sports day

Yes, I know - its been far too long, but time has been a little precious over the past 18 months - more of that later, maybe, although they are not my stories to tell. The photo that I am posting was taken (on my mobile phone, so please excuse the quality) of my grandsons, Sawyer & Ethan, at their first sports day together. They had a great time, although the day was called off a little early because of the wild weather that was threatening.

60th. birthday

I have had a long break after making Christmas cards, but needed to get back into it with a very special birthday card for my eldest brother. I had fun making this card - made a "prototype" first, then, when I was happy with the changes, made the final card. Along the way, I had fun with a couple of different techniques.

I started with a plain piece of cardstock (either whisper white or very vanilla), then chose some matching inkpads - marina mist, blue bayou, basic gray, and going gray), and swiped them across the card stock in long strips of varying pressure. A little smooch spritzed across the page, and you have a background to suit whatever you want.

The top photo shows the completed background "paper" with a stamped image to check the effect. The card was made in the "easel" form - check out this demo -http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/easelcard/

I used the SU Top note die with the Big Shot, dsp from the SU Nautical expedition and SU Stamp set The Open Sea, from the summer mini cat. I needed to emboss the image to help it stand out more. The antique brads are used to hold the easel in position.

I hope my brother likes the card - he loves sailing!

Thanks for stopping by.

I survived

Yes, here I am, alive and well, after holding my first workshop! With heartfelt thanks to my friend Lyn, who hosted the day for me, and the lovely ladies who took time out of their busy schedules to join us. Lyn also took photos for my records, so she's nowhere to be seen in this photo (there was a method to her madness!). The card is the make'n'take for the day. It was a CASE of cards I made for last Christmas, and showcases the Season's Joy stamp set, SU markers real red and handsome hunter, the SU ? eyelet punch, and utilised the Bigshot to emboss the background card. The girls also added SU self adhesive rhinestones to the flowers and the centre of the snowflake in JOY. All in all I think the day was a reasonable success - I know that I enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.

First demo

Hi there! Well, I have finally taken the first step since becoming a Stampin' Up demonstrator, and am having my first demo tomorrow. A good friend is hostessing for me, and I have had some super help from my upline, the wonderful Alisa Tilsner.

I am demo-ing (is there such a word?) 3 cards, and having a choice of the same cards for make and take. The cards are all Christmas themed, as I guess most of the guests will be interested in making at least some for special people in their lives.

This is one of the demos, (sorry about the quality of the photo) and uses the Welcome Christmas stamp set, and the gorgeous Mocha Morning dsp - that is so yummy it's almost edible!

I hope that I survive tomorrow, and will be back to let you know how it went, and a peak at another demo card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Another long break

Hi everyone! A brief note with this card, which I completed yesterday in response to Utah Divas International Saturday sketch challenge 10/22. I have also CASEd a gorgeous card from Emma (aka Eeve's aunt) which can be seen at this address : http://devotiontothedream.blogspot.com/2011/09/mistletoe-and-wine.html.

As you can tell, I still have no control over this blog, and it's setup. However, I must try to improve, as I have recently become a Stampin' Up demonstrator. This card is all SU - Old Olive CS and inkpad, the beautiful Welcome Christmas stamp set, large oval and scallop oval punches, DSP from the incolor paper stack (lucky limeade), and ribbon from the retired beachfront ribbon card. Hope that you have enjoyed this - and thanks for stopping by.

Where has the time gone?

Well, that was a break and a half wasn't it - I'm not sure where that time has gone. I have had time for making cards, but no time to blog!

My eldest grandson, Sawyer has just turned 5, and starts school in2 weeks! (where has that time gone??). There was a farewell/presentation party for the children and family were invited (of course grandma went along so she could take photos for scrapping later). The included photo is of sawyer and his "body", which all the children had made and decorated.

I was asked to make a thank you card for him, for the kindy that he has been attending, and I have included that in this post - SU stamps, clear embossed for the background then glimmer mist in 4 different colours, buttons to add interest. Sorry about the photo of the card - I might try posting another later after editing the photo so it is a little clearer, but the's it for now - thanks for stopping by.

Happy New year (although a little belated!)

Welcome to 2011! I am approaching this year with a slightly different view to managing this blog. Previously I have mainly used it to enter challenges, and while I hope to continue to do that - although TRY to be more frequent in both challenges and blog-writing. I will include some photos of cards (and whatever else interests me at the time) - this is my blog after all.

So, to start with I have included a photo of Sawyer & Ethan as they finished decorating my"Christmas" tree - they did such a great job! And Christmas is great with two special little people around to share it with.

The cards I made as a batch using the SU Elements of style stamp set. They are gorgeous stamps. And the photos are taken with my new digital SLR - I knew there was a reason for working!

And now for the big news - I have ordered Becky Higgin's Project Life , and am eagerly waiting it's arrival - one day very shortly, I hope. I have been journaling daily, and taking photos most days. I am planning to have weekly double spreads. More later - thanks for stopping by.