Welcome Tiny Precious Baby!!!

Hi Everyone, I had some very special news on Saturday, my friend had her little girl at 29 weeks, all is well, but our precious baby girl will be in special care for a while and she is tiny tiny.  Mum is doing well!!

This was very unexpected news, so I had to get crafting to make a little paper bag album in honour of this wonderful occasion.  All pink and sugary, sweet and special, with loads of ribbon, flowers, bling and precious girl sayings, soft and feminine to commemorate the biginning of her life.

Front cover gives an idea of what is to come, loads of flowers and loads of ribbon.  She is gorgeous you know, I have a pic of her, and she is more beautiful than the album.

Each page is decorated with special flowers, charms, bling and ribbon.  Each page has written words that are special to the occasion and the first few days after her birth.  And of course we need her vital statistics!! And her first photo!!

Of course we needed a special page for a photo with Mummy and another for a photo with Daddy, because I really feel she is going to be Daddy's Special Girl in time to come. Oh why wait she is now!!

And of course for a photo of her first bath.  I cannot tell you her name yet, I have not been told, but it will be as beautiful as she is.

And of course a family portrait is always needed, first of many to come I hope. I see this special bundle being loved and protected and perhaps a little spoilt?

Front Cover and back cover opened to see the whole outside at once.  The spine is held together with tied ribbon.  It really is a beautiful little keepsake.

A view from the top to see all the tags inserted in the pockets throughout the album. The tags are for her parents to write their thoughts on, and to write special messages to her. 

And a view of the album standing so you can see all the openings in the bags for her proud parents to store all those little keepsakes from her birth and first few days.  I told them to keep only everything and to photograph only everything.  You can never have too many photos or keepsakes, right?

Hope they like it..

LoveLaurenxx

Party Favour Box

Hi Everyone, I am on a roll today and this is my third post, so scroll down to check them all out!!!

This little favour box is a one sheet wonder and I made it with my little friend Beth in mind.  She is wild for cats, just adores them, so I thought I would make a party favour box that she would like and make them for her birthday party (I am sure her Mum will give her and her sister a party) in June.  I usually get an invite too, fun!!!

Isn't she gorgeous??? No not my idea, saw something similar a long time ago, and as usual, I did my version of it.  It was so easy to decorate with a handcut tail, half circle and a cat's face.  A little Crystal Ice Stickles to glam her up and she is done.  I make a closure with stick on velcro.

Made with just one sheet of A4 paper or cardstock, scored at 2", 5", 7" and 10", with cut at 11" along the longest side.  Score in 2" on opposite sides along the shortest side of the card/paper.

Hope you like her my Beth!!  Although I think I might have to make her in more pink to really make my little friend happy.

LoveLaurenxx

Christmas Tags just like Tim Holtz but different....

I wanted to make something for my friends Julie and Helen (crafting buddies) because they really are so very kind to me.  While keeping my eye on the Tim Holtz 12 tags of Christmas, I thought what a wonderful idea for a keepsake for them both.  This is what I came up with.

This is a handcut chipboard tag, painted with Adirondak paint dabber Lettuce and stamped with pine trees in silver metallic pigment ink.  Christmas paper is torn and layered on with cream, then deep green and a christmas ribbon.  Noel is die cut chipboard, inked with silver metallic and frosted with Crystal Ice Stickles.

A handmade pointsettia, layered over punched fern fronds is snow tipped with Crystal Ice Stickles.  A hinged ring, decorated with ribbon scraps is attached to the bottom corner.

A flourish is die cut from an aluminium can (love recycling) and the baubles from scrap papers decorated with tiny pearls, rhinestones and tiny bows.

All of this is finished with a ribbon tie and bow with a stick pin inserted.  Then the whole thing is sprayed with a little pearl spritz with a little glue included to sprinkle glitter over.

I am really pleased with the result and the girls love them.

LoveLaurenxx

Giving Donna Handbag Envy

Hi Everyone,

Don't faint, yes this is my second blog for today!!  So please scroll down to see the other post.

I have been threatening to make some cute little handbags since Donna and Lisa tweaked my interest in them. Now I have Donna with Handbag Envy and Lisa is going to make some tomorrow.  I am so fired up about them I am making some other ones too.  So keep tuned!!

Both of these handbags were made from original templates from Becky at Inking Idaho. This one was quick and easy and I copied it as per the photos.  Really easy to make and I didn't even read the recipe. Very cute and big enough to hold a 3x3 gift card and some goodies.

This one was a little bit trickier as I made a couple of adjustments to the template and added the pretty corners and top trim.  I love this one, in my favourite colours.... I just love green and brown together. This one would hold a 2 x 3 card and many more goodies. 

Hope you like my first efforts at some gift card handbags, they are so cute.

LoveLaurenxx

The Special Secret Box

Hello Everyone!!! Wonderful Friday in Sunny Newcastle today.  Today's post is a very special box I made a few weeks ago and then shared with the Craft Group.  We had a great time making it and some loved it so much they are giving it as teacher gifts at school... I do love it when I can share something special with the girls.

 Isn't it gorgeous. The box is made with three drawers inside, that separate when opened.

It is so cute and I just love it.  Took me just on two hours to make and decorate.  The instructions are following later in this blog post.

I have always loved boxes and this would be my favourite so far.  I originally saw this on SCS and immediately fell in love with it.


Secret Box Instructions

All measurements are in inches!

You will need:

• 6 x 9 inches cardstock (box part A)
• 6 x 11 inches cardstock (box part B)
• 3 squares of 4 5/8” cardstock (3 trays for box unit
• 5 squares of 2 7/8” cardstock (layer one of side decoration panels)
• 5 squares of 2 3/4"cardstock (layer two of side decoration panels)
• 5 squares of 2 1/2"patterned paper (layer three of side decoration panels)
• White cardstock for stamping images
• Contrasting cardstock for layering stamped images
• Assorted embellishments like pearls, rhinestones, ribbon etc for decorating box
• Assorted stamps 2 1/2' maximum size
• Ruler, pencil, eraser, scissors, bone scorer, paper trimmer
• Double sided adhesive tape 

Making the Box

Piece A

Piece B

Fold each part  and adhere flaps and joins.

Stand the completed Part A and Part B together and join together with the back flap.

The Inside Boxes

Cut and fold the inside box units.  Place 1 inside box at the top position in Part A and draw a line underneath.  Place another inside box at the bottom position of Part A and draw a line above.  Now take the third box and tape into position between these two lines.

Place the top and bottom boxes into Part B.  Close the box

Embellish as desired!!

Here is a pic of the finished box again, it is so cute!!

Oh go on, have a go at it, I am sure you find it easier than you think!!

Have fun, get inky and do some craft therapy!!

LoveLaurenxx

Missing November Blogs

Hey Everyone, I have been missing from the Blog world a little lately, so I will make up for it now. These are the cards I made in November for different challenges, swaps and fun.   There are a few others I will blog separately.  Enjoy.

 Made this special card for my special neighbour, love her heaps.  The paper was given to me by my Canadian friend Lynn and the roses are from my Retro Rose Tutie.

 This card was a take on vintage oval mirrors, could be a sympathy card or even a wedding card.  So simple and also stunning in the two colours and all the foliage and flowers.

 Vintage bookmarks for my friend Yvonne's Victorian Swap on SCS.  Loved making these and I so love beads hanging from my bookmarks.  They seem just so decadent and what better bookmark to use in Austen

 This butterfly easel card was an attempt at a Victorian card that just did not make it even for all the distressing in the world.  Great card though, just not good enough for the Victorian Swap by Yvonne.

 Now this is the Victorian card that did make it to the Swap for Yvonne.  Love the lace, love the images, love the roses and the bookplate.  Oh and love love love the pins.

 Now my friend Lisa sent me some Spellbinder label die cuts and I got so excited at the shape of them and thought I know what they will do, so I made this card!!!! I had seen something similar a long time ago and did not know how they did that mask until those die cuts came through my letterbox!!!!

 Love to CASE cards, this is a case of my friend Lisa's style and card.  Made for Dellsdani's Monkey See, Monkey Do Swap on SCS.  It went right against everything I like (pink, yuk) but Lisa makes such beautiful elegant cards and she seems to put them out so easily that I am jealous of her apparent natural talent.  So I hope that this card did justice to her wonderful work.  Find her here: Lisa's Blog

 Made this card for my friend Lisa, to reassure her DH that he makes great digis.  Yes my friend's DH made this freebie for her blog.  Go check out her blog and see if you can find the freebies, they are great digi's and you will see how Lisa has used them.  She is a fabby cardmaker, Love you heaps Lisa!!! Go check out Lisa's Crafting Cottage

 Just had to make this card, beautiful Spellbinders Butterfly and my roses made with Spellbinders Rosemaker Creations.  This is a stunning card and at the moment this very full, very dimensional card is my style.  Hmm wonder what my style will be in another week or so???

 A card for the I Spy Challenge on SCS.  Love these challenges, mostly I have no idea what she spied, but really, does it matter?  Go ahead and just make a card!!!  I thought this one was lips, so I made a card Sealed with a Loving Kiss.... and no one seems to ever have heard that expression..... was huge in Oz in the early 60's, just goes to show I am getting older.... well, who isn't??

 Ah, I revisited my signature card of a couple of years ago, still a stunning card.  An uneven gatefold with the focal on vellum stamped with Mica Magic, (why oh why do they not still have that??) and a beautifully decorated inside and all closed up with a little clip that turns... just forgot its name.

 Oh and the lovely lovely faux leather wallet.  Taught this at craft group WCG at the start of the term.  This really is quite speccy and very easy to do.  Great for holding a gift card or voucher for someone special at Christmas or Birthday time.

 Oh and I just love these little Christmas tags, blank except for the stitching on them, so heaps of room for a greeting to add to your gift.  All embellished with a belly band saying not to open before the special day!

 I love to decorate candles, this one is done with cardstock and paper that can be removed before lighting.

 A faux Asian card done in red, black, gold and cream.  So striking with the red fibres adding dimension to it.  The embossing of the Japanese script is lovely on the square card.

 Altered diary in an Oriental Theme for Paola for hosting the Asian/Oriental swap on SCS. I joined two scraps of Yutzen paper onto a washi piece that I stamps with Japanese Script and put a very young trendy origami girl on there.

 The card I made for the Asian/Oriental Swap hosted by Sama (aka Paola) on SCS.  I loved making this card, stamping and joining the background, colouring lightly, making the braid, the lucky symbol stamped on the focal at left, the lucky knot from paper cord, the little doll and the chopstick from a toothpick to hold the lucky coin in place.  This card is all about good luck for the recipients.

 Another I Spy Challenge on SCS, so fun, and all about shoes.  I rarely use this stamp but this challenge was perfect to get it inky.  Handmade flower by Lauren and I got to use the notepad border punch that I love so much and forget to use.

 And what do we do in the Forest????? Well I don't know about you, but I toast marshymellows over the campfire if possible and since it is winter in the northern hemisphere where this card is going I thought we would build a snowman to help us.  This card is for Jeanette's (Forest Ranger) Swap on SCS.... yes it is called 'what do we do in the Forest', well now you know!!!

 I love the I Spy Challenge, here we are again, we are tall, we shine, we excite kids and I forget what else.... could be a star, but they are high, not tall, so it has to be Lighthouse.  I love a lighthouse, something mystical about them.  This is probably my most used stamp I have realised.  Good buying Lauren!!!

 Oh Oh I had to make a bonus aspect of the Forest Swap, so I decided to make a crafting lady because Jeanette sure does love her crafts and I believe she has a bug that she loves too!!

 A Christmas card that did not make the grade for the Swap it was designed for, but on reflection it does seem to be ok.  See I do make duds!!

OH OH OH OH, or should that be HO HO HO HO, these are made to give as hostie gifts for the swaps I am in, or for pressies.  Mrs Forest is getting four of these in her bag of swap cards, cos she loves loves loves Christmas Trees.  And that is no secret!!

Well I hope to be a more regular blogger.  How many times have I said that this year????? Too many so don't go back and count, just go back and look at the inspiration, at least I hope you get some inspiration here.

Get inky soon.

LoveLaurenxx

Tutorial for Roses using EK Success Retro Flower Punch

Rose Tutorial using the EK Success Retro Flower Punch


Hi Everyone, I hope you will stay with me through a mountain of photos to get this done....it makes it easier for you to see what I have done, and hopefully you will be able to make a lovely rose!!

 Using the medium punch (3cm dia) cut 9 flowers.

 Separate into 3 piles.  These will be bottom layer, middle layer and the bud layer (top)

 Starting with the middle layer, fold the first petal towards the centre of the flower and then straighten back out again. Repeat with all 5 petals.

 Now taking a bone folder (scorer, anything you have is fine, I find this works for me).

 Put the edge of your tool under the petal at the join to the centre and drag towards the outside edge of the petal.  (Same motion as your would use for curling ribbon.)

 You will have a nice little curl on your petal.  Repeat with all petals.

 There you go, see how it lifts the petals at the centre and makes them drop down at the edge?

 Now put your finger at the outside edge of the petal and make that curl even more defined. Press it down to curl it more.

 Like this, but don't bend it right over and put a crease in him.

 Just like this, and then repeat with all 5 petals.

 There his is all done.  Now repeat this with another 2 flowers.

 Now we will work on the bottom layer. Take 3 flowers for this.

 Now holding the flower in the centre, place the thumb and forefinger of your other hand on either side of the outside edge of the petal and squeeze together until you squeeze a creased point on the outside of the petal.

 See how this is for the lower petal? Repeat with all 5 petals and the 3 flowers.  Now you have your bottom layers done.

 Now for the bud top of your rose.  Take 3 flowers and a pair of tweezers, straight or offset, whatever you have.  Hold the petal of the flower as above.

 Now squeeze the petal around the tweezers. 

 See how it retains its curl? Now repeat with the other 4 petals and the other 2 flowers, so you have 3 like this.

 Now you will have 3 flowers that are pinched to a point.  Three Flowers that are curled down at the end, and 3 that are curled inwards.

 Now taking the 3 pinched to a point ones.

 Glue one on top of another, offsetting each petal so that you see the lower one between the upper one. 

 See how you can see all the petal of both flowers?

 Now add the third layer, offsetting it again.

 Do the same with the middle layer flowers, (the curled down ones)

 Sometimes it is easier to press down with something.  I find my fingers are a little big at times.

 Now add the middle stack to the bottom stack and hold together until the glue takes.

 This is what you should have by now.

 Now take the bud parts, the 3 top layer flowers.  I have used Glossy Accents, but I usually use white glue.  You will see that I have coated each petal for this.

 Now fold the petals up, I try to have the circle of petals going in the same inside to outside direction, if you look closely you will see what I mean, but it does not matter if this is not so, it will still work.

 Now bring your bud tighter by pressing it closed or rolling it in your fingers. (Whatever works for you)

 And tighter still.  You will need to hold this one for a while.  I have not worked out a holding system except for between my fingers.

 Done that one, now for the next.  Add the glue again to the centre and the lower parts of the petals.

 Pop the little bud in the centre.

 Now fold up the petals.  Again you will have to hold it till the glue takes.   Then add the 3rd petal in the same manner, but not as tight.

 Now this is the bottom and middle layers.

 Now carefully lift the petals to 'fluff' it up a little.

 Glue on the bud part.  Isn't it beautiful???  Now I take a paintbrush (a disposable lipstick brush) and some watered down white glue and paint my rose.

 Then carefully sprinkle some clear (you know the one that takes on any colour under it) glitter.

There ya go, he is so cute.  Lisa I hope you like this.

Lisa is my friend from SCS.  She is Canadian and I love her.  She gives me such wonderful praise for my work and she does such beautiful work herself.  She is an inspiration.  Why not go visit her blog Crafting Cottage it is well worth the visit.

Now here is a card I did with these roses, and I even made a small one with the small punch, but only 4 or 5 layers.

Now I hope you make some roses for yourself.  Email me if you need more help.

LoveLaurenxx