My Play Ground

"Christmas in July" Team Blog Hop

Well it has certainly been a while between posts but I just couldn't resist getting back into the team blog hop.  The Art with Heart Team, lead by the lovely Claire Daly, are such a lovely and talented group of ladies, and while life has been so busy over the past few months I have definitely missed participating in our monthly blog hop.  Anyway here I am back in action for today and hopefully a bit more in the future.

With Christmas now less than 6months away (OMG how scary is that), the theme for this months Hop is "Christmas in July".  You can start the Hop any where along the way, just click on the link at the end of each blog to take you to the next blog and eventually you will finish up with the blog you started on.  You may have just come from Nikki Sadler's blog but if this is your first stop go grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy the amazing work from some talented ladies.  After ooohhhing and aahhing on each blog leave a comment, and if you have left a comment on all 12 blogs email Nikki Sadler at nikki@inkyart.com.auand your name will be put in the draw to win some beautiful blog candy (sorry only non SU demos are eligible to win), but get in quick before the 72hr deadline which ends 6am Tuesday morning.

Now to the fun part.  I have been wanting to make this Mini Album for some time so I pulled out the ever so versatile "I Wish" Simply Scrappin Kit to make this mini Christmas Album.

The pages of the album are made from 1 single piece of 12x12 pattern paper then bound together with a front and back cover.  All the pages are decorated with card stock and the printed sticky die cuts from the kit and to finish it off I've added a bit of bling with some red rhinestones.  The next step is to add a few photos, journal and it's all done.

 I hope you have enjoyed and found inspiration from my Mini Christmas Album.  I haven't listed any instructions or products used but if you have any questions about my work or Stampin’ Up! please don’t hesitate to ask.

The next stop on the blog hop is the very talented Kathryn Ruddick.

Well, that’s all from me, it's great to be back. Enjoy the rest of the Blog Hop and please don't forget to leave a comment.

 

Cheers,

Erica xx

Easter Blog Hop Hop Hop

Hello everyone and welcome to “Art with Heart's” second Team Blog Hop.  The Art with Heart team, lead by the very talented Claire Daly consists of over 80 demonstrators across Australia.  Today you will get to met 14 of these talented ladies as they share with you some Easter themed paper crafts.

 

The Art with Heart Team Blog Hop is a monthly event happening on the last day of every month.  You can start the Hop any where along the way, just click on the link at the end of each blog to take you to the next blog and eventually you will finish up with the blog you started on.  You may have just come from Judy May's blog but if this is your first stop go grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy the amazing work from some talented ladies.  After ooohhhing and aahhing on each blog leave a comment, and if you have left a comment on all 14 blogs email Nikki Sadler at nikki@inkyart.com.au and your name will be put in the draw to win some beautiful blog candy (only non SU demos are eligible to win blog candy – sorry, but we would still love to read your comments), but be quick as there is a 72hr deadline from commencement of Hop.

 

I love trying new techniques and making cards which are a bit different, so for today's Hop I decided to give the stair step card a go.  I liked this variation with the steps only on one side of the card.

 

 

Side view of card.......

 

 

Now, because I had a few extra eggs stamped and cut out, I decided to also make a couple of quick and easy gift cards. 

 

 

 
 

 

Finally I thought you can't make Easter items without making a Easter Basket.  The Basket only took me about 10minutes to make and decorate, but how long do you think the eggs will last in my house before they are eaten!!!!

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed and found inspiration from my creations.  I haven't listed any instructions or products used but if you have any questions about my work or Stampin’ Up! please don’t hesitate to ask.

 

The next stop on the blog hop is the lovely and talented Christine Blain.

Well, that’s all from me. Enjoy the rest of the Blog Hop and please don't forget to leave a comment.

 

Cheers,

Erica xx

Valentines Blog Hop

Hello everyone and welcome to the “Art with Heart” Team Blog Hop.  The Art with Heart team, lead by the very talented Claire Daly consists of over 80 demonstrators across Australia.  While you wont get to meet them all today you will get to see just how talented and lovely the ladies in today’s Hop are.

 

The Art with Heart Team Blog Hop will be a monthly event happening on the last day of every month.  You can start the Hop any where along the way, just click on the link at the end of each blog to take you to the next blog and eventually you will finish up with the blog you started on.  You may have just come from Gayatri’s Murali's blog but if this is your first stop (there is 12 in total), go grab a coffee or glass of wine, sit back and enjoy the amazing work from some talented ladies.  After ooohhhing and aahhing on each blog leave a comment, and if you have left a comment on all 12 blogs email Nikki Sadler at nikki@inkyart.com.au and your name will be put in the draw to win some beautiful blog candy (only non SU demos are eligible to win blog candy – sorry, but we would still love to read your comments), but be quick as there is a 72hr deadline from commencement of Hop.

 

So for our first inspirational tour we have started with the theme of Valentines Day.  This is my 13^th Valentines Day with my husband Darren and while we have never really celebrated the day I decided it would be nice to make him a special card and a layout about my love for him.

 

VALENTINES DAY CARD

Inside Card

This card is called a Pop-Up Twirl card.  As you open and close the card the decorated centre card twirls.  To make your own you can find a fabulous tutorial and video link here.

 

Stamp sets: A Happy Heart, Hello again

Colours:  Close to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss

DS Pattern Paper: Bella Rose

Accessories:  Scallop Square Punch, Curly Label Punch

 

VALENTINES DAY "LOVE" LAYOUT

 

Stamp Set: A Happy Heart, Hello again

Colours:  Basic Grey, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss

DS Pattern Paper:  Urban Oasis, Baja Breeze Patterns DSP

Accessories: Kiwi Kiss Buttons, Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Hemp Twine, Rhinestone Brads, Crystal Effects, On Board Timeless Type Letters.

 

I hope you have enjoyed and found inspiration from my creations.  If you have any questions about my work or Stampin’ Up! Please don’t hesitate to email me.

 

The next stop on the blog hop is the talented Nikki Sadler.

Well, that’s all from me. Enjoy the rest of the Blog Hop and please don't forget to leave a comment.

 

Cheers,

Erica xx

Just a few Christmas cards

Just a quick post today with a few Christmas cards.  These are from my favourite Christmas set from Stampin' Up! this year "Holiday Lineup".  I've made about 20 cards like these but all slightly different, different paper, colours, ribbons etc. Enjoy.........

I made these cards about 2 months ago and I'm sure I CASEed some of the designs, just can't remember from where.  If it's from You, Thank You.

Thanks for stopping by, hope you like my chrissy cards, I'll be back soon with some more.

Erica xx  

A special Birthday and 3 firsts

Today is my very good friend Karen's 4oth Birthday.  I had such a good time on Saturday night helping her celebrate the big event.  Karen is a fellow card maker so I was determined to make her a special card for this special event (I think it would have been the end of a good friendship if I had bought her a card).  So 3 hours before the party started, after packing up the boys and sending them to Mum and Dads for the night I made a start.  This is the first ever Tri-shutter card I have made and despite owing the Cheep Talk stamp set from Stampin' Up! since April this is the first time I have used this set.  I have also used the Candy Lane DSP from Stampin' Up! for the first time as well.  So after 3 new things and 3 hours later I finally came up with this card....

I hope you have a fantastic 40th Birthday Karen, I'm off now to make my special little nephew Jasper a special card for his 6th Birthday which is also today.

See you soon

Erica xxx