Beauty

This month's Design Team pack from The Stamping Queen arrived yesterday. The theme for the month of May is 'Mothers' and included in the pack are some gorgeous Designs Galore images.

'Beauty'

I've included a Designs Galore image, Vintage Beauty 002, for this card.


The lace was originally white and has been dyed with Slate Glimmer Mist.


I placed some fabric, tulle and ribbon between the Collections vintage paper and transparency and stitched the layers together. More ribbon, tulle and lace were then added on top of the transparency at the lower section of image.

The Stamping Queen supplies: Vintage Beauty 002 by Designs Galore, Vintage Transparency by Collections, Vintage Paper by Collections and Slate Glimmer Mist

My Stash: Cream card, lace, ribbon, tulle, charcoal thread and flower

In The Mailbag...

Look at what's arrived in my mailbox lately!


This beautiful art quilt was a very unexpected surprise from my lovely friend Debbi. It's now hanging in my 'studio' aka kitchen, taking pride of place above my work table. I love it!


This lovely journal was made by Jacky for April's, Art of the Month swap. The cover is really gorgeous! I love all the different elements used to create this collage, especially the birds. Woven down the spine is a stunning fabric - just love that idea! Thanks so much Jacky! I'll be sure to be inspired with creative ideas each time I use it.

and...

Happy Mothers Day to those of you that are blessed with children and grandchildren. You have the most rewarding (and hardest) job in the world!

I'll be taking some time today to reflect upon the blessing that my mother, Nanna and Granny have been to me. They may no longer be here physically, but they still have a huge influence on my life. They were all very creative women, with their special areas of expertise... each patiently took time to share their knowledge and skills with me. I think their creativity has rubbed off on me just a little! Miss you all sooooo much.

And the WINNER is....

I've really enjoyed reading about your dream destinations... many of them are mine too! Canada, especially Prince Edward Island, is right up there for me. I'd definitely love a trip to Adelaide to hang out with Barb, Sephi and Gillian, in fact I've been planning a trip to Adelaide with a friend - meet us there girls??!! Deb, I'll be your roomie anywhere, anytime :D

I wrote each name on a pink tag, put them in my little watering can, shook is around and pulled out a tag :)

Anyway, without further ado, the winner of the 'April in Paris' plate by Oxford Impressions is...



TRISH P

Congratulations Trish!!!!! I'll be in contact with you soon :)

Once again, I'd love to thank Suzanne from Oxford Impressions for allowing me to keep the plate and have this giveaway. It was soooo much fun to do. Check out her website her range of stamps are amazing!

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

'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.

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.

'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!

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 :)

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.

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

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.

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!

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!

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

About Time

Well ‘time’ is on my mind today... it’s about time I... (and an extensive list of things yet to be accomplished should follow, but I won’t bore you with the details.) Instead I’ll share the last of my robotic pieces created from some of the lovely products in March’s design team pack from THE STAMPING QUEEN. I’ve become quite attached to these sweet robots found on the Robot Montage by Dark Room Door.


Once again I stamped Pensive Phillip (Queen’s Dresser Drawers) onto some white card using rocket red brilliance ink. From there I’ve created a small collage using dressmaking tissue, a robot trimmed to size, large clock face and a circle plaque (with brass brads). NB: I affixed all the paper pieces together using white gesso.


Figure 184 (Paperbag Studios) has been stamped onto left side of light teal paper (Basic Grey). The Robot collage has been added to other assorted papers, along with ribbon and fabric. Once again all has been affixed with white gesso. For some finishing touches, I added four German Scrap wheels with gesso and when they were dry I added sequins and beads to the centre of each wheel. A scrap of fabric was stitched in place at the top and a t bar pin added under the clock.


The Stamping Queen products: Robot Montage by Dark Room Door, Pensive Phillip stamp (Queen’s Dresser Drawer), Figure 184 stamp (Paperbag Studios), German Scrap Wheels, Clock face (large), Circle Plaque (brass) and Brads (brass)

My Stash: Assorted papers, white card, sequins, dressmaking tissue, white gesso, seed beads, t bar pin, fabric and ribbon

Well I’m off to see what’s on the top of the ‘To Do’ list and then... I’ll hide out in my bedroom and read my book! No one will ever know!

FABULOUS!!! SMASHING!!!

End of Day Light Saving and an extra hour in the day today = extra creative time! Here’s my third robot piece using Dark Room Door's Robot Montage for this month’s design team challenge at THE STAMPING QUEEN.


I had a fabulous time this morning playing with the Tim Holtz ‘Timeworks’ masks that came with my DT pack for March! I masked a piece of white card with the cogs and wheels and generously sprayed with Juniper glimmer mist. When dry, I highlighted some white masked areas with old gold coloured crayon and then lightly sprayed with Patina and Red Velvet glimmer mist.


The stripy paper got a spritz of Red Velvet glimmer mist to help it blend with the masked background. Some simple machine stitching added a little extra texture and the metal accents help tie the robotic theme together.


The Stamping Queen products: Robot Montage by Dark Room Door, Timeworks masks by Tim Holtz, Glimmer Mist (Juniper, Patina and Red Velvet), square and round brads (brass) and photo turn (antique copper)

My Stash: Papers, white card, crayon, fabric, velvet ribbon

'Stella'

Check out 'Stella'! She looks like she's all set to grace the red carpet for a Hollywood awards night. Don't you think she looks great in her hot pink number? I'm really enjoying this months challenge from THE STAMPING QUEEN and having a lot of fun creating pieces using the Robot Montage by Dark Room Door. I put some hot pink metalic paper through the Cuttlebug and lightly sanded some parts of it back to reveal a silvery glimmer. I'm loving the texture of the 'spots & dots' embossing folder! The word 'awesome' has had a coat of vintage pink glimmer mist and the punched stars have added spark with silver rhinestones. The alphabet collage and hole punched stamps were great for stamping some simple backgrounds/borders.


The Stamping Queen products: Robot Montage by Dark Room Door, Alphabet Collage stamp by Crafty Individuals, Hole Punched by Paperbag Studios, Vintage Pink Glimmer Mist and Silver Rhinestones by Kaiser


My Stash: Pink metalic paper, silver shim, cream card, Cuttlebug and 'Spots & Dots' embossing folder, star punch, fabric and sandpaper

Genius

I'm back!!! Did you miss me??? In case you have no idea where I've been I'll fill you in briefly. I was absolutely blessed to be able to attend the recent Creative Soul Retreat in Melbourne (just over a week ago). It was sooooo inspiring!!!! I flew back to Perth on Wednesday and stayed on until Sunday, so that I could visit Dad in hospital (he's had his second knee replacement on Tuesday) and catch up with a few friends. Dad is doing well, but won't be home for a little while yet.

I'll be posting more about the retreat asap, but in the meantime I have my first ROBOT piece for this months design work at The Stamping Queen. I'm running a little behind schedule, having been away, so it's catch up time. Speaking of The Stamping Queen, Barb and I were able to meet up for the first time while I was in Melbourne. 'Hi, Barb!' Hope we can hang out together longer next time.

'Genius'

I put this tag together this morning, before going to work...



Out came the Glimmer Mist again :) This time I've used Juniper and Red Velvet - lightly sprayed on some plaid paper and the stamped image. Then everything is layered and stitched together. I think this robot is a cool dude, love his hair style!

TSQ Products: Dark Room Door Robot Montage Set, Glimmer Mist, Magic Mount, German Scrap - wheels, photo hanger 2 (antique brass) and Pensive Phillip stamp by Queen's Dresser Drawers.



My Stash: Chipboard, assorted scrapbooking papers, word, fabric, trim, fibre and Rocket Red Brilliance ink.

Stay tuned for some more robotics in the next day or so!