Happy 65th Birthday

Today my mother-in-law is celebrating her 65th birthday. Unfortunately we are not able to congratulate her in person as she has been staying with my sister-in-law Lisette in the UK. I am sure she gets spoilt by Lisette, David and the kids today.

Dear Willy, wishing you a happy 65th birthday. Enjoy your day! Love, Eric, Ingrid, Fleur and Sanne xoxo

Here's the card that I made her.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper, die-cut: Scenic Route Sonoma Letter stickers: Heidi Swapp Rub-ons: Melissa Frances Pearls: Kaisercraft Tools: Martha Stewart Cornice Edge Punch, sewing machine Ink: VersaColor Pinecone Other: foam tape

Thanks for stopping by.

ShortCuts Sunday

It is Sunday, so I have some ShortCuts projects to share with you. I just love working with the clear and frosted products as they are so versatile. The full sheets are perfect for projects other than cards. My first project is a door hanger. I cut down a frosted full sheet to 9.5x21.5cm (3.75x8.5") and created a tag by cutting off the upper corners. I punched a hole using a 1.5" circle punch. I decorated the door hanger with one of my favorite brands.....October Afternoon.



Supplies: ShortCuts Frosted Full Sheet Patterned paper: October Afternoon Daydream Flowers: Prima Marketing Button: Rusty Pickle Letter stickers: Pink Paislee, Halfabitties PC Leere Black Tools: Fiskars Lazy Days Border Punch, sewing machine, EK Success Circle Punch Other: twine

I also made a card using a clear card base. This one is for the daughter of one of my friends who is turning 6 today. I bought the K&Company Berry Sweet collection somewhere last year, but hardly used it. I think the papers are great for a girlie card.



Supplies: ShortCuts Clear Card Base Cardstock, ribbon: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: K&Company Berry Sweet Letter stickers: American Crafts Tools: Sizzix Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Three, Martha Stewart Floral Lace Edge Punch, EK Success Corner Punch, sewing machine Other: foam tape

If you would like to try the ShortCuts products yourself you can order them here. You can save 10% on your order (excluding shipping) if you use the coupon code DT{Ingrid} 10.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Card Patterns Sketch #12

It's Saturday and time for a new sketch over at Card Patterns. A great sketch to work with. You can find Sketch #12 here. The DT did a wonderful job, and so did Carla Peicheff who is our Guest Designer this week. Carla is an amazingly talented card maker and scrapbooker. I am a huge fan of her work. I was on the 2 Sketches 4 You Fall DT with her, and we currently are on the ShortCuts DT together. I guess most of you are familiar with her work, but in case you aren't.....hop on over to her blog.

Here's my take on this week's sketch...



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Scenic Route Sonoma Rub-ons: Melissa Frances Flowers: Prima Marketing Buttons: Buttons Galore Tools: Fiskars Apron Lace border punch, sewing machine Ink: VersaColor Pinecone Other: twine

This week's sponsor is Unity Stamp Company. If you are the lucky winner you will receive the Tiny Trinity stamp set. And if your card is picked by the Card Patterns Design Team as card of the week you will be invited to be our Guest Designer for Sketch #14.

I'll be back tomorrow with a ShortCuts project.

Jewellery, and a Scrap Date

My dear friend Anouk started her own business Lalune Sieraden a while ago. She creates beautiful necklaces and bracelets, and even makes beads herself. You can find necklaces and bracelets for sale on her site, but you can also ask her to make something especially for you. Just let her know your choice of colors, length of the necklace, etc. and she will create a necklace and/or bracelet. That's what I did. I asked her to make a necklace using turquoise and brown beads and this is what she came up with. I really like it a lot, and ordered another one. If you are interested in a beautiful necklace or bracelet go and check Anouk's website, or send her an e-mail.



My friend Wendy can be here any minute for a scrap date. She has been redecorating her scrap room, and since it is quite a mess she asked me if she could over to my place. No problem of course, but....that meant I had to tidy up my scrap room because it was a mess too. I spent the morning on it, and I am really happy with the result. Hopefully I can keep it like this for a while. Otherwise Wendy has to come over every week. *wink*



It has been a while since we scrapped together, so we have a lot of catching up to do. I plan on making a layout but I wonder if I will be able to finish it. It could be that we will be chatting all evening.

I'll be back tomorrow with my Card Patterns DT card. Have a nice weekend!

ShortCuts Sunday

I often visit the blog of Betsy Veldman, and a few months ago I came across her cute candy tubes. Betsy posted a tutorial here. I think the tubes are great as a little giveaway. The ShortCuts full sheets are perfect for a project like this.



From the full sheet scraps I created a 3.5x3.5" clear card...





Supplies: ShortCuts Full Sheet Clear Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Imaginisce Twitterpated Rub-ons: Melissa Frances Button: Rusty Pickle Tools: Sizzix Big Shot, QuicKutz Nesting Flowers, EK Success Retro Flower Large punch, Martha Stewart Simple Scallop edge punch Other: twine

Have you tried out any of the ShortCuts yet? The sheets and card bases are fabulous to work with. Don't forget when you order to use my discount code (right sidebar) to save 10% on your order (excluding shipping).

Until next time!

Card Patterns #11, KUS and...

Today Sketch #11 is revealed over at Card Patterns. This week's sponsor is The Paper Pixie. Kelly, owner of The Paper Pixie, provided the Card Patterns DT with some of her journaling spots and tags. I used a krafty journaling spot and a Queen Bee Get Funky Crown on my card. The randomly picked winner for Sketch #11 will receive a prize package from The Paper Pixie.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: October Afternoon Ribbon: Fancy Pants Tools: Fiskars Apron Lace border punch Tags: The Paper Pixie Button: Buttons Galore Stamps: Melissa Frances Celebrate It Ink: VersaColor Other: twine

Our Guest Designer is Lisa Forsythe. Her take on the Card Patterns' sketch is gorgeous, and so is her other work. Hop on over to her blog to find out yourself. You can become our Guest Designer too. If your card is picked by the DT you will be invited to be our Guest Designer for Sketch #13.

This afternoon the girls and I went to see KUS. The girls enjoyed the show a lot. I was a bit disappointed. I thought it would be a new show, but it was almost exactly the same show as we went to see in November 2007. A few new songs were added to the show, and some of the outfits were different, but the rest was the same. We had a fun time with the three of us though, and that's what matters most. I made a few pictures, but it is hard to get some great pictures when you are seated in row 18 and the lighting is not that good.



Oh....and this is what I received in the mail last Wednesday. I think I have enough Fiskars and Martha Stewart border punches.....for now. I am addicted to border punches and love using them on cards and layouts. I have 20 different border punches, but there are still a few EK Success punches that I would like to have. I have been told that Truike from Paper & Pictures ordered lots....and I mean LOTS....of Martha Stewart punches. I have no idea when they will arrive, but keep an eye out for the punches. The Martha Stewart punches are great and fun to work with.



Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for stopping by!

Kazan's Sketch #24

My sweet and talented friend Kay Sibley wrote in this post that she was not happy with how one of her cards turned out and asked "do you ever have cards like that?". Well....I sure have. My take on Kazan's Sketch #24 over at 2 Sketches 4 You is one of those cards. And so is the card I will post tomorrow. Kazan's sketch is wonderful and so are the Jillibean Soup papers. I just wish I could say the same about my card. Masculine cards are not the easiest ones, and I had a hard time with this one. I made this card for my uncle who celebrated his birthday yesterday. It was a very last minute project and I didn't have much inspiration or time to make a new one, and I guess it shows.....



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper, journaling sprout: Jillibean Soup Tools: Sizzix Big Shot, Sizzix Stars die, Fiskars Upper Crest border punch, Crop-a-Dile Rub-ons: Melissa Frances Ink: VersaColor Pinecone Other: eyelets, twine

Did you already check out the post on the 2 Sketches 4 You Summer DT call? You should really give it a try. It is an awesome experience to be part of the 2 Sketches 4 You DT. Kazan and Laura are amazingly talented, and the way they run their 2 Sketches 4 You business is very professional. So....why wait....GO FOR IT!

Tomorrow Fleur, Sanne and I are going to see the Dutch girl band KUS. We went to see them before, and the girls really enjoyed themselves. I am sure they will do so tomorrow too.

Enjoy your weekend!

A layout, and Mini Album

Did you all have a good Easter? Ours was v-e-r-y relaxing. The weather was beautiful. The girls spent lots of time outside.

It seems like my creativity is back. Fortunately my scrappers' block didn't last too long. I decided to scrap 8.5x11" layouts instead of 12x12" layouts, and that seemed to help. It has been almost two years ago since I scrapped my first....and last.... 8.5x11" layout. This weekend I made 2 layouts and I have been working on layout #3. I must say that I really like this size. I usually am a slow scrapper and never finish 2 layouts in 2 days. This time I did! I can't show you the layouts yet as they might get published in Scrapbook Magazine. For now I will leave you with the layout that made it to the cover of the February/March issue of Scrapbook Magazine.



And here is the mini album that was published in the same issue. I made this one for my brother and SIL as a gift for the birth of their son Nick.



Have a wonderful day!

ShortCuts Sunday

Happy Easter! The weather is not as sunny as it was the past few days, but the temperature is ok. While Eric and the girls work in the garden I am reading scrapbook magazines to - hopefully - find some inspiration. I am SO struggling with my creativity at the moment. I stare at my papers for hours and can't get anything on paper. I have to meet a deadline this week, and haven't finished anything yet. Even making a card takes me ages. I am sure it will all turn out fine, but it frustates me......a LOT.

Anyways.....it is Sunday, so time for a ShortCuts project. The theme of this card is not summerish at all, but to me the colors are. The Laurel collection by Scenic Route is one of my favorite Scenic Route collections ever.



Supplies: ShortCuts Clear Card Blank Patterned paper: Scenic Route Laurel Paper frills: Doodlebug Design Rub-ons: Melissa Frances Thickers: American Crafts Puffy Chit Chat Accents Tools: Fiskars Upper Crest border punch

Enjoy Easter Sunday!

Card Patterns Sketch #10

It is time for a new sketch over at Card Patterns.....sketch #10. It is so great to see all the gorgeous takes on the Card Patterns sketch each week. There are lots of talented girls out there. Here's my take on this week's sketch.....



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: My Mind's Eye Rub-ons: Melissa Frances Tools: Sizzix Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Three, sewing machine Other: foam tape

This week's guest designer over at Card Patterns is Berdien Weideveld. Berdien is a very talented scrapbooker and card maker. I really love her style. Her work is always so gorgeous. Hop over to her blog to find out yourself.

Do you have any plans for this Easter weekend? We haven't made any plans, so we'll have a very relaxing weekend. I plan to do some scrapping.

I'll be back tomorrow with my ShortCuts Sunday project.

Jillibean Soup Card

The Cream of Mushroom collection by Jillibean Soup is perfect for Fall themed layouts and cards. Spring and fall are my favorite seasons and I love working with fall colors. Here's a simple card I made this afternoon. I love the journaling sprouts. They are great for sentiments.



Supplies: Kraft card base, patterned paper, journaling sprout, bean seeds: Jillibean Soup Rub-ons: Melissa Frances Brad: Making Memories Tools: Fiskars Upper Crest border punch, sewing machine

I'll be back tomorrow with my Card Patterns DT card.

2 Sketches 4 You - Laura's Sketch 23

I have been working on a few assignments, but I seem to have a sort of scrapper's block. I have started on 2 projects and have a few projects in mind that I would like to create but I have a hard time chosing the right pictures and papers. The deadline is getting nearer, so I should really do something. To get me in the creative mood again I made a card based on Laura's Sketch 23 over at 2 Sketches 4 You. I used my QuicKutz Silhouette to cut the card base. I really enjoy making circle cards at the moment. It may be hard to recognize the sketch in this card, but I did use the elements of the sketch. The card is for one of my colleagues who gave birth to a girl recently.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Scenic Route Hampton Ribbon: Maya Road Tools: Sizzix Big Shot, QuicKutz Nesting Flowers, QuicKutz Silhouette + Digital Design, EK Success circle punch, Martha Stewart Scallop Dots edge punch Rub-ons: Melissa Frances

Thanks for stopping by.

ShortCuts Sunday

From now on my Sunday blog posts are dedicated to ShortCuts. This means that each Sunday I will showcase one of my ShortCuts projects. So.....let's start today with ShortCuts Sunday.

The theme for April's creations is summer time. That means sunny and bright cards this month. This is my first ShortCuts summer card. The design is simple.....very simple, but the bright colors give me a summer feeling. I cut down a frosted full sheet to a 5x6" card.



Supplies: ShortCuts Frosted Clear Sheet Patterned paper: My Mind's Eye Stickers: Pink Paislee Alphabet Stickers Tools: Fiskars Apron Lace border punch, Martha Stewart Butterfly punch Pearl: Kaisercraft Button: Rusty Pickle Other: ribbon, cord

Today my mom, her friend Bep and I went shopping at Paper & Pictures. I already bought a few goodies last Thursday, but I couldn't resist buying more today. Among other things I bought some chipboard albums as I really feel like making a few mini albums. I can't stress it enough, but if you haven't been to Paper & Pictures yet you should really pay a visit. You won't be disappointed.

Card Patters #9, and a Winner

It's Saturday afternoon, so time to reveal my DT card for Card Patterns. This week it is Sketch #9. I must honestly admit that I struggled a bit with the sketch. I had an idea in my mind, but I had a real hard time getting that idea on paper. I am not really pleased with my card, but I didn't have time to make another one. I made this card for one of my colleagues who's been having a hard time, and I hope she likes it.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Pebbles Inc. Stickers: My Little Shoebox Alphabet Stickers Tools: Fiskars Apron Lace border punch, EK Success Retro Flower punch Large and Small, Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Oval Classic Ribbon: American Crafts Button: Rusty Pickle Floss: Karen Foster Scrappers' Floss

This week our guest designer is my SIL Lisette Gibbons. If you are not familiar with her work yet you should definitely check out her blog. Her projects are always gorgeous. I just love her style. If you join us you have a chance to be our guest designer too.

Of course one of you will also have a chance to be randomly picked for the sponsor prize by Created with Paper. This week the winner will receive the White Out Collection by We R Memory Keepers.

I also have to announce the winner of the Making Memories Flower Patch goodies. Thanks for all your suggestions. We have now been looking at destinations in Greece. We haven't made our mind up about an island yet. There are just too many beautiful places/islands in Greece. Anyway......the random winner of the blog candy is.......

There was a double entry by Tineke, so #5 brings us to.......Nicole. Congrats, girl! Please e-mail me your address.

Have a great Saturday!

Paper & Pictures

Yesterday I went to the opening reception of the new store of Paper & Pictures. OMG.....the new store is so super cool! It was only a week ago that I walked around in an almost empty store, and look what the store is like now.....


Pictures by Jeanet.

Truike and the girlz did an amazing job! They worked really hard. I so love the concept of Truike's store. She not only sells scrapbook goodies, but also home deco stuff. A great mix of products. On Sunday I go to Paper & Pictures again. This time I go with my mom and her friend Bep. The store is absolutely worth a visit, so if you have a chance.....GO!

I bought Truike a bowl with delicious chocolates and made her this card. Of course I had to use some yummy Jillibean Soup papers.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper, ribbon, journaling tag: Jillibean Soup Minestrone collection, Journaling Sprouts Circles Kraft Brown, Cold Raspberry Kraft Rub-ons: Melissa Frances Button: Rusty Pickle Tools: Sizzix Big Shot, Marvy Uchida Scalloped Circle punch, EK Success Retro Flower punch, Fiskars Upper Crest border punch Ink: VersaColor Pinecone Other: twine

Our weather is beautiful today. Hope you will have some nice spring weather too.

Have a great weekend!

Jillibean Soup DT projects

The Jillibean Soup Design Team officially kicked off yesterday. In the next few days the Design Team will be introduced on the Bean Talk blog by showcasing their first projects. Jill, owner of Jillibean Soup, kicked off yesterday with this layout. Today it is my turn.

This scalloped circle card is cut with the QuicKutz Silhouette. I must honestly admit that I hardly use the machine.......simply because I don't take time to download any digital designs or look for downloads on the internet. The patterned papers on this card are the White Bean collection.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Jillibean Soup White Bean (Sliced Bacon, Pepper to Taste, Chicken Broth) Tools: QuicKutz Silhouette, QuicKutz Circle Scallop Large Digital Design Other: button, floss, foam tape

The pillow box is also cut with the Silhouette. For this project I used the Minestrone collection. I love this collection from the very first moment I laid my eyes on it.



Supplies: Jillibean Soup: Minestrone collection (Olive Oil, Thin Zucchini, Chopped Tomatoes, Elbow Macaroni), Journaling Sprouts Circles Kraft Brown, Alphabeans Really Red Cardstock: Bazzzill Basics Paper Tools: Martha Stewart Scallop Dots edge punch, EK Success Retro Flower punch small, Sizzix Big Shot, QuicKutz Nesting Flowers, QuicKutz Silhouette, QuicKutz Pillow Box Digital Design Button: Rusty Pickle Ink: VersaColor Pinecone Other: twine, foam tape

The last card is created with the Cream of Mushroom collection, one of the beautiful kraft collections.



Supplies: Jillibean Soup Kraft Card, Spicy Pumpkin collection (Brown Sugar), Cream of Mushroom collection (Minced Shallots, Chopped Parsley, Shittake), Journaling Sprouts Circles Kraft Brown, Alphabeans Oh So Orange Stamps: Melissa Frances Clear Stamps Holidays Tools: EK Succes circle punch, Coluzzle circle template Ink: VersaColor Pinecone, Versafine Onyx Black Other: foam tape

Be sure to check the Bean Talk blog tomorrow to see Jenifer Harkins' projects.

Cuttlebug Challenge Blog and ShortCuts

Have you been to Cuttlebug Challenge Blog today?! If not, head on over there now and see the awesome projects they created using ShortCuts products and the April issue of SheetLoad of Cards! The challenge was a sketch. Here is the card I created for this challenge...



Supplies: ShortCuts Clear Full Sheet Patterned paper, flower: We R Memory Keepers Tiffany's Button: Rusty Pickle Stamps: Melissa Frances Clear Stamps Celebrate It Tools: EK Success corner punch large Ink: Versafine Onyx Black Other: ribbon, cord

Be sure to stop by the rest of the ShortCuts DT Member blogs. Carla, Joy, and Melyssa created gorgeous cards for this challenge. Make sure to read the post at the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog to find out how you can win some ShortCuts goodies.

I'll be back tomorrow with my first projects for Jillibean Soup. Here's another sneak peek.... I so love the Minestrone collection.