'Giraffee Safari'

'Giraffee Safari' postcard for Trish

Our postcard swap group has continued into 2012 and up 'til yesterday I was 9 months behind in postcard making.  What with the engagement party and wedding organisation, along with organising my classroom, so I could leave it for long service leave for 6 months, it's been a busy year!  Yesterday I finally got to play creatively for the first time in my new 'studio' (aka as spare bedroom) and knew I wanted to at least finish the two postcards I owe to Trish.  Joel and I fly out to Jakarta on Friday and I'll be able to hand deliver them to her, which is very exciting!!!  She never receives mail over there, so this is one of the few times Trish gets mail from home - when visitors come!

Most of the papers are from the Nostalgia line by Ruby Rock-It, stamps Tim Holtz and I've used some lovely washi tape too!

Now onto the next postcard... Clocks (Tic Toc)... time is ticking and I have a deadline to get this next postcard complete... tic toc, tic toc, tic toc....

Home For The Weekend - PDCC95

'Home For The Weekend'

Oh the bliss and sweet joy of a day spent at home on the weekend! 

This Saturday was a home day.  A stay in your pyjamas all day and play at home, kinda day.  So that meant I got to play along with the artists over at The Play Date Cafe Challenge #95.  See the inspirational photographs below.

It was a great feeling to finally put ink to this Stampington rubber that has been sitting on the shelf for a while.The Tim Holtz die was the starting point and then it grew like topsy.  I can hear my heart whispering (might even be shouting) to make sure I have time at home on the weekends!

Well I have yet to do my packing... and some of the planning I was talking about yesterday.  I now have a touch of European envy and am pondering if/when I may walk upon the streets of Paris?  I know my friend will have an amazing time and I can't wait to hear all about her travel adventures.

Anyway, I'm having myself a little adventure today.  I'm meeting up with a long time friend and her family - they have travelled right across the other side of the country to visit me.  We are all staying together in a accomodation unit near the beach.  I'm heading there straight after work today, which means I REALLY need to get packing!

Live In The Moment - Grungy Monday 20

'Live In The Moment'

It's a 'Distress Stickles Party' over at Grungy Monday Challenge 20.  It's pretty hard to pick up the effect the Black Soot Distress Stickles has left on the scan of this tag, but I can assure you there's a dab of it here and there on the flowers at the bottom of the tag and a large dollop of it on the bird.

And here are more words speaking to my heart today...  'Live in the Moment'!  I have a crazy, busy few weeks heading my way, filled with lots of special people and exciting events. I've got quite a bit of packing and planning to do (you know, the boring stuff) and because there are a number of things all happening at once, I need to take to care to 'live in the moment' and not be too caught up with concerning myself with what is coming up next, or it will all be such a whirl-wind that I won't remember any of the extra special moments.

So today's beautiful moments that are heading my way are... spending time with my adorable nephew, catching up with a friend (who is leaving soon for a holiday to Europe - so excited for her!) and a singing rehersal with some awesome muso's for a concert in a couple of weeks time.  Oh and packing for two trips away in this coming week!!!

I hope too, that today, you may be able 'Live in the moment and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering'.  I'll do the same and hang out the washing now, because that kind of moment isn't really worth remembering.

Sing Out

'Sing Out'

So there's a little story behind this ATC...  My friend Amanda challenged me to make a card using this small piece of wood (that had somehow attached itself to my scarf) and her gum wrapper (that I rescued just before she tossed it in the bin)!  I was awake in the wee hours this morning and put this piece together just for her!  Not sure if she'll like it, but hopefully she'll be a little impressed with what you can do with 'junk'!

Life's Journey - Grungy Monday 18

'Life's Journey'

Grungy Monday 18 challenges it's participants this week to incorporate techniques from Tim Holtz' 12 Tags of Christmas...(Day 8).  I focused on two of the techniques, 'baking vellum' and 'water flicking'... both something I haven't tried quite like this before.  I couldn't find plain vellum at home (although I'm sure I have plenty somewhere), so I used a patterned one instead and it didn't seem to affect the result.

All stamp images are by Tim Holtz.  I stamped a map of Paris onto the vellum and coloured it with 'tattered rose' and 'milled lavender' ink.  I then continued working around this colour palette for the rest of the piece.

I'm thinking I might just use this tag then next time I get the oportunity to jump on a plane and visit a new part of the world!

Circus Act

'Circus Act' Postcard

This year I'm participating in a postcard swap group.  Last month's theme was 'bicycles'. 

All these wonderful stamped images are by Tim Holtz. I really enjoyed putting this piece together, attempting to give it a 'Big Top' feel. What a hunky strong man!!!! My how he can balance!

Garden Fairy - Grungy Monday 17

'The Garden Fairy'

Hmmm, I could do with a long, extended visit from the 'Garden Fairy' at present!  Gardening is not my passion and it's a little obvious!  I'm so happy be able to participate in Grungy Monday 17, which this time uses Tim Holtz' technique 'Get Ready to Rock!'  I'm especially happy because it caused me to rip the seal off  and open my jar of Distress Rock Candy Crackle Paint, which had yet to see the light of day.  In fact, I was pleasantly surprised to even find it in my stash!  And now I'm wondering how I ever lived without it?!

I used a lovely Kaisercraft paper for the base of the tag, did a bit of layering with TH Papillon stamps, scattered a few sequins into the mix (affixing them with Stickles Rock Candy), stuck on strips of tissue tape and then covered it all with Rock Candy.  I love the vintage looking German scrap fairy and highlighted sections of the image with Distress Stickles Rock Candy.   The final touch was a gorgous Kaisercraft 'Sparklet! 

Threads - Grungy Monday 09

'Threads' by Sue Smith

Well I've literally left this to the last minute (or hour)... I've been sick in bed for two days... not the nicest way to spend a long weekend, so I'm hoping I can manage a little creative time today.  And Grungy Monday was on the top of the list of things to work on!

Anyway, Grungy Monday 09 is all about Tim Holtz' technique, often called 'Shabby Chic'.  The best thing about GM's challenges is that I'm trying new techniques on a regular basis - all good fun!  Being a total fan fo all things Shabby Chic, I'm sure glad I managed to participate in this challenge!

I skipped step one of the technique because I didn't have a pitch black paint dabber and have just used black card as Tim suggests as an alternative.  All stamped images are by Tim Holtz and the ruler is from a collage sheet by ARTchix Studios.

Be Still

'Be Still'

Grungy Monday 08 has encouraged me to explore yet another new technique... Tim Holtz' Brushless Watercolour... I had read about it and loved the effect, but hadn't actually ever got around to trying it!  So here's my first go at brushless watercolour... 

The Paper Play challenge this week is Blossoms & Blooms and I've handmade the flower in the bottom corner of this card.  This is a new challenge site to me - yay!

I've kept the embellishing for this card very simple and neutral.  I plan to play around with this technique a whole lot more - it's so easy and a lot of fun!

Special Delivery - Inspiration Emporium Challenge

'Special Delivery' by Sue Smith

Inspiration Emporium is challenging it's participants to use packaging in their creations this month.  Prima package their products beautifully and so I decided to use a section of a 'Say It In Crystals' packet as the background to this piece.  To this I've added gesso, stamping and some lovely ARTchix collage imagery.  To add at bit of glamour and bling there's some Prima crystals/lace and various ribbon to finish it off!

Horizons - TPDCC82

'Horizons' Postcard

The photograph below is the inspirational palette for The Play Date Cafe Challenge #82



I really loved the colour palette and those scrumptious suitcases lead me towards creating the travel themed postcard.  There's nothing like venturing towards new horizons/destinations, but after a great adventure it is always wonderful to return home! 

All stamped images are Tim Holtz, the collage pieces are all from ARTchix Studio and the words are by Collections.

Poppies - Grungy Monday 07

 'I Love You' ATC



Grungy Monday on a Saturday morning... what fun!  Grungy Monday's 07 challenges us to use the Tim Holtz Distress Ink Colour Block technique.

'Illuminate' ATC

I have a very limited collection of Distress inkpads, so that helped me to quickly decide upon the colour palette I would be working with (and created a great desire to increase my inkpad collection)!  I enjoyed playing with this colour block technique, as it was a quick and easy way to create a unique background.  'I Love You' is pure distress ink colour, but I added a wash of coffee to the 'Illuminate' ATC.

All stamped images are Tim Holtz, the gorgeous collage images are from ARTchix Studio and words are from Collections.

Spool Posy - TPDCC81

Spool Posy by Sue Smith

The Play Date Cafe Challenge 81  found it's inspiration in the colours found on the wallpaper shown below.

I really loved the colours found in the wallpaper and the floral imagery.  At first, I was tempted to try and do some stitching, but in the end the wooden spool sitting on my desk caught my eye and I thought I'd spruce it up with a little posy.  I thought this little spool posy could make a great gift topper!

I've used some Hero Arts flower stamps, along with some paper flowers, florist wire and silk ribbon.  The spool was coated in Distress Stain (Weathered Wood) and I then wrapped some TH tissue tape around the spool and topped it off with silver glitter.

Paris - Grundgy Monday 06

'Paris' by Sue Smith

Grungy Monday 06 is revisiting a Tim Holtz' technique from the past found here! 

All stamped images are Tim Holtz and the lovely ladies are from an ARTchix Studio collage sheet.

Treasure - TPDCC80

'Treasure' by Sue Smith

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #80 is inspired by the photo below... red, orange and white...

I've recycled a white paper bag to create a gift bag.  It could be filled with a voucher or a small treasure or two!  Stamped images are by Tim Holtz and Stampington.

TMTA - Washi Tape

'Beautiful' by Sue Smith

'Washi Tape' is the current challenge over at Think Monday Think ATC this week.  I happily possess a little collection of washi tape and really enjoy working with it.  I've used some Tim Holtz washi paper in this ATC, but it's pretty well camouflaged by ink and stamps.  The easiest piece to see is just under the butterfly.  All stamped images are also by Tim Holtz.

I nearly gave up on this ATC... the background got very muddy last night and I didn't think I'd be able to rescue it... but sometimes it pays to walk away and try again the next day. 

Secret Place - Inspiration Emporium

'Secret Place' - ATC by Sue Smith

Yes, another new challenge site that I discovered today, thanks to Shelley Hickox.  Thanks Shelley!

Inspiration Emporium's first challenge requires you to use any shaped fragment you wish.  I was really pleased because I actually had some Tim Holtz fragments on hand!  Having never opened the packet before, I knew this would be just the motivation I needed to use one, as well as inking up this new set of Tim Holtz stamps for the first time.  The red buttons we a op-shop find in the holidays too!

Live - TPDCC79

'Live'

I've been checking out The Play Date Cafe for quite some time - it's full of inspiration!  Their current challenge is 'Red Lime Grey' as seen in the photograph below!

What a colour combination!!!  I think the texture of the velvet on the cushions also attracted me to this challenge.  Anyway as I sat to consider where to start I knew I wanted to use this set of Tim Holtz stamps which had not seen ink 'til today.  I was having a bit of a tidy up and came across a lime green tea bag cover that also had a tiny touch of red :)  The hardest things to find were the grey tonings, as I always think it's a bit too much like cement and I steer away from using it!  One of my friends adores grey, she raves about it and it's so I've been warming to the idea of having a play with it.  This challenge has enabled me to give grey a chance and you know what, I do actually like it!

Inkurable Stampers - Stitch In Time

'Stitch In Time' by Sue Smith

This is the first time I've participated in an Inkurable Stampers challenge.  It's their 3rd birthday and so the theme for April was '3'.  Within that theme you had to create a piece that incorporated three colours, three stamps and the number 3!

My three colours:  purple, sand and black

My three stamps:  Dress form, textile and spool (all Tim Holtz)

Number 3:  Was highlighted from dressmaking tissue used in the background.

Happy Birthday Inkurable Stampers!

Tim Holtz 4th Day of Christmas

Here's my first interpretation of this year's 12 Days of Christmas Tags by Tim Holtz for the 4th Day of Christmas.  I have not been able to find the time to make the tags for days 1-3 yet, but do hope to catch up when I can.  I really wanted to try the technique used to create the snowflake embellishment... which I did and the rest of the card just fell into place.  I'm planning to make miniture versions of Tim's tags as I didn't have any large tags at home.  I think it will be fun to display them together this Christmas - just hope I have more than one to display by Christmas!!!

The only 'Tim Holtz' product I had on hand was alcohol ink (and not the same colour), so I've adapted most of the tag as best I could, even down to creating my own 'wish ticket' with a scrap of paper and alphabet stamps.

I've really been enjoying visiting here and seeing how Shelley has been adapting things for her tags.  Thanks for the inspiration, Shelley!