Twas the Night Before Christmas

With hours to spare before Christmas Day

I have managed to finish off two canvases, which were part of a challenge.

 

Overall, I'm happy although I'm not too sure about the black stamping, 

however, it's finished and that's the main thing!

And, in honour of the 25th ......

have yourself a merry little Christmas!

I thought either of these might work for the new challenge
which the Snarky Stampers are temping us with - N is for Naughty Christmas!

Stamps

Katzelkraft - #KTZ152

AALL & CREATE - #2

Challenge
 http://snarkystampers.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/soss-100-n-is-for-naughty-christmas.html

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

  

Garden Fairies

The silly season is fast approaching once again,

and I have a feeling Mr Mojo has been skipping around the shops,

as he certainly hasn't been sitting at the craft desk very much lately.

 

So, left to my own devices yet again, I made this little card for a recent birthday.

 

 

I decided to make a CAS card, using a combination of stamps,

starting with "Hive Flower" and adding the fairies and the dragon.

Even though they are from different companies, I think they work well together.

"Hive Flower" is coloured with Gelly Roll pens in a blend of green, blue and purple.

A touch of sparkle was added to the fairies wings.

I don't often use stickers, but this black Happy Birthday was a good fit for this card.

Stamps

Stampotique - Hive Flower

Lavinia Stamps - Three Dancing Fairies; Dragon (?)

Thanks for visiting .....

Happy Crafting!

   

Bloom

When I find a new technique, I like to keep playing with it;

sometimes to perfect it, sometimes to find how many different ways

it can be used and sometimes just because it's fun!

I sprinked a combination of Ken Oliver Color Burst paints

onto watercolour card, spritzed them lightly with water and put aside to dry.

I then stamped the butterfly and flowers onto extra white card

and using a paintbrush, watercoloured them with Inktense blocks 

co-ordinating the colours with the background.

I stamped the butterfly and flowers onto the prepared background

and coloured the leaves and grass with Intense Blocks.

 I fussy cut the butterfly and the flower blooms 

and glued them directly over the background stamped images.

I chose a sentiment, cut around it and glued it in place.

The watercolour panel was adhered to a black mat and then onto folded white card.

Stamps

JOFY - 11, 13

Ken Oliver Color Burst

Alizarin Crimson, Pthalo Green

Challenges

Craft Stamper - Take It Make It - December

Thanks for coming to look today, see you again soon!

Happy Crafting!

 

There are always flowers

Although it's December, that doesn't mean that every card I make

 needs to be for the festive season.

Sometimes I make cards purely for the joy of creating something I like, 

no strings attached (so to speak).

I started with the background, sprinkling a combination of Orange and Yellow Ochre color burst over watercolour card.  A quick, light spritz with water and watch the magic happen!

Once the background was dry, I stamped the flowers directly onto it, and again onto extra white card. The extra flowers are watercoloured using Inktense Blocks to co-ordinate with the background.  The flower heads were fussy cut and glued directly over the stamped image.

A black mat was added before attaching to a folded white card.

Stamps
JOFY 14

Ken Oliver - Color Burst
Orange; Yellow Ochre
Challenges
http://craftstamper.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/take-it-make-it-challenge-december.html 


Happy Crafting!

Naughty or Nice

We have tickets to see Cat Stevens tonight - yippee!!!

But, before I get too excited, here's something else to look at :

Yes, it's creeping up on me ...... hmmm, I guess I should start shopping!

I made a set of these cards for a magazine, 

but as it was due to hit the shops at least a month ago and is yet to make an appearance,

I decided I'd blog them instead.

I used my favourite background technique for these cards,

and of course, my favourite stamps as well.

Stamps

Stampotique 

Dylusions

I'm still hopeful the magazine will appear as it was relatively new on the market,

(should be issue 6) but of course, there was no guarantee that my cards would be published anyway.  

Happy Crafting!

 

Can you guess my favourite?

I've been on a bit of a roll the last couple of days, 

so glad that Mr Mojo returned to give me a helping hand!

As tomorrow is December, that can only mean one thing .....

Christmas Cards

I started off with some freebie stamps that were attached to magazines recently.

[Papercraft Essentials - Issue 151]

I realise she is a little too well rugged up for an Australian Christmas,

however, she is rather sweet.

[Papercraft Essentials - Issue 150]

Next we have some of Santa's little helper gnomes,

I wonder what is in the box?

[Papercraft Essentials - Issue 150] 

Another variation of Santa's helper gnomes.

[Stampendous - Holiday Expressions SSC1231]

[Stampotique - Wookie]

[Stamper's Anonymous - Crazy Things]

As Wookie didn't have his own Santa hat, he borrowed one from Mr Holtz!

I've been making six of each design as I would get bored very easily if I only had one design!

Which one do you prefer?

I'm biased .....  can you guess my favourite?

Happy Crafting!

 

Thank you

Do you ever have one of those days where you just want to start again

and go in a totally different direction?  Yesterday was one of those days!

On a brighter note, today started with a walk/talk with a friend

and has been quiet, but good. 

 I always think talking things through with a non-judgemental friend who can listen and offer advice is half the battle won!

Anyhow .......

I recently wanted to send a thank you note to an acquaintance

so out came one of my new stamps I acquired at the recent Penrith Papercraft Show.

 

 

I played with my current favourite technique,

Distress Oxide inks and stencil, stamped directly onto the background

and added a bit more ink to the heart, eyes and top feathers.

 A little piece of washi tape for grounding and balance was added.

(I think it looked better in real life than in my photo - oops!)

 

  Stamps

Carabelle Studio - "3 Oiseaux"

PaperArtsy - "JOFY 33"

 

Thanks for coming by today .....

 

Happy Crafting!

  

 

Gesso is not my friend!

I suppose I should make a start on my Christmas cards

as it's almost December,

but as luck would have it, Mr Mojo seems to have skipped off somewhere AGAIN!

 

In the meantime, I'm playing along with a challenge entitled

Christmas Mini Canvas

where each week a new prompt is given.

 [We're up to step 3, so I'll go backwards in time to step 1]

[Step 3]

 "Use either the top, thin layer of a Christmas serviette, tissue paper,

musci or book pages, Christmas themed papers, collages emphemera,

or an image cut from a magazine and glued to part/s of your canvas."

I found a serviette, cut baubles out and glued them into place using clear gesso.

Gesso and I are NOT friends .... sigh!

Yes, it glued, BUT the gesso looks like it bleached the colour from the painted canvas.

It's happened with both but is more noticeable on the pink one.

Hopefully, by the time the canvases are finished, it will be covered over.

[Step 2]

"Use a Christmas themed stencil/s to add acrylic medium to part of your canvas

e.g. moulding paste, sand paste, gel medium, 3D gloss/matte medium, heavy gesso, crackle paste, pumice, tar etc.  You may add colour to your acrylic medium first if you want."

On both canvases I used Viva Modellier Creme 'Mother of Pearl Champagne'.

The star stencil is 'Starry Starry Night' by Dylusions,

the tree stencil is 'Christmas Tree Swirl' by Imagination Crafts.

[Step 1]

"Add a layer of gesso before adding one complete layer of paint; one colour only.

(This will be the dominant colour so choose carefully - remember it's a Christmas canvas.)"

I chose the only two Dylusion paints I own, 'Bubblegum Pink' and 'Polished Jade'.

Who knows how these canvases will turn out, as each week something more will be added.

I'm looking forward to continuing the journey with each prompt.

Happy Crafting!

 

Friendship Gifts

I think I'm on a bit of a roll lately.  

My poor blog was feeling rather neglected,

 but this month Mr Mojo has got back to the craft room desk

and is having a lovely time catching up with things!

 

At the church I belong to, once a month there is a Friendship Service

which is primarily (but not limited to) for the older folk in the congregation,

who for various reasons, find it difficult to attend regular Sunday services. 

So, on the first Wednesday each month, the old folk are picked up from their homes, 

taken to church, enjoy morning tea or a light lunch together, and are then taken home again.

 

In December, the same thing happens, however they are treated to a lovely lunch

with all the trimmings, an outside choir come and sing carols,

and a very festive time is enjoyed by everyone.

 

Each place setting has a little gift,

and for the last few years I've helped contribute with something craft related.

This year I've been making little packs of 4 gift cards (and envelopes) and some fridge magnet calendars.

[4 cards & envelopes]

[4 cards & envelopes]

[1 Christmas card with 4 gift tags]

[4 cards & envelopes]

[fridge magnet calendar]

As each of the card packs vary in size and no two are the same, 

a variety of each of these will be placed on each table.

To add a more festive touch, I'll finish each pack off with some colourful curling ribbon.

I've almost finished making everything, just a few more to go.  

Once they are done, I should have around 75 packs which should be plenty to go around!

 

Happy Crafting!

 

Lunch for Two

One of my very good friends, recently asked if I would be able to make a 65th Birthday card
for one of the ladies where she worked.  Of course, I said "yes".

I have made something similar previously,

however, I do think it is a lovely design for a special birthday.

I cut the background paper from a sheet of 

49 and Market "Flower Fairies of Spring - Seedlings"

being sure to have some of the flowers showing.

Looking through my stash of flowers, I found a variety of pink and cream blooms

which co-ordinated beautifully with the background flowers.

In amongst my bits & pieces, I found a ticket that said 'Tea for 2',

however, since I knew that a lunch was involved for the birthday girl,

I found a blank ticket and added 'lunch for 2' instead.

The arched window (Kaisercraft) was cut from 

Prima Love Clippings Collection - Little Love Clippings

which has random copper foil dots over it.

A 65th was also cut from the same paper, as was a couple of tiny butterflies.

The finished card front was adhered to a square ivory card.

Although the card could have squeezed into a large envelope,

it would have been a shame if the flowers had become squashed,

so I created a little pizza box for it to sit in, 

which was tied with a pretty ribbon.

I am reliably told that the recipient was delighted with her special card.

I hope she has a very Happy 65th Birthday!

Happy Crafting!

 

Global Warming?

Summer means Christmas is fast approaching

[unless you live in the northern hemisphere]

so I thought the image on this card was perfect.

A snowman certainly wouldn't stay standing for more than a few seconds on one of our hot summer days,  and Christmas is usually quite warm.

The background was done using distress oxide inks and a stencil.  

'Global Warming?' was stamped directly onto the background.  A second image was stamped onto white cardstock, coloured and fussy cut.  It was glued directly over the background image.

 The background panel was glued to a white background (11.5cm square),
then a co-ordinating mat (12.5cm square) before adhering to folded white card (13cm square).

Stamps
Stampotique - Global Warming?
Kaisercraft - Christmas Sentiments CS140

Challenge
http://craftstamper.blogspot.com.au/2017/11/take-it-make-it-challenge-november.html 

Happy Crafting!
    

Naughty or Nice?

I was rather chuffed to see my 'Merry' tag in print,

however, a couple of other submissions didn't make the grade.

Nevertheless I was very happy with how they turned out ....

This gorgeous Santa's helper thought she'd dress up in a non-traditional colour

- naughty or nice?  Hehehehe!!!!

 

I found some nice background paper, and added a co-ordinating mat, which was adhered to folded white card.   I stamped, coloured and fussy cut her, adding some glitter washi tape for her to stand on as well as a small snippet in the top corner for balance.

This card is fairly simple in design, but I like it.

Perhaps I'm biased?  Hehehehe!!!

 

Stamps

Julie Nutting (Prima) - Merry Nice

 

I'll be back tomorrow with the other card (that didn't make it)!

 

Happy Crafting!

   

Merry

Seeing something I've created get published

is always such a thrill!

In this month's Cardmaking, Stamping & Papercraft magazine

I have a little Christmas tag - you'll find it on page 44.

Entitled "Merry" , she is a sweet little girl in non-traditional colours of purple and aqua.

I stamped, coloured and fussy cut her, leaving a little white border.

I cut two identical tags in white card, the top one was also cut using a Tim Holtz die,

which when sandwiched together, allows the sparkle of aqua glitter paper to show through.

  

Using dimensionals, "Merry" was popped onto the tag, and a small sentiment was added.

The tag was edged with 'wilted violet' Distress Ink and a pretty ribbon finishes it off.

You will find my tag and instructions in Vol 24 No 2 of

Cardmaking, Stamping & Papercraft - out now!

Stamps

Impression Obsession Rubber Stamps - Snowstar Girl

Feel free to leave a message and tell me what you think.

Happy Crafting!

   

Beautiful!

Today has been one of those four seasons in one day kind of day.

It started with a thunderstorm around 6am and pouring rain.  Around 8am the weather had fined up so I put a load of washing on, and by the time I pegged it, the sun was shining.  Not for long .... the clouds were getting darker making everything gloomy and then I heard thunder.  A quick dash to the clothes line to grab the washing before it got another rinsing.  This afternoon was gloomy, sunny, cloudy and couldn't make up its mind, so I decided the washing could wait until tomorrow to be re-pegged.

On the other hand, it was the perfect day to stay inside and get some overdue crafting started. 

Yesterday was the Papercraft Show at Penrith and on one of the stalls, I happened across some A4 sheets of paper which were perfect for some quick cards.   I'm putting together cards/envelope sets for the old folk at church which will be put on the place settings at their annual Christmas lunch in early December.  [photos to come shortly]

In the meantime,

here's a card that I made recently .....

This gorgeous stamp is one of the recent releases from Stampotique,

I just love the relaxed feel of these flowers and if you look carefully,

you will see the word beautiful on one of the leaves!

I coloured it with Inktense blocks which create lovely vibrant water colours.

I gave it a co-ordinating yellow mat before adhering it white cardstock.

Stamps

Stampotique - Flos #14023

Tim Holtz - Simple Sayings

Thanks for popping in to say 'hi' , I'll be back again before you know it!

Happy Crafting!

     

Girlfriends

Yes, I know ..... I dropped off the planet for a while

but now I've returned and am ready to get back into crafting again!

I'm part of a very special group of ladies who first met up at when our eldest children were little babies.  Towards the end of October we celebrated 28 years of friendship and to mark the occasion, I made and delivered six cards expressing my thanks for such a wonderful group.

Each card was coloured slightly differently from the one before

[so I don't get bored] but otherwise they are the same.

As I wasn't going to get them posted on time, 

delivery was done via a night driving lesson!

Stamps

Art Impressions - "Girlfriends" #UMU4011

Lawn Fawn - Jessie's ABCs

Now that my annual job has come to an end (HSC supervising),

life should once again return to normal .

The agenda for this week is to get going with some gifts for the old folk at church,

ready to be handed out at their Christmas lunch early in December. 

I have made a start, but another 50 or so to go - wish me luck!

See you soon!

Happy Crafting!

   

You're friggin' special

"I don't care if you lick windows, take the special bus, or ......"

have I ever mentioned how much I love Stampotique stamps?

 If you read yesterday's blog post, you will have noticed that

the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers challenge theme is

"P" is for Pink Halloween

 and one of the swaps I'm doing this month is a halloween tag.

Ahh .... a perfect match!

 

This tag is a little wider than usual but I'm really pleased with how it all went together.

First I stamped the quote in the bottom corner of a piece of ivory card, 

and then stamped "Relaxin' " next to it.  

There was just enough room to add "happy halloween" down the side.

With 'worn lipstick' Distress Oxide ink on my craft mat, I spritzed the ink with water and swiped the tag through it.  I let it dribble a bit and then mopped the excess with a tissue. 

Next I added 'fired brick' Distress Ink through a spider web stencil, then spritzed it with water letting it dribble and dry naturally.

I coloured "Relaxin' " with watered down Distress Inks.  With the excess inks, I smooshed a ribbon through the colours to co-ordinate with the tag.  To finish, I added a black mat and tied the ribbon in place.

Stamps

Stampotique - "Relaxin' "; "Quote #1"

Tim Holtz - "Simple Sayings"

Challenge

Stampotique Designers Challenge - Anything but a card

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - "P" is for Pink Halloween

My apologies for the bold italics, but either blogger or my computer are playing silly buggers.  

Oh well ...... such is life!

Happy Crafting!

   

 

"P" is for Pink Halloween

"P" is for Pink Halloween

is the theme at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers 

in honour of Pink Ribbon Day for Breast Cancer.

I have recently been playing with Distress Oxides to create different backgrounds

and this one fitted in with the pink theme quite well.

The aliens seem to look a bit worried by Spiderwitch 

and, who can blame them?

"3 in a round" was stamped directly onto the background and then fussy cut.  They were again stamped onto white card, coloured and fussy cut again, before gluing them directly over the first image.

Some spider web was stencilled over the corner of the background.  

Both pieces were mounted onto black card before adhering to pink card.

Stamps

Stampotique - "3 in a round"; "Spiderwitch"; "3 greetings"

Challenge

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - "P" is for Pink Halloween

  

 Happy Crafting!

 

Happy Halloween

I thought I should pop in here again before September disappears forever, so ......

.... I'm not really into halloween, but I'm still happy to play along with swaps and challenges.

These two tags will soon be flying off on their broomsticks to parts unknown.

The background is a blend of 'broken china' and 'twisted citron' Distress Oxides.

Lightly mist a stencil with water, place on top and lift up, leaving shadowy words behind.

This background is a combination of 'spiced marmalade', 'wilted violet' and 'fired brick' Distress Oxides.

A cobweb stencil has also been added to both tags.

"Faith" is coloured with prismacolor pencils, fussy cut and glued onto the tag.

"Spiderwitch" is stamped, fussy cut and popped onto foam squares.

Stamps

Stampotique - "Faith"; "Spiderwitch"; "3 Greetings"

Happy Crafting!

Guess who I finally met?

After waiting for so long, on Friday I finally got to meet

Dyan Reaveley!

Yippee!!! 

Was I excited?  Do I sound excited?

After picking up my friend Jenni, we headed up the coast to Pages 2 Scrap at Tuggerah
for our full day class with Dyan.

It was a day full of fun, paint, getting messy and having a blast learning new techniques.

We started with the 'baby wipe technique'
where we applied the first layer of paint with a baby wipe,
followed by another two layers using less paint each time
and mooshing it together with our fingers.
We then used a stencil to add more of the first colour.

The second lesson was the 'brayer technique'
where we applied three layers of paint using a brayer. 
We then added a pop of a fourth (complimentary) colour
using more stencils.

A similar page using the same colours became this .....

 
The third technique we covered was blocking
where we used four different colours
followed by stencilling different patterns over them using the same four colours.

Even the mop up pages look good!

There are of course, lots more pages full of these techniques and once I get a few more Dylusions paints, I'll open my journal to a clean page and play again!

I'm so glad Dyan came to Australia to do some classes.
I sure hope, now that she knows we're a nice bunch, that she will come again in the not-too-distant future.   Until next time .....

Happy Crafting!
   
 

Instead of being late ....

Only three more sleeps to go ....,

until Dyan Reavesley's class on Friday!
Am I EXCITED?  Oh YES indeed!!!!
 

in the meantime, GULP ....

I am very good at sending off late birthday cards - oops!

The background of this card was made by blending four colours of Distress Oxide inks together, laying a stencil of the top and going back with the same colours again.

The giraffe was stamped onto the background and again onto white cardstock.  He was then coloured, fussy cut and glued directly over the first image.  He even got to stand on a piece of torn washi tape in the same colours.  An appropriate sentiment was added, a little colour was blended onto the edges and the panel was adhered to a folded white A5 card.

Stamps

Katzelkraft - KTZ168

Stampendous - Birthday Wishes

For those who read my previous blog, I just want to say I had a much better day today with no fuzzy head and no 'bleh'!!!

Happy Crafting!