And this is French River.
I'm teaching it at Photo Continental on August 21 (details in sidebar).
Secondly, this is Luke, my nephew, who is now 15.
Here's another idea that'd translate onto a scrap page nicely.
Next card.
Now, don't get mad, but this is made using a Carl bear and he's not available in Australia much anymore.
Golly, what's the go with all this stuff not being available??
Sorry!
It just gets on my goat sometimes that I try to show you stuff and poof, not available, never was available, was available but it's gone now, was available but it's sold out, was available but it's not anymore...
What is available (yay!) is the complete line of Sullivans punches that have, luckily for us, a bear.
This bear actually.
I gotta tell ya though, I'm still getting used to this fella after looking at the Carl bear for yonks. I started punch art with this shaped bear, moved to Carl and used that for years and now I've moved back. It's all good!
Now, Mr Sullivan, if I haven't said it before (or if I have and you didn't hear me), I hereby publicly thank you for bringing this new line of punches in.
Thank you!
(Applause)
(More applause)
(Even more applause)
(Encore!)
Just on that, sir, while the applause is still ringing in your ears, would it be possible to bring a few more punches in? Like, 30?
Whenever you're ready just call me, I've got a list!
Here's her answer:
This is my sister.
One set of articles that she does around CHA time is about trends and what's going on in the industry. She usually does a preview of what's happening and then a wrap up of observations from the show. She talks about trends, favourite products etc. They're cool.
Just checked their blog and they've released this sneak of their new line "Modern Homemaker".
Here's one of their new Everywhere Punch Window System punches. As the name says, you can punch it anywhere on your page. Interesting!
They have a couple more punches in the range - check them out here. There's also info on how they work and all that on there too.
And what about some new borders?
They have six coming out including this cupcake one. Good thing about this is that you could use the punch out bits as actual cupcakes. If they're not too small, that is!
See the rest of the border punches here. The first six are the newest ones. I'm glad they're doing a few more borders.
Oh, and a cloud! I'm loving it and that it comes in at least two sizes. Love the shape of it too.
Clouds make great clouds, but they're also good cupcake tops and clown hair. Loving it, loving it!
Click here to see the rest of the Squeeze punch range. The newest ones are at the bottom.
And did you know that Fiskars has a Craft TV channel? Each episode is about 10 to 15 mins and they feature all sorts of different crafts, not just paper craft. I sometimes turn the computer monitor a bit, so I can watch things like this while I'm at my desk. Fun.
Enjoy the online browsing!
:o)
Also, October Afternoon has come out with a new line called Seaside. Of course it's totally out of season for us, but I don't care.
Exhibit A.
Baker's twine, my fav.
Exhibit B.
Buttons. Another fav (when you've got good buttons to choose from).
Exhibit C.
Bunting. Ah, love.
It also seems I'm a bit of a fan of the letter B too.
I love seeing where glue has seeped out too. Exhibit B - cherry stems, I spy a bit of glue there. It's life, it's craft!
:o)
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?
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)
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.
Here's the Cuttlebug, here's the Sizzix XL die.
Um, yeah...
And Megan was right - the plates don't fit. That's a Sizzix extender plate and it's definitely too wide.
Things have changed a bit in the last month because Provo has come out with 13" x 6" plates, so now you really can cut XL dies in your Cuttlebug!
A couple of things to note:
He likes to be near and follows me around the house and sits outside the door or window of the room I'm in (he stays outside during the day).
This time I was at the living room window taking photos and he came and lay down right there. I tapped the glass and said hi and he put his head up on the ledge to say hi back.
And then he made himself comfortable and had a sleep.
So gorgeous.
You know I heard once that God gave us dogs, cats and horses because He knew we'd need them. He gave those animals the ability to love and be companions like no other animals can. And he did it for a reason, because He knew we'd need their company and that they'd give us the love we needed. Well, cats put that into question (ha ha) because they're different to dogs in the companionship department, but they're all the same in the love department.
We grew up with cats and had as many as six at one point when one of them had kittens. Chippy was our family cat and lived to be 18. Sue (my sister) was responsible for all the other cats and continues with her cat love to this day.
How many cats have you had, Sue? 10? Leave a comment! And that includes Sarah's cats too (Sarah is my niece and she loves cats as much as her mother).
Here's Minka, Sue's cat.
This is something Cody can't do!
Don't you love it? All sprawled out there and snoozing away.
Actually, Minka did that to me while I was at my sister's once. We were scrapping and I was sorting photos. She was still a kitten at the time and walked down the table, plopped right on my photos and went to sleep. She was so gorgeous I left her there and tried to sort photos around her.
Are cats acid free?
:o) ha ha
Okay, forget what I said about cats not being the same as dogs in the companionship department! They're good companions, they're just a different type. Yep, I think we'd all agree on that, which is precisely why God gave us horses, cats and dogs. All of them and for different types of companionship.
That's so God. Really, He rocks.
And that's why they're furry too - you know, so we'd pat them. They reckon patting a dog, cat or horse relieves stress. God was the instigator of that. He knew that when he made them in the first place. Yep, I'll put some nice fur on these animals, so my people will pat them and they'll feel better. And the dog will love it too. Win, win, I say.
Told ya, rocks.
Ah, cute.
We like our goldy, yellowy, creamy tones around here and you can see he fits right in! So funny.
Look, I've gotta say it. God gave us this dog. Cody is a gift from Him. Purely. And I know it for sure. This is why...
My favourite dog has always been the Golden Retriever because of the gold and the cute. Not the hair though, too much hair!
Andrew's favourite dog? The Australian Kelpie. Smart, alert, active and a man's dog.
I've never wanted a dog, too much work.
Andrew's had dogs and has always wanted one.
Issue - one wants a dog, one doesn't.
Secondary issue - even if we got a dog, what type would suit us both?
It all went in the too-hard-basket and that was it.
A while ago though, I knew Andrew needed a dog and told him to get one if he wanted one and that I wasn't standing in his way.
He started looking online on the Trading Post and in the animal shelters and last September, he sent me an email with a Trading Post ad in it. Golden Retriever x Kelpie pups for sale..."I like the gold one" he said.
And get this - $180. There's no way Andrew would pay $800 for a dog. Me neither, actually! Plus, we didn't have the money for that anyway.
After some thinking (because really, did I want a dog? Oh man) we rang the guy and bought the dog. Then we had to wait because he was only about four weeks.
Here he is. Look how little!
In the time we waited for him, I looked at this photo and got used to him being my dog. I was actually starting to get excited. Of course the day we picked him up, the adventure started.
What's amazing to me is that I'm still not a dog person. I love Cody, love him so much, but I'm not a dog person. That's God though, He gives us what He knows we need usually in ways that we don't think of and in the one dog.
For Andrew - part Kelpie, active, intelligent, trainable, personality, a smaller dog because he didn't want a big one, not too much hair, $180 price tag that he could swallow.
For me - part Golden Retriever so cute (God knew I needed cute because otherwise it'd be all over!), goldy colour, loyal, some hair to brush but not too much (honestly, he's got just the right amount of hair), soft fur for lots of pats, personality, not too big so I can get him in the car.
Amazing.
We've had Cody for 7 months now (he's 9 months) and it's still amazing to me that I have this dog and that is so perfect for us. God knew what we wanted and needed when we didn't know ourselves.
Amazing. You're amazing, Lord.
I wonder if I could punch art Cody using this punch?
Whatever I make, it'll be cute.
(I know, that's the one thousandth time I've used that word on this blog)
Have a great day!
:o)
Oh PS. Andrew came up with the name Cody. I liked it and went to the computer to look up what it meant. It meant 'cushion'. That's when I knew it was a done deal!
Look at me, I'm gorgeous and I would not hurt a fly (yes, I would).
They were tasty too...
You can't see me...
Okay, you found me.
What I see:~ Lipstick! You jumped up and kissed a friend. She didn't mind, but I was shocked. Not good!
~ A huge distraction. There are lots of scratches to give and balls to throw throughout the day.
~ Hair that's the same colour as mine.
~ A look in your eyes that says, "What are you doing? I don't get it, but I'll humour you."
~ A friend. A furry friend.
~ An assured source of a chuckle and a laugh each day.
~ A real personality. You crack me up.
~ A lot of emotion in those eyes.
~ Someone who wants to be near all the time.
~ A dirty patio. Did you do that, Cody? No...of course not.
~ A glimpse of the collar you had then, but don't have now because you lost it. Good one.
~ Sticky up hair. I brush it, but I'm not afraid to cut it. X marks the spot when you have something I want Andrew to check out (ie. I cut a piece of hair off so I can find the spot again). And I tried to get the sap out, but nup, had to cut it out. You survived.
~ A smiling mouth. You look like you're hiding something. I dunno, you make me laugh.
~ A gorgeous face. If you weren't cute, it'd be all over, you know that?
:o)
If you could design a punch, what would it be?
I'm kinda into the basic shapes myself, but this guy is kinda cute, don't you think?
He makes me smile!
(And I'd make him with wiggly legs going everywhere)
Levers, gotta love levers.
Ooohhh....
