Inkspiration Inspiration Challenge #17

Here is Makeesha's Inspiration Challenge that started last friday...

As you can see it's a 'dinning' setting, lots of neutral and earthy tones... at first I struggled to work out what I might do with this image, but after some very inspiring blogg hopping, I was able to look beyond just the picture and the 'actual' items in it. Unfortunately i have been unwell since Friday night so I haven't the energy to actually stamp out the image I had in mind, but I'd like to verbally share with you what I thought of and perhaps someone else might have the time to 'create' and put a link in the comments for us to view later.

When I started to think of dinning out, it made me think of some of the great times I've spent with family and friends around a table enjoying good food and good conversation. There have also been some lovely 'romantic' occasions that Jamey and I have enjoyed a meal out together just the two of us... and as we are getting closer to that day of celebrated love... Valentines Day, I thought why not a 'love note'.

A card that is not too fussy, as my man is not into all the frills, nice earthy tones in keeping with the image... Very Vanilla, Kraft, Creamy Caramel... perhaps even close to cocoa. Add a little bit of blinge to give it a lift... some crystal brads, or heat embossing? And an image to that speaks of the moment, one that expresses nurture, security and longevity... perhaps the big old tree from Lovely as a Tree... can you picture it yet? It needs a bit of texture... some DSP? or ribbon/brads?

Inkspiration Colour Challenge #17- Take 3

I am having so much fun with these colours now I couldn't help doing one more card...
So I decided to do a Tri-Fold card.


From the front:

Stampset: A Kind Word

Cardstock: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Raspberry Tart DSP (Cameo Coral)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Cameo Coral

Tools & Accessories: SU Water Colour Pencils, Blender pens, Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain Ribbon.

Inside: I had thought about leaving the images colourless, just for an interesting contrast but it got the better of me and I got out my pencils.

playalong with Makeesha's challenge here

Inkspiration Colour Challenge #17- Take 2

Had the morning off today, and this challenge has been totally bugging me... felt i could have done something a little bit more 'different' or not the norm for a card. so here is Take 2.

Stampsets: Three Little Words, Botanical Blooms(2008 sale-a-bration)

Paper: So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Cameo Coral

Ink: So Saffron, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip

Tools & Accessories: Rhinestone Brad - Clear Circle, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Library Clips, Earth Elements Stampin' Write Markers.

Here's what it looks like outside of the 'pouch'. I could have made it like a litte card that slips out, but was thinking more along the lines of adding a magnetic strip to the back so you can put it on the fridge or something?

I loved the way the Three little words stampset came together in the colours, this is my first time using it.

What do you think?

You can check out the other entries here, I recommend you do there are some very talented ladies who played along.

Inkspiration Colour Challenge #17

Well it's the FIRST colour challenge for the new year, and I've been sitting at home all day on my lonesome... I so thought I'd play along. Check out the colours...



Hmm... interesting combo... but the samples from the design team look great. Why not visit Makeesha's blog and check out other peoples designs.


Here's my creation

Cardstock: Cameo Coral; Chocolate Chip; Very Vanilla & So Saffron.

Ink: Chocolate Chip; Cameo Coral

Ribbon: So Saffron wide grosgrain; Very Vanilla Taffeta.

Stampsets: Baroque Motifs; Elegant Thank You.

Tools & Accessories: Vanilla half pearls; Paper Piercing; Scallop Oval Punch; Large Oval Punch; Scallop Edge Punch.

Let me know what you think...

A Helping Hand for Haiti

If you've been watching the news lately you will know about the devastation that has befallen those who live on the island of Haiti. Many organisations are digging deep to assist with funds to help those who have survived the earthquakes to get emergency aid.

At Stampin' Up! they have devised a special offer in an effort to help... here are the details:

From now until 28 February, 2010, Stampin' Up!® will set aside $2 from the sale of every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set and donate it to the Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund.

Please pray for those who have been left behind, have been seriously injured or lost loved ones. Also for those who are trying to administer aid, and keep order in Haiti.

Thank-you for reading.

Stamping with Sarah

My niece Sarah (6) loves to stamp when ever she comes over, and will keep bugging me until I get the ink & rubber out for her to 'make' something. So when her & her mum came over on Thursday night to have dinner, I was relieved when she pestered us to play the Wii... until it came time for someone else to have a turn, then she started... "can I do some stampin'... can I pleaasseee!" So off to the 'stamping room' we trotted and she picked out her ink colours and stamps, and I cut up the project... the Milk Carton box, as I had some left over from a previous workshop.

So here is Sarah with her Milk Carton... What do you think? Cute isn't she... how deceiving looks can be! *wink* She's that little girl we all used to sing a nursery rhyme about... you know the one with the curl in the middle of her forehead. *chuckle*

Anyway... Sarah's milk carton is made with Whisper White & Pixie Pink card stock, inks are Pixie Pink, Orchid Opulence & Green Galore, Stamp sets used are Petal Pizazz , Oval All & Think Happy Thoughts, ribbon is thin white satin (non SU). We paper pierced around the scallop oval to give a more delicate look.

It was actually Sarah's idea to use only the words from the Oval all stamp, and then use the bolder flower from Think Happy Thoughts, which I think really made it tie in well with the rest of the theme she had going on.

What do you think? Leave some comment love for Sarah.

Happy Birthday to... Sue!

My friend Sue turned... ha ha ha... a women never reveals her age! Let's just say she's a year older than last year, but not as old as next year. Any way Sue celebrated her birthday on Monday and we all went out for a 'surprise' dinner, we were sure her daughter had blown our cover but a carefully scripted txt msg revealed that Sue was none the wiser.

It was a great night catching up with friends and the food was great... thanks La Porcetta!

Why are you telling us all this I hear you asking, well because I'm building up the setting behind my first ever easel card.

And here it is:

I used Bella Rose DSP, Riding Hood Red & Whisper White CS.

Inks used were Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss & Riding Hood Red.

Stamp sets used were Frames with a Flourish, Echoes of Kindness (Lvl 2 Hostess) & On your Birthday.

Accessories:Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon. Button from Button Bouquet Designer Buttons.

Scallops on the Riding Hood red circle were made using the Corner Rounder.

Flower coloured in using SU water colour pencils & Blender Pen (a trick I picked up off a few websites is to colour lightly in blue around the outside of the image, this gives a shadow type effect and makes your image pop out a bit)

The card folds down to fit nicely in a square envelope, and there is room on the underside to write a message... that will not be on display for everyone to read.

I got the instructions & dimensions for this card from the Score-pal website, other variations are also on Splitcoast Stampers. Click on the links to see the originals.

I'd love to see any Easel cards you've made, leave me a link in my comments.

Thanks for looking.