Mojo Monday 318

It's contest week at Mojo Monday and Julee Tilman has done a gorgeous sketch that I couldn't resist.

I've used one of my favourite patterned DSP's from the Eastern Elegance pack.  There's something irresistible about the swirls and graded Pistachio Pudding colour.

I'd finished the card and the banner looked a little plain, so I decided to go with a couple of narrow strips of card stock in Primrose Petals and Strawberry Slush.

These colours are very similar until you get them side by side.  Tip:  Don't mess with these colours at night time (in electric light)!  You really need daylight to ID them correctly.  Solution - a daylight lamp.  Not quite as good as the real thing, but close.

I also think those little strips finish the design as the ribbon & hearts are actually different - accidentally so!!

Now, here's a little contest for you.......

Create your own version of my card using whatever supplies you have, email me a pic, and you'll go into the draw to win a spool of pleated satin ribbon.  Contest open to Australian residents only (apologies to our overseas friends).  

Can't wait to see what you create.

Supplies used in my card:
Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter & Yippee-Skippee
Cardstock - Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding, Very Vanilla, Strawberry Slush, Primrose Petals
Paper - Eastern Elegance DSP
Ink:  Raspberry Ripple & Black StazOn
Big Shot
Chalk Talk Framelits, Hearts a Flutter Framelits
Boutique Details, Stitched Satin Ribbon
1 3/8" square punch


Cheers
Karen

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

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

Mojo 307 & JAI 178

No, a whole week hasn't passed already, it's just that last week my card was almost late for Mojo Monday and this week it's really early!   This is the first time I've combined two challenges, how exciting!

 

When I saw this sketch, it said Christmas.....partly because I've been working on some demo samples for my mini launch, so I'm kind of  "in the zone".  And also because I'm growing my stash for the troops - rather well right now as it happens!  Yay me!

And that's where the Just Add Ink challenge comes in, because this week is snowflakes!

So, here we have a couple of my fav things - snowflakes, and traditional Christmas colours.  What could be better (some real snow please!).

Do you like the way the snowflakes are stamped?  It's a technique called Stipple Kissing.  Start by inking your stamp in the lighter colour - I've used Crumb Cake.  Then, using a stipple brush, swipe it gently across the darker ink - Cherry Cobbler, and dab it on top of the stamp.  You can do specific areas as I've done here but it also looks great when it's a bit random and slap dash.   Be sure to breathe all over the stamp to moisten the ink before stamping onto your cardstock.

The rhinestones add a touch of sparkle and for a change I've used the embossed Old Olive cardstock on the de-bossed side, or the side where the image is pushed in.

Supplies used:
Stamp Set - ?? Sneaky Peeky,  Sweet Sentiments
Cardstock - Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink - Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler
Paper - ?? Sneaky Peeky
Petals a Plenty embossing folder, ??? Sneaky Peeky Framelits & the Big Shot
Rhinestone jewels, 1 1/4" square punch, stipple brush

What are those gorgeous sneaky peeky products?  You'll find out at the mini launch - email me to book - AND you'll get to use them too!

Cheers
Karen

Mojo Monday 306

I'm racing to get this Mojo challenge finished with only an hour or so left on the clock!  I didn't want to miss it because it's a really nice sketch this week.

As I've been challenging myself to make more male cards I thought I'd turn this into a masculine theme.

 Instead of the scallop bordered circle, I opted for stars placed in a circle shape.  They are made from Whisper White cardstock covered in Washi Tape (Epic Day) and then cut out with the small star punch.  I've attached them with glue dots so they stand up a bit on the edges.

In place of the sketch's flower embellishment I've chosen a retired corduroy button in Basic Grey. It works quite nicely flanked by the Candy Dots - which I love because they're so easy to use and unlike a brad you can attach them after the project is complete - great if you've forgotten to punch holes before you've stuck down your layers..giggle!

The embossing folder I've used is a sneak peek at the upcoming Holiday Catalogue.  This design is going to get a work out because it seems to go with everything, Yay!

Supplies used:
Stamp set - Perfect Punches (R)
Cardstock - Whisper White, Basic Grey, Smoky Slate & Midnight Muse
Paper - Epic Day Designer Series Paper
Washi Tape, Corduroy Button, Candy Dots
Small Star Punch (R), Designer Label Punch & Extra Wide Oval Punch.

Have a super day wherever you are, and try to fit in something crafty!
Cheers
Karen

Mojo Monday 305 for Father's Day

I thought this weeks Mojo sketch would make a nice Father's Day card layout.  

In the usual tousle that I have with male cards, my eyes lit up when I saw the Collage Curios set and that cute little hot air balloon.  It's kind of tiny though so wanting a balloon feature, I decided to play with my punches.

Turns out that the ornament punch makes a pretty good hot air balloon....who knew ;) another great use for this punch means it will never go out of style even though it's retired!

Supplies Used:
Stamp Set - Collage Curio's (the flags on the balloon), Sketched Birthday (the banner outline), Teeny Tiny Sentiments.
Cardstock - Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Gumball Green, Calypso Coral, Basic Grey and Crumb Cake
Ink - Staz On Black, Basic Grey
DSP - Epic Day
Ornament Punch (R)
Big Shot & Bitty Banners Framelits, Square Lattice & Fancy Fan Embossing folders
Trim - burlap inspired (page 173 annual catty)
Thread & blue brads from my stash

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Mojo Monday 304

This weeks Mojo Monday sketch is round or square.  This means you can choose your shape preference - often good to get you out of your comfort zone, yes?

I've opted to stay in my comfort zone today with this card;

I've done some sponging in black around all edges included the punch circle.  The clock, face and hands were stamped using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement.  Check out this post for a quick tutorial if you'd like to learn more about layering your stamping images so they are perfectly aligned.

Supplies used:
Stamp Set: Clockworks, Gorgeous Grunge & Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Marina Mist
Ink: Black Staz On
Paper: Soho Subway DSP
Punches; 2 1/2" circle, Word Window, 1/8" circle
Distress tool, sponge
Black Brad

Thanks for looking!
Cheers
Karen

Mojo Monday 288

This is my card for this week's Mojo Monday sketch.

I love this colour combo with Artistic Etchings. It lends itself to vintage style and is quite soft and lovely.

After embossing the Very Vanilla cardstock in the Big Shot, I've used a sponge to rub over the embossing with crumb cake ink on it.  It just highlights the raised image nicely.

The sentiment is from a set that's only available to demonstrators - I think we were given it as a freebie at Convention last year - and as there was a graphic on the stamp I chose to ink only the word using a marker.  This is a great way to get partial images from larger stamps.  Simply use a marker on the bits you want, then breathe on the stamp to moisten the ink before stamping onto cardstock.

The medallion was stamped in Early Espresso.  But notice how it's so much lighter than the Eifel Tower?  That's because I stamped it on scrap first then stamped again onto Very Vanilla without reinking.  You can usually get 3, possibly 4 stamps out of one inking giving you 4 tones of the same colour, and a great way to add depth and interest to your projects.

When cutting multiple "flag" or "banner" ends in DSP, put all the pieces on top of eachother and cut at the same time.  That way they'll look uniform when you go to line them up.

Stamp Set
Artistic Etchings (Item #121478 wood or #120573 clear)
Workshop Words Too (demonstrators only)
Cardstock
Crumb Cake, Early Espresso & Very Vanilla. You can buy these individually but did you know they also come in an assorted pack?  20 sheets of A4, 2 each of 10 colours for only $11.95 Item #121699.
Ink
Crumb Cake #126975
Early Espresso #126974
Designer Series Paper
First Edition #121878
Accessories
2 3/8 Scallop Circle Punch #119854
1 3/8" Circle Punch #119860
1 1/4" Circle Punch #119861
Corner Rounder Punch #119871
Big Shot #113439 with Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder #120175

I'm taking a short break from PaperLady to tour Tassie so while I've set up a few projects to post, they may be interspersed with some of my travels.   I'll try to find things with a crafty bent that I think you'd like to see.

Happy Friday!
Karen

Mojo Monday 286

Another week has flown by and brings Mojo Monday around again.

My card for this weeks sketch is very literal, but I'm happy with it and it was very quick to make.

I started by choosing the DSP - Floral District.  From there it was a no-brainer; choose the coordinating stamp set - Betsy's Blossoms.

The DSP determined the colours and voila, card in a flash!

Happy Tuesday!
Karen

Mojo Monday 285

Here's this weeks Mojo Monday sketch. 

 

I can't believe I actually made my card on the day the challenge appeared in my inbox!  That's a first.

Anyway, in honour of the last couple days of Sale-a-Bration for 2013 I figured I'd better use some Sycamore Street DSP & Island Indigo Ribbon from the ribbon/button pack.

I had intended to use the Vintage Verses stamp set, also from SAB but then the little birdie caught my eye from Easy Events (annual catty) and I couldn't say no to him!

Send me an email or give me a call if you have last minute SAB needs!
Cheers
Karen

Mojo Monday 279

I almost made a male card.......until the flower that is!   

I like the simplicity of this card though.  And yes, I could've added a masculine embellishment - our wood buttons for example!  Doh!  But those lacy soft flowers from the current mini are so gorgeous I added it almost without noticing!

Supplies:
Stamp Set:  Fabulous Phrases
Cardstock:  Very Vanilla, Early Espresson & Midnight Muse
DSP: Comfort Cafe
Big Shot & Bitty Banners Framelits.
Scallop oval punch & large scallop oval punch.
Vanilla Flower Trim - just trim one flower off the length & adhere with a dimensional.

Have a super day!
Cheers
Karen

Mojo Monday 278

There's a lot of layers in this weeks sketch so I decided to let the paper do the talking.

Supplies used:
Stamp Set: Fabulous Phrases
Cardstock: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip & So Saffron
DSP: International Bazaar
Big Shot, Edgelits Finishing Touches
1 1/4" circle, 1 3/8" circle & 1 3/4" scallop circle punches
I made the banner by cutting a strip of DSP 3/4" wide, then used the 1 1/4" square to snip out the end.
Adornments Dahlia's & white organza ribbon.

Thanks for looking!  Hope your week is off to a good start.
Cheers
Karen

Mojo Monday 269

As the weeks rush by we get closer to Christmas, and I'm in a festive mood so this weeks Mojo Monday is another excuse to make a lovely Christmas card.

I've used some of the retired Mocha Morning Specialty DSP in this one, and it's gorgeous because of the added texture with the flocking.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock;  Whisper White, Soft Suede & Crumb Cake
Stamps: Greetings of the Season
Ink:  Real Red & Soft Suede Markers
Paper:  Glimmer Paper in silver & Cherry Cobbler, Mocha Morning Specialty DSP & Christmas Cocoa DSP, both retired.
Delicate Designs Embossing Folder & Snowflake Die with the Big Shot.

Happy Tuesday!
Cheers
Karen

Mojo Monday 268

I walked into the studio this morning to the biggest mess you've ever seen - actually, you've probably seen something similar on your craft table!  
Basically, I finished my crafting last night and just got up and walked away!  Have you ever done that?  Yeh, right!

Well, not knowing what to clean up first, I avoided the lot, switched on the computer and there was this weeks Mojo Monday!  Aha, a way to skip over the cleaning and make more mess I said to myself!   Nothing quite like a Mojo Monday to get your....mojo going.

So, here it is:

I loved the simplicity of the sketch and as soon as I saw it had an idea of what I wanted to do.  So much so that the card was made, photographed and blogged in just under 40 minutes.  Whoa girl, slow down or you'll meet yourself coming back!!

Supplies I used today:
Stamp Set: Snow Swirled and a little snowflake filler stamp from retired set Short & Sweet
Cardstock: Early Espresso, Co-ordinations Cherry Cobbler & Whisper White
Ink:  Early Espresso
Paper:  Long retired Christmas Cocoa Specialty - LOVE IT! Shelli, please bring it back...pleeeease!
Silver Glimmer Paper
Scallop Circle Die, Snow Flurry Die & Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder with the Big Shot, 3/4" circle punch & Basic Pearls

Now, it's off to do the cleaning.  Yep, reality calls!
Cheers
Karen

Mojo Monday 262

I'm way out of my comfort zone here!  This is the first coiled fabric flower I've made.  And based on that, I used Summer Smooches DSP.  A paper I love, but because of all the colours I find it hard to choose what to put with it!  Argh, too many choices for me today!!  If you saw how many combinations I had, you'd think I'd gone crazy.

Anyway, let me know what you think.  It's a bit busy for my taste, but it came out ok in the end.  And I'm going to play with those sticky rounds some more.  I really like them!

Supplies used:
Greeting from the long retired Warmest Regards Stamp Set
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Daffodil Delight
DSP & Fabric: Summer Smooches
Two Step Bird Punch
Bitty Banners Framelits
Jumbo Sticky Rounds
Scallop circle was made using a die for the Big Shot from my stash
Rhinestone jewel.

Have a super day!
Karen

 “Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.” - Brian Gerald O’Driscoll

Mojo Monday 259

It's been a while since I did one of these. 

Here's the sketch:

And my interpretation:

 

Sorry it looks so blue with that background.  I need to work on my photography skills!   To represent the scallop detail in the sketch, I've used white taffeta ribbon and ruffled it behind the Pool Party Framelit.   Quite tricky to do!   I've only ever done this technique in a circle before and I overlooked the fact that the framelit has those bits that cut in.  Oh well, I'm still pleased with the way it turned out.  Hope you like it too.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Set;  Betsy's Blossoms
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party & Pacific Point
DSP: International Bazaar
Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Lucky Limeade & Pacific Point
Framelits Labels Collection
Chevron Embossing Folder
Big Shot
Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon 5/8"
White Gel Pen

Mojo Monday 239

This week's Mojo sketch could be round or square. I chose square because for some reason I always think it's easier.

This is a very simple card.  The watercolouring took the longest and that was only a minute or so!   I've used Melon Mambo & Old Olive with an aqua painter.

This is the same card with a vellum overlay on the watercolouring.  Doesn't it soften the Melon Mambo?  It's almost Pink Pirouette.   The reason I wanted to put vellum over the top was to disguise the watercolour paper.   I didn't like the way it looked so creamy against the white of the organza ribbon.  It's a bit hard to tell through the camera, so you'll just have to trust me!

Supplies used:  Stamp Set:  Bordering on Romance & Fresh Cuts (R) (greeting only)

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Watercolour paper & Vellum

Ink:  Staz On, Melon Mambo, Old Olive & Daffodil Delight

White Organza Ribbon,

Designer Label Punch, Corner Rounder Punch

Vellum Tape

Did you use your mojo today?

Karen

Mojo Monday 222

My first project for 2012 is this weeks Mojo Monday.   I thought I'd take the opportunity to use more of my Spice Cake suite....still lovin' it!

I inked the main stamped image with More Mustard & then after fussy-cutting I coloured the small circles with a Pool Party marker.  The centre of the image is a smaller stamp from Spiced Paisly inked with Soft Suede & Pool Party marker.   The edges of the Very Vanilla cardstock for the sentiment & the large circle are sponged with Pear Pizzazz, as are the leaves. 

Supplies:
Stamp Set:  Spiced Paisley & Warmest Regards (long retired)
Cardstock:  Soft Suede Textured, Pear Pizzazz & Very Vanilla
Ink:  Soft Suede, More Mustard, Pool Party (marker) & Pear Pizzazz
Paper:  DSP Spice Cake
Punches:  1 3/4" circle, Blossom Petals Builder, 3/4" circle
Polka Dots embossing folder & Big Shot
Basic Jewels: Pearls
Linen Thread

Mojo Monday 217

This is a week late for the Mojo Monday challenge, but better late than never, right?
I've used these gorgeous new products from the Nautical Expedition Suite in the Summer Mini Catalogue.   The stamp is from a set called The Open Sea & the Designer Series Paper is Nautical Expedition.

And how's that Bakers Twine? Gorgeous!   It's deceptively soft and not at all like something you'd use to truss a chicken.....oh, I suppose that's butcher's string...giggle.

For my Family is the stamp set that contains the word 'dad' - it's a set of 24 and includes every family member so it's super versatile as well as "happy birthday", "merry christmas" & "congratulations".  Love that.

Other products are:  Early Espresso ink, 2 1/2"  circle & modern label punch.  The buttons are also from the Summer Mini and are called Spice Cake Designer Buttons with 16 in the pack in 4 colours - Pool Party, More Mustard, Soft Suede & Pear Pizzazz.  The Ruffled Ribbon is in Pool Party.

Click on the pic on the side bar to go check out the new Summer Mini Catalogue for more inspiration and gorgeous new products.

Cheers
Karen

Mojo Monday 212

I had a huge clean out of my craft studio yesterday - huge!  I moved everything, cleaned under everything and re-gigged my space.  It was wonderful to come up here this morning and see how lovely everything looks!   In the process, I streamlined all my scraps and leftover kits from classes, making a decision that I would use some of these things up rather than stock-piling them for a future date (that never comes!)

This weeks mojo sketch is a nice simple one (I like those!).  So I got to work sifting through the old kit box and found some ready cut papers & cardstock just perfect.

The colours are Marina Mist, Pacific Point, Basic Black & Very Vanilla.   I've used some of our retired DSP "Newsprint" & Pacific Point DSP.   The greeting stamp is from Afterthoughts (now retired), but remember, it was part of an old kit so the idea is to use as much from the kit as possible and try not to make more scraps!!  I have added the "4 You" greeting from Tiny Tags Yes, they were in the kit too.

Have a scrappy day.  It feels great!