YET ANOTHER CRICKET-Y BIRTHDAY

Whilst I have learnt to be ruthless, in culling my Stampin' Up! supplies once they retire, there is one stamp set that is unlikely to leave my collection.  I am the only female in a cricket-mad household, and Stampin' Up!'s "Just Cricket" stamp set is well-loved and well-used!

Today is my first-born darling son's birthday, and - yet again - he gets a cricket-themed card.  Jack is well on the way to realising his dream of playing cricket at an elite level.  Recently he was selected to play in the Victorian under-17s cricket team, and we are incredibly proud of him and the hard work he puts in to reach his goals.

Here's the card I made, keeping it nice and simple, since it probably won't get more than a fleeting glance!

Stamps: Just Cricket (retired), Memorable Moments

Card: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Island Indigo, Basic Black

Ink: Basic Gray stampin' pad, Versamark inkpad, Island Indigo stampin' pad, Basic Black marker

Other: Labels Collection framelits, Festive paper-piercing pack, Stampin' Pierce Mat and paper-piercing tool, Basics Glimmer brad, Chevron embossing folder, Finishing Touches edgelits die, Basic Gray striped satin ribbon, stampin' dimensionals

 

 

There will be no special birthday dinner for Jack tonight, because he'll be ..... playing cricket!!  (It never ends!)

 

 

 



SC 34/12: STAMPIN' UP!'S "JUST CRICKET"

I had the good fortune to spend almost an entire weekend stamping with two of my dear friends (it was meant to be three, but sadly our other friend was unwell).  Now, "an entire weekend stamping" for me, in company, normally means chatting, eating chocolate and drinking copious quantities of tea and coffee!  I'm normally much more productive as a lone crafter.  However, I managed to make several cards over the two days, as well as fitting in the chatting, choccie and hot drinks!  One of the cards I made was for this week's sketch challenge at Sunny Challenges & Creations:

I had been asked to make a "thank you" card for my son's cricket coach, for all the boys to sign.  Because cricket plays a large role in the lives of the Blain family, I kept hold of the now retired Just Cricket stamp set from Stampin' Up!  I get a LOT of use out of this set.  My boys have finished their junior cricket season in Australia, but are both currently over the other side of the world, participating in an international cricket tournament held in Corfu!

It's not often that I use Cajun Craze in my projects, but it's a beautiful, rich colour.  I consulted my Color Coach, and ran with the suggestion of using Cajun Craze with Baja Breeze and Old Olive.  I've kept the card very simple, but I must say I love how these colours work together!  Who knew?!

Stamps: Just Cricket, Perfectly Penned

Card: Crumb Cake, Old Olive textured, Naturals Ivory, Cajun Craze

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

Other: Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, Color Spritzer tool, Mat Pack and Paper Piercing tool, Regals brads, Linen Thread, sponge dauber, stampin' dimensionals

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!!

"ART WITH HEART" TEAM BLOG HOP - MEN IN OUR LIVES

Hi all

Today is a very exciting day for me - not least of all because it's time for another blog hop with some of my wonderful Stampin' Up! team members.  IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!  21, again :)

As a Leo, it's a little difficult for me to accept that it's not "all about me", but I'll move on and talk about the blog hop, which is probably why you're visiting my blog today!

Being the first Saturday of the month, it's time for our "Art With Heart" team blog hop. This month our theme is "Men in our Lives". We hope to inspire you with our male-focussed projects, for Father's Day, birthdays, or just celebrating the males who are special to us.
The "Art With Heart" team of Stampin' Up! demonstrators comprises over 90 women, spread across Australia, and is led by Claire Daly (based in Melbourne). We have a very active online team forum, that is a great source of inspiration, support, and friendship. If you'd like to join us, whether it be as a hobby demonstrator (to receive great discounts, every day, on Stampin' Up! products), or to start up your own rewarding, home-based business, please email me; I'd love to have you join our friendly team!

As with each of our blog hops, we offer *blog candy* - a little prize for one person who visits all of the participating blogs, leaves a comment, then emails Nikki Sadler to confirm that all blog posts have been commented on. The offer for the blog candy is valid only for 72 hours from the launch of our blog hop; so, to be in to win, make sure you email Nikki by 6.00am AEST Tuesday 10th August. Blog candy cannot be won by Stampin' Up! demonstrators, but we would dearly love for you all to visit our blogs and leave comments anyway!

Today there are 9 of us taking part in the blog hop. You may have come from my talented friend Judy May's blog, or may be starting off here.  Either way, it's lovely to have you visit - thank you!  When you've finished looking at my blog post, just click on the link below to go on to Tina Gillespie's blog. You can start at any of the blogs along the way; you'll do a 'circuit', and cover all 9, as long as you follow the links on each blog.


Now, onto my projects. I have chosen to make a couple of Father's Day cards, using the wonderful sentiment from my Occasional Greetings stamp set, that's on page 112 of the Stampin' Up! catalogue.  This set contains a great variety of sentiments, including greetings for Mother's Day and Father's Day - I love it.

I really love the colours in this first card that I have to share with you.  Let me know which is your favourite!

Stamps: Occasional Greetings, Sanded, Party Hearty

Card: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Basic Gray

Ink: Kiwi Kiss and Basic Gray stampin' pads

DSP: Urban Garden, Urban Oasis

Other: Basic Gray corduroy buttons (retired), dimensionals, White gel pen, sponge daubers, mini glue dots, edge distresser

Some of the things that I like to use often on male cards are Jumbo Eyelets, Weathered background stamp, and paper piercing/edge distressing.  Here's a simple card that incorporates all of these elements:

Stamps: Occasional Greetings, Weathered

Ink: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze

Card: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze (smooth and textured), Whisper White

DSP: Urban Garden Designer Series Paper

Other: Mat pack and paper piercing tool, Jumbo Eyelets (set with a Crop-a-dile), Top Note die, sponge dauber, dimensionals

 


Finally, I'd like to share with you a project dedicated to a young man who is very special to me.  The scrapbook page below includes two of the most important males in my life - Andrew (hubby) and Jack (our eldest son).  In April, Jack went on his first overseas cricket tour, representing the Yarra Valley (in Melbourne's outer east).  Such an auspicious occasion - I had to scrap it! 

Here's a close-up of the journalling:

Hmm, now that I see it on screen, it's not exactly crystal clear - sorry!  The hand-written journalling reads:

"Jack, we were incredibly proud that you, at 14, were selected as part of the Yarra Valley under-17s team touring Sri Lanka and Malaysia.  This photo was taken just before you headed off to the airport.  You and Dad had a fantastic trip.  We're sure you will go on to great things with your cricket, son.  We're with you every step of the way!"

Another couple of close-up shots, so you can see the stamped background (the Just Cricket stamp set gets quite a work-out in my house!):

Here's a list of products used to make this layout:

Stamps: Just Cricket, Starring You

Card: Kraft 12x12, Summer Sun, Whisper White textured, Brilliant Blue

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Brilliant Blue stampin' pad and stampin' write marker

Other: Curly Label Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Mat pack and paper piercing tool, Brilliant Blue brads, title rub-ons (not SU!)

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my projects for this month's blog hop.  Next on the 'tour' is Tina Gillespie, who will no doubt have someting very creative to show you.  Please check out all 9 blogs on the hop, and leave some comment love!  Don't forget you can win a prize by emailing Nikki after you've commented on each blog.

I've included below a complete list of all the participants in today's hop, so that if you lose your way, you can refer back to it.

Christine Blain (that's me, the birthday girl!)http://www.christineblain.blogspot.com/


Tina Gillespie
http://scissorspapercard.blogspot.com


Kristine Thompson
http://inkspotcreations.typepad.com


Nikki Sadler
http://inkyart.com.au


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


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


Sue Madex
http://www.madexcreations.com


Kathryn Ruddick http://www.katlodesigns.com


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

BIRTHDAY CARD FOR A "CRICKET-MAD" BOY

Don't keel over in shock, people - I know, two posts in one day, after a bit of a drought in the posting area!  Actually, two posts in minutes, because I didn't get myself properly organised before saving my Christmas card post.

Jack, my darling first-born son, turned 14 on Saturday.  He lives and breathes cricket; as far as he was concerned, he had the perfect birthday - playing junior cricket in the morning, and senior cricket in the afternoon.  It meant (as it does every Saturday) that he left home at 7.00am, and didn't get home until 7.00pm.  Personally, I can't see the appeal in that, but this post is about Jack, so I won't bore you with my views on cricket!

This season Jack changed cricket clubs, and has joined a club with a great development programme, which is helping him work towards his goal of playing cricket for Australia one day.  He's determined, so we'll see!  His new club colours are (in Stampin' Up! colours!) Brilliant Blue and Summer Sun, with a Basic Black strip.  With this in mind, I made this card for Jack:


Stamps: Just Cricket, Occasional Greetings, Defining Alphabet

Card: Whisper White, Brilliant Blue, Summer Sun, Basic Black

Ink: Versamark, Basic Black, Brilliant Blue, Summer Sun, Riding Hood Red

Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Wide Oval Punch, 3/4" and 1" circle punches, black brads (from Vintage assortment), stampin' dimensionals