Baby Shower II

My youngest SIL is about to give birth to her first child. We are all eagerly awaiting this birth as both she and her hubby have gone through a lot to get to this point. On Easter Saturday we had a "Gathering" of the Shrimpton women, being my MIL, her sister, my 3 SIL's (one of whom is the mum-to-be), myself and our daughters...of which there are 5. It was an 'unofficial' baby shower....and a total surprise for the guest of honour. One of my SIL's had organised...with games and favours and all the baby bounty of course to go to the guest of honour as a pressie fm all of us.

I wanted to do a card at least to show her how my family all felt. We do not know the sex of the baby, so neutral was the go. I had seen this card and it gave me the basis for mine. I apologise in advance for the dodgy pics...this card was done very much on the fly and the pics were taken in secret in my niece's room before it was given!!

I used this DP once before here...on my daughter's birthday card last year. It was a swap that I acquired from Steph at craft Camp last year. Given that it was all colours, I thought the best for a neutral card!! The rattle is a little easier to see IRL, but you get the idea anyhow. I gathered some scrap lace for the band of the rattle and double punched the handle with a couple of circle punches.

The final finishing touches were yellow grosgrain ribbon for the handle and bow as well as the sentiment with tiny pale green bling.

I was quite amazed how bits from here and there came together for such a sweet card. I also got to bust out my new Martha Stewart Punch....Love it!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Stuff Used:
CS: (SU) Whisper White, DP fm Steph
Ink: (SU) Peach Parfait
Stamp: (SU) Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Punches: Carla Craft CP21 Circle, CP2 1" circle, CM 1 1/4" circle, MS Gothic Arch Punch, SU Modern Label Punch
Other Bits: Yellow Grosgrain ribbon, Pale green rhinestones, Dimensionals, Scrap of lace, glue dots.

Lynda xx

Anyone for Cake???

Hey there.

Sorry to offer up this post so soon after Easter. I realise that most of you have OD'd on chocolate of some variety...but for some of us out there it is not an option....hee hee hee. At least with cake...you have slightly more control over the size of the serving (you would hope anyhow.... :) ).

I wish to share yet another Inkspirations4U challenge today, this time a picture one. I am having so much fun getting out of my comfort zone with these challenges. If you wish to sign up for the next round of Inkspirations4U click here and you can find out more.

This time around we were greeted by this......

The stamp set to be used was an easy choice.....Big Bold Birthday....but (ughhhhh) pinks and browns. I then recalled this by Dawn Olchefske. With all the cogs clunking, this was my challenge offering....

I was very happy with the end result. For those who have not seen or done an awning card before, this is how it gets his name....with a couple of folds, you have a wee shelf and an awning over the cake/ice cream/lolly shop.

I used a couple of tricks to get the look that I wanted. I used the Short and Sweet set to stamp the small cakes and flowers on the front of the shelf and also "striped" the candle by colouring it first in Pink Pirouette and then striping it in Close to Cocoa. Add some bling and bingo lit candle!! The sentiment base is a cut down version of the scallop square punch. the "fans" around the window face are the present toppers from the stamp set.

These are so much fun to so, I may try another one somewhere down the track, but I think a great card for a young child....don't you??

Thanks for dropping by and I promise that these calories are the last this blog will contain for a while so we can all let the notches of our belts out and breathe easy.

Stuff Used:

CS: (SU) Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa (ret), Patterns Pack II DSP (09-10) in Regal Rose

Ink: (SU) Pretty In Pink, Close to Cocoa (ret), SWM's in Early Espresso, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Summer Sun

Stamps: (SU) Big Bold Birthday, Short and Sweet

Punches: (SU) Scallop Border Punch, Word Window Punch, Scallop Square Punch

Other bits: Pink 1/2 Pearls, Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds, 2 way glue pen

Lynda xx

Easter on the HOP!!!

Good morning/afternoon all and I hope you are enjoying this Easter day....whatever your faith or following.

Once again, I was (very) late with my Easter eggs for the neighbours' children. It's something that has been going on for at least a decade now as all the children are around the same age. There is always a race on as to who can get the eggs onto whose front door step without being caught!! you can appreciate as the children get older, the "cloak and dagger" gets upped...LOL!!

Now being Diabetic and not really doing a lot of chocolate anymore (heavy sigh), and appreciating the fact that by the time everyone gets their eggs together...there is A LOT of chocolate hopping around. This year (as in others) I went for the KISS theory. here is what my bunny kids delivered to their friends.....

I pretty much, when caught on the "hop"...just add cellophane!!! I purchased some eggs from a local (discount) store, wrapped them in cellophane, added a 3mm red ribbon, a Designer Label Punch with a sentiment and I was good to go. There were a couple more bundles done than photographed....but one can only see so MUCH chocolate on one day....can't they??

I think they turned out OK for less than 15 minutes work....don't you??

I hope you all continue to have a happy and creative Easter/ANZAC break. I actually have a lot to post, so please feel free to pop back regularly and see what I have been up to.

Stuff used:

CS: (SU) Whisper White

Ink: (SU) Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler

Stamps: (SU) Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Punch: (SU) Designer Label Punch

Other Bits: 3mm red satin ribbon fm stash

Lynda xx



Humming Along.....

Morning all.
I hope you are all enjoying the Easter break.

I wish to start with some news!!! I wish to pass on my woo-hoo's and sincere congrats to Andrea who on the 21st became a "Grandy" for the very 1st time to the beautiful Bree Melissa. I am over the moon for her and her family. I still have a big grin on my face.

Today I bring another colour challenge from Ink4U.

This one for me was relatively easy as I wanted the Sahara to be a focus. I had only recently acquired the colour and was very eager to bust it out. I also was keen to use a fave set of mine....Elements of Style. This was my answer to the challenge.....

It was my initial intention to stamp the flowers just once, but it looked extremely bare, so I filled in the gaps with the flowers to get the desired effect. I had also seen "breasted" versions of the hummingbird around the place and thought I'd give it a go. The challenge was that I did not have a More Mustard SWM, so I had to use the corner of my stamp pad. Still I was happy. The bird was popped up on a dimensional.

Once I got the bird cut out the card came together really easily. I thought it may make a nice sympathy card. Let me know what you think.

Thanks for popping by again and please stay safe over this Easter period.

Stuff Used:

CS: (SU) Bravo Burgandy, More Mustard, Very Vanilla

Ink: (SU) Bravo Burgandy, More Mustard, Sahara Sand

Stamps: (SU) Elements of Style

Punches: (SU) Scallop Oval and Large Oval Punch

Lynda xx



Blissful

Far and away the stamp set used the most for the last round of Ink4U was the SAB set Bliss. Diane set us the following colour challenge.....

I loved this colour combination and the bar was set very high with Sonia and Diane's cards. Given that at the time this was set, I was still on restricted duties and my mojo was a tad flat, I scoped SCS for inspiration and found this card and I altered it to accommodate the challenge. Here is my version......

Once I had guessed the dimensions, it came together very quickly and perhaps is one of my very favourite cards. It's just that little bit different.....which I like. I got to bust out the square lattice embossing folder as seen here....

As well as the Curly Label Punch.....

Once I actually wrote down the "Stuff Used" I realised that there was actually a LOT of things used in this card....LOL!!! Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have a creative day.

Stuff Used:

CS: (SU) Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzaz, Not Quite Navy and Making Memories "Paper Reverie - Brun Antique" Collection (Item # 35856 - Brun Antique Dictionary)

Ink: (SU) Pear Pizzaz, basic Black, Not Quite Navy

Stamps: (SU) Bliss (SAB '11), Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Punches: (SU) 1 3/4" circle, XL Curly Label Punch

Other stuff: SU Square Lattice Embossing Folder

Lynda xx



Postale Bedroom

Hi there all.

Another challenge card from Inspirations4U. This time we were greeted with this picture.....

My initial reaction was "Woo hoo....no pink!!!!" Then I racked my brain as to what to do. I wanted to focus on the vanilla, brown, mustard and the red of the phone and then I recalled this card I saw on SCS. I loved the beautiful collage background and I could alter it to fit the colours I wanted. This is my version...

There was A LOT of stamping off in this card to get the soft collage background.

IRL it looks so soft. I also sponged the most I perhaps have for any card. It makes such a difference and I perhaps should do it more often.

I hope you enjoyed my small French Vintage-like take. Thanks (as always) for popping by.

Stuff used:
CS: (SU) Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla
Ink: (SU) Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler
Stamps: (SU) Carte Postale (ret), En Francais BGS
Punches: (SU) Scallop Oval and Large Oval
Other bits: Lace fm stash, Dimensionals

Lynda xx

Now where was I last weekend??????

Hi all, (warning...lots of pics in this post!!)

Yes we all returned safe & sound (if not somewhat shattered & exhausted) from our whirlwind trip to Cobar. Where is Cobar you may ask....well if you click here you can get a better idea. It is basically 700km NW from where we live....so yes....1400kms round trip....left Fri AM - returned Sun PM!!

What was there you may ask?? Well Miss Jessica, my niece, turned 1.

 The time has flown so very very fast. Now I did not take a picture of her invitation, but trust me when I say that the whole party was themed around Minnie Mouse. Pink and black were the colours carried through everything and everywhere. Even the guest of honour was dressed accordingly.......

We last saw her in January at Dad's 70th and she has grown heaps since then!! Even bis sister Tilly (on the left) and her best pal Billy (yes it is Tilly and Billy!!) got into the spirit.......

Now Jessica's Mum (Wren) makes cakes....really well and of course she made Jessica's. It was amazing...and I don't think the photo does it justice. Needless to say Jessica loved it too!!

Now....for the card.....and the theme was EASY!! The hard part was getting it just right. I found a picture of Minnie Mouse and wanted to break it down into the most basic of shapes. The circles of the face and ears are a given, the mask and face were different all together. This is what I came up with.......

I was very, VERY happy with the end result...considering it was all done with punches. All in all Lg and small circles, large and small ovals and a heart was all there was to it. here is a close up of Minnie's face....

If you want a detailed list of the punches used, please leave me a message and a contact e mail in the comments and I will get back to you. The "1" is stamped in Regal Rose ink and outlined in a black SWM.

Thanks for enduring a very long post. I am going to curl up now and rest a while as even though we have been back since late Sunday PM, the culmination of little sleep and a long drive, and work on Monday have taken their toll.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Stuff used:

CS: (SU) Whisper White, Basic Black, Blush Blossom (ret), Elite card - Fuchsia

Ink: (SU) Regal Rose, Basic Black SWM, Signo White Gel Pen

Punches: Circles, Ovals, Heart, Nestabilities Scallop and Classic Circles

Stamps: "Gel-a-tins" Build a Set Numbers

Other bits: Pink spotty ribbon fm stash, Dimensionals

Lynda xx



Challenging my Achilles!!!

I think I have more than exceeded the Crafting Resolution I set this year with regards to Challenge cards. Having said that......it took me MORE than a couple of attempts to get this one the way I wanted it. Madeline called this one a sketch challenge with a twist, in that you had to use the "Neutral Shadowing" technique. It is almost the same as Emboss Resist, but the shade of ink to "resist" HAD to be a neutral shade.

Now I dry emboss LOTS....LURVE it to bits....but WET embossing is another can of worms all together!! I thought I had achieved what I wished on the 2nd attempt, only to find a large glob of grease or something on the corner of the glossy paper I had used!! 3rd attempt was OK, and what I used for the card....so here is my take on the sketch and technique.....

The colour combo looks even better IRL, please believe me. I also got to use some hodgepodge, compliments of a lucky door prize I received from Kerry Bunting at one of her Cards for the Troops get togethers. I think you can JUST make out the River Rock sponging around the white EP.

This card was DEFINITELY a challenge on many levels, but I did it....and felt good afterwards.

Thanks for dropping by again. I'll be back soon with lots of 1st birthday pictures!!

Stuff Used:
CS: (SU) River Rock, Basic Black, Glossy White
Ink: (SU)  River Rock, Basic Black, Versamark (White "Zing" EP)
Stamps: (SU) Inspired By Nature, Best Yet
Punches: (SU) Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch
Other Bits: Hodgepodge Buckle

Lynda xx

A Bridal Affair.....

One of the wonderful Doctors at my work is getting married tomorrow (10th April). She was so sweet in that she asked for tips etc with how and what wedding invites should look like, as she and her friends made them all. She loves blue and all shades there of. This is her wedding invitation.....

The embossed paper that she has used is a luscious teal blue and looks magical IRL. We had all chipped in at work to get her a present, and I was asked to provide a card (no pressure.....ha!!!) I took the colour theme of the wedding invitation as my inspiration and came up with this......

The aim was to not make the card too girly, as the groom is a part of the day to!!! It was warmly received by all the staff and the bride-to-be was very happy with it (phew). To add dimension to the layout, the bird's wings were popped up on dimensionals and the Decorative Label punch was double punched to give the extended effect.



I am hoping so very much that they have wonderful weather on Sunday and I am very much looking forward to seeing the happy snaps as they go around the office.

Stuff used:

CS: (SU) Bashful Blue, Taken With Teal (ret), Shimmer White (non SU)

Ink: (SU) Taken With Teal

Stamps: (SU) Whimsical Words

Punches: (SU) 2 Step XL Bird Punch, Decorative Label Punch

Other bits: Dimensionals, Cuttlebug Decorative Swirl Embossing Folder, Nestabilities Labels 8, Light blue 1/2 pearls (sentiment) and small white 1/2 pearls (bird's eyes) fm stash

Lynda xx

The Intention Was There....

Here is my "other" attempt at a Herringbone card....but this was my 2nd attempt...and I am not as happy with this one sadly. Madeline at Inkspirations4U has a bevvy of DT gals that help her with tasks and the very talented Diane is one of them. She set the colour challenges for this round...and this was the first.....

First thing I was VERY aware of was that I did not have much Rose Red CS about, but did have some DP in an old retired SU DSP pack "Bali Breeze". I also knew I had the other colours in DP....so the decision about what card to do was made. I also kissed the edges of the Saffron flower with Pear Pizzaz ink, just so it wasn't so stark. Here is my colour challenge card.......

This challenge was done during the most MANIC weather patterns in Sydney.....torrential rain or blazing sun, so this pic was taken in the shade, hence the colours being a little off, but trust me, they are the ones listed.

I am off to start packing as we are off to Cobar this weekend (700kms away one way....so 1400 round trip!) for Miss Jessica's 1st birthday. We do not travel much, so I am feeling rather overwhelmed bu the whole trip. We leave Fri, the party is Saturday and we return to Sydney Sunday (back to work Monday!!) Glutton for punishment aren't I?

Wish me luck and thanks for dropping by.

Stuff Used:

CS: (SU) Pear Pizzaz, Rose Red, So Saffron

DP: (SU) Tea Party (Saffron), Bali Breeze (Rose Red) and  In Colours DP pk 2011 (Pear Pizzaz)

Ink: (SU) Rose Red SWM, So Saffron, Pear Pizzaz

Stamps: (SU) Bliss (SAB 2011)

Other bits: Kaiser Green Rhinestones

Lynda xx

A Special Surprise.....

As most of you are aware...i was on somewhat of a crafting and creative armistace recently, which also meant that I fell FAR behind on things for birthdays and the like. one such miss was Andrea....fm EnchantInk. She has been a blog bud for sometime now and I wanted to send her a surprise. I had seen a fantastic tutorial here on Herringbone technique and thought I'd give it a go.

Andrea loves green...so the colour palate was kind of easy. The set included the card (dah), a Pocket Tissue Holder and a Lip Balm holder. What made it a better gift was that Andrea had been feeling a little under the weather....so it served 2 purposes.

The Herringbone technique is a magical way of using up all those scraps of DP and is so easy....even I did it....3 TIMES!!!! Here are some close ups.....the card.....

The Pocket Tissue Holder....and yes I perhaps went a littl overboard carrying through the pattern to the inside...but what the hey!!

And the Lip Balm Holder....

This actually goes up fairly quickly. the hardest thing was adjusting the card design to fit the fronts of the smaller packets. I enjoyed putting this together very much.

Stuff used:

CS: (SU) Pear Pizzaz, Peach Parfait, Concord Crush, In Colour DP

Ink: (SU) Pear Pizzaz, Concord Crush

Stamps: (SU) Bliss, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Punches: (SU) Modern Label, Word Window

Other Bits: Green flower brads, Xyron machine, Green grosgrain ribbon fm Alice's

Lynda xx