Brrr it's cold outside

Just a quick hello from the UK where the temperature is the total opposite to my Australia hometown....very invigorating! The first time for many years that I haven't been able to feel my toes!

Anyway, I don't have any craft stuff with me & there's not a stamp in sight, so no creating for me for a few weeks. However, I did make menus & favour boxes for a wedding before I left home & I do have a pic of the table setting for you to see. I used very vanilla, cherry cobbler, fifth avenue floral embossing folder & fifth avenuue floral stamp set...oh & a rhinestone.

If you look closely you will see the snow outside the windows too....aaah so picturesque!

All the Best!
Caroline

Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #45

Hi there!

I haven't posted a card in a while, so I 'm pleased to be here with a card inspired by the latest Inkspirations Sketch Challenge. I used my new colour coach for the colour combo - such a great tool to get you trying out something new. The colours I've used are elegant eggplant, melon mambo & old olive. So, here's the sketch:

And here's my card:
Before I go, congrats to Bronwyn who won my free UStamp pass from my previous post!

Happy Wednesday!
Caroline x

UStamp Jump on your Jingle FREE pass

Hello!
I'm back with the opportunity for you to win a FREE pass to the Christmas projects round of UStamp. Please leave a comment here by 24th October for your chance to win. I will email the winner by 25th October!
Caroline x

UStamp Cool Moves

Good afternoon!

Hope you're enjoying the school hols if you are in Western Australia!

Just popping in to post a sneak peek at my project for this round of UStamp Cool Moves. If you would like to see more great cards that move, spin, pop up, slide & lots more, just click on the 'Cool Moves' designer box link on the right side bar of this blog so you can sign up join the fun!

Here's a peek at my card:

Thanks for stopping by!

Caroline x

UStamp FREE pass winner!

Hi
Just about off to bed when I remembered I hadn't drawn the free UStamp pass, so with no further ado...CONGRATULATIONS..........................

Venessa! I will be emailing you now!
Thanks to all for leaving comments & please call back before the end of the Cool Moves round as I may have more passes to give away for the next round!
Have a good week!
Caroline x

UStamp FREE pass

Hi

As a designer for the next round of UStamp I have a FREE pass to give away. This will be a great round to be involved in as it's all about cards with 'Cool' moves. So this will include all types of pop ups, slider cards, spinner cards, waterfall cards and MANY more - all with great colour combo ideas too. Click on blinkie on right hand side for more info. SO if you would like a FREE pass let me know by leaving a comment here on my blog by 18th of September. Check back on the 19th as I will have randomly drawn a WINNER!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Caroline x

UStamp Early Fall 2010 Edition

Hi all!
The next round of UStamp has started today!!! It's all about cards this time & I have been asked to design a set for this round!! I have added the link to my side bar if you would like to join in the fun!
The card below is one I made for a colour challenge for the last round of UStamp & it's for the twin brother of the little girl I made the card for in my previous post.

Stamp set: Fox & Friends, party hearty. family phrases Ink/card: Old olive, tempting turquoise & real red.

Have fun!

Caroline x

Magical Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #31

Back again!
I've been busy with challenges today! (Life is tough!!) This was fun as I've used the sketch to make a card for a sweet little soon-to-be-3 girl!
So, here's Makeesha's sketch:
And this is my card - such a cute stamp set for the girls!
Stamps: Pony Party Ink: So saffron, pretty in pink, bashful blue Card: Celery, pretty in pink, bashful blue, so saffron Other: celery grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch, polka dot embossing folder, nestabilities dies
Now I have to go and make a card for her 3 year old twin brother!
Cheers!
Caroline x

Just Add Ink #25

Hiya!

Here's the colour combo for this week's Just Add Ink challenge:

I did find it rather tricky to combine these colours, mainly the eggplant & rose red, however, I did finally make a card and ended up liking the way the colours went together!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, On your birthday Ink/card: As for challenge plus watercolour card & versamark Other: Vanilla grosgrain & button, stampin' dimensionals, little leaves die, polka dot embossing folder, embossing powder, aqua painter.

PS: I have since sharpened my scissors & trimmed off the straggly ribbon bits! (not that anyone noticed, of course!!) ETA: I have just changed the photo of my card after redoing the ribbon - as it was bugging me!

Thanks for stopping by! Love Caroline - from blustery Perth, WA!

Inkspirations Colour Challenge #30

Back again!

This time I have my card for the Inkspirations colour challenge, which is to use the following colours:

I'm planning my Christmas in July class, so on that theme and with the above colours, this is my creation:

Stamps: Occasionally (soon to be retired I'm assuming!), short and sweet Ink/card: As for the challenge other: Razzleberry polka dot ribbon, scallop border and scallop circle punch, 11/4" & 13/8" circle punches, button latte

Cheers!

Caroline x

Just Add Ink #24

Happy Sunday to you!

This weeks Just Add Ink challenge is a sketch, which was really fun to do as it's this clear and simple design:

I've recently seen some lovely cards using the 'All A Flutter' butterfly, so I finally broke mine out of it's case and got to work!

So, here's my card:

And here's a close up of some detail, the butterflies are covered in crystal effects & mounted with dimensionals:

Stamps: All A Flutter, butterfly prints (sentiment - which is in the US catalogue, so hopefully will be in ours in September?!) Card/ink: Whisper white, taken with teal, brilliant blue (both retiring very soon!) Other: crystal effects, stampin' dimensionals, sewing machine - which is more a toy sewing machine really, hence the dodgy stitching!
Keep warm!
Caroline x

Blog Award

Well, how lovely of Liam to send on this award to me! Just follow this link back to Liam's blog to browse all of her wonderful projects!

And to pass on this award I would now like to nominate:

Bronwyn Eastley - for her beautiful creations!

As for 10 things about me...well I'm only going to mention one recent stressful event which was the near death of our gorgeous (& a wee bit scatty!) red setter X retriever, Rosie, from rodent poisoning. However, she is back on form now (after plasma transfusions & mega Vit K doses), barking to wake us up early for her breakfast & generally bossing us around!! I'm just glad she is still with us!

And as this is really about cards rather than pets, here's a card too:


Stamp set: Owl together now card: basic grey, pretty in pink, orchid opulence, tempting turquoise.
Bye
Caroline x

Gift Bag

Hi
Just before I settle down to watch England V Germany in the World Cup soccer I thought I'd post a project that I did for an Unconvention challenge back in May. I do have a tutorial and template, so please email me (address on side) if you would like a copy and leave a comment so I make sure to check the emails!
It's a good sized bag & only uses 2 sheets of A4 card and some dsp depending on how you'd like to decorate it. The gift bag pocket is the perfect size for a Stampin' Up! love note card.

This is a close up of the gift card:

Stamps: Flight of the butterfly, vintage vogue

Card & Ink: Rich razzleberry, pale plum, white stazon, kraft dsp: Cottage wall

Other: Jumbo eyelets, rich razzleberry polka dot ribbon, love note & envelope

Caroline x

SU! Unconvention

Hello!

Whilst many SU! demonstrators were living it up in Sydney for Convention 2010, those of us who stayed behind took part in "Unconvention." This was set up as part of ESAD (a demonstrator on line forum) and this weekend consisted of three days of fab challenges. Thanks to this I was more creative over the weekend than I have been for ages & so have several cards/projects to post tonight.

This first card was for a sketch challenge:

Stamps: Pony party Ink/card: melon mambo, so saffron, tempting turquoise

This next card was for a clean & simple limited supplies challenge. It was to use only 2 inks, 1 layer of card and 1 stamp set & that's it! So this is what I came up with:Stamps: Flight of the butterfly Ink: melon mambo, kiwi kiss

And this is the same card "jazzed up" a little:

This next card was made for another sketch challenge using a Z fold card. A quick & fun style of card: Stamps: medallion, short & sweet Ink/card: melon mambo, white craft, sahara sand.

And finally, for now, we had a colour challenge using colours that suited a masculine card, so I made a card for father's day next month for my Dad in the UK:

Stamps: occasionally Ink/card: rich razzleberry, old olive, more mustard, choc chip.

Thanks so much for looking - it's about time I had something to show isn't it?!

Caroline x

Blog candy

Good evening!

I'm just popping in to show you some blog candy I've found here......but don't go there as I want to win!!! (only joking!)

Bye for now!

Caroline

Inkspirations Inspiration # 21

Hi there!

Kirsty is hosting this weeks inkspirations challenge & has posted this photo as the inspiration:

So with Mother's Day in mind & this as inspiration, I made this card:

Stamps: vintage vogue, occasional greetings, tiny tags Ink: pink pirouette, regal rose, rose red, melon mambo, certainly celery Other: top note die, big shot, tiny tag punch, clear rhinestones, regal rose ribbon, silver cord (retired), polka dot embossing folder (non SU!)

Okay - time to go & get the little people to bed!

Caroline x

Stamp with Us birthday card challenge

Hi

Here's a couple of cards I have made for the Stamp with Us birthday theme challenge and for a couple of little girls whose birthdays are approaching. This Pony Party stamp set is just lovely! It's also the first time I've used melon mambo & love how it goes with certainly celery, unfortunately the photo hasn't brought out the colours very well though.

Anyway, both cards are the same but in different colour combos:

Stamps: Pony party Ink & card: Melon mambo, rich razzleberry, so saffron, orchid opulence, regal rose, certainly celery Other: melon mambo & rich razzleberry polka dot ribbon, dazzling diamonds
Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Caroline x

Simple male card for Makeesha's challenge

Hello!
That would be a simple card, not simple male....! (boom boom ;)) This is for my brother's birthday next month and I CASED the idea from this lovely creation here...isn't the bunting cool?! The layout is inspired by Makeesha's sketch challenge here.....so all in all I've just used everyone elses ideas!


Here's my card:
I've used all SU! supplies. The colours are so saffron, tangerine tango, pacific point and riding hood red. The numbers are from the Timeless Type sizzlits dies - fabulous for cards and scrapping.
Please let me know if you make any bunting inspired cards as I'd love to see them - the monkey from Fox and Friends would look cute hanging from bunting don't you think?
Thanks for visiting!
Caroline x

Stamp with Us Sketch Challenge

Good evening!

Stamp with Us have this sketch challenge for this fortnight:

So this is my sketch inspired card:

Stamps: Vintage vogue (can't believe I almost didn't get this set...what was I thinking?!), on your birthday Ink & card: so saffron, rich razzleberry (yipee they're staying in the new catalogue!), orchid opulence, whisper white Other: square punches, razzleberry polka dot ribbon, filigree brads, clear rhinestone, silver brads.

Well, I'm off to have a cuppa & put my feet up now! I played hockey today (first time for nearly a year) & my back & legs are already feeling sore!....I should just stick to stamping...

Anyway have a good w/e - it's apparently very peaceful today where my family are in the UK with no planes overhead....but of course not good for those with travel plans....

Caroline x

Stamp with Us Colour Challenge

Happy long weekend!

I had a quiet child free day today which meant that I could indulge myself in the world of stamping without interuptions, such a treat!

I've been meaning to make an easel card for ages, so decided to get on and do it (following Beate's video tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers). I used this as the basis of my card for this fortnights Stamp with Us colour challenge. I used all bold brights, which actually made a nice change & isn't that what challenges are all about?

Here's my card:

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Heard from the Heart, Polka dot background Ink & card: pink passion, green galore, only orange, whisper white Other: button latte, ribbon originals dress up, polka dot embossing folder

Thanks for stopping by!

Caroline x

Just Add Ink Colour Challenge #10

Hi!

Here's my card for the Just Add Ink Colour Challenge this week. The inspiration colour pallet was close to cocoa, blush blossom, cameo coral and kraft...very nice! I've even snuck in an Autumn -Winter mini catalogue sneak peak with the sentiment from the new Heard from the Heart stamp set!!

Stamps: Embrace Life, Heard from the Heart Card & Ink: cameo coral, blush blossom, kraft, close to cocoa (textured) Other: kraft ribbon, clear rhinestones, scallop edged punch.

Unfortunately, with these colours and my basic photography skills, the colour does not show up the best on here. Must spend some time trying some of the great on line photo tutorials I have favourited.

Don't forget that tomorrow is the final day for SAB and Summer mini orders....

Goodnight!

Caroline x

Plastic Fantastic

Hi!

Just a quick post to show you my Sarah Klass video inspired headband decoration. Just as Sarah did, I covered the 'plastic underneath bit' of a (former Australia day embellished) headband & now, of course, it looks far more stylish! Please head to Sarah's blog for the video instructions.

Here is the before shot:

And here is the stylish after shot!

Products used: So saffron and rose red grosgrain ribbon, felt fusion flowers and sticky strip.

I hope to have more posted soon, particulary as I'm having a great time trying out all my new Autumn mini catalogue pre order products - so much good stuff and so little time!

Caroline x

Just Add Ink Challenge #5

Hi!
I made a card today as a thank you from my son's cricket team to their coach and decided to use the All in the Family stamp set and accessories. To add some dimension I used masking, dimensionals and crystal effects - nothing unique there, but I haven't used this set for a while and just by adding these techniques I was able to get just the effect I wanted - and was reminded of what a versatile set this is!

Here's my card (beware some yo yo yellow to follow...!)

And here's a close up of some dimensional detail:

Follow this link for the Just Add Ink Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by!

Caroline x

Stamp with Us Colour Challenge

Evening all!!
Stamp with Us posted a new inspiration photo colour challenge today, so, luckily, this afternoon Mr 3 went to sleep & whilst the other two watched Wall E (after arguing over who had already seen it the most!) I snuck away to my little craft santuary, and cleared a small area of desk to create on - would have been good if I'd cleared up yesterday, but organised? Me? Nope! Unfortunately.

Aaannnywway....here's the photo:

Isn't it just delightful? Love those cupcakes, so cute!

From the picture, I was 'inspired' to use the colours: sage, pretty in pink, pink pirouette, close to cocoa, pale plum & white and I incorporated them into my card (below), adding dazzling diamonds, crystal effects & pink tafetta ribbon to add some detail.

Stamp sets: Owl together now, crazy for cupcakes (used my stamp-a-ma-jig to get them to sit on the branch) happy moments (sentiment) polka dot background

Happy Sunday!

Caroline x

Stamp with Us theme challenge take 2!

Good morning!

Thank you cards are probably the ones I most like to make & the ones I use the most, so this morning, I've made up a couple more for the Stamp with Us challenge this week.

As I need to dash off to do some shopping, without further ado here are my two cards:

The first one uses the current Sale-A-Bration sets happy moments & whimsical words & the 2nd card is flight of the butterfly plus the mini butterfly from butterfly prints in the current mini catalogue.

So now off to the shops I go...hi ho hi ho....

Have a good w/e! Caroline x

Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #18 & Stamp with Us challenge

Hello!

Just popping in to upload a thankyou card that I need to send. I've designed it using Makeesha's sketch challenge for this week here and also for the Stamp with Us theme challenge here. I do have another thank you card in mind for the Stamp with Us challenge - so hopefully will get that made & posted before Sunday.

I've used the felt fusion flowers on my card & just the thank you sentiment from the happy moments SAB stamp set that can currently be earnt for free!

Here it is:

The dsp is raspberry tart and the main colours are rose red and pretty in pink on kraft base card.

Bye for now

Caroline x

Colour Inspiration #57, Muffin box & I've been published!

Happy Sunday!

As I'm not a very regular blogger these days, I thought I'd better make the most of it while I'm here today, so I have several cards/projects to follow....here goes...!

The first is a card inspired by Kristina who has posted a one off colour challenge & judging by the number of links she has already I'm not the only one to jump at the opportunity to participate again!

Here's the card:

Stamps: Occasionally (holiday blitz - US, I think!), On your birthday, polka dot background Ink & card: riding hood red, baja breeze, so saffron, more mustard, cameo coral Other: riding hood red ribbon, scallop edge punch

And here is the challenge:

I have also taken part in Claire Daly's very kind offer of 2 muffin box downloads which also comes with the opportunity to receive 2 further tutorials free!! I haven't filled my boxes yet, but did think they would be great as Easter baskets/treat boxes...I'm sure the shops are already stocking the Easter treats for them now! I used raspberry tart dsp for mine & pretty in pink cardstock:

The box is a great size & the template & instructions were so clear & easy to follow. Thanks Claire!

The exciting card news for me to start the year was having some cards published for the first time!!!! They are in Vol 15 no 9 of Cardmaking, Stamping & Papercraft which is out now! Here's a couple of not very good photos of the pages:

The stamp set is the rather cute Owl Together Now.

And finally another baby card. This one is the boy version of the baby girl card in my previous post. I made it for my friend Tanya's little cutie boy who was born on Thursday!

And that's all from me for now!

All the best for the week ahead!

Caroline x