Creative Correspondence - Island Dreaming

On Sunday I discovered Hels 'Sunday Stamper' challenge and the current theme is 'dream'.  For this guy, there was not a moment that passed where he wasn't, 'Island Dreaming'.  

I, myself, have been 'island dreaming' for many a year... dreaming of one day visiting the island of Tasmania!  And my dream finally came true in November last year!  

Here I am at Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, on my birthday, living my island dream!  A place full of awesome beauty and pretty chilly weather too.  There was a hint of snow on the mountain, a crispness to the air and  a little sprinkle of rain.  That's pretty much the perfect way to experience this amazing place!

Yes, there I was, at Cradle Mountain, practically right in the middle of Tasmania.  I was waiting outside this shelter for my friend Amanda, when someone said 'hello'!  It took me back a bit and a little while longer to comprehend that it was actually someone I knew and knew very well.  It was Neralie, a friend and colleague from school, also on long service leave and also travelling around Tasmania.  We both knew we were in the same part of the world, but didn't expect to bump into each other while we were travelling!  It was a lovely birthday blessing to spend time with her and her husband Craig - even if it was just for a short 15 minutes or so!

All rubber images are by Oxford Impressions (purchased in Tassie).

Old World - French Pattern

'French Pattern'

Here's another postcard created for our little swap group this year.  The theme was 'Old World' and Oxford Impressions Regency Fashion plate was definitely the starting point for this piece.  The elegance of this era of fashion is stunning and pretty perfect if you get to sit around the home for most of the day reading, playing the piano, embroidering or sharing in a pot of tea!  

Gosh, doing all of the above in your pj's isn't quite the same, is it?!  

'Paris'

Paris is one of those places I dream about visiting one day, but for now I admire it's beauty from afar.

'Architecture' was January's theme for my postcard swap group, yes January, 2012.  I did finish this a few months ago, but I thought it was time share it with you!  All the gorgeous stamped images are by Oxford Impressions and the mini photos came from Typo, in the sweetest little tin.  I just knew they would come in handy one day!

TIME - TicToc

Time is ticking and all that! In my previous post I mentioned being way behind in my postcard making for the swap group I'm involved with this year. Well I'm happy to say that I'm all caught up!

This postcard was inspired by the theme 'Time'. I've used Oxford Impressions Alice in Wonderland images, Collections clocks and scraps of papers. There's a bit of washi tape along the top (taken from my rapidly growing collection) and pretty ribbons!

My new art space is practically set up, but I'm over 3000 kms away, holidaying in Melbourne with one of my bridesmaids, so not much creating happening at the moment. More like treasure hunting! We're off to Tasmania tomorrow, leaving my poor hubby to fend for himself for most of November!

I'm blogging via my iPad... Very experimental, will see how it goes. Hopefully more postcards to come soon!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Stage Fright - Inkurable Stampers

'Stage Fright' ATC

Have you ever had a sudden onset of 'stage fright'?  Was it a one off experience or is it an ongoing/forever kind of thing like it still is for me?  Aparently, when I was in Year One, I suffered from such a severe case of 'stage fright' that I never did manage to get up on the stage  that night.  My mum told me the story, a very long time ago and I don't remember much of the details... I think I may have been an angel in a Christmas play... it's times like these I wish mum was here to ask!  I have no conscious memory of this event... the blurred memory of mum's story causes me to think that she tried all manner of things to get me up there on the night and nothing worked!  As a teacher of Year One's now, I find myself in a similar position to mum... convincing some kids that they really can get up there and do it, just the way we practised.  Most manage it and occasionally it's too much for some... but hopefully they will learn to be brave and conquer the fear enough to get up on the stage and perform.

Orange, Purple and Green is currently the challenging theme at Inkurable Stampers.  I struggled to get started with this piece until I found this ARTchix collage picture, she was my starting point and I enjoyed setting the scene with Oxford Impressions new plate 'Vintage Circus'.

A Piece of Jarrah

So this pretty little dressform piece was originally just a lump of wood, a piece of jarrah, an offcut from my friend, Amanda's new-ish decking.  She generously handed over a box of jarrah offcuts to me, thinking that they might come in handy one day... and about a year or so later, I pulled out a piece and played around with it over the weekend.

I'm not overly confident working with paint, but I want to be, so I used the slap it on and see what happens approach!  At the same time I painted the wood, I also slapped on the same colours on an old playing card - not thinking I'd use them together.  But in the end they worked so beautifully together and I'm not sure I would have known what to do with a painted piece of wood without the playing card.

Now I can't wait to have some more time to play some with more lumps of wood!

All these gorgeous stamped images are from Oxford Impressions Dress Forms and Corsetry rubber plate.

Life's Moment - PDCC105

'Life's Moment' ATC

Seeing this ATC, now complete, makes me want to sit with a lovely cup of tea (in a beautiful tea cup) and contemplate what is indeed 'Life's Moment'?  Is there one defining moment that surpasses all others?  We reflect upon many of life's special moments over a cuppa, don't we?  The special moments that have already occured and the ones we are looking forward to.  The moments that are life changing and impact upon us in significant ways...

The current colour challenge at The Play Date Cafe #105 has got me thinking...

Do you have a 'life defining moment'?  Or many?  One that stands out far above the rest?

Published - Little Birds

'Little Birds' as seen in Cardmaking Stamping & Papercraft Vol 17 No 6

I really loved working with this gorgeous plate of stamps by Oxford Impressions...

along with some beautiful Kaisercraft papers.

TPDCC #93 - Fleur

'Fleur'

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #93 (see photo below) is the inspiration for this ATC.  I've used some ARTchix collage papers, gesso, sequin waste (as a stencil) and Brilliance ink pads to create the background.  Stamped images:  Stitched trim (Oxford Impressions), Postal stamps (Stampington) and 'Four-Leaf Clover' (Stampington).

It's been wonderful to start the weekend with a touch of creativity!  I hope you get some time for creative and inky fun this weekend too - if that's what your heart would so desire :)

Singer Sewing Machine

As I mentioned recently, I am participating in small postcard exchange group this year.  The theme for June was 'Victorian'.  I was having trouble finding inspiration for this theme and resorted to using 'Google' for some assistance!  I discovered that the Singer Sewing Machine scaled for home use was patented in the Victorian Era (1854) by Isaac Merritt Singer. When I came across this useful information I finally knew which direction to take! And lo and behold, I had the perfect images in a new Oxford Impressions plate I had received recently, Sewing Notions.

There's quite a bit of layering of papers and paint and ink and tissue tape (another new love). This piece is almost completely flat, except for one little black safety pin. All the other sewing notions are stamped... I'm surprised that I didn't use any other 3D notions or fabric or trims or ribbon, but well, I haven't!

Published - Fresh Eggs

'Fresh Eggs'

As seen in Cardmaking Stamping & Papercraft Vol 17 No 4.

Oxford Impressions have a wonderful plate of country themed stamps called 'Country Girl'.  I particularly love the old farm house image... what a wonderful home to live in!



Tenderness - Jane Austen

'Tenderness'

All stamped images are from Oxford Impressions 'Jane Austen' rubber plate.

Home - Jane Austen

'Home'

'There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.'  Jane Austen

All stamped images from Oxford Impressions 'Jane Austen' plate.

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

'Pride and Prejudice'

I was so excited when Suzanne at Oxford Impression put together her 'Jane Austen' rubber stamp plate.  Pride and Prejudice is my favourite novel by Jane Austen and I guess it came as no surprise to me, when I envisioned Jane sitting at her writing desk, dreaming up the great romance of Miss Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy.

French Pattern - Regency Fashion

'French Pattern'

These beautiful images from Oxford Impressions 'Regency Fashion' plate are so lovely to work with and as I was putting this work together, I couldn't help but dream of being in Paris.  I'd be treasure hunting at the flea markets and searching for gorgeous textiles and art supplies to take home with me... Oh I'd drop in to the odd museum too!. 

Elegance - Regency Fashion

'Elegance'

When I think of the Regency Fashion, I think of elegance... 

Haute Couture - Regency Fashion

'Haute Couture'

I've been interested in the history of fashion from a very young age and sometimes wish I had had the talent to be a fashion designer.  Working with amazing textiles and embellishments, creating dreamy wearable works of art... what bliss! 

Well the next best thing to designing haute couture is designing paper art works incorporating beautiful textiles and embellishments.  Oxford Impressions 'Regency Fashion' rubber stamp plate provides beautiful imagery from the Regency Era - a favourite fashion era of mine.

Designer - Sewing Notions

'Designer'

I totally love all the images used here and of course they are all from Oxford Impressions Sewing Notions plate.  The lace and button were an op-shop find from my last holiday... there was a great length of this lace tucked away with a whole lot of buttons - a delightful find! 

Reels - Sewing Notions

'Reels'

I was recently entrusted with an assortment of sewing notions that once belonged to my friend's mother.  I have dipped into some of those supplies to create each of the Oxford Impressions 'Sewing Notions' samples I've completed this week.  The zip was just the perfect size for a card and it was the starting point of this piece.  I love the colour of the zip and torn section of the press stud packet.  I know I'm repeating myself but these OI images are a lot of fun to work with :)

Homemade - Sewing Notions

'Homemade' by Sue Smith

I loved it when Mum used to sew me a new piece of clothing or knitted me a jumper and so the sentiment, 'Happiness is Homemade', rings true in my heart.  And now, of course, I love all things handmade, especially when I can stay home long enough to make them 'homemade'.

I really enjoyed embelling this card, especially the beading the trim!

This is one of Oxford Impressions newest rubber stamp plates - Sewing Notions.  I totally loved working with these stamps and still have many ideas I want to try out.  They are stunning images and work beautifully together.  They also combine really well with OI's other sewing themed plates, 'The Dressmaker' and 'Dress Forms and Corsetry'.

Well here's to a day spent at home... where happiness will be trully homemade!