Die cuts with a twist . . .

I decided to challenge myself to use some of the diecuts that were taking up space and this one of those cards that just worked.

Here's what I did:

• used the boho backgrounds stamp and clear embossed
• adhered the scallop cut out of DSP (left over chrissie paper)
• cut out the circle
• covered the small die cut with dsp and cut it out, embossed with cuttlebug and edged in ink
• traced the small die cut onto the larger one and then added glitter
• white embossed baroqe motifs onto the DSP and then cut out a strip
• stamped happy birthday on whisper white cut it out stuck it to DSP.

Here's a close up of the embossed DSP - I quite like this effect, I've also added some Night of Navy ink over the embossing to give it some dimension.

All in all quite happy with this card and some of the techniques I tried out. I'm thoroughly enjoying playing around with stamps, it's great stress relief while Bailey and Nathan are home full-time. I have some grand plans for some artwork, but need some time and headspace to be able to produce it. Bring on kinder next week!

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

New Year New Look

Happy New Year!

I've been trying to update my blog into the 21st century and this has taken up valuable stamping and artwork time! My computer belongs in another age and is starting to protest and take a long, long, long time to do anything . . . computer rage is becoming regular ! lol! I still can't get the buttons up the top of my blog to work, but have run out of time to play so will have a go at that next time. Hopefully my next post will be a card or some artwork.

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