Designer Series Paper sampler

My DSP sampler for 2009/2010 is made up of 3" square segments of each of the DSP appearing in the Australian 2009/2010 Stampin' Up! catalogue. I've used my tab punch after carefully measuring the size of the punch and making a template in Word to print the name and code number of each type of paper on an Avery A4 sheet. I used Avery labels because they tend to be a heavier weight label and I wanted the tabs to be fairly strong. I punched using a standard hole-punch and threaded the papers onto a 50mm hinged ring which I bought at my local newsagent.
We have some good news at the Gibbs' household - my husband has an interview on Friday. Keeping everything crossed that it goes well. And only two more sleeps til I head down to Canberra for my first Stampin' Up! convention. I'm SO nervous! The excitement about the convention ALMOST eclipses the THRILL of the children returning to school tomorrow. HALLELUJAH!

"And the walls came tumbling down"

At least we have a roof over our heads and will manage for a while. But the rug has been pulled and we're swept off our feet. Hubby lost his job today - another victim of the "technical" recession. Our home is feeling very very sad today.

You (still) float my boat...

Its been 10 years of wedded bliss... Well, okay its not exactly been blissful all the way, but there's been better and worse, richer and poorer, sickness and health... And we're not dead yet, though I'm sure there have been occasions... ;)
Here's the card I threw together last night for my beloved. I realised on Saturday evening that I hadn't yet made one for him. So as soon as the kids were in bed last night, I started. About one and a half programs (watching telly) later, this was done. Quite pleased with it myself! :) All 'In Colors', Boatloads of Love (my sale-a-bration gift) and much use of the beloved scallop edge punch.

Team cyberstamp cards

I think I needed a distraction on Sunday - I made these two cards for the team cyberstamp which was actually held on Wednesday. The first card, below, is based on a card featured on p113 of the 2009/2010 Idea Book & Catalogue. I've used some of the new DSP "Urban Garden", cutting out the flowers and sticking them to Baja Breeze + Basic Gray card. For a bit of interest I pleated the Basic Gray and scalloped the edge. Looking at it now I think it needs one less Baja Breeze flower - the one under the staple, so I'll pull it off. Kiwi Kiss ribbon, pleated again with staples to hold. Corner is the reverse side of the same "Urban Garden" sheet with a filligree brad to hold it.

This card uses "Fresh Cuts" a lovely versatile set and was for Dani's colour challenge of Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery and Taken with Teal. I had stamped the Baja Breeze some time ago and simply tore it out of the sheet, scrunched and flattened the paper. The teal piece was one I'd scallopped some time ago too, and the celery I'd used for something else, tore it up and placed the stamped side face down. Bit of ribbon, word window punch, added some choc-chip stamping and Voila!

Hope you enjoy!

On a somber note, Grace's funeral is tomorrow and I'm praying that we all get through it okay. I'm also wishing I could be of more help and use to Tab and Michael, Grace's Mum and Dad. Rest well little one.

Sad news...

Our family grew a little on Monday with the arrival of Grace Rosemary Gibbs thanks to Tabitha and Michael (Darren's brother & partner). She never stabilised enough to have the operation she needed and despite struggling for 45 hours, she passed away early yesterday morning. This is the card I made for her family using a set borrowed from my upline Jayne.
Rest in peace little angel.

You're a Blast!

Super cute little card. Took minutes to create with the most time taken drawing more stars and dots around the space-ship! :) The set is Pun Fun and I used Night of Navy cardstock with the spaceship stamped on Whisper White in Night of Navy ink. White gel pen to extend the star field.

Don't fall off your seat...

I scrapped!!!

Here's one using 2 year old SU In Colors, Dazzling Diamonds and the "Everything" from the Always set + a Basic Grey rub-on.

This one is of my darling hubby with his 2nd newest niece, Emma. I just had news that there's another one this morning: Grace Rosemary. Anyway, this was a couple of weekends ago and Emma is 1 1/2 weeks.

And this is using my absolute favourite paper brand, Basic Grey. This layout fell together so easily! Just adore it.