Father's Day

I love special occasions throughout the year, like Father's Day, for two reasons. First of all, it is a great opportunity to say "Thank You" to special people in our lives, like my husband and my Dad. But the other reason that I love these occasions is far more selfish! It is a great chance to prioritise some card making over all the other boring jobs that I should be doing!! :)


These are the cards that I have come up with tonight. I know that they are only simple, but have had such a great night, listening to "Brooke Fraser" and stamping away....kids in bed...bliss!

(BTW, after I made them, I checked the email, and there on feedblitz was Kirrily's blog about her Father's Day effort....looks like we both chose stars! Great minds think alike! I love the book, Kirrily!). Also, I must acknowledge Amy Taylor as my inspiration for these cards. I love your recent card Amy! I went searching for my Little Pieces after I saw that, but I couldn't find them, so I had to do this instead :).

all images ©1990-2008 Stampin' Up!®

Kirrily actually showed me this clever punching technique. I "had" to buy the small star punch after that!

The materials used in this card are:

Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Garden Green, Old Olive, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard and Very Vanilla
Inks: Not Quite Navy and Old Olive
Stamp sets: So Many Sayings (Level 1 Hostess Set) and All About Occasions
Other: Large Star Punch and Star Punch, eyelets (old ones....sorry S'U!) and crop-o-dile to set them.

all images ©1990-2008 Stampin' Up!®

This card is similar to the first. Why put everything away when you are on a roll?

The only different material used is Gold Cord from the 07/08 catalogue (I wish it wasn't deleted....I love cord!) and Always Artichoke Grosgrain Ribbon.

"Happy Father's Day" to all the great dads out there, especially to my hubby, Andrew and my dad, Graham.

Bad Behaviour?

Well, I obviously haven't been very well behaved lately, because I don't feel like I have had much time off! Life is slipping by in a blur of children's activities, children's illnesses and same old same old. However, I did do a workshop recently (Hi Carole and friends) and it gave me the opportunity to prioritise some papercraft time.

I have been meaning for AGES to cover a box. It seems like a small thing, but I have just never done it. So...now I have. Above is my first attempt at box covering.

I found this gorgeous tin at Ikea (Rhodes...if anyone is interested. Don't quote me, but I think the set of 2 were about $16. It is 35 x 15 x 20 cm.) I covered it with my favorite paper ever, "Holiday Harmony" as one large strip. Then, to make it look more interesting, I cut strips of "Holiday Harmony" and added them around the box, torn or cut to different lengths. I am a very symmetrical and methodical person, so this whole shabby-chik thing is quite a stretch for me! I finished off with "Theatre" Ribbon Originals and some Double Stitched Purely Pomegranate and River Rock. Sticky Strip did a great job, but the velvet ribbon from the "Theatre" set was determined to fall off so I used the Crop-O-Dile to pierce the tin so that brads could be placed through the ribbon and right into the tin itself. That ribbon is not going anywhere now....teh heh.

Here are some more views (the photo is pre-Crop-O-Dile magic....sorry...)

The chipboard element on the top was fun. I just coated my chipboard flower (from "On Board Accents" in 08/09 Stampin' Up! IB&C) in Whisper White Craft Ink, let it dry, sponged on Purely Pomegranate Classic Ink, let it dry, added Versamark Ink then Heat and Stick Powder...heat with a heat gun and then quickly add Dazzling Diamonds and heat again to set it. I did afew of these elements at the same time, so will show you what I made with the others another day.

I covered another box and also my first On Board Art Journal that day too (I was on a role). I'll try and show you those later this week.

I am off to the Stitches and Craft Show this Wednesday, helping on the Stampin' Up! stand. Come and say hello! There will be a gorgeous card to make and take and plenty more to see. My fellow demonstrators are very clever people....you'll love it.

Better go to bed. I have a teething 18 month old. Could be a long night.

Where do I start?

Well.....the first post on my blog. Where does one start?

As you may have guessed by the title of my blog, I am a busy mum and, for me, card making is time out to re-charge my batteries. One of the things that I like most about card making is that I can finish something in one sitting. Many things in my life continue on and on and on...they are great, but hard to tick off the list. Cards, on the other hand, are finishable and usable. It's win-win!!

Anyway, I thought I would start by posting afew recent creations. They are scanned unfortunately, as opposed to being gorgeous, touched-up digital photos. I am being dragged into the modern world of computer literacy kicking and screaming I am afraid. You'll have to bear with me.

all images ©1990-2008 Stampin' Up!®

Kirrily Matthews and I came up with this card for a course that we ran a week ago. It's a nice quick one using scrapbooking papers and punches with minimal stamping (in white craft ink). Christmas cards need to be quick I think, or they would never get made.

all images ©1990-2008 Stampin' Up!®

Here is another Christmas idea. Using Bashful Blue and Whisper White card stock with Bashful Blue Ink. This uses the "Merry Merry" Stamp Set in the 08/09 IB&C. This set is new to me and I am looking forward to having more of a play with it.
Well, must be off. School lunches call.

Thanks for visiting :)