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.