Valentine Giftcard Holder

Hello there! I am doing another quickie post. I’ve another one off sick- nothing much, but enough to get sent home from school. This is a work in progress but finished enough to show you now. I will be adding a tiny tag, some Bakers twine and a teensy pearl. With Valentine’s Day looming and the ever present need to get something- sometimes it’s just easier to send a heartfelt note or a gift card!! (what would you prefer?!!!). This is a giftcard holder similar to one I’ve made before but made out of a window sheet (acetate). The stamping is done in Black and white Stazon ink and using the Love Letter papers. It’s a bit more masculine and will save as a standby in case I can’t find anything more suitable for Steve. It was all made and stamped in less than 10 minutes. I know it looks wonky, but its just the side not secured by the ribbon rising up a bit!

Have to rush off to the shops later. One of my biglies is doing cake decorating this week in Food Tech (they baked them and froze them last week). Aside from the discussion of the dubious merits of freezing fresh cakes, her plans for pimping her cakes are extravagant to say the least. The amount of items she’s taking to dress up the cakes is astonishing. Ok, I may have led her a little with the idea for putting ganache on one set, but the stars, nozzles, icing pens, glitter, fondant shapes etc etc are entirely hers. They’ve been told they’ll get more points for exciting decorations! Lets hope she scores well- these things matter don’t they! I’m just glad I have all that paraphenalia in- imagine the cost if I hadn’t have had!!

Here’s a sneak peek of one of the cards we’re doing tomorrow night at my Sale-a-bration night. It’s not too late to come…

Better dash- Don’t forget to scroll back and leave a comment on my bag post- it’s up for grabs but the last date for entries is tomorrow  the 5th!!

Giftcard holder supplies; Window sheet, Love letter designer series paper. white and black Stazon. Real Red satin ribbon, Artistic Etchings stamp set.

Acetate Cards & Sad News!

I realised I needed more sleep when it was mid morning and I’d only just noticed I was wearing my top inside out! Fortunately, it was being partially hidden by a jacket so I got away with it. Tonight, therefore I’m retiring a little earlier (make that 3 hours) than usual. This card was designed for a training evening run by Stampin’Up! at Manchester.. the one I blogged about a week or so ago. The clouds are in fact done on Acetate using white Stazon opaque ink and a sponge dauber- and give a lovely almost opaque quality, but not too opaque that you cant see the Eiffel Tower through them- just like the real clouds!! This set is really gorgeous and I’ve used it loads already. Definately in my Top 20 (ahem!!!). See the other images too! Im putting in an order Friday night, so shoot me an email before if you want it!

The sad news is that the poor hamster never made it to Saturday. At my New Catalogue Party on the Friday, the ladies all saw the poor thing and it didnt look great. My daughter is ever the optimist but it was obviously its time. My good mate kindly obliged to give it a good home in her garden and so we are now debating whether a replacement is appropriate or not. All very sad. I guess it’s an important rite of passage for a child, although our kids have gone through far more than just a hamster, but it still was upsetting for her. Unfortunately the other kids weren’t all as sympathetic as they could have been, so I’m not sure we’ve got any budding counsellors in our midst!

On a positive note, I went to visit a beautiful new baby and his very proud but utterly exhausted parents. Sleep deprivation is a terrible thing, but to look at the sleeping bundle of wonder, you couldnt imagine he’d kept them up most of the night. I’m really hoping they get a little more shut-eye tonight! Speaking of things new, I decided our eating patterns had developed rut-like tendencies and so have made it my goal to eat , or rather cook, one new meal a week. Last week it was Salmon and Prawn Thai curry and this week it’s been Spanish Chicken. The kids have loved experimenting and Steve has appreciated the effort. Thanks also must be attributed to Nigella, whose recipes I’m shamelessly following, although I have been adding my own little tweaks (sorry!, hope you dont mind!). I’m doing something different tomorrow using Pork Tenderloin pieces, caramelised apples and Dauphinoise potatoes and veg…wish me luck!!

Im going to sleep now- a whole hour past when I wanted to. This blogging lark has a lot to answer for!!

See you next time (with hopefully more of a spring in my step!)xx

 

Card project, Stamp set- Artistic Etchings, Word window punch, Spiral punch. Window sheets (acetate), Inks, Early Espresso, White Stazon opaque. Cardstock; Wild Wasabi, Rose Red, Whisper White and Bashful Blue. Marina Mist ribbon.