Time For An Update!

Hi all, hope you're well!! I've been very busy these last few months, setting up house and looking after my family, including two of the loveliest, cutest stepdaughters there ever were and the sweetest guy in the world, that I haven't really had time for an update. I have had time to make some cards and stuff, because my stepdaughters luuuuuurve to craft, and it's one of the things we enjoy doing together :D

I honestly couldn't tell you what materials and Copic colours I used, I'll try to do better next time...

Thank you for stopping by, hope to be back again soon with some more crafties!

Hugs,

Erica

Made With All My Love

Hi folks! It's been ages again, I know! Been very busy with this and that and not done a lot of crafting, but I think the crafty bug is coming back! It better, seeing as no sooner has one of my colleagues given birth than another one announces she's pregnant, it's the weirdest thing!

Anyway, made this card for a very special colleague, she's had some bad news recently and needs to know we're thinking of her.

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Magnolia; Sentiment by Nicole Verkooijen
Paper: Elzybells Arts Stamps kraft cardstock; Maja Design Vintage Summer papers
Embellishments: Melissa Frances pearls; Zva Creative pearl swirls
Tools: QuicKutz star die; EK Success Retro Flower punches; Marianne Design frond; Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Eighteen;
Chalk; Papertrey Ink Dark Chocolate ink
Copics:
E00, E51, E93, E21 (skin, cheeks)
E44, E43, E42, E41 (hair)
R85, R83, R81 (pinks)
Sorry, don't have the blues ;o)

Right, that's all from me, hope you're having a great summer, see you soon!

Hugs,
Erica

Diet News and Congratulations

First of all, I want to thank you for your compliments about my weight loss, they are much appreciated! Now, some of you wanted to know how I managed to lose 40 kgs...I did this using a protein-based diet (MediSlank) and under firm supervision of a dietician. For those of you who do not have a dietician nearby that works with this product, the diet can also be followed online.

 

 

Go to www.sanadoe.nl for more information, the webshop with products and the TLC of Klaas and Ingrid, who will not only help you, guide you and cheer you on, but who also send the products out free of shipping (Netherlands only!)

 

 

Now, onto my card for today! I made this for my dear friend Moon, whose birthday it is today. Assuming she's received the card I can show it to you now ;o).

Isn't this Magnolia image just precious? Some of the things I used on the card I've had for years, such as the flowers and the button, which just goes to show you should never throw anything away
(though you may need to move to a bigger house eventually ;o))

 

 

Card Ingredients:
Stamps: Magnolia; sentiment by My Favorite Things
Paper: Bazzill Basics cardstock blue; Elzybells Art stamps cardstock kraft; Authentique paper
Embellishments: Rayher butterflies, Zva Creative pearl swirls; Prima Marketing flowers; Doodlebug button; Karen Foster scrapper's floss; Queen & Co pearls
Tools: My Favorite Things swirl, tab; Magnolia Doohickey fence

Thank you for stopping by, have a great week and see you soon!

 

 

Hugs,
Erica

Happy New Year!

Better late than never right ;o)! A very Happy New Year to you all, wishing you lots of love, luck, happiness and good health in 2012! I've finally made a card, the first one of the year, using this lovely Magnolia stamp which is available exclusively from Creashop Duymelot.

I've also turned off the comments section on my blog, as I don't have the time to visit you and leave comments I think it's only fair. If you have a question please leave it in the C-box on the right or send me an e-mail.

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Magnolia; sentiment by LOTV
Paper: Bazzill Basics cardstock; Maja Design paper "Vintage Winter"; piece of cardboard box
Embellishments: Zva Creative pearl swirls; Queen & Co pearls; Rayher butterflies

Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Eighteen; EK Success Retro Flower punches; Magnolia Doohickey fence; Marianne Design Creatables trellis
Copics:
E00, E51, E93, E21 (skin, cheeks)
E44, E43, E42, E41 (browns)
E46, E35, E29 (reds)

That's all from me for now, hope to be back soon with something else to show you :D. Thank you for stopping by!

Hugs,
Erica

Simply Sassy Sunday

Hiya! Hope you're having a good day, weather overcast here so I've decided to make it a cleaning-and-tidying day, seeing as how I couldn't find my leaf die to put some much-needed leaves on this tag...*hanging head in shame*.

For today's inspiration I've used

Hippie Love

Still one of my all-time favourite Sassy stamps :D!

Tag Ingredients:

Stamps: Simply Sassy "Hippie Love"; Stempelglede background stamp
Paper: Elzybells Art Stamps cardstock; BoBunny design paper "Welcome Home"
Embellishments: American Crafts Thickers; staples; Kars adhesive pearls; Prima Marketing Vintage Trinkets; string; We R Memory Keepers wide eyelet
Tools: Magnolia Doohickey fence; My Favorite Things Upsy Daisy flower die; Ranger distress ink; chalk
Copics:
E00, E51, E93, E21 (skin, cheeks, lips)
Y28, E53, E50 (hair)
BG02, BG01, BG000 (blues)
G24 (green)
E44, E43, E42 (browns)

Right, that's all from me, off to create some order in this chaos! Have a great day, thank you for stopping by and see you soon!

Hugs,
Erica

Simply Sassy Release Blog Hop!

It is time for another Simply Sassy Blog Hop, as today sees the release of a new set, which might actually be my favourite so far (sssshhh, don't tell the other Sassy's!)... Now, if you've come from the amazingly talented Anita's blog then you're on the right track! If you haven't or if you're just joining us, please head to the Simply Sassy Inspiration Blog to start the hop ;o)

I'm so excited to be able to introduce you to Travel Lite, or as I like to call her, Becky ;o). You see, Becky's going on a mini-break with her new boyfriend and he's very impressed she's only packed one tiny suitcase! Little does he know she's already sent the two big ones ahead to their hotel ;o).

This image can be used for a great many things, such as a bon voyage card, or a miss you card, or an invitation for a friend to come stay with you :D. I have used the new sketch over on Pink {Ink} Sketch Challenges for this card, provided by the lovely and very talented Kylie :D!

I have used My Mind's Eye papers, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Eighteen, the suitcase stamp is from Magnolia, the doily (just visible) is made with My Favorite Things Die-namics, the flowers with EK Success Retro Flower punches, the sentiment is by Papertrey Ink, the pearls are from Queen & Co and Zva Creative, the butterflies from Rayher and the Copic colours are: E00, E51, E93, E21 (skin, cheeks, lips), Y28, E53, E50 (hair), W7, W5, W3, W2, W1 (greys).

Okay, onto the important stuff: for this blog hop I get to give away the Simply Sassy stamp that I used on my card to one lucky winner! All you have to do to be in with a chance to win is:

Leave a comment at every stop on the blog hop, you have until 12.00 noon GMT (CET -1 hr) on Monday 19 September to do so!

I will pick a winner from all the comments and post the winner's name in my blog at 19.00 hrs that evening, so be sure to check back then!

You can find Travel Lite over at Funky Kits, where they have an amazing deal for the release weekend: buy all six stamps in this set for the price of five!

Next up on the blog hop is the fabulous Autumn, so hop on over and see what amazing creation she has in store for you! Have a great Sassy day ;o)!

Hugs,
Erica

Simply Sassy Sunday Sneak Peek!

Hi all, today I'm showing you a sneak peek of one of the fantastic new stamps in set 10 of the Simply Sassy stamps (can you believe, ten sets!). The stamp is called "Love Letters" but I think I'll call her Sophie...

Sophie is a beautiful girl and very popular with the boys. Every day her poor postman gives himself a hernia dragging the sackfulls of love letters to Sophie's door. You see, Sophie doesn't have a computer or a smartphone so no texting, e-mailing or What's App'ing for her, if the boys want her attention they'd better send her a nice love letter, the old-fashioned way! Today she received four letters she really likes and now she has to make up her mind which of the boys to go out with! Can't wait to hear Sophie's choice... ;o)

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Simply Sassy "Love Letters"; Magnolia background stamp
Paper: Bazzill Basics cardstock kraft, white; DCWV design paper Linen Closet
Embellishments: Wild Orchid Crafts pearl hearts; Queen & Co adhesive pearls; staples
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Circle and Scalloped Circle Large; EK Success Retro Flower punches; Ranger Distress Ink Old Paper
Copics:
E00, E51, E93, E21 (skin, cheeks, lips)
Y28, E53, E50 (hair)
E44, E43, E42, E41 (browns)

Right, that's all from me, but if you hop on over to the Sugar Nellie blog you'll find another sneak peek there from Maria Therese!

Have a great day, thanks for stopping by :D!

Hugs,
Erica

Simply Sassy Sunday!

Hi there crafty chicks (and dudes!), I'm back :D! I've had such a busy week and I really wanted to craft, but was just sooooo exhausted when I got home of an evening that I just wanted to crash on the couch...how old am I right :-(

I made this label before (see THIS POST for pattern link) but yesterday, while tidying up the bombsite I call my craft room, I came across the pattern for these labels again and just had to make another ;o)

For today's creation I used the utterly adorable

Apple of My Eye

from the latest set of Simply Sassy goodness :D. I love this stamp (I know, I say that about all of them but I cannot tell a lie :-p) because it it so versatile, it can be used "just because", for get well cards, a welcome back or goodbye from school (apples=teacher's pet in my mind, weird isn't it) and for a lot more themes you care to think of :D!

Tag Ingredients:

Stamp: Simply Sassy "Apple of My Eye"
Paper: Elzybells Arts Stamps kraft cardstock; Pion design paper
Embellishments: Creative Cafe rub-on sentiment; Kars adhesive pearls; We R Memory Keepers eyelet; Rayher butterflies; staples; string; charm
Tools: Magnolia Doohickey fence; EK Success Retro Flower punches; Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Eighteen; Ranger distress ink Weathered Wood; We R Memory Keepers Crop-a-Dile
Copics:
E00, E51, E93, E21 (skin, cheeks, lips)
Y28, E53, E50 (hair)
W7, W5, W3, W2, W1 (greys)

It's perfect crafting weather over here, so that's what I'm going to be doing today ;o). Hope you have a lovely day, thank you for stopping by!

Hugs,
Erica

Love...

Hiya!! Wow I've been saying that a lot this past week, having been on vacation in England. Made me realise how much I do miss it (I used to live there) and I've promised myself to take at least one trip there every year from now on, no matter how short!

Anyway, onto my card, it is Pink {Ink} Sketch Challenge time again and this time the absolutely fabulous sketch has been provided by Jeanette! Go check out the blog, it really is sooooo cute and the DT have made some extraordinary cards with it!

This is...let's call her Katie, and she's waiting for her Prince Charming. He's a little clueless though, she's been dropping so many hints! Will he get this one? To be continued...

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Magnolia
Paper: Bazzill Basics cardstock kraft; Pion design paper
Embellishments: Zva Creative pearl swirls; Wild Orchid Crafts flowers; Rayher butterflies
Tools: QuicKutz Antique Flourish swirl; Magnolia Doohickey flower; Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Circle and Scalloped Circle large; Ranger Distress Ink Weathered Wood

Copics:

E00, E51, E93, E21 (skin, cheeks)
Y28, Y53, Y50 (hair)
W7, W5, W3, W2, W1 (greys)

Right, that is all I wrote, I'll be back on Sunday with my Simply Sassy card and some holiday pics to show you :D! Thank you for stopping by, have a great weekend!

Hugs,
Erica

Simply Sassy Sunday!

*Edited to add*:

On my blog the winner of one surprise Simply Sassy stamp is:

Kimberly

Congrats Kimberly! Please mail me your addy at
erica_everaers@hotmail.com!

Thank you all for your lovely comments, hope you enjoyed our hop!

********************************************************************

Hi there peeps, hope you enjoyed our hop yesterday, isn't the new release FANTASTIC?!?! If you haven't hopped along yet, you can find all the info in the post below this one. There's a chance to win a surprise Sassy stamp from the new release and also, Mark over at FUNKY KITS has a special price for the whole set, only for this weekend though, so hurry!

Today I'm showing you a stair step card, it's almost an exact replica of a card I did for Cards Only, a Dutch magazine, but I loved it so much that I wanted to make another one...silly isn't it, how sometimes you can fall in love with your own cards ;o)

I have used only cardstock to make this card, kind of making me wonder why I have stacks and stacks of design papers in my craft room when this will do just as well...ah well, we like all things pretty don't we ;o). The wonderful Butterfly Girl stamp from the new release goes really well with the cardstock butterflies, and of course it had to be a pink card with such a girly stamp ;o)

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Simply Sassy "Butterfly Girl"; sentiment by Whiff of Joy

Paper: Bazzill Basics cardstock pink
Embellishments: Kars adhesive pearls
Tools: Cuttlebug embossing folders; My Favorite Things Die-namics Fresh Cut Grass, Butterflies; Magnolia Doohickeys Foliage; Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Eighteen; EK Success Retro Flower punch small; Martha Stewart Picket Fence punch; QuicKutz Antique Flourishes die
Copics:
E00, E93, E21 (skin, cheeks)
Y28, E53, E50 (hair)
R85, R83, R81 (pinks)

Well that's all from me for now, I'm off to enjoy some sunshine! Oh wait...it's raining again, guess I'll go craft some more ;o).
Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!

Hugs,
Erica

Thanks a Million!

Hi everybody! Hope you're doing well and enjoying your week so far, thank goodness it's Wednesday already right ;o). I made this Magnolia double pocket card a while ago but haven't shown it on here yet, because sometimes I just have Swiss cheese brain ;o). Anyway, I really enjoyed making this model card, you can find a tutorial on it -->HERE<-- (doesn't Beate just make the most beautiful things!)

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Magnolia; sentiments by Papertrey Ink
Papers: Bazzill Basics cardstock red, white, blue; Maja Design designpaper "Life in the Country"
Embellishments: Papertrey Ink ribbon; We R Memory Keepers eyelets; buttons; scrapper's floss; Kars adhesive pearls
Tools: EK Success Retro Flower punch; Kars butterfly punch; Martha Stewart border punch; Magnolia Doohickey label die; My Favorite Things grass die; needle and thread
Copics: E00, E51, E93, E21 (skin, cheeks)
B95, B93, B91 (blues)
E07 (red)
YG63 (green)

The large label at the top is also a pocket, to put in some money or a gift card!

Right, that's all I wrote for now, have a great week, thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon!

Hugs,
Erica

Pink {Ink} Sketch Challenges Blog Hop!

Well, there had to be one didn't there...the one who didn't think okay, if it's 9th July in Australia it's 8th July over here...so sorry I missed the first day of the hop and, well, the opening itself, I'm really really kicking myself, I can tell you!

Today (or yesterday...) marks the start of our brand spanking new sketch challenge blog and we're doing a fun hop so you can meet the DT and see what amazing ladies I get to work with :D!

Here's my take on our first sketch, which was designed by Jane:

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Magnolia; My Favorite Things sentiment
Paper: Elzybells Art Stamps cardstock; Pion design paper
Embellishments: Kaisercraft pearls; Wild Orchid Crafts roses; string; metal corner
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Oval and Scalloped Oval Large; My Favorite Things tag die; McGill leaf punch
Copics:
E00, E51, E93, E21 (skin, cheeks)
E44, E43, E42 (hair)
E41 (socks)

Right, onto the hop, if you've come here from the very talented Cheri then you are on the right track! If you're just getting started then please go to the Pink Ink Sketch Challenges blog and start the hop there.

We have some amaaaaazing sponsors lined up for you, giving you a chance to win some fabby prizes! From a super-cute stamp at Tickled Pink Stamps, owned by our very own Kellie, to some more cuteness from Love to Stamp, a lovely stamp from Whiff of Joy and a gift certificate from Whimsy Stamps all the way to a choice of five digital sentiments from our Cheri at Graphicat Designs!

I'm off to go sit in a corner and be very ashamed of myself...but before then I'll send you onto the amazing Jane for some more hopping! Have a great day, thanks for stopping by and don't forget to join in with your own take on our sketch!

Hugs,
Erica

Let Me Introduce You To...

...these delightful Magnolia chickies! A little over a month ago I gave a workshop at the fifth Magnolia Event, organised bi-annually by Paper & Pictures in Doorn, the Netherlands. I was asked months before the event to come up with a project and here's what I made. This is not entirely how the workshop album looked, but it's my draft version ;o).

The pages are pockets and all the left-hand side pages have a pocket on them too. There are no sentiments yet as I'm not sure what I want to use it for...I might even keep it myself ;o)

Meet Lovely Letitia, who literally carries her heart on her sleeve! She falls in and out of love so quickly and gives her heart to every boy she fancies, but none of them are ever "The One"... Ah well, Letitia figures that she'll meet him some day and until then she'll have lots of fun flirting with all the boys in the village!

Letitia's best friend is Shy Sue. They do say opposites attract don't they, well in this case that's soooo true! If a boy even so much as glances sideways at Sue she blushes red like a beetroot and hides behind her hat. She got these flowers from Silly Sam, the boy-next-door who really likes her but is just as shy as she is...will this story ever get a happy ending?

Have you met Berry Betty? She spends her summer holidays picking berries for Farmer Fred and, whilst doing so, eating tons of them as well! She's a little worried that her tongue is now permanently purple and there are so many berries in her tummy it looks like a lumpy mattress, but still she won't stop eating them...hope she doesn't get a tummy ache ;o)

This is Billie Butterfly, who likes nothing better than to chase butterflies round the garden all day. When she catches one it goes into her beautiful butterfly sanctuary where it can feast on flower pollen and rotting fruit (yeugh!) and be safe from Billie's cat, Mr Whiskers, who doesn't understand why he can't reach these delicious snacks...

Anxious Amber is the modern-day, much less heroic version of Little Red Riding Hood. She also has a grandmother who lives in the woods but instead of a big bad wolf to be afraid of Amber is afraid of, well, everything! The cute little deer, the charming birds, the naughty squirrels and prickly hedgehogs...everything! That bunch of flowers she's holding? Not for her grandmother but to defend herself with, if ever an animal should come too close (most of them are used to her quirky ways and stay well away but those naughty squirrels do like teasing her...) she bashes them over the head with the flowers and runs screaming to grandma's house...silly Amber ;o)

Little Bonnie has new purple boots and a new purple hat and she loves them! They're only supposed to be worn on special occasions though, her mum's told her, so now every day Bonnie tries to think up a special occasion so she can wear her fab boots and hat! Did you know, for example, that World Writer's Day is coming up? As well as International Youth Day and International Lefthanders Day? Bonnie has been trying to teach herself to write left-handed and as she is clearly "youth", that's three special occasions, yay!

Project Ingredients:

Stamps: Magnolia
Paper: Bazzill Basics cardstock white; Maja Design design paper "Fika"
Embellishments: Kars adhesive pearls; Papertrey Ink ribbon
Tools: EK Success Retro Flower punches; Fiskars border punch; QuicKutz Antique Flourishes die; Magnolia Doohickey; Needle and thread
Copics:
E00, E51, E93, E21 (skin, cheeks)
Y28, E50, E53 (hair)
E44, E43, E42, E41 (hair, clothes)
V95, V93, V91 (clothes)


That's all from me for now, thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful week!

Hugs,
Erica

Warm Wishes And Blog Candy Winner!

Hi everyone, hope you're having a good day, it's nearly weekend so what could be bad about it eh ;o).

I have an easel card to share with you today, I'm entering this in the Sugar Bowl challenge which is a lovely sketch by Marlena! The prize, as always, is a fantastic one: you know how Sugar Nellie is the sweetest Scottish stamp company around right? Well, on 1 July they're unleashing these gorgeous Sherbet Pips onto us poor greedy stampers, and guess who'll be first in line at Funky Kits to get her inky paws on them? That's right...moi :D! Anyway, the prize they're giving away for this challenge is the whole set of Sherbet Pips for one lucky winner!

Aren't they just the most gorgeous gals you've ever seen?!?!

Onto the card before you lot start thinking I'm working on commission here ;o). This is the first time I've tried colouring on kraft cardstock and I must say, I thought it would be a lot harder! Granted, the hat ribbon colour isn't like that in real life, but otherwise it doesn't look half-bad methinks :D.

The layers of punched paper strips on the bottom of the card is an idea I got from the very talented Michelle, she did this on labels which is even more effective!

Card Ingredients:
Stamps: Sugar Nellie stamp "Pickin' Apples"; sentiment by CC Designs
Paper: Bazzill Basics cardstock; Kaisercraft design paper "English Rose"
Embellishments: Zva Creative pearl swirls; Kars adheshive pearls; Papertrey Ink ribbon
Tools: Magnolia Doohickey die; Martha Stewart, EK Success and Fiskars punches; Spellbinders Nestabilities Oval and Scalloped Oval; chalks
Copics:
E00, E51, E93, E21 (skin, cheeks)
E44, E43, E42, E41 (hair, clothes, basket)
YG95 (leaves, grass)
R20, R21, R39 (bows, flowers, apples)

And now the winner of my blog candy, as chosen by random.org

Congratulations Desiree! Please e-mail me your addy (erica_everaers@hotmail.com) and I'll send you your candy a.s.a.p.! Thanks to all of you for playing ;D!

Glad you stopped by today, hope to see you again soon!

Hugs,
Erica

Simply Sassy Release Blog Hop!

Hi Sassy fans, it's time for another Simply Sassy Release Blog Hop! The new series of stamps, set number 8 are all utterly adorable Christmas chickies! I had such fun making this card, these Sassy girls might actually get me to start on my Christmas cards a little earlier than 1 December... ;o). If you've come here from the very talented Tracy you're on the right track! If you're lost or just starting the hop, please go to the Simply Sassy Inspiration Blog and start hopping from there :D!

Today and for the next two days the fabby Simply Sassy DT is hosting a blog hop with the fabulous set 8 of Simply Sassy stamps, which are all just too Christmassy cute for words :D! And if you leave a comments at all the stops along the hop, you're in with a chance to win the complete set!!! Isn't that amazing, you'll be able to start on your Christmas cards right away and be all smug about it, just like me ;o). Leave your comments before midnight GMT on Monday 20th June!!

You can get all your Sassy stamps (and other Sugar Nellie cuties) from

HERE

Now if you're anything like me you'll feel a great connection with this wonderful Sassy stamp, seeing as she's called Retail Therapy and is obviously enjoying getting the last of her Christmas presents for her friends and family...and maybe a little something for herself? After all, she does have to look fab :D!

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Simply Sassy stamp "Retail Therapy"; HWK Cards sentiment

Paper: Bazzill Basics kraft and white cardstock; Maja Design design paper

Embellishments: Kars adhesive pearls; Zva Creative pearl swirls; string
Tools: EK Success Retro Flower punches; McGill leaf and starburst punches; Magnolia Doohickey label; Heidi Swapp Edge Distresser

Copics:

E00, E51, E93, E21 (skin, lips, cheeks)
C7, C5, C4, C3, C2, C1 (hair, clothes, bags)
E07 (red accents)

I'd also like to enter this card into the Christmas Stampin' All Year Long challenge, thank you for the heads up Corry!

Right, that's enough chatter from me, I will send you on your way to the fabulous Kathrin now, have fun hoppity hopping :D!

Don't forget to leave a comment on every blog hop post along the way to be in with a chance to win the entire set 8! You have until Midnight GMT on Monday 20 June!

Hugs,
Erica