New Year Bliss

'New Year Bliss'

And a VERY Happy and Blessed New Year to you! 

I had a wonderful night seeing in this new year with friends (usually I pike out and go to bed instead, but this time I was determined to stay up way past my bedtime and see this new year in).  What more could a girl want than great food, wonderful company and a good laugh playing a Wii game or two - I have sore muscles to prove it!!!  There was bubbly, sparklers and fireworks too!   

I have some very special things that I am looking forward to this year... new additions to the family, long service leave, travel and a newer car are big blessings I am really thankful and excited about.  I'm sure you'll hear more about all of these as the year progresses.

My New Year Bliss today was being able to start playing around with these gorgeous stamps from Paperbag Studios latest rubber stamp plate, 'Shine'.  I've been itching to try these out and they have been quite inspirational for me today! 

I'm hopeless at consistently keeping a journal and get a bit frustrated by them.  This year I thought I'd try a different approach.  I've collaged this work on a really big envelope and added a journal entry for today on an index card.  I'm planning to add thoughts and ideas to this envelope as the year progresses... shall see how it goes!

The envelope contained a really sweet and thoughtful card from my Dad and on the back of the envelope is printed 'For Arts Sake'... I found that by accident when I'd almost completed the collage - it just added to the bliss!

I've had an absolutely wonderful first day to the year... creative time, chats to some friends and a surprise visit from my adorable nephew, who requested a visit with me.  We watched Dumbo together and shared pizza with his family.  What a perfect, blissful, wonderful day!  So thankful for God's blessings for me this day!!!

The Love of Family

The love of family, it can drive you crazy at times, but I wouldn't be without it! I got to hang out with my brother for a bit on Friday, it was great to catch up and even better to be able to help him out for a change. My brother is pretty clever with his hands and able to fix things that I couldn't possibly fix! He rebuilt a fence for me a while back. It's so strong and straight and I know there is no way on earth I'd have ever been able to do that!


Anyway, here's a piece I've put together using some fab products from THE STAMPING QUEEN in dedication to the love of family. I was inspired to make this 'Chunky ATC' after seeing the theme at Saturday's Workout.

The Stamping Queens Products: Stamp images - 'Companionship' and 'Love' (Paperbag Studios), German scrap vine, Collections butterfly and Basic Grey fibres

Take A Ride - WS

'Fresh Tea' (click on photo to enlarge image)

'Take a Ride' is the current challenge theme at Wednesday Stamper. I love how these men from Characters Constructions catch a ride and I simply added wings (ARTchix) to help them along. The map in the background is by Cherry Pie and all papers are Basic Grey.

Now, is time to take a ride on the wild side or enjoy a cup of fresh tea???

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.

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

Not an Illusion!

Yes, I have been AWOL... sorry about that, but it was for a very exciting reason... I've still been in cyberspace (just not in Blogger Land) and having been getting to know a lovely, lovely man!!! More details about that later, haha!!!

But firstly, I want to share with you some of my latest design work for The Stamping Queen... This first piece, 'Not an Illusion', uses a number of yummy goodies from my October Design Team Pack...


Products available from TSQ: Rubber is by Paper Artsy 'Man of Numbers' Plate 6, I've also stamped 'illusion' on a piece of 'Measuring Tape' (lightly sanded), Kaiser rubbons 'Elegance', German Scrap 'Flowers', Kaiser Wooden Flourishes 'Swirls', Collections 'Old Tin Numeral Prints', Lil Davis Rockstar Ribbon 'Amber' and Magic Mount.


From my stash: Basic Grey Papers 'Ambrosia Collection', teal velvet ribbon, teal pearls and K&Company word.


The next piece is called, 'Keeping Score'. I've created a folder to hold a notepad which could be used for 'keeping score' if playing card games and such like!


Products available from TSQ: Again, rubber is Paper Artsy, 'Man of Numbers' Plate 6, Kaiser rubbons 'Elegance, Collections 'Old Tin Numeral Prints' and Magic Mount.

From my stash: Basic Grey papers 'Ambrosia Collection', vintage domino, fabric scrap and brass arrow/brad.

And can you believe I've run out of time... so you'll have to wait 'til next time to hear more about Joel!!!

Hope you're having a great Sunday! xo

'Take Flight'... SBD's ATC Swap

So here are the ATC's I've been working on for Scrapbook Designs monthly swap. The theme this month is, 'Winged Things'. The stamps are Collections, paper is Basic Grey and of course there's a little fabric thrown in for good measure!

I kinda wish I was like this little girl and could take flight to some amazing place and create to my heart's content... oh, that's right, I can!

DCM - Butterfly, Flutterby

It's soooooooo nice to be on holidays!!!! I've had my second cousin Karen stay with me last night (so lots of mad tidying up yesterday!) and today we've been making cards. I've completed my first contribution for Daring Card Makers with the theme 'Butterfly, Flutterby'. The lady and butterfly are both ARTchix Studios images.

Karen managed to make three gorgeous cards (sorry, no pics of these) and I've also been working on some ATC's for a swap via Scrapbook Designs. I'll post pics of these tomorrow.

Rustic Charm

Here's another project that was published in Stamping & Papercraft Vol 12 No 10 - just in case you missed it. I was really pleased with the way they stylised the photograph. Now if you saw the envelopes I made in December for my school's graduation you will see some similarities in the one I made for Liam.

Envelopes

So finally, here is the first installment! This is one of the envelopes I made for Presentation Night. This is for Liam, Year 8 DUX! Congratulations to all the students that received prizes last night - a lovely reward for all your hard work! Thanks to my dear friends, Jhodi, Elle, Jaci and Susan who also made fabulous envelopes for other awards. Will post more pics during the week.

This envelope may look a little familiar as it's based on a set of cards published this year, in Stamping & Papercraft called 'Rustic Charm'

It's Monday already!

It was a creative weekend for me! The card above is the piece I'm submitting for this weeks Wednesday Stamper challenge. The theme is 'diamonds'. The image is by ARTchix and the diamond stamp is Penny Black. It's also a birthday card for a special 'second mum', so she's going to get a nice surprise in the mail pretty soon!



It seems that I still have a number of birthday cards to make before I even contemplate my Christmas ones. Image is also ARTchix and Basic Grey papers with bits of fabric and buttons.

I've also managed to complete the envelopes I've been designing for my school's Presentation Night. You'll get to see them next week.