Monday, August 31, 2009

Whiff of Joy Guest Designer Call



Over at Stamping with a Whiff of Joy, Katharina is looking for a new Guest Designer. I thought I might make a card and enter it. I wanted this card to be mainly white for a wedding card. I added a touch of pink and sliver to balance the look. I stamped the pink hearts and embossed the sliver hearts and "now and forever" sentiment. The bride I left mainly white and used Kindy-glitz to outline the lines in her veil and on her dress. I used flowers, pearls and a hat pin from my Pretties Kit and some pink lace ribbon.

Blog Award from Amanda

Amanda kindly gave me this blog award. Thank you Amanda! Instructions are to list five things I like and send this on to five more blogs that I like to see.

Things I like:

1. Hot Chocolate and Timtams

2. Peace and quiet

3. Prawns and Oysters Kilpatrick

4. Spending time with my family and friends

5. School Holidays

I blog-hopped around to find out who hasn't received this award yet... and so I would like to pass this award onto:

Carol Dee

Kellie Winnell

Linda

Annette

Stephanne

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Last Father's Day Card


I made my last Father's Day card for the year today (I hope). This is for my Grandfather who lives in Tamworth. He loves a beer so I thought "Jim with Beer" would be perfect. We will be making Father's day cards in my Grade 2 class this week. I wonder what the kids will come up with...I might take a couple of photos and post them for you to see. I am off to go Father's Day shopping today. Dad wants Darrell Lea chocolates and I will try to get some Country and Western DVDs for my Grandfather. Wish me luck!

Pocket Sillouettes Again


Good morning, another card this morning using Pocket Sillouettes. It was a bit of struggle to be honest. Couldn't seem to get my hands on things I wanted for this card like a big, thick, purple ribbon, so had to make do with the next best ribbon that coordinated with the card. But, no time to moan over that, I have too many cards to make today(although big, thick and purple ribbon would have looked heaps better)! This is for my cousin Diana whose birthday is today. She is a youth worker and I think she will like this sentiment.

This is an old photo of my sixth birthday. I am fifth in from the right and Diana is second in from the right. Diana has an older sister and brother and the three of them and the three of us (me, my sister and brother) spent every weekend playing together when we were little. I hope to scrap book this one day - if I ever get through all the cards I need to make! Hope you have a lovely Sunday. Thanks for visiting!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Stampin' For the Weekend - Baby


Over at Stampin' For the Weekend their challenge this week is - "Anything Baby Goes". I needed to make a baby card for Lee, a teacher at my school who has just had a baby boy. I know this is not your typical baby card, but I really wanted to use SU Pocket Sillouettes Stamps as I am borrowing this set from my friend Lucinda. One of her beautiful cards you can see here inspired my design for this card. Anyway I managed to fit them into this card. The Penny Black teddy bear would have looked lots better if I had a Ballet Blue Stampin' Write marker to outline him in. But the only set of markers I dont have is Rich Regals which contains Ballet Blue. I plan to fix this problem at the Stampin' Up party I am having at my house next month (he he he). I had to use Tempting Turqouise instead which doesn't go as well. The card stock is Ballet Blue, Bashful Blue and Yoyo Yellow. Overall it doesn't look too bad. I am off to have a another play with the Pocket Sillouettes and see what else I can come up with. Thanks for visiting.

Friday, August 28, 2009

MDUC - Father's Day Card


I have been checking out the Magnolia Down Under Challenge and seeing all the fabulous entries and wondering, can I really pull off a Father's Day card with my Magnolia images. I knew it was going to take some thought and time, so I couldn't do it until I got a few of my urgent cards out of the way so I could relax and have a good go at it.

I used inspiration from a card that was given to me by Kellie and you can see that card here. I coloured the Magnolia stamp and the Penny Black stamp with ink pads and aqua painter and stampin' write markers. This card is extra special because it is for my Dad. He lives on a farm near Tamworth with my Mum and he loves the country. That is why I thought this background stamp would suit him. I tried to stay away from "girly" colours and only used blue, brown, green and yellow. I roughed up the edges a bit and used my favourite string that I am obsessed with at the moment.

Here is a photo of me, Mum and Dad when they came up to visit us at Easter Time. It rained the whole weekend so we went for a Day Trip up to Brisbane and visited the Museum. We spent most of our time trying not to get wet! But found this cute little organic cafe at Southbank and had lunch.


It is the Gold Coast Holiday here today so no school - Yipeeeee! It's a beautiful day too. Hope you are having a happy Friday. Thanks for visiting.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Penny Black Saturday Challenge -Stitching


After all those boring male cards I felt I needed to make something pretty! Michelle, my teaching partner has asked me to make two wedding cards for weddings she is going to later in the year. (Can you tell she is a super-organised person?) I find wedding cards pretty tricky - probably because I have no wedding stamps. Something I need to add to the wish list. I didn't know if she wanted traditional, cute or modern wedding cards so I thought I would make three and she can choose from that. I am going to a wedding in Novemeber so I can have the one left over. This is the first one I have done and I thought I would enter it in the Penny Black Challenge - stitching. This is the first time I have entered a Penny Black Challenge even though I LOVE Penny Black stamps and use them all the time on my cards. The window is actually pop dotted and has a 3-D effect in real life. I struggled to photograph it. I put the Penny Black stamp underneath. The two mice are kissing and there is love hearts floating up above them, but you have to really peer in the window to see the hearts. I used Kindy Glitz on the window and also on the SU stamp at the bottom of the card, but you can't really tell in the photo.

Creatalicious Challenge - Father's Day Card


Over at Creatalicious Challenge the challenge is to make a Father's Day card with the colour brown and something metal. A family at my school asked me to make them a Father's Day card for their Dad. I was a bit nervous just making the one so I made two and then they had a choice of their favourite card. It suits me anyway because I need three Father's Day cards by this weekend to post to my Dad, Ben's Dad and my Grandfather. I used brown on both cards and metal clips on one and a metal button on the other. I used the digi-stamp "Jim goes fishing" and added crystal effects to the water and the fish. The family chose the second card - but I actually like the top card the best.
Thanks for visiting.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Thanks for the lovely comments...

I just wanted to say a big thank you to the people who leave me such lovely comments. I try to visit you regularly and see all your beautiful creations. I also wanted to thank Carol who comments on my cards regularly but doesn't have a blog of her own so I couldn't return the favour.

Hi Carol,
I browsed through your cards at the Split Coast Stamper gallery and they look amazing! I think you should definately have your own blog as well so I can visit you more easily! Your creations are beautiful and I want to thank you for your lovely comments that you leave me. They make my day.

Stamp Something - Birthdays


For this card I created my own sketch and decided to enter it in the Stamp Something Challenge - Birthdays. This card - another male one is for my cousin in Boggabri (NSW). I think he is 18 or 19, I am not sure, but I thought the digi image "Jim with Beer" would be suitable. I have now purchased the scallop oval nestibilities so I am happily using them on my cards.

Sketch Saturday


I have been busily making cards the last two nights. August is always a busy birthday month for me and it keeps being busy now for cards until the end of the year. I used the Sketch Saturday sketch for this card for my Uncle's birthday. The digi image is "Jim with beer" from Digi Stamp Boutique. Papers are SU and the "Just for You" stamp is from my new stamp set SU Oval All from the mini catalogue. I am obsessed with the SU Linen Thread at the moment because I think it looks great on male cards. It is great for when you want to use ribbon but cant!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Inkspirations Sketch




I have lots of cards to make and lots of scrapbooking to do...so tonight I will hopefully make some progress on all my crafty jobs! I needed a sketch and I found Makeesha's over at Inkspirations.
I altered the sketch a little because I was inspired by Amanda's card for the Delicious Diva challenge. I really liked the way Amanda layered her papers so I thought I might have a go at doing that too. This card is for a friend I went to Uni with. She loves cats and dogs so I thought this Penny Black stamp would be just right for her. Hope your Sunday evening is relaxing and enjoyable. Thanks for visiting.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Delicious Diva Challenge


Phew! What a busy week I have had this week. Tuseday night I did some tutoring and didn't get home until seven pm. Wednesday I went to my Naturopath and didn't get home to eight pm. Thursday night seemed to just disappear and last night I went out for dinner to the Sheraton Seafood Buffet as I've had this oyster craving all week that just wouldn't go away! Already it is Saturday morning and I have wanted to post this card all week!

The Second Delicious Diva Challenge is live and this time it is a colour challenge. The challenges will alternate between a sketch challenge and a colour challenge. I think thats great variety and also predictable - so you know whats coming next.

When I saw the colours for this card I panicked a little. I don't think I have ever used these four colours on a card before and I had no idea where to begin. But then I found my Magnolia background stamp and a cute Penny Black stamp and the card began to take shape. In fact I ended up having so much fun making this card. I really enjoyed the challenge.
Why don't you pop on over to the Delicious Diva Challenge your self and join in. I will come and visit you and leave a comment. I can't wait to see the goreous cards everybody makes for this colour challenge. If you have any questions on the materials I used please let me know and I will be happy to answer.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Kellie's Sketch Challenge #2





I saw the sketch over at Kellie's blog and I just had to have a go! I had this cute little PennyBlack duck image and I have been waiting for a chance to use her. She looked so cheery I knew I wanted to use warm yellows and oranges. I am in love with the SU colour Pumpkin Pie at the moment and I love these DSPs from SU Washington Apple. I added a wooden Kaiser flower flourish, some hemp twine and a sentiment. Thanks for visiting.


Sunday, August 16, 2009

Tuesday Morning Sketches


I have been working on this simple card for a few days for the Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge. It is for my cousin Matt who is having a birthday on Monday. He is in his early twenties and he loves surfing, spear-fishing and everything to do with the ocean. I used Scuba-Josh from Digi-stamp boutique and a shell stamp from SU. I really wanted to find a fish stamp instead of the shells, but I don't have one and couldn't really find a suitable digi-stamp. Something else to add to my wish list. I covered the wetsuit and flippers in crystal effects so it looks and feels wet and shiny. I kept the card simple - no bows or flowers - to make it more masculine.
It is a glorious day here on the Gold Coast and although I would love to stay inside and stamp all day it just wouldn't do the day justice! We are going in to Main Beach to get some fish for tea tonight and will check out the beach on the way. I will hopefully stamp some more tonight because I have lots of ideas floating around in my head at the moment and many challenges I would love to have a go at.
I hope your Sunday is sunny and fun! Thanks for visiting.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Sweetie's Sketch with Inkspirations Colour Challenge



Well, I had a lovely day off school today - how good are holidays! They really are my favourite days in the whole year. I spent the morning getting a few jobs done and then had lunch with my good friend Carrie. I had a neck and shoulder massage at Westfield and came home for a three hour afternoon nap. Then I went for a walk to the broadwater and did some wii fit. Ben and I made and ate dinner and then lucky last I made a card. It really couldn't get any better. I must work out a way to make a million dollars so I can buy a house and give up teaching! Let me know if you know a great way of doing this!


My card tonight is for the Sweeties Card Sketch. I was blog-hopping tonight and hopped over there and I saw that I won the card sketch for July! I was so shocked, surprised and honoured that I won the card challenge. It made my already good day even better! While I was there I thought I might try their card sketch for August and I have combined it with the Inkspiration colours. I have had this SU designer paper for ages, have loved it, but have never known how to use it. Tonight it fell out of my scraps drawer and wanted to be used. I used a white background - I think this is the first time I have ever used a white background on a card. Victoria has inspired me to use white as she often does it and her cards always look so fresh and beautiful. I have added crystal effects and glitter to the flowers but I have taken the photo while it is still wet so you can't really tell yet. I coloured the flowers with SU Watercolour crayons and an Aqua painter and outlined them with SU markers.


While I am posting tonight I would like to thank Cheryl for this Inspiration Award:
Cheryl kindly encourages me with my card making and scrap booking by leaving such lovely comments and I really appreciate her blog support. Cheryl's blog is always inspiring as she makes such lovely creations.
Two ladies that also really inspire me with their card-making are:
I love visiting their blogs and I love the cards they make so I will pass on this award to Victoria and Jeannie. If you have time pop on over and see their lovely work.
Thats about it for me tonight. I hope you had a lovely day. Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Sweet Sketch Wednesday




Wow it has been a challenge to make a card and get it posted these last few days! But it feels so good to get one up tonight. This is for Sweet Sketch Wednesday. I try to participate in their weekly sketches, and I have only just made it this week seeing it is Tuesday night! I followed their sketch and went for a country-themed card for my cousin's wife who lives in the country as it is her birthday coming up this week or next.

We get tomorrow off school for the Brisbane Show Day holiday, so I am very happy about that. I plan to have a lovely day all to myself. I hope to make some more cards and treat myself to a massage.

We sold our cards at the Franciscan Festival (school fete) at my school on Sunday. We did very well. I sold 12 cards out of my 16 so I was very happy with that. Of course I have quickly spent the profits on some nestibilities and other treats from Bizzy Becs. Can't wait for them to arrive!

I hope you are having a really good week. Hump day tomorrow! Wont be long until it is the weekend.
(For those that haven't heard of "hump day" before it is an Aussie slang (I dont know if other countries use this word) term for the middle of the week. Imagine the days Monday to Friday are like a hill. Monday you start the climb, Tuesday you get higher. By the time you get to Wednesday you are at the top of the hill so you only have to go down from there and then after Thursday and Friday you are at the weekend! This is why Wednesday can be referred to as hump day. Hope that clears it up for the non-aussies reading. Thanks for asking!)
Take care,

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Magnolia Down Under Challenge


Thank God for card making! Sometimes it is the best thing for cheering you up after an unpleasant day...This card should cheer anybody up (although sometimes I do feel very tempted to put a smile on Tilda's face)! This is for the Magnolia Down Under Challenge "Winter is here".
I have to be honest and say it hasn't really been that cold here on the Gold Coast. Its about 15 degrees celsius on my car temp when I drive to work and it must get up to about 22-25 degrees during the day (I am not sure). The sun is out and shining and I even put on a bit of fake tan tonight as I am itching to get out of pants and into a skirt...see how I go tomorrow morning! Anyway besides all of that it is winter and I chose a tilda all rugged up in the cutest little Santa outfit. Well that's what it reminded me of and so my card turned out all red and white! But - I didn't want it to be too Christmassy as that was last fortnight's challenge so I added some red flowers and a big red bow. I didn't put a sentiment on - thought I might leave it blank so the card becomes more versatile.
One of the kids told me today that it is only four months till the end of the year and when I did the maths I realised she was right! Can you believe it... 8 months down and 4 to go. I think I must be suffering from mid-term blues at the moment and it is never pleasant! But on a more positive note, I will tell you some fun things we did at school today, boomerang throwing on the oval and painting. Friday tomorrow - yeehah! Bring on the weekend I say! Hope you are having a good week. Thanks for visiting.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Delicious Divas Sketch Challenge



Today is a very exciting day. It is the day of the launch of the Delicious Diva Challenge Blog. The Blog is designed and run by Kellie and Kristy in Australia and will have challenges every fortnight. I am very proud to be a Guest Designer for a little while on this blog and this is my first card.

My cardstock is SU Night of Navy and Ballet Blue - one of my favourite colour combinations. The Designer Papers are from SU's Urban Garden Collection. The image is a cute Penny Black stamp coloured in with SU markers - Old Olive, Night of Navy, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa and Bashful Blue. For the background I used ink from Old Olive and Ballet Blue ink pads and my SU Aqua Painter. To decorate I used some jewel brads, ribbon, butterflies and sentiments from my stash.

Why don't you pop on over to Delicious Divas and have a go at the sketch. There is an awesome prize up for grabs! I can't wait to see the beautiful creations everyone will make.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog.