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Thursday, 6 February 2014

School Goes Back Tomorrow …

The end of the Summer holidays are almost here!
I spent the better part of today covering JorjaRose’s school books.
This year I refused to pay NZ$4 > NZ$5 per roll for book covering {which covers 2 exercise books}, so instead designed my own…


In my craft stash I have a bunch of really gorgeous serviettes.
JorjaRose decided on the Eiffel Tower Parisian them serviettes {which were 3Ply} and the hearts and music notes serviettes {4Ply}.



Because the serviettes were 3Ply and 4Ply Serviettes, I needed to separate 
the Plys down to a single layer.



I cut the serviettes in rows to fit the school books.


I layered the books with cling wrap, and then placed the single Ply serviette on the cling wrap; I then placed a sheet of thick cardstock on top, to form a sandwich.   
I used my clothes iron to iron the thick cardstock, which heated the cling wrap, which then formed a glue to adhere the layers together 
{the exercise book with the single Ply serviette}.


On the back of the school books I used double sided craft tape to attach a sheet of Stampin’ Up! Naturals White, which gave the books a 
really clean and elegant {I thought!} look.



I used my SU “Decorative Label” Punch, and punched out tags for the subject labels, in SU Naturals White, and wrote on the labels with my 
Early Espresso Stampin’ Marker.

I then covered the books in clear covering, the books looked gorgeous and unique, and JorjaRose was really happy with them.

 


This process took all afternoon, and in the long-run, I value my time, so in hindsight, it may have been a better idea to have paid for the decorated cover-seal after all!

My girl was in bed by 7.30pm tonight, as she was so excited about her first day of school tomorrow, after 7 looooong weeks of Summer holidays!

Recipe Ingredient List
Cardstock : Stampin’ Up! Naturals White
Punches: Stampin’ Up! Decorative Label
Inks: Early Espresso Stampin’ Marker
Other: School Exercise Books, Serviettes, Cling Wrap, Clear Cover-Seal, Double Sided Craft Tape

Special Tools: Clothes Iron

Tuesday, 4 February 2014

Summer BBQ/Cook Out

On Saturday, we hosted our very first “Summer BBQ/Cook Out”!

 
Although we have lived in our home for 12 years now, this was the first time we had had guests over for a BBQ, other than immediate family.
The guest list was small, just two couples and their children, but we had great fun in planning the occasion.
I really wanted the atmosphere to be relaxing, so after hubby had mown the lawns, Wayne and Reilly lifted the 3-Seater couch from the lounge and wicker furniture set {from our bedroom} outside onto the grass.
We also had 2 sets of matching outdoor wicker furniture, each seating 4, with glass topped tables, and we popped the sun umbrella up between the tables.
 





 
 
 
As a centre piece on the tables, I used a lovely floral arrangement in shades of pinks.

 
I came across these gorgeous bottles from The Warehouse for only $2 each.
I purchased 3 of the plain bottles for chilled water, and I just love the one with Lemons on the front, which I had to fill with my "Homemade Lemnade", which I have tweaked the recipe to ...
 

Kathe's "Homemade Lemnade"
Zest of 3 Lemons
Juice of 8 Lemons
3 cups of Water
2 and 2/3 cups of Sugar
1 teaspoon Citric Acid
1 teaspoon Tartaric Acid
1/4 teaspoon Epsom Salts

After juicing the Lemons, I then strained the juice to get rid of any stray seeds etc.
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to the boil and then simmer for 1 minute.
Leave to cool before bottling.
This recipe is very strong, so you only need to add a fraction of syrup to a glass {approx. 1cm in depth} before topping with carbonated water i.e. Soda Stream {but without the flavour added} .
An xtra cool and refreshing drink, which any spirit can be added to, Vodka, Tequila, Gin ... yum!!!



As is the Kiwi custom, each family bought a salad and some meat for the BBQ.
We had a yummy selection, including chicken kebabs, and the crumbed sausages went down a treat!


 
The salads were xtra healthy, and the favourite one was mine {or course}, which was Pam’s “Sweet Mango Mesclun Salad”, my secret is that I purchase it pre-prepared and ready to serve, it even comes with the dressing!

My Summer Look ...
 
 
I painted my nails the night before in shades from OPI:
OPI “Italian Love Affair” from the OPI Italian Collection, a very light cotton candy pink with iridescent shimmer
OPI “Wonderous Starfrom the OPI Mariah Carey Holiday Collection, this gold-flecked shimmer has heavenly shine.
OPI “Which Is Witch?” from the OPI Disneys Oz The Great and Powerful Collection, Is this silver glitter with iridescent sparkle or the other way around?
 

 
When I first came out dressed in my gorgeous floral sundress, and my husband, {and I am not kidding you} said ‘You’re wearing that to this?!!!”
To say I was heartbroken was an understatement, so off to the bedroom I went, and changed into this casually Summery Clarity Tunic, matched back with nude wedges by Pulp.



I had just finished making my latest piece of jewellery {from my JorjaRose Jewellery Collection}, so wore this cute necklace and matching earrings, which  matched back perfectly with my nails and the Clarity Tunic, so I felt a tad glam after all!!

We had a fantastic evening, and I can’t wait till we do it all over again!
 
 
 


 

Monday, 3 February 2014

“Create With Kathe” For Thursday 19th December 2013

I made this gorgeous card at my “Create With Kathe” Class last December, but have just had a chance now to photograph it.
I first made it in Pear Pizzazz and Naturals White, but having demonstrated it so many times, it looks a tad squashed!




So I made up another sample in Pool Party and Naturals White, which I think is my fav!





I love how effective this card is, yet how simple it is to create. + the added bonus is that it can be flattened to allow postage!
I used the gorgeous Stampin’ Up! Hostess set “Postage Collection”, and “That’s The Ticket” with the matching “Ticket Duo Builder” punch.


Designed by Linda Marie, and showcased on the Stampin’ Pretty Blog by Mary Fish, you can watch the video tutorial here ...

“Postage Collection” {Hostess Set}
#129237 Clear Mount
#129240 Wood Mount


“That’s The Ticket”
#128075 Clear Mount NZ$37.95
#131946 Wood Mount NZ$47.95

Recipe Ingredient List
Stamp Sets: “Postage Collection” {Hostess Set}, “That’s The Ticket”
Cardstock: Pool Party and Naturals White, Pear Pizzazz and Naturals White
Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Pistachio Pudding, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy
Punch: Ticket Duo Builder, Decorative Label

Other: Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Stampin’ Trimmer,
”Artichoke” Denim Jean Ribbon (R), Flower Trim (R)




Sunday, 2 February 2014

Guest Blogger: Sally Rice with “Springtime Hello”

The very talented Sally made this gorgeous card as a swap for an upcoming 2014 Seasonal Catalogue Swap.
Sally featured the beautiful stamp set “Springtime Hello” on her card, and used the “Painter’s Tape” technique.
I just the little bee hovering over the flowers, so cute!
 

 
 

Sally’s tip, if purchasing the clear Mount set, that you can cut the words in two, so instead of having a single stamp saying “hello spring!” you can then have two stamps, one saying “hello” and the other “spring!” {which can also be put back together again to say “hello spring!”}, which make this stamp set all the more versatile.
This can also work with any other worded Clear Mount stamp set - thanks Sally!


“Springtime Hello”
#133415 Clear Mount NZ$22.95
#133412 Wood Mount NZ$28.95
 


 
"Scalloped Tag Topper Punch"
#133324 NZ$47.95

Recipe Ingredient List
Stamp Set: "Springtime Hello"
Cardstock: Naturals White, Pool Party, Crumb Cake
Ink: Stazon Black, Pool Party, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Crushed Curry (Stampin’ Marker), Crumb Cake (sponged)
Punch: Scalloped Tag Topper
Embossing Folder: Needlepoint Border, Honeycomb

Other: Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon, Linen Tread, Envelope Punch Board (used for corner rounding)

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Stampin’ Up! Sale-A-Bration 2014!!!



The best time of the craftin’ year has just started, it’s Stampin’ Up! Sale-A-Bration 20141!!!


For all orders placed 28th January 2014 till 31st March 2014, earn FREE Sale-A-Bration gifts when you spend NZ$110
I have already earnt the “Banner Blast”, “You’re Lovely”, and “See Ya Later” stamp sets {In Clear Mount of course!!!} to add to my 70+ stamp sets!
PLUS the Banner Punch … ALL FOR FREEEEEEEE!!!!

 
 

 
For the dets check out my Stampin' Up! website ...
 





 

Plus today is the start of the new Stampin' Up! Occasions brochure "Celebrate The Everyday", which is jam packed full of AWEsome Stampin' Up! goodies, + all purchases of NZ$110 qualify for a Sale-A-Bration reward, please see above.
To view the new brochure online, please go to my Stampin' Up! website
 
What with 3 brochures to order from, now is the time to get craftin'!!!
 
 
 
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