Simply Soft Sympathy

I finally found a few minutes to sneak into my craft room to make a card for a dear friend who has recently lost her dear friend. Big hugs to you Lyn x

Stamp Set: Simply Soft (Hostess set), Sincere Salutations
Cardstock: Soft Suede, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla
Ink: Black Staz on, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Blushing Bride Pleated Satin Ribbon (Autumn Winter mini), Basic Pearls
Tools: Big Shot, Adorning Accents Edgelits Die, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. 


How's your week been?  Are you as happy as I am, that tomorrow is Friday?  My brain has been on overload this past week and it's been a bit of a struggle not to curl up and have a nana nap each day when I get home from work. I'm sure I'll get use to it but for the time being, I'm exhausted and am in bed before 10pm each night. For those of you who know me, would know that this is unheard of, because I'm usually such a night owl. 


It's Queen's Birthday this weekend, so we've got Monday off. Yay - bring on a sleep in or two, I say!  Hope you have a good one!

Sympathy Card

Today I am sharing a sympathy card I made. These are the kind of cards we don't like to have to make, but sometimes they are a needed. I've cased this from Wanda Pettijohn who I found while blog surfing. 

Stamp Set: Thoughts and Prayers, Sincere Salutations

Card Stock: Whisper White, Peach Parfait

Designer Paper: In Colour Designer Paper Stack

Ink: Peach Parfait

Accessories: Basic Pearls, Peach Parfait and Old Olive Stampin' Markers

Tools: Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful weekend :) 

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, 

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.  

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!!  

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 :)

Inaugural Stamp Camp

Last weekend was so much fun. The Creative Inkers held their inaugural Stamp Camp weekend in Rotorua. A wonderful time was had by all, with lots of laughs, awesome company, too much delicious food and not alot of sleep... Oh, and of course lots of fabulous projects. Thank you so much to all those who organised it and for the wonderful demonstrations we were treated to.

Here are two of the projects we made - the first one was taught by Paula Dobson. It's a cute little Gable box with a matching card using the Sentimental Journey stamp set. As Paula demonstrated, it's the perfect size for filling with little toiletries. 

The second project I'm showcasing was taught to us by Jacque Pedersen. The card uses the lovely Presto Patterns Specialty papers which are available for a limited time (until 31 March) from the Summer Mini catalogue. It was the first time I'd used these papers and now I'm hooked. They have lovely range of patterns and there are several ways to decorate them. Gorgeous and easy to use. 

And here's a little Valentines treat bag we also made with Jacque.  It certainly has the cute factor and would be suitable for lots of other occasions including little goodie bags for parties. There are sweets in the back, which you can't see (you'll just have to trust me that they are there...).  Contact me HERE if you want to learn how to make any of these inspirational projects.

 I hope your weekend is going well :)

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 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!

You're Invited...

I've had a couple of requests lately for Wedding invitation ideas. This is one sample that one of the recipients has decided to go for. I really love En Francais under the vellum. It gives such an elegant effect. The Bride To Be, is totally new to stamping and cardmaking and she is going to make them herself. That's how easy it is!  So, if you'd like to make your Wedding invitations or any kind of invitations, why don't you contact me so we can get together and I can show you some samples.

Stamp Sets: En Francais, Baroque Motifs, Sincere Salutations
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Black StazOn
Accessories: Black Brads, White Vellum Paper, Paper Piercing Tool, Mat Pack.

12 Weeks today...

Did you realise that there are only 12 weeks today, until the big one? Christmas Day, that is! What a frightening thought. It's a though there is a time thief out there, stealing our time from us. To me, it feels like it should still be somewhere around the middle of the year.

Anyway, in preparation for Christmas - this was another card we made at my class last weekend. Don't you love the simplicity of it?  The colour combo - Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White is very striking. Cherry Cobbler is such a deep, rich colour and reminds me of mulled wine.

And, many thanks to my dear friend and sideline Sally for lending me her stamp set and punch, as mine hadn't arrived in time for the class. Whatever would I do without you?

Stamp Set: Delightful Decorations, Sincere Salutations
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Ornament punch, Clear Rhinestone Brad, Dimensionals

Happy stampin'

 

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.