Be Joyful

Hello Everyone!!  Take I have a card using the latest offering from Power Poppy called Heaven and Nature Sing!  This set is just the perfect alternative for Christmas cards, particularly for those of us who live in the Southern Hemisphere and therefore have to endure a hot and humid Christmas without a snowflake in sight!  Let Heaven and Nature Sing with sweet birdies, holly and hellebore and create something unique this festive season!

I've used a base of Cherry Cobbler and topped with Very Vanilla (I've actually stamped one of the other images from Heaven and Nature Sing in Memento Desert Sand around the edges, but you can't really see it  :(  oh well....).  Next I've cut a piece of Cherry Cobble with Spellbinders A2 Valiant Honor and then attached some green ribbon over the top.  I've stamped the birdie image and sentiment from Heaven and Nature Sing in Memento Tuxedo Black onto X-press It Blending Card and coloured with Copics (R00, R11, R12, R14, R24, R29, R59, G20, G21, G24, G28, G40, G82, G85, E21, E23, E43, E47, Y32, B0000, 0) and then used a corner chomper to trim the corners.  To finish I've added a bow to the ribbon.

Stamps - Heaven and Nature Sing (Power Poppy)
Paper - X-press It Blending Card, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Desert Sand
Accessories - Copics, Spellbinders A2 Valiant Honor, Corner Chomper, Green Ribbon, Bow Easy.

Just wait until you see all the gorgeousness the Bloom Brigade have for you today.......

• Marcy Hawley
• Allison Cope
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Dawn Burnworth
• Dina Kowal
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Jones
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan
• Tosha Leyendekker

 That's all from me today, just one more day until all the November sets are released!  SQUEE!!  Thanks for visiting and hope you are inspired to stamp!!!  :)

Merry Littles

Hello Everyone!!  Today is Day 3 of the Power Poppy November Release and it's all about the LITTLE things for Christmas!  The set is called Merry Littles and it's full of tiny goodness which is perfect for so many things!  I just couldn't decide which direction I was going to go with these, first I thought of Christmas Tags, then a montage of the various images and in the end it morphed into this!

I've used a base of red card and layered with Very Vanilla and some Christmas Carol DP.  I've added a strip of Very Vanilla, punched with Deco Fan border punch and topped with more Christmas Carol DP and a piece of green ribbon.  A piece of Very Vanilla has been cut with Small Oval Nestabilites and stamped around the edge with the branch image from Merry Littles.  I've then stamped the sentiment also from Merry Littles as shown and then stamped the poinsettia image from the same set in Memento Tuxedo Black onto X-press It Blending Card.  I've coloured them with copics (R32, R35, R37, R39) and the centres with Gold Spica Pen.  I've popped up the flowers as shown and matted the panel with red card cut with Opulent Ovals die and also popped this up on foam tape.  To finish I've added a bow to the ribbon.

Stamps - Merry Littles (Power Poppy)
Paper - X-press It Blendind Card, Red, Very Vanilla, Kaisercraft Christmas Carol DP
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Bamboo Leaves
Accessories - Copics, Gold Spica Pen, Spellbinders Small Ovals and Opulent Ovals Nestabilities, Martha Stewart Deco Fan Border Punch, Green Ribbon, Bow Easy, X-press It Foam Tape

The Bloom Brigade have some amazing projects for you that you just don't want to miss!!

• Allison Cope
• Christine Okken
• Kathy Jones
• Katie Sims
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan
• Tosha Leyendekker
• Marcella Hawley

 Hope you are enjoying the hop today and pop back tomorrow for my release excitement!  Thanks for visiting and hope you are inspired to stamp!

Frosted Gingerbread!

The Christmas card preparations are still underway at my place - today's card is made using this super fun set by Power Poppy called Frosted Gingerbread!  The fun thing about these images is that you can let your imagination run wild when it comes to colour!

I've used a base of white and Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles Two dies.  I've layered it with some green and Mint Twist DP.  The gingerbread house and the Merry Christmas sentiment from Frosted Gingerbread have been stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black onto X-press It Blending Card and coloured with Copics.  I've cut it out with Opulent Ovals and popped up on X-press It Foam Tape.

Stamps - Frosted Gingerbread (Power Poppy)
Paper - X-press It Blending Card, White, Green, Kaisercraft Mint Twist DP
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories - Copics, Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles Two, Opulent Ovals, X-press It Foam Tape

It's a pretty quick card which is good when you have several cards to send out and you can easily flatten it by leaving off the foam tape which will make it more mailable.  :)

That's all from me today, thanks for visiting and hope you are inspired to stamp!

Believe in the Spirit of Christmas

Hello Everyone!!  Today my kids reminded me that there are only two months to Christmas!  Eeeeek!!!  What motivation to get cracking on more Christmas cards!  Today's is a quick and fun one to make.  :)

I've used a base of Daffodil Delight, punched the side with Martha Stewart's Loop Punch and layered with white and some Mint Twist DP.  Around the top two layers I've attached some wide pleated ribbon topped with green satin ribbon.  I've stamped the sentiment from Power Poppy's Joyful Arrangements set in Memento Tuxedo Black onto X-press It Blending Card and coloured with Y21 and B000 Copic Markers.  It's been cut out with Spellbinders Small Circle Nestabilities and matted with Daffodil Delight cut with Spellbinders Stars Five die.  I've popped this up on X-press It Foam Tape and finished by adding a bow to the ribbon.

Stamps - Joyful Arrangements (Power Poppy)
Paper - X-press It Blending Card, Daffodil Delight, White, Kaisercraft Mint Twist DP
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories - Copic, Spellbinders Small Circles, Stars Five Dies, Pleated Ribbon, Green Satin Ribbon, Bow Easy, Martha Stewart Loop Punch, X-press It Foam Tape

That's all from me today, thanks for visiting and hope you are inspired to stamp!  :)

NOEL!

Hello Everyone!!!  I don't know about you, but my kids are already counting down to Christmas!!! EEEEK!!!  Am I at all prepared??  Noooooooooo I'm not!!  So time to get cracking on some quick and easy Christmas cards!

Today's card starts with a base of Riding Hood Red layered with Baked Brown Sugar (I LOVE this colour and am going to be devastated when you can't get it anymore!).  Then I've embossed a piece of white card using Spellbinders Dainty Dots MBossibilities and cut it into three strips.  Over the first strip I've attached a piece of red ribbon.  Next I've stamped this cool NOEL sentiment from Power Poppy's Joyful Arrangements set in Memento Tuxedo Black onto X-press It Blending Card and coloured with Copics (R43, R46, R59, G40, G82, G85, G99, Y21, Y26, Y28, E23, E43, E44, E51, E53, W0, W1, 0).  It's been trimmed and matted with Riding Hood Red.  To finish I've added a red bow topped with a yellow button tied with gold cord and added a few clear rhinestones to the top corner.

Stamps - Joyful Arrangements (Power Poppy)
Paper - X-press It Blending Card, Riding Hood Red, Baked Brown Sugar, White
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories - Spellbinder MBossibilities Dainty Dots, Red Ribbon, Bow Easy, Yellow Button, Gold Cord, Clear Rhinestones

That's all from me today, thanks for visiting and hope you are inspired to stamp!  :)

A Journal Page Tutorial

Hello Everyone!!  I've been playing around with some of the new JustRite Papercraft stamps that have arrived on my doorstep and made this mixed media journal page.  This is not my usual style, but it was kind of fun and liberating to just go a bit random!  :)  Since I was trying this idea, I decided to take some step by step photos - if it turned out totally awful I was just going to delete them, but decided to make it into a tutorial......so here we go.......

I've used a notebook with Canvas rather than paper pages.  I like this because of the texture and that the pages are pre-prepared with gesso so that the gelatos work well.  You could use a regular mixed media journal (I just don't have one LOL!).  I've added some pink 'Bubble Gum' Gelato to each corner.

I've then spritzed a bit of water with a mister and used a aqua brush to blend and move the colour to how I like it.

Next I've used JustRite's new Bokeh Polka Dots Background stamp and stamped over the page (making sure to move the stamp so it's not in the same position for each colour) using Memento Angel Pink, Memento Rose Bud and Memento Peanut Brittle.

I got to this point and thought it was VERY loud, but thankfully you can tone it down with a bit of water!  I've used my aquabrush to soften it a bit!

Next I've added a large patch of colour in the form of Butterscotch Gelato. (It's actually a great match for the Peanut Brittle ink!)

I've stamped this beautiful flower image from JustRite's Mums set in Jet Black Stazon.  The reason I've used Stazon is that I don't want this to move at all when I'm adding colours, water or other layers.

For a little more interest, I've randomly stamped the flower image in Victorian Velvet Distress Ink over the page.

 I've made sure the Stazon was quite dry and coloured the Mums with pink and green Big Brush Pens.  I've also used a golden yellow Big Brush Pen for the edges for a little definition.

Next I got a little carried away and stamped all over the canvas using Bokeh Time Clear Set.  I've stamped the sentiment in Jet Black, the circle rings in Jet Black and the hearts in Memento Rhubarb Stalk.  (I knew I wasn't going to be adding any more water at this stage and that the Memento Ink would be OK.)

I then picked up a fine tipped Molotow paint pen and added random dots and accented the hearts.  I've also added a bit more colour to the flowers by using some shimmer paint.

There you have it, one mixed media canvas page.....

I hope you've enjoyed today's tutorial and maybe have a go at creating something in the mixed media style!  Thanks for visiting and hope you are inspired to stamp!  :)

Azaleas

Hello Everyone!  A little while ago, I did a tutorial on the Copic Oz Blog about colouring water and since I had this image finished, I figured it was about time I actually made it into a card!  If you want to find out more about the tutorial, you can find it HERE!

I've used a base of white to create the base panel, cut with Spellbinders A2 Valiant Honor and then used the same die to cut a piece of Blushing Bride card and glued it to the front.  I've topped it with white and some MME Lost and Found Record It DP.  I've cut the corners with a corner punch.  Around this I've added a wide white ribbon.  I've stamped the image from Power Poppy's Azalea set in Memento Tuxedo Black onto X-press It Blending Card and coloured with Copics (see the Copic Oz Blog for details on colours!).  I've framed this with Blushing Bride cut with Opulent Ovals Nestabilities and popped it up on X-press It Foam Tape.

Stamps - Azalea (Power Poppy)
Paper - X-press It Blending Card, Blushing Bride, White, MME Record It DP
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories - Copics, Spellbinders Oval and Opulent Ovals Nestabilities, A2 Valiant Honor Dies, White Ribbon, Corner Punch, X-press It Foam Tape

That's all from me today, thanks for visiting and hope you are inspired to stamp!!!

Outlander Bookmark

Hello Everyone!  Today is something completely different for me.....a little book talk and a bookmark!  I have long had a love of the Outlander book series (here in Australia it's been called Cross Stitch....I have no idea why.....) and read the first one way back in 1995 - it was my cousin's copy.  I did eventually buy my own and have all the first editions from book four.  I even had the privilege of meeting the amazing author, Diana Gabaldon a few years back at a literary dinner when Echo in the Bone came out and she signed my book!

Fast forward to 2014 and the first book - Outlander is now a TV series and currently half way through it's broadcast.  A couple of weeks ago, a group of crazy addicts like myself got together for a lunch and talk about all things Outlander and two lovely ladies (hello Roc and Marg) picked me up since I had no idea where I had to go.  I thought how can I thank these two.....why bookmarks for their books of course!!  (Oh, and of course I made one for me too!)

I followed the Corner Bookmark tutorial on Splitcoaststampers and made the base of dusty blue bazzill.  The top triangle is Baked Brown Sugar and the thistle (Sparrow Single) has been stamped in Versamark in each corner.  The plaid is from the official Outlander graphic (had to enlarge it and cut off the words......anyone watching from Outlander......PLEASE....I need this plaid/tartarn in a 12x12" sheet format!) and has been trimmed and matted with white punched with a scallop punch.  There are NO Outlander stamps out there (trust me, I've looked), so I've taken a picture from "The Wedding" episode, printed it and cut it out with Circle Nestabilities, matted with white.

That's it, pretty easy, the girls loved theirs (and requested more!!  LOL!!) and mine is snug in my book while we wait for the series return in April.  In the meantime.....happy reading!

Stamps - Sparrow Single
Paper - Dusty Blue, Baked Brown Sugar, White
Ink - Versamark
Accessories - Printer, pictures (wedding and plaid), Scallop and Iron Gate Border Punch, Spellbinders Large and Small Circle Nestabilities, Paper Trimmer, X-press It Double Sided Tape.

If you are an Outlander Fan, hope you are enjoying the series and books......if not, hope you are inspired to start!!  :)

Crackle Posies

Hello Everyone!  Today is the last day of the JustRite Papercraft October release and today we have two sets, Sweet Vine Background and Sweet Posies Cling Set.  I've actually used the background stamp that was release yesterday called Crackle Background!

Inspired by the Crackle Background and Sweet Posy image, I've decided to use vintage pinks for the bouquet and warm cream tones.  I've used a base of very pale purple bazzill and layered with Very Vanilla and Baked Brown Sugar (punched with Iron Gate Border Punch).  Over this I've attached a piece of Prima Meadow Lark DP and a strip of Very Vanilla stamped with Crackle Background in Memento Rich Cocoa and sponged with Antique Linen Distress Ink.  The sentiment from Sweet Posies has been stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black directly to the DP and then I've added a piece of Ivory Pleated Trim from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.  The posy image and butterfly have both been stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black onto X-press It Blending Card and coloured with Copics (RV91, RV93, RV95, RV99, Y21, Y28, Y35, Y38, G40, G82, G85, G99).  These have been cut out and popped up on foam tape.  To finish I've added a couple of Chino Pearls to the top corner.

Stamps - Sweet Posies, Crackle Background (JustRite)
Paper - X-press It Blending Card, Pale Purple Bazzill, Very Vanilla, Baked Brown Sugar, Prima Meadow Lark DP
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories - Copics, Iron Gate Border Punch, Ivory Pleated Trim, X-press It Foam Tape, Kaisercraft Chino Pearls.

The girls have some gorgeous creations for you today, so pop by and leave some love!!  :)

JustRite Inspiration
Debbie Olson
Becca Feeken
Kristi Schurr
Michele Kovack
Marisa Job
Heidi Blankenship
Amy Tedder
Kazan Clark
Darsie Bruno
Angela Barkhouse
Kathy Jones

That's all from me today, thanks for visiting and hope you are inspired to stamp!!

Spring Forward or Fall Back

Helloooooooo Everyone!!!  It's World Card Making Day and there is fun to be had over at the Power Poppy Blog!  There are challenges every couple of hours (so keep checking back) and PRIZES to be won!!!  WOOHOO!!!

I'm hosting the SECOND challenge (haven't seen the first yet?  Make sure you pop on over to Power Poppy - don't want to miss a challenge right!!) which is Spring Forward, Fall Back!  The code for this challenge if you post to an outside gallery (like Splitcoaststampers) is PPWCMD02!

We are celebrating World Cardmaking Day and as we reside in places far and near we thought that we would also celebrate the seasons in our homelands!  As an Australian, we are now in Spring!  The earth is warming, kids are in pools swimming, flowers are blooming and the bees are buzzing!  However, you may be moving into the season of Autumn/Fall, adding a few layers, indulging in hot cocoa and coffee and watching the leaves turn in a myriad of colours.  Today we challenge you to Spring Forward or Fall Back, create a Spring card or a Fall themed card and play along with us!

I have used the Countryside Bouquet Digi Stamp for my flowers and coloured them with Copics and the sentiment from  Countryside Bouquet Deluxe Clear Set!

I've started with a base of pink bazzill, layered with white and So Saffron and some Summer Breeze DP.  The next panel is white punched top and bottom with Deco Fan Border Punch and topped with more Summer Breeze DP.  Around this I've added white and pink ribbons.  I've printed the digi image onto X-press It Blending Card, coloured with Copics (a lot of Copics!) and cut with Circle Nestabilities and matted with So Saffron cut with Lacey Circles and popped it up on X-press It Foam Tape.  The sentiment was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black and cut with an oval punch, glued into place and topped with a pink enamel dot.  To finish I've added a couple of clear rhinestones to the top corner and a bow to the ribbon!

So what now????

LET’S GO!

• Check the Power Poppy Blog through the day
• Play in all four for a chance at a GRAND PRIZE
• Winners of individual challenges will receive their pick of a stamp set or 3 digi downloads in the Power Poppy Shop!
• Enter as many times as you like!
• Use Power Poppy Stamps if you have them but if you don't -- now is your chance to win some!
• Link your creations on the linky tied to the Power Poppy Challenge Post
• Use the keywords mentioned for each challenge if you load your cards to an outside gallery! 
• Mention Power Poppy in YOUR blog post with a link back to the challenge! 
• Deadline to enter will be next Friday at 3PM EST with the winners announced right here on Saturday, October 11th.Winners will be randomly picked!
• GET READY TO HAVE SOME FUN!

 What are you waiting for???  Come play along with me!!!  Can't wait to see what you make!!

Mums!

Hello Everyone!!  It's JustRite release time!  Have you seen some of the fun and funky sets the team have been showcasing over the last couple of days?  Cool huh??  Today it's time for some flora goodness in the shape of Mums and Oak Leaves!  Pair that with an awesome Crackle Background and you're all set!!!  I've used this gorgeous Chrysanthemum flower and paired it with both the "Happy Birthday" and "Mum" stamps.  Why did I put the "Mum" after the sentiment - because here in Australia (and New Zealand and the UK......and maybe Canada?) we say Mum not Mom!

I've used a base of pale green bazzill punched along the bottom with a scallop punch and layered with white.  Next I've cut some Vintage Pink Bazzill with Spellbinders A2 Valiant Honor Die.  I've layered this with more white and a piece of English Rose DP.  I've stamped the sentiment and image from Mums in Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with Copics (G40, G43, G46, E21, RV52, RV63, RV66, B0000) and cut it out with Opulent Ovals Nestabilities.

Stamps - Mums (JustRite)
Paper - X-press It Blending Card, Pale Green and Vintage Pink Bazzill, White, Kaisercraft English Rose DP
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories - Copics, Spellbinders A2 Valiant Honor and Opulent Ovals Dies, corner punch, border punch.

If that's not exciting enough, JustRite are having a sale on all Christmas Stamps!!  If you want to get started on this year's Christmas cards and save some $$$ at the same time, pop on over for 20 - 70% OFF!!

Check out all the amazing inspiration the team have for you today!!

JustRite Inspiration
Debbie Olson
Becca Feeken
Michele Kovack
Kazan Clark
Amy Tedder
Darsie Bruno
Marisa Job
Kathy Jones
Kristi Schurr
Angela Barkhouse

That's all from me today, thanks for visiting and hope you are inspired to stamp!  :)

Happiest Holiday Blog Hop!

Hello Everyone!!!  It's HERE!!  The Power Poppy Happiest Holiday Hop is today and there are all sorts of holiday goodness to be found!!  Over the last few days the Bloom Brigade have been showcasing four gorgeous holiday sets that are available RIGHT NOW!!!! 

I have used.........Bottlebrush Holiday.....

I've used a base of Baja Breeze and layered with Old Olive and Mint Twist DP.  Then I've added another piece of Old Olive topped with Mint Twist.  I've stamped the image and sentiment (inside the banner - they have mix and match sentiments) from Bottlebrush Holiday in Memento Tuxedo Black onto X-press It Blending Card and coloured with Copics (G40, G43, G46, RV000, RV00, RV02, RV04, BG11, BG13, BG15, YG21, YG23, YG25, Y21, Y35, R32, R35, R37, E50, E51, E21, E23, E25, BG0000).  It's been cut out with Small Circle Nestabilities, matted with Pink card cut with Lacey Circle Nestabilities and matted again with Baja Breeze cut with Spellbinders 2013 Heirloom Ornaments and popped it all up on foam tape.  I've added a silver bow and a couple of rhinestone flourishes to finish.

I've used one of the sentiments from Bottlebrush Holiday and some leftover scraps to decorate the inside of the card too!  :)

Stamps - Bottlebrush Holiday (Power Poppy)
Paper - X-press It Blending Card, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Pink, Kaisercraft Mint Twist DP
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories - Copics, Spellbinders 2013 Heirloom Ornaments, Small Circle and Lacey Circle Nestabilities, Silver Ribbon, Bow Easy, Rhinestone Swirls, X-press It Foam Tape.

The Bloomies have some gorgeous Holiday goodness for you, so make sure you pop by and leave some love!

• Power Poppy Blog
• Allison Cope
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Jones
• Katie Sims
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan
• Tosha Leyendekker

That's all from me today, thanks for visiting and hope you are inspired to stamp!!  :)