4

They Don’t Always Make the Grade…

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And that’s okay!

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick post so you know I’m still alive and kicking. Yay! It’s been a super busy time and I haven’t done much in the way of creating (or reading of blogs – sorry, my sweet friends!). I did drag out the cute “Daisy Chain” stamp from Penny Black as I am trying to master colouring the little mice with my copics. I feel like I am really starting to get there. Oh, and that leads me to another idea….but let’s see the card that doesn’t make the grade (as far as I am concerned) but that I am sharing anyway. haha

Here’s the card….there are so many things I don’t like about it. lol I’m okay with that though. It will go into the practice basket and there’s nothing wrong with practicing.

Hello Materials used: Stamps - Daisy Chain 1690K (Penny Black), Salutations (Paper Smooches); Designer Papers - Yes, Please (Amy Tangerine/American Crafts), Sketchbook (Amy Tangerine/American Crafts); Copic Markers; Fiskars Craft Punch and Linen Thread (Stampin' Up!)

Hello
Materials used: Stamps – Daisy Chain 1690K (Penny Black), Salutations (Paper Smooches); Designer Papers – Yes, Please (Amy Tangerine/American Crafts), Sketchbook (Amy Tangerine/American Crafts); Copic Markers; Fiskars Craft Punch and Linen Thread (Stampin’ Up!)

Now back to my idea. I’m not sure how long it will last but it seemed like a good idea at the time. lol I started to record some of my colour combinations in a journal. Sometimes I try a lot of different colour combinations before I am really happy with how something looks (refer to the mice above – I tried a couple of different Copic markers before I settled on something which, to my eyes, worked). I decided to record some of these combinations so I don’t have to “waste time” trying to remember what I liked in the first place. This is not to say that I won’t explore different options in the future. This guide will be handy to have on hand…just in case. A starting point. It’s a super simple process. Stamp out the image. Number the main areas and record the colours you have chosen to use. I have, to date, put a dash of colour as well but I am not sure that is necessary. I’m still refining my process. I’ve left plenty of space around the images so I can potentially add other mediums such as Distress Markers or Tombows, as well as the Copic Markers already shown.

Colour Chart Journal

Colour Chart Journal

If you have trouble with your colour combinations you might want to try keeping a similar journal so you can easily refer back to “what works”.

Happy Stamping!

8

Happy Halloween…part two

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Hi Everyone,

My table is covered in the few Halloween goodies I have so there was no other option but to create another Halloween card. It kind of took on a life of its own and at the end I realised it was perfect as another entry into the Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge this week. It is such a great sketch!

Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge

Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge

Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge - Designer Drafts

Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge October 14-20 2013 Designer Drafts challenge

Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge
October 14-20 2013 Designer Drafts challenge

So here’s the card…

Happy Halloween Materials used: Stamps - Halloweenies (Paper Smooches), Happy Haunting, Say Cheese (Lawn Fawn); Distress Ink, Copic Markers; Cardstock - American Crafts, Knights; Ink Pads - Whisper White (Stampin' Up!), Onyx Black (Versafine), Jet Black (StazOn), Embossing Powder - White (PSX) and Glossy Accents.

Happy Halloween
Materials used: Stamps – Halloweenies (Paper Smooches), Happy Haunting, Say Cheese (Lawn Fawn); Distress Ink, Copic Markers; Cardstock – American Crafts, Knights; Ink Pads – Whisper White (Stampin’ Up!), Onyx Black (Versafine), Jet Black (StazOn), Embossing Powder – White (PSX) and Glossy Accents.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you all have a great week!

Happy Stamping!

4

Happy Halloween

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Hi Everyone,

I’ve been having fun colouring little Frankie from the Halloweenies stamp set by Paper Smooches. Gosh, I love their stamps! They are just too cute. Halloween isn’t big here in Australia but for some weird reason I just love all the cute Halloween characters and colours. Had to get on board and play along.

After colouring about five little Frankies in a row – I’ve been playing with my copics and trying different colour combinations – I decided I really should make one of the little guys into a card. Not loving this card but you have to start somewhere. I’m considering this one a “draft” version. lol

Anyway, here ’tis…

Happy Halloween Materials Used: Stamps - Halloweenies (Paper Smooches); Copic Markers; Designer Paper - The Bewitched Stack (DCWV); Cardstock - American Crafts, Knight and Border Punch - Grass (Fiskars).

Happy Halloween
Materials Used: Stamps – Halloweenies (Paper Smooches); Copic Markers; Designer Paper – The Bewitched Stack (DCWV); Cardstock – American Crafts, Knight and Border Punch – Grass (Fiskars).

Hope you are all having a fantabulous day!

Happy Stamping!

8

Wish You Were Here

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Hi Everyone,

I made a card! lol I almost feel like shouting it from the roof tops. It isn’t my best ever but it is done! Yay! It has been hard to find the time to create over the last week or so. The few times I have had a moment have been unproductive, but today…success! And, I was just looking at the Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge for this week and weirdly enough my card fits the sketch. Double yay!

Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge

Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge

Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge - Designer Drafts

Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge October 14-20 2013 Designer Drafts challenge

Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge
October 14-20 2013 Designer Drafts challenge

And here is my card:

Wish You Were Here Materials used: Stamps - Fanciful Fall (Paper Smooches), Say Cheese (Lawn Fawn); Wise Dies - Clouds (Paper Smooches); Cardstock - American Crafts, Knights; Hero Arts Shadow Ink - Bubble Gum (Hero Arts); and Copic Markers.

Wish You Were Here
Materials used: Stamps – Fanciful Fall (Paper Smooches), Say Cheese (Lawn Fawn); Wise Dies – Clouds (Paper Smooches); Cardstock – American Crafts, Knights; Hero Arts Shadow Ink – Bubble Gum (Hero Arts); and Copic Markers.

It is not quite what is in my head but given that it took me about five times to get the toadstool coloured in a way I liked, I am MORE than happy with it! :) Inspired to keep creating now. :)

Hope you are all happy and well. Big hugs and best wishes to all my Canadian friends as they celebrate their Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Stamping!

6

Happy Birthday Mum

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Hi Everyone,

Tomorrow (October 5) is the birthday of my sweet and beautiful Mum! As soon as I saw the Penny Black stamp ‘Sew Much Fun’ (sadly no longer available) sitting on my shelf I knew it would be the *perfect* stamp for Mum’s card. I had also come across the DCWV paper pack “Sweet Tangerine” which is gorgeous and had a hexagon pattern which looks like a patchwork quilt. Both were perfect for Mum as she loves sewing and has created many gorgeous things over the years.

The background of the card might look a little odd as I decided to shift the panel. I used un-du to lift up the adhesive and it hasn’t quite dried again. I had to take the photo now though since I need to give the card to Mum tomorrow. There’s nothing like leaving things to the last minute. lol I also paper pieced the “fabric” being sewn just to be a little different.

Onto the card:

Happy Birthday Mum! Materials used: Stamps - Sew Much Fun 1650L (Penny Black), Salutations (Paper Smooches); 12x12 Paper Stack - Sweet Tangerine (DCWV) and Copic Markers.

Happy Birthday Mum!
Materials used: Stamps – Sew Much Fun 1650L (Penny Black), Salutations (Paper Smooches); 12×12 Paper Stack – Sweet Tangerine (DCWV) and Copic Markers.

I’ve kept it really simple on the inside – the stamped greeting and some of the patterned paper with plenty of room to write too.

Happy Birthday Mum! Materials used: Stamps - Salutations (Paper Smooches); and 12x12 Paper Stack - Sweet Tangerine (DCWV).

Happy Birthday Mum!
Materials used: Stamps – Salutations (Paper Smooches); and 12×12 Paper Stack – Sweet Tangerine (DCWV).

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Hope you have a fantastic day!

Happy Stamping!

2

More Love

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Hi Everyone,

Pinch and a Punch! Welcome to October!

As I have mentioned before, I usually stamp images more than once just in case I mess up, or want to explore different colour choices, for example. Since I had another stamped image of the Purrr-fect Friends! (from Penny Black) just sitting there on the table, I decided to finish it off and make another quick card. Turns out it wasn’t as quick as I had hoped but it was still fun.

Love Materials used: Stamps – Purrr-fect Friends! 1746K (Penny Black), Simply Said (Paper Smooches), Critters Ever After (Lawn Fawn); Cardstock – American Crafts, Knight; Patterned Paper - 6x6 Paper Pad - True Love (Basic Grey); Copic Markers; Dies – Spellbinders Nestabilities – Standard Circles Small, Classic Scalloped Circles Large.

Love
Materials used: Stamps – Purrr-fect Friends! 1746K (Penny Black), Simply Said (Paper Smooches), Critters Ever After (Lawn Fawn); Cardstock – American Crafts, Knight; Patterned Paper – 6×6 Paper Pad – True Love (Basic Grey); Copic Markers; Dies – Spellbinders Nestabilities – Standard Circles Small, Classic Scalloped Circles Large.

I partially die-cut the circle around the kitty cats/mouse (and decided it looked like it should be a snowglobe so there’s an idea for another day) to do something a little different. I’ve popped up the middle panel just a little to give it some extra dimension. It’s just a sweet little card.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Happy Stamping!

8

Love

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Hi Everyone,

It’s either a famine or a feast on my blog. lol Cannot quite believe I have a second posting for today.

Bev introduced me to the Less is More blog a couple of weeks ago but I haven’t been able to play along until today. As soon as I saw the sketch for this weeks challenge I *knew* what I wanted to do.

Here’s the sketch:

Less is More Week 139 Sketch #10

Less is More
Week 139 Sketch #10

For my card I have used another totally adorable Penny Black stamp called Purrr-fect Friends! I could just see the little kitty cats peeking through the circle in the middle. And so here we have it:

Love Materials used: Stamps - Purrr-fect Friends! 1746K (Penny Black), Simply Said (Paper Smooches), Critters Ever After (Lawn Fawn); Cardstock - American Crafts; Copic Markers; Dies - Spellbinders Nestabilities - Standard Circles Small; and Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers).

Love
Materials used: Stamps – Purrr-fect Friends! 1746K (Penny Black), Simply Said (Paper Smooches), Critters Ever After (Lawn Fawn); Cardstock – American Crafts; Copic Markers; Dies – Spellbinders Nestabilities – Standard Circles Small; and Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers).

The inside of the card is just the stamped image but here it is:

Love (inside) Materials used: Stamps - Purrr-fect Friends! 1746K (Penny Black); Cardstock - American Crafts; and Copic Markers.

Love (inside)
Materials used: Stamps – Purrr-fect Friends! 1746K (Penny Black); Cardstock – American Crafts; and Copic Markers.

A very simple but cute card. Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!

Happy Stamping!

4

Babies and Bunnies

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Hi Everyone,

Welcome baby Avery!

As I mentioned in my last post, my sweet friend Bev became a grandma to a sweet baby girl. Here’s my little welcome to Miss Avery.

Welcome Baby Avery Materials used: Stamps - Baby Kitty 1755H (Penny Black), A Birdie Told Me, Critters Ever After (Lawn Fawn), Salutations (Paper Smooches); Cardstock - American Crafts, Knight; Copic Markers; Fiskers Craft Punch; and Designer Paper - 6-1/2" Paper Pad - Fine & Sunny (KaiserCraft).

Welcome Baby Avery
Materials used: Stamps – Baby Kitty 1755H (Penny Black), A Birdie Told Me, Critters Ever After (Lawn Fawn), Salutations (Paper Smooches); Cardstock – American Crafts, Knight; Copic Markers; Fiskers Craft Punch; and Designer Paper – 6-1/2″ Paper Pad – Fine & Sunny (KaiserCraft).

After I made Miss Avery’s card I decided I really should make those stamped Penny Black bunnies into cards. I know everyone tends to think of bunnies as being Easter images…and I did have this comment made to me by someone who shall remain nameless…but I think this is just a super cute image which really could be used year-round.

So first up….and in no particular order….

Card 1: Thanks so Much

Thanks So Much Materials used: Stamps - Bonnet Bunny 1440K (Penny Black), Salutations (Paper Smooches); Cardstock - American Crafts, Knight; Copic Markers and 6-1/2" Paper Pad - Tea Party (KaiserCraft).

Thanks So Much
Materials used: Stamps – Bonnet Bunny 1440K (Penny Black), Salutations (Paper Smooches); Cardstock – American Crafts, Knight; Copic Markers and 6-1/2″ Paper Pad – Tea Party (KaiserCraft).

Card 2: Hello (this is actually the first image coloured).

Hello Materials used: Stamps - Bonnet Bunny 1440K (Penny Black), Salutations (Paper Smooches); Cardstock - American Crafts, Knight; Copic Markers and 6-1/2" Paper Pad - Miss Match (KaiserCraft).

Hello
Materials used: Stamps – Bonnet Bunny 1440K (Penny Black), Salutations (Paper Smooches); Cardstock – American Crafts, Knight; Copic Markers and 6-1/2″ Paper Pad – Miss Match (KaiserCraft).

Card 3: Thinking of You

Thinking of You Materials used: Stamps - Bonnet Bunny 1440K (Penny Black), Salutations (Paper Smooches); Cardstock - American Crafts, Knight; Copic Markers and Designer Paper - The Floral Fair Stack (DCWV).

Thinking of You
Materials used: Stamps – Bonnet Bunny 1440K (Penny Black), Salutations (Paper Smooches); Cardstock – American Crafts, Knight; Copic Markers and Designer Paper – The Floral Fair Stack (DCWV).

Card 4: Hello (Somehow the ribbon doesn’t look as huge and odd as it does in the photo here. lol)

Hello Materials used: Stamps - Bonnet Bunny 1440K (Penny Black), Salutations (Paper Smooches); Cardstock - American Crafts, Knight; Copic Markers and Ribbon (Unknown).

Hello
Materials used: Stamps – Bonnet Bunny 1440K (Penny Black), Salutations (Paper Smooches); Cardstock – American Crafts, Knight; Copic Markers and Ribbon (Unknown).

So, that’s me done for today…..well,, not quite. I am just about to tidy up and then get back into it. I want to colour some more. lol

Hope you are all having a wonderful day!

Happy Stamping!

4

Welcome Baby

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Hi Everyone,

When I started my blog, one of the very first people to comment was a very lovely lady named Bev. Bev has been ever so encouraging, thoughtful and sweet and has introduced me to new people, blogs and challenges. I feel very blessed that our paths have crossed. I was so excited when she emailed me today to share the news that she had become a grandma to Miss Avery. Exciting news!! Congratulations, Bev!

To celebrate, I have dug out a card which I confess I have had for a while but which I have always loved. I am going to make you a brand new card, Bev, but I wanted to celebrate with you now!

Welcome to the world, Avery! You’re a very lucky young lady to have such a wonderful Grandma!

Baby Materials used: Stamp - Baby Kitty 1755H (Penny Black); Tombow Markers; Cardstock - Bazzill Basics Paper; Designer Paper - Unknown; and Ribbon (Unknown).

Baby
Materials used: Stamp – Baby Kitty 1755H (Penny Black); Tombow Markers; Cardstock – Bazzill Basics Paper; Designer Paper – Unknown; and Ribbon (Unknown).

Bev has a wonderful happy and inspiring blog where she shares her fantastic creations and I would definitely encourage you all to stop by and have a little visit. You’ll be glad you did.

Happy Stamping!

2

Many thanks

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Hi Everyone,

I took yesterday off work so I could visit the Royal Melbourne Show. I usually go with my cousin and her son and this year was no exception. We had a super fun day. There were rides for those so inclined, animal exhibits, craft exhibits, foods, entertainment, showbags, and fireworks. A great, albeit expensive, day out! And if someone can put me back in touch with the gorgeous policeman I spoke with on the day, I would be much obliged. Talk about gorgeous and sweet to talk with too! haha

Today, it was back into colouring. I had planned to make a card using the Penny Black Bonnet Bunny image I coloured on Sunday but I got sidetracked and kept colouring. lol So fun! Five images later….no card. Oops! I also swapped the colours I had used to colour the hat, with the colours I had used to colour the bunny – I quite like both looks.

Bonnet Bunny 1440K coloured with Copic Markers

Bonnet Bunny 1440K coloured with Copic Markers

So I quickly whipped up this little card. I really didn’t have any ideas of how I wanted to complete the card so just kept it simple. Decided to use the oranges to complement the bunny. Next card may focus on the purple of the ribbon. Not sure yet….

Many Thanks Materials used: Stamps - Bonnet Bunny 1440K (Penny Black), Many Thanks (Paper Smooches); Designer Paper - Plumeria 6x6 Paper Pad (Basic Grey); Copic Markers and Twine (Lawn Fawn)

Many Thanks
Materials used: Stamps – Bonnet Bunny 1440K (Penny Black), Many Thanks (Paper Smooches); Designer Paper – Plumeria 6×6 Paper Pad (Basic Grey); Copic Markers and Twine (Lawn Fawn)

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have a fantastic day!

Happy Stamping!