A birthday weekend

Wow!  What a busy weekend.  We were on the go constantly, but what a fab time we had.  It was Lana's birthday on Saturday and I wanted to share the cards that Hayley & I made for her.

Hayley's first:

She's used Fox & Friends for the monkey stamp.  And what a great job of cutting them all out!   I love the colours - inspired by the new Big Top DSP.


Here's mine:

I found the idea for the bear on SCS.  Isn't he cute?  He was easy to make: I used the 1 3/4" circle punch for the body, the 1 1/4" for the head and tummy, 1" for the face, the large circles from the Owl Builder for the paws & ears, and the small circles for the eyes.  I drew the claws, nose & eyes on with a black journalling marker.  The paper is Big Top DSP and I've used it on the flag banner & the present.   I hand cut the little flags because I don't have a punch that I was happy with to get the right shape.   The present was made using the 1 1/4" square punch.  Linen thread attached with brads is ideal for hanging the banner but it was a bit fiddly & I had to punch a hole in the whisper white cardstock first, then tie the bow in the thread and set the middle of it over the hole before pushing the brad through.  I like the stripes embossing folder but did find that it cracks the white cardstock - odd because it's ok on coloured stock.  Who knew?    The stickers for the numbers and word "Bear" were in my stash - how lucky that I had the right colours!

Thanks for looking.   I'll pop back tomorrow with a picture of the cake made by my friend Michelle.

Happy Halloween!
Karen

Mojo Monday 212

I had a huge clean out of my craft studio yesterday - huge!  I moved everything, cleaned under everything and re-gigged my space.  It was wonderful to come up here this morning and see how lovely everything looks!   In the process, I streamlined all my scraps and leftover kits from classes, making a decision that I would use some of these things up rather than stock-piling them for a future date (that never comes!)

This weeks mojo sketch is a nice simple one (I like those!).  So I got to work sifting through the old kit box and found some ready cut papers & cardstock just perfect.

The colours are Marina Mist, Pacific Point, Basic Black & Very Vanilla.   I've used some of our retired DSP "Newsprint" & Pacific Point DSP.   The greeting stamp is from Afterthoughts (now retired), but remember, it was part of an old kit so the idea is to use as much from the kit as possible and try not to make more scraps!!  I have added the "4 You" greeting from Tiny Tags Yes, they were in the kit too.

Have a scrappy day.  It feels great!

Pink Ribbon Day

Today's a day for remembering those we've lost to breast cancer and for sending hope and prayers to those who are dealing with this dreadful disease.  

Be thoughtful and thankful today.
karen

Simple Thank You Cards

It's getting harder and harder to make a card without the Big Shot!!  Who knew?!
These cards are really simple and use the Top Note & the Tulips Embossing Folder.
I'm loving that Mocha Morning Specialty paper - this one is flocked in black.  It goes so nicely with everything! 

The ribbon is the new ruffled one in Lucky Limeade. 

The cardstock colours are Calypso Coral, Island Indigo & Wisteria Wonder.    I printed the message on Whisper White cardstock then ran it through the Big Shot with the Top Note.



Have a lovely day.
Karen

Crafting for a great Christmas

What a super day I had today.    Why, you ask?  Well, I was fortunate to spend almost ALL day crafting with some lovely ladies while we made Christmas cards for our deployed servicemen and women.   Well. I use the term "we" loosely......I didn't actually finish even one card today!!!!  I was too busy organising, talking, running the raffle, talking, fielding questions, talking, eating cupcakes, and did I mention....talking?    I did prep 50 cards though and thanks to my friends Deb & Gudula, 15 of them did get finished.   I will complete the rest before the due date....giggle.
However, the other ladies, oh my goodness, they made a collective 463 cards!  How fantastic is that?  Take a bow ladies.  Your generosity donating all your supplies, your time and your help is valued and appreciated, thank you!

Without a doubt, the highlight of the day was a visit from Julee who runs the ops area at the barracks where they dispatch our cards from each year.   Julee brought 3 soldiers with her, all in uniform, and what a treat it was to have them join us for a chat.  I think they even learnt a few craft tips & techniques.  The pictures tell the story!

Nigel's first ever card making experience.   Helped along by Margaret's craft genius-ness! 

Just getting started

Surprise visit from the army

Quality control! 

Look at them work!

It was such a lovely surprise when Julee arrived with the troops, I almost cried!

Learning to punch out a stamped image with lots of encouragement!

Telling jokes.....blurry picture incase you can lip read!

Claudia did a presentation on Origami cubes - ideal Christmas baubles.  Thanks Claudia!

A finished cube

Very elegant Kelly

Stunning!

Love that tree Justina

Justina's a master with the glitter glue

Margaret's second year at CCFTT.  What a sweetie!

Sorting, sorting!  So many cards, so little space to put them all.  This is one happy lady!  Michelle, your smile is infectious!

Gloria shall be crowned the card making, cake baking queen of the day.  110 cards & 18 cupcakes.  Wow!

Yes, Bev had a big smile on her face too as she sorted and packed her creations

Denise used a lovely chalk technique on the baubles.  Gorgeous!

What a whiz you are Jenny!   So many cards.....oh 45 I think!

Nigel showing us 3 of his cards - his first attempt no less.  Well done!

The lovely Susie treats us to more of her creative designs.

Claudia shows off her different designs

That ornament punch was popular today - there were at least half a dozen in the room and something tells me that Joey really likes it!

Thanks to Gudula, some of my cards got made today.    And I think she's a happy crafter too!

Deb making sure I've got some more made!   Another big smile....every picture tells a story

Avril's second year at this event also - and around 52 cards made!  I think you love this hobby Avril!

Last but by no means least, I must thank those businesses who contributed to make our day such a success:
Stampin' Up! for wonderful raffle prizes.
Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre for the use of the garden room.
Victoire Bakery Rozelle - Duncan, the pastries & bread were divine
C'est Bon Cafe Rozelle - Elizabeth, the quiche was delicious
Woolworths Balmain - Graham donated a gift card for salads, drinks & partyware.
Avril, Michelle, Gloria & Susie all brought sweet treats to round off our lunch.  Yum to you all!

Stamp happy wherever you are!
Karen

Bookmark Case

I'm casing the IB&C this morning, and I really like the result.  

It was so easy to make.   And although I do have the supplies list I didn't really need it, just the picture from the catty.
The stamp set is Kindness Matters & I've used Lovely Letters for the alphabet.   I cut the "K" out using the Curly Label punch.  Then I stuck it to a post-it note and repunched it on all four sides to make it smaller - cute eh?
The inks are Melon Mambo & Soft Suede and I cut the bookmark using the Two Tags die in the Big Shot with Confetti White cardstock.  Victoria Crochet Trim, a pin from Vintage Trinkets and a charm complete the look.    The charm is not SU (I've had it for years, as you do!) but the catty uses the Trinket Keys  and I think I'm now going to have to buy them!!

Happy Thursday.
Karen

Nice packaging!

According to my husband, this is a Samboy box.  I think they were drink containers that you used to freeze??

Anyway, it's a gorgeous shape for packaging little gifts.  This one has a small trinket box with a fob watch top inside.   I love the results.   I guess the downside is that you have to destroy it to get it open, but if you only put a bit of snail onto the centre fold it does come away easily.

The DSP is Beau Chateau.  Isn't it lovely?  I love this paper because it goes with the Elements of Style stamp set which I've used to make the tags.

I paired it with the Box #2 die for the Big Shot to make this little Marina Mist chocolate box.  This shade of blue works really well with Chocolate Chip and Early Espresso.  I love the Boho Blossoms punch to layer small flowers and the pearl is a perfect embellishment.

What could be better than a couple of passionfruit truffles from Belle Fleur?!  Yum!

Hope you have enjoyed the long weekend.  See if you can finish it with a craft project!
Karen