Blog Hopping With Kelly's Paper Adventures Team

Hi!

I'm very excited to join you tonight as a Guest Designer on the lovely Kelly Kent's team blog hop. Thanks so much to Kelly and the rest of the Paper Adventures team for the invitation, which I was thrilled to accept.

Kelly gave me a theme of 'S' for the hop. I love these types of challenges, as it's so wide open for interpretation. I always challenge myself to see how many S elements I can fit into my card. Let's see!

The most obvious is the stamp set, Seaside Notions. I'm not usually a fan of sea themed sets, but I really love this one! My background is a piece of See A Silhouette DSP, over which I've stamped the coral image with Silvery Shimmer Delicata ink. The oval cropped from Shimmery White cardstock and then sponged using several inks. I stared with Pool Party at my focal point, followed by Pacific Point a little around the point, then Blueberry Bushell further out, and finally Night Of Navy around the very edges. Hopefully it looks like looking up into the sun from underwater! I finished that panel by flicking some water over the top to give a bubbly effect.

The seahorse was coloured using my Bermuda Bay and Granny Apple Green Pigment Sprinkles. I then heat embossed with Silver embossing powder and used the Bleached Watercolour Technique to remove some of the colour. It gives that lovely translucent look that seahorses have. I then finished off with a sentiment and some sequins. Lots of 'S' elements there!

The DSP I used on the inside was my test piece for the front - I wanted to see how the Delicata ink would look on the DSP before I committed to stamping the big piece. I loved it, so I decided to use the test on the inside. I also had a scrap of the Pigment Sprinkles piece big enough for the shell, so that got used too.

So I will say thank you to Kelly and her team once again, and then direct you to Siobhan's blog so that you can continue the Hop.

Bye for now,

Tina

Guest Blogger: Ada

Hi!

It's school holidays here now, as well as Ada's birthday. It's been a busy start to the break, so I didn't get a chance to create a card for The Heart Of Christmas as I've been doing the past few weeks. Hopefully next week!

Today I have two cards for you - the first was made by Ada for her BFF, Hannah, who celebrated her 12th Birthday last month. I printed the Bugaboo digital stamps and Ada did the rest.

Ada used my Stampin' Write Markers to colour the images. I was very impressed that she manage to get some great shadows/highlights with just the markers - no blender pens or any other tool. Pretty awesome for a 12 year old!

Ada and Hannah are both huge Harry Potter fans. I think Hermoine, and Emma Watson for that matter, is a fabulous role model for young girls, so I'm happy that they love the books and movies.

Ada's birthday was yesterday. When I asked her what she wanted on her card, she said she wanted the same as the card she'd made. I decided to overrule her and do something different, but still in the Harry Potter theme. She and Hannah both want to be in Ravenclaw, so that's where I started.

I found an online colouring book site that had Harry Potter images and printed the Ravenclaw crest. I used my Copics to colour it. I haven't coloured for a while and I'm a little rusty, but over all I was pleased with the result.

Sadly, the cardstock I used bled quite badly, despite being meant for Copic markers. I think next time I'll stick to Whisper White, which I've found fabulous with Copics.

So there you go, a pair of Harry Potter themed cards for your enjoyment.  If you'd like to see what the Art With Heart team have created for The Heart Of Christmas, you can pop on over to Claire's blog to check it out.

Bye for now,

Tina

Summer Christmas Cards

Hi!


I really love Christmas - it's such a fabulous time of year! There's a lot to do to get ready for the big day, but once it's all done the best part is sitting back and relaxing with family, laughing and enjoying being together. One of my favourite things about Christmas, though, is that it's summer! Lots of that relaxing happens around the pool with a cool drink in hand and kids playing and splashing in the water.


I was recently introduced to Paperless Post, who were looking for bloggers to design their ideal Christmas card for a summertime Christmas celebration. Summery Christmas cards aren't something I do often, so I was excited to give this a go! I ended up having so much fun that I created three different cards.


The first stamp set I reached for had to be Day At The Beach - is there any other more perfect stamp set for this task? I was a little stuck for summery Christmas sentiments, so I  asked a group of f ellow demonstrators and they helped me out for the first two cards.

LOL, I really loved this first one - Let It Snow.... Elsewhere. So apt for Australia! I sponged this card, using sticky notes to mask off the horizon and the shoreline. Can you see the 'foamy' sea on the shoreline? I stamped over the top of the sponging with Whisper White craft ink and the little splatter stamp from Swirly Bird. I quite like the effect!

I used the Labeler Alphabet stamp set to create my custom sentiments for this card.

One of my other demonstrator friends helped me with the sentiment for this one - I love the play on words! I'm really loving the cards you see around that are a wreath of flowers and foliage around a sentiment. I decided to use that concept, but to replace the flowers with summery images.

I once again used an alphabet stamp set to create the custom sentiments. They come in so handy! This card was quite large (5 1/8 inch square) so I was able to use the slightly larger Brushwork Alphabet stamp set.

I think this last card might be my favourite of the three. It's a smaller, notecard sized card, and I love how the red sunglasses take centre stage.

I've never used a hashtag in my life, but I just had to include one on this card.

Here are the three cards together.  All so different, but all use the Day At The Beach stamp set to create summery Christmas cards.


Thanks so much to  Paperless Post for having such a great idea - I had a blast doing it!


Bye for now,


Tina

Caseing The Catty Blog Hop Guest Designer

Hi!


I was asked recently if I'd like to be a Guest Designer for CASEing The Catty challenge blog. Of course I said yes! The regular DT do a Blog Hop every Sunday evening, with a challenge to CASE a card from a particular section of the Catalogue.

This week the CTC DT are CASEing from the Christmas section. I hadn't looked at this section much yet, as in July Christmas seems to be so far away, but if you're anything like me it sneaks up on you rapidly after that and you're wondering where the time went!

Anyway, I decided to CASE this card on page 29 of the Annual Catalogue. I really liked the CAS look of it.

I don't actually own the Peaceful Pines stamp set and framelits though, so I decided to substitute for the Embellished Ornaments stamps and framelits.

I went for a classic Christmas colour combo of Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White and Gold.

The original card had a few clear sequins scattered on the front, so I added some to my card too. They add a nice little something, but are discrete enough that they don't distract from the main elements.

I always finish the insides of my cards too, so I cut a second bauble from the Red Glimmer Paper to use on the inside.

Thanks so much to the CTC team for having me as a Guest Designer this week, it was lots of fun. Click on the Previous Blog button to go to the CTC Blog and the Next Blog button to go to the next blog in the Blog Hop, which is the lovely Rachel Palmieri.

Click on the badge below to play along with the challenge!

Bye for now,

Tina

Guest Blogger: Ada

Hi!

Today you get a break from my cards.  I recently bought a bigger desk for my crafting space which allows my kids to craft with me if they desire.  During the Summer school holidays Ada crafted with me a few times. Today I have for you one of her cards.

She likes being an independent crafter, so she chose everything.  The ornament cut out was from my stash of scraps that may come in handy (do you have a stash like that too?).  Other than that piece she chose, stamped and arranged everything else. Oh, and she cleans up after herself too - winning!

I really love that she likes to try out new things (the sponging on the front) in an effort to be just like me.  It certainly makes me feel loved.

Bye for now,

Tina

Craft Project Central: My Turn!

Hi!

Woo Hoo!  It's my turn to be the featured Designer over on Craft Project Central. It's also a great day for you, because you have the chance to win some Blog Candy from me.  The lovely ladies at Craft Project Central have very generously given me a free subscription to give away to one lucky blog reader.

My project includes a cute mini album with a unique slider page, perfect for hidden journaling or photos. Complete the ensemble with a card and a gift tag and it is the ideal gift for someone special in your life.  The album is made using parts of the Mini Memories Kit from the new Occasions Catalogue.

To win a subscription to February's projects you need to leave a comment on my post over on the Craft Project Central blog.  Leave a comment here too if you'd like, but the winner will be drawn from the comments on my post on the Craft Project Central blog.  I will announce the winner here on Monday 24th February.

Bye for now,

Tina

Craft Project Central: Creating Pretty Cards #32

Hi!

Today's card was made for the Craft Project Central's monthly card sketch challenge: Creating Pretty Cards. I think sketch challenges are one of my favourite types of challenges to enter.  What about you - what's your favourite?

Isn't this a fabulous sketch, designed by Yapha Mason.  Here's the card I came up with.

Lots of yummy new products on this card!  I'm really loving the Retro Fresh range - it's a fantastic colour combo with lots of great designs. And coordinating washi.  Bliss!

As the background of my card is fairly busy I wanted to keep the main circular panel uncluttered.  I think the word bubble is the perfect accent for the sentiment, helping it to stand out from the background.  I cut the Vanilla word bubble using the new Framelits set, adhered it to some Tangerine Tango cardstock and then hand cut the larger word bubble.

Some more of that delicious Retro Fresh washi to finish off the inside and I was done.

I hope you can join in the fun at Creating Pretty Cards this month.

Bye for now,

Tina

Craft Project Central: Monika Davis

Hi!

Today I can finally reveal some big news for me: the lovely ladies at Craft Project Central asked me just before Christmas if I'd like to be a Guest Designer for them in February.  Would I ever!!!  I was very busy in January creating a tutorial for CPC that will be published later in the month.  So what is Craft Project Central?  Here's the description from their website.

Welcome to Craft Project Central, your one-stop shop for great projects showcasing Stampin’ Up! products. From stamping to scrapbooking, home decor, jewelry, and more!

 Whether you’re a new or seasoned Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, or an avid crafter looking for fun crafting ideas, you’re in the right place! Craft Project Central offers ideas for workshops, classes, clubs and just plain fun crafting!

 What makes Craft Project Central different? Each month you subscribe to will give you access to 10 projects with detailed, full-color, step-by-step instructions. Projects are easy to duplicate, are practical, and functional projects that you will have fun making and be able to use yourself or give as gifts! Not every project you get on Craft Project Central with be unique, never-before-seen projects, but what you will be getting are projects adapted to current and popular Stampin’ Up! products with easy to follow instructions.  All of this for only US$10 for each month that you subscribe!

How's that for awesome?  I will be posting pictures and links to the Craft Project Central website of all the fabulous projects you will receive with your February subscription all month.  I will also be giving away a FREE subscription for February's projects, so keep an eye out for more details on how to enter that soon.

Today's project is a Mail Box and Greeting card designed by the talented Monika Davis.

Make this treat box resembling a mail box for your sweet heart. Fill it with some yummy treats and some special notes. This little mail box will look great on any desk.  Great for a stamp camp, or as a class project.

Isn't it so cute? My daughter would love this, so I think I'll be making one of these before too long! 

Why don't you pop on over to Craft Project Central and take a look at what they have on offer - it's fantastic value for your money!

Bye for now,

Tina

Guest Designers: Rob and Ada Gillespie

Hi!

A little something different today!  A few weeks ago Ada was invited to the birthday party of a classmate who she told me was mad on Star Wars.  She therefore wanted to make him a Star Wars card.  Hmmm.... So I handballed the job to my Star Wars mad husband, Rob!  Rob and Ada put their heads together and this is the card they came up with.

Not bad!  Even I recognise the Death Star out in space.  Here's a closer look.

I spy a snowflake stamp from Snow Swirled, and also one of the border stamps from Bordering On Romance.  Who knew they could be used to help create a futuristic space ship? lol

I think they had run out of ideas before they got to the inside!  Oh well, from all accounts the birthday boy loved the card.

Bye for now,

Tina

Guest Designer at Sunny Challenges and Creations

Hi!

Today I have exciting news - the lovely Miss Vicky at Sunny Challenges and Creations has asked me to be a Guest Designer for their new challenge.  Of course I said yes!

Today the ladies have a sketch challenge for you, with the added twist that your card must feature the Baby Wipe Technique.  If you need a tutorial for this technique you can find one here. It's a technique I hadn't tried before, but one I found easy to do and a whole lot of fun!

Here's the card I created for the challenge.  I used my More Mustard, Cajun Craze and Always Artichoke reinkers to create my 'inkpad' and then stamped away with my French Foliage stamp set. 

I got the idea for this combination of colours and stamps after talking to one of my stamping ladies who wanted a more multi coloured look to her leaf stamps. I suggested the rock'n'roll technique but after she left I got to wondering if it would work with the baby wipe technique. I think it works beautifully! The biggest compliment was when I showed my husband the card - he thought I'd used DSP as the background!

I'm not sure how I'll use this card, so I've left the inside blank apart from the stamping along the edges.  You can see in this shot that I've used Naturals Ivory cardstock for the card base.  It's a lovely cardstock that has flecks through it and is perfect for a card like mine.

Stamps: French Foliage, It's Your Day
Ink: More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke
Cardstock: Naturals Ivory, Always Artichoke
Other: Artichoke Denim Ribbon, Hemp Twine, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Dimensionals, Baby Wipe

I hope you can play along this week at Sunny Challenges and Creations.  I'd love to see your take on the Baby Wipe technique!

Bye for now,

Tina

Just Add Ink #66: Just Add Flowers

Hi!

I'm a little sad with this post, as it is my last as a Guest Designer for Just Add Ink.  I've had a great time designing for the blog though, and want to thank the team for having me!

So.  The last challenge for April is with Mother's Day in mind: Just Add Flowers.  Here's the card I came up with:

My mum is a sewer, and taught me how to sew, so I immediately thought of the Sew Suite stamp set and Sweet Stitches DSP.  The card is a larger size than I would normally make, but I didn't want to lose any of the stitching detail on the DSP so I had to go a bit bigger.  The finished card is 5 1/4" square.

I stamped the dressmaking form in Stazon ink on a scrap of Window Sheet to give more of a 'true' wire framed look.  Then I just clustered the rest of the embellishments on top of the large flower.  The smaller flower was coloured using my Melon Mambo marker.  I love the way it all turned out.

Stamps: Sew Suite, Trendy Trees
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Stazon.
DSP/Cardstock: Sweet Stitches DSP, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo, So Saffron
Other: Big Shot, Sweet Buttons Embosslit, Paper Daisies, Basic Rhinestones, Window Sheet Medium, Word Window L Punch, Modern Label XL Punch, Slot Punch (retired), Paper Snips.

Catch you later,

Tina

Just Add Ink #65: Just Add Mateship

Hi!

This week the girls at Just Add Ink are honouring Anzac Day by challenging us to Just Add Mateship/Friendship.  I thought about it for a while and then decided that I'd make a male card.  Many men bond over a motor, so I decided to ink up my brand new Motorcycle stamp.

The Motorcycle image is stamped on Vellum with Basic Black ink.  I cut a section out of both the Basic Black base cardstock and the Brushed Copper cardstock and then adhered the vellum behind the cut out.  It gives the stamped image a softer look.

The rest of the embellishments are Rub Ons from a retired set called 'Anchored'.  I won them recently, so I can't tell you which SU catalogue they are from.

I like this Rub On.  My husband Rob reckons it looks like a motorcycle tyre, so it fits nicely both with the theme of the challenge and with the stamped image.

I can't wait to see what you come up with this week!

Stamps: Motorcycle
Ink: Basic Black
Cardstock: Basic Black, Brushed Copper, Vellum
Other: Anchored Rub Ons (retired), 1 1/4" L Circle Punch, 1" M Circle Punch, Dimensionals.

Catch you later,

Tina

Just Add Ink #64: Just Add Colour!

Hi!

Once again the girls on the Just Add Ink have come up with a fabulous challenge for you to take part in.  With Easter just around the corner, the challenge is a colour combination with a twist - you get to choose the colours!  This week Just Add Ink challenges you to create a project using the colours from your favourite chocolate.

Now, thanks to a certain episode of Bones, I don't eat chocolate anymore.  Then my husband reminded me that I still drink chocolate.  After the kids have gone to bed we often settle down for the evening with a cup of hot chocolate.  It's one of my favourite times of day - the house is quiet and my housework is finished, I can relax and get some papercrafting done!  So for this week's challenge I have used the tin of hot chocolate as the basis for my colour combo.

I buy these 2kg tins from Officeworks.  Much cheaper and in my opinion, the best hot chocolate ever.  Because it was an Easter inspired challenge I stayed with the chocolate theme and scrapped some photos of Hudson enjoying a chocolate mud cupcake.

Rob had been to a food information evening for parents of kids with sensory issues.  Rob was told to allow Hudson to play with his food as a lot of kids with vision impairments have trouble with food textures and therefore have issues with eating.  Not Hudson! He thoroughly enjoyed his chocolate cake! 

I used the Cute By The Inch stamp to create the little embellishments.  They are simply stamped on Riding Hood Red  and Whisper White cardstock and paper pieced, then popped up on Dimensionals.

I hope you enjoy the challenge this week - I certainly did!

Stamps: Cute By The Inch
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Whisper White
Other: Big Shot, Timeless Type Alphabet Dies, Dimensionals, Circle Punches, Paper Snips, Circle Cutter.

Catch you later,

Tina

JAI #63 - Inspiration Photo

Hi!

This week at Just Add Ink the girls have chosen a bright and cheerful photo to inspire your creativity.

Doesn't it make you just want to get up and dance?  The girls at the front look like they are having so much fun!

I looked a bit closer at the photo and noticed that the men dancing behind the girls all have their hands painted green.  I decided to use this as the main inspiration behind my project for the challenge.  So I painted Alex, Ada and Hudson's hands green and stamped them onto some cardstock.

The rest of the colours came from the picture.  I added Marina Mist ribbon to represent the sash around the women's waists and the handprint panel is matted on Daffodil Delight cardstock.

I did a quick search of the internet for one of those handprint poems to use as my journalling.  Most were a bit too babyish, or were only suitable for one child's handprint.  I ended up modifying a poem I found:

Here's three special handprints

Just so you can say

This is how our fingers looked

When we placed them here today

I used the Circle Circus stamps behind the journalling as they reminded me of the headpieces the ladies are wearing.  Wow, I managed to find a lot of inspiration from the photo.  I hope you can too - I'd love to see what you come up with for the challenge!

Stamps: Circle Circus

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist Marker

DSP/Cardstock: Celebrations DSP, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Whisper White

Other: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Timeless Type Alpha Die, Marina Mist Satin Ribbon, Green Paint

Catch you later,

Tina