Kelly's Happy Blog Hop

Hi!

Wow, two posts in one day! Both are very special though. This evening's post is a fun Blog Hop that I am participating in that celebrated the 5 year Stampiversary of my friend and JAI team member, Kelly Kent. If you've ever met Kelly, you'd know that shy and quiet aren't words to describe her, so it comes as no surprise that she's celebrating with a big bang!

The theme of today's Blog Hop is simply, happy. You have probably come from Jacqui's blog, where you're bound to have seen something amazing. If you're starting here at my blog, that's entirely fine. Just keep on hopping until you get back to where you started!

I decided to make a layout for the blog hop. It's been a little while since I've scrapped, so I was feeling a little rusty, but it was very enjoyable to spend a few hours on this page.

I've used the new In Colour Tranquil Tide as the base of my layout. Unfortunately I haven't been able to photograph it well, as it is actually a lot more similar in colour to the T2 Melbourne Breakfast label I have used on my page. Speaking of which, do you ever use 'found' objects like this on your layouts? I sometimes do, but never with precious photos, as I can never be sure that they are photo safe.

I journaled directly onto my layout using a PL marker, as I didn't want another big block of white on the page. I used the thicker, 0.5, marker so that the writing was a bit easier to read against the dark background

I love this title! A quick Google search for 'tea quotes' gave me these words. There are heaps of tea related quotes out there, but not many that also include the word happy. Luckily, this one was perfect for me!

 

I hope you've enjoyed my 'happy' page, as I had a lot of fun making it. And before you ask, yes, I was sipping tea from my cup as I scrapped the photo. As a matter of fact, I'm sipping from it now, as I type this post. No doubt I'll also be sipping tea from it as I do the Blog Hop when it goes live!

 

It's now time for you to hop along to the next blog, which just happens to be my friend, Kathryn. Before you go, I'd love for you to leave a comment and let me know what you thought about my layout. I'd love to know!

 

 

If there's a broken link, just head back to Kelly's blog. She will have a list of the blogs, so you can find where you were up to and keep going - it will definitely be worth it!

 

Bye for now,

 

Tina

 

 

Art With Heart: The Heart Of Christmas

Hi!

Don't be scared, but I'm going to share a Christmas card today! My granny upline, Claire Daly, has decided that each Wednesday she wants to post a handmade Christmas card on her blog, and she has invited her team to do likewise. So, welcome to the very first The Heart Of Christmas post.

Who said that Christmas cards have to be red and green? I'm having a huge love affair with the Berry Burst/ Powder Pink colour combo, so I decided to use them on my card for the first HOC.

It was really lovely to go back to some old favourite stamps from last Christmas that have carried over to the new Annual Catalogue. Star Of Light was one of my very favourite! I teamed it with the Santa's Sleigh Framelits. I love that with a bit of strategic snipping you can get a reindeer with two colours.

I got out my heat embossing tools for this card too. Sometimes when you have a simple layout, you need to jazz up your card with some extra little touches. The gold embossing looks fabulous on the Berry Burst cardstock.

I don't think you can see it in this photo, but I also stamped the swoosh of stars on the inside. It's in Powder Pink, so quite pale. If you scroll back up you can see hints of it on the inside in the previous two photos.

So, yay for me, I have my first Christmas card  for the year done! I'm not sure if I'll join in The Heart Of Christmas every week, but I will certainly do my best. You can click on the links to go see Claire's blog, where you'll find her lovely card, as well as links to the other team members who are participating.

Bye for now,

Tina

A 30th Birthday Underground

Hi!


Sometime around the time that the Retiring List comes out, I go into a bit of a panic in regards to the amount of DSP I still haven't used. This card was a class sample that was an attempt to use up some more of the DSP before it retires.

The paper is from the Urban Underground Specialty DSP pack. It's a Specialty pack because some of the papers have a silver foil design. I've used the hexagon foil patterns on this card.

There's three layers of DSP on this card - it certainly fills the brief of using it up!

Are you a DSP user or hoarder? I know which side of the fence I fall on!


Bye for now,


Tina

JAI #361: Just Add Two

Hi!


It's time for this week's Just Add Ink challenge, and I've taken a little trip down memory lane!

This week Kelly has challenged us to Just Add Two to our cards.

I love these challenges, they are so much fun! This week I chose to add flowers and watercolour to my card.

If you went through your preteen/teen years in the late 80's/early 90's, you probably had a pair of floral jeans. I wasn't quite girly enough for floral jeans, so I turned a pair of plain jeans into a statement piece by graffiti-ing all over them. Boy, did I love those jeans!


Anyway, today's card takes me back to those carefree days. I stamped the jeans pocket on Shimmery White cardstock and then watercoloured it with Night Of Navy ink. I stamped the pocket again on the Daisy print paper from the new Delightful Daisy DSP, fussy cut it right along the lines, and then adhered it to the full pocket. I love the look of the jeans pocket.

The border was stamped using the stitching and rivet stamps from Pocketful of Sunshine stamp set, which the pocket also came from. The border took a little bit of planning and masking to get right, but wasn't really too tricky. The background daisies, from Daisy Delight, were stamped three time per flower. I was meaning to stamp them off each time, but on the first flower I forgot to stamp off the third layer, so I ran with it for the rest of the flowers. One of those happy accidents!

The sentiment stamps are from another new set from the upcoming Annual Catalogue called Happy Birthday Gorgeous. It coordinates with the new Happy Birthday thinlit, and I'm guessing it's going to get a real work out this year!


Which two will you choose? Flowers, Washi or Watercolour? I'll find out when I see your card linked at the Just Add Ink blog, I'm sure.


Bye for now,


Tina

Dragonfly Dreams CASE

Hi!


Today's card was one I CASEd from Pam Scales. You can see her blog here, but I couldn't find her gorgeous card on her blog, so I can't link directly to it.

I changed a few things, but essentially the card is the same. Pam used a banner across the top of her DSP for the sentiment, instead of the ribbon I used. She also used a different DSP. I used Blooms and Bliss on my version.

The layers on the Dragonfly are so pretty. The top layer was cut from more of the Blooms and Bliss DSP, and was adhered onto a solid Rich Razzleberry Layer.

I love the dotty stamp in the set for creating little borders on my cards. It can either be bold or subtle, or anywhere in between.


Bye for now,


Tina

Perth OnStage Swap

Hi!


I just realised that I haven't showed you the card I made as my swap while I was at OnStage in Perth last month. If you follow me on Fabebook, you probably would have seen a photo of me making them, but not the finished product. Well, here it is!

Yes, my love affair with the Sponge Brayers lives on! I used Sweet Sugarplum ink to create the ombre background, which went a lovely, deep, dusky pink. I loved the sentiment for this card, as I made it as a swap for my friends that were going to OnStage.

The Basic Black butterfly had a layer of Gold Foil paper behind it. I think it looks a little like a Monarch butterfly. The gold certainly added a bit of luxe to the card.

Most people only make a card front for swaps, but as I was only making 12 I decided to make a whole card.


Bye for now,


Tina

JAI #360: Just Add A Sketch

Hi!


My past couple of cards for Just Add Ink have been pretty, feminine Mother's Day cards, so for this week's challenge I decided to go the exact opposite.

This week we have a fabulous sketch, designed by Narelle, to guide our creativity.

When I saw the large circle, the first thing that popped into my head was a circular opening, so that's what I went for on my card.

I also wanted to try the balloons from Lift Me Up in sepia/vintage tones. I chose Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso. I quite like the look!

I cut the opening in the Crumb Cake layer using the Layering Circles Framelit that fitted inside the largest circle Stitched Shapes Framelit. I then used the two Framelits to create the stitched border around the opening. Just something a little different!

The inside of the card continues the vintage balloons theme. I only recently purchased Guy Greetings, but I'm finding that I'm using the sentiments a lot on masculine cards. It's a great font for male cards.


The Design Team have been very creative this week in using the sketch in their creations. You can see what the rest of the team have created over at the Just Add Ink blog. You can link your card up while you're there!


Bye for now,


Tina

AWH Blog Hop: New Catalogue Products

Hi!

Tonight I am participating in a blog hop along with the super talented ladies in the Art With Heart Team. We thought it would be fun to share some fabulous ideas to inspire you from our brand new 2017-2018 annual catalogue, which is available 1st June. Be sure to request your copy of the catalogue today!


I have decided to use the new stamp set, Fabulous Flamingo, for my cards. I received it at the recent On Stage event in Perth as an All-Attendee giveaway. It's probably not one I would have purchased for myself, so I was very surprised to find that I quite enjoyed creating with it!

I had a lot of fun making this card. I stamped the flamingo first using the new In Colours, Berry Burst (stamped off once) and Powder Pink. The outlines are Early Espresso. I then fussy cut the flamingo.

The rest of the card was stamped using another new In Colour, Tranquil Tide, for the grass, Dapper Denim for the water and a mix of Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive and Garden Green for the palms. After I stamped each section, I lightly went over the images with my Aqua Painter. It gives a little 'halo' effect and extends the colours in a subtle way without blurring the image.

I'm not entirely sure what I'll use this card for, so I haven't stamped any sentiments for it just yet. It may just end up being one of those thinking of you cards.


While I had my Aquapainter out, I decided to have a go at another technique. This time I heat embossed the outline stamps of the flamingo and then brushed a wash of colour over the top using Berry Burst.

It's actually quite tricky to line up the two outline stamps when you're stamping with Versamark on Shimmery White cardstock! I think I did alright though. I used a fair bit of water for the colour wash, as I didn't want the Berry Burst to be too strong.

The base of the card was stamped using the palm fronds. It's fast becoming my favourite stamp in the set. A little slither of Gold Foil paper at each end of the flamingo panel, with Basic Black twine at the bottom, finished off the front nicely.

I had a small strip of the Gold Foil paper left, so it was perfect for finishing off the inside of my card. There's those palm fronds again too!




Well, that's it for me for this Blog Hop. I hope you were inspired by my cards. Next you're off to visit the blog of Ros Davidson, where you're bound to be inspired!

If you find a broken link or have come to this blog hop from a different entry point, you can view the participants below:

1. Tina Gillespie
2. Ros Davidson
3. Kathryn Mangelsdorf
4. Kate Morgan
5. Andrea Roberts
6. Rachel Palmieri
7. Alisha Watson
8. Kimberly Hern
9. Monika O'Neill
10. Claire Daly
11. Sharon Davern
12. Rachel Woollard
13. Caroline Manwaring
14. Judy May
15. Catherine Proctor
16. Rebecca Jacovou

Decorated Photo Frame

Hi!


Today I have a project for you that was my sample for two different classes. The ladies in the groups were all pretty much non-crafters. I was asked to design a decorated photo frame for them to make, so I had to design something WOW, but that was easy for beginners to make.

When I first showed the ladies they were all a little freaked out. They thought it was going to be hard, but thankfully they trusted me that it wasn't, and gave it a go. They were all so happy with the end result. The kits had a variety of colours, and I had a huge selection of dies for them to choose from, so all the frames looked very different.

Most of the flowers were 'punch, brad and scrunch'. We punched 6-8 layers of cardstock or tissue paper, pierced them and added a brad. The layers were then scrunched up, and flattened out a little to give a dimensional look.

Sitting underneath the flowers were diecuts from the Flourish Thinlits. The word love is from the Sunshine Wishes Thinlits.

I was so pleased that everyone had a fabulous time making the frames, and came away with a great sense of accomplishment. Mine is now hanging proudly on the wall between my dining room and craft room where I can see it all day long.


Bye for now,


Tina

JAI #359: Just Add Inspiration

Hi!


It's time for the new Just Add Ink challenge. What do we have in store for you today?

This week Kim has suggested the challenge for is, and it's an Inspiration Photo. What a fabulous one for those last minute Mother's Day cards! I have no idea what kind of flower it is, I just know that it's a pretty one.

I didn't have many floral stamps in my stash that suited the picture, so in the end I went for the bloom in You've Got This. I stamped it in Momento ink so that I could colour it with my Copic markers. I was hoping to get the lovely variegated look in the photo, but I'm just not skilled enough in colouring small areas to get it right. I still think it looks OK though.

Once I'd coloured the flowers I used a sponge and my Pool Party ink to lightly sponge the rest of the background. I really love this effect, and I think I'll be using it again soon. A few clear sequins around the sentiment finished off the card.


I took photos of the inside too, but they were terrible, and I'd already sent the card before I realised. Oh well, you'll just have to imagine the inside. What will you stamp this week for our Just Add Ink challenge? I can't wait to see your card.


Bye for now,


Tina

Underground Drinks

Hi!


Do you find it easy or difficult to make masculine cards? I must admit that, like most, I find them difficult to make. It was with great joy that I realised that the Occasions Catalogue had a fabulous selection of products for male cards.

On this card I used the Urban Underground suite, including the Urban Underground DSP and Washi Tape and the Hexagons Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. I paired them with the Mixed Drinks stamp set for a beer loving man.

The Hexagons folder is an extra deep embossing folder. It's a great textural element on a card.

I added another mug of beer to the inside of the card, except this time I stamped off the Delightful Dijon ink first. I think it gives a more realistic looking beer. What do you think?


Bye for now,


Tina

Retiring Party Animal

Hi!


I had to laugh at the blog post title, as I reflected on how long it's been since I considered myself to be a 'party animal'. Probably a good 20 years! I'd much rather curl up with a good book these days. And if that doesn't make me feel old, I don't know what will.


Anyway, in case you hadn't guessed, today's card features the retiring Party Animal DSP, with a sneak peek at a new Annual Catalogue product.

I think this confetti/streamer paper is my favourite from the DSP pack. Emerald Envy is a fabulous colour, so bright and vibrant.

How cool does this new Thinlit look? It's called Happy Birthday Thinlit, and will be available from June. On this card I have cut it twice - once with Tangerine Tango, and again with Basic Black. I've adhered them together, offsetting the black so that it looks like a shadow.

I repeated the candles on the inside just to finish off the card.


Bye for now,


Tina

JAI #358: Just Add Stitching

Hi!

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink was suggested by Rochelle, and it's one that's right up my alley! This week we are adding stitching to our projects. It cane be real stitching, or faux, it really doesn't matter as long as it's stitching.

I've been sewing since I was a very little girl, and it's something that I've wanted to incorporate more in my card making. I've recently purchased/modified a new desk so that I can have my paper crafting on one side and sewing on the other. It's not quite finished (IKEA has temporarily sold out of the drawers I need!), so the sewing side has become a little bit of a dumping ground. I managed to clear a little space to allow me to sew on my card though.

I went for a mix of retiring and new products on the card. I stamped the sunburst from Kinda Eclectic (retiring) on some Powder Pink cardstock in the matching ink (new!). I then laid the two die cuts from Sunshine Wishes (carrying over) on the card and sewed through the three layers. I finished by stamping the You from Crazy About You (retiring).

I then adhered the Powder Pink panel to some Berry Burst cardstock (new!) and stitched around the edge of the BB card to give a border. Now, if I'd been paying attention and not trying to cook dinner at the same time, I would have noticed that the tension was all wrong on the sewing machine. Whoops! I did notice in time to sew a much nicer looking border on the PP panel. Lesson learned!

I probably should have stitched a border on the inside BB card too, but by this point of time in making the card and trying to cook dinner the vultures children were circling and demanding to be fed. Oh well!


I hope you can join us - will it be real or faux stitching on your card? I can't wait to see it over at Just Add Ink.


Bye for now,


Tina