Farewell cards

Hi Guys,

Sorry its been a while since I was last here. Work has been crazy busy, though thankfully we had a reprieve for my last few nights, and we needed it!!!) and I haven't been feeling 100%. These days off are helping though.

Anyway, onto cards! It is that time at work when we change our Doctor rotations and three of our lovely doctors have left. I missed making a card for one of them but managed to get the other 2 made.

One is taking 6 months off, she is getting married but also travelling. Ang has been a real joy to work with & is excellent at her job. We will miss her but she will be back in town for her wedding so we all want to be off that day so we can go & peek, LOL. I went with a travel theme for her card.

I broke out the 'Sentimental Journey' and 'Artistic Etchings' sets. These are both sets that I loved at first sight but have hardly used. I also inked up my 'En Francais' background stamp. I used 'Early Espresso', 'Confetti Cream' & 'Cherry Cobbler' CS with 'Early Espresso', 'Cherry Cobbler' & 'Not Quite Navy' inks. I added a Vintage Brad to complete the old-style appearance. I was inspired by several cards on splitcoast and was pretty happy with the outcome.


The next card was made for Em, she is bright and bubbly and we have sadly lost her to Qld. Its the 1st time that I've wished I had the tropical products from the current mini. I totally CASEd this card from here, just changing some of the colours. It was a bit brighter IRL

I used Daffodil Delight (for the 1st time ever I think), Marina Mist (ribbon & button), Pear Pizzazz and Real Red. Em was quite chuffed with it (she is English). I gave the girls a handmade travel candle to go with the cards.

Must go and get some stamping done, I have 4 b'day cards to make, 3 for the one family!

Thanks for popping in,

Just a quick post

Hi Guys,

Mum needs a card for her cousin who is turning 98 soon (Mum is from the much younger side of the family). I had seen this card ages ago and filed it in my 'card ideas' bookmarks. I thought it would be perfect to CASE, and then read that Jaydee had made it for a 90th birthday. No wonder it seemed so appropriate. After playing a bit I decided to go lighter with the main image, and, I'll admit, I'm very pleased with how it turned out. It does look better IRL.

I used stamps from the 'Elements of Style' set.Once again, I didn't really like this set until I started to see it being used, now I think it will become an SU classic. I used the ink to rubber technique, using 'Pretty in Pink', 'Rose Red' and 'Pear Pizazz' markers. For the left side, Jaydee used the lovely 'Very Vintage' wheel but I decided to try the flourish from 'Elements of Style' instead. The sentiment is from 'Curly Cute', inked with markers so I could place it on two lines. Finally it is finished off with some lovely PiP satin ribbon and an Antique Brad (love these). I really hope that Mum is happy with this, and Betty too.

Must run, off to work again,

Cheers,
Fi xox

Kid's birthdays

Hi again,

Don't faint at me being here two days in a row! Several of my friends and my cousin have kids with December or January birthdays. Thus I not only made quite a few Christmas cards but had to come up with birthday cards as well. I showed some from early December on here but still have a few left.

Dominic was on 27/12. They spend a lot of time on the water so thought he might like the Extreme Surfer image. I inked up the background 'Splat' image from 'Extreme Elements' in white and the 2 different blues to create a bit of an 'oceany' feel. I was inspired by this card but the image seemed to suit better with the stripes vertical rather than horizontal. As I'm sure you've noticed, I love Pacific Point & Real Red for boys.

Next was Curtis, my friend from Tamworth's youngest. I can't believe that he is 7 already! I can't remember where I got the inspiration for the layout, it is pretty generic I suppose. I was going to use the 'Extreme Skateboard, but I was chatting to his Mum on the phone as I was preparing to make his card & she said the 'Extreme Guitar' would go down better. I inked up stamps from the 'Extreme Elements' set too (can you tell its a fav??) and used my fall-back for boys cards, Celebrations DSP. The '7' is a chipboard number, inked in white, then Pacific Point & covered in Crystal Effects. After all this I forgot to take it to the PO when I sent the parcel & had to post it separately, duh!

Finally, for now, a card for my good friends' '8' year old Zach. They are great kids and always open the card and really seem to appreciate the work that goes into them. Could be because their Mum is a scrapper...

I CASEd the same layout as the first (Dominic's) card but had much more time to play.  Celebrations DSP, check, 'Extreme Elements', check, "Pacific Point' & 'Real Red', check, 'Extreme' stamp, check, must be a boy's card LOL. I used my Big Shot to cut out the '8' and placed on a star cut using the large star punch. I love the 'Wish Big' stamp from the fab 'Word Play' set. So many great sentiments in this set. Anyway Zach was suitably impressed, and his Mum was amazed that I'd stamped the background behind the Skater, she thought it was DSP. My mission was complete!

Must get going. Need to have a cuppa and then consider going back to bed as I am working tonight. Got up for the plumber but bed is calling.

Cheers,
Fi xox

Christmas and birthdays.

Hi Guys,

I hope that you've had a fabulous time celebrating Christmas and the New Year. The New Year shifts were crazy busy at work, think all the babies were waiting for the new parental leave to start. I have been making quite a few things of late but haven't had time to sit and blog them.

Anyway, amongst all the Christmas cards and gifts, we've had a slew of birthdays, with still a few more ahead in January. I have already made several January cards, some I even had to make in December as, thankfully, Mum reminded me that we needed to post the cards to Russia well in advance. My brother and SIL have the same birthday, today, 12 months apart. Happy birthday guys (though I'd be very surprised if they ever popped in here).

I was in a mad rush to make their cards so I CASEd one & used (an expired) challenge sketch for the other. Firstly, for my brother's card I CASEd this card of Liam Pucher's. I love stars for guy cards and have kept this long retired stamp set just cause I like it. The star jumbo wheel is still current.

I used River Rock CS with Not Quite Navy and River Rock inks.


My Sister-in-Law loves her coffee. I love the 'Morning Cup' stamp set and thought the sentiment from Verve was perfect. The layout was inspired by this sketch from Inkspirations.

I have more cards to show you but will save them for another day.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the devastating floods in Queensland, absolutely shocking and must have been terrifying.

Love Fi x

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