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