You .. with Kraft+

I have been playing with this layout for, I don't know, a week maybe. Not a lot to show for a week right? Lol! In my defence, I struggle using kraft cardstock as a background. But I also struggle with a stubborn streak wider than the Pacific, and this month I desperately wanted to do the Kraft+ Denim Revolution challenge.

You

A couple of close ups ..

I heat embossed some stamped flowers on denim and then 'fussy cut' them. Yep that's my version of 'fussy cutting' lol! But that's pretty much where it stopped. Thank god I'm stubborn!

If you fancy playing with denim and challenging yourself to use kraft cardstock or, like me, you have a stubborn streak wider than the Pacific, head on over to Kraft+ and have a go at their challenge this month, Denim Revolution.

Happy scrapping peeps.

Scrapbook Creations - Design Diva competition

Those of you who know me well know that Scrapbook Creations is my absolute favourite Australian scrapbooking magazine. I am proud to have now had a number of layouts and projects published in Scrapbook Creations and was uber excited when I found out they were running their Design Diva competition again this year.

I had to enter and despite leaving it until almost the last minute to get my entry in, I did. I wasn't successful. I wasn't even short listed LOL! Am I disappointed? Not really, oddly enough. Although it would have been wonderful ..

Of the three required projects, I thought the one that would really let my entry down was my OTP. For the most part, OTPs just aren't my thing. If I have a 'stroke of genius' I can sometimes pull something amazing off, but for the most part OTPs leave me stumped. The problem I found was that no 'strokes of genius' were heading my way in time for me to complete my entry. The only thing left was to create a suite of cards. Ironically, this was the one project Scrapbook Creations wanted to publish!!!!!!! In the end I didn't proceed with having the cards published because, quite honestly, I had put so much work into the techniques, elements and details on the cards, it would have taken me days to write the step by step instructions Scrapbook Creations required for the feature. I can't believe I 'rejected an acceptance' but I guess sometimes other things in life have to take precedence yes?

These are my entry projects ..

Today

entry 1 - a piece of me

published in Scrapbooking Memories Vol. 16 No. 3

"Although I like to experiment with different products and techniques, the style of scrapping I find myself returning to time and time again is a clean and neat, often pretty, and elegant one, incorporating lots of journaling (there is hidden journaling on my tag as well as on the layout) and attention to detail."

Mia

entry 2 - signature style

"Creating depth with layers, paints and inks, adding textiles and other mixed media, stitching and distressing, are all some of my favourite techniques to use when scrapping."

Champ de fleurs

entry 3 - Off-The-Page

"I was making cards for several years before I started scrapbooking so it seemed natural to me to return to my grass roots and make a card suite for this challenge in my favourite card style .. vintage, shabby botanicals."

So there you have it. The fish that John West rejected LOL! Until next time .. keep crafting!!!   :)

International Card Making Day

So last weekend was International Card Making Day and a couple of my girlfriends (heh Susan and Lucy!!) at ScrapChat put up a couple of challenges and they ended up creating a monster!!!  :O

At the best of times these days I don't much like making cards anymore. I'd really rather spend what little time I have to be creative, scrapping. Getting my grunge on. The reality is though, I need cards. I just can't bring myself to pay the ridiculous prices for a nice card when I could so easily whip one up myself. But as we well know, I love a challenge LOL and the girls' challenges caught me and dragged me in. What I didn't expect was that they'd create a card making monster!!

Susan's challenge was to create a pair of Christmas cards using punch art, ribbon and three buttons on each card. I ended up making three (because that's  how many cards I get out of a sheet of 12x12 cardstock) along these lines ..

products used:

cardstock - Prismatics

patterned paper - Jillibean Soup

embellishments - Heidi Swapp ribbon, Stampin' Up! buttons, embroidery thread

tools - Stampin' Up! punch

Lucy's challenge was to create a card with a flower made from a punch (no purchased flowers), a stamped quote or rub on verse, and patterned papers (as well as your cardstock base). The only 'extras' we were allowed to use were glitter, bling and mists. I found this harder than it perhaps sounds ..

products used:

cardstock - Prismatics and Stampin' Up!

patterned paper - My Mind's Eye

inks - Tim Holtz Distress and Archival Ink

stamp - Stampin' Up! Whimsical Words

tools - Stampin' Up!, EK Success and Martha Stewart punches

Where does the 'monster' bit come in? I wanted to make the cards up quickly and knew that I had a small stash of flowers I had made from punched out circles. So I got those flowers and my 6x6 patterned paper pads out to see if I could quickly pull something together (I had other scrapping I desperately wanted to do) and before I knew it I had matched up enough flowers and patterned papers to make eight cards!!! Plus they had somehow got me in the mood to make cards!!!  :O  That never happens so I figured I'd make hay while the sun shines ..

They had turned me away from the scrapping I wanted so desperately to do and created a 'card making monster'! However, I made sure to use sentiments that were fairly generic and would cover most of the occasions when I'd want to send a girlfriend a card; and now I can rest assured that I don't need to worry about making cards any time soon! Thanks for the inspiration Susan and Lucy! Oh and belated happy International Card Making Day wishes everyone!!!!   :)

A quick share

Just a quick fly by from me today sharing the Christmas cards I've made for our all year round Christmas card challenge at ScrapChat. I've got to say I'm really rather enjoying it. I can't imagine why I haven't done this in past years. It doesn't take long to whip up five or six cards and now I've made 12 of the 60 or so cards I need to make! A brilliant idea if you ask me.

Anyways this month our challenge was Green & Silver .. ugh! Do you know what I reckon? I reckon Green & Silver was something of a real challenge for me and do you know what else I reckon? I reckon maybe I'm just a bit of a dufus because I set the challenge!!! D'oh! You reckon I'd set it to suit myself LOL! Moving on ..

Christmas Trees

SU products used:

cardstock - Whisper White, Wild Wasabi

patterned paper - Wild Wasabi from patterned paper stack

stamps - Patterned Pines, Best Yet

ink - Wild Wasabi

punches - Scallop Trim Border, Designer Label Large

other - Hodgepodge Hardware in Styled Silver

other products used:

ink - Archival Brilliance Platinum Planet

I can feel the mojo returning so hopefully I'll be back soon with something a tad more exciting than Christmas cards in February!   :)

PS:  Note to self .. keep in mind what I want to do for March's challenge!!!!   ;)

Happy Valentine's Day

For GB ..

Happy Valentine's Day

products used:

cardstock - SU Naturals Ivory, Poppy Parade

patterned paper - Scenic Route Laurel Sailmaker Lane

stamps - SU A Happy Heart, I {Heart} Hearts

inks/markers - SU Poppy Parade

punches - SU Modern Window,  Heart to Heart

other - SU stitched poly-ribbon, Melissa Frances glitter chipboard heart, Inkssentials Glossy Accents

Wherever you are, whomever you are with, whatever you are doing, remember to cherish your loved ones today and everyday.   :) xx

For sale - ribbon storage - SOLD!!!

[singing]
If you know Shelli
like I know Shelli
you don't know Shelli at all ...
[end singing]

Sorry I couldn't resist LOL!!! But if you have Creating Keepsakes' Creative Spaces special issue (see HERE), then you'd know Shelli Gardner (Co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up!) has the most amazing studio full of vintage pieces and everything shabby and gorgeous. Her room really is inspiring and one of the things I loved most about Shelli's creative space was the way she displayed and stored her ribbons ... on vintage wooden spools.

I had to do the same, but finding vintage wooden spools here in Australia wasn't proving so easy to do. So I started looking in America and eventually I found a pot of gold! I've only just today had a few minutes to start organising some of my ribbons and now realise I have a just few too many vintage wooden spools than I need LOL! Here's a picture of what I've done so far ...

Just like Shelli!

... and these are the vintage wooden spools I have for sale ...

approximately 5.25" (13.5cm) long

$10 each + postage

SOLD

four available

approximately 8.5" (21cm) long

$10.00 each + postage

SOLD

three available

approximately 7" (18cm) long

$10 each + postage

SOLD

seven available

Please drop me a line via a comment, with your contact email, if you are interested in purchasing any of these spools. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!!!  :)

PS: I won't be held accountable for any new found addictions as a result of this post!!!

Christmas Down Under

What does Christmas in Australia (or where you live) mean to you? Growing up, and even to this day, Christmas in my family has always been a very 'English style' celebration. Not for us the prawns on the barbie followed by a fresh, perhaps tropical, fruit salad. Oh and I no complain LOL ... hmmm the taste of roast turkey, roast potatoes and gravy, followed by traditional Christmas pudding with custard (and sixpences!!), no matter the temperature outside, or inside for that matter, on Christmas day!!

When it comes to Christmas cards 'a la Australian' though, Christmas in my home gets a little trickier. Rather than going the 'obvious route' of Santa Claus surfing, wearing boxers and thongs, or carrying a swag, or emus (or other native animals) wearing Christmas hats, although admittedly all loaded with bags of character, I've chosen to express Australia in the following Christmas cards with my use of colours. I hope you approve ...

Deck the Halls

Stampin' Up! products used:

colours - Barely Banana, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive

cardstock - Confetti White, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive

stamps - French Filigree, Creative Elements, Merry & Type

other - Textured Impressions Stripes, Linen Thread

other products used:

patterned paper - Basic Grey Fruitcake - Holly Berries, Sugar Cookie; German Glass Glitter - Lime Green; mini pearls; Inkssentials Crackle Accents; dies - Sizzix Stars Primitive, Label Ornate #3; chipboard and JAC paper

Merry and Bright Baubles

Stampin' Up! products used:

colours - Barely Banana, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Crumb Cake

cardstock - Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Barely Banana

stamps - Delightful Decorations, Merry & Type, French Foliage, En Francais

other - Linen Thread, VersaMark stamp pad, Ornament punch

other products used:

patterned paper - Basic Grey Fruitcake - Sugar Cookie; German Glass Glitter - Rose; mini pearls; Artee Clear Detail embossing powder; die - Sizzix Label Ornate #2

Something for Christmas

Stampin' Up! products used:

colours - Barely Banana, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive

cardstock - Confetti White, Barely Banana, Riding Hood Red

stamps - Something for Christmas

other - Textured Impressions Stripes, Taffeta Ribbon - Riding Hood Red

other products used:

patterned paper - Basic Grey Fruitcake - Twinkle, Holly Berries; German Glass Glitter - Copper; Hooked on Craft paper doily; Inkssentials Glossy Accents; die - Big Shot Thick Cuts Circles; chipboard and JAC paper

Okay, so on my calculations, having made six of each of the cards I've shared so far, that's a total of 54 Christmas cards made in the past three weeks. Phew! I guess that could explain why I'm feeling a little over Christmas already. LOL ... just kidding of course!! But I am a tad tired; and my house is a tad dusty and in need of a thorough going over. But I still have Christmas card ideas coursing through my veins. I'm eager to have a go at some cards in pinks and golds. Plus some cards with 'character' so to speak, a little fun perhaps.

One of my most special girlfriends (heh Sandy!!) is coming to stay this weekend so the question is ... do I let Sandy see my home for the first time ever in it's natural state (ha ha ha) and keep making the cards I'm feeling so inspired to make ... or do I prepare the 'palace' for the imminent arrival of our 'state visitor'? ROFL ... I can hear Sandy's response now and no I won't (or more to the point, can't!!!) share it with you!!!

I guess we'll know around about next Monday which path I chose to follow ...

Winter Wonderland

I'm back with more Christmas cards to share. Personally, I'm more of a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas colours, and one thing I'm really not fond of is 'Winter themed' cards. Yet this next group of cards were made with blues and silvers and fall (in my humble opinion) slap bang, right in the middle of 'Winter themed' and yet I like them waaaaay more than the first three cards I've shared. Maybe I'm still just getting my Christmas groove on. Whatever the case, here's the 'Nordic' (ha ha) range ...

Love & Peace

Stampin' Up! products used:

colours - Baja Breeze, Marina Mist
cardstock - Confetti White, Baja Breeze
stamps - Merry & Type, Many Merry Messages
other - Scallop Trim Border punch, Decorative Label punch, VersaMark stamp pad, Uni-ball Signo white pen

other products used:

patterned paper - Basic Grey Blitzen - Jack Frost, Ice Blue; corrugated cardstock; Kaiser rhinestones; Brilliance Platinum Planet ink pad; Artee Silver Detail and Clear Detail embossing powders; sewing machine thread

White Christmas

Stampin' Up! products used:

colours - Baja Breeze, Marina Mist
cardstock - Confetti White
stamps - Baroque Motif, En Francais, Winter Post
other - VersaMark stamp pad, Whisper White taffeta ribbon

other products used:

patterned paper - Basic Grey Blitzen - Ice Blue, Fresh Snow, Snowballs; mini rhinestones; Kindy Glitz - Chrystalina; Inkssentials Glossy Accents; Brilliance Platinum Planet ink pad; Artee White embossing powder; Big Shot Thick Cuts Circles die; chipboard and JAC paper; metallic embroidery cotton

Bejewelled Ornaments

Stampin' Up! products used:

colours - Marina Mist, Baja Breeze
cardstock - Confetti White, Marina Mist, Baja Breeze
stamps - Tree Trimmings, French Foliage, Style Beautiful, Creative Elements, Many Merry Messages

other products used:

patterned paper - Basic Grey Dasher - Snowbank; mini rhinestones; Brilliance Platinum Planet ink pad; sewing machine thread

I was planning on doing some fun, character themed cards next, but after all that Wintry magic I feel the need to touch base with something more Australian! Wish me luck.   :)

Bah humbug!

Well, not really, I suppose. But then again, maybe ...

Christmas is always a time fraught with danger for GB and I. Oh and before you ask or roll your eyes (LOL), there are plenty of good reasons. Yet despite how much we try to avoid it, and having even in the past attempted a 'John Grisham' (skipping Christmas!) we've never fully succeeded in avoiding it altogether. I remember one year we studiously, but gratefully, declined any and all invitations to attend Christmas celebrations, only to have GB's brother turn up on our doorstep, unexpectedly, presents in hand, for lunch, just as (get this LOL) we were about to sit down to pancakes for brunch!!! We had so much fun and my BIL so enjoyed his Christmas 'with a difference' that year, it's become something of a tradition!!!

So anyways, Christmas is only, I don't know how many weeks away, and my my attention has accordingly turned to Christmas cards. Oh that we had children we could take cute photos of and print our cards at a photo kiosk!!! Oh that our friends and family didn't know about my paper crafting addiction and so didn't expect a handmade card! LOL I must confess, despite all the bah humbug-ing and whinging and whining I really do rather enjoy making our Christmas cards each year; and this year I get to bore you senseless with each of the designs. Ha ha ... the Scrooge has the last laugh! So without further ado, here's the first instalment ...

Christmas Robin

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Naturals Ivory, Always Artichoke

colours - Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Soft Suede, More Mustard

stamps - Beautiful Season

other products used:

Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas Magic patterned paper; Archival Ink Jet Black; United Ribbons seam binding; Inkssentials Glossy Accents

O' Christmas Tree

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Naturals Ivory, Cherry Cobbler

colours - Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede, Basic Gray

stamps - En Francais, Lovely As a Tree, Many Merry Messages

other - Crochet Trim Victoria 5/8", Basic Pearl Jewels, Modern Label punch, Scallop Trim Border punch

other products used:

Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas Magic patterned paper

Bauble of Joy

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Naturals Ivory

colours - Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake

stamps - Delightful Decorations, French Foliage, French Filigree, Baroque Border standard roller

other - Ornament punch, Eyelet Border punch, Designer Frames embossing folder

other products used:

Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas Magic patterned paper; United Ribbons seam binding; VersaMark stamp pad; Artee Clear Detail embossing powder; metallic embroidery cotton

All these cards were made using the following sketch from PageMaps (check them out HERE) ...

September 2011

I'll be back with more Christmas cards to dazzle you (ha ha) in just a few days so stay tuned!  :)

PS: Liking much the gorgeous text paper in the background of my photos??? It's from Stampin' Up! (yes I know LOL!!!) and is there new "lighter-weight" patterned paper "First Edition Specialty". Now not a lot gets past me (okay yes it does LOL!) but for the princely sum of $24.95 I had no idea I was receiving 24 sheets of this scrumptious paper and that it was double-sided ... four each of the six designs. Talk about good value. I highly recommend you get your hands on some. I mean at about $1.00 a sheet for divine patterned paper ...

For sale - Stampin' Up! stamps

Who would have thought a 5mx5m studio would not have been big enough for all my 'stuff'?!?!?! LOL! In fact we just brought into the house a mountain of boxes which had been put in the garage by the removalists (we had no idea they were in there!) and at least a dozen or so are full of scrapbooking/card making materials. This is on top of the 20 or so boxes in the second guest bedroom to be unpacked as well as another maybe 20 or so boxes in the home cinema (which is yet to resemble anything other than a storage unit)!!! Not to mention my studio is filled to overflowing already ... so the clean out and cull continues. Sigh (LOL) ...

For Everything - $20.00

SOLD

2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue

catalogue price $47.95 (W)

pre-loved, excellent condition, three of the 11 wood-mounted stamps used

Sweet Summer - $10.00

SOLD

2011 Sale-A-Bration

catalogue price n/a (C)

brand new, never used, all nine clear-mounted stamps assembled

Fun & Fast Notes - $30.00

SOLD

2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue

catalogue price $58.95 (W)

pre-loved, excellent condition, two of the eight wood-mounted stamps used

Big Bold Birthday - $20.00

SOLD

Two-Step Stampin'

2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue

catalogue price $53.95 (W)

pre-loved, excellent condition, most of the 13 wood-mounted stamps used

Wild West Alphabet - $30.00

SOLD

double-mounted (why picture of actual stamps not provided)

2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue

catalogue price $77.95 (W)

brand new, never used, all 15 wood-mounted stamps assembled

Echoes of Kindness - $20.00

SOLD

2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue

Level 2 Hostess (W)

pre-loved, excellent condition, one of the three wood-mounted stamps used

Soft Summer - $15.00

SOLD

Two-Step Stampin'

double-mounted (why picture of actual stamps not provided)

2009 Spring Mini Catalogue

catalogue price $41.95 (W)

pre-loved, excellent condition, one of the six wood-mounted stamps used

Sweet Stems - $10.00

SOLD

2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue

catalogue price $29.95 (W)

brand new, never used, all four wood-mounted stamps assembled

Friendship Shapes - $5.00

SOLD

from a Simply Sent set (year not known)

catalogue price n/a (W)

pre-loved, fair condition, all four of the wood-mounted stamps used, minor marking

Watercolor Vine - $7.50

SOLD

jumbo roller

2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue

catalogue price $15.95

pre-loved, excellent condition

Fast Flowers - $5.00

SOLD

standard roller

2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue

catalogue price $11.95

pre-loved, excellent condition

Watercolor Joy - $5.00

SOLD

standard roller

2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue

catalogue price $11.95

pre-loved, excellent condition

bulky item = $5.00 postage

Solitude (flowers) - $5.00

SOLD

standard roller

year and catalogue price not known

pre-loved, excellent condition

Bella's Border - $5.00

SOLD

standard roller

2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue

catalogue price $11.95

pre-loved, excellent condition

Rectangle frame - $5.00

SOLD

single stamp from Framed with Love stamp set

2009-2010 Summer Mini Catalogue

catalogue price $49.95 (W) for seven stamps

brand new, never used

stamped image measures approximately 3.5" x 1.0"

Please note:

*   prices exclude postage

*   no reasonable offer refused (seriously!)

*   you can check my eBay ID (alzcardzoz) feedback HERE

*   payment via PayPal or internet transfer is preferred

*   local pick up from Williams Landing (3027) welcome

*   smoke-free, dog friendly home

*   please indicate which stamp(s) you would like to buy via a comment

*   please also provide me with your email address so I can contact you

*   please spread the word!!!!

Thank you.  :)

The 'card making frenzy' ...

A girlfriend (and my local Stampin' Up! demonstrator) (heh Miriam!!) sells her beautiful cards through a local florist (who also has a shop in town) and the local market. You can visit Miriam's blog HERE. Her most recent market has involved an enormous amount of preparation (whilst she's been deathly ill!) as it was part of a larger fundraising effort in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With her usual commitments seemingly having quadrupled and being extremely sick, Miriam sent out the smoke signal to myself and another girlfriend to make up some cards to help her out.

As Miriam is a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, for the most part all the products I've used are Stampin' Up!. LOL I no complain ... I love, love, love Stampin' Up! products. One day I plan to join Stampin' Up as a demonstrator, but in the interim I need pantry shelves, umm ... an electrician to finish installing some light fittings and ceiling fans, ahh ... that's right outdoor tables (we have the chairs!), oh yeah and a BBQ. LOL and that's just the tip of the iceberg!!!

Anyways October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and if you care to make a donation to the Breast Cancer Network Australia (visit them HERE) you can do so VIA THIS LINK.

These are a few of the cards I made ...

Fresh Like Spring

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Crumb Cake, Wild Wasabi, Watercolor

inks/markers - Crumb Cake, So Saffron, More Mustard, Wild Wasabi

stamps - Love & Care, French Foliage, En Francais background

other - Basic Black designer button, Linen Thread

from my stash:

black sewing machine cotton, embroidery thread

Wild Marigolds

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - River Rock, Wild Wasabi, Poppy Parade, Watercolor

inks/markers - River Rock, Wild Wasabi, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait

stamps - Love & Care, Medallion background

dsp - Peach Parfait from 2010-2012 In Colors pattern stack

punches - Scallop Trim Border

other - Brights Designer Buttons, Linen Thread

White Butterfly Delight (green)

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Confetti White

inks/markers - Wild Wasabi

stamps - Friends 24-7

dsp - Certainly Celery from Subtles Stack and Melon Mambo from Brights Stack

punches - Scallop Edge Border

other - Basic Pearl Jewels, Sizzix Embosslits Beautiful Wings

from my stash:

Sizzix/Tim Holtz Mini Paper Rosettes die

White Butterfly Delight (blue)

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Crumb Cake and Confetti White

inks/markers - Marina Mist

stamps - Friends 24-7

dsp - Bashful Blue from Subtles Stack and Regal Rose from Brights Stack

punches - Scallop Trim Border

other - Sizzix Embosslits Beautiful Wings

from my stash:

Sizzix/Tim Holtz Mini Paper Rosettes die

Kaiser Pearls - Denim

Hello - Have a Great Day

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Confetti White, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red

inks/markers - Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black

stamps - Lots of Thoughts

dsp - Real Red, Regal Rose and Tempting Turquoise from Brights Pattern Stack

punches - Owl Builder

other - Clips, black 3/8" grosgrain ribbon, Sizzix Top Note die

from my stash:

Sakura Aqualip pen - Black

Inkssentials Glossy Accents

That's it for me just now. I'm not sure what October holds. I know what I want to do. Scrap. Create. Paint. I know what I should be doing. Sorting filing, working out, gardening, cooking, cleaning, blah blah blah LOL. Weather permitting our roof is being replaced this month. We're having our 12 months maintenance inspection with our builder this month so who knows, maybe I'll have tradies crawling all over the house? Wouldn't that be nice LOL?! Whatever October holds for you I hope it's a good one.

I barely made it past the front cover!!

Huh? That's how inspired I was by the latest and greatest Stampin' Up! catalogue. This is probably about the fourth year I've purchased the Stampin' Up! catalogue and this year's is a real stand out for me. To be quite honest there are so many new and exciting stamps and products I feel a tad overwhelmed. My wish list is going to be at least a mile long. Honestly. Anyways I love, love, love the front cover and was inspired by a seed packet on the front cover to create the following card ...

For a friend

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Baja Breeze, Soft Suede and Watercolor; stamp sets - Love & Care, French Foliage, Style Beautiful, En Francais (background); inks and markers - Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Always Artichoke; other - Linen Thread, Crumb Cake designer button

Other products used:

embroidery cotton and sewing machine thread

For those of you who have seen the new catalogue, you're right LOL, my card isn't orange! But I otherwise think you can clearly see where I drew inspiration from the seed packet! Okay I'm off to start my wish list. My friendly, local Stampin' Up! demonstrator (heh Miriam ... you'll find Miriam's blog HERE) has provided me with an Excel spreadsheet for my wish list, so yep LOL, it's going to be a long one.  :)

Isn't she lovely?

Introducing ...

Matilda

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Not Quite Navy, Whisper White; DSP - Sunny Garden, Not Quite Navy from patterns stack; Not Quite Navy ink pad and marker, Daffodil Delight ink pad; Designer Buttons - Daffodil Delight, Not Quite Navy, Marina Mist, Whisper White; Daffodil Delight striped grosgrain ribbon; Sizzix Sizzlits - Little Leaves, Floral Fusion; Sizzix Embosslits - Beautiful Wings; punches - 2 3/8" scallop circle, 1 3/4" circle, scallop oval, large oval; stamp set - Vintage Vogue

other products used:

Big Shot Pro die - Circle, Scallop; Sizzix/Tim Holtz Alterations dies - Paper Rosette, Mini Paper Rosettes; Cuttlebug Olivia alpha dies; Kaiser Rhinestones; Making Memories staples; die-cut doily, vintage eyelet lace and embroidery cotton from stash; 'by Alz' hand-dyed, yellow seam binding

sketch:

'Beautiful' by Alz Sketchz

Yes (LOL you can roll your eyes!!) I set myself the challenge to scrap with my new Stampin' Up! goodies and honestly?  I couldn't be happier with the result.  The colours were perfect ... especially the Not Quite Navy for bringing out the blue in Matilda's eyes.  Don't you think?!

I hope Matilda's mum (my girlfriend Tammi ... hi Tim Tam!!) is as delighted with this LO as I am!  I can't thank Tim Tam enough for allowing me to scrap this photo of her gorgeous little girl, and for sharing it with you on my blog.  Special mention must also go to the incredible Tiff Firth who took this photo.  You can visit Tiff's blog HERE.

Special thanks to my girlfriend Jill (hi Jill!) for the stunning die-cut, yellow doily I received in a bundle of goodies on Monday.  LOL talk about perfect timing!!!  Special thanks also to my buddy Miriam (my Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator and the cause of my current obsession with all things Stampin' Up!) for reminding me I can scrap (not just make cards) with my Stampin' Up! supplies!  (Hi Miriam!)  You can find Miriam's blog HERE.

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday ...

PS:  The sketch I used for this LO can be found HERE ... yep it's one of my all time favs but I really should get on with some more scrapping because I have so many more sketches to share.  :)

The last of the cards (for a wee while)

Okay, so this is the last of the cards (she says), at least until the end of next week.  I have some serious scrapping planned for the next few days (I am soooooooo far behind in my Weekly Favourites Journal!)!  Wrapping up the cards though is "Sunny Days Pinwheel" ... created with the gorgeous Peach Parfait patterned papers from Stampin' Up!'s Sunny Garden DSP ...

Stampin' Up! products used:

cardstock - Naturals Ivory; DSP - Sunny Garden, Peach Parfait from patterns stack; Peach Parfait ink pad; Peach Parfait poly-stitched ribbon; Linen Thread, Very Vanilla designer buttons; punches - Scallop Border,  1 1/4" Circle, Jewelry Tag, Boho Blossoms; stamp sets - Punch Potpourri, Teeny Tiny Sentiments; Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

other products used:

Sizzix/Tim Holtz Alterations Paper Rosette die; Kaiser Pearls - Latte; silver eye-pin jewelry finding

What's next on the agenda?  Well today is Sunday and that means today is also Scrapday so although the day is half gone and I've loads of washing to do, the sun is shining (here and there) and I've a hankering to do a layout of a girlfriend's little girl (hi Tammi and Matilda!) ... in the photo Matilda is wearing the prettiest of yellow sundresses and I can't help but think how perfectly Stampin' Up!'s Daffodil Delight would match her dress.

I know ... it's a disease this Stampin' Up! thing LOL!  But I'm seeking help for it ... once I finish filling out my next order form ...

PS:  Wishing everyone a truly relaxing end to the weekend.  xx