JAI #200 - INSPIRATION PHOTO

Just Add Ink are celebrating another milestone this week with it's 200th challenge!  200!!  How fantastic is that?  It's thanks to everyone who supports us and joins in the creative challenges that we are still able to bring them to you, so THANK YOU!

This week, Nikki has given us an Inspiration photo to work with.  I admit to a wee bit of a struggle with this one!

I finally decided to go with the colour way and basket design as a starting point.  I chose the new Hexagon Hive Thinlits Die with all it's punch out pieces as my background piece, and filled the odd space with yellow on a green background.  The new Scalloped Tag Topper Punch made making the tag centre piece quick and easy!  The image and greeting were stamped using the Peaceful Petals stamp set.  All of these products are available in the new Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalogue which you can view HERE. 

Get your thinking caps on and join in the design fun.  We can't wait to see how this Inspiration photo inspires you!  Of course, the Just Add ink Design Team have loads of other ideas too, which you can view HERE.

COLOUR ME HAPPY

Stampin' Up!'s new Occasions catalogue is now available to order from!  If you haven't seen it yet, then download your own copy HERE.  Order from my Online Store this month and I will send you your very own copy, along with a handmade card (NZ only).

 I thought I would share this card with you that uses all new product you can now get your hands on too!  I am especially drawn to this stamp set "Happy Watercolor".  It is perfect for so many techniques!

Stamps:  Happy Watercolor
Inks:  Early Espresso, Crisp Cantaloupe
Cardstock: Early Espresso, Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Gold Bakers Twine, Dimensionals

JAI #199 - A SKETCH CHALLENGE

The Design team at Just Add Ink have a sketch challenge for you this week.  We hope you will join in.  Invite some of your friends as well.  The more the merrier!

I love the different interpretation everyone comes up with from the same starting point.  When I saw the sketch it just screamed "speech bubbles" at me!  I have the new stamp set "Just Sayin'" and the coordinating framelits from the new Occasions Catalogue (going live on the 28th Jan) to play with.

I wanted a kind of manly Valentine.  Well, that was the design in my head at least.  Lots of blues and keeping it simple, although I couldn't resist a bit of bling with the Silver Glimmer Paper and new Silver Bakers Twine.  I can't wait to see what you come up with.  In the meantime, head over to Just Add Ink to see the gorgeous creations from the Design Team.

2nd IN SHOW

I have been busy over the weekend attending the Levin AP&I Show.  I had a Trade Space booth and with Amy's help, we rocked the show!  We had all sorts to show and tell from cards, to note pads, to Tea Caddy's.  We also had a gift pack of goodies to give away, which was won by Rita K of Levin.  Congratulations Rita!

I was thrilled to meet Pete and Andy from The Block NZ.  Loved their antics on the show and they were just as funny and lovely in person.  Andy was impressed that everything on the stall was handmade and that won us the 2nd in Show sash.  I have never won a sash before, so thanks Boys!

It was a great weekend and I look forward to doing it again next year.  The next Show is the Palmerston North Craft & Quilt Fair, 20-22nd February.  Hope to see you there!

Here is a sneak peek of some more product from the upcoming Occasions Catalogue.  Gold is on trend right now, so I thought I had better have a play with some.  I have used Gold embossing powder, gold foil and gold sequins.  I hope you like gold!  I hope both angles will capture how truly blingy this card really is!

JAI #198 - A BLOG HOP!

A Just Add Ink blog hop is always fun, but even more so this time because we are featuring projects made with the new Envelope Punch Board and/or the Flip Card Thinlits!  It is a joy to work with these clever ladies and you may have just come from the delightful Patrice Easton, if you are following the loop, or you can  start at the beginning at Just Add Ink.

I chose to feature the Envelope Punch Board for my projects.  I am simply amazed at just what this little baby can actually do and it is only $38.95!!  It's makes more than just envelopes as you can see.  I have made the box, the bow AND the envelope with this fantastic tool.

I love that I can take care of not only the outside of the card and the packaging, but I can also put the finishing touch on the package as well.  Isn't the little bow so cute!  I used this video by Narelle Fasulo, to learn how to make them. 

I have coordinated everything using a Designer Paper called Sweet Sorbet which you can earn for FREE when you spend $110 during our Sale-a-bration period 28th Jan - 31st March.  Who doesn't like to earn free stuff, right?

Now be sure to head on over to see what fun projects Susan Wong and the rest of the Just Add Ink Design Team have in store for you! 

FINE FEATHERS

Just a quick post today with a clean and simple (CAS) card to share and a reminder not to let your retired stamps gather dust!

We all need sympathy cards unfortunately and I never seem to have any on hand when I actually need them, so it doesn't hurt to be prepared.   Using a set called "Fine Feathers" I whipped this card up in under 10 minutes.  It may be simple, but it conveys the sympathy message beautifully.

Stamps:  Fine Feathers,  So Sorry
Card:  Naturals Ivory
Inks:  Early Espresso, Bermuda Bay
Accessories:  Basic Pearls and permanent marker to colour

I LOVE SPEECH BUBBLES - JUST SAYIN'

Two posts in two days!!  That just goes to show how excited I was to receive my Stampin' Up! order this morning!  It was full of exciting new product from the new Occasions Catalogue, which goes live on the 28th of January.

The two cards I want to share today are made with a cool speech bubble stamp set called "Just Sayin'". 

I have also used new DSP called Retro Fresh with both of these cards.  I LOVE the colours and the patterns in this designer paper and it looks so pretty as a side panel on my card.

Guess what?  While Just Sayin' looks great on it's own, you can use the Word Bubble Framelits with it too, like I have on this card.  I love that Stampin' Up! coordinate all these products!

NEW YEAR - NEW BABY!

What better way to celebrate the new year than with the birth of a precious wee baby?  Friends have just welcomed their first child, a wee boy, into their lives and we couldn't be happier for them!  Of course, I had to make a card to go with the wee gift we are giving them.

I used two retired sets called "Hand Knitted" and "Word Play" to make this sweet card because I don't have much in the way of "baby" in my stash.  That is going to change very soon with a gorgeous new set I have my eye on in the new Occasions catalogue which goes live on January 28th.

If you would like a copy of your very own Occasions Catalogue AND SAB catalogue, then simply place an order with Me or through my Online Store in January and I will send them to you FREE.  Just make sure you allow Demonstrator contact if shopping online!  This is available to NZ residents only, sorry!  You will also receive my 3 page pdf tutorial for the Love You More card set!

LOVE YOU MORE IDEAS

From now until the 27th of January (or while stocks last) you can enjoy the Whole Lot of Love promotion Stampin' Up! are running.  And why not tell, or show, that special someone what they mean to you with Monster Hugs or Sweet Sayings card and envelopes, not to mention the sweet stamp sets you can choose from.

My personal favourite is Love You More and to help you get the most out of one stamp set, I have designed a set of cards using this Love You More set and put them into three easy to follow tutorials.

For $5.00 NZD, you will receive a three page pdf file which includes a colour photograph, metric measurements and step by step instructions to create each Love You More card.   All product is exclusively Stampin' Up!  I personally email copies as this is not an instant download.  On receipt of payment, I will send the files as soon as possible.

Recieve these tutorials for FREE if you live in New Zeland when you place an Online Order with me during this promotion!  Make sure you allow Demostrator contact so I can send you a thank you card too!
 

JUST ADD INK - A YEAR IN REVIEW

As we head into the new year that is 2014, the Design Team at Just Add Ink were asked to go back and choose our favourite design project from 2013.  That was pretty easy for me since I only rejoined this fabulous team after the South Pacific Convention last May, and had less to choose from than the rest of the team!

My pick has to be this Flip card for a few reasons.
1.  I loved using the new Circle Card Thinlits.  It made making the card base so quick and easy.
2.  I got to revisit a stamp set I hadn't used in a while - Clockworks.
3.  I unleashed the "grunge" side of my personality, very theraputic!
4.  It meant I could tick off my Nephews birthday card!  Done and dusted and ready to be sent.

So that's my pick.  Head on over to Just Add Ink and see which were the favourites of the rest of the Design Team.  Trust me, there are some real stunners in the line up.  Which are your favourites?

IT'S A NEW YEAR....

Happy 2014!!  It's a new year and what better way to start than with a sneak peek of an upcoming Sale-a-bration (SAB) product!  SAB will run from 28th January to 31st March 2014.  Spend just $110 and choose a free item from a fabulous range of product!

Petal parade is just one of the free stamp sets you can choose from.  I used the 20104-2015 In colours on this wee gem.  I stamped the inside of the card and the flap on the back of an envelope to match the card.  I also coloured a Basic Rhinestone with a permanent marker to match and bling up the centre flower.

I used the Masking technique on both of these cards, but muted the colours on the second card.  It still has a gorgeous spring feel to it though.

If you live in New Zealand simply visit my Stampin' Up! website during January, place an Online Order using the SHOP button and I will send you your very own copy of the 2014 SAB catalogue AND new Summer catalogue, along with a handmade card as a Thank You.  Make sure you allow Demonstrator contact so I know where to send your goodies! 
Be sure to check out the upcoming classes and events in your area while at my SU website too, and register for classes you don't want to miss!