As a child and later in my teen years, I loved making my own journals to keep track of my ideas, thoughts, designs and memories and I often used writing to get through some difficult times during my life.  In those days, I used A3 project books which were pretty basic and I prettied them up by covering them with wrapping paper, photos, brown paper or painted newspaper and used coloured pencils, markers, paint, calligraphy, lettering and fabric to decorate my pages and photos.

So…when Stampin’ Up! announced the launch the This and That range, I was pretty excited as these products bring back so many memories of how I used to scrapbook.  Even more exciting…there’s no need to wait for the new catalogue…This and That is available through my online store NOW!  I’ve ordered mine and it’s on its way and I can’t wait to share my work with you.

In seven days, I will start the Michelle Bridges 12 week body transformation program and I am going to use my journal to keep track of my journey.  Every week I’ll post a page of my journal that represents a week of the ups and downs of this life changing journey.  I’m so excited about this program and am so ready to take back control of my health and wellbeing.  What better way to keep track of my progress…through my love of papercraft.

Ok…enough about me…to check out the exciting This and That range, simply click on the pic below.

Happy scrapping!

I’ve had a wonderful sewing day today making a birthday gift for my good friend, Deb Fearns.  I’ve used the gorgeous Stampin’ Up! Tea for Two designer fabric for this project and I decided to make a larger craft tote than the one I made last year and I am so pleased with how it turned out.  This tote is fantastic – you can fit so much in it.  Check it out…

I found the pattern for this tote on the Gina Bean Handmade Blog by Gina Allen and she has very very generously posted a FREE tutorial which you can find here.  You will need a google account to access. Her quilts are stunning and she has stacks of free tutorials for small projects like this one that you might like to add to your project list.

I still haven’t had time to make one of these for myself but I’ve now cut out the fabric I’m going to use and I’m ready to go for another crafty day tomorrow.  It’s soooo nice being on holidays.

Happy Stitching!

NOTE:  I made one change to this pattern.  So I could make this out of one package of Stampin’ Up! fabric, I used a 1/4″ seam instead of 1/2″ seam.  I also used a non Stampin’ Up! cream fabric for the pocket linings to be sure I had enough fabric and I wanted a contrasting fabric to bring it all together.

So you want to know how Bussy made these…right?  Head on over to her blog  for the deets along with loads of other papercrafting and sewing ideas that reflect her gorgeous style.

Interested in joining the inkydayz team?  You can right now and get more in your starter kit.  Between now and 30 May you get an extra $60 worth of product in your starter kit.  That’s $295 worth of YOUR CHOICE OF PRODUCTS for only $169.  Yep you read right $295 for ONLY $169!!!  Join by 30 May 2013 and you will also receive one of my handmade craft totes as my gift to you.

Want to know more…email me at: tania_willis@bigpond.com or find out more and join the team online here.

Happy crafting!

Earn more for a limited time.  Host a $400 party between now and 30 May and you will receive an additional $60 in hostess benefits.  That means that by hosting a party with sales of $400 or more, you will earn $120 worth of FREE product!!  Unbelievable!!  Here’s what you usually get.

Don’t forget you don’t need to have party in your home.  If you live in Canberra, I am more than happy to host your party in my home OR you can simply collect orders from your friends and if you collect more than $400 worth of orders, you still receive hostess benefits.  All you need to do is collect the orders and then deliver them to your friends.

Along with hostess benefits, between now and 30 May you can also get an extra $60 worth or product in your starter kit.   That’s $295 worth of ANY PRODUCTS you want for only $169.  Yep you read right $295 for ONLY $169!!!

Interested?  Email me at: tania_willis@bigpond.com or find out more and join the team online here.

Happy Stamping!

Stampin’ Up! are introducing new wood-mount stamp set packaging! These new cases are similar to the clear-mount boxes and fit perfectly on the shelf right next to them. They also have the images and stamp set name on the spine to make your search for the right set even easier.

Starting 1 July all wood-mount sets will come in this new packaging and empty cases will be available with the launch of the new catalogue. That means you can transfer all your old sets to these new boxes!  There will even be a template for you to create your own label for your old stamp sets (available 1 July). A pack of four half-size cases (9.5 x 14 cm) will sell for $8.95 AUD and a pack of four full-size cases (19.1 x 14 cm) will be $11.95 AUD.

Watch the video for other storage ideas using the new wood mount storage cases.

Happy organising!

As you can see, I’m working on a collection of cards for my next class and I love this set of sentiments! 

It’s Autumn here in Australia and as we move into the colder months, this sentiment reminds me to get out and live in the sunshine each and every day.  Whilst Winter can be cold in Canberra, the gorgeous blue skies and sunshine just about every day of the year well and truly make up for a few months of cold.

I’ve used another sketch challenge for inspiration:

Stampin Up! Supplies
Stamps:  Pursuit of Happiness (121970) clear (121907) wood
Card: Whisper White (106549), Vellum (106584)
Paper: Twitterpated (125406), Pinwheels On Parade Simply Scrappin Kit (126929), Afternoon Daydream Simply Scrappin Kit (126927)
Ink: Jet Black Stazon (101406
Tools: Window Frames Framelits (129021), Big Shot (113439), Stampin Trimmer (129722), Vine Street Embossing Folder (Sale-a-bration – no longer available)

Happy Stamping!

For this card, I pulled out one of my old favourite stamp sets, Just Believe.  Teamed with a sentiment from Word Play this card seems to capture where I am with my creativity and my personal goals at the moment.  Let’s just say…this card is a gift for me.

The inspiration I worked with comes from Case Study:

Stampin Up! Supplies
Stamps:  Just Believe (120453) clear (121540) wood), Word Play (120651) clear (121590) wood
Card: Whisper White (106549)
Paper: Twitterpated (125406)
Ink: Basic Grey (126981), Summer Starfruit (126991)
Tools: Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die (118138), Big Shot (113439), Stampin Trimmer (129722), Textured Impressions Needlepoint Border Embossing Folder (129383)

Happy Stamping!

Yesterday, I stumbled upon a fabulous new blog through pinterest (yep…I’m addicted!) and I took some inspiration from a stunning card made by Keisha Campbell.  Her work is beautiful and I love her photography – I sooo wish I could take photos like her. Photography lessons are now on my bucket list.  Check out her card here.

Inkydayz tips:

• I’m loving the grey and yellow trend that I’m seeing everywhere at the moment.  Add a pop of Island Indigo and you have a match made in heaven.  My colour inspiration comes from this photo I found on pinterest – I prefer more of a mustard yellow and Summer Starfruit fits the bill perfectly.

• Vellum stamped with Black Stazon makes a lovely change for a sentiment, don’t you think?

• If you missed the Vine Street embossing folder during Sale-a-bration, there a plenty of others you can use instead.  Check out the range here.

• Combining patterns is all the rage right now.  The Summer Starfruit geometric pattern from the Pinwheels On Parade Simply Scrappin Kit works beautifully with the stamped Basic Grey stripes.  Ihe Island Indigo floral butterflies from Twitterpated bring it all together.
• A vintage faceted button threaded with linen thread and tied in a bow, adds a sweet finishing touch.

Stampin Up! Supplies
Stamps:  Hearts a Flutter (129252) clear or (129249) wood, Pursuit of Happiness (121970) clear or (121907) wood.
Card: Whisper White (106549), Vellum (106584)
Paper: Pinwheels On Parade Simply Scrappin Kit (126929), Twitterpated (125406)
Ink: Basic Grey (126981), Jet Black Stazon (101406), Vintage Faceted Buttons (127555)
Fabulous Flourishes: Linen Twine (104199),  
Tools: Hearts A Flutter Framelits (130159), Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die (118138), Window Frames Framelits (129021), Big Shot (113439) , Stampin Trimmer (129722), Vine Street Embossing Folder (Sale-a-bration – no longer available)

Happy Stamping!

The Sent with Love Stamp Set and Sent with Love Designer Series Paper are only available during this special offer. After 15 June, they’ll both fly away!

To order yours, simply click on the Shop Online Flower to the left or email me at tania_willis@bigpond.com.

Happy Crafting.

Roll up roll up… Stampin’ Up! have, as of today, launched on-line ordering and My Digital Studio (MDS)!!!

And the great news is you can access MDS FREE for 30 Days!

So…how do you do this?  WELLLL…it’s too easy.  All you need to do is hit the Shop Online Now Daisy to the right and you head off to shopping heaven through my on-line ordering page!!!  Wooo hooo…not only can you download your FREE 30 day trial of MDS, you can also order your fabulousa Stampin’ Up! supplies at any time of day – even in your jimmy jams and orders are mailed straight to your door!

And don’t forget…you still have access to all of those awesome hostess benefits!

All you need to do is hit the Shop Online Now Daisy and you are on you way.

Now…I’m off to join in the 30 day trial fun and have a go at the MDS myself…I’ve been busting to have a go!!

If you have any questions about MDS or online ordering, please feel free to give me a shout via email me at tania_willis@bigpond.com

Happy Shopping!

PS:  You can still submit order direct to me by email – no problem at all!