Christmas Cards 2011

Here are all the Christmas cards I've made this year! Ready to write... hmmm perhaps tomorrow?

A Couple of Christmas Cards

Well I'm now on about 46 out of the 44 Christmas cards I've been making through the year - 4 per month. I seem to be on a bit of a roll with them now, so I suppose I will have some for 2012 left over!

This one uses the awesome Stampin Up! glimmer paper in silver. It's brilliant because it is uber sparkly and best of all, doesn't shed! So Stew doesn't moan that he's glittery:

And then this one uses a stamp set I bought on eBay called Bundle Up. I really like the wooly clothes it has in the set:

Anyway I hope you like those ones!

Tree Thanks

Here's a little thank-you card I rustled up for my lovely friend Lindsay. She very kindly gave Jacob his Hallowe'en costume (which was AWESOME!) so I've dropped her a quick thanks card.

I have to admit that the multi-coloured tree wasn't my idea - I stole it from another SCS'er. I first of all inked the stamp really well with More Mustard (the yellow you see in the centre), then "rocked" the edges of the stamp in Cajun Craze. Finally I just caught the outer edges with Soft Suede. I think it looks awesome. I hope Lindsay likes it!

November BRAK

I'm not sure if I've blogged this before, but I am part of a "BRAK" group over on Splitcoast Stampers. BRAK stands for Birthday Random Acts of Kindness. Each month I get assigned 4 names to send random birthday cards to. This month, this is my card:

Supplies: Cardstock (Night of Navy, Very Vanilla), Ink (Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie), 1/8" Taffetta Ribbon (Night of Navy), Stamps (Simply Soft, Whimsical Words (retired)), Embossing Folder (Elegant Lines), Punches (Large Scallop Punch, 1 3/4" Circle)

Thank-you Tags

Just as a little "thank-you" for the guests at my Stamp Night on Friday, I have made them each 3 Christmassy tags. I wanted to make a tag for one of the projects on the night but I felt three cards were probably plenty with some new stampers expected to attend. So I've made little gift bags instead. Here's a look:

Supplies for Blue Tree Tag (all Stampin! Up): Bakers' Twine, Pool Party ruffled ribbon & Designer Printed Brad, Pool Party Cardstock & Ink, Whisper White Cardstock, Island Indigo Cardstock & Ink, White embossing powder, Paisley Prints stamp set (retired), Dear Santa stamp set.

Supplies for Green Tree Tag (all Stampin' Up): Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Big Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/4" Circle punch, Pennant Builder punch, Crumb Cake cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Old Olive ink, Cherry Cobbler ink, Pear Pizazz ink, Basic Jewels Rhinestones, Jolly Holiday DSP (retired), Holiday Hoopla stamp set (retired), Pennant Parade stamp set.

Supplies for Stocking Tag (all Stampin' Up): Cherry Cobbler scallop dot ribbon, Baker's twine,  Stocking builder punch, Whisper White cardstock, Garden Green ink, Silver Glimmer Paper, Frostwood Lodge DSP, Stitched Stockings stamp set.

Urgh it's been a long time!

I'm well overdue on updating my blog. So here it is! A quick shout out for Stamp Night at my place on Friday - we are making 3 Christmas cards. Here's a sneak preview:

I just love these Stampin' Up mini jingle bells! I am just finishing off my "thankyou for coming" gifts - watch this space.

You never know, I may even manage to post twice today!

Happy 30th Stew!

Curry-tastic

My stampin' upline and genuinely awesome friend Heather made me the BEST birthday card. She die-cut 30 huge cupcakes and made them into a great big accordion card. Well, it's her birthday next week and after some deliberating, I decided not to try to compete with that level of fabulousness. I have, however, made my favourite card to date!

Heather is one of those people (like me I guess) who would give you the shirt off her back. She was sorting her ribbon out the other day and gave me tonnes of polka-dot grosgrain ribbon, as well as a load of cardstock in Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango and Bermuda Bay. Well, she told me she hated the ribbon and the colour Crushed Curry.

I guess I am a naughty friend, but I chose to use Crushed Curry as the predominant colour on her birthday card, paired with the Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbon. I made one concession - the base of the card is Crumb Cake which is her fave. Anyway, I am so chuffed with how this card turned out.

I stamped on Whisper White lots of the flower stamp from the set "Punch Potpourri" (retired Hostess set). I used Crushed Curry, Daffodil Delight and So Saffron just to give some depth. Then I punched those out, and did a few more flowers on CC and SS cardstock. I stamped the sentiment (from Swirls and Curls Verses - Summer Mini L1 Hostess) in Bermuda Bay. I coloured the balloons in yellow.

I punched the edges of the WW cardstock with the Scallop Trim punch but needn't have bothered. Matted it onto Crumb Cake and punched holes with the larger Crop-a-dile hole punch. Set that aside, then ran a border embossing folder through the Cuttlebug to give a bit of texture. I cut a 3" strip of Daffodil Delight patterned paper and set that between the embossed edges. Then I stuck my sentiment piece on using Dimensionals, and tied the ribbon using a bit of white linen thread. Matted the Whisper White piece onto Bermuda Bay textured cardstock and onto a 5x5" Crumb Cake card base.

Then the fun bit - sticking all the flowers on! Some were stuck on using dimensionals, but most were just glued on any which way. I put a few diamantes on and a bit of sparkly gel pen on a few other flower centres, and voila!

Inside the card is another Whisper White piece matted onto Bermuda Bay, with a load more flowers just for fun. It's actually the first time I've decorated the inside of my card as well as the outside and I love how it turned out, so I will be doing it more often!

Here's hoping she likes it!

Expedit Divided

After seeing on someone's blog (sorry, I can't remember whose!) the rationale for storing SU! clamshells on their sides, I decided to have a go at dividing my IKEA Expedit unit's shelves to make more storage room.

I measured up (it was Bexx-measuring though, hmmm, looks about yay big) and set out for Lowe's with Jake. We bravely navigated the wall fastenings aisle (there was a whole AISLE of nails, screws, brackets, and goodness-only knows what) and found those little dooberrys that you put into your kitchen cupboard. Bought a shed of those, then off to the lumber department!

Located some OK looking wood (not too pricey, reasonable finish) and got it sawed by a pleasant fellow with a big beard and wearing shorts. Lowe's must be a cool place to work! J wasn't too pleased with the noise of the saw but we battled through it!

Got home to discover Stew hadn't bought any drill bits when he bought the drill (really?). So went back to Lowe's. Stew drilled the holes (as he didn't think much of Bexx-measuring) and voila!

I am loving it as I suddenly have loads more room for stamps. Also, as we use my Expedit as a room divider, the stamp stacks invariably fell down through into the dining room when I tried to get a clamshell from the bottom of the stack. So this way works much better for that reason too!

Simply Soft

I've taken a break from my destash challenge to play with my new Stampin' Up goodies! Here's a quick card made using Pool Party and Calypso Coral (two of the 2011-2013 in-colours) and the hostess set "Simply Soft". I love this colour combination but I'd like to tweak my design a bit. Also I am taking a bit of getting used to clear-mount stamps so the coral square is hiding a mis-stamp which is why it's so far right!

Destash Challenge - My Sweet Pea

Here's a little set I never really know what to do with. Perfect contender for destashing!

Once again though, I really like the result, particularly the background. However, being realistic, I could do a similar background with other stamp sets with less hassle! It is a "maybe" keeper. We shall see!

Incidentally I checked eBay for Owl Together Now and it averaged $24 in the last two weeks - pretty impressive. That has probably swayed me to sell!

Owl Together Now

Next set in my personal challenge - Owl Together Now.

Got this last week at a yard sale for $3. I was ambivalent towards it even then, but I had to give it a try! I used my ProMarkers to produce this:

 The ribbon matches SLIGHTLY better in real life but matching my limited ProMarkers to SU! colours remains impossible! I just ordered 12 more with some eBay money so we shall see if that improves matters. I am not sure at all about the merits of this set, but I think it might escape the cull for now. Perhaps it could be termed "Pending"! Of course, if this set turns out to be worth more than $3 that might change my opinion...

A new challenge - stash busting!

So I just finished a whole stack of eBaying retired stamps and ones I don't like any more (they usually came from eBay on a whim!). I have culled my collection down to about 40 clamshell sets - but even then, I kept some sets that haven't seen ink in a long time. Plus, now Stew is a demo (!) and I have access to the new catalogue, I can see my collection growing... My plan is simple - I am going to use some of my stamp sets by focussing on them for at least one card, then evaluating whether it deserves it's place in my collection. Until I can divide my Expedit shelves that is!

So first up was an easy one. I love this set, bought it on a total whim as I didn't think it was my style, but somehow, all the cards I make with it, I just love! But I thought it was best to start easy! Here is "True Friend":

I just love the circus font combos and the style of the stamps. I took the set around with me last night and made this today:

I really like it, so this set stays. You might think this was a forgone conclusion and you're probably right, but I had to start somewhere. Next up: "Owl Together Now" - bought last week at a yard sale for $3 and possibly headed to eBay tomorrow. Check back to find out!

Big bold bright birthday!

Card making again...

I just don't seem to be able to switch very easily from card making to Scrapbooking. I think it's the completely different scales involved. Anyway here's a little emboss resist card!

Moo. Been a while!

I haven't scrapbooked in ages, in fact since Lori@ Apron Strings' challenges ended. I just can't seem to find my groove! I had a go at a Splitcoast challenge today but it somehow wasn't the same. Oh well at least I got to scrap these lovely photos of Jacob in his cow costume!

Christmas in April

Well I seem to have completely lost my inspiration! However I had some free time to stamp today so I thought I'd crank out another couple of Christmas cards.

I just got the stamp set "Paisley Prints" so I used it here with a nice traditional card. Stew is out tonight so I might try to make a few more cards...

My Favourite Things

For Apron Strings Challenge #20, I decided to HAVE FUN (just for a change when scrapbooking!) and indulge myself! So I chose some of my huge stack of pink cardstock, decided to stop hoarding these patterned papers, broke out every type of embellishment I own and wrote a big list of some of my favourite things! I think it's very whimsical. I just about squeaked it in under the hour time limit, though I forgot how fiddly eyelets are!

Challenge #19

Apron Strings challenge #19 - use more than 6 photos, none more than 4x6". Hmm well I made a bit of a mess of this, guessed the measurements of the title & journalling strips and it all came out wonky. Never mind! I also think it needs "something" around the central PP block. I might just get the sewing machine out!

Lovely Laundry

I have sorted my laundry room out! Previously, there were odd cables and weird space suit parts all over, all just waiting to be dumped in the garage (or should that say garbage?). Well, I finally got around to it today. Of course, there are ways to make these projects slightly less hideous, like making banners to cheer the place up! Next task - the cupboard under the stairs. Hmmm. Maybe sorting one grot spot is enough for one day.

Regifting!

Well, Lori's challenge today was to incorporate the idea of "regifting" into your layout! Now I have to say, I had never heard of the term before, but I knew instantly what it meant. What a perfect name for it! If you haven't heard of regifting, it's when someone gives you a gift which isn't required, so you keep it in hand to use as a gift for someone else. Personally I have never done that, and I doubt I would, as I have such a rubbish "poker face" that the recipient would know something was up! I also love choosing personal gifts for people (it's shopping, come on!) so this would not be my cup of tea!

Anyway. My layout! I tried to go vintage a bit, not my style at all but I'm reasonably pleased with it. I "recycled" the backing paper (a paper bag from an antiques shop) and the gold ribbon I saved at Christmas from a gift I received. And also I bought this stamp set (SU Office Accoutrements) second hand...So I think I can just about sneak this one in under the radar!

I have had such fun this week, following the challenges, and I am really chuffed that I kept up. Shame I couldn't manage them all the way along but ho hum!

Chasing Ducks

Apron Strings Day 17 - man I love these challenges. The challenge today was to incorporate a box or block onto your layout, to give the idea of presents. Well, I kind of went to town on the blocks. This is a great way to use up scraps!

I am silly...

Well this is the second birthday card I have made for my brother-in-law. Somehow when I was looking in my diary in February I managed to look at April, panicked and sent him a belated birthday card. Then, after I had posted it, I twigged and realised his birthday was actually in April. Duh!

So anyway, his birthday is actually coming up now so I have made this card:

Really clean & simple for me, perhaps too much so? I like it anyway.

Birds

Well I'm keeping up reasonably well with Lori's challenges this week, I am really going to miss them at the end of Apron Strings' birthday month! I really feel like I'm making progress with my scrapbooking.

Anyway here's challenge #16, incorporate round items into your layout. Well, as I am a big fan of circles, bubbles, spots and dots I thought I'd try something a little different. I am quite pleased with the results although the papers aren't really coordinated I still think it works quite well.

Silly Stew

Ok. Apron Strings birthday challenge #15 - use at least three different patterned papers. Well, here I actually used 4! And a new technique for me - emboss resist. I really like that technique, but I keep forgetting my embossing buddy.

I also love this line of papers, "Little Boy" by Echo Park. I think I need to stock up, big time. It is just perfect for boys of all ages!

Wagamama Pangs

Oh man this layout makes me want Wagamama! When is it coming to the US??? This is an entry for Apron Strings' birthday challenge #14. The challenge was to try something new to you in your layout. Well, I did a few new things here - homemade embellishments (the flowers), BIG brads (SU! corduroy buttons), using a menu on my layout (probabably no technical term for this!) AND using tissue paper on a layout. I just wanted to tone the menu down a bit, and the tissue paper also lended another hint of Asian influence with its gold and silver flecks.

An apology - I can't work Blogger so my actual blog post is below the pictures I wanted to include. Scroll down, down, deeper & down!

My Dad with Jacob (playing with Maya Mist)

Christmas 2010 in Northern Ireland

Jacob & I in the garden at West Street