Andrea's Stampin' Moments

Pink Baby Joy

  This card was made for the Paper Craft Planet sketch challenge this week sk012409.  If you haven't had a chance to take a look yet, take a minute, the designs are incredible!

I don't know why I decided to make a baby card, but here we are - I am still blaming the heat for my muddled mind these past few days!

The image is from Papertrey Ink set Bitty Baby Blessings which I stamped using Palette Noir Black ink.  I painted the carriage and flowers with Shimmerz Bubble Gum and Angel Wings, and set them aside to dry.  Remember I will be placing my order for Shimmerz very soon and would love to hear if there is a colour that you would like to see available!  The centre of the wheels has a little 'dollop' of Liquid Pearls - Gold.

  Isn't the shimmer just beautiful?  It painted on very easily to these little fabric type of flowers, but I have also painted the paper flowers as well with ease.

The gorgeous ribbon is from Papertrey Ink as well today, and the Ric Rac from Stampin' Up!  They easily applied using the XPress It double sided tape.  I used the 12mm for the wider ribbons, and then ran the 3mm across the centre of the two ribbons and laid the Ric Rac across.

To all the Mums out there that had a little one start school yesterday, I hope it went well.  I know that I will miss my little man who helped his Mum by saying he would miss me....and today it was 'don't cry'...and I wasn't going to, but I do miss him.  So I shall just have to throw myself in to all the things I have planned for this year.  Some big surprises are on their way...

Happy stamping this weekend!

Freebie Friday - 2009!

  Welcome to the first Freebie Friday for 2009!!

I thought I would start the year with something very special, and as Our Craft Lounge has released a whole bunch of new stamps at the CHA last weekend, I thought I would kick start this year with one of their stamps sets!

All of their new stamp sets will be available very soon for pre-order, so I will keep you posted on that, but today I am offering anyone, both here in Australia and overseas the chance to have this beautiful set just in time for Valentines.  Simply leave a comment on this post from today through until Sunday night, and a winner will be selected Monday morning.  If you haven't already signed up for regular updates on my blog be sure to do that as well so that you never miss out on the give-aways!

This post will remain at the top of my blog until after the weekend, but I will be back later with a card I made last night, so don't forget to check below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Simple Stems - MOJO71

  This is my card for this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch!  Today I decided on a male card for a birthday this week, and started with the lovely colours of this DSP from Papertrey Ink.

The centre image is from the SU! set Stem Silhouettes which I have inked with Versamark, then Choc Chip ink and finally coated with clear ep and heat set.  I did this so that I could coat the entire piece of  cream cardstock with Shimmerz Gold Glimmer Blingz.

I have used the double sided satin Latte ribbon to wrap around and extend from under the sentiment square.  These words are from Papertrey Ink as well, and fitted very nicely in the square Spellbinders.

The centre was finished off with my favourite embellishment at the moment - Dew Drops!

Thanks for stopping by.

Nature Bird - TECC52TV

  Happy Australia Day!

I don't have many stamps that would have suited today, but I thought this beautiful bird lent itself to our wildlife.

There's no cupcake in site for this challenge TECC52TV.  I started by stamping the bird from the SU! set Touch of Nature using Palette Burnt Umber on cream cardstock and colouring with Copic markers.  Using a Versamark pen I coated the image and then added clear embossing powder to protect the image.  The background stamp from Itty Bitty Backgrounds was then stamped over.  The image was then cut out using Spellbinders Classic Ovals.  I had intended to do the cracked glass effect and so started by coating the entire image with Versamark pad and clear embossing powder, but I so liked just the thick glossy coating, I left it at that after about 6 coats.

The beautiful DSP and cardstock is from SU!

  I pieced the middle oval cut out, as well as the scalloped edge using a paper piercing tool and mat.  The little flowers I have had for years, one of those things that I knew would come in handy some day!  I added some Dew Drops to the centre fo the flowers, and Satin edged ribbon to complete it.

Have a wonderful day!

Flower Luck

  I needed a card for a friends daughter who is going over seas on exchage for a year, and I didn't have anything that was really suitable.  I started off with a completely different one - which I will share with you later - but ended up with this very simple card.

I wasn't sure if the words 'Good Luck' were appropriate or not, but it was what I settled on just before walking out the door last night!

These beautiful flowers and words are from Papertrey Ink.  I stamped the outline in SU!'s Only Orange, the inner with Yo Yo Yellow and the stem is Green Galore.  I added a few Dew Drops Bird of Paradise to give the flowers more dimension, and finished under the words with the same.

The card is a pre-cut and scored White Linen DL card, which made it very quick and easy for this to come together. 

I hope you are enjoying your Australia Day long weekend!

'At You' Shimmer

  I wanted to show you today a very cute set by Our Craft Lounge called Love Bug, as well as the at you Spica pens by Too, the same people who make the fabulous Copics.

I thought I would take the Mojo70 sketch from yesterday and flip it around for a change. 

The base card is the Azalea Metallic cardstock, and you can see the sheen in the photo!

I have never used the at you Spica pens before, so I didn't know what to expect from them.  I coloured most of the images in using them, and over the larger surface of the words I went back over and did them again to give a very vibrant colour.  They are fantastic for smaller more intricate stamps, but not what I would use for really large areas, that 's where the Shimmerz paint would be a bonus, even though you can work in smaller spaces with the help of a fine paint brush.

The pens were easy to use, they dried quickly and look incredible.  I have ordered in 5 colours to begin with, so from now until the end of January when you purchase 4 of the colours you will get the 5th free, just so you can give them a go as well!   And the same deal will apply to the Dew Drop lip containers - buy four get the fifth free - get a Dew Drop share happening!  Check them out here.

I thought I would show you a bit of a side view as well - I used nearly as many layers in this one as yesterday.  The buttons are from the Summertime collection, and I thought afterwards it would have looked nice with some white cotton threaded through - maybe next time.

Have a great day!

Stemmed Flowers - MOJO70

  I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!  I took a break in between floors and bathrooms to have a play with this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch! 

I chose my stamp first which is SU!'s Oh, So Lovely, along with the DSP.  The words are from Papertrey Ink's Garden of Life.

The flowers were stamped twice using Palette Burnt Umber, and coloured with Copic Markers.  On the second image I topped it with Glossy Accents by Ranger, and put them aside to dry.

 The large circles were cut out using my Spellbinders circles, and the words using Nestabilities Labels Two.  I pierced around the outer circle using my mat and piercing tool, as well as the bottom corner of the flower image.

I stepped the different layers up using foam sqaures.  The flower image is raised, and then the words were raised on one side to match the flower, and flat on the other side so it sat level with the flower.  I had to play around with the foam on the words beacuse I needed two layers of cardstock in extra height.

To the side of the flower image I added some Dew Drops - 'Soil'  to fill in the gap, and now that I am sitting back and looking at it, I might do another glossy flower to put down in the bottom right hand corner....will think about that one.

Thanks for stopping by!

Anna - Mae Birthday - TECC51

  I wasn't able to take part in the TECC sketch challenge last weekend - we were visiting relatives in Melbourne (love Melbourne) - but I did have time this afternoon for this weekends!

I have used the Anna-Mae set from Our Craft Lounge for this card, and I even stamped some extra images for Nathan to colour - he loves to stamp with me.  I am going to miss him when he starts school.

I have new sets coming very soon from OCL, and I will hopefully have them in stock by the end of the week - some will be just in time for Valentines!

The images were stamped using Palette ink Burnt Umber, rather than black like I would normally do, and it gives a nice soft look to it I think.

The cake has some gorgeous orange stickles for icing, and it just adds that little bit of sparkle - Nathan was very impressed, he had to have a closer look.

The little cupcakes down the side are also from the same set, and were very quick and easy to colour and cut out.

I know I added stripes to her dress, but I ended up by just shading it instead - doesn't she just make you smile?

The DSP is from Stampin' Up!, where I get a lot of my paper, and the ribbon from The Little Online Card Shop.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.

Another very hot day tomorrow, so I may just get time to stamp, unless the housework bug calls.

Happy stamping,

Hearts for a 'Happy Couple'

  This started out as a Valentines card, until I remembered I still needed to do an engagement card, which was lucky for me.

The hearts are from an old Stampin' Up! set called Happy Hearts, which I have stamped in Rose Red, cut them out and coated them in Glossy accents - now in stock :)

I have used the new cardstockVixen Bright White and DSP from SU!  The words are again from the Papertrey Ink set Sweet Love, and they tied in with the theme beautifully.

The hearts have been layered with foam squares and sit on a square of Vixen white.

I have been outside watering trees hoping to keep them alive this Summer, but I think I have time now to start this weekends TECC sketch challenge....now I just need to find a cupcake, for stamping that is!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Chocolate Delight

  This is my other Sarah Kay stamp, and isn't she beautiful as well.  I love to colour in, so this is what I have been doing today!  Along with organising the boys school books that is, and the total cost made my head spin...do you know how many Copics I could have bought?

The image was stamped on ultra smooth white cardstock using palette Burnt Umber, both from TLOCS, and Copics were used to colour.

The gorgeous paper is from Stampin' Up!, and I have forgotten what it is called, along with Choc Chip as the base card.

The cute flower is another from the Fiesta Felt range and I have put a Pearl Dew Drop in the centre using Mini Glue Dots.

  I used the Oval Spellbinders and pierced in the scallops as well as each side of the centre image.  I realised it had been a while since I had used my paper piercer - something I love to do, because it just adds that something special.

I mentioned yesterday I would share with you what I received today for my birthday.  Now I will let you know in advance that this is the sellers picture and I don't have this many Copics.....yet....but I do now own the stand, and it makes my desk look very professional LOL!  Don't you just love how their pictures turn out as well, I shall have to practice that one.  I also received a cooking book  by one of my favourites - Nigella.  I love both Nigella and Jamie, they are both so passionate about their craft.

Thanks for stopping by today, we are off for afternoon tea at a friends.

See you tomorrow!

Golfing Tee - Mojo Monday 69

  I am going to make a list of what NOT to do's today, because I did them all!  I usually start with the finished size of my card and work in to the centre so that I KNOW I have an envelope to fit it.  I work things out measurement wise so I KNOW it will fit.  I colour to match the paper, NOT change my mind half way through.  Will I go on....no it's best to quit while I'm ahead, and realise that it was just 'one of those days'.

This is my card for 'Mojo Monday', and I started out with the intent of finishing in about 30min.  It simply was not to be, and the card isn't even very exciting, but I hope the person it is for likes it.

I have used an old favourite from Stampin' Up!, The Back Nine, and I kept it because golf is always a good one to have.  The paper is from last years catalogue I think, and the cardstock is also - True Thyme.

 
The image is stamped using Palette ink Burnt Umber, and then coloured with Copic markers.  I used my circle Spellbinders for all the circles.

Pop on over to the Mojo blog becuase you will see some incredible cards there for this sketch challenge, and let me know if you join in, I would love to see your cards!

Back tomorrow, because I get to stamp tomorrow and enjoy it because it's my birthday present to me, and I just may share with you what I am receiving....

Happy stamping....!

Centred Heart

  The card I had in mind for this card, is not the one you see here!  I had lots more hearts stamped and painted ready to go, but I just couldn't fit them in - so they are ready for the next one at least.

I have stamped the hearts from OCL Lola Love and painted them using Shimmerz paint Royal Red - I just wish you could see the shimmer in the photo!

The cardstock is a beautiful textured card and a sturdy 240gsm weight, called Vixen Bright White.

The sentiment is from the Papertrey Ink set Sweet love, and it suited the simplicity of the card perfectly - well I hope it did? 

The Shimmerz paint went on easily and dried quickly, but then what wouldn't in 36 degree heat (celcius that is) and 42 tomorrow!  At least I have no excuse not to stamp tomorrow - I'm lovin' it!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Happy Stamping,

Friends

  Did anyone else have Sarah Kay swap cards when they were younger?  I pulled mine out the other night to take a look at.  Mind you I only have about half a dozen - times were really tight when I was growing up - but they are just so gorgeous and very special!  The clothes are very very 70's.

So this is one of two Sarah Kay stamps I purchased and you can see the whole collection here.  I coloured her using my Copic markers and matted her on Cherry Crush and Pumpkin Pie.  The DSP I have had for ages.  Of course I had to fit in some little Dew Drops as well...LOL

I can never seem to take a close up without it looking blue! 

 

The sentiment is from the JustRite Harmony Classic Circle Stamper II which I haven't used before, but there are some great words in this one that I will get a lot of use out of.

I learnt something new ages ago and I know that I have saved the link somewhere, so when I find it I will share it with you.  Have any of you ever had trouble with solid rubber images not stamping as clearly as you would like them?  Well this fantastic lady did a tutorial and you need to sand them with a very fine sand paper or sanding block in both directions.  I used my SU! sanding block.

The pictures show the difference between the first sand - second - and the final stamped image.  Amazing don't you think?  Now most of you may have already known this, but for those of you like me who didn't, it's an amazing discovery!

 

Thanks for stopping by today, and have a wonderful weekend!

Be Mine

  I have had so much fun with this elephant from the Our Craft Lounge Set 'Lil' Pea-Nut', that I just had to do another.

I have used two sets today from the new range because they just worked so well together - well I thought they did!  The other set is the 'Lola Love' set and I used the words, hearts and heart bubbles from this one.

The great DP is from the first SU! catalogue we had here in Australia, so I thought it was about time to use it up.  The red cardstock is Bazzill Cherry Splash.

I was very excited on Monday to finally receive an order I had made before Christmas from Shimmerz.  These little paint pots add a real shimmer to your project and are very easy to use, so the exciting news is you will be seeing them at The Little Online Card Shop very soon!  They have a great range of colours, but I would love to hear from you if there is a particular one you just must have!  Check them out here!

I hope the holidays are going well for you.  We are finally having a few hot days just to make it feel like Summer, but I am happy for it to stay in the high 20's!

Have a great day.

A Very Happy 'Flower' Birthday

  I have been just a little 'slack' the past few days, with spending more time looking than creating, and now it's time to get a move on.  I have a few birthdays this month, so I have started with a bright and cheery one! 

This was created using a sketch challenge over at Our Creative Corner, and I thought I would just have to participate.  You will have to take the time to look at this blog because the design team members are simply incredible!

This gorgeous paper is from Stampin' Up!, along with the flowers, and the sentiment is one of Papertrey Inks.

  I haven't had a chance to use the Fiesta Felt Flowers from Buttons Galore, so I grabbed myself a bag and it tied in beautifully with the colours I used today.

This card is for my MIL, so I hope she likes bright colours.  You would think that I would know the answer to that after nearly - very nearly - 19 years of marriage, but I don't.

The Ric rac at the bottom is actually patterned on the other side, but I wanted plain for this, and you can't even tell.

I wanted to also thank Sharon for her comment on this post, I am going to add the little girls name to this before I give it - great idea!

For those of you who haven't done my quick little 3 question survey to the right, I would appreciate your help as I look for new items to stock The Little Online Card Shop this year, and always comments of what you would like to see are a huge help!  Thanks!

Thanks for stopping by today!