My First 'Taylored Expressions' challenge

Just a quick post. I saw this sketch and thought it would be a good one to use for my friend's son's birthday (yes another one, LOL). I have never had a go at a 'Taylored Expressions' challenge before and this is #80. Its about time, I say. You can find her blog here.

I was quite happy with this card -

I've used retired SU DSP, I love the colours in it for kids. I've used the engine stamp from the 'Choo Choo' set (this is such a cute stamp set) and the matching track which is a wheel stamp. I added the 'look who's turning' stamp from the 'On Your Birthday' set. I like this stamp cause you can write in any age. I hope the style of the card prevents it from being too 'young' for a big boy of 6!

Must head,

Cheers,

Fi xox

New stamping space

In my June holidays I created a new area to to stamp in and to store my (extensive amount of) stamping supplies . I have a room that I created from part of my garage where I make body products & candles, & my stamping stuff was there too. However it was getting terribly disorganised and made it hard to actually do any of my hobbies. Also, as you would have figured out by now, I am still at the stage where I either CASE card ideas or use challenges to kick of the creative process. Thus I thought that moving my stamping stuff into my study, & near my computer, would work well.

It took about a week all up. I painted a bookcase that was in my shed and had to borrow a mate's drill as mine was too 'whoosey' to drill through the brick. i am pretty proud of the results as it is all done by 'girl power'. Here's some pics of the process:

The hardest part was drilling the holes & getting the brackets straight. Very hard for one person. They seem pretty straight if you don't look too closely (the pic makes them look even more crooked than they actually are, LOL).

I had this desk in the other room. It was a bit of a struggle to get it into the study as I have a built-in robe & a large bookcase that left a gap that was just too small. Some creative maneuvering got us there though (Mum helped me with this, thanks Mum xox!). I use the pull-out keyboard shelf to hold my paper trimmer & 'stampin-scrub'.

I already owned the rails that I've used to store the punches, I had them lying around waiting to be used in my 'factory' as Mum calls my body stuff room. I pinched them for my punches as it is such a great way to store them. I own 27 SU punches and 12 from other companies, and that doesn't include the 'crop-a-dile'. I think my punch habit is a result of too many years doing decoupage, I am now over cutting things out!

Here's the final result. It works so well. My computer desk is on the opposite wall. I think this is why I've had a go at more challenges of late. It is so much better to have the challenge on the screen while I look through my supplies, and the space makes it so easy to access supplies and create. All I need now is a brain that can come up with its own ideas, but I'm not holding my breath!

Congrats if you made it right to the end, it was a long one. Must go & have a cuppa and face the day. I am back at work tonight, thus the late start to the day.

Have a good one,

F xox

More Dad's Day Cards..

I had a bit of a card making spree last week and made a few Dad's Day cards (it is the first Sunday in September in Aus).

I totally CASEd this 'Totally Tool' card. I just loved it but I can't find the source anywhere. I have searched Splitcoast and googled. I downloaded the pic before I figured out how to save by creator's name. If anyone recognises it, please let me know. The original used 'Baja Breeze' as the co-ordinating colour. I made one with Baja & this one with "Riding Hood Red". The DSP is from the Hostess Gift pack of mixed papers, this is "Basic Gray". The background is 'Sanded' and the main image uses a retired stamp set 'For Father'. it was a lovely set, I'm not sure why it was retired.

This next one is a remake of the one I made here, which was a CASE of this one on Splitcoast. I used the 'Windsor Knot' DSP as it has quite a masculine feel. I stamped the images from the 'Totally Tool' set only I used Marker Pens so I could avoid the sentiments. This makes it even more versatile. The Father's day sentiment is from 'Occasional Greetings'. I used my much loved wide Chocolate Chip Grosgrain and two of the Jumbo Brads (from the current mini-cat). I think it is sufficiently 'blokey'.

I had some fun this week. My front door handle has been getting stiffer and hard to turn over the last few weeks and the other night it seized up altogether. It was rather annoying as the side passage of my unit is very narrow and retained down, a bit dicey at night. Anyway Mum & Dad came over yesterday and Dad, bless him, fitted a new door knob set while Mum & I wrapped Christmas & b'day gifts for my brother & his family. (To say thanks, I baked some 'date & lemon' scones. The recipe is from the Masterchef TV show and is available on their website. They are very yummy). I must say, it is fabulous to be able to use my front door again. Thanks Dad!!!

My mission for today was meant to be tidying the stamping side of my study so i better get on with it before the day is totally gone, though maybe I could just have a cuppa and a scone first...

Cheers,

Fi xox

Keesh's Inkspiration Sketch #12

This is a gorgeous sketch, must keep a copy of it as I think I'll use it again. It is another challenge from the fabulous Keesh, who sadly is hobbling around with a very sore foot. (Get better soon Keesh!!!)

Here is the sketch:

And here is my card:

I went with a Christmas theme as I have to post my brother's family's Christmas gifts this week (they live in Russia) and needed a card to include. I cracked open some new goodies for this card. I love this 'Ski Slope' paper from the Spring mini. I inked up the "Christ is Born" stamp for the first time, as I also did with the 'Tree Trimming' stamp (also from the mini, there is so much to love in this little catalogue!). I used grosgrain Riding Hood Red ribbon and the new Jumbo Brads (need I say...). The red flower and little flower stamps are from the 'Season of Joy' stamp set (this one is actually from the IB&C).

I love this colour combo of Riding Hood Red, baja Breeze, Old Olive & Choc Chip and I'm really pleased with how this card turned out.

Must run, off to work again,

Cheers,

Fi xox

Cheers to Fathers

Just a quick post. Have been making some Dad's Day cards to , hopefully, sell to the girls at work. I'll show you the first two.

This first one is a Father's day version of the b'day card I showed you here. I used the beer mug from the 'Cheers to You' set, white embossing it (which i seemed to have terrible trouble with today, ? due to the dry air). I used the now retired 'outlaw' DSP.

I was really happy with this next one. I totally CASEd it from this card on Splitcoast, only I used 'Crystal Effects' for the foam and no glitter. The Father's day sentiment is from the 'Occasional Greetings' stamp set. It is a great set with really useful sentiments. Also, I've ordered some more of this Chocolate Chip ribbon, I really like it.

I better go & get ready for work (tea is probably burning as I type, LOL).

Catch you soon,

Fi xox

Keesh and a bit of Mojo

I still haven't gone to bed. I was 'blurfing' (blog surfing) when i saw this card by Sharlene. I really liked the sketch she used, which is by the Mojo Monday crew. To celebrate their 100th challenge they are putting up a different sketch every day. Visit their blog to check it out. (Also, while we're on the subject of this Mojo sketch, check out this card by Amy Fleming, it is simply gorgeous!!!)

This yesterday's sketch:

I had another sheet of acetate that I'd stamped earlier, inking another of my PTI 'Tea for Two' teapots with the new white Stazon ink, attempting Keesh's Inspiration Challenge #11 (see previous post here). I decided this would be a nice sketch layout for a second attempt. So here is the, rather hurriedly put together, outcome:

I like it better than my previous attempt. Now I really must go & have a nap at least.

TFL,

Fi xox

Keesh's latest inspiration

Just a quick post as I'm seriously sleep deprived. I've had a go at Keesh's latest challenge. Go here to check it out & find links to the other entries. As you can see by the photo, its a bit of a tough one.

I decided to go with the theme and colours. I chose 'Close to Cocoa' & 'Very Vanilla'. I also wanted to get a sense of the glass splash back. As such, I decided to use the new white Stazon ink (yep, another Spring Mini item) on acetate. I used my PTI teapot stamp to echo the kitchen theme. It didn't quite turn out like it looked in my head (my cards rarely do) and if I had more time I'd have another go. As it is, I know a young lady having a Kitchen Tea soon, so this might do as the card, though I think I'll re-do the background. If I get time to do it today I'll re-post it.

Thanks for looking. I'd better head off,

Cheers,

Fi xox