The Crazy Crafters December Blog Hop!

Thank you for stopping by my blog! I hope you're enjoying this months blog hop. You will be sure to learn about and see so many different techniques and ideas! 

You should have come from Alex's blog if you're doing them in order... if you lose your way, I have put a order of the blog hop at the end of my page. 

When you have looked through my blog, please leave me a comment, I'd love to hear what you think. I will be doing a random draw after midnight 11th December 2013 from those that do leave a comment. I have some gorgeous 6"x6" DSP to giveaway!

This month's theme is a 3 colour challenge. My three colours I've chosen are ones I love together, and was thrilled to see them put together in the DSP "Eastern Elegance". These 3 colours are:

• Coastal Cabana
• Smoky Slate and
• Crushed Curry.

The supplies I have used are:

Cardstock - Smoky Slate measuring 15cm x 21cm folded in half, Crushed Curry measuring 14.5cm x 10cm and Coastal Cabana.

Ink - Coastal Cabana and Crushed Curry.

DSP - Eastern Elegance. I used 3 different designs, each cut twice, approx 15cm x 3cm.

Stampin' Up! Stamp Set - Chalk Talk.

Framelits - Chalk Talk.

Ribbon - 3/4" Smoky Slate Chevron Ribbon and 5/8" Whisper White Organza Ribbon.

Other Tools: Extra-Large Oval Punch, Snail Adhesive, Large Rhinestone Basic Jewel and Stampin'  Dimensionals and Big Shot.

There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube, but the first I saw and really liked was by Dawn at DoStamping.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU9b2aIy2-M

After creating the actual starburst part, I layered it on the crushed curry piece. I then layered the ribbons on top of each other and secured it behind the yellow. This was then centred on the card base (smoky slate).  The coastal cabana card stock was stamped with coastal cabana ink and then ran it through the Big Shot with the framelit.  The sentiment was stamped with crushed curry on whisper white cardstock and punched out with the extra-large oval punch. I adhered it to the front of the card with dimensionals and tied a bow with extra organza ribbon.

This style of card is very addictive... especially with all the beautiful Designer Series Papers that Stampin' Up! have!

Don't forget to leave me a comment to be in the chance to win!

The line up for this months blog hop is as follows:-

1. Tamie Holt at Tamie Luvs Craft2

2. Sue Wdowik at Nigh Nigh Birdie

3. Michelle Mills at Hello Day Cards

4. Angela Lorenz at Angs Crafty Cards

5. Carolina Evans at Studio Evans

6. Teena Maher at Stamping with Teena

7. Sarah Rae Oakes at Stampin' Up with Sarah

8. Alex Trofimov at Pink Crafty Mama

9. Nicole Spicer at Handmade by Nicole Spicer  YOU ARE HERE!

10. Kylie Bertucci at Crafty Kylie

Thanks for stopping by!

I would also like to take the opportunity to wish you a very merry Christmas, and a happy and healthy New Year.

Regards,
Nicole xx

Christmas Creations!

Well it certainly is that time of year now when I try and get my Christmas cards started..... but I always struggle to decide which of the several designs I come up, to make in bulk for family and friends!

So I thought I'd show a couple of them I've come up with.... of course now the family and friends that see these are not going to get much of a surprise, unless something else inspires me in the next week or too! Oh wait, I have another couple of new stamp sets from the new Holiday Catalogue coming next week in the mail... so of course new ideas will come my way! LOL!

I'd been doing some triple stamping and then decided to stamp this single stamp across the 3 layers (though it only went over two!). So I then stamped the other single tree to mat over the layers.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Whisper White and Old Olive
Ink: Old Olive and Basic Black
Embelishments: Pear Pizzazz Chevron Ribbon and red diamenties (not SU!)
Other: Snail adhesive, Stampin' Up dimensionals and Glue Dots.

When I started this card, it looked too plain so I inked up my ornament stamp with cherry cobbler, and wow, did it kill it! Or so I thought to start with! Once I'd matted my white rectangles it started to look okay.... then stamped a sentiment on more whisper white card stock instead of stamping straight onto that centre piece. It grew on me but I thought the embossed ornament with silver ribbon finished it off.

Supplies:
Card stock: Whisper White and Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Cherry Cobbler and Versa Mark Ink
Embelishments: Silver ribbon, Cherry Cobbler embossing powder and a heat tool.

I will post some more when I can, enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Til next time,
Nicole

UNDEFINED-STAMP CARVING is coming!!!

UNDEFINED-STAMP CARVING.....

Have you ever wanted a stamp but couldn't find the perfect image? Maybe you have a special family logo or a sketch you'd like to have as a stamp. Well now you can! Undefined is Stampin' Up!'s new stamp carving product line. 

You define the rubber stamp any way you want. When you carve your very own stamp, you will have an entirely new and different creative experience. And when you're finished, you will have created a one-of-a-kind stamp!
How exactly do you carve a stamp? Watch the video for a tutorial.


Included in the Stamp Carving Kit:

• 2 carving tools

• 7.6 x 10.2 cm rubber

• 7.6 x 10.2 cm foam

• 4 wood blocks (various sizes)

• 1 Island Indigo Stampin' Write Marker

• 3 postcards

• Instruction sheet

• Stamp image templates

Included in the Refill Kit:

• 7.6 x 10.2 cm rubber

• 7.6 x 10.2 cm foam

• 4 wood blocks (various sizes)

• Instruction sheet

Express your personality, thoughts, feelings, etc. with a stamp you've carved all on your own! We know you'll have a 'look what I made!' moment.

Item #	Description	Price
133402	Undefined Stamp Carving Kit	$34.95 AUD /$39.95 NZD
134808	Undefined Refill Kit	$16.95 AUD/$19.95 NZD
124236	Clear-Mount Cling Foam*	$18.95 AUD/$22.95 NZD

These are available from November 14th, so either email me or shop at my online store! www.nicolespicer.stampinup.net

I can't wait to get my hands on it and have a play!!

Happy crafting!
Nicole.

25% OFF 25 STAMP SETS

Stamp sets don't go on sale very often, so make sure you don't miss out on this chance! Tomorrow is the last day to enjoy this party of a sale, so spread the word!

131056 A Dozen Thoughts Wood-Mount   RRP $46.95 NOW ONLY $35.21   131059 A Dozen Thoughts Clear-Mount RRP $36.95 NOW ONLY $27.71

130453 Zoo Babies Wood-Mount  RRP $48.95 NOW ONLY $36.71   130456 Zoo Babies Clear-Mount RRP $38.95 NOW ONLY $29.21

129687 Lots of Thanks Wood-Mount RRP $39.95 NOW ONLY $29.96 129690  Lots of Thanks Clear-Mount RRP $31.95 NOW ONLY $23.96

130294 Happy Day Wood-Mount RRP $37.95 NOW ONLY $28.46 130297 Happy Day Clear-Mount RRP $29.95 NOW ONLY $22.46

130441 Gifts of Kindness Wood-Mount RRP $44.95 NOW ONLY $33.71 130444 Gifts of Kindness Clear-Mount RRP $35.95 NOW ONLY $26.96

131922 Hearts a Flutter Wood-Mount RRP $44.95 NOW ONLY $33.71 129252 Hearts a Flutter Clear-Mount RRP $35.95 NOW ONLY $26.96

130240 Hello, Lovely Wood-Mount RRP $56.95 NOW ONLY $42.71 130243 Hello, Lovely Clear-Mount RRP $45.95 NOW ONLY $34.46

131068 Crazy, Mixed-Up Love Wood-Mount RRP $34.95 NOW ONLY $26.21 131071 Crazy, Mixed-Up Love Clear-Mount RRP $27.95 NOW ONLY $20.96

128424 Bright Blossoms Wood-Mount RRP $28.95 NOW ONLY $21.71 125497 Bright Blossoms Clear-Mount RRP $22.95 NOW ONLY $17.21

132022 Itty Bitty Banners Wood-Mount RRP $27.95 NOW ONLY $20.96 126257 Itty Bitty Banners Clear-Mount RRP $21.95 NOW ONLY $16.46

131341 Yippee-Skippee Wood-Mount RRP $32.95 NOW ONLY $24.71 131344 Yippee-Skippee Clear-Mount RRP $25.95 NOW ONLY $19.46

130514 Gorgeous Grunge Wood-Mount RRP $42.95 NOW ONLY $32.21 130517 Gorgeous Grunge Clear-Mount RRP $33.95 NOW ONLY $25.46

128048 Ornamental Keepsakes Wood-Mount RRP $60.95 NOW ONLY $45.71 128051 Ornamental Keepsakes Clear-Mount RRP $48.95 NOW ONLY $36.71

128415 Apothecary Art Wood-Mount RRP $60.95 NOW ONLY $45.71 125527 Apothecary Art Clear-Mount RRP $48.95 NOW ONLY $36.71

131913 Cuddles & Kisses Wood-Mount RRP $44.95 NOW ONLY $33.71 127314 Cuddles & Kisses Clear-Mount RRP $35.95 NOW ONLY $26.96

131931 Oh, Hello Wood-Mount RRP $44.96 NOW ONLY $33.71 130733 Oh, Hello Clear-Mount RRP $35.95 NOW ONLY $26.96

130619 Label Love Wood-Mount RRP $42.95 NOW ONLY $32.21 130622 Label Love Clear-Mount RRP $33.95 NOW ONLY $25.46

134813 Christmas Star Single Stamp RRP $16.95 NOW ONLY $12.71

134765 A Gift for You Single Stamp RRP $8.95 NOW ONLY $6.71

131955 Betsy's Blossoms Wood-Mount RRP $49.95 NOW ONLY $37.46 126006 Betsy's  Blossoms Clear-Mount  RRP $39.95 NOW ONLY $29.96

132042 Morning Post Alphabet Wood-Mount RRP $81.95 NOW ONLY $61.46 126592 Morning Post Alphabet Clear-Mount RRP $65.95 NOW ONLY $49.46

128430 Gently Falling Wood-Mount RRP $69.95 NOW ONLY $52.46 123804 Gently Falling Clear-Mount RRP $55.95 NOW ONLY $41.96

127922 Snowflake Soiree Wood-Mount RRP $51.95 NOW ONLY $38.96 127925 Snowflake Soiree Clear-Mount RRP $41.95 NOW ONLY $31.46

128042 Jewish Celebrations Wood-Mount RRP $44.95 NOW ONLY $33.71 128045 Jewish Celebrations Clear-Mount RRP $35.95 NOW ONLY $26.96

131946 That's the Ticket Wood-Mount RRP $39.95 NOW ONLY $29.96 128075 That's the Ticket Clear-Mount RRP $31.95 NOW ONLY $23.96

To purchase any of these you can head to my online store www.nicolespicer.stampinup.net or email me and I can do it for you! Til next time! Nicole

Joining Special!!!

Right now, until the 21st October, you can join for just $25! Yep, you read correctly, $25!!!

This is what you get for the $25.

• $25.95 worth of Stampin' Up! product (it must be more than $25, but not more than $26.95)
• Business pack which includes - 
• A box of annual catalogues (pack of 8)
• A package of the current season catalogue (pack of 8)
• Starter Kit Business Brick
• Customer postcards

Your first order as a new demonstrator in the first 45 days this is over $300 gets you 30% off plus $50 to spend on anything you like. If you join and then find someone to recruit you get a FREE stamp set of any value for every person that joins up with you. Can you think of some relatives or friends that would want to join for $25?

Just click on the button to the left to join Australia's best performing team!!

Jeff the Giraffe!

This little cutie is a card I made for my niece. She is 2 years old and has a stuffed giraffe that she's had since she was born, called Jeff, just like this one.

Thought Id quickly tell you how I made this card.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Whisper White for cardbase 21cm x 15cm, plus extra for punching, Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Soft Sky 15cm x 10cm, Basic Black
DSP: Soft Sky 10cm x 14.5cm.
Ink: Wisteria Wonder and Elegant Eggplant.
Cloudy Day Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (retired)
Framelits: Labels Collection and Ovals Collection.
Dimensionals and Snail.
ABC-123 Outline Alphabet & Numbers and ABC-123 Sketch Alphabet & Numbers
Punches: Decorative Label, Owl Builder, Bird Builder and 3/4" Circle.

To make Jeff, I punched out the head in wisteria wonder with the decorative label punch. I also die cut the smallest oval with my Big Shot with the ovals collection from elegant eggplant cardstock and trim it to fit.

Punch the wing from the bird builder punch in both wisteria wonder and elegant eggplant for the ears. Layer them and attach them to the back of the head.

Using extra whisper white, punch the larger circles from the owl builder punch for the outer eye part, and using the medium sized circle, cut one set from basic black, wisteria wonder and elegant eggplant for the inner eye, nostrils and horns. Adhere them to the face.

The neck spots were punched for the circle punch and cut in half (or as desired). The rectangles for the neck and horns were trimmed from wisteria wonder as big as desired.

Assemble the giraffe using photo as a guide, or however you want him/her to look.

The word MAGGIE was just stamped on whisper white cardstock and fussy cut out.

To assemble the card, I ran the labels collection framelit through the Big Shot with soft sky DSP, in the centre towards the top.  Do the same with soft sky cardstock. Run the middle soft sky piece through the Big Shot with the cloudy sky embossing folder.

Next I attached the letters of MAGGIE to the lower part of the outer soft sky DSP in the centre.

Using snail, adhere the embossed piece on the centre of a folded card base (10.5cmx15cm once folded in half) and place the giraffe in the middle.Attach the soft sky DSP outer piece around the embossed piece with dimensionals so it stands out and covers the neck.

Have fun!

Paper Share is finally here!

Hi everyone! A little while ago I said I was going to run paper shares, but I've been so busy I hope you'll forgive me!

I will be running paper shares in each of the Designer Series Paper packs in the current annual catalogue, with shares in the holiday catalogue to come soon!! They will be cut to 6"x6" and cost $5 each. Postage is $1.20 per order, regardless of how many packs you order!

You can choose from these beautiful designs:

This is a FABULOUS way to see the papers and get a taste for the awesome designs and quality. 

To be apart of a share, contact me via email nicolerae139@hotmail.com.

Happy crafting! 

Until next time,

Nicole x