Just because...

 It's almost the New Year and of course like many others, I'm attempting to be organised.  My aim is to send out my birthday cards ahead of time and to have them sorted and in envelopes before the end of the previous month.  So today I discovered that with all the cards I created over Christmas, I'd left myself short of birthday cards.  

I created this design, in bulk with the intention of using up some designer series paper.  I have so much already but always find cutting it up very hard to do.  They are all so pretty! So to show it off, I used it as my background and added a simple label and some butterflies to finish.  

Just Jade and Bumblebee papers as well as Flirty Flamingo for the butterflies, make the pattern really pop.  

I now have cards in envelopes, addressed and stamped, all ready to pop in the mailbox today.  Thats all January birthdays done and dusted.  Are you on my birthday list?  If not, send me a message and I'll make sure one comes your way during the year.  

Happy stampin,

Rachael xx

Crafty Challenge blog hop - sketch

 I'm so glad to join along for what will be our last blog hop of the year.  Welcome to the Crafty Challenge blog hop, where we are using a sketch for inspiration.

My card uses a combination of crushed curry, soft succulent and evening evergreen as well as the stamp set xxxx from the January Mini Catalogue!  

I've used a mask over my stamped image and blended soft succulent in the background then added some crushed curry to the flowers using my water painter and ink.  

I also stamped the background strip with soft succulent before adding crushed curry with watercolour pencils and added in some basic gray and soft succulent stampin blends to complete the background.  

Here is the sketch that we used as inspiration, maybe you will have a go too! 

Don't forget to jump across to the other blogs too, leave some comments and love along the way.  

Happy stamping,

Rachael xxx

A firm favourite blog ...hopping with Ink & Inspiration

 Welcome to the Ink & Inspiration Blog Hop for December, our last one for 2021. You are currently visiting Rachael Merrick from Australia. I hope you enjoy my FAVOURITE PRODUCT project.

There is so much to love about Stampin Up, everything they have is great quality.  But the one thing that I have been loving lately is the KITS collection.  I love that there are both non stamping and stamping based kits, giving not only a great choice for the beginner but also two price points.  I have to admit, in Australia, we don't have access to the Paper Pumpkin kits often so when these were released I was super excited.  

I've had several friends and customers buy kits for gifts and some have purchased them for their children to make over the holidays.  They are super versatile.  My favourite of them all and one I have gifted myself is the butterfly themed "Notes of Cheer".  There is no stamping involved and the whole 9 cards come together in an hour or so.  

Not only are the colours lovely together but the die cut elements are so dainty.  The iridescent gemstones and envelopes really make this kit come together too.  I can't wait to see what new ones may pop up in 2022.  

I hope my project today has inspired you & brightened your day.  Please see the list below & hop through all of the people on the list to see all our projects. You don't want to miss any!

This is the code you need to enter into the html of your blog for any blog types -

Not a card... again

This weekend just gone, we spent an early Christmas celebration at my parents house.  Because my parents are still coming to us for Christmas day, the idea was to gift something small/inexpensive.  

I made a Christmas cushion years ago with red work stitching and since she passed, it has lived with me and come out each year.  I know how much my mum admired this so I wanted something for her to have with the same sentiment.  Handmade and Christmas - what better than a cushion right?  

I bought some navy linen, to match their navy grey and white decor of their house and sewed the zippered cover before adding a heat transfer vinyl design, cut with my cricut machine.  

Mum seemed pretty chuffed with the gift.  I'm glad :) 

Happy Christmas Crafting

Rachael xxx

 

Mini/Saleabration Sneak Peek hop

Welcome to the Stamping With Friends Blog hop.  Thanks for coming by my blog, you may have landed here after being inspired by the project by lovely Deb.  

I'm always excited when new products are available and believe me, the new Mini catalogue that comes out in January is going to leave me poor ... there are so many fabulous bundles and suites that are on my list!  I do already have a few stamp sets and one that I thought was a challenge for me was the Amazing Silhouettes!  

I decided to use the stamp to create a background using clear embossing powder on basic white cardstock then used Granny Apple Green, Polished Pink and Pale Papaya inks to add colour over the top and show up the resist technique.  

I created a slimline card and kept the rest of the card simple to show off the blending of the inks.  The combination of these 3 colours are so pretty and I've used the matching green and pink cardstock to help highlight.  

The embossed sentiment on basic black came from another new stamp set which is going to be super popular - Blessings of home.  

Thanks for popping by our hop, don't forget to leave a comment before heading to visit Linda's blog and see what other sneaks are up.  

Happy stamping,

Rachael 

New Years blog hop

Welcome to our blog hop, with a theme of Happy New Year!  

I decided to go with a basic white, basic gray and silver theme for this card, and although its difficult to photograph well, the finished card is so pretty!

I've used the striped silver and white DSP from Whimsy and Wonder.  Such a versatile paper in its own right.  

I also used the happy die from the Christmas Cheer set as well as embossed the words from Biggest Wishes.  I cut these out to create the word YEAR.  

Add some of the new iridescent gemstones and some silver twine to the silver tasteful label.  

Thanks for popping in and joining our hop - please go to the other blogs for more inspiration and don't forget to leave a comment.

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

Customer Appreciation thats personalised...

 I love my customers and really want to show them appreciation when they put an order in with me.  I try to change up what I gift to the order they place and I knew that Leisa had ordered some Night of Navy... here is my little thank you to her.  

The blessings of home stamp set is in the upcoming mini catalogue (available early January) and makes for a beautiful card.  

I packaged it up with some navy frayed edge ribbon, some retired navy and white papers as well as some matching cardstock... all ready for her to ink up some stamps and start creating.  

If you want to order from me, please use the latest host code to ensure you receive a gift too.

Happy stamping,

Rachael xx

Almost forgot...

I forgot to add this to the post the other day.....This was another part of the inky Secret Santa exchange that I sent in my parcel.  The little wooden houses are a part of a set of 5 from Kmart. 

 I need to finish off the other 3 for myself.

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xxx

Recent commissioned card for a 50th

 We all know how special big birthdays are and I was honoured to be asked to make a card for one of the lovely Prep teachers at our school for her big day.  I tried to have a nod to country with an indigenous feel and think I pulled it off ok.  

 
I used a fancy fold that I recently learnt from fellow inky stamper, Sandy.  Blackberry bliss, crushed curry and silver really made this card.  The papers are very old and not Stampin Up but were just what was needed for the brief I was given. Happy birthday Tawana!

Inky Christmas

 Our Inky Stampers team recently had their online Christmas party and Secret Santa was a part of it.  I sent off a package of a few goodies but these probably turned out my favourite.... a stationary set using new stamps which are release in January. 

All up there was 3 note pads - a large and small lined as well as a blank page one.   I'm glad Marian was in need of these... I feel like I may have to have a set of my own now too.

Happy stamping,

Rachael xx

Finally on holidays

 As a teacher, the last term before our long Summer break is always tough. So many jobs and events.... but now I'm officially on holidays for the next 6 or so weeks.  

My plan is to be more organised.  

• I've got all my cards posted
• I've got my calendar up to date with projects needing to be done
• I've 90% finished Xmas shopping and wrapping
• I've got 2 sewing projects to do on Tuesday
• I'm cooking meals today ready for lunches this week and may even squeeze in some baking.  

YAY!!!  So keep an eye out over the coming days for projects I have on the books ready to upload.  

Don't forget our card class online is soon....

Happy stamping,

Rachael xx