JUST ADD "MAN" TO YOUR CARD

Over at Just Add Ink this week, the challenge has been set to create a Male card using these gorgeous colours:

I have two Male Birthdays to create for in August, so this was a great opportunity to get both of them done, using these colours to inspire me.  They really came together well.  The first one I will share uses the Paper Piecing technique.  The stamp of presents (from the Sale-a-bration set, Happy Moments) really lends itself to paper peicing and I had a lot of fun putting these together.  It is also a great way to use those little scraps of DSP we all have lying about!

I am entering this card just for fun, but why don't you have a go and enter this terrific challenge too?  Just pop on over to Just Add Ink and put your entry in, or leave some comment love for the talented ladies who have posted their creations for this challenge.  What a great resource this weeks challenge is, for those of us that struggle with "Man" cards!

GUEST ARTIST - Una Gibbs

A few posts ago, I told you all about a Tea Tray a good friend of mine had, that she felt lent itself to the sponging technique.  Una visited one day and brought it along with her so I could see it.  Well she was right!  Here is the tray in question:

We had such fun re-creating the our own versions of the scene, that I just had to share with you what we came up with.  You can view my card version HERE.  I would also like to show you the card Una designed:

Didn't she do a gorgeous job of this?  Una loves Peel Craft and already had an idea of what she would like to use to embellish her creation.  Not a single stamp in sight! 
  Don't be limited by your imagination when creating your projects.  Its amazing what you have lying around that can be used as an idea.  Thanks for sharing with us all, Una!

THE SHIRT OFF MY BACK!

I held a workshop today for a friend who specifically asked for "Male" themed cards.  I think this fits the bill, don't you?!  This was really well received by the Ladies who got to make it.  Not only do they now know how to create the Origami shirt, but they also learnt the "faux Suede" techinique, which the shirt is layered on.

I also demonstrated the Gift and Card in One, which you can see HERE.  We often struggle with ideas for the men and boys in our lives, but I think everyone was really pleased to go away today with some new ideas to use!  I hope I have managed to give you some inspiration too!

JAI #27

Just Add Ink have a simple sketch challenge going on this week.  Be sure to pop on over and put your entry in.  We would love to see what YOU come up with.  Even if you don't enter, go and check out all the other  entries and leave some comment love!

This is my entry for the sketch challenge.  I thought it lent itself to a Wedding card, and I really don't do many of these, for some reason.  It was also a great excuse to pull out my Gold Embossing Powder, which I haven't used for some time!  Teamed with red, it makes a lovely combination, don't you think?

BLOG UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

Hi Everyone!

Please bear with me over the next day or two as I redesign my blog.  Nothing will change (unless I do something stupid, lol!) except the background design.  Keep checking back, won't you.  I welcome any comments on layouts I might put up to help me choose!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

It is my Dad's birthday tomorrow and I wanted to surprise him with (another!) handmade card.  I have to admit that his 70th card was always going to be hard to beat.  But I think I have come close with this one.  I have gone for a weathered/aged (no thats not a dig, Dad!) look.  The technique I have used to roll the edges was taught to me by Delys Cram and you can see her work of art here.  I love the look of this aged edge.  I have used the Retired Stamp Set - Coast to Coast for the main image and En Francais for the background.
Hope you have a great day Dad - love you!

BAJA SYMPATHY

Isn't it amazing the places you find inspiration for a project?  One day while visiting my friend and regular class attendee, Una, she pulled out a tea tray and asked "Can we make that at your class".  I took one look at the tray and just knew it would be perfect!  While it involved a bit of masking and reflection, I think it turned out beautifully - what do you think? 

When I get back from holiday, I will take a photo of the tray and Una's take on this as well, if she hasn't already given it to someone lucky!  Her card is just beautiful and finished very differently than mine.

AN EARLY XMAS WISH

While blog surfing the other day, I came across a gift card and envelope that Andrea Walford put on Youtube.  I was really taken with is idea and raced off to make one myself.  I must say it came together really quickly!  I have made mine Christmas themed, but it would be great for Birthdays, or any occasions really.

I have pulled mine apart here so you can see how it all comes together!  Cool eh?!  Using the Stampin' Up! Slit punch, you could also include a gift card voucher on the inside tag.

JAI #25 - JOIN IN THE FUN!

I may be on holiday, but I wasn't going to miss my first design team submission for anything!  We have a colour challenge this week and isn't it gorgeous!

 I must admit to not having any Rose Red ink and only a 6x6 piece of card stock, so I was limited (again!!) by what I could do.  Once I decided on the artwork the rest came together pretty quickly and I am really pleased with the finished design.

 I even made the button following Danielle Daws fabulous tutorial, which you can find here.  I think that little detail just finishes it nicely!

ASIAN PINK

As promised, the Hostess Gift I made for Julie last weekend.  As I mentioned, Julie is a Bold Brights girl and she also loves pink.  What better colour to use than Pixie Pink!  I have teamed it with the new colour, Rich Razzleberry, to bring a bit of depth to both card and box.  I made two cards for the gift box, one of which I demonstrated at Julie's workshop.  I used the Level 2 Hostess stamp set Asian Artistry, such a gorgeous stamp set!  It could be yours too with a qualifying workshop.  Why not arrange a date with me to host your own workshop?  Drop me a line, I would love to do one for you!

A BIG WELCOME

I am so excited to have been selected to join the Just Add Ink design team!  It was very difficult to keep "Mum" about this exciting opportunity for the past few weeks, I really wanted to be able to tell you all!!  Bronwyn Eastley sent all the new Designers a blog award as a huge Welcome - Thanks Bron!  I can't wait to start showing you all the amazing challenges that are coming up.  I get to design for JAI every two weeks.  JAI #25 is my first submission, so be sure to check that out later this week!

Now for something a little different.  I recently ran a workshop for Julie, and her favorite Stampin' Up! colour family is Bold Brights!  We all have our favourites (mine is Earth Elements), so I tend not to use the Brights as much.  I worked her whole workshop around this colour family, which was a challenge for me.  I must say though, while it pushed me out of my comfort zone, I also enjoyed using these gorgeous colours for a change.  I designed this wee note pad as the door prize.  Vicky was thrilled when her name was drawn, as it also included CHOCOLATE!  Check back over the next few days to see the Hostess Gift set I made for Julie!

I will be taking a wee break over the next week and a half.  Don't worry, I plan on submitting a few posts in advance to show off some of my latest creations.  My family and I are taking a holiday in Surfers to recharge our batteries!  I will be nowhere near a computer, but will post any comments you make when I get back.  Your feedback is ALWAYS appreciated!  Take care, I will be back before you know it!

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