Happy 1st Birthday Grace

Hi guys,

One of the babies, Grace, from my mum's group turns 1 today! I can't believe how quickly this year has flown. It seems like only yesterday I was all nervous to meet these people and now they are all really great friends. Since it's her 1st birthday I thought it was only appropriate to make her a gorgeous card. I used the current Just Add Ink sketch. I've been wanting to join in on one of there challenges for weeks now so it was great to finally have the opportunity. Here's the sketch.

This card I made I feel has been inspired alot by Teneale Williams. If you haven't checked out her blog before, what rock have you been living under? She is super talented! Go have a look! I have used her 'Faux Bow' technique to get the worlds most perfect bow. She has a video technique on how to do them which can be found here. I think mine needs a little more work to live up to the master but I am very happy with it. I also cased a few things from other cards she has done but put my own little spins on it too. I must say I am quiet happy with the end result



Stamp Sets: Fox and Friends, Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Sanded BG
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel Marker
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette Prints DSP
Accessories: Choc Chip Wide Grosgrain, Bouquet Designer Buttons Pink Pirouette Button, Round Tab Punch, Dimensionals, Sponge Daubers, Hemp Twine

Thanks for looking,
Dani

1st Birthday Invitations

Hi guys,

I have been very quiet the last month or so that's because not only have I been working ridiculous hours but my little girl had surgery 2 weeks ago. She has an eye condition known as congenital esotropia which means her eyes turn too far inwards and don't work together. Because hers were quiet severe surgery was recommended asap. So we forked out the money (Thanks mum and dad) for her to have it done. I thought I'd share a few photos of her cos who doesn't love photos of kids??



Here is a photo of her in her gown just before the surgery. You can see that her right (your left) eye is turned in and the other is veering in. This happened all the time. I have alot of photos where you can see it more prominently



Here's a photo taken last weekend after shes started recovering from the surgery. Her eyes are looking great and it has made such a difference to her. Before she was crawling but was a little uncoordinated now she just flies, she also has started getting into and up things (like our 15 stairs) so it has made a real difference. One of her eyes is drifting a little. We are hoping it doesn't drift anymore otherwise she may need another surgery in the future but for the moment we are so happy and proud of her.

Ok now onto the fun stuff... Stamping! Apart from the surgery I have also been working on my little girls birthday invitations. I can't believe she will be 1 in less than a month! Crazy how quickly time flies! I made 35 birthday invitations (And still didnt have enough for everyone). I decided to make it a butterfly theme so she has gorgeous butterfly invites and will have a matching cake and lolly boxes which I will share with you later on.



I decided to use Melon Mambo, One of our new In Colours and will be a permanent colour as of September teamed with Regal Rose and Orchid Opulence (Which will leave us in September *tear*) to make her invites and really love the colour combo. I am going to try and continue this colour theme throughout the birthday party!



Here is the invite up close. I used flight of the butterfly and butterfly prints (From the summer mini) to do the stamping. I also used polka dot bg stamp and It's your birthday for the look who's turning one! (Thanks Tracey Eaton) Also how beautiful is the new In Colour ribbon?? It's my new favourite product cos you can use either side!



Here is the inside. I finished it off with more butterflies!

Stamp Sets: Flight of the Butterfly, Butterfly Prints*, It's your birthday, Polka Dot BG
Ink: Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, Orchid Opulence
Cardstock: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, Orchid Opulence
Accessories: 1 3/8" and 1 1/2" circle punches, Melon Mambo ribbon, dimensionals

Thanks for looking
Dani

Makeesha Colour Challenge No 24

Hi guys,

I'm currently off work for a few weeks because my hips have been playing up so I was lucky enough to have a play with Makeesha Byl's colour challenge for the week! I saw these colours and went ooooh interesting, Not sure if I can make these work but after pulling them out I noticed they work so well together. Here are the beautiful colours we had to work with...



Apricot Appeal is a colour I rarely use so its nice to get out of my comfort zone. I had alot of fun with this and if I get a chance I will try and have another play with these colours. Heres what I came up with...



Stamp Set: Nursery Necessities
Ink: Basic Grey, Sage Shadow
Cardstock: Basic Grey, Whisper White, Sage Shadow, Apricot Appeal Prints DSP Pack II
Accessories: Soft Subtle Brads, Small Star Punch, Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Sponge Daubers

Thanks for looking
Dani

First Inklings Blog Hop

Welcome to The INKlings’ Team’s first ever blog hop. You may have arrived here from Nicky Adamson's or just be visiting my blog, whichever way once you’ve checked out my creations you can continue the hop through the link at the end of this post to the next team member.

What style of cards do we frequently get asked for inspiration for? More often than not it’s masculine cards, be it little boys or grandfathers everyone seems to struggle with cards for the males in our lives. So as a team we thought we’d help you out by providing you with 20 team members fantastic blogs that you can hop through and get lots of fantastic ideas from.

Want to win some Blog Candy? Simply leave a comment on each blog and then email Michelle Dyson and let her know you’ve done so and you’ll be in the running for a fantastic prize of 20 handmade cards plus other goodies.
Sorry Blog Candy prize not available to SU! demonstrators.

Well isn't this so exciting, The first Inklings Blog Hop and My first Blog Hop! Please make sure you complete the hop of all 20 blogs and give all the lovely ladies some comment love because it's not as much fun if you don't. Now since the hop is masculine themed, if that isn't a challenge enough, I wanted to challenge myself to use stamp sets I wouldn't usually use to make a masculine card. Usually I just go to old faithful "Lovely as a tree" to make my card but not today and I must say I am really happy with what I ended up doing. I used Upsy Daisy embossed in black and teamed it with Urban Oasis and Walk in the Park DSP, a little hand sewing and some finishing touches and here it is...



Stamp Sets: Upsy Daisy, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink: Basic Black, Versa Mark
Cardstock: Kraft, Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Walk in the Park DSP*, Urban Oasis DSP
Accessories: Black Embossing Powder, Dimensionals, Black Brad, Neddle and Black Cotton

In case you miss anyone on the way here is a list of all the participants and links to there blogs

Clare McIlhatton
Janice Spencer
Dani Holland
Kylie Swain
Amy Anderson
Kari Hughes
Jayne Mercer
Joanna Wassens
Michelle Dyson
Christie Wallace
Carolyn Gibbs
Fiona Brown
Beth Stewart
Nicky Adamson
Dani Fender (ME)
Michelle Frost-Stevenson
Rachel Jackson
Rachel Capps
Carolyn Campbell-McLean
Michelle Le Breton

Well that’s all from me. Next stop on the INKlings’ Team Blog Hop is Michelle Frost-Stevenson. Have fun and don't forget to leave a comment on each blog to win some great Blog Candy.

Thanks again for stopping by
Dani