When You Don't Feel Like Colouring - Paper Piece!

So what do you do when you are having one of THOSE days - when nothing seems to be working for you and you need to get something DONE - you get inspired by some wonderful designer paper!!!

I've been madly getting things cut and sorted for a couple of workshops I have this week - and then I had to stop, slow down and CREATE my DT card for my Stamp Spot Wednesday! Nothing was going right - I couldn't colour, I couldn't stamp and I couldn't work out WHAT to do! It was then I looked at these gorgeous Cosmo Cricket DPs and decided to let them do the work for me! I had 2 6x6 sheets that Marcia had sent me in my Stamp Spot kit and I've used pieces from both sides of both sheets on this card. I was struggling with my colouring - yes it DOES happen - LOL - so decided to paper piece Miss Anya's outfit. From there everything just came together in no time!! So next time you're in need of some wonderful inspiration check out what Marcia has in stock at The Stamp Spot Online Store!

My next BIG problem revolves around the kids being hime on holidays - they've managed to use up our broadband allowance for the month and the computer is on GO SLOW until Thursday - grrrrrrr. Not that I blame them tooo much - our wonderful Spring holiday weather has included freezing temperatures, hail, rain, rain and even more rain - the computer was working overtime!!!! Sooooo apologies for lack of blog visiting over the next couple of days! I'm actually lucky I managed to post this - I had NO internet for a few hours this morning and I wasn't sure what to do - hubby and my IT BIL are both away - luckily a little re-booting of the system got me going again - phew - computer crisis averted - LOL.

Ciao for now

xXx

Magnolia Down Under Challenge #23 - Buttons

Don't you just love the simplicity of buttons - yet they can be such a star feature too! This week's challenge at Magnolia Down Under is to use buttons on your creation - what fun!! I really don't think I use buttons enough! These are from my Button Box in the sewing section of my "disaster zone" aka my crafting space!

I've used one of my new Tilda's from the A Little Yummy for your Tummy collection - Dinner Tilda - she's sooo sweet! I've paired her with Kiwi Kiss, Kraft and Basic Gray CS and some DP from SU's Urban Oasis. And yes, I've used my new Fiskars punch again - LOL. Some mini green rhinestones add a little sparkle to her necklace and bracelet - she's definately dressed for dinner!

So grab some spare buttons and your Magnolia stamps and come and join us at MDUC this week, or just pop over and see what amazing creations the DT have come up with. Our fabulous sponsor for this challenge is Scrapbook Boutique.

xXx

Do You Want to Come and Play!

This October I'm going to be doing a special workshop at the Ringwood Library here in Melbourne called The Christmas Table. I was originally asked to just run the card and tag workshop, but the lady who was doing the boxes has had to withdraw - so I'm doing that workshop too.

I wanted the card to be something with a bit of WOW that wouldn't cost me too much to put together - and this is what I came up with! Cuttlebugging some cardstock adds such a WOW and will hopefully also be fun for those who have never seen my wonderful green machine in action. The card was inspired by the wonderful recessed window cards that Tracey Old did here - they may not be the easiest to do but they do have that WOW factor I was after - and I figured it would be more fun for me to teach something a little different! I have also done a couple of other samples to show how you can achieve different looks without the cuttlebug.

I haven't quite worked out what I'll be doing for the box class - but check out the flyer below if you're interested in coming along - or email me for details! It's a GREAT bargain at only $5 per workshop or $12 for all 3!!!!

xXx

Another Mo Christmas Card!

I told you I had a few Mo Manning images from Digital Pencil Too - it's all YOUR fault Kellie for introducing them to me - LOL. Here's another one from her Season's and Holidays line - Fairy Holly - isn't she gorgeous!!!!

I've coloured her in traditional Christmas colours and used some Crystal Effects on the snow globe, after sticking on a little sparkle for snow! I've then simply cut her out using my nesties, popping her holly wings and head out. I also added some mini red rhinestones to the holly in her hair.

The border is a new Fiskars border and corner punch I treated myself to at last weekend's Picture 2 Page show here in Melbourne - I LOVE this thing!!! You'll be seeing it a few times until I tire of it or move onto a new toy - LOL.

I stuck the border punched piece down onto some Real Red CS and then realised I had a little bit of glue showing in the holes - aaaaaagh. Out came my glue eraser and I was almost finished tidying up when I had a lightbulb moment!!!! I re-did this piece and used wide double sided tape making sure I went OVER all the holes!! After I stuck it down I sprinkled on some ultra fine red glitter and voila - I had a sparkling patterned border - you should see it IRL - I'm rapt with the finish!!

I used the previous piece on the inside of my card and added the sentiment there - I love the symmetrical layout on the front and didn't want to spoil it by adding the sentiment.

Another Christmas card done!! I really SHOULD write my list so I know how many I need - LOL.

xXx

Miss Anya's Wednesday Visit to The Stamp Spot

I love my Miss Anya's and this one is fast becoming a favourite. I was going to pair her with the gorgeous little cow from TGF McSplendid Farm - I thought she could be a little milk maid! - but unfortunately I just couldn't get it to work for me.

I had these strips of October Afternoon DP from The Stamp Spot and they just seemed to work in with the colours I had used for Miss Anya (from the Miss Anya Dressy set). I also think it's great to show how such a small bit of great DP can lift a card!!! I layered Miss Anya onto some Rose Red CS and then onto some Chocolate Chip CS that I had cuttlebug embossed in the left hand corner - I wanted the rest "flat". It's a fairly simple layout but hopefully the recipient will like it!

Marcia has cuttlebug embossing folders, The Greeting Farm stamps, October Afternoon DP and Kaiser Rhinestones all available at The Stamp Spot Online Store. The rest are from SU or my stash.

xXx

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards Sketch #45

When I found the Just Christmas and Birthday Cards challenge blog I thought it would get me making a Christmas card every week and I would be well ahead in the lead up to Christmas! Unfortunately I haven't always managed to play along and the Christmas goodies are starting to show up in the shops - the pressure is ON!!!

It's school holidays here in Melbourne - which means I get 2 weeks off work too - and some time to play!!! I love the sketch this week from Tanja - and I'm really happy with the way my card worked out.

I've used another fabulous digital image from Mo's Digital Pencil called Choir - I love the multi-cultural feel of this little group - harmoniously singing together - wish the world could be the same!!! I have a few of Mo's images now - they are just fabulous!!!! I've paired it with some retired SU DP, Real Red and Handsome Hunter CS. The sentiment is from SU's Snow Swirled set and the star brads are from my stash. Once again I've used my Touch and Copic markers to colour.

xXx

Creatalicious Challenge #2 - Burgundy, Pink, Green and some Lace

When I saw the requirements for this month's challenge over at Creatalicious Challenges I knew I would have to find the time to play along! For starters the colour combo is just delicious - one of my favourites! And then there's the lace element. I'm not much of a lace girl - unless it's paper lace - but I do make machine embroidered lace snowflakes to give as Christmas gifts - and I thought why not pop one on my card and see how it looks!!! Well I'm happy with the result and now have to make up more to give away! I do have a couple with stitches missing that will now be relegated to my card making - LOL.

If you're interested I got the pattern for these from my favourite embroidery site - Emblibrary - and the link for the snowflakes is here! They are very simple to make if you have an embroidery machine - which I'm glad to say I do!!! You stitch them onto soluble stabiliser and then soak the stabiliser off when you're done - voila, a lace snowflake! AND you can make them in any colour you like!!!

Back to my card - I've used a gorgeous Whiff of Joy stamp and some Basic Grey DP with some Rose Red, Whisper White and Kiwi Kiss CS from Stampin Up. The leaf punch is a McGill punch which I bought from Bizzy Becs. The sentiment is from SU's Best Yet hostess set - this has got to be my favourite sentiment set! A little cuttlebug embossing adds some more texture.

xXx

Ref Rodney Kicks Off at Sunshine's Stamps

The football season is coming to a close here in Australia with the AFL Grand Final on next weekend. In the Northern Hemisphere the football season is just kicking off. Now I can't say I'm a follower of either code - but here in Oz I'm a Blues girl (makes for a harmonious household with DH and DD being Carlton supporters!) at least we made the finals!!! While living in the US we followed the Redskins - kinda a MUST when you're living just outside the Washington DC beltway - LOL.

To celebrate the start of the football season over her way, Sunshine has released this ref called Rodney - he's kicking off the new Sports Stuff line of digital images. There's also a football (American style) called Fumble and a new member of the high flyer series called Jetwash. Check them all out here.

Since Rodney doesn't quite dress like our refs I figured I wouldn't do a football based card - but he does work fabulously for a male's birthday card - especially if it's a milestone one! Here I generated a sentiment to suit on my computer. He's a cute little guy who I'm sure will be showing up on some fabulous layouts!

Here's hoping there's a little Sunshine in your day too...

xXx

Mailbox Tutorial - yes it's finally here!!!

You asked for it and here it is - my tutorial to make the mailbox from this post. I've managed to fine tune it a little along the way too - am much happier with the finish on this one!!!

I have found one of the BEST things for making boxes is the card that comes in each pack of SU designer paper to stabilise it. The card is 12x12, white and flexible, yet strong - so make sure you save this when your DP arrives!

If ANY of these instructions don't make sense then PLEASE let me know...I'm a very visual person so have included lots of pics. There are a few steps but it's not too hard to do...here we go.

Mailbox Requirements

* 1 sheet 12x12 SU DP stabilising card or light weight card
* 2 sheets of co-ordinating DP - one is the outside cover and one is the lining.
* 4 larger beads
* 12mm & 6mm double sided sticky tape
* 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon to either contrast or co-ordinate with your DP
* 4 1/2"" x 3 1/4" piece CS to co-ordinate with your DP
* 2 rhinestone brads
* silver cord
* Adhesive - I used a glue stick and Pritt power gel
* Embellishments

First cut 2 pieces of card from your 12x12 stabilising card -

12" x 3 1/2" and 10 5/8" x 4 7/8"

Keep the rest of the card - you'll be using it later.

Take the 12" x 1/3" piece and score 3 1/2" in from each end - this is your base and ends.

Score the other piece 3/4" in from each end - this is the archway.





Using 12mm double sided tape stick the scored end on the archway piece to the middle section of your base piece.

Repeat on the other side to form the archway.






The 2 flaps will become the back and the door.










Lay one open end of your mailbox down onto the leftover piece of card and trace the curve to create a template for the back of your box. Cut this out and use it to create the curve on ONE end of your mailbox. This is the back of the box and doesn't need to be as exact as the front - but it stabilises the box better to create a better fitting door!


Use scraps cut from the leftover piece of thin card to make tabs to stick the back too and stick on with double sided tape.








Carefully stick the back up making it fit as neatly as possible. Don't worry about small gaps - these are inevitable and will be covered later anyway!








Your box is now a little more stable so it's time to create the front door template. I traced the curve again onto some Whisper White CS, cut it out and then folded it in half vertically to make sure it was symmetrical. Hold it up to the box opening to make sure it fits well. Use your new template to cut the door piece to shape.



Now it's time to cover and line your box!

Cut your outside DP to 6" x 12" and stick onto box using a glue stick - allowing a small overlap at the front and the rest at the back. There will also be overlaps that go under the box.






Cut slits in the 2 end overlap pieces and stick down - you'll need to trim off the corner pieces that go under the box. Stick the tabs down.








Cut a backing piece from your DP using your template and stick down - I found it best to cut just slightly within the template tracing line to get a neat fit.






Using the front template trace the DP for the front door onto some DP. Cut it out leaving approx 3/4" margin all the way around - so you can "wrap" the excess around the door. Glue to the door and then cut notches all around the curved edge. Remove the corner pieces at the base of the door before glueing down the tabs





Wrap some 6mm double sided tape around the base of the box from one the edge of the door right around to the other. Use this to apply your 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.






Wrap another piece of 6mm tape from under the box, over the arch and under the box on the other side - do this on both ends of your box. Attach more ribbon to neaten these edges.






Before lining I recommend you add your rhinestones - oops I forgot on mine. I had to peel back the DP on the on the inside of the door and I glued a 1 1/4" circle of DP over the brad ends on the inside of the box under the top - just in case you do an oopsie too -LOL.

I marked where I wanted to add my rhinestones and used my small crop-a-dile hole cutter to punch the holes. I wrapped a piece of silver cord around the door brad before securing it. I used a pair of tweezers to hold the brad on top while I set the legs - this is so it doesn't sit flush to the box and the cord can be wrapped easily to close the door.




Tie the cord into a bow and trim off excess. You may want to dab a touch of glue onto the cut ends of the cord so it doesn't unravel over time.






Lining the Box

Cut a piece your contrasting DP 5 1/4" x 10 5/8" - this is for the inside of the arch. Score at 4 7/8" along the long edge. Clip to the score line - this end will be to the back of the box with the clips being stuck to the back.. Score one end at 3/4" and fold. Check fit on inside of box and use your bone folder to mark where the fold needs to be on the other end.




Remove from box and fold the other end. Remove the corners where the folds meet. I used double sided tape on the front edge and the end pieces. Place the lining into the box and position before gently removing the tape covering - do the arch first and then the ends along the base. You don't need to glue the tabs at the back down - you'll be sticking a piece over the top.



Using your front template cut 2 end pieces - cut 1 a little within the lines and check for fit at the back of the box before trimming if necessary and cut the other one longer so the end will go inside the box. Glue down when you are happy with the fit, scoring where the fold is on the door. I also suggest you open and close the door a few times to make sure the DP is sitting right before the glue dries.






Cut another piece of DP 4 3/4" x 3 1/4" to glue to the inside base - but once again check the fit before gluing!









Glue your piece of 4 1/2"" x 3 1/4" CS to the base of the box to cover all the DP edges.







I used my Touch markers to colour some large white beads to co-ordinate. I had these in my stash but you could buy some to match.






I glued them onto the base of my box for "feet" using Pritt gel glue. I found the best way was to use 2 of my inkpads to support the box while it was upside down while I set the beads and the glue dried.









YOU'RE NEARLY DONE - all you have to do now is have some fun decorating your box!!!

If you do make one I'd LOVE to see it - just try NOT to show me up - LOL. I'll be back soon with my box all dolled up to show you - just haven't quite made up my mind what I'll be doing to it yet!

Have fun

xXx

Digital Deal of the Year!

My wonderful friend Lisa mentioned this amazing offer on her blog - thought I'd pass it on to my visitors too. If you are interested in digital stamps then this is the deal for you - but you only have a few days left!!! Dustin Pike is retiring pages 1 through 5 of his line of digital stamps as he is working on a new line of rubber stamps. The entire collection of images on these 5 pages is being sold as a bundle for US$25 - that's less than AU$30!!! There's quite a few images in the bundle - Lisa thinks it works out that you're paying around 25c each image!!!! This offer is good until midnight Sept. 25th. Dustin will not offer these again until Jan/Feb 2010 and some images might not return....

I am not receiving any compensation for passing this on to you - just the knowledge that some of you may enjoy hearing about it!!

Be back soon with my mailbox tutorial - it's taking longer than I thought- doesn't help when I get asked to work extra days and I'm "tweaking" it as I go to make it work better for you!!!

xXx

An Inky Impressions Birthday!

This gorgeous image is Lili's Birthday Cake and she's only recently arrived at The Stamp Spot store - along with some of her closest friends from Inky Impressions. These stamps are remarkably detailed - and those eyes just seem to be alive! I've coloured her with my markers - I use a mix of Touch and Copics. She was then cut out using my cuttlebug and nestabilities. I cut a couple of mats out using the same size nestie before splitting them in half from top to bottom and layering them behind my image. If you want to do this you do need to trim the point off the mats.

I used some DP from Collage Press called Sweet Shoppe Sugar on Top. The strip down the side has the reverse side of the paper for it's base - gotta love double sided paper - AND it's currently on sale - Marcia has 20% off most papers, ribbons and embellishments this week!!!! Another gorgeous Prima rose has been layered on 2 fabric flowers to finish off the card!

On a side note - I've started putting a tutorial together for the mailbox I did here - hopefully I'll have it finished for you soon....I think making the box was much easier than working out the tutorial - LOL.

Hope all is well in your part of the world!

xXx

Meet Sunshine's Stamps Cledus!

I loved Cledus the first time I saw him - he's one of this week's new releases from Sunshine's Stamps. You can check the other guys out, including coloured up versions - here. I noticed on the coloured up version that poor ol' Cledus has a touch of a rust problem - I loved the look so I gave the poor fella a bit of rust too - LOL. I think Cledus could also do with a visit to a dental truck for those yellowing teeth - he's just sooo much fun!!! I think Cledus is one of those gorgeous characters who makes up for in heart what he lacks in sophistication! He's also the perfect image for a card for a guy who's feeling a little down - or even unwell. Hopefully he'll bring a smile to the recipient's face.

I've paired Cledus with my fabulous new Cuttlebug folder - the perfect choice for these wonderful machines! A fun little sentiment from my computer, some distressing around the images and a few pewter pearls added the finishing touches.

Wishing you all a little Sunshine in your day!

xXx

Magnolia Down Under Challenge #22 - Anything But A Card

I knew this Magnolia Down Under challenge was coming up and had an idea in my mind of what I was going to do - but this is NOT it - LOL.

Last week I got an email from a wonderful machine embroidery site I like - yup - another of my hobbies - LOL. In the email they had this wonderful tutorial for an embroidered fabric Christmas card mail box. I kept going back to look at the tutorial and decided I should try re-creating it in card! Here's my attempt - don't look too closely I think it needs a little fine tuning - it's about half the size of the fabric one - but let me know if you would like my measurements! I've lined the inside with Chocolate Chip DP and popped some large white beads on for feet. I'm not quite sure what I'll use this for - but at the moment it's gathering lots of compliments by just sitting on my mantlepiece - think I might hide some Christmas treats in there later!

There's exciting news at MDUC too - which I forgot to mention last time - naughty DT member!! Kellie has managed to get sponsors for most of our challenges - so not only do you get to have fun, you also get the opportunity to win a prize!!!

This fortnight's fabulous sponsor is Just Scrap and Stamp and we have a GUEST DT member for this challenge too - Tania Just Scrap and Stamp Founder and Owner...

xXx

Another Double Challenge

Boy am I on a roll - LOL. I've managed to do another card for 2 challenges. This one follows Kellie's Sketch Challenge #3 and uses the colour combo from Colour Create - Neon Green and Black!

I first saw this colour combo on the divine Miss Dena's blog. I'm a bit of a green addict so this colour combo has been rattling around in my head waiting to be used. Teamed with the black it's absolutely fabulous!

I used one of the Motivet images Kellie very kindly let me stamp off recently - I have already coloured him in yellows and browns so this looked quite strange next to that one. But put him into this fabulous layout from Kellie with more Basic Black and Green Galore CS and it just seemed to work! I know there's a touch of white in there - ah well - it's called artistic license I believe - LOL.

Not sure why I am inside - the weather outside is delightful - warm and lovely Spring breezes - with the wind chimes singing away! Am off to enjoy it... hope your day is wonderful too.

xXx

Two Challenges in One!

I'm not known for managing to fit more than one challenge in a card - unlike some of my amazing blogging friends who sometimes fit in 4 or 5! Don't know how they do it!!! I managed to find time to put this card together today - I had coloured the image up a couple of days ago but have been organising a class for tomorrow ever since. It's a bit scary - am teaching folk art painting again - haven't done that in AGES!!! Had to find all my bits and pieces tucked away behind all the inks and CS that have overtaken my crafting space - LOL.

Ok - back to my card! Last weekend Mo Manning from Digital Pencil Too posted a challenge on her SNR Card Universe - to use this fabulous image! How tough is THAT!!!! Well I had her printed off in no time and had her all coloured up pretty soon after! While I was colouring her I kept thinking she reminded me of my daughter reading her school novels - she only has a few weeks of High School left before her final exams so she's started her revision by revisiting these books. I figured that meant this card qualified for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge that my friends Lisa and Kris help organise. Their 3rd challenge is "Back to School". Our Aussie kids are heading into the end of their school year but their US counterparts are just starting! My daughter has just entered her university preferences for next year - so this particular sentiment from SUs In The Stars just fit beautifully. I really hope all her dreams DO come true!

I hope all your dreams come true too.

xXx

Angelica Joins The Stamp Spot

Marcia has managed to get Inky Impressions stamps in at The Stamp Spot - and I was rapt when Angelica's Day Dream was sitting in my post box on Monday when I got home from work! I stamped her up and grabbed my pencil case of markers and headed off the the tennis courts for my son's lesson. Silly me couldn't finish colouring her in though - I hadn't had time to grab my goodie bag of DPs Marcia had sent so had no idea what colours I was going to use. At least I got her hair, shoes and skintones done - the rest didn't take too long! The DP is from Sassafras Lass - Whale of a Tale (Davy Jones Locker). I paired it with a gorgeous heart shaped doilie and a fabulous Prima rose. The funny thing was - when I first saw Marcia had the doilies in, a friend and I discussed if we felt we would ever use them - and I said they weren't my style, but here I am using one and loving the look. Marcia you may have got me hooked including this in my pack - LOL.

Angelica is cut out using my round nesties - after making sure I popped the top of her head and her legs out of the ring before cutting! I've layered this circle on more nestie shapes - but have popped this one up in Dimensionals! I cut out 2 pieces using my Word Window Punch before chopping them up and using them in opposite corners - with a little pink rhinestone on each for a touch of bling! I didn't add a sentiment - I didn't feel it needed one - I can always add one later if I wish.

Well - another Wednesday done for The Stamp Spot , it's soo much fun with Marcia getting in these fantastic new products! But I had to laugh - Sue used her heart doilie too - told you we were in sync - LOL

xXx

Another 40th Birthday Card

I know I know - another CASE of a previous card I've done - this one - LOL. But this card from Norma is just waaaaayyyyyyy too adorable to only CASE once - and I've gone with completely different colours and even a different Tilda this time! I also used my brand new leaf punch from Bizzy Becs. I love how this colour combo turned out. My previous card was a lot more dramatic in red, black and white. This card is fresh and pretty - perfect for a Spring birthday - although technically the actual birthday girl was born in Winter - the party was on a beautiful sunny day with Spring in the air! I'm sure this isn't the last time you'll see me CASE this layout - I just can't go past it for a BIG birthday!

Thanx again Norma - you are a true inspiration to soo many of us!

xXx

A Gift Set for My Sister's Friend

I actually made this little set a couple of weeks ago after my sister bought a pair of earrings for a friend and needed a box for them. I offered to make her a box and matching birthday card. I'm sure the recipient isn't a papercrafting blog follower but she does know I have a blog and didn't want to ruin the surprise on the off chance she saw them here.

You may recognise the card - I have done one almost exactly the same before, I think only the flower is different. And here I have a HUGE apology to make because I realised the last time I used this idea I didn't acknowledge the uber talented Kris Breach from Ink Something - it was her card here that I CASEd originally. I am lucky enough to have this card sitting in my crafting room to inspire me after Kris sent it to me. I have emailed her to apologise but I also want to publicly acknowledge her beautiful work.

Anyway - back to my gift set. My sister's friend LOVES green - and in all honesty I had forgotten I had said I would do it until my sister called asking if she could pick them up - LOL - hence the CASE of the previous card - no time to think!!! I made a pizza box for the earrings - but changed the measurements so it's only 2 1/2 inch square at the top and bottom - I left the depth of the sides at 1" - please feel free to ask if you want me to post the complete measurements for you! The earring "holder" was a simple stage cut at 3 1/4" square and then scored at 1/2" all round and cutting out the corners - basically an inverted box! I decorated the box to match the card. My sister was happy - and so was I - I got it done without her knowing it was a "rush" job - LOL.

xXx