shellpole's snippets

Life Is....

2011-05-26T19:29:00.002+10:00

Evening all,

Just a quick post tonight showing a gorgeous image and sentiment from Darkroom Door.

The background behind the bike was made with alcohol inks on gloss card.

The striped piece at the back is the waxy Cuttlebug technique.

I have my new camera. Now to work out how to use the jolly thing! so...NOOO...I won't be showing off world class photos ....just yet...It's a wee daunting to tell the truth, but I am determined to master it. I almost had conniptions today when checking out how much I needed to transfer over to wipe out my CC for the month. I saw this figure from Harvey Norman...and thought!...Wait...I haven't bought any big ticket items from Harvey Norman...What the heck is this??...Then the penny dropped...I bought the camera....Phew! BEFORE I rang the bank! That would not have been pretty...Image of Michelle trying to crawl back out of the embarrassment hole....

All booked to go to stamp camp now. Looking forward to a weekend with Jeanette Trappett as the tutor. (Best pack lots of wine!) Looking more forward to annoying my mate Grace for a whole two weeks...And looking forward to having my hubby join us, albeit, for one weekend.

Sending You Hugs Watercolour

2011-05-11T09:00:00.002+10:00

I had this background piece in the backgrounds box and decided to get it gone! It was quickly made using H2O's on watercolour paper, some time ago.

I just quickly stamped the Penny Black image in StazOn black ink, distressed the edges...HEAPS...and mounted it, using a couple of embellishments! The Hero Arts wording fits just beautifully. I find Hero Arts have paid a great deal of attention, of late, to the sizing and the look of their sentiments. I am really enjoying the direction this company has been taking!

Pretty in Pink

2011-05-10T09:00:00.000+10:00

Well my mates were here in March for a little stamping get together. I wanted to try out a few of Michelle Zindorf's style of brayering and scene making.

Ok then. It is not as simple as it first appears! I gave up on trying to replicate this http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2010/12/20/flamingo-love-tutorial-385/ .

Instead of brayering, I sponged. I was somewhat determined to get those flamingos on a card! Cheryll had gifted the set to Grace. I wanted to get it dirty...Pronto! ROFL!

Anyway, even though I did not brayer, I am still happy with this scene, and of course, now I, too, own that set! Thanks Cheryll! Such an enabler!

Subdued With Sympathy

2011-05-09T09:00:00.000+10:00

Ok, one of my varying excuses for lack of blogging was that my camera had died a lonely death.

My beautiful DIL to be and I also enrolled in TAFE to do a digital camera course AND a Photoshop course. Whilst the digital camera course was a total flop for us, we did get one thing out of it. We now want to learn how to take a good photo. This, of course requires a good camera.

We have been in the pursuit of finding us a good SLR camera and have now done so. Melissa has hers and I am waiting for mine to come in. In the meantime, without having the camera for more than an afternoon, we just did a series of point and shoots in terrible fluorescent lighting of some of my recent cards (seen the last two days and coming for the next two also). I am pretty chuffed with them. They have been merely cropped and straightened within Photoshop...Nothing else! Cannot wait until they unearth another Sony A55 for ME!!!!! The two from the last two days were stamped on gloss card. Any gloss card work I have ever tried to photograph has been a royal pain in the bum. This was so easy with a great result.

This card uses a beautiful Hero Arts shadow stamp. Have you tried looking for nice shadow stamp lately? I have! For someone else and they appear to be non existent! Hello manufacturers! There should be some out there. Highly useful a nice shadow stamp is!

The wording is hero Arts also but I think the main image is from Stampin Up.

Thinking of You Stampscapes

2011-05-08T09:00:00.000+10:00

Another Stampscapes scene. I love them!!!! They are sooo generic and can be adapted for almost any occasion...mmm.....maybe NOT babies and kids! But you know what I mean.

I am so going to enjoy attending stamp camp this year and playing with Stampscapes! (amongst other things!) It's always much more fun when what you are doing is something you are totally absorbed by....and if you haven't already guessed, I am just a little absorbed by scene making!

The only downer for scene stamping is the amount of time it all takes to come together! You really do have to put some time aside, especially in the learning stages.

This scene was also an early one ....I found a little stash of partially completed and throw out ones and resurrected them. This one had quite a bit I wasn't happy with, but now I think it to be passable, after working on it some more. It certainly is evidence to put something away and then revisit it down the track (and not just throw it straight in the bin with little hangmen drawn all over it, hey Cheryll?...ROFL....She actually DID do that!)

Follow the River

2011-05-07T09:31:00.003+10:00

Hi there everyone!!!!

Long time away from action here. Lots of excuses! Lots and lots!!! But, I will not bore you here with them.

This is a Stampscapes scene, actually stamped up quite a while ago, but only recently mounted. I sometimes have real tortuous moments trying to think of interesting ways to present Stampscapes scenes, and often fall back on simple, as in the card here. This is because i hate to see any element covered up by embellishments etc. Am I wrong? Who knows?

I really was in learning mode when I stamped this.

Trying to organise a trip to the US next year to encompass a stamp show...oh AND some sight-seeing...I am told.....(If I have to!...I DID say, sightseeing = the inside of as many stamping places we could find! This did not go down well, hey Grace?)

So if you are American and can offer us up some information, that would be great! Stampaway in Ohio in August is supposed to be one of the best around. Opinions please!

Lady By the Lake

2011-02-24T21:09:00.004+10:00

The background to this gorgeous image by Rubber Poet was made using Kaleidacolour Ink, a brayer and gloss card. The sentiment is by Hero Arts.

It IS actually mounted on a white base card, which is quite difficult to see. The image and its immediate background has been raised from the Cuttlebugged piece using DSFT. Added for interest were the punched butterflies.

Watched a video of my niece jumping out of a plane last night, at 14 thousand feet. She tells me it was exciting, but I am wondering why anyone would pay more than 500 dollars to jump out of a perfectly working plane!!!! Hubby wants to go. I think we will buy him that for his upcoming birthday...and I will be on the ground with the bottle of wine and camera! Ugh....never ever...for me!

With Sympathy

2011-02-13T04:21:00.000+10:00

Hello again,

Just a quick card today. We all seem to need sympathy cards all too often, unfortunately, and I for one, do not like making them when I really have to. I find it much easier to have a few on hand.

With this in mind and the serene image from Darkroom Door, this card was born. The background I already had made is a Marvy Metallic one. (Yes, I was still checking out that background drawer.....There is lots and lots in there!)

Who remembers Marvy Metallics??? I still have them. They can make the most awesome backgrounds, so if you see some, grab them! I remember hosting an online class many years ago for an online Yahoo Group Stamphappy, and know that there are at least 8/9 different backgrounds you can make using these pens.

The wording is by Amazing Creations. Such a pity Jenny McNulty does not design anymore.

Have a great day!

Joseph's Coat

2011-02-12T16:12:00.003+10:00

Hi there,

Some doofus went and injured her back yet again, so life has been a wee steady.

I pulled out the Joseph's Coat piece from my backgrounds drawer, sat and looked at it for a few days and almost put it back again. (I just like looking at the colours that came through when I was making it...lol)

In the end, I decided to sacrifice it and put it to card. The stamped featured is from Hero Arts. Gorgeous, isn't it? I love quite a few in their catalogue this year.

Remember, if in Australia, I retail Hero Arts stuff!

Cheers!

2011-02-06T09:00:00.000+10:00

Well, a deviation from flowers!!! As needs must, they say!

I have a 21st to attend tonight...well, I think so...It is pouring rain and I have not heard that it has been called off yet. The young man in question has a love of motor bikes, so this card is quite appropriate, don't you think?

The stamp is from Stamp It Australia and I have had a little play with my copics. (Which means...don't be too harsh on me!) They don't get dusted near as often as they should.)

I have to say that the two Cuttlebug folders used for this card are wonderful for anything manly.

Going to set this to post tomorrow......

Just Saying Hello

2011-02-05T09:25:00.002+10:00

Very appropriate!

I am just saying hello.

This card fully features Hero Arts stamps. I would have said quick and easy but I had mega troubles with the little flower piece. I could not, for the life of me, get the StazOn opaque cream to look good on any colour, so, in the end, ditched it altogether and we now have what we can see here.

All cyclones have now been and gone, with the uber big one a bit of a non event for us. Got enough tinned food to last a while now, though! Power did not go except for about a minute. For this, I am grateful! The last time, 4 days without power, was a bit of a trial in the middle of summer.

Am thinking of the rellos on the Atherton Tablelands, who won't get their power back for a while yet. Good thing is, they are all good with no damage to houses (just the gardens).

Drunk Flowers

2011-01-23T09:03:00.000+10:00

I found a scrap of background, so quickly whizzed this gorgeous Hero Arts stamp on to it and layered it up.

Still falling into the CAS range, I think.

The scan seems to make it look like it is smudged, bit IRL it isn't.

Having a few shadow stamps on your collection is great for showing off pretty backgrounds. I think this one lends itself to the alcohol inks just nicely. What do you reckon?

Little Stamp Big Punch

2011-01-22T14:56:00.002+10:00

Afternoon all,

On a very hot and steamy Saturday afternoon I have been hidden away in my art room. My back still gives me trouble sitting at my desk, so into the CAS style I go....well at least try to go! Tried punching the SU ribbon punch and it got stuck, so spent ten minutes with the craft knife making the holes. Would have been far faster to just stamp up another image....but NO...stampers rarely give up!

True to what I decided, this card comes completely from left overs. I love the set the Hero Arts watercolour flower comes from, but I love their wording even more. If you haven't had a chance to check their new sets out, I would well advise it!

Truly Appreciated CAS

2011-01-21T13:24:00.002+10:00

Afternoon all,

Here is a CAS (Clean and Simple) card using my newly arrived Hero Arts stamps. The new catalogue is out and brimming with lots of must haves. (If in Australia, give me a buzz, as I do carry them!)

Also, I am on a yearly mission of using up the tonne of scraps I acquire throughout time. For the next little while, I am going to endeavour to not cut into a full sheet of anything....Methinks, this will be SOME challenge! I get a tick for this one, though, coz everything came out of the seconds drawers.

Cheers!

Old Gum Tree

2011-01-15T10:50:00.002+10:00

Today brings a change of scenery. I was rummaging around the stamping drawers and found one of the very first stamps I ever bought and decided to condition it with these results.

The image is a Print Blocks one and is stamped in StazOn black. It has been coloured using Tombows. (Who still has Tombows??). The gum leaves stamped in the background are from the now defunct Stamp World and the wording is from SU.

I love the barbed wire ribbon and have been itching to use it on a card. What better way than with a tumbled down fence image!

Emerson Funnies

2011-01-14T17:16:00.003+10:00

Hi there,

Yesterday was filled with doctors and a funeral and I didn't get to post.

I made up this quickie using a serviette, and the freezer paper technique. Pretty cool, hey? The stamping was done with Brilliance and an old Amazing Creations heart. I also lightly sponged around the edges.

I love these humorous sayings and know just the person I am going to give this too. She has a wicked sense of humour!

A Picture in Pink

2011-01-12T20:55:00.002+10:00

Evening all.

A simple card for today as I have damaged my back, once again, and don't like to sit too long.

The stamp is, of course, a Hero Arts one. It is one I have owned for a few years now and still comes in handy for a quick and easy card.

Add the diamantes to the Cuttlebugged card and a bit of ribbon and we are done.

Pearlex Background

2011-01-11T16:09:00.002+10:00

More Hero Arts!!!! This time, flourish flowers with wording from one of the mini sets.

I made the background using PE and spray webbing which has been sealed. Everything was stamped with StazOn black ink with the edges being swiped with the pad as well.

To finish off, a few SU butterfly punches with wee diamantes attached and some gold brads.

For those of you who have held in there through my absence...Thanks...HEAPS!

Pearlescent Backgrounds

2011-01-10T08:16:00.002+10:00

Good morning all,

Today, I my card shows a pearlescent background. You can just see it in the picture. Such a pity the camera loses the sheen on things so easily.

I used a little Hero Arts stamp which I stamped in StaZon ink. The butterfly was an embellishment I picked up at Spotlight not long ago.

I should hear word soon if I have made the number attending a photographic course. Hope I don't have to wait until the next one. I am keen to develop a bit better knowledge in this area! (Especially the Photoshop component!) Pretty much a doofus all round on the subject.

(( I have a new shipment of Hero Arts for my little business coming in, so if you are interested and love Hero Arts, feel free to contact me.))

Gesso Scene

2011-01-09T09:03:00.002+10:00

The background today was made using Gesso and Pearl Ex. I pulled out the Sew Mini to try out its paces again to attach the background piece to the final layer and used the SU butterfly punch with wee pearls to finish it off. The Hero Arts stamp was stamped with StaZon Black. The sheen of the PE makes this look so much prettier IRL.

To answer a few questions about the Cold Laminate:

1. Rice paper is usually found in specialist stationery shops along with the tissue paper. The texture of it reminds me of really fine tissue paper.

2. Tissue paper can be used also.

3. Cold laminate is to be found in stationery shops also.

4. Peel the backing off the cold laminate and carefully attach to the rice/tissue paper. That is truly all you have to do. (You can purposely scrunch the rice/tissue paper up to give a different effect.)

5. Stamp on the shiny acetate looking side...NOT the rice/tissue paper side.

6. Experiment with a background card. The effect and the colour you will see will depend what you layer this to.

It is one of the quickest background making techs out there. It is very cheap and very effective! Give it a go. You will be pleasantly surprised!

Revisit A Very Old Technique

2011-01-06T20:30:00.004+10:00

I am going to run with flowers as they seem to be catching my eye more than anything else in my extensive collection at the moment.

This card revisits a very old technique using cold laminate and rice paper. It is the really pretty background behind the Penny Black flower. The wording is SU with the teal background being Cuttlebugged with one of their new larger sized embossing folders which are sooo much better to use than the small ones!

T'was a little tricky trying to photograph and not get the laminate all shiny. I hope you can see enough of it as is. I was outside in a flash, between the many storms we had today. Another one is brewing now!

I know it is simple, but I think it turned out OK in the end.

Pretties my hubby bought me for our wedding anniversary on Tuesday! Anyone who knows my hubby, knows this is not in character...SO, I have to show them off!

Penny Black...Again!

2011-01-05T19:40:00.003+10:00

Hi there,

Accounts all done. The tax man will be happy. Husband is, for sure!

Now, on to another floral card. Flowers seem to be my absolute favourites. BUT!!!! You can't go wrong with flowers. Can you??

Penny Black flower with HA wording...again! I find the two companies seem to complement each other perfectly.

The Cuttlebugged background really makes the card, I think.

Monochromatic Flowers

2011-01-04T11:14:00.003+10:00

Good morning everyone,

This is a product of yesterday's sojourn to the cool climes of my art room.

I love to work in monochromatic tones and think this is a good example of that type of work. The main image is by Hero Arts, as is the wording. (I just received the new 2011 catalogue for Hero Arts. YUMMO!) The flowers in the background are by SU.

The sketch is a tried and true one but is always a great one to fall back on. I am hoping to regain my mojo fully and am pleased with the start I have made!

"Side Note" : TODAY, is my 25th wedding anniversary!!!!

New Year New Focus!

2011-01-03T11:48:00.004+10:00

Hi all,

After having another hiatus, I am sincerely hoping to stay on track.

It has been difficult to become motivated given the weather conditions and the failure to get all our crop off...BUT....New Year....New Focus!

I have been asked quite a few times to take some piccies of my new stamping area, so I have started the year off with just that. I took over my daughter's room and just love the space and size of the room. (Magella is now living away from home, so I didn't kick her out of her room. I DID tell her she can't come back, coz I am now not giving it up for quids.) I inherited the purple, but decided I quite liked it. Magella helped me with the lime green curtains too, much to the disgust of her father!

Having JUST finished sorting through stuff, the room is really neat....well...as neat as it ever would get. In another half an hour it will not look like this as I am off to settle to the tennis and some stamping in the cool of the room.

It's funny....Neil is still calling the area Shell's Dungeon....I have been trying to re-educate him to Shell's artroom...or Shell's Studio.....but he is really hard to budge on his little catch phrase.

So here it is....

This is my teaching desk (but also general dumping ground when not teaching!)

My most favourite part of my house....My stamping table!

I really must do something with all the cards i have made. They are in all the little blue baskets. Under them is all my A4 card and paper.

All of the cardstock I have on sale.

Note the shoe hanger has a new mission in life....to store my punches.

Personal storage space. You gotta love those cabinets....My stars! You can fit a tonne of stuff in them! The Brisbane Open Tennis for 2011 is playing on the telly (the Aussie lass is currently in the lead.)

Hero Arts...Yet Again

2010-11-17T18:49:00.002+10:00

Hi there everyone,

Another very simple card, also fashioned after a card I saw in the current Hero Arts catalogue.

The flower is stamped on various coloured card, cut and layered, with each petal being fingernail distressed and layered using very fine DSFT. The stem I made from a scrap bit of black card. Having the Cuttlebug layer underneath was really necessary to lift this card.

I nearly always tie bows, or knots where you see the ends, so I really like the look of this particular way of presenting the ribbon. I love different!!!

Rustic Flowers

2010-11-15T16:39:00.002+10:00

Good afternoon all,

This card was fashioned after a card I saw when flipping through the current Hero Arts catalogue.

The flowers, come from one of the Hero Arts clear sets and is proving to be quite versatile. Add string, buttons and a strip of card which I ran through the corrugator and the top part of the card is done. I loaded the base card into the Cuttlebug so the entire front was embossed.

Simple, yet appealing.

A Hint of Spring

2010-11-09T17:04:00.003+10:00

Hi there on this miserable rainy day!

Here is the same Hero Arts flower which I used yesterday. This time I stamped it up on a brayered piece of gloss card, cut and raised it. The centre of the flower has mini micro beads.

The Martha Stewart punch makes an excellent fence, don't you agree? I punched the fence from a scrap piece of a background I made some time ago, using salt, dye inks and gloss card. Pearls were added to give it some pizzazz.

The flower is backed by a Cuttlebugged piece of Bazzill which I have swiped with Brilliance Ink. To finish it off, I attached a few SU butterflies with little diamantes.

I know the quality of the picture leaves something to be desired. Please bear with me on this. I will endeavour to grab my camera as soon as I can. I figure I best give my poor old blog some love and attention, so scanning is better than nothing.

Black, White and a Touch of Red

2010-11-08T13:17:00.002+10:00

Hello all,

Not the best of scans here. My daughter still has my camera, so I scanned it. Being dimensional it hasn't done so well, but hey! Better than nothing!

This is such a simple card but I like it!

The wording is by Stampin Up and the flower is by Hero Arts.

Sailing Adventure

2010-10-21T20:05:00.002+10:00

Hi there,

I have been away for a little stamping sojourn with my mate Cheryll. I did come home Monday, but have been helping my daughter clean a rental house in order for her to have her bond returned. On top of that, I have a new computer with only half my stuff set up on it. I DO have the printer/scanner/copier working, but NO Photoshop.

Here is one of the cards I made with Cheryll. This is her design which she was doing in class. I have darkened mine somewhat. I tore the card with the mask when removing said mask. So then, I had to stamp the sails out twice, watercolour twice and layer ...just so I could cover the tear. The other things I did a wee differently....I burned the ends of the twill and attached them with brads and furred up all the edges in a big way and inked the top layer up.

A Lifetime is Not Enough

2010-10-07T18:36:00.003+10:00

This has turned out to be a really lovely sympathy card. I do hope I don't have to use it any time soon!!!!

The stamps used are by Stamp It Australia and were stamped with StazOn black ink. All card throughout is Bazzill (the lemon, brown and vanilla base).

So Hot!

2010-10-06T10:48:00.003+10:00

Well, it is heating up in my neck of the woods and with the coming of summer, this card seems to be quite appropriate.

It is a photoscape using a Stamp It Australia stamp. The sentiment is by Darkroom Door. Both were stamped using StazOn black. The scape was mounted on lemon, black, vanilla and finally to a black Bazzill base. I finished it off with a few black blings.

Shining Day

2010-10-04T07:35:00.004+10:00

Good morning to all,

Here is another photoscape, this time using a Stamp It Australia stamp with the sentiment, of course, from Hero Arts.

Think I have hit upon a system to these. I scanned and then went into Photoshop to tweak it. It is pretty near to being true, now.

I have mounted on to purple Bazzill and then on to black with some pink DP before mounting the lot to a pale cream base. All stamping was achieved using StazOn black.

I love the colours in this...very me.

Create Your Own Journey

2010-10-03T12:43:00.002+10:00

This is yet another photoscape where all Stampscapes were used for the main image. The wording and trail of dots are by Hero Arts.

The photoscape was mounted on to yellow Bazzill and then to black and finally to a pale cream base. All stamping was done with StazOn black.

This one looks way better IRL. I struggle to capture the correct colourings with these. I spent a good deal of time outside in natural light, inside under the day lamps and finally settled on the scanner.

Hope you like it!

Long Absence

2010-10-02T08:52:00.002+10:00

Hi there folks,

Long time, no see. The whys and wherefores of my absence I will not post online, but I am hoping to stay tuned this time.

This is a card I made for a wedding I attended last month. The only stamping was the sentiment in the lower right corner which did not photograph easily or well.

Peaceful Sunset

2010-08-09T18:15:00.003+10:00

Hi there,

Here is another photoscape, using Stampscapes stamps, of course!

Z Card in the Vertical Orientation!

2010-08-08T21:49:00.002+10:00

Hi there,

It has been an interesting few days for the Walpole family, to say the least! It isn't much fun when your billylids fall ill, even when one of them is 20!

Here is a Z fold card which stands alone as you can see in the first photo. The stamps are an unknown factor (they belonged to Grace!), apart from the sentiment, which is a Hero Arts clear stamp.

I have used a torn edge to make my waves and added Kindyglitz for the surf at the crest of the waves. The main image is layered on to black, which is then mounted with DSFT, so there is room for the card to slot under the circle tab....enabling the card to "stand".

This card is destined for a children's hospital in Canberra and was part of a challenge. The challenge was to make a child's card, and incorporate the wording "Happy Birthday" on the front.

No time today!

2010-08-04T20:11:00.002+10:00

I am going to have to post two cards tomorrow as today has evaporated into the mist!

I have been helping move equipment to and fro for the men planting, then off to the doctor's , which turned out to be quite the trip! After that to town to dump my phone for repairs, recoup some money from all the medical stuff happening lately, hand in signed papers for the accountant and finally, grab stuff for tea as I had the billylids coming .. After that, back home to move more heavy machinery. (Anyone familiar with heavy machinery, knows this isn't a five minute job!)

Once home and ready to cook, I retrieve a text to say my youngster is at the hospital. Arrggghhh! Well, he is home at the moment...sent home as there was no doctor in attendance.

Needless to say, photographing and posting my card is down my list until tomorrow! I am in worry mode.

Fishing By the Falls

2010-08-03T19:44:00.002+10:00

I had such a hard time trying to capture the colours of this card with the camera and also with the scanner. The teals are not looking tealish...to me!

Anyway, this was a lesson of Kevin's over at the Stampscape site. I had brayered the background ages ago and half stamped it at the time. When in Canberra, I decided to finish it off. That of course meant, a lot of working with the stylus tool, Marvy Matchable inks and the white gel pen as well as spraying it with a gloss sealant. Today, I mounted it to card, finally.

The sentiment is by Hero Arts.

Photoscapes! StampIt Sunset

2010-08-02T21:14:00.006+10:00

Hi there,

Here is my first Photoscape for show and tell!

I lurrrveee photoscapes! Once you play with them for a while you begin to "see" which photos will work better than others. This sunset was a photo downloaded from the net and printed at a photoshop.

If you are going to try this, remember to look only for high resolution photos. You are wasting your time with anything else, as they are too pixelated when developed.

The gorgeous image was stamped a couple of times with StazOn black ink and is from Stamp It. I distressed all the edges of the layered card, but left it at that....on purpose. I did not want to burden the card with anything else. Rather, let the image say it all.

What do you think?

The Prettiness of Pearl Ex

2010-08-01T19:36:00.002+10:00

Hi there,

Soft and pretty mode! I stamped this old favourite from Stamp It with Versamark and added colour using Pearl Ex. It looks so beautiful IRL, because of the wonderful shimmer Pearl Ex has. Unfortunately, the camera does have a bit of difficulty picking such things up.

The sentiment is by Hero Arts. Isn't it funny when you have a clean out as to what you find? I found the centre piece half mounted and ready to go....Finally, the poor piece has a home!

Moody Night

2010-07-31T22:57:00.003+10:00

This card is going to be winning me a lotto ticket...Thanks very much Miss Judy! This IS my card.....Miss Judy didn't believe that her secret sister card was not made by me, so the bet was made. In truth, it wasn't...but I DID make one very similar and here it is!

I love this card. It has attitude...all dark and gloomy. I just love the Stampscapes. You can make them as simple or as complicated as you like and they still look great.

It is almost midnight here, so no waffling on. My son and his partner have been for tea and have just left. I had quite forgotten to post and don't want to spoil my good record, so had to pop this on before the day turns into Sunday.

Flap Fold Card in Pink

2010-07-30T12:39:00.003+10:00

Closed

Open

Hi all,

Here is the Flap Fold Card done in pinks....which, in my opinion, is so much prettier than the purple! I guess, though, given the right circumstances, both would suit really well.

The little sentiment is by Hero Arts. Hero Arts have some wonderful stamps out there, at present. I am so glad they are keeping up with the other big leaders in stamping.

I scrounged this paper off Cheryll...again...I took Bazzill with me...Just didn't think to take DP too.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Metric Flap Fold

2010-07-29T16:57:00.004+10:00

Open

Closed

Hi there,

I am a wee late posting today, as I was called away to help move equipment to the next farm for planting. This took ages...Like half the day!

Anyway, here is a little Flap Fold Card I made using the instructions on the Scor-Pal site. Naturally, this can be made without the aid of the Scor-pal, but, again, I wanted to see if it was easier. You know, it is! The biggest draw card is that you don't need to get out ruler and pencil to measure everything. I tell you, this cuts a fair swag of time off construction part.

The only stamping with this is the sentiment on the front! The DP, I scrounged off Cheryll :)

(And I know she does not like this one. I liked hers the best!)

Trying to Post

2010-07-28T19:26:00.004+10:00

Oh Yuck.

I am trying to post the bag we stamped at camp and it is not doing well. The photo does not show the pretty Lumière paints at all well. It is quite pretty IRL. All stamps used are My Stamps by Cathy Daulman, who was our lovely instructor for the weekend. Unfortunately all the frayed overlapping bits are a wee hard to see too....Darn It!

I might try again in the morning and edit it back into this post.

Wonder what else I have photographed ready....Now is not a good time to take piccies...They never look good when I take them at night!

Cheers!

Deer in Forest

2010-07-27T20:00:00.001+10:00

This scene does come from one of Kevin's tutorials on the Stampscapes site, but doesn't look like his much at all anymore. He is so magnificent doing them...

One day!

In the meantime, I am aspiring to those heights!

All Stampscapes this time...No wording. We decided this one did not need anything along that line. The sketch is not my own. I have seen it around and most recently in the gallery of Stampscapes.

On The Beach

2010-07-26T09:24:00.002+10:00

Hi there,

Wow! It sure doesn't take any time at all to go through all your reserves! I see I am already up to where I preposted everything last week!

Here is another Stampscapes scene. This one I really DO like, which is no mean feat for me, as I am my own worst critic.

It makes me smile....and today is not a smiley day!!! I have already been on the phone to Telstra for over an hour and just got hung up on! Grrrr!!!!

Sending Smiles

2010-07-25T08:00:00.001+10:00

This is the card Closed

Fully open laying flat.

And standing.

Hello there,

We go on a little break from trees...Phew, you all say!

This horizontal Z card was made using the Scor-Pal and instructions from their site. I can make them without those directions, of course, but I wanted to see how efficient the tool was. I am happy to say that I quite like it.

In effect, this is a really simple card, but becomes a little special because of its orientation, I think.

I tried it in olive as well, and they both set quite a different mood.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side (3rd and Last in the Series)

2010-07-24T08:00:00.002+10:00

This is the last in the series of the "forest" look using the Stampcapes tree. I found it interesting to challenge myself to actually make all three attempts up into cards! I see so many Stampscapes scenes online, but a great deal of them are not carded, which is a shame.

The extra bits of stamping and wording are by Darkroom Door and of course the tree is Stampscapes, as I have previously mentioned.

I do hope you have enjoyed my forests!

Adventure (2nd in the Series)

2010-07-23T08:00:00.004+10:00

G'Day everyone,

This is the second in the series of the "forest" look using the Stampscapes tree. The wording is from Darkroom Door. As with the first scene, Marvy Matchables were used and a water spritzer.

It was helped out a bit by various punches and the Cuttlebug. I don't mind how it turned out when put to card.

Dream (1st in the Series)

2010-07-22T08:00:00.002+10:00

This is the first in the series of the"Forest" look using the Stampscapes tree. I was trying to achieve a watercolour effect, but alas, with the paper being used, just wasn't getting it to the stage where I was liking it.

I was using Marvy Matchables and they were fading quickly. Overstamping in the black has rescued the whole thing and now I am thinking it is not bad after all.

What do you think?

Back From Canberra

2010-07-21T12:34:00.005+10:00

Hello All,

I am now back in the land of little or no winter and have a swag of things for show and tell.

My time in Canberra was wonderful and rejuvenating. Between the three of us, this time, as a couple of others could not come, we spent a lovely week prior to camp stamping up a storm. I did spend quite a deal of that time working on perfecting the Stampscapes scenes, but in between I managed to do some construction cards.

This is one of them. This is called a hidden message card. I found the directions over at the Scor-Pal site. One of our varying missions over the course of our visit, was to try out some of the wonderful tutorials Scor-Pal has to offer. I have both the metric and imperial boards, so it was a good excuse to get into it.

One thing I found I did not like, was that the message pulls straight out. I have "fixed" this by putting stoppers underneath.

I have used Grace's (Grace being my gorgeous hostess for the last 12 days!) stamps, some of her papers and her watercolours to achieve this card. The backing card is my own Bazzill.

I am so very tired now all the excitement has disappeared, but am really pleased to have spent some time with my mates Cheryll and Grace and to have had the opportunity to meet up with lots of other lovelies from Canberra. Judy in particular...and others...too many to name!

Another Easel

2010-07-03T19:48:00.002+10:00

Hi there folks,

I am back from playing in the dirt, way out at Rubyvale. I did not find very much of note, but my lovely hubby bought me two rings....two...because I just could not decide between the two!

I meant to post this as an auto-post for when I was away, but, alas, I ran out of time.

This is a card I made for an online Yahoo group and is a secret sister card. I tried to photograph it from a few angles so the dimensional aspect can be seen. The jury is out on how well I managed that! By now, she will know who gave it to her, so all is sweet.

Here is a funny story for you:- (Though, I would have been hopping mad, had it happened to me!)..... One of the girls received her secret sister card...neatly addressed, stamps attached, in an neat space of time. The weird thing was, that it was also neatly slit across the top and the envelope was empty....minus the card! How cheeky is that????

Six ATCs down, forty to go. I think that may have to be my mission tomorrow!

Out of Africa ATC

2010-06-28T06:33:00.001+10:00

Morning all,

Just about to head out for the gemfields and awaiting Neil to come home from the irrigator.

I have remembered I didn't post this yesterday...one of those chores I had in my head to do. It isn't the best of piccies, but here is my ATC for camp....46 of them have to be done. I have decided to mat them with white...which I have done...but I packed the camera and no time to take another piccie...As soon as the old man gets home, he will want to get going.

Stampscapes stamps all...except for the elephants which are TAC.

Yet Another Stampscape

2010-06-25T18:46:00.003+10:00

Are you getting sick of these yet? I am not!!!!

This one was on a postcard sent with my order. Other than that little detail, I can tell you no more as all the postcards are now in Canberra awaiting my arrival!

The little lakeside cove stamp I have owned for a very, very long time and is one I do not tire of. It is such a pretty stamp.

Now yellow is not a favourite colour of mine, but my lovely daughter, Magella, tells me the yellow in this is just right. What do you think?

In the Moonlight

2010-06-22T08:49:00.004+10:00

Hello again!

Here is the lesson entitled Moonlit Ledge given by Kevin at www.stampscapes.com

As usual, Kevin's is just gorgeous, but I think this rendition is not too shabby either. I have to say, that moonlight on the rocks took a fair while to achieve!

I love working with the shades of blue. Next time, however, we will have a total colour change. Stay tuned!

(It is D-Day...Tuesday! Workmen here....I am stressed!)

Back from my Hiatus

2010-06-20T10:51:00.003+10:00

Here I am again. As I begin to pack things to go to Canberra in early July, I have the delightful feeling of returning mojo.

For the last few months, I have been totally embroiled in trying to have a new kitchen built. Easy, one says???????? NOT in this case. I have been physically without a kitchen since the 15th February and to this point in time, I still do not have a working kitchen. I have rued the day I decided on the choice of builders. Not one thing has gone in the right direction, but it is a most comforting thought that they will not make a penny from my job. Just one point...the laminate top in one section has had to be redone 3 times!

....For the first time in a very long time there is light upon the horizon. I am not willing to get my hopes up too much, but come Tuesday, my kitchen should be finished...well the part that the kitchen people deal with anyway....I can then return to a normal life....without having bits of my stuff all over my house. Anyone who knows me, knows that having stuff all over the place is driving me nuts. I am an " in its place" person and anally neat.

Okie dokie....I must apologise sincerely to my blog followers and to my blogging group for my absence. I sincerely hope I can stay on track now. (This is, of course, dependent on Tuesday!)

This card is another rendition of a Stampscapes Card entitled "Snowy Cabin", which was stamped by the brilliant Kevin Nakagawa....see www.stampscapes.com I could not find this on the site, but when ordering recently, I was sent a postcard with this scene and just had to try it myself.

The only thing I was not happy with, was the misting, which was supposed to be achieved by white pigment ink. I used Crafters, but will try this misting with Brilliance next time, to gauge if there is a vast difference between the two. Pity Kevin didn't name the brand, coz I would have it ordered and living here by now!

This style of stamping is so rewarding....I have a few more over the course of the next few days to share with you.

Cheers, Michelle

Adventure By The Lake

2010-04-25T09:12:00.001+10:00

Here is another Stampscapes scene. Aren't they just gorgeous?

The little wording comes from Darkroom Door Wilderness 2 Plate. I have used, again, a Kaleidacolour pad to brayer the base. Not seen really well in the photo is the swishes of Marvy light blue which I randomly swiped through the water.

I am loving this adventure, myself, and am really enjoying playing with these scenes!!!

Always Friends

2010-04-24T11:19:00.002+10:00

I have had this image stamped since going to Canberra in July last year!

Seeing as my room is topsy turvy awaiting the men to replace bricks in the wall from the old aircon which was ripped out last night, and also the installation of the new split system (tomorrow, fingers crossed!), I have delved into my little "half finished" container and came away with this pretty scene.

The stamp manufacturer I have no idea of, but if Grace sees this, she can enlighten us, since it is her stamp! The technique is Brayered Madras, which uses the Kaleidacolour ink pads once more. I really get good purchase out of all my Kaleidacolour pads, eh? I have never regretted buying these pads, as there are just so many things you can do with them.

To finish off, I Cuttlebugged a layer piece using one of the bigger new embossing folders. I love the bigger folders, they are just right for card makers! The main image is raised with DSFT and a wee Hero Arts wording stamped in StazOn black. I felt it didn't need any more fuss, as it tells the story quite nicely, as is.

Gum Drop Lake

2010-04-19T08:27:00.001+10:00

Gum Drop Lake is also a lesson form the Stampscapes site. ummmm.....This end result isn't like the lesson at all....lol!

I wanted to put "curtains" on the sides but alas, I did not have the right coloured netting. I envy the girls in the US who can access that stuff by the roll! It was a firm design plan which I am disappointed can not be implemented! I had this thought that the card should have the sense of looking out the kitchen window.

If I come across that netting stuff, I am going to revisit and finish this off. I reckon it would look really cool. I was pretty chuffed with the actual scene though when completed.

Get Lost

2010-04-18T08:20:00.002+10:00

Hi all,

Here is my second attempt at the Fall Forest lesson from the Stampscapes site.

All the same materials were used as stated yesterday (although I did forget to mention I micro glazed the scene on completion!).

I tried this one again as I was not happy with how dark my second line of trees was. Being new ink pads, I should have realised two stamp offs would not be enough. I stamped off no less than 4 times to get the right tone. But, this time, I stamped off the final layer in the background one too many times and it is just that bit too light now! I can see them on the real card, but it is hard to see that final row of trees in the photo! Oh well! Live and learn!

I love that wording!

Change

2010-04-17T11:50:00.002+10:00

Afternoon all,

Here is another Stampscapes scene. This time I was trying out the Lesson called Fall Forest. It isn't the same as the lesson as I did not have and Big and Juicy ink pads. Instead, I have used the Kaleidacolour pad I had on hand.

I felt I did not stamp the middle layer of trees off enough, but it is seeming to tone down a little today and the double darkness is not quite as noticeable.

The wording is from Darkroom Door, but all the scenic stuff is Stampscapes. I have layered on to black and then used DSFT to raise the central image. I popped a little butterfly in the corner with a brad to tie it all in with the wording.

Cheryll....This was my first attempt...Attempt number two I will show tomorrow.

Simplescapes!

2010-04-15T18:45:00.004+10:00

Hi everyone,

I received my Marvy inks in the mail today and have finally settled with enough supplies to try some of the lessons more fully from the Stampscapes site. Mind you, I didn't end up using the ink pads for this one...lol!

I have used Stampscapes stamps throughout, aided and abetted by India Ink and Pine Needles distress ink (I don't own the Ocean Aqua actually used in the sample, so improvisation was called for). I followed closely....well sort of closely the lesson found here http://www.stampscapes.com/lessonset.html (Scroll down the left side till you get to Simplescapes, and then choose Lake Aqua Blue). I did like the moody effect and love the outcome. I think it would look good using other colours also, and am thinking of trying them out.

I finished the scene off with buffing it up with Micro Glaze and adding gel pen highlights here and there. This time, I added the gel pen after the glaze, coz last time the stuff just rubbed straight off!

Hope you like it.

Hope Your Day Shines People

2010-04-09T12:52:00.002+10:00

Pretty, pretty, pretty!!!!

Basically cased from the Hero Arts new catalogue. I am so pleased I stamped this up because it looks really cool IRL!

I have used Hero Arts stamps throughout, Colourbox Chalk Inks and Bazzill cardstock. I stamped, sponged and cut out a flower and attached it over the main flower with a button and string.

Please note I put the sentiment on a tilt...Yep...right away from my comfort zone....I almost didn't. I was sitting there with the DSFT on the back, moving it horizontally and then tilting...back to horizontally ....back to tilting. Aren't I a woosss?? I do not do crooked very well, so it is a major achievement that tilting won the day!

I have to say, it is brilliant to actually stamp something! Wooooo Hooooo!!!!

Hi all, Miss Me?

2010-04-08T16:30:00.002+10:00

Card is closed up here.

Card is fully opened here.

This is the back of the card.

Regular followers of this blog must be wondering if I have fallen of the face of the planet???

No, but I have not had a functioning arting area for quite some time and the hubby and I have been renovating. Enough said!

I found this partially completed card when I was moving all my junk....aka...stamping stuff, to its new abode, and finished it off this afternoon.

MFT stamps are the focus but the flourishes belong to Kaiser, I think. I have used Kaiser papers throughout (with the paper piecing as well!). I tackled the back feature with all different sizes paper punches and added Kindy Glitz to the flourishes. A little grosgrain ribbon and it is complete. I love to make cards which have different orientations and this one has turned out quite well, I am thinking.

Tomorrow and Saturday morning my kitchen is being put in. The old air con has to be removed from my new art studio and bricks replaced...coz it was a box air con, and then my new (split system)....very quiet, air con has yet to be installed. Basically, most of the stuff is in the room, but there is no rhyme nor reason to it. And as those who know me well can attest to...I am finding that quite the trial! I will have time from the weekend on to set things straight and to get back into serious stamping. Shell is not much fun when her beloved stamps and stuff are beyond her reach!!!!!

Out of Action

2010-03-11T08:19:00.003+10:00

Just a quick note to say I will remain out of action for probably another week. I am in the processing of cleaning my house after the big wet and whilst doing that I am moving all my art stuff to another room to set up there. Have to get a new air con set up in there as well....must see to have my creature comforts,as they say!

This will all take a bit of time, but will be so worth it in the end...more space...airier...pretty purple walls...did I mention MORE SPACE???????

I shall return....soon!

House Mouse Tailors

2010-03-05T09:21:00.001+10:00

Hello there,

Still on autopost!

Today, I would like to share a House Mouse card. I have made this ahead of time for a Secret Sister commitment I have with a Yahoo group I belong to.

I WAS going to use my new Janome Sew Mini....but by the time I got to that stage, it just wouldn't work, so I bailed and did faux stitching instead.

I think I just may be over the colouring in stage for now!

Quick and Easy Flowers

2010-03-04T09:17:00.002+10:00

Iam auto posting here, just in case it fines up...You will not see me for dust then, as I have a pile of cleaning and painting to get through.

This card utilises some embellishments which came with a magazine my g/f Cheryll gave me the other day. Instead of hiding them away, probably never to be seen again, I decided to get them on a card!

And here it is! The sentiment is by Hero Arts.

Pearlescent Ink Work 2

2010-03-03T09:12:00.000+10:00

And here is another one.

This time, instead of using the ferns as a mask, I have actually sprayed the fernery itself and then stamped them on the cardstock.

I love the finished product and is super pearly IRL.

I have added a Hero Arts sentiment and a trio of SU wee medallions to add interest.

What do you think of Pearlescent Inks?

Pearlescent Ink Work 1

2010-03-02T09:02:00.000+10:00

Afternoon all,

I tried so hard to get the beautiful sheen to come up in the photo! Maybe clicking on the image and getting it bigger will help seal the deal?

I have had these backgrounds keeping my background drawer company for quite a while, so decided to see what they would look like with an image on top.

From what I can remember we added Pearlescent Inks to spray bottles, added water, raided the garden for ferns and leaves and used them as masks. Finally, we sprayed the inks over the top. Let dry and then removed the fernery. Helen Brown was so lovely to share this with us and Grace McAndrew was really gracious in allowing us to destroy her garden!

The new Hero Arts Silhouette Grass was so suitable. I think it turned out great. You can still see much of the wonderful b/g AND also be able to enjoy the image. I did hesitate ...lots....coz i was dead scared of ruining my pretty b/g piece, but in the end, gritted the teeth and away I went!

(The little sentiment comes from a SU set.)

Oh So Happy

2010-03-01T08:21:00.002+10:00

Hello everybody,

Today, I would like to share a Penny Black image...so cute. The technique for the day is Prisma Colouring with Odourless Mineral Solvent. It is a bit time consuming, but good to fill in the time when need be.

I love to work with the solvent as it smoothes the pencil out so you don't see any rough lines....very cool.

I have managed to get outside between the rain spurts in order to try for better light. The forecasts are not favourable for us very mouldy lot. Normally, I love the rain! This time around, however, it seems to be never ending. If I could just get a day or two in the middle of it, all would be so much better!

Purple Flowers

2010-02-27T09:07:00.002+10:00

Again, the light is less than perfect as the trying conditions continue! I love this colour combination...but then, I love purple! Should have seen me impersonate a contortionist trying to get this photo taken without shadows and dark bits happening!

Colourbox Chalk ink, Hero Arts stamps and a Cuttlebugged background piece and Voilà!. Done!

Enjoy your weekend people!

Paint Chip Flowers

2010-02-26T09:43:00.002+10:00

I have to apologise for the quality of photos taken for the last little while. Our light is quite woeful at the moment. It is very dank and gloomy and this is the best I can do under trying circumstances!

Again, I have used some of the new Hero Arts stamps, in the flower and the sentiment. The background was made using an old Amazing Creation block stamp and various Colourbox Chalk ink pads.

And to finish off, I have stamped on a brown paint chip, which fulfils my second challenge for Ladies Ink this month...use a paint chip! Not quite monochromatic since I used a white layer, but almost!

Heading for the weekend. I have one boy on the road today so am hoping he arrives in Rocky safely! The roads are wet and dangerous, so I am going to be in worry mode until he texts he is there in one piece!

Little Birdie 4

2010-02-25T09:06:00.000+10:00

A simple format, but one which draws the eye. This is the last of the little bird from Hero Arts for a while. I have enjoyed playing with this stamp, but need to explore some of the others also in the set! All the deets are the same as the previous three days.

It is still raining here and is totally depressing! I have my dungeon...aka...my art room (hubby named it the dungeon and his favourite people who live in there ...his words!....the dragons!), all closed up....so I can keep the dankness out of the card. Soggy card would not be a good look!

We have been working on the kitchen...The tiles are down and now we await the plasterer, who I believe will not be visiting for another fortnight! I cannot clean the walls and paint until the rain buggers off, so now I am at a standstill!

Maybe, just maybe, that will mean I can sneak away to do some stamping!

Little Birdie 3

2010-02-24T09:29:00.001+10:00

I have continued on just using the materials which were out on my work table. Repeat stamping with India ink and watercolouring using Tombow markers and an aquabrush. All stamps are by Hero Arts.

If you haven't already gone and checked out the new Hero Arts catalogue for 2010, then I would totally recommend a little visit. It is online...but beware...there is plenty to be tempting the pocket there!

Little Birdie 2

2010-02-23T09:21:00.001+10:00

Here is another using the Hero Arts bird and sentiment. The dots on the outer edges are also a Hero Arts stamp from a few seasons ago. The circle layers were, of course, made using the Nesties and Cuttlebug. I so love those two items. They make stamping and card making such a breeze! I have coloured the same as yesterday...an aquabrush and Tombow markers watercolouring.

Little Birdie 1

2010-02-22T09:03:00.001+10:00

I received some gorgeous stamps from Hero Arts recently and this little fellow (and sentiment) belong to one of the clear stamp sets.

I stamped in India Ink and watercoloured using an aqua brush and Tombow markers. The layers were made using the good old Nesties with the Cuttlebug, with the scalloped edging being achieved using the SU border punch.

A Serviette Card!

2010-02-21T20:52:00.003+10:00

Hi all,

Here is a serviette card....NO stamping is on this card at all, though I did ink the edges! I have stamps which use the same images, but I needed to do a serviette card for an upcoming swap. The white layer has been Cuttlebugged using one of the new super sized embossing folders which are wonderful. I wish ALL the folders were this size! For those wondering, I have used the freezer paper method for the serviette.

Have a good one!

Love Owls

2010-02-12T16:13:00.004+10:00

Hi all,

I received a shipment of Hero Arts stamps yesterday and aren't they just fantastic? If you want some excellent eye candy, they do have their current catalogue online.... http://www.heroarts.com/products/2010Catalog.cfm

If in Australia, I am a retailer of Hero Arts.

This card features one of their new stamps....the little lovey dovey owls. Aren't they the cutest? The branch they are sitting on is also HA, but one which I have had for ages. Same deal for the sentiment too.

I did use a Krafty Lady cloud template with Colourbox Chalk ink to lightly sponge some sky into the background. I used a reverse mask to get the colour (also Colourbox Chalk ink) onto the owls, and Tombow markers directly onto the branch to gain its colour. The sentiment is stamped in good old StazOn Black. I added some grosgrain ribbon, flower diamantes and some glitter to to the hearts.

This card also fits my Blogging Group challenge for this month...namely making a lovey dovey...oops...Valentine card without using even the merest whiff of red! Done and done before the 14th too...Brownie points for me!

Valentine

2010-02-10T16:31:00.002+10:00

Hello all,

Here is a Valentine's card made as a commitment for a group I am in. I had a choice of what I could incorporate, so I chose the hearts and the colours found on a playing card.

The main image is an Outlines stamp which I have stamped and embossed in black on red and on then on white cardstock. This has to be done multiple times as then you cut out all the layers. Using thin DSFT I then layered them all. The thin DSFT is best as the work doesn't become too high and awkward looking...or maybe I should say...cheap looking!

I highlighted bits and pieces using H2O's and put the little greeting down the bottom with the aid of Nesties and the Cuttlebug!

Update on my kitchen...Ready to tear my hair out!....I am having trouble with splash backs if I choose not to have tiles. I did find a deadly red tile...did all the maths and then the bloke says...sorry, not available....Why, I ask, is it then on display? The only other option is glass....and truly, I need to win lotto for that! Back to the think tank to see what we can come up with. Suffice to say, I will be cooking on the dining table for at least 8 weeks...Yay!....NOT.

Busy Busy Busy

2010-02-08T07:56:00.002+10:00

Hi people,

Just popping in to say we are busy renovating. We have spent the last few days pulling out our old kitchen. Today, I am off to select paint and to finalise the specs for the new kitchen. So, the next few days will see me at the other end of cleaning gear and a paint brush, yes, but unfortunately not of the art variety!

Flowers by Six

2010-02-04T14:57:00.003+10:00

Good afternoon all,

Just a simple card for today. I have used a SU stamp as the feature stamp and stamped it multiple times using a variety of Brilliance inks....They are so pretty IRL with that gorgeous sheen to them. I have added pearls to the centre of each flower and also stamped the wording in Brilliance. The maroon card REALLY is that dark!

I am busy trying to finalise details for my new kitchen so I can give the go ahead to the people who are building it for me. It is actually quite traumatising to go through all this..... So many little details...I just want it done already! We are going to pull the old kitchen out this weekend, I hope...as we have to paint the walls, tile the floor and see if anything is rotten and needs replacing...all that boring stuff....Read: Michelle doesn't like these details...she just wants to see a pretty kitchen appear!

Anyways, I will try and keep up with the flow here. See ya around.

All About Christmas

2010-02-01T09:00:00.003+10:00

Alrighty, this brings me to the last in my series of ATCs. Last, as I do not have one single Mexican or American Indian stamp to do the remaining ATC.

This one is destined for November. The main image is by Lucy's, the sentiment by Hero Arts and the gold embossed background stamp is by Stamp It Australia. I have used DCWV card which I have sanded to get that stressed look. The Lucy's bells have been coloured with Prisma pencils and smoothed and blended with odourless mineral solvent.

Ok...I will be heading on back to regular sized artwork no...you all sigh with relief!

A Watery Theme

2010-01-31T09:00:00.003+10:00

For September we have the theme of "Water", which enabled me to rifle through my pretty Stampscapes stamps...Yummo!

I had a brayered piece of card laying around in my backgrounds box which had a bit of blue in it so decided to stamp the creek scene on top. Once done, I thought it looked really anaemic! BUT....I pulled out the Micro Glaze and rubbed and polished it. What an enormous difference. The piece really is very vibrant now and very pretty.

The wording was stamped on a scrap piece and dealt in the same manner. It is from Darkroom Door.

I do have to apologise for the quality of the photo...but it is gloss card, which is always a right royal pain to photograph, but the weather is not helping here either! The only way to avoid getting a light splotch is to take the photo at an angle. But, I am sure you still get the drift!

What do you think?

All Things Egyptian!

2010-01-30T09:00:00.002+10:00

Coming through to July, the theme is "All Things Egyptian". Now, this is a very hard one for me to do, as I own all of TWO Egyptian stamps.

Here is one of them. A tasteful nude stamped onto an alcohol ink background. The hieroglyphics was stamped again on to the yellow/green alcohol ink background and positioned to the side.

I realise this won't be to everyone's taste, but I just went with the flow on this one!

The Feel of Winter

2010-01-29T09:00:00.001+10:00

And we come to July's theme which is "The Feel of Winter". Well, July is the middle of winter for Australians and I would so much love to experience a full winter with snowwwww! We didn't even get cold days last year!

I put a piece of blue card thought the Cuttlebug using the snowflakes embossing folder and then swiped white ink over the top to highlight the embossed bits. I then stamped and embossed SU snowmen, coloured with Prisma pencils and smoothed out with odourless mineral solvent. The very old PSX stamp I had was really too big for the ATC, so I stamped it on white Shrink Plastic, cut it carefully in half, shrank it and it was then small enough, in two pieces, for me to use.

I brightened the whole thing up with Kindy Glitz and a little bit of grosgrain. What do you think?

Brayered and Sponged Moonlight Sky

2010-01-28T09:00:00.002+10:00

And for June we have the theme "Sky".

Here is my interpretation. I have brayered and sponged a la Michelle Zindorf style to get the background. Then, overstamped using a SU leaf, gel penned parts of the leaf to imitate the moonlight and stamped part of an Amazing Creation sentiment in the corner and added a dragonfly just coz.

I remember my friend Cheryll and I sitting down one day to have a go at this style of stamping.....It takes some practice but worth it in the end I think....I think the background came from one of pieces back then and from memory we were trying to follow a tutorial closely!

I like this one the best of all the ATCs done so far!

ATC Theme Australiana

2010-01-27T09:00:00.000+10:00

Here is the next in my series of ATCs. The theme for May will be Australiana...so I have chosen the old outside dunny as my feature stamp, surrounded with gum nuts and gum leaves.

The main image and gum leaves are Stamp World stamps and the little gum nuts are part of a Krafty Lady stamp. I covered the leaves in Versamark and clear embossed them before cutting them out. The main image is coloured with Prisma pencils and softened out with odourless mineral solvent. The roof of the dunny is stamped and paper pieced cork.

There are a few layers to this one, but I enjoyed creating the dimension.

I know the Aussies will get this....but I will be curious to see the comments of my o/s mates!

ATC for April

2010-01-26T09:00:00.000+10:00

Good morning everyone,

The theme for April is "Urban". I had this Eclectic Image stamp of some city buildings which I thought would be ideal for this theme. I didn't want to laboriously colour, so I made a H2O water wash background on watercolour paper. Then I stamped the image in India Ink, edged the border with gold Krylon pen and layered onto black and then the base colour.

This one, I have been tossing up. I am in two minds about whether it needs more and if so, what? So, my fellow bloggers, please feel free to give me a suggestion or two...I have tried a few teeny tiny words...but they cover the image too much, as does ribbon.

ATC for March

2010-01-25T09:00:00.002+10:00

Good morning everyone,

A simple one for this one. The March theme is Rainforests. Now I live in the tropics, so I am well aware that one must be very careful of tipping one's toes into the water. It may be hot. It may be muggy. It may look like a lovely little waterhole in the middle of the rainforest.

Yeah.....not this little black duck. No sirreeeee! We do have many warning signs around...which tourists love to nick. We are all still trying to figure out why the signs all have "warning" in English and then in German???? Is Achtung a universally acknowledged word for "watch out"?

The stamp is made by Amazing Creations and has been quickly coloured using Prisma Pencils. The whole thing didn't need much colouring. All edges except the base have been distressed.....which is what you would be if you met one of these chompers!

ATC for February

2010-01-24T09:00:00.000+10:00

Here is my ATC for the month of February. The theme for February is Asian. I stamped the image in ....guess??????...Yep! India ink, once on the pale grey card and once on the Yuzen paper. Same with the little Non Sequitor symbol.

I then paper pieced parts of both images. I added some gold Krylon pen to the top and bottom of the grey card and layered on to the Yuzen paper. Finally, I added some pale peach coloured pearls here and there.

I know it isn't the "traditional" colour scheme, but I think this one works pretty well. What do you think?

ATC For January

2010-01-23T09:00:00.000+10:00

Good morning all,

Here is the first of a series of ATCs which I am making for my Yahoo/Stamping Group ACTSA.

The theme for January was "The Beach", which could encompass anything which reminds you of the beach. Well, in my case, since I cannot swim in the waters around here (too many munchy things to get me...read....crocs, sharks and stingers!), I immediately think of fishing.

The little fish stamp is made by Stamp It Australia. I have stamped in India Ink....yeah ...yeah....I am gunna hide it soon.....coloured with H2Os and then applied ultra fine micro beads over the lot to give the appearance of water.

The background piece was the same technique as yesterday but with a totally different mood. The Pearlex here is just gorgeous!.

I added some cord, a little word from Stamps By Judith, raised the main focal image with DSFT and called it quits.

What do you think?

Love is in the Air

2010-01-22T09:00:00.000+10:00

Good Morning all,

I also had this Cuttlebugged background made up, so decided it really should be showcased.

I was gifted the little Penny Black image which I have stamped in India Ink. I think I had better hide the India Ink. It is making me lazy! I also stamped the Hero Arts sentiment in the same.

The Cuttlebug background was made by brayering Kaleidacolour ink directly onto the Cuttlebug embossing folder and then running it through the Cuttlebug machine. Pretty nifty, eh?

A bit of DSFT to raise the main image, some grosgrain and a buckle and the card is done.

Penguin Chick!

2010-01-21T10:34:00.002+10:00

Good morning everyone,

Here is a fun card made using up some of the many scraps I have laying around. (Except for the base card),

I had made the Acetate/Pearlex background some time ago, but yesterday it decided to appeal to me and so here we are!

The little stamp featured is Penguin Chick by Imaginisce. I also picked up the Penguin Dude when I bought her, so I had a matching pair. They are really cute! I stamped her up in India Ink, mainly because that was on my table and quickly coloured her with Prisma Pencils. A bit of layering and I was done.

She is a bit bright...but then ....if I go outside....It is so bright it hurts your eyes...so, I thought the bright colours were in keeping with my days!

New Colourbox Chalk Pad

2010-01-20T13:26:00.002+10:00

I recently acquired one of the new Colourbox Chalk inkpads called Grey Whale and wanted to see what it looked like. Here I have stamped my Coronado Island elephant and wording in the Grey Whale on a pale grey Bazzill cardstock.

I quickly roughed up the edges with my trusty distresser and layered with DSFT. I did use the Nesties to get the rectangles for the main image. I love those Nesties....takes all the worry out of cutting straight!

I added a little diamante to make my elephant an Indian one!

For those interested, I am a retailer for Colourbox stuff.

A Watery Scene

2010-01-19T11:40:00.004+10:00

Afternoon all,

Don't you just love Stampscape stamps? So much potential.

I have used Marvy Markers, Colourbox Stylus Tips and tool to create the background shading with India ink to overstamp the scenery elements to create this really pretty scene. The best bit is rubbing micro glaze over the tope when done and buffing it all to a beautiful shine.

This card is destined to go o/s as a RAK to someone in my Ladies, Ink blog group.

Recessed Window 1

2010-01-18T12:01:00.002+10:00

Good afternoon everyone,

Something totally different today! This is a recessed window card which I found the instructions for at SCS. The camera really doesn't have the recessed part show up too well...but the man collaged image is indented 1/4" into the card.

I slipped a torn piece of vellum in between the DP and the card front. It was stamped and sponged with an unknown UM text stamp with Colourbox Dark Brown ink.

The focal image is also stamped in D. Brown ink on the reverse side of the DP. Can anyone help me with the manufacturer of the UM please?

I Opalised the chipboard (from Collections), which has a couple of beads thrown on top of the second last layer to add a little bit of texture...would have had more texture 'cept I burned my finger, so decided it could well do without! The little ruler embellishments come from Collections, a great Australian company which specialises in ephemera. Email me if you are interested in anything from her, as I am one of her retailers.

The only thing totally not male is the butterfly embellishment....Though my hubby would say I was being sexist! He loves the really pretty ones we get around here!

One Sheet Baggie

2010-01-14T14:59:00.006+10:00

Hello there,

Here is my first attempt/protype/practise one sheet bag. The tutorial for this bag can be found here http://splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/one_sheet_box/

The stamps used here are from an old SU set and were stamped in Colourbox Dark Brown.

I have been thinking I would have loved to have all this knowledge many years ago when I was still teaching in the primary sector. We could have played with paper ALL year and not revisit or get bored!

Just a quick project today as I have been rearranging my dungeon (aka art room) since my air con is getting right up my nose....literally! The new one either blows lovely cold air at my work or straight at my head! (My old one did not do this!) This has forced me to have a bit of a think as to how to sort out my area without being blown to Timbuktu. I have finished the task and now must get ready for a webinar tonight....learning how to make the website stuff.

*** Not sure that I should have attempted to do that rearranging. Yes, Cheryll! I am now extremely sore and more than a bit brittle!***

Pretty in Pink

2010-01-13T23:47:00.003+10:00

Not the best photo...SO I will retake it in the morning. Just wanted to use my new PB stamps. A fun card. No techniques, no whizz bang....Just slapped together!

***Edited*** I have retaken the photo...outside in the brilliant yet very hot sunshine and now it is so much better. I would like all my visitors to take note that Michelle put something on an angle!!!!!!.....and wasn't THAT hard for me to get around!

An Easel Card! Fancy That!!!

2010-01-12T19:41:00.006+10:00

Now are you surprised?

Here is my third easel card for showing. A fun one, I am sure you will agree. The image is by American Art Stamps. I have quite a few of these quirky stamps and find they are just right for certain moods! I coloured with Marvy Markers and an aqua brush and used some old DP I had laying around. I DID have to manipulate the sizing to bear with a larger square but didn't find that too hard to manipulate.

I DID have trouble trying to get the Bazzill Pansy to be the right colour (I didn't get to take the piccie until late afternoon)...and have had a go at Photoshop to correct it....The jury is out on the result!

Open and Standing on the Easel

Closed Ready for Posting

What do you think?

Another Easel Card Variation

2010-01-11T11:18:00.004+10:00

Open and on the Easel

Laid Entirely Flat

Good morning everyone,

I have been playing with the Easel card form, some more. I varied the dimensions to suit the stamped image.

I had this set of flowers already stamped up from a little while ago and decided to see if I could incorporate them into this format. The main image stamps are from Stamps By Judith. The little wording on the main panel is by SU and the main wording at the bottom of the easel is by Hero Arts. I like to spread my manufacturers around....NOTHING like variety! Stamping was done using Adirondack Denim and Kaleidacolour Spectrum inks.

The sun is shining so brightly today, it actually hurts your eyes to be out in it. Very hot and humid, the tennis is on the telly and the dungeon (aka, Shell's Art Room) beckons. Have a great day, all!