50K

This morning my counter hit the 50,000!! Wow! I am still impressed by the number of visitors who stop by my blog daily. Visitors from all over the world. Due to my blog I have met new friends and discovered great blogs myself. Thank you all so much for your visits and wonderful comments.

In a previous post I asked you to guess when my counter would hit the 50K. A few of you were pretty close, but there were 3 girls who guessed the correct date.....May 31st. I was supposed to give away 2 card kits, but don't like to pick 2 names out of 3. Therefore, I will make an extra card kit. The content of the 3rd kit can vary from the other kits. Martine, Diane and Danielle (Dani), please e-mail me your address and I will send you the kit a.s.a.p.

Enjoy your weekend!

Mini Album (2)

As promised, here are the pictures of the mini album I made for my mom for Mother's Day. The album is the same as the one I made for my mother-in-law. Only this time I used the Delightful collection by Little Yellow Bicycle which is a great collection, and adds a different look to the mini album.












Supplies: Bazzill Cardstock & Ribbon, Little Yellow Bicycle 'Delightful' PPs, Glitter Stickers & Rub-ons, Prima Flowers & Clear IOD Tape, Artemio Flowers, Rusty Pickle Buttons, American Crafts Thickers, Making Memories Tiny Alphabet Stickers, Spiral Journaling Book Noteworthy & Crystal brads, We R Memory Keepers Crop-a-Dile & Eyelets, EK Success Flower & Circle Punch, Autumn Leaves Clear Stamps, Hampton Art Clear Stamps, Doodlebug Paper Frills, Heidi Swapp Silhouette Daisy White, headpin, Versafine Onyx Black and sewing machine.

All pictures taken by Florence Bavinck.

Have a nice day!

Mini Album (1)

I already showed you some pictures of the mini album I made for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day, but now I can show you the complete mini album. The cover is made of chipboard, and the size of the album is approx. 5x7".









Supplies: Bazzill Cardstock, My Mind's Eye Wild Asparagus Sweet Little One PPs, Prima Flowers, Rusty Pickle Buttons, American Crafts Thickers, Making Memories Tiny Alphabet Stickers, Spiral Journaling Book Noteworthy & Alphabet Rub-ons, Scenic Route Rub-ons, QuicKutz Cookie Cutters Nesting Flowers dies, Hotfix Crystal Rhinestones, Ribbon, Autumn Leaves Clear Stamps, Hampton Art Clear Stamps, 7Gypsies 'Girlie Girl' stamp, Sizzix Primitive Hearts Die & Loopy Decorative Strip, Coluzzle Filefolder Template, We R Memory Keepers Crop-a-Dile & Eyelets, VersaColor Pinecone, Versafine Onyx Black, DMC embroidery floss and sewing machine. All pictures - except for the two pictures in Disneyland Paris - are taken by Florence Bavinck.

I will show pictures of the other Mother's Day album tomorrow.

I just received this lovely card by Joke in the mail. Joke always makes beautiful layouts and cards, and is known for her fab stitching. Thanks for your support, Joke! I really appreciate this.



Thanks for all your sweet comments, and have a nice weekend!

One

I had in mind to make a few cards today, but I made only ONE card. I had to do a few other things in the morning, and I spent the afternoon with Fleur. We went shopping together while Sanne was over at her friend Elze's home. I used my Fiskars Threading Water punch, and enjoyed working with my new tool. No more handcutting for me...unless I want a big scalloped edge.



Supplies: Bazzill Cardstock White, Scenic Route Providence PPs, Sizzix Die Leaves, Prima Flowers (red), Artemio Flowers (white), Ribbon, Tag, Inque Boutique See D's Mini Thank You Stamps, Rusty Pickle Buttons White, Versafine Onyx Black and Fiskars Threading Water Punch.

Today I came across this site by Karin. She would like organise the biggest card swap ever. I just love to make and receive cards, so I signed myself up. Today is the last day to sign up, so if you enjoy making cards too go over to Karin's site and send her an e-mail.

BTW, did you notice my counter? I think it will take only a few more days to hit the 50,000. Thank you all so much for stopping by.

LOOK!!

What I received in the mail today...



...the Fiskars Threading Water Punch! I ordered the punch in the USA at the beginning of April, but due to huge demand the store I ordered from ran out of all (over 250!) punches. Last week the next batch of 300+ punches arrived, so mine could be shipped. :) I wasn't home today, but fortunately my neighbour was so kind to accept the delivery. I guess I will be creating some cards when the girls are in school tomorrow morning. :)

**ETA** I bought mine here.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Today I wanted to scrap some cards and asked if the girls wanted to join me. Sanne preferred to play with her Barbie dolls, but Fleur (7) was in the mood for some scrapping. She loves to be creative and scrap with her mommy. We both created two cards. Her 'Hallo' (= hello in Dutch) card is a scraplift of my 'Thanx' card. I only helped her by cutting the scalloped edge. She always loves using my flower and circle punches. Her favorite tools! The 'I Love You' card is her own idea and design. I only had to help her with the sentiment otherwise there would be something like 'ai lof joe' on the card. LOL! I promised her to showcase the cards on my blog, and I am sure she will be thrilled when she opens my blog.

Fleur's card creations




I am not too happy about my own creations. Especially the 'Thanks!' card didn't turn out like I had in mind. I have other things on my mind that block my creativity at the moment, but I am sure things will be better soon. Anyway, I enjoyed being creative with Fleur, and she felt the same. She really felt like a kid in a candy store when I let her pick buttons for her card. She didn't know which one to choose. She looked at my jars for minutes and finally picked two favorites. :-)



Supplies: Bazzill Cardstock, Sassafras Lass 'Serendipity' PPs, Maya Road Chipboard Bookplate, Heidi Swapp Chipboard Letters, Prima Flowers, Ranger Paint Dabber, Lace, Crystal Rhinestones and staples.



Supplies: Bazzill Cardstock, Scenic Route 'Loveland' PPs and Alphabet Stickers, Prima Flowers, Crystal Rhinestones, Autumn Leaves Clear Stamps, VersaMark, StampWorld Psychedelic Embossing Powder and Uniball Signo White.

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember This Layout?

Do you remember this layout? It can now also be found here. How COOL is that? Thanks to Layle Koncar from Scenic Route who made an exception as they usually only add projects to the gallery designed by (guest) DT members or winners of the monthly challenges.

Sanne started her swimming lessons in February and last Friday she got a 'yellow note' - don't know what she did with it so I can't scan it - telling her that she is on to the next level. I was completely surprised and hadn't expect it all. Last week her instructor told me she had to improve her leg technique so I thought it would take a few more weeks. Needless to say, Sanne was thrilled.

The girls got back their school photo. Again I am not impressed by the quality and colors - and the scan even makes it worse - but I like these photos. The photos were taken 3 days before Fleur lost her 4th tooth, and a week after Sanne had injured her nose.

Due to personal circumstances I haven't been very creative this week, but yesterday I started on a few cards. The first two cards ended up in the trash bin, but the third one seems to turn out okay. I might be able to show some creations tomorrow.

BTW...you can still guess when my counter hits the 50,000 mark. Deadline is tomorrow at midnight (CET). You can leave a comment here.

Once again, thank you all so much for your sweet comments. Enjoy your weekend!

Card à la Nancy

My scrap friend Nancy posted a new card workshop on her blog. She has a great style, and I love her card designs. I think it is great that she shares her designs with us. Since I had to make another card for a wedding anniversary I decided to use Nancy's design. Thanks for the inspiration, girl!



Supplies: Bazzill Cardstock, Scenic Route Loveland PPs, Prima Flowers, Rusty Pickle Buttons, American Crafts Thickers, Junkitz Photo Anchorz, Hotfix Crystal Rhinestones, Thread, Tulip Puffy Paint White, EK Success Flower Punch, Coluzzle Circle Template, staples and sewing machine.

I also had to make a card for a 3-year old. This time Marije was my source of inspiration. Her cards are beautiful too as well as her other scrap projects.



Supplies: Bazzill Cardstock, K&Company Berry Sweet PPs, Prima Flowers, Ribbon, Hotfix Crystal Rhinestones and Uniball Signo White.

Another girl who is great at making cards is my own SIL Lisette. Her cards are always so gorgeous and stylish. She posted a beautiful card on her blog today as well as step-by-step instructions. If you play along you have a chance to receive a nice gift.

Thank you all for your sweet comments! Don't forget to leave a comment here telling me when my counter hits the 50,000 mark.

A Give Away, and a Card

**Deadline is closed**

You may have noticed that my counter is heading towards 50,000 visitors. Wow! I am still surprised and honored by the number of visitors each day. I would like to THANK YOU for stopping by and leaving me lovely comments, and will give away 2 mini card kits. The kits contain Fancy Pants, 3Bugs in a Rug, Love Elsie and Doodlebug PPs and cardstock including coordinating ribbons, buttons, eyelets, safety pins, rhinestones, chipboard, etc. In order to win one of the kits you have to leave a comment on this post and telling me on which date my blog will hit 50,000 visitors. In case more people guess the right date I will randomly pick 2 winners from that group. The deadline for leaving a comment is Midnight Sunday May 25th (CET).



Last night I created a card with some leftovers from the Delightful PPs by Little Yellow Bicycle. I really love these papers. The card is based on a sketch by Kazan, one of my fellow DT members at My Sketch World. Her card designs are great. Kazan, thanks for the inspiration!



Supplies: Bazzill Cardstock white, Delightful PPs by Little Yellow Bicycle, Prima Flowers, Rusty Pickle Buttons, Making Memories Tiny Alphabet Stickers and Crystal Brads, Chipboard Scroll, EK Success Flower Punch, thread and sewing machine.

Have a nice Sunday!

MSW May Card Sketch

A bit later than scheduled, but the first card sketch for May was posted on My Sketch World yesterday. I made a card with Scenic Route's Lynden papers. The sketch and cards by the other DT members can be found here.



Supplies: Bazzill Kraft Cardstock, Scenic Route Lynden PPs, Prima Flowers, Rusty Pickle Buttons, Making Memories Tiny Alphabet Stickers and QuicKutz Cookie Cutters Nesting Flowers dies.

Enjoy your weekend!

PS: If you are in for a give away you have to visit my blog tomorrow. :-)

Card Sketch Challenge

It is May 15, so....it is time for a new card sketch challenge at the Dolls & Decorations forum. This time I chose a sketch by Becky Fleck again. I really enjoy searching the internet for great sketches. If you have a favorite sketch website just leave me a comment with the link.

My take on this sketch doesn't contain any butterflies at all, but that is what I like about a sketch. You can choose any of the sketch elements that you like. Your card doesn't have to be an exact copy of the sketch. I made a card for one of my friends who will have her 7th wedding anniversary next week.



Supplies: Bazzill Cardstock White, Scenic Route Loveland PPs, Doodlebug Paper Frills White, Prima Flowers, Autumn Leaves Clear Stamp, Crystal Rhinestones, Versafine Onyx Black ink, Sizzix Hearts Die, and sewing machine.

Last week I also made a card for Tamara who gave birth to a baby girl named Luna.



Supplies: Bazzill Cardstock White, Sassafras Lass PPs, KI Memories Lace Cardstock, We R Memory Keepers Eyelets, Basic Grey Alphabet Stickers, QuicKutz Cookie Cutters Nesting Flowers Dies, and lace.

Thanks for stopping by and all your lovely comments.

Mother's Day Mini Album (2)

As soon as the mini album for my MIL was finished I started on a mini album for my mom. I finished it shortly after midnight last night. So a very last minute project. At first I wanted to make a different album, but I decided to make the same album for my mom. To give the album a different look I used the Delightful collection by Little Yellow Bicycle instead of My Mind's Eye PPs.





We also bought my mom the newest Scrapcards 2 book as well as the Hotfix applicator. She was very pleased with all gifts, but she just sent me an e-mail to let me know that she loved my album the most. So....handmade gifts are the best and most precious ones, don't you think? Even if they are made by a 39-year old. :)

The pictures of this album will also be shown at the end of this month.

The May card sketch of My Sketch World hasn't been posted yet, so I can't reveal my card yet. I might be able to do so tomorrow.

Mother's Day Mini Album (1)

I love to get handmade gifts from my girls, but I love to make handmade gifts myself too. This year I made my mother-in-law and my mom a mini album with pictures of our photo shoot by Florence Bavinck. I love to work with these photos. The mini album below is the one I made for my MIL. Besides this album she also got a gift coupon of her favorite store.



Pictures of the complete album will be shown at the end of this month as I will probably teach this album at Dolls & Decorations on Saturday 31 May.



My SIL Lisette made her mom (my MIL) a gorgeous mini album too. Go and check her blog to find out yourself.

Happy Mother's Day

This year's Mother's Day is all about jewelry. This morning Fleur and Sanne both surprised me with a handmade necklace and a poem. I love all the handmade gifts they make me each year. I have been wearing the necklaces all day, but don't think I will wear them to work. LOL! Eric bought me a ring. I just love to have a little bling-bling on my finger.





Later today I will post the Mother's Day gifts that I made for my mother and MIL.

Have a wonderful day!

Work In Progress

I have been busy and scrapping quite a lot these past days. Unfortunately I can't show you anything yet, but the good thing is that you have to wait only a few more days before I can reveal the sneak peek projects. This weekend it is....show time. LOL!



On Saturday the new card sketch for May will be posted on the My Sketch World blog. Below is a little preview of my take on the sketch.



It has already been a while since Marije and Peter gave me the Arte y Pico award. Sorry for not blogging about it earlier! I really appreciate that you gave the award to me. You both are a great source of inspiration too. Have you ever checked Peter's blog? He is the only male scrapper that I know and he is....GOOD!! Marije's work is gorgeous too. She makes lovely projects and cards, and she is a nice girl too. My mom is a fan of her work. :) Leontine gave me the 'You Cheer Me Up' award recently. Thanks, girl. I really appreciate it. And don't worry....I won't stop making 12x12" layouts. I am enjoying that size more and more. Actually I have to pass these awards on to 5 other people, but many of my favorite bloggers already received this award and I simply can't name only 5 people. There are so many people who inspire me.

How is the weather in your corner of the world? Our weather is so beautiful at the moment. It is nice to be outside, and have dinner in our backyard. I love having dinner outside. Last Sunday we had my parents, brother and sister-in-law, and my mother-in-law over for a BBQ. We had a wonderful time together, and enjoyed the delicious food and spring weather. Spring is my favorite season.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

My First Card Sketch

On May 1st I had to post a new card sketch on the Dolls & Decorations forum. This time I created my own sketch. The first sketch I ever made. Quite a simple one, but I enjoyed drawing this sketch in Photoshop Elements. I used this sketch to make a card for one of Sanne's best friends. She and her brothers got a little baby sister on April 14th.





Supplies: Bazzill Cardstock, Sassafras Lass PPs, Prima Flowers, Rusty Pickle buttons and American Crafts Thickers.

Enjoy your weekend, and thanks for stopping by.