Sweet Sunday Sketch #28

Hi, I wasn't going to post this until tomorrow, but then I realised I'd have to post it now if I wanted to enter it into the challenge. Figure I'll forget to do that if I wait until after work in the morning.

I've been inspired, by all the lovely cards that Sarah-Jane makes, to have a go at a Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, designed by Karen Giron.

This is the sketch,

Here is my card, sorry about the poor photo quality.

I've turned the sketch on its side as the distressed flowers seemed to work better that way. I've seen flowers similar to this on a lot of blogs, usually made with circles. I took the idea for using punched flowers from the tutorial on Dawn McVey's blog. You

might have noticed that I'm also loving SU's Build-a-brads. You can take any small image and make it into a brad. Send me an email (see box at right) if you are interested in more info about these. The background and stripe are pieces from the Bella Rose DSP, fell in love with this pack as soon as I saw it.

Anyway, I better keep moving. Thanks for visiting.

Cheers, xox

Recipe:

Stamps: Dreams du Jour, Priceless (on flowers)

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White CS

, Bella Rose DSP

Ink: Basic Black,Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: Flower Punches (non-SU), Button Bouquet, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Twine, Build-a-brad, 1.3 cm circle punch, dimensionals.

More kids cards

A big thank you to everyone who left/sent lovely comments and birthday wishes yesterday, it really made my day. I started with a bit of a sleep-in, made the most of the gorgeous weather by washing two sets of sheets (doesn't sound like fun, I know, but it is very satisfying), I met my good friend Ang, & her 2 delightful kids, for lunch down at Warners Bay and then went shopping. I was even good and only bought stuff for my niece & nephews (am on a 'paying my credit card down to $0' campaign), but I so enjoy buying stuff for them that it was good fun.

I then raced home, chatted to another good friend (did so while making my bed, bent down to pick sheet up and bashed head into dresser. It left a lump & bled a little, owwww). The night was then topped off by visiting my best friends Ian & Joy. Joy is a brilliant cook, she made me lamb roast (done on the barbie) with all the trimmings and a beautiful butterscotch pudding, from scratch, with caramel icecream & whipped cream. I stuffed myself, it was all so yummo. We finished off by playing the DVD game of 'Who wants to be a Millionaire'. We laughed so much.

Anyway, on to some more cards. Thought I'd show you some cards for girls/tweens. I CASEd both of these. Case-ing (Copy and Selectively Edit) is a great way to get ideas when you first start out. Then playing in challenges is a good way to expand your creativity. I am pretty much unable to just stare at a stamp set & come up with ideas, sadly.

This first one is for Lucy, she turns 11 next month. I saw the original here. I really liked the idea of making the flowers sparkle, although, even with using my Stamp-a-ma jig, I still didn't quite match the versamark ink with the flowers. Still, I'm sure Lucy won't mind. I also left off raising the centres of the flowers

I made the second card for Lucy's big sister Charlotte, who turned 13 in June. Their Mum is one of my best friends, we met in 1992 when we both did a course called a DTS in Christian organisation called YWAM. That is a story in itself that I'll keep for another day. This card was also CASEd from this card on Splitcoast. Splitcoast Stampers are such a fantastic source of inspiration. My head nearly exploded when I first visited their site.

Well that's it for now (thank goodness, you're probably saying). Think I should get my Wii Fit out & do some exercise, or go for a walk in the beautiful sunshine.

Have a great day, xox

Recipe (Lucy)

Stamps: Cheep Talk, Great Friend

Paper: Almost Amethyst, Whisper White CS, Regal Rose DSP (hostess gift)

Ink: Almost Amethyst, Regal Rose, certainly Celery, Versamark

Accessories: Heat n Stick powder, Dazzling Diamonds, oval & scallop oval punches, Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon

Recipe (Charlotte):

Stamps: Party Hearty, Whimsical Numbers (ret), In the Stars

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Whisper White CS, Washington Apple DSP

Ink: Riding Hood Red, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, White (non SU)

Accessories: Heat n Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds, Circle, Scallop Circle and Eyelet Border Punches, Dimensionals

Another year older...

Happy birthday to me. Looking forward to a relaxing day with friends, food & maybe a wee bit of shopping, bliss.

Inspiration Challenge: Take 2.

I've had another play with the Inspiration Challenge I showed you in the previous post. I've been wanting to play with my Circle Circus stamp set but haven't known quite what to do. I'm not sure why this sketch brought that set to mind, it doesn't exactly scream out 'circles'!

Might go & veg in front of the 'box' for a while with a cuppa. Thanks Keesh for another challenging challenge. You do like to test the old brain cells.

Til next time, take care, xox

Recipe -

Stamps: Circle Circus

Ink: Taken with Teal, So Saffron, Basic Grey, Tempting Turquoise

Paper: Basic Grey, Taken with Teal, Basic Black & Whisper White CS

Accessories: Build-a-Brad, Button Latte, Twine, Non-SU ribbon (Big W)

Keesh's Inspiration Challenge #10

Its time for another challenge by Makeesha, the inspiration pic is below.

I figured it is almost time to start making Father's Day cards, and the pic seemed quite masculine. However it didn't turn out quite as well as I'd imagined, I think these images are better left uncoloured. This is the first time I've inked up this set, new to this year's catalogue. It is fabulous for men's cards. Each image has a sentiment attached but it is easy enough to leave the sentiment un-inked as I have done here.

I'm hoping to have time to another go at this challenge, I have a bit of an idea in my head, just not sure how it will go on paper.

Also, I had a lovely lunch with my family and was well spoiled, receiving a handbag and card holder (I think I have a loyalty card for half the shop in Westfield), lovely candle holder and yummy chocs from Mum & Dad, & a gorgeous scarf in mauves/blues (my colours) & Maeve Binchy novel from my Aunt, What a spoilt girl.

Thanks for looking, hope to get the other card done (if I can get brain working).

Cheers, xox

Recipe:

Stamps: Totally Tool, Occasional Greetings

Paper: Basic Grey, Taken with Teal, Basic Black, Whisper White CS, Windsor Knot DSP

Ink: Basic Grey, Basic Black Ink, Markers

Accessories: Jumbo Eyelets, Crop-a-dile, Dimensionals

Sleeping & Shopping=Fun

How lovely to be on days off. Yesterday, after a few hours sleep, I braved the sales at Koorong & Target, starting Christmas shopping. As my brother lives in Russia, we have to get all their Christmas presents ready to post by the end of August. It does mean that December is less frantic, but it is a bit hard on them to get gift ideas now knowing they won't see them for 5 months. The biggest problem is that I can't go to Koorong (large Christian bookstore) without spending more on me, so hard to resist a new book by a favourite author.

Anyway, thought I'd share this card. This is one of the few cards where i've ben really happy with my colouring. I made it for my mate Wes who loves gardening. The stamp sets are now retired, unfortunately, as is the DSP. Really, I suppose showing it is a bit of a mute point ;-), but I still like it. It was in one of the mini cats last year. It was inspired by this card on Splitcoast.

Well I hope you have a great day, though it looks rather grey & dreary here today. I am meeting Mum, Dad & my Aunt Helen (known to us as Midge) for a combined birthday lunch, yummo.

Catch you soon, xox

Recipe:

tamps: For Father (ret) , Party Punch (ret)

Paper: Sage Shadow , Really Rust , DSP Outlaw (ret)

Ink: Stazon , Really rust

Yay for days off!

Just need to say....YIPPEE, I'm on days off! Hope to get some cards done. Off to have a nap in my nice warm bed, it is a bit chilly this morning, xox

Mum's Birthday Project

Mum and Dad recently moved house, downsizing. They only moved about 10 blocks, which is great, as they live in a lovely area of Newcastle. They don't need a big house as I live on my own & my brother and his family are living in Russia (see webpage link to House of Grace & Hope for more info). I thought Mum might like a combo of family pics and some artwork for her new walls. So, based on a kit I bought from the creative Claire Daily, I made this. Mum was very happy with it (of course, the faces aren't all blurred in reality, LOL). I have used the DSP that is available in the new Spring Mini Catalogue, which will be released on August 1st. I had to have the corduroy button/brads too, love them.

hope you like it & thanks for calling in, xox

Recipe:

Stamps: Friends 24-7, Baroque Motifs

Paper: parisian Breeze DSP, Chocolate Chip & Baja Breeze CS

Ink: Chocolate Chip & Baja Breeze

Accessories: On Board Lots of Letters, Cord buttons, Grosgrain ribbon, sticky strip, acrylic paint

Another Rocket card

I had a great night last night, not busy at all. I had a couple come in and I delivered their baby. As it happens, I also delivered the first 2 children of the husband's brother. How cool is that??? The only thing is, those 2 kids are now 10 & 8, talk about making me feel old!!!

I found this card when I was looking through my pics folder. I made this for another good friend's little boy. When all your friends seem to have children in lots of 3 and 4 it gives a lot of card making ops. I was really happy with how this one turned out. I think my friend (the woman who hosted the first SU workshop I ever went to) appreciated it more than her son, although seeing her make cards has inspired her boys to like handmade goodies.

Have a great day, xox

Recipe:

Stamps: Pun Fun, Star wheel, On Your Birthday

Paper: Night of Navy & Brushed Silver CS

Ink: Basic Black, non-SU silver, Bold Brights markers

Accessories: Small Star punch, On Board Lots of Letters, Heat & Stick powder, Dazzling Diamonds

Using Pun Fun is a Blast

Just a quick post, just got home from work. Not too bad a night, thankfully. A workmate who is English returned to England to have her third child in January. She called us last night for a chat, so nice to catch up, and what a lovely unexpected surprise at 2 am.

I'm sure you're here to see a card & not read my post 'awake all night' ravings. I made this for a friend's little boy, CASED from this card by Jayne Mercer. Apologies if anyone has seen it on Splitcoast. I love this rocket ship, it was this and the cup stamps that really sold me on the set. It goes so well with the 'Classic Stars' wheel and cut outs made using the star punches. Great for little boys.

Well, I hope you have a great day while I'm snoring away,

Cheers, xox

Recipe:

Stamps: Pun Fun, Classic Stars Jumbo wheel

Paper: Green Galore, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Only Orange, Yoyo Yellow &, non-SU white CS

Ink: Basic Black, Marker pens, non-SU white, Riding-Hood Red

Accessories: Chipboard number, star punches

Two Challenges in One

I can assure you that posting twice in one day is not going to be a regular occurrence. I just wanted to share the card I made today. I used Makeesha's colour challenge

and the Mojo Monday sketch for my inspiration.
I can't say that I'm very happy with it, but I had a go. My photography is not the greatest, my background consisting of two pieces of card laid out on my outside table.
Well, I better go & think about lunch & catching some zzzz before work tonight. I hope its not crazy busy like it has been. There can't be many more babies still to be born in the area. I'd at least like to be able to fit a cuppa into the 10 hours.

Have a great day. Thanks for stopping by, xox

Card Recipe -

Stamps: Bloomin' with Beauty, Baroque Motifs, Best Yet

Paper: Rose Red Patterns DSP (retired), very Vanilla, Mellow Moss & Always Artichoke CS

Ink: mellow Moss, Rose Red Ink, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Rose Red markers

Accessories: Rose Red Ribbon, Build-a-Brad, Curly Label Punch, Nestabilities, Dimensionals, Aqua painter

Farewell Masterchef

Well, what will I watch now? MC was great because I could record it & then watch it while I ate my dinner before work. Must admit it was sometimes a bit disheartening to watch all that amazing food being cooked while I was eating re-heated left-over casserole.

One night I ate a bowl of lovely potato & leek soup & found myself saying, a la Matt Preston, 'If this was served up to me in a restaurant, i would be very happy". Living alone & eating 'meals for one' does bring out the crazies. My good friends, Ian & Joy, invited me over for dinner & to watch the finals. Great fun night. Joy made a luscious Blueberry Yoghurt Crumble cake, of which I promptly stole the recipe. All my best recipes are flogged from my mates. She also made a nice japanese chicken dish, which had a "nice acidity to it" I told her. One of my work mates said she doesn't 'dish up' her meals anymore, she 'plates them up'. Maybe its a good thing that this show is finished...

Thought I'd share a card I made recently for a friend's birthday. It is CASED from this card by the talented Yvonne Campbell. Hated this stamp set when I first started to see it on Splitcoast Stampers but having seen it on so many lovely cards, i now really like it.

Thanks for visiting xox

The Recipe

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Best Yet

Paper: Rose Red & Kiwi Kiss Card Stock (CS) and Bella Rose Designer Series Paper (DSP)

Ink: Rose Red & Kiwi Kiss markers, Rose Red ink

Accessories: Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla ribbon, 'Button Bouquet' buttons, Fine Supernova Glitter, 2-way glue pen

Welcome!

Welcome to my little spot on the world wide web. I hope to share some cardmaking and stamping as well as general, possibly inane, chitchat about whatever enters my head at the time. I look forward to meeting you here.

This is the card I made my Mum for Mother's day. I think it was more 'me' than her, but she's a wonderful Mum and always appreciative.

Thanks for visiting xox

Recipe

Stamps: - Bloomin Beautiful & Tres Chic Background

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette & Rose Red Card Stock, Watercolour Paper

Ink: Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Grey Inks, Black Stazon Ink.

Accessories: Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Aquapainter, 2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter.