Glittery Butterflies

Materials

Stamps: Stamp It siset010 Butterfly Sheet, Hero Arts C3891 Best Girlfriend, Amazing Creations Shadow Rectangle

Inks: Kaleidacolour Riviera, StazOn Black

Cardstock: Prisma Green, Bazzill Black, Floral Green Vellum, White Matt Unknown

Other: Brads, Small Ric Rac, Glitter Glue (Crystal), Brayer, Stampin Up Tearing Ruler

Afternoon all,

It surely has been a sobering couple of days with the death toll steadily rising in Victoria from those dreadful fires. No way can I imagine the absolute horror of experiencing such a firestorm! It is heartwrenching to see that level of destruction and loss, both human and animal. The most devastating thing about the whole thing is that it was deliberately lit! One can only hope they catch the arsonist/s, tie them to an ant's nest and walk away!!!!

I decided to brighten the day with colour. Here is sample of a card I am working on for a glitter card challenge. I wasn't in the mood for all out glitter ...as it takes me weeks to eliminate just one little session of that stuff, so I resorted to the good old glitter glue. I used it to highlight the swirls amongst all the butterflies. I had to take the photo side on as the glitter was really flashing out the whole card...but trust me...it IS there!

More Simple Brayering

Good afternoon fellow stampers!

I will come back and edit the recipe for this card later tonight...but for now, I will just post the card.

Using the brayer one more time, I whipped up this very simple card. My daughter already wants to relieve me of it....I suspect because it features the colour purple. It is one of the first things I learned using gloss card, Versamark, Kaleidacolour and a brayer and still appeals to me many, many years later. I think it definitely would qualify for the clean and simple category! What do you think?

Brayer Bouncing

Evening all,

Just a quick post tonight. This card shows off the Brayer Bouncing technique using Kaleidacolour Flannel dye ink, with a Penny Black flower and Hero Arts wording. It is a quick and easy background made with gloss card. It is Saturday here and I have spent the day in the company of my daughter, Magella, shopping in Mackay. Am really tired now and looking just to blob somewhere in the cool! Catch you tomorrow!

Madras Stamping with one of My Favourite Stamps!

Materials

Stamps: Rubber Poet Mazza of the Moon, Lucy's Word

Inks: Kaleidacolour Blue Breeze, StazOn Black

Cardstock: Prisma Blue,White Gloss Card, Bazzill Blackberry and Unknown Mauve

Other: Teal Grosgrain, Teal Brads, Hardware, Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots Folder, Dimensional Magic, Ultra Fine Micro Beads, Kwik Sheets Sticky Paper, Brayer

Evening people,

Here is my card from last night, as promised. I absolutely love this Rubber Poet stamp. I have had her for many years, but she has always stamped superbly and is great for showing off techniques.

In this case, I have been playing with the brayer and using the Madras technique, which I think is a wonderful tech for getting pretty colour on your gloss card. I believe the brayer is an under-utilised tool in our armoury because it sure comes up trumps with backgrounds.

This one should really be seen in person as the photo doesn't show it properly. I have covered Mazza with a full layer of ultra fine clear micro beads, giving the whole thing a "wet" look. I also filled the embellishment up with Dimensional magic so it would have the "wet" look too!

I think I am pleased with how she turned out.

Mad On Yellow Part 2

Materials

Stamps: Hero Arts Clear Stamps CL140 Thinking of You Messages

Inks: StazOn Black

Cardstock: Prisma Yellow, Bazzill Raven, Yes White

Other: Ribbon, Kaiser Gems, Stampin Up Tearing Ruler Tombow 055 Canary Yellow

Afternoon all,

Here is another very yellow card. I don't normally work much with yellow, but I do love this lovely bright shade. I find it very cheerful and very eyecatching!

It is sooooo wet here now. Nearly bogged the car getting out of the driveway this morning! In this weather, one has to be super careful with one's stamping stuff. I close off my room. Windows remain closed and I keep the door closed too. The less moisture the better for all that cardstock and pretty paper. I am already half there as I keep the card in plastic bags...deters the dratty little geckos from pooing all over it!

Now, you can really feel the "dankness" in the air. It sure doesn't look like letting up any time soon...But hey, better the rain than the heatwave the poor buggers down south are copping!

Mad on Yellow Part 1

Materials
Stamps: Hero Arts Clear Stamps CL140 Thinking of You Messages
Inks: StazOn Black
Cardstock: Prisma Yellow, Bazzill Raven, Yes White
Other: Ribbon, Kaiser Gems, Tombow 055 Canary Yellow, 985 Orange Yellow, Marvy Markers11 Light Green

I have changed the image to a photo. It has come out better than the scan but IRL, it is really a canary yellow...very bright.

I love Prisma cardstock for its vibrancy and as a little change to the usual Bazzill I use. This card isout of 2008's Hero Arts catalogue. I just changed the colours and ribbon but the design remains very similar.

I have decided this set from Hero Arts is quite versatile and am very pleased I have it!...oh and now it is no longer in the uninked pile!!!! Brownie points for Shell!!!!

Must see Demo

I was visiting Louise's http://www.punknscrap.com/ great site when I came across a post referencing the sharpening of punches. Now sharpening punches has been a royal pain in times past, but this lady, http://lindastamps.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/stampbusters-sharpening-your-punches-with-soda-cans/ has an interesting way of attacking it! Worth a go if your punch is at death's door...Nothing to lose, and hey, it really does look like it works.

I have been blog hopping all morning doing some catching up since I had the busiest of weekends ...beginning on Friday, and intend to post something this afternoon!

Stay tuned.

Prisma Pencils

Materials

Stamps: Hero Arts Clear Stamps CLO158 Cupcakes

Inks: StazOn Black

Cardstock: Bazzill

Other: Big Bite, Big Brad, Ribbon, Tiny Tag, Kindy Glitz, Prisma Pencils :- PC937 Tuscan Red,PC930 Magenta, PC 946 Dark Brown, PC1023 Cloud Blue, Odourless Solvent and Blending Stumps

Hi people!

I have had my SIL visit all day, so am behind in putting stuff up. Luckily, I made this when I made the previous card, so I still have something to show! No technique here other than colouring with Prisma pencils and smoothing out with odourless solvent...Gamsol is one brand I hear bandied about, but here, in Australia, it is just odourless solvent, found at any good art shop. I got to play with the big bite again.....just to see if it was a fluke the first time...Nuhhh...It WAS still easy to use!

Love the pencils...You can control pencils much more easily than markers, in my opinion. ( Though, I love my markers too.....I still have the old Marvy and Tombow markers. I have 2 Copics but wonder if I need to fork out a whole pile more money whilst the Marvy's and Tombows still have ink in them!) Know hubby would say an unequivocal NO!

Shabby Chic Window Revisited

Materials

Stamps: Artee SP308C Double Blossom, Dream Mode F232 Say it With Flowers

Inks: StazOn Black

Cardstock: Bazzill Brown, Unknown

Other: Paper Crimper, Big Bite with Large Eyelets, Lyra Crayons, Grosgrain

Hello fellow stampers,

Here is another shabby chic window. Well, I reckon it looks like shabby chic!

I used my big bite for the very first time with this card.(Lucky girl I am, received it for my birthday from Cheryll, Grace and Jackie!!!!) A little bit of a learning curve involved and I was very tentative because I just didn't know how much pressure I would need to follow it through. Luckily, you don't need too much, so I am away with it!!!!

The background on the red part of the card was not achieved by the use of stamps. I do have texture stamps, but since I was crimping anyway, I crimped a piece of card and then used it as my stamp. (Read....Too lazy to get out of my chair to get texture stamp!)

Now off to watch the tennis and do some more creating...hopefully!

Sweet Valentine

Materials

Stamps:Victoria's Secret Floral Heart VI76, Studio G VS4192 Love, Lucy's Script LI602

Inks: Brilliance Pearlescent Jade, Pearlescent Lime (stamped off)

Cardstock: Bazzill Turquoise Mist, Pinkini, Yes White

Other: Tiny Brads, White Brad, Grosgrain, Kaiser Pearls, Kindy Glitz, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Clear Embossing Powder, DSFT

Good afternoon all,

I began by thinking I would do the Mojo Monday challenge....but as you see, I ended up with rectangular everything and not square everything.

I failed my mission. ROFL! I really wanted to do the Mojo thing...but once started with this I just went with it. It took an age to find a nice complementary pad for the image, but am pleased with the Brilliance. Don't know why I didn't look there first!

Have to go retrieve the hubby from hospital tomorrow. I have enjoyed being by myself for the week. (Please don't think I am horrible... The precious personal time between going to town and having only to answer to myself has been totally different but marvellous!) I don't think I have ever been by myself for that length of time, making for an interesting experience. It will be good to have him home, finally...I hope! I have this niggling suspicion that being a man, he is not going to be the best of invalids!

Shabby Chic Window

Materials:

Stamps: Judikins Bolio 6805 Baroque, Stamp It 2237E Long Stemmed Swirl Bud, Stamps By Judith AAA 01 Carved Rose, AAA Dots, TAC Little Messages

Inks: StazOn Black, Colourbox Olive Pastel

Cardstock: Bazzill Lemonade, Grape, Parakeet

Other: White Brads, Mini Tag, Cheap Ribbon, Stampin Up Punch, Marvy Markers96 Jungle Green,, 106 Amethyst, 15 Olive Green, 62 Wisteria.Tombow 370 Very Pale Blue, Sponge

Good morning everyone,

I had my head in an old American Stampin Up magazine yesterday, as I was going through stuff with an eye to decluttering a bit. I spied a card with a torn window which I really liked, so I decided to try one myself.

The colours I have used are a bit different for me, but I think they have gelled quite nicely. If there is something that is essential to my work materials, then I would have to be nominating the little stamp from Stamps by Judith...the 3 dots. My, oh my, I love that stamp as a little fill it inner!

I shall be away most of the day as I have to go back into the hospital to keep DH company, but hope to be back in time to put the TV on the Australian Open for the tennis and settle nicely at my art table. I have a few ideas I would like to try, now I have had lots of inspiration from the mags.

Update

Materials:

Stamps: Penny black 2831K Carnation, Stampin Up Riveting

Cardstock: Bazzill- Lemonade, Firehearts, Parakeet

Inks:

Other: Tombows-743 Pink, Marvy Markers-11-Light Green, 96-Jungle Green, Kaiser Pearls, Green Diamante, Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug Folders Swiss Dots, Floral Border, Pricking Tool and stitching placement template

Evening everyone,

Thank you for visiting my blog and especially thank you for leaving a comment or two!

I went nowhere today for the first time in a very long time! Firstly, I quickly did a cursory sweep of the house doing the very necessary chores only!!!! Then came and updated my visiting everyone's blogs....and finally into the art room. Here is one of the cards produced today. Will post another tomorrow.

Many thanks also for the many good tidings for the health of my DH! He requested I stay home today (must have seen how worn out I was becoming with the eternal driving!). He is doing well and tells me he galloped up the ward hallway.....Yeah right! He did go for a little toddle this morning....but was really dizzy and opted not to try this arvo.

I may just stay home tomorrow too...if he agrees he really doesn't need me in there. But then, not going for two whole days just doesn't seem right!

Alota's New Stamps

Well, I think this is worthy of note...

Alota are releasing new oval and circle stamps which are designed to fit in our nesties!!!! Claudia has some blog candy, so please wander off for a sneak peek.

http://rosaswelt.blogspot.com/2009/01/thank-you-blog-candy.html

I really am still here!

Evening ladies,

Well, it is way past my bedtime, but I decided a little me time was in order and whipped up this fun card. I have a fellow stamper's birthday pretty soon and this one will be sure to make her smile!!! She will no doubt have a comment or two about having to get together with a bottle of chardy asap.

Hubby has now had his hip operation and is doing very well. Of course, the hospital will not let him escape until next Monday at the earliest, so this means lots of driving for me each day into town to see him. Feels very different being in the house by myself!!!!

ATCs For the Week

Evening everyone!

I have here a few ATCs I have done over the last week.

**The first I had to use a paintbrush..so made a H2O background to stamp on.

**The second I had to use lace...so used paper lace inked up to go with the rest of the purple theme!

**The third I had to use a punch....so used a little primitive heart punch with wire and bead attached.

**The last had to use some sort of embossing,...so I did dry embossing as well as heat embossing just to cover all bases!

I so enjoy whipping up ATCs as the small palette enables much diversity...(and is a wonderful way to get rid of yet a few more scraps!)

Just click on the piccie if you want to see up close!

One Lovely Blog Award

Isn't it lovely to receive one of these! Many thanks to Abi http://stampawaytheday.blogspot.com/ , who belongs to Blogger Group 5. It is the second Blogger group I belong to. I have to recommend Blogger groups as a way to broaden your visual delight base!!!!

The rules of this award are:
1. First add the award to your blog,
2. Link to the person that gave you the award,
3. Nominate your favourite blogs to receive this award,
4. Leave a message on their blog telling them they are "one lovely blog"

This is always the hard bit...coz there are a lot of delightful blogs out there I toddle off to...rather too often...Sometimes I think the computer needs to be far far away in order for me to get anything else done. Far too addicting!

I digress: The names of a couple of super blogs I visit:
1. Dawn http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/
2. Jackie http://kreatewithme2.blogspot.com/
3.Mojo Monday http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
4. Jeni http://studiojeni.blogspot.com/
5. The Girls http://cceestampers.blogspot.com/

Ok I have left little notes where appropriate, except for Mojo Monday and The Girls, as these two, I am pretty sure, won't want to do this. However, they are really great places to go for visual candy, so I included them!

Am I still at this computer??????? Sigh! (Not really...Had a visitor in between and hubby home for smoko!)

Stand Up Flowers

Materials
Stamps: Penny Black C3881 Best Girlfriend, Penny Black 2831K Carnation, Lucys 602LI
Inks: Colourbox Chalks Pastel Pink
Cardstock: Bazzill, Nopa White
Other: Ribbons, Hole Punch

Good morning everyone,

I have made up a card from my left over packs from classes I did a while back. This one lays flat for sending in the mail...as I have shown in the first picture here. When opened up, it will stand alone, as in the second. These are really easy to make and are a lot of fun to receive as they are that little bit different!

Guess what? It is raining again...But not as much as I thought it would be. We must be just that little bit too far away to get the great deluges from the cyclone remnants! DID get the howling gale force winds yesterday, so be interesting to see how today pans out.

DH heads in a fortnight early for his hip op, so now it is a mad rush to get things done. Upside of this...He will be out of my hair and down playing with his implements!

Male Birthday

Materials

Stamps: Unknown UM (I think maybe Stylish Images but I could be wrong)

Inks: Colourbox French Blue, Brilliance Pearlescent Jade

Cardstock: Bazzill blues, Unknown Green

Other: Blue Grosgrain, Stampin Up word window punch, Cuttlebug Birthday Embossing Folder, DSFT

Good afternoon ladies,

Here is a quick male card again. I have a few male birthdays coming up and one of the things I promised myself this year, is to get some cards made ahead of time.

This one is really pretty IRL, coz the pearlescent really shimmers well on the embossed parts of the Cuttlebug!I used the offcut of the Cuttlebugged piece to punch out the three little flowers using the word window punch.

I currently have half a freezer full of mango ice blocks. For those of familiar with the Weiss Bars, they taste the same but are home made. My fridge is chokkers with mango puree and I am awaiting yet more cream so I can continue to make up the blocks. My family and friends will be right for the sweet life for the entire year to come. Poor poppets are really enjoying this year, as we just has two years without...if not more!

I am told I have to experiment and add macadamia nuts to one of these next batches as we have lots of those from one of the macca farms in these parts! Mega brownie points for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Butterfly Blues

Materials
Stamps: Stylish Images J1058 Butterfly
Inks:StazOn Black
Cardstock:Prisma, hite Gloss, Unknown Green
Other:Marvy Metallics Green and Blue, Wire and Wire Tools, Letter Beads, Seed Beads, Diamantes

Hello and good afternoon to all, Today, I would like to share with you a card I did some time ago.

I was going through my most extensive stash of made cards and this one made me stop and think...Isn't that just so pretty! I am organising a bundle of cards for my SIL who lives up on the Atherton Tablelands...who can appreciate the time and effort and enjoy the work...but who most definitely NEVER wants to try to do any of it!

I still own and use my Marvy Metallics as they always make such superb backgrounds, such as in this card. If you have never tried them, I fully recommend you do. In no time at all, your background box will be filled with pretties for future use.

Today, I got the all clear from the surgeon in regards to my shoulder. He does not want to see me again...unless something weird happens. I am still in pain but every day is better than the last. I must keep up the exercises to make myself strong and to get rid of the remaining impingements. It is taking mega long coz he removed my distal clavicle altogether as well as repaired and generally mucked around with my rotator cuff.

THE best thing he said...I can never...like...ever...do things like wash walls and clean windows if that means my arm goes past the level of my shoulder...How sad is that?????? see me crying a river??? ROFL!

Male Oriented Card

Materials

Stamps: Krafty LadyKL008 Xlarge Kangaroo Mob, Hero ArtsLL004 Stencil Prints Card Sentiments

Inks: StazOn Timber Brown

Cardstock: Bazzill, Yes White

Other: Nestabilities Circles, Eyelets Tools, Eyelets, Linen Thread, Bazzill Brads, Sponge

Afternoon all,

Nearly three o'clock and I have managed only one card today. I spent most of the morning checking out people's blogs...Bit of a time muncher that activity!

I found this old stamp of mine laying around and thought I would resurrect it for the day. It was one of my earlier purchases. I think one should have a closer look at stamps bought squillions of years ago and give them a little TLC and inking. Actually, tis not a bad idea coz the ink will condition the stamp and help it last quite a few more years yet!

Any Australian stamp makers out there...We need some good old Aussie slang. I had lots of ideas for wording for this card but in the end used a generic greeting. (Yes, I could have generated one on here...but I was in lazy mode!)

Lucky me...Off to dinner out tonight! No cooking...But better rest up if I am going to have a late one! Tis raining again...Well has really stopped?

Baby Baby Baby

Materials:

Stamps:Stampendous Clear Stamps Sassy Silhouettes ssc065

Inks: Colourbox Rose Coral, StazOn Opaque Butter Cream, StazOn Opaque Baby Blue

Cardstock:Bazzill Flamingo, Stonewash and Sunbeam, Yes White

Other:Stampin Up tag punch, square punch

In my thoughts for what to try and achieve this year was the (most likely, self defeating) idea that I would not accumulate tonnes of scrap card. I could open a shop (another one) with the amount of scrap paper I generate!

Hence, this card. Whilst I had all the stuff out to do the Andy Warhol one that I originally wanted to do, I made this one with some of the scraps. The disc was going to free hang but had to attach with a tiny bit of DST coz I needed it to stay as much on the yellow card as possible. On the yellow, it took up the coral colour perfectly. On the blue...and as you can see...on the white the disc really looks very pink.

I thoroughly enjoyed my "me" day yesterday!!! I am plotting if I could get away with two in a row right at this moment....But know hubby already asked me about going to town. Anyone would think we liked the place....three times in one week. Yuck!

Catch ya!

Andy Warhol Baby

Materials:
Stamps:Stampendous Clear Stamps Sassy Silhouettes ssc065
Inks: Colourbox Rose Coral, StazOn Opaque Butter Cream, StazOn Opaque Baby Blue
Cardstock:Bazzill Flamingo, Stonewash and Sunbeam, Yes White
Other:Stampin Up tag punch, square punch

Good morning people on a very heavy rainy day. No walk for me this morning, so have to resort to the exercise bike. You can see I am working up to that idea being on here instead! ROFL! Exercise bikes are cruel!

Here is a little simple Andy Warhol style baby card. I distressed the yellow layer using my fingernail. Methinks, one card a day using the fingernail tech is all, as the finger gets a bit sore!

A comment on the StazOn Butter Cream inkpad. It is divine on acetate as it stamps a really rich cream! Very yummy. As you can see here, it stamps quite yellow on white matt card! So I am thinking, I have two for the price of one. The Opaque series in StazOn are a very interesting set of inkpads! The Flamingo cardstock IRL matches the the Rose Coral inkpad. It just doesn't scan the right colour.

SC120 Another One

Materials

Stamps: Hero Arts K4880 Thinking of You

Inks:StazOn Opaque Blue

Cardstock:Bazzill, Yes White

Other: Spellbinders Rectangle Die Set, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Baby Blue Grosgrain Ribbon

Ok then, here is another using the same layout. I do not often work with such muted colours but am quite chuffed with how it has turned out. It appears to be really soft and feminine.

I have now made four cards using this sketch, so expect to see no more from me! So many? Why so many? I wanted to see what sort of moods I could create using the same sketch and I think I have pretty well achieved four totally different moods with it. It has been an interesting challenge to set myself.

Since I am only half way through my "me" day, perhaps I can now go and find another mission!

SC120

Materials:

Stamps:Whipper Snapper MY841 Snake in the Grass

Inks: Colourbox Olive Pastel, Encore Metallic Silver

Cardstock: Bazzill , Yes White

Other: Prisma Pencils 988 Marine Gree, 1023 Cloud Blue, 1033 Mineral Orange, DSFT, Ribbon, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Stampin'Up Corner Punches.

Good morning everyone,

I have booked today in for what has become known as mum's and wife's "me" day. I did try for yesterday but got caught up in my secretary's role for Sustainable Farmers and devoted quite a deal of time with typing up minutes and organising emails. I also devoted some much needed time to cleaning the house, doing the laundry...yada...yada...yada...Boring, but necessary in keeping the hubby sweet! Then, just when that was done, I had to devote more time to one's really bored although extremely sore daughter. I think I will sigh a huge sigh of relief when she pops back to work. She seems to take up a lot of time for a 21 year old! Of course, then I had to cook as we had visitors for tea.

Had a day in town on Monday as I had to return to the physio. I have now progressed to the red band for exercises. Believe me, I thought I would never progress, so this was good! I have actually been really good with doing the exercises, so the shoulder should heal and be extra strong....eventually!

Had another day in town on Tuesday with the husband. He had a meeting with the Barrier Reef Catchment people re funding for some farming practice. Then a quick look at kitchens. I am bucking at the whole idea, coz I just do not see 12T for a couple of cupboards. So, back to the discussion page. I did, however, buy a new microwave. It will be somewhat different to cook with one which works ALL the time! Had yummy garlic prawns at my daughter's place on our way home. I gave her a cookbook with all her Xmas stuff...It is a book which uses only 4 ingredients in any recipe and the prawns dish came out of it. I think I am going to pop in and buy one of these books for myself!

Ok, my card for this morning is using a splitcoast sketch. Well, I think the sketch is all over the place, but I spotted it on Split Coast. I had already done one, seen here... http://inkyadventures.blogspot.com/ and at that time I could not rack my poor underused brain as to where I had seen it. It i SC120 for reference and is a great way to showcase the cuttlebugged backgrounds!

I hope you enjoy it. I do have to say, the Prisma colouring did not quite show up in the scan. The colours really do match up well.

Blogger 3 Challenge 3 Voting

If you have time, how about popping over to this link and taking part in our voting for the current challenge.

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228NJ4TGREE

Blogger 3 Challenge 3

Materials

Inks: StazOn Black

Stamps: StampIt siset005 Xmas UM Set

Cardstock: Kaiser Dash Away All Papers, Bazzill Red and Black

Other: DSFT Black, Kaiser Dash Away All Brads, Black Grosgrain, Diamantes on Main piccie

Good morning everyone and Happy New Year to all!!!!!!

I have had my break from the internet now, so hopefully I can get right back into the swing of things quickly!

Life has been mega hectic in my neck of the woods of late and I am looking forward to some me time. My latest drama has had my daughter, Magella, bedbound for days. She hurt her back on Xmas Day. By Boxing Day she was in hospital with it. She is now home....her home....but the meds given to her are giving her a right old time. She has just texted for mum to go keep her company...Sigh!...I knew it was too good to be true...thinking I had a day to myself!

Besides this, my hubby has had the most unenviable task of putting his mum in a nursing home. It must be really really rotten to have your body fall apart around you, when your mind is still pretty sharp! Come to think of it, I think that's what mine is doing and I am not even 50!

The weather here continues to be stifling and overbearingly hot! Relief comes in storms...well relief from the heat while it is actually storming...as soon as the storm has buzzed off the heat descends again! Being a farmer's wife I listen to the tale of woe all the time on the matter of weather...At the moment, said farmer is not happy coz he didn't get his bean all planted before the last downpour. He is currently down the paddock seeing if it is dry enough to continue today...This is after he nearly bogged himself yesterday. (I do not say anything! What would a mere woman know??!!)

Here is my entry for this fortnight's challenge with the SCS Blogger Group 3 girls. Voting for our entries will begin tomorrow, so I would love for you to pop back here to grab the link and go and vote...Better with lots of votes :)

Happy days, ladies!

Materials:

Stamps: StampIt UM, Kaiser Clear Stamps

Card: Bazzill, White Gloss

Inks: Adirondack Alcohol Inks, StazOn Black

Other: Black Brads, DSFT, Ribbon

I am off to town today as soon as I am rescued! I went to start the car a little while ago and hubby had left the key turned slightly on! (Yes, it WAS him, coz the first thing I did was move the seat forward to accommodate my little legs...bit deficient in that area, I am!) Hence, the battery is flat and I am waiting for a decent time of day for one of the men around here to come and rescue me and kick start the car with jumper leads. ( Hubby, of course , is nowhere to be found. He went fishing at 3.30am!) (I had been up really early to take myself and my puppy for a walk...I like to go near dawn to try and beat the heat!)

I found a scrap of alcohol ink background yesterday, sequested myself in my dungeon (aka art room) and quickly made this little number up. I wanted to try out my new Xmas stamp set from Stamp It....found here http://www.stampit.com.au/view/20070509144925/ which I recently ordered in for my little business. I also was keen to try out the Kaiser Clear Stamp Set... http://www.kaisercraft.net/au-nz/images/embellishments/clear-stamps/hi-res/CS721.jpg the first I have ever bought (as previously their wood mounted stamps were well below par in quality and I stepped away from them) TEST results: They seem to be on par with other clear stamps and the one I used stamps very clearly!

The Butterfly Award

I have been awarded this award by the lovely Erin http://chickswithtape.blogspot.com/ who is a grand stamper. Please wander off and have a peek at what she achieves. You WILL NOT be disappointed!

I must choose 10 blogs for your viewing pleasure ...so here goes!

1. Jo http://marking-the-occasion.blogspot.com/

2. Susan http://susansstampingblog.blogspot.com/

3. Rob http://creativspirit.blogspot.com/

4. Mel http://melstampz.blogspot.com/

5. Francis http://stampowl.blogspot.com/

6. Jane http://ozartattack.blogspot.com/

7. http://www.cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/

8. http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/

9. Tosh http://www.stamptalkwithtosh.blogspot.com/

10. Cheryll http://wickedinspirations.blogspot.com/

These are some of the regular viewing points of mine. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Blogger 3 Challenge 2 Voting

Good morning ladies,

Want something pretty to look at? Then head on over to our Voting page and take a peek. We would love it if you voted whilst there!

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228KH6ZMKJW

Blogger 3 Challenge 2

Materials
Stamps: StampIt UM Holly Swirl 3878E, TAC wording
Card: Kaiser Double Sided Patterned Paper, Bazzill Card
Other: Brad, White Grosgrain Ribbon inked with Chalk Pad, Kindy Glitz, Diamantes, Nestabilities Circles, Creative Memories Circle Cutting System

Oh whacky tabacky it IS BUSY!

I have just been able to sit for the shortest space of time to whiz this little card up for our challenge. This little flap card is just so simple to make and will come in handy for all the strip stuff we get left over when cutting down 12 x 12 sheets of card. I could not locate my circle coluzzle template...Now scratching my head as to where it could be, so tried with the CM circle cutter...Not the best result but better than leaving the underflap a straight edge.

It is soooo hot here again today. My aircons are working overtime and I actually begrudge having visitors coz it means I have to surface from the cool air rooms! Maybe we will get another refreshing storm!!!!

Cheers everyone!

Materials:

Stamps:Hero Arts E4509 Warm Wishes Motif

Inks: Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue

Cardstock: Bazzill and Nopa White

Other: Prima Flowers, Brads, Kaiser Pearls

Afternoon ladies,

I have been as busy as this week. Magella, my eldest moves tomorrow into Sarina, all going well. I have been to town a couple of times and each trip means a day of no stamping. Of course, on the weekends, the hubby usually wants to have a barbie or three...

Today, it is slightly less chaotic...The pest lady is nearly done...No more ants, cockies or spiders for a while...Bliss!!!!!! She also redid the termite bases, as a top up measure.

While she has been hard at work debugging my home, I made this little number up.

Cheers, Michelle

Please Vote in Our Challenge

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228K8VPGHK8

This is the link to vote. Please come along and see the great variety of talent and vote by clicking on the green box next to the card owner's name. You get one chance only with this survey site, so be careful!!!!

Cheers,
Michelle

Clearing Out Stuff

I am having a major cleanout. All stamps are brand new, come from a smoke free and are dead cheap compared to normal retail price...

http://community.webshots.com/user/shellpole1


Postage is extra but exactly what it costs to send. Keep a lookout...I will be putting more stuff up yet!

Xmas From Scraps 2

Good morning everyone on this fine (unfortunately) morning! We did not receive the promised storm over the weekend...Hubby is out setting up the irrigator for the cane again this morning.

I did do this quick card up using scraps again, late yesterday! I did get caught up yesterday on the phone and having to go out to have Sunday arvo drinks, so did not achieve what I had in mind to achieve...But today is another day, they say!

Materials are basically the same as yesterday's post.

Xmas and a Sale

Materials

Stamps:Stamp It sisrt006lk Xmas Plate

Inks: Encore Gold

Cardstock: Bazzill, Unknown Patterned Paper

Other: Gold EP, Gold Brads, Pricker and Pricking Guide

Afternoon ladies,

Just a quick card for now. I am currently playing around with my scraps to see if I can come up with something really quick for making some Xmas cards for my kids to use. This is what came out of playing in the last couple of hours.

I have also made a webshots album, specifically to sell off some of the extra clutter I have laying around. If anything is of interest, please feel free to contact me on shellpole1@bigpond.com

The link is below...I will have lots more but this is the start!

http://community.webshots.com/album/568989843VXTLvD

Talking about my email addy...It does look like changing again in the next few weeks as I am changing plans...I think!

Pretty New Camera

Good morning all,

Well, I have been playing with my birthday prezzie and photoed my challenge card again. I have reloaded it in the challenge post and now much more of the detail can be seen....In fact, the photo is now passable!!!!

I think I am going to try and stamp today...given no unsuspecting events happening!

SCS Blogger Challenge 1

Ok...Tis the 28th, so here is my entry for our first challenge.


I have used the bleach tech with this card, with Prisma pencils and H2O's to highlight the over- colouring. I swiped all the pieces with StaZon Black to create a shabby chic look (well as much as one can with orange and yellow!)

Agapanthus Mania

Materials:

Stamps: Stampendous D140 Agapanthus Bloom, P107 Agapanthus Cluster (Thanks Judy!), SU Warmest Regards Set

Cardstock: Scrap of who knows what!

Inks: StazOn Black

Other: Big Brads, Cuttlebug and Nestabilities Long Rectangles

I just adore the two Agapanthus stamps from Stampendous. They always make a card look good with little effort! I am waiting for some watercolour expressionist sheets to dry, so thought I would upload this fellow whilst I wait.

I may get back here tonight, but doubt it, as I am holding a meeting at my place for a community function coming up and have to organise my family in the meantime.

Good news today!!!!!!!!!! By the time the fortnight is out, Neil and I will be the only ones living at our home! Magella received word today that the house she applied to rent has been approved! She is doing the little happy dance (as is mum, who thought it was never going to happen!)...Mind, after a week, I will probably be looking for her to have a spat with! But I can also see so much less work to do!!!!

I am also losing our extra body, back to his grandmother at least until Xmas. He has a desire to return to America by Xmas and the work we had for him here has now dried up.

Looking forward to a new era!

Flower Day 2

Materials

Stamps: StampIt Antique Flower Trio 2161E

Inks: Colorbox Chestnut Roan, StazOn Black, Brilliance Graphite Black

Cardstock: Bazzill Brown, Unknown

Other: Brads, H2O's Golden Sand, Midori Melon

And continuing! No freaking out...Michelle with two posts in one day! Sit down! Take a breath! It really IS for real!!!!!!!!

Well I got to using this stamp again as it is so pretty. I was going to add ribbon but did not have the exact colour either in the ribbon or in the ink as the base card. Didn't want to wreck it, so let it be!

I quite this one even though there is no technique whatsoever involved with it!

Flower Day 1

Materials:

Stamps:StampIt Antique Flower Trio

Cardstock: Kromecote Gold, Bazzill Blue, Gloss

Inks: Gold Encore Metallic

Other: Best Wishes Sticker, Gold Embossing Powder, H2O's-Wild Blueberry and Rich Cobalt, Alcohol Inks, Gold Cord

Hi there everyone,

I have been playing with my alcohol inks today and have made up a couple of samples with the results. I certainly have a few ready made backgrounds good to go for the future as well! The flower colouring is much more true to form IRL. Unfortunately, the colours do not scan all that well.

Double Kreativ Blogger Award

Many thanks to Jennie (from SCS BLogger Group 3 )who has nominated me for this Kreativ Blogger Award. I feel most honoured that some people think I am going in the right direction! Here is a link to Jennie's blog...always worth a little visit! http://stampawaytheday.blogspot.com/

And also thanks to Tina (also from SCS Blogger Group 3) who has also nominated me! Aren't I the lucky one? I certainly think so!!!!! Please take a trip over to Tina's blog to check out her lovely work. http://stampinwithtina.blogspot.com/

Fancy being doubly honoured. Way cool!

Rules for the Kreativ Blogger Award are:
1.The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person that sent you the award.
3. Nominate 5 blogs.
4. Put links to their blogs.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.

***************************************************************************
Here is my list of nominations:
http://wickedinspirations.blogspot.com/
Cheryll has just begun her blog, but I have inside knowledge and have had the great pleasure in seeing her work (literally) (the doing and the end product). Her stuff is great people, so keep tuned!
http://stampowl.blogspot.com/
If I want to do cute, I visit France’s blog for inspiration. I think she is the queen of cute!
http://jaspere-jaspereslittlecorner.blogspot.com/
I have only recently been introduced to Japere’s site, but I think I will be enjoying it for a long time to come.
http://melstampz.blogspot.com/
oh you just have to see what she has compiled with the Cuttlebug! But she does other cool stuff too!
http://www.cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/
Since the Cuttlebug is one of my favourite toys, I really like this site just to see what others are doing with the machine too!

For those I did not nominate, I was trying to steer clear of those already nominated in the last little while and also trying to introduce some "different" ones, ones you may not have seen before, so please do not be offended I did not choose yours!

Card Art/Challenge Report

Materials

Stamps: Hero Arts K4911 Card Art Thoughts

Cardstock: Pink Bazzill, Green Unknown

Inks: Brilliance Graphite Black, StazOn Black

Other: Kaiser Bling, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Grosgrain Ribbon

Good morning to everyone,

I thought I would post this little fellow before heading out to the physio this morning. The card art series of Hero Art stamps is just gorgeous. This is one stamp from the collection and I think I am going to treat myself to a few more from my sales stock as they are so easy to work with.

I have embellished the flowers with pale pink Kaiser bling...not terribly noticeable unless you click on the image to get a bigger view and then they appear to be clear! The cuttlebugged piece is one I had already prepared earlier, so the actual card did not take me very long at all.

In the meantime, I have finished my very first challenge for SCSBlogger3. I have never ever participated in a challenge before! The biggest challenge turned out not to be the card but the actual scanning/photo-ing! It took an age to get something anywhere close to the colours I actually used to come up on the computer. I might try again to see if I can capture the colours a bit better...My scanner is saying it hates the brights, so I will be forced to learn to use the new camera a wee more!!!

Have a good day everyone!

Spread Your Wings

Materials
Cardstock: Bazzill, Red (unknown handmade)
Inks: StazOn Black, Timber Brown, Adironack
Stamps: Rachel Grieg, Amazing Creations
Other: Ric Rac, Gesso, Dragonfly Brads, Cuttlebug Long Rectangles

Happy birthday to me,

I had great plans of spending the day peacefully in my dungeon (aka stamping room), but between phone calls, visitors and a septic which has decided to give up the ghost on a weekend day, I really have not achieved very much at all. This is it and will be it for the day, as I am off to a barbie in another hour!

I got to think of something to use my pretty fastenater staples with that three of my friends Cheryll, Grace and Jacqueline) sneakily bought me for my birthday. I also got a fab stamp of some African Trees, some pages to store my UMs, a nestabilities doodle die set, a lingerie voucher from my daughter Magella, a bottle of Mateus Rose from my friend June (it is to her house the barbie is at...I think I had better take the Mateus with me!), some flowers from HER daughter and a camera from my son, Ashley (who is due any time soon...He has been off sunning himself on Brampton Island for the weekend with his girlfriend for her work Xmas party...I feel I have missed out....no school I ever taught at had boozy parties on tropical islands!...which I didn't pay for!!!!

Anyway, hope you like the poor offering for the day. The nestabilities long rectangles are really great for a different perspective on a card! I hope I can now sell a few.

Calendar Page

Hi girls,

It has been a very busy few days for me. Our crushing (the season in which the sugar cane is cut and crushed) is over, hence it is end of season partying time! On top of this I thankfully had my mate, Cheryll come down for the weekend from Airlie Beach to help me with my Xmas ATCs I had to get done asap. On top of this, I had my daughter and her mate doing invites for the mate's 21st in January. Oh, and let's not forget I had a morning doing alcohol backgrounds with some friends too. So, you see, the tank has been hellishly full!!!!

I have managed to finish off these calendar pages for a swap due at the end of this month. I have been wanting to try the Michelle Zindorf style of brayering and sponging, so Cheryll and I sat and tried to perfect the style. I was sooo worried about the straight line mark that the brayer gives, but once you sponge, you no longer have that definite line! Yes, I quite like this style now! And many thanks to Cheryll for sitting to experiment with me and help me with the pages to boot. The only other hassle was the really long and skinny palette that I had to work with. This was a sizing I had not encountered before, so was testing to say the least.

What do you think of the page?

Smacking Acetate

Materials
Stamps: PSX K023 Rosa, E2423 Special Place, Hero Arts B624 Just For You
Cardstock: Unknown
Inks: Ancient Page Refills, StaZon Black Ink
Other: Acetate Sheets, Gloss Card

Hi all,

I am cheating a bit here. I wanted to post my alcohol ink creation....but the jolly stuff is drying really quickly! It is mega hot here today, so have decided to put the aircon on and try again when my room gets cooler. Look for the card later on.


In the meantime, here is a card I did a while back using acetate and inks. Working with acetate and inks means you always get a different effect even if you use the same ink colour combination, so I really enjoy working with this technique just to see what I will end up with.

Black and White Lady

Materials
Stamps: Oxford Impressions Times Past Plate, Paper Bag Studios Dream Notion Plate
Inks: StaZon Black
Cardstock: Bazzill, "Yes" White
Other: Stamp Positioner, Ribbon, Diamantes, Stampin Up Punch, White Brad

Well, I thought this would be a simple task! No, oh no. I kept mucking up the positioning with the stamp positioner. Once I got the aligning right, then I decided they weren't balanced enough so started again. I think I have stamped these ladies out half a dozen times before I got this lot. But, it was a case of I was NOT going to give in!!!!

I tried scanning this card as is, but it did not actually showed the white card base at all well, so I scanned it on a piece of black card.

Being Melbourne Cup Day here, I thought it appropriate to have an elegant lady in a hat! For those not Australian, it is a big deal today for ladies to dress to the nines and if at the races there are always fashion competitions etc etc!

I did not go in to the races this year 1. Hubby is out working the ground, and 2. No way did I want to be anywhere where someone could knock my recovering shoulder. If someone did, I am sure the scene would not be pretty!!! So best I stay at home!

Cuttlebugging

Materials:

Stamps: Stamp It These Boots 2818E Elizabeth, Leave Memories MM Divas 250604

Inks: Encore Ultimate Metallic Pink, StaZon Black

Cardstock: Puce Metallic Unknown Origin

Other: Prisma Pencils - PC996, PC929, Scrapbitz Bling, Bazzill Brads, Cuttlebug and Embossing Folder, Stampin Up Oval Punches

Afternoon all,
Well a discovery of sorts when playing around with the metallic inks! If you swipe Metallic Pink on pink card it comes out quite "pucey"...No, Cheryll...I did not say "pukey!"

I love this Stamp It stamp of the boots. It seems to be the perfect size a lot of the time and I have used it heaps since I acquired it. It has been coloured with mainly a Black Grape Prisma pencil (just a touch of Pink) and accessorised with little bling.

I didn't get to do much today as I had to go into Sarina for parts for hubby, so did the groceries as well. I am not going to the Melbourne Cup this year, so perhaps tomorrow will be THE day!

Miscellaneous

Materials:

Stamps: Lucy's K1158

Cardstock: Prisma, Bazzill

Inks: StaZon Black

Other: Unknown Ribbon, Scrapbitz Diamantes, Tiny Black Ric Rac, Bazzill Black Brads, Prisma Pencils

- PC923,PC1013, PC903, PC928, PC945, PC919, PC909, PC913, PC942, PC997, PC927, PC992, PC1025, PC929,

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Hello Everyone,

I have been missing in action this week as family and medical stuff ruled for the entire time. I finally sat down this morning and managed to get this card done.

I always find red and black very sophisticated and am quite pleased with the outcome. The colouring of the lady actually took the most time! There are also little diamantes on some of the flowers.

It is beginning to really get humid here. Hassling the young adults in my house to clean air con filters (with the lovely threat of no cool air until it is a done deed!) Pity I cannot blink and be back in autumn!!!!

Oh Baby Not Again!

Materials:

Stamps: Stampin Up Baby Firsts, Stamps by Judith Square, Unknown Wording

Inks: StazOn Black

Cardstock: Bazzill

Other: H2Os Blue Ice,Indian Copper, Gold Dust, Golden Opal, Blue Grosgrain, Bazzill Brads, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Stamp Positioner, PostIt Notes

Afternoon all,

Just a simple little one today. Well the concept was simple...the doing was more a pain in the butt! No way could I simply stamp six squares onto the white. No, oh no! I had to rule it all up first so I had a chance of getting it somewhere near even! Of course, the very first square I stamped came out with a big blob in the middle of it. Bugger! That meant tearing up the ruled card. Out came the scissors and I gave that stamp a haircut on the spot. Back to ruling up another piece of card. I had planned on a lighter Cuttlebugged piece but the colouring of the babies dictated I change my mind pretty smartly! I distressed the bottom edge of the green by rolling the edge slightly. I have decided I need a few more baby related stamps. I am now officially over the Stampin Up set I DO own (straight after I make my quilted one I want to do)! Don't quite remember why I bought that set in the first place. Ok going out to dinner in a little while, so I suppose I ought to see if there are sets of clothing we can wear (the fairies having visited and polished off the washing and ironing! ) Dream on, girl!!!!!!!

Baby Card

Materials:

Stamps: Stampin Up Baby Firsts, Fern Gully Wording, Unknown Baby Bottle

Cardstock: Bazzill, Prisma

Inks: StaZon Black, Colourbox Chalk Orchid Pastel

Other: H2Os Cherry Sorbet, Pearl Ex Duo Blue/Green, Flamingo Pink, Rectangle Nestabilities, Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, White Gesso

Hey people,

Since I had to make a couple of boy baby cards, I thought now would be a really good time to make just a few to have in reserve, so here is a little girl one. I thought I would try the baby theme with one of the Pearlised Gesso backgrounds I made back in July, just to see if an arty background would go with the decidedly very cutesy Stampin Up stamps. I have seen a card similar to this a while back, though I do not now remember who made it, but I have changed lots of the elements to come up with my version. What do you think?

Baby Blues

Materials:

Stamps: SU Baby Firsts, Hero Arts B3835 It's A Boy, Hero Arts C1121 Congratulations

Card: Bazzill, Spectrum, Die Cuts with a View Glitter Paper

Other: Nestabilities Circles (Plain and Scalloped), DSFT, Unknown Footprint Ribbon White Gel Pen, Crystal Glitter Glue (for the bubbles)

H2O's -Dreamsicle, Fairy Plum, Egyptian Gold, Oyster, Tahitian Blue

Heaven forbid. I made a baby card. For those who know me well, I do not make very many of these! But a good friend of ours had a baby boy last night, so really I just had to. No more excuses. I have to make another for yet another bub ...But I am already a week late for that one (and am ready to blame the postal system...lol....not really!),so a few more days will not hurt! Nestabilities are such a great aid to card making. I don't know what I would do without them now when making the conventional style of card.

Cracked Glass Landrover

Materials:

Stamps: Amazing Creations Old Timer, StampIt Australia Landrover 3321E, Artee Ancient Script AS561H

Paper: Bazzill

Inks: Adirondack Butterscotch, Chalk Pads- Dark Brown & Chestnut Roan

Other: Crafty Kids Embellishments, SU Window Punches small and large, Clear Embossing Powder, Grsograin Ribbon, EK Success Wavy Cutter

Hello there,

Today, I revisited the cracked Glass technique...mainly because as soon as I picked up the Landrover stamp, I thought this was the technique to do for the day. Sometimes it is a bit of a drama to get the card to crack and I believe it is because I live in the tropics and the humidity comes into play. I have discovered if I stand at the freezer with my hands inside and do what needs to be done quickly, then all is well and I get a good crack going. I don't do "male" cards too often and need to really bolster my stash of them. This is a good start, I think!

Thanks for looking. Remember to click on the image if you wish to see more detail.

Micro Beads

Materials Used:
Stamps: Non Sequitur Bathing Beauties Plate
Card: Bazzill
Other: Gesso, Pearl Ex- Turquoise, Brilliant Yellow, Duo Blue/Green, Tiny Ric Rac, Kwik Clear, Double Sided Foam Tape, Brads

Today, I have resurrected my microbeads. The really superfine variety (over the main part of the image) are just gorgeous and give that watery look which certainly compliments a beach theme. I used the ordinary sized green microbeads to frame the image. The background was done using Pearl Ex and Gesso. I think the technique is called Pearlised Gesso? It gives a great texture not witnessed in this scan and the colours are shiny as you would expect with Pearl Ex...but not all over, making the tech interesting as the wetter parts of the gesso kept the Pearl Ex colour but dulled it.

Please click on an image to see more detail!

Cute Snake

Materials Used:
Stamps: Whipper Snapper Designs Inc. MY842 Coiled Snake, Hero Arts LL165 Happy Everything Greetings
Paper- Unknown
Other: StaZon Black Ink, Ancient Page Primrose, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Lime Green Brads; Bright Pink Grosgrain Ribbon; Double Sided Foam Tape; Prisma Colouring Pencils with Odourless Solvent and Paper Stumps, Paper Piercing Mat and Tool

Well, it has been a long time since I have made a "cutesy" card. I guess it helps that I need to have one! I might do some more up so I have some on hand and don't have to go do the panic thing. It is very relaxing to sit and colour and was the one thing I could do over the last couple of weeks. The odourless solvent is a must in my book. It takes away the "streaks" left by using the pencils and gives your colouring a very professional look.

I got a parcel from Kaisercraft today and boy oh boy, the Xmas papers and matching brads are just exquisite. So many, I don't know where to begin.

Cuttlebug Highlights

I am not happy with this scan. I might try a digital photo of the card coz here it is hard to see the highlights of gold that I have over the wording. I finished this off this afternoon after I finished doing the accounts for the farm. Having paid the PAYG and BAS for another quarter, I can merrily forget about all things accounting! But for now the shoulder more than needs to rest!

This card actually has the Cuttlebug Smoosh thing happening ... sort of...The ink was a little dry, so it only just came out. I decided to highlight the wording instead with gold. It is subtle I must say, but any more gold and it would be overkill. The wording is raised from a second piece of card treated in the same manner.