Renee's 6th Birthday

Today my little baby is turning 6. For the first time this year Ruben and Rebecca both bought her a little present from their own pocket money. Ruben got her two Littlest Pets and Rebecca got her a little doll she can hang on her bag. David and I gave her an iPod Touch and a Hello Kitty Creative Station.

Here's the card I made for her:

Supplies: Cardstock: Doodlebug Designs (sugar coated), Patterned Paper: Bella Blvd, Border Punch: Martha Stewart, Ribbon: local haberdashery, Chipboard frame: Tattered Angels, Letter Sticker: American Crafts, Glitter: Stampin'Up, Button: unknown, Baker's Twine: supermarket, Corner Rounder: Woodware.

My mum wanted to make a card as well, but kind of let me do most of the work. Credit to her as she coloured in the stamp:

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: Sassafras Lass, Border Punch: Martha Stewart, Ribbon: garden centre, Die: Spellbinder Nestabilities, Clear stamp: unknown + Papertrey Ink Markers: ZIG, Embossing folder: Cuttlebug, Ink: Staz'On + Rangers Distress, Corner Rounder: Woodware, Tag: newsagent.

Here's a picture of the party bags that are waiting for them in the entryway for when they go home:



This is a close-up of the girls bags:



And the boys:

Supplies: Bag Template: Papertrey Ink, Patterned Paper: October Afternoon, Ribbon: local haberdashery, Star punch: Fiskars, Buttons: various, Circle punch: Fiskars, Flower punch: Woodware + EK Success.

Everyone has just left the party with smiles on their faces. I haven't had a chance to download the pictures yet, but they all most definitely had fun. Have a nice weekend everyone.

Scrapbook Inspirations Issue 60

On November 13th the last issue of Scrapbook Inspirations was out. Due to low sales the publishing company has decided to stop printing after the December issue. For this issue Shimelle asked me to create a Christmas layout and then lift that into a matching card. Here's the article from the magazine:



And here are some close-ups:





Supplies: Cardstock - Doodlebug Designs (sugarcoated), Patterned Paper + Die-cuts: My Mind's Eye, Ribbon + Holly + Tag: Making Memories, Rub-on: Scenic Route, Scalloped Square punch: Marvy Uchida, machine stitching.

I was also asked to create a layout according to a sketch for the January issue, but as that one will never be published I will show you it here. This is the sketch:



And my layout:

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye + Basic Grey, Letter stickers: American Crafts, AdornIt, Journaling circle: Jillibean Soup, Snowflake Die: Cuttlebug, Twine: Martha Stewart, Glitter: Stampin'Up, White Marker: Kikki.K, Buttons: various, Date stamp: newsagent, Brown marker: ZIG.

Last but not least... I was also asked to create a 'love' themed mini album for the Valentine's issue. Of course that one wouldn't have made it to print either, but instead of Scrapbook Inspirations publishing it, PaperCraft Inspirations will feature it instead.

I'll be back tomorrow with cards, party bags and hopefully some lovely pictures. Stay tuned!

Birthday Wishes

Today my very talented sister-in-law, Ingrid is celebrating her birthday. Congrats girlie! Here's the card I made for her:



Supplies:

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: October Afternoon 'Farm Fresh', Border punch: EK Success, Ribbon - local haberdashery, Chipboard frame: Tattered Angels, Glitter - Stampin'Up, Flowers - Prima Marketing, Bling: Papermania, Me and My Big Ideas, Clear Stamps - Papertrey Ink, Ink: Staz'On (Timber Brown), Stampin'Up (Real Red).

With my mum being here with me at the moment, she had to opportunity to make a card for Ingrid herself too. As this was her first ever card I had her pick a card from Cards Magazine as an example. I helped her cut the paper and Rebecca helped her to adhere everything. Here's how it turned out:



Supplies:
Cardstock - Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: October Afternoon 'Farm Fresh', Border punch: Fiskars, Leaf Punch - Martha Stewart, Ribbon - Making Memories, Flowers - Prima Marketing + Doodlebug, Clear Stamps - Papertrey Ink, Ink: Staz'On (Timber Brown), brad, marker and cord.

That's all for today. Enjoy your weekend... ours is wet and windy so far.

You're Invited

In just 11 days Renee will be celebrating her 6th birthday. Rather then waiting two months before throwing a party like I did with Rebecca, I'm tackling this one head on. Friday night I started creating the invitations. I didn't have enough ribbon, so I went out Saturday afternoon to buy some more. I finished them this morning and Renee wrote all the names in them so that she can hand them out tomorrow at school.

Here's how they turned out:







Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Clear Stamp: Amy Butler, Butterfly punch: Martha Stewart, Rhinestones: Papermania, Border Punch: EK Success, ribbon: local haberdashery, Buttons: various, Embossing folder: Quickutz, Baker's twine: supermarket, Chipboard frame: Tattered Angels, staples, Glitter: Stampin'Up, Paint: Making Memories, Ink: Staz'On (Timber Brown).

I hope everyone has had a fabulous weekend and ready for another week ahead. Until next time!

Halloween

Yesterday we celebrated Halloween over at my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's house. She's fantastic at organising parties. Of course a requirement was to dress-up. My mum was the only who didn't, but everyone else did. It was a great colourful bunch and we had a great time. Here's an impression of yesterday:

I hope everyone has had a great Halloween too! Tomorrow it's back to school.

We Carved Pumpkins Today

This morning we had to go and pick-up my mum from the airport. The original time for her to land was 11.00 a.m., but when I checked at 10.15 a.m., just before we were leaving, it said it was scheduled to land at 10.32 a.m. Oops!! Better hurry. Of course as ever, the M25 was jam packed, even during half term. We arrived just after 11.00 a.m. at the arrival hall, and even though she did land that early, she hadn't come through customs yet.

When we got home, we had lunch and straight after that we carved our pumpkins which we bought on Monday. We got our templates of the Pumpkin Lady website. I purchased them from there last year as well, but couldn't find them anywhere anymore on any of the computers. But who would want to carve the same pattern twice in a row? So we all did something different again. Here's a collage of our creativeness:

Click on the image to enlarge it. It's the first time I've used Picasa to create this collage, but I'm not sure if I like it.

Also as promised my Halloween card I created a couple of days ago:

Supplies

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper + Die-Cuts + Ribbon: Making Memories, Embossing folder: Cuttlebug, White Marker: Kikki.K, Vellum, Die-Cut Machine: Silhouette.

By the way, Rebecca's party was fun yesterday. The girls loved creating their bears and dressing them. Afterwards we were meant to go to TGI Friday's, but they had a problem with the toilets and couldn't serve any customers. We decided to go to Pizza Express instead. Only good it was a Tuesday night, because I think we might have struggled to find somewhere else on a Friday or Saturday evening.

Until next time.

Two More Party Bags

One of Rebecca's friends that she invited to her party this afternoon, couldn't make it as she's on holiday this week. Last Friday she came over for a play, and as I'd already finished the girls' party bags, I suggested Rebecca would give one to her then. Of course I made Rebecca a new one.

Supplies

Cardstock: Bag Template: Papertrey Ink, Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: October Afternoon 'Ducks in a Row' + My Mind's Eye, Ribbon: local haberdashery + Paperchase, 3D flower: Silhouette, Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Glitter: Stampin'Up, Leave Punches: Martha Stewart, L-em.com, Ink: Staz'On (Timber Brown) + Rangers Distress (Linen), floss: twine, Buttons: various, Die-Cut Cookie Cutter: Quickutz, Tags: newsagent.

Also, last night I created Ruben's party bag. I again used a template from Papertrey Ink. They are so easy to use and simply gorgeous.

Supplies

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: Three Bugs in a Rug, ribbon, tag: newsagent, Clear stamp: Papertrey Ink, Ink: Staz'On (Timber Brown), Ranger's Distress (linen), Die: Sizzix Stars #2, Button: Basic Grey, twine.

Have a fantastic Tuesday!

Lousy Picture

I think this pretty much sums it up for me at the moment:



No focus, bad lighting and mixed emotions... So much going on, I'm constantly busy but can't find the inner peace to sit down and blog.

This week is half term break... a very much needed break. The clocks went onto winter time this past weekend, and I can tell you that extra hour in bed was very welcome too. Despite it being a week off, I had a doctor's appointment this morning. A long overdue blood pressure check-up. I've been feeling fine since my last check-up in January and have not been too worried, however since 'the move' is on the table again, I've been suffering from migraines and headaches again. Before children I suffered more from hypotension rather than hypertension, but after having had pre-eclampsia during my first pregnancy it's been very up and down. My GP took my blood pressure three times, but unfortunately my lowest measurement was 132/93. He didn't want to put me on medication straight away, but I need to come back for another check-up in a fortnight. I guess this partially explains the mood I'm in at the moment too. I'm taking it one day at a time and as long as things aren't falling apart just yet, I'll keep going.

The picture I took this afternoon when I took the kids out to a pumpkin farm to pick some pumpkins to carve later this week. I'd hoped to take some nice shots, but that didn't happen. It was a real shame because it was a beautiful day with 17 degrees Celsius. The kids even had ice cream. It seems it's going to be nice all week, so that's a bonus.

Tomorrow is Rebecca's party, so hopefully I'll be able to take some better pictures. Wednesday my mum is coming to visit for 4 weeks. On Thursday afternoon we're going to see the Michael Jackson movie and on Friday Rebecca is going for a sleep-over to one of her old school friends. Saturday we have a Halloween party at my SIL and finally on Sunday we can hopefully recover from the week and prepare to go back to school. We won't be bored this week, that's for sure.

I'll leave you with two Christmas cards I made several weeks ago, but never yet posted.



Supplies: Cardstock - Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper + alphabet stickers + clear stamp - Basic Grey 'Eskimo Kisses', Dies - Quickutz (snowflake), Spellbinder Nestabilities 'Labels one', Ink - Stampin'Up (real red), Rangers Distress (linen), button - Basic Grey, twine - Martha Stewart, marker - ZIG, corner rounder - Woodware, Clear Stamp - Hero Arts.

Supplies: Cardstock - Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper + dimensional sticker - Basic Grey 'Eskimo Kisses', Die -Spellbinder Nestabilities 'Labels one', Clear Stamp - Hero Arts, Ink - Stampin'Up (real red), Rangers Distress (linen), button - Basic Grey, twine - Martha Stewart, marker - ZIG, ribbon - local haberdashery.

Thanks for stopping by and your lovely comments.

P.S. I owe you a Halloween card and Ruben's party bag as well...

Party Bags: Soooo Cute!

It's only good Rebecca's is only inviting four friends to her Build-a-Bear Workshop party, otherwise I would have spent forever making bags. She turned 11 in August, but it seems to be a real cool thing to do according her and her friends. Hey, as long as they're having fun.

This afternoon I finished all but one party bag. I couldn't really make one of these for Ruben, as they are way too girlie. I secretly wish it was my party, because I love these little bags. Have a look:







Supplies

Cardstock: Bag Template: Papertrey Ink, Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: October Afternoon 'Ducks in a Row' + My Mind's Eye, Ribbon: local haberdashery + John Lewis, 3D flower: Silhouette, Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Damask Designs), Glitter: Stampin'Up, Leave Punches: Martha Stewart, L-em.com, Ink: Staz'On (Timber Brown) + Rangers Distress (Linen), Embroidery floss: DMC, Buttons: various, Die-Cut Cookie Cutter: Quickutz, Tags: newsagent.

I made three pink and three blue ones. I should've made one for myself as well.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

Hybrid Cards

I promised to post this card last week, but I lacked any form of enthusiasm to post it. I'm in this frame of mind where I have a gazillion ideas, but nothing actually happens. I've still been going to the gym three times a week, with the exception of last Friday as I had a haircut appointment. Very important! Because I've been physically a lot more active, I've also been a lot more tired and obviously have less hours in the day to craft. Anyway, I'm in positive minds.

I'm working on a commission at the moment for Scrapbook Inspirations. Unfortunately I won't be able to show you anything for quite a while as it's for the February issue. And Rebecca dragged me into making party bags for her belated party, which will take place during half term. I finished one bag and I must say it looks really cute.

Anyway, back to the card... This is a hybrid card. Robin Carlton, the owner of Sweet Shoppe Designs sent me an email asking whether I would be interested to join their hybrid team. It was a really tough decision, because it's such an amazing site, with cool products, but I couldn't seem to sell the concept to myself of printing off digital papers and then scrapping them traditionally. After much deliberation I turned her down. I would like to thank Robin for considering me. Oh, and I did have a go and made a card with one of their kits:

The none digital supplies are: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (Kraft) Clear Stamp: Papertrey Ink, Ink: Staz'On (Timber Brown), cord, Border Punch: Fiskars Uppercrest, Corner Rounder: EK Success, Circle Punch: EK Success, Pinking scissors: Fiskars.

My apologies for the delay in posting. Enjoy the rest of your week.