Friday 29 April 2016

An Inspirational card with Gina K Designs


I'm here to share my card over at Die Cut Divas.  I'ts an inspirational card using Gina K Design stamps



The stamped oval, sentiment and butterfly are all from the Warm Spring Wishes set.  I hand cut the circle and added it over a die cut Spellbinders Fancy Frame.  The butterfly was coloured and then fussy cut.  I finished by die cutting a stitched rectangle from some PP.  Finished with some pearls.

The sentiment is inspiring so this card went to a friend who has been through some hard times and is now coming out the other side.  Just to remind her that she is strong.

Thanks for stopping by. 

Thursday 28 April 2016

Art Impressions "Girlfriends"

I recently got two different Art Impressions "Girlfriend" stamps and have a couple of friends turning 60 and 61 in the near future.  So I got stamping and colouring.

My first one I stamped and coloured with Copics.  I used sentiments from StampNation's Young at Heart collection.  This was for Alice who turned 60 on the 26th.  I'm entering this into the Anything Goes Challenge at Simon Says Stamp

Next one is a little tag I made with some watercolour paper to try out a colouring technique I saw on You Tube (here)  The idea is to leave some white areas near the top of the head and around the shoulders etc.


Need a bit more practice with the watercolour pens.

Next I tried the same stamp and technique with Copic markers

I messed up the colouring on the first girl, so added a heavy layer of Kindyglitz and salvaged it.  In fact, quite like how it turned out in the end.  Again I used sentiment from the StampNation collection.

I have a few more birthday's for friends coming up, so will be doing a few more of these.

I've been getting lots of updates and pictures of Archer... They are now settling into being home and I'm counting down the days till I can get to cuddle him.

Sunday 24 April 2016

Let it Shine

I've recently taken a class at Altenew Academy.  It's called "Let it Shine" and the tutor was Carrisa Wiley.  I totally enjoyed the class... all about adding shine and glimmer to your cards. 

I manged to combine a couple of the class ideas in one card


I used a glittery embellishment that I made myself... the frame was made with some Scotch glitter washi tape die cut.  I drew around the inside of the die and added the tape around it and then did the die cut.  This left a lovely frame around the panel.  I then stamped the flowers - the big one is from "A Beautiful Day" and the little ones are from "Peony Scrolls" with Versamark onto watercolour card and white embossed.   I used an old Wink Of Stella pen filled with water to paint on Altenew inks.  Fussy cut and added to the frame.  The pink background card was embossed with a wood grain folder.  The whole panel was then added to a pale grey card base.  I love the shimmery glow of the flowers in real life.  My sentiment is from "Label Love" 

I was really pleased with my results with this card. 

Thanks for stopping by today.   Monday is a public holiday - ANZAC Day - celebrating our fallen soldiers from WWW1 in particular, but all other fallen soliders as well.   Hubby will be up for he Dawn Parade at our local Returned Servicemen Association memorial.

Friday 22 April 2016

I'm back over on A2Z Scrapbooking today to share another watercolour backgrounds.  Our theme this month is Watercolouring.  I enjoy making watercolour backgrounds.  One of my favourite ways is to use a Smooshing technique.  I mainly use Distress inks to make these as they turn to water colours when sprayed with water.



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For this one, I used some blue and green inks and smooshed them onto my craft sheet and dragged my watercolour paper through it.  Once it dried I used a few colours of Lindy's Stamp sprays to add some pinks and the dot of yellow.  I then put it through an embossing folder for added texture.  Next I die cut the Butterfly Die (DI078) from some hot pink card stock.  I used some Black Metallic Decor dots for the body.  My sentiment is white embossed and is from Color Layering Happy Day Flowers (CL864) -Note:  This popular Stamp set is currently Out of Stock at a2z Scrapbooking, however you can CUSTOM Order it in the Store. Just click on the REQUEST CUSTOM ORDER form on the store HOME Page!   This goes for pretty much ANY Hero Arts products that is still available.  If you can’t find it in the store, please feel free to ask!

As an aside, have you heard Hero Arts Intense Black AF345 is perfect for alcohol markers (Copic, Spectrum Noir) ? There is also a reinker.  It's in store now.

And remember if you are in need of any items from the a2z Scrapbooking store  you can use code Dawn15 at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase of $25 or more. (before tax and shipping)  And don’t forget that we are on TwitterInstagram and Facebook.  Follow us on these different social media outlets so you won’t miss out on any fun promotions!

Edited:  thanks to Monika's reminder, I've added to the 1st challenge at Creative with Stamps, 
Creative with stamps


Dawn

Thursday 21 April 2016

Welcome to the World - Archer James....

I'm excited  to announce the birth of  our grandson - Archer James Dunning  - arrived Wed 20th April, weighting in at 3.03kgs (6lb 11oz) and 50cm long... Just a tiny dot... and he is just adorable....Can you tell I'm a proud Nana? 


It's going to be three more weeks till I can get to cuddle this cutie... can't wait.   Congratulations to Emma and Andrew..  We love you. 

And we just love this photo...  Our family and Andrew's are avid Rugby fans...


Getting introduced to the rugby earlier on!

Monday 18 April 2016

29 Again?

I had fun making a card for one of my work colleagues.  Her birthday was Sunday and I gave her this one on Friday.


I got an order in from Simon Says stamp during the week and it included a couple of Art Impressions stamps.  This one made me laugh.  Val was only turning 34 but I though the sentiment (from StampNation's Young at Heart collection) went perfectly with these ladies.  I coloured with Copic makers.  Val really loved it and appreciated the thought.
Entering into the challenge at Great Impressions...  Ladies Night...
and Virginia's View Friendship Linky Party 

I also got asked to make a card for a three old.

As I had to make it quickly, I used some pre-printed Wee Stamps decoupage sheets.  There are three layers on this one.  I found a three on a Bugaboo image and printed and cut out.   Finished with a Happy Birthday stamp.

I'm sitting on tenterhooks at the moment.   Our daughter is due to give birth any day now.  We are just waiting with our phones fully charged waiting for the call to say our grandchild has been born.  They have not found out the gender so it will be an exciting time when it happens.  I hate that we are so far away (she lives in Perth Australia - a 7 hour flight to get there) but we are booked to go over on the 14th of May to see the baby.  Can't wait!

Thanks for stopping by today. 

Wednesday 13 April 2016

Spring Swing card

Today it's my turn on Die Cut Divas to inspire you.
Our sponsor for the month is Gina K Designs

and our challenge is: to make a project you associate with April (such as Easter, Rain, Storms, April Fools Day, Spring, Autumn, IRS/Taxes or April holidays (www.holidayinsights.com)


I wanted to try out a Swing card I saw in a magazine.  The sample was with some layered roses stamps and in my Gina K stamp sets, I had just the stamps I needed.....


I made my swing card using a stitched die from Simon Says Stamp and a Spellbinders circle die.  I used some linen look card for my base.   The stamps used are from Gina K Designs Flowers and Frames 2.  I used Memento blue ink - stamping off to get the lighter colour and full strength for the second layer.  The sentiment from the same set was stamped with Versafine Onyx black.   So happy with the results.

We would love to have you join us at Die Cut Divas this month.

Monday 11 April 2016

More wax paper embossed backgrounds....

I had so much fun making the wax paper embossed backgrounds.. I used two different folders... one piece of wax paper and one folder gives two background pieces.  I used different colours of distress ink to sponge on the wax backgrounds.  See my post from yesterday to see the first two card I made...
and now onto the next two cards.


For this first one, I used Wilted Violet distress ink to sponge the background.  I finished my card with stamps and dies from StampNation Young at Heart collection. 


On this one, I used Weathered Wood distress for the background and used a Simon Says Stamp die cut flower with a Hero Arts Sentiment.  I didn't have any black sequins so I used a Mama Elephant die (which I bought off Lisa Haines) which had some little sequins included.   I cut them with black textured card. 

I really enjoyed trying out this technique.   If you haven't seen Gina's video, you can see it HERE.

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope I have inspired you to try out this technique 

Sunday 10 April 2016

Embossed Wax Paper Background a la Gina K

Die Cut Divas are being sponsored by the Amazing Gina K Designs this month


Today I want to share some cards I made after watching Gina at StampTV  - Embossed wax paper background.

I couldn't wait to do this technique as it has been a few years since I tried it out... so here's my results of embossed wax background.


I CASE'd Gina's card for this first one.  I used Mermaid Lagoon distress ink to sponge the background.  Not sure who makes my folder as it has no name on it... But it was a great one to use, being very detailed.  I then used the flowers and leaves from Warm Spring Wishes and coloured with Distress inks and daubers before fussy cutting.  The sentiment is from Frame and Flowers 2. I used a La La land die cut for the corners.  And my flourish was one that came with a magazine so has no name on it.  My mat and the corners and flourish are all dark blue card.
Entering this one into the Birthday Challenge at Simon Says Stamp

And the other half of the ironed off wax paper


This one was sponged with Dried Marigold distress ink.  The flowers are from Frame and Flowers 2 and were stamped with Hero Arts Apricot ink - first layer stamped off and then the second layer being full strength.  The leaves are die cut with a MFT dienamics leaf die.  I added some Spectrum Noir glitter pen on the roses.

If you haven't checked out Gina K design's Stamp TV, I can totally recommend it.. there is so much inspiration there. 

Thursday 7 April 2016

Happy Days Watercolured Flowers

It's my day to share over at A2Z Scrapbooking and our theme for this month's challenge is Water colouring... a favourite of mine.  There are just so many ways to use your paints, inks, markers to add watercolour to your cards and projects.


I started by adding some water to my water colour paper in each corner.  Scribbled some Zig Clean Clear Colour makers in Carmine Red and Pink onto a block and watered down and dabbed onto the wet card.  Once it dried I used the Hero Arts CL864 and stamped the flowers in Fresh Peach and added the centres in Neon Pink.  The leaves are done in Green Fields and the darkest of the Ombre green inks.  The sentiment from the same set was stamped with Charcoal ink.  Finished with splatters of the Green ink and Pink zig marker. 

So if you are using your Hero Arts products and watercolouring be sure to join us for this months challenge.


And remember if you are in need of any items from the a2z Scrapbooking store  you can use code Dawn15 at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase of $25 or more. (before tax and shipping)  And don’t forget that we are on TwitterInstagram and Facebook.  Follow us on these different social media outlets so you won’t miss out on any fun promotions!

Monday 4 April 2016

Swing Card and New Grandparent card

Hi - I had a great weekend - had a few commission cards to make and one for my April technique swap.   The technique swap was a card with at least two folds.  I've been making swing cards lately after seeing the technique in a magazine.   The magazine samples showed the cards using Altenew Vintage roses and hand cutting of the circle that swings.  I decided to use a Spellbinders circle die with some partial die cutting.  And for my centre I used Painted flowers from Altenew.


Last week my Altenew stamps and inks arrived... the Labels Love set and pink and green mini ink sets.  I used some damask PP to line the inside and outside of the card.  The outside piece was a bit short so added some silver glittery washi and some gems.

My second card is one that a friend requested for a friend of hers to give to other friends... a bit convoluted. - Maria told her friend that I made cards and she requested one for a new grandparent.   She told me they don't know the gender of the baby to be... so I decided to go with a gender-neutral colour (green)


I googled "quotes for grandparents" and found this one.  I popped it into Word and changed the colour to match my PP.  I added a little sticker on the front, inside which says "Congratulations to the New Grandparents" and on the envelope.  Had an issue getting the bow to stick.. tried glue dots, Glossy accents, Multi Medium and finally resorted to a Hot Glue Gun.   Hopefully it will fit the bill. 

Hope you had a great weekend.  It was the end of daylight saving for  us... an extra hours sleep but now it's darker in the evening.    Luckily I finish work around 4.00pm most days so get home in time to go out for a walk down to the beach and along the shoreline, provided the sea is not too rough. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Saturday 2 April 2016

Watercolouring at A2Z

If you haven't seen my Die Cut Divas's post  - it's here
I seem to be on a theme.......
****************************************************************

It's time for a new challenge at A2Z Scrapbooking and it's a favourite of mine...


Watercolouring 

I love watercolouring and add that to using Hero Arts stamps and dies... well it's a match made in heaven.  And add to that BUTTERFLIES... I'm estatic



My watercolour medium with this one is Pearlescent Paints.  This is a palette of  21 paints that are full of pearlescent goodness.  I started by painting a subtle rainbow of colours onto my watercolour paper.  My original idea was to stamp and cut out the butterflies(DC182 Butterfly Pair) out and add to a card but once I started stamping them, the idea to make it a background grew.  I then die cut a MFT stitched and rounded rectangle die and stamped the larger butterfly - once on the die and once onto the watercolour paper.  I then used the die to cut it out.  The die does not cut all the way through the die, so I just fussy cut the last bits and once I coloured with the paints, added it over the one on the die. 



The sentiment is from the same set.  Finished with a gold ribbon and a few coloured gems. 

And of course I had to decorate the envelope 



I heard one of my bloggy friends has been unwell, so this on it's way to cheer her up. 


Remember if you are in need of any items from the a2z Scrapbooking store  you can use code Dawn15 at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase of $25 or more. (before tax and shipping)  And don’t forget that we are on TwitterInstagram and Facebook.  Follow us on these different social media outlets so you won’t miss out on any fun promotions!  

Supplies:
Hero Arts DC182 

MFT Stitched and rounded rectangle die

Hero Hues Floral Mixed Cards 

Entered into the Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says Stamp
 
edited:
thanks to Jo for reminding me that there is a new challenge blog starting today - Creative with Stamps - (my bloggy friend Monika and  Lillian started it) and their first challenge is BUTTERFLIES.  So I'm entering.