a little overdue

Hi, due to the silly season and all that goes with it, I have been a little run off my feet lately. So apologies once again for not putting anything up for a while. However, I have made a couple of cards that I can share, so hopefully that will make up for it. My sister is having her birthday on Friday, and I wanted to give her something elegant. I'd found something similar to what I wanted, and I'm sorry I can't find who's blog it was on. But anyway, I've altered it considerably to become what it is now. I love the Established Elegance and Creative Elements sets, and combined they look amazing. The Perfect Plum, Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake are one of my favourite combinations, and with the use of the pearls to add a bit extra.

Mum has a thing about roosters, and the Beau Chateau paper just seemed to fit the bill. So no stamping on this one, bar the sentiment, but lots of cutting. Dad wanted this to give to Mum for her birthday. Yep, it's a busy time for birthdays in our family at the moment, and with xmas on top...

I'd seen a lot of cards made with the Creative Elements stamp used in this way, but I decided to use my old faithful Tulips Embossing Folder to border it. The Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade work well with this, and finished it off with the Very Vanilla Seam Binding and Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon, as well as the designer printed brad in Wisteria Wonder.

Finally, I cased this gorgeous wee reindeer off Kirsty Brown. I unfortunately didn't have any of the red glimmer paper that she used on his nose, but he's just as cute without. The kids thought he was fun, and very easy to make.

So I hope you got some inspiration from these ideas and have fun creating. Cheers, Dee

Hubby's invites

Good morning all, so sorry to have taken so long to get back here and post something. Term time is so hard to keep track of spare time. However, I have been pretty busy getting out invites for my hubby's birthday.

I had an idea of what I wanted to make, as he wanted to, and due to popular demand, have a black tie bash. I'd looked around on the net to see what others had made, and couldn't find anything that was quite right. So out came the Top Note die, and away I went. The shirt pulls out with the information on it. I used the Fancy label punch to make the collar, by cutting in from the sides at the midway point, then folding the corners to the middle, and the back half down, and trimming. The bows were simply folded and sewn in the middle. But when you are doing 50, they seem to go on forever. To make the pocket and kerchief, I used the corner cut-offs from the back of the collar. Trimmed the bottom corner, and placed a black rectangle over top. At one stage, I had a production line going, of Russ taping, the kids making the buttons and gluing. But that only last for a wee while. The feedback has been great, which is really nice. So I hope you get some inspiration from this. Yours in creating, Dee

my challenge

Hi again, I thought that since I'd been a bit slack in posting lately, due to a lot of running around for various things, that I'd give myself a wee challenge. Over the next little while I'd try to start at the beginning of the latest catalogue and work my way through, and make a card from each stamp set that I own. So we'll see how we go. I'm in the midst of getting hubby's 40th invites out, and trying to make 50 of these things is quite time consuming. When I post a picture of these, you'll understand why. I won't do that till I've actually got them posted though. So here is my first attempt at my personal challenge. I've used the hostess set Happiest Birthday Wishes. The colours are Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz and Concord Blue. I used the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder on the background. When I had initially made it, I thought it was a bit bland, so I decided to colour parts of the embossing to liven things up a bit. I've added the pearls as well. Embellishments are a wonderful thing.

So, I hope it's given you some inspiration for something you might be working on, even given yourself the same challenge. We have these stamp sets sitting there, and sometimes that's all they do. We have good intentions when we get them, so maybe try a challenge for yourself. Good luck. Dee

A small box of wonder

Hi again, off to a slow start today, after having a lovely night out at the Southwell School Centenary dinner last night. A couple of weeks ago, I got together with my up-line Juliette, and her group of ladies. I had to demonstrate a make-and-take. I decided on something 3D, because they are always fun and different to make. I'd been playing around with the Petal Cone die, which I'd got in the mail that week, and used an idea that I had found on line to make a box, by Sharon Field . I think it's cute.

I used the Artistic Etchings set to decorate, with the Patterned Designer Paper in Real Red to decorate. They are so easy and cute, and would be great for a little something for christmas. Have a great weekend. Dee

simple autumn days

Hi, well I'd seen a picture that was shared on Facebook today, that kind of summed it all up.

It's been one of those really busy weeks, that leads into an equally busy weekend. Never mind. I've got a quick and simple card to show you today. The stamp set is Autumn Days, and I've used Island Indigo as the base colour, with Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend, and take some time out for yourselves. Cheers Dee

Playing Around

Hi and sorry it's been so long since I last posted. Not a good start really. It's been one of those weeks, and have spent more time running around like a flea in a fit, than I have sitting down doing this sort of thing.

Anyway, I'm here now and I would like to show you a cute little project I had a chance to make that Juliette Riddell (my upline) showed us. They are quite easy, effective and a great gift.

They are quite cute and are the 19 x 21 cm. Scored from the 1cm in on the 21cm side. Then at 9cm, 10cm and 18 cm. Fold and tape. Decorate as you like. We've used Stitched Stockings. I decided on Pear Pizzazz and Poppy Parade as the colours. I put a brad in the bottom so the pad won't slip through.

I hope you get some inspiration for a easy gift. Have a great day.
Dee

Newer Versions

Good morning, I'm back into routine again, and awake early enough to post this before getting the kids ready for their day.

I originally made this one for a friends birthday in pink, and decided to use it for my display board in the elegant eggplant and some of the new scallop dot ribbon and antique brads.

I had made this card for Mum a couple of years ago, and she still has it displayed at home. But because it was made with old DSP, I couldn't use it for display. So I've used the Rich Razzleberry patterned paper, and made a couple of tweeks here and there.

I've added a of new ones all together here for you too. I embossed the Crumb Cake card with Vintage Wallpaper and used the new Established Elegance set, with Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake Seam Binding.

Thanks for looking and I hope you have a great day.
Dee

Hamilton Stampin' Up Extravaganza

Hi All, sorry for the delay. After the madness of the weekend, I needed to spend a "little" time cleaning the house - and still have a long way to go. Had a fantastic time at the school reunion, and then yesterday at the Extravaganza. There were around 80 ladies there making 5 projects, with 12 demonstrators. 2 of us were floaters, helping out where we were needed. But I generally stayed with helping 1 project, as it tended to take a bit longer. It was a lot of fun, but we were all fairly tired by the end of the day.
So today I'm sharing what we created yesterday.

The Pennant Parade Telescopic Christmas Card was demonstrated by Bev Poultney and Kristine McNickle.

The Petal Cone Carry Bag was inspired by Delys Cram, and demonstrated by Carol McCready and Jacque Pedersen.

The Top Note Christmas Box was designed by Shona Edmonds and demonstrated by her and Rhonda Fawcett.

Up, Up and Away Balloon Card was inspired and demonstrated by Irene Wardlow and Rayleen Baker.

The Stitched Stockin Double Easel Card was demonstrated by Patrice Halliday-Larsen and Dallas Hawes.

All these ladies are extremely talented and I felt very priviledged to be allowed the opportunity to assist them during the day.

Birthday boys

Another day, and a whole lot to do. We've got the local school's 75th jubilee today. After my Father 'n law, Husband and kids being past pupils, and with me still on the Board of Trustees, we are expected to be present. It's such a lovely small rural community, and we enjoy being a part of it. So it should be a fun day catching up with friends and family.

Today, I've got a couple of little boy's card to share. Sometimes inspiration for cards for men/boys in our lives is not always easy to come by. But, with a little thought I came up with a card for a friend's boy, who is into helicopter's. I used the monkey from Stampin' Up!'s Fox and Friends set. I had a look around the net for something to go on, but couldn't find what I wanted. A little improvisation comes into it with punch art. He liked it, so that was all that mattered.

The Owl builder punch is a versatile tool. I've made so many things by using this punch, as have so many people. Another friend's boy likes to think he's the sheriff around town, and so this is my take on a card I'd seen by Lynn Pratt.

So I hope that you can find some inspiration for your projects. I'm off to help at a Stampin' Up! Extravaganza in Hamilton tomorrow, so whether I can get to posting is questionable. But I'll try and show you what we got up to on Monday.

Enjoy your weekend.
Dee

Easel Cards

Hello, it's been fairly busy today, hence the late post. I'm quickly adding whilst I'm trying to scoff a quick bite to eat, before heading out the door again.... Never mind, it's better to be busy than wondering what to do with myself.

I have made a couple of cards recently that I wanted to show you. They are an alternative to the traditional easel cards, and they are made with using shapes through the Big Shot.

Firstly, I made this one using the Scallop Circle, and then the Circle Scissor Plus. The butterflies are from the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die. The colours are Concord Crush, Pretty in Pink and Lucky Limeade. The background stamp is from Creative Elements. The leaves are from the Little Leaves embosslit. The base Lucky Limeade is put through the Scallop Trim Border Punch. The Concord Crush stitched poly-ribbon bow is secured with a clear rhinestone brad.

This second one is from using the Top Note Die. Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Pretty in Pink, Concord Crush and Whisper White are the colours. I embossed the Rich Razzleberry with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, and the Pretty in Pink butterfly through the Perfect Polka Dots. On the base I've used the Lace Ribbon Border Punch to help stand the top up. The background of Delicate Doilies is stamped in Whsiper White craft ink.

Thanks for taking the time to look at my Deesigns.
Dee

New Colours

It's one of those days where it doesn't know if it wants to rain or be fine outside. I know how it feels - someday's I don't know what I feel like creating until I go through my stash of stamps and find something that gives me a little inspiration. However, this morning I woke at 3am, for some unknown reason and knew exactly what I wanted to make, and how to make it. Yay!

So today I set about using the Up, Up and Away set in the 2011-2013 In Colours. I decided on Pool Party and Calypso Coral to be my main ones. I'd received the Two Tags Bigz Die in my last order, and had seen in used in a card by Lisa Martz. I decided to use the other tag to the one she had. The Basic Black card used in the background just seems to ground the whole scene ( excuse the pun). The 1/2" Scallop Dots ribbon just ties the two together nicely, I think.

Then I decided on a xmas card, but I wanted to use the new colour scheme again. So this one is Pool Party, Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade, with Whisper White. The stamps sets are a combination of Tree Trimings and Pennant Parade. This time using the other tag that I had cut from the Two Tags Bigz Die. I used the Petite Pennants Builder Punch for the tree, and placed it on dimensionals. So something a bit different again. There's lots you can do with these stamps but it comes down to what you see when you look at it.

So I hope you enjoyed those and I'll endeavour to post again tomorrow.
Yours in creating
Dee

Punching out art

And here we are again. Well school went well and they're back into it again. My son's comment to me was,"I hate spring Mum, it's cold in the morning, hot during the day, and cold at night". Sums it up well, but he's not one to like extremes in temperatures. They are in summer uniform now and he's not enjoying that too much in the mornings. Never mind it's not long till summer.

Thought I'd quickly show you a couple of neat little cards that I'd cased and made my own, using punch art.
The first one I made for my sister's birthday. I sponged the background and then put the pieces together.

The next one was for my friend's son when he broke his arm. He loves it and keeps it on display well after his arm got better. It's using the owl punch. I'd seen something similar and thought I'd like to put my spin on it.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it. Have a fabulous day.
Yours in creating, Dee

Feeling the Christmas Spirit

Good morning, the kids are back at school today after a couple of weeks off, and it went pretty well. So the last term of the year has now started, and we are on the countdown to christmas.
You can see where I'm heading with this, I'm sure.

I thought I'd start with a couple of 3D items, that are a lovely way to package your xmas gifts. The little Top Note box, is one my up-line Juliette taught us last year, and I used for my nephew's i-tunes gift card and a chocolate bar gift.
The backpack is a pattern I found on-line and have made several variations of them. My niece got the i-tunes gift card and chocolate bar in hers, last year. I used the Beautiful Butterflies Embosslits to decorate. The DSP is retired now.
The tall box is another one from Juliette, which I filled with chocolates for my brother 'n law. Simple but effective. The tutorials will be posted at a later date. Promise.

I'd been looking through my Stampin' Write's for a couple of pens for a project, and saw some colour combinations that I thought would work well. Here I've put together Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Pear Pizzaz and Whisper White. Just because it's christmas, you don't have to be traditional. The set is Delightful Decorations, and can be used so many ways. But here's my latest interpretation.

The kids and I decided to make some tea-light candles, which was an idea that I had come across on Jill Hillard's site. We used the Jolly Bingo Bits set. Tissue paper is always hard to put through a punch at the best of times, so we folded it 3 or 4 times, then placed it inside some copy paper and punched. It gives it a cleaner punch. Then stamped our images, which the kids had used the Stampin' Writes to colour the stamps as they liked. Using the Crop-a-dile we punched a hold in the middle for the wick to go through, and placed the tissue on the tea-light. Then gently heated the candle with the Heat Tool. The wax melts over the tissue, and you are left with the picture. The little box is 11.5 x 11.5 cm square. Scored at 2cm on all 4 sides. then cut at one of each of the 4 corners, to form a flap to fold and tape for corner.
The sleeve is 8cm x 23cm. Scored at 5, 7, 15, 17 cm. Wrap around the base box and tape bottom flaps to secure. On our boxes, we used the Curly Label punch to put in a window to see the candles. We used a window sheet cut to size and taped underneath of the window. Once we had put the sleeve over the box, we then tied a ribbon around it, and decorated them with a tag to suit. I think they did a great job.

Pretty Stoked.

Good morning, today we wake as a Nation of World Cup Champions. So proud of the All Blacks they've done a fantastic job throughout the whole of the tournament, and totally deserve the win. The final was such a nail biter, and at stages I was very worried. But they came through and got the win. Yay!!!

I would like to say I've got something to show you that follows the All Black theme in some way, but today I've got a couple of pretty cards that I've done.

Firstly, the balloons are from Up, Up and Away. I've seen so many done in the landscape and bright colours theme, and I wanted to just take it to a different space. So here it is. The little lace rosette, is made by threading one edge with cotton, and pulling into a circlet. Then putting the antique brad through the middle. Once again the framed tulips make an appearance.

This one I made a few months ago, and just love it. I'd been wanting to do a card with the bevelled windows, and using the butterfly from the Nature Walk set, and the crochet ribbon. The background was stamped with leaves from the same set in Pear Pizzaz.

Enjoy your day. Yours in creating.
Dee

Male Inspiration

Just a quick one today, Sunday morning and all. However I can see that by next week, when the kids are back at school, that daily posting may not happen. Never mind, I will endeavour to do my best.

I thought I might show you a couple of male cards. They tend to be the ones that require a bit more thought. I appreciate that Father's Day is passed, but the sentiments could easily be changed. The framed tulips embossing folder is used on the first, but unfortunately doesn't show too well in the photo. The clock is from Forever Young, and I just love that it's quite elegant but strong enough to suit an older man.

The Motorcycle was in the last mini catalogue, and my Father'n Law loves cruising on his motorbike, so this one seemed to just fit. The colours are basic black, crumb cake and very vanilla. The DSP is one that is now retired. The easel card is a great alternative to your standard card. It's so simple to make too. I'll get around to putting up instructions or connections to easy instructions for these sorts of things.

This card reflects my Dad totally. He had rebuilt his father's Bedford truck a couple years back, and understandably it's his pride and joy. He's got the ultimate "Man's Shed", and is very meticulous about where and how everything is kept. So when I saw these sets, I knew I just had to put them together. The end result is here to see. He was quite taken with it, so to get that reaction, it's always a compliment. It's always nice when people understand and appreciate the time and effort that we crafty's put into our creations. I used the Stampin' writes to colour the truck and tools. The colours are real red, basic grey, basic black, crumb cake and so saffron. The DSP used is from the Neutrals Patterns DSP pack. These packs are a great way to get the co-ordinating colours for your projects in patterns.

I see that at the start of this, that it would be a quick one. I think it's progressed a little, but that's all good. I hope you've got some inspiration from these today.
Yours in creating,
Dee

Birthday Wishes

Good morning, well after a day of running around doing a few end of holiday jobs, my children decided we needed a kids class on Sunday. So I'm preparing that one today. I try to keep the kids classes under a dozen, usually because of my limited space, and so that I can dedicate my time to them as they need it. They are a lot of fun, and the children all seem to enjoy themselves.

I wanted to share a couple of birthday cards for you today.

This lovely set is Nature Walk, and it's simple but effective.

For something a bit different, I used my Owl punch. He's so versatile, and I made this one for my husband's birthday. He loves playing the piano, and I wanted to make something for him that reflects him. Which is generally what I do for all my cards I make people, and try to make them personal. Punch art's a lot of fun, and you can do so much with it.

I made this for my daughter's friends birthday. The Pony Party set is very cute, and can be used to do two step stamping if you wish, or leave it simple.

There are a lot of flowerpot cards around, but this is my take on it. These are quite cute, and when you pull up the flowers, the card comes out of the pot, for you to put your message on. Vintage Vogue, is the set I used to make the flowers. It's been around for a couple of years now, and is still one of my favourites to use.

Well, a little inspiration I hope to start your day. I'm endeavouring to get the connections up that I need to finish off my blog, but I'm not that tech-savvy. So I have to wait for a little help from my friends.
Enjoy your day, Dee

Something Elegant

Well, I'm back at again early this morning before the day begins. I wanted to share a couple of cards and easy gifts to make. I've seen these candles around a lot, and wanted to give it a go. They end up being quite a striking gift, and so easy.

This is done with the Forever Young set, and embellished with Butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Embosslits, with pearls and the Victoria Crochet trim. The Framed Tulips embossing folder adds a simple but elegant surround.

The other one I did was for my parents anniversary. The set is Artistic Etchings and Baroque Motifs.

The candles are very easy to do. Stamp you image onto some tissue paper, then place it onto the candle. Use a Heat Tool, and slowly the wax will melt into the tissue paper, and the image is left. Let it cool, then embellish. When I gave it as a present, I wrapped the candle in cellophane and tied with a ribbon.

Enjoy your day. Only a few more days of the school holidays, then it's all go again.
Thanks for looking,
Dee

New Baby's on the Block

Well, I did say there were a few to get through, so here's another...
We've had a spate of babies in the neighbourhood lately, so I thought I'd share what I've been making. I will say, they've all been boys too.

I had fun making this one. The stamp is "Bringing Baby", and the cards used are Whisper White, Marina Mist and Crumb Cake. It's nice with this stamp to be able to choose what colours you wish to use. So the Stampin' Write are great for this. The stork is Daffodil Delight, with Pretty in Pink and Marina Mist for accents. The embossing folder is Perfect Polka Dots, and the Pinking Hearts border punch. The "hello baby" is from Teeny Tiny Sentiments. Ribbon is Marina Mist and a clear rhinestone brad for added bling.

This one is similar colours, using the patterned DSP in Baja Breeze, and the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. The large oval is off the oval original dies for the Big Shot. The organza ribbon makes a sweet embellishment for this card.

And lastly, we have the Stitched Stockings stamp made into booties. Similar colours again. Something about those colours at present. The Crumb Cake seam binding is so easy to use as the bow. The pearls just finish it off.

Well that's it for me for today. A busy day to start out I think, so hopefully you've enjoyed looking at my creations. If you'd like to order anything from these projects, order a catalogue or to host a party don't hesitate to contact me.
Cheers, Dee