My Shadow

Hi!

Now, I did tell you I was very inspired by the latest Just Add Ink sketch challenge. This layout is my third go using the fabulous sketch.


I took the photos of Hudson last week. I'd made a card and was lying on the floor to take a photo of the card when Hudson decided I was playing and came over to join in. The photos were taken on strange angles, so I decided to rotate the squares to suit the photos. The lower right edge of each photo is actually the bottom. Poor Hudson has been a bit lonely lately as his playmate Ada started school. Now he just follows me everywhere, hence the title: 'my shadow'.


To create this effect I die cut a set of letters, stuck them in place using temporary adhesive and then used a sponge to sponge ink over the top. I removed the letters and then stuck down a second set slightly offset. I got this technique from page 24 of Australian Cardmaking, Stamping and Papercraft magazine (Vol 16 No 5).

Card Stock: Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink: Old Olive
Other: Big Shot, Timeless Type Alphabet Die, 1/4" Elegant Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon, Sponge

Catch you later,

Tina

Simply Sweet Cottage Garden

Hi!

Today's card is a CASE of a card in the latest issue of Australian Cardmaking, Stamping and Papercraft magazine (Volume 16 Number 5). Vicki Kendrick did a beautiful job of her masked cards on page 80 of the mag. I haven't done much masking, so I was keen to have a go and polish up on some new skills. I was also after some inspriation for an Art With Heart team challenge: two step stamping.


Very simple and very sweet, if I do say so myself. I made a smaller sized card than she did, as I used a smaller flower stamp. I used SNAIL to adhere the bottom of the flowers, but I didn't stick down the top of them. It adds just a little bit of dimension without having to use Dimensionals.

Stamps: Cottage Garden
Ink: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Certainly Celery
Card Stock: Whisper White, Certainly Celery
Other: Paper Snips

Catch you later,

Tina

Guest Designer Lisa

Hi!

Last night Lisa came over because she needed to make a farewell card for a friend of hers that is going overseas for a year. I didn't help her much, just provided some ideas and die cut the letters for her. This is the card she came up with:


Don't you just love that tree! Lisa hand cut the trunk and punched out a whole lot of different sized circles. Some dimensionals, a few buttons and a bird charm and it's done!

Catch you later,

Tina

Another Go At JAI 27

Hi!

As I said in my last post, I was very inspired by the latest Just Add Ink challenge. I had planned to do a scrapbook page based on the sketch, but as I got into bed last night an new idea popped into my head. I managed to remember it this morning and after I finished the housework I sat down and made this card:


It turned out exactly as I imagined it, so I was pretty happy. I covered the die cut letters in Crystal Effects to give them a bit of shine.

Now to get some photos developed so I can do the layout!

DSP/Card Stock: Bella Rose DSP, Kiwi Kiss
Other: Big Shot, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Die, Crystal Effects, 1 1/4" Pink Pirouette Grosgrain Ribbon (retired from Summer Mini), Vanilla Half Pearls from the Pretties Kit, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Catch you later,

Tina

Sunshiny Birthday

Hi!

I tried a little blog surfing before I sat down to create this afternoon. As soon as I saw the sketch over at Just Add Ink I was inspired! It really appealed to the logical side of my brain - very even, orderly squares.


Another very quick and simple card. I'm hoping to have another go at this sketch over the weekend. I think it would look great as a scrapbook layout and I think I have the perfect photos. As I said before, I was very inspired by this sketch!

DSP/Card Stock: Good Morning Sunshine DSP, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Summer Sun, Pacific Point
Other: Square Punches, Chit Chat Rub Ons (retired), Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Dimensionals, Chocolate Chip Flower Fusion Too Flower, Brown Brads and Yellow Eyelet (both non SU)

Catch you later,

Tina

Masculine Baroque Motifs

Hi!

Well, day 3 of the new routine and I hit a bit of a snag! After dropping the kids off I went to get the mail and found my copy of Australian Cardmaking, Stamping and Papercraft magazine had arrived. Very tempting! I was good though and resisted the urge to make a cup of tea and read the mag for a good hour. I got the beds made, the lounge room vacuumed and dinner into the slow cooker before I sat down with the mag.

Anyway, here's a card I made last night. The Art With Heart team forum run different challenges each month and I always try to enter each one. This one was for a sketch challenge designed by Genna Gifford. It took a bit of fiddling to get the layers right, but I was pleased with the end result.


I think I'll add a sentiment when I use this card, probably a Chit Chat Rub On.

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Polka Dot Background
Ink: Chocolate Chip
DSP/Card Stock: Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Other: Very Vanilla 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

Catch you later,

Tina

All A Flutter

Hi!

Wow! I've stuck to my new routine for 2 days in a row. I managed to get a card made and also to finish a layout today while Hudson was sleeping. I can't show you the layout - it's for the next Art With Heart Blog Hop so you'll have to pop back on the 7th August to see it. I hope you come back before that though as I have some big news soon!

Here's the card I made today. It's for a little girl who's about to turn 6. I also made her a mini album, but that's also for another post!


Stamps: All A Flutter
Ink: Black Stazon, Rich Razzleberry
DSP/Card Stock: Cottage Wall DSP, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry
Other: Paper Snips, Scallop Oval Punch, Dimensionals, Rich Razzleberry 5/8" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon

Catch you later,

Tina

Bella Rose in a Cottage Garden

Hi!

Today was a day of mixed feelings for me. My daughter Ada started school today, which she was very excited about. Neither of us was very upset about this big event as she's been ready for school for a long time. About mid morning I did have a little ponder about how grown up she's getting. I do miss her, but it's time to let her spread her wings a little further. And she's got big brother Alex to show her the ropes at school!

So now it's just me and Hudson at home during the day. It sure feels quiet after having all 3 children home over the holidays! I'm hoping to get into a new routine of housework in the morning and then me-time in the afternoon while Hudson has a sleep. This routine worked well today and I managed to make a card for the latest Just Add Ink challenge, which was to add embossing.

After a few false starts this is the card I came up with:


Totally different to the card I had in my head when I sat down at my craft desk! That's just how it goes some days - you go where the mojo takes you. It doesn't show up well in the photo but the strip down the side is Bella Rose DSP. I used the same DSP under the top Kiwi Kiss panel. I punched the scallop oval into the Kiwi Kiss to reveal the DSP and sentiment below.

Stamps: Cottage Garden
Ink: Old Olive, Regal Rose
DSP/Card Stock: Bella Rose DSP, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip
Other: Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Paper Snips, Scallop Oval Punch, Dimensionals, Sponge Daubers, Stamp Positioner

Well, must dash as school's out soon and I can't wait to see how Ada's first day went.

Catch you later,

Tina

Pin The Tail On The Donkey

Hi!

I completed this layout last night for an Art With Heart team challenge. The photos were taken when we caught up with family for Ada's birthday. We all played Pin the Tail on the Donkey. I used 4 photos of the children in the family playing.


The journalling reads: Ada's 5th Birthday at Lady Bay. Anna organised some party games. Ada was the first to have a turn at Pin the Tail on the Donkey. When she got it spot on we asked her how she did it. "It had a hole" she said. We changed the mask!

Aren't children honest!

I used Washington Apple DSP. I love the colours in the paper and will be very sad when it retires but I'm sure it will be replaced by something just as wonderful.


I matted some of the letters in the title and then used faux stitching with my gel pen to tie it all together.


Well, I hope you like my layout. It took me all night to do, but it was lots of fun to put together!

Stamps: Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel
Ink: Pumpkin Pie
DSP/Card Stock: Washington Apple DSP, Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Other: Paper Snips, Big Shot, Timeless Type Alphabet Die, Corner Rounder Punch, Scallop Border Punch, White Gel Pen, Circle Cutter, Ruler

Catch you later,

Tina

Ada's Birthday Cake

Hi!

One more post about Ada's birthday and then it's over- I promise! This one is about her cake, well, cakes really. We decided to go with cupcakes this year as her party was at MacDonalds and I really didn't want to have to fuss around with knives.


I was hoping to make the cakes look like a sunny field of flowers. The girls all got a little flower in their cupcake with their initial in the middle of the flower. The boys all got suns, also with their initial. Ada got her whole name because she was the birthday girl!


Very cute!

So now the birthday festivities are over for another year, and so are the school holidays. Alex starts back tomorrow and Ada starts Wednesday. It's going to be very quiet with just me and Hudson at home!

Card Stock: Pink Passion, YoYo Yellow, Only Orange, Brilliant Blue, Lovely Lilac
Other: Crystal Effects, Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Punches, Ribbon and Glitter Glue (both non SU) and Skewers

Catch you later,

Tina

A Starry Urban Garden

Hi!

I'm back with a card I made for a friend's birthday a couple of weeks ago. I find it hard to make male cards, but I think this one turned out nicely. It was very hard to stop myself reaching for some ribbon to add to the card!


A quick and easy card that I think looks quite effective.

Stamps: Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Card Stock/DSP: Urban Garden DSP, Kraft
Other: Paper Snips, Chit Chat Rub Ons (retired)

Catch you later,

Tina

My New Loungeroom/Craft Space

Hi!

I'd mentioned in a previous post that I had a brand new lounge room and craft space. A few of you asked for pictures, so here they are. Now, before you look I must apologise for the mess in the pictures. Sadly, my new room is messy for two reasons: I have been struck down with a very nasty gastro bug (children too!), and we had to move into the new lounge room for the day because the painters were painting the rest of our living space. I don't think the mess is too bad considering!

This first picture shows my craft desk from the doorway into the new space. It's a small desk but it suits me perfectly. I kinda like that it is on display in the new room - it will force me to keep it clean and tidy! The set of drawers beside is the 'Alex' from IKEA. It rolls away under my desk when I'm not crafting.


This set of shelves is behind my desk and stores my punches in the pink boxes, magazines in the white magazine holders, DSP and 12x12 card stock in the black basket, rubons and stickers in the file folder beside the basket, card sketches and scrapbook layouts in the red and black folders, and card stock in the sleeves beside the folders. On top is my Big Shot and accessories, photos, embossing powders and other stuff I use regularly but takes up too much space on my desk. Some of this will get moved to a different set of shelves once we are able to get into our new study. The brown shelves hold my stamp sets and a box of ribbons. You can only see the side of the shelves.


The next photo was taken from behind my craft desk, beside the last set of shelves I showed you. It shows the rest of the lounge room. Rob, Alex and Ada are playing the Wii. They're pretty bored after a day cooped up in this room!


This is the view I have from the window as I am crafting. We back onto a golf course and at the moment it is lush and green. I must admit I love to laugh at the crazy golfers who are out there in all kinds of weather chasing the little white ball around! We live on the 18th fairway, so at least they are close to the finish by the time they get to us.


This last photo was taken from the window looking back at my craft space. Behind the blue door is a powder room that has a toilet, vanity and shower. My family has 5 people in it and we only had one bathroom. Not fun! I can't wait for this bathroom to be finished so that we have a second loo.


So that's my new space. There are a few finishing touches to go - plates need to go over the power points, the light fittings need to go on and I need to make curtains for the window and sliding door. We also need to get our buffet and hutch out of the garage and put it on the blank wall near my craft space.

Well, I hope you like this little 'tour' of my new lounge room and craft space. I would have loved to have been able to have a whole room to myself, but that will just have to wait until one of the children move out of home. I'll be waiting for a long time I'm sure!

Catch you later,

Tina

Happy Birthday Ada!

Hi!

A little while ago I posted the invitations I'd made for Ada's 5th Birthday. While the party isn't until this weekend, her actual birthday was yesterday. The card I made her used a stamp set I'd had for a while but hadn't even mounted. It's Live Like You Mean It and it is a Level 1 Hostess set.


I love the way this card turned out. She's a pink girl, so it was Melon Mambo all the way! She loved it.

Stamps: Live Like You Mean It (Hostess), Whimsical Words (retired SAB), Polka Dot Background
Ink: Melon Mambo
Card Stock: Melon Mambo, Very Vanilla
Other: 5/8" Melon Mambo Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Corner Rounder Punch

Catch you later,

Tina

Echoes of Kindness

Hi!

Last night I celebrated getting my craft space back by making 2 cards. We have been having some renovations and on Friday our new lounge room was finally finished. I spent yesterday setting up my craft table in a corner of the new room.

One of the cards I made was for the latest challenge at Just Add Ink. This week it is a colour challenge:


I was a bit nervous about these colours - the pink and purple together????? Hmmm...

Here's what I came up with:


I was quite pleased with this in the end! I thought the colours came together beautifully.

Stamps: Echoes of Kindness
Ink: Soft Suede, Rose Red, Stazon
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Elegant Eggplant
Other: Circle Cutter, Blender Pen, Sponge Dauber, Stamp Positioner

Catch you later,

Tina

Razzle Dazzle in Chalk

Hi!

Here's a card I made to try out a new technique using my Stampin' Pastels. It was a challenge on the Art With Heart team forum.



Hmmm, not sure that I like the card, but I do like the technique. I'll have to play some more and see if I can come up with a better card!

Stamps: Razzle Dazzle (Summer Mini)
Ink: White Pigment Ink, similar to SU Whisper White Craft Ink
Card Stock: Handsome Hunter, Lavender Lace, Basic Black
Other: Stampin' Pastels (Lavender Lace and Green Galore), Black Gingham Ribbon, Chit Chat Rub Ons, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Dimensionals

Catch you later,

Tina

Best Friends Together

Hi!

I thought I'd use the sketch challenge at Just Add Ink to complete a scrapbook layout. I used a photograph of my daughter Ada and her best friend Zahli that Zahli's mum Lisa took. I think it is a fantastic photo of them and I couldn't wait to scrap it. Here's the layout:



I used two copies of the photo: one at 5x7 inches and one at 6x8 inches. I layered vellum over the smaller photo and inked the edges with Soft Suede. I love the soft, muted effect.



I've left a space for some journalling: a Top Note hidden behind the main photo. I'm not sure where or when the photo was taken so I won't do the journalling until I find out.



I used colours from the Autumn Traditions DSP as my colour inspiration - Elegant Eggplant, Soft Suede and Ruby Red. I would never have thought to put the purple and red together, but I think they look great!

Card Stock: Elegant Eggplant, Ruby Red, Soft Suede, Vellum
Ink: Soft Suede
Other: Small Rhinestone Brads, 1/4" Elegant Eggplant Grosgrain ribbon, 5/8" Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon, Round Tab Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Timeless Type Alphabet Die, Sponge Dauber

Catch you later,

Tina

Art With Heart Blog Hop

Hi!

I've been quiet on the blogging front this week as I had an exam for my uni studies. I hope to get back into the swing of things next week. In the meantime I thought I'd support the Art With Heart Christmas in July Blog Hop. I didn't have time to participate this time round, but here is the list of ladies who have created fabulous projects to inspire you. Sorry there's no links - I ran out of time. Just copy and paste one of the links into your address bar to start you off!

Ros Davidson http://www.rosdavidson.typepad.com

Di Dunk http://www.stampartbydi.typepad.com

Kathryn Mangelsdorf http://www.klm55.blogspot.com

Christine Blain http://www.christineblain.typepad.com

Kristine Thompson http://www.inkspotcreations.com

Nikki Sadler http://www.inkyart.com.au

Erica Boxall http://www.ericaboxall.com

Kathryn Ruddick http://www.katlodesigns.com

Sue Madex http://www.madexcreations.com

Claire Daly http://www.clairedaly.typepad.com

Judy May http://www.judymay.typepad.com

Alisha Watson www.ratherbstampin.typepad.com


Catch you later!

Tina