{True Friend Gift}

New from the Spring Mini - this project features the True Friend stamp set. This is a quick little project that is just enough to make a small gift special. Another great thing about this project is that it smells delicious! (Except to my eldest daughter who helped me put the kits together - she hates mint so much I have to search out special toothpaste for her)

I also wanted to point out what an easy colour combination this is: black, white, + one colour is a winner every time. If ever you are stuck, try it out!

The background here is done with the Boho Backgrounds stamp set and the Signo white gel pen. I know there are cheaper gel pens out there, but I guarantee they are just that - cheaper pens that don't work nearly as well. I love the wow effect it gives here.

The Spring Mini is officially out as of Friday. It can be viewed at http://www.stampinup.com/ or get your FREE copy from me with an order. contact me at mail@stamphappy.co.nz.

{Like it a Latte}

I love this set!! This is a great one for versatility - my "students" had fun coming up with different drink concoctions for their cards. We even had multi-coloured marshmallows on a few!

And I just adore the colour combination in the Berry Bliss designer papers - Close to Cocoa, Regal Rose, and Purely Pomegranite. Do you think I could get away with doing Christmas cards in this? {smile}

This card layout was inspired by a layout challenge on Splitcoast; it's perfect for a hot drink or a soup mix. Second, one of my customers asked me to show eyelets, so we did SIX on here!

I joke with my girls that I gave them all diet hot chocolate sachets not as a hint, but because they were the only pink ones! A little chocolate makes any project a winner . . .

{Petals & Paisleys}

This bright notebook was a nice change from my usual style! I picked this up from the $2 shop and just had a play altering the front of it. I've used the Scribble This stamp set and the Petals and Paisleys Designer Series papers here. And then a whole load of ribbon!

If you'd like directions for this notebook, please email me at email@stamphappy.co.nz. The Designer papers used are 13.95 for a pack of 12 double sided and the Scribble This stamp set is 70.95.

{Simply Said}

This project was a quickie I made up as a housewarming card. This is one of my fool-proof favourite combinations - Mellow Moss, Barely Banana, and Real Red. Love it!

I also wanted to point out the cool way to use the white gel pen here. I've added just a bit in the centre of each of the background flowers - just a small touch to bring some visual dimension. Many times a project just needs a little white to "lift it up". The white gel pen, Whisper White Craft Ink, and just a smidge of Whisper White card are great options.

{Baroque Motifs}

Could you ever ask for a more beautiful stamp set than this one? I think I've made it my mission to ensure each and every customer of mine possesses this set! I reach for it time and time again. And it's a real bargain at 46.95!

This is a simplified version of a layout I designed for a magazine. To see the original, email me at mail@stamphappy.co.nz. I just love the "fat" ribbon (as Tui named it) - it's really a solid embellishment for a big page like this. And when you know a few tricks to use as little as possible, it's really an inexpensive embellishment as well!

Oh, dear, I've just realized that it's been a good three weeks since my last post! I really haven't been sitting on my thumbs, but admittedly it's this time of year that my head goes a little crazy as I prepare for athletic competitions.

Lots more to come; to be revealed soon!