And the drum beat carries on...

Hey, hey, yeah, hey yeah
We must Stand Together...

Love that song!

Hope you had a lovely weekend, hope you had a great Mother's Day too!

Apart from one, small timetable malfunction (we tried to go to Noble Palace yum cha in Woden... without a booking...on Mother's Day...yeah...I tried to tell him, but he wouldn't listen... ;-) we had a lovely, quiet, family day.

Just thought I'd pop up a small card that I finished this weekend. Again, don't be pulling out your score cards for my Copic colouring. I might well need to go back to Kindy, because I obviously missed a few important skills classes back then, but I tried to hide my efforts with some mottling using an old face washer and the Colourless Blender fluid (this was a technique I learn't from a video on the Stamp Embellish Create forum....but I can't actually find that video again). Anyway, I like the look, and it helps hide stuff...you know....bad, Copic colouring no-hoper-type stuff!

The other thing you might notice about this card is the addition of colour to the grass tips. It doesn't actually look as bad, or as obvious in real life, as it does in this photo. Something I did in Photoshop seems to have enhanced its appearance here. I originally laid the focal image (which is a Kaisercraft single, clear stamp) onto the card uncoloured. It was only after I had adhered the grass, ribbon etc over the top, that I decided it probably really did need to be coloured after all. So I coloured it in-situ of course ...and of course, got plenty of Copic on the grass too....Oooops! So I thought I'd camouflage my boo boos, by colouring all the grass tips. A comedy of errors, but you get that. Like I said, it really is not so noticeable IRL.

The 'So happy for you' sentiment is from the Grand Greetings photopolymer stamp set by Lawn Fawn and I've stamped it in Memento Rich Cocoa ink. The ribbon is some of my delicious new Pool Party seam binding by Stampin' Up! I can definitely see myself developing something of a 'thing' for seam binding...especially when it comes in fabulous colours like Pool Party. Swoon....LOVE it! The patterned papers in the background are by Echo Park and My Mind's Eye.

I also wanted to share another very happy surprise I had this week. I've been having a few ups and downs of late. Forgetting a few important things (understatement ;-), running around like a demented chook etc. Long story short, we are about to move house and you know what they say about moving. One of life's most stressful events and all that. I'm feeling that way for sure. Anyhoo, I came home from an epic shopping adventure on Friday morning (it is so tricky to carry three heavy bags of shopping and a large box of toddler nappies while pushing a stroller...isn't it) to find a lovely parcel that had been left on my doorstop by Patrice. Check out the simply Smash-ing gifts I found inside...

I couldn't wipe the grin off my face! Patrice knew I'd been letting the turkey's get me down...or so to speak, and this was such a thoughtful thing to do. I felt so special, and I sat down on Friday night and made some happy pages to start my first-ever Smash album. Thanks so much Patrice...you really did make an average week feel like a really smashing one :-)

That's it from me. Gonna go watch some Masterchef and try and finish a row or two of ripples (it is really just an excuse to snuggle under it...bit chilly here tonight).

Blogged to: When We Stand Together - Nickelback, Only Girl (In the World) - Rihanna, and Lean on Me - Club Nouveau.

Say It In...Brown, Olive and Mustard

 When I saw this week's challenge on the Annabelle Stamps blog, I knew that I would be able to use one of my gorgeous new Annabelle stamps that arrived here only this week!

 This week's challenge is:

...and I've used the ever-so-cute, Lil Monster with balloon stamp. Now, I'm a bit embarrassed about the quality of my colouring, especially as Andrea has used the same stamp and has coloured hers brilliantly...but I hope you'll forgive me ;-). My colouring skills need quite a bit of work (starting with some 'how to stay in the lines' training)...!

Dodgy colouring aside...isn't he just the cutest little monster you have ever seen? I love him to bits, and he reminds me of The Gruffalo. We are big Gruffalo fans here!

Thanks for visiting!

Beary Special Bears...

Just another little child's birthday-type card I have made using one of the Taylored Expressions stamp sets, Beary Special:


The layout is nothing special...I was just playing around (still feeling a bit mojo-itis-y), and out popped my usual symmetrical affair, adorned with layer upon layer upon layer...

What I used to make this card:

Stamps: Beary Special by Taylored Expressions
Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss Textured cardstock, Riding Hood Red and Whisper White plain cardstock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper, Eyelet Border Punch, Kiwi Kiss Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Copic sketch markers (see image below for colours), Button Bouquet Designer Buttons, DMC green embroidery thread, Eastern Elegance Rub-ons (retired), edge distresser, SNAIL adhesive, Dimensionals and Sticky Strip.


Just a quick word or ten on Copics. I have used the list provided by Cher Bapp here to convert Copic Colours to Stampin' Up! colours. The colour comparison business is a subjective one, so be aware there are many other lists available out there too.

Also, I have found a good place to buy Copic Sketch markers online within Australia, the RMIT bookstore. If you become a member of the co-op ($10.50 for life membership, and you can join when you place your first order), the Copic markers cost $6.12 each, and they charge a flat rate shipping of $5 for as many markers or refills as you like.

This is the best price I have found online. RMIT don't currently have all colours in stock, but they are expecting a shipment in a couple of weeks, and are going to email me when it comes in. You will note that I have used Copic Original markers on occasion...this is all I could find over the counter in the ACT, but you end up using a fine nib to colour with, which is not as nice as the brush end of the Copic Sketch markers (IMO).

Hope you are having a cruisy weekend!
Sam.

Bella Butterfly

Thought I'd show you another card I have made using one of Bizzy Bec's lovely new stamps.

This little cutie is Bella Butterfly! I have cropped her a little...to give a portrait feeling. I love how this card turned out so bright and pretty:


Here is a little close-up so you can see some of the detail. I have coloured Bella's dress using a Copic marker and then I have painted over it using Liquid Pearls in White Opal. There are also Liquid Pearls on the central spots on her wings.

I have added some Stampin' Up! chunky sprinkes in pink over her headband, and have also cut out a second set of her wings and mounted them above the first using dimensionals:


Here are the Copic colours I have used:


Ingredient List:

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Rose Red, Summer Sun and Whisper White
Ink: Basic Brown Classic Ink
Stamps: Bizzy Bec's Bella Butterfly and Stampin' Up! Canvas background
Accessories: Swirls cuttlebug folder, edge distresser, 1 inch Rose Red double stitched ribbon, styled silver Hodgepodge, Stampin' Up! rub-ons, Copic markers, Liquid Pearls in white opal, Stampin' Up! chunky sprinkles, crystal effects, dimensionals, SNAIL and sticky strip.

Thanks for dropping by :-).
Sam.

Hippy Girl Jewels

Hey there fellow Crafters!

Sorry it has been a little while since you've heard from me. I've been beading...and kinda got sidetracked. I did a little class on the weekend, and I LOVE it. When I'm feeling braver, I'll pop a pic of my very first creation on here for you to check out. I have a LOT to learn, but it is so much fun...might have to dig out my jewelers loupe or a large magnifying glass though...the eyes are not nearly as good as they once were ;-).

Last week I received my first-ever Bizzy Bec's stamps in the mail too, and on the weekend I cracked them open and gave them a whirl. Here is my first creation, made using Bec's lovely Hippy Girl Jewels stamp:


I have used the faux silk technique (for the first time) on the main background layer..check out the tutorial here. I did mine a little different to Beate, I stamped my image on the background textured Pumpkin Pie cardstock, instead of the tissue paper, and it shows through once you glue the tissue down.

I have used Copic markers to colour 'Jewels' in, and the colours I have used are:


The full ingredient list for this card is as follows:

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Kraft, Summer Sun, Whisper White, Really Rust and Textured Pumpkin Pie
Stamps: Bizzy Bec's Hippy Girl Jewels and C.C. Designs Sugarplum Sentiment set
Ink: Stampin' Up! Pumpkin Pie and Basic Black Classic Ink
Accessories: Doodlebug Buttons, White Tissue Paper, Yellow DMC embroidery thread, Crimper, Crystal Effects, Copic Markers (as shown above), Stampin' Up! Styled Silver Hodgepodge, dimensionals, SNAIL, sticky strip and anywhere glue stick.

Here is a close-up of Jewels, so you can see where I've whacked on the Crystal Effects:


Isn't she cute? I am very pleased with how this card turned out :-).

Thanks for dropping by!

Sam.