Baby Cards

I have been very busy this week preparing these pre-packed baby card kits.  Those gorgeous soft velvet frames are from the Making Memories "Pitter Patter" collection and they really add the finishing touch to these sweet baby images.  In fact, the cards really did not need much embellishing.  A pretty pearl here and there, a touch of cotton lace and some soft ribbon.

Ever wondered how many times you can remake the same card? Unfortunately, too many times if you ask me.  Because the cards were going to be packed as a kit they had to be remade with product that I knew for sure we could get in quantity.  It was fun but I think I have had enough of baby cards for now!

Each card had to be made up twice in order to mix up the sets.  One in pink ...

... and one in green.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you are all enjoying a restful Sunday.  I am off to hunt for some sweet royalty free retro/vintage kitchen images to use with the Kaiser release, Nan's Favourites.

 

Life and Card Kits

I have been prompted to share some personal stuff with you today after a message from a follower wondering where I have been.  This is what I love about the paper crafting industry - complete strangers being aware of the fact that you have not been around for awhile.  Unfortunately life has been in the way.  If you have the time and want to listen to me having a moment then read on, if not then skip to the good stuff at the bottom of this post.

Four and a half years ago I began a journey of self, self, self!  Mostly it involved me going through a crisis of never following my dreams, of never indulging in my own needs and of me never having the courage to take a chance.  Besides my children and family the one thing I am most passionate about is paper crafting and so I decided it was time to start turning some dreams into reality.  My sister and I decided to open a specialty scrap book shop together.  Not just any shop.  A shop where woman could come and escape, create, enjoy good coffee and great company.  A beautiful shop with fantastic service, awesome lessons and up to date stock.

It was a huge leap of faith opening the shop and with absolutely no money in hand and many declined loan applications I convinced my husband to loan the money on our mortgage.  It seemed like a good idea at the time but brings me to my current situation.  Despite the fact that we have managed to keep our doors open, the shop has not made a cent of profit and it has been so stressful trying to keep the doors open.  At some point I think we both realised that it was time to let go but we just could not walk away.  It is so hard to come so close but at the same time be so far.  My sister and I have worked hard, made many mistakes, laughed, fought and cried.  This business has proved to be a true test of all the relationships in our lives and a real challenge to our own well being.  It has been the most difficult road that I have ever travelled and at the moment it is completely breaking me down.  It has also been one of the most fulfilling things that I have ever done and we have met the most incredible people and friends along the way.  I am so proud of our shop and in many ways feel like it really has been a huge success and personal fulfillment for me.  However, the financial situation just keeps getting worse.  Online stores offer prices we cannot compete with, the economy keeps getting worse and the bills are mounting.  We cannot sell the business under the current conditions and our debt is overwhelming us.  My passion for creating is buried under all the stress and I just feel completely numb over the current situation.  I know this is unrealistic and I am so grateful for my health and for all the blessings I have in my life but unfortunately money is evil and creeps right into your spirit.  It keeps you up at night, makes you feel nauseas, causes strain on your marriage, turns you into a very grumpy mom and steals your creative mojo.  It is time to let go.  It has been on my mind all week and I am now at the end of the road and not sure which direction to take.

We have another 5 months left on our lease and we are doing all we can to keep it going.  There is a little crafting happening in between though so now that my therapy session is over (thanks for being such great listeners) I can show you what we have been up to.

This set of cards was created using the American Crafts Botanique range.  The collection was on sale and although it is not a range I would normally gravitate towards I like the end result.

We used the Tim Holtz Alteration Paper Rossette die which really is such a pleasure and well worth purchasing.  I think I am going to get lots of use from it.

The sentiments were printed onto the paper and cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Small.

We kept the cards simple and just added a few pearls, buttons and ribbon.

Of course we just could not resist adding a little Tim Holtz Tea Dye to the edges even though it really did not need it.

There are six cards in total.

Wow, that must be the longest and most emotional post I have done to date.  I am off to work tonight.  We packed 32 of these card kits and the classes are more social than work.  Everything is pre-cut and ready to stick.

Thanks again for stopping by.  

Tis the Season ...

I have been AWOL for awhile and being back here feels a little strange. We have been doing some renovations to our home and it has consumed me.  Who can believe that it is this time of the year again.

Before I head off to work this morning (which I am actually looking forward to as it is a welcome relief from being in the house at the moment) I thought I would share today's class with you.  Today we are doing Christmas Cards.  The card classes are always very relaxed and social.  My sister and I make a set of cards and then pre-pack everything into a kit.  We used the Kaisercraft Tis the Season collection to make up our cards.

We just added a few vintage Christmas images, some glitter die cuts and a little bling and they came together with a lovely vintage feel to them. Happy Saturday and enjoy your weekend.

Just Us Girl's Template Challenge #48

It feels good to be back on here.  It is like visiting an old friend!  I have been feeling less than creative lately and most of my energy has been focused on work and our home renovation which I am finding a little overwhelming (all the decisions).  Anyway, I could not resist this weeks challenge over at JUGS.  It is template week and this weeks challenge has been sponsored by Clear & Simple Stamps.  Just pop onto their blog and find the FREE templates in their sidebar.  I picked the Apple Basket designed by Sue Berker.  It will make a great year end teacher gift.  I just wish I could find those sweet little wooden handles locally! 

Since I had no suitable stamps or embellishments, I went in search of the perfect apple.  I found a template for a card designed by Imprintables for Real Living Magazine.  I just downsized it and covered it with my patterned paper.  

I have to say though that those little Riesen chocolates were a very bad idea.  I have single handedly polished off every single one of them.  

At last ...

... Martha Stewart punches are being distributed in South Africa.  You girls are probably having a giggle as these must be old news for you already but I am excited!  There were so many to choose from that it was a really tough decision.  Normally, I make really safe choices when purchasing tools and punches.  I think long and hard about how many times I am going to use it, how pratical the design is, etc but it all went out the window as I purchased my first "Around the Page" set.  Since I have a thing for birds (not live ones) I decided on the Woodland Branch.  

I had a moment to play today and have been wanting to make some cards with this gorgeous image so here it is.  I wanted to add a sentiment but as luck would have it, one of my ink cartridges ran out. Of course!  

Let's get digital - JUGS 37 Technique Challenge

I love lazy Sundays.  It is 11:23 and I am lazing around in my PJ's cutting paper and enjoying my 3rd cuppa.  Hopefully, you are doing the same.  This week the challenge over at Just Us Girls is to use a digital stamp, image or even paper on your project.  If you have never tried digi before you will find loads of freebies out there to get you started.  It is great if you do not have loads of stamps for card making.  Go to the JUGS website for more information on this challenge.  There is also a direct link to some free goodies from Lauren Meader over at  My Time Made Easy.  So, I headed straight there and downloaded her free digital stamp.  You can find these adorable little sea creatures over here. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Hopefully, you are also enjoying a lazy day. Cutting up paper or watching the soccer?  Ayoba!  It is great to be South African at this moment in time.  Even though I am not a soccer fan (my man is) I cannot explain the atmosphere in Africa right now.  It is awesome!

Just Us Girls Challenge #36

This card is for the JUGS Challenge #36.  Pop on over here and see what it's about.  Every Saturday they post a new challenge.  It is great fun and a good way to play with something new.  I very often end up making cards with colors, designs or digital images that I would never have thought to use or which are not exactly my thing.  This weeks sponsor is a company called *Wink *Wink Ink and they are offering a free image to play with.  This sweet image immediately made me think of this piece of patterned paper and I made my card in record time.  

Thank for stopping by to take a look.  I have to run ...  We have wine club tonight and the hosts have decided it will be fun to dress for the occassion so I need to go and find something black and white with a hint of fabulosity (I think it would be easier to make a card)!