Spellbinders Shapes Spectacular!!

Hello to you all on this strangely cold Spring day here in Perth!!

I've heard that Fall has really 'fallen' (pardon the pun!) in the U.S and everyone is starting to feel the change in temperature, pull blankets out of closets and bring their jackets with them when they go outside. LOVELY!!

 

Today I'm SOOOOO Super-excited (Yes, Super with a capital S) to be sharing some of the new Spellbinders Shapes dies that we have in store--goodness me they're enough to make my head spin with possibilities!!  Please be sure to sit down when you read this...and let someone else in the house know what you're doing--preferably to listen out for a *thud* when you fall over from how pretty these are *heehee*

Spellbinders Beaded Circles

Spellbinders Beaded Circles

Gah!!  That's all I can say...GAH! So pretty. SO many options!!! (I should point out that I stopped typing to clap a little bit in excitement! *wink*)

Spellbinders Lacey Squares Nestabilities

Spellbinders Lacey Squares Nestabilities

Spellbinders Classic Diamonds

Spellbinders Classic Diamonds

HELLO?!?!?! Are you still sitting upright?! How gorgeous are these! They're sooo simple but so elegant!  I'm really excited to play with these two, I think they might be my favorites...

Spellbinders Labels 14 Nestabilities

Spellbinders Labels 14 Nestabilities

What's another word for "Gah"?!?! How about *sigh*.  Yup...*Sigh* works :)  I love love LOOOVE this one! It looks like pink clouds to me--and that's a double bonus, because I love clouds and I'm most definitely a pink girl.  I think I want to do this one with elephants on a card...I'm not sure why elephants?? But cute elephants and pink clouds is what immediately pops into my mind when I look at these--is that weird?! lol

These as labels, or even as pages in a pretty mini-album?! Yes please!!

Spellbinders Beaded Circles

Spellbinders Beaded Circles

Doilies, frames for photos, unusual journalling tags--the possibilities are endless with this one...and how about;

Spellbinders Crowned Circles

Spellbinders Crowned Circles

These make me think of suns for layouts about summertime, or frames for photos--imagine putting a gem or some bling in each little edging point?  These are even great for a masculine project. 

Spellbinders Labels 17

Spellbinders Labels 17

Confession time: I have an UNHEALTHY addiction to labels.  I can't get enough of them.  I want to use them on layouts (cut in half and put on either side of photos or as journalling tags), on cards for a frame around a nice Copic-colored image...nice nice nice nice. What do you use them for? *smiles*

Spellbinders Beaded Ovals Nestabilities

Spellbinders Beaded Ovals Nestabilities

Mirror Mirror on the wall...these are gorgeous aren't they?! (You are nodding aren't you?!) Just perfect for so many things.  A photo, on a card front, an unusually shaped journalling tag, softly inked as a background...many many options.

Then there are these funky little numbers;

Spellbinders Wonky Squares

Spellbinders Wonky Squares

 I don't even know what to say besides FUN.

Are you still with me?! Don't worry, that's all for today.  The bruising from falling off your chair with all of these will hopefully subside quickly *heehee*

To order ALL *cough* some of these, head straight to HERE, or to have a bit more of a browse around the entire store, click HERE.

One last thing--a reminder that our fantastic Bo Bunny  Learning Curve contest is almost over! Only another day to sign up as an "a2z Craft Club" (follower) here on the blog, so make sure you head over <<----there  on the left hand side of the page and click 'follow'!! It's a gorgeous pack and we're so excited to have you joing us!

Well folks, that's all for today--thanks so much for stopping by and I'll be back again in a day or two with some fun Copic coloring!!

Take care till then--

Linda x

Hannukah and Jewish Holiday Supplies.

**editors note: My apologies for getting my timing mixed up and having the earlier version of this blog post suggest that Hannukah is now!! I was typing too fast and forgot to stop and realise I'm working a couple of months in advance with products!!

Hello again!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!  Mine was spent with family (as always!) enjoying the lovely Spring weather that has well and truly landed here in Australia--there was no lead-up this year, just one minute Winter, the next, SPRING!!!

Spring is always full of flowers and blue skies, birds and sunshine isn't it?! You know what they make me want to do?! Make things!!! Create, just as nature is doing before our very eyes. 

For you who live in the U.S, as Autumn settles over everything, you can still see the creation all around you can't you?! The changing of the leaves; golds, yellows, browns and reds slowly painting the world.  It's as if everything is getting ready for Winter. I always feel like Spring and Autumn are transitional seasons. Getting prepared for the 'Big Ones' of Winter and Summer.  I love how it seems as though the Earth is reminding us that no matter what we do, each season will still come-renewing and replenishing the world with a fresh mindset, feeling and even color-scheme!

Despite being in Spring myself, I'm very much in the mindset of Autumn, because of my involvement in the crafting community.  As most stamping, crafting and scrapbooking manufacturers are based mostly in the USA, I find myself sitting (quite happily might I add) in the middle of the two seasons.  

I love how refreshing a new season is--no matter which season.  I always feel refreshed and my senses more awakened  by the change and most especially, renewed!

It is soon coming to the time of year when people of Jewish faith celebrate an important time--Hannukah (or Channukah.)  Very little is mentioned in Australia of this wonderful tradition, despite a fairly sizeable Jewish community throughout the country.  Perhaps this is partly because so much of Hannukah is celebrated within the home.   

For those who don't know, Channukah is an 8 day festival that commemorates the rededication to Judaism of the Holy Temple in 2BC.  When celebrating the 'return' of this Temple, it was discovered that there was only enough consecrated oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate fresh olive oil.  Thus, the 8 days of Channukah.

The Hanukkiyah

What a perfect occasion to document as a keepsake, a learning tool for future generations or simply a reminder of what we hold dear and celebrate.  The reclamation of a sacred temple many centuries ago has now turned into a beloved holiday for so many people and at a2zScrapbookingSupplies.com, we have a selection of stickers and embellishments to compliment your albums, layouts and more.  You can find them all HERE, but scroll down to see a select few.

Jolee's By You Dreidal Dimensional Embellishments

K and Company Hanukkah Dimensional Stickers

K and Company Hanukkah Dimensional Stickers

Crafty Secrets Jewish Celebrations Stickers

Even for those of you who aren't of the Jewish faith, why not take this time to reflect on the miracles in your life that you are happy for? Whether it be a newborn baby, an unexpeccted surprise, a moment of true faith or something as 'small' as the changing of the leaves, remember that miracles can be both noticable and spectacular, or quiet and comforting.  

As for me? I'm thankful for the miracle of my 2 daughters and the friends I've made in this crafty, card-making, scrapbooking, stamping community.  They are supportive and caring and kind beyond words. Despite the fact that it might not seem like a 'miracle' in the traditional sense of the word, I consider it to be one, because as a stay at home mum who was starting to feel as thought my own self was being overshadowed by my motherhood, these friends have truly made me feel alive again. So for you, dear friends, thank you for being my miracles. 

Till next time!

Linda

Fighting against the 'matchy-match'

Happy Friday to you all!!

Did you all enjoy Virginia's GORGEOUS Halloween cards?! I know I did.  In fact, after I finished giggling at that kooky little owl on his tree branch, I decided to have another look over at Virginia's blog.  Once again I was left feeling inspired and more than a little envious!

I have a confession (of sorts) to make.  I'm a matchy-matchy type of girl.  I like colors to either be in the same tone or shade, or be completely identical.  My shoes almost always match my handbag (which yes, equates to a lot of both--not that I've used either since becoming a mummy!) and if they don't match my handbag, they match my top/shirt.  I can't stand it when it doesnt' match--more specifically, it doesn't occur to me NOT to match things.

It's the same on my cards and projects.  If I can't find the EXACT right shade of cardstock for a background or matte, then I'll change the image or add another color in so I can match that one.  Yes, I'm a matchy-match girl.  I've said it.  Now you all know my big secret.

shhh. don't tell anyone!

So tonight, I set myself a challenge.  To FIGHT the matchy-match tendencies within me.  And I think I won. Sort of.

Here is my card:

terrible photo--but it's the best I could do :) *sorry!*

See the ribbon?! It's BLUE!!!!!  There is no other blue in the card, but the ribbon.  I'm quite proud of myself :) You wanna know the best part? I kinda like it!!  It only took me 20 minutes to choose the ribbon too! (Which is why the card took me about 30 minutes to make lol!) So now, although exhausted at the effort I expended going through EVERY spool of ribbon in my stash, I'm proud I broke the pattern.

ex-hau-sted.

Hope you liked :)

Here's what I used:

Spellbinders Nestabilities Deckled Edge Classic Ovals LG
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Walnut Stain 
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Milled Lavender
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Victorian Velvet
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Spun Sugar
Hero Arts Time to Stamp Cling
Hero Arts Old Letter Writing Woodblock Stamp
Hero Arts Tall Flower Stamp
Ranger Diamond Stickles

Tsukineko Versamark Watermark Ink

Memento Tuxedo black ink

extras from my stash: Purple Button, Blue ribbon, Twine.

Has my attempt at breaking the habit worked out for the better? Or should I stick to matchy-matchy?!  As always, I love to hear what you think!


Till next time,

Linda

Guest Blogger Virginia Lu and a Challenge!

Hi there friends!! Happy Wednesday!!!

Today I'm SO excited, because we have a special friend of ours visiting, Virginia! 

this was me when Virginia agreed to be a guest blogger :)

Virginia's blog HERE is just fantastic and her creations are even more so.  She's not only funny as all get-out and sweet, thoughtful and just all-around lovely, she's SUPER-creative!!

I check in on Virginia's blog daily (even though I'm signed up for the alerts when a new post comes up, I can never wait!) and I'm consistantly amazed and impressed with not only how versatile Virginia's style is, but what comes out of her inspiration!  

I'm a very "literal translation" kind of girl (maybe it comes from learning languages?!) so when I see an inspiration photo, my 'translation' into a card is usually quite similar to the original. 

Here's an example: I recently participated in the etsy inspired challenge, this was my inspiration photo:

which is from the amazing Becky Kazana's etsy shop (HERE).

and here's what I made:

See what I mean?! LITERAL.  I saw flowers, I made flowers, I saw yellow, I made yellow.  lol!  (You can see the full details of this card HERE)  

But Virginia?! Nuh-uh. She's AMAZINGLY creative and participates in challenges constantly, which has made her a truly innovative cardmaker. 

SO, when she agreed to be a special guest on the a2z blog, we were so excited!!  Virginia's cards are rarely super-extravagant, they're almost never highly embellished.  They're clean and simple, they're sweet and fun and kooky (just like Virginia I think!!).  Hopefully seeing some of her creations will inspire those of you who lack experience (or are just a bit low on mojo).  I know I've used her creations as inspiration MANY times.

Therefore, without further ado, I give you Virginia's first specially designed for a2zScrapbookingSupplies blog Halloween Card "Boo!";

 

See what I mean?! Simple, effective, funny, kooky--FABULOUS!!

Here are some step-by-step instructions straight from Virginia:

1. Stamp house in Versamark and emboss in white on black card stock

2. Cut the house and set it aside

3: Distress the pumpkin color card stock with Antique Linen

4: Run the bottom throught Cuttlbug with Bubbles folder

5: Use hard surfaced sponge and lightly colored the pop-up bubbles

6. Stamp the ghost images in black and cut them out.

7. Plaace all pieces and plan out for space to sentiment

8: Stamp BOO with the Alphabet set and trim and layer them in squares.

9: Apply Glossy Accent on the eyes of ghosts and the letter BOO

and how about this one "

SO CUTE!!! This is my favorite of the two, only because a) I giggled when I saw that little guy sitting in the tree and imagined his crazy high-pitched voice saying YOO HOO!!! and b) that's pretty much what I look like when I wake up in the morning :)

Again, here are some instructions:

1. Stamp house in Versamark and emboss in pink on grey card stock

2. Cut the house and set it aside

3. Distress the grey color card stock with Weathered Jeans 

4. Stamp the pumkins in black card stock and cut out.

5. Stamp the pumpkins in green using masking technique

6. Adhere the pumkins with pop dots

7. Emboss the little owl in white and stamp the branches (using makers or small cubes of ink)

8. Attach raffia at the bottom, place the houses with pop dots

9. Apply Stickles in background for the starry sky

--ooOOoo--

NOW--usually, we give you a list of links for the exact products you'll need to recreate a card or project.  But this time I want to do things a little differently. You will still get a list of products, but the main Hero Arts Stamps that I've listed are slightly different than those Virginia used.

I've done this, because rather than having you all go out and copy Virginia's gorgeous cards down to the letter, I thought--this blog is called "Creativity and Inspiration".  So that's your Challenge--be inspired to make your OWN version! Change things up, make the house different or the tree or the owl a little different, anything!

Use these cards as INSPIRATION for your own creation to come out, not a carbon copy of Virginia's.  Trust me, you'll feel better about it if it's truly yours. 

THEN, we'd love it if you either emailed us with photos of what you make, or uploaded them to our flickr gallery! (Just search on flickr for a2zscrapbookingsupplies)--of course, we'd also love it if you'd join our flickr group!

Show us how someone as amazing and inspiring as Virginia, has inspired you! (I know she'd love to see it too!)

So here are the links:

Stampendous Stamp N Stuff Embossing Powder White Opaque

Tsukineko Tuxedo Black ink

Tsukineko VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad

Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Antique Linen)

Cuttlebug Swiss dots Embossing Folder 

Hero Arts Country Pumpkin Stamp
Hero Arts Two Houses Stamp
Hero Arts Owl-oween Stamp
Tsukineko Tuxedo Black ink  

Copic Markers

Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents

Tim Holtz Distress Ink  (Faded Jeans)
Ranger Frosted Lace Stickles  

umm, how perfect is this?!

Now:  do like the poster says!! GET EXCITED AND MAKE THINGS!!!

A huge thank you to Virginia for these gorgeous creations.

Talk to you soon lovelies--can't wait to see what you make!

Linda xx

Bo Bunny Learning Curve Album

Hello again friends!

I hope you have all had a fantastic weekend! 

Let's jump right into the crafting shall we!?  Today I'm here to share with you an album I made using the gorgeous new Bo Bunny Learning Curve collection. Given our fantastic giveaway we have running right now, I thought it appropriate!

My children are still much too young to be at school (let alone "Back to School") so I was feeling a bit left out of the current seasonal celebrations and stamp sets. (boohoo!) HOWEVER!! I had a brain wave and decided to turn the usual "Back to School" style on it's head!  WE'VE all been to school, so why not use these collections and stamps in a Reunion or a Memory Lane style?!

Why not indeed!!  Now I've never been to a reunion but I do have some old photos of myself at school that I thought would fit perfectly--although, before you all go wild with the thought of getting to see embarrassing photos of me with my giant hair and teeth in braces, I must tell you that my computer was on the fritz (playing up) this week and had to be shipped off to be repaired.  This means that my super duper special printer (which is set up on aforementioned laptop) that prints pictures is a no-go zone.  Sorry to disappoint you!! lol

I also thought leaving this album free of pictures and jounalling so that you can imagine your own versions would be better.

On to the photos!!  (There are 16 photos in total so you can see the whole album, with a short description or explanation below each) 
**a quick side note: most people make their albums and then bind them. I do it backwards. I choose all the papers I wanted on each page, cut them to size and adhered them to chipboard and then used my Cinch to cut the binding holes and put the 'rings' through.  I find this easier then to ensure I don't put stickers/chipboard elements etc where the binding will go.

The apple is covered with Glossy Accents for some added interest!  I made the 'file tabs' by hand with some of the Learning Curve paper but using THIS Tim Holtz edge die wouldve been much easier!! (Where is the mailman with mine?!)

I thought this piece of 'notebook paper' would be perfect to do an introduction about your schooling years/name of the schools or even your friends names.  I used THIS EK Success punch for the edge and Antique Linen Distress Ink to make the page, before stamping it with Hero Arts Quotes Background Stamp.

The banner is handmade. I just inked up some paper and stamped on them using various Hero Arts stamps, cut out the triangles to make pennants and used Glossy Accents to adhere to some twine.  The letter 'discs' are from the Chipboard sticker page from the collection. I used THIS Ek Success edger punch on the edge of the tag.

This is the tag which was being held up by the "paperclips".  On it is a list of names of a few of my teachers and the grades they taught me.  I used Mustard Seed Distress Ink to colour the page to replicate legal pad paper.  (The apple is stamped in Fired Brick Distress Ink)

 

A very simple page based on 'the library'.  I used the Hero Arts Just a Note clear stamp set to make the notepage and paperclip.

Here you can see the two tags that were inside the small envelope.  The 'date due' tag is from the collection but the dates stamped on were using an old fashioned date stamp to replicate those used in libraries when I was young.  The other tag is supposed to look like a bookmark made by a child (for his/her reading books from the library)

 

This is the back side of the bookmark.  I used Hero Arts Printer's Type Lowercase Alphabet to stamp the wording and a Papertrey Ink stamp for the writing lines.  I then used my left hand to write my name (I'm right handed), so it looked like a young child's writing. 

 

 

Using the Hero Arts Printer's Type Alphabet Stamps I stamped the numbers on paper I'd inked yellow with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Mustard Seed.  I then used a 1/2" circle punch to punch out the numbers and adhered them to string/twine using Glossy Accents.  I stamped the paperclips from Hero Arts Just a Note clear set and heat embossed with Stampendous Sterling Silver Embossing Powder (to make them look like real paperclips.)

Then I used Stayz-on white ink to stamp "Today is May 1st" and a Signio White Gel Pen to write the messages from the teacher and the math equations on the blackboard. 

 

 

I left this page very simple.  The paper background is just a section of the 12 x12.  The addition tiles and the little girl image are both chipboard stickers and the little '123' sticker is also part of the collection, as are the brads.

  

This is another relatively simple page just made to look complex.  I used my Crop-a-dile to punch 4 holes and set 4 brass-colored eyelets, then I strung twine through the four to create a 'belt' of sorts.  I then used Bo Bunny stickers and chipboard pieces to decorate the page and the two tags I handcut.  I've only removed half of the adhesive paper backing on the chipboard swirls so that the tag will sit behind them without getting stuck.

 

 These are two tags I hand cut out.  One uses the ruler stamp from the Hero Arts Just a Note stamp set, the other I ran through my Big Shot using the Cuttlebug numbers embossing folder THIS Tim Holtz Collage die would be perfect.  

I gently ran a foam blending tool over the top to make the embossed image stand out more.

SUCH an easy page to recreate--everything here is from the Learning Curve Collection.  The math sum and date due card are both from the chipboard sticker set, as is the little crossword in the corner (I cut it up and wrote words in the grid to give it extra interest).  The apple punch on the background is from the Learning Curve Stamp set.  I tried to recreate an old-style worksheet look by adding the dashed line and scissors image on the edge of the page. (Oops!! The scissors are from Hero Arts Just a Note stamp set--I lied, just that one thing wasn't from the Learning Curve Series!!)

This was a VERY easy page to make. I used three chipboard stickers from the Learning Curve Chipboard and created my own Bus Pass using Hero Arts Graph Background Stamp, Peeled Paint and Black Soot Distress Inks, Hero Arts Printer's Type Alphabet Stamps and Papertrey Ink "School Time" and "It's Official" sets.

 To make it look as though this Bus Pass had been thrown into backpacks and stuffed in pockets, I folded it several times, spritzed it with water to soften it, distressed the edges and smudged ink over it.  I also ripped small sections and used a stapler or sticky tape to put it back together again (as I think a child would have!)

The other side of the Bus Pass-perfect for journalling.  This is one of the cut outs from the Learning Curve set.  As you can see, I made it look REALLY abused with folding, ink and sticky-tape (cellotape).

 

This back page is SO simple but I think it's probably one of my favourites.  This paper collection is really vintagey, so I thought it would be cute to make it look as though the books were being held together by a belt or string, as was common "back in the day" :) 

The tag was hand cut, with the "This Book Belongs to" from the Learning Curve Stamp Set.  I used an old Dymo labler to make the name sticker.

Well that's it!! I hope you liked it. I had so much fun working on this album.  It's amazing how easily everything comes together when you have coordinating papers and embellishments to work with!!

As always, please feel free to leave comments-I'd love to hear what you think!

I'll be back on Wednesday with a special Guest Blogger-Virginia Lu!! I'm so excited to have her here on the blog with some truly GORGEOUS cards to show you :)

Talk to you soon lovelies!! 

Linda

The temperature is falling...but the products are warming up!

A Happy Hello to you all!!

Thanks again for joining me!!  As I mentioned last time, Fall isn't very much of an event here in Australia.  This plus the fact that it's just crawling into Spring (here) right now, I thought it would be difficult to get into the mindset of Fall.  Turns out, all I needed was a good dose of Hero Arts.

Hero Arts Felt Leaves

You really can't get more Autumn than leaves in muted greens, browns, reds and oranges can you? So beautiful.  They would look gorgeous just hanging by some fishing wire from a mobile, floating in the breeze.  I may have to make some layouts and mini-albums using these though. They are just too pretty.

Hero Arts Scattered Leaves Stamp

These? They just make me sigh.  I love how real they look.  Imagine them stamped on a simple rectangle of acetate with a tassel through the top--what a perfect bookmark!  They are so versatile! My mind is running wild with options.  Stamped repeatedly with Hero Arts Shadow Inks or even Versamark to give a really soft background or watermark look.  Beautiful.

I know I've shown you these before but I couldn't help it--they're SO perfect for Fall;

Hero Arts Real Leaves Stamp

You all saw the fantastic tutorial video Jennifer McGuire did that we showed on our first blog post right?! Well if not, click HERE when you're done reading this entry--it's a must see. I can't wait to try this technique.

This is another beauty;

Hero Arts Maple Leaf

*sigh*, I can't wait to get my hands on these.  They're just lovely.  They make me want to wrap up in a nice wool jumper (Australian-speak for 'sweater' :)) and drink hot tea.  But then I remember that it's Spring here and I'd swelter!!

Well friends, I'll let you go so you can click right on over to the store to grab some of these lovely goodies while they're still in stock!

I'll be back very soon with a special-edition post from a good friend our ours as well as one from me with a GORGEOUS album using some of the fabulous Bo Bunny Learning Curve set that is currently up for grabs!!!

lots of Fall-y hugs

Linda