Ventian Dreams

As some of you will know- I love creating themes for our Christmases in NZ. This year I picked Venice. Here are some photos of the christmas crackers I made. And some of the table decked out with the masks I decorated. We ate an Italian feast... and in classic Italian fashion took all afternoon and evening to eat it, finishing with tiramsu and grappa.
I've also added a little video my mom took of the table.

I'm a Ginger Gem!

I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to blog or even check how my card did in the Vintage Hues Colour Challenge over at Gingersnap Creations. So I finally got chance this morning and Whoo how I'm a Ginger Gem- I'm really thrilled about this x

Vintage Scene

I've been wanting to do one of the challenges over at Gingersnap Creations for a while- and I finally got chance. This card is for their current colour challeng- which is Vintage Hues.
I've sponged and stamped the scene with Soft Suede and Chocolate Chip, with a hint if Baja Breeze. I wasn't sure how the sky would turn out with the brown tones, but actually I'm pleased with the result.
I've also added Victoria lace and Early Expresso satin ribbon and some smooch and of Dazzling Diamonds.

Whoo Hoo Again!!

I'm thrilled because this week- I'm a Top Pick at Just Add Ink. I'v been working on improving my cards- so I'm thrilled to get Top Pick for a card rather than a scrapbook page.

Kiwi Christmas

Ths week at Just add Ink it's a sketch challenge- i've been busy behind the scenes making Chrissy pressies for family- and so this is the first chance I've had to blog for about 10 days.
I wanted to make a summer christmas card something that reflects the gorgeous blue sky of NZ.
I'm giving you a sneek peek too of the new DSP in the Summer Mini released on Wednesday.

Stamp Sets; Lovely as a Tree, curly Cute.
Inks:Pacific point, Tempting Turquoise, Pear pizzazz, Soft Suede.
DSP:Island Oasis.
Ribbon- Olive Taffeta.
Other: shimmer paint.

Pretty Christmas

I've made this pretty vintage Christmas card for two challenges this week. Over at Just Add Ink the theme is just Add Christmas!!!! well that's a big Challenge - too much choice :) so I've combined that with this weeks sketch at Stamping 411.

I stamped the blossoms from Elements of Style in Marina Mist then used the Vintage wallpaper Embossing Folder. Stamped the main image again in Marina Mist from Welcome Christmas. layered with Cocoa Speciality DSP. Added Early Expresso Satin Ribbon and the Victoria Lace. Some extra details with Vintage trinkets and Diamonds. I've added the aged elements with Soft Suede Ink.
I'm really happy with how this card's turned out.

Pretty Birds

It's the Raphael House School Toy and Craft fair on sunday- and we have all been asked to make these cute birds to hang in one of the festival rooms- they are a celebration of our communties diversity.
Guess which one I made? hehe
My youngest and eldest also made birds. We have cut the bird from Very Vanilla, then stamped with our favourite images in our favourite colours. Stamped again on the Vellum wings, and then pop them together- so simple - but effective- Image a room full of these hanging....

Check out all the other gorgeous hand made gifts at The Toy and Craft Fair:
Raphael House Rudolf Steiner School
27 Matuhi Street, Tirohanga, Lower Hutt

10am-3pm, Sunday 14th November.

Snowy Girl

I just fancied doing some thing a little different.This stamp is a Sugar Nellie stamp, I've watercoloured her- adding Shimmer Paint. This weeks challenge over at Just Add Ink is a sketch Challenge.

Inks: baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Basic Grey, Perfect Plum.
DSP; Christmas Cocoa.
Cardstock: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Crumb cake.
Other: Wide Striped Grosgrain- Marina Mist, Antique Brads.

Just Add Birthdays

This weeks challenge at JAI is Just add Birthdays. For me it can be hard to do simple cards I tend to want to make things "busy", but I really wanted to try and make a pretty but elegant ladies birthday card.
I have heat embossed with glitter using the rose from the Fifth Avenue Floral set. I've "coloured" in the rose with Shimmer paint. I have layered with basic Black and Perfect Plum. I have to say that the photo just doesn't do this card justice.

Details
Stamp sets: Fifth Ave Floral, Curly Cute.
Inks: Versamark.
cardstock: Rich razzleberry, basic Black, Perfect Plum.
Other: Glitter, Sticky Diamonds, Scallop Trim Border Punch.

ATC Swap

I've been meaning to show you these for a while. These Atc's were made by my team mates.
Top row:
mine, Lisa Bullock, Carol McCready, Kristine McNickle
Bottom Row:
Vicky-Lee Mueller, Joanne Rowntree, Wendy Jane.

Aren't they great? The theme was -The Man in Your Life.

Just add Venice

My dad recently scanned and sent me these old photos of when we were in Venice, and since then they've been on my must Scrap List... So I've taken advantage of the colour challenge over at Just Add Ink to start.
I've stamped the Sahara Sand background with stamps from Extreme Elements and the Music Notes Wheel in Pear Pizzazz. Then sponged with Bl ushing Bride and added some Shimmer Paint. The DSP is from the Level 1 Hostess Set.The rose is made from the Fancy Flower Punch in Blushing Bride Cardstock with Shimmer Paint added again. The leaves are punched from the 2 step bird punch. The Hummingbird is from Elements of Style.

More Christmas Scenes

Here are 2 more of the cards I made for early sending to the UK.

Stamp Sets: Winter Post, Lovely as a Tree
Inks: Night of navy, Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Staz On.
Also: dazzling diamonds,Real red taffeta Ribbon, Corner Scallop Trim Punch.

Just Add Blue

This weeks challenge at JAI is to Just Add Blue, this is to raise the Awareness of Depression and Anxiety, and how it affects individual and families. In the work of my "other job" I see many people and families affected either directly or indirectly by depression- it's ripples are insidious and felt widely. So this combined with the fact that since the end of September I have been receiving a lot of very sad news from different Family & friends, and that sometimes a card can express your sadness that other ways do not, I really wanted to make this card.

Yesterday we heard that a cousin's baby has been stillborn, this is such a great immeasurable loss for her, her immediate family and our family as a whole. Being 12,000 miles away means I can do little to help practically. So this little blue card is for them. A sympathy card is always hard to make but this was especially hard. Please send thoughts and prayers to this brave mother, father and sisters of this precious baby boy.

Finally I want to share links that have info and where to get support in NZ for Depression, PND and Stillbirth.

Depression Here

A site for young Kiwis dealing with Depression Here

Post Natal Depression Here

Stillbirth & Newborn Death Support Here

My First Christmas Cards

I realised I really had better get a move on making my Christmas cards for my family in the UK- parcel being posted monday. Anyway I just couldn't decide what to make then I remembered the really cool card I'd seen by Michelle Zindorf- and decided to have a go. I've copied 2 of her cards except I've sponged where she brayers and adding my own embellishments. Check out Michelle's other cards here I love how they look so snowy.

Stamp Sets:
Welcome Christmas
Winter Post
Delightful Decorations
Curly Cute
Lovely as a Tree

Vintage halloween

This weeks challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room is Vintage halloween combined with the bottom photo for inspiration. For my card I've used a vintage halloween image- cute and mounted it onto black cardstock, I've also stamped using the rock N roll technique with the damask stamp from Friends 24-7 in Tangerine Tango and Basic Black, sponging with peach pizzazz. Ribbon, lace and a flower add some interest.

Blog Award

Well, my Upline Paula is a gem and is always telling me how fantastic I am !!!! which of course is always lovely to hear :)
She's sent me this cute award.
Check out Paula's Awesome blog here: here

Dark Marie

I really enjoyed making the postcard last week for Sunday Postcard Art, this week their theme is Dark marie, I'm happy how mine's turned out- but she's not very spooky... still a bit too pretty, nevermind.
I've created the background by sponging and stamping in Concord Crush and Elegant Eggplant- The concord has more blue tones while the Eggplant has more red tones- if you were wondering the difference. Stamps used: Friends 24-7, Artistic Etchings, En Francais. I then added her Masque, some bling and finally a light coat of Mod Podge in places to give it some shine.
I hope you like her.

Night and Day

The current challenge over at Gothic arches is Night and Day. Here's my entry I'm not 100% happy with it- but hey you can't always get it right. I've used the Elements of Style Stamp Set and created the blossom by day and night, with the sun and moon created by sponging, and some sparkle from Shimmer paint and Dazzling Diamonds. I like how there's such a sharp contrast between the top and bottom of the arch.