Upsy Daisy

Evening everyone,

Today's card was achieved using nothing but scraps. I have a tonne of cut pieces of card and really should make it a mission to use more and more of them!
The technique used is Marvy Metallics with Glad Wrap (Saran Wrap to the Americans).

I was quite pleased with how it turned out...especially as I don't usually grab for this sort of colouring scheme. What do you think?

I amso lucky...Waiting on my daughter to come and cook me tea. The tradeoff is that she borrows my computer. Hey, I can live with that, no worries!

Stamps: SU Upsy Daisy Inks: StazOn Black Cardstock: White Gloss, Bazzill Other: Ribbon, Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Marvy Metallic Pens Gold and Copper, Glad Wrap

Tassie Bridge in Green

Good afternoon all,

Well, I have finished having my wee melt down! It was fair giving me the willies using up bulk time looking for a stamp, so I downed tools and rearranged my somewhat vast stamp collection. Not sure how long this new system will last, but it sure has to be better than the last one....except, I have run out of storage space...but that is another drama to deal with. I probably would like things a whole lot better if I would just put things back where they belong once in a while!

So now you know where I have been the last couple of days! I have been immersed in rubber...just not using it!

Ok...on to the card....I seem to be entrenched in simple mode, but am taking it where it leads me and not stressing. This is another Tassie bridge, this time stamped on an alcohol ink background. It sure does give off a totally different mood to the Pearl Ex one done in blues!

Booked for camp at the end of the May today. I will stay longer and wander around to the wholesalers I deal with as well. I feel quite good about it all now it is set in motion!

Materials Stamps: Lucy's Bridge, TAC wording Inks: StazOn Black Cardstock: Bazzill and Unknown textured green Other: SU Label Punch, Brads, Alcohol Inks and Accessories

Very Male Birthday

Afternoon all,

I am off to a 50th birthday party tonight. Alexopolous is the surname of the party boy, and of course, that is way too long for any self respecting Aussie, isn't it? He is much better known as Zop....say the long version quickly and you will HEAR it.

Zop is a no nonsense sort of person, so the card I made for him had to be pretty clear cut and without fuss. Zop hails from Launceston in Tasmania and so I thought it fitting that I use this lovely stamp by Lucy of a Tasmanian bridge.

The technique used is gesso resist and I think really suits this stamp. This is so much MORE IRL...a photo doesn't show all the lovely shine from the PearlEx. I so love my PearlEx!

Hope you like it.

Materials
Stamps: Lucy's Bridge, Hero Arts Its Your Day
Inks: StazOn Black
Cardstock: Bazzill, Generic White
Other: Gesso, PearlEx, Brushes, Cuttlebug and Argyle Embossing Folder, Large Blue Brad, 1" and 1 and 1/4" Punches

Oh So Bright

Evening all....

Hope you have your sunnies on for this one...A bit bright it is!

Ok, this is a card made up with one of my Reverse Joseph Coat's pieces from the other day. I used the Nostalgic Kaleidacolour for the brilliant colouring. I only attached a small greeting...on purpose, so I could see as much of the background as possible.

I regret playing with that particular Nesties set with it though, as the border is bigger than what I am normally comfortable with. I wish they would make an interim set with this shape so you could have the "skinny" border happening! Once I had cut the pretty piece I was more or less obligated to cut the layer too... (I think I am not at all happy with the outcome and I think it is the use of the Nesties which has me offside with the results.)

Read on if you are interested in the tech...

****Firstly, I brayer my colour on to white gloss card.
***Then I stamp my image with Versamark which I clear emboss....(Pretty important to remember to anti static the piece here before stamping!!!)
**After that, I run the black Adirondack pad over the top.
*I use paper towelling to wipe off the excess and to buff.
And there you have it!

Materials
Stamps: Lucys Scribble, Hero Arts Wording

Cardstock: Bazzill, White Gloss Card
Inks: Kaleidacolour Nostalgia, Adirondack Pitch Black, Versamark
Other: Clear Embossing Powder, Brayer, Buckle, SU Window Punch, Orange Grosgrain

Resist Butterflies

Good evening everyone,

Well, obviously, I didn't get back to the computer last night, and I have just come home from a very LONG day in town with my husband. (This is NOT a recommended activity for the women of the world!), so today has been a no play day for me...How sad is that?

I did finish this little resist project late last night. (The reverse Joseph's Coat is still there but not ready for upload!). I stamped the butterflies with Versamark and then brayered over the top with the Nostalgic Kaleidacolour. When brayering this time, I just bumped the brayer here and there in all sorts of directions, so the result is bits of colour all over the place. Then I overstamped a few of the butterflies with StazOn.

Materials

Stamps: Hero Arts Clear Stamps CL140 Thinking of You Messages, Hero Arts CL115 Designer Butterflies

Inks: Versamark, StazOn Black, Kaleidacolour Nostalgia

Cardstock: Bazzill, White Gloss

Other: Brads, Brayer

Oh Dear Day!

This is my gorgeous little puppy. Isn't she beautiful?

Ok, I have been playing with the Reverse Joseph's Coat technique today, but had a wee mishap putting the final thing altogether....As in, the dratty fascinater staple gave me grief and now my whole piece is wrecked. I will post one of the other samples as soon as I can get it layered up on card. Hopefully, I can do that in the next few hours.

Bubble Bella

Good afternoon everyone,

I have a pretty little Bella card for you today. I bought my one and only Bella in July of last year whilst in Canberra...and I only have the one coz it was so darned expensive....Never before have I paid over $20 for one UM stamp....Which is why I only bought the one, too, I can tell you. Guess I should get some work out of it, so it can pay its way, eh?

Anita...the vino may just be in the vase...or maybe the bath! We do not have a bath here. Well, that is not strictly true. It is now a fish pond...I can just visualise tipsy little goldfish swimming in circles!!! I thought having just the shower would save a little bit of housework...and I really do not miss the bath!

Materials
Stamps: Stamping Bella- kbe70 Bubble Bella, Hero Arts CL 140 Thinking of You Messages
Inks: StazOn Black Ink
Cardstock: Bazzill
Other: Tombow and Marvy Markers, Aqua Brush, Unknown Ribbon Source, Kindy Glitz, DSFT

Vase of Flowers

Evening everyone,

I am more than late with today's card and by necessity it is just a very quick one. Hope you like it!

Materials

Stamps: Stampendous Q116 Bouquet Montage, Hero Arts F4861 Small Line Dots Border, Hero Arts CL140 Thinking of You Messages

Inks: StazOn Black Ink

Cardstock: Bazzill

Other: Ribbon Unknown Source, Bazzill Black Brads, Paper Flowers, EK Success Stamp Positioner

Ophelia

Good afternoon everyone,

Just a quick card today with no special technique happening! Ophelia is one of my oldest stamps and I still think, one of the prettiest photo art stamps there is around! Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

Materials

Stamps: Stampsmith Ophelia, Inque Boutique Monarch (Flourish), Lucy's (Wording)

Inks: Colourbox Chalk Dark Brown

Cardstock: Bazzill

Other: Kaiser Pearls, SU Oval Punch, Bazzill Brads, Paper Flowers, Unknown Ribbon Source

MM Wine

Good afternoon everyone,

Well, this is the last of my....hic!...wine cards for now!...hic! ROFL!

This one is my least favourite of them all, but I will show it nonetheless. The background, this time, was created with the use of Marvy Metallics. I love making these backgrounds, but this particular image does not do it justice...IMHO...

And no...that isn't a drop of wine on the card, Anita! Tis a raindrop. It still hasn't stopped raining here, but the best place for photos is still the back verandah!

I do love the fact that the elongated rectangles from the Nestabilities range are big enough to create a base card. Yes! Very cool!

Well, I hope you enjoyed this series of cards. I would love to hear what you think!!!

Stamps: Inkadinkadoo 97121P (Wine), Hero Arts C4070 A Happy Hello

Inks: StazOn Black Ink

Cardstock: White Gloss Card, Gold Card and Black Bazzill Base

Other: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities Long Rectangles, Gold Cording, Bling Brad (Unknown Source), Gold Brads (Bought Many, Many Years Ago)

Brayer Bounce Wine Bottle

Good morning everyone,

The fourth in this series is back using the brayer. (Yesterday's was NOT using the brayer, nor the one immediately prior, as a few people have believed.)

A simple brayer bounce this time and with colours very cheerful. Guess you would be seeing the bottle cheerfully with rose coloured glasses if you swigged it all...ROFL!

Is everyone bored yet with my wino series? One more to go tomorrow.

Today, I have to see if I can finish off my SS thing for Sassy Stampers. Have a good day everyone.

Materials

Stamps: Inkadinkadoo 97137DD (Background Wording), 97121P (Wine), Hero Arts CL139 Birthday Messages (Happy Happy Tag)

Inks: StazOn Black Ink, Kaleidacolour (unsure which one)

Cardstock: White Gloss Card, DCWV and Bazzill

Other: Gold Buckle, Red Grosgrain, Small and Large Black Brads, Red and Yellow Paper Flowers

Alcoholic Wine (My Favourite)

Good morning ladies,

Today's wine features an alcohol ink background. Another one, I could easily give to a number of blokes I know. The photo does not show up all the subtle metallics so well, but you get most of it. I like this one so much, it may have to remain as part of my show pieces! DH has already spied it and is thinking to whom he can give it .... Not happening boyo!

I always find it amazing with alcohol inks that the piece you make can sometimes look yuck....until you stamp something on it...and then the WOW factor settles in.

I am really enjoying showing this stamp in so many different lights (....even if the photo stage is poxy. My camera does NOT like gloss card!) I still have two more to go. DH is disappearing to play blueball for the arvo! Sweet!

I am wondering if Gracie has spied these yet? Where are you Grace? Know you are there somewhere and even in my time zone now you southern states are done with daylight saving!

Materials
Stamps: Inkadinkado 97121P Wine Bottle, SU Terrific Tags
Inks: StayzOn Black Ink, Ranger Alcohol Inks
Cardstock: White Gloss Card, Bazzill for the rest of it
Other: Cuttlebug with border dot and chevron embossing folders, blue grosgrain ribbon, white metallic cording, Pop Dots, Nestablilites Rectangles

Wine Bottle CC

Good morning people

Today, I am sharing another wine bottle creation displaying the credit card technique. This card was extremely hard to photograph. All the shiny bits were giving my little camera a very hard time! I have limited time this morning. Visitors are arriving by smoko time to have a day of playing cards and other games.

This card is really, really pretty IRL. I think it would be perfect for males of a certain age ;). The background was achieved using just el cheapo black cardstock and applying various paints over the top using the credit card. Found the perfect sentiment in the drawer to go with it, too!

How different is this from yesterday's? Tomorrow's has an even different appearance. Hope you can come back to check it out!

Materials
Stamps: Inkadinkadoo 97121P Wine Bottle, Stamp It Australia2922D Perfection
Inks: StayzOn Black
Cardstock: Bazzill Bling, Artee Burnt Gold, Cheap Black Card Unknown Source
Other: Jo Sonja Paints: Blue, Silver, Gold, Burnt Gold Brads, Cuttlebug, Bubbles Embossing Folder, Nestabilities Rectangles DSFT

Water Brayered Wine

Good morning everyone!
Tis and has been pouring rain in these parts. Good for the cane! Good for wives to disappear into their dungeons!

OK...Over the next few days I will be showcasing the same stamp with different treatments. I received these two gorgeous stamps as part of a present from my good friend Grace. We do like to have a small tipple when we get together, so the stamps are very appropriate!

Again, this is a brayered background. Isn't it divine? I love the look personally. I love to make backgrounds! Oh, and I so love the fact I don't have to do any colouring in...Sweet! Just a note...the smudgy, dotty stuff on the green stamped layer actually should be there...they are part of the stamp. I haven't smudged...lol!

Materials
Stamps:Inkadinkadoo 97137DD (wording), 97121P (wine)
Inks: Kaleidacolour (not sure which pad...sis a whole pile at once!), StayzOn Black Ink
Cardstock: Bazzill, White Gloss
Other: Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Fun Embellishment (Unknown Source), Black Cording

Life Legacy

Afternoon all,

This card was very hard to photograph. Seems I am selecting stuff with a challenge to it lately. Gave up trying to get my last alcohol ink one anywhere near viewable. Like so many others, I have to sit, read and implement the directions which come with my new camera. Sometimes, I wonder why we bother buying swishy stuff when we don't investigate all the great things that stuff can do...sigh!

I will come back in and edit in the credits a little later. I do not want to sit too long here as I will get waylaid...again...I want to stamp the drizzly old afternoon away.

Simple Flowers

Afternoon all,

Very dismal here today and I am thinking I am so glad I ditched the camping idea. I could barely see the highway for the rain, going into Sarina for supplies for the long weekend. Crikey, every man and his dog were at the shops this arvie.

I haven't stamped at all in the last three days...what with going back and forth to Mackay. This simple card was done last week but I hadn't shared. Thought I would today...coz no stamping will be done today either. Hubby is due home any time. We are off to the pub for tea and for him to put his footie bets in.

Hero Arts is the manufacturer of this beautiful stamp which was stamped with Coral Chalk Ink.

Have a good one everybody!

Nostalgic Tea

Afternoon all,

I am working with monochromatics this week, it appears. I know the background paper looks white which would preclude it being monochromatic (but it is really a very pale, pale green).

This card is simple but pretty and I so love working with photo art stamps. This particular one had been previously unloved and uninked, but now its plight has been rectified. Hope you like it!

Stamps: Oxford Impressions Afternoon Tea Plate
Inks: Ancient Page Pine Cardstock: Bazzill
Other: Kaiser DP, Kaiser Pearls, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Floral Folder

Bonsai Moon

Good morning all,

I am early with today's post. This is another brayer creation. To get this wonderful effect is so surprisingly easy!

Load your brayer with one of the colours, mist and brayer immediately onto the white card. Repeat the procedure with the second colour! Voilà! As you can see on the image layer really well, you can create washes of colour, or more splotty effects as in the layered background. It will all depend on how much water you mist and how quickly you brayer!

I did try all sorts of embellishments, but quickly came to the conclusion that I wanted to focus on the backgound. Therefore, I have ended up with a very uncluttered card.

I am quite enarmoured with this background. What do you think?

Materials

Stamps: Rubber Poet Don Blanching DB - 12 - F

Inks: Adirondack Denim and Lettuce

Cardstock: Bazzill and Generic White

Other: Brayer, Water Mister

Wedding Card Number 2

Afternoon all,

Silver card is dodgy to photo. This is the best shot out of like 20 in all sorts of scenarios. I do have some funny sounding stuff on the camera menu which would most likely be what I want, but have lost interest in wading through all that stuff! I so do have to sit and fiddle with this new camera so I can see what it does!

I have cased my own card for our Rubber Bombshell's Challenge. I had to change two things...so colour and the way the ribbon was attached. See my pretty bow? I hate making bows. They never turn out...yeah....yeah I can hear you say. Well, this is one I recycled off the candles I picked up at the supermarket the other day. The bow was already done. ROFL!...but I can pass it off as my own now ;)

The materials list is the same as yesterday, apart from the silver card and that - I have no idea where I snaffled it!

I have done my daughter's order now, but still have to make me one to take to the wedding, myself...better make that two....I have a son who will think about it like two minutes before we get into the car!

Wedding Card Number 1

Afternoon everyone,

Ok ....I have been practising these punched circles. I saw this great tutorial on Becca's blog

http://www.amazingpapergrace.com/circle-frame-tutorial/

and immediately thought I would love to try that myself for a wedding card.

Now, am somewhat anal retentive and I can see some of my friends furiously nodding their collective heads! (cows...you know who you are!!!!)...Oh yes, back on task...so I had to fine tune the process after watching the video. Instead of placing the punch inside each set of lines, I lined up the inside tip of the heart and the bit where the heart dips in the centre at the top with the pencil line of each sector. This made each heart always the same distance apart. (I so don't like the near enough is good enough thing. I tend to not like the thing coz I KNOW it isn't quite right!)....as I said...anal!

I have raised both the scalloped circle pieces, added pearls in the spaces around the hearts and threaded ribbon through the bottom. This is a truly momochromatic card being only shades of purple.

I am actually quite chuffed with how it turned out and I am sure our niece Carly will love it, as Magella, my daughter asked me to make it for her to give her cousin. Both Carly and Magella are purple mad!

Materials

Stamps: Hero Arts CL268 Warmest Wedding

Inks: Adirondack Brights Purple Surf

Cardstock: Bazzill

Other: EK Success Heart Corner Punch, Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Kaiser Lavender Pearls, Purple Grosgrain and Purple Ribbon, DSFT, SU Ribbon Punch, Nestabilities Circles Scalloped and Straight

Celestial Twins

Hello everyone,

In a mad dash this afternoon as it is my DH's birthday and I am arranging a very special dinner for two. Typical....He has just rung to say he will be late. That extra bit of tractor work just has to be done today! Sigh!

I would like to share this little card using Rubber Poet's Celestial Twins. I have made the backgrounds using the bleeding tissue technique. When wetting down the tissue, I used gold Pearl Ex in my water spray, which gives a very subtle sparkle to the whole card. To keep the sparkle there, you do have to remember to spray the lot with workable fixative (otherwise it will merely wipe off!)

I gold embossed Penny Black L509H ...A Better One over the top of the dried tissue paper background. The twins are stamped in StazOn black and just for a little added interest I added two gold stars.

I tend to have a wet day every now and again and make a pile of these backgrounds, so I have plenty when I want to make up something quickly. I have learned also to make at least TWO lots of the same colour combinations...so you can stamp the image but also have a piece which could be used for layering purposes.

Aren't my twinnies gorgeous?