Thursday 29 October 2009

Simple christmas


Simple christmas
Originally uploaded by turleyfamily(Dawn)

This weeks challenge at Hero Arts is to make a simple holiday card. My idea seemed simple enough... in theory that is.... it did take a bit longer than I anticipated. It is a longer card (10.5 cm x 21 cm) I cut a white panel a bit smaller and stamped the fir boughs along the top. They were from a Inkadinkadoo set. I then stamped HA Antique Brocade in red onto red patterned paper. I cut out the three hearts with my Nestibilites die. I then highlighted the stamping with a white gel pen and edged in red ink. I added a small silver strip as the topper and then popped them on the white panel. I drew the strings up to the top and embossed the sentiment in the corner. Layer all this onto the silver card then onto the base card. I think the whole will go quicker next time round.... all the deciding whether to add ribbons ( did not do so) or whether to draw the strings or to use real string.... that's what took the time. Anyway all finished and I am pleased with the result which is the main thing.
Thanks for stopping by. It's almost the end of the week for me so I am happy.

Wednesday 28 October 2009

3 wonderful years on.....




Today my great nephews, Zade and Hunter, turn 3.  I made these cards for them.    It has been a wonderful 3 years for them as they were born 10 weeks premature.   Just little dots and look at them now.  Two rather active youngsters who keep their Mum and Dad on their toes.  So to my dear little men..... a big Happy Birthday from your Aunty Dawn and Uncle Peter....and to Vicky and Nick, well done.

Tuesday 27 October 2009

Christmas Angel


Christmas Angel
Originally uploaded by turleyfamily(Dawn)
Just a quick post tonight - almost bed time..
This card is complimentary to my reindeer card. Both stamps are from the same set by Inkadinkadoo and I used the same colour and layout. This time though I used a Peel craft sticker for the sentiment. I used my red Copic to colour the silver words. I used some Kindyglitz on her halo and the trailing snowflakes and flowers as well as a few red gems for highlights. I intend to make a few more the same as my main cards this year.

Thanks for visiting. Take care

Monday 26 October 2009

Christmas cards and a sneak peek

These are the two Christmas cards I started yesterday and finished off last night,  The Kitty and the sentiment on the card are both from Kiwistamping.
I stamped the Kitty onto white cardstock in Versafine Onxy black and clear embossed it.  I used a mixture of Copics and watercolour pencils to colour it in.  On the rim of the hat and the pompom I used some white Liquid Appliqué.  I then cut the patterned paper and the matting with the Victorian cutter on my Marvey Papertrimmer,,  I stamped the sentiment straight onto the pp.  I tied the ribbon round before mounting it onto the green card.  This card is quite shiny.

The reindeer card is based on one I made at a class last year.  My stamp is a bit bigger than the one we used, but I have basically followed the design we used.  I stamped the reindeer onto white cardstock and then used my rectangle nestie to cut it out.  On the other white piece I just stamped the trailing flowers a couple of times in each corner, added a strip of red card through the middle before layering onto the black card.  I stamped the sentiment onto a white oval that was matted onto a red oval.  I then used kindyglitz to add interest to both the sentiment and the trailing flowers, added a gem and all done.  The reindeer stamp is from a set by Inkadinkadoo and the sentiment is from Hero Arts Sparkle clear set - Holiday messages.

Finally today I made my card for Deborah Nolans card chain challenge.  My card is heading to the USA to one very talented lady.  I was a bit overwhelmed when I saw all her beautiful work, but hope she will like this.  Just a wee peek for now.
Thanks for stopping by.  I'm off to create some more.... love public holidays and long weekends....

Sunday 25 October 2009

Joseph's Coat Technique challenge





Another one of the challenges at 2peas is called Joseph's coat techinque.  It involves using multicoloured ink on glossy card, adding a stamped image with Versamark and clear embossing and then putting black ink all over and buffing it off the stamped image to get the multicolours coming through.  I tried a number of times, but as I did not have a black dye ink and used pigment ink it really didn't work.  So I improvised and used a dark distress ink called Aged Mahogany,  This was the result.  I was rather pleased with it in the end.  I'm sure black would have been more dramatic but by mounting it on the gold foil ( some of yesterdays left over tinfoil covered with Butterscotch alcohol ink) made it pop a bit.  The stamps are by Inkadinkadoo.  The blue card stock is actually much darker than it looks here.
Today I also made a start on a couple more Christmas cards.  Still working on finishing them.  Tomorrow is a holiday here in New Zealand - for Labour Day ( to celebrate the 40 hr working week) so another day at home to do some crafting.  Yeah!!!
Have a great week one and all....

Saturday 24 October 2009

Foiled again challenge



Over at TwoPeas Suzz has a great challenge as part of the 2peas  Stamptoberfest 2009,  It's all about using tinfoil ( the stuff you have in your kitchen cupboard/pantry). She did some lovely samples ( here they are).  This afternoon, I finally got around to playing.  I started by spraying some card stock with vellum adhesive and then adding the tinfoil.  I used a damp tea towel to smooth it out from the centre.  This worked perfectly and I didn't get much wrinkling.  I started with embossing a couple of pieces  ( still have to make them up)  On one piece I decided to try some alcohol inks.  I used Red Pepper and Stonewash together ( although the red came through more than the blue)  I then put it through the CB using Textile folder.  I then used the rectangle nestibility to cut it out and emboss.  The embossing flattened out the textile a bit, so once I'd matted it I put it through the CB again, this time using the snowflake folder.  The textile embossing is still just visible and gives it a quite interesting look.  I then stamped the sentiment (from Stamp-it) in versamark and embossed it with Silver Tinsel powder.  I had so much fun with this technique- I just love the look of the embossed foil.  So a big thanks to Suzz for setting this challenge.
Thanks for stopping by.

Full on Friday night


Last evening I came home from work and was full of vim..... just wanted to get into the craft room and create.....  So I did..... 3 cards later I felt like I had really achieved something.  I started with a idea I had for Christmas.  I got a new set of stamps from Stamp-it last week (a  Christmas set) and wanted to do a simple card.  I stamped the baubles in purple chalk ink and cut them out and pop dotted  on the card ( where I had stamped them in black)  I then added some Glossy Accents to simulate the look of glass baubles.  Added the sentiment, and double matted onto pale purple and pinky card stock before adding to the white base card.  Turned out okay... but will do some fine tuning - my cutting isn't the greatest.

Next card was another of my Surfer Ian stamps ( from The Greeting Farm).  This one is for my hubby's nephew, Jason, who has a birthday next month.  I used my new Copics and watercolour pencil to colour it in. The waves are from a recycled card I had from a few years ago.  ( Can't throw anything away-  just in case!)  I sponged the nestibility scallop circle with blue distress ink and stamped the sentiment in distress ink as well (Faded Jeans)

Finally I had to do a card for Kathy at work who has a birthday on Wed coming.  I love the look of the distress inks used as a colouring background.  In this one I used Dusty Concord (purple) and Worn Lipstick ( red) to make the background.  I then stamped on the Grid Pattern design block from Hero Arts  stamped the sentiment - also from Hero Arts.  I used some Kaiser flowers for a focal point.  I folded a small in half to make the bud, and them used a larger one for the main flower.  The centre flower was coloured with a purple Copic ( can't believe how easy and vibrant it was)   I edged the card wtih a Purple Marvey Metallic pen, and then layered it onto a very pale pinky/purple card.  It was a very quick card to make.

Thanks for stopping by.  I do appreciate all of you who take the time to visit my blog.

Wednesday 21 October 2009

I've been naughty.....

well not really.... just days after saying none of my local stamps shops had Copics.... I got a newsletter from Stampzone.... they have 10 colours of Copics just arrived in stock!!!!!  so had to go there and buy them plus the blender pen.....  Now to learn how to use them properly!!! Off to see whats on the internet.
I got a pink ( a bit bright for faces etc) 2 blues, 2 greens, a purple, brown, black, yellow and red.  They said there were another 12 colours coming in soon... so will have to save hard to get them.  I'll mix them up with my Tombow markers and aqua crayons. 

Mean while I have made this card for my son's 21st birthday coming up in 3 weeks.  Kieran is a keen surfer and I'm sure he'll like it.  I still haven't decided if I'll put a sentiment on the bottom or just cut out a 21 in the blue to add to it.    I used a HA Cloud background and then put a piece of torn blue bazzill through the CB to make the waves.  I used the aquacrayons to colour the Surfer Ian image and put some Glossy Accents on the surfboard to give it a bit  of dimension.

Today my hubby went in for some minor surgery.  He had a skin cancer cut out of his shoulder.  It is a non-malignant one, thank goodness.  But he has to keep it still for a few days.... very hard for him as he can't sit still for long... he wants to be out doing things - sweeping the yard, trimming the trees....  He wanted to go back to work tomorrow but the surgeon said to stay off till Tues ( we have a long weekend this weekend).

Well that's all for today.  Thanks for stopping by.

Monday 19 October 2009

Flutter Anya

Friday I got home from spending the afternoon at Dunkley's Craft Fair (with a nice haul of stamps here) to find the stamps I had ordered from The Greeting Farm had arrived....I was very impressed at the speed they arrived here. Less than 1 week. I have always been a bit dubious of ordering stamps from overseas as often the cost of postage is prohibitive, but TGF postage is very reasonable, so I thought I'd give it a try. I got interested in getting some of the Anya and Ian stamps from seeing the wonderful cards done by Kelly and Donna as well as others. I got Flutter Anya, Surfer Ian and Fairy Chloe. ( just seen the new Christmas Anya and Ian so might have to make another order!!!!)
So tonight I gave it a go. Now, unlike the amazing Kelly and Donna, I do not own any Copic markers so had to make do with my watercolour crayons. I can't get the same wonderful shading they do, but was pleased with my first attempt.  I used some Kindyglitz on her wings to give a bit of a sparkle.  This card is for my little friend Katie, who turns 13 next week, just before she heads of to Japan for 10 days.
I'm off now to finish Surfer Ian ( or should that be Jason - seeing as how I am making a card for my nephew Jason)
Thanks for stopping by - hope your week is great.

Sunday 18 October 2009

It's great to be alive......

Oct 18th 2008 - a date I will always remember..... as I almost died.....now one year on, it is great to be alive.  Yes this time last year I suffered a major pulmonary embolism and went into respiratory distress.  Luckily it was a  Saturday and my husband was home to call the ambulance.  I had been unwell for a couple of weeks, with what my doctor thought was a virus, then a reflux problem as I had a terrible cough and was getting very breathless.... all the while it was some blood clots travelling from a Deep Vein Thrombosis in my right calf, to lodge in my lungs (both sides).  According to the doctors and specialists at the hospital, I must have had a guardian angel looking after me as I was one very ill lady.  I have untold admiration for the hospital staff who saved my life.  I was in the HDU ( High Dependency Unit) for nearly 3 days while I had a Thrombalisis done - a drug to dissolve the clots- and was monitored continually.  A few other health issues came to the fore - namely High Blood Pressure, high cholesterol and mild diabetes - all now under control.  So I have to say " It is great to be alive" and I thank the Lord daily for my being so.
I have learnt in the last year not to sweat the little stuff, to enjoy my life as it is, to take time to do ME things ( like my card making and papercrafting) and to enjoy my family.  You never know when it could all be taken from you.
Well thanks to all of you who read this and anyone who wants to make a comment.  I appreciate the opportunity I've been given to continue living a life I love.

Saturday 17 October 2009

Book mark for Hubby


Book mark for Hubby
Originally uploaded by turleyfamily(Dawn)

Friday 16th was my hubby's birthday. He is soooo hard to buy for, but this year I decided to get him a book ( Ice Station by Michael Reilly ) and made this book mark to go with it. I got a Tim Holtz mini mask about 4 months ago but had never used it. I decided to try one of the techniques that Jennifer McGuire did in her Thinking Inking series earlier this year. It involved using distress ink then using the mask and then using another colour of distress ink over top. I uses a few colours on the bottom layer and Spiced Marmalade on the top. This meant that the mask left a couple of colours underneath. I really liked how it turned out. The sentiment is by Penny Black.

I had also done a number of book marks as a fundraiser for the local Hospice. At work we have a book sale going on where you donate a book and then can buy another one for $2. I donated the bookmarks and they are selling them for 50cents.  This is just some of them.

I'm just in the process of cataloguing some stamps I bought over the past few days so I better go finish them.  I also have to make a sympathy card.  I am sending it to the doctors and staff at the Medical centre I use and my doctor (Graham Robinson) was tragically killed while riding his bicycle on Wednesday.  Very shocking and sad news.

Thursday 15 October 2009

Summer is on the way.....

I know this how?   ...'cause That Darn Cat (aka Snoopy) has started to steal the neighbour's kids clothes..... swim suits, rash tops, bikini tops and bottoms, caps.... on average one item a day.  The kids have a heated swimming pool and are inclined to strip off their togs and leave them on the deck..... in sneaks the cat and drags them home.  This week we also got one bright pink slipper... ( Neighbour says it's not theirs - so don't know where that came from)  He has also been known to bring home dolls and toys, some even bigger than him.  If he can, he jumps in the ensuite window with them in his mouth... some times he just leaves them outside on the deck or in the drive way..    Mind you I try and show him pictures of jewellery and other more expensive items - but he doesn't seem to get the idea!!!!!!
At least Natalie and Murray know where to come if anything is missing!!!!  I usually do a weekly delivery back to them.  For some obscure reason the cat seems to thief things from just this one family....   and only over the summer months.....

Thanks for stopping by. 

Monday 12 October 2009

Pirate Ship cake


I couldn't resist posting these pics of the amazing cake my DD made for her friend's son's 3rd birthday.  It turned out so good that I'm sure if she tires of being a town planner, she can start her own cake decorating business.  The detail she put into them was incredible.  On the back she even had little white windows. 
Thanks for stopping by and seeing this Mum's pride....

Sunday 11 October 2009

Saturday stamping group 10.10.09


First pic today is the bookmark I made earlier in the week.  See my Flickr photostream for details.

Yesterday was my monthly Stamp Group at Stamp'n'create.   I had a few projects to do - some more cards for my hubby's birthday - for the kids to give him.  I didn't have that great a day... nothing seemed to be going right.  Messed up a couple of cards.... try to make a male-ish background and it turned out too girly ( did make a nice card for a female  friend turning 50 soon) - but a fun day none the less.

So here's what I ended up with:  - this first one is a card I saw on Jenn B's photostream - here.  I have copied this - using the Hero Arts Digikit - Vintage Travel.  I used word to resize and cut out the car and used aqua crayons to colour.  The map background I printed out onto white card and used Old Paper distress ink to colour and edge.  Added the twine and then made a button/tag from Hero Arts Travel Journal set.  I used the HA Petite Messages for the sentiment.  Thanks for the idea Jenn.

Next one is also another one I copied the idea for.... ( lack of inspiration yesterday) so thanks this time to Vanessa who's card here was my inspiration.  I used my CB to make the background and used Walnut stain distress ink to colour.  The light blue card was stamped with HA Old French writing and distressed with Blue Jeans distress ink.  The darker blue was stamped with a Penny Black sentiment. 
 
This is the one that started as an attempt to make a "male" background.  I used two blues and a red alcohol inks to make the background.  I then stamped the Grid pattern stamp in Stazon - It seemed a bit plain so added the flowers - definitely more girly...( since I took the photo have added a Happy Birthday in black and it will do for a birthday card for a female friend turning 50 on the 25th)
and finally;

Make and Take this week was a card using Flower Soft.  Judi gave us a demo on using it and then off we all went and made our card.  Great stuff for dimension.  Earlier in the day, Judi had also done a demo on using Pearl Ex in different ways.  I bought two new stamps that I am going to try some of the techniques with.
Well it's been a long post so thanks for visiting - wishing you all a great week 




Thursday 8 October 2009

2 challenges in one - HA and 2Sketches4You


Butterfly piecing
Originally uploaded by turleyfamily(Dawn)

This weeks challenge at Hero Arts blog is to do paper piecing. I decided my Heart winged butterfly seemed just the stamp to do this. I used two coordinating patterned papers that I got in a freebie from one of the English magazine I get. I stamped the butterfly twice on card stock, and twice on each of the patterned papers. I them cut out the patterned pieces and stuck them on the plain card. I then cut out the middle hearts from one and layered onto the other to give a bit more dimension. The sketch was from 2sketches4you challenge this week It is a great sketch by Laura. I stamped HA raindrop background on the card using Kaleidocolor Ink ( Autumn Leaves). I didn't have any dark brown ribbon so used a strip of a shiny brown card as a ribbon ( also put it under the punched out edge). I used a Fiskars edge punch to make the scalloped edging. I finished with some lovely pink pearls and a tiny sentiment stamped in Sepia Archival ink. The sentiment is from a Stampin' Up! set.
I also got a few other bits and pieces done today.  I have make a butterfly a bit like this one - I used the papers on the back of a stamped butterfly on acetate - just waiting for it to dry so I can design the card it is to go on and made a lovely book mark which I still have to photograph.

Over the last couple of days I have also made a Halloween card ...I don't have any Halloween stamps but want to sent a Halloween greeting to someone who just loves Halloween, so found this wonderful vintage image here. I printed it out on photo paper and matted in orange cardstock. The lace edging was from my friend Monika and was white. I used Distress Spiced Marmalade to colour it.

I also printed off a card from a site I found that has free gift wrapping with matching cards and tags.  Here it is ,  There are lots of designs.  The card came in the orangey colour - all I had to do was print it out, titivate it a bit with the faux stitching and added the rub-on word Inspire and added a leave cut out on my cuttlebug from a paint sample I had. 

Well thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday 6 October 2009

CCC - card from Pia

I got a lovely surprise today.  Pia from Denmark send me a wonderful card as part of Deborah Nolan's card chain challenge.  In the parcel from Pia wasn't not only a beautiful card but some goodies from her stash - some lovely papers, ribbon and some wonderful pins....thank you Pia and thanks to Deborah for thinking of this wonderful  idea.  She is starting the next CCC so visit her blog to join it.... you never know where your card might come from.
Thanks for stopping by.

Sunday 4 October 2009

What's the best way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.....


but to do some crafting.  My little friend, Katie ( almost 13) is going to Japan at the end of the month for 9 days and has to take a photo album showing a bit about her life here in NZ.  A few weeks back she came over to use some of my papers, stamps, flowers etc to get her started doing 6 x 6 scrapbook for her photos and today I had her come round to do some more.  She is very talented and has quite an eye for it.   So her and I sat at the table and crafted all afternoon.  I had the opportunity to get to work on my 10 ATC's for Hero Arts Swap.   I got quite a bit of them done and Katie almost finished her album.  Only 2 more pages to go, which she will do at home with some of the papers and bits that I sent her home with.  I also gave her the ATC I did yesterday as it seems appropriate  - One of the Japanese Doll set.  She can give it to her host "sister".
I stamped the HA Design Block - Dots and Flowers in Pansy Impress ink onto the purple card stock.  I stamped the doll onto a scrap of white cardstock using Kathy's tip no 2 ( here) - using a stamp positioner and stamping twice to get a super clear and clean image. I'm loving my aqua crayons - and used them to colour in the image ( including putting a bit of eyeshadow on).  I added a single pearl on the obi, added the sentiment and the ribbon.
So all in all, a lovely way to spend a wet and miserable day doing something fun and creative.
Thanks for stopping by.

Saturday 3 October 2009

Ahoy there matie


Ahoy there matie
Originally uploaded by turleyfamily(Dawn)

My DD and her fiancé came round for dinner tonight, before heading off to a near by friend's party. in the course of the conversation she said she was off next weekend to Connor's 3rd birthday and by the way Mum can you make a pirate card for him..... I was stumped for a couple of minutes till I remembered that one of my Papercraft Essential's magazines had some pirate papers in the freebie that came with it. So I hunted it out and there was a decoupage pirate. ( you can purchase the papers via their website as well - here) So I got to and in 15 mins had this done for her. She was really pleased with it. For Connor's birthday she is making him a pirate ship cake. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

She has been making more cupcakes as well. This lot were for a bake sale at her partner's work.
thanks for stopping by.

Friday 2 October 2009

More ATC's


First off tonight a couple of pics of the backgrounds I made the other night.  The single sheet is my distressed one.  I used Spiced Marmalade, Shabby Shutters and Walnut stain and then spritzed it with water to cause the dots on it.  The others are the Alcohol ink backgrounds.  I used a mixture of colours on each one.  Purples and blues together, greens and blues together and one with butterscotch, red and green together.  These are to send to a lady I meet in Cairns who is also a card maker.


Now for the ATC's I did last night. This first one is a hybrid card.  The butterfly is a digi one from Hero Arts Flutterby Digikit available at 2peasinabucket. I used Lucy's instructions to resize the stamp in Word, printed it out and used my aqua crayons to colour it in.  I then put a few dots of Liquid pearls on the edges.  The background was some alcohol inks that I blended onto cardstock ( not glossy) with Purple Twilight and Wild Plum with silver fixative. Quite a different look than putting it on glossy card.  I then overstamped with Antique Brocade stamp in Pansy Impress Ink.  Distressed the edge of the sentiment in the Pansy as well.


Next ATC also used the Flutterby Digikit. This time I used a brush in Photoshop ( still learning how to do this!!!)  I created a background paper with the butterfly.  I cut it to size, added the ribbons, sentiment from Hero Arts and a large silver heart gem ( unknown type)  A very easy and simple ATC

Third and last ATC for the night used one of my favourite stamps - HA Three Ferns.  This is some of the distress paper I made the other night.  I stamped the ferns in Old Mahogany Distress ink.  The word "HOPE" was a rub-on that didn't..... not sure why but it wouldn't go on, so ended up having to use a marker pen to go over the letters.  Finished with a button and all done.
I am hoping that I will be able to enter the Hero Arts ATC swap, but as it opens at 4.00am NZ time, I might not be in time.  Visit the blog to see the ATC's that  Sharri has been doing and then visit the Flickr group for the wonderful creations that have been made so far.
Thanks for stopping by.




Thursday 1 October 2009

MeMe Award


While I was on holiday the lovely Paula sent me this award. . It's called the "MeMe award" & the rules are very simple. I have to divulge 7 secrets about myself and pass this award on to 7 others. Well I don't really have any secrets, so I guess I will do what some of the others have done & tell you 7 things about me (yes you probably really don't need to know).

1. I live at home with my husband of 31 years ( 32 come Jan 21st) and our almost 21 year old son ( plus his girlfriend several evenings a week)

2. I am trying to lose weight (aren't we all ) - have mild diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholestrol

3. If I could, I would give up work and do crafty things all day

4. I really love my computer and the internet.  Am on it hours a night

5. I spend way too much money on my card marking stuff ( again, don't we all!!)

6. I have 25 teddies ( most of which I handmade) sitting on my dressing table in my bedroom

7. I am messy....... as my DH will attest.  He is always nagging me to tidy my side of the room, the crafting space, even the inside of my car.... ( and you should see my desk at work.... organised chaos!!)

"Whew" glad that's over with as painful as that was ;). I would love to give this award to the following in no particular order:

Tomo
Anita
Vanessa
JJ ( also know as Joshua Jiraffe)
StamperSuzz
Kelly
Joy ( aka Dustypenny)

Please visit their blogs for tons of fun and inspiration. and also the lovely Paula's super blog as well.
Thanks for looking.  I'll have some more ATC's posted tomorrow - made 3 this evening... just need to get the photos taken,.....
thanks for stopping by.