Here they are – the happy couple – Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Smith!

This photo is of the entire wedding party outside the chapel immediately after the ceremony.  What a handsome group of beautiful people!!

Father and daughter – Chris is such a proud daddy!!  We were so worried about Saturday’s weather as they kept forcasting rain but we ended up with blue skies all day – talk about lucky!!

The bride and groom officially cutting the cake that my sister and I worked 8 hours on the day before!  Not bad for only being baking enthusiasts!  LOL 

The cake was made of 4 tiers: 

 bottom cake was 3 layers of chocolate cake with chocolate ganache filling

2nd cake was 3 layers of vanilla bean cake with vanilla bean filling

 3rd layer was 3 layers of red velvet cake with dreamy cream frosting

4th layer was 3 layers of lemon poppyseed cake with raspberry filling

My freezer is now filled with frozen leftover wedding cake!  Hopefully the photographer was able to get a much nicer photo of them cutting the cake.

And finally, here are all 4 of my girls posing for the photographer.  Mikasa the bride, Chalisse the bridesmaid, Kira in yellow and Kessia in black.  I love this photo…

Not only did we have to move my oldest daughter out and into her new apartment with Kevin, we had to say goodbye to Chalisse as well yesterday.  She is off to Edmonton (3 hours away) for college.  I can’t believe I just went from having 4 girls around, down to 2!!!  Whatever am I going to do with myself!  It will definitely be an adjustment.

Well, those are the photos I have for you right now.  Like I mentioned, we hired a photographer who took many many photos and I can’t wait to see them.  When I do, I’ll make sure to share some really good ones with you – you might even get to see Mikasa’s full gown!! LOL

I’m off and I sure hope to get some stamping in today!

TTFN!

Natasha

The class to make this framed art piece was last night and we had a marvelous time creating!  Just look at the gorgeous creations my friends made:

There were 4 different versions of this particular color combo last night.  The DSP used was Elegant Soiree and the colors are Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Basic Gray and Very Vanilla. 

 Unfortunately, it’s hard to see the true colors of these beautiful art pieces because I had to photograph them late at night…you should see them in real life – amazing!!!

The colors in this one are stunning!!  DSP is Love Letter and the colors are Riding Hood Red, Basic Black and Very Vanilla.  Very classy!!

My gracious – did I ever love this!!  It totally inspired me to create a Christmas theme insert for MY frame…DSP is Jolly Holiday and colors are Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Very Vanilla and Early Espresso.

Again, the colors just aren’t showing true in this photo – this piece has a wonderful “spring-like” quality to it.  DSP is Sunny Garden and colors are Pappy Parade, Daffodil Delight, and Pear Pizzaz. 

Doesn’t this piece just scream Happy Family???  It is such a Happy piece!  DSP is Play Date and colors are Real red, Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive and So Saffron – lots of color!!

Now that my class is over and because I have received a few requests, I had decided to offer the INSTRUCTIONS for this project to you – for only $1.99!!

Please note:  these are step-by-step instructions with cutting dimensions ONLY – it is not a photo tutorial.  Use it as a guideline to create your own piece of art – use different DSP, colors, punches, accessories, etc.  It is 3 pages of step-by-step instructions for creating and assembling each block. There are also 2 large photos to help you.  You can purchase the project instructions on the right by clicking on the paypal button.

TTFN!

Natasha

Mikasa…the bride to be…

The “spread”….we wanted to really treat our friends and family to supper that night, so we made sure we had all basis covered!  Spinach dip, salads, Mexican food, lettuce wraps, sandwiches all covered this table.  Then for dessert, I had another table holding a huge chocolate fountain and all the dippers you can think of!  Cake, cream puffs, squares, cookies, strawberries, etc. etc. etc…the only problem is…I forgot to take a picture of it!! 

As Mikasa opened her gifts, her friend and bridesmaid Ashley made her the traditional bride’s “bow paper hat”.  It turned out lovely don’t you think???

I do have a card to show you, believe it or not!!

These cute yet simple cards are for Mikasa to send to all those that send her and Kevin wedding gifts.  I got together with 4 of my stamping friends and they helped me put about 100 of these together.  It’s amazing how much time a simple card can take when you have to make them times 100!  I’m so grateful I had help!!

We made them note card size but still big enough to send through the mail system.  The colors used are Melon Mambo, Yoyo Yellow and Only Orange (both now retired SU colors).  The stamp came from the set Short and Sweet.  The flowers were made using a retired punch but I loved using the adhesive backed rhinestone jewels – so handy!!

Well, the wedding is now 15 days away so you may not hear from me until after the wedding – it’s a bit time consuming to say the least to plan this big event.  I will be back with lovely photos for you though so stay tuned!!

TTFN!

Natasha

It’s my latest tutorial available today!!

I have combine my two favourite hobbies – baking and papercrafting – to create the ultimate gift!  Nothing says “I’m thinking about you” more than a plate of homemade treats…cookies, mini cupcakes and muffins, mini loaves…YUM!  But the paper plate and Saran Wrap packaging scream something else.  Next time you are delivering a homemade treat to a friend, say, “You’re the best friend ever!” by presenting the goodies in one of these cute little packages.

The tutorial includes instructions for all three packages:

* cookie bag

* 1/2 dozen mini cupcakes or muffins container

* 4 mini cupcakes or muffins box with see through lid and belly band

This tutorial is 23 pages full of step-by-step instructions and has over 50 photos to assist you all the way in creating your goody packages!  It is available today for $3.99 CAD.

Here are some other photos of the projects:

I have used minimal supplies to create these packages so it will be easy for you to recreate:

* 1 package of Elegant Soiree DSP,

*1 stamp – Homemade, 

*4 colors of cardstock – Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze and Very Vanilla

* 4 punches – 2 3/8″scallop circle, 1 3/4″ circle, eyelet border and round tab

*minimal amount or accessories such as 1 brad and a bit of ribbon here and there

Order today and get baking!  I would love to see the packages you create for your loved ones!!

TTFN!

Natasha

I discovered a way to wrap scallops around the wide oval shape.  In this card, I wrapped Pear Pizzazz scallops around the Happy Birthday image found in the Perfect Punches stamp set.  I shared this little technique with those who attended my class last night and now I’ll share it with you!

SCALLOP OVAL PHOTO TUTORIAL

Step 1.  Punch a 1 3/4″circle from cardstock – you won’t be needing that circle, you just need the outline.

 Step 2.  Center new 2 3/8″scallop circle punch around circle outline and punch.

Step 3.  Stamp image and punch out with Wide Oval Punch.

Step 4.  Make a slip inbetween two scallops with scissors.

Step 5.  Cut tiny slits the entire length of scallop edge.  Make sure the cuts are tiny as you don’t want to see cut marks when all is said and done!

Step 6.  Apply adhesive where you’ve made the cut marks.  Again don’t apply adhesive too high or it will be exposed when finished.  But then again, we do have that handy little adhesive remover don’t we!

Step 7.  Start wrapping scallops around your oval.  I always start and end on one of the narrow oval turns.  When wrapping, keep the scallop edge distance from the oval the same all the way around, as much as possible.

Step 8.  When you reach your starting point, join the scallops as best you can.  This may take a bit of fiddling with the two ends or it might line up perfectly – it’s different each time.  You will have 2 extra scallops – just cut them off.

There you have it – scallops for your Wide Oval Punch!! I love it!

TTFN!

Natasha

… but here is the exciting part…

…the hostess of each month gets to choose which stamp set I highlight!

Here is a sample of a stamp set and three very different cards created with that set:

This sampler was created using the Chic Boutique stamp set.

Here is a closer look at each card with a list of each product used to create them:

Supplies used:

stamp set – Chic Boutique

cardstock – Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso, Whisper White

ink – Basic Black, markers in Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso and Rich Razzleberry

accessories – antique brads, Pretty in Pink 3/8″ taffeta ribbon, Elegant Lines embossing folder and Big Shot

Supplies used:

stamp set – Chic Boutique, En Francais

cardstock – More Mustard, Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla

ink – Basic Gray, More Mustard, Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy, Versamark

accessories – Clear embossing powder, heat gun, neutrals brads, sponge

Supplies used:

stamp set – Chic Boutique

cardstock – Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Greenhouse Gala DSP

ink – Basic Black, markers in Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight and Pear Pizzazz

accessories – vintage wallpaper embossing folder and Big Shot, scallop edge punch, mini library clip, Daffodil Delight 1/8″ taffeta ribbon

TTFN!

Natasha

These cards are all projects for my New Product Card Class on Tuesday July 27th.  If you’re in the Calgary area and would like to come participate, email me at nzandbergen@shaw.ca – I have 3 spots available and the cost is $12.00.

Let’s take a closer look at these fun cards:

This set, Notably Ornate, caught my eye on my very first flip through the catalogue.  I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it!!  I also knew I was going to love working with paper flowers – aren’t they beautiful???

Isn’t the owl precious???!!!  I think this new 2-step owl punch is genius – nicely done Stampin’Up!!!

This card may look unremarkable at first glance, but look closely at the scallops around the wide oval shape…we don’t have a scallop punch to match the wide oval punch…hmmmm…..I can’t wait to show you how I did that!!!

I sure find these two sweet little friends in the set The Nicest Things irresistable!!  Too cute!

  I also love the new stamp set Aviary – love the whimsical cages!

Now you know which stamp sets are MY new favorites – I’d love to know which sets are YOUR favorites!

TTFN!

Natasha

Supplies used:

Stamps – Awash with Flowers, Because I Care

Paper & Ink – Greenhouse Gala DSP, Tangerine Tango, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight, Chocolate Chip

Accessories – satin ribbon

Inside of card:

Supplies used:

Stamps – Baby Bundle

Paper – Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery

Ink – Basic Black, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Sahara Sand, Blushing Bride

Accessories – Big Shot and Texturz Plate, eyelet border punch, corner rounder punch, Certainly Celery grograin ribbon, silver brads

Here is one of the door prizes I offered:

In my opinion, this new stamp called “Homemade”is genius!  I think everyone should have a good supply of tags made up with this stamp, ready to use.

Supplies used:

Stamps – Homemade, Crazy for Cupcakes, Dot Dot Dot

Paper – Regal Rose, Whisper White, Melon Mambo

Ink – Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose

Accessories – Eyelet border punch, 2 3/8″ Extra Large Scallop punch, 1/8″hole punch, Rose grograin ribbon (retired now), Big Shot and Box #2 die, plastic bag (non SU)

Have a lovely weekend!  TTFN!

Natasha

 I’m patiently (okay, not really) waiting for my really big box of new catalogue goodies to arrive so I can start making my New Product Cards Class samples.  I can’t wait to get my hands on things like textured poly ribbon in the In Colors, Elegant Soiree DSP and matching Elegant Lines embossing folder, 2-step Owl punch, antique brads, and paper daisies, just to name a few of the items arriving soon.  And the stamp sets I’m really excited for are: The Nicest Things, Aviary, Perfect Punches and Notably Ornate with matching Music Notes standard sized wheel. 

Until then…(sigh)

Supplies used:

stamps – Awash with Flowers, On Your Birthday

Cardstock and ink – Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Basic Gray (ink only)

Accessories – Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, 1 1/4″ & 1 3/8″circle punches, scallop circle punch, 1/8″taffeta ribbon, dimensionals

TTFN!

Natasha

These two cards were such a hit with everyone.  They are quick to put together, but beautiful at the same time.  Everything a card should be!

Supplies: 

stamps – Elements of Style

ink & cardstock – Dafodil Delight, Marina Mist, Pear Pizzaz, Stazon black, Whisper White

accessories – eyelet border punch, blender pens, 1/8″taffeta ribbon

__________________________________________________________________________

I’ve got another killer recipe for you.  I have been searching for years for a creamy and fluffy filling to go into cupcakes or between two soft cookies or even a multi-layer cake.  And when I say years, I mean I’ve been searching at least 10 years.  Nothing has ever caught my eye as THE fluffy filling I’ve been searching for…until Friday night.

I found it!  I just knew by reading the recipe that it was THE ONE!  I ran to the grocery store for the one ingredient I didn’t have to make the filling, came home and whipped up some cupcakes (Martha Stewart’s Devil’s Food cupcake recipe). While they were baking, I got to make the fun part – the creamy white fluffy filling.  Upon tasting the filling for the first time, I squealed with delight – it is THE ONE!  I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!

Here is the finished product and the recipe so you can jump for joy also!

Fluffy Cream Filling – for just about anything!

2 tsp. very hot water

1/4 tsp. salt

7 oz. marshmallow cream

1/2 cup shortening

1/3 cup icing sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Put hot water in small bowl, add salt and allow to dissolve; cool.

Whip the remaining ingredients until fluffy.  Add the salt water and whip well again.  Pipe into cupcake centers or between two chocolate cookies, etc. 

Enjoy!

Natasha