Punch Art - Girl and her cat

Bright and happy, just the way I like it. 

I used the Labels 1 die set again. Love those dies. 

Big sigh...just makes me happy. 

You?

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Supplies

Labels 1 dies by Spellbinders.

Carl CP1: 3/16" Circle (flower middle, hair bauble), 1/4" Circle (nose).

Sullivans Punches

Mini Purple: Flower.
Small Orange: Star (inner ears).
Medium Green: 1" Circle (heads, fringe), Star (ears), Birch Leaf.

Decorative scissors - Scallop (for fringe).

Punch Art - Girl and her friends

Some more punch art for you today, so cute. 

My favourite punch art is anything with a smile - particularly characters like these.  

I re-did the card from page 27 of Book 3 to make this card. 

Sometimes updating things can be good. I think so, anyway. 

Hope you like. 

And that they bring a smile to your face too. 

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Supplies

Labels 1 and Labels 1 Small from Spellbinders

Punch Bunch mini Flower 

Carl CP1: 3/16" Circle, 1/4" Circle.

Sullivans Punches

Mini Purple: Flower (hair)

Small Orange: 3 Circle and 10 Circle (3mm circle for the middle of the girl's flower), Star (cat - inner ears), Fish Symbol (rabbit - inner ears).

Medium Green: 1" Circle (heads, hair), Fish Symbol (ears), Star (ears). 

Birthdays and cupcakes...

Since we were talking about birthdays and cupcakes the other day, I thought I'd share these today.

Here is the cupcake I ate for my birthday this year.

Here is the cupcake my mum ate for my birthday this year.

Andrew and Dad ate cupcakes for my birthday this year too, but they don't take photos of their food. It's only us girls that do that.

My cupcake was yum.

We got them here (at Poppy Cakes). Nice.  

Thought I'd share this card too.

The background is Sugar Daddy, Bazzill Bling. Hello? Please don't stop making this stuff!

The layer is photocopied from one of my grandmother's recipe books (onto card).  

The bunting is Bazzill Bling again.

Hello again? Bazzill Bling, I need you!

This time I used both sides of the bling - the blingy part, and the brighter back part. So rich and yummy.

And the bunting is circles cut in half. Cut a goodie and use that one to cut all your others so they're all exactly the same size.

Love that graphic of the lady with the cake.

And here's the lead actor (the rest are supporting actors).

The lead actor is Cupcake in Scalloped Square using these two punches. Ice cream is McGill (now comes in a lever) and the second is from Sullivans (have always come in a lever).

(We like levers. We like them a lot)



The actual cupcake bit on the cupcake is Core-dinations card. The front is chocolate and the back is pink. Embossed it with Swiss Dots folder (Cuttlebug) and sanded to reveal the pink. Fun stuff.

The Scalloped Square itself is the back of Bling again - it's Feather Boa. Love that pink. It's so great for these cupcake cards.  

Red button to finish.

Red buttons rock, we know that.

And so do cupcake cards.

:o)



Things I'd do with this punch - Part 3

Hey there,

Where were we?

Let's do Spaceship (top middle).

How'd I'd use the Spaceship shape:

a. Well, I'd use it as a spaceship because that's what it looks like! A spaceship? A UFO? I think so.

b. I'd use it as a one-eyed monster for boy cards. Put a big eye in that one space and pretend he's Mike from Monsters Inc.

c. Sounds very Sci-Fi so far!

d. I'd cut the top bulb off and use the oval as a frog's head.

e. I'd use it as a tag because that's what it is, afterall. A little eyelet or button up the top and good-o.

f. I think the cutting-off of the bulby bit and just using the oval has a lot of potential. Footballs, heads, ears, bodies, flower petals, big feet for a bear - things like that.

And now for the Fancy Label (bottom left):

1. Well, hello fancy label. I'd pull you out and use you when making Vintagey type card. You know, fancy shmancy.

2. I'd also put you on another piece of paper and cut around you to make another layer. Even more fancy shmancy.

3. I'd punch a few of you, cut you all in half and line all your halves up in a border along the bottom of a card.

4. Now I've just said that, I'd do that with your other label friend too.

5. I'd cut you into quarters and use each of your quarters as a corner. At least I'd try because I know that'd work well on the right card.

6. And now I've just said that, I'd try it with your other label friend too. Copy cat, I am.

7. I'm going to keep you close by because I know you've got other idea potential in there. Currently, I'm toying with the idea that cutting you in half and then cutting the rounded parts off those halves (plus a little extra from the middle) would leave me with some interesting vases.

And lastly, the Bon Bon (I'm the tall one):

Deb's gone to make herself a cup of tea and she's left me to finish this post.

Here goes:

1. I'm a bon bon, through and through. I think I'd look good on a Christmas card with thread on each end, for sure.

2. I'm kinda uncomfortable talking about myself and how good I am. I'm a punch though, and I don't really have feelings, so I'll get over it.

3. I'm also a good lolly. Put me next to some presents and I'll make your card shine.

4. Let's not forget, I'm on a tag punch, so I'm a tag too. I'm pretty unusual, but you're a savvy crafter, you'll figure me out.

5. I'm a good hand and sleeve. Hand and sleeve, that sounds weird. Hand and arm, maybe? Punch me out, cut off one end (nicely!) and there I am, hand and sleeve. Punch me in two colours and do a cut and paste - cool.

6. That being said, I could also be a good arm. Punch me out in desired colour, cut off one end and trim all the way along on both sides to make an arm, rather than a sleeve. I'm hoping I'm making sense here. I'm sure you can understand my reluctance to cut myself up for demonstration purposes...

7. Hey, how about this one? I could be a good hinge/buckle thingy. You know, punch me out and wrap me around the card, or a mini book, as a closure option. What do you think?

8. I know I have other uses too, I just can't think of anymore right now. Maybe I'll go make myself a cup of tea, seems to be the done thing around here when the ideas aren't flowing...

Okay there, peeps, this is the Multi Tags punch signing off for today!

Come back soon, won't cha?

Things I'd do with this punch - Part 2

One. I'd go look at it on my desk.

Two. I'd get it in my head that I'm going to actually make something.

Three. I'd get a cup of tea because I think better that way.

Four. I'd sit down at my desk.

Five. I'd look at my list of things to make.

Six. I'd pick one.

Seven. I'd make it.

Eight. I'd marvel at what a difference a day can make.

Here's how I'd use the Label (top left):

a. As a label. It's just the right size to write "For you" or similar on a card. Would look cute poking out from some flowers.

b. As a tab. I'd fold it in half lengthways and glue it along the edge of a card for an accent, or a tab.

c. As a tab with it folded in half widthways too.

d. As a tag topper. I'd fold it in half and use it to top a tag. You know how tags have a reinforced hole? This replaces that. Still has a hole in it, with an eyelet preferably. Fancy.

e. Sorry I don't have pics of these, I'm making them up as I type. Pics would be good for me too!

f. I'd punch it in my colour of choice and adhere it to a larger piece of my second colour of choice and cut around it leaving a 2mm border to make another layer.

g. I'd use it as a label on a little envelope. Not an address label, too small, but a name label.

h. As a sign. I'd cut a long, skinny rectangle for the post and glue the label to the top. Cute for sentiments a chick could hold - Happy Mother's Day etc.

Wow, a lot of uses. I'm sure there's many more.

I'll be back tomorrow to tell you what I'd do with the other three things on the punch. A lot of bang for buck going on there!

:o)

Things I'd do with this punch...

One. Well, firstly I'd buy it because I couldn't do anything with it if it wasn't in my possession. I'd hand over my money quite happily knowing I'd made a good purchase and I'd stroll confidently out of the shop ready to conquer the world! Not really, but it sounds good. Retail therapy, people, retail therapy.

Two. I'd take it home and take it out of the bag. We'd pretty much all do that.

Three. I'd take it out of the packaging and give it a test punch. Gotta do that to see what the shapes really looks like, you know?

Four. I'd leave it on my desk for a bit because as if I'd have the time to do anything with it straight away. Dinner to make, people, dinner to make.

Five. I'd come back to my desk the next day at an opportune time and make something with it because of it's fabbo potential.

Six. Things I'd make:

a. A list of things to make because I like lists!

b. A second list of things to make because the mistake I made on the first list annoyed me. I don't like messy lists!

c. My lunch because I'm such a procrastinator...

d. A cup of tea because one of those after lunch always floats my boat.

e. An effort to actually make something.

f. A ghastly attempt at something that turned out to be nothing.

Seven. At this point I'd leave the non-productiveness of my desk and go Google "What to do when your creativity is gone".

Eight. I'd spend time on the computer reading about non-creativity and ebb and flow and procrastinators and then I'd go make myself another cup of tea.

Nine. I'd go find the dog and throw a ball or 55 to him.

Ten. I'd go make dinner (again) and hope tomorrow turns into a more productive day.

:o)

PS. Eleven. While trying to go to sleep that night, I'd think of ways to use the fabbo punch. My brain would flood with ideas and I'd wonder why I wasn't born an owl.

Fun Sullivans punches

Hey there everyone,

How are you today? Getting some time to craft in there somewhere, I hope. Actually that reminds me of my new scrapping solution - I've taken photos and I'll post soon.

(My photos were sitting in the cupboard and I wanted them in albums, so I've been trying to work out how to get them there. Anyway, I've changed things around and so far it's working, which is good - finally! It's been a process to figure it out, that's for sure)

Today I thought I'd share a list of punches I'm calling: "They're cool, they're different, they're fab - thanks, Mr Sullivan".

The list could also be entitled: "Fun new punches from Sullivans"

The list could also be entitled: "Get 'em"

Okay, let's go...

A little daisy - daisies are good in all shapes and I'm loving this size and that it's easy to punch.

The little ones are notorious for being hard and the lever rocks - so much easier!

The pacifier - cute. Showed this one on baby cards recently. Looks gorgeous in a faux stamp on the front of your envelope too.

Love it.

Really, it won't get tonnes of use, but when it does, it'll be fab. A lot of people don't like buying Christmas punches because they only get used once a year, but I hammer mine at that time, so they're totally worth it. I'd say my CP2: Holly from Carl - Green sized Holly from Sullivans - would be one of my most used...ever, and it's a Christmas one.

Get me?

Don't be afraid, people, don't be afraid. Geometrics have their place (and a very good place they have too), but specific, themed punches have their place too.

See above.

It rocks.

And it's cute.

And it looks cute in a faux stamp. Honestly, cute. It's worth the bucks.

How about a pom pom flower?

Included this one because it's a flower (love those all the time), but this one's a funky version for when you need a flower that's not an obvious flower.

Maybe this could be used on a boy page or card. You know who you are...you have all boys at your house, but you're a girl and you desperately want to include some flowers somewhere! Try this one, it might just cut the mustard.

I also think on that subject that it's okay to put flowers on boy pages if you want to. You're a girl and you're telling the story and you like flowers, so stick 'em on there if you want.

Fish symbol - nice.

A geometric shape that has lots of uses. A favourite would be bunny ears. Fab bunny ears, right here.

I put this one in here in green, but I need it in all sizes - just clarifying that.

Scalloped circle because you can never go wrong.

They're needed in all sizes too.

Yep, thanks.

Postage stamps in both the rectangular and square shapes for those faux stamps on the envelopes.

Oh, niiice.

Starburst - included this on the list because it's different.

Would look good layered to make fun flowers.

You could cut it up and use the sticky-out bits as antennae or antlers.

You could cut it in half and make a border along the bottom of the page or card - that'd be interesting.

Again, I also think it's a flower that's not a flower for when you need one of those.

It would be good on boy pages as the flower that you as a girl need to add, or just as the starburst type shape in the background. Stars are good for boys, this could be a nice alternative.

And if you happen to have fireworks photos, well, you're covered.

Gears - hello, boys!

Hello, boy cards.

Hello, man cards.

Hello, boy and man anything.

Hello, layered flowers with the edges curled up.

Hello, I'm a flower that's not a flower and there seems to be a flower not a flower theme going on!

This gear shape comes in three sizes - nice.

Now, onto the big ones, and they punch like a dreeeeaaammm!

Love.

Love too.

This one stays on my desk at all times.

I use it as a label at the moment - drawer labels for the drawers in my room and address labels for the envelopes I make. Sometimes if you make a patterned paper envelope (or one from dark cardstock) you need a label for the address - this one adds the touch of pretty I like too.

Besides that it makes a cute tag and a small layer on your card. Lots of uses.

This is actually a small envelope, but you can layer it to make a flower too.

Or you can cut two sides off to make rounded rectangle-like shapes. Actually, they'd make good address labels too.

And just for kicks - this one is really different and you get a lot of bang for your buck.

I like the one in the top left the most - nice shape. So many uses for all these.

So, what'd you think? Any there to entice you to go shopping? Ha ha, I know, it's hard to resist sometimes.

If you want to check out all the Sullivans punches - click here.

Oh yes, if you can't resist the shopping, the Scrapbook Convention is on this weekend! Are you going? I'm at the Photo Continental stand on the weekend (not Monday), so I might see you there. PC always has great specials at the show, so they're worth checking out.

Bookfest is on this weekend too - and it's in the same building as the Scrap Convention, what a bonus. Good place to check to check for old dictionaries, music paper, altases - things like that. I worked the show last year and then spent at least at hour at Bookfest poking through the bits and pieces. Phew, big day, but it was good. Entry is free to Bookfest too.

Okay, bye now!

:o)

New punches and a video

(Scallop hearts border is Martha)

Hi there,

How are you today?

I'm making stuff (later), doing this (now) and probably ironing (later). Life - it's like spaghetti and it just gets mixed in together!

I thought I'd share a photo of my desk and how it looks sometimes. What a mess and I end up working in one little spot with no room to move...does that happen to you, too? I end up doing a big arm sweep to clear some space...lol.

On the topic of mess and organisation, you may like to check out Noell's latest Paperclipping episode on how to store your patterned paper and other bits. She's worth listening to, that girl.

As it turns out, my system is like Noell's. I've spent years organising and reorganising to find a system that works for me because the inspiration soon leaves if I can't find things easily.

The trick is to organise your papers (and all supplies actually) according to how you go looking for them (that's how Noell explains it and she nailed it). For me, that's by theme, type, manufacturer and colour - yeah, I know, a lot of categories.

Manufacturer: Any collections I buy that I want to keep together for a while.

Theme: Christmas

Type: Ledger and lined papers together and also Music papers together because I go looking for these all the time.

Colour: Well, by colour. That's cardstock and patterned paper.

The thing is - they don't always stay this way. For example, after I've used up most of the collection (ie. like Farm Fresh above) the left over bits get split up and put into the scrap colour files to get used up that way.

I also have a Vintage section and an All Colours section because some patterned papers have lots of colours on them. It sounds complicated, but it's not really. I know it works because I can find things easily.

Right, moving on to new punches! What do you think of these?

Donut Chain Edger Punch

Double Embossed Dotted Edger Punch

Open Scallop Edger Punch

They're from EK Success - hopefully they'll hit our shores soon!

Well, you have a great day now, talk soon, bye!

:o)

Baby, baby!

Hello!

We interrupt our regular programming to bring you more baby cards today!

Wait, our regular programming is baby cards...for the moment anyway :o)

I've done something a little different this time used this die from Sizzix. It's called Card, Petal die.

It's actually a card - you write inside and fold it to make a flower. I used it as an envelope as you can see and put my little card inside.

Yep, had to work the old acetate to get it to fold like that - the bone scorer came in real handy there. Of course, the thread holds it together.

You could use this idea for any occasion or season. Christmas gift tags, Easter cards - whatever strikes your fancy. I just love the fact that it's see-through and you can see the cute baby.

This is what the Card, Petal die looks like when it's used with actual cardstock. You can see how this could be the card and envelope in one.

Would look nice in patterned paper...

When you run it through your machine, the score lines are scored for you too, which is good.

Here's where I used the die as the envelope.

Worked fab and you could put anything in there!

Sullivans also have a similar type punch, but it's actually an envelope, not a card.

Have a look at the Sizzix one - the layers meet. Now check the Sullivans one - the layers overlap. Yep, an envelope. Cute, huh?

The envelope is one of their big pink punches - you can see it here - it's the 5th from the bottom and kind of looks like a flower.

The good thing about it is that you can use it for a heart too like on the card below.

Hope you liked the cute babies!

Talk soon!

:o)

Bits and pieces!

Hello!

My, it be warm today! Phew!

Definitely in the middle of summer over here. A storm's predicted sometime in the next day or so, I think, so hopefully it'll come to cool us off. That'd be nice.

I've been re-organising the cupboard in my room again.

It's a revolving door cupboard. So much goes in and out of it all the time...I need to store so much stuff! Boxes, stationery, samples - lots of bits and pieces.

Had a good look at it and got rid of (ie. moved to another room) stuff I need to keep, but that I don't use. Be gone, I say! And it is. Thank goodness.

Took the photo above after I'd cleaned out most of the top shelf. You'll be happy to know that it's much more organised now. I'm sure that just made your day! ha ha.

While I had the camera out, I took a photo of these Sullivans punches on my desk.

Bought any of them?

They're very cool, work b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l-l-y and they're smooth, smooth, smooth to punch. Love 'em!

I bought the big daisy because it goes with the Carl ones I have. Hello? It's a given.

And I use the scallop rectangle as the address label on all the envelopes I make. It's a great size for writing an address and the post people are happy because they can actually read the address on the colourful, patterned envelopes I make. Nice.

I've showed you this scrapbook page before.

I put this page together last July I think it was. I did about 14 pages then and didn't journal on them at the time because we were all yapping and I couldn't concentrate on the writing and I had the intention of doing it later. Remember that?

Big mistake...

Well, I'm happy to report that I've officially written the journalling on all those pages. Yay! (Only took me 6 months to get around to it)

And the next time I scrap with company, you'll find me sitting at the table with cotton wool in my ears for the couple of mins it takes to do the journalling on each page because I'm not going to leave it again...

I've showed this photo before too. It's of my December Daily (Christmas) book.

I've not touched this project.

Actually, I have.

I've made the pile neater, that's all I've done.

I think I'll re-name it December Yearly...

In order to combat untied bows (you know, incomplete projects) I'm going to set aside a night a week to work on them.

Monday night's the night!

It's still warm. I started writing this about 20 mins ago, and it's still warm.

And there's no sign of rain. It's looking a bit sultry in the south, so there's still hope.

Oh yeah, Monday night might be the night for crafting, but it's gotta to be a certain temperature in here for comfortable crafting. If the paper sticks to my arms, I'm gone!

Okay, must go, time for lunch and to see if there's any shade to wash the dog in :o)