Thursday, November 29, 2012

Angry Bird for Pre Teen!!!

Morning all.
 
FINALLY....with much patience I have rectified my issue with Picasa. I have (sadly) deleted a lot of earlier pictures from my blog. If you go to find something and the picture you seek is not there, Please do not hesitate to leave me a comment or drop me a line and I can forward the picture to you. All the information and "Stuff used" is still all there.
 
Now for today's contribution......
 
Master 12 was off to a laser tag birthday party not that long ago. The birthday boy was one of his baseball team mates. Now whilst I am at my son's game, I am known for having my craft bag not that far from me and am always putting something together. The birthday boy caught a glimpse of my previous Angry Birds cards and thought they were "cool". From a near 12yom that is high praise indeed. I got the inspiration for his card from here by the very talented Andi Potler. This is my version of her card......
 
 
It is so very simple. The road is just strips of black and white CS, a yellow sign and a punched angry bird and there you go!! Now the birthday boy is also an avid reader, so naturally I made him a matching bookmark to go with the books we bought him as a gift. I got the idea for the bookmarks here.
 
 
Here are the card and bookmark together......
 
 
I procrastinated over whether to put his name on the bookmark, but glad I did. Apparently it is not too dorky (phew).
 
Thanks for popping by and for your patience during the whole picture debacle. I promise to share some Festive fun very soon.
 
Stuff used:
CS: (SU) Gumball Green, Whisper White, Basic Black, Poppy Parade (ret), Peach Parfait (ret), Yellow textured Bazzil
Ink: (SU) Poppy Parade (ret)
Stamps: Clear generic happy birthday fm stash
Punches and Dies: (SU) 2 Tags Die, 1 3/4 inch circle, Scallop Circle Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch, XL Owl Punch (eyes), CM 1 3/8 circle Punch, Carla Craft CP2 Daisy punch, 1/4 inch circle, Cuttlebug Olivia Alphabet
 
Lynda xx
 
 
 
 

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Picasa Pandemonium!!!!

Hi all.

Sorry about the gap in posting. I have been trying to work out WTF Blogger/Google/Picasa is doing to me. Apparently I have reached my "limit" in pics on this blog site for the year/ever. I went into what I thought were irrelevant pics and deleted a whole heap of photos...but alas...no joy. (Don't know if it takes 24 hrs or so to reset free space??)

If anyone is blogger literate out there and can help me, please comment and point me in the right direction!!

Thanks

Lynda xx

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Expanding My Cultural Horizons - Diwali II

Morning all.

Today I am sharing the 2nd design of cards I made for Diwali. Again, they use a lot of bright colours, but this time these cards are based around the small candles and the beautiful shapes they come in.

The first cards - well...sometimes it pays to be a hoarder!!! Many years ago (2009 I think) SU had a DSP called Bali Breeze. One of the designs reminded me of the wisps of smoke coming off a flame, so I went with it. So glad I did.....

 
 
The bases are Wide Oval Punches and then the DSP is punched with a Butterfly Punch to make the curves!! The flames were another "accidental" find. I used the "flame" shaped die from the Holiday Ornaments Die set and then double die cut it...does that make sense? The red part of the flame is the heel from the Stocking Builder Punch. Aren't punches wonderful?? I also sponged all the flame edges.







The 2nd card was based around the same layout, but one was in portrait and the other in landscape. I also had another light bulb "flame" idea. For these I used the Daydream Medallion stamp set and Floral Frames Framelits. I cut the stamped and die cut images in half. On the Poppy one, it reminds me of a chandelier.

 
They are so pretty layered all together.
 



 

 
 
Now for that light bulb....the flames were this time done with the Blossom Petals Builder Punch. The end result was a beautiful elongated flame with a delicate tip.
 
 
 
The candle bases were basically the same as the ones above, except this time I tried to do one with the top of a heart punch and the other was part of 2 circles cut into the oval.
 
            Heart                                                                                                                     Circles
 


 

Here are the last batch of cards all together.
 
 
I hope you have enjoyed this out-of-my-comfort zone Diwali cards. I learnt so much whilst reaching these cards. Both ladies that these cards were for were over the moon with the cards and have sent them home to India to their families to let them know they are also celebrating here in Australia.
 
Also...I must also say a BIG thank you to Angela Sargeant again for lending me this wonderful stamp set!!
 
Thanks again for popping by.
 
Stuff Used:
CS: (SU) Tempting Turquoise, Poppy Parade (ret), Summer Starfruit, Whisper White, Rose Red, So Saffron,  Bali Breeze DSP (LONG ret....LOL!!)
Ink: (SU) Tempting Turquoise, Summer Starfruit, Poppy Parade (ret), Wild Wasabi, So Saffron and Pumpkin Pie (sponging flame)
Stamps: (SU) Daydream Medallions
Punches and Dies: (SU) Holiday Ornament Die Set, Floral Frames Framelits, Window Framelits,Blossom Petals Builder Punch, Stocking Builder Punch, Butterfly Punch (ret), Carla Craft CP2 1" Circle Punch, Carla Craft CP21 Heart Punch
Embossing Folder: SU Fancy Fan Folder
Other Bits: Dimensionals, Sponging, Clear Rhinestones fm stash
 
Lynda xx
 
 
 
 
 
 


























 

 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Expanding My Cultural Horizons - Diwali I

Morning all.

I am always stunned and amazed as to where the world of crafting takes you. I am blessed through this blog and my blog friends/followers to have come into contact with fellow crafters from all over the world. The next couple of posts is an example of crafting cultural expansions.

The school that my children go to (like most) is a vast melting pot of cultures, religions and faces. It is wonderful. I was approached by one of the Mums in the playground not so long ago and asked if I could make some cards for her and her friends that they could send back home to India for Diwali. (Insert thought......who or what is Diwali???......see here for the answer). Of course I could not turn down a card making opportunity, so I said yes.

Needless to say, Google copped quite a beating that morning. I was given the brief of bright colours, flowers and candles. Cogs began to clunk!! I found some images here and here of candles. I also recalled a tutorial by Mary Fish here on flower shaped cards. I set to work.

I had seen some magical cards around blog land done with the Fancy Floral Framelits and the co-ordinationg set Daydream Medallions. One small problem.....I did not own the stamp set. Slightly crest-fallen, I sent a "distress" e mail to the GORJUS Angela Sargeant. Low and behold...she had it and was prepared to lend it to me....yippee!!!!

I sort inspiration from these cards here and here and this is the result......

 
 
 
As you can see, they are not exactly the same, but are bright and colourful. My SU brights palate really copped a beating!! Here they are close up....(click on the image to make it larger).






















The detail in the Daydream Medallions stamp set is stunning. For me anyhow, it fitted a slightly Indian feel. I also embossed the Tangerine cards.










Thanks for popping by. Yes, there were a lot of pictures today, but I hope you enjoyed them. To those readers out there who celebrate Diwali, I hope you have a magical festival.

Stuff used:
CS: (SU) Old Olive, Summer Starfruit, Poppy Parade (ret), Tangerine Tango, Rose Red, Whisper White
Ink: (SU) Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Rose Red, Tangerine Tango, Poppy Parade (ret), Summer Starfruit
Stamps: (SU) Daydream Medallions
Dies: (SU) Fancy Floral Framelits
Other Bits: (lots of) dimensionals, 12mm faceted 1/2 rhinestones fm stash, Floral Fusion Felt Flowers (SU ret), Clear rhinestones fm stash.

Lynda xx

 
 
 

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Heartfelt with Stampin' Up in Sydney

Morning all.

A bonus post of sorts.......

Yesterday I attended the Heartfelt Stampin' Up event at Darling Harbour with Angela Sargeant. I had heard much about such gatherings and read many blogs extolling the wonder of Conventions and the like, but this was my first real experience with SU at this level.

First perk.....I met a couple of blog pals, many of whom I have "known" (ie read and e mailed...some for nearly 3 years!!!!). A big shout out to Nicole Derendorf, Leonie Schroder and (by no means least) Jenny Hayward. Jenny and I took the opportunity to have a memento picture to mark the event....I am on the left!!!

 
Second perk....free stamps!!! ( I will share the make and takes and the stamps used very soon!!
 
The next task was to put something on the Inspiration Board. These are display boards where soooooo many ideas are and you can take pictures of the ones that appeal to you (dah hence the name inspiration board I guess!!) This is the card I made for the occasion.....
 
 
Something a little different, but I was sooooooooo happy that the ideas I had bouncing around my head came out nearly the same on paper. The card was inspired by combining 2 cards I had seen. The first is by the uber talented Ellen Kemper and her card seen here. The second card was if you like an adaptation of an inspiration that Diane Giarrusso received at Convention in the USA as a swap seen here. I went back to my pre-stamping roots for a bit and did some punch art. Here is a close up of the lady....
 
 
The "garden" was stamped and sponged to create a feel of looking out of a window. The scene was stamped off twice and three times to give a little depth and the sky was sponged using my very well used acetate cloud template!!
 
 
I had so much fun adding dry embossing to bits and pieces. I am always blown away by what punches can do and deeply admire those out there who can see a shape and use it for something else soooo out-of-the-box!!
 
Third perk......I was sooooooo inspired by what I saw and learnt today it was beyond belief. I was surrounded by such creativity and inspiration....I loved every minute of it. Thanks so much to Angela for taking me and sharing such an awesome day.
 
Thanks for popping by. There will be some new posts fairly soon in conjunction with Diwali, so please drop by again.
 
Stuff Used:
CS: (SU) Midnight Muse, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Primrose Petals, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Blush Blossom (ret)
Ink: (SU) Baja Breeze, Bashful Blue, Primrose Petals, Lucky Limeade, Gumball Green, Wisteria Wonder, Summer Starfruit
Stamps: (SU) Summer Silhouettes, Pennant Parade
Punches: (SU) Pennant Builder, Butterfly (ret), Scallop Oval, Large Oval, 1" circle, 1/2" circle, Eyelet Border, Carla Craft CP2 Heart Punch
Embossing Folders: (SU) Tulip Border, Square Lattice, Fancy Fan
Dies: (SU) Beautiful Wings Embosslit
Other Bits: 3mm white satin Ribbon fm stash, Dimensionals
 
Lynda xx
 
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Purse Die Fun

Morning all.

When the new SU catty came out September 1st this year one thing I was very eager to get was the Petite Purse Die. I have seen many beautiful things done with it, so I thought I may as well join in the fun and games.

My SIL was at the beginning of may 40th birthdays with family and work. It was only fitting that family bore the brunt of my 1st experimental purse!! I also broke out the new Summer Silhouettes stamp set too. This is my 1st attempt at a purse......



I embossed it with the Cuttlebug Wicker Weave EF.















And of course....it held 3 Ghirardelli chocolates just perfectly!!


The card was bases around pink like the purse (my SIL is VERY much a girly girl) and LOVES pink!!

 
The frame that holds the 40 is from the new Window Framelit Dies. I matted it out by cutting 2 pink ones, cutting them in half and then creating the border.
 
 
Here are the purse and card together......
 
 
 
Thanks for popping by. I have MANY more variations of purses to share. I have had lots of 40th birthdays and it seemed like a good way to start a celebration....every gal likes chocolate....right???
 
Next post starts the big challenge I was given....stay tuned.
 
Stuff Used:
CS: (SU) Pretty In Pink, Whisper White, Almost Amethyst (ret), Silver Glitter CS fm Alice's
Ink: (SU) Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Almost Amethyst (ret)
Stamps: (SU) Summer Silhouettes
Dies: (SU) Petite Purse Die, Window Framelit Dies, Beautiful Wings Embosslit die.
Other Bits: Cuttlebug Wicker Weave EF, Pink Rhinestone Silver Brads fm stash, White 1/2 pearl fm stash, SU Designer Sherbert Buttons (ret)
Punches: EK Parisian Border Punch
 
Lynda xx
 
 

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Baby Boom - III

Morning all.

Well here is the last baby card (for at least a little bit). One of the girls on my netball team is in the family way and it was her baby shower a couple of weekends ago. I was asked to make the card on behalf of the team. We all chipped in with money and got her a gift card for a super baby store!

Once again, I reverted to my tried and tested baby pram. The mum and dad to be do not know the sex of bubba yet, so I kept the tones gender neutral. This is what I came up with this time around.....

 
Yes...you are not seeing things....I did a square card!!!! It is also the closest to a "white on white" card i have ever attempted. I busted out my new Nestabilities Heart Squares. Once I had settled on this the whole card fell into place really well. The background paper is the same on used on my daughter's birthday card WAY back here. Sadly I do not know the name of it and as you can see by the last time I used it, I have been holding onto it for quite a while!! I used it because it used a lot of gender neutral colour. It also has a little gloss in the centre.
 
 
The scroll that the sentiment is one was the one I cut down for the handle of the pram, so I guess the shape follows through the card as well. A couple of pearls and I was done.
 
 
Thanks for popping by and enduring all these baby cards. I promise there is something VERY different for me coming up soon. The request took me right out of my comfort zone in a BIG way.
 
Stuff Used:
CS: (SU) Whisper White, Barely Banana (ret), Bazzil Linen White textured CS, DP unknown
Ink: (SU) Perfect Plum
Stamps: (SU) Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Punches/Dies: SU Scallop Trim Border Punch and Large Oval Punch, Nestabilities Heart Squares, Classic Circles, Scallop Circle and Fancy Tag dies, Carla Craft CP1 Heart Punch
Other Bits: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots EF, Dimensionals, White 1/2 pearls fm stash
 
Lynda xx
 
 

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Baby Boom - II

Morning all.

Yes, another doctor in the practice where I work (there are 7 GP's in all of varying ages!) had a double blessing in her life recently. She became a Grandmother twice withing 6 weeks, both grandsons. I guess she opened her Grandmother account with a bang!! To celebrate the occasion, I made a card for both her and her husband to congratulate them on their grandchildren. I based it around the pram in the last post.
 
 
The pram is the same size as the card in the previous post, but this time Bashful Blue instead of Whisper White.
 
 
The sky is sponged using the same technique  as I used in the Puff the Magic Dragon and Angry Birds cards here and here. You will also find the link for it there.
 
spon
 
I think the sentiment fitted the card perfectly. The new Grandmother LOVED it too, so I was also very happy!!
 
Thanks for popping by. Still more baby fun coming!
 
Stuff Used:
CS: (SU) Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Pear Pizzaz and Barely Banana (both ret)
Ink: (SU) Marina Mist
Stamps: So Happy For You (ret SAB '12)
Punches and Dies: SU Scallop Border Punch, Martha Stewart Grass Punch, Nestabilities Classic Circles, Carla Craft CP1 Heart Punch, Nestabilities Fancy Tag Dies
Other Bits: Dimensionals, Acetate template for sponged sky
 
Lynda xx
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Baby Boom - I

Morning all.

Welcome to the beginning of November. I cannot believe how quickly this year is getting away form me!! Does anyone else out there feel the same??

Sometimes being a nurse has its advantages. One of which is kinda being able to pick up when someone may be in the family way. One of the doctors in the practice where I work spiked my curiosity in a big way, but I kept my suspicions to myself for some weeks. More weeks passed, nothing was said, so I approached the Practice Manager and shared my suspicions.....and BINGO!!! (but I was to keep a v v tight lipped secret...no prob!) When the proverbial cat WAS out of the bag, I could not let the occasion go by without a card for the occasion.

I have had a gender neutral card bouncing around my brain for a bit and this was the final result...not exactly what I had in mind...but I was happy all the same.

 
The pram is basically a Nestabilities circle with a segment cut out and then dry embossed. Add a couple of hearts and the hook off a scroll from another Nestabilities tag (genius find even if I do say so myself) and the pram was complete!
 

All the "lattice" dry embossing was done using a little magic tape to hold all the squares together and also numbering them (in case they came apart etc....yes I am VERY OCD!!)

 
The banner was raised on dimensionals and the end flags tucked under just a bit to hang over the edge of the card, but still safely fit in the envelope. Can you tell I REALLY like dry embossing??
 
Thanks for popping by. I have more baby cards to share, both baby shower and birth - soon. I love to read your thoughts and impressions, so thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.
 
I also wish to thank ALL those who pop by regularly and not so regularly for taking my blog hits to over 20,300!!! I have only been blogging since January 2010, so I am over the moon with this result. From the bottom of my heart.....MWAH ooxx.
 
Stuff Used:
CS: (SU) Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder, Bashful Blue, Blushing Bride (ret), Barely Banana (ret)
Ink: (SU) Wisteria Wonder
Stamps: (SU) Curly Cute
Dies: Nestabilities Classic Circles, Nestabilities Fancy Tags
Embossing Folders: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots and Wicker Weave (a new fave which you will see a lot of soon!!)
Punches: SU Scallop Trim Border Punch, Other Bits: Carla Craft CP1 Heart Punch
Other Bits: Dimensionals
 
Lynda xx