IBS - Summer Fun

Hi everyone! The end of July has seen the New Release stamps at Inspired by Stamping. The new sets are just amazing and I had a lot of fun playing with one in particular - Summer Fun

Here is my DT card -

My background was fun to do – I combined three sentiments and the little heart from the set and arranged them all onto an acrylic block. I was then able to stamp them as a 'block' of stamps instead of individual ones. This is a great technique for covering a large area.

Next I created my Summer scene -

If you look closely, you will see that my sand really does look like sand! Can you guess what I have used? I have a collection of paint swatches in my drawer that I picked up from the local hardware store. This one has this beautiful texture and is the perfect colour for sand. All I did was cut the edge with a circle die and draw a wavy line on the back with a pencil and cut along that line. I used double sided tape to adhere it to my cardstock circle.

Then I went to town sponging the sea and the sunset. Once finished, I stamped the palm tree in black to create a wonderful silhouette look. I have popped up my finished beach scene with foam tape for dimension.

Thanks so much for popping over today. I hope you have enjoyed seeing all the New Releases so far.

Supplies Used:

Summer Fun

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

Inkspirational - Splash

Rubys Rainbow - On the Beach

Handmade Harbour Challenges - Summer Fun

Fresh Brewed Designs - By the Sea / Summer

With Sympathy

Hi everyone. I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Last night I received a phone call from my best friend to say that her dad had passed away. I will be off to a funeral on Wednesday. Today I retreated to my craft room to make a couple of sympathy cards for her family.

Here is my first card -

 I have used my new SU set here - Serene Silhouettes. To create my background, I inked up an acrylic block, misted it with water and then pressed it to my cardstock. I then used a sponge to smooth out the ink. The sentiment is from the Simply Sketched set by SU.

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

Crafting When We Can - Make your own Background

Here is my 2nd card -

Here I have used stamps and dies from Inspired by Stamping. The rose (coloured with Spectrum Noir markers) is from the Elegant Flower set and the dies are Fancy Labels Dies 1

I would like to enter this into the following challenges -

CAS on Sunday - Sympathy

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes/Use a Sentiment

Thanks so much for looking xx

Party Favour {Milk Bottle}

Hi there everyone! While out shopping I spotted a pack of the cutest little milk bottles with straws. I thought they would be great to dress up using Inspired by Stamping goodies.

I'm sure you have seen these around - they are all the rage for parties these days. They can be used for Birthday Parties, Baby Showers, Hen's Parties, Bridal Showers - the sky is the limit.

Here is my milk bottle -

I have used a Fancy Labels 1 die and Petite Banners to create a little label for the front of my bottle.

See these enamel dots? I made them myself. You can too by checking out this topic over at Happy Little Stampers.

I used the Swirling Pinwheels set to stamp two pinwheels and cut them out to attach them to the straw. I used another homemade enamel dot here!

So cute! Wouldn't they look awesome with chocolate milk for a kids birthday party or a pink lemonade for a Bridal shower?

Thanks so much for looking xx

Pink Christmas Poinsettias

Happy Saturday everyone!

I have been working on my Christmas Cards as I have really been a bit lazy and haven't done many at all. 

I found a card that I received from Karen of Serendipity Dragonfly for last Christmas and just had to CASE it. It really is beautiful and I have made about 4 so far. 

Trying to change things up, I wanted to make some that were pink. I was inspired by the photo over at Just Add Ink - it was just the motivation I needed.

Here is my card -

I really had trouble photographing this card. I don't know if it is the design or what but I failed miserably! After a LOT of tries, this was the best I could come up with. It really does look a lot nicer in real life.

(Kim, I have received all my goodies now, thanks!!)

I really love this card. The design is beautiful. I have put together a tutorial which will be on my blog soon, so stay tuned.

In the photo below, you will be able to see the little notecard with some bakers twine attached to slide it in and out.

My mini poinsettias are dies from Marianne Designs. Once I had put them together, I realised that I had wanted to sponge around the edges first. Oh well, a bit back to front but they ended up looking ok :)

Again, I apologise for my poor photography. Hopefully I will improve as I can see myself making more of these cards.

Here is the photo from JAI that inspired me -

I would also like to enter this card these challenges -

Southern Girls Challenge - Christmas is -coming

Creative Knockouts - Christmas in July

Bloggers Challenge - Christmas in July

ABC Christmas Challenge - O for Obscured (my little hidden pocket)

Thanks so much for looking xx

ATSM Challenge #105 - Photo Inspiration

Hi there everyone, I hope you are having lots of crafty time at the moment.

Today starts a new challenge over at Addicted to Stamps and More!

We have a photo to inspire you today -

I love the colour in this photo. I used the purple colour of the door and the flowers as inspiration.

Here is my DT card -

I have used lots of Stampin' Up! goodies for this one. I was hanging on until the last minute waiting for a new order of SU stuff to arrive but it didn't quite make it.

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Today I am off to meet Trudi (stalker #2) and her daughter. They have flown up to Brisbane for a family 'do' and they have put aside some time for us to have the day together.

We are going to the Koala Santuary!! They have Koala cuddling all day long - woo hoo. Stay tuned for photos!

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Don't forget to pop on over to ATSM so you can enter our challenge and check out the amazing inspiration provided by the DT. 

We have a wonderful sponsor this week -

who are offering 3 digis to our winner!

Thanks so much for looking xx

STAMPlorations Sketch #16

Hi everyone! How are you all today? Up for some crafting I hope!

We have a new challenge starting over at STAMPlorations. It is this awesome sketch that you will need to draw inspiration from -

As you look at this sketch, it may be a little hard to see but there is a light grey panel behind the circles and sentiment. You may find this part of the sketch hard to see in my card but it is there if you look closely.

Here is my card -

I must admit I was a bit liberal with my interpretation of that panel alone. I tried not to sponge ink into an area to help define it. That is the beauty of interpretation. You do not have to keep to the sketch to the exact shape etc but we must be able to recognise the sketch!

To start with I tore up pieces of First Edition DSP (SU!). I applied glue liberally to my panel with a paintbrush and started placing the torn bits at random. Once they were in place, I gave them another wash of glue. 

Once that was all dry, I sponged Distress Ink's over my panel. I chopped a doily in half and sponged ink onto the halves and glued them onto the panel. 

I used some DP from an old paper pad that I have to die cut three circles. Two were used to stamp directly onto and the third I popped up a fussy cut butterfly.

The sentiment was last (I love this sentiment!!). 

I got very messy and inky with the card and loved every minute of it.

I used the following STAMPlorations stamp sets - VIGNETTE: Artful Flutters and Sentiment Builders: Celebrate

I hope you will find time to play along this fortnight.


UPDATE: I thought I may have overdone my quota of entries over at MMCC but thanks to Deepti and Loll, they have persuaded me to enter this card too. This will be my 5th entry{insert sheepish grin}.

Thanks so much for looking xx

ATCAS #43 Celebrate

Hello there! How are you? Today we have a brand new challenge starting over at ATCAS.

Here is the code word chosen by your hostess, the super talented Jaydee -

I had heaps of ideas for this code word but they all ended up in the bin. I decided to go back to basics and created a one layer 'super CAS' card -

I really love this sentiment from the STAMPlorations Sentiment Builders: Celebrate set. I have used my SU markers to colour each letter separately. 

I went to use my homemade enamel dots (more on that later) but really this card didn't need anything else. Any time I went to put something on it just didn't look right. The last thing I did was round the corners to give it a little more interest. 

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Don't forget that there is a big prize giveaway over at 

HAPPY LITTLE STAMPERS

All you have to do is register (and post to the forum) to receive an entry. There are HEAPS of ways to earn bonus entries too! 

Not only is there a big prize to be won, it is a wonderful forum to meet other crafters, post to your personal gallery, find topics on all things craft (and non-craft) related and real time chat! It is a wonderful International community that is growing each day and I would love to see you there.

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I would also like to add my card into the following challenges -

Time Out - Photo Inspiration - I love the different colours in the banner



Crafting with Dragonflies - CAS
Addicted to Stamps and More - CAS - I am entering a DT card here

Thanks so much for looking xx

Inspired by Stamping - Spring Lilacs

Hi there everyone! How are you today? I am so much better and have just about got over my bronchitis. 

Today I am going to share with you the beautiful Spring Lilacs set from Inspired by Stamping. 

I decided I wanted to incorporate a tag onto my card which is something I haven't done before. I'm liking all these 'firsts' that I am attempting :)

Here is my card -

The first thing I did was use distress inks on the tag. The tag has a glossy finish so it was hard to stamp on it and get it to dry. In the end I smudged everything with my finger and it looked great!

Once my tag was completed, I looked at designing the rest of my card. I have embossed the bottom panel and then used distress inks around the edges. I cut a smaller panel and used distress ink on that as well. I then layed a doily over the top of the panel with die cut leaves. The tag has been placed on top with foam tape.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges

(yes! It is me again. This is my 4th entry into this challenge. They can't keep me away!)

PDE Linky Party (this is my 2nd entry) - Tags
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - For the Birds

Thanks so much for looking xx

Inspired by Stamping - Gift Bag

Hi there everyone. 

I have created a cute little gift bag today with products from Inspired by Stamping which is really easy to make but looks so lovely!

I puchased some pre-made kraft gift bags and doily's knowing they would make a perfect match with Inspired by Stamping goodies.

I started with die-cutting a piece of the  Spring Lilacs Paper Collection then layered the doily on top.

 

I had stamped my flower onto watercolour paper and used ink and a brush to apply my colour. This flower is from the Elegant Flowers set.

I added Vintage Crochet trim on top of the doily and cut one of the edges on an angle. I thought adding a bit of twine between the lace and the flower would add some interest.

The sentiment is part of a gorgeous set called Petite Banners. I love these stamps with their co-ordinating dies – Label Dies 3.

My colour scheme for my gift bag is kraft, white and purple. They all work very well together. 

 

The finishing touch was using a hole punch at the top of the bag and adding twine so it can be tied up. You could use anything for this! A pretty ribbon would look beautiful.

I would like to enter my Gift Bag into the following challenges -

The Stamping Boutique - Fussy Cut (I fussy cut my flower)
Anything But A Card - Anything Goes
Art Impressions - Use a Doily



Thanks so much for looking xx

Supplies Used

Spring Lilacs Paper Collection

Elegant Flowers

Vintage Crochet trim

Petite Banners

Label Dies 3

Happy Birthday Monika!!

Today is Monika's birthday. Monika is one of my designers at ATSM and we are also team mates at STAMPlorations. Monika is one of the few lucky ladies that got to meet me in April.... oh! whoops! I was one lucky lady to meet Monika back in April while I was in London. We had lunch at St. Martin's in the Field - the Cafe in the Crypt! 

I was so appreciative of Monika's efforts - she left at some stupid hour of the morning (like 6am or something) and it took her a number of hours to get there (that's ok, Monika, it only took me like 23 hours to get to you, but you can have your day in the spotlight.. it IS your birthday. Sigh). 

All jokes aside Happy Birthday Monika! I hope you have a wonderful day!!

Here is a card that I have made using my Mixed Media goodies (again).

The day I started making this card I received a parcel of goodies that I had ordered (for my birthday). I got a heap of Distress Inks and some Memento Inks. 

The base card was coloured using my alcohol inks again. I then sponged over my Fading Dots stencil. The 'bubble' stencil you see was on that I received from Loll for my birthday! I used texture paste with this one. 

I sponged three different DI's onto cardstock ( Salty Ocean, Faded Jeans & Broken China) and then stamped my butterflies and punched them out. I doubled them up with little foam squares.

Once the texture paste was dry I used the same bubble stencil and sponged over it with Memento Peanut Brittle. 

Then with my Celebrate sentiment from STAMPlorations (Sentiment Builders - Celebrate), I stamped it three times in different colours.

Lastly I sponged a bit of white ink back over the texture paste to give it some more dimension.

Well, I hope you like my card Monika! Have a wonderful day and I hope you are spoilt rotten! xx

I would also like to add my card into the following challenges -

(my third entry - I'm a little addicted to this Mixed Media stuff...)

Eclectic Ellapu - Birthday with a Butterfly

The Sailing Pineapple - Nature Calls

Thanks so much for looking xx

Mixed Media Tag

Hi everyone! I would like to share a tag with you. It's the first ever tag I have made. I don't have any tag dies or ready made tags, so I cut my own. Loll was very lovely in letting me know the dimensions that she uses (she is always so generous and sharing). I decided to make my first one a little bigger than usual just so I could get the 'feel' of what I was doing.

Here it is -

Let me tell you how this was done. 

The base was cut to 16cm x 8cm. I dropped some different alcohol inks onto a transparency and added a bit of alcohol blending fluid. I moved the sheet around to get a blobby mess and then pressed my cardstock on top.. (I have used this technique before but usually use glossy cardstock). I then inked up a background stamp (En Francais) with Sahara Sand (SU!) and pressed it straight over the top. 

Out came the texture paste again! This time I used a stencil that the amazing Loll sent me for my birthday (one of three!). I love the effect it has given this tag.

Here you can see the script stamp a little better.

I created another blobby mess with my alcohol inks so I could stamp my butterflies onto it. These butterflies are from the SU! Papillon Potpourri set. The have co-ordinating punches too.

I used a brush to flick some ink all over the tag. 

I then used the sentiments from the Artful Flutters (STAMPlorations) set to finish it off.

I used a hole punch for the top and added the black ribbon.

I didn't 'edge' the corners. I liked the rectangle look for this one. 

I would like to enter my tag into the following challenges -

Melonheadz - Tag or Bookmark

Thanks so much for looking xx

ATSM Challenge #103 - Holiday

Hi everyone how are you?

Once again, I would like to thank everyone so much for their birthday wishes over the last few days. I feel like it is still my birthday!

We have a brand new challenge starting now over at Addicted to Stamps and More! We are up to our HOLIDAY theme so you can go nuts and choose whichever holiday you would like.

I have chosen to work with one of our sponsor images plus use the sketch from Happy Little Stampers. (The sketch challenge is up and running for the entire month of July so there is plenty of time to play along).

Here is my DT card -

Isn't he a cutie! I have coloured Santa with my Spectrum Noir markers. I used a circle die (first tracing around my image and then cutting the section where the tree is so I could partial die cut and not chop the tree off) and then sponged around the edge with blue ink. I found some glitter paper and used a corner die on the opposite ends. The band at the back is simply a piece of cardstock snipped at a diagonal at each end. 

The image came with a star on top of the tree (but not attached). When I cut around the tree, I lost the star. It ended up somewhere in one of those never to be seen again places. It will turn up tomorrow, I'm sure ;)

I have used the sketch over at Happy Little Stampers for this layout -

Our sponsor that provided me with this delightful image is

and they are offering 3 digis for our winner.

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

Crafty Boot Challenges - Christmas in July

Graphit Challenge - Anything Goes with markers

Simply Create Too - Christmas in July (bugger, I missed the deadline)

Thanks so much for looking xx

STAMPlorations Sketch Challenge #15

Hi everyone!

Well, first, I do have to say that I have been just overwhelmed to the max with all the birthday wishes and cards that have been added to the surprise party linky that was organised by Loll. Thank you so much to everyone! 

Over at STAMPlorations we have a brand new sketch for you to have a play with.

Here is my DT card -

The background was created with a new mist spray that was a birthday present from Marina. Thanks Marina!!

Using the Vignette: Celebrate Artsy set, I repeated the stamp after die-cutting a rectangle from the Lil' Inkers pack. The grunge circle was fussy cut and popped up with foam squares. 

I hope you will join us for this fortnight challenge. I can't wait to see what you do with the sketch.

Thanks so much for looking xx

Happy Birthday Shery!!

Today is the day for celebrating Shery's birthday! Shery is the owner of STAMPlorations and I am privledged to be on her Design Team. 

Nonni and Sandie have organised a linky birthday party for Shery and I am so happy to have been asked to particpate. If you would like to join in the fun, please link up your birthday card over at STAMPlorations!

Shery has really opened my eyes with her mixed media projects. She has inspired me to try new techniques and styles. 

With that, I bought some stencils from the STAMPlorations store. My first ever stencils! I had bought some texture paste a few weeks before that and it has been sitting on my desk ever since just giving me the evil eye. We came to a bit of an understanding (the texture paste and I) that if I didn't bother it, it wouldn't bother me. Wanting to use my new stencils, I decided that I wasn't going to be bullied by a tub of paste and knew that the opening ceremony would be in Shery's honour.

Here is what I have made for her -

Firstly I gave my watercolour paper a wash of ink and water with a brush. While it was still a little damp I used my first stencil (Bubble Layering) and sponged ink over it. 

Then came the opening ceremony - my texture paste. I used a palette knife to spread the paste over the next stencil (Dot Fade), removed the stencil and..... woo hoo. Why had I been so scared?? Dunno!

While I waited for the paste to dry, I stamped the chevron and sentiment from the Vignette: Chevron and Arrows and Vignette: Celebrate Artsy (July New Release).

Once the texture paste was completely dry, I sponged over it with some white ink just to bring out the texture a bit more.

To create the butterflies, I grabbed a transparency sheet and put some alcohol ink drops in different colours on the sheet. I used some Alcohol blending fluid so they would, well, blend together into a random mass of colour. Then I grabbed some glossy cardstock and pressed it onto the transparency, lifted it up and had a beautiful mix of colours that I could now use to stamp on or die cut.

I stamped the butterflies using the Vignette: Artful Flutters and once dry (because I had used glossy cardstock), I fussy cut around them and popped them up with foam pads.

So with that, I have overcome my fear of texture paste. I looked like a mixed media professional at the end of it all. I mean, my fingers were completely inked up and I had made a mess of my craft sheets. It was so much fun!

Thank you for inspiring me to create a card like this, Shery!!

We also thought it would be cool to answer three questions for Shery. They are -

1) Your favourite STAMPlorations stamp

This is a HARD question! May I have more than one favourite? I do have more than one but if I did have to pick, I really LOVE the new Vignette: Celebrate Artsy set from the July new release. The fun grungy shapes and little sentiments are awesome!

2) Your favourite piece of writing or your favorite book

 I used to read a LOT. I don't seem to do that too much anymore. I am way too busy with my crafty time. When I did read novels there was one writer that I used to buy his books all the time - James Patterson. I have always loved crime/thriller books. I also loved the Davinci Code.

3) Your message to the birthday girl Shery

Dear Shery, thank you (again) for the inspiration you provide me. I love being on your DT with all the other wonderful ladies. I hope you have an awesome day and get spoilt rotten!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Edited to add - Deepti suggested I should enter this card into the brand new challenge Mixed Media Challenge. Thanks Deepti xx

ATCAS #42

Hi there everyone! Happy Saturday to you.

Today was a great day for me. We had a pre-birthday BBQ with a few close friends. The weather was amazing. LOVE being able to wear t-shirt and shorts in the middle of winter. The food was great and so was the company.

We are up to another challenge over at ATCAS. The incredible Shana is your hostess and has chosen the code word

Here is my DT card -

I have used the beautiful Inspired by Stamping 'The Sky's the Limit' set again. This time I have gone for nice bold colours. Everything has been popped up with foam pads for dimension.

 

We have a wonderful sponsor for you this week

The prize is 5 free digis to the store!

We also have new Guest Designer to introduce to you. Cathy will be joining us for the month of July so pop on over to the blog to see her creation.

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

Inkspirational - Photo

 

 

Milk Coffee Challenges - White on White with coloured image

Fresh Brewed Challenges - In the Sky

Thanks so much for looking xx

 

STAMPlorations July Challenge

Hi everyone! There is a new challenge on right now at STAMPlorations!

 

Check out my DT card -

I have used texture paste over a stencil and then piled glitter on top. Once dry I popped up my butterflies from the Artful Flutters set and then stamped Celebrate down the side (from the Celebrate Artsy set).

We have a wonderful guest designer with us this week - KIMBERLY WIENER

We have a prize to give away but you must participate in all of our challenges for the month of July.

Click HERE to take you to the challenge.

   Thanks so much for looking xx