Tuesday 29 May 2012

The Open Sea

Bet you thought I'd got lost as it's been so quiet here!  It's been a manic few weeks with all manner of things happening, which I'll share over the next few blogposts.  I know... you'll cry if I don't share what's been going on in my square corner of Victoria-dom.  Here are a few tantalising hints: a birth; a job; a lot of gardening, very little of which was my own; an enormous amount of sunshine; a ceilidh; school assemblies; old friends; a promotion; cake, cake and more cake... and Socks!!

First, a card!  This was made using the fabulous new stamp set The Open Sea available in the Summer Mini.  We all struggle sometimes to come up with original masculine cards and this stamp set helps remedy that.  There are 5 stamps in the set: a ship's chart, a world map, a clipper type sailing ship, an anchor and a compass.  The chart is one of those very versatile background stamps, and I'm finding it ever so useful.  I do love using text as backgrounds, but it's nice to have something a bit different than just script.  The ship is stunning and so for my first blogged card using this set, I wanted to have it front row centre.


I followed the sketch over at Sketch n Stash but turned the vertical strip into a pennant and moved the smaller focal point ever so slightly.  I stamped the ship's chart first of all in Sahara Sand onto some Ivory card stock, and then cut out and adhered to a fancy Night of Navy die cut shape.  The rest of the card is fairly self-explanatory, I think, using designer paper for the background and vertical banner, wrapping baker's twine around three times and securing with a knot and the stamped anchor which I fussy cut out.

Here's a close-up of that magnificent ship:


Supplies
Stamps: The Open Sea
Ink: Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Night of Navy
Card: Naturals Ivory, Night of Navy
Paper: Soft Suede and Sahara Sand both from the Neutrals Designer Series Patterned Paper stack
Other: Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Picot Edge circle dies (non-SU)

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:
Sketch n Stash - this lovely stamp set has now been christened with ink!
Stampalot - medals and monarchs: this card makes me want to sing Rule Britannia!

The biggest news to tell you is that I am now an Auntie!  Baby Jacob was born at the start of the month, weighing 8lb 6oz, and we went to meet him this weekend.  I can confirm that he is as beautiful as his Auntie!  This photo was taken when he was just 16 hours old:


Thanks for visiting me after my long absence!

20 comments:

  1. Yay she's back!!!!. I was starting to get worried about you my friend. I know you said how busy you were when we last chatted but glad you have let us know you are ok.
    Wow what a cute bubba!!! congratulations Auntie Victoria. Love the name Jacob, that is my Nephew's name. He was a very good weight. I bet you have been thoroughly spoiling him.
    I really love you card hun. Super stamp. I thought that was corrugated card behind the ship, looks so effective. I love that die too.
    Victoria I have a candy on my blog for all of my followers and would love you to comment to be in with a chance. Big hugs to you and our lovely Socks (hope to get more photo's of him soon!). Love Clare, bert & Simone xxx

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  2. Elegant and smart. Everything in simplicity. I like ! Bravo !

    Congratulations Auntie ! Welcome to the club !
    Hugs from France.

    Catherine.

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  3. Fabulous card - love the simple design and layout and fab image. And how cute is Jacob - congrats Auntie he is adorable. Hugs, Claire x

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  4. Hi Victoria,

    Oh, he's a cutie! A friend of mine had a baby the first part of May and he weighed in at 8 lbs 11 oz! Big boys, aren't they!

    Your card is great. Can't wait to hear what other news you have to tell us.

    Hugs,
    Kay

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  5. Gorgeous card Victoria, love the stamps you've used and the colours are fab too. Jacob is adorable :o) Hugs, Lisa x

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  6. How exciting to be a new Auntie to such a handsome little guy! He really is handsome too, I'm not just saying that. I love what you've done with the Open Sea set. It's one of my favorites and I'll be using this layout soon, I'm sure.

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  7. Well he is a beautiful baby and you have every right to brag. It sounds like you have been so busy! Your card is lovely - I really like that sailboat. Well done Victoria. I a going to be absent most of the summer - travel and grand kids but I will not forget you and will be back in the fall!
    Sandy

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  8. Congratulations on being an auntie! He is beautiful! You are going to have so much fun loving him. I adore your card too! It is just awesome & the perfect guy card! Just love the layout you came up with!!

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  9. Great card for a man Victoria, that background stamp looks really useful. He is so cute, he looks very content - long may it last!
    Pauline
    x

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  10. Hi Victoria, nice to see you - sometimes life just takes over doesn't it! Love your card, great design and your wee nephew is so gorgeous - enjoy your cuddles! xx

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  11. Hi Victoria, Congrats on becoming an Auntie, he's just gorgeous! Love your masculine card. I may have to take another look at that set. x

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  12. My goodness, is there anything that makes you melt more than a newborn baby?! Congratulations on becoming an Auntie Victoria - he's a real cutie! I love your card too - your ship looks wonderful with those papers and I like the way you used the anchor as an embellishment. Vicky x

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  13. Great card, thank you for joining us at Sketch n Stash.
    Sarah-Jane xx

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  14. Rule Britannia!! I like it! A lovely card for our challenge at Sir Stampalot. Ruth :)

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  15. FAb male card, Victoria - very classy! Love the pics of your new nephew too - congrats! Thanks for joining in our challenge at SNS, Juliexx

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  16. A brilliant creation, Victoria! Thanks so much for joining in with our Monarchs and Medals theme at Stampalot this month and good luck!

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  17. Hi Victoria,

    Love the cards -- but oh, the little one is adorable!!! What a GREAT photo! Congratulations, proud Auntie!

    Hugs,
    Kay

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  18. Fabulous mens card love how you are using the twine and that ship charm is fab, congrats on being an auntie and isnt Jacob a gorgeous baby . Hugs Elaine

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  19. Aww he's so adorable...congratulations Aunty :0)
    Great guys card, love the fancy edge mat...looks like a ships wheel !
    Jenny x

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  20. Fantastic pictures. The card is just brilliant. Congrats on becoming an auntie xxx

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