Published Cards

I hardly had time to scrap this week. Well I did have time, but my desk is full with lots of scrapbook stuff. So.....there is no space. I decided to clear out my scrap room, but I can tell you it is not my favorite activity. Since I didn't create anything I have nothing to show you so I will share some of my cards that were published in Cards Only #3 (September/October). It was my first card publication and I was thrilled to find my card on the cover.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Scenic Route Sumner Ribbon: May Arts Tools: Crop-a-Dile, EK Success Circle punch, Corner punch large Other: eyelets, chipboard leave Ink: VersaColor Pinecone #171



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Little Yellow Bicycle Delightful Ribbon: Bazzill Basics Tools: Fiskars Threading Water punch, EK Success Circle punch, sewing machine Button: Rusty Pickle Letters: American Crafts foam thickers Other: floss, foam tape



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Sassafras Lass Sunshine Lollipop Flowers: Prima Marketing Ribbon: American Crafts Letters: American Crafts foam thickers Rub-ons: Making Memories Alphabet Rub-ons Heidi Buttons: Rusty Pickle Ink: VersaColor Pinecone #171 Tools: stapler Other: Doodlebug paper frills, Hotfix crystal rhinestones, bead, floss

Cards Only #4 hit the stores last week and I can tell you it is a wonderful Christmas issue. Lots of gorgeous cards and full of inspiration. In this issue 8 of my cards were published. Unfortunately I can't show you any of these cards yet.

Today I baked and decorated 30 cupcakes for a treat in the office tomorrow. The big 40 is arriving soon. ;-)

Laura's Sketch 12, Shopping & an Award

I was quite busy this week, but did find a moment today to make a card for 2 Sketches 4 You based on Laura's sketch #12. As usual, it was a great sketch to work with. Laura's card and the DT cards are gorgeous. I would like to congratulate the new 2S4Y Winter Design Team. A talented team of amazing scrappers. I was delighted to see that my friend Hanneke made it to the team. Wishing the new team lots of fun!

I made a card for one of my colleagues who got a baby girl last week.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper, alphabet stickers: Making Memories Paperie Ribbon: Fancy Pants Tools: Martha Steward Doily Lace punch, Martha Stewart Butterfly punch, Sizzix Circles die, sewing machine Crystals: Prima Marketing Other: Rusty Pickle button, floss, Hotfix pearls

Last Thursday my mom and Bep, one of her best friends went to the Kreadoe expo. Many scrapbook stores were present so we went shopping with the 3 of us. I didn't need anything in particular, but I came home with lots of goodies. I ran into Scenic Route's new Garland Christmas papers. I just HAD to buy these papers. I wanted them so badly and didn't know they already were in store. I also bought more of the Weathervane papers by October Afternoon. I already bought these papers last Saturday, but since I made a mini album with it I ran out of paper......almost. It looks like I didn't buy that much paper, but I bought 2 sheets of each design by Scenic Route and October Afternoon. I just ♥LOVE♥ these two brands! Of course I couldn't leave the expo without buying ribbons.



Last Sunday I received a mail from Anita, owner of the Dutch Scrappers Anonimous (SA) messageboard, telling me that I won the This Blog Rocks Award. I knew that Hanneke nominated me several times, but didn't expect to win as there are so many wonderful blogs. I was quite surprised to receive Anita's e-mail. A big thank you to all the SA girls who voted for my blog.

Well, that's all for now. Enjoy your weekend!

Loooooong post

The past week have gone by really quick. I have been creating a few layouts, but I can't show them yet. I went to Paper & Pictures yesterday to hand them in for the December/January issue of Scrapbook Magazine. The new October Afternoon patterned papers arrived on Thursday and I wanted to have these papers so badly, so......I purchased Weathervane, Hometown and Good Sheer. The papers are so yummy!! I also got back my layouts and cards that were published in Scrapbook Magazine and Cards Only. Not every card or layout made it to the magazine, so I'll post them on my blog in the next few days. I was really glad to get back the layouts that were pubbed in the August/September magazine. Now I could make some new pictures of my projects. Since my laptop crashed early September I lost all my project photos and no.....I hadn't made a back-up. The layouts Family Photo Shoot and Sisters & Best Friends were both pubbed.


Pictures by: Florence Bavinck

Supplies: Patterned paper: Pink Paislee Spring Fling Flowers: Prima Marketing Flowers Hydrangea Letters: American Crafts Chipboard Thickers Pranger black Button: Rusty Pickle Ink: VersaColor Pinecone #171 Tools: Heidi Swapp edge distresser, sewing machine Other: Prima Marketing journaling squares, foamtape, floss, pen Zig Memory System Millennium black


Pictures by: Florence Bavinck

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Little Yellow Bicycle Delightful Flowers: Prima Marketing Flowers Bubbles, Heidi Swapp Silhouette Daisy white Letters: American Crafts Chipboard Thickers Pranger white Ribbon: Bazzill Basics Rub-ons: Hambly Screen Prints Rub-ons Vintage Motifs Buttons: Rusty Pickle Tools: Fiskars Threading Water punch, EK Success Whale Punch Retro Flower Large, Daisy Large, Sizzix Doodle Block Lowercase Alphabet set, Sizzix BigShot machine, sewing machine Other: floss, Hotfix pearls, pen Zig Memory System Millennium black, chipboard

This layout about Fleur didn't make it. No problem of course, because so many great projects are submitted each time and the editor has to make a choice. I really like this picture that Eric made of Fleur. The hidden journaling is about Eric practising his portrait photography skills. I was on my knees holding a hairdryer, so it looks like her hair is blowing in the wind.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Pink Paislee Office Lingo, Little Yellow Bicycle Delightful Ribbon: Bazzill Basics Buttons: Rusty Pickle, Creative Café Flowers: Prima Marketing Flowers Bubbles, Heidi Swapp Silhouette Daisy white Letters: American Crafts Chipboard Thickers Pranger white Tools: EK Success Whale Punch Retro Flower Large, sewing machine Stamps: Autumn Leaves clear stamps Ledger Tabs Other: Making Memories Metal Tag Rims, floss, staples, pen Zig Memory System Millennium black

A few months ago I came across some great bright purses on Heidi Swapp's blog. She lives in Beijing and mentioned that she found them on a market. My SIL Li originally comes from Beijing and her parents and sister live in Beijing. Li and my brother had plans to visit Li's family this year, so I sent Heidi an e-mail asking her where in Beijing she found the purses. She replied and gave me the name of the market. Peter and Li spent the past two weeks in Beijing and before they left I sent them the link to Heidi's blog post and asked them to look for a lime and black purse. They printed the picture of the purses, and went shopping at the local market. It didn't take them too long to find the purses. The purses were priced for 32.50 euro ($42), but they got them for only 10 euro ($13) each. These are my new purses...



The black one happens to be a brown one. I didn't notice it at first - and neither did Peter and Li when they bought the purses - but when I put it next to the black one that they bought for my friend Hanneke a few days later I noticed the little difference. I don't really care. I recently purchased a black purse myself, so I am really happy with this brown one.

Last Friday I went to Dolls & Decorations' Halloween Fright Night. The store looked very spooky, and Petra had yummy cupcakes and real American candies and Halloween colored M&Ms. I was glad I weighed in that morning, so I could cheat a little bit on my diet. I have now lost 10kg (22lb). I didn't scrap anything, but had a great time. Here are some pictures taken that night. I am the (sweet) devil with the black/red wig. I really liked my new hairdo. I have been having curls for 39 years, so it is great to have a different hairdo for 1 night. *wink*

The Dolls & Decorations DT...



Norbiba (l), Hanneke (r) and me (m)...



This morning Fleur, Sanne and I made some cupcakes. I wanted to try the cupcake mix and icing that I bought last week. There is a store very close to work where they sell all kinds of products to bake and decorate your own (cup)cakes. The look of my cupcakes isn't perfect, but the taste is!!! I know, I know....I am on a diet, but I had to try one. Well......one and a half. I shared one with my brother this afternoon and took another one this evening.



**ETA** I totally forgot to tell that I got a copy of the latest issue of Cards Only magazine last Saturday. Number 4 is a great winter / Christmas issue with lots of gorgeous cards. I still think it is awesome to see your own cards pubbed in a magazine.



Well, this is all for now. Tomorrow Laura and Kazan will announce the new 2 Sketches 4 You Winter Design Team and I am really curious to find out who made it to the team. I am sure that they have chosen a great team.

Final 2 Sketches 4 You DT Card

It is the first time in months that the title of the Boomtown Rats song I don't like Mondays comes to my mind on Monday. Today I reveal my last card for the 2 Sketches 4 You Design Team. :-( Our 3-month DT term has come to an end. Yeah.....time flies when you're having fun..... ;-) I had such a fabulous time being on this amazing team. I would like to thank Kazan and Laura for this great opportunity. It has been such a wonderful experience. Kazan and Laura are great and inspirational sketch designers - I just love all their sketches - and they are so committed to their sketch blog. Their talent and commitment, and the fact that they always take time to leave everyone a comment is the key to their huge success. And....they both are so kind and sweet. I really cherish our friendship. Kazan and Laura, thanks for having me on your team. You are THE BEST!! I am gonna miss you, but of course I'll keep playing along each week.

Of course I would also like to thank Ashild, Carla, Christine, Joke and Lisette. These girls are so amazingly talented. I always get inspired by their gorgeous cards and projects. Thanks, girls!!

Well....over to this week's sketch by Kazan. We were challenged to create a Halloween card or - if you don't celebrate Halloween - a Fall themed/colored card. We don't have Halloween over here, but I enjoy using Halloween papers/colors and did create a Halloween card. Here's Kazan's sketch.....



Here is my take on Kazan's sketch.....



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Scenic Route Salem Letters: American Crafts Chipboard Thickers Tools: Martha Stewart ZigZag punch, sewing machine Ink: VersaColor Pinecone #171 Other: organza ribbon

To see Kazan's gorgeous card and the cards by the DT go over to 2 Sketches 4 You. You should really give this week's sketch a try, because there is a great prize by Lil'Scrappers to win and....Kazan and Laura are both giving away a BOO-tiful RAK.

Next Monday the new 2S4Y Winter Design Team will be announced and I hardly can wait to find out who made it to the team.

Did I say we don't have Halloween in the Netherlands? Well....I do have a Halloween party on Friday October 31st. It is Fright Night at Dolls & Decorations. A Halloween Crop from 19.00 - 0.00 hrs. Entrance is free, but ONLY if you come dressed up! So....get your spooky costume, send an e-mail to Dolls & Decorations to register, come to Almere on Friday and let's have fun!!



O...and an update on the weight loss. I lost 0.7kg last week. Not that much in weight, but again my fat percentage decreased with almost 2% and I lost 9cm in the past 2 weeks. I am half way my goal now. It is not always easy, but the good result really motivates me. Besides, it is great when people compliment me on my weight loss.

Thanks for sweet comments on my digital layout!

Now We're Rocking with Photoshop - Week 3

As we were in the UK last week I didn't have time to do my 3rd assignment for Jessica Sprague's Now We'Re Rocking with Photoshop class. Yesterday evening I had plans scrapping with paper, but instead I worked on a digi layout. I had so much fun working on this layout. I loved working with brushes, and again I learned so many new techniques. Jessica's classes are such a great way to get to know Photoshop Elements. Jessica has so much knowledge about digital scrapbooking and Photoshop Elements, and her tutorials are easy to follow.

I really love the pictures that Lisette made last week, and used them for this layout.

Laura's Sketch #11

It is Monday.....time for 2 Sketches 4 You. Laura provided us a beautiful sketch this week that you can find here. This week's 2S4Y sponsor is DeNami Design. DeNami provided the Design Team with 2 pop-up cards that we used for this week's sketch. Lisette received the cards while I was with her and her family in the UK, so we worked on the sketch together. The base for my card is the Fireplace pop-up card.

Here's my card...



And a more detailed picture of the card...



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper, die-cuts: My Mind's Eye Snowed In Rub-ons: Imaginisce Merry Christmas Tools: Fiskars Embossing Border punches, sewing machine, heattool Ink: VersaColor Pinecone #171, VersaMark Other: psychedelic embossing powder, foamtape

This week's Design Team cards are gorgeous. Go and check them out over at 2 Sketches 4 You.

Lisette provided this week's bonus sketch. Lisette is a very talented card maker and scrapbooker. Her cards are always so gorgeous and elegant. I had a great time scrapping with her together last week.

Don't forget about the 2S4Y Winter Design Team Call. Applications are due by midnight October 26th (US Mountain Time). You should really give it a try. I can tell you that it is a great experience to be part of 2 Sketches 4 You. Kazan and Laura are the best!!

Have fun making a card this week.

In The Mood For.....Christmas

Last week Lisette and I spent some time together scrapping. We both made several cards. I was really in the mood for Christmas and made more Christmas cards. Here are two of my cards. I did make more cards, but some have to be finished by adding some machine stitching, bling or ribbon. Do you already get tired of me and my favorite My Mind's Eye Be Merry papers? What are your favorite Christmas papers this year? Mine are My Mind's Eye Be Merry, Scenic Route Garland and October Afternoon Good Sheer. Unfortunately Scenic Route and October Afternoon are not available over here yet.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper, die-cuts: My Mind's Eye Be Merry Letters: Booksworks Mini ABC & Numbers Tools: Fiskars Winter Greetings Embossing Border punch Ink: VersaColor Pinecone #171 Other: ribbon



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper: Heidi Grace Stamp: Hero Arts Ink: Stampin'Up Button: Rusty Pickle Other: ribbon, twine

Thanks for all your sweet comments on Lisette's pictures and my weight loss.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Fall Photo Shoot

We got back home from our trip to the UK yesterday. We stayed with my SIL Lisette and her family for 5 days. It was so wonderful to see them again. The last time we saw them was in January when they were over from Australia. Now that they live in the UK again we can see other more often. The kids had a fun time together and spent lots of time outside on the trampoline, playing with Playmobil and the Barbie/Bratz dolls. We went shopping in Kingston and Guildford, and Lisette and I did some online shopping for Sizzix and Cuttlebug dies. I brought my scrap goodies along so Lisette and I could do some card making together. We even worked on our 2 Sketches 4 You DT card for next week. I will show some of my cards in the next few days.

We had beautiful fall weather during our stay. After lunch on Saturday we went to the park near by Lisette's home. I love Lisette's photography skills, and asked her to do a little photo shoot. She made some great pictures of us. Here are some of my favorites....















Lisette, thanks for the beautiful pictures. And a big thanks to you all for having us this past week. We enjoyed ourselves very much, and it was so good to see you all again.

This morning I had to weigh in again, and I was very pleased with the result. I lost 1.7kg (3.75lb) this week which means a total of 8.2kg (18lb) in 5 weeks. I can tell you it wasn't easy for me this week being surrounded by 4 adults and 5 kids who are allowed to eat everything. And let's not forget about Beth who loves baking. During our stay she and Lisette made caramel/ chocolate cupcakes, NY cheesecake, chocolate cake and chocolate hedgehog. It all looked so yummy, but I didn't take anything. However, I did cheat a little on the fresh fruit salad with Greek yoghurt and honey they had each afternoon. :D I was able to resist it the first few days, but couldn't resist it any longer on the last 2 days. Well....who cares? You have to treat yourself a little from time to time.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Tattoo Girl

The new issue of Scrapbook Magazine hit the stores last week so now I can show you one of my layouts that was pubbed in the August issue of the magazine. This one is my favorite. Sanne loves to draw 'tattoos' on her arm. The tattoo in this picture was done by Eric at her request, and of course he had to make a picture of Sanne. We often say to each other that it wouldn't surprise us when Sanne comes home one day and says.....SURPRISE!.....and then showing us a real tattoo.

Kazan's Sketch #11

Happy Monday, girls! How was your weekend? Mine was great. We left on Saturday for the UK to stay with my SIL Lisette and her family for 5 days. It is good to have them back in the UK, so we can see each other a few times a year. I brought my scrap goodies along (not all of course!!) so Lisette and I can scrap together.

Today it is time to reveal my DT card for 2 Sketches 4 You. Kazan designed a great sketch.....again, and as soon as I saw her sketch I knew that I wanted to use Scenic Route's Surprise patterned papers. I love the colors of this line. You can find Kazan's beautiful sketch and card along with the gorgeous DT work here.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Patterned paper, chipboard: Scenic Route Surprise Tools: Fiskars Elegant Fountain Embossing Border Punch, sewing machine Other: Ribbon

Have a wonderful day!