Spring is in the Air!

What a gorgeous day it was today. I do hope you are all enjoying your long weekend for the Queen's Birthday. We went to visit our daughter and her family in the country for our Grandson's birthday. The kids had a lot of fun and I managed to catch one of the moments today precisely. The kids decided to fill balloons with water and throw them at each other. They then decided to use a cricket bat to try to hit the balloons. Clay didn't manage to hit the balloon but the balloon managed to hit him, right in the head. My camera caught it in action. We laughed so much, including Clay. 

Well one month of Spring is at the end already and we are gradually heading into warmer weather. We have had some cold nights recently but the days are lovely. I am quite happy with this kind of weather. I am not looking forward to summer.

I promised to post some of my cards from previous workshops and now I have managed to find time to do so. It is almost 11pm and we have just arrived home from the country but I really need to do this post so here goes.

The first one was made from the Morning Mocha Specialty DSP which unfortunately is discontinued. I loved this paper and I know many of you did also. I used the Framelit Labels Collection Dies with Brushed Silver and Basic Black and cut them in half and used both ends of the card. The ribbon is also discontinued. All you need to do is cut very close to the edge of both sides of the ribbon and then pull the cotton to fray the ribbon. You can then use the pieces that you have pulled off to wrap around your button. I think I have heard this called Emu Feathers. (or something like that) I used the Fun flowers Die to cut out my flowers and sponged Basic Black ink around the edges after popping them through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. Its quite a quick and easy card.



 
I love this next one. We received the Clockworks stamp set at Perth Heartfelt Event. There are many possibilities for this stamp set. I have used Not Quite Navy, Kraft and Very Vanilla cardstock. The inks I used were Basic Grey, Midnight Muse and Kraft. I also used my Scoreboard to score the lines and then go over them lightly with a dauber using Kraft ink. I distressed the edges of the circles and around the edge of the card. I would have used Midnight Muse cardstock but I didnt have enough for the workshop but I think it came together nicely. This card was inspired by Carolyn King. Check out her blog as she is one very talented lady.

Well thats about it for me for now. I mentioned in an earlier post that I was working on a project. I am about to post that one, possibly tonight. Enjoy the weather!
Thanks for popping by :)

Two Posts In One Day!

I promised myself that I would post on my blog today. Well here I am. I really do mean to get on here more often but time just slips away. I am sure you all can understand that.

We have had some lovely weather for the beginning of Spring. All I want to do is get into my craft room but I am feeling I should be outside enjoying the lovely weather. For the past few days I have been alone as Peter has been on the farm with our daughter, Michelle. This gave me some ME time. I have been card making my little heart out. I have a new project that I am hoping to finish shortly but am waiting for my SU! order to arrive before I can finish it. I will post it ASAP. I hope to have it finished by this weekend. I was inspired by Carolyn King's work at the Heartfelt Event in Perth in August.

The card I have chosen to post today is using the Coloured Soot Stamping technique. This technique is shown on Splitcoast Stampers by Beate. If you wish to see step by step then click on Beate's name above.
For this card I have used the following:-
Cardstock - Basic Black, Soft Suede, Glossy, Brushed Gold
Stamp Set - French Foliage, Loving Thoughts
Inks - More Mustard, Basic Black
Accessories - Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Brayer, Candle, Fixative Workable Mat Spray (permanent protection).
First of all you will need to use the Brayer with More Mustard and go over the glossy cardstock until you get a nice deep colour. I tend to make the card a little longer than you will need to enable you to handle the end without destroying what you are about to do. The next step is to hold the inked side of the glossy card over a candle until it touches and becomes black. Be careful not to stay around the edges too long as they will catch on fire. You dont need to make it too black as it gives a nice look if the gold look (More Mustard) is showing a little. You will then need to get out which ever stamp set you wish to use and without inking up just press on the black soot on the glossy card. You will immediately see your image. Repeat this to finish your piece and then spray the Fixative Spray over it to protect the surface. You may be able to find a glossy spray which will look even nicer. I have used a Mat finish but would probably prefer it to be more glossier. While you are waiting for your glossy piece to dry you will need to put your card together.
Well I am off to do some more of my project while I watch the X-Factor. Terrible isn't it.
Thanks for popping by:)

It's Autumn!

Hello fellow stampers! We are well into Autumn now and aren't you just loving this weather? The mornings are fresh and invigorating. A little bit of rain and a taste of what is to come during winter. I can see you cringe with the mention of winter.
Well before Autumn is over I thought I would make a card that represents it. This was my design for the last Sketch Stamparoo Swap Challenge. The challenge was in the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue on page 14, top left. The technique that is used in this card was from DarleneDesign.com. First of all you need to use your Embossing Buddy and rub over your cardstock (Confetti White) and using Versamark to stamp your image then Black Embossing Powder. Heat with heat gun but dont over do it as you will lose your shiny embossing if you heat too much.  The next step for this technique is to use four colour co-ordinating markers and colour in the area you wish to then spray some water into your hands and flick it onto the card that you have just coloured in. Leave it to dry.  It will depend on how much water you flick on as to how much your colouring will change. You will see further down another card I have made using this technique. The colours I have used for this card are Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard, Cajun Craze and Pumpkin Pie.
I have used Confetti White as it allows the water to soak in. Other cardstock used are Cajun Craze and More Mustard.  For the circles I have used Circles #2 Dies and distressed the edges. For the leaf on the circles I have used the Confettie White the same way as the original card. Its as easy as that. What a lovely effect. Thanks Darlene.  My first try with this technique was by using the same colours as Darlene but I wanted to do something different for the swaps so chose the autumn colours. I love the colours Darlene chose for her card. They are Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake and Marina Mist. I have also used the circle from Perfect Pennants.
My in home workshop was yesterday and we had a lovely bunch of ladies, 12 in fact.  It was like a beehive full of action and laughter as usual.  We even had a little rain at the end which didnt last long.  The first card I am about to show you I cased from Kathy from Stamping Still. Kathy I love this card. You are so talented and thanks so much for sharing. I decided to make this card smaller for my workshop as I found the dimensions only allowed me to get one card from an A4 piece of cardstock. My measurements for the base of the card are 21 x 10.5cm. Of course the images are a lot closer together but the idea is there. I love Not Quite Navy so I have used the same as Kathy. Hope you dont mind Kathy. For this card you need your Embossing Buddy and then using French Foliage (one of my very favourite stamp sets) with Versamark, White Embossing Powder and your heat gun. You can then use En Francais stamp and before stamping it onto your cardstock just using a tissue wipe away a bit here and there to give it the light and dark effect. You will then need a dauber and Not Quite Navy Stamp Pad and starting on your embossing areas gently rub in circles toward the edges and then to the rest of the card. You need the veins to show. You will also need a piece of Not Quite Navy cardstock for the extra leaf and embossing the same. I have used the 4 You from Tiny Tags along with the Tag punch. I am sure if you pop onto Kathy's site you will agree that she is a very talented lady. Thanks again Kathy for a gorgeous card.
Our next card I decided to do a simple one just in time for Mother's Day. I have once again used Confetti White cardstock as it is a lot thicker than Whisper White and will stand up a lot better. Firstly I have used the Adorned Accents Edgelits Dies to cut the shape into the bottom of the front of the card.
A WORD OF WARNING!!! When using the Edgelits Dies be sure that both ends of the Dies are in line with the plates.  If not, when you run the plates through the Big Shot they will catch on the side and flick and bend the Dies out of shape.
I then used my Adorning Accents Embossing Folder for the embossed area above the cut. Both the Edgelits and Embossing Folders are in the new Autumn - Winter mini catalogue.
I have used Field Flowers Stamp Set.  For the outline of the image I have used Pumpkin Pie. For the fill in I have used Peach Parfait but stamped it off once and then onto my card. With the Confetti White you may need to do this three times to get the shade you want. I have finished off with Pumpkin Pie Satin Ribbon. Very simple but effective.
The last card was also cased from Catherine Pooler. Catherine used Mocha Morning Specialty DSP.  Catherines blog is so interesting so just pop on over and have a look.
I had three lots of kits done up for this card using Bashful Blue, Regal Rose and So Saffron. It all depended on who wanted which colour and who was quick enough to get the colour they chose.
For the card here I have used the following:-
Cardstock - Chocolate Chip, So Saffron
DSP - Love Sparkels (discontinued)
Stamp Set - Punches Three (discontinued)
Accessories - Crumb Cake ribbon, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Two Tags Dies.
If you pop over to Catherines Blog she has a video presentation of this card as it gives a great new idea of how to use the Two Tags Dies. Once again thank you Catherine for sharing your lovely card.
The sentiment I used in this card was found over 21 years ago when a dear friend of mine had her first child. I have used this sentiment ever since in my homemade cards.
Here it is:-

CHILDBIRTH
Nobody tells you about childbirth
Sure they tell you about the pain
The Piles, the veins, the heartburn, the always full bladder,
the tender breasts, the stretch marks, the fatigue, the cravings, the backache, the tearing, the stitches,
the pain, the pain, the pain,
.......But not about the heart,
How it is captured forever,
by one small glimpse of a fuzzy head emerging.
How it is tied with silken, iron-strong bonds to a wrinkled pruny face, a tightly curled fist,
a nuzzling rosebud mouth, a periwinkle eye tear drenched.
Nobody tells you you're hooked for the next twenty years at least on the most powerful drug of all.
Love.
Nobody tells you at all.

The next card is a masculine slider card. I did a demo at one of our stamp camps and it is such a hit and so easy to do. If you wish to see my original card then go to August 29th 2011 on this blog.
For this card you will need the following items:-
Stamp Set - Lovely As A Tree, Perfect Punches
Cardstock - Basic Black, Confetti White (for leaf image)
Stamp Pad - Versamark, Basic Black
DSP - Well Worn
Markers - Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Cajun Craze
Accessories - Corner Rounder, 3/4" circle punch, Wide Oval Punch, Daubers, Black Embossing Powder, Water for flicking.
Use the same technique as mentioned earlier in this post for the leaf. 
Rather than giving you the instructions it might be better if you went to Beate Johns instructions on Splitcoast Stampers.  She gives a very good tutorial and easy to follow. If you wish to watch her video tutorial then scroll down to the bottom of her instructions.

Well thats about it for this time. I cant seem to get on here each week and have to cram it all in when I get the time. I have locked myself in my craft room while my grandchildren are in the lounge room watching Beaconsfield. 

I hope you like my selection of cards and would like to thank you for stopping by:)
See you next time!

October 11 Workshop

Hello once again,
Well Christmas is drawing closer and closer and other than making Christmas cards at my workshops I have not really thought about it. I see the christmas decorations are all out in the shops.  I swear each year slips by faster than the year before.

Our October workshop went well.  We made a Christmas decorative gift box which was made with the Mini Milk Carton Die. Susan Joyce showed us how to make the little gift box with the lid which prompted me to make this little item. I noticed that Susan had also shown these on her blog previously and I found the instructions on how to make it on KB Papercrafts. You can adjust the size of your box as well so you can have it tall or short depending on your choice. They are so easy to make and once you make one you can make a whole lot ready for your Christmas gifts for work buddies etc. You can see I also made one using Concord Crush & the new Flirtatious DSP.
The next card was one I made using the Well Worn DSP and have put it through the Square Lattice Folder using the Big Shot. (My lovely Big Shot that I received at half price, what a bargain and it is quieter than my old one). This card is very, very simple and one that you can whip up in a few minutes. I used for this card the following products:-
Cardstock: River Rock, Early Espresso
DSP: Well Worn
Stamp Pad: Early Espresso
Stamp Set: Perfect Punches
Accessories: 1/4" Grosgrain Early Espresso Ribbon, Round Tab Punch, Extra Large  Oval Punch.

The last card was one I received in the 2011 Convention Swap from the very talented Cathy Clark.  I just love the colours.  This happens to be one of my very favourite stamp sets, French Foliage and for those of you who know me I just love autumn colours. Unfortunately since this card was made and unknown to me until last night that the Brushed Copper no longer exists.
This card was made using the following products:
Cardstock: Basic Black, Cajun Craze, Brushed Copper, Brushed Gold, Always Artichoke
Stamp Pad: Basic Black
Stamp Set: French Foliage, Heard From The Heart, Woodgrain
Accessories: Word Window Punch, Black Brads.
I really enjoyed making this card and thank Cathy for such a gorgeous idea. Love it!

We always have cuppa and cake at half time and this time once again the girls were guinea pigs with a new recipe.  I found this recipe in the free Coles Spring magazine. It was a Pineapple Upsidedown Cake.  The recipe was easy but take a tip from me. Do not use a spring cake tin. I dont know why I used it but I lost some of my juice while cooking. Anyway it did not take away the lovely tasting cake that it eventuated into. I think it was one of my best at my workshops. I think the girls will agree as well.  The cake did stick slightly in the middle when I turned it out but I managed to salvage it. I am sure you can find the recipe online if you cannot get one from your local Coles store. If not email me and I will send you the recipe.
Well thats it for now for me. I am going to catch up on all the kits I hve left over from over the years instead of having them laying around as they have done. I made 17 cards on Saturday night along with dropping keys off to our son after his trip to Bali. They were there when the Earthquake happened and they said it was very scarey.
Anyway must go. Thanks once again for popping by :)

September Workshop

Gosh its a wintry day today. I have the heater on and sitting in my craft room getting ready for Perth Regionals. I decided I needed a break so here I am updating my blog. We had a lovely little gathering at our Workshop yesterday. Lots of laughter as usual. Always a laughter when a certain lady attends and we all love her to bits. I am sure you know who you are. I have decided now that it is getting close to Christmas that I will add at least 1 christmas card to our set. I love this one. I found the idea of the Pointsettia from Connie Babberts blog. Thanks Connie!
The Pointsettia is made using one of the leaves from the French Foliage Stamp Set.
For this card I have used the following:-
Stamp Sets: French Foliage, Snow Swirled
Ink: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Real Red (flowers), Always Artichoke, Whisper White, Basic Black
Accessories: Big Shot, Polka Dot Folder, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint mixed with rubbing alcohol, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Pearls & Always Artichoke 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
With the Basic Black cardstock I punched out a circle 1 3/4" to place the petals onto. I have used 14 petals for my flower but some of the ladies in the workshop used only 12 and it looked just as good.
Its all pretty easy.  I cut out my petals while watching tv when I was getting my stamp camp swaps ready. It took me two nights to cut them out.
The next card was one I have designed myself. I orignally made the card using the brown tones but decided to use a bit of colour for my ladies. Funny though, they liked the Soft Suede one best.
Here they are.  The top layer was made using the Scallop Circle Punch on both ends of my cardstock. The piece was 4.3 x 10.5cm.  You place one end of the card in through the cutting section of the punch not where you would normally place it. Slide the card in just past the scallop cutting edge and be sure to line up the card and punch. Do this for the other end as well. You may have trouble sliding the card through so I used one of those things that you use to score with the little ball on the end. I cant think what it is called right now. You can use anything that is pointy. Just lift up the end as you slide and it works wonders.
Here is my recipe for the card.
Stamp Set: Creative Elements ( I love this set)
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Scallop Circle Punch, Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (I ran it across the Pear Pizzaz and Tempting Turquoise stamp pads to get a different effect). Pearls, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint mixed with rubbing Alcohol (used on butterfly), Daubers, Tempting Turquoise Marker. With the brown toned card I used Soft Suede and Crumb Cake colours.
The last one is a very quick and simple card also cased from the net but again I cannot remember who it was I cased it from. I promise to check next time when copying over to my files that their names come out readable. I have used the following products for this card.
Stamp Set: Lovely As A Tree,  Three Little Words.
Ink: Cajun Craze, Sahara Sand, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White.
All you need to do is using your stamp pad to swipe it along your cardstock. Do this for all three colours and then stamp your image onto the coloured area and put a sentiment and hey presto! you are done. You can either use the Basic Black Ink or you can emboss it with Black Embossing Powder. I kind of like it just with Basic Black and it makes for a very quick card if you are in a hurry.  Try using Christmas colours and a bit of glitter and you can have your Christmas cards made in no time.



Everyone seemed to love the cake I made this time. Its actually called Apricot Loaf but I dont know why as there is no Apricots in it. (Unless All Bran once had apricots added to it)
Here is the recipe in case you would like to try it. Its so easy! You do need to prepare the day before.

1 cup All Bran
1 cup milk
1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup SR flour
Mix All Bran, milk, brown sugar & honey into a bowl, stir, cover and place in fridge overnight.
Add flour and mix well.
Place in a loaf tin (greased & lined with greaseproof paper) and bake in moderate oven for 1 hour. Mine was ready in 45 minutes so keep a check on it. Once it is cooked place on cooling rack and spread butter on your slices and yummy! there you have it.

Card folds at Stamparoo night

Hello everyone! Well here I am again as promised. I have been so busy everywhere else that I dont seem to have time to post my blogs. I promised I would post a few pics from my card fold night at Ngaire's (our monthly Stamparoo night). We had a lovely evening and hopefully Ngaire was up early the next morning for her duty. Here are just a few of the cards I took for show.









                                                                 The first one Pop Up Cracker Card or Diamond card I found on paperprintables.com. Go to the website and all instructions including a video are there.  For this card I used the French Foliage Stamp Set which is definately one of my favourites.  All my friends and family know that I just LOVE autumn. I have also used More Mustard, Whisper White and Cajun Craze Cardstock.
                            The next one is one that we were shown at Convention 2011, called the Telescoping Card. You can find the instructions on you tube which is done by Barb Mullikin. She give an excellent Tutorial which makes it so much easier to know just how to be sure your card sits correctly when it is pulled out. For this card I have used: -              
Stamp Sets:
Extreme Elements, Extreme Surfboard, Curly Cute.
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise.  Stamp Pads: Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango. Accessories: Silver Brads, Tiny bit of ribbon in Tempting Turquoise. Scallop Circle Bigz Die, Circles # 2 Die, Circle Scissor Plus.

The next card is the Squash Card which I decorated the same way as one of the demonstrations we saw at Convention only that one was on a gift box. The squash card is very simple and you will find instructions on you tube with Dawn Olchefske. She demonstrates a gorgeous card. I have used the Hello Blossoms Stamp set.  To decorate the card I have used the 7.9mm brads (112534) for the centre of the flowers. I have used Versamark (102283) and Heat & Stick Powder (100625) then the Chocolate Fine Supernova Glitter (114287). So Saffron, Chocolate Chip & Whisper White cardstock was used along with So Saffron Grosgrain ribbon from a previous special.

I have made a little gift box for my Tri Shutter card. I found this idea from one of my ladies at my workshop. Thanks Paula! I am not sure where Paula got it from but whoever it was thank you also. For these items I have used the following: Cardstock; Blushing Bride, Early Espressor, Whisper White.

Stamp Sets: Cottage Garden, Afterthoughts.
Stamp Pads: Early Espresso and Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint for the large flowers. Accessories: Birds & Blooms Die, Big Shot, Antique Brads for centre of flower, Dauber,  Framed Tulips Folder, Hostess pack of DSP.

As you can see for the second gift box  I have used the Top Note Die for the sentiment. I have cut down the bottom layer (Baja Breeze)  and joined the two together and attached to the box lid. I then have cut around the stitching line (Whisper White) and made a template just the right size to fit inside my original piece already attached. Its a little bit tricky but once you have the template you will be able to do as many as you please. I love Baja Breeze cardstock. It is so subtle. The following products have been used for this one:-
Cardstock - Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White.
Stamp Set - Afterthoughts.
Stamp Pads - Baja Breeze
Accessories - Big Shot, Birds & Blooms Die, Top Note Die, Antique Brad, Dauber, Elegant Soiree DSP.

And now a little sneak peak from one of the stamp sets we were given at Convention. I just know this set is going to be everyones favourite. I have made a Twisted Easel card using the following: Cardstock - Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso. Stamp Sets- One I cannot tell you yet, Heard From The Heart, Great Friend. Stamp Pad - Early Espresso. Accessories - Photo Corners Punch, Pearls, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (flowers).

I think I may have posted this card (Double Easel Card) once before as I used it in one of my workshop classes. Unfortunately it is using a retired DSP. I originally saw a large card made in a shop and decided I liked a smaller version better so I came home and adjusted the measurements to fit. I tend to make smaller cards as I dont really like huge cards. I guess mainly for posting etc.

I love the striking colours of red, black and white. This card is very simple by cutting your base card at 21.5 x 11cms (cut 2). Score at 3.8cm & 7.6cm on both cards. Place tape along the inside of the edge of the card and the first score line. Completely turn one of the cards to the right twice so that you have the score lines on the opposite side. You will need to adhere this then to your other card. The photo really shows where to adhere so you should not have a problem. I have used:- Cardstock - Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White. Stamp Set - Afterthoughts (you can tell I like this stamp) Stamp Pad - Real Red. Accessories -  Love Letter DSP, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Ovals Die, Paper Daisies, Pearls, Eyelet Border Punch, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint added to Rubbing Alcohol for a mist over the flowers.

I do have more to show but I need to go and have some lunch. Also my mum is here for a visit so I cannot ignore her any longer. If you have any queries please email me.

Thanks for popping by :)