Here for you

Hi

Wow, time sure is flying. My boys are almost half way through their first term at school.

I'm not one for wishing time away but I am certainly grateful at the moment that it is whizzing by so fast as I am just hanging out for the end of our wet season. It sure seems to have been a much wetter season.

But on the upside, I have managed to do a bit more crafting which is always a good thing.

I made this card to add to my stash.

I'm trying to make use of the ever growing stash of DP scraps that I have and to also use a few stamps that have been neglected for a while now.

DP is from Stampin Up and the image is from an SU set called Asian Artistry.

Thanks for stopping by today

Michelle :-)

A little Petal Pizzaz

Hi there!

Gee, I don't think I have posted this many days in a row............ever!

My mojo must be running hot, lol.

For my card today I have used the Stampin' Up! set Petal Pizzaz to create this pretty 3D flower.

I really love how this flower turned out. I can see me making more of these for sure.

I gave the flower a spritz of glimmer mist and nearly ruined it as the ink started to bleed a little.

Thanks for stopping by today to take a look.

Michelle :-)

A quick thank you card

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Hi

I hope you are all having a wonderful week so far.

I have been trying to get ahead on my blog posts at the moment in preparation for my little trip to Adelaide to see my parents at the end of the month, YAY!!

DH is staying home to look after the oldest and youngest boys while our middle son is coming with me for his first plane trip. I took our eldest to Sydney a couple of years ago and he had a ball so I thought it might be nice to have a little one on one time with our middle son this time.

I had some scraps left over on my desk this afternoon from a card I had made for an upcoming challenge ( come back on Sunday to see it :-D) so I decided to whip up a quick thank you card (cause that is so much more fun than tidying up). With the end of the school year fast approaching I'm going to be needing a few thank you cards and gifts.

Sorry the photo is really bad, I don't know what is up with my camera at the moment. I must have accidently changed some setting on it.

For this card I have used the following:

Cardstock - Close to Cocoa, Brocade Blue and Very Vanilla from Stampin Up

Designer Paper - Retired Stampin Up

Stamp - Pocket Silhouettes from Stampin Up

Ribbon - Brocade Blue and Very Vanilla from Stampin Up

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :-)

50th Birthday

Hi

I've been a bad blogger again, it's been a while since I've had time to visit all my favourite blogs. So many things taking priority over my crafting time. But I will pop by soon to check out what you have all been up to.

I received an email from a friend late last night with a request for a large 50th birthday card for a lady asap. So I grabbed the Stampin Up - Cottage Wall - designer paper that was still on my desk from a card  I created a week or so ago. and came up with this A5 size top fold card.

Because the card was to be signed by a group of people I decorated the top and bottom of the inside of the card too.

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope to be visiting your blog soon.

Michelle

Super Card

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Hi

Hey Ho, another boys card, will wonders never cease!

This one is for my boy, Luke, his birthday is next month and I thought this image "Super Duper Boy" from Mo's Digital Pencil Too would be perfect as he is right in to the super/action heroes at the moment.

Layout was pretty much determined by the big boo boo I made in the shading around the image. I stuffed it up so bad I nearly put a hole in the cardstock trying to fix it. So I put the sentiment there to try and cover most of it up.

I stamped the star background paper using the Stampin Up! Starring You stamp set. The sentiment also comes from this set.

Striped paper was created using Copics B97 and B91 on Whisper White cardstock.

Image is coloured using Lyra water colour crayons and Copics B97, B93 and B91 for the Jeans and E11, E00, E000 and R20 for the skin.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle

Blue Medallion

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Hi

I hope you are all feeling better than me today (that would not be hard). The flu I had on my birthday weekend last week is back with a vengence. I am aching all over and my head feels stuffed full of cotton wool and everything that I can hear sounds like I have my head under the bath water.

Perhaps that is one of the reasons why I'm not overly fond of today's card but there are a few. Firstly I don't often make cards with out a coloured image as the focal pioint and the fact that I smudged the white lines I created with the gel pen really bugs me and lastly, I'm not sure this is really a very masculine card.

First I stamped the Medallion image from Stampin Up! on to a square of  Brocade Blue cardstock and then after re-inking I stamped again on Whisper White cardstock.

I used some of the Medallion on white to create two corners and with a circle punch I cut the centre of the medallion to place on top of the blue on blue medalion (even though that sounds like gyberish, it should be clear enough in the photo).

I then placed two white brads in the other corners and using a white gel pen (tip - don't do this when you are not well and your hands are shaky) I drew some smaller circles on either sides of the brads and then some white lines to frame.

Sentiment (from Kaszazz) is stamped using Whisper White Craft ink.

Recipe

Cardstock - Brocade Blue & Whisper White - Stampin Up!

Ink - Not Quite Navy & Whisper White - Stampin Up!

Stamp - Medallion - Stampin Up!

Accessories - White Brads & White Gel Pen

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle

Vintage Vogue for a friend

Hi

Well, it's winter here now but you wouldn't know it. The weather is gorgeous. The humidity of the wet season is already a distant memory. Every year I wonder why I choose to live in the tropics when the rain pours down continuously for weeks on end and the mould blooms on shoes, belts and bags in the wardrobe. But now, this time of year, I wouldn't live anywhere else. The skies are blue, the breeze is soft and the sun feels so good on my skin.

Of course the down side is that it really isn't conducive to getting much housework done, it's just way too nice to be inside. So that means that I am later to get in to my craft room at night as the work I should have done during the day needs to be done first.

But with that done, I have managed a card for tonight.

I chose the Vintage Vogue stamp set from Stampin Up! for this card tonight. I have had the set for a while but have not used it except perhaps the flowers on a previous card.

I originally wanted to make this a monochromatic scheme but found that hard so added the So Safron for the flowers.

Recipe:

Cardstock - Old Olive and Whisper White from Stampin Up!

Designer paper  from the Rock Star card elements set from Stampin Up!

Stamp Set - Vintage Vogue from Stampin Up!

Ink - Old Olive and So Safron from Stampin Up!

Thanks so much for stopping by to take a look today.

Michelle

Asian Artistry

Hi

I know that some of you are enjoying a long weekend this weekend and I hope that the weather is perfect for you.

I got all my jobs done early this evening having spent most of the morning cleaning house in readiness for yet another house inspection, so I managed to make it in to my craft room early tonight.

But unfortunately I was lacking inspiration. I decided in the end to set myself a little challenge to use something I have had sitting around for a while and never touched. This ended up being some free papers from a magazine that my lovely Mum sent up to me a while back and a new stamp set that has sat for quite a while just waiting to be inked up.

And although you can't see much of it I used my Stampin Up! Scollop border punch so I decided to enter this card in to the challenge #17 - Border Punch over at Your Next Stamp.

Recipe

DP free from magazine

Cardstock - Riding Hood Red and Whisper White from Stampin Up!

Ink - Riding Hood Red and Old Olive from Stampin Up!

Stamp set - Asian Artistry from Stampin Up!

Thanks for stopping by to take a look.

Michelle

Not how I had pictured it

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Hi

I had a idea in mind when I started this card how I wanted it to look but it didn't quite get there.

It was going ok until the end when I decided it needed something. I thought I would use some crystal effects on the flowers but in hindsight I'm thinking that wasn't such a great idea.

The chalk around the edges of the image panel is actually a really good match for the DP but for some reason in the photo it looks a completely different colour.

Recipe:

Designer Paper - Washington Apple from Stamin Up!

Cardstock - Whisper White and Close to Cocoa from Stampin Up!

Stamp - Friends 24-7 from Stampin Up!

Thanks for stopping by to take a look.

Michelle

Rose to the challenge!

Hi

I love all the challenge blogs that are out there! What a great source of inspiration from all the amazing design team members out there! Im still only fairly new to this whole blog thing and I think it is wonderful that so many people give their time to inspire us to stretch out of our comfort zones.

Tonight I have managed to create a card that fits with five challenges.

Crafty Creations - Make Your Own Paper
Quixotic - Distressing (first time I have tried this)
Your Next Stamp - Going Dotty
Cute Card Thursday - Make Your Own
Crafty Catz - Spots

I had made this little envelope from Stampin Up Bella Rose designer series paper when I first got my new Big Shot and it has just been lying around on my desk since.

So tonight I decided to build my card around it.

The floral panel background is made by stamping Whisper White cardstock with Stampin Up's Rose Is a Rose stamp set with Rose Red and Kiwi Kiss ink. I then sponged around the edge with Rose Red.

Recipe:

Whisper White and Rose Red cardstock - Stampin UP

Bella Rose Designer Series Paper - Stampin Up

Rose Is A Rose stamp set - Stampin Up

Best Yet stamp set - Stampin Up

Rose Red and Kiwi Kiss ink - Stampin Up

Scollop Envelope Big Die - Stampin Up

Pearls

Ice Stickles

White Grosgrain Ribbon from stash

Button from stash

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle

Still playing with the Big Shot

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Hi

I hope all of you here in Australia have had a great start to the Anzac day long weekend.

I have been having a lot of fun playing with my new Big Shot.

This little combo was made for our upcoming Market Stall the day before Mothers Day next month. I thought it would make a lovely little gift.

The mini handbag was made using the Top Note and Scollop Circle on the Big Shot (of course!).

Recipe:

Very Vanilla and Riding Hood Red cardstock - Stampin Up
Candy Lane Designer Series Paper - Stampin Up
Garden Whimsy stamp set - Stampin Up
Sentiment - Best Yet stamp set - Stampin Up

Have a fantastic weekend every one!!

Michelle

Another New Toy

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Oh I am sooo spoilt!

I just received another big parcel from my wonderful Dad filled with goodies from Stampin Up (I think my Dad must be one of my Mum's best customers!). My 40th birthday is coming up soon (in June) and Dad said this was my birthday present. He also said I shouldn't open it until then but on what planet would that happen I ask you ?!

I was so excited to open the box to my brand new BIG SHOT machine and accessories.

So tonight after my cherubs went to bed, I was straight in to my craft room to have a play with it.

I think this card uses just about all the accessories that came with the Big Shot today.

The background panels are stamped with a new stamp set that also came in the parcel - Cottage Garden from Stampin Up.

Recipe:

Pink cardstock - unknown source

Rose Red , Old Olive and Whisper White cardstock from Stampin Up

Ink - Pretty In Pink - Stampin Up

Top Note Big Die - Stampin Up

Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions - Stampin Up

Little Leaves Sizzlets Die - Stampin Up

Heart and Lettering from Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Medium Sizzlet Die - Stampin Up

Stamp set - Cottage Garden - Stampin Up

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle

Friends 24-7

Hi

I hope you have all enjoyed pleasant weather this weekend. The sun has made an appearance all day today which has been a welcome change.

I found a little time today to make another card that I thought might be suitable as a Mother's Day card. I have to make a few for next  months JeMbellish market stall which just happens to be the day before Mother's Day.

Trouble is I got this far along with this card and then couldn't seem to finish it nicely. There just didn't seem to be a place to put the sentiment that looked right. Maybe my Mojo is just off today.

Maybe it's just that I couldn't find the right embellishments even though I have drawers full of them.......

If anyone else feels inspired I would love to see what someone else could make of this card.

Recipe:

Whisper White, Riding Hood Red cardstock - Stampin Up

Pink cardstock - unknown

Bella Rose Designer Paper - Stampin Up

Friends 24-7 stamp set - Stampin Up

 Ink - Riding Hood Red, Close to Cocoa - Stampin Up

I'm submitting this card in to the following challenges

Stamp Something - Something Layered

OSCC - Things With Wings

Thanks for stopping by

Michelle

Paper Cubed (P3) April Challenge

Hi

The lovely Kim over at Paper Cubed (P3) has set another great challenge this month asking us to create a project using this gorgeous piece from Wendy Vecchi at Studio 490  as our inspiration.

A little while back on the JeMbellish blog I set myself a challenge to use up some sturdy cardboard boxes that I had been storing because I thought they were too good to throw out and would surely be useful for something creative.

I used the thick cardboard from the box to create the backing board and frame for this piece that I submitted in the April P3 Challenge.

Recipe

Brown cardstock for frame -lge A3 sheet from unknown source

Pumpkin Pie and Not Quite Navy cardstock from Stampin Up

Washington Apple Designer Series Paper from Stampin Up

Handmade flowers made using 6x6 designer papers from Stampin Up

Petal Pizzazz stamp set from Stampin Up

Garden Whimsy stamp set from Stampin Up

Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Not Quite Navy Inks from Stampin Up

Hodge Podge oval metal frame from Stampin Up

glass beads on wire from unkown source.

The Paper Cubed (P3) challenge blog is relatively new and for those of you who are interested in making 3D projects it is a fun and inspirational blog well worth a look.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle

Feeling Framed

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Hi
I seem to be feeling in a framing kind of mood lately.

If you head over to the JeMbellish blog you will see a framed door plaque I made for my youngest son's room this afternoon.

I set my self a challenge yesterday to use up a couple of boxes that I stashed in my craft room for the last few months. They were really good sturdy boxes that my son's school supplies came in and I thought they would be useful for something one day.

I made this wall hanging last night.

First I cut a backing board and a frame from one of the cardboard boxes and them cut some co-ordinating cardstock and papers.

Then it was simply a matter of putting it all together.

First is the backing cardboard, then I layer the co-ordinating cardstock and Designer paper and stamped image. Over that goes the cardboard frame cut out.

The brown cardstock goes over the cardboard frame, it is a piece large enough to wrap around the the back of the cardboard backing. I have cut a window in the brown cardstock to frame the image.

The back of the frame looks like this

I gave the whole thing a coat of Modge Podge to seal it all.

Recipe

Whisper White and Rose Red Cardstock from Stampin Up

Brown Card stock from craft store

Rasbery Tart Designer Paper from Stampin Up

 Real Red,Old Olive and Cameo Coral Stampin Up  Stampin Write Markers

Flower Fancy stamp set from Stampin Up

Please pop on over to JeMbellish we'd love to see you there. Check out the boys room Door Plaque and see all of the other creations too.

Thanks for stopping by.

A Rose Is A Rose

Hi

My poor three little boys and I are off sick at the moment which is no fun but I have managed to make a card or two in the last couple of days.

This card I have made for two challenges.

Pretty In Ink Sketch Challenge#3
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #75 - Spring Has Sprung

Recipe:

Riding Hood Red, Whisper White & Old Olive Cardstock- Stampin Up

Bella Rose Designer Series Paper - Stampin Up

A Rose Is A Rose stamp set - Stampin Up

Ink - Riding Hood Red and Old Olive - Stampin Up

Thanks for stopping by.

Michelle

Carriage and Journal combo

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I know you have all seen a few of these on here now but I wanted to show you this last combination I have put together for my Son's teacher who is going on maternity leave shortly.

The carriages and mini journals created a lot of interest at our JeMbellish market stall this weekend just gone.

The carriage measures approximately 16cm tall and has two face washers rolled up inside.

The mini journal is made using the 13cm x 13cm (5.1" x 5.1") chipboard squares. it fits nicely inside the gift box behind.

Recipe for this set:

Rose Red, Cameo Coral and Very Vanilla CS from Stampin Up

Rasberry Tart DSP from Stampin Up

Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon 1/4" and 5/8" from Stampin Up

Thanks for stopping by.

Complete Gift

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Hi

This evening I have been working on packaging up my first attempt at journal making with my brand new Zutter Bind It All.

Those of you familiar with JeMbellish and our market stall and online store will know that what sets us apart is our range of "Complete Gifts". That being gifts that are beautifully packaged ready to give with a card.

I decided to package the mini journal up as a complete gift for our store.

Top of the box is an easle card and the sentiment in the scollop oval reads "on the birth of your beautiful baby"

Inside the box is the mini journal with a small pen tied to the side with a white ribbon.

With the lid back on the box and the easle card closed and tied with the ribbon.

Our market stall is this coming weekend and I hope to have a few of these ready for sale.

I have also entered this in to the YNS Challenge.

Recipe:

Regal Rose and Pink Pirouette cardstock - Stampin Up

DP from Hostess Level 1 Pattern Pack II - Stampin Up

Whisper White Ribbon 1/4" and 5/8" - Stampin Up

"Congrats" stamp set - Stampin Up

Becky Bear Large - Kaszazz

Ink Regal Rose - Stampin Up

Thanks for stopping by

More Keepsake/Jewellery Boxes

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It is turning in to quite a busy week here.

I got an order a few days ago for 10! Keepsake Jewellery Boxes so I have been making a start on those and we have also had a steady stream of people through to view our house (we are up for sale at the moment, Yay! read sarcasm!).

Here are a couple of the boxes I have made so far.

Recipe:

Chocolate Chip & Very Vanilla cardstock - Stampin Up

Candy Lane designer paper - Stampin Up

Very Vanilla 1/4" (6.35cm) Grosgrain Ribbon

Friends 24/7 stamp set - Stampin Up

Sentiment - printed from computer

Image coloured with Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel and Old Olive Stampin Up Markers.

Photo Corners punch - Stampin Up

 

Recipe:

Riding Hood Red & Kiwi Kiss cardstock - Stampin Up

Bella Rose designer paper - Stampin Up

Whisper White 1/4" (6.35cm) Grosgrain Ribbon - Stampin Up

Live Like You Mean It stamp set - Stampin Up

Image coloured with Old Olive and Ruby Red Stampin Up Markers

I have made two of each of these so I still have six more boxes to make to fill the order. I will post other designs as they are completed.

Thanks for stopping by.

Michelle

Having so much fun!!

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(click on images to enlarge).

Oh I have been having soooo much fun playing with all the pressies I got in my parcel from my parents!!

Here are some photos of the project I have been working on.

This one is for my Mum to thank her for all the support she gives me.

I am still working on a gift for my Dad. Making things for guys is always so much harder! But I have an idea and I will post it here as soon as it is completed.

Recipe

Cardstock - Kiwi Kiss and Riding Hood Red from Stampin-up

DSP - Bella Rose from Stampin-up

Stamps - Great Friend and Butterfly Prints from Stampin Up

You can see my other version of this keepsake box in my post on  JeMbellish blog

Thanks for stopping by.

Michelle