Hello Duckie & TST #81

Afternoon crafters,

My Daughters Scout Venture leader is due to welcome another addition to his growing family, so i thought i would make him a card along with a gift. The gift is another nappy cake, but this time in blue and i have already done a post on the last ones i did not too long ago, so i wont add a photo this time (plus i havent actually made that part yet).

I have done a bit of web blurfing (blog surfing) for ideas. I popped over to Try Stampin on Tuesday to see what their latest challenge was, and i liked it so i have incorporated it into my card, and their deadline is today so i had to do it now.

The actual punch art i found over on Pintrest, so to who's actual punch art it is, im not too sure, but if it is yours please let me know so i can give you credit for it.

Here is my card

Isn't the punch art cute, i think he is so adorable

This was a fantastic design for using up pieces of scrap DSP, pieces that are too big to just throw away,

Here is the Sketch challenge i worked with from Try Stampin on Tuesday

Now back to Pintrest....In case your wondering what i am on about, this is a site where there is something for everybody, from home tips to crafts, kids stuff, in fact if you want it it is there. It is like one big community notice board, where you share what you find with the others out there in cyber space, or like the item, to use at a time when you need it. I love spending time here just wondering the great ideas, in fact if i do something new, the family will say " don't tell me you saw it on Pintrest". Go on over and start browsing you wont help your self going to it daily to see all of the new and wonderful things "pinned".

Any way i'm off to do a bit more Blurfing, as my craft file on my computer has been deleted, it contained over 3 years worth of my creations and saved items to be CASEd at some time when i need inspiration.

i was "not happy Jan".

Ballerina Punch Art

Morning Crafters.

The other weekend i attended a birthday party for my cousins little girl who was turning 5 and in New Zealand this is a big birthday one to be celebrated by all, extended family included.

It was a fairy-tale dress-up for the kids, i went dressed as a fairy, i was told that as an adult i didn't have to dress up, but why should the kids have all of the fun, sorry i don't have any photos of that sight, there were none taken of me, well as far as i know there wern't any taken of me. But im sure some will surface sooner or later.

I only had a short time to make a birthday card for the birthday girl, i had totally forgotten about the party until that morning I love punch art and i haven't done any in a while, so i found a punch art girl i had done a while ago as a cheerleader and changed her into a sparkly ballerina, that is the beauty of punch art, you can adapt it into anything with a tweak here and there.

It was a great day, and even the sun came out which is great as can you imagine a whole bunch of 5 year olds stuck inside, i love kids but that would be a test for anyone.

In some ways it is a shame my two have grown up now, i really loved the parties for the young ones, i had just as much fun organising a fun day as i did on the big day, oh well i do have a few big birthdays coming up soon, who knows we might even have a turn back the time party, these are fun.

Pintrest Tuesday

Afternoon crafters,

Crafters Anonymous each Tuesday have started something called Pintrest Tuesday, which is where we head over to the wonderful site www.pintrest.com and we all choose a craft item we like and we re-create it and add our own personal stamp to the item.

If you have never heard of Pintrest, it is like a community notice board, where you will find everything from crafts, cooking, home ideas and tips, i don't think there is a person out there who wouldn't find something on there to interest them

This past Tuesday i gave it a go for the first time, and i found a card i liked that was saved to my Likes, in Pintrest speak it is our favourite items we save to go back and look at, and maybe CASE  at a later date.

Here is my inspiration,  click on the link to go and have a look.

http://pinterest.com/pin/271412315013423009/

And here is what i came up with

I made it for a friend, who has had a rough time lately, i wanted to put a smile on her face, and it worked, apparently she has a smile a mile wide on her face all day, I love doing this, it makes the time spent sitting in the craft room so worth while.

I have had a chance to do a bit of crafting, so i will be back to showcase these at a later date, until then try n stay warm and dry

Sweet 16

Evening Crafters,

This is a short post as it is late and i still have a bit to do before i hit the hay for the night

A couple of weeks ago it was our youngest child's sweet 16th Birthday. Boy they grow up so fast, i seemed like only yesterday that she was a baby. now she is about to be let loose on the roads, sometimes i wish i could stop time and enjoy them being younger for a bit longer before they go out into the big wide world.

It took me a while to make her card, but she was patient. She did say it was worth the wait.

This card is complete with Green Mini M&M's, which with her didnt last long

Im not sure if you can guess her favourite colour.

If this doesn't give it away then maybe the colour of her room might

yes she loves green, the brighter the better.

So i dragged out an old colour, Green Galore, she really loves this colour so it is one of the old colours i won't part with.

She had a great birthday, hubby and myself are in the automotive trade, so we were able to get her a small car for her 16th, all she needs now is the piece of paper that says she can drive it, but that is still a work in project for her.

Well i must beddle off as i have too clean up my craft room after tonights class over at CA (crafters anonymous).

Teenage Birthday

Afternoon crafters,

Wow two days in a row and i have been able to grab a few minutes and create.

Today i managed to make two cards, one for a friend who's daughter turned 13 yesterday, and another one for my daughter who turned 16 last week, but she knows it is coming just a bit late, i feel real bad about that, but with any luck the one i made will make up for that. I will blog that when i get a chance to take a photo of it, (later).

Here is one of the cards.

I stamped first, then i hand cut out the heart for the sweet cup to fit through.

it was a quick n easy card, my favourite kind to create, i reckon it creates more of a challenge to use less rather than more

I just have to stop at the shop and fill it with red mini M&M's, i knew if i didn't take a photo now, i would end up giving it to her and not take a photo.

Well i must go and go the school run, I will blog that other creation tomorrow or early next week

Peek - A - Boo

Hi there crafters,

Well with all that has been happening around the home i have found myself playing catch up with birthday cards and gifts.

Here is a gift box i was supposed to have ready by the 18th June, it is a little peek-A-Boo box.

Back during the last Christmas holidays one of my nieces had her ears done, and i promised her a few pairs of earrings for her birthday if she looked after her new earrings.

And being a child with a good memory she never let me forget, even has been patient while i found the time to make a little gift box and send them up to her, finally i have finished it and i can send them off to her. But i still have to do her birthday card, that i haven't gotten around to even starting, my crafting is a snatched 30mins here and there, i was going to sit down and lock myself away tonight and craft, but i forgot im off to the movies, so that will have to wait a day or so

The box has a double opening, the bottom layer having a peek-a-boo window to see the gift inside, being a girly girl there is plenty of bling, with a glittery heart.

Here is the box open to revel the peek-a-boo window, and more bling with two glittery hearts.

to open you just lift the second layer just like a normal box to retrieve the gift in case it is many pairs of small earrings.

well i must move on and finish my paper work

take care and try to stay dry

With Heartfelt Sympathy

Hi there,

I had to make a card for a dear friend of mine, who lost her father the other day after losing his battle with a lung disorder.

I am yet to catch up with her but i made the card to let her know i am thinking of her and her family at this time.

As you are all in agreement these cards are not the easiest ones to make. I find they take me a while to do no matter how simple or complicated i make them, as i want to get these cards just right.

With the making of this card i got to break out a set i have had for quite a while but with not having a craft room, i haven't been able to play, i do have a few other sets that are calling out to be used for the first time, so as i find time i will be  playing with these im sure.

One thing i have found is that since i haven't crafted in so long i have forgotten a few techniques and what to do with certain tools, so the first few moments when i have been sitting down to create, is spent here working out where to start, then away i go.

Anyway here is my card

I added a touch of glitter to the flowers, just to add a sprinkle of love

Sorry for the photo quality, as i have taken the photo at night, as i do not know when i am able to get back to blog this, so it was all done as i was sitting here creating, that way there would be no excuses.

I also thought i had better add a photo of the nearly finished kitchen, as i have added ones of the before and during, and as of yet a finished one

Just the splash back, toe kicks and the counter front to finish in this photo.

We have now finished the kitchen/lounge/dinning and two other rooms but there is still a lot to do, the problem with getting a bigger place is the amount of painting that there is to be done, but slowly it is all been re-vamped, i must admit i am enjoying it all.

Well enjoy the week ahead, and look forward to seeing you here again soon

Yippee i am able craft again

Hi De Hi,

Finally i am back and i am able to craft again, i have finished a room in my home where i can set up and once again start to create.This room is only temporary as i will have a room just for me soon, but is at the moment under going a few changes. But as i am still very busy i am not sure how often i can enjoy this bit of down time to craft.

I have missed the opportunity to make few birthday card during my down time, but i will make up for them by doing super dooper ones for them when their birthdays roll around again.

Just in the last couple of days i have had to make a couple of cards, one in which i will share today the other one i will share in a day or so.

The first one is a card and a project. One of our staff (they feel like family to us) has just had a beautiful baby girl, third baby for their growing family and i wanted to do something different, so after seeing this many times i had a go at making a nappy cake.

There are about 30 nappies under Ted, and also under Ted in the middle is a selection of baby lotions and bath washes, around Ted is rolled up singlets, socks, hats and so on, it was finished off with cellophane and ribbon.

Here is a side view

there was a bit more added to it before i wrapped it up, but once again i forgot to take a completed photo

here is the card i made to go with their gift

Opps i just realised i forgot to take a photo, so i will have to see if i can get a photo of it when i go back for a visit and cuddle.

Enjoy your weekend, and i look forward to catching up with everybody via your blogs or messages.

Yes i am still here

Hi to all out there in craft land,

Wow it has it really been almost three months since i last posted, but i do have a good excuse i promise.

Almost 2 months ago my hubby and i brought our first home, so between my last post and now i have been busy packing, moving then straight away we started to do make some major changes (renovations) to our new home.

Since moving into our home we haven't even unpacked, only our bed, computer and entertainment centre have come out of the basement so far. i haven't even had a kitchen for the past 5 weeks and a few more to go until we have a working one. so if it can't be cooked in a microwave i am stuck.

We have also opened up our new (second) business, so between family, flying visits to OZ, the new house and the new business i can honestly say i haven't crafted at all in the 3 months. Oh i have attended a extravaganza and one class, but to me that does not count, as it was all someone else's work(design) not my own.

But i will be back in the near future, as i am starting to want to create again, especially as i am going to have my own craft room - up to now i have been enjoying creating of a different nature, with the new area we created in our home, i will put up a few before/after photos.

This is the lounge the day we moved in

this is the lounge halfway thru

90% finished

existing walls

no walls

existing kitchen

new kitchen, about half way thru.

So well i will leave you with these photos, and hopefully i will be back soon with photos of my new creations

Im going to be missing for a while

Morning Crafters,

This is just a short post to say that for the next few weeks maybe for the next month or so, i won't be able to do much in the way of crafting, as i have something big happening in my home life, don't worry it is a good thing not a worrysome thing, ( i will revel more as soon as i can).

I do have a couple of birthdays i need to create for, so i will try my best to blog those creations, in the mean time i am still around and checking out your wonderful sites/blogs.

Take care, will be in touch with my news as soon as i can.

Oh My Gosh 5000 mark

Hello again.........

Oh my gosh after posting my last post i realised that i have hit the 5000 blog view mark.

For this wonderful ocassion i am giving some special bloggers this wonderful Blog award. 

This to let you know how much i appreciate your visits and your very encouraging comments

The rules for this award

* Thank the person who gave you this award

* paste the award to your blog

* Link the person who nominated you for this award

* Nominate as many other bloggers for this wonderful award as you like

* Post links to their blogs 

My chosen award recipients are:

Narelle Hoggard     http://handmadebynarelle.wordpress.com/

Paula Reid     http://yellowbearnz.blogspot.co.nz/

Julia Leece   http://juliascards.blogspot.co.nz/

Andrea Lowcock    http://andrealowcock.wordpress.com/

Helen Williams   http://craftyhelen.blogspot.co.nz/

Try Stampin on Tuedsay #52

Hello fellow crafters

Well once again it has been a while between posts.

I have so much going on in my personal life right now, some things are good and some things are well i have to wait for an outcome before i decided if it is a good thing or not.

I will revel more when i know, until then i will post as i get the chance to do a bit of crafting.

Todays post is a card that looks very much like the last card i posted. 

This unfinished card has been sitting on my desk for a few weeks now, i had fully intended to do two of the last card i made, but after seeing this weeks challenge over at Try Stamping on Tuesday, i decided to change it a little bit to fit the sketch.

Here is my card, the photo doesn't show up the light hint of glitter i used around the edge of the flowers.

This is my most favourite colour combination to use, it suits every ocassion,

Well i had better run as i have a yet another busy day ahead, i just hope this on coming cold/flu keeps away, well for a few more days at least

Warm wishes for an ill friend

Hi Crafters,

Isn't it hard to believe that we are nearly at the end of the first month of the new year already.

I have been enjoyed getting back into the swing of normal daily life, and for those lucky few i know that are still enjoying a bit of R&R, don't rub it in.

Anyway i have still not gotten back into my craft room very much, as this year is so far showing signs of being a busy year ahead.

It is going to be an exciting year for myself and my family. 

Yesterday our Daughter started back at school over in Australia and also her first shift at her first ever part time job. Our daughter (15yrs) lives over on the gold coast and attends school there, but she was home over the holidays. The month flew by far too quickly, i am missing her already. 

 Our son had a big day yesterday too, he started his first day of full time work, and all going well he will have a Engineering apprenticeship come June. 

And i have a exciting time ahead but i can't say anything more on that front, but will tell all once i am able to.

So back to carding, today's card is one i did yesterday for a very good friend of mine who underwent surgery, i wanted to brighten up her day as she was not looking foward to this day at all. i made up a R&R pack for her while she sits back and recovers, i put in some juice, magazines and some chocs so she has the energy to turn the pages, and a blackout mask so she can sleep without the sunny days stopping her from doing so (yes believe it or not we have sunshine)

 The saying isn't one im fond off for this card, but it was the only "get well" or "feeling unwell" stamp i had, but she loved it and yes it did put a smile on her face, 

anyway im off i had better go and fix up the months books, apparently if you leave them they don't do themselves, just wish full thinking, maybe a part of me is still in holiday mode.

Welcome to a new year

Afternoon crafters,

Happy new year

I know it is a fraction too late, but this is the first time this year i have been back and visited my blog, slack i know but i took a holiday away from my crafts, and even blog surfing.

Apart from the occasional card i had to make during the break, i have enjoyed this time to sit back relax and enjoy the precious sun that we got, when it showed. I think someone forgot to tell the weather god that it is summer here in NZ. I hope you all have had a relaxing safe and happy holiday season, i worked through but did manage 3 days up at the beach this past Monday

 From here on in until June i have a very quiet time on the card front, so this is normally the time i end up trying out new techniques and ideas.

I have already seen a few new ideas i want to play around with, oh exciting times ahead.

The card i want to show today is one i did recently for my F-I-L's 60th birthday.

I got to play with my new stamp set "The Open Sea"

 I really enjoyed making this card, the ship and the anchor has been clear embossed. The background of the ship is a piece of cardstock that i stamped then just rumpled up and then flattened back out.

Well i must get back to my blog surfing i have alot to catch up on......oh and my paper work i supposed i had better do that as well