Friday 30 September 2011

It's the little things......

that are fun in life.....
So I have some little cards, scraplings and ATC's to share today.  The last few days I have been busy doing projects for Mygrafico design team ~ I'm about 5 weeks ahead now... so the pressure is off me..... but of course, I can't share yet....

So here's a few little things I've done

Halloween Scrapling


This little scrapling was made for Dana's 1st challenge.  I had a 12x12 sheet of Bazzil that I cut up into some card bases and had this little bit left.  The PP is a freebie from Mygrafico (here) It has some fun PP.  I printed an A6 piece of card stock and trimmed it to size.  The little owl ghost I had sitting on my desk as I stamped off a number of them when I was doing my H'owl'oween card earlier. Added a little scrap of orange ribbon.  This was entered into a couple of challenges.... Dana's scraplings and Wee Memories ~ Patterned paper challenge

Explore ATC

This little ATC was for Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge ~ Men Only.  I used my new Tim Holtz seasonal distress inks...  Gathered Leaves and Ripe Persimmon - and a car panel from Graphic 45.  Stamps are Hero Arts -Old French Writing, Inkadinkado - Harlequin and Kasiercraft - Explore sentiment.

And this little ATC I made for the previous weeks Simon Says Stamp and Show ~ ATC's

TIme Flies ATC

I started with some white card and distressed it with Antique Linen and Pumice Stone distress inks.  I then stamped two Stamp-it images onto it, one in Versafine Vintage Sepia and one in Versafine Onyx Black.  I then stamped the clock and wings and Time Flies onto scrap card and distressed lightly and cut out and stuck to the ATC.  Added Glossy Accents to the clock face.

Had a great time last night... luckily it was an early dinner so was home by 8.00pm ~ great to catch up with my work mates.  I will pop into the office on the 12th for my boss's last day and morning tea.   Today I've been for two 30 mins walks so feeling very energetic and vitalised.

Thanks for stopping by
Dawn

Thursday 29 September 2011

Happy Retirement......

My boss, Berys, is retiring in early October and tonight the area we work in is going out to dinner to celebrate.  Of course, I HAD to make her a card.... well I couldn't NOT!

I found a funny image from Bugaboo digital stamps.  Jodie has the funniest images.

Retirement ~

I matted the PP ( flowers to remind Berys that she wants to garden more in her retirement) onto white and then the pearly blue base.  The Stella image was printed onto white card and cut with a Spellbinders Label.  Coloured with Copics and some distress ink.  A very simple card, but I liked the sentiment...as we have a very busy work space and Berys is a VERY BUSY leader.   I also used the PP to make a little gift box to hold a few chocolates

Choccie Pakage


Looking forward to catching up with my team-mates after nearly 4 weeks off.
The last two days have been very busy... I've been quite social.... my girlfriend, Yvonne, had a birthday yesterday and we went out to a lovely restaurant for a girly lunch ( including a nice glass of wine) and then last evening Peter and I went to "The Last Night of the Proms" with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra .  Any of my English readers will no doubt know what my evening was like... the first part of the night was beautiful classic music with a Mezzo- Soprano singer then the second part of full of fun.... "Land of Hope and Glory"  "Rule Britannia" - lots of streamers and poppers.... a really fun evening.  I was pleased I managed to cope with the standing beforehand as we had a Canapés and wine get together prior to the show.    Mind you, I did have to have an hours nap earlier this afternoon.  

Thanks for stopping by.... I hope you enjoy reading a little about my life and my love of card-making.

Cheers

Dawn

Tuesday 27 September 2011

Happy H'owl'oween

I recently won a set of stamp from The Crafts Meow.  It was the set called "Happy H'owl'oween" and was designed by none other than the talented Jenny Suchin of Wee Memories.  It is super cute.  Here in New Zealand we do not celebrate Halloween to the same extend as in other parts of the world.  We do not usually give Halloween cards.  But I just had to make a card with these wonderful stamps and my new Tim Holtz "Fall" Seasonal distress inks.

Happy H'owl'oween

I started by taking some white card stock and distressing with Stormy Sky, Seedless Preserves, and Milled Lavender distress inks.  I then spritzed with water and finished with a touch of Pumice Stone on the edges.  I had masked the moon, so used the Ripe Permission ink to distress it.  I added the spider web in the corner with Colourbox  Frost White ink stamping several times.  I stamped the bats on black card and coloured the eyes with gel pen and black enamel accents.  The fence was stamped 4 times side by side and distressed with Gathered Leaves distress ink and cut out.  The ghostly owl was cut from white card and popped up for dimension.  I stamped the sentiment over the moon.  Quite pleased with my first Halloween card.

I'd also like to say a big thank you to all of you who sent me cards and well wishes after my recent surgery.  It really made me feel very special.   I am doing extremely well... I am just about able to do every thing around the house now... just can't bend over to make the bed or do the vacuuming.   I am still off work for another 2 1/2 weeks.   Go back to the surgeon on the 11th for my checkup.

Cheers

Dawn

Monday 26 September 2011

Mygrafico challenge ~ September 26th Halloween

Time for another challenge over at MyGrafico.  Our theme this time is Halloween. Enter for a chance to win this Vintage Halloween Labels set by Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff. Entries will be accepted until October 7th, midnight.
We got to use this wonderful set to make our samples....

Here's what I did...
Treat Bag

I started my label for my treat bag by taking some background Halloween papers ( a freebie my MyGrafico ~ by Shery K Designs Here) and adding it to a Word document.  I changed the transparency to make it a bit lighter.  I then took the Label and placed it over top of the Patterned piece and again made it more transparent - so you could see the PP showing through.  Once I printed it out, I trimmed it and layered it onto the treat bag.   My treat bag was made with an old Hallmark envelope ( I bought a pile from a local magazine shop at 50c each)  I found the instruction in this video   ~ Folded over the top and tied with some twine. 

Do pop over to MyGrafico and see the other goodies the DT created and join us in this challenge.  You have till October 7th - please see the blog for full details and the rules.

Thanks for visiting.

Dawn

Don't you just love new Stamps!

I'm just loving my new Hero Arts stamp called "Merriest Christmas Wishes".   I love the way I can add colour in so many ways.... I've already posted my first card (here) so now here are THREE more variations....

Season's Greeting Bird

Used a Kaleidocolor ink pad ~ Autumn Leaves~ to ink the stamp.  Matted onto some green card that I had cut and embossed with a Spellbinders edgibility die.  Added some self adhesive green ribbon and the button is one I made myself.  The sentiment is from a HA Sparkle clear set.

Bird on a branch Christmas

This one also used a Kaleidocolor ink pad ~ Calypso~ stamped across the stamp rather than down.  I then cut the panel with a Nellie Snellen die and mounted it on another round die from the same set.  I masked off some of the base card and stamped HA Musical Background in Tea Dye.  Sentiment is from the same set as the bird.  Added a hand made Poinsettia.

and finally

Non-traditional Christmas

A bit of non-traditional colours on this one.  I used a Brilliance ink called Twilight for the background.  It is so soft and shimmery.  I used a sparkly gel pen to colour the bird.  Used the new Seedless Preserves distress ink and clear EP to stamp the sentiment directly to the card.  Took some artistic license with the Poinsettia making it with some lilac printer paper.  Off set the panel for create a visual focus.  The base card is a pearlised card from Rosie's Studio.  Lots of tiny gems to simulate the snow.

Thanks for preserving with this long post.... I still have a couple of different coloured panels to make into cards...Soft pool blue and a more dark blue one... Told you I LOVED this stamp!

I'm off to have my walk in between showers today.  It poured yesterday so didn't have one...so MUST go today.  Was tired yesterday as well as we lost an hour sleep with Daylight saving starting and I got woken when hubby and his brother got home at 3.45am after the game on Saturday.... didn't get back to sleep for over an hour and half!!!!   Meanwhile hubby was snoring his head off!!

Take care and have a great week.

Dawn

Sunday 25 September 2011

Sending Hugs to Sophie

My great-niece Sophie (who is 5) sent me a letter this week, with some pictures she had drawn.  So I decided that I would sent her a sweet little card.

Sending a Hug

I have these pre-cut window cards so started by covering the card with some lovely pretty patterned paper from Pink Petticoat pack and cutting out the opening.  I then stamped the little Mini Magnolia stamp onto some dark cream card.  These Mini Magnolias are so cute.... only 2 inches by 1 inch.  I coloured with her Copics and paper pieced her dress.  I added the Hero Arts sentiment.  The top corner pieces are from a Martha Stewart round the edge punch and the the green flourish from MFT die cut.  I punched to butterflies and added a little bit of HA Antique Flower background in my new Distress ink (Seedless Preserves)  The little yellow flowers are a small punch and I coloured some white pearls with a yellow Copic for the centres.
I'm entering this one into a few challenges as well.
Simon Says Stamping ~ Dies to die for
Lily Pad Blog ~ Bling
Wee Memories ~ Use Patterned Paper
Hero Arts ~ Window card

Hope you are having a great weekend.... mine has been good.   The All Blacks won last night and the Warrior's ( NZ's League team) are in the Grand Final next week.


Dawn

Saturday 24 September 2011

Friends Forever



I LOVE Penny Black critter stamps and was lucky to have won some earlier this year from Kathy.   I saw this weeks challenge over at Penny Black blog was Penny Critters I thought of one of the sets I won called "Paint The Town".  It has some adorable critters.   So here's what I came up with.....

Friends Forever

 I stamped onto white card and coloured in the hedgie and bee with Copic pens.  I then used a Nellie Snellen die to cut it out and then sponged the grass and sky while the image was still in the die.  Found some pretty paper from  A Pink Petticoat pack that was a freebie with Quick Cards magazine and a lovely pearlised card from Rosie's Studio.  Added the green ribbon and bow.  Popped the panel and all done.  I was really happy with the result.

Also entering this into the following challenges
Stamp with Fun ~ Anything goes
Penny Black Saturday Challenge ~ Friendship
Simon Says Stamp Challenge ~ Dies to Die for.

Today has been very spring like ~ super warm and sunny.  I managed a nice walk along the beach this morning and sat out in the sun for lunch.  Tonight there is an important rugby match on here in Auckland ~ The All Blacks (NZ) versus Les Bleus ( France) - our arch nemesis!!!!  My hubby is off to watch it live with his 2 brothers and his BIL.  Wishing our team all the best ~ GO THE ALL BLACKS~  I'll be watching it on the TV in about 2 hours time!

Thanks for visiting.


Dawn

Friday 23 September 2011

SSC September challenge week 3 - Sketch Time



Yes, it's Simply Scrapping Crafts challenge day.... this week we have a sketch.
 Our sponsor this month is E.A.D. Designs.   They make vinyl lettering, wall art, stickers and rubons.  This months winner will have a voucher to the value of $35 to spend.  I tell you, you'll have fun choosing goodies from their store!

So onto my sample

SSC September sketch ~ Week 3


I used Christmas Penguins for this card.  I also used lots of CB embossing folders, a resist technique, some masking.  My penguin sticker went on a circle cut with a spellbinders circle that I sat on a circle die (Parisian Accents)  to give the idea of a snowflake.  The blue panel was created by using Holographic EP with some Inkadinkado snowflake flourishes and then did the resist with Broken China distress ink.  I used a little circle of this to cover the centre of the stamped sentiment from Hero Arts.  I masked the penguin in the centre to start but a little of him showed, hence the resist bit there.    Both the card base and the snowflake embossed panel where distressed with the Broken China as well

Please come and join us over at SSC  ~ see the other DT samples and our guest designer, Karin.  You can enter any of the months challenges right up to the end of the month...
Would love to see you there.

Take Care

Dawn

Thursday 22 September 2011

New Christmas Stamp..

I went out the other day to get some adhesive cartridges for my Pro Glue Glider but the store didn't have any in stock.... but I did have a potter round both Scotties and Stamp Zone ( luckily they are quite close to each other) and bought a new Hero Arts Christmas Stamp ~ Merriest Christmas Wishes~ as well as some Distress stains...
Had a play with the stamp and my first attempt was great... It also fits in for a number of challenges...

Christmas Bird


I stamped the image with Memento Dye Ink - Desert Sand-.  I then stamped the sentiment straight onto the card.  Love that there are a number of sentiments with this set.  I was impressed by this card from Anne ( made a Scrapfest) so decided to case the design.  I used a Spellbinders edge die to trim the white panel.  It's got lots of detail


The beautiful red ribbon was a gift from Greta... ( many thanks) and I made the Poinsettia with punches and some old Hallmark envelopes.  Added a few crystal gems and all done.  I think I'll be doing a pile like this for my cards this year.  Already done a couple more variations.

Now for the challenges:
~ Simon Says Stamping  ~ Dies to Die for - using dies/punches
~ Wee Memories ~ No patterned paper
~ Lily Pad Blog ~ sketch ~  I just flipped the position of the circle ~ my flower.

Thanks for visiting today... I appreciate all your delightful comments.
Take care ~ the weekend is nearly here... Daylight savings starts here in NZ this Sunday... so summer is coming - sometime soon I hope as it's been decidedly cool the last two weeks!


Dawn

Wednesday 21 September 2011

Paper Casting Window card.

So what you may ask is Paper Casting... well it's a technique I saw demonstrated at my Local Stamp Group a couple of weeks ago... I missed the beginning of the demo, but yesterday I visited Sue B and she showed it to me.   You can see her card HERE.
So when I got home I pulled out some of my Hero Arts negative stamps and decided on the Flower Bird Garden stamp to use as my mold.

Here's how it turned out....

Paper casting window


Isn't it stunning!  I was so pleased with the result.  I trimmed around the molding and then using some Liquid Pearls "white opal" and water painted the raised parts for a shimmery shine.  I decided to make a Window card with the panel, by framing it with Spellbinders die-cut window.  I sponged the frame with Antique Linen and stamped the Envelope pattern  in the same ink.   My base is a little smaller than a normal card (something to do with not watching the size when I cut the A4 set up!)  I dry embossed the base with CB folder ~ Birds and Swirls~  The green edging was made with a Martha Steward die following the instructions in this tutorial.  Then just added some paper flowers in creams and a pearl centre.  I'm entering this into Wee Memories current challenge ~ no patterned paper~ as well as Hero Arts ~ window card~

Went out yesterday to get some adhesive ~ but the store didn't have any of the one of I wanted left!  The customer in front of me took the last one... so just had to have a look around and lo and behold.... 3 distress stains jumped into my basket!  A pink, green and blue to add to the white I already have.  Oh and a new Hero Arts stamp  - Merriest Christmas Wishes  fell in too... so fun for me over the next few days.

Hope your week is going a well as mine...  Spoke with my daughter at lunch time... I do miss her and it's great to have a quick chat every now and then. 

Cheers

Dawn 
 Edited:  thanks Betty for locating a Hero Arts link to this technique.... HERE 

Monday 19 September 2011

MyGrafico Monday Feature~ Dress Up Girls

Monday again... over half way through September.  Time flies.  This week our feature is Dress Up Girls by Znowflake Design.  Who doesn’t like to play dress up?  Who doesn’t like paper dolls? This digital set brings the two together in a 24 piece set that can be mixed and matched to create several different looks.


Here's my project.


I made a Paper Doll with two outfits.  They have tabs on the side just like I used to have as a child.  I printed out the girl and then her outfits and cut them out, adding the tabs.  I covered one dress with Stickles for added glittery goodness and just the belt on the other one. 

Do pop over to the blog to see the wonderful inspiration from the other DT members.

Don’t forget about our challenge ! The theme is Outdoor Fun.  Entries will be accepted until September 23rd at midnight.  We can’t wait to see what you come up with.  Rules can be found here.  Hope you can join us.

Cheers

Dawn

Sunday 18 September 2011

Inspired by.... Scrumplescrunch aka Susan....

As many of you may know my friend Susan... (Scrumplescrunch) makes the most adorable Shabby Chic/Vintage type cards... She does a lot of her own water coloured papers for backgrounds and has taught me how she does them.  Recently she sent me a wonderful Get Well card....
Isn't it just beautiful.  I adore it.  So much so that it inspired me to try a bit of Shabby Chic.

I had been playing around with some water colours the other week and made some background papers.  One of them was in my favourite purples ~ with some golden tones.
Here is my card ~ totally CASE'd from Sue's.....

Inspired by Scrumplescrunch ~ Sue

I took my background and stamped a number of stamps on it.  First a Harlequin stamp inked up with Milled Lavender and Spun Sugar distress inks. These dried very light on the card but give it a subtle background.  I also stamped Hero Arts Silhouette Spray, and Old French Writing in the Milled Lavender and then the script stamp again in Dusty Concord...a little bit darker.  I made it patchy for the shabby look .  I then used my new Sew Easy tool to make the stitch holes and sewed around the card.  I added some paper hearts sponged in the purple ink, down one side.  My three butterflies are from a Martha Stewart punch and were stamped with the script stamp too and finished with a pearl.  My flower is a Spellbinders Rose die cut with some fine fabric that came with the flowers sent by my work, as is the ribbon behind it.  Just had to save these bits.  I used a lilac sparkle brad for the flower centre.  The smallest petals are a piece of card that I have distressed with the Dusty Concord ink.    Some Hero Arts lace along the bottom and a Hero Arts sentiment stamp and it's all done.  I am really pleased with the look, and am thankful to Sue for the wonderful inspiration.

Had a huge walk with hubby this morning along the beach at Takapuna. 2.5 kms ( 1.5 miles)  Did get a bit wet, but it was lovely walking along the sand.   Tonight for dinner we are heading round to our son's place.  He is cooking a roast chicken.  I've made a chocolate cake for dessert.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers

Dawn

Saturday 17 September 2011

September CCC over at the Pad

I almost missed the deadline for September's CCC over at the Lily Pad.... Been a bit preoccupied!!!!  So yesterday I had a quick look to see what the sketch was, the colour scheme and the theme.   I decided that I would have a go with the sketch.. with one of the colours only, and of course the easy theme.... Friendship.........

September CCC


I started with some lovely patterned card from a DCVW mat pack (Linen Closet) It was a delightful green colour, so used that as my monochromatic look.    I masked off a portion of the card and used some Crushed Olive distress ink and stamped the Friends Definition by Hero Arts.   I stamped the Friend sentiment by Stampin' Up! in the same ink on white card and cut it out with a Spellbinders circle die, added some distress ink and matted it onto an olive green circle die by Nellie Snellen.  I added the ribbon and popped the focal circle with dimensional dots.  Finished with some green pearls.

Just waiting now to find out who this will be on it's way to.....

I had fun making a card this afternoon, but can't get the camera to get the right colours... will have to wait till tomorrow morning and daylight to take a photo.  

Feeling better and better each day... went with hubby this morning to do the grocery shopping.  He was the trolley pusher and the unpacker.... still a few things that I can't do.  

Enjoy your weekend all...there are some of my Blogland friends enjoying each others company this weekend in the USA.  Envious of you all... hope you have a great time and I can't wait to see what you've bought.

Cheers

Dawn

Friday 16 September 2011

SSC September challenge week 2 - CAS

Our Simply Scrapping Crafts September challenges week 2 is all about Style - Clean and Simple style.   I love CAS ~ so easy for me.  But I know it can be a challenge for some ~ so  without further ado here is my sample

SSC Sept challenge ~ WK 2 CAS


I used this month's sponsor (E.A.D. Design) stickers Celebrate the Season .  The sentiment is from a Penny Black set.  I edged the panel with gold pen and matted onto red then onto the dark green card base.  Nice and simple.

Please come join us this week... and remember, you can enter into any of the month's challenges until the end of the month.  So distressing last week, CAS this week and look out for our sketch next week.  Would love to have you play along.  See us here and check out last month's Fab Four and winner.

Cheers

Dawn

Thursday 15 September 2011

Father's Day

Father's Day was earlier this month... 4th of Sept... while I was in hospital.  I did manage to get a card off for my Dad and sent a text on the day.  I did ring once I got home....
Here's what I sent him

Father's Day

I stamped the Harlequin stamp down the left side using Faded Jeans and Tea Dye distress inks.  The rest of the card was distressed with the Tea Dye ink.  The vintage car and the PP are from Graphic 45.  This 8 x 8 pad ( A Proper Gentleman) is a great one for making male cards.

Today I managed to drive myself off to have my blood test done.  Hubby was up at sparrow fart ( 5.15am) to head out to the airport to head off to Christchurch for the day.  He said it was very depressing to see the city in ruins.   Feeling a bit sore tonight so heading off for an early night.

Thanks for stopping by and as always I appreciate all your lovely comments.

Dawn

Wednesday 14 September 2011

CFC #19 ~ Falling to Pieces....

 


CAS-ual Friday's challenge is fun this week... to use paper piecing with a Fall theme.  Well here in NZ we are heading to spring... so it took a bit of thinking to come up with something suitable.... helped though by some Tiffany Doodle digi images I won this week.
Autumn card

As I wanted to enter Hero Arts challenge this month~Anything Autumn, I combined some leaf stamps and my TD images.  The frame and sentiment are digital.  I combined the two images in Word and printed once on white card and once on some green PP from Cosmo Cricket Pixielious.  I then pieced the frame and leaf onto the white card.  Coloured the rest of the frame with a Marvey Le Plume II marker.  I then cut the lot out.   My base card is pumpkin colour and I added some texture with HA Raindrop background in Tea Dye distress ink.   I then took  the smallest leave from HA Three leaves set and stamped it on the PP.  I cut them out ( does that count for paper piecing?)  I bunched the leaves together and added to my base then popped the frame.  

Today brought even more happy mail.... cards and a couple of little stamp sets... thank you so much Anne and Donna... and Brenda.  You made my day.   Mail was there when I got home from my first walk of the day.... wet and cold as I got caught in a shower of rain.  Made me feel better.

Enjoy your week


Dawn