smartie-artie mel

Waltzingmouse Stamps Mothers day Bloghop.

2010-04-17T11:32:00.005+12:00

I'm joining in the waltzing mouse blog-hop. Here is the mothers day card I made using the stamp sets "Blessed by you" and "Seasons of love tags". I really liked the look of clean and simple cards that other people do but I struggle with making them myself. This is probably the closest I've ever come. Anyway I hope my Mum likes it, I'm sure she will. Now I'm off to look at all the other creations on the blog hop.

Under the sea

2010-04-11T14:58:00.000+12:00

Isn't this one of the most gorgeous images?! It is from Sweetpea stamps. You can see some other cards from SweetPea stamps at stampersquest.com. Just search for Sweetpea or look at the featured vendors page.

This Card uses some Kaiser papers, emboss resist on the back card with tsukineko 'Opalite' ink which has also been used to add highlights to the mermaid.

Brag book two

2010-04-03T08:09:00.000+13:00

I love 1aking these little books for presents. This book is for one of the very special wee girls I look after. I had a blast making it! I used lots of spellbinders to make it even easier. I loved the effect of cutting the photos with the spellbinders. I was limited in the photos that I had so I could cut all of the boring bits out and just have the focus on the 'little cutie' herself. The instructions for making this book are over at Stamper's Quest. Just do a search for "brag book" on the top right of the page and it will show up.

Baby Brag book

2010-02-02T09:33:00.003+13:00

This is the second brag book that I have made - the first (with instructions) is here at stampersQuest.com. They are so easy and fun to make. You should definately have a go. This one has a little yellow box to keep it in.

Inspiration from February Stampers Quest

2010-02-02T08:59:00.001+13:00

The cards that I made for the February special folds feature at StampersQuest.com were so fun and easy to make that I have made loads more. These ones are themed for Boys and girls about 6-11years ish. I loved the style of card so much I have decided to do them in my upcoming class at Scrapbook corner.

The Pirate card uses Kaisercraft 'Skull Boi" paper and a cuttlebug cutting die.

The Beach card uses Kaisercraft 'Sunny days' paper and Spellbinders cutting/embossing/stenciling dies, classic circle, invered scollop circle and Seashells.

For details on the measurments and construction of these cards go to this post at StampersQuest.com for the instructions - but be sure to look around at the other cool projects made by the Artistic guides there.

OR if you are in Napier come to Scrapbook corner for my class.

Spring is nearly here - sun is on the way.

2009-08-26T18:23:00.017+12:00

Well I've been having a whole lot of fun playing with the sunflower spellbinders dies. What an awesome set this is - there are so many different ways to make the flowers up. (and they all look gorgeous). I've made these samples up for the next class at scrapbookcorner. The only stamping is on the centre card which is a stampscapes sentiment.

Cheers
Mel

My first spellbinders class

2009-08-25T12:21:00.000+12:00

This is what I have made for a class at Scrapbook corner - Napier NZ. It is three cards and a giftbox using the spellbinders nestabilities squares, new release Kaisercraft paper and a small stamp set from heroarts. They are so simple but fun!

Go and see all of the details on the scrapbook corner blog (and see the gorgeous samples for the next spellbinders class).

Oh I've had some fun....

2009-08-24T12:06:00.003+12:00

Boys cards are hard - they all like different things - and I'm never sure if I've got it right. But, this one was so much fun to make. It is a digi-stamp from Victoria Case designs. I never thought I would use digi-stamps ( I'm a big fan of rubber - I don't even like polymer stamps that much) but this was fast to receive, cheap and I can make it which ever size I like. There are downsides to the techniques I can use though.

On this card I have used copic markers to colour then cut out with spellbinders inverted scollop (and matted on to a purple scollop circle) The paper is from Kaiser - it is my daughters favourite so we have quite a good stash of it and I think it works well with the mnster boy theme.

The layout is loosely based on one of the sketches from Stampersquest.com - April

How cool is this?

2009-07-20T21:36:00.001+12:00

My New Stampscapes arrived last week but I was too busy to play (darn it all) but today I had a chance and it was Sooooooo much fun. This is my second go. They are so quick and easy to get really cool results. I just need a bush plant to cover where I put too much green on the bottom of the mountains, I'll add it to the list.

The bottom one is the very first one that I did - It is on normal card so the colours aren't as vibrant and it's too long to fit on a normal size card and I don't want to trim it down. But I love it too.

I think I'm going to love everything that the stampscapes stamps can do!

New MIL card

2009-07-09T11:02:00.011+12:00

I've been over to the ISC blog and saw this sketch which was just perfect for my MIL - I think this is a much nicer and brighter card for her, so the butterfly card from earlier now goes to my sister's friend. This was a fun easy sketch with spellbiners circle dies. All of the stamps come from the "about me" ISC sheet. The dandelion head was stamped onto the red circle with white emboss powder and then the flower stamped with distress ink mustard seed and fired brick was layered over the top. I also just happenned to have the perfect ribbon in my stash. I was going to pleat it a little but this one was just too busy. The background paper was from my stash from a few years ago and was cuttlebugged with the the divine swirls and stylised daiseys folders. I was going to add a "happy birthday" sentiment with peelcraft stickers - but decided that I liked it just as it was. - Thanks ISC.
edit: we went out for tea this evening and she loved the card. woohoo.

beautiful butterflies

2009-07-05T13:41:00.003+12:00

Oh my goodness it's been soooooo long. I thought it was time I added something to my poor neglected blog.
this is a card made for the MIL. It was a backgound that I had prepared during a class I was taking and I liked that the colour was almost like a sky blue, so what else to add but some butterflies flitting about.
All Stamps are Rubbadubbadoo - birthday block and monarch
All inks are kaleidacolor - blue breeze and desert heat.

A fun challenge

2009-05-01T09:07:00.002+12:00

Here is a snippet of two of the projects I made for the I Brake for Stamps feature over on Stamper's Quest magazine. Mine were featured on the final day. I recommend looking at all of the guides creations to see what a wide variety of images they have. Follow the links on the stamper's quest pages to check out I Brake for Stamps.

Oh my...

2009-04-13T12:28:00.007+12:00

how long has it been - I've been doing stuff - honest - just too much stuff. On April 1 there was a new edition of Stamper's Quest with some of my projects in them - here is a snippet..

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You can go and see the other projects at www.Stampersquest.com.

SQ Feb sketch challenge

2009-02-11T08:59:00.005+13:00

Well the 10th of the month has been and gone so the sketch challenge is up over at stampersquest. This horse card was made using Rubbadubbadoo stamps with a hero arts sentiment. It was inspired by Kitties tutorial at Stampersquest which you can see here. I had fun drawing in the fence but was not brave enough to attempt a tree so I used one I already had.

This card uses the same sketch turned on its side.
I've used darkroom door stamps and ?Distress Inks? with lots of distressing of the edges with scissors and fingernails.

Go and look at the other Artistic guides interpretations here. And as the readers cards are contributed you can see them here in The Sketchbook.

latest ATC

2009-01-14T11:21:00.003+13:00

I've been making some ATC's for a swap at my local - Scrapbook Corner. This is one of my favourites that I made - so I thought that I would share.

Images are Stampendous and oxford impressions.

Stampers Quest sketch challenge

2009-01-12T09:04:00.008+13:00

This is the sketch challenge on Stampers Quest for January. Go over and see the designs by the other artistic guides at StampersQuest it is always amazing to see the other creations that are made from exactly the same starting point.

Like I've said I find sketches a challenge - but I think it's about going through my supplies and finding just the right stamps - which is not always that easy if you don't have a huge variety. Then it's looking at parts of bigger stamps and also smaller stamps which go together. I'm working on next months now and hope to have some successes...

For this sketch I decided I had to get out my new cuttlebug and give some embossing a go - I'm still learning what I can do with this thing and having fun. All of the colour was added by sponging. The little robot heads are from the robots vol 2 by Darkroom door - I am loving these sets at the moment and these robots are the cutest. I left an actual sentiment off this one so it could be used for birthday, congratulations or even a thank you.

African bodice dress card

2009-01-04T00:00:00.003+13:00

Here is the third card I made for the Stampers Quest January issue focussing on Masking.

It is my advanced level card - go to Stampers Quest to see how I made it and check out the other masking projects while you are there.

All the stamps I have used are from Rubbadubbadoo. If you still haven't done it, I recommend you go and have a look at their catalogue.

Faux ripped wallpaper card

2009-01-03T00:00:00.004+13:00

Here is the second card I made for the Stampers Quest January issue focusing on Masking. It is my intermediate level card - go to Stampers Quest to see how I made it.

All stamps are from Rubbadubbadoo. They are the same stamps used in the previous card with a different focus and masking technique.

Solitary Lion card for the 'discoverer'

2009-01-02T00:00:00.008+13:00

Here is the first card I made for the Stampers Quest January issue focussing on Masking. It is my beginner level card - go to Stampers Quest to see how I made it.

All stamps are from Rubbadubbadoo. I recommend you go and have a look at their catalogue - with the NZ dollar, as it is, at the moment it's much more economical to "buy New Zealand made" no matter where you are.

Darkroom door oval garden card

2008-12-31T23:45:00.009+13:00

This is one of the cards I have made for the January issue of Stampers Quest.com using a masking technique and some new stamps. For details on what I used and how I did it, go on over to Stampers Quest. From tomorrow (01/01/09) check out the other cards that have been created. (I'll add the other cards I made over the next few days).

Stamps used: wildflowers by darkroom door

Mary-Jane has made some cards like this - go over to her blog - Chookarooni1 and have a look - they're gorgeous.

Willow's Desk Calendar

2008-12-17T20:55:00.000+13:00

Fellow StampersQuest reader Willow Ciarrochi made this calendar using directions from the Christmas Blizzard at StampersQuest.

I love what you've done Willow! Thank you for sharing.

Stampers Quest Christmas blizzard - calendar

2008-12-13T23:00:00.003+13:00

Another project I made for Stampers Quest Christmas Blizzard - check out all the details here

Stampers Quest sketch challenge - December

2008-12-12T22:50:00.011+13:00

Here is my version of the sketch challenge for December at StampersQuest.com

Check out the different interpretations from the other guides at here

Stamps used: "little dreams" from darkroom door
Inks used: various adirondack

Stampers Quest Christmas blizzard

2008-12-08T19:31:00.004+13:00

My first Christmas project has been published on StampersQuest.com go here for the instructions.

Stamps used: Rubbadubbadoo - C287L Let Your Dreams

Swap returns - Darkroom Door photobooth

2008-12-05T13:13:00.002+13:00

These are the Atc's I received back from the Darkroom door Photobooth swap I joined. They are all so gorgeous in real life - as you probably know the scanner just does not even nearly do them justice. These were made by...
Me, Sandra De Marchi, Damaris M
Pam Tucker, Sherri Field, Sue McGettigan
Rachel Greig(hostess), Cheryl Townley, Janet Hamblin.

It was a cool challenge to work withthese little images and now I have lots of ideas of what to do with the ones I have left (and the ones I'll get in the future)- Thank you ladies.

Christmas Music Card

2008-11-27T12:28:00.004+13:00

I realised that I haven't posted in over two weeks (and I expect that will continue or get worse until after Christmas) I've been busy with work but also preparing projects for StampersQuest.com and classes at Scrapbook Corner. Today, I decided to join in the challenge here at CreatedByHandChallenge and this is the card I have made. (Please ignore the sticker sticking up - it has been remedied -honest)

I've used up peices that I was experimenting with in preparation for a class at my local - Scrapbook Corner.

Stamps used: well actually none

Inks used:alcohol and various dye

Techniques used: sponging through sequins scrap, peelcraft stickers

Stampers Quest sketch challenge

2008-11-10T22:08:00.011+13:00

Here is my interpretation of the stampers quest November Sketch challenge which also fits in with the theme at the created by hand challenge

Check out what the otherstampers quest guides came up with and post a comment with a link to your version on the sketch post site.

Stamps used:
Hero arts, stampendous and sugarloaf

Inks used:
Black archival and alcohol inks

Techniques used:
Alcohol inks on acetate and gloss paper. A little masking of the script stamp. Distressed the edges of the black card with scissors.

In the jungle...

2008-11-07T09:09:00.004+13:00

Well the jungle that is my craft area....

Just a quick post to show off this gorgeous stamp I got from Rubbadubbadoo this week - New Zealand shopping is the only way to go at the moment (with exchange rates the way they are). Overseas shipping is about NZ$ 15 for up to a kg.

I have sooooo much planned for this lion. This is a quick card I did to try him out. It took about 8 minutes all up. I coloured in with the kids pencils that were out on the table, added some sponging then the extra sponged layer and hey presto! I'll add a word or embellishment of some kind (not sure what exactly) before he gets sent away but isn't he magnificent!

Guest artist at Stampers quest e-zine.

2008-10-21T08:49:00.007+13:00

Wow - check out this tutorial by Jill Meyer at Stampersquest.com.
I love a new technique and this one is going to be fun... go have a look here.

Design Team At StampersQuest.com

2008-10-19T16:34:00.004+13:00

Just a quick post to let you know that I have very proudly been chosen as an artistic guide at www.Stampersquest.com.

I've started working on a few things already and it'll be there soon - in the mean time have a look at what they've been doing so far.

See my version of the November sketch challenge there and here on November 10. I had fun making it so come back and have a look then.

2008-10-15T10:38:00.004+13:00

Here's a couple of A.T.C's I made recently - I was having a bit of a vintage inspired phase (which I think I'm still in). The left is me practicing making my own collage and the one on the right was done for a swap. Both used photo stamps.

2008-10-15T09:58:00.006+13:00

Here's something that I did a little while back - as close as I get to scrapbooking this is. I think it's too pretty to hide inside a book - so it's been on the wall until K made her own one to display.
Stamps used: Stampington and amazing creations
Inks used: white brilliance
Techniques used: painted clipboard metal painted with neo opaque

ISCC14

2008-10-11T20:55:00.009+13:00

The challenge at Innovative Stamp Creations Blog this past week was to make a card using this sketch here. I have to say I did not like it at all - It took me to the darkside (using preprinted papers) but without it I wouldn't have this card, which I do like in real life.

and guess what technique I used for the butterfly...

Yep - you guessed it - more resist.

Stamps used: ISC "about me"
inks used:versamark and distress faded jeans, black soot and shabby shutters
techniques used: pre-printed papers from 7gypsies, prismacolor pencils, powder embossing resist.

It was so nice to use some different colours.

more resist atc's

2008-10-09T19:05:00.023+13:00

Stamps used:
ISC "about me" and "Atc elements II"
Rubbadubbadoo "Classic lady"

inks used:
Distress, versamark and versafine black

techniques used:
resist - powder emboss, sponging

Earlier stages:
This was done the same as the "fly" atc below - using some different stamps for a return for a 1-4-1 swap. I'm already planning how I'll do it different next time. I like this one - but I can see it going further too.

I've decided to try out some bleach on the face as I really like the look of the one below that I've made with masking (I'm now also bleaching the neck and when that's finished I'll see what I need to do after that) see above

I love the way this one has turned out!
Really love it!
I think I'll play some more with colours...

ATC turned card.

2008-09-29T18:37:00.002+13:00

OK I've turned this ATC into a card for Adele - I don't think she would have a use for and ATC but I'll let her know she can deconstruct it and frame the ATC to hang on her wall in the lounge. (hehehe I might really just tell her to do that - of course she'll just laugh at me!)

Stamps used: All ISC see post below
inks used: see post below
techniques used: see post below: and the orange ribbon isn't as scarry in real day life.

Swedish Collage...fin!

2008-09-26T08:00:00.004+12:00

Oh here's my "swedish collage" - see previous post.

Wow it was fun to do - I think of it as the best friend that you have that no one can understand why you're friends with them - these friends are often the ones you can really depend on when it really matters - and I'm assuming this card will be the same.

It was great to get stuck in to that stash box!

Stamps used: Hero Arts clear alphabet sets - O,Q,Y,U,K.
inks used: colorbox ruby, versafine black, adirondack wild plum handmade background papers
techniques used:The shoe and hand bag are stickers on acetate that were coloured in with "sakura glaze" pens by my dear little K and the rest is just a bit of ripping, a bit of glueing, a bit of inking edges, a bit of punching and 'hey presto' you're there! I haven't used any buttons or staples though so it may need adding to - after all "more is more".

Some thing new to try

2008-09-23T14:39:00.005+12:00

Oooh I think I'm going to give this a go swedish collage challenge go and check it out - looks like a fun way to use up papers and get blood flowing to a different part of my brain. hehehe. Have until 1st October to join in - so one week eek!

"There are several key points which regularly appear in swedish collage style stamping...

* the shape of the card is SQUARE

* a bold mix of PATTERN PAPERS is used

* CHIPBOARD titles (in any language!), BUTTONS and/or STAPLES are often incorporated into the design

* COLOR COLOR COLOR the more color the better! (this is not your regular vintage style collage frequently done in the states! Ban the brown!)"

My Budding stamp artist...

2008-09-21T10:19:00.004+12:00

My Darling Daughter (8) has been joining in this week and has made her own atc using resist (see the sponging over the embossed flowers) she is loving the skeleton leaves and the colour blue at the moment and chose this 7gypsies paper and sticker from the mess that is our craft room. She was so proud that we've decided that it should be blogged - so here it is.

iscc13 atc resist techniques

2008-09-20T19:40:00.034+12:00

The challenge this week at Innovative stamp creations was to make 2-4 ATC's with a resist technique. Now I was lucky as I have just done two this week with this technique so here they are...

This was inspired by “Adele” my very cool step-sister-in-law who is now a published writer and who strove to achieve her dream through all the “poo hooing” of the people around her.
Resist method
Ink crackle background in versamark and clear emboss.
Sponge a mixture of dye inks over (I’ve used red pepper caramel and a little stonewashed adirondacks)
Then I ironed (with paper towel) the background to remove the clear emboss
Stamped “fly” and used black emboss powder
Stamped pen nib on scrap card black embossed and added colour with sponge
Stamped “wings” and sentiments in black onto scrap and coloured with spongeing
Then layered it all up.
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Resist methodThis next one was done for the "men" theme at inkurable blogspot - go have a look and join in - there is so much inspiration over there.
On gloss cardstock I stamped the torn paper stamp with versamark and then sponged with esspresso and maybe a little caramel (or butterscotch) for some depth. I then stamped the film strip four times down the length of the card with sepia archival ink. Sentiments are in black archival ink – I used second generation stamping to avoid too much ink from pooling on the gloss and causing the stamp to slip if I pressed too hard.
The slide mount was found at the bottom of the sticker drawer and sanded back, a little plastic peeled back a little, inked with ginger and then some "fire adobe” emboss powder sprinkled over two corners and melted then scratched a little of it off and inked again (it used to be very black and white)
The bottom peice was a chipboard sticker which was sanded back – it had a much easier surface this one. I inked with browns and blacks until I liked it. I stamped the "family" with black but it just soaked in so I put some brilliance white overtop and tried again. The ribbons are a strip of white card, inked black and brown then corners cut and taped on. I like how they look like old dark leather.
Resist method
This last one was done with a cuttle bug and wax. I think that I scraped candle wax into the cuttlebug first then gave it a bit of a blast with the heat tool, squished it. Sponged and spread esspresso and caramel ink (with plastic) over the top and then stamped with archival ink. Now I don't think it's finished but my dh does, so I'll add to it when just the right thing pops up. I think it needs a long tall key or key hole to go with the opening of creative doors and beginning of artistic journeys... (Edit - I have made the keys from chip board diecuts from my local and I like it - I'll add a photo this evening - let me know what you think...)

Edit - well my dh also prefers it with the keys now that he doesn't have to imagine it. I like the middle picture with the keys on the left so you can see more of the resisting

All stamps used on these ATC's were from Innovative Stamp Creations : About me, ATC elements and art4framesII. go and check them out here

ISCC12 - scketch challenge

2008-09-17T22:10:00.011+12:00

Here it is for Melissa because I did give a tease earlier today...
This is for the blog challenge at innovative stamp creations (See my previous post for a pic of that gorgeous rubber)

I will take some more pics in the daylight tomorrow so that you can see the butterflyies standing out (the scanner is a bit squashy) and the colour's a little better - the scanner really shows the white in behind the colours.

Stamps used:
Innovative stamp creations - about me and art4framesII

inks used:
memento dandelion and tangelo; adirondack red pepper and stonewashed; versafine onyx black

techniques used:
I cut the strips from white cardstock and ripped the ends, then attached them to the card. I started with the red dandelion head then orange then yellow and sponged a little colour into the gaps. Then I wiped the black card clean (it is a little shiny). Next I stamped the butterflies randomlyish to be flying from the bottom left to the top right. (wipe clean black again). The sentiment was a solid background stamp with black embossed "thankful" matted onto black which matched the card.
Instead of brads/eyelets I stamped butterflies with black on manilla card and colourd dtp with stonewashed; they are attached with a little folded peice of card to make them float on an angle above the card.

This was the third draft of this card - I learned that if you stamp the paper up and then cut and split it your brain doesn't like the gaps if you've cut a butterfly down the middle and spread the gap and that if you stamp and then rip the bottom and try to adhere to the card it looks funny with gaps on the top and bottom or patterns on an angle (looked like a bad wallpaper job). But this one I liked!

here's that new rubber...

2008-09-07T10:40:00.002+12:00

Does it get any better than this? Not much I don't think!

Another Wooo Hooo

2008-09-06T19:44:00.009+12:00

I am so excited - I won a prize of five stickywords sheets on the inkurable stampers blogspot challenge for August which was to make a card using flowers - I entered the card that I had made for a sick relative - (who is a bit better now). I sugest that you look in - there are many many inspiring cards , atc's and even scrapped layouts made by some of the talented people out in stamping land.

Why not make an entry - this months theme is men.

Here's the details from the blog...
"HOW TO PARTICIPATE!
Participating is easy! Simply create a project of any type - e.g card, ATC, scrapbook page, OTP item, altered art etc - based on the theme for that month. Your project must use at least one stamp to be eligible, and must have been made in the same month that the challenge is run.
Upload your creation to your blog with a link to Inkurable Stampers, and leave a comment here with a direct link to your post, and then Email me a photo / scan of your entry by midnight on the last day of the month to be eligible for the prize. Don't have a blog? No worries! Just email me your pic!
Images must be no larger than 160kbs, and only one entry per person per month will be accepted.
Prizes will be allocated by random draw, from my 6 favourite entries this month."

Woo Hoooooooo

2008-09-01T14:32:00.003+12:00

The postie has been and gone while I was out and left me the most wonderful present, well it was 1/3 present from Betsy at Innovative stamp Creations for participating in one of the challenges on their blog and 2/3 present from me - cause I'm like that! No part of it actually came from the postie - but I do love the work they do here!

Anyway, you should check out the blog - it's not about being the "best" it's all about doing your own best and finding what it is that you can do - The design teams work is really, truely, inspirational too, but I also like to follow the links and see what people just like me are doing and seeing how fabulous stampers are (they really are the best kinds of people)

I'm going to add some photos of my new rubber soon (before I spend hours cutting and mounting it - which by the way I do by following the method I found here on "Lisa Vollraths - GoMakeSomething" site. Got my Vinyl from "spotlight" - it was the plastic table cloth stuff - I've seen it at "plastic box" too - works brilliantly.

Where is that postie?

2008-08-28T13:05:00.005+12:00

I can see my letterbox from here and it's empty - I'm waiting for an order from isc (admittedly it's only been seven days since my order confirmation (but that's how long the last order took to get here and I see no reason why this one shouldn't be as super fast!)) Pleeeeease universe - come and play my game!

Oh well maybe tomorrow - I've been playing with the dragonfly stamp a little so if it turns into anything I'll let you all know. hehehe by all I mean me------------don't mind me this is just the crazy rambling part I knew would make it's way to the outside world.

1.30pm - ok have mail but no rubber - yaaaah tomorrow could be the day!
Fri - maybe Saturday
Sat -

Latest card creations

2008-08-24T19:50:00.004+12:00

This is the card I made for my brothers 20th It was pretty simple with some card distressed with antique linen ink and a green gold twinkling H2O and some peelcraft stickers coloured with brown sharpie for a bit of textural variety on a readymade background paper with a few clocks stamped on for good luck - (well actually cause I liked it).

This is the first stage of a 2 year old birthday card - I know that it's not completely appropriate for a two year old but she won't be very interested in the card and I needed to play with the new rubber after I had so carefully cut and indexed the sheet.

The stamps are from the elegant artsy swirls sheet coloured with twinkling H2O's - also a relatively new aquisition (after hearing about them for so long) and the background diamond pattern was stamped with versamark and covered with pink pearlex - I've since seen a beautiful use of this stamp here if you're interested in seeing it.

This is the card finished with Rubbadubbadoo greeting and a shrinky necklace to fill the gap - made pretty much as we were walking out the door to the party.

And this bright beauty was for a five year old (obviously) the boat and bee squares are doors which open upwards to reveal a happy birthday message, soe of the squares are recessed and some ome to the front - it's the grid from the art 4 frames sheet and anything I could find that I thought might interest a five year old. If I do a similar style card again I will put little shaker windows too.

ISCC11

2008-08-21T11:43:00.007+12:00

Here are my ATC, Moo and Inchie

Colours

Caramel and raisin alcohol ink
ginger adirondack
dandelion momento
sunshine whispers

Stamps

ISC art for frames butterfly and solid

techniques

alcohol onk background
direct to paper butterflies and edges of atc

I used the art for frames sheet again and used only the butterfly and the solid square.
Alcohol ink background of caramel and a tinge of raisin and swiped the edges with momento dandelion

I used the dandelion on the solid square and centre butterfly on the moo, on the outside of the square on the other two.
I used whispers ink - sunshine inside the square on the atc and inchie and to colour the butterflies on ATC direct to paper.
The ATC has been mounted on a brown bazzill caardstock.

I wanted to make something light and simple - it's hard to see in the picture but I have the words fly down the bottom and soar up the top on each piece - I've been thinking about achievements, efforts and growth lately and wanted to reflect that in this piece too. I wanted them to have a little bit of a message, a point to being.
Also...
I learned a valuable lesson making these - if you let your 8 year old use your stamps on their own - check that they've been cleaned properly before you use them!

Feel better soon

2008-08-21T10:29:00.004+12:00

Here is a card I made using my favourite stampington stamps with a shaving brush background inspired by the art of my DD(8) I love the way it turned out - it was even better in real life - now it has gone to it's recipient in the hope of making her feel much better very soon!

I also used resist embossing from the Tim Holtz blog (it's nice to be reminded of those techniques we used to use) which I think made a nice balance.

ISCC10 mini book challenge

2008-08-14T10:34:00.010+12:00

I have made a cover for a sketch book using ISC stamps from the Elegant artsy swirls sheet
I used the diamond stamp too but it is too pale to see on the scan.

Here's the bones of my wee mini-book which was my origonal creation for the challenge this week at innovative stamp creations.

I've used the art 4 frames sheet for the actual page size. I'll be using some of the little inch size stamps to decorate some pages with my own writing on other pages.

It's going to be a love messages book for my dear daughter - so that if she ever thinks I don't love her she can look in the book an it will have some of the wonderful things I know about her. It's nice and small so she can stash it somewhere secret if she wishes! She's got a prototype which is decorated with four pages but I can't find it in her room to photograph - maybe tonight?!

This one is going to be in a blue theme as that is currently her favourite colour.

the grids stamped on blue cut and then decorated ready to go into the booklet.

and added a bit of decorating to the mini book - still needs a bit more though

OK the proto type has been bought out of its special hiding place so that I can make some repairs to the spine and have its pic taken

Welcome Family and friends

2008-07-25T21:39:00.004+12:00

This week in our household I have STOP! who am I trying to kid! I haven't been doing anything but Dave is actually building our fence. Kaivalya is loving first week back at school and I have to admit that I was pretty lonely that first day but I'm getting over it now that it's the last half of the week and I have baby to look after (who by the way is having yet another very happy week).

I made a set of Atcs for the stamphappy monthly atc swap - theme of travel - I really wanted a tardis to put on them what better way to travel but alas cute bakcgrounds of coastlines, longing looks of remembrance and a sparkly starfish - I liked them. Once I get the swaps back I'll put up a picture.

I also did a single atc for a 1 for 1 swap to a fellow stamper in cabarita beach and a boys birthday card for a friend from Kaivalyas school.

: rubbadubbadoo birthday block and peelcraft sticker truck

Hello

2008-07-25T15:17:00.000+12:00

This is me, Melanie saying hello and welcome to my blogging where I may keep you up to date on my happenings. I'll try and add photo's of my artie stuff, updates on family life and things like that. But please bear with me as I try and figure out all the techno stuff and get things going.