Christmas Cards

Well, I totally missed SBT50 CC for the month of October, I had all the best intentions in the world, but real life (& other previous commitments) got in the way...but I`m determined to make up for it in the November CC!!!

We (DH & I) have been doing a bit of spring cleaning, or rather, spring CLEARING, changing a few things around the house, & cursing the fact that ALL 3 of us (DH, DD & I) are very keen readers & collectors of books & magazines. But I had to take a break & do something creative, & I remembered that a while back I put my name down to join SANDIE in her 12 Weeks to Christmas competition (you could win some of her beautiful hand-made daisies!!!)...So here are my first 3 Christmas cards for this year, & if you are making your cards this year, you`d better get a move on LOL.

For all 3 cards I stamped my images onto the reverse side of those large Aust.post envelopes, they are white on the outside, & kraft-coloured on the inside, & I have heaps, so I thought I`d re-purpose/recycle/re-use some of them : )

On the first card I`ve stamped the reindeer image (from THIS set from DRD) as well as the word JOY (from the same set) using black Archival ink. The base card is BB, the pp is BoBunny, & the frame is Collections (from TSQ) I used a bit of ribbon, & a Carl punch for the heart. & if you look closely, there`s KG (black opal) added to the tips of the antlers.

For the next card I used the same reindeer image, but in red Stazon ink & some more KG for the antlers. I also got out my Fiskars punch & used it on the pp, & the word is mounted using some foam tape.

& for my final offering, I stamped the image (from PaperForestDesigns) with black ink, & added the words from DRD stamps using some foam tape for added dimention. The pp is from The Green Stack by DCWV (made from 70% recycled paper) So, not only am I making my own Christmas cards, but I`m helping the environment as well : )

Thank you for stopping by, & I hope you`re doing well with your Christmas cards this year : ) & If you get a chance, why not pop in & join SANDIE, you may even win yourself some beautiful flowers : )

On a Winning Streak!

Oopps! In all my ATC excitement I forgot to mention that I had also been a winner at INKURABLE STAMPERS last month (for my mermaid), receiving a very generous G/V from Heike at SCRAPZ.BIZ (thanks Sarah & Heike) & I was also lucky enough to receive a very generous cardmakers pack from SCRAPBOOKING TOP 50 (Thanks Victoria) So you see, you have to be in it to win it (says she, who still hasn`t started on this month`s CC challenges over at SBT50!!!!!!!!!!!)

Anyway, I wanted to share the bag I made for this month`s theme at INKURABLE STAMPERS. I had already started it when DD asked me if I was going to show it in my blog, so out came the camera LOL.

I had a bit of trouble trying to find an ink that I could use on fabric, but thanks to Google, I went with Adirondak Dye Ink. I also found lots of free patterns for shoulder bags thanks to Google, complete with great tutorials, but none had the pattern for the style I was after, (a shopping bag) so I worked on the pattern myself, & it turned out just like I had pictured it.

Now, tutorials are not my thing, but I`ll share the photos that I did take & if anyone is interested, I`ll work on a tutorial for later on...just let me know.

I used denim for the outside, & 100% printed cotton for the inside lining. & the finished bag measures 18" x 14" approx. The first 2 photos are the inside bottom corners, it`s what gives the bag its shape.

I then added some short handles, I wanted this bag to replace the ugly but practical shopping bags.

& this is one of the images I used, isn`t it great (this is one of the stamps I chose from SRAPZ.BIZ, thanks Heike)

For stamping on fabric, the image will give great results if stamped onto wrinkle-free, tightly woven fabric, & as you need a hot, dry iron to set the image, cottons work best. Use your DYE inks, & stamp first onto scrap fabric, & when you`re happy with the stamp chosen, stamp onto the fabric, allow a few minutes to dry & then iron on both sides of image without moving the iron about (just press for a few seconds at a time) Now, I doubt that I`ll be washing this bag too often, but if you want to make sure your image can pass the washing test, use a good fabric ink, otherwise, just heat set, & wash gently LOL.

& this is the image I stamped for the opposite side (STAMPOTIQUE from THE STAMPING QUEEN)

& here`s the finished bag : )

& being modelled by my ever helpful DD (thanks darling)

It`s the first time I`ve made a bag, & I`m so happy with how quick & easy it was to make (I know it would have been quicker to make it without the lining, but I was having so much fun sewing FABRIC as opposed to cs LOL, & it looks so much prettier, giving it a nicer finish, don`t you think?). I do believe I`ll be making a couple more as gifts for Christmas (only another 10 weeks away!!!!!!!!)

Who knew stamps could be used on fabric????

Enjoy your weekend, & thanks for visiting : )

DRD ATC Returns

Rachel Greig from DARKROOM DOOR has been hosting ATC swaps from her BLOG, & these are my beautiful returns for the "Wilderness" swap (you can see a video of them HERE)

Top row L to R, "Explore" is my own ATC, next is "All Good Things..."by Jenene E, followed by "Explore" from Teresa A.

2nd row L to R, "Wild" is from Damaris M, "All Good Things.." is from Cheryl T, & "Lost" is from Judith B.

3rd row L to R, "All Good Things..." from Robyn W, "But O..." is from Sandra De M. & "Take a Walk..." is from Tracey S.

Next up are my returns for the "Essentials 3" swap:

Top row L to R (I should do it in reverse order, just to see if you`re paying attention LOL) "Original" is my ATC, followed by Sandra De M`s jade butterfly, & "Wild & Free" is from Tracey S.

2nd row has "Art" by Damaris M, "Art" by Leesa H, & "Inspire" by Judith B.

3rd row has "Explore" by Robyn W, "Mug Shot" by Rachel C, & "With Each..." is from Cheryl T.

& as I sent 2 lots of ATCs for this swap, here is my second lot of little beauties:

Top row L to R, "Dream Create & Inspire" is my own creation, followed by "Moment of Time" by Rachel C, & "Art" by Leesa H.

In the 2nd row we have, "Proof "by Michelle L, "Gilded Butterflies" by C. Blackburn, & "Look..."by Damaris M.

& in the 3rd row, "Flutter" by Robyn W, "Mug Shot" by Helen C, & "Dream.."by Sarah S.

Aren`t they all just gorgeous? Thank you so much Rachel , for hosting the ATC swaps, & of course, Thank you to each of the ladies whose work of art I have been lucky enough to receive, each ATC is so distinctive, & beautifully finished :)

Don`t forget, if you`d like to participate just visit the DRD BLOG for all the DETAILS.

& I`m also very proud to say that my cards for the WCMD competition over in the DRD Flickr group won me a great prize pack of DRD goodies, Thank you Rachel : )

WCMD

Just in case you hadn`t noticed, this past Saturday, October 3, was the official World Card Making Day, & there`s all sorts of competitions happenning in blogland to celebrate the day! The 2 that I had time to join in with were INKURABLE STAMPERS & DARKROOM DOOR. So here are my cards:

The first card is a heart-shaped gate fold card, made for the INKURABLE STAMPERS WCMD comp. The card measures 10cm X 16cm closed, & 30cm X 16cm open
I started with a BB piece of cs (30 cm X 16 cm) & scored it at 5 cm(mountain fold), 5cm(valley fold),10 cm(valley fold),& 5cm(mountain fold). I then drew, cut & traced the pattern of the heart onto the outside folds, distressing the edges. Using the same pattern, I traced it onto white cs (cutting it a bit smaller), which I then applied GM to in brown & sunflower. I cut the heart in 2 & stuck the 2 halves to the outside folds, stitching them in place. I then stamped the script image (from the DRD Sweet Dreams set) I stamped the dolls stamp(Catslife Press, from TSQ) onto a scrap piece of previously stamped paper (Dancing Spirals Sculpey clay texture sheet/stamp) using Versafine black ink & clear EP( cutting the image in half ) & layered the images onto matching cs, distressing the edges.
The inside of the card has a piece of torn mulberry paper, & the sentiment (Catslife Press from TSQ) was stamped with black ink & clear EP.







& the following are my entries for the DARKROOM DOOR BLOG comp, which had to be uploaded to the FLICKR DRD group:

I just realized that I`m only meant to have one card only (it`s good to take the time to read the details!!!!)

Anyway, here`s the recipe for my cards: A white base card, some torn mulberry paper, some machine sewing, Stamped image from the Viva La Flora Vol 2, using Marvy ink, layered over some red cs, & some more sewing in the corners, with some red ribbon, & the sentiment is from the Full Bloom Vol 1 set

For the second card I used the Venetian Vol 1 image stamped with brown ink & clear embossing powder, & coloured with chalks, & I did a second stamping & put that image onto a square piece of chipboard to give the 3-D look (which can be seen a little better in the close-up photo) The word Explore is from the same set of stamps, stamped onto fabric with black ink, & covered with clear EP.
Lots of texture with the torn cs (but no sewing LOL)

For this next one, I used an image from THIS SET did some bleach stamping, & then overstamped with black ink & clear EP onto some painted cs (using Twinks H2Os) The lilac b`ground is a piece of core`dination card which has been dry-embossed with CB, & sanded back with a sanding block. The word is from THIS word strip.

And this one using the same set, stamped onto a salt & watercolour b`ground (one of my favourite b`grounds)

& for this last one, I swiped a yellow Marvy ink pad directly onto white cd, & then stamped the flower image using Versamark ink & covered with clear EP. I then swiped red Marvy ink over the top & used my fingers to spread the ink around, I so enjoy getting messy LOL.

Well, I sent an email to Rachel apologizing for hogging the Flickr gallery, & I promise to take my time & READ the full instructions before I jump in & start to play : ) Thank you for stopping by, & I hope that by sharing my work I have sparked your interest to get out your supplies & play too. Until next time, stay inky!

Not So Quick Show`n`Tell...

I have 4 LOs & a few cards to share, all from the SBT50 September CC. I wanted to do more, but there`s only so many hours in the day...Still, I`m more than happy with what I did get finished, & as a plus, DD (who`s almost 12 yo) helped me to choose all the photos! (Don`t forget, you can click on the images to view them in more detail) So here it goes:

Challenge #1, LO had to be 90% white & 10% colour, & had to include a cluster of embellishments. & here`s what I came up with...I know I`m a little biased, but she was a gorgeous baby :)

& here`s a close-up of those beautiful velvet flowers & the felt butterfly gifted to me by Sarah a while back, thank you SARAH :) It`s also the very first time I used that measuring tape stamp (I forgot I had it!!!!!!!)

For bonus points we were asked to create a card with the LO`s left-overs, but as I didn`t have any left-overs, I just kept to the same 90% white/10% colour theme, & used one of my Stampotique kids, & the sentiment is a stamp from Catslife Press (both stamps are from HERE)

Challenge #2 was a sketch, & the technique to use was distressing. We also had to use floral everything, as in floral pps, flowers, etc. This was a toughie for me as I`m not overly fond of flowers on LOs, but I did get to use some of the pps & other bits & pieces from the WIOIN kit I won last month.

& here`s the card I made with the left-overs, the "Thank you" stamp is from a Darkroom Door set.

For challenge #3 I had to use a home-made journal tag, use staples or pins, use a mix of alphas for the title, & I had to have a title AND a subtitle...

And here`s the card I made with the left-overs, again, the "Happy Birthday" is a stamp from a DRD set, & the spotty butterfly is from a Bella clear stamp set.

For challenge #5 we had to include an animal/insect embellishment, as well as some doodling.





And again, as I didn`t have any left-overs, I used the doodling on my card.

For challenge #6 we had to create a card, which included bright pp, hand-made flowers (I used a Carl punch), a happy sentiment ( "Enjoy Life"stamp from a DRD set) & a charm.

So there you go, all in all, a pretty productive CyberCrop if I say so myself.

While getting all the links to go on this post, Sarah was busy uploading this month`s theme over at INKURABLE STAMPERS, so if you have a few unused stamps that NEED to be played with, go & check out the "BOXES, BAGS & ENVELOPES" post :)

Stay safe, stay healthy, & don`t forget to play...