Feathered Hope by Stampin up for Fathers day

Both my dad as my husband's dad love Birds. My dad bikes each evening for an hour and looks for birds. As soon as he comes home, he marks them in his journal. He keeps track of the dates of when they leave and when they come back to Holland. He knows all their names and knows all their songs.. I love that about him. Scott's parents live in the Rocky Mountains. His dad has bird feeders, bird houses and he makes sure they are well taken care off the whole year around. So sweet. Their house has huge windows.. what a treat to see all the birds that found their home in their yard. Because of that our kids have seen more and different birds in their short life than I have seen on the bike with my dad. Life in Canada eh!

I made these 2 cards for both Scott and my dad for this upcoming Fathersday. This stampset is from the 90's made by Stampin up. I love it. The details are stunning. I used the Kiwi Kiss, Soft Suede and very vanilla card stock. I water-coloured the pictures.

Don't you love the Kiwi kiss button I added to the one card and the Hodgepodge Pewter hardware to the other. That way the both got their own 'personality :)

Circle Circus with a hint of Kiwi Kiss by Stampin up

Kiwi Kiss.. the name alone makes me smile. + I so love that color. So sad that I wasn't aware of it more when it was for sale by Stampin up. I am slowly running out of that paper.. In Australia it is still available through Stampin up.. Maybe I need to make a trip out there, I always would have loved to see that country. And what better reason do I need?

So yes.. the base of this card is made out of Kiwikiss card stock. That pretty brown that you see is the Soft Suede ink and ribbon from Stampin up.. I stamped the many gorgeous images from Stampin' up's Circle Circus. Doesn't this circus of circles make your eyes go all over this card.. I added some bling to it with 2 diamond brads from the Pretties kit from Stampin up.

Now who is going to have a birthday soon.. I hope no one yet.. I like to treasure it for a while..

Seaside Sketches and embosslits by Stampin up

A couple of weeks ago I created this card for my hubby. Just to encourage him. he is such an amazing husband.. (Yes we have our times and challenges... ) This man has so much courage in facing life. I admire him. He doesn't give up. He is creative in finding solutions. he does not give up. I love that about him. For this card I used 'Seaside Sketches of Stampin up'. I love the image you see in the picture. This is so my hubby and our oldest son Reuben. Reubs loves to run and play and cuddle but he is also very good in just 'being' Reubs. he can sit and just 'be'.

I used the Soft Suede, Soft sky and the very vanilla cardstock from Stampin' up. They match so well together. I used for the first time the Stampin up Embosslits die (#118138). Love these butterflies. They add so much texture to this card. The Soft Suede ribbon finnish it off so well. Love it.. Love it. The good part is.. My hubby loved it too.. Yeah..

'Thanks a Lattee' by Stampin up and me for Fathers day

Happy Monday Stampers!

This morning I got together with 2 of my dear friends. Robyn and Lisa. It is such a gift to be able to hang out with them. They are wise and loving moms and have the most precious children. With 6 kids crawling, running, dancing around us, we sat at the table, talked, shared and made some cards. You should have seen us. Talk about chaos.. But we did it. We know how to pursue our craftiness, I tell you.

I made this Fathers day card for my hubby with the retired stamp set 'Thanks a Latte' from Stampin up. My hubby loves his coffee (and I like my Chai latte).

I tried to make this card not to girly.. Not sure if that goal was reached.. but I so love how it turned out.

I get so excited when a cards gets its own character.. it's own style.. Robyn got some great ideas, which helped me finish it.

• First I used the scallop trim oval punch around the sentiment.. that didn't look right. Then she suggested to just put a larger size oval shape around it. BINGO. Totally perfect. I so needed that idea.. I can get so stuck and a fresh idea from someone is usually what helps me to finish a card off. Thanks Robyn.
• I used the Baja Breeze ribbon. (So happy this color is returning in the new 2010 catalogue) + the Soft Suede and Whisper white card stock. For the ink I kept it simple. I used the Baja Breeze and yes, the Soft Suede Classic ink pad. That little twist of dots around those cute cups are from one of my favorite stamp set called: ' Circle circus'.

All that to say.. I am ready for one big mug of Chai Latte.

Now I just need someone to join me. They taste way better with company. Although I should appreciate this time. My hubby is coaching soccer and 2 of our 3 kids are joining him.. One kid left.. peace and quiet.. I think I can handle my Chai by myself tonight.. Only this once!!

Inky hugs, Pauline

Pocket silhouettes by Stampin up

As many of you know I have a slight addiction to Stampin up products. I love how everything is just so gorgeous. The ribbon, the punches, the stamps, the ink pads.. their Designer Paper..their embellishments. And it all matches so well together. It just doesn't stop. I just need to hit a moment.. that moment where I know.. that I don't need anything else.. that I am done.. enough.. Does that ever come? I have been waiting for that moment for way to long.. Just when I think I am close to that new part of my life.. Stampin up brings out another mini catalogue with again so many stunning products.. and then I convince myself that I really need them.. (smile) I am sure they know what they are doing and they are good at it.

All that to say.. I am super thankful to live in a time where there are so many choices and where I can create my heart out. I just need more creativity in finding the money to purchase all their stuff. Or, just as my hubby says it simple.. good is good enough... Or maybe I say that to him when he shares his wild ideas with me....

Anyways.. Here I made a card with 'Pocket Silhouettes'. I adore this set.. I also used the Soft Suede ribbon and the 'curly label punch' as well. The cardstock that I used was 'Certainly Celery' and 'Not quite navy + whisper white'. Isn't it cute? I think I made it in less than 5 minutes.. The thinking part took me a bit longer. But isn't that always the case...