Convention Canberra 2009

Just a little post before I leave for Convention tommorow. I'm super excited and really can't wait to see what Convention is all about. This is the little tag I made for my Convention bag which we get when we check-in on the Friday morning. I've used Pocket Silhouttes and Life's Definitions. I chose the memories word, as I'm sure lots of wonderful memories will be made and this will be a little keepsake from my time away, along will all the other treasures I hope to take back home. I'm going to be taking heaps of pictures and hope to share lots of them here with you all, especially for the ones that couldn't make it to Convention this year. So til next time..................

Cupcake Craft Challenge #36

I found a sketch challenge over at Cupcake Craft Challenges. Although the title is cupcake, you don't have to use cupcake images for this one. So I've used this sketch for my creation, but have flipped to it's side.
And here's my creation. I've used Jewel made by Bizzy Becs Stamps. I haven't really used her that much and I thought it would be fun to incorporate her into this challenge.
I've used Designer paper Rasberry Tart and colours - Rose Red, Choc Chip, Regal Rose & White. I've also used some of the felt flowers in Rose Red and added brads to the centre. The ribbon is Soft Sky - one of the retired in-colours from Stampin'Up.
The image has been stamped onto white cardstock and I've coloured with my inks and aqua painter. She has some dazzling diamond glitter on the flower in her hair and the buttons on her pants. I think she is very cool and cute!

Scrappin' good time.

It feels like ages since I've done any scrapbooking. I saw this sketch by Amy Rysavy and thought it would make a wonderful scrapbook layout. So I've based my 8x8 scrapbook page on this sketch, just changing it a little because my photo is landscape.

It was fun to scrapbook this precious photo of my mum and Caden taken in February of this year. I've used the Urban Oasis DP and also Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set which is just BEAUTIFUL.

The base cardstock is Night of Navy which picks up the clothes Caden is wearing. Along the bottom of the page I've stamped the rose image in the same colour ink. The photo's below picks up some of that detail. Then I've added a layer of DP and used the scallop edge punch to one side. I've layered the photo with Baja Breeze and more DP from the same pack.

For the sentiment, I've used Life's Definitions stamp ' favourite' and used a little clip to attach. This clip is from Clips Assortment which comes with three different kinds of clips. They are very cute!!

I've finished off the page with ribbon in Kiwi Kiss, brads, paper piercing and some glitter to the rose.

I whipped up this page in no time at all. Having a great sketch to work with does help and is often a great starting point. I picked out colours that complimented the photo and then added the accessories. I will def. use this sketch again!!

Magnolia Down Under Challenge #8

This week over at Magnolia Down Under Challenges, they have the cutest theme: Cupcakes. I had only just received my Magnolia cupcake stamp the other week, so it worked perfectly for this card. I've also used Tilda with envelope.
So here it is: I've co-ordinated my colours around the Designer Paper Rasberry Tart. The combination of colours are: Rose Red, Cameo Coral, Pretty in Pink & Kiwi Kiss.
I've used the rub-ons from the Hand Drawn - Level 3 hostess set for the sentiment - 'hey cupcake'.
I've used my photo corner punch, some small pink rhinestones and grosgrain ribbon. And I've also used my glue pen and glitter for the cupcake.
The images have been stamped onto my new white cardstock which I just received from Bizzy Bec's. It's a perfect base for colouring in your images. The ink doesn't soak in to quickly, giving you time to work with the colour. I've used my ink pads and aqua painter for this card.

Products used:

Stamps: Magnolia Stamps

Cardstock: Rasberry Tart DP, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Kiwi Kiss, White

Accessories: Photo corner punch, ribbon, rhinestones, glitter, glue pen, aqua painter with ink pads, rub-on, sponging, mat pack


So there's my creation for this challenge. I got in on time with this one, as Convention is coming up fast and I want to be organised before I leave. I'm really looking forward to going, seeing what it's all about, learn some new things and put faces to names. It will be so much fun. I have hubby looking after the three older boys and my mum is having baby Caden. So I'm very thankful that I have the opportunity to go this year. I can't wait to share the excitement of it all.

Blog award.

Over the last year or so, I've received numerous blog awards of different kinds, but I haven't usually honoured them on my blog. I'm never really quite sure what to think of them, but always quite pleased that people think my blog is inspiring.
Yesterday, I received this blog award from Liam. Isn't it just the cutest. Liam is a wonderful stamper and loves sharing her creations and tutorials. Thanks for this award Liam.
I really love the title of this award: Your blog makes us smile. There are lots of people who inspire me and make me smile when I see their creations. And I think that's what it's all about - creating makes me smile so if people smile when they see my blog, I'm happy!!
It's hard to choose just five blogs, as there are so many wonderful and clever ladies out there. I read lots of different blogs everyday, from stamping to photography to friends. They all inspire me in many ways.
So I dedicate this post to all of them. Thanks for making me smile today and everyday.

Magnolia Down Under Challenge #7

The Magnolia Challenge for this week was: Sepia. Certainly a different kind of challenge, but it was fun and I'm happy with my creations. Here is my Tilda in shades of brown and yellow!
I've started off with a base card in Choc Chip, then layered with some Designer paper and some Caramel, which I've paper pierced.
I've coloured in Tilda with my aqua painter and ink pads and also sponged around the edges of the cardstock. Then I've layered it onto some Choc Chip to which I've scallop edged one side. I've tied some tafetta ribbon around this peice and used my NEW heart punch from Stampin'Up with the same Designer paper.
The sentiment is from Best Yet (Level 1 Hostess set) - which is becoming a favourite set of mine. I love all the sentiments in this one!!
Thanks for the challenge girls!!

Products used:
Stamp sets: Magnolia Stamps, Best Yet (Hostess set Level 1)
Cardstock: Choc Chip Creamy Caramel, White, Designer paper (retired)
Ink: Choc Chip
Accessories: Mat pack, Heart punch, Aqua painter & ink pads, tafetta ribbons, dimensionals, Scallop edged punch

A kind word - stamp set

Anyone that knows me well enough would know that I enjoy line image stamps that need to be coloured. When I saw this set in the new catalogue, it was high on my wish list. It's called A Kind Word and is a very sweet set. I've made two cards and used the Sweet Always Designer Paper.
With this card, I've stamped the image onto watercolour paper and then also again onto the orange flowered designer paper and cut out part of the dress. The rest of the image has been coloured in with ink and the aqua painter.
I've done some sewing on this card; it's coming along much better and I really love adding it to my cards.

This second card uses the same image and I've watercoloured the whole image with my ink pads and aqua painter. The 'wish' phrase stamp comes from Life's Definitions. And I've finished off the card with some lovely new striped ribbon in Pink Pirouette

So another few sample cards that I can display. Off to create some more.

Mojo Monday - Week 82

I took a peek at the sketch challenge for Mojo Monday and really loved this layout. Thought it would be great to use with one of my new stamps. So here is the sketch and you can check out the details here
And this is my card for the sketch. I've used Pocket Silhouttes and the Urban Oasis DP for the background.
I've started off with a base card in Kraft, then a layer of Whisper White, then the DP. These two peices have been scallop edged with the punch. I've stamped the images in Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy ink, over-lapping a little. Then I've added some Kraft tafetta ribbon with a Designer Brad. The sentiment is from the same stamp set.

Products used:

Stamp set: Pocket Silhouttes

Cardstock: Kraft, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, DP Urban Oasis

Ink: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Tafetta ribbon, Scallop edge punch, Designer brad, Cutter kit for distressing edges

New stamp fun!!

Since last Thursday, I've had my sister Aimee staying here with me. It's been lots of fun and she's been sharing her photography tips with me, while I've been giving her some Stampin'Up fun!! Yesterday, my box of goodies arrived, with new stamps, papers and accessories. I'm so pleased that most stamp sets are now die-cut, which means less time assembling and more time to stamp. I was quite modest with my order, as I didn't want to be overwhealmed by too many gorgeous products. I picked out just a few stamps that I really love with some Designer paper to compliment, some ribbons and brads. So here are a couple of cards I made last night!!

I've used Fifth Avenue Floral and the co-ordinating Designer Paper Urban Oasis. These colours are just stunning together and right now, I think it's my favourite colour combo: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Kraft & Basic Black. In the catalogue, you will notice that each Designer paper is listed with the co-ordinating colours - a very helpful tool.
I've used some new ribbon in Kiwi Kiss and a designer brad called Flower.
I recently just purchased a small sewing machine, for the purpose of using on my cards, so I've used it a little on this first card. I do need a little more practice, but I really love the 'handmade' look it gives to the cards. So you will be seeing more of that soon!!

I'll be back with some more soon!

Stamps & Smiles Sketch Challenge #9

Each Thursday, Stamps & Smiles has a new sketch challenge which you can see here
Here is this weeks sketch.
And here is what I've come up with. I've used my gorgeous Magnolia Stamps AGAIN. I think I'm slightly addicted to them!! It has something to do with the colouring in of the image - it's very enjoyable and relaxing and I love it alot.
BUT...... my new Stampin'Up goodies are on there way, so it won't be long before I'm showing you heaps of new Stampin'Up creations. Can't wait!!

I've used some Designer Paper from Spring Fling - I love the colours in this pack. Hence I've gone with Sage Shadow, Regal Rose & So Saffron. A very girly card!! I've coloured in Tilda with my aqua painter and ink pads and blinged up the card with some small pink rhinestones, grosgrain ribbon and also the thank you sentiment, which is from Seeing Spots.

Products Used:

Stamps: Magnolia Stamps, Seeing Spots (Stampin'Up)

Cardstock: Sage Shadow, Regal Rose, So Saffron, DP Spring Fling

Ink: Regal Rose, So Saffron

Accessories: Wide grosgain ribbon - Regal Rose, Circle punches, Aqua painter, ink pads, pink rhinestones

Inkspiration - Inspiration Challenge #6

I looked at this challenge from Makeesha quite a few times, before I decided to give to a go. Quite a challenge; but a good one!! So here is what we had to work with.

I kept with the 'cup of soup' theme and used a new set Hand Drawn - Level 3 Hostess set. This set has the cutest little hand drawn cup, which I thought would be perfect for this card.
I've used Choc Chip for the base card and layered this with a peice of DP from the same set - Hand Drawn. Then I've added a strip of Choc Chip, to which I've added some wide choc chip ribbon and tied off with some twine.
For the main image, I've stamped the little cups by using the masking technique, added some colour and also glossed up the cups with Crystal Effects.
I've completed the card with paper piercing, brads and a rub-on 'thank you' sentiment from the same set.
So that's my creation for this inspiration challenge. Even though it took some time for me to think of an idea for a card, I'm glad I managed to get this one done. Thanks Keesh!

Products used:

Stamp set: Hand drawn bundle - hostess set level 3

Cardstock: Choc chip, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Designer paper

Ink: Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Crystal Effects, Mat Pack, Aqua painter, Cutter kit (distresser), Ribbon, Twine, Brads

Fresh Cuts

I've made a card today with the Fresh Cuts stamp set and used the Popin' Pastels technique. This is lots of fun and it's always a surprise as to how the final look will be.
So to do this technique: ink up your stamp in the Versamark ink, which is a clear sticky ink. Here I've stamped onto Whisper White cardstock. Then with my Stampin' Pastels and sponge daubers, I've applied colour to the image. I used Old Olive, More Mustard and Ruby Red.
I think this technique is perfect for this stamp and it creates a whole new look for this image.

I've kept the card simple, as I wanted to have the effect of the Popin Pastels. The other accessories are: Wide grosgrain ribbon in Old Olive, brads and some paper piercing.

This is another wonderful set from the new catalogue. I'll be back soon with more 'new' creations with my 'new stamps'. Enjoy your day and happy stampin'

Magnolia Stamp creation

My new Magnolia Stamps arrived the other day. I purchased them from Bizzy Bec's and she had kindly included some pre-stamped images for me to use as well. So I have lots to work with. These Tilda images are just adorable and I'm having a great time colouring them in!!

I have started off with a base card in Riding Hood Red, then added a strip of cardstock from the Hand Drawn Bundle. I've coloured in Tilda with my ink pads and aqua painter. I found the white cardstock that Rebecca has used to stamp up the images, is perfect for watercolouring. The ink does not soak into the paper to quickly, but allows you time to work with the colour. I was very pleased with the result and was a nice change to the watercolour paper I usually work with!
Once the colouring was complete, I layered the white onto some Baja Breeze. I used the small window punch, so I could feed the ribbon thru and tie off. Then I've added some brads and the sentiments are from the stamp set Always.

All images © Magnolia Stamps 2009

Another Magnolia creation. I've just checked out this weeks challenge at Magnolia Down Under Challenges and the theme is babies. So that's cute and I hope to be able to show you something for that very soon.

Hand Drawn Bundle

As part of my demonstrator only pre-order, I chose a Level 3 Hostess set - Hand Drawn Bundle. It very cute; I love the designer paper and the rub-ons.
I made up a couple of cards to show you haw quick and easy it is, using designer paper, rub-ons and a few stamped images.
The cardstock colours are: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze, which co-ordinate perfectly with the designer paper in this pack. The sentiments are rub-on's - don't you just love the font!! And I've also stamped up some of the images - there is four in this set and they are simple hand drawn line images - hence the name - Hand Drawn.
I've used some grosgrain ribbon and paper-piercing to complete the cards.
Super quick and super fun!!

All images © Stampin'Up 10990-2009

Just a little hello.....

Yes, I'm still around. Just super busy with life in general. But it's all good!! I hope to have some time next week to do some stamping, especially with new stamps from the new catalogue. You may have noticed, I've put a link to the new catalogue which you can view online. Otherwise, if you would love to have your own copy, send me an email so I can arrange to get one to you! It's just gorgeous.

I also have a new blog banner, designed by Beth at Freckled and Fun. It's simple and sweet, just how I wanted it to be.

You all enjoy your weekend and I will be back very soon.