Fabulous florets matched with the Designer Label Punch by Stampin Up and me

Hi dear Stampers.

Isn't this flower image from the Fabulous Florets Stampin Up set (#123027 - $21.95) the sweetest thing for any card? This set has 6 versatile images that will work well with just about any sentiment and they will beautifully showcase your favorite summer bright colors.

I loved working with this set. And it was so easy to come up with idea's to create something fun and elegant. I used the Elegant Eggplant SU card stock (#105126 - $8.50 for 24 sheets) together with the Whisper White SU Card stock (#100730 - $9.25 for 40 sheets) and the So Saffron SU cardstock (#105118 - $8.50 for 24 sheets)

I punched out the sentiment with my Designer Label Stampin Up punch (#119862 - $22.95)
and framed it with one of the Designer Label holders from the Hodgepodge Hardware set. This set has close to 200 brads and holders for many of the SU punches. It is going to retire in 2 days. And instead of paying $37.95 for it now, they lowered the price to $25. (#112454) My tin is not as filled with these pretties anymore as I would want it to be (...) I might have to purchase an extra set. (smile) before June is all gone.. If they are still around ofcourse.. You never know with these retiring SU items. I heard that the smallest oval punch is all sold out.. I loved that one.. I hope you were able to get one in time if it was on your wish list.

The Designer Label punch is also going to retire.. Oh how I love that one. It fitted some sentiments so well in it.. But, you know me.. I am still going to use it. You just can't order it any more after June the 30th.

You're welcome to place an order through my online SU store. And if you have any questions or concerns, I would love to hear from you. It is always great to connect to more stampers and paper crafters.

Well.. I am not going to spend much time on my computer this time. My parents are only here for another week and a half. & My spare time is a bit more precious right now. :)

Inky hugs, Pauline

Abundant Hope by Stampin Up and me and my mom

Good Saturday Morning to you, dear you.

Last night me and my mom (read..my dear mom from the Netherlands) created this card. It was the best thing ever to invite her in my craft room, to let her sit next to my desk and to show her my hobby... my paper and ink and many many stamps and ribbon and buttons and markers, and well.. all of it :) the cards I have been creating over the last 2 years..

Then I showed her the stamp set I had bought with her in mind. It is now retired.. It is called Abundant Hope. It has a daffodil and some beautiful sentiments that point to the Hope God has.

This was so much fun.. Together we put this card together, had our opinions about it, our laughs, our.. 'ooh's and 'aahs' and 'oh that's beautiful' and 'No no no no that makes it worse' moments. I loved every moment of it. What a gift to have my mom sit right next to me in my favorite room of the house. She would read my blog in the Netherlands and just see the end result of my cards and my little 'chatterbox' talk around it and now she was just there..

After the card was done we went outside and we asked my dad to take a photo. I am sorry but I almost peed my pants out there. We could not stop laughing. There we stood on top of the hill with this card in our hands and 2 man at the bottom of our yard who were looking at us with a face that spoke.. 'boekdelen'.. (that was dutch.. I have no idea how to translate that one :) I don't think that they could figure out why this man (my dad) was taking a picture of 2 woman with a hand made card in their hands.. They looked again.. I looked back at them, They kinda laughed, I laughed /waved at them, They waved back and looked again to see what was going on.. then I just couldn't hold myself back.. My dad just wanted to take that darn picture.. But we were almost rolling over the grass from laughing.. You have to know that my dad has a pretty serious personality. For him to take a picture from us with a card in our hands, is already something he is not really comfortable with... So this just made even more hilarious. Well.. we had to cool down a bit and ask my dad in a really nice way if he could take a picture of us with our precious card. And yes we had to promise him, that we wouldn't get the giggles / slappe lach this time..

So there you have it.. a nice decent photo of me and my mom with our card. And we're proud of it :)

Oh.. I just have to tell you one detail of this card. For the first time I used some Vellum Stampin Up paper and stamped my image on it with Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink. It sticks so well to it. And I love how that turned out. So so pretty! Very elegant if I /we say so ourselves!

Well.. I gotta go.

Inky hugs, Pauline and mama Atie.

Great friend by Stampin Up and me

Good Tuesday evening everyone.

The sun was out today.. Oh my.. I loved every minute of it. I hope we can have some sunshine tomorrow as well. Our oldest 'little' girl Rachel is having her 5th Birthday tomorrow.. and some sun will be the icing on her cake.. (still have to bake/buy that one ... oops :) She is so excited about it all. I still have to wrap her gifts tonight and make her a card. I know she appreciates it.. She loves making cards with me on a daily basis.. it's a bit more chaos when she's around in my card making area.. but it's so worth it. She is a little chatter box while she is coloring her cards and stamping the images. She even creates songs while she is with it. And she is actually really good at it all..

Anyway... I created this card for the Play Date Cafe Challenge #86. This week they have a beautiful color challenge. I already thought something was odd when I was working on my card. But I just couldn't pin it down.. I didn't understand the Soft Suede within those colors.. But hey.. I know that I need to challenge myself sometimes with colors, otherwise I will just get stuck to my Baja Breeze and Old Olive and Poppy Parade :)

When I came all proud and content in the living room with my card I looked again at the Challenge and I saw to my surprise that the Soft Suede had to be 'orange'.. Oh Oopsy :)
Well.. it was a bit to late for me and for the card to change it now.

After walking around a bit with some dishes and cleaning up some toys,I decided to still add my card to the challenge.. I hope they don't kick me out (smile) It is still a fun card and I really wanted to share it with you all.

I used the Great friend Stampin Up set. (#113796 - $21.95) This is such a gorgeous set. I believe that is going to retire by the 1st of July of 2011. The butterfly and the sentiments are just the best. It's a keeper for sure. I also used some retired Melon Mambo pom pom trim made by Stampin UP.

The square Stampin Up punches always come in handy when I need a quick card. And this was a quick one. Within 10 minutes this card was finished. Don't you love it when that happens. Maybe I can actually use this one for tomorrow.. It is really sweet.. We'll see..

Well, I gotta go here.. Our youngest is going to have a bath and is going down for the night. Can't wait when all is quiet and I can have some me time in my craft area.

Thanks for all your sweet comments yesterday and today on my latest post and my chat with Reubs. I red them to him and he smiled from ear to ear.. He says hi to you all.

Inky hugs, Pauline

Delicate Doilies by Stampin Up and me

Good Monday morning everyone. I hope you had a beautiful weekend. Don't these days go by way to fast.. It is probable a good sign of something here, so I am not complaining :)

Oh my... I think that my brain is still fried from some parts of this weekend. The kids had a blast on their birthday party! This was one full and loud house with about 21 sweet and adorable kids running around and not using their inside voices. Outside the rain was pouring down and there was no way we could have the kids outside for any longer than 5 minutes. We had hoped that the boys could go to the park and the girls could play princess or something.. But nope.. they were all 21 one of them inside this home.. But it was fun.. oh so fun.. & Our kids are blessed with so many dear little friends. And I am a thankful mom here on my couch looking back at the day.

But I have to tell you, we were all so thankful when the lady came over with her funky reptiles. Suddenly I felt space in my head again to think :)

And yup, that is me holding a Boa snake.. I think.. Ugh..I forget this snakes name.. He was sure impressive gliding all over me.. those muscles.. It's the weirdest feeling when it is doing it's thing of being a snake. I'm glad it's not my pet.. Not my thing.

Anyhoo.. I created this card with the Stampin Sisters in Christ Card Challenge #94 in mind. Their challenge is so fun.. (well I think it's fun. I am still not sure if I got it right though....) that I had to participate! As always the hostess offered us a beautiful devotion to think about. the Scripture verse she challenged us with is Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.

I tell you.. that is a huge one. I am just chewing on that one with our oldest son Reuben. He is now 7 and he has so many questions and thoughts. I love it, but I already know that many of his questions I will not be able to answer for him. I just hope and pray that God will make Himself real to him.. Because He is the only One who can do that. I can't do that for Him. Although many times I would love to.. I just can't! That kind of 'explaining' that God has for Reuben will go beyond any words I can ever have for Reuben to explain who God is.

The other day I challenged Reuben and said.. Reuben what does 'Love' look like? Well.. love is being nice said Reuben. I know.. I said.. but what does it look like? Is it red? Does it have the shape of a heart? When you touch it, does it feel sharp or hard or soft? Well.. I don't know.. said Reuben.. what does it look like mom?

Well, that's the thing I said to him.. When you see 2 people treating each other with respect and when you see that they are kind to each other, when you see that they forgive each other, then you know that they have 'Love'. You see it in the things they do. It is there, right? When you give your sister a hug and you smile at her... I see 'Love'.. Oh said Reuben.. that is cool! I got it (pffhh.. I sighed of relief.. that was a tricky one..)

Well it is the same with God, Reubs.. we don't see Him. But He says that He is full of love for us. He created the trees, the birds, the flowers, the sun and the moon.. We didn't see Him creating it.. but it's there now right? Just like Naomi suddenly got hip sockets and bones in her legs that were long enough to reach her hips. He did that for her.. They weren't there before... and the thing is Reubs, He asks from us to trust Him.. not to understand Him.. we will never be able to do that.. And that is very much okay.. It was still for a bit and then Reuben said.. Do you trust God all the time? No.. Reubs.. but I try.. and He has grace for that and He loves me just the same with or without my trust in Him. But I do love Him.. and He gets me.. So that's the good part of our relationship. We will get there..

Yah.. Life eh! What a journey we're on.. It's good.

So on to the card. The Stampin Sisters challenged us to make a card that we doodle on.. in.. (...) Now.. seriously... I have no idea what that means! (smile) So I just created this card and hope I was doodling it.. What a word.. Some creative people came up with that one :)

I inked up for the first time my new Delicate Doilies Stampin Up stamp set. It is available in the New 2011/2012 SU catalogue that is coming out the 1st of July.. & Don't you love the color combo I used.. Here you see the Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Tempting turquoise and Pale Plum from Stampin Up. I love these yummy colors..

Well, this turned into a longer post than I anticipated.. but thanks for hanging in there with me. I hope it was worth it and I pray that God will show Himself real to you as well! That part I believe He can do. He did it for me and He has a very creative and personal way to do it for you too!

Inky hugs, Pauline

Valentine Defined by Stampin Up and me

Good Thursday morning dear you. Thanks for stopping by again.

It is raining and raining and raining outside. Our 2 sweet girls are playing so nicely with the Duplo Lego downstairs and I created this card for the Hand Stamped Sentiments Theme Challenge #71. This week they are celebrating 'Weddings' and I wanted to join in the fun (smile)

I inked up for the first time my retired 'Valentine Defined' Stampin Up stamp set. So happy that there are more occasions I can use this set for. Otherwise it would be a bit of a waste.. I guess.. Although I have to admit that I already have so much fun just looking at those silly / sweet images they create.. Do you have that? It just makes me smile how SU comes up with those beautiful collections.. Yip..

I used the Early Espresso water based Dye ink from Stampin Up to ink up my images. I love how that deep color brings so much richness to my cards. The ribbon that you see, is the 15 inch Chocolate Chip Satin ribbon from Stampin Up.

With my tiny slit punch from SU, I punched out the perfect space to slide my ribbon through.

I glued the Very Vanilla card stock from SU on a piece of Poppy Parade card stock from SU. This made my card nice and sturdy.

Well.. It is 10.30 am.. now what shall I do with the kids today? Rain rain go away.. don't come back another day.. for a little while then.. I am so crossing my fingers.. the birthday party on Saturday is coming up soon and we have over 20 kids coming.. We so want to use our yard.. not our basement.. Does anyone have any good ideas for some fun indoor games with kids? sigh....

Inky hugs, Pauline

'Tagtastic' new hostess set for the new Stampin Up catalogue 2011 / 2012

Hi there dear stampers.

Today's post features one super cute sneak peak I created, from the new Stampin Up Catalogue 2011 / 2012. This sample features one of the new images of the new Hostess stampset 'Tagtastic'. This set has 6 different images which you can use to create some of the sweetest gift tags. You can buy this clear mount stamp set for only $12. I know, what a great price (This set is worth $21, but Stampin Up already lowered the price of it, so that you as a hostess can buy it with your hostess money for an even better price).

Starting with the new catalogue year coming up in July... when you host a workshop or just place an order of $200 through my online Stampin Up store, you get $35 to spend on the most stunning Stampin Up Hostess sets. There are 12 different hostess sets to choose from.

Please contact me, if you would like to host a workshop with me and if you would like to order some beautiful SU products at the same time. If you live within Calgary, Alberta, Canada then I would love to be your SU demonstrator.

I will prepare 3 make and takes for you and your friends (on my cost :) It will be so much fun. If you gather 5 friends who love to hang out with you and also love to be crafty, then that is already enough for me to come over to your home. A workshop usually takes about 2 hours and you will probable create something you didn't even think you were able to create + you can order from the new 2011 and 2012 Stampin Up catalogue.

I am already excited to meet you. It will be so much fun!

Anyway... I created this card with the Paper Players Colour Challenge #51 in mind. Those sweet ladies encouraged us to use Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Wild Wasabi from Stampin Up. I actually don't own any wild wasabi.. so I used some Old Olive..

If you click on the Paper Players Challenge blog link you will see the beautiful cards they created. You will not be disappointed!

Well, I gotta kitchen to clean up and a floor to sweep here. Have a beautiful evening and I would love to hear from you.

Inky hugs, Pauline

Crazy for cupcakes by Stampin Up and me

Hi there! Happy Monday to you. Thanks for stopping by. I always love to have you visit. As I said it before, it is such a treat to know that I am not the only one visiting my blog. Your comments are so encouraging and sweet and are just giving me that extra perk in the day, that I think I sometimes .. need :)

This morning I looked at the Mojo Monday Challenge site and thought.. I can do that Challenge #195 - one! I love the layout they gave to us. So here is what I came up with.

I used the 'Crazy for cupcakes' stamp set by Stampin Up. (#111618 - $29.95). It is for sure one of my favorites. It has the word 'cuteness' written all over it. Mixed with Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade and Basic Grey this card looks in my humble opinion just perfect. I added some pearls to give it some 'bling' (smile)

I also inked up for the first time my 'Music Notes' wheel from Stampin Up (#120327 - $7.95) and rolled it over my Very Vanilla card stock. What a great look that gives. Just what I needed for the back ground of my card.

Well, it is raining again and I have to pick up my son from school real soon. Sigh.. Gladly me and my dear friend Malann went with our kiddo's to the park this morning, while the sun was out. I learned that from being in Calgary.. when it rains, it can be sunny in no time and when the sun is out it can start raining in no time.. Oh well.. that is why we have umbrella's right.. to give us shade or to protect us from the rain.

Enjoy the rest of your day,

Inky hugs, Pauline

'Friends Fur-ever' by Stampin Up and me, my style & I..

Hi dear blog friends.

It is late, but I still wanted to post a card that I created last week for Rachel's dance teacher 'Lisa'. This girl / lady is the sweetest thing and I am so happy we got her some nice sunflowers and a cute home made card, just to thank her!

I guess, that's what I love about this hobby of mine.. it's fun to do and fun to pass on once it's done.

Isn't it hard not to fall in love with this little cutey? It's from the 'Friends Fur-ever' Stampin Up stamp set. (#120504 - $31.95) It's a set with 19 different stamps. I haven't even used all of them yet.. the possibilities are just endless with this set. It's a keeper for sure.

I wanted to keep this card simple.. cause.. well. simple is my middle name.. It's my kind of style.. I think.. well at least for now.. But what's a card without some bling right? Yip a bling-less-card! (smile) The dear Pals Paper Arts Challenge ladies asked us what our signature design was / is, this week.. well I mean.. also next week.. well. I am sure you know what I mean.. they mean.. Oh my it's late.. me and my English.. aren't the best buddies at this moment..

Anyway.. I love a clean, elegant and simple and bold style.. with color and fun and bling and a creative twist of out of the box thinking.. That last one there.. I am still working on.. But I am sure you will not hold that against me.. right :)

I have to tell you. It rained the whole day today. (sigh). Next Saturday we're going to have the birthday party of our 3 kids at our home. They were all born within 5 weeks (spread out over 5 lovely years) If this rain continues.. we're in trouble.. With about 20 kids coming and one small house.. it's not going to look that good.

Oh, and did I mention that we're also going to have some fun visitors adding to the birthday fun.. Some funky reptiles are going to join the party! For real.. Real big spiders, snakes, an iguana, oh my.. I hope that if it rains, none of them are going to get lost in this house of mine.. Geez.. that would be wild. Our son would love it.. So don't give him any idea's.. right.. Yes... I will keep these thoughts to myself and pray that it will stay dry next weekend!

Well enough for today.. I am off to bed.. Let's hope there will be some sunshine tomorrow, just to ease my mind!

Inky hugs, Pauline

A super sweet Quilt card made by Stampin Up and me

Good morning dear you.

Now this is why I love to blog.. and hop over to my friends blogs.. the inspiration and idea galore is just the best. The other day I hopped over to one of my sweet blogging friends website -Christy at the SchnauzerCraft Creations!! and there she explained so well to me (and probable many others) how to create this sweet Quilt card. Thanks Christy, you're the best!

I always wondered how those people out there did it. Cutting those lines so straight, and turning them in the right size squares..

I had no idea that the answer was right in front of my eyes. My Stampin Up square 1 1/4 inch punch was patiently waiting there for me and sweetly hanging out just above my crafting desk.. How could I not have think of that? What a light bulb moment. I had a big chuckle about myself and went on in one of my left over DSP - binders (is that even a word?) and picked the right Designer Series Paper for my next project..

It is really a super easy card to make. You got to try it out!

• Just pick at least 4 different sheets of Stampin Up Designer Series Paper in the same color combo and punch out 4 different squares (1 1/4 inch :) from each sheet.


• Cut a piece of (pick your color) card stock at 5 x 3 3/4 inches and glue all the 12 squares to this sheet. Using a random pattern, but try to not get the same pattern next to each other.


• Then run this piece through your Big Shot using the top note die (place the DSP side down)


• And voila! There you have it.. This is such a great way to use up all that beautiful left over DSP paper that you had a way to hard time with throwing out! (Yip I have been there!) I just can't do it either!!!!

How fun eh! If you would like to join me on an evening or morning making some of these cards and you live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Please contact me. I would love to hang out with you.
Me and my friends get together about once a month and have the best time just creating. Some even bring their kids along.. all part of the fun and being a mom right!

I would love to hear from you.

Inky hugs, Pauline

From the kitchen of and Fabulous Phrases by Stampin Up and me

Happy Tuesday everyone and thanks for hopping by again.
It is so good to be part of this wonderful, positive and supportive community of creative people that love to encourage each other and make each other smile.
You sure blessed me with your sweet comments yesterday. I think that as we share our creativity, our our ideas, our experiences and our joys, we make this big world seem small! I love it!

Today I was inspired by the Hand Stamped Sentiments Fathers Day Theme Challenge #70. They encouraged us to celebrate the dad's or the special guy's in our lives. Well they came to the right address. We have a very special guy / dad in this lovely household. My hubby Scott, he also happens to be a very great dad to our 3 kids. This weekend he turned just a normal bunch of trees in the front yard into a huge climbing are for our son. he loves it! Now who comes up with those kind of idea's? Yip, him!!!

So this card will be for him. :)
I loved the idea that I came up with this morning! But to be honest I don't own many Fathers day stamps.. I have this one sentiment from 'Well Scripted' made by Stampin Up, which is now retired. (But still very use full!) . So off I went.

• I used the 'From the kitchen Of..' Stamp set made by Stampin Up (#114967 - $36.95) And I used the main stamp of this set: 'the recipe template card.. thingy'.


• In the corner I stamped the 'dear Father' sentiment and there you had it! A recipe card for the best Father.


• For the ingredients of my recipe Fathers Day card ,I used the following sentiments from the Fabulous Phrases Stampin Up stamp set (#120501 - $32.95) : smile, happy, sweet, kind, best, love and friend. Yip, that's my hubby!


• I used the little squirrel from the retired Stampin Up Love Bandit stamp set. Isn't it the cutest critter ever. I hope it is not to feminine for this man in my life.


• I used the retired Kiwi Kiss Card stock and Classic ink from Stampin Up + some Baja Breeze and Crumb Cake. That little bit of DSP you see is from the 'Walk in the Park' Designer Series Paper created by Stampin Up and which is now retired. I love every bit of it.

I also promised you yesterday to show you a glimpse of our daughter Rachel getting ready for her dance show last Sunday. We're crazy about her. Her smile really lights up the room! Hope she brights up your day a little bit as well.

Inky hugs, Pauline

Fabulous Flower by Stampin Up and me

Who says you need a green thumb to get this stunning flower to bloom? Just ink it up with Pacific Point Classic Stampin Up ink and stamp it on a piece of smooth Whisper White card stock. This flower is perfect for any card that needs a 'flower - pick - me -up. And the best thing is.. you don't need to water it :)

This card we gave yesterday to one of my daughters dance teachers. Together with a beautiful bouquet of Sunflowers it was the perfect thank you moment for a year full of fun in the dance studio! Rachel was just brilliant on the dance stage yesterday. You could hear her voice all through the theater singing 'Let's go out to the ball game' and her dancing was full of passion and funny moments. She smiled all the way through, even though she bumped into some kids and forgot half way what she was there for. What she had remembered was the cutest ever. We love her to pieces and are so proud of her! I will ad some photo's of her tomorrow, so she can brighten your day as well with her smile.

I think I am going to ad this card to the Paper Players Challenge #50. They encouraged us to create a 'Thank You card'. I love these ladies. Congrats on the 50th Challenge. You girls rocked each and every Challenge and I am glad I found your Challenge blog! Please visit them when you have a chance. You will not regret it!

Last week one of my dear dutch blogging friends Caroline @ Caro's kaartjes was honoured to be a headliner by the Paper Players for a little bird house she created. Congrats Caroline.. It is super duper cute and you so deserved it! I love it and thanks for sharing your talent with so many of us. If you would like to see what she has created, then please click on the link above!

Well.. Thanks for hanging in there with me. It has been a long time since I have blogged.. but I am happy to be back. Now it is snack time in this household. & I have 4 lovely mouths to feed!

Inky hugs, Pauline