Happy 60th Birthday to my Dad!

I made this card for my dad this week as it was his birthday on Thursday. The big 60! Unfortunately we were all struck down with colds and were in less than partying moods. But we still took him out for dinner and had yummy cake.

I have used: Chocolate chip, Kraft and old olive and Glossy cardstock

Old olive, always artichoke and chocolate chip markers

'weathered' background, 'lovely as a tree' and 'circle of friendship' stamp sets

designer label, 1" circle and 1 1/4" circle punches

and my new 'crop-o-dile' to create the dry embossed circles.

Thanks for looking.

I will be off line for a couple of days but while I'm gone I thought I would show a piccy my hubby took last month of my beautiful daughter and I at 'our' craft area!

I was working on some swap cards and she was working on whatever she could get her hands on. LOL! Though seriously, she loves craft so we try to do something 'messy' every couple of days at least.

I should be back on track by Saturday! Thanks everyone!

Just a quick congrats...

To the recipient of the pink baby card in my post just down there. After only 12 minutes in hospital and one push, a healthy baby girl was delivered to our friends and neighbours this morning! ( OK, it must have been hard still work but she laboured at home for about four hours before things really started happening!)

Super congratulations guys. We can't wait to see your new baby girl!

A Quick Love Note...

This gorgeous little love note took very little time to make beacause they come already scored with cute little envies to match from stampin' up! They are also a part of this month's promotion so make sure you check in later today for all the details! Super cute and great to have some on hand for those times when you just want to send someone a 'little love'.

A Quiet week on the blog front...

I had great plans for this last week of getting up to date with my blog but fell behind when we all caught colds! Nothing too serious thank goodness and all better now which makes for a much happier household. Nothing worse than a sick hubby and child when all you want to do is curl up in bed.

Anyway, I was able to get a few cards made this week which made it more bearable. So here they are:

The first two were sketch challenges from Split coast stampers which was a lot of fun to try. The 'Celebrate' card, I was trying to do something a bit masculine with DSP and also used some hodgepodge which I love. And the 'welcome' card is for friends of ours who are due any day now and are sure they are having a girl!

If you would like any of the details of these cards please feel free to contact me here and I will post the full list of products used.

More creations as promised...

These are a few more cards I've been making lately. The wild rose card was made for a workshop with Paulette and the girls on Sunday Arvo and they all did beautifully.

The Baroque Motifs card was such a quick and easy card to put together but it is such a stunning set I really don't think you could go wrong when using it. I also jazzed it up with the scallop circle punch and pretties kit- half pearls.

My first 12 x 12" Scrapbooking!

I now know why I am a Cardmaker who scrapbooks! When joining Stampin' Up! My initial reason was to get my scrapbooking up to date. ( Or started for that matter!) But fell in love with cards instead. These pages where my fist real attempt at 12 x 12 layouts and I must admit I am really proud of how they turned out.

My fist goal was to only use Stampin' Up! products, ( and I ended up using quite a few of my favourites in there!) and secondly was to show off my beautiful girl. And yes I am totally biased but she just constantly amazes her dad and I! Hope you like them too.

I'm sorry the photography is a bit ordinary but if you click on the photo's you should see them bigger and clearer.

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope you all had a wonderful day on Sunday either being spoilt by your kids, or spoiling your own mum. I did both and spent a beautiful day on the Central coast with my mum and daughter ( hubby was there as well. Better mention him 'cause he cooked us both breakfast.) And even found time to do some creating as well! Once I've charged the camera batteries some more I'll be able to upload what I've been up to.

My Baby is 2 Today!!

Just a quick one this morning as we are heading off for a day of play and adventure somewhere. We haven't decided yet! By 8am we had already done the presents and breakfast and got into the serious play with new toys. ( Thank goodness we remembered the batteries and have discovered it is much easier when you set it all up the night before and just wrap over the top. Made for much quicker play time and happier child not waiting for boxes to be opened!)

This is the card I made for my princess. If you would like the details please post me a comment or email me and I will fill you in tonight! Have fun xx

Some Cards for Another Team Swap!

I know I'm mad after doing swaps for convention then turning around and doing another but I LOVE an excuse to get creative ( and means Hubby can't say much when I tell him they have to be done or else! The housework can wait! LOL)

It's also a fantastic resource when you are able to participate in team swaps, which this one is and a great place to share ideas. If you would like more info about how you can become a part of my team, please get in contact and I will send you out a DVD and info pack to look through.

These cards were made using the absolutely gorgeous In Colours, River Rock and Purely Pomegranate with some Watercolour paper, Basic Black and Very Vanilla thrown in as well.
I was also able to use my level 1 set: Oh, so lovely- Both large circle punches and the delicious Scallop Punch. Add to that some designer paper in Pomegranate and River Rock Double stitched Ribbon and your done! Hope the girls like them!

Two more to show today!

These cards were also made using mostly new In Colours and new stamp sets. Both of these cards also have some added 'Bling' from the 'Pretties Kit'. They are on their way to two friends of mine ( one is my downline also) whose birthday's are on Wednesday. I hope they like them both.

If you would like more details about either card, please feel free to send me an email or leave a post here and I will post it. Right now I have my gorgeous almost two year old to go play with! Have fun xx

I Love, Love, Love the new In Colours!!

Ok, So you get the idea?? The new In Colour range has really inspired me this last few days now that I have begun to play with all my new things! I have quite a few cards to make this month so I am trying to do one at least every few days.

This first one to show is for my Brother-in-Law's birthday this weekend. It's always hard coming up with ideas for masculine cards so I scoured the 2008-09 Idea book and catalogue for inspiration. I chose a card on page 70 for the layout and then went from there, changing colours and stamp set used.

For this card I used:

Stamps: Touch of Nature, Happy Everything, It's you Birthday

Cardstock/Inks: Close to Cocoa, Choc Chip, River Rock and Blue Bayou.

Accessories: River Rock Double Stitched Ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware slide, Scallop Punch and Circle punches and Paper Piercing Tool.

Did you know??

That Rub-ons are not only for cardstock?? They also work really well on glass, plastic, wood, photo frames, candles and most nonporous surfaces.

I had an extra jar lying around from IKEA so decided to jazz it up a bit using our gorgeous new rub-ons from the "Anchored" set. These come with both a white and black sheet and will give any project that extra flair!

And of course filling the jar with lollies was worth it too!! ( That should read to my hubby... "But honey, we need these lollies for my display ideas!!!)

I also added some of our new Double stitched ribbons in Purely Pomegranate and Groovy Guava Just because I love them! What do you think? Great gift idea?

New Goodies to Play with!!!

I have to apologise for my lack of posting this last couple of weeks, However we have been busy. As some would know we have just returned from the annual Stampin' Up! Convention (this year was in Brisbane) and it was the most exhausting, exciting and exhilarating two days of Stampin' fun and learning. Not to mention chatting and catching up with demos from all over Australia and participating in all kinds of swaps and getting FREE stamp sets as well!! ( Will photograph them later for you to see!)

Anyway, here is a card I made last night using a new set called 'Fun and Fast Notes' and the new In Colour, 'Purely Pomegranate'. I also used the new 'Double stitched Ribbon', rhinestone brad from the 'Pretties Kit' and an old favourite, 'Crystal effects' and 'dazzling diamonds' on the flower head! Hope you like it!

I made this card for my Aunt's Birthday and it is now safely on it's way to her. I must admit I really like the way this one turned out. And I was able to use a bit of 'Bling' from my stash of odds and ends for the Buckle. The second photo show the insert which reads 'Someone like you should be celebrated every day!' If you would like any details about this card please feel free to get in contact.

A cute Easter card...

How sweet is this little card. I received it from one of my downlines, Leah, for Easter. Such a lovely surprise in the mail. She has used the 'Bunny Hugs' stamp set which is only available until the end of the month along with the rest of the Summer mini catty products.

I have also received my New 2008/2009 Idea book and Catalogues. So if you had one pre- ordered then it will be in your hot little hands very soon. If you haven't pre-ordered then there is still time and you will be amongst the first in Australia to see all the gorgeous new goodies we are getting!

A very Happy Easter to everyone!!

Just a quick one, I hope you all have a wonderful few days with your Families and Friends this Easter. Even if the rain has come out to play ( today looks a bit miserable outside).

I made this quick candle for Easter using the Bunny Hugs stamp set from the current mini which is still available till the end of the month. I think it's very cute if I do say so myself! What are you doing this Easter??

Happy Birthday to my Hubby!!

It's Hubby's birthday today so I spent some time with my beautiful girl making this card for her daddy. Ok so she ended up getting into all my ribbons instead but the idea was good to begin with. I used the stamps from one of the Sale-A-Bration sets called 'birthday whimsy' which is sadly no longer available but it came together quite easily.

I dont know about you but I often struggle with masculine cards. I've also used some soft subtle brads and the wide Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon. Colours used are Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa and Almost Amethyst.

One Sheet Wonder Technique...

I made these on Saturday while I had some child free time in the morning. It is such a great way to get started on a stack of cards, all ready just for a sentiment to be stamped on where appropriate. To get you started all you need to do is stamp an A4 sheet of neutral cardstock randomly ( Again I've used Mixed Bouquet) then chop it all up in varying sizes to use how you choose on your card base. To help with ideas there are even templates on Splitcoaststampers!!

The colours I've used are: Regal Rose, Always Artichoke, Rose Red, So Saffron and Confetti White. You can tell I love the Rich Regals!! The only other embellishment used was some silver brads, Stampin' Dimensionals and paper peircing with the mat pack.

If you would like any more info about the One Sheet Wonder or would like to purchase any of these products then please feel free to contact me.

Another crayon resist card...

I'm trying to get the most use out of this stamp set (mixed bouquet) as even though I've not had it long, it is sadly on the retired list. And it really works for this technique. I made this card while showing one of my downlines the technique and although it's not perfect, I still like it!

If you would like to learn this technique at your workshop then all you have to do is contact me to find out how.