JAI#98...Just Add Sparkle

Pin It

Good morning friends ~

Over at Just Add Ink this week we're adding SPARKLE! Yum. I'm kind of over Christmas cards so I went with a big glittery, glossy cupcake for my niece who is having a birthday this Sunday.

I've used some of the new Glitter Paper (you can find this in the Summer Mini), added Crystal Effects to my cherry, some bling to my icing and to finish it off I've liberally sprayed the entire card with Champagne Shimmer Mist. How's that for sparkle?

There is lots of delicious sparkly inspiration from the rest of the design team so head over to JAI to get your creative juices flowing. Hope you can join us for some sparkle this week.

JAI#97...Just Add an Inspiration Pic

Pin It

Good Saturday morning ~

Whoooooops, I'm super late posting this - can I blame it on the silly season? Not sure if I'm Arthur or Martha lately lol.

Over at Just Add Ink this week Jo gave us this gorgeous inspiration pic. It stumped me a bit, not having a lot of time lately to give it much thought.

I ended up making a recessed window card using the Itty Bitty flower images in Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo, Pool Party and Poppy Parade. I added a bit of bling - the photograph is Tiffany & Co afterall - and some all over shimmer, which you can't really see in the photograph unfortunately. It's finished with some gorgeous twine that is an exact match to Melon Mambo.

I should confess that I had originally made this card with a Whisper White & Pool Party (closest to Tiffany & Co colours) base, and although it looked good, it was a bit wishy washy, mind you the flowers in the centre did pop a bit more. Anyway I'm not thrilled with my entry this week so will just have to do better next week instead :o)

For lots of gorgeous inspiration from the design team pop over to JAI, hopefully you will be inspired enough to join the Challenge this week. Thanks for stopping by today. Have a wonderful weekend!

An Award

Pin It

Happy hump day friends ~

Well the busyness that is this time of year has certainly ramped up for me in the past fortnight. School assembly performances, liturgies, parent teacher meetings ... I'm starting to feel a little (okay a lot) stressed at how behind I am compared to previous years. Christmas really snuck up on me this year. It seems time is passing so very quickly these days. I want to stop for just a little while and catch my breath. I have no doubt there are many of you feeling exactly the same way.

That is why I've chosen this very minute to just stop. I'm taking a few moments to post this gorgeous little Blog Award that the ever lovely Mel sent my way some week or two ago now.

This little Award spreads love to those who love to leave comment love - say that really fast three times lol. So I am going to pass it on to three (not entirely sure of the rules here) bloggers that love to leave comment love for me:

Trishie

Christine

Theresa

Thank you sweet friends, and a huge thanks to all of the lovely people who leave me comments and feedback. It's really nice to know that people do actually stop by to visit, and that you take the time to leave a note for me to read. It really does make my day. I absolutely love the crafting community and the friends I've made along the way.

Until Friday ... I'll be back with my JAI post.

PS: Guess what? I actually feel somewhat calmer for having stopped for just a few minutes. I love it when I 'forget' to stress.

JAI#95...Bah Humbug

Pin It

Hi lovelies ~

TGIF! I'm tired this week. Have been headachey and really just want a day to chill. Good weather for it here in Canberra too as the temps have dropped and it's feeling a lot like Winter again.

The challenge over at Just Add Ink this week is to make something for Christmas, using non traditional stamps, colours, papers ... whatever you want. As you can see I didn't even use a stamp on this one. Can you believe it's not square and it doesn't have flowers? Lol!

I had lots of fun (and a couple of sore thumbs) folding all these medallions using the gorgeous new Spice Cake designer paper (being released on 1 Dec). I added a little touch of Real Red dsp to bring it all to life. There are a few different embellishments to decorate - antique brads, rhinestone brads, jumbo brads, and a retired corduroy button (which I coloured with the Pool Party marker).

Once I had enough to layer on my cardboard circle (underneath) I used my hot glue gun to adhere them all securely, adding a few dimensionals here and there where I needed the height. I added some leaves, which I ran through the crimper, to fill in the 'gaps' and finished it off with the big striped grosgrain ribbon bow - I don't have any Soft Suede so I improvised and used the retired Espresso.

This is going to look so cool hanging on my craft room door - it's just a little delicate to go outside on my front door *smile*.

Do pop over to JAI and check out the other design team inspiration. Hope you can find a little crafting time this weekend to join us - before all the craziness of shopping begins.

Take care, and thanks for stopping by today.

JAI#94...Just Add A Sketch

Pin It

Hello & happy Friday ~

My post is a little late this morning because I was at the Cold Chisel concert last night. Fabulous! They played all their old favourites. I had a great time. Might even have a pic or two to share with you later.

This week over at Just Add Ink beautiful Bron set us a sketch challenge. I had my friend with breast cancer in mind when putting this card together. I am off to the hospital to visit this morning and this is the card I'm taking to her.

I've layered some Island Indigo dsp on a white base, then used my Nesties to cut the Pool Party Blossom. I heat embossed my flowers using the new Irridescent Ice embossing powder. It gives a lovely glossy glittery finish. The flowers are Pretty in Pink and Rich Razzleberry, and Lucky Limeade for the leaves.

Pop over to JAI and check out the design team inspiration. Hope you can find some time to get inky and join us this week!

This afternoon we are off to Gorgeous Kid's school twilight fete. It's always huge as they have the big rides, and dunk the teacher! It's a hot one here in Canberra so I'll be happier there once the sun goes down.

Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by to visit.

Thinking of you!

Pin It

Hi there and happy Tuesday ~

A dear friend of mine is once again battling breast cancer. She found out only a few weeks ago and goes in for surgery tomorrow. I made her this card to let her know I'm thinking of her.

You'll recognise the layout as one of my 'go to' styles. It's also a 'square' card, of which I'm very fond lately. I went for a black base as a way of acknowledging her 'bad' news, and pink embellies for 'breast cancer' of course. Not sure of those pearls but I know she loves them so I had to include them somewhere.

JAI#93...Just Add A Colour Challenge

Pin It

Good Friday morning friends ~

This week the ever lovely Kim has given us a very pretty Colour Challenge over at Just Add Ink. I've been making lots of square cards lately and this one is no exception. I've kept it fairly clean and simple which is my usual style I think most would agree.

I finally got to break out my new In Colour 2 ruffled ribbon and Printed brads! Loving the new Button Buddies set too. Why don't you join the Challenge this week? Head over to JAI and check out the awesome design team inspiration to get you started.

I've got a girlfriend visiting from Brisbane this weekend so I'm sure we'll be up chatting and giggling half the night. I'm so looking forward to it. Then next week my lovely Aunty Marilyn is visiting from New Zealand...hehe I'm hoping she doesn't mind child sitting duty while I'm seeing Cold Chisel. Bit cheeky huh.

Have a fabulous weekend and thanks for stopping by today.

A 40th Birthday

Pin It

Hi and happy hump day ~

We're having a bit of a thunder storm here in Canberra right now. It literally just started so I had to run around the house and close all of the windows. It was sunny and bright earlier. Poor Lilli is running about the place barking and panting. She doesn't like the thunder at all. It'll pass by just as quickly as it started I'm sure. Meantime it's great for the garden.

Here is a card I made for a friend turning 40 next week. She doesn't read my blog so it's safe to post here before sending off. It's very similar to the card I made for BFF back in September. I'm loving square cards at the moment.

Guess what I'm doing next week? I'm off to see Cold Chisel!!! My all time favourite band and this show sold out within about 45 minutes of tickets going on sale. I wasn't missing out! Fortunately I've got a good friend with VIP status. Yay for us.

Hope you're enjoying your week so far.

Catching Up

Pin It

Wow, November already and I haven't posted in weeks!

It's actually been a really busy time, both socially and work-wise. Gorgeous Kid went on his very first school camp. Four days away and mum got to have a bit of fun. I went out to dinner, met friends for drinks, finally checked out the Dendy Cinema (love love love) and worked much longer hours than usual. I did manage one quiet night at home, enjoyed a huge plate of vegetables with no complaints, gave myself a pedicure and thoroughly enjoyed the silence. Bliss!

This past weekend we've both been unwell so it's been rather uneventful, however, I've finally photographed some of the cards I've made over recent weeks. Which to show first ... actually I have a belated JAI (#91 Colour Combo) card that never actually made it to publication because I didn't get it photographed and submitted. Bad bad design team member!

The colour combo was Cherry Cobbler, Blushing Bride and a neutral of choice, mine being Very Vanilla. No stamping on this one. I dabbed some Craft White ink across my raised embossed layer and sprayed with Champagne Shimmer Mist. I made my flower following this fabulous tutorial by Joanne Leddy.

That's it from me tonight. I'm up later than usual due to all the rest I've been having whilst unwell, but I'm feeling fatigued at the same time - if that even makes sense.

Flower Pots

Pin It

Hi lovely friends ~

A few weeks ago now I really wanted to make some cards but had no creativity flowing. I did what most paper crafters I know do ... fell back on a tried and true favourite ... in my case the Flower Pot card.

I've made these cards free standing, and you can find a nifty tutorial by Sandra with all the measurements you need to create your own.

I made a few in different colour combos. They really are so fun and I think just a little bit special. I've used Concord Crush, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso along with White Heat Embossing on my Flower Fest stamps and my all time favourite Champagne Shimmer Mist for sparkle.

I'm working on photographing my cards better but some days it just won't work no matter what I do. This is a classic example - in real life these cards are quite lovely, however, in every photo I've taken they look too bright and kind of fake - if that makes sense. Try to look past my photographic skills if you can lol.

Just Add...Inspiration #89

Pin It

Good Friday morning ~

It's Inspiration challenge time over at Just Add Ink.

This one scared me off a bit and I procrastinated for ages and ages over what I was going to do. I'm no good at sponging or using my brayer and of course this pic was screaming out for one or the other. Fortunately for me the super talented and lovely Paula did a fabulous tutorial on a quick CAS way of sponging just a few days ago. Thank you so so much Paula!

As you can see I've CASEd Paula using the JAI Inspiration colours. This is my very first attempt at sponging this way and while it is far from perfect I'm pretty happy with the outcome. I'm definitely going to keep trying this and get better at it.

Don't let the Inspiration pic put you off the way it did me. Go check out Paula's tutorial and give it a try, you'll be surprised at how easy it is once you know the basic steps. If you don't fancy sponging or brayering just use the colours in the pic the way Delys did this week. Most of all just have fun with it.

Enjoy your weekend!

Party Bag/Survival Kit Tags

Pin It

Happy hump evening friends ~

Last month a colleague at work asked if I could make her a bunch of tags (16 actually) that she could add to some party bags she was putting together. The bags were to contain Champagne, Berocca, Panadol and the like. She belongs to a really fun group who socialise and travel overseas annually - with the women being called Grasshoppers and the men Ants. Don't ask me!

Obviously the tags had to have something to do with Grasshoppers! This is what I came up with - I should add that I had about 24 hours notice for this little jobbie.

I used that fabulous little 'hopper from Bugs & Kisses, stamping it once on my tag and then a second time so I could fussy cut the body and 'pop' on top (saves cutting around the legs). I slathered Crystal Effects all over the body too.

Base tag is textured Crumb Cake c/s, with Certainly Celery and Whisper White on top. I used Craft white ink and the Polka Dot b/g stamp and some Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon adhered with Sticky Strip, finishing with a touch of bling - just because.

My work colleague with thrilled with her tags. Phew!

A Thai Birthday

Pin It

Happy Monday ~

I just realised this is my first post for the month of October ... time has been moving quickly. I haven't really been crafting much lately so I'll share a couple of projects that kept me busy back in August.

A dear friend chose to celebrate her 40th in Thailand! She had about 30 family and friends joining her over there and wanted to present them each with a gift of thanks. She needed boxes so I made them for her ... they travelled flat and she put the sides together over there.

Unfortunately my only photograph was a little hurried. Half of the boxes were for the ladies and a little taller than those for the men. I did see a pic of them all put together and grouped and they looked pretty good.

This is the birthday card I made for her ... a telescopic fold, just for a little something special.

Gorgeous Kid and I have been trying to find the perfect day to visit Floriade. Canberra has been experiencing really odd weather this past couple of weeks and it's been quite wet so I'm not keen to go trudging through mud while looking at all the Spring Delights Floriade is showing. Typically today was lovely and sunny and we'd made other plans! Hope your October is going well so far!

Just Add...Colour Combo - JAI#87

Pin It

Good Friday morning ~

Over at Just Add Ink this week Nikki has given us a colour challenge. At first I wasn't sure of these colours, but once I got playing it was easy, it really is a nice combo.

This is the first time I've used the rolled flower die. The little flowers are very uniform aren't they? I think I prefer freehand to be honest, there is always a bit more texture and more of a 'real' look to the flowers.

The colour palette this week is Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake and Whisper White. Make sure you go over to JAI and check out the design team inspiration - fabulous, even a couple I'm hoping to CASE in the near future :o)

Hope you've all got fun plans for the weekend. I'm kind of hoping this rain will stay with us for a few more days ... gives me the perfect excuse to stay indoors and craft and not feel guilty that I can't mow the lawn or tend to the garden. Hee hee.

Take care and enjoy!

A special card for a special friend!

Pin It

Happy Tuesday ~

I survived Brisbane! It was really really busy getting ready for Trishie's big birthday party. We had some running around to do - not quick by any means in a large city full of traffic, there was lots of fun stuff to prep and the end result was totally worth it. Trish had a wonderful party with lots of fabulous friends who went to great efforts with their costumes (it was dress up).

This is the card I made for her! Those numbers are glistening with Champagne shimmer mist...of course!

Back to Brisbane...we enjoyed dinner in China Town, wandered at Ikea for ages, shopped and picked up a few items from Esprit, ate ice cream (it's one of our favourite things to do), did the tourist drive thing around various suburbs checking out the old renovated Queenslander homes, took a walk at Wellington Point, had a drink at the Powerhouse...lots of fun. It's so great to see people outdoors enjoying life. It's not quite the same here in Canberra where it is still fairly cool.

The weather was divine, although I found Saturday a bit hot after running around all afternoon hanging decorations and moving furniture around the yard. The party started at 4pm, but I had to wait for the sun to go down before changing into my costume. It was funny a bit later in the evening when some of the locals were complaining of being cold - it so was NOT cold for me.

It's never fun to say goodbye but there really is nothing like your own bed! I've slept and slept and slept since arriving home yesterday. It was back to work today and back to normal routine for Gorgeous Kid.

My weekend plans & an assortment of cards

Pin It

Happy Wednesday evening ~

Thought I'd best do a quick post and let you all know I'm heading up to Brisbane tomorrow to spend an extra long weekend with BFF and help celebrate her birthday - she's having a party! Trishie is much more disciplined with her camera than I am so no doubt she'll have lots of piccies to share on her blog next week. I'm hopeless and forget to take mine anywhere!

Will leave you with a few cards I've made at some stage and not shared here yet.

A 43rd b'day card for a friend earlier this month, using Cherry Cobbler

3x3 Note Card using the new Pool Party c/s - pre release date

3x3 Note Card using the new Island Indigo c/s - pre release date

A CASE of a card I'd stashed in my 'to do' file, yet not noted down the original creator

Have a fabulous weekend everyone, I certainly hope to.

JAI#85...Just Add Baby

Pin It

TGIF!

It's been a long and busy week. Can't wait for the weekend and hopefully a bit of rest time. Last night Gorgeous Kid performed at his school Talent Show - what a fun night. Over 500 people and lots of great and entertaining acts from the kids. As fantastic as it was I'm looking forward to a bit of a break from all the months of living and breathing Talent Show rehearsals!

This week at Just Add Ink we're adding 'baby'. Sooo cute. There seem to be babies everywhere these past six months, more boys than girls ... so I've gone blue this week.

I thought I might put these gorgeous doily die cuts to use on something other than a pretty feminine card - which is how I normally use them. Not half bad hey. I've used Marina Mist dsp layered on Whisper White c/s, and the last of my MM satin ribbon - gasp, I loved that ribbon! The little boat is 'popped' up and I've inked it in MM, So Saffron and Crumb Cake. I cut the little circle of MM c/s that's sitting in the centre of the doily with my Circle Nesties.

If you want to join the fun this week and get all clucky creating your own baby cards and layouts head on over to JAI and check out the design team inspiration. I love them all and I'm sure you will too.

JAI#83...Just Add a Sketch

Pin It

Happy Spring (to you Aussies and Kiwis) ~

I'm running a little late with this blog post, but that seems to be the story of my life lately. There don't seem to be enough hours in the day. Gosh and it's not even Christmas time. I wish the world would slow down for a bit.

Gorgeous Bronwyn gave us a sketch over at Just Add Ink this week. It's really lovely so you wouldn't guess that I had a bit of a hard time with it and this card almost didn't go live. I started out colouring a pretty little ballerina girl, which suited the ribbon and pink and bling perfectly. But you know when you just can't stop? It's good but needs a little something more? Well I overdid it in a big way and my pretty little ballerina ended up in the bin.

From that moment I didn't like this card and nothing I did would work. On top of that I got really sick and had to stay horizontal for hours, which meant my submission was way late. Lucky for me the JAI girls are such fabulous, supportive and caring friends.

So after all that blurb here it is ... the card I'm really not very happy with.

I've used a combination of Whisper White, Pretty in Pink and Melon Mambo. The sentiment was made on my computer and I've added puffy paint to the edge of my Nestie circle. That gorgeous ribbon is a Tim Holtz I picked up at my local craft store.

I hope you can join in the challenge over at JAI this week. Head on over for some terrific inspiration from the design team.

Oh my goodness, it's been a long while...

Pin It

Hi ho blog friends ~

It's late on Tuesday night and I have finally taken a few pics of all the cards I've been making recently. Talk about completely slack! Can you tell I'm missing Winners and Losers already? I no longer have a Tuesday night fix *insert very sad face*.

With Father's Day here in Australia this weekend I thought it good timing to show you this one first. Look familiar? It should. The supremely talented Paula Dobson, a fellow JAI team member made this card and I loved it so much I told her I was CASEing it. It's totally blokey and just perfect for Father's Day I think - I've put an appropriate sentiment on the inside of course.

Thanks for the inspiration Paula, I love it!

JAI#81...Just Add a Colour Challenge

Pin It

Oooops running late....it's been one of those days! Thankfully it's Friday so can only get better from here.

We have a Colour Challenge over at Just Add Ink this week thanks to the delightful and super talented Bron. I have to say I struggled with these colours, I'm so NOT a Cajun Craze fan. When faced with such a challenge go CAS I say ... and that's just what I did.

I've used a mixture of inks, Versamark and clear embossing here, along with various sized Circle Punches and dimensionals. If you look closely you'll see I did a little piercing along the bottom of my Cajun c/s for added interest to my very CAS card. The sentiment is from Verve.

We have a bit of excitement at our house this weekend. Gorgeous Kid is turning 11 on Sunday and all I've heard for days now is "can I please open a present early"? Fortunately I have that fabulous ability all parents learn very early on in their parenting careers - to tune out! It drives him nuts, yet keeps me sane lol.

Anyway best be off, things to do and all that ... do pop over to JAI and check out what inspiration the design team has offered up for you all this week. Hope you can play with us!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Sketch Challenge - The Stamp Spot

Pin It

Happy Friday evening friends ~

I spent a wonderful day at the Canberra Craft & Quilt Fair with my fellow JAI friend Kim. We had a great time, spent lots of money, did a hands on workshop and managed to stop for cake - we shared so it wasn't as bad as it sounds lol.

Last weekend I managed a few hours of cyber crafting with my beautiful BFF and this card is just one of the results. We followed the colours provided by Colour Throw Down #153 (but I'm too late to enter it over there) and the August Sketch Challenge by Liz over at The Stamp Spot. I can't believe it's taken me all week to photograph and post it.

I've had a really busy week, and will pop back to show you a little of what I've been up to over the next few days. Tomorrow I'm looking forward to some more copic colouring with lovely friends.

Hope your weekend is great!