Spring Colours

I'll just say - we are hoping for an Autumn.  When summer goes from September to April, we are a bit over sunshine and hot days.  Last year we had no Spring and it will be interesting to see whether we get a proper run into winter.  Even then, it won't be cold by northern hemisphere standards.  

Enough moaning, whatever the season, these remain my favourite colours, so fresh and lovely.  In thinking how I would attack this,  Virginia's layers challenge was a great starting point.  

Initially the plan was to use Copics for the background colour, but I don't get my Distress inks out enough, and I think, they gave a better gradient of colour.  The cover plate I have had for ages and really pleased I thought to use it.  

 What you need
Cardstock - PTI white; SU Cool Caribbean, black
Distress inks - Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry
Die - Clearly Besotted (sentiment);  MFT Cover up
Glossy Accents

On Tuesday, we are off to Ballarat, an hour north west of Melbourne for my cousin's wedding.  If that isn't special enough, my daughter is her one and only bridesmaid. To say she is excited is an understatement, as Catherine is also her Godmother.  Tuesday will be the first time we see her dress.  We know the basic design but it will have to be hemmed and a few final adjustments.

It will be a wonderful opportunity to catch up with our extended family who we haven't seen for some time.  This card is the card we are giving the happy couple, a complete CASE of one of my favourites from Marika Rahtu.  Unfortunately my water colouring was nowhere near her standard so I have resorted to Copics and die cuts.  It is really nice to make a card larger than normal so you can add more layers and detail.

Hope everyone has had a lovely Easter break, and look forward to the Autumn school term!

Christmas, Copics and Birthdays

Summer is definitely on the way.  After a few mid-week tasters of the summer heat to come, the weekends have been really lovely and great for getting out in the garden.  Unfortunately it is the end of the school holidays, so back to thinking about school lunches and before we know it, it will be Christmas.  Hence the onslaught of Christmas cards.

I took inspiration for the Festive Friday challenge from the wreath here, and a card from the DT (Ardyth I think) for the panelled background.

The wreath is cut from vellum coloured with a few green Copic markers - they were all over my desk as I am in the middle of the Online Card Classes Copic class!  More on that later.  The sentiment is stamped on the inside of the card.

I think using SU Chocolate Chip DSP might qualify me for the latest CAS-ology challenge

What you need
Cardstock - PTI white, vellum
DSP - SU Woodland Walk
Stamps - Wplus9 Silver Bells (sentiment),  Winter Wishes
Ink - SU Real Red
Various Copic markers
Die - MFT wreath
Twine
Gems - Kaisercraft

Yep, here is another one!  I couldn't decide on spots or stripes so went with both.  

Again, the idea of die cut outs but I wanted a border this time.  Note to self, always cut the BIGGER shape first!

What you need
Cardstock - PTI white, red, ripe avocado
Patterned paper - ?? Authentique
Stamps - Wplus9 Silver Bells (and die)
Ink - SU Old Olive, Real Red, Cherry Cobbler; Versamark;  HA Silver
Embossing powder - Zing! Silver
Spellbinders circle dies

Just a quick aside - this was a birthday card I did for one of my daughter's good friends whose birthday celebration was yesterday (and a bit today).  It is a combination of a few different things that Jennifer McGuire has done over the past year and just haven't got around to.  The flowers are stamped in Memento Luxe ink (Jennifer stamped on Kraft card which I hope to get to soon),  and using translucent embossing paste to adhere glitter.

What you need
Cardstock - SU white, Coastal Cabana
Stamps - MFT Tropical Sensatons,  Birthday Sentiments
Ink - Memento Luxe Pear Tart, Rose Bud, Morocco, Love Letter, Dandelion, Angel Pink;  HA Tide Pool;  Versafine Onyx Black
Wendy Vecchi Translucent Embossing paste
Glitter Ritz Ocean Spray
Viva Pearl Pen - Red

Now this is what I have been spending my time on.  I have learnt so much and been challenged to try new colour combinations.  

Some work, some don't - particularly like the purple and green balloon combination.  And it was good to try a few pink and green palettes, they are my favourites together.

Hair was less successful.  I tried Kristina' s technique (middle top), but struggled with the feathering on the fringe.  Really liked the ideas shown for black,  particularly the way Kelly Marie Alvarez tackles the challenge.

For the flower, I followed Sandy Allnock  in colouring the top  2 flowers.  I have always struggled with reds but  it seems to be working now.  I had never had a go at shadowed white flowers but love the was it turned out.

I was trying to get a combination that would work with the new SU Blackberry Bliss in colour - it took a few goes but got there in the end.  Bottom left was my attempt at a pink to white flower, that bright fluoro pink I have trouble with.

Now this was my favourite and I coloured it several times.  I hadn't used the combination for the leaves before but I think it is my new favourite.  I used Jennifer's red trio and Kristina's purply colours.  Then I had another attempt at shaded white then some blues.

Phew,  that's more homework than i probably ever did - and enjoyed!

The Paper Players # 214

How is this for good fortune - I made this card for my husband only a few days ago and here is a challenge it fits right in with.  I think even he likes having a card made with him in mind, and would be disappointed if I just bought one.

He is very much a motor sport fan, especially motorbikes, so this great embossing folder was a must and it looks particularly good on foil card stock.

What you need
Cardstock - SU black, grey;  silver foil cardboard
Stamps - Uniko Studio Today, Tomorrow and Always Time;  MFT Birthday Sentiments
Ink - SSS Smoke;  Versafine Onyx Black
Embossing Folder - Tim Holtz
Die - MFT Fishtail Flag Stax
Gems

Case this Sketch #69

I had hoped to get a few of my CAS 3 online class cards posted tonight, but life just conspires against you sometimes, but in a good way.  Lots of cooking done this afternoon which will set us up for the week.  I am on a bit of a mission at the moment to buy less preprepared food and make more of the things that can go into school lunches.  I have achieved something when my daughter actually knocks back tuckshop in favour of a few of the things we have made.  

So to my Case this Sketch card for this week.  Well, navy, what more can I say.  I knew I wanted to use these MFT dies, toyed with the idea of embossing them, and may still give that a go.  And orange seems to be a bit of a theme too .... hmmm.  

What you need

Cardstock - SU white;  BB navy

Stamps - PTI Boutique Borders: Birthday

Ink - Memento Morocco

Dies - MFT Four Corners

Gems - Kaisercraft

Clean and Simple 3 - Part 2

Just a couple more cards with techniques featured in this terrific class.  But one really shouldn't assume that these cards don't take long to execute (I should have learned my lesson from earlier today) just because they are labelled "Clean and Simple".  Both fell under the heading of "Background into Foreground".

I picked out 2 colour palettes from my Pinterest folder. 

 I loved the idea behind Shari Carroll's Graffiti card, overlaying diecuts with stamping.  On reflection, I should have used white cardstock, which would have made the sentiments more striking and I don't think HA Wet Cement ink was the best choice for a beige like colour.  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Soft Stone;  BB Navy, Mid pink

Stamps - Mama Elephant Party Kit;  various HA sentiment sets

Ink - SU Midnight Muse;  HA Wet Cement

Die - MFT

Sequins - Pretty Pink Posh (sand)

Gems - Kaisercraft

The second card is my first go at Laura Bassen's legendary plaid pattern.  She very simply blended her inks, fairly randomly using masking tape.  I decided to use MFT stripes stamps.  Whilst the stamping is not solid, which sort of looks a bit like Laura's. I do prefer the softness of blending.  I did cheat a bit and use SU markers to get a bit more variation in the lines.

What you need
Cardstock - PTI white
Stamps - MFT Plaid Background Builder, Sending Thanks
Ink - SU Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Pear Pizzazz, Gumball Green;  Versafine Onyx Black
Markers - SU Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose

Clean and Simple 3

A very warm day for the beginnning of Autumn.  Not the best weather to make cards, but not good for much else except lazing around.  My daughter has a Percussion workshop this afternoon, fortunately in the comfort of air conditioning, and we get to hear the fruits of their labours later on today.  

Missed this challenge last week so will keep it in my files for later use and this is  the latest sketch.  So to the definition of "simple".  I don't think there have been many cards that have taken as long as these two, particularly the second one.  I thought the sketch really suited the first theme of the class -  Faux Effects - giving the look of layered diecuts without the bulk.  I used Debby Hughes' card as inspiration.  

The video made it look all SOOO easy, and clearly to Debby this comes very naturally.  I am sure there is a more logical way to diecut in a few simple steps, but I didn't discover it.  I do like the effect however and so much better for cards sent overseas.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white, red, black

Patterned paper - Teresa Collins Stationery Noted

Various MFT dies

Pearls - Kaisercraft

Now, THIS card.  Theme - Optical Illusions.  Masking to give the effect of dimension as so capably demonstrated by Jennifer McGuire.  How hard can it be to do a bit of masking and a bit of stamping.  Very difficult if you are me.   I was going to do an Argyle pattern for the background, masked it all, then it didn't stamp cleanly - TWICE (I hate wasting card stock),  opted for text which seemed to work better.  Anyway, as a masculine birthday card I do like it, but maybe need to make it more user friendly for me.

What you need

Cardstock - SU Very Vanilla,  Early Espresso

Stamps - PTI Text Style 2;  MFT Birthday Sentiments

Ink - PTI Kraft, Fine Linen;  SU Soft Suede

Masking tape

Case This Sketch #65 and WMS Fanatics #12

Had a little bit of time on my hands today, before we get stuck into the gardening tomorrow.  After several days of humid, high temperature days, today was a welcome relief.  I wasn't quite sure where to go with this sketch till I thought I really should start to make use of my inspiration folder on Pinterest

This is the photo I decided to use - wish I had one myself

My card worked in well with the latest Case this Sketch and WMS Fanatics - For the Boys

What you need

Cardstock - BB white, navy

Stamps - WMS Ocean Bound;  MFT Washi Patterns

Ink - SU Midnight Muse, Real Red

A quick Tuesday night card

Couldn't let this colour scheme go untested.  So what I tried to incorporate is the delicate pink of the apricot/peach flesh with the more striking colour of the skin.  

This is based on a previous CAS(E) this sketch challenge which I didn't get around to.  Again, my favourite stars but no bling - how rare is that for me!  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI black, white, melon berry;  BB apricot

Stamps - MFT On the Line, Pretty Poppies (sentiment)

Ink - Versafine Onyx Black

Die - MFT Star Stax

Would like to be back before the end of the week, but, well, work calls and that is what pays for this addiction.

The Paper Players #147

 This card started out quite a different beast.  I wanted to combine it with another one of my favourite challenges, but when I had another look at the colours, the dominant hue was sadly lacking.  So no Stampin Royalty today.

This is probably the hardest challenge for me to do - this says multiple patterned papers to me (or stamping).  Not absolutely sure what I think about this one, perhaps the card size is a bit too big for the diecut.  I dunno!

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white, black

Patterned paper - Echo Park Victoria Gardens

Die - MFT

Stamps - MFT On the Line

Ink - Versafine Onyx Black

Gems - Kaisercraft

I hope to be back over the weekend with a couple of cards, certainly the plan is there.  Those gates still need painting.

Nearly missed it ! ...

Really wanted to get this challenge in before expiry.  I have seen these images so many times on Pinterest and am so envious of the wonderful nails, nevermind the polish.

So, that said, I knew I had some graduated papers somewhere, this was the only one I could find, but hopefully you get the effect.  And yes, my polished girl is making another appearance, as I always stamp a couple of images, in case of mistakes.  Now I look at the photo, she doesn't pop quite as much as I thought she would.  But her polish IS glittery.  

What you need

Cardstock - BB white;  PTI black, X-press It blending card

Patterned paper - Cosmo Cricket Coral Bloom

Stamps - MFT Polished to Perfection

Ink - Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black

Copics

Embossing Powder - Zing! Mat Black

Palette Glitter

  

Where does time go .....

We have had quite a restful Easter, which is good as there was alot of running around in the 2 days before with my daughter - a trip to the orthodontist, decided that braces were happening MUCH sooner than anticipated, like in the next 2 weeks.  Before that she has to have 3 baby teeth removed under general anaesthetic.  Apparently, these days braces are a source of great excitement and she really hopes they will be on before she goes back to school in 2 weeks.  Obviously she isn't paying for them and I will remind her of this time when cleaning her teeth becomes a chore.  The hope is that if they go on now, they will be off in 18 months time.

Anyway, enough of our goings on - a card.  I have been doing alot of kit card making recently, hence the silence over here.  The downside of a kit is that sometimes the patterned paper chosen, is one that I would not have picked in 1000 years, yet that is the challenge.  Also I have been doing alot of Copic colouring - something that tends to happen in fits and starts,  but a technique I am always trying to improve on.

    

 So we have my perfectly polished young lady.  For the Paper Players challenge I settled on

Pink and Green - Birthday - Pearls

What you need

Cardstock - SU white, Gumball Green, Primrose Petals

Stamps - MFT Polished to Perfection;  PTI Quilled Elegance (sentiment), Embroidered Blooms

Ink - SU Primrose Petals, Gumball Green; Memento Tuxedo Black

Copics - as above

Pearls - SU

I will also enter this into the latest Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes

****

Another task undertaken this weekend was a complete clean up of my craft room, and believe me, it needed it.  I have had this recent edition of Better Homes and Gardens (Aust. Ed) sitting on my desk, well, since it came out.  It is hard to see but the main picture uses orange and grey as its main theme.  Just crying out as inspiration for a card.  

Unfortunately I was too late for the CASology challenge this week but went ahead with it anyway.  In my cleaning frenzy, there were some new PTI stamp sets to put away.  As they aren't designed to fit CD cases anymore, I find it a chore to make them fit into the cases I have.  But I found this set and had to use it.

I was about to throw the magazine away (minus recipes and DIY stuff), but I think I will keep it for future reference as there are a few more very interesting colour palettes

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white

Stamps - PTI Quilled Elegance, Think Big Favourites

Ink - Memento Grey Flannel, London Fog, Tangelo, Morocco

Gems - Kaisercraft

Right I am off to do some cooking, apart from dinner, there are a couple of biscuit recipes dying to be baked.  Oh and trying some of the baked cheesecake I made earlier.

*****

Thought I would just sneak one more in.  Difficult colours but enjoyed the challenge of pulling it together and very happy with the result.

What you need

Cardstock - SU Always Artichoke, white, Lucky Limeade

Patterned Paper - PTI 2008 Bitty Dot Basics (Ripe Avocado)

Stamps - PTI Birds and Blooms, Think Big Favourites

Ink - SU Lucky Limeade, Pool Party

Die - MFT Retro Squares (?)

Copic - BV25

Gems - Kaisercraft