Inkspirational #151

Hi there everyone! I am back over at Inkspirational after some time off. We have a great challenge for you over the next 2 weeks - Sandie has asked us to use stamping only!

Here is my card -

Stamping like this is usually perfect for a one layer card but I stamped on a panel and popped it up with a piece of craft foam instead.

I have used HLS Mix Mash and stamped using my MISTI.

Check out the blog for more inspiration from the other designers.

See you there :)

Altered LP Records and CDs

Hello again!

I am really into a fun new art called Acrylic Pouring. My aunt Trudi got me into this (she used to laugh at me for making my own cards!!!) LOL. Now she is hooked (and needs rehab) and I quite like it too.

I have created a couple of canvases using this technique which I have given away as presents. For this post, I am going to share with you how I have poured acrylic paints onto old LP records and CDs.

Now, I know that vinyl is very popular again. Even my son has a record player. Do not despair - I bought a heap of album box sets from the charity shop. The ones I've used so far are called "Organ Memories". Not going to be missed anytime soon LOL.

First up my records that will be turned into clocks - 

You will notice there are 'cells' within the paint. I will tell you a bit more about that soon.

The first two are quite busy but they look amazing. There is a combination of about 4 different colours.

This 'clock' is simply blue and white paint.

You can make your pours more clean and simple by adding less of your pour mix and more white paint.

Next up are my CDs. I am going to attach some cork drink coasters underneath and create my own drink coasters. These could also be made into mini clocks.

How to create your pour? There are many, many videos on youtube explaining how to do these acrylic pours. There are even different techniques - dirty pour, puddle pour, flip cup, swipe. You can even use string. All my pieces have used the flip cup method.

My recipe for each colour -

Acrylic Paint + same ratio of PVA Glue + water to thin + a few drops of silicone.

It is the silicone oil that crreates the cells. Once you have poured your paint onto the surface, give it a bit of a tilt and the cells will start to form. To really give them a boost, blast them quickly with a blow torch!

All my pieces have been given three coats of gloss sealer.

I would like to enter these challenges -

A Inky Mess - Anything Mixed Media Goes

Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes

Rhedd's Creative Spirit - Anything Goes

and just a reminder that the December Challenge at HLS for Mixed Media is Anything Goes

Hello Dear Friends

Hello! Nearly time for the big day. Have you got your ham, turkey, pork, and all the sides you need for Christmas Lunch/Dinner? Us crazy Aussies traditionally have a full cooked lunch of all of the above plus roasted vegies. This is in the HEAT of summer. We have evolved, though, and a lot of the time we will have seafood and salads as well :)

Anyway, I have a card to share with you. I used a new set that was a gift from Sue when we met up in November at the HLS Craft Retreat in the UK! Thanks Sue xxx

I couldn't get a decent photo, really. The second one is much better.

I embossed the image with Liquid Platinum Powder. I masked it off to stamp the leaves and embossed them as well. 

 I watercoloured them with Zigs. I added a little sparkle with my Spectrum Noir glitter pen.

I would like to enter my card into these challenges -

Crafty Friends Challenge - Family and Friends

Daring Cardmakers - The Special Ones

That's it for me at the moment. I will be back later with a post all about recycled LP records and CDs!

Joy to the World

Hi there everyone, I hope you all well.

I am still making Christmas cards... I really didn't have a lot done this year but as it is still leading up to Christmas, I'm in the festive mood.

I was inspired by the colours over at Calling All Sistahs. Where is my green, you say? Well, I mounted my panel on a piece of green craft foam!

I would also like to enter this card over at

The Artistic Stamper - Christmas

Thanks for popping in xx

HLS December ATC Challenge

Time for another ATC challenge over at Happy Little Stampers!

We are making Christmas themed ATCs this month and I had a blast creating mine!



Once again, I have made a fun set of ATCs!



I started with an A4 size piece of watercolour paper and smooshed it into Brusho.

I die cut my HLS Christmas Trees and covered them with Embossing Enamel AND green embossing powder. I used Faux Snow on some of the ATCs and a number of HLS stamp sets for the greetings. I even used the embossing enamel as a frame! So much fun!

Here are the products I used that you can purchase from Happy Little Stampers -

retired

            


See you over at the challenge blog! Our winner for this challenge will receive a $20 coupon to spend at the shop! Check out all the details HERE.

Addicted to CAS - Sparkle!

Hi everyone and happy Saturday to you.

Today is exciting because I have a bit of a cameo role over at Addicted to CAS :) I am your hostess for our current challenge!

Let's see all things Sparkle on your creations. Don't forget to keep them clean and simple :)

I have made 3 cards for this challenge -

My first card is using a brusho panel which I have smooshed, overlayed with die, and then finished with a word die cut from glitter foam.

My next card is for my gorgeous new Grandson, Benjamin. Watercolouring and wink of stella for added sparkle :)

I have used HLS Christmas Joy for this card. Embossed the holly and sentiment and coloured with wink of stella.

I hope you will play along at Addicted to CAS over the next two weeks and Happy Little Stampers is the sponsor!

I would like to enter the following challenges -

The Merry Christmas Challenge (Card #3) - Anything Christmas

Crafty Cardmakers (Card #2) - Animal Magic

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - (Card #2) Anything Goes with a Critter 

Sheepski Designs (Card #1) - Sparkle and/or Shine

Card #3

Card #1

Thank you for popping in today and have a great weekend :)

Challenge me a Christmas Card with Michelle Lupton

My good friend Michelle Lupton is holding a Christmas Event on her blog and I have been invited to play along with her.

Our Challenge is

CHRISTMAS TREE

I embossed my die cut Christmas Tree with mint powder then added tiny little gems for decorations. I also embossed my sentiment from the HLS Christmas Joy set.

Thank you Michelle for asking me to participate in your challenge.!

Watercoloured Birthday Rose

Hello!

Today I am sharing a card that I made at the HLS Craft Retreat last month. One of the best things about meeting up with everyone is you get to raid everyone's stash! I couldn't resist watercolouring a set owned by Anita.

I coloured the flower with orange and red zigs and the leaves with green. A little spritz of colour for the background was all that was needed.

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

MUSE - Anita

Thank you for popping in. See you soon! xx

You've Got a Friend in Me

I am on a bit of a blogging roll right now! Hi again everyone.

I am making the most of my time off before heading back to work. I have a number of die cuts to use thanks to Sarah P and the challenge over at Calling All Sistahs has taken my fancy.

Here is my card -

The brusho panel was one made at the HLS Retreats. I also smooshed the die cut in Brusho. The sentiment is from a new stamp set that was a gift from Sue which was so lovely of her! Thank you Sue xx

Here is the photo that inspired me. I tried to use the colours but as lovely as they are, they just wouldn't work for me. It was the flower that really inspired me anyway :)

Thanks for popping in and hopefully my mojo keeps up even with the jet lag! xx

Guest Designing at Less Is More!

Hi everyone! This is my second post today! I have been catching up with blogging some of the cards that I made at the HLS Craft Retreats :)

I have also been getting in some quality Nanna time with my new grandson, Benjamin. He is such a GOOD baby and I am really blessed to have him in my life :)

After the Manchester retreat earlier in November I was lucky enough to spend some time up in the Lakes District with Sarah and Anita from Less Is More. There was plenty of crafting going on! Poor Sarah's dining room look like a bomb had gone off but she was a good sport and let us raid her stash.

I have made a card for the new challenge over at Less Is More that is sponsored by Happy Little Stampers and I have the honour of Guest Designing.

Here is my card

This is a light up card and I'm sure you've been seeing a few of these around blogland throughout November! Creating a light up card by building your own circuits was one of the tutorials I gave at the craft retreats. You can check out my video tutorial below if you would like have a go yourself!

I borrowed stamps and supplies from Sarah's stash for this card. I cut out the star with a craft knife and adhered some vellum behind it. The light is yellow and shines beautifully when the sentiment is pressed.

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

Thanks for popping in today :)

HLS Craft Retreat Cards

Hi, me again!

I hope you have seen my post regarding the HLS Craft Retreats? You can find it HERE if you would like to see the fun we had :)

I would now like to show you three of the cards that I made. I actually can't remember how many I made all up - I even gave away some of my light up cards to a couple of kids :)

Anyway, here are my cards -

Card #1

I really love how this turned out. This was a demo card using Black Brusho and a Stencil (thanks to Gay for the use of her stash). Once I had spritzed my water through the stencil to activate the Brusho powder, I flipped the stencil and got this impression. Love it! 

Challenges -

Timeout 

Card #2

Another card using the above technique but using rainbow colours this time :)

Challenges -

Southern Girls - Anything Goes

Card #3

This card is a design that I love (thanks Sarah!) and shows how to emboss resist while smooshing with Brusho powders.

Challenges -

Cute Card Thursdays - Things With Wings

Moo-Mania - Heat Embossing

Use your Stuff - Heat Embossing

Thanks for popping in xx

Happy Little Stampers Craft Retreat {Photo Heavy}

Hello! This is my first post since landing back in Australia after my 3 week trip to the UK for the 2017 Happy Little Stampers Retreats! 

What an amazing time we had and I would like to share some photos with you.

First up was Manchester at the beginning of November. 

Our itinerary was Light Up Christmas Cards, Partial Die Cutting Techniques, Brusho Techniques - Smooshing, Emboss Resist, Stencils.

Day 1 I showed everyone how to create a light up card using Chibitronic Light Circuits.

   

   

   

   

     

Day 2 was messy with Brushos and Watercolouring but unfortunately I hardly took any photos! 

  

We made 62 cards that weekend. Not bad for 11 of us! Here are a 'few' of them :)

Then it was time to say goodbye :(

Thank you to everyone that came along that weekend. I loved every minute of it and can't wait to see you all again!

Here are some shots of my travels before, during, and after the retreats -

        

   

   

   

    

   

Ok, on to Swindon!

The itinerary was the same as Manchester!

   

   

 

   

   

   

Total of cards made at Swindon - 63! 

Overall there were a total of 125 cards made at both retreats. WOW!

I would like to thank Sandie, Sarah, and Val who allowed me to 'live' with them while I was over there. You all made me feel so welcome. So welcome that I will have to come back and stay again haha!

Thank you to Anita for being my driving buddy and for the lovely time we had sightseeing at Stratford-upon-Avon.

Another thank you to Sarah who took delivery of all our supplies for the retreats!

Thank you to Susan and Kathy - I stole some of your photos :)

A massive thank you to everyone who made the journey to be part of the retreats. Spending time with like minded crafty people is seriously the best thing. We get to check out each others stash and have a play. There are many, many laughs and who could ask for more?

Thank you for popping in. I will be back soon with some cards that I made while at the retreats. xx