Stormy Skies

Hello Everyone!  Hope you've all had a happy Christmas - we went away and spent time with family and just had time to relax and de-stress......it was WONDERFUL!!  Just before Christmas, I had a Copic Tutorial go up on the Copic Oz Blog showing how to create this stormy sky.  In the weeks leading up to Christmas our city was hammered with storm after storm, so I thought it would be appropriate.  :)  For all the details about the Copic colours and how to create the scene click HERE.

The rest of the card is pretty simple, a base of Old Olive and layered with white, Daffodil Delight and a piece of MME Hattie DP (found DEEP in my stash).  The vertical panel is Old Olive punched with Iron Gate Border Punch and topped with more Hattie DP, then I've also added a horizontal piece of Hattie DP as well.  Down the side I've added a piece of white ribbon.  The image was cut with Large Circle Nestabilities and matted with Old Olive cut with Stately Circles Nestabilities.  To finish I've added a spiral clip with ribbon and a couple of clear Dew Drops to the corner.

Stamps - Hodgepodge of Happiness (Unity)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper - X-press It Blending Card, Old Olive, White, Daffodil Delight, MME Hattie DP
Accessories - Copics, Spellbinders Large Circle and Stately Circle Nestabilities, Iron Gate Border Punch, Spiral Clip, White Ribbon, Dew Drops, X-press It Foam Tape, Mask It

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

Camellia Notebook

Hello Everyone!!  How are you all surviving The Crazy Season?  December in Australia is the time for Christmas Parties, End of Year Parties - since our school year finishes at the beginning of December, and of course trying to get organised for Christmas Day with our families and friends.  With three children finishing school during these weeks, my life has been on the slightly insane side!  I'm part of a  Craft Group that is a gathering of school Mums who have talents in various areas - we all learn from each other and try different things - I've taught Copic colouring for example and one Mum (bless her), tried her best to teach me to crochet!  Last week was our final gathering of the year (or what we here in Australia call a Break Up Party - since we are breaking for the end of the year) and we were having a Secret Santa - the catch was it had to be something we made.  I decided to make a notebook.

I've taken a Spirax notebook and a piece of pretty patterned paper from my stash and punched along the edge with a spiral punch and glued down.  Next I took a piece of white and embossed it with Imperial M-Bossabilities folder - then decided it was too bright, so I toned it down by airbrushing it with Copic E51 - matted with Blushing Bride and wrapped a piece of ivory ribbon around it.  I've printed the Camellias image onto X-press It Blending Card and coloured with Copics (G20, G21, G24, G28, RV000, RV52, RV55, R30, R81, R83, R85, R89).  I've cut this out with Spellbinders Labels 25 and matted it with Blushing Bride cut with Majestic Labels 25.  To finish I've decorated with pearls and ribbons

Stamps - Camellias (Power Poppy)
Ink - Printer
Paper - X-press It Blending Card, Blushing Bride, MME DP
Accessories - Copics, Spellbinders Labels 25, Majestic Labels 25, Imperial MBossabilities Folder, Kaisercraft Chino Pearls, Ribbons

Thankfully the recipient really liked it!  :)  Are you making gifts this Christmas season?  I hope whatever you are doing that you are having fun and are inspired to stamp!  :)

Teacher Gift Set

Hello Everyone!  Last Friday, my eldest finished Grade 7 which means next year he is off to High School!  Grade 7 has been the final year of Primary School as long as I can remember in Queensland (although my mother tells me in her day Grade 7 was High School - the Education Dept obviously change the rules every generation or so), however this cohort will be the last to finish in Primary School, with the Grade 6 class finishing this week also heading to High School next year.  Such a strange feeling to have a child heading to High School.

Last Friday, the Grade 7's had their Graduation Ceremony which also included 10 Awards Presentation - these being Art, Mandarin, Music, Academic etc....  Finally the last award was announced, the June Hammer Memorial Award - which is given to one boy and one girl and is decided by no less than 20 staff and the winners kept a closely guarded secret by only 2-3 people.  The winners names will be engraved on the Honour Board at the school.  You can't imagine my surprise and gasp as my son's name was announced (I didn't even hear the girl's name I was so stunned - although I saw her go up on stage - Congratulations Ruth).  Needless to say, I shed a couple of tears.  We are so incredibly proud of you Zac - what an amazing young man you are growing up to be!

Now that I have had my Proud Mum moment - onto today's project!  Every year I make journals for the kids to give to their teachers (I do have others but you won't see those for a while due to the stamps I've used on them) - Zac had a male teacher who liked to torture the class with music from the 80's, so he wanted a journal in this theme.  (Not that Zac hates 80's music, he's been learning guitar to some of the songs of that era.)  You can imagine how this got my brain working - how was I going to do 80's theme?  I found some random bright, circular patterned paper deep in my stash which I thought would work, punched the edge with a spiral punch and glued it down.  I've made a black and orange panel for the front, and cut out the teacher's name in yellow and green using Spellbinders Upper Case Font One.  The guitar was cut using MFT's Rock and Roll Die-namics (I can't find it in their store - perhaps it's retired?) in a variety of colours.  Next came the cassette - I found Retro Cassette shape in the Silhouette Online Store and cut all the pieces and glued them together and attached as shown.

The card was made in matching colours, with the added use of the Music M-Bossabilities folder, the sentiment from MFT's A la Mode Rock Star set (also retired - boohoo - I miss the a la modes) which I've secured with a staple.

Stamps - Rock Star (MFT ret)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper - Daffodil Delight, Kiwi Kiss, Black, Tangerine Tango, Cherry Cobbler, White, Unknown DP from stash
Accessories - MFT Rock and Roll Die-namics, Spellbinders Music M-Bossabilities and Upper Case Font One, Silhouette Retro Cassette Cutting File, Silhouette Machine

Sorry this has been a long post today and thanks for hanging in there until the very end!  I hope whatever craziness is happening in your part of the world, that you remember to enjoy it and celebrate every day!

Winter Blitz Release!

Hello Everyone!!  It's Power Poppy Hop Day!! Today both sets, Camellias and Winter Pick-Me-Up are available to purchase.......however a lucky person may yet WIN both sets simply by commenting on the blogs of the Bloom Brigade!!  It could be you, so don't forget comment!  :)

Have you seen the peeks over the last couple of days?  The team have made some beautiful cards over the last couple of days and there are more to inspire you today!

For my card, I've used Winter Pick-Me-Up....isn't this just a beautiful image!  I've started my card using a base of Very Vanilla and layered with Wisteria Wonder cut with Resplendent Rectangles.  Next I've cut a piece of Pion DP using the next smallest die from the same set.  I've printed the Winter Pick-Me-Up image onto X-press It Blending Card and coloured it with Copics (G20, G21, G24, G28, B60, B63, B66, W1, W3, C1, C3, Y21, Y28, YR30, YR31).  I've cut it out with Majestic Labels Twenty-Five and popped it up on foam tape.  I've shrunk the sentiment down, printed it out and cut it out with Lacey Ovals.  While still in the die, I've lightly airbrushed it with Copic B63 and then popped it up on foam tape.  To finish I've added a few pearls to the corners.

Stamps - Winter Pick-Me-Up (Power Poppy)
Ink - Printer
Paper - X-press It Blending Card, Very Vanilla, Wisteria Wonder, Pion DP
Accessories - Copics, Spellbinders Resplendent Rectangles, Lacey Ovals and Majestic Labels Twenty-Five, Kaisercraft Chino Pearls, X-press It Foam Tape

It's time to travel around the blogs and feast your eyes on the inspiring work of the Bloom Brigade!!!  Don't forget to comment for your chance to WIN!!!

• Allison Cope
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Jones
• Katie Sims
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan
• Tosha Leyendekker
• Marcella Hawley Power Poppy Blog

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

Camellias

Hello Everyone!  The end of the year is coming up fast and that means we are all super busy.  For me not only is Christmas just around the corner, but here in Australia, it's also the end of the school year and my eldest is off to High School next year!)  Because Power Poppy don't want to miss having a release in December we are doing a tiny, 2 set digi release - our Winter Blitz Release - that can be purchased and downloaded straight away - no need to wait during this busy time!  As a special bonus for all our loyal followers - you can WIN the entire Winter Blitz Release simply by COMMENTING on the Bloom Brigade's posts!!  How easy is that???  :)  So what do we have for you today??  It's Camellias!!!  These are gorgeous blooms that are fabulous to colour and we know you'll love them as much as we do!!  :)

Seriously - how GORGEOUS are these Camellias???  *Love*  I've used a base of Blushing Bride and layered with Very Vanilla and some MME Heirloom DP.  Down one side I have another panel of Vanilla topped with the reverse of the Heirloom DP.  Across this I've attached a piece of ivory ribbon.  Next I've printed the Camellias digi image onto X-press It Blending Card and coloured it with Copics (R30, R81, R83, R85, R89, G20, G21, G24, G28).  Next I've cut it out with A2 Divine Eloquence and while it was still in the die I've lightly airbrushed around the edges with E51 Copic.  I've popped the image up on foam tape and finished by adding a couple of pearls and a bow.

Stamps - Camellias (Power Poppy)
Ink - Printer
Paper - X-press It Blending Card, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla, MME Heirloom DP
Accessories - Copics, Spellbinders A2 Divine Eloquence, Ivory Ribbon, Bow Easy, Kaisercraft Chino Pearls, X-press It Foam Tape

Wait until you see the amazing inspiration the Bloom Brigade have for you today and don't forget to comment for your chance to WIN!!!

• Allison Cope
• Christine Okken
• Dina Kowal
• 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!  :)

Caring Thoughts

Hello Everyone!  Today is Day 2 of the JustRite Papercraft November Release and today we have a delicate set designed for those difficult occasions.  Filled with heartfelt sentiments and sweet images not to mention they have matching SVG Digital Cut Files for both the images and sentiments, they are sure to help you make a beautiful card quickly and easily!  Presenting Caring Thoughts Sentiments and SVG Caring Thoughts Sentiments Digital Cut File,

I've used a base of green bazzill and punched the side with the Deco Fan punch.  I've then layered it with white.  Next I've taken a piece of white, stamped the Cornflower Damask Background
 in Memento New Sprout and then lightly airbrushed over it with Copic G20.  Next I've cut another piece of white with A2 Divine Eloquence and airbrushed it while it was still in the die with G21.  I've topped this with a piece of green bazzill cut with another of the A2 Divine Eloquence dies.  I've used the SVG Caring Thoughts Sentiments Digital Cut File to cut the shapes for the flowers, butterflies and sentiment and then stamped the respective stamps from Caring Thoughts Sentiments in Memento Gray Flannel and Bamboo Leaves.  I've glued the butterflies to the card and popped the others up on foam tape.  To finish I've added a few Latte pearls to the top corners.

Stamps - Caring Thoughts Sentiments (JustRite)
Paper - Green Bazzill, White
Ink - Memento Bamboo Leaves, New Sprout, Gray Flannel
Accessories - JustRite SVG Caring Thoughts Sentiments Digital Cut File, Silhouette Cameo, Copics, Airbrush System, Spellbinders A2 Divine Eloquence, Latte Pearls, Foam Tape

Want to see some more inspiration using this set and matching cut files??  Just wait until you see what the JR girls have for you today!
JustRite Inspiration
Becca Feeken
Eva Dobilas
Debbie Olson
Heidi Blankenship
Kathy Jones
Michele Kovack
Marisa Job
Angela Barkhouse
Kristi Schurr
Thats all from me today, thanks for visiting and hope you are inspired to stamp!  :)

Sentimental Flowers

Hello Everyone!  Are you ready for some beautiful floral goodness?!  Today the JustRite team are showcasing a lovely new set called Sentimental Flowers!.  This is a Clear set and has 10 images and sentiments to choose from, not to mention, it also has a matching SVG Digital Cut File! 

I've used a base of Pool Party and layered with White and Blushing Bride.  Over this I've attached two pieces of Ooh La La DP and added a strip of white punched with the Deco Fan Border Punch.  Next I've attached a piece of pink ribbon and then used the JustRite Filigree Corner Dies to cut a piece of white to accent the top corner.  I've used the SVG Sentimental Flowers Digital Cut File and my Silhouette Cameo to cut the shape for both the floral image and the sentiment and then stamped the matching image/sentiment from Sentimental Flowers in Memento Tuxedo Black.  I've coloured the floral image using Copic G40, RV00, RV52 as the base colours and then gave it a rendered look by adding coloured pencil over the top using the Spectrum Noir pencils (Essentials and Primaries sets).  To finish I've popped the sentiment up on X-press It Foam Tape and added a few clear rhinestones to the Filigree Corner.

I've added a little decoration inside by adding a matching paper/punched punched border strip and stamping another of the flowers from Sentimental Flowers in Versamark Ink.

Want to see all the AMAZING creations the team have for you today???  Pop on by and leave a little love!
JustRite Inspiration
Becca Feeken
Kristi Schurr
Heidi Blankenship

Eva Dobilas
Marisa Job
Michele Kovac
Darsie Bruno
Angela Barkhouse
Kathy Jones

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

Power Poppy November Release Hop!

Hello Everyone!!  It's RELEASE DAY!!!  All the sets that have been shown by the Bloom Brigade over the last four days are NOW available to buy in the Power Poppy Store!! 

Four fabulous Christmas sets just begging to be made into beautiful cards this festive season!!  So which set did I choose today??  It's........O Holy Night!  I just adore this beautiful serene image and it's perfect whether you want to colour it all, or just stamp in in a single colour (think blue!) or heat emboss it (think silver or gold!) - imagine all the different effects you could create!

I've used a base of Baja Breeze and layered with White and Old Olive (cut with A2 Divine Eloquence).  Around this I've attached white and blue ribbons.  I've stamped the church from O Holy Night in Memento Gray Flannel onto X-press It Blending Card and coloured with Copics and then stamped the sentiment in Tuxedo Black across the bottom.  I've cut this out with Spellbinders Labels 28 and popped it up on foam tape.  Next I've added three snowflakes that have been cut with a MS punch, lightly airbrushed the edges in blue and then scribbled Clear Spica all over it, topped with a clear rhinestone and attached as shown.  Finally I've added a bow to the ribbon.

Stamps - O Holy Night (Power Poppy)
Paper - X-press It Blending Card, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, White
Ink - Memento Gray Flannel, Tuxedo Black
Accessories - Copics, Spellbinders A2 Divine Eloquence, Labels 28, Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch, Clear Spica Pen, Clear Rhinestones, White and Blue Ribbons, Bow Easy, Foam Tape

Ready for the Bloom Brigade reveal??  Pop and by and leave a little love!!

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

Hope you love the November release as much as we do and don't forget they are all available to buy RIGHT NOW at the Power Poppy Store!!  Thanks for visiting and hope you are inspired to stamp!  :)

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!  :)