Inkspirations Colour Challenge #12 and Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #38

Hi there,

its been a while since I last updated my blog! Time has flown as my kids and I have been sick. But I'm ready to get back into stamping again and start working out those challenges :)

Today I have Makeesha's Colour Inspiration #12 and Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #38. Do check out their websites to see what their design team and others have come up with - its very inspirational! Just click on the links I have made above.

I have done 2 cards with Keesh's challenge, one of them using Mercy's sketch challenge. Here are the challenges:

Card #1

This card here, I tried a very interesting technique: Emboss resist with clear embossing powder on Whisper White cardstock and then brayering over with Regal Rose. I sponged on some more Regal Rose in the floral part of the bird to increase contrast. Then I outlined the cute bird with my 2-way glue pen and added Dazzling Diamonds to make it pop further - ooh la la.

Close up you can see the Emboss Resist technique better, I hope. The bird is actually shiny but I couldn't capture it with my camera. The bird's eye was calling for something sparkly so I added the Kaiser gems.

I have also stamped the inside of the card to match:

Card Recipe for Card #1: all Stampin' Up! unless mentioned:

• Stamps: Always, Best Wishes and More
• Inks: Real Red, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Basic Black
• Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Regal Rose, So Saffron, So Saffron DSP, Sweet Always DSP
• Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Brayer, Button Latte, Linen Thread, Spiral Punch, Dazzling Diamonds, 2 way glue pen, diamante (from Kaiser), Real Red ribbon

Card #2 - Keesh's Challenge and Mercy's Sketch

This is actually my favourite card of the 2, and here I used Mercy's card sketch together with Keesh's colour challenge. It's a great sketch, try it too! The technique used here is Faux Stitching - so very cool. Oh, I like....

Also I have dressed up Stampin' Up's ultra smooth envelopes with the matching DSP on the flap (card is sitting on the envelope), and stamped the inside of the card. There is glitter on the blooms but my photography didn't capture it!

Don't you just like how groovy that sentiment is from the Great Friend stamp set in the Spring Mini. And the Regal Rose ribbon is lovely and soft, easy to tie bows with.

The Faux Stitching technique is great for narrow strips and tight corners; when you don't have a sewing machine handy; and when you don't want to have to hide the threads behind the card stock - its just a bit neater. Simply use your paper piercer, Mat Pack to align, and a good white pen.

Card Recipe for card #2:

• Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Great Friend (from the Spring Mini)
• Ink: Real Red, Markers - Regal Rose and Real Red, White pen
• Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, So Saffron, So Saffron DSP, Pink Flamingo DSP
• Accesories: Mat Pack, paper piercer, Pretties Kit, Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Snips

Hope you are having a good day, and as usual would love your comments on my blog!

x Julia

Keesh's Inspiration Challenge #10

Hi everyone,

I thought Keesh's Inspiration Challenge #10 was great for a father's day card

so I jumped at the chance to try this challenge.

The colours were quite daunting, the Taken with Teal was really bright, in the end I think I should have used more of the teal colour in my card.

Here is the challenge photo:

and my creation using the new papers Walk in the Park from the Spring Mini out on 1 Aug:

These beautiful Walk in the Park Designer Series Papers are proving to be very versatile for both male and female cards/scrapbooking! Luuurrrveee it.

I had punched out circles in the Taken with Teal cardstock and put pewter brads over it, but its hard to see this in the photo, taken at night.

Hope you like it! If you want to know what other supplies I used, leave a comment!

x Julia

Sweet Sunday Sketch #27

Last night I decided to try the Sweet Sunday Sketch #27 by Karen. Her sample card is stunning! Here goes:

And a sneak peek of what's new in the Spring Mini Catalogue out on 1 Aug:

I really like this card sketch (thanks Karen), it's simple and classy. I couldn't decide which card is better: the one with the crushed Cameo Coral scallop circles, or the Baja Breeze scallop circles? what do you think!

I stamped part of the LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH stamp to get the happy birthday greeting (it was a lightbulb moment for me!), from the Occasional Greetings stamp set from SU. That "flag" idea I got from the SU catalogue. Inside the card I've flipped the same patterned paper and used the reverse side to lay a strip of Cameo Coral pattern to add contrast against the Eyelet Border. The Kiwi Kiss button from SU gives a final touch.

What's new: the gorgeous Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper, and the super pretty funky butterfly from the Great Friend Stamp Set! Love the styles of these two new items!

Well, hope you enjoyed this, I'll be bringing you more sneak peeks from the new Spring mini soon!

x Julia

Mojo Monday Week 96

Hi again,

This week has been great, I've managed to do quite a few cards! Time to try the Mojo Monday Week 96 sketch.....I love the simplicity and balance of this sketch. Check out their blog - there are more than 250 samples of cards made with this sketch! It is really cool to see how different every card can be.

I decided to go really bright and funky with this card sketch, so I used the Pink Flamingo DSP from SU. I must admit initially I wasn't quite sure how I could use these bright funky chirpy papers when I got them, but now that I've used it, I am loving it! And guess what, a real coincidence, this week the talented Makeesha also used strips of this DSP in her scrap page and it looks fantastic! A pure coincidence!

I altered the sketch a bit and made an A5 card instead of a square card, and used 1" strips of patterned paper. Once again, I used my corner rounder punch to create scallop edges on my black circle. And finally markers for the colorful sentiment. My husband even gave a nod of approval when he saw this card *wink*.
Supplies all from Stampin' Up unless mentioned:

• Ink: all markers - Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise, summer Sun, Real Red
• Paper: Pink Flamingo DSP, Real Red and Basic Black cardstock
• Stamp: Occasional Greetings
• Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Fiskars circle cutter, Corner Rounder Punch, Felt fusion flowers, Diamante brad

Hope you like this one! I would love to see your creations, if you have done a card with this sketch, or with the Pink Flamingo papers!

x Julia

Amy Rvsavy Friday Sketch #72 and Keesh's Colour Challenge #10

Hi Everyone

I managed to find time to do Amy and Keesh's Sketch and Colour Challenge this week. I love how Amy's sketch turned out, and also Keesh's colour combo! Initially I found her colour combo a bit difficult but after trying it out, it is a beautiful colour combo! Thanks to Amy and Keesh for their sketch and colour challenge.

Here are the sketch and colours and my cards:

The first highlight for me in this card was cutting out the 3.5" circle in Mellow Moss (using Fiskars circle cutter) and then creating the scallop edge with my Corner Rounder Punch from Stampin' Up!. It took a bit of patience but it looks lovely! I love my SU scallop circle punch which is super duper quick and cute, but sometimes it is not big enough for what I want, so here comes the corner rounder punch to the rescue. I'd be happy to demonstrate this at your next workshop/class, just ask me.

The 2nd highlight : I finally got a chance to use the Fine SuperNova glitter from Stampin' Up! This comes in a pack of 5 gorgeous colours - Choc Chip, Olive, Orange, Pink, Aqua, all for $26.95. All I did was to colour part of this cute bird with my 2 way Glue Pen and then pour the pink glitter (which matched perfectly to Rose Red). LOVE it!

The 3rd highlight was to use my scissors to distress the edges of the papers - thanks Bernie for your great tip! Now this is a fantastic quick technique, lovely for rustic looking cards, and doesn't cost a cent! Try it!

OK here are the supplies used (all Stampin Up unless mentioned):

• Ink: Always Artichoke, Choc Chip, Mellow Moss, Basic Black
• Stamps: Friends 24-7, Short & Sweet, So Swirly wheel, En Francais
• Paper: Rose Red DSP (retired), Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla
• Accessories: Linen Thread, Rose Red Db Stitch Grosgrain Ribbon, Button Latte, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Fiskars circle cutter, Corner Rounder Punch

Have a great week!

x Julia

Mojo Monday Week 94

Hi there...

Every first Mojo Monday of the Month there is a 'contest' and winners get a prize! So I thought I'd give it a try :) Mojo Monday sketches are fun and always good to use when you are stuck and out of 'mojo' :) Plus, the Mojo team always provides plenty of inspiration! Check out their gorgeous work too.

Here is the sketch...

And here is my attempt:

There were 3 things I did here that were out of my comfort zone:

Firstly, I modified the sketch a wee bit and added a "ribbon flower" (don't know what else to call it!) at the top left corner. I punched out a 1 1/4" circle, put Sticky Strip on it, and then pleated the ribbon around the circle and finally adhered a lovely white pearl in the middle. A rhinestone brad would look equally lovely! I am liking this "ribbon flower" (not sure if I've seen it somewhere before and became 'stored' in the back of my mind??) and I think I might go on and make a card with these flowers as a feature.

The other thing I did was to use my Eyelet Border Punch to make a border around my sentiment - first time I ever tried it!

And lastly, I tend to use strong vivid colours in my cards, so I decided to use pastels here, for a change.

Other points of interest: I cut out the flower on the bottom right hand corner from the Tea Party DSP, twice, and layered the pieces with Dimensionals. Paper piercing also added definition and texture to the card. For a nice finishing touch, I put a strip of matching DSP on the inside of the card.

I am quite happy with the end result - a soft looking card befitting the sentiment. It looks better in real life. :)

Supplies all from Stampin' Up!:

• Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
• Paper: Tea Party DSP; Choc Chip & So Saffron cardstock
• Ink: Choc Chip Classic
• Accessories: Eyelet border punch, Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Pretties Kit, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, Stampin Dimensionals

Love to hear your comments! Have a great weekend...

x Julia

Inkspirations Inspiration Challenge #9

Keesh's Inkspirations Inspiration Challenge #9

Hi Everyone,

its time for me to try Keesh's Inspiration Challenge #9 and boy, I quite struggled with this!

Anyway I thought it was time for me to test out my new brayer and try to create a beautiful rose lit sky. Here is the challenge:

and here are my cards:

My first attempt at brayering over glossy cardstock....and I do like it! However I used Basic Black ink which took forever to dry - next time I will try black embossing or Black Staz On.

Anyone has seen any online tutorials or tips on brayering, I would love to hear from you!

Supplies Used - All Stampin' Up!

• Inks: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, Apricot Apeal, Basic Black
• Cardstock: Basic Black, Apricot Appeal, Glossy, Rose Red DSP (retired)
• Stamps: Inspired By Nature, Tres Chic
• Accessories: Paper Piercer and Mat Pack, Jumbo Eyelet, Brayer, Corner Punch, Crop-a-dile, Button Latte, Linen Thread, Rose Red Db Stitched Ribbon

Have a great day!

xx Julia

Inkspirations Colour Challenge #9 and Mojo Monday Wk 93

Hi,

wow time has flown, I didn't realise how long ago since I've posted on my blog! I had a good break overseas and now I am ready to get back to stamping and scrapping!

In this simple card I have attempted Makeesha's Colour Challenge #9

and also Mojo Monday Week 93 Sketch.

I used Fifth Avenue Floral and On Your Birthday stamp set, Basic Grey & Whisper White cardstock, Baja Breeze patterns DSP, Ruby Red brads, Baja Breeze striped Grosgrain ribbon, Small and Large Oval and Scallop Edge Punches; Glue Dots; Crystal Effects; Aqua Painter; and inkpads Basic Black, Ruby Red, Baja Breeze.

I tried scalloping the edges of the rectangle with my scallop edge punch but I think I still need to practise this!

Have a great week...any comments would be wonderful.

xx Julia

Final Donation Amount for the Bushfire Appeal

In mid-Feb, Stampin' Up! launched the Bushfire Appeal in response to the tragedy that affected so many lives in Victoria and across Australia.

I am pleased to announce the final donation amount Stampin' Up! will be making to the Bushfire Appeal through the sales of the 'Bushfire Appeal Stamp Sets' will be $77,889.63!

Thank you so much to every one who contributed towards this worthy cause by purchasing one of those Bushfire Appeal Stamp Sets!

x Julia

Baroque Motifs Card - quick and easy

Hi there!

I had a request to put this card I did at my demo on my blog. This is a fun, quick and easy one using the Baroque Motifs stamp set (love this set, so versatile!) and A Little Birthday Cheer set, and only 2 ink colors. If you are using Basic Black like me here, remember to wait for the ink to dry as it takes a while longer than our other colored inks. I forgot, so there is a slight smudge! So here you go: a simple, quick and easy and pretty card. You could do a few at one go and have them ready whenever you need them!

Have fun stamping!

x Julia