Envelope Pocket Book Project

Hi Everyone!  Over at The Studio - A Thriving Artist Community (Facebook Group) April is hosting a Pen Pal Project where each participant is to make a Envelope Pocket Book to send to their Pen Pal.

As I had never made one before I thought I would make one to get the hang of it and test out a few things so when it comes to making the one to post I would have it all under control.

I have shared some of the steps I took to make these cute books below and I must say I really love them and can see I'll be making a few of them in the coming weeks.







First Step was to get some color onto the envelopes. The Envelopes I used were DL Size (approx 22 x 11cm).

Dylusions Spray Ink, Gesso, Chunky Chevron and Wedding Ring Stencils from the Crafters Workshop along with a Polka Dot Background Stamp from Darkroom Door.

The backside I used Spray Inks, Stencils, Stamps and some Washi Tape

I decided to add some color to the inside of the pockets.  Here I used some remaining centres from my envelope and punched out some photo corners.  Later I also added further color to the inside using some Distress Stains.

Using my paper towel that I sop up my excess Spray Inks and Paints with I covered two pieces of cardboard for my covers.  This gives a wonderful textured fabric look an feel to the covers.

Once my covers were dry I then stuck my covers onto my pockets, remembering to include a tie so my book could be kept closed.  

For my front cover I used one of my new Frameworks Dies and cut out a piece from one of my left over envelope centres.  I mounted this onto a piece of cardstock also cut with the die and then stock this to the front cover.

Here's my finished book, with some further embellishment.  The idea for the Pen Pal Project is that you can add some messages, ATC's, tags etc to the pockets for your Pen Pal.  A lovely gift which costs very little to make.

A Duo of Challenges

The current color challenge over at Dynamic Duos and the latest sketch at Unscripted Sketches is where I found inspiration for the card I have to share this morning.

  

I searched my paper scraps knowing I would have at least one piece of Sahara Sand Cardstock left from my Stampin' Up! Days as well as the Pink Pirouette.

I also used a sentiment stamp from my first ever brought Stampin' Up Sets along with one I have just recently received as part of a prize from Unity Stamp Co to create my stamped background on the Pink Cardstock.

My dies (Spellbinders Labels and Sizzix Tattered Flowers) along with my embossing folders weren't neglected for this one either and I finished with a touch of bling for my flower centres which are from Alacraft Online Craft Store.

This card would also have been perfect for today's upcoming new challenge at Cards In Envy however I will be back a little later on today to share a different card for this with you.

Cards In Envy - Sketch #6

It's time for another sketch challenge at Cards in Envy. I loved this sketch, so much so that when in need of of a Sympathy Card I used it again.  So I have two cards to share for inspiration today.

Stamp:  Unity Stamp Co KOTM

Other:  Embossing Folder, Heart Punch and Inktense Watercolor Pencils

Sentiment Stamp and Pearl Trim from Alacraft

Other:  Embossing Folder, Flowers and Leaves Die, Kindy Glitz.

As always there is lots of fabulous inspiration using this sketch from the rest of the Design Team.  We have a few members leaving us sadly but that also means we have three new members joining the team, so please be sure to pop over and make them feel welcome.

Back from Six Fabulous Days in Melbourne!

Hi Everyone!  I am sad to say we are home from our trip to Melbourne, where we had six great days.

Rod and I so love visiting this vibrant city and this time around we got to see the beautiful remnants of Autumn with all the wonderful tree lined streets and experience it through the eyes of a child.  Exquisite chocolate and coffee was a staple menu item throughout our trip and best of all I got to meet my AFA friends and spend two wonderful days with them crafting.

My first two days were taken up with crafty things whilst the boys explored suburban Melbourne.

On arrival at our craft meet, we were all given a fabulous goodies bags filled to the brim with wonderful embellishments and craft goodies as well as a few treats from various destinations all the girls were from.

We had a special guest teacher - Cathy from Bellbird Crafts arrive to show us some fabulous watercolor techniques, and then we spent the rest of time creating paper dolls, pearl brooches, string pictures, making our own flower embellishments, gelli printing, making dottie dolls and lots more, and who could forget the wonderful conversation.  Anyone would think we had all known one another for years.  

My Hula Girl Paper Doll

My pearl brooches

Our days together ended with a shopping expedition to Bellbird Crafts and a yummy dinner at the local Club.

My new stash from Bellbird Crafts.  Some cute stamps and dies and a few other things.

On the Saturday Rod, Alex and I moved into the heart of Melbourne. 

We walked for miles all over the city on the Saturday, taking in sites and doing a bit of shopping at the Queen Victoria Markets, before joining the crowds at the Museum.  Rod picked up a little souvenir for his mum on the Sunday from The Arts Centre Markets at Southbank and we spent a leisurely day, watching buskers and exploring the banks of the Yarra River.  Rod was pulled out of the crowd to assist one magician with his tricks much to Alex's delight.  It was then back across the river to the aquarium.  The huge line up had us excited to see it,  and the penguin enclosure didn't disappoint. 

One of the Trams in Melbourne, I had to take a photo of the bees!

One of the views of the tree lined City Streets from our seat whilst sipping on our Italian Hot Chocolates at Brunetti's Cafe on Sunday

Melbourne is a city full of beautiful ornate architecture and modern design and you never know what's around the next corner, like this gorgeous fountain in the Carlton Gardens on the way to the Museum. 

We ended our stay with Mexican for dinner accompanied by Margaritas and a Death by Chocolate Dessert  before our mid morning flight home yesterday.

The girls from AFA and I all had such a wonderful two days together this past week that we have already starting planning our next get together for New Zealand in 2014.  I can't wait!

PTT#83 Anything Goes!

Hi Everyone!  Being the last Tuesday of the Month means that September and Spring are just around the corner for us here in Australia.  It also means lots of card making for me as September sees lots of birthdays being celebrated by my family and friends.

Being the last Tuesday of the month over at Party Time Tuesdays it's time for an Anything Goes Challenge and for today's card  I am using the delightful scarecrow image from Digital Delights and some Autumn Themed Papers from Stampin' Up!.  Isn't he adorable, I have colored him with my Tria Markers and have put him out to work in the fields protecting the crops.

This week our sponsors for Anything Goes are 

Also just a reminder that tomorrow is a very special blog hop in honour of our very own Party Planner Jen Scull who has been battling Breast Cancer since early February.  This hop is aimed to bring a bit of Sunshine into Jen's day and will kick off from the Paper Make Up Stamps Blog 12.00am (EST USA) time on Wednesday 29th of August.  Simply follow along hopping for your chance to win a multitude of prizes being kindly donated by a number of our wonderful sponsors.  You may also like to purchase the special Digi Stamp Set which is being offered by PMS with all proceeds going to Jen called Jen's Sunshine.  The images of this set are those being featured throughout the hop.

I do hope you will join in the fun of both our Anything Goes Challenge and the Hop! 

The Poodles Parlour - Winged Things Challenge!

Hi Everyone!  I hope this post finds you well.  I am posting this today from a house full of sick people with 3 out of 4 of us currently battling a cold or the flu.  I had been doing well to keep sickness at bay this winter following Rod being sick a few weeks back.  Late last week I showed signs of something with my glands and face all sore and swollen which settled down but then Rod has had the flu go through his workplace.  He  has come down worse then last time and has ever so kindly chosen to share his germs.  We have the last day of a three day course to attend tomorrow so hopefully we are both feeling a little better and well enough to go otherwise we will have to do it all again.  I think we will have to quarantine ourselves to the back of the room.  Anyway onto the challenge at hand!

Its time for a new challenge at The Poodles Parlour and this fortnight we want to see Winged Things on your creations, be it a fairy, a bird or a butterfly.  As long as it has wings, it will qualify.

For my card this week I am using the image Marcia's Chicken from The Digi Garden teamed with some leftover Authentique Papers from the project I shared with you on Tuesday.  I really loved the pretty combination of colors in this Delightful Collection and I have colored Marcia and her chicken in contrast with my Tria Markers.

Our sponsor this week is Di's Digi Downloads.  I do hope you will play along for your chance to win.

Anyway had better go as I have a bit to do in preparation for tomorrow!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Platypus Creek Digitals Cute Kids Halloween Release

Good Morning everyone!  I hope you are all doing well and thank you to all of you who have been leaving such wonderful comments.  They really do make my creating feel like its worth it and brighten my day!

Over the next few weeks I will be bringing you lots of cards sharing all the new releases over at Platypus Creek and we kick off today with Day 1 of the Cute Kids Halloween Release.

We don't really celebrate Halloween here in Australia, although it is becoming more popular, so its not something I rush out and buy craft product for, but I did however manage to find some suitable papers in my stash to create this card using Zombie Oliver.

The Trick or Treat Wording I cut from one of the papers and I used some Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Up Cardstock.  Quite fitting don't you think given there's lots of pumpkins on the other paper I have used on my card.   

I have colored in Oliver with my Tria Markers giving his skin a greenish tinge and paper pieced his jacket with some grey cardstock.  The pumpkin is something I had left over from a previous project I was creating. 

Even trying to make him look Spooky for Halloween you can tell Oliver is a Cute Kid!

Oliver's friend Pumpkin Girl Ella is also being released today so be sure to head over to the Platypus Creek Digitals Blog to meet her and see all the creations for today's release by the DT.  If you pop back tomorrow I will introduce you to Vampire Noah who just loves Halloween!.

My Heart Pieces Challenge - Use Squares or Circles

Hi Everyone, I hope you are all doing well!  It's time for another Challenge over at My Heart Pieces.  This fortnight we want to see you use either squares or circles on your creations.

I decided to go with Circles and have used a variety of them in my design.  Firstly the image - Ice Cream Cutie has been colored with my Tria Markers and then cut out with my spellbinders circle die.  I have layered the background with circles cut from one of my Echo Park Paper Scraps in both 1 3/4 inches and 1 inch size, and I have also cut spirals from the circles punched from a second patterned paper.  I think my hoping summer arrives here soon has me once again using lots of bright colors.

Buttons and my flowers also round out the circle theme.  A Sweet Birthday Wish Sentiment is from one of my Unity KOTM Sets.  

I do hope you will pop over to the My Heart Pieces Challenge Blog to see the lovely work from my fellow DT Members and also have the chance to play along with us this fortnight.

Magical Monday - 3 In a Row

This fortnight for Paper Cupcakes Magical Monday I was asked to choose our challenge criteria and thought it would be fun to have a 3 in a Row Challenge, where you choose a row of elements from a grid which are in line either, vertically, horizontally or diagonally and you must incorporate these into your card.

For my card I chose to work using one of the vertical combinations of elements which is to use 2 or more patterned papers, lace and bling.

Image:  Mommy's Shoes by Paper Cupcakes

Sentiment:  Art & Possibility Set by Donna Downey from Unity Stamp Co.

Cardstock/Paper:  Stampin' Up & Christy Tomlinson She Art Papers

Ink:  Tria Markers and Memento Black Tuxedo Ink

Other:  Spellbinder Long Rectangle Nesting Dies, Lace, Felt Flower, Rhinestones.

Isn't this image so sweet!  It's called Mommy's Shoes.  The minute I saw it I fell in love with it.  It's one of  20 new images released by Nina over on the Paper Cupcakes site this month, so be sure to pop over to the store and check them all out as there is a great variety suited to so many occasions.

For more wonderful inspiration from the team and to see the full list of elements you can choose from to play along with our 3 in a Row Challenge, be sure to pop over to TIMITA.

Other Challenges I am entering this card in:-

Sassy Studio Designs: DTBST #126 Hats off to You
ATC's and Cards with Attitude:  Challenge #14 Anything Goes
Inspire Me Fridays: #60 Anything Goes
Patties Creations: #44 Recipe
Totally Gorjuss - #133 Something New (Digi and She Art Papers)

  

PTT #64 - Colour/Picture Inspiration

This is my second post for today!  Please scroll down for my Magical Monday Post with Paper Cupcakes.

After undergoing two days of further medical examinations/procedures following his experiencing of chest pains, I am pleased to report that the results have come back clear for my hubby and they are showing no signs of anything seriously wrong with his heart.  He now has to follow up with his GP and may have to undergo some further tests to get to the bottom of it all, however the doctors have indicated it may have just been the result of the stressful few weeks we have just been through with the sudden death of his father and it may all settle down again after a few weeks. 

Anyway on with today's post!

This week at Party Time Tuesdays we have a fabulous color combo and photo inspiration for you all to play along with.  

Digi:  Ava Flowers by Bugaboo Digi Stamps, Sentiment:  Stampin' Up! Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Papers:  Echo Park, Stampin Up!, Colour/Ink:  Memento Black Tuxedo Ink and Tria Markers

Other:  Ribbon by Stampin' Up!  Petaloo Flowers, Roses from Stash, Circle and Scallop Circle Dies, XL Bird Punch by Stampin' Up!

I made a circle card, for Mother's Day inspired by the colours and the flowers to one side of the path in the inspiration photo.

The image 'Ava Flowers' which I used for my card today is from:

Our other sponsors joining us this week are:

To see the creations from all the Party Planners and for all the challenge details visit the Party Time Tuesdays Challenge Blog.  I do hope you will join us!

Magical Monday - Let's Get Acquainted

Its time for another Magical Monday with Paper Cupcakes over at There's Magic In the Air and this fortnight our fellow team member Shirley asked us all to get acquainted, and case a card from one of our fellow DT Members.  For those of you have been following me for some time, you know that I tend towards CAS Cards, so when I saw a recent card on Shirley's Blog using lots of layers I just knew this is the one I wanted to copy the design of.  I am really happy with how it turned out and all the colors together and the image is so fitting for today as it has been raining here for the past couple of days.

Digi:  April Showers from Paper Cupcakes

Papers:  Echo Park & Stampin' Up!

Colour:  Stampin' Up! Watercolour Pencils, 

Other:  Oval and Scallop Oval Dies, Crochet Flowers.

SHIRLEY'S CARD 

This is Shirley's Card I copied the design of.  You will find her blog post about this card here.

Nina is kindly offering the delightful image 'April Showers' which has been featured by the DT this fortnight  as this month's freebie, so be sure to grab it while you can. And don't forget that when you use a Paper Cupcakes image in any of our challenges you will be entered in the random prize draw twice.

So to get better acquainted with our DT and for all the other challenge details see this fortnight's Magical Monday Post over at TIMITA.