Kellie Winnell

kellie stamps release | booya | halloween layout

I tossed up about designing a Halloween based stamp set for Kellie Stamps.  Being I'm Australian and while it's catching on over my way, it's still not a big as how my creative friends celebrate across the seas.
Even so when given a kit, or anything Halloween based, I instantly love creating with it. Same goes for this stamp set, Booya. I grabbed out some October Afternoon I'd been hoarding for SO darn long and this is the result.

studio calico - TN spread - pippa

After doing the 31 minutes for 31 days in July it really got me wanting to aim to grab out a travelers notebook kit from Studio Calico, set a timer and just go for it.  I did mention somewhere along the lines after the process that I would aim to keep this a weekly thing.  Now after a few weeks I've finally decided to do just that.  My thing this year has been to start something and see the end.  So far I've actually been really good touch wood, so who knows, maybe by the end of the year I might had used them  all?  In fact that's not a bad goal....  Maybe I should settle down a little, haha!  ANYWAYS, here is a quick layout in one of the TN from Studio Calico using the Lara Alpha from Kellie Stamps.

girls rule layout

If you happen to read in my last post it was about the fact tat I created three layouts in one sitting by laying everything out and going for it.  This is the third  and final layout I created.  I aimed for four, but the fourth just wasn't working for me.  I even got out the old sewing machine.  I've used the Dream Big stamp set that I just feel "goes" with this collection.  I love nothing more than a photo of all three of my daughters and I usually scrap the crap out of it, until another comes along, haha.  This is how my girls rule.

all we have is now layout

Do you want to know what I did?  I picked out 4 of my favourite pattern papers from the 6x8 paper pad, and then I printed out four instax photos I knew I wanted to use and I laid them all out and worked on all  four layotus at once.  I used to do this when I was a design team member for Gossamer Blue back in the days.  Only three out of the four worked out, but it's a fun way to get a few layouts cranked out in the one sitting, especially if you have a kit or like myself a collection and the Dream Big stamp set, that I only planned to work with.  This is how this layout finished up.

dream big layout

It's been a while since I placed an order for a paper collection.  But once I spotted the All Heart collection, oh did I need it!  I ordered from Australian online store Sassy Scrapper, HERE and the service and timeline of my delivery was spot on.  I knew if I didn't start using this collection, I would hoard it.  This is something I'm not down with doing this year.  This is the layout I created.  One of three that I created that day.  I love that the paper pad is 6x8 as that is the size I scrapbook in.  I've used the DREAM BIG stamp set from my online store, Kellie Stamps, HERE.

reflecting on gratitude | my plans

After doing the 31 minutes for 31 days project, I've usually ran out of steam, yet I still attempt a gratitude project of some sort.  This year I've really enjoyed my 31 minutes for 31 days project, as I kept it rather simple and it was manageable.  I'm planning to do similar for the new Reflecting on Gratitude project I'll be working on during November.  You can check out the list I created, HERE.

My over all plan is to use a travelers notebook from Studio Calico with instax and normal photos and keep it to a bare minimal when it comes to using products.  I'll be using what's in the kit, maybe a few things from my stash, Color Cast Designs and my stamp sets from Kellie Stamps.  Focusing more so on what I'm reflecting that day.  On the cover I have kept it super simple with the dates stamped using a roller date stamp and the circle veneer from Color Cast Designs, that you can still purchase, but get in quick, HERE.

If you would like to join in with me, I would love that!  The link to the list of things to reflect on are HERE.  If you share on instagram use the hastag #refectingongratitude as I would love to check it out.  

kids crafts | sock donuts

We have a lot of left over crafts from previous projects I've made with my girls.  You know what most households always have too?  ODD socks!  God knows where the other one went, but there is always a bunch of socks without a partners in this household.  This is really easy and you can find a BUNCH of youtube clips on how to make these.  How do I know that?  Because that is exactly what my girls did.  Looked it up then asked and away they went on their own.  Ugh they are getting older.

To make the filling, Heidi got my thick wool and a brush to tease it.  I didn't even know this, so even I learnt something new.  My girls are good around a hot glue gun and if they have any issues they always ask.  So if you have younger kids this may be the only thing you'll have to help with.  They've also used wool to make the icing effect on some.

What will they do with them?  Heck I have no idea.  But it kept them creative, entertained and they had fun during the process.  Beside those socks were only going to be thrown out anyways.  The results are SUPER cute!

canvas painting | online painting tutorial

When I was recently in Queensland, which you can read all about my trip HERE.  Kristy and I were going to attend a paint and sip class.  But with all we had on and so jam packed, we just didn't get to it or completely forgot.  Either way, not long after I left Kristy did attend one and her results were amazing, she did a great tree of life painting, you can check out her instagram image, HERE.  It got me wanting to paint and thinking, maybe there was something online?  Youtube here I come and BAM found one that I just knew right away I wanted to do.

Rarely do I like or turn to the colour purple when it comes to my crafts, so the fact I was drawn to purple for this painting was strange.  I have a bunch of other colours, but I wanted purple.  I'm so glad I went with what I was drawn to. I used the online tutorial, HERE.  I was beyond happy with the result.  Almost mid way I was thinking to myself, this isn't working, this is shit!  But I kept going because I was already committed and then when it all came together, it just works!

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Spotlight | Mother's Day Ideas

Mother's Day is just around the corner, why not make something instead of buying a gift?  The amazing people at Spotlight sent myself and other creative people some products to create with.  I wanted to see just how many different projects I could make .  I had tried for a few more, but not all projects work out and go to plan, but that's ok.  There is always a lesson in there to be learnt.  I'm still working on another one.

I was given some wool, cardstock, twine and glitter.  The glitter threw me a little.  If you don't know this, I'm not a glitter girl.

CROCHET BASKET with the wool.

 

HEART BANNER with the twine.

 

PINWHEEL WALL DECOR with the paper and glitter.

 

The pinwheels are for my wall in my craft area.  I've wanted another little something to go on my wall for a while.  I've actually still have a pinwheel I made almost 5 years ago, something crazy like that hanging in my craft/office.  You know what?  I don't even mind the glitter I added?  WHO knew!

The crochet basket was so much fun to make and then put together.  I already want to make more.  The only thing, I tried at least 15 times to make handles and I just couldn't get it to work!  Any tutorials you know?  Send them my way please.  In the end I figured it was ok without any handles.

Last of all the crochet heart banner.  Thing is already hanging in my craft/office under my book shelf and I LOVE it!  Honestly pink and purple are not colours I'd usually go for, but I actually really like them together for these projects.

CHECK OUT your local Spotlight store for supplies.  Often Spotlight have ideas on leaflets throughout the store.  Why not treat yourself and buy yourself something to make just for you!  Because YOU deserve it this Sunday.

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paper flowers | kids crafts

Looking for a quick DIY kids craft?  Then this will give at least an hour of fun.

SUPPLIES :

- Pipe cleaners

- Scrap pattern paper

- Buttons

- Cupcake patty

- Wool

- Glue or double sided tape.

My girls and I used the Diamond Press machine from Spotlight, HERE.  This nifty little machine comes with the scallop shape in a bunch of different sizes.  For this project the scallop was perfect.  We have a pom pom maker at home, you can pick these up at your local spotlight or craft store.  It might look tricky at first, but even my girls can use it, it's so simple and the result, perfect pom poms.  Instead of a pom pom you could also use tissue paper, in fact both could work together.

RESULT :

Check your local Spotlight store for fun and crafts with the make it yourself movement during craft month.

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bling bling | mason jars

Another craft the girls did while at the Spotlight National Craft Month Launch was a class taught by Patience and Rachel.  This time instead of glasses we decided to decorate mason jar lids.  Both Heidi and Chloe have mini mason jars that have a slit I cut out in the lid and they've been using them as mini money jars for about a year now.  They needed an upgrade.  Also this time I joined in, I wasn't missing out on all the fun.

Heidi and Chloe went to town, pipe cleaners, google eyes, cupcake patty's, pom poms, gems, sparkle, the lot!  Best of all they are both happy with their result and now they have a 'new' money jar.

While on Rachel's instagram I was inspired to try what she referred to it as the "coral reef" effect.  My mason jar, one of the many I own, didn't have a slit and so I was free to build around on the lid.  That I did.

Now some of my favourite washi tapes are on display in this up-cycled mason jar.

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spotlight launch | craft month | cardmaking and layout

While attending the Spotlight National Craft Month Launch last Thursday, my girls got to do something they love, love, love to do and do it often and that's make cards.  Heidi and Chloe make cards for for people's birthdays, for people in our street at Easter and Christmas, they make one to thank people.  You could say that cardmaking is their thing.

Something Heidi and Chloe got you use is something I'd never seen before.  It's a Diamond Press machine available from Spotlight.  WHOA this small machine is compact and the girls found it simple to use.  For something so small it has it all, it has dies and embossing folders.   My girls went to work to make a card each.

This is Chloe thinking her way through the cardmaking process.  Chloe was making her card for a teacher she talks about often and recently had a birthday.  As I mentioned above, both girls literally make cards for everyone.  Chloe made a cute bunny card. 

Heidi decided to make a postcard and designed a tree with birds and butterflies.  Side note, is that blue stained hands?  YES it absolutely is, haha.  Making slim is sticky work.  When we got home she gave this to me as a thank you for taking them.  It now sits proudly in front of me at my desk.

Don't forget to check out your local Spotlight store for National Craft Month with events being held every weekend in March.

Last weekend I had to have a play with this new wizz bang machine, the Diamond Press, that I'm loving more and more.  It's small, compact and works like a gem.  I used to have a cuttlebug I think it's called.  But I've since put it into storage, as it was taking up too much room and I rarely used it.  This Diamond Press I'm going to use a LOT, with already my girls and I eyeing off new shapes to purchase.

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I wanted to make a layout, it's been a while since I've made one.  But I had this idea that I knew wouldn't fit into a travellers notebook the way I had it planned in my head.  Which didn't all come out onto the paper.  I did know I wanted to use a photo from the day at the Spotlight Launch and use the photo of the, join the movement, as a title.

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spotlight launch | craft month | make it yourself | bling bling

If you've followed along with me for a while now, you'll know that I basically live and breath crafts.  Paper, DIY, knitting, and MORE, so now that it's craft month and Spotlight are celebrating this, it's exciting and a FUN excuse to do a little craft project when I can during March!   Getting asked to attend the Spotlight National Craft Month Launch was right up my ally.  A really fun thing we got to do while there, was watch Patience and Rachel decorate party glasses.  NOW... How awesome would this be for a kids party?  I do have a birthday coming up for one of my girls and a sleep over is on the cards...  So now I'm thinking this is might happen.

Both Patience and Rachel were bubbly, bursting with personality and really funny.  At one stage they pointed out to my girls that they could decorate their hats, to which they turned to me with nervous looks on their faces, like ummmmm...  to see what I would say.  Which caused laughter from the other attendees, my girls crack me up.  Both Heidi and Chloe got given the glasses made by Rachel and Patience during their demonstration. 

Chloe was SUPER keen to decorate her own pair.  So she gave Patience back her glasses, not because she didn't like or want them, but because she didn't feel right she told me making a set and getting to keep another, [proud mum moment].  We got to use these hot glue guns that had an almost pen point on them that are available from Spotlight and SO something I'm going to buy next time I get to a store.  They were awesome to use, easy and even my girls could use it.

The table was DECKED out and I mean literally with bling as far as the eyes could see.  My girls were in heaven.

Heidi kept the glasses Rachel gave to her and just added a few more touches and Chloe fully decorated her own.  Now I need to make a list of supplies.  Now that I've gotten to the end of the blog post I just know this is something I am definitely going to set up for Heidi's 11th birthday sleep over party.  Of course I'm going to join in, someone has to be the teacher right?  Plus I just can't watch and NOT join.

Don't forget to check out your local Spotlight store for National Craft Month with events being held every weekend in March.

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spotlight launch | craft month | cupcake decorating

I went to the Spotlight launch event for National Craft Month for March on Thursday.  During the month of March, Spotlight stores are hosting craft events every weekend for National Craft Month.  Be sure to check out your local Spotlight store.

One stand that caught not only my attention but my girls, was the Roberts Confectionery table.  I mean it had cupcakes on it, what isn't to love when it comes to cupcakes?  My girls got to decorate a cupcake each, something I don't think they've ever done before.  Not in this fun form anyway.  

Look at the concentration on those faces.  This I know for sure was the first time they'd put icing on and used anything like this.  Heidi with the pink icing, got the hang of it after a while.  Chloe with the blue icing, was having troubles figuring out you have to squeeze/twist from the top, but she got there.

Heidi added some handmade flowers and leaves she made and topped it with sprinkles and called it done.  Below Chloe did the same.  Both turned out amazing and I let the girls eat them in the car on the way home, even known usually I don't allow them to eat in the car.  Pretty sure they'd finished before I left the city.  I did get a little try of Heidi's, it was SO good.

Since coming home, Heidi has gotten out the clay we have and made a bunch of flowers that she learned to make at the Spotlight Launch.  I can see MANY more being made. 

Be sure to check out Spotlight and the events they have on each weekend during March for National Craft Month.

instax photos into magnets

This is so simple I don't know why I didn't think to do it a while ago.  You see, even known I try and plan out what I print on my instax, because lets be honest it's not all that cheap for the film.  Only sometimes I still don't end up using the print or I accidentally print two.  Don't ask me how I do this, I even confuse myself, hence why I end up with two, haha.  After I've used one for usually a layout I had planned, I pop the extra or left overs in a mini instax album I bought YEARS ago on ebay from china.

The other day while cleaning I found a bunch of spare magnets that I had from a few years back when I was making invites for a friends 30th.  I then got this idea, as I had instax photos to put away also to use the magnets with the photos and stick them on my filing cabinet that is right beside my desk and always plain. 

Instant love...