Gift set

It's always good to have a few small gifts on hand for Christmas and other occasions, so I decided to put together a set of notecards and matching notepad.

This set features Crate Paper's Restoration collection. To make the patterned background, I cut strips of paper and glued them onto a piece of cardstock, using the technique which Michelle Wooderson describes here. I then trimmed the panels to the size I wanted and stitched around the edges with my sewing machine.

And here are the other cards:

Supplies

Butterfly birthday

I've been making a few birthday cards for January birthdays.  Needed to get these organised and mailed before my holiday.  I'm now away for 6 1/2 weeks in Europe.  Have arranged for some scheduled posts but I won't be posting quite as much as usual, so please forgive my absence!

Here is a simple card which uses Crate Paper's gorgeous Random collection. I just whipped out the sewing machine to add a bit of stitching. The butterfly is pretty shiny IRL - that's crystal effects which gives  a great 3D gloss:

Supplies

Best wishes

I thought it was about time I pulled out my In Bloom impression plate which hasn't seen much use. For this card, I used the letterpress technique which I used in this post.

I need a few more easy to mail cards for my stash, so this will be perfect. The fresh snow ink shows up beautifully against the dark background.  Must try this again!

Supplies

Paper windmills

Do you remember these from when you were a kid? 
I've been having fun making some paper windmills. Or pinwheels if you prefer. Run with them or blow on them and watch them spin.

I found a template on line and was contemplating cutting them out, but then discovered this great svg file courtesy of Heather Bailey and Denise Hill:

Supplies
Paper - SU Bella Rose DSP
Accessories - cricut, Heather Bailey Pinwheel svg

Gift card

Well, actually it's cash, but I made a gift card holder and thought it would also be a nice way to package up a gift of money. Usually I don't like to give gift cards or money, but this is for a teen, so I'm sure it will be appreciated!

Supplies
Other: Stampin' Up! 1/4 inch Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon (retired)

Christmas packaging

PTI has a fantastic new die for creating holiday and birthday packaging.  It's the 'Front and Center' die which allows you to cut shaped panels which can be attached to a paper bag or lunch sack to create a pretty bag.

For this one, I used some cardstock and patterned paper which I've had in my stash for ages.  The snowflakes were from Stampin' Up.

This was so easy and produces such a great result.  Can't wait to make some more for other occasions!

Supplies

She sells sea shells?

Well I always had trouble with that rhyme, but I love PTI's Friendship Jar Summer Fillers. Cute pint jar which can be filled with so many images,  including these shells. Webster's Pages Yacht Club paper - how appropriate.

Supplies

What a doll

Another card using a vintage paper doll and some Webster's Pages goodness. This time it's paper from the Yacht Club collection. Fabric ribbon from the Wonderfall Collection.

Love that measuring tape ribbon and hope I can find some more somewhere!

Supplies

Tartan happy birthday

Well, Japanese tartan really. It's the washi tape clan. A good masculine birthday card which is easy to mail. Och aye!

Supplies

Just a note

Time for a few more easy to mail cards for my stash. This one features PTI's Banner Builder. One of those 'just because' kind of cards that could be adapted for all sorts of occasions.

Supplies

Sumer Is Icumen In

Lhude sing cuccu!

Well that's the idea anyway. A slow start to summer here, but time to chase it along with a card which screams 'summer' to any Kiwi - sand, shells, a day at the beach followed by a barbie. What more could anyone ask for?

Of course, by the time summer proper arrives, I'll be off to cooler climes - 6 1/2 weeks in the UK and Europe - fab.u.lous. Not the greatest time of year to be wandering round outdoors admiring the scenery, but I plan to spend lots of time indoors sampling seasonal fare with friends and family. Can't wait!

Supplies
 

Thanks

I love this paper collection from Pink Paislee - so much so that I've nearly used it all up! This card uses up some scraps that I had sitting around after finishing other projects. Very satisfying to find a use for them!

Supplies