Happy Birthday Gorgeous

This was the card I sent to my very special upline Jacque Williams for her birthday earlier in the week. It was a fun card to make and it will also be one of the cards we'll be making later on in class.

Stamp: Happy Birthday Gorgeous
Card: Whisper White, Berry Burst, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black, Berry Burst, Basic Grey
Accessories: Berry Burst Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon, Striped Ribbon (Holiday Catalogue), Rhinestone Basic Jewels
Tools: Pretty Label Punch, Blender Pen

I hope you had a very happy birthday Jacque and were spoilt by your friends and family :-)

Another year older...

and a year wiser... A good friend and work colleague celebrated her birthday on Sunday. I dropped this card into her letterbox, late Saturday night because I knew that she was out and about early on her special day. I hope you had a wonderful day Tammie.

I've cased this card from a blog I found while blog hopping one day, but I'm sorry I can't remember who. If it was you, please come forward and make yourself known, so I can give you the credit you deserve.

You can't really see in the photo but I've twisted the ribbon around while attaching it to the sticky strip underneath. I've seen this on lots of projects and is something I've wanted to try for a while. I quite like the end result.

Stamp Set: Nature Walk
Cardstock: River Rock, Very Vanilla, Early Expresso
Ink: Early Expresso, River Rock, Ridinghood Red, Regal Rose
Accessories: Early Expresso Satin Ribbon, Distressing Tool (Cutter Kit), Blender pen.

It's a stunning day here in Auckland today which is a vast contrast to the cold and windy day we had yesterday. 

Talk to you again soon :)

Happy Birthday Baby!

My baby girl celebrated her 15th birthday on Wednesday which is unbelievable!  Where did that time go?  It only seemed like yesterday that she was born...{sigh}.

Bridgette is sporty and outgoing but she still loves all things girly including make up, jewellery and clothes. I was really stuck on what to make her until I came across this beautiful card from Teneale Williams. Teneale has a clean and elegant style which I love. I would have liked to have added a bit of vintage but with time restrictions, I ended up keeping it exactly the same. Why change something so gorgeous?  Bridgette loved her card - so, mission accomplished.

And, here's the inside...

Stamp Set: Butterfly Prints, Flight of the Butterfly, Upsy Daisy
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Fine Supernova Pink Glitter, Basic Pearls, Sticky Strip, Extra Large Butterfly Punch, Corner Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Circles #2 Originals Die, Dimensionals.

TGIF and the school holidays :)

Take a Walk on the Wild Side..

Well, not quite the wild side but a nature walk... I wanted to update my display board and show off some new products from the Autumn/Winter mini catalogue so went blog hopping, and found this lovely card from Jennifer Weide which I have cased. It uses four new products including my fave Nature Walk stamp set and coordinating designer paper, a beveled windowpane and the new framed tulips embossing folder. Check out Jennifer's blog - she's certainly got it going on and has lots of inspiring projects.

Stamp set: Nature Walk, Occasional Greetings
Cardstock: So Saffron, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Designer Paper: Botanical Gazette
Ink: Old Olive
Accessories: Beveled Windowpane, Antique Brads, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder.

Happy hump day everyone :)

Another Year Wiser...

It was my good friend (and wonderful upline) Karen's birthday last week. This was the card that I made using Nature Walk (I told you I was going to get a lot of use out of it). I've inked up a clear block (size D) with Crumb Cake ink to create the background and am quite happy with how it turned out, especially when it was another late night creation.

Stamp Set: Nature Walk, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla
Ink: Old Olive, Marina Mist, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Victoria Crochet Trim, Vintage Trinkets, Jewellery Tag Punch, Spiral Border Punch, Antique Brads, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Linen Thread.

I hope you're having a great week.

Counting down...

Only 3 days left until the Summer mini retires and Sale-a-bration (SAB)finishes... There are so many fabulous stamp sets and goodies in the Summer Mini catalogue that I'm sure going to miss. They retire on 31st March although some may make it to the new catalogue (due to be released on 1st Sep) but we don't know which ones, that'll be. I also think that the FREE stamp sets on offer with Sale-a-bration are the best ever. They will no longer be available after the 31st March either, so if you were wanting to get your FREE set, best you order today. You don't want to miss out.

I was inspired by the wonderfully talented Australian demonstrator Jayne Mercer to make this card. There is no such thing as too much bliss...

Stamp sets: Bliss, Well Scripted
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Natural Ivory, Early Expresso
Ink: Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Early Expresso
Accessories: Distressing Tool (Cutter Kit), Chantilly Crochet Trim, Vintage brad.

Ciao for now x

Another Birthday Bash

Another fellow Aquarian celebrated her birthday recently - my good friend (and fellow demonstrator) Sally.  Sally and I are in Rotorua as you read this, for the inaugural demonstrators Stamp Camp. And, I don't doubt that we're having loads of fun. Fortunately, I was able to schedule this post (I like to stagger my posts throughout the week) so you'd have something to look at while I'm away.

This is Sally's card which I think is a bit dark.  In hindsight, I should have used a lighter and brighter piece of designer paper, but I've had a pretty manic week (and 8 birthdays in 10 days to boot), so didn't have a lot of time to mull over it.  

Stamp Set: Baroque Motifs, Sincere Salutations
Cardstock: Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White
Designer Paper: Love Letter
Accesories: Old Olive 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brads, Basic Pearls, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch.

Pop back in a few days so you can see the goodies from Stamp Camp.
 

Beautiful Birthday cards

I had a super duper day yesterday as it was my birthday. I'm not going to reveal how old I turned (I'm in age denial), but I am happy to reveal two lovely cards that I received. I think you'll agree that they are both stunning. The first one is from my good friend (and fellow demonstrator) Judy.  She has used the stamp set Growing Green. I love the fabulous colouring and bling!

The second beautiful card was made by my lovely friend Sally.  She has used a new set from the Summer mini catalogue Easter Blossoms. Isn't it gorgeous! 

I've got the back to school panic on now and have yet to hem my daughter's school skirt and buy her stationery. I've a good reason about the skirt though, because there is a 10cm difference in where DD14 wants her hemline and where I want it... and besides that, I swear she's getting taller as we speak, so then I'll need to lower it again by the end of the week, at this rate.  Wish me luck :)

Beautiful Wings..

This was the swap I came up with for our WOW PaperKRafters Christmas party. I was more than happy with the end result especially since it was well after midnight before I'd even started them. As you can imagine, it was a very late (or early morning) finish which most people might struggle with. Luckily, I'm a night owl and don't have a problem staying up until the wee small hours. The hardest time for me to stay awake is between 3.30-5pm and if I had my way, I'd have nana nap every afternoon. Although, I prefer calling it a power nap. Yep, I know what you're thinking - I'm weird....lol. 

Stamp sets: Sincere Salutations,Itty Bitty Bits
DSP: Summer Garden
Cardstock: Whisper White, Poppy Parade
Ink: Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait
Accessories: Peach Parade 1/2" Stitched Poly Cotton Ribbon, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Punch Pack, Crystal Effects, Scallop Edge Punch, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals.

Yay, it's Friday...have a great weekend everyone!

Best Wishes and More

I've been going through my stash of cards lately and finding all kinds of goodies that I've never posted. Here's another swap that I received at Regional Training last year featuring a retiring stamp set - Best Wishes and More. This set has 50% off the normal retail price and is only $28.48 for 9 stamps until 31 Aug or while stocks last.  The stamps are a mixture of images and messages too - so perfect for lots of occasions!

This gorgeous card was made by the very talented Rachael Knight. 

Stamps: Best Wishes and More
Cardstock: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Ridinghood Red, Whisper White
DSP: Washington Apple
Ink: Old Olive, Ridinghood Red, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie
Punches: Scallop Circle, Scallop Edge, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle
Accessories: Mat Pack and piercing tool, Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon

Spinners delight...

Spinner cards are fun for all ages and this is one of the cards we made at the Spinner class a week or so back. We used the Dreams du jour stamp set teamed with Bella Rose designer paper and my circle scissors to cut the circles out.  It was the first time that I used the circle scissors (smack my hand) and I couldn't believe how easy it was to use with such precise results. 

Bugs and Kisses Sweet Treats..

As mentioned earlier, we held our second WOW team event in the weekend, which was very successful.  The talented Janine taught this cute sweet treat card.  Don't you just love the colour coordination with all the worms!  So long as I can keep this card hidden from my daughters (they looove sour worms), it should remain intact...

 

Stamp set: Bugs and Kisses, See You Around Wheel
Ink: Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose, Yoyo Yellow
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Green Galore
Markers: Pixie Pink, Summer Sun, Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain ribbon, Sweet Treats cup, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Large and Small Tag punch, Scallop Edge punch, Blender pen.

Elegant Birthday Card

Usually when I make a card I have someone specifically in mind ~ but today I was inspired by Dawn when I was blog hopping to make this with nobody in mind.  I have got another spate of birthdays coming up starting on the 23 January, so I'm sure to use it. I've changed my card a bit and used the Always in Bloom wheel stamped in mellow moss. The ribbon is mellow moss taffeta and the cardstock is Very Vanilla. The message is from the Sincere Salutations stamp set punched out with the oval punch and the scallop oval, which we are so lucky to still have available to us. Without a word of a lie, this card took less than 10 minutes to make. I wouldn't have been able to drive to a bookshop to buy a card in that time. And, that is just another reason why I make my own.