Sympathy Cards

By | May 7, 2012
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Hi there

Over the weekend I had to make two sympathy cards for people at work – they are not the easiest of cards to create but I was pleased with both of them.  I needed one feminine & one masculine one.

For this one I used markers straight onto the stamp

and for this one I inked the image then used my watercolour crayons to add the colour.  I love how the colouring turned out.
Supplies:
Stamp – Thoughts & Prayers
Card Stock – Soft Suede, Regal Rose, Very Vanilla
DSP – Spice Cake
Other – Soft Suede & Regal Rose Markers, Regal Rose Taffeta Ribbon
Stamp – Lovely as a Tree, Thoughts & Prayers
Card Stock – Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Pear Pizzaz, Very Vanilla
DSP – Spice Cake
Other – Chocolate Chip Ink, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Certainly Celery Watercolour Crayons
Well I’m off to work now – have a great week.
Paula

Stampin Fun & Friends Colour Challenge

By | May 3, 2012
1 Comment

Hi there

As promised here is the card I made for the colour challenge over at Stampin Fun & Friends.

I have cased this from the very talented Heather Summers – isn’t it a cool layout.  It was so quick to make.  Check out her blog for the instructions.  Thanks Heather for sharing this with us.
I was glad to have a quick card to make as I had a very frustrating evening with my computer!  I have just got a new computer and when I went to ‘tutu’ my card realised I didn’t have Photoshop loaded.  After loading it on I had to remember how to recreate my signature as I couldn’t find the original one on my old computer.  An hour or more later …. this card was ready to blog by which time I’d had enough hence it’s up now during my lunch break.  I think I have finally got everything transferred that needs to be and I can gain my craft space back on my desk (For the last few days I’ve had two laptops occupying the space).
Supplies:
Card Stock – Whisper White, Concord Crush
DSP – Beyond the Garden, Cheerful Treat
Other – Butterfly Punch, Daffodil Delight Grosgrain & Taffeta Ribbon, Rhinestones
The weather here has got cooler but I still refuse to get the winter boots out just yet.
Paula

Crafters Anonymous

By | May 2, 2012
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Hi there

Crafters Anonymous is an online class and it’s so much fun.  You never know what you will make.  We are given a list of supplies and then follow instructions via a ‘chat’ session.  This week Julia took the class and this is what we made:

It’s called a Sour Cream Container.  This one uses a 5 1/2″ square of Spice Cake DSP.  Last night I also made another two in different sizes – 6 3/4″ square
 and an 8″ square

And here they all are together
They are all filled with various types of chocolate 🙂 ready to give away as a birthday gift to one of the girls at work.
If you would like to join us at Crafters Anonymous drop me a line.

 The latest round of Stampin Fun and Friends has started.  If you’d like to join click here to register.  I’ll be back tomorrow with a card I’ve made for the colour challenge.

Paula

Masculine Birthday Card & Gift

By | April 29, 2012
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Hi there

As promised here are two masculine cards I made this week using the Well Worn DSP.

For the second card I also made a small gift to go with it.  Inside the card was some money to buy a book.  What goes with sitting down and reading a book – a cuppa and something to eat.
I came across the pattern here (under Instruction Sheets then Teabag & Cookie holder) while looking for something else.  Thanks Chiaki for sharing this with us & Debi Pippin for creating it.  It was quick and easy to make and requires only your Simply Scored tool (loving it) and some scissors.  I filled the middle with chocolates but you could put some biscuits in there.
Supplies:
Stamp – Bring on the Cake
Card Stock – Cajun Craze, So Saffron, Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla
DSP – Well Worn
Ink – Early Espresso, Cajun Craze
Water Colour Crayons – Subtles, Neutrals, Regals
Other – Pettite Pennants Builder Punch, White Bakers Twine, Daubers, Chocolate Chip Ribbon  (Tea Bag Holder)
Hope the rest of your Sunday is relaxing.
Paula

Happy Birthday Jean

By | April 28, 2012
3 Comments

Hi there

Yesterday was my MIL’s birthday and here is the card I made her.  It’s another recreation of the card that Kristine taught over at Crafters Anonymous.

This is such a cool card to make (& give) for a gift voucher.  Card & voucher were well received this morning at breakfast.
Supplies:
Stamp – On your Birthday
Card Stock – Pool Party, Confetti White
DSP – Everyday Enchantment
Ink – Soft Suede
Other – Adorning Accents Edgelits Die & Embossing Folder, Dauber, Word Window, Modern Label & 1 3/4″ & 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Envelop Die, Everyday Enchantment Brad
I’ll be back tomorrow with a masculine card & project.
Have a good evening
Paula

NZSU Ribbon Challenge

By | April 25, 2012
1 Comment

Hi there

I have finally got around to making a card for this months challenge over at the NZSU blog.  The challenge was to include ribbon somewhere on your project.  I’d seen a bow ages ago which is made using a brad (here) so thought – now is the time to trial it.  The instructions were really easy to follow and I think I might give it a go with wider ribbon.

I have used the new Adorning Accents Edgelits Die and Embossing Folder from the current Autumn/Winter mini.  Once I had cut the top layer of DSP I ran it through the Embossing Folder close to the edge for more depth.  I have some more cards to show you soon all using the lovely DSP from SAB.  I have been using it sparingly trying to make it last.
Supplies:
Stamp – Fresh Vintage (Retired SAB)
Card Stock – Confetti White
DSP – Everyday Enchantment DSP (Retired SAB)
Ink – Real Red
Other – Pool Party Ribbon, Everyday Enchantment Brads, Adorning Accents Edgetlits Die & Embossing Folder
Well I hope you have all had a lovely ANZAC Day.  This morning we had WWII vintage Harvards flying overhead for quite some time.  It was quite an eerie feeling hearing them and thinking back to what everyone had to live through during the war.
Paula

Team Swaps

By | April 22, 2012
2 Comments

Hi there

Yesterday we had team training at Jacque’s and also did swaps.  Swaps are a great way to get ideas – this time we had to use product from the new Autumn-Winter mini.  For my swap I made a Post It note holder:


the inside

I ended up using 7 things from the new mini – Simply Scored, Twitterpated DSP, Adorning Accents Edgelits Die & Embossing Folder,Mixed Bunch stamp set, Blossom Punch and Cherry Embossing Powder.
The base is 4″ x 7″ scored at 3 1/4″ and 3 3/4″.  I started off with a 3 1/2″ x 2 7/8″ piece of DSP then cut it using the Edgelits die – the smaller piece for the front and the bigger piece for the inside.  I then adhered each piece of DSP to a 3″ x 3 5/8″ piece of card stock.  Using the matching embossing folder place it just above (front) or below (inside) the edge of the DSP (Note to self – make sure the raised part of the folder is on the bottom) then run it through the Big Shot.  Attach the ribbon to the base BEFORE adding the inside pieces 🙂
I stamped the image in Riding Hood Red then using my VersaMark pen coloured in the centre of the flower before adding scented embossing powder.  The scent lasts for ages.  I stamped an image at the beginning of March and it still smells.  To give my flower more depth I adhered it with a dimensional.
We also made altered rubbish bins using baby forumla tins.  You could use all sorts of tins to recreate this project.  Here is my finished bin:
Thanks to Barbara Bicknell for giving these tins to Jacque.
Well have a great week.
Paula

Crafters Annonymous

By | April 19, 2012
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Hi there

Hasn’t the weather been amazing – beautiful crisp sunny days and they say it should be this way until the end of April 🙂

This week over at Crafters Annonymous Kristine McNickle taught an amazing gift card.  I wasn’t able to attend but as a member I still have access to the tutorials.  If you’d like to join Crafters Annonymous or know more about them drop me an email.

This design was perfect as I needed to make an engagement card & gift holder for this Saturday and now I have a project that is an all in one – got to love that.

Card Front:

Card Inside:
And now with the voucher:
I had fun making this card and I’m sure I’ll be making more – thanks Kristine for a great tutorial.
Supplies:
Card Stock – Pool Party, Very Vanilla
DSP – Everyday Enchantment (retired)
Ink – Cajun Craze
Punches – Word Window, Modern Label, Small Heart
Dies – Scallop Envelope, Edgelits Adorning Accents
Other – Pearls
Have a great rest of your week.
Paula

Kangaroo Punch Art

By | April 17, 2012
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Hi there

Well I still haven’t started my swaps yet but last night I made this cute punch art card.

One of the guys in our Sydney office has just got his Australian Permanent Residency so I thought I’d make him a card.  I had helped him get ALL the paperwork together so it was a relief to know it’s been approved.
I got the idea from Dawn Olchefske.  It was a fun card to make and I’m sure the recipient will like it.  He’s coming over tomorrow.
Supplies:
Card Stock – Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green
Punches – Word Window, Wide Oval, Large Oval, 1″ Circle, 5-Petal Flower, Trio Flowers, Heart to Heart
Catch you back soon.
Paula

Try Stampin on Tuesday #61

By | April 16, 2012
3 Comments

Hi there

Well it’s been a few weeks since I felt like doing any challenges and this weeks challenge over at Try Stampin on Tuesday is a good one to come back to.  My good friend Tracey Old and her family visited us on Easter Monday and she showed me her card for this challenge.  I felt inspired so have created my own take plus cased her one (after ordering Well Worn DSP that afternoon!).

Here is my card:

and here is my case of Tracey’s.  Thanks Tracey for your inspiration.

I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to get this DSP – I love it.
Supplies – Card 1:
Stamp – Button Buddies
Card Stock – Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink – Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso
DSP – Everyday Enchantment
Other – Calypso Coral Organdy Ribbon, Everyday Enchantment Printed Designer Brads, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, Pearls, Dazzling Diamonds
Supplies – Card 2:
Stamp – French Foliage, On Your Birthday
Card Stock – Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla
Ink – Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso
DSP – Well Worn
Other – Not Quite Navy Taffeta Ribbon, Hemp Twine, Cajun Craze Button
Well I now need to make a start on my swaps for team training on Saturday.
Catch you soon
Paula

Happy Birthday Dominic

By | April 15, 2012
3 Comments

Hi there

I’ve had a great day today – I’ve made two cards!  which is a big thing considering I haven’t felt like crafting for weeks.  I may even do some more this evening.

Friends of our have three children.  Each child receives a bath towel with a cross-stitched panel on it.  The first got his when he was born, the second got his on his first birthday so last weekend I thought I’d better get my act together as Dominic turns one today.  Here is the towel with the finished panel:

I’m really pleased with how this turned out as it’s the first time I’ve used this pattern.  I changed the colours to more ‘boy’ ones.
I’ve carried the colour theme over to the card which is one I’ve cased from Callena.  When I saw this on her blog I knew I had to recreate it.  Thanks Callena for sharing this.
Supplies:
Stamp – I Dig You
Card Stock – Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Pacific Point, Garden Green, Daffodil Delight, Real Red
Ink – Pacific Point, Garden Green, Real Red
Other – Postage Punch, 3/4″ Circle Punch, Timeless Type Alphabet Die, Dimensionals
I’ll be back soon with the other card I made.
Have a great week.
Paula

Work Birthday Gifts

By | April 12, 2012
1 Comment

Hi there

Wow – I hadn’t realised it was so long since I’d blogged.  I am still feeling tired and don’t seem to have much energy – I wish these iron tablets would kick in.  I did however manage to do some creating over the weekend.

I make all the birthday gifts for staff at work and we have a busy month coming up with 14 of us having birthdays in May.  I thought I’d get a head start on the gifts so made over a dozen in the weekend.  I’ve used a variety of dies to create these projects (I own 19 dies so plenty to choose from!)

You would have thought that after making 100 bunnies using the Candy Wrapper Die I wouldn’t want to see it for awhile but I had fun making extended candy wrappers using acetate sheets.  These hold 5 Ferrero Rochers.  All boxes are filled with either chocolates or lollies.  The staff get to pick which box they want when it’s their birthday.  I have also made 4″ cards using the ‘I Dig You’ stamp set.  They go down a treat with everyone.
Thanks for looking.
Paula

JAI #111

By | April 1, 2012
10 Comments

Hi there

Last night I finally finished my 100 Easter bunnies for work!  I didn’t realise how much work (& time) was involved in putting these together when I saw them on a blog awhile ago.  But I’m sure my work colleagues will enjoy receiving them and that’s what matters.

This is perfect for the challenge over at JAI of ‘just add Easter’.

Here’s a close up of them: 

I saw these when I was ‘googling’ ideas for the Candy Wrapper die.  Check out Tammie’s blog here for instructions.  Thanks Tammie for a great idea.  I was able to use up a lot of my scraps in creating the punch art 🙂  Each box is filled with Easter eggs.
Supplies:
Card Stock – Pretty In Pink, Whisper White, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango
Die – Candy Wrapper Die
Punches – Large Oval, Two Step Bird, Small Oval, 1/2″ Circle, Small Heart
Other – Silver Brads
Now I just have to hide them on everyone’s desk!
Paula

Happy Birthday Deb

By | March 29, 2012
1 Comment

Hi there

Yesterday was my good friend Deb’s birthday.  It was a special birthday as you will see from the cards below.  The first card is the one I gave her and the second is the card I made for her husband to give her.  Deb is also a card maker and her husband Dave knows he can not give her a bought card 🙂  It’s quite funny the tricks we have to get up to so that she doesn’t see the handover!

I cased this card from Julie Davison.  Thanks Julie for sharing the instructions.  It’s such a cool card – the ribbon slides off to allow the flap to open.

 Here is the card Dave gave her:

  Both cards went down a treat.  I am loving Pool Party at the moment – it seems to go with everything.
Supplies:
Stamp – On Your Birthday
Card Stock – Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Calypso Coral
Other – Spice Cake DSP, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/4″ Circle Punch, Timeless Type Alphabet Die
Card Stock – Island Indigo, Very Vanilla, Rich Razzleberry
DSP – Spice Cake DSP, Rich Razzleberry and Baja Breeze Patterned Paper Stack
Other – Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon, 1 3/4″ Scallop Circle Punch, Rich Razzleberry Brad, Timeless Type Alphabet Dies

I have been feeling tired for the last week or so and have found out that I am low in iron.  So now I’m on iron tablets which should help get the energy levels back up.  I have struggled of late to find the motivation to make cards – often sitting at my desk but no inspiration coming.  Hopefully that will change soon.

Have a good day.
Paula

JAI # 110 and sneak peak

By | March 28, 2012
4 Comments

Hi there

This weeks card uses an embossing folder from the new Autumn-Winter mini that will be released on Sunday.  There are so many great new products you won’t want to miss getting a copy.  If you would like one please send me an email.

I will also enter this in for the NZSU challenge I set of using some form of embossing on a project.  Here I have dry embossed with the new heart embossing folder and heat embossed the three hearts and the greeting.
I have changed the orientation of the sketch to accommodate my new embossing folder and the stamp set.  Last week I unfortunately missed the cutoff for JAI so am making sure I’m on time this week!
Supplies:
Stamp – Loads of Love, A Word for You
Card Stock – Basic Black, Real Red, Confetti White
Other – Adorning Accents Embossing Folder, Brights Watercolour Crayons, Blender Pen, Black Embossing Powder
Have a great week.
Paula