Got Sketch? Catch-Up

I haven't blogged very frequently lately, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been crafty. I guess I just feel I have no audience, so am reluctant to share. Anyway, Valerie just posted sketch 123 on the Got Sketch? blog, but I also have sketches 120, 121 and 122 to show you.

Let's do them in order. Sketch 120 was also featured on the Scrapbooks Etc. blog, which you can find here. Here's my layout which I created along the sketch.

Supplies: Patterned Paper: Little Yellow Bicycle, Jenni Bowlin, October Afternoon | Alphabet stickers: American Crafts | Clear Stamp: Autumn Leaves | Ink: Stampin’Up (Pretty in Pink) | Marker: ZIG | Felt Butterfly: Jenni Bowlin |Rhinestone Swirl: KaiserCraft | Circle Punch: Fiskars | Roses | Lace flower | Pinking Scissors

The second sketch, is sketch 121. I normally stick quite closely to Valerie's sketches, but with this one and really the previous one I wanted to angle to pictures a little to give it a less formal look. Also, on this one I chose to handwrite my journaling. As soon as I finished I regretted it, but decided to sleep on it and reconsider in the morning. I decided to stick with the handwritten journaling.

Supplies: Cardstock | Patterned Paper: October Afternoon (Rocket Man) + Making Memories | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Boy Basics: Simple Circles + Studio Calico | Letter Stickers: American Crafts | Ink: Stampin'Up (Riding Hood Red, Night of Navy, Marina Mist) | Dies: Papertrey Ink (Simple Circles Border, Seeing Stars, Banner Builder Collection) | Button | Marker: ZIG (Blue Jay) | Punch: Fiskars (Uppercrest)

Next is sketch 122, which was also featured on the Scrapbooks, Etc. blog here. Valerie asked if we could make something other than a card, so I created a gift bag. I'd had bought the gift bags a long time ago at the local arts & crafts store, but never put them to good use. I was quite pleased with the result, given this was my first gift bag I decorated.

Supplies: Kraft Paper Bag: Riot’s | Patterned Paper: My Mind’s Eye (Lost & Found Collection) | Punch: Martha Stewart | Ribbon: Vandoros | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Damask Designs) + Waltzing Mouse (Say It Loud) | Ink: Papertrey Ink (Vintage White) | Brad | Pearls: KaiserCraft | Lace: Spotlight | Die: Spellbinder Nestabilities Die (Blossom Two) used to make flower | Fabric: Spotlight

Lastly onto sketch 123. Valerie had given us a long lead time on this sketch. Although I instantly knew I which pictures I wanted to use for the layout, as it was a double one it took me forever to decide what papers to use. I ended up using cardstock as the backdrop on which I stamped some good old Autumn Leaves Big Swirl stamps. I decided to use October Afternoon papers for my patterned paper. Even though the colours of the papers aren't all present in the photos, it really give it some brightness.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Papertrey Ink (Hawaiian Shores, White and Spring Moss) | Clear Stamps: Autumn Leaves (Big Swirls), Papertrey Ink (Banner Builder) | Patterned Paper: October Afternoon (Farm Fresh, Modern Homemaker) | Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts | Dies: Sizzix (Hibiscus), Papertrey Ink (Banner), Silhouette (Sandcastle) | Ink: Brilliance (Moonlight White), Stampin'Up (Turquoise) | Label: Creative Imaginations | Markers

Now that I'm all caught up with my sketches for Valerie it's time to create a new one.

Lucky Number 7!

Today our little baby girl turned 7. It's hard to believe that it was already 7 years ago that she came into our lives. She's been a true blessing for all of us. Happy Birthday, Renee! I hope you had a wonderful day.

This morning Ruben woke his sister bright and early (even though he'd been told not to), which meant we were all up quite early as she naturally wanted to open her presents. We really struggled to think of a present to give her this year, but after consulting with her we bought her an alarm clock like all of us have, as she was the only one that didn't have one. Unfortunately we couldn't get the exact same one anymore, but she's quite happy with the newer version. Ruben gave her the new Professor Layton game for her DS and Rebecca gave her Just Dance 2. This afternoon they already danced to Proud Mary.

Of course I also made her a birthday card:

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper | Patterned Paper + Die-cut stickers: October Afternoon (Fly a Kite) | Die: Spellbinder Nestabilities (Lacey Circles) | Clear Stamp: Papertrey Ink (Birthday Bash Sentiments) | Ink: Stampin'Up (Turquoise) | Ribbon: MemrieMarie on Etsy | Chipboard Number: Basic Grey | Glitter: Martha Stewart (Peridot) | Pinking Scissors

Just before her friends arrived for the party I managed to take some pictures of the birthday girl.

At 11.30 a.m. her friends arrived for the party. We were going to Doncaster to Build-a-Bear and afterwards we would come back and have a teddy bear's picnic. I made quite simple invitation, along the same concept as her invitations last year. (I noticed I left the address on last year's invitation, but only realised after I had handed them out, that I'd put our old UK address on them, oops!)

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper | Cardstock: Jillibean Soup | Ribbon: Be*Inspired | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Baby Button Bits + Round and Round) | Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities (Circles + Lacey Circles) | Ink: Stampin'Up (Chocolate Chip) | Staples | Buttons | Twine: DMC

I made the invitations for the boys with a green background, but I didn't take a picture of them.

The party went smooth and the children had a lovely time stuffing their teddies and afterwards stuffing their tummies with sandwiches, crisps, tiny teddies and birthday cake.

I got the recipe for the cake out of the Good Food Magazine and baked it yesterday. For the first time I managed to temper the chocolate to make the chocolate curls for on top.

Because all the children had already gotten a teddy and outfit during the party, I'd made a simple lolly bag for them to take home and the end. I decorated them with a doily, felt letter and tag with 'thank you' on it.

Supplies: Sweet Bags: Be*Inspired | Doilies: Newsagent | Felt: Spotlight | Tags: Newsagent | Thank You Stamp: Papertrey Ink (Butterfly Dreams) | Letter Dies: Sizzix (Fun Serif)

It was a gorgeous day today! I hope your weekend will be as bright and sunny as ours.

Now that the party dust has settled I can finish my advent calendar, I have 10 days to finish it.

P.S. Thank you for all your lovely comments and emails I have been receiving lately. It's great to hear from you and discover your blogs too. Some great talent out there...

Gift Wrapping + A Couple of Cards

Today Rebecca had a birthday party of one of her classmates. She'd bought some bangles and earrings for her. Since they are quite small presents in size, it's not that easy to wrap them. Instead of just wrapping them, I thought it would be nice to make a box for them. Her friend's favourite colour is purple, so I made a purple box for her and added a few details to make it a bit more special. Here's a picture from the top.

And one from the side:

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper | Patterned Paper: Making Memories, Jillibean Soup | Ribbon | Flower Die: Papertrey Ink | Sentiment stamp: Papertrey Ink (Mega Mixed Messages) | Border Punch: Martha Stewart (Double Dots) | Tag: newsagent | Ink: Staz'On (Timber Brown) | Pearls: KaiserCraft

Last week I created a couple of other cards using some more Papertrey Ink stamps that I hadn't broken into yet and one of which the paper was still untouched.

Firstly a baby card for which I used the Baby Button Bits stamp set. I haven't been needing to make any baby cards, but I thought it was about time to play with the stamps. The patterned paper was also fresh off the shelf.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper (kraft) | Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye (Lush) | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Baby Button Bits, Background Basics: Diamonds | Ink: Papertrey Ink (Antique Cream), Staz'On (Timber Brown) | Button | Ribbon: MarieMare, Making Memories | Ric-Rac Die: Papertrey Ink | Label Die: Spellbinder Nestabilities Labels 1 | Corner Rounder: Woodware Designs

Finally, I picked up some more My Mind's Paper as I simply loved the colours and the patterns. I'd totally intended to make a minimalist card, but it took a whole different direction.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper (Bazzill White) | Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye: Quite Contrary | Ribbon: B*Inspired | Clear Stamp: Papertrey Ink (Mega Giga Guide Lines, Fancy Flourishes) | Ink: Stampin'Up (Bashful Blue), Papertrey Ink ( Pure Poppy) | Buttons | Machine Sewing | Scallop Circle Punch: Marvy Uchida | Border Punch: Fiskars (Apron Lace) | Floss: DMC

That's all from me for now. I wish everyone a great weekend.

First School Friend's Birthday Party

Yesterday Renee had her first birthday party of one of her friends in her class. It can be quite intimidating for her, but she took it in her stride this time and was quite happy to go and to be left on her own.

I'd had bought a cute silver beaded bookmark for Holly on Friday at a craft market, which was only wrapped in tissue paper. As it was a small gift, I'd decided to make a bag to put it in rather than wrapping it again in gift wrap. I also made a matching birthday card to go with it.

Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Cardstock

Patterned Paper + Die-Cut Alphas: October Afternoon 'Farm Fresh'

Border Punch: EK Success

Corner Rounder: Woodware Craft

Buttons: Making Memories 'Paperie'

Clear Stamp: Papertrey Ink 'Giga Guide Lines' + 'Mega Mixed Messages'

Ribbon: John Lewis

Tag: Newsagent

Die: Spellbinder Nestabilities 'Scalloped Circles'

Bag Template: Funky Bag 2

Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope you are having a good Monday.

Too Pretty to Unwrap

Today Beth (the best babysitter in the world) is celebrating her 22nd birthday. I'd promised her that I would bake her cake. I'm not the best cake maker in the world, but the willingness and effort counts for something right. Beth came over just before school pick-up so she could join me. Before collecting the children I'd already given her her card.

Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Cardstock

Patterned Paper + Chipboard Die-Cuts: Cosmo Cricket 'Early Bird'

Embossing Folder: Quickutz 'Retro Diamonds'

Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink 'Giga Guide Lines'

Ink: Staz'On (Timber Brown), Stampin'Up (Real Red)

Corner Rounder: EK Success

Border Punch: Fiskars

Button: Making Memories 'Great Escape'

Ribbon: Paperchase

Rhinestones: KaiserCraft

Bakers Twine: local supermarket

After school pick-up the children gave Beth her present. She thought it was too pretty to unwrap. It was only a small gift so instead of using wrapping paper I used scrapbooking paper to wrap it.

Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Cardstock

Patterned Paper: Studio Calico

Button: Making Memories 'Great Escape'

Border Punch: Martha Stewart 'Doily Lace'

Tag: Newsagent

Clear Stamp: Papertrey Ink

Ink: Staz'On (Timber Brown)

Ribbon: from my birthday present!

Finallhy I also wanted to show you a picture I took of Rebecca yesterday. Rebecca has had her braces on for nearly two months now and the difference is quite amazing. Despite the fact that she's got braces on, her smile is still as big!

Thank you for being my model, Rebecca. I love you!

Valentine's Day...

...that's the movie my friend Beth and her daughter Lauren, Rebecca and I will be seeing this morning.

As promised I would show you my Valentine's album, which is created for Papercrafts Inspirations' February 2010 issue. Two weeks ago I received my copy of the magazine and I was overwhelmed with the way they managed to feature the album. It's a three page spread. I struggled a little to take good pictures, but I think they did a marvellous job. It even had a tiny picture of it on the front cover!







Below are the pictures I took (beware.... picture overload):

For a list of supplies please refer to the magazine, or else contact me if you have any questions.

And finally the card I made for my Valentine...

Supplies

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Cardstock

Patterned Paper + Die-cut labels: Pink Paislee 'Cupid'

Ribbon: Paperchase

Heart Punch + Border Punch: Martha Stewart

Button: Making Memories

Pearl: KaiserCraft

Machine Stitching

Still there?? Thank you for your visit and we'll meet again soon... Happy Valentine's Day!

Christmas Gift Box

Several weeks ago when I started making the party boxes for Renee's birthday party, I considered making them larger than the original size. I increased the size by 30 % in Photoshop and printed one off. It turned out they were going to be too big, so I decided to decorate it as a Christmas gift box instead.





Supplies: Box template Papertrey Ink, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: October Afternoon, Snowflake die: Cuttlebug, Ribbon: local haberdashery, Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Tag: newsagent, Twine: Martha Stewart, Ink: Staz'On (Jet Black), Stampin'Up (Turquoise), Button: Basic Grey.

Tomorrow I'll be packing to go to Holland with the children for 3 days to say goodbye to my family as we're off to Australia in just over 4 weeks. For those who are wondering, we are moving back to Melbourne. Can't wait for that sunshine since it's been so incredibly wet here over the past month. However I'm also still looking forward to our Christmas Eve Pantomime, ice skating at Hampton Court, Boxing Day with the family and our Murder Mystery Party on New Year's Eve. If I get time to photograph the invites, I'll post them tomorrow.