Workshop project #1 - Enjoy Every Moment

Just popping on to share one of the layouts that we made at last monday's workshop, I gave the guests the choice between 2 layouts and tried to make one bright and funky and suitable for a boy or girl and the other softer and more feminine so that no matter the main subject of their albums they would have a layout to suit. To save on time and materials the layouts we made were 7x7" but I showed the girls how easily they could translate that into a 12x12" page. I demonstrated that with the other layout but I haven't photographed it yet so I'll have to show you next time.

We spent the afternoon today over in Forbes out at the Western Districts Parachute Club waiting for the wind to die down so we could watch my brother-in-law do his first jump, unfortunately the wind kept up and although the conditions were such that an experienced ski-diver could safely jump in they decided that they were far from ideal for beginners. The wind is forecasted to ease over night so we'll head back over in the morning for another go. All this talk of ski-diving has got Justin itching to get his licence current so he can start jumping again, he stopped skydiving before we got together, he has 25-30 jumps under his belt, but when he was travelling 2 hours just to spend the day waiting around for the weather like we did today, it was very frustrating and he ended up just letting his licence lapse, but now we're only half an hour away I think it's something I'd like to see him get back into. I just don't know how I'll go watching him climb out of that plane for the first time lol

Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment, Seeing Spots
Ink: Pacific Point, Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Good Morning Sunshine DSP, Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Distresser Tool (from cutter kit), Silver Brads
Punches: Large & Small Star Punch

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Lucky Door Prizes

When I do workshops I like to play a little ice-breaker game before we get down to business, these were the prizes I made for Monday night's workshop. I made 2 little diaper pouches and popped some ribbon samples and a little stamp in each one. I kept with the Bella Rose theme from the Hostess thank you gift.
Cardstock: Bella Rose DSP
Accessories: Flower Fusion Too, Button Bouquet, Riding Hood Red Taffeta

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Hostess Thank You gifts

I have a workshop booked tonight with a group of new customers and as a little thank you for the hostess I made this little gift boxed set of love notes, there are 2 of each card in the box and the best thing is that once she's used the cards she can use the box as a gift as well if she likes.
To make the box I followed this tutorial on SCS, I realised half way through that my box was very similar to the sample, since I used the same DSP pack, Whoops!
These are the 2 cards I made to match
Anyway, wish me luck! It's been a while since I've done a workshop rather than a class. I'll be back over the next few days to share the projects that we made, as well as the lucky door prizes I will be handing out to 2 lucky girls.
Stamps: Oval All, Short & Sweet, Best Yet
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Cardstock: Bella Rose DSP, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White
Accessories: Riding Hood Red Taffeta, Flower Fusion, Ice Rhinestone Brads, Punches; Scallop, Large & Small Ovals, Eyelet Border, Scallop, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" circles

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Happy Birthday Amber - Take 2

Look familiar? I said yesterday that my card needed something but I wasn't sure what, anyway, the lovely Robyn suggested something shiny in the bottom corner. I agreed that it needed something in the bottom corner and it was definitely missing some sparkle, but I had nothing sparkly that would suit the bottom of the card. After thinking for a while I remembered the Tempting Turquoise brads in the bold brights set and decided on some glitter on the balloons. Thanks Robyn I'm a million times happier with this card now!
Stamps: Birthday Wish, Crazy for Cupcakes
Ink: Basic Black; Lovely Lilac, Orchid Opulence & Tempting Turquoise SW Markers
Cardstock: Lovely Lilac, Orchid Opulence, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, 2-way glue, Dazzling Diamonds, Bold Brights Brads, Whisper White Taffeta

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Happy Birthday Amber

I need to make a birthday card for one of Charlotte's little friends, I tried to go for bright and happy, (which I nailed) but I don't think this card works...
I haven't ticked her name off my to-do list yet.
Stamps: Birthday Wish, Crazy for Cupcakes
Ink: Basic Black and Lovely Lilac, Orchid Opulence & Tempting Turquoise SW Markers
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Orchid Opulence, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White
Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, Whisper White Taffeta

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Tie Fighter Gift Card Holder

We had a Star Wars themed 30th Birthday party to go to on the weekend and I needed a Star Wars card for the birthday boy. I was hoping someone had made little punchies of Star Wars characters, but I couldn't find any, but when I asked on SCS someone pointed me in the direction of these cute "Tie Fighter" gift card holders (link at the bottom). It was so easy to make and the tutorial was great.
The side view of the Tie-Fighter.
It folds down so you can put it in an envelope.
Ink: Going Grey & Basic Grey SW Markers
Cardstock: Going Grey
Accessories: Tie Fighter Template, Colour Spritzer Tool, Paper Snips, Sticky Strip

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Playing around with my Bigshot

I spotted a 6x6" DCWV paper stack from Big W that has adhesive backing on the paper, so I decided to grab some for playing around with on my Big Shot. This was actually the first card I made when my dies came and I had this idea floating around my head when I first ordered the dies and it was a relief to finally get to make it.
Stamps: Sincere Salutations
Ink: Bashful Blue
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Lovely Lilac, DCWV Paper Stack
Accessories: Top Note Die, Butterfly Bigz Die, Linen Thread, Corner Rounder

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Raspberry Suite Colour Challenge #14 - Best Wishes

There's a lady at our church who is one of those lovely ladies that the whole town calls "Aunty", and anyway about 2 years ago she had a stroke and ended up in a nursing home, she doesn't have much family left in town and her son has organised her a place in a new home up in QLD closer to where he lives, so we have organised a care package to send up to her. Of course I volunteered to make the card. I originally started making a card in more traditional 'old lady' colours but it was a complete disaster (I mean a pull the brads out throw it in the bin kind of disaster) and then I was getting ready for take 2 and spotted Dawn McVey's latest Raspberry Suite Colour Challenge and decided the colours would be perfect to brighten up her new room.
I was lucky enough to be RAK'd some of the new US in colours by a friend (she doesn't have a blog but thanks Faith!) so I interpreted the colour Challenge as Melon Mambo, Very Vanilla, Lovely Lilac & Bravo Burgundy (Rose Red was too pink).
To get the scallop circle I cut a circle then used the Scallop Edge punch to punch around the edges, I'm happy with the final result but it was a little tedious, you have to punch 1 scallop at a time, I so have to get myself some Nestibilities...
Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Short & Sweet
Ink: Lovely Lilac, Versamark, Melon Mambo
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Lovely Lilac, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Clear EDP, Crafters Tool Kit, Bravo Burgundy 5/8" Grosgrain, Large & Small Oval & Scallop Edge Punches, Button from stash, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die

Blog Changes

Just making some changes to my blog. At this stage I've made all the technical changes that I think I want to make and there are only cosmetic changes left to be done (new banner & colourscheme etc), It seems to be working well on my end but let me know if you find any bugs that need fixing and I'll do my best.
ETA: I've done the banner, gotta fiddle with colours now

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Lisa's birthday Card

I love making birthday cards for my upline Lisa!!! Her birthday is right at the start of the spring mini, so every year I have something new and exciting to play with for her card, plus this year I was lucky enough to have my topnote die arrive just in time to use that too, so much fun!!
I kept her card pretty simple since the DSP (from the new Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP) was so beautiful I didn't want to interfere with it. The little button I've used is also new, it's one of the Corduroy Buttons, and they're so nice IRL, just that bit of extra texture (and they feel so cool!).
Stamps: Sincere Salutations
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Kraft, Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP
Accessories: 1" Chocolate Chip Stitched Grosgrain, Hemp Twine, Baja Breeze Corduroy Button, Top Note Die

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Bizzy Becs Create-a-licious Challenges

Bizzy Becs Has a new Challenge Blog and to celebrate she's giving away a fantastic blog candy. Click over to the blog for all the info on how to win.



Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Cardstock Rose

As soon as I saw this rose on Andrea Walford's blog I just had to know how to make them and fortunately Andrea's sister Sophia (she also contributes to Andrea's blog, so you get a 2 for 1 kind of deal on that blog now, it's great!) wrote up a tutorial so I was able to have a go the other day when I had a bit of free time. I still have to make a box or something to put it on, so when I decide how I'm going to use it you'll probably see it again.
It was a fun project to make, slightly fiddly and I got ink all over my hands but I still found it relaxing to just sit there and play with getting the petals just right etc.
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive
Cardstock: Rose Red, Mellow Moss
Accessories: Freezer Bag Ties (with plastic stripped off), Powder Pals (for work surface)

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Sisterhood of Scrap Sketch Saturday - Driving By with a Birthday Hi

Ok, so don't look too closely at the colouring... I just couldn't get it right today. Anyway, I had to make a birthday card for a guy (don't you hate doing these??? Flowers are so pretty, why can't guys just have flowers?) and Deanne's Sketch Saturday Challenge from over at Sisterhood of Scrap seemed perfect for a guys card. I paired it with some paper from the Urban Garden DSP and Loads of Love and I think I've pulled off a manly card. I don't know if I've shown these yet but have you checked out those jumbo brads?? They're new to the spring mini and this is the smaller of the 2 sizes and they come in "Neutrals" so you get White, Vanilla, Silver and Chocolate Chip in a pack.
Stamps: Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories
Ink: Stazon, Kiwi Kiss
Watercolouring: Blender Pen with Inkpads; Baja Breeze, Basic Grey, Going Grey, Night of Navy
Cardstock: Kraft, Urban Garden DSP, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Grey
Accessories: Vintage Brads, Jumbo Eyelets, Round Tab Punch, Jumbo Brads (Spring Mini)

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Mojo Monday #98 - Just because I care

Have you ever made one of those cards that is perfect except for 1 thing? I stamped the sentiment slightly crookedly but only so slight so that you have to look twice to see if it was crooked or just your imagination, so I kept going with the card, attach the next layer, and because it's straight it makes the crooked piece seem even more crooked! I was so annoyed!
Anyway, as flawed as it is, it's my entry for this weeks Mojo Monday Challenge.
Have a great day!
Stamps: Best Yet, Baroque Motifs
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa, Candy Lane DSP
Accessories: Beautiful Butterflys Bigz die, Crafters Tool Kit, Button Bouquet, Riding Hood Red Taffeta, Riding Hood Red 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Terrific Techniques "Wax on, Wax off" project 3 Crayon Resist

Our 3rd project for the "wax on, wax off" terrific techniques class was Crayon Resist, this card may be a little bit familiar, since I've used this set (in different colours) for this technique in the past, but it's just perfect for it so I pulled it out and used it again for the class.
This card was a hard one to photograph (crappy lighting and glossy cardstock don't make for good photos sorry, at least I had a few photoshop tricks to make it better than it was...).
Stamps: 5th Avenue Floral, Best Yet
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette
Cardstock: Glossy Cardstock, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: White kids crayon (thanks Charlotte!), Sponges, White Taffeta, Paper Towel, Punches; 1 3/8", 1 1/4" & Scallop Circle

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Makeesha's Sketch Challenge #11 - Thank You

Loving Makeesha's challenges at the moment! This is my entry for Sketch Challenge #11. I cut a semi-circle out of some Walk in the Park DSP and used the reverse of the same pattern for the base. I've punched some 1/2" circles out of the scraps from the circle for my build-a-brads and instead of a circle in the top I decided to use a Baja Breeze flower with a corduroy button centre.
I ran out of SU! dimensionals while I was making this card (and I'd used up all the edge pieces and everything, I really really ran out!) and since I'm not placing an order until later this week I went down to Big W and picked up some scotch brand dimensional things and I have to say how much it has made me appreciate the SU! ones! I can't put my finger on it but there's something just not quite right about them, they don't seem as good quality and they cost more than SU! ones, I really hate using them, but I'm a dimensional junky and every card now has to have something popped up on it so I'll have to make do for the mean time :o(
Stamps: Short & Sweet, Eastern Blooms
Ink: Basic Grey, Cameo Coral & Basic Grey SW Markers
Cardstock: Whisper White Baja Breeze, Walk in the Park DSP
Accessories: Flower Fusion Too, Basic Grey Corduroy Buttons, Build-a-Brad, Basic Grey Taffeta ribbon

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Terrific Techniques "Wax on, Wax off" project 2 Wax Resist Background

Back again with our 2nd project from the "Wax on Wax off" Terrific Techniques class. This card was really hard to photograph so you will have to use your imagination a little for the background lol.
I used this great tutorial by Stephanie Pike. A big tip that I found out the hard way: your waxed paper has to actually be waxed paper not baking paper, other wise you end up with some beautifully brayered pieces of cardstock with no pattern lol. Until I tried this I had always assumed the 2 were the same thing but I found some Black & Gold brand waxed paper with the cling wrap at our local IGA supermarket for a ridiculously cheap price. I should say a big thanks to the girls on SCS who answered my cry for help when i first started having trouble and who suggested to make sure it was wax paper not baking paper.
Stamps: Oval All, Organic Grace
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Perfect Plum (inkpad & SW marker)
Cardstock: Glossy Cardstock, Pink Pirouette, Perfect Plum, Whisper White
Accessories: Brayer, Pretty in Pink 1/4" Grosgrain, Black & Gold Waxed Paper, Iron, Punches; Eyelet Border, Scallop Oval, Large Oval

Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould

Spring Mini Catalogue has launched!

There is only 1 month left of winter and what better way to celebrate being on our way to warmer weather than by having new stamps??
This catalogue is chock-a-block full of beautiful Stamp Sets and accessories, and if you want to check them out send me an email (zjgould@gmail.com) or call me 0418 650 294 to get your own copy.
As always with a mini the products aren't guaranteed to make a comeback in the next IB&C, and with the change in catalogue schedule we will have to wait until September 2010 to know what will be hanging around so to make sure you don't miss out get your order in by 30 November!


Images © Stampin' Up!, Designs © Zarna Gould