Monday 30 September 2013

Everything Eleanor and Mocha Morning Specialty

I have a stash of Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper because I love it so much and couldn't bear to let it go when it retired!

And when I saw this weeks challenge over at Freshly Made Sketches, I actually "saw" the paper in my mind's eye....giggle!  Oh dear, I'm a craftaholic!


Everything Eleanor is becoming a much loved stamp set for me, and I think it goes beautifully with the paper. Of course I've only used the bird and label stamps mainly because the paper already offered so much in terms of pattern, but the stamp set has gorgeous flowers and a stunning flourish as well; plenty of stamping opportunities really!



Tip:  When cutting squares of paper that you want to be of equal size, and equal distance apart, it's a good idea to use a guilotine or cutter that has a guide on it that you can set to the correct dimensions.  That way, you'll know all your pieces are the same size.  Even a millimetre difference can look really out of balance especially when you're using papers and cardstock with a lot of contrast, like these patterns on black.

Everything Eleanor available in wood mount #131987 $63.95 or clear mount #124164 $50.95.  The medallion coordinates with the 2 1/2"circle punch.  
Supplies Used:
Stamp Set: Everything Eleanor & Curly Cute (R)
Cardstock: Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Paper: Mocha Morning Specialty (R)
Ink: Black Staz On, Crumb Cake
2 1/2" Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Flower Punch, 3/4" square punch (any sized square will work).
Pearl Jewels

Thanks for looking!  I hope you find time to craft today.
Cheers
Karen



Wednesday 18 September 2013

A Frame for a Butterfly

Isn't it easy to forget what craft supplies you have?  I know I certainly do, and I'm very prone to working with the current sets and materials, which causes me to overlook some of the beautiful products I've had for a while.

We worked with some of these items at my class last week, and they were so nice I decided to adapt them to this weeks challenge at Just Add Ink, which prompted me to dig out a couple of items in the Big Shot drawer!

I've made my frame using the Designer Frames embossing folder for the Big Shot.  I hand cut it out carefully to retain it's lovely shape.  It surrounds a small piece of the Natural Composition Specialty Designer Series Paper.  If you haven't seen this before, take a close look - it is a gorgeous Kraft colour and quite a heavy weight but it's embossed with a fleur de lys type pattern.  You can see another sample of it here.

The next item I re-discovered was the Butterfly Wings Embosslit.  It's so cute with it's 5 little butterflies that are all different sizes and have different patterns embossed into them.  This is one of those great dies that embosses and cuts at the same time.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Set - Chalk Talk
Cardstock - Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Very Vanilla
Ink - Bermuda Bay & Soft Suede
Paper - Naturals Composition Specialty
Big Shot - Embossing folders - Designer Frames & Fancy Fan, Butterfly Wings Embosslit.
1 3/8" Circle punch
Ruffled Stretch Ribbon in Baked Brown Sugar
Rhinestone jewels

Thanks for looking.  Perhaps you'll go search through your craft stash and see what treasures you can find that you've forgotten about?!

Cheers
Karen


Tuesday 17 September 2013

One for the Troops & 52CCT Challenge 21

It's a colour challenge over on 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown this week:

And this was an easy one for me because I LOVE LOVE LOVE this colour combo!

Banners & flags are on trend right now, and the addition of an embossing folder or too gives this card it's simple but elegant look.  Don't stress about getting your banner ends even, simply use a square punch, just make sure you line up one corner of the square in the centre of one end of your cardstock.

This is also a fantastic way to use up scraps of cardstock.

Tip:  Spend some time running your smaller scraps through your embossing folder and keep them in a bag, box or drawer so you've got them ready for your next "quick" card!

Supplies Used:
Stamp Set:  Greetings of the Season & A Banner Christmas
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler & Crumb Cake
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler
Big Shot &embossing folders:  Vintage Wallpaper (R), Square Lattice & Pretty Print.
Bakers Twine & Rhinestone Jewels

Tuesday 10 September 2013

Mixed Bunch for Mojo Monday

Hi there!  Yes it's Mojo Monday again (actually, it was yesterday), maybe that's why I'm not feeling my mojo today...aha!

So, what did I do....

It's a bit plain, me thinks.  But I do like the colours, the flowers and the ribbon detail.  It's also a bit grainy which may be the light so my apologies for the quality of the pic, but as it's now almost dark, it's too late to take another!

Supplies used:
Stamp Set - Mixed Bunch & Label Love
Cardstock - Whisper White, Midnight Muse, Rich Razzleberry
Ink:  Midnight Muse, Soft Sky, Rich Razzleberry
Big Shot & Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder
Artisan Label Punch
Rhinestone jewels
Organza Ribbon
Polka Dot Ribbon (R)

Hope you are having a super day, and that if you're in Sydney you are safely away from the fires and avoiding the wind!
Cheers
Karen

Saturday 7 September 2013

Simple Six-Sided Sampler Card

This is really a "what's on the desk" card.  I had some bits and bobs left over - namely the card base and a layer of Whisper White that was already embossed and had a jumbo brad attached.

And you know what? You don't ever want to waste a jumbo brad, right?
I've been aiming to add a few more masculine cards to my stash of late, and this seemed the perfect opportunity.  I love the combination of greens and the card was quick and easy to make.
Supplies used:
Stamp Set:  Six-Sided Sampler, Perfect Punches (R)
Cardstock:  Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink:  Always Artichoke, Wild Wasabi, Pear Pizzazz
Extra large Oval punch, Crop-a-dile (R) to attach the Jumbo Brad (R)
Hexagon Punch
Honeycomb embossing folder

Clear Mount Bundle # 132724
Wood Mount Bundle #132725
This stamp set & coordinating punch are available as a bundle, and when you buy them together you save 15%!  Yay!  That means you can trade up and add a bit of lovely ribbon or some brads to complement your new stamp set & punch combo!!

Order from me online 24/7, email or phone.  The choice is yours!  And I can guarantee you excellent service and sales support.

Cheers
Karen


Thursday 5 September 2013

Sweet Moments

Thought I'd do a Mojo Monday challenge this week.  Here's the sketch:

And my interpretation:
The technique on the medallion is called Rock & Roll.   Start by inking your stamp with the lighter colour - in this case I used Crushed Curry.

Then carefully rock &/or roll your stamp on the ink pad with the darker colour, Baked Brown Sugar.  The effect is quite soft and you'll get the different colours showing up according to how much you rocked & rolled!   It's a fabulous technique for medallions and always looks good with circular stamps.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Set: Happy Day
Cardstock: Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana
Ink: Crushed Curry, Baked Brown Sugar & Coastal Cabana
Paper: Eastern Elegance DSP
1 1/4" square punch
Pretty Print Embossing folder, Delicate Designs Embossing folder & Big Shot
In Color Boutique Details.

Thanks for stopping by.
Karen


Wednesday 4 September 2013

Holiday Happiness Launch Make & Take

This is a gorgeous use of the products in the Holiday mini catalogue.  The card was a CASE from Amy Storrie, U.S. demonstrator, and when I saw it, I knew we had to make it at the launch.


It's so pretty with the Winter Frost DSP and silver Glimmer paper.   And how about that gorgeous Thinlit - Merry?  So cool.   The Thinlits are great because you can use the negative (as in this card) and the positive, below.

Enjoy your day!
Karen

Tuesday 3 September 2013

CAS Challenge #40

Today's card is a challenge from the CAS - Colours & Sketches blog.  It's a double challenge which means it combines a sketch


and a colour combination

Here's my card:
I've used the Daydream Medallion stamp set with a greeting from Sweet Essentials.  There's a little bit of sponging around the edges of the greeting and also the white card layer.

The greeting was cut out using a framelit from Apothecary Accents. It was a little big so I trimmed the top and bottom of the label after I'd cut it out.  A paper clay flower finished it off, coloured with Marina Mist ink and a sponge.

Thanks for looking!
Karen

Monday 2 September 2013

Sending Hugs to Shelli

The lovely Shelli Gardner has had a rather nasty riding accident and while she is ok, she does have a long recovery ahead of her having sustained some broken bones in several places.  You can get the full story on her blog as Stirling, her husband has very kindly updated us all.

Sending you lots of love and big (gentle) hugs Shelli!   Feel better soon!

Holiday Happiness Catalogue Launch

Thank you to all the lovely ladies for joining me at our holiday catalogue launch on the weekend.  We had a lovely time playing games, doing make & takes and exploring the new mini catty.  There are some gorgeous products and great new project ideas.

If you couldn't make it to the launch but would like your own copy of the catalogue, send me an email or give me a call and I'll pop one in the mail for you.  Margaret, yours is on its way!

Here's a few project pics for you.  They are a combination of my ideas and inspiration from the catalogue and other talented crafters.  I hope you are inspired to make something too!







Pop back tomorrow for some more craft eye candy!

Cheers
Karen