Holidays!!

Hi Guys,

Warning: this is all about what I've been up to and not card related, aimed at my blog buddies :-)

You wouldn't know it from my blog, but I have been on 4 weeks of glorious holidays. It started with spending lots of time with my brother and his fabulous family who were having a visit home from Russia. Pete & Trac have three wonderful kids (despite being teenagers!), Luke, Jake & Becky, and Luke's girlfriend, Alina, also came over. It was great getting to be 'Aunty Fi' and spend time playing games, going to the movies, eating pizza and getting a gazillion hugs (oh I miss those hugs). We did go to Sydney one day & I got to spend some time with the kids while Pete & Trace went to a meeting. I don't think I'm biased when I say how good looking they are :-)

The kids:

And the family on steps at Manly:

I sure miss them now they are back in Russia but they are doing such great work with their drop-in centre, with big plans for the future.

The other thing I did was spend a week in Hawaii. I decided I needed a good break away after such a busy time at work. I stayed right on Waikiki (in the hotel's cheapest room I think) and had fun exploring Oahu. I did several tours, a catamaran ride, a trip to Pearl Harbor (amazing, so touching), and a day trip to the Big Island. It was lovely and relaxing.

Here's a few pics:

Sea turtles on the North Shore

 Me on a catamaran on Waikiki Beach

Waikiki at Sunset

Thanks for having a peak. I've been making earrings and candles for my yearly 'Christmas Shop' at work, plus a few Christmas Cards. Best keep moving.

Catch you soon,
Fi xox

A b'day card & Inkspirations Challenge...

Hi Guys,

Can't believe it's been over a month since I last blogged. Has been a very busy month but more on that in a later blog.

I finally got to play along with an Inkspirations Challenge. It is my good friend Bec's b'day and I thought this sketch would lend itself to a cute card.

Here's the sketch:

And my card:

I starter by flipping the sketch to suit my image. Keesh has got me into MFT stamps, although my colouring still leaves a lot to be desired. I used the 'Domestic Goddess' DSP as a starting point for my colours, adding 'Pool Party' and 'Calypso Coral', with a touch of brown for hair, and of, course, chocolate cake!!! Bec is studying to be a maths teacher so I embossed the background with numbers (non-SU). I even did some paper piecing, which is an act of love, as I don't like cutting (why else would I own so many punches & dies LOL). I added some 'Pool Party' ribbon (love the little ruffles), some sparkly glitter, and a sentiment from 'Teeny Tiny Sentiments' punched out with the word window punch. That's it, easy. I did intend for there to be more of the aqua than the coral but I ran out. Have to get some more as it is such a pretty colour.

Off to type another post explaining what I've been up to,

Cheers,
Fi xox

Father's day (I am behind...)

Hi Guys,

Just popping in with a quick post. Today is my only full day off (finished Sunday a.m, back Tues p.m) but I can't complain as I only four more shifts til hols!!!! I need them too, still trying to shake this chesty bug, think everyone at work got run-down with it being so hectic, some time out will be fab.

Anyway, I thought I'd share two cards that I made for Dad for Father's day this year.  I made one from Mum & one from me.

I was searching Splitcoast looking for some inspiration when I came across this cute card. My Dad is tall, thin, has grey hair and spends 99.5% of his waking hours in the garage. I couldn't believe it when I saw 'Gus' (my Dad even has Gus' nose, but, ssshhh, don't tell him I said so) and I really wanted the Gus stamp. Imagine my excitement when I found out that he also came as a 'digi' and I could buy him straight away, oh joy!!!. I even had the same DP as used on the original card, I just chose different papers from the set. I went with the nuts and bolts as Dad always has piles of them on the floor  (I even bought him a 'magnetic broom' for his b'day so he could pick them up) and he is always looking for batteries too, so I went with that sentiment.

The piece de resistance though, was finding this next 'Gus'. Mum is constantly washing chocolate off their sheets as Dad is a chocoholic who loves nothing better than a midnight snack. The only problem is that he sometimes falls asleep mid feast. I couldn't believe my eyes when I found this digi, so perfect!!!

I matched it with SU paper and SU chocolate stamps (retired, for reasons beyond my understanding...) I think Mum nearly liked this card more than Dad did, and Dad was pretty impressed.

I'm off to make a cuppa and relax for my last free evening before Saturday. Have a good week,
Cheers,
Fi x

4 year olds

Hi Guys,

I have had a few days off work and am starting to feel much better, although it still sounds a bit like a bear is living in my chest. I am going to work tonight, then have 2 days off, work 4 shifts & then I have a month off. I can't wait. I am looking forward to doing some crafting with my niece and my nephew's girlfriend while they are visiting from Russia.

Recently I had two cards to make for 4 year old boys. I usually go young and cutesy but didn't this time.

I wasn't sure of what to make for my cousin's son Byron, and as the card had to be posted to Cairns I was running short on time. Mum said that he likes guitars so I went with that:

I have CASEd this card from here and used my usual colour combo & Celebrations DSP (retired). Best money's worth I've had out of any DSP!

My friends' son Sam loves computer games and is the youngest of 3 boys, so likes to be treated as a 'big boy'. I CASEd this card from Nichole Heady (you ned to scroll quite a way to find the original). I brightened the colours and white embossed the game remote as Sam's is white. He was really thrilled with it.

As you would know, I am a huge fan of number dies. I have an SU set & a PTI set, and you can't beat it for kids cards. In two seconds you can make a card that much more personal, and kids seem to love age cards. Funny how that doesn't seem to apply to adults....

I have just made some cards for my nephew's upcoming 16th, will blog after the event, not that he's likely to be scrolling through my blog anytime soon LOL.

Better go have, a rather late, brekky. Have a great weekend,
Cheers,
Fi xox

Wow, it's been a while...

Hi There,

As usual it's been a long time between posts, much to my Mum's disgust LOL. This is just a quick one as I'm off sick with something chesty. The GP didn't exactly say what it is but by the scripts I've been given I'm guessing asthma exacerbated by underlying chest infection. She put me on prednisone (a steroid tablet), puffers & antibiotics and told me if I had trouble breathing to get to Emergency. I came out feeling worse than when I went in LOL. Anyway, I'm still breathing so thought I might pop up a few pics.

I've recently become a fan of MFT stamps courtesy of the gorgeous, talented & uber-lovely Makeesha Byl. Keesh has also inspired me to try my hand at colouring with Copics, only now I need a holiday in Cairns so she can show me how to use them!!!! Anyway I made the following card after I made my first MFT purchase and planned to enter it in an earlier Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge  but 'the best laid plans'...

Firstly, the sketch:

Here is the first card I made, intending to submit for the challenge. I turned the card around, as had a few of the other entrants.

I used the new 'Domestic Goddess' DSP which features the new in-colours 'Pool Party' and 'Calypso Coral'. Now I didn't think I'd ever use 'Calypso Coral' but I don't mind it in this colour combo. My colouring is a bit woeful, lots to learn yet. I think I used a mix of SU & Copic colours. The polka-dot brad is from the new catty, isn't it cute?

My friend (& work buddy) Trace had requested a card for her niece who is 22, so I thought I'd make a similar card but in different colours to make it a bit 'grown-up'. Trace loved it.

Trace also commissioned a card for her son's 18th. When I asked for a theme or idea she first went with soccer. After searching around I found this card on Splitcoast and CASEd it.

(Apologies for the poor pic quality, I must have taken recent pics with my eyes shut as they're all pretty dreadful. Comes from being in a rush I expect.) I had a soccer stamp from PTI That I stamped down a strip of WW CS. I attached it to Basic Black CS that I had white embossed with stamps from PTI. The '18' was cut out with PTI dies, stamped with the soccer balls and then covered with Crystal Effects to really make it stand out. Trace was also pleased with this one, not sure what Nick thought. He's 18, he prob didn't even look it it, sigh... Anyway a few of the work 'girls' saw these cards & I got a few more commissions. Pretty cool.

Anyway time to have a bit of a rest.

Hope you're having a great day,
Cheers,
Fi xox

Ooh baby, baby..

Hi Guys,

I was scrolling back through some of my card pics and realised that I didn't share the card and gift that I made for my friend Elise when she gave birth to her beautiful Ruby Jane.

I wanted to make a fairly special card and had seen a bunch of cards around that looked like little chest of drawers. I found this one by Sue Bayliss, but due to my poor interset in fussy cutting, I made a simpler version. I'm sure I saw a tutorial somewhere but can't think where.

Green might seem a strange choice for a girly card but Elise decorated her nursery in greens and neutrals and isn't a real pink person (you might remember the baby shower card that I made for her in green and cream).  I did concede to cutting out the baby suit and bear, as baby Ruby is pretty special!

Whilst perusing pinterest.com I had seen a pretty cool baby name frame and decided Elise might like it for Ruby's nursery. I stuck to pink, brown and green and used my computer and my PTI number dies to put it together.

Forgive the poor photography. I blurred out some of the details. Elise and Glen were pretty chuffed with it, which made me happy. I must catch up with them my cold is over so I can give Ruby some cuddles!

Better go & do something I suppose. Have a great day,

Fi x

Jealousy...

Hi Guys,

Can you believe I'm doing another post? I'm like the Australian weather, either drought or flood and nothing in between LOL.

 My neighbour is joining what seems to be a throng of people travelling overseas at the moment. She has had a bit of a hard time lately, she had to have her beloved labrador Shelly put down last week. Shelley was like another child to Maree, and was a really sweet dog. I used to laugh at the dog cause she wouldn't bark at me if I was in her yard but she's always bark if I was talking to Maree over the fence. I'll miss seeing her around. Anyway, I've made Maree a Bon Voyage card and a travel candle as a little token. I really hope she can relax and enjoy her time away.

I scrolled through Splitcoast and found this card to CASE. It is a rather unusual baby card that seemed to look more like a travel card to me.

I used the same DSP, just different patterns, as Maree is more of a 'blue' type of gal. I used 'Night of Navy', 'Soft Suede',  'Whisper White' & 'Crumb Cake' CS, and matching inks, also adding a touch of 'Bashful Blue' & 'Craft White'. The stamp set is 'Sentimental Journey' which was in a now finished mini cat. I bought it for Bon Voyage cards and to, maybe one day, use in my scrapbook of my travels (that I went on 6 years ago, but why rush???). I would like to see another travel type set, or at least a 'Bon Voyage' stamp. I finished it off with some NoN ribbon. I was happy with it as Maree is not a real girly-girl and I think she'll like this. better go and see if the candle has set, nothing like leaving things to the last minute!

Have a great week,
Fi x

A quick post

Hi Guys,

It was my friend Ang's birthday yesterday (the only one of her family not to have a birthday in May!). Ang was on a cupcake thing a few years ago and I still equate her and cupcakes together, and can't seem to get away from it. Thus I went searching through Splitcoast looking for a nice cupcake card (and let me tell you, there are sooo many cupcake cards on splitcoast). I finally found one that I really liked here and figured I could make it look a little more 'grown-up'.

Here is my attempt:

I didn't have the 'On Board' shape that Joanna used in her original so decided to use a Nestie shape instead. I replaced 'First Edition' DSP with a piece from "Newsprint' and used a different SU sentiment stamp (from 'Bring on the Cake'). I used very vanilla for the circle and ribbon as it went better with the 'Newsprint' DSP. Mush as I love the antique brads I thought it would sit to high on my bulky knot, so left it off. I added some pearls to my cupcake. I am really happy with how it turned out, even if i do say so myself LOL. I hope Ang likes it, as she is a card maker too.

Cheers,
Fi x

Back again!

Hi Guys,

I am making hay while the sun shines (or blogging whilst sniffing). Thought I'd make use of my time off sick from work and do another blog.

One of the patients at work recently gave birth to twins. She was initially admitted many weeks ago as she was at great risk of going into extreme premature labour. We became quite friendly as i was working on the antenatal ward for a month and we would chat every day. I really enjoyed that time as their were so many lovely women on the ward, several that I became quite close to. It is so thrilling to see them come through the obstacles and go onto take home healthy babies.

Anyway, when the lady with the twins reached the milestone of 24 weeks (still very prem, but the gestation at which resuscitation and care will be offered) I made her a celebratory card.

I have made a twin card using 2 peas before but I figured these babes were still '2 peas in 1 pod' so made the card that way. I found the initial idea and tutorial for the peas here on Andrea Walford's blog.

Well the twins made it and were born at a healthy gestation 2 weeks ago, beautiful babies and thrilled parents. I was privileged to get to meet them after they were born. I've bought a little gift and had to make a card, of course!

I was searching for twin ideas and wanted to keep it fairly simple. I saw this card on Ilina Crouse's blog (she makes great things) and thought I could adapt it to a twin card. I used a cut up embossing folder for the strip of dots and the baby suits are from SU's 'Baby Bundle' stamp set. the sentiment is from PTI and I added the 's' to the end with a marker. I haven't sent it yet, better do so next week. I was pretty happy with the simplicity and 'lightness' of this card.

Better go and do something, or nothing, as the case may be.

Cheers,
Fi x

Don't faint!

Hi Guys,

I bet you can't believe your eyes, yes I am actually doing a post. I have been off work with a bad cold/cough so thought I might move from the lounge to my study and show some of my recent cards (or not so recent, as the case may be, LOL).

I made Mum two Mother's Day cards but did the unforgivable blogger sin, and gave them to her (one from me, one from Dad) before I took any pics. Mum (hi Mum!) very generously let me borrow them back so I could take a pic. Problem is, I can't remember where I saw the originals (just halted proceedings and was able to track down the originals, phew).

I have decided that I am a CASEr through and through. I was feeling really bad recently because I only copy cards rather than come up with my own ideas, feeling like a bit of a creative cheat, then I realised, I enjoy it. I like finding a really nice card & remaking it. It gives me pleasure because I know I will like the outcome. I tell my friends that I copied it, I don't claim the ideas. I like doing challenges, and am pleased if the final result turns out, but I have limited time to stamp, and would rather make a card I know I'll like rather than waste a few hours making something that lands in the bin. If I have time I'll muck around with some ideas, but my head is usually empty of ideas and inspiration, so I use up the ideas of the truly creative.   It is amazing how much pleasure I can get from looking at other people's lovely designs (thus why I can while away hours blog surfing and scrolling through pinterest.com) and I then enjoy remaking someone else's design. It is the simple pleasures...

Anyway, enough of my rambling. Here are the cards I've CASEd:

Firstly, my card from Dad. I saw the original here, on Lisa Young's blog, and thought it was pretty, and I loved the vase effect, made from a Window Sheet. Here's my version (please ignore my crooked vase LOL).

I used the Baby Blossoms stamp set (that I own thanks to the lovely Lavonne who is currently visiting here in Oz, yay!!!) and the now retiring 'Wonderful Favourites' set. I tried to use colours that I associate with Mum.

I initially came upon this card on Splitcoast and knew I had to make it for Mum. Both Mum & her sister like hydrangeas (in fact, I'd love to see some in Mum's front garden, hint) and I thought of them when I chose the 'Because I Care' stamp set as a 'hostess gift'. I went for more reds and blues as I like those colours more for Mum than browns and greens.

I stamped the hydrangea in black stazon & the coloured with sponge daubers using my inkpads. The background is 'French Script' which I inked using a sponge so that it gave a 'patchy' effect. I sponged and distressed the edges. I love the lace ribbon and antique brads. I really want to get some more Mother's & Father's day stamps as I don't have a great selection. Most refer to 'Mother' and I never call Mum 'Mother', it is always 'Mum' or 'Ma'.

I love that Mum appreciates my handmade cards, she expressed that she knew that no-one else would have the exact same cards as her. I am blessed having such a loving and encouraging Mum.

I hope you have a fab weekend and have some fun and relaxing times.

Cheers,
Fi x

Another hobby!!!

Hi Guys,

This is a non-stamping post. Just thought I'd show you a few pics of my latest hobby (which I need like a hole in the head, I know LOL). In my recent hols I went down to Sydney for the weekend and attended a Resin Jewellery workshop. It was great fun and now my wallet is a few hundred $$$ lighter. I have been pouring resin like crazy practising mixing colours and using the moulds. I've even sold one bangle to a doctor at work (if she ever pays me, that is).

I made these teal bangles for a friend's birthday:

My Aunt wants an orange bath mat for her birthday, we've ended up buying matching towels and so I've made a matching bowl to sit on her vanity:

I then played with blues:

And finally a pinky/mauvey swirly bowl:

These are only small bowls, about 8cm in diameter and are not food safe, but they are rather sweet and fun to make.

Thanks for looking at something not related to stamping :-)
Cheers,
Fi x

Birthday cards for Aunts

Hi Guys,

As I mentioned previously, July holds lots of birthdays. I made this card for my Aunty Shirley's 80th but then we decided to buy her a tea based gift (lovely goodies from Whittards of Chelsea) so I made another card, with a tea theme. I used the same basic idea but added teacups instead of the rose. The original idea came from this card and the idea for the teacups came from here, and from this card by Keesh.

I must admit that I was pretty chuffed with how it came out. I used Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink & Rose Red (stamped off once). The white CS is shimmer CS cut with a PTI die, as are the numbers, which are Pink Pirouette dabbed with shimmer paint . The stamps are also PTI (and have a matching die, cool). The DSP is retired SU. I just wish I could stamp sentiments in a straight line LOL.

I also made a second card from my Aunty Helen and gave Mum the other one to give her. She likes Hydrangeas and I really wanted to use the Because I Care stamp set. I found this card on Splitcoast and had to CASE it. I changed it to Concord Crush and used a different sentiment.

Actually, this sentiment looks a bit crooked too, I really hope we get the guideline stickers for the acrylic blocks that have just come out in the US catty (and if not I might have to send an SOS to the lovely Lavonne, wink). I hope my Aunt likes it. Her birthday is on the 28th, the day after mine, busy time, lots of cake :-)

Better run, thanks for popping by.
Cheers,
Fi x

Even more birthday cards....

Hi,

I thought I'd show you a few more of the cards I've been making. It was my wonderful Mum's birthday yesterday and we had a very yummy seafood platter for tea. We all love seafood. I made her two cards, one from me and one from Dad, but Dad had made one for her already (might have to buy him some stamps LOL) so I have one left over. Mum is wonderful to me and the glue in our family, and I love her dearly, so I always like to take extra special time and effort with her cards.

This is the supposed one from Dad, that Mum actually hasn't seen (until she reads this blog LOL):

I must say, the picture makes the image look more 'blurry' than IRL. I CASEd this from this card on Splitcoast. I'd been wanting to try the 'Mother of Pearl' (MOP) technique for a while and really liked it combined with 'Elements of Style'. It is done by dipping scrunched up Gladwrap into Frost white shimmer paint and then dabbing it onto white CS. After drying, you then sponge or brayer colour over the top. I sponged a mix of Pretty in Pink and Baja Breeze to echo natural MOP colours. I then stamped the Elements of Style in Stazon Black ink and coloured with markers and a blender pen.

Here is a close up showing the shimmer:

Then I made a card from me. Mum is a fabulous 'sewer' and she made many of our clothes when I was growing up. She even owned one of the dressmaker's dummies (or 'dress form' as they seem to be known now). I saw this yummy card by Helen and had to CASE it for Mum.

I made a few small changes. The dress form is a die by PTI. I originally paper pieced the dress form stamp from SU's Sew Suite but decided I liked the bigger die-cut image. I added buttons to the button card (the longest part of the whole process (partly due to the ages I spent searching for my embroidery floss which I no longer seem to own?!?). I stamped the tape measure image onto Very Vanilla satin ribbon. The background is the In Stitches wheel and the 'ric-rac' is from the Tasteful Trim die. Mum seemed to like it. I think she would have liked the other one too, oh well.

Ta for popping by.
Cheers,
Fi x

More July birthdays...

Hi Guys,

Here's a couple more birthday cards.

Another of my Aunts has a July birthday and this year she is turning 80 (although you would never pick it). Mum's request was for a pretty card so it left me a lot of scope. In my blog travels I spied this card and thought I could remake it using '5th Avenue Floral'.

I used the floating re-inker technique (if that's the right name) on shimmer CS using Pink Pirouette & Pale Plum, I added Pear Pizazz leaves made using the medium Oval Punch. The background DSP is from the Subtles pack. The white layer is Shimmer CS cut using a PTI die. The numbers are also PTI dies and I used the co-ordinating stamp set. I cut the numbers from Pink Pirouette CS, sponged the edges in Pale Plum and then sponged over with Champagne Shimmer paint. It is a shame that the pic doesn't do the shimmer justice.

Now, for something completely different...

My eldest nephew turns 17 on the 25th, where have those years gone??? He plays in a band with his brother and some mates so I always make him guitar related 'grungey' cards.

This is another CASE from here. I changed the background to Kiwi Kiss CS, adding Basic Black and metallic Silver highlights. I used SU's Grunge Rock and a PTI set. The star is cut using SU's large Star Punch. I hope he likes it, I better get it sent this week as it needs to get to Russia.

Better go and hang out my washing and then maybe I can find some more stamping time.
Have a great day,
Fi xox

Crazy for poppies

Hi Guys,

I stamped up a storm last week (a storm for me, anyway, probably only a light shower for most of you LOL). I stamped six cards in two days, and have one more to do today. It is all due to the run of July birthdays. I went to lunch with a group of friends yesterday and five of us had July birthdays!

Anyway, I have been having a load of fun playing with one of my new acquisitions, a PTI floral stamp set. It is not available for purchase (unless you source a popular online auction site, wink).

Firstly, one for my favourite Aunt whose birthday is the day after mine. She likes purples and greens.

I CASEd it from here. I love the original pink but went for my Aunt's colours instead. Might have to make a pink one too ;-). I used Perfect Plum and Pear Pizazz, took the pic at night so the colours don't show up quite right.

This is for my friend Jen who has always liked bright blues, greens and purples. I just played around with Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry and Pear Pizazz. I really like the fonts in the sentiments that come with this stamp set.

I want to play some more with this set as it is great for quick simple cards.

Have a fab day,
Cheers,
Fi xox

Inkspiration Colour #76

Hi Guys,

This is super quick as of to work. I have 7 b'days in July and it is a perfect time to use some challenge ideas. The Inkspirations team have a fun and cheery colour combo this week of "Poppy Parade", "Peach Parfait", Baja Breeze" & "Whisper White":

I combined it, after a fashion, with a past Clean and Simple layout:

And here is the result:

I was really pleased with how it turned out. I did some "rock and roll" technique with the flowers using the "Peach Parfait" & "Poppy Parfait". I wasn't sure how the Baja would go as stems but it isn't too bad being a slightly greenish blue. The buttons are made using a sizzlet die & I covered them with "Crystal Effects".

Must run, email me if you have any questions.

Cheers,
fi x

More birthdays.

Hi there,

So much for my good intentions of blogging (or in fact of doing anything) whilst on holidays. I have one week left, it is flying by way too fast, sob.

Anyway, it is a rainy, coldish Sunday morning so is a good time to be inside on the computer. My good friends, the Wilson family, have 4 b'days in 3 days. The gorgeous Netty is over in Greece so I was slack and just sent her a Facebook greeting. I did, however, make cards for her wonderful twin, Wes, and his two lovely kids. (I took the pics in a hurry so they are not fab.)

First off, Wes' card.  I had seen this fab set of cards made by Shelley and knew I would have to CASE them, LOL. I have really come to love the French Foliage stamp set, especially as the French Script and 'Splodges' are so versatile.

As it was Autumn, and just to change it up a bit from Shelley's cards, I used oranges and browns. These are not usually my fav colours but I do like them for these leaves. The sentiment was from 'Afterthoughts' inked with markers. Wes was quite impressed with it I think (he is a keen gardener).

Next was picking a card for 4 y.o Ethan. I used this, then current, Inkspirations sketch. It was only once I'd finished my card that I realised the brads were one too many & going the wrong way. Oh well, I didn't get it posted in time for the challenge anyway.

I had thought about using a robot stamp but then realised i'd done that for him last year (the advantage of blogging kid's cards, also helps you go back and see how old they were last year, and thus knowing how old they are this year LOL). I then remembered this rocket from 'Pun Fun', which he was quite happy with. (Sorry, just realised that this pic is rather crooked).

Good old faithful Celebrations DSP (don't what I'll do for boy cards after August when this will retire), Star wheel, Timeless Type die, Star Punch and Crystal Effects. I used a clear rhinestone brad for the porthole.

Finally, I turned to a non-SU die and embossing folder to make this card. I had seen the lovely Karen Thomas use this die and had to get one. The CS, DSP, 'Happy Birthday' stamp, button & glitter are all SU however. The DSP is now retired but had great colours so I stocked up on it. Don't know what Livvy thought, but her Mum liked it LOL. Pity the ink didn't come out evenly on the HB stamp, but I had some trouble getting the banner right & couldn't bring myself to do it yet again (slacker!!!)

I will try and get some more posts done to appear in the next few days but a cuppa is calling me first.

Cheers,
Fi xox

Back again..

Hi Guys,

Well I am 5/7 into my first week of holidays (it is flying past, sob) and have done a fraction of what I intended. Work had been so busy and having Convention in the mix as well I think I just got really tired and needed some 'do-nothing' days. Will have to spark up for the next two weeks. I am going to Sydney tomorrow as I am doing a resin bangle & ring making workshop. Should be fun.

My lovely friend & fellow midwife Elise (you might remember her wedding pic, here) is a few weeks away from having her first bub and we had a baby shower for her on Sunday. I had to make a card, of course. She loves neutrals, and has a cream and green nursery. I was low on ideas when I spied the Bugs & Kisses card on p64 of the IB&C. I don't turn to our catty often enough for ideas but it is chock-full of them.

 I used Crumb Cake as the base and Very Vanilla & Pear Pizazz as the accent colours. I still love the retired set 'Wild About You' and had to use the cute giraffe image. The 'Baby' sentiment is non-SU and I printed the 'Shower' sentiment using my computer. The brad is a 'Vintage Trinkets' button. I used twine & Pear Pizazz ribbon (US contraband). Elise loved it, thankfully.

It was also her b'day. I had seen this card ages ago on Sherri Barron's blog & just loved the technique of adhering DSP to CS and running it through the Bigshot with the Lattice Embossing folder. I have now CASEd it twice. I really love the colours that Sherri used but my friends both like browns.

The DSP is from the 'Botanical Gazette' papers and the CS colours are Early Espresso, Very Vanilla & Cherry Cobbler. I used stamps from the Nature Walk and French Foliage sets. The ribbon is US contraband (which I dearly hope will be in our next IB&C). I finished it of with tags stamped with the Tiny Tags set and finished with the co-ordinating punch.

Here is the version that I made for Joy:

It is similar but I didn't use the French Foliage stamps. I used Bravo Burgundy instead of Cherry Cobbler as it seems to go better with this DSP piece. I aded an Antique Brad and a Mini Vintage tag. I was really with how these cards came out. Thank you Sherri for the inspiration!

Must go & hang out my sheets (exciting life I lead!!!),

Cheers,
Fi x

It's been a while...

Hi Guys,

Sorry for the break in transmission but life has been rather busy (& I know that I am so not alone in that). I have been working and getting for Convention, and then going to Convention (and what a fab week that was, I am in love with Melbourne, just not Melbourne weather). I now have just 4 more shifts before a few weeks Annual Leave and I can't wait. Hope fully I can get around to blogging all the cards I've been making.

Anyway, over at the Inkspirations Challenge Blog this week they have the most divine colour combo & I just had to squeeze in some time today to have a play. It is cold, windy & wet so what better time to get out the stamps?

Here are the colours:

Needing to do this in a hurry, and having no mojo to speak of, I went searching for a sketch. I liked this weeks Mojo Monday sketch, #192:

After all that, here is my card. I apologise for the pic quality, it is grey & I took it inside in a hurry.

I used DSP from the Soft Subtles pad in Perfect Plum and added it to Perfect Plum CS, scalloping both with the Scallop Edge Punch. I punched out a piece of Very Vanilla CS with the Small Scallop Circle Punch and another with the 13/8" Circle Punch. For the circle, I stamped an image from the Just Believe stamp set in Sahara Sand and added a sentiment in Perfect Plum. The Main panel uses stamps from the Nature Walk and French Foliage stamp sets. I didn't really like the French Foliage set at first (one of the leaf stamps reminds me of a chickens foot and somehow gives me the horrors LOL). Chicken feet aside, however, the other stamps are lovely, I used the leaf set on a male friend's card recently (hopefully will blog it soon) and I really like the small french text stamp and the droplets. The amazing Teneale Williams has recently been using the droplet stamp a lot. I mainly used my markers to colour these stamps. Finally I added some tags using the Tiny Tags stamps and matching punch & attached them with a Vintage Trinkets safety pin. The ribbon is VV taffeta. I placed it all on a VV CS background, job done!

I must get to the post office to post some left over Convention swaps and a b'day present. Then work tonight.

Have a fab 'rest-of-the week'.

Cheers,
Fi x

A CASE for a friend.

Hi Guys,

One of my dearest friends had a birthday in April. We both love Vintage, shabby-chic, Laura Ashley type style. I first saw this card on Splitcoast and fell in love with it. I own a clock that looks a little like this and, despite that, it had never occurred to me that 'Sense of Time' could be so feminine. I immediately thought of Jenn when I saw the card.

I actually own the 'Baby Blossoms' set thanks to my lovely friend Lavonne. It is quite an involved process to use it, as it is all 2-step stamping with these teeny little stamps, but so worth it. That's why I own the essential 'Stamp-a-ma-jig!!!

The colours are not quite right in this pic. The green is actually 'Pear Pizazz' and not so vivid as in the pic. I have sponged 'Champagne Mist' shimmer paint randomly over the clock face too, which hasn't shown up. I can't remember where I saw someone use the tiny tags on the safety pin. Could you let me know if it was you? It is a fab idea, and not from my brain LOL.

I was really happy with it, just not sure about the 'Rose Red' flower. I love them but thought it might be a bit heavy sitting where I put it. I hope we get these & the Seam Binding ribbon in our next catty (must whisper in Shelli's ear at Convention NEXT WEEK!!!!!!).

Must keep moving.

Cheers,
Fi xox