absc12 - a little birdie told me.......

Hello,

how's your week end going? I sat and made a card last night cos I know I'll be glued to the TV tonight watching the tennis!!!

This is my card for Annabelle Stamps bling sketch challenge no 12. Have you entered your's yet? I know Betty has....... so Olga, Patti, Mary Anne........ come on girls join the fun in Aus.

I've used some SU striped dp that I really like in Baja Breeze, brown , beige and white stripes.

The image which is another of the little stamps I bought in Riot Art Supplies was stamped in Baja Breeze as was the sentiment.

I punched the bottom edge of the dp using a Fiskars Upper Crest punch and used this edge to dictate the placement of the bling. I used Annabella Stamps white pearls to finish off the sketch.

Recipe:

Card: American Crafts chocolate brown. Romanprint white ridged card for card base. SU Baja Breeze and SU DP. GKD Pure Luxury in pure white for stamped image.

Stamp: Riot art Supplies My Memories - Love Bird.

Ink: SU Baja Breeze Prisma Pencil in beige.

Embellishments: Annabella Stamps - white pearls. SU ribbon/tape. Metal Swirl and ricrac from my stash.

Other: Spellbinders Classic Oval Dies and tags. Cuttlebug Emossing folder Swiss dots. Fiskars Upper Crest Punch.

Technically Challenged me!

Hello Blogger's,

This is a cute kiddies card, well sort of. It really didn't need the ribbon did it .... for a kiddie!

Ah well.....it's the second of some cheap stamps I bought from Riot (a bit like Michael's, I think).

It actually prints Dinomite right up next to the image. I've just separated the sentiment for this card. Quick and simple, coloured with Prisma's. Some piercing on opposite corners and four brads.

I had planned to show the two boxed card but I'm so not happy with the photo's I've taken and that's opened a can of worms!!

My brother took a look at my pictures and said they could be improved.........I knew this.... so agreed!

He's made a few suggestions, which I'm struggling with. I'm feeling a bit technically challenged at the moment but am determined to get on top of it. After trailing round all the Camera Shops and getting little to no help at all, I picked up a couple of new white light globes today for 'The Light Tent' . The lights that came with the tent were really nowhere near bright enough. I used the two white lights along with my Daylight floor lamp and though it's not 100% it's much better. Still think I might get one more! This photo was taken in the tent and I've followed my brother's instructions or at least I think I have!!

Ah look at this gorgeous award passed on to me by Patti. Thanks Pattie and don't worry if your Mojo turns up here to find mine to play with.........I'm keeping it!!!!!! ROFL.

I have to tell you things that you might not know about me... so here goes:

1. I'm technically challenged.

2. Ditto

3. Ditto

4. Ditto

5. Ditto

6. I'm like a dog with a bone, won't give up!

7. Ditto

8. Ditto

9. Ditto

10. I'm not very good at these things!!!

Now as usual I would like to pass this on to all of those who pop back to my blog on a regular basis to see if I've been at all creative!!!! You guys deserve it more that me at the moment.

Ah well, I'll get there.....eventually.

Hope you have a great week end.

Till next time.......

Has anyone found my Mojo????

No don't laugh.... it's gone and try as I might I can't find it!!!!! Maybe tomorrow.

OK now I have to tell you about some great candy on offer over in England......don't really want to tell you cos I'd love this one LOL. Me who couldn't win an argument!!!!

Check it out just the same ......... Dawn has some great inks that I'm just dying to try ..... I've only seen them in the UK and certainly not here!!! INKADINKS click on the link in the side bar to check them out and while you're there Dawn did a great tutorial on how to colour with them so check that out too.

See you soon.

Two more for 2010.......

Calendar pages that is.......

Here's March, I've used one of Nina May's new digital images for this month. (Click on the Paper Cupcakes picture in the side bar to take you to Nina's online shop.)

How pretty is this watering can filled with blooms.

In the most part I've used scraps of dp and card for this calendar but the strip of dp with the bird on is a new one!!!

I picked it up at the local Scrapbook store - I've a stamp with a bird just like that and also received recently, a digi image of a Caterpillar exactly like the one you can see here. Love them both!

For April I've used a stamp that I've had for ages. This cute bunny peeking out from behind the pot of flowers is stamped then coloured with Prima Pencils and OMS.

I've also used the Spellbinder Fleur De Lis die and some bright orange Basic Grey dp to sit the bunny on.

The flower is cut using two size dies from the Blossom Spellbinder and ageing the edges a little. Three self adhesive yellow gems for the centre and some Fern punched with the McGill punch finish this off. A strip of ribbon tied around the green stripe dp from my off cut box and that's April.

As always the pages are adhered to a piece of pale yellow card.

As I'm typing up this post it's getting darker and darker here and thunder is rumbling around. Think I'd better get this finished and turn off the computer........ just in case.

Thanks for dropping by, til next time.............

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!

Hello Blogger's.

Happy Australia Day to all you Aussies out there!!

For the non Aussies January 26th is Celebrated as our National Day. It's the Anniversary of the First Fleets arrival in 1788 and the raising of the British Flag at Sydney Cove.

It's a public holiday here with lots of celebrations all around the country. Sydney Harbour will be busy with all the pleasure boats out for the day and the Annual Ferry Boat Race is run. Manly beach will be packed as they hold a huge surf carnival with teams from all over joining in. Mostly its a great day for families to get together for a fun day.

I hope however you celebrate you have a safe and happy day.

Interested in the history ? check out the details here.

This next paragraph is for Australian Card Makers too.

I read on Splitcoast Stampers a request from an Australian card maker for any information about organisations or groups sending cards to the Australian Troups serving overseas.

I contacted Shirley and asked if she could let me know if she found anything as I'd been looking for something . I've received information from her about this group and thought I might pass it on as I'm sure there will be others who would be interested too. Here is the link to the web page Shirley found. http://careboxesfromhome.weebly.com/ I don't know this group and pass on the information in good faith. I think it is something you would need to check for yourselves.

Have a great day, till next time..........

Magical Monday - 'Think Love'

Hello Blogger's

Welcome to the the last TMITA/PCC challenge for January. Nina's image this week is this gorgeous giraffe with love on his mind....... I think it's a love of the yummy chocolate contained in this little treat purse!

The very talented Kim set the challenge this week and she's challenged us to use the image on a box, bag or holder. I've used this heart template before here, it's super easy to create and makes the perfect little thank you gift filled with chocolate or lollies. Here is the link for the pattern if you want to try one.

Once the image was sized and printed I've coloured him using my Copic markers then cut him out.

I print the template for the purse directly onto the card I'm using and this is SU, which runs through my printer very well.

The Pumpkin card is from GKD and using a Spellbinder heart die I cut it out and dry embossed it.

A layer of Swiss dots embossed green card came next.

I've used my pine punch and some scrap dark green card to sit beneath the image .

A narrow strip of card was punched on both sides to create the handle and this is secured to the purse on either side with two heart brads.

Have you popped over to Nina's blog to snag this image and play along? The randomly picked challenge winner will receive a free Nina May image. I hope you join in I'd love to see what you make for Kim's challenge. Click on the image below to see all Nina's beautiful images.

February's images are just lovely....... shhh don't let on I told you this.....but you should spread the word.

It's my turn for the first challenge so hope you're going to be around to play along.

Till next time............

ABSC011 - Champagne anyone?

Well I'm thinking these flutes contain champagne..... the real french kind!!!

This is my card for the Annabella Stamp sketch challenge this week #011. I've used the beautiful dp from Grace Taylor for Grant Archival....... It's the one with the beautiful gold glimmer that is hard to catch in the camera! I've layered this onto some gold card which is attached to a layer of Bazzill Black.

The image is embossed in gold and lightly coloured with Copic markers. This stamp is a cheap one from Riot ..... I picked up two during the week..... couldn't quite believe that they would stamp so well. I'll post the second one later this week, it's a sweet kiddies stamp.

I've stamped onto GKD heavy weight pure luxury, pure white card which is also the base card. The bottom has been punched with a Martha Stewart border punch 'garden trellis' allowing the gold card to show through.

Three tabs of gold ribbon and two gold brads are the only embellishments on this card.

Hope you like this one!

We've had the strangest weather here, Saturday was just over 40 degrees c with a hot wind blowing most of the day, ending with a storm. Today, it's been 19 degrees and very grey......so hard to pick at the moment.

I spent hours today playing with my new light tent............. so far not too impressed. The lights that came with it don't seem that bright. In the end I took some pictures outside even though it was quite dull. This picture uses one of the coloured back cloths but was taken with just my sewing daylight light. Anyone with any tips I'd love to hear them.

I'm typing this and watching the tennis so excuse me if I'm all over the place.... Andy is winning yeah.

I'll be back tomorrow evening (our time) with my card for TMITA/PCC. Hope you can drop by.

Till then..........

Valentines - Whimsie Doodles Style

Here are the rest of the Mini Valentine's Digital images from Whimsie Doodles. I really love these little digi's so easy I just printed off a full sheet coloured them then using all kinds of odds and ends made up the cards. Not sure I really need four Valentine cards but still!

Toadly Yours you will remember from an earlier challenge post but the next one is You're just plane fun!

Some interesting chenille tape I found in a bargain store. A green button tied with some cotton. The script embossing folder and my Prisma Pencils. A Spellbinder scalloped circle die and there you have it.

The next one, my favourite too, Head over High Heels. This one just had some white gel stitches, a border of punched lace with a punched heart and the ribbon bow finished with a button.

You Spin Me is the third one and I coloured this one with Copics added the white gel stitching to a heart either side of the main image to finish off.

These are such fun, quick and easy too.

The last one is We make the Perfect Pair! This could be Walshie's card this year!!!

I printed this one twice so I could cut out one pear and pop it up on foam .

I also attached the image to a tag and slotted it into the card base thinking this would make a bookmark. I've inked a border at the bottom of the tag with white gel stitches - a name would fit in here nicely!!! The base card is plain apart from two dry embossed lines.

I have one more image to use.... it's printed and coloured I just need to make it up!

Here's the link for Whimsie Doodles pop over and have a look......It's the best US$5 I've spent in a while!!!!

I've been busy making cards ready for February on Nina's There's Magic In The Air/Paper Cupcakes blog. I get to choose the first challenge in February which is fun. Nina's just added more images to her on -line shop too, go take a look if you have a moment.

Oh yes I made this card for Carolina's challenge on STV this week which was to work with inchies. This was fun, I got to play with my new Spellbinder die as well as new Basic Grey paper (Sugar Rush) .... part of my last Gina K purchase. The little stamp is another from the new STV kit called Picture It, I've coloured these with Prisma Pencils.

OK well I think that's me more or less up to date!!!

Walshie and I are meeting friends for lunch down on the harbour tomorrow. I hope it's as nice a day as today !!!!

Till next time blogger's...........

Card Patterns - Challenge 47

Hello Blogger's,

Today's card is one I made for this weeks challenge over at Card Patterns Blog, challenge 47. Nina Brackett is sponsoring this weeks challenge with a copy of her pretty set 'Lovely Shelf'.

My card uses one of the corner images from the new Stamp TV set 'Picture It', the sentiment is from the same set. Pretty image, don't you think?

The image was stamped in SU Kiwi Kiss and coloured with Copic markers. A clear glitter pen was used to add some sparkle to the centre of the flowers. Memento Tuxedo Black was used for the sentiment.

Spellbinder dies were used to cut the image and the sentiment and both were embossed then sponged whilst still in the die. I used Tim Holtz distress ink in antique linen to sponge.

The base card is from Gina K Designs with a layer of American Crafts card over. This was embossed with Swiss dots through the Cuttlebug first.

DP used is from Basic Grey Origins Paper Pad. I cut two blocks with the smallest label 1 and a strip for the side which was punched with a SU lace punch. Some very fine brown ricrac was added along the edge of the dp and to finish I've added the bright yellow self adhesive gems from Kaisercraft.

Tuesday was an exciting day for me it started with my new Stamp TV set and a few other bits I ordered arriving early. I'd just finished cutting out two sets of stamps and the door bell rang with my New Light Tent........yeah. Walshie got fed up listening to me complain about trying to get pictures so bought me this new 'toy'. Pressure's on now though my pics better be good..........

Tons of Love......TMITA/PCC

This weeks image from Nina May at TMITA/PCC 'Tons of Love' was sized and printed onto white card. Cut and embossed with a Spellbinder die, coloured and the edges inked with Copic markers before sitting on some scalloped crimson card.

Olga set the challenge this week and she asked for RBG's.....Red Ribbon, Buttons and Glitter or something that sparkles. So here goes!!!!

My base card is a red glitter card. I added a corner of plain crimson card with some piercing.

The dp is from Christina Rae - I love it and couldn't resist putting it with this image.

I've added five red buttons and red gross grain ribbon.

The sentiment, 'Sending You' is computer generated and popped up on foam tabs. I added the four tiny red gems for some added sparkle Olga!!!

For the inside of my card I added a sheet of white paper with a smaller version of the image and the remainder of the sentiment......"Tons of Love" printed on it. 3 Glittered hearts sit down one edge of the card and a single one on the facing page to finish off.

Nina has this image for you to download for FREE, so why not pop over and join the challenge. We would love to see what you make with this cutie!!!!

Check out PCC too if you can ....... Nina has added lots of new images, drop by and take a look you won't be disappointed...

Thanks for dropping by today. I have some more Valentine cards from the Whimsie Doodles set to show you later this week and I haven't forgotten about the two boxed cards either. Looks like I need to get a big post ready......... Hope you'll call back.

Till then.........

Recipe:

Tons of Love image from TMITA/PCC coloured with Copic Markers.

Card: Glitter card from a pack of 4 set. American Craft Card in Crimson, Romanprint White card, DP Christina Rae.

Embellishments: 5 buttons and embroidery thread from my sewing box. Red gross grain ribbon and 4 small red peel & stick Bling bling gems.

Other: EK Success heart punch. SU Single slot punch.

Such a Handsome Jasper!!!! Toadly Yours

Well he reminds me a bit of someone ......... not sure who!!!

This is my card for Carol's Sketch Fun challenge CSF #18 over in the UK .

The image is a Digital one from a set called Mini Valentines by Whimsie Doodles.

They've thought of everything with this little set. 8 images have been set up so you can print off one sheet and cut as required. Well worth a look, I promise it won't break the bank.

That's who he reminds me of......Mick!!!!

I'll be back on Monday (evening our time), with my project for Nina May's TMITA/PCC challenge hope you can join us. Nina will have a copy of the image for you to download FREE !!!

Here's a peek at my project!!!! any ideas?

What's a bellyband?????

Hello Bloggers,

What's a bellyband? that's what I asked when I read the challenge on STV!!!

Carolina explained...... so I made these note cards and 'bellyband' for her challenge. We were asked to make four cards, keeping them simple so we could spend more time on the 'bellyband', which holds them all together.

Don't know about you but it takes me a while to make most of my cards.... I start, usually with some dp and a stamp in mind, then play. I played for a while with these as I was trying to decide if the right way was to make the cards first then the band, or the other way round. In the end I kinda made them both together. Hope you like them.

The base card is a ridged white card, making stamping directly onto it a little difficult but the ridges added some texture which I liked.

Decoration on the card base was assembled by punching two strips of the plain side of the dp with the Fiskar's Upper Crest punch. Then two strips of the patterned dp and joining the punched edge at the bottom. Cross cut 4 x 4.25" pieces from these and add the coordinating ribbon through the centre. This is then attached to the card front with double sided tape.

I've stamped the hanging basket from 'Elegant Post' by Nina Brackett for Gina K Designs 5 times onto the plain side of the dp in SU Chocolate Chip. A Spellbinders scalloped circle die was used to cut these out. No Colouring required, just a tiny chocolate self adhesive pearl attached to the basket. Fine Foam tape was used to attach the image over the ribbon in the centre of the card. The sentiment From the same set was stamped in Chocolate Chip with the aid of a SU stamp-a-ma-jig.

The belly band was more or less made the same except the base is heavyweight chocolate chip with the bottom edge punched with the Upper Crest punch.

The 5th image was attached to a larger scalloped circle cut from the same chocolate chip card .

I've centred the cards in the band and scored all four edges before folding the band. I've stuck some velcro at the back of the band to hold it together firmly. When the band is over the cards the brown punched edge sits just higher that the paler 'Taupe' card which looks like a shadow.

I have to tell you that the bottom picture was taken first on a bright but windy day (which is why they are laid flat!). The first picture was taken inside on a dull day without a flash so it's a terrible picture really but you can see the complete set.

Hope you like this project, I enjoyed making it and it will be added to Mums birthday parcel.

Till next time..........

Recipe:

Stamp: Elegant Post by Nina Brackett for Gina K Design

Paper: White card - RomanPrint Australia. Gina K Design Heavyweight Chocolate. DP American Crafts

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip

Embellishment: Ribbon Elements by American Craft. Kaisercraft self adhesive pearls in chocolate.

Other: Fiskars Upper Crest Border Punch. Velcro dots from my sewing basket.

High Hopes Stamps and Dustin Pike!!!

Hi Blogger's,

I've just been reading about Dustin Pike, the author of some amazing digital images releasing some rubber stamps through High Hopes Stamps!!! If you're not familiar with his name click on the link and go take a look at his blog.

High Hopes Stamps are having 'sneak peeks' starting Sunday and running through Monday and Tuesdays ready for a huge release on Wednesday!! Click the link above or in the side bar to read all about it direct from them. Might just see you there!

Happy Birthday Mum

Hi,

I want to share a boxed card I made for my Mum's 81st Birthday. I have a couple of other ones I'll post here later in the week.

I used Julee Tilman's sketch for Mojo Monday week 121 and Selmas challenge on Stamp TV which was to heat emboss.

My image has been stamped and embossed with Copper embossing powder and has two copper self adhesive brads for the centres.

I've dry embossed the peach card (I know it looks a bit pink in this photo but the picture was taken in the middle of a very hot day here in Sydney!) with a Cuttlebug Swiss dots embossing folder. The band across the top is made up of two layers of card both of which were punched with the scalloped single diamond punch.

I've added the peach flowers along with some silk ribbon and heart embellishments in place of the circle element.

The inside of my card has been kept quite plain, I added a sheet of peach parchment with the bottom edge punched and stamped a swirl from SU along with the sentiment from another GKD set .

Because of the embellishments and ribbon on this card I made a box to send it. My card is going to he UK so will be sent in a padded post pack.

I've dry embossed the daisies using a Cuttlebug embossing folder then scored lines either side before attaching the peach label, which was cut with a Spellbinder die.

It was such a hot day here yesterday, too hot to be over energetic so I just sat in my nice cool room and played with this card...... Hope you like it!

Till next time.......

Recipe:

Stamps: Tropical Windows - Gina K Designs. Are We There Yet (sentiment) Rupa Shevde for Gina K Designs. SU Sweet Shapes

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip. American Craft ZING Copper Embossing Powder.

Card: Base = American Crafts - Vanilla. Peach and Pale Terracotta card (?) from my stach. Peach Parchment. Gina K Designs - Pure Luxury Layering weight in Ivory. DP = Scenic Route - Italian Script,

Embellishments: Three paper flowers from Spotlight Stores . Peach silk ribbon from my embroidery box. Heart embellishments from Catchy Crafts Copper self adhesive brads from Gina K Designs.

Other: Cuttlebug embossing folders - Swiss dots and Daisies. Martha Stewart Punch - Scalloped single diamond. Spellbinders Labels 1.

Victoria Case!!!

Hello Bloggers,

Just popped in to let you know about a new release from Victoria Case.

January 15th! The "Aurora Collection" exclusive stamps for SCACD .

Click on the link in the side bar to read all about this release - if you enjoy working with Victoria's Digital images you won't want to miss this!

I'll be back later with a boxed card I made ready for my Mums 81st Birthday later this month.

Hope you'll pop back!!!

It's another girl!!!!!

Just a reminder!!!!

Check out Brenda's exciting news:

The fun will begin on 1st February as Brenda is hosting a very special ‘One Off Challenge’………with some absolutely amazing candy as the main prize. This apparently is to be no ordinary candy, but a really serious piece of equipment that all of us would love to have in our craft rooms.

There will be some sneak peeks of various prizes on offer over the next three weeks!!!!

Click the image in the side bar for all the info. ~~~~~~~ Sounds like fun!!!

Hello!

As promised I want to share a card I made to send home to the UK to celebrate the birth of Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the first child of our Niece and was born in Liverpool in the worst snow they've had there in years!! Elizabeth's mum is one of four girls born to Walshie's sister and her older sister has two daughters. So you see girls rule in this family.

I decided on another Easel card but wanted to make it a pretty card so added the layers of scalloped card for the base of my card and also the front.

The image is another from the Beatrix Potter clear stamp set. It's actually Hunca Munca from The Tale of Two Bad Mice!

I've stamped onto white card and coloured with Copics. To add some sparkle I've used some Twinkling H2o's over parts of the image.

I've stamped some pink card with a swirl then punched my flowers using the medium and small retro flower punch. Added pale green fern and pink gems to the centre of my flowers. Three gems in the opposite corner and a couple more to finish off the front.

The sentiment was computer generated onto white card sponged and attached to the card with foam tabs.

That's it.......it's winging it's way to the UK . I hear Mum and daughter are home and getting to know each other...... though at the moment daughter sleeps all day and keeps Mum on her toes during the night!!!!!

We're expecting a hot day tomorrow so I might take myself downstairs where it's nice and cool and try to catch up on some challenge cards.

Thanks for taking the time to visit - next time..... Wednesday I think..... I have a couple of boxed cards to show you.

Edited:

Are you a Victoria Case Fan? Victoria has a BIG Release on January 15th!

More about that tomorrow but you can click the link in the side bar........ it'll take you to Victoria's blog with all the info.

See you soon.......

Recipe:

Stamp: The Original Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter Clear Stamps.

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip and coloured with Copics ans Twinkling H20's

Card: SU Pretty in Pink, GKD Pure Luxury pure white, DP DCWV - Nannas Nursery

Embellishments: Kairercraft pink gems, Creation Station ribbon.

Punches:EK Success Single diamond scallop and Medium and small Retro Flower.

Monday - TMITA/PCC - Miss Kitty

Today Nina from TMITA/PCC has this little digital image free for us to play with....... say hello to Miss Kitty. Danielle set the challenge for us this week and she would like us to use stripes somewhere in our project.

My base card is cut to give me a five inch card in pale lemon craft card. I started with a layer of white card that has ridged lines running across it. I often use this card for the base of my smaller cards as it adds some interest for the back of the card.

The striped dp is a double sided card from My Memories and I used the second side with the lime green background matted to more of the lemon card.

The red dot scalloped circle came next.

Some Red gross grain ribbon was wrapped and knotted around at this point.

I've printed my image onto white card, coloured with Copics then cut it out and matted it to a piece of the white ridged card. This was then matted to some pale lemon craft card before attaching to the card with fine foam tabs.

To add some bling I've used these clear flower gems from Kaisercraft.

The striped side of the dp has a border of very colourful flowers and I cut one for the inside of my card to finish it off.

This colourful card would be just the thing for a young girl - why don't you go over to TMITA/PCC and grab a copy. While you're there check out the design teams projects and join in the fun. You can see all Nina's Digital images HERE.

Now look who I caught on film yesterday!!!!! She wasn't eating my plants for a change she was enjoying my neighbours vegetables........nice as you like! wasn't t all worried about me being there taking pictures......... I managed a few shots before she started on the tomato plants.... then I had to shoo her away!!

Back tomorrow with a 'Pretty in Pink' new baby girl card.......promise!

Edited:

Check out Brenda's exciting news:

The fun will begin on 1st February as Brenda is hosting a very special ‘One Off Challenge’………with some absolutely amazing candy as the main prize. This apparently is to be no ordinary candy, but a really serious piece of equipment that all of us would love to have in our craft rooms.

There will be some sneak peeks of various prizes on offer over the next three weeks!!!!

Click the image in the side bar for all the info. ~~~~~~~ Sounds like fun!!!