Curtain Call Colour Challenge Act 13

I just LOVE this duck!! It's one of the main reasons Wagon Full of Fun was the first set I ordered from the Summer Mini. This would have to be my favourite card of the moment, and it's one of those that I didn't have a firm idea of what direction I wanted to take when I started, just that I wanted to do paper piecing (you can sort of see in the photo that the wing is popped up too). The latest Curtain Call Colour Challenge was perfect for that:

The rest of the card is quite straight forward, but if you do want extra details let me know.

This card was made for an awesome friend of mine for her birthday, although I originally envisaged using blue as it's her favourite colour. She used to have a set of duck measuring cups sitting on her kitchen window sill, so ducks always make me think of her. I'm sure she'll forgive me for the lack of blue :)

Stamps: Wagon Full of Fun (Summer Mini)

Card: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Pink Passion, Whisper White

DSP: Sweet Always

Ink: Basic Black

Other: Scallop Edge Punch, FairyTales Ribbon, Blooms Die Cuts, Jumbo Brad

Two Reasons to Smile

I have had a FANTASTIC time playing last night and this afternoon, and feel like I have achieved so much - don't you love it when that happens?! So, this is my first of 3 posts today (yes, was able to play with a lot of challenges!).

First up is the 6"x6" calendar page for Mum and Dad's calendar (yes, this is the first page I've done, and yes I know it's over half way through January). I thought the latest Colour Throwdown colours worked well with this gorgeous photo of Luana holding her cousin 'baby Max' (the first time she held him all on her own!!).

I have substituted Pixie Pink for Melon Mambo and I can't remember if non-card projects qualify, so my apologies if they don't.

I kept the page VERY simple. I kept thinking I need to add something, but I think it works as it is. The greeting hasn't come up well in the photo, but it's from the retired set Reason to Smile. I inked it in Old Olive first, then took the ink off 'you' and 'smile' with a blender pen, and inked those words with a Pixie Pink Stampin' Write marker. The rest is quite self explanatory.

I guess this is a good example of K.I.S.S!! (Keep it simple Sam!)






Stamps: Reason to Smile (retired), Burst into Bloom (retired)
Card: Old Olive, Pixie Pink, Whisper White, So Saffron
DSP: Walk in the Park (retired)
Ink: Old Olive, Pixie Pink

Stars for a 7 Year Old

You know I can't go past stars for boy cards - such a safe option - so I adjusted the circles in the Taylored Expression's latest sketch challenge to stars....

I really wanted to pull out Pacific Point for this card - such a great colour but I don't use it nearly enough - and the Good Morning Sunshine DSP provided the rest of the colour combo.

I must wrap this up and write in the card so I can pop it in the post tomorrow - this young man's birthday was last week - oops!!

Stamps: Big, Bold Birthday

Card: Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Summer Sun, Whisper White

DSP: Good Morning Sunshine

Ink: Pacific Point

Other: On Board Simon Lower (retired), Large Star Punch, Small Star Punch

Purple Rose

This week I've started playing with a new challenge blog - Stampin' Royalty; what better way to start off the colour challenges than with the regal colour of purple?! Those of you who have been following my blog for a while know I love purple, so of course I had to play along. As with previous recent colour challenges, I have substituted Perfect Plum for the Rich Razzleberry as we don't have it here in Australia :(

As usual, Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch is gorgeous, and (as she suggested) the perfect way to use up some DSP oddments (although I only used one piece).

This card ended up completely different to how I initially pictured it, which was a baby card for my cousin's brand new baby girl (I decided the Elegant Eggplant was a bit heavy for such a card). I rotated the sketch and instead of the square I have used the rose from Fifth Avenue Floral which was stamped 3 times and paper toled. I sponged the edge of the Enchante DSP (retired) with Pale Plum and the card base with Elegant Eggplant to soften the edges a tad, and pulled out the white organdy ribbon to provide the softer finish than grosgrain or ric-rac.

I'm not quite sure what occasion this card is for yet, but I'm sure it will find a home soon.

Don't forget to pop on over to these two talented blogs to check out the latest challenges.

Stamp: Fifth Avenue Floral

Card: Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Whisper White

DSP: Enchante (retired)

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum

Other: White Organdy Ribbon (retired), Scallop Edge Punch

Friendship

This is going to be quick as I must be off to bed... It's been ages since I've played with a Colour Throwdown challenge, so this is my latest offering.

Once again, I've had to substitute Perfect Plum for Rich Razzleberry (as it's not available in Australia).

I've fallen back on a tried and true 'technique' for my last couple of cards that I've noticed myself using quite a bit recently when I'm either a) a bit tired or b) not ENTIRELY comfortable with the colour combo I'm working with - one sheet wonder stamping. Although I don't always stamp a whole A4 sheet, generally a much smaller panel. It hasn't failed me yet!!

Must be off, but hope you enjoy my recent postings.

Stamps: Organic Grace (Level 1 Hostess), Wagon Full of Fun (Summer Mini)

Card: Garden Green, Perfect Plum, Mellow Moss, Whisper White

Ink: Garden Green, Prefect Plum, Mellow Moss

Other: Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware (retired)

Saffron Birthday

I'm already behind this year on birthday cards - how can that happen so early in the year?! Must be the whole increase in workload thing.... It was my Mother-in-law's birthday this weekend, and this is the first chance I've had to make her card.

I must admit, when I saw the latest Scrapmaster's Paradise Colour Combo, I thought 'how on earth am I going to work in that Only Orange?' But I must admit, I think I did ok!! I used a base of So Saffron Washington Apple DSP, teamed with Walk in the Park DSP (retired) and took it from there, with further inspiration from this week's Mojo Monday sketch.

I wanted to keep the stamped images not too bold, so pulled out Burst into Bloom which was one of the first sets I ever ordered. I stamped the larger flowers in second generation Only Orange and the greeting in first. The double flowers are held together with an Only Orange eyelet (still have quite the stash of eyelets!), and some So Saffron ribbon (from the recent ribbon bundle promotion) provided the finishing touch.

When I finish the present, this card will be winging it's way down south, and hopefully I'll have the opportunity tonight to catch up with the other cards I need to make!!

Stamps: Burst into Bloom (retired), A Little Birthday Cheer

Card: So Saffron, Only Orange, Very Vanilla

DSP: Washington Apple, Walk in the Park (retired)

Ink: So Saffron, Only Orange

Other: So Saffron 3/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Only Orange Eyelet (retired)

Curtain Call Colour Challenge Act 12 with SSSC #51

While we were on holiday in Adelaide we received news that my godmother's mother had passed away. She was a lovely woman and I feel fortunate that I was able to see her about 14 months ago (she lived in country South Australia), and that she was able to meet Luana. Although Stacey's latest Curtain Call Colour Challenge is classic romantic colours, I thought they would work with the latest Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge for a sympathy card for my godmother and her family.

I wanted to do something straight forward, but classic, just like Mrs J was; she was quite the gardener too, so the flowers from Embrace Life were the way to go. I used a blender pen to pick up some Pretty in Pink ink to add a bit of colour to the centre of the Rose Red flower. The Very Vanilla panel was sponged and edged with Pretty in Pink, before mounting on the same card stock, the bottom half of which had been stamped with the smaller flowers from Embrace Life. This panel was mounted on Chocolate Chip, before being finished with ribbon and brads and mounted on the Rose Red base.

Celebrating a wonderful lady; may your legacy live on in your beautiful daughters and grandsons.

Stamps: Embrace Life, Warmest Regards (retired)

Card: Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Chocolate Chip

Other: 3/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, 5/16" Jumbo Brads

Curtain Call Colour Challenge Act 11

I didn't realise how long it has been since I last posted - sorry. The festive season well and truly caught up with me. We travelled down South to see family and are now back home settling into normal life again. We really did have an enjoyable trip - life is SO much fun with Luana. Many fantastic memories were made, so I will try to get some scrapbooking done soon to share some of our experiences.

I did do a little bit of papercraft while I was away which I will share soon, but tonight I sat down and finished a card I have been working on for AGES, and played with Stacey's latest Curtain Call Colour Challenge. It has been a long time since I've been able to play with one of Stacey's challenges, largely due to the big move. So, this is nothing earth shattering, but not bad for coming back from a hiatus. Head over to Stacey's blog on the above link to see the fabulous example card she has created.

I still have a few thank you cards to make for people who have helped us out over the last few months, so now I have one less to make. I used the DSP from the Level 3 Hostess Hand Drawn Bundle with the coordinating stamp set as a starting point. The greeting is punched out with the wide oval punch and layered on 2 overlapping wide oval punches of Always Artichoke.

Must be off and head to bed, but I'll just finish with a little bit of good news - I found out just before my birthday that I achieved the permanent position!! We're just waiting to hear about Paul's permanency now, so please continue to keep those fingers crossed for us.

Stamps: Much Appreciated (retired), Hand Drawn (Level 3 Hostess bundle)

Card: Going Grey, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Whisper White

DSP: from Hand Drawn bundle (Level 3 Hostess)

Ink: Old Olive, Always Artichoke

Other: Wide Oval Punch, Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Luana and myself ventured out to Carols by Candlelight tonight, which she had a ball at, so I thought I'd spread a little more Christmas Cheer.

This little cutie was inspired by Leah's latest Monthly Challenge:

This card is actually a little larger than a Love Note - 3 1/4" x 3 1/4" and I've use a very non-Christmas set, Trendy Trees, for my reindeer; the antlers are tree trunks. The larger hole punch on the crop-o-dile was used for the eyes and nose, and I think the brushed gold adds a special Christmas touch.

I think this little stripey reindeer lends itself to so much inspiration! Have a go!

Stamps: Trendy Trees, Best Yet (Level 1 Hostess)

Card: Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold, Whisper White

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, Crop-o-dile

Other: Basic Black Journalling Pen

Another Note of Thanks

So many wonderful people have helped us out during our recent move and I've slowly been getting through the list of cards to make. The latest Scrapmaster's Paradise Colour Challenge provided the inspiration; it's been AGES since I've played along with this challenge.

I pulled out So Swirly once again (I couldn't find it for a while as I'd packed it separate from the rest of my stamps - SO glad it's appeared again) and coloured it with Real Red and Lavendar Lace Stampin' Write Markers. I've kept this one simple and flat - no dimensionals (!). It's hard to see, but there's also a little bit of piercing either side of the sentiment.

These colours would also work really well for Christmas...

Luana's fast asleep, so will try to have more of a play tonight.







Stamps: So Swirly Jumbo Wheel
Card: Real Red. Lavendar Lace, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, Lavendar Lace
Other: A Perfect Day Rub-ons (retired), paper piercer

A Little Bit More Christmas Cheer

I am finding it really hard to believe we are already in December, and only 3 weeks away from Christmas. I still haven't made my Christmas cards (!) but did take the photo of Luana tonight that I will use... I think cards will be arriving after Christmas yet again! There are decorations up everywhere around the hospital (we'll wait until after my birthday to do ours at home) and Kid's Ward even had their Christmas Party with Captain Starlight today.

Although I had every intention of making a birthday card with Keesh's latest colour challenge, I have made a Christmas card (better photography to come):

I love both the colour combo this week and the Sweet Sunday Sketch - they are so versatile and I'm thinking I'll use them for quite a few projects in the near future.

We used Season of Joy at the Christmas Stamp-a-Stack I held over the weekend, and it was calling me to be used for this card. I added a bit of sparkle (hard to see) onto the swirls of the tree. The edges of the circles are distressed to add a bit more dimension and have been mounted in Sweet Always DSP. The background is So Swirly wheeled in Taken with Teal on the same, and a little bit of double ribbon finished the sketch.

I will try to photograph this before I head off to work tomorrow morning to get a better pic!

Thanks again girls for the inspiration, I'm really enjoying being able to sit down and stamp again!

Stamps: Season of Joy, Best Yet (Level 1 Hostess), So Swirly Jumbo Wheel

Card: Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

DSP: Sweet Always

Ink: Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red

Other: Real Red 1 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Thank you Flower

Wow! Two posts in two days!! I'm really enjoying being able to do some card making again and I found my rub-ons last night - yay!

I made this card especially for my Mum as she was a FABULOUS help in the lead up to and during our recent move - she even flew all the way up to keep me company on the long drive down. THANK YOU MUM XXXXX

Inspiration for Mum's card came from Dawn's latest Raspberry Suite Colour Challenge:

and Karen's latest Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge:

Must go, but hope you enjoy this offering!

Stamp: Friendly Flowers (retired)

Card: Chocolate Chip, Orchid Opulence, Mellow Moss, Whipser White

Ink: Pixie Pink, Soft Sky (retired), Orchid Opulence

Other: Light Orchid Grosgrain ribbon (retired), Fashion District Rubons, Flower Designer Brads

Finally - Lachy's Christening Card

It has taken me FOREVER, but I have finally made a card for our godson's christening that I am happy with. And once again one of Makeesha's challenges helped me out of the slump!

I took a little bit of liberty with the sketch, changing some of the dimensions. I used the Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel as my starting point and the rest evolved from there. The only part that may not be self explanatory is that I swiped the large Whisper White panel with the Baja Breeze ink pad so it wasn't quite so stark.

This is such a lovely sketch that I may have another play before the end of the week - Paul is currently out at the cricket with Luana, so it's lovely to have a little bit of me time!!

Oh!! I have some wonderfully exciting news too. My little nephew arrived safely last week, so we are just over the moon!! I will post some creations made for him soon.

Have a great week!

Stamp: Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel
Card: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Brushed Silver
Ink: Baja Breeze
Punches: Large Star, Small Star
Other: Paper piercer

Thinking of Grandad

I'm back! We're slowly getting ourselves organised, but are still a little ways off yet. I'm still taking over the dining room table after dinner (some nights), and the laptop is sitting on a packing box!!

I've been wanting to make a card for my Grandad, who is going through chemotherapy at the moment, for a few weeks now and thought this weeks challenges from Makeesha and The Sweetest Thing were just the motivation....

We found our Grandad had cancer not long before Paul moved down here to Alice Springs, and he started chemo around the time Luana and I moved down. Times like these it is really hard to be so far away from family, but I just wanted to let him know he is always in our thoughts.

Rustic colours, like Keesh has challenged us to use this week, always make me think of Grandad, and I just really like the tilted panel in this weeks sketch from Karen. I've just used Circle Circus with a bit of masking and the good ol' Stamp-a-ma-jig for the Close to Cocoa panel, and the greeting is from Trendy Trees. A little bit of piercing just finished the job.

Must go and finish writing my job application - I'm in a locum position at the moment and am applying for permanency. Keep your fingers crossed for me, and please send positive thoughts to my Grandad. I can't wait to see him again.

Touching Base

My apologies for being MIA this month. As you have probably guessed, we have now made THE move and we're slowly getting organised. I'm yet to set up my stamping space... but have taken over the dining room table (much to Paul's horror - it's started again!!) to make a few bits and pieces, which haven't yet been finished. It's a bit of a shock to the system heading back to full time work. I am enjoying it, and the challenges of clinical, but find I'm SO tired by the end of the week.

Here are a few photos of our big trip and life in the Red Centre so far....

Leaving Katherine. Paul had headed out about 4 hours earlier than us. Luana was asleep before we had even travelled 10 minutes down the road!

Rest stop at Devil's Marbles. Luana had a great time exploring.

Our first full weekend here we went to Desert Park. Luana loved the birds and the nocturnal house. She's checking out the mala in this photo.

Hopefully over the next couple weeks I will have a bit more to share with you. I have had every intention of playing in a few challenges in the last week or so, but my bed has had a stronger calling!! I have seen the new Summer Mini (launching 1st December) and I LOVE IT!!! Seriously, I think this is the best Mini yet! So when I place my order, I am SO looking forward to playing.

For those of you here in Alice, I'm going to have a Christmas Stamp-a-Stack in the next few weeks. If you would like to join me, drop me a line here.

Until next time (no promises when....), have fun!!