Blossom Designs

Birthday Gift & Card

I have a friends birthday coming up next month and thought of a nice gift set for her (can't giveaway WHO it is!).  The notebook is for her thoughts or to just write things down during the day.  I even managed to accessorise the pen!  I also made the matching card.

I've wanted to cover a notebook for ages but have been trying to find the right size.  I ended up finding one yesterday while out and bought 10 of them!! The pen was an after thought so that is why I haven't attached it to the notebook.  NOTE: remember for next time.  I have used Basic Grey paper along with SU! cardstock (Sahara Sand & Chocolate Chip) and the lovely 5/8" grosgrain ribbon in Chocolate Chip.  The letter "n" is from the Big Deal Alphabet set.  I used my nestabilities to cut out the circles in Sahara Sand and Basic Grey paper.  I covered the chipboard flower in Chocolate Chip cardstock and used my white gel pen for the dots.

Here is the matching card.  It's really strange that I haven't done this before but I usually only make a card and then buy a gift.  I am really pleased with how the card and the notebook have turned out.  I will be doing more in the future.  Watch this space!  LOL

I've added this photo as you can see the sparkle better.  I used my gelly roll pen to outline the letter "n" and on the Basic Grey paper.

Happy Crafting,

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PTI Anniversary Set......

........has finally arrived.  WOO HOO!!!  They are lovely!  I have seen the DT projects using the set and have loved them so I have been anxiously waiting for mine to arrive.  Unfortunately, my Father Knows Best set still haven't made their way here.  Boo hoo!

For anyone who doesn't know about Papertrey Ink or how to earn their anniversary set, read on.

If there is one thing we value above all others, it's our customers.  We understand that you
are the key to our success, therefore we are committed to providing the best quality and
service possible and you have noticed.  We have been overwhelmed with the positive
response we have received and would like to show our appreciation by offering this new
program called "Come Grow with Us." This program is designed to reward our most loyal
customers.  It is very difficult to express the gratitude that we feel, but hopefully this will be a
good start!

   

Here's how it works:
1) Purchase 12 unique stamp sets between February 15, 2008 and 11:59 pm on
February 14, 2009 EST and receive our Anniversary Stamp Set FREE.
2) That's all there is to it! 

With our regular releases the 15th of every month as well as some special releases we
have planned throughout the year, you will have plenty of unique and versatile acrylic
stamp sets to choose from.  So we would be honored if you would "Come Grow with Us"!

Trust me, it will not be hard to purchase 12 different sets!  Go and visit the Papertrey Ink website - I know you will love it!

Happy Crafting,

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Palette O'Prints

How nice do these papers look?  This is the promotion for the month of May!

All you need to do is spend $35 on any Stampin' Up! products and you will get a 6x6 pad of designer series paper for only $12.95. These papers are double sided!

You get 48 sheets in:

• Certainly Celery
• So Saffron
• Rose Red
• Almost Amethyst

Each pad contains 12 sheets of each colour - 2 sheets of each pattern.  The offer starts on the 1st May and ends on the 31st May.  I can see these papers flying out the door

Contact me to place an order for these fabulous papers.

Happy Crafting,

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Jen's Sketch For You To Try - 26th April 2008

Yippee!  It is Sunday afternoon and I have finally managed to do Jen's SFYTT.  When I was out Friday with Sally, we also visited a craft shop we have both attended classes at.  They are closing down and while a lot of stuff has already been sold, there was still lots of 12x12 papers left.  I LOVE Basic Grey so I just had to buy some at 50% off - who could pass up the opportunity! LOL

I also got out my Polka Dots Basics from Papertrey Ink as the Basic Grey paper isn't doubled sided, I needed something to go with it so I stamped in Bravo Burgundy on Barely Banana.  The ribbon is Very Vanilla.

I got out my favourite nestabilities to layer the stamped image on.  I used the Blooming With Happiness (now retired) set and coloured it in with my SU! markers.  Can you see the sparkle?  I added some diamond stickles to the flowers.  Do you like it?

Here is Jen's sketch - give it a go!

Happy Crafting,

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SCS

EDITED: sorry people, this is not the try a new technique (I will be trying that this weekend) but the project in the weekly SCS newsletter.  Sign up to the newsletter if you haven't already.

I've wanted to do the "Try A New Technique" on Splitcoast Stampers for ages but just never got around to doing it.  I really liked this weeks challenge (when I finally looked yesterday!) so I thought I will do this one.  Woo hoo!  Beate Johns has a fab tutorial on this trifold pocket card.  Check it out HERE.

Beate covered the card insert but I have left it blank and just used my white gel pen for the stitching effect around the edge.

Here are my lovely Prima flowers.  I also used the 5/8" certainly celery grosgrain ribbon.  I think it is the first time I have used the ribbon and I love how it looks.

I got some money from my husband for my birthday along with a gift voucher for clothes (after losing 2 stone, my clothes don't fit anymore!) and guess what I will be buying?  I feel a craft shopping spree coming on!  I went out today with a friend of mine (hello Sally!) to a craft shop we haven't been to before but we have both bought online from.  A bit of a hike to get there but they had quite a bit of stock.  I'm sure I will go back but thank goodness for the internet.

Happy Crafting,

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We Will Remember Them....

.......Anzac Day! 

ANZAC was the name given to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey early on the morning of 25 April 1915 during the First World War (1914-1918).

As a result, one day in the year has involved the whole of Australia in solemn ceremonies of remembrance, gratitude and national pride for all our men and women who have fought and died in all wars. That day is ANZAC Day -- 25 April.

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QK Bloggers Club

I was contacted a while ago by Tanis of Queen Kat Designs asking if they could feature my blog for the day on their site - QK Bloggers Club.  I must admit, that I had never heard of them so I went to check out their blog!  I found somebody I knew from a bind-it-all class I took - amazing!  I have found so many fabulous blogs just from blog hopping - I love it.

So today they are featuring MY blog!  How cool is that!  What a lovely birthday present from QKD!  Thanks girls!

Happy Crafting,

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Happy Birthday.....To Me!

Yes, today is my birthday!  My husband came home last night with some gifts and he took Oliver upstairs to wrap them and write on the card.  When they had finished, Oliver wanted to give them to me then and there!  Bless him!

I will be back later on to post some photos.  I am having lunch with a friend and our two boys will play!

Here are the lovely flowers my parents sent me!  Can you tell I like pink!?!?  Thanks Mum & Dad.  Of course, my little boy had to be in the picture as well!  Oliver is actually hugging the flowers.

This is a photo of our lunch with friends (Vicki & Kyran).  They are riding Kyran's quad bike - he is only 2!!  Oliver had a go by himself and I was panicing but he took to it like a duck to water and LOVED it! 

I'll get onto some cards tomorrow.

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Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #44

I'm a little late posting this card.  I actually finished it on Friday night, just as our visitors arrived.  I didn't get to photograph it then we went out to a local zoo on Saturday and were gone for most of the day.  A day at the zoo with a 3 year old!! - what can I say!  I was too tired to turn the PC on when we got home, although I did end up taking the photos - woo hoo!

It has been a while since I used this colour combo and I couldn't seem to put the DP back in the box - it seemed to be calling my name!  LOL

Can you see in this photo the sparkle??  I used my versamark pad with my stamps along with the 'heat & stick powder', then I used the 'dazzling diamonds' glitter on top!

Give this sketch a go!

Happy Crafting,

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Extra's

I've wanted to do something for a while but just hadn't been motivated to do it - until now! 

I could have just tied a ribbon around the handle but I thought I would do something a little different.  I painted the circle chipboard white with acrylic paint and then covered the top with SU! DP.  I then punched the hole with my crop-a-dile.

Did you notice that my easel looks a little different ??  I painted it a few nights ago.  I didn't really like the natural colour and it didn't really do anything for the cards when displaying them so I got out my white acrylic paint again.  How glad am I that I bought the acrylic paint a few months ago!!

The "r" is from Making Memories - cheeky shimmer stickers.  I thought that tying it where I have, it might get in the way, but it hasn't - so far!  LOL

The other thing I forgot to post was the end result of this glass jar I covered HERE.

Happy Crafting,

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SCS Sketch Challenge

It is 11:30pm and I am now posting my card!  I do love using these colours.  After my 'dark' black and white cards, I thought I'd better go 'bright'!  It didn't take me long to whip this card up and I am pleased with the end result.

I used the Polka Dot & Paisley stamp set and also my white gel pen for the stitching effect around the edge of the cardstock.

I used versamark for the sentiment and then decided to emboss it with clear embossing powder.  Luckily, versamark stays 'sticky' longer than other ink pads so I was able to emboss.

Here is the sketch over at Splitcoast Stampers.

Happy Crafting,

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Papertrey Ink Release Party!

I was all set - I gave orders to my husband to wake me up when he went to work at 5:30am.  This morning when he 'rang' to wake me up, he said he didn't want to wake that early!  He didn't quite understand what was happening with the release other wise he would have woken me up!  Bless him!

So I missed the most of the party but there was still a few people online when I logged in.  I hope everyone had a good time and got your orders in.  So what did you order?  I will have to order the paper as it is so nice and will go very nicely with my 'Father Knows Best' set.  I soooo have to try out Nichole's Wallet card - did you like it?

For those that have no idea what I am talking about (LOL) check out the Papertrey Ink website.  The 15th of every month Papertrey Ink release stamps and have now branched out to include cardstock, ribbon, ink and patterned paper - all in matching colours.  If you love your SU! colours, you will love the PTI colours.

I also wanted to say a huge 'Thank You' to Nichole & the PTI gang for this opportunity of a life time.  Thank you to all of you who have looked at my blog and left so many lovely comments.

Happy Crafting,

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Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #43

Firstly, thank you to all of you who have checked out my blog today.  Thanks to Nichole Heady for putting my name out there in cyberspace.

I'm sorry, it is another black and white card today.  I really liked using these two colours yesterday and as the off cuts were still on my desk, I thought I would use them.

I was up until 1am finishing my Papertrey Ink card for Nichole to use in her post so it has taken me up until now to get motivated to start another card.  Plus I have had over 1000 hits on my blog today with a number of you leaving a comment so I thought it would be rude not to reply to you !!

Woo hoo, I got to use this stamp again !!  I used my nestabilities as well.  If you don't have the nestabilities, I recommend you buy some.  I am so pleased I bought mine and I store them in a CD case on a shelf where they take up next to no space at all.  I only own a few hand punches and they are bulky - taking up space.

Thanks Beate - I liked this sketch !!

Give it a go !

Happy Crafting,

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Supplies
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Polka Dot Basics.
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black.
Paper: SU! - Whisper White, Basic Black.
Accessories: SU! Black Gingham Ribbon, Rectangle Nestabilities, Corner Rounder Punch.

I've been featured !!

Oh My Goodness !!!

This is the card I whipped up for Nichole last night for her blog today.  She emailed me yesterday to let me know and to ask me some questions which she also posted.  Can you tell how excited I am about a card I made being on Nichole's blog !!!

The 2 images and sentiment are part of the set of 19 stamps.  The set that Nichole sent me haven't arrived yet although the post lady came yesterday morning to deliver a package, it was a birthday gift for me from my friend Alison - thanks Al.  So without the stamps to use, I printed the pdf file Nichole sent to me onto copy paper to see what they all looked like and I used my nestabilites to cut them out !!

I actually sent Nichole a card yesterday morning and I cannot believe that I forgot to photograph it !! Arghhh.  I was really proud of it but was in such a rush to send it, I quickly sealed the envelope before taking a photo.  I have asked Nichole to photograph it for me and send me a copy.

Nichole is such a lovely person even though I didn't meet her in person.  I wonder if she needs an assistant ??  LOL 

So by now you should know that the stamp set is called "Father Knows Best".  I cannot believe that in my ramblings to Nichole she managed to produced such a lovely set.  She is one VERY TALENTED LADY !!  But you all know that !!!

Hapy Crafting,

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Supplies
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Father Knows Best, Polka Dot Basics.
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black.
Paper: SU! - Whisper White, Basic Black.
Accessories: SU! Black Gingham Ribbon, Square Nestabilities, Corner Rounder Punch.

Jen's Sketch For You To Try - 12th April 2008

Okay, so I've managed to finish Jens's sketch challenge.  I was going to use some DP but in the end I didn't so I stamped the image from the Garden Silhouette set.  I also used the colour challenge from SCS #160 which was to use Mellow Moss, Creamy Caramel, Apricot Appeal & Cameo Coral.  Not a colour combination I would normally put together.

I have been wanting to use this sentiment stamp for ages but just never got around to using it.  This photo doesn't show the true colours of the cardstock.

Here is Jen's sketch - give it a go.

Happy Crafting,

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Not Well

I have been out today with my little boy, Oliver - not feeling the best and feeling tired so I will get to Beate's sketch challenge tomorrow.  Saturday is also Jen's sketch challenge so I will be a busy little bee tomorrow.

Happy Crafting,

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P.S. - have you seen Nichole's blog for her count down to Papertrey Ink's release day on the 15th April.

PTI Countdown

Today being the 10th, marks the start of the 5 day countdown Papertrey Ink have for their new stamps released on the 15th of every month.  I say stamps but there is so much more.  PTI have introduced cardstock, ribbon and ink too.  It all coordinates and I LOVE everything to coordinate when making my cards.  Check out Nichole's blog HERE for her projects and in turn she will point you to the PTI Design Team blogs for their projects using the to-be-released stamps.  Today is Alli Miles - "Garden Of Life" so be sure to have a look at Nichole's blog to see what she created - it is something more than just a card !!

Nichole has posted MY stamps to me but as it takes a few weeks for delivery, I'm not sure when they will arrive so I can see them in the flesh (so to speak) and hopefully make something with them.  How exciting !!

Happy Crafting,

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My April Is Good - How Is Yours ??

I wasn't able to make SU! Convention in Brisbane this weekend but that is okay.  As a new demonstrator I will aim for next year's convention.

However, this month will be a good month, not only is it my birthday in a couple of weeks time but being the Papertrey Ink Apprentice, this is the month my stamps are released.  I say 'my' stamps, when I should say the stamps I helped to create.  Nichole Heady did all the hard work and created the images, I suggested the theme !!  How exciting.

Now, I wonder what else will happen in April ??

I hope your April is a good one too.

Happy Crafting,

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Jen's Sketch For You To Try - 5th April 2008

This card is a little bright for me.  I don't often use Red as the base but I chose the DP first and then matched the cardstock.  My 'happy' stamp moved so it is not straight (arghhhh) and as I already had my brads in place, they were in the way of the stamp-a-ma-jig and if I had tried to stamp the 'everything' stamp straight, you can guarantee it wouldn't be straight so I didn't bother.

Here are my lovely brads I bought from a local craft shop.  I also used the 1/4" Always Artichoke grosgrain ribbon.

Here is Jen's sketch.

Happy Crafting,

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Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #42

Okay, so today you are going to get 2 cards - yes, 2 cards !!  LOL  I finally got to Beate's sketch today as Oliver had a birthday party to attend yesterday which was about 2 1/2 hours away.  Fred was one of his swimming buddies before his family moved further north and this is the first time we have been there.  Oliver had a ball and there was a bouncy castle !!

Anyway, back to the card !!  A friend of mine is having a baby and they know they are having a girl so I thought I would get in early and get one made.  I'm really liking this sketch, it was so easy to put together.

I got to use my SU! chipboard flower which I painted white with acrylic paint in pink first then painted a coat in white.  You can see that it is glossy where it should be crackled !!  I used my Ranger Crackle Accents medium but so far nothing has crackled - I don't know why, I'm thinking that the bottle has been labelled wrongly.  Who knows ????
I cut out two separate flowers from the SU! DP and layered them on top of the bazzil yellow flower sitting on the chipboard.

I also used my cuttlebug embossing folders instead of stamping.

Here is Beate's sketch.

Happy Crafting,

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New Banner

I came across THIS blog by Beth while blog surfing and really wanted a nice banner.  Beth has lots of choices and not only does she do banners but if you want a watermark or a special signature, she will magically whip one up for you too.

This is the image I sent to Beth as this is what I wanted to use or similar but I really wanted the colours as they co-ordinate with my blog.  The stamp is from SU! Garden Silhouette set and you might say that the flowers are not blossom flowers (I have no idea!) but I like them and that's all that matters !! LOL

This is what Beth came up with !!  Pretty cool hey ??

So, if you are wanting a lovely new banner, watermark or signature made especially for you, I can highly recommend contacting Beth and having a chat with her.

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Milk Carton Box

Ok, so here is the milk carton box as promised.  I took two photos - one with the flash on and one without.  I them uploaded them and went about my usual routine of re-sizing and touching them up a little (making them a little brighter) and that's when I was working out which photo to keep and which to delete.  I clearly wasn't concentrating as I deleted the best one !!  DOH!

I think this is the first time I have used my 'Petals' wheel and I managed to do it quite successfully too !!  The words are from the 'Polka Dots & Paisley' stamp set - first time I've used them too.  I kept the accessories to a minimum as the backgroud is quite busy, I didn't want to over do it.

Happy Crafting,

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Mother's Day

Here is my card up close.  I really like how this turned out.  As I said in my previous post, I used my Mixed Bouquet stamp set.  I stamped the leaf stamp in versamark on the kraft cardstock.

Mother's Day is coming up in Australia (next month) so I'm really glad I got to case this card.  I also really like the sketch and I will use it again.

Happy Crafting,

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Cyberstamp Challenge

Today was challenge day with my upline Jayne and her team.  These are the two projects I completed.

The first challenge was to case a card from the new catalogue.  The numbers I picked was 7 & 2 so page 72 was my project.  We were allowed to use different stamps which was good as I don't own Wild Rose so I used Mixed Bouquet instead.

The second challenge was to make a Milk Carton Box.  I had seen the tutorial but not made one yet.  It was quite easy to make.

I will post these projects individually so you can see them better.  I just need to take another photo of the milk carton box as I deleted the one I wanted to use !! Ooopppss.

Happy Crafting,

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It Is Here.......

.....the brand new Idea Book & Catalogue 2008-2009.

How nice does it look !!  Brand new stamps, brand new accessories and lots more !

Email me if you would like a copy of the new catalogue and I would only be too happy to send one to you - you will love it.  It will certainly get those creative juices flowing.

Happy Crafting,

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