Just Clowning Around...

So this makes two down...three to go. I am confident that if I keep trawling through my CASE folder I will come up with enough groovy ideas to get this glut of birthday cards all sorted in the next week (fingers crossed ;-).

This little number is a CASE of a simply gorgeous idea by the fabulous Jackie Topa. Check out her oh-so-cute clown valentines day card here...and more of her amazing punch art ideas here. Thanks Jackie!

...and here is my version of Jackie's clown:

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango (Plain and Textured), Kiwi Kiss (Plain and Textured), Elegant Eggplant, Real Red, Whisper White (Plain and Textured), Basic Black and Blush Blossom.
Punches: Extra Large Oval, Large Oval, Small Oval, Boho Blossoms, Heart to Heart, 1 inch Circle, 1/2 inch Circle, 1/4 inch Circle, 1 1/4 inch Square and 1 1/4 inch Circle.
Stamps: A Little Birthday Cheer (SU)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Pacific Point Patterns DSP (SU - Retired), Real Red Stampin' Chalk, Seeing Spots Cuttlebug Emboss Folder (Bizzy Becs), Tiny Bubbles Cuttlebug Emboss Folder (Bizzy Becs), Crystal Effects (SU), Real Red Brad, Pure Poppy Bakers Twine (PTI), Black Lettering (CM), White Gel Pen, Dimensionals (SU) and SNAIL adhesive (SU).

Hopefully you can see the crystal effects highlights that I have added to his ensemble. It is on the heart in his hat, his bow tie and his big boofy shoes.

I am so chuffed with how this little dude turned out. I think it is appropriately bright and fun for a four year old boy's birthday. What do you think?

While I am pointing out highlights...I just thought I'd show you some late additions to raggedy Ann from yesterday's post:

I have added crystal effects to her Real Red lips, and her Basic Black shoes. I have also touched up her cheeks with some Real Red Stampin' Pastels. I think she looks a little less pasty now :-).

PS. Thanks so much for all of your lovely comments on the Raggedy Ann post. You guys are awesome!

Off to hang some washing now. Have a good one!

(Blogged to: Dressed for Success - Roxette and Celebration - Kool and The Gang).

A Raggedy Ann Birthday

Over the last week my two kids have brought home FIVE birthday party invitations. I'm doing the math to see what time of year it was when all of these children were conceived. I'm thinking it must have something to do with the Christmas Holidays or Australia Day ;-).

Anyway, I've been madly trying to come up with some inspiration for the Birthday cards I'll need for all of these parties. So I went into my 'TO BE CASED' folder and immediately saw THESE Raggedy Ann and Andy cards by the amazingly talented Clare of Crafty Cow Creations. I have a stack of Clare's punch art marked in my folder....she dreams up the most amazing punch art! Thank you for the inspiration (again) Clare.

Here is my version of Raggedy Ann...

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Real Red (Plain and Textured), Pacific Point, Whisper White, Blush Blossom, Basic Black (Textured) and Kraft (all Stampin' Up!).
Punches: Extra Large Scallop Circle, Extra Large Scallop Oval, Extra Large Oval, Oval, 1 1/4 Inch Circle, 1 Inch Circle, 1/4 Inch Circle, Extra Large Tag, Large Word Window, Heart to Heart, Boho Blossoms, Slot and Eyelet Border (all Stampin' Up!).
Accessories: Black and Real Red Brads (SU), Basic Black and Real Red Stampin' Write Markers (SU), Paper Piercer, Crimper, Pacific Point Patterns DSP (SU - Retired), Pure Poppy Bakers Twine (PTI), Sunshine Impression Plate (PTI), Crystal Effects (SU), SNAIL Adhesive (SU) and Dimensionals (SU).

I also went looking for Miss 6's own Raggedy Ann doll...you know, just for a little extra inspiration. After much mumbling, muttering and gnashing of teeth on my part...I eventually unearthed Raggedy Ann in a rather embarrassing state of nekkidness (why do kids find it neccessary to remove every stitch of clothing on dolls and teddies?)! I could not locate her dress and apron anywhere :-(.

Well, I'm still coughing and sniffling my way through my days (noice eh?). I might go take a quick power nap and see if that doesn't help things.

Thanks again Clare, and thanks everyone for stopping by!

(Blogged to: Bennie and the Jets - Elton John and I Like to Move It - Reel 2 Real).

Some Public Holiday Crafting, Snoozing, Reading and stuff...

It is a public holiday here in the ACT, and hubby took the kids to Sydney for the weekend, and left me alone to recuperate (he is such a sweetie). So today, with a balmy top temp of 20 degrees C, I have done some crafting, had a snooze, made 2 minute noodles for lunch, hung some washing and read my book (The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel Silva). Blissful!

I started a card this afternoon with the intention of it being for another sketch challenge, but I had to ditch the sketch in the end because I couldn't fit my design elements on the card. I'll attempt the sketch again later...with another design.

Anyhoo....this is my very bright card:

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Real Red (Textured and Plain), Kiwi Kiss and Whisper White.
Accessories: Hoppy Memories Simply Scrappin' Kit (SU - Retired), Pure Poppy Swiss Dot Satin Ribbon (PTI), Hawaiian Shores Pure Wool Felt (PTI), Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlets (SU), Fire Circles Rhinestone Brads (SU), Chit Chat Rub-Ons (SU), Crimper, Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive.

I love this colour combo. So bright and fresh. You'll also note I've now broken into my PTI Hawaiian Shores Felt (from Kim) for the first time...what delicious stuff! I have some more colours coming (hopefully tomorrow)...so I'll be stalking the parcel postie all day ;-).

Well, that's it from me. Time to go back to my book I think. I hope your day has been peaceful too.

(Blogged to: Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics and Supermassive Black Hole - Muse).

A second attempt at JAI Sketch Challenge # 36

As I mentioned, I wasn't really that thrilled with my last attempt at the Just Add Ink Sketch Challenge # 36:

So, fortified with more Panadol, Berocca, tissues and throat lozenges, I sat down again this afternoon and tried again:

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Whisper White (Textured) and Cardstock Vellum

Accessories: Parisian Breeze Specialty Designer Series Paper, Loop To Loop Rub-Ons, Flower Fusion Too, Butterfly Punch, 5/16" Chocolate Chip Jumbo Brads, Theatre Ribbon Originals, Clear Rhinestones, Wireworks Silver Wire, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Mini Glue Dots, Sticky Strip, SNAIL Adhesive and Dimensionals.

This card took me forever to put together, but I am pretty happy with how it turned out in the end.

 Thanks for visiting!

(Blogged to: This Afternoon - Nickelback and The Final Countdown - Europe).

A little challenge goodness to soothe my pounding head

Ok...so I have a monster cold. You know the one? The one where it feels like someone has pumped a concrete slurry into your head? You can't hear. You can't breathe. Your eyes are dry. Your head pounds. Your throat is raw. Your nose is dripping like a tap. Fun times all round. NOT!

Not to be out-done by this minor health setback...I got up this morning and decided to make a card. But do you reckon I could think my way past my box of tissues and Panadol? NO I COULD NOT. So I went and found a challenge to help me on my pox-ridden way.

Thank goodness for Just Add Ink! This week's challenge is an elegant little sketch challenge...one to set my ailing mind aflutter (well it would flutter if it weren't mired in slurry)...

NOW...while I'm not 100% impressed with my end product, in my current state I can hardly afford to be picky. I am lucky I managed to remain conscious the entire time (am I a drama queen or what?) any one would think I had a MAN-cold (on this subject...check out this You Tube vid...hysterical!).

Anyhoo...here 'tis (you'll see I've followed the sketch pretty much to the letter...my head really is in pretty bad shape...no independent thinking going on here at all):

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Basic Black, Brushed Gold and Lovely Lilac
Ink: Versamark
Stamps: Itty Bitty Backgrounds (SU - retired)
Accessories: Chiyogami paper, Cherished Memories Rub-Ons (SU - retired), Wireworks Gold Wire (SU - retired), Carl Craft small butterfly punch, Black Satin ribbon (PTI), Mini Glue Dots, Sticky Strip, SNAIL adhesive and Dimensionals.

Now I think I might need to go rest a while. Hope no one else has a welcome-to-spring cold. It's pretty sucky methinks!

(Blogged to: Word Up - Cameo and Barbra Streisand - Duck Sauce).

Search called off...

 
You can all rest easy now :-). My birthday card from Kim has been found safe and sound, and it was nothing to do with my young treasure hunters either. I'd gone and stashed it in my Copic marker box after our craft session on Saturday night (so it'd be safe on the way home, of course)....and promptly forgotten all about it. Blush...

So, with a good bit more care than yesterday...I went out and captured the following shots:

Hasn't she done a beautiful job...as usual?! I love the colour combo she has used, and the textures too. Lovely! Thanks so much Kim.

I received a Gift certificate for Papertrey Ink from my brother, for my birthday too...and I've just placed an order which includes the Bookprint Impression Plate. I love, love it! I also love the new Basic Pearls from Stampin' Up! They look so pretty....might have to invest in some of them before too much longer.

This morning I also went about re-mounting the dunked card from yesterday. I figured if I didn't get on to it poste haste...I'd probably end up ditching it for lack of interest.

So there you have it. All's well that ends well!

As you were ;-)

(Blogged to: One Vision - Queen, Down Under - Men at Work and Crazy - Gnarls Barkley).

Does this card look like it can swim?

If you answered 'NO, certainly not'...you'd be right!

I made this Christmas card on Sunday morning, and used a groovy new PTI toy that I had recently received as part of a birthday gift (more on that later).

So today, I think...must go take a photo of that card for the blog. I find the camera, put on the 50 mm lens, add the UV filter (which I'd moved onto another lens) and then put in an empty CF card. Get the card, unlock the door, go outside. I carefully set up the shot at the edge of the pool, move away all the leaves and bits of bird doo doo. There is not a breath of wind in the air. You can see where this is going...can't you?

I sit back, set the camera to macro, get the card in frame, select the centre of the card for focus and half depress the shutter. A gust of wind comes...the card moves a fraction...I catch my breath....finger poised. I reselect the focus, aim and SNAP. Gotcha! Check the LCD...shot looks fine. PHEW...

Almost done! Then I open up the card, so you can see the innards....which I have gone to the trouble of decorating...something I don't usually do. Lay it down...sit back, line up the frame, select the focus...and POOF! Enter stage right...HUGE GUST OF WIND.....picks up card and deposits it in the pool! S%&T, S*$T, S@#T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Master 4 who had apparently been watching the whole comedy routine from the lounge room window comes running to the door...'MUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMM, I DON'T WANT YOU TO PUT THAT PRETTY CARD IN THE POOL'. Me: 'Um...neither did I mate, neither did I!!!'

Not to be outdone by a gust of wind, I still got the shot.....even though it is a bit soggy...

List of Ingredients:


Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Kraft and Textured Chocolate Chip
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Stamps:  PTI Merry & Bright
Accessories: PTI XL RickRack Border Die, Paper Piercer, White Gel Pen, Crimper, Chit Chat Rub-Ons, SNAIL Adhesive and Mini Glue Dots.

Luckily, only the back of the card went in the water...so I can prolly remove the front panel and remake the back panel and re-attach the front to that. This day has just been going from bad to worse...but I'm still smiling!

I also wanted to show you a picture of the beautiful birthday card and matching book mark that my good friend Kim gave me on the weekend. HOWEVER....I can not presently locate them. I promise to you that they are NOT at the bottom of the pool. I think one of the younger family members may have decided they were worthy of adding to their treasure collections. Either that, or I've managed to file them away in one of my cardstock folders that were out on the weekend. A house-wide search and rescue attempt is ongoing. In the meantime here is a pic of the lovely PTI goodies that came with the card and bookmark (thanks again Kim...I love them!!).

PTI Vintage Buttons - Spring Mix, XL RickRack Border Die and Hawaiian Shores 100% Wool Felt (YUMMY)!

Thanks for stopping by today, and remember...don't let the turkeys (or the wind) get you down ;-).

(Blogged to: Shout - Tears for Fears, Alejandro - Lady GaGa and Holding Out for a Hero - Bonnie Tyler).