Belated Merry Christmas!!

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas yesterday and that today can be a relaxing day to recover. Thank you for calling in over the last few months and for your your encouraging comments They really make my day.

I had a lovely Christmas. I worked night duty Christmas Eve and we were blessed with a quiet shift. We all brought in nibblies and sat around chatting, a very rare pleasure. I went home for a few hours nap and then Mum & Dad came over so we could exchange our gifts before moving into my cousin's place for a late lunch. It was a very nice, relaxing day. I have also indulged in a big sleep in this morning (after all, I did only have 2.5 hrs sleep yesterday).

I received some lovely gifts, but was very spoilt just a day before Christmas with a special package from the lovely, and very talented, Lee-Anne Barry. Not only did she allow me to put an order in with her order for a stamp set from a US company, saving me over $20.00 in postage, but when she sent it to me, she included not only a lovely pack of buttons, but, even better, a gorgeous card and box she had made (filled with choccies too, yum). How very spoilt do I feel.

Aren't they just amazing? Lee-Anne, sending you a huge THANK YOU & a big hug for being so incredibly thoughtful & generous.

I better go and have some lunch (brunch??).

Have a great day,

Love Fi xox

Sale time!

Starting tomorrow (15/12) Stampin' Up! are having an amazing sale. There are some fab stamp sets and accessories/embellishments available at great prices plus there are three of the alphabet stamps on sale for half price. What a bargain. Click here for a link to the list. Items only available while stocks last so get in quick.

Cheers,

Fi xox

CASEing Marelle's Gumball Card

Hi Guys,

Another quick post. I went to my cousin's son's (hi Zachary) 5th birthday dinner the other night & after seeing this card by Marelle (its the 3rd card down, amazing!!!) I couldn't rest til I'd had a go at making one for Zach. I had to quickly make it before work so it is not as good as I would've liked, and next time I would use brighter colours. However Marelle's idea of placing a sliding panel behind the cup so the treats could be accessed is pure genius! Zach was suitably impressed and my workmates all want me to make them for their kid's b'days next year. Looks like I better stock up on those cups, LOL.

Here's a pic of the inside. The hole where the lollies come out is shown on the left & I liked Marelle's idea of putting a pic behind the cup (when the card is closed) so there is something to look at when the lollies are gone. One work mate liked it so much I raced home & made one before I went to bed the next morning so she could have it for her Grandson's b'day the following day.

Must go & get ready for work again. it does get in the way of my crafting LOL. Must take a pic of the earring I made, they have been selling like hotcakes at work!

Have a great weekend,

Love Fi xox

Keesh's Inspiration Challenge #16

A super quick post as have to head to work. Here is my entry in Keesh's latest challenge. I will have to come back with details later. I don't love it but it is better than my first attempt (recycle bin...). It is mostly 'Bold Brights' colours with the 'Crazy for Cupcakes' stamp. All is SU except for the ribbon.

Must run, catch you soon,

Cheers,

Fi xox

New Summer Mini Catalogue

The brand new Summer Mini starts today. Click on the pic in the sidebar to view the catalogue on-line. There are some cute stamp sets and fabulous accessories. Email me (see link at right) if you'd like a catty mailed to you.

Cheers,

Fi xox

A card for Lachlan

My friends & rellies' kids keep having birthdays, & no respite for the rest of the month either. Still, gives me a reason to make something other than Christmas cards. My friend Jenny's youngest turns 4 tomorrow (&, as usual, am running late, sorry Lachlan). I had planned on making a train card with the Choo Choo set (in the now-finished Spring Mini, I hope it makes it into next years big catty) but I had 'Madagascar' (the movie) paper so then thought about using 'Wild about you'. I saw this card on Splitcoast & problem solved.

I actually took the time to cut out the train parts & the animals & raise them up on dimensionals. The card base (SU Greeting Card) was sponged in Kiwi Kiss & Ballet Blue inks, I made the clouds by masking the sky with a post it note punched with the scallop circle. I used the 'Right on Track' wheel, also now unavailable. The '4' is from Whimsical Numbers (ret). Sorry to use so much unavailable product but I do keep all the sets I love, whether retired or not, to use for my own projects. I really hope Lachlan likes it.

The new Summer Mini goes on-line today. I've just ordered some Sweet Treat Cups & the matching stamp set as i realised, after seeing a fantastic card on Marelle's blog, that it would make great cards for my cousin's sons birthdays (yes, two in December!!). Will post a pic after I make the cards.

I can't believe how cool it is today (though I am rather thankful for it) but I do predict a spate of upcoming arctic conditions as I am getting an air conditioner installed in my bedroom tomorrow LOL. No more trying to sleep through 40 degree days, yeah!

I hope you have a great week. I better go & make some soap or body butter, the work girls are putting in their request.

Catch you soon,

Fi xox

Keesh Sketch Challenge #16

Finally, I've been able to have a go at one of Keesh's challenges. I have missed at least the last two. This one is a really nice sketch, so of course, I had to have two attempts, LOL.

The first time I saw the sketch I thought of a silhouette of butterflies in front of a sun or moon. I decided to try my brayer again. I need quite a bit more practice at getting more of a gradation in the colours but thought it was not too bad for being only the 2nd time my brayer has seen ink.

I didn't exactly stick to the sketch as it didn't look right to put a strip of anything across under the circle, so I used the grass stamp from 'Inspired by Nature' instead. The butterflies are from 'Dreams du Jour' & 'Inspired by Nature' (ret). I used 'Summer Sun', 'Tangerine Tango', 'Rose Red' and 'So saffron' inks for the background. The grass & butterflies are 'Chocolate Chip' with the butterflies also stamped in Versamark & clear embossed. The paper is Glossy White & Chocolate Chip CS.

Another friend's child is having a birthday (and there are still 4 December birthdays yet!!!) so I decided to use this sketch again.

I had already thought of using the 'Sticky Cuts' 9 with blue 'Supernova' glitter, so I just incorporated that idea into the sketch (thanks to Sarah-Jane as I think your card must have inspired me to think of using the 'Party Hearty' hats). The glitter worked so well with the sticky cuts number, easier than using glue. i did, however, give the paper (retired SU DSP) a good rub over with my 'Embossing Buddy' first as I have a tendency to end up with glitter stuck to the paper as well as to the stamped image/sticky cut. The CS is 'Green Galore' (a rarity, I hardly ever use it), "Pumpkin Pie' & 'Pacific Point', & I used my 'Pacific Point' ink pad plus markers in 'G.G', 'Pump. Pie', and 'Real Red' for the hats. I cut one out & stuck it near the top using scraps of Dimensionals. I hope Jesse likes it.

That's it for tonight. Better go get some sleep as I *sob* have to go back to work tomorrow night after 3 glorious weeks of holidays. I hope the women are kind & ease me back in gently, though storms and rain usually means 'broken waters' and lots of women labouring. Something to do with the change in barometric pressure....

Have a great week, will try & get back soon with pics of some of the gorgeous swaps I received at Regionals.

Cheers,

Fi xox

Been a while..

Wow, it's been a week since I was on here, and what a week it has been. Mum & I went to Sydney to see 'Mama Mia'. What a fantastic show, talk about 'feel good'. makes you want to get up & become the 'Dancing Queen'. I saw it on Broadway about 4.5 years ago & the Aussie production is as good, if not better. I also went to stay in Sydney for a few days. My main reason for going was to attend the NSW "Stampin' Up!" Regionals but I decided to go a few days early & have a mini holiday. Was fun playing tourist and just wandering around to see the sights. The Regionals were great fun too, but that deserves a post all itself. I got some great swaps which I'll have to share.

Anyway, "where are the cards", I hear you asking. I thought I'd pop up a few more of my Christmas cards. Finally finished stamping sentiments in them tonight. Another stamp set that caught my eye in this years IB&C was "Christ is born'. I really love the script, & the message. I CASE'd a few cards using this set, here are two of my favs:

I CASEd this one from 'mikate' on Splitcoast.

I really like the 'rock 'n roll ' technique on the poinsettia. The DSP is from my fav 'Ski Slope' and the inks are 'Baja Breeze' & 'Real Red'. This is a simple card to make , though I did use my 'Stamp-a-ma-jig'. I've used it more in this last month than ever. It is such a fab tool. An aside, I had to laugh when at Regionals I noticed them talking about 'Ba-ha Breeze', I have been calling it 'Baja' pronounced with a 'J' since April! Rather embarrassing to realise I had it wrong all this time (blush).

This next one comes from this site, made by the talented Tammi.

I actually tracked to her tutorial after seeing the card on Splitcoast. I thought it was so elegant. Tammi uses 'Bravo Burgundy' but I have a fondness for 'Riding Hood Red' so used that instead. First you stamp the poinsettia onto 'Very Vanilla' CS. Then take Vellum CS & stamp the "Christ is born' sentiment in Versamark & emboss with gold embossing powder. Attach the vellum CS to the 'V.V' with a strip of Snail, which is covered by ribbon. I used the 'RHR' ribbon from the 'Dress Up' Ribbon Originals pack. It has a lovely texture. Finally adhere it all to a piece of 'RHR' CS, leaving a fine border. I added some pale gold ribbon, source unknown. I was really pleased with these.

I'm going to try & do a post for Keesh's latest challenge now. I hope to 'see' you then,

Cheers,

Fi xox

Christmas cards bonanza.

Hi Guys,

I've gone crazy making Christmas cards this last week. The Dining Room table is still a disaster but I have two friends coming over for tea & games or craft, so will have to go & tidy it up soon :-(

I have used a selection of Christmas stamps & papers but I must say that the "Tree Trimming" stamp set & the 'Ski Slope' DSP seem to have been used the most. I love the colours in the 'Ski Slope' range, although I kept wishing it was 'Riding Hood Red' & not "Real Red' as I have much more RHR CS.

I'll show some cards using these today.

This one was CASEd (of course) from this card on Splitcoast. Instead of the ribbon, I added some 'Ski Slope' DSP. The greeting is from 'Occasional Greetings'. making these cards has made me appreciate my 'Stamp-a-ma-jig' even more. It really is an indispensable tool. The CS is 'Old Olive', "Real Red' & 'Whisper White'. I used inks in those colours plus 'Baja Breeze' & 'Gold Encore'. The 'Scallop' punch is so handy to make a pretty edge.

Here is one in purples. I love purples, mauve's & blues with silver. These are the colours of my Christmas Tree decos (no, my tree is not up yet, I'm not quite ready for that LOL). Instead of using DSP, I stamped the smallest snowflake from the 'Snow swirled' set in 'Silver Encore' & 'Elegant Eggplant' on 'Almost Amethyst' CS. The baubles are stamped in 'E.E', 'A.A" & 'Pale plum'. I was really happy with how these turned out.

Another one using 'Tree Trimming' & 'Ski Slope' was this one that I CASEd from Jayne Mercer (only I was too lazy to cut the front image out like she did). Quietly, I had to make a few changes cause I forgot to stick the ribbon on before I stuck the card front on (sssh, our secret..). The ribbon is Baja Breeze & the sentiment is from the 'Snow Swirled' set, another favourite.

That's probably enough for today, its been a long one. I think you deserve a coffee (mmm, might go & have a cup of tea before I get the washing in).

Catch you later, TFL,

Fi xox

Finished candles..

Just a quick post, before I do some card posts ("about time", I hear you say), to show the finished candles. The soy ones don't look as interesting as some of the pillar candles I've made in the past but they do look lovely IRL & smell divine.

Here are some past candles. The textured crystally one is palm wax, the striped ones are paraffin. The palm & soy are natural, burn more cleanly & are easy to clean up. Paraffin is better for making smooth candles or layering.

Have a great day. Hope you're not too hot (I'm in the aircon, but I was cleaning & cooking...),

Cheers,

Fi xox

Candle making...

Thought I'd take a little detour and show some pics of the process involved in making soy candles. I like making them but haven't done so in quite a while. I must have melted close to 7kg of wax on Thursday. It take a lot of wax to make candles, close to 200gm for a medium size. These are scented in a variety of scents but I haven't coloured them. Firstly soy wax can react strangely to colour and most people seem to like the simple, more elegant, look of the natural wax colour.

First, wick all the washed jars. The wicks are stuck to the jars with little circles much like 'Dimensionals".

Melt the wax. I used to do in jugs over water but this method is easier for lots of wax, its just a deep fryer with the basket removed.

You then scent the wax and pour it into the jars. It should be at about 58 degrees. I have wick centring tools which I use to keep my wick from falling over - the simplest & most effective way to do so. These are like the 'Stamp-a-majig' of the candle world.

Not a great pic, sorry. Next step, remove the wick-centring do-dad, trim the wick & pop on the lid. Will provide a pick of a finished candle when I've done these last steps. The room smells good though sometimes if I'm playing with lots of fragrances I need an anti-histamine. There is one fragrance I can never use again, it made my nose clog, my eyes itch, sneezing, the lot.

My stamping stuff used to be kept in this room too (it is 2/3 of my garage converted to a craft room, complete with bench, cupboards, sink & dishwasher) until I made over half my study (see this post for details). The wax & body product stuff was crowding out the stamping, & vice versa. Became impossible to do anything. Now it works much better all round.

Thanks for visiting, hopefully there'll be card pics tomorrow,

Fi xox

Come back soon...

Just a quick note to say I hope to take some pics of the Chrissy cards I've been madly making the last few days. My cousin, Jordan, came over yesterday, she is the embossing queen. My heat gun had a great workout. As I hadn't put all the stuff away I decided to have more of a play today. Lets just say the dining room is a sea of paper, stamps & glitter. I also made a whole bunch of soy wax candles yesterday & some swarovski Christmas tree earrings. These were a real hit at work last year & orders are already coming in for this year. My fellow staff enjoy my 'shop' that I bring in every Christmas. Hope they're looking to buy up big again this year!

Better run & get to stamping. Hopefully some pics will be up by tomorrow.

ETA: Thought I'd show a pic of my formerly tidy Dining Room & a stack of my cards.

Cheers,

Fi xox

Watering Can

I first saw this on Jayne Mercer's blog when she held her 'Girl's Night In' cyberstamp challenge. It is from a tutorial on Splitcoast which you'll find here. I haven't had a chance to play til now. I think I went a bit crazy with the stamping. I used a stamp set only available in the US called "Greenhouse Garden". I added some 'Felt Fusion' flowers & a rhinestone brad. The sentiment is also from a US SU set called 'Simple Friendship' which I bought before I became a demo. I've given up on it coming here but it is a lovely set. I used the large oval & scallop oval punches.The scallop oval is in the Spring Mini & thus only available til the end of November.

Anyway, here is the pic of my little project:

Thanks for visiting. Must get on with making some Christmas cards. How did it get to be November already??? This year has just vanished (is this is a sign of getting older?).

have a great weekend,

Cheers,

Fi xox

Inspired by Fuzzy on Celebrity Masterchef

I was watching Celebrity Masterchef the other night and really liked Fuzzy's shirt. The image on her left shoulder gave me an idea for a card design (oh my goodness, I finally got a little Mojo of my own!!!)

This is the shirt. I immediately thought of 'Very Vanilla', 'Going Gray', 'Kiwi Kiss' & 'Baja Breeze' (actually its probably more 'Bashful Blue' but I love KK & 'Baja Breeze' together).

Here is the card I made:

I used the aforementioned colours and stamps from 'Friends 24-7', 'Baroque Motifs' and 'Best Yet' and the BG stamp 'Sanded' which I stamped using 'Versamark' ink for a lighter finish. I added two of the 'Kiwi Kiss Corduroy Brads', another great Spring Mini product which will only be available to the end of this month (sob).

I was pretty happy with how it turned out. For a change it actually looked rather like I'd pictured in my head.

Must run, have a fab day,

Fi xox

Elise's Wedding Pic

I got the bride's permission to post a wedding pic. Elise & Glenn looked so happy, it was a lovely day. Elise looked absolutely stunning. I love her dress, just her. The setting was beautiful, up in the vineyards of the Hunter Valley.

The chapel is on the grounds of the reception centre so very easy, no trying to find out where to go. There is a cafe and little shops there so no problem filling in time. The reception centre was just beautiful, so nicely decorated. Lots of candles. Really set the mood for a fun night.

Elise and Glenn, I wish you all the happiness in the world. Thank you for letting me share in such a beautiful day. Love ya,

Cheers,

Fi xox

Keesh Sketch Challenge #15

Hi Guys,

Sorry it's been so long between posts. The last few weeks were a bit hectic, with work, my friend's wedding and life in general. I have been making a few cards lately. I've made a start on my swaps for the NSW Regionals (can't wait for that). I will show them after the event. I made three cards for friends who had their children dedicated at Church (like a Christening only without the baptism) but was in a mad rush so didn't take any pics. They were based on theseone's. I used the giraffe stamp and stuck pretty much to Simone's card for a boy, and then did the same layout but using 'Sweet Always' paper and RR & PP CS for the girls' cards.

Anyway, down to business. Keesh has given us another great sketch this week. I was so glad that I had time to play. As with Keesh's best challenges, I couldn't stop at one, LOL.

Here is the sketch:

For this first card I've used Parisian Breeze papers (I so love them and, sniff, they are only available to the end of this month) and stamps from the Simply Sent Kit 'No-one Like You'. I didn't realise that this floral image matched the Parisian Breeze papers until I saw this card by Carol Dunstan. Of course I had to have it then. I've also used the jumbo brads which are also only available to the end of November. Am going to miss the Spring Mini when its finished, has so many fabulous products.

For my 2nd attempt I used the 'Cheers to You' stamp set & the 'Sweet Always' papers. I didn't think I'd ever like this colour combo but I think Keesh won me over. Now I really like it. I used my ink pads & 'Blender Pen' to colour the image. It is a bit hard to see but I've added a little bling with some 'Rhinestone Brads' .

Thanks for visiting. I'm off to look at the other entries to the challenge. I look at the fabulous Design Team entries but no others until after I make my cards, that way I can't cheat!

I'm off to morning tea with my friend's Mum who is visiting from the USA. We have met a few times & become Facebook friends so it will be lovely to catch up. I better go get ready.

Cheers,

Fi xox

Wedding!

Yay, it is Elise's wedding tomorrow. I am so looking forward to it, seeing her all gorgeous, catching up with good friends (& hopefully not stuffing up the reading that I'm doing, a huge honour!). Today I had to go to hairdressers, paint nails, epilady & put on a bit of fake tan, all in the name of vanity, so didn't even go to bed after work today. That's one way to fit more hours into a day, I'm now at about hour 28. Also had to get a new printer & install it. Fun fun. As such, haven't had time to play with Keesh's challenge this week, and it was a beauty. Check it out here. Finished the inside of Elise's wedding card using vellum card stock (for the first time, i like it).

No piccies tonight but will put one up of the happy couple if Elise lets me.

Have a great day,

Fi xox

Wedding Card

A good friend & fellow midwife is getting married next Friday. They are having a wishing well instead of gifts so just need to put money in a card. It is a long standing joke that she loves brown mixed with either blue or pink. I was amazed that her invitations weren't pink & brown. Anyway, obviously i couldn't go past making a pink & brown card.

I've used Candy Lane paper and the Always stamp set, I love this set for weddings & engagements, The sentiment is from a set available in the US called 'Heard from the Heart'. I used Choc Chip taffeta ribbon and kaisercraft half pearls in a creamy pink. I was really happy with how it turned out. I hope Elise likes it.

I am so looking fwd to the wedding, it will be held in the lovely Hunter Valley and the weather forecast is looking promising. Might put up some pics if Elise lets me.

Have a great day,

Fi xox

Keesh Sketch 14

Keesh has given us another great sketch challenge. Will post it quickly as have to run out to take tea to my cousin's.

Here is the sketch:

And my card:

I'll be back to add details. stars are PTI 'Star Prints', everything else is SU.

Thanks for visiting, catch you tomorrow,

Fi xox

Real Quick

This needs to be quick as i want to try & get some more sleep. The wind has kept me awake, howling around all day. Will try & add details later. This is forKeesh's latest challenge.

Firstly, the inspiration pic:

And then my card. Tried a few different ideas with this on, and this ribbon arrived today, so re-made it again. Still not rapt, but time has run out. Had a bit of trouble with crystal effects running when I lifted card to place dimensionals underneath (duh, what did I think would happen???).

Must run.

TFL,

Fi xox

Beautiful Becky

I am no scrapper but I have a lovely photo of my beautiful 12 y.o niece Becky, taken by the talented photographer Ryan Ahern, that I've been wanting to scrap for a while now. When I saw SU's "Sweet Nothings" Simply Scrappin' kit I knew it would be perfect. I 'borrowed' the layout from a 'Creative paper' magazine that I've had for ages.

These SU kits, available in a variety of themes, are perfect for new scrappers. The only extras I used were 'Whimsical Alphabet" and 'Live Your Dream' stamp sets, both now retired unfortunately and the little damask image from the 'Lovely Letters Alphabet'. I used a Build-a-Brad, love those things. The flowers are made using flower punches (non-SU) and a 'Button Bouquet' button in Riding Hood red. I also used my new Photo Corners punch, think it will come in very handy.

I am pretty pleased with how it turned out, even if I do say so myself LOL. It is easy when the subject is so gorgeous! I'm thinking I might try a page of her brothers practicing in their band.

Thanks for dropping by,

Fi xox

Jake's a Rock Star!

My nephews, who are 15 & just about to turn 14, have started a metal core band. It is Jake's b'day this month so I played around making a couple of grungy rocky cards. Let me know which you like best.

The first is a CASE of a Michelle Zindorf card. Her work is simply amazing. The tutorial can be found here. I changed the colour to orange as it was, & I hope it still is, Jake's favourite colour.

I had made a first attempt at the above card & didn't like it, so i made this orange one. I was then inspired to have another go at the Zindorf which I liked better. Still, this one isn't too bad.

I had a lot of fun trying to make something fit for a 14 y.o rock star, I hope he likes it.

I'm about to do another post of a scrap page I made today so see you soon,

Fi xox

Card 1:

Stamps:- Rock Star (Inkadinkado), Baroque Motifs

Paper:- Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss
Ink:- Barely Banana, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Ruby Red, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Versamark
Accessories: Embossing Powder, Star Punch

Card 2:

Stamps:- Rock Star (Inkadinkado),

Paper:- Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
Ink:- Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Basic Black, Versamark
Accessories: Embossing Powder, Star Punch

Keesh Colour Challenge #13

I've made 2 cards again. Was going to do as 2 separate posts but I've been called in to start back at work a night early :-( so will have to do one quick post now. This is a colour challenge, Chocolate Chip (CC), Not Quite Navy (NQN), Old Olive (OO) & Very Vanilla (VV).

I was going to use some DSP from the Ski Slope pack that had a lovely pattern in Choc Chip & Old Olive, but it had a white background, not a vanilla one. This had already started me thinking 'Christmas', so I continued with the theme. I used the gorgeous new set 'Snow Swirled' and stamped the swirly tree in Old Olive & Versamark. I stamped it onto VV then covered the image with heat & stick powder & Dazzling Diamonds. Love the glittery effect. I added NQN brads as I wasn't quite sure how else to incorporate the colour. I made a trunk or pot shape out of CC DSP (from the Ski Slope pack). I added small snowflakes in CC & mounted it onto CS. I had stamped a variety of the Snow Swirled snowflakes in OO onto Old Olive CS & added a smattering of Dazzling Diamonds.

Of course I had to have another play. Couldn't get this bird, from the Friends 24-7 set, out of my head after seeing Keesh stamp it last week in virtually the same colours, it just wanted to come & get inked (1st time). I cased the card from the IB&C, otherwise known as the main catty (p81). I also used the beautiful Friendly Words jumbo wheel and paper from the Bella Blue DSP set. The button is a cute flower from the latte set. It is quite self-explanatory. I was quite pleased with how it turned out.

Sorry I've raved, typing in a hurry. must go get some shut eye before work tonight. I'm such a sucker, can never say no! Not only was I not due to go back til tomorrow night, they've asked me to start at 7 tonight & do 2 hrs overtime. The things we do to look after our women & fellow staff!

Catch you soon,

Fi xox

Sweet Sunday #36

I wanted to have a play with another sketch. A good day for it considering the dust storm we seem to be having. It feels a little eerie with the strange yellow light. Anyway, I had a go at Karen Giron's latest Sweet Sunday sketch.

Here is the sketch:

And my card:

I was going to use the Washington Apple papers but thought it would be too close to this card I made for Keesh's challenge so I changed to using papers from the Candy Lane pack. These are pretty papers, quite girly. The cute hippo is from 'Pun Fun' and the Happy Birthday stamp is a bargain 'stand alone' stamp called 'Birthday Wish', and it is so handy. I made the 'flowers' using the scallop circle punch. My colouring is not so good but it still turned out kinda cute. I used crystal effects on the little balloon & bow on the hippo stamp, just gives them a bit of definition.

Anyway, that's all for today. Must grab some lunch.

Have a great, if rather dusty, day,

Fi xox

Last go at Keesh's Sketch Challenge 13

Well I've gone a bit crazy with this sketch by the lovely Keesh. I've had a 3rd go! This is a bit different to the other 2 in that I've stamped in the 3 squares at the side instead of using DSP. I think its a bit too busy but it was fun.

I've inked up my 'Inspired by Nature' set for the 1st time. I saw so many lovely cards made by others using this set that I had to get it. I used my 'Stampin Write markers in 'Perfect Plum', 'Old Olive' & 'So Saffron'. I misted the stamp with water before stamping to give a soft mottled effect. I did the same a few more times & then punched the extra flowers out with my 1.25" punch. The little butterfly stamp is from a lovely retired set, 'Live Your Dreams'. I've used the Sanded background stamp to add a little 'something' to the background. I think I should've left off the punched butterfly. I really wanted to use a button with some twine but didn't have one in the right colour. Oh well.

That really will be it for today. Off to put bathroom back together (my life is sooo exciting LOL).

Cheers,

Love Fi xox

2nd attempt at Keesh's Challenge

I've cleaned the bathroom, vacuumed & mopped the floors so thought I deserved a bit more stamping fun. I had another play with Keesh's challenge (see post below for 1st attempt and sketch).

I decided to do a wedding card this time. I love the damask image from the 'Friends 24-7' set. I have never inked the bird image from this set as I'm not much into birds, but everyone else makes it look so good (case in point, see Keesh and Kirsty's entries for this same challenge).

Anyway, I used DSP from the pretty 'Bella Blue' range and Kraft, Very Vanilla and Not Quite Navy (NQN) cardstock (CS). I inked the damask in NQN and stamped it onto the VV CS. I added a half pearl from the pretties kit and layered it onto NQN CS. I used my Scalloped Square punch for the side pieces. I used NQN brads but I wish I'd left them off. The sentiment is from 'Occasional Greetings' and I used a smidge of Kraft taffeta ribbon for the knot.

I smudged bit of NQN (accidently) on the top of the card so I tried (not real successfully, I fear) to cover it up by sponging a bit more ink along the card edges.

Wouldn't mind re-creating this card, leaving off smudging & brads ;-)

That's all for now. have a great day,

Love Fi xox

Keesh baby card

I had a huge day yesterday. I got home, after a few dramas at work, at about 7:40, had brekky and got ready to attend church for my friends' baby dedication (like a Christening). After the service they had a lunch, where I had a lovely time catching up with friends. I got home about 3, had a cuppa & a few hours sleep, before heading out to a trivia night fundraiser at 7. I was pretty weary by the time I got home at about 10-ish. Needless to say, I didn't have a real early start this morning. I did a load of washing and then decided I could get out my stamps and have a bit of fun before tackling more housework :-)

I've had a bit of a play with Keesh's latest challenge. This one is a sketch challenge.

I like sketch challenges but it usually takes a while to come up with the rest of the ideas. I like this sketch, am hoping to have another play a bit later.

I wanted the 'Wild About You' set for ages, and then, like so many of the stamps I buy, once I got it I didn't really know what to do with it. I decided this sketch lent itself to the giraffe stamp. I then thought 'girlie baby card', and the 'Sweet Always' DSP came to mind. Here is the outcome.

I've chosen colours used in the 'Sweet Always' papers, 'Regal Rose' & 'Pumpkin Pie'. I was going to put a button in the top right corner but then remembered the cute flower brads that are available in the latest mini. One of the colours just so happens to be 'Pumpkin Pie'. I used the baby stamp from the 'Short & Sweet' set along with the 'Word Window' & 'Small Oval' punch. I used my square punches for the side shapes. I know I keep saying it, but i do love my punches.

I don't think I've ever used so much orange in a card, its not one of my fav colours, but I'm amazed by how much I like it mixed with these pinks.

Must go now & clean my bathroom, it is well overdue :-(

Thanks for dropping by,

Love Fi xox

Keesh's Inspiration Challenge #12

Well, its about time that I was on here again. I've been playing with the latest one of Keesh's challenges. This time it is an inspiration challenge taken from a linen ad or catalogue. It is bright & summery.

I made this card first but wasn't real happy with it, esp after I saw some of the others on offer. Keesh used a similar layout (I took it from the pillowcases) but hers is fabulous. I used the cog stamp from the 'Sense of Time' set for a different circular image, I thought the large cog picked up the shape from the blue pattern. I used Pacific Point, Whisper White & YoYo Yellow. I 'dyed' a Baja Breeze cord button with pacific Point ink. The sentiment also comes from the 'Sense of Time' set.

However I had to have another play.

Kirsty from Keesh's Design Team used a snowflake pattern which stuck in my head. I decided to use the snowflake stamp from 'Season of Joy' in Pacific Point & Tempting Turquoise. I had thought of using a square stamp from 'Punches Three' so the Christmas one seemed obvious. A weird colour combo for a Christmas card, but maybe rather suitable for a hot, beachy, Aussie Christmas. i think the pacific Point & Temping Turquoise punched scallop squares need something but couldn't figure out what.

That's it for now. Might have to make some more cards later. I've been awake since 4:44 am, stuffed body clock. I have to work tonight so hopefully will have a sleep later today. My big plans were to make some 'Belly Butter' (another hobby of mine is making natural body products & candles) that has been ordered by a work colleague, but I've run out of one of the ingredients. It will have to wait for my next days off.

have a great day,

Cheers,

Fi xox