Thursday, August 27, 2009

Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #12 - Mini Owl



Hello!
Makeesha's sketch challenge had me stumped this week - I was really thrown by the oval, as I don't own any cutters or templates... so I decided to make a mini card, and use my wide oval punch!



I have used a Whisper White Love Note card as the base, with Choc Chip and So Saffron DSP layered over it, and So Saffron striped grosgrain ribbon. I used Choc Chip ink to stamp the gorgeous owl (from Forest Friends) and used my stamp-a-ma-jig and marker to add the branch from Great Friend to the end of the branch that the owl is on. I stamped the Great Friend branch in the background and again to cut out and pop up on the edge of the oval. The So Saffron oval was punched out using the wide oval punch, and the edges sponged in So Saffron ink. I added a white button (from the Button Latte pack) and white brads to tie in the elements from the sketch. The greeting is also from the Great Friend set. Both of these stamp sets are from the Spring Mini catalogue - I really hope they don't retire in November, as they are so beautiful and versatile.

I have been making lots of cards lately for family birthdays, Fathers' Day and for a class I am doing next week - I know some of the recipients read my blog so I will wait a little longer to upload the pics! I have been so happy and excited with all this stamping going on, and to top it all off I have just found out that the Brisbane Regionals are coming up in November - I can't wait for my first event :)

Genelle.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Let's go shopping!


I just love these little handbags made with punches - they are so cute and really fun and quick to make. I can't remember where I first saw them, but there is a good tutorial here. I don't have the small oval punch, so I used the Word Window punch instead - and I actually like the wider straps better :)

I also used the 'Weathered' background stamp to create a mock-croc sort of texture for the bag.
The greeting is from Amy R's 'Boutique Sentiments' by CC Designs.

Cardstock: Very Vanilla Love Note, Creamy Caramel & Chocolate Chip, So Saffron DSP
Ink: Creamy Caramel & Chocolate Chip
Stamps: Boutique Sentiments by AmyR, Weathered background
Accessories: antique brass brad, word window punch, large oval punch, round tab punch.

I'm going to make a few of these and a little Love Notes box for them to go into.
Back later,
Genelle.



Wednesday, August 19, 2009

For You - Inkspirations Inspiration Challenge #11

I had SO much fun with this week's Inkspirations challenge. Makeesha had a gorgeous Inspiration pic for us this week:


I decided to use the white and grey tones, and the overall shape and feel of the image - I was drawn to the recessed splashback, and came across a new technique (well, new for me, lol!) - the recessed window card. Thanks to the talented Renee from the DT who posted the link to the tutorial! I definitely had my 'L' plates on for this one, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Here's my card:

I stamped the image (from Pocket Silhouettes) in Basic Grey and stamped off several times. The greeting (from Great Friend) was framed with silver Hodgepodge Hardware and the whole panel was then mounted on Basic Grey cardstock. I made the recessed window card (following the tutorial - see link above, although I wanted mine rectangular to mimic the kitchen splashback) and left it mostly white, with just a strip of Basic Grey scalloped DSP, taffeta ribbon and new corduroy button to finish it off. I also added silver brads to tie in the silver frame from the greeting, inspired by the silver fittings from the photo. The corduroy brad was used to tie in the texture of the linen in the place settings.
Hope you like it!
Genelle.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Inkspirations Colour Challenge #11 - Pocket Best Wishes

I really enjoyed creating this card for Makeesha's latest Inkspirations Colour Challenge; I was really challenged by these colours - I haven't used them together before.




Stamps: Best Wishes & More
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue DSP (from Summer Picnic - retired)
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, VersaMark, Bashful Blue marker
Accessories: Die-cut Blooms, Earth Elements brads, Build-a-brad, word window punch, horizontal slot punch, corner rounder, dimensionals, paper piercer, mat pack, twill tape.


I stamped the greeting and bird onto the vanilla layer and punched the slot for the tag with my word window punch. I punched the celery layer before adhering them together and paper-piercing the edge. I added 'stitching' with my Bashful Blue marker. I assembled my tag and punched out a celery/bashful blue flower from the Summer Picnic DSP (retired) for the build-a-brad, which secures the twill tape. (The tag has 'Wishing you all this... and more!' stamped on it when you pull it out - again from the Best Wishes & More set). I assembled some flowers from the Die-cut Blooms pack to go with the flower image, which I inked up with Pumpkin Pie ink and my Bashful Blue marker. The leaves are stamped in VersaMark onto Certainly Celery cardstock and cut out. All the flowers, and the bird, are mounted on dimensionals. I have used some spotty Bashful Blue DSP and Pumpkin Pie cardstock for the base.

Hope you like it,
Genelle.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

PTI Blog Candy

I really love the cards Fiona has done using the "Tea for Two" set from PapertreyInk. Anyway when checking out her blog I came across an awesome blog candy opportunity from A Passion for Papertrey. Check out the details here if you want to enter!

I have yet to try paper piecing as a technique, but Fiona's gorgeous cards, using the scrummy Parisian Breeze DSP make me want to try it out. I am hoping to get some cards done today, will see how I go :)

Monday, August 3, 2009

New Favourites for Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #11

The card I made today for Makeesha's latest sketch includes my new favourite stamp set from the Spring Mini - Forest Friends. I came across this set a while ago on a US blog when looking for owl images; as well as the deer featured below the set includes a gorgeous owl, rabbit and tree. I am so glad this set made it to Australia! Here is Keesh's Inkspirations Sketch #11:

And here's the card I made:


As well as Forest Friends, I also used the new Great Friend stamp set for the greeting and leaf image. These sets coordinate perfectly with the new Walk in the Park DSP, which features Basic Grey, Baja Breeze, Cameo Coral and Kiwi Kiss. I stamped the deer from Forest Friends in Basic Grey ink, then re-inked and stamped onto the imaging sheet from my stamp-a-ma-jig (no need to use the actual stamp-a-ma-jig, just stamp anywhere on the sheet). Then I flipped the sheet over, lined up the deer's refelection and pressed onto the cardstock. I learned this technique here. I coloured the water with Baja Breeze ink and my blender pen, and stamped the leaves on the top in Kiwi Kiss. The greeting from Great Friend is punched out with the large oval punch and mounted onto a scalloped oval using the new punch, also from the Spring Mini. I have used Baja Breeze Flower Fusion Too felt flowers and pewter brads, and some Basic Grey taffeta ribbon. The base card has also been stamped with the leaf image for added detail.

Hopefully I can fit a bit more stamping in this evening - thanks Keesh for the challenging sketch!
Genelle.

Spring Mini is Here!

Hooray! It's August, which means it's time to introduce the new Spring Mini cataogue! You can view the catalogue online by clicking here or by the link in my sidebar. If you'd like a copy mailed out to you, email me (or your own Demonstrator if you have one already) to arrange your very own copy to drool over!

I'll be back in a moment with a card which uses some of the great new products available, including my new favourite stamp set...