A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING!!

We were privileged to be invited to the wedding, yesterday, of our friends, Rachel and Aaron.  It's been a LONG time since I attended a wedding, and both of our boys were so excited about getting dressed up in suits.  Jack and Ethan were the only children invited to the wedding, and they made me as proud as always!

I am pleased to say that I introduced Rachel to Stampin' Up! last year, hee hee.  I knew she was using Blushing Bride cardstock, the Bella Toile stamp, and Basic Black ribbon to create the wedding bonboniere (using Stampin' Up!'s pillow box die, no less!), so I made our card to tie in with the theme.

Firstly, here's a photo of the bonboniere on our table:

And here is the wedding card I made:

Stamps: Bella Toile, Perfect Punches

Card: Shimmery White, Basic Black, Blushing Bride

Ink: Blushing Bride and Basic Black stampin' pads

Other: Basic Black satin ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Basic Rhinestones, Pinking Heart border punch (*NEW - out 1st December!), mini glue dots, Tombow multi glue

Here's the happy couple signing the marriage register (aren't they beautiful?!):

A rare photo of me, with my two handsome sons:

... and a gorgeous photo of all three of my "boys" (that's Andrew, my hubby, between Ethan and Jack):

Here's one more shot of the happy couple, Rachel and Aaron, at their wedding reception:

It was a very rainy day, but nevertheless a happy, relaxed and highly enjoyable one.  Rachel and Aaron are such a loving couple; they have a  very bright married future ahead of them.

CHRISTMAS BLOG HOP

Today I am taking part in a blog hop, with 10 friends, to show you some projects with a CHRISTMAS theme.  You may have come here from Ros Davidson's blog, but if not, don't worry - you can continue in a loop and visit all 11 blogs by clicking on the link at the end of each blog post.  I'm sure you'll get some great ideas, visiting everyone's blogs.

I'd like to share with you a few Christmas cards I've chosen to make in non-traditional colours.

This first card is my favourite, but I would love to hear which one appeals most to you; they're all quite different.  Please leave a comment, and let me know you've been to visit!

Stamps: Friends 24-7, Contempo Christmas, Delightful Decorations

Card: Poppy Parade, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise (textured)

Ink: Poppy Parade and Tempting Turquoise stampin' pads, Jet Black Staz-on inkpad

Other: Poppy Parade poly-stitched ribbon, Ornament Punch, Basic Rhinestones, stampin' dimensionals, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Scallop Edge border punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, mini glue dots

Next up is a less bright card; for this one, I've used another of Stampin' Up!'s "in colours", Peach Parfait, teamed with Basic Gray and Very Vanilla.

Stamps: Dasher, Snow Swirled

Card: Very Vanilla, Basic Gray

DSP: Peach Parfait Patterns Designer Series Paper (hostess pack)

Ink: Basic Gray and Peach Parfait stampin' pads

Other: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Wide Oval Punch, Peach Parfait poly-stitched ribbon, sponge dauber, Eyelet Trim border punch, Basic Pearls

My last card uses green and purple, with cream, and I love it!  (Since I became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I don't think I've referred to colours as "green and purple, with cream"!!  That was a BIG step for me, to not use their SU! names, ha ha). 

Stamps: Tree Trimmings, Snow Swirled, En Francais

Card: Wild Wasabi (textured), Perfect Plum, Naturals Ivory

DSP: Wild Wasabi and Perfect Plum Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink: Wild Wasabi, Perfect Plum and River Rock stampin' pads, Jet Black Staz-on inkpad

Other: Very Vanilla satin ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, sponge dauber, Eyelet Border punch, paper snips, mini glue dots

Next stop on today's blog hop is the blog of my friend Nikki Sadler.  We hope you'll visit all 11 blogs, and check out everyone's creations.  Here is a list of everyone participating in the blog hop; if you lose your way, just check back in here!

Ros Davidson

http://www.rosdavidson.typepad.com/


Christine Blain (that's me!)
http://christineblain.blogspot.com/


Nikki Sadler
http://www.inkyart.com.au/


Kristine Thompson
http://www.inkspotcreations.com/


Tina Gillespie
http://scissorspapercard.blogspot.com/


Di Dunk
http://www.stampartbydi.typepad.com/


Judy May
http://www.judymay.typepad.com/


Sue Madex
http://www.madexcreations.com/


Amy Buchanan
http://fashioninggreatimpressions.com/


Gardenia Pepworth
http://alittlelessuseless.wordpress.com/


Alisha Watson
http://ratherbstampin.typepad.com/

I hope you have a great day; I will - we're off to a wedding, and my boys will both be in suits!  What fun.  Will share photos later!

JUST ADD INK #45 - SKETCH CHALLENGE

Normally I see the words "sketch challenge" and am tempted to run for the hills! I MUCH prefer colour challenges, but am trying to embrace the whole concept of stretching myself to try new things! This week's sketch at Just Add Ink sparked all sorts of ideas in my head - I can see myself using this gorgeous, simple, sketch time and time again.  Thanks, Danielle!  Here's the sketch:

I was in the mood for a bit of colouring in today, so had another play with my new Cupcake Kiki stamp - this time, I watercoloured her, using my Stampin' Up! markers and an aquapainter.  Using a white gel pen, I added a few little details - stripes on Kiki's stockings, and dots on her top (as well as highlights on her hair baubles, and in the flower centre).

This card will be going to someone we know who recently had a really nasty fall, and is 'out of action' for several weeks.  Hopefully it'll put a smile on her face.

Stamps: Cupcake Kiki (CC Designs), Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Watercolour Paper

Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento inkpad, Early Espresso stampin' pad and marker, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Night of Navy, and Baja Breeze markers

Other: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, aquapainter, Nestabilities, Rain Drops heart embellishment, Word Window punch, stampin' sponge, sponge dauber, Signo White gel pen, Baja Breeze Patterns DSP (retired)

I'll be back to "normal programming", showcasing Stampin' Up! stamps, tomorrow.  Please come back to visit my blog over the weekend, as I will be taking part in a blog hop with some stamping friends.  We've got some AWESOME Christmas projects to show you!!

Thanks for visiting my little corner of the world :)

CURTAIN CALL COLOUR CHALLENGE: {ACT 57}

Today I received in the mail a cute little CC Designs stamp, so decided to use her (Cupcake Kiki) on a card for this week's Curtain Call Colour Challenge.  These are the colours that Stacey is challenging us to use on a papercraft project:

Here is the result of my play session, with Cupcake Kiki and my Prismacolor pencils (blended with odourless mineral spirits):

Sorry about the wonky photo; I think my head was screwed on crooked when I took it!  After colouring the image with my pencils, I used my Sakura Gelly Roll silver pen to highlight the flower centre, and the creases on the cupcake case.  I added Crystal Effects to Kiki's shoes, the cupcake icing (which was then sprinkled with pink super-fine glitter), and the flower in her hair.  She looks very sweet in real life, even if the details aren't really clear in my photo.

These are the ingredients I used to make this card:

Stamps: Cupcake Kiki (CC Designs), Tiny Tags

Card: Basic Gray, Cajun Craze,  X-Press It Copic blending card

Ink: Memento black inkpad, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Gray and Cajun Craze stampin' pads

Other: Prismacolor pencils, odourless mineral spirits, Crystal Effects, Sakura Gelly Roll silver pen, pink super-fine glitter, pink rhinestones, oval and scalloped oval Nestabilities, Medium Jewelry Tag punch, Whisper White satin ribbon, Basic Gray taffeta ribbon (retired), Pretty in Pink 1/8" taffeta ribbon, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Big Shot, sponge dauber

JUST ADD INK #44 .... second attempt

I am really loving Stampin' Up!'s River Rock colour at the moment; it has grown on me since I first saw it a couple of years ago, and didn't warm to it.  I have made another card for this week's colour challenge at Just Add Ink, using these great colours (with Very Vanilla added into the mix):

I coloured directly onto my Upsy Daisy stamp with markers, in all three colours, then lightly spritzed the stamp with water before stamping onto a Very Vanilla piece of card - that had been cut out using the Top Note die, and stamped (second impression) with En Francais.  I love the understated look of the flowers stamped in these colours.

...and here's a close-up of the little details surrounding the sentiment:

Stamps: Very Vintage jumbo Stampin' Around wheel, En Francais, Upsy Daisy, Silhouette Sentiments

Card: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, River Rock (smooth and textured)

Ink: River Rock stampin' pad and marker, Chocolate Chip stampin' pad and marker, Wild Wasabi marker

Other: Top Note die, 3/4" circle punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Beautiful Wings embosslits, sponge dauber, stampin' dimensionals, Victoria crochet trim (*NEW), paper snips, Tombow multi glue

"WE STAMP FOR LARA" COLOUR CHALLENGE

Tonight I made a sweet little 10cm x 10cm square card, which is a size favoured by my beautiful and very talented friend Chris (she makes the sweetest cards, and always inspires me).  This week there is a colour challenge going on at the We Stamp For Lara website.  If you haven't already joined in on the fun, there's still time to go into the draw to win some prizes (including a Big Shot, generously donated by Angela Sargeant), and take part in a lot of stamping fun, whilst helping to raise money for some much-needed equipment for a very special little girl.  Click on the "We Stamp For Lara" button to the right of this post, to find out how you can be a part of it all.

Here is the card that I made tonight, and was too impatient to wait until daylight to photograph!

Stamps: Punch Potpourri, Short & Sweet, Itty Bitty Bits, Bella Toile

Card: Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, More Mustard

Ink: Blushing Bride, Regal Rose and Pear Pizzazz stampin' pads

Other: Square Lattice embossing folder, Word Window Punch, Full Heart Punch, aquapainter, blender pen, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Itty Bitty flower punch (*NEW*), Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Basic Pearls, stampin' dimensionals, stampin' sponges, Tombow multi glue

JUST ADD INK #44

Second only to red, my favourite colours are earthy tones, so this week's colour challenge at Just Add Ink really tickled my fancy.

Last night I was a bit foggy-headed, in the aftermath of a migraine, but felt well enough to make a simple card.  I mention this because when I put my card scraps away, I was horrified to discover (and even more horrified that I hadn't noticed earlier) that I had used Early Espresso, instead of Chocolate Chip, cardstock on my card!!!  I am going to be unusually forgiving of myself, though, and have decided not to re-make the card; just pretend that the strip of card is a lighter brown than it really is, okay?!

It is a bit hard to tell in the photo I've taken, but the Christmas ornaments look a light gold colour.  I inked the stamp up first in River Rock ink, then used a sponge dauber to apply Frost White shimmer paint, before stamping the image onto white card.  I've taken a close-up shot so you can see some of the shimmer.

Here is the card in its entirety:

Stamps: Contempo Christmas, Delightful Decorations

Card: Whisper White, River Rock (textured), Early Espresso (let's just call it Chocolate Chip!), Wild Wasabi (textured)

Ink: River Rock and Wild Wasabi stampin' pads

Other: Ornament Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (retired), mini glue dots



CURTAIN CALL COLOUR CHALLENGE #56

This week at Stacey's Stamping Stage, the challenge is to use the following gorgeous colours together in a papercraft project:

I found this colour combination really enjoyable to work with, and came up with another friendship card (that I get so much pleasure out of making, and giving!).  Shocking photography, but I hope you can see it well enough.

Stamps: Sanded, Bella Toile, Hello Again, Friends 24-7

Card: Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron, Peach Parfait stampin' pads and markers, Chocolate Chip stampin' pad

Other: Peach Parfait poly-stitched ribbon, Top Note die, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Nestabilities, stampin' sponge, mini glue dots, 3/8" circle punch (*NEW* in upcoming Summer mini)

INKSPIRATIONS COLOUR CHALLENGE #48

This week's colour combo, at Makeesha's Inkspirations challenge site, is one that I LOOOOVE.   Here are the colours to incorporate in a papercraft project:

I wasn't even tempted to make a Christmas card, because I am making a lot of those at the moment, and needed a bit of a break.  I decided I wanted to use my new "Love Defined" stamp set, that is in Stampin' Up!'s new Summer mini catalogue coming out in a couple of weeks.  (As a demonstrator, I was able to pre-order a few yummy things to have a play with - fun, hey?)  I've also used the gorgeous Square Lattice embossing folder, that is new to Australia (also in the Summer mini).

Stamps: Love Defined, Oval All

Card: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Real Red

Ink: Crumb Cake stampin' pad and marker, Real Red marker, Old Olive stampin' pad

Other: Top Note die, Large Oval and Scallop Oval punches, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Square Lattice embossing folder, Whisper White organza ribbon, sponge dauber, mini glue dots

JUST ADD INK #43 - "JUST ADD CHRISTMAS"

My excitement at making Christmas cards had waned a bit lately, because I've made a LOT.  For this reason, I wasn't sure that I'd put an entry in at Just Add Ink this week.  However, I have renewed enthusiasm, after receiving a gorgeous new stamp set in the mail this week (funny how those brown boxes just keep turning up, haha). 

Ethan, my 10-year-old, has his own Stampin' Up! "wish list" going, bless him.  One of the sets he'd been pestering me to buy was "Sparkly and Bright"; a cute Christmas set.  I relented, after deciding yet another Christmas stamp set couldn't hurt.  As with most of the other stamp sets I own, I've been inspired by gorgeous creations by Renee Van Stralen - that girl seriously rocks!

So, I spent a bit of time in my craft room last night, and came up with this card, that makes me smile.  Hope it does the same for you!  It's a simple one, but I think it's pretty darn cute.

Stamps: Sparkly and Bright

Card: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

DSP: Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Old Olive stampin' pads

Other: Wide Oval punch, 1 3/8" Square punch, sponge dauber, edge distressing tool, Basic Rhinestone

JACK'S BIRTHDAY CARD

Much to my dismay, my first-born is growing up all too quickly!  I do try to embrace all the changes and developments that come with every year in my boys' lives, but all the same I do grieve a little inside (I think most Mums can relate to that).  Jack turns 15 today, and I am incredibly proud of the level-headed, sensitive, loving and strong young man he is.  (He's pretty handsome too, and I can take at least half the credit for that!)  Because nothing in life matters more to him than cricket (well, second only to his love for his Mum, ha ha), there was no question about the theme of his birthday card.  Last year I made a very bright card, in is cricket club's colours, but that wasn't an option this year, since Brilliant Blue and Summer Sun have retired, and I sold off all my retired products.  I decided to go with more 'earthy', muted tones this year, and am really pleased with how it turned out.

Stamps: Extreme Elements, Just Cricket, On Your Birthday

Card: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Naturals Ivory

Ink: Crumb Cake stampin' pad and marker, Cherry Cobbler stampin' pad, Basic Black stampin' pad

Other: Colour Spritzer tool, Linen Thread, sponge dauber, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Mat Pack and paper-piercing tool, Silver Jumbo brads, edge distressing tool

I thought I'd share with you a couple of photos that I think are rather cute (although my now-15-year-old probably doesn't think I should be showing everyone "cute" pics!).  Here's Jack at 3 months old:

.... and here's a photo of him aged 14, taken in June, when we went to Tasmania:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY!!

CURTAIN CALL COLOUR CHALLENGE #55

Take a look at the great colour combination put forward by Stacey  this week.  I couldn't NOT take part! 

I initially thought of making a card with red and orange flowers, but changed my mind when I received some happy mail, in the form of new Stampin' Up! stamps!  I've got my hot little hands on some gorgeous sets that will be available to order from 1st December.  I couldn't resist having a play with my new "Love Defined" set ... as soon as I saw the tree image (in the Summer Mini catalogue that we demonstrators could pre-order from), I just had to have the set!

I am truly blessed to have in my life a number of beautiful friends, who "get" me.  Nurturing my friendships is very important to me, and is something I am really enjoying having the time to do, now that I don't work in our business full-time.  I love to make "friends" cards, and I decided this colour challenge fit the bill nicely.  Instead of incorporating red and orange flowers on my card, I coloured the heart 'foliage' on the tree stamp, using my Real Red and Tangerine Tango Stampin' Write markers.  Take a look at how cute it is:

.... and here's the inside ....

Stamps: Love Defined (*new*), Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White (smooth and textured), Tangerine Tango (smooth and textured), Real Red

DSP: Chocolate Chip Patterns Designer Series Paper

Ink: Real Red stampin' pad and marker, Tangerine Tango marker, Chocolate Chip stampin' pad and marker, black fineline marker

Other: Nestabilities, Mat Pack and paper-piercing tool, Basic Black 1/8" taffeta ribbon, Pinking Hearts border punch (*new*), Two-Step XL Owl Punch, corner rounder punch, Full Heart punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge dauber

 



"WE STAMP FOR LARA" CUPCAKE CARD

You may have noticed, in my blog side bar, a little badge linking to the "We Stamp For Lara" fundraising event that's running throughout November.  Please, if you can, support Madonna Dunn (a fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator) in her efforts to raise much-needed funds to help make her little daughter's life a bit easier.  There are heaps of great papercrafting tutorials on offer, along with weekly challenges and giveaways.  Please visit Madonna's blog for details.  If you're able to make a donation, or pay the small $25 fee for an entire month of papercrafting fun, please consider paying directly into the nominated bank account, rather than Paypal.  We want to make sure that the funds go exactly where they're intended!!

This week's challenge, at We Stamp For Lara, is to make a cupcake card.  I was thrilled to have some time in my craft room today, to make cards for a few challenges I've been wanting to participate in.  Thanks to my friend Kerry, I have lots of gorgeous little die-cut cupcakes, that I created with her Sizzix die on a girls' weekend away a few months back.  The die, and the paper I used, is not from Stampin' Up!, but everything else on my card is.

Stamps: Fast Flowers stampin' around wheel, Sincere Salutations

Card: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Blushing Bride

Ink: Blushing Bride, Old Olive and Crumb Cake stampin' pads

Other: Wide Oval punch, Old Olive brad, Scallop Trim border punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Scor-Pal, Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Blushing Bride poly-stitched ribbon, mat pack and paper-piercing tool, sponge dauber

JUST ADD INK #42

This week at Just Add Ink, the challenge is to make a card / project using this sketch as a starting point:





The thing that first caught my eye was the flower with a button centre, so I've gone with that.

Here is the card I made using my favourite colour (red), favourite card base (Crumb Cake), and my favourite new embossing folder!

Stamps: Friendly Words jumbo wheel, Occasional Greetings, Greenhouse Garden

Card: Crumb cake, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Crumb Cake stampin' pad, Real Red stampin' pad and marker, Basic Black stampin' pad

Other: Real Red polka dot ribbon, Basic Black satin ribbon, Real Red 1/8" taffeta ribbon, sponge dauber, paper snips, Basic Black button (from Neutrals assortment), Basic Rhinestones, mini glue dots, stampin' dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Square Lattice embossing folder (available in Australia from 1st December!)

CURTAIN CALL COLOUR CHALLENGE #54

Take a look at this gorgeous colour combination that Stacey has come up with this week:




Here is the card I made (which is NOTHING like the original ideas I started out with!). 

Stamps: Wonderfully Worn, Bella Toile, Tiny Tags, A to Z

Card: Crumb Cake, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla

Ink: More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie and Crumb Cake stampin' pads

Other: Beautiful Wings embosslits, Medium Jewelry Tag punch, sponge dauber, Antique Brad, Very Vanilla 1/8" taffeta ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, stampin' dimensionals

This is just a very quick post, as I have to go to work (darn it - really interrupts my stamping time!).  I hope that, wherever you are, you have a lovely day!