PTI 8th anniversary challenges - day 8

This week has been busy, but I just managed to squeeze in another challenge over at Nichole's blog. This one was to create a project featuring a blue ombre effect.

I wanted a clear gradation of colour and only have 3 blue inks, so started by stamping off the first spring rain band to make it really light.

And here's what I came up with:

Supplies (PTI unless otherwise noted)

Paper - stampers select white, enchanted evening pattern pack, vellum
Stamps - background basics:inspiration
Ink - spring rain, ocean tides, enchanted evening
Other - beautiful butterflies dies; sewing machine

PTI 8th anniversary challenges - day 7

Time for another challenge today. This one was to create a project that only contains metallics and neutrals.

For this card I broke out an impression plate - must use more of them! Here's what I came up with:

Supplies (PTI unless otherwise noted)

Paper - stampers select white, smokey shadow pattern pack, silver metallic card stock
Stamps - beautiful brushstrokes additions
Ink - versafine onyx black

Other - polka dot impression plate, harvest berries dies; silver thread from stash

PTI 8th anniversary challenges - day 3

Time for another challenge over at Nichole's blog. PTI are releasing a new die for tags and today's challenge was to make a handmade tag and matching gift bag.

Here's a little ensemble for a friends who's really into her teas. The stamp is from Studio Calico - picked it up in the recent stamp sale and I think it'll come in handy.

Supplies (PTI unless otherwise noted)

Paper - sweet clash pattern pack, vellum card stock
Stamps - Studio Calico Tea Time
Ink - sweet bush, raspberry fizz, spring moss
Other - tag sale die, button twine; Tim Holtz tiny attacher; sequins & ribbon from stash; sewing machine

PTI 8th anniversary challenges - day 1

Oops, sorry for the lack of posting, but I was away for 5 weeks over Christmas and, since my return, have been spending most of my spare time in the garden!

But, it's PTI's 8th anniversary this month and there are daily challenges over on Nichole's blog. Go check them out.

The first challenge was to create a project that uses one colour recipe card and one sketch recipe card form the choices available. I went with these options:

And here's what I came up with:

Supplies (PTI unless otherwise noted)

Paper - stampers select white, pure poppy, simply chartreuse pattern pack
Stamps - tiny tags
Ink - enchanted evening
Other - ripe avocado button, button twine, tag sale die, flower die; corner chomper

Mini pavlovas

As I've had friends staying, I've been trying to do a bit more in the kitchen. If I'm just cooking for myself I tend to do really easy things - throw something in the slow cooker, fruit for dessert etc. However, I pulled out the stops for a recent dessert treat - mini pavs decorated with strawberries and blueberries. So nice to see the summer berries starting to appear.

Bon appétit!

Hanna Andersson

I'd never heard of Hanna Andersson until someone mentioned the company on the Studio Calico forums and recommended their kids' clothing. I put in a small order for my niece. She's only one, but is on the 95th growth percentile so I ordered a 3-4 year size that she can grow into.

Very pleased with the quality of the garments so far. Obviously they're yet to be worn, but the reviews say they're hard wearing and wash well. Might be my new go-to store for girls' clothes.

This is the classic 'day dress/play dress' with leggings. I also bought a fully reversible skirt which I thought was a great idea.

Christmas packaging

Haven't had much time for crafting lately as work has been so busy. But I have been writing Christmas cards and making tags. Here are a few examples. I was really pleased with the gold embossing.

The cute reindeer pegs are left over from last year:

Being a tourist

Nothing quite like having to show overseas guests around your city to get you investigating and researching what there is to see!

Friends have been visiting from the UK. Unfortunately, they've had terrible weather for most of their stay but we took advantage of one slightly better day to head out to west Auckland to the Waitakeres and west coast beaches. Piha is always worth a visit for the amazing black sand and waves (if you happen to be into surfing!) Too dangerous for swimming in my opinion as there are lots of rips. But some hardy souls were in the water on the afternoon we were there:

The beach is patrolled between the flags: