add a Colour Challenge

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Hi lovely blog friends ~

Yay it's Friday and it's a long weekend here in Canberra as we're celebrating our 100th birthday!  Gorgeous Kid and I are off to Culburra Beach with our dear friends for some sunshine and relaxation.  The weather is forecast to be perfect.

Over at Just Add Ink this week our super lovely Christine set us a colour challenge.  Yummy colours - Early Espresso, Raspberry Ripple and Bashful Blue.

I made this little gift box for a special person in my life - can't reveal the contents just yet though :o) as I haven't passed it on.

I decorated one of the gorgeous Kraft Gift Boxes on pg 161 of the current SU catalogue using the In Colour Designer Series Paper Stack - Raspberry Ripple.  It's tied closed with some retired Early Espresso ribbons and a little tag from the Hearts a Flutter set out of the current Seasonal.  Love that set and the matching Framelits.  Makes crafting and cutting a breeze.

Do pop over to JAI and check out the design team inspiration.  Hope you'll join our challenge this week.  I look forward to seeing all your gorgeous creations.

Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful weekend!

JAI#111...Just Add Easter

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Thank goodness it's Friday ~

I'm soooooo looking forward to a couple of days to just hang out with Gorgeous Kid. I've had a 'mare of a week.

With the bunny due next weekend it is timely for our Just Add Ink challenge to be all about Easter projects. Mine isn't too original due to lack of time this week, however, I think these punch art bunnies are super cute. You can find a load of variations in blogland.

I used my brand spanking new Fancy Favor box (part of a recent birthday gift from BFF) as the base and then an assortment of punches. Then using a dauber I inked the edges in Basic Grey. My bow is the lovely Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding - sooo easy to tie. If you'd like a list of the punches I used just shoot me an email.

Hop (pun intended) over to JAI and check out the awesome projects the design team have come up with. I look forward to checking out all your fabulous entries this week and hopefully grabbing some great ideas for my own Easter packaging.

A Thai Birthday

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Happy Monday ~

I just realised this is my first post for the month of October ... time has been moving quickly. I haven't really been crafting much lately so I'll share a couple of projects that kept me busy back in August.

A dear friend chose to celebrate her 40th in Thailand! She had about 30 family and friends joining her over there and wanted to present them each with a gift of thanks. She needed boxes so I made them for her ... they travelled flat and she put the sides together over there.

Unfortunately my only photograph was a little hurried. Half of the boxes were for the ladies and a little taller than those for the men. I did see a pic of them all put together and grouped and they looked pretty good.

This is the birthday card I made for her ... a telescopic fold, just for a little something special.

Gorgeous Kid and I have been trying to find the perfect day to visit Floriade. Canberra has been experiencing really odd weather this past couple of weeks and it's been quite wet so I'm not keen to go trudging through mud while looking at all the Spring Delights Floriade is showing. Typically today was lovely and sunny and we'd made other plans! Hope your October is going well so far!