Chatter Box Happy Day Mini Album Kit

Wow I can't believe Christmas has come and gone. So much preparation and gift buying and then it's all over. Sometimes it is a relief when Christmas Day finally comes. We had a great day lots of yummy food, great company, laughs and some dancing to ABBA, it was good fun.

I have photos but haven't loaded them onto the computer yet, so when I do I will post some.

Just thought I would mention a new kit that is in store now. This gorgeous new kit from Chatter BOX is already to go just so cute, all you need to do is get photos together and decorate with some of your own stuff as well as what's in the kit. This is a great album to make for the summer break, very bright and summery great for a little holiday album. To find out more and purchase head over to the store.

I have reduced a few of the scrapbooking kits, would love to clear them out and make way for new stock so head on over for a great scrapbooking bargain. You will find them here.

Hope you are having a great Boxing Day. I avoided the sales except for getting some photos printed at Harvey Norman and even that was really packed, although the photo printing section was okay. Enjoy the rest of this blissful Melbourne Day!!

Anna

20% Off Entire Store Monday - Wednesday

Grab yourself some craft supplies to get you through the holidays. At 20% off it's a bargain. Happy Shopping!!

20% off Entire Store

Monday 22nd - Wednesday 24th December

Enter the code - santa

in checkout to recieve your discount

Not available with any other offer

Merry Christmas xx

Christmas Tree, Vintage Button & Lace and A Christmas Lolly Tree

Make your own Vintage Style Christmas Tree. I saw an idea similar to this on various blogs last Christmas, can't remember which ones as I see so many. This year I decided to give it a go. It's quick and easy and quite enjoyable actually. A great way to use up all those buttons you have have stashed away or at least some of them.

To make this tree you will need a cone shape of some sort either a foam one, or a chipboard one. For this one I actually used a 12 x 12 piece of thin chipboard, these often come with my paper orders to keep the papers from bending in transit. I then rolled the chipboard around to form a cone. Then the rest is all up to you I wrapped scrapbooking Christmas paper around it. I did a little fringeing along the bottom by cutting a strip of paper say about 3cm in width and then did tiny slits all the way along it and then wrapped it around the base of the tree. I then decorated with lots of gorgeous ribbons and buttons and lace. Finished off at the top with a wooden star which I inked with white ink and then heat embossed with a glittery embossing powder.

This is actually a great kids activity and I nearly ran this as a class for kids but time got the better of me and it became to late to schedule it. So if you are stuck for ideas on how to keep the kids entertained over the next few days, this may be a great one to give a go. Aside from that you will have a decoration you can cherish and take out year after year. You could even pin some lollies on this, I have acutally put together another tree full of lollies as is our yearly tradition, but I can't see why you couldn't combine it with the buttons.

Today my daughter and I made a lolly tree. I had my daughter Melanie help put it together. Poor darling she has the chicken pox, after getting it from her little brother who had it a couple of weeks ago. Still she put on a brave face and made up most of the tree herself. This is another easy project just purchase wrapped chocolates or lollies. Once again you will need a foam cone and some pins with pearl heads. I then filled a box that we had lying around with rice and wrapped it with some decorative scrapbooking paper that was the base. I then decorated with lace and ribbon. You then just pin the chocolates on in layers all the way to the top. I then wrapped our tree in clear cellophane just for safe keeping plus its going to Mum's House for Christmas Lunch. This is even a great grandparents gift Idea. They can then replenish the chocolates for next Christmas and keep the tradition going.

There you have it some Christmas Inspiration. I have started loading our December Gallery on site using our December Scrapbooking Kit, some gorgeous layouts to be seen from our designer Meri. Go take a look on site. Gallery

Have a great night. Anna.

Heidi Swapp Create 08

Well I had the most insipiring night on Tuesday night and I haven't had a chance to jump on here and tell you all about it. It was fantastic to meet Heidi Swapp and sit in her presence for 3 hours and absorb all her advice, see the way she teaches, her knowledge of the scrapbooking industry, tips on the future of scrapbooking and how to grow your business, I could just go on and on. Being a home based online business it is just so important to get out there and attend classes and network and meet people associated with this fabulous industry. When I attend things like this I come back so inspired and filled with energy ready to go and create more and try different things.

We created a gorgeous banner which I almost finished and I do promise I will show some photos when it is finished. I really just need to hole punch and link it alltogether with ribbon. We got to play with some awesome products which I haven't used before, so all in all a wonderful night both on scrapbooking and from a business point of view.

The best part meeting Heidi. It is awesome to meet someone that you have known about for years via the web and through her products, although she lives on the other side of the world who is amazing and dynamic. So to have her here and literally the event was 10min from my house, how could I not attend. So glad I did I just loved it and I am still on a creative high from it!!

Okay that's all for today I will try and post again tomorrow, one of my recent creations is a gorgeous vintage button christmas tree. Can't wait to share this one, quick and easy and just looks fabulous.

Have a great night all!!

Anna

Card Making Kits On Sale

Several of our Card Making Kits have been reduced, these will be available at the reduced price until sold out. There are only 1 or 2 in stock of these kits, once they're gone, they're gone.

Our cards kits are suitable for all levels, from Beginner to Intermediate. The best part about our kits is that they come with photos and instructions, just like a card making class but in your own home. To see what card making kits we have available, you can go here.

Our latest kit is the Christmas Tag Kit, see post below. Have a go at making your own Christmas tags this year, they are quick and easy, this kit is great for the Kids as well.

Christmas Season Gift Tag Kit - Make Your Own Tags!

Have a go at making your own Christmas Gift tags this Festive Season.

These tags are quick and easy to put together and are great fun too. Make 8 fun and festive gift tags and have supplies left over to make a few more. In this kit you will get photos, instructions, supplies all the die cuts, ribbons and rhinestones, and papers to make these 8 Christmas Tags. The back of the tags remain blank for your personal message. Gift a handmade gift tag this season. This is also a great activity to get the kids involved. Buy yourself a pack and one for the kids and have fun together getting crafty.

Christmas Season Gift Tag Kit

Provocraft Cuttlekids Christmas Gift Offer

Struggling for last minute gift Ideas for the kids. I have put together a special gift pack for girls and boys that will keep them entertained for hours through the summer break and the best part is it isn't electronic, won't cost an arm and a leg and is safe and fun to use. Interested read on... If you scroll further down this email you will find our Cuttlekids Offer which is available for 4 short days only as orders must be placed Monday in order for stock to arrive in time to reach you for Christmas.

Childrens Christmas Gift offer. Not sure what to get the kids for Christmas. They will love this. They can cut out all of these shapes with their machine and create cards, scrapbook pages, posters, great for projects, wherever their imagination takes them. The Machine is safe for kids and does not require electricity. The dies are covered in foam therefore no sharp edges. Click on the link below to see how the Cuttlekids works. I have one of these machines at home and the kids just love it. There are plenty of other dies available to use with the machine however I have included a few with each pack to get you started.

To see what's in the special offer click here Girls Pack & Boys Pack. Don't delay this offer is for 4 days only, Christmas isn't far away. Thanks Anna

Christmas Gift Box Kit & 15% off Christmas Shop & Sale Dept 3 days only

Do you love to gift wrap your Christmas Gifts with Style??

Christmas Gift Box Kit

Here is a gorgeous gift box you can decorate that looks beautiful and stylish and is quick and easy. At Koko Vanilla we are all about simplyifying your busy schedule so you head on over to the site and you can purchase this Gift Box in a kit. You get 5 boxes to decorate and you can personalise them with the sheet of alpha's included. You will get instructions and photos although these boxes are so simple you can probably make whilst watching your favourite show. You can purchase this kit here.

The best bit is from now until Sunday midnight all Christmas Depts are on sale at 15% off as well as our 'What's on Sale Dept'. In our Sale Dept prices are already cheap you can get an extra 15% off those as well. When you are in checkout just enter the code CWOS15D so what are you waiting for, now is the best time to buy your own Christmas Gift and get some entries into our draw to win a $20 gift voucher, see post below.

Head on over to the shop now. and get some crafting retail therapy. Live it and create it!! Anna

Gift Vouchers to be won in November & December. Indulge your Scrapbooking and Card Making Craft Hobby!!

There is only just over 30 days to go until Christmas Day and the Christmas Fever has well and truly begun.

The last few weeks have been really busy in the shop as everyone prepares for Christmas whether it be crafts, cards, buying Christmas Card Kits as gifts. Orders have been flying in and stock flying out, all the new Christmas Goodies have been arriving and are still arriving and it's all so beautiful I can't stop ordering the array of papers out there. Our December Kit will wow your socks off or should I say stockings off!! more on that soon.

Struggling for Christmas Ideas, why not purchase our kits, great for keeping the kids occupied through the long summer break. Also newly available are Koko Vanilla Gift Vouchers. Great for someone who has everything, or alternatively drop a hint to family and friends to jump on site and get you one for Christmas. They are available to purchase in store in our New Arrivals Dept.

I have been promising a Christmas gallery and this week I will finally begin loading samples of what you can make. Cute little gift boxes you can personalise and decorate for teachers or workmates, cards, gift tags and the best part of all is the supplies to make these items can all be found on site, so no running from shop to shop to find everything you need its all here. Be sure to keep on checking the Store and this blog for all the updates.

Gift Voucher Give Away

November & December

It's time to spread some Christmas Cheer. How would you like to go in the draw to win a gift voucher. It's too easy!

I will be drawing two random customer names each month for November and December to recieve a $20 gift voucher to use on site. So that's 2 x $20 vouchers, 2 winners each month. For every $20 you spend in store before postage you recieve 1 entry into the draw. If you recommend a friend to the site and they place an order you will get 2 extra entries into the draw just for doing that. Just email me the person's name you recommended and if they place an order I will add two entries on your behalf. November entries will close shortly so if you have already ordered this month, you are in the draw if you are yet to order, you have a week or so left, for a chance to win so what are you waiting for.

Live, Create, Inspire
Anna!! xx

Handmade Personalised Custom Cards - 40th Birthday, Thank You Cards

Need a personalised card for someone special or a special occasion. We have some gorgeous handcrafted cards on our website ready for purchase, however we are more than happy to personalise custom orders.

Here are a couple of card orders made up recently. These were both for a 40th Birthday, one was female and one male.

Here are a couple of Thank You Cards great for this time of year for teachers, or workmates. To view our selection of handcrafted cards you can go here.

Christmas isn't that far away, make sure you stock up on all the great product in store. Anna

A feel good moment - Inspire your day!!!

I came across this quote yesterday, as I get daily quotes and sayings in my inbox. I love to read inspirational quotes and sayings etc often I find that a quote will come right when I need it. Anyway I haven't read anything like this before and I just thought I would share. This I believe is actually an excerpt from a book by Mike Dooley his current book is "More Notes from the Universe."

"Wasn't it clever of me to think you up? I mean, come on, wow!

Never has there walked the face of the earth someone who thinks with your degree of insight. Who loves with your degree of care. Or who feels with your degree of hope. And never has there been such a need for a soul with gifts like yours, because at this very moment there are people only you can reach, and differences only you can make. Yeah, I must have been having a really good day! ."

- The Universe
Mike Dooley

It took me a couple of times to read it before I fully got it, but I guess the part where it says "because at this very moment there are people only you can reach and differences only you can make", really tugged at me. How true is this I never thought of it that way. We are all unique and there are people in our lives that only we can make a huge difference for, like our children for one. We can make their days so special with the simplest of loving gestures, how privleged are we to have this right, one that no one else has. Think of your life as this quote puts it, next time you are having an average day, think of yourself in the scheme of things, step out of being self absorbed and think how you can make a difference and how honoured that you have been given such magic to work with.

By the way the website I get one of my daily quotes from including this one is Inspire your day.

That's my inspirational for today. I will be back with more website additions, infact I have been snowed under with orders and haven't had a chance to load on all the gorgeous new stock I have in. Hoping to update this blog with Christmas inspiration very soon. Until then enjoy your day!
Anna

Sweet Gift Tag, Christmas Gift Tag,

Have you ever thought about were all the gift cards you give end up??? Want to give a card that doesn't get thrown in the back of the cupboard or worse in the bin. How about a gift tag that will be cherished for a long time to come. Something beautiful and practical, that once recieved can be used as a little wall hanging decoration, or a bookmark, or on display somewhere or as a christmas decoration, or a bag tag, the uses are endless. Well here is the perfect solution a gorgeous oversized scalloped tag measuring 11.5cm x 8cm, beautifully designed and created by hand. You can purchase them now in the shop here. More to come! Enjoy Anna.

Hero Arts Christmas Stamps

Wow it has been such a hectic week and I am glad to see the end of it. We had our School Fair yesterday so I have spent most of the week helping prepare for that both through our Craft Stall and Second Hand Book Stall. Being a class rep there was lots to organise as well as being part of the craft group. I think I am slowly learning that as much as I love helping and being a part of it all, it can all get too much and I end up feeling exhausted and stressed. I have decided that I really need to take a step back. I know I find myself volunteering all the time here and there, so that the job gets done for the school but then things have to give in other ways, like my business and me time, the house gets neglected, the kids get irrated from being ignored, it fuels a whole run of negativity of which I have decided after 6 years, I have had enough. I guess it's all in how you percieve it but when it's not fun anymore and becomes more of a negative than a positive it's time to step back and start to choose things to put attention to that are energizing and rewarding. Life is so fast paced already that it's hard to slow down and remember how it is to be still and quiet and find peace. I once read somewhere in relation to time management, that to remember when you say yes to something or someone, what are you saying no to. More often than not it means for me that I am saying no to my needs and my business.

I have gone on a bit here but I wanted to share this because I feel that what I am writing about here is common everywhere and this message is especially for the women out there who keep on filling everyone'e else cup and leave their own empty. When we do things through obligation and guilt, in the long term it only leads to anger and resentment and eventually illness. So next time you are about to say yes to something that has been asked of you, and it's really not in your heart to do it, think first what you are saying no to and who you should be really pleasing.

A bit heavy for a Sunday so let's lighten up a touch and get back to the best form of therapy there is scrapbooking and craft. Look at the abolutely gorgeous stamps that are now available for purchase on site. These stamps are guaranteed to jazz up any Christmas project you have going. These stamps are newly released for 2008 from Hero Arts.

Hero Arts Large Christmas Circle Stamp Set of 4

Hero Arts, Large Christmas Circle Stamps. A set of four woodblock circle tags, perfect to make Christmas Tags, stamp and attach to Christmas Gifts, great for Christmas cards. Each image measures approx 5cm. To purchase Click Here

Hero Arts Poinsettia & Birds

A lovely floral background with a sprinkling of sweet birds. Made with new lightweight wood, Hero Arts DesignBlocks are easy to handle, and make bold statements with gigantic potential for cardmaking and scrapbook pages. Image measures 14cm x 10cm. To purchase click here.

Lots more goodies to get those craft projects started. I have decided I am going to feature a Christmas project on this blog each week. So stay tuned more info to come.

Enjoy the start to a fresh week. Live, Create, Inspire! Anna.

Bountiful Summer November Scrapbooking Kit Featuring new Basic Grey Urban Prairie collection

This kit is full of pretty papers, most from the Basic Grey Urban Prairie collection, as well as a couple of papers from Making Memories Fa La La range. Kaisercraft Rhinestons, Glitz Design sparkle alphabets, delicate sheer ribbon with attached flowers, pom pom ribbon and much more. You will delighted with this kit already co-ordinated all you have to do is select some photos and sit down and create. It is always easier when the everything is there ready to go, you can just enjoy the creative process, so grab yourself a kit before they sell out. To order one you can go here.

Kaisercraft Scrapbooking Christmas Papers

Christmas is coming, way too quickly if you ask me, and especially for all us creative people it starts earlier than usual. I am gradually stocking the site with papers and products that I really love. View the images below for a selection of new papers in our Christmas Papers Dept. Great for making handmade Christmas Gifts and Cards, and Tags. The ideas are endless. To view all our Christmas papers Click Here. I will be loading a Christmas Gallery Next week and I hope to have it filled with lots of Christmas Inspiration and Ideas.

The Christmas card kit, (see post below), has been a huge success and I have managed to source a bit more stock to make up a few more kits, but once they're sold that will be it for this kit. There may be a wait for the kits that are ordered now to be shipped end of next week. The ones that were ordered this week are on their way, any kit orders from today onwards will not be shipped until late next week, possibly even the Monday after it just depends on how quickly the stock arrives to me.

It is Melbourne Cup weekend here in Melbourne and for us it's a 4 day break because the kids have a curriculum day, and hubby is home also. I am sure it's the case for lots of you out there. The weather however seems a bit uncertain, warm but cloudy and rain, so who knows it could go either way knowing Melb, so if all else fails get some craft out, there is no better time to make a start on your Christmas Cards. It's always a blessing to get organised and start knocking off that to do list we all have as it leads up to Christmas. I'm off to do some more designing. Remember if you have purchased stock from our store to send photos of what you create with it so it can be uploaded in our customer gallery.

Have a great weekend. Anna.

Festive Sparkle Card Kit - Create your own Christmas Cards

Festive Sparkle Card Making Kit

This is the first of our Card Making Kits for Christmas. Gorgeous and Simple Cards, you will just really enjoy making these. The kits contain all you need including materials, instructions and photos. Like a take away class you can do in the comfort of your own home. You will also have enough materials and scraps left over to make at least another 2 or 3 cards. To purchase click here. Take a look at all our other gorgeous christmas accessories.

Thank you Cards and School Fair Craft

As promised here are a few more cards I made for our School Teachers. See previous post for the full story about why. I love to individualise cards but since I had to make a few and time is running short I just put a thank you on most of them or thanks. I also love to put quotes on my cards which was my intention this time but to think up so many different designs and quotes would have made it too time consuming. In any case I am really happy with how they turned out.

I also wanted to share one of the items I have made to sell at our Fair Day Craft stall. I usually make a bunch of things each year, and lots of cards throughout the year but as time permits I enjoy making things for school. It's great fundraising for the school and I usually test myself with making items I wouldn't normally make. Here is something new I attempted, I was browsing etsy a couple of weeks ago and found a seller who sells handmade journals. So I thought it would be nice to give it a try, surely it can't be that hard. So here is my creation. To be honest it wasn't that hard, and I quite enjoyed it, so I hope that it's appreciated enough for someone to purchase it at our school fair. I put a quote on the inside cover also. I love my quotes. There is nothing more inspiring that reading an uplifting quote when your feeling a bit down. Okay that's all for show and tell today. I hope you are feeling inspired to get started on some hand made Christmas Cards and Gifts. You get can get heaps of supplies on site to make these creations.

Teacher's Handmade thank you card - supersized

Hi everyone, I just thought I would pop on here and post a rather oversized card that I made for one of our teachers. In fact next Friday I believe is international teachers day and so I was asked to make a few cards since some of the mums at school know I am creative. The card is for all the children to sign. So this is the first one I have made. I used a 12' x 12' paper folded in half. I then cut down an oversized enveloped to match it actually looked adorable. Must go will post again tomorrow. Anna

Craft for Christmas

Do you love being creative for Christmas?

You can purchase this gorgeous Christmas Stamp Here

Mmm I thought so judging by all the enquiries. Well welcome to Koko Vanilla Christmas Crafts. I have begun setting up a new department featuring gorgeous products that stand out to me for the coming Festive Season. I don't purchase whole ranges of items just what appeals to me. So head on over to our Christmas Dept and by the way the cute owl stamp will hopefully be back in stock soon, it sold very quickly so if you are interested let me know. The owl is on the department image you can view it here. I can just see all my christmas theme this year being this cute owl. I have only just started loading items but as they arrive I will load more and there is card kit or two on their way, so check back often. I have some gorgeous stamps and some of the Making Memories Fa LaLa range in papers. There is no time like the present to get started on your Christmas Craft. As Flylady would say even just 15min a day from now until Christmas will mean you will be ahead of the race rather than getting anxious at the last minute because you have so much left to do. You would be suprised when you do 15 min here and there it all adds up in the end. Besides if you are crafty there is no better time or excuse to indulge in your craft.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend

Anna.

Scrapbooking Layout Using Glitz & Glamour Kit

Mini Album - By Julie Heard

Hi Everyone,

Well I feel as though I can breathe a sigh of relief and say "I survived the school holidays!" Are kids getting more demanding or am I getting older and less tolerant. I don't know which it is but it feels as though its all hands on deck for those two weeks. I love having them around but their energy levels just go 24/7 and mine can't keep up, not to mention the sibling rivalry which is always such a treat, (not) to be refereeing all holidays long. Oh well they are all happily back at school and I am happily back into some sort of routine where I can plan my days without 1 million interuptions for about the next 10 weeks until its holidays again.

Onto website info: Yesterday when I checked my emails the lovely Julie who was our guest designer for September sent me some gorgeous photos on one last project she completed with the kit. The album was hers but she has decorated the inside of the album with contents from our Tropical Sunset Kit. Very stunning take a look. This kit is still available in store click here to view.

How divine is that and Julie takes such bright and clear photos as well. Thanks Julie for being our Guest Designer for September. To view this and other gallery images for this kit click here.

I have had lots of inspiring ideas swirling around my head for the website, so there will be some changes and additions coming soon. I am having lots of requests for Christmas Stock and I hear it all and as soon as my deliveries arrive I will start loading a Christmas Dept on Site. I will send an email to all the subsribers to notify you so if you would like to be the first know be sure to subsribe to the site. You can do that here. Once again I welcome customer requests and ideas so feel free to email me at pontikis@netspace.net.au. If you are looking for something in particular I am happy to hunt around and find it for you. I am off to knock a few things off my to do list. Enjoy the week! Anna.

Happy World Cardmaking Day - Celebration Offer

To celebrate World Cardmaking Day, here is the release of our October Card Making Kit. For today only this kit is reduced. So get yourself over to the site and purchase yourself one. Kits will be shipped at the end of the week. Click Here to view & Purchase. Full of gorgeous ideas and techniques, like a take away class, you will love making up these funky birthday cards. You can never have enough of those.

Smarty Birthday Card Kit

by Belinda Sterns

Enjoy the rest of World Cardmaking Day and I hope you get the chance to make some cards!!

Live, Create, Inspire Anna.

Glitz & Glamour - October Scrapbooking Kit - Featuring Glitz Design

Glitz & Glamour

October Main Scrapbooking Kit

October Kit is now on site, filled with lots of gorgeous products from Glitz Design. Stunning papers, rub ons, stickers, roller stamp and bling. To view contents of this kit and purchase click here.

Back with more tomorrow. Anna

Its Glitzy, Its Glamorous and oh so chic - Koko Vanilla Designs October kit Coming Soon

Don't miss next months kit, you will just love it. For all those glamous photos this is just the kit for you. Here are some sneaky peaks........ enjoy the eye candy!! Kit will be for sale on the 1st October. Subscribe to our mailing list to receive a $5 gift voucher to spend on your first order.

Back with more soon. Live, Create, Inspire Anna