Saturday 27 February 2010

Just Add Ink Challenge #6 - Sketch Challenge


This week's Just add Ink challenge is a sketch challenge:


This challenge came at a great time for me, because I needed a card for some friends who are getting married, and this sketch looked like it would fit the bill beautifully.

Here is my card:



 
List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Basic Black, Riding Hood Red and Whisper White
Stamps: Together Forever
Ink: Memento Black and Riding Hood Red Classic Ink
Accessories: Flourish Emboss Folder, Papertrey Ink Black Satin Ribbon, miscellaneous white ribbon, 1 3/8 inch Square punch, 1 1/4 inch Square punch, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots and SNAIL adhesive.


The large white panel has been dry embossed with SU!'s Flourish embossing plate. It is a bit hard to see in the photos, but looks better IRL.

The black 'parcel' in the back of the third picture is the envelope. The card Measures 6 x 5 inches, so it would not fit in a standard envie..hence the hand made jobbie.

Once I'd finished this card I sat back and looked at it and realised it had a distinct Twilight feel to it...this, however, is not a problem for me ;-).

I hope you are having a lovely warm weekend. We probably don't have too many left this year....so I'm making the most of it.






(Blogged to: White Wedding - Billy Idol and What Kind Of Love Are You On - Aerosmith).

Friday 26 February 2010

Some Lampwork Jewellery


...I have been meaning to photograph these bracelets for quite some time. Months infact. I find photographing these little suckers really, really challenging. I get all sorts of undesirable reflections, weird exposures, shallow depths of field (so lots of blurry bits), and they are generally just a big mess. I did these shots this afternoon. I used natural light (but in a shaded area). I used the flash on the first one as that was the only way I could eliminate most of the waaaaaaay over-exposed areas. I took about 10 shots of each and am still vexed about it all. I would NEVER get a job doing the Prouds catalogue ;-).



The beads in the first pic are by Amanda from rufusandroxy on Etsy. The beads in the second pic are by Terry at Silverfish Designs on Etsy. Both of these lampwork artists make such beautiful beads.
I love the earth tones and the turquoise colouring in them both. They look good with denim and make lovely autumn and winter jewellery.

Time to think about what I am going to throw on the BBQ. After saying that I wasn't interested in the BBQ-buying trip last week, I am now finding the prospect of cooking on it quite entertaining. On Monday I cooked some Portuguese style chicken on it (it came from Lenard's...I didn't season it myself), and it tasted rather fine if I do say so myself!

Hasta la vista chicas.
 
(Blogged to: Viva la Vida - Coldplay).

Wednesday 24 February 2010

Meet Mad Monkey Monster...


...could be the catch line for a singles ad...no?

I was up late last night, and was still feeling inspired by this week's Just add Ink challenge #5 - to Just Add Dimension. So I was going back through my Google Reader 3D Ideas file for, well....ideas (while watching Grey's...that diaper bit was so funny...wouldn't you just get a bigger pair of scrubs so it wasn't so obvious?!). Anyhoo...I found this post by the lovely Carol Dunstan, and was hooked....thanks for the inspiration Carol!

During Brothers and Sisters (which I never usually watch...so had no idea what was going on anyway) I sketched up my project, and then during the Winter Olympics I got to work cutting it out. I decorated through Charlie's Angels and assembled right into some other movie which featured BAILEY SALINGER (well, Scott Wolf IRL)....remember him? Party of Five! I loved that show. Now that makes it sound like it was a HUGE project...but you have to know my work flow was rather intermittent.

...I digress, and if I haven't lost you yet...I surely am about to...so without further ado, please meet Mad Monkey Monster:



Plus some mandatory Mad Monkey Monster anatomy shots (how very Grey's of me ;-):




List of Ingredients:

Cardstock:
Yoyo Yellow (plain and textured), Real Red, Elegant Eggplant, Tempting Turqouise, Basic Black (textured) and Glossy White (even a mad monkey monster has to look after his teeth);


Ink: Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink;


Stamps: Going Buggy - retired (see, right there is about 3/4 hour spent just looking for this darn set);


Accessories: Wide Oval punch, Large Oval punch, 1 1/4 inch Circle punch, 3/4 inch Circle punch, 1/2 inch Circle punch, 1/4 inch Circle punch, Scallop Square punch, Paper Piecing punch - retired, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder, Basic Grey Magnetic snaps (which I had to adhere using Crystal Effects otherwise they kept popping off), DIMENSIONALS (but only SIX....not nearly enough!), Crop-a-Dile, Eyelets (for a super heavy duty handle, to handle more loot bag booty), SNAIL adhesive and Mini Glue Dots.


Mad Monkey Monster measures 7 inches tall, 4 inches wide and 3 inches deep, and in case you haven't realised yet, he is a party favour bag. Well, this is my interpretation of his prime function in life. If you want to use him as your toiletries bag, of course, go right ahead, but don't you be calling me when they lock you up ;-).

As you can see, I'm lacking sleep.....so I'm going to go before I say something really, really silly!

Don't let the monkey's get you down :-).

 
(Blogged to: Thriller - Michael Jackson).

Tuesday 23 February 2010

Bella Rose Blooms...


Challenge #5 over at the beautiful Just add Ink blog is to 'Just Add Dimension'. So today, I got busy and did just that. I might add that I added dimension WITHOUT using dimensionals...which, given the nature of the challenge, and my quite well known penchant for those adorable little bits of foam, is something of a miracle...


...I should also mention at this point that I used Dawn Olchefske's Accordion Flower Rosette Tutorial to make my Bella Rose blooms. In addition to dimensionals, I also have a penchant for Dawn's blog. You rock Dawn, thank you!

 

 

List of ingredients:

Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss and Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Bella Rose DSP, Boho Blossoms punch, 1 1/4 inch circle punch, large oval punch, 1 1/4 inch Pink Pirouette Grosgrain ribbon, Kiwi Kiss Corduroy Buttons, Pop-up glue dots, Mini glue dots, sticky strip and SNAIL adhesive.


My Bella Rose blooms are looking very pretty on my table at the moment. I guess you could even spritz them lightly with some perfume and make them sweet smelling blooms to boot. I have stuck two blooms back to back, so they are double-sided flowers...and you can't see any nasty gluey mess on the back this way either ;-).

Must go...the lunch dishes are calling.

 
(Blogged to: All Summer Long - Kid Rock).

Saturday 20 February 2010

Tags for little kids, or big kids...


Before I get into the tags...I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone for the lovely comments you left after my post about the loss of our Oscar. It mean't a lot to us to receive your kind words, thank you for thinking of us!

Back to the tags...just a little project I have been working on today (while hubby and the kids are out shopping for a BBQ....so disappointed to miss that excursion ;-).

 

 

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock:
Pacific Point, Whisper White, Summer Sun and Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Provocraft Transportation dies, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Crop-a-dile, metallic eyelets, crimper, paper piercer and SNAIL adhesive.


I am going to go look for some bright white crochet thread later, to tie through the eyelets. I don't have anything here that is bright white, and thick enough to use to tie tags.

Hope your weekend is sweet!






(Blogged to: Rock That Body - Black Eyed Peas ... makes me think of New Year's Eve on Sydney Harbour).

Sunday 14 February 2010

For our little cat...


Yesterday, our little cat died. His name was Oscar Post, and he was a Brown Burmese boy. Oscar was born on 16th November 1994, he was 15 years and 3 months old. This photo of him was taken in April 2001 - doesn't he look beautiful?:


Oscar came from Charjan Felines in Sydney, and his mum was Charjan Miss Jana. He was sold to me as 'spot' because of the little patch of white fur on his belly between his front legs. Because of this spot, which we fondly referred to as his 'dud' spot, he was sold without papers (as a 'pet' only) and cost me $150.

In his lifetime he moved between several houses in Sydney, and then to Canberra. He was looked after by friends for almost a year while we went overseas, and he had also done time on a boat, several in fact (I say 'done time' because I'm pretty sure that's what he would have thought about it...boats not being his most favourite place in the world). He had also patiently seen in the arrival of two children, who were serious competitors in the 'attention' department, but who eventually were able to provide him with plenty of attention themselves.

He had his fair share of trauma too. He broke his leg when he was just a kitten, after running up an ironing board that was leaning against a wall (crazy cat ;-). The ironing board promptly fell on top of him and smashed his hind leg. He had to have a pin in that leg, and then wire around the bone...for the rest of his life. He spent 6 weeks in a cage, with a huge Elizabethan collar around his neck, to stop him from fretting at the stitches. He had only started limping because of that injury recently.

When we lived in Sydney, we lived in a free-standing terrace house in the Inner West. Oscar would sit on the pavement outside this house and look adorable....enticing passing strangers to bend down and give him a pat. When he was done with the pats, which never took long, he'd give them a nip and send them on their way.

Oscar got the nick out of the top of his left ear while we lived in that same Sydney terrace. We were never sure whether he had gotten it from fighting with one of the neighbourhood cats, or whether he had gotten himself caught in the thorny Bougainvillea that we had growing in the courtyard. We found one of his collars hanging up there one year, caught tightly in the thorns...but obviously he managed to wiggle himself free!

Oscar also knew all the good places to sleep. One day, when I came home I found my flatmate George lying flat out on the couch. Oscar was comfortably curled up...right on George's face. I was terrified he'd managed to smother George in his sleep...but he hadn't. It must have been like having his own fan-forced, heated sleeping pad (for Oscar) maybe not so nice for George though!

So, today I made a little card in his memory:


List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Rose Red, More Mustard, Kraft, Sage Shadow, Whisper White Basic Black and Chocolate Chip
Ink: Sahara Sand Classic Ink
Accessories: Rose Red double-stitched grosgrain ribbon (retired), Chit Chat rub-ons, Tiny Bubbles and Divine Swirls Cuttlebug folders, Wide Oval Punch, 1 1/4 inch Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Large Star Punch, 1/4 inch Circle Punch (retired), 1/16 inch Circle Punch, Spring Bouquet Punch, White Gel Pen, Edge Distress tool, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Sticky Strip and SNAIL Adhesive.


I have left his little pink tongue hanging out, looking like a bit of a loon, because when he was younger, he used to do this all the time. He'd forget to bring his tongue all the way back into his mouth and you'd find him sitting there with it hanging out....I'd try and give it a little pull, but he got too quick for me.

Rest in Peace little boy...we love you and we miss you!






(Blogged to: The Lion Sleeps Tonight - The Tokens).

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Penguin Punch Art

 

Still pondering punch art here. It is so much fun :-). The inspiration for this little guy came from a project by Dawn Olchefske, which you can see here. Thanks Dawn!


List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Night of Navy, Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Soft Sky, Whisper White, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie and Basic Black plain cardstock and Glossy White cardstock
Stamps: Best Yet
Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink
Accessories: Distressed Lines, Divine Swirls, Tiny Bubbles and Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folders, Crystal Effects, Chunky Sprinkles, Styled Silver Hodge Podge, 1 1/4 inch Circle Punch, 1 inch Circle Punch, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Designer Label Punch, Spring Bouquet Punch, 1/4 inch Circle Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, White Gel Pen, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip and SNAIL Adhesive.


I wish this scene was making me feel a bit cooler. I'd like to be swimming in a glacial pool right now :-).

Hope your day is a good one!





(Blogged to: Hot N Cold - Katy Perry).

Tuesday 9 February 2010

Dinotopia...


... Last night I sat down to make a scrap page. Since I've had dinosaur punch art on my mind of late, I decided it would be a 12 x 12 dinosaur-themed page.

It didn't come out on paper nearly as groovy as it looked in my head (funny that ;-). I don't think that photo is the right one for the page....not at all. But anyway...I'm posting it here, because it took FOREVAH to make, and I like how the punch art turned out! I'll ponder the photo and re-jig if I figure out how to fix it.


I've blotted out a little poem (using Photoshop) that I composed and wrote around the edge of the page (on the Chocolate Chip frame) in White Gel Pen, its for our eyes only.

The photo is one of our son, aged two, and with food all over his face. Nothing to do with dinosaurs, but it looked like he was kinda surprised and possibly about to scream...which I thought fitted the dinosaur theme. I found that I don't have any decent photos of him playing with his dinosaurs, and he wouldn't consent to an impromptu sitting. Maybe once I rectify that situation I'll have something better to put there.

I'm going to leave it at that. Its too hot to be thinking this hard.






(Blogged to: Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen).

Monday 8 February 2010

Just Add Ink Challenge #3


This week's Just Add Ink Challenge is a fun sketch challenge, and here is the sketch:


My card is somewhat inspired by this beautiful creation by Delys Cram, who is one of the very talented Just Add Ink design team. Thanks for the inspiration Delys!



List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, Summer Sun and Not Quite Navy plain cardstock and Close To Cocoa textured cardstock
Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink
Stamps: Animal Stories and Inspired By Nature
Accessories: Chit Chat rub-ons, 5 Petal Flower punch, D'vine Swirls Cuttlebug Folder, Distressed Stripes Cuttlebug Folder, Tiny Bubbles Cuttlebug Folder, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip and SNAIL Adhesive.


This was a fun card to make. I really like making little scenes on my cards. It is so much fun seeing how life-like you can make them appear.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog, and thank you for all of the lovely comments that you leave. You make my day!

 
(Blogged to: The Rhythm of the Night - Corona).

Sunday 7 February 2010

Some rainy day dinosaur punch art...


I have finally finished the third birthday card that we needed for this weekend's events. Just in the nick of time too ;-).

I have had this card on my 'to do' list for some time...in fact, ever since I saw this lovely card by Nicole Derendorf. Thank you Nicole for providing me with this great punch art idea.

Here is my take on this Stegosaurus-ish dinosaur:



List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive and Summer Sun plain and Kiwi Kiss Textured
Ink: Close to Cocoa and Old Olive Classic Ink
Accessories: Chit Chat rub-ons, wide oval punch, large oval punch, small oval punch, boho blossoms punch, 3/4 inch circle punch, d'vine swirl cuttlebug folder, mesh texture cuttlebug folder, dimensionals, sticky strip and SNAIL adhesive.


I have been having a lot of fun with the punch art...but it is a tad time consuming and fiddly.

Gotta go wrap the presents and get myself organised now.
Sayonara,





(Blogged to: I Feel the Earth Move - Carole King).

Saturday 6 February 2010

Ice Cream Punch Art...


 ... makes me want to eat ice cream! Who woulda thunk it?

The birthday girl tomorrow is an ice cream fan, so I thought I'd make some ice cream punch art for her. There are lots of groovy ice cream punch art ideas around, but I think mine is closest to this one by Lynda and this one by Ros Davidson. Thank you for the inspiration Lynda and Ros.

 

 

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Barely Banana, Creamy Caramel and Chocolate Chip plain, and Whisper White textured
Ink: Close to Cocoa Classic Ink
Accessories: Chocolate Chip patterns DSP, chit chat rub-ons, scallop punch, scallop border punch, 3/4 inch circle punch, wide oval punch, scoring tool, sponge daubers, swirly cuttlebug folder, white gel pen, dimensionals and SNAIL adhesive.


Now that I'm thinking of my stomach...I'd better go help hubby with the dinner. We are having BBQ kebabs.

Ciao ciao,





(Blogged to: Everybody Have Fun Tonight - Wang Chung).