There is just enough time to get a post in before the the new year! Actually, it's already 2018 in New Zealand! But at least it will still say 2017 on the blog.
Here's hoping 2018 will be filled with much love, laughter and light for us all
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Anything Goes Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
This week I'm back working on challenges. I needed to make a birthday card for a ten year old for tomorrow. The challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is Anything Goes so I am entering this card to that challenge:
I used my new Nuvo embellishment mousse over the embossing, to colour the card base and to colour in the number 10 on the inside:
I had to cut my acrylic stamp in half (#gasp) to stamp the words separately. I also put a special, NZ designed and made, stamp on the back of the card for this sweet girl. The birthday girl has started to attend church with friends so I thought she would find it a special touch.
Again, this card is being entered at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Materials:
Stamps: Hero Arts, Rubbadubbadoo
Ink: Ranger
Embossing Powder: Ranger Antiquities
Mousse: Nuvo
Number Stickers: Basic Grey coloured with Nuvo Embellishment Mousse
Embossing Folder: Craft Connections
Bling: Kaisercraft
Pen: Stabilo (to write 'th' on the inside and draw lines on the front of the card)
Paper: SImple Stories (for the tiny blue hearts on the front)
Cardstock: Bazill, (base unknown)
Other: Tiny Heart Punch
I used my new Nuvo embellishment mousse over the embossing, to colour the card base and to colour in the number 10 on the inside:
I had to cut my acrylic stamp in half (#gasp) to stamp the words separately. I also put a special, NZ designed and made, stamp on the back of the card for this sweet girl. The birthday girl has started to attend church with friends so I thought she would find it a special touch.
Again, this card is being entered at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Materials:
Stamps: Hero Arts, Rubbadubbadoo
Ink: Ranger
Embossing Powder: Ranger Antiquities
Mousse: Nuvo
Number Stickers: Basic Grey coloured with Nuvo Embellishment Mousse
Embossing Folder: Craft Connections
Bling: Kaisercraft
Pen: Stabilo (to write 'th' on the inside and draw lines on the front of the card)
Paper: SImple Stories (for the tiny blue hearts on the front)
Cardstock: Bazill, (base unknown)
Other: Tiny Heart Punch
Sunday, November 26, 2017
You May Not Need That Latest Gadget
That's right, the shopaholic just said: you may not need that latest gadget!
A new gadget was just released by a well known male crafter, and a well known craft manufacturer. When I saw it, I thought: that looks the same as my sidekick I bought many years ago only in a different colour. (I choose red over brown any day). I ordered a new, and tiny die recently and I thought that it would be easier if I could cut the die with my old, trusty sidekick rather than pull out my regular die machine (Ebosser).
The first setback was realising that when I purchased my sidekick, thin metal dies were not on the market. It only cut the steel dies embedded in the plastic frame. Now is about the time you might point out that the new gadget would cut all of the current die sizes, thus rendering it useful. I, of course, was not going to be beaten at the first hurdle. I played around with different, self-made 'shims' to account for the lack of plastic frame on thin metal dies. The final sandwich involved adding: a piece of chipboard covered on both sides with patterned paper from my scraps stash and a plain embossing folder sized to fit the sidekick.
The plain embossing folder may shear over time but I could cut new plastic shims out of product packaging or some other thick, solid material.
It's always good to look at older supplies and give them some love again.
A new gadget was just released by a well known male crafter, and a well known craft manufacturer. When I saw it, I thought: that looks the same as my sidekick I bought many years ago only in a different colour. (I choose red over brown any day). I ordered a new, and tiny die recently and I thought that it would be easier if I could cut the die with my old, trusty sidekick rather than pull out my regular die machine (Ebosser).
The first setback was realising that when I purchased my sidekick, thin metal dies were not on the market. It only cut the steel dies embedded in the plastic frame. Now is about the time you might point out that the new gadget would cut all of the current die sizes, thus rendering it useful. I, of course, was not going to be beaten at the first hurdle. I played around with different, self-made 'shims' to account for the lack of plastic frame on thin metal dies. The final sandwich involved adding: a piece of chipboard covered on both sides with patterned paper from my scraps stash and a plain embossing folder sized to fit the sidekick.
The plain embossing folder may shear over time but I could cut new plastic shims out of product packaging or some other thick, solid material.
It's always good to look at older supplies and give them some love again.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
What would Kelly make inspired card
This week on the blog over at Simon Says Stamp they have a link-up for cards inspired by Kelly's 'what would Kelly make' series. (The link-up is here) Kelly's cards this week had lovely bright, almost painted backgrounds. I was inspired by the coloured, artistic backgrounds on Kelly's cards. So I set to work using the supplies that I have on hand.
First up, I tried a new technique on this card - one from Jennifer McGuire I think. I inked stripes of distress inks (minis) on an acrylic black, spritzed it with water then laid it on my card front like a stamp. I wasn't that happy with how it turned out. I did have a few extra tries but they turned out worse than this one 😂. Once it dried, I heat embossed the lovely sentiment (Hero Arts). To try and improve the overall look, I misted the card front with a lovely teal Prima spray. Then I inked the edges of the card base before adding the card front to try to blend the whole look together. Here's my card:
The link for this challenge is here.
I am also entering this card for Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Materials:
Stamp: Hero Arts
Inks: Ranger Distress Ink, Ranger Embossing ink
Embossing Powder: Hero Arts
Colour Spray: Prima
Card: unknown
First up, I tried a new technique on this card - one from Jennifer McGuire I think. I inked stripes of distress inks (minis) on an acrylic black, spritzed it with water then laid it on my card front like a stamp. I wasn't that happy with how it turned out. I did have a few extra tries but they turned out worse than this one 😂. Once it dried, I heat embossed the lovely sentiment (Hero Arts). To try and improve the overall look, I misted the card front with a lovely teal Prima spray. Then I inked the edges of the card base before adding the card front to try to blend the whole look together. Here's my card:
The link for this challenge is here.
I am also entering this card for Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Materials:
Stamp: Hero Arts
Inks: Ranger Distress Ink, Ranger Embossing ink
Embossing Powder: Hero Arts
Colour Spray: Prima
Card: unknown
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Altenew Sketch Challenge #AltenewSketch
It's another 'Not A Card' day on the blog again. I've been working on getting photos scrapped and documented instead of card making this week. Loving slaying my stash of photos!
Altenew had a Crafting Friends blog hop yesterday. While I was on their site, I checked out the Scrapbooking blog and discovered a sketch challenge. The details are here
Here's the sketch they have as their challenge:
They encourage you to use either elements of the sketch or the whole sketch as your inspiration. I liked the sketch, particularly the use of three photos. My photos of course were the opposite orientation! So I used 3x4" prints and cut a 4x6" down to suit. I also liked the blue/teal colours in the background paper on the sketch example.
This year I have been lucky to win a couple of store credits from Altenew and I was able to get: Marker Set A, Golden Peach Embossing Powder and Painted Inspiration stamp set. Because it is an Altenew challenge, I need to respect the rules and use mostly Altenew products. Boy, this gave me a good challenge given my limited Altenew supplies! Without much further ado, here's my layout:
I started by stamping and heat embossing on vellum with the only Altenew stamps and embossing powder I own and the layout came together after that. I added journaling lines with the peach Altenew marker (R302) and decorative lines/arrows with the black Altenew marker (S). I also coloured clear bling with the peach marker to help them blend into the layout. You can do a lot with limited supplies. Here's a close up of the embossing and the faint journal lines:
I'm pleased to have three photos scrapped. Thanks Altenew for the challenge #AltenewSketch
Altenew Materials:
Altenew: Painted Inspiration Stamp Set , Golden Peach Embossing Powder, Markers S & R302
Other Materials:
Cardstock: DCWV
Patterned Paper: K&Co
Sparklets: Kaisercraft
Perfect Pearls: Ranger
Decorative Pearls & Blue dots: Retail Girl
Punch: Martha Stewart
Unknown: vellum, decorative bling I coloured
Altenew had a Crafting Friends blog hop yesterday. While I was on their site, I checked out the Scrapbooking blog and discovered a sketch challenge. The details are here
Here's the sketch they have as their challenge:
They encourage you to use either elements of the sketch or the whole sketch as your inspiration. I liked the sketch, particularly the use of three photos. My photos of course were the opposite orientation! So I used 3x4" prints and cut a 4x6" down to suit. I also liked the blue/teal colours in the background paper on the sketch example.
This year I have been lucky to win a couple of store credits from Altenew and I was able to get: Marker Set A, Golden Peach Embossing Powder and Painted Inspiration stamp set. Because it is an Altenew challenge, I need to respect the rules and use mostly Altenew products. Boy, this gave me a good challenge given my limited Altenew supplies! Without much further ado, here's my layout:
I started by stamping and heat embossing on vellum with the only Altenew stamps and embossing powder I own and the layout came together after that. I added journaling lines with the peach Altenew marker (R302) and decorative lines/arrows with the black Altenew marker (S). I also coloured clear bling with the peach marker to help them blend into the layout. You can do a lot with limited supplies. Here's a close up of the embossing and the faint journal lines:
I'm pleased to have three photos scrapped. Thanks Altenew for the challenge #AltenewSketch
Altenew Materials:
Altenew: Painted Inspiration Stamp Set , Golden Peach Embossing Powder, Markers S & R302
Other Materials:
Cardstock: DCWV
Patterned Paper: K&Co
Sparklets: Kaisercraft
Perfect Pearls: Ranger
Decorative Pearls & Blue dots: Retail Girl
Punch: Martha Stewart
Unknown: vellum, decorative bling I coloured
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Another Not A Card
It's a week of non card crafting! I've been using Memory Planners as my way of capturing a year for a few years now. I still consider myself a #plannernerd. Before I discovered memory planning, I used to do a double page layout using index photos from a year. I also employed a different way of journaling each year - I liked hidden journaling and getting even more pictures on the layout.
This year I am using a Heidi Swapp personal size memory planner (gold stripes). The smaller size has been good for me with the changes in my life this year, and its been much more do-able. (I might change it up for next year though). Each month has an undated, month-at-a-glance double page spread and each month I think of a new theme to document. The theme I chose for October is: what I am reading. (Other themes I had in previous months were: gratitude, what I ate, where I went). One of the reasons I chose this theme is that I have been trying to get into the habit of reading a bible chapter a day (plus footnotes). I'd like to see a record of what I read and when I failed in my plan.
For the layout I pulled out an older packet of ephemera from October Afternoon which had a library/ reading theme. The diecuts I chose determined the colours for all of October. A package of new inks arrived so I just had to use some of the distress oxides from the second release: lucky clover, antique linen, candied apple, peacock feathers and salty ocean.
Here's my layout:
Because I was traveling on the first and needed to rest when I got home there is no bible reading mentioned for the first two days of October. The other gap was when I went out for the afternoon and ended up staying out until late! Mental note: read in the morning!
I am entering this monthly planner layout over at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Not A Card
Materials:
Ephemera: October Afternoon
Stamps: Kelly Stamps, Studio L2E, Prima
Pens, Sakura, Kikki-K, Ranger
Sticker: Studio Calico
This year I am using a Heidi Swapp personal size memory planner (gold stripes). The smaller size has been good for me with the changes in my life this year, and its been much more do-able. (I might change it up for next year though). Each month has an undated, month-at-a-glance double page spread and each month I think of a new theme to document. The theme I chose for October is: what I am reading. (Other themes I had in previous months were: gratitude, what I ate, where I went). One of the reasons I chose this theme is that I have been trying to get into the habit of reading a bible chapter a day (plus footnotes). I'd like to see a record of what I read and when I failed in my plan.
For the layout I pulled out an older packet of ephemera from October Afternoon which had a library/ reading theme. The diecuts I chose determined the colours for all of October. A package of new inks arrived so I just had to use some of the distress oxides from the second release: lucky clover, antique linen, candied apple, peacock feathers and salty ocean.
Here's my layout:
Because I was traveling on the first and needed to rest when I got home there is no bible reading mentioned for the first two days of October. The other gap was when I went out for the afternoon and ended up staying out until late! Mental note: read in the morning!
I am entering this monthly planner layout over at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Not A Card
Materials:
Ephemera: October Afternoon
Stamps: Kelly Stamps, Studio L2E, Prima
Pens, Sakura, Kikki-K, Ranger
Sticker: Studio Calico
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
World Card Making Day - A Scrapbook Layout
For World Card Making Day (WCMD) on Saturday, I ended up finishing a scrapbook layout on my desk! I'm so happy to have finally finished it though, which means more to me than whipping up a card on a designated day. I choose scrapbooking over cardmaking any day!
This layout was based on a layout from the DCWV blog (Sept 15,2017). I don't usually scraplift but I did like the look of this particular layout. I was also inspired to use some old Hambly Screen Prints after following an online thread about them. The thread made me realise that I too was a hoarder of printed transparencies and that I was not alone! This inspired me to pull them out and use one.
Luckily, this week's challenge on Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is: Not a Card Perfect!
As well as in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge mentioned above, I am entering this layout in the Simon Says Stamp Linkup for WCMD projects (I'm hoping that my project being a scrapbooking layout doesn't disqualify me!). The link for this is here
Materials:
Most of the items are from WRMK (leftover from my CAD 2015 class with Vicki Bouton)
Cardstock: Bazill
Transparency: Hambly Screen Prints
Floral Trim: Retailgirl
Ink: Ranger
Permanent Marker: Sharpie (for journaling not shown in picture)
Number Stickers: Kiki-K (free gift with purchase ❤️)
Epoxy Circle: Studio112
Other: vellum scrap, metal trim (supplies for a fascinator that I made for a wedding)
Note: Ranger Perfect Pearls were added to an area after photographing)
This layout was based on a layout from the DCWV blog (Sept 15,2017). I don't usually scraplift but I did like the look of this particular layout. I was also inspired to use some old Hambly Screen Prints after following an online thread about them. The thread made me realise that I too was a hoarder of printed transparencies and that I was not alone! This inspired me to pull them out and use one.
Luckily, this week's challenge on Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is: Not a Card Perfect!
As well as in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge mentioned above, I am entering this layout in the Simon Says Stamp Linkup for WCMD projects (I'm hoping that my project being a scrapbooking layout doesn't disqualify me!). The link for this is here
Materials:
Most of the items are from WRMK (leftover from my CAD 2015 class with Vicki Bouton)
Cardstock: Bazill
Transparency: Hambly Screen Prints
Floral Trim: Retailgirl
Ink: Ranger
Permanent Marker: Sharpie (for journaling not shown in picture)
Number Stickers: Kiki-K (free gift with purchase ❤️)
Epoxy Circle: Studio112
Other: vellum scrap, metal trim (supplies for a fascinator that I made for a wedding)
Note: Ranger Perfect Pearls were added to an area after photographing)
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Anything Goes for Father's Day
Tomorrow is Father's Day here in New Zealand. Of course I made my dad a handmade card!
Here's the inside:
While I don't love this card, I am happy that I got to use some older supplies and some items from prizes that I received. Whenever I get something new, I try to use it on a project straight away. No more unused products in my stash for me!
The weekly challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is Anything Goes so I am entering this card in their challenge.
Materials:
Card Base: Hero Arts
Stamps: Pink & Main (inside) and Heidi Swapp (back ground)
Tags: Bella Blvd
Acetate: Glitz
Base layer: Rosie's Studio
Embossing Ink & Powder: Ranger and Zing
Markers: Tim Holtz
Other: Twine, Chipboard Embellishment
Here's the inside:
While I don't love this card, I am happy that I got to use some older supplies and some items from prizes that I received. Whenever I get something new, I try to use it on a project straight away. No more unused products in my stash for me!
The weekly challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is Anything Goes so I am entering this card in their challenge.
Materials:
Card Base: Hero Arts
Stamps: Pink & Main (inside) and Heidi Swapp (back ground)
Tags: Bella Blvd
Acetate: Glitz
Base layer: Rosie's Studio
Embossing Ink & Powder: Ranger and Zing
Markers: Tim Holtz
Other: Twine, Chipboard Embellishment
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
More Monkeying Around
The monkey stamp and die set I won from May Flaum is being put to good use! I needed to make a birthday card for a young girl which just so happened to match two challenges at Simon Says Stamp! The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is Happy Birthday and the latest challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is For A Child . Brilliant timing!
Because I ended up embossing the Hero Arts sentiment on the front of my card I can also enter this card at the challenge over at A Blog Named Hero. Their challenge for August is Embossing With Wow .
Here's my birthday card for a child with embossed sentiment:
I made it so that the little monkey can swing around:
Of course I didn't just stop with the front of the card, I decorated the inside too:
This card is just so cute! (Even if I do say so myself!)
Materials:
Card, Cardstock and Tag: Hero Arts, Stampin' Up!, Ranger
Monkey Stamps and Dies: Lawn Fawn
Birthday Stamps: Hero Arts
Inks: Ranger, Versamark
Markers: Tim Holtz, Zig
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug
Embossing Powder: American Crafts/Zing
Metallic Rub-ons: Craf-T Products
Stapler and Staples: Tim Holtz
Other: Vellum (scrap), Ribbon (from a present)
Because I ended up embossing the Hero Arts sentiment on the front of my card I can also enter this card at the challenge over at A Blog Named Hero. Their challenge for August is Embossing With Wow .
Here's my birthday card for a child with embossed sentiment:
I made it so that the little monkey can swing around:
Of course I didn't just stop with the front of the card, I decorated the inside too:
This card is just so cute! (Even if I do say so myself!)
Materials:
Card, Cardstock and Tag: Hero Arts, Stampin' Up!, Ranger
Monkey Stamps and Dies: Lawn Fawn
Birthday Stamps: Hero Arts
Inks: Ranger, Versamark
Markers: Tim Holtz, Zig
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug
Embossing Powder: American Crafts/Zing
Metallic Rub-ons: Craf-T Products
Stapler and Staples: Tim Holtz
Other: Vellum (scrap), Ribbon (from a present)
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Monkeying Around
Yesterday, my prize from Scrap Camp offered by @craftwithmay arrived. I won the stamp set and dies that May used on her tag - the stamp and dies are a collaboration between Lawn Fawn and Ellen Hutson. They are rather cute! May also sent me a few Ranger tags and some of her 28 Lilac Lane sequin mix. I was so pleased to receive the sequin mix as I haven't found a local supplier yet.
I couldn't wait to play with the items and they went straight in to my Memory Planner for August:
It wasn't until I was watermarking the photo that I noticed I glued my monkey in the space for August 31st! Oh dear!
Another monkey was stamped, cut and coloured for the opening of the first weekly spread in August.
There are another couple of monkeys stamped and die cut ready for colouring and using elsewhere in the month.
Thank you, May, you can be assured these will be put to regular use.
You can find May's blog here
I couldn't wait to play with the items and they went straight in to my Memory Planner for August:
It wasn't until I was watermarking the photo that I noticed I glued my monkey in the space for August 31st! Oh dear!
Another monkey was stamped, cut and coloured for the opening of the first weekly spread in August.
There are another couple of monkeys stamped and die cut ready for colouring and using elsewhere in the month.
Thank you, May, you can be assured these will be put to regular use.
You can find May's blog here
Saturday, July 29, 2017
A Mini Challenge
Remember when I did the #nospend in March this year? It was a really good activity for me to go through and I learned a few things about my spending habits. But I have to admit, I did not necessarily put into practice new habits from what I learned.
One of the main habits I thought about was checking online craft sites daily for what was new and what was on sale. Yes, every day. I put myself on a much needed craft #nospend this month but I would still check those sites daily. So yesterday I put myself on a mini three day challenge: don't check the shopping sites until the end of the month.
It was quite interesting to see how I automatically clicked over to the shopping sites from the blogs I check daily. Scarily automatic. I managed to intercept my natural checking on the first one in time (before the shopping site loaded). It made me cautiously aware for the next sites I checked out.
Yesterday I managed to not check the three sites I check daily. Let's see how tonight and the rest of tomorrow goes.....
Update: I did it! The very next day I did order a stamp set from Altenew but it was my prize from them and I did wait until August.
One of the main habits I thought about was checking online craft sites daily for what was new and what was on sale. Yes, every day. I put myself on a much needed craft #nospend this month but I would still check those sites daily. So yesterday I put myself on a mini three day challenge: don't check the shopping sites until the end of the month.
It was quite interesting to see how I automatically clicked over to the shopping sites from the blogs I check daily. Scarily automatic. I managed to intercept my natural checking on the first one in time (before the shopping site loaded). It made me cautiously aware for the next sites I checked out.
Yesterday I managed to not check the three sites I check daily. Let's see how tonight and the rest of tomorrow goes.....
Update: I did it! The very next day I did order a stamp set from Altenew but it was my prize from them and I did wait until August.
Sunday, June 25, 2017
She's Done it Again: SSS and TN
Just a warning: I think you are going to see a lot of projects in my travelers notebooks in the next wee while. They are such a great size and it's quick to whip up a simple layout.
Of course I checked out the Simon Says Stamp challenges to direct my creating.
The challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is Let's Take a Vacation
The challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is Use Patterned Paper (I did actually use some Doodlebugs washi on one of my pages seeing as the design team used Doodlebugs products)
Here's my title page documenting a trip I did in New Zealand at the end of May: (have fun pronouncing some of the kiwi place names, especially the second one)
For the title page I pulled out some new zing embossing powders I got on clearance at Spotlight ($5 each plus buy 2, get 1 free!). I may have bought three more today...
Patterned paper for the first pages:
That little dangly charm covering up some identifying details is something I altered. It was a key fob but I added a faith charm, an apple charm from a very old design team kit, and I added a glass bead to the flower centre (part of the original piece). The updated fob is now hanging from my green handbag.
The patterned paper journaling mat on this layout is actually the inside piece (scrap) that you cut out when you use the WRMK Frame Punch Board! Waste not, want not!
The 'LoL' and 'Love This' dies were a recent bargain purchase too. I'm glad I put them to use straight away.
The last pages are a mix of stamps and die-cuts that I'd previously pre-cut.
The 'Love This' dies ended up on the next page. That's enough photos for one post.
Materials:
Paper: Rosies Studio and scraps
Embossing Powder: Zing
Inks: Ranger
Stamps: Three Bugs in a Rug (Hampton Art), Scrappy Cat, Kelliestamps, Elles Studio, Hero Arts, Citrus Twist Kits, Technique Tuesday, Mama Elephant,
Dies: Kaisercraft, Maggie Holmes, Hero Arts, WRMK, Tim Holtz, Technique Tuesday
Washi: Doodlebug Design, Heidi Swapp, Copic (foil), Mambi
Embellishments: DCWV, Frames (scrap surrounds from some instax photo frames)
Pens: Stampin' Up!, Tim Holtz
Of course I checked out the Simon Says Stamp challenges to direct my creating.
The challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is Let's Take a Vacation
The challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is Use Patterned Paper (I did actually use some Doodlebugs washi on one of my pages seeing as the design team used Doodlebugs products)
Here's my title page documenting a trip I did in New Zealand at the end of May: (have fun pronouncing some of the kiwi place names, especially the second one)
For the title page I pulled out some new zing embossing powders I got on clearance at Spotlight ($5 each plus buy 2, get 1 free!). I may have bought three more today...
Patterned paper for the first pages:
That little dangly charm covering up some identifying details is something I altered. It was a key fob but I added a faith charm, an apple charm from a very old design team kit, and I added a glass bead to the flower centre (part of the original piece). The updated fob is now hanging from my green handbag.
The patterned paper journaling mat on this layout is actually the inside piece (scrap) that you cut out when you use the WRMK Frame Punch Board! Waste not, want not!
The 'LoL' and 'Love This' dies were a recent bargain purchase too. I'm glad I put them to use straight away.
The last pages are a mix of stamps and die-cuts that I'd previously pre-cut.
The 'Love This' dies ended up on the next page. That's enough photos for one post.
Materials:
Paper: Rosies Studio and scraps
Embossing Powder: Zing
Inks: Ranger
Stamps: Three Bugs in a Rug (Hampton Art), Scrappy Cat, Kelliestamps, Elles Studio, Hero Arts, Citrus Twist Kits, Technique Tuesday, Mama Elephant,
Dies: Kaisercraft, Maggie Holmes, Hero Arts, WRMK, Tim Holtz, Technique Tuesday
Washi: Doodlebug Design, Heidi Swapp, Copic (foil), Mambi
Embellishments: DCWV, Frames (scrap surrounds from some instax photo frames)
Pens: Stampin' Up!, Tim Holtz
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Travelers Notebook: Simon Says Stamp Challenges
It was time to get my craft on. As usual I turned to the Simon Says Stamp challenge sites to direct my creative play. The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is Touchy Feely and the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge is Emboss It.
I pulled out my new WRMK Frame punch board and when I opened the packaging it had a double chipboard frame in it. Waste not, want not. I cut the image out of the filled frame and looked through my small photos to fill the places. I chose an instax print of a resetgirl instagram post and a photo of me after a Clinique Makeover. I decided to put it in my Travelers Notebook which had my creations for interNational Scrapbook Day from May in it.
Here's the close up:
For the embossed stamp on vellum, I used a brand new peach embossing powder from Altenew that I got as part of my prize I won from them. It is really lovely, almost like rose gold. I also put down some new washi I bought at K Mart recently. I didn't know they had a good range of cheap scrapbooking supplies (and the marble contact cover I've been looking for).
Here's the challenge details again:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Touchy Feely (the frame, heat embossing and sequins)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge: Emboss It (heat embossed stamp on vellum)
Materials:
Travelers Notebook and Cover: Crate Paper
Washi: K Mart
Stamps: Technique Tuesday, Citrus twist Kits,
Ink: Ranger
Colour Spray: Heidi Swapp Colour Shine
Frame: packaging from WRMK Frame Punch Board
Paper Embellishments: Citrus twist kits (my NSD prize from them)
Alcohol Marker: Altenew (black)
Other: Sequins
I pulled out my new WRMK Frame punch board and when I opened the packaging it had a double chipboard frame in it. Waste not, want not. I cut the image out of the filled frame and looked through my small photos to fill the places. I chose an instax print of a resetgirl instagram post and a photo of me after a Clinique Makeover. I decided to put it in my Travelers Notebook which had my creations for interNational Scrapbook Day from May in it.
Here's the close up:
For the embossed stamp on vellum, I used a brand new peach embossing powder from Altenew that I got as part of my prize I won from them. It is really lovely, almost like rose gold. I also put down some new washi I bought at K Mart recently. I didn't know they had a good range of cheap scrapbooking supplies (and the marble contact cover I've been looking for).
Here's the challenge details again:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Touchy Feely (the frame, heat embossing and sequins)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge: Emboss It (heat embossed stamp on vellum)
Materials:
Travelers Notebook and Cover: Crate Paper
Washi: K Mart
Stamps: Technique Tuesday, Citrus twist Kits,
Ink: Ranger
Colour Spray: Heidi Swapp Colour Shine
Frame: packaging from WRMK Frame Punch Board
Paper Embellishments: Citrus twist kits (my NSD prize from them)
Alcohol Marker: Altenew (black)
Other: Sequins
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Simon Says Stamp Monday: It's A Frame Up Challenge
This week I needed to make a Mother's Day card. The latest challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is to use a frame. I decided to inset my frame for this challenge - just to be different. This is what I came up with:
Yes, I did adhere the patterned paper upside down! Grrr! I'd already adhered the stamped background to the patterned paper so I couldn't just take it off and stick it back on the correct way. There seems to always be something wrong with my creations lately!
Here's the inside. I changed up my design by putting my sentiment on the top part, leaving the bottom space free for writing to my precious mum.
The challenge post at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is here
Materials
Paper: Echo Park
Card: Bazzill & unknown
Stamp & matching die: Wplus9
Other Stamps: Hero Arts (and many more), Kaisercraft (happy Mothers Day)
Ink: Momento, Ranger distress oxide, Stampin' Up!
Frame die and stitching template: Stampin' Up!
Yes, I did adhere the patterned paper upside down! Grrr! I'd already adhered the stamped background to the patterned paper so I couldn't just take it off and stick it back on the correct way. There seems to always be something wrong with my creations lately!
Here's the inside. I changed up my design by putting my sentiment on the top part, leaving the bottom space free for writing to my precious mum.
The challenge post at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is here
Materials
Paper: Echo Park
Card: Bazzill & unknown
Stamp & matching die: Wplus9
Other Stamps: Hero Arts (and many more), Kaisercraft (happy Mothers Day)
Ink: Momento, Ranger distress oxide, Stampin' Up!
Frame die and stitching template: Stampin' Up!
Monday, April 10, 2017
Happy Birthday Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is celebrating 8 years! Congrats on 8 years of inspiration and challenges. Thanks too to Heidi at Simon Says Stamp for sending vouchers for the store to the winners.
This week they are giving away 8, yes 8, vouchers away to 8 lucky challenge entries. Boy, oh boy, do I want one of those vouchers to help with my massive wishlist at Simon Says Stamp! Unfortunately, I have only been able to create 2 entries for this challenge; sometimes life just gets in the way of craft time!
This entry is a birthday card for my niece. Her birthday isn't for another couple of weeks so I hope she doesn't read my blog! When I set out to make this card I thought it would come together very easily. Once again it felt like a struggle trying to put this together! I persevered with it and I am so glad I did!
To get the two-toned colour for the background stamp I actually stamped it first in Archival Black on another project, cleaned the stamp with baby wipes, then stamped the card base with the gorgeous Simon Says Stamp hybrid coral ink. Actually, I discovered this 'technique' by accident, not realising the black residue would still stamp after cleaning!
I just love the Coral Reef hybrid ink by Simon Says Stamp and I felt like I needed to do another card with this pretty colour. For this challenge I added just a pop of mint to the mix as I love the two colours together with black as an accent (the paper looks pale blue in the picture but in real life it is mint). Hence, I am adding this card to the Southern Girls Challenge: Show us you Favourite Colour Combo challenge.
The frame for this card was actually white which was too stark for the overall card. I toned down the white by adding some Zig fawn colour ink with a waterbrush to grunge it up a bit.
A lot of older items from my stash were used on my card! Yay for using up my stash. After making this card I have popped the background stamp in my 'For Sale' pile for a de-stash event I am attending in a few weeks. Hopefully I will make a little money to buy new supplies with!
I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Happy Birthday
A Blog Named Hero: Anything Goes
Southern Girls Challenge: Show us your Favourite Colour Combo I'm having trouble linking this project to this challenge today. I will try again later.
Materials:
Stamp: Hero Arts, Stampin' Up! (background)
Ink, Simon Says Stamp hybrid Coral Reef, Ranger Archival Ink Black (for edging), Zig (on frame)
Numbers: American Craft Thickers
Frame: Maggie Holmes
Markers: (for watercolouring the white frame to match)
Papers: Webster pages (journal card), La-De-Dah (paper used inside the frame), Grace Taylor (tag behind the frame),
Other: card
This week they are giving away 8, yes 8, vouchers away to 8 lucky challenge entries. Boy, oh boy, do I want one of those vouchers to help with my massive wishlist at Simon Says Stamp! Unfortunately, I have only been able to create 2 entries for this challenge; sometimes life just gets in the way of craft time!
This entry is a birthday card for my niece. Her birthday isn't for another couple of weeks so I hope she doesn't read my blog! When I set out to make this card I thought it would come together very easily. Once again it felt like a struggle trying to put this together! I persevered with it and I am so glad I did!
To get the two-toned colour for the background stamp I actually stamped it first in Archival Black on another project, cleaned the stamp with baby wipes, then stamped the card base with the gorgeous Simon Says Stamp hybrid coral ink. Actually, I discovered this 'technique' by accident, not realising the black residue would still stamp after cleaning!
I just love the Coral Reef hybrid ink by Simon Says Stamp and I felt like I needed to do another card with this pretty colour. For this challenge I added just a pop of mint to the mix as I love the two colours together with black as an accent (the paper looks pale blue in the picture but in real life it is mint). Hence, I am adding this card to the Southern Girls Challenge: Show us you Favourite Colour Combo challenge.
The frame for this card was actually white which was too stark for the overall card. I toned down the white by adding some Zig fawn colour ink with a waterbrush to grunge it up a bit.
A lot of older items from my stash were used on my card! Yay for using up my stash. After making this card I have popped the background stamp in my 'For Sale' pile for a de-stash event I am attending in a few weeks. Hopefully I will make a little money to buy new supplies with!
I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Happy Birthday
A Blog Named Hero: Anything Goes
Southern Girls Challenge: Show us your Favourite Colour Combo I'm having trouble linking this project to this challenge today. I will try again later.
Materials:
Stamp: Hero Arts, Stampin' Up! (background)
Ink, Simon Says Stamp hybrid Coral Reef, Ranger Archival Ink Black (for edging), Zig (on frame)
Numbers: American Craft Thickers
Frame: Maggie Holmes
Markers: (for watercolouring the white frame to match)
Papers: Webster pages (journal card), La-De-Dah (paper used inside the frame), Grace Taylor (tag behind the frame),
Other: card
Saturday, April 8, 2017
A Quadruple Whammy
Instead of a double whammy, today's card is a quadruple whammy as it covers 4 challenges!
Before I created my card I checked out my favourite challenge sites. Once I had chosen my challenges, my theme and colour scheme was already chosen for me. You'd think this would make my card quick and easy to make. No such luck! From the get-go I struggled with this card. I chose my favourite colours and combos and I knew I wanted to make a birthday card but the technical skills to bring my ideas together were lacking.
It started with my poor attempt at watercolouring over a clear embossed image. Watercolouring is something I really struggle with. I thought I'd improved but when I was working on the colouring I realised my improvements were nonexistent! Sigh. I decided to continue with the watercoloured base card any way.
My next great idea failed in its execution. I wanted to emboss the Happy Birthday in Versacolour Celadon to match the edging of my card. First attempt I inked the sentiment with embossing ink and stamped it. Then I realised I actually wanted to stamp it in Celadon ink then heat emboss it with clear powder! A quick scrub off and dry then I had to turn the vellum over to use the other side. Would it lay flat? Absolutely not! Cue handy washi strips to beat it into submission, I mean, tie it down flat. Then I realised the ink was too pale after all that.
Time for a break! Or so I thought. As I got up to leave I decided to chose some liquid pearls to add matching drops in part of the background image to help distract from my attempt at blending my watercoloured background. I ended up sitting down again and adding the liquid pearls drops. Of course some got on to the vellum. Sigh. After other small annoyances I am glad to say my card is done. And I quite like the finished product, certainly more than I was expecting too.
This card is being submitted in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Happy Birthday This set my theme: birthday
A Blog Named Hero: Anything Goes Had to use a Hero Arts birthday stamp
Scrapbook.com: Submit & Win I was inspired to use their April colour inspiration in a recent newsletter. I love this colour combo as it uses some of my favourite colours: Coral, Mint, Dark Teal, Grey and Pale Grey. They go so beautifully together.
Southern Girls Challenge: Show Us Your Favourite Colour Combo Used a combination of my favourite colours: Coral, Mint, Dark Teal, and Grey.
Materials:
Watercolour Card: Bockingford
Ink: Simon Says Stamp (Coral Reef, Audrey Blue), Versacolour (Celadon, Cement), Ranger Distress (Hickory Smoke)
Stamp: Hero Arts
Liquid Pearls: Ranger
Washi Tape: 7Gypsies
Other: Vellum, Flower, Paper Scrap (behind the sentiment to help it stand out)
Before I created my card I checked out my favourite challenge sites. Once I had chosen my challenges, my theme and colour scheme was already chosen for me. You'd think this would make my card quick and easy to make. No such luck! From the get-go I struggled with this card. I chose my favourite colours and combos and I knew I wanted to make a birthday card but the technical skills to bring my ideas together were lacking.
It started with my poor attempt at watercolouring over a clear embossed image. Watercolouring is something I really struggle with. I thought I'd improved but when I was working on the colouring I realised my improvements were nonexistent! Sigh. I decided to continue with the watercoloured base card any way.
My next great idea failed in its execution. I wanted to emboss the Happy Birthday in Versacolour Celadon to match the edging of my card. First attempt I inked the sentiment with embossing ink and stamped it. Then I realised I actually wanted to stamp it in Celadon ink then heat emboss it with clear powder! A quick scrub off and dry then I had to turn the vellum over to use the other side. Would it lay flat? Absolutely not! Cue handy washi strips to beat it into submission, I mean, tie it down flat. Then I realised the ink was too pale after all that.
Time for a break! Or so I thought. As I got up to leave I decided to chose some liquid pearls to add matching drops in part of the background image to help distract from my attempt at blending my watercoloured background. I ended up sitting down again and adding the liquid pearls drops. Of course some got on to the vellum. Sigh. After other small annoyances I am glad to say my card is done. And I quite like the finished product, certainly more than I was expecting too.
This card is being submitted in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Happy Birthday This set my theme: birthday
A Blog Named Hero: Anything Goes Had to use a Hero Arts birthday stamp
Scrapbook.com: Submit & Win I was inspired to use their April colour inspiration in a recent newsletter. I love this colour combo as it uses some of my favourite colours: Coral, Mint, Dark Teal, Grey and Pale Grey. They go so beautifully together.
Southern Girls Challenge: Show Us Your Favourite Colour Combo Used a combination of my favourite colours: Coral, Mint, Dark Teal, and Grey.
Materials:
Watercolour Card: Bockingford
Ink: Simon Says Stamp (Coral Reef, Audrey Blue), Versacolour (Celadon, Cement), Ranger Distress (Hickory Smoke)
Stamp: Hero Arts
Liquid Pearls: Ranger
Washi Tape: 7Gypsies
Other: Vellum, Flower, Paper Scrap (behind the sentiment to help it stand out)
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Final Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
3 blog posts in one day!
This is the final one for today - I promise
This final project is a 4x6 pocket scrapbooking card I made. I really like the "Laugh Out Loud" chipboard with the inked doily (Ranger Distress Oxides again) but I didn't really think it was a good sentiment for a card. So, I decided to make a pocket scrapbooking card instead - I'm sure there are many photos that can be used with "LOL". I'm not 100% sure about the 4x6 size of this card but I centered the doily so that I can cut it down and use it as a 4x4 pocket page if I want.
Excuse the watermark on the top of the paper. My guess would be it touched a wet baby wipe on my desk when I was setting up my photo - grrr
This is my final entry in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Materials:
Ink: Ranger Distress Oxides - Broken China, Cracked Pistachio
Paper, Doily, Chipboard - brands unknown
This is the final one for today - I promise
This final project is a 4x6 pocket scrapbooking card I made. I really like the "Laugh Out Loud" chipboard with the inked doily (Ranger Distress Oxides again) but I didn't really think it was a good sentiment for a card. So, I decided to make a pocket scrapbooking card instead - I'm sure there are many photos that can be used with "LOL". I'm not 100% sure about the 4x6 size of this card but I centered the doily so that I can cut it down and use it as a 4x4 pocket page if I want.
Excuse the watermark on the top of the paper. My guess would be it touched a wet baby wipe on my desk when I was setting up my photo - grrr
This is my final entry in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Materials:
Ink: Ranger Distress Oxides - Broken China, Cracked Pistachio
Paper, Doily, Chipboard - brands unknown
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
More creative play with distress oxide inks for me in this blog post. And seeing that the challenge this week at Simon Says Stamp is Anything Goes I got to create cards/projects without any limitations.
For this card I stamped an older Heidi Swapp background stamp on Kraft again but not spritzing it with water like my previous card. I like the fact that the colour shows up on Kraft card and gives a smooth, chalky finish. From there I inked a doily to match, chose patterned paper, stamped/embossed my sentiment on Kraft card and added silver glitter numbers. Done!
For some reason the silver glitter numbers don't stand out in the photo as much as they do in person.
Materials:
Kraft Card: Ormolu
Inks: Ranger Distress Oxides, Ranger Embossing Ink
Stamps: Heidi Swapp, Studio G
Numbers: American Crafts
Papers: from my scraps bin
Embossing Powder: Celebrations of Australia
Other: Fiskars Circle Cutter, Doily
For this card I stamped an older Heidi Swapp background stamp on Kraft again but not spritzing it with water like my previous card. I like the fact that the colour shows up on Kraft card and gives a smooth, chalky finish. From there I inked a doily to match, chose patterned paper, stamped/embossed my sentiment on Kraft card and added silver glitter numbers. Done!
For some reason the silver glitter numbers don't stand out in the photo as much as they do in person.
Materials:
Kraft Card: Ormolu
Inks: Ranger Distress Oxides, Ranger Embossing Ink
Stamps: Heidi Swapp, Studio G
Numbers: American Crafts
Papers: from my scraps bin
Embossing Powder: Celebrations of Australia
Other: Fiskars Circle Cutter, Doily
Simon Says Stamp Monday and Wednesday Challenge
It seems I have found my creative groove again after a long period of inactivity on the blog. Thank goodness.
This week I created a card for two challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Make a Rainbow I even used Tim Holtz products!
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Some Distress Oxides arrived by courier today (ordered after my March #nospend ended - fail?).
I just had to sit down and play with them immediately - in my pjs! The background for this card was the first item I created. I wanted to see how the distress oxide inks would show up on Kraft card. I also tried stamping on black cardstock; at first the colours were vivid but when they dried they just gave a chalky finish with just a hint of colour. To start my collection I got: Cracked Pistachio, Broken China, Worn Lipstick, Fossilized Amber. (For this card I did not use Broken China)
I actually love these ink for just plain stamping on white card! I have a few (😜) distress inks but I mainly use them for inking the edges of things as I don't like the results when you use them with clear stamps. I also stick to dye based inks because I don't like waiting for pigment ink to dry and I'm too lazy to get out my heat tool! So, these new distress oxides will be a great resource for me.
Now on to my card.
When my dad saw the background on my card he said: "It's like a rainbow!". I knew then that it definitely fit the Make A Rainbow challenge!
For some reason the sentiment stamping went awry on this card. I don't know if it is because it is so humid in NZ at the moment (100% humidity) or maybe I pressed the stamp too hard into the embossing ink. Unfortunately, I had already invested my time and supplies on this card so I m keeping it as is.
Materials:
Kraft Card: Ormolu
Inks: Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Oxides, Ranger Embossing Ink
Stamp: Hero Arts
Embossing Powder: Celebrations of Australia
Number: American Crafts
Other: Chipboard, Scrap Ribbon.
This week I created a card for two challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Make a Rainbow I even used Tim Holtz products!
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Some Distress Oxides arrived by courier today (ordered after my March #nospend ended - fail?).
I just had to sit down and play with them immediately - in my pjs! The background for this card was the first item I created. I wanted to see how the distress oxide inks would show up on Kraft card. I also tried stamping on black cardstock; at first the colours were vivid but when they dried they just gave a chalky finish with just a hint of colour. To start my collection I got: Cracked Pistachio, Broken China, Worn Lipstick, Fossilized Amber. (For this card I did not use Broken China)
I actually love these ink for just plain stamping on white card! I have a few (😜) distress inks but I mainly use them for inking the edges of things as I don't like the results when you use them with clear stamps. I also stick to dye based inks because I don't like waiting for pigment ink to dry and I'm too lazy to get out my heat tool! So, these new distress oxides will be a great resource for me.
Now on to my card.
When my dad saw the background on my card he said: "It's like a rainbow!". I knew then that it definitely fit the Make A Rainbow challenge!
For some reason the sentiment stamping went awry on this card. I don't know if it is because it is so humid in NZ at the moment (100% humidity) or maybe I pressed the stamp too hard into the embossing ink. Unfortunately, I had already invested my time and supplies on this card so I m keeping it as is.
Materials:
Kraft Card: Ormolu
Inks: Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Oxides, Ranger Embossing Ink
Stamp: Hero Arts
Embossing Powder: Celebrations of Australia
Number: American Crafts
Other: Chipboard, Scrap Ribbon.
Friday, March 31, 2017
A Wee Skite
When I checked the Pink & Main challenge blog this morning I was thrilled to see that I had won the Top of the Class prize ($25)
I'd encourage you to join in their challenges. You don't have to use their products, but if you do, you will be eligible for the top prizes. It's kind of polite to use a company's products on their challenge blogs anyway.
I'd encourage you to join in their challenges. You don't have to use their products, but if you do, you will be eligible for the top prizes. It's kind of polite to use a company's products on their challenge blogs anyway.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
A Wee Bit O' Green
It was Saint Patrick's day on Friday so the crafting world has been swimming in a sea of green lately. Over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge the challenge this week is: Bit O' Green. Yesterday I created a layout of my niece's first car. Of course I used a wee bit o' green to match the challenge!
For the green requirement I matted the photo on green cardstock and stamped the word "FIRST" on a scrap of green cardstock. I also inked the edges of a couple of items in green to tone the green in with the predominantly blue layout.
I made this layout with leftovers from my kit from a class with Vicki Boutin at CAD 2015. I don't always have coordinating craft supplies so it was great to have the coordinated items on hand. When I saw the sticker - I'd go anywhere with you - I knew I wanted to use it with this photo. The adventure sticker was a last minute addition. I figured it was on the coordinating sticker sheet so it was bound to go with my layout.
A stripes pattern stamp was randomly stamped in dark blue ink around the cardstock to mimic the movement of a vehicle. Unfortunately, it does not show up in the photo. Also, the tag pulls out with details written on the back.
Challenge details:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: A Bit O' Green
Materials:
Papers, Stickers, Die Cuts: We Are Memory Keepers
Pocket Scrapbook 3x4 Card: Kaisercraft (used as tab at top right of layout)
Cardstock: Bazzill
Chipboard Frame: Project Life
Stamps: Ali Edwards, Stampin' Up!
Ink: Stampin' Up!, Ranger, Stazon,
Other: Seam Binding ribbon, foam tape
For the green requirement I matted the photo on green cardstock and stamped the word "FIRST" on a scrap of green cardstock. I also inked the edges of a couple of items in green to tone the green in with the predominantly blue layout.
I made this layout with leftovers from my kit from a class with Vicki Boutin at CAD 2015. I don't always have coordinating craft supplies so it was great to have the coordinated items on hand. When I saw the sticker - I'd go anywhere with you - I knew I wanted to use it with this photo. The adventure sticker was a last minute addition. I figured it was on the coordinating sticker sheet so it was bound to go with my layout.
A stripes pattern stamp was randomly stamped in dark blue ink around the cardstock to mimic the movement of a vehicle. Unfortunately, it does not show up in the photo. Also, the tag pulls out with details written on the back.
Challenge details:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: A Bit O' Green
Materials:
Papers, Stickers, Die Cuts: We Are Memory Keepers
Pocket Scrapbook 3x4 Card: Kaisercraft (used as tab at top right of layout)
Cardstock: Bazzill
Chipboard Frame: Project Life
Stamps: Ali Edwards, Stampin' Up!
Ink: Stampin' Up!, Ranger, Stazon,
Other: Seam Binding ribbon, foam tape
Saturday, March 11, 2017
One Card, Three Challenges
This month, Kathy at The Daily Marker is doing a 30 Day Colouring challenge. Now, I am not a fan of colouring. I don't own proper alcohol colouring markers and I just can't seem to manage watercolouring. However, today I think I found my colouring medium: watercolour pencils. I can add water with my water brush after colouring or leave them as is. #watchthisspace #theDailyMarker30Days
This morning Kathy was on a blog hop for the new release at Simon Says Stamp and I was inspired by her background. I decided to pull out my Misti and new Misti Corners (bought them with a store voucher I won from another store) to give it a try. I wanted to try the technique as the challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday blog is to create your own background (here) . I found that the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge is to make a card for a special lady/girl (here) this week and the latest challenge at Pink & Main is Spring (here) . With these three challenges decided upon, I had my technique (background), colours and St Patrick's Day theme (Spring) and recipient (For a Special lady/Girl - my friend Debbie) already decided. I combined all three challenges on one card.
The challenge information:
Simon Says Stamp Monday: Make Your Own Background here
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: Make a Card for a Special Lady/Girl here
Pink & Main: Spring here
I also whipped up a bonus card with the same background but in a different colour. FYI I'm not entering this card in the challenges.
Materials:
Alcohol Markers: Kaisercraft
Ink: Ranger, Stampin Up!
Stamps: Pink & Main, Hero Arts
Other: card, chipboard, flower, foam tape
This morning Kathy was on a blog hop for the new release at Simon Says Stamp and I was inspired by her background. I decided to pull out my Misti and new Misti Corners (bought them with a store voucher I won from another store) to give it a try. I wanted to try the technique as the challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday blog is to create your own background (here) . I found that the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge is to make a card for a special lady/girl (here) this week and the latest challenge at Pink & Main is Spring (here) . With these three challenges decided upon, I had my technique (background), colours and St Patrick's Day theme (Spring) and recipient (For a Special lady/Girl - my friend Debbie) already decided. I combined all three challenges on one card.
The challenge information:
Simon Says Stamp Monday: Make Your Own Background here
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: Make a Card for a Special Lady/Girl here
Pink & Main: Spring here
I also whipped up a bonus card with the same background but in a different colour. FYI I'm not entering this card in the challenges.
Materials:
Alcohol Markers: Kaisercraft
Ink: Ranger, Stampin Up!
Stamps: Pink & Main, Hero Arts
Other: card, chipboard, flower, foam tape
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
The Longest 31 Days of My Life
March is the month that I have decided to try a NO SPEND. Specifically no buying craft supplies - this might be the longest 31 days of my life. And I've just discovered that March is National Craft Month in USA. Definitely the longest 31 days of my life!!!
Some exceptions include social outings, groceries and a Heidi Swapp storage album for my memory planners that get too full (if I can get one on sale: purchased)
They say if you let people know your goals, it makes you more accountable. So this is me making myself more accountable.
Day One: $0 Thinking of all the things I'm missing out on. They're only wants, not needs. #fomo
Day Two: $0 Need to get out of the habit of checking online stores' new additions and specials.
Day Three: $0 I deliberately did not go into Warehouse stationery today and was doing well until SSS sent me an email with two coupons! 😓😓😓
Day Four: $0 Maybe because I didn't turn my iPad on until now to update this post? Spotlight mailer arrived with the new Heidi Swap 25% off #lookaway #leadmenottotemptation
Day Five: $0 #needsnotwants Reading: Everything that Remains by the Minimalists 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Day Six: $15.87 $5 for 3 erasable pens for my diary (not craft), $10.87 ingrediants to make dessert to make my #bloodymonday into #mmmmmonday
Day Seven: $0 But that's because my mum paid for my chocolate & cider when I took her grocery shopping #cheating?
Day Eight: $0 But dad did pay for my lunch at the hospital.
Day Nine: $0 New items on my Wishlist have come in stock online. And an item I was going to buy before the No Spend kicked in is now out of stock #idontneedit #lifewillgoon
Day Ten: $0 Almost a third of the way through #andididntdie
Day Eleven: $0 Found a NZ seller with distress oxides $8.50 #lookaway
Day Twelve: $10 This is for the item on my allowed list: Heidi Swapp album. The new Magnolia Jane was not unpacked yet - phew! #watchthisspace
Day Thirteen: $0 I didn't leave the house
Day Fourteen: $14.20 #sopretty #nojudgement #firstfail #butipaidcash #seeday12
Day Fifteen: $0 I did not leave the house - but I didn't online shop!
Day Sixteen: $50 went to get sweatshirt half price (an item I need) & got a merino top as well #fail
Day Seventeen: $15 dumplings for mum & a donation to Child Cancer 😪 #bettertogivethanreceive
Day Eighteen: $0
Day Nineteen: $0
Day Twenty: $0 Two thirds of the way through #nospend seeing changes
Day Twenty-one: $0 plus haircut (essential - it's been 9 weeks since my last trim) Tried on a merino long cardi in the perfect shade of deep green for me. Tried it on knowing I wouldn't buy it. #empowered
Day Twenty-two: $0 Flu jab is free for me (plus some meds - not free but essential)
Day Twenty-three: $21 took my cousin visiting from Australia out for a local micro brew or two
Day Twenty-four: $0
Day Twenty-five: $3.30 bread & muffin for concert snacks
Day Twenty-six: $20 Adele key ring
Day Twenty-seven: $0 Recovering from Adele
Day Twenty-eight: $21.50 watermelon (first one of the summer!) and craft shelves (I've been waiting for them to go on sale). Wanted to order SC stamp kit for only $8 including shipping - but I didn't.
Day Twenty-nine:$13.80 parking at hospital, car items for my dad
Day Thirty: $0 tempted by distress oxides again, my life will not improve by buying them!
Day Thirty-one: $0 but want to buy the oxide inks still! NOT letting myself give up on the last day of my #nospend
Some exceptions include social outings, groceries and a Heidi Swapp storage album for my memory planners that get too full (if I can get one on sale: purchased)
They say if you let people know your goals, it makes you more accountable. So this is me making myself more accountable.
Day One: $0 Thinking of all the things I'm missing out on. They're only wants, not needs. #fomo
Day Two: $0 Need to get out of the habit of checking online stores' new additions and specials.
Day Three: $0 I deliberately did not go into Warehouse stationery today and was doing well until SSS sent me an email with two coupons! 😓😓😓
Day Four: $0 Maybe because I didn't turn my iPad on until now to update this post? Spotlight mailer arrived with the new Heidi Swap 25% off #lookaway #leadmenottotemptation
Day Five: $0 #needsnotwants Reading: Everything that Remains by the Minimalists 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Day Six: $15.87 $5 for 3 erasable pens for my diary (not craft), $10.87 ingrediants to make dessert to make my #bloodymonday into #mmmmmonday
Day Seven: $0 But that's because my mum paid for my chocolate & cider when I took her grocery shopping #cheating?
Day Eight: $0 But dad did pay for my lunch at the hospital.
Day Nine: $0 New items on my Wishlist have come in stock online. And an item I was going to buy before the No Spend kicked in is now out of stock #idontneedit #lifewillgoon
Day Ten: $0 Almost a third of the way through #andididntdie
Day Eleven: $0 Found a NZ seller with distress oxides $8.50 #lookaway
Day Twelve: $10 This is for the item on my allowed list: Heidi Swapp album. The new Magnolia Jane was not unpacked yet - phew! #watchthisspace
Day Thirteen: $0 I didn't leave the house
Day Fourteen: $14.20 #sopretty #nojudgement #firstfail #butipaidcash #seeday12
Day Fifteen: $0 I did not leave the house - but I didn't online shop!
Day Sixteen: $50 went to get sweatshirt half price (an item I need) & got a merino top as well #fail
Day Seventeen: $15 dumplings for mum & a donation to Child Cancer 😪 #bettertogivethanreceive
Day Eighteen: $0
Day Nineteen: $0
Day Twenty: $0 Two thirds of the way through #nospend seeing changes
Day Twenty-one: $0 plus haircut (essential - it's been 9 weeks since my last trim) Tried on a merino long cardi in the perfect shade of deep green for me. Tried it on knowing I wouldn't buy it. #empowered
Day Twenty-two: $0 Flu jab is free for me (plus some meds - not free but essential)
Day Twenty-three: $21 took my cousin visiting from Australia out for a local micro brew or two
Day Twenty-four: $0
Day Twenty-five: $3.30 bread & muffin for concert snacks
Day Twenty-six: $20 Adele key ring
Day Twenty-seven: $0 Recovering from Adele
Day Twenty-eight: $21.50 watermelon (first one of the summer!) and craft shelves (I've been waiting for them to go on sale). Wanted to order SC stamp kit for only $8 including shipping - but I didn't.
Day Twenty-nine:$13.80 parking at hospital, car items for my dad
Day Thirty: $0 tempted by distress oxides again, my life will not improve by buying them!
Day Thirty-one: $0 but want to buy the oxide inks still! NOT letting myself give up on the last day of my #nospend
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Anything Goes: Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
It's nice to be able to enter a challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog after a long break.
My entry for the Anything Goes challenge is this old Kaisercraft clock I found when I was setting up my craft room again. I was going to sell it but set it aside and set myself the challenge of finally putting it together.
The clock came with a photo frame for three photos and a stand. I thought the wooden photo frame was too bulky so I left it off and treated the clock base like an art canvas. The stand just took up too much room so I didn't use that either.
This project is about as close to mixed media that I can get. I adhered a very old piece of paper that had the look of a lot of texture to the clock base and blended the paper with the base using paint (two shades of green). Once the paint dried, I added some Prima gold crackle texture paste through a chicken wire stencil in various spots. Then I added green and gold paint through the reverse chicken wire stencil. I then coloured some texture paste with blush Heidi Swapp Colour Shine to match the flowers on the paper. I used the coloured texture paste with a butterfly stencil and added splotches of it on the edges of the clock base. Lastly, I added drops of perfect pearls in three different colours.
Here's a close up of the top left corner where you can see the butterfly, texture paste splotches, stencil work and perfect pearls drops.
Lastly, a close up of the top right of the clock showing the clock mechanism and the gold crackle paste.
I'm entering this clock in the Anything Goes challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. The details are here.
Materials:
Clock: Kaisercraft
Paper (unknown - seriously old)
Paint: Kaisercraft, Making Memories, Chromacryl
Texture pastes: Jo Sonja (standard), Prima (gold crackle)
Clour Shine: Heidi Swapp
Perfect Pearls: Ranger
Stencils: Crafter's Companion, Heidi Swapp
My entry for the Anything Goes challenge is this old Kaisercraft clock I found when I was setting up my craft room again. I was going to sell it but set it aside and set myself the challenge of finally putting it together.
The clock came with a photo frame for three photos and a stand. I thought the wooden photo frame was too bulky so I left it off and treated the clock base like an art canvas. The stand just took up too much room so I didn't use that either.
This project is about as close to mixed media that I can get. I adhered a very old piece of paper that had the look of a lot of texture to the clock base and blended the paper with the base using paint (two shades of green). Once the paint dried, I added some Prima gold crackle texture paste through a chicken wire stencil in various spots. Then I added green and gold paint through the reverse chicken wire stencil. I then coloured some texture paste with blush Heidi Swapp Colour Shine to match the flowers on the paper. I used the coloured texture paste with a butterfly stencil and added splotches of it on the edges of the clock base. Lastly, I added drops of perfect pearls in three different colours.
Here's a close up of the top left corner where you can see the butterfly, texture paste splotches, stencil work and perfect pearls drops.
Lastly, a close up of the top right of the clock showing the clock mechanism and the gold crackle paste.
I'm entering this clock in the Anything Goes challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. The details are here.
Materials:
Clock: Kaisercraft
Paper (unknown - seriously old)
Paint: Kaisercraft, Making Memories, Chromacryl
Texture pastes: Jo Sonja (standard), Prima (gold crackle)
Clour Shine: Heidi Swapp
Perfect Pearls: Ranger
Stencils: Crafter's Companion, Heidi Swapp
An Update
My blog has been neglected for quite some time - two months to be exact!
My craft room, however, has not been neglected! :)
2017 is turning out to be very busy indeed.
Today's post is to show you a couple of pictures of my craft room and a project.
The first picture shows my desk and view out the front window to the street. I can see what's happening on our street and can even catch out the kids who pick up our garden stones/pebbles and throw them at each other #truestory
The next pictures shows my new cupboard to finally store my papers out of the sun - they've only been exposed to the sun for the past 10+ years already.
Lastly, I thought I would show you a layout from CAD 2015 that I finally got around to completing this week - yes, from 2015. This was from a class by Vicki Boutin and used We R Memory Keepers products. Forgive the dark photo
At the moment I am concentrating on finishing up old projects and class kits. I finally finished my Heidi Swapp Memory Planner mid February and completed 2 layouts from CAD 2015 this week. Next up is the Summer mini album from Vicki Boutin's class at CAD then finishing my 2014 trip album - yes, from 2014!
My craft room, however, has not been neglected! :)
2017 is turning out to be very busy indeed.
Today's post is to show you a couple of pictures of my craft room and a project.
The first picture shows my desk and view out the front window to the street. I can see what's happening on our street and can even catch out the kids who pick up our garden stones/pebbles and throw them at each other #truestory
The next pictures shows my new cupboard to finally store my papers out of the sun - they've only been exposed to the sun for the past 10+ years already.
Lastly, I thought I would show you a layout from CAD 2015 that I finally got around to completing this week - yes, from 2015. This was from a class by Vicki Boutin and used We R Memory Keepers products. Forgive the dark photo
At the moment I am concentrating on finishing up old projects and class kits. I finally finished my Heidi Swapp Memory Planner mid February and completed 2 layouts from CAD 2015 this week. Next up is the Summer mini album from Vicki Boutin's class at CAD then finishing my 2014 trip album - yes, from 2014!
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