"Boofle"

I thought I'd have a play with a rather cute stamp "Boofle" who is this months freebie on the Docrafts Creativity magazine.  I quite often look for stamps that you can make a 3D image with and this stamp works really well.  I stamped him 4 times onto hessian patterned paper (also a freebie with another magazine ages ago) and cut out each image.

His nose is coloured using a chocolate chip brush marker with crystal effects added to give it extra shine.  The background is card from my stash run through the cuttlebug using a brick wall folder and mounted on real red, basic black and crumb cake card.  Isn't he cute?

I'm off to Terrigal on the Central Coast this weekend with my Mother's Group so I'd better go and pack.  We all met at the baby clinic with our first borns which means we've known each other for over 22 years.  They are such a great group of girls and we should have a lovely weekend away. 

Have a crafty day!

Telescopic Card

Last weekend I was sitting at my craft table wondering what little project I'd like to start working on, when I thought "I should update my diary/calendar with upcoming classes at Alice in Paperland".  Just as well .... I discovered I was teaching Telescopic cards on Tuesday ..... hmmmm I've never made one before,  I'd better make some samples for the class and pretend I know what I'm doing LOL!

They aren't very hard to make and can be made in a variety of shapes.  The first one I made from squares, easily cut using the paper-trimmer and stamped using some freebies that were on the front of Docrafts Creativity magazine from a few months back that were just the right size.

Each piece joins the next by mini brads, and in this instance (though you can't see it) the second layer is actually upside down.  When you open each layer it all comes together to form the Telescopic card.

My next sample used leftover Graphic 45 papers "Le Circque" and I deliberately off-centred each circle.

The third sample used some leftover Kaisercraft papers and for this one I had a play with my Cuttlebug and some nesting oval scallops.  Nesting shapes work really well with this type of card and this was the card that the ladies in class chose to make.

My apologies for the blurry photo .... oops!  This one also has a fourth layer.

Have a crafty day!

Shadow Box

Today I want to show you a little project I have been working on the last couple of days.  Of course, it wouldn't normally take very long to make, it's just that I do a bit and then get distracted by family, chores etc and so pick it up again later.

This is a little shadow box from Twiddleybitz, really easy to put together, and I used the new SU papers 'Twitterpated'.  The flower is cut using a Tim Holtz die 'Tattered Florals' and the leaves are the SU 'Bird Builder' punch.  Ribbon is the gorgeous seam binding 'cherry cobbler' and I've used a 'real red' glimmer brad for the flower centre.  The reds seem to work together, just far enough away not to notice the difference.

Here is a close up of the flower embellishment on the finished frame.  Of course, a pretty frame needs an appropriate photo and purely coincidentally colour-wise, I popped in a photo of my BFF and I taken a few years back.  I don't think we've changed very much and this is one of my favourite photos of us.

Bev is on the left in red, and I'm on the right in blue.  So now my photo is no longer under a ladybird magnet, but is framed instead.

Have a crafty day!

Rain, Rain go Away

Just a quick post today, the last two days have been very wet, and earlier this afternoon we had a torrential downpour.  The dog was panicking outside the back door and when I went to see what his problem was, I was absolutely amazed at the river running through our back yard.  I don't ever remember so much water and so I decided to take some photos.

I thought I should have a look at the front yard and it too was running, we even had cascades coming from next door.  I don't ever remember seeing that happen before either.

I have to say I'm really pleased we don't live at the bottom of the hill, we're about half way up.  I think the forecast is for more rain and I have a feeling it's not just Sydney but all the way up and down the coast.

Have a crafty (and dry) day!

Olde Curiosity Shoppe

As you may have guessed by now, I just love Graphic 45 papers, and this last collection "Olde Curiosity Shoppe" is no exception.  Lately I have been buying the 12"x12" pad of papers, but this time I thought I'd go with the 8"x8" collection instead.  I was inspired by a design I saw recently while browsing, where they had used Inchies.  So when I was in Alice in Paperland browsing (not working) and came across some inchie squares by Twiddleybitz, the old brain cogs got whirring, and this is what I came up with.

Mine doesn't really look like what I'd seen, but sometimes you just need a nudge of inspiration not to mention imagination.  This paper is just so quirky.  All I need to finish it, is either a tiny pair of spectacles or a tiny magnifying glass to go in the top left square.  I know it's hard to see but it has an eye chart and a little added extra would just finish it off nicely. 

Have a crafty day!

Scenery Cards

Last Thursday was my birthday.  I received lots of lovely presents including a cushion, called a 'back rest pillow', perfect for sitting in bed to read, a dvd of a favourite tv series, chocolates, and a new 'friend', a very soft white teddy bear.   My DH took the day off work to spend with me, and we went out for a family dinner in the evening.  We had just arrived home from dinner when a friend dropped in unexpectedly with a gift, a small white teddy wearing a garland of flowers.   This little teddy bear is just gorgeous and is handmade using felting and sewing.  I have a very clever friend!

I have quite a collection of teddy bears, so these two newbies should feel right-at-home.

On Saturday, I taught a class at Alice in Paperland which was entitled 'Scenery Cards'.  The ladies each made 4 cards using masking, sponging and colouring techniques and all quite enjoyed learning new skills.  The original idea behind these cards was to be a One Layer Card, but changed to include layering with mats.

On the 'roses' card the image was stamped first, then masked and the lace border stamped over the top.  Remove the mask and it gives the appearance of two layers.  I then coloured it using brush markers.  The 'sunrise' card was sponged using chalks - the hills were simply torn edges of card moved around at different angles, and the tree was stamped last.  The tree stamp is from Penny Black "fantasy" and the rose from KaiserCraft "English Rose" collection.

The 'butterflies' and 'birdhouse' cards were made using the same masking techniques.  Both these cards use KaiserCraft stamps "Tigerlilly" and "Loire Valley" collections.

Have a crafty day!

Faux Silk

Expect the unexpected - last week I was asked by Alice (Alice in Paperland) if I would like to record a Youtube video showcasing a simple technique.  This would be the first of  many with a number of different people recording tips and techniques etc.    So what to make .......?

After looking through my "Inspire" book, I decided on the 'Faux Silk' technique.  This is done using tissue paper, card stock, stamp, ink and a glue stick.  Simply stamp your image onto the tissue paper, scrunch it up into a ball, carefully open it out again and after running the glue stick all over the card (which should be smaller then the tissue paper) pat the tissue down gently.  The finished card has the look of raw silk and has a very soft appearance.

The first card uses a solid colour while the second uses an outline image which has been watercoloured.

I was quite happy with how the video looked.  What do you think? I'd love you to leave me a comment. Click on the link and have a look for yourself.  Faux Silk effect for paper craft projects - link

Have a crafty day!