Linked Friends

Hi there! Trying to escape the heat today. The cool change that was promised hasn't arrived so we just have to suffer at the moment :(

I was feeling in the crafty mood so I decided to have a play - just for the fun of it :)

This is a one layer card. I decided that linking up the elephants from the HLS Whimsical Friends set would be fun to do. I coloured them using Spectrum Noir markers (IG7, IG5, IG3, IG2) and then used some really inexpensive gel pens (from Aldi) to colour the blankets and toenails. They have a wonderful sparkle to them.

I was going to cover them in glossy accents but I am WAY too impatient for that!

Here is the set that I have used -

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

The ABC challenge - A is for Animals

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes

Spectrum Noir - Anything Goes

Edited to add to the One Layer Simplicity Challenge - thank you Ardyth!

Thanks for popping by and stay cool!

xx

Thinking of You

Hi everyone. Thanks so much for popping by.

Over at Inspired by Stamping we are showcasing Thinking of You cards all this week. 

Here is mine

I used a post it note to create a mask. Once I had stamped all my butterflies, I coloured them with my Spectrum Noir markers.

I then stamped my sentiment.

Here is a close up of the butterflies.

This is such a pretty and effective way to use a stamp more than once on your cards.

Here are the stamps I have used 

Thanks so much for looking xx

Time to Mask at ATCAS

Hi everyone, back again today as we have a brand new challenge over at Addicted to CAS.

The code word has been chosen by our gorgeous girl, Harriet -

Here is my card -

I started by using painters tape to mask off my panel and stamped my first butterfly. I created a mask for my butterfly from a post it note and continued stamping and masking until I had filled that area.

Once I had removed the painters tape, I coloured my butterflies with Spectrum Noir markers.

I then just used a black marker and ruler to draw my lines.

This card will be going to crafty friend of mine in Canberra that needs to know I am thinking of her :)

We have an amazing Guest Designer at ATCAS for this month - Ellen from In a World of Craft. Please don't forget to visit her blog to say hi!

Our awesome sponsor for this challenge is

and you have a chance to win a $20 gift certificate from the store.

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

Southern Girls - Winged Things

Perfectly Rustics - Wings

Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for looking xx

Anything Goes at ATSM

Good morning! Today over at Addicted to Stamps and More we have our Anything Goes challenge.

Here is my card -

This gorgeous girl is from our sponsor Sweet Pea stamps. There was more to this digi (the background) but I fussy cut around her.

I coloured her with my Spectrum Noir markers but I forgot to make a note of which ones I used. From memory - DR2, DR4, DR6, DR7 (hat) and TN4, EB3, EB5, EB8 (hair).

We also have a Guest Designer from Sweet Pea stamps - Janine Vegter over at the ATSM blog.

Our winner will have a choice of 4 digis from their store!

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

Spectrum Noir - Use Red

Crafty Hazlenut's Christmas - Anything Goes

Christmas Stamping All Year Long - Anything Goes

ABC Christmas Challenge - C is for Colourful

Thanks so much for looking xx

New Goodies!!

Hello!

I hope you are all well. 

I was very excited to open up a parcel yesterday that contained my new goodies from Lawn Fawn. Stitched Hillside Border dies, Joy to the Woods stamps and coordinating dies.

As soon as I received my package, I wanted to create something for Darnell's new NBUS challenge and then used the mood board over at Lawnscaping to give me inspiration.

Here is my card -

Side Note: You are probably wondering why an Aussie girl would like to make snow scenes using birch trees, foxes and cardinals? Well, for me it's nice to dream of cooler weather at Christmas time and I have fun using these little images even though they aren't related to an Australian Christmas. PLUS! I have friends overseas who will get cards like this and quite relative to their own climate.

I've used vellum before when making a shaker card and I have seen vellum used a LOT when checking out Lawn Fawn cards. It makes sense to - by using vellum in the forest scene, you can create a nice subtle background with a bit of field of depth. 

I've coloured my images in with my Spectrum Noir markers. My green ornaments have been covered with an obscene amount of glossy accents!

I also have a new resolution for 2015 being to decorate the inside of my cards. I'm soooo lazy when it comes to doing that. It's a shame because I go to so much trouble for the front of the card so why not got that little bit extra and make the inside a little prettier?

I had a lot of fun making this. It was quite fiddly and had stacks of die cuts to use but I really did enjoy it.

TIP : While placing my birch tree dies in and behind my vellum and snow drifts, I took a photo with my phone when I was happy with the placement. Then I could refer back to the photo when it came time to glue everything down and especially if I had inadvertently moved something.

Here are the challenges that I would like to enter my card into -

Dies R Us - Anything Goes with a twist - Use something new

Thanks so much for looking xx

G'day!

G'day everyone. How are you today. Well, after a couple of days of much needed rain and cooler temperatures, the heat and humidity are back with a vengeance, blah!

I received some happy mail yesterday even though I was hoping it would come before Christmas so they could go under the tree. Two little Lawn Fawn stamps with dies. I had a little play overnight and here is what I came up with.

This little birdie is from the Winter Sparrows set. I decided that by adding the little music notes, I could change the earmuffs into headphones and have this little fella jiving away to some tunes.

I have coloured him with my Spectrum Noir markers and then die cut him and the branch

The stitched rectangle dies are from Lil' Inkers.

The G'day stamp is from a Inspired by Stamping set called Teeny Tiny Greetings.

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

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes

(I missed out on the last challenge which was a sketch)

I have recently joined up at Kit and Clowder and aim to do some of the colouring courses that Alyce has on offer. She is amazing (and an Aussie girl ;) )

Thank so much for looking xx

Life Is Good - Alcohol Marker Tutorial

Hi everyone, how are you all. In keeping on with the theme of no more Christmas Cards, I decided to put together a little tutorial on how to colour images with Alcohol Markers.

I use Spectrum Noir and don't practice nearly enough with them and I do love me some colouring in time :)

I am in no way an expert at this but I find my technique does the job for me and hopefully it may help you if you are wondering how I have coloured images in the past.

Here is the card that I have made -

Below is my video tutorial on how I made this card. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email me or leave a comment below. I did have to hurry at the end to get the card finished as the sun was not being my friend :(

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

Animal Friends Challenge - Anything Goes with an Animal (Mr Crab is my animal)

Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge - Anything Goes

Dies R Us - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for looking xx

ATSM Challenge #123 - Holiday

Good morning!

Today we are up to our HOLIDAY challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More! 

We also have a DT call going on for this challenge!

Our wonderful sponsor is Rick St Dennis and I have used one of his images for my card -

These little cuties are called Star Pixie Trio

I have coloured them with my Spectrum Noir markers and then fussy cut out. I popped them on the card using dimensionals but left the tops of their hats and bent them over a bit. 

The sentiment is a wood stamp that I don't have a name for :(

The prize will be 3 digis to our winner!

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

Card Mania Challenge - Use a Digi

Crafting When We Can - CAS

CAS on Sunday - Card for a Child (my Xmas card is for my nieces)

Thanks so much for looking xx

New Release Week at Inspired by Stamping

It is New Release time over at Inspired by Stamping!!

The whole team is so excited to bring you the new sets that will be available to you. 

Today we are concentrating on the Australian Nature I set. A set very close to my heart as an Aussie girl :)

Firstly I started off by inking up my Cooktown Orchid. These orchids are spectacular! 

I have tried to capture the pretty pink colours by using my Spectrum Noir Markers. I couldn't go past adding a couple of butterflies! I was also a little bit naughty – I have added a sentiment from one of the new releases coming up later in the week – I just couldn't help myself!

Once I had coloured my butterflies, I wanted to create a panel to matt my orchids onto. I also wanted to match the colours in my panel the best I could. 

I cut three panels and then used my markers to colour the edges with blue, green and pink so I could see which one would look the best with my card. I went for the blue :)

This way I could perfectly match my backing panel with my top panel.

I would like to enter my 1st card into the following challenges -

One Stitch at a Time - Anything Goes with a Flower
Glitter and Sparkle Challenge - must use pink

Now onto my next card – for this one I have used the Ulysses Swallowtail butterfly stamp. 

I took a small liberty with the colour of the butterfly. This particular butterfly is usually a brilliant blue in the center and then solid black around the outside. I decided that I would like my butterfly to be completely blue :)

For this card I have used two of the dies from the Fancy Labels 3 set (circle and label). Once I coloured my butterfly and fussy cut it out, I mounted it onto a piece of corrugated cardboard (very Australiana – just like the corrugated tin roofs you will see on a lot of homes) and then onto the second die cut panel. 

I secured some jute string onto my embossed panel and then placed everything right on top. The sentiment is from the Petite Banners set and also has a co-ordinating die in this set. 

There you go, my cards to celebrate the new release here at Inspired by Stamping. You had better stay tuned because you have to see what the girls are coming up with over the next few days. Amazing cards and new stamps for you to feast your eyes on!

Supplies Used

Australian Nature I

Petite Banners

Fancy Labels 3 Dies

I would like to enter my 2nd card into the following challenges -

AAA Cards - Fussy Cut
Stamping Sensations - Things with Wings

Thanks so much for looking xx

ATCAS - Cuddly

Happy Saturday. How are you? 

Ready for a brand new challenge over at Addicted to CAS? Michelle is your hostess for this challenge and here is the code word she has chosen -

My first thought was a teddy bear. We all love snuggling up to a teddy bear, right? Or am I the only one, whoops.... lol

I don't have any teddy bear stamps or anything I could even remotely call cuddly so I had a quick look in my digital stamp folder on the trusty USB. A couple of weeks ago, I won a prize for my CAS Poinsettia which was a DT card for ATSM. The prize was digital stamps from Fred She Said and luck would have it that I had chosen one called Emma the Hugger. It even came with a matching sentiment. Perfect!

Here is my DT card -

Hmmm, hugging a snowman. Could it be considered cuddly? Not really, I suppose, but in the whole essence of Christmas I thought hugging a snowman was completely adorable. Plus Hugs = Cuddles. Good enough for me :)

I have coloured the image with my Spectrum Noir markers -

Emma -

Clothes - DR1, DR2, DR4, DR6, DR7

Scarf - TB3, TB4, TB5

Hair - TN3, TN4, TN6

Boots - IG5, IG6, IG8, IG10

Face - FS8, CR3, CR5

Snowman -

GG1, GG2

Hat - IG5, IG6, IG8, IG10

Scarf/Hat - LG3, LG5, JG1

Arm - TN4

Nose - OR2

I have also added some puffed snow to Emma. It's a snow marker that after you apply it, you heat it with your craft gun and it puffs up like magic. 

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

ABC Christmas Card Challenges - S for Something Festive

Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Snowmen

Fussy and Fancy Friday - Main Colour Red

Thanks so much for looking xx

ATSM #113 - Holiday

Hi there and welcome! I hope you enjoy my card today which has been made especially for the new challenge over at Addicted to Stamps and More - Holiday theme.

You can choose ANY holiday you want. I have chosen Christmas because I really need to make more so using the Holiday challenge is a bonus. 

I have used an image from our terrific sponsor over at Eureka Stamps - Santa on Skis. 

Here is my DT card -

Isn't this Santa just the cutest. Because it is stinking hot here at Christmas, I always have fun making snow scenes. I'd love to see a White Christmas one day - it's on my bucket list. 

I have coloured him with my Spectrum Noir markers - here is the list in case you would like to give it a go.

Santa clothing - DR1, DR2, DR4, DR6, DR7

Santas white areas - GG1, GG2

Face - FS8, CR3, CR5

Background - IB1, IB2, IB3, BT8

Can you see the snow that I have added? I bought a tub of 'True Snow' a few weeks ago and this is the first time I have used it. Pretty cool! Here is a close up for you -

The little tag is from the SU Snow Pals set. I've never used the tag stamp before. The sentiment is from SU Petite Pairs set.

With all these new things that I haven't used before, I would like to link my card up to Darnells NBUS Challenge #2 where I have chosen option #1 to create a Christmas card.

I would also like to link up to these wonderful challenges -

Paper Creators Crafts - Early Christmas
Southern Girls Challenge - Winter Blues
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes


Thanks so much for looking xx

ATSM Challenge #112

Hi everyone and welcome back. Over at Addicted to Stamps and More! we have a fun and popular challenge for you this week -

MAKE YOUR MARK

Here you can make anything you like but you must use something that will make a mark on your project.

Today I have opted to use one of our sponsors images and colour in with my Spectrun Noir markers.

Our sponsor is

who are offering 3 images up to the value of $10 to their store.

I loved the Poinsettia image by Scrappers Delight. It was really fun to colour -

Here is my DT card -

Once I coloured the poinsettia, I fussy cut it out and popped it up in the corner with foam squares. I added pearls to the center. The sentiment is from SU. I rounded the corners as the finishing touch.

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

Ooh La La Creations - Clean and Simple

Glitter and Sparkle - Use a Digi

ABC Christmas Challenge - R is for Red Poinsettia

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes with optional twist (colour chart)

Thanks so much for looking xx

ATCAS #47 - Oriental

Hi there!

Today is the start of a new challenge over at Addicted to CAS. Sylvia is your hostess this week and she has chosen a really cool code word for us this fortnight.

Here is my DT card -

A few weeks ago I won a challenge and received a prize from A Day for Daisies. I thought this 'Green Lady' image was beautiful. Out came my Spectrum Noir markers and I went to town.
The sentiment is from STAMPlorations and from the Trendy Feathers set.

Here are the markers that I have used on this image -

Hair - IG1, IG3, IG6, IG8, IG10

Skin - FS3, FS4, FS9, CR3, CR5

Dress (red) - DR1, DR2, DR4, DR6

Dress (blue) - TB3, TB4, TB5

Flowers - DRI, DR4, DR7

Hair ornaments - GB4

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

Spectrum Noir - Friendship
Fan-tastic Tuesday - Anything Goes
Clear it out Challenge - Anything Goes



I made a second card for this challenge today and for this one I used the sketch from Happy Little Stampers.

The cherry blossom is from Lavinia Stamps. I embossed it with white powder and then sponged Distress Inks over the top (Tattered Rose and Spun Sugar). The sentiment is from STAMPlorations and from the Trendy Feathers set. I moved my pearls to the left hand side to symbolise the stars in the sketch. I did this mainly due to an inky boo boo ;)

Our fabulous sponsor for this challenge is



and Kathryne is offering 5 free digis to our winner!


We also have an awesome Guest Designer for the month of September. Tenia from Jazzy Paper Designs!!


Pop on over to the challenge blog and check out the amazing inspiration we have for you!

Make your Mark - ATSM Challenge #107

Good morning everyone! I hope you have been busy crafting this week? We have a new challenge over at Addicted to Stamps and More! and it is one of your favourites!

MAKE YOUR MARK!

Get our your alcohol markers, pencils, chalks, paints or anything you can think of that will 'make a mark' on your project. Think outside the box!

Here is my DT card -

I have used beautiful new release stamps from Inspired by Stamping for this card. This Water Lily is the Flower of the Month! The sentiment has been embossed and is from the Friends Forever set. I have used the Fancy Labels Dies 1 set as a background frame for my flower.

I coloured my flower using the following Spectrum Noir pens -

Flower: BT4, BT5, BT8 / CT2, CT3, CT4

Leaves: JG1, JG2, JG3, JG4

Branch: TN3, TN4

There is also a DT call at the moment for Inspired by Stamping. The call ends on the 15th of August 2014 and all the details can be found HERE

Our wonderful sponsor this week at ATSM is

The prize up for grabs is 5 free digis from Kathrynes store.

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

Spectrum Noir - Floral and Nature

Inkspirational - Use Markers or Pencils

That's all from me today. Thanks so much for looking xx