Wedding Album and Card

Hello, yes it's been a VERY long time! I've been deciding if I wanted to blog, what I wanted to make, where I see my creativity sending me - lots of questions but not many real answers.

Anyway, below is a wedding album I made for a recent wedding we attended. I'm into books of all kind at the moment and I'm working out how to make some mini-albums and waiting on a book showing me some new ways of binding.

This is the card I made for the same couple. I liked the tone on tone of this card and the simplicity of the images.

Well I'm hoping it won't be toooooooooo long between now and my next post!

A Sparkly Card

A quick post to show you a card I made for my in-laws' 50th Wedding Anniversary. I love glitter so try to incorporate it in a lot of the cards I make. This technique uses a VersaMark pad stamped around the edges, then add heat set powder and then add the glitter. The glitter I used is a light champagne colour, however because it's done on a black card it deepens the colour slightly.

I've been absent mostly because of holidays. Bailey and Nathan started prep on Friday so I'm hoping to have a little bit more time for crafting and some actual art work. I have sooooooo many ideas, but also want to de-clutter my house and give it a damn good clean, I'd also like to de-toy the house a little bit, especially as the boys have a birthday coming up. Add to that my thesis and some potential work, I'm sure those kidlet free hours will go by in a flash.

Till next time, hope your day is a good one.

Karen

Been awhile!

Yes, it's been quite awhile since I last posted. I've been focused on other stuff and have sadly been neglectful of my blog. I have been doing some stuff though and thought I'd share some Christmas goodies I made for Bailey and Nathan's kinder.

Here's a closer look at the card. I've used some heat set powder to adhere the glitter, but next time I think I'd stamp in versamark ink, then red so that I get more depth of colour.

I also tried my hand at some boxes. the first one can be used as a gift card holder and with some yummy choccies added is a nice gift to give someone.

This last box I was planning on putting some lollies in but it was just too small, so instead I stamped some gift tags and used it for to hold these. I plan to make it again but I'll re-sized it so it's bigger.

 Well that's it. I'm hoping to post a bit more often. I'm just putting the finishing touches to an Advent Calendar and I've been playing around with some glass baubles, which is lots of fun.

Till then. Hope you are having a good weekend.

Butterflies

Hello. Another month between posts. I've been busy trying to declutter the room I use to make stuff in. I'm a little overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that I actually own! So I've started a box for the don't need but not sure what to do with stuff, and in the mean time I try to use up the stuff I want. Still the new Stampin' Up catalogue starts September 1 and I want soooooo much more stuff out ot that. Onto some cards.

This first one I did awhile ago and I don't think I've posted it before. I've created the butterfly with a mask using a buttlerfly punch. It's quite effective, although difficult to see in the crappy photo I've taken!

The next card is also butterfly themed. I love butterflies, they are a gentle and beautiful gift from nature and on a sunny day to see them floating in your garden is amazing. This card is based on a design by another of my favourite cardmakers Andrea Walford. My sister, who's birthday it is today (happy birthday Jenni, and Mum!), suggested it looked very much like a birthday card for her, so I guess it is! Again my crappy photo doesn't show up all of the glittering goodness found on the butterfly's wings.

I've been working on a Father's day craft project for Andrew, but can't post that, so my next post might include some Christmas cards designs I've been working. Until then happy thoughts.

Some busy cards

I have decided, at least for the moment, to continue blogging even if it means I'm unlikely to get any comments - sigh! - I admit I'm jealous of people who have lots of comments.

Although the info on the side-bar says I'm a calligrapher and mixed media artist, but at the moment I don't seem to have the capacity to do much. Twin boys who at the moment are seriously pushing the boundaries leave me tired and with very little capacity for creativity. Add to this a 40,000 word thesis that is going along at a snail's pace and I'm thankful for stamping and card making. I can finish a card in 30 minutes and feel like I have achieved something creative and that makes me very happy. So to some cards.

This first one is a bit of a departure from my normal style, but that's okay. The style is a case from Kristina Werner (one of my fav cardmakers) and although I'm not unhappy with it, it's a bit busier than I normally like.

The second one is also a case from an SU demonstrator Sue Rowe, although she used ovals and circle and I have used a sizzix tag-die. Either way it's a cute card.

I hope you like these cards and I hope that I get at least one comment. Till next time . . .

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 . . .

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.

My first challenge . . . what do you think?

This is my first go at doing any kid of challenge. It was fun, I got inspiration while making the salad for last night's tea. Having said that what I sketched out and what I produced were a little different, but that's okay creativity is an exploratory process. I must say I had some difficulty finding some very vanilla, but managed to find a scrap. I'm trying my hardest to use what I have - this also means that I'm almost out of adhesive (gasp!!). Needless to say I'm ordering some tomorrow.

While I'm not really a Valentine's Day celebrator, I'm really into hearts at the moment and I love the little hearts from the short and sweet set. I use them a lot and one of my fav things to do is to fill them with Kristal Effects and then put the Dazzling Diamonds over that. It takes a little while to dry but the effect is great, at least in my opinion.

I'd love to know what you think so please leave me some comment love . . . Karen

Some cards . . .

Okay so, finally some cards. This first one uses a Die Cut (currently on special) as well as the For Everything set from the Summer Mini.

The next one was inspired by Kirsty's easel card, although I made up the measurements as best I could. Now that I look at it I think it needs something in the top corners, maybe a small flower stamp or brads.

Here's another view. This card uses the Enjoy Every Moment and Hostess gift stamp.

I have sooooooooo much stuff in scraps that the next few cards I plan will be using those scraps. I also have some ideas on using the die cuts. Till then xx

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.

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!

Getting ready for Christmas

Christmas cards are fun for calligraphers. Every year in my calligraphy class we try to come up with a new and innovative card. This year I'd seen a Rudolph stamp and thought I would try and draw it, which worked and the rest of the card just evolved (such is the creative process. It's printed on tracing paper (or as the scrapbooking industry insists on calling it - vellum!) I hope all who received one enjoyed it, because it was fun to make.

This is to appease certain people (Margaret) who think I don't put enough photos on my blog. Admitedly I take lots, so it's not like I don't have plenty to choose from. This one was taken about 6 weeks ago at playgroup. Unfortunately I must have had a very senior moment and haven't downloaded the files from my camera to my computer. Luckily, I had printed some and was able to scan this in. We even got this printed on a 12x12 canvas, which looks excellent.

I think that I am almost ready for Christmas, all presents have been bought, Christmas cards sent, almost finished making Christmas tags and some of the pressies have been wrapped. I haven't made any gourmet goodies this year. I really want to try turkish delight, but I've been really unsuccessful in finding rosewater (any ideas?)

Well, it's time for the Amazing Race finale and for me to sit down with some chocky and a milor and relax. Will hopefully be able to post some pics from the Wiggles concert last Sunday, which was loads of fun! Enjoy your weekend.