Staying Positive for Easter

Term 1 down of the first year of high school - and aren't we glad for the break.  It has been an eye opener for my daughter in terms of assessment and a big step up in responsibility.  This has occupied much of my spare time these last few months as well as becoming a rowing mum.  Don't think this new pastime will work too well with dancing, we shall see.

So, while the creativity hasn't been flowing too well, it was great to come across this sketch and an idea immediately popped into my head.

Given that science is my line of work,  I couldn't resist this stamp set from Clearly Besotted and pairing it with "graph" paper (no idea what brand this paper is).  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI black;  Canson gold

Stamps  and Dies - CB Scientifically Speaking

Ink - Versafine Onyx Black

Black enamel dots

This next card is for my sister in law who has just celebrated a significant birthday and felt she may not have wanted to be reminded of the number.  We will be celebrating with her on Saturday night.  You can't really see it in the photo but instead of sequins or gems I have put droplets of Glossy Accents around the rose.  I can't go past a bit of glitter somewhere, so the black matt has black glitter covering it.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI red, black; X-Press It Blending Card

Stamps - Clearly Besotted Happy Everything, Happy Birthday

Ink - Versafine Onyx Black;  Memento Tuxedo Black

Copics - R27, R39, R59, G21, G24, G28

Glitter Ritz Black

Glossy Accents

This nicely fits with the latest SSS Wednesday Challenge.

Case this Sketch #71

Here we are, Sunday evening, the start of Easter school holidays.  A couple of very warm days, culminating in a storm this afternoon - much needed.  My daughter finished up on Wednesday then had a couple of days doing jobs around home and sorting out what she needs clothes-wise for winter.  Towards the end of next week she is having some time with friends and next week a ballet workshop - she loves those things.  

So, to the sketch, a link to a tutorial appeared on my PInterest page by Catherine Pooler via Patrice's Pinterest board.  This had me completely intrigued so I had to try it.  Unfortunately, the contrast in colour doesn't show up so well, but I loved giving this a go.  

What you need
Cardstock - SU Melon Mambo, white
Stamps - SSS Best Mum Ever;  TE It's a Banner Day 2
Ink - SU Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Lucky Limeade;  Versamark
White embossing powder - Superior Filigree
Aqua Brush, bleach
Wink of Stella pen - clear

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

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 #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)

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

Case This Sketch #40

Just dropping in with a quick card tonight - when I say quick it really means unexpected but the diecut took forever to get right.  At the risk of boring people with our ongoing orthodontic saga, my daughter had her braces tightened yesterday and all teeth now connected.  It caused her alot of grief overnight and as we can't allow school to give the pain relief that would work, she had to come home at lunchtime.  So that gave me a bit of crafting (and Pinterest) time.

Always one of my favourite sketch challenges and inspired by a card from Maureen Merritt, colour-wise, this is my entry.  It reminds me of SU Urban Garden DSP, one of my all time favourites.  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white;  SU Bashful Blue, Kiwi Kiss, Night of Navy

Stamps - Cas-ual Fridays Woot Woot

Ink - SU Old Olive

Die - Memory Box Dancing Tulips

A few more weekend challenges

It is a happy coincidence that this weeks sponsor of The Play Date Cafe is Avery Elle.  So whilst these stamps are still languishing on my desk, they have been utilised.  

Of the sets I have, nothing really lent itself to the dotty background, so I have coloured vellum with various shades of Copics.  Adhering them was an achievement in itself, so that nothing showed

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white, Orange Zest, Vellum

Stamps - Avery Elle Framed Fonts, To the Point

Ink - Memento Pear Tart, Morocco;  Versafine

Die - PTI Tag Sale

Various Copics and circle punches

Gems - Kaisercraft

******

Now, this one makes me happy!

I love the colours and the design in equal measure.  Initially I thought of patterned paper for the RHS panel but really wanted to stamp it.  So with stamped stems the punched flowers look right.  I don't have Cajun Craze but Brilliance Rust is a good substitute.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white;  SU Primrose Petals

Stamps - PTI Turning a New Leaf, Inside and Out: Thank you

Ink - SU Gumball Green;  Brilliance Ruse

Punch - EK Success

******

Looking forward to the latest instalment in Online Card Classes.  Whilst my daughter has completely hijacked the Tim Holtz series (that class owes me nothing!), the rest are completely my own.  This time, they have introduced a few pre-class challenges, which is great for me as class starts when we are back at school, but I am able to have a go at these at my leisure.  

This is challenge number 2.  I am still getting my head around the colours in challenge 1.

Given the simplicity of the sketch I felt it really lent itself to the simplicity of the Runway colours.

And love how it turned out.  i love the look of glitter but it is messy.  However this glitter is amazing.  After sprinkling it on the adhesive, a vigorous rub over with a bone folder and IT DOES NOT MOVE.  Heaven

What you need

Cardstock - PTI shimmer pink, white:  SU Adhesive sheets

Stamps - Avery Elle To the Point, Bonjour (sentiment)

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black;  SU Regal Rose

Various SU punches

Glitter - Glitter Ritz Ocean Spray

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.

Bolshoi Ballet Sunday

Guess who's going to the ballet today!!  Can't wait.  Queensland audiences have been warned that we are too reserved when watching ballet (of the Russian kind) and that if we feel like clapping and cheering mid dance, then we should.  My daughter has one busy day today, still sick of course.  First up this morning she is doing "The Colour Run", a new thing to Australia but it looks SOOOO much fun.  She is doing it with one of her school/triathlon friends, so I think they will giggle more than run and enjoy having as much colour as possible hurled at them.  Parents at a respectful distance behind.  That is on the Gold Coast - 1 1/2 hours from home.  

So once we are plastered in colour, she has to be back for a private ballet lesson, presumably un-coloured, not sure how that will work out as I am pretty sure she won't have time to come home.  THEN, we go to the Bolshoi.  BIG BIG BIG here in Brisbane.  

So by evening she will be exhausted.  Le Corssaire (never been staged in Australia before) is 3 hours 20 minutes long with 2 intervals.  So we won't get home till after 7 and of course, it is a school night.

First up, a Christmas card of the CAS kind.  I assure you that his beard and hat are furry.  This one could be a goer for my daughter's friends cum the end of the year.

Edited to Add:  My little friend here was nominated for a Shout Out - what a thrill!

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white; Canson shimmer gold

Patterned paper - PTI patterns in New Leaf, Pure Poppy

Stamps - PTI Holiday Button Bits, Communique Curves

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black;  Delicata Gold Glitz

Copics

Brads - SU

*****

Now for one of my favourite challenges, particularly when we have  a divine graphic like this one.  Summer - hmmm, second day of winter here, but none the less, most of our year is spent in near summer conditions so shouldn't have too much trouble channelling warmth.

It is hard to see, but the yellow paper is striped

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white, Summer Sunrise;  SU Old Olive;  BB mid pink

DSP - SU Brights Collection

Ink - Versafine Onyx Black

Stamps - Cas-ual Fridays Stamps Woot Woot

Dies - MFT Layer Flag Stax;  TE branch;  PTI Ribbon Ends (?)

MS butterfly punch

Pearls and Gems - Kiasercraft

*****

My Avery Elle stamps have arrived and what better way to christen them than with my first Avery Elle challenge - and in beautiful blues and blue-greens. 

Apologies for the photography - taken on my iPhone

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white

Stamps - Avery Elle Framed Fonts, To the Point

Ink - Memento Danube Blue, Bahama Blue;  PTI Hawaiian Shores

Twine - The Twinery (Ocean)

? Christmas ..... already!

I have had the Festive Friday challenge sitting in my to do list for quite some time, but this is the first time I have attempted it.  So to go with that, the latest WMS Christmas card challenge, hosted by Charmaine Stack and the theme is Glitter.

So, lots of glitter and my favourite Christmas sweet treat - Gingerbread.  I am too lazy to decorate it but love baking and of course eating it (any time of year really).  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white

Glitter card - Bella! Glitz Rouge

Stamps - WMS Nutcracker Sweet, Candy Jar Christmas Fillers

Ink - SU Early Espresso

Punch - SU scallop

Stickles - Red, Diamond

*****

I missed the dessert option for Dynamic Duos, initially but I was determined to use a bear for this sketch.  Must be telepathic!  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white; SU Pacific Point

Stamps - PTI Baby Button Basics

Ink - VersafinStame Onyx Black;  Memento Bahama Blue

Copic T1

Various punches - SU

Glossy Accents

Goosebumps - K and Company

*****

And finally for this weekend - 2 colours I don't use much and 1 quite a bit.  And yes, you guessed it, another piece of 12 x 12 bites the dust - very satisfying!  I admit to a bit of recycling too.  The twine around the button came with my first (I anticipate many more) consignments of Cas-ual Fridays Stamps.  I had a very hard time limiting the number of stamp sets.  It's all Susan Raihala's fault, she has created some really great cards with these stamps lately.

I digress.  More baby cards, male or female this time I think

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white;  SU Calypso Coral, Island Indigo

Patterned Paper - Pebbles Inc Ever After (Sparkle)

Stamps - PTI Baby Button Basics

Ink  - Versafine Onyx Black

Die - SB classic scalloped circles

Pen - SU Calypso Coral

Button - PTI