Pion Paper Cards

Good morning to all my special blog friends and what a lovely morning it is after a rather cold spell. A trifle nippy first thing but now the sun is shining beautifully. A great day to get the washing on the line.

Lately I have been playing with some of the Pion Papers, thanks to Jo, and I so love them. The images are just gorgeous and usable, so I thought I would share three of the cards I have made recently. I really do love the vintage feel of these papers.

For this card I have used Spellbinder's Labels 8 and Decorative Labels 8. The frame round the image is Spellbinder's Opulent Ovals with some muslin and a border of lace at the base. Cards always need some flowers, don't they!? Kaisercraft and some from I Am Roses.

I love this new die I have purchased! Sue Wilson, Australian Collection, Background, CED6101. It is a Creative Expressions Die. There are actually seven dies in the pack so a variety of different cards can be obtained by just layering etc. What a find!! The flowers on this one are from Prima.

Spellbinder's Majestic Labels 25, S5-189 makes a lovely card, I am sure you will agree and isn't she a gorgeous lady? Very simple but elegant. I could show you some more but will make that do for today. Three today, seeing I was away last week.

We did have a lovely time away - I heard Hugh tell someone that he enjoyed every moment of it. It was cold and wet but we were in a lovely warm home and were well looked after. A special thanks to Hugh's lovely sister. Maybe, it may be the start of more trips away - my husband is very much a home body!

It's all go now as SENZ is looming up fast but I am looking forward to all the hype etc and seeing all the friends I have made over the years. This year I am travelling and staying with three special friends from Timaru, so that should be fun - let Graham and Liz of the hook!

Patchworking is on the roster today so must get into my workroom.

Happy crafting and many blessings to you all. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Betsy  xxx

New Dies.

Hello to all. What a lovely Autumn we are having - do hope you are all enjoying the same, wherever you are.

Today I thought I would share a couple of cards which I have made using two new dies which I have procured. One can never have too many dies, can they!? These two are particularly lovely!

This card was made using Spellbinder's Cascading Grace, S6-045. I do love this die and know I will get a lot of use out of it. The image was found on Pinterest, very pretty.

A Sue Wilson, Creative Expression's, CED4417 was used here. It is a lovely border die which can be used two different ways, as the following card shows. The collection I have used here is a Prima range called Tales of You & Me. Prima flowers have been used on both cards.

That's it today ladies. We will not be in touch next week as we are going to be having a short holiday up North, but will be back with you the following week. So until then, happy crafting and many blessings to you all.

Betsy  xxx

Random Birthday Cards

Hello to all. The beginning of another week, so I must add another couple of cards here before I head to Timaru, as I have a job teaching for a friend who has gone South for a funeral. They are super ladies, so it's certainly no hardship.

This is a personalized card made for a young lady who ( as you can see ! ) is turning 21. She owns this little dog and it was suggested that it would be appropriate to add it. I have used a BoBunny Collection called Secret Garden, beautiful purples and bright greens. The main frame was cut using an EK Success punch which forms a square. I then cut the right size for the card, 5 1/4" square. The frame round the dog is Spellbinder's Opulent Ovals. I fussy cut the little bunches of flowers from one of the papers, to add to each corner. Do hope Elsa approves.

Now, for this card I have used the gorgeous papers from Paper Arts. Patsy has some stunning papers and she tells me there are a number of new ones coming out for SENZ - can't wait! The border was cut using Martha Stewart Border punch, called Double Loops. I cut a strip of the wine card at 1 1/2" wide then punched both edges making sure they matched. A couple of rows of pearls were added. The sentiment die is a Spellbinder's Fancy Tags Two.

I had better go and get myself organized - thanks for your interest ladies and do hope you find some inspiration for your cards etc.

Happy crafting and blessings to you all,

Betsy  xxx

Cottage Rose Cards

A very special good morning to all on this lovely Autumn day - the weather had been fabulous of late but I am sure some farmers round the area will be wanting some rain. Anyway, we're enjoying it while it lasts!

I have just added two cards to Artfull Crafts blog, using the lovely Cottage Rose Collection from Kaisercraft, so I thought I would showcase another two here. It is a fabulous collection and I did love playing with it. The ladies at Artfull Crafts, Wednesday class, are going to be using it as well and I know they will love it.

A boxed window card for this one. The border down the two sides is a Martha Stewart Border punch, Eyelet Lace and the frame is cut using Spellbinders Oval Regalia. The card measures 5 1/2" square. The word Family is s chipboard which I have coloured with my alcohol pens.

A different shaped card this time. The apricot card was put through the Big Shot with the Swiss Dot embossing folder, I tore the paper edge, added some lace under it then attached it to the card. The leaves were cut using Couture Creations Evergreen Die, which I find I am using so much. It is a big die but it can be cut apart and used on various projects. The die under the rose is a Memory Box, Quinn Flourish, 98267.

My job now is to get the kits together for our class on Wednesday - love being with all the fun ladies, I so enjoy them.

Thanks for taking the time to check this out, I so appreciate every one of you. Happy crafting and blessings to all.

Betsy  xxx

Anzac Day Post.

Well, what can one say when we think again of all the lives that have been lost over the years. A very big thanks goes to our men and boys who fought for the peace of our country and much sympathy to all those who lost loved ones. Lest we forget!

Today I thought I would show you a couple of cards which I have recently put together. I know I again missed last week but you all couldn't have been further from my mind, as I was spending the day in Christchurch with my three lovely daughters. My apologize, for all that ladies!

This card was a template I sourced while we were in Australia - I use it a lot and enjoy making it up. Now, for this card I have used the lovely Sea Breeze from Kaisercraft which I do love and I will let you into a little secret, I am working with it for a class at SENZ. I sure am having fun designing the cards for this kit and I know you will all love it. The classes are due to be advertised very shortly so do keep your eyes glued to Artfull Crafts posts.

I made this card for a special order. A granddaughter who was turning twenty one and it had to have a flapper girl on it which I found on Pinterest as usual, and what a beautiful flapper girl she is!  Cherry Lyn Step Card Die was used to cut the card, and Spellbinders Oval Regalia Die for the frame - both are firm favourites. The lovely vintage lace I picked up in a recycling shop and it just suited the era.
Grandma was thrilled with it I must add, as I hope Emma was.

A beautiful Autumn day here but I still must go and see what I can come up, with in my workroom.

Thanks so much for stopping by, happy crafting to you all and may you all know God's blessing. Until next week.

Betsy  xxx

Two New Cards.

Good morning ladies.

Today I thought I would showcase a couple of cards I have made recently, the first being an order for a wedding and the second is the challenge card we made at the Card Camp.

This card is called a Double Gate Fold and I have used some lovely paper I found on one of my travels. For the back panel I embossed the card then sponged it with matching ink. The effect was stunning. A Tattered Lace die was used for the bride and groom and for the edges I have made use of a new die from Kaisercraft, which I love. The recipient was apparently very pleased with the finished product!

Now, at Camp we were each given a pack of goodies and the challenge was to produce something using the products, with a vintage flavour. It really was fun and I must say the lace down the sides is gorgeous. Just don't know where Liz sourced it from!

We had a lovely few days down in Dunedin with our family there - they have a very busy lifestyle what with a lovely teenager and an energetic nine year old! We also had lunch with our grand daughter Danielle, who is at University in Dunedin. Our oldest grand daughter was too busy with clients to join us - she is in the beauty industry. Maybe next time Zoe Kate. We also fitted a funeral in as well, on Friday. It was a busy few days but we did catch up with so many people.

Thank you all so much for stopping by and checking out my ramblings.

All today, happy crafting and many blessings to you all.

Betsy  xxx

Birthday Cards for the Boys.

Well, Easter is behind us again for another year and we are now back to normal after a very busy weekend. It was enjoyable though, no complaints, although I did miss blogging on Monday.

Today I thought I would share a couple of cards that I made for two special boys! Just before his birthday Harvey sat me down for a very serious talk. "Nana, Bruno's birthday is the same day as mine, one card won't do, you have to make two." Nana's are very obliging most times, hence two cards for the boys!! I also sent two separate parcels which tickled Harvey's fancy no end. Money for Harvey and a toy bone for Bruno.

Harvey is a very big cricket fan and is doing very well at the sport, winning a few prizes at the end of the season. For his card I have used Kaisercraft's, Games On Collection, making full use of the collectables in the pack. Nothing too complicated in this one!

Now for Bruno's. What can one say - Furry Friends, again a Kaisercraft Collection was used, the image came of Pinterest which certainly has a look of Bruno. These are both 5 1/4" square cards.

It is a great day to be in one's workroom, as it is wet here, so will head that direction now. Happy crafting everyone and many blessings.

Betsy  xxx