Wednesday 30 September 2009

Butterfly ATC #1


Butterfly ATC #1
Originally uploaded by turleyfamily(Dawn)

This week Hero Arts have gone small..... ATC's. What are they you ask? ATC stands for Artist Trading Card. These little beauties measure 2.5″ x 3.5″ or 6cm x 9 cm. The purpose of ATC’s are to trade with other artists. They are really great to collect and display. Hopefully I will be able to join the HA ATC trading ... if I am in time.  I haven't made many ATC's before but as I adore butterflies,  of course my ATC's will be based around different butterflies.

In this one, I used yellow cardstock that I distressed with Walnut Stain and used HA Old French writing in the Walnut Stain Ink. I then used a Stamp-it butterfly again stamped in the walnut stain ink. I then stamped a second large butterfly and cut and layered on the original stamp. Some tiny pearls finished the ATC. Unfortunately my photo is not the clearest. Not sure what the problem is as everything seemed okay on the camera. Maybe too late at night ( 10.13pm) so I'm a bit tired.
Tonight I also managed to make some alcohol inked backgrounds. I am going to send them to a lady I meet in Cairns who also makes cards but had not heard of Alcohol inks. I did some purples and some greens and some orangey ones. I also did a lovely distress one with Spiced Marmalade, Walnut Stain and Shabby Shutters which I then spritzed with water, Really pleased with the outcome of that one.
Well thanks for stopping by.

Monday 28 September 2009

Australia Sept 2009

We are back from our holiday to Australia - an amazing 10 days.  We arrived Friday 18th late morning and headed off to our motel  where we stayed till Monday night. Tues we headed off to Ellis Beach Bungalows till Saturday.

The first weekend was about the Old Crocs rugby tournament,  We had a contingent of 6 players - Warren, Bundy (my DH Peter), Roger, Clemo (Steve), Mike, and Fish (Mark) who gather a few hangers on to make up a team.  The main supporters - myself, Sheryl and Pru watched the first game, did some vital retail therapy and got back to watch the third and last game... Note we all wore our green beads - plus we had black pom-pom shakers as well.  The boys didn't do too bad.  Won one game, drew one game and lost one game.  Not bad for a pack of oldies playing in a heat of 34 degrees. 

Sunday was spend recovering.  There was a brunch held at the local yacht club where Fish won the prize for the best back... ( think it was because he was the youngest of our guys so the fitest)
Pru and Roger headed off early that day to travel by campervan for a few days before heading back to NZ via Vanuatu.   Sheryl and Warren had already had 4 weeks over in Aussie so they headed off home on Monday.

For Peter and I, Monday was an amazing day.  We headed off on a cruise and snorkelling trip to The Great Barrier Reef,  We went on the Reef  Magic cruise.  Pop over to their site and see the amazing video clip... it really is that good.  I had been worried as I am inclined to get a bit seasick but some Kwells tablets cured that.  I also was a bit concerned as I haven't done much snorkelling but it was so warm and the views amazing, I just did it.  We did the outer reef safari - with a marine biologist telling us about all the fish and corals etc.  To Peter's dismay we did not see a shark. I was disappointed as we didn't see any turtles either, but saw some amazing coloured fish including the Nemo fish - the Clown fish.  They are so colourful.

The next few days were spent at Ellis Beach just laying on the beach sunbathing, reading, going for a swim when we got a bit hot.  We found a lovely secluded bay about 3 mins drive away, that had the most amazing trees so you could have sun or shade. It was just so nice to do nothing all day.  Very tiring though!!!! Must have been all that fresh air and sun.
Visibility got a bit hazy on Wednesday and Thursday as a huge dust storm hit the east coast of Australia.  Cairns did not get it as bad as Sydney or Brisbane which were covered in red dust.   Saturday we travelled north up into the Daintree Rainforest to Cape Tribulation.  Stopped there to paddle our feet.  The water was so warm I would have loved to have a swim but the area is full of aquine  crocodiles and it is not safe to swim.
So that was our holiday.  A fabulous, much needed, relaxing time after a bit of a disastrous year.  
Thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday 23 September 2009

Quick post from Cairns.

Hi all.... no pics today as I forgot to bring the connection from the camerao to a computer - plus am at an internet cafe.  Well what can I say... Cairns and Ellis Beach are the best... the weekend went well with the rugby tournament.  The boys won one, drew one and lost one game.  The girls hit the shops with vengence.  We shopped Friday afternoon and again during the day on Saturday ( between first and third game!!!)   Saturday night's dinner was lovely at the Casino but everyone too tired to do much so home reasonably early.  Sunday up in time for brunch ( did go for a walk though!!!!)
Monday Peter and I went out to the Great Barrier Reef for a snorkelling experience... AWESOME is all I can say.  Will do some better posts once I'm home with some shots.  Best thing I've ever done.  Just amazing fishlife...  Yesterday came up to Ellis Beach,  Just the best.  Lots of sunbathing today.
Must fly as the money is running out....
Thanks for visiting.

Wednesday 16 September 2009

Birthday cards for Twins

My daughter asked me to make a couple of cards for her future mother-in-law and her twin sister. These lovely ladies are in their early sixties. I decided to do two similar cards but in different colours. Lucy had printed out some text paper and changed the colours to match her card stock. She kindly emailed me the word document and I did the same for these cards... one in pale purple and one in pale blue. I used Distress inks to edge the cards and to give a bit of colour to the paper. I stamped the images off onto scrap and then did a 2nd generation stamping onto the paper. The flowers are a HA's set that I embossed in white onto coloured card and patterned papers. I clear embossed the leaves onto green card and cut out. Each flower has the appropriate coloured eyelet in the centre. The sentiment is from Stamp-it. I hope Emz likes the cards and that Rai and Heather do as well.

This will probably be the last post for a week or so as tomorrow night I will be busy getting the last minute packing done. It will be an early night as the shuttle is picking us up just after 4.00am in the morning to get to the airport ( we live about 45-50 mins drive away) for 6.50am flight to Cairns. I have got half my packing done. It is hard to decide what to take and what not to take.... You never know when you might need that t-shirt or those shorts.... plus I better take something for a nice night out....
Well thanks for stopping by. Have a great rest of the week.

Tuesday 15 September 2009

CCC # 1

As I mentioned yesterday I am participating in Deborah's card chain challenge .  As I have to get this done before I go on holiday ( so I can post it either beforehand or on the day after I get back) I finished this off over the past couple of nights.
As yet I'm not sure who will receive this card.... once Deborah has all the entries she will email us with the information.  I followed her sketch faithfully.... as I liked the idea of the top and bottom squares covering the base.  And of course I just had to do a butterfly.  I was inspired by Kathy's butterfly here to put the dots on my butterfly.  I used my new aqua crayons to colour this. Originally I just stamped it on  pink cardstock, but then decided to colour it.
The sentiment is from an set by American Craft.  I really like the idea of Just Because.... I like giving people cards so it is a nice sentiment to put on them.
Anyway that's it for now.... off to make cards for my daughter for her future mother-in-law and her twin sister.  Still thinking about what to do.....

Monday 14 September 2009

Birthday wishes for my little brother....

Today my little brother turns 51... This is the card I made and sent to him.  He is 15 months younger than me and is living with my parents.... doesn't that sound funny.... actually he and his wife, 2 of their daughters and their grand-daughter share a house with my parents....all on the Gold Coast in Australia.
I enjoyed making this card as I really love using the Three Ferns stamp with Tim Holtz distress inks.  I used 3 colours - aged Mahogany, Shabby shutters and Walnut stain to cover a cream coloured card.  The ferns were stamped in the Aged Mahogany.  I stamped the birthday sentiment with a Stampin Up! set ( when I was at Lei's place - borrowing Helen's stamp and punch)  I edged it with the aged Mahogany as well.

Today I had a call and an email from my daughter as one of my Twitter posts made it onto the top 10 on one of the local radio stations.  The Edge is a radio station geared to the younger set and several of my daughter's friends heard it and texted her to see if was me.... I think she was a little embarrassed that her Mum made it on the list... Mind you it wasn't a very exciting Tweet...

Tonight I have a commission to make a birthday card.  So off to do that and make a card for Deborah's card chain. I have chosen to make a card following the sketch.  I have to get it already to go before we leave on holiday on Friday morning.

Thanks for stopping by and as always I appreciate any and all comments left.  Take care

Sunday 13 September 2009

Friday night creativity

As I knew we were heading away for the weekend to Hamilton, I managed to get a couple of cards done on Friday night.  This one I started on Thursday night by stamping the background - used Memento Ink ( Bamboo Leaves).  Friday I coloured the background and the main flowers with my watercolour pencils and put the card together.  I was following instructions from the Spotted Canary news letter.  I changed my sentiment to this one from American Crafts.  I found it at The Stationery Warehouse when I went looking for plain white cardstock.... got sidetracked!!...  I am really pleased how it turned out...but it is easy when you have instructions!!!! even when I made a few changes.

This second card I made rather quickly.  I need a card to say farewell to my boss.... he has got another job so this is to say congratulations and farewell.  I used a design I saw a couple of weeks ago on Hero Arts.  I masked the top of the card and then stamped the Scattered Leave Border , used the gel pen to make a line and some faux stitching.  For the bottom half I used some digital paper I found at Digi Free's web site.   Not too bad for a quick card.

Thursday 10 September 2009

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is my Dad's birthday.... Happy Birthday Dad!!!!
This is the card I made and sent to him.  I liked the nice bright colours as they remind me of him, bright and cheery.  My Mum and Dad live on the Gold Coast in Australia, a long way from me and it's times like this I miss them both.  I managed to ring during my lunch break and speak with Dad (and Mum) but it has been a year since I have seen them.  I'm counting down the weeks till 23rd December when they arrive to visit for Christmas.  It has been some time since I have had a christmas with them.  I also get to celebrate their wedding anniversary ( end of Dec) and Mum's birthday ( 4 January) before they head back.   So lots of good times coming.

Not much crafting done this week... lots of exercise though.  I did a big walk yesterday and today went to a body balance class.... boy am I unsupple!!!! It was a mixture of yoga and pilaties. I know I'm going to feel it tomorrow. 

Well in just over a week ( Friday 18th) I head off to Australia for 9 days.  We are going to Cairns, way up north Queensland.  My DH and a few of his mates are going to play in a Masters rugby tournament  hosted by the Cairns Old Crocs.  He went last year but I visited the parents and then meet up with him later.  This year I am going to the tournie as well.  2 other wives will be there so us girls will do some retail therapy while the guys play their rugby.  It is only the Saturday with a big brunch on the Sunday.  Monday we hope to do a trip to the Barrier Reef ( as long as it's not too windy or rough as I get VERY seasick!!!) then off to Ellis Beach ( 1/2 way between Cairns and Port Douglas) for some sun, sand and sea.  Can't wait for the warm weather.
thanks for visiting. 

Monday 7 September 2009

Caarvarks sketch challenge - sketch #3

As I wanted to give the person who asked me to make a fishing card, some options, I also made this one.  I used the Caardvarks challenge sketch #3.
Again, I found the image on the internet and printed it on the white linen cardstock.  This one I coloured very lightly with pencils.  For the strip down the card, I used a piece of the Basic Grey PP with a bit of black ribbon attached.  The image was matted onto the PP and then pop dotted for dimension.  The sentiment is from Peelcraft.   This is a very basic and simple card, but I am pleased with the outcome.
Thanks for stopping by.

Caarvarks sketch challenge - sketch #2

The current challenge at Caardvarks is to use one of the three sketches done by the talented Heidi Van Laar.  I chose Sketch #2 for my first card.  I had been asked to make a card for a male birthday and the gentleman in question likes fishing.  I made two cards as I'll give the person some options.  The image for this one was found on the internet and printed onto white linen card stock and lightly coloured with chalks.  The patterned paper is Basic Grey and the scalloped edge done with a Fiskars punch.  I layered the scallop under the PP.  The image was also layered onto the PP and I used dimensionals to pop it up a bit.  The sentiment is a Peelcraft one that I coloured black with a permanent marker. 
Thanks for stopping by. 

Sunday 6 September 2009

Saturday stamping.

Yesterday was stamping group at Stamp'n'create.  I did quite a few cards.  I re-did the tie card and the gramophone card I made last week as I like them so much.  I also did a beautiful bird card inspired by one I saw in Australian Cardmaking, Stamping and Papercraft magazine.  I pretty much followed the instructions but used slightly more muted colours then the original.  I also had to adapt my branch as I did not have the right stamp.  I changed the flowers as well, cutting out small stamped flowers.  I was really pleased with the results of this one.  I also managed to do a couple of baby cards - very simple ones using patterned papers and some old stamps ( ultra cheep and nasty but did the trick)  We did a make and take as well, which was the Christmas card with the vellum overlay. I cut out the middle of the overlay and stamped my image in the middle.  I also made a box from a set I bought after Jill's demo.  So you can see it was a very productive day.

Hubby has now done his dash with trips down south... he left at 4.00am Friday morning to go to Levin for the last time and clear up the last of his mother's things.  Her flat has now sold and change of ownership is next weekend.  He has now cleaned everything up, got rid of most of the furniture to St Vincent De Pauls for charity, and bought some stuff home.  He took the trailer down with him.  Got back late last night.... tired but glad it is now all over. 

Thanks for stopping by. Hope everyone has a great week.

Thursday 3 September 2009

Man week challenge

This weeks challenge at Hero Arts blog is to make a male card or have a male make a card.... well that's not a happenin' thing here.  Hubby is " crafty challenged" .  Give him a garden tool and he is in his element.... but crafty stuff- no way!.  So it's up to me....
As it is Father's day this Sunday I have made a few of this card to sell at work.  The tie stamp is by Rubbadubbadoo and I used the HA Ancient Brocade to make the pattern on the middle tie.  Layer on long rectangles cut with my nestabilities.  The sentiment is from Stamp-it.  As I used one HA stamp it can be entered for the challenge.
I also got asked this week to design a card for my friend Kathy.  Her husband is 65 next week and she wanted something musical for him.  This is what I can up with.  I found the picture of the old gramophone on the internet ( Isn't Google just great).  I printed it on plain paper and over-stamped HA Old French writing, before distressing the paper and edges in Old Paper and Aged Mahogany distress inks.  Matted onto a mid-brown card stock  ( cut with my nesties) Used peelcraft corners.  I stamped the Inkadinkadoo Flourish on one side of cream card stock,  The music paper was also a download I found on the 'net which also got the distress treatment.  The whole lot was then mounted onto Chocolate chip cardstock.  I stamped the Happy Birthday ( from HA Petite Messages set) along the bottom..  All in all I was pleased with the card and so was Kathy.  
Thanks for coming by and hope the rest of your week is great.