Inspired by StampNation Masterclass - Spectrum Aqua Markers

The latest StampNation Masterclass is under way.  It's about using Spectrum Aqua Markers.    Our first tutorial is about using the markers to do a watercolour wash background.  I did an interpretation of this on my card.

I used  blue and blue-green markers to make my background and splatters.  The sentiment is from a Spectrum Noir stamp set.  I used the markers directly on the little heart stamps.

Will be trying out some more backgrounds using my Spectrum markers  - I have some neutral sets so they will make lovely backgrounds.

An Eventful Friday....

I was back for three days before we headed off for a long weekend down south at Napier.   It is an hours flight south east of Auckland.   Well it should have been!

We got to Auckland airport for a 2.55pm flight only to find it had been delayed firstly for 40 minutes and then another 20 minutes.  Got onto the plane and took off.... only to find about 20 minutes into the flight, the pilot announced there was a warning light showing an issue with the hydraulics and we were returning to Auckland.   So we turned around in a wide sweep as there were no flaps.  The pilot advised us that he would be landing at speed.  However when we got near Auckland, the pilot then advised that there were cross winds at Auckland which were making it dangerous to  land and we would be diverting to Hamilton...  so off we went....  And after a little while and a speedy decent we made it to Hamilton.  From there we hired a car and drove 3 hours 20 minutes to reach our friend's house at 9.30pm.    What a day!   And we made the news

http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2017/09/emergency-landing-at-hamilton-airport.html

Didn't realise how bad it was, the staff were very calm and collected.   The pilot landed the plane very smoothly and we all applauded him.

The rest of the weekend was fabulous.  We had gone down with friends and we all stayed with Rachel and Ian.   Rachel is celebrating her 60th birthday next week so we spend some time celebrating with her.   Rachel is a quilter and earlier this year gave us a beautiful quilt.  I took a photo of some of it, and made her a card

I used the computer to make the sentiment which I cut with a Littl' inkers die.  The cotton reel is a digital image from Hero Arts.

Well back to work tomorrow.   And catch up with some of my design work.

Visiting the parentals....

I've been away for a few days as I made a flying visit to the Gold Coast Australia to spend a few days with my parents and celebrate my Dad's 80th birthday.  It's approx a 3 hour flight from Auckland to Coolangatta (Gold Coast).  I went over Thursday afternoon and back Monday afternoon.  It was to be a surprise visit... my brother knew I was coming and was picking me up.   But fate intervened.... Dad rang Wednesday night to let me know my Mum was unwell and was in hospital so I had to let him know I was coming the next day.  He didn't let Mum know so it was a huge surprise to her when I got to the hospital.  Luckily she was able to come out the next day. 

Dad and I went out for a lovely walk on Friday morning

On Saturday, I caught up with my friend Michelle.  We haven't seen each other for about 5 years...  She took me to the Spit ... a very pretty spot where I could look down to the main Surfer's Paradise beach

The two of us  

Sunday was Dad's birthday and we had a lovely dinner cooked by my niece Toni. And Dad enjoyed himself.   Mum was up to eating with us which was lovely.  

I was sad to have to come home, but really please I was able to be there to help them celebrate.  

And before I leave, I have a photo that Dad showed me of my family circa 1960.  I was three and my brother 15 months approx.  

 

Time to get back into some crafting ... at least for a couple of days, before we head away for a 4 day weekend in Napier to visit some friends... we are flying down ( a one hour flight on a little wee plane)  A very busy September!

Sending thoughts and prayers to all my American followers who have been caught in the storms - hoping everyone is safe. 

new challenge at StampNation

Hi there . The "NEW" challenge is up at StampNation......yes it's about using NEW productsearch or items

Here's a sneak peek of the designers cards

Can you guess which is mine?

If you are  member of StampNation you can check it out here

Two for One technique piece with Marching Leaves

My Stamp of Approval, Counting Blessing box finally arrived at my place on Friday evening and come Sunday I got some time to play.  I have some lovely Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Kiss in Golden Sand and decided it might look good through the Marching Leaves stencil..... and it did!

I took the technique piece and made two cards out of it.

 

I cut the panel into two with a Spellbinders edge die and then cut a matching scallop from Kraft card.  The sentiment was embossed with Platinum powder and I added the panel with pop dots

And for this one, I used the other half of the panel.  I die cut a strip of bronze glitter paper and then another Spellbinders edge die.  This time I white embossed the sentiment. 

I'm loving the Stamp of Approval box and can't wait to get a few more cards made, although, I'm taking a break for a few days....I'm going away from Thurs to Monday evening... 

Rustic Christmas over at StampNation

Hi.  Rustic Christmas challenge is underway at StampNation.  Here's a sneak peek at my card

for more details come and join us at StampNation

 

Leaves....

In the Northern Hemisphere it's coming into Fall (Autumn) while here in NZ it's coming into spring.  So leaves are falling up there and break out down here. 

Today the Flickr Hero Arts Group is having a scramble with the theme LEAVES with an option of kraft.... I took 2hr 15 mins to make two cards.. so just over an hour for each. 

 

For my first card I used an older cling stamp called Leaf Cluster.  I stamped it in a dark green ink and then several times in an olive ink.  Added the sentiment and it was ready to mount onto the green card base.  

And for my second card I used a set called 3 Leaves

I started by using a Nova brush to add three colours of Distress inks to make an ombre background.  I took the smallest leaf and misted it with water and used it to stamp and lift the colour from the background.  I then took the middle sized leave and stamped it twice and coloured with Copics and Spectrum Noir markers and fussy cut.  Used a Die and stamp set to make the sentiment.

I'm entering my second on into the challenge at Creative with Stamps - theme Leaves. 

Glad I took time to have a play this afternoon.  I had fun.

Thanks for stopping by. 

Make it Masculine

It's the first of September... 1st day of Spring here in NZ... and what a beautiful day it was.  I took time off work to go into the city to meet up with my crafty friend Kim.  Kim and her hubby live in Mandurah near Perth and today were on a 10 hour layover in Auckland on their way to the USA.  They caught the bus in from the airport and we meet up and went for a walk down to the waterfront for a coffee...

So onto my card for the day.   Over at Die Cut Divas our theme for the month is Masculine/Men/ Boys.  Our sponsor is Dies R Us.... they have LOTS of dies and embossing folders and other stuff 

I used a Bugaboo image to make my card and used a Spellbinders die to cut it out

The sentiment is from a Lawn Fawn set.   So come and join us.