Merry Crafting christmas

Hi all - long time no visit... for me..

Christmas has come and gone.. wow it was such a build up and such a stress.

Lots has happened this year, I have been totally lucky to go on 6 retreats this past year and am booked in with very special friends for 5 more next year.

My scrap room is absolutely trashed so not so conducive to actually crafting :(

On good news - a wonderful huge blog candy is here http://taylordconcepts.blogspot.com/2010/12/most-wonderful-time-of-year.html thanks to Erika for her kind giveaways :)

I am off scrapbooking down the road on wed so hoping to get heaps done, plus the usual wine and talkies with friends.

On the bargain front Lincraft has 30% off till wed I think... so get in quick!

I am starting a stampin' up! ribbon club next year (Jan - July) for those of you who are interested.  It will be a commitment of $50 per month, but you will get heaps of ribbon and cardstock to match.  Details to follow.

Take care this silly season.

Hugs Tanya

new Stampin Up catalogue

Hi all


I am posting today about a groovy new set that Stampin' Up! is selling, and yep I can order it.  Most of my friends know I absolutely love Tim Holtz and distressing is my thing, well we now sell a tool kit for inking and distressing, it has 4 unreleased colours - go ahead check out the blurb and let me know what you think.



Distressing Essentials
Features & Benefits:
Helps you create an aged, vintage look on card stock, paper, and more
Includes a variety of distressing tools Sanding tools 1 sanding block: approximate size 7.6 x 2 x 3.8 cm 1 two-sided emery board: approximate size 10 x 2 cm 3 precision files: approximate length each 14 cm
Inking tools 4 distressing ink spots, 1 each of Charcoal, Mahogany, Navy, and Tea Stain: approximate size 2.5 x 2.5 cm
Flat stamp for applying ink: approximate size 2.5 x 3.8 cm
Sanding block and emery board have Stampin’ Up! design Precision files fit inside areas that are too small for sanding blocks, such as the inside areas of On Board letters Sanding block, emery board, and precision files are great for smoothing edges of card stock or Designer Series Paper that has been adhered to On Board chipboard Distressing ink is water-based and blendable Distressing ink contains alcohol; do not use in scrapbooks Comes in soft plastic case

FYI:
To get an aged look with the distressing ink, you’ll need to mist the ink with water either before or after you apply it to your project. The water will cause the ink to dilute and bleed, resulting in a vintage appearance.
To get a subtle ink stain look, use the flat stamp to apply the vintage ink to your projects. (If you apply the ink directly from the spot to the paper, the ink will look too concentrated.) Dab the ink pad on the flat stamp and rub it over your paper. You can mist the ink while it’s on the stamp and then apply it to your project, or you can apply it to your project and then mist the ink.
You can also use an Aqua Painter to apply the ink directly to a stamped image (be sure to use a waterproof ink like StazOn on your stamped image before colouring it with distressing ink).
The inks work best on paper that has been crinkled or embossed. Crumple card stock or paper into a ball, and then smooth it out. Dab the ink on your stamp and rub it over the card stock. The ink will be thicker on the creases in the paper, resulting in an aged, distressed look. To intensify the distressed look, lightly mist your card stock with water so the ink bleeds. After the card stock dries, you can sand the edges to distress your project even more.

Enjoy the process, there are no mistakes.

Tan :)

bargain fabric - thrifting

Hi all
I got the best bargain today in the St John of God Op Shop - fabric samples - the ones that hang in stores... for next to nothing, now I have heaps of different fabrics to play with on my layouts.  I also got Indy her very first leather skirt, it was so tincy, not sure what size it is, but it sure looked small! I was skinny at 16 but doubt I would have even fitted this skirt. I will get her to try it on and then I can post some cute piccys.. I know leather and cute don't go together.. but hey I am a leather girl from wayyyy back.

I bought some yummy buttons today handmade by Nellie G and they will arrive on my doorstep in next couple of days - yeahhhhh.

Important stuff - like the new catalogue released by stampin' up! - it's very exciting and I love the new colours and products.

I have been scrapbooking doing crops at Scrappers Delite (fabo store) and also my girlfriends Jo's house where she has a monthly workshop! all good fun, and I even enticed my best and oldest friend to pop along, now she is NO scrapbooker but we had sooo many laughs, it was great.

I need to get ready for my next retreat which is creeping up - cannot wait, for all of us scrap sistas to get together and do our thang! love each and every one of them :)

Here is a link to Nellie G's made it shop http://www.madeit.com.au/storecatalog.asp?userid=11014
Go visit before she sells out.

Love n hugs - happy scrapping all - Tan

Nate turns 5 and a giveaway

Well my little boy turned 5 this week, so it's been huge, well huge for me because I got OTT with themes... he had a little mad hatters tea party to celebrate with his cousins and a couple of friends. I try to keep numbers down so the little people and me don't get overwhelmed :) plus I am sooooo disorganised! Thanks to my neighbour Maria (everyone should have a Maria) my gorgeous mummy, my sweet daughter and a new friend.

I have to post pics later because my computer is still dead - something about replacing the power supply - and I cannot think how to get the photos on via hubby's pc. I know I could do it, but bahhhhh too tired to think right now.

Have been loving watching Heidi Swapp on her live webcast, she is so much fun.... Go here if you are interested. http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/8281793

Giveaway!! Sherry's Creations - gorgeous layout just add photo prize - http://networkedblogs.com/5WB3h Go here and enter today entries close 31st July. Share the love!

I am putting in an order for stampin' up! at month end (jul 31) so please let me know if you want to take advantage of our 2 step stampin promo at the moment - 20% of certain sets.

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
116386	39	Loads of Love	$39.95	$31.96
116342	42	Big Bold Birthday**	$53.95	$43.16
115860	78	A Rose is a Rose**	$66.95	$53.56
116332	86	Playful Petals**	$52.95	$42.36
115770	98	Cheep Talk	$47.95	$38.36
115946	115	Wonderful Favourites	$39.95	$31.96
119187	14*	Tiny Tags (wood-mount)	$38.95	$31.16
118592	14*	Tiny Tags (clear-mount)	$28.95	$23.16
119163	31*	Cottage Garden (wood-mount	$32.95	$26.36
120003	31*	Cottage Garden (clear-mount)	$24.95	$19.96

Anyhoo back to the grind, I have work most of this week, so better go do, you know, STUFF!

ciao from Artsy Fartsy Mumma x

Done and Dusted

WOW the big wait for June's 3 day retreat with paula and Mishey is now all over :( So great to catch up with all my scrappy pals and laugh, create, eat and drink. These girls rock my world.

Next weekend my gorgeous girlyfriend Jo is launching her CM career and having her very first workshop at her house. There will be prizes and raffles, plus food while you scrap away. Sat 26th 4pm-11pm - leave a comment if you are in Victoria and wanna attend.

Exciting giveaway of yummy handmade flowers made by Eb's mum. Go to http://www.welcometoebsspace.blogspot.com/ and check out the colourful flowers that Ebony is giving away. I love them and use them often on my layouts, even my boy ones.

Still time for you to enter the Alice in Wonderland page layout competition at http://screen2scrap.blogspot.com/ some fantastic prizes up for grabs. Go there now.

Have to upload the latest group photo of all of us at the weekend retreat, where we were pampered all weekend, including Sally the Masseur joining us to give hour-long massages - divine!

Happy scrapping everyone :)

retreat is around the corner

Hi all
I am looking forward to our next 3 day retreat... wooop - I may even start doing some sketches and putting photos with paper... maybe, If I can get over this dang head cold, which is keeping me very low.

From tim holtz's blog comes the news that ranger now has a blog... I will be referring to it oft... here is one of the tips and techniques for distress inks... http://www.rangerink.com/tips/tips_distress.htm

enjoy - I love tim's work :) and his products.

I will post up some layouts that are my favs... enjoy :) happy scrapping

challenge blog

Come along and join the fun at shazza's blog http://screen2scrap.blogspot.com/ I am June's guest designer.... the theme is Alice In Wonderland... an easy topic for me to scrap as Nate and I went and saw the movie at the pictures... It's full of so much colour and inspiration.

Join in now, there are groovy prizes up for grabs. You have all month but start now and create something fun and whimsical.

Ciao for now - artsy fartsy mumma :)

mistified

Howdy

At the end of April, me and my gal pals went to Mistified with Heidi Swapp, it was the most fabulous learning day, lots of new ideas gained and fun had along the way, great chance for us to get messy and for me to catch up with the gorgeous Nic Finlayson.

I created this layout on my last weekend retreat in Mount Eliza, ME time, which also involved lots of artsy fun, great food and just a little bit o wine.

Loved shopping at paper squared and made sure photos were taken.

I have been busy designing a challenge page for shazza's blog http://screen2scrap.blogspot.com/ I expect all my scrappy friends to come along and join in the challenge, which is up on June 1. A nice prize is on the offering!!

challenges

Howdy

I recently entered the april challenge at http://artasticchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ run by the talented shazza! It was fun and I'm glad I completed it.

I also won a fabulous scrappy prize for my layout in the march challenge at http://paulasscrapbooking.blogspot.com/. Me love you long time Paula x

I will post a pic of my challenge layouts.

In other news my gorgeous little man tells me he has a girlfriend at Kinder, I watched him the other day and he grabs her hand and holds it... soooo cute. He sure is like his mumma in the romance department. He makes my heart fill with joy.

Got tix to Eclipse for 2nd July, cannot wait. Bring it on.

It's late better hightail it off to bed - nighty

tim holtz does it again

Hi all
You need to check out this you tube vid - Tim holtz's new product to be released... JULY ish????? in america probably first.

anyhoo - I think it's fabo, me being an absolute lover of TOOLS.... this thing is gunna rock...hmmmm wonder what the price will be????? he he

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj8wNihWgGU&feature=related

check it out... let me know what you think.

cheers -artsy fartsy mumma

Hi scrappy friends, I am sooo excited to have gotten new products from the Autumn/Winter stampin up mini catalogue. It's chocker full of groovy new products.

The first is the new punch, I got the bird and it's sooo cute. the new slimline punch is very sturdy and stacks well.

I purchased the top note die which will be used on my scrap pages, but also good for cardmakers too. It does go through most die cutting machines. I used the cuttlebug with plates b and b and sandwiched the paper and the die in the middle - easy peasy. I have taken photos of my results of cutting through FELT! how exciting, I also bought the buttons sizzlit die, which is going to have me making fake buttons for some time now - a project seeing as we are all sick here in the house with coughs n colds etc.

Take a look and if you'd like to order or need a catalogue send me an email - at tanyasoutar@gmail.com

cheers and happy scrapping and creating :)

here I am

Howdy everyone, I have been busy going on scrapbook retreat no. 1 for the year and also working extra shifts at work to pay for my scrapbook purchases LOL.

Wanted to share this tutorial with you - it makes gorgeous flowers... just substitute the glitz brand they use with whatever you have in your stash... Best idea for getting old dictionaries or old sheet music is head on down to your local op shop or if you have savers or the like around - perfect.

http://pkglitz.com/blog/2010/03/talk-tuesday-march-9/

I am in the process of needing to desperately sort my scrapbooking stash/s a good ikea trip will do the trick, when I get a chance to talk hubby into letting me spend some $$$$ - ha.

Let me know if you have any fabo ideas about storage because I really just don't know where I am going to start.

ciao for now Tan aka artsy fartsy mumma x

circle scissor plus

It has been too long since i last blogged but in my defence I was away for most of Jan celebrating my big 40 birthday.

Had to let you all know about a groovy tool that I received today in my order from Stampin' Up! it's soooooo fabulous, it cuts circles... from 1" to 6" including making rings :)

If you u-tube "stampin up circle scissors plus with Dawn" you will find a great tutorial on how to use it. I think it will be a huge success. I absolutely love it. After seeking out different size circle punches it just takes it to a new level - with larger sizes being achieved.

I will go back to the scrap table and finish off my soul scrapper's 1st challenge (Erika Martin's site) and then it's into creating a CIRCLE page full of circle-y fun xx

Bye for now - will post pics soon :) artsy fartsy mumma