WMS October 2014 Pyjama Party

We are now into the second week of school, and already the schedule is starting to fill up with concerts for pretty much everything.  Add to that, Grade 6 have their trip to Canberra (Australia's capital), which has become a bit of a tradition, certainly after my time at school.  They get to see Parliament House, National Gallery and several other landmarks, including being at the War Memorial for Remembrance Day.  More important than anything is whether they are staying in the same room as their friends.

With a relatively quiet weekend I was able to put a bit of time into the October WMS Pyjama Party challenge.  I was hoping that the stamps and dies I ordered with my very generous prize from last month would arrive in time, but sadly, no.  I wonder does it have anything to do with increased security with mail services worldwide,  as parcels from the UK usually arrive within the fortnight.

Challenge1:  Embossing with things other than embossing folders
I tried a couple of things, including some Waltzingmouse lace I have hoarded from a few years ago. It worked well but then I couldn't think of what to do with it.  I tried stamps (too thick), gemstones (completely destroyed the paper) so settled on the impression from a couple of layers of card stock.

I just had to pull out Funky Feathers for this one.

What you need
Cardstock - PTI white
Stamps - WMS Funky Feathers
Ink - Brilliance Coffee Bean, Rust;  SU Early Espresso
Clear Embossing Powder

Challenge 2:  Snow is falling
I had decided on sequins for falling snow, but not much beyond that, when I found an old friend - Spooky Tree background.  This was clear embossed then the card coloured with Distress inks

The image didn't look great plonked straight onto a white card but nothing I had worked.  So I coloured white with a Chipped Sappire distress marker.

What you need
Cardstock - PTI white
Stamps -  WMS Spooky Tree Backgrounder, Compliments of the Season
Ink - Versafine Onyx Black;  Versamark
Distress Ink - Salty Ocean, Tumbled Glass; Broken China
Chipped Sapphire distress marker
Clear Embossing Powder
Sequins - Pretty Pink Posh and others

Challenge 3:  Old Pyjamas - Christmas

I have no idea what my oldest WMS Christmas set is but this Vintage background hasn't seen ink in a long time.  The colour palette is from the latest Festive Friday challenge.  I think the fabric on the chairs is a textured self pattern so out came the clear embossing powder again (well, it was still out on my messy desk) and it looks really lovely.

What you need
Cardstock - PTI white
Stamps - WMS Vintage Christmas background;  Compliments of the Season,  Vintage Labels 5
Ink - Versamark;  Versafine Onyx Black;  SU Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Lucky Limeade, Certainly Celery
Clear Embossing Powder
Ribbon;  Twine
Glossy Accents


Challenge 4:  Sketch
This one had me really stumped.  What to do with the little flags at the bottom.  Any of the initial thoughts I had involved several layers of paper, therefore, "unsendable".  PTI has a stamp from a release or 2 ago, Botanical Blocks 2 I think, where Nichole Heady coloured kraft card stock with Copics.  The effect was magic

So I tried to create the same effect on this card.  Instead of white pigment ink, I used white embossing powder.  So once the colouring  started the idea came for glitter flags.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white, kraft

Stamps - WMS Camelia

Ink - Versamark

White embossing powder - Filigree

Copics - R35, R37, R59, YG93, YG99

Ribbon - SU Real Red taffeta

twine

Crafty Sparkles

white gel pen

 Look forward to seeing what everyone has created.

Stampin' Royalty #246

Tis our season for birthdays, particularly for my daughter's friends.  I was given free reign with the colour combination for this card, so went with one of my favourite palettes I discovered recently on Pinterest.  Would love to have seen this dress in full, spectacular I bet.  

I haven't played along with Stampin' Royalty for a very long time (well, any challenge really),  and was struggling  with a layout.  My daughter wanted to give her friend something with a bookmark as we had given her a voucher to a local book shop.  

So after much fiddling about, I used the PTI Mat Stack 3 die double cut and attached at the top.  I have then put sticky magnets at the bottom to hold it to the page.

This is what was under the bookmark.

What you need

Cardstock - SU white, Bermuda Bay

Stamps - PTI Mat Stack 3, All Booked Up;  WMS Funky Feathers

Ink - SU Bermuda Bay;  HA Tide Pool;  Brilliance Pearlescent Rust

Die - Mat Stack 3

Sequins

Just to finish off, here is another card in my ever ongoing series of using up 12 x 12 paper.  I found this photo in a Christmas catalogue last year and thought I would have a go at reproducing the pattern on the toiletries bag.

The paper is MME Lush 2, I think and the graph paper lent itself to the design.  I stamped the whole sheet with PTI The Sweet Life, and am really happy with how it turned out.  

Christmas Pyjama Party

Spring is definitely in the air around Brisbane, it seems that a switch was flicked on 1st September and we are into warmer weather (sometimes it would be nice to have the milder temperatures for a bit longer as it makes our humid summers so long).  

Next week school holidays begin, and I can't tell you how much my daughter needs a break.  Traditionally this is their busiest term, with assessment and several ensemble performances that seemed to be all at the end of term.  Add to that my daughter has damaged the tendons of her big toe and is unable to do ballet - weird thing is she did it while doing Hip Hop at school!  So she has been told to rest till school resumes in October.  

When I saw this photo over at Festive Friday I knew I needed to find my mojo fast (it has been missing for a very long time) - it is so beautiful!    Which elements to pick!! 

I settled on pink with a touch of grey and the baubles, the picture frame on the bottom shelf was the impetus for the shape of the card.  I have been wanting to use my stencils more, with all the inspiration out there, so the snowflakes  possibly make for a busy card but that's OK by me.  

While these stamps may not be my oldest WMS Christmas stamps, they are very much loved like "Old Pyjamas"  - Challenge 3

What you need

Cardstock - SU grey;  PTI Shimmer Pink;  SSS vellum

Stamps - WMS Nordic Winter, Compliments of the Season 2

Ink - Versamark

Embossing Powder - Filigree white;  Ranger Liquid Platinum

Embossing Paste - Wendy Vecchi

Stencil - SSS Snow

Crafty Sparkles glitter

Punch - SU

Die - Spellbinders

Twine - Lawn Fawn

OK, while we are on a roll with creating - I came across this Colour Q challenge and knew it had to be the debut of my new Blackberry bliss ink pad.  I was a little concerned as my previous new formula SU stamp pads have been less than successful (very wet and blotchy).  Quel surprise!  It worked a treat - almost as good as my adored Versafine ink pad (high praise indeed).  

So, using the WMS Bedtime Stories sketch, I came up with a birthday card for my Mum.  It isn't needed till Christmas Eve, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared (and she doesn't read my blog).  

I have been catching up on all the lovely posts from Laura Sterckx, and one of the techniques she is particularly good at is shaker cards, so that is what we have here.  My Mum is also in love with seahorses.  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white;  BB grey;  Canson shimmer gold

Stamps - WMS Ocean Bound, Cameo to Go (sentiment)

Ink - SU Blackberry Bliss;  HA Butter Bar;  SSS Fog, Smoke

Die - MFT Fishtail Flags and Layer Stax

Punches - SU

Acetate Sheet

Copic Liner Grey 0.3

Sequins - various

Just one more I thought I would tack on the end.  My daughter's teacher has had a term off school and his replacement will be finishing up on Wednesday.  She asked me for a card and present to give her.  The colours she chose were aqua and mango .... hmmm. 

So this is what I came up with - I have been wanting to do more Distress ink blending (again, thank you Laura),  so used it as a patterned paper.  I do need more practice but love the effect.   Ooh, and a bit of practice for the upcoming Online card classes class - all about Copics.

Case this Sketch #66

Just a quick post tonight, the start of the school week isn't ideal for making a card, but from idea to completion didn't take too long.

With so many wonderful cards out there with in-laid diecuts, I thought I would give it a go albeit in a fairly basic way.  It is hard to see but the line either side of the sentiment is done in glitter.  Really like the effect.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white

Patterned paper - PTI pattern pack (Aqua Mist)

Stamps - WMS Compact Sentiments

Ink - Versafine Onyx Black

Glitter - Glitter Ritz (Fire Red)

October WMS Pyjama Party

Yes, there is still someone lurking around this blog occasionally.  It has been a busy time, what with milestone birthdays, major heart surgery for my Father-in-Law (he is recovering well, and it was expected),  and life in general really.  But I have been making cards, just not for publication, and alot less frequently. 

So to one of my favourite challenges.  I didn't get myself organised and order some of Claire's lovely new stamps, so I have none of the beautiful Art Deco images.  Not to worry, Pinterest is a mine of information (well, images) so no shortage of inspiration.

Challenge:  Art Deco black and white and POP

I need a card for my best friends daughter (the youngest) who finishes school at the end of the year.  A little bittersweet for her I think and it seems like only yesterday since she was a babe in arms.  So I sorted a few fonts from Word and some wonderful vintage images from Pinterest.  Interestingly this lattice pattern came up a few times, which I didn't realise was Art Deco-ish.

But I REALLY wanted to do something like this one, classic and elegant, just like the  young lady in question and use silver as my splash of colour.  But there is minimal WMS stamping on it, well, one really.  But I think I will enter both of them.  Edited to Add:  forgot that you can't enter 2 images from the one post - really should blog more often!

What you need

Cardstock - BB black;  SU white, red; metallic silver cardboard

Stamps - WMS Heirloom Patterns, Vintage Labels 5

Ink - Memento London Fog

Brad and gems - SU

Feathers - Craft Supplies

Bedtime Story - Sketch Challenge

One of the best teachers my daughter had in Junior School had her first child last week, so while completely off the theme of this month's party, it was a card of necessity.  We had This wonderful lady for 2 years and she really knew her students.  We found her so easy to deal with and were delighted when we found out our daughter would have her for a second year.

So while the background stamps were still out, I created this girly card and highlighted the solid lines with a marker.  I don't know how much cardstock I wasted trying to get this right, nothing to do with lining up the stamp, that was the easy part.  The difficulty was using a light colour and thinking I had it completely covered in ink.

What you need
Cardstock - PTI shimmer pink;  SU Regal Rose, white
Stamps - WMS Heirloom Patterns, Nordic Baby
Ink - Memento Angel Pink;  SU Early Espresso
Marker - Regal Rose
Spellbinders - Classic and Scalloped ovals
Ribbon - PTI Hibiscus Burst
Gems - SU

Cant' wait to see all the other creations!

WMS Pyjama Party

Today has been the hottest winter day in Brisbane on record, reaching 30C.  This does not bode well for summer!  The past few weeks my daughter has been completely immersed in school assessment, her first real experience of what the years to come will hold.  For her, the holidays can't come soon enough.

So, to my challenge cards.  Unfortunately, I placed my WMS order too late to be able to play with all the new goodies but no matter, I had backup plans.

Challenge 2:  Get Nauty

This card possibly also qualifies for Golden Oldies as Vintage Labels 3 was my first WMS stamp set and I most particularly loved this rope label.  It is Father's Day in Australia tomorrow, so this is for my Dad and it will be an especially great day as they come home from a month's holiday in Europe.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white, Pure Poppy

Patterned Paper - PTI Men of Life

Stamps - WMS Vintage Lablels 3, Compact Sentiments

Ink -  SU Real Red, Early Espresso; PTI Ripe Avocado

Twine - HA

Challenge 4:  Golden Oldies

While Vintage Labels 3 was still on my desk I decided to use one of the smaller images as a border.  I think Big Bloom Chrysanthemums came to live here not long after.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white;  SU Rose Red

Stamps - WMS Big Bloom Chrysanthemums, Vintage Labels 3, Fancy Phrases

Ink - SU Rose Red, Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, Baked Brown Sugar

Gem - SU 

Challenge 3 and 5: Colour challenge and Bedtime Story (sketch)

I really wanted to attack both  of these individually but time isn't on my side.  I have to say I am really pleased with the outcome.  Ooh and my first go at "generational" stamping.

.

What you need

Cardstock - SU black, basic grey,white, cherry cobbler; PTI soft stone

Stamps - WMS Fine Feathers, Vintage Labels 10

Ink - Versafine Onyx Black;  Memento Bahama Blue;  SU Cherry Cobbler

Die - MFT Bows

Gems - SU

The last of the WMS Christmas card Challenge cards

November - "Brighten Up"

I have used this idea before for a published card (digital version of Paper Crafts), The doily stamps are to imitate the flame and they are glitter embossed, which is a little hard to see.  

What you need

Cardstock - American Crafts

Stamps - WMS Large Doily, Say it Loud Winter Holiday

Ink - Versamark

Embossing Powder - Glitter Gold; Judi Kins Rockin Red;  Filigree White

Birthday Candle

December - GREEN

Green had me a little stumped for a while.  I knew I wanted some stitching on it, and wanted to try for an all green card.  Well, you don't count white do you!  I had decided on the sentiment but no dies I own went with it.  

So, the final draft has a "framed" background, jewelled of course, with a pretty flourish die from MFT.

What you need

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics

Stamps - WMS Compliments of the Season 1 and 2

Ink - SU Pear Pizzazz, Gumball Green

Die - MFT Framing Flourishes

Thread - DMC

Gems - Kaisercraft

WMSCCC - September in ColourQ attire

THEME 

3 images, 2 embellishments, 1 circle

Now, I know that most people won't see camelias as Christmas flowers, but here in Oz, that's when they bloom (oh, and I just got this stamp set yesterday).  So, I have used them on my WMS Christmas card for September.  The colour combination is the latest from ColourQ.

3 images - Camelias, Sentiment, Background (hard to see but it is behind the sentiment)

2 embellishments - ribbon, gemstones

1 circle - SB die frame

What you need

Cardstock - SU Real Red, white;  Express-It Copic paper

Patterned paper -   Carta Bella Merry and Bright

Stamps - WMS Camelias, Compliments of the Season,  Vintage Christmas Backgrounder

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Angel Pink

Various Copic markers

Dies - SB Classic Circles

Gems - Kaisercraft

I think this is my last post of school presents.  This was for my daughter's school music and choir teacher and music theory, who is much loved and will be missed by this family enormously.  She has been so encouraging to the children over the past 5 years, most especially this year with the Junior School Singers. The packaging idea came via Nichole from PTI  .  I also included one of Amber's calendars. 

The card is another wonderful creation from Narelle Farrugia (Stamplicious).  I just love the classic simplicity of the design and I got to use up some paper that I was a bit stuck for something to do.  

WMSCC - August

THEME - SONG TITLE

I happened to find the title, just when I was getting completely desperate and thinking I would have to resort to a computer generated sentiment.  I was trying to use a technique done in the Online Card Class just completed of embossing in 2 different colours on the same piece of card. For me, it didn't work, more practice required, so went with layering.  I was going to put the title on white cardstock but it was too stark, so embossed in white.  Really like the gold embossing on black.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI black

Stamps - WMS - Dainty Doillies, Vintage Labels 18,  Say it Loud Winter Holiday

Ink - Versamark

Embossing Powder - Celebrations of Australia - Glitter Gold;  Zing! Opaque Black;  Superior White

So we go back to a few more teacher's presents.  This gift was for my daughter's other class teacher.  I completely copied this wonderful card from Stamplicious - Narelle Farrugia.  I really like the way she layers up her papers, not my usual style, but I have several of her cards in my inspiration folder and will probably try and simplify them whilst keeping the rich effect.  

This teacher is leaving to have her second child in the new year, so thought a few thank you cards may come in handy.  This idea is taken from Jennifer's Baby Cards, a concept was so appealing, there was no point in going any further for ideas.

I don't think I have coloured in so many of the same image and by No. 20 I think I had perfected this bear.  

She may not have much use for this next year, but maybe she can hold it over till she is back teaching.  Also included was a chocolate box, a photo of which is in the previous post.  

Hooray for school holidays!!!

My daughter started school holidays on Friday, much anticipated,  as I think she is quite tired.  But of course, activities didn't end there, last night she sang in the winter concert for the Queensland branch of the Australian Girls Choir.  It is her first year and she is loving it, a very enjoyable concert for the audience too.  Today she is dancing all day at a charity concert, we were up early doing makeup (at which I am hopeless and my nervousness shows) and hair.  We will see the final show this afternoon.  These holidays are never quiet though as she has ballet and jazz workshops and exams.

Anyway enough chat, onto a few cards I have had on the go for a couple of days, as there was no chance of any craft time the past 2 days.  One of my favourite colour combinations this and just happens to have Authentique's Loyal to match.  This is a past MFT sketch but I don't seem to get to them when they are live.

Love this little stamp set from Jane's Doodles - I have come late to liking clouds and gumboots and adore them in these colours.

What you need

Cardstock - BB blue;  SU Night of Navy, Lucky Limeade, white

Patterned paper - Authentique Loyal

Stamps - Jane's Doodles Raindrops;  PTI Flower Fusion (sentiment)

Ink - SU Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Lucky Limeade

Die - MFT Fishtail Flags Stax

Eyelet - SU

Punch - Fiskars

*****

I decided to combine 2 WMS challenges into one.  I struggles abit to incorporate the orange, but am happy with the results.  Wish that setting was in my house!

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white;  SU Taken with Teal, Pool Party

Stamps - WMS Fancy Phrases

Ink - SU Pumpkin Pie, Taken with Teal, Pool Party

Die - PTI Edgers

Ribbon - SU Pumpkin Pie satin

Pearls and Flowers - Prima grey

Gems - Kaisercraft

*****

Case Study #95

I had been fiddling around with this die before Joy's card came up in Case Study.  It didn't want to cooperate with my Big Shot, but it is amazing what a bit of tape on the back of the die can do.

What you need

Cardstock - HA long cards (white);  SU Real Red, white

Stamp - PTI Think Big Favourites

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black

Die - Memory Box Piestre Tile

Flowers and Gems - Kaisercraft

Brad - ?

*****

Hero Arts latest challenge

It is a very sad state of affairs that my stamp collection is so lacking in important HA stamps as sentiments and flowers.  I have remedied the sentiment situation with the trip to the Craft Show last weekend, but no flowers did I get.  No problem with background stamps though.  Tricky technique to do but love the effect.

What you need
Cardstock - SU white
Patterned paper - ? Making Memories
Stamps -  HA Dots and Flowers;  SU Petal Pizzazz; WMS Fancy Phrases
Ink - SU Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Rose Red
Gems - Kaisercraft