Mother-in-Law's Birthday

Today my mother-in-law is celebrating her birthday. Unfortunately this year we won't be able to be with her in person to celebrate it. David did ring her early this evening (morning time in the UK) with the children and sang 'happy birthday' to her. We also couldn't get flowers delivered to her today either as it's a bank holiday in the UK and we left it too late to order them to be delivered a few days earlier instead.

My card however did make it there on time. Happy Birthday Mum!



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics | Patterned Paper: Making Memories | Ribbon: Paperchase | Button | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Enjoy the Ride) + Prima Marketing | Border Punch: Martha Stewart | Floss | Ink: Staz'On (Timber Brown) + Stampin'Up (Turquoise), Rangers Distress Ink (Antique Linen) | Glitter: Stampin'Up

I'm currently busy working on another calendar. I noticed that the calendar template has been downloaded 48 times and was wondering whether anyone has been creating one and would like to share. Also, I would love some feedback on either the tutorial or the calendar. You can use my email: lisettegibbons at hotmail dot com in case you don't want to share it in the comments.

That's all for now. Thank you for stopping by.

Another TOOOOT! + Embellish Colour Challenge with Butterflies

A couple of weeks ago I decided for the very first time to submit two cards for publication. The first one was for Paper Crafts magazine, which got chosen as I previously posted. The second one I submitted to Embellish Magazine, which is a new online magazine created by the very talented Ashley Newell. You should pay a visit to her blog as there is lots of inspiration to be found. Two times lucky because this card got chosen for publication as well. The issue will be out some time in October.

On the Embellish Magazine there are also frequent challenges to be found. The latest challenge was to create a card using butterflies and these colours:

This is what I created:

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (kraft) | Patterned Paper: Collage Press, Creative Imaginations | Butterflies: Jenni Bowlin | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (3rd Anniversary Round & Round, Polka Dot Basics, Year of Flowers: Violet ) | Ribbon: Vandoros | Glitter: Stampin'Up | Button: Basic Grey | Floss: DMC | Border Punch: Martha Stewart | Corner Rounder: Woodware Designs

Thank you for your visit.

Calendar Tutorial & Template + a Toot!

I've been browsing the internet over the past couple of days trying to find a way to upload my template and tutorial for you to download. I initially just wanted to put it on my blog, but that looked to be a lengthy process. After a few different searches I have found a way. I've uploaded both the tutorial and the template to an online file host where you can download them with the links below.

Download the tutorial here

Download the template here


Please feel free to use this tutorial and template for your own personal use only. Of course I'd appreciate your feedback. If there is anything unclear or incomplete, please don't hesitate to contact me.

I'm also very excited to tell you that last week I submitted a card to Paper Crafts for the first time and guess what... This morning I received an email that it got chosen for publication in their November/December 2010 issue. This will be my first publication in a US magazine.

I wish everyone a delightful weekend!

Sending You

As promised to you yesterday I would post my card I created last night. I already had the card base lying on my desk as I intended to use it for something else, but ended up not using it. I didn't create this card for anything specific event, just wanted to play with some goodies. I'm not convinced of the half flower on the left, but there's no way it will still come off.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics | Patterned Paper: October Afternoon 'Thrift Shop' | Border Punch: Martha Stewart 'Deep Fan' + Fiskars 'Uppercrest' | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink 'Big & Bold Wishes', 'Fancy Flourishes' | Ink: Staz'On (Jet Black), Ranger's Distress Ink (Vintage Photo + Antique Linen) | Brads: American Crafts | Ribbon: Paperchase | Lace

That's all I have for today. Until next time!

Top 5 Show Topper! Again + Box Flower Video Tutorial

Fancy that... once again I made it to the Top 5 of Stacey's Curtain Call Colour Challenge Act 28 with this card.

Thank you for all your sweet comments regarding the calendar I made for my mum. I'll work on a tutorial on how to create your own calendar from scratch. On how to make those flowers. Well, I'll have to refer you to Cosmo Cricket's blog, as that's where I got the idea from in the first place. Rather than using scalloped punches, I used a flower die from Papertrey Ink this time.

My printer is still not fixed and it seems it's going to be more than $400 to repair. So, right now I'm looking into buying a new one, as replacing the parts doesn't guarantee it will be fixed. Hopefully I'll be able to print again soon.

I created a card this evening with some yummy October Afternoon 'Thrift Shop' papers, but it's too dark to take a picture right now. I'll share with you tomorrow.

Happy Mother's Day

Today it's Mother's Day, so to all mums out there - with the exception of the UK, as they had their's on March 14th - Happy Mother's Day!

My Mother's Day present for my mum didn't make it there on time, but I'll still post it here today anyway. That way she knows what what to look forward to. When I showed you the sneak peek in a previous post, my mum had already guessed it is calendar. I've already made her two calendars before, but they are different every time, it's practical and it has newer updated pictures of her grandchildren. And what grandmother doesn't want new pictures of her grandchildren.

I got the idea how to display the calendar from browsing the internet, hunting for this:

While looking at all different stores that supply them - none of which in Australia by the way - I got the inspiration for the size to use (I tried to find it again, but couldn't).

A calendar seems a long and drawn out process, but once you decide on size and layout it's just a matter of copying. I decided to make the pages for each month 6 inches wide and 8 inches tall. Since I'd intended to already make the calendar for Christmas and never managed to, I made it a 18 month calendar starting from July 2010.

Firstly I created a canvas in Photoshop of the finished size. I then typed all the months by using a new layer for each month, each name of the month and both years. To be able to print each month individually you need to only select the layers you want to print. Next I printed all the months and rounded the bottom corners. Step two was to decide how to use the patterned papers and the pictures. It looks as if there isn't that much patterned paper on each month, but it's amazing how much you need to make one of those flowers.

I cannot display it with the display stand, as I couldn't find it. Ingrid was so kind to arrange one for me in Holland.  But I did hang one of the months on a barbecue skewer balanced in between two chairs so you get a the idea.

And here's what the whole calendar looks like:


























Supplies: Display Stand: 7Gypsies | Cardstock: Bazzill Basics | Patterned Paper: October Afternoon 'Fly a Kite' | Brads | Clear Stamp: Papertrey Ink 'Year of Flowers: Violets', Fancy Pants | Ink: Staz'On (timber brown), VersaColor, Palette | Border Punch: EK Success (embossed scallop) | Photoshop CS3 | Fonts: Avenir, Chopin Script

Of course I made her a card as well.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics | Patterned Paper + Die-Cuts: October Afternoon 'Fly a Kite' + 'Thrift Shop' | Border Punch: EK Success 'Embossed Scallop' | Ribbon: Paperchase | Tag: from clothing | Buttons | Clear Stamp: Papertrey Ink 'Delightful Dahlia' | Ink: Staz'On (timber brown)

Would anyone be interested in a downloadable calendar file, or a tutorial on how to build it from scratch? I have no clue how to this right now, but if anyone would find it useful I could look into it.

Enjoy!

Mother's Day Card + Rub-On Revival

My friend Beth was telling me the other day that she needed to buy a Mother's Day card for her mum. I offered to make one for her. While the kids were catching up on the latest episodes of Glee, I made her this card:

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics | Patterned Paper + Die-Cut Flowers: Basic Grey 'Sugared' | Border Punch: EK Success | Pearls: KaiserCraft | Ribbon: Paperchase | Button | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink 'Background Basics: Retro', 'Delightful Dahlia' | Ink: Staz'On Ink (Timber Brown), Ranger's Distress Ink (Antique Linen), Palette (Sweet Blush) | Leaf Die: Papertrey Ink | Scalloped Ovals: Spellbinder Nestabilies | Cornder Rounder: Woodware Craft.

Than last night I felt like I needed to revive my rub-ons. I've got two drawers full of rub-ons but I rarely use them. It's one of those forgotten supplies. So, I dug into my drawer picked a white rub-on and got to work. Here's the result:

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics (kraft + lily white) | Rub-On: Hambly Screen Print | Rhinestones: KaiserCraft | Ribbon: Paperchase | Clear Stamp: Papertrey Ink 'Heart Prints' | Hearts: Artwork | Butterfly: Jenni Bowlin | Ink: Staz'On (timber brown) | White pen: Kikki.K | Scalloped Ovals: Spellbinder Nestabilities | Corner Rounder: Woodware Craft.

Be sure to check back tomorrow, as I'll post my Mother's Day present. Until then!

Curtain Call Colour Challenge: Act 28

Since I had my Pink Paislee papers out for the card I created yesterday, they also made the perfect colour combination for the next Curtain Call Colour Challenge: Act 28.

















After having put out two loads of washing to dry, I was happily crafting along when all of a sudden I realised the heavens had opened up. After a quick dash outside, rescuing my clean laundry from the rain I finished my card. Just in time before school pick-up.

















Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics | Patterned Paper + Punchouts + Borderlines: Pink Paislee 'Bayberry Cottage' | Border Punch: Martha Stewart | Ribbon: B*Inspired | Rhinestones: KaiserCraft | Clear Stamp: Papertrey Ink 'Year of Flowers: Violets' | Ink: Palette 'Bordeaux' | Corner Rounder: Woodware  Craft Collection

Regarding the Mother's Day present I showed you a sneak peek of the other day... my mum already guessed it's a calendar. Not very original as I already said, but it's different again from the others (2009 and 2008).  It also has fresh new pictures of all her grand children. I'd intended to already make her one for Christmas, but with the upcoming move that never happened. And yes, I will show the entire calendar on Sunday.

Thank you for stopping by and all your lovely comments.

Twisted Cards #005

The other I day mentioned that I'd gained new inspiration after the holiday to create. I've been planning to make some layouts and a mini album. Unfortunately I'm having issues with my printer. It seems that part of the printer head of the colour magenta is broken, which causes stripes on the print outs. My hubby has been online forums trying to find a solution, but so far no luck. This means I can't print my pictures and using an outside shop isn't really an option as I'm not sure what size I would like the photos yet and I might print collages in some cases. Still bursting with energy and ideas,  I decided to make some cards instead.

Just over a month ago Ingrid announced she was a new member on the design team of Twisted Cards. Being a loyal sister-in-law I of course had to play along with one of the sketches. I chose Twisted Cards #005. Like Ingrid I turned the card 90 degrees, and also flipped it vertically.

The other day I went to my favourite shop on Maling Road, B*Inspired and bought some gorgeous linen look ribbon. With the papers I chose for this card, it was the perfect combination.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics | Patterned Paper + Punchouts + Borderlines: Pink Paislee 'Bayberry Cottage' | Ribbon: B*Inspired | Buttons | Border Punch: Martha Stewart | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink 'Signature Greetings', 'Butterfly Dreams' | Ink: Staz'On (Timber Brown), VersaColor (Umber) | Pearls: Kaisercraft | Butterfly Die: Papertrey Ink.

I'll be back with another post straight after this one, but as it's for another challenge I wanted to create a separate post for each one. Be back soon!

Thank You for Your Sweet Comments

Firstly I would like to thank you dearly for all your sweet comments. It's so nice to hear from some of you that have never left a comment. I don't know about you, but it's kind of nice to know who your audience is.    Besides it gives me the opportunity to visit your blog (if you have one of course) as well. Ultimately it's gratifying that I inspire others.

Since being back from our holiday in Orlando, I have renewed energy to start creating more again. However, getting back into shape and losing some weight is a higher priority. Now that the dust has settled of moving, it's time to get a good routine going so I can fit it all in. I guess I can only start with a positive attitude.

I still had one card to share with you, which I'd already made and sent before our holiday as it was for my brother- and sister-in-law's anniversary.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics | Patterned Paper: Making Memories, Amy Butler | Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug 'Birds & Swirls' | Rub-on Bling: Basic Grey | Rhinestones: KaiserCraft | Tag: newsagent | Clear Stamp: Papertrey Ink 'Mega Mixed Messages', Banana Frog 'It's all about...Hearts' | Ink: Staz'On (Jet Black), VersaColor  (Umber) | Heart punch: Fiskars | Large Scalloped Border Die: Papertrey Ink | Ribbon: Be Inspired | Pin: Fancy Pants | Flower: Prima Marketing

That's a long list of supplies for a card on which I only use paper scraps.

Next Sunday it will be Mother's Day. I made a not so original present for my mum, but I'm pretty sure she'll be very pleased with it. Fingers crossed it will get there on time as it took me until yesterday to finish it and won't be sending it off until tomorrow. Here's a sneak peek... I almost used my entire 'Fly a Kite' from October Afternoon on this little project.

I hope everyone had a restful weekend and ready for another week.