Black Magic

Well every now and then I like to try a new technique. Sometimes I try it without knowing what I am going to do with the artwork. This was such an excursion. So a couple of months ago - yes I did this that long ago, I decided to try black magic. It's really cool. Basically you stamp your image in Kraft White Ink on black cardstock. And then when the ink is dry you colour it using your watercolour pencils.

Now please take know that you MUST let your ink dry before handling and as it is pigment ink, it will take a little longer than usual. In the card above I was a tad impatient and ended up with a smudge on it. Hence the ribbon across the top to try and hide it. This ribbon was white. I used some Sage Shadow ink to take the starkness of it!

I used the reverse masking technique to create the moon in the card above. The oval in the card below was made using the normal masking technique.

So I actually made the stamped images a couple of months ago and they have been sitting patiently on my desk for me to mount and make them into cards. I will give you the ingredients for both cards at once as they are very similar.

Card: Whisper White, Sage Shadow, Soft Sky (retired), Night of Navy, Ballet Blue
Ink: Kraft White, Night of Navy
Ribbon: Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta
Punches: 1" Circle, Small Oval, Large Oval, Scallop Oval
Stamp sets:Lovely As A Tree, Warm Words

Till next time, happy stamping...

Gift for Natalie!

Hello again! If you have been following my blog you will know that I joined the last Ustamp. I decided to join in the swap sister program and was allocated Natalie. Hiya Natalie! Natalie and I emailed each other as soon as we got our details. We shared a little bit about ourselves. Natalie said that her favourite colours were Real Red and Certainly Celery.

Now aren't these flowery things just soooo cute???? I love the effect but wasn't 100% happy making them. I followed a video tutorial by Barb Mullikin - Barb certainly made it look easy. I just didn't find it easy to do. I also made Natalie a desktop calendar which I utilised Nikki Stalker's video tutorial.


And then I also made Natalie this cute little box, which I cased off Andrea Lowcocks blog.



It looks like a perfect little present and then kaboom, you open it up and there is still a box inside, to hold your goodies.

And of course, you can't send an empty box. The best thing is to send some choccies and I decorated these Dove choccies, just to make them a little bit more special.

Card and Desktop Calendar ingredients:

Card: Whisper White, Real Red
Ink: Real Red, Certainly Celery
Punches: Scallop Edge Border, Eyelet Border
Embellishments: Ice Circle Rhinestone, Playground Buttons
Stamp Set: Fifth Avenue Floral

Origami box and choccies:

Card: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red
DSP: Bella Rose
Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1" Circle
Ribbon: Real Red 3/4" Polka Dot Grosgrain
Stamp Set: Warm words

Till next time, happy stamping...

Holly's waterfall

I am pleased to say that last week I became an aunt again. I am privileged to have another neice. The only unfortunate thing is that we live in another state, so it may be a while before I get to cuddle her. Anyway I have been trying to come up with a card for her, and haven't had a clue. Yesterday we received some photo's and they inspired me to make this waterfall card for Holly.


This is the first waterfall I have made and I love the idea. It is quite simple and the effect is stunning. Although my camera is a bit lacking at the moment so please excuse the not so good photo's. I got the instructions from Kim Burmeisters Youtube video.



I have used my all time favourite set, Priceless, and added some 'Warm Words' to incorporate feelings I have for babies. Aside from the pull tab ribbon (which isn't SU - sorry) and the curvy verse saying, this card could be used for ladies of any age.



I actually used the Ski Slope DSP from the spring mini, which is supposed to be designed for Christmas. I love the way the way our products are so versatile and can be used in multiple ways.

When I first started with this card, I pulled a peice of Sweet Always DSP out, for the background and started choosing my colours from that. Something weird happened and I didn't like the look and I ended up changing the DSP and most of the colours that I had chosen, so after sampling lots of cardstocks today, it is going to be a challenge to remember exactly what I used.

Anyway here goes...

Card: Ruby Red, Summer Sun, Gable Green
Ink: Versamark, Regal Rose, Elegant Eggplant
DSP: Ski Slope
Punch: Corner Punch
Embellishments: Pink Ribbon - non SU, Flower Designer Brads.

Stamp Sets: Priceless, Warm Words, Curvy Verses

Till next time, happy stamping...