JAI#95...Bah Humbug

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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

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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!

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!