Happy Father's Day...

... for yesterday. That is for most of the world, except Australia (I'm sure there might be other countries where it wasn't Father's Day either, but not that I'm aware of). Even though I didn't need to arrange anything for David for Father's Day from the kids, it still was Father's Day for my dad in the Netherlands.

On the card I made for my dad, I solely used stamping techniques, without using any patterned papers. In fact all the materials except the ribbon, brad, ink and white cardstock are from Papertrey Ink.

I had a great time assembling this card. I used a recently purchased shirt from David as inspiration for the colours. I don't know how clearly you can see, but I photographed the card in front of the shirt.

Supplies: Cardstock: Papertrey Ink + Bazzill Basics | Ink: Stampin'Up (Concord Crush, Perfect Plum, Baja Breeze), Brilliance (Moonlight White)  | Clear Stamps: Papertrey (Boy Basics: Simple Circles, Mat Stack 4 Collection, Tag-Its 2, Background Basics: Text Style II, Background Basics: Woodgrain | Ribbon: Spotlight | Dies: Papertrey Ink (Mat Stack 4, Limitless Layers, Simple Circles) | Brad

As for the Australian Father's Day, that will be celebrated the first Sunday in September.

Got Sketch? 119

Valerie posted her next sketch, sketch 119 over on her Got Sketch? blog yesterday. Initially when I saw the sketch I wasn't too sure how I was going to tackle this one, but once I pulled out my Echo Park 'Be Mine' papers I was on my way quite quickly. Even though I say so myself, I'm really pleased with the outcome of this card.

The hardest part was to find the right shade of pink ribbon that was also long enough to tie around. I almost went out and bought one (even though I have a huge jar full of pink ribbon ;)), but in the end I found one.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper | Patterned Paper + Alphabet Stickers: Echo Park (Be Mine collection) | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Damas Designs + Postmarks) | Punch: Fiskars (heart) | Die: Papertrey Ink (Postage + Double Ended Banner) | Ink: Stampin'Up (Basic Black + Basic Grey) | Ribbon: Vandoros

I love the subtle colours of the Be Mine collection. Initially I didn't plan to but these papers, but after seeing several cards created with them, I was sold.

Hip Hip Hooray

On Sunday my friend Claire's eldest daughter, Mia celebrated her birthday. I kept thinking that I needed to blog a card, but couldn't remember which one. At least I didn't forget to make it and send it to her. Claire's girls always await my card in great anticipation. I hope she liked it.

I used one of the new lines of The Girl's Paperie, called Jubilee. It's one of my favourites this season. I didn't buy them as soon as they were available, but I'm glad I did in the end. 

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper | Patterned Paper: The Girls Paperie: Jubiliee | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Fancy Flourishes, Fillable Frames 3 + Take Note) | Ink: Stampin'Up (Tangerine Tango + Bashful Blue) | Buttons: SEI | Dies: Papertrey Ink (Doily Details, Parisian Lace, Mat Stack 2 + Large Scalloped Border) | Ribbon: Vandoros

I should be back soon with another card and I'm working on a new layout as well. Until next time.

70 Amazing Years

Today my mother-in-law is celebrating her 70th birthday party. Last Saturday she had a party to celebrate this milestone. We've been anticipating this event for several months, as David attended the party as a surprise. Quite a few people knew he was coming, but we managed to keep in under wraps. Barbara was genuinely surprised.

Because we couldn't all be there, we'd made a little video in which we congratulate her from the other side of the world. The children put together a news bulletin, where they report about the big event. Right at the end Renee announces that the man on the ground (David) can report live from the event. Apparently there wasn't a dry eye in the room as the surprise was unfolding.

Here's the card I made for her.

Supplies: Cardstock: Papertrey Ink | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Year of Flowers: Sweet Peas, Background Basics: Tin Types, Big Birthday Wishes) | Ink: Stampin'Up (Melon Mambo + Soft Suede) | Pearls: KaiserCraft | Ribbon: Memrie Mare at Etsy | Dies: Papertrey Ink (By the Numbers | Mat Stack 4 | Large Scalloped Border) | Glitter: Stampin'Up | Vellum

Barbara, I wish you an incredible 70th birthday. Enjoy your day! x

Happy Birthday Oliver

Today Ruben had a birthday party of one of his classmates, Oliver. Yesterday I quickly created a card for him, using some gold old Scenic Route papers.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper | Patterned Paper: Scenic Route (Grafton collection) | Embossing Folder: Papertrey Ink | Dies: Papertrey Ink (Ad Sense) + Silhouette | Ink: Stampin'Up ( Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi) | Twine

I'm off to bed, ready for another week. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

Got Sketch? 118

Yesterday Valerie posted her next sketch on her Got Sketch? blog. It's sketch 118. When Valerie asked us whether I was able to create a layout along the sketch, I was already working on another one and thought they were due on the same day. Then I discovered that this one was actually due a week after. That was a relief, as I just needed a bit more time to brainstorm (or should I say procrastinate). I did already have my pictures ready, but wasn't convinced I was going to use them.

Of course the days went by and it all came down to the last day. No time left to change my mind on the photos. I just had to find the right papers to go with it. After switching papers a number of times, I found them. I decided to use Pink Paislee's Cupid collection. I think I've only made one card with these papers before, so it was nice to give them a proper use.

If you would like to see the sketch, hop on over to Valerie's blog. Here's my layout based on the sketch:

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper | Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee (Cupid collection) | Alphabet Stickers: Making Memories | Butterfly Punch: Martha Stewart | Rhinestones: KaiserCraft | Circle Die: Spellbinder Nestabilities | Flowers: Maya Road (brown) + Prima Marketing (pink) | Font: Avenir

Journaling: For a moment I was starting to think that you were never going to loose your front teeth. Then finally they started to wobble. The first one came out on Easter Sunday and the other one was out just five days later. - April 24, 2011.


As we're on the subject, Renee lost another tooth yesterday. She's now lost five teeth.

I hope I have given you some inspiration to create a sketch along this sketch as well. Until next time.

Happy Birthday Karen!

Today is my sister-in-law, Karen's birthday. Happy Birthday Karen! Unfortunately we won't be able to celebrate with her in person, living so far apart. Of course I did make her a card. I pulled out some My Mind's Eye papers that I've had for a while and only touched once for another card. I totally loved using them.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper | Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye + Lilly Bee| Ink: Papertrey Ink (Tea Dye Duo) + Stampin'Up (Chocolate Chip) | Die: Papertrey Ink (Spiral Notebook Page, A New Leaf, Beautiful Blooms 2) | Ribbon: John Lewis | Lace: Spotlight | Brad: Basic Grey | Border Punch: Martha Stewart | Clear Stamp: Papertrey Ink (Birthday Bash Sentiments) 

The ribbon on the card, I've bought several years ago at John Lewis, a department store in England. This was the first time I used it. I loved how well it coordinated with the papers.

Guest Post Scrapbooks Etc.

A couple of weeks ago Valerie asked if I could create a card along a sketch for a guest post she was doing over at the Scrapbooks Etc. blog. Valerie's sketches are always easy and delightful. I pulled out my new Hello Luscious papers from Basic Grey out for this one.

Basic Grey always have quite busy patterns and a lot of colour, so it's important to find the right balance. I juggled with the papers for a while to find it.

You can find the blogpost and sketch here. And here's my card:

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper | Patterned Paper: Basic Grey (Hello Luscious collection) | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Mat Stack 1, Take Note, Fillable Frames Additions 1) | Ink: Stampin'Up | Butterfly Stamp: Martha Stewart | Dies: Papertrey Ink (Mat Stack 1, Limitless Layers, Scalloped Border) | Rhinestones: KaiserCraft

Well, that was three posts in one day. Time to create some more.

Club Got Sketch: sketch 8

This is already the last sketch for Club Got Sketch. It's been really fun taking part of this class. All sketches have been multiple photo layouts, which is great. For my last layout I used pictures of Ruben, which I took on the day he turned eleven.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper + Papertrey Ink| Patterned Paper: The Girl's Paperie | Border Punch: EK Success | Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts | Star Die: Papertrey Ink | Buttons: Basic Grey | Circle Punch: Fiskars | Marker: ZIG

Now that Club Got Sketch has come to and end, let's see if I can keep the momentum going and possibly create a layout once a week.

Got Sketch?: sketch 116

I tried to blog yesterday, but something seemed to be wrong with Blogger and I wasn't able to do it. A little late, but last Thursday Valerie posted sketch 116 on the Got Sketch? blog. Valerie asked if we could do a Mother's Day card. You can see the sketch here, and this is the card I made:

Supplies: Cardstock Bazzill Basics | Patterned Paper: Making Memories | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Beautiful Blooms II, Blooming Button Bits) | Ink: Stampin'Up | Die: Papertrey Ink (Double Ended Banners, Turning a New Leaf) + Spellbinder Nestabilities (Labels One) | Rhinestones: KaiserCraft | Border Punch: Martha Stewart

I hope everyone had a lovely Mother's Day. I'll be back soon with the last sketch for Club Got Sketch.