Sweet Baby Boy

A beautiful friend and work colleague is due to have her first child at the end of January. Her due date is 2 February but I've got my fingers and toes crossed for her lovely bundle to arrive on 31 January (and, there's no guessing why).  


We held a baby shower for her (and her hubby) before she left and this was the card I made which I've cased from Juliette Chapman - a lovely friend and talented demonstrator from Australia. 

Stamp Set:  Curly Cute, Baby Tees Jumbo Wheel

Card Stock: Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Bashful Blue

Ink: Black Staz On, Daffodil Delight, Bashful Blue, Lime Limeade and Real Red Stampin' Marker 

Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot, White Baker's Twine, Brights Water Colour Crayons. 

Happy 18th Birthday!!

My eldest daughter Nicole turned 18 years old on the 17 December!  It's so hard to believe and it feels like it was only yesterday that she was a baby in my arms.  She had a party the Thursday before, which was a huge success.  I was even allowed (actually DD18, insisted) that I invite some friends of my own (probably so I wouldn't cramp her style).  It worked out well, because Thursday was my last day at work and although I wasn't able to make the staff function that afternoon, it was a nice way to finish for the year and I was finally able to relax. 

The relaxation part was short lived though... believe me.  I then had to clean up, pack up, shop, wrap up and do all those other millions of things that had to be done so we were able to head down to Palmerston North, which is where we are for the next wee while.  I've scheduled this post to happen while I was away because I'm not likely to go onto the computer much in that time.   

I mainly used my Big Shot for this card.  It's a Scallop Circle easel card and one that I'd been wanting to make for a while.  I'm glad I finally did and for such a worthy occasion too.     

Stamp Set: Sincere Salutations
Card Stock: Pool Party, Lime Limeade, Whisper White
Ink: Pool Party, Lime Limeade
Accessories: Big Shot, Medium Sizzlits Dies, Scallop Circle Bigz Die, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Dies, Silver Glimmer Paper, Stampin' Glass Silver Glitter, 

Petite Pocket Mini Album

Isn't this just adorable!!  I loved it as soon as I saw it on Julie Davison's blog and couldn't wait to make one myself.  Pop over to have a look because Julie has some awesome tutorials and they're all free, so that's gotta be a good thing!


The little key on my mini album isn't a Stampin' Up! trinket.  I acquired it a long time ago and can't recall when or where from. 

And, here are those little page inserts that you can embellish with photo's or journaling.   Isn't it just too cute!!

Stamp Set: Creative Elements
Card Stock: Blushing Bride, Soft Suede, Confetti White
Ink: Blushing Bride, Soft Suede
Accessories: Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, 1" Square Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Crop-a-Dile, Petite Pocket Die (Big Shot), Rhinestone Jewel Accents, Key (not Stampin' Up!), Silver Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals.


There's only one sleep left until Christmas Day!  I'm a little bit excited and love this time of the year.  It may get crazy busy, but I thrive on it.  The best part is being able to spend it with my daughters and family. I don't know how much longer before my girls will be off doing their own thing, so I'm thankful that I've got them for another year.   


I wanted take this opportunity to wish each of you, a wonderful Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.  May 2012 bring you much love, laughter and happiness to you and your loved ones. 

No Internet...

I haven't had any Internet since last Thursday.  I am, as of ten minutes ago on "dial up" and it is doing my head in already!!  I've currently got over 150 emails coming which will be a long slow process.  I've had bills to pay, emails to answer, a newsletter that I wanted to send out (it might have to be a New Years one now...) and loads of other things to do - which have all had to be put on hold.  Fortunately, I'd scheduled a few posts over the last week, so you've not missed out.  Maybe my subconscious knew something??

There is a very big mystery about my broadband connection (or should I say, lack of it) and it is as though I've been hacked. But my provider assures me that it wouldn't have been possible.  (Between you and me, I'm not convinced...). Anyway, my service was stopped because I had "apparently" signed up with another provider.  They couldn't tell me who the provider was and only had a reference number to go by.  I then, have to ring all these other providers (there are a tonne of them too!!) to find out who I am now with because they haven't actually started up my new connection, and to cancel them and go back to my original provider.  Does that make any sense?  This has all been done without my permission.  Apparently, it is a breach of privacy and they would have had to know many things about me for this to happen.  I must have spent over 7 hours on the telephone since last Thursday trying to rectify it.  It's still not sorted yet, but at least I have dial up and I am very grateful for that.  It has really hit home how much I rely on the Internet nowadays.  A bit scary really. I still have to get to the bottom of it, but I will be able to do so, once I'm down in Palmerston North and have some time to do so.  

I thought you might also like to see the lovely Christmas card that I received from my friend (and a fellow demonstrator) Sally.  This photo doesn't do it justice - it's so much nicer in real life.  Thanks Sally - I love it!

Spice Cake

No, I'm not talking about anything that you can eat - but I am talking about the lovely new Designer Paper in the Summer Mini.  I think it must be my absolute favourite at the moment and I surprised even myself, by cutting into it as soon as I got it. Usually I just like to look at it and can't bare to cut it up.  Sad aren't I!  Can anyone out there relate to what I'm saying??  

Stamp Set: You Are Loved (stamped in the background with Versamark), Tiny Tags
Card Stock: Soft Suede, Island Indigo, Lime Limeade
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Spice Cake Designer paper, Postage Stamp Punch, Linen Thread, Naturals Designer Buttons, Chantilly Crochet Trim, Jewellery Tag Punch. 


How's your Christmas preparations going?  I really can't believe that this time next week - it'll all be over and we'll be counting down the days until the New Year.  


Oops, I nearly forgot. I've cased this card from Catherine Pooler - she's got an awesome array of lovely projects on her blog. 

Flower Garden

This is the new Textured Impression Embossing Folder available in the Summer Mini cattie.  It's been very popular over in the States so I was quite keen to have a play with mine when it arrived a few weeks ago. 


This is a very easy technique and has Marina Mist and Certainly Celery ink, roughly sponged around the embossed areas.  If I didn't know better, I would think that it was chalk, because it looks all soft and powdery, but trust me, I definitely used ink.  

Stamp Set: Sincere Salutations
Card Stock: Whisper White, Marina Mist
Ink: Marina Mist, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Marina Mist Scallop Dots Ribbon, Large Oval Punch, Sponge Daubers. 


I've only got a 1/2 day left of school after today. Yeehaa!!  Happy hump day to you all! 

The Open Sea

Do you recognise this card?  It's a case of one of the cards in the Summer Mini (page 18), except I've used a different message because my tags are bigger and their message wouldn't have fit. There are some really cool stamps in this set and it would also make some great scrapbook layouts.  This card was a little bit fiddly to make with the fussy cutting, but I think it was worth the effort.  

Stamp Set: The Open Sea, Sincere Salutations
Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Accessories: Early Espresso Baker's Twine, 3/4" Circle Punch, Metallic Brads.  

Fabulous Florets

This was the stamp set that I won at our Demonstrator's Fun Day back in August.  Aren't I the lucky one!!  I can't believe that I've taken this long to use it.  Anyway, my friend Sally (and fellow demo) and I made some swaps for each other, so we would have a few different items to show at our Summer Mini Catalogue launch this past weekend.  


This was one of the swaps I made, using the retired lunch sacks which is an ideal size to decorate - not too big (that would cost a lot to fill) but not too small either.  Fabulous Florets can either be coloured in (there's an open flower) or just stamped using ink as I've done with the solid image below.  I've used the kiss technique for the flower (not sure if that's the correct technical term??).  I've inked it up with Peach Parfait first and then tapped the edges onto Rose Red ink to give it more colour.  The flap is secured with a bit of Velcro.  Too easy!

And, here's the side view:

Stamp Set: Fabulous Florets
Card Stock: Peach Parfait, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink: Old Olive, Peach Parfait, Rose Red
Designer Paper: In Colour Designer Pack
Accessories: Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Basic Pearl, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch. 

December Frenzy!!

There are lots of things happening this month - not only has the Summer Mini Catalogue gone live as of yesterday, but Stampin' Up! has given us an early Christmas present by giving up to 50% off selected stamp sets and accessories.  You'll have to be quick because these specials are limited, so best to order it early so you don't miss out. 

Click Here to see the list of Specials. 

Check out the Summer mini here or come along to my catalogue launch on Sunday.  There are still 2 spots left for the first session at 12-2pm.  Contact me here for more information. 


I'm doing the happy dance because it's Friday - are you?  Have a great weekend and I hope to see you soon. 

Winter Post

This is the card that my friend and fellow demonstrator Sally taught at our last Team event, a few weeks back {quite a few weeks ago now..}.  I love the Vintage look and it's just a little bit fancy being a Twisted Easel card too.  

And here's the side view~

Stamp Set: Winter Post, Kindness Matters, Snow Swirled
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Ridinghood Red, Early Expresso
Ink: Ridinghood Red, Early Expresso, Early Expresso
Accessories: Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Metallic Brads, 3/8" Ridinghood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch, Matt Pack, Paper Piercer, Distressing Tool, Sponge. 

Only Two Days Left!

There are just a few days left of our Big Shot Promotion!  Grab some of those dies on your wish list and receive 10% off.  You must contact me before Wednesday 30 November!  And if the Big Shot has been on your wish list for Christmas, now is a great time to pick it up to get the 10% off bundle  which includes the Scallop Heart Embosslits and the Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder.  

Place your order here.  

Masculine Gift Card Holder

Here's some masculine and Christmas themed gift card holders that I whipped up during the week.  Change the message and they're perfect for Christmas, birthday or wedding so the recipient can select what they really want. 

Stamp Set: Trendy Trees
Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White
Ink: Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Oval Scallop punch, Oval Punch, Crop-a-Dile, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelet (retired), Hemp Twine

Stamp Set: Holiday Lineup
Card Stock: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Black Staz On
Accessories: Brights Water Colour Crayons, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Silver Brads, Two Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.


Have you got much planned for the weekend?  I'm busy making samples for my Summer Mini Catalogue Launch next Sunday.  Email me here if you're interested in coming along.  More details and timings are on the left of my blog :)  

Nature's Nest

Here's another card using the feather from Nature's Nest Stamp Set.  I love the feather in this set and have coloured it using Stampin' Markers.  I thought I could get away with it being a "gender neutral" card, but I forgot the minor details of the pearls and don't know many men who would appreciate them - lol. 

Stamp Set: Natures Nest
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede
Ink: Pacific Point Stampin' Marker, Pool Party Stampin' Marker, Soft Suede Stampin' Marker
Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, Linen Thread, Basic Pearls, Spritzer Tool. 


I had a lovely time catching up with my girlfriend yesterday {waving at you Rhonda}.  Don't you love it when you can pick up where you left off, even if you've not seen each other for many months or sometimes years?  


I hope your weekend was a good as mine and have a happy week ahead. 

A Note of Thanks

These are the little note cards that I put in with my customer orders this week.  Another cute and simple idea cased from Crafting Clare in the UK.  

Stamp Set: Strength and Hope, Thank You Kindly
Card Stock: Early Expresso, Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette
Ink: Early Expresso
Accessories: Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Boho Blossoms Punch, Basic Pearls.


I'm catching up with an good friend today who is visiting from Turkey. We've known each other since we were in our early 20's and use to work together in Wellington.  She's an avid crafter too - so I'll be bringing out some of my toys and we're having a play date.  That is, so long as we can stop talking long enough to actually play ;) 

More French Foliage

I don't know what it is - but I tend to dig out a stamp set that I've not used for ages and then, I can't seem to put it down. Such is the case with French Foliage.  Here are two cards that I've cased from Sue Madex, a talented demonstrator from Australia. These are both clean and simple and didn't take very long at all to make. 

This one doesn't have a message on the front, so will be ideal to keep in my emergency stash :)

Stamp Set: French Foliage, Fabulous Phrases
Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch.


Happy Friday everyone!  Have a fabulous weekend and I'll see you again soon.  

Thinking of You

I have had to make two bereavement cards this past week. And, like most people, they're not my favourite kind of card to make although sometimes making the card is the easy bit.  The difficult part, is finding the words to express the sympathy I feel for the recipients and this was no exception.  


This is a case from Lee Conrey who is a demonstrator from Florida, in the USA. It uses the Nature Walk stamp set and I love the simplicity of it.  


I've used the Scallop Square Duo with my trusty Big Shot and as you know, the Scallop Squares don't come in this size.  To get the size I needed, I matched up the scallops and ran it through the Big Shot a few times, until I got the right size. It took a couple of attempts because I hadn't done it before, but now I'm quite the expert ;) Give it a go and you'll see just how easy it is. The Scallop Square Duo Bigz Die has 10% off till the 30 November, so you pay just $43.65 for the two sizes - but follow my instructions and you really get loads of different sizes.  How good is that!!  Email me here if you'd like to order one.

Stamp: Nature Walk, Curly Cute
Card Stock: Whisper White, Baja Breeze
Ink: Baja Breeze
Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Square Duo Bigz Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon, Old Olive and Baja Breeze Stampin' Marker pens.

French Foliage

This card is yet another CASE (copy and share everything) - because truth be known, that's my speciality.  I would love to have time to create all my cards from scratch, but that's not to be, for the time being. Some people get hung up about it, but not me - I'm shameless and am just pleased that I have time to do what I can, when I can.  


This card uses French Foliage and is very Autumny {of course that's a word } to match our changeable weather we've been having lately. Whatever has happened to Spring?  I'm loving River Rock (first time ever I've used this colour) mounted on Soft Suede and have cased this card from Cindy Hall a demonstrator from the USA. My card looks very different because she's used the Gently Falling stamp set, which we don't have, so I've substituted it with French Foliage. Once again, I think this would be suitable for either a male or female. 

Stamp Set: French Foliage, Sincere Salutations
Cardstock: Soft Suede, River Rock, Very Vanilla
Ink: Versamark, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Soft Suede
Accessories: Gold Brads, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, Sponges, Spritzer Tool, Soft Suede Stampin' Marker. 

It's the 11th day of the 11th month in 2011 today and not only is it Armistice Day (also known as Veteran's Day), but it would also have been my dad's birthday.  Sadly, he passed away 8 years ago - RIP Dad. We miss you heaps xxx
Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by! 

Nature's Nest

I've had loads of friends and family with birthdays recently (yes, I'm surrounded in Scorpios) and so, have been head down making cards. Some, I've used from my emergency stash because there hasn't been enough hours in the day to make everyone a card from scratch.  I've probably blogged them already, so won't bore you with a repeat.  I have made a few however, which I've enjoyed doing.  I don't know about you, but the Christmas silly season hasn't even started yet and I'm already finding that I've got less time, than ever before. Is it the same for you?

I'm not sure will be the recipient of this card yet but it is suitable for either a male or female.  I've cased it from a demonstrator I found while blog hopping one day - Crafty Clare in the UK.  I loved the colours she'd used although some of them have retired, so I substituted them for current colours, which I reckon work pretty well together. 

Stamp Set: Nature Nest, Sincere Salutations, Season of Joy, En Francais

Cardstock: Pacific Point, Whisper White

Ink: Pacific Point, Island Indigo, Marina Mist

Accessories: Linen Thread, Corner Punch, Button from Designer Brights pack.

It's hump day today which means only two days till the weekend - yay!!  

Punch Pals

Happy Monday everyone!  How was your weekend?  Mine was a bit longer (gotta love that!) because I took today off work to go to my daughter's final prize giving. She's just completed her Year 13 (was actually only here for half of it because was in the States on a student exchange for the first half),  has three exams over the next few weeks and then, that's it - she'll be off venturing into the big wide world.  She's not 100% sure what she wants to do next year yet, but has applied to Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to do a Communications degree or may take a gap year to visit her friends in the USA for their graduation next May/June.  At this stage, it looks like the latter is the preferably option.  


I had a lovely class yesterday making Christmas Gifts. We made three projects altogether including a Bottle Tag Card (thanks to Michelle Cave - for the inspiration), a decorated Insect Frame (thanks to Ann Wills who taught us this at a training day a few months back) and this adorable little Tic Tac holder - which is a case from a case.  I cased it from Sally Williams and she cased it from someone else in blog land.


Isn't the little snowman adorable!  This is quick and simple, and literally took minutes to make. Ideal for a little stocking filler or to make to sell at Christmas Gala's.  

Here's how to make it:

• The dimensions for the Cherry Cobbler (CC) measures: 10.5cm x 7cm scored at 4.5cm and 6cm. 
• The Whisper White (WW) piece is: 5cm by 7cm. 
• The piece of CC has all four corners removed (using the Corner Punch) and the two outer corners of the Whisper White.  
• Use the Stamp-a-Ma-Jig to stamp the Snowman on the Whisper White with Black Stazon, then punch out his tummy using the 3/4" punch.  Use the punch upside down so you can view exactly where you need to punch.  
• Place the white piece on top of the CC and draw around the circle in pencil, so you get  exact placement to punch out the circle from the Cherry Cobbler. If you're only making 1-2, you could probably get away with punching the two pieces of card together, but I want my punches to last, so decided to punch the two pieces individually to ensure longevity. 
• Colour in the Snowman (I used the marker pens directly onto the card because when I used a blender pen, the paper started to pill, which is what you don't want).  
• Fold and crease the CC card and wrap a length of 1/8" Black Taffeta ribbon (approx 30cm) around it.  
• Adhere the WW stamped piece onto the front of it, ensuring the ribbon underneath is lying flat. Viola!!  Easy peasy.  
• Any questions, or if you want to order any of these products, please contact me HERE. 

Stamp Set: Punch Pals
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Black Stazon, Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, Real Red, Old Olive Stampin' Markers
Accessories: 3/4" Circle Punch, Corner Punch, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon.


Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you again soon. 

Stampin' Up! November Promotion

November is here and, with it, an exciting promotion, to die for!

Big Shot Promotion
During November, get 10% off select Big Shot Dies or a Big Shot Bundle containing the Big Shot die-cutting machine and two preselected Big Shot dies. 


Click here for more information and to see which select dies have 10% off. 

Stitched Stocking Set

We had a fabulous day on Saturday, at our annual WOW PaperKRafters Christmas Team event.  This was the project that I demonstrated, using the new Stitched Stocking stamp set and coordinating punch.  I cased it from the wonderfully talented Lisa Young, a demo from the USA.  It's a little bit hard to see but the box has the silver metallic belly band around it and holds the four cards and mini envelopes.  I've embossed the lid of the box using the Petals-a-Plenty textured embossing folder which I thought could pass as little poinsettia's.  It makes a simple and cute Christmas gift.  

Stamp Set: Stitched Stockings, Pennant Parade, Short and Sweet, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card Stock: Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White, Silver Metallic
Ink: Old Olive, Real Red
Accessories:  Stocking Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch, 1/8" Real Red Taffeta Ribbon, Linen Thread, Rhinestones, Mini Square Envelopes, Big Shot, Petals-a-Plenty, Perfect Polka Dots, Stripes and Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folders. 

Beautiful Season

This was one of the cards we made at the Christmas card class held last week.  It's clean and simple and doesn't take long at all, to whip up.  We coloured the image using blender pens and ink pads but any of the colouring tools that Stampin' Up! has, would work just as well. 

Stamp Set: Beautiful Season
Card Stock: Very Vanilla
Ink: Black Staz On, Old Olive, Real Red, River Rock, Basic Grey
Accessories: Real Red Satin Ribbon, Blender Pen, Dimensionals


I'm away for the next few days down to Palmerston North, which I'm really looking forward to. My daughter is waiting patiently in the car as I write this, to take me to the airport. I'll be watching the finals of the Rugby World Cup with my mother, who is an avid rugby supporter.  She always makes me laugh with her enthusiasm for the game and I'm sure this weekend will be no exception.  I think we're all going to be on the edge of our seats when the All Blacks take on France come Sunday night....  


Have a good one!