Thursday 30 April 2009

Fairy Godmother

Here's the third character from Stampington's Clearly Impressed stamp set 'They Could Be Magic'. I've really enjoyed working with these quirky characters found in this month's DT pack from THE STAMPING QUEEN.


The colour palette I've used for this piece was a little unusual for me and I did wonder how it would all end up. Anyway, I used an extra large playing card as the base for this piece, gave it a rough coat of gesso and then sprayed it with Vintage Pink Glimmer Mist. There's some continuous line stitching, sequins covered in Kindy Glitz with a seed bead at the centre of each and added Kindy Glitz on the Fairy Godmother.

Can you see the seed beads in the centre of each sequin?

The Stamping Queen products: 'They Could Be Magic' by Stampington, Ink Splash (x2) by Cherry Pie Art Stamps, Vintage Pink Glimmer Mist, striped fabric brad and Magic Mount

My Stash: Extra large playing card, fabric, Kindy Glitz, Tombow pens, sequins, beads, black pigment pen (waterproof) and gesso

Monday 27 April 2009

'April in Paris' - Giveaway


Got your attention! I'm sorry to say, I'm NOT giving away a romantic trip for two to Paris, but this giveaway is still pretty spectacular in my book...

To cut a long story short, I ended up with two 'April In Paris' unmounted rubber stamp plates from Oxford Impressions. When I contacted Suzanne at OI about returning one she suggested that I find a new home for it via a giveaway on my blog.

So if you'd like to have this wonderful plate of 18 scrumptious stamps then leave a comment and let me know where your dream destination would be... if not Paris, then where?

The winner will be chosen next Sunday evening :)

Tweet, Tweet...

'Birdies For Gaye'

Yesterday I completed this Art of the Month piece for Gaye. When I was in Melbourne last month I enjoyed meeting Gaye and many of the other wonderful ladies that are involved in an Art of the Month swap group I'm participating in. Gaye loves birdies and these ones find themselves nesting in a rather textural background.

Sunday 26 April 2009

Pensive Phillip

'Pensive Phillip'

Masculine cards can often be a bit of a challenge. I really like this image, Pensive Phillip by Queen's Dresser Drawers, it easily lends itself to creating a card suitable for a male friend or family member. This stamp came with last months DT pack from THE STAMPING QUEEN, but I just had to use it again. I've also found it to be a very versatile stamp and you can see how I used it in quite a different way for two of my robot cards in previous posts... 'About Time' and 'Genius'. This time round you get to almost see the complete image.


The red and black background was created using gesso, Red Velvet Glimmer Mist and a Tim Holtz mask 'Borderline' with black ink. I punched holes along the left hand image through all layers except the black base card. Image has been coloured with Tombow pens.


Machine stitching has been added using red thread. Some Fruit Cake fibres by Basic Grey were sown onto the left hand side of work with a zig-zag stitch.


I painted the paper clock face with a couple of coats of self leveling gel by Golden to add a very subtle texture.

The Stamping Queen Products: Pensive Phillip by Queen's Dresser Drawers, Vintage Wallpaper by Collections, Red Velvet Glimmer Mist, Borderline Mask by Tim Holtz, Measuring Tape, Fruit Cake Fibres by Basic Grey and Antique Brass Clipboard Clip

My Stash: Assorted card, vintage text, clock face, Tombow watercolour pens, Golden self leveling gel and gesso.

Monday 20 April 2009

'Vintage Daisy'



Just wanted to share this collage card I've made for a very belated birthday... I'll be posting it soon, hopefully today. I've used a Paperbag Studios image 'Flower Bud' for this one.

Anyway, I'm popping in to work for a while this morning... so I have a touch of Mondayitis... haven't had that for quite some time.

Have a lovely Monday!

Sunday 19 April 2009

God Blessed

'God Blessed'

Here's a little postcard to share with you on a beautiful Sunday morning. The sunrise was glorious!

I've been keeping a gratitude journal over the holidays... one ATC each day, with at least one thing I've been grateful to God for that day... it's helping me to think more positively and move me out of the funk I'd been in.

What are you grateful for today? Why don't you try and record it in some way? If you do, I'd love to hear about it :)

Saturday 18 April 2009

MAMOT - Home Is Where The Heart Is.


It's been too long since I've made a Moo. I find it quite a challenge when using such a small surface. This week's theme at Make A Moo Or Two, 'Home is Where the Heart is', rings true to me. I'm loving being on holidays and having sooooo much more time at home - absolute bliss!!!

This moo has been created using the Paperbag Studios image 'Home'. I've been inking up my favourite Papberbag Studios stamps lately for the 'Stampers Appreciation Promotion'.

'The Key'
I made this piece yesterday for a monthly ATC swap. I've used the following Paperbag Studio images: Quasi, Holed Punch, Serie C and 1*2*3.

Well I'm not really going to be home much today, I'm out for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Friday 17 April 2009

Dream A Little Dream


Holidays are always a great time to 'dream a little dream' or two. So much more time to think and imagine (and in the case of these particular holidays to create). This little gift bag has been created using some lovely products from The Stamping Queen's April DT pack. A bit more quirkiness from the Stampington unmounted stamp set 'They Could Be Magic'.


I think the gift bag would be just perfect for slipping in a gift voucher, money or a small present.



TSQ Products: 'They Could Be Magic' stamp set by Stampington, Fruit Cake fibres by Basic Grey, Red Velvet glimmer mist, Magic Mount, chipboard arch and word by Collections.

My Stash: Assorted papers and card, Paisley embossing folder by Cuttlebug, Tombos watercolour pens, ink, sequins, ribbon and gemstones

Thursday 16 April 2009

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Green


Yesterday I had the delight of witnessing the marriage of Ashley and Elaine out at Wignalls Winery. It was a very happy and relaxed ceremony - so special to see my friend Elaine so happy!


Arriving...


The gorgeous cake!


All the decorating was exquisite - very shabby chic!


The card I made for the special couple.

Monday 13 April 2009

Meet Molly


Molly is the latest addition to the Smith family... she lives with my brother and his family. And yes, she has one blue eye and one brown eye!


Sean and Molly are quickly becoming constant companions, especially in the sandbox!


Smoochy time!


Being introduced to Peter and Flopsy - the bunnies.


There, there, there!!!! Sean is pointing to where the train is... out of sight, but in hearing distance.

Isn't it great to see a little fella having so much fun with his pet animals! What a delightful way to grow-up!

Sunday 12 April 2009

Patience

Over at Paperbag Studios, Roben-Marie is hosting a 'Stamper Appreciation Promotion' for the month of April. If you love Paperbag Studios stamps half as much as I do then I suggest you check it out here. There's some lovely give-aways!


I've called this piece, 'Patience'... a while back I wrote a post about my reluctance to work with paint... I was a bit scared of the stuff... it's messy, it doesn't always land on your paper, fabric or canvas quite the way I'd like it to AND you have to wait for it to dry!


But I've been inspired by so many mixed media artists, and my trip to the art retreat in Melbourne has helped me to persevere and experiment and now I love the gooey, runny, messy stuff :D Well mostly I do, although last night while I was trying to put this together it was a struggle not to throw it all in the bin! I left it over night - remembering one of the great beauties of paint... you can paint over it if you don't like it. It's all about layers.... Layer, upon layer, upon layer!

Saturday 11 April 2009

SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP

My April Design Pack from THE STAMPING QUEEN has arrived and I’m on holidays, so there’s plenty of time to play! Stampington’s Clearly Impressed, ‘They Could Be Magic’ unmounted stamp set contains three quirky characters designed by Marylinn Kelly. I can see I’m going to have a fun time working with these guys this month. Let me introduce you to, ‘Shop ‘Til You Drop’ cat.


This clever cat’s bag was originally a ‘trick or treat’ bag, but I’m not into Halloween at all, so the bag has had a little transformation. When creating the bag, I lightly stamped that section of the stamp onto a scrap of patterned paper, trimmed it to size, darkened the edges of the bag with black ink and sprayed it with red velvet glimmer mist to help disguise the wording. Then I added a sequin and beads for a touch of bling.


The background was created on an old playing card. I’ve added strips of patterned papers, inked up some sequin waste with rocket red brilliance ink and painted on some china blue distress crackled paint by Tim Holtz. The yellow fabric brad adds the finishing touch!


I really enjoyed colouring this character. Out came the Tombow pens... followed by a lead pencil. I’ve added swirls, dots and dashes onto the cat with lead pencil for added interest and depth. The piece was layered onto folded lemon card and the citrus colours and circular patterns found on the cat’s body, were repeated on the cover and inside of the wallet. If you’re going to shop ‘til you drop you’re going to need a funky wallet to take with you don’t you think?


TSQ Products: 'They Could Be Magic' Clearly Impressed stamp set by Stampington, red velvet glimmer mist and yellow fabric brad

My Stash: Yellow card (Bazzill), playing card, Tombow pens, lead pencil, assorted patterned papers, fabric, gesso, china blue distress crackle paint by Tim Holtz