ATSM Challenge #84 - Clean and Simple

There's a brand new challenge right now at Addicted to Stamps and More! It's time to strip things down and go clean and simple (CAS).

Here is my DT card -

For this card I have used HEAPS of little things that have never been used before.

There are two Hero Arts stamps that I must have had for about 8 years but only just inked up - the abstract squares and solid dots.

The kite dies are from Memory Box and this is the first time I have used them! I have cut them out onto patterned paper and solid cardstock then glued them together to make them thicker. 

In all that stamping are 3 more sets that I have used: STAMPlorations Retro Mod Shapes, Gorgeous Grunge (SU) and Simply Sketched (SU).

The stamping was very random. I really had no idea what it would all look like when finished but I am happy with the end result :)

We are very lucky to have our Guest Designer joining us again this week. Please say hi to Cathy when you are doing your rounds.

Once again, we also have the wonderful sponsor from StampArt joining us this week -

The prize is 5 digis from the store! Thank you Kathryne!!

I would also like to enter this into the following challenges -

Make it Monday #180 - Anything Goes
Sister Act Card Challenge #45 - Anything Goes
Daring Cardmakers - Old but not Forgotten

Thanks so much for looking xx

IBS Spotlight - Hope Happens

Welcome to Monday. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

The card I have to show you today is highlighting a beautiful Inspired by Stamping set called Beautiful Iris.

This card has very special meaning to me as it has been made for an amazing surgeon and his staff at the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

A couple of weeks ago, I was up visiting my middle sister in Caloundra to help her move into her new home. My youngest sister and her family made the long drive up from Canberra for a holiday before the kids had to go back to school. On the 7th of February my youngest sister's husband had a fall and was taken to hospital. After stabilising him, they needed to airlift him to Brisbane for emergency brain surgery as he had a clot and swelling of the brain. They were honest - he may not make it. 

To make a long story short - My BIL had the surgery and made a miraculous recovery in the ICU over the next few days. My sister was an amazing woman through all this - they have 3 kids (ages 10, 7 and 8 months) . She had to go through all the emotions of the almost certainty of losing her husband, to waiting through the surgery, to find out the prognosis (would there be a full recover, brain damage etc), to the absolute relief of the surgery being a complete success and a full recovery to be had. 

It was a long few weeks for the whole family. I offered to make a card for the staff at the hospital. Hence the title of my post - HOPE HAPPENS. If you don't have hope, you don't have anything... we certainly had a lot of hope and prayers through this ordeal.

Here is my DT card -

I tried a brand new technique for me. I inked up the stamp with my markers and then spritzed it with water and stamped onto watercolour paper. The image isn't as 'watery' as I would have liked but I'm sure through practice, I will get the right mix. I can't believe I haven't used this technique before!! It will be used more often, I assure you, as I love the effect.

Over at Inspired by Stamping we have a Blog Hop happening right now and the theme is FLOWERS

The Blog Hop runs until the 6th of March so you have plenty of time to get your entry in. You DO NOT have to use Inspired by Stamping products to participate but if you do, there is also a customer gallery that you can enter to be in the running for prizes.

Thanks so much for looking xx 

Eclectic Florals for CAS(E) this Sketch

Hello Friday and hi to all of you!

Here in Queensland it is stinking hot and humid but there is a storm on the way. I hope we get some rain as we really need it.

Today I saw the challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch and knew that I had to put my STAMPlorations Vignette: Eclectic Florals to work.

Here is my card -

I have been experimenting over the last couple of days with my stamping. I have some scheduled posts that will be showing these techniques - in particular water spritzing my stamp before pressing it onto the paper (I'm sure there is a technical term for this, lol).

I was having a chat with Florence and told her I couldn't believe that I hadn't used water directly on my stamps before as I love the effect it gives. Watercolouring for cheats - LOVE it!!

Florence said I should also try glossy cardstock as well as watercolour paper. So I did!

I have inked up my stamps, spritzed them with water and then stamped onto glossy cardstock. To create the look that my flowers are IN the jars, I made a small mask for the top of the jar and stamped right over it. 

The little xxxxx stamp is from the STAMPlorations Patchwork Frenzy: Graphic Squares set.

Here is the sketch to play with -

I would also like to enter the following challenges -

The Kraftyhands Challenge - Spring Flowers (2nd entry)

Thanks so much for looking xx

ATSM #83

Hi there. How are you all this fine Wednesday?

There is a new challenge starting right now over at Addicted to Stamps and More! and the theme is 

HOLIDAYS

You can create anything you like as long as it has a holiday theme. ANY holiday!

Perhaps you like to get an early start on your Christmas Cards? Easter isn't too far away.. There may be a National Holiday in your country that is just around the corner. 

Here is my DT card -

I like to use our Holiday challenges to start getting the Christmas cards done. You can never have too many.

With the sentiment, I have used my markers to just colour each word separately as I stamped it. This Christmas sentiment is long and wouldn't have fit in the circle. Ahhh, the beauty of using markers :)

We have a fabulous sponsor joining us again -

and the prize to be won is 5 free digis from the store!

We also have a guest designer joining us - Please visit Cathy's blog!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges -

Festive Friday - Photo Inspiration

Just Add Ink #202 - Add Stripes

The Paper Players - CAS with stars

CHNC - Must be Christmas

Jingle Bells - Use Red

Thanks so much for looking xx

Inspired by Stamping - Gift Box

Today I have a little gift box to share with you that I have made using some of the new arrivals over at Inspired by Stamping.

My little gift box has been given a quick wash over with white paint. Once dry, I was able to measure out the dimensions to add my papers.

I have used the Vintage Floral Paper pad to cover the sides and top of the box. For the lip around the edge of the lid, I have used the Victorian Crochet Trim which was a perfect fit!

The sentiment is from the Beautiful Iris set and then die cut with Fancy Label Dies 1

The beautiful flowers are Cherry Blossoms. They are so lovely and easy to work with! I have found that when trying to adhere my flowers on to any project, glossy accents is the best!

So, there you have my little gift box. I have popped some tissue paper into the box and as you can see, there is plenty of room for a gift card, a bit of cash or smaller gift items. This really didn't take long to make and the possiblities are endless. 

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you have enjoyed the inspiration provided by using the IBS products. 

ATCAS #32

I am a few days late with my post for Addicted to CAS but better late than never ;)

Our code word for this challenge has been chosen by the super talented Deepti.

Here it is -

Coffee... isn't my cup of tea... lol

I have never had a cup of coffee in my life. I did have a sip once just to try it but I didn't like it. I actually LOVE the smell of coffee, though. Funny, huh?

The only coffee stamp (yes, I took this code word very literally) I have in my collection is one from the SU Patterned Occasions set.

Here is my DT card -

I tried to recreate a 'belly band' you get on those take away coffee cups. I have embossed the image with white powder and then poped it up on dimensionals. The 'splat' of coffee is from my Gorgeous Grunge set.

Our wonderful sponsor for this challenge is

and they are offering 7 digis to our CAS Perfectionist.

Pop on over to the challenge blog to see the amazing creations from the DT.

Thanks so much for looking xx

STAMPlorations Sketch Challenge #6

Over at STAMPlorations, we have a wonderful sketch for you to play along with. The challenge runs for a fortnight so there is plenty of time to play along.

Prizes? Of course!

The sketch challenges are sponsored by our sister shop, All About Scrapping. The winner gets to pick 3 DIGITAL products from the shop -- any combination of printable sheets, Photoshop templates, and digital paper packs. The winner will also be invited as a Guest Designer in next month's sketch challenge.

Here is the sketch for you to have a go at -

Here is my DT card -

I have used two sets from STAMPlorations - PATCHWORK FRENZY: Graphic Pentagons and VIGNETTE: Eclectic Florals

I love this floral set. I have stamped one of the flowers in three different shades of blue and fussy cut them all out. I used glossy accents to attach them to my die cut leaves. The circle and main panel have been popped up with dimensionals. 

The sentiment contains two stamps from the Graphic Pentagon set. I love that you can put both stamps on an acrylic block and just stamp the once.

I bet you will be interested to see a sneak peek of the new releases for March? You bet! Wait there is more! By clicking HERE you will be able to see a snippet of the new release and a chance to win the set!! Just leave a comment saying what you think the new release can be used for and you will be in the running to win the prize.

I would also like to enter this card into the following challenges -

Stampavie and More - Lots of flowers

The Kraftyhands Challenge - Spring Flowers

Stampin' Royalty - Photo Inspiration

Thanks so much for looking

Inspired by Stamping - Spotlight

Hello!

I am very excited to show you what I have made today as I am REALLY out of my comfort zone!!

Since being accepted as part of the Design Team at Inspired by Stamping, I have tried very hard to create cards and projects that are not CAS. Gasp! But, thanks to Joanna and the team at IBS, they are all so clever creating the whole Vintage and Shabby 'look'. 

This project can be for all them, in their honour. I would like to thank them all for inspiring me to create in this way.

I saw a tutorial on Split Coast Stampers to create an Accordian Card. Luckily I actually had something in a drawer (with many other items that I probably thought I would never use) that could be adapted to use for this project. 

The tutorial called for 2 x pieces of 'Nestaboard' or other chipboard pieces around 4" square. I had purchased a set of these that are part of a drink coaster set with their own stand. As there are six chipboard pieces in the pack, I am going to be able to make more than one. 

Ok! Here we go! I have a lot of photos to show you, so bare with me...

I have used the Vintage Floral Paper pad throughout this card. 

Here is a shot of the front with the ribbon tied. I have used IBS Flowers, Vintage Roses stamps and the Fancy Labels 2 Dies. The Seam Binding Ribbon is beautiful!

This is how the card is once opened up -

Next are the close up's of the inner panels.

The first panel uses the Vintage Floral Paper and I have cut out one of the pink roses and popped it up on dimensionals. The stamp is from the Vintage Roses set.

This is my favourite panel. I once again cut an element out of the paper - the beautiful butterflies. I have layered more die cuts from the Fancy Labels 2 set and the stamp is from the Vintage Tickets set which I have cut out using scissors (there are cut files that you can purchase from the store).

This panel is very simple but so beautiful. I have simply used one of the designs from the Vintage Floral paper pad.

I have created the background and banners from the Vintage Floral paper pad. The sentiment is from the Beautiful Iris set and cut with the Fancy Labels 2 die.

And there you have my Accordian Card. It was a lot of fun making this for the first time. Next one I make, I will create a longer panel for the inside and probably add photographs etc. Why not push myself some more??

Thanks so much for looking xx

STAMPlorations - Monthly Challenge

Hello! Are we ready for the latest monthly challenge over at STAMPlorations?

We had a wonderful response to our last monthly challenge. It is so encouraging to find more and more of you finding this wonderful challenge blog and joining in!

Here is the theme for the month of February -

You may use stamps from any company that you like. Make sure you use stamps and stitches (real or faux) on your project.

Here is my DT card -

I have used HEAPS of stamping on this card which was a lot of fun.

Here are the sets that I have used -

using Patchwork Frenzy: Graphic Pentagons, Vignette: Art Deco Border Buildersand Vignette: Eclectic Florals

Pop on over to the challenge blog HERE and check out the amazing designs from the team. I hope to see you over there.

Thanks so much for looking xx

Inspired by Stamping - Vintage Style

Hi there everyone! Thanks for popping in today. 

Have you seen the amazing products over at Inspired by Stamping? There are new kits that include stamps, ribbon and other gorgeous bits and pieces!

I have a card to share with you that I have made using the gorgeous Vintage Floral Paper pad. The paper in this pad is just beautiful! The designs are so nice to work with and it is easy to use it for other things other than your backgrounds.

I have distressed and inked all the edges of my paper. 

I decided to make further use of the paper to create some rolled flowers. I simply cut a 3 x 3 inch square and then rounded the corners with a punch. I drew a spiral on the plain side of the paper and cut it out. Using tweezers, I rolled my spiral into a flower and secured with glossy accents. I manipulated the flowers until they were in the shape I liked. This is a perfect way to add embellishments to match your project.

I used two stamps out of the Beautiful Iris set to create my sentiment. I used the Fancy Labels 2 die to cut around it. The sentiment has been popped up with dimensionals.

I HAD to add some butterflies. The Butterfly Wings set has so many to choose from! I have stamped them and then cut them out with scissors. I have popped them up with dimensionals.

I hope you like my card showing you how to incorporate using the Vintage Floral Paper to create your own embellishments. 

See you soon! Kylie xx

ATSM - ANYTHING GOES

Hello! It's Wednesday which means there is a brand new challenge over at Addicted to Stamps and More.

It's your favourite -

ANYTHING GOES!

That's right! Create anything you like and link up over at the challenge blog.

Here is my DT card -

Not one stamp on this card!

My first Christmas card for the year. It is never too early but it is nice to have a bit of a break! 

I have used the retired SU stocking punch (that I bought through the clearance rack as it was as cheap as chips) and glitter paper. 

The background has been emobossed with a folder that I have never used before. 

Glitter paper was used for the die cut sentiment. Bakers twine was the finishing touch.

Our sponsor this week is

The prize is 5 free digis!

We are also happy to welcome Dawn from Lily Pink Scraps as our Guest Designer this week.

Pop on over to the challenge blog to see plenty more inspiration. Even though it is Anything Goes, it is hard to decide what to do! Perhaps we can provide you with a little help :)

Last but not least, I would like to enter my card into the following challenges -

Crafting from the Heart #6 - Anything Goes / Use Red

Thanks so much for looking xx