PTI December Blog Hop

Holiday Leftovers Challenge

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas, ours was pretty quiet, which is a complete change from the norm.  I tried a few new recipes, including a Yule Log as my daughter isn't that keen on plum pudding.  In the process learnt how to make swiss meringue buttercream, not that I knew that at the time, so the potential to muck it up was high.  Tastes wonderful though.  

I thought I would get this quick card in before we head up the coast for a few days.  Beach conditions should be better now that the cyclone has moved away from the coast.

The recycled part of my card is the bow, which came from our bonbons.  Unfortunately I wasn't thinking ahead and have no photos of them, but they are always on our Christmas table.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white;  Canson shimmer gold

Stamps - PTI Stylish Sentiments: Holiday

Ink - Versamark

Embossing powder - Judi Kins Rockin Red

Die - PTI Quatrefoil, Tag Sale #3

Paper Player's Challenge #76

I think I nearly have all the Christmas cards I need.  Certainly means that they won't all be at their destination before Christmas, but that seems to be getting increasingly harder to achieve.  This one is for our wonderful neighbours who look after our place when we are away, they were particularly helpful when my husband had knee surgery earlier in the year.

What you need
Cardstock - SU Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler;  Canson shimmer gold
Stamps - Inkadinkado;  PTI Stylish Holiday Sentiments
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black;  SU Cherry Cobbler
Gems - Kaisercraft;  Pebbles

Just a few more Christmas cards

Though, perhaps this technically isn't.  I think I maybe on a subconscious mission to try and use some DSP (as was metioned at a gathering on Friday), I may even have stupidly said that I would try not to buy any in 2012, don't think that will last long.  First Edition will be very useful though.

What you need

Cardstock - pink (?);  SU Real Red, white; Bazzill blue

DSP - SU Christmas Cocoa,  First Edition

Stamps - TSG Polka Dot Blooms, In Stitches

Ink -  SU Bashful Blue, Regal Rose

Die - My Favourite Things

Ribbon - SU Taffeta

Button - PTI

Gems - Kaisercraft

Gold Twine

This one is for my husband - I don't think he makes a practice of reading my blog so I am probably safe.

Pulled out some golden oldies here.  Snow Swirled still remains one of my favourite stamp sets ever and it was one of my first purchases.

What you need

Cardstock - SU Crumb Cake, Real Red, White

DSP - SU Christmas Cocoa

Stamps - SU Snow Swirled;  Lili of the Valley Circular Sentiments - Christmas

Ink - SU Real Red, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Close to Cocoa

Gems and pearls - Kaisercraft

Dark Brown thread - DMC

Tuesday Trigger - ... and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Very, very interesting choice, colours very hard to define unless looking at the cushion in real life, I would imagine.  Went with the bird theme and found some patterned paper that was grey/blue (really should look a bit harder more often, never know what you will find).

What you need
Cardstock - PTI Rustic white; SU grey, white
Patterned paper - ????
Stamp - Inkadinkado
Ink - Versacolor Sky Blue
Die - PTI
Gems - Kaisercraft, MME Lush

Play Date Cafe Challenge #111

Stunning graphic and colours, which I felt would be perfect for my parents Christmas card.  I wanted to keep all the action in the centre of the card but the black needed abit of toning down.  Can't get enough of these 2 PTI sets, definitely worth the wait.

What you need
Cardstock - Bazzill white;  SU black; shimmery 'Splash' ?
Stamps - PTI Harvest Berries, Stylish Holiday Sentiments
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Gems - Kaisercraft

Runway Inspired Inaugural Challenge

There will be plenty of great inspiration with fashion photography.  Congratulations to Jennifer Rzasa for her brainchild, I think we will have lots of fun with this one (not to mention inspiration from a brilliant Design Team).

With my interpretation I was trying to capture the design in the background as well as the frosted glass look of the logo.  I stamped the bloom onto acetate with Stayzon and double mounted it to give the illusion of glass. Love the clean and simple look of this one.

What you need
Cardstock - PTI white;  Bazzill Basics Yellow
Stamps - Kaisercraft;  Wplus9 Woodgrain Silhouettes Additions
Ink - Stayzon Black;  Memento Tuxedo Black
Acrylic

Here is a close up of the focal point, hope it shows depth in the design.

It was meant to be a Christmas card ... but ...

With the best intentions, and still afew outstanding Christmas cards to be done, this was meant to be Christmassy, but no.  However I did find patterned paper that fitted the bill for this ColourQ challenge

Then came the design I had to try, didn't feel up to colouring an image for the focal point as was done in the inspiration cards (read laziness into the above statement), so went for a simple flower image. 

This used afew items that have been in my collection for quite some time, always a good thing, so maybe I should set myself a challenge of using up some supplies ...  wonder how long that will last.  

What you need

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics cream;  SU Real Red, Regal Rose, Glorious Green, white

Patterned Paper - Doodlebug Love Blooms

Stamps - PTI Wishing you

Ink - SU Real Red, Green Galore

Ribbon - Kiasercraft

Die - PTI Ric Rac; SB Classic and Scalloped Ovals

Kindyglitz

  We had a great time on our road trip to NSW.  Little Miss LOVED Harry Potter - there wasn't a tonne of stuff to see, which, for children is probably a good thing, but very well put together.  The Jenolan Caves (limestone caves west of Sydney), particularly Carols in the Caves was my highlight though very cold.  But then it is a toss up with a trip to the Donna Hay General Store (one of my favourite chefs).  I think that my purchases from here will have to be my Christmas presents.

Play Date Cafe Challenge #109

Hmmmm, this was a tricky one.  I think my interpretation maybe more pink than blush, but it was great to have to think outside the box.  

Berry Sorbet had to stand in for Blush, whilst Crumb Cake made an appearance as Champagne

What you need
Cardstock - SU Elegant Eggplant, white; PTI Berry Sorbet
Patterned Paper - PTI Guidelines
Stamps - TE Sparkle and Cheer;  Wplus9 Christmas Wishes
Ink - PTI Berry Sorbet; SU Elegant Eggplant, Crumb Cake
Ribbon and Pearls - Kaisercraft

Well, it's the start of the working week here in Australia, so I had better get organised to do exactly that

Krafty Christmasy CAS-ual Friday #30

Decisions, Decisions!  I have gone with Scallops - Kraft - Aqua, though I have inadvertently added polka dot ribbon (my mind really must be going).   With the Christmas theme I can also enter it into the Kraft Journal challenge and Jay-Gee's challenge # 14 (also get to post her divine graphic).

It is hard to see but I have stamped text on the card base, then sponged the edge of the top card, looks pretty I think.  The stamps are  2 lovely sets from Wplus9, though our Christmases are not wintery but definitely warm.

What you need
Cardstock - PTI Kraft, Aqua Mist, white
Stamps - PTI Text Style;  Wplus9 Christmas Wishes, Winter Wishes
Ink - PTI Fresh Snow; SU Real Red, Pool Party, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
Die - Spellbinders Scalloped Rectangles
Ribbon - Vandoros
Gems - Kaisercraft

"There She Goes" #132

Give me a gorgeous photo any day, for a challenge

I decided to  highlight the turquoise/aqua colour (obviously), the touch of black (in the shoes, but maybe the curtains), and the mirrored bedside table.

I used my PTI Hawaiian Shores stamp pad, which may or may not be a dud, but nothing else comes close.  I broke open my silver embossing powder to create the mirrored effect.  Next time I would probably do another layer to make it really lush.

What you need
Cardstock -  PTI Hawaiian Shores, black, white
Stamps - TSG Fabulous
Ink - Versamark; PTI Hawaiian Shores
Embossing Powder - Ranger Super Fine Silver
Gems - Kaisercraft


Well dance is over for another year, helped out backstage this morning, learnt alot about children and what their parents expect of volunteer helpers.  The concert this afternoon was wonderful ( my daughter's first year for 2 items in the one show), but she now wants to add another class to the dance repetoire!  OH NO!

ColourQ #113 and Card Patterns #143

 I love this angel graphic and as we put up the Christmas tree today, it put me in the mood to make a card in these colours.  One problem, I don't have anything in Marina Mist except Blueberry Crisp DSP,  so here is my card.  Of course I cut my twine far too short hence the weeny bow.

What you need
Cardstock - SU Night of Navy, white
DSP - SU Blueberry Crisp
Stamps - SU Bliss
Ink - SU Bashful Blue, Night of Navy
Lace - ? Maya Road
Twine - The Twinery (Demin)
Pearls - Kaisercraft


Enjoy the weekend, my Saturday is consumed with ballet and jazz concerts, but then that's it for commitments.  Next week we are off to Sydney for the Harry Potter exhibition and we have a few other fun things planned.

Stampin Royalty #100

"Anything but a card ..."

Fortuitously,  for this challenge, I had a couple of things I made for my daughter's teachers for Christmas.  This was for her class teacher along with a some other bits and pieces.  As she has had the same teacher for 2 years, I couldn't do a birthday book so really had to scout around for something else to do.  I scrolled back through Nichole Heady's blog under the non-card projects heading and found this post.  Exactly what I was looking for, I think I will put together a few more to tuck into Christmas presents. 

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Kraft, white

Patterned paper - Jillibean Soup

Stamps - PTI Take Note

Ink - SU Early Espresso, Real Red

Ribbon - SU real red

Gem Flourish - Prima 

This was another little gift for her class teacher.  My husband wants to plaster the sentiment all over the fridge (where Vitamin "C" lives in our house).  So glad I found this stamp (Maya Road I think), I have always loved this graphic from WWII (I think).  Papers are from October Afternoon Sidewalks.

This gift was for her piano teacher.  On the left is a post-it note pad and on the right a note pad on a plastic photo frame from Coles (the same as the note pad above).   The design for the note pad was inspired by this post from Michelle, not for the same teacher though.  

Tuesday Trigger - Red and Rustic

Wouldn't this be the most divine place to take time out and read a book (knowing me I would probably fall asleep before the end of the first page).  The colours are so appealing and restful.  

So this is my interpretation of the colours.  I still don't have enough Christmas cards so the next few challenges will probably cover it.  Good to be able to use PTI's Harvest Berries, I just love this set.

What you need
Cardstock - SU Sahara Sand, Cherry Cobbler, Very vanilla
Stamps - PTI Harvest Berries, Stylish Sentiments:  Holiday
Ink - SU Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler
Seam Binding - SU Cherry Cobbler
Pearls - Kaisercraft

Better go, we are about to get our first summer storm, of course just before we have to head out the door to the vet.

Less is More - Week 42 "Silhouettes"

This card popped into my head when out walking one morning this week,  I think because a friend became engaged recently.  And even better, it came together in 20 minutes - nothing like getting a card made when inspiration strikes.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white, black

Stamps -  WMS Oval Classic Frames, Cameo Maker, Big Day Additions

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, London Fog

Afew more Christmas jobs can be ticked off.  With school finishing next Tuesday, all teacher gifts are done, will share next week.  My daughter's family birthday will be on Sunday, just a straight forward Aussie BBQ, with a special request for a chocolate mousse cake birthday cake. Love that girl's choice!

There is something about 9 year old girls in confined spaces .....

BOY, can they make alot of noise!  My daughter had her 9th birthday party yesterday with a small group of friends.  Very well behaved but can they squeal, especially with Selena Gomez on the iPod.

This was the invitation for the cooking party, at which they made ravioli and a croquembouche as the birthday cake.  I used SU's Domestic Goddess DSP and some WMS gingham.  Win, win. Mum didn't have to do anything for the party - well, till next weekend which is the family get-together.

These were the take-home gifts I put together from a blog post Kim Badelt did last year.  Thank you so much Kim.

Hope she doesn't expect much for next year!  Just a few more teacher gifts to organise and some family Christmas presents and maybe, just maybe, I might get around to a challenge or two.

November Waltzingmouse SOAP CASE challenge

There were so many absolutely divine cards to choose from in this month's SOAP blogs but this one, from Day One was a standout for me, minimal but SO elegant - and framed, just how I like my cards.  Now I have a use for all the foil cardboard leftover from daycare and school projects.  I may CASE this one for my Christmas cards if I get to them too late - just to let you know in advance Julia .

Here is my version of Julia's design, got my new stamps just in time.  I really didn't want to change anything as St. Nick looks so regal in blue.  But I found red first and used the Nutcracker instead.  Love how the light bounces off the foil.

What you need
Cardstock - Bazzill Basics white;  red metallic cardboard
Stamps - WMS Nutcracker Sweet;  Nordic Winter
Ink - SU Real Red
Gems - Kaisercraft

November Reject Blog Hop

Well, here we are again, another month gone by in a rush.  But I have not been idle, dear reader, a month full of PC submissions and making everyone else's Christmas cards but my own.  I did have 1 project picked up, always a good thing, but it was not my favourite, these 2 were.  As everyone keeps saying you just never know what they are looking for.

I have stitched at intervals down one side of this divine Cristina Re paper then used the reverse for the background.  The violet colours of the rose aren't usually one of my go to schemes but I think it worked particularly well.

This next one was loosely based on a card I did for my Mother-in-law earlier this year, again CR paper but in blue.  Not sure who could be the recipient of this but maybe  it will go in the box of keeper cards.  I had a peek  at some of the other "rejects" and they are gorgeous - we have some very talented people in cardmaking-land.

Here are a couple of challenges I played with yesterday, though I really should pay a bit more attention to the layering on a sketch.  I stuck everything down then realised I didn't have a scallop detail or ribbon across the corner.  Oh well, necessity is the mother of invention, or so they say.

I have been trying out a few techniques that were demonstrated in Jennifer McGuire's Inspiration Showcase, namely, using Perfect Pearls. The little geometric designs were stamped in Versamark then dusted with Perfect Pearls, then "waved" through a mist of water.  Love the effect.  The flowers look a little unbalanced but really couldn't think of another way out of my dilemma.

What you need

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics black, white;  SU Pear Pizzazz, Wisteria Wonder

DSP - SU Neutrals Collection

Stamps - Darkroom Door Spiral Flowers;  Verve Fern Leaf, Circular Sayings

Ink - Versamark;  Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Pear Pizzazz

Die - PTI Limitless Layers

Flowers and Gems - Kaisercraft

Perfect Pearls, Kindyglitz

This is the birthday card I made for one of my daughter's friends - actually Michelle's daughter.  It is based on a card Dawn McVey did about a month ago using Hero Arts/Basic Grey papers and stamps.  As it was a Hawaiian themed party, I really overdid the tropical flowers. 

Hope she liked it and enjoyed her special day.