It's almost Christmas!!

I just realised it's been almost a month since I posted. Oh well the best laid plans of mice and in this case woman!! I do intend to post more often, it's just that life gets in the way.

Anyway here are some cards. I've finally perfected the VersaMark resist using a brayer. You need to let the VersaMark dry before you use the brayer to ink the glossy paper. It took me a while to work out what I was doing wrong, but I got there in the end.


This idea I cased from someone, but can't remember who (sorry!). It uses the masking technique and the sponge daubers - my new fav tool! It's actually a very effective technique that I'm sure I'm going to use again, when I get time.


This is a sneak peak on a calligraphic work-in-progress. This year rather than create a design for a christmas card I thought I would complete a finished piece. This is half-uncial and a celtic greeting. I think I picked the most elaborate celtic decoration I could find, but I'm sure it will look cool when it's finished - hopefully by next weeek. I'll post a photo of the finished piece.

I feel like I'm always rushing at the moment and it's about time to rush to kinder, rush home, rush to swimming, rush home and rush some work in this afternoon. Then it's collapse time for a double episode of the Amazing Race - if I can stay awake that long!! Have a good one and hopefully it won't be too long before I post again.

Three things

The first thing - a card box I made on Sunday to hold the cards I've been making. I had a bit of fun making this box because the measurements I had were in inches and I don't compute inches, I'm a cm and mm girl!! Still trial and error rarely hurts anyone!!

The second thing - a photo board that I did for our niece Ella. I've done a number of these and this time I thought I would construct an overall image, hence the garden. It also gave me the opportunity to use the die-cuts that I bought and thought I would use, but haven't. Lots of fun to make and I think she liked it.

The third thing - this is a fantastic photo (I took it!). It's so hard to get good photos of Bailey and Nathan together, lots of them apart, but mostly they muck around when I try to take them together. This was taken at the park in Healesville on a very beautiful Spring morning. Aren't they cute!

Well that's it, almost time to go and pick up munchkins from kinder - man that time flies!! I'm halfway through embellishing my tri-shutter album (I'm sure this photo will make it into the album), it's a bit fiddly and I think when I work out the embellishments for the other one I'm making I'll make it a bit less fiddly. Enjoy your day. K

A quickie

A very quick post before Bailey and Nathan go feral on me. It's been over a month since my last post - sorry about that - life just seems to be sooooo busy at the moment, I'm sure you can relate.

This is a frame that my coz Jane embellished for me. It is a quote that she wanted to have in her bathroom to get her started each morning. I did the quote in word and printed it on cardstock. The layout is not perfect and if I did it again I'd do it in calligraphy. Jane did one for herself and then with her spare frame used some of my scrapbooking paper, stamps and inks and embellished one for me.

This is a preliminary sketch for a piece that I want to finish (this seems to be a problem for me at the moment - lots of ideas, little time to implement!!). My plan is to calligraphy words relating to freedom, liberation, etc and have them behind the figure. Still working out how I'm going to do that and when I'll get the time.

Must run boys are getting feral. I promise to post again soon. K

Workshop

I've been preparing for my second Stampin' Up workshop today. We are doing Christmas cards and this is the card I've prepared (it's based on a Dawn's Stampin Design)

This is a cool card that opens up to reveal it's message. And my thank you gift and door prize are also courtesy of Dawn's Stampin' (thank you Dawn)

These treat bags are holding some yummy M&Ms. I'm thankful to experienced stampers like Dawn who share their knowledge and expertise. It's a short post today, but hopefully you enjoy it!

Lots of Cards

Finally a blog post, and finally some cards to share. It's been awhile between posts for no other reason than I had nothing really to say. I've been having a lot of fun playing with my Stampin' Up purchases and stock and trying to move outside the square a bit with some of the cards that I've been making. So here goes. This first one was made for my niece Kristen who had her 21st birthday celebrations last night. She turns 21 in September - now this makes me feel really old!!

This card was cased from someone on the net, but I forgot to note down the name

This card was cased from the lovely other Karen Thomas

I must say I love Kaisercraft self-adhesive bling, it's not expensive and brightens up those cards that just need something else.

Another thing I'm loving at the moment is Ali's new class, which I'm seriously thinking of doing and Donna's latest canvasses - she inspires me to put paint to canvas!

What's inspiring you at the moment? I know by the clustermaps that someone out there reads my blog, even if you only found me accidently, leave me a message and share your inspiration.

Surrounded by stuff

Pencil on cartridge

I did this last Friday while the boys where being batman - both of them! It's been awhile since I did any drawing and this started out as something very different. I'm thinking of transferring this to a watercolour, but for the moment I'm happy to just sit with it.

I'm trying frantically to push myself to organise and declutter, which is not natural for me. I am literally surrounded by stuff and since my addiction to Stampin' Up began that means more stuff! I also attended a workshop recently and that meant I 'had' to buy some more paper. I think that stuff is taking over my life, but I am trying to control it.

It felt good to draw again and just let the pencil flit across the paper and see what happens. I've felt in a creative rut for quite awhile now, lots of ideas but no motivation to follow through on them, it's been frustrating and I've spent a lot of time looking at other peoples' art, which can be both inspiring and frustrating. On top of this I've been working, which if I had my way I wouldn't, but reality bites! I've been loving the research aspect of my MA, it's been cool finding new information, translating stuff from German, but now the reality of that has sunk in, I must do some actual writing on my thesis. The words sound fantastic in my brain, but not so good when added to paper - if only there was a way of plugging a USB into my brain and downloading my thoughts!

Not lost, just busy . . .

I honestly haven't had time to think since about Monday. Work has invaded my life in a big way, it's an urgent job so hopefully that won't always be the case. It's been a bit of a struggle balancing everything that I need to to and want to do, but I'm sure I'll get there eventually.

Here are some cards I made last week.

Supplies: Stampin' Up - Paper: Choc Chip, Really Rust, Urban Garden.

Stamp Sets: Boho Backgrounds, Enjoy Every Moment, Inks: Really Rust, Old Olive.

Brad - Making Memories, Bling - Kazzaz, Ribbon - Sullivans Bow & Tie.

Supplies: Stampin up: Paper - Night of Navy, Stamp Sets: Pun Fun, Enjoy Every Moment,

Inks: Versamark, Clear Embossing Powder, Pastels. Glitter - Kindyglitz

Work has slowed for a day while my storyboard is examined. Today it's still been busy, I've been into Fitzroy to buy some paper supplies for an upcoming workshop - always fun. Tonight I have my first Stampin' Up workshop, which will hopefully go as planned. We are making Post-It note holders.

My Dad is here this afternoon making some shelves for our very small European laundry (i.e. cupboard!!). Space is of a premium in out tiny abode and these shelves are going to hopefully free up some badly needed space in our tiny kitchen. Bailey and Nathan are having so much fun 'helping'. Each has a hammer and is banging happily away on a scrap piece of wood - they are in Bob the Builder heaven. I'm not too sure about Dad though.

Hope you are all having an excellent day.

Some things I love

All supplies Stampin' Up except eyelets, which are Making Memories

I love this stamp and this technique. This stamp is from the stamp set Heartfelt Thanks. The techniques is pastel chalks blended using the blender pen. (Thanks Yvonne for showing me this technique!!). It is subtle and delicate, like the flower.

Image from Susan Skarsgard

I also love abstract calligraphy; the ability to manipulate script and to push the boundaries of what is image and what is text (the crux of my Masters thesis!). I am lucky enough to be attending a workshop (ConText: letters/language/meaning - an exploration of calligraphy in the 21st century, as a modern and relevant form) with Susan Skarsgard in early July and I am very excited about what I might learn. Other abstract calligraphers that I love are Brody Neuenschwander and Yves Leterme, both of whom live in Bruges, Belgium.

Why not share what you love with me, I'd love to know.

A good day is one where I get to do calligraphy for two hours, so you know today is going to be a good one. Hope it is good for you too!

Cards

Finally, some cards. These are a couple that I have been playing around with. Simple designs, which is what I like.

Supplies: Stampin' Up: Chocolate chip cardstock; Enjoy the moment stamp set; Boho backgrounds stamp set . Other: White cardstock; white embossing powder, clear embossing powder, Versamark stamp pad; brads, Allison Ellis Glitter; Kindyglitz; corner rounder - creative memories.

I was actually playing around mixing some glitter into some clear embossing powder, unfortunately the embossing powder I have is about 15 years old and not quite what it was! Needless to say I have ordered some more!

Supplies: Stampin' Up: Bravo burgundy, kraft cardstock; Upsey Daisy stamp set; Stampin' Write. Other: Striped paper, brad, corner rounder - creative memories.

This is actually my first card using stamps, hard as though that is to believe. I've always hand drawn my own images, which is fun but can be cumbersome. I am absolutely in love with the Upsey Daisy stamp set used in this image. You can bet you'll be seeing it a bit more!

Oopsie!

Brush calligraphy: gouache on cartridge paper

I got really excited about this piece in calligraphy class yesterday . . . and then I looked a bit closer and realised that there are a few typo's in there!!! Unfortunately no amount of editing can fix this. Still it was a practice for a layout that I'm working on, which will be done on cold-pressed watercolour paper. I must say that I am loving brush lettering, it has endless possibilities.

I'm working on some cards to post, just to prove that I can stamp! Time and balance are two things I'm working on at the moment. The best time for me to do anything is when the twin munchkins crash and burn at about 7:15pm each night. From about 5 pm onwards it is seriously out of control in this house, trying to get tea made, everyone fed, boys bathed and ready for bed and trying really hard to get some quiet time before bed. Andrew and I have almost given up on this, the boys just go crazy, sumo wrestling, pretending to be dogs - you've got to see Nathan say to Bailey, sit, stay, good boy!! Bailey does it all with his tongue hanging out. It's hard not to laugh, but at the same time by the time they are tucked in bed, Andrew and I literally collapse on the couch in a heap and just the thought of being creative is too much to bear.

I'll work it out, just as I'll work out how to get rid of the sh*t that's currently everywhere in this room I'm typing in. I will win the clutter war!!

Have good day!

Settling in

Watercolour on canvas

This is a work-in-progress. I'm still undecided if I want to add anymore text to the spirals and the heart needs some more definition, I'm just not sure what kind. This is something I've learned recently about the creative process, sometimes you just need to be with the art work before moving on. You need to let it go, come back to it and then decide if it needs anything more. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither should my art work!!

Life is changing around here. I'm now back in paid employment, initially casually for 12 weeks and then hopefully on a permanent contract. I've done my first copy-edit in about four years and I love it. Yes, I know you thinking What The! I love having my dictionery and my style guide next to me, using the correct copy-editing marks, and I lurrrrrrvvvvveeee my red pen!!! In fact I love copy-editing much, much more than Instructional Design, but sometimes to pay the bills you've gotta do both.

I've also recently become a Stampin' Up demonstrator and I'm trying to get my head around that, playing with the stamps and thinking about running some workshops. I'll start posting cards and layouts as well as artwork as I progress. So, if you are interested I'd be happy to take an online order.

Bailey and Nathan are growing up. We have now moved onto Lego, which I think is very exciting. At this stage they are using Lego that belonged to Andrew, so that makes it VERY VERY OLD. I'm sure that no doubt we will continue to grow this stash and make more clutter in our house.

Time to pick kidlets up from kinder, have a fantastic day!

Worth holding on . . .

Acrylic paint and ink on canvas paper. Words: Eleanor Roosevelt

Sometimes it's worth holding onto things that you are not happy with when you have finished. This piece is part of a larger piece that I didn't like. Yesterday while searching for some canvas paper for a new project I found it and thought actually I like this little bit, let's cut it out. So I did and this is the result, which I quite like.

With any type of creative endeavour sometimes you need to leave it awhile and come back to. Working on something for so long can skew your perspective.

The collage project that I was working on went in the bin - sometimes you just have to admit defeat!!! But it brought about a host of other ideas, one of which I'm exploring now. That's one of the things I love about the creative process, it's all about experimenting and exploring. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but our failures and mistakes can sometimes blossom into opportunities.

Life has been incredibly hectic around here. Today is the first day I think I've come up for breath! That of course will stop in about ten minutes when I leave to pick up Bailey and Nathan from kinder, then it's come home, get ready for swimming, go swimming, come home, have some lunch, then off to the doctor for four-year-old vaccinations - oh the joy!!!

It's important to realign your perspective, dust yourself off when something doesn't work, and to keep trying, or as Andrew says, 'Keep hanging in there!'

Back again

Walnut ink and ruling pen with watercolour on Canson Mi Tientes

Okay so I haven't blogged for quite a while! I've just been out of control, overwhelmed and generally struggling a bit. So, sometimes something has to go, and it this case it was blogging, and art. But I'm starting to get a handle on it again and thought I would post this piece. I scanned it in a while ago and wasn't sure if I liked it or not, but now that I look at it it is quite interesting.

Currently working on a collage of words, paint and found items so will be interesting to see how that works given I haven't done anything like that before. Really what I'm trying to do is combine all of the things that I love and to express how I've been feeling and some of the things that have been floating through my brain.

Also been trying to get up-to-date with my MA thesis, which as of the moment has no words!! Still I have almost finished re-working my plan and hopefully will be cooking with gas from there.

If you have some time today and you're interesting in stamping I recommend that you head over to Jennifer McGuire's blog and check out the videos using Ranger Distress Ink. I found these to be really interesting since I have some of this ink and I've not been sure how to use it effectively. Jennifer is a fantastically creative stamper and card maker and I love checking out here blog on a regular basis. Enjoy!

Losin' it!

- - - Going! Going! Gone - - -
- - -WANT IT BACK NOW!!! - - -

I think there's a fair chance that I have lost my creative mojo. The boys are in kinder I have spare time, cards to make, no inspiration - nothin, nada. I'm hoping this is only a temporary affliction, because I am usually full to the brim and overflowing with ideas for stuff to make, stuff to draw, stuff to calligraphy. I USUALLY HAVE LOTS OF STUFF IN MY BRAIN - where, oh where has it gone.

Any ideas on how I can get my creative mojo back?

Sadly . .

. . . the death toll has now reached 108. May something good come out of this tragedy.

Hope: Prisma colour pencils on black cartridge paper

My heart goes out . . .

. . . to all of those families who have lost loved ones, pets and houses in these most devastating fires. It's almost as if our whole State is on fire. Yesterday was the most horrendous day, almost 47 degrees Celsius (thats 117 F for those reading overseas).

Most of my immediate family lives in high fire risk areas and my sister-in-law had a fire rip past her property in Devon North within 50 metres of the backdoor! Very scary!!! My sister and family are stranded in Eildon as there are fires in Alexandra and most of the roads have been closed. She tells me it's very black and if you go outside you breath smoke. A close friend of hers literally had to run for their lives as the fire came out of nowhere, they have lost everything but thankfully have their lives. DeBortoli Winery where Andrew and I got married has also been wiped out as it was in the same road.

36 lives lost (with it expected to rise) and over 650 homes burnt out. I can't comprehend that someone deliberately lit some of these fires, it's an abominable act.

Temperatures are much cooler now, although strong winds are still feeding the fires that yesterday were separate and have now joined up. Hopefully nature will have mercy on us and bring our CFA firefighters some relief.

Fly me to the moon . . .

This is my latest piece of artwork, acrylic on canvas. It was done for my friend Lisa's son Cooper who is obsessed with rocketships. I enjoyed painting this and am quite happy with the end result. I'm starting to become more confident in blending with acrylic and playing with the brush to produce different effects. I may not be a master, but Cooper certainly liked it!

Have my knee op tomorrow morning. I'm first on the list, which means Mum has to drive me to the hospital by 6.30am! It's only a small procedure so I should be home early afternoon, hopefully hobbling, but not on crutches.

My next project is a calligraphy piece that has been floating around in my brain. I'm trying to finish each project before starting another one (which means scrapbooking and cardmaking inbetweend). I'm also trying to create just for me, allowing myself to just go with the flow of what I feel like creating. As long as I'm creating something I'm happy.

Digi-scrapping

Since the start of 09 I've been downloading some freebie digital scrapbooking kits so that I could have a play with digital scrapbooking. This page is the first of my plan to document Bailey and Nathan's 10 week journey from hospital to home. I've used most of the papers and embellishments for the Echo's of Asia kit downloaded from Jessica Sprague's website [she is one cool digital scrapbooker!]

My plan is to do one page each for Bailey and Nathan, but I'm trying to work out now how to duplicate this as a right-hand album page. I think it's a matter of hiding some of the images and then playing around with them until it mirrors this page. I did try the obvious flip horizontal but that achieved nothing!

Overall I'm happy with the result. My first try was very boxy and I wanted to try and do the type of layout that I haven't done before. I can always add or delete elements as I wish.

Onto more mundane matters, my knee operation has been postponed a week - apparently the receptionist booking it forgot the Dr was still on holidays - my sister thinks that perhaps he extended his stay once the weather started to improve! Whatever the reason it's another week of sleeping on the couch, which at the moment is the only place where I can get some sort of sleep - otherwise it's a lot of pain and very little sleep, which makes for a very cranky Mummy the next day!!

Now, if a three-year-old calls you fat what do you say?

2009 is moving too fast!

I can't believe that it's already close to the middle of January - where does the time go and why does it only drag when I am doing something I don't want to do? This is my first blog for 09 and it's a recap of Christmas morning mayhem and laughter with the boys opening their presents.


The next recap are two canvasses I did for my goddaughter Taylah and her sister Casey. My girlfrient Michelle said they needed new name plaques for their doors and this is the result. I decided to construct the canvasses like I would a card and using the favourite colours of each girs this is what I came up with. Judging by the screams I heard when they opened their pressies I think they liked them!

I'm still not sure about the whole canvas thing. So far this year I have focussed on scrapbooking and have had lots of fun downloading stuff from Creating Keepsakes and Jessica Sprague to use with digital scrapbooking. One of the [many] projects I'm working on at the moment is a mini-album of Bailey and Nathan's first 10 weeks, which was spent in the special care nurseries of the Mercy hospital (6 weeks) and Mitcham hospital (4 weeks).

This was a very full on time for Andrew and I - new parents, teeny weeny babies, watching them in the humidicribs all hooked up to a myriad of machines. I want the album to be fairly simple focussing on pictures rather than words. While the mini-album will be paper I plan to do all the pages digitally and print them out and store them in 6 x 6 pockets. I've almost finished the template I'll be using, I just wanted to let it sit for a few days to see if it needed tweaking. I'll be using the American Crafts album and designing the cover myself, so when that's done I post it as well.

Until then I'm enjoy a few minutes of peace and quiet while Andrew takes Bailey and Nathan to the ice-cream shop - gotta love slow summer evenings!!