Just Add Ink - Photo Inspiration

Just Add Ink 172

This is my first week as a Design Team Member at my favourite challenge blog - Just Add Ink. 

I am so honured to be part of these talented group of ladies. If you enjoy making cards and scrapbook pages, be sure to play along - it's lots of fun.

The photo inspiration is the front of the new 2014 catalogue.

 

I love the fresh bright colours of the catalogue and because I am a pink girl, Strawberry Slush is my new favourite colour, you will see me use it a lot this year! 

Here is my card: 

Stamp Set: Really Good Greetings (pg38) ; Mosaic Madness (pg123)

Accessories: Simply Pressed Clay/Blossoms Clay Mold (pg167)

Big Shot: Floral Framelits (pg187) ; Large Scallop Edgelits (pg188)

Designer Series Paper: Quatrefancy Speciality (pg150) ; Champagne Glimmer Paper

Colour Combination: Whisper White ; Starwberry Slush; Coastal Cabana ; So Saffron 

I didn't get a chance to do an insert - sorry!

TIPS: On page 167 you will find the new Simply Pressed Clay and Molds.

Simply Pressed Clay $11.95  ; Buttons & Blossoms Molds $13.95

Here's my husbands tips, because he made it work best, I really do need to give him the credit! 

1. Only use enough clay to level the mold. You will need to play a little by adding some and taking some away, but it doesn't take long. If you only use the right amount you won't waste any. 

2. Put in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. I accidently left mine in overnight and it was fine! They should peel out of the mold more easily now. If they don't leave in the freezer longer.

3. Be careful when peeling them out, they still need to dry for a few hours.

My own tip: (I'll claim this one!)

 I painted mine instead of colouring the clay with ink refill. I dyed white acrylic paint with my ink refill as I found adding ink to the actual clay made it very tacky. Once dry I also put on Crystal Effects to make it shiny!

Thanks for stopping by,

Lou X

Read More

Just Add Ink - Colour Challenge

Just Add Ink 153

As most of you know, I love playing along with the Just Add Ink design challenges. I always get so much inspiration from everyone who submits their works of art, so pop on over and see all the creations - or even better, play along!

This week is a colour challenge suggested by the amazing Nikki Spencer.

I used to love this colour combination. I still do, but probably more of a pink girl now! Blue and yellow is a real trend in counrty magazines, so went with a country theme. I also have a soft spot for shabby-chic chairs!

"Freinds are kind to each other's hopes and cherish each other's dreams."

To all my friends who support my hopes and dreams - thank you.

Stamp Set: Cherish Friendship - Page 52

Accessories / Tools: Watercolor Paper, Blender Pen, Stampin' Markers, 1cm Stitched Satin Ribbon 

Papers: Tea for Two Designer Series Paper - New Seasonal Catalogue 

Colour Combination: Midnight Muse, So Saffron, Whisper White

Thanks for stopping by,

Lou X

Read More

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day isn't something that we make a huge 'fuss' over in our house. Without sounding sappy, my wonderful husband is a bit of a hopeless romantic and everyday most days feels like Valentine's Day in our house! There's always cuddles and kisses and 'group' cuddles with the kids and because we run our business from home, on the days he is home we walk hand-in-hand just to collect the mail together.

There's nothing quite like feeling loved by another person - whether it's your child, your partner, siblings, parents, friends...it's such a warm feeling to have - and that's what Valentine's Day is all about - sharing love. 

This is a card I made using the 'chalk board / chalking' technique, which I have been wanting to try for a while now. I kept this less 'girly' and just had to add a bow of colour. 

Made with tonnes of love for the amazing man in my life - and passing my time with him is so enjoying!

Stamp Sets: From My Heart, Hearts a Flutter

Accessories: Versa Mark, White Embossing Powder, White Pencil (my own), Stitched Grosgrain

   Colour Combination: Black, Whisper White, Read Red

  With Love & Smooches,

Lou X

Read More

Lou's 100 Petite Pockets Promotion

 

Stampin' Up!'s biggest annual promotion is here! 

Sale-a-Brations

To view the Sale-a-Brations online brochure click >HERE<

In my last blog post I mentioned I'm having my own promotion during Sale-a-Brations - 

Lou's 100 Petite Pockets Promotion

 How it works:

 I have numbered 100 Petite Pocket Envelopes. 

Each pocket contains a prize - at least $10 or more of value. 

Three pockets contain a Simply Scored and one pocket contains a Big-Shot!

The first person to place an order of $100 or more will get envelope number one. 

The second person to place an order will get envelope number two and so on.  

So for every $100 on top of a FREE Sale-a-Bration item, you will also get an envelope! 

Why I am doing this!?

 To be completely truthful, for those of you who don't know (because I have been going on about it for nearly a year) - I'm desperately trying to make the Stampin' Up! Incentive Trip to UTAH! 

Yes, Utah! I would love, love, love (insert a 1000 more loves) to make it and need as much help as I can! 

I thought I would share another card I made using Sale-a-Brations product. 

'Patterned Occasions' stamp set:

Contact me today to place an order and claim your Petite Pocket Prize & get your hands on some

amazing FREE product! 

(Applies to orders over $100)

Thanks for stopping by,

Lou  X

louise(at)sharpcooling(dot)com(dot)au

-stopping spam!

Read More

Product Spotlight - 12 Weeks of Christmas - Wk10

This week is actually week 11, but you'll get that soon! I thought I would cover week 10 - sorry it's late!

This weeks Product Spotlight is a stamp set that I think has been a little overlooked.

I have to agree that it didn't really catch my eye at first either (not when on the opposite page there are cookies! Hahaha)

Watercolour Winter - Page 14 - Holiday Catalogue

$44.95 - Wood   $35.95 - Clear

Here are some of my creations using this stamp set. I also stamped a white paper bag and coloured it - but gave it away before taking a photo - it looked amazing -you will just need to trust me! :)

Thanks for stopping by. 

Lou X

P.S - If you ever have any questions about any of my cards please feel free to email me

louise(at)sharpcooling(dot)com(dot)au

Read More