Birthday Card, and Photo Shoot

The day after we got back from New York I had to scrap a birthday card. I had bought some new My Mind's Eye papers at Papers & Pictures that day, and wanted to use these papers for the card. Boy.....I never spent so much time on a card. I had a design in mind, but I just couldn't get it on paper. At last I like how the card turned out, but it was a tough process. The card is for Ingeborg who celebrates her birthday today.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: My Mind's Eye Be Loved Rub-ons: Melissa Frances Ribbon: Papertrey Ink Twine: Jillibean Soup Swirls: Zva Creative Brad: SEI Tools: Martha Stewart Deep Edger Floral Vine, Crealies Creative Flowers 3, sewing machine Ink: VersaColor Pinecone Other: spacer

If you have been following my blog for a long time you may remember that we had a photo shoot by Florence Bavinck at our home in September 2007. We loved (and still love) the pictures that she took of our family. A few months ago we booked another photo shoot with Florence as we would love to have new pictures of the four of us every 1.5 or 2 years. This morning we went to the Amsterdamse Bos for a Fall photo shoot. We spent almost 2 hours with Florence, and had a wonderful time. Her way of working is so relaxed, and we love her style. I can't wait to see the first pictures.

Enjoy your weekend!

Goodbye ShortCuts, and Kazan's Sketch #38

This will be my last post for ShortCuts. I am sad to say goodbye to ShortCuts, Alicia & the other DT members. I would like to thank Alicia for the wonderful time. I have really enjoyed working with her great ShortCuts products. I still have a large stash of cards, sheets and GCHF so you'll definitely see more projects in the future. You still have a chance to stock up on ShortCuts goodies. Hop on over to the store to get your favorite products with 25% off. Alicia, thanks so much! This card is for you...



Supplies: ShortCuts Clear Card Blank Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: October Afternoon Farm Fresh Ribbon, clear stamps: Papertrey Ink Button: Rusty Pickly Tools: Martha Stewart Deep Edger Doily Lace Trim, sewing machine Ink: VersaColor Pinecone, Versafine Vintage Sepia Other: tag

I also had to make a card for a boy who will be turning 8 tomorrow. I used Kazan's Sketch #38 at 2 Sketches 4 You for inspiration, because I have been having a hard time getting in the creative mood after a week without any card making.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: October Afternoon Report Card Rub-ons: Melissa Frances Stickers: American Crafts Thickers Tools: Sizzix Stars #2 die, Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Circles Large, Scalloped Circles Large, Marvy Uchida square punch, sewing machine Ink: VersaColor Pinecone Other: foamtape, chipboard

Have a wonderful weekend!

Back Home, Cards Only 10 & Scrapcards 3

We got back home from New York yesterday. We arrived at the airport at 10.45am. On the last day in New York we went to Top of the Rock again. The weather was beautiful this time, so we had a much better view than last Friday. After lunch we went back to our hotel to pack our suitcases. We had to leave our room at 3pm. We strolled around Fifth Avenue for one last time and spent the last few hours in the hotel bar. We left for JFK Airport at 7pm. We took off at 11.10pm and had a very pleasant and uneventful flight. I even managed to sleep a little. We were home around lunch time and first ran some errands. No lunch from Subway or Just Salad, but just a plain sandwich. We picked up Fleur and Sanne from school at 3pm, and we all were happy to see each other again. The girls had a fab time with my parents. At the girls' request we had dinner at McDonalds.

New York was fabulous. Eric and I had a wonderful time. There is so much to see and do. Highlight of the trip was meeting up with my sweet and wonderful friend Kay and her family. Our meeting meant a lot to me. If we ever go to New York again - and I know that trip will happen - I would love to meet her again.

This morning I was at Paper & Pictures, and the new issue of Cards Only arrived yesterday. Jolanda is this issue's cover girl. There are many lovely projects in the magazine. Of course many cards, but also lovely gift labels, boxes and lots more.



ETA
Look what I received in the mail this evening....



A picture of the cover of the new Scrapcards 3 'Cards & Gifts' book by Paper & Pictures. The book will be available as of November 21st. The awesome project on the cover is created by Samanta van Iperen and it looks very promising.

The book can be bought at Paper & Pictures as of November 21st. The weekend of 21 - 22 November will be all about Scrapcards 3 'Cards & Gifts'. The store is open on both days, and the contributors of the book will be there to sign the book. So......I'll be there too. You can also take a gift workshop (€ 7.50) on one of both days. If you don't have time to visit the store to buy the book that weekend you can pre-order the book online. All books ordered no later than November 19th will be sent on November 20th. The price of the book is € 18.95 excluding € 3.50 shipping and handling.

Have a wonderful day!

The Big Apple V

Eric and I have been really enjoying ourselves in New York. Today was another beautiful and sunny day. We headed to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal by taxi this morning. This time we did get on the ferry and passed the Statue of Liberty. After an hour we were back in the harbor of Manhattan. From there we walked to Brooklyn Bridge. We walked to the other side and back. We had lunch at one of the restaurants at South Street Seaport which is a nice neighborhood.
Today was the grand opening of the Michaels store at Columbus Avenue. Actually we had plans to go there tomorrow, but decided to go today. The store was crowded, but it was worth the visit. I bought several new Martha Stewart punches, an EK Success punch, kraft bags, Tacky Glue and the Holiday Cards magazine, and thanks to Kay who got me some coupons I got 40% off on 2 punches. We didn't feel like going out to dinner tonight, so we ordered room service. Tomorrow is our last day in New York. We have been having a fabulous time, but I also love to go home again to be with our girls. I'll leave you with a picture that Eric took today. Hop on over to his blog for more pictures.

The Big Apple IV

Today the weather wasn't really good. We had quite some showers on our way to the Flatiron building. We came across Marble Church on Fifth Avenue and found thousands of ribbons on the iron fence that is a representation for prayers for those who lost their lives in wars and a plea for peace. We both found this very impressive. We walked back to our hotel via 7th Avenue and Times Square and boy.....you don't want to be in these streets on a Saturday afternoon. It was so busy!! This evening we went out for dinner with Kay, her husband Jeff and her son Landon at Rosa Mexicano, a great Mexican restaurant that serves delicious guacamole freshly prepared tableside. The best....according to Kay and Jeff and they were right.....I loved it. Ours was extra delicious, because Landon helped preparing the guacamole. *smile* He is such a sweet guy. The food was wonderful, and so was our company. We really had a great time with Kay and her family. They are so wonderful. I cherish our friendship, and I am so happy that we got to meet in person here in New York.

Today I only have a few pictures to show you. Eric has posted some beautiful black and white pictures on his blog today that he took at the observation deck of Top Of The Rock yesterday.



Thanks so much for stopping by.

The Big Apple III

This morning we took a taxi to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal as we wanted to take pictures of the Statue of Liberty. Unfortunately we were 1 minute late for the 10am ferry. The next one would leave at 10.30am, but it seemed like something happened so the ferry was delayed. We left the terminal building at 10.45am as we didn't want to wait any longer. We will probably go again on Sunday. We walked to Wall Street where Eric took some great pictures of the New York Stock Exchange. From there we walked down Broadway via Ground Zero, Tribeca and SoHo. At East 10th Street we took a taxi back to Rockefeller Center. We had lunch, and went back to our hotel to relax. The jetlag is killing me in the afternoon. At 4.30pm we went to Top of the Rock where we had an amazing view at the observation deck. This evening we didn't feel like going out for dinner, so we went to Just Salad for a delicious wrap, salad and fresh fruit which we ate in our hotel room. Too bad we don't have such food concepts in the Netherlands.

The weather forecast for Saturday doesn't look too good, so we might go shopping tomorrow and buy some gifts for Fleur and Sanne. For now I'll leave you with some pictures from today and yesterday. Eric has posted some new pictures here.

The Big Apple II and Jillibean Soup

This morning Eric and I met up with Kay. I was super excited to finally meet her in person. She is such a wonderful and lovely person, and her friendship is really special to me. The first stop on our ribbon tour was M&J Trimming. Wow.....that store is amazing. I have never seen so many - and I mean MANY - ribbons in one store in my whole life. I felt like a kid in a candy store.


Kay and me at M&J Trimming

I was a bit overwhelmed by the enormous collection of ribbon. I bought some beautiful ribbon, but really behaved myself. *wink* The picture below shows only a small part of M&J Trimming's ribbon collection.



We also went to Tinsel Trading and Hyman Hendler. I didn't buy any ribbon at Hyman Hendler, but they have some beautiful ribbon. I also bought ribbon online, so I think I have enough now. After the ribbon shopping Kay went back home, and Eric and I strolled around Fifth Avenue and went to the Apple store. If you are into Apple computers this store is THE place to be. Beautiful entrance, great store and very helpful and friendly personnel. Since we were close to Central Park we went down there for a walk. The park is beautiful, and the colors of the trees are amazing at this time of year. We walked back to Midtown via Broadway. We bought lunch at Subway, and ate our sandwich in a park. We then went back to the hotel to drop off our bags. Eric wanted to take some more pictures and went out on his own. My feet were pretty sore, so I stayed at the hotel. When Kay came over this morning she brought along a huge bag with goodies that I had ordered before I came over to New York. When I took all the boxes out of the bag I noticed another bag inside. I was completely surprised that it was from Kay. She made me this gorgeous box and it had some lovely gifts inside. Thanks so much, sweetie!



This evening we went for dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner. A diner that features singing waitstaff. Kay recommended this place, and said it is a fun, crazy place to eat. And she was so right.....we loved this place and had a fab time.





After dinner we strolled around Times Square, and ended up at Rockefeller Plaza watching people skating at the famous skating rink. Eric also posted a few pictures on his blog, and will post more pictures tomorrow.

Today I also have 2 layouts to show that were posted on the Jillibean Soup blog. The first one is about my sweetheart. These pictures of Eric were taken by Florence Bavinck in September 2007. I really {heart} these pictures. We will soon have another photo shoot with Florence. This lay-out is inspired by Sketch #58 from Creative Scrappers.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper, journaling sprouts: Jillibean Soup Alphabet Soup, Soup Staples, White Bean Rub-ons: Doodlebug Design Tools: Fiskars border punch, Stampin'Up! circle punch, Coluzzle circle template

The second layout is about Fleur and Sanne and their strong and special relationship. Eric took this picture during our holiday at Texel. He didn't ask them to pose this way. They stood on the beach looking at the sea when Eric caught them on camera.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper, corrugated letters, journaling sprouts: Jillibean Soup Paint: Kaisercraft Tools: sewing machine

Have a fabulous day!

The Big Apple

We arrived safe and sound in New York today. Our flight was safe and uneventful, and even arrived 45 minutes ahead of schedule. Unfortunately we had to wait 1,5 hours at Immigration before we were granted access to the USA. We just took our first bite out of the Big Apple and we liked it. We strolled around Rockefeller Plaza, Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) and Fifth Avenue. Although we have seen only a small part of Manhattan we can already tell it's an amazing city.



Tomorrow Eric and I are going to meet up with the wonderful Kay. Can't wait to meet her in person. We go shopping at M&J Trimming and Tinsel Trading. Poor Eric! On Saturday evening we go out for dinner with Kay and her husband and son at Rosa Mexicano. I am sure we will have a fabulous time.

I'll be back tomorrow!

Custom Crops and a Winner

Today I would like to share my first card for Custom Crops with you. My tutorial on how to create this window card can be found here. More tutorials on projects using a Cricut or Cuttlebug by the other Custom Crops DT members can be found here.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Scenic Route Garland Frosted Sheet: ShortCuts Ribbon: local haberdashery Button: Rusty Pickle Rub-ons: Pebbles Inc. Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels One, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Martha Stewart Embossed Scallop edge punch, Sizzix Stars #2, sewing machine Other: waxed cord

And now on to the winner of a ShortCuts Gift Card Holder Folder sampler pack. I randomly chose a winner from the entries that were left on this post before midnight on Sunday 18 October.


That puts us at......Kim. Congrats, Kim! Mail me your address and I will get the GCHFs in the mail to you.

Have a Happy Monday!

My Favorite GCHF + Give Away

Today I show you one of my favorite ShortCuts Gift Card Holder Folder creations. I kicked off my ShortCuts DT term with this GCHF. Don't forget about the clearance sale. You'll get a 25% discount on all products.





I would love to do another give away this week. This time I'll give away a Gift Card Holder Folder sampler pack. You may know that Eric and I go to New York this month. Tell me what's your favorite city in the world. You can leave a comment until Midnight CET on Sunday 18 October.

Have a wonderful weekend!

2 Sketches 4 You #37 & BeebieBelle

Again it has been a while since I played along with 2 Sketches 4 You. While the girls were playing I scrapped two baby cards. The Sweet Baby Boy card is based on Kazan's Sketch 37.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: October Afternoon Ducks in a Row Rub-ons: Melissa Frances Ribbon: Vandoros Button: Autumn Leaves Tools: QuicKutz Nesting Flowers, sewing machine Other: foamtape, waxed cord

My other card is inspired by Cheryl's Bonus Sketch. I rotated her sketch counter-clockwise.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: October Afternoon Ducks in a Row Sentiment: The Cutting Cafe All Occasions Circle Word Set 1 Ribbon: Vandoros Button: Creative Cafe Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Circles Large, Fiskars Scallop Sentiment border punch, sewing machine Other: foamtape, waxed cord

My friend Linda recently started her own business BeebieBelle. She makes lovely fabric accessories that are perfect for new borns and kids.



Here's one of her handmade creations...



If you're looking for a personal handmade gift for a new born, a baby shower or your own child go and visit BeebieBelle's webstore.

Thank you all so much for your sweet comments on my debut for The Cutting Cafe and my Paper & Pictures DT spot.

Have a fabulous day!

The Cutting Cafe + a Winner

Today I would like to share my first DT project for The Cutting Cafe with you. When I first saw the Apple shaped card I knew I wanted to use it with Jillibean Soup's Soup Staples. A perfect combination, don't you think? The sentiment on the card is one of the printable stamps from the All Occasion Circle Word Set 1.



Supplies: The Cutting Cafe templates: Apple Shaped Card, All Occasion Circle Word Set 1 Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper, twine: Jillibean Soup Soup Staples Button: Rusty Pickle Ribbon: local haberdashery Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Circles Large, Scalloped Circles Large Ink: VersaColor Pinecone Other: foamtape

As promised, I would give away a ShortCuts sampler pack today. The randomly picked winner is...

#33 is.....Wendy Schoonhoven. Congrats, girl! I'll drop off your gift later this week.

Have a wonderful day!

I Am A Papergirl!!

Again, I have some great news to share! I am now officially a member of the Paper & Pictures Design Team. Paper & Pictures is an awesome store, and has a great team of amazingly talented girls. I already do lots of work for Scrapbook Magazine and Cards Only, so nothing really changes. Well, the only difference is that from now on you may see me assisting during workshops and events from time to time and....I can call myself a Papergirl now.


Have a wonderful weekend!

Favorite ShortCuts Project + Give Away

As I mentioned in last Friday's post ShortCuts is closing. Throughout this month I'll share some of my favorite ShortCuts projects with you. I'll start with this wedding card made of a clear full sheet. I love square cards, and the ShortCuts Full Sheets are perfect to create cards in different sizes.





I would love to give away a small pack with some ShortCuts products. All you have to do is leave me a comment and tell me what's your favorite song/album at the moment. Mine is the new album I Look To You from Whitney Houston. I've always been a fan of her music, and I am glad she is back with a wonderful album. You can leave a comment until Midnight CET on Sunday October 11th. I will randomly pick a winner on Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Be Inspired #52 - Halloween/Fall

This week's Be Inspired #52 Challenge at Cuttlebug Challenge Blogspot is all about Halloween/Fall. Unfortunately we don't celebrate Halloween here. I would love to dress up my girls for trick-or-treat or a costume party. Fortunately we do can get Halloween paper collections over here, because I love creating Halloween cards or use the papers for Fall cards. Here's my card for this weeks challenge. Our sponsor is Digital Delights. I used one of their digital Halloween sentiment stamps and printed the sentiment on a tag.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Cardstock Patterned paper: Pink Paislee Twilight, My Mind's Eye The Spider's Web Button: Autumn Leaves Foof-a-La Letters: American Crafts Ribbon: local haberdashery Tools: Martha Stewart Zigzag edge punch, QuicKutz Silhouette + Digital Design, sewing machine Ink: VersaColor Pinecone Digital stamp: Digital Delights Other: pins, waxed cord, tag

Have a fabulous day!

TOOOOT - The Cutting Cafe DT

As mentioned in my previous post I have some exciting news to share. On World Card Making Day I received an e-mail from the talented Regina Easter asking me to join her Cutting Cafe Design Team. I didn't have to think about it too long and of course I said YES! I am honored and excited to be part of The Cutting Cafe team and can't wait to start working with her products.

Cards WCMD Online Crop

Today I reveal the cards that I made for the World Card Making Day Online Card Crop at the Dolls & Decorations forum.

The first challenge was to create a card based on Got Sketch #77 by Valerie Salmon. This is my take on the challenge.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: October Afternoon Road Map Ribbon: local haberdashery Button: Rusty Pickle Stamps: Melissa Frances Tools: Crealies Creative Flowers 3, Crealies Creative Shapes 01, Fiskars Upper Crest border punch, Carl corner punch, sewing machine Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, VersaColor Pinecone Other: waxed cord, tag

Challenge 2 was based on Dawn McVey's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #17. I love Dawn's work and always check her blog, but so far I have never participated in her color challenge. I enjoyed digging in my stash to find the right colors for the challenge.



Supplies: Cardstock, ribbon: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: October Afternoon Good Sheer, Weathervane Circle tag: Elle's Studio Tools: Martha Stewart Embossed Scallop edge punch, sewing machine Ink: VersaColor Pinecone

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so challenge 3 was....Think pink! I will donate my card to A Sister's Hope Challenge Blog, and hope the other girls will donate their card too. The owners of the challenge blog sell handmade cards to raise money for A Sister's Hope. Here is my card. It's pretty pink, isn't it?



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper, stickers: Pink Paislee Pop Fashion Ribbon: local haberdashery Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Circles Large, Scalloped Circles Large, sewing machine Other: foamtape, waxed cord, charm

The last challenge was to use this card (shown at right) by Roree Rumph as inspiration. Roree is an amazingly talented card maker and scrapbooker, and I love her work. We both have cards in the November issue of CARDS (my debut!) and I chose one of her cards from that issue. Inspiration could be either the card design, the color combo or the embellishments/papers. I scraplifted the card design and made a Christmas card.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Bazix Patterned paper, ribbon: BoBunny Letters: Pink Paislee, Bookworks Mini ABC & Numbers Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Circle Large, Scallop Circles Large, Crealies Creative Flowers 6, Stampin'Up! 3/4" circle punch, sewing machine Ink: VersaColor Pinecone

My World Card Making Day ended with an exciting email in my inbox, but I can't share anything yet. Have a wonderful Sunday!

World Card Making Day Online Crop

This evening I will be hosting the 5th online card crop at the Dolls & Decorations forum. We start at 8pm, and as usual I prepared 4 challenges. The online crop is always lots of fun. The girls have an hour to work on each challenge and while they are scrapping we also chat online. I can't show you my cards yet, but I do have a sneak peek to share.



I will reveal all cards tomorrow, so be sure to check in on Sunday.

Have a fabulous World Card Making Day!

PS: Sanne passed her swimming test today. Wooohooo! I am so proud of her.

Best Wishes, and ShortCuts News

Last Saturday my colleague Mirjam celebrated her birthday. We don't buy each other birthday gifts, but I did want to give her a little something. I made her a card, and bought her 2 of her favorite chocolate bars. I didn't have any wrapping paper, so I made a wrap from a ShortCuts frosted full sheet.





Supplies: ShortCuts Frosted Card Blank and Frosted Full Sheet Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Pebbles Inc. Linnie Bell Buttons: Rusty Pickle Rub-ons: Melissa Frances Twine: Jillibean Soup Ribbon: Creative Impressions Tools: Martha Stewart Simple Scallop edge punch, Crealies Creative Flowers 3, sewing machine Other: Make Me tacky tape

I am sad to let you know that ShortCuts is closing. It's no secret that I love the ShortCuts products, and although I am sad I can fully understand Alicia's decision. You can read more about it here. Everything in the ShortCuts' online store will be discounted by 25% until it is sold out. This month the ShortCuts DT members will share their favorite ShortCuts projects on their blog each week.

This evening Eric and I are going to see Dutch singer Trijntje Oosterhuis and the Metropole Orchestra. Trijntje will sing songs from Burt Bacharach. She recorded two albums with Mr Burt Bacharach, and we both love that repertoire.

Keep your fingers crossed for Sanne who will have her swimming exam tomorrow at 8am.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Get Well Soon

Last Friday night - just before I shut down my computer - I found an e-mail from Scenic Route in my inbox saying they are closing. Although it didn't come as a real surprise I am sad that they are closing. Scenic Route was the first brand that I bought when I started scrapbooking, and has been a favorite ever since. I just love their double-sided paper collections that always match so well. There aren't many paper collections that I buy twice, but Scenic Route is an exception. I couldn't resist placing an order at their online store as this is probably the last chance to get hold of some of my favorite collections.

I still have lots of Scenic Route papers in my stash, and pulled out the Lynden collection to create a Get Well card. I made this card for Riet who's recovering from pneunomia and otitis. Riet is a regular visitor of my blog and always leave me sweet comments. I truly hope she recovers soon. The card is inspired by Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #84.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Scenic Route Lynden Stamps: Melissa Frances Button: Rusty Pickle Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Circles Large, Scalloped Circles Large, EK Success Flower punches, sewing machine Ink: Versafine Onyx Black Other: waxed cord, foamtape

Have a fabulous day!