Sunday, January 29, 2012

Be Yourself.






I initially wrote a Sad Sack post about how my particular "style" of crafting is this and that, spewing codswallop about not fitting in etc. etc.  Well, you'll be pleased to know that I deleted that "woe is me" post quick smart and gave it a moniker more a reminder to me than anything else to just be myself and know that that is okay.   In the inimitable words of the  Popeye The Sailor Man, "I Yam What I Yam."  And just as there was a place for Popeye, there is a place for me. Somewhere.   I also very much wanted to express my gratitude, via my card, to my fellow crafters that I appreciate so.

I decided to include this card into this week's CR84FN Color Challenge showcasing the colors Pink, Red, and Light Blue.  Lucky for me, it's a combination that I love and one I find harder not to use than use.  So this card came together rather quickly which was kind of neat and rather gratifying.

I also adore the label sentiment from Waltzingmouse stamps.  It's from the Rescue Remedies Additions set (surprise, surprise).  But most importantly, I just wanted to also say with this blog post that this main sentiment is such a lovely acknowledgment of those that are in our corner, that keep us going, that move and inspire us, and that make it all worthwhile.  Much like you fine and generous folk that by virtue of who you are, that take the time to come by my blog and say G'day, leaving such sweet comments that always make me smile.  So thank you, all of you.  I sure am proud to have you in my corner.

{{{SqUIshy Hugs}}}

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Comfort Crafting.



Not too much going on in my neck of the woods.  Just lots of rain, humidity and annoying mosquitoes here.  Par for the course, I suppose, for mid summer in Sydney Australia.  Well, I guess the upside to all this wet is that I have been given plenty of opportunity to try things with my light box or light tent as some say, in attempts to get this whateveryoucallit to work for me.  Nowhere near mastery, but I am noticing the differences a bit of tweaking makes.  I still have much further East to fly towards total enlightenment, but I'm giving it a whirl.  Bit Zen, hey?

This card is made entirely from Spellbinders Labels 4 dies (The Grand Labels 4, Labels 4 and Labels 4 Small).  Such a cool shape.  I love it's vintage look.  This shape of Nestabilities die paired with one of my favorite Waltzingmouse stamp sets called Rescue Remedies does a happy crafter make.  I know, I know.  I do blab on about this stamp set, but it is just that good.  It doesn't need much beyond stamping to make it look pretty sweet, I reckon.  Or should I say, it is a set that takes a fair bit for me to make look bad...more to the point.  *wink*

Thanks for swinging by.   Here's to an inspired day for us all! 

Sunday, January 22, 2012

You Are Just Dandy!




Well, I don't think I can be accused of being my usual old "as subtle as a sledgehammer" self with my interpretation of this fortnight's CR84FN Color Challenge showcasing the colors Light Pink, Yellow, and Neutral.  I have used all the requisite colors but they are all in their delightfully pale personas in my card.  If you've been to my blog before, you will have seen a card of this same composition rather recently.  I just love this arrangement and orientation, so much that I thought I'd revisit it in this card.   Sure makes things easier for when you don't have the time available for faffing about trying this or that.    


Do you have a favorite card orientation or "go to" composition?

Well, that's me done for now.  Off to try and make some sense of this way out of control scraps bin of mine, which seems to have morphed into this bigger than Ben-Hur storage box at the minute.  Sigh.  Thanks for cruising by and have a fab day! 




Supplies:


  • Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Stamps" Say It Loud and Blessed By You, Papertrey Ink Flower Fusion # ?(that will teach me to buy an index label)
  • Tools & Accessories: Papertrey Ink In The Meadow dies (corrugated cardboard slopes and October Afternoon star DP), Spellbinders Banner dies,  Pastel yellow vintage lace (from stash), Jo Sonja Iridescent red acrylic paint, Vintage Cream Acrylic Paint, Frosted White Stickles, White Enamel Paint by Inkscentials, Pearl Brad and WRMK Corner Chomper.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Take Flight Lepidoptera!




I have just returned from a family holiday away sans papercrafting and thought it high time I posted a little something before my crafting DTs dash my intentions completely.  It's only been a bit over a week without crafting but it seems centuries.  So today I have had to dig back into the archives and at the very least post to let you know that out of sight doesn't always mean out of mind...out of my mind maybe, but certainly not out of mind.  *wink* 

This card was made a few months ago, but I hadn't gotten around to posting it.  It is a fun number full of lots of fabulous flutterbies and other assorted Lepidoptera loveliness.  This was a fun card to make because I let loose with a motley mélange of Tim Holtz Distress Ink splodgings and splotchings.  Visually, or in theory rather, I always enjoy the process of using Distress Inks with reckless abandon, but I must say that I get a bit twitchy with the "Surprise Chef" nature of the process.  I never know how it is going to end up and my sometimes meglomeniacal inner crafter worries that my project will get away from me a bit.  So really, as much as I love Distress Inks and the neat things you can do with them,  I do feel somewhat at the mercy of the inks as I use them.  Probably just me...Dunno?

I did, however, enjoy using the marvelous Papertrey Ink's Love Lives Here dies designed by the uber talented Melissa Philips.  Golly is she ever good.  The die cut butterfly was cut from two kinds of funky materials: cork and natural wool fiber paper.   I do recommend you give these two unconventional papers a go as they are rather intriguing. Talk about a textural delight.

The stamps used were across Hero Arts  (Star background), Papertrey Ink (Birds Of A Feather for the sentiment), and Tim Holtz for Stamper's Anonymous' Papillon for the vintage butterflies.  Fun.  The other nefarious bits and bobs were from my stash for the most part, save the 7 Gypsies DP, which is a bit thin, but still way cool and the Papertrey Ink Woodgrain Impression Plate and Rick Rack die.  Love.

Well, I am now off to play crafting "catch up" as the family week and a bit away did little for building up my coffers of cards to sell at the weekend markets.  Much by way of rabbits to skin, chickens to pluck, and fish to scale.  I know you absolutely know how that goes.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I enjoy your visits and any comments I am fortunate enough to get immensely.  x

Monday, January 9, 2012

When In Doubt...Go With The Stickles-y Bustier.





I have had this fun dressform and sentiment set called You're Lovely from Waltzingmouse Stamps from shortly after it was released last year.  But oddly enough, I hadn't gotten around to getting inky with it as of yet.  Seeing I have been so inspired by the latest fashion inspired crafting challenges of late (although I haven't posted in any), I thought I'd do my own thing with a stamp set I have been presumably keeping just for occasions like this.  Plus, I love a bit of houndstooth don't you?  The houndstooth stamp used here is a beauty from Papertrey Ink.  It is a strip stamp designed for background building.  I am not a fan of it for background building though (too much work), but I do love it for adding a swatch of houndstooth just when I need it.  

It has also been since forever that I entered a WMS Sketch Challenge and I thought it was high time that I got my scissors into action.  I must say though that the stamping bar at Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge has been raised so exceedingly high that I have felt rather intimidated to participate there over the last little while, hence my absence.  Where do you crafters come from?  Seriously. Some place where the water is richly infused with the stuff only my crafting dreams are made of?  I think so.  Where else have you ever seen such sublime talent all in the one place?  I am participating not because I think I have found the hidden wellspring, but because I was getting a tad neurotic about participating simply because everyone surrounding this premier challenge group is just that good.  Therefore, instead of heading for the hills and only peering from afar at a challenge group that I have so admired, I have (perhaps delusionally so) plucked up some courage, whipped up this card, typed this, and rapidly pressed the Publish Post button and now there is no turning back. <cue freaky music>

Must dash.  Thanks so very much for for stopping byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! 

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Eat Cake But Maybe Not In A Light Box.





This card was made for the first CR84FN Color Challenge of the year.  The colors  are Med. Blue, Orange, and Yellow and are in honor of this premier challenge group's first birthday. YAY!  Not my usual vintage colors, but I think I have inadvertantly made them my own.  I say inadvertantly because this image is my first ever shot using the photographic light box I got for Christmas.  I am amazed at how blah (read: kinda grubby) this photograph looks in comparison to the pictures I took this morning in the sunlight streaming through my daughter's room of this very same card.  The  light box cuppie looks burnt and the glittery golden sprinkles that were lovingly bestrewn atop the spotty orange frosting looks like the cupcake landed business side down onto my much neglected kitchen floor.  What?  It's the holidays afterall, right?  The wrapper has also been painted with gold acrylic paint which also gives off the air of being as if I hadn't even bothered.  Double sigh.  Oddly enough though, the organza ribbon has perked up no end with the newly acquired light box treatment.  Talk about the perfect mango.  Go figure?

The light box only came with a double sided backdrop with gray on the one side (as pictured) and a "bright as" electric blue on the other.  I tried to slip in a 12x12 sheet of white cardstock up the back, but the box is 16" square, so I had a rather unslightly gappage which made it immediately apparent that that was not going to be the ticket.   I must add too that I prefer my pictures to have a little bit more attitude to them.  The gray looks solemn and bland to me.  Perhaps I should have gone with the shocking blue. Now there's a thought.  So how do you fine photographic folks do it?  I'd love to know how to make my lightbox sing.  I sure would appreciate any tips on how to head towards lightbox mastery. ...A bit ambitious perhaps?  Come on, help a sister out.

Oh, and here's a pic of the also unedited natural light version so you can see exactly what I've been carrying on about:



Funny (as in odd) isn't it?  It's the same card, I promise.   I sure look forward to hearing or reading rather, what you think, because I sure could use your expertise.

Thanks so much for popping by.  I shall look forward to seeing you anon.  Here's to an inspired day for us all!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

All The Very Best For 2012!







Just wanted to pop in to share a card I made especially for you sending my most heartfelt and fondest greetings for the New Year.  All the very best to you and yours for 2012 and beyond.  Salut!