Tania M. Gould

CAS Card Making: Day 3 - Tone On Tone

2012-01-16T16:02:00.002+11:00

Day 3 of the Clean And Simple Card Making Online Course had Jennifer McGuire showing how she used a die to make a tone-on-tone background! I really liked this and couldn't wait to try it myself.

Here I've used this butterfly die, some Whisper White and Regal Rose (I know, I know, more Regal Rose!) cardstock to make each butterfly a little raised and "popped"! Each butterfly has about 5 white dies and the top pink 1. I probably shouldn't have used as many as 5, but I guess I got a little carried away Big-Shotting! I chose to use Stampin' Up's 2-Way Glue Pen to adhere each layer, but I did find it was getting a little sticky so I started to just use Snail which worked really well.

I have white embossed the sentiment which is PaperTrey's Signature Greetings Vol. 3 No. 63. Some little pearl bling and I had to stop myself from tizzing away - reminding myself CLEAN and SIMPLE!!!

My card base is Glossy White again - I love the feel of glossy!

CAS Card Making: Day 1 - Copic Colours

2012-01-16T06:00:00.003+11:00

And here I go ago - I can't believe it, but I've made not one, but two cards this weekend! YAY!!!

Here I had a go at colouring cardstock with Copics to give it a wash of colour - just like Maile Belles did on Day 1 of the Clean And Simple Card Making Online Course. I used glossy cardstock and love the look and feel of it! Feels very lush indeed!

I've stamped the Stampin' Up Congrats stamp in Versamark, then Stampin' Up Basic Black ink and then clear embossing powder to make that sentiment "POP" even more. The main part of the card is also glossy, so I've used Black Stazon to stamp the "on getting a little bit older and better than ever!". A bit of Stampin' Up Whisper White Taffeta ribbon and a little bit of bling and done! Oh, and I popped the coloured strip up on Dimensionals.

I love how rich the colours of the Copics (V01, V04, V06) turned out, especially on the glossy.
Hope to be back soon with something else before the mojo disappears again!

CAS Card Making: Day 1

2012-01-15T16:10:00.000+11:00

I recently signed up for my very first online course - the Clean And Simple Card Making course....and so far I've loved every minute of it!
Kristina Werner shared a very clean and simple layout - and this is my card that was inspired by hers. I used SU Razzle Dazzle for the edging - but made a little woopsy in the top lefthand corner where I managed to over lap the stamping - woopsy! My card and ink is Regal Rose and I have white embossed the sentiment.

Instead of using my dodgy white gel pen, (which was promptly thrown in the rubbish bin when it refused to work one too many times!) I used some Polymark White Sparkling Dimensional Fabric Paint....it worked so I didn't question it!

I hope to continue to be inspired by the wonderful world of clean and simple and have something else to share with you soon!

I'm Elmo and I Know It - ( LMFAO Parody )

2012-01-15T10:39:00.000+11:00

A Peak At What I've Been Doing...

2012-01-14T23:10:00.003+11:00

Thought I'd take a few photo's to show what I've been upto over the last few months.

Here on my parents farm, we have bought a Fodder Solutions System ...which grows barley seed into grass in just 6 days!

It's hard to see, but this Unit is 6 trays long/deep.... goes in as seed, comes out as grass!

It is heated to an average temperate of 22 degrees and waters each layer every 2 hours for upto 60 seconds. Our sheep, chooks and 1 rabbit LOVE it!

This is the finished end - the other end is where I put the new seeds into clean empty trays.

After 6 days it looks something like this!

I load up our "moggy" so I can deliver it all over the farm. I had stopped here to give some to our chooks...they love it!

Nom nom nom nom nom!!!

Not overly exciting, but I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into my life on the farm!

x Tania

A Peak At What I've Been Doing...

2012-01-14T22:26:00.001+11:00

Thought I'd take a few photo's to show what I've been upto over the last few months.

Here on my parents farm, we have bought a Fodder Solutions System ...which grows seed into grass in just 6 days!

This is the finished end - the other end is where I put the new seeds into clean empty trays.

After 6 days it looks something like this!

I load up our "moggy" so I can deliver it all over the farm. I had stopped here to give some to our chooks...they love it!

Nom nom nom nom nom!!!

Not overly exciting, but I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into my life on the farm!

x Tania

My little girl is growing up - 6 today!

2011-12-24T11:43:00.000+11:00

Today is my little girls Birthday - she is 6!
We have had a lovely morning at home,oohing and aahing over some amazing presents like Sylvanian Families, Barbie and Lego!

She is the light of my life and I love her to bits!

We all love her!

Happy Birthday my Princess!

Just Add Ink #98 - Just Add Sparkle

2011-12-16T00:01:00.013+11:00

Just Add Sparkle! And that's just what I did! Can you see it?!

This weeks challenge at Just Add Ink came from the very very talented and beautiful Patrice Easton, from Spring Blossom Musings. I love pretty things, so this was right up my alley!

I needed to make a card for my gorgeous little daughter, Charlotte, who is turning 6 on Christmas Eve...and as mother like daughter, she loves pretty things too - and loves her "diamonds" and bling - hence, I had to make her this "loaded to the max" card!

I have used Stampin' Up's Pick-A-Petal stamp, then cut out the petal and covered it in Crystal Effects and then sprinkled Stampin' Up's Chunky Sprinkles over it.
The #6, I found in my stash and just used a sponge dauber to rub some Pear Pizzazz into it and then covered the #6 in Crystal Effects as well.

I even extended myself this week by blowing off the dust off my much-neglected sewing machine....after a trial run on some scrap paper, I was off and sewing - all going well....until for some reason it just stopped sewing halfway and then picked up again before I realised. So....I decided to unpick it all, sew it all without cotton (so it made the dots for me) and then hand-sewed it all! As you can see, there was a reason why there was so much dust on my machine! But I'm really happy with the effect and it really does "make a card" in real life (IRL)!

So thanks for coming to have a look....make sure you do go and check out the rest of the Just Add Ink Design Team's work and leave them some love - cos they all do such an amazing job!

Coming up....

2011-12-14T16:33:00.000+11:00

A Sneaky-Peaky!

Sometimes, you just have to pick yourself up and carry on...

2011-12-13T19:19:00.004+11:00

Totally love this!

All I Want For Christmas...

2011-12-07T12:11:00.001+11:00

Hehehehe....this really tickled my fancy this morning!

Just Add Ink #96

2011-12-02T00:01:00.001+11:00

Hello!!! It's a VERY special week at Just Add Ink this week - it's "Just CASE Tania" week! How exciting & special! I'm honoured to be the very first Design Team member to feature in our new addition to our challenges!

The idea is to CASE or be inspired by something that I've made in the past - well, you can't exactly CASE something that I've made in the future, so good thing I typed "past" there hey?!

I had a very difficult time trying to decide what I'd CASE of myself, because most things I've made I've already wished I changed something here or there....but in the end I chose to CASE my very first Just Add Ink Design Team card!

I settled the colours down a tad, I think my colour-palette has changed somewhat since then!

1) Here I've used Pretty In Pink and Melon Mambo.

2) I've white embossed one of my all-time favourite stamp sets, (which I won at one of the Regionals I attended!) and used a sponge dauber to rub the ink over.

3) I then used a baby wipe to wipe over the top of the embossing to wipe off excess ink that had stuck to the embossing....and I think I was a little heavy handed with the baby wipe cos it kinda made the ink go a bit splotchy and dotty - but I decided that that was the look I was going for anyway! ;)

4) Again, I followed Joanne Leddy's awesome photo tutorial on how to make this beautiful flower, (and thanks to a very special friend who posted me some punchies so I could make some as I still haven't got all the flower punches I desire!). This flower is made with Whisper White cardstock, Silver Glimmer Mist and a SU bling-brad, well that's what I call them!

5) I've mounted the embossed cardstock on Basic Black and popped them up on SU Dimensionals. I found some really lovely black sequined ribbon and added that. And done!

Thanks for coming over to have a look and read....I really look forward, especially this week, to seeing what others create! How exciting!

Just Add Ink #94 - Sketch

2011-11-18T09:41:00.001+11:00

This week at Just Add Ink, we have this Sketch which was designed by the very-talented Bronwyn Eastley.

For this card I made, I didn't hold back. I couldn't hold back! I just wanted to keep adding more and more "tizz" to it but eventually I had to stop!

I finally bought myself a new camera - so no more taking photos with my iPhone! I'm still learning how to drive the camera and I'm slowly making friends with my light tent again... we have been enemy's for so long, so hopefully you will see better, happier photo's from me in the near future!

I have used:
stamps: vintage vogue, vintage labels, en francais, elements of style
ink: perfect plum, elegant eggplant, pool party, baja breeze, whisper white, pear pizzaz, going gray
cardstock: perfect plum, whisper white, elegant eggplant
other bits & pieces: dimensionals, circle scissors plus, pearl brads, whisper white taffeta ribbon

Thanks for popping by!

Happy Birthday Aislinn!

2011-11-09T18:31:00.000+11:00

I made this card for my BFF's daughter, Aislinn. She turned FIVE!!!!
I added some pretty Dazzling Diamonds to some bee's I found stashed away, gave them a little extra "bling" and I spritzed different pastel colours on the base card as well as a bit of silver.

Just Add Ink - Just Add A Tag or Bookmark

2011-11-04T00:01:00.005+11:00

Hello again! Here is this weeks card for Just Add Ink challenge #92 which is "Just Add A Tag Or Bookmark" - thanks again to Bronwyn for coming up with this cool idea!

I was inspired by this card and managed to get it right first go!

Don't forget to check out the rest of the Design Teams creations and hopefully we'll see you enter this weeks challenge too!

I used:
paper: SU Raspberry Tart DSP, Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss
stamps: SU Afterthoughts, Kimono Kids
Dimensionals, Versa Mark, Clear Embossing Powder, Hole Punch, Sparklets, Kiwi Kiss Satin ribbon

My desk today...

2011-10-26T22:21:00.000+11:00

What a mess! And there wasn't much creating going on either!

Just Add Ink #90 - Sketch

2011-10-21T00:01:00.003+11:00

This week at Just Add Ink the sketch challenge was provided to us by Bronwyn Eastley.

I have used a chocolate chip base and stamped KaiserCraft "Devonshire" lace stamp down the left hand side in a cream ink (not sure on the brand).

I used my new favourites, my nesties (Nestabilities) in lavendar lace and confetti cream.

The bird from Stampin' Up Friends 24-7 is popped up on dimensionals and I've stamped the Papertrey Ink stamp from Signature Greetings Vol 3 #63 in chocolate chip and embossed it using versamark and clear embossing powder.

Of course I couldn't resist adding some flowers, so I've rolled a few roses in the lavendar lace and confetti cream and added some chantilly crochet trim.

Smile - You Make This World A Better Place

2011-10-14T17:49:00.004+11:00

Trying to get a head start on some thank you cards I want to send....this is one I whipped up the other night and hadn't got around to photographing.
I accidently pressed a bit too hard on the embossed wisteria wonder, so it kinda flattened the raised dots, so I went with the flow and used my bone folder to flatten them all down - I liked it!

cardstock: pool party, wisteria wonder, whisper white
ink: pool party, daffodil delight, silver
stamps: SU build a blossom, Verve all about you
daffodil delight 1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon, silver ribbon/cord/string, dimensionals, crystal effects, perfect polka dots embossing folder, build a blossom punch

Some Birthday Love!

2011-10-10T10:14:00.004+11:00

I was so so so super spoilt for my Birthday (which was last Saturday - 1 Oct)!

I spent the day outside working on my parents farm - which I absolutely love doing. My parents treated us to dinner that night so that topped off a fun day for us all!

So I just HAD to share with you some of the amazing handmade cards that I received in the mail! I'm so blessed to have met such wonderful, caring friends through Stampin' Up and the world of card-making. Thank you friends!

Christine Blain

.
Delys Cram

Kim Badelt

Nikki Spencer

Jo Eades

My mummy, Jeane McQueen

Naomi Jansen

Jodene Tripp

Just Add Ink #88 - Add A Die Cut

2011-10-07T00:01:00.002+11:00

This week at Just Add Ink, we have a bit of a different challenge; "Just Add....A Die Cut"!
I chose the trusty old Top Note...and I kinda turned it into a mini-book, covering the front and back of each page with DSP.
Each "page" has a cardboard middle, making them stiffer and stronger.
The sentiment I chose to put on the first page says:

"Let us be grateful...
to people who make us happy
for they are the charming gardeners
who make our souls blossom."

The last page I've left blank, ready for a personal message to the recipient.
I have inked the edges with my little friends, my sponge daubers and I punched 3 holes in each page and laced up with crochet lace.
The crocheted flower was made my the beautiful Patrice who was so generous and whipped up a few and posted them to me! I've rationed them and saved them, not wanting them to run out! This flower was actually white, but I dipped it in some water and re-inker and left it to dry. I actually used 'Close To Cocoa" ink, but the flower turned out an orange-y colour, but I liked it and it matched the DSP perfectly!
And I loved inking my latest addition - "My Friend" Stampin' Up set - LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!

Thanks for coming to have a look, and I look forward to seeing what you're going to make if you enter this weeks challenge at Just Add Ink!
BTW - check out the rest of the Design Teams blogs - they are truly amazing!

Just Add Ink #86 - Sketch Challenge

2011-09-23T00:01:00.001+10:00

This week at Just Add Ink, we have a Sketch Challenge for you......and I said to the girls on the Design Team that this card was like delivering a baby! It was hard work, took a long time but I am so proud with what I made! LOL!

My (current) favourite stamp set (Elements Of Style) has made an appearance (yet again!)....I just love it!

I used my trusty old blender pens to colour and I certainly wasn't overly particular with my colouring - a dab here and a dab here and hey presto!

Thanks for popping over - leave a msg and say hello!...and don't forget to check back at Just Add Ink to see the other awesome creations as well!

Just Add Ink #84 - Colour Challenge

2011-09-09T19:15:00.007+10:00

Hello!
Here is my card I made for this week's Just Add Ink Colour Challenge. The colours were:
I just couldn't resist pink and white - one of my all-time favourite colour combos

Make sure you pop over to Just Add Ink if you haven't already to see what the rest of the Design Team have used for their "colour of choice"!

cardstock: textured regal rose, basic white
stamps: friends 24-7
boho blossom punch, bling brad, dimensionals, lace punch, sponge daubers, spritzers

Baja and Chocolate Birthday Elements

2011-09-06T17:18:00.006+10:00

A wonderful friend had a birthday just the other day - and I was so very blessed to spend some of the day with her!

We went on a roadtrip together to Hobart so she could attend Tasmania's SU Regionals and I wanted to give her a little something to spend on herself - either for crafty supplies or just something special for her - so I whipped up this card that has a "money/giftcard pocket" on the inside fold. A friend was making some of these cute little flowers the other day, so I decided to give it a go, adding my own touch of sponge-daubing the edges a little.Now, I know for a fact that this wonderful person loves brown/s and blue/s together, so I have chosen to use BAJA BREEZE and CHOCOLATE CHIP and CONFETTI CREAM and of course, my current favourite stamp set, Elements of Style.

PS...You can visit this wonderful friends blog here!

Just Add Ink #80

2011-08-12T00:01:00.002+10:00

Sketch time over at Just Add Ink!

You may have already seen a similar flower on my previous post, but as I warned, I LOVE THEM! So so so easy to make and so so so pretty!!!!!
You can see how I made mine here.
Oh - and I would tell you what I stamped on the tag, but I unfortunately don't have the card here at the moment and I can't remember what I stamped on it!!!! How professional is that!
But I can tell you that I painted the tag with Crackle Paint - and then rubbed some Night Of Navy ink into the cracks, to give it an "aged effect".

Just Add Ink # 79 - Just Add Tearing

2011-08-05T09:29:00.007+10:00

This week's challenge at Just Add Ink is actually on my 'off week', but I made this card recently for a special person and realised it had some tearing so I thought "why not!" (apologies, Blogger is playing up and I can't link to JAI - but you can easily pop by by going to www.just-add-ink.blogspot.com).

FLOWER
1. I made the flower by tearing 3 circles of cardstock (3 x sizes).....I crumbled up the pieces so they were really soft and pliable. (I used Red Riding Hood Red)
2. Next, I cut 4-5 slits into them to make petals.
3. Using a sponge dauber, I inked the edges in a darker shade.
4. I then used a skewer (or something similar) to roll the edges.
5. Misting with silver glimmermist, gives a nice silvery shine as well as helping hold the flower in shape.
6. I adhered each layer with a strip of good old sticky strip.

Too easy!!!! You can't go wrong I reckon!

Heads up - you may be seeing these flowers appear regularly on my creations for a while - I just LOVE them!

Just Add Ink #78 - Colour Challenge

2011-07-29T07:04:00.007+10:00

It's a Colour Challenge again at Just Add Ink this week, I branched out from my usual card-entry and made something a little different! I needed a gift-card holder for a birthday, so I whipped up one of Lauren Meaders "Cash Or Charge" little creations!
As you can see, the blue tab at the top pulls up which pulls out a sheet with the giftcard adhered to it. (I have propped this giftcard holder up for the photo - it doesn't stand by itself). It is 11cm wide and 8cm high. (I was going to add link to where you can purchase this template, but blogger is playing up again and won't let me hyperlink or anything!!!)
cardstock: sahara sand, certainy celery
ink: chocolate chip, night of navy, certainly celery
chocolate chip DSP, sponge dauber, twine, tag punch, round tab extra-large
stamps: in the stars, happy memories

Just Add Ink #76 - Inspiration Photo

2011-07-15T00:01:00.000+10:00

It's been a few months since I've designed for Just Add Ink.....but I'm so happy to be back! Yah!!!
I have enjoyed my little break, keeping busy with studying and the usual mummy stuff but I am so looking forward to dusting off my sets and reinking them again!

For my first week back on duty, we have an Inspiration Photo challenge....and what a glorious pic it is! Who wouldn't want to be there right now, instead of shivering away in the middle of our winter! I know I would almost give anything to be waking up to this view!

My card didn't end up as bright as I wanted - as I could only use the re-inkers that I had.
To create the background, I used GLOSSY CARD, ISOCOL and RE-INKERS.
Step #1: In a small container, I mixed Isocol and a few drops of re-inker.
Step #2: Using a cotton wool ball, I soaked one in the coloured isocol and rubbed it over the glossy to obtain the look I wanted. I waited a min or two and then went over it a few times. Step #3: I then added a few more drops to darken Isocol and use that over the top of what I had already put on the glossy. I would've loved more colours to create more depth.
Step #4: I suggest you wait until the isocol has completely dried before stamping using Stazon on. Of course I couldn't wait and when the Stazon stamped it did tend to blur a little!

stamps: SU elements of style, verve sentiment
cardstock: basic black, silver, glossy white
ink: black stazon, baja breeze re-inker, blue bayou re-inker and kiwi kiss re-inker
hodgepodge hardware, black velvet ribbon, dimensionals

Hey Jude

2011-07-14T08:08:00.001+10:00

OMG how cute is this!!!!!

Talking Twin Babies - PART 2 - OFFICIAL VIDEO

2011-07-13T21:40:00.001+10:00

This just cracks me up!!! It makes me smile so I wanted to share it with you too!
x Tania

Just Add Ink #71

2011-06-11T19:54:00.006+10:00

HONEY - I'M HOME!!!!!!!!!!
It's been a while, but I finally, finally found some mojo this week! Maybe it was the break. Maybe it was school holidays and having some extra time - who knows - but I think it might be back and I'm not complaining!!!
I spent the day today sorting out my craft room - emptying containers full of all sorts of things that I once thought I'd use and just re-organising - and it felt SOOOOO good!!! Im going to sleep well tonight knowing it's done.
Anyway, earlier in the week I decided to enter this weeks Just Add Ink Challenge - which was Just Add Black and White. I CASE'd this idea from one of the Stampin Up catelogues - I've been using them as my "muse" this week...why not! Everything in the catalogues is just so yummy!

stamps: kimono kids
cardstock: textured basic black, whisper white
ink: basic black
silver string, wooden pegs, dot embossing

Charlotte's Build-A-Bear

2011-05-17T20:02:00.005+10:00

Charlotte was a very lucky-ducky on our first day in Melbourne when our friend Naomi took us to Build-A-Bear where Miss C got to choose a un-stuffed toy to stuff.

She chose a cat.

She got to step on the pedal to allow the stuffing to fly into her cat.Here she is choosing a "heart" which was lovingly placed inside the cat before stitching the back up. Of course she couldn't just carry her "Chloe the cat" out of the shop in her arms - we HAD to get a carry thingy.....too cute! Highly recommend taking a little person for a treat or reward for sure!
Apologies for quality of photo's - taken with the trusty old iphone!

Our Melbourne Trip

2011-05-16T19:39:00.004+10:00

Mae Collins, Charlotte Gould and Bronwyn Eastley - after arriving at Melbourne Airport and all meeting up!

Some of the Just Add Ink team.

Charlotte - thoroughly thrilled to FINALLY get to play my iphone games that I kept for this special occasion!

A few more of the Just Add Ink team!

Our "papparazzi"!

Little girl in a big city!

Waiting for a tram - in the middle of the road - which Charlotte was chuffed about!

Wedding Favours

2011-04-24T15:54:00.004+10:00

I was asked by the Bride-to-be Alice, a while ago to whip up some pillow boxes for her wedding......and whip them up I did! I'm pretty sure I even did them in my sleep at night! It was my first real time of making something for an occasion such as a wedding - at least for someone else anyway! It was a success and they suited the wedding perfectly!Inside these little beauties were yummo pink/red Jelly Belly's...mmm!!

And here is the wedding card that I made Shannon & Alice....you may have seen this card in one of the latest Stampin' Up Impressions magazine. It was too beautiful not to CASE!Apoligies for the dark photos - again.

Just Add Ink 63 - Inspiration Photo

2011-04-08T00:01:00.001+10:00

Time to get inspired....by this photo!Now I thought this was the impossible - "How can I get inspired by THAT photo?!" I asked myself! So I focused on the girls frill-thing that's around their necks and made a Scallop Punch flower by punching out about 4 scallops and rolled them tight into a ball to soften the fibres. I then split each one - so I then had 8. I then punched a hole through the middle of them all, attached a small brad and then one by one, scrumpled each layer so it kind of resembled a flower! lol

I am currently making 100+ pillow boxes for an upcoming wedding, so I think I had pillow boxes stuck in my brain this week! Anyway, hope it inspires you, too, to make some pillow boxes. This one is going to my daughter because she appreciated the "brightness" of it! lol Though I can't guarantee there will be any Jelly Beans left in it!

Gorge In Flood

2011-03-25T22:29:00.001+11:00

Here are two photos I took tonight while Charlotte and I were out and about looking at the flood areas in our little town of Launceston.
It was my first attempt at capturing "moving water".

Just Add Ink - Just Add STAMPS!

2011-03-25T00:01:00.002+11:00

Just Add Stamps? What? How? OUCH!!!
This little number was so difficult to make cos all I wanted to do was "tizz"! Tizz with ribbons, or punches, or dies, or bling.....agghh!!!
But I'm happy with what I produced. I wanted it to look "old and loved"...just like me! haha ok that was a tad corny I know!
Pop over to see the rest of the amazing Design Teams "Just Add Stamps" and get some ideas!

Just Add Ink #58

2011-03-04T00:01:00.000+11:00

It's the end of an era and the beginning of another one at Just Add Ink.
This weeks challenge is to CASE the amazing Danielle Daws and Amanda Reddicliffe to showcase some of their wonderful work.
I chose this cute little card from Danielle's blog - you can see hers here.
A big thank you to Danielle and Amanda for the past year or more and all they have done for Just Add Ink. It's been a real treat to work with you and I truly hope to continue being friends!

Just Add Ink #57 - Colour Challenge

2011-02-25T00:01:00.002+11:00

Oh my...what a week! I'm SO glad to almost see the end of it. Another few days and then I can rest a bit easier. But in between this crazy week, we have this challenge at Just Add Ink.

It's colour-challenge time!!!

.tricky tricky!

The senitment on this card says: "God understands our prayers even when we can't find the words to say them." After all these awful disasters that both our country and others are experiencing lately, I wanted to encourage people to hang in there and to open their hearts. I'm a firm believer of this sentiment.

Awww........comes with a warning!

2011-02-21T22:15:00.003+11:00

WARNING!
DO NOT LOOK ANY FURTHER IF YOU HAVE CLUCKINESS-TENDENCIES!!!
MAY BE VERY DANGEROUS!

I was really fortunate to spend a few days with my BF, Kobi, and her 2 sons Tomasz and Patryk, this weekend. The following 3 pics are baby Patryk who's 3.5months old...isn't he adorable?

Awww.....

Awww............

Just Add Ink #56 - Sketch

2011-02-18T00:01:00.004+11:00

Sketch time at Just Add Ink and I'm loving the colours I used on this one - Kraft, Bravo Burgundy, Pear Pizzazz and Very Vanilla...yum yum!
Enjoyed using my latest SU set - Love Definied - and this time I embossed the tree with versamark and Pear Pizzazz ink and of course clear embossing powder. Before stamping, I used the Blender Pen to pull some ink away from some of the hearts on the tree and re-coloured them with Real Red Marker.

"Just Us Girls" Challenge - Spotlight #71

2011-02-13T21:55:00.003+11:00

Last night I made this card with my friend - even though we're in separate states, we can still hang out together and create! It's the next best thing, I reckon!
This card is for the Just Us Girls "Spotlight" challenge - and even though I have seen this technique before, I haven't actually used it myself...so it was my 1st time!
I started off using a different stamp set, but in the end settled for this one as I have a Bride-To-Be that's going to need this card soon!

stamps: SU big on spring, Kaiser flourishes
cardstock: basic black, whisper white, melon mambo
ink: basic black, melon mambo, perfect plum, so saffon, & some blue I don't remember
dimensionals, black taffeta ribbon, nestibilities circles

Some more 365 Pics!

2011-02-12T18:41:00.006+11:00

Just a couple of my latest 365 Project Pics........

The pond at my parents farm.

Heidi the Goldfish.

I Spy A Little Bunny Or Two (over my back fence - they were so cute lounging in the shade!)

Grr...does anyone know why my spacing isn't even between the photos? I deleted and added the space again and it still won't do it! Doesn't seem to save. So annoying!

Just Add Ink #55 - Just Add Love

2011-02-11T11:57:00.003+11:00

Valentine's is around the corner - but seeing as I don't have a lucky man to share the day with me, I wanted to give my precious little girl a little bit of "love"!

The theme for this week at Just Add Ink is "Just Add Love" and I love my Charlotte to bits, so I thought it fitted perfectly! Make sure you make some time to check out the rest of the amazing Design Team's items and to also see the exciting news that we are sharing on Just Add Ink!

Charlotte has been away the last few days at Nanny and Poppy's - a last hurrah before school goes back next week for us. She is going to wake up to find this little card and the little choccies sitting next to her bed on Valentine's Day. What a beautiful mummy I am! ;)

The image is a digi print that I've had for ages - first time I've printed it.
I coloured with Blender Pen and SU Inks (of ink pads)
I have used glue and Dazzling Diamonds on the hearts and flowers and Crystal Effects on the mummy and daughter birdys.
The "Love You" stamp is from my latest stamp set (thanks Mae!) "Love Definied".

An interesting find in my freezer...

2011-02-10T14:45:00.003+11:00

Just had to share this funny little story - I brought the groceries home today, merrily unpacking and sorting, went to re-arrange some things in the freezer to make some room and what did I find? A card with a clear embossed butterfly waiting to be "cracked" (for Cracked-Glass Technique)! Now how on Earth did I forget about it? You're meant to leave it there for several minutes - MINUTES Tania, not months! LOL I'm a dag!

Some random 365 Project pics

2011-02-07T09:55:00.006+11:00

I haven't had much time lately for crafting but I wanted to share some of the photo's I've added to my 365 Project......you see see the rest here.

Just Add Ink - Burst Of Colour

2011-01-28T00:01:00.002+11:00

Just a quickie today as I have guests about to arrive any minute now, for the week. My "burst of colour" is a small burst of colour, but it is a burst of colour! Here is the picture that we got to use as "inspiration".
I have embossed the white backing and the back butterfly is white gloss. And I'm still loving Stampin' Ups white organza ribbon! The striped paper is an old Kaiser 12x12.

Make sure you check out the rest of the amazing team's inspirations here.

Just Add Ink #52 - Sketch

2011-01-21T13:13:00.004+11:00

OUCH - what a sketch this week! I really struggled to think of what to make this week for the Just Add Ink Design Team but I decided to go with some hot striking colours - basic black, melon mambo and whisper white! I love them!
Here's is the sketch for this weeks Just Add Ink.
The flowers are coloured using crystal effects and ink, which I mixed together in a little container and painted on with a little paint brush.

cardstock: basic black, melon mambo, whisper white
ink: basic black, versamark, melon mambo
stamps: happy moments, sweet little sentiments
white embossing power, white taffeta ribbon, top note die, crystal effects

Papertrey Paper Dolls: Challenge #29

2011-01-17T21:12:00.004+11:00

Still home alone and still making cards!!! Why? Because I now have some time to! It's so lovely!

Now this one is for Papertrey Paper Dolls - "Simplicity" and simple it is! It was difficult for me not to tizz, so met myself halfway and placed one and only one little bling in the centre of the flower on the left!

stamps: su! live like you mean it, pti signature greetings
cardstock: naturals ivory
ink: poppy parade, wild wasabi, basic black
corner rounder, rhinestone

Colour Cue #11

2011-01-16T23:00:00.004+11:00

I'm still enjoying my peace and quiet while Miss Charlotte is staying at Nanny and Poppy's house - so today I made two cards. I played along for the first time and did Colour Cue #11Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White and I chose Going Grey for the "Pick A Neutral".
I made the rose using the Fancy Flower punch - you can see the tutorial I made here.

stamps: pti signature greetings
cardstock: glossy white, going grey, pink pirouette, whisper white
ink: basic grey, pink pirouette, blushing bride
sponger daubers, sticky strip, silver glimer mist, organze white ribbon, basic pearls

Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #53

2011-01-16T13:55:00.005+11:00

I've been "home alone" for the last 24hrs away- my 1st time in ages and need I tell you that I'm loving it!
I wasted the afternoon yesterday watching some tv etc but last night I conjured up some mojo and played along with the Inkspirations Sketch Challenge (#53).

I absolutely LOVE Perfect Plum - one of my fav Stampin' Up colours!

I embossed the Fifth Avenue Floral rose with 1st. Versamark and 2nd. Perfect Plum ink, then heated Clear Embossing Powder over it. I then sprayed the entire rose with water, and used my Aqua Painter dipped in Perfect Plum ink to lightly spread some colour. I let it dry and it some parts of the petals again to make darker. I then "tizzed" and used some So Saffron ink and Aqua Painter as well. THEN, I sprayed the entire flower with Silver Glimmer Mist and then I stopped before I went too far!!!

'So Glad We're Friends" is embossed with clear embossing powder - to make it "pop"!

The start of 365....

2011-01-14T17:21:00.004+11:00

I've started my own 365 Project - seems its the "done-thing" to do at the moment!
It's fun so far - but not sure what happens when I run out of creativity!

Honey-Soy Chicken & Noodles

Peach Tree Leaf

Charlotte's Traffic Tomatoes

Just Add Ink - Monochrome 1

2011-01-13T22:45:00.004+11:00

Just Add Ink - Monochrome week

Black and white.....so stylish and elegant. I embossed my all-time fav stamps in white embossing power and used my friends crocheted flower and a black button as an accent. I found some pretty black lace in my stash to tie around the top of the card.

I have another Monochrome on my blog as well...a Baja Breeze one! See that one here.

Just Add Ink - Monochrome 2

2011-01-13T00:01:00.005+11:00

BAJA-BREEZE - Oh how I love thee!

Monochrome at Just Add Ink this week really made my head hurt - I just didn't think it would be as hard as it was. I'm not sure if technically I'm meant to have some of the white, but I justify it by saying that if you lighten every colour it will eventually go back to white? Or if you spill some bleach on it it will definitly go back to white! LOL

In the end, I quite enjoyed this challenge and I like my card! I hope my friend does too!

I made thi card with a particular friend in mind, and as I had no sentiment suitable, I decided to make my own by printing this one from my computer. Handy!

Don't you just adore these deluxe big striped grosgrain bows! So so so yummy!

I also have another Black & White Monochrome card here. Pop around to see that one too!

stamps: inspired by nature
ink: baja breeze
cardstock: baja breeze, confetti white
accessories: baja breeze striped grosgrain, dimensionals

11 Roses From Tilda

2011-01-12T22:00:00.004+11:00

I'm trying hard to distract myself tonight - I'm really struggling with sadness and grief for the unfortunate people who are suffering right now in our Country - with fires on the West side and major floods on the East...there is lots of sorrow at the moment. So Tilda arrived tonight just to share a little love!

As I am not fortunate enough to have any fancy Copics etc...I have used my trusty old Aqua Painter and ink off ink pad lids (as well as straight markers for the roses, stem and her shoes).

I have used some Crystal Effects on all the leaves in her bouquet and also on her shoes and eyes.

Clean & Simple Challenge 122

2011-01-12T12:46:00.004+11:00

Another "cyber-craft" night last with a fab friend....it took a while to get the mojo happening and decide on what to make. Ended up doing a Clean and Simple Challenge - here is the sketch.I made a simple spiral rolled rose out of one of these absolutely DELISH paper (Christine Re). The papers have a really beautiful sheen to them - metallic. So so so scrummy!You can see my simple tutorial on how to make one of these roses HERE.

Thanks for coming to have a look. Feel free to have a wander around my blog and see what else I've been up to lately!

Sweet Sunday Sketch 99

2011-01-10T11:41:00.006+11:00

Last night, I participated in my 1st "Cyber-Craft" session with some great new friends, Patrice Easton and Trish Radacs!!
I had such a lovely time and it made my often loney craft times much more fun and exciting! Make sure you pop over to see what they also made last night!

We decided to particpate in this week's Sweet Sunday which was the following layout.

I ended up trying a few different Designer Papers and was going to use a completely different stamp set, but in the end, ended up with these!!!

I absolutely LOVE this paper - just screams Asian to me! And I've had these gorgeous wooden birdcages for ages now and just haven't known what to do with them....and it all came together last night!

The black ribbon across the scallops is a really lush black ribbed velvet....feels so good!

Anyway, thanks for coming to see, I hope you like!

stamps: silhouette sentiments, elements of style, embrace life

A Stylish Blog Award

2011-01-05T20:59:00.004+11:00

I have been totally blessed lately with getting this award from not one but two lovely ladies, Patrice and Susan. As copied off Patrice's blog, the rules are:

- thank and link to the person who gave this award
- share 8 things about myself
- pass it on to 8 others
- let them know about the award

Simple!

So here are some of my fav Stylish Blogs:

Patrice Easton - Spring Blossom Musings
Bronwyn Eastley - addINKtive designs
Sam Post - Ryemilan' Stamping and Scrapbooking
Paula Dobson - Stampinantics
Mae Collins - Mae's Cachet
Karen Thomas - Luv To Stamp
Gardenia Pepworth - A Little Less Useless
Trish Radacs - Spring Blossom Journey

And 8 things about me:
#1 - After over 3yrs of looking and waiting and procrastinating, I finally bought another car!
#2 - I drink far far far too much Pepsi-Max and can't really see a day that I don't.
#3 - I have 9 hens, 1 rooster, 3 "teen-age" chicks and 1 baby chick.
#4 - I love working on my parents farm. Love getting my hands dirty and learning new farm things.
#5 - I hope to get to QLD later this year to take my daughter on a special "mummy/daughter" holiday.
#6 - But before the QLD holiday, I'm hoping to take my daughter camping this month - our first time besides the time on my parents front lawn! (not my 1st time camping but OUR first time camping! - I'm an old-hand! haha).
#7 - I have a slight obssession with curries at the moment!
#8 - I hope to paint my daughters room and my craft room with a feature wall each before school goes back (pics will be here on my blog when I do!)

It's so fun to learn new stuff about people! Hope you liked learning a little bit more about me!

Just Add Summer

2010-12-31T00:01:00.004+11:00

It's Just Add Summer at Just Add Ink!
Here I've used my beautiful DSP's to make a Bunting Party Flag! It says "Summer" to me!

Added: haha how long did it take me to realise that the blue flag doesn't have any "stitching" - woops... I meant to have that one different, I did, really!

Our little makeover!

2010-12-30T21:43:00.003+11:00

Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank the gorgeous Bronwyn Eastley for helping me today sort some things out on my blog!
It feels so good to have a new look!

Thank you for a wonderful day and all your valuable time and information Bronwyn!
Girl, you rock!

Look what Santa brought me for Christmas!

2010-12-29T17:23:00.004+11:00

I am so, so, SO blessed with this "new" car....Chrissy the 2004 Honda CR-V! I have been wanting another car for about 3yrs now and I finally got one - on Christmas Eve! Now to pay for it.......

Tasmazia Roadtrip

2010-12-27T20:54:00.007+11:00

WARNING: there are quite a few pics to see!

The main maze at Tasmazia.

Charlotte in front of one of the little houses.

View from a look-out.

Some of the many signs that were throughout the maze.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

My parents, Jeane and Peter.

Me & my girl, treating ourselves to a caramel spider!

And can you believe there was snow on the mountain! It's summer!!!

It actually snowed on us for a short time!

Standing in the middle of nowhere, I decide to stop and take a pic of the beautiful Mt. Roland and out of nowhere pops a bus full of Asian tourists!

One last stop on the way home - somewhere I loved to visit as a child.
One tired little roadtripper!

I highly recommend visiting Tasmania's Tasmazia!

Charlotte's 5th Birthday Party!

2010-12-22T21:02:00.009+11:00

It's my baby's 5th Birthday! OMG!Here she is in her "Princess" dress.

Princess Dancing (which also resembled Masai jumping!)

Some of the "Princesses".

The Princess with her "Design-Your-Own Cupcake". The centre candle is playing "Happy Birthday" in a very weird tune!

The Princess Handbag/Party Bags (terrible photo but totally ran out of time to muck around with my stupid camera!).
The bags were filled with lollypop, strawberry mentos, loveheart lollies, a Dora pen, bubbles, chocolate frog, Popping Candy, a loveheart shaped bangle and a butterfly ring!
You can purchase the template for these little "Pretty Petal Pocket" bags at Papertrey Ink for only $5.

...and the Princess soaking her poor, tired feet after a long day!

We all had a fantastic day and Charlotte was treated like a real Princess!
It's 2 sleeps to her actual Birthday (Christmas Eve). She's been counting the sleeps for weeks. She's having a little friend come for a play in the morning then we're all going for a drive to Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Cafe for a "big-girls lunch" then off to Nanny and Poppys for a visit.
Charlotte has requested croissants for breakfast - but wish I could type how she pronounces "croissants"! Too cute! Love her to bits!

Which one is you?

2010-12-20T17:14:00.001+11:00

Look what's been going on at our home!

2010-12-16T17:12:00.007+11:00

Charlotte's 1st (successful) plant!

Love this creative little hammock! These 2 babies had to stay there all day (chairs in the middle of the room) cos they were still "sleeping"!

Many random corn plants growing at all different stages! (clever, I know!)

The yummiest, most-tender broad beans ever!

Can't wait for this little beauties - zucchini's!

Dinner tonight!!!

Teacher's Thank You Presents

2010-12-15T16:21:00.003+11:00

Today, Charlotte and I gave her Kindy teacher and teacher's aide these little boxes fill with homemade rocky-road and coconut ice!

The Baja Breeze set was for the teacher, Mrs. Emma Folo, and it kind of made her cry!
She's been such a wonderful 1st teacher for Charlotte and I am truly grateful for her fun, positive personality that has made Charlotte's year such an awesome one!

This red/black set was given to the wonderful Mrs. Colleen Peardon. Charlotte did a bit of investigating earlier in the week and found out that Mrs. Folo's favourite colour was blue and Mrs. Peardon's favourite colour was red! That made things a bit simpler!

The girls at Just Add Ink participated in a Secret Santa this year and my fabulous SS gave me a gift voucher for "My Time Made Easy" and this is one of the templates I purchased. You can find it here.

Welcome baby Patryk!

2010-12-14T18:44:00.000+11:00

My BFF gave birth to a beautiful bouncing baby boy about 6 weeks ago and I only got to meet him for the first time yesterday - so so so exciting! Here's me with him.He was so beautiful and he fell asleep on my chest not long after this pic was taken- something that was extra-special for me as my little girl rarely ever went to sleep while I was holding her.
I found it very difficult to let him go but I did...it was the right thing to do! Little boys need their mums apparently!

Anyway, back to the card-stuff - here is yet another of my favourite baby-card!

You can see the other one I made and the CAS link too HERE.

Thanks for coming to have a little look!

stamps: nursery necessities"
cardstock: naturals ivory, night of navy, baja breeze
ink: night of navy
hemp twine, striped ribbon, scallop punch, dimensionals, sponge dauber

Gabby's 30th Birthday Card

2010-12-12T18:53:00.005+11:00

My good friend's little sister, Gab, turned 30 the other day! 30!!!
She's been a good friend and I think she's just stunning and wonderful!
I wanted to give her a special little pressie to make her feel "special" so I gave her a beautiful black flower clip and some cocoa butter in a cute little leopard print bag AND this little card. I CAS'd the wonderful Tania Gould! If you haven't already, you should check out her blog here! ;)

You can find the tutorial to how I made the rose here.

I sprayed the rose with silver shimmer mist, several times. Actually, it was quite a few times, got a bit carried away! Love that stuff!

Thanks for popping by! Come again soon!

stamps: congrats, my favourite stamp set of all time, flourishes from kaiser
cardstock: basic black, melon mambo (agghh my last piece!), glossy white, whisper white
ink: basic black, versamark
clear embossing power, dimensionals, large flower punch, crystal effects, crimper, scallop punch

Make Someone Else Feel Happy Day/Week/Year

2010-12-10T00:50:00.004+11:00

I often wonder "What if we all got along?" I wonder what the world would be like if we could put aside our differences? If we were kind to everyone? Everyone. No matter what. No matter what colour their skin. No matter how much money they have? No matter if they're not "cool-enough" or "trendy-enough" or "important-enough"?

What if we all worked together? If there were no hunger? No sadness? No hatred? No cruelty?

These kids have got it together. All sorts of kids. They're all different. They all get along. They're all working together. They're happy. They're safe. They're SMILING! And they're ALL different!!!

I wish we could all work together - and not against each other?

The World is a small place and we're only here for a short time, so no matter where you think you're going afterwards, lets all do our part to make this world a better place!

What can you do today to do your part?
What can YOU do to make Someone Else Feel Happy today?

This card was made for the Just Add Ink Challenge #47.
stamps: all in the family, just believe
ink: black stazon, versamark
cardstock: confetti white, basic grey
brights & regal dsp patterns stack, clear embossing powder, stamp-a-ma-jig (thank God for stamp-a-ma-jigs!)

Shimmery-Rosey-Pretty Petal Pocket Handbag!

2010-12-09T14:14:00.008+11:00

I'm having so much fun using some of Lauren Meader's wonderful templates!

This little handbag is called "Pretty Petal Pocket" and you, too, can purchase her easy-to-follow template here for a great price of $5 only! Bargain I reckon! I'm making approx 1doz of these little cuties for my daughters upcoming birthday party (pics will be up soon!).

This one is made in Basic Black and the fabulous pink floral paper is from my local craft shop and its all shimmery and pearly and just so so yummy! I love it! This rose, is actually my very 1st one I attempted to make at my friend Rochelle's house. It is Melon Mambo with pink glimmer mist sprayed all over to give it a real "shimmer! Love it!!!!

The black ribbon is a non-SU grosgrain & I have used Stampin' Ups Sticky Strip to ensure the bag definitely stays together! LOVE Sticky Strip - and I've almost run out too!!!

Thanks for coming to have a little look! I love having you visit my blog!

Milk Made Card Set

2010-12-08T18:56:00.007+11:00

My eyes have been opened! Finally! To the world of "printing"! Me and my printer are finally on the same wavelength and we both haven't looked back since!
I've had a creative few days - it's really helped take my mind of a few stressful things - nothing like cranking up some music and disappearing for a while then resurfacing with something you've made! So here is my next bit of "creativeness" I would like to share with you: OMG I am SO in love with this printable template - "Milk Made" little carton & crateI was totally inspired by Lauren Meaders one - absolutely LOVE her style! You can see it here. As she did as well, I have joined 2 crates together here to make a square.
Inside the 2 cartons, I have printed off some little cards that have some "suggestions" on them. Also, I am going to include some postage stamps and some matching little gift cards (kinda got distracted making my next project so haven't made the tags yet, but I will!).
I want the gift-receiver to be able to pull out a card at any time and feel inspired to do something nice. For example I have typed up ones like:
- "Invite someone over for a coffee"
- "Send someone an I Miss You card"
- "Tell someone how special they are to you".

These little gift cards are the perfect size to send someone a little note or to attach to a gift or flowers.I have made 10 little gifts and have included envelopes in the crate as well.
I want it to be a "one-stop shop" for someone to send some love and thoughts to someone else! If only we all did this more often!
Thanks for coming to look! I hope to make 2 more of these for Charlotte's school teachers so if I do, I'll pop them on to!

stamps: just believe, hello again, friends 24-7
ink: early espresso, pear pizzazz, versamark
cardstock: early espresso, confetti white, pear pizzazz
pear pizzazz 1/2" stitched-poly ribbon, dimensionals, hemp twine, 1 3/4" oval large punch, non su butterfly die, basic pearls

A Present For Charlotte

2010-12-07T19:56:00.007+11:00

Hello! It's a dark, windy, rainy night here & I've been sitting here in my comfy armchair editing pics and watching Oprah's "Sound Of Music" special! All that is missing is some chocolate! I wanted to share with you something special I've recently made.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Inside this little number is a very special gift for my almost 5yr old daughter! (oh & can someone please tell me where my baby has gone?)

It's such a tiny little gift that I wanted to make the packaging a little extra special. I had bought these plain noodle boxes about 2yrs ago and haven't used 1 (until now!).
I covered it in the most delicious paper that I purchased from my local - it has a pearl-look to it - rather decadent I think!
What do you think the little present is? Who can guess right!?
(The present is approx. 3cm high)

Thanks for coming to look! Can't wait to see if anyone guesses right!

Just Add Ink - SWAP HOP!

2010-12-05T00:00:00.002+11:00

Us girlys at Just Add Ink recently had a Card Swap between us where we each made a card for every team member and then sent them to each other.
It was SO nice to receive a little something from each amazing Just Add Ink'er and I was so amazed at everyone's talent/s!
We wanted to share them all with you guys so below it my contribution. I just couldn't help but be inspired but this one.

cardstock: confetti white, baja breeze, pale plum, night of navy
ink: night of navy, whisper white
stamps: elements of style, perfect punches
spritzer, sponges, top note die, crimper, white organza ribbon, dimensionals

You can click on the Just Add Ink Swap Hop button below to visit the next fab team member, Delys Cram and then at Delys' you can "hop" to the next team members blog! How fab is that!

Thanks for being part of our special Swap Hop! Enjoy the rest of it!

Teacher's Thank You Set

2010-12-02T12:09:00.004+11:00

I've been doing a short course at my local "TAFE" and it's been such a good thing for me! I have learnt so much and made some lovely friends and as much as I've enjoyed the last 4 months, I'm ready to move on to bigger and better things next year!

The "teacher", Georgie, has been so wonderful. She has a real casual approach to teaching which made us all feel right at home with her. I wanted to give her a little "thank you" for making my transition into the "real" world such a smooth and exciting one! This is what I made for her:

I had no idea what colours she likes, and I started making about half a dozen of these in various colours, but in the end, settled for these. I absolutely love Andrea Walford's creations and CASE'd this one here. I love Pear Pizzazz! So so pretty!

This is a little Tucked-Away box and it's filled with yummy Lindt balls! Mmmm!!!!! You can see how I made ths rose here.Thanks for coming by for a look! Leave a comment so I can come visit you too!

stamps: good friend, yummy
cardstock: gloss white, In Colour DSP Patterns Stack, Baja Breeze
ink: black stazon, versamark, peac parfait
clear embossing power, clear rhinestone brads, peach parfait 1/2" stitched-poly ribbon, tangerine tango felt flower, baja breeze felt flower, black stick-on thingy (!), dimensionals, fancy flower extra-large punch, neutrals designer button, crystal effects, silver glimmer mist

Blooming With Happiness Sweetie-Pie!

2010-11-28T19:30:00.004+11:00

My daughter, Charlotte, was invited to yet another Birthday Party for a little girl from school (also named Charlotte!). So last night I 'whipped' up this little number.
I'm happy with how it turned out. I had to stop 'tizzing' and worried I went a bit too far when I found myself standing outside in the dark spraying the background of this card with Smooth Spritz!
I stamped the little heart from Simply Said in silver along the bottom of the inside piece of Whipser White.stamps: blooming with happiness, en francais, happy moments, always
cardstock: pretty in pink, some silvery textured cardstock I had in my supplies, whisper white
ink: silver, basic black, versamark
dazzling diamonds, basic rhinestones, spiral border punch, wooden #5 from my supplies

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The next few photos are of Charlotte just before we left for the party.I attempted to curl her hair for the 1st time today using my hair straightener. She looked so darn pretty and grown up and yes, I had one of those mother-moments where I wondered where on Earth my little baby has gone!And here is the little princess having a little tantrum cos it was too sunny for her little eyes!

She's a little beauty tho - love her to bits!
Thanks for popping by for a little lookey!

Just Add Ink #45 - Sketch Challenge

2010-11-26T00:01:00.003+11:00

I was so happy to see this layout challenge at Just Add Ink this week - I knew exactly what I wanted to do (after I thought about it for a day or two that is!)
Felt like a bit of "freshness" and "aliveness" this week - is aliveness even a word? If it's not, it is now! Love these colours together - makes me feel happy and perky!

Thanks for popping over to have a look - would love to read a comment from you to know you visited! I really appreciate them!

stamps: bloomin' with beauty, three little words
ink: cherry cobbler, rose red, pear pizzazz, pink pirourette, basic black, versamark
cardstock: confetti white, basic black, pear pizzazz
clear embossing powder (stamp-a-ma-jig), hemp twine, dimensionals, dazzling diamonds, crystal effects, sponge dauber

Charlotte having the time of her life!

2010-11-23T12:03:00.003+11:00

The other day I gave Charlotte some old stamps and some little ink pads....she thought Christmas had come!

Hmm...what to stamp first!

A Frog!

Inking it up....

Stamping it...

Hoping it worked....

Yep it did!!!!
(Not that you can see it here cos she chose a very pale colour!)

Dog has Kittens for Lunch

2010-11-21T07:45:00.001+11:00

OMG this is so beautiful! Check out the goat and horse!!! LOL

Alice's 2nd Engagement Card

2010-11-14T09:04:00.004+11:00

I went to an Engagement party last night for my BF's lil sister. I had already sent her a card last month - you can also see that one here, but I needed another card last night to give my gift of $ in.
Kept it simple, with the fabulous Baroque Motifs...shadowed it with Going Grey. Pulled out a Hodgepodge and walah!!!! The sentiment is from Cute Converse and inside I put another from Words Of Wisdom.
The ribbon is just some black organza that I had in my ribbon box.
Thanks for coming to look - feel free to leave me a little comment so I know you visited. I'll come visit you next!

Taylah's 10th Birthday Card

2010-11-13T13:46:00.004+11:00

I made this little number for my niece, Taylah's 10th Birthday. The little owls look so cute, don't they!
So wish I had my numbers stamp set - lost that ages ago - grrr...so I had to hand-write the "10" in after this photograph was taken.

stamps: heard from the heart, on your birthday
ink: rich razzleberry, perfect plum
cardstock: confetti cream, rich razzleberry, perfect plum
paper: rich razzleberry & perfect plum dsp patterns stack
punches: two-step bird punch, two-step owl punch, scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch
white gel pen

Just Add Ink - Christmas

2010-11-12T00:01:00.000+11:00

OK - honestly, Christmas cards just don't do it for me this year. And I'm totally ashamed to admit that I have even entertained the thought of buying cards this year! Shock, horror! I know, I know, go wash my mouth out!

But never fear - Bronwyn was here! Literally!

Sunday night just gone, the ever-encouraging and inspiring Bronwyn Eastley, from the amazing "addinktive designs" came over to my house for our first ever "craft/chat" night! I had such a lovely time....and was so super blessed by Bronwyn in more ways than one, but the yummiest one was she brought takeaway Thai - mmmmmm YUM YUM!

Anyways...as the thought of making Christmas cards this year wasn't all that thrilling to me, Bronwyn helped by popping some awesome ideas into my head - thanks SO MUCH Bronwyn! This card is one of her generous ideas and I took it and I RAN! hehehehe

Using the cute little button die (Buttons #5), I punched out a heap using the Brights Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack and covered some with Crystal Effects and sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds on them (and let dry) and also tied Linen Thread in some! So cute! And they are all popped up on Dimensionals.

I free-hand cut the pot and tied some more Linen Thread about it and hung the "Merry" tag from Tiny Tags. Such a bright, fun "different" Christmas card I reckon! Love it!

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stamps: tiny tags
ink: melon mambo
paper: confetti white, brights designer series paper patterns stack
buttons #5 die, crystal effects, dazzling diamonds, dimensionals, linen twine

Sneaky-peaky time!

2010-11-10T20:32:00.001+11:00

Oooo....wonder what it could be?
*wink wink*

Look at our new family members!

2010-11-09T20:10:00.000+11:00

My Craft Areas as of TODAY!

2010-11-05T13:22:00.004+11:00

OK.....why I felt the need to show you the room in my house that I'm currently most ashamed of...I'll never know! But here it is! The Craft Room!

As you can see, I look after my 12x12's really well. I LOVE 12x12's so I don't know why I treat them like this *blushes*.

These two boxes (can you see them amongst all the crap on my desk!) hold 2 different things:
1. The top one holds my FlowerSoft items - things I wish I used more, but unfortunately don't.
2. The bottom box holds much MUCH used Cuttlebug (ssshhh) things....dies, embossing folders etc. I use it all the time, so why is it on the bottom UNDERNEATH my lamp (which I have to move every time I need to use something in the box)???

On top of this little cupboard I decided to put a few of the things I use the most, but then it changed to displaying the things that look the nicest, like the Felt Flower tins and the button/brads etc etc....but now its just a mess!!!! Everytime I get one of my new sets the whole lot come crashing down!!!

'The Stamp Cupboard" - good luck in finding the set you actually want! It usually takes me about 10mins to find something and generally I come across a set I didn't even know I had amongst them!

This little tray, holds alot. Alot of things I use everytime I craft, and alot of things I don't think I've ever used! But if I can't find anything in my craft room, it's usually tucked in here SOMEWHERE!!!

Another brilliant idea (not) of storing things I use regularly....its now more a place to shove things that don't have a "spot" yet!

Ages ago, I covered a chocolate box that I gave to my parents (I got the box back empty! hmph!!) and this is where I store all those extra little bits and pieces. It's usually a one way trip - it goes in but rarely comes back out - must remedy that!
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my VERY messy room - I do go in and tidy up and it looks really nice when it's all neat and tidy, but it doesn't take me long to get it back like this when I'm crafting! But I say, a neat craft room isn't near as creative as a messy one!
(That's what I tell myself and I'm sticking to it!)

1950's Vintage

2010-11-05T09:28:00.003+11:00

I chose to try something a bit different for my Vintage theme that I've been attempting lately!

I don't know why, but this card sort of reminds me of a ladies 1950's dress (there must be a little memory of one tucked away in the back of my head!)

Love to know what YOU think?

stamps: thoughts and prayers, heard from the heart
cardstock: ridinghood red, night of navy, confetti cream
ink: ridinghood red, night of navy
1 1/4" striped grosgrain in night of navy, linen thread, stamp-a-ma-jig

Another Crack At Vintage!

2010-11-04T19:45:00.007+11:00

Another crack at Vintage! Now I do have to say, this card looks alot better in real life (I think anyway!)....it looks a little washed out here. (The colour of the rose below is a little more accurate).

You can find my tutorial on how I made this rose here!

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stamps: en francais, tiny tags, vintage vogue
cardstock: confetti cream, early espresso
ink: sahara sand, early espresso, crumb cake
chocolate chip marker, colour spritzer, sponge daubers, tiny tags punch, twine, bird punch (leaves), spiral border punch

Fresh & Inspired By Nature

2010-11-03T16:44:00.007+11:00

I just fell in love with this card when I first saw it and I've only just finally got around to trying it out! I love this Inspired By Nature stamp....it always exudes (?) peacefulness and tranquility - well at least it does to me!

stamps: inspired by nature, heard from the heart
ink: certainly celery, old olive, versamark
cardstock: confetti white
beautiful wings die, clear embossing powder, basic rhinestones, sponge daubers

Catty CASE Pg. 65

2010-11-02T12:44:00.003+11:00

CASE'd fair and square from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue.
Page 65!
I changed the ribbon and swapped for Twine.

Would this pass for "Vintage"?

2010-11-01T15:54:00.005+11:00

Here's another attempt of mine at "Vintage"....Vintage has so many different styles, so hard to know if it fits or not? What do you think?
This card absolutely did my head in trying to photograph it. My camera and I are at logger-heads lately. Focus focus focus!
I'd really love to know what you think....Vintage or not?

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cardstock: pink pirouette, confetti white, crumb cake, early espresso, neutrals DSP
ink: sahara sand, early espresso, versamark
stamps: en francais, vintage vogue, Papertrey
white taffeta ribbon, 2-step owl extra large punch, bird punch, pearls, clear embossing powder

Some RAK just for me!

2010-10-31T19:45:00.004+11:00

So, I've been REALLY slack with sharing my RAK (Random Acts of Kindness)! I received these cards a little while ago but I'm so happy to share them with you now.
Such lovely friends I have made through the wonderful world of stamping - I have been so darn blessed!

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First, I'd like to share with you the card that Bronwyn Eastley made for my Birthday. Now I feel so so SO guilty as her Birthday was before mine, and yet she still doesnt have a card from me. *blushes*...Bronwyn, you have one hell of a card coming your way soon, I PROMISE!!!
Bronwyn has used some really funky suede paper for this card. Nothing like a bit of "touch & feel" I say!
Superb rose too, Bronwyn...I wonder if you know of a good 'rolled rose tutorial'!!! hehehe - cheeky!

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Second, this is Gardenia Pepworth's card she made for my Birthday. I wonder if SHE knows a good rolled rose tutorial as well?! Gardenia's colouring really really really makes me want to get into the world of Copics, but I've resisted so far! This image is absolutely AMAZING up close and personal - great job Gardenia! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thirdly, (is that a word?) this stunning little number was given to me by Patrice Easton. I just love Stampin' Ups (retired) Bella Rose DSP! It's so flowery and pretty! And Patrice's bow is just PERFECT! Thank you Patrice - I've had it on my TV Unit since the day I received it. I love it so much I don't want to put it away in craft room! (that must say I watch more TV than do crafts!...hmm).

Thank you, my special friends, I absolutely adore receiving special cards and things in the mail, you can guarantee you made my day/s when I received these ones!

THANK YOU.

Elements of Style Butterfly

2010-10-31T17:52:00.006+11:00

I have had such a lovely day today - the first day in a long time where I have had the time and the motivation to stay in my craft-room and C R E A T E ! And it was so so so lovely!

First cab off the rank was this one, a shameless CASE from the amazing Teneale Williams. Oh how I love her style!

I changed a few things around to make it more of a "quick card" for mass-producing cos I may be in the need for some of those types of cards very soon!

So exciting: I reached 50 followers today on my blog! I'm so excited!

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stamps: elements of style, Papertrey
ink: basic black, versa mark, cherry cobbler, old olive
cardstock: crumb cake, confetti cream, basic black
clear embossing powder, dimensionals, 1 3/4" oval punch, beautiful butterflies bigz die, twill

Just Add Ink #41 - Birthday

2010-10-29T00:01:00.001+11:00

This week at Just Add Ink, the challenge is to Just Add....Birthday and I just couldn't resist this gorgeous retired set, Blooming With Happiness....I love it so much!
I have stamped the cake image on a piece of acetate with black Stazon, and then added a little bit of Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds. I cut out the circle and attached the acetate to the back of the front cover of the card. I like the effect of the little window!

cardstock: baja breeze, pear pizzazz, whipser white,
ink: white stazon, black stazon, basic black, versamark
stamps: blooming with happiness, a little birthday cheer, always

accessories: top note die, white organza ribbon, clear embossing powder, white gel pen, acetate, hemp twine

Best Blog Friends Forever Award

2010-10-28T15:34:00.004+11:00

After a busy little day today, I came home to find:
- a CREDIT invoice from Telstra (not something you see everyday!)
- a letter from the Department Of Education with my Safety Screening Assessment (been waiting for it to arrive)
AND
- the new Summer Mini Catalogue and Impressions! All good news! No bills!

THEN...I jump on the comp for a while to find that Claire Dauncey has awarded me with this special award! Go have a look through her awesome blog, Coffee At Claires, here.

Loving today!!!

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I would like to pass this Award onto the following 8 lovely ladies:

Patrice Easton

- Mae Collins

Rochelle Wright

- Gardenia Pepworth
Bronwyn Eastley
- Amanda Aitken

Jodene Tripp

- Christine Blain

Make sure you pop over and check out their blogs. ALL are nothing short of amazing and inspirational! You can find their links on the left-hand side of my blog! (I had some computer gremlin stopping me from linking their names tonight. Sorry).

Aislin's 4th Birthday Card

2010-10-27T19:13:00.004+11:00

It's my friend Naomi's daughter's birthday again and this is the card I made with her in mind - cos she is as "cute as a bug"!
Here is the card I made last year for Aislin...and it was one of my very first entries on my blog!

This is the 1st time I've inked my Kimono Kids set and I was reminded of some really lovely paper I had (somewhere!) that would go so well with this little girl....well I found it and here it is!!!!

Felicity's Baby Boy Card

2010-10-21T18:40:00.002+11:00

A friend of a friend had a little baby boy the other day (Bailey), so I'm going to pop this card off to her in Adelaide. I CASE'd from here.

cardstock: basic grey, certainly celery, confetti white
ink: marina mist, versamark
stamps: nursery neccesities
certainly celery grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch

Jenn's Card & Gift

2010-10-18T21:26:00.006+11:00

I have made this card for a special friend Jenn, who is very unwell at the moment and I wanted something to brighten her day - so BRIGHT I made! You may have seen this design before? I CASE'd myself here! I have made my own little tutorial on how this flower was made - there are plenty of variations, but you can see what I whipped up here. And....the little goody bag! You can find the tutorial I used here. This one is filled with choccies - I really hope she likes them!Any questions, please drop me a line!

cardstock: melon mambo, peach parfait, confetti white,
stamps: en francais, friends 24-7,

Operation Christmas Child 2010

2010-10-17T20:45:00.004+11:00

We are all aware that Christmas is coming early, and the shops are already stocking their shelves full of decorations, food, cards and presents. But I'd really love to encourage everyone to give to someone else as well this year. There are plenty of organisations out there with lots of different ways to help others.

This week, I am going to start a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child.

It's not hard.

I love being creative - so it's an awesome way to send some love to a little person out there who wouldn't receive much or anything this Christmas.

All you have to do is:
1. Decorate a shoe-box sized box.

2. Stick a label on it saying "Boy" or "Girl".

3. Fill it with little pressies, toys, clothes, books, food, crafts, etc.

4. Pop in your $9 donation which covers costs getting it to a child.

5. And then drop off at your nearest drop-off point! That's it!

You can find all the details at their easy-to-read site

here. Please visit.

Once I find a box, I'll take pics and share here on my blog, to encourage and remind you to do the same! Thanks for taking the time to read! Would love to see your box/es too!

Just Add Ink #39 - Beyond Blue

2010-10-15T00:03:00.003+11:00

We have another great challenge at Just Add Ink this week....Just Add Blue. Beyond Blue is a National Depression Initiative and October is Beyond Blues Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month.

We have been encouraged to make a card or something to give to a friend, a stranger, or just someone we don't know very well to say hi, that we're thinking of them, that we care or just to make someone smile! How awesome is that!!! I'm sending my card to a friend who unfortunately has terminal cancer and I have been very slow in getting a little package in the mail to her. I hope it brightens her day just a little!You can see my tutorial on how I made this rose, using the Fancy Flower Large punch.... here. Check it out and let me know what you think!

stamps: friends 24-7, en francais, occasional quotes
ink: marina mist, night of navy, crumb cake, whisper white
cardstock: confetti cream, night of navy, marina mist
1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon in night of navy, basic pearls, sponge daubers, hemp twine, Top Note die, Lots of Tags die, fancy flower large punch

Paper Rose Tutorial

2010-10-15T00:02:00.005+11:00

Hi! Welcome to my tutorial on how to make the paper rose that is on my Just Add Ink #39 Challenge Card. Please forgive the differences in colour and brightness.

You will need:
- Fancy Flower Large Punch
- Skewer or Paper Piercer
- Scissors
- Glue, Sticky Strip, or Crystal Effects (your personal choice)
- Sponges/Sponge Daubers
- Ink

Please note...I did not invent this rose. I have merely just taken my own step-by-step photos for those who haven't yet seen how to make this amazing flower.

"WARNING: Following are LOTS of photos!
Photos tell a thousand words!"

1. Punch out 3 Large Fancy Flowers. (here I used Melon Mambo).

2. With all 3 flowers, bend the edges of each petal using your bone folder. (As if you are curling ribbon). Don't worry if your paper gets creases or starts to split.

3. On the 1st flower, cut a slit into the middle between two petals (this photo does not show this step - sorry!)
On the 2nd flower, cut into the middle and cut out one petal.
One the 3rd flower, cut into the middle and cut out two petals (but keeping them whole).

You should now have 5 pieces.

3. I like to add some shading to the edges of my petals by rubbing an inked sponge dauber over the petal edges. Here I used Riding Hood Red.

4. Instead of using glue, I like to use small strips of Sticky Strip. I get them ready by hanging onto my Stamp-a-ma-jig. You can use glue, or Crystal Effects, but I find its less messier if I use Sticky Strip.

5. With your one single petal, roll it up (I use a skewer to help me, but you could use your paper piercer). The pointy end of the petal is going to get cut off very soon.

6. Probably the most trickiest is the 2-petal piece. Bend/roll together. Try to make it like a cylinder.

7. Take your 3-petal flower and with the petals facing downward, bend so one petal overlaps the other one. This is a bit tricky at first but perservere. I find it easier to "roll" it to each other rather than folding.

8. Take the 4-petal flower and join together, remembing to keep the petals facing downward.

9. Take your whole flower (the one with just a slit into it), with the petals pointing downwards, bend one petal slightly on top of the one next to it so it sits on top - adhere with Sticky Strip.

Don't worry if it's not looking perfect. Flowers are never perfect and it will all come together once the flower is assembled!You should have all your pieces looking like above.

The next step is to cut off the points so it can sit more flat and deeper into the centre of each layer.

10. Here I used Crystal Effects to glue each layer together.

And the finished product!!!!

Every flower I make is totally different to the last one I made! I like that about them. They are handmade and each one is individual.

VARIATIONS:
1. Sponge CONTRASTING colours onto the edge of the petals eg. purple on pink, orange on yellow etc.
2. I like to spray my flowers (before or after assembling) with a Shimmer or Glimmer Mist/Spray.
3. Curl petals more or less for a different look.
4. Crumple up you card stock or run through Crimper serveral times to get a softer flower.
5. Stamp onto your punched out flowers BEFORE assembling, I have used Baroque Motifs flourish on mine and I love that look.

I hope it all makes sense to you and I would love to see any roses you make in the future! Thanks for hanging in there - it is a rather long photo-tutorial!

Sneak Peak!

2010-10-14T08:28:00.002+11:00

Ooooo!!!!!!

Our Hobart Weekend

2010-10-11T21:54:00.006+11:00

Charlotte and I headed off down to Hobart this w'end (2hrs approx). We got halfway there when we saw these awesome "hedges/bushes" that have been shaped into animals. As a child, it was the highlight of any trip to Hobart. Charlotte was on the lookout for the rest of the trip but unfortunately they're more or less in one area. We stayed with my friend, Kobi and her husband Mariusz and their "boy" Tomasz. Kobi is over 8months pregnant so it was a real treat to be able to spend some quality time with her before her life gets even more busier. Here's the children in the bath on the 1st night. (Charlotte was over-the-moon to be able to have bubbles - we have terrible water pressure in our bath so she never gets bubbles anymore.Then on the way home, I pulled over the side of the road to use my mobile and Charlotte suddenly screamed out at me from the backseat, "Look mum, deers!!!"...and there were about a dozen of them. Wild ones. It was only a matter of a few hundred metres from a Highway. Its not a sight we get to see everyday here in Tasmania. I threw down my mobile, grabbed my camera, swapped my lenses and zoomed in and got a few pics before they ran off. I think a crazy woman with a big lense hanging out of the car and a screaming-with-excitement 4yr old was all too much for them! But I was so happy to have spotted them for a few minutes anyway. And look at that white one!!!So, we drove to Hobart to spend time with my bestest friend and didn't even take a pic of her!!! (Not that I would've been allowed anyway). She looks so damn amazing pregnant but I know she's looking forward to their new son's birth in the next few weeks.

I'll never forget this weekend.