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January 2010
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March 2010

February Blog Hop

Hi there

It is the end of another month (isn't the year flying already?) and time for the 'Art with Heart' team Blog Hop - this month with inspiration for Easter. You may have come from Nikki Sadler's blog, but if not you can still join the Blog Hop by clicking on the link to the next blog at the bottom of this post. If you leave a comment on every blog and then email Nikki at [email protected] you will be entered in a draw for some Blog Candy! You have until 6am ESST on 3 March 2010 to leave your comments and only those who are not Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators are eligible to win the Blog Candy.

It wouldn't be Easter if there weren't chocolate treats to share with family and friends on Easter Sunday. I have some cute baskets that you can make to present your Easter treats. Each of these treat baskets use a single sheet of A4 card stock (with some leftover) and a small amount of Designer Series Paper. The cutting, scoring and punching only takes a few minutes and you can dress them up as much or as little as you want.

As Easter comes at the beginning of Spring in the northern hemisphere pastel colours are very often associated with Easter, so this first basket has a pretty 'spring' look using the 'Tea Party' Designer Series Paper.  I have chosen a rectangular shape to hold a small-medium sized egg (depending on your perspective!) with some smaller ones (yummy strawberry) around it. I added some straw shavings (saved from a previous gift basket) to provide some cushioning/filler in the base.

Easter_Basket_Tea_Party_1a
 

Presenting it in a cellophane bag with some ribbon and a tag makes for a really sweet gift, don't you think?

Easter_Basket_Tea_Party_2 

The baskets are quite sturdy if you construct them using Sticky Strip or a similar 'high tack' adhesive. For added strength, I have attached the flower embellishment with a brad that passes through the basket and handle as well. If you prefer something a bit brighter, here is the same basket made with the 'Bella Rose' Designer Series Paper.

 Easter_Basket_Bella_Rose
 

Here is a close-up of the flower embellishment on the handle of the  baskets. It is made with a variety Easter_Basket_Embellishment of punches - 5-petal flower for the leaves, scallop circle punch for the two layers of the flower, Boho Blossoms for the first centre and a button from 'Button Bouquet' attached through all of the layers with hemp twine for the second centre.  The pastel basket is basically the same, but the second centre is also a Boho Blossoms flower with a medium sized rhinestone brad in the centre.

This last option is one for the kids (big or small !). It is a smaller, square basket with a bunny motif constructed from circle and oval punches. This size would be great for kids to give to their friends or teachers.  You could get the kids involved in punching out and putting together the bunnies for their school friends.

Easter_Bunny_Basket 

Thank you for visiting and I hope you have been inspired to create some Easter treat baskets for your friends and family. If you are interested in purchasing a kit or tutorial for the baskets, please contact me.

The next stop on the 'Art with Heart' team Blog Hop is Erica Boxall.


"Love" Scrapbook Challenge

Hi there

I have something different for you today - a scrapbook page. I'm still on trainer wheels when it comes to Scrapbooking. I have a tendency to over-analyse, then procrastinate and then become frustrated (hearing an echo of 'just stick it down'!).  So this year I've decided to push myself to become more comfortable with scrapping by keeping it really simple and going with my instinct to develop a style that I'm comfortable with. 

This page is for the Stamp a Memory Creative Challenge #3 to focus on one word - LOVE. When I saw this I knew I had the perfect photo of our new 'fur kid' (I don't have any of the 2 legged kind!). He is a Snow Spotted Lynx Bengal and has the most gorgeous sky blue eyes. He will develop pale brown spots and stripes as he gets older. We will be able to pick him up when he is 12 weeks old. Here it is, I hope you like it.

    Crafty-Scrapbook-Page

Scrapbook Page Details

Stamps

None

Cardstock & Papers

Textured White, Washington Apple DSP, Whisper White, Rose Red, Basic Gray

Ink

None

Accessories

Large silver grommet, Bashful Blue Taffeta ribbon, Pink Fine Supernova Stampin’ Glitter, Flat back pearls (Pretties Kit), Sticky Sweet Cuts, Rub on alphabet (not SU), Fozz Felt (not SU)

Tools

Circle & Scallop circle Nestabilities, Dimensionals

I hope you have a nice week.


Pink Brocade

Hi there

I hope you are enjoying your weekend. Today I have a quick card for you using one of the new Cuttlebug embossing folders that I have recently acquired. I have used the 5 x 7 'Deb Devine' brocade design on the main panel, embossed on Pink Pirouette textured cardstock for added interest.  The card layout is very simple because I wanted the focus to be on the embossing.  I have carried the brocade theme through to the sentiment using the brocade diamond from Friends 24-7 in the background and finished it off with some flat back pearls from the Pretties Kit. Here it is and the rest of the details are below.

Embossed_Friend_A

 

Card Details

Stamps

Friends 24-7, Sincere Salutations

Cardstock & Papers

Pink Pirouette Textured, Regal Rose, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Candy Lane DSP

Ink

Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip

Accessories

5/8” Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon, Flat back pearls

Tools

Circle & Scallop circle Nestabilities, Dimensionals, Dev Devine embossing folder, Cuttlebug

I'll be back soon.


Friends & Flowers

Hello

First off today, I would like to thank all those people who left lovely comments on my Valentines Inspiration post for the inaugural Art with Heart team Blog Hop.  Thanks also to Kelly from Late Night Stampers for selecting me for the Blog Find of the Day for 1 February. I was really blown away and it is very encouraging for me. I look forward to giving you some inspiration for Easter on our February Blog Hop.

Now to today's card. I've been trying to get this finished all week, but was finally able to sit down today to get it done. It combines a few of my favourite things - the Friends 24-7 stamp set with Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss colours and a Mojo Monday sketch. The sketch is from Week #121 and it will be one that I will use again as it lends itself to lots of options.

I stamped two flower stems onto watercolour paper then coloured them with the Aqua painter and ink pads. A third stem was stamped separately and coloured and then cut out and popped up on the main panel. The band across the top looks to be striped in the photo, but is actually Baja Breeze cardstock put through the crimper for some added texture. I have just acquired the Think Happy Thoughts stamp set and love how it lends itself to layering. The centre of the sentiment is a Build a Brad with one of the flowers from the flower stem - 4 different sized circle punches were used on this! Here it is, with the rest of the details below.

Friends_Flower_Mojo_121

Card Details

Stamps

Friends 24-7, Think Happy Thoughts

Cardstock & Papers

Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Kiwi Kiss DSP, Watercolour paper

Ink

Stazon Black, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss

Accessories

Basic Gray Taffeta ribbon, Pewter Build-a-brad

Tools

½”, ¾”, 1 ¼” & 1 3/8” Circle punches, Corner Rounder punch, Dimensionals, Aquapainter, Sponge dauber,Crimper

I hope you all have a lovely weekend.