Kiki's Pura Vida Papercrafts

More Cards & Scarves

2010-10-04T10:48:00.006+01:00

These are my recent card makes:

For a Junior Cert results

For a man who works in Coca Cola....and there seems to be something "new" brewing at the Coca Cola concentrates plant...mmmmm...I wonder what could it be?? a new flavour maybe?

For a Christening in OZ:

These 2 retirement cards have a special significance for the receivers, they both have work raising funds for orphanages in Zambia, hence the African map with the highlighted Zambia, they are both teachers, Vonnie is into music and once had an idea for a raffle to use cut up straws with a paper inside with a prize or not, so I used the same idea but wrote a funny message inside. Brid is into flower arrangements and she too had an idea for a quick raffle, to put a happy or sad face into envelopes, the happy face would win a prize, so I included the envelope and there is s happy face inside.

My latest scarves:

This will be for one of my girls school teachers for x-mas, it's crocheted using Noro Sock yarn, it was a strange pattern, but turns out lovely

This one was meant to be for the other teacher, but I love it, so Im keeping it...heheheh..it's crocheted using Noro Silk (I absolutely love the colours)

This last one is my pride and joy, cos I dyed the yarn myself, this is gonna be my everyday scarf.

I have a wedding card to do, and then I'll be tackling the x-mas cards, this time earlier, at last ! And after that, I'll be starting my x-mas for sale projects.

TFL

KIki x

Crafty Summer in Photos !

2010-09-06T17:10:00.017+01:00

I naively thought I was gonna have more time during the summer to blog...you know, no rushing in the mornings, no homework, etc...but it wasnt the case, the girls kept me quite busy !!

We went to places, but to make this post shorter, I will only add my latest crafty makes.

Papercrafts:

This one was for an Atletic 70 year old who keeps sheep:

50th Wedding Anniversary:

Husband & Wife's birthday:

This one is size A4:

Another A4: (after the girl of the first one received hers, ordered a similar one for her friend)

2nd Wedding Anniversary:

An Altered Photo Frame for a 6 year old:

I did this yesterday, took me nearly 4 hours !!
inspired by http://www.artyulia.com/index.php/Illustration

Crochet:

For one of my girls, crocheted with cotton:

For the other girl:

Crocheted with Aracaunia Yarn:

Crocheted with Manos del Uruguay silk blend:

This blanket is in progress, is a throw for my bed (colours match cushions) and will probably finish it this week:

Felting :

I did a few more felted accesories, will post later.

My cardmaking mojo is back !!! so felting will be put aside for a while...crocheting will keep going in the evenings watching tv :o)

TFL

KIki x

Yummy Cupcakes !!

2010-06-29T15:26:00.003+01:00

I've spent the morning making these:

They're for the school teachers & staff and the bus driver. Thank God tomorrow is the last day of school!! Yohooo !! (the ones of the photo are the leftovers for the house, cos the rest are all boxed for tomorrow).

And hopefully the weather will continue dry and sunny, cos I have planned this summer to do a lot of outdoor activities with the girls, and leave the crafts and cooking for the bad/rainy days.

TFL

Kiki x

The month of June in one post !

2010-06-25T14:40:00.028+01:00

I really regret not posting more often, cos I have been busy during this month, so I have now spent a few hours tyding up photos and I know this post is gonna be long !

For start, June is my Wedding Anniversary month. On the 12 of June, 12 years ago:

We just couldnt celebrate it like every year, going out for a meal, it's 12 years on the 12th, come on ! So I booked a weekend away, in Youghal, Co Cork, kids included though.

On the day we arrived, we headed straight to Fota Wildlife Park. That place is amazing, it doesnt have as many animals as Dublin Zoo, but they are so tamed and so close to people that it's sooo worth it !!

Black Swan:

My beloved Giraffes, I was so close that I just wanted to pet them!

Bison:

Hairy Monkeys:

Maras, which look like a cross between a rabbit and a deer:

The lazy kangaroo:

Ostrich:

A walabi (I think):

Flamingoes:

Animals are so tamed that they would feed from your hand:

A Red Panda:

Duckie:

The pelicans are so funny, and so big, nearly the size of J !!

3 Mrs Peacocks:

That evening, we dropped by " The 100 Acre Woods " for dinner, all the family had had an input in the cooking, everything was deliciously prepared, and I had a chance to cuddle baby Roo !

Next day, on the day of our anniversary, we headed to Ballymaloe cookery school, we walked in the gardens, it's a beautiful place. I just wish that the day I win the lotto, to come back and do the full cookery course, just for the joy of it !

In the evening, DH and I had a romantic dinner at the hotel...Tigger kindly collected the girls and brought them back a few hours later. It was so relaxing to have a meal and conversation without interruptions...the restaurant was facing the beach. After the meal, we went for a walk at the beach, it was very romantic ! And we took this pic:

On the Sunday, after breakfast and a short visit to the beach, we visited Tigger at the Carboot sale, and just before we left, we took this pic:

And on our way home, we stopped by Cobh for lunch. We found this restaurant with a terrace facing the sea

We had a lovely weekend, weather was on our side ! it was a weekend to remember :o)

During the month of June, we also went to the Sheep Shiering Championships, I didnt bring my camera, but it was a small fair,not what I expected, but the shiering competitions was fun to watch though !!

We also went to "Bloom" It was a miserable day, it didnt stop raining !! but I enjoyed the day, even though didnt make much of the gardens exhibition.

Then, it was Father's day:

On the same day of the Kildare County Show. Other years I have entered the cakes competition, but this year I didnt. Some pics of the day, it was a very sunny day:

Alpacas.I see these guys every week, and I think they're mega cute.

A beared dragon, which I wasnt allowed to hold :o(

I have also been busy with a big order of cards and some personalised ones:

These are this year's teachers cards:

A LO in a canvas:

I have also been crochetting non stop, and I made these 2 blankets for my girls:

I'm now working on another blanket, and waiting on a delivery of lovely cotton wool for my next projects.

I've also been felting !!! made some scarves, and already sold my first 4 !! yipeee !! Im currently working on more felting projects...now that I can put aside for a little while the papercrafts :o)

It has taken hours to finish this post, blogger pic uploading has been acting up,Im not a happy bunny...well, actually, I am, cos this is the end of this post....

Next time, I will be posting pics of my feltmaking....

TFL

Kiki x

Something to do during the World Cup !!

2010-06-01T20:17:00.003+01:00

Celine Navarro is holding a Cyber Crop, 4 weeks/4 classes !! Just what we all need !

Check it out here.

PS: I will be back soon with all my recent makes !

TFL

Kiki x

Crafts, Crafts and more Crafts!!!

2010-05-02T20:37:00.009+01:00

I havent updated my blog in a while, but I am busy crafting...either Crochetting, Cardmaking or my latest, Feltmaking !!

I'll show photos of what I've done recently:

Finished my crocheted blanket:

Im currently working on 2 granny square blankets for my girls, Im over half way with them.

My latest commissioned cards & canvas:

And I had to repeat a card that got lost in the post; that's why is good to keep pictures of all the ones I make.

And last but not least...

Feltmaking !!!

My first pieces:

A pansy flower:

My first handbag:

Another handbag (for a present):

A bigger handbag that Im currently using:

And a nuno scarf :

ta dah !!!

Next weekend Im going wool shopping for more felting...yipeee !!

TFL

Kiki x

Birthday Girl !

2010-03-31T17:52:00.015+01:00

Today, 7 years ago, I gave birth to this little bundle of joy:

She arrived 4 weeks early...it was a long but easy in the end delivery...no epidural !! and after being told mid pregnancy that we were having a boy, her arrival was a big surprise !!! but nevertheless a lovely one !! I wanted a girl !! But, we didnt have a name and my hospital bag was packed full of navy clothes!

She arrived on April 1st (April's fool day) so when we told everybody that the baby was born and "he" was a girl, people didnt believe us ! LOL !!!

My lovely girl had a slow start in life, her 4 weeks premature life made her stay in the hospital a bit longer than expected :o( I used to drive back and forth to the hospital and as often as I could, it was hard going...until the day we finally brought her home...awwww....

Her Christening:

Chocolate addict from a young age:

Always mischievious:

At the age of 3 she cut her own hair very short !! {ouch !!!}

My lovely girl at 7:

Today, we're having a small family celebration.

Love you sweetie...mmuuuuaaahhh !!

TFL

Kiki x

Cards & Crochet

2010-03-12T10:48:00.010Z

I have been the worst blogger in the world...I have no excuse ! But in a way I havent been very crafty active lately...but I do have some cards to show you...let's start with the Valentine's card I made for Hubbie:

Then, I was a asked to make:
2 Baby Cards:

2 Birthday Cards:

And a New Home Card:
All the images make sense to the recieptient :o) And the person who ordered this card loved it that much that paid me double for it !!!

Over the next few days, I have to make a 50th Birthday male card, and put together J's Birthday party invitations.

BUT, I have been busy crochetting !! Im completely hooked !!!! (no pun intended !!) I have been getting patterns online, buying them in Etsy and You Tube'ing stitches !! I made J a lovely hat, but turned out too small, so I made her another one...then a scarf ! then I made these:

And Im currently working on this:

Got the pattern from this blog: Attic24

And I have been soooo sick of being sick !! a few weeks ago I had something like a headcold/sinus, my ears were blocked and I was very close to bang my head against the walls !!! Then I got better....but last Sunday we went for a swim, and I felt water had gone into my nose, even though I wear a nose plug and ear plugs ! and on Monday, this sinus thingie started again ! on Tuesday I couldnt get out of bed, I had a bit of temperature but my whole body was in pain ! I didnt bring the girls to school, and spent nearly the entire day in bed !!! I have taken a cocktail of meds and hoping to get better asap, but I realise now that my swimming days are over ! that *&%$^£ swimming pool water is overly chlorinated and I cant stand strong chemicals :o( Im now struggling with an earache and sore throat, apart from the sinus congestion..not funny at all !

TFL

KIki x

Bunch of Cards

2010-02-08T16:57:00.006Z

Not that many...but my recent makes :o)

First, this was a personalised order for a Kilkenny hurling fan:

Then, a Teddy Bears Birthday card:
Background Paper is from Papertrey Ink

Stamps,& paper from Papertrey Ink too:

Star Stamp from Papertrey Ink:

Paper Trey Ink:

Stamp is Hero Arts:
Background was made using the "faux mosaic" technique.

Elzybells Stamps, backing paper from Papertrey Ink:

Well, yep, I have been playing with the Quilter's Sample set from Papertrey Ink. I love PI stamps, they outstand from the rest because of they versatibility.

Now, I'll be making DH's Valentine's card. But I have itchy fingers to do some crochet...I have a project in mind, I've bought a pattern online, just waiting patiently to receive it in my inbox !

TFL

Kiki x

New Year's Word , Snow & Cards

2010-01-25T17:47:00.010Z

Hi There !!

My New Year's word this time is WELLBEING. It basicly sums up all I want to achieve this year.

These are my first card orders of the year:

And this was a card I wanted to do, I hadnt used the Papertrey Ink stamps I got looong time ago:

I used Vintage Core'dinations card for the background, love it !

A couple of weeks ago, we were blessed with snow !! Even though it is a nuissance for driving,I love to see the ground, the walls, the trees, everything covered in snow...the white snow reflects light, so I feel everything looks very bright, hope we get more soon ! Here are some pics, taken on the first days, but it got heavier.

Craftwise, I'll be building my stock little by little...

TFL

KIki x

A New Year...a New Start !

2010-01-01T13:18:00.010Z

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Fist post of the year, yeah !!

I havent blogged in ages !! But December was such a busy month. I will tell you all about it... Go and grab a cup of tea/coffee..this is gonna be long.

Craftywise...the last crafty thing I made was a birthday card for a lady who works for a project in Zambia where they help to build schools for children:

Then, I had decided to give myself a break till the New Year, so I havent made a single thing ever since. But I have ideas :o)

I absolutely dislike Christmas in Ireland...mainly because the days are short, cold and boring. Back in Costa Rica, Christmas mean long school holidays, and the beggining of the dry (and very sunny) season; So for this year, I started planning activities to keep us going, something to look forward to and make these days more bearable. It was all gonna start with a Christmas Play called "The Magic Christmas Tree" at the Dunamaise Theater in Co Laois, on December 14th. We were looking forward to this. But on December 13th, a cold Sunday...as we were getting ready to go to the swimming pool, as every Sunday morning...the door bell rang, and of course, my first thought was that it was my Father in Law, dropping in to see the girls...he usually dropped in on Sunday mornings....but no...it was the Guards (Police). I thought they were looking for information on a robbery or something like that....but they asked if they could come in, which I felt it was unusual...once they were in, and as we were facing each other, waiting for them to talk...I will never forget those first words, one of them turned to my husband and said "Im afraid I have bad news, your Dad was found dead on the side of the road"...... OMG, I can't describe the feeling !! our hearts jumped inside, our heads were thinking "he got the wrong house", and maybe the guard felt a bit the same, cos one of them kept repeating Father in Law's name, James, and his address !! He then proceeded to explain a bit further....Father in Law, Jimmy, as he was commonly known by everybody...had gone to work that morning...he didnt work on Sundays, but because it was Christmas trees season, he worked on that day. He worked 48 years for Coillte. He wasnt feeling well, had pain chests, and decided to go home mid morning...he was a very stubborn man ! his brother & co-worker wanted to bring him home in his car, but Jimmy declined, he was going home on his motorbike. Over half way on the road, he must had felt that there was something wrong, he stopped the motorbike and dropped dead on the side of the road. Somebody passing by, probably very soon, saw him and rang the ambulance and guards. Jimmy was brought to the nearest hospital and CPR was performed, unsucessfully, he must had suffered a massive heart attack !! He was young, only 63...but to be honest, he didnt look after himself at all. "He was a simple man, who lived a simple life".

He had a beautiful farewell funeral...all his grandchildren: Zoe, Marie Claire, Melanie, Kim, Julianna & Lucas took a very active role at the funeral, as innapropiate as it may sound, yes,it was a beautiful and comforting ceremony.

Jimmy and I didnt get along well all the time, we probably had many cultural clashes along the way...but during these 11 and half years I got to meet him, he earned all my respect and care, and I believe I earned his too...He was a loving and caring Grandfather....and for that alone, I will be eternally thankful....Jimmy, you'll be missed...

We didnt make the Christmas play...but we went to see Miley Cyrus in concert...the girls, specially my eldest, were looking forward to this concert since May or so !! We were in two minds...we had just said goodbye to grandad...was it appropiate to go to the concert or not??? well, the last time we saw Jimmy, my hubbie had rang him to please come and mind the girls for half an hour, I was going to my Yoga class and Hubbie was stuck late in the train coming from Dublin. Jimmy always helped us out in situations like these. Well, the half hour Jimmy was here, was made to watch Hannah Montana !! so knowing him, he would had said "Bring those girls to that concert!!" so off we went. I took some pics with my phone, I still have to download (havent done it before, need hubbie's help).

After Miley's concert, it was the girls Play at school....this year the school got 2 drama teachers to help them out, and it showed, it was brilliant !! Here are some pics, not good pics, we were sitting at the very back :o(

We went to see Santa...at the Clanard Court Hotel, it has been so far the best Santa experience ever !! It was a 3 hour tour !! First, the girls went into the Elves Workshop, they decorated their own Christmas tree bauble, while they were wating for their bauble to dry, they got their faces painted. We then proceeded to visit the elves....we saw them at work, wrapping the presents to give to Santa, saw their bedrooms, and Lazy bones was there sleeping...we all had to shout to wake him up and send him to work !!! Then we went into Mrs Claus kitchen, and then her bedroom, she was there and we got a pic with her. The girls spotted Santa's "Nice & Naughty" lists on his desk, and rapidly grabbed a pen and made sure their names were on the "Nice" list. After, we went for a story, a lovely lady sat the children on logs in in a pretend forest and told them a nice Christmas story. The children then wrote and posted their presents list, we then added something that our youngest had forgotten to write down on her "other" list...LOL !! Then we had a lovely cup of hot chocolate with mashmellows...getting us a bit warm to then go on a road trip to visti Santa's farm...were we saw some turkeys, cows, goats, and raindeers...they are in trainning raindeers !!! We were brought back to the hotel after. We then visited Santa, who was lovely and took his time with the girls....and to finish the whole experience, we got a lovely family photo, Im usually not impressed by these, but I was this year ! beautiful pic, thiking on using it for next year's Christmas cards :o)

With lovely Santa

These are the raindeers Rudolf is trainning at the moment, they have to practice their landing a bit better :O)

Making Mince Pies at Mrs Claus kitchen

"Nice & Naughty" Lists

With Mrs Claus, isnt she lovely?

For our Christmas treat, and I mean only Hubbie and me :o) we have visited Ikea 3 times !!! hehehehe....kinda of addicted at this stage, but our house is looking soooo much better !!!!!!!!!!

Ikea Visits:

My crafty corner...before and after Ikea :o)

Ever since....we have bought 2 more Expedit units, smaller ones (they added about 1/2 more storage space, yipeeee) 2 tables, 4 chairs, 4 stools, 1 standing lamp, 2 picture frames, several children's arts & crafts items, I steel stand with baskets I stool (so I can reach the top of our clothes press) & several towels. Hubby has been over the moon putting together all these pieces of furniture, his "Lego" as he calls them :o)

Well, and we ended the year going to Disney On Ice, Princesses Wishes...it was lovely...we all enjoyed it soooo much !!

Hubbie & me, self portrait :o)

MC and her Popcorn

J with a lovely food dye mustache !! hehehe

I yet have to think on my New Year's resolution word...my last year's was "Believe".

TFL

Kiki x

PS: Hubbie is doing ok...he has a loving wife & kids who have been there to comfort him when has needed us the most. He has made himself very active lately, maybe that's his way to deal with his grieving I suppose.

Altered Items

2009-11-25T13:07:00.004Z

Well, the Christmas Fair didnt go as planned :o( but at least Im selling my stuff, slowly but it's going, like every Christmas :o)

This year Im planning on taking a break just before and after Christmas from all the mayhem ! I am not even making x-mas biccies, after nearly 20 years or making them every year ! I'll bake some cakes instead, quicker (non christmas batter though!). I really need a break from crafting, I want to spend those days with my family & friends...and already have some activities lined up.

For the Teachers this year, they're not getting a fully handmade present, only the outside will be handmade LOL !. And this is it:

A friend asked me if I could Alter some notebooks for her to give as presents:

I have to admit that Altered Art is my number one Favourite...dunno why, but to see the final product gives me great satisfaction ! (more than cardmaking !)

TFL

Kiki x

Getting ready for the Christmas Fair !

2009-11-09T16:08:00.009Z

Hi there !! it was my hubbie's B-day in October, so I had to put together a card for him, I was quite busy, so I came up with this:

Well, Im glad to say that I'm finally looking forward to Sunday's Charity Christmas Fair! Im still not finished, but I'm getting there. Besides some "all ocassions" cards, I also made x-mas cards, fridge magnet calendars where you add your own photo, altered diaries, altered notes mini books and some layouts in canvas, here are some samples:

Im sending this one to my parents for X-mas, along with the fridge calendar with the photo

Hope to do well :o)

If you still haven't started X-mas shopping, come for a bit or retail therapy ! this Sunday 15th of November, from 10 am to 5 pm at ALSAA, Swords Road, Dublin.
We are a group of mothers that run different bussiness, a lot of these are of handmade crafts !!

In aid of St. Brigids Cardiac Unit, Crumlin Childrens Hospital

TFL

Kiki x

Remember me?

2009-10-21T11:38:00.004+01:00

It has been over a month since the last time I blogged...well...things have been a bit rocky. Craftwise, Im still busy, still working as much as I can on getting ready for next month's craft fair...I won't be able to have ready as many items as I had initially planned on doing, but still, I have made some nice bits. Will post pics later.

Over the last 5 months I have been suffering from aches and pains all over !! I have felt completely run down...I spent the summer in a "bubble" literally, I couldn't bring myself up for doing anything...the highlight of the summer was to visit the zoo! only the Zoo !

And now...with the impending arrival of the winter, I knew things would only get worse. So, about a month ago, I decided it was time to feel better, to work on myself...I started aerobics, made myself to bring the girls swimming more often, so I can have a swim too, and recently, I joined a yoga class...gosh ! why I didnt do enough research before I joined, it's not easy !! it's not what I thought...going for a bit of relaxation !!! LOL !! But after the 2nd class, I felt a renewed person! had a great day after !!!! and 2 weeks ago I wasnt expecting to say this, but actually, Im looking forward to tonite's class !! Thanks Paul !!

Anyway...I also did a lot of research on my aches and pains...google can be a great doctor ! LOL ! and leaving aside all of the cancers I might be suffering from (according to google) I narrowed my symptoms down to be Fibromyalgia. So, loaded with info, I went to see my GP...I wasn't expecting her to diagnose me, that diagnose can only be done by a Rheumatologist, I went to ask her to refer me to a Rheumathologist. I was explaining to her my symptoms, I had told her I had "studied" my pains, which are not easy to describe, but my right shoulder & neck were very very sore, making my life miserable ! along with a pain in my left foot/ankle, which was the reason I avoided walking too much. I am convinced the pains are not at the joint per se, but around it, which means muscles and tendons. The rest of the body feels sore often, but the other pains are there ALL the time.

She inmediately said "Fibromyalgia", I didn't think she was very familiar with it, but to my surprise, she was (fair play!!) she knew where the tender points are and did the test, and yes, she confirmed it. So, I have started treatment...From January I decided this year was a "drugs" free year, weaned myself of antidepressants and any other chemical I dont need inside my body...but unfortunately, I need to be able to function, so reluctantly I am back on the antidepressants :o( along with antiinflamatories :o( maybe I will be able to "live" without them again if I keep working on myself a bit more..hope so.

In the meantime, I will be doing more reseach on Fibromyalgia, recent discoveries, etc..it is a very strange syndrome (it's not an illness) not very well known and not specific known cure either.

I always think that the answers to feel better relies in our own bodies...and without knowing a while ago what was happening to me, I took the decision to start "moving", whatever I was suffering from, I had to "move, move it", so I went back to aerobics (which are light, perfect for me), swimming, which I felt relieving, and yoga, to help the mind too...and all these are reccomended to Fibromyalgia sufferers !! I was surprised when I read that.

I hardly ever post personal stuff in my blog...but I know some of my crafty friends also suffer from FM, so any advice is welcome!

Recently, I made some cards to order...which by the way, some of them I had to make at short notice, I felt under preassure, and even though I find it hard to say "no" I won't be taking orders with less than 2 weeks from now on. My cards are my art, my creation, and I hate hate hate to rush them !! it takes a few days of "thinking" how Im gonna put together a card, what colours Im gonna use,I might need to order card, or papers, or embellishments, etc...so short notice means either repeat an old style, or get it out of the way asap, and I hate to have to do that...I get no enjoyment that way.

These 2 cards are for a Wedding on Halloween day :
I actually loved using these non traditional colours

Another Wedding card...not for Halloween, but again, not the tradtional "silver" or "gold" emmhhhh...I ran out of the "silver and gold" card ! hehehe.

These 2 were put together in a rush:
But still, think they turn out ok

I havent' done a baby card in a while...delighted how this one turned out:

TFL

Kiki x

PS: On my next post...I will be adding pics of our trip to Eurodisney !!! yipeee !

A Bunch of cards !

2009-09-08T11:43:00.004+01:00

I haven't blogged in a few weeks...ooopps ! But I have been busy crafty wise. I have started building up my stock for a Christmas Craft Fair Im attending in November. I have been making christmas cards ! I will be busy over the next 5-6 weeks with the rest of the projects. I won't be posting photos here of what Im making at the moment, but I promise a photo of the whole lot closer to November :o)

I have also made some personalised cards, these are for my biggest fan ! LOL ! She orders an average of 5-6 a month or so.

This first card is my submission to this week's Paperplay Challenge. I had the card finished when I checked this week's challenge, and funnily enough, I had initially planned on using leftover letters for the name, but since the name is kinda long, I changed my mind, it wasn't gonna fit, but already had some odd letters I was gonna use. My client has loved the scrabble letters, so I decided to use them again. (Im starting to like scrabble letters).

This card is very similar I made recently, but my client liked it so much that she asked for another one to give to somebody else:

This is for a male Teacher. He is into music, travel, and used to to teach in Zambia, hence the map of Africa:

This is for a Zambian Nun to be...so the card is kinda Graduation card :o)

For another Zambian Nun to be:

And this last one is for a Priest who is celebrating his 50th Priesthood Anniversary. My client asked for a "non religious" card, but a friendship one instead:

TFL

Kiki x

A photo in a canvas, and a Birthday Card

2009-08-11T17:07:00.007+01:00

On the previous post, I didnt realise at the time I was writting it that the title could be misleading :o) I am not moving, but my friend is :o(

I organised a farewell party here at my house for Saturday, we were nearly 50 people, counting children. It all went well, except for the horrible and unpredictable weather!! We were in the middle of barbecuing the burgers when it lashed rain !!! thunderstorm and all !! Poor Hubs finished cooking the burgers under an umbrella !! All our friends contributed with food and drink, so I didnt have to worry too much on that aspect.But it was kinda funny that I told them all that I had loads of wine, so dont bring any...and each family arrived with 1 or 2 bottles of wine !! hehehe...we were trying to get rid of what we have !!!!!

I made them a cake, which was devoured !! mainly by the kids !!! it was a 4 layer chocolate and vanilla cake !!

As difficult as it was to organise a group photo, tripod and all, we did it !!! and I printed the photo and put it in a canvas for them to bring to their new home. I used Celine's Navarro mixed media techniques:

Believe it or not, there are 7 nationalities among that group of people !! I have an international network of friends !!! LOL !! can you guess them all?

This is the last of the card orders I have for the moment, similar to my latest styles:

I will be making x-mas cards soon, cos I hate making my own in a rush at x-mas, I want to get them out of the way, so I can concentrate in a few projects I have for a craft fair.

TFL

Kiki x

Moving Home (country!) Card & 25th Wedding Anniversary

2009-08-05T22:26:00.003+01:00

Hi...I haven't done much lately, mojo gone on holidays ! :o)

But I had an order for a 25th Wedding Anniversary Card, so I came up with this:

I had to make a card for a family, good friends, moving to another country...another culture, another weather !!! going to Abu Dhabi. We're having a farwell party this Saturday, at my house, 50+ people !! My friend leaving is the one who always organises get togethers, night's out, birthday celebrations, etc...so I thought this time it was our duty to organise their party.

I also took the opportunity to make this card with "dimension" so I can use it for this week's Paperplay Challenge:

TFL

Kiki x

Paperplay Challenge

2009-07-27T12:24:00.002+01:00

These challenges have been going on for a while now, and every week I say I'm taking part but never get around to. But finally, I made cards for this week:

Take a look : Paperplay Challenges

TFL

Kiki x

Just a Note ...

2009-07-27T12:16:00.003+01:00

Sometimes we need "general" cards, so I made these with that in mind:

TFL

Kiki x

Wedding Anniversary, 21st & Kiddies Cards

2009-07-21T20:12:00.004+01:00

These 2 cards are the rest of the 5 cards order I had recently:

Before starting this card, I had it in my head, as I wanted it. I was sure I had Tim Holtz numbers in grungeboard, and when I went looking for them I realised that I have an alphabet and shapes set, no numbers ! but I wanted thick/chipboard numbers. So I cut them with the craft robo, stuck them to a piece of chipboard and proceeded to cut them !! I defo will be getting the grungeboard numbers in the future !!
The backing papers is actually Papermania x-mas paper, but I think the colours are not christmasey anyway.

Quilt blanket made with blue Paper of the world !! The sentiment is from Papertrey.

We have some birthdays coming up, so it was a good excuse to make some kiddies cards and to use my new Hello Kitty die. The "Pirate" dies are for the cuttlebug, or the cuttlekids (is that the name? cant remember).

TFL

Kiki x

Birthday Cards

2009-07-16T20:47:00.004+01:00

I was asked by one of my clients to make a few cards, I have still 2 more to finish. But here are the first 3:

For her Mother in Law:

Papers & tag are K & CO. Im loving the white wash core'dinations !! (behind tag)

This one is for her daughter, who drives a yellow motorbike:

Stamp is or course a bella :o) I coloured her with promarkers and Twinklings H20, papers are My Mind's Eye.

And this one is for a cousin:

Papers are Prima, tag is 7 Gypsies, and the glittery butterfly is a Martha Stewart stamp, which I coloured in with Anita's 3D Clear Gloss Finish (same as glossy accents)using a technique I saw in Amy Risavy's blog (Card inspired by Amy's card).

I was asking Amy if she had tried stickles, since I thought it would have the same effect, and would be quicker to apply (not that it makes a difference really). She was saying that stickles is glitter with glue and applying glitter to glossy accents would give a deeper glitter coverage. I tried both, and initially I liked the stickles butterfly better, but then changed my mind once the glossy accents one was dried, looks more glittery, besides, the stickles one is still wet!.

TFL

Kiki x

A LO, Scrap Cards and Some Baby Cards

2009-07-08T19:19:00.005+01:00

I couldnt take part at the Easter Classes thought by Elaine and Annamarie (Scrapbookstore)But both girls sent me the classes, wasnt that a lovely gesture? :o)

I finally got around to do Annamarie class, I was waiting to have the right photo:

I did a few cards with the leftovers:

I have also made some cards a la Beatriz Jennings:

I have the right photo to do Elaine's class, will do in the few days.

TFL

Kiki x

Finished Blanket !! (at last !)

2009-07-03T16:37:00.003+01:00

I feel soooo proud to have finished my first big crochet project !! yipeee !!! It was a lot of work making those squares, but I enjoyed it !!

Im already researching (You tubing !) crochet hats for my girls for the winter !!

Now, I have loads of papercrafts projects lined up ! But might do the odd crochet flower here and there, since I have loved this addictive craft !!!

TFL

Kiki x

A day at the Dail

2009-06-29T17:04:00.004+01:00

Last Saturday we went to a "Family Day" at the Dail (Leinster House, Houses of the Oireachtas, Irish Parliament)

The weather was glorious !!!

Only in Ireland you find the Police to be super friendly :o)

Daddy & girls at the back garden.

At the front of the house.

The portrait of the Lady above us is of Mary McAleese, the President Of Ireland.

This is the place where members of the goverment and oposition discuss our future !!

I still haven't finished the blanket, hoping to finish it this week !! I have a couple of LO's to do and 2 mini albums to complete too :o)

TFL

Kiki x

Layouts, Canvas & Teachers Presents !!

2009-06-20T21:44:00.008+01:00

I spent a fab day today at Celine Navarro's classes !! loved them !! paint, canvas & a mess, my kind of stuff !! Thanks Elaine & Annamarie for organising this event !!

My Layouts:

I hadnt scrapped as a such in a while, and today has just fueled my inner scrapper !!

Then we did a canvas, which by the way is already on the wall in my sitting room :o) :

Thursday and Friday I spent a couple of hours finishing the teachers presents for this year. I already had a staggered mini album with the words TEACHER

I put inside a photo, each girl wrote on the tags, made a drawing and I printed 2 nice Teacher poems inside, I found them here and here

Then I made a card and a handbag for each teacher, and a card & handbag for the school's assistant.

I used magnetic snaps to close the hangbags.

TFL

Kiki x