Divalicious Colour Challenge #1

Tags

Delicious Diva Challenges, Designer Brads, Divalicious Colour Challenge, Sweet Stems Stamp Set, Warm Words Stamp Set

Hi again!

Another new challenge from the Delicious Diva Challenge Blog!! (You know … that FANTABULOUSLY GROOVY blog that voted my last entry as the winner!!! Sorry … couldn’t resist patting myself on the back again!!! ) I will try not to mention it anymore!!!

Anyway, back to the challenge … this time a COLOUR CHALLENGE! Make sure you click on the challenge button … to check out some gorgeous samples for this challenge!

Barely Banana, Cameo Coral, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie

I did enjoy working with these colours … but decided that my cameo coral and pumpkin pie are a little hard to pick because I used both quite sparingly! But … even so … I think this card is quite sweet!

I am REALLY taken with this Sweet Stems stamp set. It is a wonderful set to use as backgrounds … as borders … and for main images like I have used here. This has to be one of the BARGAIN sets of the IB&C this year!!! I just love it!  The main image is actually 3 x the stamp image … carefully placed with my Stamp-a-ma-jig to look like it is one image! (If you are having trouble picking the pumpkin pie & cameo coral … I have used some of the BRAND NEW designer brads – pumpkin pie flowers & the circle centres of all the flowers are all coloured with pumpkin pie ink. The cardstock & centres of each petal are done in cameo coral!) Can you see the pretty Dazzling Diamonds on the petals, too???

So pop on over to the Delicious Diva blog … and have a go at the challenge, too! The Delicious Divas will accept entries by email if you don’t have a blog! No excuse not to have a go yourself!!!

Images copyright © Stampin’ Up! ® 1997—2009. Artwork by Andrea Lowcock.

Card Recipe:
• Stamp Sets: Sweet Stems, Warm Words
  
• Inks: Black Stazon, Old Olive stamp pads; Barely Banana, Cameo Coral, Old Olive & Pumpkin Pie Markers
  
• Cardstock & Papers:
  
  • Cameo Coral – A5 (14.8 x 21 cm) + 12 x 8 cm + 9.2 x 6.7 cm
  • Barely Banana -  14.3 x 10 cm + 11.8 x 7.7 cm
    
  • Whisper White – 9 x 6.5 cm + scraps for flower accents
    
• Accents: Dazzling Diamonds, Sponge Daubers & Stampin’ Pastels (Old Olive), Designer Brads – pumpkin pie flowers
• Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Paper Snips
  

Baby Blogger!

Tags

Christine's Creations!, Family Stuff

Hi everyone …

My sis has just set up a BRAND NEW BLOG … simply to display some of her creations!!! I thought I would put an ad here for her … and if you have a few minutes you might like to have a look!!! Remember … she is a BABY BLOGGER … and just got her “L” plates. But … I am sure she will have some amazing things to share with us!

CLICK ON THE PIC ABOVE TO GO TO CHRISTINE’S BLOG: “Christine’s Creations”

Hope you have had time to do some stamping today!!! I am off to watch Gav & Shane’s last soccer match for the season … Back on Monday with more … Have a great weekend!!!

Card Buffet – “Great Friend”

Tags

Card Buffet, Great Friend Stamp Set, Rock & Roll Technique

Hello again!

I thought I would share another of my themes for my recent card buffet. Did you enjoy the “Fifth Avenue Floral” theme? This time I have used the new “Great Friend” stamp set from the Spring Mini Catalogue.  Don’t forget … you can click on any of the pics for an enlarged image & better detail. This is such a versatile set …

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And … aren’t the colours FAB!!! Tempting Turquoise, Pink Pirouette & Kiwi Kiss. A lovely in-colour combo for you to try! This first card is soooo simple … but looks so cute …

Inspiration from sandimaciver.com - Great Friend 2

I love this stem of leaves stamp … it is so useful!!! This card is just some very simple stamping …  and cutting (butterflies). So … easy! The second is almost as simple as the first!!! …

Inspiration from sandimaciver.com - Great Friend

Don’t forget to stamp onto the DSP before you place the main image strip … and I found it heaps easier to use my stamp-a-ma-jig to position the phrase into the stamped frame image but you can just “eye-ball” this if you don’t have a S-A-M-J!

Inspiration from Beate Johns - Fresh and Fun - http://beate.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

This last card is a little more work … and did take a little time to cut out the turquoise frames & butterflies. It is not hard … just a little time consuming … but well worth the effort! The two butterflies are layered slightly off set from each other … and have been stamped using the “rock & roll” technique. (Ink butterfly stamp with Kiwi Kiss ink … then roll just the edges of the stamp image around on the Turquoise ink … and then stamp on card.) Such a lovely effect … and even prettier with the Dazzling Diamonds added. This was a popular design … but did take a little time to do.

So … again … a list of supplies is shown below. (Punches & tools are not listed) This is a super set … so many ways to use it … and soooo reasonably priced!!!

Images copyright © Stampin’ Up! ® 1997—2009. Artwork by Andrea Lowcock.

CLICK ON THE TABLE … and you will see an enlarged image that is easy to read. The “bold” sizes for the card is the standard sizes that I had precut … and below each is listed the pieces that need to be cut from this “standard” piece of card. (I hope that makes sense!)

Just some quick info … more details later!!!

Tags

Coming Events, Special Fold Cards, Tri-Shutter Card

Wow! 3rd post for today!!! I am a busy little bee!!!

I am just trying to get organised for the next couple of months … and wanted to give you all the heads up about a couple of special events that I am planning. These events are just in the initial planning stage … more details will be available as soon as I get a chance to think about them!!!

Click on the pic for better detail

The card picture in my flyer is from the gorgeous site … Paper, Ink, Scissors & Stamps … I hope Deb doesn’t mind me using it … at least until I have one of my own!!! I have seen these “Tri-Shutter Cards” on several sites … and I am really excited about showing you how to do them (and a couple of other ideas) at our Sept workshop! So … mark the date in your diary … and I will give you more details soon!

The October Event will be a SPECIAL EVENING of fun and fundraising … with profits from the evening going to the Cancer Council “Girls Night In” fundraiser … so … keep an eye out for a date … and I hope you can join me to raise some funds for the Cancer Council. And … of course … there WILL BE some stamping, too!!! I need to work out a date … and am thinking possibly Friday 23rd Oct … but was also wondering about the school hols depending on how people are placed. So … if you are interested in coming along for a fun night … please EMAIL ME asap … and let me know what dates are suitable to you!!! I would really appreciate your help in making this a successful fundraiser!

So … keep watching for further details! I will post them as soon as they are available!

Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #79

Tags

Taylored Expressions Challenge, Whiff of Joy - Melinda with Bouquet

Hi everyone!

It is my little sis’ birthday tomorrow … and I wanted to post her present off … so I went through my cards and nothing really took my fancy! Now … that is ALWAYS a good excuse to sit down right away and do some stamping!!! (I am sure I would have found a lovely card for her … but I really did want to stamp!!! )

I have so many Whiff of Joy stamps that I haven’t had a chance to use … so I pulled one of my Melinda angels out … and Willow’s Chair … and this is what I came up with …

MMMmmm … I am very satisfied with the colours … probably because I just love green & pink … and I managed to do both on this card!!! (Again … the colours don’t seem quite right in this photo … the artichoke / moss isn’t quite green enough! I am so used to using my own little Nikon but these are done with Gav’s “u beaut” one!!! Note to self: Get my camera back from  Sheree … who stole it a few days ago … and hasn’t returned it!!!)   One day I might treat myself to some Copic markers … but until then I am quite happy with watercolouring and normal colouring with my SU! markers. I added a little “bling” on Melinda’s wings and on the roses.

This card was based on another sketch challenge …

Make sure you click on the sketch pic (above) to check out some lovely samples for this challenge … click the links on the site to see even more!

Hope you are having a great day!

Images copyright © Stampin’ Up! ® 1997—2009 & Whiff of Joy. Artwork by Andrea Lowcock.

Card Recipe:

• Stamp Sets: Whiff of Joy – Melinda with bouquet, Willow’s Chair, Family Phrases
  
• Inks: (Stamp pads & markers) Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Sahara Sand, Bravo Burgundy, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Blush Blossom
  
• Cardstock & Paper:
  • Regal Rose – A5 (21 x 14.8 cm)
  • Rose Red – 10.1 x 14.5 cm + 9.8 x 3.8 cm
  • Sweet Always DSP – 9.8 x 14.2 cm + 9.8 x 3.5 cm
  • Always Artichoke – 7.5 x 10.5 cm + scrap for scallop circle
  • Whisper White – 7.2 x 10.2 cm + scrap for phrase circle
    
• Accents: Dazzling Diamonds (2 way glue pen)
  
• Tools: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8″ circle punch, Sponge daubers
  

Circle of Friends!

Tags

Blog Award, Circle of Friends Award, Lemonade stand award

Hi everyone

I was doing some well overdue blurfing last night … I have had a really busy couple of weeks … but I love to check out what is happening on my blog friend’s blogs … and finally I caught up a little last night. I was visiting Philippa’s blog and found to my surprise that she has left me a blog award!!! And … what a lovely blog award it was!

Thanks so much Philippa for such a sweet award! I was touched to see you had nominated me. I hope my blog friends will take the time to stop by your blog and check out your wonderful designs!!! “Cards from the Cauldron“

Seeing this award on Philippa’s blog reminded me that Tanya had also shared a cute award with me recently … and I had forgotten all about accepting it and posting it!!! (sorry Tan!!) This award really did bring a smile to my face ‘cos it’s just a FUN award!!! Thanks heaps sunshine!!! xx

So … apparently there are some responsibilities that go with accepting these awards …

• To pick up the Circle of Friends (& fun Lemonade) Blog Awards cut and paste the award onto your own blog.
• Nominate 5 other bloggers.
• Link to your nominees within your blog post.
• Include these instructions on how to pick up the award in your blog post.
• Link back to the person who gave you the award in your blog post, to show your appreciation. Comment on their blogs to let them know they’ve received the award.

But … I didn’t feel like these were responsibilities … because it actually gives me an opportunity to mention some lovely blog friends that I have. Like Philippa … I am hoping to highlight some lovely work on these blogs … by sharing this award with my special friends – so make sure you click on the links to visit their blogs!

• Lee-Anne
• Tanya (yes … I know … Tan gave me the lemonade one … but I really wanted to share the friendship one with her … so she gets the lemonade one back, too!!!)
• Jenny
• Lynda (who doesn’t have a blog … but has been such a source of encouragement to me … with all her lovely comments … so I do have to share this with her even though I can’t show you a blog!!!)
• Vanessa – my wonderful upline who continues to care about me … and inspire me … and encourage me!
• Debbie ( I know … I am cheating … that is no. 6 … but Debbie is a new blog friend that I am really enjoying getting to know better … and I just LOVE her creations!!! She made me spend $80 on some cute stamps last night!!! Partners in crime!!!)

I will be back in just a tic … with a card for you …

Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #12

Tags

Fresh Cuts Stamp Set, Makeesha’s Inkspirations Challenges

Hi everyone!

Another challenge … but I am having so much FUN! I hope you don’t mind me sharing them??? I almost didn’t do this latest challenge of Keesh’s … because I am just not good with cutting ovals!!! But  … then I remembered my oval mask … and had an idea to use that instead of a cut oval! Brilliant!!! Keesh’s sketch was so elegant that I had to try!

So … I love the simplicity of this sketch … click on the sketch to go to Keesh’s blog where there are other gorgeous designs for this sketch … here is what I designed …

I have been itching to use this colour combo for ages!!! It is one from the IB&C – page 35 – Kraft / Pink Pirouette / Certainly Celery / Baja Breeze. The SU! Idea Book & Catalogue is JUST THAT  … an IDEA book … and is a FANTASTIC RESOURCE for layouts & sketches & colour combos! Make sure you get your own copy for endless ideas! I am happy to post you a copy TODAY … if you email me your order & payment details! ($15.95 inc p&h)

I think the colour combo is soooo pretty … and am just loving the new corduroy buttons from the Spring Mini Catty. The ribbon is also Baja Breeze and is from a Ribbon Originals pack in the latest IB&C. I used an oval mask and glued this to the white card with Dotto (removable glue) and stamped the main image from the “Fresh Cuts” set in the centre. I then sponged some Baja Breeze onto the image … shading darker to lighter as you go from the edges towards the centre of the oval. Then I lifted the mask off and finished the rest of the stamping.  Check the end of this post for a card recipe.

Off to finish my swaps for Ness’ training night tonight!! (I am writing this Wed afternoon … ready to post Thus morn. I have to get going early tomorrow!) We are doing a Spring Mini swap … lotsa fun! I must show you Sarah’s swap card …. SOOOOO CUTE!!! (She isn’t able to go … so she left her swaps with me to take along.) But … when mine is ready I will show you both! Have a great day!

Images copyright © Stampin’ Up! ® 1997—2009. Artwork by Andrea Lowcock.

Card Recipe:

• Stamp Sets: Fresh Cuts
  
• Inks: Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Pink Pirouette
  
• Cardstock & Paper:
  • Kraft Card – A5 (21 x 14.8 cm)
  • Pink Pirouette – 10.1 x 14.5 cm
  • Whisper White – 9.8 x 14.2 cm
    
• Accents: Baja Breeze Ribbon Originals, Baja Breeze Corduroy Button, Silver half pearls (non SU!)
  
• Tools: Sponge Daubers
  

Card Buffet – “Fifth Avenue Floral”

Tags

Card Buffet, Fifth Avenue Floral Stamp Set, Sweet Stems Stamp Set

Hi everyone!

I have been dying for ages to show you some of my Card Buffet cards!!! But … I didn’t want to spoil the surprise for my groupies … so I have been keeping these until after the buffet!!! We had such a fun time on Saturday!!! It was a gorgeous day … so lovely and warm … and we had a wonderful time stamping, chatting, eating & giggling!

The idea of MY card buffet was to highlight how versatile ONE stamp set can be. I created 3 very different samples for each stamp set that we used … and each set of cards was colour themed as well. Of course, I was a little optimistic … with 12 different samples … and I think the most anyone managed was 6 different designs!!! But … because almost all those attending were quite experienced card makers … the cards were quite challenging … and some took a little time to put together. I think everyone was pleased with the cards they went home with! Here is the first ‘theme’ …

This is one of my favourite colour combinations … pink / black / white! And … with the Pink Passion this is quite a stunning combo … don’t you think??? If you would like to see a list of supplies for these cards … check the end of this post! Here is sample 1 of the Fifth Avenue Floral theme …

The main flower image was created by stamping the flower 3 x on WW card using Stazon Black ink.

I used an Aqua Painter to colour each flower with Pink Pirouette ink … then added some Pink Passion highlights (also with the Aqua Painter). You can see from the pic that I have cut around the flowers … to make them 3 different sizes! I used a 2 way glue pen to add some Dazzling Diamonds around the Pink Passion hightlights. It really does look so pretty! Then I layered each flower on top of each other using dimensionals. Click on the card pic or the tutorial pics above for enlarged images & better detail. You can also see the BRAND NEW gorgeous scallop oval punch … and the “Oval All” phrase – both from the mini catty and designed to work together! I am sure these will fast become my favourite stamp/punch combination!!! Oh … and in the new MINI there is also some Stazon cleaner available (finally!!! ) and it works amazingly!!!

Inspiration - SCS - Shelli 724

My second for this theme is such an EASY card to create!!! Truly!!! You will have to try this one. Just make sure that you cut your card to size … then stamp all the images … THEN cut it into strips AFTER you have stamped!!! I have used a Pink Passion marker to colour in the “stamens” of the black flower images … just for a little more impact. And … you can see I have also used the NEW wide oval punch with the scallop oval punch & the large punch + another Oval All stamp!

Inspiration - SCS - treelady 62

And … the last for this theme uses the Fifth Avenue Floral set for the main image but I have also used the adorable “Sweet Stems” stamp for the run of flowers along the strip. (I just love this set!) I think it is quite dramatic … stamped in black and highlighted with the Pink Passion Marker. And … some Dazzling Diamonds for some added bling!!!

So … I hope you enjoyed seeing the first of 4 themes for my Card Buffet! I have added a list below of the supplies used for these cards. I haven’t listed all the tools & punches used … but I am sure you can work those out for yourself! Each of these were tried by my guests … all very successfully!!! So … why not have a go too???

Images copyright © Stampin’ Up! ® 1997—2009. Artwork by Andrea Lowcock.

CLICK ON THE TABLE … and you will see an enlarged image that is easy to read. The “bold” sizes for the card is the standard sizes that I had precut … and below each is listed the pieces that need to be cut from this “standard” piece of card. (I hope that makes sense!) NOTE: The second column is Whisper White Cardstock.