Simple Birthday Wishes

Just thought I'd post quickly tonight with a simple card I made last weekend. I have spent just under the past week away from home for the national Dietitians conference and hence have done no stamping since I left home (although I did take it with me) - breakfast seminars starting at 7am and the conference leading into dinners did not leave much time even for sleep! I had a great time though - learned lots (there are some amazing nutrition projects going on out there across Australia) and caught up with heaps of people I hadn't for a very long time.

I made this card for Leah's May Challenge - she always picks a doozy!! But I guess that's why it's called a challenge!

I was SO tempted to pull out Pick a Petal for this one, but resisted. Instead I opted for Big Bold Birthday.

Leah pulled the colours Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Regal Rose, Tangerine Tango and Whisper White, and I also added a little bit of Bravo Burgandy.

As I said quite simple, and I'm really happy with the result - the 'make a wish' circle is popped up with dimensionals

Looking forward to the June challenge Leah!

Me and My Little Brother

I've decided recently to really make an effort with completing more scrapbooking pages, which was actually the way I was introduced to papercraft (thanks Helene!!!). Cardmaking has definitely taken over (not such a bad thing though!), but photos are just oh so special, and I want to preserve more of them for Luana to look back on in the future. One way I've figured out to do this is to use blog challenges as inspiration. I have that many photos just waiting to be scrapped that at least one always fits the bill.

This week, I created a page for Mel's latest challenge; it's been a while since I've been able to play with one of her challenges. Her inspiration was some gorgeous trees in all their Autumn glory in Canberra.

I've used the colours So Saffron, Ruby Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and for the neutral, Sahara Sand.


Last year my brother FINALLY came to visit us - we'd only been up here 3 1/2 years! While he was here we were able to spend a bit of time just him and me, which was really nice, and one of these times we went on the Barrawei Walk at the Katherine Gorge. I felt a bit embarrased hauling myself up the steps and rocks while trying not to slow down a super fit footballer too much - it has certainly been too long between trips to the gym! Anyways, these are a couple of pics we took. This would have to be right up there for one of my favourite photos of us. I used the stamp sets Weathered, Pick a Petal, Big Deal Alphabet and Short Order Alphabet.

Thank Mel for helping me get this one done - my first 12 x 12 not featuring Luana!

A Card for More than One Role

I found another colour challenge blog last week - Color Throwdown - and thought I'd give it a go. I missed last weeks deadline, but have made this one:

And it's purple!! I actually haven't pulled out Lavendar Lace for AGES so this was a bit of a challenge. I teamed it with Karen's latest sketch (which lucky for me she extended the submission date for this challenge) to make a card for Mum and Dad for the next time they look after Luana for me.




I finally used my It's a Loop Thing stamp set, which is in the Level 3 Hostess Hand Drawn bundle, along with the Hand Drawn DSP which I have also used. I had to think a bit about which 'thank you ' to use, and finally settled on the one from Heartfelt Thanks, stamped in Lavendar Lace, torn, mounted on distressed Elegant Eggplant and finished with a smidge of Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon. I sponged the non-flower edges of the feature panel with Old Olive, and used my blender pens to colour in the two tone flower with Lavendar Lace before finishing with a silver brad.

When you're in need of a bit of inspiration, check out these two websites, they have some great ideas.

It's Never Ending!

Yay! I finished Mum's card that I've been working on with Makeesha's latest colours. The photos are a big dodgy being under flouro, but I'll try to fix that tomorrow. I saw a never ending card on SCS a few weeks ago and thought I'd give it a whirl for Mum's birthday - I don't think I did too badly for a first go.
ETA: I've been able to take some better photos, so have uploaded them.

I've tried to use the same products for each view to ensure consistency. I mainly used retired Au Chocolat DSP and the retired set Live Your Dream. Other greetings come from Short & Sweet, A Little Birthday Cheer and Short Order Alphabet.

It's really not as hard as it first seems to make, so if you'd like to give it a go, follow this link to a video tutorial by Dawn. However, what I would do next time is NOT to double layer at all (like I did on the first view), particularly with card stock (even vanilla or white), it just doesn't fold flat then but the single layers seem ok.

Rustic Colours

Makeesha's latest colour challenge immediately made me think of the Outlaw DSP from last year's catalogue (and I know I'm not alone in that thought!). I have actually used these colours a little bit in previous projects this year, but included Creamy Caramel (mmmmm... caramel...)


I decided to make a card for my Grandfather's upcoming birthday using these 4 colours, and the latest TECC sketch, just adjusted a little but to make it a bit more masculine.


The DSP is, of course, retired Outlaw, but gee it was a bit of a challenge to find what I wanted to use with no Creamy Caramel... I distressed the edges of the circle, and inked it with Chocolate Chip so it wasn't so 'stark'. I decided to tear the edges of cardstock instead of the scallops and in lieu of a flower, I made a 'halo' using the 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, and used the star punch too. I inked the edges of the star with Chocolate Chip to keep with the 'distressy' theme and used letters from Short Order Alphabet for the 'greeting'. Some wide Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon and a cast star brad from Styled Silver Hodgepodge added some interest to the vertical panel, and all was finished with a bit of piercing.

I am also in the process of making a never ending card for Mum in these colours, but don't think I'll get it done in time to photograph and post by tonight. Will try my best.

And here are the other projects I've made this year using the same colours and Creamy Caramel (all have been on here at some stage). My favourite would have to be the Kakadu page. Mind you, all the cards I've made with this scheme (except Mum's) have been for my grandfathers!! Think I need to stretch out a tad :-)

Thanks for the inspiration girls x

Raspberry Suite Colour Challenge 6

When I saw Dawn's colours this week I really wasn't sure - I'm not a huge fan of Cameo Coral and I have a few other things to focus on so I'm going to have to let a few challenge entries slide this week... but I decided I could make it work.

Dawn's gorgeous inspiration this week was

Gotta love those ribbons, and I really do love this aqua - Cool Carribean would have been perfect, but I thought I'd give Baja Breeze a shot so I could use the card as a current sample too.

I've kept this one super simple. I kept on thinking the card needed something else but couldn't figure what, so took some advice from Karen at The Sweetest Thing - when you start fussing, the card is finished. I've used Three Little Words which I had to have as soon as I saw it. I clear embossed a chocolate chip 'T' before cutting it out and mounting it with dimensionals. I edged the main white panel with a bit of Cameo Coral pastel and ink and then mounted it on some Chocolate Chip. The flower behind 'i miss you' was second generation of Cameo Coral (there's another tulip for you!!) and the Hodgepodge Hardware is Styled Silver. I used the scallop edge punch on the bottom of the Baja Breeze panel, and added just a little bit Chocolate Chip grosgrain.

Something a little bit out of my comfort zone, and there's not shortage of loved ones this could be sent to at some stage.

Forgetful Elephant

For some reason I always forget one particular friend's birthday. I don't know if it's because it's so close to Mother's Day or what, but for some reason the date always passes me by. Thank goodness for FaceBook to remind me!!




I never thought I'd have to use the belated birthday stamp in my A Little Birthday Cheer set, but I thought this card warranted it, and I couldn't go past the elephant from Wild About You (yet again) - because elephants never forget!!

I used Baja Breeze, Pacific Point and Apricot Appeal for this little card, with a smidge of Certainly Celery for the flower stem. The gorgeous DSP is from the Patterns sampler which is a Level 1 hostess gift, I attached the ear with a dimensional, and finished off with some paper piercing.

Just a simple little one, and fingers crossed the elephant helps me remember next year!

Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #7

I'm so happy Makeesha has been able to put up a new challenge after recovering from Convention -I really do enjoy them, but fully understand the busy lives people lead and family always comes first.

This weeks challenge was a sketch:

My lovely cousin celebrated her 21st this week (and how sweet is she? She invited us to her party this weekend even though she knows we won't be able to make it). The theme of her party is red, white and black so I really wanted to make a card to suit.

I added a little bit of Certainly Celery as well, which made a HUGE difference to the finished product. These funky flowers are from the very old set Buds and Blossoms which is actually one of the first sets I ever bought. I cut the little panels out of the larger flower and mounted it with a dimensional, and the pearls from the Pretties Kit (again) just added that finishing touch.

Happy Birthday Jaclyn!!

I've also been working on a scrapbook page with this sketch, but don't think I'll get it finished in time to submit...

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 17

Here's another challenge from Karen over at 'The Sweetest Thing'

I needed to make a quick card for a colleague who had her birthday earlier in the month, so I thought this sketch would be perfect.

Very simple, using Rose Red, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla. The stamps are from Embrace Life, and the DSP is Regal Rose Patterns DSP from the Level 1 Hostess Sampler. The little pearls from the Pretties Kit just finished it off nicely!

Happy Belated birthday Lisa!

Happy Mother's Day 2009

A very Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and mothers-to-be out there. I hope you have all spent the day in a way you wanted to, whether it be a bit of time out, or spending the whole day with your family. Traditionally, my family has spent Mother's Day together with my mother's mother (Mamma), but being up here that hasn't happened for a few years now.

This year though, my little family spent the weekend at the Douglas Hot Springs, which was a lot of fun.

Last weekend I was busy finishing Mother's Day cards to arrive in time for our Mothers down South (which I think they all did) but didn't want to post them just in case someone sneaked a peak at my blog! You've seen the card I sent my Mamma in a previous post, but here's the one I made for my Mum

using this sketch - once again, I'm sorry but I hadn't recorded where I saved this from in my blog hopping, so if it's you, please let me know and I'll give you credit where it's due.

For Mum's card I used the lovely new Patterns DSP in Garden Green, which is available as a Level 1 Hostess gift and paired it with Rose Red. The stamps are from Eastern Blooms and the greeting is from Wonderful Favourites, finished with some retired Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware and a little bit of scoring around the edge of the card base.


This is what I whipped up quickly for Paul's Mum, using mainly retired product. First time I've used the flowers from the Pretties Kit, and the blue pearls are from Kaisercraft.

And here are the cards Luana stamped for Mamma

Nanny and
Nana
Happy Mother's Day!!

KWernerDesign Colour Inspiration #51

Super quick one today for Kristina's latest inspiration. Here's the photo:

and here's my scrapbook page

This photograph is the best I could do with overcast weather this morning - sorry.

Here's close up of the large flower. Love those Flower Fusion felt flowers!!

Let me know if you want details.

Have a great weekend.

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 16

I have finally completed one of these challenges in time to submit it! I love Karen's sketches and have used them quite a bit, but this is a first!

Here's what she came up with this week:

And here's my offering:

I was a little thrown by the gap in the square border intially as don't have nestabilities or anything like that, but I think my alternative worked well.

I pulled out Garden Whimsy for this one - I do like those butterflies. I stamped the butterfly in Regal Rose, then rock'n'rolled it in Rose Red and added a bit of sparkle with Dazzling Diamonds. This was attached with dimensionals onto Whisper White that had been stamped with the tiny labybirds in second generation Regal Rose. The DSP is Hand Drawn from the Level 3 Hostess Set Hand Drawn Bundle - I fussy cut the little flowers in the corners and used the white gel pen in the centres. The felt flowers in the corner are from Flower Fusion Accents and Elements, held together with a silver brad.

Thanks for another great sketch Karen.

Catalogue Launch Projects

I held my launch for the new Idea Book & Catalogue a few weeks ago now, but hadn't got around to photographing the projects to share with you all. So here they finally are!


This little box was my thank you to the girls for attending.

I used Beate's Ghiradelli Box tutorial from SCS, but filled it with Easter eggs instead of Ghiradelli chocolates (which I'm sure are available in other places in Australia, but not here). I used the new set Greetings Eight for the tag, coloured in with Sage Shadow and Pretty in Pink markers. This was punched out using the tag punch. I added a bit of scalloping to the flap of the Sage Shadow box using the scallop edge punch and added a little bit of doodling with the markers to finish.

First up we made this Post-It note holder which I cased from one my sister stamper Nerine gave to me. It was quite straight forward using a simple colour scheme of Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla. The stamped images come from Fresh Cuts and the 5 petal flower punch provided the larger flower. Sorry for the dodgy photo on this one.

Next we made this Mother's Day card. I didn't set out to use a heap of punches, but this one uses 4 different ones - round tab, scallop circle, 1 3/8" circle and 1 1/4" circle. I used a colour scheme of Mellow Moss, Almost Amethyst and Very Vanilla, and used the rose and lavendar from the gorgeous new Level 2 Hostess set Echoes of Kindness. We coloured in the rose using Stampin' Write Markers, and stamped the sentiment from Occasional Greetings (thanks Sharon!) in Almost Amethyst. The peek-a-boo circle was created using the round tab punch - punching twice, with the second punch being perpendicular to the first to create the circle. A couple of pearls from the Prettes Kit (finally used them!!) provided the finishing touch. This one is heading to Mamma for Sunday.

Last but not least we made this ever so cute flower pot card. I first saw this on Makeesha's blog, who had found it on SCS. I love it!! I decided to use Really Rust for the pot to make it a terracotta one. I chose the colour scheme with the assistance of the colour coach; I've used Creamy Caramel, Tempting Turquoise, Really Rust and Chocolate Chip before and love it! This time I added some Old Olive for the leaves, which were just a 5 petal flower punch cut up. The flowers are from Eastern Blooms and a couple of the turquoise ones have been stamped off and had petals highlighted with a marker. Such a cute little card. I think this one will be a regular in my creations now.

Thanks for a great day girls. I look forward to doing something again soon.

Raspberry Suite Colour Challenge 4

While I was blog-hopping the other night I came across Dawn McVey's blog. She has some gorgeous cards featured, and holds the Raspberry Suite Colour Challenge - I just had to play as I love raspberries!! Here's this weeks inspiration:

I just love this colour combo and hadn't yet had a chance to play with Baja Breeze, so thought I would use that as my soft aqua, as well as Chocolate Chip and Whisper White. I added one extra challenge by choosing these colours - I only have Baja Breeze cardstock, and some Hand Drawn DSP from the Level 3 Hostess Set....

I ended up making 2 cards (when I really should be finishing Mother's Day cards - I NEED to send them Tuesday at the latest).

This was my first one. I love the new set Upsy Daisy and thought it could work quite well with these colours. I used Weathered on the base card to add a bit of interest. I edged the centre Baja Breeze panel with Chocolate Chip ink, and added a greeting from Fresh Cuts mounted with Styled Silver Hodgpodge Hardware. Last but not least, I added alittle bit of white grosgrain ribbon. I think this could almost get away with being a male card, even though it has flowers on it....

I had also been mulling over using the elephant from Wild About You with this colour combo and this is what eventuated. I used the following sketch as inspiration:

I'm really sorry but I can't remember where I saved this from, so if it's you, please leave a comment and I'll add your details in. I used Hand Drawn DSP (I thought it looks a little reminiscent of elephant skin!!) as well as a greeting from Family Phrases and a little bit of white ribbon. I've just found out my bridesmaid is having a baby in October, so I guess that's been playing on my mind a bit!

Thanks for a gret challenge Dawn. I look forward to playing more often!

My Other KWernerDesign Colour Inspiration #50 Cards

As I said in my previous post, I could only enter 1 card this time round, so here are the other 2 I came up with.

This one was Paul's favourite. I don't know exactly how it happened, but the light changed in the few minutes between photographing this one and the boat one, so I couldn't get as good a photo...

This one also uses Yoyo Yellow, Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red and Whisper White. I used Big Bold Birthday and kissed the icing with the swirl from Baroque Motifs. I also stamped off the background stamps to give a softer look.

I haven't used Heartfelt Thanks for ages and thought it could work with these colours. This has turned out completely different to what I had been thinking about, but I still think it's worked out ok. Instead of Yoyo Yellow in this one I used Summer Sun. Quite straight forward really. The swirl is the ever versatile one from Baroque Motifs.

For those of you in the NT - have a great long weekend!! For everyone else, have a fabulous weekend.

KWernerDesign Colour Inspiration #50!!!

Wow!! Kristina has reached #50 in her Colour Inspirations and to celebrate has offered some goodies to those who enter. I've just been over to her blog and there are over 300 entries - WOW!! Some of the entries are just fabulous. What I love most about craft is the diversity of creations.

I actually made 3 cards with this colour combo, but Kristina was quite clear about only one entry per person this time due to the random giveaways - fair enough. So, I had to choose just one. This is the one Luana and I liked (Paul liked another one which I'll post separately), and is the one that photographed the best too.

I came up with the general idea for this one last night while I was putting Luana to bed (my thinking time!!). I used Stampin' Write Markers in Tempting Turquoise, Real Red and Yoyo Yellow to ink up the Nursery Letters wheel. These colours as well as Chocolate Chip formed the boat from Nursery Necessities. I scallop punched some Tempting Turquoise using the slit punch to create the waves - one layer is behind the boat, one is layered with dimensionals in front of it and the third is adhered lower to create a bit more dimension. The boat sails were attached with dimensionals too. I edged the Whisper White card with Tempting Turquoise before mounting on Yoyo Yellow. I used my 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon (for the first time!!) to add a bit more red and finally attached the boat panel with dimensionals.

I'm quite chuffed with this effort. Good luck Kristina choosing your top 10!!