Summer is on the way .....

Great colours, great sketch!  After an appallingly hot day yesterday we had the mildest weather today.  Spring in Brisbane is a complete anathema to me, especially this year.  Normally we would have a bit of rain about this time, bur absolutely nothing, hence my rose investment has needed a great deal of watery indulgence.  This paid off today with milder weather but tomorrow will be just as hot again (of course it is a working day).  

Anyway, to the card,  afew new purchases from SU - the punch and pink paper.  It is hard to see the flower background as it is lovely and subtle.  But I know my aunt in Victoria will love this.  

What you need

Cardstock - SU black, white

DSP - SU Neutrals and Brights Collections

Stamps - SU Organic Grace;  Hero Arts Year Round Sentiments 

Ink - SU Pretty in Pink;  Memento Tuxedo Black

Punch - SU Elegant Butterfly

Die - MFT Fishtail Flag Stax

Twine - MME Lime Twist

Gems - Kaisercraft

******

Now, this one was slightly trickier -  which colour would be the dominant one.  Blue won out with a contribution from my Cristina Re paper collection.  I really wanted to use the striped image but had nothing, not even a stamp to imitate that.This is one of those endlessly useful "no sentiment" cards.

What you need

Cardstock - BB white; PTI Spring Rain, New Leaf, white

DSP - Cristina Re; PTi Men of Life

Stamps - PTI - Pretty Peonies

Ink - SU Daffodil Delight

Die - SU Branch with Leaves

Ribbon - Daffodil Delight satin

Pearls - SU

CR84FN #63

These seemed the perfect colours for a boys birthday card - I remembered I had this wonderful denim ribbon from SU and the star die I have been meaning to use for some time.  I am currently in the middle of the Kickstart online class, and Jennifer McGuire loves her techniques so remembered this easy non-messy pretend embossing technique and I think it looks really effective in Kraft.  Not sure I was wise in putting navy Stickles on the 9 as it took AGES to dry but I think Alex will like it.

What you need
Cardstock - PTI kraft, white;  BB dark brown
Stamps - PTI Mat Stack 4 collection
Ink - SU Early Espresso
Dies - MFT Stacks of Stars; PTI Numbers
Ribbon - SU
Stickles - Midnight Blue

The weekend's activities

Who could resist this beautiful spring wreath, and I thought it would be perfect with this sketch.  Initially I had flowers on the wreath but  it didn't work so opted for butterflies.

I think I will also enter it into the Basic Grey challenge - Spring Flowers.

What you need

Cardstock - SU Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink

Patterned paper - Basic Grey Sweet Threads

Stamps - WMS Asian Gardens

Ink - SU Early Espresso

Punches - MS Butterflies, Medium Branch

Gems and Pearls - Kaisercraft

*****

The next challenge I chose was this great PPA sketch and my neutral patterned papers were still out, so I am hoping that my Dad will love this card in September and not think it's too girly - I don't think he will, he is a pretty artistic guy.

What you need

Cardstock - SU Choc Chip, Very Vanilla

DSP - SU Neutrals Collection

Vellum - PTI

Stamps - Wplus9 Woodgrain Silhouettes

Ink - SU Choc Chip, Creamy Caramel

Punch - SU

Die - SB Labels

Ribbon - Craft Supplies

Pearls - Kaisercraft

Glitter Dot - Pebbles

*****

This one is so out of my comfort zone but really wanted to have a go at it.  Maybe Dad would like this one or perhaps my daughter could give it to my husband.  

What you need

Cardstock - SU black, white

Patterned paper - MME Miss Caroline - Dolled Up

Stamps - Wplus9 Woodgrain Silhouettes

Ink - Memento London Fog, Lady Bug

Die MFT tab

Pearls - Kaisercraft

*******

And finally, this one took the longest.  Not sure why as I loved the colour scheme and the sketch from Stampin' Royalty.  Perhaps I was completely out of personal inspiration by then.

What you need

Cardstock - SU vanilla, Early Espresso, Creamy Caramel, Pretty in PInk

Patterned Paper - PTI Dearest Jane

Stamps - Gina K Great Sayings

Ink - SU Pretty in Pink, Creamy Caramel

Die - SB Picot Edge Circles

Ribbon - SU Pink Pirouette Striped Grosgrain

2D CR84FN #51

I don't have any delicate peach colours in my ink collection so went with SU Peach Parfait which is a little more orange  than I had hoped.  It is a very pretty colour combination and very much suits WMS Cameo collection. I coloured pearls to match the peach colour with copic YR15

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white

Stamps - WMS Oval Classic Frames, Cameo Maker, Cameo to Go

Ink - SU Peach Parfait, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink

Pearls - Kaisercraft

Emily's First Birthday

These colours are just perfect for a little girl's birthday, it will be a very different birthday experience for this family as she has 2 older brothers!  I stumbled upon the sketch blog below as I am an admirer of a few of the ladies on the design team, so thought I would have a go.

 So this is my card, had a bit of trouble with the larger sized glitter, it was a bit more translucent than I wanted the number to be but anyway I do like the result.

What you need

Cardstock - BB textured white;  SU white;  PTI orange zest, lemon tart

Patterned paper - Doodlebug bubblegum swiss dot

Stamps - TE Garden Party Blooms

Ink - SU Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie

Dies - PTI, Spellbinders

Felt - PTI Autumn Rose

Ribbon - SU Pumpkin Pie taffeta

Gems - Kaisercraft

Glitter - Doodlebug Sugar Coating tangerine

CR84FN #49 meets WMS #87

This is another card I have pondered for the best part of a week.  I haven't used my WMS doilies alot lately so I pulled them out and stamped lots of doilies in different shades of grey, layering them and this was the best combination.  I wanted to add a touch more yellow in the form of miniature roses, but couldn't work out where to put them so stopped

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Kraft, white;  SU Going Grey

Stamps - WMS Doilies, Asian Gardens

Ink - SU Basic Grey, Going Grey, Daffodil Delight

Die - Spellbinders

Twine - SU

Gem - Kaisercraft

ColourQ #124 and CR84FN48

I really wish we had access to SU Cool Caribbean is Australia, I think I would have found it very useful.  However, I have substituted PTI's Aqua Mist which I think works equally well.  Don't think my colouring pencil colouring is up to much at the moment, really needs perfecting, but not completely unhappy with the way this card turned out.

What you need
Cardstock - Bazzill Basics Red;  SU Very Vanilla
Patterned Paper - PTI 2008 Bitty Dot Basics
Stamps - TE Rosy Posey
Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa
Die - SB Scalloped Rectangles
Ribbon - SU Pretty in Pink Taffeta
Twine - MME Lime Twist "Charmed"
Colouring Pencils - Faber-Castell Art Grip

Not my usual colour palette this one, and, now I have looked at the photo, doesn't do it justice in real life (note to self: NEVER photograph cream against a white background).  Love the simplicity of this design.

Edit: Have tried to take a better photo but just won't work.


What you need
Cardstock - SU Very Vanilla, Basic Grey
Stamps - SU Oh, so lovely; PTI Inside and Out: Birthday
Ink - Brilliance Lavender;  Versacolor Bamboo
Twine - Jillibean Soup
Gems - Kaisercraft

This is my second post for today

Gotta love these colours, though I don't think this was as successful as the card I posted earlier to day.  I had to walk away for awhile (to do the ironing - a great time to think) to work out how I could pull it together.  There are 2 different yellows on this card indicating my complete lack of yellow inks, also indicating it isn't one of my favourite colours.  Were it green, I have endless shades of that hue.

What you need
Cardstock - Bazzill Basics Orange, mid brown. yellow;  SU white
Patterned Paper - Autumn Abundance
Stamps - PTI Mat Stack 4 Collection
Ink - SU Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie;  Brilliance Sunflower Yellow
Ribbon - SU pumpkin pie taffeta

I think I will also enter it in the Ribbon Carousel Challenge

Waltzingmouse August Blog Waltz

The August theme is Tea and Coffee

You can't have morning/afternoon tea without cake so that's what I have "brought".  I was inspired by Sue Lelli's beautiful card for CR84FN36.  I couldn't find anywhere to put a sentiment so left it off.   The card needs something else but I can't work out what, so rather than ruin it I have stopped.

Edited to Add:  As I was perusing blogland I came across this challenge (can't remember who to thank for the heads-up).  Couldn't pass up the opportunity to enter, when kraft is one of my favourite colours.

(the blog is on the sidebar under challenges)

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Kraft, white;  SU yellow

Stamps - WMS Nutcracker Sweet,  Eat Cake

Ink - SU Crumb Cake;  Brilliance Coffee Bean, Pearlescent Yellow

Pearls - Kaisercraft.

WMS #59 accompanies CR84FN35

I don't think I need to repeat the mantra, Cassie - lavender, not happy together.  But the colours I have used for this challenge are a bit more red than blue, which overcomes my problem.

Interesting sketch - I wondered whether to use patterned paper or stamps, I opted for a combination of both

This is about as vintage and shabby as I get, just can't do it, so I leave it to the professionals.  Wonder who's anniversary is coming up soon, so this card can have a home?  Hmmm

What you need
Cardstock - Bazzill Basics Morning Glory, Heidi;  SU Going Grey
Stamps - WMS Big Day Additions, Dainty Doillies2, Gingham and Co
Ink - Memento Lavender;  PTI Fresh Show; SU Elegant Eggplant
Marker - Elegant Eggplant
Die - Spellbinders Fancy Tags 2
Doily - Ellen Hutson
Roses - Prima
Gems - Kaisercraft
Kindiglitz

Waltzingmouse Challenge #56 with CR84FN34

My goodness the weekends fly! We didn't have alot planned but were each content doing our own thing.  Not hard to guess but for me, it was stamping.  This is such a simple little sketch which I know I will use again, so kind of went all out with the new stamps on this one.  And these graphics I just adore, makes me very wistful for summer when we have a garden full of hibiscus.

This dress form I love, a very classic 50's style ball gown (think it may get another outing for another challenge VERY soon).  I wanted to use patterned paper as a background but even though my collection of pink papers is vast, none suited so went with making my own.

My initial thoughts were to hang on to this one till my daughter is a little older, but given the rate at which she is changing each day, she may get it for her birthday later in the year.

What you need.
Cardstock - Bazzill Basics light and medium pink; SU white
Patterned Paper - PTI 2008 Itty Bitty Dot Basics (Summer Sunrise)
Stamps - WMS Cameo to Go, Cameo Maker, You're Lovely
Ink - Brilliance Pearlescent Coral;  Memento Tuxedo Black, Rose Bud
Dies - Spellbinders Classic and Scalloped Rectangles small;  label??
Ribbon - SU Pink Pirouette taffeta
Pearls - Basic Grey

CR84FN30 meets CAS 141

It is an absolute pleasure to see these lovely graphics.  As a person who is very motivated by colour, they make my heart sing (all a bit dramatic really).  Without further ado (and it's nearly dinner time), here is the card

I have been wanting to use the PTI grid paper for some time, but not done so.  Well,  delay no longer and I have to say it makes lining these babies up SOOOOO easy.  Didn't have enough of the right sized pearls but possibly didn't need it anyway.

Had thought of putting it in the Just Add Ink challenge for "fussy cutting"   but I only fussy cut once which probably isn't in the spirit of the challenge.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Kraft, Spring Rain, Lemon Tart, Guidelines 1 

Stamps - PTI Guidelines, Giga Guidelines, Fillable Frames sentiment (not sure which one)

Ink - SU Bashful Blue;  Memento Dandelion;  PTI Chai

Brad - ? K and Company

Pearls - Kaisercraft

CR84FN #24

These colours are so tranquil and lovely that I had to participate in this challenge.  Then I remembered I had done a card in very similar colours, for a friends daughter who finished Grade 12 last year (just one of quite afew friends with children about to finish their schooling).

What you need
Cardstock - Bazzill Basics 'blue-greens';  SU White
Stamps - PTI For the Graduate, Embellishments
Ink - Versacolor Mint, Turquoise
Punch - SU
Gemstones - Zva Creative