My Rubber Therapy Blog

Reference to Jan 3rd blog (Please read)

Hi Friends

I wanted to remind you that I had mentionned way back in January that I would do a draw in June.  June is around the corner now.  So, if you participated your name is in the randomized draw bucket. Today is the closing for the participants for this June draw.  Now I can read the question in your head....When is the draw?  Well the draw will be soon after I return from our trip so I can find a few items for you to win.

Once I return I will send you a picture of what the give away will be.  Just note that I am doing this without any online stores giveaways it is from my own initiative.  So once I finish sorting out all the names I will use the online randomized draw and let you know who wins.  Of course you will have a week to claim your prize and if we do not hear from your with your address, I will have to draw again.

And so on, until we get a winner.

So my friends, I will also post a few pictures when I get a chance to do so.  We are meeting with one of our card sharing lady in Honolulu so we will have a lot of fun.  So more pictures to come.

Since I am so totally busy right now for all the reasons you already know, I will post when I can.  I am sure you will understand it, but when I return to the blog, I hope I find you all back here in preparation of the draw and wanting to say Hi.  I may post a few blogs while on our trip.  If I can send you a few photos I will.

I hope to find you all back here when I get back.  Thanks Beth!

Nicole :)

A quickie - Hold your cards until further notice please

Hi Friends

Sorry I have been MIA for a few days.  I have been working hard on my card making for the passed 9 days.  The good news is, after keeping at it for a few days without too many ideas, my brain finally gave way to more creativity.  I thought it would never come back! hee hee

So this is the reason why I can't post cards you have sent me lately and if you haven't seen yours on here yet it is simply because I have not had enough time to concentrate on doing just that when my card making is going so well.  We are leaving soon for Hawaii so I have to ask you to hold the cards until I tell you to go ahead again.  This way I may get enough time to get back up to date with the cards I have to post soon.  I am hoping. 

But the other good news is, I have been working for an hour to make a cock from an inspired image I had seen somewhere and finally was able to turn it into reality.  So when I realized how long it had taken me to make ONE, I decided to scan it, which brought the fun thought of making it into a fun 3D sheet for you to use.  Hoping you will find it fun to make I kept it as simple as I could keep it.

So here it is:

 Gone and will be added to photobucket soon!

You can add a bling to the eye if you don't find the printing not enough.  I will use a black stone for mine.  I will turn this one into a card at last.  So after sharing this with all of you I can go back and print this sheet and work on my card.

Have a fun week. Will post more cards as soon as I can.

Nicole :) 

More cards to share

Hi Friends

I hope you all had a great weekend.  Mine was fun, in and out but when I was here I was able to make a few more cards.  I am in a fun "under pressure" time to make a lot of cards to have on hand when needed.  I know that here in China it is not easy to find a card for our loved ones so I decided to make more for future needs as well as there are a lot of anniversaries coming up it will keep me hoppin' even after Easter hee hee

Here are the fantastic cards that has been shared with us for today:

There are so many I have to share please know that I am not forgetting about you.  Within the next two weeks I will do my best between card making and looking at my emails, to post a few at a time if I cannot post a load of them.  But I am starting from bottom the oldest sent to me to the most recent ones.

Janice R. is starting the day with her fantastic looking card:

I firstly cut one square of orange card, and used the EK Success Paper Shapers Corner Adorner Slot Punch - Simplicity on each corner.. Then I cut a piece of orange paper slightly smaller and inserted into the corners and attached to the base card.

I then embossed the dog with one of the Cuttlebug embossing folder sets - Dog. Coloured him and the balloon, using Glossy Accents on the balloon although this doesn't show on the photo.

I the used the straight circle around the dog and the blossom shaped Nesties in orange.

I embossed two strips of card with the Cuttlebug Embossing folder - Border - Just My Type, and cut four flowers using Cuttlebug Bundle 2x6 - Flowers from the card and paper. Punched a tag, added the ribbon and greeting and a couple of gems for the centre of the flowers.

 

Now we have a beautiful card from Jo-Anne K. and of course her description:

I made this card with the new spellbinders limited edition cross which I love and put small pearls of different sizes on it to set it off a little.  I base of the card is a linen white cardstock.  I then started to build my topper using the swiss dot cuttlebug folder cut to fit on the front of the card later with a little space for border all around.  Don't attach any of the pieces to the base until all assembled.  Next use the birds cuttlebug folder and cut a piece the same size as the swiss dot piece and with the nestabilities new labels #10 cut the centre out of the birds square just enough room to hold the cross.  I then glued on the cross and put ribbon around both squares and put a thank you sticker.  Any kind of cuttlebug folder or nestability can be used or you can go over the swiss dot folder with ink for highlights.

This next fantastic looking card is from Nancy JB. I love it! 

Anniversary card. The Swans, Roses, Butterfly and Happy Anniversary are all 3D.  Inside is the sheet “Dogwood” by Penny.  The left card is also a 3D sheet.   

 

Alison A.'s card is next I really love the subtle colors in your card. "Your card has more merit because I know I used to emboss by hand before Cuttlebug came about.  So it is a beautifully made card. Thanks"

I started off with plain white card.
Not lucky enough to have an embossing machine, so I used a couple of different glitter girl embossing boards to do the oval and the edges of the card, the dots were embossed using a light box and stencil, and used a decoupage sheet for the flowers. Hope you like it.

  
Thank you for visiting, I love your comments always!

If you need to contact me for your interest in participating to this fun group.  Please send your requests to me by email click here for my email Thank you for your interest give me a 24 hour turn around to answer your email, please write in title BLOG so I will see them when I get to my emails.

Have a fantastic week everyone!

Nicole :) 

At last! An UPDATE to my photobucket sheets

Hi Friends

At last I was able to get into my caffeinelady photobucket and add about 40 new 3D sheets/3D pyramid both.  You will find them in the following folders.  (All new sheets are always on the page you open in any folder)  I added them to General, Masculine, Flowers, Miscellaneous, Oriental, Animals, Birds, Humoristic, Music, Vintage Stuff, Halloween, Sexy (AC), Babies and toddlers.

Take note that some of the sheets I added have not been shared on the blog and they are from my own photo collection.  So enjoy the new sheets I hope all of them can be useful to you.

Have a great weekend, back with new card shares at the beginning of next week.

Nicole :) 

A quickie sheet

Hi Friends

I have another fun pyramid sheet for Dad or the man in your life!  Grab it while you can!

will post it very soon!  Watch for the updates in title to see where I have added all of the newest sheets I have made.  There are quite a few I have not posted so it will be fun to add them to my caffeinelady bucket! 

Have a great day!

Nicole :)

Another card I made

Hi Friends

A card I made yesterday.  I made 3 but I can only show you one now.  So here it is:

Once again the print out and template for this card can be found here at the clip art fairy  

This time I have made an anniversary card and I played with sizes.  I resized to accommodate the size of card I needed to make so this one is an A4 size.  I also had received some neat flower punch set, as shown below.  These are the ones I have used on my easel card this time around.

As you can see the blue flower punches are sets. One cuts out and the other one embosses.  So I have used them which are so easy to use.  Then I took a tool to cup the petals on a foam pad I use for flower making.  The cardstock I used was from SU called Very Vanilla.  Two sized layers were needed for each flower.  I then added a light green pearl in the center.  The two other punches were used for the leaves you see on the card.  The fern type one was punched into some fancy gold paper and the small leaf was punched into some green Vellum I had purchased  see their website here   a very thick colored vellum.  I also had to shape up all the leaves to give them a more natural look under the flowers.

I used a Happy Anniversary peel off in gold on the platform of the easel.  Crystal stickles were used around all the 3 layers of the topper

The ribbon I used from from Martha Stewart collection (last year). Pearls are also added to the top of the ribbon.  Any narrow ribbon can work though.  I made my own bow to match and this is the result of my second easel card made with my Clipartfairy products I purchased online more than a week ago.

I hope it was explained in a clear way for you and if you have any questions about the Easel write to me  here

I will post cards on the next blog I know I had said that in the last blog, but I didn't realize I would have a card to post for you today.  So this is it!  I hope you like it!

Have a great day!

Nicole :) 

Just a quickie and exciting new product to link you to

Hi Friends

I have a great friend in the UK, her husband has been working really hard for a long time to finally post his new product online for all to enjoy.  Visit this site, if you are a person who loves to write, write poems, I am linking you to more of what this program does and explained so clearly http://www.wordspeare.co.uk/  I am considering the full version now.

Here is a quickie for you. Father's Day is coming around the corner as well as a man's Birthday Pyramid sheet! Here now and gone soon until I add it to the photobucket

More cards will be added on the next blog.  That will be all for now.  I am busy making cards.  So I don't want to lose my train of thoughts and inspiration for that matter.  Talk to you all soon.

Have a great day!

Nicole :)

A new week begins!

Hi friends

Another quickie pyramid sheet to share.  This is for your personal use only. This will be gone within a hour or so after posting it.  Will be added to bucket later. Enjoy

Gone, sorry

Here are a few cards for today's viewing pleasures:

Let me start with Kris R.'s beautiful card:

I started with a plain white card and added a piece of light green card stock and stamped the
Happy Birthday in the corner. I put thin strips of green glitter paper across to look like
ribbon on a package, then matted Nikky's 3-d flower image on a glitter square, then matted
that on white card stock and put on the package to be the bow.

 

Next lovely card comes from Hannah's and here is the description of her two cards to catch up

Card 1
I hope you like the train,it was for a friend's little grandson's first birthday,she epsecially wanted his name on it.  I chose a blue card and used the train you found for me and built it up with the foam pads and then coated it with a clear sealer to try and make it shinny.I used kindi glitz to make the smoke and gold letters to make his name "Oliver" on a carriage and gold greeting and number 1.Thankyou for the little train :-)

 

 
Card 2
 
This is a pattern I love sewing,its from Ann's paper art,it's done on an off white card,I have used pink,green and lemon threads to match the flowers which are a 3d sheet from my stash of things to do! I used little foam pads to build it up.  Golg greeting was used too. "Absolutely beautiful cards Hannah, your stitching is so well done, thanks"

 

Next, we have Maureen S. beautiful card and description:

A5 Card using lilac pearlescent card,  inserted photo into my graphics programme for flower and tag, laminated tag and added ribbon, pocket is paper with paper lace, and teddies are images from the internet.

 

Mija shared her beautiful card with a description:

This card i made with semi gloss photo paper which I had never used before, works very well, also found some thinner sticky squares very chuffed about.

 

Thank you for all of your comments it is so much fun to read them all.  I hope you had a wonderful weekend no matter what you were doing.  Have a great week!

Nicole :)

 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! Here are some more cards to share and a quicky Pyramid 3D - My first one ever!

Hi friends

Let start with a quicky 3D pyramid that I was finally able to make one from my own photo collection.  This was taken in Napa Valley, California USA.  I hope you can use it.  I have a great collection of flower close up I have taken over an 8 year period so there are a lot more 3D Pyramid sheets coming. It can make a beautiful man card ladies!  Hurry it will be removed soon!

Questions about my copyrighted photos? Please email me, click here  The new sheet will be added later in the photobucket.

Nicole's orchid 3D layered on to deep green card. then on to pale green on which I stitched a beaded border the pattern from Adri Wildenburg's book 10 then this was layered on to more of the deep green card. I put a bit of red kindy glitz on the lip of the orchid flower but it doesn't show up in the scan.

 

Next card is from Pam (Faigadina) so here is her lovely card and description:

The description is as follows:
 
The wiper card was gotten from the tutorial at Splitcoaststampers.  The site is here 
 
Take 2 pieces of  4 1/4" X 8 1/2" of cardstock for base.  You also need one 1 1/2" X 3" piece of cardstock for the wiper.
 
Score each 4 1/4 X 8 1/2 piece of cardstock at 1 1/2 and 3".
 
The score line next to the large panel should fold down, the one next to the edge, should fold up.
 
Score the wiper piece at 1" on the diagonal.  Fold the wiper piece and adhere it to the bottom of the large piece of cardstock as per instructions in the tutorial at the website given.
 
Sticky tape right and left sides together.
 
Decorate the wiper and front of card.  I decorated my wiper card with an Emerson Girl rubber stamp and used the Martha Stewart large lacy punch along with some decorative papers and doo dads.  (Love that word doo dads).
 
This can be a bit difficult to explain so it is always best to refer to the tutorial that I have mentioned above.

  

The next lovely card share comes from Ursula (Ushy51) it is absolutely lovely

Here is another card that I have made for a wedding we went to.
The invitation had greens in it so I picked one of the colours and hoped that the bridesmaid dresses would match the card (which it did).
I used an embossing plate where I coloured in every 2nd heart and then embossed onto white card. I mounted this on to 2 green cards.
Then I embossed the bells and chalked this to make it stand out, adding green ribbon to finish it off.
It actually looks better in real life.  "Thank you Ursula I loved it and fun when I know that I have the folder as well."

  

Thank you for visiting, sharing and commenting.  You know I love comments.  This is my morning special time when I enjoy my first coffee of the day moment.  I read all comments.  I hope you do too since all of them are so positive and encouraging.  Thank you for making this blog such a nice place to visit and get inspiration for our next projects.

Happy Mother's day for those in the US and Canada and elsewhere that I am not sure about.  I know that England has their Mother's Day in March but ours is in May.  Father's Day is in June.

Have a fantastic weekend no matter how you spend it.  No travelling done this weekend.  We chose to take it easy and replenish some good energy instead.

Nicole :)

P.S.: I am a bit slow at posting the cards, but as soon as I find time I am adding more for you.  Trying to separate some time between some more sheets and making my own cards for the Summer. Thank you for your patience.

 

I had to repost and make some corrections

Hi friends

NOTE:  For those of you who had seen the ecstacy link mistake, my blog was on a brain freeze trip for about 2 days so I couldn't repair the link it wouldn't let me so as a result it has posted when I didn't think it would since I had no control over my changing or adding anything to it.  So I apologize for the embarrassing mistake it may have caused you to go see when it wasn't intentional.  Sorry about that.  I think I may have fixed the problem so I am keeping my fingers crossed that you will see a corrected page with the right links now.

I will cut this short today I had so much to do in the passed few days.  I am supposed to send you new blogs every otherday anyway so I have been good hee hee.  Patting myself on the back. Modesty hee hee

I start the shares today with Jo Anne H.'s gorgeous card and here is her description:

I used green marbled cardstock for the A2 card.  The Cuttlebug 'Textile' Embossing Folder was used to make the background paper.  The Rose 3-D is a Stanzbogen Die-cut picture I purchased at www.Ecstasycrafts.com   The Starform Sticker Border and Thank You, was purchased from www.stonebridgecreations.com

 

The next card comes from Glenys H.

Shirley is a member of the RHS so I think she will like this.  Used my craft robo to cut out the backing template and come stitching for the top piece.  "Thank you" Glenys for your terrific card

 

Well, I am hoping all goes well for the next postings hee hee.  This has thrown me for a loop as I wasn't expecting that problem so it made me search for fixing instructions in a hurry.  Thank you for the emails and comments that were sent to make me aware of what was happening at least I know I have a great vigilent, friendly audience.  Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Nicole :)

P.S.:  the word is I might hace more sheets to post next week, be on alert!
 

What a beautiful day!

Hi friends

I was looking at my followers and I was thrilled to see there are 21 followers me.  I hope there is more of you wanting to join us in my followers located on top left of this page you see little photos in it, this is where you need to go to sign up and it is free.  If you have been following me for a while, it is a good reason to join.  If you are new to this blog there is a good reason to join.  I am hoping to get to 100 followers by June.  So please join us for the fun!

It is a new month which should bring more exciting cards to share.  If you have shares in March now it is the time to share your card.  This year more than ever, all your cards are so beautiful.  I really appreciate all the work that was done on each and every card you have shared.  Now time to send more for May.

Here is my latest card:

I got my print outs from http://theclipartfairy.com/ I must say her work prints out well.  1 Printed out her a easel in pink, (3) card stock in white.  For a quick reminder on how to make a beautiful easel card whatever size of card you are making, the front of the card will be folded in half.  If what you are attaching to the front of that flap (Bottom end or right end of where your card will open) This flap folds inward so you can adhere your topper to the front of that flap already standing up.  Choose how far in you want your flap to go and place the decorative item in place so it will be the stopper piece so your card will stand up but it has to also close.  On my card, what is holding the card standing is my flower that is on the bottom platform of my card.  I hope it all makes sense.  If you are interested in this template, visit Wendy's website.

 
1 cardstock for the backing paper (bottom matted part)

1 cardstock for the 2 of the shaped layers

1 cardstock for the larger layer and smaller shaped labels (I didn't use on this card)

I had some flowers I had removed from flower branches we purchase in craft stores and I also made the smaller flowers with a punch, cupped them appropriately, then I pearled the flower centers.  I used glue dots to make sure the flowers are well adhered to the card.  Before I glued on my flowers, I added a ribbon to the back where the fold is and pearled the ribbon.  I also glittered all of the shaped edges.

In order to have a nice looking flower cascade you have to layout your flowers first, when you are happy with the look of it you can start adhering them to the card.  I also added some leaves to add some interest to the flowers.  My hubby was watching me making it last night and was very impressed by this card.  He asked me if I wanted to make more of them?  I answered YESSSSSSSSSS! So much can be done, make it your own!  Have fun.

Thank you for viewing my latest creation and I hope you will want to try this technique it is one I want to continue making because it suits so many important events of our own families and friends.  Imagine a graduation card???

I will post more cards on the next blog.  Thank you for commenting!

Have a lovely day!

Nicole :)

What a beautiful day!

Hi friends

I was looking at my followers and I was thrilled to see there are 21 followers me.  I hope there is more of you wanting to join us in my followers located on top left of this page you see little photos in it, this is where you need to go to sign up and it is free.  If you have been following me for a while, it is a good reason to join.  If you are new to this blog there is a good reason to join.  I am hoping to get to 100 followers by June.  So please join us for the fun!

It is a new month which should bring more exciting cards to share.  If you have shares in March now it is the time to share your card.  This year more than ever, all your cards are so beautiful.  I really appreciate all the work that was done on each and every card you have shared.  Now time to send more for May.

Here is my latest card:

I got my print outs from http://theclipartfairy.com/ I must say her work prints out well.  1 Printed out her a easel in pink, (3) card stock in white.  For a quick reminder on how to make a beautiful easel card whatever size of card you are making, the front of the card will be folded in half.  If what you are attaching to the front of that flap (Bottom end or right end of where your card will open) This flap folds inward so you can adhere your topper to the front of that flap already standing up.  Choose how far in you want your flap to go and place the decorative item in place so it will be the stopper piece so your card will stand up but it has to also close.  On my card, what is holding the card standing is my flower that is on the bottom platform of my card.  I hope it all makes sense.  If you are interested in this template, visit Wendy's website.

 
1 cardstock for the backing paper (bottom matted part)

1 cardstock for the 2 of the shaped layers

1 cardstock for the larger layer and smaller shaped labels (I didn't use on this card)

I had some flowers I had removed from flower branches we purchase in craft stores and I also made the smaller flowers with a punch, cupped them appropriately, then I pearled the flower centers.  I used glue dots to make sure the flowers are well adhered to the card.  Before I glued on my flowers, I added a ribbon to the back where the fold is and pearled the ribbon.  I also glittered all of the shaped edges.

In order to have a nice looking flower cascade you have to layout your flowers first, when you are happy with the look of it you can start adhering them to the card.  I also added some leaves to add some interest to the flowers.  My hubby was watching me making it last night and was very impressed by this card.  He asked me if I wanted to make more of them?  I answered YESSSSSSSSSS! So much can be done, make it your own!  Have fun.

Thank you for viewing my latest creation and I hope you will want to try this technique it is one I want to continue making because it suits so many important events of our own families and friends.  Imagine a graduation card???

I will post more cards on the next blog.  Thank you for commenting!

Have a lovely day!

Nicole :)

One special sheet for you

Hi Friends

With our few sight seeing visits this weekend, came a few great photos that stood out when we looked at all of them.  So this is a sheet I made with an umbrella photo we took in Lushun we took in the bunch.  I hope it can come in handy for you.  But this is my own copyrighted photo so this card you will make can be sold I authorize it.  But the sale of this sheet is prohibited.

Enjoy it will be gone soon!  Gone until I add it to photobucket

We visited the Great wall on the side that gives a view to North Korea.  We were in the City called Dandong.  We visited a museum with some of the history of the Great Wall built and then we went to the shortest spot between the two countries (China and North Korea) You can almost jump from one stone to the next and you are in North Korea but we knew better than trying it. hee hee  (for more info on the Great Wall and the length of it) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_of_China

  
We learned quite a bit today about the Yalu river.  Back in the days, they were apparently (Chinese and North Korean people) lining up by the wide river and each side were waving a one another simultaneously with their two arms up.  It was very special to everyone participating.  Children were asked to participate which was the only way of communication both parties could have.  We also learned one of the so many reasons why North Koreans are not crossing the river to the China side.  If anyone crosses, it is said that all their remaining family members, Aunts and Uncles etc...will be seriously punished.  So not too many wants to impose this kind of sanction on loved ones.  It made me realize how sad this situation is for millions of people.  But I won't play politics.  I am just sharing the info we learned while visiting.

  
The Great Wall was something else.  At least that part of it is.  I know on the Beijing side the Great Wall is very impressive.  But for this visit, our very first time to the Great Wall we were happy with what we saw. We went up the stairs for a long time, when we decided to stop Annie and I, my hubby decided that he was going to go all the way up that mountain that by the way, was very steep.  He went all the way up, while so many people were asking to take pictures with me in it.  I won't be surprised to see my face on the Internet at some point hee hee.  They did the same with hubby on his way up.  It was so funny.  It was fun to pose with younger people because we were making peace signs but when older men wanted me to take pictures with them, that is when I stopped the show hee hee.  The kids were fun and wanting to play so we all had fun with it.

I hope for those who had the pleasure to enjoy a 3 day Holiday weekend, you had a great time, here it was the Labor Day weekend.  So there were a lot of people everywhere.  Great fun!

Sore Nicole :) hee hee

P.S.:  Thank you for the comments on here and by email.  It is a pleasure to share our visiting adventures.  Thank you for reading

Card shares + 3D sheet

Hi Friends

A quilling book link if you are interested: http://picasaweb.google.com/Sassazv/QuillimModelosEPap#

We had a fantastic weekend, we visited a few areas near us.  Took pictures as usual.  I am beginning the week with more of your beautiful card shares.  Here is another sheet for you, hoping it will come in handy for you.  Here now gone really soon!

Gone until I add it to photobucket

Lorna M. shared with us her beautiful card with instructions and links:

Started with a base black square card on which I placed a large Fredshesaid's valentile tile 2007 freebie  (available at http://www.fss-challenge.blogspot.com/.)   Used a white diamond shaped card (edged with black peelcraft) as a border to another piece of diamond shaped black card to highlight the medallion.  The fold used is Leo's fold which uses only four tiles (a sheet of instructions for this is on Penny Wessenauer's site http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c191/d0npen/  ).  Finished card by decorating with heart brads and glitter butterflies. 

 

Donna G. sent us her beautiful card and here is what she used:

I used one of Nikky's sheets and a matching background.  I then matted the 3D image on a blue piece of cardstock then matted background on a matching blue card.  "Thank you for your beautiful card share Donna"

 

Rose F. shared her lovely easel card and shared her description:

White stock square card made that into an easel card. Took another card stock and embossed on the edge with Glitter Girls Romance board. I matted and layered the flower topper first with crimpled orange card stock and than on to gold mirri card and mounted it on the card with 3d foam pads. I did the same with the sentiments printed it off the computer and mounted exactly the same as the flower topper. I then added the butterflies and also some peel off corners for a finishing touch. I also chalked very slightly around the edges with orange chalk....

 
Thank you for your lovely comments, and I look forward to sharing more sheets as soon as I have them ready in here.  I will try and add them to the bucket this week.  If time permits it I will add them all.  When I do I will let you know in what folders I have added them to.

Have a great day everyone! 

Nicole :)