The Prettiness of Pearl Ex

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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!