Another lovely day and I’m really appreciating these autumn days before the weather changes and the grey clouds and rain take over. Definitely not a winter person. We will still have pleasant days but with colder nights interspersed with cooler days. So to keep myself upbeat I thought a pretty card was the way to go.
This card is made with a die set from Impression Obsession 169-R “Hollyhocks”. I made the background on watercolour paper and “smooshed” distress inks. CLICK here to watch a video showing how this can be done.
A view from the side to show that I die cut the Hollyhocks twice (has anyone noticed that on TV no one seems to say “twice” but say “2 times” instead, what’s going on there? Don’t they know what twice means?) I popped up the second layer to give it some dimension.
Well that’s all from me today. I’ll be back soon,
Lorraine
Looking through my stash today I came across several Kaisercraft Wooden Flourishes which must have been in the draw for years. The anchor caught my eye and that was the beginning of today’s card.
During my rummage I also came across some self-adhesive cork sheets. Perfect for this I thought. Another find was a cute little anchor charm.
I’m sure that I have some “piratey” stamps somewhere but I couldn’t find them. (Note to self – tidy and sort stamps again). 🙂 So being unable to find a sentiment stamp which would suit the card I went on line and found an “A’hoy” which I adapted to suit the card.
My props for the photos today were easy to find and I think they worked well. Blue sparkly tissue paper to represent water, shells my parents had found on their tour around Australia many years ago, and finally a sheet of scrapbooking paper.
Supplies:
- Kaisercraft – craft card, wooden flourish anchor & adhesive cork
- Echo Park paper – Dots & Stripes
- Small rectangle of white card
- Anchor charm from my stash
- Twine
- Computer generated “Ahoy”
Thanks for dropping by today.
Smiles,
Lorraine
Enjoying card making at the moment (back to old times). Having some fun with a set of dies I purchased from Spellbinders. It is the April Large Die Set. This card is made with the large floral circle die which is included in the set and shabby chic papers from Kairsercraft.
I fussy cut the large rose, butterflies and central circle from the one sheet of dp and used another sheet for the background.
Recently I have been taking notice of what other bloggers have been doing to “stage” their photos using props. I found an interesting site click from Amber at Damask Love. I have followed her blog for years but only now read through the entire photography post.
The props I have used for these photos are two strings of my mum’s costume jewellery which I was lucky enough to have. I think it works…..
Supplies:
- Spellbinders April Large set of dies
- Kaisercraft papers – Sage and Grace Collection
- Kaisercraft Creme Square Card and Envelope
- Bazzil cardstock
- Creme and gold twine from my stash
- Sentiment from an old Flourishes stamp set
Thanks for popping in today,
Smiles,
Lorraine
Recently I saw this gorgeous card by Joanna Krogulec here and I fell in love with it. I immediately wanted to try to make the card but of course I didn’t have the dies but I made do with punches, edge dies and scissors that I do have. I was able to source the pretty paper which Joanna used in Australia here.
I like my effort but of course I’m aware that Joanna’s card is much prettier. In the near future the Spellbinder dies might find a home in my craft room. 🙂
The pink flowers were from my stash and they don’t match exactly but I didn’t want to buy new flowers and anyhow I think they tone in okay.
I’ve made circle easel cards before here and here and always enjoyed making them. You can search for other easel cards I have made in the past in the box near the top right.
I’d like to pass on a huge thank you to Joanna for sharing her beautiful card. After looking at her blog I am feeling very inspired so let’s hope that I am over the doldrums and can get into the swing of things soon.
Smiles,
Lorraine
I have been busy making little chocolatey gifts for friends who haven’t been too well. I forgot to take photos of some of the little gifts because I was so anxious to get them in the post. So here are some that did make the photo list.
First one is a block of chocolate in a pull up cover. I believe it went down well. I used some pretty die cuts from Kaisercraft.
The second gift was so easy but I thought effective. I added a get well soon tag but forgot to add it in the photo. The instructions were sourced on YouTube here.
These may not have been eaten yet as the woman is still in hospital but I’m hoping she will enjoy them soon.
The last gift was for a relative’s birthday. I found the original idea for this here.
Wishing everyone good health and happiness.
Lorraine
My sister and I have set a challenge each month for ourselves. March’s challenge was a mixed media “the portrait of a lady on canvas” inspired by Angela Holt HERE. Loved this challenge 😍.
This was a great project to use up lots of unloved flowers and other bits and pieces which were in my stash.
It is amazing how differently our canvases have turned out given the same starting point.
Here is the link to my sister’s blog CLICK. .
Next month the theme is “shoes”. We used to make “shoe shaped cards” for markets. Unfortunately I can’t find my template any more so I think I’ll have to go down a different path.
We will post our next month’s challenge (and each month after that) on the last Sunday at 10ish (AEST).
Bye for now,
Lorraine
There are some days when you just realise how fortunate you are to live in such a beautiful city. Sunday was one of those days for me.
While walking with family members who were busily involved in a community Pokemon day I got distracted and rediscovered the beautiful statues and flowers in Ballarat’s Botanical Gardens.
CLICK HERE for some facts on this fabulous statue and pavilion.
Next some photos of the beautiful Begonias in the conservatory which was open and free. The Begonia Festival was held only a couple of weeks ago so the flowers and gardens are still at their peak.
Hope you enjoyed the photos. If you get a chance to visit the gardens now is still a lovely time of the year.
Lorraine
I was fortunate to visit Singapore for a week with 2 friends. We have been friends since we were at secondary school together. Very special. Here are my friends on the famous Orchard Road. Every famous (way out of our price range) brand you could name is located on this road.
Below is a view of the Gardens by the Bay, which I thought looked particularly beautiful from the top of the Marina Sands Building.
Just one photo (I took too many) of the beautiful orchids in the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay.
The next photo is of the water fall in the Cloud Forest Dome. It was so cool in here after the heat and humidity outside.
This is the Marina Sands complex taken from the Singapore River Cruise. This would have been a perfect cruise to do at night when the Marina Sands puts on their amazing light show.
The iconic Merlion.
So many highlights but for me as a “paper crafter” this was very special.
Before I left for Singapore I spotted some classes which were to be held at “Paper Market” while I was there. I emailed and booked a spot after I was assured the classes are all conducted in English. The class was such fun, the other women made me feel so welcome. Here is the list of classes which I could have attended HERE . I chose the last entry “Travel Tote with Mini Album” because it suited time-wise. I bought home a very special memory of Singapore. FUN!
Bye for now,
Lorraine
I couldn’t resist buying this block stamp while we were in Delhi.
Would you call it a paisley pattern? It reminds me of the Henna patterns the Indian woman have on their hands.
We saw a young man block printing on material. So labour intensive but beautiful. They use vegetable dyes only and after washing and leaving in the sun for several days the colours won’t fade.
They used three block stamps each one with a different colour dye, just as we do using layering stamps.
My little stamp is no match for their large block stamps but it will remind me of our exciting trip to India.
Namaste 🙏🏼
Lorraine
My sister and I challenged each other to make a Domino Book. Neither of us had made one before so it would definitely be a challenge. We are to finish our books tonight and publish on our blogs. I’m hoping that she has had enough time to finish (I’m lucky enough to have more spare time to follow my crafty path). If you would like to pop over and see what she has produced here is her blog. I’ll be popping over once I’m finished up here. Our styles are usually very different so it will be exciting to see what her book is like.
Well I’m back today with my final Domino Book. (I’m starting to get a bit addicted to these little cuties, so you might see more of them).
Choosing a theme was difficult because there are so many which would work. I went with “the beach” because I have many happy memories with my family and friends at the seaside.
I bought a sheet of domino images which was immediately downloadable here I am very pleased with them. I have purchased a couple of other sets from other Etsy shops which will probably be used in the future. I covered the front and back with the trimmed images, then applied a layer of Glossy Accents and while wet pushed on some metal starfish embellishments.
Around the edges of the dominoes I used Inca Gold. Now that was another story ……. it had dried up so I had to search on the internet the best way to re-moisten the waxy paste. An hour or so later I had the paste back to usable consistency after adding a few drops of boiled water and a couple of capfuls of glycerine. Whew! After the gold had dried I glued strings of tiny half pearls and 4 tiny feet (bead cups) to the edges of the dominoes.
I cut a piece of creme cardstock 12″ x 2″ (or just a little under those measurements) and scored and folded every 1″ in accordion fashion. Here is where I changed my method compared to my previous book. This time I decided to make it into a little book rather than an accordion pull out type. I glued the ribbon around the centre the the folds leaving the ends long enough to tie a nice bow. Finally I glued the folded pages onto the dominoes.
I daubed some more Inca Gold along the edges of the pages the added the images and computer generated quotes (which I found on the web).
Here are photos of the inside of the little book.
Well I had fun but it did test me at times. My fingers felt like “all thumbs” trying to manipulate such tiny items. 🙂
Bye for now,
Lorraine
Hi all. Another crafter and I have decided to challenge ourselves to making a “Domino Book”. We have set a deadline so that we don’t procrastinate for too long. This is my first attempt but not the book for the challenge. Now I know how, I just have to improve the techniques I use. The final date is Sunday 18th February. So keep watch for that.
I had seen a Domino Book using papers highlighting dogs and I knew I still had remnants of the papers “Raining Cats and Dogs” by Graphic45 in my supplies, so for my first attempt I attempted a dog book.
These are the Dominoes I bought. (I’ll have to make lots of little books to use all the dominoes won’t I).
Front.
Back.
The front of the book folded and secured with bows.
The back of the closed book.
Thanks for looking today.
Lorraine
Flash back to Christmas. I didn’t quite get this card finished in time to put in the post, so it looks like it will be the first in line for next year. 🙂
I used a piece of water colour card and blended Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Chipped Sapphire with a touch of Black Soot Distress Ink. Such a pretty combination I think. I added “stars” (white dots) of white Gelly pen randomly over the page. I added more at the top and tried to fade out as I went down the card.
The “peace on earth” stamp is from the MFT set “Hand-Lettered Christmas” set. I’ve had the chip board frame in my stash for a few years now but it looks like it is still available from “Scrapmatts”.
So finally I coloured the frame black and adhered it to the water colour paper and then attached it to the card base. Very easy card but I’m very happy with the result.
Hope you enjoyed your Christmas break and now I would like to wish my friends a very happy and healthy 2018.
Lorraine
Hi all, I have finally finished making some special little gifts to show where everyone could sit for our Christmas dinner. Great idea which I found here . I have changed the colours and added name tags.
I have added the Cadbury “Breakaway” individually wrapped biscuits as shown in the link above. Thanks for the fun idea Carolyn. Yum…… I only made them for the adults. For the children I have another idea (non edible). I think they will have had more than their little tummies usual are used to. 🙂
Here is a shot of the back of the little box.
Are you all prepared for the big day. I think I am, but I could be proved wrong. The supermarket was very busy today but they tell me that Sunday will be much worse so I’m glad my food shopping is finished.
Have a wonderful day however you celebrate.
Bye for now,
Lorraine
Well today I have another couple of Christmas cards, and yes one more Christmas tree themed card.
I used the “second generation” technique for this card. That is – ink the stamp and stamp as usual and then stamping again without re-inking. It gives a more dimensional look.
I used the stamp by Penny Black “a splash of winter”. The sentiment is embossed with silver embossing powder. I added tiny touches of glue on the trees and then shook glitter over the glue. Hard to see in the photo but it really adds an understated shimmer. The last addition was a strip of glitter card near the bottom of the card and … finished. Such an easy but effective card.
The next card deviates from the “tree” theme but is another easy peasy card. Cover the front of the card with a delicate patterned paper and add a strip of red card. White emboss the stamp by Stampendous “Cling Christmas Rose” on a piece of vellum then fussy cut it out. The most difficult (but really not all that difficult) was attaching the vellum to the card without showing where it was glued. I added a couple of “dew drops” from my old stash of bits and pieces to the centre of the flowers so I could add a good amount of glue under these and tiny dots of glue else where. Add a heat embossed greeting and sprinkle a few sequins. Ta dah ….. finished.
I might have a few more examples in a few days so keep watching. 🙂
Bye for now,
Cards & Co
Cards & Co 