Well, it's been a long time in the making, and you've been very patient waiting for it, so I am really glad to finally have completed my Rose is a Rose layout with lots of two step stamping.

The journalling is on a slide out tab behind the photo - you pull the Rose Red double stitched grosgrain ribbon to slide it out. It talks about how Tony and I clearly weren't the only ones having a wonderful time at our wedding.  This photo was taken by my dear friend Josie, and she really captured the joy of the day.  All the little girls had a wonderful time with the beautiful fresh rose petals out of my mum and nan's gardens.

I loved using the Rose is A Rose stamp set from Stampin' Up! It's only $53.56 during July, and won't be available at all after the end of August. The delightful floral print background paper is from the Tea Party Designer Series Paper pack, also from Stampin' Up!

If you'd like to see larger images, I have loaded them to the gallery on my Facebook business page - if you're not a fan already, search for katlo designs when you've logged into Facebook or click on the Facebook badge over in the left column.

If you'd like to play with these gorgeous rose images yourself, be sure to email me an order while the price is still reduced - it's too good to miss!

My 6"x 6" scrapbook album is full of all different sorts of layouts, and what I love about this size, is that not only are they really quick and simple to make, they are also very easy to use for gift giving - in a simple folder card, or as part of a mini album. 

This little layout is an example of quick and simple - it took me longer to choose and print the photo than it did to complete the layout!

Once you've completed a 6"x 6' layout, you may even hold onto it for a while and see if it can form part of a larger layout.  Often, this little panel lends itself to inclusion on a bigger page - maybe with a row of small photos down one side or across the bottom, or perhaps with a simple border pattern with more of the stamped images. 

There's a challenge for me. I am going to see if this one can be blended into my other favourite size layout - 12"x 12".  I have some ideas already, so I better get off this computer and go have a play!

Don't forget there are a range of Two Step Stampin' sets like the cute Birdie one in this layout, that are 20% off this month only. Details of which sets are on my specials page - click here.

I've been promising for some time to post my layout using the gorgeous stamp set, "A Rose is a Rose".  Well, it's one of those layouts that is giving me a few troubles - I have arranged it, and re-arranged it, and tried different background colours . . . I think I had a moment of inspiration at 5.30 this morning and I might get if finished finally.

But in the meantime, I thought I'd give you a sneak preview anyway - even though it's been causing me grief, I already love it, and I can't wait till it's complete.  Anyway, here's your little sneak preview!

Aren't those roses just too much!  And did you know that gorgeous stampset is 20% off during July - which is almost over, and it's retiring from the Stampin' Up! collection with the new catalogue release. So if you'd like to have a go at stamping these beautiful blooms, you do need to get in fairly quickly!

Here's another peak :

Email me today if you must have this 14 piece stamp set at the fantastic discounted price - 20% off!

[email protected]

I was hoping at this time of the weekend to come back here and show you my second completed layout using the gorgeous two step stamp set "A Rose is a Rose". It's on special this month and it is also retiring from our range.  But, I have been slightly busy, and I thought I'd show you what has been taking up my time instead of scrapbooking - and of course these are all potential scrapbook subjects too!

This morning was gorgeous Melbourne sunny winter weather, and Sophie and I joined 18,000+ others to take part in Run Melbourne.  Soph completed the 5km run in very good time, and I did the 10km run - ouch running on asphalt is so hard on the legs!

Following our little bout of exercise, we wandered along the Art Centre market, and accidently came across a marquee promoting 30 years of the Sister-State Relationship between Aichi Prefecture in Japan and the State of Victoria.  Now you might be wondering why this would even interest us?

Well, Aichi is in central Japan between Kyoto and Tokyo and it is full of amazing cultural history, such as the home of the three great unifiers of Japan, the famous Sengoku-era generals. It's known as the historical stage of the Samurai, and has a rich artistic heritage culminating in the modern day Aichi Triennale 2010, a large scale international Arts Festival.

So, what did we see in the marquee?  Well, lots of festival type promotions, including some make and take tables with some lovely Japanese art, and of course I couldn't help finding a space for myself at the table so I could play too!

I made this beautiful, simple little wall hanging using yummy Japanese handmade papers, and of course I picked up a few brochures too. I might love anything French, but Japan would have to be very, very high up on my list of fascinating places and cultures!

Altogether a very nice way to while away half a Sunday in wintery Melbourne!  What did you get up to this weekend? 

There are some gorgeous bird images available at the moment, and I'm glad to say, I found time recently to have a play with some.  These are just a couple of little samples that I was playing around with.

This simple birthday card uses the large two step bird punch from Stampin' Up! that is too cute with its little wing, and you can place the punched bird facing either way depending on what side of the printed paper you'd like to use.  The twigs are also part of the same punch.

This next little bird is from the Friends 24-7 stamp set, paired with the coordinating Friends Stampin' Round Wheel.  I love the vintage style of these images - not to mention the great sentiments.

Just a quick reminder too that spaces are filling very fast in my Christmas in July card making class which is on July 31st.  Check my class page for details and get in touch soon, it's going to be lots of fun!

Throughout July, several lovely Two Step Stampin' Sets are on sale. Did you notice the cute little birds in Sunday night's post?  That's Cheep Talk, a very cute Two Step Stampin' Set.  Today I have another set to show you which makes the most of stamps that fit together beautifully to create gorgeous images.

Today's set is "A Rose is a Rose", it's a 14 piece stamp set with rose buds, leaves and a lovely full bloom. I have been working on two scrapbook pages using this set, and finally finished one of them to share with you.

I've used a mixture of Stampin' Up! papers and card, including prints from Tea Party & Bella Rose and some die cuts from the Sweet Nothings Simply Scrappin' Kit. Colours are predominantly Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery and Rose Red.

The other layout I am working on has a whole bouquet of these roses in pink and yellows.  I have a bit more to do on it, so you won't see it for a few days, but I do hope you'll check back in after the weekend to check it out.

In the meantime, if you'd like to know about getting 20% of these fantastic stamp sets, then please have a look at all the details on my specials page by clicking here.  

I decided to try and fit in another challenge entry this week, just to broaden my range of projects and colour schemes again, and I have to say, that when I say the gorgeous inpiration picture for the Play Date Cafe Challenge #37, I couldn't resist!

What with Le Tour in full swing, and our own plans underway to visit Paris again soon, how could I go past this delightful colour scheme! I was also equally exited by the theme for this weeks' Charisma Cardz challenge : "Watch the Birdie" and knew that I wanted to combine these two ideas into one project.

I've been having a lot of fun lately making tiny gift boxes with the scallop envelope die from Stampin' Up! and since there are so many birthday's coming up, I thought I'd make a little gift box full of cute cards, in the Provencal colour scheme and including a "birdie" or two. And this is what I came up with :

Really, really super easy cards using the Cheap Talk stamp set, and a very cute box to keep them in, which is decorated with a small flower from the Pretties Kit and a bright yellow rhinestone brad.

Of course, if you'd like to know how to make this cute little project, you and your friends can all learn how at a free Stampin' Up! home workshop. Ask me about it today by emailing [email protected]

Before I sign off, since it is a box of birthday cards, I'd also like to say a HUGE happy birthday to my stamping buddy Sue Madex who is turning 21 again on Tuesday - have a really fab day Sue!! 

Here's my second post for the day, as I am really keen to show you the second card I made inspired by the fabulous colour challenge and card sketch I found this week.

The colour challenge is from Off the Wall Craftiness colour challenge #14.

And the sketch is from Card Patterns sketch #71.

Here is the second card I created inspired by these great ideas.

All products I have used are from Stampin' Up! and include :

• Medallion, Together Forever & Fresh Cuts stamp sets
• Night of Navy, Whisper White & Rich Razzleberry Card
• Night of Navy, Rich Razzleberry, Rose Red & Pretty in Pink Classic Stampin' Pads,
• Night of Navy, Rose Red and Bravo Burgundy Stampin' Write Markers,
• Flowers from Pretties Kit
• Rhinestone Brads (Fire / Circle)
• Top Note Die
• Urban Garden Designer Series Paper.

I have had a lovely creative time working on these, and have been very inspired by the other wonderful artworks I have seen today by other talented stampers who have risen to the challenge of creating something in Navy / Fuschia & White, and working with that great  sketch. I hope you have been inspired too. 

I thought I'd try something a little different this week and I am mighty glad I did.  You know when sometimes you just can't get inspired?  Well this week I thought I'd do a little blog surfing and I found a gorgeous colour challenge at Off the Wall Craftiness :

And a really neat & simple sketch with huge potential at Card Patterns :

I could immediately see how Night of Navy, Rose Red with a touch of Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White card, ink and designer series papers from Stampin' Up! could be used to recreate this colour scheme and that sketch offers so many options!

Here's my first card, using Fresh Cuts stamp set, Curly Label Punch, Rose Red double stitched grosgrain, and Raspberry Tart DSP, all from SU!  You'll notice I turned the sketch for a portrait instead of landscape card.

Here's a close up of the water-colouring which I did with a blender pen, picking up ink from the lid of the Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad.

I will do another post shortly with my second card, which I like even better! 
  
  

Well, it's the first Saturday of the month again, and that means time for a blog hop with the Art with Heart girls.  This month we have picked Christmas in July for our theme, and it is definitely a great time of year to start making your Christmas cards, so they are all done and dusted by December.

I have decided on three very simple but effective cards, using borders from the "I Wish" Simply Scrappin' Kit, greetings from "Heard from the Heart" stamp set, tree stamp from "Fun & Fast Notes" and reindeer from "Winter Post" stamp set, and the Curly Label Punch.

If you're wondering who the "Art with Heart" ladies are, they are from a very large team of Stampin' Up! demonstrators, all over Australia, headed by Claire Daly, who regularly have blog hops, card & ATC swaps, lots of chat on a very active forum and get togethers to share our ideas and inspiration. 

You may have just come from  Erica Boxall's blog or you may be starting here. At the bottom of this post, you will find a link which will take you to another members blog hop entry. If you keep following the links at the bottom of each post, you will do a full circle of the blog hop.  If you leave a comment on each blog, you will be in the draw for some great blog candy - email Nikki to let her know you have commented on each entry in the blog hop. 

I normally love to use ribbon, especially on Christmas cards, but I think these lovely borders from the "I Wish" kit, along with the gold embossed greeting are really enough for these cards, allowing them to be really quick and simple - which is important if you have lots to make!

This horizontal card, does however look great with the extra ribbon embellishment - and who doesn't love Old Olive Grosgrain?

Well, that's my lot, if you'd like to continue on the blog hop, then please click here to visit the blog of my good friend (and very talented stamper), Sue Madex.