Christmas cards

Hi Guys,

Hope you haven't fainted at 2 posts in two days, that's if you've even had time to stop at your computer. I need to go and clean but thought I'd do something more fun first.

I was running so behind on cards and thought I wouldn't get any done but last week I sat down in my craft room/study with my box of Christmas stamps, SU's Christmas themed DSPs past & present and my ornament punch (sadly now unavailable) and made approx 40 cards in one day. It was a marathon effort but I so enjoyed it. Creation is so good for the soul. I also sat and wrote in them and sealed most of the envelopes before it dawned on me that I hadn't taken pics. I did then take a few but some of my best cards missed out. Oh well. So here are a few. I won't put the recipes as they are fairly self explanatory, except to say that the gorgeous Lavonne did send some delicious contraband. The US catty had the most beautiful nativity stamp and I just love it. I saw it used with the shimmer mist on lots of Splitcoast pages and had to give it a go. Lavonne also sent some 'Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon'. It is so beautiful, please SU Australia, can we get it over here, pity please!!!

Anyway, here are some cards:

The ornament stamp (currently unavailable) and lovely 'Christmas Cocoa Specialty DSP'. It is flocked, amazing! 

Loved how this holly pattern looked. It and the RR flocked were my favs of the 'Christmas Cocoa' papers.

The shimmer paint is so pretty. I went through more Very Vanilla in one day than in 4 years combined I think. This is from the 'Jolly Holiday' DSP.

A monochromatic style, not my usual thing but I was very happy with the card. Much nicer in IRL. 

Thankfully my family and friends seem to like their cards. Must get a photo of the one I made for Mum and Dad. Always try to make them one that is a little bit more special as they are so good to me.

Must go & face the cleaning :-(

Have a great day,

Love Fi xox

                                    

Birthdays in December

Hi Guys,

I can't believe it's been nearly 3 weeks since I was here.What a crazy busy time of year, not helped by having only 2 days off last week instead of 3 (as I do permanent 10hr night shifts, 2 days off actually only gives one full day not at work).  I have been creating, just not posting (slacker!!!). Not only have I been making Christmas gifts to sell at work (see previous post) but, to add insult to injury, there are also 4 December birthdays amongst my family and friends. I have been making their cards, plus must make 2 today for my brother & SIL who have b'days in January but live in Russia. Phew! It's not surprising, then, that my stamping stuff has been the first thing returned to order post painting.

Anyway, enough of my drivel. How about some cards!

Firstly, here are two that I made for my gorgeous niece who has, unbelievably, just turned 14 this month. She is a beautiful girl, inside & out, and greatly missed (Russia is soooo far away!). You may remember me CASEing Karen's gorgeous 'Aviary' card (see 2nd card here). I loved it so much that I had to CASE it again. Doesn't a change of colours & DSP make a difference? (Forgive the poor photo, had to take quickly before I rushed to the PO). I made this one from Mum & Dad.

The DSP is from the 'Playdate' pack, so cute but not too young. The '14' is cut out of 'Totally Turquoise' CS & a painted with 'Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint'. I am in love with this stuff!!! The sentiment is from a past mini cat hostess set, thought it was so appropriate to use with the scrummy 'Aviary' set.

Next is my card. I CASEd it from this blog but originally found her card on good old Splitcoast.

I love the 'Sweet & Sour' DSP colours, the spotty pattern is my fav. I was never a fan of orange but being part of SU has given me an appreciation of all colours and this 'Pumpkin Pie' Satin Ribbon is just beautiful, it has a real glow to it. I have used the Level 1 Hostess set, 'Birthday Bakery', isn't it cute? The number stamps are retired, I stamped them in 'Pumpkin Pie' ink and added 'Fine Supernova Glitter' with my '2-way Glue Pen'.

If you can handle it, I have one more card. I CASEd this one from p58 of the catty. It is for my cousin's son's 6th b'day.

I used the 'Celebration' DSP as my inspiration. I'm pretty sure I've said it before, but I love this DSP for boys. The stamps are from 'Lots of Bots' and I made the cog by cutting the petals off and punching a circle out of the centre of the flower die that comes with the 'Timeless Type Junior Alphabet' dies. The 6 is painted chipboard covered in 'Crystal Effects'.

Thanks for popping in, I hope you've survived to the end of this post. Will try & post some Christmas card pics tomorrow.

Cheers,
Fi xox

Finally, I'm back

Hi Guys (if anyone has bothered to call past since it's so long since I posted),

Don't faint but I actually have a few items to show you. I have been making goodies to take to work for my annual 'Christmas Shop in a Basket'. I make earrings (Christmas Trees, Angels, and this year, Christmas Baubles); Swarovski pendants and a few earrings; candles and body products; and, of course, some stamping craft.

I saw quite a few stampers making the little Ferrero boxes (namely Kirsty & Karen) and I had to go to Becky Roberts' blog and purchase the 12 Days of Christmas tutorial. I made a few changes to make it metric and to make a smaller fold over card. I made some with Rochers and some with Lindt Balls.

By the way, apologies for poor pic quality as I didn't have my usual system set up due to my place still being rather disorganised (or, more disorganised than usual shall we say).

I saw these very cute calendar and shopping list sets made by Susan Rowe and had to have a play. If only I had the Fancy Flower Punch, oh well. I thought the base of the Easel Calendar would be a good spot to pop some Post-it notes. I made a few varieties but only took a pic of one.

Here's my attempt:

It is made like an Easel card only with a longer base. I used a brad to give the easel something to hold it in place. I made a matching shopping list. I had Officeworks cut some A5 notebooks in half.

Again, sorry for the bland looking pic. I combined the 'Morning Cup', 'Share a Cup' & 'Apple Blossom' stamp sets and used my (contraband) 'Sweet Pea' DSP. I made some with 'Cottage Garden' DSP and co-ordinating butterflies cut with my 'Beautiful Wings' embosslits; some with 'Bella Rose' DSP (retired) and felt flowers; and some with 'Walk in the Park' DSP (ret) and the bird punch. I've sold all but 2 sets (though I only made 12 all up).

Another popular item has been individual post-it note pads. I found a tutorial here but they are so easy to make. Applying the sticky strip is the most labour intensive part. I have a photo but it was taken on my phone to send to a friend, so terrible quality. It does give the idea though.

As you can see, there is a little contraband here as well, thanks to my lovely friend Lavonne in the USA. In fact, she posted a bundle a few weeks ago that arrived today. Lavonne's son Kevin has been over visiting for a wedding but he arrived back in Oz today. Very sad for Lavonne (hugs) but very happy for his wife Bec, a very good friend of mine. It is difficult when family lives far away but how treasured are the moments we spend together.

Well that's enough of my blathering on, have a great evening,
Cheers,
Fi xox