Blossom Designs

eScape Last Day!

**Today is your last day to take advantage of the eScape Bundle.**

To celebrate eScape Day, for the entire month of June, Stampin' Up! is offering an eScape Bundle (113705) featuring three great prodicts for a special price of $58.80 (that's 25% off):

• Circle of Friendship stamp set (page 112)
• Love Notes (page 132)
• 1 1/4" Circle Punch (page 142)

If you would like to take up this great offer, please contact me.

Happy Crafting,

.

for you

I decided not to make a card but to make a gift pouch instead.  I've seen a few blogs out there posting Christmas cards saying they are getting a start on them so I thought 'why not!'.

This was soooo easy to make.  I printed the template onto Kraft card stock and then simply cut it out.

I rolled my Woodcut Holly Jumbo Wheel (retired) in Certainly Celery ink, then added stickles in Xmas red for the berry's.

I tied the pouch with 1/4" Real Red grosgrain ribbon and on the bottom tag, I used my white gel pen to trace around the leaf.  That light bulb moment didn't come until after I had stuck the pouch together otherwise, I probably would have traced around all of the leaves!  You wouldn't want to do that if you were mass producing these.

Here is a close up of the red berry's and the tag's.

Apology's for the photo quality.  These have been taken at night and I don't have any photo editing software so whatever came with Windows XP is what I am using!  Now that I am mobile with my new laptop, I have had to go back to using XP (something wrong with one of the drivers and my screen is stretched sideways so everything is distorted) instead of Vista.  I must say, Vista's autofix button is much better than XP's.

Happy Crafting,

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An Eventful Night

So, after doing some "business" jobs yesterday (newsletter, placing order's) and cleaning the house, I was planning on sitting down and stamping.  We had eaten our dinner and Oliver was in bed, but not asleep.  You usually hear him wondering about his room and after a few 'get into bed' from us, he lays on his bed talking to his soft toys.

So last night was no different than any other.  I heard something he was playing with fall on the floor so I went up to see what it was.  To my absolute shock and horror, I found Oliver sitting on the window ledge.

This window has a mind of it's own.  You can only open it 1-2" otherwise it just open's right up (like the photo).  Oliver's room gets quite warm so we leave the window open very slightly to cool it off.

This intelegent boy of ours somehow climbed up to the ledge and was sitting on his knees when I got there.  He was retreating backwards behind the curtain (probably because he knew he was in trouble).  All I could think of was - "don't frighten him or he might fall out the window".  I ran into his room and grabbed him, hugged him and sat on his bed.  I had to sit down or otherwise I would have fallen down as my legs were shaking.  My heart was pounding!  By this time I had yelled out and Rob came running up the stairs to see what was going on.  I told him where I found Oliver sitting.  I was still hugging Oliver (I didn't want to let go) and Rob was telling him how dangerous that was and what would have happened if he had fallen out (below was concrete!).  We told him there would be no more Oliver!  Naturally, Oliver then got upset and was crying hysterically.  I kept holding him until he settled down.

For the rest of the night, I had images in my head of him falling out the window and I just couldn't shake them.  Needless to say, I wasn't going to stamp!  Even though we locked the window shut, I had to go and check on him constantly.  I even layed down with him (he was still awake) and 5 minutes later, he was sound asleep.  I didn't have any dreams about it (thank goodness).

Today, I will sit down and stamp - I promise!

Happy Crafting,

.

Sorry....

.....I know, I haven't been around much this week -  well at least not on the pc.

I've been in the garden doing some weeding, or should I say a lot of weeding!!!!  It has been a while since we did any gardening and I couldn't stand it any longer - I've been waiting for hubby to cut the grass too!  The garden beds look great again (until those nasty weeds come back!).

We have also been out and about this week meeting up with one of Oliver's little friends, Kyran who happens to have a brand new trampoline!!  The boys were on it all day and when they weren't jumping, they were playing with the water bucket.  Oliver had a sleep in the car on the way home and even when I pulled into our driveway, he was still sound asleep so I left him in his seat until he woke up.  I was doing things out the front so I could hear if Oliver woke up.  He was so cute asleep!!

After my class yesterday, my instructor took me out for lunch to say 'thank you' for helping her out.  Luckily, I had already been to a class and I also had another class last night, so I worked off lunch!  LOL  It was lovely though to be taken out.  I don't know about you, but I find I'm staying at home more these days.  Oliver has a run about in the back garden or I take him to the park.

I will be back later though for Taylor's challenge.  I've missed not being able to stamp so keep an eye out for my card.

Happy Crafting,

.

Jen's SFYTT

So, I finally got around to doing Jen's sketch challenge!

This is not my usual style - there isn't any ribbon!  LOL  I went to my colour chart for the colours - again, not a combo I would normally put together but I like it.

I don't use my flowers enough from the pretties kit so I thought I should use them here.  This is how the flowers come in the kit - white but you can colour them with your ink pad, markers, watercolour pencils or crayons.  Although I haven't done it here, you can also ink up a stamp and stamp on them to give them a different look too.  There is so much you can do, why not give it a try!  The pearls have a flat back so that makes it easier to adhere them to your projects. 

These are the white pearls but you also get cream one's too in the kit.

If I counted correctly, there are 390 pieces in the pretties kit for $55.95.

Thank you to those that wished me a happy anniversary.  We had a nice day of doing nothing (except making hubby clear out a cupboard he had his IT bits & peices in, so I could clear everything off the kitchen bench!) and spending time with each other.

Happy Crafting,

.

Our Anniversary

Today is our anniversary!  We actually had 2 weddings - no, we were not mad, just the way it worked out.  We were married in the United Kingdom in 2002 but my parents and my brother couldn't make it so we had a registry service.  Both Rob and I are catholics so we knew we wanted to have a church service to feel like we were married.  So, in 2003 (exactly a year later) with my family, we had our church service.  Rob likes to say that legally, we married in 2002 but morally in 2003!  LOL  So there is a bit of history of ME just for you!

We were woken up by little feet running into our bedroom at 7:30am (bless him!) and a hungry little tummy asking for breakfast.  We didn't have anything planned for today as it was supposed to rain all day.  Rob cooked a lovely roast dinner and we have been drinking champagne too!  Rob bought me flowers last night and when he came home from work, Oliver took them and climbed the stairs to give them to me!  He was so funny, and said "Here are your flowers Mummy!" 

Beate is taking a well earned rest from her blog so no more challenges until the 15th August, but I still have Taylor's and Jen's sketches, speaking of Jen, I will get to her sketch tomorrow.

Happy Crafting,

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TECC #21

I thought I would have a go at Taylor's challenge today.  I really enjoyed last week's one and she didn't disappoint me this week!  Yay Taylor!

So what do you think?!?!  I looked at my colour chart and thought, what colours do I use today!  I do believe that I haven't used Wild Wasabi yet and my colour chart gave me a few options and this was one of them.  Now that the card is finished, I am really happy with it but while making it, I didn't know where I was going with the colours and was hoping for the best.  I just thought 'I can always start again'.

LOL....I used a paint tin to cut out my circle in the Pumpkin Pie DSP as well as Real Red cardstock.  It was the only thing big enough I had to hand!

You may also that my 3/4" stripped circles with the brads are going in different directions but I like it.  I did actually do that on purpose, before you ask!  LOL

I used my markers to colour in the image from the Simply Sent set.

This is Taylor's sketch, so go and play along and have some fun on the way!

Happy Crafting,

.

Supplies
Stamps: Simply Said, Circle of Friendship.
Ink: Real Red, Versamark, Black Stazon, Markers - Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery.
Paper: Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie DSP.
Accessories: 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, 1/4" Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon, Bashful Blue Brads, 3/4" + 1" + 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Rectangle Nestabilities.

A New Sketch Challenge

.....well, it is for me!  But it is Taylor's Cupcake Challenge!!  I'm pretty sure most of you stampers know or at least have heard of Taylor!  If not, go and check out her blog.

So, what do you think?

I had so much fun with my cupcakes and BTW - you don't have to use cupcake stamps to play along with the challenge.  Silly me - I thought you did, so I just kept looking to Taylor's cards and liking the sketches.  Then I went back to her first challenge and read her post properly, only to find out you didn't.  Well, it was too late to link my card on her blog for the latest challenge, so I will have to remember this Friday.  I forgot I had these stamps until I moved things into my new studio and found them.  This is my cupcake 3 tier cake!  LOL  The top tier has had a bite taken out of it and the candle has fallen off too!  ha ha ha.

I again used some of the new in-colours (Blue Bayou), similar to Sunday's card.  The DSP is Wintergreen too but a different sheet.

Here are my cupcakes up close!  I ever so slightly coloured in the icing of the cake in Certainly Celery ink.  I'm not very good at this colouring business so forgive me and if you think it is awful, that's ok.  You can give me some tips!!  For some reason, I just didn't want toooo much colour on the cakes.

Here is Taylor's sketch for you to play along with.  She posts the challenge every Friday so play along if you can.

Happy Crafting,

.

Supplies
Stamps: Sanded, Hero Arts - Clear Design Cupcakes.
Ink: Black Stazon, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue (on candles).
Paper: Blue Bayou, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Wintergreen DSP.
Accessories: 5/8" Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Diamond Stickles, Horizontal Punch.

Pretties Flowers

This is the card I made last week.  After all the "I'm going to add to it", I only added the brads at the bottom!  LOL  I haven't stamped a sentiment yet - this will be another one I will do when I need to send the card.

I used the flowers from the pretties kit - I cracked open the tin last week.  Most of you know that the flowers in the kit are white so I used my markers to colour them.

I cannot believe that I don't remember where I got this sketch from - I thought it was one of Beate's but I'm not sure.  I don't think I made it up!  I'm so forgetful sometimes.

Happy Crafting,

.

Supplies
Stamps: Sanded.
Ink: Regal Rose.
Paper: Regal Rose, So Saffron, Rose Red DSP.
Accessories: Pretties Kit flowers & Clear Rhinestone Brad, 1/4" Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon.

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #52

Okay, this isn't the card I made earlier in the week (adding a few things to it!), so I shall show you my card I made today using Beate's sketch.

I haven't added a sentiment as I didn't know which one to use so until I am going to send it, I will leave it blank.

The DSP is the Wintergreen from SU!.  I have only just got it along with a few other DSP but this one was calling out to me!  LOL

I might try and sneak in Jen's sketch challenge too (if I can!).

Happy Crafting,

.

Supplies
Stamps: Polka Dots, Garden Silhouettes.
Ink: Versamark, Versafine Onyx Black.
Paper: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Whisper White, Wintergreen DSP.
Accessories: 1/4" Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon.

Anyone There?!?!

Where have I been I hear you asking!

The answer is - nowhere!  Truly, I haven't been away, I've just been busy.  We (I) have been busy (stressing) completing my husbands visa application.  You see, he is British and seeing as we have been married for 6 years, he is entitled to apply for Australian residency.  Both Oliver and I are dual national now - only Rob to go!  So, for the past week I have been stressing about getting all the documents together along with photos of us and getting certain documents certified by a solicitor.  So, the stressing is over (for the moment) as I sent the documents off yesterday to the visa agents who will look them over to make sure everything is ok and we have enough proof of who we are and that our marriage is not a sham.  I think after 6 years and 1 child, I would consider our marriage to be genuine - don't you?  The actual form Rob had to fill in was 20+ pages long!  OMG!

Good thing is, it should only take about 8-10 weeks to approve because we have gone through the agency instead of up to 21 weeks if we did it ourselves.  The agency know exactly what info the Immigration Department needs so until they have all that from us they won't send in our application whereas if we did it ourselves and didn't have enough information, there would be letters back and forth and that is where it can take weeks longer than it should.

This means no cards to show.  I did mention at the beginning of the week I had a card but the lighting wasn't good.  Once I go back up to my studio (I am using the laptop watching Toy Story with Oliver), I will post the card and hopefully do some sketch challenges too.

Happy Crafting,

.

Using Spellbinders Dies

I have found on YouTube a great tutorial from Stacey Caron, Co-owner of Spellbinders, where she tells you how to use the spellbinders die wtih YOUR die cut machine.  Whether that be the Big Shot, Big Kick, Cuttlebug, Revolution or Sizzix machine.

Spellbinders

I know that I certainly haven't been using my Big Shot the right way however, I did manage to cut and emboss, but often wondered why the embossing hadn't come out so clearly.  Now I know!!  I was never un-happy with the result but I'm sure they will be much better.

I have a card to share but the lighting isn't that great here so I may have to wait to post it.

Happy Crafting,

.

SCS Colour Challenge (CC170)

Have you been over to SCS today and looked at the colour challenge?

I really love using Real Red, Regal Roe and So Saffron together so I sent an email to Emily not knowing if this combo had been used before.  When checking my emails this morning, there was one from Emily leaving a comment on my card I made using this combo for Jen's SFYTT.  Little did I know that this combo would be today's Colour Challenge !!  I am smiling from ear to ear !!  LOL

Happy Crafting,

.

Notebook

I am truly sorry if you are sick of seeing my notebooks......this is the last one (for the moment anyway!).

I also covered THIS sketch book for my friend's birthday which is next week so both of these will have to go out in the post tomorrow!!  I hope she likes them.

I'm afraid I don't know where the paper is from, there is no clear marking on it but it is lovely.  I do like 'pink' and brown together!  The size of the notebook measures 8 1/2" x 6" and the sketch book measures 12" x 8 1/2".

I used my lovely BIG prima flowers too.

Happy Crafting,

.

Christening Acceptance

Okay, so I think I am now happy with this acceptance card.

So, what do you think?

Funny thing is, it started out as a 3" x 3" card which I put through the printer but I managed to put the white textured cardstock in upside down!  LOL  So I had the 'Christening Acceptance' wording on the front (as you can see) but the inside wording was on the other side of the front of the card (did that make sense?). When you flipped the card open the inside wording was at the top of the card instead of the bottom. ARGH!  I chopped the bottom half of the card off so I still had the acceptance wording and stuck my teddy bear along with the layers on top.

Here is the teddy up close along with the lovely gingham ribbon.

Happy Crafting. 

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Supplies
Stamps: Bundle of Joy
Ink: Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose
Paper: Whisper White, Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose
Accessories: Pink Gingham Ribbon, Square Nestabilities, Brads.

Wallet

I had a great child free day today but I didn't get to stamp until late tonight!  I know that father's day isn't until September (in Australia) but it will be on the 15th June in the UK - you see, my husband is British!

So I decided to make something for him!
What do you think?  I got the idea from Nichole Heady - what a talented lady she is! Unfortunately, I don't have a sewing machine so I used my white gel pen to make the stitching effect.

Here is the inside of the wallet.  As you can see you can fit a credit card in the pocket.  I will go out and get Rob a music gift card.  I'm now thinking that after taking this photo, I might put a photograph of Oliver on the left side (behind some acetate) to make it look like a real wallet and most dad's have a photo of their children in their wallet.

I also made the pattern paper for the inside of the wallet, where all the money goes!! LOL  I ended up using my Papertry Ink, Borders & corners (square) set in Chocolate Chip, More Mustard and Creamy Caramel.

I am so impressed with myself for making this.  I was planning on making one for MY dad come September.  I think I will be making more of these if anyone wants one.  Some of my non-crafting friends would love to give their dad's this!

TIP: I used very vanilla cardstock for the inside of the wallet because I didn't have any patterned paper to match (I like things to match you see!) - this makes the wallet very sturdy but it also makes it hard to close so if you are going to be sending this in the post, I would use patterned paper not cardstock.

Happy Crafting,

.

Supplies
Stamps: Occasional Greetings
Ink: More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel.
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, More Mustard.
Accessories: Always Artichoke 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, White Gel Pen, Corner Rounder Punch

Cyberstamp

Last night was another cyberstamp challenge with my INKlings friends.  Carol was in charge this month and gave us some great challenges.

This card was challenge #1 - colour inspiration.
We had to use Perfect Plum, Brocade Blue, Basic Black, Very Vanilla & Tempting Turquoise.

OMG!! was my first thought, then Carol showed us the picture which inspired the colours and it made sense.  I had absolutely no idea where I was going with this card.  I wasn't sure at first but it started to grow on me.

Supplies
Stamps: Polka Dots & Paisley, Sanded.
Ink: Perfect Plum, Tempting Turquoise, Brocade Blue.
Paper: Basic Black, Perfect Plum, Brocade Blue, Very Vanilla, Tempting Turquoise.
Accessories: 5/8" Brocade Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Brocade Blue & Blak Brads, Photo Corner Punch, Diamond Stickles.

This is challenge #3 - a box.

The base of the box is 3 1/2" sqaure.  Great for chocolates or even a stamp or stamps.  My lid seems to be too big so I will have to go back to see if I cut the paper too big (most likely!).  The ribbon keeps the lid in place so I stuck it to the top of the box and tied it in a bow on the other side.

Supplies
Stamps: Seeing Spots.
Ink: Real Red, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla.
Paper: Always Artichoke, Dashing DSP.
Accessories: Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch.

I have yet to do challenge #2 - sketch.

Happy Crafting,

.

I've been tagged!

A couple of times actually!  LOL  Thanks Kari & Deanne.

The rules are:
1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog .

1. I was married in the UK.
2. I have lost 2 stone (so far) in weight, with only about 1/2 stone to go! Phew!
3. I can write with both my right hand and left hand but I am mostly right handed.
4. I played A grade tennis when I was young.
5. Both my legs were put in plaster minutes after I was born!
6. My husband blames the Rugby World Cup (England) win for producing our son but I just blame him!!
7. My favourite colour is Pink (could you tell?)

Ok, so there are some facts about ME!  Not very interesting really!  LOL

I'm supposed to tag 7 people but most of my friends have already been tagged but it looks like the following haven't, so sorry guys!

Tracy
Jayne
Alana
Kylie
Karen

Happy Crafting,

.

Card Box

I have had a great day in my new studio!  I have made this box card and also an acceptance card for a christening next month.

I wasn't planning on showing this box as it was a test one to see if I could do it and how it went together so I really should not have used Real Red for the lid.  It should have been Rose Red to go with the DSP (cutie pie).  Anyway, I am quite pleased with the end result and I will use it to store my smaller cards (A5).

As you can see the lid is open so you can see inside.  You can do matching cards and give them along with the box to someone.  You should be able to fit 10-12 cards with envelopes inside.

I didn't know what to do to jazz the top part of the box up a bit so I used my scallop punch and Circle of Friendship stamps. My white gel pen was also crying out to be used.  LOL

Happy Crafting,

.

Extra, Extra Hostess Promotion

Another fantastic promotion from Stampin Up!  Read on....

Extra! Extra!

Stampin' Up! hostesses get extra hostess awards 1 June-15 July, in addition to the already fantastic hostess benefits!

From 1 June to 15 July, Stampin' Up! hostesses can earn an EXTRA $50 to use toward Stampin' Up! products of their choice when they host a workshop totaling $700 or more!

This extra benefit is included along with the standard hostess benefits they receive when they host a workshop. The standard hostess benefits include

• A free Idea Book & Catalogue 2008-2009 worth $12.95.
• Free stamp sets only available to hostesses (with qualifying orders; select from the products on pages 17-24 of the catalogue).
• Free Stampin' Up! products of your choice.

Workshop total (before tax and shipping)	Free Stampin' Up! merchandise	+	Extra, Extra hostess award	Free Stampin' Up! merchandise with Extra, Extra hostess awards
$700 - $799	$80	+	$50	$130
$800 - $899	$90	+	$50	$140
$900 - $999	$100	+	$50	$150
$1000 - $1099	$120	+	$50	$170

This extra hostess benefit is only being offered for a limited time so contact me if you are interested in this great offer.

Happy Crafting,

.

Would you like to eScape?

SU! have another great promotion – eScape Day on the 25^th June.  This will be a day to turn off laptops, cell phones, pagers, PDAs, and all those other electronic devices that we've grown so accustomed to. Take the time to reconnect with friends and loved ones through personal communication--no roaming charges, guaranteed!

To celebrate eScape Day, for the entire month of June, Stampin' Up! is offering an eScape Bundle (113705) featuring three great products for a special price of $58.80 (that's 25% off):

• Circle of Friendship stamp set (page 112)
• Love Notes assortment (page 132)
• 1-1/4" Circle punch (page 142)

If you would like to take up this great offer, please contact me. 

 

 

Happy Crafting,

 

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