CS Designs "Floral Sun Montage" Card & Preliminary Easter Fun News!

March 30th 2011
Firstly just a "heads up" on some Easter Fun coming in April at CS Designs! Make sure you check back here to my Blog and the Doodle Pieces Blog to get all the details! It's going to be great fun so make sure you don't miss out! Sign up as a follower of the Doodle Pieces Blog and of my Blog and you won't miss out on all the details when they are released!

Here is my new card using the Floral Sun Montage from CS Designs. The last time I used this image I made it into a slide mailer - click here to view it. This is a great image to use for a whole range of crafty creations!

I have made the background by repeating the image and leaving a square in the middle to then mount my coloured image. I like the effect of the black and white around the coloured image. And the whole thing has been attached to a nice bright purple card.

I took the picture below to show the 'layers' I have used and attached with mounting tape to give it a 3D effect. The images were printed on linen look card which gives a great effect when coloured with Copics. The colours have a different sort of blended look on this type of card.

I have entered this card in the new challenge at the Creative Cowgirl Blog whose theme is Spring or Easter. The new challenge at the Top Tip Tuesday Blog is "Natue Inspired" so I have entered here as well! Paper Playtime has an Anything Goes theme this week. The Make it Colourful Blog has a "background colouring" themed challenge and I have entered my Floral Sun Montage Card here as well.

Michelle Perkett "Make Your Flowers Bloom" Challenge

March 29th 2011
Firstly make sure you make a note about Michelle's Easter Blog Hop on the 16th & 17th of April!! More details can be found here.

As you can see the new challenge at the Michelle Perkett Challenge Blog is "Flowers" and Shelley's Team have provided some great ideas for this new challenge!

I've made a card with one of Michelle's new images "Best Friends" which I think is just a wonderful image with a lot of possibilities for different occasions. I've used some gorgeous flower patterned paper for the background. I cut around the flowers for some added effect.

I've used a quote I found on the Quote Garden site which fitted this challenge perfectly! Here is a close up photo of the image and sentiment.



Can't wait to see your entries!

I have entered this card in the new Pollycraft Challenge which has a "friends" theme for this week! And the new challenge at Stamps R Us is "spring". Totally Gorjuss have a 'Spring has Sprung' theme too. And Delicious Doodles have a 'flowers' theme!

CS Designs "Charisma" Button Doll

March 28th 2011
Today I am sharing my button doll made using the wonderful "Charisma Montage" digi stamp from CS Designs. I made this button doll soon after becoming a Designer for Chris but I haven't really 'showcased' it on my Blog so I decided that today was the day to share her with you!

I love to make button dolls - I have so many old buttons of all colours, shapes & sizes and I like to lay them out then join them all together with wire and add embellishments. As you can see I have coloured the face from the montage with copics and then it has been UTEED to give that nice glossy look. She has gorgeous purple feathers which hide the little wire loop I have on the back so she can hang from a hook or door knob. Her body was an old belt buckle and I've used nice bright coloured buttons for her arms and legs. And her hands and feet are little beads. In her hand she has the full Charisma Montage digi which I also coloured and UTEED.

Bugaboo Xmas Cards!

March 27th 2011
I made half a dozen Xmas cards this weekend for a challenge at the Bella Creations Community Xmas Card Challenge Group. The stipulation for these cards was NO green or red colours and NO xmas paper! I am actually a big fan of making non-traditional xmas cards so I was more than happy to join in with this!

I will share my 3 cards using digi images from the Bugaboo Stamps Xmas range and later in the week I will share the more Vintage Style cards I made also for the Bella Creations Challenge.

As you can see I have used blue, yellow and silver colourings for these cards! I'm really happy with how they turned out.

I am entering  my cards in the new challenge at the Crafty Hazelnut Christmas Challenge as they require a "square" card and also The Secret Crafter has a xmas inspired theme challenge this week as well!

CD Designs Expressive Heart

March 26th 2011
Her is my latest creation using one of the Expressive Heart designs from CS Designs. I have made a diamond fold card which I found directions for on you tube! It was actually easier than I thought it would be when I first saw the folds!

I have added some patterend papers from one of my 6 x 6 pads from the Basic Grey 'Cappella' range as well as some rub on floral images and a cute little metal embellishment.

Michelle Perkett "Serena"

March 25th 2011
This "Serena" image from Michelle is just the most gorgeous mermaid! I've coloured her with bright coloured Copics and added her to a card made with textured papers and a rub on sentiment with a little diamanti to dot the "i".

Isn't she just beautiful!

Make sure you visit the Michelle Perkett Studio Challenge Blog regularly to see what the DT have been creating with Michelle's new designs!

I have entered this card in the Simply Create Challenge. The Do You Stack Up Challenge is entitled "Shine On" and required some "bling".

Gingersnap Creations Spirit Blog Hop

March 24th 2011
Gingersnap Creations are having a "Spirit Blog Hop" today and I'm participating! Make sure you hop over to their blog so you can follow the blog hop and see all the wonderful creations made especially for this event!

I've made two cards for the occasion in the Gingersnap colours of ginger and copper!

Here is the first card I made which has been chosen as a "Ginger Gem" for the Challenge GC96:

Some of the copper card has been embossed, the "steam punk flowers" are from a Dezinaworld Collage sheet and the other images are ones I have had for quite some time. The little "Ginger" scrabble letters are from the Collections range.

And the second card I made: using some more of the Dezinaworld steam punk images and embossed card.

And a close up of the wording and dancers:

I am entering this card in The Cheerful Stamp Pad's New Challenge which has a "Be a Sport" theme and as dancing is a form of sport I have linked my entry to Vicki's blog!

CS Designs "Priscilla Cut Out"

March 23rd 2011
Here is my latest creation using a CS Designs digi - Priscilla Cut Out! I've also used one of Chris' great sentiments "All You Need is Love" to make a chequerboard background for the Priscilla image.

Here is a close up of Priscilla surrounded by little heart punchies. Some of the punchies have been "stickled" for a bit of "bling". She's such a cutie. If you checkout the store you will see there are several other "Priscilla's" in the range. And remember there is still time to enter the Big Extravaganza Contest for March!



I have entered my Priscilla card in the following challenges: Anything Goes Challenge which has a 'make your own embellishments theme', also My Time to Craft Challenge has a 'Ladies Day  (young or old) theme and I think Priscilla is quite the young lady! Paper Take Weekly has a new 'It's a Mom Thing or Just be Girly' themed challenge and Die Cut Dreams has a 'Mother's Day or Special Friend' challenge.

Michelle Perkett New Blue & Brown Challenge

March 22nd 2011
This week's challenge as you can see is to use the colours 'Blue' & 'Brown'. I have used one of Michelle's new images "Grace" and I think she is just beautiful and the blue and brown colours really suit her! I've used blue and brown card and have printed the Grace image on a linen look card which gives a great effect when coloured with copics. I've added a blue ribbon rose embellishment to her dress!

I've made a 'Triangle Fold' card using Grace - here is a picture of the front of the card when it is folded and tied closed with the brown & blue ribbon:

When the ribbon is untied the card opens out to reveal a sentiment inside. The sentiment I have used is "Thinking of You" from CS Designs. I really like the different fold of this card and will definitely use it again.



Make sure you visit the Michelle Perkett Studio Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the team have created for this challenge!

I have entered my "Grace" card in the new Crafty Pad Challenge which simply requires using a digi! And also the Delicious Doodles Challenge which requires a 3 dimensional project. The Makeit Monday new challenge is Anything Goes so I have entered my triangle fold card here as well.

CS Designs "Asian Geisha" Decorated Notebook

March 20th 2011
This is my latest CS Design creation using the digi titled "Framed Geisha 2" - isn't she beautiful?
I have completely recoved this notebook as it had a very shabby looking cover. I've used Japanese washi paper to cover the entire notebook and have added some blue patterned Japanese paper to put across the corners and to mount the image on. The image has been coloured with Copic Markers of course and I've added some other little embellishments to finish it off!
I have used the current sketch  from the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge blog which I thought worked really well with this notebook.

And a close up of the image:

Guest Designer at Karber Digital Images

March 19th 2011
I was lucky enough to be chosen as a Guest Designer by Karber for their new challenge starting today. They have a great theme for this new challenge - "Books". So the idea is to use a Karber Digi and make a card based on your favourite book. If you don't have any of their digis click here to go to their shop - they have some great "options" including Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland and characters from the Twilight Series (now if you have teenage daughters you need these images LOL!!)

Here is the card I made using the digi titled "Alice" - don't you just love her eyes and the look she has on her face?

I've made a bit of a collage background using some great freebie images from "Rian Design". And I printed the invitation wording on some patterned paper. The "late" saying has been printed on my Dymo label maker and I've added a cute little teapot charm as well!

MPS Spotlight Saturday!

March 19th 2011
It's Spotlight Saturday at the Michelle Perkett Studio Challenge Blog and I have decided to "spotlight" the "Oh Happy Spring" stamp which I also used  for the Ribbon & Lace Challenge.
This time I have made a little "pink bag" incorporating the image. I have sewn some ribbon flowers onto the bag and some ribbon lengths to the top of the bag so it can be tied shut - a great idea for Easter eggs???

Here is a close up of the little bunny and the ribbon flowers (which by the way I didn't make!)

How about "hopping" over to Michelle's Blog to check out some more great "Spotlight Saturday" creations!

I  have entered this little bag into the Res Q Challenge - requirements fancy tied ribbon, sewing & stitching. Also the Stamping with the Dragon Challenge Blog have a Spring Themed challenge running. And Delicious Doodles have a 3 dimensional challenge!

Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Birthday Girl!

March 19th 2011
The new challenge at Send a Smile 4 Kids is "Birthday Girl" and this challenge is sponsored by Bugaboo Stamps - one of my favourite digi stamp companies! The winner of this challenge will win 7 Bugaboo Images!

Make sure you go and check out the other Design Team members creations (Wendy and Carol and Mari) and please take the time to visit our kind sponsor for this week.

And make sure you get to our blog and link your entry for this challenge!

I have used one of the gorgeous cupcake images from Bugaboo and made a couple of tags. The cupcake on the second tag was made from a die cut and my Big Kick!

Bugaboo Stamps New Challenge is to make something for a Baby/Child so I think my little cupcake girl fits right in!

Jewel Colour Slide Mailer

March 18th 2011
I have made this little slide mailer for a couple of challenges. One is the Jewel Colour plus Gold Challenge at Gingersnap Creations. The other is for the Altered Art March Challenge at the Bella Creations community site which required the use of paint, metal and a 3D element. I really enjoy decorating & making these little slide mailers.

I have used a gorgeous metallic topaz paint to cover the slide mailer and sponged the whole thing with Gold Lumiere paint. I have used images from one of the slide mailer sheets from Lisa's Altered Art to mount behind the slides and have finished them by edging them with foil. I have also added lace, pearls and a couple of gold charms.

Here is the front cover:

This is a close up of the little slides I have mounted inside:

And a picture just to show the slide mailer open to get the 3D effect:

Hope you like it! I would love you to leave me a comment!

CS Designs "Charisma" Monotone

March 17th 2011

I think this would have to be one of my favourite designs from CS Designs. I'm not normally a big 'green' person but I am happy with how this looks all put together!

The New Random Redhead Challenge at Gingersnap Creations is "Typewriters" and as I have used a "typewriter style font" for my wording I think that this has the old style typewriter "feel" about it. I have entered this at the new Creative Cowgirls Challenge which this week has a "Monochromatic Theme". And i've used the sketch from the new challenge at Sunday Sketch & Stamp Blog to make the layout of the card (sketch shown below). The Fab & Funky Challenge has a green theme this week. And at the Crazy Challenge Blog their requirement is to use eyelets or brads!

Here is the sketch from the Sunday Sketch & Stamp Challenge Blog:



Michelle Perkett's New Challenge "Go Green - St Patrick's Day" Of Course!!!

March 15th 2011
Well of course this week's theme is Green for St Patrick's Day!! Shelley's Team have made some fantastic creations for the challenge this week so make sure you pop over to the Michelle Perkett Studio Challenge Blog to check them out and leave them a nice comment and add your own entry!

I've used Michelle's new "Fiona" digi to make a Green themed card and have added a sentiment from CS Designs which I thought matched the theme perfectly seeing as Fiona has found her four leaf clover!!!

For this card I have used papers from one of my 6 x 6 Basic Grey Paper Pad - these are just great - they have the most fantastic co-ordinating patterned papers! I've cut the image out of the frame and I have individually cut the clover leaves from the frame and mounted them onto the card for some extra embellishment and added layers!

Here is a close up picture of Fiona and the CS Design sentiment - isn't she a real cutie and I just love the sentiment - it's great to have a sentiment that's a bit 'different' to the normal 'Happy B'day' or 'Best Wishes' etc!



My "green" themed card is suitable for quite a few challenges this weeks so I have entered Fiona into the following:

The Do You Stack Up "Layers" Challenge, Shelley's Images Blog,  Meljens Designs Challenge Blog have a "Green" theme and yet another "Green" Challenge at Paperplay this week! Whew - that's a lot of green and I can honestly say I don't normally use a lot of green in my card making! The new Creatalicious Challenge Blog have a two tone/colour challenge and I think this card with it's green and yellow fits in here too! ColourQ Challenge Blog have a great colour challenge going this week using "daffodil delight, kiwi kiss, old olive, early espresso & white" so my card fits right in!

NEW Desert Island Crafters Challenge

March 15th 2011
I was the lucky winner of the second challenge at the Desert Island Crafters Challenge Site with one of my gorgeous CS Designs "Chloe" cards - you can find it here. As the winner I was required to choose the 10 item "Itinerary" for their fourth challenge and be a Guest Designer! Entries to this challenge need to use at least 3 items from the listed itinerary.

The list of items I chose for Challenge 4 are:

Not a Card

Black & White

Celestial

Buttons

Unusual Sentiment

Charms

Wire

Fancy Fold

Fibres

No Image

And here is what I made for the challenge which used about 8 of the listed items! As you can see it's another "Button Doll" using black and white buttons and the most beautiful and serene face from the "Celestial Montage" digi stamp from CS Designs. I just love this doll she looks so peaceful and LOL a bit 'fishy' with her mermaid tail! The little charms at the end of her tail are 'moon' charms to fit the 'celestial' theme.

Here is a close up of the face and arms showing the cute little sentiment which is also from Chris at CS Designs - I just love this little saying and have used it on several items I have made!

I just love making these button dolls - they are a great way to recycle buttons and other charms and embellishments - they make great little goddesses!

Office Supplies Challenge at Gingersnap Creations!

March 15th 2011
I've been up really early this morning and have made several cards - here is my entry for the Office Supplies Challenge at Gingersnap Creations. The idea was to add "office supplies" and as you can see I have added staples, paperclips, dymo labels and a scrap of 'memo' paper! This was actually a lot of fun to put together and I always have bits & pieces of stationary lying around in my office!

Ginger Gem winner at Gingersnap Creations (GC94 Office Supplies).

CS Designs "Geisha" Matchboxes

March 13th 2011
I wanted to share my little decorated matchboxes with you. These have been covered with Japanese papers which were actually purchased in Japan!!! They have the most beautiful papers there - very hard to resist!
I have covered both pieces of the matchbox and have tied fibres around them decorated with the little Geisha images and some cute little colour co-ordinated beads. Inside the boxes you will see I have repeated the Geisha image and cut out the 'head' and have also added 3 coins tied with ribbon for 'good luck'.

Here are the little boxes closed:

And pictures showing the inside of the matchboxes! They are very easy to decorate but LOL now I have quite a few matches without boxes!

Karber Digital Stamps Customer Blog Hop!

March 12th 2011
Karber Digital Stamps are having a "customer" blog hop today so I am supporting them by joining in.

I've made this "Relax and Enjoy" card using their "Coffee Deny" digital stamp. I've added some cute 'flower' ribbon as one of the requirements was to use flowers on our cards as Spring is coming LOL it's not coming here in Australia - Winter is - but I'm happy to join in with the spirit of things!

Make sure you pop over to the Karber Blog and leave a comment and visit the other blogs and you could win a prize!!

Here's the list of particpants:
1. Andrea
2.Carol
3. Jamie
4. Kelly
5. Kerry
6. Laurel S
7. Laurel B
8. Melissa
9. Nanea
10. Sharon - that's me!
11. Tanya J
12. Tanya R
13. final stop is KARBER!

Karbers current challenge is to use a Karber Digi and some flowers so I am going to enter "Deny" in their challenge as well!

Michelle Perkett Studio Ribbon & Lace Challenge

March 8th 2011
As you can see from the title the new challenge at the Michelle Perkett Studio Design Challenge Blog is "Ribbon & Lace". This is my first card as a member of Michelle's Design Team - so it's very exciting and I hope you like what I have done! Make sure you visit the challenge blog to see what the other team members have created for the theme and enter the challenge yourself and have the chance to win an image from Michelle's Store!
I have used the "Oh Happy Spring" digi image from Michelle's Shop - cute little bunny isn't it? - along with some Bazzill cardstock and fancy lace.

Here is a close up of the ribbon weaving I did - believe me it was very fiddly but I persevered and am really happy with how it came out. I also made the ribbon flower/bow - I was playing around and that was what I ended up with!

The Pink Elephant Challenge Blog have a "Spring Time" theme challenge currently running and I think this fits perfectly!
The Digital Tuesday Challenge Blog have a "Welcome Little One" theme this week and as I plan to use this as a "birth" card for my cousin who is having a little girl at the end of the month I thought it appropriate to enter.
The Creative Belli Blog have an animal theme challenge so my little bunny has also been entered here!

CS Designs "Dream a little Dream"

March 7th 2011
Here's 'Hildie'!! I haven't made a card with her for awhile and she is just so gorgeous. Why don't you pop over to Chris' Store and get yourself a 'Hildie' too!!! And see what other images you might like AND check out all the details for the big extravaganza AND the cute little sentiment I have used on the card is one in a range of "freebies" from CS Designs but you need to click here to check out how you can get them!!!!

I've used this week's sketch from Friday Sketchers. LOL I actually turned it upside down as you will see from the original sketch below. I just love the colourings of the patterned papers I have used - they are from a 6 x 6 pad from the BasicGrey Range called "Origins". Quite earthy tonings.

I have also entered 'Hildie' in Vicki from The Cheerful Stamp Pad's 'Spring' challenge - I think she fits right in with the Spring feel with her big flower!

Here is a close up of Hildie and the 'Dream' sentiment!

And here is the sketch I have followed to make my card (remember I turned it upside down):



"Get to Work" Challenge

March 6th 2011
Over at the Gingersnap Creations Blog they have a challenge running entitled "Get to Work"!!
Well I have decided to take an 'interesting' slant on this theme and have gone 'outside the box' and it has a workplace theme but LOL it's a workplace "smoko break" topic!! In the papers here lately there has been a lot of discussion about smoking in public places etc. so I thought I would incorporate this into the tag I have made for this challenge - I hope you like it!
This first picture is a close up of the tag showing the wording. The "believe" meaning digi is a new sentiment from CS Designs.

Here is a picture of the whole collage tag. I just love this vintage lady with the cigarette LOL she looks SO annoyed!

Ginger Gem winner at Gingersnap Creations - GC93 Get To Work.