Some artwork . . .

Today I decided that instead of cleaning the toilet I would do some drawing. I've been looking at this image for a while and thought it would look nice. I decided to use soluable graphic pencil, which are really cool, except when you don't use watercolour paper (doh!), so I might have to have another go!!

This is another drawing I've done recently, I love working in pencil, although I have visions of her ending up in another media! Forgive the quality of the photos, I really need to work out a better place for taking photos.

Sadly, the toilets are still there to clean, so off I go . . .

Can't think of a title!

If you're a regular blog addict like me you've probably seen something similar around.

I love the new Vintage Vogue stamp set, it's so versatile (and pretty!). I like the simplicity of this type of card, but didn't realise how bad I am at drawing squares (lol!). Had the chance to make a few different cards this weekend, some new techniques that I have been wanting to try. I just need to take photos and you'll be able to see them.

I hope all of you lovely mothers out there had a great Mother's Day. We did; train to Camberwell, brunch with both sets of grandparents at Georges and then a browse at The Well and Borders; back home to a quiet afternoon; hubbie made tea!

Clean v Detailed

At the moment I either like to make clean cards with little embellishment, the stamping really speaks for itself or I like to use the stamps to build a scene.

This card is based on a clean & simple fall-to-layout but I can't remember which one. I like the clean lines on this type of card. It is simple but effective. I also love Kraft CS at the moment and find myself reaching for it in preference to coloured CS.

This one is, of course, much more cluttered, but the scene lends it self to lots of layers and shapes. I made this for a friend's 3-year old and I repeated it again for one of my Nathan one of my twins who loves trains. For Bailey I built a space theme, but can't find the card to take a photo (doh!).

I've managed to do a few cards this week and have found going back to basics in my stamping and keeping it simple has helped me to get things going again. I have work next week so I may not be able to make as many cards. I also have several calligraphy projects planned, but just can't find the right time to sit down and do them. Oh, well I'll get there eventually!! Till then . . .

Layered Emboss

Hello again. Last time I spoke about spilling all my embossing powder (doh!). One of the techniques I've been trying is a layered emboss technique that Jennifer McGuire shows on her website. She does it with distress ink and I wanted to see if it worked with SU ink, which it does.

 I started by applying ink direct to paper with the Stampin' spots. I just picked whatever came into my hand with a mix of dark and light. Then I clear embossed my flowers, I overstamped and embossed some of the black leaves in this card.

I then sponged Bravo Burgundy over the whole of my image (I did this quite hard to get a good colour). Once that was dry I wiped the image with a tissue to wipe of any excess in. I quite like the result and the different colours it achieved. Especially in the 'a note for you card' above, the effect is quite striking.

I think it will be a technique I'll play around with again when the mood strikes.

Not gone, just gone mad!!

Yes, I know it's been a long time since I blogged, but haven't really had the motivation. Today typifies my efforts of late, I've been trying to play with an emboss layer resist technique and just dropped my clear embossing powder all over the carpet! After swearing heaps I tried to save some of it, but think I've managed to pick up carpet fibres - seriously bummed.

I hope to have some cards posted soon, but given this type of effort it might not happen. 

Happy Day

It's been too long since I last posted, time gets away from me sometimes. I have two passions at the moment in cardmaking, either I do a scene like in this card or it's clean and simple, a stamp, an embellishment. I had no idea how to use this SS when I first got it, but I'm happy with this one.

It's a quick post today as Bailey is trying to cut something out, Nathan is running around outside and I have a roast to cook for my birthday - there's something not quite right about that lol!!

Hopefully it won't be as long between posts.

Die cuts part two . . .

Another play with diecuts. I really wanted to try something different with this one and I'm quite happy with the result.

I have stamped and embossed love from the love you stamp using white embossing powder. I've also white embossed the hearts and then filled with crystal effects and glitter. (my current fav technique). The circle in the middle I white embossed, which was very tricky and then I've done the same as the hears, and used a foam dot to make it sit up a bit. A bit of ribbon, some dots and we're done. If I did another one of these I'd white emboss the cherish sentiment to make it stand out a bit.

I've decided to enter this one in the Just Add Ink challenge.

I'm in TV heaven this week. Monday was Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters my two favourite tv shows - happy they are back. Scrapbooking with the girls on Friday night and then the weekend with my family, it's good, good, good.