Happy Birthday to my Brother

Last year I was in Holland with Beth to be at Eric and Ingrid's 40th birthday party. It's amazing how quickly a year goes by. Happy Birthday Eric, I love you.

And not surprisingly Ingrid and I both made a card using the same papers and stars.

Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: Pebbles Inc.'Lil'Buddy', Border Punch: Martha Stewart, Clear Stamp: Papertrey, Marker: Zig EK Success (blue), ribbon, Button: Basic Grey, twine, Star dies: Sizzix, Brad: Making Memories.

Happy Monday!

Another Anniversary Card + A Party for 3

As promised yesterday, today I have another anniversary card to show you. And don't you love it when you've got an idea in your head and it actually comes out as planned. I've had this gorgeous DeNami Design heart stamp for quite a while and I've tried to use it several times, but it never really worked out. This time it did.

Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: Collage Press, + Scenic Route, Ribbon: local haberdashery, Rubber stamp: DeNami Design, Ink: Rangers Distress Ink, Chipboard: Fancy Pants, Embossing Powder: Rangers, Brad: Queen & Co., Border Punch: Martha Stewart, Heart die: Sizzix.

With school starting again next week, the parties are also back. Last night I had the task of making three cards for a combined birthday party Renee is having this morning. Some of you might remember that Renee couldn't go to the same school as her siblings last year, because there was no place for her. She was, however No. 1 on the waiting list. Two weeks before the end of the Summer term, someone announced they were moving and not return to the same school starting in the Autumn. So, as of Wednesday she will be joining Rebecca and Ruben to the same school. The party this morning is for three of her new classmates. A great opportunity to meet everyone before school starts.

This one's for Elliott:

This one's for Matthew:

Here's a peek of the inside:

And finally this one's for Ella:

Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper + Ribbon + Chipboard die-cut: Cosmo Cricket 'Earth Love' + 'The Boyfriend', Foam Thickers: American Crafts, buttons, Marker: Zig EK Success, Clear stamp: Papertrey Ink, Ink: Staz'On (Timber Brown), VersaColor (Umber), Border Punch: Fiskars Uppercrest, Star die: Sizzix.

I feared starting a project at 9.30 p.m. on a Saturday evening would be a set-up for disaster, but I'm quite pleased with the outcome.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. We're having an extra long one, due to the Bank Holiday tomorrow.

House Warming Party

This afternoon my friend Gill was having a house warming party as they moved house last week. Several weeks ago I made a card for another friend, who was also moving house, intending to send it to them, but I'd lost their new address (very unlike me). I'd decided to give it to Gill and her family instead.

Supplies - Frosted card: Sheetload Shortcuts, Patterned Paper + Die-cuts + Alphabet stickers: October Afternoon, ribbon: American Crafts.

Also, one of my Dutch 'Nike' friends is celebrating her anniversary today. I made a very plain and simple tri-fold card for them.

Supplies - Cardstock : Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: Doodlebug Designs, Ribbon: local haberdashery, Embossing folder: Cuttlebug, Clear Stamp: Papertrey Ink, Ink: Staz'On (Jet Black) + Stampin'Up, Heart punches: EK Success, Corner rounder punch: Woodware, Border Punch: Martha Stewart, button, twine.

Tomorrow I'll be back with yet another anniversary card and some little birthday cards, which I'm about to make... inspiration where are you???

Eleven

Today our eldest daughter, Rebecca is turning 11. These sort of big events always take you back in time.

We were living in Holland at the time and I had been in hospital since Monday evening as my preeclampsia got to a stage that I no longer was allowed to be out of medical sight. I'd been bedridden, with the exception of going to the toilet and a brief shower. I was 36 1/2 weeks pregnant at this stage. They told me not to worry, as I would more than likely not have the baby before the weekend (yeah right!).

The next morning however there were a bunch of doctors standing by my bed to tell me they would induce me Thursday morning. Thursday came and gone, but the induction had not caused me to go into labour. They hinted that they might possibly break my waters in the morning.

At 7.45 a.m. the next morning they barged in, not even giving me a chance to finish my breakfast or have shower, they were ready to break my waters. Nothing. In fact everything came to a halt. Around 9.30 a.m. they put me on a drip to move things along. This put things into fifth gear. At 1 p.m. they turned down the drip as my body had taken over. Because of my preeclampsia the contractions were very intense and I had back contractions as well, which meant I never had any downtime. I felt pretty exhausted and almost passed out every time in between contractions. By 4 p.m. the midwife told me I could start pushing. Determined to not waist anytime during this stage of the delivery, she was born 12 minutes later at exactly 37 weeks, weighing 3125 grams (6 lbs 13 oz).

And eleven years on, she has grown into this beautiful young lady:



Happy Birthday Rebecca, I love you lots!

While we were on holiday in Holland we bought Rebecca a real big girl's bike for her birthday. It wasn't a surprise, but still we had to record it.



And here's the card I made for her yesterday (I got special instructions... blue, flowers and butterflies... please!):



Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned Papers + Die-cuts: Scenic Route 'Garden Grove', Border punch: EK Success 'Scalloped Scallops', Punch: Martha Stewart (butterflies), Ribbon: Paperchase, Rhinestones: Me and My Big Ideas, Clear stamp: Papertrey Ink, Ink: Staz'On (Jet Black), lace.

Thanks for you kind comments and I wish all of you a fantastic weekend!

Birthday Wishes for Mette

Between our group of 7 Nike friends, we have 8 kids between us. Four of us have a child/children and three don't, ranging in ages 10 (11 tomorrow), 10, 9, 8, 6, 5, another 5 and 2. Today Mette is celebrating her 5th birthday. Congratulations Mette, I hope you had a lovely day with great presents. Here's the card I made for her with some new delicious My Mind's Eye paper that I bought at Paper & Pictures while I was on holiday in Holland:



Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper + Die-cuts: My Mind's Eye 'Whirlybird', Border Punch: Martha Stewart, Tag: newsagent, Clear Stamp: Papertrey Ink, Ink: Stampin'Up, Rhinestones: Prima Marketing, Me And My Big Ideas, button, twine, ribbon.

I'll be back tomorrow, thank you for stopping by.

Anniversary Card

The evening before I was leaving to Holland, I realised I had to create one more anniversary card for my friend Gill, as it was her anniversary on the day we returned home, which was last Sunday. I've already been busy creating again after another two week break. I'll be showing some of them later this week, but today I'll give you the anniversary card I made before I left:

Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: Little Yellow Bicycle, Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Ink: Staz'On (Jet Black), Ribbon, Border Punch: Martha Stewart, Pearls: KaiserCraft.

That's all for today. Thanks for dropping by.

Got Sketch? 88

Today Valerie has posted a new sketch on her Got Sketch? blog. Last week Lynn asked me whether I would like to contribute. I just had enough time to fit it in before going to Holland. Here's my card:

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: Studio Calico, My Mind's Eye, Ribbon: Studio Calico, Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Stampin'Up, Basic Grey, Brads: Sassafras Lass, Ink: Staz'On (Jet Black), VersaColor (red), Clear sheet: Sheetload Shortcuts, Flower: Maya Road, Corner Rounder punch: Woodware.

Want to be a guest on Got Sketch as well? Have a look on the Got Sketch? blog and see how you can apply.

Until next time.

For Amelia

Today our little niece Amelia is celebrating her 5th birthday. As I'm in Holland at the moment we couldn't personally congratulate her. We wish you a very happy birthday. Here's the card I made for her last week:



Supplies: Bazzill Basics Cardstock | October Afternoon patterned paper + die-cuts + alpabet stickers | Doodlebug Designs paperfrill | Prima Marketing flowers | KaiserCraft pearl | ribbon | Woodware Corner Rounder.

We're having a great time and weather so far in Holland. I'll be back on Wednesday with another card. See you then!

Cards Only (Un)Published Cards

In the last three issues of the Dutch magazine Cards Only some of my cards that I've submitted have been published. I've already showed you the ones from issue 6. Now that issue 8 is on the shelves, I can show you the ones that were published in issue 7.

The following three are all created using My Mind's Eye 'Bloom' line:

There are a further three cards published in issue 8, but I won't be able to show you these yet. However, I can show you the cards that I submitted that didn't make it to print.

The next one is created with My Mind's Eye Penny Lane's 'Tiny Dancer':

The following two cards I used Making Memories 'Flower Patch':

On the following two cards I used Making Memories 'Paperie' (I personally really like these):

And last but not least... these three cards I created using SEI's 'Bridgeport' line (a great line to the not-so-fond-of purple-lovers, like me):

I haven't added full supply lists, but it there is any questions regarding the supplies I've used, just shoot me an e-mail or leave a comment.

Beyond issue 8 of Cards Only you will no longer see any of my cards published in Cards Only as I've decided not to submit anymore cards. It simply was not satisfying enough to continue doing it.

Tomorrow, myself and the children are off to Holland for two and a half weeks to visit my family. We'll be visiting my brother and Ingrid on Saturday, before they depart on their holiday. While I'm gone, I'll still be posting a couple of cards I've created this week.

Have a great Thursday!

Chasing Waves

Now that the issue of Scrapbbok Inspirations is out, I am allowed to share my layout with you. The layout is based on sketch by Shimelle.

Here's a scan of the magazine:


Some close-ups:




And the layout once more:


Supplies: Hambly Overlay| Bazzill Basics Cardstock white | Scenic Route Grafton Patterned Paper + die-cut stickers| American Crafts Thickers | black marker | ribbon

It felt really good scrapping these pictures from our holiday in Queensland. Thanks for stopping by.

Scrapbook Inspirations Cover Girl

This afternoon we went for a walk into town. I wanted to stop by WH Smith to buy a copy of Scrapbook Magazine, since it would have my first published layout in it. To my surprise I discovered that I'm a 'tiny' cover girl. I've circled my layout in red. I will post a picture of the actual layout later. I can't help but feeling quite proud.



I hope you've all had a relaxing weekend. Thank you for stopping by.

Shimelle's Inspiration Party Weekend

This weekend, Shimelle is throwing a Inspirational Party on her blog. She invited me last week to play along. We only came back from our holiday in Mauritius last night, but I couldn't pass on the invitation. In between a dozen loads of washing I created this layout this afternoon:

Before I printed the pictures I arranged them in Photoshop to decide the size and how to place them on the page. I accidentally cut the blue paper too narrow, but I was pleased with my mistake and decided to scallop the edge. I don't know if you can see, but used my sewing machine to stitch a border around the edge.

I loved the pink sarong Rebecca is wearing in the pictures (which were taking during our holiday) and wanted to enhance that in the layout with some feminine touches, I therefore opted to only use pink flowers and accent with blue buttons to keep the colours to a minimum.

Initially I wanted to journal under the three smaller pictures. I realised that the space was not enough for my journaling and I didn't really want to clutter the layout. So, last minute I decided to hide my journaling behind the three smaller photos, by cutting along the edge through all the layers. I added a piece of cardstock on the back of the layout to slide the journaling tag into.

The journaling:

Supplies: Bazzill Basics Cardstock | October Afternoon patterned paper + alphabet stickers + label | Fiskars border punches | John Lewis ribbon | buttons | Prima Marketing flowers | black marker | Woodware corner rounder punch | sewing machine.

There will be plenty more inspirational links on Shimelle's blog this weekend, so head on over and let yourself be inspired. Thank you for inviting me, Shimelle! :D