How time flies - December already!

Hmmm ..... so it's been a while.

The last few months have been a whirl of activity

however I think I've come back to earth and ready for some more crafting fun.

You may remember from previous years,

that in early December, the old folk at church enjoy a service together followed by a delicious Christmas lunch while being entertained by a talented choir.

I think it is always nice for each person to go home with a little gift

so this year I made Easel Calendar/Post-It Notes.

Each one is different, some traditional, some quirky, some masculine, some feminine 

but something for everyone.

I purchased the calendars and post-it notes, but everything else is from my stash.

Another member of the congregation also made beautiful embroidered handtowels 
which were given to all the ladies (the men got chocolates).

I'm sure everyone thoroughly enjoyed their celebratory lunch together.

Until next time .... happy crafting!

 

Mousey Greetings

Another birthday, another card .....

 

 

This one was whipped up fairly quickly and is just a bit of fun.

I cut a square from white card, stamped the cat and the mouse directly onto it, 

then stamped them again onto extra white card.

A couple of pieces of torn washi tape was added to ground both images,

then coloured and fussy cut them out, gluing directly over the first images.

I stamped a speech bubble and added a sentiment.  A light edging of Distress Ink around the card square and it was ready to adhere to the folded card.

 Stamps

Katzelkraft - Les rats des villes [KTZ179]

[KTZ 152]

Lawn Fawn - Open Me; Slow Down and Enjoy

I'm sure the cat stamp has a name, but I haven't got it written down, 

so if you know what it's called,  just let me know. 

'Happy Birthday, Kiddywink'

Until next time,

Happy Crafting!

    

Six of Seven

Almost there with this challenge ....

.... hold tight, and pretend it's a plan

I took a piece of patterned paper for the background, stamped the girl onto it,

then stamped twice again on two more patterned pieces of paper and once onto white card.

I fussy cut around the whole image on the white card, 

adding colour to her skin, hair and stockings.

More fussy cutting around her dress and the umbrella, 

then glued in place over the original.

The words are from Mr Holtz.

Black card gives this lots of contrast before adhering to folded white card.

Stamps

Katzelkraft - Solo

Words

Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Small Talk 

Paper

Cocoa Vanilla Studio - Happiness

I'll be back tomorrow with the last card for this challenge.

Happy Crafting!

  

La Vie Parisienne

I was inspired by a FB friend to play along with the Lace theme

on the Sunday Postcard Art challenge.

I started by stamping a postcard image with Versamark ink 

and clear embossing it.

I then blended 'fossilized amber' and 'vintage photo' Distress Oxide Inks together.

Rubbing the embossing with a tissue brings out the postcard image.

I stamped this elegant lady with 'coffee' Archival Ink.

A strip of washi tape lace was added across the bottom of the postcard.

La Vie Parisienne was stamped with 'Potting Soil' Archival Ink.

To finish off the postcard, I added a little bit of  'Mammered' Mixed Media Powder and heat set it.

 Stamps

Stampotique - Paris Postcard

Katzelkraft - KTZ141

Pop over to Sunday Postcard Art and have a look at all the lovely creations.

Happy Crafting!

I'm Excited!

I'm so CHUFFED!

Not only is today my BIRTHDAY I found out this morning

that my card won 2nd prize in its category at the Royal Easter Show!

I made one like this for my son a while back, so this one may look familiar

however, this is only the second time I've entered a card in the show.

I started with a leftover piece of black card that had been smooshed through a puddle of Distress Ink which looked a bit like the milky way in a night sky.

I tore a page from a book and stamped and embossed 'torn paper' in the centre of it.  

The centre was cut out, with the black background placed underneath with pop dots.

The TARDIS was stamped and embossed, coloured and cut out.

The door panels are done with Glossy Accents and although you can't see it in the photo,

the windows are shimmery.

The TARDIS is attached to the card with a wobble thingy

which means it's interactive.

The sentiment is computer generated.

 Stamps

Kindred Stamps - Time Traveller

Katzelkraft - Torn Paper  

 I guess I'll have to go to the Easter Show to see my card first hand,

what a great way to celebrate my birthday!

To say I'm excited, is an understatement.

Happy Crafting!

 

 

Not until I've had my Coffee

It's a wet, stormy and humid night in Sydney,

dinner is eaten, the dishes are still waiting to be done,

but not until I've had my coffee.

In the meantime .....

It's always good to have a couple of stamps in my stash

that are perfect for when you forget  ahem .... overlook a birthday!

The background is a combination of Distress Oxide inks, 

along with a stencil and a bit more of the same colours.

I stamped the pooch directly onto the background and again on white card.

My favourite washi tape was added, then the fussy cut pooch adhered directly 

over the first image.  A light touch of colour was added to the fur and his collar, 

then yellow Gelly Glaze pen gave the coffee mug an enamel look.

Stamps

Katzelkraft - Enervy

Stampendous - Birthday Wishes

Until next time, the pooch and I will enjoy our hot beverages!

Happy Crafting!

  

Birthday Wishes

The last few weeks have been just a tad busy, 

hence why my poor blog is feeling a little neglected.

However the end is in sight along with a Papercraft Show next weekend,

just what I need to get Mr Mojo enthusiastic again!

Hmmm .... I just realised this card is fairly monotone with a splash of colour,

but hey it works for me!

Anyhoo, back to the matter at hand, I made this card for my brother

whose birthday it was recently.

The pussy was stamped directly onto the card

with the bird positioned on its back. 

Both were coloured with prismacolor pencils.

The thought bubble, happy birthday and sewing line were all stamped

and to finish it off, I drew a line by hand around the other three sides.

To add a little depth, I used double-sided foam tape to adhere the panel to folded card.

Stamps

 Katzelkraft - KTZ152

Lawn Fawn - A Birdie Told Me

Darkroom Door - Happy Birthday

49 and Market - Gabi's Line Stitch Stamp Set

  Happy Crafting!

 

Animal Antics

I recently acquired a new set of Katzelkraft stamps called

"La ferme des animaux"

and thought each of the critters would work perfectly

on a set of ATC coins.

I started by sponging each of the coins with 'pumice stone' Distress Ink.

Each one was then stamped with script [Archival Ink 'watering can' ]

and splatters [Archival Ink 'coffee'].

Each animal was stamped directly onto the coin [Archival Ink 'jet black']

and again onto white card.

Hamming it up for the camera!

Ducks come in all sorts of different colours, don't they?

 Smile!  Say cheese!

I used a variety of different Prismacolor pencils, blending as needed.

Bunnies are often two-toned, even if pink isn't so common a colour.

Start knitting ......

I really enjoyed playing with all these critters, such a fun crowd!

Stamps

Katzelkraft - La ferne des animaux

Stampin' Up! - French Foliage (discontinued)

Word Stickers
Carpe Diem - Posh 

   See you again soon ....

Happy Crafting!

  

G is for Galaxy

Last week I was very honoured to be crowned

Queen of Snark

at The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers.

As Queen of Snark I have been asked to be a guest designer

at this weeks challenge

 G is for Galaxy

  As the torn paper stamp was new, it was still sitting on my desk and as I looked at it, 

an idea formed in my head.

I cut ivory card 140mm x 280mm, scored and folded to form a square card.

A black mat 130mm x 130mm was also cut, 

along with a piece of book paper 120mm x 120mm.

Using 'jet black' Archival Ink, I stamped the torn paper image onto the book paper,

and cut away the inside. 

 I stamped it a second time onto ivory card, blending 'pumice stone' Distress Ink over the image.   I fussy cut the bent over parts of the torn paper, and glued them onto the book paper, so that it looks like the underside of the paper.

The TARDIS image was stamped with black ink and coloured with Prismacolor pencils.

Clear Wink of Stella  was added to the windows and the light on top of the box.

After the TARDIS was fussy cut, I added Glossy Accents to the door panels and set it aside to dry.

Before everything was adhered together, I did a little experimenting with a milky way  technique to peep through the torn paper.  After a couple of attempts I was happy with how it looked so the book paper was adhered to the black mat, the TARDIS was added using a wobbly thingy and computer generated words were added.  The bright stars are dots of a white/clear Gelly Roll pen.

Stamps
Katzelkraft - Papier dechire [Torn Paper] KTZ171 
Kindred Stamps - Time Traveler 

I think the card looks pretty cool!  

I love it when you have an idea and it all comes together!

Come and have a look at what the Sisters have created this week 

and join in the fun.   

Here is the link :
www.snarkystampers.blogspot.com.au/2018/02/soss-103-g-is-for-galaxy.html 

Challenges
http://craftstamper.blogspot.com.au/2018/02/take-it-make-it-challenge-february.html 
http://takeaword.blogspot.com.au/2018/02/take-word-challenge-time.html 

Happy Crafting!

  

 

Ugh! People!

When you're having fun .... keep going!

That's what I've been doing with these Distress Oxide backgrounds.

Each one is unique and random and it is so easy to make a quick card when 

you don't need to think twice about the background.

This little chap  rat looks a bit worried - I wonder if he is being chased by 'people', or even worse?

I know rats aren't usually blue/green, however I wanted him to stand out from the background
and it seems to suit him.

I gave the background a quick spritz with water to age it slightly, 

and ran a fine black pen around the edges for a border.

Ratty is coloured with my usual favourite Prismacolor pencils

and a piece of washi tape in almost the same colours as the background,

helps to ground him.

I know I've been using black mats on white cards a lot lately,

but with the lovely bright colours of the Distress Oxides,
I think the black compliments the backgrounds very well.

Stamps

Katzelkraft - Les rats des villes [KTZ179]

Dylusions - Ugh!! People!! [DYR51282]

Distress Oxides

worn lipstick, spiced marmalade, broken china

I bought some Dylusions paint pens yesterday, along with a new stamp and co-ordinating stencil

so I think a play might be in order.

Happy Crafting!

 

Be Awesome

This afternoon I thought I would make some backgrounds from Distress Oxides

and then have a play with some of my newly acquired stamps.

Using 'spiced marmalade', 'fossilized amber', 'broken china' and 'twisted citron'

I inked up my craft mat, spritzed the colours with water

and smooshed some white cardstock through,

thus creating some one of a kind backgrounds.

Once the background had dried, I cut it down to 9cm x 11cm

which was the perfect size for the stamp I had in mind.

The image was inked and stamped directly onto the background

and again a second time onto white card.

This 'awesome' little character was coloured with Prismacolor pencils, fussy cut 

and adhered over the first image.

The background was given a black mat to compliment the inky colours.

Stamps

Katzelkraft : "Ignace - Les gros chats"
Aall & Create : #13

Prismacolor Pencils

Cool Grey 20%, Cool Grey 50%, Aquamarine, Limepeel, Apple Green

Distress Oxide

spiced marmalade, fossilized amber, broken china, twisted citron

Challenges

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - "T" is for Technique

Craft Stamper - Take It Make It Challenge : January

Happy Crafting!

      

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!!!

  

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!

 

Height of fashion

Looking around other blogs, I came across this weeks

Sunday Postcard Art with the theme "Animal People"

...... thanks, Kay!

This is such a fun theme and I knew exactly what I wanted to do,

so it didn't take long to make.

I started by masking off the edges of 4" x 6" card 

which would finish the postcard with a white border.

I stamped Lady G directly onto the white card, stamped and cut a mask,

and proceeded to sponge a combination of 'crushed olive' and 'broken china'

Distress Ink over the card.

Leaving the mask in place, a quick spritz of water produces lots of background interest.

To finish, I stamped the words in 'jet black' Archival Ink, drew a pen line down the middle,

added a postmark and used just a smidge of a background stamp for a little grundge.

Finally, I carefully peeled back the washi tape that was used to create a border.

Stamps

Katzelkraft - KTZ141

Lawn Fawn - Jessie's ABCs

Stampin' Up! - French Foliage

Challenges

Sunday Postcard Art - Animal People
Craft Stamper - Take It Make It Challenge [March]

Happy Crafting!

  

Those who don't believe

Just a quick post today, in between finishing off swaps,

dropping off the car in the next suburb and walking home,

and shortly I'm off to the chiro for maintenance!

At the recent craft show I attended, I discovered a store that is now stocking Lavinia stamps, 

so of course I had to have one or two or three or .......

As it was my BFF's birthday just after I bought these stamps,

I thought it was the perfect time to try them out.

I coloured the mushroom house with a combination of colour pencils and gelli roll pens

as I can't imagine a fairy house without sparkle somewhere!

 

The fairy's wings are sparkly with a hint of clear Wink of Stella pen and

outlined with black gelli roll.

A few rainbow rhinestones scattered around completed the scene.

Stamps

Lavinia Stamps

Katzelkraft - KTZ139

Happy Birthday, my friend!

 

 Happy Crafting!

 

Birthday Weekend

It's that time again ...... what's that you say?

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

Yes, today is #2 son's birthday, so out came some stamps I rather like,

but haven't used very much.

This muddled up zebra seems a little annoyed,

perhaps he was hoping his birthday would just float away like the balloons!

 Ha, ha ..... no chance!

  

I started with a shimmer black blank card 

(try saying that after a few drinks .... hic!)

 found a nice background paper from a dollar store and cut it down to fit.

I stamped the zebra and the balloons on white cardstock and fussy cut them.

Once I knew where he was going to sit, I stuck a piece of washi tape in place

and stamped the sentiment. 

I coloured the balloons and zebra with Prismacolor pencils.

One balloon was glued directly onto the background, 

the second balloon and zebra were popped onto dimensionals.

The balloon strings were drawn by hand.

Stamps

Katzelkraft - KTZ168

Visible Image - Just be Happy
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz - Crazy Things

Challenges
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - O is for Outrageous! 

After a yummy lunch out with the family, we returned home to open presents 

(and, of course, the card) 

followed by the 'kids' happily playing video games!

I'll be back again tomorrow for the second of the weekend birthdays!

Happy Crafting!

 

   

I've got a lump in my throat

I have a friend who adores giraffes, 

so with this in mind and having a new set of stamps to work with,  da dah ..........!!!

This is such a fun set of stamps and I just couldn't resist having them in my stash.

His spots are coloured in purple with his body being a lovely yellow with a touch of golden yellow here and there.  I fussy cut him and then looking for a background, I realised one of my gelli plate prints from the week before would work perfectly.

The sentiment is something I dreamed up after searching for a witty giraffe quote and not finding very much that appealed to me.

I added some washi tape to ground him, before popping him on dimensionals.

The gelli print was then adhered to white cardstock, leaving a thin border.

One of the giraffe's friends accompanied him on the journey to his new home, LOL!

Stamps

Katzelkraft - KTZ168

Challenge
Craft Stamper - Anything Goes

Happy Crafting!

The Dapper Mr Z

This weekend was perfect crafting weather - cold & wet!

I also realised that I need to have a few things made by next weekend, however I'm off to a craft show on Thursday with my BFF and I'm away on the weekend with 'the girls'.  All this means is that everything has to be finished by Wednesday this week.

Plus, it's mine turn to host a swap in July ....... eeeeeeeekkkk!!!

Anyhow, moving right along ...... 

here is the card I made for a friend of #1 son for his birthday.

The background is done with Ken Oliver 'Color Burst' powder paints in yellow ochre, orange & alizarin crimson.  Just a quick spritz with water and let it dry.  Every background will be different depending on the amount of powder and how much water is added.

As the background is quite busy, the image is stamped in 'jet black' Archival Ink, fussy cut and glued directly onto the card.  A black mat was added to give it more definition before attaching to a white card.

Stamps:

Katzelkraft - KTZ141

Stampotique

Happy Crafting!