Last day of holidays .... (BIG sigh!)

 It's back to work tomorrow, still it's been a nice break, though a little hot so unable to achieve all we wanted to around the house.  My daughter has another week to go before school starts and we have the Australia Day holiday next weekend too, so something to look forward to.

Wanted to have a go at these 2 before time ran out.  Tricky colours these and in my head I wanted the colour to be in the cardstock rather than the stamping.  So all stamping is in grey and broke into my new SU colours for Summer Starfruit.  I did think about colouring in the flowers but glad I didn't, as it looks really pretty sitting here on my desk.

What you need

Cardstock - SU Real Red, white, Summer Starfruit, Melon Mambo

Stamps - HAPattern Hearts and Flowers, Year Round Sentiments

Ink - SU Basic Grey;  Memento London Fog

Punch - Fiskars

Gems - Kaisercraft

******

Now, this next one evolved rather than trying to fit in a couple of challenges .... Really!  I started out with my Hero Arts challenge with what I believe is my oldest HA stamp.  I used it in this post many moons ago.  So it was easy to visualise it in Dynamic Duo colours of red and black with a touch of Valentine.  But the design stumped me till I saw the latest Paper Players challenge.  Problem almost solved.  

Trying to be a bit arty, and not go down my usual framing route, I tried for off centre ... not tooo bad.  And finally it neatly fell into the Addicted to CAS embossing challenge.

I am happy with the finished product, especially the little hearts, a punch Jennifer McGuire has used many times to great effect.

What you need

Cardstock - SU Real Red, white, black

Stamps - HA Chandelier;  PTI Lighten Up

Ink - Versmark; Versafine Onyx Black

Embossing Powder - Zing Glitter Black

Die - Spellbinders Classic Squares

Punch - Martha Stewart

Glossy Accents

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

Finishing up from the weekend

Waltzingmouse #100 and Dynamic Duos #5

Time does go fast and already we are at the 100th Waltzingmouse challenge.  For this card I have restamped the label afew times to get a layered effect and very happy with the result.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white

DSP - SU First Edition

Stamps - WMS Vintage Labels 18, Pic Nic Patterns, Cameos to Go (sentiment)

Ink - SU Real Red, Island Indigo;  Memento Tuxedo Black

Die - PTI Medium Scallop

Ribbon - Su Real Red grosgrain

Gems - Kaisercraft

******

Retro Sketches #14 and Play Date Cafe #134

I thought I might not get the chance to finish my card for these challenges but a bit of unexpected time at home waiting for tradesmen allowed me to finish them.  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Kraft

Stamps - Paper Smooches Hip to be Square;  WMS Asian Gardens (sentiment)

Ink - SU Poppy Parade;  Memento Rich Cocoa

Flowers and Gems - Kaisercraft

Brad - ?

Diamond Stickles

*******

And finally, not sure if I will enter this one for Just us Girls, it is possibly a bit too simple but in my latest mania to use my quite large collection of  12 x 12 patterned paper, I have used some glittery paper.   This could be for my father or husband, whichever is more in touch with their feminine side.

What you need
Cardstock - SU Early Espresso, Vanilla; vellum
Patterned paper - Chatterbox Fine Tinsel paper  in chocolate
Stamp - PTI Think Big Favourites
Ink - Versamark
Glitter - SU

Cards from the Weekend

Case Study #90

The delicacy of this card just made me drool.  The roses and pearls are just perfect with the simplicity of the patterned paper and sentiment.  Couldn't see anything I could improve on so decided to flip the design. Not sure fuchsias would have been quite as appealing upside down.  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Rustic White; SU vanilla

Patterned paper - MME Miss Caroline Howdy Doody

Stamps - The Cat's Meow Celebrating You;  PTI Think Big Favourites

Ink - SU Peach Parfait, Early Espresso

Pearls - Kaisercraft

*****

Retro Sketches #11

My husband's godfather is turning 90 this week.  As he lives in England we won't be able to spend time  with them but I hope this card says they are in our thoughts.  This sketch seemed perfect for the occasion.

What you need

Cardstock - SU Early Espresso, vanilla;  BB Kraft

DSP - SU Neutrals Collection

Stamps - WMS Vintage Labels 18;  PTI Inside and Out: Birthday

Ink - SU Early Espresso

Die - PTI Ribbon Tails; SB Labels 18

Ribbon - PTI Dark Chocolate Satin

Pearls - Kaisercraft

Summer Butterflies

I haven't done water colouring for such a long time and it was so much fun to renew our acquaintance. The cards done by the DT were just amazing and so inspiring (I did tuck a few away in my inspiration photo folder).  I think my technique has changed since Copics have come into my life as I was trying to colour the Copic way which works to a point.   

And just as I realised it was possible I would miss Retro Sketches and with no ideas in my head, I came across the latest Trigger Tuesday challenge and these gorgeous colours from Play Date Cafe.  Unfortunately watercolour paper does not work with white which may count me out of PDCC but I love my butterflies and hope to do more colouring in the near future.

What you need
Cardstock - SU vanilla
Patterned paper - PTI Bitty Dot Basics 2009
Stamps - PTI Butterfly Dreams
Ink - Stazon (black);  Memento Rose Red
Watercolour pencils - Faber Castell
Aqua painter
Twine - Jillibean Soup
Flower - Prima
Gems - Kaisercraft
Black pen

Just in time ....I hope

I should be able to get this in just before closing time at Retro Sketches.  The colours for ColourQ are just so cheerful and happy that I had to break out my Hero Arts Poppies.  

I think the design pretty much fits the sketch though there isn't much of an embellishment at the side, just a button.

Another to add to my birthday card collection and probably one my mother will take.

What you need
Cardstock - SU black, Lucky Limeade, X-press It Blending paper
Stamps - Hero Arts Delicate Blossoms;  PTI Inside and Out:  Birthday
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black;  SU Poppy Parade
Copics
Die - SB Tags
Embossing Folder - Sizzix Swiss Dots
Twine - Jillibean Soup
Button - PTI

Retro Urban Garden

Couldn't go past using SU Urban Garden for this one, and I don't have much of it left!  The sketch provided afew challenges but am really happy with how it turned out.

Happy Easter to everyone.  My daughter has been in Melbourne for the past week with my extended family.  It was her first unaccompanied flight, and no doubt there will be more as she is having a ball.  My husband flew down last night to bring her home Saturday night, just in case she was uncomfortable on her own.  We needn't have worried.  So  I guess that means lots of crafting time for me, OH DEAR!!

What you need

Cardstock - SU Baja Breeze, white

DSP - SU Urban Garden

Stamps - The Cat's Meow Simply Delightful;  PTI Inside and Out: Thank you

Ink -  SU Basic Grey;  Versa Magic Agean Blue

Ribbon - SU Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain

Gems - Kaisercraft

Retro 70's colours

I vaguely recall these colours and a similar pattern from my childhood - lots of Mission Brown and bold, geometric designs.  Just shows you, everything gets a run (or 2) in another generation.  Here is my submission.

I added some fine slivers of cardstock but they haven't shown up too well.  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white; Su Early Espresso

Stamps - PTI Modern Basics, Signature Greetings

Ink - SU Early Espresso, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie

Glitter Dot - Pebbles

Brown and Purple - who knew!

Ooh these colours were a great challenge, still don't have any Marina Mist cardstock so had to go with DSP but like the effect.  Hadn't quite got myself organised to do the first 2 retro sketches (unlike Arielle who seems to be everywhere I look - what's the secret), so very glad to participate in the third.  

So, in the absence of a couple of colours, including Perfect Plum in any form other than cardstock, this is my entry.  I have used Rich Razzleberry ribbon and Sweet Plum ink.  

What you need

Cardstock - SU Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Patterned Paper - SU Beau Chateau

Stamps -  SU Always Elegant;  WMS Compact Sentiments

Ink - Memento Sweet Plum

Dies - SB classic rectangle, deckled rectangle

Embossing Folder - SU Lattice

Ribbon - SU Rich Razzleberry Taffeta

Gems - Kaisercraft

So, I promise this is the last in a marathon of cards, tomorrow I am participating in the Tim Holz online class, so I will learn a great deal, I am sure.  Have a great week