Open Sided Purse

My friend Hannah designed this clever little open sided purse. Hannah put little cards in hers but I added a mini perfume from my friend who sells Le Reve. It is ideal to put in almost anything small: (sweets, jewelery etc).
Today is the last day of the Spring Mini which we will really miss the Ski Slope DSP. But tomorrow the Summer Mini comes which is full of goodies!

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Snow Swirled
Card/Paper: Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Ski Slope DSP
Ink: Baja Breeze
Accessories: Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, Scallop Edge punch, Horizontal Slot punch, Baja Breeze 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

Holiday Treasures Criss Cross Card

This is another criss cross card that I made. I am really loving the Holiday Treasures designer papers. The flowers at the top are from the Eastern Blooms stamp set.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Eastern Blooms, Best Yet
Card/Paper: Ruby Red, Very Vanilla, Holiday Treasures DSP
Inks: Old Olive, Ruby Red
Accessories: Chocolate Chip taffetta ribbon, Scallop Oval punch, Large Oval, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

Christmas Cake Cook Up

Today is our Christmas cake cook up. We do cakes every year for ourselves and gifts. Sarah and I managed to make 4 mini cakes and one big square one for the community dinner at church. We will also make up Christmas cake boxes to put the cakes in for wee gifts. Sarah even made a sign.
Thought I'd share the great recipe:

Christmas Cake - for 20-23cm cake tin

250 grams butter-softened
250 grams sugar
1 tsp mixed spice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/2 tsp lemon essence
1/2 tsp almond essence
1/2 tsp brandy essence
2 tabs golden syrup-warmed
4 eggs
250 grams flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 kg mixed fruit
Optional ingredients:
50 grams chopped cherries
50 grams crystallized peel
50 grams chopped blanched almonds
50 grams preserved ginger

Prepare cake tin. Line with 2-3 thicknesses newspaper then greased greaseproof paper.
Stir one cup flour of the flour into the mixed fruit (plus optional dried fruit and almonds)
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the spices, essences and golden syrup.
Add eggs one at a time, beat well after each one.
Add salt, remaining flour and mixed fruit. stir thoroughly.
Spoon mixture into prepared cake tin, make a slight hollow in the centre of the top so that the cake rises evenly.
Bake at 125 degrees C for 2 1/2-3 1/2 hours or until a skewer comes out clean. Leave in the tin until cold.
If you are not going to ice the cake you can decorate with cherries, blanched almonds or Brazil nuts over the top of the cake. For a shiny look, brush over the top of the fruit with a sugary syrup, half an hour before the end of cooking time. Enjoy!

Debbie

Triangle Box Closeup

I had a request for what is on the tag attached to the mini triangle boxes that I posted yesterday. So here is a closeup. Must dash as Sarahs' wee bunny Ella has been a bit off colour and we are off to the vet.

Debbie

Community Treats

Once a month, our church holds a community dinner. This has become very popular and our biggest one is at Christmas. We always like our guests to leave with a little something. This year the adults will receive a triangle box with 3 Hershey Kisses inside. Last night I had 3 ladies from church come and help me assemble them. Some of the papers are the retired "Wintergreen" DSP from Stampin' Up! last year and the rest are non Stampin' Up! papers from America. It is a real pleasure to give something out in the community.
The Scallop Oval punch along with all the other things in the Spring Mini Catalogue are being retired at the end of November. So please email me if you have any questions or would like to order anything.

Debbie

Fun with Ladies Group

Today Anabel and I tought a group of ladies at a church how to make a box in a bag and a matching card. The ladies did really well and enjoyed themselves very much. We mostly used the retired "Dashing" designer paper. If you have any questions, please email me.

Debbie

Snow Swirled

I found the green & red card on someone's blog, but I can't remember who. Thank you to whoever designed it, it's gorgeous. I thought that it would look great in Baja Breeze & Not Quite Navy as well, I tried it and yes, I think it looks great in both colours.
Only six more days to order out of the Spring Mini, please email me if you would like to place an order.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Snow Swirled
Card/Paper: Whisper White, either Old Olive & Real Red or Baja Breeze & Not Quite Navy
Ink: either Old Olive & Real Red or Baja Breeze & Not Quite Navy
Accessories: 1" circle punch, Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Baja Breeze 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

Desk Calender

As you can see in the photo, I've circled the 3oth of November because it is the last day to order out of the Spring Mini. It has been such a great little catalouge, with some really cute sets.
I made this desk calender using some supplies out of the mini catalouge. It has a stand at the back to hold it up. If you would like to place an order, please email me.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Great Friend
Card/Paper: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Walk in the Park DSP
Ink: Regal Rose
Accessories: Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

Sarah's Mini Triangle Box

This is Sarah's take on the NZSU challenge of the week. The colours would be great for a wedding. The silver embossing really makes it look special.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Best Yet, So Swirly wheel
Card/Paper: Baja Breeze, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Baja Breeze, Versa Mark
Accessories: Silver embossing powder, Jumbo handel, Scallop Oval punch, Wide Oval punch, White taffeta ribbon, 1/4" circle punch (non Stampin' Up!), Silver twine (non Stampin' Up!)

Debbie

Mini Triangle Box

This is my triangle box for the NZSU challenge of the week. The So Swirly wheel is very versatile, it can be used for almost every occasion. The colours remind me of candy canes!

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Best Yet, So Swirly
Card/Paper: Whisper White, Real Red
Ink: Real Red, Versa Mark
Accessories: Silver embossing powder, Jumbo handel, Scallop Oval punch, Wide Oval punch, Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, 1/4" circle punch (non Stampin' Up!), Silver twine (non Stampin' Up!)

Debbie

Red & Green Snowflakes

I saw this card on someone's blog, but I can't remember who it was. Thank you, it's beautiful. I love the simplicity of it and it's very quick to put together. Isn't the Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon just so luxurious? You can turn the ribbon the other way and get Very Vanilla.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Snow Swirled
Card/Paper: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla satin ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

Criss Cross Card

A criss cross card is a great way to send a greeting or a gift voucher. If you have a friend who is a stamper, why not give them a gift card for Christmas! They will be able to buy anything out of the catolouge through me. And in a Christmassy handmade pouch! Please email me if you have any questions or would like to purchase one.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Spotlight on Christmas
Card/Paper: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Ski Slope DSP
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, 5-Petal Flower punch, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

So Swirly Christmas

This card is a step up of yesterday's. As I said in the last post, these cards are very quick and easy to make. I like having the two colours and the double matting. I used the "So Swirly' wheel and the "Season of Joy" stamp set.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Season of Joy, So Swirly wheel
Card/Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Rose Red
Ink: Old Olive, Rose Red
Accessories: Jumbo handle, Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

Easy Christmas Card

This card is very easy and quick to make. It uses the "It's Beautiful" wheel. You could make up 20 or so at a time for simple yet stunning Christmas cards.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Many Merry Messages, It's Beautiful wheel
Card/Paper: Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Jumbo handle, Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

Crimped Great Friend

This is such a quick little card to make, and a great idea! It's just an envelope with the end cut of and the rest crimped. It has a stamped insert inside. They have been made at some of my School Holiday classes for children and are perfect for birthday invites.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Great Friend
Card/Paper: Regal Rose, Whisper White
Ink: Baja Breeze, Regal Rose, Basic Gray, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Whisper White envelope, Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Crimper

Debbie

Christmas Pull Up Card

The colours on this card are not the classic "red & green" look. But it gives me a feel of winter and peace. When you pull the ribbon at the top, it slides up to reveal a message.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Snow Swirled
Card/Paper: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Horizontal Slot punch, White taffeta ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

Christmas Bath Bomb Box

As part of my Christmas idea class last Saturday, the ladies made this box and some bath bombs to fill them.
The inspiration for this box is on Marelle Taylor's blog who has a great tutorial on how to make it.
For the snowflake, we stamped white Staz On onto acetate. The white Staz On is only available until the end of November.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Snow Swirled
Card/Paper: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy
Ink: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, White Staz On
Accessories: Acetate, Small Tag punch, Large Tag punch, Scalloped Oval punch, White taffeta ribbon, 1/16 circle punch, small cellophane bags, Dazzling Diamonds, silver twine (non Stampin' Up!)

Debbie

A Great Friend Thank You

This layout was inspired by Jacque Pederson. Sarah and I sat down together and made these two cards. The Great Friend set has been one of my favourite sets. There are 15 more days for you to order it and at $37.95 a great price too!

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Great Friend, Thank You Kindly
Card/Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Walk in the Park DSP, Riding Hood Red Patterns DSP
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Regal Rose, Basic Gray
Accessories: Scallop Edge punch, Riding Hood Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

Coffee and Choc Box

This project was designed by Tracey Old on UStamp. It is easy to make and a great gift, especially for males! I held a Christmas gift class today. This is one of the projects we made. My friend Sandy made the Christmas one.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Pun Fun, Spotlight on Christmas, Best Yet
Card/Paper: Old Olive, Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Holiday Treasures DSP
Ink: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip,
Accessories: Five-Petal Flower punch, Scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

Mini Triangular Boxes

Aren't these just sooo cute?! My friend Sandy just came back from the U.K and was shown how to make this little decoration/treat holder. Our church holds a community dinner once a month. For the Christmas one, I am going to get together with a group of lady's and make sixty of them. We with fill them with Hershey Kisses and give them to our guests.

Here's how you make them:

1. Cut a 3x6" piece of card stock/DSP
2. Fold in half at 3"
3. From the 3 " fold line score from the edge to the top at 1.5".
4. Do this 4 times and you will be left with a diamond shape.
5.This will form a triangular shape when folded.
6. Punch a hole at the top through 2 bits, attach ribbon and embellish.

Enjoy,
Debbie

Wee Snowmen

The idea of this card is from Dawns Stamping Thoughts, which is such a great blog for ideas and techniques. These snowmen are from the level 3 hostess gift, Window Dressing. Stamped inside is the Merry Christmas from Many Merry Messages. A strip of acetate goes across the front to give it a see through affect.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Window Dressing, Many Merry Messages
Card/Paper: Whisper White, Ski Slope DSP
Ink: Black, Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue markers
Accessories: Red gingham ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

Holiday Treasures

Here are a couple of cards made from the Holiday Treasures DSP. The colours are so festive and reminds me of a traditional Christmas with a contemporary touch. With a packet of these papers you could have all your Christmas cards sorted out in no time.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Season of Joy, Best Yet
Card/Paper: Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Ruby Red, Holiday Treasures DSP
Ink: Ruby Red, Old Olive, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Oval punch, Large Oval punch, Scallop Edge punch, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

Christmas Cake Box

Hi everyone, this idea is from the UStamp Holiday. As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to make it. Isn't it just such a great idea?! I love the acetate window. Sarah and I are going to make up a whole lot of these and some Christmas cakes for Christmas presents.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Spotlight on Christmas, Best Yet
Card/Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White, Holiday Treasures DSP
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: 5-Petal Flower punch, Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Oval punch, Large Oval punch, Scallop Edge punch, Chocolate Chip marker, Real Red marker, acetate, Hemp Twine, Dazzling Diamonds

Debbie

Tree Trimmings Cards

Tree Trimmings is a little winner! And a great price at $28.95, I used the Ski Slope papers. Both are only available until the end of November. The first card I scalloped a piece of Real Red and mounted the Whisper White on top. But the second card is more simple.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Tree Trimmings
Card/Paper: Real Red, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Ski Slope DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Real Red
Accessories: Scallop Edge punch, Dazzling Diamonds, Stamp-a-ma-jig (optional)

Debbie

November Thank You Notes

Hi everyone, here are November's thank you notes that Sarah made. I put one in with each order. Sarah embossed the flower out of the Spotlight on Christmas stamp set with white embossing powder and punched it out with the 5 petal flower punch.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Spotlight on Christmas, Short & Sweet
Card/Paper: Whisper White, either Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze or Kiwi Kiss
Ink: Versa Mark, Basic Grey, either Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze or Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: 5-Petal Flower punch, White embossing powder

Debbie

Upsy Daisy Thank You

I have made quite a few of these for thank you cards. I cased it out of last month's "Card Making and Paper Craft" magazine. The Upsy Daisy stamp set matches so well with the Urban Garden DSP. The pewter brads finish the card off nicely.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Upsy Daisy
Card/Paper: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Urban Garden DSP
Ink: Not Quite Navy,
Accessories: Old Olive marker, Pewter brads, Basic Grey taffeta ribbon,

Debbie

Our Tribute

Last week, Ian's mum passed away. Sarah and I wanted to thank people who had supported us and were kind by giving us flowers, cards and baking. So we spent a couple of days in the craft room and made 40 cards. Each card was very special because it had either used a stamp set or colours that she liked.
We thought that we would share a few on the blog. If you have any questions about any of the cards, please leave a comment or send me an email.
Debbie

A Christmas Treat

Stampin' Up! is giving away for FREE a square scallop punch (valued at $35.95) for the next 6 weeks. How can you earn one for FREE? It's easy, just choose goods valued at $105 from this Gift Giving guide to qualify.

You can email me at debairey@xtra.co.nz

Debbie