Sunday, January 31, 2010

Card & gift box for Helen.



Hi all,

Well I guess I've slowed down on the crafty side of life, I haven't made much at all over the last few days. Although I made this card & gift box for my dear friend Helen Thursday night.

Helen gave me this Hero Arts Cling stamp - Hello for Christmas. I thought it would be a good idea to use it on a card for her. I went through the Hero Arts Flickr group for inspiration & came across this gorgeous card by Jane & decided to do something simular. If you don't know already Jane has a wonderful blog here & designs some gorgeous digi stamps at Squigglefly. I just didn't realise that I was using simular colours for the colouring in until the end (whoops sorry about that Jane). I added a lot of Diamond glaze to the Muted Aqua on the checks as well as Diamond Stickles on the white checks. I also added more crystals to the small dots amongst the flowers & more stickles to the centre of the flowers.




I brought Helen the latest Hero Arts Cling Cupcake CG157. So of course I had to make a gift box for it ;). This gift box was a make it up as you go kinda thing. I started out by making a template with printer paper. Then when I was happy with the result I used some of my favourite Basic Grey papers & Bazzil to make it. I also had to use some of my "lacy ribbon" only because I have been itching to use it on a project for a while now ;). The image is a digi stamp, sorry I forgot where it came from :(. I used my Prismacolour pencils, stickles & diamond glaze to jazz it up. I cut some of the flowers out of the little bit of scraps & then added gems & more diamond stickles.

Thanks so much for stoppin' by :) - TTFN

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Mojo Monday sketch 123 Round or Square?



Hi all,

I just love sketches at the moment! Especially when I use some of my favourite papers with them - Basic Grey's Lemonade collection. This time I have used Mojo Monday's sketch 123 Round or Square.

Of the two cards I made, my favourite would have to be the circle card. It turned out so much better than I expected. All the embelies on this card also came from Basic Grey. So really I didn't have to do a lot of thinking (which is a good thing) about what would go with the papers. I also like how the second card turned out. But just realised they both have birds on them ;).

Well I have to go now thanks for stopping by & enjoy what is left of your week - TTFN.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Challenge cards

Hi all,

This first card is for the Card Patterns sketch 48. I'm really pleased with this card mainly because these aren't my normal "go to" colours. I find oranges, pinks & yellows really challenging especially when put all together. Tell me what do you think of this combo, is it too over the top? I kept the this card very simple just adding a ribbon to cover a join in the background paper & Swarovski Crystals to the owl's eyes & flower. These little "gems" are fantastic as they give such a brilliant shine. As usual my photography sucks ;), so you don't get to see them really shine.


This next card is actually for three challenges. Cardvaarks Red heart challenge, Hero Art's Friendship/Valentines challenge & also for Penny Black's Something Sweet challenge. Although I'm not sure I should enter this into the Hero Art's challenge as it only has a sentiment from them. Well as they say you never know if you don't give it a go.

The first pic shows a close up of the chipboard heart that I coloured in with my Prismacolour pencils, added a small amount of glitter, then a fabric heart & finally covered with glossy accents. I also used perfect pearls on the flower.


For this card I decided to use some of my patchwork fabric. I am really pleased with the way this card came together. I knew mucking around with my fabrics the other day would be a good thing ;D.



I can't believe how creative I've been over the last few days. I seem to have gotten into a real groove as far as my mojo is concerned :). I think doing sketches or having guidelines has been helping & also not worrying about which stamps I "have" to use. Well I'm off to do some more creating - TTFN

PS Happy Australia Day to any fellow Aussies :D

Monday, January 25, 2010

Mojo Monday sketch plus a show & tell

Hi all,

I've had a very productive day today (see below for my first post). I decided to make a card for the Mojo Monday sketch challenge here & this is what I came up with. I'm not worried I didn't make the deadline, as I had fun making this card.


I thought I would do a show & tell so you can see one of my scrappy cards being made. I know every one probably does this but thought what the heck, lets give this a go ;). I cut out a dark scrap of c/s slightly larger than the light c/s. I wasn't worried that there would be a chunk missing from one side. As you can see I had used this piece for other projects. Unfortunately the second pic is on it's side the computer is having a hissy fit - must be the heat. But you get the idea of what the scraps look like attached to a card base.


I then repeated the above step for the smaller pieces again not worrying about a chunk missing from the side.

As you can see below the "missing bits" are completely covered by the ovals. I then added all the extra little bits & bobs at the end.


Thank you so much for sticking through this post till the end. Have a wonderful week full of crafty fun - TTFN

Taylored Expressions Sketch


 
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Hi all,

Well I went surfin' last night on the 'net, looking for some inspiration. When I came across Taylored Expressions. I know that some of my blogging friends enter their sketches & the wonderful Alice is a DT for them (hope I got that right Alice).

I seem to have hit a bit of a brick wall at the moment with coming up with ideas for the Cards for kids. So decided that this sketch would be great for the parents of the kids. I have used some of my newer papers for this card & even broke out the liquid pearls, mini misters filled with ink, water & perfect pearls. I also got out an "older" stamp from my Stampin-up set. I think this card works well for both males & females.........what do you think?

I am going to post this card along with the others later this afternoon. Along with my card(s) for Deborah's latest CCC. Have a great week every one & happy crafting TTFN

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Cards for Kids & two just because

Hi all,

Here are three more cards that I made for the Cards for Kids. I am cheating a little bit as these are all half the length of a normal card. Which is good as I can use up more of the smaller scraps that I have. Which is making it easier to close my expanding file :D. This first card is for a little boy, the two underneath are for his sisters one of whom is quiet ill.



These two cards I made because I was stuck for ideas on cards for the parents. So I just went with the flow. Notice there is not one stamped thing on either of these cards? I know it was a bit of a shock to me as well ;). But I still like them anyway. I had lots of fun creating these two cards. I even tried the flower that Dawn McVey showed on her blog. I didn't have a scalloped punch so used my scallop circle nesties instead. Plus a really pretty brad that I had left over from another project. So although it's nothing like her wonderful flowers I still love it.

I wont be using these for the card drive as I think they are way too specific - did that make sense? So I still have to come up with something suitable.


Well thanks for stopping by - TTFN

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Scrappy cards for kids & a Bug update

Hi all,

Well as promised here are three cards that I made while in Glen Innes. I took my little bag of scraps, some stamped images & card bases with me. I added the bling, flowers & stamped sentiments when I got back.
A card for Sami

A card for Jenna

A card for Sheri & Steve


I decided that I am going to send these cards to Jennifer McGuire's Cards for Kids.

This last card I made yesterday. The little fairy card is made from scraps ;) as well. I coloured her in with my Prismacolour pencils & used baby oil to blend it. Then because all fairy's need some sparkle I went over her with my H2O's. Which gives a nice shimmer in a certain light. Then I added a pale pink heart pin for her wand. (I'm sure I have seen this done somewhere else before.)
A card for Meg


Lastly just a quick update on Bug. We seem to be doing well. I say this because I was suppose to have my 20 week scan on Thursday. Only to find out when I got there that Bug isn't 20 weeks according to the lady doing the Ultra-sound. So now I have to go back in 2 weeks to do the scan again. In the mean time I have an Obstritian appointment so I guess we'll have to wait & see what's happening. I'm a little dissapointed as I like to "see" how Bug is going. I guess if there where any major issues the lady would have picked up on it at the time. As she did have a quick look.

Well that's all for today, I'm off to hang out some washing & then into town. TTFN

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Catch up & a New Year's resolution

Hi all,

Well I'm finally organised enough to actually sit & blog ;). Em is at Preprep, DH is napping upstairs, Tom kitty is curled up on a bedspread & my blogging Buddie Smudge is laying on the computer table next to me. Now I have to warn you this is a long post, but there are two pretty pics towards the bottom ;).

Em & I had a wonderful time in Glen Innes. We went with my parents & stayed at my stepmother's mum's ("Great Ma Ma") place. Unfortunately Great Ma Ma is now in a retirement home as she is starting to suffer from the early stages of Dementia. We had a lovely time, visiting family & animals. Em especially had a wonderful time, seeing cows, sheep, puppies, sheepdogs, horses, chickens & geese. I didn't take that many photos, I kept forgetting to get the camera (doh!). Luckily for me my dad is going to email me some pics. I've posted a pic of Em & some puppies in my side bar. We also went to a castle on one of my step Uncle & Aunt's farms. Kings Plains Castle is open to the public. I love going to the castle, I think it's because of the age of the buildings & in spring there are so many different Irises (I love these flowers) growing in the gardens.

Now I'm sure that many of you have noticed the title of my blog & wondered if I really do have a "Fabric Addiction"? Yes, actually I do & this year my one & only resolution is to sew at least once a month. When I got the card making bug about a year or so ago, I stopped sewing. As much as I love to sew, I think I needed a break. Plus my card obsession took over my sewing table to the point my trusty old sewing machine was relagated to the floor.

So since I've gotten home. I have cleaned up my sewing area & tidied up my card making gear (much to dh's relief). I have also been doing some sewing as well :D.
This is the top of a Quilt that I designed for Em. Now before you start wondering if she has a Queen size bed, no she doesn't. I was given a King Single bed from my step mum's unit. I just like to make sure that the quilt covers the bed & sides. Although I think I went a lot overboard on this one ;), as it does fit on top of a Queen bed. I tend to make large quilts for some reason, I can't help it. This top was made before I took a break from sewing.

This is the back of the quilt. I decided to go through my fabric stash & piece a back for the quilt to help keep the costs down. Plus as Em grows she can turn the quilt over to suit her age. My wonderful friend Esther is a quilter & owns a Gamol quilting machine, so I'm going to get her to quilt the whole thing. If I was to do it it would be finished by the time Em got married............maybe!!!

Ok well that's enough from me for one day. I hope to post some pics of three cards I made on hols, later. TTFN

Monday, January 11, 2010

Just a quick share


Hi all,

I thought I would share a quick card I did the other night. I "heard" somewhere on the net (I think - remember baby brain) that you could use Baby Oil instead of Gamosol to blend Prismacolour pencils. So I got some & had a go with my paper stumps. Tell me what do you think? I must admit I coloured this little fairy's hair & skin with my Copic Ciaos & unfortunately both my skin tones ran dry - grrrrrrrrrrr! I think that the baby oil worked well & will definately be trying this again. This card is smaller than a normal card being only 4" square.

Em & I are going away for next few days, to Glen Innes about six hours drive from here in the rural country side of New South Wales (southern state). We are visiting with my stepmum's family, as Em & I haven't been there for far too long. My dh is in heaven - four days of peace, quiet & plenty of sleep ;). He can't wait! I've told him to make the most of this 'coz it aint going to happen again for a looooong time. This will be Em's first visit to a farm. My step mum's brothers are all farmers, so there will be plenty of visits to the animals & even some new puppies. Now to survive a six hour trip with a 3 yr old who hates to sit still - wish me luck ;). Till next time TTFN & happy crafting every one.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Card Patterns sketch 46




Hi all,

Here is another card I've made. This one is for the Card Patterns sketch 46. I'm really enjoying doing sketches at the moment.

I wanted to try to make another valentines card, so came up with this. I discovered something wonderful whilst doing this card. The two hearts on the bottom right are chipboard (yet another "from the stash" item). I coloured them in with Copic Ciao Strong Red, then used Jasper Red Twinkling H2O over the copic & lastly I put some Diamond Glaze over the top. Once the glaze had set the two hearts have such a shimmery goodness about them. Unfortunately I'm not that great a photographer so you guys can't see what I'm on about very well :(. But trust me it looks fantastic in real life. So if you get a chance I suggest you try this. I find that adding Twinkling H2O's over prisma colour pencils does something simular as well. Which is really good when you want to add shimmer to everything ;). Thanks for stopping by & have a great week ahead - Happy Crafting everyone. TTFN

Mojo Monday Challenge

 
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Hi all,

I am so happy :D!!! I made another card that I can honestly say I love. This card was made for the Mojo Monday challenge here. I decided to use the same stamp set from yesterday. I stamped the image three times & coloured in certain areas so I could raise parts up simular to Paper toll. The hand with the spanner is actually raised up three times. I also added Glossy Accents to the spanner just to give it that bit extra shine. If I been thinking I could have used my Twinkling H2Os to give the spanner a metalic look. Maybe next time.

This card is also made from scraps. So far I've been been very good & not cut up any new papers. My filing box is slowly emptying out - I think I've broken the "breeding cycle" of my scraps ;D.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

CPS Sketch 148

 
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Hi all,

I am on a roll! Two posts in the one day, Woo Hoo :D. This card I did for the CPS Sketch 148. I decided to use some new stamps I got today, Paper Xtra Item No 45810. They are all blokey stamps, something I lack in my stamp stash. Now I know my last post was all about hoarding, but hey stamps don't count right?!? You will be pleased to know that every thing else on this card is from my scrap stash.

When I saw the sketch I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I think that Mr Mojo is finally back ('bout time too). Well I'm off to create while the inspiration is with me ;). TTFN

Hoarders are us - Unite!!

Hi all,

Well the title says it all. These cards are made from my scraps & things I've been hoarding. Recently on two different blogs by two wonderfully talented ladies Anne of Gaal Greative & Deborah of Society of Stamp & Scrap-aholics have written about something most of us crafters suffer from..........HOARDING!!! I am so glad that I'm not the only one that suffers this affliction ;).
 

This is a mini card I made with some scraps & some of the endless bling that I've accumalated. I'm hoping to make at least two Christmas cards a month so that by the time October comes I've got a stash to get me started - well that's the plan.
 

This christmas card is made with leftovers from this years cards & some scraps left over from years past. I even got inspired to break out the sewing machine (shock horror !!).
 

This birthday card is all made from scraps, I didn't even have to cut any of the pieces, so it was super quick. I will let you in on a secret - the circle was cut from packaging that the stickers came on & behind the circle is a hole in the green paper. So I was fairly pleased at the way this card turned out.
 
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This card I think is the best of the lot. All the chipboard flowers & butterfly are from the very lovely & talented Lucy. Lucy gave these to me last year & I've been saving them for something special (not sure exactly what) so decided to use them.

Now if you don't already know the very lovely & talented Kathy is having a give away on her blog The Daily Marker. You will be so pleased that you visited her blog. Not only is her give away wonderful but her cards are just beautifully done. I have put a picture of the blog give away on the righthand side under Bug's baby counter. I'm also hoping that if you click on the pic, that will take you directly to Kathy's blog. I'm slowly gettin' 'puter literate ;D. So for now TTFN

Monday, January 4, 2010

My budding little crafter ;D






Hi all,

Today I am doing the "Proud Mama" thing. Em is always wanting to help me make cards & I've been finding it hard to let her. That sounds bad I know, but I find it hard to let her loose on my stuff.

So now I've given her a heap of stamps, a glue stick, a few inks, safety scissors & made her a scrapbook with my new Zutter. Yesterday we drew some animals & then went through my scrap paper folder & found some animal prints. We had a great time working together. Only getting a little distracted by the telly - Tom & Jerry was on. Em did almost everything by herself with only a little help from me, she is getting quite good at using her safety scissors. Although my dh did catch her trying to give Smudge (our black & white cat) a haircut this afternoon!! Tom nearly got one as well. Kids!!!

Have a great week - TTFN

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Thank you cards



Hi all,

Well today I've been busy making Thank you cards for all the wonderful Christmas gifts we recieved. These Thank you cards are both smaller than normal cards. The kraft cards are 3"x3" square, the other card is half the size of a normal card. I decided that since I was making so many that I need to do something simple & easy. I was inspired to make the kraft cards based on these cards by Lucy. I was also inspired by Donna's card here. You could say that today was an inspired by day.

Just a quick update on Bug. We went to the Dr's on Tuesday & everything is going fine. I even got to hear Bug's heartbeat. My next appointment is in another month. I will also have a ultra-sound then as well. I always find them so reassuring, as I tend to stress. I've been a little worried as I haven't felt Bug move a lot lately, but then last night Bug let me know that he/she is alive & well. We are now 16 weeks a long. I'm still not over the morning sickness but at least I'm not being ill every day now. I'm hoping that in another month or so things will settle down completely.

Have a great weekend everyone - TTFN

Friday, January 1, 2010

An early Valentine's card

 
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Hi all,

My wonderful friend Helen came over on Wednesday & boy did we ever have some fun. I just love it when we get together,as we have the best time & it doesn't matter how much or how little we do. We just had to go to one of our favourite LSS. Which is litterally 5 minutes from my house. So lots of fun was had by the two of us. Even Em who was with us had a great time playing in the toy section.

Eventually we did make it back home again to make a card or two ;). This is one card that I'm happy to post. I used one of Deborah's images (The Greeting Farm) that she sent to me. I used Copics to colour the image & some Diamond Stickles on the heart for that bit extra bling. I think the stickles range is fast becoming a favourite of mine. I like it even more than Kindy Glitz!!!

While we where at the LSS we bumped into a mutual friend from scrapbooking classes. Wendy gave me her Zutter Binding machine. As she recieved another one at Christmas (lucky Wendy!). I am going to swap some info (on using the Zutter & using alcohol inks) for the machine. I just hope that I can live up to her expectations. I have already sent a few links to her from You tube. But I still need to show her a few things as well. There is nothing like hands on experience I guess.

Well I'm off to have a play whilst Missy Em is still watching Tom & Jerry ;). TTFN