Blooming Challenges

Well again I have endeavoured to participate in the Mojo Monday sketch challenge. I get very excited when I see their new sketch each week and very quickly can visualise what I will make and which stamp sets and colours I will use.
This week I was a little slow in making it, but here it is now. This week I let the colours be dictated by Alisa Tilsner, our colour challenge chick, from the ESAD group. When I first heard the colours, I was not too inspired, but I think they have come together beautifully.

Card: Cameo Coral, Riding Hood Red, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Stazon Black, Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Versamark

Ribbon: Chocolate Chip 5/8" grograin, Riding Hood Red Taffeta

Punch: Square Scallop

Embellishments: Pretties Kit, Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen

Till next time, enjoy...

Faux metal challenge

This week on Extremely Special Aussie Demonstrators (ESAD) group we were challenged to make a card using the faux metal technique. Now I have recently learned this technique and thought that it would be a good opportunity to hone my skills. I really love Circle Circus stamp set as it works wonderfully with this technique.



I am also really enjoying the Best Yet stamp set which is only available to hostesses. Remember that during the months of June and July if you hold a workshop with orders in excess of $600 you are entitled to an extra $40 spending money.

Card: Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Not Quite Navy
Ink: Summer Sun, Tango Tangerine, Not Quite Navy, Versamark
Punches: Scollop Circle, 1 3/4" cirle - non SU, Large Oval
Ribbon: Riding Hood Red Taffeta
Stamp Sets: Circle Circus, Best Yet (hostess set)

Till next time, enjoy...

Zindorf's Ocean

Well, as I stated in my previous post, I have been looking for something to try out my very limited brayer skills on.... and I found this little beauty on Michelle Zindorf's blog.



I attempted to follow Michelle's tutorial, however changed a couple of things to suit myself and the items I have in my craft room. I am very impressed with Michelle's work and find her tutorials very easy to follow. And if I can make something like this, as a beginner, then I am sure that you could too.

I will not put the ingredients up on this post as they are in Michelle's tutorial again. Perhaps my next entry will show something that I have designed, but I may be inspired again.....

Till next time, enjoy....

I've Been Zindorf'ed

For those of you who don't understand the title - Michelle Zindorf is a fantastic stamper and is well known for her stunning work. Michelle is the "Queen of Brayers". I happened to be browsing her site the other day, looking for some brayer inspiration, when I came upon her tutorial using our Rustic Rooster and couldn't help myself but try to give it a go. Unfortunately there is no brayer work on this card, so I will have to go back to the drawing board and look for another project.



And as I was trying to take photo's of this card to show you, I had a little help. My dd has decided that she likes it and it's hers. She especially likes the ribbon ties and brads.



As anyone who knows me will tell you, I can't follow directions exactly and have changed a couple of colours and stamps etc. So it's unique to me..... and if you look at Michelle's tutorial you will see her picture is a little different, but I believe that is what makes this journey so special.

Rather than put the ingredients on this post, please click on the link to the tutorial as they are there.

Till next time, enjoy!

Emerging Colour Technique

Cathy Clark, who is one of our technical advisors on the Extremely Special Australian Demonstrators (ESAD) group has shown us this week how to do this emerging colour technique. It is really quite simple and the effects are fantastic. This is my first attempt and I am happy and will definitely use this technique again in future.

Today I have used some retired and non-SU equipment to spice things up a bit. As much as I try, I still love the retired stamps sets and am not ready to give them up yet. I am sure that you understand. This was my first attempt with a brayer and it is suprisingly easy to use.

Card: Orchid Opulance, Pink Pirouhette, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Orchid Opulance, Pink Pirouhette, Tempting Turquoise, Perfect Plum
Ribbon: Purple - non-SU - I think I got it from my friend Julie.
Tools: Brayer, clear embossing powder and heat gun
Embellishments: Kaiser Rhinestones
Stamp Sets: In the Spotlight (retired), Most Appreciated (retired)

Waiting for Christmas

I came across this little beauty on Leonie Schroder's blog and just had to give it a try. Unfortunately I had to wait until I got my Stamp-a-ma-jig, so I could get the placement perfect. I had heard great things about the Stamp-a-ma-jig, but never seen it in action. I was a wee sceptical, but I am hooked. You can even stamp your image onto the image sheet and move it around on your artwork to find the best place for it. Also helps with all those stamps that I have put together, just that little bit off centre. My work is going to be taken to the next level with this new tool.

Card: Whisper White, Real Red
DSP: Haiku
Ink: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Wild Wasabi (retired)
Stampin Pastels: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Sage Shadow
Ribbon: 3/8" Riding Hood Red Taffeta
Punch: Large Oval
Stamp Sets: Window Dressing (hostess set), Lovely as a Tree, Best Yet (hostess set)

Echo Mojo

Yep, yesterday was Monday and so another challenge was raised. I only got the chance to inspect it this morning, but I was instantly hooked. I had half the card made before hubby got home from dropping the big girl to school.

Here is my creation. I have only just received the Echoes of Kindness hostess set and I am in love.... You can only get this set if you hold a workshop with $600+ in sales. And don't forget that for June and July 2009 if you hold a workshop with over $600 in sales, you will receive an extra $40 spending money. That's a free stamp set from the exclusive hostess range, plus $120 in spending money for anything on your wishlist. Email me if you'd like to hold a workshop or even a catalogue party.

I used the in-colours for my stamping today and since we don't have markers, I inked up the rose, using my blender pens. I got a little ink from the classic pads and applied it to the stamp. When I had coloured all the sections, I huffed - or in laymans talk breathed on it - which remoistened the ink and stamped as usual.

Card: Pink Pirrouhette, Riding Hood Red
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss
DSP: Bella Rose
Ribbon: Riding Hood Red 3/8" taffeta
Punches: Corner Rounder (retired), Eyelet Border
Stamp sets: Echoes of Kindess (hostess set), Priceless

Priceless Wishes

Well it's my birthday.... and hubby has looked after the kids so I can do whatever I want - and here I have been making cards, in peace. These little beauties were 'case'd from the fantastic Marelle Taylor. They were so easy and quick to make I could just make them all day.

I will list the ingredients for all four cards at once rather than individually as it would take forever.

Card: Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, Groovy Guava (retired), Very Vanilla
Ink: Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, Groovy Guava (retired), Summer Sun, Pacific Point
Ribbons: Double stitched 3/8" Blue Bayou (retired), Double stitched 3/8" Orange (non-SU), Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin, Twill Tape
Punches: Large Oval, Eyelet Border, Scallop Square, Scallop Circle
Stamp sets: Priceless, Short and Sweet

Fathers Day Swap

It was Mojo Monday again this week and I have only just gotten around to making a card. I love sketch challenges as they are open to interpretation and you aren't stuck using colours that you aren't keen on.We are holding a fathers day swap, which has been arranged by the lovely Chantell Randall. I thought I would combine the swap with Mojo Monday and this is what I have come up with.

Card: So Saffron, Old Olive, Brocade Blue, More Mustard

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango

DSP: So Saffron, Haiku

Punch: Scallop Circle

Stamp sets: Totally Tool, Wonderful Favourites

Tri fold cards

Recently a friend, Leonie Schroder, made a tri fold card and I just had to give it a go. You can find instructions on how to make this card, here.



Marelle Taylor is having a Step it Up challenge for June, so I thought that I would try it with this gorgeous card. I have added some Dazzling Diamonds and dyed Pretties and more.

I had so much fun making this card as there were so many surfaces to work with and you could almost tell a story.


Card: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Gray
DSP: Urban Garden
Ink: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Versamark
Markers: Not Quite Navy Ribbon:

Blue Bayou 3/8" double stitched ribbon (retired)

Embellishments: Pretties Kit

Punch: Large Oval

Stamp sets: Always, Baroque Motifs, So Swirly Jumbo wheel, Yummy (retired)

Basket of Love

Well here's another beauty. I am still practising the watercolour effect and don't really seem to have it down pat on this project. I used my blender pens, rather than aqua painter.


Ink: Basic Black, Pink Pirrouhette
Card: Elegant Eggplant, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirrouhette, Bravo Burgundy, Lavender Lace
DSP: Berry Bliss (retired)
Ribbon: Non SU - not really sure of the brand sorry!

Stamp sets: Time for You (retired) and Best Yet (hostess set)

Candle stamping

My apologies for not being back sooner, however I have been investigating new techniques and working on other non card projects.

Todays entry is to showcase candle stamping. Isn't it just beautiful? Would you beleive me that it took less than ten minutes to do this. My friend Kris McIntosh gave me the instructions on how to do this.

All you need is a candle, tissue paper, baking paper, stamp, ink and heat gun. Basically you ink your stamp up and then stamp it onto the tissue paper. You then cut the image out closely, but perfection is not required. You then lay it on your candle in position and then place a piece of baking paper over the top, which goes all the way around the candle. Then using your heat gun, you melt the tissue paper into the candle. The colour changes slightly. Once this is done, allow to cool and carefully remove the baking paper. And there you have it.... a stunning masterpiece.

Marker pens: Always Artichoke and Rose Red
Stamp set: Stipple Rose (retired)

More spending money...... for you.....

Wow ! I though the May Promotion of buy 3, get 1 free in the Designer Series Paper was good, but now Stampin Up is offering another excellent incentive to host a workshop.


If you hold a workshop with sales over $600, during June or July 2009 you will receive an extra $40 spending money. How exciting! That's a level 1 or level 2 hostess set plus $120 in spending money.


That's $40 more that you can spend on whatever you want. This is the easiest way to get all those items on your wishlist so much quicker.


To book a workshop and benefit from this wonderful promotion email me ASAP.