New In Colors

Stampin' Up!'s In Color range is changing as of 1 April, and there are also some new stamp sets due out. Here's a sample of some cards using these new colours: Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Red Riding Hood, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss. I have to say that I really love these new colours - I was dubious at first, but they are all just gorgeous to work with. And those who watch far too much television will notice that Freedom Furniture features three of the colours in their logo! I've also used Fresh Cuts, a lovely new stamp set which will also be available from 1 April.

When I started making these cards, it wasn't my initial intention to include every colour in every card, they just kind of built up into these images. My favourite would have to be the fishie. His scales are done with the feather part of the owl image from "Love Owl-ways".

A better day

I'm not counting chickens yet: today's been a better day. Perhaps because its Ryan's 8th birthday today. And I found a few jobs in the paper to apply for. I've been finding it hard since my kids' new school principal decided to stop using me as a casual in the office. Kicking myself for not trying harder to get the permanent two day a week spot that I interviewed for last year. Lost the plot just before the interview and didn't get it. Going from working almost full time last year to absolutely nothing this year has been hard - more so than going on maternity leave because at least then I had a bundle to look forward to. So, socks are being pulled a little further up and the black dog has shrunk back down to a more manageable size. Thanks for the concern from Jesse and Jody... Was lovely to receive your comments, ladies!

Black dog

There's been this little black dog at my heels lately. Its gotten just a wee bit bigger over the last few weeks. Despite knowing this is just a "blip" in my life and it will get better, I'm struggling. I keep starting emails to send to people to appeal for help and then closing the messages down, not knowing what to say. It used to help to write it on my blog, so I'm back here just before collecting the children at school and typing furiously in my last few minutes with a couple of tears rolling down my cheeks.

This blog used to be called "Optimist with PND". My youngest son just turned four, so I'm guessing that I'm a wee bit past PND. Anyway, I'm struggling at the moment. I'm finding it hard to be motivated to do anything much - clean the house, wash my hair... The bigger things seem insurmountable - clearing up my scrap stuff so I can actually scrap or make cards. I feel helpless much of the time and "what's the point?"

Okay, its out there now. I do know this is a blip and things are going to get better. I'm searching for the motivation to start...

In the Garden

I made these cards today when stuck for something to do for a watercolour workshop tomorrow. I'm so pleased with the blue/purple one! Stamped with the Hostess background "In the Garden" in Stazon ink, I used Stampin' Up's watercolour crayons in Bold Brights colours to colour the images. Actually, I scribbled over the images and used my aquabrush to tidy it all up afterwards. The effect is gorgeous, I think!

Stampin' Christmas

A very Stampin' Christmas was had in our house. I recycled all the packing paper from my orders and sat the kids and hubby down with my stamp sets. Here are some of the results:
Recently had a demonstration and my hostess wished to see Time for You, so I did this card for the workshop:
And one of my regular ladies is an owl enthusiast so I had to show this set off "Love Owl-ways":
All Stampin' Up! products and the owl card is SO simple to make but looks great, I think!

Okay, back in my box for now as my two older kids have chicken pox. Just waiting for number 3 to get it too. :(

Kylie's Challenge

So, at our Inklings Christmas gathering, I was having a bit of a whinge about how the phrase "Always time for you" didn't really seem to fit with the bicycle (which I love, by the way). I said, at least if it were a tandem bike, it would make a little more sense! So fellow Inkling Kylie challenged me to create a tandem bike (with a frog on it, but I haven't got that far yet!!). Here's the result:
Took loads of trials with various techniques, including masking which just didn't work well. Ended up just inking the parts of the image I wanted with a Stampin' Write brush, used my Stamp-a-majig to line everything up, then used the fine tip to connect the bits that needed connecting. I'm pretty pleased with the result!

Next step will be one with frogs. ;) Hopefully before new year!

obsession: scallop edge punch

"Time for you" stamp set was always on the top of my list when I received my copy of the summer mini. But when it came time to use it, I was stumped at how the "Always Time for You" phrase worked with the bicycle? So this is my solution - the "friend" bit from "For a Friend".
As you can see there's a theme to my cards of late - most of them have a scallop edge! I'm totally obsessed with the scallop edge punch and have had countless applications of it over the last weeks including trimming the top and bottom of chocolate slider covers. Must take some photos! Anyway this next card is another set from the Summer mini - "Embrace Life" which is also delicious water coloured. My upline, Angela Sargeant , created an embossed version of this flower which is simply divine.
Hope you feel as inspired as I do!

New: Summer Mini

A new Summer Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue started today! Here's one of my favourite stamps out of the lot - "A happy heart". Its meant for Valentine's Day, and typically I've jumped to the last pages and used these stamps first! But this little dandelion fluff with flying hearts is just darling! I felt so inspired! So here's two variations of the same stamp. Also I've used the Scallop Edge punch and a touch of the 1" Double Stitched Grosgrain in Chocolate Chip for the first card with Earth Elements colours.
For the second, I've used an offcut of card to make a scallop shape to glue around and then sprinkled loads of Dazzling Diamonds over the edges of a very simple Purely Pommegranate card with a vellum window. I've also used a little Crystal Effects in the centre of the puff and used a pin to tease out lines before it dried, also dusted with Crystal Effects. Isn't it divine? I've touched the bottom corner of the window with Orchid Opulance cardstock stamped in Purely Pommegranate with a Faux Rhinestone in the middle (made using a drop of Crystal Effects in the middle of an eyelet. Brilliant idea I've stolen from another SU demo - will update with who it was when I have a moment to ferret through!).

I've experimented with a few of the other stamps - I'll post more over the next few days.

Christmas Pop-out & Elite Challenge

One of the three designs I've made for Christmas Cards to sell at Normanhurst West Public School Christmas Markets... Simple template which I found here decorated with Season of Joy Stampin' Up set. Printed out two on a page and folded the template around my folded card, cut, followed the instructions and Voila!
This one combines 2 of 3 of the Elite Challenges for November - I don't have the stamp set for the third challenge! So I combined the colour and sketch challenges to make one card. Easy-peasy!

some more cards I've played with...

The first image is a card for a challenge at Elite Stampers, part of Angela Sargeant's group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators. I think it was the September challenge, so I'm a bit late, but having never done any of the challenges before, I wanted to give it a try!
Card: So Saffron, Old Olive, Blue Bayou, white scrap
Stamps: Priceless, One of a Kind
Inks: So Saffron, Old Olive, Blue Bayou
Accessories: silver hodgepodge and Rhinestone brads

So this next card combines the colour and sketch challenges for Elite Stampers for October. The challenge was set by Carol Dunston, who does some fabulous work!
Card: Wild Wasabi, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Basic Black
Stamps: Garden Whimsy
Inks: Wild Wasabi, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White
Accessories: scallop circle punch, horizontal slot punch, circle punch, watercolour brush, Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon, silver hodgepodge, chalks

This last one has been burning in my brain after seeing the results of Alana Galagher's participation in the Kwerner Design colour challenges. My inspiration is a Sheridan sheet pattern from a pillowcase of my grandmother's. It's got to be over 40 years old and loads of swirly floral shapes:
I matched the colours from the pillowcase to the cardstock in the SU range and then pieced this card together using the Boho Blossom's punch, Scallop Circle punch and various circle punches. Added some pearls and there you are... Pleased with the result and may have to scale it up!
Card: Creamy Caramel, Apricot Appeal, Blush Blossom, Sage Shadow, Groovy Guava, Naturals Ivory
Stamps: One of a Kind, Expressive Flexible Phrases
Inks: Apricot Appeal, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Pretties Pearls, Boho Blossoms punch, Scallop Circle punch, Circle punches.