August CCC

My card this month was sent to Nancy in California.  I had such fun making this card - had to source some feathers....which resulted in finding a few other fun bits and pieces....
so here it is:




Hope you enjoyed it Nancy!!!!

Take care everyone

TODAY'S THE DAY!!!!!!!!

Just a quick post as today is the day we head off overseas...... it's just after 9.00 am and I'm just having a quick lookie round the blogs... not time to comment though :-(

Just a few more items to back, the house to give a bit of a spruce up before the house sitters come in tonight and we are done!!!!!

Hopefully haven't forgotten anything... got my money, the passport and tickets - tick, pack the medications - tick, knickers - tick... yeah all there....

READY SET GO...............................

See you all in a month!!!!

PS - have set an auto post for my CCC  card as Nancy hasn't got it yet....

New toys.....

Today I got my self a new camera.  Just a point and shoot.... A Canon SX120 IS .  I mainly got it because it has 10x optical zoom, can be use in manual or auto modes and is compact for travelling.  I got an 8G memory card so can take heaps of photos without having to download while we are away.  Now just to test drive it .... I did take a card photo tonight -
I had made a small card ( 3.25x 4.5 inches) with the watercolour piece I did the other day.

I used distress inks stamped onto an acrylic block as I only have 2 re-inkers.  You start by embossing the image and then wet it, add a drop of ink and it moves about in the water.
 I was pleased with the result.

And this card is one I made for Jenny ( Wee Memories) challenge.  "buttons, brads or bling"   I made the red flower from some hand made paper ( almost fabric) using a Spellbinders die and cutting out a petal from each layer and gluing together.  I added a brad to the centre - after colouring it with a Copic to change the colour to red.  I found these cards already cut with the window in my stash.... The bird is from a Inkadinkado set and I coloured it with Tombow pens and spritzed with water to give a watercoloured look.  I edged the frame with a grey Copic to give some depth.  Have also sent it off to Cards Blog for this week challenge - hand made flowers.

Finally I am so thrilled to say my stamps from the USA arrived.  I ordered some from Simons Says Stamps - and boy were they fast getting here and soooo reasonable. Their postage is so much cheaper than a lot of the online sites in the USA.  It took 7 days for them to get here.  I did a comparision with a NZ online site and I saved $22NZ and that included the postage!!!!   Got 4 stamps - Hero Arts Large Flower ( cling) Delicate Blossom (clear) Music Background (cling) and an Inkadinkado set  Tell it Like it is ( clear) - this one is a set of kids quotes - very cute.  I won't have time to play before I leave so something to look forward to.

Thanks for visiting.... only 2 more sleeps till I'm away.  Sooo excited in case you hadn't guessed!!!!

inky fingers.....

Warning... long post!!!!
Yesterday was Stamp Group day at Stamp'n'create.  I so enjoy this day and was determined not to miss it.... even though there was just so much to do at home.. This time we had a new member join us as a number of the group were away.... in total we only had 6 there but that was awesome as we had room to spread!!!!  I came home with inky fingers as I really had a productive day....
firstly I finished off painting some of my Xmas Tags.... then it was onto a card for Maim Doodles challenge of a shaped card.  I had printed out a couple of Lil' Rosie images and this is what I came up with.

I tried out Lysa's hair colouring technique ( shown here on Color Me Copics).  I only have black and cool grey but was pleased with the result.

Next it was onto a Christmas card.  I had seen this on Dawn Griffith's blog and thought I'd give it a go.


I used a Kaleidaclor ink (Blue Breeze) on the glossy card stock and then used Stazon to stamp the Three Wise Men from an Inkadinkado set.  I have decided that I will be doing more of this one for this years Christmas cards as it is such an easy one to do.

My next card is one I made with Hero Arts Large Flower.  I have ordered this stamp but it hasn't arrived yet, but one of the ladies at group had hers there so I borrow it.  I stamped it twice on vellum and embossed in white and then once in versamark on a pinky piece of Bazzil.



I cut it all out and layered onto the red card.  Sentiment from Stamp-It.  I wanted the flower to be the focal image.

Our demonstration this week was about using watercolour with reinkers.  I don't have many reinkers ( in fact only 2!) so thought I'd try with putting a bit of distress ink onto the acrylic block and picking up a dot.... worked okay - photo to come when I actually make up the bit into a card.... but learning the technique was awesome.  Jill is soooo talented

My final card was our Make and Take..... involved CB embossing folders, Spellbinders flower dies, and glimmermist.... AWESOME!!!!!  will be trying this one again.



Until I get permission from Judi ( originator of the card) I can't share entirely how it was made.

Well that's it from me today... Hope the length of this wasn't too off putting but will leaving in 3 days I need to post it all at once!!!!  Packing is going well.... almost finished - just a bit of ironing to do and add to the suitcase.

Take care everyone...

Thinking of You - Play Date Cafe # 42

If this card looks familiar it's because it is the same as yesterdays....except in greens.  I made it as I needed a quick card to send ....

We got some very sad news yesterday.  Hubby's sister in law ( married to his eldest brother) has been diagnosed with a brain tumour.  She goes for an operation on Monday - so we are all praying that it going to be okay and they can remove it and it is not malignant... so I wanted to send her a card to let her know we are thinking of her....


All the stamps on this are Hero Arts - Silhouette Grass, Everyday savings and Antique Engravings.   As I mostly used green and dark brown and mounted it on a beige card, I think it fits the colour challenge at Play Date Cafe.  The gems are beige coloured as well. It is hard to see on the photo but the vellum butterfly is two toned... dark brown underneath and white on top.  

I ask those of you who wish to, to add Mary to your prayers.  It would be appreciated.

Take care and have a great weekend.  I'm off to Stamp Group tomorrow- then  packing and get all the rest of the stuff organised on Sunday.

Dream Big

I  was trying out some of Jennifer McGuire's thinking inking techniques.... this one is using distress ink to cover the background and then using water on your stamp to impress the image onto the distress ink.  I used pearlised water in a blue colour to stamp this background.

I used Hero Arts Sunburst stamp to do the water stamping.  This was the second go after messing up the first sheet (thanks to Donna's idea I now have a pile of butterflies)  I then used a Memento Rhubarb Stalk in to overstamp the  Silhouette Grass(Hero Arts) and add the sentiment (Rosie's Studio)  The butterfly was embossed in white onto vellum.  I added the sheer ribbon and bow and scalloped the edge with a Martha Stewart punch.  I have entered this into Anne's Distress ink challenge for August.   I was going to enter it for Play Date Cafe's colour challenge but was too late :-(  Also entered for Wee Memories ( butterfly) and Simon Says Stamp and Show ( Things with Wings)

On the health front... I have almost got rid of the cold/cough finally.  I had a half day Monday and yesterday lasted till 3pm before having to come home and have a "Nana Nap" before tea!!!!!  Today I managed a full day........ and did a half hour presentation at our Northern Regional Meeting - presented the overview of a workgroup I am involved in, to 45 of my peers.  So feeling a bit tired tonight.  I'm making a card the same as above but in greens - then off to bed for an early night.

Take care  -  the weekend is nearly here.... and only 2 days work next week for me!!!!

Caardvarks Christmas Tags in August!!!

Caardvarks challenge is Christmas minis or tags... so I thought I'd do a set to make a start for Christmas.  Once the holiday is over in Sept there is only 2 months to our daughter's wedding.... so need to be organised this year with Christmas!!!!
I decided I like the little singing mice on the card I had made the other day so decided to mask off two of them and just stamp one.

I coloured him with the Pearlescent paints and some Copics, added a few musical notes and stamped the Just for You sentiment from a Hero Arts Sparkle Clear set.  The background scallop is die cut from some paper that has lots of presents on it.   I made 3 of these and 3 with a Penny Black Hedgehog

Once again I used Pearlescent paints and Copics to colour.  These are really cute stamps and the Pearlescent paints really give it a nice sparkle.

This shows the two tags together.  I did the scarf and mittens in different colours on all the tags.

I was also making a card last night to enter into Wee Memories challene ( Butterflies)  Had made some awesome background paper with distress inks, pearlised water and some water resist.  Had it all looking nice and decided to stamp and emboss the sentiment straight onto the background.... and what happen?  the silly stamp blurred and when I embossed the white .... it was like a double image.... Boy was I mad at myself... ruined the whole background...wasn't able to salvage any of it,.... Peeved off to the max.  Of course when I try to recreate the background it didn't look nearly as nice~~ Still working on it tonight. 

Thanks for stopping by....
This time 8.25pm next Wednesday we will be in the air.... yeah!!!!

More Penny Black's

)

I have a few Penny Black stamps and have found they suit the Pearlescent paints for colouring in. I did one yesterday afternoon and another one this afternoon. They are so quick to colour using this medium.

Yesterday I also used Card Patterns #76 sketch -

I changed it about a bit... putting the scallop edge up the top rather than at the bottom.
I used some PP I found on my desk...( not sure who it's by) and the green for the scallop and the sentiment are from Paint chips. I painted the Penny Black mice with Pearlescent paints and die cut the circle. I then sponged Distress ink with the die still in place. - Broken China for the sky and Bundled Sage for the grass. The Kaiser flower was sprayed with home-made glimmer mist... ( Wild Honey re-inker and Perfect Pearls mixed together) I added a small green button and the green pearls.

Today's card is also for the Caardvarks challenge ( Christmas Tag or mini card)  I made a 4 x 3 3/4 inch card with a Penny Black Slapstick stamp

I stamped with Versafine Black and quickly embossed with clear EP. I then used Pearlescent paints to colour the image. Cut it to size and stuck to the red base. Added a Peel Craft sentiment.  ( made a mess with the first one so had to added a piece of card with it on to cover the boo boo!!) A really nice a quick card.

Went back to work today, but still coughing a lot so came home at lunch time... everyone was getting annoyed at the noise I was making!!!!    MUST GET BETTER SOON!!!!  The countdown is on... 9 more sleeps!!!!

take care and have a great week.

Mami Doodles Guest Designer call....

Over at Mami Doodles, Elisa is looking for some more guest designers for the rest of the year.  She has provided this adorable digi stamp called Lil' Rosie to use.... and free for anyone else who wants it!!!  I thought I'd give it a shot.... Elisa - not available Sept but okay for the rest of the year  ( if I make it!!!)

I printed out Lil' Rosie and coloured her with Pearlescent paints.  Gives a lovely shimmery look.  Next I took some PP ( Rosie's Studio) and punched the lacy scallop along the bottom.  Added the ribbon and mounted it onto the square blue base.  Embossed some purple card with a Sizzix folder and then cut out the scallop with a Spellbinders die. I popped Lil' Rosie onto the edge so it looked like she was sitting there.  Add the sentiment from Hero Arts as a banner.  The design for this card is based on this sketch from Card Patterns.
I'm also entering it for Our Creative Corner - challenge is to use embossing.  And Hero Arts - Keeping in Touch challenge.  Not bad for one card!!!!

Having the kids and partners round for dinner tonight so a lovely big roast of Pork in the oven and an Apple and Plum pie cooling on the bench.... smells yummy in my house.

Cheers to you all.

Happy Hedgehog

Tried out my new Pearlescent paints - I took one of the images stamped for me by Paula last year of Penny Black's little hedgehog.

I saw Card Patterns #75 sketch and thought it would be a great one to highlight the hedgehog

The background papers are by Kaisercraft - from the Gypsy Sisters collection. I used three different sheets, - one for the main background, one to mat the hedgehog and under the third strip which I used a Martha Stewart daisy border punch on.  The lovely big brad is from Bazzilbasics.   I am also entering this in Paper Cutz challenge #  53.

Today I also made my card for Nancy as part of Deborah's Card Chain challenge for August.

A wee sneak preview..... hopefully it will get to her before I go in 10 days and I can show the whole lot.... if not... well you'll just have to wait....

Cheers all.... hope your weekend is going well.... I'm happy as I've just watched the rugby and the All Blacks won again - against Australia ... yeah - GO THE AB's.

Believe Tag...

When I was working on my Tag Tuesday entry yesterday I originally started with a different sized template and idea.... but changed my mind.   Today I kept looking at what I had done with the tag - and thinking how can I use this piece?

So I decided to put it on a card. 

I started by printing out the background paper ( a freebie here) Next I printed the stand which I cropped from a Victorian Lamp stand image I have.  I edged the background with Tattered Rose distress ink and also used the ink to stamp HA Old French writing randomly across the paper. The sentiment is from a set by Inkadinkado.  I also inked the edge of the white card base with the distress ink before adding the background.
For the mannequin I used the Template from yesterday - I covered it with some dress pattern tissue ( received from Betty with my CCC card).  I added a lovely flower ( again with some Tattered Rose distressing) that a work colleague brought me back from her trip to Singapore recently and a stick pin ( from the lovely Pia)  I am rather pleased with the result.... now if only Flickr will behave I can add it to my photostream.

Today I felt heaps better but still barking like a seal....but had a bit more energy... so cleaned out the bathroom cupboard and cleaned the Fridge out.   Plus popped out to get some more adhesive.... and some new watercolour paints... a set of Pearlescent Watercolours by Yasytomo.  They are beautiful colours and I can wait to try them out.  A set of 21 colours for under $20.

As usual, many thanks for visiting.

Tag Tuesday challenge

This week over at Kard Krazy - the challenge has been set by Sarah to use a Mannequin template for your tag.  The template has been provided by Sarah. 

This is what I came up with:

I resized the template to about 3 3/4 inches and printed it on the reverse of my cream card stock and cut it out.  I then stamped the Old French Writing ( Hero Arts) with black ink - missing bits here and there for an antique look... and embossed it with clear EP.  Next I sponged all over with Dusty Concord, Worn Lipstick and Faded Jeans Distress Inks.  I finally stamped a small Fleur de Lis ( Teresa Collins) in the Dusty Concord.  I added some netting and the Dusky Purple and red flowers, the lace and gems.  I'm just pleased you can't see the back of this tag... Trying to get the netting to stay on was a real mission I can tell you!!!   Lots of good old sellotape on the back.

Still at home today and will be for the rest of the week.  Had a chest xray today... all clear but I have a vicious virus that is just going to take time to come right... The doctor said to stay at home for the rest of the week.... As it is only 2 weeks today till we head off.... I will do as she says.... Come hell or high water, I WILL be on that plane!!!!

Thanks for stopping by.  I really appreciate you taking the time to visit

Birthday wishes and some blog candy

First off I'll start with the blog candy.... the lovely Jenny over at Wee Memories is having a give away for surpassing 300 followers....
Go visit her here to see what you need to do.... just become a follower... No hardship there!!! and then blog about her give away......

Now onto today's card... a birthday card for an adorable 4 year old.... Little Em ( Paula's eldest)  - she has her 4th birthday coming up so I made her a clown card and a little colouring in book....  Am having trouble getting onto Flickr tonight so these photos haven't had their usual titivating.....

I added the clown 4 times to my lightweight card stock in a Word Document and then used 3 different digital papers behind the images.  I used a variety of free papers and then once I had printed it, pieced them onto the uncoloured image.  I used aqua crayons to colour the hair, shoes and flower. I added the bright colour gems for buttons. The background butterfly hearts was a freebie - ( note to self... write down the names of the papers you use!!!!) I know it was green and I changed in PSE8 and resized it a bit.  I then stamped the Hero Arts sentiment along the bottom.  Inside the card, I used the computer to print the words. ( used Tall Paul font available here) and added some butterflies from a scrap of the BG paper.  I also added butterflies to the envelope

I also made Em a little colouring in book with some stamped images in it. 

Hopefully I'll be back at work tomorrow so can get it in the post to her.  I'm am still blocked up and coughing badly - if I can get reasonable night's sleep I'll go to work but if not then another day at home.  I am feeling really tired and lethargic.

must fly as one of my favourite TV programs has just started.... a NZ one called "Outrageous Fortune"

Take care and thanks for visiting.

A happy Clown

I've had a bit of a relapse with my cold and chest infection.... major coughing... every hour on the hour last night!!!  Not much fun for me or hubby either as when I did sleep I was snoring badly!!!! ( Think he was making that up though!)  So a visit to the doctor again... more antibiotics and also some Predisone  and two days off work.  I took my first dose of the antibiotic at lunch time but as I need to not lie down for half and hour, I decided to do some creating.

Judy had made some totally adorable Clown cards for the Cards for Kids project and I thought they were just adorable.  I went to KLM Designs website and found that they had a single digi image of Carl the Clown - so I just had to buy him.... I resized him to around 3 1/4 inches tall and printed out an A4 page ( 6 images)

I coloured the image with watercolour pencils and added some accents and dots with a white gel pen.  The background PP is from this digi kit.  I recoloured it in PSE8 and resized to fit an A6 sheet.  I stamped an old Hero Arts sentiment along the bottom.  I cut an oval scalloped and sponged it with Tumbled Glass DI before taking the die off.  I stamped the balloon ( Rosie's Studio) and lengthened the string before cutting out.  I pop doted the clown and then slipped the end of the string under him anchored it directly to the scallop to look like it is behind him!  Finally added some pearls for his eyes and buttons.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day.

Can't get enough of BWG....

that's right... I am so loving this weeks colour challenge from Play Date Cafe.   It is such a classic - Black and White with a touch of green.  Today's card... well I'm not too sure if there is more than a touch of green!!!  But I liked it anyway.

I started by stamping the Dahlia stamp ( Darkroom Door) in black on white card and clear embossing. The then rubbed my tear drop ink pad ( Lime Key Chalk ink) over the whole  piece.  I sponged a touch of Forest Moss in the middle and added a touch of green stickles over the flowers as well.  Once that had dried, I highlighted the flowers with white gel pen to lift them a bit.  I cut to size and doodled round the edge.  Finally matted on the large black piece and added the sentiment ( Stamp-It) in white EP.

Wee Memories blog ( the delightful Jenny) challenge this week is to use Chipboard.  For a moment I couldn't think if I had any chipboard other than some letters... then remember last year in a give away from Jennifer McGuire, I got some lovely Christmas chipboard shapes from K & Company.  So I hunted them out and decided to do a long card ~ had a set from Rosie's Studio that I hadn't used.... so this is what came about....

NO STAMPING!!!!!  I simply placed the ribbon along the front of the card and put the letters on top.  I did debate about putting some stamping such as a sentiment but decided against it.  Truly CAS.

And finally, in preparation for the trip, I invested in a pair of decent walking sandals... not cheap by any means even with a 20% sale... but will be so worth it,.

I've been wearing them around so they will bet broken in before we go... Only 17 more sleeps!!!!  I've been getting a few bits together... combination locks for the suitcases, body bag to keep the passports next to my skin and a plug converter so Peter can charge his cell phone!!!  Next weekend, I'll start to think about getting the clothes ready that I want... all getting too exciting!!!

Thanks for peeking today... hope you weekend was a creative as mine...

and PS - pop over to Joy's blog post for today... she has a very heart wrenching story at the end of her post about a child who needs some help.... and some Stampin' Up demonstrators have come up with a great fund-raiser to help Hudson get the Kids Walker that will make his life so much better.... I've purchased the Christmas Tutorials... Please go and have a look.  Here is the direct link to the website for Hudson