A CASE for Just Add Ink 41

This week's Just Add Ink challenge is to Just Add Birthdays!

The card I have made has been in my MUST BE CASED file for a few weeks now, and is an amazingly beautiful card by one of my blogging friends, Susy.

I told Susy how much I loved her card...and I have gone to great lengths to CASE it (more on that later)! Here is my version of Susy's beautiful card:

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss (Textured and Plain), Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky and Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink and Whisper White Craft Ink (SU)
Stamps: Up, Up & Away (PTI) and Birthday Basics (PTI)
Accessories: Grass Die (Die-namics), Old Olive Prints DSP (SU), Butterfly Punch (Carl Craft), pink cherry blossoms (Miscellaneous), Wireworks (SU Retired), Silhouette Machine, Modern Nature Tree and Leaves (Kerri Bradford), Two-Way Glue Pen (SU), Mini Glue Dots (SU), Tombow Mono (Penwa) and Dimensionals (SU).

NOW....did you notice anything different in the Accessories list? Hmmmmmmmm. I used my Silhoutte Machine!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been ogling these little beauties for some time now, and with the Aussie dollar looking as nice (for overseas purchases...not exports, sorry) as it has been of late (and with Susy's beautiful card being the straw that broke this camel's back)...I invested! I bought it from Scrapbook Express in Utah in the US for what I thought was a very good price. I baulked at the cost of the postage (which in my case was another USD84)...but for that cost it went via FedEx in some sort of miracle time-machine. The order shipped from Utah on Thursday...and BELIEVE IT OR NOT...that little sucker was sitting in a warehouse about 20km from my house by 7:30 am on Monday morning (LESS THAN FOUR DAYS AFTER LEAVING UTAH). Now, for some reason it didn't get delivered that day, so I called up the next day and said...'I'm COMING DOWN....please get my parcel ready'...and they did, bless their little hearts :-). So I am the proud owner of a Silhouette, and am still learning all about what it can do. This post (and the associated comments) by Kristina Werner was the thing that helped me choose between Silhouette and Cricut in the end.

Another item that I have used on my card are the beautiful little cherry blossoms (thanks zaki - see comments). They were given to me by my lovely Sister in-law, and she bought them in Japan. The packet is written in Japanese, and since my knowledge of Hiragana/Katakana/Kanji is now non-existent (I did some Japanese about 10+ years ago...but that seems to have been erased from my cerebral hard-drive ;-)...I can't read it, but zaki tells me they are cherry blossoms...here is the packet:

While I was outside I took a quick pic of the garden. It is going absolutely beserk out there with all the rain we have been getting. There are flowers everywhere. You probably can't see on this image, but there are Waratahs in bloom on the far right hand side, Lavender and purple Hebe near photo centre, and a tonne of other pink flowers up the back (whose names I don't know)...not to mention the herbs which are positively exploding out of the bed at bottom left (I should point out that the grass is faux though...it is wonderful stuff, and definitely standing up to the test of time).

...and I want to leave you with one more pic...a big cheesy grin from Mr 4 to you:

Have a lovely Sunday!

(Blogged to: Starlight - The Supermen Lovers, If this Ain't Love - Spiller and Teenage Dirtbag - Wheatus).

A few SU demo things to giveaway, and some things for sale

...You might remember that I ceased to be a demonstrator for Stampin' Up! back in about March of this year...and I have finally got around to clearing out some things I no longer need. I have listed them on the Sale page - HERE on my blog.

There are Stampin' Up! Plastic Logo Bags, Stampin' Technique booklets and old IBCs which are free to anyone who might need them (although if you want me to post them to you there is a charge for that...send me an email so I can let you know postage and packaging cost). If you live in the ACT you are welcome to drop by and pick them up. I should also point out here that I live in Australia...so these are Australian SU IBCs.

I also have a small selection of other things which are for sale at the bottom of the same page. I have a bunch more stamps to sell eventually...but haven't managed to list them all yet.

We Stamp For Lara...

I found out about 'We Stamp for Lara' during my internet travels yesterday...and signed up straight away...what a great event for such a beautiful little lady! Here are the full details:

You can join by purchasing entry using the Paypal button on either:

Madonna Dunn's Blog here or on Alisa Tilsner's Blog here.

It’s going to be loads of fun! If you would like to read more about Lara’s Story then you can do so here.

And you read correctly...someone will win a BIGSHOT, generously donated by Angela Sargeant. WOW!!

Hope to see you online in November :-).

Up, Up and Away...

First up, I'm going to apologise for the photos. It was after 5pm, and really windy outside this afternoon while I was trying to get these shots, so the light was poor and the card was blowing about all over the place. I've done the best I can in Photoshop...but if it clears up on the weekend, I might try and do them again.

Here is the card:

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette (Textured and Plain), Kraft, Whisper White, Shimmer White and Soft Sky
Stamps: Up, Up & Away (PTI)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky and Baja Breeze Classic Inks, and Whisper White Craft Ink
Accessories: Linen and Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Sunshine Impression Plate (PTI), Up, Up & Away Die (PTI), Cloud 1 & Cloud 2 Die Collection (PTI), Designer Series Papers (SU), Sponges, Pink Pirouette Grosgrain (SU), Copic Sketch Marker (to colour parts of balloon), Crystal Effects (SU), Mounting Foam (Kaisercraft), SNAIL Adhesive (SU) and Mini Glue Dots (SU).

That's all from me for now. I have an exciting new toy here to show you soon...but more on that after I've had a chance to play with it a little :-).

(Blogged to: Supersizers Go - SBS).

Just Add Pink Bling Things...

This week's Just Add Ink challenge is to Just Add Bling...and Pink!

Here is my pink blingy creation:

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Rose Red (Textured and Plain), Pink Pirouette, Shimmer White, Cardstock Vellum and Whisper White
Ink: Rose Red Classic Ink
Stamps: Animal Stories (SU) and Birthday Basics (PTI)
Accessories: Divine Swirl Cuttlebug Emboss Folder (Provocraft), Pink Pirouette 1 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Rose Red 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Clear Rhinestones (Kaisercraft), Mounting Foam (Kaisercraft) and SNAIL Adhesive.

I removed the white double stitching on the edge of the Rose Red ribbon...because I thought it looked better that way :-).

See you later!

(Blogged to: Wild Theme - Dire Straits and Just What I Needed - The Cars).

Through the Trees Sympathy

I'm not real sure about this card. It is a sympathy card, to be given after the death of a father. Obviously, that is not a time for celebration, but I am thinking this card may be a bit too sombre. I think I'll ponder it a little longer...

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy and Baja Breeze
Stamps: Through the Trees (PTI) and Garden of Life (PTI)
Ink: Not Quite Navy Classic Ink and Whisper White Craft Ink
Accessories: Crystal Effects (SU), Vintage Brads (SU), Theatre and Valet Ribbon Originals (SU), Mounting Foam (Kaisercraft), Sticky Strip and SNAIL adhesive.

Hope your weekend is peaceful!

(Blogged to: Triple J is playing, but I wasn't concentrating on what song it was...sorry).

Draco the Diligent Dungeon Dragon...

Well, I've finally made it to the last required birthday card, and I even have two days to spare...YEAH me! This one has been wholly inspired by this awesome creation by the lovely Carol Dunstan. Thanks for your inspiration Carol!

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Tangerine Tango, Pumpkin Pie (Textured), Basic Black (Plain and Textured), Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss and Brushed Gold
Punches: Wide Oval, Small Oval, 1 1/4" Square, 1 1/4" Circle, Heart to Heart, Boho Blossoms, 1/2 " Circle, 1/4" Circle and Horizontal Slot (all from SU)
Stamps: Vintage Labels (SU)
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Accessories: Styled Silver Hodge Podge, White Gel Pen, Kaisercraft Pearls in Mocha and Cream, Kaisercraft Clear Rhinestones, Rhinestone Brads (SU), Distressed Striped, Mesh Texture and Christmas Ornaments Cuttlebug Embossing Folders, Linen and Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Dimensionals (SU), Mini Glue Dots (SU) and SNAIL Adhesive (SU).

Sorry, but this post is going to be really brief. I am feeling incredibly sorry for myself, my sinuses are killing me and I need to go steam my head...again! I so hope this cold clears up soon.

Thanks for visiting my blog,

A Buggy Birthday for a Boy...

I bet we're not thinking of the same bugs though! I am thinking of Volkswagon Bugs....were you?

The punch art VW Beetle on this little card was inspired by LeeAnn Greff....or if you read her full post here...apparently I need to thank her husband Andy! Thanks Andy and LeeAnn :-).

ETA... I just found the other place I had recently seen one of these VW Bugs. Check out Julia's beautiful card here (I knew I'd seen it some other place along my Google Reader travels...but couldn't locate it when I last looked...but I remembered all the pebbles in the photo background when I saw them again!)...

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip (Textured), Close to Cocoa (Textured), Whisper White, Kraft, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss (Textured and Plain), Old Olive, Basic Black (Textured and Plain), Real Red (Textured) and Brushed Silver.
Stamps: All in the Family (SU) and On Your Birthday (SU)
Ink: Chocolate Chip and Real Red Classic Ink and Whisper White Craft Ink
Punches: Wide Oval, Large Oval, Small Oval, Word Window, Heart to Heart, Horizontal Slot, 1 1/4" Circle, 1" Circle, 3/4" Circle, 1/2" Circle and 1/4" Circle
Accessories: Cloud 1 & 2 Die Collection (PTI), Divine Swirl Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Floral Fantasy Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Black Lettering (CM), Magnetic Stamp Alphabet - Evolution (Making Memories), Dimensionals (SU) and SNAIL Adhesive (SU).

Miss Six requested that a person be stamped behind the wheel. Originally there was no-one there...but she insisted that the car looked like it was driving...so there would need to be someone there. You may also notice that for an Australian driver...he is on the wrong darn side of the car! DOH! I wasn't actually thinking about that when I put him there. Ooops. I think he must have just imported it from the States. That's what happened!!

SO...now I'm almost done with the birthday cards. Only one more to go...I think!

Have a good one,

(Blogged to: Nothing...I have a massive headache...I need silence!).

Puppy Party Punchie...

I am still working away on all those birthday cards we're needing here soon. This time I have gone back to another of Jackie Topa's fabulous punch art creations...and have dubbed it puppy party.

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip (Textured), Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss (Textured), Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Basic Black and Real Red
Stamps: Lots of Thoughts (SU)
Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink
Punches: Word Window, Wide Oval, Large Oval, Small Oval, 3/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1/2" Circle, 1/4" Circle, Heart to Heart
Accessories: Pure Poppy Bakers Twine (PTI), Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Craft Concepts), Divine Swirl Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Vintage Cream Pure Wool Felt (PTI), Brown Lettering (CM), Cloud 1 & 2 Die Collection (PTI), Mounting Foam (Kaisercraft), Mini Glue Dots (SU), Crystal Effects (SU), White Gel Pen and SNAIL Adhesive.

I have hand cut the long grass at the kennel door since I don't have a punch for that...but I know there are some groovy ones out there that do that too! I have also hand cut the kite. The puppy (I know...he is large for a puppy ;-) originally had horizontal slot eyebrows too....but no matter which orientation I put them in, he seemed to look either sad or angry. So I ditched them. BTW...in case you were wondering...the 'R' stands for Rover...of course!

Overall, I am pretty pleased with how this one turned out. Hope the birthday boy likes him too!

Hope you have a lovely Sunday!

(Blogged to: Video Killed the Radio Star - The Buggles and Decode - Paramore).

Just Add Ink Challenge # 37

The new Just Add Ink challenge this week is a colour challenge, and I must say I really love these beautiful colours together:

This is the card I have made for this challenge:

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Always Artichoke (Textured), Whisper White, Old Olive, Rose Red and Pumpkin Pie
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (PTI)
Ink: Old Olive Classic Ink (SU)
Accessories: Theatre Ribbon Originals - Retired (SU), Crimper, Hidden Garden Rub-Ons - Retired (SU), Orange Zest and Raspberry Fizz Vintage Buttons (PTI), Crystal Effects (SU),  Mounting Foam (Kaisercraft), Mini Glue Dots (SU), Sticky Strip (SU) and SNAIL Adhesive (SU).

I picked up the Mounting Foam dots from Eckersley's yesterday. They are almost twice as thick as dimensionals...I'm in foam heaven (except for cost: roughly the same price as dimensionals...less in the packet though). I've also applied crystal effects to all the leaves on the flower stems. Unfortunately the ink has kind of run into the CE...I probably should have clear embossed it instead.

Well, it's just after 11 am...and I am still in my PJs (SLACKER), and have just finished watching The Last Song. Since I was sobbing uncontrollably for the last quarter of the movie (I know, I know... insert rolling eyes smiley here) I am now running out of tissues! I've also run out of Panadol...so I'm off to get changed now and rectify this perilous situation.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend,

(Blogged to: The Last Song - Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth and Greg Kinnear).

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge

This week, for Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, you could choose any previous sketch challenge and use that as your inspiration....I discovered that this is easier said than done!

I downloaded about 10 old sketches, and have been fiddling about with this challenge ever since last Monday. It was one of those projects that was worked on, left, pondered, shuffled, left, worked on, left, pondered, shuffled (you get the picture). I was determined not to be thwarted by it though, so finally I wrapped it up this afternoon:

List of Ingredients:

Cardstock: Kraft, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss (Textured) and Tempting Turquoise.
Accessories: Simply Chartreuse, Raspberry Fizz, Vintage Cream and Hawaiian Shores Pure Wool Felt (PTI), Beautiful Blooms II #1 Die Collection (PTI), Simply Chartreuse, Raspberry Fizz and Hawaiian Shores Vintage Buttons (PTI), Linen and Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), White Embroidery Thread, Raspberry Fizz Satin Ribbon (PTI), Chit Chat Rub-Ons (SU), Dimensionals (SU) and SNAIL Adhesive (SU).

I ended up using Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge # 58 (thanks for the inspiration Karen):

If anyone knows where I can find the instructions for the right Cuttlebug Sandwich to use with the PTI Impressions Plates, I'd be most appreciative. I don't think I have it quite squared away, and the impression that I am getting is not all that good yet.

You should also know that this is a MONSTER-sized card. I think the end product was something like 8 inches long.  It started with the felt flowers and just kept getting bigger, and bigger and bigger. I guess you could use it as one of those cards you pass around the office for every man and their dog to sign ;-). Should make for interesting times when I go to make an envie for it too!

I am simply pooped now. I spent just over three hours in the doctors' surgery this morning (it was one of those no-appointment ones because my usual doc was full). In the end the doc I saw confirmed that I have a head cold! Zowie Cavey!! Glad I spent my day productively ;-).

See you later alligator.

(Blogged to: Black & Gold - Sam Sparro and You - Wes Carr).