Shelley's Stamping Ground

A Challenge & a Birthday!

2011-08-07T09:36:00.005+10:00

This week's Less is More challenge is to make a card using the colours of your nation's flag. I love the combination of red, white and blue, so this was fun, and I just loooooove red so I have used it as the main colour…

Stamps: Just believe

Card: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Riding Hood Red (textured)

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Versa Mark

Other: White Embossing Powder

The next card is not for the LIM challenge, but I wanted to share with you what else I've been creating this weekend. It was my precious friend Toni's birthday yesterday and she celebrated last night with a small group of friends — one of those relaxed evenings chatting, eating chocolatey desserts, drinking coffee… LOVELY!

It was a big "0" birthday, so I decided it would be fun to put that many candles on the card. It took forever to stick all the bits together and those candles were soooooooo tedious — I had to use tweezers to stick the flames on! But it was definitely well worth the effort ;)

Stamps: Solid Stripes, Bring on the Cake

Card: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Brocade Blue, Bashful Blue,

Crumb Cake, Peach Parfait

Ink: Crumb Cake, Night of Navy

Other: Night of Navy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread,

Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder,

Cupcake Builder and Scallop Trim Border Punches

Something Fruity

2011-07-31T10:50:00.007+10:00

Hi there bloggers! Just popping in quick to enter a couple of challenges. Inkspirations have a colour challenge and over at Less is More they are "Feeling Fruity"! I thought the colours would suit the fruit theme.

Once again I was in a dilemma over whether or not to add ribbon — I felt that the sentiment was floating a bit and needed to be more grounded. Now that they're on the screen in front of me here, I think I prefer it without…

Stamps: Tart & Tangy

Card: Whisper White, Concord Crush

Ink: Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz

Other: 1 1/4"Square Punch, A Perfect Day Rub-Ons

Concord Crush 1/2" Stitched-poly Ribbon (Card 2)

More or Less…

2011-07-28T12:35:00.002+10:00

The other day I was discussing design with my graphic designer hubby. We commented on how some card makers feel the need to use everything they own on the one card, possibly because it's there — they have purchased it and want to use it. Sometimes I'm guilty of the same thing. Often, if I show my hubby a card I've made he says something like "if you get rid of the ribbon it would be great". Too many design elements can overcrowd each other and look messy, which has lead me to believe that limiting the number of elements helps keep a card clean and simple. Although hubby agrees with me, he also believes that you can have a design with lots of elements that also looks good. So… he challenged me to create a good design using lots of stuff!

When I saw that this week's Less is More challenge involves buttons and ribbon, I thought it a great opportunity to enter the challenge and also take on hubby's :)

Stamps: Love & Care, Heard From the Heart

Card: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Soft Suede

Other: Light Pink Gingham Ribbon, Designer Button,

Scallop Trim Border Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

In this card I have managed to include ribbon, a button, a punched border edge, glitter and a sentiment that uses two different fonts! I wonder if I could have squeezed in a couple of different patterned papers somewhere as well!

Anyway, I am pleased with the result… a good amount of "white space" to balance the other stuff definitely helps.

Okay… so I have shown hubby the card and he likes the design, but feels I misinterpreted the brief. What? What does he mean then? Well… I will try again to create something that uses LOTS of stuff. Can I do it? We will see ;)

LIM — Circles

2011-07-20T14:03:00.002+10:00

This week's Less is More Challenge is circles. After making a card and being disappointed with the outcome, I went to the web for some inspiration. I searched for "circles in design" in google images, and was very inspired — there were so many great ideas including a spiral bookshelf! Anyway, I came across this image of a business card and it just cried out to me.

Orange and lime green are not usually colours I would put together (too "seventies" for my liking), but they are colours that a friend of mine loves. She is a real fan of orange and has a collection of funky orange things in her home. And when she and another friend visited me in hospital, they brought some gorgeous orange tulips!

So… I decided to use the design of the business card (with some small alterations) to make a card for my friend Dylan ;)

After a little stamping and a lot of fiddling with circle punches, the card finally came together — and I am really pleased with the end result…

Stamps: Seeing Spots

Card: Whisper White, Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede

Other: The full range of SU's Circle Punches

jac-inks Challenge 13

2011-07-19T14:07:00.003+10:00

Hi there again! I am back with the latest jac-inks challenge — Monotone! I really enjoyed this challenge and have made a couple of cards for it…

Stamps: Easter Blossoms, Sincere Salutations, En Français

Card: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Riding Hood Red, Ruby Red

Other: 3/8" Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes

Card: Whisper White, Old Olive

Ink: Old Olive

I was really happy with the way the first card turned out — red does happen to be my favourite colour, and I just love that blossom stamp! I thought that the sentiment might get lost in the background, but it was dark enough to be noticed.

The second card is similar to some I've done before. I penciled in the border and stamped the sentiment along it, then using an Old Olive marker I ruled over the penciled line from one side of the sentiment to the other.

Inkspirations Colour Challenge #78

2011-07-17T15:34:00.006+10:00

I really love the colours for the current Inkspiration challenge. They are soooooo pretty and I just had to create something using them.

I decided to experiment with watercolour paper and the "Awash with Flowers" stamp set — an appropriately named set for this card don't you think? I wet the paper before stamping the solid images and also sprayed them some more with a shimmer spray, which allowed the colour to bleed into the paper. Once dry, I stamped the outline images over the top using Crumb Cake ink. I don't mind the "washy" look of the flowers, I think the softness suits the pretty colours…

Stamps: Awash with Flowers, Bring on the Cake

Card: Very Vanilla, Kraft, Rose Red

Ink: Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Crumb Cake

Other: Water Colour Paper, 3/8" Kraft Taffeta Ribbon

Ladybug Love

2011-07-15T14:06:00.012+10:00

This post is all about my daughter Zali's love of ladybugs! And it all ties in nicely with this week's One-Layer Wednesday challenge — make it personal — and is also another one layer with legs for the less is more challenge!

The ladybug theme has come up a few times in the last week or so (more than the usual amount it does with Zali), firstly, when we were reminiscing over Sesame Street's "ladybug picnic" song from way back in my childhood, and then during the week while grocery shopping, I found some adorable ladybug muffin cases and had to get them for Zali.

So… it seemed appropriate for this challenge to make a ladybug card for her — just to tell her I love her and that she's cute as a bug ;)

Stamps: Just Believe, Bugs & Kisses

Card: Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Pear Pizzazz

Other: 1/8" Real Red Taffeta Ribbon (card 2)

The card in the second picture is the one that Zali actually received. I decided to add some ribbon because I thought the scored lines on the original were not quite enough. I thought I liked the ribbon better, but now I'm not sure. Anyway, Zali was thrilled with the card and that's all that matters! She was also thrilled with the muffin cases!

Earlier in the year I made cupcakes for her birthday party and the muffin cases might have been good then. Anyway, I did find some gorgeous ladybug candles at the time, which each cupcake featured. They were so cute, and Zali was very happy!

And just in case you haven't seen "Ladybug Picnic", or you want to reminisce with me, here it is for you…

We are still singing the song…

Love

Shell

Let the cute begin...

2011-07-11T10:31:00.006+10:00

My brother and his wife are expecting their first baby in January and have recently shared the news with us. I am so pleased for them, it is very exciting! We are all soooooo ready for another bub in the family — my mum is beside herself with joy!

I made this card to congratulate them on their wonderful news, and sent it off today along with a couple of little baby gifts.

Stamps: Big on Spring

Card: Whisper White, Night of Navy

Paper: Certainly Celery DSP

Ink: Night of Navy

Other: Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, 1/8" White Taffeta Ribbon

I wasn't a huge fan of the polka dot look to begin with, but I've since seen the potential. I think pale blue or pink baby cards look so adorable with polka dots!

We also received the news last night that a friend has just given birth to a baby girl! I thought it would give me the opportunity to make a polka dot card in pink, but my daughter has claimed the card making privilege, since she is more closely connected with the family. I might make one anyway, to stash for another occasion ;)

Less is More — One Layer & Legs!

2011-07-10T09:08:00.003+10:00

This week over at Less is More, the challenge is to create a one layer card that involves something with legs! It took me so long to decide what to do and a few attempts before I came up with something I was happy with — too many "legs" to choose from! The legs in this card are only tiny, but there...

Stamps: Easter Blossoms, So Happy For You, Asian Artistry

Card: Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose

OLW — Clouds

2011-07-09T16:32:00.002+10:00

Jennifer Styles is hosting this week's One-Layer Wednesday challenge and has chosen "clouds" as the theme. I just did clouds the other day (this post), but it was definitely not a one-layer card, and it was also not really "clean" enough for the Less is more challenge which I made it for — not enough white space! This card would have been more suitable for that challenge — I think Mandi and Chrissie over at LIM would agree!!

So here is my One-Layer cloud card...

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree

Card: Whisper White

Ink: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy

I created a mask by punching three squares into some grid paper, which enabled me to get even spacing etc. then placed the card underneath, sponged the clouds and stamped the trees. I decided that it was best left without any sentiment.

Under the Sea...

2011-07-08T11:58:00.001+10:00

The other day I mentioned that I had a pile of unused "experiments", and that every so often I make them into something new. Before I posted that comment, I had just been going through that pile, searching for something else, and stumbled across some fish images that I had made years ago. So I have made them into some birthday cards!

I have added a little tutorial at the end of this post if you want to know how to get the under water look...

Stamps: Fishy Friends, Party This Way

Card: Whisper White Gloss & Smooth, Peach Parfait

Paper: Bali Breeze DSP

Ink: Black Stazon,Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie

Other: Peach Parfait 1/2" Stiched-poly ribbon, Linnen Thread

Stamps: Fishy Friends, Birthday Wish

Card: Whisper White Gloss & Smooth, Pacific Point

Paper: Bali Breeze DSP

Ink: Taken with Teal, Sumer Sun, Brilliant Blue, Pacific Point

Other: Linnen Thread

Stamps: Fishy Friends, Party This Way

Card: Whisper White Gloss & Smooth, Rich Razzleberry

Paper: Bali Breeze DSP

Ink: Taken with Teal, Purely Pomegranate, Rich Razzleberry

Other: Linnen Thread

Stamps: Fishy Friends, Party This Way

Card: Whisper White Gloss & Smooth, Certainly Celery

Paper: Bali Breeze DSP

Ink:Taken with Teal, Certainly Celery

Other: Linnen Thread, Certainly Celery 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

How to achieve the under water look!

You will need the following things:

Brayer and elastic band

Gloss white card

Black Stazon ink

Suitable stamp for under the sea theme

White Crayon

Your choice of ink colours

Blender pen (for colouring your sea creature)

Stamp the image in Black Stazon ink on the gloss card.

Colour the image with the white crayon. The crayon resists the ink, so it is like masking your image.

Wrap the elastic band a couple of times around the brayer wheel and ink up with the colour you wish your water to be.

Roll the brayer up and down the card, over the image.

Once the ink has had enough time to absorb into the card and dry, rub the crayon off with a tissue. (I didn't allow enough time so you can see that I have rubbed some of the blue off too!)

To colour the image, imagine a light source. Apply the colour with a blender pen, leaving some white space closest to your light source and making the colour darkest on the opposite side. Because the gloss card takes longer to absorb the ink, you may need to keep applying it until you achieve the desired intensity of colour.

So that is how I made those original sea pictures. I hope you feel inspired to create your own "under the sea" creations!

Jac-Inks Challenge 12

2011-07-07T11:24:00.003+10:00

Back again! This time with the latest jac-inks challenge — Die Cuts plus Texture. I have two examples to show you for this challenge!

Stamps: Just Believe, Sincere Salutations

Card: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler (smooth & textured)

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red, Cherry Cobbler

Other: Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die

Card: Whisper White, Orchid Opulence, Old Olive

Paper: Cottage Wall DSP

Other: Little Leaves & Many Thanks Sizzlits Dies, Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

I hope that you have been inspired to get out those dies and get creating. There will be some blog candy this challenge — a selection of Stampin' Up!® products to the value of $30.00. So head on over to jac-inks for the details of the challenge, we'd love you to play along and look forward to seeing your creations!

More Shades of Blue

2011-07-06T10:07:00.004+10:00

So here it is, the second card inspired by the Less is More Challenge. Sponging again — I can't resist!

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Well Scripted

Card: Whisper White, Night of Navy

Ink: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy

Other: White Gel Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

I have used the white gel pen to add some highlights to the trees, and a touch of glitter to some areas of the ground, especially directly under the moon. Unfortunately the glitter is not very visible in this picture — but it is there!

I noticed that I have had a bit of a "love" theme in the sentiments of the last two posts, but it is "thank you" again this time as I still have people I need to thank!

LIM - Shades of Blue

2011-07-06T09:34:00.004+10:00

The current Less is More Challenge is to use shades of blue. So did I sponge or mask? Definitely this time ;)

To create the cloudy background I have sponged different shades of blue over a torn piece of card, leaving some touches of white.

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Well Scripted

Card: Whisper White, Night of Navy

Ink: Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy

Other: White 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

I loved this challenge and will be back later with another card in shades of blue!

OLW60

2011-07-05T13:02:00.004+10:00

This week's One-Layer Wenesday challenge is to make a card that layers ink, using only stamped images and sentiments. No masking or sponging is allowed! When I think of layers of ink, I think sponging and masking. So this certainly was a challenge for me, I just couldn't seem to get anything to work. Composition not right. Colours not working. Sentiment crooked. Ahhhhhh!

So... after many attempts, I finally came up with something I was "kind of" happy with ;)

Stamps: Love & Care

Card: Whisper White

Ink: Rose Red, Regal Rose

And here is one of the "attempts" which includes Pretty in Pink and Pink Pirouette inks. I like the idea of the images stretching from edge to edge, but this just looked too messy for my liking. I much prefer the "cleanness" of the other card. Also, the sentiment is a bit lost in the flower, and I was hoping to achieve a more even gradation between the colours. Perhaps if the sentiment was positioned differently (maybe over the to the right somewhere) it might have been okay.

So what will happen to this card? It will get added to the pile of "experiments" that one day might get made into something else. And yes that does happen — you may just see a part of it somewhere else!

Thanks

2011-06-02T12:17:00.004+10:00

It has been over a month since my last post, but much has happened in that time!! Some of you may know that I have had some health issues and have been unwell, and that earlier this year I was diagnosed with "medullary thyroid cancer". On 16 May I went into hospital to have a thyroidectomy and neck dissection. It was pretty scary, but all went well and I am now out of hospital and recovering well. Here is a picture of the damage two weeks after surgery, it zig zags down the side of my neck and then runs right across the front to my collar bone on the other side. It is healing really well.

There are so many people I want to thank, for their help and thoughts and prayers and cards and flowers and visits...

I will be making thank you cards for months! Here are two thank you cards that I decided to enter in the "Less is More" challenge this week. The same design but reversed!

Stamps: Eastern Blooms

Card: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red (top card), Cherry Cobbler (bottom card)

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Cherry Cobbler

Other: White Embossing Powder, Many Thanks Sizzlits Die

A simple design, but arranging those letters in just the right place was somewhat tedious! I am happy with the results though — it was worth it. (I just won't be making large quantities of them!)

Thanks for stopping by — it is great to be back in blogland again :)

Love Shell

OLW #49

2011-04-16T13:07:00.005+10:00

This week's One-Layer Wednesday challenge is to use a stamp that has never seen ink and include the colours green and pink. I decided to use Awash with Flowers as it has only just arrived in my collection and I thought the colours would suit...

Stamps: Awash with Flowers,

Card: Textured White

Ink: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red

I masked the flowers to stamp the leaves and stems. My plan was just to have the flowers and leaves roughly in the centre by themselves, but it just wasn't right, so I hand drew a border around them and it helped with the composition — which is still not perfect! The sentiment should have been left out all together because it looks tacked on, but I wasn't going through the whole process of masking etc. again to make another one without it!!!

Leafy Spring

2011-04-14T12:34:00.003+10:00

The whole spring theme has inspired me, and then I saw this card by Heather and loved it — loved the colours and design. So I decided to try out my own versions based on the ideas in Heather's card. I also wanted to create something else for the SoShelli creative challenge this month because I'm loving the spring theme, so here a three cards with a leafy green spring feel...

Stamps: French Foliage, Easter Blossoms

Card: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi

Ink: Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi

Other: White Embossing Powder

Jac-inks Challenge #6

2011-04-13T09:52:00.004+10:00

It is time for another jac-inks challenge. This time a sketch.

I loved this gorgeous DSP, but it sat for so long doing nothing because I was too afraid of cutting it up and spoiling it. This is often an issue I have with a beautiful piece of DSP. So now it has well and truly been sliced and diced for this card!

Paper: Kaleidoscope DSP

(from the 2009/2010 Summer Mini Catalogue)

Card: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose

Other: Regal Rose 1.6 cm Grosgrain Ribbon, Clear Rhinestone Brads

Flower Fusion Too (felt flowers),

Spring Blossoms

2011-04-11T10:04:00.014+10:00

I have been patiently waiting, and have finally got the stamp set with this beautiful blossom. It is so elegant, I love it. I know it's not quite Mother's Day yet, but I wanted to try out this stamp on a card for my Mum.

Stamps: Easter Blossoms, Well Scripted

Card: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink

Ink: Early Espresso, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose

To start with I just used Pretty in Pink to colour the flowers, but it looked a bit flat, so I added some Regal Rose to the already shaded areas and it gave it more depth and richer looking pink blossoms. You can see the difference in the two pics below.

I have decided to enter this in the SoShelli Creative Challenge, which is all about spring this time.

In our garden we have some trees that blossom at the first sign of spring, even if it isn't warm yet. It is an announcement that winter has finished and spring is here. Then soon after, those beautiful new green leaves appear and you know that spring has set in.

Anyway, autumn is upon our part of the world at the moment, and the now green leaves on our large tree above are about to turn yellow through to red, and it will be gorgeous!

Inkspirations Colour Challenge #64

2011-04-07T13:05:00.003+10:00

Just a quick post today for the Inkspirations colour challenge.

Stamps: French Foliage, So Happy for You

Card: Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla

Ink: Poppy Parade, More Mustard, Cajun Craze

I needed some stamping therapy yesterday so I've created a few things and will post more in the coming days. (I might write more too!!)

Clean & Simple and Inkspirations Mingle

2011-03-21T08:05:00.003+11:00

Firstly I would like to thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and well wishes after sharing about my cancer last week. I really appreciate all the encouragement and support. I have had some results from some of the tests and it looks like the cancer is isolated so it can be removed, which is good news. I am now waiting to see the specialist to find out his thoughts on it all and discuss surgery etc.

Today I have made a card for the Clean & Simple and Inkspirations challenges. It has been some time since I've entered Inkspirations so it's good to be playing along this week!

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Life Definitions, Best Yet

Ink: Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Regal Rose

Card Stock: Whisper White, Regal Rose

Other: Regal Rose 1.6cm Grosgrain Ribbon

I used markers to ink up the rubber so that I could use the three different colours and achieve variation in the petals. I also added a drop of water to the tops of the flowers before stamping which dilutes the colour a little and gives it light and shade so that it looks 3-D. Here is a close-up of the flower...

And now for something a little bit cute. During the week I received this gorgeous bouquet of chocolates accompanied by Dr Ted E Bear. It was sent by my mother in-law, sister & brother in-law, to cheer me up. They live a bit too far away to just pop in and visit and wanted to send something. It was very much appreciated and I smile every time I look at the bear!! He's so adorable, I'll be taking him to hospital with me :)

One Card — 4 challenges!

2011-03-16T11:50:00.004+11:00

Hi to all my blogging friends out there. Before I reveal today's card, I want to share some news with you. I have just been diagnosed with a less common variety of thyroid cancer. I'm now waiting on the results of some more tests I've had done, to determine whether or not it has spread anywhere else. It has been a real shock to us all, especially after my grandmother died of cancer last year. We are just taking one day at a time.

With all the news and tests etc. I haven't had a chance until today to be creative. So with limited time on my hands I thought I would use a number of challenges to make one card...

Clean & Simple Sketch 131

Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge — One Layer with Lime and Grey

Less is More — Off the Edge

Jac-inks — Masking

I am a DT member for jac-inks, but Ann let me off the hook for not being able to get something done before she put up the latest challenge — phew!! ;)

So here it is...

Stamps: Embrace Life, Solid Stripes, Just Believe

Card Stock: Whisper White

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Basic Grey, Versa Mark

I used the Solid Stripes stamp with Versa Mark to add a little more interest to the white areas. But this may mean the card is lacking the "white space" or "cleanness" required for Less is More — I think I can get away with it though. Don't you??

Speedy the Cat's Challenge — Bleaching

2011-03-07T11:24:00.005+11:00

I have decided to play along in the Speedy the Cat's Challenge this week which is to use the bleaching technique. I love what you can do with bleaching.

Here is my creation...

Stamps: Medallion, En Français, Sincere Salutations

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Grey, Riding Hood Red,

Crumb Cake (otherwise known as Kraft)

Ink: Basic Grey

Other: Bleach, Linen Thread

I have used the bleach with the Medallion stamp on the Riding Hood Red and Basic Grey card stock, then stamped En Français in Basic Grey over the top. Also on Basic Grey I have reversed this by stamping the Medallion in ink and then bleaching with En Français. When you bleach on Basic Grey, the colour almost looks like Crumb Cake, so it works to use that colour card stock in the design as well. Once I had stamped and bleached the different pieces, I tore them and layered them together.

I am happy that the white piece of card stock with the sentiment brings back a little crispness to the otherwise textured, patterned design.

Shimmer and Squares

2011-03-02T20:09:00.004+11:00

Tomorrow, one of my daughters turns 9. I decided to use two challenges for the inspiration for her card. OLW — Shimmer. Less is More — 3 squares. It was all a bit of an experiment and didn't end up being what I had pictured to begin with. But here it is...

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Pretty Princess (retired)

Paper: Bashful Blue

Ink: Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy

Other: Shimmer Paint

The number of squares on the card depends on how you interpret "3 squares". There could be more if including the card itself or the squares that the squares create! Whoa... that's a bit heavy for this time of night (for me that is!). I think it could have done without the square around the sentiment. Anyway, you don't know unless you try :)

The shimmer was created by spraying on some diluted shimmer paint.

Jac-Inks Challenge 3

2011-02-28T19:56:00.006+11:00

It's good to be back in the land of blog after not being able to do much on my computer over the last couple of weeks. My kids use it too, and between us all, we had filled up all the space so I couldn't upload photos etc. Sooooooo frustrating! My hubby spent lots of time transferring all the kids stuff to another computer we had for them to use. So now I am back in business. Yay!

This week we have an inspiration picture for the jac-inks challenge. Doesn't it look gorgeous? Oh to be lazing on a tropical island somewhere...

This is what it inspired me to create...

Stamps: Embrace Life (retired), Great Friend (for the sentiment)

Paper: Pacific Point, Whisper White, Watercolour paper

Ink: Stazon Black, Basic Black, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Handsome Hunter, Melon Mambo

Other: White Gel Pen, Aqua Painter

You can't really see from the photo, but the flower has been popped out using dimensionals. I stamped the image on watercolour paper using stazon ink, then applied some colour with a marker and used an aqua painter to spread the colour. Once dry, I applied some white to the stamens using a gel pen.

Jac-Inks Challenge 2 — a sketch

2011-02-15T11:47:00.004+11:00

Here we are with the next Jac-Inks Challenge — a sketch, created by Ann.

I found this a huge challenge as I am not usually one for layering up circles and ovals, and I don't know if I've ever rounded the corners of a card!

Anyway, I found a "non-layering" way of achieving the layout. All the elements are there, some more subtle than others :)

I loved how the tree was shaped just right to be my circle, and then the sun... well it was the other one. Then there was the little banner at the bottom left... it was just perfect for a bit of ground.

Yay!!!!!! I was pretty pleased with being able to find something in my landscape theme to fulfill all the requirements of the layout.

Stamps: Pendant Park

Ink: So Safron, Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip

Paper: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red

Other: Sponges, 1" Circle Punch, a hand made oval for masking — because I don't own any cutting equipment for ovals that size!! (don't look too closely at the edges, my cutting wasn't perfect)

So using my handmade oval template and a punched out circle for a mask, I sponged over the area first with So Safron, then starting from the edges and working towards the circle, but not all the way, with Pumpkin Pie. Then around the very edges I sponged a little Riding Hood Red — more towards the bottom. When the mask is pulled away you get a lovely sunset! I stamped the tree over the top and then created another mask with a torn piece of paper for the ground, positioning it so that it was at the base of the tree. I sponged along the edge of the tear with Chocolate Chip and then again a little lower (I had to put the template back while sponging the ground inside the oval).

Whoa!! I think this just needs a demo. Maybe sometime I'll do a step by step demo with pics!!

Most of you probably know how to do this anyway, but for those that don't I hope that helps a bit :)

Thanks for visiting, and I can't wait to see your creations! Head on over to Jac-Inks to enter.

Clean & Simple Sketch 127

2011-02-13T15:28:00.005+11:00

Floral stamps, leafy stamps. This is what came to mind when viewing the Clean & Simple Sketch for this week.

Also, with Valentine's Day being tomorrow I wanted to make a card for my Hubby — Hmmmmm, Valentine's Day... red, pink, love hearts, pretty...

Floral, leafy...

Not this time!

Today I wanted to challenge myself to do something different to what might be expected, both for the sketch and Valentine's.

Red is my Hubby's favourite colour, but every card I've made him, EVERY CARD, involves red. It's time I made him one without red — just for a change! So what will he be getting tomorrow??

This one...
Stamps: Wild About You

Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Summer Picnic DSP

Ink: Basic Black, Tangerine Tango

Other: Spiral Punch, Clip from the Clips Assortment

Not at all what anyone would expect to receive on Valentine's Day. But we have been married for 16 years and we are just two big kids who still love each other after all this time. So I think the card is suitable don't you think?

OLW 40 — Two for the Show

2011-02-13T15:09:00.002+11:00

Here is my card for the One-layer Wednesday challenge 40 — hosted this week by Jennifer Styles. The challenge is to use two stamps (no sentiments) and no bling or ribbon etc. You can heat emboss or colour with markers if you want. It has taken me days to even think of something!! Stamps: Friends 24-7

Paper: Whisper White

Ink: Crumb Cake & Basic Black ink pads, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red & Cherry Cobbler markers

It took me a few attempts before I was happy with a layout using the two stamps I chose. In the end I felt it needed to have a frame so I masked the bottom right corner while stamping and then scored around it.

Less is More Challenge Blog

2011-02-11T15:37:00.004+11:00

There is another new challenge blog in blogland! This one is called Less is More — a clean & simple challenge blog, created by Mandi and Chrissie. The first challenge is to use Black, White and Pink.

The first card uses ruled lines for the border and a small sentiment (which I think should be positioned a little more to the right don't you think?)

The second one uses a slightly larger sentiment (that I think is too heavy for the design) and I have hand drawn the border. Not sure if I prefer the hand drawn or ruled border.

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Just Believe (for the sentiment in the second card)

Paper: Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red (which is not really red, but a very deep pink!)

With both cards, I drew a border in pencil first. Then stamped the sentiment along the pencil line using a stamp-a-ma-jig to position it correctly. Finally I went over the pencil lines with a black marker (with a ruler for the first card and freehand for the second) stopping on each side of the sentiment.

OLW 39

2011-02-04T11:57:00.008+11:00

This week's One-layer Wednesday challenge is an image stamp, a border stamp and some bling. I decided to do some masking so that the border looks like it's been stuck over the top of the brayered background — and of course the background needed some masking too!

Stamps: Just Believe, Vine and Blossom (wheel)

Paper: Shimmery White

Ink: Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue

Accessories: Basic Rhinestones

The bling is not just the rhinestones. As you can see from the pic below, the paper has it's own bling which shows up really nicely when ink is applied over the top. It almost looks like a starry night! It's such pretty paper.

Jac-Inks Challenge Blog

2011-02-02T10:13:00.004+11:00

Hi there again!

Just wanted to share that I have become a Design Team Member for the jac-inks challenge blog, set up by a very lovely and talented lady, Ann Craig. Yesterday the very first challenge was launched. Every two weeks a new challenge will be announced — colour, inspiration, sketch and technique challenges. This one is a colour challenge, neutrals + one other colour! This is what I came up with...

Stamps: Great Friend, En Français, Pocket Silhouettes

Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede

Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Pacific Point

Accessories: Basic Pearls

I layered up the colours by applying ink directly to paper with the ink pad, stamping the images in the different colours and sponging around the edges. You can see more detail in the picture below.

We'd love you to participate in the challenge, so head on over to the jac-inks Challenge #1, check out the other team designs, and find all the info about entering. This challenge there is some blog candy up for grabs too!

Clean & Simple Sketch 125 Again!

2011-02-01T08:04:00.005+11:00

The other day I had more than one idea for the Clean & Simple sketch challenge. So here are two more cards...

They both use the gorgeous Blueberry Crisp DSP, one on white and one on vanilla with some ribbon. I prefer the white version — I think it is much cleaner!

Stamps: Heard from the Heart

Paper: Whisper White, Blueberry Crisp DSP

Ink: Pacific Point

Stamps: Heard from the Heart

Paper: Very Vanilla, Blueberry Crisp DSP

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

When the DSP is cut up in sections on a card like that, it reminds me of this patchwork quilt my Mum made me when I was a little girl. Maybe that has something to do with why I like it so much!

Clean & Simple Sketch 125

2011-01-31T09:43:00.003+11:00

As soon as I saw this week's Clean And Simple sketch, I was inspired and had to go make something. I had a couple of ideas, but wanted to start with this one. Red is my favourite colour after all!!

Stamps: Solid Stripes, En Français, Scribble (wheel), Heard from the Heart.

Paper: Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy, Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, "Haiku" DSP (Tangerine Tango)

Ink: Versa Mark, Cherry Cobbler

Other: White Embossing Powder

I used Versa Mark to create the patterns on the coloured paper. I should have used the co-ordinating ink because when I went to emboss the sentiment, the powder stuck to the patterns — even though it had been drying for a while before I did it, and even though I smothered it all with the embossing buddy! Anyway, I managed to brush of most of it, but if you look closely, the sentiment has a few fuzzy edges!

OLW 38

2011-01-28T14:46:00.005+11:00

It has been some time since I've participated in a One Layer Wednesday challenge. This week it is a sketch.

I chose a stamp set and some colours that I thought would work, but struggled with it. I'm still not that happy with the outcome — perhaps a different choice of stamps and colours might have made things easier. I wasn't going to post it, but the last two cards I made for the OLW challenges didn't end up on my blog for the same reason! So, here it is...

Stamps: Rustic Rooster, Whimsical Words

Paper: Naturals Ivory

Ink: Basic Black, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede

I stamped the background image in Soft Suede and then positioned each of the other images over the top. That way the images, which form a "visual triangle", are tied together and don't appear to be floating around on the page.

Let's Sale-A-Brate!

2011-01-26T12:15:00.007+11:00

Happy Australia day!

There will be mixed feelings today as so many are still affected by the floods in our country. It is a sad time for many who have lost homes and loved ones. But also in this time it is wonderful to see so many people coming together, helping others in need, giving of their time, their money and resources. In this we can celebrate.

Once a year Stampin' Up! have a promotion called Sale-A-Bration. They release four new stamp sets exclusive to the promotion that you can earn as a free gift. To find out more about it, please visit this page on my website, where you can also view each of the four sets. The promotion runs until 31 March, and it is a great time to stock up on card stock and adhesives etc.

Last night at our team meeting we all had a play with the stamp sets for this Sale-A-Bration. Here is a card I made using a couple of the sets.

Stamps: Bliss, So Happy For You

Paper: Peach Parfait, Melon Mambo, Whisper White

Ink: Peach Parfait, Melon Mambo

Remembering all here down under on this Australia Day 2011, especially those affected by floods. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Summer Garden

2011-01-20T11:25:00.002+11:00

My collection of DSP keeps slowly growing. I only buy the packs that I really like, but there are always bits and pieces that don't get used straight away, or the pieces are so nice I can't bring myself to cut them up! This year I am determined to use up what I have.

Often I sit for ages staring at a piece, trying to work out how I want to use it, but give up. Then sometimes, out of nowhere, an idea comes for a piece I looked at the week before. That is what happened for this DSP (from a Mini Catty 2 years ago!).

It was in the wee hours yesterday morning, when I was woken at 3am and couldn't go back to sleep, that I had the inspiration for this card...

Stamps: Just Believe, Botanical Blooms (2009 Sale-A-Bration Set)

Paper: Whisper White, Summer Picnic DSP

Inks: Basic Black, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red

The great thing about this style of two-step stamps is that it doesn't matter if they don't line up perfectly. I like the look when the images are a little offset. You could use a stamp-a-ma-jig if you were fussy about positioning! I have "stamped off" the leaves again without the outline image to create more depth.

I had a roll of black & white gingham ribbon out ready to add, but it was too much. I was trying to make it work but sometimes you have to restrain yourself from adding things because you have them. This card looked best just as it is. I liked it so much in the end that I made four of them — and used up most of that sheet of DSP!

Clean & Simple Sketch 123

2011-01-19T13:11:00.002+11:00

Happy New Year everyone!! It is good to be blogging again :)

A sketch challenge is the first card up for the year. This is my version of the Clean & Simple sketch.

I've been wanting to try out this colour combo, and also the "Newsprint" DSP. This is what happened!

Stamps: Punch Potpourri (level 1 hostess)

Paper: Soft Suede, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Newsprint DSP, Tissue Paper

Ink: Soft Suede, Marina Mist

Accessories: Basic Pearls, Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

I've had Soft Suede card stock and ink since it was released, but have never been inspired to use it because I didn't really like it. But I like how it looks with these colours, even as the main colour.
You can't see very well from the photo, but there is some scrunched up tissue paper over the DSP and also some tiny pearls in the centre of the flowers in the heart.

I'm not a huge fan of some of the vintage styles out there in the card making world, they are so often too cluttered. I do quite like some of the vintage elements though, and used in the right way you can still achieve a clean look — maybe, depending on one's opinion! I think what helps this card is all the "white space" at the top.

Clean & Simple Sketch 109

2010-09-30T08:19:00.003+10:00

This is my entry for the Clean & Simple Sketch Challenge. I had to turn the sketch upside down for this card. It began the other way up, but then I struggled to make the image and sentiment work together so it became this...
With the new colour renovation we have now got markers for more colours. Yay!!! This includes Crumb Cake, which I have used with Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler to ink up the image. The stamp set is a new one called Just Believe. I embossed the sentiment with white embossing powder so it would stand out on the red. The scallop on the edge was created by stamping one of the images from the set, punching them with a circle punch and cutting them in half.
I am loving Cherry Cobbler. I still love Riding Hood Red, but Cherry Cobbler is definitely on my list of favourites!
We are about to go on an outing for the day so I need to go.
Have a great day!

OLW In Blue and Brown!

2010-09-25T15:48:00.004+10:00

Ooooh it's been too long in between posts again... but here I am with another one finally!

I am away at the moment with my kids, staying with my parents while my hubby does some work in our house. I knew I would have a chance to do some blogging while here, so before I left, I uploaded some pictures (yes, that means I'll have more than just one post in the next couple of weeks!). I also brought a stack of stamping supplies so I can get creating, but I won't be able to post anything I make here until I get home as I don't have the camera and set-up to get them uploaded.

So today I have my entry for this weeks One-Layer Wednesday challenge.

I masked off the edges of the card and sponged the centre with Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy. I wanted to keep the colours simple so I have only used Early Espresso to stamp the images and fill in the body and wings of the dragonfly. I positioned the dragonfly so that it would mirror the blade of grass on the other side, but I'm not sure if it works as I imagined it would. It's one of those "good idea at the time" things. At least the card meets the challenge requirements - one layer of card and inspired by nature!

Clean & Simple Sketch 103

2010-08-15T12:05:00.008+10:00

Yay! I have made the time do some creating today — and not sat looking blankly at my stamps wondering where to start (which seems to be happening a lot lately). The inspiration for this card came from the Clean & Simple sketch challenge.

I've had a few baby cards to make recently, all girls so far! For this card I pulled out my favourite baby stamp set Bundle of Joy. The images always look so cute when water coloured. I stamped the giraffe and bear in black Stazon ink on water colour paper. Once dry, I used my markers to apply some colour, then washed over it with an aqua painter. I gave the bear some buttons using couple of Pretty in Pink brads.

The sentiment is a stamp called Sweetness Unlimited which I inked up with pink and brown markers. Bundle of Joy is unfortunately a retired stamp set, but Sweetness Unlimited is in our new catalogue.

The colours are Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and Chocolate Chip. I will have to try out a blue version some time (or maybe yellow)!

The Canberra Craft Fair

2010-08-08T13:59:00.007+10:00

Last Friday I spent the day on our Stampin' Up! Stand down at the Craft Fair here in Canberra. Each year hundreds of people flock to Exhibition Park to visit the Fair which runs for four days.

This year I ran one of the Craft Circles again. Each person that attended made three projects which focussed on the Big Shot Die-cutting Machine. This cute little gift box was one of the projects.

To create this I have run some Old Olive card stock through the Big Shot twice — first with the Fancy Favor Die and then with the Little Leaves Die. I tied some Rich Razzleberry polka dot ribbon to the top to form a little handle. Inside there are some chocolates in a cello bag with a little "to you from me" tag.

After all the effort of organising for the Craft Fair, it has taken all week to get things in order at home — but today I feel a little in control again. Hope to have some time in the next few days to do some creating, and I can't wait to share with you some of what is coming in the new catalogue!

Beautiful Blogger Award

2010-06-15T19:13:00.002+10:00

What a privilege to receive this award! It was given to me by the lovely Cathy Clark. Thank you so much Cathy.

Part of receiving the award is to share with you ten blogs that inspire, and also ten things about me. So I'll start with a little about me...

I have been married for 15 years.

I have four gorgeous children, play school through to high school age.

I am an artist (when I have the time!!!) and have sold my work in exhibitions locally and through a gallery on the coast.

I love anything creative and have dabbled in different crafts, but I'm loving stamping and card making the most, and I love being part of the Stampin' Up family.

I love to cook if it is creating a masterpiece, but the evening meal can be mundane when I'm trying to put something on the table every night!

I am allergic to peanuts.

I studied Landscape Architecture at the University of Canberra, which is also where my hubby studied Graphic Design!

I have always wanted to visit Italy and the surrounding countries (because of Art and Architecture etc), but ever since my brother and his wife traveled around the world I have added some more stops to the list including the Iguassu Falls in South America.

I love beautiful landscapes, from vast and overwhelming (mountains, plains, stormy skies etc) to 'up close' with nature (the form of a tree or the way sunlight falls on dry grass).

I love to stand on a hill top or mountain top, but I am afraid of heights and don't like to stand on the edge of a lookout.

Now, ten people I would like to pass this award on to...

I hope that these people inspire you also. Thanks for stopping by!

One-Layer Wednesday Challenge 8

2010-06-11T12:25:00.010+10:00

I have finally got around to entering one of Susan Raihala's One-layer Wednesday challenges. This week the challenge was to use a mask to create a background that you can then stamp an image on (and obviously to only use one layer of card). Here is my card...

I used a rectangle and a circle to mask the sky, which I sponged in three different shades of blue. Then I sponged over the circle with an even lighter shade of blue. The blues are Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze and Soft Sky.

The stamp sets used are Embrace Life and Sincere Salutations. I stamped in black ink and then coloured the leaves with an Old Olive marker.

I used those same stamp sets and a different masking technique to create the card below. I love this card by Jess and wanted to try my own version...

It is amazing what you can do with one layer of card and a little masking!

Inkspirations Colour Challenge #26

2010-06-05T12:00:00.006+10:00

I have decided to play along in Keesh's colour challenge this week. I love the colour combo — Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Grey and Kraft.

There are so many ways the colours could be used so I found it quite challenging — and deciding what stamps to use took me forever! This is what I ended up with...

The stamp is the "Medallion" from the Autumn/Winter Mini Catty, and the sentiment is from a stamp set called "Whimsical Words" which was one of our Sale-A-Bration sets earlier in the year.

Little Leaves

2010-06-03T09:25:00.003+10:00

I am really liking those little leaves, especially with Old Olive card stock. I wanted to see how I could work them in with the 'Watercolour Vine' wheel. Here is what I came up with...

I tried adding other elements and colours, but in the end it worked best with just the green and white and leaves. Sometimes just one colour is all you need!

Broken 'Bot'

2010-06-02T10:02:00.005+10:00

Dad is in hospital at the moment with severe back pain. He was to have surgery yesterday, but it didn't go ahead. Now he has to wait until next Tuesday for the surgery, so he is feeling quite miserable.

I have made this little card for him — I wanted to make use of the 'Lots of Bots' stamp set (from the Autumn/Winter Mini Catty).

The colours are Bordering Blue, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White. I thought that those colours would give the robot a rusty tin look. I think he looks pretty cute!

Pillow Box

2010-05-28T15:48:00.005+10:00

I have been playing with the Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine this week and experimenting a little with what can be done. Isn't this the cutest little pillow box? And it was so quick and easy to create — you could easily do a lot of these for a special occasion.

I used the Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder with the Big Shot to emboss that beautiful flower image. Then I took that same piece of card and ran it through the Big Shot again with the Pillow Box Die — it cuts and scores so it is ready to form into the box. I crushed a strip of Riding Hood Red card stock, wrapped it around the box and tied some white taffeta ribbon around that. To complete, I attached some Old Olive leaves which were cut using the Little Leaves Die. I looooove those little leaves!!

It is cold and wet here in Canberra, so it is a good day for indoor activities!! Stamping perhaps :) Actually I have household duties to do, and some blog stuff, so I will not be stamping today. Hope you are having a good weekend!

Convention!!!

2010-05-28T14:17:00.004+10:00

Convention... Wow, I am inspired! We had a great weekend.

I think I'll just show you some pictures. Some are not so good as I took them on my phone with not very good lighting etc, but you'll get the idea!

This is the gorgeous view from our hotel window.

The clouds were spectacular — Yep! I love cloudy skies ;)

On the last day we were all given a stamp set — I had to photoshop the images out because we are not aloud to show them — something coming in September!!!

Here I am with my 'roomie' Liz and our new stamp sets.

Our team at the Awards Dinner.

I had to get a pic with Debbie Yeomans too. We are not in the same team (that's another story!), but she is a friend here in Canberra. I am so proud of Debbie, she has achieved so much this year (lots of awards!) and she also did a fab job of her presentation at Convention.

And finally, it wouldn't be Stampin' Up Convention without the beautiful Shelli Gardner,

so I had to get a pic of Shelli & Shelley.

Simple Again

2010-05-20T12:22:00.002+10:00

After yesterday's more artistic card, I have something simple to show...

The Trendy Trees stamp set is sooooo cute don't you think? It works well for a simple design, and I am really liking Old Olive at the moment.

I tried adding to the same design, mainly because I was trying to enter Makeesha's colour challenge a couple of weeks ago, but missed it. Well... here is what happened. The missing colour was Bashful Blue so I thought I would add some sky. Do I like cloudy skies or something??? ;)

It worked alright but I like the first card the best — it just has a nice crispness about it.

Well... Stampin' Up Convention is just around the corner. I leave this afternoon for Sydney — it is very exciting. I still have to pack and there are some last minute things to organise for the family before I go, so I had better get on with it :)

Have a great weekend everyone, and I hope to see some of you at Convention!

A cloudy sky...

2010-05-19T13:59:00.004+10:00

Last week I was sitting at my desk trying to find some inspiration. Then I saw it... the artwork that I had produced a month ago was sitting there in it's frame and I was inspired. Cloudy skies are often a feature of my work as an artist and it was the inspiration for this card.

I have used a brayer over a punched out circle to create the moon and the graded colour in the background. Then I have stamped the Upsy Daisy image over the top and sponged on the clouds. A little glitter on the daisies gives the impression that the moonlight is glistening on dew. The colours are Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Bordering Blue and Basic Grey.

Oooops!! It is almost 3pm — have to race and pick up the kids from school :)

I'll be back tomorrow with one last post before Convention!! See you.

Pink & Brown!

2010-05-16T18:58:00.007+10:00

Just a couple of cards I've made recently...

This birthday card is one of those cards that starts with a bit of an idea but then ends up being completely different. You know when you sit there trying different things until it comes together and it takes a whole evening when it should only take 15 minutes!! Yep, that was what happened with this one. But I think it turned out alright.

This next one was inspired by a card made by Teneale Williams, you can check hers out here. It was beautiful, I really loved what she had done and so I wanted to imitate it!

I decided to make a mother's day card using the style. Below is the one I made for my Grandma.

Anyway... it is getting late for me and I have an early start in the morning so I shall say goodnight. Also blogger isn't letting me do what I want to so I think it's time to quit before I really get frustrated! Goodnight all.

Inkspirations Colour Challenge #20

2010-04-08T13:41:00.003+10:00

Tomorrow is my daughter Alana's birthday, so I thought I would use this colour combo (Brocade Blue, Creamy Caramel, Choc Chip and Very Vanilla) from Keesh's latest challenge for the inspiration for her card. Blue is also one of Alana's favourite colours!

I really love Brocade Blue, I think it works so nicely with the earthy colours. I am a little sad that we will be saying goodbye to it later this year when the new Colour Collection is launched, although I do really like what is coming! I think the change will be good.

FTL84

2010-04-02T15:32:00.005+11:00

Another Clean & Simple sketch challenge. As soon as I saw the layout I knew I wanted to use a flower image across the bottom. I searched through my collection for an image that would suit and decided on this one. Do you remember this stamp set? It was a hostess set from last year's SU catalogue. It's been a while since it has seen ink — I think it works for this design and these bold colours.

The colours evolved somewhat, but began with white and the new in colour, Melon Mambo (only because I wanted to use the polkadot ribbon I had!). It needed something more, so I added some Elegant Eggplant to the mix to give it more interest.

I think the card is growing on me — might try a rectangular version sometime!

Have a great Easter, thanks for visiting :)

Inkspirations Colour Challenge #19

2010-03-17T13:39:00.004+11:00

Back with another challenge! This time the Inkspiration Colour challenge which is being hosted by Chantelle this week. I have made two cards for this because the stamp I wanted to use was yet to be shipped :( so I tried to find another that I could use in a similar way — today the stamp arrived so I just had to try out my original idea too!

I wanted to be subtle in the use of the colours so I chose an image that I could add the colours to. The first card uses the 'Scribble' wheel, the second uses the new 'Very Vintage' wheel from the Autumn Mini Catalogue. It was that image that inspired me to begin with but I had to wait for it to come. So here they are…

Card 1

Card 2

Not sure which one I prefer, but I love those new stamps from the Autumn Catty!

FTL #82 — Clean & Simple Sketch Challenge

2010-03-14T18:26:00.010+11:00

I loved the sketch on the Clean & Simple blog this week, so I decided to have a play with it. This was the result!

I chose this leafy image from the Embrace Life stamp set, and filled the leaves in using a blender pen and black ink so that it was more like a silhouette. I felt that a bit of twine and some tearing would work well with the image, and I was pleased with the way the 'h' in the word 'much' worked so well with the torn edge!

I also tried another card using the same stamp, it is such an elegant image. I kept it very simple and have only used white and olive. The simple style is inspired by Susan Raihala, check out her blog — Simplicity. I think I've taken elements of some of her cards and created this one (it is her designs that have inspired my recent use of twine!).

I had the chance to make four cards today. These are the other two. I have chosen the simple approach again (white space is good!!), also inspired by Susan.

I have had fun this afternoon experimenting with 'simple'. I can't wait to get my Autumn/Winter Mini Catty pre-order so I can play some more, although I might have to be more controlled because this afternoons fun was at the expense of the housework — but you need to have some time to express your creativity sometimes, don't you? :)

Inspired again!

2010-03-08T18:40:00.006+11:00

Life is always so full, but this weekend (which happens to be a long one!) has had a lot in it.

Because it is a long weekend, I didn't have to go to work today and was able to enjoy some other activities. This afternoon I decided to check out some blogs, which sparked my creativity, so I did some card making. Yay!! I felt so inspired, I made 5 cards!! Here is one of those creations. I have only used two colours, Not Quite Navy and Kraft, and no white or vanilla — not sure if I've ever done that before. Anyway, it seems to have worked alright.

The rest of the weekend went like this…

Friday afternoon I picked up the kids from school, and an additional two girls for a sleepover party for Zali. There was some wakefulness in the middle of the night which made us all tired the next day (but that is another story!) The girls went home in the morning and the rest of the day was spent cleaning house and preparing for a workshop.

Saturday night I did a workshop for some friends (the girls that keep me in business!) It was fun as always but I didn't get home until 11:30pm.

Sunday I was up early doing last minute preparation for the guests which were arriving!

My two uncles from the USA have come out to Australia for a short time to visit my grandma. My parents, aunty, grandma and uncles are going on a little holiday and decided to come via us so that we could see them. I haven't seen my uncles since I was a kid and my grandma hasn't had all four of her children together for 46 years, so this is a very special time for them! My cousin and her kids arranged to rendezvous at our house (from Parkes NSW) so that they could see everyone as well. So… on Sunday we had 16 in the house. My cousin went home that afternoon and we had 12 for dinner. We also spent until lunchtime today with everyone (and we squeezed some sightseeing in too!) It was a great time, I really enjoyed being with them all :)

Now that I have done some creating and blogging, it is time to get organised for the week ahead (school, work etc) so I had better go and do it!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Inspiration Challenge #18

2010-03-04T20:14:00.005+11:00

It was my daughter Zali's 8th birthday on Wednesday, so I decided to use Keesh's challenge as the inspiration for the card. It has been a while since I have entered any challenges so it is good to get back into it (not sure when next time will be though!!).

Anyway, here is a cute little pic of Zali at the beach at Christmas - just sitting in the water waiting for the waves to wash over her and in her own little world. She is such a cutie, she is a little ray of sunshine :)

2010-01-17T15:05:00.011+11:00

Hi there…

It has been sooooooo long since I have done any blogging. Life has been a whirlwind for the last couple of months with starting a new job and Christmas and all the end of the year stuff that happens.

Since the last post my youngest boy, Luke, has had a birthday and is now 3, I did a Wow Presentation at the Field Training event here in Canberra, my Hubby and I went away (yes, kids free) to celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary, and over the Christmas break we all travelled up to Cessnock and then to Grafton to visit family. They're just the main things!!

I am looking forward to the year ahead. My eldest daughter, Alana, starts highschool this year. That's a bit scary — it seems like only yesterday she was a baby. Now, four children on, my baby is 3 and heading off to Playschool one day a week. What ever shall I do in my spare time??? Actually, I won't be stamping the whole time (or doing housework etc). I would like to do some more art again. For those that don't know, I am an artist in my "spare" spare time! It has gone out the window a bit in recent years, but the fire was lit up again at the end of last year when I sold two of my works at an exhibition in November.

Anyway, it's about time I show you some cards!

I know Christmas has come and gone, but I wanted to share these with you :)

Last year I ran a couple of Christmas card stamp a stacks. These two cards are a couple of the designs that we did. Although I made these, I didn't get around to making and sending cards this year — I just had too much on.

I love the versatility of the Season of Joy stamp set. Here I have used the flower image, together with some sponging around the edges to create the background. The large image with the greetings is the focus and has just a touch of glitter. The colours are Whisper White, Riding Hood Red and Not Quite Navy.

I wanted create a Christmas card with an Australian feel to it. So for this second card I have used the gum blossom from the Bloom Away stamp set and a greeting from the Many Merry Messages set. The colours used are Very Vanilla, Kiwi Kiss and Riding Hood Red. I love that red!!

Well… time has got away and I need to get dinner happening. I have some more things to show you, but that will have to wait until next time.

Thanks for visiting :)

A Card, a Cake and some News!!

2009-10-11T09:18:00.006+11:00

Well… this was to be my entry for Keesh's inspiration challenge, but I missed the deadline. I didn't have a chance to upload it in time because of all that has been happening. I'll tell you about some of it in a minute, but first of all this card. Another fairly simple design, with an oriental feel to it. I have rock 'n' rolled the image using Rose Red ink and then Purely Pomegranate (an in-colour from last year). I stamped the flowers and 'thankyou' on the cardstock first, then drew the lines to fill the gaps.

So what has been happening in my life over the last two weeks?? I guess I should start with the biggest news…

I have a job!!! I will be working 9 'til 5 Monday and Tuesday as the Office Secretary at my church, Belconnen Baptist. It has been a very interesting journey and it has all happened quite quickly. Applications were due last Friday 2nd. Interviews were held Tuesday night, and Wednesday morning I received the call offering me the position — I start tomorrow. Whoooaa!! It is still sinking in. My hubby Kal will be a stay at home dad on those days (and maybe work from home a bit). It will be a big change for us as a family, but we all feel it will be good for us. I am looking forward to it, but at the same time I'm soooooooo nervous. Since Kal hasn't had to do the daytime routine before, I will be making sure everything is organised (meals for the evening too) so that it is not too overwhelming to start with. So that's my plan for the rest of the day, as well as recovering from yesterday!!

Yesterday we had a bunch of 6 year old boys and girls (10 plus my children!!) over for my son Liam's birthday party. It was a lot of fun, but as always with such events there is a fair bit of work. I did a lot of the prep during the week, including making 184 mini sausage rolls!

Each birthday I let the children choose the cake that they want, and Liam chose the Scary Castle this time. I love making cake creations, but I think 4 in a year is plenty :) The blue food colouring was sooooooo messy, all the children had blue hands and mouths after eating it.

Here is a pic of the creation, complete with hand piped chocolate spiders!!

It has also been the school holidays, which are now at an end. Even though there has been a lot happening, I've enjoyed not having to make lunches and race out the door for school each morning :) Back to it tomorrow!

Anyway, I had better go and get some things done before the day gets away!

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Upsy Daisy goes Pink

2009-10-03T11:27:00.005+10:00

Recently a friend asked me to make a thank you card for someone. It had to be bigger than a standard sized card so that several people could sign it. I wanted it to look pretty because I thought that would suit the person receiving it, so I chose pinks!

I used Upsy Daisy again, which I love, and markers to ink it up. The marker colours were Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and Close to Cocoa. You can't see it very well, but the flowers have a touch of Dazzling Diamonds glitter, which I felt worked nicely with the silver of the filigree brad.

The cardstock colours are Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink and Pink Pirouette.

A week later it was my grandmother's 89th birthday so I thought I'd make her a similar card. Once again, the prettiness suited her dainty, sweet nature.

It's wet and cold here in Canberra this long weekend. We are having an inside, pottering about kind of day. Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

Keesh's Colour Challenge #13

2009-10-01T18:36:00.004+10:00

This week has been so busy and stressful, but today I found some time to be creative. I really love the colours that Keesh chose this week for her challenge. Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy and Very Vanilla. They work so well together don't you think?

I thought that the Embrace Life set would suit these colours. I have stamped the images in Choc Chip, using the Stamp-a-ma-jig to position the flowers. It needed a little sponging around the edges which I did with Choc Chip ink, and a hint of Vanilla and Old Olive to frame it. Not Quite Navy is one of my favourite colours so I wanted it to feature a little more by being one of the main colours. I have torn and then rolled the edge on one side of the Not Quite Navy to add a little texture. I had forgotten how much I love this stamp set, it is so beautiful and elegant.

Have a wonderful weekend :)

Inspiration Challenge #12 - Alana's Entry

2009-09-17T18:40:00.004+10:00

Hi my name is Alana and I am 11.

I'm borrowing my Mum's blog (with her permission!) to enter Makeesha's challenge this week.

I am always seeing my mum enter the challenges and thought that I might like to have a go. I decided to enter because I really like making cards and Makeesha's challenge this week was very inspirational for me.

I have used the Good Friend stamp set. The colours are So Saffron, Pacific Point and Whisper White.

Mum and I stamped together today, but she didn't like her card much.

I hope I get to enter again sometime

from Alana

Keesh's Colour Challenge #12

2009-09-10T17:25:00.007+10:00

The colours that Keesh chose for her challenge this week just cried out for some sponging and blending. I wasn't sure how or what stamps to use, or even if I'd have time this week with the long 'to do' list that I have. But I couldn't resist the temptation to play with ink this afternoon — just in time for the challenge!

I won't go into any detail about how it was done, it's just a quick post from me tonight. I had better go and work on the other things that need doing!

Thanks for stopping by, have a great weekend :)

Father's Day

2009-09-09T12:51:00.006+10:00

I know Father's Day was over a week ago now, but I wanted to share with you the little project that we made at the class I ran a couple of weeks back, and also the gifts that my kids made.

One of the projects at the class was a 'toolbox' gift box. The design was based on the toolbox that belongs to my hubby, one of those red metal ones!

So here is the end result. A red toolbox with a tray of tools (from the Totally Tools stamp set). When you lift up the tray there is space for a small gift, chocolates or a tie etc.

We didn't even give this to my hubby on Father's Day. My children had all created their own special things for him, by themselves. I thought he'd appreciate that far more than a box he'd seen me working on for weeks. And he did! Here is the line-up of cards and home made gifts that they made for him. They absolutely adore him :)

There is a plane and a story created by my 5 year old, Liam. Two beautiful cards made by my 7 year old, Zali. A blue card, cut with scizzors by my 2 year old, Luke. The little orange man is indeed my hubby :) made by my 11 year old, Alana. She also made the pop up card which features the pancakes that they brought to us in bed on Father's Day.

The only Stampin' Up products used were some of my least favourite coloured brads, to put my 'orange hubby' together!!