Tuesday 30 March 2010

Melanie's Scrap Challenge card.


It's a wet miserable day here in Sydney today and I've picked up a bug that feels like tonsillitis only with a cough and full on headache! My Mum would say it's the change of seasons, so I'm going with that.

When I opened up the computer I'd received a message from Betty one of my blogging friends, telling me Melanie had a challenge going on over at her blog to make a card using scraps from your desk.

Well those who know me know that I can't work in a mess (it's a curse truly it is!!) so after every card things mostly, get put away. That said, sitting on my paper cutter (which I hardly ever use) is always a pile of off cuts and I keep a small box about 3" square with "just in case" scraps

Here's the pretty simple card I made after tipping out the box and rummaging through the off cuts:




The base card was ready folded. I was going to use this on Polka Dot Birthday Wishes but went with Kraft instead. I used my ScorPal to score the frame for the stamped image.

Then I used Nina B's 'Lovely Labels' which was my original image for the same Polka Dot card, that I'd discarded. For this card I stamped the sentiment from one of Melanie's sets 'A Year of Leaves'

The tiny swirls above and below the frame are the punch outs from a Cuttlebug Antique Frame die that came from my 'just in case' box. As did the punched Lime card ..... I had just enough to even up the punched edge across the bottom! The red and lime dot dp strip that sits over the lime card, is the edge left over from a large border punch........ honestly, I have quite a few of these because I thought they could look good woven in and L shape on a card!!!!!!

That just left the lace rose...........which has been sitting on top of my printers tray at the back of my desk for ages. Made for a Shabby ....... card .....well mine was, ended up in the bin!!!!

Melanies set down the challenge, it was fun why don't you have a go see what you can come up with.

Till next time, I'm off for a lie down.............

Monday 29 March 2010

Magical Monday - Eggs -Traordinary Find.



Have you paid a visit to Paper Cupcakes lately? Nina has added lots of new images.

My turn for the challenge this week at TMITA/PCC. As soon as I saw this little image I knew I had to make a basket and use it as decoration.

I used my Copics to colour and added the pom pom for her (she's pink it must be a her!)tail.
I stamped the sentiment just below the image.

My little basket is from Claire at Waltzingmouse Stamps.....thanks so much Claire. It's actually a basket with a scalloped edge liner. So you get to coordinate papers which was fun. It also sits on a scalloped base which reminds me of old shopping baskets. I had fun making this one so hope you'll join in this week.

Here's a link if you want to try this basket..... you are going to join in aren't you????? I'm so looking forward to all the different baskets we'll get to see this week. As always Nina has a prize for the randomly chosen project. Good Luck.

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



Polka Dot Label



Nina Brackett is having a sketch challenge as part of her Blog Anniversary. This is a card I made to enter.

I've used Nina's set Lovely Labels for my card. Stamped on white card in Crimson Ink, which I then clear embossed. I'm still waiting for my new Spellbinders so had to cut this out by hand, then pop it up on foam dots to a circle of gold card. I added the leaves from another GKD set called Picture It. Stamped them in Versa Magic Cloud White chalk ink onto some red card. Then cut with a Spellbinder die and attached over the centre of the label with fine foam dots.

The base card is SU Kraft with the front edge punched using Fiskars Apron Lace punch and a strip of red card attached to the bottom of the inside of the card.

The sentiment is from another of Nina's sets, Elegant Post, and I used the same crimson ink to stamp onto the Kraft card. A row of small red gems completes the bottom of the card.

I distressed some white card added the red and white polka dot dp which was also distressed with portions rolled . Then with the aid of my sewing machine I stitched around the outside once in a straight line then the second time over and under the first row.

Before attaching this element to the base, I wrapped some double sided satin ribbon around and finished in a bow.


What do you think? do you like this...........I decided to describe in detail how I made this one .........did you read to the end?..........leave me a comment let me know.

Thanks for dropping by ........hope you'll call back later today for TMITA/PCC.

Sunday 28 March 2010

Sassy Cheryl's #4 - Easter Bunny.

Scroll down to see March-ing with The Troups which was my first post today.




Two posts today..... I wanted to get my card up for Sassy Cheryl's Challenge. Week four and Tracy is hosting the challenge to make an Easter card or 3D project.

Love all these images.......have you checked them out yet? you really should. Click the link in the side panel.

Mmm I have an Easter basket made ready for TMITA/PCC on Monday so decided on a card for Tracy's challenge. My card is 6'' tall x 4'' wide.

How gorgeous is this bunny? I love his face and big feet. Look at those knees too......like knots in cotton (that's one of my Dad's!!!). I sized and printed him, then coloured him with Copic Markers. I also lightly sponged around the image.

Who says 'Blue and Green should never be seen"........ well my Dad used to say that too!!! Can't understand why ..... nature puts them together all the time!

The dp is Basic Grey Lemonade with a mat of American Crafts Cricket. A Fiskars Apron Lace punch was used to punch both sides of the plain dp and I've punched either side of the image to thread my pale lemon satin ribbon through. Two jeweled butterflies sit at the top of the image with a small sentiment stamped and popped up a the bottom.

Back tomorrow, hope you can drop by for my challenge on TMITA/PCC.


March-ing With The Troups......


It's the last Sunday of the month, so that means it's the Roses Challenge. This month Kym got to pick the challenge and she asked us to make cards to send to her son Travis who is serving in Afghanistan with the US Marines.

I made my card earlier this month and got it sent to the address she gave us. Now you might think this is a strange card to send to a Marine! Well, I was thinking that there would be six of us all doing the same so I would make a card to send along with an envelope that Travis could mail back home. Mother's Day is coming!!!! Also he has a wife, who along with his Mum will be worrying about him until he returns home safe and sound.

The stamp used if from Whiff of Joy, Birdie Love. I've coloured it with Copics and just used a scrap of pretty striped dp over some embossed plain card.

No sentiment, so it could be used for many occasions. I hope it reaches Travis and more important than that, I hope he and all his friends stay safe and return home as soon as possible.

It's Kerrie's turn to pick the challenge for next month, so looking forward to hearing what it will be.


Saturday 27 March 2010

Happy Birthday Kez!!!


It was Kerrie's birthday yesterday and this is the little card I made for her. Using one of Mo's illustrations and my first image coloured with Inkadinks. I need a bit more practice but I loved using them. I've started with SU Kraft for the base card followed by chocolate brown and played with some more of the beautiful paper from Kaisercraft - Peachy Keen Collection.

The image is printed on pure luxury card and I've sponged the edge to distress it. Wish I'd done the same with the ribbon really, it looks a bit bright here! The flower was also cut from the dp and layered with a section cut away to lift the petals. A punched swirl and three copper self adhesive brads complete the card.

Hope you have a great week end, I'm back tomorrow to post the 'Roses' challenge card for this month. Chosen by Kym called 'March-ing With The Troups'. Hope you can call past.

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

Friday 26 March 2010

Thinking of you..........



Just a quick post again today, thought I'd share another GREEN card!

It's Autumn here in Australia, though in Sydney we're having Summer weather, at the moment! Other parts of Australia have been suffering terrible storms with devastating rain and hail.
Spare a thought for all those families mopping up!

The stamp I've used for my card is another from Nina Bracket's Lovely Labels. I've used SU Kiwi Kiss ink and stamped onto PL card . The stamped image was attached to the card with foam dots.

Card stock from Basic Grey, American Arts and GKD were used. Also a Swiss dots embossing folder and Fiskars Upper Crest punch. Wide green satin ribbon and chocolate pearls from Kaisercraft complete the card.

Talk to you soon,

Thursday 25 March 2010

Tiddlyinks - Pillow Box




I had a play yesterday, I received this sweet image from Tiddlyinks, her name is Annie and I had to colour her.
The Prisma's and Gamsol were still on the work top so I've used these to colour.
Couldn't resist adding a blossom sprinkle from AnnaBella Stamps to add a little bling!

She decorates a pillow box ready for a certain Birthday girl who still loves Pink and Purple.
Hope you like this scruffy flower too - I know most people use a punch to punch out the shapes I used a small scalloped Spellbinder for mine - it works!!!
10 layers sprayed with some glimmer mist........job done.

OK a couple of links for you The Flower is here, and the pillow box is here.
If you like this image check out Tiddlyinks digital designs here, or join the group on PCP.

Have a great day!

Tuesday 23 March 2010

Waiting.........



This card is all about the beautiful illustration!
It's a digital image from Isabella of Isabella's Sketchbook. This image was given to her group over on PCP as soon as the group reached 50 members.

I couldn't wait to colour it and decided to use my Prisma's with Gamsol. I played around with Layouts, I wanted to keep this simple, the image tells the story so no punching or flowers, that's not to say I'll never use them on other cards made with this image, I will, just not for the first one!

Base card is SU Kraft with a layer of white then lilac card from American Crafts. The dp is from the Kaisercraft Lilac Avenue Collection and I used a Spellbinder circle die to cut out the circle to make a 'frame' for the image. Some pale lilac silk ribbon tied in a bow with a couple of tabs are the only other embellishments.

I'll be looking for a nice verse to add to the inside of this card.........I imagine it being given to a Dad who has to work away from home........ or to send to Grandparents.......

If you haven't discovered Isabella's blog here's a link, her illustrations are well worth the visit.

Hope the sun's out where you are..........till next time.....

Simply Saturday - Embossed Rose


Hello,

Here's my CAS card for this week. Andrea's Simply Saturday sketch asked for some dry embossing. I've used my Spellbinder dies to give me a raised image on the front of my Ivory Linen card. I now realise I used this little stamp for one of my earlier CAS cards. It's from Annabelle Stamps and called Flowers with Love. It's such a pretty shape and once stamped only needs a little colour to give a pretty image. I used Copic markers to colour mine......so quick, though I will have to line the inside of my card as the alcohol ink has bled through a little.

Once the sentiment from the same set, was stamped I added two blossom sprinkles from AnnaBelle Stamps to complete this quick and easy card.

Join me making one CAS card each week and before you know it you'll be hooked!!

Till next time........

Monday 22 March 2010

Magical Monday - Moss Topped Birdhouse


Have you been over to TMITA/PCC to check out Nina's blog for this weeks challenge? I think you'll enjoy this one because you get to choose any one of Nina's images that you've collected or bought to feature in your project.

The lovely Olga is 'hostess with the mostess' this week and she has given us a recipe to work with as follows:

Take one PCC image of your choice add two ribbons along with 3 buttons and see what you come up with.


I picked this little image from Nina called Moss Topped Birdhouse which I printed and coloured with my Copic markers. Cut with a spellbinder oval die and matted to some Apple green card before punching either side with a SU slot punch.

The base card is Apple Green and I stamped a little bird image from Heidi Grace across the top using Versa Mark ink. Next I layered some chocolate and Tangerine Tango card that had one edge punched using a Fiskars Upper Crest punch. I pierced around the remaining three sides of the top card and added three green buttons with fine satin ribbon.

The focal image has been attached to the main card with the aid of two lengths of another ribbon threaded through the single slots and secured under the double border.

The sentiment is stamped in Memento black ink and is for a set called Wreath of Wishes from GKD.

Hope you have time to play along this week, I'll enjoy seeing which images you pick to play with. If you need to check PCC click the image in the side bar it takes you right there.

Oh and before I forget there is a prize for the randomly picked winner:


My turn for the challenge next week, I'm looking forward to it.........I think you'll like it too.......

TTFN!

Sunday 21 March 2010

Jumping for Joy..........



Hello! I'm back.........

I just had to post this card to make the challenge over at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge blog. It ends Tuesday or Monday night not too sure which. This challenge no 3 is a colour challenge.......any guesses? Orange, green, black and glitter......... Now for some reason I thought I read yellow too.... so I've added the ribbon not sure if this card is OK but never mind I'll throw it in the mix and they can throw it out if it's not right!!!!!!

I wish I could jump like this Sassy lass....... the glitter for my card is around the hem of her dress and as always it's hard to catch in the camera lens!

This picture might just show it better......click on it!!!!!

The image was coloured with Copic markers and sits on a mat of black Bazzill.
The dp is from Kaisercraft Devonshire Collection pad with some orange and 'yellow' card from my odd and ends bin.

I used a a medium and small Retro flower punch from EK Success for the flowers, with gems from Kaisercraft for the centres. Also used a Fiskars Apron lace punch to punch the edge of........yes the Yellow card. 'Yellow' fine satin ribbon... (what was I thinking!!!!) and some more gems complete my card. Hey ho there you go......I like it!

Hope you're all enjoying your week end...........it's been a warm one here!


Haha what a hoot.......and you know what funny things happen sometimes!!! Remember that lots of green card I posted last week.......... the one I thought I might not enter into the colour challenge on STV. I entered it in two other challenges one of which was Clearly Inspired Challenge sponsored by Clear Dollar Stamps..............and it was picked amongst the top 5!!!!

I have the badge proudly placed in the side bar......thanks very much ladies from Clearly Inspired Challenge Blog you made my day.

I put it into the STV challenge.....I'm not holding my breath 'Roses' in fact I'll die laughing if it were to be picked!!!!!!!!!

Saturday 20 March 2010

Seeds and Blossoms on Saturday.


Hello all,

I've a couple of cards to share today, both made for challenges at STV for the April Release.
This first one is for Lee's sketch challenge, I've flipped the sketch and made a gift card.
That's a little pack of seeds and it was perfect for this stamp from a GKD set called Spring Florals.

The card used is GKD kraft, creme de menthe, sweet corn and Ivory for the stamped image.
DP is from Kaisercraft Peachy Keen Collection Pad. The image is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with Copics. The sentiment is from another GKD set called Inside and Out.

I knotted a piece of mint green satin ribbon as the only embellishment and popped the image up with foam tape to enable the seed pack to slide under.

The second card was made for Donna's challenge to make a Monochromatic Monogram card.


So, my understanding of Monochrome cards is that the card is made of various shades of the same colour. I went with pink, for some reason I seem to have quite a bit of it!

The card is made up of three levels, the middle section is popped up on foam dots and the Monogram is also attached with foam.

The base card is again GKD card stock Innocent Pink with a layer of dark pink from American Crafts, this was from my stash as was the dp which is a Grace Taylor for Grant Archival.

The stamp is from Nina Bracket's Lovely Labels stamped in Martha Stewart Hibiscus on a scrap of SU 'pink' card. You might just be able to see that I embossed a frame around the image using my Scor Pal and a bone scorer.

I've used more of the dark pink card as a mat for this focal image. I printed my name using the computer and using a Classic oval die from Spellbinders cut and embossed this from SU Pink Card.

I've added these beautiful three pink blossoms in the corner to complete my card.
Hope you like this one, I was more pleased with it than I thought I would be........echos of the all green card going round in my head lol!


Hope you all have a great week end and manage to find some crafting time. I'll be back on Monday with TMITA Magical Monday, hope you can drop back then.

PS. For all the Aussies..... these blossoms come from an Australian Company !!! www.enthail.com They have beautiful Mulberry Paper Roses too, check them out and let me know what you think.

Friday 19 March 2010

Kookaburras' Picnic


Hello Blogger's,

Just a quick post today, I've been on the computer too long and the weather is so good, need to be outside!

I've been watching the new stamp release over on STV this morning. For the first time it was held at STV instead of SCS. I found it much easier to follow I have to say.

Part way through I could hear a real commotion going on in the back garden so had to stop and take a look. Four of the local Kookaburras where squawking madly and my first reaction was to check the pool and pond! It wouldn't be the first time we've had to 'save' one over enthusiastic swimmer. But no, one of them was sitting up in the tree with a live snake between it's beak!!!

Check the little slide show on the top left hand side!!!

Kookaburras don't share very well, unless they are feeding their young and this one wanted the whole snake to itself!! Ian was home so I passed him the camera......... He did quite well getting these. For those who don't know a Kookaburra will hold 'food' between it's beak and shake it's head to 'Bash' whatever it is ...........so the poor snake was having a terrible time!!!

Ah well after all the excitement I better get on with some work.

Till next time........

ps My order for new stamps is in........... now I'll be playing the waiting game.

Thursday 18 March 2010

No Hangover Here!!!!!!!


Hello Blogger's,

OK, so how many of you have sore heads today? fess up...... you got into the spirit of St Patrick's day all that green ....... and today you're looking a bit green around the gills .... right?????

Not me..... I had a very quite day yesterday. Feeling a bit under the weather when I got up but it was another glorious Autumn day here, so hard to stay down. By 4ish I was feeling much more like me so early dinner before heading into Sydney, where there was plenty of green. Even the Opera house was green, but that wasn't why I was there! I went in to meet up with some other Sydney stampers and Dawn McVey along with her husband Bart who are here on holiday!! I've been following the latest release of Dawn's stamps and papers on Papertrey Ink so it was great to get to talk to her in person.

I got to exchange blog addresses and emails with the other Sydney girls.......we're a bit spread out but it will be interesting to go check out some new blogs. Thanks girls it was fun to meet you all.

So, today a couple of quick cards from me.

The first card is for Annabelle Stamps Challenge ABSC017 which is a sketch.
I've kept it really simple......well to be honest I planned to use the same bright green as a mat over the Kraft card before the dp........and I forgot! So simple it is.
The image from Annabelle Stamps set 'Flowers with Love' was stamped onto Vanilla card and coloured with Copics.
The sentiment is from a GKD set 'Many Wishes'. I stamped the first two words onto a separate scrap of card and popped this up over the base of the flower stem using fine foam dots.
Six 6mm blossom Sprinkles complete the sketch.


The second takes advantage of more of the new Kaisercraft Peachy Keen Collection. Just a narrow border across the SU Kraft card with a sentiment stamped six times beneath it.

The stamp is from GKD "Picture It" stamped onto pure white card in SU Pumpkin Pie. More GKD card form the double mat and I added a tag from the Peachy Keen set with a piece of coordinating ribbon to complete this quick card.

That's it for me..... thanks for dropping by, till next time............

Wednesday 17 March 2010

Happy St Patrick's Day




Hello blogger's,

I was going to try and write something witty today....... but to tell the truth I type this up the night before I post to my blog and I think I'm running a bit of a temperature. I've had a headache all day, so it's not looking good. I did spend some time working outside.....perhaps that's the problem.

On to my card............

I made this 'very green' card for a colour challenge over on STV but not sure if I'll enter it there what do you think? It's very green isn't it.

I've used two sets from GKD, Wreath of Wishes and the sentiment is from Elegant Post.
I used Versa Mark to stamp both and embossed with American Craft gold embossing powder.

The base card and the blossom shape are cut from GKD Apple Green card which is a heavy weight. The dp is from Kaisercraft 'Devonshire Collection' and I've used some gold card for the mat and the small circle.

Embossing folders used are Cuttlebug Swiss dots and QuicKutz diamond and dots.
Spellbinders dies are Blossom and Circles.

The focal image is popped up with foam tabs and a wide satin ribbon tied in a bow completes the card.



Here's the view to show how fine the foam tape is.....it just lifts the blossom off the base card.

So there you go another green card to add to the mix........well it is St Patrick's Day today right.

Thanks for dropping by, leave me a comment......unless you're that horrid Anonymous......who wants to sell me non-stamp related products.......you shouldn't bother I just delete all yours!

This card is going into the following challenges.

Clearly Inspired Challenges - Sponsored by Clear Dollar Stamps - which is - 'Think Green.'
Sunflowers and Dragonflies - Chal.33 Luck of the Irish.


Till next time......

Tuesday 16 March 2010

Go confidently.......




This card is made as an Engagement Card and it uses one of the inexpensive stamps I bought from our local Riot Art Supply store. Great little stamp isn't it... you could use it for lots of occasions.

My card starts with a base of SU Sahara Sand card stock cut to just under 5" square.
Next a layer of gold card, which gives the finished card an elegant look.

The dp I used is from a new 6 x 6 paper pad from Kaisercraft called 'Devonshire Collection'.
I picked this paper for the quote along the bottom, if you can read it it says 'Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined', and its by Henry David Thoreau.

A strip of Vanilla American Craft card was punched on both sides using a Fiskar's Apron Lace punch, with some Martha Stewart ribbon knotted off to the side.

The image stamped on to PL pure white card and cut with a Spellbinder die, was sponged lightly whilst still in the die. Copic markers were used to lightly colour the image, before attaching to some pale mint card with fine foam dots. This then sits on some more yummy dp from Kaisercraft Gypsy Sister's Collection, which was cut using a Spellbinder Blossom die.

There you have it, what do you think? I was happy when the card was complete and found this verse to use inside.

A future filled with happiness
A special wish for you
Days filled with joy and happiness
And all your dreams come true.

That's it off to get some work done, it's a glorious day here in Sydney.......I love this time of year. Might get out into the garden for an hour...... tidy up a border or two!

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


Monday 15 March 2010

Magical Monday - Bunny Cupcake


Kim chose the challenge for this weeks TMITA/PCC freebie image 'Bunny Cupcake'. She asked us to make non traditional cards, so mine is a spring card.
I've added a link to a tutorial if you haven't tried one of these before they are really quite straight forward and a great card to make for children.

Click HERE for the tutorial.

Pink base card decorated with some Nana's Nursery dp for this card and I popped the cupcake, which was coloured with Copic's, and sentiment up on foam tabs.

Hope you have time to join in this week, we'd love to see your version of a non traditional card. Have fun and don't forget to check out all Nina's images here .

I'm off to do some colouring so till next time..............

Saturday 13 March 2010

Polka Dot Birthday Wishes.




Good Morning Blogger's,

Hope you're all fit and well today! Sorry about the rushed post yesterday but the boss was home and he'd finished painting in the en-suite and Wardrobe so we put back most of the stuff I cleared out a few days ago! Horrid job, but I got rid of a huge bin bag of old clothes and would you believe got the shoes down to 20 pairs........not bad ah. The boss is really good all the hangers face the same way when he puts away........now I have to keep it like that.

So onto today's card, I've used a stamp from an annabelle stamps set 'Flowers with Love'.
Stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Soft Sand card and coloured with Copic's. The swirls have been inked using a glitter pen and I also high lighted some of the flower centres with the same pen. The bottom corners of this and the base white card have been rounded.

The dp is a Christmas Kaisercraft card with an Apron Lace punched border along the bottom. The sentiment from the same set is stamped onto the dp. I added the white satin ribbon across the top of the dp and attached a red button to the centre of the bow.

To finish my card I added two 5mm Cherry Sprinkles, also from annabelle stamps.


This photo shows the sparkle added with the clear glitter pen.

Thanks for dropping by, hope you have a good week end and if I don't get back before I'll be posting late on Monday my card for Nina's TMITA/PCC Magical Monday. Hope to see you then.


Friday 12 March 2010

Call me.....



I have another quick post today......This card was made with a stamp I receive for my B'day it's from My Favourite Things and called "Call me". Before you ask I didn't chop her head off ....it came like this!!!!

I coloured this image with Copic markers . The tag is stamped with Birthday Wishes.
I added the lemon starburst edge with a Fiskars Punch.

The dp is a digital piece.

Got to run, thanks for dropping by........till next time..........
This card is entered for the following challenges:

Wearing O' Green = For Fun Challenges
Lucky Green = The Prairie Fairy


Wednesday 10 March 2010

You've got Mail.......






This image is another from Sassy Cheryl called 'Special Delivery' and I thought I'd use it for the second challenge which this week is a sketch.


I chose a sheet of double sided dp from heidi grace design and matched it with American Crafts card in Blueberry, Wine and some Bazzill Basics Rosebud.
A Fiskars apron lace punch was used to punch out the edge of one piece of Blueberry matt.

I sized and printed out the digital image and coloured it using Prisma Pencils and Gamsol.

I've added three flowers punched using an EK Success Retro Flower punch in medium and small and I'm sad to say I've used for the last time my McGill Pine punch.........it's always been a stiff punch to use and sadly I broke it today! The flowers have Plum Kaisercraft pearls for the centres, I also added two more pearls to complete my card.


Thanks for dropping by till next time............