Millie's turned ONE!














Our gorgeous Grand-Daughter Millie has just turned ONE....oh how that brings back a flood of memories from our own children - and how quickly those years have gone by; we absolutely love being Grandparents and all that comes with it.

I had so much fun creating this card for Millie.  I wanted it to be pretty as well as a 'party' of colour.

The stamp is one by Penny Black and the range available is just gorgeous - for both little ones as well as grown ups!  I have some that will certainly have you laughing.

I tried my hand at water colouring and had a great time experimenting, sometimes holding my breath for fear of making a mess of it, but I am really happy with the end result.  The main cutout is raised with small foam dimensions to give it a slightly raised effect. You're never to young for diamonds, so to add a little pizazz I added some 'dazzling diamonds' to the edge of the cupcake icing.  Don't forget to click on the image to get a larger view and see the detail if you want.  It certainly helps when casing a card.

Unfortunately at the time of working on the card we were experiencing humid weather which played havoc with my cardstock, making it a little damp and can curl the edges. I ended up putting a book on the card to stop it from curling - that works but it also flattens everything and I'm not sure how to get around this problem.

The SU materials used in this card were:

Stamps:  For a Friend, Penny Black - Cheesecake Party No. 1665K

Cardstock:  Very Vanilla (card base), Lovely Lilac, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise (butterfly) and the stamped image is on watercolour paper.  The DSP is from the Lap of Luxury range.

Bigshot:  Swiss Dots embossing folder, Top Note Die and Beautiful Wings Embosslits

Ribbon:  So Saffron 5/8" wide grosgrain

Punch:  Oval scallop extra large

Have fun and keep smiling....Ann

Happy 21st Birthday to you....

A card destined for my niece who is turning 21 today.  I cased this card from one of my favourite stampers Chat Wszelaki; details are below if you want to case.  This card design is very universal and could be used for many other occasions.  We have had quite a bit of humid weather lately with the storms that have been around and it's made my cardstock go limp. I'm thinking of using a heavier cardstock for my base to give it more strength; I'm finding the SU whisper white seems a little weightless and struggles to handle a lot of layering, especially when the weather is humid.  I've had a heavy book on this card to stop the card from bulging.  Sometimes I print my inside message on a coloured sheet and adhere this to the inside of the card.  I've found not all cardstock absorbs ink the same and there are differences in the quality of image so it's a matter of doing a test job if you want to see how well the heavier cardstocks ink up.

You may or may not of noticed that I've also changed my blog background.  It was time for a face lift big time......I got this one from HOT bliggity Blogs and I found these instructions super easy with installing a new background on your blog

I've also been trying to improve my card photography and found this link on Splitcoasters which you may find helpful for your projects.  Just putting your card on a slight angle I think has made a big difference and allows layers to be seen as in this card photo.  I'm still working on getting the light right.  The instructions also include how to edit in Photoshop which I'm struggling a little bit with, but I'll get there.  Here are the instructions from Amy Sheffer at http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/photography-f217/htdt-7-22-09-photographing-your-papercrafting-projects-t515388.html

Stamps:  Just Believe and Perfect Punches

Paper:  Whisper White, Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip

Ribbon:  5/8" Grosgrain ribbon in Pretty in Pink

Ink:  Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink

Bigshot:  Square Lattice EF and  BeautifulWings Embosslits

Punches:  SU 2 x 1-3/8" oval punch

Accessories:  adhesive pearls, adhesive 'at home stash' numbers/alpha sheet and dimensions for the birthday sentiment.  The birthday image was trimmed around the oval border and then glued to the chocolate chip cardstock and punched out using the oval punch.  Hope you like it....I loved making it.  Thanks for dropping by.....keep smiling....Ann

Thinking of you....

I truly love everything about this card.  It is on its way to my cousin who lives in the UK.  I received her Christmas card the other day, which I always look forward to, as the English cards are so lovely with the winter scenes.  Unfortunately she has been diagnosed with bowel cancer.  I couldn't believe what I was reading when she told us, but I knew I had to make a very special card to send to her, to bring us closer together than the thousands of miles that separate us, and to give her a few minutes reprieve from the worry she must be having when she receives this, along with a special little gift. 

Another cased card from Chat at Me, My stamps and I, and it was exactly what I was looking for.  I replaced the covered button with a brad from the SU antique brads selection.   The DSP across the bottom was from a little pad I have called Queen Bee.  It is 6" x 6" and has a selection of 30 sheets, one of each design.

Thanks for dropping by.  Have a wonderful Christmas, with much laughter and happiness and best wishes for a safe, very healthy and prosperous 2011!

Kind regards, Ann

Just for you...Just Believe

My goodness it seems that long since I've actually made a card and posted on my blog, that for a minute there I completely forgot the process....has that happened to you??  DH has been away with work and of course I took the opportunity to stay up until midnight most nights catching up on some cleaning, ironing and more importantly creating, reading and learning how to use some new additions to my growing stamping collection.

This gorgeous simple card was made using the SU set called 'Just Believe'.  I absolutely love it!  This little creation was cased from one of my favourite sites Me, My Stamps and I, also found in the blogs I follow; thanks Chat.  It was Chat's October kit which I purchased and reproduced just to get back into the knack of making a card again.  Presently I'm feeling pretty flat, just tired, but so want to create and find casing a card for me, is the best way to go....at least something gets made.

Both these cards are exactly the same.  Both use the Woodland Walk DSP.  Products used were Very Vanilla as the base card, then topped with Kraft and then Very Vanilla embossed using the square lattice folder.  The four squares were Chocolate Chip c/s with the lovely Woodland Walk DSP.  It's topped off with the centre floral stamp and I used flowers from another set which I cut out and topped with an adhesive pearl, but Chat has used the itty bitty punch for her flowers - mine's in the mail!  The centre piece is also raised with a dimension as is the scallop oval on the top centre piece.  The top centre piece is made using the oval and scallop punches with the modern label punch carrying the sentiment.  It all comes together with a little chocolate chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.  Hope you like it.  Take care and keep smiling....Ann

Happy Birthday - Let's rock!

Let the music rock on....a birthday card for a special son who loves his music and does DJ-ing as a sideline.

A very simple design and I would have loved a little more time to play.  The base card was black cardstock highlighted with the music theme DSP purchased locally, some black grosgrain ribbon with the beautiful spellbinder die made from some at home rusty red cardstock, then the cirle and scallop necessability cutouts were added with a dimension and of course a couple of black adhesive pearls to help balance it all out.

I jazzed up the back flap of the envelope with the DSP. Just place a little glue to hold paper on flap and then trim around.  Really makes a difference.  Another idea I've tried is to run the envelope flap through my bigshot placing the flap in an embossing folder, now that really does look nice!

Another alternative design to the above would be to do a card around the 10 or 12 cm square, just play around with sizing to see what suits you.  Place the DSP on two-thirds of the front and place a series of scor lines on the black cardstock at the bottom.  Attach your ribbon and centre pieces.  This way I think the card would be more balanced and it would soften the starkness of the white background of the DSP.  What do you think....would love to hear your ideas?

Thanks for stopping by....take care and keep smiling...regards, Ann

Sending Birthday Wishes your way....

This card was cased from a new blog I was fortunate enough to come across belonging to Chat, from Me, My Stamps and I. Chat creates some absolutely beautiful cards and I always look forward to viewing her blog to see what else has appeared.  I thank her for this one.  You can check out Chat's blog from my blog roll.

This is not the greatest photo, the white background makes the card look insipid....I'm working on increasing my photography skills...any tips would be welcomed....I have Photoshop Elements 3 that came with a scanner as bundled software.  I haven't had a need to learn how to use it, but now there is a definite reason, so I'm challenging myself to improve in that area.  I am waiting on a text - PS Elements 3 in a classroom to arrive....I purchased a used copy for $11AUS with the addition of around $5.50 postage .... fantastic - the supplier was http://www.fishpond.com.au/ and they have both new and used books depending on what you're after .... do you ever think to purchase good quality used books?  If you're a book worm I think they would save you heaps and sometimes come with the added surprise of little notes the previous purchaser has kindly left for you as tips.  Now back to my card....

As you are probably aware by now I love the bosskut butterfly and have used it on many of my cards. This colour combo is a new one for me but one I like.  The floral paper is from a series called Lilac Avenue, a 6" x 6" pad of various patterned and embossed pages.  Available from Sharon Johnson another great US SU card maker from 'No Time to Stamp'.  The pad is a great size for cards as there is very little wastage.  The wider grosgrain ribbon with a lightly tied knot almost resembling a rosebud adds another dimension to the card.  The three window panels are DSP mounted on Chocolate Chip.

Hope you like it.  Keep smiling.....Ann

RECIPE:

Stamps:  Sincere Salutations
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Whisper White, DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  5/8" so saffron grosgrain ribbon, pearls, butterfly
Tools:  Big Shot machine, swiss dots embossing folder

Thinking of You...

This card is a smaller version of one previously created as a sympathy card...I love the colour combo.  The card was enclosed with a gift for a relative living in the UK so no envelope needed.  The trim inside the card helped to add balance to the colours I think.  There are two butterflies one BB and the other LL cardstock.  They are joined with mini glue dots.  I snipped the tail off the underneath butterfly on this one as it seemed to be in the way.

Hope you like it.
Keep smiling....Ann

RECIPE:

Stamps:  Sincere Salutations
Paper:  Barely Banana and Lavender Lace c/s
Ink:  Lavender Lace
Accessories:  Pearls and ribbon
Tools:  bigshot, Victoria embossing folder, bosskut butterfly, eyelet border punch
Card Size:  approx 12 x 14 cm

Monogram Card

Another simple card which oozes elegance.  The two tone colour scheme gives a crisp and clean feel to this card.  The flourished frame embossing folder supports the monogram image which is highlighted on the spellbinders oval. The image is made up of a monogrammed 'M' from the JustRite Stamp deluxe set with the added damask border.  An at-home rub on just finishes off the story.

Hope you like it.
Keep smiling.....Ann

RECIPE:

Stamps:  JustRite Deluxe Monogram set and Damask border set
Paper: Lavender Lace and Whisper White
Ink: Lavender Lace
Accessories: pearls, rub on
Tools: Bigshot, flourished frame, spellbinders oval, Justrite stamps, scallop punch
Card Size: 15 x 10.5 cm

Welcome Millie - Embossed Baby Card

On 6 February 2010 our first grand-daughter Millie was born; oh how she just melts our hearts; isn't being a grandparent just the best thing!  This card was made to celebrate her welcoming into the world along with a cross-stitch for her wall, called Reading Bear by designer Maureen Christie. I think I've set a precedence now! Here's the link to the cross-stitch if you're interested http://www.vicstitch.com.au/p/367302/reading-bear---a-dmc-hobby-bears-cross-stitch-kit-from-maureen-christie.html

The bigshot played a big part in the creation of this card. When I saw cards in the US created using this machine I knew I just had to have one because I could see how it would allow me to move forward with my card making. I've never regretted it and can thoroughly recommend it if you're looking to take a step up!

I hope it makes you smile.........have a wonderful day.

Ann

RECIPE:

Stamps:  No stamping with this one.  The text was printed in brown using the computer and then a label was made by hand.
Paper:  SU Pretty in Pink, SU Whisper White cardstock
Ink:  SU Basic Brown
Accessories: poka dot ribbon, clear rhinestones and mini dimensions on label
Tools:  Bigshot - Cuttlebug embossing folders Baby and Swiss Dots, Bosskut butterfly die cut, Eyelet Border punch
Card size:  approx 22 x 11 cm

With Heartfelt Sympathy

The stylish embossing and cutting machine called the Bigshot brings any card to life by adding texture and style with ease.  Simple embossing on the top half of this card and then the addition of the boskut butterfly (2), which is embossed by running through the swiss dots folder.  You just need to add a few pearls or rhinestones on the centre of the butterfly, ribbon and stamp and that's it!

Hope you like it.

Keep smiling.....Ann

RECIPE:

Stamps: Close as a Memory
Paper: Barley Banana, Lavender Lace
Ink: Lavendar Lace
Accessories:  Pearls, 1/4" Elegant Eggplant ribbon
Tools: embossing folders - Swiss dots, Victoria and bosskut butterfly, mini glue dots to hold the two butterflies together
Card Size: