A Brand New Blog

Just letting you know that I am more or less moving my blog over to here http://kokovanilladesignsblog.blogspot.com/. I thought about keeping this blog going also but I know I would never get the chance to update both. I will keep the new one updated with a combination of information like has been on Creative Delight as well news on the website. I will keep this blog up for a while until everyone has had a chance to see the change. However make sure you save the new blog address in your favourites. Thanks Anna

KOKO VANILLA DESIGNS - A Brand New Scrapbooking Website

My exciting news!!!

Welcome to my Brand New Scrapbooking Website

Koko Vanilla Designs. On Site you will see some fabulous Scrapbooking Kits, Card Making Kits and Project Kits as well as assorted Papercraft Products and Handcrafted Products. To celebrate the opening of my brand new site here are the specials I am offering!!

For any customer who subscribes to the Koko Vanilla mailing list located on the home page before the end of May they go into the draw to win a free stamp set valued at $30. For any customer who spends $20 or more in store they also get a second entry into the draw. Also until the end of May there are two free gifts customers will receive with the purchase of either the ‘Follow Your Dreams Scrapbooking Kit’ or the ‘Dream Catcher Card Kit.’ These free products are located on the Home Page for viewing and have a combined value of $30 they are Basic Grey – Journal Block Clear Stamps and Jenni Bowlin – Alpha Rubons. Come and Celebrate our new opening and get Inspired to Create!

Below you will find a little sneeky peak but to see the kits in all their fabulous glory and all the other wonderful products available click here Koko Vanilla Store.

This is a sneak peak of our Follow Your Dreams Scrapbooking Kit ot the left and our Dream Catcher Card Kit to the right. Purchase them here.

Any purchases from our site will incur one low flat rate of postage $3.95 within Australia only. . At Koko Vanilla we strive to bring you a stunning selection of beautiful products as well as the newest products released. Customer service and great value is also high on our priority list. We hope you will find all your papercraft requirements on site and will be inspired to create with our gallery and also find beautifully finished handcrafted products to purchase.

Finally a note about my association with Stampin' Up. I have officially resigned from being a demonstrator earlier this week, as their policy is that you cannot sell other products alongside Stampin' Up products. I will miss being a part of their wonderful and supportive network and I want to say thank you to Jo for all her support over the last year and a half. I have learn't many new things and its been great being surrounded by like minded people. If you have been a past customer and are still interested in Stampin Up Products you can address your queries to Jo Eades find her here.

Have a great day! Anna

Being Inspired!! - Part 2

Hi everyone!

Okay I thought I would spread some more linkin lovin to all my readers out there of some of the inspiring blogs I have in my favourites.

A blog that I check nearly every couple of days and one I'm sure you have all come across is Jen Hall's Blog, What I see! Jen is famous for her artistic flair in her scrapbooking. She does the most amazing doodling I have ever seen. I sometimes have to look closely because I find it hard to believe she does it so perfectly, but she does. She is a real natural with a pen or pencil and anything crafty and creative really. Her work is bright, unique and colourful. If you pop on over to her blog at the moment she has generously designed a free doodle sheet for her readers to print out and use on their craft projects. I hope to one day attend one of her classes even though she lives in a different state.

Another blog I also love to check regularly is Kristina Werner's blog. Most Stampin' Up demonstrators would know of her, but for anyone else who hasn't discovered her yet her blog is kwernerdesignblog. I love Kristina firstly because she is just too cute and funny. Also because her cards and creations are unique but I mostly love all the tutorials on her blog especially her MACM ( Make a Card Monday). Every monday Kristina posts a You Tube Video on her blog of her making a card, in fast forward and with music in the background. Now because I am a visual person well this just suits me to a T. Visual tutorials wins me hands down over reading instructions any day. If you get hooked like I did once you see the first video there is a link in her side bar to view other video archives. You will be hooked!!! So make sure the kids are tucked up in bed so you can enjoy them interruption free.

Finally I have some very very exciting news which I will share tomorrow!! Here is just a Sneak Peak, don't forget to check back!!!! Bye Anna

Being Inspired!!

I am always looking around at other blogs and websites for inspiration not just with being creative but even with life and easier ways or even better ways of doing things. So I thought I might share a couple of links here of people that are inspiring me at the moment.

Okay firstly this wonderful lady and her podcasts. I came across this blog a couple of weeks ago after finding her blog mentioned on the blog decor8. Her name is Marisa and her blog is called Creative Thursday. Marisa does the most divine paintings and has an Etsy Shop. I am very inspired by Marisa because she has recorded quite a few podcasts which ring true to anyone who is an artist in whatever medium. You can hear her podcast here and they are always on varied subjects but the same theme resonates throughout which is "being creative and loving the process in whichever form you choose to pursue it." I find when I am listening to one of Marisa's podcasts I am agreeing with what she has said or can relate to it in some way. It's great to know that other artists out there feel the same way I do and that we all doubt ourselves in some way or form and that its natural to ask questions and second guess yourself but to always recognise it as that and keep moving forward onto the next step and always making the time to create even when you don't feel like creating.

Another blog I am inspired by is Lilybean Paperie. Melissa's work is just amazing each time I go onto her blog I am speechless at how beautiful her creations are. Each time I visit whatever it is that she has created that's new is just as stunning if not more so than the last thing she's posted. All her creations are so perfect and detailed with beautifully matched paper and embellishments I am in awe that one person can have so many creative ideas, everything she creates is always different her style can vary each time but its always just beautiful. You can really tell that Melissa is so naturally creative and the process seems to come effortlessly. I hope to be in that place one day where creating becomes effortless from the heart.

Okay I have heaps more links but I will put a couple more in the next post. In the meantime you can check out the ones I have put here and see how it inspires you.

Just to finish I thought I would post a card I made today. The card looks much better in real life the photo doesn't do it justice really. The colours are much brighter. Happy Sunday Night everyone and Hope you are feeling inspired. Anna

Weekly Update and Birthday Wishes

Firstly I must say I cannot believe it is Friday and that I last posted on Sunday. Its like the weeks get chewed up in one big gulp. I have been meaning to post each day and then I get sidetracked. Albeit I haven't really done that much creative stuff that I would have to show anyway. I hope Mother's Day was lovely for all the mums out there.

Okay now I would like to send ((big wishes and birthday hugs)) to my sister-in-law MERI. Happy Birthday Meri from all of us. Hope you have had a fun day!!! If you have a minute pop on over to Meri's blog and send her some Birthday Wishes. Even if she doesn't know you, you can never have too many birthday wishes I say!!

I thought I would sneak the card I made for Meri on here, even though she hasn't seen it yet. Don't you just love the combination of Choc, Mint and White together, makes me feel like eating a Mint Slice LOL.

Okay that's all for today. I will be back with more on the weekend I absolutely promise.

Bye Anna!!

Happy Mother's Day

To all the fabulous Mothers out there or carers, anyone really who maintains a mother figure role I hope you have a wonderful day filled with love and attention just for you. Here is a card I made as a little gesture to wish everyone a joy filled bright day. Love Anna

Just Saying Hi!!!

I have been so busy and haven't had time to post, so I thought I would pop in to say Hi. I haven't really been creating much except little gift tags for our Mother's Day Stall. Still have a fair few to do and hoping to really knuckle down tonight and make heaps. They are great for using up all your scrap bits of paper. My scrap box is totally overflowing that when I went to pull it out from under the desk the box actually ripped. So I guess that's a sign to either use the scraps or give them to the kids or donate them. I just hate wasting even the smallest of scraps because I figure there is always a use for them. Of course leading to the massive accumulation.

Yesterday I taught my daughter Melanie's class at school how to make gift tags. As their topic for the term is (Meet the Maker), the school requested if any parents could come and talk to the kids about how they make something, so of course Melanie and the teacher asked me to come in and show the kids some cards. So given its Mothers Day on the weekend I suggested they all make a gift card as well to go with their purchase from the Mother's Day Stall this week. So I tried to come up with a design that was relatively easy but cute as well. The card above is what I came up with. The kids were able to pick from a flower, butterfly or heart punch. They all loved making their cards and I got some feedback from some of the mums this morning that their kids were being creative last night and making more cards, so that makes it all worth it.

Also I purchased the new set from Stampin' Up called Short and Sweet. Well you all know my love of Warm Words so of course when they released a similar set I just had to purchase them and I am already in love with this set. The 'love you' on the card is from the set. Sorry I know the photo isn't that good but I have just taken it and its night time. I have concluded the only time for taking good photos is in the daytime.

Okay enough stalling I need to get the kids in bed so I can get busy with my little gift tags.

Have a great night. Anna