“Gorgeous Posies”

Hi Friends,

I hope you are all going well and keeping safe! I have been busy at work and not much time for craft this week. I was going to join in an online event yesterday but didn’t make it. I decided today I was going to have a play with my new Gorgeous Posies Card Kit!

Also, I had to move my craft stuff out to have our new blinds installed so I decided to move my desk over to the lovely bright window, that I can look out and see the garden. It was great to do some creating today……………………

The kit above comes in the gorgeous box. The stamp set I added for more options to decorate and for the Greetings. It made 16 standard size cards with a few things let over to use on other cards. You also get great instructions for the beginner to get creating straight away with minimal supplies. I mainly used my Tombow glue, the foam dots, scissors, a stamp block, few ink colours and the stamp set.

You can see above the lovely card fronts included to add to the bases, plus the great instructions booklet is easy to follow.

There are lots of pop out die cuts and some sentiment strips all ready to use. It also comes with some gorgeous ribbon and twine. I layered these with our Dimensional foam dots so they sit higher on the cards. and give a layered effect.

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As you can see you can make them as simple or intricate as you like. It is a great kit for all skill levels. I really enjoyed putting these cards together and now I have 16 finished cards to use for friends and family ready to go. I hope you have enjoyed seeing this kit from Stampin’ Up! If you would like any information about the Gorgeous Posies Kit or you would like to purchase one, please feel free to contact me @ kerrismith455@gmail.com or leave me a comment and I can reply to you.

Stay Tuned as I hope to have some more crafty projects on the go during this next week.

Have a great evening, and be safe.

Hugz Kerri x

“New Scrap Space”

Hi Friends,

We are slowly getting back to “normal” here, whatever that is at the moment 😉  We moved on the 3/8 to our new home, just as Stage 3 Covid-19 Restrictions hit us in Regional Victoria, in Australia. I haven’t seen my oldest son for about 5 weeks and I do miss him…… We are nearly all unpacked and able to see the floors!!! Life is really busy with work etc, and its nice to be finally getting settled!

I have had this weekend off so I thought I would share with you what has been keeping me so busy!

I thought you might like a little peek of my new scrap space which is wonderful. We have a living area that is not being used, as I have a dining area in the kitchen 🙂 So, it is all mine!!! I was going to use the third bedroom, but not big enough lol!!! 😉 Noooo…. I don’t have too much stuff 😉  This is looking from the kitchen door into the living area then down to the lounge room.  Yes, I had some helpers!! Trishka on the left and Nitro on the right…………….. There are lots of windows and natural light. I am just waiting on my new blinds to be made which will be awesome!!!

To give you and idea, this door is the entrance from the front door/hallway.

LOUNGEROOM SIDE BEFORE…..

AFTER………

I tried to do one area at a time. This is my desk where I will mainly create. I wanted to use as much wall space as I could do get the maximum storage. I sorted and did a bit more de stashing as I went and it did take a bit more time, but well worth it.  I have my shelf storage and my Raskog Cart well used.

I have two of these shelf units. They are smaller and the best size for storing my ink pads, punches, stamps, tapes and extra supplies I have used Velcro to attach the ink blend foams near the inks, so they are there to use and I don’t have to search for them.

Here I store on my desk my most used supplies. I have my larger tools, watercolour pencils and hand sewing items on the top. There is mainly stamps and cardstock on the second shelf and on the shelves below is paper, adhesives, embellishments and all easy to access. I have a large non stick mat and a small cutting mat to the side.

Right behind me I have my sewing machine set up on my white desk, with my Photo Printer on there as well, ready to go.

KITCHEN SIDE BEFORE…….

AFTER…….

The kitchen side wall is made up of built in shelving and my book cases. I have used all the same furniture that I had. I like using see through storage for as much as I can, plus baskets. The large case I have had for at least 15 years, the light coloured one probably about 10 years and Jj bought me the tall slim one last year. It fits 12×12 storage perfectly.

My large bookcase on the right holds albums on the bottom then smaller albums and Junk Journal books I use. The ring binders house quite a lot of my red rubber and cling stamps. There is also my Stampin’ Up! Paper and cardstock plus other A4 size supplies.

The middle book case shows some of my Journals down the bottom with my spray inks on the left. In the baskets, I have stamps, stickers, ephemera etc.

My tall think bookcase holds 12×12 storage that has paper and junk journal supplies. It also homes my larger cardstock and pattern papers. The light coloured book case holds my smaller 6×6 and 6×8 paper and pad on the top. JJ supplies, paint, my cardmaking supplies also.

I have this area across the room near the window with my Die Cutting Machine set up. The cube shelving house my dies, emboss folders, washi tapes, ribbons and flowers, plus other tools and things. The lovely big window looks out onto the side lawn area. We have a gas heater in this room and the lounge has a split system.

My Ikea Raskog cart which I think I have had about 5 years is the handiest storage. At the moment it has my mixed media supplies (brushes, stencils, paints etc) on it and the magnetic tins are great for holding anything you need.

I may change a couple of things as I go along, so it works for me, but as a whole I am really happy with my set up. It hasn’t happened overnight and I was thinking I was never going to get it sorted again. I plodded along a bit each day in between work and life and finally got it done!!!

I hope you have enjoyed my first post back, even though it was a bit long! Stay tuned as I have a couple of storage solutions to show you next…………..

Happy Crafting

Hugz Kerri x

 

 

 

 

“Faux Travellers Notebook”

Hi Friends,

I hope you are all going well in this weird time. I’m home from work and now enjoying my weekend!! It is very wet and cold here now so a great day to be indoors and crafting!

Lately, I have had a few projects on the go all at the same time. Nothing like keeping busy!! I got the urge to make another “Faux Travellers Notebook”, to use as an Art Journal.

 A Traveler’s Notebook ... In short, it is a refillable notebook, which are used by travellers to plan and document their travels. Also, to keep your important documents, contacts etc in, ………….But really, at its core, it is simply a leather book-like cover that holds multiple notebooks or inserts with elastic bands.  This really handy as you can keep the cover and just replace the inserts (notebooks) with new ones. 

They have so many more uses now as they have grown in popularity as a journal…………

Below are a few ideas of what you can use them for…………………

As A Travel Journal

Keeping track of Projects

Wedding or Party Guestbooks

Doodling and Art Journaling

Memory Keeping

Collecting Quotes

Habit and Weightloss Tracking

A Daily Journal

Commonplace Journal

For Planning

Of course, you can buy them, already made and in lots of different sizes, but why not make your own for the fraction of the cost to your needs……………………………….

My Version of this is a “Faux” one that I make mainly out of foam, covered with pattern papers or placemats. Yes, the humble placemat is great for making the soft covers. If you can’t find any, you can make to measure pattern papers, then laminating them.  I made a few last year and gave them away as presents. You can find them in cheap shops and probably home decor shops too. They usually aren’t too expensive and you could also use plastic mats, or the clear chopping mats would work also.

I really liked this tulip one, I found even though I am not a big red fan.  I cut it roughly down to 7.5×10″, but you can make it to suit your needs. I wanted the width so I could make it chunky with the inserts that I made.

 I cut the placemat to the size, I wanted with the image placed nicely on the front. I found the middle and made some small holes using a punch to thread the elastic through. This will allow you to move them around and remove to add new inserts as required.  The thinner elastic is nice to use as it gives a bit to move the pages.

I made these inserts from mixed media paper, as I want to Art Journal in this one. I cut my papers down to approx 6×9″ and I can comfortably put 6 signatures in this with the slightly bigger cover. I haven’t as yet added any pockets etc to the inside of the overs.

As you can see for the pages, I used 5-6 sheets ad used my stapler to put them together, but you could sew them if you wanted to.

I measured the middle, then left a gap between the other two holes. There is enough room from the bottom of the journal for the paper to fit nicely in. I just used my hole punch and I will go back and add some small eyelets for strength.

 I mainly eyeball when making things like this, as I am not a perfectionist and I like things looking rustic and handmade!

The journal looks lovely and as it is a placemat, I can wipe it down with no worries about damaging the cover. I will probably add my name or an art quote to the front to finish it off.

I hope I may have given you some inspiration to try one for yourself!!

Have a lovely crafty weekend

Kerri x

“Honey Bee Mini Album!”

Hello everyone,

I hope your Monday isn’t too bad and you are having a nice day…………….

Today is my Monday off, after quite a busy fortnight. I am #stayathome today and crafting, watching a couple of DVD’s and chillax’n…………. I just popped in to share with you a super cute mini album that I made with a lovely lady and her group on FaceBook. It was so much fun to make with her.

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I used all new Stampin Up Products that are available now. There is a bit of a delay on shipping some items, but the Warehouse is doing a great job on this, to keep us informed and able to get products. I followed the instructions for the mini-album and used a Black 8.5 x 11 Cardstock to cut down for the pages.

I used the gorgeous Honey Bee stamp set and the Detailed dies for easy cutting out of the stamps.

This is the Golden Honey Bee Designer Speciality Paper I had to use for the page embellishments, like the tags, pockets etc. The gold tones on the paper are perfect.

The front cover I used some of the gorgeous stamps in the set. I couldn’t go past the honeycomb die on the background and the super cute beehive. The bees were stamped and die cut, and the detail of the bee is beautiful.

If you are interested in any of these products, please feel free to contact me here or you can email me on kerri.smith64@bigpond.com

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for some more craft fun I am working on!

Hugz

Kerri x

 

 

 

” Stampin’ Up! Ring-Bound Album”

Hello there friends and followers,

I hope your start to March and autumn here in Australia has been nice. I had a team get together at a clients house on Sat which was lovely, then a catch up with a friend which is always great. Work today was busy, I went for a walk and now I am getting a chance, to post about a couple of Ring-bound Albums I am making.

First up I wanted to show you that you can use Stampin’ Up! products not just for cards. I am an avid memory keeper and I have created one of my Memory albums using all SU products.  Our biggest Sale-A-Bration of the year is happening now and this gorgeous brand new Peaceful Poppy Dsp (Item # 151324) is available to purchase.

To make my albums, I used cardboard from the backs of some of my old paper pads and cut them 20x23cm. I then covered them with the lovely new designer series paper and inked around all the edges with Soft Suede Classic Ink. (Item # 119982)  I then stamped the Large Crackle Paint Background stamp (Item 3 148752), with the same ink. I layered some Dsp on the top, then I tied around it with some of the Linen Thread (Item #104199). I stamped the flowers from the Floral essence stamp set (Item # 149450) and punched them out using the Perennial Flower Punch (Item # 49522)   I stamped the sentiment from the Crafting Forever stamp set (Item # 15231) I used our retired Crop-O-dile to punch the holes and set the Jumbo eyelets to finish it off. this has really come up lovely and I hope it has given a bit of a peek into this wonderful company I am a part of 🙂

This shabby/vintage style album above I created using my stash. It is for a very special lady who was my mums best friend for 66 years.  Aunty Helen has always been a big part of our lives and we grew up with her son and daughter. She is a beautiful sewer, so I added the tape measure and stitching embellishments to the cover.  I will be putting some up to date photos of us all in it for her.

I am hoping now to start some much-needed scrap layout therapy and catch up on some family events etc. I will post them later in the week as I get some done.

Thanks for popping by, have a great week!

Kerri x

“Prompt 7-10 – Junk Journal”

Hi Friends,

I am feeling a lot better today than I have the last week or so. I started back to work this morning which was nice, as my client said he missed me 🙂  Yesterday, I went for a drive with my son and it was great to get outside.

I have completed a few more prompts on the JJ I am following along with Linda Israels January challenge on Youtube and in her FB group.

PROMPT 7 – Find a Poem that inspires you and create a page with inspiration from the poem you found. Journal about why the poem inspires you.

Prompt 7 video “HERE”

I used some watercolour paper and painted some ink on to it. I then added water droplets for some texture. I stamped the butterfly, with Stazon ink so it wouldn’t bleed, with my Stamparatas twice and cut one wing out, to use for the journaling. I attached it at the body so it would flip up. I added the poem and a smidge of embellishment.

PROMPT 8 – Write a compliment to yourself abut something you accomplished recently. Centre your journal page around that.

Prompt 8 Video “HERE”

 

I made a tag and covered it with a napkin. I just added a coffee dyed doily and a quote. I bit trim to finish it off.

This prompt was a little out of my comfort zone………..

I journaled that I do receive a few compliments from my friends usually about my hair or something I am wearing. To me, it feels a little funny and I think I get a bit anxious.

The compliment that I would make to my self would be…………….” that I am a good friend”   A couple of friends have been through rough patches and they were there for me when we lost mum and dad, plus my broken arm. It was nice to return the favour and be around for them to talk to if needed. I am pretty easy going and I feel most people can open up to me and feel at ease.

PROMPT 9 – Pick three colours for your journal age and only use them to create your page. Write about your favourite colour or why you picked these colours for your page.

Prompt 9 Video “HERE”

For this prompt, I picked the colours gree/pink/cream. I have been a blue girl all my life and I still love it but thought I would do something different as I  made a complete Blue Journal last year.

For this page, I wanted to make a flip out so I used some napkin with sealer over and under it to adhere it to a piece of cardstock. I then added a bit of lace trim when dry.

I then added taped to a small folded section on the left so it would open up to my journaling. I just added some pattern paper in those shabby chic colours that I liked. The paper under the journaling will stick out of the journal but that is just a fun element, like tabs you can use n your journal.

PROMPT 10 – Use an image from a book or magazine. Use it on your journal page and write about something that happened today that made you feel good………………

Prompt 10 Video “HERE”

I found this cute little kitty image in one of my Daphne’s Diary magazines and I thought he would look nice on the front of the little pocket I made for the journal tag. I just layered a few diff papers underneath and stamped the quote on the bottom. I journaled about the lovely day I had out with my son.

I hope you are enjoying the Prompts as much as I am. Hoping to get a few more done this week 🙂

Have a great Monday

Kerri x

 

 

 

“Prompt 4,5 & 6 – Junk Journal”

Hi, my friends,

“HAPPY VALENTINES DAY”……………………

Today, I am a still a bit under the weather, with some sort of buggy thing I have. Been back to the doc Wednesday and I have an infection.  I am off work the rest of the week and on Antibiotics and Ventolin. I haven’t been unwell for a long time and there goes my great record of no sickies in our house…………………..

Anyway…………… I thought I would post a couple more of the Prompts for my JJ I am following along with on Linda Israel on YouTube Channel and Facebook Group.

Prompt 4 –  To make a pocket and another tag/journal card to write about something you would like to change about yourself.

This Prompt is “HERE” for you to watch her video.

I had a denim jeans pocket from one of my kids’ jeans and I decided to use that for my pocket. I did a bit of hand stitching and added a few buttons. A doily and a bow in the middle to finish it off. I used the other tag I made, to journal about trying to change my fast-paced life and slow down and “enjoy the moments”  I am doing ok with this most of the time………….. to look after ME!!

Prompt 5 – Use a rubber stamp on your journal page, to your satisfaction. then on that page write about someone special in your life…………………. You can see the video “HERE”

For this prompt, I used a notecard from a paper pad and folded it in half. I used a leaf stamp and stamped off the page all around to create a border. I then used the notecard to journal about my sister Alison, who is a very special person in my life……………………

 I thought to hold it, I would make a belly band from a piece of pattern paper and slip it underneath to hold it in place. as it is personal I didn’t want it showing on the page. I used a piece of copy dyed paper and some washi tape to embellish it.

Prompt 6 – Paint some Junk mail and use in your journal as a background.  Journal about a Goal you want to achieve this year.  The video for this one is “HERE” 

I don’t as a rule get much junk mail, as I do most things now on line.

I had an older BHG magazine, so I tore the back cover of it and use half for my page background.   I used Gesso over the top to cover up the writing and pictures then I sprayed some mist through a stencil. when that dried I add some ink through another stencil to soften the look of it. I used a calendar card I had to journal on and just baked it with a piece of plain cardstock and inked the edges.

The Goal I journaled about, was about getting my mental and physical health back on track, exercising and I have even started running. I finished the page off with a couple of wood embellishments, twine and washi tape.

I hope you are enjoying these prompts if you are playing along with me, as I am.

Have a great ValentinesDay

Kerri xx

 

 

 

 

 

“One Little Word 2020”

Hi Friends,

I hope you have had a Merry Xmas, and looking forward to 2020 🙂

I am not one to make resolutions but I do, just before NY, choose my One Little Word!

  “HERE” is a video from Ali Edwards, to give you an idea about my OLW Journey that I do each year!

I have been pondering my OLW (One Little Word) for 2020. This is my 5th year of choosing a word to take on a journey throughout the year with me.  My other words have been Health, Simplify, Frugal and last year Create. I have found this a fun process to do during the year! Ali’s class is wonderful if you want to join in with her and there is also a FB group. I did her class the first time and now I do my own thing. I have been using a smaller 8.5 x 11 Scrap album to document in, but this year I am making a journal…………….

My word for 2020 is “INSPIRATION”

inspiration

/ɪnspɪˈreɪʃ(ə)n/

  the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

“Helen had one of her flashes of inspiration”

a sudden brilliant or timely idea,

I think we all have a tendency to get ‘stuck’ or in a ‘rut’ as crafters and also in our busy lives. I know I do and how do you get out of it? I find I look for “INSPIRATION”, something that interests me, or gets my creativeness flowing again!!  I seem to find it everywhere; in my daily life, my sons, family, home, garden, magazines, travels, it’s all around us if we look…… I use Pinterest and Google also which gives you lots of ideas………………..

I haven’t really felt very inspired by much since my mum and stepdad, both passed away in 2017. Also breaking my arm the same year in the middle of losing them didn’t help much either.  As I couldn’t do anything for quite a while, I lost interest in my garden, some of my craft, work, etc.

Sometimes it is hard to get back into life and/or to find inspiration! I can’t get motivated sometimes and I feel like doing nothing. I think we all get like that……………. I have started making my Journal for my OLW Journey in 2020 to play in. This is the start of my INSPIRATION and my journey……………….

I want to create and craft more, make journals and scrapbook, take more photos and document our life.  I have a bit of catching up to do; also to enjoy my garden again and just get out there, live and be inspired again!

“INSPIRATION IS EVERYWHERE!”

My favourite words to find my INSPIRATION would be

CREATE- DOCUMENT-CAPTURE  I would say that is because I am a scrapbooker and a memory keeper………………. I take notice of the ‘little things’ in our daily life that we often miss……………

I put together a bit of a list that might help you also find INSPIRATION if you are looking for it. I intend to be doing these things in 2020 🙂

#1 Go for a walk. #2. Exercise, #3.  Watch your pets, #4. Take photos, %5. Draw and/or paint #6. Watch videos, documentaries and movies, #7. Read books, ##8. Teach someone something you know, #9. Learn a new skill, #10. Write a Bucket List, #11. Create a Vison or mood board, #12. Attend a retreat. #13. Talk to people, #14. Join a group, #15. listen to music, #16. Spend time with family and friends, #17. Disconnect from social media, #18. Embrace new things, #19. Take chances, #20. Write in a journal, #21. Have some time on your own, #22. Be creative, #23. Sing, #24. Let go, #25. Reflect, #26. Take photos, 337. Travel, #28. Focus on you, # 29. Make new friends and most of all 30. Just Do……………………

 

2020 is going to be the year I get my INSPIRATION back on track.

I hope I may have you a bit interested you in finding a word that feels right for you and play along with me, for the 12 months. I will be posting about it throughout 2020 and it will be fun, I am sure.

I know I can use a bit more “INSPIRATION” in my life and I hope you can too.

Wishing you all a safe and happy start to 2020. See you then

Kerri xx

 

“A Change Is Good” + “New Stamp Storage”

Hi friends,

Just letting you know, when you hop on over here to see my posts now, you will notice a name change on the banner. I am still making and using my journals, but I want to get back into more memory keeping and stamping as that is my passion also.  I have neglected it a lot lately. I will have my regular tutorials and posts for you, to continue my love of junk journaling, stamping and memory keeping!!

Anyway………………….as I have been sorting my stamps, destashing some and changing a few things around in my scrap space. I thought you might like to see how it is set up now………………….. I have been a stamper for a long time and when I first started with Stampin’ Up! there were only wooden stamps!!!!

I had some of my stamps in cases some in pockets and I still have a few wood stamps which I love. I have them all my cling and rubber stamps in these five binders and they are dived into the Catagories I chose. I have a lot of Flowers, Birds, Butterflies, Bees, Dragonflies, Backgrounds, Journaling stamps for my scrapbooking, Sentiments for my card making, plus Tag stamps etc. My Misc section is for the few Kids, and Seasons/Celebration stamps that I have.

To make them above so the stamps stick, I stamped them on to white cardstock or used the image acetate that came with them. I used cardstock as it is sturdier than copy paper. After I stamped and sorted them I put them into A4 laminating pouches, then through my laminator and I store them in heavy-duty page protectors. As you can see they are easy to see and find by just flicking through the binder. I used the large strong two ring clip binders. I can just take the binder to my desk or just take the stamp or page out that I want.

I have lots of different stamp brands and I just wanted them all together and not the company that made them. Of course, you can store yours the way it suits you 🙂 My stamps sit on the laminated surface and they stick to it, as they all clear or rubber cling stamps.

This process has taken me a few days, but I am very happy with the result and that I will be able to find the stamps I am looking for, destashed some I don’t use and that they are stored securely also. I would love to hear how you store your stamps also 🙂

No more time-wasting and more creating!!!

Have a great evening

Happy Stamping

Kerri x

“Beginner Stamping Technique”

Hello, my lovely friends,

I hope you are having a lovely Monday!

Apologies for being a little absent, but I have been flat out with work as I probably told you and my oldest son Cody had a bit of a brush with a kangaroo last Wed nite coming home from work, on his motorbike. I am feeling pretty drained, but the main thing he wasn’t too badly hurt and his bike will be fixed!

In between everything and having most of today off work, I have been trying to get some cards made but not much luck. I thought I would make a One Sheet Wonder to show you, which is great for anyone to use and you can make some quick cards with it.

SUPPLIES NEEDED: 

1.   3-4 Ink Pads in your choice of colors

2.  Some nice white cardstock to stamp on. I always use Stampin’ Up! © Whis[er White in A4 or 12×12 size.

3. Some set/sets of stamps with a few different size images.

 

STEP 1 – With a larger stamp, randomly stamp a few images over the cardstock, leaving a lot of space in-between. I used for this OSW the Floral Essence stamp set which has a few different size stamps in it. I just used ink colours that I thought looked nice together.

STEP 2 – Next I used a few more stamps, a little smaller, with different colours to fill in some of the gaps. Make sure to stamp off the page also, so it is covered around the edges. I used a few stamps from the Pop Of Petal stamp set for this step.

STEP 3 – To finish off filling the sheet of cardstock with stamped images, I used a bee image from a retired set of stamps to fill in the other areas and used two different toned inks. The more stamping you have on your page the better for this technique the better your finished cards will look 🙂

STEP 4 – (optional)  I really like the look of the open images, but I decided to go a bit further and give some of them a tint of colour. Instead of using a water brush to paint over them and draw some of the ink into the open parts of the image, I used a Wink Of Stella glitter pen which gave them a lovely shimmery, bling look. I didn’t use any extra ink on these so it just gave the flowers a soft coloured look.

As I also need to make a few masculine themed cards I thought I would get out my grungy and background stamps and create another sheet using the above stamps.  I just stamped the large Crackle Paint, Handwritten and Birch backgrounds partially over the cardstock first. I then filled in with the smaller images from the Artisan Textures set. I just used random brown and blue inks and layered them for a bit of depth. Backgrounds would have to be my favourite stamps that I use the most, as you can do so much with them.

 

   STEP 5 – Once you have finished stamping your One Sheet Wonder backgrounds, you can go ahead and cut them up to your desired pieces to add to your cards.  Above are a few cutting templates to guide you or you can cut it up as you like.

I found this image on Google just to give you an idea of how you can use your stamped sheet of paper or use a piece of pattern paper also. You can make them Clean and Simple, or add embellishments etc to them. It’s up to you………………….

All of the stamp sets I used can be purchased from me and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me here or over @ my online shop “HERE”

I hope you enjoy my little Step x Step on how to make a quick background, to make some quick cards for your stash, to have on hand.

Stay tuned as tomorrow, I am hoping to create some cards to show you using the two I have made today 🙂

Happy stamping

Kerri x