RAK - #1

For those of you who don't know, and RAK is a Random Act of Kindness. In Swap Sisters, there are a couple of the most AMAZING women who do the most GENEROUS things out of their own pockets, so we can share in the wonderful world that is papercraft. Sue Denning is one of these women. She is the founder and the driving force behing Swap Sisters and without her, things indeed would be very different.

With this in mind, I decided to pop an RAK in the post to her to say THANK YOU for all that she does. She let it slip in the chatroom one night that she is always taking notes and writing down ideas and sketching ideas for 3D projects. Recently on SCS they had a tutorial for a Matchbox Post It Folder and I combined this with a mini journal and 3 x 3 note tag. This was really the first co-ordinated gift I had done and I was more than happy with the result.

The mini journal....

The matchbook post it front and back.......

 

and the side....

Finally the note card....

It worked a treat and Sue was very surprised. RAK's make people smile (and hopefully) make their day a bit better.

Stuff Used:

CS: (SU) Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Bella Rose DSP

Ink: (SU) Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive (stamp and write marker), Versamark

Stamps: (SU) Heartfelt, Vintage Labels.

Oddments: Brown Grosgrain Ribbon fm stash, Mini Journal.

Lynda xx

Robbie's 50th

My wonderful BIL Robbie turned 50 the other week. I wanted to make a card for him that perhaps reflected his life. Back in England he was part of a rock band (and yes from memory he WAS the drummer) and I had recently purchased a new Cuttlebug embossing folder that may help with my quest. I also got another chance to bust out my new Nestabilities Labels 8.

I went for the colour combo of black,silver,red and white. Here is what the cuttlebug folder looked like before I put the rest of the card together. My head is buzzing with possibilities for this folder as it is very masculine.

and here's the whole card together.....

I am happy with the way it turned out. I know that we all LOVE to do masculine cards, so I hope that this may inspire some of you. The bling 50 was a total bargain and the local 'Hot Dollar' shop. Got a massive bag of these numbers in red, blue and pink for a pittance and I think they worked well on the card too. Most importantly is that Robbie liked it...so mission accomplished.

Stuff used:

CS: (SU) Basic Black, Whisper White, Stardream Silver and Red

Ink: (SU) Real Red

Stamps: (SU) Vintage Labels (SAB '10 set)

Oddments: Cuttlebug Embossing folder - "Gem Rox", Nestabilities Labels 8, SU Pewter Brads, Dimensionals.

Lynda xx

ATC's

Wednesday nights on Swap Sisters is ATC challenge night. Now again, I have never done an ATC before, but at least this time I knew what they were. Courtney sets us up with some elements that our ATC's have to consist of and then we go from there. She herself is incredibly gifted artist, photographer and crafter. Check out her blog if you have some spare time.

The first challenge I did was a couple of weeks back. The ATC had to have: script of text, paper, a 3D embellishment, a picture of a woman and scrumpled/crushed paper. I found these 2 images in a Foxx Collection craft catty and knew right away that I had a start. BTW...ATC's are all 2.5 x 3.5 inches.

This week we had the elements of Balloons or Air. The ATC had to include the theme, something red, a 3D embellishment, one word and fibre or thread. here's mine...

I got to try a techy that I had been busting to do for a while...clouds!! This is where I got the inspiration from. It is so very easy and sets the mood perfectly.

Each ATC has a lot of different things used, so if u wish to know the finer details, just pop a question in the comments box and I'll get back to you.

Lynda xx

Swap Sisters Challenge #7

This week on Swap Sisters, the delightful and always encouraging Michelle set us a technique challenge...Ghosting. Now I for one had never heard of this technique before and thankfully she provided us with a guiding pdf. It involves using Glossy white CS, Versamark and a brayer. Basically you versamark the image you wish to "ghost thru" and then when dry, ink up a brayer and cover the whole piece of card in the ink and let dry. The Versamark will resist the ink and you gently buff the card just to help the image through.

Now I had a wee hiccup this week cause I do not have glossy CS OR a brayer...but Michelle assured me that I could do the same with glossy photo paper and a sponge. So with that in mind, here's my challenge card....

I used the flourish and small flower from the Fresh Cuts set to Ghost and then went over it with Lavender Lace ink. Now in the example given, Michelle also used a background stamp (BGS) before the versamark and it looked a treat. Unfortunately, this was not the case with mine....however...if you squint really hard you may see the Weathered BGS!! There are some 'veins' of colour there I promise....LOL!! The wind also caught the card and I lost a 1/2 pearl...DOH!!

Anyhow....I learnt another technique and through a lot of elbow grease (yes evenly sponging is a great workout) I got a card in for the challenge. Ghosting is fun and perhaps when I have the glossy CS and a brayer I may give it another go!!

Stuff used:

CS: (SU) Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Vellum and Dotti brand hi gloss photo paper

Ink: Versamark, lavendar Lace, Certainly Celery

Stamps: (SU) Fresh Cuts, Weathered BGS, Butterfly Prints, Whimsical Words

Punches: (SU) Butterfly, Large Oval and Scallop Oval

Other bits: Dimensionals and 1/2 pearls fm Bizzy Becs

Lynda xx

Late Notice (2nd installment)

As I mentioned last post, my son (master 9) also came home with a rather late notice of an impending birthday party and I had 2 days (plus all the other stuff that Mum's do) to put something together. I went to the remnants of another Simply Scrappin Kit - Round Up - that I aquired and decided to see what I could do with that. Here's the result....btw...the birthday boy was turning 10!!

I was really pleased with how it turned out, given the amount of time I had to put it together. I also got to get the crimper out and have a play with it. I crimped the strip that the sentiment is on and also crimped the stars. this card only has 1 STAMP on it which is the 'happy birthday" from the SAB Happy moments set.

I also distressed the edges with the cutter kit to 'bloke' it up a bit more. Amazing what you come up with when put under pressure!!

Stuff used:
CS: (SU) Close to Cocoa, Sage Shadow, Simply Scrappin' Kit - "Round up"
Ink: (SU) Close to Cocoa
Stamp: (SU) Happy Moments (SAB '10)
Punches: (SU) Large and Small Star Punch

Lynda xx

New Play Things!!!

On Wednesday the 10th of March I got my much anticipated SAB order. I am looking so much forward to showing you what I came up with using the contents of the magical SU box!!

My delightful daughter (Miss 5) came home very excited from school on Tuesday, bursting with news of a party......that Saturday (13th March). After the interrogation as to who, why, where etc (which BTW she LOST the invitation!!!) I decided I could do this and make a card with one of my new sets. I found this card a couple of months back and fell in love with the colours more than anything. I adapted it to a standard size card and used Butterfly Prints. Here's what I came up with..

I was so very happy with the way this card turned out and I cannot thank Joanne enough for providing the inspiration for it. I think it is perfect for a little girl.

Irony of all ironies....Mast 9 came home with an invitation for a party on the same weekend....and I have fully 2 DAYS notice to come up with that one!!

Stuff Used:

CS: (SU) Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Tea Party DSP

Ink: (SU) Almost Amethyst

Stamp: (SU) Butterfly Prints

Punches: (SU) Butterfly, Eyelet Border, Designer Label, Carla Craft 1" Circle Punch

Oddments: Lilac 1/2 Pearls fm Bizzy Becs, SU dimensionals and Certainly Celery Ribbon, Silver 6 fm stash

Lynda xx

Boxes Boxes Everywhere!!!

Don't you just love it when you can buy the perfect gift for someone and then have the ability to make the perfect box for it to go in? I know I do.

I recently surprised Andrea with a wee card and gift for her birthday. She received one of the 'country' cards. This is the box I made for her gift..

Then my bestie had her birthday the day after Andrea and she received this box. I also got the chance to bust out my new Martha Stewart Double Loop Punch, which actually has a co-ordinating corner punch, so you can go all the way around!!!! I am working on a couple of things to show you this.

and then the day after that...and no I am not kidding....one of the secretaries I use to work with had a birthday and this is the box she received.....

It contained a set of 6 mother of Pearl coasters that gave the impression that the M.O.P was woven on a black base. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of them...doh!! This was the very first time I mad a box to measure. It was very Basic indeed, but I was also more than happy with the outcome.

I am loving boxes and the happiness they bring.

Lynda xx

A Little Bit Country....

I have now (thankfully) come to the end of my mega run of female birthdays. Here is one card that has been bouncing around the brain for a bit...and also, because of a wee oops...the look was improved. I changed them ever so slightly with the sentiment, but apart from that they are identical.

I have used my Stamp and Write Markers for the flowers....and just after I had stamped the last flower...I splodged ink on the side of the CS!!!!!! Remedy...pull out some ribbon from the stash and add a little more interest. I loved it so much...I repeated it (minus the splodging) on the second card. I also thought I was quite clever matching up the gingham on the ovals!!!

Hope you like this little feel of country.

Stuff used:

CS: Textured red CS, (SU) Whisper White, B & W Gingham (fm the Paper Factory)

Ink: (SU) Stamp and Write Markers Real Red and Mellow Moss

Stamps: (SU) Garden Whimsy, Great Friend , Amy R Stamps "Birthday Wishes"

Punches: (SU) Large and Small Oval Punch

Other: Red and White stitched ribbon fm stash.

Lynda xx

Swap Sisters Challenge # 6

This week at Swap Sisters we were set the following sketch...

Once again, it could be a card, scrapbook page or 3D item. Now not being a scrapbooker, I let that go through to the keeper and I did a couple of cards last challenge...so that left a 3D item. Now most of you know that I am not a real girly-girl, which is why you may be surprised that one of the 1st things that came to mind when I saw this was a HANDBAG!!!!!

Here's what I came up with....

Now before all you nay-sayers go "OOOOOOOOO...she's used PINK again!!"......you're wrong. I actually, for the very first time since I found out about SU tackled Groovy Guava. Some time ago, I was generously given some old and used SU Simply Scrappin' Kits and this was one of them. I was also busting to try out my recently acquired Nestabilities Labels 8. I am so very happy with the way this little project turned out. I am having such a ball with Swap Sisters. I am being challenged constantly out of my box, but I am loving what I am coming up with too.

Go find a sketch or challenge page and see what you come up with.

Stuff Used:

CS: (SU) Old Olive and Simply Scrappin Kit (Secret Garden - Colours: Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Groovy Guava and River Rock)

Ink: (SU) Old Olive

Stamps: (SU) Lovely Letters Alphabet

Punches: 1" and 1 1/4 " circle punch, SU horizontal Slot Punch

Bits: Olive ribbon fm stash and double sided tape

Lynda xx

Bit sore and sorry...

Just a quick one today....I have not been around to many blogs of late due to the fact that I am slightly impeeded. On Monday night, I played my usual game of netball, however, what was not usual was the total inappropriate aggression of the opposition!!!! During the last quarter, I fell victim to a heavy head clash and sustaind a bad injury to my nose and face. For those of you with weak dispositions it may be good to look away now!!!!

Here's how I looked Wednesday....

And here is today....

Now that the majority of the bruise is out, hopefully things will settle soon. I still can't feel the tip of my nose (which is a very weird sensation indeed) and I have been told that the swelling around the nose will take months to go. I also can't wear my glasses, so it makes crafting a little difficult too!! Needless to say my lucrative modelling career has been put on hold for some time.....LOL!! So I promise I will get back to regular blurfing very soon.

Take care one and all.

Lynda xx

With a little help from my friends.....

Now that I have finally given this gift I can post it...WOO HOO!!

Again....I am extolling the wonderful virtues of the crafting community out there. The incredibly talented, wonderful and good humoured Debbie P assisted me with an image swap, whereby, you exchange images with others who do not have the set or the image that you may be after. I have gone through a HUGE amount of journals over the Christmas period and the last one off the rank was for my best friend. She is a "blue" kinda gal...which is perhaps is why we get on so well....cause neither of us do PINK!!! LOL!! Anyhow...I found the perfect paper at my local Riot Art and Craft Store...and then came the decision of making the image choice. The one I chose is The Greeting Farm - Twinkle Tots named Izzy. The result is this....

Here's a close up...don't look too closely...I still have a lot to learn about watercolouring!! It does however alos highlight the stunning roses that I purchased from Bizzy Bec's. They really finish the whole project perfectly.

Thanks so much to Debbie and Bec for helping me put together this great project.

Stuff used:

Card: (SU) Regal Rose, Watercolour paper.

Paper: My Memories Scrapbook Paper - 140974

Mediums: Faber-Castell Watercolour Pencils, Lyra Aquacolour Crayons

Misc: Nesties Ovals and Scallop Ovals, Roses fm Bec's

Lynda xx

One of those cards!!!

For those of us old enough to remember.....

"Hey Rocky....watch me pull a rabbit outa my hat!!"

I have had the fab Magnolia Love Muffin in my posession for some time and never gave it an airing!! (I can hear the collective boos and hisses fm the crowd. I'll cop that...just please don't throw the rotting fruit!!) Long story short....you know when you have one of those moments when you are sifting through your papers and a MAJOR lightbulb goes off....well this card began with such a moment.

I have had this FAB cupcake DP for a wee while and then (lightbulb) how about teaming it up with the Love Muffin (LM)!! So the card was born.....many times over...and over...etc!!! I had a farly good idea of what I wanted the card to look like and in the end....wound up NOTHING like it. Of course...that NEVER happens to anyone else...does it?? (yeah right).

I painted the LM with a combination of my Faber-Castell watercolour pencils and my Lyra Aquacolour crayons. When I am trying to match an image to a DP, I paint it with the DP v close by so I can get as close as possible. So beige tone....check, red....check, blue......check and then came my arch nemesis....PINK!!! AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH. I over pinked myself and was perplexed as to how I was gunna balance the card back in favour of my original idea. Basically (much to hubby's amusement) the procrastination and castigation went into overdrive for (sadly) 2 whole days!!

Layout upon layout, combo upon combo...and then finally the moment that every crafter loves...(insert image of dancing sunrays bursting through the clouds and that choralistic sound....aaaaahhhhhhhh) presto!!!!

I broke up the "uprising" of pink with a dash of brown and a strip of the reverse side of the DP. I cut a medallion with the SU Scallop Edge Punch, cut around the LM and mounted it on dimensionals. All of this was mounted on the cupcake DP and Kraft CS. The sentiment was done in SU Basic Brown. The "Happy Birthday" stamp from Jemac was also too long for the strip of paper...to I had to break it up on 2 lines. All of this angst of course was over a birthday card for a 7yo GIRL!!!!! The things we do!!

Thanks for enduring through this sad and sorry tale. Perhaps I'll be back later on with a happier saga!!

The Crafting Gods MUST be Crazy!!!!!

Just a quick post to share some very exciting news. You may recall my Swap Sisters (Challenge #5) cards that I did.....YES the pink ones......well............

I WON THE CHALLENGE!!!!!!!!

As a result I have a wonderful surprise of goodies coming my way. So once again the universe has given ne a karmic kick in the backside and let me know that it's OK to use pink.

Hope you have all had a creative day.

Lynda xx

Vintage Effort

Last Saturday (27th March) I attended a Vintage Card Workshop at my local craft hang out, Alice in Paperland. I was very eager to say the least to try, and at least get a vague grip of, this technique. I had a fab time, but the downside for me was that we were expected to do 6 cards and 1 tag in 2 hrs with nothing precut and no written instructions. So in the end I completed 3 of them and took pictures on my mobile phone of the other 3 cards and traced the template tag...of course to complete at a later date.


Bargain of the day I HAVE to say was a mega box of really old laces that belonged to an elderly lady, that were given to the instructor, for us to go through and take for 20 CENTS a metre. Needless to say I indulged in a couple of them and picked up a couple of clear buttons too.

Here they are....drum roll please...(not)!!

I love how we had to stamp a script image on the flower. Never would have thought of that before!!!

I am really hanging out to try some more of these types of cards in the future...and of course I also got some appropriate papers to play with too!! (LOL)

Lynda xx

Swap Sisters.....Challenge #5

Well....most of you aware of my relationship with PINK. This week at Swap Sisters....they evoked a Dr Phil-like challenge and obviously wanted it and I to "just get aloooowwwwwnnnngggg" (insert Dr Phil-like drawl!!) This is what was set.....

For those of you with diminished eyesight....it's Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette and Whisper White. Not 1......but 2 PINKS!!!!!!! Oh the agonal pain and torture. However, after a minor breakdown and a wee lay down....I decided that I COULD do this and hit the challenge head on. At first I thought I cld do 4 cards and really show pink who is boss, but then I decided 2 would be better...LOL!! I also set myself the challenge of reaching into my stamps and using the first set that I grabbed....and the winner was...Eastern Blooms - probably because it was on top and the set I last used huh?? I also his SCS for a bit of inspiration. I found this as a starting point and came up with this....

I scored the border like the original. I like the effect.

The 2nd card I found whilst blurfing and must have had it for such a long time that I can't even locate the original post!! I Googled and also tried to find the web link superimposed over the card to no avail, so all I can say is thanks to the creator of this card....

Helping me to create this...

I do not have any Regal Rose or Pink Pirouette markers....so I samped the imaga each time in the colour and cut around the flower and stuck it on. I think it gives it a slight 3D effect. The Regal Rose DSP also adds textural interest.

Hope you like these challenge efforts. I have EVERYTING crossed that the pink run now has a rest...hee hee hee.

Stuff Used:

CS: (SU) Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose DSP (fm Patterns Pack II), Bella Rose DSP

Ink: (SU) Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip

Other bits: Dimensionals (SU), scoring tool.

My New Blinkie

Hi All,

If you look in the top right hand corner, you'll notice the cuteset owl. This little fella is the symbol of the wonderful creative conglomerate known as Swap Sisters, of whom I have been a part of since January. It is run by the devine Sue Denning and we have THE BEST fun.

The group are SU demos and appreciators. You can log on at anytime day or night and usually find something/or someone to look at or chat to. We have weekly challenges (which I am now just getting the hang of), chat room challenges, swaps and the best part of all is the creative element of friendship. members are spread all over the world (NZ, USA, Canada and all over Aus) and we are hoping to expand this on a daily basis.

"Membership by invitation only.Leave me a comment now with your contact details to secure your spot!" (hee hee hee). Seriously, it is by invitation only...(but they let me in) and if you wish to know more, leave me a comment with your best contact e mail and I'll get that to Sue ASAP.

Have fun.....and why not join us....I'm having a ball!!

Lynda xx