Natasha's Creations

A Little Christmas

2011-11-27T23:18:00.003+09:30

Hello!

I'm really not sure where time disappears to these days.... my baby is almost 6 months old and my big girl only has 3 weeks left of Preschool!

Whilst I've been busy with life in general, I have been making a few cards; I have a new page on Facebook too (Natasha's Creations - look for the mermaid card) that I've been posting too a bit more than here.

Today, I wanted to share with you a Christmas card I made for a recent workshop - super simple but I think it looks really effective.

Must be off to bed, but enjoy and have a great week!

Thanks for visiting

Just Add .... Baby

2011-09-20T21:23:00.003+09:30

The challenge this week over at Just Add Ink is Just Add.... Baby. My baby is the whole reason I haven't been crafting much lately :) But, I thought I'd share with you the thank you card I made for the midwife who helped welcome our darling Bethanie into the world - she was fabulous!

I used the Clean and Simple Fall To Layout 140 and pulled the colours from the Nursery Necessities DSP - with Pretty in Pink as the base colour of course! The little bodysuit from the (now retired) hostess set A Slice of Life is a bit cute and a couple of buttons next to the Family Phrases greeting just add that little something.

Thanks for visiting and hopefully I'll have a bit more to share with you soon!

Mermaid Punchart

2011-08-30T22:33:00.008+09:30

Hello!

I did not realise it has been 2 months since my last post. Being a Mum of 2 is certainly keeping me busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way :) My little cherub is now 3 months old, and my big girl is 5!! I don't know where the time has gone. Here they are:

We have had a lot of birthdays to celebrate over the last couple of months, and I must confess I am running VERY behind with the cards. I have been managing to get cards made for the parties Luana has been invited to though... It's just the cards I have to post that are incredibly belated...

This card today was inspired by the latest Just Add Ink challenge Just Add.... Something from your stash, as well as the birthday theme of Under the Sea (or more specifically, mermaids!). I pulled out my Trip Flower Punch (which I haven't used until now) and Soft Sky cardstock and ink for the challenge. I tried to look for a punch art mermaid online, but only found one which didn't really fit with what I had in my head, so I managed to put together this lovely lady. She was a little fiddly (with the scallops for scales) but must say I am rather pleased with her! And the birthday girl loved her too which was most important!

Must be off and try to get something productive done before bed.

Thanks for visiting!

Rock'n'Roll Melon Mambo Butterflies

2011-06-30T20:59:00.008+09:30

I must apologise for my lack of blogging this month - but I have a great excuse! I had a very successful night at my craft desk the last weekend of May and had every intention of photographing and posting the cards on the Monday, but instead I welcomed our second beautiful daughter into the world - Bethanie. Since then, I've been caught up being a Mum-of-two and not knowing where time disappears to!

Here's our gorgeous girl at one week old - I don't know where the last month has gone! If you would like to see more photos of my cherub, check out this post at Katrina Barr Photography's blog.

I have managed to make a few cards, and made tonight's last weekend for a little friend of Luana's birthday. The girly colours and 'garden' inspiration courtesy of the Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge were just perfect, and the flowers in the (rotated) Inkspirations sketch suited the rock'n'rolled butterflies brilliantly.

Not going to write a long post this time - must try to make the most of the time I can get to the craft desk while Bethanie is sleeping and I'm not!!

Thanks for visiting,

Natasha

Super Cool

2011-05-25T14:16:00.006+09:30

I guess there is an advantage to playing the waiting game at home on maternity leave, and that's being able to have a bit more time for crafting (in between naps and being a SAHM again that is!). This 6x6" page allowed me to play along with two challenge blogs I love but have not had the time or energy to play along with for SO long - Just Add Ink and Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.

This page is for Paul and I used the lovely cool colours of this week's JAI challenge to complement the "Super Cool" title and the layout from SSSC was perfect - thanks! I love this photo of Paul and Luana. They were playing around with their sunnies one day, being "Super Cool", hence the title!

I kept it quite simple - I don't like 'crowding' my little pages and the sparkly thickers accents worked well I think. I was thinking there needed to be something in the bottom left corner, but after a few days, I think I'm happy with how it is... After all, a very wise crafter once said "if you keep fussing with a project, leave it!" (thanks Karen G!).

Have to do the preschool run in a bit, but hopefully I'll get a bit more done at my craft desk before then.

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Tidy Alphabet (retired)

Card: Baja Breeze, Perfect Plum, Pear Pizzazz Patterns DSP, Whisper White

Ink: Perfect Plum, Baja Breeze

Other: Scallop Edge Punch, Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Thickers Alphas (non-SU), paper piercer

Two Little Birdies

2011-05-21T16:04:00.005+09:30

Spring has Sprung in the Northern Hemisphere (although it's getting colder here - single digits most nights, but I guess that's what you get living in the desert!) and the girls over at Stampin' Royalty are celebrating by having a bird themed challenge. I don't have many bird stamps, but I do have the two-step bird punch which I haven't used much... so I thought I would share this darling card that I made for my Auntie's recent engagement. Being birds, it also fits with this week's Cupcake Craft Challenge - In the Garden.

I kept it quite simple ans was inspired by the colours from the Elegant Soiree DSP - Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla and Soft Suede. I punched out two birdies and mirrored them (ie used the opposite sides of the DSP for the bodies and wings) and popped them up with dimensionals over a second generation stamped Baja Breeze flourish from the SAB set Bliss. The greeting was from the Summer Mini set, Well Scripted and that's the hardest parts of the card! I also sponged the Very Vanilla with Baja Breeze and distressed the Soft Suede to soften the overall look of the card.

Hope you're having a great weekend wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Bliss (retired), Well Scripted (retired)

Card: Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Elegant Soiree DSP

Ink: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede

Other: Two-step Bird Punch

Another Baby Shower Card

2011-05-19T22:08:00.003+09:30

So many of my friends and colleagues have had babies recently, or are expecting in the next month or so, so expect LOTS of baby cards on here over the next months - including my own announcement cards.... yes, we are well and truly on the countdown now!!

So, on the theme of babies, today's offering was made for a colleague's baby shower. She is expecting a little boy mid-June and this week's challenge over at Annabelle Stamps is Say It In..... Monochromatic. I used this as inspiration and pulled out Night of Navy, Marina Mist and Bashful Blue - what a winning boy combo!! Loved pulling out my markers for this one, and finding Punches Three again!

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Punches Three (retired)

Cardstock: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Night of Navy, Summer Picnic DSP (retired)

Ink: Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Bashful Blue

Other: Wide Oval Punch, Subtles Brads

Turquoise Pick a Petal

2011-05-01T22:32:00.006+09:30

I know it's very late in the year to be finishing a calendar, but I'm almost done with Mum and Dad's! My lack of energy after work the last few months has really taken it's toll on my creativity and productivity...... Fingers crossed I'll be able to get a bit more creating done in a couple weeks time before our life changes completely again.

Today I made the title page for Mum and Dad's calendar using this week's bright and cheery Scrapmaster's Paradise Colour Challenge, and Just Add Ink's Just Add a Flower for inspiration.

I haven't used Pick a Petal for ages, and thought this colour combo was the perfect opportunity. I teamed the Tempting Turquoise petals with one of the huge Sweet Stitches Designer buttons from the current Autumn-Winter Mini in Daffodil Delight for the centre - pretty cute, huh? All mounted on a background of Pretty in Pink that had been wheeled with a retired wheel that I can't for the life of me remember the name of (and I haven't yet unpacked all my old catalogues to look it up), with the edges scored and left plain. Of course, a calendar title page needs the year on it, so Timeless Type Alphabet Junior Sizzlits came to the rescue again.

Thanks for visiting!

Natasha

Stamps: Pick a Petal

Card: Pretty in Pink, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Pink Flamingo DSP (retired)

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Pretty in Pink

Other: Sweet Stitches Designer Buttons, Timeless Type Alphabet Junior Sizzlits

Happy Easter 2011

2011-04-27T20:16:00.007+09:30

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter, and for those of you here in Australia that you were able to enjoy our extra-long weekend. In the NT we're a bit lucky and also have a long weekend this coming weekend.

I didn't actually have time to do any crafting over the break as I was visiting family, but I was able to buy up BIG at the KaiserCraft clearance store!! I'm almost glad I don't live any closer as that could be very dangerous :) I did make up some Easter cards before we left though for our nearest and dearest, using this weeks Stampin' Celebration challenge for inspiration - Easter Eggs of course, and I also pulled the colours of Pink Pirouette and Cool Carribean.

This card proved quite a challenge for me - I really didn't know what to do. The trusty egg from A Good Egg came to the rescue using retired Candy Lane DSP! I teamed it with 'Happy Easter' from Well Scripted which featured in the retired Summer Mini and the lovely butterfly from Thanks for Caring in the current Autumn-Winter Mini. I used Pink Pirouette and Orchid Opulence markers to ink up the butterfly and rock'n'rolled the wings in Cool Carribean - I was very happy with the result. The wing was popped up with a dimensional. The background was wheeled with Baroque Border in Crumb Cake on card of the same and mounted on a Cool Carribean base. I pulled some Orchid grosgrain ribbon out of the bottom of my ribbon box to provdie the finishing touch.

And here are the little bundles of eggs I quickly whipped up for colleagues and child care and preschool teachers - cute, if I do say so myself!

Enjoy the rest of your week and thanks for visiting!!

Stamps: A Good Egg, Well Scripted (retired), Thanks for Caring , Baroque Border Wheel
Card: Cool Carribean (retired), Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Candy Lane DSP (retired)

Ink: Pink Pirouette, Cool Carribean (retired), Orchid Opulence (retired), Crumb Cake
Other: Orchid Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

Flower Bunch

2011-04-17T18:14:00.006+09:30

The weather is getting cooler here in the Centre, but I know it's warming up on the other side of the world, so it's fun to play with all the Spring themed challenges that are around at the moment.

This bunch of flowers is for a friend of mine who lives quite some distance away - we did actually see her on her actual birthday, but as we were away from home I didn't have her card made. Luana helped her plant some flowers while we were visiting so a flower pot card was perfect for her - using this weeks Colour Q challenge for the colours, and Stampin' Royalty's Spring challenge as inspiration.

I found the tutorial for this flower pot card on Splitcoast Stamper's quite some time ago, but didn't save the link - sorry. I have made my own adjustments over time too :) I inked up the large flower from Punched Posies (hostess - retired) in Tangerine Tango, then rock 'n' rolled it in Cherry Cobbler, and used the Fancy Flower punch to save me cutting!! The 5 petal flower from the same stamp set was stamped in Kiwi Kiss ink on cardstock the same colour and punched out using the 5 petal flower punch for the leaves. The centre of the middle flower is a 1" circle of Cherry Cobbler flower punched out and attached with a dimensional. The pot is Kraft/Crumb Cake cardstock and tied together with some retired Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon. Finally, I stamped Happy Birthday from Well Scripted (retired) in Cherry Cobbler straight onto the pot.

I hope this little piece of Spring brings a smile to my friend's face - and yours too!

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Punched Posies (retired), Well Scripted (retired)

Card: Crumb Cake, Kiwi Kiss, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Cherry Cobbler

Punches: Fancy Flower, 5 Petal Flower, Scallop Edge, 1" Circle

Other: Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon

Welcome Henry

2011-04-17T17:57:00.004+09:30

Hello All,

I hope you've had a lovely relaxing weekend. Tonight I have a couple of cards to share with you - this first one is to welcome a gorgeous little boy into the world; the son of a friend of mine from my Uni days (many moons ago).

I used the colour challenge from Scrapmaster's Paradise Colour Challenge - it's been a while since I've played over there - and ended up using almost all retired product.... Isn't is great when you can use bits and bobs up?!

I love the giraffe from Wild About You (retired), and he suited the So Saffron perfectly. I edged the Whisper White in Not Quite Navy ink, and mounted it on Not Quite Navy card. The card base was Sahara Sand, which I stamped with the background circle stamp from Delight in Life (retired) and mounted a panel of retired So Saffron Prints DSP on this, onto which I directly stamped Henry's name using Best Friends Alphabet (retired) in Not Quite Navy ink. A couple of stars and So Saffron brads provided the finishing touch.

Thanks for visiting tonight!

Stamps: Wild About You (retired), Best Friends Alphabet (retired), Delight in Life (retired)

Card: Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, So Saffron Prints DSP (retired)

Ink: Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy, So Saffron

Other: Small Star Punch (retired), Subtles brads

Sing

2011-04-14T20:24:00.005+09:30

Tonight I have yet another 6x6 page to share with you. This one I am ever thankful to the latest Inkspirations Challenge for - this sketch was perfect!! (Although I did rotate it)

I'm not a fan of red and pink together, but this photo needed it! Luana just HAD to wear her pink headband with this dress, so I ran with those colours - Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Night of Navy and Whisper White. A Scallop Circle from the Big Shot matted the photo, and I wanted to keep with the music theme, so used the Music Notes wheel for the panel across the page. This was layered with (retired) Real Red Polka Dot ribbon - the reverse side - and Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon. I pulled out some retired Berry Bliss DSP for the background - the watermark flowers provided just the softness I was after - on a thin Pretty in Pink border and mounted everything on Night of Navy. Lucky last, the Big Shot came to the rescue again for the title!

Thanks so much for visiting!

Stamps: Music Notes Wheel

Card: Night of Navy, Whisper White, Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Berry Bliss DSP (retired)

Ink: Night of Navy

Big Shot Dies: Scallop Circle, Timelss Type Alphabet Junior Sizzlits

Other: Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain (retired), Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon

For Mamma

2011-04-05T20:13:00.005+09:30

My Mamma is having an operation this week, so I thought I'd make a card for her to let her know we're thinking of her at this time.

She really likes earthy tones, so I used this week's Inkspirations Colour challenge - although the Poppy Parade did throw me a bit.... but I think this has worked!

I stamped the For You stamp from Punch Bunch (Sale-a-Bration; retired) three times in each of the colours - Poppy Parade, More Mustard and Cajun Craze - punching out the scallop circle, then the circle and fussy cutting the flowers (the big one also had a little bit of Dazzling Diamonds added). I then inked up the Sanded background stamp with More Mustard and Cajun Craze, and created a faux suede strip in Poppy Parade. The edges of the Very Vanilla were sponged in Cajun Craze, and everything mounted on background card of the same. A few Antique Brass brads and some paper piercing finished it all off.

We're thinking of you Mamma and hope you're back on your feet super soon!

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Punch Bunch (SAB retired), Sanded

Card: Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade

Ink: Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Poppy Parade

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/4" Circle

Other: Metallic Brads, Dazzling Diamonds

Magical Pony

2011-04-03T15:36:00.007+09:30

I am ever so slowly catching up on my backlog of cards that I have - February is now done!! Just have March and the 5 birthdays for this week (yes, that's right, 5 birthdays this week!), plus finishing my calendars..... maybe by Easter.....

This is one of the cards I made last night for a special friend of Luana's who turned 5 (better late than never I say), and I am rather happy with it, I must say. Many thanks to the latest Mojo Monday sketch and ColourQ Challenge for the inspiration.

I wanted to make this card just a touch more special than usual as turning 5 is a big deal!! The pony from Pony Party was stamped in Early Espresso and I coloured her mane using a Pink Pirouette marker (and her hooves) and blender pen with ink pads for the Crumb Cake and Early Espresso (so the colour was a bit softer) before adding some sparkle with Dazzling Diamonds (sparkle always makes things more special! and you can *just* see it in the pic). I also very lightly sponged around the grass in Certainly Celery. The rest just really fell into place from the sketch - such a great one to use - thanks girls! I did reach for a little bit of retired product in the Certainly Celery Prints DSP and Pink Pirouette striped ribbon (actually the first time it has been used.... oops).

Happy Birthday to a very grown up girl - you will be receiving this in the post VERY soon.

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Pony Party, Great Friend

Card: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Certainly Celery Prints DSP (retired)

Ink: Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery

Other: Pink Pirouette Striped Grosgrain ribbon (retired), Dazzling Diamonds, Scallop Trim Edge Punch, Timeless Type Alphabet Junior Sizzlits

Happiness

2011-03-30T22:24:00.006+09:30

My goodness, time does fly.... I didn't realise it had been so long since I posted on here. The last six or so weeks have definitely been full-on; we had a couple of great weeks away catching up with family and friends, we moved house (last time for a LONG time now!) and yes, I'm growing bigger every day! Less than 7 weeks of work now. I have also been trying hard (when I have the energy) to finish some pages for calendars before the middle of the year this year! I *may* just get there (and then should start next year's calendars so this doesn't happen again!).

This fortnight over at jac-inks Papercraft Challenges, the challenge is to use any combination of the current In Colours. So, I used the colour of Luana's dress as inspiration and used Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzazz for this page (with a hint of Early Espresso) - gorgeous combo if I do say so myself! I used markers to ink up 'happiness' from the Tres Chic (retired) background stamp for the title and the flower down the bottom was created using the fabulous line flower from Punched Posies, which is only available until tomorrow! I am really happy with how this page turned out - pure happiness! Thanks for visiting. Stamps: Tres Chic (retired), Punched Posies (Level 2 Hostess - Summer Mini), Great Friend Card: Blushing Bride DSP, Early Espresso, Whisper White Ink: Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz Other: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Clear Rhinestone Brad

Love is in the Air!!

2011-02-11T22:19:00.007+09:30

There are so many heart, love and Valentine related challenges around at the moment, you can't help but smile! I haven't yet made Paul's card and the day will be lucky to be acknowledged in our house as it will be a SUPER busy day for us (we're moving into our OWN home!). However, I do have a love card to share with you that fits a number of challenges....

I have used the hearts, Rose Red and chocolate elements of this weeks Stampin' Celebration inspiration - don't those cakes look scrummy?! And the colours also fit the first challenge for jac-inks Papercraft Challenges (neutrals plus one) - go check them out!! Just Add Ink, Stampin' Royalty and Pixie Dust Studio all have love and heart challenges this week, so I just had to throw my hat in the ring too.

I am really happy with how the card turned out. I have previously only used Sense of Time for masculine cards, but thought the clocks were perfect for this sentiment from Occasional Greetings. I turned my hand to collage stamping again and distressed and inked the edges to keep with the vintage theme. I highlighted the key words of the sentiment using my Rose Red marker, and coloured the rest with the Chocolate Chip one. The main heart was stamped off in Rose Red then rock'n rolled to give a bit of dimension and 'warmth' and a couple of stamped off hearts were stamped on the clock and background. The brads in the corners and the middle of the clock added the finishing touch.

I'm doubt I'll get back on here over the weekend, so I wish you all a wonderful Valentines Day with those you care about.

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Sense of Time, Occasional Greetings, I {Heart} Hearts
Card: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Rose Red
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Rose Red
Other: Brights Brads, Jumbo Brads

Magical Princess

2011-01-23T21:09:00.005+09:30

We attended another party for one of Luana's child care friends today, and my brief for the card was 'princess' and 'pink'. At least this one made the grade this time!! (The last time I made a card for a birthday party I was told it wasn't pretty enough!). Thank you to Annabelle Stamps for the awesome sketch and Scrapmaster's Colour Combos for the colours!

I did add a tiny bit of Certainly Celery so the princess wasn't 'floating' and some Blush Blossom for her skin, but apart from that stuck to the colour combo - perfect for a pretty princess!! I used my Stampin' Write markers to colour this lovely lady and added some sparkle to her crown and wand with Dazzling Diamonds.

Hope you have had a great weekend and thanks for visiting!!

Stamps: Pretty Princess (retired), Scribble Jumbo Wheel, Pony Party

Card: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Regal Rose Patterns DSP (retired)

Ink: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom

Other: Word Window punch, corner rounder punch, Circle Scissors Plus, Dazzling Diamonds, Subtles Brads

Let's Party!

2011-01-18T22:02:00.007+09:30

Stampin' Celebration is another blog I check every week, and it has been WAY too long since I've played along. They have the most awesome inspiration collages and I have been lucky enough to be featured as a Pick of the Party a couple of times :)

This week, they've had a bit of a makeover and are celebrating in a big way, so I wanted to try real hard to play along to show my support. Here's the inspiration pic - birthday!!

I decided to run with the party theme and share with you a couple of 6x6 pages I made for Luana's third (Party Time - above) and second (happy birthday - below) birthdays.

Party Time links in a bit more with the bright colours of the balloons in the inspiration pic. I used one of my go to stamp sets, Eastern Blooms, with my Stampin' Write markers to add highlights to parts of the petals after they had been stamped off - love the two tone effect!

I must admit this would have to be one of my favourite pages; so bright and cheery - just like my girl!!

This page obviously links in with the balloons (2 balloons for birthday #2) and also the more muted colours of the bottom left pic. There's a little bit of sparkle on the balloons too which the photo hasn't picked up too well.

Head on over and visit the girls at Stampin' Celebration - it's a lot of fun!!

Thanks for visiting!

Bright Birthday

2011-01-15T20:59:00.004+09:30

Today I have a card for you that was inspired by two challenge blogs I look at every week but don't get to play along with as much as I'd like. The sketch was provided by Papercraft Star:

and the colour combo by Scrapmaster's Paradise Color Challenge:

I adore these colours together (and of course, there's Rich Razzleberry). I pulled out quite a bit of retired product for this one, and my Printed Petals which hasn't seen ink since Convention - oops. I am really happy with how this turned out - thanks girls!

This bright, happy card will be making it's way to Germany this week for a dear friend's birthday (that I remember every year, and make a card for but never send. It will happen this year!).

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Printed Petals, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Regal Rose

DSP: Pink Flamingo (retired), Regal Rose Printed (retired)

Other: Word Window Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Playground Buttons (retired), Brights Brads, Fairytale Ribbons (retired)

First Dance Concert

2011-01-03T21:45:00.003+09:30

Happy New Year to you!! I hope 2011 is filled with love, laughs and adventure!

Today I have one of my favourite pages that I did of Luana just before her first dance concert. She was SO excited!! As her hair is so curly (and short then) I wasn't able to put it up in a 'proper' ballerina bun, so I curled it as tight as I could. She adored dressing up and wearing make up too! I was a VERY proud Mum that night, albeit a little sad as Paul couldn't make.

I have had this page done for quite some time, but not posted it. Stampin' Royalty gave me the prompt this week with their scrapbooking challenge! Thanks girls.

Scrapping this page was a little harder than I first thought; I think it was the shimmery dress, so I ended up with a black background with Brushed Silver, Tempting Turquoise and Melon Mambo highlights, and lots of Dazzling Diamonds!! My memory is a little fuzzy at the moment, so I won't write a recipe, but if you want details, let me know and I'll put them in.

Must head off to bed as we're back to work tomorrow after the long weekend.

Thanks for visiting!

Welcome Emmy

2010-12-28T20:40:00.005+09:30

Wow! Two posts in two days - maybe this is the start of what used to be :0) It's amazing what wonders a four day weekend can provide!

As I said yesterday, I have quite a backlog of cards to get through (better late than never!) and this card was made to welcome a darling little girl into the world who is the daughter of a good (school) friend of mine. My friend is NOT a fan of pink - and I did warn her when Emmy was born that it is very difficult to get little girl clothes that aren't pink... So, I turned to the trusty Sweet Always DSP for the colour palette (still girly and bright pinks are ok). Emmy turned out to be a bit longer than I thought with the Big Deal Alphabet, so the card evolved into the latest Just Add Ink sketch (which is fab I must say).

I stamped 'e' a second time, fussy cut it out and popped it up to add a little more dimension; some sponging softened the edges. I added the 'not-pink' flowers from Flower fusion and a flower brad, and the thin Chocolate Chip ribbon from Seaside provided the final touch.

The post office is only open two days this week up here, so I'd better get a wriggle on and get this parcel sorted so it does reach Emmy before her first birthday.

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Big Deal Alphabet (retired)
Card: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Summer Picnic DSP (retired), Sweet Always DSP (retired)
Ink: Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie
Other: 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Flower Fusion (retired), flower brad, Seaside Ribbon Originals (retired)

First Birthday Butterflies

2010-12-27T23:04:00.007+09:30

I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas with loved ones! We have been very lucky here to have a 4 day weekend which has been fabulous (and a much needed break) - we still have one day to go! I'm not sure I want to go back to work this week..... Even though it's only for 2 days, then it's another 3 day weekend! Yay!

I have had a very busy few weeks with my celebrating my birthday (my Mum flew up and surprised me for our trip out to Uluru and Kata Tjuta - here's a quick pic of my little family with 'The Rock'. I'll put some more up later) and now Christmas and all the festivities that go along with it. I'll be putting up a post in the next week with my Christmas Card that I sent to family and some other cards I put together. But for tonight, I have a first birthday card for you created using Stampin' Royalty Challenge 51 - a sketch and ColourQ 64.

I have some serious catching up to do on the card making front as I have not been able to create much lately, so these two challenges provided the perfect inspiration for a darling first birthday card. I love all the layers of the sketch and those butterflies are too cute - I don't yet have the butterfly punch (shock!) so I used the 5 petal flower for mine. The flower is scallop circles in Pink Pirouette and Real Red layered (the top layer popped up and the petals cut so they create more dimension).

Thanks for visting and I will try not to leave it so long between posts now energy levels are returning!!

Stamps: Best Friends Numbers (retired)

Card: Real Red, Pear Pizzazz, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Sweet Always DSP (retired), Patterns DSP

Ink: Real Red, Regal Rose

Punches: 5 Petal Flower, Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle

Other: Beachfront Ribbons Originals (retired)

It's a Boy Baby Shower

2010-12-04T22:28:00.008+09:30

Hello again!

I must apologise for being MIA for so long. We went away for a well earned family break and it has taken me longer than anticipated to a) recover from it and b) find my mojo again and be inspired to play. I am slowly getting there and have made a few bits and pieces over the last few weeks, but hopefully I will be back to posting at least once a week very soon.

So, after such a long hiatus, today's creation is quite simple for a friend's baby shower. After 2 girls she has found out she is having a boy and is understandably very excited. I couldn't go past this week Colour Throwdown challenge for colour inspiration, and the current Sketch 'n' Color sketch was just perfect for the 'boy':

I am loving Marina Mist - it's such a great colour and due to my lack of creating, this is the first time I have used it. I can assure you, you're likely to be seeing A LOT more of it in the future!!

I started with a base of Marina Mist and attached on top a background of Summer Picnic DSP (retired) which had been pierced around the edge and layered on a thin base of Whisper White.

'Baby' from All Year Cheer II (retired) was stamped in Marina Mist, as well as the 'b' and 'y' from Big Deal Alphabet (retired). The 'o' was created using the 1 3/4" and 1 1/4" circle punches and finshed off with a cute little monkey from Fox & Friends stamped in Chocolate Chip. The 'o' and the monkey were popped up with dimensionals.

I know this is quite basic, but I hope this is not a disappointing return :)

I will be back in the next day or two - promise!

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: All Year Cheer II (retired), Big Deal Alphabet (retired), Fox & Friends

Card: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Summer Picnic DSP (retired)

Ink: Marina Mist, Chocolate Chip

Other: 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Paper Piercer

Baby Lachlan Thanks

2010-10-07T22:34:00.005+09:30

It is cold, wet and dreary here again in the Red Centre - I certainly was NOT expecting this type of weather when we moved here (almost a year ago now!). We were teased on the weekend with some lovely hot days (but it did not stay for too long)..... so, I was out in the sunshine, not inside crafting.

I have been working on a project for a friend of mine though. She asked me to make some thank you/announcement cards for her little man who arrived a couple months ago. He really is a darling little boy; dark hair, blue eyes, and I'm sure he's been here before. He has been very spoiled, so she asked for quite a few cards. I wanted to make them cute, but keep it simple enough to make a whole stack without sending myself cross-eyed.

I pulled out the ever trusty and oh-so-cute Bundle of Joy and used traditional boy colours - Night of Navy, Bashful Blue and Crumb Cake (which also fit the Annabelle Stamps Say It With.... Brown and Blue challenge this week). I used my blender pen to colour the giraffe, and added a bit of depth by adding a second layer of colour to the middle of the spots.

Even though I haven't shown it here, the front is quite simple, just a Night of Navy panel torn at the bottom for a photo to be mounted on (and it's a very cute one!).

This project also fits the bill for Pixie Dust Studios 'Sweet Baby' Challenge this week. I have only just found their blog and it features some very talented crafters!

Thank you for visiting and when I finish these thank yous, I have a ton more cards I need to make before the end of the month that hopefully I'll be able to share sooner rather than later!

Stamps: Bundle of Joy (retired)

Card: Crumb Cake, Night of Navy, Whisper White

Ink: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue

Ribbon Rose for Annika

2010-09-27T22:09:00.007+09:30

I have been a very bad friend and have not yet made a welcome card for a good friend's little girl who arrived into the world a few months ago.... I have had every intention, but lacking inspiration, until the Just Add Ink colour challenge from a few weeks ago (Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Crumb Cake), which I didn't play along with due to lack of time (and the move may have had something to do with it to!!). I was stoked when the Challenge appeared again on ESAD - one of the Stampin' Community groups I am on (albeit using ONLY those colours, no neutrals!). Plus, this gorgeous inspiration from Stampin' Celebration helped too:

The colours linked in and I drew inspiration from the gorgeous flowers and made a ribbon rose:

I'm so please with how this turned out. Annika took up a bit more space on the card than I had planned, so my rose stem didn't make it to the card.

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Petals Jumbo Wheel (retired)

Card: Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Afternoon Tea DSP (retired)

Ink: Versamark

Other: Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Timeless Type Alphabet

Christmas Scrapping

2010-09-27T21:37:00.007+09:30

I held a Christmas in July cardmaking session back in July using half an I Wish Simply Scrappin' kit. There is SO much in those kits that I also made a few other projects with only a couple of extra pieces of cardstock - including a couple of scrapbook pages - and still have bits and pieces left over!

The Nipper page is 12"x12" and is actually the first Christmas page I have scrapped for Luana. This was her first visit ride on Nipper at the Magic Cave and she had a ball (but didn't think too much at all of the Santa visit). I added a bit of interest across the page using the snowflakes from Snow Swirled stamped in the same colour as the cardstock. The Nipper title was done using the Big Shot.

I also had enough bits and pieces to put together this 6"x6" page of us with my grandparents. They met us at the airport when we flew in, just before Grandad went to his second to last chemo treatment, so it really was a special Christmas - being with the ones I love.

Thank you to the Stampin' Royalty DT for giving me the push to share these with you. Their challenge this week is 'Anything but a Card'.

Thanks for visiting!!

Stamps: Snow Swirled
Card: I Wish Simply Scrappin' Kit (retired), Chocolate Chip, Old Olive

Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle

Other: Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Timeless Type Alphabet

Papercraft Star Debut

2010-09-25T23:01:00.006+09:30

We have been hit by some nasty bugs this week in our house, so I was happy to be able to sit down today to make a card. However, I am writing this post slowly in between settling a little person back to sleep.

I have been introduced to another great challenge blog recently, Papercraft Star, and have been able to play along with their recipe challenge this week:

- 5.5" x 5.5" card base

- 5" x 5" mat

- score mat 5 times at 1/4"

- 3 flowers (die cut or punch)

- 3 buttons and twine

I teamed the recipe with the colour challenge over at Pile It On (haven't played with them for a while): red, yellow, brown and green - I've used Riding Hood Red, So Saffron, Soft Suede and Certainly Celery.

I still haven't unpacked all my craft gear, so originally thought to use some of the Blooms Die Cuts for the recipe but still can't find them. However, I did find some old Accents and Elements that had self adhesive die cuts that fit the colour challenge and paired them with some Riding Hood Red buttons from Button Bouquet. Instead of threading hemp twine through the button holes, I 'wove' the twine behind the petals of the flowers to create another layer of the flower. Here's a close up:

I scored the Certainly Celery Prints DSP three times across the bottom and twice along the right hand side - you can just see it in the photo.

As this card was made for someone special who is a bit under the weather at the moment, the sentiment from Like It a Latte was just right.

Fingers crossed all are on the mend now....

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Like It a Latte (retired)

Card: Soft Suede, Certainly Celery, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Certainly Celery Prints DSP (retired)

Ink: Riding Hood Red

Punches: Oval, Scallop Oval

Other: Button Bouquet (retired), Hemp Twine, Accents and Elements (retired)

Welcome Baby Girl

2010-09-21T23:04:00.006+09:30

Yay! I have been able to sit down tonight to play! A colleague of mine asked me to make a couple of baby girl cards, and it's taken me a while to get around to making the second one, but tonight was the night.

I have been visiting a new challenge site CASE Study Challenge Blog for a few weeks now and have been meaning to play along; tonight is my debut! Each month a muse is chosen (this month is Mariana Grigsby) and each week they provide a gorgeous card to inspire us! I have worked with the layout as my inspiration for this card.

This card is also a bit of a homage to retired product - a couple of stamp sets, DSP and Close to Cocoa (such a good colour for baby projects). I stamped the teddy from Bundle of Joy onto some Candy Lane DSP and fussy cut it out before mounting it on a 1 3/4" circle that had been sponged with Close to Cocoa ink and edged with Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette Scallops. A panel of the reverse side of the Candy Lane DSP was taped across the Close to Cocoa card base, with scallop edges of Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette. A sweet greeting from Nursery Necessities and some Pink Pirouette ribbon provided the finishing touches.

Head on over to the CASE Study Challenge Blog and check out what the muse and Design Team have to offer - it's sure to inspire!

Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: Nursery Necessities (retired), Bundle of Joy (retired)

Card: Close to Cocoa (retired), Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, Candy Lane DSP (retired)

Ink: Close to Cocoa (retired)

Punches: Scallop Edge, 1 3/4" Circle, Word Window

Other: Pink Pirouette Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

Fourth Birthday Party This Way

2010-09-12T21:02:00.005+09:30

We've had a busy day of birthday parties today - two in the one day, overlapping in time and thank goodness at the same location! So, last night I stayed up making cards for the birthday boys.

My card today was for the first party and this picture featured over at Stampin' Royalty for this weeks challenge provided the inspiration (and it's also in the current catalogue!):

I took inspiration from the pennants and the colours of the lollies in the jars - nice and bright for a 4 year old full of energy!

As this card was for a boy, I cut the scallops off the pennant stamp from the new set Party This Way and strung them together with hemp twine (and mounted them with dimensionals); the '4' comes from the BDay Party RubOns - a great collection of birthday rubons. I created a bit more of a party fell with a cluster of balloons, and used Stampin' Write markers to colour the arrow.

This card contains 5 layers, so also fits the bill for this weeks Pile It On Challenge - Layers. It's been a while since I joined in over there.

It's still raining here; I thought living in the desert we'd hardly see rain, but apparently it's the third wettest year in recorded history.... So here's hoping it settles soon.

Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: Party This Way

Card: Yoyo Yellow, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Ink: Yoyo Yellow, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Green Galore

Other: Hemp Twine, Bday Party Rub-Ons

Sweet Elephant

2010-09-08T21:27:00.004+09:30

We still have a few boxes to be unpacked (most of them being my craft boxes), but I still found enough to be able to make a card to celebrate the birth of a baby girl. It's a bit of a homage to retired product too - I'm really going to miss having Wild About You in the catalogue - it will still be getting a workout from me, and Sweet Always DSP, well, maybe I should have ordered a few more packs to keep me going!

I used the Just Add Ink sketch challenge as inspiration - isn't the bow so sweet?

Using the Sweet Always DSP for colour inspiration, I stamped the elephant twice - cutting out just the ear from one and mounting it with dimensionals. The background stamps on the small panel from Always third generation stamped in Regal Rose and Pumpkin Pie so they didn't over power the elephant, which was also mounted using dimensionals. The corners of the panel were rounded with the Corner Rounder punch and I used the Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon for the cute little bow - it's fabulous to work with!

Hopefully I'll get more unpacked this weekend and have a bit more to share with you over the next few weeks.

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Wild About You, Always

Card: Pink Pirouette, Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Always DSP

Ink: Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie
Other: Corner Rounder Punch, Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon

Birthday Unicorn

2010-09-03T23:44:00.004+09:30

I'm sorry it's been a while since my last post - we moved house at very short notice, so I had to pack up my stamping gear (I didn't realise how much I actually have until packing it all!), and we are slowly getting through the unpacking. I'm hoping to get some stamping done this weekend; maybe tomorrow while Paul watches his team in the footy (AFL) final.

Anyway, I have a card for you that I made for a gorgeous little girl who turned 2 at the start of July. She's the twin to the little darling who received this card. I bought Pretty Pony for Luana, but couldn't resist inking it up for the girls; a unicorn for one, and a pegasus for the other. I used my blender pen to add some colour to the mane and added some magic with Dazzling Diamonds.

This almost didn't make it to the intended recipient as Luana saw it and fell in love with it.

Hopefully it won't be so long to my next post.

Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: Pretty Pony

Card: Pixie Pink, Pink Passion, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Certainly Celery Prints DSP (retired)

Ink: Pixie Pink, Pink Passion

Other: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Linen Thread, Sherbert Buttons (retired), Soft Subtles Brads (retired), Dazzling Diamonds

Helping Hudson Challenge 9 - Colour

2010-08-21T23:23:00.003+09:30

The last challenge for the Helping Hudson fundraiser was a colour one. We could choose ANY colour we wanted, and could use as many shades as we wanted in that colour, but only ONE neutral. I didn't realised how little I worked with just one or two colours these days....

I really wanted to do a card in Pale Plum and Perfect Plum (especiall as Pale Plum is retiring in 9 days.....), but ended up with the pinks - Pretty in Pink and Pink Pirouette - with Whisper White as my neutral.

I used this sketch from Annabelle Stamps as a starting point (with a little bit of artistic licence), and also a card featured in this months Impressions.

I pulled out another couple of products in the new catalogue - the A La Carte stamp For You Flower with the coordinating Fancy Flower punch. I stamped the flower in Pink Pirouette 5 times and used the 1 3/8" Circle Punch to punch out the centres, then stamped the flower twice on Pretty in Pink and used the Fancy Flower punch. Four of the word circles were used for the base panel of Pink Pirouette mounted on Pretty in Pink. I added some Pretty in Pink brads in the corners. The petals of the flowers were curled a bit to add dimension and each layer was mounted with dimensionals. The little 'for you' was cut from one of the Pretty in Pink flowers and mounted in a little bit of Pretty in Pink card. To finish, I broke open (yes, it hasn't been used yet....) my wide Pink Pirouette ribbon (retired) and used a little bit of linen thread to tie it off at the side of the card.

This photo doesn't do the card justice - it really is quite sweet - so I'll try to take a better pic tomorrow.

Well done again the everyone and particularly the Helping Hudson team for helping Hudson get his KidWalker!!

Thanks for visiting.

Stamp: For You Flower
Card: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette
Punches: 1 3/8" Circle, Fancy Flower
Other: Soft Subtles Brads, Pink Pirouette 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread

Helping Hudson Challenge 8 - Technique

2010-08-21T23:20:00.003+09:30

Here we are, post #2 for tonight. Challenge 8 over at Helping Hudson is a technique one where we were challenged to use embossing AND sponging as they were the two most favourite techniques in response to a question posed earlier in the fundraiser.

I wasn't quite sure what to do with this challenge, but was inspired by this fabulous card by the very talented Kim Badelt. A good friend of mine announced her engagement a few weeks ago, and I hadn't yet made a card for the lovely couple, so decided to use this challenge to do so. What is more romantic than Paris?!

I pulled out my brand new Artistic Etchings set and paired it with Newsprint DSP - both are from the new Catalogue coming out 1st September! I clear embossed the Eiffel Tower and sponged Melon Mambo over it. I second and third generation stamped the round stamp around the edges and also lightly sponged them. This panel was mounted on an angle on a panel of Melon Mambo the same size which had the edges distressed. I also frayed the edges of some Melmon Mambo ribbon and attached it with staples to a Basic Black card base.

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Artistic Etchings
Card: Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Newsprint DSP
Ink: Melong Mambo
Other: Clear Embossing Powder, Melon Mambo Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon

Helping Hudson Challenge 7 - Sketch

2010-08-21T23:17:00.004+09:30

This week is the final week for the Helping Hudson fundraiser and I was so pleased to read today that Hudson will receive his KidWalker!!!

I've played along with all three challenges this week (and am putting my entries in by the skin of my teeth). This first one was a sketch challenge, which I paired with the current Just Add Ink Colour Challenge.

My very first thought when I saw these colours was Christmas, so I decided to run with it, but I did add a bit of Very Vanilla....

I have used the lovely Snow Swirled set, with the Real Red tree as the feature. I added some sparkle with Dazzling Diamonds, but that hasn't come up well in the photo (will try to take a better one tomorrow morning). I also stamped off some snowflakes after inking them up with Chocolate Chip ink for the background. The panel was edged with Chocolate Chip ink and mounted on the same cardstock, and a greeting and some Real Red wide grosgrain ribbon finished the job!

I have two more posts tonight, but well done the the Helping Hudson team!!

Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: Snow Swirled
Card: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red
Other: Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Helping Hudson and Just Add Ink

2010-08-14T22:52:00.005+09:30

The girls over at Just Add Ink are supporting the Helping Hudson fundraiser and this week have set the weekly challenge theme of 'Wheels' to tie in with it.

I paired this with the sketch challenge from Helping Hudson to create this gorgeous (if I do say so myself!) pegasus card for a very special little girl. The circles and the So Swirly Jumbo Wheel as the background meet the JAI criteria!

I used a blender pen to add colour to the mane, tail, wings and hooves and lots of Dazzling Diamonds to make it that bit more magical!

Thanks for visiting and don't forget to head over to the Helping Hudson blog to lend your support.

Stamps: Pony Party (Autumn Winter Mini), So Swirly Jumbo Wheel
Card: Lovely Lilac, Almost Amethyst, Whisper White
Ink: Lovely Lilac, Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery
Other: Circle Scissors Plus, Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Dazzling Diamonds

Helping Hudson

2010-08-14T22:31:00.006+09:30

One of the things I love about being part of Stampin' Up! is the community spirit and support.

Helping Hudson is a fundraising project established to help the son of a fellow demonstrator.

Gorgeous Hudson has complex medical conditions and has had a challenging start to life. He has recently been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and receives extensive physiotherapy. His parents have noticed his frustration with not being able to make his body do what he wants it to and have looked into purchasing a KidWalker. A KidWalker is a mobility aid that will help him learn to walk and take him another step further on the journey to independence.

Helping Hudson is a fundraising project put together by a group of stampers to help raise the funds needed to purchase this valuable piece of equipment. Hop on over to the Helping Hudson blog to make a donation and purchase fabulous tutorial packages, and there are blog challenges and giveaways too.

One of the challenges this week is a colour challenge, so I put together a welcome card for another wonderful little boy who has just joined the world - Jasper.

I used little images from Nursery Necessities to create a background, and pulled out my BigShot for the letters. It's such a cool machine!

Thanks for visiting and head on over to the Helping Hudson blog and make a donation!

Stamps: Nursery Necessities

Card: Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Baja Breeze, So Saffron

Other: Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain, Large Star Punch, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet

Curtain Call Colour Challenge 42

2010-08-14T00:21:00.007+09:30

I'm slowly making my way through the backlog of cards I need to make, and tonight the Curtain Call Colour Challenge and the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge helped me make my sister's birthday card :)

This was a great colour combo to work with, but I substituted Pumpkin Pie for Peach Parfait, Certainly Celery for Pear Pizazz and Chocolate Chip for Early Espresso as we don't have these colours in Australia yet - and I'm really looking forward to playing with them soon!! Our new catalogue starts in 2 weeks!!

Karen provided another fabulous sketch this week too which is so versatile!

I pulled out a few retired bits and pieces for my sister's card, but also inked up Cottage Garden for the first time; I am quite pleased to see it staying in the new catalogue. I used a bit of masking and stamping off, and added a half pearl from the Pretties Kit to finish it off.

Thanks for visiting and I'm planning to get through a few more cards this weekend, so hopefully will have some more posts for you soon.

Stamps: Cottage Garden (Autumn-Winter Mini), Happy Moments (retired), Itty Bitty Backgrounds (retired)

Card: Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla

DSP: Au Chocolate (retired)

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip

Other: Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Pretties Kit

For Dad

2010-08-12T22:16:00.010+09:30

Hiya All,

I'm so sorry it has been so long since my last post; with interstate courses, being sick, celebrating a little person's birthday, having visitors and reorganising lots of bits and pieces I haven't had much time to stamp (and if I have, I haven't had the time to photograph it then blog!). So, hopefully what I post tonight will be worth the wait....

I thought I'd missed out on last weeks Inkspirations Colour Challenge, but was quietly pleased to find out today it had been extended a week. I took Keesh's advice and made a Father's Day card for my Dad (even though I have a heap of July birthday cards and welcome baby cards that need to be made) - and he was sitting across the table from me while I was making it :)

I wove strips of faux suede cardstock in Close to Cocoa and Not Quite Navy for the base of the greeting from Greetings Eight, which was stamped in More Mustard and mounted on the same. The More Mustard panel at the bottom of the card was dampened, scrunched a bit and sponged to add texture before being paper pierced around the edge. I even decorated the inside of this one too!!

So, here are a few pics of what I have been up to over the last few weeks....

Luana celebrated her fourth birthday with a ladybug themed party (invites and card to come in a later post).

We took Mum and Dad out exploring the East MacDonnell Ranges and we had a great time at Emily Gap and Trephina Gorge:

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Greeting Eight

Card: Not Quite Navy, Kraft, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla

DSP: Urban Oasis

Ink: More Mustard

Other: Paper Piercer

Celebrating Color Throwdown's 100th!!

2010-07-12T20:25:00.006+09:30

How awesome is that - 100 challenges! I haven't been playing along with Color Throwdown since the beginning (I think they were in the 30's when I discovered them) but I have played along a few times, and the colour combos are always great. To celebrate the 100th Challenge, there are heaps of wonderful prizes up for grabs and STACKS of awesome inspiration.... And a doozy of a colour challenge....

I think it's the pink and red together that gets me.....

I pulled out my (new) two step bird punch for this one (isn't he so cute!), and used a scallop circle to help me with the effect of the clouds in the background.

Congratulations girls on 100 challenges - I know I'll be sticking with you for the next 100!!

Stamps: Heard from the Heart (Autumn-Winter Mini)

Card: Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

DSP: Certainly Celery Prints (retired), Urban Garden, Regal Rose Patterns, Ski Slope (retired)

Ink: Baja Breeze

Other: Extra Large Two Step Bird Punch (Autumn-Winter Mini), Scallop Circle Punch, White Gel Pen

Asian Simplicity

2010-07-07T20:50:00.006+09:30

I have been itching to ink up my new Asian Artistry stamp set but hadn't quite found the right project until it was time to make a friend's birthday card. She lived in Japan for quite some time and her decor is definitely Asian inspired, so this was the stamp set for her card.

Also, I knew this was the set to use when I saw the lovely sketch at Just Add Ink this week:

and the Inkspirations colour challenge was just right too:

I wanted simplicity to be THE feature of this card, so just popped up the little birdie, swiped the Whisper White in Old Olive ink and ran my fingernail along the Rich Razzleberry to add a touch of texture.

I must apologise for the dark photo, but as those of you in Australia know, it has been SO cold here in the Alice the last few days (coldest day in 66 years yesterday!!) and added to that natural light has not been abundant due to all the clouds hanging around... The Todd is almost flowing again though.

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Asian Artistry (Level 2 Hostess Set, Autumn/Winter Mini), Starring You

Card: Kraft, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive

Pearls and Flowers

2010-07-03T09:16:00.003+09:30

A super quick post today as we're heading out to the Show again. Thanks Karen and the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge for the inspiration for this one!

Thanks for visiting!

Birthdays are Always Sweet

2010-07-02T22:13:00.006+09:30

I thought I'd run out of time to officially play with this weeks Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge - but I've just made it!

For tonight's card Ihave kept it VERY simple and have not embellished, as this is for a friend who loves DSP, but doesn't really like fancy and fussy designs (you may recall me making a couple of cards for her last yeat before I was happy!). So, I focussed in the Sweet Always DSP and used a rather sweet stamp from Time to Party with some paper piecing.

Another July birthday taken care of!

On a completely separate note, we went to the Show today and Luana had a great time - patting cows, checking out the other animals, slipping over in the mud (ok, not such a great time then....), playing on a HUGE bouncy 'castle', collecting stamps and goodies for the Yellow Brick Road Showbag (and whatever else she could score) and riding on the same ride (a train convoy thing) she has chosen for her ride every year since she has been able to make a choice!!

Here she is playing a fishing game at the Emergency Services display....

She was strapped into a hoist and there was at least half a metre between her feet and the ground!! She 'caught' a frog and was so proud of herself - Mummy and Daddy were very proud too at how brave she was!! We weren't sure how she'd go with it.

Hope you're having a great weekend too! Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: Time to Party

Card: Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Sweet Always DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie

Punches: 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Circle, Scallop Edge, Corner Rounder

Celebrate!

2010-07-01T22:42:00.007+09:30

Boys/male cards are always a tad more challenging it seems, but it does seem to help a bit when the colour scheme is already nutted out for you (like using DSP for inspiration, or a colour challenge) and this week's Curtain Call Colour Challenge was my help for my brother's birthday card.

Add to this the same colours and stars from this weeks Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge and I was good to go!! The star panel was created by 'rolling off' the Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel and using the second generation stamp, and was mounted on a very thin border of Real Red. The edges of the base card were lightly sponged with Night of Navy. I wanted to add texture to this card, so the edges of the white panel were distressed with scissors and I sprayed the larger Night of Navy panel with water before scrunching it and allowing it to dry, and torn the edge of it as well as the Whisper White underneath. The Celebrate! banner was popped up with dimensionals in the middle to give the illusion of 'movement' and a few punched stars were scattered to finish.

Stacey of the Curtain Call Colour Challenge is giving away some blog candy to celebrate the launch of the new In Colours in the US IB&C, so pop on over and give her some comment love - or better still, create a card for the Curtain Call!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!! We'll have a drink together soon!

Happy Fourth of July, Happy Canada Day and Happy Territory Day (1st July too!!) too!

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: All Year Cheer II (retired), Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel
Card: Kraft, Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Night of Navy
Punches: Small Star, Star

Fifth Avenue Rose with Dimension

2010-06-29T23:56:00.005+09:30

I really should be heading to bed, but I'll just share this card with you tonight too...

For the first time, I have been a bit organised and actually registered to enter a couple of cards in the local show.... then the hard part was deciding which cards to actually put in; I haven't been to an Alice Springs Show, so have no idea what the standard is like or what the judges look for. Anyways, this is one of the cards I put together as an option, but it didn't make the cut (Paul preferred a different one).... but it fits a couple of challenges: Just Add Ink - Just Add Patterned Paper and ABC - X is for Xtra Dimension (there are 4 layers to that rose - I tried 6 but it looked a bit weird!!).

I used last weeks Mojo Monday Sketch (#144) as a basis. The satin ribbon is folded a bit at the edges, but the square panels are a bit big to show the full effect.

I'm quite happy with how this one turned out (especially as it was a late night effort). I just guess Paul doesn't like flowery/girly cards :)

Thanks again for visiting!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral

Card: Kraft, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Urban Oasis DSP

Ink: Baja Breeze

Other: Vintage Brads, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, Fashion District Rubons (retired)

Girly Birthday Cake

2010-06-29T23:30:00.006+09:30

Luana had her first Alice Springs birthday party on the weekend. She had an awesome time on the bouncy castle and the climbing wall, and it was great to meet some more parents in town. The theme was Princess Party, and I had every intention of using Pretty Princess, but then saw this Inspiration Challenge from Stampin' Celebration and just had to play along:

The cupcakes and flowers were just too sweet to pass by..... I have been visiting Stampin' Celebration since they started a couple of months ago and love the Inspiration Challenges they come up with, but must admit this is my first time playing. Isn't this weeks Inspiration just so girly and gorgeous?!

I teamed this challenge with the latest Inkspirations sketch challenge, being hosted by Cindy this week.

Cindy has issued an additional challenge of 'using something from your stash you have been hoarding for a long time'. Well, I pulled out two stashed products - Certainly Celery Prints DSP (I think it's about 2 years old now....) and Pink Pirouette Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (this is the first time it's seen the light if day since I bought it!!).

It's really hard to see and it hasn't come out as well in the Pink Pirouette as it does with darker colours like Chocolate Chip, but I used the small swirl from Priceless to kiss the cupcake icing to simulate the swirls of the knife (my icing is NEVER smooth!).

Hope you're having a great week and thanks for visiting!!

Stamps: Big Bold Birthday. Priceless

Card: Pale Plum, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Certainly Celery Prints DSP (retired)

Ink: Pale Plum, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red

Other: Clear Rhinestone Brads, Dazzling Diamonds, Pink Pirouette Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Oval Punch, Scallop Circle Punch

Warm Wishes with Roses

2010-06-22T21:48:00.007+09:30

I love the fact that there is so much in Stampin' Up! that coordinates, so it makes it quite easy to put together effective projects without too much stress! I had this rose from A Rose is a Rose floating around as a UFO when the box it was originally on did not survive the move. Put it together with some Bella Rose DSP, add a few half pearls and a greeting and you're done!

Plus have great sketches to work with helps too - thanks Karen and the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge!!

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: A Rose is a Rose, Cheer & Wishes

Card: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Bella Rose DSP

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss

Other: Pretties Kit

Retro Pears

2010-06-22T21:32:00.006+09:30

It was another colleague/friend's birthday this week, but I was having difficulty trying to figure out what type of card to make... The other girls were relatively easy - one is more 'classic' and the other quite girly - but putting my finger on the right style this time.... one of the other girls suggested I go 'retro', so this is what I came up with (quite fitting for a dietitian with the pears too!!).

I have kept it quite simple as my friend isn't into frills and flounces; I quite like the effect of the layered ribbon and this is the first time I've used my corduroy buttons!!

I realised after I finished it that although I made this for a female, it could quite easily be suitable for a male too (I think it's the colours...), so it fits the Stampin' Royalty 'Masculine' challenge this week.

Now to get cracking on my brother's birthday card...

Thanks for visiting!

Stamp: Birthday Wish (retired)
Card: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Good Morning Sunshine DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss
Other: Corner Rounder Punch (non-SU), Kiwi Kiss Corduroy Buttons (retired), 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon

A Little Bird Told Me.....

2010-06-20T22:39:00.005+09:30

Since this years IB&C came out, I've been looking Cheep Talk and a little while ago I finally bought it, but today is the first time it's seen my ink pads!! It's been a little while since I've played with Color Throwdown and I LOVE these colours!!

I have no less than 12 birthdays in July, so this will take care of one!! Better get cracking on the others too now.....

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Cheep Talk, A Little Birthday Cheer

Card: Night of Navy, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

DSP: Urban Garden, Pink Flamingo, Certainly Celery Prints (retired)

Ink: Certainly Celery, Cameo Coral, Night of Navy

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/4" Circle

Other: Paper Piercer

Faux Suede Flowers

2010-06-20T22:18:00.008+09:30

I've seen faux suede used quite a bit around the blogs lately, and Shelli also demonstrated it at Convention, so I thought I'd give it a go with this card to add more texture to the flowers, and the backing ovals behind the greeting. I think the flowers would pop a bit more with more layers, but I made it as an option for a friend's grandmother, so I wanted to keep it flattish for the International post.

Tonight my inspiration has come from Colour Q and Sketch'n'Color; I didn't realise it had been so long since I'd played along with Colour Q....

The flowers actually look quite sweet with the scallop circles and the larger flower flower from Boho Blossoms; I gently swiped the edges of the Apricot Appeal layer with Cameo Coral ink, and the layers were gently scrunched a bit to add some extra texture.

Thanks for visting!

Stamps: Priceless, Vintage Labels (retired), So Swirly Jumbo Wheel

Card: Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal

Ink: Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, Always Artichoke

Other: Cream Grosgrain ribbon, 5/16" Jumbo Brads, Scallop Circle Punch, Small Oval Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch

Mmmm... Melon Mambo

2010-06-14T14:42:00.008+09:30

I know I am lamenting the retirement of Pixie Pink, but I am seriously loving playing with Melon Mambo, so my loss may not be as difficult as I first thought (plus, I've started to order more cardstock to keep me going....).

This weeks Sketch'n'Color Challenge gave me the excuse to play with Melon Mambo in a colour combination I never would have thought to use:

I'm quite happy with how this card turned out, but I do think it's hard to go wrong with Pick-a-Petal!

Hope you had a great weekend - we're enjoying the long weekend here!

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Pick a Petal

Card: Soft Suede, Kraft, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

Ink: Melon Mambo

Other: Hidden Garden Rubons (retired), Sherbet Designer Buttons (retired), linen thread, scallop edge punch

Curtain Call Colour Challenge Act 33

2010-06-12T00:18:00.005+09:30

Another week has flown by and here we are heading into a long weekend. Our original plans for camping this weekend have been postponed to later in the year, but we may head out to the Finke Desert Race for a bit; it's such a huge part of the Alice Springs culture, we really should participate a bit while we're here.

Tonight's simple offering is for a friend whose birthday was a few weeks ago and I hadn't yet made a card.... Thanks Stacey for the great colours once again!

For the flowers, I inked up the retired set Blooming with Happiness for the very first time! I used the skirt from the dress to create a background and layered a couple of the 5 petal flowers onto a Night of Navy one. I was reading a Fifi and the Flowertots book with Luana last night, and the cornflowers in it made me think of these flowers... you might see a few more of these over the next few weeks!

I'll pop this in the post for my friend this weekend, so hopefully it will get there before next weekend - better late than never!

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Blooming with Happiness (retired), A Little Birthday Cheer
Card: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Whisper White, Summer Picnic DSP (retired)
Ink: Night of Navy
Other: Certainly Celery 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, 5/8" Jumbo Brads, 5 petal flower punch

Luana and Pop

2010-06-10T15:49:00.006+09:30

Last weekend I finally did a few more scrapbook pages I have been meaning to for AGES, including this one. It was taken at Christmas time, hence Luana in red and white striped leggings(!!), so red in the layout was a given. This weeks Inkspiration Colour Challenge provided the other colours, which I hadn't considered before the challenge - sometimes I get so caught up in colour I forget about the neutrals...

We don't get to see Paul's Pop very often (actually, we've only seen him 3 times since Luana was born), and Luana is his only great grandchild, so the time we spend with him is super special; I know it drives Paul's Auntie nuts, but I try to take as many photos as possible when we're with them.

I'm looking forward to our next visit down there early next year - Luana will REALLY be able to hold a decent conversation with Pop then :)

Stamps: Big Deal Alphabet, Tidy Alphabet (retired)

Card: Kraft, Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Grey Patterns II (Hostess Gift 09/10)

Ink: Real Red, Basic Grey

Other: Playground Buttons (retired), linen thread

Warm Birthday Wishes

2010-06-04T23:00:00.006+09:30

I am very much drawn to cool colours, so this week's Curtain Call Colour Challenge is certainly one with colours I wouldn't normally reach for, especially in that combination (what?! no blue or green in there!). It is quite a lovely colour scheme though.

I also thought this weeks Sketch'n'Color challenge was a bit of a doozy when I first saw it, but was pleasantly surprised at how the card came together with using the different sized felt flowers from Flower Fusion.

I also thought I'd try gathering ribbon on this card too, which was a bit of fun and I like the effect!

Not sure who this card is going to be for, but I have a lot of birthdays coming up in July, so I'm sure it won't have trouble finding who it belongs to.

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Vintage Labels (retired)

Card: Summer Sun, Regal Rose, Apricot Appeal, Patterns Pack II DSP

Ink: Regal Rose

Other: Flower Fusion, Vintage Brads, Rose Ribbon (non-SU)

Vintage Spring Flowers

2010-06-04T20:58:00.005+09:30

Vintage is one of those styles you may have noticed I've been trying my hand at a bit lately. Shelli held a great session on Vintage Style at Convention, and I was happy to learn that basically 'anything goes', so I'm quite happy to be finding MY vintage style. I figure I'm on the right with this card as Paul said it looks "old".....

This fortnight's challenge over at ABC Challenge is V is for Vintage and I really wanted to use the flower I had made, so the Taylored Expressions sketch this week was just right - and it came together quite easily using the DSP as the main panel. I thought the half scallop circles were enough detail without adding brads too.

One of the aspects I think of when thinking Vintage is texture, so I used my fingernail to roughen the edges of the greeting panel, and I am so happy with how the flower turned out!

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: A Little Birthday Cheer

Card: Old Olive, So Saffron, Springs Flowers DSP (retired)

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Other: Scallop Circle Punch, Jumbo 5/16" Brads

Baby 'K'

2010-06-03T22:11:00.007+09:30

It's been great this week to get back into some cardmaking again and some challenges! Seriously, last week I was so tired from having a blast at Convention (not to mention the midnight hot chocolate at St Moritz cafe - YUM) that I fell asleep on the couch every day after work and my bedtime averaged 8pm.... Must be getting old... But tonight I havea sweet little card for you that I made for a colleague to take to a baby shower. Mum-to-be knows she is have a little girl, and they have chosen a name starting with K. This weeks Scrapmasters Paradise Colour Challenge is just perfect for baby girl cards (you might even see it used again over the weekend yet; plus it's been ages since I've been able to play along), and the Inkspirations sketch this week was perfect for a monogram.

Thanks for visiting!!

Stamps: Nursery Necessities, Jumbo Outline Alphabet

Card: Creamy Caramel, Pretty in Pink, Blush Blossom, Very Vanilla

Ink: Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/4" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle

Other: Soft Subtles Brads

Tini's New House!

2010-06-02T22:08:00.004+09:30

A work colleague (and friend of mine) has just taken the plunge and entered the property market, so I made this little card for her housewarming.

I HAD to use this week's Just Add Ink Colour Challenge of Taken with Teal, Elegant Eggplant and Melon Mambo, because she has recently purchased a Taken with Teal coloured top for work that I adore, so I bought one too, to not wear to work - but they do have different neck lines!!

Good Neighbours was the perfect little stamp set for this card (and the first time it's seen ink to be honest), finished with some of the gorgeous Melon Mambo polka dot grograin ribbon.

Just a quick one tonight but thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Good Neighbour (retired)

Card: Taken with Teal, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White

Ink: Taken with Teal, Elegant Eggplant, Melon Mambo

Other: Melon Mambo Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon

Finally!!

2010-05-23T20:33:00.005+09:30

Sorry for the long time between posts, but I have a good reason - honest!! I was busy making swaps for my first Convention, and I arrived home today, still buzzing after a great weekend.

We had an awesome time in Sydney (my first visit) and I was fortunate to share a room and spend lots of overdue time with my friend and upline Karen. I also met a couple of blog friends in the flesh, made some new friends too, received some AWESOME swaps, made some great projects and came home inspired!

So, here's the most popular of my swaps (by a narrow margin). I wanted to work with collaging again and think this wheel and set work perfectly for it. I wheeled the base card in Sahara Sand too to soften it (not easy to see in the photo) and keeping in with {my} Vintage style - a bit of sponging and lots of distressing added to the softeness.

Thank you to everyone who swapped with me - there we SO many awesome swaps. If you have popped over to visit because I swapped with you, please leave a message :) I'm going to try to visit everyone's blogs who I swapped with over the next week or so.

Will post my other swaps, the projects we made and some photos later!!

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel (both Autumn-Winter Mini)
Card: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Sahara Sand
Other: Vintage Brads

Thanks Leah

2010-05-11T19:49:00.004+09:30

I was quite chuffed the other day to receive this Beautiful Blogger award from Leah. I have come to know Leah through blogland and swaps that a mutual friend used to organise, and I have enjoyed playing Leah's various blog challenges over the last year or so. She shares so many awesome projects on her blog and I am so excited to be meeting her in the flesh soon!!!!

As part of accepting this award, I am to nominate 10 more beautiful blogs and tell you 10 things about myself.

Check out these 10 blogs (I don't think I can pass this back to Leah....)

Kirsty's Cards 'n' Scrapping

Lulla's L-ink

Teneale Williams

Stacey's Stamping Stage

10 facts about me (no particular order).....

1. I am really excited to have recently made contact again with my host family from my student exchange.

2. I LOVE reading but rarely have the time to do so these days - I bought 2 books at Easter and have read not quite a chapter of one.

3. I have never been to Sydney - yet!

4. I have a gorgeous godson whom I am hoping to meet in the flesh later this year xxxx

5. I really enjoy my job as a clinical dietitian, even though it can be stressful and heartbreaking at times.

6. I have a wonderful family whom I miss incredibly every day (even though it's been over 5 years since we lived in the same state).

7. I feel privileged to have friends that don't worry that we haven't been in touch for ages, we still talk with each other like it was only yesterday.

8. I feel so lucky to have lived in and been able to visit some of the most beautiful parts of Australia.

9. I love watching my little girl sleep

10. Even though I can talk the leg off a chair, I find it really difficult to find the right words to write in cards, that's one reason why I make them - the thought goes into the design :)

Thanks so much Leah and thanks for visiting!

Tea for You

2010-05-11T19:37:00.006+09:30

As I live so far away from so many loved ones, I quite like finding little projects that end up flattish so they can be popped in an envelope and in the post. This little tea folder is no exception, and the colour scheme from the Cottage Wall DSP worked nicely with Twinings Darjeeling teabags (maybe not so much in these photos though...)!!

I thought I'd share this with you as part of the Stampin' Royalty 'Anything But a Card' challenge this week.

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Share a Cup (AW Mini)

Card: Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence, Whisper White

DSP: Cottage Wall (AW Mini)

Ink: Rich Razzleberry

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, Eyelet border

A Couple of ColourQ Cards

2010-05-09T19:53:00.007+09:30

There are always awesome colours to work with over at ColourQ, and this week Arielle has given an additional task of challenging a friend to play along as well, so I challenged my good friend Nerine to join in! I know she's been stamping and scrapping a bit lately, and I know I always find challenges great inspiration.

As we don't have Crushed Curry, I have substituted Summer Sun - I think it works better than Marigold Morning which I tried last time....

I wanted the flower to be THE focus of the card above so have kept everything else simple and understated. I did add a couple of rows of paper piercing to the top and the bottom of the Brilliant Blue base to tie in with the flower.

I almost wasn't going to post this card, but when I came back and looked at it again after a few hours I thought 'yeah, I do like it'... VERY simple, just a little bit of paper piecing. A wonderful friend found and sent me this Just Beakause stamp set for my birthday because I love toucans (I'm toucantash on SCS!) and was really disappointed I didn't get this set before it retired. This is the first time I have used it in a card - I've only inked it up once before but that toucan is in my UFO stash. Isn't that little toucan SO cute though?!

This card could suit for either a male or a female birthday - such versatile colours!

Thanks for visiting again!

Happy Birthday

Stamps: All Year Cheer II (retired), Friendly Flowers (retired)

Card: Brilliant Blue, Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Ink: Brilliant Blue, Summer Sun, Tempting Turquoise

Other: Filigree Designer Brads, Certainly Celery Ribbon (retired), paper piercer

Birds of a Feather

Stamps: Just Beakause (retired)

Card: Brilliant Blue, Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun, Whisper White

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Brillant Blue, Summer Sun, Certainly Celery

Spots and more Spots!

2010-05-09T19:33:00.008+09:30

Paul announced Friday night we were heading out for drinks this weekend for a his work colleague's birthday, so I thought I should put together a card for her. She's young and very sporty and funky, so flowers and 'super-girly' were out of the question. The bold funky colours of this weeks Colour Throwdown and the groovy sketch over at Mojo Monday were just what I needed to work with, so I made a card and a wine tag to dress up the bottle a touch.

Here's a closer pic of the card. As there are SO many spots, I have left the brads out of the sketch - they would have been lost!!

We had a lovely afternoon and Luana fell asleep virtually as soon as we walked in the door!

Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: Seeing Spots, Lots of Thoughts (retired)

Card: Tempting Turquoise, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White

DSP: Pink Flamingo, Good Morning Sunshine, Bella Rose

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Rose Red

Other: Oval Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, Corner Rounder, 1 3/8" Circle Punch

Curtain Call Act 28 plus some

2010-05-08T13:42:00.007+09:30

Just a quick offering again today. I was so tired last night I sat down in front of the tv and actually watched some AFL... so I whipped up this little card this morning in between dance and basketball using this weeks Curtain Call Colour Challenge, Sweet Sunday Sketch and ABC Challenge - T is for Thank you, as the are all such great inspiration this week I couldn't let them pass.

I wanted to keep it simple and not too many layers.. Both the challenges featured above are SO versatile - thanks ladies!!

Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend!

Stamps: One of a Kind

Card: Kraft, Whisper White

DSP: Urban Garden, Raspberry Tart

Ink: Rose Red

Other: Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, 5/8" Jumbo Brads, Fashion District Rubons (retired), paper piercer

Punchy Punches

2010-05-04T20:31:00.003+09:30

It took me a little while to get around to venturing into using punches, and now I use them on almost every project, which is particularly handy when a challenge is around punches like over at Stampin' Royalty at the moment.

I've seen these Onesie cards featuring on a few blogs over the last year or so and thought they would be good to make for a friend who has recently given birth to BEAUTIFUL twin girls. I like to make a card for each baby, both different as each baby is unique. The 'press studs' at the bottom were a handy way to use up a few retired eyelets too :) I've kept them quite simple, with most of the details being punch-derived.

I couldn't resist posting this little cutie for this challenge either. I love making this little stegosaurus!! This time he's featuring in Baja Breeze and Soft Suede (which are very boy-ish colours, so this fits with the criteria of Pile It On this week), with DSP from the Level 3 Hostess Set - Hand Drawn Bundle. Details on what was used to make this little fellow can be found at this post.

And last but not least, here's a creation by Luana (remember, she's 3!) for her Nanny for Mother's Day!! I now have no loose hearts floating around the craft area!

Thanks for visiting!

Onesie Cards

Stamps: Nursery Necessities, Big Deal Alphabet

Card: Blush Blossom, Almost Amythest, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Ink: Blush Blossom, Almost Amethyst, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery

Punches: 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, Wide Oval

Other: Soft Subtles Eyelets (retired)

Dazzling Eastern Blooms

2010-05-03T16:50:00.004+09:30

I almost forgot a friend's birthday - thank goodness for FaceBook reminders :) So this afternoon I put together this 'dazzling' number using Sketch ' Color Challenge #9 and Eastern Blooms, one of my fall-to sets. It was very bright outside when I took the photo, and I didn't realise 'til I'd downloaded it that it was rather crooked - sorry (just adds to the charm!)

I've added a little bit of scoring detail to the top and bottom of the card (which doesn't show up real well in the pic) and LOTS of Dazzling Diamonds.

I must say a big DANKE to Nadia and Andrea who chose this card as their winner last week. Thank you so much, you made my day.

Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Birthday Whimsy (retired)
Card: Whisper White, Basic Grey
Ink: Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun
Other: Dazzling Diamonds

More Mother's Day

2010-05-03T00:23:00.006+09:30

I really wanted to make a Mother's Day card for Mum that featured green, as it's her favourite colour. My favourite colour is purple (in case you hadn't realised - I think Rich Razzleberry is my new favourite), so this weeks Colour Throwdown was perfect - it has both!! Teamed with yet another gorgeous sketch from Taylored Expressions, I am stoked with the result.

I played with putting brads in the centre of the flowers, but ended up leaving them off as it looked a bit 'heavy'. With the edging around the sentiment, I just snipped into the valleys of the eyelet border so it would fold a bit and guided it around the circle. I'm happy with the result!

Thank you ladies for helping me make such a special card for such a special woman.

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Vintage Vogue (Autumn Winter Mini), All Year Cheer II (retired)

Card: Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum, Whisper White

DSP: Cottage Garden (Autumn Winter Mini)

Ink: Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Barely Banana, Pale Plum

Other: Eyelet Border Punch, Corner Rounder Punch (non-SU), Circle Scissors Plus

Quilting meets Card Making

2010-05-03T00:04:00.005+09:30

The last time I actually sat down in front of a sewing machine, I was still in high school (Year 10 I think...). I have always admired the awesome work quilters do - Luana's godmother's Mum and one of Mum's friends both make gorgeous quilts and there were some AMAZING quilters in Katherine who raffled off creations periodically but I was never lucky enough to win one. There is also a quilting feature in one of the homemaker magazines I picked up the other day, so I was a bit inspired to try some of the patterns in my cards. The Colour Q Challenge this week inspired me to try out the traditional log cabin design; and I tell you, it's harder than it looks to get all the pieces lined up and exactly the right length.

I'm sure I read somewhere that in the log cabin design, the light colour are on one side and the dark colours are on the opposite representing the light and shade cast by the sun. For those of you who are quilters, please correct me if I'm wrong. I also put a burgandy square in the centre (instead of red) to represent the hearth, but that was covered by the image - oops.

I don't have any DSP in these colours, so made my own patterns with the flowers from Echoes of Kindness and actually fussy cut the entire rose before mounting it on the wide oval with scallop edging which had been sponged with Sage Shadow ink.

Hope you've had a great weekend.

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Echoes of Kindness (Level 2 Hostess Stamp)

Card: Bravo Burgandy, Sage Shadow, Always Artichoke, Cameo Coral, Whisper White

Ink: Bravo Burgandy, Sage Shadow, Always Artichoke, Cameo Coral

Punches: Wide Ovel, Scallop Circle, 1 1/4" Circle

Other: Vintage Brads

Puppy Love

2010-05-01T11:01:00.007+09:30

When I lamented a few weeks ago that Pixie Pink was being retired because it was my 'Luana' colour, Stacey recommended Melon Mambo as the replacement. Great minds must think alike {GRIN} as I had been contemplating that replacement not long before I wrote that post. Anyway, here is my first Luana project with her 'new' colour, and it's using Stacey's latest Curtain Call Colour Challenge and the latest Inkspirations Inspiration Challenge being hosted by Kirsty this week.

Flowers were a given this week, and the colours matched beautifully with the dress Luana is wearing in the photo. She's holding Angus who was only a couple weeks old at the time - he's the puppy of a friend's dog and Luana LOVED him and his siblings. We can't have a dog here though as we're renting...

The page hasn't photographed as well as I'd hoped - sorry, but here's a close up of the big flower:

Lots of layers and rock'n rolling. Such a fabulous, easy technique. This was the first time I have inked up my new Vintage Vogue stamp set AND used the clear mount stamps - they are fabulous!! I'm a huge fan. The eyelet border punch detail also matched the edging on Luana's dress.

Have a great weekend and thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Vintage Vogue (Autumn Winter Mini), Tidy Alphabet (retired), So Very (retired)

Card: Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Ink: Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery

Other: Eyelet Border Punch, Sherbet Designer Buttons (retired), Linen Thread, Soft Subtles Brads

Sweet Cherries for You

2010-04-29T22:40:00.009+09:30

Just a simple card tonight using Inkspiration's lovely colour challenge and Taylored Expressions' fabulous sketch. I'm quite a fan of the multiple-square sketches - I find they are good to work with especially when the mojo has decided to take a break for a bit, and it's a fabulous way to use up small pieces of DSP.

This card was really born out of this weeks Pile It On Challenge - Make it Sweet. My first thought was cakes... maybe because of the gorgeous cupcake logo this week. But, being a dietitian, I then thought 'cherries are sweet too' so decided to use them paired with the Summer Picnic DSP, which suited Keesh's colour challenge perfectly too. Gotta keep the everyday foods front of mind :)

The cherries have a little bit of sparkle on them, and the greeting has been popped up with dimensionals in the middle, but taped down at either end to give a banner-type effect. The Whisper White circle under the cherries has been sponged with Bashful Blue to soften it.

Thank you for visiting again!

Stamps: Tart and Tangy, One of a Kind

Card: Real Red, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Whisper White

DSP: Summer Picnic (retired)

Ink: Real Red, Old Olive, Bashful Blue

Punches: Scallop Square, Scallop Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, 1 1/4" Square

Other: Blooms Die Cuts, Dazzling Diamonds

Vintage Eggplant

2010-04-27T20:49:00.005+09:30

When I think Vintage, I think browns and sepias, soft images and edges and distressing. Not generally my forte! However, I think this scrapbook page may qualify as vintage (it does use the Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel after all) even though the only brown tone is a little bit of Sahara Sand... As you can see, there's lots of distressing, and even though the photo doesn't show it, the edge of the sentiment was sponged in Old Olive to 'take the edge off'.

Even if Vintage isn't your thing, hop on over to Just Add Ink and check out the entries for this week's Vintage challenge - they are awesome.

Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel, Whimsical Words (retired)

Card: Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Whisper White

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Sahata Sand

Other: Old Olive Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware

Colour Q plus

2010-04-25T22:35:00.006+09:30

This weekend so far has been great; lots of cuddles/sleeps/watching movies together on the couch with my girl (Toy Story 1 and 2 have been on Playhouse Disney), a bit of housework, coffee with friends and plenty of opportunity to stamp! I have finally made a few cards that have been on my list for a while, and will be in the post Tuesday (we have the Anzac Day public holiday tomorrow).

I always have intentions to play along with Colour Q each week, but the best intentions don't always come to fruition... this week is different! And to make the most of it, this card also fits in with three other challenges: ABC Challenge - S for Sparkle, KWernerDesign - one layer and (again) Pile It On - Is Spring Finally Here? Four challenges in one project is a record for me (I've only managed it once before).

Gee, one layer cards are a challenge indeed!! I did lots of masking with this one and added a border with some scoring. Dazzling Diamonds added the sparkle in the middle of the flowers - I'll try to take a better photo in the sunlight tomorrow to catch the sparkle a bit more.

Another card I'm quite pleased with this weekend! Let's see what tomorrow will bring.

Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: Embrace Life, Cheer and Wishes

Card: Whisper White

Ink: Tangerine Tango, Bravo Burgandy, Yoyo Yellow, Green Galore

Other: Dazzling Diamonds

Bella Rose Mother's Day

2010-04-25T22:20:00.005+09:30

One of the best things about Stampin' Up! DSP is how projects can fall together so nicely because it all coordinates! I knew I wanted to do something 'pretty' for my grandmother for Mother's Day, and the Bella Rose DSP teamed with this weeks Sketch 'n' Color sketch made it so easy! I didn't realise until I pulled it out that this is the first time I've cut into any of the pages other than the Chocolate Chip spots though....

I am so happy with how this turned out! The hardest part was fussy cutting the little rose bud.

If you haven't already, head over to Sketch 'n' Color to check out their weekly challenges - they are a lot of fun to work with.

Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: All Year Cheer II (retired)

Card: Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss
DSP: Bella Rose
Other: Vintage Brads

Curtain Call Act 26 with Sweet Sunday Sketch 65

2010-04-24T09:06:00.006+09:30

Another quick post this morning using Stacey's Curtain Call Colour Challenge with Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch; now that Karen has extended the submission date to Friday, I might be able to play along a bit more often. I don't know about you but time during the week seems to disappear at an amazing rate for me.

I have subsituted Marigold Morning for Crushed Curry as it's that bit brighter that More Mustard.

I find it quite hard to work with yellow, particularly the 'duller' hues, so I spent a bit of time pondering over this card, which will be making it's way to my mother-in-law for Mother's Day soon.

With the flowers, I think this card can also qualify for the Pile It On Challenge - Is Spring here Yet? In Australia, no, we're in Autumn (and it will be my first Winter this year for 4 years) :) but I don't mind playing with flowers at any time of the year.
I was also a Top Scoop over at Pile It On last week with this card - many thanks girls!!

Must go. Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Bud Basics (retired), Wonderful Favourites
Card: Basic Grey, Going Grey, Marigold Morning (retired), Whisper White
DSP: Basic Grey Patterns (Level 1 Hostess)
Ink: Basic Grey, Marigold Morning
Other: 5/8" Jumbo Brads, Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Scallop Edge Punch

Rustic Rooster

2010-04-18T22:59:00.007+09:30

I have had Rustic Rooster for a few weeks now and keep trying to find the right way to use him without much luck, but this week I pulled him out for the lovely browns in the latest Sketch'n'Color Colour Challenge. I really do like the way browns and blues go so well together.

I stamped the script in second generation Close to Cocoa on Creamy Caramel, and stamped the rooster in Chocolate Chip directly on top. This was layered on Close to Cocoa, then Bashful Blue - all distressed. I felt this card needed to be quite simple (I'm quite good at the KISS principal I think, hence loving Stampin' Royalty's challenge this week!) so as not to lose or overpower the rooster. A little bit of ribbon and some background stamping did the trick.

I also featured the rooster on the inside of the card; Whisper White edged in Creamy Caramel on Bashful Blue.

I'm think this rooster might just find his way to my Grandpa for his birthday; after all, we did have chooks on the farm for years.

Thanks for visiting and hope you had a great weekend.

Stamps: Rustic Rooster (Level 2 Hostess), Sanded

Card: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Bashful Blue, WhisperWhite

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel

Other: Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain Ribbon

Never More than a Thought

2010-04-18T19:42:00.004+09:30

Whimsical Words would have to have been my favourite of the Sale-a-Bration stamp sets that were available this year. The sentiments are so lovely and versatile. Living so far away from family and many friends, one in particular means more to me than the others.... "You're never more than a thought away"

I made this card for a friend and hostess who requested a Mother's Day card for her workshop - this was one of the options I offered her. Not strictly Mother's Day-ish, but I thought it could pass :) I wanted to keep the card quite simple too as there were a few people BRAND new to stamping joining us. Thus, it fits the current 'Keep It Simple, Sweetie' Challenge happening over at Stampin' Royalty. To make it even simpler in the workshop, I had planned to swap the Very Vanilla card for Whisper White and use the Pink Pirouette striped ribbon instead of card stock behind the sentiment, but this wasn't the chosen card.

As the sentiment is the focus, this card also fits the current challenge over at Pile It On, (which I discovered this week) 'No Images as Focal Point', plus using as many other challenges as possible. I have only teamed it with one other challenge, but it's a start :)

Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: Whimsical Words (SAB retired), Fifth Avenue Floral
Card: Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla, Pale Plum
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum
Other: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch

Curtain Call Act 25 with Inkspirations Sketch 21 - It's Bright!

2010-04-17T09:24:00.007+09:30

Just a quick post this morning as I have to take Luana to her first dance class of the term.

This week the Curtain Call Colour Challenge is a tribute to a few Bold Brights that are being retired, but it hasn't turned out as lary as it could have :) I'm not totally devasted that Only Orange is leaving (it is a useful colour at times), but it's a different story about Pixie Pink. I use it quite a bit, especially for Luana projects. Makeesha's latest Inkspirations sketch (only released yesterday - can you believe I've made a card for it already!) provided the sketch for this card for a friends upcoming birthday.

A close up of the flower for you. I sponged a strip of Whisper White with Yoyo Yellow ink for the band, and the top flower is stamped off with sections highlighted using a Stampin' Write Marker. I curled the petals around my paper piercer to give them a touch more dimension.

Must go and get this girl to dancing!

Thanks for visiting again.

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, A Little Birthday Cheer

Card: Pixie Pink, Yoyo Yellow, Green Galore, Whisper White

DSP: Kaleidoscope (retired)

Ink: Only Orange, Green Galore, Yoyo Yellow

Other: Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, 3/8" Jumbo Brads

Soft Suede Debut

2010-04-11T22:24:00.004+09:30

This is the first time I have actually used Soft Suede. I tried to use it a few weeks ago for a scrapbook page, but it just didn't work. But today I think it worked so well as part of this weeks ColourQ Challenge.

These colours scream masculine to me, and I guess the gorgeous jacket in the picture helps that thought! One of my initial ideas was to use these for a boys card with lots of stars. But this is what eventuated. Simple and clean lines. No sponging as has been the case more often than not recently. The large flower from True Friend was stamped in Night of Navy and Tangerine Tango and fussy cut. The Tangerine Tango centre was popped up with dimensionals, and the whole flower was attached to the card with the same. This is the first time I've pulled out Chit Chat rubons too, which were in the Summer Mini.

I really like these colours together. I just might have to pull them out again...

Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: True Friend

Card: Soft Suede, Whisper White

Ink: Soft Suede, Night of Navy, Tangerine Tango

Other: Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon, Vintage Brads, 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo Brads, Chit Chat Rub ons (retired)

Welcome Tayah

2010-04-11T22:00:00.007+09:30

The girl I used to job share with had a gorgeous little girl a few weeks ago, and I finally sat down to make her welcome card today using this weeks Sketch 'n' Color Challenge as inspiration.

I have been stalking Sketch 'n' Color for a few weeks now as one of the creators (Andrea) is one of the very talented members of the Curtain Call Crew over at Stacey's Stamping Stage, which is how I came upon the blog. Now, my German is VERY bad, so I don't understand very many words of what is written, but I guess that's one of the great things about craft is that it transcends language :) There have been some lovely colour challenges and this is the third sketch challenge, but the very first one I've participated in.

As you can see, I've rotated the sketch and used the butterfly wings (Pale Plum rock'n rolled in Perfect Plum, plus sparkle) as the 'bow'. I wanted a pretty girly colour combo, and this was one I was playing around with a few weeks ago with some Mother's Day cards.

This card also meet the criteria for the current Caardvarks challenge - a baby card - another blog I found blog hopping recently.

Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: Defining Alphabet, Garden Whimsy

Card: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Very Vanilla

Ink: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Pretty in Pink

Other: Eyelet Border Punch, Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds, Soft Subtles Brads

Curtain Call Colour Challenge Act 24 Plus Just Add Ink Sketch

2010-04-09T22:08:00.006+09:30

Although I try to play along with Stacey's Curtain Call Colour Challenge each week, I have missed the last few... oops, sorry Stacey. But not this week!! Although the colours were a little challenging, I've made something in time! And it's using another favourite, retired stamp set, Terrific Tulips. I've kept it quite simple again, just a bit of two step stamping, some more glad/cling wrap background stamping, some light sponging and some distressing.

I'm not quite sure why the colours were such a challenge this week... Maybe it was the combo of Tempting Turquoise and Garden Green?? From having a squiz at the other great creations, I'm not the only one who was stretched. But that's why we play along, isn't it!

As I was working out how to play with the layout, I remembered the VERY versatile sketch challenge over at Just Add Ink this week. Just the thing!

Thanks for visiting. Have a great weekend.

Stamps: Terrific Tulips (retired), Fresh Cuts

Card: Tempting Turquoise, Kraft, So Saffron, Whisper White

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron, Garden Green

Other: Hemp Twine

Circle Circus Celebration

2010-04-08T22:42:00.006+09:30

Circle Circus is one of those sets I love. I have stages where I'll use it heaps, then it has a little bit of a rest, then it gets pulled out again for a workout. I'm in one of those using it heaps again phases!!

I love the bright colours in Luana's dress in this photo, so wanted to pull them for the page. The Chocolate Chip and spots come from my dress. The Circle Circus elements fit with Taylored Expressions latest sketch too!! I've rotated it, adjusted it a bit and replaced the circle with the photo though... I know it's not a card, so I hope Taylor doesn't mind :)

This is one of my favourite photos, and I'm so happy with how this turned out.

Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: Circle Circus, Sweet Serendipity (retired)

Card: Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Summer Sun, Pixie Pink, Green Galore

DSP: Bella Rose

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun, Pixie Pink, Gable Green

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/4" Circle, Slit

Other: Filagree Designer Brads, Vintage Brads

Getting Organised for Mother's Day

2010-04-08T22:21:00.006+09:30

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter break. We had a great, but busy weekend with family which was wonderful. I started back at work today, so a super short week, but not one without it's challenges!!

After packing EVERYTHING away before Easter (much to Paul's delight), I pulled a few bits ad pieces out tonight to play along with the latest Inkspirations Colour Challenge from Makeesha and the latest Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.

Yet again, the colours Keesh has challenged us with are just gorgeous together, and I'm not so scared of circles now I have the Circle Scissors Plus!!

I stamped the large circle after cutting it out, using the Stamp-a-ma-jig to help with the placement of the words. The edges of the circle were sponged in Creamy Caramel, and I 'stretched out' a few scallop circles to frame the circle. The smaller flower was stamped in Creamy Caramel, then rock'n'rolled in Brocade Blue and finished with a half pearl from the Pretties Kit. I also used a hat pin from the same kit for the first time ever!! To soften the Creamy Caramel panel, I 'sponged' it with the same ink using scrunched up glad/cling wrap. I really like the effect it gives.

Not sure who this one is going to yet... Mum's a fan of green, so I'll probably make another card for her.

Stamps: Wonderful Favourites, Baroque Motifs

Card: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Brocade Blue, Very Vanilla

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Brocade Blue

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 1/4" Circle

Other: Pretties Kit, Circle Scissors Plus

Urban Suite

2010-04-07T15:08:00.008+09:30

This weeks challenge over at Just Add Ink is an open one, Oh my goodness!! What to do?! I need more direction than that! I thought I'd share with you the present I made for my manager's 30th.

I wanted to make something that she could use, and had the option of using to help 'remember' the big event.

The card I made her was the inspiration for the colours and stamp set - her bridesmaids wore black, and the Urban Oasis DSP provided the additional colour palette of Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze. I wanted everything to co-ordinate too. I made this card using the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 56 - see the entire post and recipe here.

I made photo boards (inspired by Makeesha) for Paul's birthday a few years ago, so thought this would work for this occasion too. I hadn't yet added the little clip at the top to hold the photo when this was taken. The bottom Baja Breeze flower is not completely taped down, so the photo can slip under it to be held in place. The Kiwi Kiss lily has been paper tolled to add some dimension.

Lastly, I made a squash book to hold her memories of the night. These are such great little books and not too hard to put together - a tutorial can be found over at Splitcoast Stampers.

And here it is open - plenty of space to put in photos and/or write about the birthday bash. Another great thing about these books is that you can make them longer if you need to, just add an extra couple of pieces of card.

Hope you've enjoyed these projects!

Happy Easter!!

2010-04-03T10:42:00.006+09:30

The reason for my lack of blogging lately is I have been working on my Easter cards and finishing Mum and Dad's calendar (Paul's is still a work in progress....). I wasn't planning on posting my Easter cards just yet, by the Stampin' Royalty challenge this week is EASTER, so I thought, why not.

I send Easter cards with a photo of Miss Luana to immediate family and godparents each year, as I figure then they at least get semi-regular photos of our princess. As I make quite a few, I like to keep them simple! The gorgeous striped ribbon from the retired Sweet Shop Ribbon Bundle provided the inspiration this year - but I didn't have enough to make all the cards, so I pulled out the Certainly Celery from the Ribbon Bundle that was available last year. Not a bad substitute, but I did like the stripes... You can't see it in this photo, but the strip of Almost Amethsyt DSP on the inside of the card has been punched with the scallop edge punch.

Here are the cards that Miss Luana made for her grandparents (with very little assistance):

And check out the Easter page I made a few weeks ago here for an Inkspirations Colour Challenge - it made the special mention group!!

Wishing you a wonderful Easter with your families - can't wait to see mine!!

Stamps: A Good Egg

Card: Apricot Appeal, Almost Amethyst, Whisper White

DSP: Almost Amethyst Prints (retired)

Ink: Apricot Appeal

Other: Sweet Shop Ribbon (retired) Certainly Celery ribbon (from Ribbon Bundle - retired), Scallop Edge punch, Soft Subtles brads

Title Page

2010-04-03T10:32:00.004+09:30

I was looking for some inspiration (late) last night to make the LAST page for Mum and Dad's very late calendar. Mum's favourite colour is green, so Kelly Jo's Colour Chef Challenge of White, Light Purple, Light Green and Light Pink fit the bill! It has been AGES since I played along with a Colour Chef Challenge.

The light this morning hasn't picked up the colours real well - still trying to find *that* spot in the house! I thought I'd try my hand at button flowers, which I have been seeing everywhere recently, and keep the page super clean and simple; after all, it's barely going to see the light of day with the calendar pages stealing the glory!! All of the edges were inked in the corresponding colour too, but it's hard to see.

Thanks for the inspiration! The calendar is finally finished!

Stamps: Live Your Dream (retired), Best Friend Numbers (retired)

Card: Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

Ink: Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst, Pretty in Pink

Other: Sherbert Buttons (Summer Mini - retired), Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon

A Touch o' the Irish

2010-03-16T20:10:00.007+09:30

It's St Patrick's Day tomorrow!! I love St Pat's Day; when I was at boarding school, our chef was Irish so we used to have Aussie-Irish day and everything was green or green and gold; kangaroo for breakfast, green iced doughnuts for recess, Aussie BBQ for lunch and traditional Irish Stew for dinner. I read somewhere that it is the day EVERYONE claims to be {a little} Irish!!!

In the spirit of St Pat's Day, I have joined in with the latest Stampin' Royalty Challenge - GREEN - and paired it with this gorgeous Sweet Sunday Sketch:

I actually wanted to use the Heart to Heart punch to make 4 leaf clovers, but couldn't quite make it work. As it is, I think this card still needs a little something.... You can't see it in this photo, but I've added some sparkle to the rock'n rolled butterfly wings.

Also, I wanted to share with you this card I made a while ago, 'cause it's GREEN!!!

I made this for our gorgeous godson who's grandfather is Irish, and I wanted him to know it's important to be proud of his heritage. And how could he not be with such a strong Irish name!! You can bet your boots this young man and his family will be celebrating tomorrow!!!

May the Luck of the Irish be with you tomorrow and all year through!!

So Kind Card

Stamps: Priceless

Card: Green Galore, Glorious Green, Whisper White

DSP: Kaleidoscope

Ink: Green Galore, Glorious Green

Other: Dazzling Diamonds

Lachlan Patrick

Stamps: Polka Dot Punches (retired), Pure and Simple Upper Alphabet (retired)

Card: Green Galore, Glorious Green, Whisper White

Ink: Green Galore, Glorious Green

Other: Paper Piercer

Is there anything better than Chocolate?

2010-03-15T20:53:00.007+09:30

I think this little 6x6 page is the most challenges I've managed to put in to one project - Makeesha's Inkspirations Colour Challenge, Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge, Just Add Ink Easter Challenge and ABC P is for Paper Piecing!! How about that?!

I must admit, I really like this sweet page. Luana LOVES chocolate (have no idea where she get that from {GRIN}) and I managed to get this photo of her last year devouring an egg. We had made the decision to stick to only a few little eggs from Easter Bunny... wise of us!! She didn't end up anywhere near as covered in chocolate as the year before.

These colours from Keesh are FANTASTIC and gave me the perfect excuse to pull out my retired Loves Me DSP and the coordinating Flirty ribbons. I have another project in mind for these colours, but will have to see if I have the time to make it . I thought the ribbon was a cheeky way to add the 'scallops' from Taylor's sketch too, as it's a bit frilly :)

I know it's only little, but the Easter Egg has been paper pieced - I stamped it in Chocolate Chip ink on DSP and Taken with Teal, cut the zig zags out of the Teal and pieced it together.

Can't wait to play with the photos I take this coming Easter!

Stamps: Wagon Full of Fun (Summer Mini), Tidy Alphabet (retired)

Card: Regal Rose, Taken with Teal, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

DSP: Love Always (retired)

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Other: Flirty Ribbon (retired)

Just Add Ink Debut

2010-03-07T20:23:00.007+09:30

Just Add Ink is a new challenge blog that I've noticed popping up on a few blogs - in fact one of my friends featured in the Top 5 last week!! (Yay Leah!!). I was looking for a nice bright colour combo for a colleagues birthday card today and Just Add Ink Challenge 7 provided just the inspiration...

These colours are just gorgeous together and I just had to pull out my Kaleidoscope DSP; Joy Fold cards work SO well with DSP, so the card comes together quite quickly (a bonus as I put this together today at the last minute 'cause I fell asleep early again last night).

A closer squiz at the 'holder' part - I managed to line up the petals on the circle with the petals on the greeting part of the card.

A peek at the inside.

Tini loved it, so I was quite chuffed, and she had a great afternoon!

Happy Birthday Tini (21 again!!).

Stamps: All Year Cheer II (retired), Friendship Blooms (retired)

Card: Green Galore, Pink Passion, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White

DSP: Kaleidoscope (Summer Mini)

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron, Pink Passion

Punches: 1 1/4" circle, 1 3/8" circle

Other: Vintage brads, 5/8" Jumbo brads

Curtain Call Colour Challenge Act 19

2010-03-06T00:30:00.006+09:30

I have had such a busy week at work that I have been too tired to even think of stamping, so I told Paul that's what I was doing tonight!! A friend came over and it was great to have someone to talk to while playing.

I am STILL working on Mum and Dad's calendar and had every intention of using Makeesha's last Inspiration Challenge to scrap Luana in her dance gear, but missed that one so I've used the latest Curtain Call Colour Challenge which is a lovely combo. I have substituted Perfect Plum for Rich Razzleberry as I don't have any - yet!!

We bought her some tap shoes last week so will have to make sure to take some photos of that tomorrow!!

Stamps: Bold Butterfly (retired), Flitting By Jumbo Wheel (retired), Best Friends Alphabet (retired)

Card: Pink Pirouette, Perfect Plum, Very Vanilla

Ink: Pink Pirouette, Perfect Plum, Bashful Blue

Other: Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Pretties Kit

Curtain Call Colour Challenge Act 18

2010-02-27T22:04:00.007+09:30

Tonight I have been working with yet again another gorgeous colour combo from Stacey's Curtain Call Colour Challenge. I love Ballet Blue and don't use it anywhere near as much as I would like.

I paired it with the square option of the latest Mojo Monday sketch challenge - my mojo isn't in full enough force at the moment to attempt the circle (lol). I made a 4 1/4" square card (so it would fit in a standard size envelope), but I think I should have made it a bit bigger to pull of the large bow a bit more successfully.

This card started out in my mind as a Mother's Day card for my grandmother (trying to be organised) as she loves earthy colours. However, it didn't end up that way! I finally inked up my Boho Backgrounds set which has been sitting on a shelf for a good few months now. The larger circle was stamped twice in Night of Navy and once in Ballet Blue. One of the Navy circle was punched out with the scallop circle punch and the other I fussy cut the middle part of. The Ballet Blue one had the larger solid circle part punched out with the 1 3/8" circle punch. The upper layers were popped up with dimensionals, but it's a little hard to see that in this photo.

I will be using both the colour combo and the sketch again - they're so versatile!

Stamps: Boho Backgrounds

Card: Kraft, Night of Navy, Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" circle

Other: Vintage brads, 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Fashion District Rub-ons (retired)

Woo Hoo!!

2010-02-26T22:48:00.002+09:30

Wow!! Just wanted to share with you that this card won the Inkspirations Colour Challenge 18!! I am so stoked. Thank you Keesh :)

Return of Bold Butterfly

2010-02-25T21:52:00.007+09:30

Do you have a favourite stamp set that has been retired for a while, but you still can't resist reaching for it? Mine is Bold Butterfly. It was one of the very first sets I bought, with the coordinating Flitting By Jumbo wheel of course, and I just LOVE it! Looking at Makeesha's Inspiration Challenge, and pairing it with the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 57, I just had to pull it out again.

I thought I'd keep the 5 panels on the sketch quite basic for this one and just scored Whisper White card. I also played a bit with ribbons and adding the sentiment as a tag on this one. I'm thinking the wings may need a bit of Dazzling Diamonds though.... I'll post a better photo tomorrow too.

Must be off as I have a couple projects to finish for my boss's 30th birthday.

Stamps: Bold Butterfly (retired), Short & Sweet

Card: Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink

Ink: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red

Other: Rose Red 1" Double Stitched ribbon, Turquoise Grosgrain ribbon, Word Window punch, Sherbert Designer buttons (Summer Mini), Circle Scissors Plus

An Unexpected Post

2010-02-22T15:56:00.007+09:30

I wasn't planning on being able to join in with this weeks Scrapmaster's Paradise Colour Challenge, but I have been home today with a little girl who is not 100%. We've done a bit of resting, a bit of crafting and a bit of playing.

I must admit I was quite apprehensive about this colour combo - such bright colours! But the being woken up multiple times in the early hours of this morning must have worked for me, as I though they would work well with the citrus from Tart & Tangy and I think this latest Taylored Expressions sketch works well with the colours too.

For the base card I actually used glad/cling wrap to create the mottled effect - so happy with how it turned out!! I used the citrus stamp in the three challenge colours to represent oranges, lemon and limes :) A little bit of ribbon and a little bit of bling down the bottom and we're done!

Taylor is running a card drive over for the Neonatal Intensive Care Nurses from Sanford Medical Centre in Sioux Falls at the moment, to give cards to parents who have lost newborns. Please pop on over to her blog to check it out and donate. I will try to make a dragonfly card later in the week.

Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Best Yet (Level 1 Hostess)

Card: Green Galore, Only Orange, Summer Sun, Whisper White

Ink: Green Galore, Only Orange, Summer Sun

Other: Corner Rounder Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Clear Rhinestone brads

First Time for a ColourQ Challenge

2010-02-21T22:15:00.006+09:30

I've seen another colour challenge appearing frequently on blogs I visit, ColourQ, so I thought I'd pop on over and check it out myself. Arielle has put together some great challenges, so I thought I'd play along when I can. I missed last week, but not this week!!! Aren't the colours just great?! I am planning on using them for a scrapbook page for Mum's (very late) calendar too, but have run out of time tonight (and I'm not sure if this challenge is cards only or not).

The son of my friend in Germany is turning 3 soon. I have been a terrible friend and have not kept in fabulous contact (they last time we saw each other in person was 1999), and now I feel extra guilty as I received a care package from her the other day with some lovely bits and bobs for Luana and Haribo lollies for me - they are so good!! So, I have organised myself and made this card for her little man. Those animals from Animal Stories in the Summer Mini are just too cute! I've also edged the Whisper White mounted panels in Real Red to add a little bit more dimension.

Now I just need to remember to send this so it arrives in time for his birthday!

Stamps: Animal Stories (Summer Mini), Best Friends Numbers (retired)

Card: Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Yoyo Yellow, Whisper White

Ink: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Yoyo Yellow

Punches: 1 1/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle

Other: paper piercer

A Couple of Colour Throwdown Cards

2010-02-21T21:45:00.007+09:30

I didn't start out to make two cards for this weeks Colour Throwdown Challenge, but while I was on a role, I kept with it. I went with Sage Shadow, Really Rust and Bravo Burgandy.

This first one was made for Paul's Pop, so it also fills the requirements for Stampin' Royalty this week of a masculine card :) My initial thoughts were to pull out my Outlaw DSP, but I used that for his card last year.... So, I then thought about using 'white space' and just putting a smaller panel in the top half of the card with a birthday cake, but I couldn't find one to suit. Then I remembered seeing Pick-a-Petal used as a candle on a few blogs last year, so thought that could work (as he would have A LOT of candles on his cake), especially paired with the greeting from the SAB set Whimsical Words. I keep thinking the card needs something more, so I popped up the flame, but I'm still not quite sure... Paul keeps telling me it's perfect for Pop as he's a basic, simple man who doesn't like fuss, so here it is. Don't you love supportive husbands?!

I also wanted to make a little thank you for a colleague of mine who recently went to Sydney and brought me back some gorgeous tea from T2. She's an absolute gem!! (We don't have many shops here, so everyone is really cool with picking up bits and pieces when we visit big cities - another colleague is hitting Kikki K for me this coming weekend. I don't do internet shopping as it would be WAY too dangerous for my credit card). Like It a Latte (retired) was the obvious choice, and this was kept SUPER simple. I think the sponging just adds the right finishing touch. I suppose you could almost say this could pass for a masculine card too.... I'll let the Stampin' Royalty Goddesses decide....

Many Candles Card

Stamps: Pick-a-Petal, Whimiscal Words (SAB), Polka Dots & Paisley (retired)

Card: Bravo Burgandy, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla

Ink: Bravo Burgandy, Really Rust

Other: Paper Piercer, Stampin' Write Journaler

Because Nice Matters Love Note

Stamps: Like It a Latte (retired), Sweet Little Sayings (Level 1 Hostess)

Card: Bravo Burgandy, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla

Ink: Bravo Burgandy, Sage Shadow, Really Rust

Curtain Call Colour Challenge Act 17 with Mojo

2010-02-20T22:00:00.007+09:30

This latest Curtain Call Colour Challenge really was a challenge for me. More Mustard is one of 'those' colours for me, if you get what I mean.... and I don't have any Going Grey ink, so was limited in what I could work with. My initial thoughts were to make a birthday card for Paul's Pop who turns 89 at the end of the month.

However, when I saw Mojo Monday sketch 129, I knew both challenges would work well together, and I don't think scallops and ribbons would have suited Pop. He's VERY traditional.

I'm not 100% happy with the stamped So Saffron background panel, but I felt it worked better than the So Saffron/More Mustard Haiku DSP I had there to begin with. The greeting from the SAB set Whimsical Words is mounted on a very thin border of So Saffron then on the More Mustard. I am happy with how the flowers from Eastern Blooms work with the Haiku DSP in the larger panel though.

This one may make its way down to Luana's godmother yet, I'm not quite sure. She's more of a blue person, so will see how I feel on Monday when the post office opens....

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Whimsical Words (SAB)

Card: More Mustard, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Going Grey

DSP: Haiku

Ink: So Saffron, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip

Other: Scallop Border punch, 5/16" Jumbo brad, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, paper piercer

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 56

2010-02-18T21:31:00.005+09:30

Yay! I haven't run out of time this week to play with Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge!! I tell you what, I don't like how much time I don't have to stamp now I'm working full time again :)

For a change, I decided not to use a colour challenge with a sketch challenge. I wanted to make a card for my 'Boss' who celebrates her 30th next week. Trying to figure out what colours to use for her was a bit of a challenge, so I decided to go with black as a starting point as she had black bridesmaids dresses for her wedding and wears a lot of black to work. I think this sketch is a great oppotunity to work with DSP, so chose Urban Oasis, which was also the basis for my additional colour choices. Without too much convincing, I reached for Fifth Avenue Floral, and just the right greeting was found in the current SAB set Vintage Labels.

Thanks for such a versatile sketch Karen. I have a few more ideas I'd like to play with using this one.

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Vintage Labels (SAB)

Card: Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Kraft, Whisper White

DSP: Urban Oasis

Ink: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss

Other: Circle Scissors Plus, 3/8" Jumbo Brads

Listen to the chorus of the Brontesaurus....

2010-02-16T22:02:00.006+09:30

Remember that song? I sang it all week when I was making my cute little stegosaurus cards (see this post and this one), and I've been singing it all this week since I made this super cute brontesaurus card for my Godson's 1st birthday.

This weeks colour challenge from Makeesha worked really well with what I was wanting to do, and I paired it with Taylored Expressions 100th Sketch (Taylor's celebrating this week (and rightly so!), so go and check out her blog).

I had so much fun designing this dino, and he's not quite as fiddly as the stegosaurus. The hardest part was trying to get the small oval into the right place in the punch to trim it down a bit.

The circles in the sketch let me pull out my brand spanking new circle scissors plus - it's great!! I distressed and inked the edges of the 'hill', and popped up the dino circle as well as the dino with dimensionals.

Thanks girls for helping me make this special card. Our little man had a great birthday party on the weekend; Happy First Birthday buddy!!! XXXXX

Stamps: Family Phrases, Itty Bitty Backgrounds (retired)

Card: Brocade Blue, Mellow Moss, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla

DSP: Brocade Blue Prints (Level 1 Hostess)

Ink: Brocade Blue, Mellow Moss

Punches: Small Oval, Wide Oval, Word Window, Crop-o-Dile, Small Star

Other: Circle Scissors Plus, Paper Piercer, Vintage Brads, Lots of Letters On Board Chipboard, Journalling marker

Sale-A-Bration Workshop

2010-02-14T21:19:00.012+09:30

Yesterday I had a great group of girls around for a Sale-A-Bration workshop. We made three projects, each one featuring a Sale-A-Bration set, and two of the projects using products from the current Summer Mini.

As this was the first time I had inked up any of my new SAB sets, these projects qualify for the current ABC Challenge - N is for New!!

For the card project, we made an easel card where I had used Colour Throwdown 79 for inspiration. I actually made two with different base card (as I didn't have enough Riding Hood Red for everyone... oops). Even though the Blush Blossom was my back up, I think I actually like that one better than the tone-on-tone one.... The technique demonstrated with this project (apart from the funky card) was paper piecing.

For the 3D project, we whipped up these very cute and very easy PostIt Note Holders. I am officially in LOVE with the Kaleidoscope DSP from the Summer Mini. It is just divine!!! I was working on a bit of an eclectic feel with this project - funky DSP and colours with more traditional stamps from Vintage Labels (or should I say Vintage stamps...)

Our third project was using the super cute Scallop Notes from the Summer Mini together with Tall Tales DSP and Animal Stories stamp set - such a great combo!! The greeting is from the oh-so-versatile SAB set Whimsical Words. I ran with the retro feel of the DSP and placed my little owl off centre. I also ADORE the buttons in the Summer Mini so had to include one from Playground on this card. For that little something extra on the card, the DSP on the inside of the card was punched with the scallop edge punch. I love the look of lined envelopes too and little cards with little envelopes are just perfect to demonstrate that on.

We had a lovely afternoon creating and chatting - thanks for joining me girls, we'll do it again soon!!

Happy Birthday Easel Card

Stamps: Happy Moments (SAB)

Card: Riding Hood Red, Blush Blossom, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla

DSP: Candy Lane

Ink: Sage Shadow, Riding Hood Red

Other: Scallop Edge Punch, Dress Ups Ribbon

For You PostIt Note Holder

Stamps: Vintage Labels (SAB)

Card: Pink Passion

DSP: Kaleidoscope (Summer Mini)

Ink: Pixie Pink, Tempting Turquoise

Other: Scallop Circle Punch, Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon

Too Kind Scallop Note & Lined Envelope

Stamps: Whimsical Words (SAB), Animal Stories (Summer Mini)

Card: Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Old Olive

DSP: Tall Tales (Summer Mini)

Ink: Brilliant Blue, Rose Red

Punches: Scallop Edge, 1 1/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Square, 1 3/8" Square

Other: Scallop Notes (Summer Mini), Playground Buttons (Summer Mini)

Curtain Call Colour Challenge Act 16

2010-02-13T22:29:00.009+09:30

I'm not missing the submission cut off this week for Stacey's Curtain Call Colour Challenge :) Although I will try to take a better picture tomorrow when the sun is up instead of the moon. (ETA: done!!) I didn't realise until just now that the sweet pillow in the inspiration picture is very similar to my card... oops.

Being so close to Valentine's Day, and considering the colours included Real Red, I thought I'd go with a Heart card. I've already made Paul's Valentines Day card, but our anniversary is in a couple of weeks, so I'm getting in early. This card therefore also qualifies for this weeks Stampin' Royalty Challenge of Love/Valentines theme.

These colours made me think of the Bella Bleu DSP almost straight away, and I think the pattern in the heart from I {Heart} Hearts just compliments it beautifully. I've been playing with easel cards too - they're fantastic!! I'll post another I did for my latest workshop tomorrow. I didn't want to take the focus off the big heart with the 'stand' so have kept the red to an absolute minimum for that part.

Wishing you all a wonderful Valentines Day!! XXXXX

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts (Summer Mini)

Card: Kraft, Very Vanilla

DSP: Bella Bleu

Ink: Real Red

Other: Real Red Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Heart to Heart Punch